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FORTY-FIFTH YEAH.
PITTSBUBJ&, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1890.
FIVE CENTS.
THE CRISIS PASSED.
New York Financiers Assure
Secretary Windom That
More Money is Coming.
SECRET CONFERENCE HELD.
The Greatest Reticence Observed by
All Concerned and Ko Reason
Given for It.
PURCHASES OF SILVER POPULAR.
The Two-Per-Ccnt Bond Idea Meets 'With
Much Favor, but Soma Objec
tions Are Discovered.
IXTEENATIOXATi MLETIXG PROPOSED.
Bankers sadDry Goods Men Unite in Asking Tint lie
Tint for PsyEfnt cf Dunes be
Extended to July.
THE SECRETARY APPR0VE3 THE EXTENSION
IKr-EClAi. TELEGRAM TO THE DISPATCH.:
ICetv Yoeic, Dec 13. Secretarv Windom
arrived in town last evening and spent most
ol the forenoon conferring with bankers and
drygoods men,at the sub-Treasury in Wall
street. Assistant Treasurer IJoberts showed
Secretary "Windom into the conference
room of the sub-Treasury, where there
were assembled President Cole, of the
American Exchange National Bank;
President Knox, of the Bank of the Benub
lic; President "Williams, of the Chemical;
President Cannon, of the Chase; President
Perkins, of the Importers and Traders';
President Ives, of the "Western National;
President Baker.of the First National; Pres
ident King.of the Bank of Commerce; Presi
dent Stewart,of the United States Trust Com
pany; J. Pierpont Morgan, Jesse Seligman,
James B. Colgate, the silver bullion man,
and Cornelius N. Bliss. Other bankers and
bank presidents and drygoods merchants
bad been invited to the conference, but busi
ness engagements kept them away. The
conference lasted until after 3 o'clock, and
then the Secretary said that he had no
formal announcement to make as a result
of the consultation. By bis direction Mr.
Roberts wrote and issued a tiny statement,
which, it was thought, would cover the
ground.
Onlj an Interchange of Views.
This announcement recited that the Secre
tary had coie on here to New York to "lis,
enss with the bankers and drygoods men
several matter intere&tinc to them, now
pending in the Treasury Department. It
nas not intended to have any formal confer
ence, but simply an interchange of views on
questions of material interest to the financial
communities, finally the little statement
announced that nothing cf special interest
had been formulated at the conference for
departmental action.
In addition to this, Sir. Eoberts said also
that nothing had been determined upon,
and that the Secretary declined to make any
advance statements as to what he would do.
Tiie Secretary himself said that he did not
wish to be quoted as saying anything about
the conference. It was learned that the
Secretary did not believe that anything
should be printed in the newspapers about
his conference. His reticence on the question
was so profound that he requested those who
attended the consultation not to speak of
what occurred. In fact, he wondered how
it was-known that he had come to town. He
was smilingly assured by several of the
bank presidents and others that if he ex
pected to arrive in New York and flit out
again without the knowledge of the
newspapeis he would find himself prodig
ously mistaken. This caused him to smile.
Tree Coinage Successfully Combattcd.
It was subsequently learned that first of
all the silver question and the proposed
silver legislation were discussed. There
were those present who seemed to favor free
coinage; but this was successfully com
batted, at least for the time being, as the
argument was advanced that the reaction
from free coinage would be disastrous. It
was maintained that the silver industry
could be protected without this extreme
action.
The Secretary was congratulated on his
course in the purchase of bonds and it was
broadly intimated to him that a reasonable
step for the expansion of the currency
would receive the support of most of the
bankers and bank presidents present.
The silver question was then
taken up again and before exhausting
it, the bankers and drygoods men assured
the Secretary that the crisis had passed and
that money from the "West snd South was
flowing back to New York. The bond pur
chases has had a most favorable effect and
no further serious trouble was anticipated.
Some of the advocates of silver believed
that a conference between representatives
of the United States, Germany, France and
England should be called for the purposes
of putting silver on a parity with gold.
This idea, though, was only discussed in a
very general way and with no tangi.
ble results. It was suggested that Congress
might give the Secretary power to purchase
the 13,000,000 ounces of silver bullion now
afloat in the country. Of this 13,000,000
ounces, 6,000,00 are on deposit with the
Mercantile Trust Company. The purchase
of these 13,000,000 ounces is to be in addi
tion to the regular monthly purchase of
4,500,000 ounces.
More Silver Should be Bought,
Furthermore, it was suggested that the
Secretary should be empowered to buy more
silver, always American of course, and to
issue notes to cover these purchases to the
amount of the monthly retirement ol
National bank notes, which is about 1,600
a month.
The interconvertible 2 per cant bond idea
was next taken up and practically agreed
upon. There was some objection to this
scheme, partly because it would take some
months to get it fully under way and partly
because some feared that a loss of deposits
-J
to the banks would follow the issue of this
description of a bond, but these objections
were overruled by Eeyertl of the bauk pres
idents' present, who were very positive in
their opinion that the banks would not lose
deposits, and that even if they did the char
acter of the bond would act as an offset
against any such losses.
Then the Secretary and bankers and the
drygoods men gave special attention to a
proposition to extend leave for the payment
of 10,000,000 in duties on goods now in
bonded warehouses, subject to the old tariff.
Of this 10,000,000 in duties, fully
8,000,000 must be paid by New York houses.
That the time, for the payment of duties
should be extended from February 1 to July
1, all hands present fally agreed,
and Secretary Windom was very favor
able to the scheme. He believed that it
would give the merchants time in which to
turn about. All these matters, though,
must be brought before Congress and acted
upon there.
A NEW DEVELOPMENT
ARISES IN THE DELAMATER BANK FAIL
TOE AT HEADVUXE.
ltankcr McFarland Enjoined From Using as
Collateral Connty Orders Obtained From
the Defunct Institution Delamater De
nies the 50 Per Cent Rumor.
rerECiAi. telegram to the dispatch!
MEADYTLLEDea, 13. The rumors, on
the streets this morning, to the effect that
Delamater & Co. expected to pay 50 cents
on the dollar to depositors, was corrected by
George "Wallt.ce Delamater, who informed
one of the assignees, George "W. Hasklns,
that he (Delamater) never authorized the
publication of such statement, and further
more that he had no statement to make to
the public that would throw light on the
mystery.
