The Topeka state journal. [volume], December 25, 1897, Image 1

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

Image provided by: Kansas State Historical Society; Topeka, KS

                
if.
vvV'
TWO CENTS.
SATURDAY b ZXESTG.
TOPEKA, KANSAS, DECEMBER 25, 1897.
SATURDAY EVENING.
TWO CENTS.
f- t rf
rv
-!1
!
U
I
If
II .1
if
COLISEUM GONE.
Great Bnilding in Which Erjan
Was Nominated
Is a Smouldering Heap of
Twisted Steel and Ashes.
FIKE'S QUICK WORK.
Started From Crossed Electric
Light Wires.
A Manufacturers' Exhibition
Was Going On.
A NUMBEll MISSING.
Some of Whom Are Almost Cer
tainly Dead.
List of Injured is Large Includ
ing Several Firemen.
Chicago. Dec. 23. Fire last night de
stroyed the Coliseum building at Sixty-third
street and Stony Island ave
nue. In which the Democratic national
convention was held last year.
The fire was one of the quickest ever
seen in Chicago. From the time when
the fire was originated, by the crossing
of two electric wires, until the Colise
um was a pile of twis ed iron and hot
bricks, was not over 2( minutes.
The building had b( n rented for a
manufacturers' expoiition and was
tilled from end to end with booths, all
of which were destroyed with ail of
their contents.
It is supposed a nuv.ber of people
were lost in the flame-, and although
no bodies have been recovered, the fol
lowing people are missii g and have un
doubtedly perished:
Girl named Pauline, surname not
known; seen, to enter trie building in
search of her mother, who she said was
imprisoned by the rlames The girl and
her mother were employed in the Irish
village, the former as a dancer, and the
latter doing chores.
Two women, dancers in the Midway
exhibit; seen entering the building just
before it collapsed.
Two men, seen in the center of the
building during the fire by firemen.
L. Ladanyi and his son conducted a
sausage booth in the building. Ladanyi
entered the structure during the fire
to search for his son, who he declared
was penned in by the flames.and neith
er has since been seen.
The injured are:
Peter Foots, watchman ;burned about
face and hands.
J.Irs. C. A. Lyons; severely burned.
M. J. Merely: lacerated by explosion
of Crooke's tubes and burned about
head.
William Robertson; face and hands
burned.
M. J. Wheeler, watchman; hands
burned.
James Maser, fireman: burned while
cutting a live wire with a pair of
shears.
Robert Harley, fireman; severely
bruised by debris during the collapse of
a wall of the building.
Miss Helen Conger; shocked by a live
wire and severely burned about right
arm.
Mme. Helene, Lyons, arm burned.
Frank Murphy, of St. Louis, severely
burned on right arm.
Jacob Nalbandi. musician. Streets of
Cairo company, partly suffocated and
dragged out by policemen.
Harry Parker, New York City, em
ployed in the Luxemburg exhibit
burned.
Wm. Robertson, employed in the X
ray exhibit lace and hands burned.
M. J. Wheeler, watchman, hands
burned.
Louis Weiss, janitor, burned about
face and hands.
W. H. Wright, Instructor in Roller
fcKating exhibit, burned about arms.
A. Jackson, performer, hands bnrned.
Mary Wilsjn, performer in the Vis
ions of Art, overcome by .smoke.
Thomas J. Munny, employed In the
Irish village, overcome by smoke.
Mary Anion, dancer in the Turkish
village, overcome by smoke.
Charles W. Pierce, of Omaha, em
ployed in the roast beef stall, leaped
from the balcony and was slightly in
jured; hands and face burned.
Frank Hatfield, who was employed
in the building when the balcony gave
way, strained, slight burns.
Harry Baker, employed in Luxem
burg gallery, badly burned about the
face and hands.
Fred Getz. captain of truck 1G. over
come by smoke inside the building and
rescued.
Frank Jameson, lieutenant of fire
company, overcome by smoke inside the
building and rescued.
