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6 •V -i J^fv- |^r ffifes- 4 *$1it W &1i» is" *&*• n,: t"-' Sjil ft'* The Leon Reporter, O. P. HULL, Publisher. LEON, IOWA. GEN. LAWTON KILLED. Sbot Whlje On the Firing Line at San fc Mateo. I MANILA, Dec. *20.—Major General JP®uary \V. Lawton has been shot and killed at San Mateo. He was standing iin front of his troops, was shot in the breast and died immediately. General Law ton left home Monday night, hav ing returned from his northern opera tions Saturday to lead an expedition through Mariquina valley, which has been an insurgent stronghold through out the war. The valley has several times been invaded, but never held by the Americans. General Gernomo was supposed to have there the largest or ganized force north of Manila, and General Otis wished to garrison Mari quina. San Mateo was attacked at 8 o'clock and a three hours' fight en sued. This resulted in but few casual ties on the American side, apart from the death of General Lawton. Gen eral Law ton was walking along the firing line within 300 yards of a small sharpshooters' trench, conspic uous in the big white helmet he al ways wore, and alight yellow raincoat. He was also easily distinguishable be cause of his commanding stature. The sharpshooters directed several close shots which clipped the grass near by. His staff officers called General Law ton's attention to the danger he was in, but he only laughed with his usual contempt for bullets. Suddenly he exclaimed: "I am 6hot!" He clenched his hands in a desperate effort to stand erect and fell into the arms of a staff officer. Orderlies rush ed across the field for surgeons, who dashed up immediately, but their efforts were useless. Shortly after ward the American troops entered San Mateo. MENELIK WORRIES ENGLISH. Claims Territory Which Is Considered Vital to English Progress. NKW YORK, Dec. 22.—London papers just received display much anxiety over the attitude of Menelik, emperor of Abyssinia toward England. At present there is a dispute between this potentate and Great Britain as to the boundary between Egypt and Abys sinia and it is feared that Menelik may consider the present an excel lent time to make a demonstration against the British. The scheme of Cecil Bhodes of a Cape-to-Cairo rail road, or rather the plan of a British empire extending without any break from the Mediterranean to Cape Town, would be spoiled if Menelik finally succeeded in planting the Abyssinian flag over a point on the White Nile. Menelik has sent troops to occupy the countries which he claims as his own In view of an approaching conflie with Great Britain, the negus hat acted like president Kruger of the Transvaal and has made extensive warlike preparations. The number of Abyssinian soldiers who could be call ed upon to make use of these weapons is somewhat difficult to estimate cor rectly. Still, Count Antonelli, diplo mat and traveler, estimated at nearly 300,000 Man the force that Menelik could put in line some years ago. M'KINLEY EXPRESSES SOBKOW. Cables a Touching Tribute to the Mem ory of the Fallen Hero. WASHINGTON, Dec. 22.—The presi dent has sent the following cable tt General Otis: •'I learned with inexpressible sorrow of the death of Major General Lawton and ask to share with the officers and men of the Eighth corps in their grief. One of the most gallant officers of the army has fallen. At the same time the sad news came to us his nomina tion as a brigadier general of the regu lar array had already been made for transmission to the senate, but no rank can enhance his fame. Tie rose from the ranks of the Ninth Indiana volunteer infantry, filling every grade in the service to that of major general of volunteers, and in three wars was conspicuous for bravery and devotion to duty. The country mourns the death of this intrepid leader. Convey to Mrs. Lawton my heartfelt sympathy in her overshadowing affliction. "WlT.HAM McKlNLKir." U. S. Patent Office Business. DRS MOINES, December 21.—The in ventions for which we prepare and prosecute applications for patents re ceive free notices, when allowed, in our weekly reports, published in about 800 western newspapers. S. B. Crane, of Perry, la., has been allowed a_patent for an electrio appar tus specially adapted for the purpose of examining the membranes and lo cations of inafimmationsand abnormal growth and disoiders preparatory to surgical operations or the application of medicine. 480 patents were issued this week in which list are 9 for Iowa, 10 for Ne braska, 8 for Kansas, 1 for North Dakota, 1 for South Dakota, 8 for Mis souri, 9 for Minnesota, 41 for 84 for New York. Valuable information in printed matter sent to applicants free. Cor respondence solicited. Consultation and advice free. THOMAS G. ORWIG & Co., Registered Patent Attorneys. Africa has nearly 700 languages and this fact presents great difficulties to missionary effort. Democratic Committee Issues a Call. 'WASHINGTON, Dec. 20.