SCENE OF THE FIRE IN ST. LOUIS:
BLOODSHED IS
AVERTED FOR
THE PRESENT
Republican Govern oc Taylor of
Kentucky Causes the Re
, lease of Walker.
¦
Democratic Legislators Will Not Attend the
Session at London Unless Compelled
by the Military.
CINCINNATI, Feb. 4.— Thirty-two members of the Kentucky Legislature, 5
all Democrats, are to-night making the hotels and homes of political friends
in Cincinnati an asylum of refuge from whatever unknown and unpleasant ¦
possibilities the capital city of thalr own State to-morrow might have la <
store for them. They report that four Senators and five Representatives have
been left in Frankfort, a number sufficient to convene the Legislature there. '
The legislative contingent lodging her© expect to have the programme wired '
to them In the morning. They are no doubt acting under the orders of the J
steering committee, j In addition to the legislators there Is an unusually large
registration of citizens from Kentucky at all the hotels. . VJ
FRANKFORT, Ky.. Feb. 4.— Armed
conflict between the civil authori
ties of Franklin County and the
National Guard of the State of
Kentucky has been averted, and
\- ,.":' unless new causes should come to
the front there is small likelihood that the
political situation will again become as it
has during the last forty-eight hours.
Governor Taylor this morning ordered the
release of Alonzo Walker, for the posses
sion of whom Judge Moore hafi declared
that Sheriff Sutter would swear In a
posse and take possession of the Capitol
grounds, If such an extreme became nec
essary. While not recognizing In his ac
tion the existence of the writ of habeas
corpus which had been sworn out In be
half of Walker, Governor Taylor by re
leasing the man removed the most threat
ening sign of trouble.
The commanding officers of th© troops
which guard the Capitol grounds are care
ful to say that 'the situation Is entirely a
military affair, and that they extend to
the writ of habeas corpus very little con
sideration; but, whether they regard It or
not. Walker Is free and Sheriff Sutter will
not be called upon to summon force in the
attempt to secure his release.
The appalling consequences which would
follow such an effort on the part of the
Sheriff were too much for the more con
servative members of the Democratic
party, and It was decided to-day that, no
matter what Judge Moore should say as
an individual, there would be no attempt
to take possession of the Capitol grounds
by force of arms. Even If Walker had
been held a much longer time than he
actually was held, no effort, the Demo
cratic leaders had decided, should be
made for his rescue after the writ of
habeas corpus bad failed.-
Both sides will take a rest pending the
session of the Legislature called by Gov
ernor Taylor at London No Democrats
will attend this unless they are taken
there by the military forces of the Stats,
and no attempt will be made In this direc
tion by Governor Taylor until he has af
forded them every opportunity to go to
London of their own accord. What will
be done when it has been made certain
that the Democrats will not visit London
has not been definitely determined by
Governor Taylor. It Is likely that mat
ters will on both sides be allowed to drift
until after the funeral of Governor Goe
bel.
WALKER RELEASED
BY TAYLOR'S ORDERS
He Is Informed . That He Hay Be
Court-Martialed at Any Time
for Inciting a Mutiny.
FRANKFORT. Feb. 4.— Alonzo Walker,
the stenographer -who was placed under
arrest' on the charge of inciting the sol
diers of the State Guard to mutiny while
pinning a notice of a proposed applica
tion for an injunction upon the door of
the office of Governor Taylor, was re
leased this morning.
The release was not made In response
to the writ of habeas corpus which
Sheriff gutter tfied in vain yesterday to
serve upon Governor Taylor. The latter
concluded that Walker had remained in
custody for & sufficient length of time
and told him to go home. The charge
of inciting to mutiny has not been
quashed, but Walker may not be brought
before a court-martial as was at one
time contemplated by the officers of the
State Guard.
At 10 o'clock this morning Colonel
Roger Williams entered the room in the
executive building and remarked to
Walker: ..-.
"Well, Mr. Walker, we have agreed to
an exchange of prisoners and yoy are to
be given your freedom."
"I can go, can I?" asked Walker.
"I guess so," was the reply, and the
colonel then added with a laugh. ""We
have exchanged you for one Zulu and
three Filipinos, and as we expect them
every minute I guess it will be all right
for you to have your freedom."
