Omaha Daily Bee Newspaper, February 3, 1895, Page 3

THE OMAHA DAILY BEE: SENDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1895 HILTON 1S ROLDING OUT Has Nearly Five Thousand Dollars Balong- ing to the Stats General Fund, EX-OIL INSPECTOW'S OPEN ACCOUNT ©Oat of OMee Without Set(ling the Matter of Fees Collected or Expenses Pald ~Surplus in His Hands Known to Ite Largo, LINCOLN, Feb. 2.—(Special)—Yesterday L. F. Hilton was state oll inspector. Today he has been succeeded by J. H. Rdmiston, who assumed the duties of the office this morning. And yet thers is much for Citizen Hilton to do before he can read his title clear 1o an honorable discharge from the service of the state. There are several little matters connected with his administration that have an ugly look. His friends have kept the under cover, but they must now come out. In the first place, Hilton Is charged with a deficit of $1,12 from his first year's term of office. Although this is a broad stat ment it is susceptible of proof. Hilton was made chief oil insfector in the month of Jan- uary, 1893, by Governor Crounse, and he at once assumed the duties of his office. He inspected, approved or rejected ofls, according to the statutes in such cases made and pro vided. He appointed set them at work, allowed thelr expense vouchers. He coliected the fees from the ofl companies—10 cents for each barrel of ofl inspected, whether approved or rejected. From these fees he re- served his own salary and expenses, together with the salaries and expenses of his deputies, All theso things were done according to the strict letter of the law, but at the further etrict observance of the law Citizen Hilton balked. The law requires the to make an annual report in detail to the governor. It also requires him to make a de- tailed report of his receipts and expenditures to the state auditor, and, If there is any excess over the salaries and expenses, he is required to pay the amount of such exc:ss in‘o the state treasury, for the benefit of the gen- eral fund. HIS FIRST YEAR'S WORK. On January 17, 1804, after he had becn chiet oll inspector for practically a year, Hilton addressed a brief note to Auditor Moore, in which he stated that during the year his department had inspected 122,325 barrels of oil, and had received $12,232.50 In fees. Of this amount he had paid cut for salaries and expenses $9,110.21, leaving a bal- ance of cash on hand, according to his own statement, of $3122.29. According to the statutes, as they are read by ordinary people, Hilton should at once have turned into the state treasury $3,122.20. Hilton himself rec- ognized this requirement of the statutes by paying a part of that sum into the state treasury. On February 15, a month, practi- cally, after he had filed his memorandum re- port with the auditor, he pald into the state treasury the sum of $2,000, retaining a balance in his own hands to the amount of $1,122.20. There is evidence that Hilton did not pay the amount into the treasury until he had been severely and repeatedly prodded. It is known that the state was anxious to com- mence proceedings against him and that Hilton only escaped these proceedings by the friendly intervention of Governor Cfounse, who personally explained that Hilton would pay the state treasurer $2,000 and retain the $1,122.20 as a guaranty against any pos- sible deficiency in the year 1894, then just commencing. From that day to this Hilton has failed to pay the balance of the amount remaining in his hands into the state treasury. He has ventured no explanaton for his refusal to do k0. His friends claim that the law only provides that he shall turn over any excess of fees for the whole of his two years' term of office. Under this lame construction of the law any county officer might possibly decline to turn over fees In excess of his yearly sal- ary on the ground that the fees collected dur- ing the ensuing year might not make up the full amount of his prospective salary. Hilton simply discounted any possible defic’ency In 1894 by retain’'ng money be’onging to the state collected in 1893, His strongest defense is that he had the sanction of Governor Crounse. HIS SECOND YEAR WAS WORSE. Ex-Inspector Hilton has been as lax in his observance of the law during the past year as he was in 1803. Although the law re- quires him to file his report “during the month of January,” he has not done so. He was notified three weeks ago that his suc- cessor had been appo'nted and that J. A. Edmiston would take charge of the office on February 1, but Hilton allowed the who'e month to pass without complying with the law. Yesterday he stepped out of his offi- clal position, never to resume it again. He left the office owing the state nearly, if not more than, $5,000, and no one insisted on his making a final settlement. He merely in- formed the auditor of public accounts that he would be in “some time next week” and make his report. He made the somewhat desultory excuse that he could not make a final report until his deputies had finished up their reports for the month of January. Inquiry reveals the fact that at least four of the deputies, Ross, Timme, Brown and Daugherty, had flled their reports up to Feb- ruary 1, before Hilton relinquished his grasp upon the office, The exact amount for which Hilton is in- debted to the state cannot be ascertained to- night. On November 30 last he filed a report w.th Governor Crounse, in which he stated that his department had inspected for the year 1594, up to that date, 142,247 barrels of ofl, and had received In fees $14,224.70, Of this amount he had expended $10,436.02, leav- ing a balance in his hands at that date, No- vember 30, 1894, of $3,783.65.. This, with his deficiency for 1893, makes $4,905.97 that Hilton owes to the state, To this amount must be added the fees collected in excess of expenses for the month of December, 1894, and January, 1895, Hilton filed a bond with the secretary of state according to law. It is in the sum of $20,000, and h's sureties are Richard Blaco, W. C. Walton, E. A, Stewart and J. A, Mc- Keen, At no time since he has been state in- spector of ofls has Hilton complied with the law which requires him to make a detailed report of all expenditures, His failure to do B0 was a constant source of annoyance to Governor Crounse, who insisted upon such a report and who demanded it of Hilton last December. 