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. if f •? THE McHtlBY PLAIKDEALER 'ft- / . . *lfcHENRY PLAINDEALKR 00. McHENRY, a. . -- ILLINOIS. MeE LIm ELEmpnirj BVEVTriC/1 r John W. Merrill, a pioneer Kansas City lumberman, died at his winter home at Tropico, Fla., of hemorrhage of the stomach, aged 77 years. Mr. Merrill wa8 born at Trumbull, Ohio. In 1845 he was managing editor of the Mahoning Index at Canfleld, Ohio; tn 1847 he moved to what is now Kenosha, Wis., and engaged in the transportation business on the great lakes. William Fairfax, a wrecker, was killed by a falling wall at Baltimore while razing the ruined front of a building in the burned district. The entire graduating class in the collegiate and engineering depart­ ments of the Western University of Pennsylvania has been suspended be­ cause some pt the members played Sioker iB tlie classroom and decorated thecal Is with cards. Bishop Tierney of Hartford, Conn., has already disposed of the gift df $15,000 presented by the priests of his diocese on the tenth anniversary of his consecration, $10,000 being given ta St. Thomas seminary and $5,000 to ft Francis hospital, both Hartford institutions. In order to forestall a pardon or pa­ role an additional indictment, charg­ ing the embezzlement of $5,000, has been found against George A. Rose, now serving a ten years' sentence for embezzling $187,000 of the funds of the Produce Exchange bank of Cleve­ land, of which he was cashier. Dr. Emory Potter, well known in prohibition circles, who was stricken with pneumonia, died at his Elwood Hall home at Saratoga, N. Y. Dr. Potter was born in Union Valley, N. Y., in 1831. He is survived by his widow and four daughters. The Rev. Father Henry J. Koetting, pastor of the St. Boniface German Catholic church, Milwaukee, and a former secretary to the late Arch­ bishop Heiss of the Milwaukee dio­ cese, is dead, after an illness ex­ tending over a period of several weeks. Heart failure was the cause of his death. Father Koetting was born in Cincinnati in 1852. Reports at Philadelphia say that *3bhn Pitcarin and his associates with­ drew from the Consolidated Lake Su­ perior underwriting because of the dis­ covery of discrepancies between the statements made to them and the ac­ tual facts. Nearly 200 houses were damaged, some of them being completely wreck­ ed by a cave-in covering an area of forty acres, at West Scranton, Pa., •caused by the settling of the surface over the Bellevue colliery of the Del- Aware, Lackawanna and Western Com­ pany. Lillian Blauvelt Pendleton, soprano singer, has begun suit against the Minneapolis Philharmonic club for $600, alleging breach of a contract •hereunder she was to appear in one of their concerts. The O'Neil-Grimes murder case went to trial at Cairo, 111., Saturday after a difficult fight for a jury. Over 150 men were examined before a jury was secured. O'Neil and Grimes are charged with the murder of Con Shee- han, who was shot in O'Neil's saloon last October. An Iron ^fountain freight train was wrecked near S ikes ton, Mo. Engineer William Hack and Fireman W. J. Haas, both of Poplar Bluff, Mo., were caught under the engine and scalded 40 death. A broken rail caused the wreck. For the murder of Jesse E. Soles and Jim Stanley at Whiteville, N. C., last March and the burning of their house to conceal the crime, Jabel Reg­ ister was hanged there. His father is mow serving a life sentence for plan- Blag and Instigating the Crime. Long Wah Sang, known as chief of the Chinese Free Masons, is deaden Denver. After elaborate funeral cere­ monies his body will be shipped direct to Hong-Kong. Long owned nearly all the Chinese gambling resorts in Den­ ver and was reputed to be very wealthy. The senate of the University of Edinburgh has conferred the hood and gown with degree of doctor of laws on Hannis Taylor, former United States minister to Spain. The same honor was conferred some time ago by the University of Dublin. Mr. Taylor will receive the degree at Dub­ lin the laBt of June and at Edlnburg- early in July. William J. Bryan has Informed 'Judge Cleaveland of the Probate Court it New Haven that all the parties in­ terested in the will of the late P. S. Bennett, of which he is executor, have agreed on a plan for the disposal of the personal estate. Charles Fuchs, a St Louis horse­ man, committed suicide by shooting In a room at the New Gruener hotel, Buffalo, N. Y. Elsie and Robert Shonafelt, aged 6 fad 4 years, were burned to death in their home at Johnstown, Pa., during the absence of their mother. Rev. W. L. McEwln of Pittsburg, Pa., who was recently offered the pres­ idency of Central university of Ken­ tucky, has declined the honor. Two children of Cannack McAleer, aged 5 and 2 years, were fatally burn- in a fire which destroyed their m. mm :v:' • SHOTS FIRED IN CORE A ' / i M '."