The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, December 26, 1896, Page 5

THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1896. 5 e WHERE PRIITIVE / MAN HAD DWELT Home of a Prehistoric Race Found by an Oregon Miner. Locates a Clif-Dwellers’ Cave in the Steeps of Blue Mountains. Stone-Walled Retreat Containing Stone Utensils and Imple. ments of War. i | PORTLAND, Ok, Dec. 25.—A surpris- ing and most interesting discovery has | been made by Elmer Thornburg on the | north fork of the John Day River, in the | steep hills opposite his mine, about nine | miles above the moutk of Granite Creek. It will add anotber important page to the | history of the dim and iar-disiant past. | Mr. Thornburg, with four men in his | employ, had been engaced in driving a through the rm rock on his| m in the Blue Mountain country, | and as the work was nearly completed he, at the suggestion of the men, started out to find a good tree to utilize in making | snowshoes. In wandering along the pre- | cipitous mountain side his attention was | attracted to what appeared to be a narrow opening in a cliff. Upon reaching the | spot, instead of findiig an opening, he | found a smooth, neatly designed drift about two and one-half fect in width and five and one-Lalf feet in height tha: was | evidently the work of man. Presuming | that it had been excavated by some pros- | pector in search of earth’s hidden treas- ures he entered the drift to investigate. | Atter proceeding for a distance of thirty | feet he was astonished to find that it ter- | minated into what appeared to be, in the semi-darkness, a spacious chamber. ly He natur: abandoned the mission for| snowshoe timber and returned in haste to | where the men were at work and reported | his find. “Supplying ourselves with a number of candles we returned to thedrift,”’he wri es, ‘‘prepared to thoroughly explore the rock- | bound room. The tunnel was thirty feet in length from the opening to its intersec- tion with the room, and the latter was 14 | feet ‘long, 8l¢ feet wide ana 7 feet in | height and was excavated in the hardest | kind of black slate rock. Our surprise can i be much more readily imagined than de- | scribed. Tha: the pluce had been the | abode of man at some time was evident, and this inspired us to a minute search of the premises in the hope that we would discover something tnat shouald throw | light upon the mysterious one-t:me occu- pant of this most unigue habitation. “The first thing to attraci our attention | was a large urn-shaped vessel that had either been molded from clay or chiseled from some formation that would stand | the action of fire. It had evidently been | used by the strange occupant or occupants | in lieu of a stove for cooking and heating purposes. Bowls and other vessels or pot- tery were scattered here and there, some | of them being elaborately carvea and | decorated with what we considered to be images of animals, but so indistinct as to preciude the possibility of identifying what they were intended to represent. In one corner were & huge moriar and pestle, both made of the hardest granite rock. Stone implements were found, demon- strating most conclusively that the deni- gan of the cliff lived before metals were in use or known to the people of his time. | The handles of these implements—if they ever haa handles—had decayed, perhaps ages ago. *In another corner of the chamber was found nearly a bushel of small pieces of flint, and near thisstuck of chippings were several spearheads and quite a number of arrowheads. The walls were nearly cov- ered with hierogiyphics, while in the | alcove rudely cut out was an image that we concluded was an idol. That image had been made from some soft formation and had not resisted very successfuly the ravages of time. Joe Watts, who has passed years of his iife in the Southern States and who has found and examined the relics of the prehistoric Aztecs, stated that he was confident that the inhabitants of the place were identified with the same people who once populated the now arid wastes of Arizona. Everything found in the chamber was carefully removed and will be sent to the Smithsomun Institu- tion. LIKE A ROMANCE. i The Career of a Woman Who Was Brought From the Wilds of Africa by Stanley. A more remarkable history than that of Mrs. Stansbury, who is now visiting friends at 2935 Portland avenue, is seldom recorded. Her story, while real, is not un- like many fourd in dime novels, It is filled with deeds of daring, thriliing acd- veniures and bair-breadth escapes from blood-curdling situations in the junglesof Africa. Mrs. Stausbury’s maiden name was Deloocha Congree and she comes from & tribe of people known as the Ellaphias— meaning people of strength—who inhabit the shores of the Keine, a northern tribu- | tary to the upper Congo River. All of the people of her tribe, she says, are large, | sinewy and sirong, averaging 614 ieet in | beight; and that she is oneof the smallest | of her tribe. Her weight is 180 pounds | and she 1s 6 feet 2 inches