Mr. Walker was then allowed to go,
after notice had been served upon him
that the charge against him was still
pending and it could be pushed at any
time if the military authorities should so
decide. He told Colonel Williams that
he intended to remain in Frankfort.
Various rumors were circulated In re
gard to the reasons for the sudden re
lease of Walker, among them being a re
port that his release by order of Gov
ernor Taylor was In deference to a tele
gram from Washington advising his dis
charge. Governor Taylor was too busy
to-day to be seen In regard to the matter,
but Adjutant General Collier said that
no such reason existed for Walker's re
lease.
"The idea is absurd." said General Col
lier. "Mr. Walker's arrest was simply
a • matter of military discipline. He was
not discharged, but was given his lib
erty* until arrangements could be made
for his trial by court-martial. When this
will be has not been determined as yet."
Asked if Walker's release was Influ
enced at all by a desire to forestall any
possible application in the Federal court
for a writ of habeas corpus. Adjutant
General Collier said:
"Not In the* least. A wrong Impression
apparently prevails in regard to the rea
sons for the arrest. Mr. Walker was heard
to make statements two days before his
arrest that were regarded as mutinous,
and persons overhearing Ms remarks
made affidavit to that effect. The order
for his arrest was accordingly made out
by Governor Taylor, and we were only
waiting for a favorable opportunity to
arrest him. His arresfat the time It did
occur was as unlooked. for by us as It
was by, him, and was more of an accident
than design. It Is simply nonsense to say
that he was confined because he pinned a
court notice on the Governor's door.
"It Is a trivial matter." continued Colo
nel Williams. "Since Mr. Walker's ar
.rest we have hardly given the matter a
thought, and his liberty was granted him
simply for the reason that to keep him
In confinement was not only a hardship to
him. but to us also, as we had made no
provision for prisoners. It will take some
time to get together the Judge-advocate
and members of the court-martial, and we
have no desire to inflict any needless hard
ship on Mr. Walker."
In response to a request Colonel" 'Wil
liams produced from the flics the order
for the arrest, signed by Governor Taylor
and dated February 2. It says:
"It appearing from information given to
me that Alonzo Walker has been guilty of
the offense of encouraging, advising and
inciting mutiny and desertion among
members of the regular State militia from
Kentucky."
Mr. Walker will return the notice of the
service of the injunction summons to
morrow and give his arrest as his reason
for not reporting earlier. . *
GOEBEL WILL BE
BURIED AT FRANKFORT
Simple Funeral Service Will Be Held
at His Old Home in Coy-
ington.
FRANKFORT. Ky., Feft. 4.— lt has been
practically decided that the remains of
Governor Goebel will be burtefi In Frank
fort, In the cemetery overlooking the
Kentucky River, where lie the remains of
Daniel Boone. Vice-President Richard M.
Johnson and several Kentucky Governors,
eminent Jurists and soldiers. Arthur and
Justus Goebel. Senator-elect - Blackburn.
D. S. Hackelford. Clerk of the Court of
Appeals, and Warden Llllard visited the
cemetery to-day and spent some time se
lecting a suitable spot. Though no definite
decision was reached, a spot In the vicin
ity of the Immense shaft erected In honor
of Kentucky's dead soldiers, nearly tha
highest point in the beautiful cemetery,
will probably finally be selected. Although
the burial will take place In Frankfort,
in accordance with the wishes of the
friends of the dead man. the funeral ser
vice will be held in Covlngton. his home.
The remains will be taken to Covlngton
to-morrow on a special train, which will
carry the pall-bearers, the relatives of
the dead man. members~of the legislative
committee. Judges of the Court of Ap
peals, and others.
Tuesday morning the remains will bo
conveyed to Odd Fellows' Hall, where
they will He In state from 8:30 In the
morning till 10 o'clock at night, the hall
being kept open In the evening to allow
the working people an opportunity to
view the remains. The funeral services
will be extremely simple. In deference
not only to the wishes of Governor Goe
bel. but also of the' members of his fam
ily. Outside of a guard of honor, con
sisting of fifty citizens, there will* be no
ceremony or display of any kind. Even
the funeral cortege will be lacking.
Wednesday morning the remains will bo
brought back to Frankfort and placed In
the big ballroom of the Capitol Hotel,
where they will 11© in state all that day.