."J'v Outpost Affair of Small Importance Harks the Begin­ ning of Active Land Hostilities--Port Arthur^ Seems Doomed Londcn, Feb. 29.--The first ahots have been exchanged between the Russians and Japanese land forces in Corea. It was an affair of outposts near Ping-Yang and is, claimed by both sides as a succees. It is here re­ garded as important only as indicating how much or little the Japanese have done in Corea. Ping-Yang is taken to have been the first objective on both sides, a sort of strategical halfway house between the Corean capital and the Manchu- rian frontier. The English view is that the Japanese infantry have forestalled the Cossacks at this halfway house. A British general officer said: "When an experienced correspond­ ent like Bennet Burleigh sends a hint that ever since Feb. 10 transports have been traveling with troops in the direction of Talienwan and tells us further that the transports have re- base has been blockaded by the Jap­ anese fleet since Thursday. This re­ port suggests to the Mail that the Jap­ anese landing at Possiet bay was, after all, for the purpose of securing a base near at hand to a Russian port There is no Japanese port within 450 miles, so that it would be vital to seize some point within easy steam and wireless signaling distance, which Possiet bay is. Vladivostok is difficult to watch, from the fact that there are two entrances to the harbor, some dis­ tance apart According to one of the morning papers there is a mystery in connec­ tion with Admiral Togo's main fleet, which grows deeper with the receipt of * every telegram. The irrepressible Togo is reported to be at various points in the Yellow and Japan seats at one and the same time. He has been sighted steaming to the seuth- 8TARS SHOW WHERE JAPANESE "HOBSON" STEAMERS GROUNDED. PORT 4»asiD tticpto. The Japanese attempted to <eend a number of steamers loaded with in­ flammables through the channel at* Port Arthur, with the intention either of exploding them in the narrow pas­ sage and bottling up the Russian squadron or of setting fire to whatever the ships might come in contact with. Viceroy Alexieff reports to St. Peters­ burg that one of these ships grounded near the lighthouse on the Tiger's Tail peninsula and the .other on the shore of Golden Hill. turned, having discharged their origi­ nal cargo and come back for more, it is obvious what has been going on. "The transports could not have come back for more troops unless those first sent nad been landed. Where they can have been landed and now be without the Russians knowing anything about their presence is a question which almost gives its own answer, seeing that the Japanese fleet completely commands the sea and keeps fidgeting around Port Arthur al­ most like a lark watching to distract attention from its eggs. It must be in some of the islands near the coast that the precious eggs have been laid. "I believe that on both shores of the Liaotung peninsula the process of landing troops, stores, artillery, and ammunition has been steadily going on, and that as soqn as the weather permits the peninsula north of the east, and again back to the westward. There are reports of torpedo boats searching the bays of Talienwan and Tatown, and again it is said that the naval force threatening Vladivostok has been greatly strengthened. At the same time it is worthy of note that the latest dispatches from the fleet off Port Arthur are signed by Admiral Kamlnmura and not by Admiral Togo. «d Location of Pigeon bay, where Jap­ anese are thought to have landed big force to storm Port Arthur from land side. neck a#I11 be seized by an overwhelm­ ing force from both sides. "For the actual investment of Port Arthur 50,000 men ought to be ample whenever the attempt is made, and there can, I think, be no question that it will be pressed home at all costs till the Japanese army is securely in­ trenched astride the peninsula." Vladivostock is menaced is the re­ port that comes in a Daily Mail dis­ patch from Hakodate, where it is stated that Russia's northern naval HOW AFRICAN MONARCH RULE8. home at Pittsburg. In trying to rescue j •the children the mother was probably fatally and the grandmother seriously turned. 