Marienna AbrJoulnour, dancer in
Streets of Cairo, head injured by fal
ling timber from balcony.
George Dekrek-e, proprietor of Streets
of Cairo exhibit, jumped from a win
dow of the burning building and was
severely bruise.1.
Harry Hamilton, burned about face.
u Hham Allaby, fireman. thrown
from a lire engine in a collision with a
Lake Shore train at Cottage Grove av
enue anil Forty-first street
Albeit Chamberlain, burmed, cut on
face and hands.
EidiUSe'le Dusan turned about left
was" nTf ,or,Sinated in a booth which
JV i Vfclr arv exhibition of X rays,
the booth being managed by M. J
t WllHm Kobeitson. The
Len mrrre e,-:aminin tlleir Rent
ht . i ' VVhen thf we:re started
?,irnni mS noise ""i. and, UP.n
whfch JL roM,ed eh'rio jght wires,
thought t VCr the "shifts, are
. b.ave. ca"s-d the names.
fln. I ?rll ,trled to smother the
f tKULbefore the- sured water
and cloth, the fire had f pre id through
out the entire booth
Morley. realizing Wt h and his
partner would not be able to cope with
the flames, then made an endeavor to
save some of the most valuable of the
X ray paraphernalia. Running to the
machine he grasped two Crooke's
tubes, and with Robertson began fight
ing his way out of the bonding Before
he reached an exit the -u;es. which he
held m both his hands, vxploded from
the heat, severely lacerating his hands.
His hair also caught fli c and he was
severely burned about t ie head. Rob
ertson was burned about the face
About 3i'0 people wttftr ia the building
at the time of the fire, and at the first
alarm there was a rush for safety.
Fortunately, the aisles were wide, and,
owing to the comparatively small num
ber of people in the building, there was
little difficulty in reaching the doors.
Most of those endeavoring to escape,
ran to a large door on the east side of
the building, which is wide enough to
admit a team of horses and wagon. A
crowd of fully 200 people gathered be
fore this door, which was found to be
locked, and as the fire was roaring
through the building: with great
speed, it seemed for a few- minutes as
though none of them would be able to
escape.
M. J. Wheeler, a watchman, saw the
trouble and ran to open the door, but
the crowd was packed in front of It so
clcsr ly that he had great difficulty in
opening it. Once swung wide, however,
the crowd was in the open air in a few
seconds. .During the jam at this point
several people were crushed, but none
seriously injured.
The balance of the people made their
way through the other doors, and sev
eral who were caught in the balcony
were compelled to jump to the ground
from the roof. The balcony Is lined
with windows that swing outward, and
they had no trouble in getting up on
the roof, and from there the leap to the
ground was not great.
The firemen were at hand before all
the people were out, and before they
made any effort to fight the flames,
they devoted their attention to clearing
the hall of the people. By the time they
were ready to pour water on the fire,
the flames had spread with such rapid
ity that there was no chance whatever
of saving the building.
Within ten minutes after the fire be
gan, the roof was ablaze, and in a very
short time after the fire had appeared
on top of the building, one of the large
r
arrhes that spanned the building, gave
way, with a tremendous report; .and
then another, and another, each one
going down with a sound like the re
port of a cannon. The building fell
quickly, as. after the first arch went
down, the weight was too great for the
arches next to it. and all collapsed.
It took not over 20 minutes to make
a complete ruin of the building. Noth
ing is known of those supposed to be
lost beyond what has been stated. Man
ager Austin, of the exposition, is confi
dent that the girl Pauline lost her life,
as he says that he met her near one of
the entrances, making her way into the
bu.lding. He pushed her out. telling
her that she would lose her life if she
entered the building which was by this
time a roaring furnace. She said that
her mother was in there, penned in by
the flames, and that she must help her.
Before Austin could restrain her, she
ran into the building once more, going,
Austin says right into a tangle of live
electric light wires. Before he could do
anything more to save her, the build
ing collapsed.
