Bismarck tribune. [volume], February 08, 1884, Image 8

About Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, D.T. [N.D.]) 1878-1884

Image provided by: State Historical Society of North Dakota

                
By Telegraph
Frightful Catastrophe.
ALLIANCE, Ohio, Feb.l —About 4 o'clock this
afternoon a terrible explosion occurred in the
business center of the city. The glass in the
windows for blocks along Main street was shat­
tered and consternation reigned supreme. Men
lost their senses and smoke and dost covered
everything for a radius of a quarter of a mile.
When the horrible cloud arose it was discovered
that an explosion had occurred at the brick busi­
ness block if F. M. Orr, occupied by him on the
first floor as a stove and tin store. The second
and third stories were used for tenement apart­
ments. His block was
LEVELED TO THE GROUND,
and two brick blocks, one on each side, suc
cummed to the shock while others further
away were shattered, riddled and badly injured.
In a few momenta flames arose from the ruins^
and the fire alarm was sounded. Such excite­
ment
prevailed that the fire gained so much
headway as to nearly consume the ruins,
and it also burned two houses before it
was got under control. Meanwhile the scene
was harrowing in the extreme. It was known
that six or more people were killed or were then
imprisoned in the wreck and would perish by
fire. Men, women and children went about
bare
headed and wringing their hands. Rela­
tives the inmates of the buildings destroyed
wandered about in the hopelessness ot despair
at the inability
.to save the unfortunates.
THE KILLED.
F. M. Orr, Elmer Orr, his son, Mrs. Homer
sight and danghter|Mrs. Frank Evans, and two
children, aged two years and four months, were
known to have been in the building at the time
of the explosion. These all perished. The
women and children were in the second and
third stories, and are supposed to have been
killed by the falling walls. Mr. Orr and hit. son
were both spoken to while confined under the
debris, but were burned to death. These bodies
were all recovered at 10 o'clock tonight, and
were crushed or charred so as to be hardly recog
nizable. They were taken to Sharer's undertak­
ing establishment, where the
SCENE BAFFLES DESCRIPTION.
The only person in the Orr building known
to have escaped was
Frank
Evans, whose wife
and children perished. Beside those killed the
following have broken limbs or are cut and
bruised by the flying bricks, etc.: Robert
Joyce, Frank Evans, Frank Fries, J. D. Lewis,
Jerry Miller, Maggie Miller and John Baker.
The explosion was caused by fnmes from gaso­
line. A child of Mr. Orr's turned a
fancet in the barrel and the fluid
ran out on the floor that Mrs. Orr was mopping
The gas iseuing therefrom ignited from a gas­
light and the explosion^ occurred. John Curry
and Charles Hay den Duprez & Benelict's
minetrela were blown out of Orr's store through
the plate glass window and clear across the
street, where they were picked up badly injured
and caraied to the hotel, but will recover. The
damage iB estimated at from $60,000 to $8 ),000,
partly insured. Business is entirely suspended
in the city. After the explosion the minstrel
entertainment was declared off. It is thought
all the bodies have been recovered.
The South lakota lobby.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1.—A number of the most
prominent and influential citizens of Sonth
Dakota are in Washington now in behalf of the
interests of the territory. Among those here a.e
Hon. B. F. Pettigrew and Judge W. W. Brook­
ings, of Sioux Falls Judge J. C. Moody, B. G.
Caulfield, R.C.Lake, Judge Luce and Mr.
Bomaine, of Deadwood Mr. Offenbach, of Cus­
ter, Mr. Day, of Springfield Mr. Smith, of the
Huron Times Mr. Grone, of Chamberlain, John
H. King, of the Chamberlain Register,
and Mr. Wells, of Pierre. These
gentlemen ore all warmly in favor of statehood
and of a division of the territory, and the Black
Hills and Missouri river representatives are fur­
ther interested in advocating the opening of the
Sioux reservation, by which railroad facilities
can be extended to Deadwood to the great ad­
vantage of the Black Hills mining, farming and
manufacturing intetests which are now suffering
seriously fr.m the heavy rates of freights and
the inconveniences or access. It is urged in be­
half of statehood for South Dakota and a di­
vision of the territory that the interests of the
northern and southern portions are di­
verse, that admission is required by the im­
mense area of the territory, and that the
amount of population is sufficient to
justify a division of the territory and statehood,
gonth Dakota, they say, has the enormous area
of 80,000 square miles, mostly arable, and the
rest good grazing country. The mining resour­
ces of the Black Hills are as good as any in the
country. Southern Dakota has already 1,429
miles of railroad completed, costing $35,000,000,
or at
the rate of $25,000 per mile. Members of
this Dakota representation say that they do not
ask for admission until the next session of con­
gress, and are indifferent as to whether it be
admitted under the constitution made at Sioux
Falls
and ratified by the people, or under any
fueling act that may be passed by congress.
