Georgia Historic Newspapers

    Atlanta Scini-Wetklw Sotirnal.
VOL. IV.
BIGGERS ACQUITTED
ON MURDER CHARGE
Mail Carrier * Simpson's
Slayer ' Acquitted at
3:45 Wednesday
Afternoon.
The verdict In the Willie R. Biggers
case, charged with the murder of Mail
Carrier William Simpson, was brought
in at 3:45 and declared that Biggers
was not guilty of murder.
The jury at 2:» yesterday afternoon ask
ed to be recharged on the law of self-de
fense. The law was again cited them by
the presiding judge immediately after din
ner.
The jury. It is said, balloted all Tuesday
Bight and consumed the entire morning
in the same formality with an occasional
stop to argue the varioss points of law
. and fact.
When the jury asked to be recharged on
the law of self-defense. Judge Foster
said he would do so In half an hour.
Willis R. Biggers was Monday morning
placed on trial for the murder of William
H. Simpson, a postman, who was shot to
death in a deep cut on Crew street a few
weeks ago.
The state elected te separate the cases
of Biggers and Sterne, and Biggers was
placed on trial by himself. Judge Fred
C. Foster, of Madison, presided over the
trial in the absence of Judge John S. Can
dler. of the criminal court branch of the
superior court.
The jury, as selected to try Biggers on
the charge of murdering Simpson, is as
follows:
W. F. Evans. T. B. Allen. E. F. Cobb.
C. A. Harwell. W. R. Harris. 8. E. Rice.
W. T. Heath. P. W. Ryan, W. O. Sulli
van. J. R. Neighbours, W. B. Hayes, F.
H. Lambert.
When the court was reconvened at 2
o'cock the witnesses were called, sworn
and sent out of the court room.
Dr. W. C. Fisher. She county physictan.
was placed on the stand by the state.
He testified that he had examined Simp
son in the undertaking establishment of
l£ilburn & Poole. he was taken
after he was shot. He found a bullet
hole tn the right temple and extracted it
from under the bridge of the nose. There
was also a bullet bole tn the left side, be
tween the sixth and seventh rib. and Dr
Fisher testified that he extracted this
ball from just under the skin on the
right aide, the bullet having ranged up
ward. There were also four bullet holes
through the right arm. Either of the
wounds in the head or side would have
. produced death. He thought a man could
have made no defense after having re
ceived these two wounds, but that If he
had it would have been made through
intuition.
Mrs. A. T. Smith was the next witness
Mill fsi-the-staoe. She was et-thr cor--
ner of Ormond and Crew street, at the
time of the killing. This fa about thirty
yards from the place where Simpson was
shot. She heard one shot and then saw
81mpeon, who wgs in the buggy, making
an effort to stop bls horse. She saw, so
she swore, two men come off of the side
walk. from under a large oak tree. They
ran off the sidewalk to Simpson and. after
a struggle, pull Simpson out of the buggy.
• He fell from his buggy and then, accord
ing to Mrs. Smith. Biggers fired once and
then walked off. turned back and fired at
Simpson again.
* _
Simpson’s Widow a Tearful Witness.
When the trial of Willis Biggers was
renewed Tuesday. Mrs. W. H. Simp
son. the grlfe of the man killed, was the
first witness called tn rebuttal by Solici
tor Hill. She was attired in a heavy
black dress and wore a heavy mourning
veil.
In regard to Biggers* statement that
Simpson had thrown mail into the face
of his wife. Mrs. Simpson testified that
she was always on her porch when her
husband brought the mail to the Biggers
home and that they would call to him to
throw the mall to them and that de did
•o. _
In regard to the chicken which Biggers,
tn,his statement yesterday, claimed had
been thrown into the face of big brother
in-law by Simpson, she said:
“My husband killed that' chicken with a
rifle, at my request, and threw it into "the
front yard of Mr. Biggers. There was no
one present in their yard when this hap
pened; it was early in the morning."
Frank Hilburn, the undertaker who pre
pared Simpson s body for burial, next
told of the wounds on the body of Simp
son.
Mrs. Simpson was next recalled by So
licitor Hill to identify the clothing of her
husband.
. She covered her face with her fan and
wept bitterly for some time, refusing to
look at the clothing. \
When she finally identified the clothing
she again covered her face and wept.
Solicitor Hill then asked her if she heard
her husband curse Biggers on the night
he had come to their home, and she re
plied: "I never beard my husband use
an oath in his life.**
Henry Deal, a 12 year old white boy,
who lives at 85 Little street. nearly a
block from where Simpson was killed, was
next called. He told of seeing about four
shots fined. He heard two more which
he did not see. According to this wit
ness. six shots were fired. When he saw
the shooting Simpson was lying on the
ground and Biggers was bending over him.
firing at him.
