| Bellefonte, Pa., May 4. 1900. | 1 i $20,000 in Twelve Hours. I | An Alaskan Story With a Happy Ending for a Well- Known Character of the Youkon Valley. «This is the story of Alexander McDon- ald, one of the best known characters in the Youkon Valley, says, ‘“Ainslee’s Magazine. | He is a great lumbering Scotch-man—born i in Nova Scotia—who up to the time of the Klondike discoveries never had an idea of winning a greater fortune than that of aday laborer. He worked from mining camp to mining camp all along the Northwest. So slow was he and so awkward in his work-- his feet entirely in his way aud his bulk a misfit for the size of prospect holes--that he was reputed never to be able to hold a job for longer than three weeks. He was at at Dawson shortly after the first locations were made on the Klondike. He went out with numerous stampedes, but never arriv- ed in time to locate a paying claim. Finally he stumbled across a newspaper man named Hunt, who had a claim on Bonanza Creek, Hunt had become discouraged because he had not the funds necessary to develop it. This claim McDonald purchased for three hundred dollars and set about de- veloping it in his usual slow and aimless fashion. Finding the claim fairly rich, he put on a force of laborers and mn a few weeks had taken out eight thousand dol- lars. This sum he used immediately to purchase other claims. All that year, he bought right and left everything of any promise that was offered to him, often mortgaging the claims thus bought to buy other ground. Many of the ventures came to naught, but a few gave such phenom- enal returns that he speedily took the rat- ing of a millionaire. Out of one claim El Dorado Creek, he shoveled twenty thou- sand dollars in twelve hours. To-day he is probably worth between two and three million dollars. “‘Many others came to success even more suddenly than McDonald. One man on Bonanza Creek took out ninety pounds of gold—about twenty-five thousand dol- lars—in a single day. A pan of gravel on El Dorado Creek yielded its lucky owner twenty-five hundred dollars. This same man cleaned up three thousand ounces of dust and nuggets from his first week’s work.” —————————— Supression Stimulates Growth. From the York Gazette. The Republican organs are engaged in chuckling over what they described as a collapse of the Coeur d’Alene Miners’ Bull Pen issue. The Republican members of the House committee investigating these scandals do not seem to regard the matter as so innocuous, however. When the peti- tion from Idaho urging the continuance of marshall law was offered in evidence before the committee the other day, Congressman SULZER, (Dem.) offered to prove that it was ‘‘bogus and fraudulent,’’ and present- ed affidavits to substantiate his offer. The party by a strict party vote, having admit- | ted the petition, refused to receive the af- fidavits. They are killing all the damag- ing evidence they can. The more they suppress, the larger grows the issue. ——Suberibe for the WATCHMAN. Lesson Helps for Sabbath Schools. Many of our Bible schools in the rural districts have been closed during the win- ter months. The time is now near for the reopening. A few words may not be amiss as to the wisest plan of conducting schools especially in the use of lesson helps. The best and only reliable help is that of the Holy Spirit. For teachers and preachers the prayers is, “Lord open thou mine eyes that I may be- i hold wondrous things out of thv law,”” Ps. 119: 18. The promise is, ‘‘He will guide thee into all truth,’”’ John 16: 13. All Bible schools use some kind of hu- man aids in the study and teaching of the Scripture lessons. Denominational schools will employ the helps provided by their own publishers. Union or undenominational schools can- not consistently use any of these especially in communities where there are different religious denominations and no one of them at present strong enough to sustain a school of its own. Not many of our good preach- ers will say as one of them did recently in a public meeting, ‘‘I would prefer to use any denominational helps rather than en- courage Union or undenominational publi- cations.” Not having looked all around the subject he takes a partial view and can- not give safe advice in this matter. I can name at least one series of undenomination- al lesson helps so excellent that some of the best teachers in about all the leading de- nominations use them regularly from year to year. The premature introduction of denomi- national notes on the International Lessons in Union schools is very sure to cause trouble and too often results in their dis- continuation. I find no fault with any human provision for successful Bible study. There is room for improvement in