The Topeka state journal. [volume], January 09, 1896, Image 1

About The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980

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TWO CENTS.
THURSDAY EVENING.
TOPEKA, KANSAS, JANUARY 9, 1896.
THURSDAY EVENING.
TWO CENTS.
STATE OF SIEGE.
Gomez, the Cnban General is
Encamped
Thirty-five Miles from the City
jr of Havana.
NOW HE IS WAITING
For Reinforcements Before Be
ginning Operations.
Campos Inside the City With
70,000 Men.
v Havana, Jan. 9. The advance column
of Gomez's army is campsd in the
mountainous country in the province of
Pinar del Hio, thirty -five miles west of
the capital.
The main body of insurgent troops is
in sigh: of Havana and skirmishing with
the Spanish regulars is con
stantly going on. It is not be
lieved, however, that Gomez will attack
Havana. He is too wary for that. There
are in the insurgent army under Gomez,
all told, less than 11,000 men. The Span-
"7 ish in Havana number at least 70,000.
Marshal Campos would welcome an at
tack under these circumstances, and
General Gomez is too shrewd to accom
modate the Spanish commander.
He has sent couriers to the eastern
provinces for reinforcements, and will
scarcely push the campaign until the re
cruits arrive, and until the insurgent
sympathizers in Havana have perfected
their plans.
Campos is apparently afraid to engage
the insurgents' army outside the city.
' Gomez has attempted Beveral times
to dritw the enemy- out, but thus
far without avail. He will con
tinue to harass Campos until a deli
nite understanding with the people at
Havana has been reached. Then the
decisive battle of the war will be fought.
General Gomez is counting upon an up
rising in the capital and he plans an at
tack on the city simultaneously with
this outbreak.
In the meantime, Gomez will cover
Havana, both from the east and west,
and prevent the exodus of any consider
able body of Spanish troops, while the
advance column in Pinar del Rio will
subjugate that province.
Havana, to all intents and purposes,
is in a state of siege. Martial law has
been procclaimed and a strict censorship
is maintained over all avenues of com
munication with the outside world.
Correspondents of American news
papers send word to Key
West that it is- impossible to forward
accurate information by cable except at
rare intervals uni by resorting to novel
devices. This dispatch was sent in ciph
er and by a roundabout means.
PINKSION'S CASE.
It Furnishes H Text for Sbcirlngthe
Evilscf Politics aud Police.
Officer Pinkston feels very badlv
about the occurrence of the Howard
r.ihhfirt? nn hw hour rirvKt
"My" beat," said he, "is from Fourth
street to the river oa Kansas avenue.
isesiaes mis, wnicn is a very u:g beat
in a most important port of town, I
have instructions to keep an eye
on the Rock Island yards and on the
Rock Island "Y" which has in the past
been so full of tramps that it was almost
a beat itself. 1 think it would be very
easy while I wa3 on one end of the beat
. , for anybody to waik off with the entire
other end of it.
"My superior officers say I am oneof
the best officers on the forco. For tnat
reason l have been kept on Kansas ave
nue almost the whole year."
The criticism of Pinkston and other
policemen who are incapable is not per
sonal. It is the pernicious practice of
putting green men on this police force
who do not know the criminal element,
that the Journal objecis to. It i3 the
appointing power that is to blame.
It doesn't make any difference how
"good" the patrolmen may be in their
t character or behavior, if robberieB go on
continually and nobody ia caught, it indi
cates that there must be a change. A po
l.ceroau can't watch overy spot on his beat
but if he has bean oa the force seven or
eight years, he knows who to arrest
when a robbery is committed,
A clean sweep was made of all the
old policeman at the beginning of the
present administration. It wa3 a foolish
break and the peopio of Topeka are pay
ing for it every day.
Frank S. Thomas did the same thing
at the postoffice for political reasons
t when he went in a3 postmaster. Ha
' turned out all the experienced carriers,
neck and heels, and the indignation was
io great that Mr. Thomas was removed
and Jack Arnold appointed in his place.
As the Jol rnai. has said before, politics
in the management of municipal" affairs
is a scandal anil a nuisance. A whole
lilt of nnttV nnlitirtiano . . , . ,--.' f - 1
r- f.-..-wuo puw Hi J : 1 irietlUp
on the Topeka police force and now wa
ee the result.
ON THE BORDER.
British Troops With Cannon on the
Honudary of Venrzuala.
