Newspaper Page Text
E.
4
VOLUME
NO. 247.
FRIDAY.
KANSAS CITY, FEBRUARY 12, 1897.
FRIDAY.
PRICE TWO CENTS,
HANGS BY A THREAD.
ALICE PLAIT'S LTFE I.V THE HAXDS
OP TWELVE 3IEX.
IE.
SS
fe'Ai:
At
OR A HUNG JURY.
run
s
THE GEXERAL TALK,
BE THE nESr.LT.
(2.
-
The Ji ' Ired at 3:OS O'clock Yes-
icrcl. crnoon and I Still
Locked Up Alice Fnlnts la
Iler Cell Tli e Closing;
Arguments.
The jury tn tho Alice rialt poison case'
has not agreed upon a verdict. Unless It,
comes to a conclusion by to-night it -will
probably bo discharged.
It -eras 3:03 o'clock yesterday afternoon
when Prosecutor Lowe finished his argu
ment and the jurymen tiled out of the crim
inal court room in charge of Deputy Mar
shal Lum Wilson. They -were taken to the
jury room, where, according to procedure.
MR. LOWE TURNS TO MAJ. WOODSON.
they first elected a foreman, who carefully
read tho instructions of the court, after
which probably the first ballot was taken.
The popular guess around the court room
after the jury had retired was that the
first ballot would bo about eight to fou
for acquittal. At 6 o'clock tho jury sent
word to Judge Wofford that it could not
agree and tho judge left the court room,
leaving Instructions that In case a verdict
was reached before 10 o'clock to" send 'a
messenger to his home, and he would come
to tho court room to receive It. He said he
did not wish to be disturbed after that
hour. At 10 o'clock a verdict had not been
reached and the jurymen soon after -went
to bed at the Ashland.
The feeling is pretty general that tho
Elato did. riot maTe its cav.and that a vcr-
'diet ofuTuS W-rnunjSry will rpluU?
,-!?!
Tho state brought out sotno damaging cir
cumstantial testimony, it is generally con
ceded, but proved nothing conclusively
which would cause twelve men to send the
defendant to the gallows. The state ad
mitted and proved by its own witnesses
that Alice Piatt was with Elizabeth and
Euc Mussey in the bath room, where it is
contended tho poison was admlnlstered.and
where the children "became 111, but ten min
utes. Tho state also proved that strychnine
is a slow drug to act upon tho system, and
that In very rare instances does it have
such immediate effect.
But whether Alice Piatt Is convicted, or
whether she is discharged, the question of
licr guilt or innocence will always bo un
settled. The verdict of tho jury will not
change the beliefs that have been formed,
and people rwho bellevo her guilty will
probably go on believing that way, while
those who think her innocent will con
tinue to think her freo of crime. There
is yet another class that has not made up
its mind as to tho guilt or Innocence, while
fctlll others bellevo her guilty, but say tho
evidence to prove It is lacking.
After preserving wonderful nerve
throughout the trial, Alice Piatt yesterday
succumbed to her overtaxed feelings and
AN INTERESTED JUROR.
fainted in her cell. Jt was at tho noon
hour. Her face blanched a marble color
and bho lost consciousness. The matron
wns called, and, after working with her
for some time, restored her to conscious
ness. At the hour for court to take up aft
er the noon recess. Major Woodson asked
permission of the prosecutor to bring his
client into tho court room In an ambulance
chair, but Prosecutor Lowo thought he
paw a deep design on the part of tho ma
jor, and said court would stay adjourned
until the defendant was able to appear as
U&U.U. He did not propose to allow any
clmnco for the sympathy of the Jury to bo
aroused.
When the defendant was led Into the
court room her lips were bloodless and her
faco had a deathlike pallor.
She sank wearily into her chair and al
"lowed her head to fall against the high
chair back. She closed her eyes and sev
eral times seemed to be asleep. Apparently
rpo took little Interest In the address of
.prosecuting attorney, although once
ycsicLe she snapped her fingers nervously
the?"'6 ot hls uterances. Because she
dlphtJt Slven away to swooning spells and
cabe Ics and other feminine aliments
son. of the women spectators seemed to
Janlfcst evidence of guilt. When a
onpner on trial has these spells this same
fois of people usually see certain evidence
Tagullt in these same symptoms.
'Mrs. Mussey confided to one of the worn
In the court room yesterday that she
ore Alice no malice and did not want
o see her hanged. Mr. Mussey said that it
the present Jury does not convict Alice sho
sylll not be convicted. Ho said ho be-
M'fvfi
lleved she would be discharged on a sec
ond trial, for the reason that a state's
case Is always weakened on second trial.
Alice Piatt retired to her couch In a jail
cell last night in doubt as to her fate at
the jury's hands. When, tho night watch
passed her cell she talked" with him in low
tones for a while. She told him that while
the trial had been a terrible ordeal to her,
yet she could go upon the gallows with an
unfaltering step, because, she said, she
was innocent. She said that while the
strain upon her had been great the past
weej;. yet she had slept about as well as
u:,ual.
"I think it a remarkable thing." said
Alice to the night watch, "that while Mrs.
Mussey 'could remember everything I had
done or said all the time I had worked for
her. yet she could not remember when she
was asked where her own children slept."
Mnjor Woodson's Eloquent Plen.
Immediately upon the opening of court
Major Woodson, for the defense, resumed
his argument. He re-read the instructions
of the court, giving emphasis to the judge's
instructions concerning the right of the de
fendant to testify In her own behalf.
"I have gone over the Instructions
again," said the major, "because I wanted
you to be fully informed as to the duties of
your position. You were selected, gentle
men, because you had neither formed nor
expressed an opinion In this strange and
mysterious case. This Is a case where it
Is barely possible no living man can get at
the exact truth. It Is your duty to arrive
at the exact truth. Questions have arisen
which you can only solve by your expe
rience as' men. 1 propose to return to the
instruction relating to circumstantial evi
dence and see If we can arrive at a conclu
sion. 1 do not Intend to re-read It, but It
says that a crime may be fastened upon a
defendant by circumstantial evidence. You
remember the Taylor brothers. They were
convicted and sentenced to be hanged up
on circumstantial evidence. The Instruc
tions tell you that the facts and circum
stances should be consistent with each oth
er and with the evidence of the defendant,
and Inconsistent with any reasonable theo
ry of defendant's Innocence.