—Chairman Jones, of the national democratic com mittee, has issued a call for a meeting here on February 22 to fix the time and place of holding the next national democratic convention. THE LIVINOSTONE MEMORIALS. fy In add'tlon to that portion of the famous Uvtngstone tree, near Chitambo. in Cen tral Africa, bearing a brief Inscription re cording the great traveler's death, which has been transmitted to London, the Royal .geographical society has, amone Its .numerous relics, some much, prized leaves from the fast decaying Mrunk, which were sent home some time afep by Mr. Powlett Weatherley. the well-knftwn traveler. The place where Livingstone breathed his last has. In view of the rot-\ tenness of the tree In question, been care fully marked, pending the erection of a permanent memorial at Ulala, which Is In contemplation. It Is an Interesting fact that the grave of Mrs. Livingstone, at Shapunga, on the Zambesi. Is kept in or. der, and periodically visited by a repre sentative of the African Ukw eorpora tUon.—London Telegraph. a THE NEWS IN IOWA O'KEEFE GET8 FIFTEEN TEARS. He Is the Burglar Who Declared He Would Not Rob a Widow. DES MOINKS, Dec. 23.—James O'Keefe, the burglar who declared he would uot rob a widow, was sentenced to fif teen years in the penitentiary at Fort Madison at hard labor by Judge Bish op. Three weeks ago O'Keefe entered the residence of Mrs. Ramsay at about 10 o'clock at night. He made a noise and Mrs. Ramsay, thinking he was a roomer, called to him. At this O'Keefe walked to the bed, struck a match and, thrusting a revolver into her face, told Mrs. Ramsay to keep still or he would kill her. He then asked her where she kept her money. She told him she had none, that she was a widow and very poor. O'Keefe then said he would not rob a widow and left the house. He was arrested the next day, was iden tified, by Mrs. Ramsay and after being indicted entered a plea of guilty as charged. I.INDQUIST GETS OFFICE. Close of an Interesting Contest In Web ster County. FOBT DODGE, Dec. 22.—The exciting election contest between J. A. Lind qnist, republican, and E. H. Cox, dem ocrat, for the office of county treas urer, has been settled, l.indquist and Cox had tied for the office and Lind quist was later declared elected upon a narrow margin. The election was contested and the board which had been at work on the case gave the election to Lindquist by 31 votes. Large Claims Recovered. DUBUQUE, Dec. 23.—In the federal court the case of D. D. Langan of Clin ton, against the Aetna, Palatine, Ger man Alliance and Spring Garden In surance companies for $30,000 was decided in favor of the plaintiff by Judge Shiras. The suit was brought to recover fire insurance. The com panies refused to accept the award of the arbitrators agreed upon by both parties. Judge Shiras' ruling is for the full amount and 6 per cent interest. The suit is well known in insurance circles. A Glnss Factory for Des Moines. DES MOINES, Dec. 21.—Chas. Bryant and Levi Pierce, of Anderson, Ind., appeared.before the directors of the Commercial Exchange with a proposi tion to locate a window glass factory in Des Moines, or rather to hear any proposition which the Commercial Ex change might make to them for the location of such a plant in Des Moines. The proposition has bt en taken under consideration. Prepare for Smallpox. DBS MOINES, Dec. 22.—City Physician Fred Wells has filed with the city council a request that it make im mediate preparation for the appearance of smallpox. He warns the council men that it is already in the vicinity and that it may appear any day, and urgently requests that they make an appropriation with which to prepare some isolated buildings for the care of the patients. Explosion at Sioux City. Sioux CITY, Dec. 21.—By the explo sion of a generator used in charging soda fountains at Chester & Lane's bottling works the side of the office was torn out. Cilo Cliesterman was painfully cut about the head with fly bits of debris and F. W. Lane was badly burned with acid. The damage to the plant will not dslay operations, nor were the sufferers dangerously wounded. Murder In First Degree. MUSCATINE, Dec. 24.—The trial of George Wright for the murder of Nellie Crippen, last July, has occupied the court for the past nine days. The jury, after being out six hours, returned a verdict of murder in the first degree. The sentence is imprisonment for life at hard labor. Wright's counsel made a motion for a new trial. Used a Quart of Rum a Day. AI.GONA, Dec. 22.—Dr. Felling, of Whittemore, died on the train while being taken to the asylum at Inde pendence. He had become so strongly addicted to the use of liquor tiat he is 6aid to have used an average of a quart of rum a day. He was the largest man in the county and of powerful build. Acquitted of Charge of Murder. BURLINGTON, Dec. 24.—The jury in the case of Mrs. Lizzie Durth, who has been on trial charged with the murder of Mrs. Leonard Frietche seven years ago, after having been in continuous session for twenty-three hours, brought in a verdict of not guilty. The verdict gives general satisfaction. Pleaded Guilty of Theft. BOONE, Dec. 21.