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Fourteen People Have Been Killed
on the Traction Koads of Pitts-
burji Within a Tear.
STREET EAILWAT JUGGERNAUT.
Every Death TVas Caused by the Car Mount
ing the Body of Its Victim and
Crushing Out Life,
A EEJ1EDI HAS AT LAST BEES FOUSD.
Lcthtr Leber Xcrtnts x Lift-Siring Pilot for Bipil
Tnnsit Coadits.
The inquest nn the body of John Kocher,
who was killed by a cable car at Fifth
avenue and Grant street, "Wednesday, will
be held this morning.
By this death the awful danger resulting
from rapid transit cars in the central part of
the city has again been pronouncedly shown.
His death makes the fourteenth of the kind
duiing the nresent year. In every instance
the car has mounted the victim, and life has
been crushed out by the wheels.
The year's record has clearly proven that
the various life-saving devices now
used on the cars are not sufficient
to throw off any obstruction.
This almost wholesale daughter has caused
considerable investiiration by Coroner Mc
Dowell and others before whom these vio
lent Jeaths have been prominently pre
sented. Luther H. Leber, of Allegheny,
lias, howeer, been the first to solve the
problem, and has already secured a patent
for a device which promises to prevent any
more additions to the list of street railway
fatalities of this nature.
Description of a N'eiv Device.
This invention is a pilot or fender fast
ened to the front of the car in a manner very
similar to the ones now in use. It differs
from the old ones, however, in that it ex
tends from the bed of the car to the track,
and reaches back a sufficient distance to
cover the wheels. The inside is a mass of
springs which work automatically. The
pilot is so balanced as to yield when cominc
in contact with a person or other obstruc
tion. Precision is also made for its yielding
upward on an incline, and also lengthwise
of the car when a heavier object is struck.
The operation simply is that when a light
object is struck the fender or pilot will
yield upward, but if a person or other heavy
object is struck, the pilot will drop to the
rails, and the obstruction will be thrown
out clear of the wheels.
The feuder has but a slight movement,
in an inclined direction, and when it comes
in contact with an object, either heavy
or light, the fender will rise upward and on
an incline upon the frame at one side, only
that side which is struck, and at an ancle
corresponding with the angle to which the
rods and springs are disposed, and the
movement of the frame to which the fender
is attached, being in a horizontal direction
and lengthwise, all strain upon the rods
carrying the spring is removed and will
therefore yield and not strike a solid blow.
The list of deaths from local rapid transit
cars for the last year shows that each person
was killed, as already stated, by being
mounted by the cars, and the following
are the fatalities that have been so caused:
A Lone List for One, Year.
December 'J7, ISS9 John Warner, aced 55
years, crushed by l'ittsburg Traction car 4. at
Fifth avenue and Grant street.
March 15. 1S90 Neil Laird. 3 years and 8
months, killed by Citizens' Traction car 212,
near Nineteenth street and Penn avenue.
Jlarch 21 Patrick Madigan. 11 years, skull
fractured by car 3, on the Fifth avenue line,
near Boston street.
March 29 V. R. McKee, "2 years, struck by
Citizens' traction car 123, at Penn avenue and
T ent j -firt street.
Maj 3 Charles F. Grasskopf, 11 vears, killed
by a Pleasant Valley electric car on Erie street,
near Federal. Allegheny.
Auru 13 Margaret Lalley, 60 years, by car 35
ot the Pittsburg Traction company, at Fifth
atenuc and Vine street.
April 23 3 olm Uapisto Leo Geodic, 32 rears,
kil'ed by Central Traction car 5J, at Sixth
street and Dennv alley.
June 14 William Jlontcomcrv, 4 years and 6
tnuniliv struck by Pittsburg Traction car 20, at
foot of Dinwiddle street.
July 19 Arthur Wilhelm, i years and 10
munihs. crashed by car 201 of the Citizens'
Tractiot, lino on Peun avcnue.near berenteenth
street.
July IS Harrv Scburr, 5 years and 3 months,
run over by car 237 of Citizens' Traction line at
feeventecmb street,
October 10 L"dard Gaeyitski, 8 years, killed
at lwentt-IUth street by Citizens' Traction
car 208.
November 21 -WinfieldScottSmith. 45 vears,
fell under Central Traction car 57 on Wvhe
avenue.
December 21 John Kocber,55ears,both lees
crushed bv cir 4S ot Pittsburg Traction line at
Fifth avenue and Grant street. Kocher was a
watchmaker employed at 30 Fifth avenue and
he boarded ith Paul Nlcolat at CS Wjlie ave
nue. He was a Frenchman and vas5Uears
old.
In speaking of the Leber patent, Coroner
SIcDowell said yesterday that he believed
it was practicable, and had such a device
been used before not one of the above deaths
would have occurred. The new pilot is to
be tried to-morrow on car ID of the Pitts
burg Traction Company, and if it is success
ful the Corouer thinks these protectors
should be placed on every rapi J transit car
in the city.
STREET CARS COLLIDE.
A riessant Valley Couch Telescopes a Penn
Avenao Car Man Passengers Slightly
Injured One Man Receives Several
Gashes in tlio Face rrom Itrokcn Glass.
Shortly before 1 o'clock j-csterday a Pleas
ant Valley electric car almost telescoped a
Citizens' Traction coach at Penn avenue and
Seventh street. Both cars were full of pas
sengers, but, for a wonder, iiooncwas killed,
although a number received slight injuries,
and a colored man was badly cut
Where the blame belongs is not known.
Car No. 121, of the Pleasant Valley line, was
coming up Seventh street at a high rate of
sneed and struck Citizens' Traction car No.
231 at the Penn avenue crossing. Passen
gers in both coaches were thrown
into a promiscuous heap, and the
air was filled with the screams
ot women and children. If early everyone
received some slight scratches and bruises.
Broken glass flew everywhere 3nd one col
ored man received several deep gashes on
his face. He was hurried out of the car
and taken to a doctor's office before his
name could be learned. The other passen
gers were then taken out, more frightened
than hurt-
Th whole side of the traction car was
knocked m, and there was hardly a pane of
glas left on the other side. The Pleasant
Valley car was finally hauled back, and it
was ound that the front of the carli.td been
stove in by the force of the collision. The
inotorraan's cabin was a wreck.
