Newspaper Page Text
t THE MORNING NEWS, )
-( Established 1860. Incorporated 1888.1
( J. H. ESTILL. President. j
HORROR ON A RIVER BOAT
ESTIMATES OF THE LOSS OF LIFE
VARY FROM 30 TO BQ.
Flaquemine on the Mississippi tte
Scene of the Disaster—The Steamer
Laden with 2,500 Bales of Cotton—
The Alarm Given Just Before Mid
night—A Vivid Account.
New Orleans, Dee. 25.—The steamboat
John H. Hanna, from the Ouachita river,
with a large number of passengers and a
cargo of 2,500 bales of cotton on board, was
burned last night at Plaquemine. It is
stated that of 100 persons on board at the
time of the disaster, only fourteen are known
to have been saved. The John H. Hanna was
built in Madison, Ind., in ISTtj, aud hailed
from Louisville, Ky. She was of 377 ton
nage, and was owned by the Ouachita
River Consolidated line. She was valued
at SIB,OOO and was insured for $12,000 in
local and foreign companies.
HER COTTON CARGO.
Capt. J. W. Blanks, president of the com
pany, says that the latest advices he has are
1 1 the effect that the steamboat left Mon
roe, La., Sunday mo; mug at 0 o’clock with
I, bales of cotton. The captain esti
mated that additional cotton had
been picked up on the way down
to make the total number of bales 2,.500.
Upon being questioned as to the number of
passengers on the Hanna, Capt. Blanks
said he thought it was small, as there was
little travel in that section at present.
Plaquemine is a town of 1,700 inhab
itants on the west bank of the Mississippi
river, twenty miles below Baton Rouge ami
110 miles above Hew Orleans.
NAMES OF SOME OF THE LOST:
A special dispatch from Plaquemine says:
“Tho burning of the steamer John H.
Hanna last night near this place was one of
the most terrible river disasters that has
ever happened in southern waters. The
loss of life was very heavy. About thirty
persons perished in the flames and a large
number jumped overboard and were
drowned. Among the lost are Capt.
H imes and first clerk Samuel Powell.
Their bodies have been recovered. Capt.
Holmes’ body was terribly burned.
“ ‘Bob’ Smith, the old pilot of the J. L.
White at the time she was burned, was a
passenger on the John H. Hanna, and was
burned to death. His body has also been
recovered.
“One of the deck hands who escaped says
there were about 100 persons on board and
that only about a dozen can now be found
alive. ,
“The engineer and pilot were saved. All
were burned more or less, some of them se
verely.
BROKE OUT AT MIDNIGHT.
“It was just before midnight that tho
alarm was given. Several of the pas
sengers were seated in the cabin having a
merry time and with no thought of the im
pending catastrophe. Many of the crew
aud passengers were asleep when the fire
broke out, and spread with indescribable
rapidity. The details of the suffering aud
death of some of the passengers are har
rowing in the extreme. The boat had
reached a point which was but a short
distance above the town, when a negro
roustabout near the boiler ran out to the
deck aud shouted that the boat was on fire.
A stoker was , ear the place at the time,
aud seeing.the flames bursting forth from a
big tier of cotton near the boiler, ran hastily
to the engine room and gave the alarm.
SOUNDING THE ALARM.
“Engineer Merriman at once sounded an
alarm by blowing a steam whistle
and ringing the bells. In an instant,
certainly in a much shorter time than
it takes to explain it, the flames
shot through the cabin and over the sides
of the cotton, enveloping the entire boat in
fire. Clerk Powell was up-stairs at the
time, and when he saw the flames ho hero
ically ran through the smoke, which filled
the cabin, and tried to arouse the sleeping
people. He kicked at the doors and in a
short time almost everybody was awake.
PANIC OF THE PEOPLE.
“Then confusion worse confounded ap
peared, and iho frantic people on tho boat
ran to the different exits to make tueir es
cape, but the boat was piled high with cot
ton, and the passageways were filled with
smoke. Many dropped before they were
able to get to the forward part of the boat.
As soon as the Are was discovered En
gineer Merriman set the steam pumps
working and tried to battle with the flames,
but tho tire swept through the boat like a
blaze on a prairie, and the engine room
was soon in flames.
A STEAM PIPE BURBTS.
“Then to add further to the consterna
tion a sts am pine burst and filled the place
with scalding steam. Engineer Merriman
was forced to abandon his post, aud he and
the strikers and others ran to tho aides of
the boat and rushed through pell-mell in
order to save their lives. As soon as the
smoke and flames began to shoot up the
sides of the boat Capt. Jollos, the pilot,
swung tho wheel around and headed the
boat for shore. A full head of steam was
on at the time, and the boat was soon run
into tho bank. All of her timliar was then
furiously burning. When the Hanna struck
tho bank she bounded away again aud
swung around, drifting down as she burned.
Then Capt. Jolles jumped out over the cot
ton bales, and springing into the river,
8 warn ashore.
A WEIRD SIGHT.
“The sight was a weird one, viewed from
tho bank, and the town was aroused. Float
ing cotton, charred timber and other debris
filled the river, and many people were
struggling desperately in the water for their
lives. Some of them were able to swim
ashore, but most of thorn wore so bally
burned or so thoroughly exhausted that
they struggled but a few moments and sank
to rise no more. As the burning boat struck
the bank of the river, the crew and
passengers who had been able to reach t ie
forward end of the boat sprang ashore,
some of them with scorched faces and
bruised limbs, and niauy of them with
scarcely any covering.
SOME OF THOSE WHO ESCAPED.
