Omaha Daily Bee Newspaper, December 26, 1888, Page 1

EIGHTEENTH YEAR. INFLAMINGGOTTON A Duplication of the Kate Adams Steamboat Horror. ON THE EVE OF CHRISTMAS DAY. The John H. Hanna is Totally De- etroyed by Fire. DEATH JOINS THE MERRYMAKERS The Awful Sequence of a Night of Pleasure. BY THE RIVER AND THE FLAMES. The Fated Vessel's Passengers Either Burned Alive or Drowned by mp- ing Overboard—-A Similar Catastrophe th Pacific A Terrible Christmas Eve. New Oniueaxs, Dec. 25.-—The steamboat fohn H. Hanna, from Ouchita river, with alarge number of passengers and a cargo of 8,000 bales of cotton on bourd, burncd last night at Plaquemine, La. It is stated that of 100 persons on board at the time of the dis aster, ouly fourteen known to be saved, The John H. Hanna was built in Madison, Ind., in 1873, and hailed from Louisville, Ky She was of 3i7 tons burden. She was valued at$15,000, and insured for $12,000 in local and foreign companies. Captain J. W. Banks, president of the com- pany, says the latest advices he has are to the effcet that the steamboat left Monroe, La., on Sunday at 6 o'clock. Upon being questioned as to the number of passengers on the Hanna, Captain Banks said he thought it was small, as there was little travel in that section at present. A special from Plaguemine says the burn ing of the steamer John H. Hanna last night, near that place was one of the most terrible river disasters that ever happened in south- ern waters, The loss is very heavy. About thirty persons perished in the flames, and o large number jumped overboard and were drowned. Among the lost are Captain James 8. Holmes and First Clerk Samuel R. Powell, Their bodies have been recovered. Captain Holmes' body was terribly burned, One of the deckhands who escaped says thero were about one hundred persons on board and that only about a dozen could be found alive. The engineer and pilot were ved. All who escaped were burned more or less severely. It was just before Christmas day wa being ushered in that the fine steamer coming down the river. Several of the pa scngers were seated in the cabin having a merry time and with no thought of the im- pending catastrophe. Many of the crew and passengers were asleep when the fire broie out and spread with indiseribable rapidi The details of the sufferings and some of the passenge; extreme. The boat had reached a point which was buta short distance above town when a negro roustabout near the boiler room ran out to the deck and shouted that tue boat was on fire. John Cullen, a stoker, was near the place at the time, and sceing the flames bursting forth from the big tiers of cotton near the boiler ran hastily to the engine room and gave the alarm, Engincer Merriman took in the situation at a glance, and at once sounded the alarm by blowing the steam whistle and ringing the bell. In an instant the flames shot through the cabin and over the sides of the cotton, enveloping the entire boat in fire. Clerk Powell was up stairs at the time, and when he saw the flames, herocally ran through the smoke which filled the cabin and tried to arouse the sleeping people. He kicked at the doors, and in a short time almost everybody was awake, Then con- fusion worsc confounded appeared,and frantic people ran to the different exits to make their escape. But the boat was piled high with cotton and the passageways were filled with smoke. Many dropped before they were able to get to the forward part of the boat and were dead when the steamer went down. . As soon as the fire was discorered En- gineer Merriman set the steam pumps to working and tried to battle with the flames, but the five swept through the boat like Dlast on a prairie, and the engine room was soou in flames, Then, to add to the conster- nation, & steam pipe burst and filled the place with scalding steam, Engineer Morri- man was forced to abandon hispost, and he and the stokers and others ran to the side of the boat and rushed through pell mell to seve their lives. As s00n as the smoke and flames began to start up the sides of the boat Captain Jolles, the pilot, swung her around and headed the bout for shore. A full head of steam was on, and the boat soon ran iuto the bank. Before she did so, however, sho was doomed, All her timber was furiously burning. When tho steamer struck the bank she bounded away ngain and swung around, drifting down the stream as she burned. Then Captain Jolles jumped out over the cotton bales and springing into the river swam ashore, The sight was a weird one, viewea from the bunk, and the town was aroused. Float- ing cotton, charred timber and other debris filled the river, aud many people w struggling desperately in the water for their lives, Some of them were able to swin nshore, but most of them were 50 badly burned or thoroughly ex- hausted that they struggled but a few mo- ments and sanlk to rise 1o more, s the burning boat struck the bank of the river the crew and the passengers, who had been able to reach the forward ena of the boat sprang ashore, some of them with scovened faces und bruised limbs, and many of them with scarcely any covering. Among those who managed to get off were Captain Holmes-and Bob Smith, the unfortunate pilot of the Wifated White, who was & pas- senger. Both men were burned nigh unto death, and the story of the manner in which they suffered i most heartrending. When the captain jumped ashore he was horrinly burned, and in his frantic desira to be relieved from the pain he was suffering, hie buvied his face and Lands in soft mud and begged most piteously for somé ono to belp hiw, Swmith was just behind and was laid out by the side of the dying captamn. Nothing could be done for the suffering men, and the two died together on the river bank. Plaqueniine was not slumbering when the fire broke out, and when the discovery was made that the Hanua was burning, slmost the entire town flocked to the river bank and watolied the vessel burn. The struggling uuforiunates who reached the shore were laken care of, aud doctors and others on Coast. death of are barrowing in the OMAHA. WEDNESDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 206, 1888, ate their sufferings. The City and Central hotels and private houses threw open their doors to the ill-fated people and fed and clothed them until this morning. The sur: vivors telographed accounts of the disaster 1o their homes. No one saw Clerk much heroism in waking up the passengers, after he had rapped at the doors, and it is quite positive that he was burned to death and went down with the steamer. No o tempt was made to save any of the steamer's books and papers, and everything, together with the clothes of the crew and passcn was lost. The boat burned rapidly after sho reached the bank and in a very short time after the alarm was given she had burned to the water's edge. The hull sank and nothing came to their assistance and tried to allevi- | | Powell, who displayed was left of the Hanna but the floating tim- bers and the burning cotton. 