The Coliseum cost $250,000 and was
twice as large as the Madison Square
Garden building of Xew York. It had
a floor space of seven acres, including
the ground and gallery floors, was 570
feet long by 300 wide and contained 2,
500.000 pounds of steel. 1.2CK1.0O0 feet of
timber and three million bricks.
en Ausgust 21. 1S95. the first Coliseum
then in the course of construction, was
wrecked, entailing a loss of $125.000.The
cause of the collapse has never been
known, but it was thought that the last
arch was not placed in position cor
rectly. The building was to have been
opened September 2. of that year, by
the Barnum & Bailey circus and the
contractors were rushing the work in
order to have it completed in time. Six
hundred men had been working on the
building up to half an hour before the
crash came, which was 11:10 o'clock at
night. Fifty thousand feet of lumber
which was to have been used for roof
ing, was on the roof of the building at
the time and the weight of this was
supposed to have had something to do
with the accident.
After the collapse of the first build
ing Architect S. S. Beman at once drew
plans for a new building, and It was
constructed and opened to the public
June 1, 1896. The details of the' massive
building show a composition of enor
mous arches, 70 feet at the apex above
the ground and with a span of 230 feet
in the clear. The building was encir
cled on the inside by a gallery 35 feet
wide and 33 feet above the floor. The
arena was only equaled in extent by
that of the Roman Coliseum. The
building was insured for $120,000, the
insurance being written in 26 different
companies.
It is almost impossible to form any
idea of the loss to the exhibitors, as
there were about one hundred booths
in the place, filled with all sorts of
goods.
VISION OF GOLD.
Returned Klondike Miner Dis
plays a 50,000 Christ
inas Tree.
Chicago, Dec. 25. A special to the
Tribune from New York says:
James I. Clements, "the Eldorado
King of the Klondike," who is at the
Lafayette hotel, last night displayed
one of the costliest, if not the costliest,
Christmas tree which was seen the
world round, on this glad Christmas
eve.
It would make Santa Claus himself
stand and blink in wonder. On this
richly laden tree were 750 J20-gold
pieces and Klondike nuggets and
presents worth $5,000.
Last year the man who fixed up the
Christmas tree dined on Christmas day
off a piece of caribou meat, with the
top of a tin lard bucket for a plate and
his fingers serving the purpose of knife
and fork.
The tree occupies space in the Hotel
Lafayette and those fortunate or un
fortunate enough enough to be allow
ed to feast their eyes upon this prodi
gal display of wealth, were granted
permission by the proud owner of it to
sift the $20 gold pieces through their
fingers, to lift double handfuls of gold
nuggets and guess how much they were
worth. And every visitor carried away
a little nugget, whether "the Eldorado
King" had ever seen him before or not.
James I. Clements arrived in New
York about two weeks ago with, his
wife and children. Velma, aged 7. and
Walter, aged 3. Yesterday he purchas
ed a tree five feet high and had It ta
ken to his room3 in the Hotel Lafayette
Then he carried up his presents, for
which he had ransacked the shops of
New York. When they were displayed
on the tree by his wife, he went to the
express office and got three sacks of
caribou skin, containing his nuggets,
worth $30,000. From there he went to
a safe deposit company, with which he
had stored several days before $la,000
in $20 gold pieces.
The Christmas tree was placed on a
table in the middle of the room. With
much trouble the nuggets were strung
on strong silk cord and hung about the
tree. On the table at the base of the
tree the gold pieces were dumped.
A central office detective was detailed
to watch the tree.
-. ; I mu ii till
-f it J:c : . f
YULETIDE.
Christmas Celebrations in All
the Churches Last Night.
Santa Clans Had the Busiest
Evening ef His Life.
UNUSUALLY ELEGANT
Were the Decorations, With a
Wealth of Music.
Arions Pass a Merry Evening
at Their Hall.