“Among those who managed to get off
were Capt. Holmes and Bob Smith, tho un
fortunate pilot of tho ill-fated steamer
J. M. White, who was a passenger.
Both meu were burned nigh unto death, and
the story of the manner in whioli they suf
fered is most henrt rending. When the
captain jumped ashore he was horribly
burned and In his frantic desire to bo re
lieved from the pain he was suffering, lie
buried his face aud hands in tho soft mud,
and begged most piteously for someone to
help him. Pilot Smith was just behind
anil was laid out bv the side of the dying
captain. Nothing could bo done for the
suffering men und the two died together on
the river bank.
A CROWD ON THE RIVER BANK.
“Plaquemine was not slumbering whon
the flie broke out, aud when the discovery
was mado that the Hanna was burning
almost the satire town flocked to tho river
hank and watched the \ easel burn. The
struggling unfortunate* who reached the
shore were taken care of and doctors and
others came to their assistance and tried to
her late their sufferings. The City and
The Morning News.
Central hotels and private houses threw
o peu their doors to the ill-fated people and
fed and clothed them until this morning.
The survivors telegraphed accounts of the
disaster to their homes.
FATE OF THE BRAVE CLERK.
“No one saw Clerk Powell, who displayed
much heroism in waking up the passengers
after he had rapped at their doors, and it is
quito positive that he was burned to death
and went down with the steamer. No
attempt was made to save any of the
steamer’s books or papers, and everything,
together with the clothes of the crew and
passengers, was lost.”
“The boat burned rapidly after she
reached tne bank, and in a very short time
after the alarm was given she had burned
to the water’s ege. The hull sank, and
nothing was left of the Hanna but floating
timber and burning cotton.
NAMES OF THE CREW.
“The crew of the boat were: J. S. Holmes,
captain; Samuel Powell and James Jordan,
clerks; Lew Rawlings and Henry Jolles,
pilots: J. H. Handley and J. C. Merriman,
engineers; David Carroll, steward; Samuel
Bryant, first mate; Mike Cussick, second
mate; John Gibbon, a sailorman; Ben
Ducklos and Willie Higgins, barkeepers;
Mrs. Demerry and Mrs. Hunt, chamber
maids; James Handiev and Charles Thomp
son, firemen; John Rucker and Thomas
Cullen, stokers.
SOME OF THE LOST.
“Among those who are lost are:
“Capt. Holmes, master of the boat.
“Samuel Poweli, chief clerk.
“Robert Smith, a pilot from Smith
land, La.
“Michael O’Neill, night watchman.
“Joseph Crane, a cabin watchman.
“Monroe Deck, first cook.
“Jack Duff, second cook.
“Joseph Harvey, cabin boy.
“James Watson, second baker.
“John Grafton, carpenter.
BADLY BURNED.
“Among those who were lost are:
“Dan Carroll, steward.
“Jimmy O’Neill, deck hand.
“John Gibbon, sailorman.
“Louis Welch, a roustabout, and a num
ber of others.”
“Coming down or. the boat as passengers
were a number of the crew of the steamer
Josie W., all of whom were saved.
PRAISE FOR PLAQUEMINE.
“The survivors were all warm in their
praise of the humane people of Plaquemine,
who spared no pains and no money to fur
nish them with clothes and shelter after
their terrible experience. W. L. Brule,
mayor of the city, was especially kind to
the survivors.
“None of the men could say what was the
origin of the fire. The general impression,
however, is that some careless smoker thro w
a cigarette among the cotton bales and
thereby caused the disaster.
“The death of John Grafton, the carpen
ter, was a sad one. He was in the upper
portion of the boat, struggling to get near
the front end. The flames were twisting
and sweeping all about him. He tried
nobly to reach the bow, but be dropped and
and burned to death before the eyes of the
people, who were not able to render him
any help.
CLERK POWELL’S DROWNING. '
“The second barkeeper of the boat said
that Clerk Powell was standing near him
when they both jumped into the water.
Powell, who could not swim, climbed on
a floating cotton bale, but two deckhands
also jumped on the bail, turning it over
and throwing Powell into the water and he
disappeared. The boat was about fifteen
yards from shore when a great many peo
ple plunged into the river aud several who
• reached the bank in safety became bogged
in tho soft mud, and so intense was the
heat of the burning boat that they were
bur; ed to death before they could climb up
the steep Ixtnk to the levee.
MEN MADE MANIACAL.
“The spread of the fire was so rapid that
before the pilot had finished sounding the
throe alarm whistles the entire boat, from
stem to stern, was a roaring mass of flames,
and the scene that ensued was terrible in
the extreme. Men yelled and ran about
the decks like maniacs, and others scream
ing at the top of their voices, threw them
selves into the dark waters and were lost
to sight in the twinkling of an eye.
“The second barkeeper said that several
persons near him struggled In the water
and begged pitifully for help, but he could
not render tnem any assi dance because the
water chilled him to the marrow and his
clothing clogged his every movement.
“The cabin boy who was an assistant of
the steward said that the crew who were in
the Texas were aroused from their slumbers
by the flames which roared over them, and
they were compelled to dive headlong from
the roof of the boat into the river and many
of them were burned to death while in the
water.
“The impression now is that the number
of livei lost will not exceed thirty.”
THE JOSIE W.’S CREW.
“The steamboat Josie W., of the same
line, was laid up at Monroe and her crew
were discharged and sent homo on the
Hanna. This will explain the reference to
the persons belonging to the Josie IV.
There were on the Hanna tairty-three
roustabouts aid eleven belonging to the
Josie W. Of these, thirty-three are known
to be saved, leaving eleven unaccounted for.
“At an ir.qest held at Plaquemine on the
hody of Clerk Powell, $1,009 was found in
his pockets.”
CAPT. HOLMES’ HORRIBLE FATE.
