EE
Terms 2.00 A Year,in Advance
Bellefonte, Pa., March I, 1895.
P. GRAY MEEK, - - - Ebrror
Let the Investigation Come.
There can be no doubt of the intent
of the voters ot Bellefonte at the recent
election, when a Democratic auditor
and a Democratic over-seer of the poor
were elected. The election of these
two officials in a Republican borough
is practically the same as a demand
for a change in the conduct of that de-
partment. The former, to investigate
the business of the present incumbent ;
the latter, to change the management
with the hope of a saving to the tax
payers.
The campaign in the borough really
began at the Republican caucus, some
week's before the election, when over-
seer James McCLURE was turned down
by his party for a re-nomination. It
had become evident previous to that
time that the poor department was be-
ing mie-managed and the Republicans,
fearing defeat with Mr. McCLURE as
their candidate, dropped him only to
experience the defeat of their substi-
tute. Mr. McCLurRE turned in and
fought the Republican nominee for
auditor because, as he said: ¢“CHaAM-
BER's made his brags about how he
was going to show me up, and I made
up my mind I was going to lick him.”
Mr. CmamBers was defeated, but
whether it was McCLure who did it
we are not able to say. At all events
the overseer, if there is anything wrong
about his department, was ‘between
the devil and the deep sea” in the
fight. For CHaMBERs' defeat neceesi-
tated the election of a Democratic au-
ditor, who will make 1t his particular
duty to make a thorough investigation.
The WATCHMAN is not now prepar-
ed to make any specific charges
against Mr. McCLurE's management
of the poor department, but it is thor-
oughly conversact with the many
stories afloat concerning crookedness
in that branch of municipal govern-
ment. Mr. HowLEY has been elected
more on account of these reports than
anything else and it is his duty to sift
them to the bottom and report his
finding to the people who have express-
ed their desire to know by his election.
Mr. HowLEy your duty is plain and
we have every confidence that you will
do it.
The completeness of the Repub-
lican victory in Philadelphia appears
in the re-election of every one of the
councilmen, who have been huckster-
ing franchises to street railway com-
panies, selling their votes for shares of
telephone stock, voting extravagant
appropriations for the Public Build-
ings, and giving away the city rev-
venues to dishonest contractors. They
were not only re-elected, but by in-
creased majorities. The one against
whom the clergy and women of his
ward protested in the name of decency,
was re-elected by so large a majority
that he has- received the congratula-
tions of all the Republican leaders of
the city. It was a great day for Phila-
delphia Republicanism.
——Ex-Governor ParrisoN, al
though defeated in the mayoralty con-
test, bas his excellent record and good
reputation left. Philadelphia has noth-
ing left but a misgoverned municipal
ity and a pillaged treasury.
The Silver Craze.
‘WASHINGTON, February 27.—The
sentiments expressed in an interview
several days ago with Representatives
Bland and Livingston that the mem-
bers of the democratic party who are fa-
vorable to free silver propose making
that the main issue in the presidential
elections of next year, will be followed
this week by a meeting of representa-
tives and senators who favor the free
coinage of silver. It is expected tha.
this meeting will be largely attended.
Itis the intention of the promoters to
issue a call stating that a majority of the
democratic party desire free coinage and
that they have been misrepresented by
the minority, who will have thus com-
mitted into the single gold standard.
It is understood that the call has al-
ready been written, but its authors de-
cline to give publicity to it until it shall
have been formally approved at the
forthcoming meeting.
Chased Elopers Many Miles.
‘WILLIAMSPORT, PA., Feb. 21.--Pret-
ty 18-year-old Mary Adams, daughter
of Farmer John Adams, of Pine Creek
township, yesterday eloped with F. L.
‘Walker, a fruit tree agent, who boarded
at her father’s house. Walker, who is
40 years of age hired a horse and sleigh
and the pair fled unnoticed. The girl’s
absence aroused suspicion, and Adams
employed Constable Smith and Norton
to pursue the runaways. The former
drove up Pine Creek, while the latter
went to Lock Haven. Neither of the
officers learned ought of the elopers for
they journeyed right on to Elmira, N.
Y., where they were married. They re-
turned Saturday to brook the parental
reverence, but were forgiven.
Three Well Known Men Die.
Philip Collins’ Death Breaks the Giant Trio of
Celebrated Railroad Builders. R. B. and A.
| J. Wigton Both Die on the Same Day.