At 5 o'clock there was a new develop
ment. The County Commissioners, through
their attorney, George F. Davenport,
served an injunction on James F. MaeFar
land, Jr., President of the Merchants' Na
tional Bank, enjoining him from using as
collateral security or transferring couniy
mders obtained lroni the bank of Delamater
& Co. which had not been canceled by the
County Treasurer, and by some means "were
conveyed from the banking house of Dela
mater" & Co. to the Merchants' National
Bank. The Commissioners take this action
so that the orders will not have to be paid
twice.
Cyrus Kitchen, the new County Treas
urer, said this evening that be found his
immediate predecessor" had been guilty of
neglect of duty.
The persons' appointed by the court to ap
praise the property of the assignors, will
begin their work Monday, December 15.
A FINANCIAL BILL
To be Considered by Republican Senators
in Canons.
rEPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DISPATCH. I
"Washington, Dec 13. The Republi
can Senators have called a caucus, to meet
Monday evening at the residence of Senator
McMillan, to consider snch financial legis
lation as may be recommended by the cau
cus committee, and to decide what the fate
of the force bill shall be. The Financial
Committee was in session to-day for a short
time, and adjourned without any formal
understanding to another meeting,- but
it is probable that the menrbers will
get together before a caucus is
held on Monday to sec if they are any nearer
agreement then than they are now. The
The committee has in mind the framework
cf a bill, which it j; thought mightpartfallv
lessen trie'serjJous arfptcts-fthe nitsnerary
situation, but as this contemplated measure
otnbodiea-tlie different -views of the 11 mem
bers of the committee, no formal vote upon
it is likely to be had.
In brief, it contemplates the purchase of
the 13,000,000 ounces of surplus silver, the
suggestioi of Seuator Sherman for reducing
to a nominal sum the amount of bonds to be
deposited by national banks to secure their
circulation: the issuance of treasury notes to
an amount equal to the sum total of national
bank notes retired and the floating by the
treasury of a 2 per cent convertible bond.
MR. HUSTON'S SLLVEE SCHEME.
How the United States Treasurer "Would Re
lieve the Stringency.
Cincinnati, Dec 13. United States
Treasurer Hnston stopped at Cincinnati on
his way to Indianapolis, where his wife is
ill. Suggesting a method for relieving the
present financial stress, he said:
There i a scheme by which there might be
about SS,000,000 of a surplus secured that
would relieve the general feeling of dread un
easiness now existing. There are some 55,000.
000 in standard silver dollars lyi.ie piled up, and
in addition there are about i20,000.000 in silver
half dollars and dimes. Now, the Government
has no use for this. There is no calls tor half
dollars in silver, and most of the fractional sil
ver could not be circulated anyway because of
being worn. Now, here are $23,000,000. Let
Congress authorize tho Secretary to charge this
to tbcbullion acconnt and -then issue Treasury
notes, and if Congress Kill suspend the rules
and do this there would be an immediate relief
afforded.
CHOLEEA IN GUATEMALA.
Twelve Thousand Cases and 1,300 Deaths In
Seven Weeks.
ISFECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DISrATCH.l
San Fkancisco, Dec 13. The steamer
San Juan, which arrived to-day from Pan
ama, brings the'news of ravages of cholera
in Guatemala. Over 12,000 cases have been
reported in the State and 1,200 deaths oc
curred in the city of Guatemala in seven
weeks. The steamer passed without touch
ing, in order to avoid Quarantine here.
An ice famine is reported from the
Isthmus. A company recently started an
ice factory at Colon, but the machinery
broke down, and now, in the middle of the
heated term, ice commands 70 per ton. The
United States steamer Banger is at Corinto,
with much sickness on board.
FOEAKEE OUT OF POLITICS.
The Ex-Governor Says Blaine Conld be
Nominated In 1803.
ISl'ECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DISrATCH.l
New York, Dec 13. "I am out of poli
tics," said ex-Governor J. B. Foraker, of
Ohio, to-day at tbe Fifth Avenue Hotel,
when asked about the outlook in tbe West.
He was asked: "Did the Ohio result suit
you?" "Yes; Ohio is a year or two ahead
of the other States. In 1892 I think the Be
publican States will fall into line and elect
a Republican President."
"Has Mr. Blaine been mentioned for the
Presidency in your State?" "Mr. Blaine is
universally popular, and if the way were
open I believe he would be nominated for
the Presidency in 1892."
THE FORGERY CASES FALL.
airs. IJpplncott Released After Spending
Five Months In Jail.
ISPECIAI. TELEQEAM TO THE DISFATCn.1
Philadelphia, Dec 13. Mrs. Julia
C. Lippincott, the famous alleged forger
who, with her husband, for many
years kept the fashionable Hotel
Haddon Hall at Atlantic City, was
to-night released from jail in Camden,
where she has been confined for about five
months. She was released by order of Wil
son Jenkins, prosecutor of the Court of
Pleas of Camden county, who has been
trying for a long time to convict her with
out success, 'There is one charge of forgery
against her fn Atlantic county. She will
give bail to answer to this charge, which
involves only $1E0.
Mrs. Xippincott ran away after the sea
shore season closed in the fall of 1889. It
was alleged.at the time that she had raised,
by means of false pretenses and forgery,
nearly 75,000, most of which was lost in
stock speculation. She remained a fngitive
until last spring, when she was arrested at
the houseof a relative in Baltimore. She
has been in the Camden jail ever since.
DANCERS IN FLAMES.
A REPETITION OF THE DETROIT HORROR
OF A YEAR AGO.
Lady. Students of a College In Ohio Clad in
Costumes of Cotton Batting Catch Fire
and Born to Death While Celebrating
a Birthday.
rsrECIAX. TELEGRAM TO THE DI3PATCH.1
Akron, Dec 13. Several lady students
at Buchtel College, this city, were
terribly burned, two fatally, at 8:30 to-night.
About 30 lady students were gathered in
the hall of the Cary Literary Society on the
fourth floor of the ladies' side of the build
ing, celebrating the birthdays of eight of
their number. These eight were masked
and wore peculiar costumes covered with
loose cotton batting. They had on high
hats, likewise covered with cotton.
