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1? Si ROCK LAND ARGXJ 1 1 VOL.. XL, VIII. NO. 51). EOCK ISLAND, ILL.. FBIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1899. PRICE THEEB CENTS. ! i i F ICHTINC IS SEVERE British Attack the Boers Alonr the Modder River. RESUMPTION OF BATTLE. rsatives Meet a Repulse at Mopolo, North of Ma feking. Pretoria. Dec. 12. The telegraph operator at Modder riTer wires: "Gao and maxim firing since 5:30 this morning' and at 10 o'clock cannon ading proceeding. At 2 o'clock the nbting was reported very i-evere. Th Boer force along the river bank is being heavily attacked and is re ceiving assistance from other Boer force." This is a resumption of lighting between Methuen's forces and the Boers. Pretoria, Dec. 11. Mopolo. west of Mafeklng. was bombarded today. J here was sharp lighting. 1 he Boer attacked the British post at Mafeking l9t night. After severe lighting the Boers were repulsed and retired to a;mu a fort. LondoD. Dec. 15. Col. Kekewich telegraphs from Kimberlev under date oi Uec. 10: Jiaers reattached Kuril iuhii and were again repulsed by Loval 1st and Bediuanas. Kimberlev force luade a demonstration northward yes terdaj and drear out 500 Boers wih three guns. Fighting ensued, lasting several hours. The Hritiah casualties were one killed and seven wounded."' Pretoiia, Dec. VZ. The following official announcement is made: -Gen. C'ronja reports yesterday there wai desultory righting till 6. when heavy cannon fire was resumed. Tbe Scan dinavians stormed a diilieult portion, but it became untenable and tbey suf fered severely. 1 am unable to send help. The British must have bad at feast two thousand men put out of action, either killed or wounded."' WHITE STRIKE) AGAIN. Commander at Lady.mltb Ma a Fortle and Denraji a Krll(r. Frere Camp. Wednesday, lice. 13. Firing can bv heard this morning In tbe direction of Coltaso, nud an artil lery duel Is expected today. London, I)ee. 15. A special dispatch received here from YVcenen. Natal, d.ited Monday, Iec. 11, pays that the Inly smith garrison bad made a sortie tiud destroyed the Moddcrspruit bridge. Ixmdon. Dec. 15. The war ollice has received the following dispatch from Ceneral ForeMler-W alker at Cape Town: "tJeueral French wires, under date of lcc. la. rejioitiiig a skirmish sit 4 o'clock in the morniug with l.Ndi ) titers who were advancing southward toward Naauwioort. The skirmishing continued all the morning, tbe Boers fighting on a front of fourteen miles. Tlie enemy retired with a loss of forty killed and wounded. Our casualties were one killed, seven wounded, in cluding one officer, aud two missing." Long Ilt of Officers Killed. London, Dec. 15. Ueneral .Methuen's losses iu the battle of Magersfoutcin are licgiuniitg to come iu detail. Tbe 1otal casualties, including missing, are put at X12 for the British. Among lliese are the following oflicers iu tl:e Highland brigade: Killed General Wauchopc. Lieutenant Colonel J. X. C. Coode. Captain Kltou. Lieutenant Ed monds. Captain J. 1J. Clark. Lieuten ant Cox. Captain Cowan. Captain I-anilicrton. Lieutenant Colonel ;.IT. Major Knbinsou. Captain Wingate. Lieutenant Cowio. YVouuded Colonel Kelhain, Major Berkeley. Major DulT. 'a plain Feathcrstonhauizh. Captain Noyes. Captain Wolfe-Murray. Captain Kicbardsoii. Captain Campbell. Cap tain Uordon. Captain McNali. Lieuten ant Hon. ". C. Ftaillic. Lieutenant Scott. Lieutenant Water bouse. Many of the alwive mentioned officers are dangerously wounded. There were fif teen m-cn killeil. Farther CmhiIUm imoif Ufflrtn Other officers killed, wounded or missing are as follows: Killed Mar quis of Winchester. Major Milton and Ma tor liar.. Wounded Lietvurunt Baking Powder Made from pure cream of tartar. Safeguards the food against alum Alum fciiin powders are the greatest uneaacers to k-'' of die present day. Wauehopo.' "Major Cuthbertson, Cap tain Cameron, Lieutenant St. J. Har vey. Lieutenant Berthon, Lieutenant Tait. Captain J. Sterling. Lieutenant