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1 -" i *r ,.r." : rr- : ' *, vr.-**:v;wpffr."r._s?~<wv>s-Z!-'~~'' ryasmyRWfB - \ "mrrw r; r,;v.kj:- ar/*er.;n*r . ... - - 1-T-P-<?hr$lhrrKm\ IBl Snfellxgmcer. VOLUME XLVIII--NUMBER106. WHEELING. W. VA., MONDAY. DECEMBER 25. 1899. PRICE TWO CENTS. BRAZNELL COAL MINE HORROR Grows in Intensity as the Bodies of the Miners Are Brought to the Surface. ONLY THIRTEEN HEN ESCAPED Out of Some Fifty or Sixty?List Is Likely to Grow to Forty Killed. PITTSBURGH, Dec. 24.?A special to the Post from Brownsville says: The honor of the Braznell mine prows In Intensity with every hour. The number of the dead Is now estimated at forty, and may pass that figure. At the same time there is a strong presumption that the laws regulating mining were carelessly and probably I criminally disregarded. To-day the flr^t body of the victims I was brought out of the mint*, and never in the history of mine disasters were human beings so horribly mutil- | ated. It was nearly 11 o'clock before I the first five bodies were taken out, twenty-eight hours after the explosion. At r?:30 three were brought to the surface, and at 9:30 three more came up in the cage of the main shaft. The dead taken from the mine so far. are: Henry Hagar, 30 years old, leaves wife and six children; Peter Orosory, 3ti, leaves wife and four children; William Thomas, 33, leaves wife and four children; Michael Rohtell, 24, single; Samuel Meeee, 39, leaves wife and three children; Albert Meese, 13, died after being rescued yesterday; Michael Mahie, 28, leaves wife and two children; (Jeorge Kovltz, 40, single; Joseph 3'ostsky, 22, leaves wife; Joseph Mag >ar, 19, single; wimum aiuiuk, o.?. leaves wife and two children; Paul Proloc. 24, wife and one child. Among the men missing and known be dead in the mine are the following Hungarians: Michael Parahek, Andrew Parahek, brothers; Paul Laundls, Thomas Kuelak. Andrew Tours!zskl. At least twelve other bodies are in night, but cannot be reached on account of the debris. The estimates of the number of dead are conflicting. A. B. Braznell; president of the Stockdale Coal Company, this afternoon said he believed that but twenty to twenty-five men had been killed. Men* who were working around, the mine yesterday morning gave different figures. They say thirtyfive to "forty men were down the main haft in th>* cages, while about twenty climbed down the steps In the elevator shaft. From fifty-five to sixty men were In the mine, and of this number but twelve have been recovered alive. All the rest, whatever the number, are dead. John, or as he is popularly known, "Jonah" Mcesc, is one of the thirteen men who escaped from the mine alive. He is fearfully burned, and Is lying at his home with his head swathed In bandages. He told his story to-day: "I was iri the stable," Meese said, "currying my mule, when the explosion occurred. My brother Sam was by my side, and 1:1s boy Albert was standing In front of him. Then camo the crack of the explosion. Never in my life have I heard such a terrific report. I thought my head had been blown off. In about two seconds the mine was filled with dazzling light, as the line coal dust In the air was consumed. My brother Sam dropped to the ground as If shot through the heart. lie must have been killed Instantly. His boy Albert swayed and fell over Ills father. I began to back out of the stable. That In why lay face is so terribly burned. I was afraid to turn my back upon the mules for fear they would stampede and run mo down. I did not know then that they hu?| all been killed by the explosion, for our lamps were blown out and we were In total darkness. "After 1 got out of the stable 1 heard Albert crying for help. I wont back and found lilin and Henry Atwood, a driver. 1 proceeded, half leading and half carrying them to the foot of the mine shaft. They were both delirious, i'id r believe I was loo. Both of them I ' listed in standing tip and began to ' 'Ik around. I Immediately forced to lie down, to get them out of 'lie path of the fatal after damp, which Iiiivend about four reet hijovo ui? ground. Then I felt myself going to ' ' I". but I did not oar.