A special to tho Times-Democrat from
Plaquemine, gives the following account
of the death of Capt. Holmes: "The brave
captain, a resident of New Orleans, met
with a most awful death. He remained at
his post of duty till every chance to save
the lives of his passengers was gone. Then
ho leaped iuto tne water to swim for
shore, but it happened to be boggy and
he was seen to make frantic end avors to
exiricato himself without avail. The burn
ing b at was fast nearing him, and while iio
was on his knees in the mud he put his
hands up to protect his back from the in
tense heat. It was an awful moment for
those on the shore, who were making every
endeavor to relieve him with Bkiffs and
with ropes from the bank. One min went
out to him and placed a box between him
and tho flames to protect him from the in
creasing heat.
DIED LIKE A HERO.
“He said: ‘Never mind me. I’ll bo dead
inn few minutes anyway.’ Ho was Anally
freed from his terrible situation by tying a
rope aroung is body and dragging him on
shore, hut alas, too late. Ho died in about
half an hour aft- r being rescue.!.
The body of Chief Clerk Powell was in a
perfect state of preservation. There were
no marks of any kind upon it. He had on a
life preserver which was partly burned. It
is supposed that ho died of suffocation.
A short time previous to the alarm of flro
Clerk Powell was conversing with Willie
Higgins, the barkeeper, about the burning
of the Kate Adams, au account of whicn
Higgins bad just fl.iahed reading. On being
told that fifty lives were lost, Powell said:
‘I can't understand bow eo many live* can
bo lost when land mso near.’ Half an hour
later cruel fate mob him a oorpse floating
down t e river.” , , ,
A liter Fliouinioi •[>cuu tbe
numUM' known to be bnt by tim fl.inuai dU~
o#t6f ii Avu whiUi auJ iilUmu (wlurod.
SAVANNAH, GA„ WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2G, 1888.
BURNEDNEAR THE SHORE
THE STORY OF THE STEAMER FIRE
NEAR SEATTLE.
Five Lives Surely Lost and Possibly
Seven—The Flames Started in the
Pilot House and Spread with Terrible
Rapidity—Leaping into the Water
for Safety.
Seattle, W. TANARUS., Dec. 25.—Later dis
patches confirm last night's report of the
loss of the steamer Leif E: ickson off Alkali
Point, five miles west of this city. Five
lives were lost and perhaps seven. Tho
Erickson was a propeller and plied between
Seattle and Sidney, Mason county, and
was en route to that point when the acci
dent occurred.
BROKE OUT IN THE PILOT HOUSE.
The fire broke out in the pilot bouse, and
it is believed to have been caused by a lamp
explosion. Another theory is that a demi
john iu the pilot house was broken aud that
the whisky ran through to the holler aud
ignited. There were thirty-six people
a >oard at the time. The fire spread in
stantly throughout the interior of the cabiu.
TWO MILKS FROM SHORE.
The boat was about two miles from shore.
Capt. John Niube, tho owner of the boat,
was in command. He left the wheel-hou,e
for the purpose of launching the life raft,
but found the passengers trying to put the
raft overboard. In a struggle to rescue tho
raft from the passengers Capt. Niube fell
overboard with the raft. Meantime the
passengers, putting on life-preservers and
seizing firewood or anything else that
would float, jumped overboard.
HIS NIECE DROWNED BEFORE HIS EYES.
Capt. Niube saw his niece. Miss Annie
Toiluer, struggling in the water about 150
feet from him aud he did his utmost to
push the raft toward her, but she drowned
less than 100 fee; away from him. He was
hampered with gum boots and almost help
loss.
A STEAMER TO THE RESCUE.
The steamer Skagit Chief, en route to
Tacoma, saw the fire, and tho vessel
crowded oa steam to give assistance, suc
ceeding iu rescu’ng seven people. The
steamer Mountaineer saw the burning ves
sel four miles away and headed straight for
her. When within half a mile of the Eric
son they found people struggling in the
water, lowered small boats and succeeded
iu rescuing nineteen persons. One man
who was taken from the water alive died in
a few minutes after. His name is not
known.
NAIL MAKERS IDLE.
*-
Dullness of Trade Given as the Cause
of a Shut Down.
Reading, Pa., Dec. 25.—A large number
of employes of the Pottstown Iron Com
pany’s nail factory at Pottstown, who were
discharged last night, held a meeting
to-day to decide as to whether to
remain in Pottstown or to seek
employment elsewhere. About 250 are
affected in all, including 150 nailers.
Nothing definite was arrived at, some
being in favor of informing the company
that they were willing to work at a reduc
tion if they resumed at once, while others
declared that they would go elsewhere.
Whon the 250 nail factory employes were
paid off last night they received the follow
ing notice:
The accompanying pay is in full of all your
wages to date and terminates your employment
with this company.
The managers of the company claim that
the factory is shut down because of dull
ness in the trade.
BLACKSMITH’S DISBAND.
The Membership of Their Assembly
Becomes to Small to Pay Expenses.
Reading, Pa., Dec. 25.—Blacksmith’s
Assembly, No. 5319, Knights of Labor, of
this city, has disbanded. The members
were blacksmiths empl yed in the Phila
delphia & Reading railroa 1 shops, and at
one time had a strength of over 400. The
membership graduady dwindled down to
twenty-seven, and it was then found that
they wore no longer able to keep up the ex
penses, and $750 wtiich was in the treasury
was divided between the survivors.
WOOL GROWERS GREEDY.
Tho Senate’s Tariff Schedule not High
Enough to Suit Them.
Columbus, Ohio, Dec. 25.— Columbus
Delano, president of the National Wool
Grower’s Association, has issued au address
to the wool growers of the United States in
which he calls a meeting of the officers of
the national and stato association of wool
growers at Washington, D. C., Thursday,
January 10. He says in his address that
the wool schedule pending before tho Sen
ate fails to afford adequate protection to
the industry, and it is to consider this and
similar questions of relief that the meeting
is called.
