? .
A HEALTH TALK.
V Tlie Sanitary Outlook for the
Soutliside Discussed
BYDE.EDGAE A.MUNDOEFP
Made Land Held Responsible for Epi
demic Disease Germs.
HOUSES BUILT OS THE KIYER'S BED.
Cookeries Storm Centers for the Diffusion
of Bacteria.
EAD1C1L EEFOESIS ARE KECESSARX
Although the health of the Sonthside is
comparatively good at the present time, the
subject is an interesting one; more so that
means maybe found to have it continue.
Healiring this fact, it was thought not un
timely to inquire into "The Sanitary Out
look for the Southside." In the search for
facts, Dr. E. A. MundorfF was the first in
terviewed, and requested to put the same
in writing, as given below. He has
made a special study of the causes of epi
demics and disease, using the microscope in
his researches. In 18S7, among others, he
was engaged' by the city of Pittsburg as a
scientific expert to investigate the causes
and spread of typhoid fever, then raging at
an alarming rate. His report, with others,
was reprinted by the city in 1889. He
has made
oxhee htvestigaiioxs
of a like nature, among them a microscopic
analysis for the County Medical Society of
the milk supply of the two cities. Dr. Mun
dorff writes as follows:
"The sanitary outlook for the Sonthside
has often proved a matter of grave concern
to, the Department of Public Safety, and
the reasons for it are not far to seek. The
rapid growth of the Southside as a manu
facturing mart has opened np the avenues
of employment to all classes of mechanics
and laborers, thereby raising the ratio of
population per square mile of inhabited
territory to the highest degree compatible
with healthful and comfortable living. In
order to supply homes and dwellings to
cover these toiling masses, the work of
house-building has not only been carried on
over every portion of the original
narrow strip of land, stretching between
the Monongahela river and the hillsides,
but the Birmingham shore itself has been
extended out further into the channel.
Ponds and hollows everywhere filled in
with porous and heterogeneous debris, while
the adjacent hillsides, graded and terraced,
have furnished still further additions to the
entire extent of manufactured land plots.
Besides this large amount of made territory,
whicn forms the foundation of whole squares
of the Southside, there is another portiou
representing the primitive bed of the Mo
nongahela river, before its shifting current
uill
piowea its way along the present
chancel.
With this unceasing using upof all avail
able space to build houses on for our increas
ing army of workers, there went on also the
inevitable filling up of the natural reser
voirs and outlets that constantly collected
and carried off the surface water, with its
organic matter in solution. And it came to
pass that this surface water, not properly
gotten rid of, gradually found its way into
the loose subsoil and thence trickled
UflO THE SUBEOTJKDIlf G "WELLS
and cellars. Thus the problem of what to
do with the surlace water was solved by a
process of simple wrong displacement.
This arrested flow of the surcharged surface
water into its natural outlet, the Mononga
hela river, by no means left that stream
above susDicion. In this connection it must
be borne in mind that the rapid industrial
growth of the Southside, with its inadequate
drainage system, leaving the powers of
nature (overtaxed) to do the work of puri
fication, has been paralleled by the rapid
development of other towns above us, which
cast their impurities into the Monongahela
river, thus increasing the danger with us of
disease infection.
"With these foregoing facts understood
there is no difficulty in the way of compre
hending the reason of recurring epidemics in
this portion of the city. In the presentation
of this evidence,familiarto all, three factors,
at least, are readily disclosed as
forming the conjointed cause, and in
the order of their mention, may be stated
thus: Overcrowding of onr population,
defective drainage systems, favoring the re
tention of surface water, charged with de
cayed organic matter, in adjoining cellars
I and wells, and lastly, and by all means
most troublesome to remedy, an impure
water supply drawn from a river that, in
the days of slight rainfalls, is condensed
with its contaminations into a species of
soup. Having this threefold obstacle to
contend acainst. in the enforcement of ade
quate sanitaryprotection to the people of
tne BOUiusiue, u is very cicar uiaiwunoui
the full sympathy and co-operation of all
land owners and taxpayers, with the efforts
of the Department of Public Safety, no
great reduction in the annual sick and
death rate may be hoped for with the lapse
of a reasonable period in the future.
OF COUESE IX WOULD COST.
That such an undertaking, satisfying all
the requirements of sanitary reform here,
wonldleadto the expenditure-of a consid
erable sum of money, goes without question;
that it would lead to some radical depart
ures in the present method of carrying out
sanitary reforms is also apparent, we pre-
sume, without question. Nevertheless, in
view of the deadly regularity in the visita
tions of the epidemics that affect our
people, the actual expenditure of a
sum sufficient to institute proper pro
tection for them becomes a matter of
humanity and expediency. That this state
ment may be shown to have the color of rea
',' son, one has .only to calculate, in an ap
proximate way, on the cash value ot in
juries done to a town by an epidemic sweep
ing through it. If we wish to deal with
data under our eyea, instance, from among
other local -examples, the probable cost to
this community of the smallpox epidemic of
1881tS2, and the typhoid fever outbreak ot
1887 both of which rapidly developed into
alarming proportions; literally disorganized
the Sonthside as a great workshop; arrested
the course of traffic with other towns, and
laid multitudes of onr industrious citizens
on beds or fatal illness or prolonged suffer
inc Instance further the cost of our people
arising from the perpetual sacrifice of lives
amon" the children t the Southside from
summer miasmas and winter emanations,
from scarlet fever, measles, diphtheria and
croup: all largely due to conjoint causes
that thorough sanitation would materially
lessen or blot out.
BBOADEB EESPOSTSEBILIXT.