*, although I >' ili/.i'd that It was the sleep of death. I i.iI<1 down upon something which t 1 'idd feel, although I could not nee, 1 ;< a corpse, and Ml asleep as calmly ax i ver I did In my life. When I awoke mebody wan forcing me to swallow I'inndy and coffee, and I wax trying to 'tplaln that I: would bo needles* for 1 to drlv?? a wagon, an there had been in nrrMent In the mine. "Tho foref of the explosion wan tcrMy face and sculp in literally fill"i with coni dual blown In it, Just as If ' had been shot out of a gun held v >'hln a few Inches. Another evidence fl>f ih?? force of tho explosion wiih dlsr ?v?Tfd to-day. On the hill aide, fifty f"?M bfu.lt from the main shaft, was dls" r.?d rii Brm and a foot. They were Pfirtlnnn nf a Victim killed 108 f?'Ot be' A 'h?> surface and blown out of tin* fh.'ift 11ko a built t from a rifle." ''""ii statements obtained to-day, it * "in?< - lour that tin- presenco of gas 1,1 'lunntltles in the mine was perfectly 'II known, nhd that naked lights were " d for several days before the exM"Hon. Arrordlng to credible authority, not I * Inglu surety, lamp was used In the I mine by tlie working crews since last Tuesday morning*, four days before the explosion. Fire Boss James Ratcllffe, whose duty It was to look after the safety of the mine, and upon whose care and intelligence the lives of the diggers depended in a large degree, told his story, Ratcllffe has not yet recovered from his narrow escape from death. The lire boss said: "I believe that the explosion was caused by a sudden fall, which occurred Just before (he explosion. ! do not believe there was enough gas In the mine to be dangerous. As a matter of fact the coal itself givis off little gas. fact, the coal itself gives off little gas, roof of the pit. After the explosion I went into the mine with Jones, the pit bo8S. I went from the entrance of the main shaft toward the air shaft, 160 yards away. Everything was filled with after damp and smoke. Jones gave out in a few minutes, and I dragged him to the bottom of the main shaft, where there was a little air." Hatcliffe said the explosion must have occurred within two or three hundred feet from the main shaft. He says the mine was well supplied with air. "It was awful." said the fire boss. "The men were trapped there like rats, and there is nu hope that a single man Is alive. The two shafts were both dlsubled, and there was no other exit. I have never seen a more terrific mine explosion. Stone stoppings two feet thick and cemented together were utterly destroyed. Not even particles of rock remained. The stone was blown into dust." William Pastorlous, driver in the mine, tolls a sensational story. Pastorlous, who has lived In Brownsville for many years, and is regarded as a man of intelligence, says that Pit Boss Jones on last Tuesday morning Issued a general order that all safety lamps might be dispensed with, and In their stead the miners were permitted to use naked lights. Pastorlous also states that the lamps were unlocked, contrary to regulation. "The miners always prefer to use naked lights,"' said Pastorlous, "whenever possible, as they give better light anil are more easily nuuuieu. * n??? been %vorklnpr here a couple of months and used a safety lamp until last Tuesday morning. At that time safeties were in use by drivers and others who were constantly moving about the mine, nnd therefore exposed to greater risk than a digger in a room. Contrary to the mining regulations, the safety lamps In use were in many cases unlocked. The safeties were provided by the company as usual, and they should bo locked so that It Is impossible | for a miner to open them while at work. My lamp was unlocked, and I ! frequent ly^upened ai^xlosed . Tuesday tne pit boss "Issued an or<T<?F that the men could use open lamps, and they, of course, discarded the safeties, which made a poorer light. About 100 yards from the bottom of ?.?u ? full which j ine inuin bush uk-ic ? -? ?. had boon boarded up. and in which the gas stood against the roof. I think It was this gas which exploded." Superintendent Boyer, who Is the superior of Pit Boh* Jones, when told of the above statement, said: "J know nothing of the order to dispense with safety lamps." lie would make no further statement. Mine Innpeetor James Blick, who has been in the mine almost constantly since last night, came out to-night and gave a graphic account of Its condition. Inspector Blick said: "At the bottom of the two shafts the mine is a complete wreck. Only enough debris hus been removed to allow of the bodies being brought out. There are more bodies in the mine, but how many cannot be determined. There are undoubtedly a number of corpses under J the wreckage. The lower parts of the mine are flooded, and the water Is rising. as the pumps are disabled. The pumps will not run for a day or two, as the six-Inch pipes draining the mine have been