London, Jan. 9.-5 p. m The colo
nial office this evening published a denial
of the report which reached here from
j Caracas, Venezuala, via New York, that
British troops with cannoo, from Deme
rara, had arrived at Cuyuni, a station at
the extreme limit of the British claims
in the disputed territory, and the scene
of the Uruan incident.
Wtal. Icy stiller Break.
Louisvillk, Ky.,Jan. 8. Bartley.John
son & Co. and the Belle of Nelson Dis
tilling company made assignments this
afternoon. The liabilities of Bartley
Johnson & Co. are about $100,000 and the
liabities and assets of the Belle of Nel
son company are estimated at about $200,-
TO CALL IT NEXT MONTH.
The Republican State Central Committee
Likely to Meet in February.
The Republican state centra! commit
tee will probably not be called together
for the purpose of issuing a call for a
stnte convention before the first or sec
ond week in February.
Chairman Cy Lslandand several mem
bers of the executive committee who are
in the city have been discussing thi3
question and they are practically agreed
to iesne the cail for the meetiug of the
entire committee early in February al
though the exact date has not yet been
agreed upon.
The Republican state central com
mittee has never held a meeting since it
was first organiezd and elected Cy Le
and chairman.
All through the campaign of 1894 the
entire commi'.tee was never once called
on for :.dvice, the entire campaign being
kept in the hands of Chairman Leland
and hid executive committee.
The general sentiment of the mem
bers of the cooimitteo who have visited
iopeka lately favors holding the first
state convention to elect delegates to the
national convention at Wichita,
THEY MUST STOP.
Bill of Complaint ;Flleil Against tlie
Bis Kttilroad Pool,
New.Y'ork, Jan. 9. United States
District Attorney McFarlane filed a bill
of complaint in the United States circuit
court today against the thirty-two rail
road companies forming the joint traffic
association.
Mr. McFarlane also gave notice that
on January 17 he would move for an in
junction restraining the association from
operating under its agreement.
In the bill of complaint it is charged
that the agreement between the compa
nies is intended to combine or pool all
competition in traffic within its
scope und that the agreement
covers all through traffic of all
the great trunk lines which com
prises a very large part of the inter
state railroad traffic of the United Statea
This agreement, it ia further alleged,
is unlawful, in that it establishes
not only a traffic pool but likewise a pool
of earnings, in violation of section 5 of
the interstate commerce act, and that it
is a contract or combination in restraint
of interstate trade and commerce and
unlawful ander the anti-trust act of July
2nd, 1890, known as the Sherman anti
trust act. The bill of complaint asks as
relief to have the contract between the
railroads declared null and void and the
parties to it perpetually enjoined from
acting under the agreement.
The complaint also asks for a tempo
rary injunction.
MORE GOLD DISCOVERIES.
Rich Veins Found Within Five Feet oi"
tbe Surface Xear South Boulder.
Boulder, Colo., Jan. 9. Intense ex
citement prevails in this city over the
new gold fields situated between South
Boulder creek and Magnolia, and there
are rumors of riches beintr uncovered by
prospectors in holes not over five feet
deep. One strike is alleged to be worth
$10 ,000 and an offer of this amount is
said to have been made and refused.
Frank D. Baker came down from
Walker's ranch and reports that several
sacks of quartz had been sent to the
sampling works from the claim discov
ered by the White brothers. The gold
was sticking out all over the quartz and
no accurate estimate could be formed of
the value of the stuff, but it will be sold
by the pound instead of ton. The pan
nings made from the ore are said to be
wonderful, as great rings of gold form
around the pan with each test of wash
ing. The prospectors are wild over the
outlook for a great mining boom, and
about 500 men are working night and
day in search of veins.
The new gold discoveries are on the
same mineral belt as the rich Telluride
mines of Ballarat, Jamestown, and Gold
Hill, Sunshine, Saina, and Magnolia. In
each cf these districts mineral has been
uncovered at the grass roots.
MONROE IMPROVED ON.
Enunciation hy Senator Raker of
Kansas in tbi Senate Today.
Washington, Jan. 9. Senator Baker
of Kansas offered the following resolu
tion in the senate today, enunciating an
expansion of the Monroe doctrine:
Resolved, That the United States will
regard it as an unfriendly act for any
foreign power, without our consent,
by war, treaty, purchase or other
wise, to extend its territorial
limits in the western hemisphere on
either of the American continents, or to
any of the islands adjacent thereto,
which this country deems necessary
for its self preservation. And
the United States reserves the right to
be the soie judge of the necessity for the
maintenance of their national entries.