1f Hilton filed such a detailed report the executive office is not aware of the fact. deputies, ehief ofl inspector TEST OIL MUST STAND, Nebraska has had a law gegulating the sale of illuminating olls for twenty years. The orlginal act was passed by the legisla- ture of 1875, and that law Is to be found on page 27 of the session laws for that year. That law absolutely prohibits the saie of {lluminating oils in the state that will ignits at any temperiturs below 110 degrees Fahren- heit. Any dealer who offers illuminating ofl for sale that will ignite under 110 degrees is made subject to a fine of not less than $100 or imprisonment in jail not exceeding twenty days, or both, at the discretion of the court. Any manufacturer, refiner or wholesale dealer, acting as agent or otherwise, who shall sell oll for illuminating purposes that will Ignite at a temperature below 110 de- grees is subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or imprisonment for not more than twenty days, or both. Such is the law on the statute books, and the law has been violated every year since its enactment. In 1887 Senator Conger introduced a bill known In that session as senate file No. 170, providing for state inspection of oils, This bill is the one now on the statute books. Senator Conger's bill provided that the chief oll Inspector and his deputics should test every barrel of oil offered for sale in Ne- braska, and the Inspectors were directed to eject for illuminating purposes such of them as will emit a combustible vapor at a temperature of 100 degrees.” It has becn charged that the bill originally agreed with the old law as far as the 110 dogreo test was concerned, but that it had been juggled in the engrossing room. This is & mistake. The Il as it was originally introduced by Senator Conger was found in the vaults of the secretary of state's office this afternoon, and it corresponds with that part ©f the present law which authorizes the in- spector to approve any illuminating ofl above the 100-degree test. TWO BILLS PASS THE HOUS Some Work Done by the Short Saturday Session of the Legisiatare, LINCOLN, Feb, 2.—(Specifl Telegram.)— Foilowing the roll call in the house this morn- ing, Wait sent around a box of cigars among the members as a token of appreciation of the handsome compliment pald him in Chap- man's resolution of yesterday relating to the girl twins recently added to his family. The secretary of the genate appeared with a communication to the effect that the senate had appointed a committee of three—Rath- bun, Tefft and Sprecher—to confer with a similar committee from the house concerning an_adjournment for a week. The speaker appointed Allan, Mattison and Higgins as such house committee, On the call for bills on third reading, the following measures were acted upon: House Roll 77, by Sutton of Douglas, pro- viding for a submission of the question of the discontinuance of township organization by a vote of the electors of the county Passed—71 to 16. House Roll 233, by Pohlman, providing for a military board for the state militia, con- sisting of the adjutant gemeral, brigadier general, two colonels, judge advocate gen- eral, ranking officer of the artillery and rank- ing officers of the cavalry, commissioned as such by the commander-in-chief. Passed 8 to Wait of Otoe introduced a resolution that the form of contract for public printing recommended by the committee on printing be transferred to the secretary of state, and that he be authoriz:d to adopt it. On sus- pension of the rules, the resolution was adopted. The house then adjourned until 2 o'clock p. m. Monday. Among_the new bills introduced today one by Merrick of Gage, House Roll making an appropriaton of $50,000 for addi- tional buildings to the Nebraska Inscitute for Feeble Hinded at Beatrice. This makes the sixtieth measure for building appropria- tions for state intitutions now pending in the house, ask ng for $132,000 in all, and Lincoln still to hear from. Brockman's bill, House Roll 453, introduced today, provides that in cities of 100,000 people or over all aplications for liquor licenses shall be published in daily papers having a circu- lation of 5,000 and over. In the senate this forenoon a reports from standing committees were received. Owing to the absence of many senators on committee work, no further business was transacted and an adjournment was taken until Monday afternoon at § o'clock. WORK OF THE SENATE, The senate transacted but little business during the less than two hours that it re- mained in session this forenoon. Several important committee meetings had been set for 10 o'clock, and but few senators were at their desks during the brief session. Nearly an hour was consumed with the read- ing of yesterday's journal. The committee on counties and county boards reported favorably on Watson's bill allowing county commissioners $3 per day for their services, but providing that in counties of less than 70,000 population the commisisoners shall not receive pay for more than forty days in any one year. The committee on municipal affairs pre- sented a favorable report on Holbrook's bill, creating a board of park commissioners to be appointed by the judges of the judicial district, in citles having more than 5,000 and less than 25,000 inhabitants; also upon Holbrook's bill, empowering cifies of the same class to purchase ground for parks ud to issue bonds for their improvement. The judiciary committee presented a num- ber of ‘reports, several bills were introduced and read for the first time, after which the senate adjourned until Monday afternoon. BILL FOR A STATE PRINTER. Among the new bills introduced yesterday was one by Rouse of Hall, House Roll 430, which provides that the state audi- tor, secretary of state and state treasurer shall comprise a printing board, with power to appoint a su- pervisor of public printing, who shall be a practical printer. He is to hold offics two years and all public printing is to be sub- mitted to his inspection, and he Is to give bonds and securities for the faithful per- formance of his duty. The bill is a long one, covers the whole ground of state printing and prescribes type and quality of paper which shall be furnished and designates the style In which the printing shall be executed. The bidding is to be conducted on lines which tend to secure actual competition and pre- vent collusion. is COHEN'S LATEST PROPOSED LAW, His Plan for Removing the Plumbing In- spectors from Control ot Board of Health, LINCOLN, Feb, 2.—(Special)—Among the bills presented by the members of the third house from Omaha is the one drawn up by H. Cohen of the Central Labor union of the metropolis, and introduced by Semator Sprecher at Cohen’s request. The bill is in- tended to override the provision of the pro- posed new. charter, which reconstructs the Board of Health, by taking the plumbing inspector away from the hoard. The pro- visions of the bill are as follows: “In all cities of the metropolitan class there shall be a plumbing inspector appointed by the mayor, with the approval of the city council.” No ono shall be eligible to the posi- tion of plumbing inspector, or assistant plumbing inspector, unless he shall have served an apprenticeship of three full years at the trade of plumbing, and in addition, shall have been actively engaged in the plumbing business as a journeyman, master or inspector of plumbing continuously for the last five years next proceeding his ap- pointment. The plumbing Inspector shall have tho enforcing of all ordinances relating to plumbing and house drainage, and shall also bo a member of the board of health, During the absence of the plumbing inspector the assistant plumbing inspector shall have full authority and power to perform all the dutles of sald office. The plumbing inspector shall recelve the sum of $1,800 per annum. The assistant plumbing inspector shall re- celve the sum of $1,600 per annum. il L WESTERN PENSIONS, Veteraus of the Late War Rememberea by the General WASHINGTON, Feb, 2.