twisted and broken like reeds. I penetrated to the face of the mine to-day and saw two bodies there, but the after damp was thick, nnd I had to return quickly. Nothing further will b" done to remove the debris until the water has been pumped'out. None of the men can possibly be alive. It will require several days to clenr the mine. The bottom of It Is wrecked, but the roof and sides ure Intact. There Is no fire In th<* mine." Rough btit reverent hnnds carried th- bodies of the victims when they reached the top of the shaft to the temporary morRUe on the hlllpldf*, 100 feet away. Of cne man, Peter Orosoy, but a portion of the trunk and the bock of I In* skull remained, nnd that was virtually but a cinder. He was identified by a shred of his shirt thnt had been blown Into his flesh. Of the twelve dead there was but ono that was not a hideous spectacle. Among I ho men at the Braznell mine to-day were many who had been at other ex - ?Aan nnh ploHloriN, but never nau mv; mangled, burned and distorted bodies. Dr. N. II. Taylor, coroner of Fayette county, arrived early In the morning from Unlontown. lie empanelled a Jury, who viewed the bodlcii as they were brought to the surface. The Inquest will be held at Unlontown as noon an all of the bodies arc recovered. Large Ice House Burned. GRAND HAVEN. Mich., Dec. 14.?Tho mammoth l?* house of the Spring Lake Iro Company, located on Spring Lake, two mllrs northeast of this city, was totally deslroyi.-d by lire this morning, entailing a Ions of upwards of JIOO.OOO. It was built ono year ago by Chicago capitalist*, beaded by the Barry Brothers, of the Chicago independent tug line. About 70.0(ii) tuns ?>f Ice of lawt year's lit hi III remained In the building The building was fiin? feet long, 28fi r? - t wide ind contained all modtfru facilities for storing lev and also for loading It on vi ssels. It was believed to be fully intf u red. NO FURTHER NEWS OF WAR SITUATION. Government Refused to Accept the Duke of Connaught, Who Volunteered. * BOERS EXTENDING THEIR LINES. Christmas Truce Observed by Both English and Boer Armies. LONDON. Dec. 2f?. 4:30 a. m.?The war office has received a cablegram from General Forestier-Walker, dated Cape Town yesterday saying: "Have no further news of the general situation." It may be almost safely predicted that nothing will occur to-day. A truce, either formal or informal, Is being kept for the observance of Christmas by the opposing forces. The Duks of Conn.augh't again pressed to be allowed to go to the front, but the government declined to give its assent. Then waiving considerations of rank, he offered his services to Lord Roberts In any capacity as a staff officer. Lord Roberts consented, but the government again declined. The Morning Post's correspondent at Chleveley, telegraphing on Monday, December 18. and confirming Intelligence already cabled, says: "At dawn to-day the column struck camp and formed a new one, three miles to the south, owing to the scarcity of water." A dispatch from Modder river, dated December 18, says: "The Boers continue extending their trenches. They now have nearly twenty miles of entrenched works due north of the British camp, which also is in an admirable position for defense, ns the surrounding: country Is perfectly level. The Boers, moreover, are compelled to keep a force estimated at 20.000 in order to contain the British column. A large number of Lord Methuen's wounded have recovered and aro ready to resume their places in the ranks." A dispatch to the Dallv News from Modder river, dated December 18, says. "We are now waiting until England shall have realized the actual facts. It has to be admitted thai, man for man. we have found ourselves pretty wellmatched, but the Boors have always the choice of positioi.i;. "Lot i-'nglfoP" then become alive to ??.? f,,r ?i rnrt hot- loo.ooo men. Such a force will prove tho truest economy in both blood and treasure." LONDON. Dec. 2"?.?1:20 a. m.?Among: minor news Itenw, It is announced that Col. MacKinnon has been appointed to command the city of London imperial volunteers. The Sixteenth Lancers have been ordered to proceed from Bombay 'to the Cape to meet the pressing need of cavalry. The Canadian, Colonel Kussard. has been appointed to General French's stuff. It is rumored1 that the Free State is about to move the seat of government from Bloenfonteln to Winburg, the former being: indefensible. Dr. Leydn, who has aKaln been interviewed, asserts that the Boers have ample nrms and ammunition, declaring that they have Mausers