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CHRISTMAS WITH ROYALTY.
How the Queen Celebrates the Day Which
the Prince Consort Loved.
Hie Toor Are tot Forgotten—Mrs. Fenwick Miller Tells of Brilliant Fra
tivltiea Within the Palace, and of Many Homes Made
Happy Outside Its Gates.
Copyright.
Christmas tide festivities had declined
in England for some time before her ma
_ -sty came to the throne. It was the great
est festival of the year in older days; but
the stern Puritans disapproved of it, as
they did of ail other feasts and Junket
ings, and under their influence the keep
ing of Christmas had come to be compar
atively a small affair. It was always a
holiday, but had ceased to be “made the
most of.” Two great influences have res
tored it to its present popularity as a fes
tival with a deep meaning that is to be
expressed in gifts and kindly feelings,
those of the Prince Consort and of Charles
Pickens. While the latter by his enthusi
astic writing in praise of the Christmas
idea was familiarizing the minds of the
people with the notion of its being a sea
son of generosity and jollity, the court
was by its example making the same ob
servances fashionable. "Christmas was
the favorite festival of the prince,” It is
remarked in the "Life of the Prince Con
sort,” for which the queen has made her
self responsible. “He clung to the kindly
custom of his native country, Germany,
which makes it a day for the Interchange
of gifts as signs of affection and good will.
The queen shared his feelings in this re
spect, and the usage was introduced into
their household on the lirst Christmas
here and was always after continued.”
The principal novfeltyuo the English in
the royal customs here alluded to was
the palace Christmas tree. Familiar as
we now are with this means of display
ing the Christmas gifts by hanging them
on a bushy, evergreen fir tree, it was a
novelty when the prince consort set it up
in the palace on the first Christmas after
his marriage. The custom that he then
initiated has never been dropped. The
queen has not one, but several Christmas
trees always prepared. There is one set
up to hold gilts for her majesty herself,
on which the loving hands of her chil
dren, whether they are near enough to
do it themselves or have to employ a
proxy, hang presents for the royal mis
tress of the home. Then the queen has
another one dressed for her own family,
on which are placed her gifts to them;
and there is yet a third tree set up, the
largest of all, for it has to hold the royal
gifts to the household. Nobody is for
gotten. from the ladies and gentlemen,
for whom there will be some work of art
or literature, down to the humbler ser
vants, who find a dress-piece, a book, an
album, or some other gift ready for each
one to brighten the festival. The mo
ment for the illumination of these trees
is nightfall on Christmas eve; for, as we
all know, the tree is not itself except it
lie lit with many tapers, whose sparkles
are llung back a thousand fold from shin
ing halls and reflectors, with the darkly
shining lurckground of the evergreen to
emphasize the whole. By the time the
queen and her husband came to their
second Christmas they hud two children
to provide for, though the baby could not
yet understand the occasion. On that
day the prince wrote to his father:
"This is the dear Christmas eve on
w'hieh I have so often listened with Im
patience for your step- which was to
usher us Into the gift-room. To-day, 1
have two children of my own to make
gifts to; who, they know not why, are
full of happy wonder at the German
Christmas tree and its radiant candles.”
It Is more than fifty years ago since
these words were written, and ir.e
Christmas tree dressed at the queen's
home this Christmas is to delight her
children s children. Little Princess Ena
(Eugenie Victoria) of Battenburg, and
her brothers, the children of Princess
Beatrice, are especially the little ones
who enjoy the treat at present. Christ
mas at Osborne is now the queen's rule,
though in the prince consort's time it
was always spent at Windsor. Though the
royal borough is now left at the festive
season, it is not forgotten; for the poor
of Windsor, to the number of some hun
dreds, receive benefactions from the
queen, consisting of beef, vegetables, and
Clothing. The Scotch tenantry are also
remembered; but the day* is now always
passed by the queen In her own smaller
home, Osborne, which has been well de
scribed as ‘more like the castle of a little
principality than the abode of so great
a sovereign.” The special regal dish of
the day, however, cannot be cooked at
Osborne. This is the baron of beef.
It is so htige a joint that it has to have
the rosouroes of the imrnense kitchen of
Windsor for its preparation. A baron of
beef is a cut from an ox similar to a sad
dle of mutton from a sheep; it is the
two sides of the beast undivided, cooked
as one great hole joint. This is no ordi
nary Joint for the spit, and only the
size of Windsor’s fireplace and utensils
can cone with it. It is the traditional
royal Christmas joint, as indispensable
as the turkey of the middle class family
table. Asa rule, the queen's table meat
Is not taken from cattle bred on her
own farm, but is supplied by a butcher.
The Christmas joint is an exception, a
special bullock being selected fYom the
home farm, and duly fattened each year
to supply tne "baron.” It is served cold,
the huge joint, beautifully garnished, be
ing placed on the sideboard. It is more a
show than a viand. Turkey, a simple
entree or two, with the usual soup and
fish, and amidst the sweet dishes, plum
pudding and mince pie, also appear at the
royal dinner on this day; and often the
huge “Baron” is hardly touched. The
queen does not like dinner to last over
an hour, and her menu Is shorter and
simpler than that of most of her welthy
subjects on all occasions. The queen at
tends divine service in the morning; and
later in the day, if her health and cir
cumstances permit, some little charades
or tableaux are got up and given for her
amusement by the Immediate members of
her household.
