Newspaper Page Text
( the MOItSISa NEWS, )
' UvA INCORPORATED iff??. -
/ J. H. ESTILL, President. I
MAD HORDE
A SCRAMBLE FOR LOTS, TOWN
SITES AND HOMESTEADS.
One Man Shot Dead by a Settler Hid
in the Bush—3oxl4o Decided on as
the Size of Guthrie’s Lots A
scarcity of Water and Food—All in
Confusion.
Arkansas City, Kan., April 20.— A
gcecial from Guthrie, sent at an early hour
this morning, says that three men who
took claims there yesterday were murdered
about 5 o’clock by claim jumpers. The
nsmes of the assailants and their victims
eeuld not be learned. A vigilance com
mittee is now scouriag the country in
geareh of the miscreants.
On the Oklahoma boundary, Lieut.
Foster, who started the pilg; ims Saturday
comi )g via Arkansas City on the trail, esti
mates that at least 4,000 outfits and 10,000
j,t opic ranged along the bordor of his trail.
They started at the sound of a bugle.
Lieut. Waite, a nephew of the late Chief
Justice Waite, started those entering at the
Caldwell trail, and Col. Ware started those
on the Hunnewell trail, he being in charge
of this territory. Capt. Hays started these
entaring by the Black Bear trail.
ALMOST BEYOND BELIEF.
It seems like a fairy story, but there is
scarcely a doubt that from 20,(Mi1) to 30,000
entered by these trails, while six trains that
came in from Arkansas City to Guthrie
brought at least 6,0J0 people. The wagon
road runs within 100 yards of the railroad
all tbo way. The Cimarron ford on the
Cimarron or Little Arkansas river,
is just three-fourths of a mile
from where the railroad crosses that
stream near the old site of Camp Russell.
All along the route were to be seen deer,
antelope, prairie chickens and quail. Two
. deer were within ten rods of a train, and at
least fifty shots were fired at them from
the car windows and by those on the roof,
without elf ct. Trie prairie chickens and
quail that wore near enough to the train to
sight were also treated to a similar salute.
JUMPING FROM TIIE TRAIN.
When the train crossed the last stream.
Cottonwood creek, just before entering
Guthrie, the passengers began jumping off,
and rushing up the hill on the side of
the track toward the land office, whero tho
town site is to be laid out. One fellow be
came so excited that be jumped through a
car window. When the train stopped at
Guthrie station there was an indiscriminate
rush—men and boys running over each
ether to get to the land office first or squat
on a claim. A scarcity of water will cause
ring until wells are dug, unless the
water in Cottonwood creek can be
filters 1. An enterprising real estate
man had a carryall at the depot when
the train arrived and offered to carry the
people to his lots over on tho oast side and
sail lots at ?1 apiece. The crowd around
the land office is too great to be numbered
and those who did nut get in to file their
claims last night slept whore they were in
line to be on hand this morning.
TOWN SITES INNUMERABLE.
Two miles each way from Guthrie
station town sites are staked off, and there
was not a section between there and Alfred
that did not have one or more quarter sec
tions staked off. The people hero are dum
f .unded and look at the vast multitude
crowding into the country in silent
wonder. Returning on the trains
hundreds of prairie schooners were
p.-.ssed still winding tkoir way to the prom
ised land. As Guthrie was found already
staked out when t:e first traiu got there
some ugly rumors wore at once started re
tie ti ig on the United States officers and
the officials of the Santa Fe road. It is
claimed that Director Carr of that road
has been at Guthrie for several days and
that they, as well as the government
itiicials, connived with men hiding in the
bush on the west bottom, shielding them
from the scrutiny of the soldiers, that those
officials on both sides had the town all laid
out quietly and bad an understanding with
ti -e bush tiiders so that they all rushed iu
arul staked oif claims before any
train arrived. Although the regular
train from the south, which arrived about
1-: !f> o’clock yesterday afternoon, was not
allowed to carry any boomers, when it
reached Edmunds at 11:30 o’clock, it lay
there until 12:05 o’clock, when a party of
surveyors got oif, said to bo railroad men.
heu the people at Edmunds saw this,
they rushed out and began staking off
claims also. Persons who arrived on the
regular train from the south say that hun
dreds .it claims were staked out at Guthrie
" en they urn, there. A sixty-room hotel
" ill be ship)>ed from Kansas City and be
ready for business at Guthrie by Saturday.
15,000 IN CAMP.
Fifteen thousand home-soekors aro
camped on the grassy upland of Guthrie,
the pioneer city of Oklahoma. Their
imp hres gleam in the darkness and thoir
loom athwart the sky lino an army
in b.v uae. Guthrie, hitherto an insignifi
cant station in a wild and uninhabited
country, remote from civilization, has now
n I" riiati mof moro than 15,000. All this
V ” 1 ganiod in an afternoon. Iu no coun
try save America and no part
of that country save the great
west, could such a thing be possible.
11 the liist train arrived at Guthrie
■ r m Arkansas City tho embryo streets and
1 's of the new city hod been alreudy laid
' ut by enterprising citizens who had been
early on the scene. Hardly tiad the cars
slowed down at the station when eager
m n leaped from the car windows, slipped
mm the i-'. f of the coaches nud poured
out of the doors iu streams. In a minute
■ ipe l ading up from the station whs
K "Oil men rushing headlong eager for
<' voted town lots. fit two minutes not
'"‘f the men who had died the traiu was
1 wit in speaking distance of the rail
way.
