Omaha Daily Bee Newspaper, April 14, 1889, Page 1

. wnd within five feet of the ) TR TN [r— 4T R TR b o bk SUNDAY BEE. SOME AWFUL SCENES. Dotalls of the Recent Disaster in the South Pacific, THE WORST STORM ON REBORD. Terrible Experience of the Seamen in the Harbor at Apia. THEY DRIFT TO DESTRUCTION. Days and Nights Fraught with Un- epeakable Horrors. DESPERATE STRUGGLE FOR LIFE A Wonderful Herolsm Displayed By the Natives in the Work of Rescuing the Shipwrecked Sailors, The Samonn Storms. {Copyright, 199, by Western Associated Press,) AviA, Samon, (per steamer Alameda, San Francisco, April 13.—The little group of Samoan, or Navigator 1slands, which a few months ago attracted the attention of the civilized world by flerce civil combats be- tween two factions of natives, and the conse- quent possibility of serious complication be: tween the two great powers of the United States and Germany, have been visited by a diaster more appalling than all the wars ever waged here. The United States and Ger- many have lost nearly 150 lives and nearly £3,000,000 worth of property. The most vio- lent and destructive hurricane ever known in the South Pacific passed over the islan¢: on the 1Gth and 17th of March, and s a rosult a fleet of six war ships and ten othor vessels were ground to atoms on coral reefs in the harbor or thrown on the beach in front of Apia. The United Sfates frigate Trenton, the flagship of the Pacifie squadron, lies within a stono's throw of the American consulate, total wreck. 'je great hull of the magnifi- cent vessel whidh stewmed into the harbor a few weeks ago rests on the bottom, fast going to pieces. The United States steamer Vandalia is buricd out of sight between the Trenton and tho shore. Her shattered fore- mast und smoke stack rises from the water to mark the spot where the gallant vessel struck and lay for twelve hours be- foro the awful torrent of water swept four ofticors and thirty-nine men from the deck and rigging. The United States steamer Nipsic lay for several days alongside the Vandalia, with ler bow high on the beach water's edge. This vessel, though badly damage hauled off a fow days after the storm and is the only war ship afioat in the harbor. “The force of the storm was never equaled in this part of the world before. Thebarom- eter had been falling steadily for several days previous, and the wind commenced to blow on Friday, March 15 and con- tinued until Sunday morning. The rain fell in torrents during the whole time, and great clouds of sand swept over the town. Hundreds of people stood on the beach and watched the awful spectacle in the harbor. The vessels ull had a full head of steam and three or four anchors out. The yards and top masts were down and every precaution taken to insure the safety of tho ships, but the wind constantly shifted from northeast to northwest, and its force was s0 geeat that the vessels dragged their anchors all over the harbor, drifting from one side to another and coming into collision several times, Tremendous seas broke over the decks and torrents of water rushed down the hatchways and put out the fires. I'he na- tives act-d nobly, wading far out in the sur{ wiicre a white man could not live, and many o life was saved through their efforts. Out of scventeen vessels which had been moored in the harbor, only two small schooners re- mained afloat, and these were badly dam- aged. The men-of-war anchored in the harbor were naturally very close together. Those noarest the shore were the Eber and Nipsic, The ber was directly in front of the Am- erican consulate, about & quarter of a mile from the shore, and the Nipsic was about 200 yavds east of tho Eber. The Adier was just ahead of the Nifsic, and the Olga and Calliope were ahead of the Eber. The Vandalia beyond the Calliope o mile off shore. The Trenton was the last of tho war ships to asrive here, and being mucn larger than any other man-of-war in the bay, there was no room for her near the ahoro, 50 she was obliged to drop anchor be- yond the Vandalia, just within tho outer coral reef. ‘The sailing craft werein shallow water west of the men-of-war. The Trenton and Vandalia had the mnost dangerous berths in the harbor, while the position of the Nip- sic was considered the safes! When the daylight of Saturday came it ‘was seen that the position of the vesscls haad entirely changed. The furious wind had swept them from their former moorings, and thoy were all bearing down in the direction of the reef. Black smoke was pouring from their fuunels, showing that aesperato efforts wers being made to keep them up against the wind, Several small salling vessels had goue ashoro in the western part of the bay. The Eber, Adler and Nipsic were very close together and only a few yards off tho reef. The little ganboat Eber was making a desperate struggle for life, but every moment was being drawn nearer and nearcr the reef. Suddenly her prow ruck the Nipsic, and the shock carried away soveral fect of the Nipsic's ruil and one boat. The Iber then fell back and filed with the Olgu, which checked her progress, and then swung around broadside to the wiad sad drifted slowly toward the reef. In a4 mowent more the Eber was lifted on the crest of a great weve and carned broad- side of'tho reof. She came down with awful force, and in an iustant there was mot a vestice of her to be seen. At first it scomod as if evory man on the Hl-fated steawer had gone %o bis death, but presently & wan was seen clinging to the piting under a small walk, who preved to be Lieutgnant {iacdeke, of the Fber, and was the only ofiicer of that vessel