—John Quinn, who stole an express package from a North western baggage car and was arrested for the crime, pleaded guilty and was placed in the county jail to await the January term of court. The amount stolen was $38, which was found in the toe of his shoe. Serious Fire at Marshalltown. MARSHAU.TOWN, Dec. 21.—A fire at midnight destroyed the stock of dry goods of the R. C. Peterson company, damaged the Haradon block 91,000, and other tenants were damaged $1,000 more. Peterson's loss amounts to fully $21,000, with an insurance of 112,000. He Was Tired of llfe. CXDAB RAPIDS, Dec. 22.— Fraak Dvorak, a laborer drank a quantity of carbolic acid and died from the effects. It seems that Dvorak was a cripple. He became discouraged and without any warning took the fatal dose. He leaves a wife to survive him. Dvorak was about 35 of age. Mrs. Dickens Accused of Murder. DUBUQUE, Dec. 25.—Mrs. Mary Dick ens was arrested on. the charge of mur der. It is alleged she performed an abortion on a married woman named Wtltz. She was committed to jail to await preliminary examination. Sen sational results are expected. Miner Killed at What Cheer. WHAT CBEEB, Dec 24.—RobertGray, a workman in the Klondike mine, was in the act of erecting a prop under a bad ro6f. when the slate suddenly fell, killing him instantly. He was about 69 years of age, and was married. 'iA?- S S *... v' **as. v- .- THE T-EON RTCPOKTfiTR. THURSDAY. DTCO/EJKTBEK 28. 1809. GOVERNOR SUED. VUl" Woodbury County Authorities Bring Bait Over Sand mil Lake Bed. DES MOINES, ,Deo. 22.—Leslie M. Shaw, as governor of Iowa, has been sued by Wilson L. Ogden of Woodbury county in the district court. The suit is brought to have the court issue an order of mandamus to compel Governor) Shaw to report the selection of the' land known as Sand Hill Lake bed in Woodbury county to the commissioner of the general land office at Washing ton as swamp and overflowed land to take such steps as to him may seem expedient to secure to the state of Iowa the title to the said land from thevUnited States and to properly ex ecute and deliver to Woodbury county a state swamp land patent therefor. On December 5 Gov. Shaw declined to issue the paten*, for the land asked for by Woodbury county, also declining to make the request to the authorities at Washington. The land in question was part of the Missouri river, but the course of the river having changed, the swamp has become habitable. MAN KILLED AT TAMA. Natal Acclilont to Switchman in North western Yards. TAMA, Dec. 22.—George Banker, a switchman working with engine 93 in the east yards at Tama, was killed. No exact report as to how the unfortunate man was killed has been offered. After giving the signal to back up that was the last seen of him until the body was found most horribly muti lated. The head was entirely severed from the body, both arms and legs were severed, also the wheels passed over his chest. It is not known whether he slipped under the wheels or was caught in a frog, as he was dead when found. He is 40 years of age and leaves a wife who now lives in Omaha. Woman Assaulted and Robbed. MASON CITY, Dec. 25.—Miss Anna Banman, secretary and treasurer of the Standard Oil Co., was assaulted by a foot-pad and strenuous effort made to rob her of $200. She had a desperate encounter with the robber, lasting twenty minutes, and he was finally frightened away. The nervous shock rendered Miss Bauman uncon scious for some time af er it was all over. Bill to Protect Mall Trains. MA BON CITT, Dec. 21.—Frank Fa? was found guilty in the Floyd county court of attempting to wreck the Bur lington, Cedar Rapids & Northern "cannon ball" passenger train on the night of October 30. Brockett, his companion in crime, confessed and turned state's evidence against Fay. It is thought that judge Clyde will give both Fay and Broclcett life sentences. An Iowa Bank Case Decided. WASHINGTON, Dec 25.—In the case of Fred Bordes, of the First National Bank of Hawarden, Iowa, the supreme court decided that a writ of certiorari could not be granted in the case other wise subject to such writ until the case had been finally passed upon by the court below. The appeal in the case was therefore dismissed. For Whipping a Child. KEOKUK, Dec. 25.—Frank C. Heller, aged 13, by his next best friend, has begun suit for $1,000 damages against Nellie Knox, teacher in the Summittville school, charging that she injured him while administering punishment in the school, the result being that medical services were nec essary and great pain inflicted. Would Be Train Wreckers Sentenced. CHARLES CITY, Dec. 25.—Frank Fay, the Burlington train wrecker, was sentenced to twenty years in the peni tentiary. Jape Brockett pleaded guilty and was sentenced to eighteen years for the same offense. They were taken at once to Anamosa. Fire at Reliibeck* REINBECK, Dec. 25.