j. A. McLean Interviewed.
ST. PAUL, Feb. 1.—John A. McLean, of Bis­
marck, ex-mayor and a prominent business man,
is stopping
at the Merchants Hotel in this city.
Speaking of the bills introduced and pending
before congress and affecting Dakota's interest,
he that the measure advocated by Delegate
Raymond, providing for an increase in the leg­
islative and senatorial representation, met with
favor in every section of the territory. Dakota
him gtown so rapidly that the present apportion-,
ment bill is unsatisfactory and unjust. When
the number of representatives was agreed upon,
some of the counties were almost uninhabited
and no membeis were given them. Now these
counties have become well settled and their
interests demand attention. In some sections
of the territory, notably the western,
it was not an uncomnion thing to Bee some
counties without any representative, and in
other oases one man representing from one to
six counties. It would be nothing but proper
nyiri frir that each county should have at least
one representative. Delegate Raymond would
be unanimously supported in his effort to se­
cure the enactment of such a law. Regarding
the appointment of a successor to Judge Kid­
der, Mr. McLean says there is a growing feeling
of discontent and dissatisfaction because of the
delay of the president in designating some one
to fill the position. There are several leading
questions upon which Judge Edgerton has al­
ready oommitted himself and certainly he will
not feel like sitting as a member of the court
when these oases oome up for consideration.
The appointment of an additional judge is neces
sary to insure a quorum. The people of Dakota
would be gratified if President Arthur were to
select some capable man at once and end the
suspense and rapidly increasing discontent. In
the matter of the opening of the Sioux reserva­
tion, he says there are but tew Dakota citizens
who wonld object to the throwing open the reser­
vation for settlement if tfie Indians were recom­
pensed in a suitable manner.
Marquis de Mores.
MINNEAPI 'LIP, Feb. 1.—The St. Paul corre­
spondent of the Minneapolis Evening Journal
gives a long interview with the Matquis de
Mores, who has just returned from the west and
who says that the cattle on the ranees are all in
prime beef condition. There has been no ex­
treme cold weather or deep snow, and there has
been no more mortality than comes in the green
grass season from natural causes. The outlook
for prime beeves for the market is most prom­
ising. The Marquis estimates that there will be
50,000 head shipped on the hoof or slaughtered
in the territory at the abattoirs now being built
by the Marquis de Mores company at TheDallep,
Oregon, and Miles City and Billings, Montana,
and at the one now in operation at Little Mis­
souri, Dakota. The plau of slaughtering adjacent
to the ranges and shipping the dressed product
in refrigerator cars is becoming quite popular
with stock meD. With the facilities soon to
be furnished by the De Mores company the bulk
of the business will be .done in the way in the
immediate future. The Marquis is arranging to
slaughter 50,000 bead and is contracting for their
delivery. From Hughes & Simpson he expects
16,000 head, from Scott & Hanks, 7,000 from
Conners, of Spearfisb, 7,000 from Boise & Co.
and from Towers, 5,000 or 6,(00 each.
The lakota Judgeship.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1.—A strong effort is being
made to have C. S. Palmer, of Yankton, ap­
pointed a judge of Dakota, and it remains to
be Been whether the president will be swerved
from his original purpose of appointing Gen­
eral Coburn, of Indianapolis. It is understood
now that the influences back of Palmer are so
potent as to cause the president
to hesitate in carrying out his
first intention. Mr. Palmer is supported by
Senator Edmunds, who seems really determined
to have Palmer appointed. He even demands
it on behalf of Vermont, which, it seems, has
not fared as well as the senator could wish.