Colonel Codrington and Major The Hon. YT. Lambton. Missing Captain the Hon. Cumming-Bruee, Captain Mc- 1-arlane. Lieutenant Itamsay. Major K.. R. MacKenzie and Captain Brodie. fake Keport About Ladymih. London, Dec. l.. The report re ceived yesterday afternoon that Lady- simtb bad fallen and 10.0U Boers lieen captured would have been good news here if true, but there was no such good Inck for John Bull. Tbe war office did not credit the report. It is rejtorted via Ixturenzo Marques that YVlnton Churchill has escaped from Pretoria. (General Gatacre reports his losses at Ftormberg. prisoners not Included, as follows: Killeil. 'S; wounded 5u0, all the i.'ounded lieing prisoners. A num ber of tbe missing men have reached camp safely. FIELD Or MAGtRaFOXSTKIX. Where the Dead Were Thickest Doert Probably Lost Hearlly. Modder Biver, Dec. 13. Ambulances started early yesterday morning under a flag of truce to collect tbe wounded and bury tbe dead who fell at Magers fontein. Brigadier Ceneral Waucbope, who led tbe Highland brigade, was found dead near the trenches, shot In the chest and thigh. A few wounded were found near the trenches. Several wounded Boers were taken to the Brit ish hospital. The side of the bill and the immediate neighborhood of the Boer trenches showed dead bodies all alout. One wounded Boer informed a correspondent of the Associated Press that their loss was terrible. Tbe whole Scandinavian contingent was de stroyed. Judging from information gleaned from the Boer wounded and from pris oners taken iu different parts of the tield the Boer losses must exceed 7ui. The destruction wrought by the naval guns was enormous. Word was passed along the Boer Hues to prepare to re treat at nightfall. All confess that It was their greatest loss during tbe war. The British troops have returned to Modder river, owing to the lack of water near the position held yester day. Iondou. Dec. 1j. Tbe correspondent of Tbe Standard at Modder river, de scribing the tight at Magersfontein. (.ays: "Six ur.es had to be covered before the Highland bri gade could reach the Boer stronghold. It is not yet clear through what mischance tbe force, which was led by guides, came tiiwm the Boer trenches so unexpectedly' and so sud denly. Beyond question tbe Boers were aware of the approach of the British, and had prepared to receive them. Ac cording to one version two Highland ers, through nervousness or clumsiness. discharged their rifle prematurely, but It is equally probable that the advance Boer scouts conveyed the intelligence. "Our men were totally nnprejiared: Tbey hail not even fixed bayonets. Tbe disaster was all tbe more exasperating liecause of the consciousenss that had the brigade been extended and with bayonets fixed tbe tren-hes might have been successfully rushed with far less sacrifice of life" Queen Sends Her Deep Sympathy. Loudon, Dec. 15. The queen has sent a message of deep sympathy to tbe widow of General Watichoite. vtfUipl'C.t uui in Moody' Ca.e. West Northfield. Mass.. Dee. 15. Dr. X. P. Wood, tbe family physician of Dwight L. Moody, tbe evangelist. Issued tbe following bulletin yester day: "Dwight L. Moody has not leeu as well during the past few days. Com plication have arisen which have causeil much anxiety. His lower ex tremities are swelling and albuminuria lias apiieared which is considered to be due to the cardiac or heart trouble." Iteri.lon In a Strike Cm. Trenton. X. J.. Dec. 15. An impor tant decision was rendered by Vice Chancellor Held yesterday. In a labor strike, iu which glass blowers were involved. The vice chancellor in bis opinion holds that a combination to strike or to indue" others to strike is made lawful under a Xew Jersey stat ute, provided that the means used be those of iH-rsuasiun. and not coercion. International Shoot Arrang-ed. Fankliu, Fa.. Dec. 15. An interna tional shooting contest tietweeu teams representing American volunteer sold iers and Knglisli voluteers has lieen ar ranged by General