„ RAPID WORK.
by the time this crowd had reached tbo
• u the lanu office, Iho men who had
■ i limning parallel lines for streets and
' nv, ‘ 1 in stakes for town lots, were well on
"ji whv along the level strip of land east
'Hie land office. The crowd then rushed
‘ ward at n tremendous rats. Men who
'light along a musliu sign bearing the
, 1 '*' Rank of Guthrie, were compelled
take up h | ot olje Ull | o popg of
( ,tlon - Ihe next, train from Arkansas
, 1 brought a ttioman i horaesoekors about
*' minutes later. Tbo men in thi- train
1 across tGo prairie liko an army
-■laigmjf tho wing of an enemy. They
’>l "lit north ands >utli with axes and
1 . and stakes, and began with wonder
“ igy tlm I cation of lots and streets,
f. *' urth, fifth and sixth trains
„ n . rkan-its swelled tho number to as
■ . i "''ousand. When the seventh and
1 ' reins came In late iu the afternoon
; • 't wd Im l over Mowed all the bounds of
ti .'"S’ streets, amt town lots had bieu ex
two miles, on the north a mile
a half and on the s mth nearly a mile.
ALL F.AST OF THE TRACK.
- at ompt ha l been* made to lay out a
>u on tno west side of the track. This
' •and had been nil filed on for h >rnu
sd*. Almost with the first rush the
, !' |,o kers who bad started across the
'U'a l.ortli lid'• at uoon in wagous
r , ‘ ““ri 1 '’ 1 . 1 M R to pour into the now
*• hoist* wore reeking wet from
The Morning News.
the hot and furious drive. They took pos
session of such town lots in the future
Oklahoma metropolis as they could lay
claim to. Meanwhile tho land office was he
sieged by an eager and determined crowd
of men waiting to file claims upon home
steads. As the afternoon wore on this
crowd grew larger, until at the closing
time it reached in a regular line far
down the street toward® the railroad
station. Business iu tie land office
went rather slowly. The register and re
ceiver did the best they could, but the press
ure upon them was tremendous. The men
who were waiting to file claims were forced
into line two abreast.
Dealers in real estate began business be
fore 2 o’clock in the afternoon. One enter
prising dealer had as a back ground for the
safe transaction of business a stock of rilles
which bad been placed there by the govern
ment troops on duty at the land office.
Near by was the te it of the United States
mursbal. Needless to say the tent was sur
mounted by a large American flag.
THE FIRST HOMESTEAD.
Kansas City, April 23.— Toe Star cor
respondent who had been .t Guthrie all
night, returned to Kansas City to-day and
sends tho following to his papir:
"The first homestead filed at Guthrie was
Mark 8. Cohen of Fort Smith, Ark. The
first s ldier to file a declaratory statement
was Beaton Turner, who was a private in
Company I, Sixth Illinois cavalry. During
yesterday three town sites. Guthrie, Okla
homa City and Edmunds, throe homesteads
and twenty-oue soldiers’ declared > y state
ments were filed. At 12:15o’clock William
Johnson, heading a little procession
at the laud office, laid down the
rough chart of Guthrie and filed it
as a town site. This was the first
paper presented. Four clerks for the land
offices from Washington arrived yester
day, two for King Fisher and two here.
Land Register Dillie stated this morning
that the King Fisher land office would not
be open uutil Thursday. Toe wiliest esti
mates of the number at Guthrie were tele
graphed last night. A liberal estimate is
6,000.
AMUSING SCENES.
There were many amusing scenes while
staking lots. A number of men would get
together and agree that a street shauld run
in a certain direction. Bits would bo
staked to fac ■ it. Men adjoining would de
clare that those fellows hud staked directly
in a street and that their own lots
faced the street. Thus the greatest
confusion reig is, and no man knows
for a certainty that he has
a lot. Nevertheless, many sites were sold,
one man paying SIOO for a supposed busi
ness site. Trouble is feared over this point,
which is the only thing that will breed
trouble. In spite of the uncertainty every
one is good-natured and haugiug to bis
claim. Great prairie fires raged east
of the city last night, aud with
the camp fires spread over the city made a
beautiful sight. A squad of Gen. Merritt’s
soldiers guarded the land office all night.
Iu view of the scarcity of water oie man
last night procured a hogshead which he
filled with water, whisky and syrup and
di i a rushing business selling it for cider at
10 cents per glass.
A MURDER.
“About 5 o’clock vosterday evening a pis
tol report across Cottonwood creek, west of
the depot, outside of the town site reservo,
attrated attention. In a moment a man
on horseback wont west over a hill at a
breakneck speed. Two deputy United
States marshals went over, but were told
that nothing had occurred. The Star re
porter got a boat and crossed the stream,
h iwever, to investigate the matter. In tho
bushes were collected half a dozen men.
On the ground beside a half-made grave
was stretched all that was left of 8. T.
Coinppis. A ball from a revolver had
passed entirely through his breast, coming
out at the back. He lived half
an hour after being shot and was
dead when the reporter reached
him. Efforts were made to conceal the
body, and o ly an assurance of the strictest
confidence allowed the rep inter there, and
then he did riot dare reveal his business.
The face was at once recognized as that of
a mau who had eaten dinner with the
scribe. At the table C imppis said he and
his partner had entered Guthrie on ponies.
WERE STAKING A CLAIM.
“All the lot* were gone and they swam
Cottonwood creek and had staked a claim.
As they were driving the last stakes, a
fellow was discovered in the bushes on tho
bank of the creek. This man said he had
already staked the claim. Comppis and
his partner offered to divide. To
this tho follow objected and
warned them that ho would shoot be
fore he would divide. Comppis did not be
hove this threat, and as he left tie said he
should sleep on that claim. Half an hour
afterward Comppis was shot by the first
claimant as he stood by bis pony, bridle in
baud. His murderer got, away before
Comppis’ companion could realize wuat
had been done.
DRAGGED INTO THE BIJ3HEB.