With an emphatic flourish Mr. Edmunds is said
to have endorsed Mr. Palmer's papers, Baying:
"I think it is time Vermont should receive some
reOognition from this administration. It
should be remembered that this iB a presidential
year, and Mr, Arthur would rather not offend so
powerful a faction in the republican party."
It is said that Mr. Palmer was given the dis­
trict attorneyship in Dakota with the under­
standing that he should have a promotion.
He is a native of Vermont, is 40 years of age
and has served in both branches of the Vermont
legislature.
The National Park.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1.—The senate committee
on territories has had one or two meetings to
consider a bill submitted by Senator Vest in re­
gard to the control and management of the
Yellowstone National park, but without reach­
ing any final action. Senator Vest, who accompa.
nied the president and secretary of war on their
trip through the Yellowstone country last sum­
mer, has been quite anxious to have the park
taken from the Interior department and placed
under that of the war department, but the com­
mittee on territories would not consent to this
and the proposition was voted down. The com­
mittee agreed that the park should be annexed
to the county of Gallatiu, Montana, or rather
placed in the jurisdiction of that county, so that
punishment may be meted out to persons who'
go into the park and violate the laws and regu­
lations governing it. It is proposed, if possible,
to prevent the wholesale slaughter of game,
which has been going on openly without even
the protest of Mr. Conger, the superintendent.
The Greeiey Relief.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1.—The conference asked
by th6 senate --n the Grreley relief bill was
agreed to and Messrs. Randall and Calkins were
appointed- conferees. The speaker appointed
Messrs. Ellis, Holman and Ryan as conferees on
the part of the house on the bill appropriating
$50,000 for the support of the destitute Indians
of Montana. The morning hour was dispensed
with and the house went into committee of the
wh~le, Mr. Springer in the chair, on the Fitz
John Porter bill.
Xew Enterprise by the Marquis.
ST. PAUL, Feb. 1.—The Marquis De Mores
contemplates construct] a stage line from Me
dora, on the Little Missonri, to Deadwood. By
this maens direct communication could beopened
up with the rich mining district whose markets
could be supplied with Montana meat and the
people there could have access to the outer world
through the Northern Pacific instead of at
Pierre. Stations are already being located on
the proposed line.
The Skeleton's Wife.
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 1.—In answer to a writ
of habeas corpus Uriah Clear produced his
daughter Bertha in court this morning. Her
husband, the "living skeleton," was present In
open court the girl declared that her liberty was
not restrained, and preferred to go with her
father and not with her husband. The case was
then dismissed.
Too Fast.
READING, Pa., Feb. 1.—Eight well-known cit­
izens who were horse racing with sleighs on the
publio road were arrested and held for court un­
der the blue laws of 1874, which also provides
that upon conviction horses shall be sold and
proceeds placed in the county treasury.
Failures.
NEW YOBK, Feb. 1.—The business failures for
the last seven days as reported to the mercantile
agenoyof R.G. Dun & Co., number for the
United States 329, and Canada 440, as compared
with 317 for the previous week, an increase of
66.
Boiler Explosion.
DETBOIT, Mich., Feb. 1.—The boiler in Twich
ell's shingle mill near Btanchard exploded this
forenoon, killing Henry Rope atd John Finlay
son, fatally injuring a man named Gerald and
wounding several others.
Tfte Alliance Explosion.
CLEVELAND, O., Feb. 2.—A. Leader special
sayB that Alliance has been crowded all day
with people from the surrounding country,
attracted to see the wreck made by the explo­
THE. BISMARCK WEEKLY TRIBUNE.
sion. At the coroner's inquest it was devel­
oped that Mr. Orr kept gasoline in an air-tight
galvanized iron tank for customer*. About a
gallon ran out on the floor, and the
fluid was Wiped up Mr. Orr, and he
bad turned to other affairs when the
gas generated by the gasoline ignited. The tank
contained not more than half a barrel of liquid.
