Beara
Bellefonte, Pz., July 28, 1905.
EF TEAS,
BILLYX’S LOST PRINCE.
By A. TERRY BRISBIN.
Susceptibility to feminine attractions is
a quality shared alike by all those officers
of our glorious Navy who have just return-
ed from a somewhat tedious, monotonous
‘‘cruise’”’ in the Far East. Three years,
for that term constitutes a ‘‘cruise,’’among
those olive-tinted oriental beauties which
the novelist and romantic writer are so
devoted to in latter day literature, serves
to bring the sailor’s sense of appreciation
of our own glorions women to a point sel-
dom reached by those fortunate brother
citizens whose privilege it is to bask in the
light of the smiles of those earthly angels
year after year.
The Minnesota had that very afternoon
dropped anchor in New York bay and her
long floating pennant told of a return from
Asiatic waters. No oue on board was more
fervent in his thanks to the Supreme Deity
for a sale return to his native heath than
was Ensign William Dibble Sayer, U. S.
Navy. Almost as soon as the anchor had
settled in the muddy bottom, Sayer was off
on three days’ leave to take in the aunual
Army-Navy foot-ball game in the Quaker
City.
As he stood in the large, brilliantly-
lighted entrance to the Stratford Hotel in
Philadelphia,some three hours later, Sayer
seemed loathe to take hic eyes for a moment
from the kaleidoscopic view presented by
the hurrying throng. These were God's
own people. Was it not happiness enough
in itself to know that these were his fel-
low conntrymen? Had nos his past three
years been spent in anticipation of just
such a sight? It was worth it and he was
supremely contented just to gaze at the
bustling crowd as it hurried on unmindful
of his eager, boyish face. ‘His eyes were
drawn to a striking little bit of feminine
beauty that detached itself from this human
tide and turned into the entrance. Her
trim listle figure was clad in a tailor-made
of one of those delightfnl shades of brown
with which fars blend so delicately, while
her wealth of hair was partly concealed by
a large creation of the milliner’s ars of the
same shade. Prominently displayed on her
coat was a rosette with long flowing stream-
ers of the Navy’sold gold and blue while
her muff was suspended by a twisted rope
of the same colors. Sayer thought as he
watched ber that be had never seen such
an attractive little navy enthusiast and he
envied the lucky gridiron warriors who
to-morrow would battle under the encour-
agement and applanse of such a support-
er.
Strayer was not handsome but his clear-
cut features, large frame agd military bear-
ing together with his well-fitting dark blue
uniform inspired this little maid with a
feeling of absolute reliance and protection
as it had inspired his men amid scenes far
different. After a moment’s hesitation she
approached him and said: —
*‘[ am lost, utterly lost. I suppose that
that sounds childish and impossible but it
is true. Can’t you tell me how to find
him?”
Sayer thought the worried, anxious look
on her upturned face the most fascinating
he had ever seen.
“I am afraid it will be impossible for me
to render any assistance until you tell me
your difficulty,” was his quiet response.
“How stapid of me?’ she exclaimed.
‘“You see I am from Minneapolis and have
never been east before. Father brought
me on to see thegame tomorrow and meet
my brother who isa midshipman at Annap-
olis. There was such a fearful crush at
the station that I lost sight of father and
after waiting nearly an hour in the hope
of his rescuing me I gave up. Unmindful
of direction I walked here trusting to find
my missing pater in the crowd. I
don't know why I should appeal to you
but I am so afraid of policemen, police
stations and sensational newspaper re-
forters—it would surely result in that
should I seek their help. I was on the
verge of despair until I saw you and
your uniform has cheered me up wonder-
pully. Bat I am prattling childishly and
perhaps you are not a bit interested. Still
you will tell me what to do, won't you?’’
“I am entirely at your service and it is
only a question of a few hours at the most
until you will be under the care of the de-
linquent parental wing again. Until then
I would suggest that you place yourself
under my charge and follow my orders ex-
plicitly,’’ Sayer replied.
“Qh, dear. I am frightened already. Is
navy discipline so very strict ?*’ She smil-
ed delightfally.
Sayer laughed. ‘‘Quite strict; especial-
ly when your obedient servant Billy Sayer
is in command.”’
