DO YOU WANT ANYTHING? ONE CENT A WORD IS AM. IT'COSTS YOU TO IXQOTRE THROUGH THE DISPATCH. JORTY -SIXTH TEAE. LOCKED IN 11 CHEST ii The Terrible Death of Three innocent Children, Brought About BY ACCIDENT OR CRDIE. All the Indications Point to a Triple Murder of Unparalleled Fiendishness. A MOTHER'S DREADFUL DISCOVERT TTCld Grief of the Parents Who Aro Robbed of All Their little Ones by One Mysterious Blow. THE SENSATION OP A BUCKEYE TOWN. An Lntire Community Thrown Into a State of Tre mendous Eicitement by the Shocking Kature of the Trajedy. ABSOLCTFI.T 50 CtETV TO THK rFRPEIBATOE gTECIAt. TET.rGU.V3I TO THE DIKPVTCH.l Ir;vion, O., Aug. 2L The usually placid town of Ironton was this afternoon the .o.nt of an occurrence which, if it was an accident, was one of the most distressing ever known in Ohio, but if, as is suspected, it was the work of human hands, has tcarccly a parallel anywhere for apparently causeless fiendishness. All that is ret known of the dark story which has thrown the whole community into a state of ter rible excitement can be told in compara tively few words. This afternoon George Hamilton and his wife, who had been out for a visit, returned, and not finding their three children in the house thought they were playing with their little neighbors, and paid no attention to their absence. As time sped by Hamilton grew uneasy and started to look for the children, who were too tmall to take care of themselves THE ARE OF INNOCENCE. Leslie, the oldest, was only 8 years of age, while the others, Edith and Emma May, were aged 4 and 2 years respectively. Returning from the neighbors', after a fruit less search, the now thoroughly alarmed couple started to look over the house. An enormous old tool chet stood in a corner of the shed, and the anxious mother, throwing back the lid, screamed and fainted cway at the frightful 6ight which met her pare Her three children lay in the chest dead, cidently smothered, as the lid of the chest fitted closely. The pretty babe had died first, it being clenched closely in the arms of the oldest, while the faces of all were blackened and congested, pointing to suffocation. TUB MOST TERRIBLE TEXTURE. The whole town was aroused at once and ofiiccrs hurried to the spot to make a closer investigation. They found that after the children had either climbed or been put into the chest, a 6trong stick had been forced into the lock and staple, thus con signing them to certain death in a few minutes. Althouch there were houses in the vicinity, the cries of the poor babes had been so smothered by the thick sides of the chest that there was no one to 6ave them. Mn. Hamilton is almost insane from grief, while both she and her husband be lieve their babes were deliberately smoth ered by some fiend. Officers searched the houe thoroughly, but could find nothing disturbed and not a clew to point to mur der but the tell-tale stick which had locked the children to their death. APPARENTLY COLD-BLOODED MURDER. The theory is given out that some of the neighbors' children had been playing with the Hamilton babes, and had locked them in, not knowing of the terrible consequence of their folly. This idea, however, is ex ploiled by a close examination of the dead bodies. of the babes. They had evidently been roughly handled, as their clothes were torn and their faces were bruised, either in very rough play or by being rudely shoved into the death chest. They had evidently suffered horribly and fought fiercely for a breath of air before giving up their inno cent lives to either criminal carelessness or the malice of a fiend. The people aud oOers are thoroughly aroused, and every effort is being made to hunt down the guiltj parties. The father states positively that his story of leaving the children playing in the yard is correct, and there is no reason to believe ctherwisc, as the parents have always borne an excel lent reputation. An inquest will be held to-morrow, w hen something may develop to clear up the mystery that is keeping this place awake to-night. The neighbors' houses have all been canvassed, but there is not one who knous of any strange children jdaying with the little Hnmiltons during the absence of their parents. NO LEGISLATION HEEDED To Secure a Site for the Postofflce Building In Allegheny City. frr.O'W A 6TAIT CORKESFONDEVT. W.vsniNGTO., Aug. 21. Solicitor Hep burn, of the Treasury Department, called on Assistant Secretary Crounse to-day and gave a verbal opinion m regard to the law benring upon the acquisition of land by the Government for public buildings in Penn sylvania. He quite agreed with Judge Crounse that the general law of 1883 cov ered the matter, and that a Bite for a publi WANTS of all kinds aro quickly answered through THE DISPATCH. Investors, arti sans bnrjratn bnnturs, buyers and sellers closely msiu its Classified Advertising Col- iiii). LargPit Clrrulation. ' The Coal Wagon Tales ths Place of tie Xatural Oat Meter. building in Allegheny or elsewhere could be acquired w ithout further legislation. It is probable that steps will be taken within a few days looking to the acquisition of a site, the one on Stockton avenue proba bly, as Mr. T. H. Baird Patterson does not appear to be coming forward with the guar antee bond in regard to the sale ot the property on the corner of Stockton av enue and Eas't Diamond street, extending back to Park "Way, and which Mr. Patterson as sured Judge Crounse could be had for about S60,000. Ono thing is pretty certain, the Treasury authorities are determined to speedily settle the "Allegheny site in some CO-OPERATION THE THING. A BIG SCHEME INTENDED TO EM BRACE THE ENTIRE COUNTRY. It Is Urged Upon the Kansas Commercial Convention ANewTork Company With 820,000,000 Capital President McGrath Denounces the Calamity