"Ihe work of sanitary reform is not alone
heltf in trust by the Department of Public
Safetv. Health Boards may inspect districts
t and enforce sanitary correctives to the full
y extent and meaning of the term, and yet
Afrom'n thousand sources of unclean-
Jiiess. there may be diffused, containing
ttiohsc that will continue to poison
tfceSeround- beneath US, the water we
djlnkf andsithe .airwe -.breatkejTo
sources of evil, we must look to the growing
enlightenment and liberality of the individ
ual property owner and householder. Many
localities in the Sonthside that still con
tinue as time flows on, to keep up a high
running death rate, would have that ratio of
mortality leduced to a small extent, if prop
erty owners would catch the public spirit;
tear (own the old rookeries, and build in
their stead, new structure s with sanitary
improvements, for rent to our hard-working
mill hands. As these old structures stand
fit emblems of pinching poverty and de
cay thev admirably fulfill the purpose of
their prolonged existence, as epidemic stor,m
centers for tne diffusion of gratuitous disease
germs.
"From this somewhat hasty anddarklined
sketch it must not be interred that the
spirit of improvement is not busy among us.
The progress of our people in all that per
tains to sanitary observances, is all the
greater if it is individual rather than cor
porate." OKE TEAR OLD.
Anniversary of the Bioglmra btroct Church
Ladles' Aid Society.
The Ladies' Aid Society of the Bingham
Street M. E. Church, celebrated the first
anniversary of the formation of the organiza
tion last Tuesday evening. The featuro of
the evening was an address by Rev. Charles
Edward Locke, of the Sni'ithfield Street
Church, on "Womens Work." The follow
ing is a very brief synopsis of the address:
The speaker dealt elaborately with the
different phases of the subject, and showed
careful preparation with a thorough knowl
edge of what he was talking about.
"If you would know the social condition
of a country, ask how its women are treated.
Christianity was the first religion to discover
women's excellencies." Veering to the
work of women, he said: "Of the 263 occu
pations, women are found in 222 of them.
General Spinner was the first to engage lady
clerks in the Treasury Department. He
had more than 1,000 in his employ, and said
he never knew one to prove unfaithful, and
as a rule they were more accurate and speedy
than males."
Bev. Mr. Locke spoke highly of women
in journalism naming a number now lights
in the profession. Speaking of the intel
lectual progress of women, he cited the
instance of the late examinations in the
University of London for the degree of
B. A. Forty-two per cent of males were
successful, while 73 per cent of the females
passed the examinations. Referring to, the
church membership, he said that two-thirds
were women. In this connection he spoke
of Snsana Wesley, as the "Mother of Meth
odism," anil Jennie Geddes, who saved the
Scottish Presbyterian Church from ritual
ism. ,
The detailed reports of Miss MamioMc
Combs, Secretary, and Mrs. Mary Challi
nor, ot Oakland, Treasurer, showed that the
society was in a flourishing condition. The
address and reading ot reports was followed
by social chit-chat The Sunday school
choir furnished the music
E1YAL EKTEETAIXMENTS.
Members of the G. A. It., ns Stueo Itlannccrs,
Competing for Frizes.
The first of the series of entertainments,
under the auspices of the managers of the
G. JL R. fair, being held in Salisbury Hall,
was given last Wednesday evening. The
series will consist of six entertainments given
under the management of the following
gentlemen in rotation: Messrs. David A.
Jones, L. T. McGraff, S. M. Duvall, John
C. Sias, W. T. Powell, "W. 0. Russell.
These six managers will compete for a prize
to be given to thp one furnishing the best
entertainment. Last Wednesday night was
David Jones' turn. The programme was a
good one and well rendered in every par
ticular. In his rendition of "The Bummer," David
Jones was broucht in from the street by
Officer Dave Smith. W. O. Russell, acting
as judge, condemned him as a "Bum on the
Streets." The recitation that followed was
good and well rendered.
Nearly all of the performers were encored.
Miss Maggie Coslett rendered as her encore
"The Spider and the Ply," and more than
ever strengthened her claims as a promising
young vocalist Among the other perform
ers were Mrs. Tony White, Miss Helen Des
mond (the amateur actress). Colonel J. A.
Danks, the Adams Family, Messrs. Ailmen
and Cramer and Mr. Yallowe, Miss Hilda
Lawrence, the American Instrumental
Quartet, Hugh and Kate Adams.
Fridav night L. T. McGraff had charge of
Vthe entertainment His chances for the
prize are good, judging from the interest
manitestea Dy me audience.
THE MAN WITH THE SCYTHE.
More Deaths in Last October Than In Any
Preceding Year.
Dnring the month of October there were
-321 deaths in the city, according to the re
port of the Bureau of Health issued yester
day. This is a rate of 16.7 per 1,000 inhabi
tants. Of the total number 118, or 37 per cent,
were children under 5 years of age. A slight
increase over the preceding month in the
number ot infectious diseases is recorded
430 cases and 82 deaths from that class.
They were: Diphtheria, 184; typhoid fever,
137;" scarlet fever, 109 cases. The deaths
from those causes were 45, 30 and 6 respect
ively. The East End had 254 cases and 43 deaths;
old city,'80 cases and 16 deaths; Southside,
80 case's and 14 deaths. Thirty-one deaths
were due to violence. The number of
deaths is 19 more than for October, 1888.
A KAEE0W ESCArE.
Street Car Horses Run Away nnd Smash
Things Generally.
Car No. 1 of the Allentown Incline Plane
Street Railroad was pulled over the hill at
the end of Washington avenue Wednesday
evening about 5 o'clock. The driver had
stopped the car and was taking the pin out
that holds the single-tree when a driver on
a wagon going by cracked his whip. The
street car horses became frightened and
started off before the driver could pull the
pin out. They pulled the car after them
ebout 50 feet, and then managed to break
the single-trees from the car. The horses
ran to tbe Bell House, about a mile away,
before they were caught. The car was
damaged to some little extent The only
passengers, two ladies and two children,
got out belore the horses became lright
ened. 0UE BEANCH OFFICE,
Ac 1220 Canon Street, Now Opon for
Sonthside Business.
