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