Christmas at Sandringham, is, to some
extent, modeled on the similar usages to
which the Prince of Wales was brought
up He and his gracious consort fully fol
low the example of the queen in trying to
make the time a bright and pleasant one
for all around them. Every laborer and
cottager on the estate has a Christmas din
ner provided. The jneat for these gifts is
cut up in quantities corresponding to the
size of the (Various families, and set out
on long tables in the village school, each
portion labelled to with the name of the
recipient; added to it will be the mater
ials for a pudding and often, also articles
of clothing or blankets, and sometimes
more special personal presents; for the
lord and lady of the manor know much
of the individual circumstances and needs
of their people. On Christmas eve, the
whole royal parly, or some, at least of its
members, will generally go to distribute
the gifts thntnoelves; or at all events, they
look in at the schoolroom to see the spread
ready, with its gay decoration of holly and
evergreens, for the admission of the lucky
recipients.
Everybody in the house, too, is sure of
a present of some kind. Often the gift
takes an added value from being the hand
iwork of the princess whb bestows it. The
young Princesses of Wales are accomplish
ed In many arts, leather work, wood
' arving, brass-chasing, and poker-work,
as well as embroidery with the needle and
Hat<-r color painting, are all done really
well by these clever young ladles, who
are inspired to all these undertakings by
'be example of their mother; for the Prln
‘ of Wales herself is an excellent wood
rver and leather-worker, Tbps many of
"telr gifts to their special friends are the
•■ Ik of tin ir own hands.
' m Christmas morning there are gener
ally many guests in the bouse, who are
•■ bowed their option of breakfasting in
! be)r own rooms or in the usual apart
in. it whore breakfast Is-laid at small
loii'id tairti a visitors apt-enring for the
•deal at the hour they ph ass—the use
i hi email <pii"*t* tables preventing this
o'“Hr betas in soy say unpleasant or
wi-fiveiloi. Tint' loyal hosts do not ap
pear lit! alter breakfast!, sod only i onto
das u IMtdjr (or tiitmuU, SOWS UltM tills*
before it ie necessary to set out, to greet
their guests with seasonable wishes in
what is called “the saloon," a large apart
ment, half hall, half drawing room, that
was added to the house when it yas re
built after the fire a few years ago.
J hen tne whole house party sets off to
service in the church of St. Mary Mag
dalene, in the park. It is a pleasant
v *’' al *t through the belts of evergreens and
shrubberies that protect the pedestrian
from the wind; but if there be anv el
derly or delicate persons there, or if the
weather be unfavorable, there is also a
good carriage drive from the house to
the chur.h, and \arious x'ehieles come
forth to convey the company. After
church luncheon is taken at the small
tables that were used for breakfast. The
afternoon is spent in various ways. There
is a. good-sized lake at Sandring’ham, op
posite the smaller house—which used to
Bachelor's Hall,” because when
the big house was full any young' nicn
amongst the guests would be sent down
to the cottage to sleep; but it
is now known as “York Cottage,”
and serves for the couhtry home of the
Buke of Y ork and his wife, if the weather
he cold enough skating Is enjoyed on
Christmas afternoon on the lake. The
princess of Wales came from her northern
home already an expert skater, and her
light and graceful figure makes her ap
pear to particular advantage in this fav
orite pastime. If it be not skating wea
ther. there are the kennels and stables
to visit; or the princesses will delight the
listeners with their musical accomplish
ments; and the many artistic and curious
treasures that decorate the house, relics
of the prince’s foreign travels and gifts
from many and various lands, will be in
spected and talked about. So the time will
le spent till afternoon tea is served in the
cony, small dyawing-room, where the crim
son plush hangings and white furniture
touched with gold make a" pleasant spot
of color in the light of the winter lire
and wax candles. Dinner is a function
here as Well as elsewhere, and the usual
and traditional dainties of Christmas all
appear at It.
Afterward there are a few toasts in
honor of the occasion. The Prince of
Wales is a good billiard player and a
great smoker, and the gentlemen may
spend part of the evening in the billiard
room; but as the royal dinner is not be
gun until a quarter to 9, there is not much
evening to get through after it is finished.
Christmas at White Lodge, where the
mistress is perhaps the most generous and
charitable amongst all the kindly royal
ladies, is naturally also an occasion when
consideration for the poor and needy pre
vails amongst the season's occupations.
The Duchess of Teck takes charge of the
distribution of an immense number of ar
ticles of clothing, made in connection with
the Needlework Guild, as one of her Christ
mas duties and pleasures—though, to be
sure, this takes place rather earlier in
Deci mber than the 25th, in order that the
clothing may go forth in time to do its
share in making “A Merry Christmas" for
others. “The "Needlework Guild” is a so
ciety of which H. R. H. is president, and
it numbers many hundreds of "associates"
all over the land. Its members pledge
themselves to make in the course of tho
year many useful garments, either for
adults or children, by sewing or knitting,
In calico or flannel or stuff—all this being
left to the fancy of the individual worker.
Shortly before Christmas a large base
ment store room In White Lodge is clear
ed for the reception of the innumerable
garments which are then sent in and there
sorted into piles according to what the
garment is; and then the gracious presi
dent and her small committee consider
the heap of applications from clergy, hos
pital matrons, missions of all sorts, or
phan. asylums, and any sort of organized
and duly vouched for methods of putting
the donors In touch with the really deserv
ing poor. No clothes are given from this
store to individuals, but a bundle accord
ing to the needs is sent oft to any respon
sible manager of a local charity, without
regard to sect, for distribution to proper
individuals. When the good Duchess of
Teck sits down to her family dinner on
Christmas day, she has the satisfaction of
knowing that this charity, toward which
her personal interest is so helpful, has
clothed for the great festival of the winter
many thousands who otherwise would
have been cold and In rags. The family
from White Lodge also begin their Christ
mas by going quietly to the little church
that they generally attend, Just outside
Richmond' iiark gates which for Christ
mas day receives decorations from the
conservatories of the royal home.
.MIXED DHIVKS THESE.
