The evening world. Newspaper, December 30, 1903, Page 1

| “Cire ation Books Open to All.”” | (OI Wath. .moxwrenay MTOM mncanmamnn an i vals “ Circulation Books Open to All,” De Renactean NEW YORK, Ww EDNESDAY, DECE MBER 30, 1903. “PRICE ‘ONE CENT. DREADFUL LOSS F LIFE IN THEATRE HAD ONE WIFE, WEDDED ANOTHER GHRIGTMAG EVE Fifth Avenue Bookkeeper Contracted a Big- amous Marriage the Day Before Christ- mas, Wife No. 2 Living Around the Cor- ner from Wife No. 1, Who Is an Heiress. SAID TO HAVE MADE COMPLETE CONFESSION OF HIS GUILT. Uncle and Guardian of His First Wife Played Role of Detective and Discovered, It Is Little Church Around the Corner. Macmillan publishing house at No. 55 Fifth avenue, disappeared on Christ- mias Eve his young wife and the members of her family, fearing he had met with foul play, began a systematic search for him. mow come to a grim finish, for, according to charges preferred in court, it wevealed a double life which the young husband had been leading and his wife's nose. Not the least remarkable feature of this very unusual case is that the! rear wall of the apartment-house in which Talcott and his wife lived) flmost touches the rear wall of the apartment-house in which the young girl he is alleged to have deceived into marrying lives with her mother. The Talcotts had a flat at No. 210 West Twenty-first street, while Mrs. Wighton, the mother of the second wife, lives at No. 225 West Twentieth Street. From the rear windows of one flat-house one can look into the rear windows of almost all the flats in the other house. Yet for nearly five months Talcott is said to have courted Miss Wighton without her ,\) | thaving the least idea that he lived 1)» wife just in the rear of her own ‘home, and Mrs. Talcott never had the slightest suspicion of anything | wrong. \ Talcott is now unde” arrest on a charge of bigamy, with his wife of Mess than two years a stern and relentess prosecutor, and his wife of less than a week, a mere child, heart-broken at her home over the cruel de- jception of which she was the victim. As for Talcott, he had no explar.- jtion of why he treated a taithful wife ana an innocent child so brutally. ‘He simply says he had to do it, and apparently can give no other reason. Talcott's first wife was Miss Annie E. Brown, a member of the old | Wittle family, of this city, the members of which have occupied a house at No. 266 West Seventeenth street, on the site of the old Little farm, for almost half # century, It was in this historic old home that Talcott wooed and won his first wife, a tall, beautiful girl, with an independent fortune, ‘ and it was from there that he took her when they were married on Wpril 1, 1902 ‘ The unfortunate child, who married Talcott in al] good faith on Christ- mas Eve, is Miss Carolyn Louise Wighton, nineteen years old, of 225 West Twentieth street. She lived in a comfortable, if not luxurious, home-there with her mother and brother, and there Talcott courted her, while his own twife lived with him in a pretty home just around the corner, at No. 210 West iM'wenty-first street. i ‘The first Mrs. Talcott 1s only twenty years old, but she looks older, She J% (Ms tall and slender, with dark hair and blue eyes and dresses in the best \ ot fashion. She first met Talco.. five years ago, when she was fifteen years old and he was twenty. He was just entering the Macmillan Publishing house and he wanted to marry Miss Brown then, but her grandmother and ther uncle and guardian, Thomas B. Pratt, a wealthy retired business man, who also lives in the Seventeenth street house, would not hear of it until he Mhad established himself. The youngsters were permitted to become eugaged, however, and Tal- ‘eott worked so hard to advance himself that when he renewed his request to marry Miss Brown her relatives agreed. They were pleased with the entire arrangement, for Talcott had shown himself a hard-working, con- ecientious young man, and, besides, he was tall and fair, with a splendid figure. The wedding took place at Englewood, N, J., the ceremony being performed by the Rev. Dr, Hamilton, of that city. After a brief honeymoon the couple came to this city to live and fur- mished an apartment at No. 210 West Twenty-first street. There they lived fuxuriously, for although Talcott made but moderate wages, his wife's income fwas always at his disposal. Their