Of the wounded, Charles Haden and John Corry,
of Dupreze & Benedict's minstrels, are most se­
riously injured. They will be taken to the
sisters' charity hospital in Canton. A circum­
stance which has exoited much comment is that
the Woman's Christian Temperance Union had
appointed a meeting to be held in the Orr block
yesterday afternoon, but some trifling
matter prompted them to postpone it
until Saturday. Had the ladies met
as at first arranged the catastrophe would have
been still more calami tons. An offensive cdor
of burned flesh is still perceptible about the
wreck and suggests that all the bodies are not
yet recovered, but nobody is missed. An eye
witness states that when the explosion occurred
the entire building seemed lifted into the air
and was rent apart, falling back in a cloud of
duet with scarcely one brick clinging to another.
Wendell Phillips Dangerously 111.
BOSTON, Feb. 1.—Wendell Phillips is danger­
ously ill with heart disease at his residence. He
appears a trifle more comfortable tonight.
The Fitz John Porter Bill Passes.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 1.—The house to-day passed
the Fitz John Porter bill by a vote of 184 to 178,
Wendell Phillips Dead.
BOSTON, Feb. 2.—Wendell Phillips is dead.
He began to show signs of dissolution at 4:30
o'clock this afternoon and died at 6. He was
conscious up to within an hour of his death.
Mr. Phillips was ill just one week, but not until
Thursday was his condition considered danger­
ous by his physicians. Thursday night he failed
rapidly, but on Friday rallied slightly and passed
a fairly comfortable night. This afternoon his
ihness took a critical turn and he gradually
failed and pa sed quietly away abont 6 o'clock
in the presence of his wife and niece. He was
in his 73d year. The arrangements for the
funeral are not yet completed, and probably it
will not be held for several days,
Homestead Monument.
CHICAGO, Feb. 2.—James W. Davis, ot Mitch­
ell, Dakota, is here today on his way to Washing­
ton to try to secure the passage of a bill appro­
priating a single township to be located in alter­
nate sections, out of any public do­
main still vacant in Dakota, which
will be sold for the benefit of the national
homestead monument, of wh*ch idea he is the
originator, and which is to be built at Mitchell.
About $2,000 has been raised fcy subscriptions
to the fund of $100,000, which the monument
will cost.
Uncle Kufus Talks.
NEW YOBK, Feb. 2.—Rafua Hatch said today
in an interview in reference to the statement
that the property of the Yellowstone Park com­
pany had been attached for debt: "I received a
dispatch today announcing the facts, and the
published dispatches are almost wholly false.
The statement that the attachment resulted
from my neglect to pay for the stock I had sub­
scribed for is absolutely without foundation. I
have spent over $100,000 in the enterprise which
is a good deal more than I wish I had spent."
(Several Hundred Hilled.
LONDON, Feb. 2.—Gen. Gordon has arrived at
Karosko and entered the desert. Baker Pasha
made another reconnoisance from Trenkitat
with a strong force. The enemy fled south and
were pursued by the cavalry. Several hundred
rebels were killed.
A Tempting Bonus.
DULUTH, Feb. 2. The chamber of commerce
organized tonight. It starts out with a mem
bership of one hundred and with much enthu­
siasm. O. H. Simonds was elected president,
and Geo. Spencer vice president. A resoltionwas
introduced favoring the bonding of St. LouiJ
county for $50,000 of 6 per cent, thirty yeas
bonds to the first company to build a railroad
from Duluth to tbe Red river of the north. It
will be discussed at the next meeting.
It Must Be stopped.
GALVESTON, Texas, Feb. 2.—The News' Austin
special says: Both houses have passed a bill to
empower the governor to suppress the lawless­
ness now rampant in Texas, and giving him
$50,000 to use for that purpose. The fact is re­
garded as an emphatic declaration by the legis­
lature that it is the duty of the governor to
ferret out and suppress lawlessness, and that he
is authorized to use every means that money
will procure to that end.
Misappropriated Funds.
WALLA WALLA, Feb. 2—E. E. Johnson, agent
of the Northern Pacific railroad and also of the
Northern Pacific express missappropriated a
package of $18,000 consigned to John Bennett, a
railroad contractor, by Ladd,& Tilton, bankers,
of Portland. The package was addressed to the
agent of the Northern Pacific express. Johnson
disappeared with the money on Tuesday and
was arrestee and jailed today.
Killed by a Maniac.