saved. Four of the five sailors were rescued by the na- tives and all taken to the Awmerican con- . sulete, Five ofticers and sixty-six men were it The Adler was now close to the reef, about towo bhundied yurds west of where the Ebor struck, and in helf an hour she was lifted on the top of the reef and turned complgtely over, but 80 far up that nearly the en hull was out of water and the decks facing the shore, so that the men were compuratively protected. They bad but a few yuras to swim and the greates Lumber were rescued. Of the 130 office drowned and killed when the Adler struck. Many of the officers and men were seriously injured. p The Nipsic was standing off the reef with her head to the wind, but three anchors which she had out were not hglding and she was heating back towards the” point where the Eber went down.. The little schooner Lily RO in her track and wus cut down. Of the three men aboard, only Captain Douglass was saved. The Nipsic then gov well away from the reef and the men were preparing to hoist tho heavy eight-inch rifle on the forward deck over- board to assist her anchors, when the Olga again came down upon her and struck her amidships. The Nipsic wasunable to keep up steam, and as it was useless to try to keep this steamer from the reef Captain Mullan gave the order to beach her. When she struck the sandy beach orders were given to lower the boats, Five sailors jumped into one, but the falls did not work properly: one end dropped. The men were thrown into the water and drowned, Another boat contain- ing Derr and half a dozen sick men was lowered in safety, but capsized before it reached the shore. The natives who were stand in the surf seized the floating men and passed them to the beach, Several other men on the Nipsic ran to the rail and jumped overboard, among them Lieutenant Davenport. All but two sailors reached the shore in safety. By a desperate effort a line was got to the bow of the steamer and a double hawser passed ashore. Mataafa’s men gathered in great numbers in the surf and along the hawsers to assist the men ashore, Captain Mullan and several officers stood by the rail and directed the movements of the men, The sick and injured were sont oft first, and after that the men came down the ropes quickly. The waves were rolling so high that when the men had come ten feet down the hawsers they would often be en- tirely submerged, and nothing but the noble efforts of the natives vrevented them from being washed off and carried away by the current, Captain Mullan was the last man to leave the Nipsic. About 10 o'clock in the morning the Van- dalia and Calliope were seen to be in a most dangerous position, bearing back’against the reef rapidly. The Calliope was nearest the shore and her bow was close to the stern of the Vandalia. Suddenly the great iron prow of the English vessel came with full force upon the port quarter of the Vandulia, A hole was torn below the rail and the water rushed into the cabin. Just atter this collision Captain Cane, of the Calliope, determined tojmake an effort to steam out of the Larbor, and he accord- ingly gave the order to let go all anchors. The Calliope's head was swung around to the wind, and her powerful engines’ worked to the utmost capacity., She scemed to stand still for a moment and then made headway inch by inch, but gradually increased her speed until it became evident that she could clear the harbor. As she passed abrenst of the Trenton a great shout went up from the 400 men on the flagship, and three hearty cheers were given for the Calliope, which were returned with a will. The English vessel passed safely out of the harbor and steamed far out to sea, returning after the stofm abated. She sustained little injury outside of the loss of her boats. ‘Wbhen the excitement on the Vandalia which followed her collision with the Cal- liope had subsided a little it was found necessary to act quickly to save the ship. Lieutenant Carlin, the executive ofticer, was practically in charge of the vessel, as Captain Schoonmaker had been thrown across the cabin the night before and injured, his head being cut and one ear almost torn away. Notwithstanding his injuries, he faced the storm and stood by his first officor until finally swept off to his death, but was in such a weakened condition that he was able to do but little toward directing the move- ments ot the ship. The highest praise is given Licutenant Carlin, who had been on duty since the morning before and had not tasted food in all the time. Though weak, he kept his position by the side of Captain Schoonmaker und Licutenant Wilson, the navigating oMcer, and encouraged every one around him, The Vandalia was now fast bearing down teward the point where the Nipsic lay. Captain Schonmaker and Lieutenant Car- line determined to beach the vessel; two of ber anchor chains were slipped and a full head of steam put on. She eame on until her bows struck on the soft sand about forty yards from the stern of the Nipsic. In half an hour the vessel was filling with water and settling down. By noon the whole gun deck was under water, It was impossible to get a line across to the steamer, as there was mno firing apparatus on shore. Lieutenant Shearman and Ensigns Purcell and Jones attached a small cord to the haw- ser and three natives \'gntured out in the surf in an attempt to reach the Vandalia. They entered the water a quarter of a mile above the spot where the steamer lay, waded out as far as they could, and then struck out into the current with a cord tied to their bodies. Expert swimmers as they were they