Startling Results of Analysis of Liq
uors Sold Over Ronton llurs,
From the Boston Herald.
An effort has been made by the state
board of health to determine the quality
of liquor sold over the bar in the ordi
nary city saloons.
The results are somewhat startling.
According to analysis made of samples
collected, a devotee of the cup might
call for whisky and drink brandy; he
might order rum and get whisky; in fact,
the combinations evolved by the board
are as numerous as those in a political
struggle.
In the soft drinks, so-called, ale and
beer, a common custom seems to he to
preserve them by the addition of solicylic
acid. This drug is everywhere recognized
as harmful.
In the analysis of samples of whisky
one, with 2.70 per cent, of alcohol, had
for the remainder of its ingredients an
excess of taunic acid and the balance
brandy. In another case the whisky was
chiefly brandy-
Under the head rum, two cases were
“practically alcohol and water,” another
"chieflv whisky flavored with acetic
ether ” and a fourth “chiefly brandy.”
The “beer” was designated in several
instances as salicylic acid and fusel oil,”
and in other cases by one of the two
above named poisons.
"Coriander flavor,” "whisky, alco
hol” and "anise” masquaraded as "gin,”
while the disguises of brandy were "large
ly whisky,” "chiefly alcohol, fusel oil
and other things.
The "preservatives” in sweet cider were
absent in each case. In "soda water”
five tests were made and In four lead,
"tartaric acid.” "iron” and “very hard
water” were discovered.
PISSIE IS A THIEF.
Stole a Diamond Ring and the Boston
Police Are Seeking Its Owner.
From the New York Press.
Boston, Dec. 7.--beslt, a big Maltese
cat, was taken into Police station No. 5
last night, charged with the larceny of
a diamond ring worth over *IOO. She lives
in a block of flats in Berkeley street. Last
nizht she came in the window from the
fir*—escape with the ring in her mouth
and gave it up to her mistress, Mrs. E. W.
1 S \t T y dig era 1 and took her to the police
station and the police are trying to And
the owner of the ring, as Bessie hasn t
yet told where she stole it. Lieut. Sulli
van allowed the thief to go when her
owner gave verbal bail for her appearance
when required.
—Prof Oarner writes from Africa that
he is busy at work interviewing the chim
panzees and expeels to return to America
early In •# Prim.live Africa Impresses him
as a wonder Ail problem. Some of his .
thoughts slrout It run thus: "Here are I
found the Urgent monkeys and the small
est men. The chimpanzees have musi'sl
instruments around which they hold a
dance, while there are tribes of sav- j
ages so low and brutal as never to have |
Invented a rnosteal Instrument. Monkey
tribes gorllU tribes and chimpanzee tribes
are organized They i.*\ leaders and gov- j
ernors. They seen, to hav> a rude svstem j
of government of U* forMU " |
THE MORNING NEWS; SUNDAY. DECEMBER 15. 1895.
THE GREATEST DIAMONDS.
GEMS WITH HISTORIES WORTH
MILLIONS OF HOLLARS EACH.
The Largest In the lTilted States—A
Servant Swallows a Priceless Dia
mond to Save It From Robbers—The
Throne of the- Great Mogul, the
Koli-t-Noor.
From the New York Sun.
Most of the great diamonds of the
world have about them an atmosphere of
romantic tradition. Objects of such rar
ity and value have attracted the avarice
and ambition of eastern rulers through
centuries, and it has been truly said that
almost every one of the great diamonds
now the pride of royal treasuries, or of
rare collections in Europe, has a history
full of strife, contest, rivalry arid war.
It is not only their enormous money
value, and the pride of possession which
have made them objects of the most vio
lent contention,but also the superstition
investing them with ail manner of fancied
powers, which they are reputed to con
fer on their possessor. About all the
great diamonds of the east thefe hangs
this cloud of mingled history and tradi
tion, often hard to distinguish, and ren
dering the real record almost unattaina
ble.
The celebrated traveler, Tavernier, vis
ited the east in 1670 and there saw and
described many most remarkable jewels
belonging to the famous Aurungzebe, then
on the throne of the Mogul empire at
Delhi. The subsequent history of these
stones is obscure. In 1739 the Persian
conquerer. Nadir Shah, overran much
of India, and carried back with him
booty and plunder estimated at seven
hundred millions of dollars, among which
were many of these Jewels. After his
death his treasures were dispersed, and
it has been Impossible to trace them. The
finest crown of jewels in Europe are in
many cases a part of this scattered plun
der of the Orient.
The greatest diamond ever known until
two years !igo was one described by Ta
vernier, known as the Great Mogul. Us
original weight was 787Lj carats, but by
the mismanagement of a Venetian lapi
dary employed by Shah Jehan, from whom
his son Aurungzebe inherited it, the stone
had been reduced in cutting to 360 carats,
a loss of nearly two-thirds. For this
blunder, or worse, the lapidary was fined
his entire possessions and nearly lost his
head. Indian tradition reports it to have
been found on the hanks of the Kistna
river, in Golconda, ages ago. ami to have
been wort; for 5,000 years by Kama, one
of the legandary heroes of the Mahab
harata. This wonderful diamond has dis
appeared; It was probably taken to Per
sia by Nadir Shah, and perhaps has been
broken, the recut pieces forming some of
the largest diamonds now known.
If the Russian Orloff and the English
Koh-i-noor were put together base to base
they would approximate to the size and
form of Tavernier’s Great Mogul. Each
has a flat side, evidently determined by
fracture along a cleavage plane. The Or
loff diamond weighs 196% carats. It is
cut as a rose, with a flat face below, and
is about half the size of a pigeon’s egg.