'he crew of the boat were J. S. Holmes, aptain: George Powell and James Goraon, clerks; Lew Rawlings and Henry Jolies, pilots; J. H. Handley and J. C. Merriman, engineers; Daniel Carroll, Steward ; Samuel Bryant, first mate; Mike Cussat, sccond mate; John Gibbon, sailorman; Ben Duclos and Willie Higgins, barkeepers; two cham- bermaids, Mrs. Demery and Mrs. Hunt; Jimmy Handley and Charley Thompson, fire- men; John Rucker and Tom Cullen, stokers, Among those that were lost are: CAPTAIN J. S, HOLMES, master of the boat. SAMUEL POWELL, chief clerk. BOB SMITH, pilot from Smithland, La. MIKE O'NEIL, night watchman, JOE CRANE, cabin watchman, MONROE DECK, first cook. JACK DUFF, second cook. JOE HARVEY, cabin boy. JIM WATSON, second baker, JOHN CRAFTON, carpenter. Among those who were badly burned are: Dax Canrory, steward. Jist O'New, deckhand. Jonx G ailorman. Lovis WeLci, roustabout, and a number of others. The following is an additional list of those saved: Mary Ramscy, Priscilla Wright and Millie Gentry, colored passengers; Will Marshall, cabin boy, John Jackson and Thomas Garrow, both seriously burned. There were on the Hauna thirty-three roustabouts, and eleven belonging to the Josie W, which had been laid up at Munroe. Of these thirty-three are known to be saved, leaving cleven unaccounted for. The follow- lowing are additional names of the lost: JOHN BARLOW, colored, JIM BLANK, colored, DICK BLANK, colored, mess room tender, STEPHEN JOHN and MONROE DIG! cooks. The child of Pri a Wright (colored). The survivors were all warm in their praise of the humane people of Plaquemine, who spared no pains and no money to fur- nish them with clothes and shelter after their terrible experience. W. H. Brule, mayor of the city, was especially kind to the survivors. None of the men could say what was the origin of the fire. The gencral impression, however, is that some carels moker threw a cigarette among the cotton bales and thereby caused the disaster, The death of John Crafton, carpenter, was a sad one. He was in the upper portion of the boat, struggling to get near the front end. The flames were twisting and sweep- ing all about him. He tried to reach the bow, but dropped and burned o death before the eyes of the people, who were not able to render him auy help. The second barkecper of the boat said Mr. Powell was standing near him when they both jumped into the water. Powell, who could not swim, climbed on a floating cotton bale, but two deck hands jumped on the bale, wrning it over and throwing Powell into the water and he disappeared. The boat was about fifteen yards from the shore when a great many people plunged into the river, and scveral who reached the bauk in safety became bogged in the soft mud, and so intense was the heat of the burning boat that they were burned to death before they could climb up the steep bank of the levee. The fire was so rapid that before the pilot had timshed sounding the three alarm whistles the entire boat from stem to stern was a roaring mass of flames, and the scene that ensued was terrible in the ex- treme. Men yelled and ran about the decks of the burning steamer like maniacs, and others, screaming at the top of their voices, threw themselves into the dark waters and were lost to sight in the twinkling of an eye. Tho second barkeeper said several persons near him struggled in the water and begged pitifully for help, but he could not render them any assistance, because the water chilled him to the marrow, and his clothing clogged his every movement. A cabin boy, who was an assistant of the steward, said the crew who were in the Texas were aroused from their slumbers by the flames, which roared over them, and they were compelled to dive headlong from the roof of the boat into the river, and many of them were burned to death while in the water. Phis evening the impression preva the number of lives lost may not exc thirty, although, owing to the fact that th steamer’s papers were all burned, it is i cult to get the exact nuwber of people on board the ill-fated boat, On the arvival of the train in this city, ambulances were at the depot and all the survivors of tho disaster who were sufforing from severe burns were at onco conveyed to the Charity hospital Steward Carroll says that the last of the lady passengers on the boat coming down got off at Baton Rouge. He says among the passengers that were aboard at tho tlme of the accident were Captain P. G. Montgom- ery, Mr, Harpin, of the board of under writers, and a drover and his son, They were all saved. A Times-Demoerat special from Plaque mine give the following account of the death of Captain Holmes: The brave captain met the most awful death, He remained at his post of duty tiil every chance to save the lives of the passen gers was gone. Then he attempted to swim to the Shore, but it happened to be bogey and ho was seen to make frantic endouvors to extri- cate himself without avail, The burning boat was fast nearing him, and while he was on his knees in the mud, ho put his hands up to protect his back from the intense heat. It wus su awful moment for those on shore, who were making every endeavor to relieve himOwith skiffis and with ropes from the bank. One man went out to him and placed a box between him and the flames to protoct bim from the increasing heat. Hosald: “Never