—The J. Porter general store was badly burned. The fire originated in the show window. The stock is almost an entire loss. The stock was valued at $12,000, with a $4,000 insurance. The building is bad ly damaged. BREVITIES. Congressman Lacey of Iowa a few days a'go introduced a bill in the house providing that any person who shall be found guilty of obstructing any train carrying United States mails shall be punishable by a fine of $10,000 or imprisonment for ten years, or both. It is announced that Defaulting Cashier Kendrick, of the Citizens'bank of Sioux Center has returned and sur rendered to the officers. He was at once released under a $2,500 bond, which had been Bigned by a number of Sioux Center citizens. The bank has received a draft for $10,000 from the American Surety Company of New York, in payment in full of the bond of Kendrick. Kendrick's defalcation is not fully known, but it is said to be in the neighborhood of $1,800. At Oskalaosa recently Marion Thomp son was held up just south of the Iowa Central passenger station by a couple of well dressed men. He was ordered to throw up his hands. As he did not comply, the men commenced shooting at him at close range. Thompson was hit twice, once in the right arm and once in the left leg. His wounds are not serious and the balls were removed this morning. The officers pursued the fellows. "Cell," or Monroe Wilson who recently came from Marshalltown, was arrested this morning on informa tion of Thompson. Other arrests of local parties will follow Sioux City dispatch: Two men on a single horse committed a robbery near Smithland, a few miles from Sioux City, which netted them about $370. The victim is Wayne Warner, a farmer who lives a few miles from the town. He had been in that afternoon to sell his crop of corn, and had received the cash. He started home just after dark and after driving a few miles was ac costed by two men, one riding behind the other on a horse. One alighted, and the other drew a revolver, which he shoved at Warner's head. The money was demanded and it was promptly turned over. Both men on the one horse then rode off in the darkness, and so far they have not been caught NEWS IN GENERAL PROGRESS IN CUBA. General Brooke Tells a Wonderful Story of Development. WASHINGTON, Dec. 21.—Gen. Brooke, in turning over the civil government of Cuba to General Wood, issued the following proclamation: By order of the president, I hereby transfer to my successor, Major Gen eral Leonard Wood, United States vol unteers, the duties and responsibilities of the office of military governor, be speaking for him that support and confidence you have come to accord me. To those who have been associated with me in the performance of the dif ficult task of reorganizing and placing in operation the civil government of the island Ilierebv tender this expres sion of my appreciation of and thanks for their loyal and patriotic support and assistance. A year ago I found the country most thoroughly devasta ted, its resources and commerce des troyed, and its rural population gath ered in its towns without shelter and dying from starvation and exposure. The government of the United States immediately supnlied food and work. In a short time this terrible condition passed away, and now the country is rapidly pressing on to a prosperity hitherto unknown in its history. Look about and see how true this is. The various steps which led up to the pres ent conditions are well known to you tmd need not be mentioned here. The change is truly marvelous. Without a semblance of civil govern ment, you have now a complete organ ization. Your municipal and pro vincial governments are all in the hands of your own citizens, the mili tary control being purely advisory and supervisory. Many of your laws have been modified and changed to suit the times in which.you live, as well as in the interestof good government. Vour courts have been organized and are in operation. Peace reigns, law and or der rules, and by your own industry and a careful observance of these con ditions the full restoration of your social affairs and prosperity is assured. Feeling that your future is in your own hands, to make or to mar, and trusting that wise counsels may pre vail among you. I say to you farewell. LORD ROBERT8 SAILS. fipgllsh Commander I*eavet London for Bonth Africa. LONDON, Dec. 25.—Field Marshal Lord Roberts, who is to assume com mand of the British forces in South Africa, left the Waterloo station at noon, amidst scenes of the greatest enthusiasm. Immense throngs gath ered at all approaches to the station and other points of vantage, who cheered repeatedly as "Bobs", accom panied by his wife and two daughters, drove up. Seldom had the terminus witnessed such an inspiring send-off. Every appearance of the lord marshal was a signal for lusty shouts of good wishes. The veteran commander, surrounded by military officers and other friends, held a semi-private re ception in the waiting rooin..^ After personal leave-takings Roberts reach ed the platform where general greet ings and parting words were exchang ed. As the general reached his wife and daughter at the door of the saloon carriage he was surrounded by dis tinguished statesmen and military men. As the general disappeared in the saloon carriage a final lusty cheer started and continued until the train passed out of sight. WELCOME TO WOOD. greeting Extended New Military Gover nor of Cuba. HAVANA, Dec. 1.