were unable to overcome the force of thecurrent, which rushed down like a catu- ract between the Vandalia and the shore, and the men were thrown upon the beach without being able to get within forty yards of tho Vandalia. Their chief urged them to try again, and several other attempts were, made, but with the same result. The first man to come to shore was Chief Engincer Green; the next was Naval Cadot Wiley, who was caught by the brave natives just a8 he was siuking snd was carried to the American consulate, insensible, It was not long after Greon and Wiley were washed over that four ofticers were swept from the deck. Captain Schoomaker was clinging to the raif on the poop deck, Licutenant Carlin doing his \tmost to support him, as the cap- tain was becoming weaker every miuute. No one knew it better than himself, and e remarked to those about hun that be would haveto gosoon, At lasta greatwave struck the Vancaliaon the port quavier and sub- merge to deck, Captain Schoonmaker held on to the rail with all his remaining strength, but the torrent of water was so stroug that a machiue gun near by was washed from its fastenings and sent whirling ucross the deck, Captain Schooumaler was struck on the head by the gun and cither killed outright or knocked senseless, as ho was swept off the deck and was seen no wmoro. Paymaster Armes und Pay Clerk Roche were swept off together and soon sank. Marine Licutenant Sutton died in much the same way. During the remuinder of the after- noon there followed a succession of awful scenes of death and suffering, The Vaudalia continued to settle, and the few wen who had not already taken to the rigging stood on the poop deck or forecastle, as the vessel was aluosy en- tirely under wawr amidships. ‘The nrave Sacioans, urged on by theiwr chief, doublod their efforts to rescue the drowning men,and @5 @ consequence two natives who got out 00 [ur were carriod sway, perishing withia i ght of all with the men whom they trying to save. y this time the only part of the Vandalia, which stood out of water, was the after part of the poop deck and forward part of the forecaste. Lieutensnt Culver, Dr. Harvey, Dr. Cordero and Engineer Webster were in the foretop. In the main top were Lioutenants Wilson and Heath and Ensigns Gibbons and Ripley. Lieutenant Carlin, who was the last mun to leave the deck, climbed into the mizzen top, where he sank down exhausted. The sinking of the Vandalia had distracted attention from the other two men-of-war, which still remained afioat. About 4 o'clock in the afternoon the Trenton and Olga were seen to be dragging back. The Olga was al- most upon the reef where the Ever had struck. The Trenton was coming down upon her and a collision seemed inevitable. The condition of the American flagship was very bad. At 10 o'clock in the morning her rudder and propeller had been car- ried away by fouling with the wrecka ge, from which hour until 6 o'clock in the even- ing, when she foundered, she held out in the storm without steam or rudder, and the skill of her navigating officer, Licutenant Brown, was all that saved the lives of every man on board. He ordered every man into the port rigging, so that the compact mass of humanity could be used as sails and at the same time keep the weight ot the vessel on the side next to the storm. The wind struck against the men in the rigging and forced the vessel out into bay again. She remained there only for a short time, however, and soon commenced to drift against the Olga, which was still standing off from the reef and holding up against the storm better than any yessel in tho harbor had done. Suddenly the stars and stripes were scen floating from the gaff of the Treuton. Provious to this no vessel in the harbor had raised a flag, as the storm was raging so furiously at sunrise that that coremony was neglected. The stern of the Trenton was nearing the were Olga’s bow, but Captain Von Erhard, believing that sure destruction was to be upon him, let g his anchors and attempted to steam away. He was too late, however, for just as the Olga commenced to move against the wind her bow camo in contact with the starboard quarter of the flagship: The Olga’s bowsprit and figurehead were carried away and the heavy tumber on the Trenton's quarter were shivered; several boats were torn from their davits, and the American flag which had floated from the Trenton was carried away and fell to the deck of the Olga. The vessels drifted apart and the Olga steamed ahead towards the mud flats in the castern part of the harbor. Captain Von Erhard had determined to run her aground. The engines were worked to their fullest capacity and it was only a moment before the Olga’s prow struck and the steamer lay embedded in the soft mud in the safest part of the bay. No life was lost, The Trenton was not able to get out into the buy agam after her collision with the Olga. It was now after5 o'clock and the light was beginning to fade away. In half an hour the Trenton had drifted to within a few yards of the Vandalia’s bow, and the men who were in the rigging of the latter vessel trembled with fear as they saw the Vandalia approach. Presently the last faint ray of daylight faded away and night came down upon the awful scene. Suddenly a shout was borne across the waters, 'Ihe Trenton was cheering the Van- dalin. Tho sound of 430 voices broke upon the ar and was heard above the tempest. ‘“Three cheers for the Vandalia,” was the cry that warmed the hearts of the dying men in the rigging. The shout died away upon the storm and there arose from the quivering masses of the sunken