—(Speclal.)—Pen- slons granted, issue of January 21, were Nebraska: Original—James Dare, Gates, Custer county; Wyke Elliott, Omaha, Doug- las county. Renewal—Isaac N. Floyd, Beat- rice, Gage county. Increase—Thomas M, Draine, Carns, Keya Paha county, Relssue —Irvin'H, Emery, Valentine, Cherry county. Marcus M, Staples, Table Rock, Pawnee Gounty. lowa: Original—Luther J. Main, New Vir- ginla, Warren county. Restoration and re- lssueJohn _Stoudmour, Alburnette, = Linn county. Increase—Bernhard Velth, Keokuk, Lee county: Devillia D, Segner, Des Moin Polk county. Relssue—David G. Rummel, Jamalica, Guthrie county. Original widows, ete.—~Mavgaret Slenk, Oxford, Johnson county, Widow Indian’ wars—Rebecca John- son, Des Moines, Polk county. South Dakota: Original—Samuel R, Shank- land, Custer, Custer county North Dakota: Originai—Robert Newell, Williston, Williams county *olorado: ' Original—Spencer M, Hillebert, Crested Butte, Gunnison countyi John D! Carter, Walsenburg, Huerfano county, 3 e s O'MALLEY FOUND NOT GUILTY, Al the Guog Acquitted Insuficient Evidence. CHICAGO, Feb, 2.—The trial of ex-State Senator John F. O'Malley and seven mem- bers of the so-called gang, including “Ma- jor'" John Sampson, under one of the in- dictments found in the North Side election assault cases, was called in Judge Bwing's court today.' The prosccution stated that after due consideration it had been decided that there was not suflicient evidence to convict. ‘The jury, under instructions from the court, gave a verdict of not guilty without léaving thelr seats A Big Cla'ms Were Nonsuited. PITTSBURG, Feb. 2—A nonsuit was granted today In the suits of Waring Bros, against the Pennsylvania railroad for $3.600,000. A suit for §1,600,0.0 was entered for aileged rebates due for il shipped. Two miliions wer as dam- ages for discrimination against the firm Fourteen years elapsed between the time of the all:ged discrimination and the filing of the Suits, and Judge Slone today decded that for this reason there were no grounds for actlon. n the Ground of - Sudden Death of an Aged Ship Buildor. MILWAUKER, b. 2—Captain Thomas F. Davidson, one of the best known ship- bullders and vessel owners on the great lakes and president of the Wisconsin Steam- &hip company, died suddenly today, aged 67, HOW SUPPLIES ARE HELD UP Warehouses at Lincoln Filled with Feod While Hundrels Starve, GOODS DECAYING WH'LE PECPLE SUFFER Seventy-Seven Car Loads Held by the B, & | M. Awaiting *hipping Orders from L. . Luaden—~Unton Pacific Still Handling Relief Free. LINCOLN, Neb,, Feb. 2—To the Editor of The Bee: 1 have read your article of today In The Bee showing up the shortcomings of the State Relief commiseion. Your conclu- slons are eminently right. In company with Dr. Saddler of Alma, Neb., we visited the B. & M. freight office yesterday, and were there informed by the agent that twelve cars loaded with supplies for the destitute were then In the B, & M. yards, and about three car loads were in the freight depot, besides what was then stored in other warehouses We proceeded to a building said to belong to the Buckstaft brothers. There we found from statements made by the party in charge of sald building sixty car loads of supplies. which the men in charge said had been there from one to two weeks. These supplies were composed of flour, wheat, corn, oats, corn meal, beans, potatoes, kraut and a’ large amout of groceries and clothing. The pota- toes, about one car load, were frozen hard. The krout, in barrels, some of which were bursted and were leaking badly. We were informed that one carload had been shipped out of this warehouse on January 30. We then visited another warehouse owned by Kendall & Smith. There we found two car- loads of supplies, mostly clothing, a few quarters of fresh beef, unsalted and phcked away with the other supplies. This lot of supplies showed pliinly that the proper care was not being given them. We were in- formed by the B. & M. agent that no more free billing could be had of his company, but on visiting the Union Pacific freight depot we found that company loading supplies on free billing orders, and that there was then in possession of the Union Pacific company one carload of supplies on track in their yards, while from statements made to us by those in charge we found seventy-seven carloads in the hands of the B. & M. com- pany. The parties in charge stated that their company was ready and willing to ship these supplies whenever ordered to do 8o by L. P. Ludden, and with these unprecedented circumstances existing hundreds of letters are daily arriving frem the west, many of them written in the most heartrending lan- guage, asking in the name of God and suf- fering humanity that aid may speedily reach them and their destitute people. And these are words of truth, o help me God. CAPTAIN W. H. HUNTER. ONLY TOOK TWENTY-FOUR DAYS. Time Necessary to Get a Shipment of Re- lef to Lts Destination. ST. MARTI RECTORY, OMAHA, Jan. 81.—To the Editor of The Bee: Apropos the general criticism of the Nebraska State Relief com- mission, I should like to contribute my mite. On January 5 last T was entrusted with the sum of $17.50 by the guilds of St. Martin's Episcopal church to provide flour for the needy in western Nebraska. I was told by the president of the relief commis- sion that by sending my money to Mr. Ludden I should get good flour for 90 cents per hun- dred; that the flour would bs purchased at the nearest point to the place of distribution, and that the railroads would thus have-a less distance to ship. Accordingly, I sent to Mr. Ludden on January 5 my check for the amount, requesting him to purchase flour and send the same, subject to the order of Rev. George A. Beecher of Sidney (our clergy- man_ at’ that point), for distribution at the same time writing Mr. Beecher of this fact. Mr. B. wrote at once to Mr. Lud- den, directing him_to send flour to him at Sidney. On the 16th inst. Mr. Beecher re- ce’vel word fr-m Mr. Lu den that flour would probably be shipped that day. On the 25th inst. I recelved a letter from Mr. Ludden, which had miscarried by being sent to the wrong address, acknowledging receipt of my check, and stating that the quality of flour sent was such and such; that the grain of flour was cut in two in milling; one-half used for pastry flour, the other half made up into a flour of such and such qualities, which was good enough for any one, etc. I at once remailed this letter to Mr. Beecher, asking him if the flour had been received on the 29th inst. Mr. B. replied, saying that he had read Mr. Ludden’s communica- tion with interest; that the flour had not yet arrived; nor even a bill of lading of the 'same; that Mr. Ludden was evidently too busy to send it, but was not too busy to go into a descrip- tion of various processes of milling; that peo- plo in Cheyenne county were not so curious which end of the grain the flour came from as_they were anxlous to see the flour. Now, I submit this query to The Bee: It it takes twenty-four days for the Nebraska relief commission to ship $17 worth of flour, how long will it take for them to save a man from starving? Respectfully yours, IRVING P. JOHNSON. SOUTH NEGLECTED THE DESTITUTE. Holdrege People Complain that the State Rellef Comml on is at Fault, HOLDREGE, Neb.,, Feb. 2.