Last evening was one of celebration,
good cheer, peace on earth, and all
kinds of good times. Christian and
pagan alike joined in the celebration
of the beautiful occasion of Christmas
eve. Every church in the city was
open, and in nearly every one the ex
ercises consisted of songs and recita
tions by the children of the Sunday
schools. In nearly every case Santa
Claus appeared at the close of the en
tertainments and made distributions of
presents which made glad the hearts
of children and their parents. It was
a time Of joy.
The large audience room of the First
Presbyterian church was beautifully
decorated with Christmas beauty. On
the north wall above the choir loft was
a large emblem on which in evergreen
were the words: "Hosanna to God."
In the center was a painted plat on
which was "A Happy New Year and a
Merry Christmas." A large white tell
with electric lights on it hung above the
emblems. On the pulpit platform a
miniature church stood which served as
a stage. In this the songs and recita
tions and tableaux were given. On
the choir loft a Klondike scene was rep
resented. Santa Claus appeared from
behind a large glacier, dropped down
the church chimney and appeared be
fore the audience. At intervals during
the evening messages were received
from Santa Claus enrout, by tele
phone. Santa Claus took a present
from his sack and holding it up before
the audience said: "Here's a picture
book for Johnny Countermine." The
pastor advanced and accepted the pres
ent. The following programme was given:
Overture Orchestra
"Hark the Herald Angels
Song by School
Scripture Reading and Prayer. .Pastor
Song.. Boys' Chorus. Polk Street School
Song, "Our Christmas Bell,"
Kindergarten Class
Recitation, "I am going to hang my
stocking up" Marguerite Mills
Exercise, "Elves of Snow Land"..
Intermediate and Primary Deprfs
Music Overture
Recitation, "Parson Brown"
Madeline Whitney
Song, "Sailor Boys" Boys from In
termediate and Primary Depart's
Recitation Norman Strauss
Song and Recitation, "Children's
Gifts." Mrs. Worthington's class
assisted by Primary Girls.
Recitation, "Big Bell" Dr. Thomp
son's class and Primary Girls.
Recitation, "Sly Srmta Claus- ..
' Quay Diven
Song, 'Merrily Ring the-Bella" Chorus
Santa Claus.
The Sunday school rotim of the First
Christian church was ftlletl last night
with members of the Sunlay school,
their parents and frisnds, who were to
welcome Santa Cla.s. The pflatform
was eurtained off "and when Oie cur
tains were drawn.' a bed room with a
small bed and two little occupants were
seen. They were. Elma Beale and Al
ice Jones, and they acted the sitorv of
"Annie and Wlyie's Prayer" whfle Miss
Charlotte LynVa.n read the Poeoi. Mr.
F. C. Poreter took the part of the bank
er and Miss Tree was the aunt. Each
member othe Sunday school was giv
en a box In the shape of a sled, filled
with candy. Mrs. Holen Moses, su
perintendent of the Sunday school, was
the one who arranged the entertain
ment. The following programme was
rendered:
Voluntary Mrs. Going
Prayer Mrs. Helen E. Mcses'
Song and Cho "Ring, Ring the Bells'
Song Primaxv Department
Recitation Ivellie Crittenden.
Double duet. Misses Josie Jones,
Zora Graves, Ethel BrainerJ
and Daisy Harding-.
Song. "Bethlehem's Omlding Star"
Katharine Graves, with violin
accompaniment by Miss Rob
erts. Song. "Pity the Poor" TVIamie Crawford
Offering for the poor.
Pantomime, "Annie and Willie's Fray
er."
At the First Metho?5st chnrch. last
night the auditorium was filled with
members of the Sunday school and
their friends. In fronc of the organ
large platform had been erected. The
platform was decorated with small
Christmas trees, flowers and wreaths.
Over the platform was a canopy of
red, white and blue electric lights.
The programme was well given and in
terested the audience. The harp solos
of Miss Wilmia Tyler were received
with marked appreciation. Miss Tyler
responded to two encores. Tne trio
by Florence, Alice and Roy Tucker was
good. The following was the pro
gramme: Organ voluntary W. F. Roehr
Song by the school.