“Believing secrecy the easiest way out,
Comppis’ partner dragged the dying man
into the bushes and said no oue had been
hurt. Ho would not give his name, and the
peculiarity of the situation prevented a
searching inquiry. The dead man was
about 3d years of ago and had black hair
and eyes. When lie left the eating tent he
wore a gray ffuiool shirt, pants and
hat, and bad liisc at ftrnpped to his pony.
Comppis’companion took possession of the
murderer’s outfit of a wagon and two
horses. The man will never return, as tie
knew his shot was fatal. The body was
buried in the bushes. This was the only
murder near Guthrie up to midnight, de
spite other reports.
SUFFERING FOR WATER.
After 4 o’clock yesterday and all night,
there was much suffering for water. The
railroad company refused to let tbo settlors
take from the railroad tank for fear of ox
haustin i. The water in the Cottonwood is
red with mud, ad a water famine i-eauis Im
minent. Hawkers went about the depot last
night with buckets of water, charging 5
cents a glass. The water was poor, but
found a i eady sale. The engineers were
beneged by the thirsty people for drinks
from the engine tanks anil many wore ac
commodated.
GUTHRIE’S LOTS.
“Up to midnight not a quarrel on the
Guthrie t >wn site had oecut red. The citi
zens held a meeting in the afternoon. The
great anxiety of everyone was information
about the size of the Ms. I here was great
indignation over the fact that people had
g. me on the ground bifore 12 o’clock, and it
wus the general entiniont that all such
should be singled out an l debarred. This
would throw cut many prominent men,
for Judge Clayton of Arkansas and
many other: hold a Guthrie meeting
tiefore 12 o’clock. There is also groat in
dignation over the hundred or more deputy
mars al* who used their authority us a
clo ik to get on the ground, and resigned at
noon. They all have a lot. They are to be
singled out and omplaint lodged against
them. A rose In ti >n was adopto 1 to the
effect I hnt everv invader shoul 1 be com
plained of and efforts at on o made to drive
them out. Tho feeling is very strong in
this matter.
THE MARS MEETING.
“After crirri had gone over the town a
great crowd gathered oil the highest eleva
tion of the town to attend tbo meeting.
Fully M.lkW persons warn present. Ex-
SAVANNAH, GA., WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 1880.
Mayor Constantine was selected to preside.
Addresses were made by half a
dozen of the more prominent men from
different parts of the country and a strong
feeling was manifested against the prema
ture settlers, which will very likely lead to
the forfeiture of their claims. Preliminary
steps were taken toward surveying the
land and laying out the streets of Guthrie,
etc.”
The following special has been received
by the Kansas City limes from King
Fisher, ha ving been sent to Fort Reno by
courier: King Fisher is a town already,
except that the titles are somewhat iu dis
pute and no town officers are yet elected.
Chicago avenue is half a mile long.
TRANSPORTATION OFFICERS.
The officers of the Rock Island railroad,
the Cannon Ball stage line, and other cor
porations are in one building which is a
canvas tent 10 feet by 12. Not the slightest
trouble of any kind has occurred, though
in many instances there are several claim
ants to one town lot. Home
steads are occupied in all direc
tions. A majority of those to
whom Capt. Woodson gave the starting
signal, went direct to their claims. Many
passed throuib hero southward last night.
Almost every King Fisherman carries a six
shooter, but all are good-humored aud mat
ters will probably be settled by law. The
town is spreading over the whole section.
Accounts from the line sav that the start
from there was an exciting spectuclo. The
line was formed at 10 o’clock and was ten
miles long. Capt. Woodson’s management
was perfect. At the signal the noise that
burst forth was teirifi '. Wagons wero
broken in tho rush and others broke down
in the gullies and sharp turns in the road,
and all the way from hero to the line the
road is strewn with wrecks. A few gam
blers have arrivod and two lawyer signs are
;.p. “Rock Island,” which is the crack
hostelry, is full of guests.
THE PREMATURE MEETING.
Guthrif, Oklahoma, April 23.—1n de
fianco of the fact that i o town was
supposed to exist until noon yesterday, sev
eral hundred interlopers hold an organiza
tion meeting at 10 o’clock. H. A. Fierce,
one of the Topeka crowd, secured
the presidency, but when he tried
to foist his plat upon the meeting
ho was beaten amid cries of “Down
with tho Topeka outfit.” The railway runs
southwostly past the town, and it was pro
posed to lay out streets ou direct angles
with the track, but a plat with a north and
south, aud east and west sections was
adopted.
PROPOSED BY CLAYTON’S TWIN BROTHER.
This was proposed bv George 11. Clayton
of Arkansas, a brother of Powell Clayton
and twin of the lately assassinated congres
sional candidate. It was decided that a
town lot shall be 30 by 140 feet, and that
the streets shall be 80 foot wide, except two
100 feet intersecting avenues, which were
named respectively Munford avenue, for
Dr. Munford of Kansas City, and Harrison
avenue, for the President.
THE WHOLE SITE HOMESTEADED.
Meanwhile, tiie whole town site was
homesteaded repeatedly. Forty apphea
fiious under this right of public domain
were filed at the laud offleo and some verv
beautifully complicated law suits will fol
low. It looks only fair that those who were
hare in advance of tho authorized hour and
who grabbed the land for the corporation
that backs them, should bo dispossessed and
th 9 whole town site placed in fair and even
reach of all.
A POOR PLACE FOR A TOWN.
It is almost certain, however, that for all
its present prestige, for everything is com
ing to Guthrie, there can never be a town
of any importance here. The surrounding
country is sterile, and with the exception
of small pieces of bottom land, can grow
nothing but buffalo grass aud cactus. The
adjacent stream is small and alkaline, and
well water is deep and scarce. The tem
perature bounds from blighting cold to
withering heat, and there are long periods
of drought and irregular occasions of floods
and hurricanes.
