The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, April 30, 1896, Page 1

VOLUME LXXIX.—NO. 152, PRICE FIVE CENTS. CRIPPLE CREEK LIES IN ASHES Completely Destroyed by al Second Incendiary Con- flagration. MANY LIVES ARE LOST. Tremendous Explosions Scatter Death While the Flames Are Raging. THIEVES SHOT WITHOUT MERCY Their Bodies Left in the Burning Buildings—A Thousand People Homeless. CORIPPLE CREEK, Coro., April 20.—All of the business district of Cripple Creek spared by the fire of last week was burned to-day. and as many more persens badly injured. There is nothing left in Cripple Creek but the houses on the hill. The town is prac- tically wiped out. -The people are almost in despair. Mayor Steele has invited as- sistance from neighboring towns in the way of tents for the homeless, but the police department feels able to cope with the situation. All thatis left of the camp is “‘Old Town” over to the east, Capitol Hill, the residence section northward, and scaitering places sbout the Florence and Cripple Creek yards. West Cripple Creek, across the Freeman placer, was also cannot fall short of $2,000,000. All the substantial business houses of | both brick and wood, the leading hotels, office buildings and better class of retail shops went up in smoke or lay in chaos as the result of the use of dynamite exploded | to stay the flames. The conflagration | ended only when the residence portion was reached and open spaces occurred across which the flames could not reach. Added to the horror of the day was the shooting of many thieves caught looting the rains. e were shot 1n town to-night | and two in Poverty Guich. Twenty-five | firemen were injured during the day. The | ruins are still blazing flercely. People | have sought.refuge in boxcars, sampling | works and shafthouses. Two trainloads | bave gone to Victor and one to Gillette. Word Las been received of the starting of | relief trains with bedding, provisions and clothing from Denver and Colorado | Springs. Fire has broken out in Creek zht, but, this largely of scattered cabins it will not be very serious. Te-day’s fire, which was of undoubted incendiary origin, started in the Portland Hotel on Second street shortly aiter noon. A brisk breeze from the south was blow- ing at the time, and the fire rapidly gained such headway that even with a gocd water pressure the Fire Department was unable to check the progress of the in- | creasing flames. The Portland was a great rattle-trap, and offered the best of kindling for the beginning of a conflagra- tion. The entire population was quickly set into a panic by this fire, for the people had not recovered from their terrible experi- ence of last Saturday. Without delay everybody began to prepare to pack up and get away, but so rapid was the prog- ress of the flames that the people soon be- | came panic-stricken and chaos ensued. | It 1s absolutely impossible to portray in words the scenes which followed until the flames had spent their power. Teams were lashed up and down the streets by excited men; people with bun- dles and papers were rushing pell mell to the northward; shouts, the booming of the flames, the crashing of fallen timbers following the explosions of dynamite, all | made one ominous, unintelligible roar. From the heights of Gold Hill the scene must have been an impressive one, but | few stopped to witness the sight. Every- body on the hills hastened to lend their assistance by carrying away vaiuables, much of which will hereafter remain un- identified. At the first hint of looting property the police, aided by the citizens, gave prompt notice that death would be the fate of all thieves, but this did not deter the law- breakers. Several are believed to have been shot and their bodies leit to be cre- mated in the conflagration. Rumors of many lives lost added to the general con- sternation, and when the boilers of the Palace Hotel exploded, killing and injur- ing several people, the panic-stricken, crazed and excited citizens rushed about without apparent purpose or object. The fire originated in the kitchen of the Portland Hotel, which stood on Becond | street, between Warren and Myers ave- nues. Back of it was a lumber yard and several small buildings. Inan hour’stime the roof of the hotel had fallen in and the flames were leaping across to the adjoin- ing blocks. Booth’s furniture-store was blown up by dynamite in an effort {o check the fire, but in vain. The Maloney West Cripple section being | and cottages, Atleasta dozen lives were lo<t| pared. The loss | | building, he notified that official of the | telephones are working under difficulties, et ety rant, and then the Palace