Scripture Reading and Prayer
Dr. Embree
Song by the Primary Department.
Address of Welcome
Martin Poindexter
Harp Solo Miss Wilmia Tyler
"Marche Triumphale of King David."
Primary exercise "The Christ Child."
Song "Luther's Cradle Hymn"
Helen Roehr
Recitation "The Shepherd Boy's
Carol" Patience Poindexter
Trio ..Florence, Alice and Roy Tucker
Chorus "Hark, the Herald Angels
Sing."
Recitation "A Christmas Eve Wish"
--Harold Bailey
Song by the Primary Department.
Recitation "Watching for Santa
Claus"
Recitation "Christmas
Floyd Snow
Elsewhere"
.Esther Rauch
.. . Miss Tyler
Harp Solo (Selected)
Song by the school.
Distribution of Gifts.
Doxology and Benediction. t
The English Lutheran church was
prettily decorated in holly, evergreen
and mistletoe. The auGitorium, with
its warmth of decorations and blazing
lights, was cheery enough to draw the
attention of passers by and many stop
ped and found their way inside. The
regular exercises were held; then the
; following Christmas eve programme
was given:
Music Orchestra
Song By the School
(Recitation Willie Dixon
Solo Lucile McAffee
Song "The Children's Christmas"..
By the Primary Department
Recitation Selma Foberg
KSolo "He Shall Lead Us"
Miss Nina Watts
Duet Miss Mattie Youngberg and
Flossie Gustafson.
Recitation "Jolly Old St. Nicholas"
Edith Youngberg
Song "Toyland"
Primary Department
Solo Mrs. E. E. Baker
Dialogue By the Children
The management of the First Con
gregational Sunday school deviated
from the usual course in regard to
Christmas entertainments last night,
and instead of entertaining the scores
of children with a Christmas tree, pro
vided a series of sttt eopticon views.
The "ohs" and "ahs" of admiration
from the little folks as the varied color
ed pictures were thrown on the canvas
clearly proved the departure a suc
cess. President George M. Herrick of
Washburn college officiated at the
Btereopticon and explained each picture
as it appeared on the canvas. His col
lection of Palestine views were first
shown to give the children an idea of
the country in which Christ was born
and lived, and at the last, modern
Christmas scenes with Santa Claus
greatly in evidence, delighted the chil
dren. The last picture showed Santa
Claus waving an adieu before starting
up the chimney after filling tne stock
ings hanging at the mantel to over
tlowing. After the views several of the young
men of the church paraded the aisles
with bushel baskets filled with boxes
of candy and nuts, and distributed a
box to each of the children.
A midnight service was held at Grace
Cathedral at w hich a choir of 14 voices
gave the following programme:
Voluntary "Allegro in C minor"
Hainer
Processional, 58 Redner
Communion service in 9. .J. H.Maunder
Nunc Dimittis Gilbert
Recessional Mendelssohn
Anthem By the Quartet
Composed of Miss Low, Mrs. Pitts,
Mr. Often and Mr. Hollis.
This morning at 7:30 o'clock holy
communion was celebrated by Canon
Miner and at 10:30 o'clock Bishop Mills
paugh celebrated holy . communion,
with sermon by Canon Miner. The dee-
orations in the church were especially
elegant and tasteful, having been made
bv the Daughters of the King and the
Chancel chaoter. At all the Christmas
services offerings were taken for aged
and infirm clergymen. At the services
this morning an elaborate musical pro
gramme was given by the choir.
High mass was held at 5 o'clock this
morning at the Church of the Assump
tion, with Dean Hayden as celebrant.
Rev. F. Conners. deacon, and an Atch
ison clergyman as assistant deacon. The
choir consisted of Misses Lucia, Mary
and. Gertrude Wyatt, Miss Higby, Miss
Hindmarsh, Miss Mulhall.Chas.Reeske,
Mr. Zingheim and Mr.-. ,Maokay, with
Mrs: 'John Griley as organist, prepared
elaborate music for the services.