enough to kIvc each burgher two and an equal number of Martini-Henrys. The morning papers are severely criticising the fai t tha . General Sir Charier, Warren's Fifth division is being utilized to r?lnf )rce various points, instead (?f boiriff concentrated at one. MODIFIED RECONCENTRADO Older Issued by Qen. Gatffcre to Check Dutch Colonists. CAPE TOWN. Monday, December IS. Oen. flatacre. In order to check Insurrection among the Dutch colonists and to prevent disaffected persona giving information or other assistance to tinBoors, has issued a modified reconcentrado order. By its terms all males over twelve years of age, of whatever nationality, residing outside of towns or villages, but within a radius of twelve miles of military cnmpi now established, or hereafter to be established, north of Sterksstroom, are required Immediately to vacate their places of residence and either to remove to some place outside the twelve-mile radius or to form a camp in close proximity to tho nearest military camp?the spot to be selected by the ofllcor commanding ?where they must resido until further notice, providing for their own needs. All persons found within the radius without pusses will bp arrested. Advlcos from Colcsburff assert that not many colonial Dutch have joined the Boera In that district. Certain residents of Malmesburg celebrated General Gatacre's repulse at Stormberpr by a dinner. RALPH WOODYARD, Of Wost Virginia, Died of Yellow Fever in Cubn?Effort to Have Body Brought Home. Special Dlflpatch to tha Intelllrenccr. WASHINGTON, D. C.. DEC. ^.-Information was received here yesterday of the death in Cuba of Mr. Ralph Woodyard, of "West Virginia, Ho died of yellow fever. Air. Woodyard had been in Cuba for several momni in m? rnmw ?> post office department, under Mujor 10. O. Kathbone. An effort Is being made by Senator Elkln*. i?t the request of friends, to secure a permit of the health department In New York, ami In other Htaten Intervening, for landing the remain* and conveying them to bin home In a hermetically scaled casket, for burial. Contributions to Lawton Fund. 8T. MHT1H, Mo., Dec. 24.?Mr. Charles Parsons, who wan selected to rscslve and forward money donated to the Law ton fund, has telegraphed $1,200 to Adjutant General Corbln as the result of the first day's subscriptions. Most of the sump subscribed were in amounts of 150 and $100. The work will be continued until next week. "a b'ig' salT Of Coal Land in Monongalia County. 9100,000 Distributed to Farmers, and a Half Million Tet to be Paid. MORGANTOWN, W. Va., Dec. 24.? The sale of coal lands on the west side | of the river In Grant district is adding very materially to the Christmas joys of the fanners in that section. Many of them will have plenty of hard coin with which to enjoy the festive season and all of them in the deal will get it within the next few weeks. Thirty thousand dollars was paid out on Friday afternoon and evening, and an equal amount was disbursed to-day among the farmers. The rest will be paid out as rapiuiy as me uen? cuu ?c presented. Scott. Johnson & Co., of this place, made the deal through A. Howard Fleming, of Fairmont, who acted as agent. The parties buying the land are not known, but it is an eastern syndicate who is doing business through Jumes Milholland, of New York, as trustee. Twelve thousand acres of the coal lies on Scott's Run, Dent's Run, Big and Little Indian Creek and Stewart's Run. The coal all fronts on the river, and it includes practically all of the coal lands in Grant district. The total amount of money to be paid out will be between four and five hundred thousand dollars, moreiunu ? Glusscock, of this place, have made the abstracts to the property Involved and have been at work on It for several weeks. Mr. Mllholland will be here hereafter on Wednesdays and Thursdays of each week to pay out the money that is to be paid out, and it will pass through the hands of Mr. Fleming. It is stated that the coal is bought for development, but the exact status of this part of the deal will not be made known until later. The deal is one of the largest that has ever been mode in the county, and it speaks much for the future growth and development of the section purchased. The deal has been In the air for the last eight years, and he has labored Incessantly for its success during all of that time. A number of local people have also been Interested In It. They will clean up a nice sum of money for their Ichor, but will not make rich men out of themselves by any means. FUNERAL