Omaha Daily Bee Newspaper, February 4, 1890, Page 1

> \, THE OMAHA — ITEENTH YEAR. IN A FIERY SHROUD, Awful Holocaust at the Home Of‘ Secretary Tracy. [ | | WIFE AND DAUGHTER PERISH, | The Body of the Young Lady Completely Iacinerated. HER MOTHER STIFLED BY SMOKE. Death Rosults a Few Momonts Alter Her Rescue. MR. TRACY'S NARROW ESCAPE. He Is Taken from the Bullding an Unconscious Condition, but 18 now Believed to be Recovering. A Terrible Cnlamity, WasnINGTON, Feb, 8.—A terrible calamity visitad the household of Secretary of the Navy 71racy this morning whereby three persons—Mrs, Tracy, wifo of the secretary, bis daughter Marie, and o French maid ~—lost the'r lives and three others wede badly byrned. The house is a three story and basement brick situated on L street be “™ween Connecticut avenuo and Seventeenth .. o French — - street, and has recently undergone extensive improvements. Persons passing the house at 7 o'clock this morning saw smoke issuing from the front ‘windows, and at once raised the alarm of fire The fire and police department re- sponded promptly, The premises were ul most completely concealed by the dense smoke, which was thickened by a heavy fog which was just lifting. It was soon discovered that the house was all abluze inside, and that the main stairway was burnt, thus cutting off communication With the sleeping apartments on the second and third floors. Several streams of water were thrown on the flames, and every effort ‘was made to check the fire. A scene of the wildest confusion ensued when it was knowa that all the members of the family were in the house. ‘The firemen ‘behaved like heroes in the emergency, and went through fire and smoke searching for thomiii the different apartments. Mrs, Wilmerding. the socretary’s daugh- ter, and Miss Wilmerdiog forced their way through the blinding smoke aod jumped from the second-story front window. Ladders were strotched for them, but in ibeir excitement they failed to fee them, Mrs. Wilmerding broke her wrist and was severely injured. Her daughter ‘was badly injured about the lower limbs, but broke no boues. Both suffered severely from the shock. They were at once taken to the residence of Dr. Baxter, near by, and restoratives applied, Mrs. Tracy endeavored to escape the raging element by dropping herself from her bed- room window, and in an effort to decrease the distance to the ground grasped the nar- row window siil and lowered herself as far us she was able. Those who saw her in her perilous position shouted to nold on, but either she did not hear or her strength failed her, for after thus hanging a moment be~ tween life and death she fell forty feet into the areaway before anything could be done towaras rescuing herorrehieviug her fall. She was immediately taken to the house of aneighbor, Dr. Rheem, and placed upon a lounge in the sitting room. She was perfectly conscious, and did not seem to suffer any bain. Occasionally aho complained oi oppression in the neigh- borhood of her heart, and found dificulty in breathing, She talked a while, coughed slightly, and then becae sileat. Physicians looked at each other sigoiticantly—Mrs. Tracy wasdead, The immediate cause of ber death was supposed to bo from injuries to her heart, sustaiued in the fall from the window, which flooded her lungs with blood. It 1s said that had she delayed her movements a couple of minutes, laaders and mattresses and other-means of safe es~ cape would have been at hand, Her body ‘was soon romoved to the residence of At. torney General Miller, on Muassachusetts avenue. Almost at the same time two ladies were taken from the burning building. One was the secretary’s duughter, Miss Mury, a young lady, and the other was that of maid, Josephine. That of the former was found by Chief Par~ ish lying on the floor in the second story hall, at the head of the stair She had evidently died from suffocation. The chief lifted the lifsless body in his arms, and, although the staircase was wblaze, ho brought itout into the street. It is said that Miss Tracy could have savad hersslf if her strength had held ont a foew minutes longer. Of the Freuch maid little is known, save that her dead body was found iu aroom on the top floor of the house, burned beyond recognition, Both the bodies of Miss Tracy and the maid were taken to an undertaker's estab- lishment in the vicinity, Becretary Tracy himself had a most won. derfal escape and is now lying in o some- what precarious condition at the residence of Judge Davis. Like the others, he was over- come in his sleep by the smoke which fillea the bouse and rendered him unconscious. He was discovered in this condition and with consideravle dificulty was removed to one of the windows, Cries for a ladaer were quickly answered aud many willing bands were raised to assist him to the ground, He was st once removed to & neighbor's house and waus soon surrounded by physicians. The doctors upplied artificial moaus to duco rospiration and succeeded, after an hour's work, in restoring him to semi-consciousness, It was then thought safe to remove him to Judge Duvis’ house, He improved slowly from this time, and soou regained conscious- Dess, recognizing friends who called to in- quire in regard to bis coudition, Awmong the first of these were the president, vice presi- dent avd several members of tho cabinet, The full extent of his terrible aMiction is withbeld from him for the present, His first iuquiry upon recovering consciousuess was in regard to the safety of his family, He is gradually gaining io strength, and his friends are sanguine of his complete recovery. The walls of ‘the housq are standing, but the isterior presents a picture of ruin and desolation. The residence of Judge Cox of the district supreme court, on the lafy, was badly damaged by water. » All around theso residences graat crowds congregated as s00n as the nows spre have remained all morning. Harrison, as soon as he heurd of thetragedy, sent help from the executive mansion and followed bimself to inquire what assistance he could render. The membors of tho cabinet, with whom Sccretary Tracy was very popular, were among the first to call, They all placed their respective residences at the disposal of the afflicted family. Chief Parish of the fire deparunent told his story as follows: *I paid no attention to the fire when 1 heard there wers persons in the house. I folt my way through the smoke to the second floor and found a man in bed in ove of the rooms. 