drugstore, op- posite the Palace Hotel, on the second corner, above the Portland. Across Sec- ond street, the Masonic Temple, a two- story brick, stayed the progress eastward and heroic efforts were made to prevent its burning. By this time everybody on Myers and Bennett avenues and on six adjacent blocks began to move ont. street embers falling ignited the tempor- ary building hastily set up on the first burned district. By 4 o’clock the whole town was ablaze, and up above Carr ave- nue people were moving out their most valuable household goods. On the corner of Second and Benneti stood the Bimetallic National Bank, and next to it, in the Cripple Creek Mining Exchange, was the temporary home of the First National Bank. All the money was Jocked up in the vaults and the place aban- doned when the flames crowded the clerks out. North of the banks were the tele- graph and telephone offices, which had to be abandoned. Late in the afterpoon the wind veered around to the east, driving the course of the conflagration to the more sparsely built-up residence district, and the fire | died out, leaving the High School building the only one of any size remaining in the camp. The list of business houses destroyed | would include every firm of any size in the | city—banks, hotels, postoffice, dry-goods, hardware, clothing, professional offices, restaurants, rooming-houses, livery barns, big gambling halls and many residences. ‘When it was realized that the fire wounld { now die out the people who had raced to | the hill began a wild scramble to find | quarters for the night. Special trains bore | hundreds quickly away to Victor and to Florence and to Colorado Springs by the Midland Terminal route. Others will go | later to-night. | There are at least two dead and several injured as a result of the Palace Hotel ex- | plosion. An unknown man was shot by a policeman while looting a burning build- ing. Only one of the dead men hasbeen | identified. His name is Griffith and he worked at Gold King. Among the injured is one of the Rose brothers, of Rose & Leddy, druggists; B. | H. Smith, G. E. Youngston, John Kreiger, | E. Bradley and Gene Leyden, but these | names cannot be vouched for. It isim- possible to-night to arrive at definite facts as to names of injured or a complete list of firms. fen el T, STARTED BY INCENDIARIES. Little Doubt as to How the Conflagration Originated. DENVER, Coro., April 29.—That the second conflagration at Cripple Creek was of incendiary origin there is no dowbt. L.J. Moynahan, the owner of the Port- land Hotel, isin the city. He says that the hotel was set on fire last Saturday by an incendiary, who covered a pile of sacks with coal oil and put them under Koch's Opera-house. On the first appearance of the blaze it was immediately put out by the watchman. On inquiry Moynahan discovered that Mr. Brewer, the lessee, carried $6000 on one-half of the furniture, which be owned, and for which he paid Mr. Airkeart $800 at the time of purchase. On finding out these facts Moynahan im- mediately came to Denver and, calling on the State insurance agent at the capitol fact that the place had been set on fire, | and also called at the office of the Board | of Underwriters in Denver to find out| which companies carried the insurance, Brewer's lease expires May 1, or on next | Friday, which Moynahan has refused to | extend. Moynahan thought that immedi- | ate action was necessary, as the $6000 in- | surance was not canceied on the furni- | ture. The hotel building cost Mr. Moyna- han $38,000, outside of the lots. The in- surance is only $2000. Residents of Cripple Creek are in town since the first fire and to-day have alike told of suspicious circumstances attending the rapid spreading of the first fire. Many persons in Cripple Creek, having paid ex- orbitant rentals during the boom last | winter, and finding a heavy stock of goods | on their hands at this time, have been sorely tempted. The insurance adjusters are on the ground, and much light will be thrown upon this phase of the Cripple Creek fires after they get together their evidence. Though the town authorities have been of late waging warfare on crooks and tin- horn gamblers, many remain who are practically penniless, and they, too, have | doubtless had a hand in assisting the rapid | spread of the flames on both occasions. President Steelcof the Chamber of Com- merce promptly wired the Mayor of Crip- ple Creek offers of assistance, and then, without awaiting a reply, proceeded to arrange for a special train, a chemical en- gine, a squad of police and provisions. This, however, proved unnecessary, when the following telegram arrived: CRIPPLE CREEK, CoLo., 6 P. M.