mind me. I'll be dead in & few minutes, anyway.” He was finally freed from nis terrible situation by tying a rope around his body and dragging hun on shore, but too late, He died wbout half an hour after being rescued, s An Ocran Steamer Burned, Searrie, W. T, Dee. 25 ~Five and per- haps seven lives are belicved to have been lost by the burning of the propeller Levi Erickson, off Alki Point, last night. The vessel plies between Seattle and Sydney, and was enroute to the latter point at the time. in the pilot house and known what tave been a lamp ex The fire originated is not definitely although it is said to plosion. There were thirty-six people on board at the time, the vessel was three miles from The fire spread with ncredible rapidity Captaim John H. Nibbe endeavored to launch the Life raft, but found the passengers al ready strugeling to get it overboard. In the strugele to get the raft properly launched the captain was carried overboard with it, while the passengers, seizing the life pre servers, firewood, or anything that would float, jumped overboard The steamer Skagit Chief, en route to Ta coma, saw the fire and crowded on full steam to come to the steamer’s assistance. Her crew succeeded in rescuing seven people from the water The steamer Mountaineer, which was four miles away, also saw the fire and came up. When within half a mile of the burning ship they found people struggling in the water, and lowering boats, succeeded in rescuing ninetcen persons. One unknown man died after being talcen out of the water, "The list of the lost, so far as known, is: Miss ANNIE TOLLNER. J. H. Nonrsous. JACK SixMoxs, of Sydney. T. Sy, of Colby And two women and o man, whose names are not ascertained. Neither of the rescuing vessels went to the burning steamer, us she was completely enveloped in flames. e No Lives Lost. Porrsmovri, N. H,, Dec. 25,—The steamer Silver Star, of Bar Horbor, was sunk this morning about 1:30 o'clock about three miles castjof Whalesbaci light. She struck a sunken wreclk, staving a hole amidships and filling with water. Captain Parker and the crew of cight men took the boats, saving only the clothes they had on. L Sail Boat Capsized. Sax FrAxcisco, Dee. 25.—Late this after- noon while a party of seven were out sailing on the bay about six miles out the boat was capsized and six of the oceupants drowned. The following are their names: Andrew Siewel, Kate Siczel, George Strimp and wife, Matt Cox and Mary Morales, e A DESTRUCTIVE caused it, and shore, FIRE. The Town of Marblchead, Nearly Destroyed. Maunwenean, Mass., Dec. 25.—12:30 a. m. —Marblehead ison fire. The entire bu: nese portion is in ruins and a dozen firms are burnt out, also the Boston & Maine depot and several other buildings. It is the largest fire that ever visited this city and the people are panic-stricken. The telegraph office has been destroyed and this dispatch is sent with great difficulty over a hastily improvised wire and communication is liable to be inter- rupted at any moment. At midnight it is estimated that seveh acres have been burned, and the entire loss will be at least $500,000. Among the build- ings that have been burned are the Powers block, William Goldthwaite's three-store building, Monroe's large shoe factory, a three-story block occupied by dry goods stores and the Boston branch procery story on the first floor, Masonic hall on the second, and a skating rink on the third, the four-story Allerton block, the ' American Express building, Simon’s varioty store, the dwellings of Dan- iel Broden, George 'Church and Thomas Falls, Metealf’s box factory, and other build- ings. Two families lived in Power’s block, where the_fire originated, but _fortunately escaped. Nearly the same locality was burned over about twelve years first fire started in nearly the su Many _of to-night's victims also sufferers by the former fire, The shoe business, which has been quiet for several months past, was just starting up and many operatives will now bé thrown out of work the entire winter. The fire is still burning. 1t is impossible to get definite losses, owing to_the great excitement pre- vailing among all classes. —-— A $350,000 Fire at Cincinnati. CiNcINNaTI, Dec. 25.—A fire which orig- fnated early this morning in the works of the Jacobs Cordage company, at Budd and Harriet streets, burned to ashes the factories und dwellings, covering three acres of ground. The fire spread rapidly in the build- ing in which it sturted, and soon extended to the nnati, Hamilton & ) were filled with cars, These soon caught fire, and though but little wind was blowing, the intense heat from the wooden buildings and cars sent the flames bounding over a large arca. The fire department worked with desperation, but despite thelr efforts the works of the 3udd Street Furniture company, Central Furni- ture association and Queen Tiwine company, were soon in flames, From these buildings the fire spread rapidly to the adjacent dwell- ings, and several were destroyed before tho firemen could subdue this conflagration. The total losses aggregate about $330,000 with an insurance about half. ~ Three firemen were quite seriously injured. e ——— Train Robbers at Work, Truckee, Cala, Dec, 25~ The express car on the cust bound train was robbed last night two miles east of Clippor Gap. The express messenger, Johnson, and his helper, Miles, were busy in the car when suddenly the glass transoms over the doors were broken simultancously, and two revo thrust through, coveéring the messengers. Johnson was compelled to open the door and let the men in, One robber then covered the mes- sengers with his revolvers, while the other took from the safe all the' coin packages, which he placed inabag, 'The men then jumped from the train, which was running slow. When New England mills wa reached the messenger gave a discription of the robbers, who were both young men, and horsemen started in_ pursuit. Two tramps have been arrested on suspicion. The amount of the loss is not known, but is re- ported to be several thousand dollurs, al though express representatives say 1,000 will cover it. Mass., were RS A Tiar] Endorses Boulanger. Paurs, Dec, 25.