Robert Carpenter, of IM Rawson, states
that he had worked with Biggers. "Big
gers told me several times that Simpson
had been circulating stories concerning
his wife and sister-in-law, and that he
was going to see Simpson and make him
retract thee* statements."
Solicitor HUI claimed that he had been
entrapped into introducing Mr. Carpen
ter. stating that Mr. Carpenter had told
Mr. Stephens, associate counsel for the
prosecution, that Biggers had threatened
to kiU Simpson in case Simpson refused to
retract the slanderous statement.
Mr. Carpenter stated that he wished to
•xplain this. He was given permission to
do so, and stated that Mr. Stephens had
come to bis office and that he had told
Stephens that Biggers had told him that
he intended to go to Stanpson and request
him to retract these statements.
"He said he would kill Simpson in case
he refused to retract these statements,"
said Carpenter.
“Did you not tell Biggers you would
kill Simpson?** asked Mr. Arnold.
**l did. under the circumstances," re
plied Carpenter.
Biggers and his lawyers then withdrew
for a few moments’ consultation, and
Biggers then took the stand and read his
statement of the killing, the defense en
tering no other testimony.
His statement, which he had written,
and which he read to the court in a clear,
well modulated voice, was a plea of justi
fication.
He contended that' Simpson had been
making insulting remarks
character of his wife, and that he had.
In several ways, Insulted other members
of his family. His whole plea was that
of justification for the killing. Biggers
stated that he had often requested Simp
son to cease spreading these remarks
about bis wife and family, and that Simp
son had, on more than one occasion,
drawn a revolver and questioned Biggers’
right to say anything further in defense
of his wife’s good name. Biggers ad
mitted arming himself. He said that *the
presence of the shotgun, he thought,
would compel Simpson to talk the matter
over peacably. Biggers told of meeting
Simpson in his mail cart on Crew street
on the morning of the killing. According
to Biggers, he called to Simpson and asked
him if certain remarks made in regard to
Biggers’ wife had been made by Simpson.
Then, said tne young man. Simpson with
an oath, drew his revolver and stated that
be had made the remarks. Biggers stated
that he ran toward Simpson and that
Simpson fired at him onee. Simpson then
jumped from the cart and the two grap
pled. fighting for tae possession of Simp
son’s revolver.
"As soon as Simpson jerked the revolver
away from me I drew my own pistol and
fired at him." testified Biggers.
He then went on to say that as soon as
he saw what he had done, he picked up
the pistol of the dead man and started
for the home of Officer Phillips, to give
himself up. Biggers stated that he met
Officer Phillipa and surrendered to him,
telling him of the trouble.
He began by telling of his marriage in
1898, and told that when he moved Into
the house on Crew street, Simpson was
not a resident of that neighborhood. He
said that his acquaintance with Simpson
began when the mall carrier asked him
why he did not kill a cat belonging to
a neighbor. Simpson, he said, then began
abusing his family, and delivered the mall
by throwing it at Mrs. Biggers* face or
feet. Simpson, according to Biggers, once
killed a chicken belonging to Mrs. Biggers
and threw the dead body into the face of
his aged mother-in-law, Mrs. Sterne.
One night he came home’and found his
wife in tears. She would not tell him
what wps the matter, other than that
damaging statements were being circu
lated about her character.
He learned that Simpson was making
the statements, and called on him to dis
cuss the matter. Simpson drew a revolver
and demanded to know what he was go
ing to do about it. Being unarmed at
the time. Biggers said he could do nothing.
At another tifte he called on Simpson and
was met at the door by the letter carrier
with a revolver.
Biggers then told of the petition which
Simpson had circulated through the neigh
borhood to haVe the Biggers family re
moved. charging that they were running
a disorderly house. In the recorder’s
court, according to Biggers, this petition
was withdrawn by the petitioners’ attor
ney.
Solicitor Hill then announced closed for
the state, after Introducing in evidence
the revolver of Simpson, the revolver of
Bowers, the-shot gtm found twerr tfr
scene of the tragedy, and the clothing of
the dead man.
Judge Foster took away the limit of
time allowed each side for the argument,
and gave each side as much time as
needed.
The defense, having Introduced no evi
dence, was given the opening and closing
arguments, and R. B. Blackburn, associ
ate counsel for the defense, opened the
argument for Biggers, at 10:45.
r. Blackburn spoke for forty minutes,
and his speech was a masterly effort,
touching on all the details of the case.