This is known to have been brought to
Persia bv Nadir Shah, and was subse
quently bought by an Armenian mer
chant by Prince Orloff for the Empress
Catherine II of Russia. The price was
450,000 rubles, a pension and a title of no
bility.
The English Koh-i-noor has the most
romantic and disputed history of any of
the great diamonds. It belonged to the
lately deceased Dhuleep Sing, maharajah
of I>ahore, and was the greatest treasure
of his kingdom. When England took pos
session of the Punjab, in 1848. the rajah
was but a child, and was partly pursuad
ed and partly compelled to accept a pen
sion from the queen and transfer to her
the Koh-l-noor. Shortly before his death,
in 1892, he visited England to recover the
diamond that, he said, had been stolen
from him. It was exhibited aa one of the
great attractions at the World's Fair,
in the Crystal Palace at London, in 1861.
It was then the second largest diamond
In Europe—lß6 carats—but, being some
what irregular, was recut as a brilliant,
and reduced to 102V4 carats, with a loss
of two-fifths, and but little gain In beauty.
The name Koh-i-noor, or "mountain of
light,” was first used by Nadir Shah, on
seeing the great mogul diamond.
Another diamond of the same name, the
Persian Koh-i-noor, is one of the greatest
diamonds belonging to the Shah of Per
sia, w-ho wears them on his left hand and
right foot. These are irregularly cut, like
all Indian gems, but their history and de
tails are not known.
Several other large diamonds were seen
and described by Tavernier in the course
of his Indian travels, but they are not
definitely identified now.
The Regent, or Pitt, diamond, weighing
136'*, carats, was long the pride of tho
crown jewels of France, arid until within
the past decade the finest large diamond
known. It was bought by the Duke of
Orleans, then Regent of France, of Pitt
governor of Fort George. Its original
weight was 410 carats. According to a
pamphlet which Pitt published, to clear
himself from the report of having stolen
the stone, he purchased it in Golconda of
a Hindoo merchant. Pope’s famous lines;
Asleep and naked as the Indian lay
An honest factor stole the Kem away,
allude to this story. This diamond was
stolen from the Grade Meuble in 1792
but was restored in a mysterious man
ner. Its cutting, which occupied two
years, cost *17,500. Napoleon wore It in
the pommel of his sword. It is now In
the Galerie d’ Apollon in the Louvre
with the two Mazarin diamonds not sold
at the French crown jewel sale
One extraordinary diamond has been
yielded by the Borneo mines; this Is the
Maltam, of 317 carats. It was found in
1760 belongs to the rajah of Mattam
Borneo. The Dutch governor of Batavia
offered for it two men-of-war fully eauin
ped and £50,000 (*250,000); but the rajah
replied that the fortunes of his family
depended upon its retention.
Among other notable or historic dia
monds may be mentioned the following-
The Shah, 86 carats, of peculiar oblong
form and great purity. It is one of the
Russian crown Jewels, having been pre
sented by the Shah of Persia to the Czar
Alexander I.
The Nassuck, 7884 carats, is a triangular
stone with triangular facets. It was
among the spoils taken by the Marquis
of Hastings in the conquest of Deccan
became the property of the East India
Company, and has passed by sale through
various hands to its present owner, the
Duke of Westminster, who paid £7.200
*36,000) for it at auction.
A diamond of 76>4 carats, belonging to a
Mr. Dresden of London, is a Brazilian
stone, cut in drop shape, and of great
purity and fire.
The Sancy is a notable historic stone of
53% carats. It first belonged to the Duke
of Burgundy, and was bought by the
King of Portugal in 1479, and later from
him by the Baron de Sancy, who sent it
as a present to his sovereign, Henry 111.
The servant who bore it was attacked
by robbers and swallowed the diamond,
which was found in his body after his
death. Its next possessor was James II
of England, who sold it to Louis XIV for
£25,000 (*125,000), It disappeared in the plun
dering of the Tuileries during the French
revolution, but after many peregrina
tions was sold to Prince Paul DemldofT
of Russia.
The Eugenie diamond is a beautiful bril
liant of 51 carats purchased by Napoleon
111 for the Empress Eugenie.
The Pigot diamond, of 4434 carats, was
brought from India by Lord Pigot, and
finally passed to Ali Pasha of Egypt for
£3o.i)oi) (1150,(8)0). When All was mortally
wounded he ordered that the diamond ho
crushed and his favorite wife strangled,
The diamond was eruahed, but his wife,
Vasilika, was spared.
The Polar Star 40% carats, a remarkably
pure and lustrous stone. Is like the Shah
and the great Orloff. one of the crown
jewels of Russia.
The pasha of Egypt, 40 carats, ts a bril
liant octahedron, said to have cost Ahra
him Pasha £2B(XKi (*l4o,uou>.
The Cumberland. 32 carats, was bought
by the illy of London and presented to
the Duke of Cumberland. It was after
ward claim'd by ihe kingdom of Hano
ver, and restored by Queen Victoria.
The supposed enormous diamond sent
from Brazil to th* King of Portugal In
1745 has never been seen by any one who
was allowed to ozamlne it or to get near
enough to It to give an accurate Idea as
to w ligt it really is. An Illustration which
I { A
!
rfj I \
Miss Loftus—With her common mother, what right has that Miss Stlckney to he
stuck up?
Miss Bpotter—Through her father, dear. He made piles of money In glue.
has come to my. hand from the London
Magazine of December, 1746. gives its
form as egg-shaped, its weight 1,660 car
ats, and its value 0J4.000.0H0 (*1,200,000,000).
The form represented proves conclusively
that it is not a diamond, hut a rolled peb
ble of white topaz or rock crystl, as the
diamond, from Its extreme hardness, nev
er occurs in a rolled form.