—General Leonard Wood, the new governor general ar rived yesterday and received the salutes of the major general from Cabanas, and the governor general from Punta, fired with petards by Cubans. Every launch in the harbor, barges and row boats were hired and decorated with bunting. General Wood boarded a launch supplied by the entertainment committee, while a salute of twenty one rockets, each having American or Cuban fiags attached, was fired. Much enthusiasm was manifested on every side. A large crowd received General Wood at Machina wharf, and upon landing there he was greeted with hearty cheers. He was then driven to the Hotel Ingalaterra and later called at the palace and was received by Gen eral Brooke. BATTLE OF TUGELA RIVER."^? Boer Report Says They Have Secured Nine British Guns. PBETOBIA, Dec. 29.—The report of che battle of Tugela river says: "The French attache, Villebois, and German attache, Braun, say the fight could not have been improved upon by the armies of Europe. Generals Botha and Trichart were always at most dangerous points of the fighting. Eleven ambulances removed the Eng lish dead and wounded. Such tremen dous cannonading has seldom been heard. The veldt for miles was cover ed with dead and wounded. It is a crushing British defeat. Nine of the cannons have since been brought across the river. The British asked twenty-four hours' armistice, and it was granted." WANT ROUGH RIDERS. £ngland to Adopt the Roosevelt Novelty la Fighting. LONDON, Dec. 20.—Two important reports, both semi-officially confirmed, have been made public. One was that the government had decided to raise a corps of 40,000 rough riders to send to the Transvaal, and the other that the Duke of Connaught, the queen's second son, was to be sent out as commander of the Eighth corps, the next corps raised. The enlistment of rough riders will be the greatest innovation the British army has seen in ages, and IB due in the first place to the urgency of the situation, and in the second to the fine impression made by Roose velt's regiment in Cuba. -,A ELEVEN CHILDREN DEAD. Burned to Death at Sohool Exhibition at Qulncy. QUINCY, 111., Dec. 24.—While the school children ef St. Francis' parochial school, Seventeenth and Vine streets, were rehearsing for a Christmas enter tainment, one of their dresses caught fire from a gas jet and ten minutes later four of them were burned to KeQih. two died an hour later, and five Others died before" midnight. Haifa dozen others Were burned more or less jeverUy. MOODY IS DEAD Famous Evangelist Passed Away at Bis Home In Massachusetts. EAST NORTH FIELD, Mass., Dec. 24— Dwight L. Moody, the famous evangel ist, died Friday at doon, KANSAS CITY, Dec. 24.—Dwight L. Moody, the evangelist, was stricken with heart trouble in this city Novem ber 16, while holding revival meetings, and was compelled to give up the work, here and the day following started for' his home in care of a physician. Moody probably addressed the largest crowds during his stay here he ever faced. Meetings began Sunday, November 12, thousands filling the hall on the after noon and evening of each day. The strain upon Moody was great. He preached his last sermon on the night of November 15, fully fifteen thousand^ people listening to his earnest appeal that many stamped as one of the evangelists greatest efforts, ne was stricken at the hotel, but laughingly declared he was all right-and would be able to preach that afternoon. He grew worse gradually, however, and it was deemed best to start him home the next day, although his physician stated that his condition waa not necessarily serious. TJ. METHDEN IN A HARD PINCH. British Camp Between the Horns ol the Iloer Entrenchments. LONDON, Dec. 25—If late advices from the Modder River are authentic, Lord Methuen's position is most criti cal. When the battle at Magersfon tein was fought the Boers had a line of trenches six miles long, reaching from the railway in the center of the plain, to the river on the east. Now Methuen's spies have made the discov ery that the Boers have just completed another line of trenches of eqnal length to the west, connecting thtf horns of the river in the form of a crescent. The British camp lies mid way between the horns. It is evident Gen. Cronje is determined that Lord Methuen shall not escape. Besides the elaborate system of entrenchments he has secured reinforcements, until now he has 20,000 men, almost three to one of Lord Methuen's force. The Boers have fired just enough shells into the British camp to keep Lord Methuen guessing while the ditchea were being dug. A few cases of en teric fever are reported among the British, owing to the scarcity ol water and the clever placing of the Boer guns. SILENCE CAUSES ALARM. Absence of Real War News From the Front. LONDON, Dec. 22.—The Daily Mail says: "We understand that news has ar rived from General White to the effect that Ladysinith is well supplied' with food and ammunition and can hold out much longer than has been estimated. The troops are described as in good spirits and anxious to fight." LONDON, Dec. 22.