life was apparently very happy, Talcott rarely staying away from home in the evening. Las. Thursday Mrs. Talcott asked her husband to meet her in the late pfternoon and go with her to a mission on Fifty-third street near Colum- bus avenue, where she was to help distribute Christmas gifts to poor chil- fren, Talcott promised his wife that he would be on hand, but he failed to put in an appearance, At 7 o'clock he had not shown up, so Mrs, Tal- eott went on to the mission, leaving a note behind for her husband to fol- low her. lt was almost midnight when Mrs. Talcott got nome from the mission, (Her maid told her that Talcott had not been home and had not sent any { word. Greatly worried Mrs, Talcott Palled up her guardian, Mr, Pratt, on pair aera ~, (Continued hy SENAY Ra which he had brought to a climax by deliberately marrying an innocent fiineteen-year-old girl whom he had been courting for months right under | ‘ Alleged, Record of Ceremony No. 2 at] * When Herbert W. Talcott, the handsome young bookkeeper for the E This search has } [FAVORITES LOSE AT NEW ORLEANS Dr. Stuckey Was Heavily Played to Win Opening Event, but, Jake Weber Makes a Run-| away Race of It. THE WINNERS. FIRST RACE—Jake Weber (18 to| 5) 1, John Coulter (4 to 1) 2, Ithan 3.| SECOND RACE—Booster (5 to 2) 1, Malay (6 to 1) 2, Mary Moore 3. THIRD RACE—Agnes Brennan (5 to 1) 1, Allista (15 to 1) 2, Komom- bo 3. RACE TRACK, NEW ORLEANS, Dec. 30.—A good card and fine weather made the track the destination of many people to-day, The course was in excel- lent shape and good contests marked the day, FIRST RACE. One mile. docks. gt wn oWebe Pinder, 3 i I. Hist, 100, 20 Fast, 100, MoCafferty... 910 118 15 16 ter Tower, 100, Munroit 12 12° 100 30 Wetart, xood. euily. Time—1.40 4-5. D RACE. BettInie Jocks, BLHIGFIn. Rte, Pl nn fa 1 b-2 7-10| 7 1-3 40 42 Eo Won easiiv. “Timne—2.08 4-5" THIRD RACE. Five furlongs, Start good, Betting ks, StHIfFin, Sir. Gin a Lee) ay Re Qn i 24 1 5 “5 8 8 6% 0 20 7D 300 75 8! 20 6 eo 40 1n neKke chiO 100-30 Start fair. Won been Gi tines Time—1,01. WAR. WARNING GIVEN BY JAPAN WASHINGTON, Dec. 30.—The Japan- ese Minister called at the State De- partment to-day and reported that the situation In the Far East is one that gives great concern and that Japan {s making preparations for the worst. It fs hoped, however, that Russia will reconsider her first answer to Japan's recjuest. AL the Russian Embasey and Japenese Legation it was stated to-day that the situation In the Far East has entered upon « critical stage. Both the Russian Ambassador, Count Cassini, and Mr. Kogoro ‘Vakahira, the Japanese Min- ister, express the hope that war {ts not yet inevitable. Count Cassini goes further, and is of the opinion that the situation may t be saved without re- course to but the Ambassador has no Offic this belief, View of air, ‘Vakanira tukes a more pessimistic view uf the case. dissia and Japan are numerous Jetters trom Ami country offering their services ent of war. ‘The Kussian Am- and the Japanese Minister are iters of assistance, hile stilt not belley- Russia and Japan tone in ot- cireles here was lay by udvices Petersburg . 18 hastening prep- purpose, it is sug: 18 Russia's action receiving ns all modified ‘okio and Japan, arations, ested, has no tn- o hurry. is not ex- to ben Jan. 10, ‘ttuesia’a purpose weems to ber to put the onus of declaring War upon Japan, ch be sult of the negotla- t News has been re- ceived here confirming previous reports that Japan is moubiliging, probably with the of occupying Corea, ‘Ihe n has reached the German t officially and it is inter- preted here, as in Paris, to mean not Japan’ intends to ‘send an ulti- that matum to Russia, but that Japan may (Continued on Second Page.) WEATHER FORECAST. Forecast for the thirty-six hours ending at 8 P. M. Thursday for New York City and vicinity: Part- ly cloudy to-night and about six degrees colder; probably light snow early Thursday morning; Thursday moderating, with light snow; fresh west, becoming south to southeast, winds. Cures Colds or Mo: Father John's Medicine prev ane? neat AG BUGINEGO MIEN NOW ORGANIZED OF CONVENTION Meet in the City Hall and a Committee is Named to Secure for This City the Great Democratic National Conclave to Name a Candidate for President in 1904. MR. JOHN D, CRIMMINS IS SELECTED TO ACT AS CHAIRMAN. J. Edward