A crowd of at least 1,000 people collected
almost instantly, and as usual the crowd re
tarded the work of clearing up the wreck.
Travel was delived on both lines for about
an hour, and almost every car on the Citi
zens Traction Hue was piled up in one long
procession extending up from Seventh
street. "VY liilc the irien worked on the wreck
the crowd swore, for most of them were peo
ple anxious to reach home and a Christmas
dinner.
STBUCK BY A CABLE CAB.
A Police Patrol 'Wagon Disabled and one
Officer Painfully Injured.
No. 2 Patrol wagon ot the Eleventh ward
station was struck by a cable car on the
Fifth avenue line last evening and wrecked.
About 7:30 o'clock the wagon was on its
way to Gist street in response to a call. As
it was turning off Dinwiddie street onto
Pi th avenue it collided with car No, 3
coming to town. The wagon was shattered
and its occupants thrown ont. Patrolman
Madison was badly bruised and had to be
relieved from duty. The driver and the
horses escaped injury, the car having struck
the rear of the wagou. The car was not
damaged much.
Captain Silvtts investigated the case and
said that the gripman of the car. as far as he
could learn, was responsible for the accident,
having made no effort to check the car.
CHRISTMAS IN A,SHR0UD.
A Bather Green Day Closed by the rail of
Scleral Inches of Snow Quiet at tho
Hotels Scenes at tho Depots A Pathetic
Incident.
"What a quiet day it has been!" ex
claimed a guest as he arose and stretched
himself, and then, lighting a fresh cigar, re
suinedhis paper.
This was at the Seventh Avenue .Hotel.
So it was elsewhere; in the Anderson,
Schlosser, Monongahela and Duquesne,
where the tide of travel is mostly felt
Everybody agreed that the day was the
quietest and most uneventful experienced in
many years. The lobbies of the hotels were
deserted by all but a few chance travelers,
"who either had no particular home to spend
Christmas at or else were too far from it to
reach it in time. As usual, there were many
private parties at the various hotels, given
mostly by those whose domestic accommoda
tions were not on a par with their hospitality.
Most of the Schlosser's private rooms were
so occupied.
Just as the shades of evening fell, a fleecy
mantle of snow descended upon the city.and
enveloped everything in a solt and silent
grasp. Merry maidens going or returning
from a Christmas party unprepared for the
sudden fall of snow, obtained a complexion
of healthy hue such as no cosmetic yet
manufactured could produce, and the cling
ing snowflakes resting on improvised head
covering only made prettier frames, by con
trast, for the pink cheeks and laughing eyes
within.
And as the night came on apace, the
Christmas of 1890 was fittingly laid away to
rest in a pnre white shroud.
The street cars ontbe;Pittsburg and Bir
mingham line were more orless delayed last
night on account of the snow. The horses
were unable to pull the cars ud thebill
from South First street to South Filth
street on account of slipping.
The various lines running out of the city
carried the usual contingents of the unres't
who, unthinking of holiday or festival,
pursued the routine of business life. Ob
servant officials were of the opinion that
there were more travelers afloat than usual
on Christmas Day. The Pcnnsy trains car
ried full qunta, and the Baltimore and Ohio
and Lake Erie were busy, as usual.
At 9:30 o'clock last night a merry throns
of youug people, intersprinkled here and
there by more sober, middle-aged people,
passed through the barriers at the Union
depot to board an accommodation train.
Jests and joyous laughter were rife; the day
had been one of festivity and rejoicing, and
the out-of-city residents who had been spend
ing the holiday with their city friends were
returning home with hearts that were gay
and spirits that indicated a close hold on
life and an appreciation of how good it was
to live And then, after a moment, voiceJ
were hushed, as two men bearing something
on a stretcher made a lane through the
crowd and passed along to the baggage room
with their burden. It was the stiff form of
a man who had been cut down by a passing
train near Braddock and brought to town for
conveyance to the morgue. No clew could
be obtained as to his name. He was a young
man of dark complexion, with a slight black
mustache, about five feet eight inches in
height and weighing probably 160 pounds.
LIGHTING OF RAILWAYS.
Discussion of a Proposition to Illuminate
Dangerous Crossings Some of tbe Ad
vantages Thought Possible Quite a
Number of Doubting Thomases.
It is reported that the Pennsylvania Ball
road Company will try the experiment of
lighting seven miles of its tracksatalocality
where accidents have been frequent at grade
crossings, and that should the experiment
result favorably, in lessening the number of
accidents, a considerable part, ot considera
ble parts, of the roads will be thus lighted.
Train Dispatcher Pitcairn said yesterday
he had not heard anything of the proposi
tion, and did not believe there was much in
it, but he said similar matters were often
discussed, and some important localities
were lighted bv electricity, just as
the TJirfou station yard is, but
not for tbe purpose named, but for conven
ience in the transaction ot business. He
did not think the lighting would tend to the
lessening ot accidents.
Train Dispatcher J. B. Yohe, of the Pitts
burg and Lake Erie Kailwjy, was asked
what he thouzht of the proposition. He
objected to discussion, and at first moved
the previous question, but finally remarked
that he could not see how any improvement
could be made on the present signal system,
anything that wonld save life.
Captain Irvin, station master of the same
line, said that a fiig system might be de
vised that would lessen the dangers at grade
crossings, hut be didu't think the lighting
of them made any special difference, as peo
ple were killed as often In the full blaze of
sunlight as in the dark on such crossings.
W. D. Vincent, Division Chief Operator
of the Baltimore and Ohio Hail road, re
marked that he could see no life saving ob
ject to beaccomplisbed, and asked if it was
not notorious that more people were killed
on crossings in daylight than at night.
A railroader present suggested that elec
tric lighting wo'uld be a good thing in a log,
but was otherwise of no consequence except
to make working more comfortable.