It Is believed that from thirty to fifty
thousand strangers will be In the city to
view the remains and bitter feeling en
gendered by his death may result In a
clash. Precautions are being taken. Ir
respective of party, to prevent trouble.
The Interment will take place Thurs
day from the Capitol Hotel, but the actual
arrangements for the burial have as yet
not been decided on.
Plans for the raising of funds by pop
ular subscription for the erection of a
monument to Governor Goebel's memory
are rapidly taking shape. Besides this.
Democratic leaders say the Legislature
will make an appropriation for a monu
ment In his honor, following the usual
custom In Kentucky on the occasion of
the death of a Governor.
A suitable tablet, to mark, the spot
where Governor Goebel was shot, will
also be provided for.
DEMOCRATS CHOOSE
LOUISVILLE AS CAPITAL
Legislature Will Meet Each Day and
Adjourn Until Hatters Are
Settled.
LOUISVILLE. Feb. 4.— This city Is to
b© the seat, temporarily at least, of the
Democratic State government. To-mor
row the Democratic members of the Leg
islature will meet here, and It Is pur
posed to make Louisville the headquarters
of the executive and legislative branches
of this State government as long as the
presence of troops keeps them from
Frankfort, or until the present conflict
of authority In the State is settled.
The details of this. plan were decided
upon at the conferences held by leading
Democratic leaders at Zelbach's Hotel
during the afternoon and evening. News
paper men were carefully excluded from
these councils, and every effort was made
to keep the deliberations - secret. The
plans to have the Democratic members of
the Legislature meet here had already
well matured. Preliminary steps^ In this
direction had been taken at the meetings
of these members held In the Capitol Ho
tel at Frankfort since the State buildings
have been surrounded by soldiers. The
Democratic legislators there adopted a
concurrent resolution for adjournment to
Louisville, and this fact was made known
early In to-day's conference. It was stated
by members of the Legislature present
that threats had been made at Frankfort
by persons connected with Governor Tay
lor's administration that members of the
THREE BLOCKS
RAZED BY FIRE
AT ST. LOUIS
Conflagration Destroys Property
Valued at Two Million
Dollars.
Crushed Under Falling Walls, One Fireman
Loses His Life and Eight Others Are
Seriously Injured.
THE DEAD.
CHARLES W. MEBUR. fireman.
THE INJURED.
Chief Swlngley, face blistered by
heat.
John Judge, foreman engine com
pany, bruised about legs, Internal
Injuries.
John Hanmore, driver engine
company, leg broken, hand and
cheek bruised.
Mike Hanlon, truckman, back cut
and bruised.
James Adams, truckman, cut on
hand.
John Karp, pipeman. Internal In
juries, serious.
Harry Bridge, foreman engine
company, shocked by electric wire.
Assistant Chief Gus Thierry,
shocked and burned by live wire.
A. J. O'Reilly, supervisor of city
lights, got blown into the street by
concussion of falling walls.
James J. Schweiger. fireman,
hands cut.
G**orge W. Durand, spectator, hip
dislocated. •
August Roeber, pipeman, leg
hrnkeiv
ST. LOUIS. Feb. 4.— Fire broke out at
8 o'clock this morning In the five
story brick building at Broadway
and Franklin avenue, occupied by the
dry goods firm of Penny & Gentles,
and In a few minutes en^veloped the entire
Etrucutre. Sparks and brands were blown
in every direction by a strong northwest
wind, and the destruction of adjoining
property was threatened. A general
alarm vu turned In and soon every en
gine in the city was at the 6cene or on the
way there.
On the south of Penny & Gentles, the
flames communicated with the buildings
occupied by Sctaper Bros., dry goods, and
the Famous Dry Goods Store. The burn-
Ing area increased minute by minute, the
flames gaining great headway and leaping
across to the east side of Broadway. In
a short time a large empty store building
on the corner of Franklin avenue was de
stroyed, with those directly south, occo
jiie<l ty tn<« "Pt6ple*s "House 'Furnisnlng
Company, the Marks millinery stor«.
Dill's dental parlors and Deere Bros.' five
end ten cent etore. By 10 o'clock all the
trails of the Penny & Gentles and
Bchaper Bros." buildings, with the ex
ception of that on the west, had fallen.'
The wall between Schaper Bros, and the
Famous fell, but the fkunes were
quenched before doing much destruction
in tfre latter establishment.