Mr. Stephens closed the opening argu
ments for the state at 12:30 o’clock, after
having spoken for an hour and ten min
utes. His speech was an exposition of the
whole affair, from beginning to end, and
he demanded the conviction of Biggers
for murder in the first degree. Immedi
ately after Mr. Stephens concluded his
argument Judge Foster adjourned court
until 2 o’clock, and ordered the jury taken
to dinner. *
"The case went to the jury Tuesday
afternoon and it has been a long wait for
Biggers his wife, and others who are
interested for the defense In the trial.
Immediately after charging the jury
Tuesday and giving the twelve men into
the care of the sheriff. Judge Foster who
has presided over the trial during the
three days it has been in progress return
ed to his home in Madison. He spent the
night there. Messages from him were to
the effect that he would return to Atlanta
at 2 o’clock yesterday afternoon and ac
cording to bis promise he came.
WIFE TAKES FLIGHT; -
SENDS BACK'HER RING
GREENSBORO. N. C.. July 25.-Ida
Stafford. £5 years old. highly connectefi
and mother of four children, eloped last
night with J. E. Harding, confidential
bookkeeper of the Revolution Cotton mills
and highly respected son of wealthy mer
chant and manufacturer In this county.
bhe left a touching letter, telling her
hqsband where to find her money and
jewelry and today sent him her engage
ment ring by mail.
Harding is 25 years old. The couple is
supposed to have gone west. Stafford de
clares he will find them If It costs him
his life.
He had not the least suspicion until he
got the letter announcing her flight. His
father and mother died this month and
he Is erased with grief.
DID FAITHLESS WIFE
CAUSE HER BETRAYER
TO KILL HER HUSBAND?
NEW YORK. July 23.—Harry J. Parker,
an insurance solicitor, who worked also
as a private detective, was the first wit
ness today tn the coroner’s investigaUon
of the shooting of Albert C. Latimer in
his home In Brooklyn on the morning of
July 2. Parker testified that on May 1
this year Latimer visited him and employ
ed him.
’’Why did Albert C. Latimer visit you?”
asked District Attorney Clarke.
“He told me he wanted to get evidence
against his wife for unfaithfulness with
a man whose name was given by Mr.
Latimer as Tuthill," Parker replied.
“On May 2 of this year I went with Mr.
Latimer to Tuthill’k residence in Vander
bilt avenue and there I was told by Mr.
Latimer that it was Tuthill* s house and
I was to keep a watch k>n It and report
Tuthlll's movement* to him. On May 14
I saw Tuthill go to Latimer's house at
about 5:30 o'clock. Latimer was accus
tomed to reach home as late as 6:30 or 7
o’clock.” »
Parker testified that on one occasion
Tuthill went to see-Mrs. Latimer at her
FORT STEVENS
IS TORCH’S
TARGET
INCENDIARIES DECLARE THEY
WILL DESTROY THE FORT NO
•MATTER HOW OFTEN THEY
FAIL IN ATTEMPT.
NEW YORK, July 23.—Incendiaries are
making repeated attempts to destroy Fort
Stevens, the new military post near this
city, says a dispatch to The World from
Astoria, Ore.
Had their* plans succeeded, they would
have blown the fort to atoms and per
haps killed hundreds of persons.
They set fire to the torpedo store house,
but the building is fire proof and the at
tempt failed. Almost simultaneously fire
was discovered. in the barracks, but this
too was extinguished. The incendiaries
had saturated the floor with oil.
After the fires were extinguished, a note
is said to have been found signed "The
Twelve Dynamiters.” declaring that the
writers had determined to destroy the fort
and that their efforts would be contin
ued.
rebelTwahned
NOT TO FIRE
BPDNCITY
UNCLE SAM INFORMS REBELS
THEY CANNOT BOMBARD
CITY OF PANAMA OR
THE ANCHORAGE.
WASHINGTON, July 22.—The state de
partment has received a cablegram from
Consul General Gudger at Panama,
dated Sunday, as follows:
"Fighting at long range five miles out
between Padilla and Guitan And two gov
ernment vessels. No damage dene."
This is the engagement in panama har
bor referred to in Saturday’s news dis
patches.
The navy department also received ad
vices respecting this engagement in a
dispatch from Commander Potter of the
gunboat Ranger, which was reported In
the press reports as being in the line of
fire. The announcement by the command
er that he had forbidden a bombardmenu,
wffi. It’ Is“bSTffrved, cause tfte'Thsurgents
to abandon further attempts against
Panama by water. Commander Potter's
dispatch is as follows:
"PANAMA. July 20.—A slight en
gagement has taken place be
tween Insurgents and government ves
sels, off Panama bay. No damage. I
have notified the Insurgent vessels bom
bardment of city dr anebsrage cannot be
permitted.”