1 managed to deag him 10to & room where there was not 00 much smoke, where I broke the window and called for a ladder. The man, who proved to be Secrotary Tracy, was taken out, and I went back into the smoke and fire again and found Miss Marie Tracy. As [ caught hola of her wrists to lift her up the flesh came off ber burned hands. 1 got her out, but she was dead.” Dr. Ruth, at the solicitation of friends, visited the undertaking establishment and identificd Miss Tracy. He muade a hurried examination and found that she had died from suffocation. Mrs. Tracy was found to buve died from the rupture of blood ves- sels, A gentleman who saw the fire said: *While the building seemed to be u mass of flames bursting from every point. Scream followed scream from the interior of the building. Only o fow people were passing atthe time, and they seemed bewildered. The engiues soon arrived: you know the rest.” In another account of the fire it 18 stated that soon after the flames were discovered at the Tracy residence two male servants were seen to emerge from the front dour and run for their lives. The fire gainea headway, and although the fire department responded promptly the residence was enveloped in flames when they arvived. Secretary and Mrs. Tracy occupied a back room on the sec- ond floor, Mrs. Tracy, it s thought was first awakened by the suffocating smoke. Secretary Tracy was at this time unconscious and Mrs, Tracy, with heroic devotion, attempted to drag the bady of the secretary to tne window. In this she partially succceded. Half dazed and blinded by the smoke, she opened the window, and just as the firemen were put- ting up the ladder to rescue her she leaped to the sidewalk. She was picked up severely injured intornally aud with a broken leg, and taken to o neighboring house, where she died within an hour without recovering consciousness. The ladder which Mrs. Tracy’ life bhad she but waited a moment was soon placed under the window and strong hands lifted the body of Secretary Tracy through it and carried him to the sidewalk. The secretary was at first thought to be dead, but it wes discoverea that a spark of life yet remained. He was removed to the residence of Bancroft Davis near by, and at 1! o'clock was re- ported as improving, though at that time he had not regained consciousness. Miss Tracy, the seccretary’s unmarried daughter occupied the third story front room, ana met & horrible fate. The young lady could be seen at the window, clad in a white robe, her banas in the attitude of prayer and her tace uplifted to heaven. The flames gradually hemmed her in and she finally sank to the floor, and when tound her re- muins were a charred mass. Mrs. Wilmerding, Socretary Tracy’s mar- ried daughter und her daughter, Miss Wil- merding occupied the second front room, on the same floor with secretary and Mrs, Tracy, Both she aad her daughter jumped from the windows to the grass terrace be- low, and while the shock to both was severe, neither received any appuarent injury. JAMES WELCH'S STORY. James Welch, the secretary’s butle: I sleep 10 the basement, ana b ng I got up about 6:30. There was nosmell of fire and no appearance of anything wrong. At about 7 o’clock I started to clean my din- ing room, when there was a ring at the bell, and when [ answered it a colored man said: *‘*Your houso is on fire.” At once I rushed up stairs to arouse the family and although the smoke was very thick I suc ceeded in knocking av every door, and from cach one in the rooms I secured o response. Then I started to go down stairs, and, nearly choked with smoke, I fell three times, but finally got to the front door. I wept around to the rear and tried to wet a ladder so as to reach the secretary and Mrs. Tracy's bedroom. Mrs, Tracy was atthe window, avd while a few of us who were there appealed to her to keep still for a minute more, she climbed out on the sill and lowered herself until she bung by her hands on the narrow stone projec- tion. Everybody who saw her yelled to her to hold on for a moment, and we looked around ior something on which to catch her, 80 us to break the fall which bad to come.” “How long did Mrs. Tracy hang there!” 'Not wore than a few seconds. She told mo afterwards thut she slipped, She fell into an areaway, almost touching me in her swift descent (I was on the ground level), wnd struck on her left side. No sound save a little 1ncoherent wurmur came from her livs. I picked her up and carried her into Rheem’s house.” A TOTAL RUIN. To those who were admitted to view the destruction of property, the bedroom which bad been occupied by Secretary and Mrs, Tracy was the principal point of interest, Itis arear room on the second floor, and must havo been @ besutiful apart- ment. Everything is black and sonked with water. The ‘rovm is a huge cinder, On the third floor, in the central front, was the room occupied last night by Mrs. Tracy. This was & ruin of the most thorough descrintion—charred in every corner, the ceiling gone, the doors burned out, cinders ankle deep Covered the floor and 'what the flames had spared was destroyed by water. The fire originated in the parlor near the open fire place. Whether it originated from the grate or heating pipe i3 not known. The furngce is in.the basement, directly be- neath whore the fire started, and the pipes leading to the upper stories’ passed in the rearof the woodwork. The firemen gon- erally think that the woodwork caught fire from the heated pipes, Secretary 1'racy recelved a large vumber of telegrams of condolence this morning. Owing to the sad event President and Mrs. Harrison have recalled the invitations to the state dinner in bonor of the supreme court Thursday next. TAKEN TO THE WHITE HOUSE. ‘The romaius of Mrs. Tracy and Miss Tracy Lie tonight in a casket in the centre of the east room of the white house, beneath tho crystal chandeliers whose light less than o week g0 shone upon thew as they gayly greeted thew nuwerous friends at the last presidential reception. The bodies were brought to the white house at 6 o'clock by order of the president, who has taken churge of whatever arrsnge- ments for the funcral it was necessary to make at present. The final arrangements will uot ba made until the arrival of Secre- tary Tracy's son and General Catlin, bis brother-in=law, who are expected tonizhit. The iojured are improving. The presi- deot visited Secretary Tracy again this even. wg ana found him regaining strength, though still bardly able 10 realize the grost loss he bas sustained. s The Cabinet’s Trip Abandoned, Wasuisaroy, Feb. 8.