—(Special Tele- gram)—The County Relief commission has rented rooms in the Central block and Is distributing goods to the destitute Monday, Wednesday and Saturday of each week. There is a great deal of complaint against the State Relief commission, as only two boxes of goods have been received here from that source, and the most of the contents of the boxes were unfit for use and had to be con- signed to the rag pile. All other goods dis- tributed have come through the various churches and charitable institutions and many feel indignant at the way the State Relief commission has treated the county commit- tee in withholding goods from it. Miss Frary Mather, a teacher in the public school, went to the secretary of the school board last night after school and obtained her order for January services. She then handed in her resignation as teacher, to take place im- mediately, as she had secured a better posi- tion in Denver and was going there at once to begin work. The teachers are all under con- tract to remain until the school year ends and the school board promptly accepted the resignation, but ordered the treasurer not to cash the order issued to Miss Mather, Rellef Work at North Piatte, NORTH PLATTE, Jan. 81.—To the Editor of The Bee: Calls for assistance upon the relief stores here are be- coming more numerous, and investigation shows there Is much need for provisions and fuel among the destitute farmers out in the sand hills, Farmers along the Platte valley are, however, in comfortable circumstances, the requisitions for help coming altogether from those who have been unable to irrigate their farms. Many of these, however, are worrying through the hardships of winter without asking for help, some denying them. selves the necessaries through a reluctance to accept assistance. It is the exception, and not the rule, that supplies are misused. Every precaution is taken to insure a just and equitable distribution among the desery- ing poor A large proportion of the supplies recelved have been consigned to the pastors of the varlous churches here, and these over- taxed men are per:onally supervising the work of reliet. This place has become the cen- tral supply station for a large scope of coun- try, farmers living as far as ffty miles dis- ant from railroads coming here for help. he provisions consigned to the county com- missioners are distributed to the needy farm- ers of this county, but the rellef stores oper- ated by the churches give to citizens of this county and adjoining counties impartially, the question of need being the only one rafsed. F. M. SOMERS. It Was Not a Fake. INDIANOLA, Neb., Feb. 2.—To the Editor of The Bee: In the State Journal yest:rday is a special branding as a fake the telegram which appeared In the state papers of the 20th regarding the death of Postmaster Smith of Box Elder. The report in The Bee the 2§th was correct. The report in the Journal a day later was 90 per cent false. A man residing In Frontier county, a few miles from Box Elder postoffice, died Thursday, Janu- ary 24, of lung fever ahd;jack of proper food and clothing. A wife anditwo small children are left in destitute sefrcumstances, Box Elder is not In Frontfer'cunty, nor was this man Smith pestmastdf, g reported to the Journal, ] i CHASING A GANG OF THIRVES, Plattsmouth OMcers Ixpect to Make Some Arrests of Tmporiance Soon. PLATTSMOUTH, Ngb, Feb. 2.—(Special Telegram.)—The authorities are hopeful of running to earth the willalns who kindled the two fires down on the, big.island in the river below this city, which destroyed the homes of Tim McCarthy and Gharles Conant. It has come to 1ight that McCarthy's house was broken into before the fire, and some blankets and two mattresses taken, A path made by dragging away the mattresses can be plainly traced in the snow out to the road, where they were evidently placed in a wagon. The au- thorities are searching houses in the neighbor- hood of the island, and as the stolen blankets and mattresses are minutely described by M- Carthy, there is good reason for believing that the authors of the two fires may be located. Residents of Plattsmouth and this vicinity are well pleased over the action of the lower house of the state legislature in voting to indefinitely postpone the bill introduced to di- vide the agricultural eociety funds In all counties where there are two or more fairs Representative Cooley of this county intro- duced the bill in the interest of a fair held in the western part of the county, in which neighborhood the author of the bill reside The Cass county fair is a Plattsmouth ins tution, and its officers are elated over the fate of the bill Negotiations are under way for the sale of the Plattsmouth Journal b owner, C. W. Sherman, to Barnhart & Pool, late proprictors of the Nemaha County Herald. The pros- pective purchasers are newspaper men of wide experience, The Journal is the only demo- cratic organ In Cass county. Cass county’s mortgag record for the month of January is: Farm property filed, $36,3 released, $35,204.26; town property filed, § 414.62; released, $4.889.80; chattel mortgage filed, '$16,901.61; released, $41,317.15. The chatt mortgage record Is the best scored in_any one month In this county for the past several years. WHOLE FAMILY ASPHYXIATED, T. I, Hoeliwarth, Wife and Child Overcome by Gns from n Stove. GREELEY CENTER, Neb., Feb. 2.—(Spe- cial Telegram.)—T. H. Hoellwarth and wife were found in their room this morning about 10:30 unconscious, caused by gas from a stove. Their little child, 1 year old, was dead by their side. Thelr little niece made the discovery and gave the alarm. Every- thing possible is being done to restore them to consclousness, but at 5 p. m. there are serious doubts of thelr recovery. Mr. Hoell- warth is one of the leading merchants of Greeley Center. Interesting Revival at Lyons. LYONS, Ncb., Feb. 2.—(Special.)—The re- vival at the Methodist church is still grow- ing in interest. There have been over forty conversions. A great many are turned away each evening, not being able to get into the church. Rev. T. L. Webster is assisted by Miss Brown and Mré. Herrick of Omaba. Wet Snow at Benkelman. BENKELMAN, Neb., Feb. 2.—(Speclal Tel- egram.)—A very wet snow began falling at 6 o'clock, with no s'gn of abatement. This in- sures Dundy county a sure crop, and will put a quietus to aid in years to come. Schools Closed on Account of Scarlet Fever. HASTINGS, Feb. 2.—(Special Telegram.)