Of colored diamonds the most remarka
ble are the following:
The Hope diamond. 441* carats, of a brll
lian sapphire blue, one of the most beau
tiful stones in existence was in the col
lection of the late Mr. Hope of Amster
dam, who valued it at £3.\n<M (sl6o,(mu),
and has lately been sold to an English
millionaire, Mr. Joseph Tasker, for £160.-
000 (*800.000). The sale was cancelled be
cause the purchaser said that he was
drunk. The stone is doubtless the same
as a blue diamond described by Taver
nier, which was afterward sold to the
French crown, and disappeared after the
robbery of the French crown Jewels from
the Garde Meuble, in 1793.
The Green diamond of Dresden, now In
the celebrated Green vaults of that city,
is a pear-shaped stone of 38 carts. It was
purchased by Augustus the Strong, and
is a remarkably beautiful green diamond.
The Florentine diamond, often called
yellow, hut really sherry colored, Is the
largest colored stone, and belongs to ilia
Austrian crown. It weighs 133 carats, atul
is valued at 1,000,000 florins (*5*1,000). Its
history is mysterious; It was found on the
battlefield of Granson by a soldier, who
sold it for 1 florin. It finally came to the
Duke of Milan, then to Pope Julius It,
and by him was presented to the Emperor
of Austria.
The finest yellow diamond known, and
the largest stone In this country. Is the
Tiffany diamond of 125% carats. It Is a
flawless double brilliant of a rich orange
yellow, and Is valued at SIOO,OOO. It Is an
African stone, belonging to Tiffany & Cos.
of New York, and has never been offered
for sale.
The Star of the South Is a Brazilian
stone of pale yellow, and nearly the same
size, 125 5-6 carats. Its original weight
was Just about double. It has considerable
fire and ranks among the finest stones
known; it now belongs to the Maharajah
of Baroda.
The Red Russian diamond is small (10
carats), but remarkable for its brilliant
red color. It was purchased by the Em
peror Faul I for *73,000 (100,000 rubles) and
letters of nobility.
A diamond weighing 45714 carats was
brought from the Cape in 1884. It has been
cut Into a brilliant of 180 carats, the
largest jn the world, and is valued at
£200,000 (*1,000,000). The finding of this
stone Is involved in mystery; it was, evi
dently, surreptitiously taken from one of
the mines. The name “Victoria" was giv
en it. In honor of the queen, and from 188*
to 1893 It was the finest brilliant known
It is also called the "Imperial.”
F. G. Kunz.
SHE WAS A BANDIT AT HI.
Now She 1s in Jnll I’nder I n<l lei me n 1
Charging Her With Murder.
From the St. Louis Globe-Democrat.
Oklahoma City, Nov. 28.—The grand
Jury to-day Indicted Jessie E. Findley, 17
years of age, for murder, and Judge Scott
remanded her to Jail without bail. The
indictment is based on the fact that she
Introduced weapons into the jail in June
to assist the Christians in making their
escape, which they accomplished on June
30, 1895, resulting in the killing of Chief of
Police Jones.
It seems that Jessie, who is a bright
little brunette, was the sweetheart of Bob
Christian. She had met him one day at
her mother's house, sixty miles east of
Oklahoma City, and it was a case of love
at first sight, at least as far as she was
concerned. Ho and two others of ills
gang had stopped there for something to
eat, and Bob, while waiting for the meal,
made love to the cook. He was a very
presentable young desperado. The meal
over. Bob mounted and rode away, but
not before he had made an appointment
to meet his fair hostess at a not far dis
tant day. The courtship extended over a
period of only two weeks, and one morn
ing Jessie was missing. She had eloped
with her Robin Hood.
She remained with him for several
months, riding with the gang on several
forages, but usually staying at the cabin
and acting as housekeeper and cook.
Bob taught her to shoot and to ride, and
she soon became very proficient in the
use of the revolver and rifle, and not
afraid to mount the wildest bronco. She
ventured where even the bravest of the
gang was afraid to go, and It is related
that one time she plunged into the North
Canadian with her pony when it was run
ning full from bank to bank, and not one
of the boys dared to follow until they
were goaded to it by her revilings and
epithets.
About this time Bob and Bill Christian
were arrested for killing Deputy Sheriff
Turner of Pottawatomie county, Okla
homa, who was attempting to arrest them
for cattle stealing. This was the first
murder that could be brought home to
them, and the prosecution was thorough
and prompt. They were convicted of the
crime, sentenced to long terms in the
penitentiary and brought to Oklahoma
City to await transportation to prison.
Jessie was a constant attendant at the
Pottawatomie jail, bringing her Luncelot
choice eatables and drinkables, and when
they were brought here for safe keeping
pending their transportation to the pen
itentiary, she followed them, and was
a daily visitor at the Jail.
Jessie succeeded in smuggling three re
volvers to them, with thirty rounds of
ammunition. The attempt to escape was
to be made on Sunday, June 30, and on
Friday, after she had performed her mis
slen, Jessie went to their old home, near
Violet Springs, Okl&homna, to await her
lover's coming.
Sunday came and the attempt was made.
The two Christians and James Casey,
another murderer confined in the Jail,
overpowered the jailer and made tnelr
way into the street. A Sabbath stillness
brooded over the city, it being about 5
o'clock in the evening, and very fefr citi
zens abroad. The desperate men, each
with a cocked revolver in his hand, ran
down the street, passing Chief of Police
Milton w. Jones on the way. He noticed
they were in their shirt sleeves, and,
suspecting something wrong, called upon
them to halt. They answered with a
shot, which killed the chief Instantly.
Their volley was answered by shots from
Officers Jackson and Stovall, which kill
ed Casey and badly wounded Bill Chris
tian. The two Christians made their es
cape with the aid of confederates, who
met them on the edge of the town with
fresh horses, and were soon beyond pur
suit .