While the party were dancing about the
room, with the eight masked ladies in the
center of the circle, the hat of Miss Aurelia
Steigmier, of Atica, O., caught fire from a
gas jet. Flames shot up in an instant,
communicating to the dresses of others.
The entire party were panic-stricken. Their
screams brought the lady instructors from
the lower floors and the janitor and two or
three male students who rushed to the
rescue.
Blankets were brought and thrown about
the suffering young ladies, whose screams of
pain and terror were heartrending. The
.room seemed full of blazing costumes. The
janitor brought in a chemical extinguisher
and turned its contents upon the little
group in the center, about whom others
were gathered in a vain effort to quench the
flalnes.
The damage to the building was two holes
in the floor of the hall.
Miss May Steves, of Clifton Springs, N.
Yl, when carried from the room, had every
Iiarticle of clothing burned from her but
ler shoes, and was one mass of blackened,
blistering flesh, and Miss Steigmier was in
the same condition. Both will probably
die. Of the others, Miss Mary Baker, of
Fort Plain, N. Y., is the most burned, her
neck, chest and face being fairly charred.
Those burned more or less seriously are:
Amelia Wirick, Storm Lake, la.; Diana
Haynes, Abiiiue, Han.; Myrtle Barker,
Peru, O.; Eva Dean, Storm Lake, la.; Ad
dle Buchtel, of Columbia, Kan., niece of
John B. Buchtel, of this city, founder of
the college; Estelle Mason, Mogadore, O.;
Miss Dora Merrill. Williamsport, Pa. One
ot the college instructors had her hands and
face badly burned in trving to extinguish
tbe fire The dormitories at the college
were quickly turned into hospitnls, and a
corps of physicians were, soon a work dress
ing the wounds of tbe injured.
A TEST PATENT SUIT.
The Court Decides That a Ilaverliill Firm
3Iust Fay Royalty.
rEPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DISPATCH.
Boston, Dec. 13. A case involving
3.000,000 has been won by a New York firm
in the United States Circuit Court in this
city. Suit was brought by the Hat Sweat
-Manufacturing Company, ot JSew York,
against J. P. Oilman's Sons, of Haverhill,
'Mass., to compel, tho defendants to pay cer
tain royalties on patents controlled by the
plaintiffs. It was a test case.
The DlaintifU control' patents on all kinds
of sweat bands used in hats, andlicenses to
use those bands are held by 165 manufac
turers in this country. The defendants in
this case refused to pay royalties on the
ground of false representations made by the
plaintiff) when the license was issued in
July, 1886. A decree, signed by Judge
Colt, rules that no false representations were
made, and that the defendants must pay.
The sum total involved in the decree is 3,
000,000, not iucluding interest.
BURLED BENEATH FALLEN WALLS.
Possibility That Several Lives Were Lost in
a Missouri Fire.
Kirkeksville, Mo., Dec 13. At an
early hour this morning fire broke out in
thefurniture and hardware store of P. M.
Smith, and before the firemen could
do anything the flames bad leaped
across the streets to the Masonic Hall, the
lower floor of which was occupied by town
and county offices. The fire then spread to
a vacant building adjoining, and to the
jewelry store ot William Hart. These
houses were completely destroyed.
The wall of the building adjoining the
jewelry store fell on the roof of the latter,
burying in the debris several persons who
were attempting to escape from the flames,
killing Volney Sweet 'and injuring several
others, one fatally. It is feared more are
buried beneath the ruins. The pecuniary
loss will aggregate between 40,000 and
50,000; insured.
THE REFORM CLUB DINNER.
Many Eminent Democrats Will be Fresent
at the Banquet.
New Yoke, Dec. 13. At the Reform
Club dinner to be given at Madison Square
Garden on the evening of December 23, in
celebration of the result of the late election,
the following have signified their intentions
of responding to the toasts association:
Grover Cleveland, "The Campaign of Ed
ucation;" John G. Carlisle, "Popular Gov
ernment;" Horace Boies, "Our New Allies
in the Northwest;" William E. Bussell,
"The Place of New England in the Pending
Contest;" William "U. Hensel, "An
Awakened Countrv;" William L. Wilson,
"The Fifty-second Congress;" Boger Q.
Mills, "Eecinrocity;" Thomas Wilson,
"Issues Change, and Parties Must Change
With Them;" Tom L. Johnson, "McKin
ley's Discoverv."
ANOTHER CAMDEN MURDER,
A Woman Assaulted and Killed and Hop
Body Placed on the Tracks.
ISFECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DISPATCH. 1
Philadelphia, Dec. 13. Another mys
terious murder has been perpetrated in Cam
den as horrible in detail as the Leconey and
the Miller tragedies. Late ou Fridav night
Mrs. Bridget Fleming, of 618 Mount Ver
non street, was found dead, with her skull
crushed, on the tracks of the West Jersey
Bailroad, at Line ditch, about halt way be
tween Seventh street and Kaighn's avenue
and South Camden station.
She had been assaulted and murdered and
her body placed on the track.
FROZEN TO DEATH.
Terrible Fate of Two Men Caught In a
Snow Storm.
(SPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DISFATCB.l
Pabkeesbubo, W. Va., Dec 13. The
bodies of two men who had been frozen to
death were found near Clay Court House
to-day. They were recognized as those of
James Lane and George Sisken, two well
known farmers and stockmen, who lived in
the eastern part of Clay county. The men
had started for Clay Court House on
Wednesday and it is believed were caught
in the terrible wind and snow storm which
prevailed in the mountains on that day.
The horses of the men were found several
miles away.
WEDDED TO HER ART
And Also to a Pittsburg Orchestra
Leader of Whom She is Tired.
MISS MATHER WANTS A DiYOECE.
Her Husblnd is Emil Haberkorn, of then
Hew Dnquesne Theater.
A TELEGRAM FOR $50 MADE TROUBLE
(SPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DISPATCH.