The office of the Southside edition of The
Dispatch is now located at 1220 Carson
street All orders for the daily, Sunday or
weekly issues will be given prompt atten
tion. Advertising rates will be given on
application.
Communications of a news character will
be thankfully received and given attention.
Citizens are especially requested to take ad
vantage of "TheirCandid Opinions" column
to discuss any subject of interest to the
Southside and its advancement
Burned Seines and "Nets.
Fish Warden Hague returned yesterday
from a trip along the Ohio and Allegheny
rivers While away he burned several big
seines and hoopnets which he found hang
ing np to dry., At Rochester he burned a
lOOrvard seine valued-at $200. Hellfatl
vpretjuBuing4the.policyjOfcb'Bfitis1
UNITING AMERICANS.
Suggestion of a Good Substitute for
the Order of Jr. 0. U. A. M".
BY A MEMBER OP ACME COUNCIL.
A Scheme to Unite tha Order With All
Kindred Organizations
AND FOEM A THIEI) POLITICAL PAETT
In a pleasant chat recently Dr. C. C.
Hersman, a member of Acme Council, No.
219, Junior Order of American Mechanics,
in discussing the decision of the lodge not
to change the name recently voted on, said:
"The step they have taken was certainly a
wise one for more reasons than one. First,
it would have depleted their treasuries to the
extent of many thousand dollars, possibly
bankrupting some of the subordinate coun
cils, for many of the weaker lodges
were not able to go into it; again,
the name proposed was little if any
better than the one they already have,
and to make a change with no object
toward bettering the order was nonsense.
There must have been something else at the
bottom other than a mere change in
name. The money in the treasury is cer
tainly more to the order than a change of
that kind. There is a change, however,
that could be made that would benefit the
order not merely as a secret organization
but as American citizens as well. Let the
Jr. O. U. A. M the Sr. O. IT. A. M., the
Sons of America and all other kindred so
cieties (if theie be any) unite in a change.
If all these orders will join hands in a
scheme of this kind the expense to each will
be small, and such a union
"WILL MAKE II THE STKONGEST
secret organization in America. Their
treasuries would be one, there will be the
expense of but one ritual and secret work,
and all be merged into one organization.
"Such an organization would be a power.
Then it could afford to take hold of
political matters, and by so doing could
make this Government purely American.
It would be able to put good men up for
office all the time, and elect them.
"Yes, we have just as good men, possibly,
who are of foreign birth as those of Amer
ican. We have many men American born
who do not deserve the name 'American.'
But thoso of foreign birth do not come here
for office. They come to better their condi
tion in life, and some of them are just as
loyal to our flag as those of American birth,
but we don't hear of our people going to for
eign countries to participate in governmental
affairs, and we can have it the same here.
No foreigner ever put himself before the
people for the office of President, and he
thinks it all right, and it is right We can
have it the same in all offices. American
Mechanics ana kindred organizations will
never amount to much until something of
this kind is done. i
"Order of United Americans would be a
better name than the one voted on by the
lodges. By such a move as this American
offices would be protected, American laws
would be protected, American labor would
be protected, etc., etc., and everything that
is or should be American wonld be purely
American. American children could attend
American schools protected under our flag.
Even foreigners who have become citizens
would sanction such a move, for then they
could have better assurance that thev could
be protected as citizens of our country, the
greatest on the globe.
A. MIGHTS- OEOWTH HT VIEW.
"Such a political organization would re
ceive the patronage of all loyal, law-abiding
citizens who are not eligible for member
ship, and, by proper discretion, all Ameri
can born, who are not proper material, could
be rejected just as it now is. Wouldn't
that be a grand practical organization? All
selected men; men of morality, integrity
and intelligence, with the exception of a
black sheep now and then, which is likely
to stray into any order. Every member
obligated to be a true American citizen.
"This is now looked upon as being the
greatest country on the globe, but this
would make it the model in the superlative
degree. It would be the greatest step
taken by the American people since she
laid the British lion at her feet Every
foreigner is now proud that they can have a
son to join such an order and would they
not be doubly so if it were made such an
organization as this?"
"This, however, is not the proper time
for merging into one organization, but it is
the time to commence the agitation of such
a move and by the time a few years have
rolled around the scheme will have been
thoroughly discussed and the people pre
pared to accept such an organization.
"Then,' we would have a new political
organization, a third party, sure enough. In
selecting candidates for office all parties of
the past should be laid aside, the nomina
tions made with no reference to past party
affiliations, but as true American citizens
ready to stand by our colors at all hazards."
EETUEHS AGAINST IT.
American mechanics Decidedly Opposed to
Changing the Name.
Up until last night returns had been re
ceived from 434 Councils of the Junior O.
U. A, M., on the vote on the change of the
name. The States heard from are Pennsyl
vania. Ohio, Indiana, Virginia, Massachu
setts, West "Virginia, New York, New
Hampshire, North Carolina, Illinois, Wash
ington, Wisconsin, Maryland and New
Jersey. The total vote so far as known
stands 11,233 against the change and 1.088
for it The proposition is evidently defeated
more than 10 to 1. The only State giving a
majority for the change is New York, where
three councils heard from gave a vote af 72
to 4 in favor of "American Legion."
BADLI MIXED UP.
WIttmor Pays the Costs in Ono Salt to Find
Another Against niin.
John Wittmer, of Allegheny, was given a
hearing before Deputy Mayor MeKelyy on
a charge of disorderly conduct, and fined $20
and costs. Immediately after the hearing
his aunt, Mrs. Wittmer, made information
against him, charging him with smety of
th peace, he having threatened to kill her.
On this latter charge he was held in $300 bail
for court, and his uncle, husband of the
prosecutrix, went on his bond.
