J.V5
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1
The most. remarkable and extraordinary
degree ol professional boxing has been
reached during the week just ended. Two
lightweight fighters have been offered a
purse of H5.000 to box for at the Coney
Island Athletio Club. This certainly
eclipses everything in the annals of boxing
or pugilistic history. The contestants are
to be Barge, the English champion, and
Jact McAuliffe. A purse of ?45,003 must
almost bewilder Burge, who comes from a
country where 45 sovereigns is a big stake,
in fact, it must astonish the whole of
England to know that a parse of 9,000 is
offered for their representative to fight for.
'Why, that is more than all the old-timers
fought tor put together.
So much the better for Uurge and Mc
Auliffe that the Athletic clubs are forcing
each other to bid beyond all reasonable
limits; so much the better for the two men
I say, but so much the worse for the' sport
It is invariably true that extremes beget
extremes, and that reaction follows an ab
normal condition. It will be true in this
boxing club business. No two men are
worth a J45.000 purse, and a glove contest
between Burge and McAuliQe or any other
two persons is not worth the admission fees
necessary to make ud the 545,000. This big
purse buiiness cannot be maintained, and
when the $5,000, even 510,000 purses are
tgain resorted to there will be compara
tively little attraction about them.
True, the Coney Island Club was in a
sense compelled to make this extraordinary
bid. The club is in the market, and bad al
readv lost one contest for which it oflered
545,000, viz., the Hall and Fitzsimmons
attain The same people who got tne pair
of Australians from the C t, A. C. looked
liLe petting Burge and JIcAuliffe. To put
a "clincher" on the evpnt the Eastern club
made the offer mentioned, and then the
New Orleans parties withdrew. It simnly
means that it the Coney Island Club is
to be in the business it is determined to
fi;ht to the finish. This big purse business
is a fighting to a finish, ani 12 months Irora
now many of the stockholders ot the clubs
will know it.
Bat those big purses more than ever show
that the primary object of these so-called
athletic clubs is only to have fights and
make money by them. I am not going to
argue whether or not this is right or wrong,
but I do emphatically contend that the
ordinary objects of an athletic club have
nothing to do with these big latter-day in
stitutions It may be well (or the public
to bear this in mind so as not to contuse
clubs like the Coney Island Club with ath
letic clubs that havefor their object only the
physical development of their members.
General Kemarks About Boxers.
We have commenced the last week of the
rear, and there are two Or three contests
between boxers of good standing in their
class. Plimmer is to meet McGrath in the
at, and Van Heest is to meet "Sol"
bmith in the West. I had intended to say
nothing about these contests, because the
majority ot people who take au interest in
boxing "will know that the chances are
strongly in lavor of Plimmer defeating Mc
Grath and ot Van Heest defeating Smith.
1 tie last named is a good little man, I admit,
but he, has hardly done sufficient to lead me
to think he is as good as Van Heest
Arrangements are being made for what
promises to be a good contest 1 refer to
the proposition to have a contest between
Austin Gibbons and Billy Myer. A con
ies between these two men should be inter
esting in many respects. If they fight and
ill being well I can say at this early date
tl.at I expect Gibbous to win. I have seen
both men in Iront ot McAuliQe, and as I
compare them, I fail to see how Myer can
defeat Gibbons. The latter has improved
cince he met McAuliQe. The manner in
vhich lie defeated Bowen proved that the
truth is I have a notion, that Myer is not the
Q'ass ot boxer or fighter that we have been
led to believe. There must have been
something sadly wrong somewhere when he
made that tamous draiv with McAuliffe.
Clubs are having a hard time ot it finding
a man tor Johnnj Griflcu. A fe- dajs ago
it looked as it an opponent had been secured
lor the Braintrce hero in the person ot
"William Baxter, of England. The Baxter
famiW. of Loudon, however, are wise in
theirday and generption. The youngster
ot iheir lamily wa not allowed to come
here except he got nearly more lor a losing
battle than he can get in England for a win
ning one, I dou't blame the Baxters, be
cause I am inclined to think that in coming
here to fight GnflVn William would be
coming to sure deieat Baxter is a handy
little lellow. but it mav not be wide o! the
mark to say that more little mci in Amer
ica than Griffeu can defeat him.
More About Hall and Fitzsimmons.
Quite a number of letters have reached
this office recently asking questions rela
tive to the battle in Australia between
Hall and Fitzsimmons. All the writers
want to know who won it Before answer
ing, a few words of explanation are neces
larv. Fitzsimmons some time ago declared to
we that he and Hall nteded money and
tbat he agreed to meet Hall in a fight and
allow Hall to win. Fitzsimmons w as to re
ceive v75 or 15. Fitzsimmons car
ried out his promise and Hall was declared
the winner. But Fitzsimmons did not re
ceive his money and hence the alleged bad
Jeeling between the two.
On the other hand Hall declares that ar
rangements were made lor him to win, but
'that Fitzsimmons tried to win and could
not. Hall further states tbat Fitzsimmons
was fairly beaten, and that is the reason he
did not get any money. The answer to the
question above refeired to then, is that
Hall defeated Fitzsimmons in Australia,
but whether in a bena fide fashion or not
we cannot telL
If these two men would meet and contest
honestly tne probability is that they would
make the bebt battle that has taken place
for m&nvyears. I am inclined to think
that Hall is far beyond ordinary merit, and
he has many advantages over Fitziimnlous
that we must not overlook. It is also true
that Fitzsimmons is a good man, but he has
- not in this country proven that be is a won
derful man.
The Championship Controversy.
Nothing new has transpired In the box
ing championship controversy, as Corbctt
emphatically declines to make a match to
fight anybody. Goddard has a substantial
forfeit np and Corbett ignores it Tnis in
all fairness ought to give Goddard the title,
at least it ought to take it from Corbett,
that is, if he has any title at all. Several
authorities claim that Goddard is now the
legitimate champion boxer of the country,
and ot course have good reasons for so
arguing. I wouldn't be prepared to argue
that he is not
But the fact that a man like Goddard
claims the title ot champion ot the United
States is not much credit to hs.