It seems more than likely that the subject
has been discussed, as there would be mani
fest advantages in such a move, providing
the cost were not too great A man who be
lieves the matter is coutemplatcd states that
the mortality at night is certainly greater
than in daylight at crossings, considering
the relative number ot people abroad night
and day. There is one thing in favor, viz.:
That after the lines were run enough of the
immense motive power employed on rail
ways could be spared to produce the elec
tricity, and the subsequent cost of lighting
up a vast scope of territory wonld be small.
GOOD FUEL GOING TO WASTT,
A Natural Gas Well That Is Doing Naught
for Anj one.
The imniensegas well on the Wilson farm,
back of Coraopolis, is still blowing off its
wealth into the air at least, the greater part
of it, some little being used by the drillers
and at the pumping wells in the vicinity.
The roar can still be heard four miles, and
while thousands are shivering over a scant
supply, here is fuel enough wasting to sup
ply a small city.
It is said the Fort Pitt Glass Company
has offered $12,000 for the well, and though
it is admitted that the owner has some rights
in the premises, there are many ceople who
doubt the righteousness ol the waste.
Mrs. Nelson's Poor Support
William Nelson was committed to jail Tor
a trial at court yesterday morning by Mag
istrate Hyndiuan an a charge of desertion
preferred by his wife, Margaret, who testi
fied at the hearing that her husband refused
to give her any money. She also said that
about three months ago he left their homeat
Oakland with another womau and located
in Chicago. He returned last Monday,
when Officer Kenny arrested him.
A Pointer.
Go to Gallinger's jewelry store, 1200 Penn
avenue, and see his stock before purchasing
your holiday triits elsewhere.
Remember the address, 1200 Penn avenue.
Finest line of music-boxes in the citr.
ALDKICH A FREE MAN.
He Has an Affecting Meeting With
His Deyoted Wife, at Riverside.
MAN! PROOFS OP HIS INNOCENCE.
Amonj Other Evidences Are "Soma Prom the
Chicago Pinkerton igency.
HE WILL STAET IS BUSINESS AGAIN
Christmas, with all, its glad tidings of
peace and love, probably never witnessed a
more joyous meeting than that between
Frank B. Aldrich and his wife at Riverside
Penitentiary yesterday.
The Dispatch of yesterday morning
contained n ctory of the pardon of Aldrich,
who was sent to Riverside last November
for eight years, on the charge of having
'"bunkoed" old man Lemon ont of 510,000.
It also stated how Mrs. Aldrich, thoroughly
convinced of the innocence of her husband,
had worked night and day for his release,
and at last found her efforts crowned with
success.
It is seldom that newspapers have an op
portunity of chronicling the events con
nected with a devotion of the kind dis
played by Mrs. Aldrich, and unless all evi
dences fail, she was worKing in the interests
of an innocent man. Early yesterday morn
ing she received the following letter from
Lieutenant Governor Davies:
LIEUTENANT GOVERKOK'S SYMPATHY.
Towasda, Dec 24. 1S90.
Dear Mns. Amjkich I find the rules of
the Executive Department require them to
send the pardon direct to the warden of the
prison. It will go to-day andyour husband will
be released to-morrow. Hoping you will here
after enjoy a happy life as you richly deserve
for your faithfulness to your husband. 1 re
main, your3 truly, W. T. DXvics.
Assured by the statements of this letter,
Mrs. Aldrich started for Riverside yesterday
morning bright and early. She was about
halt way up the long stone steps leading to
the warden's office when she noticed a gen
tleman coming toward her, with head bowed
down. At first she did not recognize him.
but a moment later he raised his head, and
then followed a meeting that would make
all eilorts at description unavailing.
The woman who for two years had devoted
every energy to the vindication of her hus
band rushed to bis embrace in a manner
that only novelists could properly portray,
and unseen by mortals, they renewed the
faith and affection that had been so rndely
broken off bv tbe decree of the local courts.
Alter the first meeting the v at once returned
to the citv and took up quartersat a private
boarding house.
THE HAPPY HETJNITED COUPLE.
A Dispatch reporter called on the re
united couple last night, and added some
thing to the good cbeer, as the expression
goes, of tbe occasion, bv listening to the
statements of Mr. Aldrich and his wife. Mr.
Aldrich is a man probably 45 years of age,
of medium height, with a full dark beard.
He is lacking somewhat in hair, but still
has enough to make a very respectable bluff.
He is a thorough gentleman in manner, and
shows at once by his conversation that he
has had quite an experience with men and
events of the world.
On the broad and comprehensive ground
that it is indelicate to even guess at tbe age
of a lady, this point in the remarks about
Mrs. Aldrich will be omitted. It may be
stated, however, that she is still young and
good-looking, but above all is sincere and
devoted to the man whom she rescued from
a prison cell.
It would require more space than could
be devoted to a newspaper item to publish
all the evidence which Mrs. Aldrich has
hroucht together in establishing the inno
cence of her husband. For nearly
two years she has been tireless in
her efforts to show that a great injustice
had been done in the conviction of
Aldrich and she has built up a defense that
is almost invincible. jThe pardon was only
secured alter Senators Ingalls and Quay,
Warden Wright, of the Penitentiary; Chief
of Police Mnrphy, of Allegheny; Detec
tive Roger O'Mara, the Pinkertons and
many more reliable people had interested
themselves enough in the case to thoroughly
investigate it.
MISTAKEN FOB A BUNKOIST.
The facts as they appear in the case, go to
show that Aldrich was mistaken for a fa
mous bunko man named Ludlow. There is
quite a strong resemblance be
tween the men, and the arrest
was made by an alleged detective
oi Chicago, named Matt Pinkerton, who has
since been turned up as a professional black
mailer by the papers of that city. He
claimed to be a relative of the late Allen
Pinkerton, and in company with a ruun
named Quinn was after $1,200 reward offered
bv Mr. Lemon forthe arrest of the party who
trimmed him for $10,000.