Her eyes belied the serious expression
she forced on her face. ‘‘I will try to be a
model followerand my movements shall be
under the guidance of my noble leader and
protector until that higher authority, my
parental guardian shall relieve you of your
unexpected command.”” Then in a dramat-
ic manner—‘‘Lead on, brave captain, for
success shall crown your efforts in behalf of
the lost princess. Already your acocept-
anceas champion of my cause has inspired
me with a feeling of reliance and truss.”
Sayer called a cab.
*‘To Broad Street Station.’’ As they
were being whirled up the smooth asphalt
paved street Sayer turned toward his fair
charge and resumed: ‘‘Allow your champ-
ion to express his gratitude and thabks to
the fair princess for permitting such an vu-
worthy mortal to lend his aid in this your
hoor of tionhle. If I were an old Roman
now and amid Roman surronndings I wonld
send up thank-offerings to the Goddess of
chance for giving me the privilege of turn-
ing my bours of leisure to such a course of
daty. In these environments, with the
days of lost princesses pass, I can only. in-
waidly thank my lucky star for guiding
me to the spot where you first saw me.
Still—Bat here we are at our first point of
search. For the purpose of ‘indentification
I think you had better accompany me in a
search through the station.
They alighted and during the next few
minutes Sayer was shouldering a broad
path through the dense crowd of visitors
and transients in she large waiting-room and
train shed. He pushed on forgetful of his
errand, conscious only of a sense of protec-
tion over the small girl who was following
closely in his wake. At last they reached
the street again. Sayer handed her into
the cab and directed the driver to the Wal-
ton. ‘“‘Needless to say you didn’t see
him,’’ he said, ‘‘now we are going to the
Walston. Undoubtedly vour father has en-
gaged his rooms before heginning his search
and a3 the hotels in this city are not so
very numerous we will locate his rooms
and then wais until he returns. And now
I feel that I may ask the Princess’ name.
Will her Highness deign to grant this re-
quest 2’
‘“There again I have proven myself utter-
ly unworthy to be championed,” was her
quick response. ‘‘Iam Elizabeth Marshall,
though that name sounds really queer.
You see the family call me ‘Beth,’ while
the girls call me Jack. Choose whichever
you like.”
“With your permission, you are to me
the Princess. May I call you that?’ ‘Is
will serve as well as any other. Now
please out-line your plan for the search. A
Captain always out-lines his plavs of battle
to his subordinates, doesn’t he?’ ‘‘Asa
rule. My first strategical move will be to
take you to dinner. I always find my mind
more tractable under the influence of a
hearty meal at this time of day. To antic-
ipate your answer, allow me to remind
you of your promise to obey all orders ex-
plicitly.”’
In a moment afterward they were at the
Walton. They entered the brilliantly
lighted cafe and selected a table quite apart
from any other. In the far corner behind
a delicately blended breastwork of yellow
chrysanthemums and blue lupines, the
navy’s colors, an orchestra was playing a
medley of patriotic airs. On all sides the
walls were gaily festooned with flags of the
Military and Naval Academies. Scattered
through the crowd of diners were uniform-
ed men of the army and navy. The Princess
scanned the crowd, her every feature aglow
with excitement. Sayer was completely
absorbed in watching the ever changing
expression on her face until awakened by
the noiseless waiter with a ‘‘Have you or-
dered, Sir?”’ Sayer gave the order impa-
tiently and then returned to the more pleas-
ing occupation of studying her radiant feat-
ures. She broke the silence.
‘Isn't it perfect ?”’
“I'm glad you find it so. Personally
the world looks quite rosy and I am enjoy-
ing myself as much as a school boy playing
bookey.’”’ ‘‘That’s why I envy you serv-
ice men. You never seem bored; life seems
so full of enjoyment. Why is it you are
80—s80—so different ?"’
‘Different? I didn’t know we were so
different but I'll tell you why we can en-
joy all this; why we never tire of this life.
There is lots said of sea-faring life, some
good, some bad, but when a man does three
years in the southern Philippines on patrol
duty it all seems bad. That's when life
looks dark. Why, Princess, at times I
gave up. For weeks, yes, even months, I
lay off some Filippino village in my little
Gunboat, unable to land for provisions, cut
off from all source of communication with
the outside world, necessarily alert at all
times, merely existing on what canned
meats we had until the very thought of
them turned me sick. Those were the
days when I despaired. Then came sickness,
My men all down with those dread tropi-
cal diseases and I myself only kept up by
the knowledge that there were such places
as this, such girls as you. Those were days
when I existed, now I live. Such days are
over and life aven there had changed. That
is why we live. . We see the
dark side of this world and we learn to ap-
preciate. We have a probationary period
in hell before we reach Heaven. That is
why all this is as a breath of life. That is
why you seem tome to be an angel.”’