THOUSANDS UNSHELTERED.
As the sun went down, little tents and
unsheltered men dotted a region over an
area largo enough for an eastern metropo
lis. There is covering for about 10,000 per
sons on a liberal estimate, end the nights
after the roasting days are actually chilly.
Whether it rains or not great suffering
must be endured by the thousands of
unsheltered. Arkansas City is flllod up
with great crowds from northorn trains,
that will descend upon Guthrie in the morn
ing. A break out of here will be sure to be
an event of the next few days, as there are
many thousands more here than c m be sup
plied' with food and shelter. Meanwhile the
rush continues, and the excitement is at a
very high pitch.
INEXTRICABLE CONFUSION.
Chicago, April 23.— A special to the
Daily News irom Guthrie, Oklahoma,
via Arkansas City, sa.vs: “Guthrie is
plunged in seemingly inextricable confu
sion. The dillorei ces of the rival factions
that seek to control the town have baffled
the efforts of half a dozen public meetings
to settle them. Excitement is at a very
high pitch and confidence is beginning to
waver. The suffering of the 15,000
unsheltered and unpro visioned people
is something that could not be endured ex
cept amid such a furoe. The scenes of to
night and to-day are unexampled. Thous
ands are fieeiug from the town aud country,
hut thousands’more have poured in. There is
a feeling of wild uncertainty aud apprehen
sion Diat amounts to destruction, There is no
food, no water, no cover for the bitter cold
of nights, and the withering brat of the
day. The railroad is gorged with busi
ness and is temporarily in
operative. Tho town site is
changed every hour by rival parties as
oacli secures temporary dominance. Not a
building has been started aud but few more
tents have beeu reared. N body knows
wbore the streets are, and every one is
just now yielding all things else for a clamor
for food, drink aud shelter or a means of
(light.
A DISASTROUS WRECK.
“To comulete this tremendous excite
ment, a disastrous wreck occurred just
south of town during tho forenoon. A
freight aud passenger train met heads ou
and noth engiues went into the ditch. No
one was hurt, but the track was blockaded
for hours.
“Tbo sight at Guthrie upon which the
sun rose this morning was probably never
before witneieed io any part of the world.
A majority of the 15,000 people lay blanket
less upon tho ground, others were guarding
their claims and slumberiog where they
had falleu from fatigue. On the depot
platform they lay os close as corded wood,
and iu a few tent* they crowded in
huddled maiees. As many as could took
the meager shelter afforded, but there
quickly came a limit to capacity beyond
which neither tears nor bribes would pre
vail. Among the thousands stretched upon
the ground many of them were of a re
spectable quality. These, who oould not
sleep (and they were legion), in the stinging
cold crouched in groups swearing or
weeping as suited their spirit.
LIKE AN AFRICAN DESERT.
"The sun fairly leaped out of the sky,
aud within two hours the cold had been
supplanted with a Habara heat. The wind
roe, hut without ooolmg effect. It blew
a sir coo that soorohod the fleih and filled
the air with a blinding alkali
dust. To complete the general misfortunes
tho only large tent accommodating
150 people fell under the ftress of the fur
nace blast. It could not be repaired and
other tents could scarcely be mounted. Tho
climate provoked an insatiable thirst and
water was the first supply to fail. Thero is
a little str am nearby, but the water is too
strongly alkaliue to drink. The railroad
tank takes its supply by a gravity pipe
from a distance aud an elevated
spring afforded the only possible
drinkable water, aud even it is brackish. It
was attacked by thousands of people until
the railroad officials called tho military to
protect it under the pretense that they
needed the water to operate the road. Tho
tank men, however, sold the water at 5
cents a pint, thereafter, as did also.the
locomotive engineers from the tanks of
their engines. Tno railroad seems to bo
completely prostrated, and does not de
liver the baggage of the suffering throng.
PNEUMONIA AND SUNSTROKE.
Pneumonia aud sunstroke are beginning
to claim their victims. But the sick have
neither refuge nor sympathy. The whole
scene in its countless varied and painful
details is simply indescribable. Here stands
a big city out of doors and without
supplies. Only one train loft over
the crippled road, and it was crowded be
yond additional space for a mouse on ttie
floor or a sparrow on the roof. Those who
could not, get on jeered defiantly as the
train pullod out, aud at,other just as
crowded pulled in from the north. The
Daily Sews' correspondent secured a foot
ing on the pilot of the locomo
tive to roach Arkansas City, nearly
eighty miles north, with this
dispatch. Along the route during the long
hours of tho laggard riile scores of boomer
wagons could be seen forming northward
across the Cherokee strip, retracing the
hard journey they hod just conqileted.
Hundreds and probably thousands ot them
will halt on the strip and try t. > force a set
tlement. They are “strapped” and ilosper
ato, and the government must yield this
fine region now uselessly sequestered or
cause great trouble.
GOOD HUMORED BUT DISAPPOINTED.
"Good humor is spleiltlidly maintained iu
the face of these hards nips. tine boomer
hailod from the train as to whether ho was
northward bound, shouted, ‘I am truing
back to my wife’s people.’ Everyb dv of
whom inquiries wore made on tho train de
clared that he was disappointed in the
country aud would not put up with the
suffering for the scant ciiaucn of gain.
Guthrie is filling up with gamblers, thim
ble riggers aud thieves.
THE ONLY MURDER.