Aldrich and his wife make no attempt to
conceal any of the facts connected with the
case, and he only wishes that the evidence
which went before the Pardon Board could
be published in full. During the two years
Mrs. Aldrich was in communication with
all of the leading detectives of the country,
and here is one of the letters which she re
ceived from W. A. Pinkerton, of Chicago,
while trying to bring the guilty parties to
justice:
PINKEETON IN THE WORK.
Chicago, fob. 8, 18S9.
Mrs. Mertie C. Aldrich, Box 190, Windsor, Ont.:
Madame--Your letter of tho5th at hand and
contents noted. I had already heard from
your friend at Windsor who urst wrote me in
your behalf, the result of tbe case of j our hus
band's. Just previous to that one of tbe detec
tives at Allegheny wroto me concerning the
man who caused your husband's arrest and
wanted to know what I knew in rccard to him.
I took the liberty on tbat occasion to write
fully just what I knew In regard to that man
and told them that I was po-itive that Aldrich
had nothing whatever to do with the thing
which was done in Alleclienv, and tbat lip nas
arrested for a squeeze and attempt to black
mail; tbat If Aldrich was extradited he would
probably fight his case and train his liberty, aua
that they could not take him to any other
point m the United States, but would have to
return him t Canada.
I am clad tbat Aldrich 'has taken tbe stand
he has in this matter, as I do not approve of
any one being swindled or black-mailed. I do
not think you can tind any one who can say
they ever hoard of me being mixed np in a
thins of this kind. The pcopl? who got this
money in Allegheny I bavo been making in
quiries about and am reliably 'informed tbat
they have gone to Eurooc and aro there now.
Aldrich probably knows who they are, ai tho
hoys aronnd the street corneis in New York
know who done tho trick.
AN OLD STOBY TOLD AGAIN.
I told tbe officers at Allegheny tbat this was
the work of , who claims to be a reformed
thief, now a detective in the employ of .
There are a number of people here" who know
of bis proceedings there, and his life will not
be a very pleasant one. It is the old story re
peated over acain, "Birds of a feather flock
together. He is as good as , and- Is as
good as . and I club myself to-day when I
think tbat i: was partly through me that he
was pardoned from tbe penitentiary in In
diana; this was done without my ever seeing
tho man, but becausn 1 knew he was innocent
of the charge. Poor old blind Charley, they
have been roasting him on account of this
thine; these people have been writing all Over
tho country to sue if they cannot tind some
place to send him to; tliii is probably on ac
count of his interference in your husband's
case. They canifot get blood money out of
him, for tbe old fellow is poorer thau the poor
est. I will be pleased to see ou and consult with
you when ynu come to the city. I understand
when at Aldricb's home, in Kansas, this fellow
represented himself as being an. employe at
mine. Lwishjou would get all tbo facts con
cerning this when you go to Kansas: tho Post
master cau probably give yon tbe particular.
Yours truly. W. A. P.
GONE ABROAD WITH THE SPOILS.
In another letter, dated Febrnarv 20,
1889, W. A. Pinkerton says, among 'other
things:.
The people who got this money are either in
Paris or Nice or at some point where public
gambling is carried On m Europe; 'they sailed
on the steamer Lame three or four weeks' ago.
THE PITTSBURG- DISPATCH.
I do not think they have acted right toward
your husband, and told a friend of theirs some
time ago that trouble might resnlt from the
thing, as it was pretty hard for a man who was
innocent to bear the burden of people who were
KUi'ty. I should like to see justice done in this
case and the guilty suffer and the innocent
turned loose, but the matter has come to me at
such a Jato day that I do not think 1 could be
of much use to you. I always tell a client
plainly what I think of his case, and in this
case I do .not see where I can bo of any more
benefit to ou than to spend your monoy use
lessly, at least until such time as these people
come back to this country, when I shall not ob
ject to tako hold of tbe matter.
AN ALIBI AT, THE TKIAL.
During the trial of Aldrich the testimony
of 35 witnesses was submitted to the court
showing that the prisoner was a reputable
citizen of Stafford, Kan., and that he was
in the town on the day the bunko game was
worked on Mr. Lemou, September 25, 1889.
In fact, he took p.irt in a political demon
stration oh that day.
The mass of evidence which Mrs. Aldrich
has secured in defense of her husband
would fill' a volume, and, according to it,
his innocence seems certain.
When asked last night what he proposed
to do, Aldrich said: "I will likely stay here
a week or more and then return to Stafford.
Friends of mine there have offered me money
to start in business again, and I think I will
accept their kindness. Before leaving Mrs.
Aldrich and myself will visit the peniten
tiary and inspect the same. Warden Wright
has shown himself to be a thoroughly capa
ble and upright man, and I shall never for
get him."
STABBED BY AN ITALIAN.
Pntrlck aicGann Probably Fatally Wounded
Result of a Dispute Over Fifty Cents
Detective Shore's Difficult Search for the
Assailant If e is Positively Identified.
Patrick McGann is spending the holidays
in the Homeopathic Hospital with a cut in
the groin which may prove fatal.
Yesterday afternoon McGann was in No.
21 Old avenue, which is kept by Mary
Sheets, cow in jail awaitinc a hearing on a
charge of assanlt and battery. During her
absence Minnie Palmer has been running
the house. While McGann was in the place
Alice Daniels and Emma Day dropped in,
and were followed a little later by two
Italians, one named Cardi Fertino.
Fertino and Mrs. Daniels got into a dis
pute over a half dollar. McGann, as a
friend of the mistres?, ordered Fertino out
of the houe, holding the door open for him
to pass. Fertino for a moment hesitated
whether to pass McGann or not. Suddenly
the Italian drew a large two-bladed knife
from his pocket and, opening it with his
teeth, started lor the door on a run. As he
dashed past McGann he made a slash with
the knife, striking McGann in the left
groin.
Fertino ran up Old avenue toward Eoss
street, followed by a crowd of men and boys
with sticks and stones in their hands. The
crowd gained on Fertino, and as he reached
the corner of Eoss street, opposite the jail,
he stopped and drew a revolyer and fired.