A chum of young Wittmer's, named
Murphy, insulted Mrs. Wittmer, and her
sons assaulted him. Yesterday morning
Murphy made information against them at
the Mayor's office. The whole thing is bad
ly mixed, and oldMr. Wittmer says it is the
outcome ot a conspiracy to get nis money.
.This the family deny, ana say that they
merely want him to behave himself.
THE DEADLY TC1EE ONCE M0BB.
A Boy at Cfaattnnooga Fatally Burned
Beneath no Electric Car. ,
Chattahooga. November 8. Charlie
Oliver, aged 15, met a most terrible death
last night The boy's occupation was to go
under the electrio cars at night, when they
stopped running, and with cloth
and brush clean the wheels, machin
ery, etc. Ignorant of the fact
that the current was turned On. he touched
a live wire connecting with the battery, and
a loud cry for help called the workmen to
him. Blue smoke was already issuing
from his hands, aud he was suffering the
most excruciating pam.
The Current was shut off at once,but too,
late The deadlytlluld had donesitSjwprkE
Lnd ib MV ATmnvtiin thn iwottoaClAPAnv
LATE NEWS IN BRIEF.
The President yesterday issued a proclama
tion admitting Montana as a State ot tne
Union.
The reported death at Gratz of the wife of
Prince Alexander; the ex-ruler of Bulgaria, is
denied.
The President has appointed Charles
Ripgs to ho postmaster at Beatrice, Neb., vice
F, E. Rigg, resigned.
-In Idaho, outof 10.000 votes polled on Tues
day not more than 1,000 were against the con
stitution. The vote demonstrated tnat tne
people of Idaho ara strongly In favor of State
hood. Simon "Walker, of Chesterfield county, Md.,
the negro boy who assaulted Mary Ann tJm,nP;
aged 11 years, and who was twice sentenceoto
be hanged and respited the last time until No
vember 8, yesterday hadhis sentence comronteu
by the Governor to 20 years Imprisonment in
the penitentiary.
A programme has been Issued for a cele
bration In Baltimore ot the anniversary of tne
hanging of the Chicago Anarchists. It is long
and violent and closes as follows: "Anarcn
ists, tho day has arrived for paying homage to
your comrades, to brand your enemies, to pro
mulgate your ideas, to advance the struggle, to
hasten the victory."
A report from Newfoundland says that the
Thorburn Government was badly defeated in
the elections ThursdajTjy the opposition, lea
by Sir William WMteway. The Colonial Secre
tary and Surveyor General have lost their seats.
A strong card of tho Whiteway opposition was
the alleged injury done the people of New
foundland by tbe Bait act
A boy giving the name and answering the
description of Wiljie W, Dickinson, who mys
teriously disappeared about eight years ago,
and for whose recovery a standine reward or
$3,000 is offered, has been found in the Boys and
Girls' Home at Los Angelcs.Cal. Tho Chief of
Police has telegraphed the boy's father, who
now resides In Bessemer, Mich., to come to u3
Angeles and identify the boy.
John Brewer, a colored man, was arrested
for using Incendiary lanjraago on tbo puullo
streets of Petersburg, Va. Tbe expression
which he was charced with using was ad
dressed to an assemblage of negroes, and was
that Lieutenant Crlchton, who was killed at the
fire Thursday, "ought to have been dead and In
hades years ago." The Mayor fined him 81,000
and required a peaco bond penalty of 300. On
an appeal he was required to give both an ap
peal and peace bond in the sum of $1,000 each.
The leading feature of tho f onrth day of
gala week at Charleston, S. C, was a fantastic
parade at night through the principal streets.
Five thousand poople were in line and 50,000
spectators cheered them wildly. The influx of
visitors from Middle and Upper Carolina and
adjacent States Is little abated, and every incom
ing train Is packed. Last night tho leading
feature was an illumination of the harbor and
forts and the bombardment of Fort Sumter,
Tho grandest military event ever witnessed
at Toronto took place Thursday, when seven
regiments engaged in a sham battle and other
military maneuvers in High Parle The evolu
tions were witnessed by Sir Adolphe Caron,
Minister of Militia, and Sir Frederick Middle
ton, commander of the military forces of
Canada, and 20,000 people as spectators. Tbo
march oast tbe Minister and commander after
the maneuvers was the most imposing featuro
of the day. '
Frank South, the Granger financier, of
Fargo, Dak., has gone to Canada with 815,000
in cash, leaving debts amounting to from S 17,
000 to $20,000 secured by proporty worth less
than $3,000. South purchased all kinds of prop
erty on the installment plan, paying small
amounts down and giving chattel mortgages
for the balance. One of his creditors closed
and levied on 40 head of cattlo and some farm
ing implements, whereupon 07 other chattel
mortgages on the same property were filed, and
South crossed tho frontier.
The following statement is furnished by the
Department of State: "A commission, known
as tbe United States and Venezuelan Claims
Commission, is now in session in Washington
to adjudicate claims of citizens -of the United
Statea against Venezuela presented to the
former or Its legation at Caracas before August
1, 1S6S, and to determine under certain circum
stances as to fights of third parties in certifi
cates of award issued by a former similar com
misssion. Persons concerned will do well to
give immediate attention to their interests, as
tho commission will expire under the treaty in
less than a year from this time."
J. A Shephard. of Chicago, a dealer in
crayon portraits, is in Ballston looking for H.
K. Chamberlain, who has been acting as his
agent in Syracuse. N. X. Ho claims that
Chamberlain rotained several hundred dqllars
collected for work done by the firm. Chamber
lain took many orders for portraits and spent
money freely. In September he was married,
after an acquaintance of a few days, to Miss
Bertha Freeman, an employe of tho St. Charles
Hotel In Billston, and after living with her
three weeks disappeared and has not been seen
since. It is said that he has other wives living.