—The trip of the president aud cabivet to New York to attend the ventennary of the orgunization of the suprense court of the United States bas been abandoued on account of the deaths in the Tswilivs of Secretaries Blaine and Tracy, would have saved 8aid : 'BLOODY FUSS FOR DREYEUS A French Dusl in Which Real Gore Was Spilled, THE EDITOR HIT IN THE ARM. Marquis de Mores' ontana Proves of ¢ to Him on the of Honor. xperience in eat Value Field An Ununsual Termmnation. [Conpright 1690 by James Gordon Bennsit.y Panrs, Feb. 3. ow York Herald Cabl pecial o Tur B ~The much talked of duel between the Marquis de Mores and M. Camille Dreyfas was fought yesterday morning in the outskirts of the little town of Comines 1a Belgium, just be- youd the French froavier, At the word of command M. Dreyfus fired und missed. The marquis aimed deliberately and sent a ball into the arm of his opponent, just abovo the elbow joint. The wouud is painful, but not serious. Had it not been for the fact that Droyfus dropped bis arm immediately on firing it is very probable that he would have been mortally wounded. M. Dreyfus, in a foverish condition, with his arm bandaged and greatly swollen, is now lying at Lalle, whare he will romain until the doctors allow him to return to Paris, The Marquis de Mores, accompaniod by uis saconds, reached Paris lust evening in time for dinner, Besides the principals nine men witnessad the duel—two secondson each side, two doc- tors, a French officer, a friend of M. de Mores, M. Van Islande, owner of the prop- erty where the fight took place, and a Hor- ald correspondent. No other newspaper representatives were present. The duel 1n many respects was a remarka- bleone. It was occasioned by an article written some days ago by M. Dreyfus in La Nation, in which the well known political writer said a number of things about the marquis which the latter considered insult- ing. He said toe marquis’ father was a banker, his mother a Jewess, and he himself a——, aword notusaally printed in high class newspapers, but it begins and ends with the same letter. A few hours later he received a challenge to mortal combat. The condi- tons of the duel were that if neither were wounded after the first round, a second should be fired, and aflter that a third if necessury. As both men are expert shots, their many friends looked for- ward to_the result with serious apprehen- sions, For years the Marquis de Mores has been accustomed, on the immense cattle ranches of Montana, to the constant use of the revolver. It had been his boast that no thief had ever stolen one of nis horses or steeds and livel. M. Dreyfus had long eu- joyed the reputation of being smong Parisan journalists the one whom it was particularly inadvisable to challenge. He rarcly missed his man, About 7 o'clock Saturday evening a tall, handsome man, enveloped in au ulster, stood near the ticket office at Gare du Nord, ap- parently intent on reading ‘& paper. Ho was really waiting for his seconds. * It was M. de Mores just about starting on a journey from which he might never return alive. Presently two others approached, also enveloped in ulsters. The taller and largar of the two was the Comte de Dion, and the other M. le Capi- taine Feuillant, recently prominent as one'of Boulanger's staunch supporters, After a whisper®d conversation, during which glances wore shot from time to time in the direction of a similar group not far distant, the party moved toward the train. The second group followed. A pale-faced, medium-sized man walked 1n front, accom- panied by Lockroy, ex-minister of public in- struction, M. Pechon and Dr. Malecot. . The pale-faced man was Camille Dreyfus. They also took places in tho express, which presently rolled away for Lille. The marquis and his party atonce established themselves in the dining car for the nexttwo hours, eating, drinking, laughing and chat- ting, and they seomed to have a glorious good time, Then they withdrew to their compartments, succeeded by their opponents, who ulso dined, though less joyously. The trawn reached Lille at 11 o’clock and all hands prepared to enjoy & good night's sleep, sleop were possible under the circumstunces. Sirict orders were left for a general awakening at 7 o'clock next morning, with hot water, barbers, mut- ton chops, eggs, coffee, ete. The bed-roonis were id; the hot water came wo late; the barbers overslept themselves altogetber, and the morning meal was not enjoyable. An hour’s run from Lille brought us over to the Belgian Trontier, and at Comines all alighted. 1 had the pleasure of riding a brief dis- tance in fhe same carriage with Mr, Drey- fus and his friends, who apparently mistook me for an Engiish tourist, probably becausc 1 wore a plaid traveling cap and was reading aun Enlish novel. They tulked freely ot the duel, but there -semu&' to be an atmospbere of gloom in the railway carriage which made it pleasant to get out again into the fresh morning air. At lastthe scene of action was reached, the carriages came to & hult and the occupants alighted, A walk across & few hundred yards of nloughed ground brought the party to a stone coltage, where preparations had been made w care for the wounded, if wounded there should be. Here for the first time the two ene- mies met. There was a urand lifting of bats allround, a profusion of solemn bows,but not aword wus spoken. Without losing time the four seconds proceeded to business, Ex- Minister Lockroy drew forth a b franc piece and sent it spinning into the