'i'- Mrs. Caroline M. Lee, aged 77, wld- -;>jw of the Rev. Thomas Lee, who was * anown as the mother of Methodism is dead in Cincinnati. if ) Chaplain Thomas W. Berry, U. S. died at Fort Monroe, Va. He was I born in Canada and entered the army • 'from Kansas. I V V William J. Thornbury, chief plan lixaminer in the Brooklyn building de- §*: ipartment, and one of the most accom­ plished mathematicians in the country, 'killed himself by inhaling gas. He had .been in poor health for a year past. iHe waa a native of Kentucky. M' - •tlr Dusky King of Southern Nigeria a True Autocrat. Capt Foote of the good English ship Mary Hendry has reached Barba- does with a story that must make the local niggers appreciate the blessings of British rule. Trading down the West African coast, Capt. Foote reached that part of southern Nigeria which is swayed by King Ogby. His majesty was en­ tertained on the British vessel, and the roast pork was so much to his liking that, after five helpings, and when he could eat no more, the king asked whether so savory a Joint was not composed of human flesh--white man's flesh. King Ogby and his subjects, Capt. Foote subsequently discovered, are cannibals to a man. The monarch has over a thousand slaves, wives in quantities and child­ ren to match. When Capt. Foote ask­ ed him for some leather wherewith to make a pair of slippers, the king dispatched a slave to the ship with a parcel, which, on being opened, vu 8tory of Daring Deed by Japanese at Port Arthur. Tokio, Feb. 29.--Every Japanese sailor who took part in the attempt to blockade the entrance to the har­ bor of Port Arthur has been accounted for. Not a life was lost on any of the/flve Japanese merchantmen which weiit in; loaded full of explosives, and braved the Russians' heavy guns. Several of the volunteers, however, had narrow escapes from death from Russian shells, both while on the ships and later in trying to rejdin the torpedo boats. Some failed to find the flotilla and drifted about on the open sea in the intense cold until late the next after­ noon. Their adventures in the harbor were stirring, and most of the time they had to work under the intense glare of the Russian searchlights. All of the men who braved death to block the harbor were regulars in the navy. Merchant crews volunteered, and for a time the competition among the regulars was so sharp it seemed like­ ly the merchantmen would have to be accepted. Admiral Togo, however, _nally picked crews from the ships of his fleet. The report of the officers follow: "Five vessels intended to obstruct the entrance to Port Arthur advanced about 4 o'clock on the morning of the 24th from the southward toward the mouth of the port. It appears that the Tenshin Maru, which was in the van, was steered too far to port, and when it was about three miles to the southwest of shore it was shot and seriously damaged. The boat was run on the shoals intentionally. "The other steamers, which were in its wake, changed their course to the northeast and advanced, but the en*t emy's searchlights flashing upon thQm impeded their progress. The enemy's fire struck the steering gear of the Bushiu Maru, disabling it "The boat grounded near the Ten- discovered to contain the bide of a negro, from neck to waist, who had been specially selected by his majesty on account of the toughness of his skin. Capt Foote asked for no more leather. . *v- shin Maru, and after striking the of­ ficers destroyed it and the boat sank. Next the Buyo Maru was seriously damaged by the enemy's shells and sank before reaching the harbor en­ trance. "In the meanwhile the Hokoku Maru and the Jinsen Maru had ad* vanced with great rapidity and had reached the entrance to the harbor with considerable difficulty. "The Hokoku Maru was on the out­ er side of the stranded Russian battle­ ship Retvizan, and the Jinsen Maru on the eastern side of the Retvizan. "The crews of each lighted explo­ sives to destroy the merchantmen, and after giving a loud cheer got Into their small boats. When they found their vessels sinking the orews en­ deavored to row to the Japanese tor­ pedo boats, which were ready to pick them up, but the Russian searchlights lit up their path and the Russian lire became severe. "The crews in their small boats were compelled to row around under ©over, and they were unable to reafch the torpedo boats. The sea became heavier at sunrise, and the crews suf­ fered great hardship. They finally succeeded in reaching the Japanese squadron at 3 o'clock in the afternoon oi the same day. Japan is singing the praises of the volunteer crews who participated in the dangerous work. It is expected that the emperor will publicly thank them and give them medals to com­ memorate the daring act v TING LI fohmion Review of the Legislation Be- ' fore Both Houses ^ ' Congress • . OUTLINE OF DAILY u ROUTINE Special Correspondents Yell of the Business Transacted by 8enators and Representatives In Session at • the Capital. " • '• ' v;' /• ' •. . Wednesday, H Most of the day was spent-in the Sen­ ate discussing: an amendment to the ag­ ricultural appropriation bill, striking: out the House provision giving the Secretary 3f Agriculture authority to Inspect im­ ported food products when mlsbranded or juspected of impurity. Finally the Sen­ ate agreed to substituting the act of 190© bearing upon the same point, but amend­ ed to make the