WAHALAK’S FUGITIVES.
Three Captured—Three of the Leaders
Wounded in the Fight.
St. Louis, Dec. 25. —Latest advices from
Wahalak. Miss., the scene of the late race
troubles, are to the effect that three negroes
have been captured, but their names
are withheld. From the prisoners
just taken, it is learned that
George Maurey, Cash Mauroy and
George Coleman were wounded in tho fight
of Sunday night, Doc. 10th. Walter Crook,
the niosi, intelligent of the fugitives, is sup
posed to be in hiding at the residence of a
white man, and a search warrant lias been
secured to ran ack tne place. The wounded
men are slowly recovering.
Charged with Poisoning Her Husband
Ora.nCOUk, Va., Doc. 25.— Mrs. William
J. Taylor, living near this place, was to-ilay
arrested on a charge of having poisouud
her husband, who died a week ago. Au in
2uest was held at winch evidence was pro
uced showing tnat she had purchased
strychnine, and an autopsy showed that the
de <d man’s stomach contained a consider
able quantity of that drug. -Mi. Taylor is
31 years of age aud quite attractive in ap
pearance. It is supposed that there is a
mau connected with the case. Taylor’s
lite was insured for $2,000.
lowa’s Evicted Veterans.
Pis Moines, la., Dec. 25.—Commander
Comfigny, of the lowa department of the
Grand Army of the Republic, has been
looking up the union veterans among the
evicted settlers of the De* M firms river lauds
in order to aid the needy. He finds that
there are few union s fillers umong them.
Thero is a large number of ox-Co .federates.
A Gray-Headed Cracksman.
New Madrid, Mo., Dec. 25.—A gray
hsired man over 00 years old was arrested
here yesterday for rubbing tbe sbaillf's
office of $3,1u0 .Saturday night. He bad a
complete outfit of bugler's tools, aud car
ried large bunch** of keys aud several
yard* of fuse, and is th <ugut t j be an old
professional. Us gives bis name as Corey.
GIFTS FOR 15,000 CHILDREN.
A Monster Christmas Tree for the
Poor Mites of St. Louis.
St. Louis, Dec. 25.—There was a rare
scene at the exposition building to-day, the
occasiou being a distribution of presents to
tbe children of the poor from the I\tst-Dis
patch Christmas tree, for which u fund of
nearly SIO,OOO had been subscribed by the
general public. The subscriptions were
started with 10-cent contributions, with no
idea of tho magnitude the all'air was to as
sume, aud the result bus far exceeded the
most sanguine expectations of tho pro
jectors.
15,000 CHILDREN GUT GIFTS.
Fully 15,000 children received presents,
ami for hours the streets iu the vicinity of
tbe exposition b diding were blockaded with
humanity. Children b gan to arrive as
early as 0 o’cl ck this m ruing, and it was
late in the evening before tne inites of hu
manity had disappeared. A detail of fifty
policeman took charge of the entrance of
tbe building. Soon after the citizens’ com
mittee put in an appearance the doors were
opened ami tbe great crowd of children be
gan to p ur into tbe hall. It, was a difficult
job to control the eager onus, but no acci
dents occurred.
no adults admitted.
No adults were admitted owing to the
lack of room, but hundreds of parents
waited on the outside in tbe drizzling rain
until the children came out loaded with
their presents from the great tree. The
Cavalry depot band, by permission of t ,e
Secretary of War, furnished music, aud a
two hours’ euteriaimneut was given by
arrangement of the citizens’ committee.
the tree.
Tho tree which was placed on the stage,
was an immense affair towering aivay into
the flys and loaded with presents. The
morning scene was repeated in the after
noon, and to-night tho general public were
admitted. There will be a fund of several
thousand dollars remaining from to-day’s
entertainment which will bo utilized for
purchasing clothing, shoes, etc., tor tbe
children of the poor.
After the entertainment John J. Jen
nings, of the Post-Dispatch, the originator
of the Christmas tree project, nod by
whose efforts it was chiefly carried out,
was presented with an elegaut gold watch
by the citizens committee.
A TRAIN HELD UP.
Doubt aa to Whether tha Amount
Stolen Was Large or Small.
Tkuckee, Cal., Dec. 25.—The express
car on the east bound overland train was
robbed last night two miles oast of Clipper
Gap. Bob Johnson, the express messenger,
says that he was sitting at his desk and his
helper was assorting out the packages to be
left at Colfax, when suddenly the glass
transoms ovor the two doors, one
on each side of the car, wore
broken simultaneously and <wo revolvers
wero thrust through, covering both messen
gers. Johnson was compelled toopon the
door and let one of the robbers in, being
ordered to keep one hand held tup. The
other robber reached inside and Unlatched
the door, letting himself in. He
then covered tne messengers, while the first
robber took from the case all the coin pack
ages, which he placed in a pouch slung
across his shoulders. The robbers then
jumped from the train. W hen the train
stopped at New England mills themessoi
gers gave a description of tho robbers, who
were only partially disguised, and were
both young men. They were apparently
well acquainted with tho route and both
messengers. Tho descriptions were tele
graphed in different direction* from Col
fax and two tramps were held as witnesses.
The amount of the loss is not known but it
is believed that it will reach into the thous
ands.
POSSIBLY ONLY SSOO GONE.
Sacramento, Cal., Dio. 25.—The agent
hereof Wells, Fargo & Company’s express
states that it is probable that the amount
secured by tbe men who robbed the ex
press company on tho east bound Central
Pacific train las night, near Clipper Gap.
will not oxceeil SBOO. The robbers boarded
the train while it was running slowly
through a snow shed. A package contain
slo,ooo in the express car was overlooked
by tbe robbers.