New York, Dec 13. When Miss Mar
garet Mather, the actress, wedded the or
chestra leader, Emil Haberkorn, now with
the Duquesne Theater, of Pittsburg, ou a
February day in 1887, Bhyly stealing away
with him to a little parsonage in Buffalo,
where an Episcopalian rector married them,
there was a voluminous expression of sur
prise in theatrical circles. Prior to that in
teresting event "Mijs Mather had been
"wedded only to jer arl," as Mr. J. M.
Hill, who was then directing her profes
sional career, used to say in his always poetio
way.
Perhaps there will be even greater amaze
ment when it becomes known that Miss
Mather's mariUl romance has ended. There
is excellent authority for the declaration
that she is at once to sue for a divorce, if
indeed, the suit has not already been en
tered. There is the usual secrecy enshroud
ing the affair, but it is not easy to misunder
stand the preliminary steps already taken
by Miss Mather. If Mr. Haberkorn de
termines to contest the case, as one of bis
friends intimates he will, and all the testi
mony brought forward that is now hinted
at, there may be an interesting trial.
When Cupid Shot His Arrow.
Miss Mather fell in love with her orches
tra leader during her long engagement in
"Borneo and Juliet" at tbe Union Sauare
Theatre four years ago. Mr. Haberkorn is
of German parentage, though a New "Yorker
bv birth. He is said to be a capable
musician, an abstemious man and a hard
worker. When Mr. Hill produced "Borneo
and Juliet" at the Union Square Mr.
Haberkorn was the leader there. Miss
Blather had, tip to that time, lived some
what as a recluse might She received no
visitors at her hotel. Her hours were spent
in .study, it was generally believed, and
her heart was supposed to be entirely free,
It is still said that she and the blonde
musician wooed only with their eyes; but
their glances were effective messengers. On
February 14, 1887, while the Mather com
pany was resting for a week from their
travels, the Union .Square season having
ended, Miss Mather went home to her
mother'at Buffalo. On February 15, she
and.Mr. Haberkorn made their appearance
at the rectory of the Bev. George Grey
Ballard, at St, JohnVEpiscopal Church, in
Buffalo, and in the presence of only two
witnessess, a lady and gentleman, and
neither of them a player, the tragedienne
and her violinist were united in marriage.
Betrayed by the Clergyman.
It was the first matrimonial experience of
either. Tbey requested that the facts be
kept from the press, and Dr. Ballard sought
to comply with their wish. An odd mis
take on the clergyman's part, however, gave
The Dispatch the first opportunity to
make known the marriage. The Bey. Mr.
Ballard erroneously mailed the record of
the ceremony to the Bureau of Vital Statis
tics, in New York, and there the matter was
discovered.
Mr. Haberkorn continued) to hold, his
a year or more ago when it was stated ihai.ijPiueMreet, and John, McGee, about 15 years
.t- I i-it. .n . i ' I f.T nn.. . . . r -it r
ins juis jiuu uccuujq uuccieu uy exposure
and 'travel. The announcement that be
would leave his wife's troupe quickly fol
lowed and this was succeeded by the news
that he had gone to Los Angeles to recruit
his failing health. Since that time Mr. and
Mrs. Haberknorn have not lived together.
Their separation was admitted by Miss
Mather herself last season, but there was
then no hint that she would seek a divorce.
On the Ground of Non-Support.
The actress is at present starring in "Joan
of Arc" at the Fifth Avenue Theater. She
still secludes herself from interviewers, and
absolutely refuses to discuss her matri
monial affairs. A member of her company
did not hesitate, to confirm the rumors as
correct. Her ground for suit is non-support,
a cause for limited divorce only if the
suit is brought in this State, and she is con
fident that she will win. Mr. Haberkorn, it
will be asserted, has not contributed. to his
wife's maintenance since he left her to go to
Los Angeles. While there he was em
ployed as orchestra leader at one of tbe
theaters, and earned fair wages for a long
time.
When the Hubert Wilkes Company
reached Los Angeles ou the way east, Haber
korn joined them. At Kanses City the
troupe disbanded, leaving nearly every
member in financial distress. Haberkorn
having no resources, telegraphed his wife
to send hitn 50 to pay his fare home.
"It is this telegram asking for assistance,"
said a friend of Haberkorn to-day, "that is
relied upon by Miss Mather to prove the
strength of her assertion as to non-support.
It seems that Haberkorn frequently offered to
provide his wife with a comfortable home if
she would retire from tbe stage. She re
fused this offer. His appeal for money may
be produced in court to belittle bis offer oi a
home. I am confident that he will bitterly
contest the case, and I am not sure that he
will not enter a cross suit"
Tho Actress' Girlhood.
Miss Mather's career before the public has
been an eventful one. She was the daughter
of John Mather and Anna; Finlayson, and
was born in Tiebury, Canada, about I860.
Her early life was passed in Detroit, Micb.,
and was marked by hardships, and it has
been told by Detroiters that in her girlhood
she had to eke out her own living and as
sist in the support of her family. About
1879 she became a member of aShakesperean
troupe that traveled through New England
under the management of George Edgar, tho
well known leading man. The tour was" as
brief as it was disastrous, but it lasted long
enough to reveal Miss Mathers artistic
powers.
She returned to this city and pursued her
studies. In June, 1881, a physician intro
duced J. M. Hill to the young actress who,
in a uptown lodge room, read to the man
ager the balcony and potion scenes from
"Borneo and Juliet." Mr. Hill seemed to
think that he had made a discovery: A
few days later he engaged Miss Mather for
six years at a weekly salary of 50. Next
week she is to enter into a new engagement
with T. Henry French, Manager of the
Grand Opera House and Garden Theater.
MISS MATHER'S HUSBAND.
He Is to Preside Over the Duquesne Orches
tra To-Morrow.
Ernest Haberkorn, the husband of Mar
garet Mather, is the newly engaged leader
of the Duquesne Theater Orchestra, a posi
tion he expects to fill for the first time to
morrow evening, the first two companies
having carried their own music He has
been in Pittsburg about six weeks. For
some time he lived at the Seventh Avenue
Hotel, but be left there several weeks ago
and his address could not be learned after
tbe receipt of tbe above telegram.
Not long before her marriage to Mr.