OFPITMOODY tmn TTuld ftt the Congregational1 Church at East Northfield, Tuesday Afternoon?Honorary Pallbearers Have Been Selected, and a Number of Leading Ministers Will Take Part. EAST NORTH FIELD, Mass.. Dec. 24.?The family of the late Dwlght I... Moody remained indoors nearly the entire day, owing to the constant downpour of rain, leaving the house only for a brief interval during the forenoon to attend services at the Congregational church. Mrs. Moody, who had been much affected by the arrival of her sister and brother, Fleming Revell, and Mrs. William H. Holden, of Chicago, last evening, was In her usual health after a night's rest ana showed only slightly the struggle which she has experienced during the past few weeks. Mrs. L. C. Washburn, Mr, Moody's only sister, is expected to arrive from her home in Racine, Wis., to-night. The service at, the Congregational church this forenoon were conducted by Rev. C. J. Schotleld, the pastor, assisted by Rev. R. A. Torrey, of Chicago, who had been associated with Mr. Moody at the Bible Institute at Chicago. Mr. Torrey's talk was principally of thr life of the dead evangelist. The funeral Is to be held Tuesduy afternoon at 2:30 o'clock and the details have been completed. The body will be taken to the church nt 9 a. m., by the Mount Herman students, and will lay in state until 2:30 In the afternoon, when the services will be held, after which It will be taken to the last resting place on Routed Top. The only music during the service, aside from slng ?... .?.? v..mi in ? nlinir nf thi? church. HIS "J ?? -- will bo the singing1 of "Rock of Ages," one of Mr. Moody's favorite hymns, by the Mount Herman mule quartette. Honorary pnll-benrers have been named as follows: Col. .T. J. Janeway, Now* Brunswick, N. J.; It. C. Morse, of the T. M. C. A. national committee, New York; George C. Stebblns, Brooklyn; Ira D. Sankey, Brooklyn; Gen. J. J. Kstey, Brnttleboro, Vt.; Col. C. A. Hopklnson, Boston; II. N. Moore, Boston; Dr. N. T. Wood, of NorthlleM, and Prof. A. H. Cutler, of Mount Herman Seminary. In answer to telegrams sent to several gentlemen who had been associated with Mr. Moody in his work, offering to them an opportunity to spenk a few words over the body of the dead evangelist, live have responded, accepting the Invitation. Those who will speak are Dr. H. G. Weston, of the Crosier Theological Seminary, Chester, Pa.; ltev. Arthur Plerson, of Brooklyn; Bishop Mullalleu, of Boston; Itov. J. Wilbur Chapman, of New York, and H. M. Moore, of Bonton. In Memory of Moody. GUI ('AGO, Dee. 24.?Dtvlght L. Moody was remembered In the aongs, the prayers aixl the (tpeceh^ of thousands nl the Chicago Avenue churches and the Blblo Institute to-day. Tin? favorlto hymns of the evangelist wore sung at all the meetings. The Kev. W, It. Newell, n?AlHtanl superin' tendent of the Bible Institute, preached . nt the various gatherings, touching upon the charad'T and achievements of , Moody as a preface to his sermon. | Ho advocated gladdcna and resignation 1 Instead of grief. AMERICANS TO TAKE ISLAND OF PANAY Which Has Been Almost Entirely In the Hand! of the In urgent*. THE ADVANCE PROGRESSES i Under General Hughes, With Reinforcements, Occupying Successive Town*. Correspondence of the Associated Press. ILOILO, Nov. 13.?This island of Panay, alster Island to Negroa, and another of the Visayan group, has for montha part been Jn Insurgent hands. To-day the American forces are taking the aggressive for the llrat time, and are moving out to cover and hold more territory. Up to the preaent we have posaesaed the half-burned town of IIollo, and nothing more. The Twenty-sixth regiment, under Colonel Rice, arrived here two weeks ago from the United States. "We at homo knew," said ofllcera of thla regl but we had the Impression they occupied the island; that the important coast towns, at least, were ours; that our possession was more than nominal. Hence we are surprised to see the American forces actually besieged by the insurgents upon three miles of land immediately surrounding Hollo." People in the United States may have the same Ideas as had the officers of the Twenty-sixth regiment, and to them it would be well to say that our lines, up to the present, embrace the suburbs of Paro und Molo, both within three miles of this post, and nothing more. Insurgent trenches face us on the north and west, and outpost firing is to be heard at any time. With the coming of reinforcements, a battalion of the Nineteenth and Twpnty-sixth regiments entire, General Hughes, in