Speaking ot the heavy-weight champion
ship matter reminds me once more that we
hare more champions than we can almost
find places for. If the customary scale of
weights is to be recognized we have few
real champions. I do not know of any
other scale that if, professional than the
old one. According to it the feather
weight limit is 112 pounds, yet we have
Dixon and others fighting for ihe feather
weiiht championship at 117 pounds and
Gnffen even wants to fight for it at 120
pounds.
According to the recognized scale the
lightweight limit is 133 pounds, and yet we
sever have so-called lightweight champions
fighting at that weight There has been a
better observance of the middle-weight
limit, but generally speaking the whole
thing has been a larce. A man is either a
champion ot his class or not; if. he is, be
must not be heavier than the limits of that
class. That's all there is about it ,
It is easy to understand how the limits of
weight ,have been encroached on. This
latter day boxing with its clubs to make
money; scheming managers who only care
about getting the public's dollars, and do
not care a rap about the status of boxing;
in short, the new conditions consequent on
this money making boxing business have
introduced' a laxity about rnles that has
made things ridiculous. Beally, I fail to
see why a man should be called "a champion
at all if he cannot get to legitimate weight.
It he cannot get to -featherweight he ought
to be classed a Hghtweigrftj' and the same
in other classes!' But byaH'means there
should be a fair and uniform system.
Local Baseball Matters.
Locally speaking, very few people have
anything to say about baseball. When next
April comes round there may be some evi
dence of the national game's popularity
here, but at present there is hardly an indi
cation of any kind that anybody cares a
pin about the game.
Au interesting feature of the local club
is the power and authority there have been
granted Mr, Buckenberger. A few days
ago it was stated in this paper that he isto
have full and absolute control of the team;
he has to shape and carry out the policy
ot the club; no power is to be higher than
his. In short, Mr. Buckenberger is to be
next year what Mr. Temple has been this
year. Of course there are people who
doubt this new arrangement, that is, they
believe that Mr. Buckenberger will not be
allowed to go unfettered. This is mere con
jecture. What we must accept as true for
. the present is the statement of Mr.Temple
! himself, and he flam that the new Presi
dent is to be the only power in the club. It
remains o be seen whether or not this ar
rangement is to be continued.
In my way of thinking, the arrange
ment is a good one. It the club and its
team cannot be run successfully under the
plan in question, it cannot be made a suc
cess at alL The fact that Mr. Buckenber
ger is ruling power of the club will
at all times have a great influence on the
players. This is a very important consider
ation. The players have a great respect for
their manager, and it is safe to say that
they will do everything in their power'to
make the club a success on Mr. Buckenber
ger's account. I cannot help thtaking that
next year at this time we will have a Na- I
HUUOL JJCUC UUU Ull lUlCWllU AUU1J
tion. ii this expectation is realized Mr.
Buckenberger will be in a good position to
take a good team into the National League.
A patron of the game asked me the other
dav: "What will be the result if the clubs
start out by losing money next season?"
That is a very vital question, and I venture
to say that as far as the local club is con
cerned it will be -verv diastrous if the start
oil is a losing one. There is difficulty now
in collecting assessments, and most as
jnredly there will be much greater difficulty
in collecting them next May or June.
There is plenty ot general baseball talk
about the proposed changes in the rules.
Amid al) this talk it is quite apparent that
there is a very strong opposition to the no
tion ot making the diamond bigger.
The Sale or StainbonL
One of the big events of the week has
been the sale of Stamboul, the famous trot
ting stallion. Tne sale was a disappoint'
ment to most of the people who take au in
terest in trotting horses. Some people had
expected that the horse would realize more
than 5100,000; a vast number of people
thought the price could not by any means
be below 570,000. But only 541,000 were
got for the horse and this caused something
like a sensation.
Many reasons are given for the lofr price.
One is that the hone's records are not likely
to be published in the "Year Book." A
rumor ot this kind was sure to have some
effect, but not as much as somejeople claim.
The great cause ot the low price is the gen
eral decline in prices for all kinds of trotting
stcck. There is more stock now of a first
class kind than there is a demand for. The
number of hones ot remarkable speed is in
creasing every year. The public sales show
this, and just as sure as the number is get
ting larger the prices are getting smaller.
There is not less interest in tne trotting
horse now than there was a few years ago;
the truth is there is more interest than ever.
But there are more horses; they have grown
in numbers more rapidly than the public
demaud.
We mnstn't overlook the fact there is
also an increasing interest in the running
horse of this country. While public inter
est in the trotter is greater than ever, it is
a f.tct that public interest in the runner is
siot only lnci easing, but it is increasing at a
more rapid rate than the interest in the
trotter.
S.iU the price paid for Stnmbonl was a
undone. Itisnot very Ions ago when the
price of $41,01.0 for a trotting horse would
lavestaitled the world. Xoir Itisconsld
eied small. It would seem that those extra
ordinary prices paid recently for trotters
lrive tended to work injury. Ihey prompted
breeders to rear more horses tliiineieruud
s a. natural result they have overstocked
meir business.
Proposed Sculling Championship Contest.
It has been definitely arranged to a race
early next year for the sculling champion
ship of the United States and Canada. Wo
have no champion now and the idea 1 to
have .a contest in which all the leading
scullers in this country and Canada can
compete. The idea is a good one, although
there are one or two conditions that are not
of the best.
The promoter of the contest states that
the winner w ill get a trophy and he must be
prepared to deiend that trophy twice a
J ear if challenged. This Is also all right,
but another Canadian makes tho distance
Ave miles. That is just where the mistake
is made. Fit e miles i too tar for a chnm
pionship course. It gives the very powerful
men a decided advantage. It has been the
custom hero for cars to deem three miles
the championship distance. While that
distance may have been a little short, to
add two miles to it is going much too far.