"You will bear in mind that the witnesses
In the case were Mr. and Mrs. Mussey,
Mrs. Mary Page, Annie Foley, Charles F.
Mussey, then the physicians and Mrs. E. B.
alte. Mrs. WnitR testified nhnnt n rnn-
Lycrsatlon had with her on Thursday. She
luiu ui material orougnt to ner nouse dj
defendant and said she wanted It the fol
lowing day. Mrs. Walte says the defend
ant told her her father was dead. It turns
out In that matter that this defendant had
a little sister who was In the habit of
coming to visit her during the summer.
Mrs. Walte tells you that these articles
were made for Miss Piatt's sister. The
father of the defendant corroborates her
story by telling that he has a little daugh
ter who was In the habit of visiting Alice
In the summer time. It seems that the
testimony of Mrs. Waite was talked of In
the neighborhood. Mrs. Waite was one of
those self-serving witnesses who was doing
all that she could to make it appear that
the fact of Alice Piatt bringing those arti
cles to her was in Itself a suspicious cir
cumstance. Mrs. Waite said she sat up
till midnight making those articles. I don't
believe her. You see the relish with which
Mrs. Waite testified. Mrs. Mussey found
the lace In the cupboard, and I submit that
there are some other things In this house
that OUCTht to hav. Keen -found hf Tt-
iMussey for instance the soda, which the
jiciciiuuiii nerseii lestincu sne naa given
Sue Mussey, which the mother burned. The
affection of Alice Piatt for the children did
not stop at death, but followed them to tho
grave.
Hn Stuck to Her Story.
"From tho first Alice Piatt has told the
same story from the day she was arrested
and taken to Central police station to tho
time she was put on the stand In this
court. God Almighty didn't make lies;
you tell a He and you have got to bucK
it with Torty other lies. One of two things
is true. Either this defendant told the
truth the day following her arrest, or she
is a shrewd, careful, calculating, design
ing woman. In the examination of the
defendant by the state's attorney he piled
her over and over, with the same question-
If this defendant did hot give every
word In i tho second answer "that" she did
to tjie tist, ibcri lh'; t!.t qucsti in. W3'
an tnstrlrt -. '
n'trtstrtrt
" 'When did you think of that?" You
neara ine prosecutor s style or examination
and I do not believe you gentlemen will
approve ot it. The course ofi the slate's
attcrney Is not to trap a witness on a
question, but to find out the truth.
"Tho' skilled physician is an honored
man, but I tell you that among the physi
cians are more Incompetents than any oth
er .profession on earth. I never raw a
great doctor who did not carry humbleness
with him because he; realized that there
was so much to learn that he did not
know. When you find a physician who
knows It all, you will find an arrant fool.
I make these remarks, gentlemen, because
I am going to discuss the evidence glveir
by tho medical. gentlemen.
"Dr. Overall told you that he injected
appo-morphla when called to attend little
Sue, and afterward morphia. Dr. Overall
tells you that ho put the children In hot
mustard water. Dr. Dannaker said this
was improper treatment. This treatment
affected the nerve center. I make this
comment upon Dr. Overall because he Is
a young man and has time to learn, and
if he will take the advice of a man with
gray hairs in his head he will know bet
ter the next time.
"It does look to me, gentlemen, il'at
those children died of strychnine poison
ing The symptoms were so plain that it
leaves little doubt In any fair mind of tho
cause of their death. When Dr. Wilson
testified that Mrs. Torrence lay there with
her hands open he confounds all medical
science when he declares her death was
due to strychnine poison."
Major Woodson then took up the lc3tl
monv of John AV. Carter, the chemist, and
assailed his analysis of. Elizabeth Mussey's
stomach pretty vigorously. The major said
Dr. Carter may believe that he did dis
cover one-tenth of a grain of strychnine
tn L'tUnlinill ATltCaOv'u OTfim(lrl
I "I do not know. ' said the major, "but
he may be troubled like the defendant here
with dreams, possibly fits.
"Somebody has been at work picking up
the clues In this case; somebody has been
gatheftngun the clues. Annie was put
on the stand to tell you that she had
washed a white dress for Sue that had
been put In the wash by Alice. This was
regarded as a very suspicious circum
stance. And yet it turns out that tho
dress had been tent to the wash because
Sue wanted to wear it to a party. Thus
this argument falls to the ground."
"Witnesses Scored.
The major then took up tho testimony
Of Mrs. Page and began by recalling the
question that he had asked her Just be
fore she left the stand.
"She straightened herself up and said, 'I
think she is guilty of the murder of those
children.' Why. that blessed old lady
would not have taken $1,000 In gold for that
opportunity to suy that. You remember
when I asked Mrs. Page if she knew Alice
Piatt. She answered, 'Yes. as a servant.
Oh, if that blessed old lady had lived in
the days when Jesus Christ and St. John
walked the earth and she had been asked:
" 'Do you know John?"
" "Yes, as a fisherman,' she would have
answered.
"I venture to say that Alice Piatt comes
from just as good a family as does Mrs.
Page. It was Mrs. Page who first sug
gested that Alice had poisoned the chil
dren. She went around the neighborhood
talking about it. She proved on the stand
that she was nothing more than a neigh
borhood busybody.
"Gentlemen, after the death of these
children, and the arrest of this defendant,
it became necessary for the state to get
up a theory, to forgo a chain of circum
stances. And then came these stories of
barn burning, fainting spells and house
burning. Mr. Mussey said these fires had
been predicted. Let us analyze Mr. Mus
sey's statements. Suppose a sen-ant of
yours had told you that your house would
catch fire, and It did, and that then she
told you the house would catch fire nnd
that she and your wife would put It out.
