Newspaper Page Text
THE morning NEWS. )
rn.hlla' I*® o - Incorporated 188$. ,
j h. ESTILL, President. )
CAUSE not yet made clear.
bO VEHMH’* t has not rearmed
* N VTI RE OF EXPLOSION.
~r Sensational Development*
stories
Bronutlit to Light ly Diver* Not
Warranted by Anythin*: Obtaina
)il(. hl oillelal Clreles—No lnforma
lion sent i by Hoard ot Inquiry—
precedents in Demanding Imlem
|( „s Found in the Early History
of tlie Nation.
\V ,rhln.uton, Feb. 25.—1n spite of the
~r i - !h;)t come from unofficial sources
I iii. ina as to sensational developments
onneotion with the work of the divers
I, t Maine’s hull, the administration re
- firm in Its statement that there is
r . evidence one way or the other
, lh ,, cause of the disaster, and holds
” jts purpose to await the conclusion or
IV inv.v i-ration now making by the court
I of inquiry.
t;. . poriiion was emphasized at to-day’s
I ca ; i n i t meeting. People who looked for
fo nir startling announcement were dlsap
pentei ns the members without reserva
frankly admitted that the subject of
(he los? of the Maine had been discussed,
?I j,] the government had received no
tr' rmafion from Havana since yesterday,
jn, hn 1 no intention of changing Us policy
until there was something of substance to
warrant it.
The Spanish legation was equally in the
dark as to any of the discoveries reported
from sources that are not cited, as was
Jhown by the message from Capt. Gen
Bianco.
Secretary Long has been under a heavy
ai l almost constant strain ever since he
w.is awakened in the middie of the night
a week ago last Tuesday by the news of
the loe- of the Maine, and now that mat
ters are at least for the time being in a
quieter state, he has withdrawn from the
navy department and gone away for a
few days rest, leaving Assistant Secretary
Roosevelt to manage the department. The
latter has been thoroughly advised of the
Secretary’s policy in the treatment of the
Maine affair, so that there is not likely
to be any change in that respect caused
by the temporary assumption of the du.
ties of secretary by Mr. Roosevelt.
Just when the department closed he
bad word of the sailing of the cruiser
Montgomery from Tampa for Key West.
Vp to that time the vessel had been given
no orders so that the date of her depar
ture for Havana, if she is to go at all,
is conjectural. The ship went to Tampa
Instead of Key West on her return from
San ] in in go. in order to facilitate the
speedy return to his duties in Washington
of Capt. Crown inshield, the chief of the
navigation bureau, who saved a full day
by the movement.
The Castine, the second of the United
S: ip s warships on the South Atlantic Sta
ton, arrived to-day at Barbadoes, where
joined the Cincinnati. It may be that
the Castine will go to Martinique to be
docked, us she is in need of clearing af
ter her tropical cruise.
Since so much depends on the report of
the court of inquiry It may be interesting
to note that so far Secretary Long himself
Hoes not know when to expect this impor
tant item, up to this time having heard
nothing from any of the members on this
roint. He rather expected that the court,
®hkh has complete power to work on its
own lines, would wind up its work at Ha
'ar.i before leaving, so as to avoid the
necessity for a return trip.
(| ne mi m!>cr of the cabinet had more
oeiinfte information on the subject, ex
-1" :ng she receipt of the report from the
ouirt about the middle of next week.
1 c i • Is reason to believe that meantime,
Bl ! ! ' Prepare for the reception of a re-
' | ’ orl 111 would show the disaster to be
’ bi other cause than that of an accl
’ other officials have been looking in
ti in, subject of indemnities so as to lay
' to m aion of a case in case it should
'■■••■Ml to resort to that method of set
tlement.
• ' are u large number of precedents
If will aid the authorities In shaping
. ’ “ u in this direction when the
l 1 1” i" l ' fully established. While none of
, ■ ' show the fearful loss of life sus
■ll ’ ' the Maine explosion, yet they
’ . " ,:l >ny instances In which the Unit
* 11 ’ ’ had adopted energetic measures
■ ’ the killing of American citizens
•bn countries. In a general way
l: “ "is of redress have included <Je
’ ! " r indemnity, proclamations ex
, 'he warships of the offending na
me our harbors, display of force,
t ; '' r "urse, withdrawal of our minls
-ul and blockade. Some of these
, '' herder very closely on war, al
'hey are regarded as movements
'' ' liminary to actual hostilities, and
■ ' mg to a threat that force will fol
’ * ’ duration is not made.