1 supposo the trophy and stakes will be
roweu lor in heats on the first occasion.
That means that the very best rowor may
pot win. I say "may not" because there are
always morn or less chances to run In heat
races But the question must do settled and
the heat bystcra is perhaps Just as good as
any to settle it. The prospect for a good
race is a blight one.
The Champion Pigeon Shots.
One of the interesting sporting, events of
the week has been tho shooting contest be
tween Messrs. Futford and Elliott. They
shot off their third match here Thursday,
and to say the least there was not the at
tendance of spectators that the contest war
ranted. Fulford and Elliott are great shots
and are gentlemen every inch of them,
r-lliott is ail excellent marksman and has
one of the moit effective and pretty styles
of shooting that I have seen.
There was one feature of the contest that
I did not believe in, viz: the may of supply
ing tho bird?. The birds were carried hun
dreds of miles cooped np In a railroad car.
1 hey were taken direct irom the cars to the
grounds and shot at Asa result many of
the birds were poor ones. Soino of course
were good and difficult to kill. What I con
tend Is this: That in big matches ,snch as
those Viet ween FultorU and Elliott, local
gentlemen should bo commissioned weeks
before hand to secure the pigeons and take
care of them for u. week or two and have
them in tho verv best of condition. .Every
true sportsman likes to see a good lively
biid como from the trap.
1 he matches ought to impart a renewed
interest to shooting. Asa sport it has not
been Terr prominent of late, Fitt-burirers
purticnlirly have been somewhat slow for a J
time, ajioie area urge iiiimoerot gooa
shots here, and when onco they geta-golng
they are very bard to beat
TaorauL
AMATEUR - ATHLETES.
Proposed Consolidation of the Three
East End Clubs.
PROSPECTS OF THE TALE CREW.
To-MorrcVs Football Came Eetireenthe
ocal and Chicago learns.
AHATECR BWIMHlJkG .
CONTESTS
Since it was first organized the P. A. C
has been remarkable for its hustling quali
ties. The energy displayed by its members
in getting a building was great Some of
the most discouraging difficulties were over
come, and as a result the P. A. C. has a
handsome building of its own. Hut it is not
large enough now, and there is a movement
on foot to have a larger building, and an
offer has been made to the P. A. C that is
very, very tempting.
The other day a member of the P. A. C.
made the following statement to the writer:
'It is quite true thnt we have been offered a
building, and I will tell you all about.it It
has been suggested tbat tbe Linden, Belle
field and our club consolidate and make
one big clnb. The members of the Linden
Club I am told are willing to furnish the
land, erect the building and call the new
organization the Pittsburg Athletic Club.
That certainly is an offer worthy the name.
I cannot tell what will be done with it
Many of our members are in favor of the
plan, aud some are opposed to it I cannot
tell just now what will be done, but person
ally I am in favor of the scheme. "We can
not lose anything, and we have much to
gain. We will be compelled to have a
larger building than we now have. If we ac
cept the Linden Club's offer we will get a
wealthy membership."
It is understood tbat the strongest efforts
will be made to have the foregoing scheme
adopted. One of the great obj'ects is to
have a wealthy organization in tlie-East
End that will be strong enough to compete
against the Three A. 's as far as money is
John O'Brien, Captain.
concerned. The Three A.'s are a wealthy
lot, but it the three East End clubs consoli
date they will be one of the strongest clubs
in the country.
Whatever may be the result of the agita
tion it is safe to'say that the P. A C, means
to get stronger and stronger. The desire
among its members to have a larger build
ing is almost unanimous and that means
thnt a larger building will be forthcoming.
Much can be said against the consolida
tion plan, and, of course, much can be said
in its favor. There are many members in
the Linden and Bcllefield clubs who are
not enthusiastic athletes; indeed, they are
members of the clubs more for social en
joyments than for athletic exercises. It
mizht be that this element and the young
and active athletes could not agree.
' Everything is looking well for the big
.Rugby football game to-morrow week. The
Princeton and Yale boys have been practic
ing hard since they came home. Their
team is.almost definitely arranged. It will
he a good one and it roust needs be if vic
tory is wanted. Manager Konntz will
have a stroncteam on the field to represent
the Three A's.
There have been many rumors enrrent rela
tive to w hat Captain Blunt of the Three A's
team is going to do next year. It is grati
fying to know that he has definitely made
up his mind up to remain with the Three A's
another year. This is well for the team, as
he is an ble man and an excellent coach
and instructor.
Probably no body of men were ever so
unfortunate as have been the Three A's rel
ative to their efforts to secure a building
for a club house. Thcv have been unfortu
nate in the truest sense of the word. They
are, however, more hopeful than ever. An
official of the club said yesterday:
"We will have a club house soon just as
sure as we live. We mean to have one and
John Matthews, Secretary.
that is all there is about it Several times
we have almost had a building secured and
just whenwe thought everything all right,
something loomed up to spoil our deal. But
we are on the right way this time. We are
bound to have a club house. Our member
ship is getting very big."
"
As far as the development of athletes
is concerned Pittsburg is comparatively
new in the business. Considering the short
length of time that thorough athletic clubs
have been in existence here, Pittsburg has
done very well in producing good material
and shaping that material in very good per
formers. Hut these efforts have bsen mostly
in the line of "outdoor" performers. We
have 'not figured so well in indoor cdntests,
simply because sufficient attention has not
been paid to this branch of business. The
local clubs ought to pav more attention to
the indoor contests, because it is easv to see
that every year contests of this kind are
becoming more and more popular.
In every large city there are indoor ath
letic competitions now on a very large scale.
Victories and prizes gained at them are just
as important as those won in the open air
in summer time: The A. A. TJ. is also tak
ing more interest in the contests in questiou
than ever before. So that everything con
sidered, tKereis more inducement now for
clubs to have representatives at leading in
door competitions than ever before.
