The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, April 4, 1898, Page 3

THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, MONDAY, APRIL 4, 1898. HUNDREDS | OF LIVES ARE LOST Fearful Disaster Due to a Breaking Levee in Illinois. Shaneetown Flo oded to a Depth of From Ten to Twenty Feet and Houses and Tenants - Are Carri ed Away. EVANSVILLE, Ind., April 3.—A mes- ge was received here to-night saying ¢ Shawneetown, Ill., was in- 4:40 o'clock this afternoon v the breakine of the north levee, and people drowned, The wa- | have been sking for aid. igh the place with the ing the people ttle chance to reach places of safety. astily mounted to up- while other ouses, s en- red to reach high ground out of rea f the swirling flood, but the | speedily engulfed many | 1 pt them away. Small bulldings »m their foundations, ites clinging to roofs nt of the disaster has not 11l communication by telegraph has been cut | seventy-five miles the Ohio River, on valle th hil extreme- skirting it in th a twenty-five foot running from hill to ; much in the po- nd when the | . above the town, | h river, the | twenty-foot | place like a mi ssure of a v 8! throug a| the weeping everything before struck overturned and tossed | The people had no | nd for that rea- | Those at | re caught. ge in Tho: n the streets | re the avalanche of | sbably a majority were | L cit ame from the place hy{ £ lephone several miles away, from He | 0 people were drowned | son to believe the num- | each 500 or probably 1000. r stands twenty feet deep all | vn and total darkness envelopes | ne. Consequently it was | him to have anything | aid aid "o for ke definite information. The man Juickly left the phone, and no commu- ¢ n has since been had with the | All the telephone and telegraph wires 1d outside communication At 10 o’clock boats and a couple Shawneetown under | impossible. and it is expected | e there by 2| They carried | and blankets, | the city officials. 1 A telephone ym Cypress Junc- | Shawneetown, ee of Shawneetown 20 this afternoon, inundating own. No telephone or tele- unication can be had with wh ich confirms the re- | food ed by Apr d fro om rth le: CHICAGO, April 4—At 12:30 this| the operator in the Long Dis- | phone Company’s office at| m, Ind., informed The Call | dent that the estimate on the | ADVERTISEMENTS. DUN’T Let WHISKY get the BEST BOTTLING '~ (ID PEPPER WHISKY. Bottled and Distilled only by {1 JAS. B, PEPPER %00, Lexington, Ky. Under the same FOR- MULA for more than 100 YEARS; is_guaranteod ABSOLUTELY the PUREST and BEST in the world. SAMPLE CASE $15 Sent on trial, which, if not satisfactory, can be returned and money will be refunded. CARROLL & CARROLL, 306 Mmarket Street, Sole Agents for the Pacific Coast. GE L & OF | hour loss of life at Shawneetown was at that hour 200. Mount Vernon is but thirty s from Shawneetown, and the in- formation upon which the estimate is b 1 is believed. to be reliable. operator stated that the company’s | wires to the stricken city failed soon | r 4 o'clock this afternoon. At that it was known that the dam was giving away, but it was not thought that it would go to pieces quickly enough to cause the loss of life. By 8 o'clock it was known in Mount Vernon that many people had been | drowned, the estimate then being one | giye damages. A relief boat bearing food, | hundred. blankets and surgeons was started down the river and was expected to | reach Shawneetown before morning. sradually the reports of loss of life in- cre: a was at first believed. People at Mount Vernon and sur- rounding towns besieged the telegraph offices, frantically asking for tidings from friends and relatives in the flood- ed town. No attempt at an accurate list of the victims is possible, however, and the crowds stood all night before the bulletin boards on which were post- ed the meager reports being received. MOUNT VERNON, Ind., April 3.— The manager of the telephone ex- change at Shawneetown, Ill., at 8 o’clock to-night gave Mount Vernon its first definite news of the big inunda- tion at the little city down the Ohio River. This is what he said: “Shawneetown was inundated by a levee a mile and a half break in the above the city at 4:30 o’clock this after- noon. Three hundred persons are be- lieved to have been drowned. and stone houses and blocks are under water. “The survivors are in great need of help, and have sent me to ask neigh- boring towns for immediate assistance. “I am four miles from Shawneetown now. I escaped and made my way here with a portable telephone. I climbed up the telephone post and made con- nection and that's how you are getting the news. “The flood came with a terrific dash and roar. Of course the people had been watching for any break in levee, but they thought they were safe. The water came in an enormous wave, with foam on top. At first a