That the principle heroin enunciated
is found in the law of self preservation,
which from necessity inheres in and
belongs to every civilized nation as a
sovereign and inalienable right and this
principle is attested by Washington's
farewell address and President Monroe's
ever memorable message of December
2, 1823."
Mr. Baker made a brief SDoech in
advocacy of the resolution. In conclu
sion he said that while the countries of
Europe were arranging their policies
and doctrine it wts right and proper
that we should declare to the world
the policy which we advanced aud pro
posed to maintain for the future peace
preservation inviolate of the western
hemisphere.
Mr. Call (Dam. Fla.) took occasion be
fore the resolution was referred to the
foreign relations committee to call
attention to the war which the Cu-
oans were so gallantly and success
fully waging for independence and ex
pressed the hope that the committee on
foreign relations wouid report a resolu
tion for the recognition of the Cuban belligerent.
ONEJLEAK.
Where the Money Goes That
Puts Us In Debt
Exposed by Congressman Chas.
Curtis.
SOME SO CALLED PORTS
Where It Costs Five Dollars to
Collect One.
Curtis' Bill Seeks to Abolish
These Useless Ports.
From the State Journal's Special Correspondent.
Washington, Jan. 9. The figures
which Representative Curtis has prepar
ed to go with his bill, providing for the
abolishment of certain ports which he has
introduced in the house, show that the
government is simply throwing away
money at these places.
Mrs. Curtis' bill provides for the dis
continuance of a long list of ports and
their consolidation with other ports in
the same district. This is to be done by
the secretary of the treasury and he is
not to increase the expanses in clerk hire,
etc., of the ports with which the discon
tinued ones are consolidated unless it is
absolutely necessary.
Following is a list of the ports which
are abolished by Mr. Curtis' bill, together
with the amounts of receipts and expen
ditures, according to the last report:
I'ort. lieeeipts.
Albamarle, X. C S 193.87
Alexandria. Va 161.56
Annapolis, Mil
Barnstable. Miss 940.4U
Uurlington. N. J v
Burlington, la 15.50
Casttne. Me 154.14
Chattanooga. Tenn
Beaufort. N. C
Bristol & Warren, K. 1..
Cherrystone. Va 35.00
Corpus Christ!, lex 10,902. Jii
I: astern (Crlsfleld) Md..
Edgartowo, Mass 554.31
Frenchmen's Bay, Me... 270.42
Galeua. Ill
Georgetown, s. c 31.09
Great Kg? Harbor, M. J.. 51.00
Humboldt. Cal 033 '4
Kenuebunk, Me 3.70
La Crosse, Wis 10.00
Little Egg Harbor, N. J. IJ.w
M:iehlas. Me 857.21
Grand Haven, Mich 200 70
Xaniucket. Mass 00.00
Natchez, Miss .50
Paducan, Ky
Pamlico. X. C 51.07
Hock Island. Ill 3.5S
Saco. Me 27.50
Sag Harbor. N. V
Saint Marks. Fla 10.37
Saint Marys, (ia 106.41
Southern Oregon. Ore.. .
'latioalianuocK. Va
Expenses.
$ 1.7S4.87
1.222.1!)
324.80
4,069.20
185.70
478.00
3,454.52
402.50
1,132.00
15J.00
2,129.0.)
20.978. 15
2.598.38
2.370.74
3.500.SO
350.00
1,000.27
809.22
2.789.85
5S4.00
35J.0O
291180
2,632.16
6,708.32
347.53
500.5 i
350.00
3,67d.74
35 J. 41
359.05
416.00
2.378.72
1.329.93
1.832.00
Mi. 04
3.503.00
500.03
3, 127.0 J
1,103.10
250.02
Teens, La
Vlcksburg. Miss
Wiscasset, Me
Yaquiua. Ore
York, Me
14.55
1S.35
C71.1G
.25
Total $23,079.02 $120,728.79
It will be seen by this table that for
all these ports taken together the cost of
collecting one dollar is over live dollars.
To be exact is $5.23. Ten of these ports
have no receipts at all, and at two, Natch
ez, Miss., and Yaquiua, Ore., the entire
receipts for a year were 50 cents and 25
cents. It cost $500.50 to collect that
solitary 50 cent piece at Natchez and
$1,103.76 to collect the single quarter
which was taken in at the port of Ya
quina. Ore. The total amount which
would be saved the United States by the
passage of Mr. Curtis's bill abolishing
these ports would be $97,049.17 every
year.