“The rep rts last night that three men
had been killed settled down to-day to one
man killed, and the name and location
were given. Tho Daily News repreienla
tivo rode over to tho scene, about
three miles west of Guthrie, aud
found the facts to be that two
men had divided equally a disputed claim
and were sleeping in the same tent. Pistols
were drawn twice last night and to-day iu
town, but in each case one party retired bo
fore forcing trouble. The man who killed
the settlor on the other side of Cottonwood
crook last night was caught by a posse of
thirty mo i from Gn’hrieanou' twelve mile
north to-day. He refused to surrendtr
and was killed by a volley. Referouce to
the entry books shows that his name was
probably C. V. Land.
BOOMERS WHO AHE LEFT.
“A meeting of Oklahoma boomers de
spairing of securing claims in the territory
was held in the opera house at Arkansas
City, Kan., to-night. There was a very
large and enthusiastic attendance. Speeches
were made denouncing the manner
in which Oklahoma was settled.
It was freely declared that
large bodies of men posed las United
States marshals in order to get Into the
country and selected the best claims, and
that this was unfair to iaw abiding settlers.
WILL INVADE TIIE STRIP.
“They came to secure homos, and as they
could not get them in Oklahoma they were
going to have them in the Cherokee
strip. About 500 m'en iu Arkansas
City to-night have pledged themselves
to go over to-morrow to the Cherokee strip
and stake claims, and let the consequences
be what they may. The beauty and fer
tility of this strip, so useless to the
Indians and of profit ouly to the
Texas cattle kings, have hern
remarked upon heretofore by | Daily News
correspondents. There seems nothing un
reasonable in opening it at onco, and to do so
will avert tho great trouble that now seems
inevitable. There is a pressure of surplus
people driven back here from Oklahoma,
aud waiting in the territory the first chance
to get out that must be relieved. The baf
fled settlers here are earnest and undis
mayed. They will execute their purpose.
The troops in this region fortunately are in
command of Capt. Jack Haves, an old
frontiersman and* cool and discreet officer.
There is, nevertheless, going to bo great
turmoil iu the Cberokoes trip unless the
government at Washington at once inter
venes.”
SANFORD'S Favga SOARS.
No Apprehebaton That the Stray Caae
Bodes Danger.
Jacksonville, Fla., April 23.—1 tis
reported here this evening that Sanford has
a case of yellow fever. Dr. Daniel, presi
dent of the state board of health has been
there investigating for the past forty-eight
hours, and other members tiave been called
for. This city will quarantiiieagainst Han
ford if tho doctors report that there are
cases of genuine yellow fever there. There
is no panic here.
Hanford is 150 miles south of Jacksonville.
Tno report is that there was a sudden death
thero early this morning, but it is not
known here whether tho person was a malo
or female, hut tbo report is that tbo deceased
was a Mrs. Dumont, wife of a baker.
Much to tho disappointment of the people
here no report was received to night from
Dr. Daniel. The house at Hanford and the
other people in it have been isolated, and
overy precaution taken to prevent a spread
of the disease, if it is genuine fever.
Jacksonville on the alert.
The authorities here are alert and the
board of health Is watching closely tho in
terests of the city. The board is in tels
frapbic communication with Dr. Daniel,
'he people here display little excitement
because they are confident of the ability of
the health authorities to keep the city safe.
President Neal Mitchell of the county board
of health says that no risks will he run. Great
excitement is reported at Sanford. The
steamer leaving Loro daily for Hanford is
still at her dock, and will not leave until
all is pronounced safe in that city. Jack
sonville is in good sanitary condition now,
and the health officials are all fully alive
to their responsibilities. Burgeons Hutton
and Posey both investigated this city last
week, and made a’ most favorable report,
the latter saying that he would stake Ins
reputation ou its healtbfulues* this soatoo.
NO DANGER APPREHENDED.
Washington, April 23.—Surgeon Gen
erui Hamilton of th • marine hospital set vice
was informal to-day by ths president of
tbo board of health of Hanford, Fia., that a
case of yellow fever existed In that city.
Dr. Hamilton says that every precaution
has t*eu taken to prevent the spread of the
disease, aud no danger is apprehended.
A HERO FROM THE OCEAN
PHILADELPHIA GOES WILD OVER
OAPT. MURRELL.
The Maritime Exchange Gives Him a
Reception and Presents Him with
a Gold Modal—A Report That King
Christian Will Confer a Decoration
on Him Thousands at the Reception.
Philadelphia, April 2R. —"Oh, don’t
call it noble, it was only my duty, I’m
sure,” said Capt. Hamilton Murrell, as he
was welcomed and congratulated at the
maritime exchange by President William
Brockie this afternoon.
Capt. Murrell has been lionized to an ex
tent that is simply amazing. Long before
the hour of noon, which had been set for
the public reception, the spacious rooms of
the maritime exchange, and the still
more spacious street in front of it con
tained thousands of people of all ages
aud both sexes, who had, in some instances,
traveled many iniles to pay homage to the
young captain. The cheers which greeted
the good-natured and humane master as he
entered the exchango were deafening,
and several minutes elapsed beforo a voice
could be heard. It was ex
actly noon when Capt. Murrell was escorted
to a commanding position lu the main hall
of the exchange, had when the enthusiastic
demonstrations and subsided for a moment,
ho was introduced by President Brockie to
the immense throng present.
GIVEN A GOLD MEDAL.
District Attorney Goorge S. Graham
then stepped to the captain’s sido and pre
sented him with the only gold modal over
given by the Pennsylvania Humane So
ciety. ft was a handsome specimen of lho
goldsmith’s handiwork, and its presentation
hy Mr. Graham, on behalf of the society,
was one of the most pleasing featuros of the
occasion. "In ail my public life,"
raid the district attorney, ‘‘noth
ing has ever given me so much
pleasure as to stand by the hero of the sea,
the saviour of 700 lives.” Mr. Graham re
called the thrilling scenes in the storm
swept barb ir of Samoa, the pathetic scenes
attending the loss, many years ago, of the
English man-of-war Birkenhead, and com
pared tie heroism of Capt. Murrell with
them. “Wherever the wires have carried
this message,” he said, "the world has paused
for a moment to honor a man who is
unselfish. In the every iliy life of this
world of ours, selfishness is a prominent
feature, and it doe, mo proud, sir, to graip
the baud of the man who is so unselfish.”