—There is still no definite news regarding the military operations in South Africa. Probably this is because the only cable that is now working is choked with official dispatches. General Buller's casualty list at Colenso just published shows that 14C were killed and 740 wounded. Two hundred and twenty-seven are described as missing, and of these about forty are known to be prisoners in the hands of the Boers. This makes the total larger than General Buller's original estimate. M. DEROULEDE SENTENCED. Found Guilty of Libelling French Senators. PABIS, Dec. 22.—In the senate, Paul Deroulede, president of the League of Patriots, virulently denounced the sen ators and law officers for being "sub servient to the government's orders." Amidst immense uproar M. Deroulede added: "I wish to be condemned. I will say what I think of these scoun drels. This assemblage is infamous and dishonors France and the repub lic." During increasing din, M. Deroulede continued: "I include in' ray denunciations both the senate and the president of the republic." De roulede was sentenced to two years' imprisonment for libelling senators composing the high court of justice. FORTY CHILDREN DROWNED, Ice Collapsed While School Boys and Girls Were Skating. BRUSSELS, Dec. 24.—Upwardsof forty school children were drowned in an accident at Freelingham, near the French frontier. The children of the district had been given a holiday, with permission to play on the frozen' river Lys. When the merriment was at full height the ice broke suddenly and the children disappeared. A few were rescued half dead, -but the majority were drowned. Thirty-six bodies have, been recovered, but others are still missing. Will Make a Stand at Stormberg. LONDON, Dec. 11.—The Daily News has the following dispatch from Cape Town: "The Boers intend to make a big stand at Stormberg and are massing a great force at the abandoned British camp. One commando of 2,000 consists chiefly of rebel Dutch." The Madrid correspondent of the Standard says: "The Boer governments have recent ly intimated to their agents in Europe their readiness to be moderate in re gard to peace conditions. The chief anxiety of the burghers is as to thf question of receiving supplies .by wa„ of Lorenzo Marquez." 1- -T ''iS-U ®oe*» Reinforced. STEBKSTBOOM, Cape Colony Dec." AI —The Boers have been largely rein forced since General Gatacre's reverse Stormberg. The country north of tnat point is in arms, and the farms of the loyalists are being taken by the Boers, who reap the crops. Boer ac counts of successful engagements are orinted for distribution throughout the disaffected districts. An Unrecorded Sortie. LONDON, Dec. 24.—A war office dis patch from Pietermaritzburg gives a list of the casu^pifjgs for Monday, De cember 18. as/ ed and 14 wounded, \0fficer8 and men all non-comir vpmcers ana men The names W The Vments concerned ndicate aqAthre physlclteoorded sorti NOTES FROM THE CAPITAL DES MOINKS, Dec. 25.—Madison coun-' ty's inrane asylum and poor house, ac-'. cording to the report by Judge Kinne,' is very similar to other institutions of the kind which have been visited by the board of control. Judge Kinne finds it about as well calculated for the, care of insane persons as other institu tions operated by counties, which. meanSi in the view of the board, that! it is not calculated at all for such pur poses. The board has been consider ing whether to publish its reports on the private asylums of the state. There are three of these, and they have, been visited. Some of the newspapers where they are located have asked for copies of the report, but the board has not yet indicated whether it will give them out. According to a Washington dispatch, there are twenty-three candidates for the judgeship made vacant by the death of Judge John S. Woolson. Con gressman Hull has three candidates in his district, there are five in .the First district, and so all along the line. The school board of West Des Moines has decided to introduce German into the courses of study in the grades. Judge Bishop, in the district court of Polk county, has handed down a de cision in the case of the state vs. G. T. Sclilenker, the milkman who was tried and found gilty of selling adulterated milk. The verdict is reversed and the defendant discharged from all further liability. The opinion is a lengthy one and deals exhaustively with the case. In the opinion of the court the legislature erred when it went farther in the premises than it had power to. In this case no element of fraud ap pears, and there was nothing incident to- the commodity dealt in which ren dered it injurious to the public health. The opinion holds that the proposition of the state is to protect the people who desire to buy pure milk from hav ing palmed off upon them milk which has been diluted or adulterated. There was no fraud intended on the part of the defendant, and inasmuch as the ingredient used was harmless to those who used the milk, he was not guilty of any criminal act. Judge Prouty, of the district court, has finally disposed of the Highland Park college assessment suit by reduc ing the assessment made against the property from $120.000 to $71,000. The personal assessment against the appa