iSO of the Water Witch Is conaid
j, ’ most analagous to that of the
jj ’ i","ld it be established that the
‘ lst er was not the result of in
j| T he Water Witch was a United
j 1,1 en S a *ed in 1855 In surveying
'once to one of the rivers of Para
j, " i'hout warning, and by orders of
~ 1 i-opez of Paraguay, a force of
j, ’■pened fire on the Water Witch,
~ 1 tl "‘ m an at the helm and wounding
■ incuse feeling was aroused in the
I •'hates when the facts became
i , 1 he President reported the facts
i "v-s, and In his message asked nu
* make a demonstration of force
r , "ould insure suitable redress. In
, ’ *° fhi=. Congress authorized him
, s uch force as is necetsary” to se
a,nPle reparation.
a , ""gly, an armed fleet was hastily
, ’’ on a scale which was regarded
til " "kable for those days. The expe
( "i'’hided nineteen armed ships, twen
, " heavy guns and 2,800 sailors and
'r- Accompanying this formidable
1,, ’, , 10r< ' were civilian plenipotentiaries
, ’ " <o make the demands of this pov
r,r, , ‘ an< l then enforce them by calling
n ; , sl, ips. The expedition made
v. . ' ‘’t’le showing In South American
v.;, s ' Resident Lopez’s government
U’- ence tk' 0 subjection by its
• Ihe American commissioners
§Phe JUofning
and naval officers were received at Ascen
sion with much honor and every repara
tion within the power ot the republic was
given. This included abject apology, a
sweeping disavowal and 110,000 for the suf
ferers from the outrage. As the republic
was willing to grant full reparation, the
naval expedition did not exert the force
it was prepared to use in case a refusal
had been offered.
When the facts of the expedition were
reported to the American Congress the
President stated that the dispatch of this
formidable naval fleet had had a salutary
influence throughout the world, and had
convinced foreign nations that the United
States would protect the lives of its citi
zens with all the force at its command.
The case of the firing on the United
States ship Chesapeake by the British ship
Leopard is another case affording a prece
dent as to the government’s mode of ac
tion. The Chesapeake was proceeding to
sea when she wasO hailed by the com
mander of the latopard with a demand
that British deserters, said to be in the
hold of the Chesapeake, be surrendered.
The American commander refused to
comply, whereupon the Leopard first fired
a snot across the bow of the Chesapeake
and followed this with two broadsides.
The American commander was severely
wounded, three sailors were killed out
right and many were wounded. Being un
prepared for action, It being a time of
peace, the American commander hauled
down his colors and surrendered.
Tremendous excitement prevailed in the
United States over thfe outrage. Presi
dent Madison speedily issued a proclama
tion excluding from American ports all
British warships. He also caused ener
getic protests and demands to be present
ed at London. The Britisli authorities
promptly disavowed the action, recalled
the admiral under whom the outrage had
been perpetrated and without request ten
dered indemnity sufficient to support the
wives and families of all those that had
been killed and wounded.
Later, the ship Prometheus was fired
upon in the harbor of Grey town. The
ship had declined to pay excessive port
charges imposed by the King of the
Mosquito country, then controlling the
country under a British protectorate. The
King called on the British warship, Ex
press, to sustain his demands and the Ex
press promptly sent a broadside into the
Prometheus. There were no persons kill
ed or injured, but the United States made
a prompt demand for reparation. The
British government gave this in the full
est manner and without a question, dis
avowing the act and condemning the of
ficer of the Express.
Displays of force were resorted to by
the United States in 1852 against Japan
and in 185S against Java. In the case of
Japan, American sailors had been severe
ly handled in Japanese ports and the na
tive courts failed to give adequate redress.
A naval expedition was sent to Japanese
waters and this had the effect of secur
ing the fullest apology, and also an agree
ment by which every protection was
guaranteed to American citizens and prop
erty in Japan. ,
In the case of Java the Secretary of
the Navy sent a large naval force to the
waters of Java jo demand that the native
trial courts should give the fullest protec
tion to Americans. The expedition was
successful in its purpose, and all the as
surances desired were given.
In 1815 seven Americans were killed ibid
about sixty were wounded while they were
being detained in the Britsh prison at
Dartmoor. This was brought on by a
clamor for rations, which was resisted by
the prison gijard. The United States de
manded explanation and suitable repara
tion and the British government complied
by an indemnity for the support of the
families of those killed and wounded.
There are quite a number of recent cases
the latest being that of the German occu
pation of Kiao-Chau for the outrages com
mitted by Chinese on German missiona
ries. In that case the German govern
ment acquired as Indemnity a large por
tion of Chinese territory, as weli as one
of the most valuable strategic ports of
China.