The secretary of the treasury recom
mends the continuance of the ports at
Brazos and Corpus Chrieti, Texas. If
this suggestion were carried out the
amount saved would be only $55,504.12.
At Brazos it cost la3t year $33,149.20 to
collect a little over a thousand dollars.
Why the government Bhould be wast
ing money in this needless extravagant
way it is hard for anyone to see.
THEY'RE AIL FOK SILVER,
That's tbe Wny the People of Kansas Are.
Says S. J. Crawford.
From the State Journal's Special Correspondent
Wasuisgtun, Jan. 9. Ex-Governor
Samuel J, Crawford of Topeka is in
Washington for the winter. He said he
was not familiar with the recent devel
opments in Kansas politics, because he
had been for the greater part of the
time before he left on hi3 farm in the
southern part of the state. He thinks,
however, that the Republicans will need
to settle all internal dissensions and work
together or victory next year on state
and legislative questions will be doubt
ful, provided tbe opposition should com
bine. One thing, however, Gevernor Craw
ford is sure of and that is that the senti
ment of the state is for silver.
"Outside of a few bankers and a small
number of others," he Eaid, "ihe senti
ment is all one way. In fact people west
of Ohio, or perhaps even New York,
have no business to be any other way.
There are no two sides of the question
for them ."
He said the passage of the bond bill
by the house would undoubtedly be felt
by the Republican party iu Kansas when
the time came to present the issues, for
this action was bound te be taken up and
discussed. He didn't see, he said, how
any one could make support of the bond
bill align with Kansas sentiment.
COAL 1 li-LOS OF KANSAS.
Some IUmarkubl rt -tires from Washing -ton
of Qrett Interest Hero.
From the State Journal's Special Correspondent
Washington, Jan. 9. In the report of
the United States geological survey for
1894, which is just out, are to be found
many interesting facts relating to the
production of coal in the United States.
In examining the total production of the
different states, it is found that Kansas
ranks ninth, the states which are ahead
of her being Pennsylvania, lllinois,Ohio,
West Virginia, Maryland, Iowa, Alabama,
and Indiana in that order.
A fact which does not pertain to the
production of coal but which mention of
the geological survey makes pertinent is
that a Kansas man, Henry C. Rizer, is
chief clerk of this department. He was
at one time secretary of the state board
of railroad commissioners and was in the
newspaper business at Eureka.
Ihe report of the survey on the pro
Continued on Ihird Page.
MOST IMPORTANT.
Meetiug oi'iiie Commereikl Club Com
mittee This UTSDiRg.
The meeting of the new Commercial
club committee will be held this evening
at the office of F. O. Popenoe in the Real
Estate building.
The business of the committee will
be to discuss a plan for the or
ganization and prepare to call a
meeting of business men to whom
the plan will be submitted. Nothing
definite has been done, bat the committee
is thoroughly in earnest and nothing will
be neglected to start Topeka's Commer
cial club on a safe basis.
The members of the committee are
Charles S. Elliott, S. S. Ott, J. P. Davis,
Warren M. Crosby and F. O. Popenoe.
Mr. Elliott said today: "Nothing has
yet been done by the committee, but
there is absolutely no doubt about the
success of the plan to organize a club.
The best business men oi the city are
strongly in favor of the organization,
and they have hunted up the com
mittee and expressed, their desire
to join the organization when
they know that it will require money.
There is no doubt in the world about
the organization proving a success."
Mr. Crosby said: "I understand that
nothing has yet been done toward a
definite organization, but I have heard
not a word in opposition to the project.
The business men in the city are in favor
of the organization and it will be a suc
cess." Mr. Ott said: "The committee tonight
will discuss some plan which will be
placed before the organization for
adoption. It is my opinion that this
committee should do nothing but what is
to be approved by the organization when
it is made. The committee is only tem
porary. Mr. Davis said: "It is my opin
ion that the club should not
be made large enough to be un
wieldly. It must contain business men
who can work in harmony and unison.
When an enterprise comes to this city it
should be the business of the club to see
that the people are not imposed upon.
The organization should be a safety valve
to protect the people and it should at the
same time encourage and foster indus
tries which help the city. I see no
reason why the organization should not
do the city much good."
With the Commercial club assured the
Fall Festival is also a certainty. With
the business men of the city alive to the
situation and the importance of action,
there can be no failure; but this associa
tion is not merely in the interest of a
single event It is permanent and is to
take cognizance of and promote all mat
ters for improvement and upbuilding of
tbe city. It is the most promising move
ment that was ever started in Topeka.