provision applicable t© impure food only, leaving out all regula­ tions relating to mlsbranded and falsely labeled articles. Mr. Cullom reported the legislative, executive and judicial appro­ priation bill. A resolution by Mr. Daniel tipste the expediency of enacting a law prohibiting members of Congress from accepting emoluments of any executive office, agency or commission, while in Congress, was adopted. Mr. Proctor in­ troduced a bill to increase the efficiency of the medical department of the army. The Senate passed the following bills: Providing for the reimbursement of the state of Iowa to tho extent of J20.600 for moneys expended in equipping troops In the Spanish war; the limit of navigation of the Osage river in Missouri; author­ izing the Yankton and Norfolk Railroad Company to construct a bridge across the Missouri river at Yankton, S". D. The great lakes training station went out of the naval appropriation bill after a wordy battle in the House. Mr. Burton of Ohio moved to strike out the provi­ sion for the single battle ship authorized; to eliminate the provision for two armor­ ed cruisers and to place a limit of $398 Friday, Feb. 28. •he senate oonsldered at some length the felM requiring the use <pf American shins I* carrying government supplies, but took no action, as a quorum wU not present. The bill was criticised by Democratic senators as being in the na­ ture of a subsidy, but Mr. Hale, in. charge of the measure, defended It' against this attack, and championed It a« being In the interest of American ship­ ping. Early in the day an agreement was reached to take up on Monday next the bill authorising the erection of tf joint building for the departments of state, Justice and commerce, and to de*' vote Thursday to legislation in the inter* est of Alaska. Mr. Scott, from the com­ mittee on public buildings, presented a report on the condition of the old gov­ ernment printing office, saying that the walls are In such condition that it Is a menace to the lives of hundreds of gov­ ernment employes, find recommending that the building be torn down. No ac­ tion was taken on the report. Bills were passed providing for the confirmation of entries under the homestead law when outside the land district In which the land is situated, and authorizing the holding of United States courts at Great Falls, Mont The house passed the naval appropria­ tion bill after having It under considers* tlon for a week*- There was a party con­ test on a number of propositions while the body sat in committee of the whole considering the bill. The minority mem­ bers made a special effort to secure an amendment to fix the price of armor plate at the figure bid by the Midvale Steel company. Several amendments were ruled out on points of order and the matter of.arinor plate was left to the discretion of the 'secretary of the navy. An ineffectual attempt was made to have tho eight-hour law applied to all naval ship construction. There was a contest over submarine boats, which finally re­ sulted In an amendment which leaves the question of the, type of boat open, but increases the amount of the appro­ priation for such boats. The minority failed to secure a record vote on tho proposition to recommit with instructions' and the house passed the bill In regular session without opposition. Saturday, Feb. 27. In the senate a motion by Mr. Car- mack to recommit the bill requiring the use of A'merican vessels in transporting government supplies was defeated. An amendment by Mr. Hale to provide that the government be relieved from enforc­ ing the operation of the proposed law in cases where the charges by American vessels exceed those of foreign ships to the extent of 10 per cent was tabled. Ef­ forts to fix the figures, at 15 and then at 20 per cent also were defeated, as was an amendment extending to 1909 the time for the law to take effect. An amend- German Military Men Look for Land Conflicts in June Berlin, Feb. 29.--The announcement that the Russian Baltic-fleet will not leave for the far east till June may be regarded as confirming the report that Gen. Kouropatkin will not leave for Manchurit till the mobilization is com-' plete and an army of 400,000 men is assembled there. It is assumed in military circles that the arrival of the Baltic fleet in the far eastern waters will coincide with the commencement of active opera­ tions by the Russian army. The object will be to regain com­ mand of the sea and cut off the Japan^ ese army from its base. With Russia commanding the sea provisioning the Japanese army -will be difficult. In naval circles here it is considered the- Baltic fleet will experience great dif­ ficulty in reaching the far east on ac­ count of the impossibility of obtaining a sufficient supply of coal en route. It means the fleet must be accom-- paaied by colliers, and to coal on the high seas, though such an operation is not impossible, is surrounded by dif­ ficulties which will greatly delay the progress of the ships. Russia Anxious for Peace; Japan Forces the Fighting. Paris, Feb. 27.