muffled roar was heard. louder, and before all the people safety it overtook the town. “It is estimated that drowned outright. their lives, gone. with terror and grief. help you can.” Send all relief. effective aid. Mount Vernon agreed to furnish three ferryboats skiffs were pressed into service. These craft were loaded partly here and partly in Evansville, and in tow of two steamers furnished at Evans- quickly as possible. People in Mount Vernon expect to hear from the rescuers at daybreak, and nearly every one in this city is sit- ting up awaiting more complete news. The city is profoundly shocked by the dis the flood overtook Shawnee- here, twenty-five miles away, the peo- ple were enjoying the peace of a per- light breeze was blowing, and people were walking about the streets enjoy- ing the Sunday quiet. It was in the midst of peaceful scenes that the monster wave came tearing down upon its unsuspecting victims, hurling them to death. In the twinkling of an eye quiet streets were turned into beds for a roar- ing torrent, and the strollers of Sunday afternoon, pausing to listen 1o the omi- nous roar, were carried into eternity ere they could reach places of safety. ST. LOUIS, Mo., April 3.—Shawnee- town, IlL, has a --nulation of about 3000 inhabitants and is situated on the west bank of the Ohio River. The streets are parallel with the river, the principal business street being but two blocks distant from the water. The level of the river is about fifteen feet above the city and the levee bank is about twenty feet thick. Situated on this bank and level with the river is the Riverside Hotel, a large four-story building. built by Henry Docher. The hotel is generally occupied fully all the year round, being not only a transient hostelry, but families also reside there. It is feared the hotel has been washed away. Justice Brewer Bereaved. WASHINGTON, April 3.—The wife of Justice Brewer of the Supreme Court died WILL CASH PEPPER COUPONS, to-night. The | d, the estimates and stories com- | ing from various points near the scene | her moorings. | of the flood, showing clearly that the | gwim ashore, a distance of about 500 ster was far more disastrous than | All frame :cond sturivs‘ buildings were swept away, and brick the It grew louder and in Shawneetown who had divined what was coming could rush to the hills for 300 were to the hills back of the city, and saved but their possessions are | They are in despair and frantic the | Mount Vernon people were advised at once of the news from Shawneetown and began immediate preparations for Evansville and other near-by cities had been given the same tele- phone message by turns, and were ready to co-operate in a scheme for capable of carrying ten wagonloads each, and besides, all river ville, proceeded to the city of death as | town, if the weather was like it was fect spring day. The air was warm, a HURRICANE AND FLOODS RAVAGE FERTILE ISLANDS by Gales and the Rising VICTORIA, April 3.—The steamship Miowera brings detalls of a terrific | hurricane which visited New Caledonia | toward the end of February, doing considerable damage. The height of the hurricane was encountered between 2 and 3 a. m. on the 23d. Gales raged | from the southwest and northwest, and, uniting in Noumea, carried every- | thing before them. The hospital &nd | other public buildings suffered exten- Score of houses were and otherwise damaged. | Whole plantations were swept away by floods, and considerable injury re- | sulted to the shipping In port. The French gunboat Loyaute sank at The crew managed to | unroofed vards. The sea was heavy, but every | seaman reached land. | The steamship Neoblle, with two pilot-boats, went ashore on the island of Noe. The bark Professor and the ship Falls of Garry foundered. No loss of life occurred, however. The pas- | senger steamship Fiado was missing. | It is feared she has been lost, and two of Waters. vessels have been sent to look for her. The Fiado had a crew of fifteen whites, nineteen Kanakas and three pas- sengers. The damage done by the floods can- not be estimated. In many portions of New Caledonia large coffee planta- tions have been swept away, and havoc has been played with agricul- tural pursuits generally. The town of Noumea itself was for a time about three inches under water, and the floods were very extensive and ruinous in other portions of the islands. Resi- dents suffered heavy losses, but as far as was known no lives were sacrificed. The Hawaiian capital was flooded on March 24 and considerable damage was done, hundreds losing their homes and their all. The flood was the greatest Honolulu has ever known, and was the most appalling exhibition of devasta- tion by the elements since the great fire. The deluge was caused by a heavy rainfall. At first it was supposed that there had been a cloudburst. Nuuanu