tall. The people | of the tribe from which she comes live to 1 be very old and do not begin to turn gray until about 70 years of age. “] am now 32 years old,” said Mrs. Btansbury to a visitor, ‘‘and am considered by my peoble to be a young girl.” The Ellaphbias are expert hunters; ele- phants, lions and laree serpents are the sort of game they go for, and Mrs. Stans- bury has many scars about her pody as souvenirs of her desperate -encounters. Bhe was among the leaders in their hunt- ing excarsions and therefore at the front in every danger. This remarkable woman wears around her shapely neck a long string of vari- colored beads, which she prizes more highly than so many d_umond-.. They imparted to her her first idea of civiliza- tion. s=+These beads,” said she, as _she fondled fhem, “‘were presented to me fifteen years ago by the first white man I ever saw, Henry M. Stanley. He was then expior- ing Keine River, which, he believed, athered its waters from the Tepee Lake. f was familiar with the country and dif- ferent tribes for many miles grqnnd, and on this account was asked to join the ex- 4 offered large sums, money cacnot induce me to give them up.” . “Yes,” she replied in answer toa ques- tion, “I do hear from Mr. Stanley occa- sionally,” and here she went to a trunk and brought from it a package of letters, from which she extracted one and gave it to her questioner to read. It was short, in a clear, bold hand, and was written in October of 1895. It reads as follows: My Dear Mrs. Stansbury: Your letiers give me greater pleasure than does anything on earth, for I cannot read them without remem- bering how, when in the deep recesses of the dark continent, 1 discovered a latent quality which js now a shining mark in civilization. Iam glad to note your progress in art and lit- erature; the illustrated poem just received from you is a superb execution and very true to African life, Your name will yet shine in the pages of history as a remarkable example of what ean be accomplished ina short space of time. Mrs. Stanley joins me in a hearty good wish for your futurs success. I hope to hear from you again very soon. Until then I am, as hitherto, your friend, H. M. STANLEY. “You'see,” she explained, ‘‘Mr. Stanley brought me to New Yerk about ten years ago as a servant. I liked New York and would not go with him any further. I found employment with a family who per- mitted me to attend school, and I re- mained with them thtee years. Tien I came west to Cincinnati, where I again entered school with a view to completing my education. I worked and kept myseif in school until three yearsago, when I got married. My husband was a barber and lived only a year after our marriage. Yes, I have again taken up my studies.” Mrs. Stansbury is a member of several secret organizations, is a good singer and well known in colored literary circles. She ,will spend the holidays in New York.—Chicago News. e LEFT BY HOTEL GUESTS. How the Big Houses Care for Lost and Forgotten Articles. Various railroads, big department stores and other places where many persons are in the habit of gat-ering, maintain a reg- ularly established bureau for the care of lost articles, but there is perhaps no place in the world where such a variety and number of articles are overlooked as in the great hotels, says the New York Trib- une. The departing guest has a habit of leaving behind him, in the hurry of pack- ing, a number of things of no use to the hote!, but frequently of great value to him. All the big hotels keep a place that has been set aside for the classification of arucles leit 1n rocms and 1t is seldem that | anything lost in_a hotel cannot be.re- ciaimed. Some of the articles lett behind are frequently the cause of mirth aund sometimes of much heartburning. Ona of the funniestand at the same time serious cases of oversight of this kind bappenzd in Buffalo a short time ago. The ioss was due to a careless mother, a maid that would obey orders even it happened 10 break owners and a husband that was ingiined to be dictatorial. The husband and wife, accomyanied by a baby about & year ¢ld and a maid, came to the botel td remain for about a week. When they were going away the mother wished to pay a farewell call to ceriain friends and left orders for the maid to bring the baby to the train with ber. A few moments after the mother had gone out the husband came in and rold the maid (o goon an errand and then go to che sta- tion, where he would meet her. The maid protested: *But madame said—"’ “Never mind what madame said,”’ went on the husband, in a testy maaner. “Do as I say and I will explain to madame.” Then he went off and forgot all about the matter. When the party gathered at the train there was no baby to be found. Mutual recriminations were in order, and the husband, after much reflection, placed his wife on the train and reiurned with the maid to the hotel. The baby was found sleeping peacefully in the crib. When the husband and maid arrived in | New York tne motser greeted her wan- dering lamb