—A thou- sand of our people are homeless to-night. Can you have tents sent us? We have enough ding. The fire burned itself out. We have no use for firemen or policemen. HUGH STEELE, Mayor, Accordingly necessary supplies will be sent down on the first regular train to- night. The Western Union has shipped down wire and instruments, but will have only one wire—that used by the Flor- ence and Cripple Creek Railrosd—daring the night. The Postal Telegraph will set up temporary quarters to-night, and the NINE REPORTED KILLED., Two Tremendous Explosions Swell the List of Fatalities. DENVER, Coro., April 29.—A telephone message from Altman, on Bull Hill, states building was next wrecked,with its lawyer and real estate offices; the Fair, a restau- Continued on Second Puge. East of Third | J THE SCAéECROW IN THE DEMOCRATIC CORNFIELD. OOM PAUL SIGNS A COMMUTATION. The Lives of Hammond and His Companions Are Spared. BOERS ARE MERCIFUL. Many Sign a Petition Asking That Full Pardon Be Granted. PUNISEHMENT NOT YET FIXED. Executive Ciemency Asked by the Juige Who Imposed the Death Penalty. PRETORITA, Sovurs Arrica, April 20.—Dr. Leyds, Secretary of State of the South Afri- can Repubiic, informed Sir Jacobus Dewet, the British Diplomatic Agent, to-day that | the death penaities imposed upon John Hays Hammond, Colonel Rhodes and others had been commuted, but that it had not been decided what form of punishment should be substituted. The Executive Council is now in session, considering all the sentences imposed by the court yesterday. In passing judgment upon the prisoners the Judge said it was his painful duty 'to impose extreme sentence, but he hoped that the executive would authorize the same degree of clemency toward the pris- oners he had shown at the beginning of the year. Monster petitions are being signed here and in Johannesburg, asking the Presi- dent to fully pardon Hammond and his associates. The Boer jurors before whom the condemned would have been tried had they not pleaded guilty, also signed a memorial asking executive clemency. ‘The State Attorney bas officially denied the statement that any agreement had been made in accordance with which lighter penalties would be imposed upon the leaders in the reform movement in consideration of their pleading guilty to the charges against them. ————— HAMMOND COLLAPSED, Overcome When the Sentence of Death Was Passed Upon Him. LONDON, Exg., April 20.—The Colonial Office has received a dispatch from Pre- toria saying that the death sentences im- | posed upon the leaders of the Johannes- | burg Reform Union yesterday have been commuted. The Daily Telegraph to morrow will publish a dispatch from - --ia dated | April 28, saying that ¢he aceused reform leaders without exception recerved their sentences with dignity. John Hays Ham- mond, after being sentenced, collapsed and was taken immediately to the jail, | where he was placed under the care of a | doctor and the chief jailer. The bitterest feeling exists among a majority of the | prisoners, who consider that they were badly advised in pleading guilty. Fully | forty of the prisoners avow that they could have proven their innocence, except so far as joining in the movement at the last moment constituted gnilt. At the annual meeting of the Primrose League, held at Covent Garden to-day, Lord Salisbury said in an address that he was sure President Kruger would not use unworthily the power which circumstances had placed in his hands. Lord Salisbury referred to the leaders of the reform movement sruggling for what they conceived to be their rightful liber- ties in the ‘Transvaal. This assertion was received with loud cheers. President Kruger's name was received with bhissing from some parts of the Premier's au- dience. There was a very large gathering present, but most of those in attendance were ladies. BARNATO’S REVENGE. The Kaffir King Closing All His Mines in the Rand. JOHANNESBURG, SouTH AFRICA, April | 29.—The Diggers’ News says: Barney Barnato, the Kaffir King, is very bitter | concerning the sentences imposed upon Rhodes, Hammond and others at Pretoria, and is showing his resentment by closing all his mines and selling all his landed properties in the Rand, The people are paralyzed at the prospect, as the closing of the Barnato mines will throw thousands of men into the already overflowing ranks of the unemployed. KRUGER HAS 7HE PROOF. Will Make Public Facts Implicating the South African Company. PARIS, Fraxce, April 29.