stream for three hours was a swollen river. It kept within its stone walls, but before these had been reached by Vessels Sunk and Plantations Swept Away, While in Honolulu Hundreds of People Are Rendered Homeless. the flood the water left the course and spread over a couple of hundred acres. But one life was lost, that of a Japan- ese who was drowned. The hero of the flood was Willlam ‘Wells of the bark R. P. Rithet. Several thousand people saw the gallant at- tempt that young Wells at his own peril made to save the life of the Japanese laborer. The Japanese fell into the wild stream below the Kukui- street bridge. Wells was in a boat from his bark with a crew in command of a mate when he saw the little brown man vainly fighting the muddy current. Fully attired, Wells jumped into the stream and grasped the Japanese, but while the two were swept under the bridge they became separatéd. There were many narrow escapes and many thrilling rescues. The relief work was well organized and very effective. Able voluntéers turned out by the hundreds. A fund has been started for the relief of sufferers. It is the opinion of men who have ~iven the subject at- tention that unless extraordinary pre- cautions are taken there will be much sickness after the rain ceases. ALL ECROPE SEEKS PEACE Powers Bring Pressure to Bear Upon the Spaniards. If There Be Mediation, It Must Begin With the Madrid Government. United States Firm in the Declaration That It Will Brook No Interference. Spectal Dispatch to The Call. NEW YORK, April 3.—A Washing- ton special to the Herald says: To all suggestions for mediation the au- thorities in Washington are replying “All frame buildings left thelr foun-| tna¢ Madrid is the place for work of dations and were carried away on the | thig kind at the present time. France flood like straws, but brick and stone | houses remained on their foundations, and England are making one mighty effort to induce Spain to concede the | “““':(h‘:;(‘fih E;‘:Ly‘ “:;se m:;gerorw:lj::‘ independence of Cuba. If war between when T left. Most of the people fled | e United States and Spain can be averted at all through the medium of diplomacy, the first steps in that di- rection will have to be taken from Madrid. Representatives of foreign powers in | this country who have sounded the ad- ministration on the subject have dis- covered that mediation is out of the | question as far as the United States is | concerned, hence the great activity among the powers at Madrid. It is | known that England and France are | putting the screws on Spain in Madrid | to-day, but the result, if any, has not | yet come to the knowledge of diplomats | in Washington. One important deduction that the | American authorities have made from the negotiations among European pow- | ers which have transpired thus far is that in case the worst happens and we | are forced to intervene to bring about the independence of Cuba, there will be no danger of foreign intervention to | prevent it. Whether continued nego- tiations at Madrid will result in Spain yielding to the demands of the United States remains to be seen. It is violating no confidence to say that the President and some of his ad- visers are even more hopeful that the Sagasta Ministry will make further representations to the United States in the direction of ending the war in Cuba and giving the insurgents their. inde- pendence as the result of the tremen- dous pressure which they know is being brought to bear by the Governments and financial interests of Europe. This hope, however, is not shared to | any extent by diplomatic and other | public men here. On the contrary, most of the foreign Ministers have ad- vised their Governments that they re- gard war as inevitabl |WHALER SECURED FOR A POLAR EXPEDITION, Steamship Fridjthof Will Carry the Wallman Party to the North- ern Seas. WASHINGTON, April 3—A dispatch from Christiania, Norway, reports that the steam whaler Fridjthof has been se- cured for the Wallman polar expedition to Franz Josef Land, instead of the Lau- ra, previously engaged. The Fridjthof is said by the Norwegian agents to be the fastest and strongest ice steamer in Nor- wegian waters. She is now being out- fitted and will be ready to sail from Tromsoe for the Arctic June 1 next. - Sails for Honolulu. VICTORIA, B. C., April 3.—Advices from Honolulu by the Miowera state that the United States steamship Balti- more left there m March 25 for Hong- kong. Before she left the admiral's flag was transferred to the Bennington, SPAIN'S QUEEN REGENT FIRM Not Disposed to Yield a Single Point to America. Desires Peace, but Not at the Expense of Her Country. Has Thoroughly Identified Herself With the War Party at Madrid. Special Dispatch to The Call. MADRID, via Bayonne, France, April 1.