‘I understand now,’’ was her quiet re-
sponse, but why should you spoil all by
calling me an angel ?”’
‘To me, you are.”’” There was determi-
nation in Sayer’s voice. ‘‘God knows I
have dreamed of you every day for years.
Dreamed of yon until von seemed to me
almost a reality yet ever out of reach.’’
The girl started to speak. Sayer raised
his band, ‘‘Don’t stop me now. I must
speak. For three years I have been living
joss such w scene over each day. In each
one you were the center about which all
else was built. I knew I should find you.
Perhaps you wonder how I knew you.
That question is beyond me bat my inner
self told me you were my dream-girl. Yes,
it might have been any other girl but as it
happened it’s you. Forgive this discon-
nected talk. It is simply the out-pouring
of a long pent-up mind.”’
‘*You are delicious with your dream-
maidens and peculiar style of ‘Jollying.’
I bave really enjoyed it. But now I have
quite finished my dinner would you mind
looking up the object of our search? Your
vivid story had quite driven all thoughts
of my lost father from my head.” Sayer
rose and led the way into a dimly lighted
Turkish room. When he had gotten her
comfortably settled on a divan he said,
‘‘Now, my Princess, will you remain here
until I make inquiries about the missing
parent at the office ?"’
“If you will promise to he real quick.
Otherwise I will he quite worried.”
Sayer was back in an i.credibly short
time. °
“To quote the small boy, ‘Nothing do-
ing.’ I am going to run over to the Bellevue
and inquire there. As itis only a step I
shall not ask you to go. Incasel am un-
successful there. . . but I will
not discuss that side until my return.
Once more be patient for a moment, Prin-
cess, and I will promise to fly.”” Twenty
minutes later Sayer returned and gazed to-
ward the dimly lighted corner where his
fair charge had lass been seated. To his
dismay she was gone. A hasty glance as-
sured him she was not in the room. He
was just dashing toward the door when a
boy approached him with a note. ‘Is this
yours, Sir?’ Sayer took the note and
quickly tore it open. He groaned and mut-
tered to himself, “I'll be damned. Caught
again and I was putting up the bluff of my
career.”
This is what he read.
‘Dear Mr. Sayer :—
‘Forgive my abrupt departure for I would
really like to thank you. I have had so
much fun and you were really interesting.
‘‘My story was all a hoax. I am from
New York and came over to spend a few
days with some friends and incidentally to
see the game. Deciding at the last momens
to take an earlier train than I had original.
ly intended to. Ifound myself in Philadel-
phia with three hours to spend before my
riends would expeot me, Interested in
the crowd I' wandered down Broad street
and when Isaw you the devilish little tale
I told you came into my mind. You have
done the rest. Good luck to_the Navy.”
THE PRINCESS,
Lewis and Clark Exposition,
Round trip tickets Chicago to Portland
and return $56.50 via she Chicago, Milwan-
kee & St. Paul railway. Tickets on sale
daily until September 30th, and good for
return for 90 days. Choice of routes offer-
ed by this line. Liberal stop-over privi-
leges. Descriptive book sent for two cents
postage. Folders free. John R. Pots, dis-
trios passenger agent, room D, Park Build-
ing, Pittshurg, Pa.
——A prophet is without honor in his
own country because the neighbors grow
tired of hearing him say “I told yon so.”
——Some marriages are arranged in the
drawing room and disarranged in the court
om.
Martyrdom of Mormon Women.
The Mormon woman bas suffered for ber
religion. The Mormon woman to-day is
suffering for ber religion, and the young
women and the young girls will doubtless
suffer in the religion which has made trag-
edies of the lives of their mothers. By this
I do not mean that every Mormon woman
suffers neglect and privation. But that the
mass of the Mormon women suffer, I be-
lieve and suffer in the degraded place they
are assigned in their religion suffer in their
slavery to their husband and their church;
suffer physically in the rearing of large
families, which is their principal means of
exaltation in the life to come, writes Mar-
ian Bonsall for the House-keeper.