— On account of the Mumerous cases of scarlet fever in this city, Mayor McElh‘nney issued orders teday closing all the Sunday schools in the city tomorroy. LONG PINE'S CHAUTAUQUA HOTEL. LONG PINE, Feb, —(Special)—Within the last sweek this-town: of the' beautiful Chautauqua grounds has suftered the loss by fire of its pride, “The Dwinell” Shortly after midnight last Sunday morning smoke and flames were discovered at the rear of the building near the flue to the range. It spread slowly at first, but before the fire company had arrived it had crept and tray- eled through many cracks and crevices to such an extent that it was impossible to get water upon all the flames and soon the en- tire bullding was ablaze. The fire, in spite of a strong wind, was well confinéd to the one building, and ‘the firemen are pralsed for preventing further disaster. It may also be sald to the credit of our fire department and water system that although a dozen different fires have occurred since the com- pletion of the water works, in each instance the fire has been confined to the building in which it originated, and only twice has loss to any extent resulted. When the water was turned upon the Dwinell it was considered that it would be easy to overcome the fire and not until suddenly the whole bullding was burning in the upper floors was it though wise to remove the furnishings, By that time it was possible to save only what was on the first floor, and all of that was removed without much harm. Absolutely nothing was rescued from the upper floors, where all the family wearing apparel was left to be consumed.” Mrs. Showers was for- tunate In saving a sealskin cloak, which is all that remains of her valuable ‘wardrobe, Mis Dale Gilman and Kate Joiner, cousins of Mrs. Showers, were glad to es: cape with even their night robes, losing every other article of clothing and belong: ings. Mrs. Thurber, daughter of Mr. and Mrs, Showers, now Vvisiting in Omaha, was not here to save even her clothes, which were packed away on the second floor. The loss of the personal property Is considerable, ith no insurance. but the building was in. 1 for $3,00. The Queen of America and the Manchester will have the loss to pay. The destroying of the Dwinell house is looked upon as a great calamity to Long Pine: it also is a_misfortune to the transient public, who delighted to make the house their home, and Mr. and Mrs, Showers al- ways made it a home to those who had the pleasure of stopping there. It was conceded to be the best hotel in the state west of Norfolk, and none better outside of Omaha, barring’ size. Tt enjoved a reputation far and wide. All the manv Chautauqua visitors remember the Dwinell and will regret to learn of its fate, Mr. Showers promises the town a new sixty-room hotel, with all mod- ern appointments, and will commence con- struction as soon ‘as work on the big irriga- tion canal s started. As there seems to be no doubt but that the big ditch will be put under way the moment spring opens up, it may not be long ere a new and magnificent stricture will occupy the site of the old Dywinell. Rev. J. M. Bates has _during the week re- moved his family from Valentine to this nlace. where they will continue to reside. Dr. Bates Is a missionary of the Eniscopal church and has many charges In this part of the state to which he pays regular visits. His principal motive in taking up a resi- dence here I8 to giye Mrs, Bates. who is troubled with rheumatism, the benefit of these curative waters, - i WEATHER FORECAST. Falr and Slightly Tolder with Norih Winds In Nebraska, WASHINGTON, Fgp. 2~The forecast for Sunday Is: e For Nebraska, Holth Dakota and Kansas —Fair; slightly colder; north winds. For Colorado—PFrabibly fair and slightly colder; northeast 'winds. For Missourl—Fair; colder In the northern ||v|lrlin sontheast (winds, becoming north- erly. For Towa—Gendrall$ fair, except flurries in the eXtreme eastern colder; north wings, Logal, Recor OFFICE OF THE WEATHER BUREAU, OMAHA, Feb. 2oGmaha record of temper: ature and rainfall, compared with the cor- responding day of the past four years: 1695, 1891, 1893 1892 Maximum temperature.... 81 8 7 Minimum temperature. 0 19 Average temperature . 12 ipitation sesssnes 01 00 00 ndition of temperature and precipitation at Omaha for the day and since March 1, 594 Normal temperature Deficiency for the day ... 5 o) Normal precipitation 21162 inen Deficiency for the day weeee 01 Inch Total precipitation sine 16.37 inches Deficiency since March + 16.04 inches Cold Wase Promised. At the signal station in this city the order to hoist the cold wave flag was recelyved during the afternoon, the telegram stating that the mercury would drop 20 degrecs he: fors night, thus bringing the temperature to about 6 dégrees below zero B o Stove DId At A gasoline stove exploded last night in the rooms in the third story of the brick block at 810 North Sixtecnth street. The fire was put out before any damage was done. snow portion; roh 1 CAUGHT IN THE ELEVATOR John Mockenhaupt Dangerously Injured at the Lincoln Hotel, ONE OF MOSHER'S VICTIMS LOSES H S MIND Loule Meyer, Who Lost Heavily in the Caplital Natlonal Wreek, Becomes a Raving Manlac—Taken Home to tho Asylum. trom LINCOLN, Feb. 2.—(Special.)—John Mock- enhaupt, one of the bell boys at the Lincoln hotel, may die from the effects of injuries recelved this morning in an elevator. Mock- enhaupt, who is a new boy at the hotel, about 16 years of age, heard the elevator bell ring, and knowing that the attendant had not yet arrived, entered the cage and turned the valve. The elevator did not move as the pressure had not yet been turned on He sat down to wait, forgetting to turn off the valve, and as soon as the pressure was applied the elevator began to glide upward. Mockenhaupt made a jump for the cage and trled to scramble Into it, his body resting on the floor of the elevator, and his legs hanging outside. For some reason he could not draw himself into the cage, and when it reached the next floor above the elevator was stopped by his body while the pressure continued to | give it an upward impetus, thus holding the boy as in a vice. Dr. Crim was called and pronounced the injuries serious, but as they are of an internal nature time alone can digclosa the nature and extent of the boy's hurts. WANT THE DEPOT OPENED. The people of Rock Springs precinct, Clay county, are complaining to the State Board of Transportation against the action of the Kansas City & Omaha road in refusing to keep the depot open. They say the refusal is a direct violation of the agre:ment entered into at the time the precinct voted $7,000 worth ofbonds to the road. The depot w closed last October and has not since been opened, the road maintaining that the small amount of business done did not warrant them in keeping it open. MOSHER VICTIM BECOMES INSANE. Since Louie Meyer returnel from his east- ern trip, over a year ago, when it was known that he was suffering from softening of the brain, and would never recover, he has bee: kept at home by his family. His wife wa averso to the idea of taking him