—General BBoulanger's cause has reccived an immense accession in the candidature of General Montalban for a seat in the chamber of deputies, His appearance as a candidate in the department of Somme conjoined with General Boulanger, opens favorably for the Boulangists a most momen- tious clection campaign. The ministers feel the danger acutely and to-day they held o il at Elysee to consider how to face the General Montalban's election ad- dross is a frauk_cspousal of the Boulanger programme. He denounces the chamber of 5 and demands the summoning of a constituent assembly as alone competent to express the vational will e Labor Troubles at Bevier, Sr. Louts, Dec. 25.—Trouble broke out afresh to-day at Bevier, Mo., the scene of tho recent mine troubles, The negroes were the aggressors, and not only did they grow boisterous, but attempted intimidation by thefree uso of fire arms. The militia acted rompuly, and to-night five of the ring- eaders are in the guard house. s bl o Freight Train Wreeked. Dexves, Dec. 25.--A freight train on the Midland road jumped the track while round- ing @ curve near Lime Creek to-day, wreck- ing cars and killing Fireman Mariin and Brakewan Robert Harliv, UNDER THE NAME OF LAW. Sad Storoy of a Boy in an Iowa Penitentiary. STOLE TO KEEP FROM STARVING Row Chester Turney Was Given a Mock Trial For a Trifling Theft and Sentenced to Sevens teen Years, A Mother's Plea for Pardon. Des Moises, la., Dec. 25.—[Special to Tie Bre. |—In Oswego, N. Y., about twenty years ago was born a boy whose life for the past five years has been one unbroken series of misfortunes, such as even in this world of sorrow are seldom experienced. This boy, Chester Turney, became fatherless at the age of three years. Hia mother, being poor, was compelled to be separated from hier bo, n order to mako a living for herself and him. She engaged in teaching, and, following the custom of the time and place, boarded around among the patrons of the school. The boy Chester was adopted by Rev. James and Mrs. Beecher, Rev. James Beecher was the youngest brother of the late Henry Ward Beecher, and at that time pastor of a church in Oswego. For several years the lttle fel- low remained in their home, where he was carefully trained and cared for. After a whileit became nocessary for Mrs, Turney to go west to the home of her parents, and wishing to take Chester with her the Heechers gave him up, In their new home Mrs. Turney and her boy found many hardships, but managed to live, the mother teaching, sewing, caring for the sick, and domg whatever she could find to do. One day while engaged in her house hold work she accidentally stepped through atrap-door and broke her leg. This was in- deed a terrivle blow to the poor woman, She had by industry and the strictest economy managed to accumulate about $300, but this sum was soon gone, used to pay for board, lodging, and doctors’ bills, Chester at this time was employed on a farm near the httle town of Preston, in Jackson county, Iowa. He had contracted for a year, and notwithe standing the illness of his mother and her straightened pecuniary circumstances, his employer refused to pay him until the time had expired. 'T'ne poor boy worked hard and faithfuily, cagerly looking forward to the time when he could collect his wages and contribute his httle store to the sunport of his mother, who in the meantime had been compelled to accept aid from the town of Sa- Dbula, in which she was living. This humiliating circumstance was keenly felt by the proud and sensitive boy, and the mental worry it occasioned, combined with the hard physical labor, rapidly destroycd his health. When his term of servic ended he was still unable to collect his wages, his employer pleading inability to pay. Thed apointed boy went to visit his mother, and found her unable to. leave her bed and the forced recipient of public charity, while he, who through long, weary months had toiled early and late, was unable to aid her. The sick mother bravely endeavored to hide her own anguish and comfort her child, but it may be well believed that it was a difficult task. Knowing that the employer was soon to receive a lurge sum of money, Chester ro turned to Pretson, thjnking that if ho were present when the money was received; he would ‘surely get his pay. While waiting for jt he worked around the town wherever he could find anything to do, but the severe physical and mental strain proved too much for him, and a long, lingermg fever was the consequence, For days he raved in deliruim, and weeks passed away before he could leave his room. At this time came the shocking intelligence that his mother had been sent to Michigan a pau- per, and died on the way. This was the climax of his woe. No light penetrated the gloom surrounding him. His star of hopo seemed set in endless night. During his ill- ness a great deal of expense had necessarily been incurred, and he now endeavored to get work inorder topay the proprictor of the hotel where he had been during his sickness. One day about_this time a young man ap- proached him, and requested him to buy a re- volver and wateh chain of him, claiming to be far from home and without money. Ches- ter explained to him that hedid not wish the articles, but if it would help him he would take them.as the young man offered them very cheap. In a short time Turney was ar- rested for stealing. It seems that some par- ties in Preston whom he had offended in some way had induced the young man to get those stolen articles into "Turney’s posses- sion. He was taken before a justice and fined $10 and costs, which made the sum total #0. Not having the money he was ent to jail for ten days. After three days’ imprisonment, however, the jailor released him, telling him that lus imprisonment was uelawful, Sick and weary, and burdened by this new sense of disgrace, the poor boy wandered about, dreading to meet anyone who knew him. Near Preston lived a farmer who had been a friend to hls mothe He resolved to see hiin_and explain his case, thinking the man would believe him. But approacking the house in the early morning he found the farmer was not at home and Lis wife outdoing