Haberkorn, Miss Mather, while playing an
engagement in this city, was reported as
having taken a great fancy to tbe leader of
the orchestra in tbe theater in which She
was playing. Her affections were wasted in
that quarter; bnt, as she had evidently set
her heart on a leader of an orchestra for a
life partner, the announcement of her mar
riage to Herr Haberkorn appeared a few
weeks later.
BIG FIRE AT ROCHESTER.
A" LOSS OF 850,000 BY THE BURNING OF
TWO MILLS.
The Railroad Freight Depot Also Destroyed
f aid tho Doncastor House Slightly Dam-
v aged No Fire Department and Ho ater
With Which to Fight the Flames.
(SPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DISFATCH.l
Rochester, Pa Dec. 13. This place
wal'visited by a fierce conflagration to-night
that was only checked after destroying all
the inflammable material within its reacb,
and causing a loss of 50,000, only a portion
of which was covered by insurance. It was
the most extensive fire that has visited
Bochester for years, and the excitement was
intense.
At 6:15 fire broke out in W. A. Miller &
Sons' planing mill, and the alarm was
sodnded throughout the town. There was
no fire department, and no water was near
to supply tbe spectators who were willing to
work with buckets to check the flames.
Being left alone the fire spread rapidly, and
soon the bar mill of Xaercber & Sons and
tbe Ft. Wayne freight depot were on fire.
Nothing could be done to subdue the fierce
flames, and the people stood by and saw
their most valuable industries go up in
smoke. Falling timber and the heat tore
down all the Western Union Telegraph
wires and shut off communication.
Sparks soon ignited theDoncaster House,
and it appeared as it tbe whole town must
be burned. Dozens of men rushed to the
rescue, and with what water could be se
cured from private cisterns and wells, extin
guished the blaze. They had hardly left
the building when the fire burst out again,
and only the greatest efforts prevented tbe
destruction of the hotel. As it was, the
damage to the building was not great.
The mills burned gave employment to 150
men, and their families are thus deprived of
a means of livelihood for the winter, and un
less they get work at once, many will be
compelled to live on charity.
Bochester is without a fire department,
and when the fire gained such headway to
night tbe Beaver Falls department was sent
for. That department refused to come to the
rescue unless paid 300 for their work. As
no one had authority to guarantee them tbe
amount, they were allowed to stay at home
while the fire tore a big hole in the local in
dustries. A HORROR AT A CROSSING.
Five Lives Lost Through a Railroad Gate
keeper's Mistake.
Bristol, Pa., Dec 13. A shocking ac
cident occurred at the Mill street railroad
crossing, this afternoon, by which four
persons were killed, one fatally wounded,
and oue seriously hurt. The accident was
caused by the safety gates at the crossing
being nised just before the New York West
bound express was due.
A number of persons had been waiting
for a freight train to pass, and as soon as the
gates were raised started to cross. John
Mcllvain, a teamster, started across with
his wagon, in which were his 13-year-old
son Neil Mcllvain, Joseph Hussey, about
ttrJjrme "3gc, Hugh Dever, a merchant on
old" The express train, which was running
at full speed, struck the wagon, instantly
killing Neal Mcllvain, Joseph Hussey
and Hugh Dever. John Mcllvain had his
shoulder and legs broken, ribs crushed and
was otherwise internally injured. He is
not expected to live. The two boys were
strucR with sucfl force that they were thrown
into tbe canal. Joseph Johnson, who was
crossing the track on foot, was also struck
by the engine and instantly killed. John
McGee, who was also in the wagon, was
badly injured. The gatekeeper claims the
clatter of tbe freight train passing drowned
the noise of the bell so that it could not be
heard. He will probably be arrested.
MANY LIVES IN PERIL.
A Providence Fire Entails a Loss of DTalf a
aiilllon.
Providence, B. I., Dec. 13. At 2:50
o'clock this afternoon a cash boy in tne
clothing store of tbe J. B. Barnaby Company,
occupying the greater part of the four-story
Dorrance building, ran up from the base
ment and shouted to the clerks and custom
ers on the third floor that the cellar was all
afire. It was early apparent that a great
conflagration was on hand, as the structure
filled rapidly with smoke. The Barnaby
Company employed 100 persons in the build
ing. A fire escape had been put ou the Middle
street side of the building a week ago, and
but for this device many lives would have
been sacrificed. The women were taken out
speedily and without confusion. Some of
the women were brought out by firemen
fainting, and only half conscious, and
were ' taken into neighboring stores and
cared for. One made a misstep on the fire
escape and fell. Her clothing caught on an
iron projection of the fire escape and broke
her fall, and she landed in the arms of a
fireman. The falling of a wall smashed a
ladder track and injured two men. Loss
about 500,000, largely insured.
D ISEASED CATTLE IN CHICAGO.
Rival City and State Boards Quarrel Over
Their Jurisdiction.
Chicago, Dec. 13. It is expected that
the grand jury will next week take up and
investigate the allegations that lumpy
jawed cattle have been received at the stock
yards, slaughtered and sold for food.
For some months past there has been a
fight between the State Live StocS Commis
sion and tbe City Board ot Health, as to the
question of jurisdiction at the yards. Each
body claims the right to inspect the cattle
there, and to determine upon tbe disposition
to be made of those found to be diseased,
and each has been-accusing the other of a
desire to win by violations of the law in the
way of allowing diseased meat to find its
way into the cheaper local market
BATTLES AND RUMORS CF BATTLES.
An Indian Fight Has Sorely Occurred, De
spite Conflicting Reports.
Piebbe, S. D., Dec. 13. Governor
JSIellete has been receiving numerous tele
grams to-day from Buffalo Gap and other
points in the hills telling of a rattle yester
day on Wrench creek between the Indians
and, settlers, in which three of the former
were killed. A dispatch from Pine Bidge
Agency confirms the report. The fight
occurred at Hermosa, 200 miles southeast ot
this city. Still another renort says the fight
was between two bands of Indians. The
rumor of a battle in which many on both
sides were killed, between troops and In
dians, is unfounded.
An Aged Couple Beaten to Death.
New Castle, Ind., Dec. 13. Cfne of
the most horrible crimes this section ever
knew occurred near here last nightl An nn
known robber attacked Asa Wallace and
wife, an aged couple, and beat them fatally
and thentaking 1,000, escaped.
OLD FIGHT REYIYED.