to the as lum. Until today he has been docile, but this morning he became violent and unman- ageable, and the family sent for the police. Chief Cooper and two officers found Loule in the cellar with no clothing on, except his night shirt. On his refusal to come out of the cellar, it became necessary for the offi- cers to carry him upstairs. The commission- ers of insanity found him insane. While be- fore them he was very violent, and this after- noon he was taken to the asylum. Losses in the Capital National bank and other banks are said to have unbalanced his mind. OTHER LINCOLN AFFAIRS. At a meeting of the Commercial club this afternoon plans were discussed to make the Lancaster county fair fully the equal of the State fair at Omaha. Memorial exercises in honor of the late Hon. T. M. Marquett were held in the district court this morning, Judge Hall presiding. Eulogies were delivered by C. E. Magoon, F. M. Hall, S. B. Pound, F. W. Collins, J. L. Caldwell, J. W. Lemeese, S. J. Tuttle and C. 0. Wheedon. Sheriff Miller left today for Houston, Tex., armed with the necessary papers to bring back Charles Shumate, who was arrested yes- terday afternoon at Crosby, Tex. Shumate is wanted here to answer the charge of se- duction, preferred against him by J. D, Olney, guardian of Shumate's victim. ASHLAND PEOPLE INDIGNANT. Switt & Co., Tmport Men to Harvest Ice in Preference to Home Labor. ASHLAND, Feb. 2.—(Special)—This city is again wrought up over the Swift and Com- pany ice plant. This time the indignation has been aroused by the acts of the company. When the trouble arcse between Swift and Company and the Ashland Mill and Electric Light company last fall, over the filling of the pond from which Swift obtains ice, the citizens took it upon themselves to assist Swift in every way possible to fill the pond, and now, when the time has come to employ men, their foreman, a foreigner, absolutely refuses to furnish work to an American until all the imported Swedes have been put to work, then what is left is given to the first that come, and now as a result, Ashland has become thoroughly disgusted and the cit- izens are ready to petition Swift to employ the laboring class of Ashland before they im- port men. An exciting time is expected at Ashland any moment now, as the employes at the plant will not venture into the city after night for fear of violence on the part of some of the men deprived of work who live here, About a week ago Ashland's generous peo- ple collected a carload of provisions for the drouth-stricken sufferers of the west and leaded it into a car for shipment, and now it stands at the depot waiting the action of the railroad company which is asked to carry it to its destination. The company refused to do so until the charges are prepald. One carload of relief at this time surely will re- turn five cars of trafic when another crop is raised in Nebraska. Last night at the home of Mr. and Mrs. George Robinson was given a party of the highest type in honor of their daughter, Miss Minnie, who had reached the age of 20. The house was beautifully decorated with flowers and evergreens throughout, which gave a de- lightful effect. Many were present. The State University Dramatic club made its first appearance in this city last night in the college farce, “Chums’ and the stirring drama, “Open Gate.” They were grected with & large house. The club came highly recommended by Chancellor Canfield of the university, and proved well worthy of the recommend, as the members' work shows the expenditure of a great deal of labor and talent, At the home of Mr. and Mrs. David Dean yesterday afternoon, from 4 to 7 was given a Teception by Miss Nellie Dean, in honor of the “Delta Delta Delta” of the State unl- versity, to which all the Ashland “bloods” were invited, excluding the correspondent of The Omaha Bee. Miss Maud Brush entertained a number of her young friends last evening in an ‘At ) ch over forty were invited. P. Putney has loaded his household goods prepartaory to moving to Arkansas, where he has invested heavily in land, A. W. Bissett, operator at the B. & M. d pot, returned yesterday from an extensi trip through the east, where he visited rela- tives, Mrs, Judd March returned home today from Beatrice, where she has been engaged with Goldgrabber's Boston store, in the capacity of clerk, Deputy Sheriff Frank Whitlock left last evening for Wahoo with Dennis Pottinger, who will serve out a sentence for coal steal- ing at the B. & M. depot in this city. County Superintendent George Farley of Cass county was in the city yesterday, spend- ing the day with John D. Robbins, student of the High gchool. The revival meetings at the Methodist Epls- copal church are being well attended under the management of Rev. J. W. Seabrook. Another Newspaper for York, YORK, Neb, Feb. 2.—(Special)—York Is once more possessed of two dally papers. On 1ast evening Messrs. Dey & Co. published their first edition of the York Dally Vidette, which will be in the future published daily, except Sunday, in this city. The size of the paper is 9x12, and, though small, 18 a newsy little sheet. 1In its salutatory it states that the politics of the same will be repub- lican. During the last vear there have been three dailies started in this city. First was the Dally News, published by Duncan Smith, which some time ago discontinued business, then the Daily Morning Press, which after changng hands many times gave up the struggle, and last of all, though not least, comes the Daily Vidette. The Arm is composed of energetic and hard- working people, and are the editors of the Monllor, @ monthly, entirely devoted to re- ligion. " The first edition was *‘chuck full” of news, all of the latest events of the city and vicinity. From the encouragement and 80 many subscribers already recelved, the firm will, without doubt, be successful their new enterprise. Last night at the Baptist church an teresting lecture was delivered by Rev on the “Negro in Ancient in in- G His- tory The firm of Johnson Bros. & Co., have disposed of their stock to Messrs, Lukes & Hankins, who will continue the business in the future. Hoth of the gentlemen are from Mount Pleasant, Ia. The firm of John- son Bros. & Co. have for a long time been residents and business men of this place. ASKES THE COURT FOR RE Fred fobelman Files Suit for Divorce U der Pecnliar Cirenmstances, BEATRICE, Feb. 2.