Simmons Is Treasurer—Meeting Held in the Office of Mr. Crimmins a Push the Fight on the Same Lines—Others Interesting Themselves in the Movement. At the meeting of citizens held in the anteroom of the Board of Aldermen's chamber this afternoon to take concerted action toward bning- ing to New York the Demecraic National Convention, to be held in June, 1904, a committee of five was appointed to meet John D. Crimmins, who is working on the same lines, and appoint such committees and raise such funds as will be necessary to insure the convention being held here Mr. Crimmins has been working hard to accomplish this result and has interested the railroads and business men of the city, hoping to get sufficient pledges of money from them to make a bid for the convention which will have the desired effect. The gentlemen named on the com- mittee were J. Edward Simmons, W. L. Jaques, Simeon W. Ford, Will- iam C. Whitney, John Quincy Adams and Daniel M. Donegan, The last named has had wide experience in arranging national conventions and has been in conference with Mr. Crimmins. The meeting was called to order by Mr. Adams, who explained its object in a short speech. The committee was then named and was given power to act. It was suggested that the committee appoint sub-commit- tees to get to work immediately. Mr. H. D, Dumont said: “I am here representing the Merchants’ As- sociation and have come to say that the association is heartily in favor of this movement and will aid as individuals and as a body. What we want now is money with which to bid for the convention. When the organization begins to act we can be depended upon.” The naming of the committee was then in order. The committee was elected as a whole. Mr. Simmons was made Treasurer of the Citizens’ Com- mittee, with full power. Mr. Crimmins was chosen as Chajrman. While the meeting was in progress Jacob A. Cantor, Borough President was announced and took /his seat in the centre of the men who were ap- pointed on the committee, He said that the movement had his full sym- pathy. A telephone message was received from Mr. Crimmins to the effect that he was held at his own office by a similar meeting, but that he would be in accord with the plans of the other meeting. He said that he could report progress as far as he had gone in trying to seoure the convention, It is not known how much money Mr. Crimmins has now raised, but it Is believed that he has a sufficient fund to make the convention advo- cates feel greatly encouraged. The convention was discussed in all its details before and after adjourn- ment of the meeting. It was agreed that the convention would be a most beneficial thing for New York City. These are some of the men who were present at the meeting: Senator Fitzgerald, Senator Frawley, Peter Voorhis, the real estate broker; James Oliver, Alderman John T, McCall, Timothy P. Sullivan, Simeon Ford, W. L. Jaques, Daniel Donegan, Aldermen Florence, Dowling, Reiteh, Doull, Sheriff-elect Erlanger, John White, W. B. Calvert, and representatives from all of the railroads running into New York. ‘At the meeting held {n the office of Mr. Crimmins the question of rais- ing funds was discussed ani the organization was put on its feet. Mr. Crimmins sald later: “We are doing plendidly. 1 believe that by Tuesday next we will be thoroughly organized and ready to put in our bid for the convention, I have seen the following gentlemen, among others, and all of them are in hearty sympathy with the movement and will assist me in every way: D. S. Lamont, Anthony N, Brady, O. H. P, Belmont, James A. O'Gorman, T. C. Platt, Jefferson M. Levy, F, W. Lawrence, Presi- dent of the Lotos Club; J. Edward Simmons, Bourke Cockran, J. ©. Hen- dricks, Hugh J. Grant, T, C. Barney, R. C, Smith and many other men of prominence. “This {s a business venture solely,” Mr. Crimmins continued. “I have told my co-workers this and they are all working for the good of New York and not for any political movement." CHICAGO, Dev. 30.