,
la the athletic clubs In and about Pitts
burg there ro at least 3,009 members. That
newr tint ,tb,U number of people are pre
pared to aid in the development of talent
that may belong to their respective clubs.
The annual contests 'of the A. A. TJ., which
by the way are tobeheldln Philadelphia this
season, offer a fine field for yoifng talent,
but it is a fact that Pittsburg will not bs
strongly represented, if at all. This ought
not tcrbe, because there is material in tins
city that is just as promising in some re
spects as any young athletic material in the
country. Take boxing for ins'ance. There
are not in anyvcitv more promising amateur
boxers than the brothers Fleming. Why
local clubs do not force these two already
very good performers to the front seems
strange. It is safe to say that there will be
worse boxers at Philadelphia than the
younger Fleming.
What is evidently needed is more indoor
contests here and on a larger scale than
heretofore attempted. It may also not be
out of place to suggest that it would pay the
clnbs to get hold ot one or two real and in
telligent boxing instructors.
Of course the above is stated mindful of
the fact that the P. A. C intends to send
probably three entries to the A A TJ. com
petitions. But there ought to be more than
three entries from this city. The Three A's
may send their wrestler, 'Elliott, who, by
the way, is a good one. In instances of this
Kind young clubs should not be afraid of
defeat
During the week just ended there has
been more or less talk concerning the base
ball team of the P. A. C next season. Some
people have been arguing that the team
ought to be independent and an amateur
organization in lact. Others have been
claiming that the team shonld as usual
remain in the County League. Muoh can
be said on both sides.
A prominent member of the P. A C,
speaking on the foregoing the other dav,
said: "I am an out and out supporter of the
notion of having an independent baseball
team next season. I maiutain that an in
dependent team will make more money than
being in the Cottn ty League. If our team
remains independent we can make dates
with some of the best amateur teamVin the
country. There will be special attractions,
aud as such wt 11 have better results finan
cially than all the County League games
put together.
"lint my greatest objection to our team
remaining in the CountyLeague is the ques
tionable nature of that league as an amateur
organization. Personally I hold that the
County League is not a bona fide amateur
organization. I have argued this for a long
time. Some ot the best authorities on
amateurism agree with me. At any rate it
is questionable and on that account we
ought to keep clear ot it"
The folloning communication was re
ceived at this office the other day. It ex
plains itself and needs no comment:
During the year nearly ended cricket
playing has been anything but a success. In
my way of thinking there have been soveral
causes lor till", but the chief one has been
the luck of energy and absence of coo J bu--iness
management on tho part of those who .
have presumed to run the sport hero. But
it may lie useless to refer to tho unpleasant
part. What I ant to draw attention tola
the Immediate luture.
Next j car will Ilxelyhc n busy ono for
cricket in this country. There will bo more
than ono loieign team heio and matches
will he played all over the country. What
should bo uone is to havoa meeting of prr
sons interested in cricket early next month
and make a start to adopt plana for the sen
ton when it comes. There is nothing to
provent Mr. Schwartz from convening sucn
meeting. There nto many nood workers
if they were once roused up," and li about n
half-dozen earnest uitmtrera of tho historic
game would only bestir themselves some
thing could be done toward getting together
a good crlekt team for Pittaburg-for next
season. The sooner such a meeting is held
tho better.
What promises to bo one of tho most inter
esting football contests that has been seen
here for a long time is underlined for
to-morrow at Exposition Park. It is a con
test between the local and Chicago associa
tion football team-t. 'Thee teams have met
before, aud the people who saw the last con
test between the teams have not forgotten
it It was a grc.ttand an exciting one. Uoth
teams have been strengthened since last
spring.
Tb.e local team has made quite a record,
and probably the'eredit of koitlng together
such an excellent lot of players is due mora
to Secretary John Matthews 'than , to any
other one man. Uis picture appears in this
department to-day. He is an -enthusiastic
football player and patron. While he has
n uvei- been in the first rank absolutely ns a
pluj er ho has ever beon one of the hardest
workers for a club oi a team. lie is only 31
years, undone of the most lespactod meui
liois of the football Iraternlty of Western
Pennsylvania. Few people know bettor
than Mr. Mattlipns how to Judge a good
lootball player, and that is tho reason he
has such a good lot of kickers on his team.
He is a native of Uirminuham, England, and,
thcreforo, has been re ired anion.: tho best
kind of association football players. Secre
tary Matthews is in all lepects a gentle
man, and has the respect of all who .know
htm.
The other picture which appears in this
department is that of John O'Brien, captain
of the local association football team. Tie
is a small man, only weighing about ISO
pounds, but lie is lemarkably fast and clever
with the hall, his passing tactics are a treat
to witness, always feeding his men accu
rately. His election to the enptnincy of the
local club was unanimous. Pievious to his
coming to America he played with the
famons Lancashiio club, Ardwiclc, during
tho seasons of 1S90 and '91, thoy nt that time
winning tho Manchester cup. He also
represented Lancasbiie In their great com
petition ajRlust Staffordshire, winning this
.noted game by ascoie or 6 goals to 1. It is a
notable leitturn that three of these goals
were scored by him against the famous
Goalkeeper Kowlcy, of the Stoke, Stof
lorshfre, club. Altogether, the local clnb
feels suro thnt their new captain will lead
them to victory to-morrow when tliev meet
tho Chicago club, champions of the West.
The Pittsbnrg Amateur Swimming Asso
ciation will on next Thursday evening at 8
o'clock at the Xatatorium hold the first of a
series of monthly handicaps. The distance
is two lenct lis of the pool or 45 yards. The
entries and handicaps are as follows:
First heat J. T. Taylor, scratoh: J. Brady,
4 second?; J. l'ayton, I seconds; Fred IIoll
'inan, 6 seconds.
Second beat Goorge Baker A second and
Charles Wensknwsky, each 2 secondj;
Charles Jlertz, 1 seconds; George Iioyal, 8
seconds.