air, ‘Face,” called M. Feuillant, but a tail came, ‘This gave M. Dreyfus the choice of posi- tion, Up went the coin again and the cap- taiv wou the choice. At the third toss of the dollar the captain won the privilege of giving the word, of command, The next thing was to measure the dis- tance—twenty metres—which was done by the Cowte de Dion, who unrolled a tape measure with the dexterity of a8 man uccus- tomed to this sort of thing, Indecd, the comte has fought no end of duels and has never been touched. M, Dreyfus placed hiwself at the end of the line near the roud, marking the exact spot with & cone-handled cane curiously enough with a death’s head carved 1o ivory, ‘rhe Marquis de Mores placed biwself opposite. Both wore white gloves, silk hats and full afternoon dress. Neither combatant had any advantage from the position of the sun, which wus exactly between them, low on the horizon, ‘I'he pistols furnished by the marquis hav- ing been taken from a sealed box in which they bad lefL the makers, were tried care- fully by Dion, wio discharged them several timss 1o the air. Then, the weapous having been loaded 1n an approved maoner in the presence of the seconus, M. Feuillant handed an uncovered pistol to M. Dreyfus, while M. Lockroy performed a sunilar service for the marquis. Each_principal haviog given his word of honor that there was o sort of armor con- cealed beneath nis clothes, the duel began, M, Feuillant spoke. first, aod ex- plained thut his associate, M. de Dion, would first go through the act of giving commund and then really do so. The cap- tain lifted his hat aud held it in his right band o the position prescribed in duel eliquette, whereupon the count raised bus ()MAHA.” TUESDAY MORNING, l*‘I;]ill{['x\li\’ [ tiat in a similac way, and drawing a gold | s10p wateh callod out distifetly—*“One, two, three.” cach count beig marked by the beat of a second. Duritg this trial per formunce the two principale hela their pis- tols in their right hgnds, Jrith the burrels upward, according to the Hirections of the captain. i But now the eommand was about to bo given in earnost. Awain, lifting his hat with the same courteousness, M, Feuillant cried : *Cock your pistols, gentiemen,’ Then, with u bow t the count, he added: ou roady, count!” The count waited & few moments, then secing that both weapons wore cocked, said: “‘Are you ready, gentlemen “Yes," auswered M. Dreyfu answoered the marquis. Then—"‘One, two, threo!" In the prolimmary proceedings Captain Feuillant bad cautiondd voth mon to aim de- liberately before firing. but M. Dreyfus did not choose o follaw this advice. Hardly had the first word been uttered when the report of his pistol sounded through the quiet mora- ing air. A glance at the marquis showoed ho was uninjured. One could fancy M. Dreyfus gave a hurried start 88 he saw his aim bad missed and as he also. saw his enemy waim, raising slowly to the dead horizontal, ho word “Two” sounded, the marqu touchied the triggery’ and tho leaden bulict, twelve millimetors in diameter, sped straig! towards the breast of his adversary. But his adversary’s Arin, meantinie having fal- len, recoived the ball which would other- wise have penetrated some vital organ, Even at the distauce where I stood one could easily ace the shock cmused by the impact of the bullet. “Iam hit,” called M. Droyfus, as the scc- onds came ruuning towards him, With that he thréw the pistol to the ground and walked towards the cotiage, where tho doctors promptly did their work. 1 saw them both after i1t was over und received their assurance that the wound, while pain ful, would uot prove serious, Botn doctors said that but for the intervening arm tho worst might easily have happened. While all this wns geing on I stood & tew dozen yards away, Watching every detail, and from time to time taking instantancous photographs with the aid of a detective camera stowed baueath my waistcoat. Ten minutes after the ducl was over the whole party was on jits way back to the station, whoro teleglams were sent to anxious friends in Paris and eslewhere. Among those who must have been most re- joiced by the news that M. de Mores had es- caved uninjured was the young marguise, formerly Miss de Hoffman of New York, who married the maruis during his resi dence 1u the United States. By the way sheis said to bo as sure a shot as her husband, On one occasion she went with. & hunting ty to the Rocky mountaifs and with her own haud, or rather with her own Winchester, killed three grizzly bearsi More recently, while 1n India with the marquis, she snot three tigers from tha pack of an elephant. As his wife has been ill for some weeis past the marquis had taken thé precaution to keep her in 1gnorance of the d: On the way back to Patis 1 had a ploasant talk with Lockroy, who! expressed himsell Jrofoundly astonished w fiud that the inof- fensive Englishman with/thevlaid traveiing cap and novel was & cofréspondent of the Herald. He took it however, all in good part, and went B0 far as to compliment the paper oa its énterprise. The time during the journey home was passed pleasantly enough in thé compartment where the marquis aod his friends were scated. Captain Feuillant, who is what the French call a vieux loup at. auelling, related & num- ber of his experiences with ‘the sword and pistol. He has fought o, léss than forty- three times. The eomite ana he had a friendly argument a8 téethe relative advant- ages of the Lwo weapons but came to, no conclusion. Both gotigrdfuiived the mar- quis on the precisiomdf his aim, and were in their turn cwphmam}u by him on the ad® mirable manner fn Wiich ‘they had dis- charged the duties of seconds. Mr. Dreyfus, tossing about uneasily in his bed at Lille, was meantime thanking vrovidence for the wispiration which made tum lower his arm. ———— PARNELL VANDI!CATED, “Yos," The London Timgs Pays Him Five Thousand Pounds. LoNDoN, Feb. 3, —THe trial of the suit for libel brougnt by Paraell @gainst the Times was to hive begun today, but when the case was called counsel annpubced the suit had been compromised, the Times paying Parnell £5,000 damages. ‘'he withdrawal was aise announced of the action brought by Henry Campoell, Par- nell’s private secretary, #gainst the Timos for damages for statémsgts ugainst Camp- bell made by Alwrucru(}unernl Webster, counsel for the Times, i lis spesch in the case of O'Donnell agawisy Walter, the pro- prietor of the Times, & tor the charges made against the plaitiff in an editorial published by that paper in 1888, The an- nouncement of the résult of the actions caused a sensation in the court room. It 1s ted that the Times whl pay Campbell £200 damages, besidos rweting all the costs of his action. : English Newspaper Comment. LoxDox, feb. 3.