War to the Knife in the Bnrean of
Engraving and Printing
OYER THE PLATE PRESS QUESTION.
Knights of Labor and Federation Men
Against Each Other.
AFTER cniEF MEREDITH'S SCALP
IritOJI A STAFP COEBESPOXDENT.
WASHINGTON", Dec 13. Trouble of a
very serious nature has been keeping the
Bureau of Engraving and Printing in a
turmoil ever since the advent of the present
chief, Meredith. Previous to bis comiug
the famous fight had been made by the plate
printers, which resulted in the abolition of
steam presses, which it was generally ad
mitted had degraded the work and rendered
counterfeiting a much more desirable pro
fession than it had been when the fine hand
printed notes were the only ones in vogue.
In that fight several of the best paid em
ployes arrayed themselves with Chief
Graves, Mr. Meredith's predecessor, who
was somewhat peculiarly enthusiastic for
the steam presses,
Mr. Meredith came to his office the choice
of the anti-steam press plate printers and,
it is said, promised his personal sympathy
and official influence to them. Failing to
support the employes who had opposed the
plate printers in their fight an antagonism
sprang up between Chief Meredith and
those printers which rapidly assumed tbe
proportion!) of the most bitter quarrel that
has marked department life for long years.
Blame Laid on Meredith.
It is asserted that Meredith has done all
he could to provoke the plate printers of the
faction alluded to. He appointed a colored
girl as assistant to Mr. Moore, one of the
best of them, who refused to accept the as
sistaqt because, as he believed, she was in
efficient and ruined impressions, so as to
cause a loss of wages to him. For this re
fusal Moore was discharged. It appears
that bis dismissal determined the printers
to attempt to oust Meredith.
Learning that the chief had made injur
ious statements in regard to Moore and
others as to personal character, the leading
plate printers made counter-charges against
Meredith of a yery damaging nature, and
from that tune, as one informant avers, it
baa been an almost daily race between Mere
dith and tbe printers as to which could get
the earliest and most liberal attention from
the Secretary of the Treasury.
Knights and Federation Into It.
Into all this scandal the national fight
between the Knights of Labor and the Fed
eration of Labor intruded. The anti-Meredith
men are Knights and rule the Plate
Printers Assembly, and tbat assembly has a
representation in the Federation of Labor of
the District of Columbia, which, however,
is no part of the Federation of Labor ot
which Mr. Gompers, of New York, is Presi
dent E. S. Jordan, leader in the fight against
the steam presses, is Master Workman of
the Plate Printers' Assembly, and until re
cently was assistant superintendent of the
Bureau of Engraving and Printing. For
these reasons it appears tbat Jordan was
singled out to walk the clank as his friend
Moore had done. It is alleged that Chief
Meredith has favored the trades union-atthe
expense of the Knights, and has introduced
into the bureau a considerable proportion of
Federation men. One of the leaders of
these a few weeks ago made slanderous
statements in regard toamember of Jordan's
family. !- -" '
Taking two-friends with him as witnesses,
Jordan went to see this alleged scandal
monger,.and in the discussion that followed
the meeting, Jordan knocked the other out
Jordan and bis friends were suspended,
pending an investigation, which resulted
this morning in their dismissal from the
Bureau. The Federation man is retained.
Jordan is a near friend of Powderly, and
the latter has been informed of the action of
tbe Bureau.
Knights After Meredith's Scalp.
The members of the Plate Printers' As
sembly are infuriated at tbe turn of affairs,
and the fight against Meredith, from being
quiet and decorous, will now be open and
more bitter than ever. The charges that
have been made against him are such that
if they are substantiated the President can
hardly avoid his removal.
It is alleged that Secretary Windom has
been willing for sometime to dismiss Chief
Meredith, but that the President has re
fused to give the order, because the. Chief
was a member of his old regiment and was
selected for the position of Chief of the
Bureau solely on that basis. It is said tbat
officials of the Federation of Labor, hacked
by the Chief, are eggiug on the light, be
lieving it will result in crushing the
Knights out of tbe Bureau of Engraving
and Printing.
HIS OBJECT ATTAINED.
General Hastings Secnres tho Reinstate
ment of a Naval Cadet.
rritOM A STAFP COBEESPOSDEXT.l
Washington, Dec. 13. Adjutant Gen
eral Hastings was in the city to-day to make
a second call on the Secretary of the Navy
in the interest of A. J. Cruse, a youth of
Bellefonte, who was, until recentlv, a cadet
at the Naval School at Annapolis. Dur
ing one of the hazing affairs of a
lew months ago, which made a big scandal
and resulted in the dismissal of a number
of cadets, young Cruse was commanded to
tell what he knew of the affair. He was
not accused of being oue oi the hazers, But
was merely asked to peach on those who
were in it He absolutely refused, and for
that was dismissed with tbe others.
The Adjutant General, at the instance of
Cruse's friends, sought bis reinstatement
and his object was accomplished to-day.
POSTPONED AGAIN. '
The Border Raid Claims Matter Wil be
Considered in Committee.
IFROM A STAFf COKRESPOITDEXT.
Washington, Dee. 13. When the
proposition, virtually agreed to by the Re
publican members of the House Committee
on, Bnles to make a special order giving a
two days' debate for the consideration of the
borderr'aid claims bill, was submitted to
day to Representatives Blount and Mc
Millen, the Democratic members of the
committee. Those gentlemen, while not
saying they were opposed to the bill, de
cided that it was better to have a formal
meeting of the Committee on Rules to con
sider the question, and not depend upon the
individual and formal assent of the commit
tee outside of the committee room.
It is expected that a meeting of the com
mittee will be held early next week and the
matter decided one way or the other.
A REPORT DENIED.
Stephen Collins Not Appointed a Postofflce
Inspector Jast Yet
DTBOU A STAT COBBESPOKDEXT.J
Washington, Dec 13. It was stated
at the Postoffice Department to-day that
there was not a shadow of truth in the re
port that Stephen Collins, of Pittsburg, had
been appointed a postoffice inspector.
It was broadly intimated that it would be
useless for Mr. Collins to ask for any ap
pointment within the gift of the Postoffice
Department.