Third heat Bert Price, 2 seconds: W.
Schanwecker, 3 seconds; It. B. Montgomery,
1 i-econds; C H. Grossens, 6 seconds; H. M.
Hay, 8 seconds.
Assisted by the more prominent members
of the P. A. S. A., Profs. Joseph McEwan
and James Fox will givo exhibitions in
aquatic feats, vuch as chalnfloatlng, high
diving, different strokes, etc.
The performance will close with that ex
citing game watorpolo which will be playod
Tjy seven men on each sido under the cap
taincy or J. T. Taylor and Bert Price. Full
swimming costumes will bo worn by the
contestants in all events and the public,
ladies, especially,aro invited.
FALL 0FAFAM0TJ3 TE2E.
It Grow In California and Was Called Aft-
er tho Ohly Mark Twain.
Harper's Young People.!
Mark Twain, one of the largest and most
famons of the giant sequoiatrees of Cali
fornia, has been felled, and a part of it is
now at the Museum of Natural History in
Now York City, which contains the most
complete collection of American woods in
existence.
This monarch of the forest was somewhat
more than 300 feet tall; that is, it lifted its
topmost branches about as high as the
statue of Diana on the Madison Square
tower in New York, and tbe trunk was 30
feet in diaemter. It was not a good tree to
climb, for the lowest branches were 200 feet
above the ground, and when the big trunk
fell it shook the earth for some distance
around. In an even climate like that of
California a tree forms a new ring every
year, and the most careful estimates place
the age of Mark Twain at 2,600 years; that
is, he was COO years old at the birth of
Christ, and was a good-sized tree when
Alexander tbe Great conquered the world.
Very few trees are still living that were
saplings when the world was 2,500 vears
younger than it is now, and it old Mark
Twain couid tell the story of America for
the 20 centuries before Columbus discovered
It, he, would be a more famous historian
thanXeaophon..,.
HIS STEEET CAR LUCK.
Critical Piltsburirer's Experience
in These Glad Holidays.
TRYING TO READ A NEWSPAPER
With a Iadj Ftanding 'on the fthcr Side of
the Printed rages.
AMOUNT OP Tlimri AND THE DANGER
fWRtrrxx fob toe dispatcii.1
PWAKD of 60,000,
000 persons ride on
Pittsburg's street
cars every year al- j
most the population
of the United States.
Perhaps it will make
the volume of travel
more comprehen
sible to say that
about 150,000 per
sons, or nearly half
the population of
Pittsburg and Alle
gheny, ride every
dar. This is fully
borne out by the fig
ures ium:snea Dy
the different companies. '
Prom early morn until after midnight a
constant stream of "travelers" pour into or
out of the central portion of the citv, and
even in ''the weo snia' hours ayant the
twa" there is a demand lor cars, a demaud
that is met in a sort of a way by some of
the roads, but not nearly as well as the
people wish. In this tremendous throng all
sorts ot life and charac.'erare to he observed.
There is no place o'n earth like the street
car for the study of either. Pnysiono
mists have never yet explained the pecu
liar expression that seems to take posses
sion of f he street car passenger's face. Per
haps it is an error to limit the peculiarity
to the face alone, for it extends to the atti
tude, face and inclination of the body. But,
there is nothing so marked as the facial
expression. It is a wearied, vapid look,
seeminglv directed at somebody or some
thing, usually in the car, but, which really
sees nothing.
AStndyin Physio jnomy.
You would swear that commercial look
ing man seated in the middle of the car was
counting the golden links in the necklace of
the stylish lady not quite opposite, and yet
tlplTfTul!flu.L
The Conductor's Prod.
a good student of phytioznomy would say
that the gentleman's mind was really far
away, perhaps considering the probability
of a rise in-stocks or bonds. His body rests
upright against the back of the seat, sop
porting somewhat loosely a head tilted
slichtlv on one sldens if the cranium had
shflted'its cargo. Some people preserve,
this poise so steadfastly that one feels like
giving the owner of the hejd a good jolt,
to restore the equilibrium of the ballast,
ere it becomes fixed in the one position.
So ranch for the street car face, now for
the travelers.
There are some people who would never
think of riding if they could reach their
destination in a 15 or 20 minute walk, not
withstanding the saving of time and shoe
leather which patronizing the cars would
insure. It is a mistaken economical notion
that actuates some, while others give as a
reason the exercise which such a walk pro
vides. Of course there are a few who have
not the nickel requisite, but they are not
being considered, lor it is not altogether
certain that they would ride if they had.
Again there are others who lose no oppor
tunity of riding, even if they have only
two or three squares to ga It is a great
saving of time in a busy life. A more se
lect few persist in nding short distances for
neither reason. Opinions concerning the
latter class are best reserved.
An Every Day Experience.
I entered a Citizens' traction car at the
corner of Seventh street and Liberty
avenue one day last week. Four ladies and
a small bov sat together on one side of the
car near the door. A messenger youth was
in one, and a young man in tbe other far
corner. Both" were evidently travelers of
experience and knew where to go for com
fort As I entered the conductor assisted me
forward with a good prod between the
sqoulders. Why does he do that? Is it a
conductor's prerogative? There is usually
no necessity for it, and it is sometimes
made so emphatic that under other circum
stances the passenger would have unques
tioned cause for action in assault aud bat
tery. "Women are not exempt They come
in for that battering-ram process as well as
the men.
I seated myself in the first corner and
pulled out a paper. Two or three squares
and the rear end of tbe car was filled with
passengers, although there was plenty of
room up front
Eater, a strongly built young lady. She
just gets inside the car and stands there,
notwithstanding the conductor's vigorous
prodding. Does she see the vacant places
in the forward end of the car? Of course
she does, but she is not going there. She
.intends disturbing somebody nearer the
door. All this I note as I shrink lower
into the corner and endeavor to hide behind
my paper. I reason that she is able-bodied
enough'to stand.