—The ' Times says upon the Parnell case: After our withdrawal of the letters it was clear wa had no legal de- fense, therefore no alternative wus open to us but to come to terms Or abide the verdict of the jury. As we had at the outset challenged such action We can not complain at bewng taken ut ourword. This 1esult, however, in no way aftects the larger qu tion, It is m desirable that the parlia- mentary commission should report, and when its report is presented it 18 equally desirable that it may be piaced in the hands of the public with the least possidla delay, The Post says: While it was not doubted that the Times would lose the case yet the array of counsel rased hopes that some ex- tenuating circumstances would be brought . _This course now taken we are com- pelled to admit is & snock to public confi- dence, The News understands ' that Parnell will receive not only the costs lezaily recoverable but reimbursement for the whole expenso ho incurred in the matter, The conclusion is as satisfactory as it is starthing. The public now only awaits the ministerial apology, the making of which common { courtesy should divtate, The Chronicle says the acceptance of smaller damages than the fury would award is proof of genuine modi for which Parnell is entitled to flrfifl The Telegraph says it condemn the negligence off the Times in be- coming the dupe of & utaple rascal. ‘The settloment is 3 ant. Fitzgerald of the Irish National Leasys® of America arrived in the city toduy.. Bpeaking of the result of the Parnell he said it will cause u great revival of intérest in the cause of Irelund because the sottlement of the ase and ils conditions will at the attention of the world, Upon bis 0 his home at Lincoln, Neb., Mr, K' 1d will issue a stirring sppeal to the Irishs ericans in be- haif of Parnell, asdecidod gpon in Detroit. s Judge Edzerton Arrives. MrrcneLy, 8. D, Feb., 8—[Special Tele- gram to Bee.]—Hon. Judgze Edgerton was brought home from Pierre Saturday after- pecial train, acdompanied by his n. E. G, Edgericg,unember of the house from Yunkton couaty, For ten days past he has had o severe stlack ot la grippe and was threatened with paeumonia, but is now couvalescent. The United States du trict court will not convelie at Pierre until the judge fully recovers. Tho Weather Forecast, For Omaha and vicinity: Light rain, fol- lowed by fair weather For Nobraska: Fair, warmer 1n eastern, stationary temperature in western portion, westerly wind For fowa: Local rains, warmer, southerly winds, For Dakota armer, winds, occasional ns, southwesterly 4, 1890, THE PROPOSITION IS LOADSD A Scheme the Iowa Demoorats May Spring Tolay. REPUBLICANS ON THEIR GUARD. Considerable Difference a8 to the Proper Tims Electing a United States Senator. of Opinion for Thealowa Legislative Situation. Des Morxes, Ia, Feb. 8,—[Special Tele- gram to Tur Bee.]—There is talk tonight that the democrats niny spring tomorrow dguble proposition in the house and ask the republicans to take their choice. This prop- osition, it is reported, will be to the effect that whichever side has the permanent speaker shall ot have the committee on the suppression of intemperance. ‘They will suggest a fair division of the offices and committees, with the speakership on one side and the temperance committee on the other, and try to put the republicans in the attitude of going back on prohibition or else surrender the speakership. 1tisa very shrewda scheme, if they really have it in mind. Leading re publicans were asked tonight what they would do in that case and they say that they will 1nsist that all such provositions mnst bo submitted through the regulsr chaunel— that is, by a conference commttee. They will not = consider or discuss on the floor of the house any proposition of thut kind without its previous consideration in caucus. "The only other subjectof interest discussed tonight is the senatorial matter. Tomorrow is the second ‘Puesday ufter the temporary organization of the house. If the statute preseribing tho time for the election of sen- ator means the sscond Tuesday aftor such an organization as the houss now has, then it is imperative that a ball)t be taken tomor- row. But if permauent organization is meant it can be deferred. Some republicans think the attempt to elect a_senator should be made tomorrow, but the democrats object to any such proceeding, aud will not consent unless their governor can also be inaugu- rated. But there has been so much absentee- ism that possibly the republicans might be in the minority tomorrow. Then, sunposing some democrat should move theelectionof a United States senator, what would the re- publicans do? This contingency has only re- cently been anticipated, and a strong effort will be made tomorrow to get the full repub lican strength 8o as not to be caught nap- piag. The House. Drs Morves, In, Feb. 8.—In the house this afteruoon twenty pairs werc aunounced —only two more than on_Saturday, Voting for permanent speaker began with tho forty- ninth ballot, which resulted: Hamilton 30, Wilson 80. After taking a few more ballots the house adjourned. The Mayor Holds the Funds. Crestoy, Ia., Feb. 3.