Howl. tSPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DISPATCn. Topeita, Kas., Aug. 21. The Alliance Commercial Convention, which has been in session in this city for the past two days, has had so many schemes brought before it that the work has been divided and sub commitees appointed to consider them. This morning H. W. Sandusky, of Columbus, General Secretary of the Alliance Ex change, presented a scheme which was un der consideration the entire day. He claimed that a company known as the Na tional Union Company had been chartered in the State of If ew York, with a capital stock of 520,000,000, ?3,000,000 of which, it is Faid, is already paid up. The plan is to put co-operative stores in every town in the "West and Northwest, and if possible in every town in the Union, to be run on the same plan as the Alliance Exchange. Each town is to have a resident manager, to have charge of the store and have a vote in the meetings of the company. Goods are to be purchased by the regular agent? in large quantities and shipped di rect from the centers or distributing points in large quantities direct to every store. A committee of seven, composed of Prank McGrath, the Alliance President, and the members of the Alliance Executive Com mittee, was appointed to investigate the plan and make arrangements at once for putting it into operation in this State. In u fcpecch before the convention, President 11 cG rath said that it was high time all this calamity howl w as stopped, and that so far as the Executive Board and himself were concerned, the attempt would be made to preserve the credit of the State. President McGrath's plan is to organize the Alliance on a strictly business basis, so that the ag gregated capital of the members may be used. "With this capital he thinks it possi ble to negotiate sulhcient loans at a reason able rate to meet all mortgages. Of course it is in direct conflict with the statement of Senator Peffer that mortgage indebtedness exceeds the valuation of the realty. "WAXES A letter from Wales on the Home Rnle proposition will interest all Welsh readers of THE DISPATCH to morrow. "WEDDED XS THE MOtTNTALNS. An Accommodating minister Makes an Eloping Conple Extremely Happy. rSPLCI 1 TELEGRAM TO THE DISPATCH. Lewistown, Pa., Aug. 21. Mr. Edwin Rheel and Miss Maggie Burrell, of Spring Mills, appeared at the residence of the Rev. J. "W. "White, of Milroy, and asked him to marry them. They had driven 15 miles in an open carriage across the mountains, which-divide Center county from Mifflin. Young Rheel produced his marriage license. The document seemed to be all right, except that it had been issued at Bellefontej the county seat of Center, in w hich Spring Mills is located, instead of here at Lewistown, the seat of Mifflin county. This circumstance troubled the reverend gentleman, and the question arose that the law required the performance of a marriage ceremony in the same countv in which the license necessary therefor ha J been granted. The minister telephoned for advice, but did not receive any that was satisfactory. In order to accommodate them, he accom panied the anxious pair to the third of the seven mountains which mark the exact dividing line between Center and Mifflin counties, and married them there, amid the picturesque surroundings of nature. BOUNDING UP A BALLBOAD. . The Union Pacific Company Must Pnt Down Steel Ralls ou a Branch. rKrfXIAI, TILEGItAX TO THE DISPATCn.J Topeka, Kan., Aug. 21. Several weeks ago, directly after a fatal accident had oc curred on the Kansas Central Railroad, the State Board of Commissioners notified the Union Pacific Railroad, which is the owner of the Kansas Central, that the track of the road would have to be relaid with steel rails from Lawrence ille to Miltonvale. The Union Pacific has made no effort to obey the order of the Commissioners, but-, ou the contrary, has made the plea that it was not in a financial condition to complv, and pleading incidentally that the line Ma's not paying expenses. To-day the Commis sioners wrote to the manager of the Union Pacific and informed him that the Kansas Central must be given a new steel track without further delay. The Commissioners cannot and will not accept poverty as an excuse for non-compliance with its orders. If the rails are not relaid within a reasonable length of time the Commissioners will turn all correspond ence in connection with it over to the Gov ernor, who will in turn place it in the hands of the Attorney General, with instructions to prosecute it to the full extent of the law. PENSIONS FOE EX-SLAVES. A Colored Politician Who Will Kan for Congress on a Great Platform. fBPECIAL TELEOEAM TO THE DISPATCH. Raleigh, X. C., Aug. 21. John H. "Williamson is one- of the leading colored politicians of ihe .State and has represented Franklin county in the Legislature several times. He is also secretary and also a &ort me of general manager of the Colored People's State Pair Association, and is editor of the only paper in the State run by colored men. "Williamson proposes to run for Congress next year upon the most unique platform of modern times. It contains but one plank and here it is: That Congress provide for the pavment at the rate of $300 per head of the ,000,000 slaves set free by the late war, $200 of this amount to bo paid to the owner of each slave or his heirs and $100 to each freedman or his heirs. It will take 51,200,000,000 to do this, and "Williamson proposes to supply the iunds by issuing 2 per cent 60-year bonds to that amount. Williamson is "in earnest and be lieves the scheme to be feasible. He says it is not nearly so visionary a proposition as the sub-Treasury scheme "of the Farmers' Alliance. A SENSATION PROMISED. RUMORS OF AN ARREST THAT Wilt STARTLE PITTSBURG. A lawyer Drops a Hint nnd Thn Shuts Up To-Day