It wae not long before the upper floors
and v.alls of the building opposite Penny
<k Gentles on Broadway began to fall.
Casualties to firemen were numerous.
When the walls of Deere Bros.' five and
ten cent store collapsed several members
of Engine Company No. 11 were in the
building. Four firemen were covered by
the debris and It was several hours before
they could be taken out.
Charles Mappes, a pipeman. had been
crushed to death and several Injured.
John Judge, foreman of No. 11. was
wedged In with the dr-bris. Across 'his
feet lay the body of Mappes. With a cool
head Judge directed the efforts of his
comrade? in their work of rescue. When
he was $r.ally removed he was taken to
the hospital in an ambulance, where sev
eral others of the injured had been re
moved.
From Broadway the flames ate their
way through to a number of three and
four story structures occupied by numer
ous fiftas fti various lines of business.
These were soon on fire from top to bot
tom and were razed. Heroic efforts to
keep the flames from the building on the.
corner of Fourth and Franklin avenues,
occupied by the German-American Bank,
v.ere successful. This and two buildings
adjoining on the south were saved.
Across on Fourth avenue and extending
through to Thinl avenue was a row of
old buildings occupied by the SchlfOer-
Coraella Seed Company, the Plant Seed
Company, Krenning's Glassware and
Crockery Company, BasFett Plumbing
Company. Mueller Block Commission
Company, Nelson Distilling Company. "Ie-
I-aln & Alcott Commission Company,
Hake & Sons' Commission Company. Ben
ton & Co., commission house. Bauer Flour
Company and William Bock's saloon.
Here the firemen were finally able to
stop the spread of the fire to the east.
but not until the interiors and stocks of
merchandise of all these buildings were
destroyed.
Before this occupants of buildings east
on Third and Second streets, fearing a
further spread of the fire, commenced to
remove their stocks, but at 3 o'clock It
became evident that th« fire had been put
under control.*
At this point Third street widens out,
and this helped the firemen to keep
the flames In check. If the fire had
broken beyond bounds here the loss would
have been enormous. This Is the middle
of the commission district, where the
streets are narrow and the buildings old
and their contents of a combustible na
ture. » Nothing could have prevented the
fire sweeping everything to the river
In the meantime stores and buildings on
the north side of Franklin avenue, for
half a block east and west of Broadway,
caught fire from flying embers, blazes
being started at half a dozen different
points. " Good work by the firemen, how
ever, prevented much loss at this point.
Two ordinary stores and a few small
shops, partially destroyed, were the heav
iest losses.
The trolley wires along Broadway and
Franklin avenue were a source of danger,
and until they were cut by the Mayor's
orders there were numerous narrow es
capes from electrocution.
While trying to get a derailed car ont of
the way of the firemen at . Fourth and
Morgan streets the car bumped into -a
fire engine." crushing Fireman Hanmore.
He was fatally hurt. .
¦ For hours after the fire broke out the
scene was thronged by thousands of spec
tators, who had been drawn by the re
port that the entire city was burning.
Every policeman available was hurried to
the scene and rope barriers were erected
around the fire section, but it was all they
could do to keep the eager crowd back.
The loss on both buildings and stocks
of goods is approximately $1,500,000. Defin
ite figures are exceedingly hard to obtain.
There were six retail concerns which were
heavy losers. The balance of the loss is
divided, in varying proportions, among a
score or more shopkeepers or flfms. Only
two concerns suffered losses of over $100,
000—Penny & Gentles and Schaper Broth
ers. The buildings in which the two con
cerns were housed were owned by the
Mary K. Knox estate, and were erected
at a cost of $165,000. Penny & Gentles'
loss, which was covered entirely by in
surance. Is estimated at $135,000. Schaper
Brothers' loss it* estimated at $100,000.
Thesfe two concerns occupied about .half
the block on the west side of Broadway,
south from the corner of Franklin ave
nue, and the buildings were entirely de
stroyed. The rest of the block on the
west side of the street Is taken up by the
buildings occupied by the Famous Dry
goods store, whose loss was compara
tively slight.
On Franklin. Just back of ; Penny &
Gentles', the building occupied by the
Fuch Millinery and Cloak Company Buf
fered a loss on the stock of $40;000.