—Despite the efforts of the press to work up patriotic enthusiasm, the public seem indifferent to the situa- tion. Except among officials it is rare- ly discussed. The people are chiefly in- terested in the result of a big lottery Just announced and in the preparations for an extraordinary bull-fight on Easter Sunday, at which celebration toreadors from all parts of Spain will perform. The people do not wish war; rather they are indifferent, as they always have one in progress somewhere and do not regard war with the United States as different from the others. The feeling that exists here exists also throughout the provinces. Poult- ney Bigelow writes from Barcelona that with two other Americans he has Jjust comvoleted a bicycle tour from San Sebastian through Madrid to Alicante in Valencia, clear across the wildest part of the peninsula, and he says: | “I found less jingoism in the whole trip than in one block of the New York Bowery.” The Queen Regent is taking a very active part in the negotiations, and has thoroughly identified herself with the war section of the Cabinet. Her at- | titude s much approved by the officials in the army and has undoubtedly strengthened the dynasty for the time being. Her Majesty is reported to have told Senor Segasta: “I received from my husband a heri- tage for our son and will never agree to have that heritage curtailed.” Senor Sagasta said to a friend after Thursday’s council at the palace: “We went in—seven men—to see one woman, and emeregd seven women, leaving the men inside,” meaning that they went in disposed to yield, but that the Queen’s patriotism and firmness in- spired them. At the same time it is reported that the Queen Regent is doing much to avoid a rupture. The activity of Count Dubosky, the Austrian Embassador, in this direction within the last two days is said to be inspired from the palace. He has visited United States Minister Woodford and a prominent member of the Cabinet. Apparently there is a pessimistic feeling at the United States legation to-day. PISTOL DUEL THAT MAY RESULT IN TWO DEATHS. ‘With Bullets Prominent Men of an Arkansas Town Settle a Quarrel. LITTLE ROCK, Ark., April 3.—A des- perate revolver duel occurred at Haynes, Ark., Saturday night between Dr. W. W. Scott, a prominent physicianof that town, and John Hughes, a leading merchant, Scott entered Hughes' store and opened fire upon him. The latter drew his weapon and both combatants emptied their revolvers at each other at close range. When the shooting finished both men were lying on the floor, Scott bleed- ing from four wounds, while Hughes had been struck by flve bullets. Both men are still alive, but their recovery is doubtful. The cause of the trouble is not definitely known, but it is said to bave grown out of family affairs. DAY OF QUIET AT MADRID Republican Mass-Meeting Proves Almosta Fizzle. Delegation Visits the Premier’s Quarters to Present Grievances. Told That the Cortes WIill Con- sider the Reforms the People Demand. Speclal Dispatch to The Call. MADRID, April 3.—There was little excitement in Madrid this afternoon, | owing to the fact that there was no | bull-fight to-day. Extra precautions were taken to prevent disorder at the republican mass-meeting this after- noon. The number of guards at the United States legation was increased. The object of the demonstration was to demand a revision of the sentences imposed upon political and other of- fenders, to protest against the tortur- ing of anarchists in the prison fortress of Montjuich, Barcelona; to demand free import of wheat and to demand universal conscription without the re- demption of rich conscripts. The demonstration, contrary to ex- pectation, turned out to be a very quiet and informal affair. In fact it may be termed a “fizzle.” There were no banners displayed, and only about 3000 people marched to the presidency and remained in the street while the deputation was conducted to the of- fice of Senor Sagasta, where its mem- bers were politely recelved by some of the members of the Cabinet in the ab- sence of the Premier. Senors Viendo and Dorendo, former municipal councilors of Madrid, spoke jects of the demonstration, namely a revision of sentence, the free import of wheat and universal conscription without the redemption of rich con- scripts. No mention was made of the alleged torturing of anarchist prisoners in the prisons of the fortress of Mont- Juich, Barcelona, although it was at first understood that this was to be the main representi.tion to be made to the Premier. The demands of the people who took part in the demonstration were embodied in a manifesto, which ‘was handed to the Minister of the In- terior, Senor Capdepon. who replied, saying he regretted that the indisposi- tion of Senor Sagasta made it neces- sary for him to receive the deputation in the Premier’s place. The Spanish people, Senor Capdepon added, were worthy of the liberty