The principle of money indemnity for the
killing of foreigners has been recognized
In several recent cases in the United
States. One of those was the killing of
Italians at New Orleans by a mob. In
that case, while the United States did not
admit the responsibility of the federal gov
ernment for the act of the mob, yet indem
nity was paid out of the federal treasury
as a matter of international comity and
equity. Similar action was taken in in
demnifying China for her subjects killed
at Rock Springs.
In the case of the Virginlus, a large
money indemnity was paid.
Demands by the United States are now
pending against Turkey for the burning
of American missionary property in Tur
key during the Armenian outbreak. There
are many Individual claims against Spain,
including the Ruiz case, and that of Dr.
Delgado, now pending.
President Buchanan adopted the proce
dure of reprisal in 1859. This is a meas
ure just short of war. Mexico was charg
ed at that time with assenting to spolia
tion along the United States border. Pres
ident Buchanan asked Congress for au
thority to send a military force to secure
indemnity as diplomat)!' negotiations had
failed to bring redress from Mexico. This
course was adopted by Congress and the
preparations for the military reprisal soon
brought about a satisfactory adjustment.
Non-intercourse with Great Britain was
one of the imasures adopted against Great
Britain in 1805 in what was known as the
non-intercourse act in slopping associa
tions which up to that time had caused
many complications.
Embargo has been resorted to as a meas
ure of offense against foreign nations
short of war, the purpose being to prevent
the shipping of supplies needed by the of
fending nation. .
At the Spanish legation a dispatch was
received to-day from Gen. Blanco refer
ring to commercial questions and men
tioning incidentally that no change of
•any kind has occurred in affairs at Ha-
Gen. Balnoo’s latest statement is believ
ed at the legation to refer to the lack of
definite and trustworthy news pending the
private inquiry now being prosecuted by
he American and Spanish authorities. In
view of this attitude of those whose offi
cial position gives them the best opportu
nity for full information, Senor Dubose
and his associates do not credit the ,
ports of discoveries tending to establish
The cause of the Maine disaster.
The commercial negotaltions have been
somewhat lost sight of during recent ex
citing events, but the authorities at Ha
vana are hopeful that these may he ex
©edited at an early day. The Cuban com
missloner who has been named to treat
on the matter probably will come to
Washington before long, although some
£fay of necessity will occur owing to the
mare pr*slng questions which have
up ol late
SAVANNAH, GA., SATURDAY. FEBRUARY 20, 1898.
DIVERS NO LONGER IN DOUBT.
CORRESPONDENTS STILL CLAIM
THERE WAS FOI L PLAY. '
Court of Inquiry Believed to Have
Already Kenelied n Decision a* to
the Cause of the Disaster—The
Court Decides It Would Be Useless
to Raise the Vessel—Wrecking?
Company AYants !S2.tM>O.ObO ta lio
the AYork.
New York, Feb. 25.—The Mail and Ex
press this evening prints the following,
dated Havana, to-day:
“The United States naval board of in
quiry continued to-day taking testimony
of the divers who have been working in
the wreck of the Maine. Those who were
sent here from the battleship lowa and
cruiser New York were examined.
“While, of course, the members of the
court wall not talk for publication, I am
informed, on the highest authority, that
the evidence of Diver Morgan as to the
condition of the Maine shows, almost be
yond the possibility of a doubt, in the opin
ion of my Informant, that the was
blown up by an outside agency.
“Furthermore, Morgan’s report was veri
fied by the other American divers who de
scended to-day.
“The court will finish its work here to
morrow and proceed at once to Key West
to take the testimony of the survivors
there. It has also been decided not to re
turn to Havana, all the information as to
the cause of the disaster obtainable here
having already been secured. It Is believ
ed that a decision has been practically
reached. The witnesses yet to be exam
ined will hardly change the verdict. 1
“The court has decided against any at
tempt to raise the ruined battleship.
“The members are convinced that It
would be useless, as she could never be
kept afloat, and the Spanish authorities
will be informed that if they wish the
wreck removed from the harbor they must
attend to the work themselves. This de
cision gives a better idea of the terrible
havoc wrought in the Maine than columns
of description could do.
“The Merritt Wrecking Company, it was
announced to-day, wanted $2,000,000 to
raise the wreck. The company’s represen
tatives made this demand after viewing
the condition of the ship.
“The wreckers to-day turned their at
tention to saving the great guns. These
at least can be recovered in sufficiently
good condition to warrant the effort.
“Twenty unknown bodies of the crew
were recovered from the wreck by the
divers at noon to-day. The bodies were
frightfully burned and mangled, and it
may be impossible to ever identify some
of them.
“Holzer. who made such n brave fight,
died in the hospital to-day.
“All the wounded will leave here Sun
day on the Baehe for Key West. The
physicians consider it safe to move them
now.”