Men Who Had Much to Do in Business
of This Section.
The announcement of the death of
. Philip Collins, the well-known railroad
| contractor, which occurred at his home
“in Ebensburg at 8 o’clock last Satur
"day evening, was received here with
deep regret. He died surrounded by
| his own immediate family—two broth-
"ers, Thomae, of this place, and Peter,
| ot Philadelphia, and his three sisters,
{ Mrs. Shoemaker and Misses Sarah and
| Lizzie Collins, all of this place—who
‘had been summoned to his bedside
when it became evident that the end
was near.
The immediate cause of Mr. Collins’
death was a complication of diseases,
which had their origin nine months or
more ago in 8 severe attack of rheu-
matism, from which he never recover-
ed sufficiently to resume active work.
Later he was attacked with kidney
trouble, and, contracting a severe cold
about two weeks ago, it became evi-
dent that he could not recover and his
friends were summoned to his bedside
to await the end, which came peace-
fully and quietly. He had been con-
fined to hed ever since April 12th, 1894.
Mr. Collins was about 74 years old
and was a native of Cambria county.
He is well-known throughout the en-
tire State as one of the oldest and most
prominent railroad contractors in the
United States, having in his life assist-
ed in the building of over one thousand
miles of road. Probably his first con-
tract was the building of the old Por-
tage road in Cambria county, after
which he filled large contracts for the
Penneylvania Company, built part of
the West Penn. the Southern Pennsyl-
vania, all of the Beech Creek, the
Belletonte Central, part ot the Lewis
burg and Tyrone and a large amount
for the Lehigh Valley, besides many
miles of other smaller roads. The
celebrated Sand Patch tunnel near
Cumberland was one of the Collins
Brothers, greatest and most successful
undertakings, many prominent contrac-
tors having lost fortune in attempts to
build it. In the Brazilian government
railroad contract enterprise, which fail-
ed because the government could not
raise the money, he lost much of his
fortune ; but indomitable as ever he
and his brother Tom soon regained
their wealth and he lett a very com-
fortable fortune.
Mr. Colling was one of the project-
ors and founders of the Philadelphia
Times, in connection with A. K, Mec-
Clure and Frank McLaughlin, And,
up to a few years ago was one of the
principal stockholders in the Zimes
Company.
He was twice married, his first wife
having been Miss Margaret Noon, a
daughter of “Judge” Noon, of Cambria
county. He leaves a widow who was
Mrs. John Scanlon, before her mar-
riage to Mr. Collins. He was a man
.of noble .impulses and generous to a
fault, and will be much missed by the
community in which he lived, as well
as by his legion of friends throughout
the State. In politics he was staunchly
Democratic, always standing by the
party of his faith, but never seeking
uor accepting honors or public office.
His funeral was held in the Catholic
church at Ebensburg, on Tuesday
morning. Rev. Deagy celebrated mass
for the dead and Rev. John Boyle, of
Johnstown, preached the funeral ser-
mon. Five other priests were present
and assisted in the service. Among
them were the Fathers Kittell, brothers
of Mrs, Colllins.
The pall bearers were: Messrs J.
D. Scravendyke, Harry Fenlon, John
M. Dale, C. M. Parrish and Joseph L.
Montgomery, all of this place, Mat-
thew Smith Esq., of Altoona, and
Messrs Michael Farren, A. W. Buck,
J. B. Denny. M. D. Bearer, T. B.
O'Hara and Wm. Dufton, all of Ebens-
burg.
*
* * *
DEATH OF R. B. WIGTON ESQ.
J. E. Hedding. superintendent for
R. B. Wigton & Sons, at Morrisdale,
received a telegram from Philadelphia
last Friday evening announcing the
death of the senior member of the well
known firm of R. B. Wigton & Sons.
The sad event took place at his home
at Spring Garden street, Philadelphia,
last evening at 6:05 o'clock. Mr. Wig-
ton had been ailing for some months
past and was recommended to try the
warmer atmosphere of Florida. While
enjoying the southern climate he re-
ceived a severe stroke of paralysis and
although brought home as quickly as
possible and the best of medical aid
employed, he died as above stated.
Mr. Wigton was born near Spruce
Creek, Huntingdon county, in the year
1818. He was therefore about 77 years
of age. His early lite was spent on
his father’s farm, where he was born.
His first venture in business was the
coal business in the old Rock Hill fur-
nace where Orbisonia now stands.