tho Time Set for a New Move in a Big Case A Itnmor Reliable Men Say Is True. If rumor is to' be credited something will happen this morning that will startle finan cial Pittsburg more than it has been startledj for some time. A well-founded rumor gained circulation in legal circles last even ing to the effect that something sensational is on the boards for this morning. One prominent lawyer who was asked about it, said significantly: "Keep cool until morn ing; then look out for a sensation." "Of what sort?" was asked. ""Wait until morning and yon willilearn it all," he replied. "All I can say is this, a sensation in the shape of criminal pro ceedings will be sprung in connection with recent business troubles. You'll have to find out the rest of the story elsewhere." The rumor referred to was quite well de fined. It was i-aid that papers calling for an arrest at the suit a Pittsburger who is out of pocket were in the hands of amofficer, and would be served this morning. A small circle freely talked, but refused to give names or particulars. If it was a ground less rumor, several gentlemen always re garded as truthful and reliable will find their word slightly doubted hereafter by men who heard their statements last even ing, as they were very positive. Under the circumstances it is very safe to say that to day's sun will not set over a community as peaceful as when it arose. FICTION Emma V. Sheridan, the popu lar actress and authoress, has written for THE DISPATCH a remarkable story of tho stage. Opening chapters in to-morrow's is sue. THE ST0EM KING IN KANSAS. Great Damage to Crops and Buildings Along the Missouri River. Kansas Citt, Aug. 21. A terrific wind and rain storm, which amounted to almost a cloudburst, passed over this city from the northwest this afternoon at 3 o'clock. The wind blew a hurricane and the rain fell in solid sheets for half an honr. The wind blew down many shade trees and much shrubbery in the residence portion of the city. The principal damage, however, was done to the telegraph and telephone wires. The wires of the W estern Union and Postal companies were prostrated for three hours, and are now only in part repaired. In the vicinity of Huron, Kan., the storm destroyed a number of farm buildings. In Atchison county much corn was flattened to the earth by the force of the wind. At Leavenworth the brick buildings belonging to E. Purdue and C. "W. "White were un roofed, and the stocks of goods contained therein were badly damaged by water. The damage amounts to about 55,000. The corn cribs and cattle sheds on the Anthonia farm were blown down. The damage there is 53,000. Much corn was prostrated through out Leavenw orth county. EXPLORING THE MOYER MINE. The Coroner's Jury Will Search for the Bodies of Two Polish Victims. SPECIAL TELEGHASI TO THE DISPATCH. Connellsville, Aug. 21. Everything is in readiness for the last search of the old Moyer mine, and to-morrow morning the Coroner's Jury will make their search for the bodies of the two Poles, who are still thought to be lying buried there in the mud. Since the jury sat two weeks ago on the body of tho man found there, the company has "been very busy pumping out the lower headings, and the place is comparatively clear to-night. In the morning the jury, with Mine Inspector Duncan and Coroner Holbert, will search all parts of the mine, expecting to find the bodies of the two boys. Stewart A. Leech, who was pumper at the time the Moyer mine was burned, is still under arrest for complicity in the affair, and should the other bodies" be found to-morrow the men will be further ex amined. THE NEW FABM EL D0EAD 0. The President to Proclaim tho Opening of More. Lands for Settlement. Guthrie, O. T., Aug. 21. A private letter has been received here from Acting Secretary of the Interior Chandler, stating that the Indian lands in the Indian Terri tory purchased during the past year by the Government will be opened for settlement by the President September 10. Tho con tents of this letter have been made public, and the result is that a rush is being made to the borders of the lands. Hundreds of people are passing through here daily on the" new lands, and horses and wagons and campers' outfits are selling at a high price. An editor from Kansas arrived to-day with three ox teams drawing as many wagons, containing not only his family and household goods, but all the ma terial, including presses, for a printing shop. MOLIJNGEE'S ILLNESS. If Well Enough lie Will Appear at a Quaker City Chapel To-Morrow. SPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DISPATCH. Philadelphia, Aug. 21. Rev. Father Mollingcr, the famous faith cure priest, ar rived in this city this evening from New York and is stationed at one of the princi pal hotels. He is at present confined to his room and quite sick, and is not allowed to see anyone. If he is sufficiently recovered on Sunday morning he will bless a number of invalids at the chapel of the colored Catholics at Ninth and Pine streets. LINCOLN John Ruuell Young places a higher estimate on Nicolay's relations to Lincoln than Colonel McClure did in his Hamlin controversy. See TO-MORROW'S DISPATCH. CAMPBELL MUST BEST. The Physician of the Ohio Governor Enjoins a Fortnight's Respite From Politics. Columbus, Aug. 21. The condition of Governor Campbell is but slightly im proved, and his physician insists that he fehould take at least two weeks' rest before entering upon his campaign work. If he is ableto get away it is probable-he will go to the coast of New Jersey, leaving ou Sunday. PITTSBURG-, SATURDAY. AUGUST 22, 1891-STXTEEN" BEADY FOE M'KfflLEY. The Great Protection Champion at His Birthplace To-Day. NILES DECKED IN GALA ATTIRE. A Great Demonstration Promised for the Campaign Opening. PROTECTED INDUSTRIES TO BE SHOWN