BLOWN UP FROM BELOW.
An Ensign Alleged to Have Found
Conclusive Evidence.
New York, Feb. 25.—A special to the
Herald from Havana says:
“There is no longer any reason to doubt
that the explosion which wrecked the
Maine came trom underneath the vessel,
and that her magazines had nothing to
do with the initial explosion and played a
much smaller part in the general disaster
than was at first supposed.
“The evidence that has served to con
vince the board was obtained by Ensign
Powellson, the officer attached to the
Fern.
“Ensign Powellson was formerly in the
construction corps and took a two-years'
special course in the Glasgow School of
Naval Architecture. lie is, therefore, a
competent witness.
“What he discovered was that the for
ward part of the keel of the Maine, with
its ribs and plates, was stove upward so
far that parts of the shattered double
bottom show out of the water and in
places sections of the green painted outer
hull are visible.
"Corroborative of the evidence given by
Ensign Powellson and of equal significance
and importance is the result of the close
examination made by the divers. What
they found Indicated that the explosion
came from a point beneath the keel.
“A plumb line dropped from a point Just
forward of the conning tower would have
laid the lead exactly on the spot where
the explosion occurred that hove the keel
and plates and ribs almost to Aiie surface.
“The main force of the explosion seems
to have been exceedingly slight on the port
side of the vessel. This is consistent with
the facts hitherto ascertained.”
"Collectively, three now indicate that the
contents of the reserve 6-inch magazine
were exploded by the initial blast, and
there was no explosion in either of the
other two.
“In the reserve magazine was stowed
2,500 pounds of powder in copper tanks,
each of which contained 200 pounds. Sev
en of the tanks have been found by the
divers, all in crushed and shapeless
masses. It Is important to note that in
the 6-inch and 10-inch tanks recovered
the excelsior used for parking the charges
shows no injury from flame or gases.
“The powder stowed in the 6-lneh re
serve magazine was for fowling pieces on
ly. The magazine itself appears to have
been utterly destroyed, only a few traces
having been left to show the spot where
It was once located.
"The under part of the ten-inch maga
zine is wholly inaccessible to divers. In the
upper part is tightly wedged a mass of
powder cylinders, too heavy for divers to
extricate, but apparently containing ex
ploded charges of powder.
“The Dow torpedo tube of the Maine has
been located in the wreck. It lies in the
debris forward submerged several feet un
der water.
“The hull Is now Imbedded in the mud to
the depth of eight feet. The divers sink to
their arm pits In the mud and have the
greatest difficulty in prosecuting their
work. Those engaged in the forward irt
of the ship are under the charge of Gun
ner Charles Morgan, an officer especially
detailed from the flagship New York for
that purpose, and who has the reputation
of being the most efficient of his rank.”
COI HT OF INQUIRY'S WORK.
Testimony of the Civilians Not of
Much Value.
Havana. Feb. 25.—The United States
light-house tender Mangrove is still here,
and the naval court of Inquiry continued
its usual sessions to-day. It it probable
that the testimony of civilian witnesses
did not add to the court’s knowledge of the
circumstances attending the explosion, the
causes of which these witnesses could
know nothing about, as they were quite
a distance away at the time of the oc
currence.
The wounded are reported doing well to
day.
The Merritt & Chapman derrick and
wrecking company's tug Right Arm is
again at work removing such parts of the
wreck as is possible to handle in advance
of the arrival of the stronger tugs and der
ricks from the North.
It Is believed the divers from the fleet
and the Right Arm will remain at work
when the Mangrove leaves. The Fern
will be the only United States vessel in
thfe harbor after the Mangrove goes.
The public generally will be excluded
from official vessels, especially the Man
grove, and a card will have to be pre
sented by the correspondents before ad
mission is given them.
There was a summer-like shower this
moring and there promises to be a general
increase in the temperature.
The wreck of the Maine Is slowly but
surely sinking into the mud. Before the
hull could be raised it would be necessary
to remove the guns and decks. For lack of
proper appliances practically nothing In
this line has been accomplished. Aside
from the officers' and cabin effects, the sal
vage thus far has been pitifully small. The
cloudy weather and rain made the work
of the divers unsatisfactory to-day and
very little was done.
The court of inquiry sat longer than us
ual to-day, the six divers being examined
more In delail than heretofore.
The time of the departure of the Man
grove with the court for Key West has not
lieen determined. Capt. Sampson sakl to
day it was doubtful whether his vessel
would sail to-morrow, that nil depended
on the developments of the testimony.
At. the afternoon session of the court
the examination of divers was continued.
A civilian, whose testimony was said to
be of some Importance, was also examined.