About 1859 or 50 he commenced the
coal business near Dudley on the
Broad Top mountains. He was quite
successful as a coal operator, during
the late war he operated on a large
scale, both at Dudley and on the Six
Mile run in Bedford county. During
the time of his operations on Broad
Top he resided in Huntingdon. He re-
moved with his family to Philadelphia
in the latter part of the sixties and has
since that time been a resident of the
Quaker city. In 1863 or ’69, he,
with Wm. Dorris, of Hunting-
don, and D. W. Holt, of Philipsburg,
formed the Morriadale Coal company,
with Mr, Wigton as its president ; Mr.
Holt superintendent. In the beginning
of 1376 Mr, Wigton purchased the in-
terest of D. W. Holt operated the
Morrisdale mines in the name of R. B.
Wigton during the next five years. In
, 1881 the present firm of R. B. Wigton
& Sons was formed and has continued
to the present. Since the inauguration
of the present firm many important
interests have been added. The large
fire brick worke have been built at
Philipsburg. The iron ore operations
at Gatesburg, and the gas coal opera-
tions at Saltsburg, Indiana Co. Asa
business man Mr. Wigton had very
few, if any superiors. As & man of
honor and integrity, he stood in the
foremost ranks.
member of the Presbyterian church tor
many years. He was very conscien-
tious in regard to the Sabbath obser-
vance, always insisting on the absti-
nence of all labor on the Sabbath, un-
less in cases of extreme necessity.
» * * ¥
BROTHERS DEAD THE SAME DAY.
What seems to us as a singular visi-
tation of God's Providence, is the death
of an elder brother of R. B. Wigton,
Mr. A. J. Wigton who died at the old
homestead, near Spruce Creek in Hunt-
ingdon county, at the home of his
nephew, Mr. John Wigton. He was
born in 1815 and was in his 80th year.
Mr. A. J. Wigton died at 7 o'clock
yesterday morning and his brother, R.
B. Wigton at 6:05 in the evening. Mr.
A. J. Wigton, was in early life engag-
ed in the imanufacturing of charcoal
iron in Huntingdon county. He spent
about 10 or 12 years in Mexico, engag-
ed in the cattle business. The past 30
years of his lite was spent on Six Mile
Run, attending to the coal interest of
his brother R. B. Wigton. During the
past year he has been an invalid. Thus
two brothers who spent an active life
of business past into the life beyond on
the same day.
The New Poor Law.
Constitutional Amendment Relating to Elections.
HARRISBURG, Feb. 27.--The house
used up the greater part of its time
to-day discussing the Gould poor law.
The bill modifies the poor laws by mak-
ing county boards instead of district
boards. It was prepared by the com-
mission appointed by the governor six
years ago. Mr. Lytle offered an
amendment exempting counties having
poorbouses from the provisions of the
bill. Mr. Focht, of Union, offered an
amendment excepting counties that
bave no poorhouses. The amendment
was defeated and the bill passed second
reading. Mr. Nickell, of Philadelphia
presented a joint resolution proposing
amendments to the constitution provid-
ing that elections for members of the
legislature, members of congress, judges
of courts of record, and any officer or
representative to be elected by the elec-
tors at large, shall be held on the Tues-
day following the first Monday of No-
vember in even numbered years: All
elections for county, city, township and
ward officer, for regular terms of service
shall be held on the Tuesday following
the first Monday in November in odd
numbered years, but the legislature
may by law fix a different day. The
term of auditor-general and county’ of-
ficers shall be four years instead of
three. The term of any officer whose
commission would sooner expire shall
be extended until the beginning of the
next regular term, as provided for by
this amendment,
Mr. Niles’s bill designed to prevent
the multiplication of lawsuits presented
to the courts by district attorneys
was the cause of a prolonged discussion
at the afternoon session of the house, and
passed second reading.
Mr. Lawrence, of Washington, pre-
sented a bill appropriating $5.000 for
the erection of a pedestal for a statue to
the late Governor Curtin at Bellefonte.
The bill preventing the wearing of any
religious garb by teachers was reported
favorably from committee, and the act
forbidding school directors to employ
relatives as teachers was reported nega-
tively.
A bill introduced by Mr. O'Malley
provides for a circuit court with five
judges to hold court at stated periods at
Philadelphia, Pittsburg, Harrisburg,
Williamsport and Erie. Mr. Mackrell,
of Allegheny, presented a measure ap-
proprisdng $10,000 to the newsboys’
ome.