Prohibition for the District,
Washington, Dec 13. The House
Committee on the Alcoholic Liquor Traffic
to-day agreed to report favorably to the
House a bill to prohibit tbe manufacture and
sale of spirituous and intoxicating liquors
in the District of Columbia except for me
dicinal, mechanical and scientific purposes.
RAUM INVESTIGATION.
IT IS TAKEN UP AGAIN AFTER A THREE
MONTHS' VACATION.
The Pension Commissioner's Son Testifies
That No Favoritism Has Been Shown,
and That Attorney Lemon Has Not In
iluenced Appointments Refrigerator
Stock Talk.
Washington, Dec. 13. The House
Committee, which has been investigating the
charges made by Representative Cooper, of
Indiana, against the management of the
pension office by Commissioner Raum, re
sumed its inquiry this morning
after an interruption of about three months.
Green B. Raum, Jr., Assistant Chief Clerk
and Acting Appointment Clerk, was exam
ined with references to charge of favoritism
shown Pension Attorney Lemon. He testi
fied that no person appointed under the
administration of General Raum was
employed by Mr. Lemon at-tbe time of
his appointment with the exception of H.
B. Barney, whom he believed, though he
did not actually know, was a clerk in
Lemon's office. Ramey got his appoint
ment through the civil service, and, so far as
he Knew, no one in the office knew Ramey
was in Lemon's employ; and he did not
know positively that Ramey had been so
employed.
Witness never selected a man whom he
knew to have ever been emploved in
Lepin's office. The Pension Office fre
qo' called for a large number
o Bk"'',d 'he Civil Service Com-Tutgr-
Qt, -ertified only the number
calle!J?A. JO f jew exceptions, every
man cerliK 0 , "'e.d. In reply to
RepresentativWVo,''ft,j, -Banm stated
that John M. Weiryb 9y les McGilley
had heen promoted, thy . twice on tbe
recommendation of the tCef of their di
vision. Mr. Cooper asked if witness had ever
talked with McGilley about the refrigerator
company. He answered that a man named
Coker one day told witness' father, the
Commissioner, that McGilley said he
had stock in the refrigerator com
pany. His father t knew McGilley
never bad any stock, and asked
witness to bring him to his office. In the
office.McGilley stated he had never made any
such statement, and that he never had anil
did not have stock in tbe company. McGil
ley signed an affidavit to this effect, drawn
up by Mr. Linenweaver. McGilley was in
the service when General Raum became
Commissioner. His last promotion was
about two months ago, alter the affidavit had
been made.
Mr. Lewis asked if General Baum had ap
pointed any person on recommandatiouot a
member ofthe committee. The witness an
swered by saying tbat Mr. Sawyer bad se
cured one appointment, and Mr. Sawyer
himself acknowledged it
Bengough's Appointment Confirmed.
Washington, Dec. 13. Tbe Senate to
day in executive session confirmed the nom
ination of H. H. Bengough as Pension
Agent at Pittsburg.
THE NEW CASTLE BRIBERY CASE.
No Jurymen Selected After a Wnolo Day's
Earnest FJTort.
ISrXCIAt. TELEQBAAI TO TUB DISPATCH. J
New Castle, Dec 13. The case or the
Commonwealth vs W. D. Wallace, charged
with bribing delegates to the Twenty-fifth
Congressional district convention, was taken
up in the Lawrence connty courts this
morning. The entire morning and after
noon sessions were spent in trying to select
a jury, and when court adjourned not one
had been selected.
There were some lively tilts between the
attorneys, and the cases, which will be taken
up again Monday alternoon, promise to fur
nish a sensation. Tbe court room was filled
with spectators.
TASC0TT BOBS UP AGAIN.
This Time theTJbiqnltoos Murderer is Found
at Port lloron.
Port Hukon, Dec. 13. The police have
arrested a young man who gave the name of
John Bradley. The officers think they have
caught Tascott, tbe murderer of Snell, the'
mfllionaire banker of Chicago.
He agrees with the description, including
a scar on the hip and elbow. Chicago
officials have been notified.
THE DISPATCH DIRECTORY.
Contents of the Issue Classified for tho
Reader's Convenience.
Tbe issue of The Dispatch to-day con
sists of 21 pages in three parts. Tbe first and
a part of the second are devoted to news, local,
general, foreign, political and sporting, to
gether with suitable comment Tbe special
features are as follows:
PART IX.
Page 9.
The News of EnroDe. The Christmas Shopping.
SnndiT Oil l'nmplus. Budget or DomestlcNews.
Excursion on the Amazon Consul Kerbet
1'age 10.
Oneen Victoria's Ilonnds Fbank A. Burr
Telephonic and Telegraphic I'osslbllltles.
Business Cardi.
Page 11.
Allenlieny Court News. The Want Column.
for Sale Column. To Let Column.
Ileal Estate Notices.
Page 12.
The Kealm of Society. The Grand Army.
Art and Artists. Gossip of the .Militia.
Page 13.
Secret Societies. The Market Reports.
Letter from Henry Clews. Gossip ol the Schools.
Page 11.
Science and Electricity. Business Notices.
Heal Estate Matters.
page IS.
Dramatic News. Amusement Notices.
Business Cards.
Page IS.
Keview of Sports PBCtOLs
Business Cards.
PART IXX.
Page IT. i
Pittsburg's Street Cars....- L. K. STOFIEL
The Light That Failed KcdyAed KiplisO
Page 13.
Blessings of "War CIIAKLE3 T. MUBKAT
la London's Tower.. ...... ...... MacLeod
A Man is Fair Prey Bessie BeaMble
Page 13. ,
The Dwarf's Gold Patsie
l'uzzlc Department E. K. Chadboukx
Outside Skeletons 1. H. Webb
Detective Camera W. O. ESCUWEOE
The (lame of Tiddledy Winks.
Page SO.
Fighters of To-Diy. Gen. O. O. Howabd
Christmas Day Howard Fielding
The Advent Kev. UeokGe Honors
Vaixe op Tlasts Siiibley Dare
Page SI.
Stand Fast Cralg-Hoyston WnxiAii Black
Succl's Fasting Feat DR. Paul Gibieb
An African Ostrich Farm.
Page 22.