ship a_response so fecble that it was scarcely heard upon the shore, and then the Trenton’s band struck up “The Star Spangled Banner.” The collision of the Trenton and Vandalia, proved to be the salvation of the men in the rigging. As soon as the vessels touched the men in the mizzen rigeing crawled out of the yards and jumped to the deck of the Tren- ton. The men escaped just in time, for as the last left the yards the mizzen mast of the Vandalia fell with a crash on the side next to the shore. The men in the main mast next escaped in the same way. The main mast of the Vandalia fell soou after, and it was believed thav several men were killed in the rigging. At midnight the Treaton was forced against the reef, but her draught was so great that after she had settled entircly on the bottom she was still about her usual height out of water, Captain Farquhar, his ofticial report to Admiral Kimberly, a tew days after the storm, paid a high tribute to Licutenant Brown's skill Licutenant Shearman, Ensign Purcell and several per- sons patrolled the beach until early morning in the hope of rescuing auy poor fellow who might b seen struggling in the waves. By 5 o'clock the wind had abated, though the sea was very rough. However, the natives volunteered to man a boat to goout to the ‘Irenton. Zumanu, chief of the Apia district, took cliarge of the crew. It was still yery durk and the trip a most perilous one, but the natives put the boat through in safety, and reached the ‘Trenton. They were given & hawser, which thoy took back to shore and made fast. All hands were ordered to remain on the ship, us the storm haviug subsided, there was no immediate dauger. As soon as it became light two more hawsers were stretched from the Trentou to the shore to guard against danger in the event of the storm coming up again. Two boats manned by natives in ¢harge of Zumanu commenced the work of removing the Vandalia’s men from the Trenton. A few had arms and legs broken and nearly all were badly cut and braised. There were very few, especially among the ofticers, who could walk without assistance. By noon there were nearly 800 American sailors on tho streets of Apia. The copra warehouse was obtained as quarters for the shipwrecked sailors, and o large number wero sent there. The Nipsic was found to be in & fair condition and her ofticers and mer. werd jiuartered on board. Coutracte were made with various parties for feeding the sailors, but it was a dificult matter to provide them with much food dur- ing the first day. A temporary hospital was provided for a large number of the men in- jured and suffering from exhaustion, Dr. White, of the Trenton, took charge and other surgeous mssisted him. Dr. Hary of tho Vandalia, though greatly exhaustedgwent to work in the hos- pital but s0on broke down and was prostrated from nervous exhaustion for several days. Dr. Cordeiro, of the Vandaliz, though suffer- 7 from a dislocated kuee cap, was, at his re- quest, carried into the hospital in a chair and has since faithfully attended to the sufferers, ‘fhe men were controlled with great difi- culty, mavy being placed under arrest, Cap- tan Fritze, the senior German officer, was T Tontinued ow Second Page.] MARY IS ALL RICHT. Miss Anderson Says She Never Lost Her Mind. HAD NO QUARREL WITH ABBEY, A nd Denounces the Story as an Absurd Fiction. NO TROUBLE WITH HER FATHER He and His Family Will Visit Her In England. HER HEALTH IS RETURNING. She Has No Definite Plans For the Future—Tells About Importu- nate Reporters and Wond- ors at Their Oheek. Mary Will Come Back Again. [Copyright 1889 by James Gordon Bennatt.] LoNpox, April 12.—[New York Herald Cable—Special to Tae Ber]—Miss Mary Anderson is in Londgn. The train had hardly come to a siandstill in St. Pateross station yesterday ovening, when Mfss An- derson sprang from the couch and rushed into the arms of Baronness Von Hugel, who was awaiting her arrival at tho station, She woro a traveling suit of dark blue, trimmed simply with narrow black braid, a jacket of the same hue, trimmed with fur and a dark purple hat of small dimensions, which was also set off with fur. More noticeable far than her attire, however, were the roses, which her many friends and admirers will be glad to learn were in her cheeks. As soon as the greetings were over Miss Anderson’s party, excepting her brother, who remained to look after the luggage, entered a four-wheeled cab and drove to MacKellan’s hotel, No. 17 Dover street, Pickadilly. Baroness Von Hugel accompanied them, Tho representa- tive of the Herald, having sont in his card was received very cordially and accorded an interview. ‘The Herald welcomes you to London,” 8aid I, as soon as the formalty of greating had been gone through, “and will be glad to announce to your frieuds your safe arrival, and to give them any information concerning your voy- age and plans for the futyre which you may be willing to impart.” “Tnat is very kind of the Herald,” replied Miss Anderson, smiling and resuming her seat. “Ishall certainly be glad to have my friends know that I am here, and especially that T am well, but T do not now that I can say much that will intercst any one. Iam a poor subject for an intervidw I am afraid. In fact I thought I had escapad all newspaper men, but here you are the very first thing. I have to laugh when Lthink of it. Really you must excuse me.” . 