Douglass’ Body Interred.
His Remains Laid to Rest at Rochester N. Y.,
Yesterday.
Rocrester, N. Y.. Feb. 26.—The
train which brought the body of Fred-
erick Douglass and the escort from
Washington arrived this morning,
They were met at the depot by Mayor
Lewis, the members of the common
council, Douglaes league, the honorary
and active bearers and a cordon of po-
lice. The station was filled with a
surging mass of people.
Thousands followed the procession
to the city hall. The higher grades of
the public schools were dismissed, and
teachers and pupils were given an op-
portunity to take a final look at the
features of the great apostle of free
dom.
At 1:30 o’clock the remains were
taken to the Central Presbyterian
church, where the final services in
honor of the city’s dead were held.
Several ministers took part in tne ser-
vices.
At the close of the exercises the re-
mains were taken to Mount Hope cem-
etery and buried beside his first wife.
Reception by Governor Hastings,
HarrieBurG, Feb. 26.—The recep-
tion at the executive mansion to night
was one of the most brilliant affairs of
the kind ever seen in the city. A program
of twenty-four dances was enjoyed, and
refreshments were geaerously served.
Governor and Mrs. Hastings were as-
sisted in receiving by Mrs. Matthew
Quay and Mrs. James A. Beaver, The
hostesses were : Mrs. McPherson,
Mrs. John I. Rogers, Mrs. Barton
D. Evans, Mrs. W. I. Schaffer, Mrs.
W. J. Calder, Mrs. Henderson, Mra.
E. B. Mitchell and Mrs. Edward Bai-
ley. There were a large number of
distinguished guests present, including
Mayor Stuart, Philadelphia; Justices
Dean and Mitchell, of the supreme
court; Judge Archibald, Scranton;
Judge Darte, Wilkesbarre; District
Attorney and Mrs. George Graham,
Philadelphia; P. A. B. Weidner and
Director and Mrs. Beitler, Philadel-
phia, and many others.
——Read the WATCHMAN.
He wasa constant | Pre
Kearns Must Get Out.
Ed. A. Bigler Pushed for the Pittsburg Col -
lectorship.
‘WASHINGTON, Feb. 25.—It is now
tty well settled that the president
will remove Mr. Kearns, collector of in-
ternal revenue at Pittsburg, within the
next day or two, nominating his succes-
sor at the same time, KE. A. Bigler who
was collector at Pittsburg under the
former Cleveland administration, is re-
garded as the man most likely to suc-
ceed Kearns. He is a brother of the
United States sub-treasurer at Philadel-
phia. This was the most serious objec-
tion to his nomination, as it is felt that
two such important offices is a good deal
to give to one family and one town, the
Messrs Bigler both residing in Clearfield.
The removal of Collector Kearns will
be based on the findings of a special rev-
enue agent, who was sent to Pittsburg
sometime ago to investigate charges pre-
ferred against him by former employes,
by distillers and others.
BIGLER GETS IT.
The president sent to the senate nom-
ination of Edmund A. Bilger, of Clear-
field to be collector of internal revenue
for theTwenty-third district of Penn-
gylvania, and John S. Thompson to be
postmaster at Reading, Pa.
er ——
No Investigation.
That Is the Dictum of Quay Borne to Harris-
burg.
HARRISBURG, Feb. 25.—A delegation
of leading Philadelphia Republican
politicians got to town this afternoon,
chief among them being Quay’s lieuten-
ant, Magistrate Durham. They came
up in the interest of Philadelphia ap-
pointments, and to incidentally let out
the fact that there will be no resolution
presented to the legislature asking for an
investigation of affairs in Philadelphia.
No formal conference was held, but
Durham brought word that Quay would
not consent to any Lexow business, and
Senator Kaufmann, of Lancaster, who
10 days ago threatened to introduce a
resolution himself, provided no one else
did, announced to-night that neither he
nor anyone else will present one.
The friends of Theodore Stulb are af-
ter the governor to appoint him health
officer in Philadelphia, and another
contingent is presenting the claim of J.
Lewis Good, with the chances in favor
of the former appointment. Joseph H.
Klemmer is pretty sure to be given the
place of harbormaster.
Pardons Recommended.