Willis .1. Hillings, who was colonelof the Sivteenth Penn sylvania regiment during tbe Spanish war. He has Just returned from Europe, where be attended to all the preliminaries. Hi Seizure of Oleomargarine. Detroit. Dec. 15. Collector of In ternal Iteveuue Charles Wright has seized casks of oleomargarine. valued at about $10,000. which were en route from Chicago to Liverpool. The reason for the seizure is said to e that the manufacturer had evaded the special oleomargarine tax and in so doing violated the revenue laws. Report on ew Richmond Relief: Xew Uicbmond. Wis.. Dec. 15. The tornado relief committee has wound up operations. In all $1i.mn was con tributed in cash and $JO.O) in sup plies. Of this amount the largest share ".. went to aid individuals in rebuilding homes and re-establishing business. The expense of administra tion was about $l.an. Good Wilt Not an A Met. Chicago. Dec. 15. The good will of a commission firm doing business on tbe Board of Trade is not an apprecia ble asset to which the heirs of a de ceased partner can assert a valid claim, according to an opinion an nounced oy Judge Y mdes. of the aj- Xellale court. Slavy r. Saort of Z. Washington. Dee. 15. The navy It 4.0" men short cf the legal maximum aud this In cpite of the best efforts ol the recuitins officers. "Doing nothing is doing ill." Im pure blood neglected - will become a serious mailer. X ane flood a b&rsa rmrilin at once and avoid the ILL END OF THE DEBATE, House Winding Up Discussion on the Currency Bill. CLASH BETWEE3? TWO CONGRESSMEN Berry and Wheeler, of Kentucky, Indulge In an Exchange of Pereonalltlee Senate Tables Pettlgrew'a Resolution Wil liams, of Mississippi, Introduces a Reso lution Uatllning Democratic Position In Philippines. Washington, Dee. 15. In the bou-e this is the closing dij cf the general debate on the financial bill, but there is little interest mam. felted either on the floorer in tbe gal leries. Jones, of Virginia, opened the debate in opposition to the bill, and was followed by Kbea. ol .Kentucky, and Williams, of Illinois, on the same side. Then followed acrimonious ex change of personalities between Ber ry and Wheeler, both democrats of Kentucky, over a recent state elec tion there. ' In the senate Aldrich, cf Rhode Isl and, presented a special order fixing standing committees and their per sonnel, and it was adopted. Squelches War Debate. Washington. Dec. " 15. The senate yesterday by a decisive vote and practically without discussion laid on the table the Pettigrew resolution of inquiry as to whether or not the Unit ed States forces bad recognized the Filipino insurgents Hag and bad turned over Spaiush soldiers to the in surgents. The resolution said that the whole debate on the resolution would lie cabled to Manila, and for that rea son, it seems. the debate was squelched." Tbe senate agreed to tbe bouse Christmas recess resolution. Tbe debate on the currency bill In the bouse was tame aud prosaic. The attendance both iu tbe galleries and an the floor was light and none of the seeches made attracted esjiecial at tention. Sibley of Pennsylvania, who it was thought might vote for the bill, Stated that be would vote against it. Demorrilo fosltion Outlined. Washington. Dec. 15. Williams of Mississippi introduced two resolutions in tbe house yesterday that are taken to state the Democratic iiosition on ex pansion, line pledges our withdrawal from the Philippine and the other rec ognition of their independence when they agree to refund the Siio.iioo.doo we iaUl for them, to give us coaling stations ami grant us lorpctual free access to their jKirts; we on the other bund agreeing to assist them against foreign aggression for ten years, dur ing which time their foreign affairs shrtll lie under our control. Tbe other provides for an Inquiry into slavery and -polygamy in the Sulu islands. CIVIL SERVICE REFORNERS. Openly Attack McKinleys Administra tion of I lie Merit Law. IndianaK)lis. Dee. 15. At the open meeting held