MURDERED WITH A CLUB.
A Boy Kills His Mother and Sister and
Disappears.
Muscogee, Indian Ter., Deo. 25. Ator
riblo double murder occurred Sunday night
on the Rogers farm, five miles west of here.
A widow named Sarah Johnson and her
family of four children occupied the farm.
The eldest of the children was a desperate
boy named Charles. The others wore a girl
of 12, a boy of 10 and a baby of 3 years.
discovery of the crime.
Tbe 10-year-old boy was visiting and
when be returned bom* yesterday he
found his 12-year-old sister lying dead on
the steps. Terrified at the sight ho hastened
to a neighbor’* house and gave the news. A
crowd was quickly assembled and hastened
to the window*. Not more than tw qt.y
steps from tbe door lay tbe widowed
mother with her head beaten into a jelly.
By her side lay a huge oak club covered with
blood, with which the terriblo crime hod
been committed.
THE DEAD GIRL.
Near the doorstop on the opposite side of
the cabin, was found tho inungl and remain*
of tho 12-year-old daughter. The 3-year-old
baby was still in the house alive. The eldest
sou lias not been seen since tho night of the
crime, and he was known to hnvo ha l fre
quent quarrels with Ills mother. It Is sup
posed that he was the perpetrator of trie
horrible crime or at least an accomplioe
to it.
WHITE GAPS SUSPECTED.
An Indiana Farmer Called to His
Door and Shot.
Huntingburg, Ind., Dec. 26.—Sebastian
Hobbs, a farmer living three miles from
Bird’s Eye, in Dubois county, was called out
of his bouse Saturday night and two shots
were fired at him. One shot struck him in
tbe abdomen, producing a fatal wound. A
man named Smith w* arrested on sus
picion of having done ebe shooting. Hobbs
has made himself obnoxious to the White
Caps by procuring evidence against them
and urging prosecution.
More Trouble at Bevier.
St. Louis, Mo., Dec. 25.—Trouble broke
out afresh at Bevier, Mo., tho *ceue of the
recent mine troubles, Wednesday. The
negroes were the aggressors and not only
did thev grow boisterous, but attempted
intimidation by free use of firearms. Tbe
militia acted promptly and to-night five of
tbe ringleaders are In the guard bouse.
Drowned While Banting.
Lake Village, N. H , Dec. 23. George
B. Keuov* and Burt L. Renew, father and
•on. and Ammon V*a*ejr were drowned in
Round bay, near here, tbie afternoon while
skating. The eider itenow wa* 40 rear*
old, the eon 13 and Vea-ey 15. The latter'•
body has not yet been roaovered.
WAR DRUMS STILL ROLL
THE FEELING AT THE GERMAN
CAPITAL ON CHRISTMAS DAY.
The Same Feeling of Anxiety Preval
ent on the Great Annual Holiday for
Three Years Past-Th© Kaiser’s Lau
rels of Peace France’s Smokeless
Rifle
Berlin, Dee. 25.— Tho burden of tho
Christmas comment of the press and pulpit
reverts to tho anxieties prevalent at the
samo period for the lust three years, and to
the existing prospects of peace. Germany
holds a weiknacht breathing peace, while
conscious that the war drum still rolls afar.
The weather has not beau Christmas-iiko.
Instead of a crisp frost there has been a pro
longed period of damp, cold and
rainy weather, and the streets of
the capital abound in mud. Trades
men’s hearts have been made
lighter for the past few days by an in
flux of buyers that exceeded ail expecta
tions. The empress has been actively'
engaged la buying presents for tho court
and royal family. Las, evening, aftor the
imperial dinner at the palace, the gifts were
distributed. Tho household officials of the
empress and Dowager Empress Augusta
made unusually large purchases for dis
tribution among the poor.
Notwithstanding that the court mourning
extends to official circles, Berlin makes
merry. Within tho royal schloss the
presence of the youthful family keeps times
lively.
LAURELS OF PEACE.
When the emperor visited the Vulcan
ship building works at Bredow Saturday,
he was gieelad by 3.0U0 workmen, who
lined the approach to the works. A crown
of laurels was offered to the emperor, who,
in accepting it, said: “I thank you, these
are the flr.'t luurela that have been offered
to me. lam happy to think that they are
the laurels of peace.”
WISSMANN’S COMING TRIP.
When Lieut. Wissmau returns from vis
iting friend* at Lauterburg the staff ap
pointments for the Emin relief expedite n
will be made. The preparations for the
expedition will be necessarily delayed until
the government’s plans assume more defi
nite shape. Iu connection with the report,
i hat tho government intends to appoint an
inqienal commissary to tho colonial force,
Lieut. Wissman is already named as the
probable appointee. Count Pfeil, ugont ol
.he East Africa Company, who is person
ally known to Prince Bismarck, is men
tinned as the probable governor of the ten i
tory.
BISMARCK’S ILLNESS.
The chancellor’s illness, winch has given
rise to alarmist rumors in the progressists
press aud French newspapers, does not
cinder his work. He has wired his con
gratulations to Lord Salisbury regarding
the English victory in Butikiin.
Prince Bismarck ignores the appeal of
Sir R. D. Morier, the British ambassador
at St. Petersburg, to authorize an official
contradiction of the charges recently
made by the Cologne Gazette of his Having
anti-German leauiugs and at having, while
at Darmstadt in 1870, sent the fim
ewe of the advance of tne Germans across
the Mozelis to London, whence tho new,
reached Marshal Bazaine. The English em
ba,sy do not ex|iect that Prince Bisinarcs
will direct the semi-official press to adopt a
more moderate tone. On the contrary,
they think that unless tho objects of the
attack are aitoiued, he may order that a
more aggressive attitude be assumed.