The Power That Empties a Seat.
But then the people in the car begin to
eye me. I do not see them, but feel encli
separate orb fixed upon me. The majority
think I am right, but that makes me all the
more worthy of study. At last I can stand It
no longer. " Every one of the 1C pairs of
eyes in tbe car seems to be burning holes in
the paper to get at me, to say nothing of
tbe glances of the able-bodied young lady.
Her looks can be felt At last 'I am crush
ing my paper together and offering my seat
with a meaningless "um-tira-uin," which
the lady understands, and sniffling out a
curt "thank-y," plumps into the vacant
seat I move forward. My foot catching
on a protruding pice of the floor matting,
I lurch forward. There is an audible titter
irom the female contingent, especially that
part of it which has taken my seal.
There is a sttidv of character in that little
ine'dent. If it had befallen a wommi, yurg
or old, the youni man would hae been all
sympathy, and done everything in his power
to render nssls,a'iee, but," beintr a man, my
nose might have uruolc the floor with suf
ficient emphuli to craok a board, and. the
tjlllli' taLiUtf
Siiitfiiiiiiiiifiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
harder -the fall tho more amusement' it
would create.
Yes, the street cars are full or character
studies. There is the young lady who will
not accept the slightly limited space beside
you, which has been made by shoving your
neighbor. She might "muss" her draper
ies. That would never da You are ex
pected under the circumstances tn give tip
your seat Perhaps you have worked liard
all dnv and are very tired, but that makes
no difference; yon must always be courteous
to women. Your courlesy "must even ex
tend to her drets if need be.
But the ladies are not usually open to
criticism, God bless them. Only some are.
The Man Who Will Succeed.
Then there is the man who jumps aboard,
sees a space of about lour inches, all told,
between two passengers, and forthwith en
deavors to sit iu it. (People wonder at the
absurdity of it He dpesn't He knows
whathe is doing. Inside of, say five squares,
he will have a good seat and his neighbor
will hare the four inches. A judicious
combination of shuffling and crowding will
bring about the desired end. And the stu
dent of human nature will say to himself:
There ia a man who will make his way in
the world.
Returning to the Penn avenue car: Br
the time Twentieth street was reached the
car was simply packed. Daily travelers say
that is the usual condition on this line. The
man who is able to secure a scat is for
tunate. I had the common luck. I stood
most of the way. Every quarter of a mile
or so the conductor squeezed through to
pickup a fugitive fare-ortwo. This isa
beautiful system. About the time conduc
tor reaches the center of the car someone
o '!
On of JJouqiiereau's Angels.
wants to get off. The conductor stands on
your feet to peer out the window to see it
the passenger is unloaded properly. As
fast as the people get off the cars others are
taken on. There is no let np in the gain
until the loop at East Liberty comes in
sight. But, then, you do not care to sit.
Ambition, patience and the nice 10 cent
shine on your shoes are all gone. You wait
irritably for the end.
On Uio fifth Avenue Line.
On the "in" trip I took tbe Pittsbnrg
traction, or Fifth avenue line. Not nearly
so many mill and factory workers travel on
this line as the other, and as a rule the cars
are not nearly so crowded, but the charac
ter of the passengers, from a street car point
ot view, is not bettered a particle. There
was the same expression ot face, the same
daring into space, the fixed look at some
thing remote and unfathomable, that Van
derdecken, the Flying Dutchman, is said to
wear.
The car was fairly well-filled when three
fashionably dressed young ladies, accom
panied by a young man, boarded it There
was a confusive chatter; they all wanted to
talk at once, but the quartet made a bee
line for the vacant space in the front of the
car. There is another strange thing. Give
any number of ladles, sav from two to ten,
a male attendant, and they will go to any
part ot tne car, nut tne single one
will simply enter, and wait nntil
somebody throws up the sponge. Of course
there are exceptions to the rule, aud. jnv
be in the telling of it, one entered this self
same car. She was d essed in a very danc
blue dress. The simple, flowing lines were
modeled on a splendid figure. The coftee
colored jacket was buttoned tightly and
turned up at the white shapely throat, for
the air was rather keen. The pretty brown
hair had been coiled up underthe cloth hat,
but sprays ot it had been loosened by the
wind and were now playing lightly about
the little pink cars. She "was youag and
pretty, not beautiful.
A Very Acreeable Surprise.
I did not notice all these good points
when she first came m. A side glance at
the door gave me but a glimpse of female
drapery and the first thought concerned my
scat, lor the car was filled. There were
scats for everybody until the young lady
came in. She stopped right in front of me.
With a sigh I began to fold up my paper.
There was no balm in Gilead or seats in a
street car for a man.
"Don't rise. There is room enough for
me." And sure enough, when I moved to
one side, this youug dream sat down very
comfortably. She had a small package
which was laid in her lap, with a dainty
little pat or two as if it contained some
living thing, then she smoothed her gloves,
produced a five-cent piece and was ready for
tbe conductor.
Here was a study. Interest in the news
paper was gone. Contemplation of the
profile revealed all the charms previously
referred to. On the bosom ot the little
brown jacket was a spray of
cbryssanthemums, yellow and white. The
face catches the reflection of the
first color. It lights with a golden
thread the outline ot the face and gives the
deep blue eyes a shade of green. It is not
fHUCv that likens that face to one of Bou-
guereau's angels. But the Oakland power
house is reached and I leave the car.
In the City of Pretty Girls.
Tbe several Allegheny lines carry be
tween them nearly, it not quite, 20,000,000
passengers vearlv. It is almost a certainty
tbat at least 8,000,000 of these are pretty
girls. One wonders where they all come
irom. At 5 or G o'clock in the evening al
most every seat in the car is filled by a nice
looking young lady. Some come trom the
shops, others irom the factories, offices, and
every place in which women are employed.