—The Temps publishes a dispatch from Pretoria saying that the Government of the Transvaal Re- pubiic intends to publish documents prov- ing that an understanding existed between the chartered company and the Johannes- burg. Reform Committee fully four days previous to the time of Dr. Jameson’s starting on his fhid into the South African Republic. Numerous telegrams in cypher and a code for their translation were found among Dr. Jameson’s personal effects, and several communications are alleged to have passed between a prominent London financier and Lionel Phillips, one of the leaders of the reform movement, in regard to the projected revolution. These show Continucd on Second Page. THE TOWN OF CRIPPLE CREEK, COLO., AS IT APPEARED BEFORE THE RECENT INCENDIARY FIRES. CAPTURED BY A . SPANISH GUNBOAT, The Filibustering Schooner Competitor Comes to Grief. AMERICANS ON BOARD. Prisoners Taken to Morro Castle to Await a Naval Court- Martial, ARMS AND AMMUNITION LOST. A Weman and Her Child Who Were on the Vessel Were Taken Ashore in Iroms. HAVANA, Cusa, April 29.—The Spanish gunboat Mesagora has captured near Berrasos, on the northern coast, the Amer- ican schooner Competitor of Key West, loaded witn arms and ammunition, for which she was seeking a landing place. On board of her were Alfredo Laborde, Dr. Bedia ana three newspaper correspond- ents, who are held prisoners. Some of the filibusters succeeded in jumping over- board and swimming ashore. Others who jumped into the sea were drowned. The insurgent General Monson was a member of the expedition. The persons who were captured on board the Competitor, and those who were taken in the water while attempting to swim ashore, have been lodged in Morro Castle. They will be tried by a naval court-martial. The naval commander is absent in Man- zanillo, and Captain-General Weyler, who is impatient for the trial of the prisoners, has requested him to delegate his author- ity to another official,in order that the proceedings may not be delayed. Further details of the capture of the Competitor show that a detachment of guerrillas captured thirty-two boxes of ammunition which had already been landed, and took two prisoners, apparently Americans. Shortly after discovering the schooner the gunboat opened fire upon her, killing three of her company. Many others of those on board sprang into the water and swam ashore. Among those who took to the water was the leader, Laborde, who was captured, however, be- fore he could reach shore. KEY WEST, Fra., April 20.—The news of the capture of the schooner Competitor caused intense excitement in this city. Many of the young men said to have been on board the ill-fated schooner have fami- lies in this city. A passenger on the Mascotte to-day re- ports that he sa- about twenty men, one woman and a child being landed on the dock, all in chains. Among the men he reports seventeen Americans. According to an extra published in Havana this morning there were only four men cap- tured. et TORTURED 1IN MORRO CASTLE. Twelve Americans Held Captive in the Spanish Prison. BOSTON, Mass., April 29.—Walter 8. ‘Whitcomb, the young American planter whose reported execution by the Spanish authorities seemed likely to cause inter- .| Fitzhugh Lee took the oath of office and national complications, and who subse- qently escaped trom Morro Castle at Havana by means of a rope, returned to this city to-day and gives some facts | which are far from flattering to the Span- ish cause. Whitcomb was captured while on his plantation, and without trial or being per- mitted to communicate with his Govern- ment he was marched off to Morro Castle on the trumped-up charge of having as- sisted the insurgents. On reaching the prison he was tied hand and foot with several Cubans. In the morning an execu- tioner came around and, marching up to each Cuban, in turn shot him dead. ‘Whitcomb was allowed to live, but was thrown into a miserable dungeon. After a week’s stay, and by the persuasive power of some money which he had man- aged to secret, on his person, he was al- lowed the freedom of the jail yard. This obtained, he was able to bribe the guard to get him a piece of rope, with which he managed to make his escape. ‘Whitcomb said that he knew of twelve Americans who were confined in the prison at the present time, suffering the most horrible indignities, merely on charges raised by the Spanish authorities that they had assisted the insurgents. Whitcomb will start for Washington early next week to give testimony to the State Department in regard to the imprison- ment of America: LEE TAKES THE OATH. The New Consul-General Soon to Leave for Havana. RICHMOND, Va., April 29.—General executed his bond as Consul-General to Cuba here to-day. He expects to get his final instructions from President Cleve- land Friday or Satarday and it is probable he will go to Havana next weck. PROSPECTIVE DUEL. After a War of Words, Lexington's Mayor Challenges the Ex-Mayor to Mortal Combat. LEXINGTON, Ky., April 20,.