At 6 and 8 o'clock this morning low
masses were sung by the junior choir,
and at 10 o'clock this morning high
mass was celebrated and the solemn
benediction of the Blessed Sacrament
was given.
At the First United Presbyterian
church, Santa Claus drew presents for
the children from a picturesque well
constructed on the stage. The choir
sang the song, "Old Oaken Bucket"
during the distribution. Banjo and
mandolin music was given, besides
songs and recitations.
At Westminster Presbyterian church.
a Christmas cantata was given by the
intermediate and senior Sunday school
scholars entitled "A Good Time with
Santa Claus," under the direction of
Mrs. L. H. Worthington. The children
brought contributions for the poor. In
the afternoon the primary exercises
were held at the church, conducted by
Mrs. A- C. Axtell.
At the Second Presbyterian church,
the following programme was given:
Vocal solo Miss Edna Morrow
Selection Miss Daisy Starr
Recitation Frank McKitrick
Song "Children Prayer"
Primary Department
Recitation Helen Morrow
Recitation Mamie Spivey
Song Marion Morrow
Recitation Ethel Irwin
Duet Blanch Houston and Raymond
Connor.
Song "Will o' the Wisp"
By the School
Recitation Edna Dickey
Recitation Katherine Littlejohn
Song Bessie and Helen Morrow
Vocal solo Blanch Houston
Recitation Wallace McKnight
Recitation Phil Montgomery
Closing song By the School
At the First Baptist church the exer
cises were in charge of Superintendent
M. L. Field, of the Sunday school. The
decorations were tastefully arranged.
On the east wall there was a represen
tation of the globe and above it the
motto: "Peace on Earth, Good Will to
Men." The following programme was
given:
Song By the School
Invocation Rev. M. L. Thomas
Solo Miss Serena Pratt
Address Supt. M. L. Field
Recitation Frank Eldridge
Solo Willard Ungles
Recitation by Miss Sibley's class of
the primary department.
Song by the graduating class from
the primary department.
Recitation Mrs. Jones' class
Song by the boys' grade.
At the close of the programme a cur
tain was drawn In front and a minia
ture model of the present church was
disclosed made of candy boxes. When
this was removed a fine model of the
proposed new church building was seen.
Cathedral chimes were represented .
THE AHIOH'S CHRISTMAS EVE.
Exercises Consist of a Christmas
Tree and a Danes.
Last evening the Arion society gave
the annual Christmas eve celebration
at their hall on lower Kansas avenue.
An immense Christmas tree was beau
tifully decorated and placed in the hall.
Edward Lippert, William Bower and
Charles Ortman had charge of the ar
rangements and assisted in the distri
bution of the presents. Presents were
given to 125 children and a merry time
was had. After the distribution of pres
ents the floor was cleared and a dance
enjoyed. Steinberg's orchestra furn
ished the music. This afternoon a
dancing matinee is being given at the
hall and January 5 a masquerade ball
will be given to members and invited
guests.
TO BUYJSLAfiDS.
Senator Lodge Wrill Introduce
a Bill at Once'
For the Purchase of Three
West Indian Islands.,
DENMARK OWNS THEM.
And They Are for Sale at a
Bargain. -
She Doesn't Want Them to Go
to a European Nation.
Chicago. Dec. 25. A special to the Times-
Herald from AVashington says:
Senator Lodge Is preparing a bill fav
oring the purchase of the three islands of
St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John, ov.n
ed by Denmark, in the West Indies.
The senate passed a resolution a year
ago asking the state department to ascer
tain whether the islands were still for
sale, at what price they were held and
whether any other country was after
them. Denmark has replied that she is
still willing to sell and that two European,
governments are now negotiating for their
purchaose. These are supposed to be
Great Britain and Germany.