all of them. The Bible in the use of Scripture references, is its own interpreter. The guidance of the Holy Spirit in things “spiritually discerned’’ is our chief depen- dence. WATER BAPTISM. ° In my travels round about not a few persons, especially young people, ask me questions concerning water baptism. Iam quite willing to have the substance of my answers known. Religious teachers are not unwise giving their views to the pub- lic press. If they have thoughts that are truthful and helpful then let printers’ ink convey them ‘‘unto all the world—to every creature.”” Those desiring to be directed in things spiritual and eternal will always gladly read and very possibly likewise heed. R. CRITTENDEN, Missionary Am, 8. 8. Union, Why Amber is Used. Amber, which makes such pretty neck- laces and other ornaments, seems to the feminine mind far too good to he used for the mouth-pieces of pipes, but there isa good, though Turkish, reason, it seems, for putting it to such a use In Turkey amber is supposed to be a specific against the evil effects of nicotine, and as the people are great lovert of tobacco they freely indulge in the use of it, but take care to safeguard themselves by having amber mouthpieces to their pipes. ——Mr. E. Conomy—‘What do you mean by buying all these things ?”’ Mrs. E. Conomy—‘‘Don’t get excited, dear; I didn’t buy them. I had them charged.” | possible to do so. The Village of Beech Creek Scorched by Fire. Monday Afternoon’s Great Conflagration Caused by a Bursting Stove Pipe—The Mill Hall Firemen Re- spond to the Call for Help—Large Property Losses. A terra cotta stove pipe that projected between Mobley’s stove and an adjoining building in the village of Beech Creek, bursted under a high heat, on Monday afternoon, and started a fire that threaten- ed as gre:t disaster to that place as were the terrible fires at Chicago and Hull. the hungry flames that seemed bent on licking up the entire village and the smoke from the surrounding mountain fires lent an additional portend of alarm to the situa- tion. The fire originated at 12:45 p. m. in the house owned by E. S. Mobley and occu- pied by Bert Smith and family. The fire was discovered burning around the chim- ney from the cook stove, and was under the roof, but despite the efforts to keep it from spreading, the high wind made 1t im- This house was built up against the west side of E. S. Mobley’s store, which nothing could save. Mr. Mobley was able to remove his valuable papers and books, but, aside from two fifty gallon oil tanks, which were filled, some ammunition and a few sacks of flour, all the contents were destroyed. This build- ing was two stories high, and in size 30x60 reet, located on the corner of Main and Grant streets. These two buildings, burn- ing at the same time, made a raging fire, and the terrific gale that was blowing made it evident that if aid was not asked from Mill Hall, the whole eastern section of the town would be doomed. A dispatch was sent at 1:10 to the Mill Hall fire company which replied that it would go at once, and a freight engine was secured from Lock Haven. In less than an hour the fire company was on the scene, with their apparatus, consisting of the fire engine, two hose carriages and 1,000 feet of hose. In the meantime the bucket bri- gades were doing heroic work to save the buildings that were in the direct path of the flames. The battle ground was the house of James Metzgar, which stands on the corner east of Mobley’s and 100 feet away. It was on fire many times, the heat being so intense that it was almost impos- sible to continue the battle. Being a new house and newly painted is what aided the efforts. Had this house gone, everything east of it would have been destroyed, as the house of Leonard Metzgar, Dr. Moth- ersbaugh, the Presbyterian church and all below are built closely together. All of these buildings were on fire—as many as twelve buildings at one time. The Pres- byterian church was afire in ten different places. J. S. Hall's barn, on the rear of his dwelling next below the church, burn- ed. At two o’clock the wind subsided somewhat and the flames were gotten under control, the Mobley building having fallen. At 2:10 the Mill Hall fire company ar- rived and in a few minutes had their ap- paratus unloaded and rushing to the mill pond where they stationed their engine, laying 500 feet of hose to the fire on which two streams were turned on in less than five minutes after the arrival. It was not long before the burning embers were drown- ed out and all danger passed. Three hun- dred feet more of hose were laid and the ruins of the Hall barn extinguished. A special meeting of town council will be called to take appropriate action on the services