OVER BIER OF CARDINAL
MANY TEARS ARE SHED
ROME, July 23.—The remains of Cardi
nal Ledochowski. who died here yester
day, were laid in state this morning In the
Chapelle Ardente of the palace of the
propaganda, where they were subsequent
ly visited by all the members of the sacred
college.
The close friends ot the deceased and
his s< ;retaries. Fathers Veccla and Zalew
ski, assisted personally in performing the
last offices and arranged the body for
burial.
The Chapelle Ardente is now open to the
public. The piazza di Spagna. where the
palace of the propaganda stands, is crowd
ed with people, including many American
pilgrims, eager to obtain admission. Let
ters and telegrams of regret are pouring
in from all quarters.
The grief of Poland, Cardinal Ledochow
ski’s native, country, amounts to almost a
national demonstration, the dead cardinal
having been persona non grata to Russia
and Germany on account of his advocacy
of Polish independence.
TWO ARBITRATORS SELECT
STRICKLAND AS UMPIRE
J. G. Strickland, of Athens, has been
selected as umpire by Judge Spencer
R. Atkinson and Howard Thompson to
settle the difference between them on
the question of the Southern Railway
taxes. Judge Atkinson, who represents
the state, and Mr. Thompson, who repre
sents the Southern in the arbitration,
have been unable to agree on the amount
of taxation and for a time were unable
to agree on gn umpire.
Comptroller General Wriglft was noti
fied today, however, that Mr. Strickland
had been decided on. The arbitrators
and the umpire will meet In the office of
the railroad commission Friday morn
ing to go over the different questions
that have arisen atid to reach some con
clusion If possible.
home and stayed there until the middle
•at the afternoon.
Before Parker left the stand District
Attorney Clark made the following state
ment:
“I have had no conversation with this
witness, but I understand he can testify
that the deceased told him that In case
of his death he would know who would
kill him, mentioning the name* of two
persons. Now. this is hearsay and not ad
missible under the laws of evidence. It
seems to me that if this declaration Is to
be admitted now. It would be illegal, cen
surable and cruel; as far as I am con
cerned, I do not purpose asking this man
to make that declaration.”
Maggie Fitzgerald, a servant employed
in a house ne/ir Latimer’s, said that after
the shooting she saw a man she thought
was Latimer go to a Vlndow and call for
help. This witness also testified that
about the time the police arrived she saw
a man on the roof of the Latimer house.
The case was then given to the jury
which brought in a verdict declaring that
Latimer was killed by a pistol shot wound.
No accusation against any one was made
by the jury.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, THURSDAY, JULY 24, 1902.
ATLANTA MAN
IN ASYLUM
BY FORGE
INMATE ESCAPES FROM WARD
ISLAND HOSPITAL FOR IN
SANE AND SAYS HIS SISTER
IN-LAW KEEPS HIM THERE.
NEW YORK, July 21—August E. Ward
of Atlanta, Ga., an inmate of the Manhat
tan Hospital for the Insane, at Ward's
Island, escaped toOjy and was picked up
on East river by th* steahier Middletown.
At pier 24 he wai handed over to the
police, who are hoi Ag him until they can
communicate with Wie asylum.
In the presence 08 reporters Ward.dic
tated this statemen®
•’February 27, 1901 while employed as
stock opener In the tinware department
of the Charles. BrAdway Rouss store I
was seised with a >t of nervousness. I
was taken to Bellewue hospital and from
there transferred t* Ward's Island and
committed to the Miphattan Hospital for
the Insane at the instance of my sister
in-law, Mrs. Zula 5 ard, of Washington,
D. C.
“I was confined la »n asylum seventeen
months and have beA employed in butch
ers’ shops, handlini cleaves and knives.
I am absolutely sfl e. If I were not it
would be criminal < the part of the au
thorities of the asy im to entrust to me
such articles as cleavers and knives.
"My mother, who Ives in Atlanta, has
written Superintend it McDonald several
times and he has a vays informed hgr I
was improving. As I saw no other way
oi getting free I de' srmtned to make my
escape.”
AGENTSTAKE tyECKLACE
WORTH TWENTY THOUSAND
NEW YORK, July 23—As a prominent
young society womdn of Philadelphia
stepped from the steamship Kron Prinz
Wilhelm, on Its arrival here, and greeted
her husband waiting, on the pier, agents
of the treasury department interrupted
their conversation and took from the
woman a pearl necklace reported worth
820,000, which she ha 4 purchased in Paris
and omitted from her declaration.