The United States has been discussing
this purchase for nearly thirty years. In.
1SGS negotiations went so far that a treaty
was negotiated for the purchase by whu-h
this country was to pay $S,(AM,000 for tho
islands, but it failed of ratification. On.
this occasion the people of the islands
voted on the question and decided almost
unanimously for annexation.
The Danes do not want any European
power to secure possession of them. A
most liberal offer would be made to tha
United States to purchase at a compara
tively small price almost nothing for it
has been practically determined by Den
mark to either sell these islands or giva
them liberty. Most of the residents of
the islands are British immigrants and
their first move after securing indepen
dence would probably be to petition Great
Britain for a protectorate.
The present expense of maintaining the
government on the islands reaches
000 a year. Considering her position in the
European concert, it is not thought nec
essary for Denmark to maintain a station
in the West Indies, hence her willingness
to sell.
St. Thomas has a harbor large enough
to accommodate the navies of the whole
world, and In view of the advantages to
be gained, Senator Lodge is sanguine of
securing an appropriation that will en
able the islands to be transferred to the
jurisdiction of the stars and stripes.
The three Islands have a total of 103
square miles of terrltory.and a population
of 40,000. St. Croix is the biggest, with 60
square miles and 23,0ira population. This
island is very fertile and gives an excel
lent crop of ail tropical products, es
pecially sugar.
WHITE HOUSE CHRISTMAS.
It Was the Quietest Ever Known
Dinner Was a Family Affair.
Washington, Dec. 25. Christmas day
1897 was the most quiet and peaceful
on record at the White House. Owing
to the recent bereavement of the presi
dent, all official functions were sus
pended and throughout the day the
front doors of the executive mansion
rarely swung on their hinges. Presi
dent and Mis. McKinley early in tha
day went for a short drive. The weatn
er was perfect, clear, cloudless and
crisp.
Early in the morning a messenger
arrived with a great basket of pink
roses, orchids, and lilies of the valley
marked simply "for the president " A.
little later the carriage pulled up
at the door and Mrs. McKinley came
down stairs leaning on the president's
arm. Mrs. McKinley seemed as well
as at any time since her arrival at the
White House, while the president was
the picture of health. The only guests
in the house were Miss Duncan and
Miss Barber, who arrived at home dur
ing the morning. The Christmas din
ner was purely a family affair.
PARDON FOR TOM HOWARD.
Governor Pintrree Turns Hirn Out of
the Kichig-an Penitentiary..
Detroit, Dec. 25. As a Christmas pre
sent Governor Pingree yesterday pardon
ed Thomas Howard, who .under the name
of Harry Dale, was convicted last May of
criminally assaulting Maggie Leonard in
this city and sentenced to Jackson for
life.
This action was recommended by the
pension board yesterday. Howard had all
along stoutly maintained his Innocence,
and the governor says he is himself con
vinced of it. The liberated man was form
erly a traveling man for James H. Walk
er of Chicago. His wife resides in To
peka, Kansas.
SHOPS ARE CLOSED.
Many of the Woruinea Are Out of
Town for Christmas.
Today the shops at Topeka are closed
and wherever it is possible the employ
es of the company are spending Christ
mas at their homes or visiting in other
towns.
Travel on the different passenger
trains is keeping up well. Yesterday
Trainmaster H. A. Tice issued an,
order annulling trains No. 61, 62, Go,
120 and 119.
Many of the shop men are spending
Christmas with friends in other towns.
Some have organized hunting parties
while others have gotten up small
parties and will have a "bachelor din
ner." But part of the switching crew
are at work and all through the yards
signs of Christmas can be seen.
Prosperity comes quickest to the man
whose liver is in good condition. De
Witt's Little Early Risers are famous
little pills for constipation, biliousness,
indigestion and all stomach and liver
troubles. G. W. Stansfield, 632 Kan
sas avenue.
Olof Ekberg.
Kansas avenue.
merchant tailor. 71S