Wouldn't you be apt to give her her walk
ing papers? Of course you would! Mr.
Mussey said he locked the barn. He didn't
tell you that he locked the new barn. He
tried to leave you with the Impression that
it was the old bam, but It wasn't. Why
didn't Mussey tell you the truth about
this matter? Why didn't he tell you that
he got this lock and key after the old
barn had burned? Because It would have
been inconsistent with his theory that he
spun out for you.
"Mussey told you he had heard these
predictions that had come true, and then
he said shu predicted harm to his littte
ones. What was It Ms duty to do? What
would any other father have done under
such circumstances? Ho would, had his
story been true, have told Alice that her
day of usefulness In his household was
post. By and by Alice told Mrs. Mussey
about tho Impending danger, and she went
to work to make preparations for some
thing. She did not tell her husband. Her
husband did not tell her. "Would any yZ
you gentlemen have taken tho course jur-
Continued on Third Fnjr-
SITUATION IS GRAVE.
ETjnOFE MUCH ALARMED OVER THE
TROUBLE IX CRETE.
TURK0-GRECIAN WAR FEARED.
S.YLISBERY EXPECTED TO ASSUME A
VERY FIRM ATTITUDE.
Russian Fleet Approaching the Bos
jihorns Special Cabinet Council
Sitting- in Couxtnntlnople
to Discuss the Sit
uation. l.ondon, Feb. 11. Tho paper! tills morn
ing are full of long telegrams from Euro
pean capitals and editorials dealing with
tho gravity of the situation in Crete and
expressing fears of a war between Turkey
anJ Greece.
A dispatch to the Chronicle from Rome
says that tho report that the Russian lleet
on the Black sea is approaching the Bos
phorus has been confirmed.
A dispatch to the Chronicle from Vienna
savs that the powers, after conferring with
each other all day, decided to reinforce the
squadrons in the Greek waters and appar
ently agreed to prevent the union of Crete
and Greece or anything likely to lead to a
rupture between Greece and Turkey.
The Daily News correspondent at Rome
also says: "I learn thai, although the
powers have admonished Greece against
precipitating a war, they have given her
to understand that If she succeeds in oc
cupying Crete they will not object to the
acccmplished fact."
The Pall Mall Gazette this afternoon
says there Is reason to believe that the
government of Great Britain regards the
dispatch of the Greek flotilla to Crete as a
very serious matter, and as likely to in
volve the gravest consequences, adding:
"No intimation of the intentions of Greece
was conveyed to any of the powers, and
the preparations to carry them lnto effect
were carefully kept secret. It may be con
fidently expected that the Marquis of Sal
isbury will adopt a very firm attitude and
that immediate and vigorous steps will be
taken to neutralize tho effect of Greece's
action."
Tho uprising on the Island of Crete is
attracting no little' attention here. Since
the massacre of Sclo In 1&22, none of the
Greek islands has given the Turkish gov
ernment' so much trouble as Cretq. After
many Insurrections. Crete got a constitu
tion In I860, but this did not stop the in
surrections, because the Turkish subjects
were constantly violating It and Turkish
officers failing to enforce it. In tho mean
time, the Christians on tho Island have
been continually longing for annexation to
Greece, and they made a frantic applica
tion for this to tho powers at the Berlin
conference, in 1S77.
But Premier Disraeli, of England, was
not disposed to weaken Turkey at that
time, and thus did not consider the subject
seriously. So tho mutual bickering be
tween the Turkish authorities uv I tho
Christians has continued, varied' b oc
casional little wars and massacres. It
fa? Mwr.vA.?:!." .V.Cnb n? tf"11 ,fj V
MUrKS wuuiu cniurcu me uuiiaiuuiiuu, uui
they have not, hence the present uprising
In Crete, In which tho Greeks seem likely
to take part, and which may endanger the
concert ot tho powers. Greece continues
to send warships to the Inland and the
powers have landed armies there and are
sending more warships into Mediterranean
waters.
A dispatch to the Times from Athens
says that the Central Cretan committee
is preparing to support the Cretans with
arms, ammunition and supplies on a great
scale. The first Installment, It is added,
bailed on Wednesday with 600 armed Cre
tans. The same dispatch states that tho de
parture of tho Greek torpedo flotilla for
tho Island of Crete was due to the an
nouncement that the Turkish torpedo boats
had left tho Dardanelles and that Turk
ish troops had embarked at Salonika for
Crete.
The dispatch concludes with the remark:
"It Is possible that a direct collision will
occur between tho Greek and Turkish
fcrces."
A dispatch to the Times from Canea says
that the latest telegram from Sltla reports
thirteen villages now in flames. Christians
are killing the Mohammedan inhabitants.
Those who have succeeded in escaping from
the scene of the massacres are flocking to
Sitia, which Is still In the possession of the
Turks. It is feared that this news will
produce a dangerous reaction at Heraklion.
It is probable that the persistence of the
Mohammedans in preventing the departure '
of Christians and foreigners will make nec
essary active measures on the part of the
commanders of the foreign fleet. An Italian
officer of the new gendarmerie has gone to
Klsaml to Investigate the reports of the
atrocities there.
The Italian battleship Francesco Moroslnl
has arrived at the Canea harbor.
' A dispatch to the Times from Constanti
nople says that a special cabinet council Is
now sitting at Ylldiz palace for the pur
pose of discussing the situation in Crete.
A dispatch to the Times from Vienna says
that It is stated that Austria will demon
strate with Greece against the dispatch of
the torpedo flotilla to Canea under com
mand of Prince George.
A Dallv News dispatch from Heraklion
says that, on tho request of the foreign
commanders, the Turkish cfncials there
promised to allow a free exit to the Chris
tians, but a Mussulman mob closed the
town gates. As the town is encircled by
walls, the Christians are cut off without
hope unless the town should be bombarded.
In which case the situation would be equal
ly critical for Christians as well as Turks.