the midst of a typhoon that swept mo country wun urumK rain. Hooded the rice fields and made quagmires of the roads, an expedition Composed of the Eighteenth regulars, under Colonel Carpenter; the second battalion of the Twenty-sixth regiment, two battalions of the Nineteenth, light battery G, of the Sixth artillery, under Captain Uridgeman, and Captain Gordon's unmounted scouts of the Eighteenth* regiment, advanced into the enemy's country. The battalion of the Twenty-sixth and the two bat tallons of the Nineteenth constituted a provisional regiment under Colonel Kice, while the first and third battalions of the Twenty-sixth garrisoned Hollo and Jaro. The objective point of the expedition was the supposed insurgent stronghold at Santa Barbara, eight miles north of Jaro, but as the direct road between these two points has been strongly entrenched, the American forces made a detour to the west in order to approach Santa Barbara on its unprotected side. Yesterday General Hughes' command had occupied successively the villages of Oton, Tlgbauan and Gurmal on the coast and west of Hollo, likewise Cordoba, four miles north of Tigbauan. Company C, of the Twenty-sixth regiment, had the only contact with the rebels on the first night out. One of the men of the company, which was under command of Lieutenant Fales, was scriousiy wounueu, ui *..????..emy were found dead when the trenches were captured, and much ammunition fell Into our hands as a result of the brush. To-day General Hughes' column Is resting In the four towns mentioned, waiting for ammunition and provisions to be conveyed to it, and alao for the rains to slop and the country to dry. The town of San Miguel, within sight of Hollo, was partially llred by the rebels when they thought our troops were about to enter It. The town of Hollo presents to-day a woe-begone ana msmanueu appearance. A third of the place in in ruins, and the partial reconstruction of business house* and the humbler dwellings of the poor with debris from the conflagration of February 11 reminds one of the work after a western cyclone. BACOLOB. Island of Negros, P. I., Nov. 7.?The commercial interests of Negros an-l Ponay are Identical. Only twenty-five miles of water separate them, and Jiolio, on Panay. Is the shipping port for all products of Negros. Negros Island was first garrisoned by the California volunteers, which regiment was replaced in July, 1898, by the Sixth United States infantry. Hrigndier General Smith, formerly colonel of the Californians, is military governor of Negros, and since Fast July affairs here have advanced rapidly and well under his direction. Last July the situation had two sides, the military and the nltfll TIia ?lvth lnfnntrv hnrt before It the duty of suppressing the interior mountain bandits as well as the scattering of the revolutionary party, which was operating under instructions from Agulnaldo in Luzon. As to civil matters, General Smith had in view the establiuhment and maintenance of a civil and elective government, which would ultimately servo to show the other revolting Island what good things could be enjoyed und<>r American rule. Negros was selected as the most promising Held for this rxperi? mont. The mountains of Nejjros run down its center end length, and between the foothills of this range and the sea thero Is u belt of lowlands averaging In width from live to twenty mile*. On these lowlands are the farms and plantations producing the Island's yearly crop of sugar, all of which ,1s sent to Hollo for jihlpment. In the lowland* are found almost all the Important towns and villages, a.* well as most of the roads. This geographical distribution of low productive lands on the coast and mountain fastnesses in the Interior, was the comfort of the early bandits and marauders, and had much to do with muklng their profession possible and profitable on Negro* Island. There were always, under Spanish rule, bandits In the mountains, who lived by luiuiiif, iiiu tuurja, nu? ?inn vie jninsessed Negros they were part of our heritage from our predecessors. HOLY YEAR INAUGURATED By Pope Leo With Imposing Ceremonies, in the Presence of the Papal Officers, Representatives of Roman Nobility and Other Dignitaries. HOME. Doc. 24.?The pope solemnly inaugurated the holy year by performing the Impressive ceremony of opening the holy door of Saint Peter's Cathedral at 11 o'clock this morning. The ceremony was performed in the vestibule, which wis handsomely decorated. In presence of the papal ofllcers. the members of the