—Mayor J. Hull Dayvidson last night challenged ex- Mayor Henry Duncan to a duel. Both have their respective organs and have at- tacked ezch other in the papers. David- son appeared at the Phcenix Hotel last night, waiting for Duncan, but the latter did not appear. The feud between the Davidson and Duncan iactions is of long stauding. Several years ago Duncan de- feated Davidson for re-election as Mayor. Duncan employed an expert bookkeeper and went all over the accounts of David- son’s administration, and claimed that the examination showed Davidson to be in- debted to the city $15,000. Davidson de- nied this, and the fight between the two men and their friends bas been very bitter since. Trouble is expected. gt A4 PACIFIC GIBRALTAR. The Esquimalt Military and Naval Sta- tion Practically Impregnable. HALIFAX, N. 8., April 30.—A well- informed British army officer stated to a United Press reporter yesterday that the strengthening and equipment of the mili- tary and naval station at Esquimalt, B. C., has been going on very quietly for some time. This is now one of the most pewer- ful and important naval stations in any part of the British empire. Vast quanti- ties of ammunition and war material of all kinds have been accumulated there in large shipments. The fortifications are very extensive and as impregnable as time, patience and science could make them. The expenditure at thisstation has been tremendous, and it is evidently the intention of the War Department and ad- miralty to make this place the stronghold of the Pacific. The officer said it is not generally known, but it is true neverthe- less, that there was a very large number of engineers at Esquimalt, and the conclusion was arrived at in the same quiet manner that the place should be armed and forti- fied. The works and fortifications at Es- quimait would surprise the world when their extent and importance had become known. St S A s Big Fire at White Sulphur Springs. WHITE SPRINGS, Fra., April 29.— White Springs was nearly destroyed by fire last night. The fire originated in the ‘White Sulphur Springs Hotel and spread to the Harris livery stable in the Paxton block, then to Dr. L. M. Anderson’s office, stopping at the Postoffice and Knight & Pritchard’s dry-goods store. The loss will reach many thousands of dollars, with no insurance except on the hotel. Theguests lost their bagga e Perished in a Nebraska Storm. IMPERIAL, Nesr., April 29.—During the wind and rainstorm last night Miss Leota Brown, aged 20, who had gone to drive some cattle in, died from exposure within a quarter of a mile of her home. BUCK McCARTHY WHIPPED Chicago’s Fighting Alderman Is Badly Mauled by One of His Constituents. Battle Royal in the Leland Hotel, Resuiting in a Number of Battered Heads. SPRINGFIELD, IrL., April 20.—Alder- man ‘“‘Buck” McCarthy of Chicago, the famous slugger of the Twenty-ninth Ward, was badly thrashed this morning by William Webb, also of the fighting Twenty-ninth. One eyve was nearly knocked out and he was thrown down, kicked and beaten. The row occurred in the headquarters of the Second Congressional District in the Leland Hotel. Buck was in-a bad humor over the dis- tribution of some delegate tickets and began to threaten. Webb did not wait for trouble, but began it himself. He let out with his right and knocked Buck over a chair; the next blow caught the Alder- man under the chin and the third sent him to the floor. Webb then varied the proceedings by kicking his prostrate foe in the head, and when McCarthy was res- cued he was covered with blood and was nearly unconscious. He was taken to his room, where a phy- sician attended to him, and later in the day appeared on the floor of the conven- tion with both eyes nearly closed and the general appearance of having had an ar- gument with a threshing-machine. Several other statesmen also became mixed up in the row, and a number of them had battered heads when the hostili- I ties ended. ST ROSHS CATES ARE PN, Sonoma’s Garden City Bids Her Carnival Visitors Welcome. ARRIVING BY HUNDREDS Each Train Brings Its Quota, but the Accommodations Are Ample. QUEEN LAURA RULES TO-NIGHT Her Majesty to Receive the Keys of the City From Mayor Jesse, SANTA ROSA, CAr., April 20.