THE CAPTAIN’S REPLY.
‘‘l do not know how to find words,” re
plied the captain, “to teli you how 1 feel.
1 want to give my oillcers and men credit
for an act which was only duty. There wa.
nothing heroic about it. It was only an
Englishman’s duty, and I might bo in the
same plight myself some day. There
was nothing heroic on uty pirt.
I only considered the cargo,
and when human lives were to be saved
the cargo was uothing, therefore, it had to
gfl, W
When the captain had spoken his few
words, and the cheering had subsided, there
was a i ush to grasp his hand, and for nearly
an hour tie shook the hands of all who were
fortunate euough to get near him.
THANKED HY THE VICE CONSUL.
Vico Consul i-ars Westergaard of Hwodon
and Norway was introduced to the captain
and said, in a voice full of emotion: “/Vs
vice consul of Sweden and Norway at this
prrt, I feel very deeply impressed with the
great and glorious fact that under provi
dence you wore the happy medium that
saver! several hundred Scandinavians and
Danes from thA ill-fated steamship Dan
mark, as well as her captain aud crew; and
it is very pleasant for all of us here asso ü
bled to welcome you to know that you, sir,
proved the right mail in the right plaoe.
Ami now allow me, as treasurer of this ex
change, and on behalf end in the name of
the directors of the Maritime Exchango of
Philadelphia, to tender you an honorary
membership of this exchange, which please
accept, and rest assurod that wo shall be
glad to see you on this floor ns often as it
may suit your convenience to call.”
After a few words of thanks, Capt. Mur
rell was presented with a sprig of ivy which
came from Westminster Abbey, and a
beautifully bound miniature copy of the
constitution of the United States.
PUNCH, EDGE AND COMPANY TELEGRAPH.
A telegram from Fuuch, Edyo & Cos. of
New York, as rep re cutatives of the
Thing valla lino, addressed to Peter Wright
& Sons, was read by President Brockie,
and was cheered unstintingly. It ran as
follows: "Kindly convey, on the occasion of
bis reception at the Maritime exchange, to
( apt. Murrell, on behalf of the Tbitigvalla
company, our heartfelt thanks for all he
has done for the passengers and crew
of the ill-fated Danmark. Better than all
acknowledgment that Capt. Murrell will
receive, and so abundantly is entitled to,
may lie considered the feeling he can enter
tain of having with God’s help been the
medium of saving so much life and nobly
to have done bis duty tosutfering humanity.
It. is no disparagement of Capt. Murreli’s
deserts, if we beg leave to include in our
thanks the entire crew of the Missouri,
who have from llrst to last all assisted their
commander in his work of charity and love.
May Go<l speed them in their proceedings
and protect them from a siinilnr disaster,
even though they should in time of need
meet such noble friends as the Danmark
found.”
WELCOMED IIY THE MAYOR.
Afier the reception at the exchange had
been concluded the captain was taken to
the mayor's otlice and was, by Mayor Fit
ter, in a neat and fitting speech,
waloomed to the city. He was in
troduced to the city officials and from
all of them rocoived unstinted words of
praise, but through it all he was the same
blushing, modest, unassuming young and
plain Capt. Murrell. Between now and
Thursday, when the captuiu expects to have
bis boat discharged and proceed to Balti
more, he will be a social lion. Already he
has lieeri compelled to decline many kind
oilers of entertainment and enjoyment.
To-night he attended the annual dinner of
the Hons of St. George and was the guest of
the evening.
Capt. C. P. Clipperton, the British consul
at tin* port, and George Crump, the British
vice consul, called upon the captain at the
Maritime exchange and had a few pleasant
words with him, thanking him on Irehalf of
her majesty’s government for the service
he had rendered the Danmark's passe tigers
aud crew.
CAPT. MURRELL INDORSED.
The Atlantic Transport Lino, to which
the steamer Missouri belongs, has
promptly released the consignees of the
cargo t v said steamer of any contributions
arising from the jettisoning of part of the
cargo of tho Missouri in order to make
room for the Danmark’s rescued passengers,
and has notified Capt. Murrell < f its ap
proval of hit conduct in making the rescue,
aud the sacrifices of property aud loss of
time that resulted.
TO MB DECORATED BY A KINO.
Copenhagen, April 33.— K tag Christian
ha* Intimated that he will confer a decora
tion upon Capt. Murrill, of the steamship
Missouri, la recognition of his services in
rescuing the Danmark’s passengers.
LOSS OF THK DANMARK.
The Captain of the Wrecked Steamer
at London.
London, April 23.—Capt. KHudson, of
tho wrecked steamer Danmark, and three
engineers belonging to that vessel, have ar
rived at London on board the steamer Now
York City. They are enthusiastic in their
praises of Capt. Murrell and the officers of
the steamer Missouri.
TO RUIVO OVER THE REST.
Hamburg, April 23. —The Hamburg-
America backet Company's steamer Wie
land, which sailed from Havre t -day fur
New r York, will call at the Azores and take
on board tho passengers of tho steamer
Danmark who were landed there
IRISH NATIONALITY.
Baliabury Makes a Speech In Which
He Denies the Justice of the Claim.
London, April 23.—Lord Salisbury de
livered an address at Bristol to-dhy. He
spoke of tho growth of the I’rimroso
1/oague, which, no said, was marvelous.