The ball passed through the crowd of men,
striking tne corner of the jail, about four
feet from the ground. Fertino took to his
heels as soon as he fired, running
down Koss street, but before he
had gone far he tnrned and firedtwo
more shots at his pnrsuers, which missed
their mark. Fertino ran down Fourth ave
nue to Grant street and thence to Splane's
court, in rearof No. 8 Grant street.where he
entered a house.
Detective Shore heard of the affair a few
moments alter it occurred and started after
the Italian, but as he could find no one who
knew him it was a difficult matter to locate
the fellow. The detective, asisted bv sev
eral officers.searched every house in Splane's
court, in which nearly 500 Italians
live, and finally Shore found Fer
tino lying in bed with his coat and shoes
off, but his hat was lying on the
pillow. His scared appearance was the
best evidence the detective had tbat Fertino
was the man wanted, and he placed him
under arrest. Another man named Car
mini Furantiue, was pointed out as the
man granted, and he was taken in also. Both
lacii asserted their innocence, but the three
women at No. 24 Old avenue positively
identified Fertino.
Late last night the hospital physicians
stated tbat McGann's condition was very
serious, but his recovery was not impossi
ble. McGann has a bad record in police
circles. He is only a short time out of tbe
workhouse, where he served a year, six
months ol which was the result of an at
tempted escape from tbat institution.
B0BBIHG HIS OWN STOHE.
Strange Predicament of a Dry Goods Mer
chant and Two Detectives.
Detectives Ted: Johnson and Fred Zim
merman were coming down Federal street
last night when they found the door of
Thornton Bros.' store open. Thinking
the store was being robbed, they started to
make a search and heard a noise npstairs.
Drawing their revolvers they proceeded to
investigate. On reaching the second floor a
man was observed at the front window with
tho window out and a revolver in bis hand.
The officers presented their revolvers and
ordered the man to throw up his hands, an
order that was promptly obeyed.
The officers then discovered that the sup
posed burglar'w-as one ol the proprietors of
the store, who had gone into the store to see
that everything was right and forgot to lock
the door. The funny part of the affair was
that while the two detectives thought Mr.
Thornton was a burglar, that gentleman
thought the officers were burglars and was
preparing to make his escape through tbe
window.
A MAN WHO I0VES W0BX.
lie Digs on a Hillside All Night Looking
for Gold.
Edward Rayn, of Four Mile Bun, Twenty
second ward, was locked np in the Fourteenth
ward station yesterday, by Officer Crehan.
He is slightly demented and at times be
comes violent One of his peculiarities, his
wife alleges, is that he will take a pick and
shovel about dark, every evening, and slip
up on the hillside, near the house, and dig
and shovel all night.
As soon as daylight conies he will return
to the house with a paper of dirt, which he
claims is gold dust. He will be sent to the
insane departmental tbe City Farm.
TWO BA1DS AT HOJffEWOOD.
Thirty -rive Prisoners Behind tho Bars at
the Nineteenth Ward Station.
At 11 o'clock last night the Nineteenth
ward police station had 35 prisoners behind
tbe bars. Two raids were made by Lieuten
ants Cramer and Snyder and a posse of offi
cers at Homewood'last night The first dis
orderly house visited was that of Samuel
Burns, on Tigo street, where eleven men be
sides tbe proprietor were arrested. The
other was the house of Antbouy Baigo, an
Italian, on Fairfax street, where six meu
and one woman were captured.
The balance of the prisoners arrested were
common disorderlies and drunks.
THE TJMKNOWN NOW KNOWN.
Two Bodies Identified by Friends at the
Morguo Yesterday.
The body of the man killed by a Panhan
dle freight train at Noblestown Wednesday
night, was identified at the morgue as that
of Benson B. Smith, aged 21, a coal miner
who has been in this country but a short
time, and who has heen boarding at Mc
Donald Station. The young man had no
relatives in this country.
The man struck by a Pennsylvania Rail
road train at Wilmerding on Wednesday
night was identified yesterday as Samuel
Ganison, aged 42, a Westinghouse employe
who resided at Wilmerding.
Croup, whooping congh and bronchitis im
mediately relieved by-Sbilob's Cure. Held by
Jos. Fleming fc Bon, 413 Market St. .
FRIDAY. DECEMBER 26
COSTLF WAREHOUSE.
Big ImproTemente Being Made on
the Iron City Brewing Plant.
EAKKS THIRD IN PEMSJLVANIA.
Secretary Watchorn Surprises the Miners
by Resigning.
LOCAL YIEWS ON ST0EAGE WARRANTS
Improvements to cost $180,000 are to be
made on the Iron City Brewing Company's
establishment.
Contracts have heen placed for the erec
tion of a storehouse, to be built adjoining
tbe present plant on Liberty avenue and
Thirty-fourth street. The foundation has
already been commenced, and it is
proposed to push the work so
that the building will be ready for
use by July 1, 1891.
The building will be 125 feet long and 80
feet wide; four stories hich, and will have a
capacity for 30,000 barrels. In connection
with that an ice machine with a capacity of
75 tons per day will be put in the building.
The whole improvement will bring the es
tablishment into third place in point of size
and capacity in the State, and will enable
the firm to handle their large and rapidly
increasing trade more promptly and with
greater satisfaction.
The new addition to the plant will
be constructed oi iron and brick.
Otto C. Wolfe, of Philadelphia
designed the building, while William Hil
lerlias the general contract for its erection.
The steam beams to be used are now being
made at Carnegie, Phipps & Co.'s Home
stead works; John A. Hoffman has the con
tract for the stone work and Steel & Hall
furnish the brick. It will require 50,000,
000 of the latter to fill the contract.
WINTER WOBK TO GO OK.
A novel apparatus is to be nsed to pre
vent any stoppage in the work during the
winter months. As soon as the stone work
is completed, it will be covered with a large
canvas, which has already been secured.
This will be raised high to permit the
building of the first story. Then
the curtain will be raised again so tbat the
work on the second may be completed, and
so on until the top is reached, the sides be
ing temporarily closed in with boards.
This is a clan frequently pursued witb large
buildings in the Fast, and the work can be
pushed with almost as great rapidity as in
the summer time.