Jessie was Instantly suspect.d of having
Introduced the weapons Into the Jsll, and.
while strenuous efforts were made to re
rsttur* the Christians, a posse of men
wss sent out to Holt Christian's cabin to
effect the capture of Jessie, believing she
would five th# whole snap away If she
could i> ones got from under the influ
ence 0/ her lovar. Ths friends of tne
dssttwradoes received a tip of the inteu-
tlona of the authorities in some manner,
and at once spirited the girl away, pass
ing her from member to member of the
gang in different parts of the territory—
for they had many sympathizers, either
from fear or favor, and their bidding was
done without question.
To facilitate her escape Jessie was
dressed in cowboy costume —slouch hat,
high-heeled boots, storm coat, and all the
paraphernalia of the typical rustler. Put
ting her on horseback, they compelled her
to ride from point to point, some of them
accompanying her all the time and per
mitting her to have no converse with
strangers. They gave her hut little rest
for five days, and it may be said that she
was in the saddle continually, night and
day, for that length of time, doubling and
redoubling upon her pursuers. She es
timates that she rode 250 miles in those
five days, and when she was finally taken
to a negro settlement In the Choctaw
she was almost dead with fatigue.
Hhe had made up her mind by this time
that her life was in great danger. By
what the different members of the gang
who had ridden with her hHd let drop
from time to time she knew almost to a
certainty that they were fixing to sacri
fice her for the good of the gang, fearing
that she would give them away if she was
captured. She made up her mind that
they had brought her to this negro setle
ment to kill her, for all the negroes were
sympathizers of the Christians or mem
bers of the band. Besides this she found
that Boh was playing her false—had other
women In different sections of tho country
—and with all the bitter feeling of a wo
man scorned, resolved to give herself up
to the officers if an opportunity presented
itself, and tell the whole story.
She was taken to a lone cabin in the
depths of the forest, and there remained
for two days and nights alone. She had
been given some food and water and did
not suffer bodily, but found whenever she
put her head out of the door that n*groes
were on the watch. At night she slept to
the music of the howling of wol eg and the
cries of panthers and other wild beaslß,
but did not fear them, she says, as much
as the human wolves she knew were on
the outside. She had her rifle and revol
ver with her, and the negroes knew her
prowess with the weapons.
Finally, on the second night of her im
prisonment, Sheriff De Ford and posse,
fuided by a faithful negro, found her.
ie placed her on horseback and by a forc
ed night ride of fifty miles, reached the
railroad at early dawn, and safely lodg
ed her in the Oklahoma olty jail. She has
given up all the secrets of the gang, their
friends and sympathizers, and will prove
such a valuable witness fqr the govern
ment that It Is not believed she will suf
fer very greatly for her connection with
the escape and the murder In connection
therewith.
Jessie Is a typical western girl In many
respects—brave, energetic, and not espec
ially vicious. Great sympathy has been
expressed for her, and should she get out
of this trouble, she will be placed In school
by persons of wealth and standing who
are taking an interest in her.
THEY FOUND A CAVE.
Explorers Think They Have Learned
Where Kidd's Treasure Is Hidden.
From the New York Press.
Bar Harbor, Me., Nov. 2.—Men rambling
over Bald Porcupine Island In French
man's Bay a few weeks ago discovered
by accident a big cave on the southern
side of the one hundred and fifty acres
of rocky soil where the government Is
now building a breakwater to protect
our beautlfui harbor.
Bald Porcupine Island is one of the
many islands in Frenchman's Bay, which,
on account of their inaccessibility, have
not been made a place of visitation by
the summer tourists, and has been used
mostly for sheep raising the last half
a century, the question of Its ownership
having been in dispute in the courts sev
eral times.
Harvey Hodgkins and a man named
Bunker of Bar Harbor were strolling
about the island, and when near the
highest ground on the breakwater side
saw a dark spot In the cliff above them
resembling an entrance to a cave. At
first glance the approach seemed inac
cessible from where they stood, and th*
top of the rough cliff towered fifty feet
above. After an half hour's struggling
with the scrub brush on the sides or
the cliff, the pair reached the place. The
entrance was guarded with hugs rocks
plied there by the action of the elements.
They succeeded in rolling away one big
boulder which went crashing down the
cliff toward the ocean and disclosed an
opening large enough to admit a person
standing erect. A volume of foul alt
rushed out as If the entrance had been
closed for centuries, and It was sevei/d
minutes before the discoverers dared en
ter the narrow passage which appeared
to lead downward. Bunker let himself
In for a dozen feet, and discovered that
the passage led away to the right Into
a chamber of considerable dimensions.
Bunker and Hodgkins decided to aban
don their explorations until they could
procure torches and lanterns. They knew
that men were then digging for Capt.
Kidd's buried treasure near Ellsworth,
only a score of miles away, upon anew
theory of location, and It required only a
small flight of Imagination to convince
them that If the famous pirate had bur
ied his wealth anywhere on the Maine
roast he could not have selected a better
place than the cave on Bald Porsupine.
They rolled stones In front of the entrance
but returned later with torches. When
they steppi 1 within the chamber the torch
lit up a huge vaulted room about fifty
feet long, and from fifteen to twenty
feet in hight. There was a noise as of
running water at the farther end.
The floor was covered with ooze mud to
the depth of a foot or more.
After floundering about In the mud the
explorers began to get scared. The light
from the torches began to grow dim
also, and the foul air of the cave sick
ened them, They hurried out and pledged
each other to secrecy, but the story
leaked out, and later they consented to
take a few friends to the spot. In the
party besides themselves were Keren us
H. Rodick, Milton Rodick and Fountain
Rodlek, owners of Rodick. or Bar Island,
which lies near Bald Porcupine, and who
are acquainted with every spot about
Frenchman's Bay.