ALL ABOUT A DOG.
If Yon Ever Answer "Reward" Ad
vertisement Read It Carcltilly.
Dog days have come in the district
court. This morning' a red and white
water spaniel whisked his tail in the
faces of three attorneys, who were mak
ing a fee because of his existence. Next
term John Pollard is to be tried, criminal
ly, for "wilfully and maliciously killing
a dog "
It came ont in the trial today the
spaniel ia worth $100 and that he was
gone from his owner, W. J. Baldwin, for
a week sometime ago,
Baldwin published a reward offering
$25 for his dog's arrest, detention and re
turn to H8VVest6th or 1116 Monroe street.
That evening he was taken to a house on
Topeka avenue by three colored boys,
George Bryant, James and Will Walker,
and there found his dog.
Bryant was satisfied with a big glitter
ing dollar which looked to him like a
perfect mine of wealth. The Walker
boys sued Baldwin for breach of promise
in failing to pay the reward.
"Ihe evidence shows that the boys did
rot return the dog to Baldwin, but that
he wont after it," said Judge Hazen.
"The reward was not offered for the in
formation, but for the re'.urn of the dog
to one of two street numbers. I don't
think the plaintiffs in this case are en
titled to recovery.
"This reminds me of one time when
there was a man in the county jail wait
ing to be, tried for a crime and there was
a reward of $100 offered for a team and
wagon. Now, this man had stolen the
outfit and sold it in Missouri, so he knew
just where the property was. He gave
his attorney to uaderstand that he knew
where this team was and the lawyer,
who was pretty anxious to get a fee for
the work of defending the. fellow, fell in
with the proposition that he, the lawyer,
should give the information to the
authorities and get the $100 reward.
"Unfortunately for then, Cap. Curtis,
who was jailer, lay down and, pretend
ing to be asleep, heard the whole scheme.
He said nothing until the lawyer was
about to get the reward when he interfer
ed and told what ha knew. It is safe to
say the lawyer went without his fee."
The trial this morning developed the
fact that if you are out after rewards it
is better to be sure to conform to the
letter of tbe offer. Delivery does not
mean information, and if a reward i9
offered for the capture of a criminal you
can't legally get the money for informa
tion leading to arrest.
BURLEIGH IS RECEIVER.
Appointed by Judra Gilbert for the Nor
thern Pacific.
Helena. Jan. 9, Judge Gilbert of
Portland, in the United States district
court today appointed Andrew F. Bur
leigh, of Seattle, sole receiver for the
Northern Pacific railroad.
Court convened shortly after 10.30 and
attorney James W. Ashton, representing
Mr. Burleigh, asked that a more harmon
ious arrangement be mads in the matter
of the Northern Paeihc by appointing a
sole receiver. He was entirely willing
to leave the matter to the discretion of
the court. Burleigh's bond was fixed at
$100,000.
A BLOODY AX
And a Maimed and Amputated
Hand
Furnish Remarkable Clues to a
Strange Hortou Story.
E.W. WELCH OF HORTON
Says That Three Men Cut Off
His Hand,
But It Is Believed He Did It
Himself.
Hortos, Jan. 9. No happening in
Hortou for years has aroused the public
interest to such an extent as the mutila
tion of Edwiu W. Welch, an ex-railroad
fireman of Horton, in this city on Tues
day evening, of which ehort dispatches
were priuted iu the Statu Journal last
evening.
There is a suspicion in Horton, appa
rently well founded that Welch commit
ted the act himself.
Welch is a man 36 years of age,married
and is well known In Horton, having re
sided here for several years. For the
first two years after moving to Horton
he was employed as a freight brakeman
on the Rock Island, afterwards sacuring
a position as fireman. Oa June 8,
1894. on account of a misunder
standing, he was discharged from the
service of the road, and since that time
has been unemployed. On May 30, 1895,
while ir. the act of boarding a Missouri
Pacific train at Atchison, Kan , he slipped
and fell, his left hand extending on the
rail and one wheel passing over it, crush
ing it so severely that an amputation of
the three last fingers and a portion of the
hand was necessary.
At the time of his discharge from the
service of the Rock Island, he was a
member of the Union Pacific lodge No.
123, Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen
of Omaha, Neb.