--Russia is willing to accept overtures looking toward peace if they can be made in a way to save her national honor. French officials Among the Russian generals, to have an important command in the Japanese war is Gen. Dragomiroff. Al­ though a rough old soldier, he is a celebrated and sympathetic person- GEM j&disatn&Qfir age. In the Turkish war he was se verely wounded In the Shipka paBS but, though maimed for life on thav occasion, he is accounted one of the first generals in the Russian arm>. who are known to be intensely pro- Russian, freely state this, but place little dependence in the ultimate re­ sult of an attempt at mediation made by any of the great powers, as Japan is thought to be bent on carrying the WAT to the limit. said the Cynic's Argument. "It's an awfully sad thing, cynic, mournfully. "What is?" asked the cynic's friend. "Something I have Just discovered. It's really terrlblo* "Dear, dear! And what hare yon just discovered?" "That women don't go to heaven!" •Is that so?" * "Yes, I hardly dare mention It, but it's true. I have Scriptural evidence to that effect, evidence which is con­ clusive. I was reading the Bible this morning and came across a passage which puts that question beyond all debate." "And what is it?" "It was Revelations Tli!., 1, aMd It reads, 'And there was silence in heavs en for the space of about half an hour."--Chicago Journal. Pictorial Russian 8lgns. On every ^shop front in St. Peters­ burg there is not only the Russian sign, but a complete pictorial repre­ sentation of the goods on sale within. Pass the Praise, Please. Pass on the praise. Does your clerk do well? Pass on the praise. Tell him that you are pleased, and tf he is a good clerk ho will appreciate it as much as a rise. A good clerk does not work for his salary alone. Teacher, if the child is good, tell him about it; if he Is better, tell him again. Thus, you Bee, good, better, best Pass on the praise now. Pass it on in the home. Do not go to the grave and* call "mother." Do not plead, "Hear me, mother; you were a kind 'another; you were a good mother, and smoothed away many a rugged path for me." Those ears cannot hear that glad admission. Those eyes cannot see the light of earnestness in yours. Those hands may not return the em­ brace you now wish to give. Why call BO late? Pass on the praise to­ day.--London Answers. ~ Smallest People on Earth. Natives of the Andaman islands, the smallest people th the world, average three feet eleven inches In height. A BAD YEAR FOR BEARS. _ ton as the maximum price for armor plate factory to cost not more than J4,- 000,000 provided the plate cannot be pro­ cured at the price limit; also that all vessels provided for in the bill under the head of "Increase of the navy" ex­ cept the battle ships be constructed in government yards. Representative Adams of Pennsylvania introduced a bill limit­ ing to 80,000 the number of aliens to be admitted to the United States in any one year from any foreign country, Canada, Mexico and Cuba excepted. Thursday, Feb. 25. When the senate convened the agri­ cultural appropriation bill was taken up again, and after a number of minor amendments were made it was passed. An amendment offered by Mr. Hey- burn authorizing the secretary of ag­ riculture to prohibit interstate ship­ ments of misnamed and misbranded fruit trees provoked a long discussion. In which Messrs. Heyburn, Clark of Wyoming, Tillman, Lodge, Hale, Tel­ ler, Proctor and Bailey talked at length on economy of government. The agricultural bill was passed. The leg­ islative, executive and judicial appro­ priation bill also was passed. Mr. Meyer of Louisiana opened the debate on the naval appropriation bill in the house, leading a campaign by the minority to reduce the number of ships authorized. He wanted the bill recommitted with instructions to elim­ inate two cruisers, but his amendment was defeated, as well as that offered by Mr. Burton of Ohio to do away with the one battleship authorized. Mr. Bishop of Michigan was the only other Republican to support Mr. Burton's amendment. Mr. Foss opposed the amendment to strlks out two of the cruisers. Mr. McNary of Massachu­ setts offered an amendment for the construction of ten torpedo boat des­ troyers. Mr. Foss opposed, saying that Japan's success at Port Arthur was not due to preponderance of such craft, but to the fact that Russia was not prepared for war. The amendment was defeated^ Mr. Humphrey of Washing­ ton offered an amendment to nive a preferential of 4 per cent to Pacific coast builders bidding for