yesterday afternoon the National Civil Service League openly attacked tbe administration of Presi dent McKiuley in regard to tbe order of May "."O. removing offices from the list. Tbe report of Secretary Ceorge McAneny.of Xew York. said the leagu. had attempted to tiud out the facts regarding certain violations of the rules of the service in the treasury de partment of the national government. He bad written, he said, to Secretary Oage for the information and received a letter iu reply stating that it was not proper to give information to the pub lic which was of a private nature. The matter was taken up by the league and a resolution unanimously adopted declaring that 'This refusal exposes to reasonable suspicion the good faith of the officials responsible for it and suggests the existence of abuses which the records withheld from inspection might disclose, aud we demand that this unworthy xlicy of concealment aud secrecy lie aban doned." The secretary then gave a review of the conversation between Prescient McKiuley and a committee from the league sent to him concerning the or der of May !. when so many offices were removed from the civil service lists, and said it was the understand ing of the league with President Me Kinley that in case it liecame neces sary for him to issue this order be would add at least as mauy offices to the classified scrvi-e as he was com pelled to remove. Kay Mil t Court Bouse Site. Des Moines. Ia.. Dec. 15. The su premecourt holds that the county board of supervisors may sell the old court bouse site aud apply the proceeds to the erection of a court house on an other site. Some months ago a sjie clal election was held and the proposi tion to sell the old site, purchase a new one in a different locality, and erect thereon a court house to cost $-t0.-n was carried. There was bitter op position, however, to changing the lo cation, and the iiower to sell the site was attacked in tbe courts. Law to Punish Mob Law. Washington. Iec. 15. Senator Da vis from the committee on foreign rela tions yesterday introdu-ed a bill to provide for tbe punishment of viola tions of treity rights. It provides for tbe punishment of crimes against ti citizens of other countries committed in states of the United States under the laws of the stare in which the crimes may lie committed. Veteran Map Publisher Dead. Milwaukee. Dec. 15. Silas Chapman, the veteran map publisher, died yes terday morning, after an Illness of about a week. Heart failure was the cause of bis death. Up to a couple of week a9 Cbajpman enjoyed renarka biy gooa'heaftn for a man so' old. lie celebrated bis S6th birthday on June 9 last. DOINGS OFTHE FEDERATION Refuses to Dine to Kon-C'nlon Musical An companiment, Detroit. Dec. 15. The annual ban quet of the American Federation of Labor, held In the Griswold House last night, lacked the usual accompani ment of orchestral music. The reason was that the orchestra provided for tbe dinner was discovered to be non-union. The bitter fact was duly reported in the convention yesterday, along with a resolution declining the invitation to tbe banquet tendered by tbe local com mittee. Despite assertions of the Detroit men that it was the lest they could do un der the circumstances tbe difficulty would not down until it was an nounced that the music would be left out of the programme. Xearly all of yesterday's session was taken up with discussion and action upon resolutions, some of which were as follows: Indorsing the boycott on the Xew York Sun; declaring against an army of more than llo.uoo men; urging state legislatures to outlaw all kinds of competitive convict labor: re affirming seamen's dcroinds; favoring same leaves of absence for employes of naval yards and arsenals as for other government employes: appropriating j.VK) in aid of Cramp shipyard strikers; inviting the letter carriers to affiliate with the federation. TELEGRAPH BRIEFS. Switzerland elected a new President yesterday Walther Hauser. One carload of ore