SPECI VL TELEGRAM TO THE DISPATCH Niles, O., Aug. 21. Major McKinley will formally open the Ohio campaign for the Republican party at Niles to-morrow. For the last two weeks he has been ad dressing farmers' meetings at various places throughout the State and making good impressions. Much depends on how the Grangers will vote in the Buckeye State and from now until next November they will be carefully cultivated by the Republican leaders. At this writing the result is uncertain, but the chances are strongly in favor of the party of protection. The man who fails to take into account the sound, hard sense of the Ohio people, and imagines they can be easily won over to the policy of free trade and free silver this fall will lose heavily should he be fool enough to bet on this outcome. Foraker and his friends may yet prove a disturbing element, but the ex-Governor has the success of the party at heart, and is anxious to win. Some of Foraker's sup porters imagine that a victory for McKin ley would put their idol in the background. If it should, it would be his fault and not that of the tariff man. foraker's first mistake. Foraker made a mistake when he forced himself on the party for a third term, and he knows it to his sorrow. It has been claimed by the Democrats that Governor Campbell was not invited to come to the Granger gatherings which Mc Kinley addressed, and for this reason the crowds were not nearly as large as reported. Shelby has been cited as one of the places where the Governor was ignored. The Dis patch man was told by a number of farmers at Bowling Green and Shelby that Mr. Campbell had been tendered an invita tion, but he sent his regrets. The people were disappointed that he did not'eome, as they wanted to see the two contestants meet on the same platform. Major McKinley has several times ex pressed the hope that the Governor would meet him in joint debate, but Mr. Campbell has frankly said that he was not as well posted on the national issues as he would like to be. The Governor is a clever talker and such a meeting would bring together thousands to hear them. "WILL force the fight. From this out to election dav the Repub licans will force the fight all along the line. The campaign will soon be seething in its intensity. I heard a Republican regret to day that National issnes had been dragged into the fight. He remarked that it was not necessary and that the State affairs af forded, enough campaign material. The Republicans freely charge that tho Democratic administration has been the most expensive and wasteful probably in the history of the State, and for this reason, and no other, a change should be made. The two national questions of money and the tariff .can't be downed, however, and Mr. Campbell has the satisfaction of having the point of attaekdirectedvfrom himself to this principles in oh ed. BIRTHPLACE OF M'KIN LET. Niles has been selected as the place for opening the campaign because it is McKin ley's birthplace. In a little two story frame house on Main street, partially covered with a clinging vine, the Major first saw the light of day 48 years ago. All the poetry and sentiment sur rounding the home will be brought into play to give the Niles boy a good sendoffin the'beginning of the great struggle. This town is alive with people to-night decorating their homes and the streets with the Stars and Stripes all other emblems of patriotism. The word "Welcome" is placed over every bridge and road way leading into the little city. The . most enthusiastic citizens and admirers of the Major expect from 40,000 to 50,000 people to-morrow. The more con servative anticipate 25,000, which is a mighty big crowd, and 10,000 would fill up the town in a manner that would surprise many of them. DELEGATIONS COMING IN. Delegations of uniformed and mounted voters are coming from all the neighboring towns and cities. These include Cleveland, Youngstown, Canton, Alliance, New Lis bon, Ashtabula, Akron, Massillon, Girard, Aurora, "Warren, Columbiana, Mineral Ridge and others. The Major will arrive on a special train from Canton early to morrow morning, accompanied by a strong following from his own town. Among the special features of the great parade will be 100 ladies from Columbiana carrying red, white and blue 'flags. The "Warren fellows could not get campaign cos tumes in time for the event, so to be origi nal and make an impression, they will carry a banner 375 feet long with, a num ber of appropriate mottoes on it. Columbiana will also send two horsemen. T. R. Morgan, the Alliance iron man, who is a great admirer of McKinley and always hires a train to take his employes around to special meetings, will be on hand to-morrow with his usual Dig delegation. AT THE OLD HOMESTEAD. Three fine arches have been built in vari ous parts of the town. One has been erected in front of the old McKinley home stead. The house was rebuilt a few years ago and it looks now like any ordinary structure. The large hallway in the home has been handsomely decorated by the citizens. A large lithograph of the Major has been hung close to the door. Chairman Hahn sent GOO pictures of Mc Kinley to be used during the meeting. They were in great demand and were gob bled up like turkeys at Christmas. Even the Democrats are proud of their son,ind his picture can be seen in some of their windows. "Wherever one goes through the town this evening the Napoleonic counte nance of the Major is flashed before the view. It is McKinley's day, and for this reason the people will have uo other speak ers. Chairman Hahn offered two orators to lend assistance, but the local committee re fused them. n is m'kinley's meeting. The Major will be introduced by ex Senator H. B. Perkins, of Warren," who was never known to make a long speech. "We want McKinley