—[Special Telegram to Tie BrE.J—A set of resolutions were mtroduced in the city council meeting to- night domanding that the mayor, John A. Patterson, turn over to the city treasurer all moneys collected by him belongiog to_ the city, and in case of his refusal to do so the city attorney be nstructed to begin suit av once compelling him to do so. Also that impeachment proceedings be instituted in case of his refusal. The resolutions re- sulted in & tie vote, the mayor casting the degiding vote, rulng them out of order. Another set of resolutions were then introduced, demanding an _im- wediate investization of the oficial acts of the mayor. THis also resulted in o tie, the mayor voting for investigation. Proceedings will be commenced at once. The mayor has_persistently refused to turn over the city funds in his hands on the grounds that there is uo city ordiuance com- pelling him to do so. The affair has created intense excitement in the city, the council chamber tonight beirg crowded with citizens, A Saloon Murder. CrintoN, Ia., Fep. 8.—In the residence part of the city, Pat NoNeally recently started a saloon in a cottago. An effort was made o close him up and he was arrested, but again opened and ‘has been running a hole for local toughs. rly Sunday morn- ng Jim and Jack Rowan, Jim Haolan and some others were there carousing. Hanlan lost his gloves and accused some of the gang of taking them, Hot words ensued. Hanlan went home got a revolver and returned. He was met at the door of the saloon by the Rowan hoys and two others who asked Hanlan what he wanted. He sals “1 have coma come here to kill somebody and I am going to do it,” and at once opened. fire, shooting Jacob Rowan in the chin, the ball lodging back of his ear. He then turned to Jim Rowan and smd: “You want some, 100 don't yout” Jim Rowan started to run, when Haplan fired, hitting Rowan in the back, the hall penetrating his heart, killing him instantly. Hanlan U stood over his second victim, saying: m sorry I hurt you Jim;.good-bye,” when he left. The wounded mun 18 still alive and may re- cover, The murderer when he left was on a Northwestern train going east into Ilhinol The Supreme Oourt, Des MoiNes, Ia, Feb.,8.—[Special Tele- gram t Tug Bee.)—The following de #ions were rendered by thesapreme court to- ds, E. L. Blackman vs Fairbanks, Morse & Co. appellants; Butler district; afirmed. Leander Bolton vs Oberne Hosick & Co., appellants; Polk district; reversed. H. H, Sickles vs Dallas Center bank, ap- Jallas district; affirmed. Citizens’ National bank et al vs A, T. John- son et al and John Mcrarland & Co., appel~ lants; Polk district; reversed. In the matter of the estate of William John Gill, deceased ; Polk district afiirmed. lowa's Charitabie Institutions, Des Moixes, In., Feb, 8 —|Special Tele- grom to Tie Bee. |—The report of the super- intendent of the Glenwood home for the feeble minded, which was flled with the auditor of state today, shows thav during December there were 441 Inmates. Warrants in the sum of 4,300 were 1ssued for the sup- port of the same. For the support and ex- penses of the college for the blind at Coun - cil Blufts $15,700 was paid out of the state treusury, Bridge Proposition Carried. Lyoxs, Ia., Peb. 8.—|Special Telegram to Tie BEe|—A special election on the ques tion of building & bridge over tho Missis sippi at this place was held here today. T'he vote was in favor of the bridge—b51 majority —only 110 votes being cast agalust it. Killea By a Horse. WaresLoo, Ia, Feb. 8. —[Special Tele- gram to Tog Bee. |—Sawuel Decker, a black- smith at Jessup, 8 small town near here, was kicked in the temple by a horse he was shoe- ing last Saturday and instantly killed, He. was about fifty years old. Forger Larkins Plead : Guilty. Siovx Ciry, Ja, Feb. 8.—[Special Tele- gram to Pug Bee.]—A. Larkios, the noted Parsons, Kan., forger, this morniog pleaded guilty to an indictment for forgery and will be eentenced Friday. He swindled the Sioux City Savings bank out of §25 a year ago, A Running Street Fight, Siovx Ciry, Ia,, Feb. 8.—[Special Tele- gram to Tus Bes.]—J, D. Rawey, book- keeper for the Fidelity Loan aud Trust company, £ iptad yosterday to shoov Will Jand t, whe charged with improper rela- tions with s wife, Rainey pursued Jandt sevoral block~ nn tho street, tiring a revol- ver s they *an. The parties have hich soclal cor oo Jandt left town last night. N — GENERALS JOK AND MILES, The Former Replies to the or the Latter, pocial Telogram to Tue B ok's attention was today called to the strictares of Genoral Miles of San Franelsco upon the position which Crook has assumod relative to remov- ibg the Apaches—Geronimo and his band— to the Indian Territory. “1am surprised at General Miles," said Genoral Crook. *‘He goes rattling on like & steam engine, never making any direct answor to my statoments, but at the same tmo presuming to bo able t0 judge the opinions of overy residout on the Pacific coast and in Arizona about tho advisability of removing Geronimo and his band to the Indian ‘Territory. He says wverybody out there is denounc- ing the scheme and that it was an outrage for me to supnort any such idea and an outrage on the gallant soldiers who fought to rid tho torritory of the deadly hostiles. Now, the spectacle of two urmy officers descending toa common fight, with the Rocky mountains as a bar,1s disgraceful, but I feel it my duty to say that wy sido rests upon the facts and records of tho wholo affair. 1 never said anvthing against the brave boys who fought or against their method of fighting, Everybody knows that General Miles canuot got around the facts by resorting to sentiment, As far as the genoral's statement coneerning my conauct being a violation of tho fourth paragraph of tne army rezulations s concernad, I will simply say this: [made no charges until hie atlempted to distort the facts in the case Then 1 merely replied to protect iny sclf. There is” notning wrong in that, I hope.” Attacks Crito ——— THE TRANsS-MISSOURL It Will T\k: Action on KLansas and Nebraska Emersency Iites, KANsaAs City, Mo., Feb. 8.—|Special Telo gram to Tne Bee.