tenderly, but tne hasband was not in an amiable frame of mind. In this ciiy the story ieaked out, much to the discomfiture of the husband, and he has been busy expiaining it ever since. One of the most remarkabie instancesof lost and found took plsce at the Imperial Hotel some time ago. There wasa woman staying at the holel whose husbana was a desaler in precious stones. She had a number of unset gems of unusual value with her, and one evening in the red room she exhibited them to a number of friends. After the jeweis had been admired for some time she carefully returned them to the chamois bag in which she carried them. When she got to her room that eve:ing and looked them over a diamond of several carats and valued at about $1500 was found to be missing. 2 She at once gave notice and a hurried search was made, but the gem could not be found. For several days every one in the hotel was busy looking for the jewel, but owing to the fact that it was unset there was little hope of finding it. About a week afterward a maid brought the stone to the hotel office and said that she had found it down between the ecarpet and the rug. Ituad evidently rolled out of the woman’s lap and found that snug hiding place. The owner was only too glad to get it back, and the mawd now wears a new_biack silk dress when she goes out on Sunday. Canes, umbreilas, soiled cloths, gloves, toothbrusnes, scarfpins, cuff-buttons, col- lar-buttons, clothes brushes and other things of such personal nature are the most frequently iorgoiten, and it is the opinion of the average hLotel clerk that more writing and telegraphing are done over a toothbrush or a shoehorn than about a gold watch or diamond stud. Numerous things are also leit in the store- room where trunks and valises are checked. These are often left for months with notking to identify them buu the little brass tag which is a duplicate of the one given the owner, although trunks and vaiises are more usually me- mentos of unpaid bills. The theairical guests have a babit of leaving paints, nots of grease, wigs, paddiug and all other things that go to make up a good appear- ance for the stage. Wigs are most fre- quently left, and a good story is told about a wig_that was overlooked in one of the New York hotels. e e————— ENGLAND'S LISI OF SEAMEN. The Available Number for Sea Service Is Put at 85,818.° Fancifu! intelligencers in naval matters have lately been striving to take entire possession of the public ear. Not oniy this, but the country has been surfeited with a lot of monsensical stuff anent the numoers of all ranks available for sea service. Soccalled experts fail into a pal- pable mistake when they put it at 93,750, which is the totsi number voted. Oniy 85,818 are available for sea service even on payer, the remaining 7932 being made up of 5300 boys under training and 1121 pen- eloners, besides 462 naval cadets and en- gineer students, while to complete the list 1049 otnher officers and men are em- ployeu 1n different establishments and serwices. How are these 85818 officers and men ready to x0 anywhere'at an hour’s notice made up? Petvy officers and seamen num- ber 56,420, but oniy 27,589 belong to the seamen class. Enuinc.room artificers and stokers absorb 19,023 of the difference; ar- tisans, 3866: miscellaneous ratings, 5117; while the balance is made up ot Kreemen and Seedies, and natives of the Royal In- dian Marine, mustering 725 in all. But there is a vast disparity in num- bers existing between the 56,420 men in the petty officers and seamen class and the 85,818 available for sea service. Ma, rines account for 15,000 of this difference- officers for another 4842, while there are 4200 in the coastguard. What an absurdity 10 talk of all these guardians of our coast being available for sea! To cap ali, we have 4495 boys afloat, in addition to the 5300 previously noticed under training and ineffective. That is to say, our boys number 9785, or one: of ourentire avail- able force of petty officers and seamen class, or more than oné-tenta of the tolal numbers (93,750) borne. These facis and edition as guide. [ did so, and these Lends were given me for my services. I have worn them about my neck ever since, have never lost or broken a single one, and, althougul've unnll times been figures shouid be studied by those who pretend to keep reason and authority over their public statements concerning our naval personnel.