Athens, Feb. 11. A fresh flotilla of four
torpedo boats Is held In readiness to sail
for Crete, and reinforcements of troops are
being hurriedly dispatched to the fron
tiers. The dispatch of the torpedo flotilla com
manded by Prince George of Greece for
the Island of Crete has caused the great
est enthusiasm among the populace, espe
cially as it Is noted that the prince has
orders to prevent the landing of Turkish
troops on that island. It develops that it
was the king who urged the government to
dispatch the flotilla and as soon as he had
obtained the consent of Premier Delyannls,
ho personally Issued the orders in order to
give additional effect to the proposals.
When Prince George embarked, a salute of
300 shots was fired by the crowd ashore
as a parting salutation and the people as
sembled at midnight at tho palace and
gavo their majesties an ovation. The stu
dents at the same time paraded the streets
singing patriotic songs and cheering for
the king and for the union of Crete with
Greece.
Canea, Feb. 11. A band of Mohammedan
families which had teen permitted to leave
here under agreement with the Chrislians
while proceeding to Heraklion escorted by
troops were attacked by Christians and
suffered considerable loss.
Tho French and Russians combined have
16.520 tons of fighting vessels here and
1,236 men to handle them, leaving Great
Britain the advantage of 9,710 tons and 117
In addition to the warships of the powers
mentioned, the Austrian armored cruiser
Kalserin Maria Theresa, of 5,270 tons, with
two 9.4 inch guns, eight 5.9 inch quick fir
ing and twenty-two smaller guns, with 430
men. Is at anchor here.
Cmr in the Best of Health.
London. Feb. 11. A dispatch to the Times
from St. Petersburg- says there is absolute
ly no foundation for the absurd stories
regarding the czar's health. The czar is
perfectly well and does not suffer from
melancholia or other ailment. On the con
trary, he is in the best of health and
spirits.
Stnnleys Entertain the- Xanscn.
London. Feb. 1L Mr. and Mrs. Henry M.
Stanley entertained Dr. and Mrs. Nansen
at luncheon yesterday. Among the guests
were A. J. Balfour, first lord of the treas
ury: Professor James Bryce and Lady Har-
4 court.
SHERMAN AND THE CABINET.
The Senntor Says the 'Report That He
May Uncle Out Is Ridic
ulous. Cincinnati, p., Feb. 11. Tho Commercial
Tribune's Washington correspondent tele
graphs the following- Interview with Sena
tor Sherman:
"Senator, tho report has again been pub
dished that, owing to certain complications,
you would not enter the cabinet. Will you
authorize the Commerclal-Trlbuno to
authoritatively deny these reports?"
"They are not true; I do not consider
them worth denying.
"You may say for me, however, that I
have never considered such a thing as not
accepting the state portfolio since my ac
ceptance of It. That would not be In ac
cordance with my way of doing, and all re
ports to the contrary are so ridiculous that
they are not worth denying."
M'KINLEY'S VISITORS. '
Xntlccnhle Decline In Tliclr Promi
nence Lately, bnt No De
crease in XutnbcrH.
Canton, O., Feb. 11. The library of Major
McKlnley's residence was inadequate part
of the morning to accommodate tho largo
number of visitors, and an overflow wait
ing room was Improvised in the front hall.
Many cities were represented by well
known and prominent men at home, who
had traveled many miles for just a few
minutes' talk with the president-elect. The
length of tlmo consumed In some of these
Interviews was marvelously. short, while
others take far more than the desired five
or ten minutes. There Is apparently no
diminution in the number .of visitors but a
nctlceable change has taken place In the
prorrlnenco ot tho callere. .Occasionally a
senator, congressman orcabinet possibility
diops Into the city but the majority of
the callers are those who wish to speak for
minor offices for themselves or for friends.
"Social calls" are -frequent, and have be
come quite popular as a reply to" tho in
quiries of the newspaper -men. It Is true
that people do call on the-major merelv to
shoke hands with him and wish him God
speed In his administration. These usually
do not ask for a. private talk and express
their wishes openly In the -library. A half
dozen traveling men greeted the major
thus in the library thi3 morning, and he
shcok hands with them, thanking them for
their good wishes.
Mr. Abner McKinlejv President-elect Mc
Klnley's brother, arrived from Washington
at 10:30 o'clock this morning. He ha not
been in Canton for several weeks, nnd was
driven direct to the home of Mother Me
Klnley. where he will remain until Friday,
when he returns East.
BRIGHAM LIKELY TiO GET IT.
President nf the A'nflonnl Grnncc Is
SIntcd for Assistant Secretary
of AKrlculture.
Washington, Feb. 11. (Special.) Accord
ing to the prediction of Congressman Gros
venor, of Ohio, whoso Information Is gen
erally of semi-official character, tho posi
tion of assistant secretary of agriculture
will go to J. H. Brigham, of Ohio.
Canton. O., Feb. 11. Colonel John II. Brig
ham, of Delta, O., who Is very likely to be
assistant secretary of agriculture, arrived
here to-night, and called at the McKlnley
home. To the Associated Press representa
tive he said he had not been formally of
fered the position of firsi. assistant secre
tary of agriculture, but the friends who
hail .urge-cL him for;- thp5ubtne.t- are. now
urging his appointment to second -place'
Ho Intimated that he was willing to ac
cept. Ce.lcnel Brigham Is national president of
tho National Grange. He Is a practical
farmer, but has mixed a little In Ohio poli
tics and was widely Indorsed for secretary
of agriculture. The fact of his residence in
Ohio was the strongest reason against his
selection.
MICHIGAN'S ELECTORAL VOTE.
Hns AH Along: Been In Danger nf Be
inu Dcclnrcd Void Republic
ans Kept Quiet.