The majority of the women of the Latter-
day Saints,as members of the church usual-
ly speak of themselves, are plain, induos-
trious people of the hard working class. It
is these plain, sincere people, mostly, who
live in the small towns and villages. There
is, however, a class belonging to the fami-
lies of those of influence and power in the
Mormon church, women of education and
culture, who have traveled and studied
and are well read and accomplished. Many,
possibly most, of these women also are sin-
cere in their religion.
Ardent champions of polygamy are to he
found in both classes. It ie true, also,that
there are some women in both classes who
don’t believe in polygamy. Insofar as they
do not, they are not good or consistent Mor-
mons, and it is not likely they would ‘‘feel
free’’to discuss their attitude with the bish-
op of their ward, for instance.
Marian Bonsall explains why the intel li-
gent women of Utah do not refuse to sub-
mit to the unspeakable degradation of po-
lygamy.
First, polygamy isin their blood.
Second, because polygamy is in their
religion.
Third, because to denounce polygamy
would be to cast reflections of the most bor-
rible character upon the virtue of the moth-
ers and the honor of the fathers.
A certain young Mormon woman and a
Gentile man were friends of long standing.
The girl, attractive, well educated, fond of
pleasure, was the daughter of the first wife
of a man who had two wives. Both of
these women, who were educated and ac-
complished, were exceptionally well cared
for, and though they lived in different
homes their families were bound together
by the ties of gennine affection as well as
of relationship. The Gentile man, who
was so intimate a friend that he wasa
member of the family camping party at the
time of this conversation, asked the tather
if he was not glad that his danghter wa
not obliged to be a plural wife. The fath-
er, who loved the girl dearly, replied that.
for four reasons, he preferred that when she
married she should mary a Mormon who
“lived his religion’’: first, be said, be-
cause she would he happier with the relig-
ion of the Saints. Second, because such a
man would never apostatize. Third, be
cause his character would have heen prov-
ed, and that be, the father, wonld he cer-
tain, from the happy condition of the man’s
former family, that he was a good husband
in every way. Fourth, because, as a wife
in a home where the celestial order was
obeyed, his daughter would find her great-
est happiness. :
Daring a confidential conversation the
girl herself was asked if frankly, and tiuly
in her inmost soul, she was not glad that
it was not required of her that she should
be a plural wife.The girl answered thought-
fully, no, that she thought the Mormon
women of to-day were losing something
that their mothers and their grandmothers
enjoyed. Marriage, to ber, she said, would
seem a one-sided affair with bust one wife.
She could not imagine the happiness of
childhood, or the full enjoyment of girl
and womanhood without the companion-
ship and love of the children of the other
wife in her family. Her one concession
was that she would a little prefer to be the
first wife.
The Mormon woman is the victim of the
mightiest and most terrible delusion of the
civilized world. Her true story has not
been, and cannot be told in full. The
depth of degradation which is the outcome
of the Mormon system of the present day
is a very cloak of protection to the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It
isa story which writers and speakers, for
the sake of propriety and common decency,
can only suggest. In just so far isis
strength to the Mormon Church. ‘‘They
persecute us and say all manoer of evil
against us falsely. They make vile ingin-
vations against us which they cannot
prove,’’ says the Church. And therin is
all this strength, as being named pereecn-
tion, it gains for it the sympathy and sup-
port of a blinded and deceived country.
I went to Utah regarding the Mormons
as a more or less persecuted people. Now,
baving lived for months among them; hav-
ing been privileged in gaining the conti-
dence of some Mormon women; having
talked to varions members of the priest-
hood, even of ‘‘the Twelve; having dis-
cussed plural marriage with so famous a
representative as Amelia Folsom Young,
the favorite wife of the world-renowned
Brigham, and as well with the lowly wife
of the working man in her tiny adobe house;
having loved their little children and been
charmed by many of their young wo-
men, and interested in many of theresin-
cere young college men—now I wish I
could ray to every man and woman in the
United States so strongly that it would
claim a thoughtful astention—‘‘Let us be-
ware lest in afew years we bh come the
‘under dog.’ Let us beware lest the per-
fect and powerful organization of the Mor-
mon Church does not undermine the prin-
ciples of our homes, of our public schools,
of onr shurohes, and our national Govern-
mens.’’