ratus and school equipment was re duced from $18,000 to $0,000. The col lege made the point that it could not properly be taxed, but the judge de cided that it could. An appeal will be taken. The trial of the famous Bonaparte dam case is now on at liloomfield. At torney General Milton Remley is hand ling the case for the commonwealth and Judge J. C. Mitchell, of Ottumwa, represents Meek Brothers, of Bona parte, who own the dam. Mr. Remley is confident he will win the suit, but the other side is equally satisfied that its position is impregnable. Two gen erations ago the Meeks were given by the state a grant of a state dam in the Des Moines river at Bonaparte. The state expressly conveyed all its rights to the dam. The Meeks developed it and used it to provide power for their big woolen mills there. In latter years the dam has been little used for power and has become a nuisance be cause it prevents the passage of fish. The Meeks contend that they are not compelled to put in a fishway because the fishway law was passed many years after they acquired their rights from the state. There has been a strong demand from sportsmen that the dam be removed in order to allow fish to pass to the upper waters of the river. The Meeks' are holding out to compel the state to pay them a high price for the dam. The state maintains it has the power to condemn and remove the dam as a nuisance. The case will be concluded, it is hoped, before the ad journment of the legislature, and if a clear case is made against the state an effort will he made to pass an appro priation to buy the dam. The upper Des Moines and tributaries are entirely cut oft by this dam from drawing, fish, from the Mississippi river, and the re sult is that the Btream has fewer fish than any other in the state, while it is said to be the best adapted river in Iowa for breeding fish. Noah JBroclcway Bacon, of Des Moines, was 100 years of age on the 19th. He is vigorous in both mind and body. It has been discovered that the state board of control is required by the law to make an itemized report of the ex penditures of the institutions, giving the cost of supplies, etc., which will be published by the executive council, together with detailed expenditures of other departments of the state govern ment, immediately after January of each year. The board will proceed to the work early after January. The report thus made will be the bulk of the book required by section 103, which the executive council decided to follow in letter and spirit at a recent meeting. The report of the committee on Sol diers' home was fiied with Adjutant Black of the Iowa department, G. A. R. last week, but will not be made public until the two members of the committee who were unable to visit the home recently with the body of the committee have visited it. The report is said to endorse the manage ment of the home both by the efficient commandant and by the state board of control. PEOPLE WERE SHOCKED. Earth Quaked In All Parts of South era California. SAN JACINTO, Cal., Dec. 26.—A dis astrous earth quake occurred at 4:25 yesterday morning. Nearly every two story building was wrecked and it is estimated that the damage wi]Ll aggregate over $50,000. The main shock was preceded by a loud roaring sound and awakened many just in time to escape from the doomed build ings. The business street was such a wreck that tons of debris had to be re moved before the buildipgs could be entered. At Sabona Indian reserva tion six squaws were killed by falling walls, to fatally injured and many seriously injured. Reports from other daces show that the shock was felt in many places but without such great damage. Gomes AssnreS Wood. HAVANA, Dec. 25.—General Gomez, has assured Gen. Wood that he will .co-operate with him in obtaining a successful administration, and in pre ringOuba for independence, It is.only by giving with tbe*beart any^man can know wfaat it. itobt ricn. '•wKBeflte .flip v-s CONGRESS. 8BKATB, Washington, Dec. 19 —Senator Alien. 1 aewiy appointed senator fronr Nebru appeared and tooi the oatU Of omce7V b* atpr Aldrlch reported the bouse curre bill th a substitute, and after a brtef ecutive session the senate, adjournedT HOUSE. The house by resolution referred thesre* Ident's message to the various comihlnMfc Grow, of Indiana, addressed the hbttte ott: the defense of the policy of retatnlng tha'~ Philippines. There was a brief debate.. SBNATKl ''-3S-L.a_ Washington, Dec. -SO.—In the senate of Maine had read from the clerk's proclamation Issued by General Brqon-lakw* Havana on turn ngover the civil govenfr "ft'£ ment of Cuba to his successor, Ueneraj'r' wood. Hale said tt was a most remarkable^ statement of the progres -made in-,Cuba and that General Brooke when he arr ved ^Si in America, would rece ve cong atulatloh» -?w upon, bis, great worlc. The matter wasireSj&Sf fen ed to the committee on relations 'wIthAV®*/ Cuba. Petit re?*..r character) tically Inclsfv"e" speecoTTitu .. belie' ed an effo was be ng made t». vent the testin ony''ta\e¥tar 'be!ww"4nSjp4« t'patii.g commission from nelnn ent-to. ill#' senate and declared his purpose of not SQh«' mitt ng to the suppression of orma ton:"-..'