diplomatic corps, leading representatives of the Roman nobility and u number of specially invited guests. After donning the pontifical robes, the pope, borne on the Sodia Gestatoria. and escorted by the papal guards, pro ceeded with the cardinals and the court to the Slstine chapel, in the Vatican palace, where were gathered representatives of the iloman religious orders und clergy. After a brief prayer before, the holy sacrament, which was there exposed, Leo intoned the VenI Creator, und then again ascended the Sodla Gestutorla, preceded by clergy and friars, who bore lighted candles, the pope proceeded to the vestibule of the Basilica, priests lighting the hulls und staircase en route. In the vestibule the papal throne had been erected. The supreme pontiff ascended the throne, which was Immediately surrounded by cardinals and dignitaries. Suddenly a heavy bell boomed. The pope rose and walked toward the holy door, preceded by the grand penitentiary. Cardinal Monslgnor Seratlno Vannutelll, prefect of the congregation of bishops and regularw, met him and handed him an artlstia golden, mallet given by the Italian bishops. Leo, ' - ? .! -.! IhA wearing inn nunc, u>.iv.<.u ~ of the liturgy and strurk three blows with the hammer on the door, which hnd previously been, cut with a saw. A few moments of solemn silence followed. the pope and the pnpal dignitaries In their state robes being grouped before the door. Then the latter swung back and the officials of Saint Peter's laved the threshold and door posts with holy water, while Leo opened the psalm, "Jubilante Deo," which was taken up by the pontifical choir. The pope, having again covered his head, and holding In his right hand a crucifix and in his left a lighted candle, knelt at the threshold amid the strains of "Te Deuin." and. rising to his feet, he stepped alone within the portals of the vast and empty basilica. The cardinals and others followed. At this moment all the church bells In Rome rang otrt. Leo stopped before the altar of Michael Atigelo, where th<? - ? u?i.. for tin* prim- i janitors ui uic nuij UUWi lng year kissed his feet. He addressed a few word J to them on the Importance of the ceremony and then proceeded to the altar, where the sacrament was offered, followed by a short prayer. Then advancing on the Sodla Gestatoria to the high altar, he pronounced a solemn benediction according to the plenary Indulgences. By a quarter past 1 he had returned to his private apartments, having performed the ceremonies with great apparent satisfaction. He was smiling throughout, but grew pale and showed signs of fatigue toward the end. Nevertheless, he gave the three blows upon the door with considerable force. Profound silence was mtuuiui...... throughput the ceremony, save when the pope Rave his blessing, which evoked loud "vivas." The weather was fine, and an enormous concourse assembled In the precincts of the Basil leu. Order was preserved inside by the pontifical guards and outside by the royal carbineers and the police. CALAMITY CROAKERS. The Free Silver Men Expect to Profit by the Boer War. CHICAGO. Dec. 1?4.?"If the war In the Transvaal continues for two or three months longer, the cause of silver will have been won," said Former United States Senator DuBols, of Idaho, one of ihu sliver Republican lenders, who wan In Chicago to-day. "The short time it has been In progress," continued Mr. DuBols, "has furnished proof of the contentions of the friends of sliver that there is not enough gold In the world to form the - w.ini?v. and if the nasi* ??i ino war continues the l**riKth of time I have Indicated, the truth of this will have bccome too apparent for successful contravention. "I believe the Transvaal war will b<? a mighty Influence In the campaign of next year In this country, and that the object lesson will convince the people of this country that It is not safe to place on gold the entire burden of the monetary volume of the world. "It may be Interesting to observe that the panic In New York was simultaneous with the passage of ihe house gold standard bill. Now. If a panic had followed the passage of a silver free coinage bill, the wise men and the press of the land would have attributed It to the passage of the bill." Texas Passed Cape Henry. CA)*K 11 UN It Y. Va.. Dec. 24?Th* United States battleship Texas. Captain t'hailert L). ttlgrsbee. passed In the capes to-nlglu. She 1ms on board the remains ofithe Maine dead, taken aboard at Havana Thursday. THE BRITISH ? STEAMER ARIOSTO f _______ Stranded on Ocracoka Beach, Hot Stormy; Hatteraa, Xeaterdaj; Horning. TWENTY-ONE SAILORS LOST. Captain and Eight Men Beacutd With Difficulty by tha Llfa> Saving Crew. CAPE HENRY, Va., Deo. S4.