There are private secretaries, typewriters,
dressmakers, milliners, salesladies,' and a
sprinkling of dainty ladies whose circum
stances do not require their eolfig forth to
toil. And above these twin rows of
prettiness a row ot men, of all
classes and conditions, hang by the
straps, each separate individual, perhaps,
wondering why those girls can retain such
a fixed expression of vacuity with so much
manly beauty near at hand. There are a
few who do not care a drachma, if there
ivas not a pretty face in the car, if they
could only find a place to sit down
and rest, but ot this class there are few,
indeed. The majority do care and would
yield up, not one, but many drachmas, if
they could gain bht one lookr ot sweet rec
ognition from the prettiest girl in the car.
And so the stream of humanity is moved
to and fro every day. Who can estimate
the many and mixed emotions tbat are car
ried on one street-car in a day? AVhat pas
sions, sorrows, joys, suQerings are hidden
behind the composite street-car lace?
Does Death Ride the Street Car?
By the way, the danger of cable and trac
tion cars is o'ften discussed: will somebody
furnish data to prove the street car more
dangerous than the steam car? Where is
the railroad handling 150,000 passengers
daily, on which the percentage of accident
is not as great, if uot greater than on Pitts
burg street car lines since the introduction
of speedy motive power? Besides, the fact
remains that railroads traverse thiuly set
tled districts for the most part, while street
cars . have to "hustle" through streets
always swarming with humanity.
Tile only wonder is that accidents are not
more frequent.
Pirrsnuno, Dec. 21, 18J2.
Parlor salts reupholste red.
lUuoa A KxzffAff, 83-Si Water street.
UPON THE CHARTIERS.
Facts Abont the First Yhite People
Who fame to This fc'ecifcn.
THEIR KAMES .STILL FAlilL'AP.
A Heme Where Wishinttlon and aron
Eurr Were Intertaincd.
TOE HISTORIC CHAIN IXCOMfUTE
IWltlTTXX FOR TITR PItrATCn.l
The Charliers valley enjoys the distinc
tion of having been the first settled portion
of Allegheny and Washington counties.
Long before the aborigines had let go their
hold on Western Pennsylvania a number of
settlements were made by 'the whites along
this valley. The first permanent white set
tler was James McKec. His lands were at
tbe mouth of the creek, and his name has
become a fixture, being engraved in the
rocks at the mouth of the creek, McKcc's
Bocks.
James McEee, who was a Scotch-Irishman,
located on the Chartiers creek in the
year 1763. A year after his brother, Alex
ander McKee, joined him, and there the
two brothers spent tbe remainder of their
days. At the time the McKees' planted
themselves in the valley of Chartiers, the
Indians having lull sway, the pioneers
adopted in a great measure the habits and
customs of the native, and were by them
received into fellowship aud protected.
Otherwise they must have gone to the
slake, since there, were frequent massacres
of white settlers by the Indians in this vi
cinity 30 vears and more a'ter the McKeci
had planted themselves on tbe Chartiers.
Two More Brothers on tlie Creek.
The next on the list or white settlers on
the creek were John and James Boll, who
settled there in 17GS. Tbe Bell settlement
was ntar North Mansfield. Up to this time
no legal titles had been issued to settlers.
The only title which these pioneers had to
their land was from tomahawk claims. In
colonial times a large part of Western
Pennsylvania was claimed by Virginia, and
was a part of the outlying wilderness of
what was then Augusta county. The first
patents of laud in this section "were issued
from the land office of Bichmond in 1'G'J.
When the lands were opened to the public
there were 3,500 claimants' for land in the
Chartiers, Monocgahela and Bedstone val
leys. The first patent granted bv the Bichmond
land office was to William Preston and the
patent covered a large tract, embracing the
lands now occupied by the Mnrganza Re
form School. The McClelland farm,. on the
heishts to -the east of Mnrganza, was the
first patented' in the Chartiers valley. It
is fully demonstrated that the patentee
chose wisely since the McCIellands by uni
versal consent, are in possession of one of
the finest stock farms of Washington county.
Five Brothers in a Kanch.
Adjoining the Preston tract five brothers
by the name of While planted themselves,
and were industriously seeking to keep tbe
wolf from their doors', at the outbreak of
the lievolutior. In the year 1716 Rev. Mc
Millenran ardent young Presbyterian "mis
sionary, was sent out by the Presbytery of
Carlisle toooK alter the spiritual interests
of the settlers of the Chartiers valley. From
177G until his death in 1832 Dr. McMillen
was the-recognized Presbyterian Bishop of
the valley. He, in conjunction with John
Canon, somewhere in the last decade of
the eighteenth century, founded the Jeffer
son Academy in Canousburg, an academy
which, by processes of evolution, has devel
oped into Washington and Jefferson Col
lege. As evidence of Cannonsbnrg's important
position as a center of learning and religion
a century ago the First United Presbyterian
Church, ot Pittsbunr. was an offshoot from
the Seceder Church, of that place. The
Scceders, as they were designated in- those
days, now United Presbytcriapsj had lor
their bishop around the headwaters Of tbe
Chartiers one Matthew Henderson, who was
on the field prior to the Revolution. Father
Henderson in his missionary tours found a
few families of like faith around Fort Pitt,
and here established a missionary station.
Fonnuins of tho First IT. P. Church.
The station at Pittsburg developed into a
church in the year 1SU2, and is now the
First U. P. Church, over which Dr. Will
iam J. Reed presides so succe3.'utlr. The
writer remembers well the original elder ot
this church, who, tor a number of years
after his settlement in Pittsburg, went reg
ularly to Canousburg for his gospel teach
ing. Among the most historic places of the
Chartiers Valley is the section aronnd
Woodville. Tn'ere is the oldest burying
ground of the country. Travelers along the
old Washington pise cannot fail to notice
the little' old Episcopal Church and baryta;
ground near where the pike crosses the
creek at Woodville. There many of tbe
rnde forefathers of the hamlet sleep. A
soldier ot tbe Forbes army, br the name of
Lee, was attracted to this stmt when here to
recover Fort Duanesne from thj hands of
the French and Indians in 1758.