Papers for his arrest aro in tho hands of offi
cers. George W. Ewing, of Fort Wayne, Ind.,
has been given a setback in his endeavor to
wrest property valued at several hundred thou
sand dollars from parties in St. Louis, Chicago.
Cincinnati and other cities. Ewing claims
property which was deeded to his father.Georgo
Ewing, Jr., by George Ewing, Sr., with the
stimulation that the estate should descend to
tho legal representatives of George, Jr. The
latter disposed of the property ana made way
with the proceeds. Tho first trial of the
numerous suits in tbe case was made in the
Wabash Circuit Court Judge Conner holds
that there is insufficient cause for action.
Ewing's lawyers have amended tbo complaint
and will submit additional facts.
News has reached the c6mmander of the
Mexican troops in Neuvo Laredo, of serious
trouble which is now going on In Mier, Mex
ico, down the Bio Grande from this point
about 160 miles. Last Sunday a merchant
named Gutencswas shot and killed by two
customs guards who claimed that he refused to
stop ana be searched on the road between Mier
and Camarog. On the arrival of the guards in
Mier they reported the affair, and the citizens
were so incensed thev raised a mob andlyncned
them. About 40 or 60 Mexican soldiers and a
body of customs guards arrived there too late
to save the lives of the guards, and a general
battle occurred, resulting in th3 death and
wounding of some 10 or 15 persons.
THE ILLS OF NAVIGATION.
Many Coal Barges Sank on a Bar Near
ninriotta Heavy Losses.
There is considerable confusion among
the river men over the loss of 12 barges at
Marietta, which occurred Thursday after
noon and yesterday. The first unfortunate
boat was the Harry Brown, which was
cancht in a heavy fog and lost four barges.
William Pitzsimmous had an arm and leg
broken by a parting cable. The George
Wood lost three barges; the Jim Brown
three; the Voyager lost a fuel flat;, in all 12
barges were lost, worth about $15,000. At
one time it is said that it looked as if all the
boats with their tons Would be piled up to
gether, and the wildest excitement pre
vailed. The cause of the accident Was a
change in the dyke, which made a new
channel, and of which the pilots had not
been sufficiently notified.
The indications are that there will be
another scant coalboat rise. Eeports from
the up-river points are that heavy rains fell
all day yesterday and the coal operators are
preparing to ship mote coal. It is expected
that the riso will reach here to-morrow.
There is now a great demand for coalboats
and prices are going np.
A MEDICAL STUDENT'S W0EK.
Tho Head of the Murdered Man Taken for
Scientific Pnrposcs.
Beaver Falls, November 8. At last
Detective Lazarus, who has been hunting
up evidence in the case of the man William
Spencer, who was so mysteriously mur
dered in this place some months
ago, ha3 succeeded in getting the names
of the parties who cut tbe bead off the body
after it was buried. From what can be
learned now the head was cnt off for dissec
tion apd not to prevent identification of tho
body, as wos supposed.
It was done by a young medical student,
who is at present in Cleveland, having left
the town when the body was taken up by
the police. Lazarus refuses to give the
name. It is probable he will not be ar
rested, as it was done for purely scicntiHo
purposes and not to shield a murderer.
An Ezcltlne Little Fire.
Night before last a lamp was upset and
broken at the residence of Mr. McGuire, on
Forty-filth street The oil took fire and the
carpet ami a piano were badlscorched and
asocial )artyj)reken up.
: 'iAyoTing. mannamed Blancbard had the,.
ftheokea-lffipSDyjWStoied!;
A SONG OF SORROWS.
Hot? Mr. Turner Wrote His Famous
and Popular Ever of Thee.
ST0EY OF A TRAMP LN DISTRESS.
And of a Lyric Tiat Was Evolved From a
Workhouse Hospital.
LIGHTS AND SHADOWS OP A LfflB W0EK
Perhaps the most popular song ever
written was "Ever of Thee." It is not un
true to statp that no song ever had such a
sale, and certainly no publisher ever reaped
so much profit from a song as did Mr. Tur
ner from the publication of "Ever of Thee."
But there is a romance attaching to it
which, until nowbhas not been written.
It happened in this way. On a cold day
in the January of 1850, the door of Mr. Tur
ner's musio shop, in the Poultry, London,
was nervously opened, and a most unclean,
ragged specimen of humanity dragged him
self in. He looked as though he hadn't
been washed for months. His beard was
unkempt, and dirty, and matted. For boots
he wore some folds of filthy rags, and in all
he was a specimen of the most degraded
class of the community. One of the clerks
said to him: "You get out of here." Two
ladies who happened to be in the shop
noticed his woe-begone look, and were
about to oner him some money, when a Mr.
T -(a clerk in the establishment), seeing
the poor fellow shivering with cold and
apparent hunger, pitied him, and brought
him into the workshop, so that; he might
have a "warm-up" by the stove.
rrXINO THE BESPONSIBILITT.
A few minutes after, Mr. Turner, the pro
prietor, came m, and seeing the ragged in
dividual, asked what he wanted, and "Who
allowed him in?" "I did," said the clerk;
"the poor fellow looked so cold and miser
able, I couldn't send him out in this pierc
ing wind without giving him a warm, and
besides, he says he has got some business
with yon." "Business with me?" "Yes,
sir; I have a song I should like you to listen
to." Turner eyed him from head to foot,
and then laughed outright The miserable
looking object at the stove began to grow
uneasy, and begged to be allowed to play
the air of his song, which he then un
earthed from his rags and handed to the
music publisher. Turner looked at it and
said: "Who wrote this?" 'Tdld sir," came
from the rags. "Sou! Well, I'll have it
played over, and if it's any good I'll give
you something for it." "I beg your pardon,
sir; I'd prefer to play it for myself."
"What! you play? Well, bring him up to
the piano room when he gets warm and
we'll humor him."
HAD A HISIOEY.