GALVESTON, Feb. 2.—The News Dallas special
says: At Lancas'er today an old gentleman
was fatallj stabbed by his maniac brother whom
he had been carit for. The maniac was kept
in a room at home.for a number of years in pre­
ference to Bending him to an asylum. He es­
caped this morning and got hold of a knife and
inflicted several frightful wounds upon his bro­
ther before he could be secured.
Fargo Man Indicted.
BABOO, Feb. 2.—It is reported today that J.
f5V. Uppercu, draft messenger for the First Na­
tional Bank of this city, was short in his account
at the bank several hundred dollars, and as he
failed to explain the shortage an indictment haB
been found against him for embezzlement.
Uppercu has previously been held in high esti­
mation by the public and his employers.
Lottery Men Indicted.
CHICAGO, Feb. 2—Toe grand jury of Cook
county today returned sixty indictments
against thirty-four sgents of lotteries and op­
erators of local policy shops. Six of the indict­
ments ran against B. Frank Moore as a represen
trtive of the Lonisianna state lottery who was
recently convicted in the Federal conrt here, but
under another form of the statute.
Beportod Bis Land Sale.
FABGO, D, T.,—Feb. 3.—A rumor is current
here that a land company represented by W. A.
Kindred, of this city, has nrade a sale of 30,000
acres of land near Mayyille, to a wealthy syndi­
cate who will immediately proceed to improve
the same. Qwingto tbe absence of Mr. Kindred
in Chicago, further particulars couH not be ob
tained.
Earthquake Shocks.
CINCINNATI, Feb. 2—The Commercial-Gazette's
Millersburg, Ohio, special says: A slight shock
of earthquake was felt at 2 o'clock this morn­
ing, and was sufficient to awaken people and
rattle windows.
The CSolden Grain.
MINNEAPOLIS, Feb. 2.—The Tribune special
says: The warehouse attached to the elevator
owned by tbe Fergus Falls flouring mill com?
pany burst this evening, letting out 40,000
bushels of wheat, which now lies mingled with
the wreck of tbe elevator. Nobody injured.
Reported loss, $7,000.
Sseakeir Carlisle's Chances.
1
LOUISVILLE, Ky., Feb. 2.—Interest in the sena­
torial contest is at white heat, and will remain
so until a nomination is made. With Sweeney
withdrawn, tbe dead-lock wonld seem to be
broken, but the indications are that Carlisle
will take his place with a probable dead-lock as
tbe result. There is much talk of Carlisle. His
chances appear better than ever before.
Sweeney thinks that Blackburn will win. The
caucus meets again Monday.
Washington Sews.
UNSATISFACTORY CIVIL SEBVICE.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2—Secretary Chandler said
today that an examination of tbe papers of per­
sons certified to him by the civil seivice com­
mission satisfied him that all of them were un­
fitted for the work to be done for the reason that
they are deficient in penmanship, copying and
orthography. He returned the papers to the
commission with the simple statement to that
effect. He did not wish his action to be under­
stood as an attack on the civil service law as he
had no intention to attack that law. He was
strongly in favor of the civil service act but did
not feel that its provisions compelled him to ac­
cept a clerk whom he considered incompetent.
He would rather have a vacancy in bis force
than appoint a man whose examination papers
showed him unable to meet the requirements.
He bad referred the matter back to the com­
mission in the hope that they would send him
the names of more competent men to select
from. He would, however, be bound by the
action of the commission in the matter.
BANKBUPTCY BILL.
The senate committee on judiciary has
ordered the Lowell ^bankruptcy bill favorably
reported with amendments. It preserves
state exemptions and authorizes involuntary
proceedings only against persons whose debts
amount to more than $1,000, aud only against
traders. It also diminishes the number of
commissioners in bankruptcy one-half. Many
amendments suggested by the bankruptcy con­
vention which met here a few days since are in­
corporated in the bill. Senator Hoar will re­
port it on Monday. Some features are among
those contended for by the western senators of
the last congress and their adoption will greatly
increase the chances of its passage.
PBOPOSED INVESTIGATIONS.