Later to-day the paymaster’s safe, with
$22,500 and hts papers was taken from
the wreck. Beyond this, no statement is
made as to the value and nature of the
contents.
The complaint Is still made that the
electric lights are of little use to the div
ers, as the light Is faint and uncertain,
and to hold them takes one of the diver's
hands. They have assuredly proved of
little value In the present investigation.
So f;ir ai< reports marie uubllc go. the
workmetl“BrfrtW (tiff RifJtlf Arm, wWti Hie
assistance of the naval divers, are labor
ing hard to recover the bodies under the
hatch which led to the Are room plat
forms. Sheering with timbers was neces
sary, and the divers had lo wait for the
lumber to-day. It is hoped the bodies will
be taken out to-morrow.
The Havana papers print long extracts
from the American dailies, but of course
only of delayed news. All the Americans
are anxiously awaiting the arrival of to.
morrow's mull.
Consul General Lee says he has receiv
ed no news of importance from the state
department to-day, nor has he been no
tified to expect the arrival of any one
of promlenee. It is ixriieved here that if
any American of national reputation
comes to Havana now it wyi be to study
the situation for himself, and not as an
official commissioner.
At 6 o'clock this evening, when this
dispatch Is sent, Holzer Is still sleeping
under the influence of an opiate. He is
no worse than he was this afternoon, but
is very low. Including him there are six
wounded left here. All are sure of recov
ery except Holzer. Some difficulty will
occur In removing them to the United
Stales, for all have been exposed to con
tagious fevers and the quarantine law for
bids their being taken direct to Key West.
These regulations were disregarded In the
case of the first lot of wounded taken
there on the Olivette the day after the ex
plosion. but only because of the extreme
exigencies of the case.
NO MINES IN HAVANA HARBOR.
Senor Dubose Denies the Tenth of a
Story Mill'll Dlsenssed.
Washington, Feb. 25.—1n view of the
widely published report that the harbor
of Havana contains of n system of subma
rine mines, a statement which has cen
tered the chief public Interest In connec
tion with the disaster to the Maine, Senor
Dubose, Spanish charge d'affaires at
Washington, to-night made to the Asso
ciated • Press the following statement,
which, coming from authority, may be
considered as an official denial:
"I wish to on my own official
knowledge, that no mine exists inside or
outside of Havana harbor, nor Is there
any submarine defense of any kind.
"The report Is so absolutely false and
ridiculous that it could only have origi
nated in the minds of those persons anx
ious to Incite the evil passions of both na
tions for their own miserable ends.
”1 consider the very suggestion of such
a thing an insult to Spain.”
VIZCAYA OFF FOR HAVANA.
The M punish Warship Passe* Out
AVith Her Flag at Half Ma*t.
New York, Feb. 25.—The Spanish cruiser
Vlzoaya, after spending a week In this
port on a friendly visit to the United
States, got up anchor this afternoon and
started to sea. Her destination is Havana,
There were no ceremonies or Incidents of
any kind connected with the vessel’s de
parture.
At 1 o'clock Capt. Eulalc mounted the
flying bridge with the pilot a id gave the
word to hoist the anchor. Fev spectators
were on the neighboring wha-ves at the
time.
The big anchor had hardly been cleared
from the mud before the vessel got under
way, and by ohe time it wall ratted the
Vizcaya had stretched for thh narrows.
The naval tug Nina and ths police boat
(Continued on Fifth Page.).
SOUTHERN BOYS ON THE SHIPS
NAVAL HIM It l ITING OFHOKS TO BE
Ol’EVlil) IN DIXIE.
Secretary Long llecont*e That tln*
South In Full of Just tile Kind of
Fighting Material Tlmt In \ l'Plied
on the Wnrnhl|n—The Seeretury
Wnu t n (’ongren* to Authorise the
l-llllNt meut of I.BtMt Adil itlounl Mon
nod 800 Apprentices.
Washington, Feb. 25.—Southern men and
boys are 1 to be given a chance to get into
the navy.
There was considerable rejoicing at the
navy department to-day over the informa
tion received there from the capital.to the
effect that the House committee on naval
affairs, in preparing the naval appropria
tion hill, lias decided to adopt Seen tary
Long's recommendation looking to a sub
stantial increase in the number of enlist
ed men itt the service.
Secretary Ixmg recommended an increase
of 1,500 men and 500 apprentices. He stated
that such a number was required to man
three of the ships now held in reserve ow
ing to the lack of sailors. Besides, many
of the ships now in commission are with
out their full complement.