In a few minutes the bundle of rags was
seated at a concert grand piano, and "Ever
of Thee" was played for the first time by its
composer, James Lawspn. His listeners
were electrified when they heard this dilapi
dated looking tramp moke the piano almost
speak. His touch was simply marvelous,
and his very soul seemed to be at his finger
tips. When he had finished, he turned to
his little audience and said: "I'd like to
sing it for you, but I have a terrible cold.
I haven't been in bed for five nights. I'm
hungry, sir, ana I feel I could not do it
justice." Turne? was almost dumb with
amazement. The air would take; he knew
it would be ajuccess. and he decided that
this man had a history which perhaps
might advertise the song. Bo he deter
mined to cultivate him, and in flattery (as
he thought) pressed him to sing
"just one stanza." Lawson protested, but
finally agreed, and if Turner was amazed
when he heard him play, he was positively
enraptured when that hungry voice, hnngry
with love, hungry physically, poured out in
the sweetest of tenors the first stanza of the
song in which his soul lived. It was the
story of a lost love, but he cherished it, and
as he sang it was easy to see that he lived
and breathed only for that love. "Ever of
Thee" has never been so sung since. But
that trial verse made its success, and to the
experienced publisher, Mr. Turner, it was
decidedly apparent that ho had secured a
great song.
A TKANSFOEMED TEAUP.
Addressing the clerk, -he said; "Take
this man along; get him a bath, a shave,
some decent clothes; in fact, fix him up like
a gentleman, and then bring him here, and
we shall see about this song." The clerk
took him along. He took him to a
bath, and while the unclean was be
ing made clean, he bought for him a shirt,
a pair of shoes, some socks, collars, enfis,
and underwear. Then he 'had. him shaved.
Then they hied to the clothier's, and hav
ing removed the rags, Lawson was quickly
clad in fine raiment- The change was be
ginning to tell. Already the tramp seemed
to be the guide and treasurer. He was a
splendid looking fellow, and had quite a
distingue appearance. But the hat was
still there, and a mirror-like chimney-pot
was purchased to complete the make-up.
The clerk laughed when all was finished,
He was in his working clothes, and this
unfortunate looked like a duke. The.
good clothes fitted him, and they suited
him and his appearance much too well to
continue the- assumption that Mr. Lawson
was a tramp; He was a gentleman all over,
ana ne loosed ic xne ciers: saia to mm:
"Mr. Lawson, I wish you would go
iqto the shop before me. They
won't know you, and it will be
suqh a joke." "I don't mind that, but
won't you let me have a drink? I wane it
please let me have a drink?" The clerk re
fused to stand the drink; he told Mr. Law
son that if he wanted a dinner he could have
it, but drink he could not have. Finally,
the two went into the Ship and Turtle
dining rooms, and over chocolate and sir
loin stake, the author of "Ever of Thee"
Md the following story: '
THE ATJIHOB'S STOEr,
"I was once rich. You know what I am
npw. You were astonished to near me
the.pianp so Well, That little song has been
the only companion from which I have
gained any comfort for tbe past 15 months.
It brought back to me the days when I was
rich, loved, looked up to, and happy. Of
course, it has its sad side for me. jjut the
memory of what it recalls is the dearest
thing in my existence."
The clerk interrupted him at this point,
and indicated that it was growing late.
"Please bear with roe," rejoined his com
panion.. "Let me tell you how and why I
composed the little song. Two years ago I
met a girl in Brighton. If God ever allowed
one ot his angels to come on earth, she was
that one. I adored her. She seemed to re
turn the affection. I escorted her every
where, was at her beck and call morn, noon
and night, and it was currently believed
that Miss "Blank and I were engaged. I
had to return to London on business, and
when I went back to Brighton she was gone.,
Three months after I met her at a ball. She
had just finished a waltz with a tall, goodi
looking man, and was promenading the hall
on his arm. She recognized me. But when
I said, 'How do you do. Miss Blank?' she
?uickly replied, 'I'm, well, Mr. Lawson, but
am'surprised to hear you call me Miss
Blank. When you left Brighton so sud
denly I thought I should never see yon
agaiiu. You left no address, never called
again, and well, 1 am married.' To
whom?' I gasped. 'To Mr. Prize,' she re
plied, pointing nt the same time to the
gentleman with, whom she had been danc
ing.
ALIi BEOKEIT UP.
-""That endedmy life. My Marie, my,
jdresia;Vw as gqse.7Jy!lfe.kall,weMtoXa;
lasted but a little time, for in four months I
was penniless. Then came my trial. The
men who played with me shunned me. My
friends shut their doors, and a few days later
my last sovereign was gone. I was utterly
stranded, homeless and unhappy as it would
be possible to make a human being. For
nights I slept in the cabmen's coffee
houses; then J. was considered a nuisance,
and some doorstep served me for a
bed. I pawned every trinket, decent
suit of clothes everything, and finally I
spent three months in a workhouse under
an assnmed name. It was there the pres
ence f Marie haunted me again. One
day Christmas Day we were at dinner.
Several rich people came to distribute
among us such gifts as tobacco, warm cloth
ing, etc. I was hungry and didn't look at
the visitors; when suddenly a voice I knew
said to me: 'My good man, which, wonld
you prefer, some warm clothing or some
pipes and tobacco?' I looked up. It was
Marie. I rushed from the table, out into
the fields, and there I wa3 found hours after
insensible.
IX A WOBKHOUSE HOSPITAI
"In my bed, there in that workhouse hos-
Eital, I wrote the words of the song you
eard me sing to-day. Then X got well,
and, sick of life, I left the place and be
came night watchman at some new build
ings they were putting up in Aldersgate
street. While there the musio of my song
came to me. X got a scrap of manuscript
miftic paper and jotted it dqwn, and for a
time I was happy. My old friends often
passed me at night, jolly and careless, little
dreaming that James Lawson was the poor
night-watchman who answered their indo
lent questions. Often, when all was still, I
poured out my soul in this little song, and
after a while the night gamins used to coma
and listen to me. It pleased them. To me
it brought baok tbe memory of a dead love
and a ruined life. But you are tiring of my
story. There is little more to tell. I could
not endure the solitary meditation of my
past. I again began to 'drink. I lost my
situation, and as a last resort I thought that
perhaps my little song was worth a few
shillings, and brought it to Mr. Turner."