from tbe Isabella mine. Cripple Creek. Colo., netted its owners $:iuo.OOO in gold. Melvin W. Helms, of Cuinlerland. was instantly killed in the woods near Superior. Wis., a tree failing on blm. Peter (J ray. V years old. employed by the Chicago, liock Island Ar Pacific railroad, was run over aud killed at Chicago. For assaulting non-union workmen in violation of an injunction Judge Holdom sentenced live union men to the county Jail. All the big coal mines in Webster county, la., are to be tied up by tbe strike of aliout 5()0 men at Kalo, Coal ville. Legigb and Carbon. Editor Casonie. of the Osservatore Itomano, official organ of tbe Vatican. says tbe inqie considers .Tan. 1. I'JOl. the binning of the twentieth century. Tbe famous "goose plant ,in the Washington park. Chicago, tropical house iu now in bloom for the first time since it was brought from Gua temala in 1MD5. The Woman's Kelief corps gave a re ception to Governor and Mrs John It. Tanner and Mrs. Harriet J. Bodge, of Hartford. Conn., national president of the organization, at Memorial ball. Chicago. Wednesday night. ' ' Is He Lucky or Tnluclcy ? Auburn, Ind., Dec. 15. Dec. 13, 181(9, will long be remembered at the home of Wm. Gatsch, a farmer living east of here in Ohio. On his farm Wednes day his wife had triplets; twin calves. a litter of pigs. colt, a litter of pups and two lambs were also born. Dec. 13 was the birthday of the eldest son and it was the thirteenth anniversary of the farmer's married life. Gatsch is happy and firmly belives in thirteen as a lucky number OlT- 1'aTTie of Victory. Washington, Dec. 15. General Otis cabled the war department as follows: "General Lawton reports Hulucan province freed of insurgents. Yester day the troops of tbe Fourth, cavalry raptured the strong mountain position of Kiaonabato. with food supplies. clothing, cartridge factory aud bar racks." Some Senate Confirmations. Washington, Dec. 15. The senate yesterday confirmed the following nom inations: United States minister, John N. Irwin, of Iowa, to Portugal. . Sec retaries of legations. Spencer V. Bddy, of Illinois, to Paris (second secretary: Arthur M. Beaupre, of Illinois,' at Bogota, Colombia. Another Body from tbe Kiagara. Buffalo. X. Y., Dec. 15. A liodv, evi dently from llie wrecked steamer Ni agara, was washed ashore at Patton's Point yesterday. It has not yet been identified. League Magnates Tell Nothing. New York. Dec. 15. The base ball magnates were iu session nil yester day, and are again in session today. but tbey will say nothing as to what they' are doing. Deaf and Duml Institute Burned. Pittsburg. Dec. 15. Tbe Western Pennsylvania Institute for Deaf and Dumb, situated at Kdgewood. was com pletely destroyed by tire last evening. The 50 pupils in the building were panic-stricken, but the teachers quick ly secured control of them and it is be lieved all were saved Male nnd Frmale Pumpkins. At this time it may Interest makers of good pumpkin pies to know that a Brooklyn farmer, near Central Village, Conn., has, after many years' study, found that there are male and female pumpkins, says the New York World. He attests to the fact and swears, too, that only the female variety make tbe nice, sweet, tender pumpkin pies of our mothers. He feeds the male gender to the cattle and cooks only the femi nine pumpkins. Xothlas to Be Said. The colossal statue of De Lesseps, just dedicated at tbe entrance to tbe Suez canal, is described by an enthu siastic admirer of the distinguished Frenchman as tbe grandest monument In Egypt, says the Boston Herald. What's the matter with tbe ephtn! BrasU'a Snake Kxfcffclt. -. Brazil will exhibit 500 varieties of serpents, big and little, at tbe Paris exposition. , PRODUCTION OF COAL Increase from the Prairie State Mines Was 5,000,000 Bushels. ' ' OTHEE OmCIAL MINE STATISTICS Assessment of Railway Property in tlie State Mandamus for the Treasurer of Cook Two Men Killed by Hunting Ac cidents Springfield Sniclde's Identity Kot Quito Established Editor Rowen Takes a Wife. Springfield, Ills.. Dec. 15. Secretary David Ross, of the state board of b bor statistics, has prepared a summary of the Illinois coal report for the year ended July 1. 