—(Special Telegram.) A petition was filed in the district court today wherein Fred Hobelman asked for a divorce from Maggle Hobelman, setting up as grounds that the defendant had been pre- viously married to Moses Ellott, still living and from whom she been divorced. who i has never Hobelman went to Omaha some months ago and through a fortune teller made the ac quaintance of the Elliott woman and brought her to his farm In Gage count marrying her sometime afterward Later Ellfott got track of the couple, followed them down here had them arrested for bigamy, and, upon preliminary hearing, they were bound over to await a sitting of the district court. Hobel- man, being well-to-do, succeeded in giving the bond of $500 required and was released, but the woman still remains in jail. 0 Week at Fremo b, Feb. 2—(Spectal) Carroll and his office force are preparing to move into the new post- building at the corner of Broad and Sixth strects, recently completed and ap. proved by the inspectors from the United States Treasury de) tment. The move will be made Monday night, after office hours, Revival meetings have been going on for some time at the Methodist church of this and last evening Rev. 1. M. Sisson con ted the first of a serles of meetings for men. The next meeting of the kind will be held next Friday evening. Th Bachelor Girls' Musc club met last night with Miss Maud Turner, and the gen- tlemen friends of the members were invited to attend and wero royally entertained. A fine musical program was rodered and re freshments and games indulged in. It was a very pleasant affair, thoroughly enjoyed by every participant The committee of supervisors on bonds and settlements have completed checking up the books and ac- counts cf the various county oflices, finding them all in excellent condition. The Congregational Church soclety is pre paring to give an entertainment on Wash ington's birthday, when a chorus will sing army songs, and addresses will be made upon Washington and Lincoln. An original poem will be read. The degree team of Centennial lodge No 59, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, will 0 to Dodge, Neb., next Tuesday evening to assist Grand Secretary 1. P. Gage in Insti- tuting a new Odd Fellows' lodge there. Harry Markell, for the last year the ef- flcient ~ sccretary of the Fremont Young Men’s Christian association, expects to go cwark, N. J., and become assistant state otary of the Young Men's Christian as- sociation of New Jersey. Mr. and Mrs, C. C. Beveridge of this city will depart soon for Providence, R. I., where they will be prominent features as singers for a state temperance revival. They were engaged several months last year in tem- perance work in New England, vents of t MON Postmaster busy t the county board of Ord Personal Mention, ORD, Neb., Feb. 2.—(Special)—H. E. Bab- cock and family returned to Ord after a few weeks' visit in the eastern part of tha state. Hon. A. M. Robbins went to Lincoln Wednesday evening. R. T. Dearinger has just finished harvest- ing his ice crop. The citizens of Valley county met at the court house for the purpose of organizing a county central relief committec. Peter Mor- tensen was elected chairman and Charles A. Munn_ secretary. At a meeting of the supervisors sub-relief committees were appointed for the different precinets of Valley county. R. M. Laverty returned from Columbus Monday evening, where he had been attending an Epworth_league meeting. Clarence E. Pile of Lincoln has commenced a series of meetings for the Christian brethren of Ord. They have their meetings in the court room each evening. These meetings will continue from three to five weeks, Charles Phillips has returned to his home in St. Paul. Mr. Phillips has made a host of friends in Ord during his short stay. Dr. J. G, Sharpe returned from a week's visit to Omaha Tuesday Day of Prayer at Bellevue College. BELLEVUE, Neb., Feb. 2.—(Special)—The day of prayer for colleges was duly observed at Bellevue college. After religious services at the college chapel the Young Men's Chris- tlan association and the Young Women! Christian association held separate meeting In the afternoon Rev. Mr. McCormick of the First Presbyterian church of Omaha ad- dressed the students on “‘Having a Definite Plan in Life.”” In the evening a union prayer meeting was held at the Presbyterian church. Rev. and Mrs, McCormick are the guests of Rev. and Mrs. J. D. Kerr. Miss Nellie Patterson of Papillion has been visiting with her brother and sister here for a number of days. Migs Bertha Hertzler of Omaha is the guest of Miss Laura Kast. Mrs, J. D. Kerr has returned from Platts- mouth, where she has been spending several days with relatives, A large number of men began cutting ice Monday. The ice is proving better than was anticipated. GRAND ISLAND, Feb, 2.—(Special.)—The Soldiers' and Sailors’ Home of this city was called upon by the legislature's joint com- mittee on Soldiers’ Home and the committee spent the day looking over the general con- dition and investigating some of the charges of mismanagement made by some of the popullst papers. The committee was com- posed of Senators Caldwell, Cross, Black Akers and Graham, and Representatives Sis son, Thomas, Jones, Harkson, Gelten, Mer- rick and Shook. The Grand Island public was favored with the home production of the Irish drama, “Colleen Bawn,” at the opera house last night. It was witnessed by a large audience, The proceeds are to be used for charitable purposes. Ell Passengers kEnroute to Nebraska City, NEBRASKA CITY, (Special.)— Among the passengers on board the ill-fated steamer Elbe were Eugeno and Emma Schlagel. They were on thelr way to this city to visit thelr cousin, G. W. Eiser. Mi chilagel was drowned, but her brother es- caped. E. Zock, trainmaster of the B. & M. at this point has been sued by J. B. McKissick for $500 damages. The suit grows out of the building of the “Q" wagon bridge at this city, While grading for the approach some dirt’ was removed from land that McKissick claimed to own. He drove the graders off with a Winchester, and was arrested on a warrant sworn out by Zook, and the damage sult followed, In Destitute Clrcamstane MILFORD, Neb., Feb. 2.—(Special)—Wil- llam and Walter Smith, from Fort Hays, Kan, drove into town with two span of horses and a covered wagon a few days ago entirely destitute. They are now walting here with the hope of learning something of their parents, who lived at Springfield Clay county, but recently left for parts un- known. The boys' father, Willlam Henry Smith, is a tall man, partially blind in the right eye, is an ex-union soldier, who served in the Fourteenth Wisconsin infantry, He has -a wife, son and daughter. Any one knowing his present address will confer a favor by addressing the boys at Milford. Alblon Brevities. ALBION, Neb., Feb. 2.