HARRISBURG, Feb. 27.—These par-
dons were recommended by the board of
pardons to-night: Frederick Boyle,
Schuylkill, embezzlement; John Reilly,
Philadelphia, rape; S. A. Marks,
‘Washington county, larceny ; William
Orr, Perry, embezzlement; Harvey
Cook, Armstrong, assault and battery
with intent to rape; Mamie Alexander,
Philadelphia, larceny ; William Hil-
bert, alias Waldeck, Philadelphia,
larceny.
Pardons were refused as follows : Wil-
liam Clark, Philadelphia, embezzle-
ment, and Wallie Connor, Northamp-
ton, larceny. The cases of Hugh F.
Dempsey and others were held under
advisement. Rehearings were granted
Theodore Doerflinger, Allegheny, em-
bezzlement, and Robert B. McKee,
Crawford, breaking and entering a
house.
A special meeting will be held next
Wednesday to consider cases postponed.
After the March meeting the regular
sessions will be held the third Wednes-
day of each mouth.
Mrs. Cleveland a Member.
The Mistress of the White House Joins the
Women's Christian Temperance Union-Initiat®
ed by Miss Willard.
‘W asuiNGTON, Feb. 25.—Mrs. Cleve-
land has joined the Women’s Chris-
tian Temperance Union. There has
been a tremendous effort made to con-
ceal that fact from the public. Mies
Willard and a..few of her devoted
friends attending the National Council
of women had the honor of initiating
the mistress of the White House into
the mysteries of that order last night.
Mrs. Cleveland signed the constitu-
tion and then Mies Willard kissed her
and pinned a badge of snow white rib-
bon upon her breast. The fact would
probably not have leaked out if Mrs.
Cleveland had not appeared at one of
the meetings wearing her white ribbon
badge. She semed to be quite proud
of it which caused other women to ask
questions. Soon everybody knew of it.
Ruled Out of the C. E.
Young Methodists Must Form Epworth Leagues.
Ricamonp, Va., Feb. 25. — The
Christian Endeavor societies in the
Methodist church south will have to
disband. The discipline of the church
requires the organization of the Ep-
worth league for young people and the
pastors here are enforcing this disci-
pline. All the Methodist Endeavor so-
cieties in Richmond have, by order of
the pastors, been disbanded. The last
one went down today. This was the
society at Centenary church, one of
the oldest in Virginia.
There is intense feeling among some
of the Methodist Endeavorers here and
many will refuge to join the Epworth
League, which is a denominational or-
ganization. The disbandment of the
Methodist Endeavorers will seriously
cripple the organization in the south.
American Cattle Barred.
France Joins Germany in the Interdiction o.
Importations from This Country-—The Embar-
go Exists Until Further Orders.
‘WASHINGTON, Feb. 25.—The report
that France had been persuaded to join
Germany in the retaliatory interdiction
of the importation of American meats
is confirmed by the following official
dispatch received to-day from Henry
Vignaud, secretary of the American
embassy in Paris:
A decree of the Minister of Agricul-
ture published this morning forbids the
importation into France until further
orders of cattle coming from the United
States. Cattle shipped before February
24 will be admitted under certain re-
strictions.
nia railroad on the other.
State Meeting of the Annual Encamp-
ment of the Grand Army is Now in
Session.
Convened in Williamsport.— Reports Were Read
and Accepted—The Gain in Membership—
Officers Elected for the Ensuing Year—Severat
Other Meetings Held— Several Camp Fires
Blaze. .
WILLIAMSPORT, Pa., February 26.—
About 2,000 delegates to the twenty-
ninth annual winter encampment of
the Grand Army of the Republic, de-
partment of Pennsylvania have arrived
and the city to-night bore a decidedly
military appearance. The scenes in
and around the leading hotels and on
the streets were animating, as the vet-
erans predominated at every point.
The Ladies’ Relief corps beld an in-
formal reception at the Park hotel dur-
ing the day. They held a meeting and
elected directors of the Brookville
memorial home.
Perhaps the most important event of
the evening was the meeting of the
Pennsylvania Reserve association, at
which officers were elected as follows :
President, General John P. Taylor, of
Lewistown, who succeeds the late ex-
Governor Andrew G. Curtin; vice
president, J. F. Morrison, of Philadel-
phia, re-elected.