rendered by the Mill Hall fire com- pany. The loss of Mr. E. S. Mobley on house, store and stock is estimated at $7,000, par- tially covered by $4,000 insurance. The contents of the house were saved for Mr. Smith. E. S. Mobley’s residence on the west was saved, owing to the strong wind blowing from the west. The damage to this property is trifling. The second story of Mobley’s store had recently been fitted up in excellent style at a large expense for the P. O. S. of A.,which occupied it exact- ly one month. Their loss is placed at $500, ! insured for $400. Jas. Metzgar’s house is Beech Creek was panic stricken before | badly damaged outside and on the roof and will require many repairs. This house had not been built a year. J. S. Hall’s loss on his barn is placed at $75; no in- surance. Mr. Mobley will not rebuild, as the busi- ness he was engaged in has seriously im- paired his health, the close confinement not agreeing with him recently. All things considered, it was almost a miracle that the progress of the flames was arrested and the eastern half of Beech Creek is not in ruins to-day. ‘Democrats Will Win. So Says William L. Wilson, Author of the Wilson Tariff Bill. KANsAs CITY, Mo., April 20.— William L. Wilson, author of the Wilson tariff bill, while in this city en route from Hot Springs to Nebraska City, Neb., where he is to be the guest of J. Sterling Morton, his associate in Cleveland’s cabinet, said : “It is to be McKinley and Bryan. Mr. Cleveland will not allow his name to be mentioned and Dewey will not get an op- portunity to see himself voted for.” “Bryan will be nominated, but condi- tions are so changed that the campaign: will be on new lines. Both sides have so many new conditions to comfront that the old tactics will not do. I think the Dem- ocrats will win. I shall go into the fight solid.” Mr. Wilson gave expression to his views regarding the candidacy of Admiral Dew- ey. ‘‘Heis innocent of the game of poli- tics,”’he said, ‘and bas blundered in his bluntness as blunt people often do. He will blunder out of it again, surely as he came in. Dewey does things suddenly. He generally anticipates and when the row is at its height he will surprise every- body by sailing away, or I am mistaken in the man.’’ Ex=Governor Pattison Talks. CHICAGO, May 1.—Robert E. Pattison, ex-Governor of Pennsylvania, a lay dele- gate to the Methodist General Conference, arrived here to-day. “I am not here in the furtherance of my candidacy for the Vice Presidency,’’ said Mr. Pattison. ‘I am interested deeply in the work of the church and am here solely for the purpose of participating in the deliberations of the month. “Iam a delegate to the National Conven- tion and shall go to Kansas City. If nomina- ted for the Vice Presidency I shall esteem it an honor and shall accept it accordingly. I am not seeking votes or the support of any State. If they come to me of their own volition, or my friends are successful in their advocacy of my interests, I shall be glad to receive the nomination. The nam- ing of Mr. Bryan for the Presidency will not cause me to decline the second place.” Celebrated Painter Dead. BoNN, May 1.—Munkacsy, the celebrat- ed painter, died in an asylum here today. He will be buried at Budapest. Porto Rico’s Governor. Charles Herbert Allen Was Tuesday Inaugurated as Such. : SAN JUAN DE Porro RICO, May 1.— Charles Herbert Allen, formerly assistant : secretary of the navy, was inaugurated as the first American civil governor of the is- land of Porto Rico today with impressive ceremonies. Governor Allen and General Davis, the military governor, reviewed a parade of United States troops and native troops and civil societies. The oath of office was administered to Governor Allen by Chief Justice Quinones, of the supreme court of Porto Rico, under a flag canopy in front of the executive man- sion. ed salutes of seventeen guns, and addresses were delivered by Governor Allen, Judge Quinones and General Davis. Great crowds of natives filled the streets surrounding the mansion. The people were exceedingly quiet, orderly and un- demonstrative. no loud shouts, cat calls or whistling, snch as characterize American crowds on such occasions. Killed by Filipinos. Nineteen Members of the Forty-third Regiment Lose Their Lives. The New York Sun of yesterday contain- ed the following special cable dispatch : “MANILA, May 1—10:40 a. m. — Major | Gilmore, of the Forty-third volunteers. re- ports from Calbayon, Samar, that a de- tachment of his battalion was besieged by insurgents at Catubig for five days, losing nineteen killed and two wounded. Word of the position of the detachment finally reached Major Gilmore, who made a forced march. relieved the besieged forces and scattered the insurgents.”’ There are a number of Blair county boys in the Forty-third, the major portion of whom are in companies A, B and C and who so far as known are on the Island of Leyte. In Major Gilmore’s battalion,how- ever, is company E, which is commanded by Captain John S. Fair of this city. As will be seen in the above no names are giv- en and until these are received there will be much anxiety among the relatives and friends of the Blair county soldiers. Wepener is Deserted. Boers Showing Uncommon Activity West of Bloem- fontein—British Captured a Boer Convoy. LoNDON, May 1.—3:50 a. m.—The Boers are now showing uncommon activity west of Bloemfontein. They are in force be- tween Fourteen Streams and Kimberley. On Sunday they occupied Windsorton, west of Trauway, and now threaten to in- terrupt the communications of the British force at Warrenton to the north. This, too, at a time when General Hunter is about to start on a 200 mile march to Mafe- king, probably with 5,000 men. To the east of Bloemfontein, the Boers during the night were holding the hills near Thaba N’Chu, while behind them long wagon trains, loaded with wheat for the Boer army in the north, are moving through Ladybrand. The British captured ome Boer convoy on Saturday, but its size is not mentioned in the dispatch, which barely anuounces the fact. Wepener, lately the scene of incessant fighting, is deserted, General Brabant and Colonel Dalgety having moved northward. - The forts and vessels of the fleet fir- They expressed their feel- ing of applause by hand claps. There were | British Subjects Ordered to Leave. PRETORIA, April 30.—As a sequel to the Johannesburg explosion the government has ordered British subjects, with a few exceptions, to leave the Republic within forty-eight hours. Nearly £4,000 has been subscribed for the relief of the victims. Commandant Schatt has been relieved of the military command at Johannesburg and has gone on commando. Botha Has Returned to Pretoria. LADYSMITH, April 30.—The country north of Sundays river seems comparative- ly clear of Boers. General Louis Botha has returned to Pretoria to resume the supreme command of the Transvaal forces. Genuine Courtesy. The car was crowded, therefore quite a number of passengers suspended them- selves from the straps and swayed with every motion of the car. A young man in the garb of a mechanic clung to a strap with one hand while the other hand clung to a dinner pail. He was standing in front of a woman who was richly dressed and seemingly blessed with an abundance of this world’s goods. As the car swung round a corner the strap to which the young man clung part- ed with a snap and the young man was precipitated into the lap of the woman. As soon as he could recover his standing position he raised his hat and apologized by saying : ‘‘Pardon me, madam. I am sorry to disturb you, but really this is the first time the street car company ever conferred a favor on me.” The woman appreciated the gallantry and the compliment.—From the Omaha World-Herald. "Twas Egg Rolling Day. WASHINGTON, April 16.—Easter. Mon- day, egg rolling day, was celebrated on the green lawn south of the executive mansion by thousands of little folks, whose unique | annual festival has come to be the feature in Washington of the end of the lenten sea- ! son. As early as 9 o’clock when the gates were i opened, they began to gather from all parts i of the city, each with a small basket filled with eggs of every conceivable hue and by 3 o’clock several thousand were racing and tumbling about on the greens ward. About that time the full Marine band | marched into the grounds and during the | remainder of the afternoon played at fre- ' quent intervals to the great delight of the youngsters and their elders who had come to witness the novel scene. Books, Magazines, Etc. A director of the Standard Oil Company has re cently published in The Independent an article de- claring trusts to be good for the workingman. To the May Century, Andrew Carnegie of the Carne- gie Company, which rivals the Standard Oil for first place among the world’s great corporations, will contribute an essay taking the same ground. In this article, which bears the title “Popular II- lusions about Trusts” the great steel manufactur- erargues thatthe evils of trusts are generally self- corrective ; that no trust can live long unless it secures a virtual monopoly of the commodity it deals in; and that ‘“‘the only people who have reason to fear trusts are those who trust them.” In the same magazine “The Reai Danger of Trusts’’—their menace to the independence of the individual and the state—will be pointed out in a vigorous editorial.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers