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mm ft LAST EDITION THURSDAY EVENING. TOPEKA, KANSAS, JXJET 26, 1900. THURSDAY EVENING. TWO CENTS. 0) 'I c I- 21 i 1 WHITE FIENDS. New Orleans Terrified by Mobs of Young Men and Boys. They Go on a Hnnt for Negroes All Over the City. KILLING AND BEATING. Colored People Were Attacked Wherever Found. Shot, Stabbed and Beaten With out Discrimination. POLICE POWERLESS. All Through the Night the Mobs Worked Their Will. Even Women Were Not Spared From Their Fury. New Orleans, La., July 26. All last tiight and up to half past 3 o'clock this morning mobs ran riot through this city on a hunt for negroes and those unfort unates who fell into their grasp were either killed or so badly wounded that they were left for dead. After the mobs grot started, the negroes became terror ized and took shelter in their homes and the outhouses of white people who pro tected them so it was only the unsus pecting and inoffensive negroes who were the victims. The police were powerless. As fast :is they apparently dispersed a crowd in one section it only reformed and moved to some other point to continue its dev ilish work. COMPOSED OF BOYS. The mobs were composed almost en tirely of boys under 21 years of age and they had no leaders, but acted on a com mon impulse. The movement started frcm a gathering of men at the Lee sta tue, coiner of St. Charles avenue and Howard street. Being ordered to dis perse, the crowd moved up St. Charles street, gathering force as it moved and gradually becoming inflamed to the point of desperation. It was not until after they had stopped in Morrison square, on Washington avenue and Franklin street near the scene of the assassination of Captain Day and Officer I.amb that they listened to a speech from a man hailing from Kenner, and then started out to waylay the negroe3. Most of the colored population had ta ken warning from the excitement of the night before and kept indoors, but there were some returning to their homes from work and it was one of these who was the first victim. He was in a crowd ed Henry Clay avenue car near the square and when the mob saw him they J ushed for the car and dragged him out, firing one shot into the car. He turned tut to be Alex Ruffin. a Pullman car porter, and he was badly used up. He was cut and shot and beaten over the liead. There was another negro with him in the car who hid under the seat and after the car had started thev dis covered him. but could not catch "it. ATTACK STREET CARS. J. Clury. the conductor of a Peter's avenue car was shot in the foot on Franklin street and the car riddled with bullets. F. a. Davis, the motorman on the same car also was shot in the foot Frank Phepherd.a white man who w.is In the crowd got a bullet through hW right arm. Coming down to Jackson avenue thy Set.' ' Sanders- the colored porter of tost & Bowles insurance agenev. He had heard the indiscriminate shooting and stepped out of his gate to see what it was about. He stepped into the arms of the moo and they made short work of turn They stabbed him, shot him in th back and took his watch awav from him. They left him for dead. Ado or more of the mob went out further in to the rear of the town and met a ne gress named Esther Fields standing in her door and brutally beat her The main crowd continued on down town heading for the parish prison The" were met a block away by a squad of police who stopped them. Thev then be pan breaking into the. second hand stores Rampart street in that neighborhood punting for arms and ammunition The Tdll'- and drove Part street W an hour. thVSS,v& a little , M .'m h" - SI'! "de,l Oswald r " - oiu Doy in the 1 The boy had been fn.i ' rhe boy had been following the crowd Btabbed him to finish, and near"? did" """is MAN SHOT John Deeds, a white man was shot ll'in of the- Thty chedthe failing tn fii basm throughly, and idinng to find anv one walkri JSSSd aFrank,in -tree, where they Passed a negro seated in front of H mnan w1"-- 'y ThovWay U'ted ,WO "lhandasntoresn They were try ngto break int., sto.res- and fired several shots Mn S it with ?he own they unded i; of their another secondhand store but a f8'' j;on full of police came uo and they desisted. They stood there fo? ed away " then gradually mel TERRIBLE EXECUTION The down-town mob. however did terrible execution, and kept up its fiendish work ur.til half past 3 o'clock A notorious character named Pew Roses took the lead and they headed for the neighborhood of FraTkUnand Custom House street. They found no negroes, and were going down . Viller street towards some negro hovels, when they saw a negro in a crowded Viller street car. They hailed the car. pulled the trolley off, ordered about twenty passengers out, and then murdered the black. He was dragged out and filled other starting back up town." Te lat tPr crowd started for the new tain in the vicinity of the Illinois Central den !t Iroeiat RefVP,Ular ezvousfore-1 ETOes. I-Jefore start no- t , 1 watchman. George Moiv u ' nfrJ is with lead, being Instantly killed. He was evidently a laborer. His name is not known. They moved on out to the vicinity of the old basin on Toulouz street, and terrorized that neighborhood, but evi dently found no negroes. Then they went down as far as Kelerec and Dau phin streets, where they found an old negro, 75 years of age, named Baptiste Filo, whom they beat and shot almvst to death. Coming up town again they headed for the French market and met an un known negro on Decatur between St. Philip and I'rsulins, whom they promptly beat Into an Insensible condi tion and left for dead. He was dis covered an hour later and died shortly after. He had been pulled from a meat wagon which he was driving to the French market. They found another negro in the market and promptly put an end to his existence. He is not known. ' ' They located the porter of an L. & N. Pullman car and chased him up the levee. He ran into the custom house, where he was protected by the right watchman at the point of a Winchester. The crowd sulked around for awhile, and then gradually dispersed. Acting Mayor Mehl issued a procla mation at half past 11 o'clock, Calling on all good citizens to keep the peace, but it did not stop the rioting. Just before daybreak the remnants of the mobs gathered In the vicinity of the Spanish fort railway to waylay negroes as they were going to their work at Chalmette. Some of them came along and the mob chased them, firing as they ran. An unfortunate baker, who was on his morning rounds, caught a bullet in the leg. William Armstrong, a negro, sitting on the Clayborne bridge, was shot in the thigh by a mob that'passed by. He slipped home and only reported it this morning. LIST OF CASUALTIES. New Orleans, La., July 26. After be ing in the hands of lawless mobs for several hours, with the police appar ently powerless to maintain order, New Orleans at daybreak again assumed a peaceable and orderly condition and the violence has apparently finally ceased. The last disturbance occurred about 5 o'clock, when a white baker, whose name is unknown, was shot in the leg, while a crowd of rioters were chasing a gang of negroes. The mayor, police and citizens are arranging today to take precautions against a recurrence of last night's scenes of disorder. The mob was composed of boys and hood lums and was without a leader. The rioting grew out of the intense feeling engendered by the murder of Captain Day and Patrolman Lamb and the wounding of Officer Mora by Desperado Charles. The occurrences of last night are greatly deplored by the best ele ments of the community. They repre sented in no sense an uprising of an outraged community against wrong. One man was killed, three others will die, and fifteen were wounded. THE DEAD. UNKNOWN NEGRO, clubbed and shot to death. FATALLY INJURED. Louis Hughes, colored. shot four times. Baptiste Fileu, colored, aged 75, shot. Joseph Nelson, colored, skull fractured. THE INJURED. T. P. Saunders, colored, aged 35, stabbed and shot. Esther Fie!ds,colored, aged 45. stabbed. Oswald McMahon, white, aged 16,shot. Frank Shepherd, white, aged 42, shot. Alexander Ruffman, Pullman palace car porter, shot. Joseph Deeds, white, stabbed. F. G. Davis, motorman, shot. J. Cluny, conductor, clubbed. Joseph Lewis, colored. aged 11, clubbed. George Morris, colored, cut and shot. Daniel White, colored, shot. Henry Daurin, white, shot. Wm. Armstrong, negro, shot. Unknown baker, white, shot. A delegation of citizens today went to city hall and asked the mayor either to call out a posse of citizens or appeal ta the governor to order out the militia. Th mayor decided immediately to pre pare a proclamation, calling for 500 vol unteer citizens to assist the police in pre serving order. BUSINESS INTERRUPTED. Wild reports have reached police headquarters from various sections of th? city, giving information of the beating of negroes. Work on the levee where negro labor is largely employed has been suspend ed. The big grocery and produce houses are also practically doing noth ing, because they can not get their negro drivers to risk their lives. Mayor Capdeville communicated with Governor Heard, who will immediately call out the militia to preserve order in the city. HOYT GOES INSANE. Writer of Famous Farces Is in a Critical Condition. New Tork, July 26. Charles H. Hoyt, the playwright and theatrical manager, has been adjudged insane at Hartford, Conn., and taken to a retreat there. His condition is critical. Charles H. Hoyt was born In I860. His first piece was "Gifford's Luck," a story of western life; but his great success has been made in farce comedy a dramatic field which so many managers have found profitable, and in which Hoyt was a pioneer. A long series of his farces, beginning with 'A Bunch of Keys," and ending with "A Day and a Night," have all been great money winners. After "A Day and a Night" Hoyt wrote "A Dog in a Manger," but this proved a failurt. He lately completed a new farce under the name of "A Bunch of Blue Ribbon." He was for some time in a sanitarium two years ago. HAY GOES TO CANTON. To Talk Over Chinese Situation With the President. Cleveland, O., July 26. Secretary of State Hay, who came here to attend the funeral of his wife's mother, Mrs. Amasa Stone, departed this morning for Canton over the Wheeling & Lake Erie road to visit President McKinley. He occupied the private car of President Myron T. Herrick of the company and was scheduled to arrive In Canton short ly before noon. The secretary's visit to Canton is largely in connection with the Chinese situation. He will discuss the matter at length with the president and expects to start for Washington this evening. Weather Indications. Chicago, July 26. Forecast for Kan sas: Fair and warmer tonight; Friday fair exceit showers in west portion; fresh southerly winds. FUSIONJLETE Close Alliance Effected by Tri une Forces. Most Satisfactory In the History of the Parties. NOMINATIONS MADE After Amendment of Throop Agreement Amidst the Wildest Sort of En thusiasm. WILL COME TO TOPEKA Fusion Forces to Open Head quarters August 1. Colored Men's League Promoted by Populists. Special to the State Journal. Fort Scott, July 26. The Populist, Democratic and Silver Republican con ventions, at 8 o'clock last night, ad journed sine die, having effected a corn- Ex itjkl." tXv flllPk" '' Lieutenant Governor A. M. Harvey, of Topeka, Fusion Nominee For Lieutenant Governor. plete and harmonious fusion by the nomination of the following state ticket: Associate Justice David Martin, Atchison, Silver Republican. Governor John W. Breidenthal, To peka, Populist. Lieutenant Governor A. M. Harvey, Topeka, Populist. Secretary of State Abraham Frakes, WaKeeney, Democrat. Attorney General Hugh P. Farrelly, Chanute, Democrat. Auditor E. J. Westgate, Garden City, Populist. Treasurer Conway Marshall, Gar nett, Democrat. Superintendent Levi Humbarger, Abilene. Populist. Superintendent of Insurance Webb McNall, Gaylord. Silver Republican. Congressman-at-laxge Rev. J. D. Botkin, Winfield. Populist. Presidential electors were nominated as follows: J. B. Fugate, Newton, Democrat. C. P. Carstenson, Belleville, Democrat. J. B. Goshorn, Iola, Democrat. H. J. Roetzel, Great Bend Democrat. R. W. Turner, Mankato, Silver Re publican. James Falloon, Hiawatha, Silver Re publican. F. M. Brady, Parsons, Populist. Taylor Riddle, Marion. Populist. Charles H. Nichols, Osborne, Populist. James Beck (colored), Galena, Pop ulist. Of the ten state offices the Populists have five; Democrats, 3; Silver Repub licans, 2. Of the 10 electors the Populists have 4, Democrats 4, Silver Republicans 2. Congressman E. R. Ridgley was chosen by the Populist convention as chairman of the state committee, to succeed Taylor Riddle, Mr. Riddle mak ing the motion which elected Ridgley by acclamation. John H. Curran, of Parsons, was re elected secretary of the Populist com mittee. Webb McNall was re-elected chair man of the Silver Republican commit tee: D. O. McCray, Topeka, was chosen secretary. The Democrats re-elected Mack Love chairman: W. H. L. Pepperell, secre tary; Frank Thomas, Topeka, treasurer," of the state committee. The new state committee for the Pop ulists follows: First Grant Harrington, Brown; F. H. Chase, Jackson. Second Paul Russell, Miami; A. P. Elder, Franklin. Third Carl Vrooman, Labette; J. R. Charleton, Montgomery. Fourth d. S. Sallyards, Greenwood; J. E. Urie, Osage. Fifth H. N. Gaines. Saline: C: B. Hoffman, Dickinson. Sixth H. R. Honey, Jewell; C. H. Emmons, Graham. Seventh W. J. Babb, Sedgwick; Har vey Eckert, Pawnee. After the conventions yesterday adopted the conference committee's re port amending the Hotel Throop agree ment, the business was rushed, each convention taking its share of the of fices. The Democrats were first to get in ac tion, naming the three officers on the state ticket and the four presidential electors to whom they were entitled under the terms of the agreement. The Populists named the five officers which they were given by the general terms of the agreement, also the five presidential electors. The Silver Republicans also nominat ed their share of the candidates. Then the three conventions ratified the action taken by each one separately. J. G. Johnson visited the Populist convention and reported the nomina tions made by the Democrats. These the Populist convention immediately ratified. ' Congressman Ridgley reported the Populist nominations to the Democrats. K. B. Lawrence, of El Dorado, re ported the nominees of the Silver Re publicans to the Populists; R. W. Tur ner to the Democrats. The nominations were made on regular motion, then the complete ticket was ratified by one en thusiastic vote in each convention. The Populist, Democratic and Silver Republican committees, at meetings held last night, decided to open head quarters in Topeka. August 1. APPROVAL AND APOLOGY. J. G. Johnson's Statement Accom plishes Two Purposes. Special to the State Journal. Fort Scott, July 26J For the surren der of the associate justice, J. G. John son, the Democratic leader, prepared and gave out the following expression of approval and apology: "It must be gratifying to all true Democrats to settle their differences as we have today, in an orderly and regu lar manner, and at the same time pre serve that harmony) and good feeling essential to Democratic success. The Populist conferees told us what was not new to us and what is not new to you, that the rank and trie of the Popu list party were demanding the nomina- tion of Judge Martin in a voice too strong to be ignored. "We desire most of all to carry Kan sas for Mr. Bryan, this desire deep seated in every heart inspired the com mittee to continue negotiations even af ter agreement seemed hopeless." MRS. DIGGS A POWER. Was the First to "Knock" on Throop Agreement. Special to the State Journal. Fort Scott, July 26. Mrs. Annie L. Diggs is largely responsible for the des truction of the. Hotel Throop fusion agreement, being the first Populist to raise a voice in protest against the turning down of Judge Martin. Mrs. Diggs first made public a decla ration in favor cf the nomination-and marshalled the forces which comprised her friends arid commenced the fight. STATE LIBRARIAN ANNA L. DIGGS, Who Played a Lively and Successful Part -at the Fort Scott Convention. The effort was frowned upon by John Breidenthal and Mrs. Diggs was com pelled to work very quietly at the state house to prevent being discovered in her plans. Mrs. Diggs weighs less than 100 pounds, but according to the result of her work and the influence she wielded at Fort Scott, she controls several tons politically. This was a conspicuous victory for Mrs. Diggs and the Democrats and Pop ulists admit that her work accomplish ed the nomination of Judge Martin for associate justice. THOSE WHO LOST. Candidates Who Were Presented to the Populist Convention. Special to the State Journal. Fort Scott, July 26. The following candidates were presented to the Popu list convention for the offices indicated, but they were not at any time factors of importance against those who were successful:. ' Governor W. H. Ryan, Crawford. Lieutenant governor W. H. Sears, Lawrence; W. H. Ryan, Crawford. Contlnued on Third Pae.) m ULTIMATUM. Foreign Consuls at Shanghai Have Told Li Hung Chang That He Must Get Definite Dis patches From Ministers WITHIN FIVE DAYS. Otherwise Report of Massacre Will Be Accepted. Russian Admiral is Told What ' to Do in That Event. London, July 26. While the latest impression derived from the array of conflicting telegrams from the far east is that a portion of the foreign colony at Pekin may have escaped slaughter, until a recent date, the consensus of the best informed opinion of Burope seems to continue to favor the acceptance of the worst news and prompt action thereon, the contention being that the only possibility of definitely ascertain ing the truth is by the allied command ers inquiring at Pekin. Judging from the news from Tien Tsin, however, re cording divisions among the admirals there, the prospects for a speedy ad vance seem to be endangered unless the governments quickly agree upon a supreme leader. Telegrams from Shanghai report that Li Hung Chang has taken up his abode at the arsenal as a measure of precaution. It is not stated whether he feared attack by Chinese or attempts of the powers to curtail his liberty. Apparently the foreign consuls at Shanghai have informed the viceroy that unless he obtains definite dis patches from Pekin within five days they would conclude the ministers had been murdered accordingly. Reports are recurrent that a number of missionaries, either American or English, have been murdered in Shan Si Hu. One of the dispatches from Shanghai published here today says: "The Canadian missionaries who escaped from Ho Nan had a terrible experience en -oute here. The natives everywhere were hostile. The rabble at tacked the refugees, beat them, and tore the clothes from their backs. The la dies suffered cruel indignities." The dispatch continues: "Canton remains comparatively quiet. The natives, however, are beginning to fear that reinforcements arriving at Hong, Kong are intended-to attack the Rogue forts and occupy the. city. The military mandarin has asked the colo nial secretary, at Hong Kong for as surances that Great Britain does not intend to take Canton." . . , A dispatch received here today from Yokohama states that the Japanese di vision will all be landed at Taku by July -31 and will reach Tien Tsin Au gust 3. The legislature of New South Wales has resolved to dispatch a military con tingent to Join the imperial troops in China. . . RUSSIA MEANS BUSINESS.- London, July 26. The Daily Express has the following from St. Petersburg: "Admiral Shreydloff bel, commanding the Russian squadron in Chinese waters, has received precise instructions to bombard the Chinese coast towns im mediately on receipt of confirmation of the report of the massacre at Pekin." CAN'T PROTECT FOREIGNERS. New York, July 26. A special to the Journal and Advertiser from Hong Kong says: Consul General Wildman has been informed that the Chinese governor of the island of Nai Nan has served no tice on the consuls that he is unable to protect the foreigners any longer. The American missions have appealed to Consul Wildman to send a warship to Hoi How to bring away the foreign ers. It is believed that three men, three women and three children, belonging to the American Presbyterian board's mis sion at Nodoa, Hai Nan, have been mur dered by Chinese imperial troops. The last news from there was dated July 12, at which time they repelled the attnclt of the boxers. Hong Kong is full of refugees. An outbreak is expected on the West river. ARMY CHANGES IN CHINA. Washington, July 26. The fact that Col. Meade, who was in command of the marines at Taku has been invalided home on account of rheumatism, has created 110 surprise among his comrades of the navy, who knew him best. While a man of indomitable will. Colonel Meade's vitality has been below par and it has been an almost constant struggle for him to perform his duties. Colonel Meade has been the ranking marine offi cers at the Cavite naval station since it3 establishment. His departure from Taku will leave Lieutenant Coolnel Coolidge of the Ninth infantry.in command of the American land forces. The latter's com mand, however, will be only temporary, as the arrival of Gen. Chaffee within the next few days, will place him in supreme command. Major Waller, who is now the ranking marine officer, also will give way, upon the arrival of the Grant, to Major Bid die, who is his senior. Major Biddle has with him on the Grant two companies of the Fourth battalion of marines, the First detachments of marines, which have gone direct from the United States to the scene of the trouble in China. The acquisition of these 225 marines will bring the total force of marines close up to 700. Owing to the largely in creased force of marines and the rein forcements which are on their way from the United States, Col. William S. Muse, who is now stationed at the Mare Island navy yards, San Francisco, may be as signed to command them. The naval department is very much gratified to hear from Rear Admiral Remey direct a denial of the imputation that American marines participated in any way in the burning and looting cf Tien Tsin after its capture by the allies. However, this has been understood to be the fact from the first. GEN. DOR WARD'S TRIBUTE. Copyright, 1900. by Associated Press. Tien Tsin, July 16. via Che Foo, July 24. General Dorward, the British com mander, has sent to the American com manders a letter in which he says: "I desire to express the high apprecia tion of the British soldiers of the honor done them in serving alongside of their comrades of the American army, and of the high honor accorded me in having them under my command. - - "I blame myself for the mistake made in taking their position by the Ninth regiment, not remembering that troops fresh to the scene of action and hurried forward in the excitement of attack were likely to lose their way. Still the position they took and gallantly stuck to all day undoubtedly prevented a large body of the enemy from turning the right of the attacking column and in flicting serious loss on the French and Japanese." General Dorward also expressed his sympathy with the Americans in the loss of Colonel Liscum, commander of the regiment, and Captain Davis of the marine corps. He commended Lieut. Smedley D. Butler and Lieut. Henry Leonard, of the marine corps, and Lieut. Louis Lawton of the regiment and prais ed Lieutenant Colonel Coolidge for his skillful management of the regiment. Chinamen from the walled city de scribe a reign of terror inaugurated by the boxers before the city fell. The box ers killed all Chinese who had been in the employ of Europeans, holding a daily inquisition. They decapitated even those suspected of friendship for foreigners or of adopting foreign customs. The mere wearing of narrow sleeves was deemed an offense justifying the death of the offender and the confiscation of his pro perty. It is now believed that the regular troops and the boxers are hostile to one another, the troops being enraged be cause the boxers drew them into a dis astrous fight. MARINES ARE CLEARED. Washington, July 26. The navy de partment this morning received the fol lowing cablegram from Admiral Remey: Taku, July 24 Che Foo, July 25 Bu reau navigation, Washington: Colonel Aleade, condemned, Mare Island hospital, rheumatism; Major Waller succeeds command First regiment. My obtaina ble information clears marines of any Imputation burning houses or looting Tien. Tsin. REMEY. NO BOXERS IN COREA. Washington, July 26. Mr. Ye, the Korean charge here, took to the state department, a dispatch from his govern ment denying positively the published stories that the boxer movement had ex tended to Korea, or that any Chinese boxers had crossed the Korean frontier. LOOKS MORE WARLIKE. Washington, July 26. Notwithstand ing signs of activity, the state depart ment had nothing this morning of in terest touching the Chinese situation. The navy department sent over a copy of the dispatch received from Admiral Remey making some changes in the marine body, and Minister Wu came down, asked for half an hour with Act ing Secretary Hill, but lie declared he had nothing from home, though he was confident of important developments in the immediate future. The imperial edict promulgated yes terday by Viceroy Tak at Canton has left a disagreeable impression here. Despite the Chinese minister's view to the contrary, this edict is looked upon as suspiciously like a preliminary to a formal declaration of war and as only one step toward securing time to move Chinese forces into a better position for defense against the Internationals. The notice that came to the state de partment that Korea is free of the boxer agitation was well received, for it is believed that Russia will thus be enabled to spare many more Chinese troops from her Siberian army for use in the international column. After his conference with the Chinese minister. Acting Secretary Hilt said the minister had received no communications from China and had no information to im part. The state department had no in formation of any kind from its officers in China and the conferences between the minister was simply an interchange of courtesies. The Chinese minister ex pressed to Secretary Hill his continued hope that the ministers in Pekin were stil safe and said he believed he would soon be able to deliver to the depart ment a message from Minister Conger which would make that hope certain. RUSSIA'S WAR LOAN. London, July 26. A dispatch from missionary sources.dated Shanghai, July 26, says: "Rioting has broken out at Ai-Huen-Fu, the capital of the province of Shan Si. There are no details. Rioting has al so occurred at Huai Loh, south of Chi Ll. All the missions have been destroy ed. Our friends safely escaped to the country, but are still in danger." It is reported here that Russia has borrowed nearly ten millions sterling from the Imperial Bank of Russia since the commencement of the trouble in China. TO COMMAND THE NINTH. Washington, July 26. Col. Charles F. Robe, formerly lieutenant colonel of the Seventeenth infantry, who succeeded to the. command of the Ninth infantry on the death of Colonel Liscum whili gal lantly leading his forces at Tien Tsin, has been ordered to proceed at once to China for the purpose of assuming command of his regiment. Colonel Robe is now at Manila awaiting trans portation to Taku. POSTAL SERVICE FOR CHINA. Washington, July 26. This govern ment has arranged to provide the Amer ican soldiers in the field in China with a regular postal service similar to that in operation during the Spanish war. Mails for the troops in the Chinese ser vice as well as from them will be promptly forwarded. SURGICAL SUPPLIES FOR CHINA. Washington, July 26. Surgeon Gen eral Van Reypen of the navy has ar ranged to send drieet to our ships at Taku a quantity of surgical supplies and dressings on the water ship Are thusa now at League Island, which sails shortly via Suez. From the stand point of the navy, the situation so far as the medical corps is concerned, 13 considered to be well in hand. 6,000 DEAD CHICKENS. Fire in a Commission House in Chicago Destroys Much Poultry. Chicago, July 26. Fire which broke out at noon today in the buildings at 225 and 227 South Water street, occu pied by the commission firm of H. L. Brown & Co.. caused damages esti mated at between $50,000 and $75,000 and created a panic among a score of girls, caused the death of 6,000 chickens, and for a time threatened the whole block. Three girls were reported missing, but it is believed they escaped. A dozen girls who had been at work packing eggs on the third floor were carried down in an elevator and a number of stenographers escaped down a back stairway. The. property was fully in sured. Hannaa at Their Summer Home. New York, July 26. Senator M. A. Hanna, accompanied by his wife and Miss Hanna, and Miss Ruth Hanna, their daughters, and Miss Phelps, ar rived at Elberon, N. J., today. They made the journey from Cleveland in Senator Hanna's private car. Carriages were awaiting at their station and the whole party were driven to their cottage. WATER COMPANY MEETSCOUNGIL Directors Accept Proposition For Appraisements. Looking to Sale of Property to the City. WILL SEND ENGINEER. To Work With Representative of the City Council In Asertaining the Value of the Waterworks. The directors of the Topeka Watefl company have accepted the proposition! emanating from the city