*.-!! 10 wh ch the people, in his opfnloh, entitled. Hoa: in oducel a resolution. press ne tbe attitude of the go erntaeat:5'?^iSj» towards its new poss—s ons. Fairbanis- liii^iSa tro lured a bill to pens.on Lawton's wldd»Tfts =Ka at (2,000 a year. Rousa ..... ,..v No business was transacted, and adlouriKu ment was taken till January 3. BULLEB ON THE DEFKKSITB. -the He Destroys Footbridge.* to Keep Hoera From Attaeklnge LONDON, Deo. 36.—Four -HDNDNIJI^ British cavalry horses, it is said, have already been shot by the British. an-«~-Al,! thorities in South Africa, owing to I the occurrence of glanders. The dis ease is likely to spread with much greater rapidity among the Britijsh horses than among the hardy Boet, tj: ponies and this may mean a prolong? i|f ation of the campaign. Horse sick- hess in South Africa generally ap-' pears during the latter part of Janu-'J'V!r'~3 ary and lasts three months. The 'if present outbreak is unusually early. The news that the Colenso foot-0 bridge has been destroyed seems to show that General Buller is more anx*' ious to keep the enemy at bay than t« attempt a fux'ther advance. JDSTIFX THEIR POSITION. Kentucky Democrats Issue an Addres*. to tlie Public. FKANKFOBT, Ky., Dec. 23.—The ad dress of the democracy of the states endorsing the contest instituted by Goebel and other candidates of the de feated democratic tickct, and giving the reasons therefor, has been issued It is signed by ex-Senator Blackburn,. chairman of the state campaign com mittee Chairman Young, ot the state central and executive committees and all of the members of those committees. The address gives the grounds uponJ which the contest is made, in brief, as follows: The use of tissue ballots the ordering out of troops at Louisville the employment of deputy United States marshals the issuance of man damuses and injunctions, and charge -that an immense corruption fund was- used in the interest of the republicans, contributed by a railroad of the state. The address also says the state- board of election commissioners have ex pressed the opinion that if clothed with the authority to go behind the returns and determine the inatter is contention, the certificate of election would not have been issued to the pa*v-" ties who received them. -f YOUNG NAMED FOB GOVERNOB. Will Have Charge of North LIMB Provinces. MANILA, Dec. 26.—General Voung has been appointed military governoi of the provinces of northwestern Lu zon, with headquarters at Vigan. Hl(i command includes the Thiriy-third in?, fantry, under Col. Luther B. Hare, and the Third cavalry. He will estate lish permanent stations at San Fer nando and Eaoag, with outpostis wherever needed. The Sixteenth in fantry will proceed to Aparri, garris oning such towns as may be deemed necessary in the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela and Nuevo Viscaya, of which Colonel Hood has been appointed mili tary governor. General Young and Colonel Hood are establishing civil municipal governments and the ports in northern Luzon will be opened for' trade about January 1. CARRIED INTO THE SEA. Hotel, Monastery and Several Villa* at Amalfl. BOMB, Dec, 24.—A terrible .disaster-- r" A dispatch from Chievely, dated Tuesday, December 19, says: "The British naval guns have de-~ stroyed the Colenso footbridge, thus: preventing the Boers holding any po sition south of the Tugela river. The enemy are taking up fresh positions on the eastern side, nearer the British camp. "The British position at Frere is being strengthened. The Tugela river is rapidly rising and there is a pros* pect of heavy rains. "A two hours' bombardment of Lady smith has been heard from here. Ao- '':il cording to reliable native reports, the Boers had 200 killed in the fight at Colenso." i" took place at Amalfl, the popular toar 1st resort on the gulf of Salerno. About 2 o'clock p. m. an enormous rock, ujpon which"stood 'the Cappucclni hbtelf slid '3 bodily into the sea, with a deafening roar and without a moment's warning," carrying with it the hoteli the old Cep uchin monastery below, the Hotel. Santa Calerina and several. yillM. Many people were bnried in .the, debris, which carried four vessels to the bottom of the sea. destroyiiig "'r their crews. The mass of earth which' •lipped was about SO,000 cubic yards. 3% It is believed that the loss of life ia heavy, including, a number of monks., and the occupants of the hotel. As'yefc it is impossible to ascertain' the exact number. Natural Gas Bupply HMtr INDIANAPOLIS, Dec. 24.—The state gas inspector, Mr. Leach, believes-that the gas fields of Indiana, will- -be ex-, hausted for all except local purposes within four years. The 10,000 squarai miles of virgin territory, -be thinks, will give a supply for two years, and.' the old fields will last two yeafs h longer. After the big users cease to""^ Iraw on the belt he says the gas last local consumers many years. BoerLoM Very 8ma 11.' PBKTORIA, Dec. 20.—The offidal' a« sonnt of Boer casualties at,the battl at Tugela river/WHelre th$ Britidi lc wa§ 1 lftpjsaysthat. $hir|y 1v§