A LOAN TO BULGARIA PROHIBITED.
Herr Blolschroder, the banker, privately
visited Friednchsruhe last week. It is sur
misod ti at his visit was for the purpose of
consulting with Prince Bismarck in regard
to the c miing imperial loans. Immediately
after the visit tho Frankfort syndicate,
which was arranging a loan of 7,000,000
marks tor the Bulgarian government, re
ceived official notice ; hat the Issue of such
a loan would be impossible within German
territory.
More changes are being made in hi/h
milit.ry commands. Gen. Winterflold,
governor of Mayence, has been retired,
Gon. Reibnitz replacing him. Hmce the
emperor began the work of reforming the
service sixty-five generals have been
placed on the retired list,
POISONED BY HIS STOCKINGS.
Herr Bonin, president of the ministry of
Gotha, is dying fro n blood poisoning
caused by die stuff in bis hunting stockings.
The rift* factories at Hpandau, Dantzick
and Erfurt are turning out 50,000 repeaters
of anew pattern every mout.h At this
rate two years will bo required to arm the
rcgulais and land wo ,r.
The French government, during the re
cent stay of the Kasdan grand dukes iu
Paris, offered to plae the Lebul rifle
at tho disposal of tho czar on condition that
the whole Russian supply bo mud© in
Franco. Tho czar has as yet come to no
decision regarding the proposal. Although
lie.tlinr tho Austrian M iniilicher rifle nor
the Guruiau rejieator is smokeless like the
1.-hoi rifle, they aro believed to bo re
liable.
Lieut. IV issman’s appointment a* an offi
cial of tho foreign service is confirmed.
THE ATTACK RESUMED.
Tho Cologne Gazette in an article to-day
renews the a tack on Kir R. M M irris, the
British ambassador at Bt. Petersbug. it
says:
We assert that liaraine named Hir Morris
whniii InirnisUsdc as the author of the Info run
ti<hi which reached him about the moToiiieui*
of the German troop*. Wo are prepared to
prove our statement*.
GERMANY WON’T RESTRICT ITS ACTION.
LONDON, Dec. 2<i, 4 a. m.—The Berlin cor
respondent of the Standard says there is
reason to believe that the German govern
ment will not restrict it* action hi East
Africa to a land aud sea blockade,
but that Lieut. Wissinann has bleu
ordered to crush the revolt on the
coast und to establish stations, so as to
insure order. The East Africa company
have protested against certain passages in
the “white book” giving tbe spesen made
by Count Herbert Bismark, in the Reich
stag. They indignantly deny that they are
'heebiof importers of arms and ammuni
tion. _
Gladstone at Naples.
Naples, Dec. 25.—Mr. Gladstone at
lendtd service in tbe English church here
to-day. The British co sul and many
others cordially grunted him. The pro
fessor* of the university will appoint a com
niitleu to convey their congratulation* to
Mr. Gladstone on the 79th anniversary of
his birth, which occurs December 29.
Ezteneive kvlctlone.
Dublin, Dec. 25 —Tbe police and mili
tary are making preparation* for extensive
evictions on the Olpberte-Ardmiore estate
at Letter kennev. The house* of tbe tenants
have been strongly fortified and a desperate
struggle is imminent.
Permanent Fort* aiauaklm.
London, Dec. 25.—Before withdrawing
entirely from Muakim the British will build
strong perinoneut fort* ou wu.'h gun* will
tie mounted *u oa to sweep the plains. Block
regiment* will be left to garruua the place.
BOULANGIBM picking up.
God. Montauban's Candidacy a Won
derful Help to the Movement.
Paris, Dec. 25.—Gen. Boulanger an
nounces Ills intention to content against the
ministerial candidate the seat for Paris in jthe
chamber of deputies made vacant by the
death of M. Hude. Republican journals
urge the republicans to unite in support of
a single candidate.
Gen. Boulanger's cause has received an
immense accession in the candidature of
Cle i, Montauban for a seat in the cbamb r
of deputies. His appearance as a candidate
iu the department or Boiniue conjoined with
Gen. Boulanger, opens favorably for the
lloulaugists a most moniuutous elec
tion campaign. The ministers feel
the danger acutely, and to-day
they belli a council at the Blysce to consider
how to face the situation. Gen. Montauban
?ives his cachet to the army’s support of
Jen. Boulanger. He says: "Si ice Grave
lotto, when hu Hold in check the attack of
Von Hteinmetr.'s corps on the left of the
French lines, his name has been cherished
by the army. During tho live years of his
command of the second army corps ho
added to his popularity.”
AN ESPOUSAL OF BOULANGER’S PRO
GRAMME.
Oon. Montnuban’s election address is a
frank espousal of the Boulanger programme.
He denounces tho ebatnner of deputies os
being poworloss for good, as offending the
natioual conscience, and ns co uprotnising
the interests of tho country. He demands
the summoning of a constituent assembly
as alone competent to express tho national
will. He invokes his own past, show
ing thnt hitherto he was a stran
ger to personal party quarrels and
that fie was now actuated solely by motives
of patriotism. Gen. Montauban appears ns a
conservative. His return to the cltambar is
certain. Tne assailants of the government
now comprise conservatives wanting re
vision, Bouapartists and Boularigist radi
cals. In government ranks the opportu lists
and moderates have a strong personal ele
ment.
DIVIDED ON THE REVISION QUESTION.