Lansing, Mich., Feb. 11. Since tho formal
announcement in congress of th result
of the electoral vote, it has been mado
known that tho Michigan electoral voto
has all along been In danger ot being de
clared void. The act passed by the last
legislature, which -prescribes tho duties of
county canvassers, makes no provisions
for canvassing the vote cast for presiden
tial electors, although It repeals all other
laws on the subject. Tho few officials and
others whose attention was drawn to this
situation last summer, all of whom are
Republicans, kept It very quiet, although
the possibility that the voto of Michigan
might be required to settle the question
caused considerable nervousness for a
time. The question was never raised, and
tho Democratic committee seems not to
have been cognizant of the oversight In the
law. It will be amended by the present
legislature. I
JOB IN SIGHJF0R WILSON.
Postmnster General Has Been Elected
President of "WnshlnKton and
Leo University.
Lexington, Va Feb. 11. The board of
trustees of Washington and Leo univer
sity to-day unanimously elected Hon. AW
T. Wilson, postmaster general, president
of tho university, In place of General G.
W. C. Lee, who recently resigned. It is
well understood that Mr. Wilson will' ac
cept the position, and will enter upon the
duties of his office on July 1.
Washington. Feb. 11. Postmaster Gen
eral Wilson received a personal dispatch
from Lexington to-night announcing his
election to the presidenoy of tho Washing
ton and Leo university. Ho has not yet
received official notification of his selec
tion, pending which he declines to state
whether he will or will not accept the otter.
JOBS FOR GOLD DEMOCRATS.
Xew York Board of Cnstoms Apprais
ers to Be Used ns a Berth
for Them.
Washington, Feb. 11. President-elect
McKlnley has written to the treasury de-
partment for information concerning tho
make-up of tho board ot customs apprais
ers stationed at New York. The board Is
composed of nine members five Jtepublic
ans and four Democrats. Tho salary Is
J7.0O0 per year and the. duties light. It is
said that McKlnley will recognize gold
standard Democrats en' the board and that
Ccckran, of New York, and W. D Byuum,
of Indiana, have been idven placed on it.
Crokcr ns n Candidate for Mayor.
New York, Fell. 11. John C. Shechan,
tho acting leader of Tammany Hall, admit
ted to-day that. If Richard Croker would
accept, he would be named as the Tam
many candidate for. mayor of Greater New
York.
LEAD TO BE WJELL PROTECTED.
Ways -and Means Committee Decides
to Restore the McKlnley Hate
of 1 1-2 Cents.
Washington; Feb. .11. (Special.) a he
lead interests of Missouri will be taken
care of In the new tariff, bill. The old
McKlnley rate of 14 cents on lead ore
will be restored. That Is the summary
of the decision reached by the ways and
means committee. The present rate o'f 51
cent has prostrated the great lead mining
Interests of the state, according to the
testimony of one of tho leadlngJDemocratlc
members of the house from Missouri. Rep-,
rest-ntatlve Cobb, of St. Louis, nnd tho
Republicans Intend to glv.0 them back the
prosperity they enjoyed before tho Wilson
bill went Into effect. A change was also
decided on In tho law so as to permit tho
Importation of lead ore in bond and assay
at the assay office nearest Its destination
Instead of tho port of entry, as now required.
ONLY HIS HEAD FOUND.
A WEALTHY I.VDIAX TERRITORY
STOCK RAISER 3IURDERED.
WAS WAYLAID NEAR NOWATA.
STARTED TWO WEEKS AGO FBOM
I.YDEPEXDENCE TO VIX1TA.
May Have Been Slain for His Money
or 1o Prevent Him From Testi
fying in nn Important Case
Oilier Xck of
Crime.
Independence, Kas., Feb. 11. (Special.)
I-ist night a wagon and team were found
in a secluded place in the woods, not far
from the road at the crossing ot the Ver
digris river, about three miles east ot
Ncwata, I. T., fifty miles south of here.
To-day it was identified as that of Joel
Mack, a wealthy stock raiser, who owns
a largo tract of land near BartlesvU'.e,
but whose family live in this city. Ills
coat and hat were found near the wagon,
and Indications. were that a struggle had
taken place. Excitement ran high and
ui on further search it was found whsre
his clothes had been burned, and later his
head, detached from his body, was dis-ce.ve-red
In some underbrush on the river's
bank. His body cannot be found and it
is probable that he was murdered and his
body thrown into the river. Mack was
In this city a little over two weeks ago
and started In a wagon for Vlnlta, where
he was a prominent witness In a case In
tho United States court there. It is
thought by some that he was murdered
to prevent his appearing on the stand. He
had considerable money when he left here
and that might have been the Incentive.
A dispatch to his wife here states that
the horses had stood several days and
were almost dead when found.
M'GIFFIN A SUICIDE.
American Who "Won Fame In the Clil-no-Japnnesc
AVur Shoots Him
self "While Insane.
New York, Feb. U.-Captaln Phllo Mc
Glffln, who commanded the Chinese iron
clad Chen Yuen In the battle of the Yalu
river In September, 1S3I, during the Chlno
Japanese war, committed suicide early to
day in the ppst graduate hospital, to which
he was recently admitted for treatment.
He shot himself over the right ear. On a
little table directly at the head of the bed
was one revolver and on the floor near the
bed was another. One chamber had been
discharged from tho pistol on the table. On
the table with the revolver was found a
note written In lead pencil. The paper ap
peared to have been torn from a note book.
In substance the noto said that the captain
left his respects to the people and to his
friends and regretted tho act which he was
about to commit. About the middle of
January the captain became insane and it
was found necessary to have him confined
In the hospital. At that time, andj since
then. Dr. Hammond attributed his condi
tion to wounds he received in the battle of
the Yalu river. McGlffln was born In Wash
Ingtcti. Pa., In 1SG2. He was a son of Cap
tain Norton McGlffln, who served In the
Mexican war with distinction, and who was
colonel of the Eighty-eighth Pennsylvania
volunteers durlntr the war of the rebellion.
JIc, graduated- from thx naal academy ,at
Annapolis with high honors In 1SS2.
After graduating near the nead ot his
class. McGlffln was honorably discharged
In 1SSH, owing to a reduction In the num
ber of midshipmen. Ho entered the service
of China during the Franco-Chinese war,
and was distinguished for gallantry, was
sent to England to superintend the con
struction of ironclads and at the outbreak
of hostilities with Japan was put In com
mand of tho Chinese squadron.