to do ail the talking," remarked one ot the committee. "It is his meeting, and if mistakes are made he will then be re sponsible for them." Preparations have been made to feed the great crowd expected. Lemonade and lunch stands have been erected all over the town. Some people will reap a harvest. Niles is an example of what protection will do for American workmen and capital. The town and county, Trumbull, are over whelmingly Republican. The county has a Republican majority of about 3,000. It is situated in the Western Reserve. It is rich in agricultural resources, and Niles is a flourishing village. It is a Republican bailiwick, and when McKinley comes here he will stand on familiar and friendly ground. PROTECTION" SUITS THEM. The manufacturers and working classes are pleased and satisfied with the tariff Young Thomas, a son of J. JR. Thomas, the iron man, said the industries here are such that they could ,not exist without a duty. Representative C. H. Strock stated that the best of feeling about the tariff and the ticket prevailed. Trumbull is a great wool-growing county, but Mr. Strock said the farmers understood that the price of wool is regulated by the law of supply and demand, and the tariff has nothing to do with it. They are a very intelligent people, and will not be hoodwinked by the claims of free traders that the McKinley duty de- Sressedthe market. The Falcon Iron and fail Company is building a tin plate plant, which will be a new industry for the town. During the parade they wifl show the peo ple how tin plate is made. BIO INDUSTRIAL DISPLAY. The Industrial display will be one of the features of the turnout. The aim is to point out how the tariff has aided the local industries. Tho Niles Fire brick Compauy will have a float, with men ' making bricks. The Thomas Furnace Company will have a display of pig iron. The Reeves Boiler Works will exhibit a big oil tank. The Sykes Iron Roofing Compauy is ex pected to make a display even if Mr. Sykes is a Democrat. All sorts of mottos and pretty sayings about the tariff" will be carried in the parade. In short, it will be a great demonstration in favor of protection. In this county the Farmers' Alliance is not strong. According to Mr. Strock it is not represented to any great extent in Hart ford and Bristol townships. The Execu tive Committee in charge of to-morrow's meeting are J. B. Pearce, Fred E. Harris and E. H. Hall. KERR IS CONFIDENT. DEMOCRATIC FIAXS FOR THE COJIISG STATE CAMPAIGN. A Pittsburg Name Mentioned for One of the Places on the Ticket Tho Classes to Which an Especial Appeal Will Bo Made. rSPECIAL TELEGBAM TO TOE DISPATCH. Philadelphia, Aug. 21. Democratic State Chairman James Kerr, Rembrandt R. Pealc, Congressman William Mutchler and Executive" Department Clerk William F. Reber are in town. Mr. Kerr, in refer ring to Democratic policy as it will likely find expression in the coming convention, takes occasion to say: Tho Democrats of Pennsylvania will not recognize any class or faction in this battle for the people. Wo believe, and confidently believe, that wo can show that our people have been robbed In the offices of the Andltor General and State Treasurer, and, Inasmuch as the taxpayers haven't alone been robbed, but grossly deceived as well, they are the parties to be consulted this year. It is my J udgment that the Democratic party, recognizing and realizing this as the only Issue upon which to go before the people, propose to adopt no other policy than the one embraced in a direct and positive np peal to the business and manufacturing ele ments so predominant in this State to unite nnd protect their interests. Tou can depond on one thing the ticket will be a straight forward, clean-handed, representative Dem ocratic ticket. There Is no divergence of Democratic sentiment in agieeing on that point. The name most mentioned as meeting with general favor in connection with State Treasurer is that of Stephen McCandless, of Pittsburg, for 30 years past Clerk ot the United States Circuit Courts and one of the most popular men west of the Alleghenies. Mr. McCandless is personally known to the lawyers of at least 80 counties west of the S'tsquehanna aud is very popular with those who have served as jurors in lann. JFederal Courts. His menus ay that no will hold -Morrison in check aud rally the business and manufacturing inter ests in a populous district that the history of past campaigns show are not party tied. For Auditor General the drift of Demo cratic sentiment is toward R. Jones Mon aghan, of SVest Chester, a tower of strength among the farmers in a district where he has built up an enviable record. A second favorite is Robert E. Wright, of Allen town, whose personal popularity through out the Lehigh Valley none question. A FLANK MOVEMENT. Ex-Republicans in tho Alliance Secretly Appealed to by a Leader. ISPECIAL TELEGBAM TO THE DISPATCH. J Topeka, Kan,, Aug. 21. About 100 well-known Alliance men, ex-Republicans, met this afternoon and took steps to bring before the ex-Union soldiers In the Alliance the position which the Democrats in the South have assumed toward the new party. It was a peculiar gathering, engineered by S. B. Bradford, ex-Attorney General, who for the past six weeks has been secretly sending marked copies of Southern Demo cratic papers to the men he believes to hate Democracy and still retain friendship for the Republican party. These papers criti cised the existing pension laws and compli mented the new party in the South on its adherence to the Democratic principles. General Bradford kept all knowledge of the meeting even from the Republican leaders, and made the gathering as far as possible and Alliance institution. The men who were assembled signed an address, in which they called for all the ex-Republicans in the