M. Floquet, M. Clemonoeau, M. Ferry,
M. Lacour, M. Reinach and other
leaders are divided ou tho
question of tho necessity of
revision of the constitution, butt are united
against Boulanguristn. M. Floquet domi
nates now and appears to be determined to
keep the lead. Ho is pressing his colleagues
to draw away tho conservative support
from Gen. Boulanger by proffering a re
vision bill ac om primed by a Fcrutin do
Arroudisseinent measure, or the one man
one vote system, and thou dissolve tlm
chamber.
The influence of tbo Panama collapse
on the electorate depends upon a variety
of chances, iucludi g the time nt which tho
election is held. It the present shareholders
who are now unable to realize that their
savings have boon swamped g t time to
connect their ruin with the present form of
republic, Gon. Boulanger will triumph.
Meetings of Panama shareholders in the
provincial centers continue to pass
resolutions iu support of Count
Do Lesxops and to sigu engagements
biuding them to forego payment
of interest by the company. This action,
however, does not affect tbo general belief
that the company has collapsed. At a
meeting at Bordeaux ou Saturday 1,200
shareholders signed an agreement to forego
tho payment of Interest, and at Angers yes
terday several hundred signatures were
obtained to a similar agreement.
BOULANGER TALKS OF BEING PRESIDENT.
Paris, Dec. 25—Gen.Boulanger, in an in
terview to-day, extolled Mr. Itionach for
demanding the annulment of the decree of
banishment again at the Due D’Aumale.
He said: “Tho first act of my government,
if the country raises me to the pre-idency,
will lie to rencal tho laws relating to ban
isbment, to readmit everybody, and open
to all Frenchmen the Franco I love so well.
SERVIA’S NEW CONSTITUTION.
King Milan Endeavoring to Pacify
the Opposition.
Vienna, Dec. 25.—The latest advices
from Belgrade show King Milan’s utter dis
trust of a radical majority. It is officially
announced that be will open the skupts
cbina with an inaugural message instead of
u from tbo throne. The messag
wifi not require an address in reply. Tho
object of this is to silence the skuptschina
until negotiations with the leaders of (he
majority either s cooed or fail. King
Milan to day receivedadeputation from the
radical club, wh > protested against certain
clauses in the revised constitution. The depu
tation than formally presented the thanks of
tbe radicals to King Milan for summoning
tho skuptschina. The king promised to
alter the objectionablo clauses of tho con
stitution. He afterwards held a conference
with Herr Hlstitch, who since says he is
sanguine that the radicals are appeased and
will vote for the new constitution.
HONORS TO EX-QUEEN NATALIE.
Odessa, Dec. 25. —Ex-Queen Natalie, of
iiervia, has b on received with royal hon
ors during her tour. Upon her arrival at
the Russian frontier, the imperial chamber
lain welcomed her on bebali of the czar and
czarina. At various towns at which
she stopped, the burgomasters presw ted
bread and salt, and all expressed a hope
that she would reasceud ibe throne. A
gun boat is li Id in readiness to convey the
ex-queen from Yalta iu the event Of a crisis
in Hervia. Gen. Iguatioff has gone to
Yalta incognito to have ail interview with
ex-Queen Natalie.
BEVERAI. AMENDMENTS ACCEPTED.
Belgrade, Dec. 25.—King Milan lias
accepted teveral important amindineuts to
the constitution wuich were proposed by
tbe radicals. Capi l punishment for
political offenses, except attempts upOD tbe
life of the king or crown prince, Is abol
ished. Citizens can not be arrested with
out a judicial warrantor be pla ed under
police supervision without judicial sen
tence. The members of tbe royal family
shall not marry without the consent of the
crown. The king can sign uo commercial
treaty without tbs consent of the skupt
scbina, which will control all tho finauces
of the kingdom.
Forty men have been summoned from
eerh provincial earrison iu Hervia tor duty
in Belgrade. 1 here are fears of trouble
during the coming session of tbe skupts
cblua.
Tbe Tagblatt ears that King Milan has
drafted an act of abdication, whi:h will
shortly be presented to tbe skuptschina.
ABOHINOFF’S ■XPJDITION.
Tbe Huseian Government Stop* It at
tbe Last Moment.
Odessa, Dec. 25.—Tbe government at
tbe last moment placed an embargo on
Aschinoff’s expedition to Abyssinia, and
compelled she iniseiouiirlesand other mem
bers of the party to disembark. All tbo cau
tion ands ores were unshipped. Tbe espia
netion given is that the government was
oppose! to tbe expedition on account of lU
irregular character. It ie expected that
Russia will soon formally claim tbe loneer
settlement of New Moscow, iu East Af n-a.
Tbe setUuu.eni is contiguous to tbe English,
Italian and German possessions in that re-
SM.M.
I DAILY. $lO A YEAR. 1
< 6 CENTS A COPT. V
( WEEKLY ,sl.ilo A YEAR. S
THREE ACRES IN FLAMES
CINCINNATI THE SCENE OF THE
SWEEPING CONFLAGRATION.
Hard Work by the Firemen all That
Prevented a Much More Disastrous
Record—A Cordage Factory, Two
Furniture Factories and Saveral
Dwellings Reduced to Ruins.
Cincinnati, 0., Dec. 25.—There was a
gr nt fire in Cincinnati to-day. It began at
8:30 o’clock in the morning and burned to
ashes factories anddwellingx covering three
acres of ground. At the corner of Budd
and Harriett streets, in tbe rope walk of
the Charles C. Jacobs Cordage Company
tho fire started. It spread rapidly in this
building, in which tow and other material
fed tho flames, and it soon extended to the
large stable of tbe works and the platform
of tho Cincinnati, Hamilton and Dayton
railroad, whose tracks run alongside tbe
walk for over 500 feet. Soon eight box and
four fiat cars on the railroad were burning
and tho fire had extended over a great area.