During tho past few days it was reported
tbat a new concern was about to purchase
the Iron City Brewing Company's plant.
On Saturday, January 10, five well-known
business men will apply for a charter for an'
intended corporation, to be known as the
Pittsburg Brewing Company.
The stockholders are William H. De
Wald, agent for Darlington & Co.; Howard
M. Bowman, a traveling agent; Thomas B.
Booth, the real estate agent; J. P. Fleeger,
a bookkeeper, and Frank Joyce. It
is understood that negotiations have been in
progress for several days looking toward the
purchase of a plant, as the new concern is
anxious to begin operations without the de
lays incident to the erection of a new plant.
When spoken to in regard to the matter,
Mr. DeWald re 'nsed to give any details as
to the intentions of his company. "It is too
soon for us to talk. Our plans have not
taken any definite shape, and we cannot say
anything for the nresent. I will say, how
ever, that we do not want to build a plant if
we can buy one."
NOT IN THE HAEKET.
August A. Frauenheim, of the Iron City
Brewing Company, was seen at his office, at
Thirty-fonrth stre"et. (He said: "I kpow of
no proposition having been '-made lor our
plant, and I know further that it is not for
sale. The only proposition that was ever
made for the purchase of our bzewery was
made by tbe English syndicate, aud it was
rejected. Our company was incorporated
about a year ago, with a capital of $1,200,
000, and I do not think it wonld be au easy
matter to buy us out
"In the first place we could have no ob
ject in selling out. The investment is a
good one. We have a capacity of 150,000
barrels per year, and are ruuning up to the
limit all the time. Our business this year
will be fully 40,000 barrels in excess of
what it was the previous year, and with
about the same number of saloons next
year, we will have fully as great an in
crease." Mr. Frauenheim said further that as soon
as the new building now contemplated has
been finished, the present storehonses will
be remodeled aud renovated. He thinks the
Brooks law is all right, ahd believes more
licenses will be granted next year than were
given ont last May.
BOEEBT WATCHOBN BESIONS.
Secretary of the United miners Compelled
by 111 Health to Ketire.
Secretary Robert Watchorn, of the United
Mine Workers of America, has surprised
the membership of his organization by re
signing his position. In a lengthy letter to
President Rae, which tbe latter received on
Wednesday, Mr. Watchorn states as a reason
for resigning that his health will not permit
him to fill the position longer, and he desires
to be relieved. Continuing, Mr. Watchorn
saya
In severing my odlcial connection with our
craft's organization I am naturally pained, and
cot less so in officially leaving yoc Yon were
unexpectedly called to tbe helm in the crisis of
a struggle which threatened to terminate only
in the complete overthrow of the very citadel
of every safeguard connected with tbe union.
Your advent into official life was unostenta
tious and manly. Your every act, so far as I
know, has been firm and equitable, and I need
scarcelvsay that X have found my co-operations
with you most conzenlal, happy, and in
no small degree successf nl. Tne rivalry of past
years has been rooted out, and to-day we stand
as a trades union, stronger and greater in
every sense of tbo word than at any time in
tbe history of tho craft's organized movement.
Witb tbe gathering of this strength, and its
careful husbanding, many evils of whicn we as
miners complained have disappeared, and tbat
which we at ono timo considered a boon or a
privilege we now properly regard as ours by
rieht,and the "fields are already white unto
harvest" for further gains and greater achieve
ments. President Rae wrote yesterday to Secre
tary Watchorn, asking him not to insist
UDon giving up the office now. The,annual
conventiou will be held on the second Tues
day in February, and a special election
could not be held to fill the vacancy, and if
Watchorn should be relieved now the office
would fall on the President. The latter de
sirehim to hold the Secretaryship until the
term expires and then if his health compels
him to give np the work be can do so.
Mr. Watchorn desired to be released from
official duty not later than January, and it
is not known what his answer ,to President
Rae's letter will be. His retirement will be
a matter of regret, not only to the other offi
cers with whom he has worked for the past
two years, bnt to the entire order. He was
a faithful officer and made many friends
among the large number with whom lie was
brought into contact. Patrick McBride, of
Pennsylvania, or H. F. Warren, of Ohio,
are likely to be candidates for the position
now made vacant by his resignation.
PBICE8 MAY GO UP.
Something for the American Window Glass
Company to Do Next Week.
It is now thought tbe price ot window
glass will be raised at the meeting of the
American Company, to he held in Chicago
next Monday.
The increased price of chemicals and of
fuel here have naturally caused an in
creased cost of production. At the last
meeting tbe matter was left in the hands of
the Executive Committee, and it is.
understood, this committee will recommend
2S90.
to the stockholders that prices be raised to,
correspond. I
A MAJORITY AGAINST IT.
Local Manufacturers Do Not Like the
Storage Warrant System.
There has been considerable discussion
lately over the proposed introdnction of the
pig iron storage warrant system into this
country. A Cleveland trade paper under
took to collect the views of the leading man
ufacturers of the country, and the current
issue contains the result. The following are
the opinions expressed by the local manu
facturers: Charlotte Furnace Co., Limited It will not
benefit tbe iron trade, because it is not gener
ally entered into by large firms, and does not
directly furnish capital to assist small furnaces
to carry on operations.
McCormick & Co., Harrisburg It tends to
secure stability in market prices., The system
should enable producers (in case ot sudden de
crease in consumption) to sustain prices by
storage of iron, and keeping ont of a glutted
market until prepared to take it.
A. M. Byers, of A. if. Bjers & Co. Cannot
see any benefit to come out of it. The warrant
system in my opinion is unnecessary to the
legitimate business of manufacturing and sell
ing pfg iron.
John C. Porter, Secretary Spang Steel and
Iron Company, Limited In my judgment, I do
not believe that it would be to the interest of
either tbe matter or consumer of pig iron.
Columbia Iron and Steel Company, E. M.
Butz. Manager Tbe bnsincss is not legitimate,
and affords irresponsible parties opportunities
to buy and sell that which they don't own. and
tbo whole fabric of such system assuredly fav
ors commercial demoralization.