-TM weather bureau official at Hatteroa, K P. mnnrtn thnt thi* RpltlaK ilnima ship Ariosto, Captain Barnes, from Galveston to Norfolk for cool, thence to Hamburg, loaded with cotton, corn, wheat and meat, stranded on Ocracoke Beach, six miles south of the Hatters* ' weather bureau office, at 4 this morning. The steamship carried *. crew of thirty men. Twenty-one men abandoned the steamer and took to the boats soon after she stranded. The boats were wrecked In the heavy sea* and the entire twenty-one were drowned. Captain Barnes and the remainlng eight men were taken from the vessel by Captain James Howard and crew, of the Ocracoke life-saving station. The rescue was effected with difficulty owing to the heavy sea, the landing taking up almost the entire day. Captain Barnes and the eight surviving members of tho crew are now being cared for at the Ocracoke lifesaving station. Some water Is making In the hold of the vessel, but she is still In good condition, and probably can be saved If prompt assistance is rendered. ACTION OF LIFE SAVING Bureau?Thought the Sailors Took to Boats Too Soou. WASHINGTON, Dec. Si-Superintendent Kimball, of the life-saving bureau, to-night received the following: "British steamer Ariosto, Captain Barnes, stranded at Ocracoke Beach at> 4 o'clock this morning. Twenty-ono drowned and nine saved In breeches buoy. "(Signed) HOWARD, Keeper." Superintendent Kimball to-morrow will instruct Lieutenant Johnson, of the revenue cutter service, who Is attached to his office, to proceed to. the scene of the wreck and make a report of the circumstances attending the loss of life. This is the practice always followed by the life-saving service when there Is loss of life attending an accident to a steamer to which the surfmen have given assistance. The super intendent Deueves mat me uiaimwus loss of life is probably due to the hur lied efforts of the men to get away from the ship, Instead of waiting until the breeches buoy could be rigged up between the ship and shore and their rescue effected. As the vessel appears still to be in good condition, the men, he thinks, might have remained on her an indefinite time before there was any real danger of losing their Uvea. Ship's hands of "deep water" boats, he thinks, take boats too often, a practice not followed by men devoted to coast navigation, who realize the opportune ties for rescue by the breeches buoy, SILVER BRICK SUIT Muse Receive "Inspiration" From W. J. Bryan. DENVER, Colo., Dec. 24.?Judge X, W. Rucker has returned from St Louis, where he conferred with a number oC leading silver men of the country con* cernlng the proposed sliver brick suit which Is to be carried into the supreraa court of the United States. The Judgo suys no final plan was adopted, m it is necessary to consult with others before the movement is put under way. Ha found many Democrats In sympathy; with the idea, but Mr. Bryan is yet to be heard from. Senator Morgan, of Alabama, and George Fred Williams, of Massachu* setts, have volunteered to assiat In tho legal tight without compensation, and others are eager to do the same things It is necessary, however, to raise $200, 000 or $300,000 for expenses, ana unit. 1* the question to be decided soon." Judge Rucker, as president of the monetary league, has railed ? meeting of the league to be held In this city, next Tuesday evening, when the methods of procedure will be discussed and also the best means of raising money for the work. SENATOR SCOTT'S Condition Favorable, and Operatiol Likely to Prove Satisfactory. 6peela! Dispatch to the lntdllftnctr. WASHINGTON. D. C.. Dec. 24.-Thft condition of Senator Scott, who is under treatment at the Homeopathic hospital in this city, is very favorable. It Is believed that the operation will prove highly satisfactory. Weather Forecast for To-day. For West Virginia?Light snow Monday. Tuesday?Fair; west to north winds. For Western Pennsylvania ? Snow Monday. Tuesday?Fair; brisk to high uvut to northwest winds. For Ohio?Snow Monday. Tuesday? Fair; diminishing west to northwest winds. Local Temperature. Tho timinerature Saturday, as observed by C. Scnnepf. druggist. corner Market and Fourteenth sireot*. n?s as follows: 7 n. ni JIS| ;i p. m 43 On. in ' .,i 7 p. ni <l? IS m S< Wrather changeable. Sunday. 7 a. m. ii :i p. m 37 9 n. in 41, 7 p. in S2 12 in 40^Veutlior changeable.