TRAILING A TRAIN ROBBER.
Arlzoun ShcsllT's I'osic Has Been Fol
lowing; Jim Parker for Sev
eral Days.
Kingman. A. T., Feb. 11. The sheriff's
posse returned to-day from chasing the
Rock Cut train robber. They ran across
their man two miles north ot Peach
Springs. Tho robber rode a horso well
known In that section, and, after running
awhile, would stop and s,hoot at the posse.
Tho running fight was kept up through
tho deep snow until after dark Tuesday
night, when the robber abandoned his
horse and took it afoot. All Wednesday
the' trail was followed through the snow
and mud, but at last a, drift snow covered
tho trail and the posse could follow it no
longer. Under Sheriff Falrchlld and Kade
Selvey again took up the hunt to-day.
The fleeing robber was recognized ns Jim
Parker, a notorious desperado. The name
of the robber killed by Messenger Somers
is Charles Douglas, a cowboy.
MURDER 0R SUICIDE?
Levels Miller Mcctii Death In an Un
explained Manner Near Ok
innlfree, I. T.
Muskogee, I. T.. Feb. 11. (Special.) A
courier from Okmulgee, forty miles west ot
Muskogee, arrived this morning, bringing
tho particulars of the death of Lewis Mil
ler, near Okmulgee, Monday night. Miller
had quarreled and separated from his wife.
He went home. It Is supposed, and com
mitted suicide by shooting himself with a
shotgun, the discharge of the gun creating
a fire, which consumed tho house and cre
mated his liody. This Is only a theory.
Another story Is that Miller's domestic
troubles brought about his murder by some
unknown persons, who concealed the crime
by burning tho body.
SEDALIA MArS BAD BREAK.
Tried to Chastise Some Bns forSnoiv-
'linllliiK Illni ami. Was Knocked
Senseless.
Sedalia, Mo.. Feb. 11. (Special.) Frank
Little, collector for the Capital Tea Com
pany, Is lying at his home in a critical
condition as the result ot objecting
to being made a target for snowballs.
A number of boys threw snowballs at birr,
when he Jumped from his buggy with the
Intention of chastising them. One of tho
beys, Ben Avanslnlo, struck Little on the
head with a heavy board, knocking him
insensible. He has been unconscious for
the past twenty-six hours, and it is feared
mat nis brain has been seriously injured.
lifa. Kas.. Feb. 11. (Special.) "HaDor1
Jack." Wilson, for whose supposed murder
J. F. Jackson was arrested two weeks ago
at Norman, O. T., was round at xecumsen.
I. T.. to-day. by the father ot the accused
murderer, alive and well. A headless body,
erroneously Identified as that of "Happy
,JCk,"j was found in the South Canadian
river, near Norman, O..T.. and Jackson,
"who was Wilson's encmsv was arrested' on
suspicion. Jackson will bo released.
Slcmed n Note Instead of a Receipt;"'
Foit Scott. Kas., Fob. It (.SpecialOJSes
tctday a stranger entered thorstore of
John Todd, at Marmaton, and.' left some
HBBBBSMS.11 Mill .tut AJenil.
spectacles to be sold on commission. Mr.
Tcdd gave the stranger a. receipt for tho
glasses and to-day was surprised to learn
that James Hart, a money loancr ot IhM
city, held his note for Kj. due in nixty
daya. The officers are looking for tho
stranger who sold tho note to Mr. Hart
for $000.
STOLE VALUABLE LETTERS.
CouKrcsttouitl Llbrnry Emplojes Un
der Arrest for Pllferlnt
From the Fllei.
Washington, Feb. 11. Phillip McElhone,
son of the late J. J. McElhone, for years
official Teporter of the house of representa
tives, and Lewis W. Turner, both employes
ot the congressional' library, have been ar
rested by secret service officers, charged
with larceny of autograph letters from tho
library. Both men asserted their Innocence
and were held by the United States com
missioner in ?3,0u0 bail, pending examina
tion. Tho arrests were the result of a let
ter of inquiry from a New York autograph
dealer, who stated that he had bought cer
tain historical autograph letters and was
offered more, but had become suspicious
lest they might have been abstracted from
government files.
An Investigation by" Librarian Spofford
disclosed that many letters were mlsslng
from tho library, amonpr them the diary
ot George Washington fo- 17S7, the year
of the constitutional convention, and tet
ters of John Hancock. Benjamin Arnold
and Georgo Washington. When examined
by tho treasury department secret service
officers the young men admitted having
sold the papers but disclaimed having
stclen them. Turner declared that be had
found them outside the capltol building
and McElhone said that Turner had rep
resented to him that the letters had beer,
tho property of his mother-in-law. Mrs.
Miller, now dead. He said tint something
less than a hundred letters had been sold
to New York dealers for about $j00. Both
are young men of hitherto good reputa
tion. DUESTR0W MOTION DENIED.
Supreme Court En Bnnc Refuses to
Take Up the Case A Petition
for Commutation,
Jefferson City, Mo., Feb. 11. (Special.)
The state supremo court en banc to-day
denied the motion made by the attorneys
of Arthur Duestrow. the St. Louis wife
and child murderer, for the transfer of his
case from division No. 2 ot the court to
the court en banc Duestrow's attorneys
will, it is said, apply to tho United States
sunreme court for an order transferrins
the case to that court. If. this order is re
fused, and Governor Stephens refuses to
stay the execution or commute Duestrow's
sentence, he will be hanged on next Tues
day, February 1G.
A petition from tho Women's West End
SoViety, of St. Louis. Ht'sklng ihat Dues
trow's sentence be commuted to life Im
prisonment In the penitentiary, was pre
sented to tho governor to-day. The pe
tition was written by Mrs. Minor Mtrrt
w ether, mother of Labor Commissioner
Lee Merrlwether. She is president ot the
society. It sets forth as a. reason why
Due-strow should not be hntiged that he in
herited tho drink habit from his parents,
nnd hence was not fully responsible for his
terrible double crime.