It appears that the naval committee,with
a view to economy and a desire to keep
down the expenditures of the government,
notwithstanding the reasonable request ol’
Secretary Long, has cut the secretary’s es
timate in twain as regards the number of
men, but adopts his recommendation as to
apprentice boys. Even this increase is
gratifying to the naval authorities and
they will at once take into consideration
the subject of making desirable enlist
ments. It is possible that the Senate, in
view of the recent expressions of liberality
on the part of the leaders in that body, as
regards the navy, may be Induced to in
crease the number provided by the House,
and give Secretary Long the full number
recommended by him. It is also probable
that the House may amend the bill as it
comes from the committee and tlx the
number at 1,500,
Assistant Secretary Roosevelt, who has
taken a deep interest in increasing the
number of enlisted men iti the navy for
the benefit of giving ail the ships In
commission their full complement, heard
the news from the capltol with peculiar
gratification, and although the recruiting
branch of the service does not come un
der his jurisdiction, he will do anything
in his power to impress upon Congress
the Importance of supplying the full num
ber of men recommended by Secretary
Long.
The enlistments will be made under the
direction of the bureau of navigation, of
W’hioh Capt. Crofwninshleld is chief. It Is
understood that recruiting stations will
he established in all of the Southern cities,
for it is believed' that the South offers a
most desirable class of young men, who
are anxious to enter the naval service.
It is quite likely that Lieutenant Com
mander Hawley, who recently returned
from a recruiting expedition in the West,
will be detailed as special recruiting officer
in the Southern and Western states. Of
course it is not intended that (he entire
addition to the navy shall be taken from
any one section of the country, but from
the general trend of things It Is believed
at the navy department that there are
numbers of intelligent, brave and worthy
young men in the South who would only
lie too glad of an opportunity to enter
Uncle Sam's navy.
Under existing conditions the enlist
ments cannot be made until Congress pro
vides for the Increase, tmt os soon as the
law goes imo effect tho work of recruit
ing will bo begun.
SAVANNAH'S MEW POSTOFFICE.
Rids on the Interior Finishings lo He
Advertised For.
Washington, Feb. 25.—Tho supervising
architect of the treasury department savs
that he will advertise for bills for the in
terior finishings of the Savannah custom
house within the next two weeks. The
matter has been delayed in the press of
other business. The specifications in the
advertisement will cover all the interior
work required to complete the building,
except painting. This will bo done after
the building is a year old.
Tiling, windows, doors, railings, framing,
plastering, moulding and all interior fin
ishings will be specified in the advertise
ment. The supervising architect would not
make an estimate ’as to the cost, but he
said the very best material used in pub
lic buildings would be required.
The Savannah building, both exterior
and interior, will be one of the finest pub
lic buildings in the country when It Is
completed.
The advertisement for bids will be pub
lished in one or two local papers, and in
various architectural Journals. The suc
cessful bidder will be limited to eight
months in which to do the work.
"The advertisement will be placed In a
few days, within two weeks at the latest.”
said the BU|>ervising architect to-day. “It
will run thirty day* before the contract
Is awarded.”
TOOK A LONG LEAF TO DEATH.
Traveling Mini .lamp* From the Kail*
Bridge t St. Louis.
St. Ixjuls, Feb. 23.—Albert A. Tlenry,
traveling agent for a Philadelphia cold
storage concern, Jumped from Ihe middle
span ot the Eads bridge to-day and was
drowned in the Mississippi. The body has
not been recovered.
Before making the fatal Jump. Henry
took off his coat and left it on the bridge.
In the pockets of the coat were found a
number of letters and cards, and a memo
randum book, by which he was identified.
In the memorandum book were these
words:
‘•Albert A. Henry, 1311 North Forty-first
street, Philadelphia, Pa. Have a wife and
child. Am crazy and want to died'
A letter addressed to him at 27 South
Eighth street, at St. Louis, was from
Evans, purchasing agent of Nelson, Morris
& Cos.. East St. Louis. It is said they
had not heard from him since last Friday
and urged him then to return and finish
the work he had begun.
In another envelope addressed to his
Philadelphia home was an announcement
of a meeting of Hamilton Lodge No. 834,
Free and Accepted Masons, at Masonic
Temple, Philadelphia, Feb. 22.
FATAL I"I 111-; AT niAntiESTO!).
Nine Person* llornpd la Denfh In a
Trucnicnt.
Charleston, S. C. t Feb. 26. 3:45 a. m.—
Nine lives were lost in a fearful fire
which raged for a short while In Church
street this morning.
At 2:10 o’clock a policeman on duty no
ticed big sparks flying from the tenement
house at No. 160 Church street.
The officer found that a blaze was issu
ing from ono of the windows on the first
floor.
The doors were broken open and tho
family on that floor were rushed out with
out any damage.