Alliance to consider well the situation in the South and see if under the circumstances they could afford to stand by the People's party in the North. GBEGG COUNTED IN, According to the CoantMade by Friend of Senator Mylln. SPFCIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DISPATCH. Hakbisbubg, Aug. 21. Senator Mylin, of Lancaster, was among the visitors to the Farmers' encampment at Mt. Gretna to-day. The Senator has been informed by a friend, who made a careful count of the vote for Auditor General, that General Gregg was counted in that he lacked several votes of the 104 necessary for a choice. If this re port be correct, "Senator Mylin thinks he would have a good show of being nomi nated, as the supporters of Price, with the latter's consent, had determined to throw their strength on the next ballot to the Sen ator from Lancaster The Senator had the pledges of 96 dele gates to the convention, and if these had stuck to him he would have had the sup port of 130 delegates, showing thatbout 70 of the men who nad promised to vcte for him had gone back on their word. One of these men is said to have been given the control of five Government positions in consideration of his support of General Gregg. JACK ROBINSON CONFIDENT. He Feels Certain of Being Elected Presi dent of tho State League. FROM A STAPP COBRESPOJiDEIT.3 "Washington, Aug. 21. Congressman elect "Jack" Robinson, of.the Chester dis trict, is in town on a bit of private busi ness. Jle says he is entirely satisfied with the work of the convention this week, even to the modified Blaine resolution. He does not think it would have been quite fair to the. office holders of the Harrison admin istration who were present to put them in the position of antagonizing their chief, though of course they were all for Blaine at heart, Mr. Robinson feels quite certain of his election to the Presidency of the State League of Republican Clubs. A NEW STORT Read the opening chap ters of a Splendid American Serial in to morrow's DISPATCH. f PAGES. FROM EARTH TO SKY Fierce Flames Are Turning Mght IntorDay in Wash ington County. A PANIC IN THE VICINITY. The Biggest Pro.duciii- Well in the McDonald Field Burning. A SHERIFF'S POSSE jCALLED OUT. Spectators Terrified by Stories of Powder in Blazing Cars. STEAM USED TO SMOTHER THE FLAMES The bustling little oil town of McDonald has received Its first baptism of fire. Inless employers and the people. Even a cousta all signs fail it will not be its last SWe was reported to have interfered to stop t - . j i v,f ,, J j e cars from being moved. Several of the now been initiated in that most f , ,e oil men, However, took sides in the part of the oil business, an oil i--'Hcl Q - among them Fatty Conklin people of that hitherto quiet country., i Jo "nin, and assisted in getting have witnessed a scene, beautiful, grand, r 'Trlo'j oay of 'he flames but not and appalling, which few, outside of thoso beto.J'S' j'7 them loaded with tank THE BURNING who follow the oil regions, ever behold. They saw crude petroleum pour from a per pendicular hole in the earth, over 2,000 feet deep, at the rate of 100 barrels an hour, to feed a rolling, tossing, writhing mass of flame, fiercer in heat than the hottest fur nace in Pittsburg. All the fire depart ments in Pennsylvania would have been unavailing against this little geyser of oil and fire. Water would only add to the in tensity of the flames and send them tumbling heavenward with greater energy. An oil fire once seen is never forgotten. It makes a thick, impenetrable flame, and might be aptly described as resembling a mass of molten metal as it turns and twists and curls upward, ending almost imperceptibly in a volume of smoke blacker and thicker than tempest-tossed clouds at midnight. The hissing seething billows of fire seem filled with fighting demons as they climb over each other in a maddening rush to reach the summit of the fiery pillar. At night it is a wild, weird spectacle, which awes the weak and holds the undivided attention of all who look upon it. IT "WAS NOT UNEXPECTED. For the past month the people of Mc Donald have been expecting an oil fire. The little borough is dotted with derricks from end to end. Many of these are not six feet distant from the houses, the stores and n orkshops of the residents, and all knew it was only a matter of time until a conflagra tion occurred. With such a state of feeling prevailing it is not surprising that the peo ple were on the verge of a panic Thursday night when they looked from their doors and windows to see the whole southwestern sky a plane of lurid lieht. It was then about 11 o'clock, and in a few moments everybody knew that the Wheeling Gas Company s big well on the Samuel H. Cook lot was burning. This well is lo cated about 300 feet southwest of BUILDINO A DAM the Panhandle Railroad station, and not over 30 feet from the railroad tracks. It was drilled into the fifth sand a few days ago, and was showing for one of the biggest oil wells in the entire field. It had never been allowed to flow its full capacity, as the pipe lines were not able to take away the oil as fast as it came out of the ground. It has been allowed to run only 100 barrels an hour, or 2,400 barrels a day. "There were three 250-barrel tanks standing beside the derrick full of oil, and a fourth tank, which wai only partially filled. On the two railroad sidings, within a few feet of it; were nearly 100 freight cars filled with oil well sup plies. The fire was preceded by an ex plosion, nnd as the tanks of oil and the der rick burned the spectators apparently became panic stricken. The most sensa tional reports were sent broadcast. One was sent to Washington that the entire borough was being swept out of existence, and Sheriff Lockhart, of Wash ington county, in which McDonald