they enjoyed, and the Government would always keep abreast of public opinion. But the manifesto was too serious to be im- medlately replied to. It would com- mand serious attention and would be referred to the Cortes. The Minister then thanked the depu- tation for the orderly behavior of those who took part in the movement. Senor Dorendo answered that the deputation placed confidence in the good-will of the Government. The deputation withdrew. Then the crowd outside the presidency was inclined to linger and discuss the matter which brought the people there. But the Civil Governor mingled with the pe ple, urging them to disperse. He said *Go home, my children. Everything will be attended to.” The crowds then scattered. Prison Dead Identified. SACRAMENTO, April 3.—The man who died in the City Prison on Saturday night has been identifled as Thomas Oden, com- monly known as ‘“Walking T He 'om.” had been stoppin Some. time. Dea n.’t the rngd tl;ncl; for s suppo: 0 resulted from a fall, as &‘1’ i skull was fractured. good-naturedly e base of his for five minutes, referring to the ob- | HAVANA IS READY FOR THE CLASH New Caledonia and Hawaii Devastated Belief at Cuba’s Capital That Strife Cannot Be Averted. Have Fled Copyrighted, 1888, by James Gordon Bennett. HAVANA, via Key West, April 3.— War is expected by all here now—ex- pected by some hopefully, by many fearfully. It is In the air. There is a new and sprightly note in the music to which the soldiers of Spain march this morning. Their step has a new spring in it. Rockets and saluting guns, to which no one gave a second thought two days ago, have caused in- quiring words and glances for the last forty-three hours. The palace expects war. The censor told me last night it was inevitable now, the United States having forced Spain to the wall, and Spain, with her back to it, would give the enemy his fill of fighting. The censor’s idea of it is that of the Spanish, military and| civil. The wires flashed to Madrid last| evening the neéws that three American vessels had been seen off Havana har- bor, and though Americans knew the story was due to a smoke seen afar, | many in the city accepted it as an evi- | dence of the approach of a squadron from Key West, which was lying with- in striking distance of Havana wait- | ing orders to blockade the port. | This news lent new interest to the movements of the Vizcaya and Oquen- | do, which sailed last evening at 5 o’clock, it is believed for Porto Rico | to join the torpedo squadron. In-| quiries at the palace regarding the object in sending the twin cruisers to| sea at this time met with uplifted brows and a polite refusal to reply. Thousands who thronged the piers when the cruisers left port and who answered the cheers of the soldiers topping the battlements of Morro and Cabanas thought the ships were going to meet the United States fleet in the open, and the idea fired their patriotic | hearts and opened their throats till the swelling cry had a note in it one has| not heard in Havana during many | General Lee and all Americans, Acting Under General Lee’s Ad- vice, Nearly All Americans From the Island. weary months of waliting. The guard around the American Cone sulate was again doubled last evening, and General Lee is assured by Captain- General Blanco that every possible ef- fort will be made to protect him and other Americans. Few Americans are here, indeed only a handful besides the correspondents and those in business. The last of curious and sight-seeing visitors left on the Mascotte to-day, and would have gone yesterday had chance offered. Consul-General Lee now knows the full details of the situation, but seems not to expect hostilities on Monday or Tuesday, as many do, thinking it more probable that no encounter will occur i British Mr. Gullon has that he does not think actual hostilities will occur at all. General Lee goes to and from his of- fice as usual. He feels the full grav- ity of the situation, but is calm and | cheerful as of old, believing that if ne- gotiations are suspended suddenly be- tween Washington and Madrid he and other Americans remaining will go away in safety under the protection of the Spanish authorities. The Fern, with the Stars and Stripes above her, lies in the harbor—a ship of refuge in case of extremity. I am told that Captain Cowles received three dis- patches last night, but it is not thousht the orders were in reference to the im- mediate departure of the ship “gth ut rather as to procedure in case the ship’s departure becomes suddenly ne- cessary. To inquiring Americans Gen- eral Lee has said that Havana is no place for pleasure seekers and men whose duty does not keep them here, and his advice and regard for their im- mediate bodily welfare swelled the Mascotte's passenger list to-day. 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