—London Excnauge. CHRISTAIS. PRAE AT ST, FRANCS Some Most Beautiful Deco- rations Were to Be Seen. \ The Crib Containing the Divine Infant in All Catholic Churches. Father Caraher’s Sermon Replete With Interesting Remi- niscence. From the standpoint of profuse and tastetul decoration, St. Francis Catholic Church was a dream of beauty yesterday. The ornamentation of the church wasdone wholly by Miss Mary Dowling, Miss Katie Fitzsimmons, Miss Minnie Doane, Miss Mallon and Mrs. Cunningham. No pains were spared by these ladies to secure an ar- tistic effect. The large columns of the church had each a circlet of evergreen. In front of the choir's gallery hung festoons of the same material, while directly above the festoons was a row of wreaths of ever- green and holly berry sprigs intertwined. At the left of the church, near the altar of the Blessed Virgin, was a crib contain- ing the Divine Infant, over which Joseph and the Blessed Virgin Mary keot tender watch. Around it were placed several large bouquets of calla lilies in vases, while at the feet of the Virgin, directly over the crib, was a handsome tioral offer- ing sent in by a lady parishioner. On a background of pink flowering, these words apoeared in violets: “Hail full of grace.” The pulpit was also festooned and wreathed. The altar, which contains some of the richest candelabra of any church in the City, was wonderfully wreathed and festooned with smilax, ferns, evergreens and. holly. The vases were filled with bright-red holly berries, which gave sn enlivening effect to the whole. The two small minareted gate posts at the communion rail were em- bowered in smilax. The first mass was held at 5 A. M. by Rev. Father T. Caraher, at which the juvenile choir rendered ‘‘Adeste Fideles” and other appropriate hymns. Mass was celebrated every hour till 11 A. M. conclu- sively. The solemn high mass at 11 o’clock was celebrated by Rev. Father P. Heslin. Father Caraher officiated as deacon and Father Giles as sub-deacon. The sermon was preached by Father Caraner. He chose his text from the words of the angel, “Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all the peo- ple, for this day is born to you a Savior, which is Christ the Lord, in the city of David.” In his exordium he stated that Christmas day of 1894 was the most mem- orable day of his iife, for on that occasion he ceiebrated three masses in the cave of the Natiyity at Bethlehem. Continuing, he pointed out the lessons taught from the crib by the Divine Infant, and in his peroration exhorted his hearers more lnilhf‘ully and 1ully to practice those lessons in the future. — - ST. MARY’S CHURCH. Some Beautiful Windows and Two Sets of Vases Presented. At St. Mary's Catholic Church services were celebrated from 5 until 11 A. M. by Rev. Father H. H. Wyman. At 11 there was a solemn high mass. Father Wymsn preached an eloquent sermon appropriate to the feast. The church was beautifully decorated by the Sisters of the Holy Family, as- sisted by several ladies of the parish. From the candle supports of the church columns hung wreaths of everzreen inter- twined with red holly berry sprigs. The altar was neatly decorated with ferns, holly and smilax. At the leit, amid a bower of ferns, boughs of pine and huge clusters, of lilies, the roof being covered with cotton, stood the ecrib- of the infant Savior, watched over by Mary and Joseph. This was the most carefully prepared repre- sentation of the Corist in the crib in any of the churches of the City. Much attention was attracted to the new windows of the church, which were placed in auring last week. They repre- sent St. Ambrose, St. Martin, St. Boniface and St. Francis. Two beautiful pairs of vuses, the gifts of parishioners, were also seen at the altar. S0 R ITALIAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Father Fitzpatrick Officlated at the Solemn High Mass. At the Italian Catholic Church high mass was conducted at 5 A. M. by Rev. Father R. de Carelis. At 9 o’clock the juvenile choir sang several appropriate anthems. At 10:30 a solemn high mass was had, Fatber Fitzpatrick celebrant. Sermons were preached at9 and 10:30 by Father de Carolis. Both were on the sub- ject of the Nativity. From the column posts at the extremi- ties of the altar hung two long streamers of evergreen. The altar itself was care- fully decorated with smilax, holly sprigs, wreaths and festoons. Just near each extremity of the com- munion rail was a small palm tree. The cot of the infant Savior was at the lefv of the church. Near this bower of everzreen was a small pine tree. The fuurch columns were garianded with smi- ax. — SPANISH CATHOLICS. Some Very Tasteful Floral Decora- tions Were to Be Seen, The services at the Spanish Catholic Church were conducted by Rev. Father Antonio San Andreas. Mass was cele- brated at 5 A. M. and every hour till the occasion of solemn high mass at 11. The church was decorated with great care. ¥rom the candle supports onthe columns kung wreaths of evergreen and holiy berries. The sides of the wall were bedecked with bright flowers of various kinds. Several large hemispheres of smilax, hyacinth and holly berries were tastefully arranged arouud the altar. The altar was festooned with ferns. At the left, near the crib of the Divine Infant, were several large vases filled with calla lilies, PR TO AT ST. DOMINIC’S. Its Flve Marble Altars Are Simply Adorned With Palms and Pine. The Roman Catholic Church of St. Dom- inic's, on Butter street, is simply bat effectively decorated for the Christmas #eason. The superb main altar dedicated to St. Dominic has received numerous offerirgs of palms, ferns and pine. The altars of