GOING AFTER MORE GAS.
The Exposition Well to be Shot "With
Thirty Quarts of Nltro-Glycerine A
Dangerous !Load to Carry Natural Gas
on the BlnfT.
The Exposition gas well is to be shot at
noon to-day with SO quarts of nitro-glycer-ine.
This, it is hoped, will increase the
pressure of gas.
An application was made to Mayor Gour
ley yesterday-for a permit to convey the
dangerous explosive through the city. He
referred the applicants to Chief Brown, hut
they failed to find the latter.- The Chief, in
talking about the matter, said he would
have to look up the law, but thought that
permissionAvould be given to transport the
stuff through the city at night.
The men who will shoot tbe well wonld
have transported the nitro-glycerine to the
Exposition wharf by water, but the river is
so full of floating ice tbat a collision would
be, inevitable, and would probably resnlt
unpleasantly.
Bea & Co. are discussing the advisability
of boring their artesian well deeper, in order
to get a supply of natural gas for their pork
packing establishment at Second avenne
and Try street Many people will recol
lect that well on toward a quarter of a cen
tury ago Anderson & Co. bored a well for
some purpose, some people say in hope ot
getting oil, on the bluff above Second ave
nue. They did not get oil, bnt they did get
a nice little flow of gas. It seems, however,
it never entered into their minds to utilize it
for fuel. Though considerably obstructed,
the flow continned for many years
and burned most of the time.
During the years when tbe tramp
fraternity abounded exceedingly the
gnild made it a loafing place, keeping
themselves warm during the winter by the
flame. Finally it became so much of a
nuisance tbat during Mayor Lyons' admin
istration the well was plugged and the flow
stopped.
It is now suggested that it would pay the
owner of the property to have the well
cleaned out and bored deeper, as in the light
ot late experience the ga might be made
the source ot large revenue.
THIBIY SAYS ALL ABOUND.
Sort of a Similarity Abont Judge Grfpp's
Sentences Yesterday.
Magistrate Gripp had 28 cases before him
at Central station yesterday morning, 20 of
which were Christmas drunks. Seven per
sons were given workhouse sentences.
Thomas McGarrey had been very drank
and disorderly on Smitbfield street and
broke a large plate glass window in tbe
Hotel Duquesne. He got 30 days. James
Reryard, also drunk and disorderly, pulled
a revolver and attempted to shoot Officer
James O'Hara when the latter arrested him,
and he got 30 days. John Coleman, of
Altoona, who was arrested Wednesday night
by Detective Coulson while trying to sneak
into a Liberty street dwelling, got 30 dajs
also. T. Baden. David Delnth and Herbert
Juley each got 30 days for acting very dis
orderly and raising a fight with 'some
women.
John McCarthy had gone to the house of
his brother-in-law, M. Flaherty, early yes
terday morning, and being drnnk was
ejected. He forced his way back into the
house and beat Flaherty over tbe head with
a poker, beside terrorizing the other in
mates of the honae. He was sent up for 30
days.
THE BOATMEN'S HOLIDAYS.
A Rise Always Precedes Christmas or
Thanksgiving, and Boats Go Oat.
Ther: is a fate in holidays, say tbe river
pilots, and one avers that he has not spent
.Christmas at home for years. While little
was going on the river front yesterday those
who were on the wharf got np a talk about
how the pilots and boatmen spend their
Christmas. As was the case this year the
rise in the river usually comes
just before tbe holidays and thns
compels all the rivermen to get to
work. Of course their duties take them
away from home and their Chrismas or
Thanksgiving turkey is slaughtered on board
the boat.
There is one pilot who says there i one
joy in his adversities, and he's the man who
stood at the wheel of the W. W. O'Neill.
The other day he had his leg broken by the
wheel slipping, but that allows him to spend
his Christmas at home.and he thinks be has
the best ot lusfriends with sonnd limbs, and
who are compelled to stand by their boats.
HANDEL'S MESSIAH TO BE HEABD.
The Mozart Club to Give It at Old City Hall
Next Week.
Handel's "'Messiah" will be rendered by
the Mozart Club at Old City Hall Tuesday
evening. Tbe soloists will be Mrs. Gin
evra Jobnstone-Bisbop.of Chicago, soprano;
Miss Margaret Fraser, contralto; H. B.
Brockett, tenor, and John A. Stronss, bass.
Mrs. Bishop is recognized throughout the
country as one of the best oratorio artists,
and her coming will be hailed with delight
by the numerous friends she made by her
one or two appearances in our city.
The lovers of this great work will doubt
less avail themselves of the opportunity to
bear it. The box office opens this morning
at Mellor & Hoene's.
MAY0B WYHAN LENIENT.
He Distributed a Few Light Sentences as
Christmas Gifts
Mayor Wyman's morning bearing in Al
legheny was made up of about 30 cases yes
terday.but His Honor, feeling at peace with
all mankind, discharged tbe most of them.
G. W. Wells for behaving rndely on a Ft.
Wavne train was fined $10 and costs. Ida
Smith, who stole 3 irom her employer, Mr.
Sloin, wni sent to jail for 10 days.
Byron V. Brown, who victimized store
keepers by purchasing goods and giving
them bogus checRs, was sent to the Work
house for 90 days as a vagrant.
B.&B.
Handkerchiefs A large pile, massed and
soiled in the crush of last few days, on
counter this morning at half-price and less.
Boggs & Buhl.
Kbatjse's Headache Cansules are more
pleasant and convenient to take than potr
ders, wafen, elixir, etc sod
CHEVBONS CUT OFF.
Sergeants in the N. G. 1'. Being Right
Kapidly Reduced to the Hanks.
GEEAT GOSSIP AJI0HG THE GUARDS.
Lieutenant Watson Slated for a Place on
Got. FaUison'd Staff,
t
IN EETURN fOE HIS CAMPAIGN WORK
There is enough gossip floating around in
N. G. P. circles at tbe present time to keep
not only the members, but also their friends,
supplied with any amount of material for
conversation.
The latest theme of disenssion is the de
capitation of First Sergeant Ed Gordon, of
Company D, Eighteenth Kegiment, by Cap
tain William TJ. Harvey. It is alleged,
that Gordon offered a squad ot the company,
two weeks ago last night, to Captain Hunt,
for the purpose of holding a guard mount at
the Battery B fair, now in progress at the
Fifth Avenue Market House. The
services offered were not accepted,
however, lor reasons not made
public, bat considerable feeling grew out of
tbe affair. According to the laws govern
ing the N. G. P., Gordon had no right
whatever to act in the manner lie did.
Tbe trouble culminated at the last drill
night of the company, when Captain Harvey
ordered Sergeant Gordon to form the com
mand. This tbe latter refused to do, and in
consequence, he was reduced to the ranks.
SEKGEANTS CATCH IT AXIi ABOUND.
This affair, taken in connection with other
acts of the kind, has kicked up quite a feel
ing in the Guard. Another story afloat is to
the effect that Captain Schmidt, of tbe
Fourteenth Begiment.had his temper aroused
during tbe last encampment, and on his re
turn reduced every Sergeant in his company
to the ranks. Sergeants, as a rnle, are
merely instruments in the hands of the
Captain, and he has the power to reduce
them at any time, bnt the events of tbe last
few weeks have not been regarded with
mnch favor by the men.
Another matter tbat is causing quite a
discussion is the revival of the old feud be
tween Lieutenant John D. Watson and
Colonel Hnnter. It will be remembered
that the lormer gentleman resigned his po
sition after a great deal ot publicity had
been given to the trouble between himself
and the Colonel. Both claimed that they
had their quarrel jnst, and no doubt it
would have been much better had peace
been arranged. Lieutenant Watson's friend
laid the matter before Adjutant General
Hastings, bnt that gentleman failed to take
any action in the matter.
AN ECHO OF THE CAMPAIGN.
After the late nominations for Governor
were made. Lieutenant Watson came ont in
a most pronounced manner forPattison,
even going so far as to take the stump for
him. He made some excellent speeches
during tbe campaign, and wielded quite an
influence with the younger members of the
party. Governor-elect Pattison did not fail
to recognize this action, and now it is
asserted by Lieutenant Watson's friends
tbat he will receive a commission on
the Governor's staff. It is stated on
high authority that he is slated for the posi
tion of Lieutenant Colonel.
A Captain of the National Guard said
yesterday: "Lieutenant Watson undoubt
edly has a better theoretical knowledge of
artillery tactics than any man in tne State.
He has given the subject any amount of
study, and is 'out of sigh',' so far as a
knowledge of the rules is concerned. He
never had any experience in actual service,
and in that he is lacking over some of the
men in the N. G. P. who have heard the
din of battle, bnt in all other particulars he
is away up in 'G,' and I would not'be sur
prised to see him appointed."
Lieutenant Watson was seen and asked
what he knew of the proposed appointment,
but declined to make any statement, one
way or the other.
Hugus & Hacke
SOME OF THE
EXTRA BAREAINB
Offering for this month,
secured by early selection.
Choice
DRESS GOODS.
A splendid line of Novelty Plaids,
Checks and Stripes; regularly worth
75c, now
50c A YARD.
Camel's Hair, English and Rough
Effect Checks an4 Plaids, the new
est and most desirable styles shown
this season, reduced now from
$1 25 to
75 c a YARD.
We 'direct SPECIAL attention to
a line of High Novelty Stripes, 50
inches wide, which are also reduced
from $1 25 to
75c A YARD.
All remaining of our superior
lines of 50-inch wide Cheviot Plaids
and Stripes, the very highest class
seasonable novelties, mostly ex
clusive styles, now reduced from
$1 50 and $2 to
$1 A YARD.
Three special values in All-Black
Cheviots Our $1, $1 25 and $1 50
qualities now reduced to 75c, J5i
and $1 25 a yard.
French and Scotch Ginghams
The entire remaining assortments,
regular 40c and 50c qualities and
styles, reduced now to 15c a yard.
Cor. Fifth Ave. & Market St
de21orwTSu'
ELEGANT
HOLIDAY GOODS
-AT-
E. P. ROBERTS & SONS', j
JEWELERS.
' DIAMONDS.
WATCHES, JEWELKY-,
SILVERWARE,
POTTERY AND CUT GLA83.
Fifth Ave. and Market St
fOpen every evening. del5orwr
He Wanted the Bracelets.
Hon Novige, a Eus-sian, was arrested at
bis residence, 813 Carson street, last night
on a charge ot wife 'beating. When ar
rested, Novige refused to accompany the
officer to the police station unless he would
handcuff him. The nippers were put on
him, and after a few slight twists by the
officer, be agreed to go if they were removed.
JDS. HDRNE i CD.'B
PENN AVE. STORES.
OPEN IN "FULL BLAST"
TO-DAY.
FORTHE
PARTY SEASON.
We are showing a very fine
collection and complete
lines of
PARTY
SILKS
In plain colored Indias,
plain white Indias, pure
white Indias, Crepe de
Chenes,Satin Stripe Grena
dines, all the new shades,
buff, nile, pink, ceil blue,
etc
Also plain and fancy
Gauzes and Lace Grena
dine effects in all the de
sirable tints for evening
wear.
Also fine French Cash
meres, Silk Warp Lans
downcs, in cream and
other evening shades.
Rich, dark colored Silks
and Bengalines, for dinner
and reception dresses.
And very complete lines
of Suede and Kid GIove3
for reception occasions.
All our fine Wraps for
reception and carriage use
at reduced prices.
FOR
GENTLEMEN.
Full Dress Shirt3,Collars
and Cuffs, Neck Dress and
Gloves.
JDB. HDRNE k CO
609-621 PENN AVENUE.
de33
FINE
TABLE
SETS.
We show a splendid line
of Fine Table Scarfs, Nap
kins, Fancy Towels, Lunch
Cloths,' Tray Covers, etc.,
forthe Holidays.
FINE
TABLE
SETS.
MRS. C. WEISSER
435 and 437 MARKET ST.
del5onv
4
It