is situ ated, hurried to the scene at 3 o'clock in the morning with a posse of 20 deputies to pre serve order and protect property. Their services were not needed. They were sum moned by the following telegram from J. J. Turner, Superintendent of the Panhandle Railroad, to Conductor Lawhcad, at Wash ington. Pa.: "Gas explosion at McDonald, Disastrous - T3 ' ?, , ' 3sBBi . ONLY ONE CENT A WORD M FOR WANTS 1M IX THE CLASSIFIED COX.U3IXS OF THE DISPATCH. M THREE CEtfT& w conflagration threatened. McDonald in danger of being consumed. Bring Sheriffof Washington county and deputies to aid in the protection of property. ' THE OSLT VICTIM. When the explosion occurred icoDen Sterrett, who had charge of the well, was in the tank house over the partly filled tank. He was knocked down and badly burned, but before the boiling oil entirely sur rounded him Fatty Conklin, who is drilling a well 200 feet southwest of the Cook well, rushed through the cordon of flame and car ried the injured man to a place of safety. Sterrett is seriously burned about the hands, .. ...... .....1 A.A.. Ua iir A .a.im .,, trrM find I his home is at Buffalo village, Washington county. After the first shock of the explosion there was an ominous lull for a few brief seconds. Then, as if by preconcerted ar rangement, the flames burst forth from every part of the doomed rig. They licked up the tank houses, the engine house, the belt house and swiftly ascended the slender derrick to the crown pulley, 72 feet above the ground. The oil-covered timbers were delicious food for the hungry tongues of fire. Then the railroad cars took fire. The employes of the road were out in force and soon had locomotives ready to pull the en dangered cars away. To this the crowd of spectators protested. They said the burning cars would jeopardize other nronertv. and for a time it looked as though a conflict would result between the railroad COOK TTTXL. lumber, had been consumed. Then some excited busybody started a report that there were two cars in the lot loaded with pow der to be used for blasting purposes in the neighboring mines. The story seemed plaus ible. Fresh elixir had been ejected into the dying panic It broke out again with renewed vigor. Consternation set its ghastly seal on every face. PANIC-STRICKEN PEOPLE. Frightened people, ran hither and thither scarcely know1 whore to tnrn to avoid danger. Again the cool heads came to the rescue. They made a quiet investigation, and found the report was false. 3o powder could be found, and the terrorized populace once more took a breath. The work of saving adjoining property was re newed. Mr. Cook, the owner of the land on which the well is located, lives on the hillside 130 feet above the well. His house was in, imminent danger, but a force of men soon had it covered with wet blankets, which kept off the heat until the woodwork about the well had been con sumed. The grandest sight was vet to come. There was a short period of comparative quiet after the derrick burned, and then without a moment's warning a column of fire shol straight up 50 feet in the air throngh the oil-saver over the mouth of the well. At the top it spread out like the branches of a palmetto tree, and gradually rolled away in smoke. Such a column would be main tained from five to ten minutes, when it would slowly drop to within a few feet of the ground.only to rise again'when the well was ready to flow. About 6 o'clock yesterday morning the oil saver became clogged, and the oil flowed on the ground through the pipe which had been used to conduct it into the tanks. How the well took fire is a mys tery. The generally accepted theory seemed to be that it was "fired by a spark from a passing locomotive, but upon inqui-y at the railroad office it was learned that a lo comotive had not passed the spot within IN TnE CREEK. 30 minutes of the time when the explosion took place. FLINN HARD AT WORK. State Senator AVilliam Flinn, who. is a heavy stockholder In the Wheeling Gas Company, hurried to the scene early yes terday morning with a force of men, and was "soon in consultation with Glenn T. Bredin, General Superintendent of the National Transit Company, as to the most practicable means of putting out the fire. They decided that it could best be done with steam. Under the superintendence of Mr. Bredin a battery of five boilers was set up near the burning well, while Senator Flinn put his men at.work building dams in the creek to supply the boilers. Pipes were then laid across the creek and under the railroad tracks into a field where tanks were being built into which the oil will be run when the fire is out. When the boilers are ready for operation two pipes will be run into the flames at the mouth of the well. Through one steam will be forced into the fire which will be partially smothered; at least until the other pipe which will bo filled with a bell-shaped arrangement can be forced over the lead pipe from which the oil is flowing. The oil will be carried across the railroad to the tanks, and what little fire remains at tho well can easily be smothered out. They expect to get this ac complished some time to-day. QUELLED BY A SHOT. Socialist Sailors on a Ketherland Steamer Begin a Mutiny. FIRES DRAWN Iff THE ENGINE. Captain Bafcker. in Self-Defense, Shoots ths Ringleader Dead. THEEE HUNDRED PASSENGERS ABOARD New York, Aug. 21. Captain Bakker, the commander of the Xetherland lino steamship Obdam, will never forget the last trip of that craft to Rotterdam. The vessel reached this port late yesterday and went to her pier this morning. As soon as the skipper got ashore this morning he went to the office of the agent of line, W. H. Van Den 1'oorn, and informed him that there was an attempt at mutiny on the trip home, and that one of the ringleaders bad paid