The store occupied by D. Crawford &
Co., at Broadway and Franklin avenue,
was entirely burned, with a leg's on build
ings and stock of $70,000. The People's
House Furnishing Company, at 814 North
Broadway, was completely wrecked: loss,
$50,000. At 812 North Broadway, Deere
Brothers' store, filled with a stock of
5 and 10 cent goods, sustained a $33,000
loss on buildings and stock.
The fire swept through the block from
Broadway to Fourth street and burned all
buildings' from 827 to 809 N. Fourth street.
These buildings were old three and four
story structures, come' occupied as. tene
ments above and stores " below, while
others were vacant. Here the St. Louis
Dressed Beef and Provision Company, the
Schisler-Cornell Seed Company and three
small stores suffered a loss of J65.000,
while the losses on buildings amount; to
nearly $45,000. .. '.
Among the firms and individuals that
suffered heavily from the fire are the fol
lowing, whose places of business were on
the east side of Fourth and west side, of
Third streets: A. Nasse, wholesale grocer;
Plant Seed Company; Krennlng Glass
Company, Bassett's plumbing' establish
ment. McClain & Alcorn Commission
Company, . Buelter-Block Commission
Company. Nelson Distilling Company,
Hake & Sons' Commission Company,
George A. Benton, produce: Bawer Flour
Company, Shaw & Richmond, produce.
Late to-niKht John Cummlngs, private
watchman of Penny & Gentles', was "ar
rested and is being held at the Four
Courts pending an investigation into the
origin of the fire. He was taken into
custody as the result of a statement by a
woman rooming opposite to the effect
that she had seen a man answering the
watchman's description lighting matches
In the store previous to the fire. . -""..-/¦. -«"
Continued on Sixth Paga.
DTTRBAN, Feb. 4. — General Buller crossed the Tugela River on Friday- night and is marching. on Lady
*. smith. No definite news will be permitted to go out until Ladysmith is relieved. . '
liADYSMITII, Saturday, Feb. 3 (by heliograph via Signal HillY— General Uuller's guns have
been heard. Otherwise it is very quiet. We are awaiting Turther news or hi ; progress. There have been
no developments here. Very lew Boers show northeast of camp. The majority are concentrated couth and west.
The health of the garrison is improved.
LADYSMITH, Feb.- 4- (by heliograph via Signal Hill.)— The- garrison was much cheered by
hearing General Buller's guns yesterday. The result of the engagement is not knownJ The Boers are again
massing near Ladysmith, also moving another gun toward Surprise Hill. We are quite ready for them if they
contemplate another attack. '
BULLER FIGHTING NORTH
OF THE TUGELA RIVER
Thunder of the British Cannon Gives Renewed
Hope- to the Gallant Defenders of ||§|
-.Continue* on Bwmd Pag*.
PRICE FIVE CENTS.
VOLUME LXXXVH-KO. 67.
SAN FRANCISCO, MOKDAY, FEBRUARY 5, f 1900.
THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL
The fire- started at Franklin avenue and Broadway, • seven blocks , north of the Court House, wnose cupoia is seen «
In the left of the picture, and which stands on Broadway and Chestnut street, and swept' east and southeast to «
within a couple of blocks of the end of the Eads 1 ridge, shown on the right 'of the picture. \ -• , : ; :^;i4
Special Cable to The Call and - the New : York
Herald. . Copyright, 1900, by James Gordon
Bennett.
LONDON, Feb.' s.—Just one week
ago to-day General Buller.'"in an
address to" Warren's' division, bade
-. the . men to be, of good cheer, for
he hoped to be in Ladysmith within
a week. > •
That the general's hopes have not yet
been realized may be taken as a cer
tainty; for there is no doubt.that.news of
the relief of Ladysmlth would not «be
held up.by.the.War Office. 'Has he even
yet begun an advance and crossed' the
Tugela? ,-..-;¦ *•, ,
A.host of rumors were current yester
day In regard to the' British commander's
movement In Natal, the general tenor
of the reports being, that he-was once
more - endeavoring. to force his way
through the Boer lines. One telegram
went bo far as to assert positively that
he had- crossed the Tugela. Up; 1 to an
early hour, this morning no confirmation
of these statements was forthcoming, the
War Office stating simply that.it had no
news for publication.