|—The correspondent of Tne Bee was this afternoon shown the regular printed call for the Trans-Missouri freight meeting for Februacy. It contains an ofliciul notice that the question of emer- gency grain rates from Kunsas und Nebraska will come up in regular order for consider tion. Chairman Finley said this afternoon that the talk of Governor Thuyer's letter passing into history was the pink of foolish- ness, No sooner had it been received at the managers’ meeting in Chicago than a mem- ver filed the usual application for the ques. tion to come up in the regular call. This was the quickest and 1 fact the oaly regular way to bring the matter bofore the association us a body. It is a matter in which Chairman Finley has no direct authority. Mr. Finloy said: “I am surprised that the cry was 80 soon taken up that the raiiroads were ready to put an iron heel on the neck of the struzgling western furmer. The railroads are of course on the lookout for their own interests, but it is quite sure that they do not sce it in thewr interest to throttle the man Who helpsso muchto keep up the appearances of the annual statements of earnings. Of course I do not know what the association proposes to do with the letter of Governor ‘Thayer and the appeal, of the Kansas furm - ers' association, but Tthink there need be no alarm. The railroads will give the watter a deliborate and fair covsideration, mark thut.” There i3 notbing in the call referring to the disputed question of Nebraska los cattle rates us applying on through busines to Chicago. An association mun said this afternoon that unless the meeting unani- mously requested its consideration the prob- ler{x will be left for the roads ‘themselves to solve. The New Agreement Still Incomplete. Cricaco, Feb, 8.—|Special Telezram to ‘Tne Bee.]—Chairmen Walker,” Faithorne, Midgely and Finley, to whom has beon us- signed tho task of formulating a new agree- ment for the Interstate Commerce Ruillway association, have decided that they cannot report the new agreement to the presiaeuts at the meeting of the 11th, As a conse- quence both the Union Pacific and North- western will formally withdraw on that day and probabiy enough of the other roads, so the association will exist ouly in name until the new aareement is ready for considera- tion. It is practically certain that the Wis. consin Central and St. Louis & San Francisco will give notice of withdrawal on or before the 11th. ‘There is no longer any hope of the continuance of the present organization, and itis likely that tho namo even will be changed in the proposed plan of reorganiza tion. Every western line, irrespective of the present memnbershin, will be asked to join the association, but the chairmen freely confess that they have as yet been unable to think of any agreement upon which all lines will unite. = The whole thiug is_openly- ridi- culed by many rairoad men owing tu the fact that there has never been @ railroad agreement in which all the lines kept faith. - RULED AGAINST A QUADKOON. A Dacision Which Gives Theatrical Managers Arbitrary Powers. Ka Crry, Mo, Feb. 8.—|Special Telegram to Tne Bee.l—Judge Field in the circuitcourt touay decided tho case of Simp- son C. Younger, ¢ quadroon, vs. A. Judah, manager of the Ninth street theater, for tho defendant, Younger brought suit for £5,000 damages because, ufter he hud purchased uickets for the gorchestra civcle in Judah's theater he was refused aimittan purt of the house. Juage Field says theater is not a necessity, but a Juxur a tickot of admittance 15 a license revokable at the wish of the muragement.” The da- cision of Judge Fyeld goes much further than the cases cited, as it gives theatrical man- agers almost arbitrary control of whom they shall or shall not adumit, Under it the pro- prietor of any theater can refuse admittauce 10 any one, white or black. EDITOR WESI sENLE Five Years in the f'en tentiary and a $1,000 Fine. CuicAGo, Feb. 8.--Judge Grinnell this afternoon overruled the wotion for a new trial for James J, West and imposed sen- tence upon the one-time president of the Chicago Times company 1n accordauce with the verdict, five years in tne penitentiary avd a fine of $1,000, “The charge on which the prisoner was con- victed was the fraudulent over-issue of Times stocis to the extent of nearly 130,000, ‘The prisoner was visivly sffcoted when $60- tence was prouounced, but soon recovered his usual spirits, Itis not yet determiced when West will be taken to the peniten tiary, e e Favor lievision, Cicaco, Feb. 8,—The Chicago presbytery this morning voted alwost unanimously in favor of a revision of the confession of fuith. New Yorg, Feb. #.—The New York Presvytery met today after two weeks' dis- cussion and voted on the proposed revision of the cocfession of faith. A report favoring revision was adopted, and the New York Presbytery has declared fitself in favor of thé revision of the Westminster confession of fuith by & vote of more than two to one. an Editor, Kaxsas Crry, Mo, Feb, 8.—|Special Tele- gram to Tue Bee |—Councilman (Foley at a meeting of the common council tonight apped Albert Patek, managing editor of the Globe, in the face, aud when called to order by the speaker said: “I will slap bis d--d face off if he speaks Lo me agun.” 'Ihe trouble grew out of the waterworks trouble, in which the Globe made sensationul churges aguinst the council, — ] 9o= 225, NUMBER The President Oomforts Him in His Awful Grief. B. & M, RIGHT OF WAY WANTED, The Company Desires a Short Cug Through the New Fort Omaha— Tunber Culturs Matters Wasmxorox Bureav Tue Ovana Bew, 518 FounTERNTI STREET, Wasmxaron, D. C.. Feb. 8, Prone on the sidewalk lay the lifeless body of n womaa clad in a night dress, o fow feed from the head two charred and blackened canary birds; in the opposite direction, the distauce of two steps, the crisp form of & parrot still in death. Death on evory handg in front and up a short flight of stonn steps, what was an almost new and handsomo deep red brick residence, now black from smoke, with wizdows crushed in and doors torn out. That was the sceno a thousand poopld guzed upon as they beheld at s o'clock this morning what was last night the happy howe of General Tracy, secretary of the navy. In n neighbor's residence near by were the breathiess bodies of Mra. I'racy and daughter, Miss Mur, Within a short distance | v and th married daughter, Mrs, Wilmerding, uul Miss Alice Wilmerding, the latter's duughe ter, 'These escaped from the burning builde ing shortly after 7 o'clock almost miracule ously. ‘e fire was the- sole theme throughout the city during the da; It seemed an hour befors the dead body of the woman was tuken from the sidewali. No one uppeared to kuow