This membership was continued after
his discharge by the voluntary action of
the lodge in keeping his dues paid up,
and immediately after the injury to his
hand he made application to the lodge
for Occident insurance, stating total dis
ability of one hand. It appears that the
by-laws of the brotherhood state that to
tal disability of one hand cannot, be re
covered unless the hand is lost above the
wrist joint. A3 he had still the use of
hie thumb and finger, the lodge did not
consider that ha was totally disabled,
aud referred his case to the supreme
lodge which is to meet next September.
A short time ago, it is said, he received a
letter from the officers of lodge 123 to
the effect that after March. 1896, if be
was unable personally to kep the dues
paid, his membership would cease. It
now appears that should his membership
cease, he would become Ineligible to all
benefits in the way of insurance for the
injury to his hand, as his claim has not
been allowed by the lodge. Should he,
however, lose the rest of his hand before
the expiration of his membership, he
would be entitled to the amount of in
surance, $1,500. This is one of the cir
cumstances which has occasioned the
suspicion that he was the perpetrator of
the deed.
Welch's house is situated in the out
skirts of Horton, about three-quarters of
a mile east of the principal thorough
fare. It is a three-room cottage, with a
yard fenced with wire on one side, and
faces toward the north, The country to
the north and east is almost entirely
without settlement.
Welch was seen at his home last night
by your reporter and related his version
of the story. He is a large man, weigh
ing 189 pounds, and is about five feet
nine inches tall. He was lying on a
lounge in the room which he says the
three men entored.
He said: "I was sitting alone in this
room last night, my wife being on a visit
with her parents at Shannon, Kan., with
my feet in the stove oven, about half
past seven or eight o'clock, I can't re
member the exact time. The room was
darn with the exception of the light
from the stove, and I was just thinking
of getting up and lighting the lamp and
retiring, when the door opened and
three men walked in. As soon as the
first one came in the door he leveled a
revolver at me and said: 'We've got you
now. Don't speak above a whisper, or
SDeak unless you are spoken to, or I'll
blow your brains out.'
"I was so surprised and shocked that I
fell from the chair onto the floor. It was
so dark in the room that 1 could not tell
whether the men wore masks, or had
beards or moustaches. While the first
man kept his revolver pointed at me,
one of the others took a pair of overalls
aud a small apron from the wall where
they were hanging, and wrapped them
around my head, completely blindfold
ing me and drawing one leg of the over
alls across my mouth as a gag.
"While one man kept guard of me as
I lay on the floor, the other two went
through the house, staying about thirty
minutes, and taking a suit of clothes and
overcoat which were hanging in the
bedroom, my wife's gold watch
and bracelets, and $4.75 in money,
which . was in a pocket book on
the top of the safe. This morning the
pocket-book was found on the table
empty." After going through the house,
they helped me from the floor, and a
man took hold of each of my arms with
a firm grip, and marched me through
the door and into the yard. I had walked
bnta short distance when they came to a
wire fence, aud one of the men said:
'Here is a wire fence; stoop, go through
the wires.' These were the last words
that I heard any of the men say, al
though they were whispering to each
other almost continually. We started
out, in what direction 1 have no idea,
and must have walked for an hour
and a half or two hours. During
that time a man kept hold of each arm,
and four or five timers they threw me on
the ground face downwards, and
stretched my arms out.
"At last they stopped and released my
arms, and I felt a. cord or small rope
placed about my ieft wrist. A man took
each end of the cord, and making one
knot pulled it so tight that I thought my
thumb and finger would burst The pain
was awful. One of the men held his
thumb on the first knot while they made
the second to prevent it from slacking.
After tying the cord on my wrist, they
walked me around-for about fifteen min
utes when they again threw me on the
ground. This time they stretched
out my left arm and one fellow put his
foot on my arm above the wrist. Then
I felt something strike my hand twice, I
don't know what it was, the second blow
being lighter than the first.
"I was then helped up and walked on
for fifteen minutes, when I realized that
the men had let go of my arms. Think
ing that they were still with me. how
ever, I walked for about forty rods far
ther, when I stumbled and fell. I lay
where I fell for several minutes, and
hearing no voices or footsteps, decided
that they had left me. I jumped up
and pulled the bandage from my head,
and found that I was in the road about
seventy-five feet from my house. The
first thing I did was to hold my arm up,
aud saw that the hand was gone, and the
stump bleeding. I wrapped the over
alls and apron around the stump, and
commenced to boiler for help, starting
towards Mr. McDonald's house, which is
just across the road. stumbled and
crawled as far as his porch and he helped
me into the house and sent for Dr. Rey
nolds. I think it was about 10.30." When
asked if he had any theory as to who
the men were, or what object they would
have in injuring him in tha manner they
did, Welch replied that he had no theory
whatever, and knew of no reason for the
outrage except burglary.