Attorney General Brewster today placed at the
disposal of the house committee on expenditures
of the department of justice the entire force of
the special examiners' department to be sent
along with tbe sub committee to investigate the
alleged irregularities of officers of the United
States. Tbe officials of the sub committee ac­
companied by the special examiner will probc
bly go to New York city in a short time to inves­
tigate that office. At a meeting of tbe commit­
tee a resolution was adopted recommending that
a sub committee be appointed to examine cer­
tain star rontes the c: rrespondence of which the
postmaster general thonght if given to the pub
lie would interfere with the prosecution of cases
under investigation by the department.
LAND GRANT FORFEITURE.
The house committee on public lands has
been directed to report a bill declaring the for­
feiture of the land grants of the Oregon and
California railroads, except the lands in the
tract t'~at have been patented. Tbe grants to
the two roads amount to 5,000,000 acre*, one
tenth of which is patented. The land is valued
at $3 to $4 per acre The terms of the contract
expired Jnly 1st.
TOO BIG AN ENTERPRISE.
Assistant Secretary Joslyn says that he knows
nothing about the failure of the National Park
company. He was very well aware, however,
that the company bad not made much money
during the past season, and he did not believe
that under the present arrangements it would
ever succeed. He thinks the enterprise was on
too large a scale.
A SUBSTITUTE.
Senator Sherman's banking bill was offered
today in tbe senate as a substitute for the Mc
Pherson bill.
SILVER MONET.
The issue of standard silver dollars for the
week ended Feb. 2d was $85,996. For the cor­
responding period last year, $198,000.
COMMANDER FOB ARCTIC BELIEF.
Captain William A. Ktrkland, commander of
the receiving ship Colorado, of New York, has
volunteered to command the proposed Greeley
relief expedition, and will be assigned to that
duty.
NOMINATIONS.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 4.—Henry D. Lyman,
Ohio, second assistant postmaster general Will­
iam Dickson, Utah, United States attorney for
Utah Peter H. Stolberg, receiver of public
moneys at Taylor Falls, Minn.: John R. MoFee,
Illinois, register of the land office at Las Coses,
New Mexico.
BESOLUTION EXPLAINED.
Representative Robinson of New York says in
explanation of the joint resolution introduced
today proposing to amend the constitutional
amendment to permit an export tax on cotton
that should tbe amendment be adopted it will
be followed by a proposition to fix a tax of one
cent per pound which it is estimated will bring
an annual revenue to the government of $18
000,000.
PRESIDENTIAL PROVISIONS.
Representative Hammond's bill introduced
today to amend the coistitution as to the offices
and duties of the president and vice-president
of United States, provides for the election of a
president and three vice-presidents, each chosen
for the Mmft nnmber of vears. The first vice
president shall be president of the senate. In
case of the removal of the president that office
is to be held by the firat, second or third vice
president, in the order named*
MISSOURI RIVER IMPROVEMENT.
The bill introduced by Representative Graves
relative to the Missouri River commission pro­
vides ft"** the commission shall be composed of
five members, one from the engineer corps of
the army, one from tbe coast and geodetic sur
vey, and three from civil life, one of whom shall
be a civil engineer, and the work for the com­
mission shall be to prepare plans and estimates
for permanently deepening and locating the
channel and protecting thebankBof the Mis­
souri river from the mouth to the head of navi
gation. An appropriation of $1,000,000 is pro­
vided for.
THE DAKOTA CONSTITUTION.
Senator Cameron's bill to enable the peo­
ple of Dakota to form a constitution, prescribes
the manner for the election of delegates. The
delegates are to meet at the capital on the first
of December, 1884, and proceed to form a con­
stitution for tbe proposed stite, to embrace the
whole or any portion of the territ IJ as tbe con­
vention may decide. Delegates are to be appor­
tioned among the counties as follows: Each
county organized prior to the election shall elect
one delegate and one additional delegate for
every 800 votes cast at the last general, election
for delegate to congress.
PROPOSED REFORM.
The bill to repeal that section of the revised
statutes restricting the term of certain officers to
four years, introduced by Representative Willis,
is another step toward civil service reform. It
was prepared by the New York civil service re*
form association, and provides that the officers
at present limited to a term of four years shall
be held at the will of the appointing power or
during good behavior and competency. The
offices' affected by this bill are those of United
States district attorneys, chief justices of terri­
tories, presidential postmasters, registers of land
offices, receivers of public moneys, surveyors
general of territories, md collectors of customs.