At this the poor fellow burst into tears.
When he was himself again, they went ont,
and a few minutes afterward Mr. Turner,
addressing Lawson, said: "Mr. Lawson,
here is 10s. It will be enough to get your
supper and a decent room to-night.
BEAL APPBEPIAUOa".
"To-morrow morning I want you to call
here, and I shall give you a good position in
my warehouse. As for your song, I want
you to remember this: if yon will keep
sober I will pay yon, a good royalty; but, if
you spend this 10s in drink, not another
penny will you get"
Lawson left tbe shop, and did not make
his appearance for five days. Then he was
in a condition almost as bad as when he first
entered it His vest was gone; his boots
were exchanged for old ones; his hat was
well, it was an apology for a hat His coat
(an old one) was buttoned tightly round his
collarless neck, and his face was unkempt
and unshaven as unclean -as it was five
days before. Mr. Turner looked at him.
He did not speak to him. The smell of bad
rum sufficiently told him all he wished to
know.' He took a half-crown from his
pocket, handed it to Lawson, and turned on
his heel. Addressing the clerk, he said,
"If this man comes here again, put him
out"
The composer of "Ever of Thee" immedi
ately left the shop, and heaven only knows
what his late has been. Certain, it is that
he never called at Turner's again. Men,
women and children of every color and
clime sing the song of the tramp Lawson.
And the composer and his sad life ore for
gotten and unrecognized in the dear old
song. Johk Hope.
HOPING FOB BELIEF.
Tbe American Copyright Lcngae Coafldest
That Congress Will Pass an Interna
tlonal Copyright Bill An Amend
ment Tbot la Expected to.
Carry One Through.
New Tobk, November 8. All the
speeches made at the annual meeting ot the
American Copyright League, in Mott Hall,
yesterday, indicated a conviction on
the part of the leaders or the movement
that Congress will pass an international
copyright law this season. E. C. Stedman,
the banker poet, who presided, told
the members that despite the defeat of the
proposed bill in the last Congress, there was
abundant evidence that Congress would
have passed the measure if it had got a
chance to vote. The Senate, he said,
had passed tbe measure by a handsome vote,
but in the House the filibustering of a
single member; had choked off all chance to
get a vote.
The league authorized its Executive Com
mittee to urge before the coming Congress a
bill, recentiv framed, to take the place of
the defeated measure, ana wnicn emooaies
suggestions made by Mr. Thorwald Saul
berg, the assistant to A. H. Spofford, the
Librarian of Congress. Secretary George
Walton Green said that the amended bill had
received the approval of all the trades and
interests identified with the bookmaking
trade. The cordial support of the Typo
thetffl has teen secured for the measure by
.inserting a stringent provision that copy
rfgbts be granted to only those books
by foreign authors that shall, be
printed in America, from type set by
American printers, and shall be finished by
American bookbinders. Tho original bill
did not contain this clause. Dr. Edward
Eggleston had succeeded in demonstrating
to them that the proposed law would have
the effect of increasing the book-making
business in this country without lowering
the wages of the book printers and binders.
The annual election resulted in the re
election of President James Bussell Lowell,
Vice President Edmund Clarence Stedman,
Secretary George Walton Green, Treasurer
Bobert TTnderwood Johnson, and Dr. Ed
ward Eggleston as Chairman of the Execu
tive Committee.
A, UUhl TIME IN PEOSPHCT.
Tho Bonnciog of Firemen to bo Considered
by tbo Publlo Safety Committee.
The Committee on Public Safety will meet
this afternoon in their regular monthly meet
ing. Among the most important matters to be
considered are Chief Brown's communica
tion to Councils, in which he sets forth the
importuningsofCouncilmenand others to
nim for the retention of certain men on the
police and fire departments, when the men
are either too old or otherwise disabled to
perform the duties required of them, and
the Chief asks, "What is to be done with
the city's wornout employes?"
The ordinance authorizing the purchase
of lots for fire department purposes in the
Thirty-second and Thirty-fifth wards will
De consiuerca, "" " jjww.mj vu..wvwu
siderable discussion, as Councils only a
mouth ago authorized the, purchase of a lot
for the same purpose In the Thrty-first, on
adjoining ward. ,,.,
The ordinance presented by Mr. Keating,
which designates the qualifications neces
sary for all appointments to the police and
fire departments, will, also be considered.
Tbo Society's Report.
The report of Secretary Davidson, of the
Humane Society, for the month of October
shows that 17 cases of cruelty to animals
were disposed of by Agent O'Brien. One
commission merchant was prosecuted, for
over-crowding, chicken coops. There were
67, cases of abuse and neglect to children.
Two cases were held for court and the others
were,dsposed of in the psual manner.
A 8a af Tcmjjowae Ate..
RSaisrtisllaSMftfe
FMtiWJ"
A WAR REMINISCENCE
Tho Yiyianes3 with TThich Memoir
Becalls a Picture of Sad; Times.
A DEH0CEATIC LAWYER CALLED
To the Command of, a Certain Des Kotne
Company of Volunteers.
0ABEEB OP A TBIED ASD TBUfl HAS,
iwmrrna tob tux dicpatqb.'I
At the outbreak of the Bebellion X was a
citizen of Des Moines, la., a oity at that,
time of less than 5,000 inhabitants. "Whea
President Lincoln issued his first call
for 75,000 soldiers Iowa ws,a prompt to re
spond, and the Capital City needed no
second invitation from Fat'mr Abraham,
but was ready, with her fall quota of gal
lant boys in blue, to march to the fipnt for.