A special treasury agent had been in
Paris and teamed of the purchase of the
necklace. He determined to return to
■ New York on the same steamship with
the purchaser. He noticed that she had
made no mention of the fems in her dec
laration to the custom* officers. He re
mained nearby at the pier and after the
traveler had greeted her busband he,
with another agent, asfced the couple to
return to their stateroom. He asked for
the necklace and the Woman, who wore
it around her neck,.under the dress collar,
handed the pearl* ovefe
Collector HtrnßAhan aPow the pay
ment of the duty of Sixty per cent and
deliver the necklace to its owner. The
latter said, however, he might decide not
to pay the duty and return the necklace
to the Paris jewelers who sold it to his
wife. The woman said she had no inten
tion of evading payment, but wished to
consult her husband about the purchase
before declaringg it to the customs of
ficials.
ROMAN GREEK CHARGED
WITH SWINDLING OFFENSE
ROME, Ga., July 23.—Peter Govatas,
formerly a Grecian restaurant keeper in
this city, left Rome very suddenly and
•without settling a number of accounts.
It is alleged Govatas has been located in
Birmingham, and will be brought back
to Rome to defend warrants accusing him
of cheating and swindling and obtaining
goods under false pretenses.
Govatas has conducted a fruit stand
and restaurant in this city for some
years, and apparently was quite success
ful. It is thought the charges will be
dismissed when he returns, provided the
bills against him are paid,
LADRONES KILL
AMERICANS IN CEBU
WASHINGTON. July 23.—The war de
partment today received the following ca
blegram regarding the school teachers
who have been missing from Cebu since
June 10:
"John E. Wells, 209 Montgomery avenue.
Providence, R. 1., and his cousin, Louis
A. Thomas, same address, Ernest Heger,
1413 Vine street,, Cincinnati, • Clyde A.
France, Berea, 0., missing at Cebu, were
murdered by Ladrones. Bodies recovered.
Leader of murderers killed; eight others
captured by constabulary.”
Camack Firm Bankrupts.
AUGVBIA, Ga., July 23.—Before United
States Deputy Clerk George K. Calvin an
application for Involuntary bankruptcy
■was filed yesterday afternoon by Mersham
Bros., of Camak, Ga.
The schedule ofi liabilities, all unsecured,
aggregates 3516. There are no secured lia
bilities or assets.
this boWrTook
EVERYTHING IN SIGHT
GOT MONEY, DIAMOND RING, JEW-
ELRY AND EVEN A BOTTLE
OF MILK—REWARD FOR
HIS ARREST.
- i
MACON, July 21.—While the family of
Mr G. W. Wood waa out visiting friends
yesterday afternoon, a burglar entered
their residence, 2623 Second street, and
stole $25 in money, a diamond ring and
a lot of jewelry. He tore up all of the
beds, ransacked the lockers and helped
himself to as much of the contents of
the cupboard and pantry as he wished,
and left through the back door as he had
entered. He even left his key in the
back door and the key that,is used by
the family was found lying on the floor
inside.
There is no clue as to the perpetrator,
but as this is the fifth time the house
has been visited by a burglar since Christ
mas, the family is determined to locate
this fellow if possibble. A reward of
S6O has been offered. The burglar did
not forget to drink the bottle of milk
that he found cn the back porch. Ann
he also cut a watermelon and took a
nice slice. The remainder be left on the
dining table.
WANT GARTER
TO DRAW
. PLANS
WARDEN HAWK WOULD LIKE TO
HAVE THE EX-CAPTAIN AS
SIST IN COMPLETING THE
FEDERAL PRISON.
If Oberlin M. Carter, former captain in
the United States army, who is serving a
sentence In the government prison at Lea
venworth, Kan., is brought to the Atlanta
federal prison. Warden Hawk says that
he will assign the former engineer to
drawing plans and specifications for walls
and smaller buildings that will be erect
ed at the prison and set him to do other
clerical work.
Warden Hawk has received no official
notice that Captain Carter is to be brought
here. He said this morning he knew
nothing of the transfer of the prisoner
further that wnat he read in The Sunday
Journal.* Carter Is a very experienced en
gineer and a competent man for detail
work and it is very likely that he would
be given more office work than anything
else In event he should come to Atlanta.
If Gjreene and Gaynor are ever extra
dited from Canada It is more’than prob
able Qiat Carter will be called on to tes
tify when, the case is heard before Judge
Emory Speer in Savannah. Carter, it is
stated, would not mind the change at
all, and If brought here would be much
nearer his friends than in faraway Kan
sas.
ALLENWILLMANAGE
JOHNSTON CAMPAIGN
PROMINENT BIRMINGHAM LAW
YER WILL DIRECT THE FIGHT
AGAINST GOV. JELKS.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala., July 23,-Judge B.
M. Allen, who successfully conducted the
campaign of Mayor W. M. Drennen, haT
been appointed manager of the county
campaign committee by former Governor
Joseph K. Johnston. Judge Allen is one
of the leading members of the Birming
ham bar, and a man who knows the ins
and outs of politics about as well as the
next one. He will doubtless wage an ag
gressive campaign in Jefferson county.