construction of ships authorized in the bill. Mr. McDermott of New Jersey made a hu­ morous appeal in behalf of the ship­ building trust of his own state, saying that charity as well as economy de­ manded that his coast be given any advantage offered. The amendment was defeated. MOB'8 LEADER8 ARE LOCKED UP ^-Chicago Record-Hereto. ment excluding from the benefits of the bill American vessels employing Chinese other than those entitled to reside In the United States was offered by Mr. Pat­ terson and was defeated. Mr. Hale, in charge of the bill, consented to strike out the section authorizing .the presi­ dent to suspend the act and also con­ sented to amend it so that in case of excessive charges the matter may be set­ tled by existing laws. An amendment by Mr. Hoar, striking out the section giving the secretaries of war and navy the right to enforce the act, was adopt­ ed. Unanimous agreement was reached to vote on the measure next Tuesday. By agreement the house considered pen­ sion bills, of which 269 were passed. Representative Van Duser of Nevada in­ troduced a bill for the "free and un­ limited coina.ge of silver." A resolution calling on the secretary of the Interior for Information as to the receipts from sales of town lots In Lawton, Hobart and Anadarko, Oklahoma; for a copy of the report of any inspector or person em­ ployed to Investigate charges against any official in charge of Indian affairs In In­ dian Territory, and for other informa- mation pertaining to Indians in In­ dian Territory, was passed. Bills were passed as follows: To authorize tho ac­ ceptance of lands from the state of Montana for the enlargement of the Fort Missoula military reservation; providing for an additional associate justice for the supreme court of New Mexico; to con­ firm patents to lands in Bitter Root val­ ley, Montana; granting additional land to the University of Montana; setting apart a tract of land in Arizona as a public park, to be known as the Petrified Forest National Park; authorizing the construction of bridges across the Mis­ souri river at Yankton, S. D., and the Cantalla river in Alaska. PARRY'8 NONUNION MEN 8TRIKE Five Indiana Men Charged With Incit­ ing Lynching Riot. Terre Haute, Ind., dispatch: Frafric Morgan, Charles Adams, Bud Sanders, James McGee and Charles Leon have been arrested on charges of inciting a riot that threatened to end in the lynching of Jerry Duggins,' the con­ fessed murderer of Mrs. Ben Ramsey and her two children. Judge Piety has ordered the riot investigated and more arrests are expected. Custom House Burns. New York dispatch: A private dis­ patch received here contained the in­ formation that a considerable part of the custom house at Pernambuco, Bra­ zil, had been destroyed by fire Md the archives all burned. i.V • tc Klll Chinese In Robbery* New York dispatch: Sam Lee, Chi­ nes* laundry man, was found dying in his shop at 2027 Second avenue. He had been shot and the place looted Object to Continual Reduction in Wages by Manufacturing Company. Indianapolis dispatch: Seventy-five craters and hangers employed by the Parry Manufacturing company, at the head of which is D. M. Parry, presi­ dent of the National Manufacturers' association and the National Indus­ trial association of America, struck because of a cut in wages. All the men are nonunion. They were paid and discharged. The men say they have been cut from 72 to 57 cents apiece since October, and struck against an additional cut of 2 cents. ENDOW8 CHAIR OF BIBLE 8TUDY Lawrence University Receives $8,000 From an Unknown Donor. •Appleton, Wis., dispatch: Lawrence university has received a gift of $8*- 000 frQm an unknown donor, with which to endow a chair of English Bible study. Prof. Merica, who was recently added "to the faculty, was Instrumental in securing the gift This makes almost $200,000 received by the university this year, including the gift fcom the Cooper estate of Racipo. -- Detective Shoots Polltlclai^T Denver, Col., special: In a shooting affray Samuel Emrich, a member of the detective force, probably fatally wounded William Malone, a prominent politician. The shooting occurred in Malone's saloon. Rejects Arbitration Plan.' New York dispatch: The Litho­ graphers' union of New York has re­ jected an arbitration proposition by the Employers' Association of ftf United States and Canada. FIRE DESTROYS TTiiitb Statehouse at Madison, Wis.,^ C\ W Wiped Out by tli(^| Flame* £ NO INSURANCE ON BUILDING Last Legislature Directed the 8tate Officers to Allow All Policies to Lapse and the Commonwealth Must Bear'Loss of $800,000. ' • • ' Madison, Wis., dispatch: The state v capitol (building was practically do* stroyed by fire Saturday 'morning, the. loss "being estimated at $800,000, on which there is but little insurance. All the valuable state records