The contest for department com-
mander is lively but evidently one-sided,
H. H. Cummings, of Tideout, seem-
ingly being in a decided lead. James
B. Denworth, of this city, is making a
hot canvass for the office, but Cum-
mings is backed by the solid North
western association, as well as many
other sections of the state. He claims
his election by more than a two-
thirds majority. There is very little
interest manifested in the other officers.
The convention will assemble at 10
o’clock to-morrow forenoon.
WiLL1AMSPORT, Pa., February 27.—
This was a lively day among the vet-
erans, who assembled in twenty-ninth
annual session at 10.30 o'clock. After
Department Commander Emsly had
called the delegates to order an address
of welcome on behalf of Williamsport
was delivered by Mayor Elliot, and re-
sponded to by Adjutant General Stew-
art. The reports of the department of-
ficers were then presented and referred
to the several committees. The de-
partment commander reviewed the
work of the year at length, and made
many suggestions and recommenda-
tions. Assistant Adjutant General
Morrison's report shows that there
were seven new posts mustered in dur-
ing the year and six disbanded. The
total gain in membership was 377;
members in good standing on Decem-
ber 31 last, 44,101 ; number remaining
suspended, 2,364; oumber of posts,
622 ; number of members dropped, 741;
number to whom relief was given,
1,632 ; amount expended for relief,
$28,934.65.
Assistant Quartermaster General
Levering’s report showed a balance of
$2,572. The receipts during the year
were $14.309; expenditures, $11,787;
available for the relief fund, $20,963.
The encampment then proceeded with
the election of officers, as follows :
Department commander, H. H. Cum-
ings, of Tideout ; senior vice department
commander, Thomas M. Fields, of Con-
nellsville ; junior vice department com-
mander, Lemuel Buch, of Reading ;
department medical director, Dr. W.
B. Stiles, of Philadelphia ; department
chaplain, John W. Sayres, of Reading.
The remainder of the officers will be
elected to-morrow.
At the afternoon session a resolution
was introduced to suspend the usual
semi-annual encampment, in accordance
with the department commanders report.
Chambersburg was selected as the next
place of meeting.
The important features of the day
were meetings of the ladies of the Grand
Army of the Republic and Woman’s
Relief corps. both of which were largely
attended.
Retiring Department commander Em-
sly was made the recipient of a costly
silver punch bowl, as a testimonial from
the members of his staff. Other offi-
cials also received remembrances.
This evening’s camp fires in the court
house and Association hall was largely
attended and enthusastic as to every de-
tail. Adjutant General Sewart was the
principal speaker. The encampment
will come to a conclusion to-morrow.
a —
May Be The End For Quay.
Disaster Predicted in His Fight on the Penn-
sylvania Railroad.
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 25.—Senator
Sewell, who went to Washington on
Saturday and canvassed the situation,
says that Quay’s resolution against the
Pennsy’s bridge can’t pass in the House.
If so, it will be thrown back into a sen-
ate-house committee, where a battle
royal is expected between senatorial
courtesy on the one hand and all the
wealth and influence of the Pensylva-
If may be
the beginning of the end for Quay.
Martial Law in Cuba.
W. sHINGTON, Feb. 26.—Secretary
Gresham received a cablegram from
Consul General Ramon Williams, at
Havana, announcing that a state of af-
fairs practically amounting to martial
law had been proclaimed in Cuba. It
appears from the dispatch that the proc-
lamation of the governor general has
caused great excitement throughout the
island where no general revolution ex-
ists, as it was the first notice the people
had that the government was taking
action to prevent disturbances in some
sections from spreading.
—————
That Big Bridge.
W AsHINGTON, Feb. 27.—The house
committee on inter-state and foreign
commerce to-day heard a delegation
from Pennsylvania and New Jersey on
the senate resolution proposing an in-
uiry as to whether or not the bridge to
be built by the Pennsylvania Railroad
company across the Delaware river be-
tween Pennsylvania and New Jersey
‘will be an unreasonable obstruction to
the commerce ‘of the river. The com-
mittee, after the hearing, agreed unani-
mously to report, it adversely.
Bissell Steps Down.
‘Tired of Public Life, He Concludes to Retire to
Privacy.
WaseINGTON, Feb. 27.—Postmaster
General Bissell set at rest all doubts as
to his purpose of remaining in the cab-
inet by tendering his resignation’ to
President Cleveland this afternoon. This
action was not taken hastily. As far
back as early autumn Mr. Bissell felt
that his law practice at Buffalo required
his personal attention, and at that time
he notified the president that sooner or
later he would be compelled to retire to
private life. Nothing further passed be-
tween the two gentlemen with reference
to this matter until ten days ago, when
Mr, Bissell again assured the president
that he must soon resign his portfolio.