Somebody yelled that a family of women
were sleeping on the third floor.
The police rushed Up stairs and when
they reached the top story the life saving
work was stopped by the flames, which
seemed to be playing over the entire build
ing.
Screams from dying women were heard,
and Officer Hugby rushed in and pulled out
three charred bodies.
The quick work of the Are department
checked the lire and it was soon under
control, but not until the lives on the third
story had been lost.
The dend are:
Mrs. RKBECVA KNICKMEYER.
ALBERT O’NEAL.
CASWELL O’NEAL
JOSEPHINE KNICKMEYER, 17 years
of age.
KATIE KNICK MEYER, 16 years.
LEONORA. KNICK MEYER, 9 years.
'PRANCES KNICKMBYER, 6 years.
LILLIE KNI OK ME Y KIR. 3 years old.
A BABY of Mrs. KnJckmeyer, one month
old.
Mrs. Knickmeyer is the wife of Theodore
Knlekmeyer, a carpenter.
BIG FIRE AT LOUISV H.1.F1.
Many I.lvcn Imperilled by the llurn*
lug of n Tobacco Factory.
Louisville, Ky., Feb. 25.—The mammoth
plant of the Louisville branch of the Amer
lcan Tobacco Company at Twenty-fourth
and Main street, was destroyed by fire to
day, entailing a loss of over 1350,000, fully
covered by Insurance.
It was the most disastrous conflagration
that has visited tho Palls City In years.
The plant occupied half of a square and,
at the time the fire broke out, contained
Bn*army of employes, who rushed fran
tically from the building.
Many made their way to terra flrma via
fire escapes, but several on the tipper
floors, who had no means of escape, in
their excitement, leaped from the windows,
two sustaining probably fatal Injuries. The
injured are:
(Jeorge Tissendorf, back Injured and se
vere Injuries about head and chest; prob
ably die.
William Bemple, skull fractured; will
probably die.
John Packham, both legs broken.
The flames gained rapid headway, and
the fire department was hindered lo a great
degree by a lack of water.
Falling .walls added to tho danger of the
work and the escapes of some of the fire
men were all but miraculous.
After a hard fight, lasting four hours,
the flames were finally conquered.
Reports to tho effect that many persons
had te en killed and injured spread rapidly
throughout tho city and great excitement
prevailed.
First estimates of (he loss overshot the
mark, ranging from $1,000,000 to $2,000,000.
W. B. Duke, president of the American
Tobacco Company, witnessed the destruc
tion of his property. He said it would Ik:
at once rebuilt.
The origin of the fire Is unknown. Four
teen hundred men, women and children
are thrown out of employment.
ITALY NOT PI SHING HAYTI.
Iliiyllnn Minister nt Washington
lllscredlts a London Dispatch.
Washlngon. Feb. 25.—The report contain
ed in a published dispatch from London
that Italy had decided upon energetic
measures to force reparation for the al
leged illegal sequestration of an Italian
vessel at Pori an Prince, Is discredited at
the Haytien legation here.
Minister Legcr said to-night that his
government hud not informed him that any
difficulty with Italy had grown out of Ihe
affair. He was confident that If a situation
was as,grave as Indicated by the London
report existed bo would have been noti
fied.
“I am Inclined to believe,” he said, "that
the revival of this report, which was
set in circulation about a month ago is
Inspired by the opponents of Hayti's pro
posed adoption of the gold standard. To
the same source I think may be traced
the reports of riots and disturbances In
Haytl, which are absolutely without foun
dation.”
PISTOLS DRAWN AUOIJT PASSES.
Opera Company Manager mill Thea
ter Malinger Shoot Ezell Other.
IxMigvlew, Tex., Feb. 25.—A desperate
shooting occurred last night between Alba
Heywood, manager of Ihe Heywood Opera
Company, und P. T. I’egues, the opera
house manager at this place. Both are
seriously. If not fatally wounded.
The difficulty occurred over free tickets
for Mr. Pegues’ family.
Heywood was struck twice by Pegues.
Heywood shot Pegues four times.
Pegues says he received the four wounds
before he shot at Heywood. He emptied
his pistol, after following Heywood in the
street, one shot passing through Hey
wood’s right lung.
Pegues walked several yards before as
sistance came. R was found that his
clothes were on fire.
Heywood walked two blocks before he
fell, and then talked In a Jesting manner
to those wpo supported him.
French Force In China.
London, Feb. 26.—A dispatch to the
Daily Mail from Singapore says: "It Is
reported from Chinese sources at Hong
Kong that a French force has landed at
Kwan-Chuen-Wan, 240 miles southwest of
Hong Kong, and Informed the Chinese
that it intends to erect buildings.”
f DAILY, $lO A YEAR.