—(8pecial)~The Al- bion minstrels, with the Mooney brotiers as epeclalists, under the management of T. De Becker, v'sittd Newman Grove Thursday, playing a one night's engagement. Extensive preparations are being made for the Farmers' inetitute, which meets here next week. The Cooking club banquetied last evening at the home of Miss Alta Brewer. Covers were 1ald for about twenty. It was an affair much enjoyed, and sustainea the reputation of the society as the leading one in town, GOLD GOES TO THE VAULTS Banks of Omaha and Other Western Citios Retaining the Yellow Motal, PAYING CURRENCY out INSTEAD Loeal Bankers Say it s Not In Hopo of tting » Premium, but Heenuse Patrons Preter the Paper Dollars, drain States The on the gold reserve in the United treasury has developed the | fact that in addition to large exports abroad a large number of the golden cagles have flapped their wings westward and liked the | country g0 well that $2,600,000 worth of these gilt-edged visitors have taken up winter quar- ters in Omaha. At Denver and other western cities large quantities of gold have accumu= lated, and a prominent business man 18 | authority for the statement that the bankers of Omaha and other western cties are hold= ing on to gold coin and paying currency, unless customers demand gold in payment for checks, For the past month considerable gold has been given the preference for vault service in this respect, and a reporter, who has watehed the payments made over the paying tellers’ counters at local banks for several | days, has notlced that currency and silver were invariably pushed to the patrons, unless the latter asked for gold. It is claimed that this action of the banks has a tendency to create a premium for gold, when coupled With the fact that the gold reserve at Wash- ngton is jeopardized and Iver interests are agitated in_political circles. ¢ W. Yates, when asked about It “I do not know of any organized ine tention of Omaha bankers to thus force a premium on gold. In t, the people seem to prefer currency to coln when checks are honored. The trouble in national financial is due to the fact that while confi- dence has been restored since the repeal of the Sherman act, its abuses have not been corrected. There Is too much silver in clreu- lation, caused by the Sherman act of 1890. People who shout the loudest for silver are gencrally the most inconsistent. For in- stance, look at the gold in the Colorado banks. There is more gold now in the west than in the east. The agitation for free silver will certainly have a tendency to ap= preciate the value of gold and put it at a premium. The gold reserve at Washington is down fo $42,000,000, and it should be up to $100,000,000.. The banks are sold and there is plenty of gold In western banks.” Another rumor {s to the effcct that the Omaha banks are hoarding their gold in order to get a good sized pile of it on hand to send to the United States treasury In ex- change for currency and thus protect the gold reserve in a manner similar to that performed by the Denver bankers two years ago. “Overland” Pays In Currency, For the first time in fifteen years the Unlon Pacific paid its employes Friday In cur- rency. This action on the part of the “Over- land” caused considerable discussion in rail- road cireles, and speculation was rife as to the reasons for this action A representative of the local treasurer's office said that there was nothing sig- nificant in the matter except that the banks were desirous of holding their gold. “We have given the banks a great deal of gold, and had we insisted upon gold we would have received it to meet the checks of employes, but as it seemed to be a good time to make an_experiment with currency we decided to cblige the bank and take greenbacks. Many a timo have employes objected to gold and wanted currency instead, which has put us to some trouble. While it takes a_little longer to pay off in currency, we found little difficulty in cashing checks, and the change seemed very satisfactory to employes, The matter of paying in currency was discussed, but as the bank seemed to have more of that article on hand, we made the change. “It fs noticeable that banks, everywhere have lately been hoarding their gold, but as currency seems quite as satisfactory I don’t know why we shouldn't pay in greenbacks. i One Yerr from the Fire. It was a year ago last night that the Bose ton store, Sixteenth and Douglas streets, burned down, but the enterprise of the com= pany s shown by the fact that today a arger and handsomer building occuples’ the site, a larger and more varied stock of goods is carried and a larger patronage visits the counters. Members of the company did not forget the anniversary” last night and con- gratulated themselves that beginning with disaster a year considered dull in the busi= ness world,” they had been again rewarded for the confidence they had placed in Omaha as a business point e s i Gave Him a Bad Check, S. Jorgensen clalms to have been de= frauded out of $10.75 worth of merchandise by Hans Schmitlein. According to Jorgen- sen's story Schmitlein came to his store and purchased some goods from him, fon which he gave a check on a Council Bluffs bank for $10.7! ‘llrt'-(vniill‘: that he was a depositor in t bank and had a balance 1o his credit. The goods wers de:ivered, but when the check was returned to Jorgensen without being cashed for the want of funds he ewore to a complaint against hmitleln, charging: him “with: obtaining : pretenses, PARAGRAP 1S, B. Mandl of Chicago Is at the Millard, F. F. Lewis of Chicago is an Omalia visitor, Mrs. J. B. Latta of Tekamah is visiting In the city. W. R. Parks Io registered at the Murray, from Chicago, M. T. Grier of Colorado Springs is a guest at the Murray. George Waldron of Moberly, Mo., Is a guest at the Dellone, J. M. Shefller of Des Moines is In the city, for a few days. F. P. Moffat Is registered at the Merchants from Des Moines. Thomas F. Phillip is réglstered at the Paxe ton from Dubuque. C. L. Cole and H., W. Beck of Davenport, Ia., are in the city. F. Curric, a_merchant of Whitney, is rege istered at the Dellone, A. E. Chamberlain is registered at tho Are cade from Huron, 8. I E. L. Roy, agent for the Cleveland mine strels, is at the Barker. C. B and A. A. Millette of Sloux Falls are registered at the Dellone, H, W. Marshall and wife stopping at the Merchants. L. P, Judd, a prominent business man of Cedar Raplds, Ta., is In the city. L. D. Craig and J. 8. Shaub, tobacco saless men, Louisville, Ky., are at the Barker. M. Shloss, M. Yamiker and A, Sheuerman of Des Moines are reglstered at the Paxton. 8. W. Gumpertz, manager of John W, Hope kins' Transoceanic company, is at the Barker, Arthur Ware, B. 8. Smith, H. G. Moors- head and J. W. Brown are reglstered at the Barker from Chicago. C. Walker and wife, Kansas City, Mo} Henry Cruse and wife, Schuyler, Neb., and F. Driscoll and wife, Creston, la., will spend Sunday at the Barker, At the Mercer: F. W. Sears and wite, Ras venna, Neb.; Mrs, Willlams, Ch'cago; Guy Cols lins, Cinclnnati; J. A, Inslee, Louls; Cole onel R. F. Sellers, Atchleon; R. P. Hally Chicago; Gene Kinnee, Richfield; H. B, Gaussen, St. Louls; Albert Alford, Chlcago; J. H, Dixon, 8t. Joseph; J. W. Hewitt, Ports land; W. G. Sawyer and wife, Minneapolisg F. B. Osborn, Cleveland. of Arlington are Totels, Ellis, Lincoln G, Hamerg Nebraskans at the At the Murray—Charles A At the Dellone—Judge T Kearney; F. Currle, Whitney. % At the Paxton—J. W. Trammell, Offordg H. L. McMeans, Grand Island At the Millard—Charles E. Clough, Belles vue; Mrs. J. B Latta, Tekumah; Miss My Glenn, Alexandra. At the Merchants—J. 1. Barncs, Norfolk§ H. P, Brandes, 1. R, Badier, Lincoln; M. As Daugherty, Ogalalla; H. W. Marshall and wite, Arlington At the Arcade—I. J. Bristol Fremont; G. Bryant, grave, Gordon! ¥, M Willldm Bloedorn, - George Flatte Cen Hay Springsg orge H. Mar. Rathbun, Cambridgeg H. " Hopkingg