chores, At first he thought he would tell her, butconcluded he couldn’t,and after talking with her a while passed on. Though the lady kindly invited him into the house, he was determined not to enter it without a fuil explanation of his late terrible experience, Grief for his mother and his own sickness and trouble had completely crushed the boy, and at length in a state of despair and, it may reasonably be believed, tewporary insanity, Chester fled from th haunts of men and sought refuge in the woods, For d he lived on nu never to go near a human _habitation but finally the gnawings of hunger ove his resolution, and forced him to scek food. He left his retreat, went near the house of former employer and watched for an oppor- tunity to get into the house unobserved. At length itcame, He went m, und finding tho table set for a meal, he took something to eat, and the very revolver, for buying which he had been sent to jail, Passing out of the house he concealed himself in some shrubbery in the garden until durk, and then went to the barn, where he stayed all night. On leaving in the morning he took with him an old I3ufialo robe to wrap himself up. About this time he also entered a bardware store through an open window, and took some bags of shot in order to kll game o support himself in the woods. Not being strong enough to carry it all, he left it at the rear door of the store, and returned for it on the following nigl During the next day parties bad been notified to be on watch and shoot,at sight. S0 when he ap- peared, he recélved a shot in his leg, but munaged to escapo to the woods, only to be captured the next day. When found, he was handeuffed and dragiged through the ' strects of Preston with a rope around his neck, and a drunken, infurigted mob howling around nim and threatenmg to lynch him,” A gen- tleman made his way through the brutal crowd, and, with olver in hand, rescued the boy from mob violence, But for this timely aid he would probably have been hapged. He was immediately taken 1o jail, and while awaiting trial, re- ceived a letter from his mother, whose sup posed death und the .sad circumstances at- tending it, Lad drven bim to desperation, Previous to this be hiad been in a listless, apathetic condition, evincing no emotion at his fate. But his mother's letter aroused him and he now desired to be free. In due time his so-called trial came His perse cutors sclected the jury. He was not al- lowed in the court roois, The mob, terrified at the idea of justice bemng visited on them in case of his aequittal, resorted to the most dastardly means to secure his conviction, His attorney, in o weak, half-hearted way, entered a plea of not guilty, and the whol procecdings were conducted in the plaincst violation of the law and the constitution of the state. The result of this miserable farce was a sentence of seventeen and one-half years in the penitentiary at hard labor, and in less than three hours after the court convened, Chester Turney was on the road to Anamosa to be incarcerated in a dun geon for soventeen and one-half years for taking something to eat, when grief, sick: ficss, inability to obtain work, or colloct pay for work already done, and urgent imprison ment had driven him 'to starvation and in sanity This poor, innocent boy has now been woar ing the garb of a convict for nearly thr , in an Towa penitentiary. Had his mother really died, it is very probable that his sad story would never have been told. During the tiirce years of his jmprisonment, this hieart-broken “woman has been traveling over the state, telling her sorrows and en deavoring to enlist sympathy for her boy. Her story seemed 8o strange that many pronouncea it a Hotion and heeded itno further, Some, however, impressed by her intelligence, re fined manner, ad the mir of truthfulhess with which 'sho related this awful tale of woe, investigated tho case, and found her statements absolutely correct in every par- ticular. There is now no doubt existing in the minds of any who desires to know the truth of the case, The railroads of Iowa have, at the solicitation of Mrs, Turney’s fricads, recently given her passes over ilie principal lines, and she now goes over the state at will, ever pleading for her son. Mrs. Turney hus in ler possession lettors from Chester, all breathing a spirit of filial devo tion and displaying a remarkably calm, phi losophical mind. Al who have visited the Denitentiary are impressed with his manly appearance and brave endeavor to bear up under his terribie fate, but the trials of his young life are rapidly exhausting his vital energy, and it is probable that only a speedy release will prevent his early death. Burglars at Missouri Valley. Missount Variey, In, Dec. 25.—|Special to Tne Ber.| —Burglars broke into the po office here last night and stole 0 in cash and all the postage stamps in stock. Tom Carlisle, a cousin of Speaker Carlisle, is the postmaster, and, with a partner, runs a gen eral store, as well as tho postoffice. The partner was sleeping in the store at the time of the robbery, but was not aroused. There is 110 clue as to'whom the robbers were and no arrests have been made. While Mr. and Mrs. Goodrich were at church burglars entered their house and took all the valuables they could lay their hands on and stole several ~ articles of wear- ing apparel. It is supposed that tho same parties robbed both places and have made their escape. They are supposed to be now e e FOR THE POOR. Distribution of Presents From Post-Dispatch Christmas Tree. ST. Lovts, Dee. 25.—There was a rare sceno at the Exposition building to-day, the occasion being the distribution of presents to children of the poor from the Post- Dispatch Christmas tree, for which a fund of nearly £10,000 had been subseribed by the general public. The subscriptions were started with 10 cent contribution, with no idea of the magnitude the affair was to assume, and_tho result far exceeded the most sanguMe expectations of the projectors. Fully 15,000 children receved presents and for hours the streets in the vicinity of the ex- position building were blocked with hu- manity. The Cavalry depot band, by per- mission of the secretary of war, furnished the musie. There will'be & fund of several thousand dollars_remaining from _to-day's entertainment and it will be utilized for pur- chasmng_clothing, shoes, etc., for poor chil- dren. John L. Jennings, editor of the Post- Dispatch, originator of the project, was pre- sented with an elegant gold watch by the citizens’ committee. e S Anarchists Observe Christmas, Cuicaao, Dec. 25.