They were enjoined to secrecy, and con
sented to share In the buried treasure
equally. They brought otl-skln suits
long rubber bools, lanterns, torches and
Are arms, and cautiously poked their way
along the floor oftentimes knee deep In
slime. On the side walla little scintillat
ing glimmers cautioned them that there
were snakes In the caves, and gradually
a hissing noise all about them caused
them to stop and listen. One of the party
fired a rifle shot at a glimmer, and It
was Immediately extinguished, only to ap
pear In greater brilliancy all about the
cavern, accompanied by a chorus of hisses
that told the explorers that the cave was
alive wllh snakes. After they had ad
vanced thirty feat they saw colled In a
corner a hug# bunch of snakes of all col-
Open Every Evening Until Christmas.
ECKSTEIN’S
The Best Dolls t -
3 be Best Do le. nee
The Best Dolls. 75c
The Best Bolls *1 is)
The Best Dolls 1 35
The Best Dolls I 50
The Best Dolls I 75
The Best Dolls 2 to
1 he Best Dolls 2 50
The Best Dolls 3 id
The Beat Dolls 4 0)
The Best Dolls 4 50
The Best Dolls 5 oo
The Best Dolls 6 (81
The Best Dolls 8 00
SILKS, VELVETS, CREPONS.
Shaving Rets |! 50
shaving Sets 8 25
Dressing Cases 1 ix>
Dressing ( ascs 2 00
Dressing Cases 10 00
Photograph Boxes 1 25
Spgar Boxes I 25
Collar and Cults 1 25
Collar and Celts 3 50
Jewel ( ases I 00
Infants Toilets .. 1 (to
Cnemeon Trays I oo
Manicures from I uo
Fancy clocks 2 50
Metal Ink Stands t 00
The 999 Beaver Capes, $5.00
Gents’Teck Scarfs 25c
Gents'Teck Scarfs 50c
Gents' Silk Bows 25c
Gents' 4 In Hand 25e
Gents' 4 Ili Hand s(B'
Gems' Handkerchiefs fo
Gents' llundkerrhlefs life
Gents' Handkerchiefs 25c
Gents Haft Fo-e too
Gents' Half Hose 85c
Gents Morlno Shirts u6c
Gents' t mhrcllus 96c
Gent*' Overshirts 39c
Gems'Garters 2 c
Gents' Drawers 4Wo
Roeckl Kid Gloves, SI.OO.
Black Wool Henrietta 19c
Black Sicilians 25c
All Wool Henrietta 36c
$1 Storm Serge 69c
*1 Laities' Cloths sl)c
silc Dress Goods .. 33c
Pic Wool Henrietta 85c
Fancy Brocades 19c
Fancy Dress Goods 250
500 Striped Satins 2rfc
Black Dress Silks. 45c
Bah k Dress Rutin* 550
Plaid Waist Silks 75c
Rich Duchessc Satin 79c
Rich Satin Broclie 7&c,
Gustave Eckstein & Cos.
NEW STORE NO. 135 BROUGHTON STREET.
WE FEEL
That we should make known the fact that we are
manufacturing under our RJR trade mark tag,
“Naturally Sweet” Chewing Tobacco
That requires 60 per Cent, less added sweetening than
any other, which we market so as to reach chewers
at 50c per pound. This tobacco is preferred by
many chewers who have been accustomed to using
the most expensive brands of North Carolina and
Virginia chewing tobacco. We were recently
awarded the highest premium on tobacco entered
for competition at the Cotton States and Interna
tional Exposition at Atlanta, Ga. By calling at our
unique exhibit, Agricultural building, section 3,
chewers can get a free cut of our RJR, and will be
surprised to find that dealers can supply them with
such an excellent chew in 10c cuts at the rate of
50c a pound. Manufactured only by
R. J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO CO.,
WINSTON, N. C.
ors and sizes. It is estimated that there
were 200 snakes in the bunch.
In another part of the cave a stream of
water trickled through from the mountain
side. One end of the roof sloped tn a
dark, narrow passage through which Mil
ton Rodick squeezed himself, despite the
protests of his comrades. He found that
the passage led down Into what was ap
parently another large chamber.
The explorers soon grew tired of push
ing their way through the thick mud, and
decided to give up the search for the day
and return again with better excavating
Implements. The exact location of the
cave has not been generally made public,
and, so far as known, the party has not
made another excursion to the cave, al
though they still believe that further
search will reveal burled treasure.
A LIGHT IN HIS POCKET.
A Pocket Flosh Night Lamp Is a Val
uable Companion.
From th© Philadelphia Record.
A number of electric lamps of various
sizes and shapes have been patented and
are constructed by an electrical engineer
In Vienna. These lamps come in the
shape of bottles, clocks, opera glasses. In
fact In any desired shape, but are all con
structed after the same principle.