The leaguj, he declared, was of tran
scendent value in the solution of
any current political question, as it
was a noble instrument with which
to blend the classes and the masses. He
hoped that ere long the government would
settle the troubles which were menacing
the internal peace of tho nation. Lord
Salisbury ridiculed the agitation in favor
of home rule in Ireland. Ho declared that
tho county of Cornwall, by its distinct,
racial origin, its language, its tradition, and
its history, had as much claim for a sepa
rate parliament ns Ireland.
DECLARED INSINCERE.
The nationality argument was insincere.
It was more fruitful of sophistry and clap
trap, and more barren of solid souse than
any thing that was ever before tho country.
It would sacrifice the first interests of in
dustry and commerce to more empty senti
ment. Tho unionists were con
fronted with two phalanxes—out*
political tho other criminal —both
converging to a common end, and that, it it
to make execution of the law in Ireland
impossible. It was a miserable spectacle to
see members of parliament standing up to
defend embezzlement and fraud. The
unionists, conscious of their high calling,
ought not to allow personal considerations
to enter into electoral questions. They
should not poach on each other's grounds,
hut should combine in support of tho muii
most likely to win.
ElllNllUOH’S FREEDOM FOR PARNELL.
Edinburgh, April 23.—The municipal
authorities have voted the freedom of the
city to Mr. I’arnell. Tho vote on the prop
osition to confer this honor on Mr. i’arnoll
stood 14 iti favor, and 13 against,.
VIENNA’S RIOTS.
The Government Offers Soldiers as
Street Oar Drivers.
Vienna, April 23.—Tim strike of the car
men is nearly at an end. ltloting, how
ever, continues in the Favoriton and Her
tials quarters. A mob to-day st ood the
cavalry, aud reinforcements of infantry
were required. Many rioters were w ounded
and n large number wore arrested.
The rioters to-day were merely anti-
Somitle, enthusiasts, actual workmen not
participating in the tumult.
SOLDIERS AS Dili VETO.
The government to-day offered to supply
soldiers to drive the cars. The strike's
thereupon off red to resume work uncon
ditionally. Tho directors decided to ro-om
ploy all the drivers who had taken no part
in the rioting. At 10 o’clock to-night a
hand-to-hand conflict took place between
tho soldiers aud am >b in tho red house,
The rioters were organized, being divided
into groups of fifty, with a leader for each
group. Those groups 00-operated to break
the ranks of the soldiery. As in the former
struggles, the rioters wore defeated and
many were arrested.
A VALLEY FIRED.
The rioters tried to set fire to a gun fac
tory at Hernals. Troops tired a volley into
the mob, and wounded many persons.
Excitement continued up to midnight.
Several shops were looted. The commis
sioner of polico was nearl y stoned to death
hy a mob, and wus rescued with much difll -
oulty by a party of dragoons.
Will Try to Recapture Hadalb.
Cairo, April 23. — A battalion of Egyp
tian troops, under command of the go.er
nor of .Suakim and two gunboats have
started for Fort Hadtiih, which was recently
captured by Houdanese, to make an attempt
to recapture the place.
Father Agostlna Causes a Sensation.
Rome, April 23. — Father Agostine, the
famous preurher, at the conclusion of his
sermon on Huuday last caused a sensation
by invoking tho divine blessing upon King
Humbert aud the Italian army.
Dr. Von Stoecker to Uotlre.
Berlin, Aoril 23.— 1 tis reported that
Dr. von Stoecker is about to withdraw alto
gether from political life.
A BANK ROBBER SLIPS UP.
He Got the Money by a Bold Stroke,
but Fatted to Escape.
Ventura, Cal., April 23.—T0-day at
noon a bold attempt at bank robbery was
made by a man named McCarthy, who was
recently discharged from the county hospi
tal. He entered Collins & Hons’ bank
after Cashier Collins hal gone to lunch,
leaving John Morrison at mo. McCarthy en
tered and complained of his poverty and
desperation which had drawn him to think
of suicide, lie laid a package oil the coun
ter which he said was dynamite, aud drew
a six-shooter and demaudar $30,000. Mor
ris in dodged behind tho counter and ran
out of the bank dour.
THK Roll HER CAPTURED.
The robber then seized a tray containing
about SIOO aud walked luiu the street.
Morrison gave an alarm and the people
gathered on the street, but none were
armed. The thief had a horse hitched near
the bank and wus making for that. The
sheriff happened to be near, but was with
out firearm*. Ho stooped Into a hardware
store and seized a shotgun, when the robber
suddenly surrendered. The money was all
recovered except S3O, which was probably
lost on tho street.
BTSFFSNB’ BOOUB CHECKS.
Tho Swindler Evidently Making a Good
Living.
Grand Rapids, Mich., April 23.—Checks
drawn ou tho Grand Rapids National Bank
are coming in bearing tho signature of
James 8. Lynn, Jr., Robert Lynn, and
others, and they snow that it is an easy
matter for some frau is to catch victims.
( be chock for SSOO was received this morn lug
fiom Savannah, Ua., and last week oue fur
$253 turned up. In both instances they
bore bank certificates and the name of an
imaginary cashier. Both were protested.
The same swindler has been beard from in
other parts of the country. He is apparently
making a good living.
1 DAILY. flO A YKAR, I
4 ft CENTB A COPY. V
I WEEKLY', $1.25 A YEAR. \
FALL OF GOTHAM’S POLES
MAYOR GRANT ISSUES ANOTHER
EDICT ON THK SUBJECT.
The Path of tho Brigade of Choppers
.Extended-Last Week's Work re
sulted in tho Demolition of About
255 Poles—The Prospects In Wall
Street,
New York, April 23,—Broadway, from
Twenty-third to Thirty-third streets, is now
entirely cleared of polos, the last Are depart
ment poles having been removed this morn
ing by Foreman l 'lancy, of the departments
His gang to-day worked on Broadway be
tween Thirty-third street and Fort.v-second
street. At various points along Broadway
the United States electric Light Light Com
pany and Manhattan companies have gangs
at work making connections at the subway
manholes,
A NEW ORDER.