—A Christmas tree, sur- mounted by a red flag several yards long, was the center around which danced to- mght, in Arbeiter hall, scores of anarchists and socialists with their scarlet decoratea wives and children. Gifts from the tree were distributed to the youngsters in regula- tion Christmag fashion. Then came a speech from Paul Gy ttkan, who, the supreme court of Wisconsin uas just decided, still owes the state penitentiary several month's servico for his part in the Milwaukee riot. Unlike on former occasions, Grottkan's remarks this evening were_studiously free from anything incendiary. Christmas,” he explained, was not a time for a discussion of “‘economics.” The bitterest remark of Grottakn was that “it Christ Himself came here to-duy, and preached the doctrine of communism_which His followers practiced, he would, judging from recent events, be hanged.” the ——— The President-Elect, INDIANATOLIS, Dec, Quiet has reigned in the Harrison homestead to-day, the gen- eral remaining at home all day. The first half of the day was devoted to work in his library. This week, or at least a portion of it, will be devoted to outlining the inaugural address, There were but few callers to-day, and they were all friends from this city. Presents exchanged, between members of the family and somc of‘the more intimate friends, of this city. sent in some presents, The parlors grow more and more like a curi- osity shop with each day. = - Address to Wool Growers. Coruvmnus, 0., Dec. 25.—Columbus De- lano, president of the National Wool Growers’ association, has 1ssued an address to the wool growers of the United States, calling a mecting of the oficers of the na- tional and state associations at Washiagton January 10, The address sets forth that the wool schedule pending® before the senate fails to afford adequate protection, and it is to consider the question of relief that the meetng is called. e Bogardus Defeated, CiNciNNaTI, Dee. 25.—A shooting match took place here to-day between Captain A. H. Boeardus and Al Bundle of this city. It was at 100 live birds, Burlingham rules, ex- cept in the case of Bandle, whose gun was a nine and a half pound ten gauge gun, The score was: Bandle 100, Bogardus 5. 13o- gardus used a seven and a half pound gun, twelve bore. — Latest Advices From Wahalak. 8r. Louis, Dee, 25, —Latest advices from ‘Wahalalk, Miss., the scene of the race troub- les, are to the effect that three more negroes have been captured, but their names are withheld, From the prisoners just taken it is learned that George Maury, Cash Maury and orge Coleman were wounded in the flght of December 16, e e Christmas in New York City, NEw Youg, Dec. 25.—Such a Christmas day with bright sunshine and warm air as New York has had to-day is not remembered by the oldest inhabitant, On Fifth avenue and Upper Broadway there was a gay scene of promennders. Two big feasts were to unewsboys by the charitably disp. They ate an abundance of turke; Th onces in the city institution did likewise, e - O From Drink. Crarigstows, W. Va, Dee, 25~ This afternoon Fount Horner, aged twenty, be came crazy with drink, and obtaining a club rau through the streets, knocking down and severely injuring scveral people. The last man he struck, Edward Ames, drew a knife and killed his assailant, e Saved by the River. New CuMBeriAND, W. Va, Dec. 25.—A fire, originating from @ natural gas jet, de- destroyed W. A. Scott's drug and jewelry store last night, together with Prasser jewelry store, a barber shop, four dwellings and several other buildings, The river cut the fire off from the rest of the town, aud ly salvation, Total loss §15,000, ROWNED WITH LAURELS, The Emperor Reccives An Enthusias- tic Welcome at Bredentow Berriy, Dee, 25.—[Special Telegram to Tie Beg.]—The burden of Chiristmas com ment of the press and pulpit reverts to the anxeties prevalent at the same;period for the last throe years, and to the existing prosp: for peace. The weather has not been Christ mas like. Instead of a crisp fros been a prolonged period of damp, cd rainy weather. The streetsof the capital abound in mud. Last evening, after the im perial dinn t the palace, gifts wer tributed. The household ofieials of ¢ press and Dowager Empress Augusta made unusually chases for distribution among the poor, When the emperor visited the Vulean shipbuilding works at Hredontown, Satur day, he was greetod by 8,000 workmen who lined the approach to the works, A crown of laurels was offored to his majesty, who in accepting it said: “I thank you. Theso aré the first laurels that have been offered me. I am happy to thiuk they are laurcls of peace.” ‘The staff appointments for the Emin relief expedition will be necessarily delayed until the government's plans assume more defi- nite shape, In connection with the report that the gov. ernment intends to appoint an_imperial com issary to the colonial force, Licutenant Wiss man is already named as the probable ap. pointee. Count Pfeil, agent of the Bast Africa company, who is personally known to Bismarck, is mentioned us the probable gov- crnor of the territory. The chancellor’'s illness, which has given rise to alarming rumors m the progressist press and Fronch newspapers, does not hinder his work. He has wired his congratu lations to Lord Salisbury regarding the English victory in Suakim, Prince Bismarck ignores the appeal of Sir R. D. Moricr, British ambassador at St. Petersburg, to authorize the oficial contra- diction of the charges recently made by the Cologne Gazette, of his having anti-German leanings, and of having, while at Darmstadt 1870, sent the first news of the advance of rmans across the Mozelle to London. whence the news reached Bazine, i The English embassy do not expect t Prince