Motors Superseding Horses in Business
Vehicles.
That the motor has passed the stage of
being a pleasure car and become an efficient
business vehicle wae proved on the six-days’
test of wagous held in New York under the
auspices of the Automobile Clab of Amer-
ion. Seventeen machines, ranging from
light delivery wagons carrying loads of less
than. 1,000 pounds to the heavy trucks
carrying 10,000 pounds, were tested during
their regular work. A member of the club
accompanied each vehicle, making notes
and observations. Fifteen vehicles com-
leted the week’s work in excellent con-
ition. Slight repairs were made on the
other two. .
The average delivery wagon horse travels
twenty miles a day, with few stops. The
auto vehicles averaged thirty seven miles a
day, with fifty stops sometimes. The vehi-
cles in the tests included department store
delivery wagons, express wagons,and heavy
tracks. Thus, the three kinds of deliveries
most in use were employed. One depart-
ment store gasolene wagon carrying 1,000
pounds started at 8 a. m., four trips, cov-
ered forty and three-eighths miles, made
fitty-seven service stops, and returned to
the store at 5:55 p. m. A horse delivery
wagon starting at the same time made half
, the distance and stops, and did nos return
until 10:30 at night. A gasolene delivery
vehicle carrying 2,000 ponnds started at
8:05 in the morning, traveled thirty-nine
and three-quarters miles, made fifty-three
service stops, and returned as 5:20 p. m.
An electric delivery wagon carrying the
same freight started at 8:35 a. m.. covered
twenty-eight miles, made thirty-seven serv-
ice stops, and returned at 5:15 p. m. The
same efficiency was proved with the big
trucks. Carrying a load of 3,545 pounds
of fish and five passengers, a gasolene truck
left on the trip at 7:38a. m.,covered thirty-
eight miles, made nineteen service stops,
and returned at 5:08 p. m. In the heaviest
class, a motor brewery truck carrying 9,600
pounds of beer and four men covered twen-
ty-two miles between 7:59 a. m. and 3:08
p- m. With all the wagons in the tests,
the loads remained practically the same
weight all day, by reason of frequent re-
turns to the various establishments for new
deliveries.
In the congested dowp-town districts,the
auto vehicles moved easily among the
crowded traffic, and only required half as
much street space in loading and unload-
ing. The drivers returned three and foor
hours before the men who had horse-drawn
wagons.
What did these tests prove ? Simply this
—that the motor business vehicle can
make more and quicker deliveries than
horse-drawn vehicles; that they can cover
a greater distance; that they are superior to
horses on long runs; that they are easier to
handle on crowded streets.
But business is not the onlv field of
motor car utility. In New York and rlse-
where, fire chiefs go to fires in automobiles.
They find that they can cover more gronnd
and in less time than with hoise-drawn
vehicles. Inspectors of streets also are
using the automobile on their tours of in-
spection. They find they can do more
work than with horses. The tendency in
business and in certain departments of pub-
lic service is to supersede the horse by
motor, whenever it is practicable.—The
World's Work.
A Powerful Temperance Motive.
When the linemen in the employ of the
Wyoming Light Company received their
pay envelopes at Wilkesharre ow Saturday
night each man found along with his mon-
ey a printed pledge to abstain from the
use of intoxicating liquor while off and on
duty, which ke was requested to sign,
which, 1t is stated, that the workmen, in
consideration of the good wages they re-
ceive, will pign promptly and cheerfully.
This Wilkesharre requirement is not an
exception, but is fast hecoming the rule
enforced by all corporations engaged in
commerce, transportation and manufactur-
ing industries. Steam and electricity are
the motive powers of the present industrial
world,and in nnskillfal or uusteady hands
are as perilous to life and property as they
are powerful. Hence, no railway, tele-
giaph, telephone or factory manager is
willing to entrust the management of costly
equipment and the protection of hundreds
of human lives to brains that are befuddled
and nerves that are shattered by indul-
gence in drink.