A few years alter, this soldier returned to
make himself a home in the Chartiers Val
ley. His name is a familiar one on the
headstones of that old graveyard. There
was buried in 1854 the first white person
born in the Chartiers Valley a daughter of
the pioneer Lee. On Boner's Hill, above
Woodville, was the home of Colonel
Neville, where the rebels met with their
disastrous defeat in the Whisky Insurrec
tion. Where Washington Was a Guest
A half mile below Morganza is the oldest
bouse in the valley, the one time home of
Colonel Morgan. Colonel Morgan was
there at home, in revolutionary times. At
his home Washington was eutertained, and
there Aaron Burr spent some days endeav
oring to gain a follower in his m.id effort to
establish a Southwestern Republic
On a recent visit to tbe old Morgan home
stead I was surprised to find how little the
neighbors know of the fact tbat within
those walls the founders of the American
Republic ha I enjoyed the hospitalities of
the original proprietor.
Another point ot historic interest in the
Chartiers Valley is that beautilnl garden
spot just this side of the spot where the
Steubenville pike crosses tbe creek. There
was located Haud's Hospital, a two-story
leg bnilding. which disappeared within a
few years. This I write with some hesita
tion, since Isaac Cral?. who is authority in
Allegheny county history, denies that it
was used as a hospital lor ine soiuiers oi
jb'ort Pitt when Fort Pitt was in commao J
of General Hand.
Sick Soldiers From Fort FItt
Certain it is that General Hand's name
lingers about,the spot. It may be a myth,
but if so, it is a myth which was fully ac
cepted in my boyhood days that, to the
banks of tbe Chartiers sick" soldiers were
conveyed from Fort Pitt, where they were
tended and nuried a century and more ago.
The name of Hand was one day prominent
in this city. It was the name by which
Ninth street was known for thrreiquartcrs
of a century after Pittsburg was laid out
I. have only touched at a few important
facts iu the h'istory ot the Chartiers Valley.
That valley lurnishes a wide field tor the
researches of the antiquarian, and it is
fondly hoped that its complete history will
Juiix H. Yousg.
JCI ni'uvu.
The InQaenco of the We-tthar.
There is a rich field, of study for some one
in tbe investigation of the influence of the
weather upon the feelings of people. A
crowd on a bright, clear dav is always a
buoyant and merry one. Everybody is an
optimist. The mental conditions are practi
cal the rams in a heavr storm, be it rain
or snow. But when it is I alt b-tweea r.iln
aud fair weather, when it is dull aad damp
and muggy, every person one meets seems
to be a follower of Schopenhauer.
KEW APTFTrnSEMFJiTS.
CREDIT.
Fancy Rockers.
Over ioo Styles to Select From.
Pictures, Pictures,
ON CREDIT,
But No Fancy Prices.
Mire ai Girjsts
ON OEEDIT
At Rock-Bottom Prices.
Too numerous to mention. Our
expenses are small and we
can save you money.
ram J in
F.P.THOMAS
Cor. Ohio ?ni E. Diamond,
ALLEGHENY.
dei-12-wrsu
A HEAVY PALL
And consequent reduction takesplacilnth
prices or our stock this week. Do yon want
to remember some irlend on Sew Tear's
Part J.O better war than by a token In the
shape or Jewelry. sTe nave to take stock
you can take vour choice as your 'ancy di
rects and prollt by tho low prices at which
we offer our stock.
OUR "HEAVY PALL" PBICES.
Solid Gold Ttlnzs, 81.33 tip.
Ladles' Solid Gold Watches, S3.00 np.
Gents' Solid Gold Watches, S 15.00 up.
Chatelaine Watches, S2.25.
Ladles' Gold Filled Watches, S7-50.
Gents' Gold Filled Watches, 88 75.
The above prices are M per cent lower
than those of onr "would-be" competitors.
CASPIAN DIAMONDS.
Tho best, most brilliant, most lasting in
lnster. Xone sold without a guarantee and
warranted besides. Mounted In solid cold
breajt pins, scarf pin, studs, chains, ear
rings and rlnps from $2 np. lint one place
toget the bfghetvalues fn Jewelry for the
least ontl.iy, and that Is of
EMANUEL DE ROY'S,
643 Smltbfleia St., near Seventh At.
Send for catalogue FREE. de254
DESKS!
ALL KINDS $5 UP.
LargeSizeRollTop5$21 Up
THE FAVORITE FOLDING CHAIR,
5 in one; 50 posi
tions. A home
nccessity.Pleases
everybody,old or
young, sick or
well. Lawn and
"Wheel Chairs and
Invalid poods in
stock. Discount
prices
STEVENS CHAIR CO,
KO. 3 SIXTH ST.
riTTSBUilQ.
JeS-sa
THE CHILD WAS A H2R0.
How a 12-Year Old West Virginia Girl
BraVed a Mad BmlL
Los Angeles Times. J
A stock farmer in West Virginia has a
story to tell of a little girl which might
have been related of some brave heroine
of a novel. Only a country child 12
years old, but she showed a presence of
mind and a vailant heart possessed by few
men.
Walking along a country road with two
little children, she heard behind her the
running hoots and peculiar voices of the
crossest bull on tbe farm. The fences were
barbed wire, close and hijh. Alone she
miht have torn through," but with two
babies!
Quick as a flash her mind had to work,
and her motions to follow the thought.
She pushed the children ahead of her,
then turned to face the infuriated animal.
Standing like a rock until Its lowered
head was within arm's length, she hooked
her Augers in tho ring in its nose aud led
the cowed and helpless creature home.
THE CIIBISTMAS 'POSSUM ON MARKET
HOLIDAY
GOODS
Ira
With a Covetovs Eye.