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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§