FURNITURE IN THE PATH.
Though the weather was calm the in
terne bent f the wooden buildings sc tt he
Haines into the limber yard of the Be ts
Struct Furniture Company, whore 175.C00
worth of furniture wus burned to msium.
By this time the heat was almost unb •a-ji
ble. Sooner than it takes to write tho
words the factory of the Central Kurni. . e
Association, worth witu its contents $75,-
000, was ablaze, and doomed todestruct on,
and tbe Queen City Twine Company’s fac
tory, worth with its contents SBO,OOO, whs a
minute later iu the merciless euibr icj of
the lire.
DWELLINGS DESTROYED.
From tlie-ie buildings the fire spread to
adjacent dwellings. Two brick dwellings
on Budd street, tbo property of Cbarie, H.
Jacobs, worth $15,000, were destroyed. A
three-story bricK dwelling on Budd s: net,
belonging to Harry Mayberry, worth
SO,OOO, was next burned to the ground.
Two frame dwellings on Budd street were
aLso burned. The loss on tbe rope walk, a
long wooden building, was about $8,030;
that of tbo Cincinnati, Hamilton and Day
ton railroad, including twelve oars, witu
their contents, is about $20,000. In addi
tion to tile houses destroyed, there were a
score or more of dwellings in the neighbor
hood more or less scorched.
HARD WORK ALONE CHECKED IT.
A large part of tbe force of tho fire
department was kept busy extinguishing
and re-extioguixhing incipient tires in
dwellings; in fact, the department bad its
hands (uil to keep tbe fire from becoming a
sweeping conflagration, and iu this the
calmness of the day was a great help. Tne
total loss and dumage is rather over than
under $1100,(XX). The property was fairly
well insured. Three firemen were knocked
out of service by injuries, but nono of them
are seriously hurt.
MARBLEHEAD DEVASTATED.
Many Firmß and Families Burned Out
at a Total Loss ot $500,000.
Boston, Dec. 20—12:40 a. m.—A conflag
ration is raging in Marblehead, the larger
part of the town being on fire. Help baa
been sent from Salem, Lynn and other
places, but the firemen seem unable to
chock the flames. Salem reports that all
tho telephone wires to Marblehead are
down and that notlii ig can be obtained
from there by telephone. The Western
Union office at Afarblencad is burned out
aud the operator is endeavoring to open
communication by establishing a temporary
office in a field some distance outside of the
village. It has been impossible as yet to
obtain any details.
SOME OF THE FIKMfI BURNED OUT.
Marblehead, Mass., Dec. 2ts, 2 a. m.—
Marblehead is on fire, for tne second tuna
iu her history. ’1 he entire business portion
is in ruins, and the following firms are
burned out: Krnpley & Bros., E.
H, Woodbury, Johnson H.irner, J. C.
Reach, William .Steve is, Jr., & Sons,
Edward Hathaway, Joshua Lafavour, the
Boston aud Maine depot aud several other
buildings. Tbe fire stai ted in Rowers’ fur
niture store. It is tbe largest fire that ever
visited the place, aud the people are panio
stricken.
This dispatch is sent with great difficulty
over a Lustily improvised wire, and com
munication is liable to tie interrupted at
any moment.
THE LOSS $500,000.
Marblehead, Mans., Dec. 2fi, 2:40 a. h.
—Tbe fire Btarterl about 10 o’clock in tbe
baminent of D. H. Rowers’ furniture store,
on Pleasant street, and is said to have been
caused by an explosion of benzine.
At midnight it was estimated
that seven acres ha<l been burned over, and
that tbe entire loss whs at least $500,000.
Among the buildings that bad then been
burned wore: The Powers block, Recha
bits block, William Oold ihwsite’a
three-story building, Monroe’s large
shoe factory, a three-story block
occupied by dry goods st'rea
and the Boston branch grocery on tbe first
floor, a Masonic hall on the second and a
skating rink on the third; tbe four-story
Allerion block; the American Express
building. Simons’ variety store, the dwell
ings of Daniol Broden, George Church and
Tho*. Falls, Metcalf’s box factory and other
buildings. Two families lived in tbe
Powers block, where the fire originated, but
f i tunatoly escaped. Nearly tho -ame ter
ritory was burned over about twelve yeara
ago. Tbe tire started I,early tbe same
place. Many of to-night’s victims were
also sufferers by tbe former fire.
IRON BARB LAUGHED AT.
Fourteen Prisoners Escape by a Rope
t> ade of Blankets.
Chattanooga, Tenn. Dec 25.—Fourteen
prisoners escaped from tbe Hamilton county
jail at 2 o’clock this morning by cutting off
six iron rods an inch in diameter aud sliding
down a rope made of blankets to tbe grou .and.
Officers have been searching tbe country in
all directions, but uuueof tbe iugitivet have
been recaptured.”
A Drunken Man Runs Amuck.
Pittsburg, Dec. 25.—A Charleston, W.
Va., special says: "This afternoon Fount
Horner, aged 20 years, became crazy with
drink and obtaining a club ran tbiough the
streets knocking down and severely injur
ing several people. Tbe last mrn he struck,
Edward Aimes, drew a knife aud killed bia
assailant. Aimes was arrested but after
ward was discharged.
Mild Weather in Austria.
Vienna, Dec. 25.—The weather is r> mild
that excursions are being made to
bchuacbcrg and other tourist resorts, which
usually during tne winter season are barred
by ice and snow.
Dr. Boggs Will Be Chancellor.
Athens, Ga., Dec, 25,—Dr. William K.
Biggs, who was elected cb .noslior of the
state university some time ago, has notified
tbe trustees ot his aoceptauc'. H i says he
will undertake the duties of the obauc-nlor*
ship about April L