Little is doing just now about the head
quarters of the rival, candidates for gov
ernajr. so far a* surface indications go,
but it is believed that the campaign will
open up in earnest next week, and then
a battle royal is anticipated during the
weeks which precede the election.
FOUR MAY LOSE LIVES - .
FROM BOAT TRAGEDY
SAVANNAH. Ga., July 23.—1 t is proba
ble that four lives will be lost because
of the captizlng of the Covell Dell in the
sound near Savannah during a squall yes
terday afternoon.
Mrs. Fannie Calder aged 70 years and
Alga Calder, aged one year are dead. /
Dr. Stephen A. Calder aged 75 and Mrs.
Allen N. Calder aged 32 are dying.
The latter were In the water for some
time and are dying from congestion of
the lungs,, at Thunderbolt, where they
were carried.
The parties are all related and were in
the sloop on a pleasure trip, when the
vessel captlzed In a squall, and threw
them into the water.
Captain Allen N. Calder, a young man,
who was in charge of the sloop, saved
all except the Infant and his aged mother,
who is thought to have died from heart
disease.
Dr. Stephen N. Calder, who Is dying,
is an old man, who was at one time a
dentist, later he entered the newspaper
business and his paper, the “Hinesville
Gazette,” published at Hinesville, Liber
ty county, was the first in the county to
espouse, editorially, the populist cause. <
He secured considerable notoriety at that
time.
UNEARTHED BY WORKMEN
DALLAS, Texas, July 23.—Workmen
excavating in a gravel pit two miles south
of Dallas, have unearthed the remains of
a mastodon. The jaw bones were in per
fect shape and eight feet In length, but
crumbled when exposed to the air. The
teeth remained perfect, however. The
molars are 14 1-2 inches long, 7 1-2 wide,
and weigh 15 pounds. They probably will
be sent to the State University at Aus- |
tin. «
AS WITNESS'TESTIFIED
MAN FELL DEAD IN COURT
NEW YORK, July 23.—Ab the first witness
in the trial of Austin B. Donaldson, on the
charge of killing Louis N. Myers was testify
ing at Richmond, Staten Island, an old man
who had been an interested listener fell out
of his chair and when the spectators raised
him from the floor he was dead. He was
identified as Jacob Levy, a dry goods mer
chant. His sudden death caused a great' sen
sation in the court room, but after a short de
lay the trial proceeded.
CUBANS NOW INSIST
ON CHANCE TO RULE
NEW YORK, July 23.—The annexation
movement has caused some feeling among
those Cuban* who want the island to
have a fair chance in trying to solve the
problem of self government, cables the
Havana correspondent of The Tribune.
The anti-annexationists, says the cham
pions of the annexation, consist largely
of men who, when the war was on, spent
the time at watering places in the United
States or Mexico, who, when the war was
over, flocked back to Cuba, expecting to
get the lion’s share of the spoils, to which
those who had fought for independence
were entitled.
The reports of possible disturbance* in
Cuba do not seem to have any substan
tial foundation. The Cubans realize that
the eyes of the world are upon them,
as well as the United States, and their
pride is at stake. Some of the annexa
tionists say that the United States would
only want a pretext to tell the Cubans
they had a trial and had been found
wanting. A tew of these enthusiasts ac-
ARMED MEN GUARD
GOVERNOR LONGINO
WITH KING ON DECK
TIGHT PROVES
BIG ' CAHD
CROWNED HEADS ARE TO VISIT
EDWARD AT COWES WHILE
THE LATTER IS FAST
RECUPERATING.
LONDON. July 23.—King Edward today
enjoyed the improved weather at Cowes,
Isle of Wight. He spent the forenoon in
an invalid chair on the open deck.
He is still under the most strict super
vision. The patient’s diet menu is signed
dally by One or the other of' the royal
physicians before it is submitted to the
king, who submits good naturedly to the
somewhat severe regime. There Is every
Indication of his majesty’s continued
progress toward complete convalescence.
/ Weather permitting, the royal yacht
will probably go on a short cruise to
morrow.
Truth says that Emperor William’s visit
to King Edward will be brief and strictly
private, the-German emperor sailing from
Kiel on the imperial yacht Hohenzollern
August 2 and remaining at Cowes through
the regatta week, when his schooner Me
teor 111 will compete for the kind’s cup.
FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS
IS TO STRIKERS
INDIANAPOLIS. July 2S.—Secretary
Wilson, of the United Mine Workers to
day received a check for $50,000 for the
strike fund from the Illinois organization.