1SW. and it shows that the year's production of bituminous coal is 5,000.0 h bushels in excess of any previous year. Tbe average num ber of daysof activeoiierations for ship ping mines, 200 days, is more than for any other year, except 1S5W. when it was 22G days. Illinois now ranks next to Pennsylvania in tbe production of bituminous coaL Details of the Snuimary. The summary shows: "Number of counties productiug coal. 5"J: number of mines and openings of all kinds, KS9; new mines or old mines reopened. 121); mines closed or abandoned since last reiKirt, 121: total output of all mines in tons of 2.fi jouuds. 23.4;4. 445: total tons shipped. 20.019.147; aggregate home value of total product, JS1S.44:1.!4G: average number of miners employed duriug the year, 2tl,44i: aver age number of other employes, 10.542; total wages paid all employes, except ing office help, $14,730.17!; numlier of men at work underground. 33.100; number of accidentally killed, !!." Equalization of Railway Properties. Springfield. Ills.. Dec. 15. A tabu lated statement was issued yesterday by the state auditor showing the as sessment by the state tsiard of equali zation of the railroad property in the state. It shows that there are 0.032 1-3 miles of main track, assessed at $75. 012.042, or an average of $7.i42 per miles. The total assessment in lS!t-S was $70,554,845. tbe decrease this year from last being $042,SO3. Writ of Mandamus for Raymond. Springfield. Ills.. Dec. 15. Tbe su preme court has issued a writ of man damus to comel Sam P. ltayinoud. treasurer of Cook county, to pay over to the state treasurer $l!M,y5 of inher itance taxes collected by him. Tbe proceedings were begun by the attor ney general on relation of the slate auditor, ltayuiond withheld paying tbe money over on tbe ground that it was not due the state until be made bis semi-annual report to the auditor next April. The court held that the collections were due and payable to tbe state as soon as made. MYSTERY AS TO A. SIIC1DK. Identity of the Man Who Took Strychnine at the Illinois Capital. Decatur, Ills.. Dec. 15. Coroner Baer. of Sangamon county, arrived in tbe city last evening to try to establish tbe identity of George. Habn. who com- A. THE LONDON Is full and running over with the best selected stock of Xmas presents for men, boys and children. We have a full assortment of the following articles suitable for Xmas gifts. Smoking Jackets. House Coats. Bath Robes. Ways Mufllets. Reversible Mufllers. Square Mi filers. Puff Ties. Imperial Ties. Teck Ties. Bow Ties. Club Ties. De Joinville Ties. Fancy Shirts. White Shirts. Fancy Vests. Suits and Overcoats. Silk Handkerchiefs. Cut This Out and Bring THE LONDON - mlttetlcuiscideatSpringfleld. From his description of Habn, bis clothing, a ring with a peculiar carbuncle setting, and a locket he wore. Coroner Baer Is convinced that Habn and one J. M. Smith, who came to Decatur during the Corn Carnival this fall, and who purchased a confectionary which be sold recently and left tbe city, are the same. Smith was arrested iu Decatur Nov. C together with Lulu Staguer for disorderly conduct. ITWO FATAL HCXTIXG MISHAPS. Both End in the Death nf the Victims in n Short Time, El Paso. Ills.. Dec. 15. Sidney Kingdou, of this city, shot aud killed himself yesterday at his brother's home, northeast of here. He was trown out of his wagon upon bis gun, breaking the stock and discharging ! liotb loads into his side. He lived but j an instant. j Charley Frantz was nccidentallysbot ! at Secor, six miles west of here, by be j ing thrown from a horse while bunt . in. He died iu a short time. Savings Bank nt Chicago. Springfield. Ills., Dec. 15. The state auditor yesterday Issued a permit to George .T. Stadler, John S. Level. Adolpb Wegner. Morris Frascb and C. G. Blanden