Attorney Noland, of St. Louis, one of
Duestrow's counsel applied to Governor
Stephens to-night for a stay of execution
of sentence for thirty days. Tho govern
or took the application under advisement
for twenty-four hours.
A 11oj;uh Check Swindler.
Wichita, Kas.. Feb. 11. (Special.) Sher
iff W. E. Hunt, of Woodson county, ar
rived here to-day for M. B. Edmlston, the
swindler who has been flooding the county
with bogus checks on the First National
banks, of Kansas City. Edmlston Is want
ed by the Neosho Falls bank, through
which Institution he cashed one cf his
forced drafts. Several other .towns want
Wm' V
Ed llussey Ont on Unit.
Eldorado, Kas.. Feb. ll.-(Spedal.) Ed
Bussey, charged with enticing two young
ladles away from their homo at Augusta,
several months ago, and who had a trial
In the last term of the district court, tho
jury standing eleven for conviction and
one for acquittal, was released from jail
to-day on $2,0u0 bond.
Henry Tnjlor Slurder Trlnl On.
Mexico, Mo.. Feb. 11. (Special.) f The
Henry Taylor murder trial began In the cir
cuit court here this morning. Taylor Is be
ing tried for his life for killing Lee Smith
while the two were engaged in a drunken
quarrel. There was hardly standing room
at the llrst tlay's proceedings.
Slay of Execution Grnnted.
Ardmore. I. T.. Feb. 11. Judge Kilgore
to-day suspended the death sentence of
Charles Johnson, negro, who had been sen
tenced to hang February 19 for an assault
on a whlto woman. The object In stay
ing execution Is to allow the supreme court
to pass on tho question of jurisdiction.
Under Arrest for Forjrery.
Eureka Springs. Ark., Feb. 11. (Special.)
J. H. Kelley, a shipper of ties, was arrested
here charged with forgery in raising the
amount of a tie check. The check was
cashed by the bank, which made complaint
to the grand jury last week, and Kelley
was Indicted and promptly arrested.
Gets Sixty Dnys for Murder.
Ogallala. Neb., Feb. II. Frank Yocum
was to-day found guilty of assault and bat
tery, and sentenced to sixty days In Jail.
Yocum shot and killed a vounjr man named
Evans during a charivari row at tho depot
last December.
Wnnted nt Osceola, Mo.
Sedalia, Mo.. Feb. 11. (Special.) Edward
Walden, wanted at Osceola. Mo., for lar
ceny, was arrested here to-night.
WENt"tHR0JJGH THE ICE.
Three Kcntneky Horsemen Drowned
While Trylnjr to Cross the
Birr Sandy River.
Pulntsvllle. Ky., Feb. 11. News has been
received here of the drowning of Andrew
Wilson, Preston Hall and Harry Brown,
In Pike county. The men had been on a
spree for several days and had started
across Big Sandy river on the Ice on their
horses. The Ice was beginning to break
and when about halt way across the Ice
gavo way and the three men and horses
went down together. No trace of them has
been found and It Is supposed that when
the Ice broke up it washctl them Into the
Ohio.
Serious Lamp Explosion.
Pittsburg. Pa., Feb. 11. By tho explosion
of a lamp in an Italian tenement house to
dav, four people were burned, two fatally.
The Injured are Clara Paramaganda. aged
C. fatally; Mrs. M. Garland, fatally: Frank
Searblno. John Gardland. Clara Parama
ganda attempted to move a lighted lamp
and overturned it, causing an explosion
and settingflrti to her clothes. Mrs. Gar
land, who was 111 In bed, ran to her res
'ciie, and vus burned in putting out the
flames. The two men had difficulty In sav-
Mrsuarlanti.
Illir Fire nt Plnno, Tev.
Pi.nnn 'Pi.r-.. Feb. 11. An Incendiary fire
at 3 o'clock this morning burned ncarly
thirty buildings. Including tre business
part of the city. The loss 's iward of
JIOO.OOO. with practically no lrs v ,'ce. The
pcKtofllce was destroyed, bt.' ' malls
were saved.
Gunliont BoIIt Evplude.
Valparaiso. Chill," '. 1- - A telegram
from Lacnuano announ c it tho boiler
of the CIcitlan gunboa" G.-uIota recently
exploded, killing five persons and Injuring
eight other?.
Alaskan Cioli! Excitement.
Seattlo, 'Wash.. Feb. 11. Once again
miners and senrcners otter rorrune are get-
tilf; In renuinesa u eiuer ine kuiu regions
i ai oiKa. Th9 news"of a marvelous dls-
co.'ery on Klondlko'creek has touched the
I match to the excitement. Boats leaving
1 for tho .North, are already carrying passen
gers, who are anxious to set as near the
gold districts as possible, and by March
lit is expected that the rush will begin.
r Warrembnrs Man Drops Dead.
Warrensburg. Mo.. Feb. 11. (Special.) J.
H. 'Conncilv, Landlord of tho Commercial
hotel, dropped dead In his room this aft
ernoon of heart failure. Mr. Connelly came.
hre eight years ago from Kansas City.
Ho was the father ot A. J. Connelly, of
Jelfcrson City, a prominent candidate for
railroad commissioner before the Demo
cratic convention
WOULD COMPEOMISE.
KANSAS n.VILROADS OFFER TO CUT
FREIGHT RATES 10 PER CE.T.
LEGISLATORS NOT SATISFIED.
1VANT A UO PER CET CUT OX F.UUI
PRODUCTS AXD COAL.
Railroads Considering This, hut Sat
Likely to Asrree to It Senate
Committee on Railroads
Prepares a Stringent
Antl-Pnss Bill.