This was forwarded by hini immediately
to the anthracite field. The Illinois
miners have within four weeks given the
national organization SIOO,OOO for strike
funds and still have nearly half a noil
lion hi reserve. This donation, it is said,
is the largest ever received for a strike.
Wilson has received notice from individ
uals of checks for as much as SI,OOO that
are now on their way to headquarters, in
dicating that the appeal to the public for
funds have been effective. Secretary Wil
son says no attempt will be made to pay
the anthracite strikers stipulated sums of
money weekly.
"Our Intention,” said he, “is not to pay
regular benefits, but merely to take care
of the strikers and their families.’’
It is believed that the miners will not
attempt to keep trftuminou*'coal out of
the anthracite markets except m a left
” fWsdrt. The offleTAß *wHI not 'talk' atoodt
it now. but It is understood that this was
fully considered the mght the coifimittee
discussed Mitchell’s recommendations and
that it has been left largely to the discre
tion of Mitchell and Wilson as to what
shall be done.
President Mitchell left this afternoon for
Chicago and tonight he will go from there
to Wilkesbarre.
MURDER CASES KEEP
ROME COURT BUSY
ROME. Ga.. July 23.—John A. Jones is
on trial today charged with murder. It Is
alleged that Jones and John McGhee
killed Frank Miller last November; that
Jones and McGhee conspired in the kill
ing and Jones was a party to the crime.
Jones was a bailiff and had accompanied
McGhee to Cave Spring to procure a war
rant for Miller’s arrest.
McGhee and Jones met Miller, and after
some words McGhee shot Miller dead in
the road. The state's evidence connecting
Jones with the crime is very weak, and
the defendant will doubtless be acquitted.
Jones is represented by Seaborn Wright,
M. B. Eubanks and Judge Meyerhardt.
Tho case of Langdon Bowie, charged
with the murder of Dunk Locklear, will
be called late this afternoon. A former
hearing resulted in a mistrial. Bowie and -
Locklear engaged in a quarrel last De
cember in the Anchor Duck mills. Bowie
ehot Locklear in the groin and the
wounded man died in a few days.
The defense claims Locklear assaulted
Bowie with a large plank, and the shoot
ing was justifiable. Bowie belongs to one
of the leading families in Georgia.
POLICE AND CITIZENS
HAVE BLOODY FIGHT
NEW YORK, July 23.—Many beads were
broken by the police In dispersing a crowd of
2,000 men and boys tn Havemeyer street, Wil
liamsburg. Stones were thrown and shots were
fired and Felix Efner, the Innocent cause of
the whole disturbance, was taken to. a hospital
with a fractured skull.
A few days ago an Italian was fatally in
jured in a fight and a meeting was held at
his home at which It had been decided by
those present that he had been clubbed to
death by the police.
Felix Efner, a collector, happened along
about that time and called next door. The
payment of his bill was refused and he was
thrown into the street. The police were called
and In a few'minutes a general fight was In
progress. The police reserves were sent for.
By the time they arrived a crowd of 2,000 men,
women and children filled the street ahd the
police charged them.
• Many shots were fired, but the bullets struck
lib one, although many stones and clubte did
execution on unprotected heads.
tually Imagine that If somebody waa to
gather a party of a few hundred men
together, make a dash for the woods,
rob a few pastures and burn a few plan
tations. as soon as the news was flashed
to Washington troops woqld at once be
ordered to Cuba, and the Intervention
would be at hand again. It Is such talk
as this that has made the anti-annexa
tionlsts so bitter against the annexation
ists.
It must be said, however, that there
are in the ranks of the annexationist*
men of high Character who are perfectly
conscientious in their advocacy of an
nexation and have no personal motives in
wishing to bring it about. „
Cuban planters have an organization
known as “Clrculo de Haciendos,” a so
ciety which has been fostering the move
ment for annexation, and a meeting has
been called for July 20. when it is pro
posed that entirely new officers shall be
elected and that only annexationists shall
ngure in the new personnel. Then, it is
said, a regular campaign for annexation
will be started.
KO. 90.’
Mississippi Executive Told
That He Will Be Kill
ed Because He Per- »
mitted Hanging
JACKSON, Miss., July 23,-Laßt night
a supposed attempt was made to as
sassinate Governor Longino, shortly be
fore 12 o’clock.
A man attempted to gain entrance into
the executive mansion by climbing on an
adjoining shed.
On getting into the window be wax dis
covered by -Mrs. Longino, and frightened
away, but he left the window open in his
retreat. • _ .
The police headquarters were intermed
of the attempt, and the chief, with eer
eral officers, visited the mansion.
A diligent search for the man waa
made, but no trace of him could be t
found.