—Every one longed for a genuine, professional weather prophet. Even the local weather- wise were respectfully consulted, for a shower that came in the forenoon alarmed the carnival workers. People hastily took shelter in the stores and houses and dis- cussed the prospect for sunshine, while the general opinion was expressed that it would clear up. As soon as the streets had been nicely sprinkled the sun shone forth again and for the rest of the day he did nothing but glow brightly upon the preparations for the carnival; and now the local weather prophets are in high feather, for they prophesied truly and there is every prospect that the weather will continue to be warm and brilliant. The town is all alive to-night. Visitors have poured in by all the trains and peo- ple from the surrounding country have arrived in carriages, in carts and on horse- back. Such ample accommodations have been provided tnat, in spite of the large crowd of visitors, every one has had a good dinner and can look forw ard tranquilly to the prospect of sleeping on a comfortable bed. Most of the visitors are in the streets, watching the preparations and admiring the many decorations which have already gone up. The marshals, on prancing steeds, are dashing about, rehearsing for the procession, and the whole city is one scene of life, motion and color. Red, yel- low and green flash out from the fronts of the stores along the line of march mapped out for the procession. TLe colors are to be seen in bunting, cheese cloth and all sorts of gauzy fabrics, Red, vellow and grean streamers flptter languidly in the air, for there is little wind, and nearly every man, woman and child on the bustling streets wears the same colors, in the form of bows and rosettes. Arches, covered with boughs of reawood and pine, are rapidly being con- structed along the main streets. To-mor- row they will blossom with masses of fragrant roses, but the flowers are not to be put into position unul the eleventh hour, in order that they may preserve their freshness. Carloads of roses have been brought into the city, and cartloads more will be gathered as soon as dawn comes. The Athenzum is being handsomely decorated for the coronation of the Queen, which occurs to-morrow evening. Her Majesty will stand on a raised dais, draped in crim- son or orange, and the carnival colors will be displayed conspicuously in the trap- pings of the theater. Behind the throne is a huge butterfly, banked by masses of roses. The boxes reserved for the Queen and her attendants are draped with white satin and white streamers, and the plat- form is a wilderness of tropical palms and ferns. 2 The Queen, Mrs. Laura Matthews Bur- ris, will be gowned in white satiu covered by filmy tulle, and her maid of honor, Miss Sue Crooks, will wear gold-colored silk. G. O. Richards, the prime minister, will have to confine his sartorial ambitions toa dress suit, but he will add to the pa- geantry by garnishing it with a huge car- nival rosette. The programme for to-morrow includes field sports in the morning and bicycle races in the afternoon, but the chief event of the day will be the coronation, which is to take place at 8 P. M. in the Athene @um. The Queen and her maids of honor will ride in barouches, decorated in white, from the Burris mansion to the Athe- n@um, escorted by Roncovieri’s band of sixty pieces. President J. C. Sims wiil deliver an opening address, and Major J. W. Jesse will give an address of welcome and present’ the Queen with the keys of the city. A large influx of people is expected to- morrow, but although all the hotels are already full, such good arrangements have been made that the committee on accom- modations still has a number of rooms at its disposal. % The carnival committee held a session to-night and completed all its arrange- ments. It has been decided that prize. winners shall all be given small silk flags, red for first prize, yellow for second and green for the third. No vehicles will be allowed on the line of march of Friday’s procession and all car- riages wishing to take vpart in the parade must report at the starting point before 11 A. M. to be assigned places by the grand marshal. Seats commsanding a fine view of the parade have been reserved for strangers, so that people coming over on Friday will be able to secure places as easily as those who have been here from the opening of the carnival, At the coronation the boxes at the west side of the theater will be reserved for the San Francisco press. An interesting feature of the procession on Friday will be General Vallejo’s old carriage, which was brought out from Spain in 1834. It is expected that the general’s descendants, to the third and fourth generation, will appear in the car- riage. The vehicle will be drawn by four black horses, and will be decorated by Granville Harris and William Thomas. Governor Budd and his staft will arrive 1n time to participate in Friday’s procese sion.