council, for a joint appraisement of the property, for, the purpose of arriving at the valu thereof, such proceedings being one of the necessary steps in the plan for the purchase of the property by the city. This action on the part of the com pany indicates a desire, apparently, on the part of the water company, to treat with Topeka fairly in this matter. There can be no doubt in the minds of the owners of the waterworks as to the sin cerity of the purpose of the city to pur chase this property or construct an en tirely new municipal plant. This is pro bably responsible for the unanimity with which the city and the company) are now working. A letter to Mayor Drew from President Street of the water company, brings the news of favorable action by the direct tors. The letter follows: Mayor and City Council, Topeka, Kan sas: Gentlemen: We beg to advise you that at a meeting of the board of direc tors of the Topeka Water company, held; July 20, the agreement between the pres ident of the company and the committee on waterworks of your city on July 7, was unanimously approved. We pro pose to at once select a disinterested and competent engineer to met with your nominee in accordance with the terms of the agreement. TOPEKA WATER CO. By C. F. STREET, President. The agreement which was approved by the city council July 9, and which ia referred to by President Street follows: Topeka, July 6, 1900. "At a meeting of the water committee of the city of Topeka and the president, and manager of the Topeka Water com pany, held at the office of the mayor, to confer upon the subject of the sale of the plant of the Topeka Water com pany to the city of Topeka, it was sug gested that thecity of Topeka should nominate a competent hydraulic engi neer to met a competent hydraulic en gineer to be selected by the water com pany for the purpose of making a dlsin-' terested report as to the fair and equita ble value of the property of the Topeka Water company. "In event the engineers being un able to agree upon a price it was sug gested that they be authorized to select the third engineer after having first notified and counseled with the officers of the city of Topeka and the officers of the water company, the three engineers to then make a report of their findings. It is understood that the suggestion is not binding upon the waterworks com mittee until it has been approved by the council, and it is not binding upon the water company until it has been ap proved by the board of directors, which approval or disapproval shall be made by both parties not later than August 1. "If a price is agreed upon the proper ty shall be conveyed to the city of To peka as soon thereafter as the city of Topeka can negotiate its bonds and the Topeka Water company can convey ti tle." The council will probably appoint an engineer at the next meeting. The wa ter company will notify the council when their engineer can be here and everything will be in snape for them to proceed at once with their work. The council is pleased with the spirit displayed by the water company and is hopeful that an early understanding will be reached by the engineers. Nothing further will be done by either the council or the water company until the engineers make their report. If they can agree the question will be set tled and the water plant will be pur chased in a very short time. britIsOetire From "Attack on Boer Position With a Loss of 50. London, July 26. Lord Roberts . re ports to the war office today that Gen eral Archibald Hunter's command was heavily engaged July 24 and 25 in the hills south of Bethlehem. The Boers were strongly entrenched and fought ' stubbornly throughout the 24th . and compelled the British to retire from some of their positions with about 50 casualties. At last accounts General Hunter had worked around into Brand water Basin, In the rear of the Boers, while General Hector MacDonald and General Bruce Hamilton were blocking outlets on the front of the federals, who had evacuated their position at Witnek. Lord Roberts reports to the war of fice under date of Balmoral, July 25, as follows: "We marched here yesterday without seeing the enemy. The Boers, on July 24, engaged French and Hutton, six miles south of Balmoral. While An derson's mounted infantry attacked the Boers' right French made a turning movement around their left. Seeing their retreat threatened the Boers broke and fled. French and Hutton followed and proposed to cross Oliphant's river today at Naauwport. "Our casualties were one wounded." The Mohican Ordered to China. Vallejo, Cal., July 26. Orders have been received at Mare Island to fit up the United States ship Mohican for duty on the Chinese statiuc and to have her tn condition to sail tn seven days at the most. It will take seventy-two daya for the Mohican to mak the trip, and as she is one of the very old ships of the navy, some surprise is expressed at ht-r being oxdexed to t&ka stuii a lons cruia.