Topeka. Kas., Feb. 1L (Special.) Ths '
railroad representatives submitted a propo
sition to the senate sub-committee on rail
roads to-day agreeing to make a. 10 per
cent reduction In freight rates providing
the maximum clause be stricken out ot
tho proposed railroad bill. This was re
jected, but the committee made a counter
proposition, agreeing- to knock out the max
imum schedule If the companies would
mjike a reduction of 20 per cent on freight
charges for grain, stock and coal and 10
per cent on all other. The roads have not
yet accepted this proposition, but a leading
railway man to-night said they would
rather than let the Brown bill become a.
law. Senator Harris, chairman ot tho
committee, to-night said that the reduc
tions as mentioned fn the propositions to
the committee would be about as heavy
as the courts would let stand.
STRINGENT ANTI-PASS BILL.
Senate Railroad Committee Evolves a.
Measure More Sweeping 'Than
Any Other Proposed.
Topeka, Kas.. Feb. 1L (Special.) Tho
railroad committee ot the senate to-night
prepared a stringent anti-pass bill, which
will bo introduced to-morrow. The bill
does not exempt anybody but railroad offi
cials and employes. Even the railroad com
missioners, state board of railway asses
sors and preachers will have to pay their
fare If this bill becomes a law. Tho two
principal sections read:
"Section 1 That It shall be unlawful for
any railroad or railway company doing
business In the state of Kansas, or for any
officer, agent or employe thereof, to furnish
to any person, except as hereinafter pro
vided, free transportation or rednce'd rates
not openly given to the general public over
Its line or any part thereof, by means of
any paper commonly called a pass, or any
order, written or verbal, or by the sift ot
any ticket, coupon, conductor's check,
mileage book, rebate or other shift or de
vice whatsoever.
"Section 2. That it shall be unlawful
for any person, except as hereinafter pro
vided, to-take. accept or use for transpor
tation over the line or any part thereof,
ot any railroad or railway In the state ot
Kansas any such pass, order, free tick
et. coupon, conductor's check, mileage
book or other shift of device, or to rerelva
any rebate or other concession or accom
modation not glyen openly to the gcnfctil
pHbiicoy -. - v -v ,v " -i --7
The penalty for the. vwlatlcrt ofthU pro
posed act Is a fine of from JM to S10U. Jn
case a person convicted Is holding an of
fice of trust the conviction shall work as
a forfeiture of office.
SHELBY GROWING WEAKER.
Still Alive, hut AVIth Scarcely tt
Chance for Recovery Fniully
Continue Hopeful.
Adrian, 'Mo.. Feb. 11. (Special.? Drs.
Gilmcre and Boulware held a consultation
In the Shelby case this evening. They
made the following report of his condition.
Respiration, 15; temperature, 10O?i: pulse,
12), weak and compressible. They re
gard his case as extremely critical, with
scarcely a chance for recovery- The gen
eral's strength Is rapidly giving way.
Mrs. Shelby has recovered from her
nervous prostration.
Dr. Boulware gave out the following at
midnight concerning General Shelby's con
dition: "Temperature. 103r pulse, 120; respiration,
40; resting better than usual; takes nour
ishment better than for three or four
daysf not so delirious; case very doubt
ful." Dr. J. C. Rogers arrived at the home at
12 o'clock. The general appearance of tho
patient Is most unfavorable. His strength
Is falling rapidly. There is nothing In the
attitude of the physicians or the surround
ings of the home to Inspire hope. A change
for the better must come soon If he sur
vives. Deputy United States Marshal Charlie
Haldeman, who went down to see General
Jo Shelby yesterday, last evening wired
Colonel Colt that there had been a marked
Improvement In General Shelby's condition
during the day. He had taken consider
able nourishment, was resting easily and
his family felt much more hopeful.
SOL MILLER IS BETTER.
The Veteran Knnsus Editor Likely to
Be at "Work In a Few
AVeeks.
Troy, Kas., Feb. VL (Special.) The
condition of Sol Miller, the veteran editor
of the Kansas Chief, Is considerably im
proved and the fear that he might not re
cover is waning. Mr. Miller has missed
personal supervision of two Issues of his
paper and this seems to hurt him worse
than his attack or pleurisy and other dis
eases which have bunched them
selves upon him all at once. Ha
has not been sick often enough
to get used to It, and cannot bo kept In bed.
except at time of his doctor's visits and
when he Is wholly unable to sit up and
clip and write for his next edition. Juit
what turn disease may take is like guess
ing at the weather, and especially in cimes
like Mr. Miller's, where there are complica
tions, but It Is the general opinion now that
he will be able to return to his office with
in a few weeks and bo monarch of his little
world for perhaps a half a score ot years.
He has recently turned Into his 67th year.
CLARA BARTON TO GOTO CUBA.
Receives Permission From Spain to
Distribute American Aid on
the Island.
Washington, Feb. 11. Knowing from au
thentic sources of the destitution existing
In Cuba, the American National Red Cro33
offered Iti services as an organization.
Some International flaw presenting itself.
Miss Barton Immediately offered herself
and her officers for Individual service Tn
Cuba, provided Spain acceded and tho
American people desired to place their con
tributions of money or materials in the
hands of Miss Barton and her officers.
The following communication from tha
Spanish minister explains itself, and Miss,
Barton and her officers announce that they
are ready to go to Cuba, provided people
desire to place la Miss Barton's hands a.
sum sufficient to relieve the necessities of
the people of that Island:
"Spanish Legation. Washington. D. C.
Feb. 11, 1S97. Miss Clara Barton. Washing
ton. D. C. Dear Miss Barton: I duly com
municated to my government the proposi
tion made by you to go to Cuba with the
view of conveying the aid of the Ameri
can people to the sufferers la consequence
of the war. I have Just received a cable
gram from the Duke of Tetuan. Informing
me that tho government or his majesty,
,the king of Spain, after: consulting tho
commander-in-chief, accepts your benevo
lent offer.. I am Instructed in the same tele
gram to convey to you the thanks of her
majesty, the queen, and the Spanish gov
ernment for your gracious Intentions and
views. Bellevo me, very respectfully yours,
"E. DUPTJY DE LOMJS."