The American peopleare duubtless grow-
ing more temperate than their ancestors
were, but the most powerful influence in
this direction is the imperative necessity
of clear brains and steady nerves in the
handling of the powerful machinery of
modern civilization. Preachers, temper-
ance lecturers, hygenic instruction in the
schools, all have their influence in the di-
rection of abstinence, it is true, bat all
these comhined fail to he one-half as pow-
erful as the necessity which is being forced
upon the great army of industrial employes
to keep sober in order to obtain employ-
ment.
Electric Railways Helping the Farmer
Move his Crops,
Less than ten vears ago, Iowa farmers
hauled their crops in wagons, and drove
their live-stock over rough roads to rail-
way stations, often eight or ten miles from
their farms. Today, trolley freight and
stock cars stop almost at harn-doors, and
hurry the freight on to railways or to the
markets. In Iowa, now, there are more
than 1,000 miles of trolley lines connecting
small towns and crossing large farms. New
lines are being bails, and what is happen-
ing in Iowa is happening in Indiana, Ohio
and elsewhere.
The development of electric traction
power haa not reached the point where 1t
is profitable to operate large systems. In
Iowa, there are many small lines, started
originally to the cities. The lines spread
tn productive agricultnral districts. The
trolley was within walking-distance from
the farmer's house. When freight rates
were advanced the farmers turned to the
electric roads as an outlet to other railroads.
The carrying rates on electric lines were
less than the steam railroads. The elentiio
traction lines began to extend their roads.
One result ir that a new trolley road from
Iowo City to Cedar Rapids has been built
to carry heavy stock and grain cars.
Roads li e thie henefit the whole farm-
ing community. The price of contiguous
land is advanced, new fences and barns are
built, and new countrv towns are stared
all along the lines. Every point on the
electric line can be a station heoause of the
eave with which electric cars are stopped.
TWELVE DEAD IN OIL BLAZE
Eleven Tanks, Containing 2,500,000
Barrels of Oil, In Flames.
Houston, Tex., July 26.—With prob-
ably 12 persons dead, the fire in the
Humble ofl fields is still burning flerce-
ly, but it remains confined to the tanks
of the Texas company. So far as can
be learned, the burned men were all
negroes employed to prevent thespread
of the flames. Forty-three mules per-
ished. The managers of the Texas
company say that the tanks contained
approximately 2,500,000 barrels of oil,
valued at 26 cents a barrel, and that
none of the oil will be saved. In addi-
tion, they say, the big pumping plant
was destroyed, making a total loss of
more than $650,000.
The efforts of the fire fighters have
been confined to throwing up .earthen |
embankments between the Burning
tanks, of which there are 11, and those
in which 4,000,000 barrels of oil be-
longing to other companes are storied.
These tanks are 3000 and 4000 feet
away from the fire, but the water which
covers the field as a result of the rain
of Sunday has floated the burning oil
to the first level and a sudden ‘“boil-
over’ may send the burning fluid to the
second embankment, which would place
the other tanks in great danger,
——Subecribe for the WATCHMN.
SAILORS KILLED ON BENNINGTON.
Boiler Explodes on United States Gunbuat at San
Diego, Cal. 58 Dead ard 46 Wounded.
San Diego, Cal., July 25.—All men
connnected with the United States
gunboat Bennington at the time of
the fatal boiler explosion in San Diego
harbor are accounted for. Explora-
tion of the vesssel’s hold continues
as it is rapidly emptied of water.
The summary of the situation is:
Dead, 58; wounded, 46; uninjured, 92;
deserted, 1; total number of crew be-
fore accident, 197.
C. A. Mumper was found alive and
uninjured, blotting out any missing
list. Seven men are still in a critical
condition in the hospital. ;
The Bennington’s interior presents
a disordered appearance. Boiler B,
which exploded first, is seen to have
moved 15 feet aft, and the two ex-
ploded boilers are jammed against a
steel bulkhead. The condition in the
engine room is such that it will prob-
ably take two days to discover the
full amount of the damage there,
The warship had received orders
from the navy department at Washing-
ton to sail for Port Harford to meet
the monitor Wyoming and convoy the
monitor to Mare Island navy yard, San
Francisco.
Steam was up and everything was in
readiness for the departure of the Ben-
nington, when the starboard boiler ex-
ploded with a deafening roar. The ex-
plosion was terrific. People standing
on shore saw a huge cloud of steam
rise above the Bennington. Columns
of water were forced high into the
air. A dozen or 15 men were blown
overboard by the force of the terrific
explosion. Captain Wentworth, who
was looking at the Bennington when
the disaster occurred, says he saw
human bodies hurled over 100 feet up-
ward. The air was ciouded with smoke,
which enveloped the ship. When the
haze cleared away only a few men
could be seen on the decks, while a
number were floundering in the water.