The neck of this bottle contains a small
battery. In which three pairs of platinum
and zinc elemcnlN of the smallest possible
size are concealed. This battery has a
six-volt tension, and furnishes a current
of from four to live amperes Intensity. A
minute Incandescent lamp Is connected
with the poles of the battery, and pro
tected by a knob of cut glasa, the lower
part of which la silvered and acts as a
reflector. The hody of the bottle contains
the reservoir, In which a fluid, which Is
furnish#! by the Inventor of the appar
atus, Is kept. When the light Is to be
used the top containing the battery is
screwed off, and tbe bottla is tilled about
Toy Bureaus.. toe
Toy Bureaus 25c
Toy Bureaus fstc
Toy Sideboards 2">c
Toy Si'ief'oar is 50e
Toy Bedsteads sej
Toy lea Reis 10c
Toy Tea Sets 25c
Toy Tea Rets 50c
Toy Tea Rets 75c
Toy Toilet Refs Si*
Toy Toilet Rets (l 25
Doll Raratoga T runk I (0
Doll Saratoga Trunk I 50
Doll Saratoga Trunk 2 Oo
Fine Perfumes toe
Fine Perfumes 25c
Fine Perfumes ;33
Fine Perfumes soc
Fine Perfumes 75c
Fine Perfumes *1 00
Fine Perfumes 1 .5
Fine Perfumes 1 50
Dressing Set and Tray ... 4 50
Writing Desks i 51
Writing Desks 2 50
Glove Boxes 2 00
Handkerchief Boxes 2 01
Sets ot Boxes 8 71*
Work Boxes 1 25
Moial Pincushions bio
Metal Paper Cutters 25c
Metal Button Hooks 25c
Silver Photo Frames 20c
Silver Photo Frames .'oc
Silver Photo Promos 750
Silver Jewol Cases 50c
Silver Jewel Cases 7.*c
Stiver Violet Glasses 250
Ladies' Silk Gariers 25c
Ladles' Silk Garters 50c
l adies' Silk Garters 75c
Fancy Box Paper 20e
Fancy Box Paper fsgj
Fancy Box Paper 750
Yard Wide Bleaching 5c
Yard Wide C Island fo
Best Apron Checks oc
Best Blue Calicoes 5c
Standard Calicoes 5c
Fust Black Host) 8c
Heavy Cotton Flannel t)c
Striped Bed Ticking 8c
Fancy Outings Rc
The Best Outings loc
Fancy Cotton Orepoua 12c
Red Wool Flannel 15
Heavy Cotton Towels 5c
Large Linen Dollies 5o
Ready-made Pillows ,lue
half way with the fluid. When the top la
screwed on again tightly, the lamp Ig
ready for use. As soon as it is Inclined
so that the fluid reaches the battery, tha
electric current is closed, and the incan
descent lamp glows with a white and bril
liant light. No sooner is the bottle re
placed In a vertical position with the knot*
up, than the light will be extinguished.
>* hile the lamp Is not In use, there is no
waste of material, and the smallest six*
bottle will furnish a continuous light
for about half an hour.
The inventor furnishes with the lamp a
bottle of fluid sufficient for eight fillings
at a cost of 60 cents. These lights are in
troduced abroad in the household tor
various purposes. When coming home
late, they will illuminate the stairs; and
If laid on the edge of a table will light the
room until other light is provided. This
lamp is also a very valuable accessory;
oh the night table adjoining the bed, since
when waking up at night all that Is neces
sary to make a light is to turn over the
bottle standing near at hand. It Is in
valuable for Invalids who have to take
medicine, and who must, of course, see
what they are doing. There 1s absolutely
no danger In Its use, since the fluid is
Suite harmless, and the absence of the
anger of fire alone has done much to
make this little apparatus very popular
\\ here the Csnarlra Come From.
From Harperis Round Table.
A greett many of our finest singers have
come from Italy and France, but until
we read /ttl In an English newspaper
some days ago we never knew that Ger
many carries on a very large trade In
the rearing and exporting of canaries,
and that the largest establishment in
the world for the breeding of these crea
tures Is situated within the domains ot
that empire, away up among the Harts
Mountains of Prussia. From this end
the few sun minding, but much smaller
nurseries no fewer than llO.QOli birds s*a
despatched every year to the United
Slates and Canada; while in tha rims
time at least B,(W go to Great Britain, uni
about 2, two go to Russia.
11
Mother Goose Ladders 2Ro
Spanish Dancers 250
Mechanical Toys 750
Horns, Trumpets 100
Rubber Toys 250
Spinning Tops sc, 10c. 15c
Musical Tops 25c. 50:
Jumplug Jacks 10a
Mouth Harmonicas. 100
Mouth Harmonicas 150
Picture IVs>ks 150
Picture Books 25c
Autograph Albums 50c
Autograph Albums 750
India Rubber Balts 100
Japanese Trays *sq
Japanese Travs 750
Photo Albums 35c
Photo Albums *1 OO
Photo Albums 2 (10
Photo Albums *OO
Photo Albums 4 DO
Musical Albums 6 50
Cosmeon Sets 7 50
Cosmeon Sets 9 00
silk Embr Shawls 8 00
Silk Embr Scarfs 6 !0
silk Lambrequins 2 50
Silk Lambrequins 5 00
Fancy Odor Case 7 50
F.mbr. Handkerchiefs So
Embr. Handkerchiefs 9o
Embr Handkerchiefs Isg
Embr. Handkerchiefs 25a
Embr. Handkerchiefs 518]
Embr. Handkerchiefs 780
Embr. Handkerchiefs .. II 00
Embr. Handkerchiefs .... 1 35
Embr. Handkerchiefs ... l 50
Embr. Handkerchiefs .... 2 Op
Embr. Handkerchiefs .... 2 50
Lace Curtains, pair *so
I.ace Curtains, pair |l 50
Lace Curtains, pair 5 OO
Lace Curtains, pair... ...1000
Turkey Red Damask 19#
Large White Blankets... *1 *9
5 White Blankets 8 39
White Blankets 5 00
Stlkiillno Comforters 2 0(4
Black Beaver Cape 5....... t 90
'I an Beaver Capes 2 90
C 0 Ladles’ Jackets 5 00
Marseilles Spreads . .... 175
r.lderdown Comforters..,. 4 50
Tapestry Table Covers.... 2 00
infants' Closks 1 28
Large Crochet quilts 89a
Tho Best Corsets 750
Men's Fancy Shirts 89a