The Dally Telegraph's correspondent,
Mr. Bennet Burlelgh, who is with Buller's
army, .telegraphed from Spearmans Camp
at 6 o'clock last evening that, aside from
occasional sniping and the advance of a
small body of British troops to drive back
Boer sharpshooters from the' north bank
of the Tugela at Potgieters Drift, the day
was quiet. He added, - however, .that
the troops were enthusiastic '- over the
prospect of an early advance.
,On the other hand, one of the news
agency reports says that Buller, crossed
the Tugela on Friday and is marching on
Ladysmlth. It is possible that Lord
Dundonald's recent 'reconnoissance' to the
most westerly of the drifts on the Tugela
was mistaken for an advance in force.
Another agency has a . message to the
effect-that on Saturday. Ladys'mlth heard
the guns of the army of relief. Then the
Pietermaritzburg. correspondent of the
Dally Mail states definitely that General
Bufler has undoubtedly secured a road
to Ladysmlth and will reach his objective
point this week. .This last message may
be merely an echo of the general's Spear
mans Camp speech, ¦ but the other two
telegrams are more ' definite. I :
| It is difficult to understand why, wHh
out large reinforcements. General . Buller
should' succeed;: on t this;, occasion, after
failing at' Spion Kop, unless under the
steady pressure 'which the', strengthened
British forces in other fields are beginning
to exert the Boers' have weakened their
forces before Ladysmith and. that Bulier
is aware of this. •¦' £'_->. ii'-'ir.
¦ " All ' over town one heard " nothing ' but'
talk .of a new attempt" to. relieve Lady
smlth. During the day I met' a' gentleman'
from South Africa^ who gave me "news
some ' time ago' of A what', was -going . on- at
Delagoa Bay.^When I ho-was '• aaked^Trbjj,
just one victory the war is half over."
- In the clubs, ¦ where accurate informa
tion Is usually to be obtained, I found the
same, impression prevailing. There has
returned also a general feeling of confi
dence, just exactly the opposite, to what
Is represented in certain foreign news
papers, which describe the British nation
as nervous and the military position as
hopeless.' ' ' ."¦ \
To-day r war overshadows everything.
People— women Just as much as men— will
riot talk of anything else. .'-¦ ¦> -.:
BULLER MAY SOON
REACH LADYSMITH
LONDON, Feb. s.— The Pietermaritzburg
correspondent of the Daily Mall, tele
graphing yesterday, says:
"General Buller has undoubtedly se
cured the road to Ladysmlth and should
reach his 'objective point this week. It
Is believed here that the object of the
Boers in occupying Ngiitu, Zululand, is to
secure the road from Dundee to Vryheid
In case of 'retreat.
VI learn from a' reliable source that Gen
eral Joubert was seriously injured by a
shell in ! the fight at Willow Grange, and
that he .will never ; be able to command
again on. horseback. My informant says
that ¦ he has, •in > fact, retired from the
field. '
"The Boers admit that the attack , on
Ladyßmlth was a. serious blunder, and
would not have occurred rif. General Jou
bert" had .been In command. General Lu
cas'Meyer played the coward at Talana
and sheltered .himself in a Red- Cross
wagon, ' shamming . sickness. .' He ' has been
he was so joyous his reply was that from
reports he had received from a goad
source he was, confident that the losses of
the Boers had been enormous. 7-'/. ; ;'-i/
"Considering their limited forces, they
have," he said, "had over. 9ooo casualties,
which they conceal with the utmost care
from the relatives of the dead. There are
thousands . of letters at . the Boer head
quarters which are undelivered because
those to whom they are addressed are no
more.
"I think that Buller Is all right. The
only thing' to do with the Boers is to keep
banging away at them. A few more such
victories as the Boers have had of late
and they will be finished with. The Boers
can replace nothing, of what they lose,
whereas the English can fill up every gpp
which occurs. That's why I say Buller ia
right, even if he has to retire again, to
attack and keep harassing the Boers,
who are in a bad plight, suffering men
tally and physically and falling short of
ammunition, shoes and clothing.
•T have heard on the best authority
that General Buller has " gone on again
and that the .War Office is already. In pos
session of important Information but does
not purpose to, lay ltselfopen to further
criticism of haste by letting out' valuable
news" prematurely. - If Buller only gets