Bismarck will direct the sem-officia press to adopt a more mode tone. On the contrary, they think that unless the ob- jects of the attack are attained, he may order that a more aggressive attitude be assumed. Herr Bleicherordo, the banker, private entered Friederichsruhe yesterday. It is surmised that his business is for the purpose of consulting with Prince Bismarck in re gard tocoming imperial loans. Tmmediately after the visit a Frankfort syndicate, which was arranging a loan of 7,000,000 marks for the Bulgarian government, received official notice that the issue of such a loan would be impossible within German territory. More changes are made in high military commands. General Winterfeldt, governor of Mayence, has been retired, General Reib- netz replacing him, Since the emperor be- gan the work of reforming the service sixty- five generals have been placed on the retired list. The rifie factorics at Spandon Dantzican- derfurt are turning out 50,000 repeaters of the new pattern eve month. The French government, during the recel stay of the Russian grand dukes in Paris, offered to place the Lebel rifle at the disposal of the czar on the condition that the whole supply be made in France. The czar has as yet came to no conclusion regarding the pro- sal. Although neither the Austrian Mann- licher rifle nor the German repeater is smoke- less, like the Lebel rifle, both are beheved to be reliable. y em e Reform in Our Banking Laws, Davin City, Neb., Dee. 24.—[To the Ed itor of Tne Bee.]—The recent failures of the banks at Valpariso and Fairmont recalls to mind afresh the dire necessity for strin- gent laws regulating the business of bankers and brokers in Nebraska, and the much needed appointment of a few competent bank exammers under the supervision of the state auditor. Such robberies as the J. Robert Williams' affair, in Butler county a few years ago, whereby chattle mortgages and notes in duplicate, and even triplicate, were obtained from innocent furmers to the tune of some 30,000, and sold to cap- italists in Lincoln, Omuha and Chicago, resulting in great hardships and suffering to the vietimized, and the recent collupse of the State Bank of DBrainard, whereby many de- positors were robbed of their hard carnings, besides the making of fictitious notes and mortguges, and swindling people east by fulse reprosentations of values, us well as the Fairmont bank of the Chases, whereby another lot of confiding people we of their savings, could not be our state if the state required personal nomi- nations to be made by good accountants, the same us is now in force under the national bank act. Every man or bank authorized to receive deposits from the pubiic should first be com- pelled to obtain a permit or charter, and b required to make a certiin deposit with the state or, of sccurites 1o cover all lia- bulities to depositors, besides being required to constantly keep on hand from 15 to 25 cent of its deposits i actual cash, so that xauiner may call at any time, un- announced, and count” it, exanine all its re sources and liabilities, with power to order astrict compliance with the laws. No bank or broker ought to beallowed to loan 10 any one person or firm more than 10 per cent of its or his capital, all notes taken to be well sceured, and 1f a note is six months pust due, without payments being made, it should be stricken from the resources and ceuse to be consid of any value. agtation, no doubt, will create con siderable opposition from all concerns that are in reality bankrupt now, and that on call for a report and examination, would be compelled to close up business; but no mun in the busi ness, who is honest, and iutends to do an honest busiaess in this line, can objeet to it. The present system by which reports are made to the state auditor, is of no avail, whatever, and is perfectly useless for making a true showing, us every business man kiows who is conversint with the actual facts, At present, a couvict leaving the peni- tiary in Texas or Culifornia this w can come to Nebraska and the next wi open & bank (not with the driil and crow-bar) and doposits, loan money, buy and sell notes, bonds, und commercial papers, and after a while take an excursion to Canada, The next week or month after that prison bird has had a chance to plume and fly away, another comes along and goes fhrough the same performin his is not a mere figure of imagination, if reports are true. Neither shoulda mun be aliowed to act as a broker. including the losning on chattel and real cstate mortgages, unlcss ha can clearly es tablish Lis right to pursue that line of busi ness, It ney close the doors of a good many usury sharks in Omaha, Lincoln, and even in the rural districts, but'in the end the people will Liave more money and_enjoy more confl dence at home and abroad, Our state will become more prosperous by offering better security at horac to depositors and obtain more confidence and eredit abroad by strict state examinations of banks, brokers, and all money loaners and dealers in securities Lex Hayszen. Drowned While Skating, Lake Virace, N. H. Dec. 25.--G. B, Renon and B, L. Renon, father and son, and Amuiou Veasy, were drowned in Rouud Buy, uear Lere, this ufterno SAUNDERS MAY BE SENATOR. Mr. Harrlson Thought to Favor Him as Manderson's Successor, AN EYE ON SHERMAN'S SHOES. Batterworth Ambitions to Saceceed the Ohio Statesman it He is Called to the Cabinet dition Dangerous, Laird's Cons WasmiNGroN Bunean BI3 FOURTEENTH STRERT, Tue Omana Bee, } Wasnixaros, D, C., Dec, 28, York Herald has this paragraph : a United States scnator winter, aren’t you!" in- prominent The New “You are to clect from Nebraska this quired our representative of a citizen of that state, “Yes;and some interesting facts are do- veloping in that councction. Before the presidential nomination this year it was gen- crally conceded that Senator Manderson would be elected to succeed himself, but by the clection of General Harrison, new and unexpected conditions are introduced. There was no element in the Nebraska delogation to the Chicago convontion at all interested in the nomination of General Harrison, and there was nothing