Dakota Affairs.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 4.—|Special]—A bill in­
troduced by Delegate Raymond some time ago
creates the territory of North Dakota. Another
introduced today by Delegate McGinnis, of
Montana, provides for a constitutional conven­
tion for Dakota, to which delegates shall be
elected at the next general election, and appro­
priates $25,000 for convention expenses. The
bill is intended to cover Governor Ordway's
recommendation for a convention with authority
to frame a constitution for the whole territory,or
for each section, thus practically submitting the
question of a division of the territory to a vote
of the people. There is some show for this bill,
but none for the division bill. There is no
truth in the story that Governor Ordway refuses
to be a candidate for reappointment. He smiles
serenely while the South Dakota delegates swear
eternal vengeance on all who do not help to di­
vide the territory, and already talk of a rump
legislature which will be called to meet at Yank­
ton in spite of the law, the governor, the capi­
tal commission, or other power. They are sim­
ply furious. No proposition has yet been made
or considered to ask congress to act on capital
matters. Both Dakota bills above referred to
were introduced in the senate.
Fixing Grades.
MINNEAPOLIS, Feb. 4.—The Journal's St. Paul
correspondent says: Major R. E. Fleming and
Judge I. E. West, of Fargo, and John Fadden,
of Grand Forks, met Manager Manvel, of the
Manitoba road, today but, as C. A. Pillsbury
was not present, Mr. Manvel asked Grand Forks
to postpone its farmers' meeting until the 15th
and the inspectors went to South Dakota. Ma­
jor Fleming said that, in South Dakota there is
not so much feeling among the farmers about
the rates as there is about the matter of
differences in grading wheat and in dock­
age. The grain inspectors are inclined to favor a
uniform inspection, but it must be made to har­
monize the interest of all concerned. Even then
it must be in a line with the grading in the
states. The system cannot be adopted at once,
and only after) a thorough investigation and to
the satisfacti of tbe farmers, elevator men and
tbe .railroads. If concessions are to be made
they should cheerfully be given by eacu of the
three classes for the benefit of all. The question
must be settled, as the talk now made travels
everywhere through the newspaper- and may act
as a partial discouragement to immigration to the
lied River valley. The railroads have shown a
frank earnestness to facilitate investigation.
This year, said Major Fleming, North Dakota
will receive a healthy immigration, and the peo­
ple there are much encouraged and will go into
the spring farming feeling better than ever be­
fore. Business of all kinds has been moderate,
and in fact very fair. There have beeu lees
failures from legitimate causes at this time than
any season since he settled there. The merchants
are doing a safe business, as wheat is low and
not much can be expected from it. The peo­
ple have paid their debts as well as ever. The
county treasurers have received more money for
taxes than in any previous season. Last year
$5,000,000 worth of machinery was sold and
the payments generally made in Fargo were
prompt and full. The farmers are preparing
for better farming, and use better seed. In a
word, the csuntry is prosperous. All that is
needed now is to settle the grading question, to
reap the fullest results.
Jk Scandal.
MINNEAPOLIS,Feb. 4.—The Journal's Pembina
special says: The inhabitants of Pembina are
gossiping over tbe rather Eudden death of a
young French half-breed named Josephine
Rodden. For some time past she has Keon a
servant in the family of a merchant, the son of
the head of a heavy wholesale firm in St. Paul,
and it is the general opinion here that this
made an attempt by administering medicine, to
procure an abortion, which attempt was
with tbe above results. It is stated on reliable
authority that he has publioly boasted of having
had criminal intercourse with the girl several
times yet she positively refused to disclose the
name of the guilty party, although it is stated
that she told her mother a few minutes before
she died. Josephine was, comparatively speak­
ing, a handsome girl of seventeen summers,
while her alleged seducer is a man of about
twenty-six years aud has been acting here as a
machine salesman. He is married, and though
once a fine-looking man is now a total wreck
from liquor and other causes. The result of the
post-mortem examination has not yet been
made known.
Kentucky Senatorial Contest.
LOUISVILLE, Ky., Feb. 4.—The senatorial situ­
ation is unchanged. The result of the one bal­
lot taken in joint assembly today was: Carlisle,
34 Williams, 14 B.'cckburn, 9 remainder
scattering.