St. Joseph, St. Thomas, the Blessed Virgin and the Holy Name are draped in ever- greens and the Virgin’s Shrine nestles in the midst of foliage. The many confes- sionals on both sides of the church have been decorated with pine branches. The Christmas services yesterday began with solemn high mass at 5 o'¢lock, at which the Very Rev. Father Pius Murphy preached, followed by masses every half hour until 10:30 A. M., when the sermon was delivered by the Very Rev. Father 0’Connor. The musical programme con- tained Beethoven’s mass in C as its prin- cipal feature, the same being finely ren- dered by the following choir: Massin C, soprancs, Mrs. P. W: McGlade, Miss Law- ler, Mrs. Judacelli and Mme, Waltz; altos, Mrs. H. Clark, Miss Shannon and Miss B. Kelleher; tenors, 1. Baronda and Dr. Ira B. Todd; bassos, Daniel Sheerin, Denis Sheerin and J. Lebrman. —_—-— ST. PATRICK’S CHURCH. Splendid Mus!c at the Old Mission- Street Cathedral. At St. Paugick’s Ckurch on Mission street the Christmas services opened with masses from 5 A.M t09 A. M. and a solemn high mass was celebrated at 10:30 A. M. Rev. P. J. Keane was the celebrant, Rev. P. J. Quinn deacon, Rev. J. Brennan sub- deacon. The pastor, P. J. Gray, was the master of ceremonies. This noted old church was decorated with festoons of evergreen hanging from the galleries and entwined around the columns in the nave. On the altar were masses of beautiful white flowers, Rev. Father Quinn preached an dppro- priate and impressive sermon upon the nativity and the duties of the iollowers of the’ Man of Bethlehem. The fine musical programme began with the sing- ing of the ‘‘Adeste Fideles.” A “Veni Creator” arranged for contralto and bass by J. H. Dohrmann, was sung with fine effect. In the offertory a “Noel” by Loreiz for tenor, a ladies’ chorus.and a mixed chorus was rendered. The solo parts were sung by Miss Higgins, suprano; Mrs. Parent, contralto; Mr. Messmer, tenor; Mr. Richards, bass; J. H. Dohrmann, organist. AT SERVICES AT ST. ROSE’S. The First Christmas Mass Cele- brated Yesterday. The first Christmas service was cele- brated at St. Rose’s Churca yesterday morning at 5 o’clock by Rev. Father Nu- gent, with the music by the junior choir. At 11 o’clock the solemn high mass waa celebrated, and the sermon was preached by Rev. Father Gleason. The music was Mozart's twelfth, and the offertory was “Laudate Pueri Dominum,” by Zingarelli, soio_and chorus. The ‘‘Adeste Fidels,”’ by Novelio, and “Noel,” by Adam, were also sung. ¢ The choir were as follows: Misses Nu- gent, Black, Byrne, Horan, Killgariff, Welsh and Du Fossie; Mmes. Coret, Treacey, Handley and Powers; bassos— Messrs. Lane, Parent and Doherty; ten- ors—Messrs. George Lane and Ben Seiber- lich; Mrs. T. J. Moynihan, organist. As the church is yet in an unfinished condi- tion no attempt was made at decoration, but the beautitul new windows, of which there are four in place, made a splendid offect. —_— ST. PAUL’S CHURCH. Christmas Carols Sung by the Young Ladles’ Scdallties. Masses were said at 8t. Paul’s Church, on Twenty-ninth and Church streets. yes- terday morning at 6,7, 8and 9 o’clock, with Christmas carols sung by the voung men and boys’ chorals and the Young Ladies’ and Holy Angels’ Sodalities. Solemn high mass was celebrated at 10:30 o'clock with the music of Giorzu's “Kyrie,” “Gioria,” “Credo and Benedic- tus,” “Sanctus’”’ and “Agnus Dei”’ from Daschauner’s celebrated mass. _The choir was composed of the following singers: Sopranos—Mrs. McKee-Wilz, Miss Mae Reilly; altos—Miss May F. Code, Miss Mollie Riordan ; tenor, Louis von der Menden Sr.; bass, Professor M. Perroa; organist, Amelia F. Quinn. preniieg W d i e ST. BRENDAN’S lCHURCH. Christmas Sermon by Rev. M. H. Stravens of Portland, Or. Christinas was observed at St. Bren- dan’s Catholic Church, at the corner of Fremont and Harrison streets, yesterday, with early masses beginning at 5 o’clock in the morning and solemn high mass at 10:30 A. M. Rev. J. J. Gannon scted as celebrant, Rev. W. H. Stravens as deacon, Rev. J. F. Nugent as subdeacon and James McQuesney as master of ceremo- nies. The sermon was delivered by Rev. M H. Stravens of Portland, Or. The choir rendered Stern’s mass in D; sopra- nos, Mrs. L. Burnsted, Misses O’ Brien and Shuster; contraltos, Misses Lemon and ‘Walthour; basso, L. Flynn; organist, Miss Maggie Lemon. THE HAT FASCINATED HER. An American Woman’s Advice to an English Visitor. An English girl came over here not long ago, says the New York Evening Sun, with the avowed purpose of wheedling American money out of American pock- ets. She was a recitationist by profession, and her plan was to make a bold and de- termined assault upon the drawing-room audience. The girl may have had talent and she may not. What most impressed the Americans who came 1n contact with her was her rigid conformation to the British laws of dress. Coupled with a leaning toward the esthetic the re- sults were appalling. Dingy, shabby and trailing garments that did duty for frocks; such hair as surely was never seen outside of frowsy footbalidom, and a kind of milinery miracle instead of a hat— such were some of the details. The hat was the worst of all. When the English aspirant for American dollars presented her first letter of introduction, its recipi- ent, a smart New York woman, found her eyes drawn to that bat as nothing had ever drawn them before. It fairly fasci- She listened to the girl’s plans, -ations, her needs; but the hat was in the foreground. ‘“*And now, Mrs, Blank,” said the girl, when she had fin- ished her statement, “'what would you ad- vise me first of all to do?” “Do?"echoed Mrs. Blank. *“Take that dreadful thing off your head, and go outand buy a decent American bat.’’ —————— THE OAPTAIN TOLED HIM. An Englishman Who Forgot About the Letter H An Englishman who was touring through America on board a steamer when one morning, aiter walking on deck and looking round him, he stepped up to the captain, says Tit-Bits, and asked: “I beg pardon, but would you kindly tell me _what lake I'm on?” “The Lake Huron,” replied the captain and tnrned away. The Englishman looked puzzied for a moment and then, following the captain, be‘;dan”nnn: “I beg your pardon, you said— “It’s the Lake Huron,” roared the cap- tain, thinking the man was deaf. “Yes, 1 know,’’ persisted the passenger, "bl'ilt, what's the name of the lake that I'm n “The Lake Huron!” shouted the cap- tain, incensed at what he thought gross stupidity, and he turned away to relieve himself by railing at one of the hands. The Englishman looked more puzzled than ever. “The lake you’re on is the lake you’re on. Of courseitis! The lake I'm on can’t help being tbe lake I’'m on. What imperti- nence! Let melook at my guidebook— perhaps that will help me.” It did teil him and then the humor of the situation suddeniy dawned upon him. OEAD N A DITCH AT MIDNIGHT Frank Scott’s White Face Upturned to the Lan- tern’s Light Coroners of Two Counties Re- fuse to Take Charge of the Remains. The Accident Happened at Sundown and the Body Still Lies by the Roaiside. Frank Scott, an engineer, 29 years old, employed by Warren & Malley at their stone quarry in San Mateo County, lies dead in a ditch out on the San Bruno road, and neither the Coroner of San Mateo County nor of San Francisco County will take charge of the remains. Scott was killed just after sundown last evening, and the body was stiff, cold and still in the ditch at midnight. Lanterns in the hands of spectators brought the white face into view last night, but all were afraid to touch the body till some Coroner acts. Scott was driving into the City last evening. He was alone. News of his death reached the City late and particu- lars are meager. He drove off an embank- ment at the side of the road near the Six-Mile House and the horse was hurled to the bottom of the ditch, and it is sup- posed his neck was broken.. Tne place of death is in San Mateo County. Tne Coroner of that county was notitied by telephone of the accident and deatn. He refused to take charge of the case Or remains, A man named James Elliott then tele- vphoned Police Captain Gillen of the Sev- enteenth-street station, who in turn noti- fied Deputy Coroner O’Brien. He also reiused to take charge of the remains as the location is outside San Francisco County. Anoiher attempt will be made to-day to get the 8an Mateo Coroner to act. James Crowe is the Coroner of San Ma- teo County. He is1eported to have tele- phoned that it was “too dark and 00 cold’’ to come down and take charge of the remains. The spot is clearly beyond the jurisdiction of Coroner Hawkins or his aeputies. A STORY OF PROGRESS. Western Settlement Without Parallel in the History of Civilization. The report of the Secretary of the In- terior shows that since the passage of the homestead law there have been nearly 163,000,000 acres of public lands entered by settlers, and over 335,000,000 acres have been acquired under otner laws. Thatis to say, the area of settlement and cultiva- tion has been enlarged within the lifetime of the present population of the couniry to the extent of 498,000,000 acres. These figures tell a story that is without a paral- lei 1n the history of civilization, and one that can haraly be comprehended without the aid of the imaginatiop, They are equivalent to an increase of 3,111,250 farms of 160 acres each, or twice that number of the average size of such estates in the localities where most of the entries and purchases have been made. This means a corresponding multiplica- tion of the homes ot the people, with all of the attendant gains of comfort and bappiness. Never belore in a like period since the beginning of time has so much been accomplished in the way of ma- terial development and the extension of the means and opportunities of prosper- ity. The record includes, of course, not merely a widening of the domain of agri- culture, but the forming of new States, the construction of railroads, the builaing of churches and schoolhouses and the general adavancement of the interests of humanity. There are yet about 