In a statement made by Mr. Bissell to a
representative of the United Press this
evening he says that he found the work
of his office agreeable, notwithstanding -
its onerousness. He says that he leaves
the department with regret and adds
that his official relations with the presi-
dent and his cabinet ministers have been
most cordial. He denies emphatically
the reports of disagreement in the cab-
inet and says that the present one and
its members are a unit in support of the
president on every public question.
There is no reason to doubt that Mr.
Bissell’s successor will be Congressman
William L. Wilson, of West Virginia.
It is also understood that Mr. Wilson's
name will be sent to the senate to-mor-
row. But for the fact that the president
intended making Mr. Wilson a member
of his official family, a tender of the
Mexican mission would, 1t is said, have
been made to him. The president has
been sincerely desirous of appointing
Mr. Wilson to some office of dignity and
importance commensurate with the
‘West Virginian’sjabilities and his loyalty
to the principles of the Democratic party.
When the president learned ten days
ago that Mr. Bissill proposed soon to re-
tire from the cabinet he decided that he
should be succeeded by Mr. Wilson.
This, at least, is the story given out by
Mr. Wilson's friends to-night and there
are substantial reasons for believing that
it is well founded.
Kilrain and O'Donnell to Box.
Boston, Feb. 26.—A dispatch from
Jake Kilrain states that he has accept-
ed Steve O'Donnell as his opponent in
place of Peter Maher at the Suffolk
Athletic club, March 18. They are to
box eight rounds with a decision. The
club declared the Maher Kilrain con-
test off on account of the ‘fake’ be-
tween Maher and Hall.
A World's Record Broken.
San Francisco, Feb. 23.—Oscar
Osen of the Garden City Bicycle club,
broke the world’s one mile in-door
competition record in two minutes,
nineteen and two-fifths seconds on a
lap track here yesterday.
ADDITIONAL LOCALS.
——Monday was pay day at the Mill
Hall axe works.
——1It is reported by trainmen that
deer are frequently seen on the ice on
the river in the vicinity of Renovo.
——Miss Carrie Hughes Stewart, of
Tyrone Forges, was married to Charles
Richard McMillan, of Lewistown, last
Thursday evening. The wedding was
quite a society event at Tyrone and at-
tracted guests from many cities in the
State. The groom is a civil engineer in
the employ of the Pennsylvania rail-
road company.
MARRIAGE LICENCES.—Issued dur-
ing the past week taken from the docket.
Adam P. Heckman, and Annie S:
Vonana, both of Gregg township.
‘W. H. Mark, of Gregg township, and
Vienna Styers, of Haines township.
John Kerstetter, of Aaronsburg, and
Kate M. Grin, of Sober.
Howard Lewis, of Rush township
and AnniePickup, of Phili psburg.
Lloyd M. Luse and Senie
Bower, both of Coburn.
Clayton I. Holmes, and Mary W.
McCalmont, both of State College.
Aumon M. Kerststter, and Clara T.
Barnes, both of Pleasant Gap.
M.
J. C. Nason’s House ToraLLy D E-
STROYED. — The comfortable frame
dwelling house of J. C. Nason, about
two miles north of Julian, caught fire
about two o’clock last Tuesday morning
and was totally destroyed with all its
contents. The family barely escaped in
their night clothes.
The fire caught in a very mysterious
manner, When Mr. Nason was awak-
ened by the glare his wood house, which
stood fifteen feet away from the dwell
ing, was totally enveloped in flames.
The wind blew them directly to the
house and it burned before its oc-
cupants could realize what was
the matter. The house was just
new and was very well furnished.
The entire loss will aggregate $4,000,
without a cent of insurance to off-set it.
The unfortunate man was unable to
have his insurance renewed, as it ex-
pired just about two weeks ago and the
agent of the Grange Co., with which he
intended re-insuring, was delayed in get-
ting to see him on account of the deep
SNOW.
A lot of bones were found among the
charred logs of the wood-house and some
are of the opinion that a tramp might
have crawled in there for the night and»
building a fire to keep warm, fell asleep
and was burned up. Mr. Nason was in
town yesterday and so complete was hi®
loss that he was wearing a pair of bor”
rowed shoes.