Two New Senators...-....FbaitkG. Cabpentxr
The Arc Light... Scire Facias
A Rainbow City Fannie B. "Ward
Tbe Realm of Khjme.
Senator Quay in Florida.
Page 33. i
How to Make Tea ELLICI SERENA
Isles of the North Edgar l. Wakejian
Stories of Rod and (Jan.
Page 31.
Gifts for Chii.tmss , .Miss qbunot. Jb
Cupid In a New Hole Claba Belle
The Facial Massage .-. ...Uewa
Fancies for the Fair.
GAS UNDERTHE GITY.
The Exposition Well Proves a
Good Gasser at the Depth
of 1,985 Feet.
FOUND IN THE FIFTH SAND.
The Board of Directors Congratulated
on All Sides.
PROSPECTS THOUGHT VERY BRIGHT
Other Local Welte That Fad Been Abandoned
Will Nour
BE DRILLED WITH HOPES OF SUCCESS
Natural ga3 has been struck at the well
on tbe Exposition grounds, and as a result
the whole gas situation in Pittsburg may be
changed.
An ordinary wooden bucket over the top
of the casing now holds in the precious fuel,
but that bucket covers a world of possibili
ties for Pittsburg, The bucket was lifted
yesterday afternoon that the well might be
inspected, and when one held his head over
the opening he could feel a pressure that
was much like a draft of cold air.
Insignificant a? this may seem, James C.
Boyce, a gas expert, says he has tested the
well and found the flow of gas amounted to
517,613 every 24 hours. This would supply
SO large furnaces, or be equal to 25 tons of
coal a day.
But whether the flow be large or small,
tbe well is of the greatest importance to
Pittsburg, for it bas been demonstrated that
thi3 grett city is all underlaid with the
fifth sand.
The Richest of All the Sand.
This is the 'richest gas-producing sand
known. It is from this sand that the great
Washington county gushers sprung. The
well bas established the presence of this
sand where it was never beiore believed to
exist. While their well may not tap the
gieat reservoirs, it is nevertheless proven
that gas in great abundance must exist be
neath the surface of the great Iron City. It
was tbe want of knowledge of thi3 fact that
has led to the abandonment of all the other
wells that have been drilled in tne heart
of Pittsburg. One of them was the
well of Painter Bros., on West Carson street,
almost opposite the Exposition. They
abandoned theirwell when they had almost
reached the depth of the fifth sand, because
they did not know snch a stratum underlaid
Pittsbnrg. As one of the results of the Ex
position well, the Fainter venture will at
once be drilled deeper.
A slight flow of gas was first discovered
at midnight Friday, by Driller McEIroy.
Then the night relief ot drillers came on,
and soon the worthless sand changed to that
pebbly formation in which oil men have
made their fortunes. They had struck the
fifth sand, and after they had cut into it a
distance of lS-feot, the flow was so strong
that the men stopped work and put out the
fires for tear of an explosion. The total
depth of the well i3 1,985 feet
Excitement Caused by the Strike.
Of course the new3 of the strike spread
rapidly, and by the time it reached Fifth j
avenue and Smithfleld street, the gasser had T
grown to a roarer of C00 pounds rock prei
sure. Immense crowds were attracted and
swarmed around the main gate for a sight of
the wonder. The gateman, however, was
m ore chilly than the weather, and only those
who come on business were admitted.
Among the first arrivals were Manager
Johnston, of the Exposition Society, D. D.
Herbst. Bratton Crawford and others.
W. H. Adams, who has been superintend
ing the linking of the well, received numer
ous congratulations. He said tbat the drill
ers bad intended giving up 'he well for a
dry hole yesterday, but now the work will
be pushed further.
AH alternoon the men were busy at work
moving tbe boiler further back, so as to pre
vent any possibility of an explosion. A
standpipe was also erected to carry off the
How of ga. Last night tbe gas was ignited
and tbe old block house was lighted up by
the fires which have lor years slumbered be
neath it.
The drilling will be resumed to-morrow
night, and tbe hole will be drilled through
the filth sand. The men hope to strike a
much stronger &or.
Great Delight of the Directors.
In the afternoon there was a meeting of
the directors of the Exposition Society at
the well. Messrs. Bosenbaum, Bindley,
Marvin and Manager Johnston were the
only ones present. All regarded the strike
as the most lucky thing that bas ever hap
pened the Exposition. They are hopeful of
a big gas strike, so that the money received
from tbe sale ot gas may aid In paying oft
the debt of the society. Even if no greater
flow is struck, the present pressure will be
used in making natural gas displays during
tbe .Exposition.
A;meetingof the directors will be held to
morrow or next day to consider what action
shall be taken regarding the strike. The
board will also listen to any business propo
sition which may be made relative to turn
ing the flow of gas to tbe best advantage.
The Exposition Society has entire control
of the gas. Tbe well was put down by a
private contracting firm as an advertise
ment. The Exposition Society only paid
lor the casing, which amounted to about ?80O.
Manager Johnston was the most excited
man about the well. Said he: "Somehow I
got an idea there was oil or gas down here,
and Thave never given it up, in the face of
most discouraging results. The drill went
down foot after foot ever since last Septem
ber, and there was nothing promising. The
contractor wished to give up the work, but
I insisted that a more perfect test be made,
even thoagh the well was only being drilled
as part of the exhibit."
, All Anxious to Get a Good Look.
At this time a hundred pairs of eyes were
looking through as many spaces between
tbe iron rods of the fence and silently plead
ing for a chance to closer inspect the Ex
position wonder, while hundreds more
peered "fn from behind, anxious for a
glimpse.
"It is of no use for those people to crowd,
out there," said the manager. '"The gates
must be kept locked as a matter of safety.
The air here is full of gas, and some care
less person might carry a cigar or light a
match and cause an explosion. But therd
is no danger of that for the crowds will not
be admitted.
"Another feature which maker the well
interesting," "tinned Mr. Johnston, "it"
tbe fact that,1 .e drillers have preserved
specimens of every stratum through which,
the drill has passed. Each specimen has
been placed in a glass jar and marked with
tbe depth at which such formation was
found. These jars will be placed on exhU ,
bitioo, and after looking over the col'ec
tion, one will be as well acquainted witfc
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