Guards were placed around the house
for the rest of the night.
Yesterday afternoon shortly before
Cocke and Lauderdale were hanged the
governor received a message from Green
ville .commanding him to commute the
sentence of the two men or no good
would come to him. i
A short wfcile after the two men were
hanged he received another telegram
warning him that he and his family would
come to grief.
The governor’s private secretary also
received a telegram last night warning
him that the governor would meet a vio
lent end for his refusal to show mercy
to the two men.
The friends of the governor are very
anxious as to his safety, and be Will be
guarded very closely until the trouble has
passed. ,
- ■> » \ .
BODY OF ASHLEY COCKE
IS BURIED IN MEMPHIS
MEMPHIS, Tenn., July 23,-The body
of Ashley Cocke, who was hanged at
Greenville, Miss., yesterday, waa buried
In Elmwood cemetery, this city, today be
side the remains of his father. Captain W.
G. Cocke. The father died twenty year*
ago of wounds received In a personal en
counter. On his death bed he admon
ished his sons to live like men. never to
brook insult and die game. The funeral
today was attended by a large gathering
of members of the Cocke family and snore
distant connections of the dead murderer.
chicago'anTnova SCOTIA
TO TALK WITHOUT WIRES
CHICAGO. July 23.—Within twe months
Chicago may be in direct communication
with the coast of Nova Scotia by a sys
tem of wireless telegraphy. Optian* on
two sites for the proposed station of the
new system have been secured near ®v
anston by the agent of a wireless taie
► granb and within six weelts it
is expected ttaeiiant will be installed. The
agent left last night for New Ybrk to
submit the sites to the promoters of the
enterprise.
As soon as the plant is Installed testa
will be made by the Inventor of the sys
tem in person and a line of communica
tion will be established with the station
at Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, at which
messages are at present received from
ocean-going steamers.
Boy Shoots Companion.
DUBLIN, Ga.. July 23.—Yesterday after
noon Mr. Peyton Smith, son of Captain
Hardy Smith, of this city, was accident
ally shot in the shoulder by Foy Hightow
er, a son of Mr. W. J. Hightower, county
clerk of Laurens. The affair was the
result of careless handling of a pistol.
Mr. Smith is resting easy and it 1* hoped
nothing serious will result from the ac
cident. Both parties are from promipenf
families. y
JOHN W. MACKAY '
DIES IN LONDON
MULTI-MILLIONAIRE PF THE PA
CIFIC SLOPE SUCCUMBS AF»
TER A BRIEF ILLNESS. 1
LONDON, July 21.—John W. Mackay, of
San Francisco, one of the world’s richest
men, died here yesterday afternoon at •_
o’clock after an illness since last Tuesday
caused by heat prostration.
Mr. Mackay’s condition, as stated yes
terday, had improved, but the patient had
a bad. night, and this morning a consulta
tion was held by three physicians. Mn
Mackay grew worse as the day progressed.
He was unconscious most of the time and
died very peacefully. The immediate
cause of his death was heart failure. The
right lung was found to be congested and
the symptoms indicated pneumonia.
MACKAY WORTH MILLIONSi
FEW MEN WERE RICHER
ran FRANCISCO. July 21. Richard
Day, a close personal friend and former
confidential secretary of the late John W.
Mackay. In an Interview last night said:
”1 don’t suppose Mr. Mackay himself
knew within $20,000,000 of what be was
worth. His business was in such order
and his arrangement was so carefully
rflade that everything will go on just as
though he were still alive.
“He was president of the Mackay-Ben
nett company, president of the Postal
Telegraph company and president of th*
prospective commercial cables, vice-presi
dent of the new $7,000,000 sugar refinery at
New York, in which Gus Spreckie* waa
president; director of the Canadian Pa
cific railway; director of the Southern Pa
cific and director of the new proposed
railroad from Havana to Santiago In Cu
ba, He was one of the largest owners of
the White Nob Copper company, of Mac
kay, Idaho, to which the Union Pacific
built a ninety-mlle branch. He was inter
ested with the Searles mine. The Wild
Goose Mining company at Nome. He was
heavily interested in the Sprague Elevated
and Electrical works of New York.
Born In Ireland.
“Mr. Mackay esune to America from
Ireand as. an Infant with his father, who
was afterward naturalized. But along in
1867 James G. Fair, who was Mr. Mackay’s
partner end also born tn Ireland, could
not remember whether or not the elder
Fair was naturalized, so to make sure.
Fair and Mackay were naturalized togeth
er at Virginia, Nev., by their friend.
"Sandy” Baldwin, whb was United States
district judge. I think Mr. Mackay was
originally a carpenter, for, when he
came on the Comstock, he was considered
an authority of min* Umbering.”