600,000,000 acres of public lands, not including lndian and military reservations, estimated at 86,- 960,000 ‘acres, and the district of Alaska, but the most of this residue is considered worthless for civitization. It may be said, tuerefore, that the end of this process of development has practically been reached. | There is no longer any frontier with tempting possibilities for home-seekers. The old song, **Uncle Sam is rich enough to give us all a farm,” has ceased to be true, ‘so far as vacant territory 1s con- cerned. There is still a West, but it is now only a geographical expression, and does not signify what it formerly did to peopie anxious to better their condition through the toil and privation of pioneer life. In the course of events the remaining Indian reservations will be opened to settlement, undoubtealy, and there is reason to expect that the large siretches of arid lands will ultimately be made till- able by some system of irrigation, but the general fact at present is that compara- tively little chance is left for securing homes from the Government. It will never be possible to duplicate the scheme of beneficence and progress that has en- apled so many industrious and deserving citizens to become landowners. The situa- tion has been permanently changed and a new era has dawned, with different con- ditions and tendencies. ‘We may well give serious thought to the importance of the work of development that is thus brought to a stop by the ex- haustion of material, so to speak. Itim- plies a great deal more than a wonderful increase of individual wariare. The ef- fects which it has produced are mot con- fined to the classes or localities immedi- ately concerned. It has brought radical changes to pass for the whole country and for all elements and interests. In a sense it has compelled a readjustment of business methods and avppliances from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and even be- yond the oceans to some extent. Its abundant products constitute a potential factor in the markets of the entire world, the influence of its energy and its enter- prise is felt everywhere in financial and commercial operations. Moreover, it has invaded the politics of the country, raising new issues and incro- ducing new sources of inspiration; and it has not failed ay the same time to make a decided impression upon the social affairs of the Nation. Itstands fora greatem- pire that has been evolved out of the grass and silence of the public lands since the close of the Civil War. No other force of equal strength and significance has ever been added to our facilities of achieve- ment. Itis to be regarded with pride and exultation by the people of all sections and all parties, and surely in the future it will be worth still more to us than it has been in the past.—St. Louis Globe-Demo- erat. —————— London Club Conservatism. A story comes from London which illus- trates the innate stubbornness of young John Bull. The Reform Club of that city, which is the stronghold of the Liberal party, and to which all the Liberal aris- tocracy beiong, is rent in twain et the present moment through the generous offer of a member of the institution who resides in Chicago. EnvinE observed that there was no elevator on the premises, he Children Cry for Pitcher's Castoria. offered to give $3000 to supply the de- ficiency. The club is only two stories high, the upper level being gamed by a double flight of broad and carefully graded stair- cases, which are, however, difficult of ascent to those older members who are rendered infirm by age and by gout. These, of course, gratefuily welcomed the gen- erous offer of their Chicago fellow-mem ber. The younger element, however, objected to the elevator, and the result was that rival petitions have been circulated, balf the club being in favor of the elevator and half against it. The fight wages fierce and bitter, and the commitiee finds itself in so great a quandary about the matter that a general meeting of the club has been called. ANOIENT BILLS OF EXCHANGE. Credit Entered In o Tranaction of Busi- ness Centuries Ago. The United States Consul at Barcelona recently mentioned the acquisition by a public institution there of seven old bills of exchange, all made payable in Barce- lona. The most ancient is dated at Mal- lorca (Palma) in 1392, and is thought to be the oldest dill of exchange now in exist- ence, The second is dated 1399; the third, drawn in Pisa, is also dated 1399; the next two were drawn in Valencia in 1411 and 1530 respectively; the sixth was drawn at Rosellon, in France, in 1445; and the last at Napies in 1535. A translation of the first reads as fol- lows: “Sir: 1n conformity with this first letter vou will pay within the next two months, counting from the date of this, to the woman Sibila, wife of the deceased Mr. Jaime Castello, xvil libras x sueldos (about 35s.) of Barcelona money, which obtain from the rent of the University of Mallorca on the 11th of December, the payment of which you will require in due time without fail. Dated at Mallorca the 26th day of Octuber, year 1392.