J 6 CENTS A COPT.
I WEEKLY 2-TIMES-A*WKEK $1 A THAR
TRAIN ON A BURNING TRESTLE.
ONE WOMAN KILLED AND SEVERAL
PERSONS INJURED.
The Scene of the Accident Eight
Miles From Way cross—Heated Rail
Flies Up anil C niching In a Truclc
Brings the Train to n. Sudden Stop.
The I’nsscngcrs Escape and
Flnmcs Envelope the Conehe*—Thi
Train the North Bound Vestlhnlo
Special.
Waycross, fin,, Feb. 25.— The northbound
New York and Florida special on the Sa
vannah, Florida and Western was stopped
by the flying up of a heated rail on a burn
ing trestle this afternoon, one tnlle be
yond llragunza, and eight miles south o!
Waycross.
Mrs. Frank D. Holder, 65 years of age,
of Yonkers, N. Y., lost her life.
Another lady was dangerously Injured.
Several more passengers were slightly
bruised.
Three coarhes were burned.
The heated rail when It flew up caught
in the truck of the dining car, bringing)
the entire train to a sudden standstill.
The trestle, excepting the loose rail, was
intact, and the coaches remained on the
track while the passengers and train crew
were getting out.
Three of the coaches caught fire imme
diately.
The frightened passengers hurried out
of the coaches, some getting oft the plat
form and others climbing out of the win
dows and reaching the ground as best they:
could.
The distance from the track to tha
ground was only three of four feet.
The ludies were very heroic, though they)
were In great danger. The men helped
them out and comparatively few accidents
occurred.
The train crew were very brave. Con
ductor Robert Mather was a hero and his
cdolness, ami solicitation for the safety of
the passengers will long be gratefully re
membered by all.
The Pullman crew searched Ihe coaches
carefully to see If there were any Injured
passengers.
When the train came to a stop, tha
flarnes began to envelop the cars.
Engineer Henderson did not wait to find
out the particulars. He pulled the throttle
of his big engine, No. 80, and hurried to
Waycross for aid. He was almost breath
less when he arrived. With a bound he
left his engine and leaped up stairs to the
dispatcher's office and summoned help.
The news was dispatched to Ihe general
hospital, and the railroad officials, and a
siKctal train was made up In a few min
utes. Hospital surgeons and city physi
cians and railroad offiflala had employe*
boarded the train, and Engineer Hender- _
son hurried them back to the scene. The
wrecking machine was dispatched prompt
ly to the trestle.
The train returned here about 8 o’clock,
bringing Ihe passenger* and crew. There
were lietwecn thirty and forty passengers,
und the regular complement of train and
Bullman crews.
The passengers stepped at the Phoenix;
Hotel for supper, and considering the ex
perience (hey had at Ihe trestle, they were
very calm and philosophical.
All spoke In highest praise of the prompt)
work of the railroad company In rescuing
them.
There were about fifteen ladles In tha
party, nearly all of whom were returning
North, after spending some time In Flor
ida.
The lady who was severely Injured and
three or four men who were slightly In
jured were taken to the general hospital
of the riant system and given the very
best attention.
Some of the member* of the Pullman
crew were slightly scratched on their facts
and hands, while rescuing passenger*,
though they are suffering no considerable
Inconvenience.
W. H. Wright, master of transportation,
was equal to the emergency. He saw that
everything necessary was done in all pos
sible haste to aid the train. He provided
places for the train crews to spend the
night, and was very considerate of Ihe
needs and comfort of the passengers. Thera
was system and dispatch In the rescue.
The train was signalled to stop. A ne
gro who had charge of the pump at Fort
Mudge saw the smoke at the trestle and
went to Investigate It.
He found the forest on either side of the
railroad burning and the trestle was In at
blaze also.
The smoke was so dense that the blaze
could not been seen ten feet away.
II was train time.
The negro saw the danger and started
back toward Fort Mudge waving a dan
ger flag as he went.
The smoke prevented the engineer from
seeing the signal, and just as the negro
left the trestle on his return, the train
arrived.
The signal was given in vain.
The train was running at good speed.
The engineer had seen the signal just as
his engine was approaching the trestle
and It was Impossible for him to stop.
The sudden jerking of the train shook
the passengers and caused the death of
Mrs. Horton.
After the coaches were vacated, the
flames took possession and dense black
smoke filled the air.
Fortunately the trestle was across a
shallow basin. There was no creek nor
lake, and the passenger* stepped from
the train on dry land.
The coaches were all on the track and
were not damaged or disconnected by the
accident.
Had the rail not been overheated and
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