done by that delegation that should cause the prosident-elect to feel under any obligation to Nebraska.' “Well, are you going to mend thaty now that the conduct of the delogation is a matter of record.” “Certainly, but tit a question whether some other prominent man may not be elected in place of Senator Manderson, Mr. Alyin uders, who was formerly United States senator’ from Nebraska, has been in town, and his presonce has caused some comment, because of his possiblo re- entry into public life. Russell Harrison, son of the president-el married the daugliter of ex-Senator Si s, and this necossartly brings the two families' nearer tozether, 1t would not be surprising if Nebraska shoula change front for the purpose of getting a United States senator who can_have the fa- vorable consideration of the administration. SHERMAN'S SHOLS. An intimate friend of Congressman But- terworth, of Ohio, said, this afternoon, in reference to the speakership contest: “Major Butterworth is not really a candidate for speaker. 1 know, of my own knowledge, that the Cincinnati member expeets that 'John Sherman will be made secretary of state; and he helieves that e can succeed him in the senate. ‘The candidacy for the speaker- ship is merely a “blind.” Major Butter- worth is at present laying a pipe for the cau- cus nomination for the senate, and there are ny reasons why he should ‘succeed. _Geo- phically he is well located. He is deeld- edly populur, and would make an acceptable senator.”! There are a number of members of the house who are of the opinion that Major Butterworth has never been a real candidate for the speakership, and every man who 1s in the race thiuks Butterworth would make a far better senator than sp LAIRD'S CONDITIO! Nothing further has been heard from the bedside of Congressman Laird, but his triends here believe that he is quite as ill as the worst reports make him out to be. The trouble with Mr. Laird is that he has not the requisite physical stamina to get well, He is of that peculiar temperament which cannot stand pain or discomfort. To all outward ap- pearances he is the picture of health, but just bufore tho session 1 he was worn out by the worries of the caipaign conducted at long range, The wor brought on in- somnia and insomuid , was followed by a severe mervous prostration, It i from the latter difiiculty that his prosent trouble arises. When he left Washington for Nebraska he wore a troubled air, which he scemed utterly unaple to shake off. Throughout the campaign'he allowed every trifle to ruflle him, and 1t is said thero wero weeks, during the last days of the canvass, when he did not sleep ten consecutive min- utes. It is thought now that the strain which he has forced himself to bear, without the slightest necessity therefor, has worn out his wonderful strength, and his brain has given way, from shieer inability on the part of the patient to belicve that he can re- cover his health, There is a chance that the delirium accompanying the fever may serve to uid him, through the oblivion which it will produce. DANGEROUS T0 REPURLICANS, The militury committee of the house seems to bewbud place for republicans. Colonel Stecle, of Indiana, was absent for some weeks some time ago on account of illness, and General Cutcheon, of Michigan, was compelled to leave in the middle of the lgat ssion on account of insomnia, and it is said at his physicians have ordered him away ain for the remainder of the present con- ause of a recurrence of the same becomes ix-Congressman_Hepburn his_ Christmas in this city private business and will days C. 0. Carpenter, of Omahg, is rc the St James, ators Manderson and Paddock onjoyed turkey at the table de hote in the Portland, with their fumilics. Neither of the Nebraska representatives in the upper house intends to of Towa, spetit He is here on remain several istered at leave Washington during the holidays, and Dorse Phey are expected ba night. Prriy — The Kilvain-Sullivan Right. v York, Dec. 25.-~The terms upon which Kilrain will insist in the mecting with Sullivan, are that the stakes be §20,000 & side, open for 25,0005 that tue battle is to be fought within 230 miles of any city that may be mutually agreed upon, the Kilrain repre- sentatives preferrving New Orleans or_Sioux City: the battle to be for tie Police Gnzette aiatnond belt, which represents the ¢ amp- ionship of tho world, and to tuke pluce in three or four months after signiug articles, Under no conditions will Kilrain's represen- tuthes * 10 sign_articles unless the belt is contended for. — Kilrain's representative will insist on the referce being appointed ot the posting of the final deposit in- order that there be no wrangle at the ving and no fiasco, - - Murderad His M Muskoge, 1 T, Dec, 25, — A terrible tragedy ocourred Sunday night five miles west of here, on the furm occupied by & widow named Johnson and her four children, ‘The ten-year-old son went to a neigh bors on i visit Sunday night, and wnen ho roturned home 1n the evening found his mother and twelve-year-old sister dead, their heads be- ing Leaten into pulp with # iuge club which lay on the flood. T'ho three year-old baby was alive. The eldest son, nged sixteen, was not to be found, and as hé is known to be rather a hard character and has hud frequent quarrels with his mother, it is supposed he, in a fit of rath, committed the murders, - Base Ball Indoors. Puitavrreiis, Dee. 25.—The first attempt to play base ball indoors was made this after- noon in the muin building of the Pennsyl- vanin state fair grounds. The teams were made up of pr wintering in this city, and were divided into teams called the “Up Town” and “Down Town.” The dig- mond was rathor small, but the ball ueed « rendered run-getting rather a dificult task, About 2,000 people witnessed the game, which, taken altogether, could not be com- sidered @ glittering succoss, Tho score; Up Towns, 1; Down Towns, ¢ Indications, lowa: Fair, preceded by lowa; ecolder, nurtherly are fn i by next Heatis, he sssionals Weather Nebraska and light snow in winds Dakota Falr, continued low temperatare, followed Wednésduy by siight rer, while skating. | variaole winds,