—Adam A. Goodrich, chairman of the Local Com- mittee formed to secure the National Democratic Convention ior Chicago, to-day announced the names of more than 100 prominent citizens appointed to place Chicago's claim to the convention ee the Navona Conamittes The list includes, jes Chairman bee eioenen: ny "National, Committeeman Thomes Gehan, of Illinol: Mayor Carter H, Harrison and Janes H. Eokels, former Comptroller of the Ss Actas: 4 600 AEP i Other in Mad BODIES OF SIXTY DEAD WERE REMOVED WITHIN AN HOUR AFTER THE FIRE STARTED, Blaze Started in the Electrical Fixtures in the Wings and Spread so Rapidly that the Whole — Structure was Soon Burning---Actors and Actresses Leaped from Stage and Fought to . Get Out. CHICAGO: Dec. 30.—The Iroquois Theatre took fire this afternoon and prob- ably five hundred persons were burned to death amid a frightful panic. The fire started during the matinee performance of “Bluebeard Junior” when the theatre was packed with women and children. The blaze started without warning while the second act of the play was in full ; The flames burst out from the flies of the theatre in full view of the great \ swing. audience. Immediately the theatre Actors and actresses fled and struggled, The panic-stricken people were flames. Fire Marshal Dusham, who personally went in the balcony, reported that there were from three hundred to five hun- dred bodies lying piled up the floors of upper In one place there seemed to be Chief Musham ran up on the two bal- | contes. over a hundred. down in front of the theatre urging a's sake to go upstairs and hin men for and bring the people down Numbers of the firemen rushed up in people down, moat of them unconsctous, Some of peo- and some crushed ple were suffocated by the smoke, but most of them were thrown down during the panic which ensued when some one cried “Fire!” Manager Davis said that tho cry of ‘“Pire created a pantie, and that this accounted for so many losing their lives, Though the fire startetd amid an | electrical display on the stage there | was apparently little protetetion for the audience and those who rushed for the exits became hopelessly wedged in the narrow apevtures which were soon en- veloped in ire, Wild Panic Among the Women and Children in the Iroquois Theatre in Chicago, Who Fought Each Whom Were Trampled to Death in the Aisles. utes the entire interior of the building was a mass of fire and dense smoke, amid which the people fought the smoke and they were soon bringing TRE FIRE! UTED OLAD HR UFFIGIALD Efforts to Escape, and Many of by was filled with cries of “fire.” and the audience rose to its feet and rushed wildly for the doors. The flames spread with remarkable rapidity, soon enveloping the entire stage and swirling throughout the theatre, licking up curtains and draperies. screaming from the stage into the orchestra, fighting with ‘Ithe maddened throng, composed of the audience. The cries of the panic-stricken people could be heard for a block about about the theatre. In a few min- When the firemen arrived they directed all their efforts to breaking the jam at the door and succeeded in pulling out a dozen men and women with their hands and faces burned. caught in a jam at the door and those in the rear were burned by the Women and children climbed upon one = another and fought and scratched to) in reaching the doors were in flames. When the fire started the aisles were =| ON CROSSTOWN CAR had encompassed the Interlor of the theatre the entire alsies were carpeted | Police Surprised at the Contents with the forma of men and women who of a Package Which a Young AY Woman Had Placed on a crowded in the rear of the theatre. men trampled upon the women children heedlessly and before the Are and had been trampled into uncon ness, he panic soon reached the street and spread throughout the netghborhood.| Seat, Meanwhile special calls and a general alarm had gummoned an extraordinary number of fire-engines. Herman nn, of Clevelana ssiael ‘The fire chief and marshalls took im-] Corona, L. I. saw a young woman get off a Twenty-thinl street crosstown car at Second avenue this afternoon! and leave behind her a neatly wrapped parcel, He called to her, but she apparentl, mediate charge of the fire. ‘Two little girls, ten years old, were the first bodies taken out, Later a dozen women, who had been trampled in the balcony and caught in the flames ‘as they swirled up from the stage, were el and ran after aer, but she hiss in the crowd, so he Sy a Seat thing he could 40 would be he package to the East ‘I atregt police station. The curious police un’ carried out. Sixty bodies were taken from this pile alone within an hour after the fire- men got into the huliding,