A boat was lowered from the vessel's
side and most of the men in the water
were picked up and taken on board.
Terrible Scenes On Ship.
On board the Bennington were pre-
sented terrible scenes. The force of
the explosion had torn a great hole
in the starboard side of the ship and
the vessel was already commencing
to list. A section of the upper deck
was carried away from stem to stern.
Blood and wreckage was distributed
over the entire ship, the after cabin
and that part of the ship adjacent to
the exploded boiler resembling a char-
nel house.
The shock of the explosion pene-
trated every section of the ship, blood
and ashes being found as far as the
stern of the captain’s cabin. Great
damage was done in all parts of the
vessel.
The boiler which exploded, it is said.
was regarded as unsafe. Commander
Young stated that during a recent re-
turn from Honolulu the steam pres-
sure was kept reduced in that par-
ticular one.
At the time of the accident Com-
mander Lucien Young and Surgeon F.
I. Peck were on shore. The two offi-
cers, as soon as they learned of the
disaster, hurried to the water front.
Commander Young, as soon as he
reached the ship, gave orders that the
airtight compartments be closed to
prevent the listing ship from sinking,
and that the magazine be flooded to
avert further explosions. He then
beached the ship at high tide.
The ferryboat Ramona, which was
crossing the bay at the time of the ac-
cident, changed its course and hurried
to the aid of the stricken warship. The
government launch General De Russey
and a large number of other launches
and water craft which were near the
scene at the time also rushed to the
assistance of the Bennington.
Jumped Overboard to Escape Steam.
By the time the Ramona reached the
Bennington many of the sailors of the
Bennington who had jumped into the
bay to escape the scalding steam had
been rescued by small craft. The re-
moval of the wounded from the ship
was conducted in perfect order. The
crews of the De Russey and the other
boats aided in picking up the wounded
sailors and transferring them to the
shore.
The bodies of many of the men taken
from the wrecked interior of the ship
ware mutilated almost beyond recogni-
tion. The faces of many were covered
with blood and ashes. Some bodies
may never be identified.
Temporary quarters ashore were ar-
ranged for the wounded, and 60 citizens
volunteered and hurried in launches to
the relief of those on the ship. Some
of the volunteers were unable to stand
the sickening sight which met their
‘gaze on the Bennington. As fast as the
wounded could be removed they were
hurried in ambulances, carriages, wag-
ons and automobiles to hospitals. For
a long time the hot steam prevented
access to the space between decks,
where most of the dead bodies lay, and
it was not until late in the afternoon
that the last were removed from the
boiler rooms. Several bodies were so
tightly wedged in by a bulkhead that
the woodwork had to be hewed away
to free them.
Most of the men on board were as-
sembled between decks, above the boi-
lers, when the explosion occurred. Here
is where the most frightful slaughter
took place. No one living has been
able to descvibe what happened there,
but vivid w. nesses exist in the blood-
smeared walls. It is from between
decks that most of the dead bodies
have been taken. ’
Forty-seven of the Dead Buried.
Forty-seven of the dead were buried
in a common grave in the little mili-
tary cemetery on the crest of the pro-
montory of Loma, high above the wa-
ters of San Diego Bay on the one side
and within sound of the booming Pa-
cific on the other. Without the crash
of drum or the sound of brass, without
pomp or parade, yet with simple im-
pressiveness, all honor was paid the
nation’s dead.
The deep trench in which the bodies
were placed, in two rows, feet to feet,
is 60 feet long and 14 feet wide. It
was finished but a few minutes before
the arrivol of the first load of bodies.
Around it were drawn up in long
lines the artillery company from the
fort, 75 strong, on the west; the naval
reserves, bearing arms full of flowers,
on the north; the Bennington’s sur-
vivors on the east and the Universal
Brotherhood on the west. Just outside
the simple picket fence enclosing the
burying ground gathered the public in
solid masses.
It only remained for the representa-
tives of the church to pronounce final
blessings on the dead. Rev. J. A. M.