46 Sui L. Miss Anderson aid laugh a rigiiting, good natured 1augh, which indicaled “that if she did not enjoy the situation she was not annoyed by it. “You are looking very well, indeed, not much as though you were ill,” ventured I. ¢ **ON, I am fecling splendidly, the sea voy- age has done me a world of good. 1 hope to be soon as well as I have ever been.” Miss Anderson put her hand to her cheek as she saud this, and as if conscious that it was flushed added, “I am a little excited now. I think it is owing to my getting back here after my long journey, but Lam sure I shall feel very well to-morrow and that I shall improve all aloug.” “You had a pleasant voyage?” - “Yes, very. Ihad hardly been two days out of New York when I bogan to be ever so much better, It takes me abouv two days usually after starting on a voyage before I zet to bea very good sailor, On the whole I enjoyed the voyage very much.” ‘“‘Are you subject to sea sickness?’’ +Oh nothing to speai of,” Miss Adnerson answered laughingiy. *“For a day or two I did not feol quite natural, usually my appe- tite suffers a little, and eating docs not in- terest me quite so much as it does on shore, but it is nothing serious. 1 am a fairly good sailor I think.” “Are you willing to speak of your illness “Yes, and in fact I am glad of an oppor- tunity to contradict some statements that have been published about me. 1t has been said that 1 am ot of my mind. That is ab- solutely untrue. Ihave not been out of my mind for » moment. Iwas ill through ner- vous prostration, caused by overwork and study. Ibegan to feel ill at Philadelphia. Before I went farthor west my work was too severe for my strength, but I struggled against it, giving up finally. My physician, Dr. Weir Mitchell, told me I must stop and go to England, und I obeyed, but I have never been out of my mind any more than I amout of it now. It was simply nervous prostration, but I am very much better already, as I have said, Then the statement was published that I had quarreled with Mr. Abbey. That is absolutely untrue also. Tnere has not boen the shadow of a disagreement between us, on the contrary. he has been very kind and con- siderate to me, He came to me and and told me that he aid not want me to act if 1 was feeling ill. He offered to release me from completing my engagement, which was very kind of him, for he sacrificed a very large sam of money by doing-{f. He had to pay all the salaries, you see, in addition to losing the receipts. I thinkheisa wonderful man, and so far from quarrellibz with him, I am very grateful to hfin.” [The last remark was addressed to the Burongds von Hugel, who was present. Contifulg, Miss Anderson said: “‘And then it has id that it was hostile criticism to in some western papers which caused my illuess, It is suf- ficient in reply to that 6 say that I did not read those articles a¢ all, and I did not learn of them until long aftér I was taken ill. It has been published, t00, that I hud quarrelled with my family. Thdt alo is wholly with- out any foundation, 'There has been no quarrel or disagréément at all. My mother, step-father and their children are coming over here next month. They will arrive ~on the B5th, 1 think it is, and they will be with me during the summer, but 1do not kuow that ‘Ishould notice these false roports. All I care abot them is that 1 do not wish any of wy friends to place any belief in them. I want to say in this eonnection that the Herald has treated me with great courtesy and that I uppreciate it snd am glad to ex- press my gratitude.” ““What are your plaus for the future?” *1 can hardly that I have any, Ihave not formed thegi yet. 1 bave an engagement for next America with Abbey, of course, but I cannot tell yet whether I snall be ableto fill ik { hopeto be able to, and expect 1o, Tshall if I can.” en route to Paris and the Riviera, where you will spend the summer months." ‘“That is not correct. 1expect to remain right here in London. My plans are not formed definitely, as I have said, but 1 ex- pect to spend my time here for the most part at least. To-morrow I Jeave the hotel and RO to the house of a friend.” One or two questions elicited the fact that the friond re- ferred to by Miss Anderson is Baroness Von Hugel, whose residence is No. 4 Halford Road, Hampstead. Speaking of being in- terviewed, Miss Anderson laughingly said: ‘‘Tn America, I think, interviewing is carried to excess. It is overdone. I do not object to being interviewed within bonds and I think no one snould. The public is doubtless interested in learning ebout those who are, in a certain sense, publio characters, and much intercsting information which otherwise we should not get at all is furnished in fnter- views. 1 am very often greatly entertained by interviews which I see in the papers, but Idonot think the interviewer should pry into one's private affairs as they often do. 1t is, 1 think, going too far when the papers publish how many eggs ono eats, whether one takes a chop or a steak, or what one may be overheard saying in private conversation. I have often been annoyed by reporters in America. They would sometimes make most desperate efforts to get an interview, throw their cards over the transom and all that Reporters of little papers one has never heard of arc usually the most annoying, as far as I have observed. s e IN THE HANDS OF A MOB. Boston, Colo., in the Possession of a Gang of Outlaw. Los Axmas, Colo,, April 13.—[Special Telegram to Trie Bee.]~News reached here this evening by the driver of the Ferguson stago line that Boston, a new town of 500 in- habitants 100 miles south of here, and eighty- five miles from any railroad or telegraph line, had been taken possession of by a gang of outlaws headed by Billy Thompson, an old pal of “Billy the Kid,” who is now serv- ingaterm in the penitentiary. A special messenger who arrived here later from Springfleld, a small town thirty miles this side of Boston, brings the following message to the sheriff; *W. B. Chockby, the cashier of the Citi- zen’s bank, of Boston, has just ridden into Springfield with the information that out- laws from the neutral strip have taken pos. session of the stores and postoftice, and dam- aged their contents. The people have fled to the surrounding country and towns, Mr. Chockby is asking tha aid of the citizens to free the town of the gang. They have threatened the lives of prominent citizens and fired the town in several places. Anxiety is felt at Springfield and the wwn is guarded. Aid has been asked from Trini- dad, but owing to the distance it is not likely to arrive in time to save life and property.” Another message to Mr. Ferguson is as follows: Bostoy, Aprit 11.—We have been at the mercy of the outlaws for three days and nights. It is impossible to transact business expecting the town to be burned every night. A. B. ALExANDER" Billy Thompson, who heads this gang, has a record of killing a man abouta year ago. He is an ex-deputy sheriff and ex-marshal of Boston, and a close friend of “Billy the Kid.” Six weeks ago the same gang took possession of the postoftice of Collins, in the neutral strip, and it has not been run since. Registered mail for Boston will be held here till the trouble abates. The object for which the gang visited the town was to capture Dr. Brownand Charles Daniels, editor of the local paper, against whom Thompson has a grudge and threatens to kill both of them on sight. Both Brown and Daniels were out of town, and when the outlaws learncd this, they procecded to sack it. The latest infor- mation is that Thompson and his comrades left the town to-night, but promised to re- turn soon and complete the errand on which they came this time, —_— REFUSED TO SIGN, B. & O. Employes Take a Stand Azainst the Insurance Scheme. CnicAGo, April 18.—Several hundred cm- ployes on the Baltimore & Ohio railrond, in- cluding engineers, firemen, shopmen, switch- men, brakemen, conductors and section hands on the Chicago division, were called into the company’s office to-day and usked by the officials to sign papers giving the company the right to reserve a cortain per cent of their wages to defray the costs of in- suring employes against loss by sickucss, ac- cident, etc., while in the servico. There has been much dissatisfaction with the workings of the scheme for some time past, the men claiming that thoy reccived practically no benetit and that the arrangement was a very one-sided affuir, resultmg chiefly in a su stantial addition to the company’s exchequer, This feeling manifested itself to-day in the unanimous refusal by the men to sign the company's papers. All those refusing to sign were given to understand that unless the papers were signed by Monday they would be discharged. A mass meeting of men was held to-night at South Chicago to protest against the company’s action. AL B A Desperate Character Killed. Torrxa, Kan.,, April 13.—[Special Tole- gram to Tk Bee.]—A desperate encounter took place this morning near Burlington, re sulting in the death of a desverate character weil known in this state. Klias Rich and Stanton Rich, fathor and son, who were charged with stealing hogs, escaped from the deputy sheriff last night. They were followed by Detective John Chess and two assistants, who discovered them this morn- ing hidden in a hay stack twelve miles south of this city. They resistel. A desperate fight ensued and the old man was captured, but the son, Stanton, aticrapted to brain Chess with a club. That oficer filled bim buckshot, killing hin e Caught in the Act. Dexisox, Ia., April 18,—[Special Telegram to Tue Bee.|—About a year and a half ago a young man wus working for the Jagger house, of this place. Some misunderstard- ing arose about his wages and he quit. For the past six or seven months Mr. Jagger has found himself short of cash in the drawer all the way from $2 to §6, and could uot account for it, us it was locked and ulways looked as though it had not been touched. Through the “‘bus” driver he learned that his former clerk was in the ofice nearly every morning when he returned from the early morning train. Recently the plan was adopted of waurking all the silver left in the drawer, and it soon told the tale. The former clerk was the thief. Yesterday worning & trap was set and he was caught in the act of takiug money from the drawer. He 18 now in jail awaiting a session of tho graud jury. The young mun haus a wife and two children. e A Land Slide, CuAMBERLAIN, Dak.,, April 18- [Special Telegram to Tug Lie |—Cousiderable ex- citement was caused here to-day by a land ! slide near the city, About oue and one-half ‘A morning paper bas stated that you are | acres of luud dropped nearly five fvet, MISS BIEOHLER AT HOME. As Soon as She Is Able She Will Go to England. CLEVELAND, O., April 18.—|Special Telo- gram to Tue Ber.)—Lizzie Blecher arrived in Cleveland this morning at o'elock over the Lake Shore rond. She was unat- tended, and started at once to walk to the home of her parents on Carter street. Her arrival was unannounced and unexpected, but was very far from unwelcome. The mnther and little brothers and sistors welcomed the wanderer to the humble parental roof with a love and cordialty that redeemed poverty of hatf of its forbidding features. The traveler was weary, and soon retirea to the front room and remained in seclusion most of the day. A reporter traversed the now well-beaten path that leads to the Biechler residence late in the afternoon. He noticed before knocking at the door that the window of tne front room was heavily curtained. A rap at the door caused it to be opened just far enough to show a bright black eye and part of a fair yet pallid fuce. In response to this silent but exvressive bit of interrogation the vis- itor asked: *Is Mrs. King in1" “Yes," replied a gantle voico, so totally foreign of its[surroundings thatits ownership. could not be questioned. “‘Will she see a reporter?" ‘I cannot really do that; I am too nervous and too tired to see any one." “‘What tifie did you leave Omaha?" “Let's see, what day is this, Friday " ‘*Noj this is Saturday.” “Well, then I left Omaha Thursday even- ing, went direct to Chicago and arrived there early yosterday afternoon. 1 went to the Sherman house with my sister and left thero early in the evening for Cleveland. I reached here at 8 o'clock on the Lake Shore train,” ‘Do you stay long at home{" **Only until I am well enough to travel.” ““Where do you go then?" “To England.” A MYSTERIOUS SUICIDE. The Mayor-Elect of Colorado Springs Kills Himself. CoLorADo SrriNes, Colo., April 13.—| Spec- ial Telegram tw Tue Bee|—Mayor-elect George W. Thomas, of this city, was found dead in a barn back of his residence on North Novada avenue shortly after noon to-day, with a bullet hole through his head. Beyond a doubt it was suicide. Mr. Thomas came to this city in 1877, from Iilinois, and engaged in the lumber business, in wiich he was until a year ago, when he retired from uctivo busi- ness life. He was widely known and gener- ally respected and liked. He wus nominated and elected mayor on the republican ticket a few wecks ago. He would have entered upon his duties on Monday night had he lived. No cause is known for the deed. The mayor-clect went down town this morning, appatently in his usual health, He went to arber shop where he was a customer, bor- rowed a revolver, attended Yo a few busincss matters, then went home. entered the barn, sceurcly fastened all the entrances, spread a horse blanket on_the floor, removed his hat and coat, placed a thirty-eight calibre re- 'volver at his head ayd fired. He must have died instantly. Hundveds of citizens gath- ered around the residence when the news be- came known, and the whole city is in a state of intense excitement. pe Marines Go to Paris. Nrw York, April 13.—[Special Telegram to Tue Bge]-Thirty picked men of the United States marine corps sail to-aay for France on the steamer La Gascogne. Thoy are urder command of Captain Williams, United States marine corps, who has with him Lieutenant Paul Murphy, also of the marine corps. This body of men will guard the American exhibit in Paris during the coming exposition. The request for the guard was made a month ago by General W. R. Franklin, United States commissioner to the exposition. . The men were picked not only for their good records, but for their marual bearing and soldierly deportment. - Boycotting the Twin Trust. Quixcy, T1L, April 13.—Parties who have been experimenting several days, using wire instead of twine in binding with harvestors, claim that their device is a perfect success, If this prove true it will render farmers in- dependent of the twine trust. The scheme conslsts in the substitution of wire in place of twine and « knotter used on the binder. Farmers can_ therefore use either wire or twine, as the change can be made in a moment’s time o Death, WaTERLOO, Ta,, April 13.—|Special Tel gram to Tne Bee.]—Sebastian Hammel, 1i ingin this county, died yesterday under very peculiar circumstances, About six weeks ago he was taken sick, and in a short time his throat became paralyzed. Fo nearly a month he has not been able to swal- low anything, and he actually starved to death, During the last few days of his hfo he was continually asking for food, but could eat nothing. He had become almost a skele- ton when he died. Starvel o A Dircctory of Doctors. Drs Moixes, Ia., April [ al Tele- gram to Tue Bee.|— Some vime ago the state board of nealth was requested to furnish a list of all the physicians in Towa. "The work was fimished to day, showing that there are 8,200 doctors in the state. It is understood that the list is for the benefit of the medical depurtment of the state university at Iown City, but it will be very handy for any one who wants a directory of all the doctors ot lowa, fh Steamship Passengers Poisoned. Benuiy, Aprii 18.-~Thoe hereditary Duke and Duchess of Oldenburg and Count and Countess Hohenban had a narrow escape from death y while journcying by stean Their meals had been cooked in uncleaned copper vessels. Seven passengers died. Will 3 MiNNEAROLIS, April 13,--The street rail- way management has decided not to try to tey to run cars before Monday, Everything is quiet and it is not probable there will be further trouble unless an attempt is 1nude to run cars. Boulanger in Bad Health, Panis, April 18, (radical) states that General Boulanger is in bad health and it hias become nceessary for him to again re- sort to the use of morphine, The friends of the general, the paper snys, are anxious eon- cerning his condition. Loxnox, April 13.--Sir Julan Pauncefote, the uew Mritish minister to the Ugited States, left London this morniug for Liver- pool, where Lie ewbarked this afteruoon for New York. Al Lo s Very Heavy Liabilities. Loxoox, April 13.-The lisbilities of R Kell & Co., of Bradford, Yorkshire, amount | to £420,000, including £%0.000 dus creditors 1 e the Tinited Statos PAGES 1-8 NUMBER 3 THE KAISER FURIOUS. Two Objectionable Newspapers cape Prosecution. THE POLICE DECREES REVOKED, He Perasonally Directs the Oases But They Come to Naught. GRUMBLINGS AGAINST BATES. Press Opposition to His Appoint- ment On the Commission. THE AUSTRIAN EMPRESS INSANE, Emperor Francls Joseph Said to Contemplate Abdicating In Favor of His Nephew—Heavy Business Fatlures. Foreign Potpouri. [Copuriahted by the New York Assoclated Press.] BeruiN, April 13.—The court of appeals’ revocation of the police decree ngainst the Volks Zeitung and the decree of prosecution of the Freisinnige Zeitung, exasperated the emperor. The emperor personally directed the prosecution of the Volks Zeitung, Press comments on the appointment of Mr, Bates as commissioner v the Samoan con- feronce were unfavorable. Press grum- blings against Bates will not, how- ever, effect the issue of the con- ference. New dangers confronting the Austro-German alliance will have the greatest influence on Prince Bismarck and tend to bring about a speedy settlement of the dispute with America. Advices from Vienna state that the em- press has been attacked by the family malady —insanity. Sbe suffers from long spells of melancholia and entertains delusions, acous- ing several persons of the death of Crown Prince Rudolph. She is posscssed with the idea of suicide, thinking to leave the emperor free to remarry. Somectimes she dandles a cushion or pillow, thinking it a new born heir to the throne. The emperor is greatly affectod. He suff- ers from insomuia and has no zest for worls, taking only a languid interest in state affairs, It is voported that he consulted with Count Kalnoky and Count Von Taafe upon the ad- visability of abdicating in favor of his nophew Franz, It is announcod that the liabilities of Emil Freitel, the gram dealer who failed recently, amount to 8,300,000 marks and the assets to 1,100,000 marks. Zolter & Co., also in the corn trade, have failed. Liabilities, 1,500,- 000 marks assets meagre. The Buvarian government, replying to a memorial from the Bavarian bishop, asking to be placed in control of tho educational sys- tem, dechnes to allow a daily school mass, refuses to make a denominational division of the middle schools, and declares that the re-’ call of the redemptionists is imprasticable. The government proposes to consult the bishop in appointing teachers of the clemene tary ‘schools. General Lewinski has been appointed milie tary governor of Strasburg. The duke of Nassau, speaking in Luxem- burg, uses French or the Luxemburg patois. 1t is said that he intends to Germanize the duchy. The pope will in May create the arch- bishops of Breslan and Salsburg cardinals. Sergeant Hanek, military tutor of the imperial children, has been convicted of re- ceiving bribes from sub-officers on hig promises to secure their advancement. He has been sentenced to fifteen months im prisonment in the fortress at Spandan and to be degraded. TOOK HIS OWN LIFE. A Prominent St. Louis Business Man Hangs Himself, St. Louvis, April 13,—At an carly hour this morning, when the jamtor entered tho St. Louis grain elevator office, he found John Jackson, president of the elevator company, hanging to one of the high posts of the coun- ter railing, dead and his body cold. Jack- son had evidently stood upon a chair while adjusting the rope and then kicked the chair away, the noose closing around his windpipe and death ensuing by strangulation. The janitor and his wife cut the body down and laid it on a sofa, where 1t remained until Robert ¥, Owens, cashier of he company, came into the office, veral letters were found on Jackson's desk, one addressed to his son and others to business friends. The contents of the letters are not known. Word was immediately sent to the family residence and the body and letters sent down shortly afterwars Jackson was one of the best known business men of the city, with very large interests, and the news of his suicide caused a sensation on the exs change, He is said to have been heavily in. terested in May, wheat. It is reported on ‘change that his gran transactions had somethiug do with his self-destruction, but of this nothing definite has transpired. The letters left by Jackson were later in ‘the day delivered to the persons to whom they were addressed, and plainly indicate that the suicide was caused by heavy losses irn May wheat. Investigation into the af- fairs of the clevator company will be begun avonce. P — Earncst Chautaug Suexaxooan, la., Aprii 14.—[Special Tele. gram to Tur Bee,]—Last Fridoy evening a meeting was beld at the Methodist church under the auspices of the Chantunqua Lite erary and ficientific circle of this city, in the interest of the Council Bluffs aud Omaba Chautauous assewbly. Mrs, Irwin, presie dent of the circle, presided. Rev. J, W, Geiger made a stirring speech on the growth und *benefits of the Chautaugua movement and ilustrated the same with wagic lantern views., Mr. Geiger reports a large and grows ing interest through the country in the Council Bluffs and Omaha Chautauqua asj sembly. Shenandoah has a strong circle of intelligent workers, as shown in this enter- tainment. Each one takes the duty assigned perforins it to the best of his or her uhility, nd success is always an assurea result, J, Harkness, of Council Blufts, was present and spoke of the business plans and expecta- tions of the Chautauqua for i:e coming sCa80D, n Workers, e Soldiers' Home Appropriatic Des Morses, Ia., Apri! 1 vam to Tue He.) Twombly has just received from Washing ton the snm of 86,02 for the Iowa soluiers! Lome, being the sum due from the ted States for the qaerisr ended Mavch 81,