Dr. L. Reynolds was called to attend
Welch about 11 o'clock. ' The two
men who called him carried shot
guns and were very much excited.
City Marshal H. F. Killion was also
aroused, and arrived shortly after Dr.
Reynolds. When Dr. Reynold1 ap
proached Welch to examine tho stump,
the latter said, "When you take it. off,
doctor, take it off at the wrist. It is so
near any way that it will make no differ
ence, and that will make my insurance
sure."
Dr. Reynolds cut the cord from around
the wrist, which is the kind used in
hanging window weights and says that
it was deeply imbedded in the flesh. This
is attested by the fact that it only meas
ures four and one-half inches around.
The cord was evidently prepared, as it
was of a convenient length, new and
neatly knotted at both ends. The stump
was amputated at the wrist joint.
At 10 o'clock yesterday morning a
party of fourteen men headed by mar
shall Killion met at Welch's house and
divided in several parties for the pur
pose of searching the open country in
that vicinity. At 12.30 two of the men
found the hand and the ax which did the
chopping in a small grove of cotton
wood trees about one quarter of a mile
north east of Welsh's house.' A stump
of a tree, standing fifteen inches from
the ground, was used on which to lay the
hand while it was chopped off, and
was smeared with blood. About fifteen
feet from the stump, thrown ia a
hedge, was found the hand, and a few
feet farther on, in the same hedge, the
ax was found. The two men state that
the tracks of only one man was visible in
the snow. The hand and ax were taken
to Doctor Reynolds' office, and an exami
nation of the hand showed that three
blows bad been struck. The ax was
new, of ordinary make, and the blood
on the head reveals the fact that
only one hand was used in
the chopping. The blood ia en
the inner end of the blade only, and
easily illustrates that the chopping was
done with the ax grasped with one hand
near the blade, the handle extending
downwards, and by a person in a stoop
ing position. Had ue blows been dealt
by a person In an upright position, hold
ing the ax with both hands, the blood
would have been oa the center of the
blade or on the outer end.
Taking all points into consideration,
the matter of insurance pending for to
tal disability, the remarks made to Dr.
Reynolds, the single tracks in the snow
and the blood on the ax, it appears that
the suspicions are reasonable. Although
Welch is considered an honest, upright
man by the citizens of Horton, his story
is merely granted a possibility, and be
lieved to lack plausibility by those who
have heard it.
Apparently it would seem almost im
possible for a man to deliberately maim
himself in such a manner, but consider
ing that the hand was already crippled,
the man out of employment and probably
discouraged, and $1,500 depending on
such a condition, it ia reasonable to sup
pose that he might persuade himself to
do it.
A member of the B. of L. F. stated
last night that whether it was proven
that Welch's story was correct, or that he
cut the hand off himself, he would un
doubtedly receive tho $1,500 insurance
for the total disability of one band.
C. S. GLEED CHOSEN.
Did Gov. Morrill Have Ulterior De
signs in This Sudden Kindness.
Mr. Charles S. Gleed of Topeka has
been named by Governor Morrill as re
gent of the state university to succeed O.
L Moore of Abilene who was forced to
resign as regent to take up his office of
judge of the Eighth judicial district to
which position he was elected last fall.
It is suspected that the appointment
of Mr. Gleed is done by Governor Mor
rill to catch the "committee of 50" on
law enforcement, which was at the sug
gestion of Mr. J. W. Gleed, authorized
by the late temperance conference.
The governor, no doubt, believes that
with Mr. C. S. Gleed appointed by him
a regent of the 3tate university, an insti
tution in which Messrs. C. b.
and J. W, Gleed are both
personally interested as much as any
other two citizens of the state, Mr.
J. W. Gieed, as chairman of the commit
tee to select the "committee of fifty" will
be more likely to see that not too many
administration enemies are allowed
places on the committee.
It is not anticipated however that Mr.
J. W. Gleed will aiiow such considera
tions to influence his course in the selec
tion of the committee, as he has always
been a constant and high principled pro
hibitionist. King-Woods wrestles tonight.
ON AUSIOES
England is Met by Frowns and
Menaces.
Russia Takes Sides With Ger
many's Emperor
IN TRANSVAAL AFFAIR
Krueger Demands the Banish
ment of Cecil Rhodes.