God and our native land. There is no pic
ture on memory's tabkt raoro vivid than
that meeting in tha Methodist ehurch,
where the citizens of Dm Moines
gathered in the spring "" 1861 to
give their parting blessing to tho
boys who were starting to tha front
There had been many awakenings in that
meeting house, bnt rfacy there were none
which so deeply moved the hearts of tha'
people as that parting with the brave boys
who there went forth followed by the bene
dictions of mothers, sisters, fathers and
friends.
In command of the Des Moines company
was Captain Crocker, a leading attorney of
Des Moines, of whom General Grant, in his
"Memoirs," said that ha was one of tha'
two volunteer officers under his command
capable of taking charge of a corps. Tha
other was General Logan.
THE CAPTAIN'S PEDIOEBE.
Captain Crocker was a Democratic law
yer, with a good practice, a rival of John
A. Kasson, and had little sympathy with
abolitionism. Ho looked upon an anti
glavery agitator as a crank and one hostile
to the best interests of the country, and so
safd upon, one occasion to ihe writer.
Onone occasion, when present at tha
Methodist church, of Des Moines, a radical
anti-slavery sermon was preached, in com
ing out Mr. Crocker saidi ''If they had
only let me know beforehand that they were
going to hold-an abolition meeting here I
would have stayed at home.
But in the day of the Union's
need all questions of slavery or anti-slavery
were put aside by tbe gallant young attor
ney, -and he was ready -to go to the front at
the call of Lincoln. Well do t remember
when his resolution was taken. The re
membrance of that day is indented deep in
memory, and there it will remain while Ufa
and being last.
Though Mr. Crocker's sympathfea were
all with the party which 'opposed the rail
splitter of Illinois, when tho Union was. in
peril and needed defenders he was not want
ing, bnt was ready to lead the Des Moines '
boys against the common: foe.
For months after the departure of Cap
tain Crocker and the boys in blue
under hts lead the tidings which
came back to Des Moines were uniform
ly gloomy. Bull's. Sun defeats fol
lowed by other disasters to the Union
armies had terribly depressed the hopes of
patriots and many lost heart. Disaster fol
lowed disaster to the Union armies, and for
a time it was a question whether or not the
American Bepnblfo warany longer, a fact,
THE 7IEST GLEA3T 07 HOPE.
that dawned on our horizon was the capture
of ITort Doneldson by General Grant, la
which the Iowa boys were at the front. The
Des Moines boys. In blue were in the storm
ing party, and were among the first in tbo
works of the enemy, turning over to Uncle
Sam 15,000 rebel prisoners. This was the
first decided victory to theUnion cause, and
gave new hope to the hearts of patriots all
over the land. General Grant achieved
his first success at Fart Doneldson,
and the Iowa soldiers, with Des Moines
boys in the lead, performed no small, part
in bringing about this, first decided success
of the Union armies.
Bnt the sequel to this reminiscence re
mains to be told. Whed Fort Donaldsoa
was capturad, and 15,000 rebels surrendered
to General Grant, a telegram was sent to
Des Moines announcing the great victory.
The Legislature was in session at the time.
I was present when the clerk read the mes-
sage.
Immediately upon its reading, a,.
member arose, and, with some difficulty; for
there was general shouting and cheering,'
moved that Iowa's prohibitory laws be so.,
pended for 2i hours. The motion was;
passed by acclamation, and- the Legislature '
at once sajonrnea ivr iub purposed carry.'
ing oat the resolution.
A SAD FPlATXJBE.
An hour, or two afterward the Governor, ot .
the State and prominent legislators were
seen on Court avenue in a hilarious condi
tion rejoicing over the Union victory. Bnt
a few days after a sadder feature
of the Union victory was brought,
before the people of Des Moines.
Twp of the boys from that young city had re
ceived fatal wounds when storming Fort
Doneldson. Their bodies' were brought home
to be laid at rest among friends, and kin
dred. One had received a bullet la
the head. the other in the
heart Their names were Weeks and Doty,
both privates, and sons of honored citizens
of Des Moines. In the same church-Where
the citizens had gathered a few months be
fore to bd them godspeed, these two dead sol
diers rested in state before their final con
signment to the tomb.
As we looked upon these young friends
calmly sleeping their last .sleep we felt that
It was no gala day which this cruel war had
forced npan the. American people, but a
Stern conflict which was to settle for all
time to ome.?eatand abiding prineiplesy
BAPTIZED AHEW.
The people who gathered f q pay their last
tribute to the dead soldiers were baptized
with a new and better spirit than that with,,
which they sent forth the brave boys totth
front a few months belqre.
There was one. at least, who looked upon
those dead patriots whose devotion, to the1
Republic was mightily strengthened in that,
sad hour. Our nation was saved at fearful
cost. Be it ours" to preserve and perpetuate;
it against all foes from within or without.
VH-Zorso.
DEDICATOEI SEETICES SU5DAT.
St. Martin R- C. Church to be Ecclesiastic
ally CanslllBted.
The new Sk Martin's German Catholia
Church, on, Steuben street, Thirty-sixth
ward, will be dedicated with impressive
ceremonies. Snnday afternoon, November 17.
Bishop Fhelan will be present and a large
number of German societies.,
The building will be used in part for
school purposes. The total cost of ihe
structure is 940,000, and it presents a very
handsome appearance
BdnclHMer W, C T. U.'s Aetlv
The Manchester-branch, of the "W. O. T. U,
will hold a meeting on Sunday afternoon at
4 o'clock at their Tiall, corner of Washlngi '
ton street ani Beaver avenue, Allegheny.
T?-if.'Kf P!m.rtnn will rta1rvi n flrtrlTF
and a choir of 30 voices will also be'oaC y
liand. &
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