—Guillem de Mu.tru, Adminisirator of the Mint.”” It bears the iollowing indorsement: “To the Honorable Senor and Mr.- Confrere Lorenzo Luques, exchange merchant of Barcelona.”” ———— A Sidewalk Artist. Some years ago there was a poor man who drew pictures of soldiers and dogsand ships on a bii of smooth sidewalk in Hampstead road and collected pennies from such art lovers as chanced to pass. One of his most irequent patrons was Du Maurier, who on a certain cold day was moved by the pitiable appearance of his humble professional brother and offered to guard the imploring hat while its owner went toa soup kitchen in Euston road. As soon as the man was out of sight the deputy hastily erased all the pictures he had been left to exploit and replaced them with portraits in chalk of society ladies and gentlemen, like those famous in Punch. An appreciative public mani- fested interest to the extent of many cop- pers and two or three sixpences. When the less famous artist returned he was pieased to find so much in his hat, but re- gretted that his work had been destroyed. “This may attract some people, but it ain’t art,” he said to Du Maurier, and im- mediately wiped out the society lights, “but this pleases everybody,” and he drew the picture of a'soldier.—London Letter, —_———— Early Morning Row. John Lynch, an ex-prizefighter, and his friend, whose name is unknown, entered the saloon of Joseph Gastell, at 206 Montgomery avenue, at10’clock thismorning and assaulted the proprietor. Gastell drew & pistol on his assailants and fired one shot. Officers arrived and arrested Lynch, who was taken to the California Police Station and charged with battery. e Died From Inhaling Gas. Mrs, Rosler, who resided at 325 Duncan street, and who was the wife of a musician, committed suicide last night by inhaling il- luminating gas. Her husband returned home at midnight and found herdead in bed and the gas turned on in the bed-chamber. For some time past Mrg. Rosler had been an ine valid and a great sufferer. MORGAN'S QUEST INDISTANT CHINA The Welsh Millionaire Gold, Mine Owner After Rich Minerals. . Is the Intimate Friend of Li Hung Chang, Viceroy of the Empire. He Is Backed by a Powerful Syndi« cate and Will Seek for Various Franchises. Hon. William Pritchard Morgan, a noted barrister and member of the Brit= ish Parliament for Wales, will arrive hers in a few days from London. He is on his way to China to see L1 Hung Chang, and confer with him in regard to investments in China for a powerful Brit- ish syndicate which he represents, Li Hung Chang, the great Viceroy, is a par- ticular friend of Mr. Morgan, and there is much interest in Engiand as to what the latter will effect throush Aim. One object of the visit of Mr. Morgan to China is to search for minerals of different kinds in the country lying between Shang- hai and Peking. This was announced not long since in England by John Vaughan, theintimate associate of Mr. Morgan. Mr. Morgan has had a strange career. He has acquired a very large fortune in recent years, and all through his own ef- forts. It is not long since, as a young man with only a theoretical knowledge of law, he went to Wales. He soon became interested in the gold mines there, started up work on a8 number, and to the surprise of many capitalists and others who had tried it before him, began to make them pay. The more men he employed and the deeper he got the richer the mines be- came, until now he is conceded to be the man above all others who has shown that there is great wealth in the gold mines of Wales. How long he will stay in China is not definitely known, but it is supposed that it will be long enough to enable him to carry out his projects and gain conces- sions for taking out the richer ores in that country. From indications also it is be- heved nhe will interest himself and the syndicate with him, in building railroads, and in other enterprises. Dr. P. H. Farrell of this City has for some years been a close friend of Mr. Morgan. He speaks of him as a gentle- man of great push and ability. Mr. Morgan arrived in New York sev- eral days azo. He will cross the continent leisurely, stopping at different points of interest, to San Francisco. Arriving here, he will remain long enough to see the City and near-by attractions, and will then go to Vancouver ana take a steamer for China, via Yokohama. He will probably be in China several months. There has been considerable in British newspapers lately in regard to the trip of tbe Weish millionaire gold mine- owner. Morgan is expected here now very soon. 2NN \ WA THE SUNDAY CALL. The Great Family Newspaper of the Pacific Coast NATURE OUTDONE BY SGIENGE IN THE GONSTRUGTION OF AN ARTIFIGIAL EVE THAT SEES. WHAT THE RULING FAD IN NEW YEAR'S PARTIES WILL BE. - AMERIGA'S -STRANGEST TOWER. A Greater Wonder Than the Leaning Tower of Pisa.” NOVEL SGHEME OF A SAN FRANGISGAN THAT MAY BRING ABOUT IMPORTANT GHANGES IN METHODS OF MODERN WARFARE. |“THE CALL”: SPEAKS FOR ALL