are believed to be safe. Most of them remain In masonry and steel vaults, and their safety depends on the fireproof char­ acter of the vaults. The state treas­ ury had only about $8,000 in cash on hand. The fire is .believed to have been caused by a lighted gas jet Gov. Scofield maintained Insurance . on the building throughout his term, totaling $600,000, but the last legisla­ ture instituted an Insurance fund and directed the state's officers to allow the insurance policies to lapse. In June last there lapsed $510,000, and In December $90,000. There Is in the in­ surance fund at the present time about $6,000 to meet the loss. < The burning of the capitol may mean the transfer of the seat of gov­ ernment to Milwaukee. While the general Impression is that the seat of government cannot be taken from Madison because of the impossibility 3f separating it from the seat of the itate university, this Is declared to ae a wrong impression. 1 On the main floor the executive oi- Ice, and offices of the secretary of state, attorney general, insurance com­ missioner, state board of control, state treasurer, and state banking commis­ sioners were saved and the supreme court chambers and law library on the lecond floor escaped destruction. All pth«r offices were destroyed. Governor Directs Firemen. | One of the most serious losses was the Grand Army room, together with the records of the department of Wis­ consin and of Lucius Fairchild post |tnd records, mementos, and relics of the civil and Spanish-American wars. Gov. LA Follette was early on the scene and by his coolness and self- possession did much to enforce order imong the workers. He worked hard tor five hours, part of the time direct­ ing the efforts of the fire department The governor says the loss may not exceed $300,000. "I have not had time to think about calling an extra session of the legis­ lature," he said. From an original cost of $60,000 in 1637, appropriations from time to. time for new additions made the cost of the state capitol to date about $900,000. The building was situated in the cen­ ter of Capitol park, which is 914 feet square, containing about fourteen and a half acres, on an elevation com­ manding a view of the surrounding lakes. Civil war veterans are mourning over the loss of. "-Old Abe," the his­ toric war eagle, which was destroyed in the capftol fire. This famous stuffed bird was burned, with all the other contents of the G. A. R. room. JURY DECLARE8 MACHEN QUILYY Verdict in Postal Frauds Cast Is Against All Defendants. Washington special: August W. Machen, former superintendent of the free delivery system and chief con­ spirator in postal frauds; Samuel A. Groff, former policeman and inventor of the letter box fastener; Diller B. Groff, his brother and business part­ ner, and George E. Lorenz, formerly postmaster at Toledo, O., have been convicted in the United States crim­ inal court of conspiracy to defraud the United States government in connec­ tion with contracts for furnishing let­ ter box fasteners* It will be some months before sen­ tence 1s passed on the conspirators, as they have an abundance of money and will fight the case through the Court of Appeals and to the United States Supreme court If Judge Pritchard grants a new trial, this will consume many weeks, and if the jury again con­ victs there will be an appeal. Charles S. Douglass, counsel for Machen and his associates, made a motion for a new trial, and gave no­ tice that If the motion were denied an appeal would be taken to the highest court in the land, as he was convinced his clients were innocent. The four convlqted men were liber­ ated on bail, each giving bond for $20,000. Diller B. Groff and Arthur E. Baker of Toledo went on Machen's bond; T. H. Pickiord, a groceryman oi this city, went security for the appear­ ance of Diller B. Groff; and the latter gave bail for his brother and^Lorens. Horsas Die !• Fire. Bloomingtor, 111., special: Fire de­ stroyed the big livery stable of W. R. Loveless at Farmer Ofty, together with thirty-four head of horses and all other contents. The loss is $15,- 000, about half covered by insurance. Pennsylvania Town Suffers. Scranton, Pa., dispatch: Fire de­ stroyed the business portion of the town of Nicholson, about twenty miles west of here. Seventeen buildings, all of them frame structures, were burn- •d, causing a loss of $40,000. Bakers Lose In Wheat Rise. New York dispatch: The jump in the price of wheat has cut down the bakers' profits on bread, cake and pastry to almost nothing, and the price of bread may be raised to seven cents a loaf. Revives Whipping Post Richmond, Va., dispatch: A bill to ' revive the whipping post has been <Jf- fered in the House. It prescribes from fifteen to thirty-nine lashes fort"" » larceny of goods not worth more - w than $5.