to organize the Chicago Trust and Savings bank at Chicago, with a capital stock of $250,000. Per mit to organize the Farmers State bank of Berwick, Warren county, with a capital of $3O.00O, was Issued to II. M. Lewis. Ira Loug. James Frauch, John F. Long. Charles Morris, F. E. Cable and Z. II. l'owers. Wedding of an Illinois Editor.' Bloomiugton. Ills.. Dec. 15. Archie L. Bowen. editor of the Springfield Evening News, and Miss Harriet Ela. of Bloomiugton. were married at noon yesterday by Bev. George K. Deuling er, pastor of the Second Presbyterian church. Bowen was for a number of years connected with the newspapers of Bloomiugton. His bride is tbe younger daughter of the late George P. Ela. an old resident of tis city. She has been prominent in social, church and literary affairs in Bloomington. Chang In Chicago Park Board. Springfield. Ills., Dee. 15. Governor Tanner yesterday apjiointed Frank T. Fowler, a member of the Chicago city council, a member of the west side park liourd to succeed W. C. Eggert. removed. The governor's private sc retary. Colonel J. Mack Tanner, at Springfield, was notified by wire of tbe removal and appointment. Acquitted of Murderous Assault Springfield. Ills., Dec. 15. In the Sangamon circuit court tbe jury ren dered u verdict of not guily in the case against Charles Waters, a former mem ber of the police force, who wax charged with assault with intent to murder. Waters was charged with shooting Pearl Scott, a member oC company II, Fourth regiment, I. N. G. Colonel Julius Walker Adams died at Brooklyn, aged 87 years. He wan the pioneer engineer of tbe Brooklyn bridge. To Cure a Cold In One Day, Take Laxative BromoQuiniueTablets. All druggists refund the money if it fails to cure. E. W. Grove's signa ture is on each box. 25 cents. Subscribe for The Argus. it Along. We May Help You. GOES TO QUAKER CITY Next National Convention of the Republican Party. JUNE 19 IS THE DATE. Fixed Today by the National Committee at Wash ington. Washington, Dec 15 The repub lican national committee met today for the purpose of fixing the time and place of holding the next national con vention. Representatives from Chi cago, New York, St. Louis and Phila delphia, presented the claims of their respective cities for the honor of entertaining the convention, and at the conclusion the committee took a recess until 2:35. when in executive session it will fix time and place. Chi cago claims to have enough votes to secure the convention, but it is said there will be a strong undercurrent in favor of Philadelphia. When the committee reassembled, an impression prevailed that Phila delphia would be chosen. Date and Place Decided. The committee decided on Tuesday, June 19, as the date for holding the convention. The last ballot stood, Philadelphia 25, Chicago 24. THREE DIE AT" A FIRE. Two ttomen nnd a Man. One Woman lie Ing 85 Years Old. New York. Jec. 15. At Williams burg last night three people were killed in a tire which broke out at 300 South First street. The fire was In a rear tenement. Two women and one man. were killed. Tbe dead are: Mrs. Goscher, 05 year old: Mrs. Susjtn Smyth, 85 years old; Luke Freen, 51 years old. Mrs. Gosch er and Mrs. Nyth were found on the top floor suffocated to death. The body of Freen was fouud on the second floor: badly burned. Mrs. Freen, the wife of Luke Freen, jumped from the second-story window and broke her legs. She was otherwise seriously injured. The fire burned very fiercely with a great deal of blinding smoke, and it was with difficulty that some of tbe other tenants werebrought out in safety by the police and firemen. Alcoho'I was first distilled by the Ara bians, and when we talk about coffeo and alcohol we are uslns Arabic words. Trunks. Valises. Hats. Caps. Flannel Night Robes. Muslin Night Robes. Woolen Gloves and Mittens. Kid Gloves and Mittens. Underwear. Umbrellas. Sweaters. Cardigan Jackets. Jersey Jackets. Fancy Suspenders. Reefers. , Linen Handkerchiefs. We Undersell Everybody.