Rhodes Said to Be Forming a
Great Republic
London, Jan. 9. A special dispatch
from Berlin this afternoon says that
Russia's co-operation with Germany in
the Transvaal matter has been assured
and that France will act with Russia.
This apparently tends to confirm the
report of an anti-British alliance and
that the action of Emperor William to
wards the Boer republic was a thor
oughly weighed step.
Tbe Feeliug in England.
There is little if any change in the po
litical crisis between Great Britain and
Germany brought about, it is asserted,
by Emperor William, support of the
South African republic in face of the
suzerainty of Great Britain over the
Transvaal. A special dispatch was re
ceived today from Pretoria, capital of
the Transvaal, saying that the Boers de
manded the surrender of all British
rightB and suzerainty over the Transvaal
and the pre-emption of Delagoa Bay and
the cancelling of the charter of the
British South Africa company.
It ia further stated that the Boers have
arrested on tbe charge of treason eight
leaders of the recent movement among
the Uitlanders of Johannesburg.
These demands, if the dispatch is
based on fact, coupled with the previous
ly reported demands of the Boers for the
expulsion from Africa of Mr. Cecil
Rhodes, ex-premier of Cape Colony, and
Dr. Jameson, who led the freeboters into
the Transvaal and the imposition
of a very heavy fine upon
the British chartered company or the
demand for an indemnity of $2,5v0,00O
from Great Britain, or both, are not like
ly to be granted by the British govern
ment without a severe struggle.
The opposition to the demands of the
Boers, however, will mainly rest on the
fact that it is generally admitted that
they are instigated, on the whoie, by
Emperor William, and that they form
part of a studied opposition upon hi,
majesty's part to the colonial policy of
Great Britain in Africn.
The Berlin and Vienna newspapers
this morning regard tho warlike prepa
rations of Great Britain as being at little
importance and as being in the nature of
a political move.
There is little or no abatement in the
anti-German feeling here. At a meeting
of the London radical federation today,
after many fiery speeches a resolution
was passed demanding the immediate re
moval of the name of Emperor William
from the British army and navy lists.
WHAT THE UITLANDERS WANT,
The Foreigners in the Transvaal Ask the
Rights of Cir.izaus.
London, Jan. 9. The National union,
an organization of Britons living in the
Transvaal, of which Charles Leonard is
the chairman, has issued a manifesto,
addressed to the people of the republic,
in which it announced that it would labor
for these ends:
1 The establishment of a republic as
a true republic under a constitution ap
proved by the whole people.
2 An equitable franchise and fair rep
resentation. 3 The equality of the Dutch and Eng
lish languages.
4. The responsibility to the legisla
ture of the heads of the graat depart
ments. 5. The removal of religious disabili
ties. 6. The establishment of independent
courts of justice, with adequate Day for
the judges, which shall be properly se
cured. 7. Liberal education.
& An efficient civil service, with art
adequate pay and pension system.
9. Free trade in African products.
RHODES A t BITiQUS.
Said to Be Seeking to Form a Great South
African Itepublio.
New Yokk, Jan. 9. In reply to a
cablegram of inquiry as to the stories
sent from London that Cecil Rhodes,
until lately premier of Cape Colony, had
started, or was about to start a movement
lor the organization of a vast indepen
dent republic in South Africa, the
World has received the following cable
gram from Cape Town:
"No truth in report of action attributed
to Mr. Rhodes.
"(Signed) Secretary."
The despatches have already told oi
Mr. Rhodes' resignation as premier, but
tho office is filled by one of bis lieu
tenants, aud London continues to gossip
about Mr. Rhodes' dictatorial attitude
and the possibilities of his making use
of it to separate South Africa from the
British empire.
FLIGHTY GERMAN EMPEROR.
He Would Have His Headstrong- Way an.l
Nearly lirought on a War.
London, Jan. 9. The Chronicle learns
upon authority that the German Council
did not fully approve of Emperor Wil
liam's telegraphing to President Kruger,
but that the emperor insisted upon hav
ing his own way, aud handed the mes
sage himself to the telegraph bureau, or
dering that a copy of it be imparted to
tbe semi-official journals.
Portugal to Remain Neutral,
Lisbon, Jan. 9. Portugal, it is an
nounced, will remain neutral in the dis
pute between Great Britain and Germany
regarding the Transvaal, and will not
permit the Germans, or the British, to
land troops at Dalagoa Bay, or to traversj
the Portuguese territory in South Africa.