Mayor Grant .this morning sent the fol
following letter to tho commissioner of pub
lic works:
11. [jowbf'r Smith:
Sik you are hereby directed to remove forth
with from Broadway Leginning ftt Park Place,
all poles aud wires of telegraph and telephone
companies to FourtUenth street and from Four
teenth street to Fifty eighth street all poles and
wires except the pules and wires of the lire de
partment, Hcon J. GBAnt.
Mayor aud President Board of Electrical Con
trol.
The new route of destruction os laid out
in the order will create havoc in teh graph
companies, and especially tho Western
Union. They have important office* along
this route and there is no doubt hut that
the subway commissioners will take groat
pleasure in shipping their cables.
CERTAIN WIRES EXEMPTED.
It will lie noticed that elnotric light wires
and poles are not mentioned in tho order.
This is because the sub-ways are not yet
prepared for their reception, and, unfortu
nately, they will bo allowed to remain
standing. The contractors have not turned
in their reports yet, but they estimate
that altogether about 255 poles o all
sizes and descriptions, and nearly •150,000
feet of wire have been removed by them in
tho past week. This does not include the
wires and polo* removed by tlie companies.
They have removed about 200,000 feet of
wire aud 100 poles.
WALL HTREET’S WIRES.
When this last order is carried out, then
the work of destruction will probably lie
carried into the down-town business pre
cincts. There are sub ways prepared in
Chandlers stroot, and should the mayor
order the wires and poles in the vicinity of
Wall street removed, there is no
knowing what will happen. The
comisintos refuse to place their wires
in the trenches on tho ground that insula
tion is interrupted because of tho steam
heating pipes. This, tho nub-way commis
sioners snv, is nonsense, for tho Metropoli
tan Telephone Company has miles of
under ground wires in operation to-day.
The companies have all had tbeir ninety
days’ notice, but it is a question as to
whether the mayor would order the finan
cial wires of the city cut in case they re
fuse to put them underground.
ORGANIZATION OF THK HOU3HI.
A Denial That Southern Republicans
Will Make a Combine.
Washington, April 23.—Rnprieentative
Houk of Tennessee, deuies the statement
published this morning that the southern
republican represen tativus-oloct met at his
house lust night and determined to prevent
the republicans from organizing tho next
House unless they got the offices they are
asking for. He said: "There is no truth
whatever in that statement. It has no
foundation at all. There wa * a meeting
at my house last night and seven or eight
southern congressmen were present. Tho
gathering was principally a social affair,
but it was only natural that the conversa
tion should ultimately tend toward national
politics, as it did. No sucli scheme os that
alleged to have boon discovered aud uncov
ered was even hinted a’. We recognize
tho fact that the administration has to go
slow. We are all republicans and there is
not a man among us who would for one
moment countenance any such movement.”
SHERMAN’S OLIVE BRANCH.
Quay, However, Shows no Sign of Re
tracting His Charges.
Washington, April 23.—Senator Sher.
man sent word to Senator Quay to-day that
he had hail nothing to do with ex-Kepre
(tentative Hart’s appointment as solicitor of
internal revenue, and therefore had been
unjustly treated by Senator Quay. He
hoped, and rather expected, that Senator
Quay would come around and say that he
was sorry, so that they might make up and
tie friemu, hut Senator Quay went off at 7
o’clock to-nigtit to Beaver without going to
see Senator Sherman. .Senator Hhormnu
only smiled when ho heard to-night that
Senator Quay had gone, and said he was
soriy. He said that he still had a friendly
feeling for Senator Quay and w >uld say
nothing against him. He expects t > see ex-
Itopri sontative Hart appointed boforo ho
leaves for Europe ou May L
PUT IN POSTOFFICE3.
The President Makes Several Ap
pointments In the South.
Washington, April 23. —Tire President
to-day appointed the followingpostmasters:
Archibald Brady, Charlotte, N. C., v.ce
John A. Young deceased; Thomas J.
Bayly, Bessemer, Ala., vice A. R. egrue,
commission expired; Miss Mary Frti.ilto.
Uniontow", Ala., office became Freeideutial
April 1, )BS9, Charles W. Kaisler, Athene,
Ala., vice L. It. Davi, nominated nut
not confirmed; Ervin 11. Matthews, Ath
ens, Tenn., vice J. A. Turley, resigned;
Mary Simpson, Foss Christian, Miss., nltice
became presidential April 1, 1339; Samuel
M. Mo wry, Oxford, Miss., vice L. S Dil
lard, removed; Carl C. Crippeu, Kustis,
Fla . vice Klorouce J. Tit Comb, commission
expired.
APRIL’S CELEBRATION.
The National Salute to Be Firsd at
All the Military Post.-:.
Washington, April 23.—The Sec otary
of War has ordered the commanding offi
cers at ait military posts to Are the national
sal ate of tlurty-eigbt guns on April 3J, the
centenary of the inauguration of l\ ashing
ton.
SPECIAL SERVICES AT TRENTON.
Trenton, N. J., April 23.—ltr. Rjv.
Michael J. O’Farrell, bishop of the Roman
Catholic diocese of Trenton, has issued a
circular to the olergy of hie diocese direct
ing them to hold special services in their
churches ou April 30, in connection with
Washington centennial celebration.
Smalls' Last Appeal.
Washington, April 28.—Robert Smalls
made n last desperate appeal to the Presi
dent to-day, for that coliectorship at Beau
fort. The President gave huu no encour
agement.