whose it was or 10 assume authority to remove it. Neighe pors, police and firemen gazed in awful silence at. the spoechless form of the une known woman, then diverted their attens uon ato the scene of desolation about the building. It was enough to move the hard- est heart to contemplate the horror which must have prevailed when at aaylight, amid the roar of leaping flames, stifliug smoke, crashing glass and intense heay, the formg of four women were hurlod from the uppert story tothesidewalk below, one to be picked up in a dying condition, one dead, and two fell in tho throes of death inside the build- ing. !SI. L. Ruth of the navy is a famous man in social circies and has b 1 experience full of romance and tragedy; whatever hap- peus he seems always to be there, 1f it [s an accident, or & murder, u fight, ora fire, Dr. Ruth scems by fate 1o be destined as a witness, and the incidents in his life would make a8 thrilling u tale as ever ceme from the pen of Charles Dickens or Wilkio Cols lins, He lLwes at the Metropolitan club at the corner of H and Seventeenth strects, just one block in the rear of the Tracy map= sion. *'I was awakened,” he said this after- noon, by the fire engines, and running to my window saw the flames and smoke rising from the roof and windows of Secretary Tracey's house. [ pulied on my clothng as quick:y as possible and ran over there. T'he firemen told me that the secrotary had bean taken as deud 10 the house of Mr, Rheam, on Connecticut avenue, aud [ ran tlere at once 10 find tho secretary lying upoh the floor in the kitchen wrapped in & blanketand with nothing on but his night shirt. He was unconsciods and in @ comatose coudition, but was not burned av all. 1 immediutely resorted to the usual means to secure urtificiul respira- tion, the sume that are used t restors drowning persons. I also administered stimulants, chafed his hands and foot and soon succeeded in getting him t breathe, He was acarly suffocated with smoke, bat had suffered no bruises. Other assistants came in soon, Dr. May, who had been with Mrs, Tracy, and Dr. Kerr, whbo lives ncar by on Seventeenth streel. ‘I'hey were soon followed by ex-Surgeon General Wales of the nayy, who has been the family physiciun of the Tracys. Very soon President Harri- son came in avd ‘went at once to Mr, Iracy’s side. Atthat time the secretary was unconscious, but uttering incoherent sentences. The president ussisted us 1o tho mampulation of his body and showed great skill s well assympathy. He held the secretary’s head and talked with him and the firet returning consciousness was Mr. of the president, but he soon relapsed off into unconsciousuess. agmn and we were compelled to keep up our manipulation for some time. Ultimately the lungs began to resume their functions and the inminent danger of death seemed to be over. . By this time Vico President Morton, Senators Hale, Chandler, Hawloy and other geutlemen of prominence cawe in, ana us 800N a8 the Beo~ retary was partially restored the president snegested thut he be removed to the white house, We wrapped him in blankets and made him as comfortable as possible, but he emed 1o be sull in u critical condition and it was thought best to take him only as far as the house of Mr, Bancrott Davis, whioh is only around the corner, where he could be made as comfortuble as at the white house, There 1 left him in charge of Surgeon Gen~ eral Brown, ex-Surgeon General Wales and others, and went to look after the other mems hers of the fumily.” Thera were vory sobn gathered around the bedside of the secretary in the residence of Mr. Davis vearly ull the members of the admin istration, the president, the vice presi- deunt, Secretaries Proctor, Windom and Noble, Attorney reral’ Miller, ~Private Secretary Halford and othel The party waited patiently in the adjoining room for him to recover consciousness, which he finally did after an hour or so, and recog- nized eaeh person, which wus the first in- dication that the danger to his brain was over. By some intuition the secrotary bes came aware of the death of his wife snd broke into a paroxysm of weeping, The president put bis arms around his neck and tried 1o console bun, but e insisted upon knowing what had buppened to him and wnot had become of Mrs. ‘I'ra I'he president told him bricfly of the fire, and when he iuslsted upon knowing the where- abouts of his wife, the president broke tue news of her death to bim as gently 88 Dos. sible. It wus wany minutes before he could be consoled, but by that time the stimulante becan to show their influence, wnd he dropped off to sleep. The room was durk- ened and the patient kept in perfect quiet with no one near him but Dr. Wales and one of the gervants of the family, The president aud other memvers of the cabinet were soon Joined by Mr. Blaine and other prominont men in the parior below, and arter vemg ro- assured thut Mr. Tracy had taken food und seemed 10 be rapidly recovering they left the house. At a quarter before twelve bis pulse, temperature und respiration were found to pe normal aad the doctor sunounced that ail immediate danger was over, although he said it would be many days before he could recover from the shock, ‘I he secretary wis not burned or injured, but was siwmply asphyxisted, After M ‘Aracy had fallen from the window she was cied uffby the Hremen and bystanders and carried to the house of Mr. Rhesw, where she was placed upon a lounge and within a few winutes Dr. May, who lives a few doors away, was with bher. An examination showed that sho was suffering trom rupture of the lungs. She had In- baled much smoke sod her lungs being irris tated the fall produced & severe hemors rhage. She wus conscious, however, 2nd seemed w understand all that had happened, Sne quired after bar husband and children, and belng assured that they were all right, she sent wessages to them. A few moment after the beworrhages occurrod and she ox- pired, No bones appeared to be broken and she was ouly slightly burned, but her body bore the marks of many bruises received ia ber fall Miss Tracy's body, which was lifeless when found, was taken 10 the undertaker's. She wis 50 bedly burned und disigurcd thay 1