Richey, rector of St. Paul's, read the
Episcopal burial service,the2lst psalm,
and repeated the Lord's prayer. He
closed his impressive duty by casting
a handful of earth upon the coffins.
Venerable Father A. D. Ubach, of the
Catholic church, attended by two as-
sistants, then stepped forward. In a
rich and resonant voice he read the
service of the dead and blessed them
with water and incense.
Commander Young, of the Benning-
ton, stepped out from the group of
officers at the head of the trench and
raising his hand commanded instant
attention. In a deep, gruff voice—the
voice of a typical sailor—he said:
“Captain, commander of Rosecrans
and his successors—I commit to your
tender care the bodies of our unfor-
tunate shipmates and patriotic dead.
May their graves never be forgotten
by the hand of affection. May there
rise above this, their last resting place,
marble slabs to mark the place as sa-
cred to the nation’s care and may the
morning sun ever kiss the green sod
above their dust, emblematic of our
love and affection.”
“I accept the sacred trust of the
honored dead,” replied Captain Scott.
There was many a tear brushed from
moistened eyes by this simple but im-
pressive scene.
“Attention!” came the command in
sharp tones from the big sergeant in
command of the artillery company.
There was a rapid, concerted move-
ment along the double file of soldiers
at the head of the grave. Another
command and every gun was pointed
over the long rows of caskets. In quick
succession three sharp volleys were
fired.
Czar and Kaiser Held Confidential
Conferences.
St. Petersburg, July 25. — Emperor
Nicholas has returned to Peterhof
from his conference with the German
emperor in the Gulf of Finland.
The meeting of the two monarchs
naturally created intense interest in
diplomatic circles. In some quarters
there is a disposition to attach the
deepest political significance to it, and
all sorts of theories are advanced. They
are, however, largely speculation. It
is officially announced that the visit
was only a “visit of courtesy” made
by Emperor William on his brother
monarch before leaving the Gulf of
Bothnia, but under the circumstances
the diplomats cannot believe that such
a meeting was devoid of meaning to
the world’s political chessboard, no
matter what the ultimate result
may be.
No matter what the ultimate result
may be, however, all the diplomats
agree that its first effect would be for
peace, as Emperor William is known
to be strongly of the opinion that Em-
peror Nicholas should conclude peace
and set his house in order.
TAFT PARTY IN JAPAN
Arrived at Yokohama On Board ‘the
Steamer Manchuria.
Yokohama, July 25.—The steamer
Manchuria, with Secretary of War
Taft and party on board, arrived here
at 7 o’clock this morning.
Newspaper Welcomes Party.
Tokio, July 25.—The Hochi, Count
Okuma’s newspaper organ, publishes a
leading article welcoming the Taft
party and gratefully recalling what the
United States has been to the Japa-
nese since the time of Commodore
Perry—an unerring guidc and friend.
The policy of the United States toward
Japan, the article says, has been an
unbroken record of kindly assistance,
politically and commercially. Especi-
ally President Roosevelt's successful
endeavor in bringing the peace pleni-
potentiaries together adds a memor-
able chapter to the already magnifi:
cent record of America’s invaluable
aid to Japan.
The Hochi leader is typical of the
feeling throughout the empire.
Found Dead In Attitude of Prayer.
Altoona, Pa., July 24.—Stephen B.
Patterson, aged 72 years, who disap-
peared from his home at Dorsey Ore
Bank, near Tyrone, last Tuesday, was
found dead in a field a mile away. He
was kneeling in an attitude of prayer,
and it is supposed he was stricken
with paralysis and died. He was a
veteran of the Civil War.
Mitchell Says Strike Rumor Is Silly.
Scranton, Pa., July 25.—Regarding
the report in circulation that a gen-
eral strike of the mine workers was
imminent, President Mitchell, of the
United Mine Workers, said: “This
rumor of a strike is so silly that I can
find no possible excuse whatever for
its circulaticn.”
Took Typhoid From Raw Clams.
New York, July 24.—Stanley Ward,
of Lawrence Park, Bronxville, whose
wife died on Saturday from typhoid
fever, caused, it is supposed, by eat-
ing infected raw clams, Mr. Ward hav-
ing himself been affected at the same
time, was reported to be progressing
favorably towards recovery. Mr. Ward
is a brother of Holcombe Ward, the
tennis player.