the penalty of insubordination with his life. The Obdam left this port July 18 for Rot terdam. She had on board upward of 300 cabin and steerage passengers. The craft had been running off shore but 24 hours when the officer on the bridge called upon the captain and informed him that there was evidence of disatisfaction among tho firemen and the stokers. All of these were Socialists and had given evidence of their antagonism to the line on the previous trip of the vessel to this port. THE CHIEF ENGINEER'S TALE. Captain Bakker went below to the furnace rooms when informed by his officer that mischief was brewing. His presence was the occasion for a round of hisses. He said nothing to the men and returned to the deck. Going to his cabin he sent for Chief Engineer BoL The latter told his superior officer that the men were on the verge of mutiny, and that he had pleaded with them in vain. "I fear," he added, "that the men will draw the fires and leave us in a nice mess." "Ypu do your duty and let matters shape themselves," said Captain Bakker. "I have 300 passengers on this ship, and anv man below who tries to run this vesel will pay dearly for it." Everything went well that night. A quiet search was made among the effects of the stokers for rum, but very little was found. The craft was 48 hours out from Eort.and Captain Bakker had about made up is mind that the fears of his officers were groundless, when the vessel began to slow down, and finally stopped altogether. Captain Bakker went to the bridge and asked what was the matter. The second officer on duty told him that he had given the engine room no signal to stop or even to slow down. Just then the Chief Engineer rushed up to the bridge. FACE TO FACE WITH MUTINEERS. "Come below," he shouted to the captain, "the men have put out the fires and threaten to take niv life if I-insist on giving them orders. They refuse to obey me in any way." Captain Bakker hurried below. He found 20 of the firemen and coal passers bunched together alongside the furnaces. They had drawn the fires and the vesel was simply holding her head to the wind with the aid of a few sails. 'What is the matter with you fellows?" shouted the captain. A general howl from the men was the answer to the skipper's query. "I'll tell you what the matter is,"' said Peter Duzrn", who appeared to be the ring leader. "We have grown tired of this life, and we intend to run things to suit ouiS selves. That's what the matter is." "Is that the expression of yourself," in quired Captain Bakker, "or are you acting as spokesman for the others?" "I don't care what the other fellows do," said Dozen, 'I'm going to have a good time or know why." "All right," said the captain, "you can accomplish your purpose when yon do away with me." THE FATAL SHOT FIRED. "If that's so I'll do it now." said Dnzen. and picking up a huge iron pick he sprang at the captain. The latter drew back, pulled a navy revolver from his pocket, aimed it at Dnzen and fired. The man fell at the captain's feet with an oath. The ball had entered his left breast, and two hours later he died. The quickness and determination of the captain filled the remainder of the mutin eers with alarm and they fled in every direction about the furnace room. The body of Duzen was buried at sea. Papers in his ba" showed him to have been a lead ing Socialist and anything but a good char acter. The killing of this man quelled the mutiny. The fires were relighted and the vessel proceeded on her way, reaching Rotterdam without further incident. At Rotterdam Captain Bakkerhad all hands ar rested. Then he gave himself up on the charge of murder. He was placed under $10,000 bonds to appear for trial on the re turn of the vessel to port next month. Dnzen was a Hollander and unmarried. The 300 passengers who were on board the vessel were greatly excited. All expected that the mutineers would get possession of the craft. The matter will be fully settled on the return of the craft to the other side. Shipping men are confident that Captain Bakker will be honorably acquitted. IN THE BRUSSELS CONGRESS. A dispatch from Brussels says: "In the Congress of Socialists to-day Mr. Sprow, of the English Firemens and Seamen's Union, made a special address in which he paid that a few weeks ago the captain of a steamer running between New York and Rotterdani perpetrated an act of gross cruelty. He badly fed the crew until one of the firemen got so ill that he told the captain he was unable to work. "The captainorderedhim to resume work, and then drew a revolver and shot him dead. Three hundred passengers signed a petition for the captain's arrest, but the accused captain was bo influential that the Dutch Government refused to punish him, and he is now commanding a vessel returning to New York and perhaps murdering another man." Uproarious cries of "Shame." RKLIGIOUS The sermon of Rev. George Hodges for THE DISPATCH to-morrow treats of the Interview between Nlcodemus and the Savior. A "WOBLD'S PAIS HOSPITAL, Trained Nurses in Nightingale Costumes to Wait on Wax Patients. St. Louis, Aug. 21. What promises to be a novel and interesting feature of the Chicago AVorld's Fair will be a hospital ward exhibit. Mrs. Mary Cummings, late of London, and one of the best trained nurses in St. Louis, has been put in charge by the World's Fair directors. The patients will be represented by wax figures, and Mrs. Cummings and six trained assistants will attend to their limaginary" warns, j-uc uueuumus win oe reurea la picturesque costumes similar to that worn bv Florence Nightingale during tho Crimean , ift it ar. BUSINESS Men will find THE DISPATCH the best advertising medium. All chuset can be reached throngh Its Classified Adve Usement Columns. If you want anrth.' jou can get It by this method. 31sH &1 4 4 4 M