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18 END OF FOX FAMILY AIRS. MARGARETTA FOX SMITH, WELL-KNOWN SPIRITUALIST, IS DEAD ONE OF THE FAMOUS SISTERS WHO FOUNDED GHOSTLY SECT Was a Resident for Years in "Spook House," Newark, N. V.—Place at Which a Great Many Mysterious Rappings Were Heard — History of Founding of Modern Spiritualism. Special Correscondence to The Globe. NEWARK, N. V., Nov. 15.—Mrs. Margaretta Fox Smith, the last of the celebrated Fox sisters, founders of the spiritualistic sect, is dead. Mrs. Smith had been in poor health since the death of her brother, Davis S. Fox, seven months ago. She had just celebrated her eighty-fifth birthday. Spiritualists all over the world cele brated two years ago the fifty-second anniversary of the origin of modern spiritualism. The low n of Hydesville. Arcadia township, Wayne county, N. V., gave spiritualism its birth on the evening of March 31, IS4S. Hydesville is a quaint old place—dull and sleepy, with an indescribable fin ished appearance, conveying the idea that it is absolutely completed and that no more building or other changes can ever take plate. Many of its pictur esque dwellings are overgrown with, vines, and their architecture includes just such a porch as a tired pedestrian or cycler delights to rest under on a hot summer day. It was one of these old frame houses, still pointed out to visitors, that in 1847 occurred the first manifestations of modern spiritualism familiar to the present believers in that faith. Though the Fox sisters.Margaretta and Cather ine, through whom the first revelations ef supposed spirit power were made, have recently denounced themselves and have stated the so-called "spirit rappings" which created such an im mense sensation so many years ago were produced by a voluntary crack , ing of their toe joints, the faith of be lievers in spiritualism is in no wise shaken. The latter say that despite the toe joints the great truths and principles of modern spiritualism stand as firmly and shine as brightly as ever. They say that these date back far beyond the time of the Fox girls. Even in that low, rambling two-story house in which these lively young women first cracked their toe joints it is said that genu ine spiritual phenomena were observ ed before the Fox girls ever inhabited it. In 1547 the house was occupied by Michael Weekman, a poor, ignorant la borer, with no thought beyond his daily toil for his daily bread. He and his family were soon troubled by myster ious raps heard in all parts of their dwelling, especially at night, an annoy ance that increased to such an extent that sleep became impossible. During all this time the Fox sisters, then mere children, aged eleven and nine years, lived with their parents several miles away, so that they could not possibly have had a hand—or a toe joint—in the mysterious rappings of Mr. Weekman's house. It was this constantly increas ing annoyance of loud raps which, though diligently investigated, coutd net be traced to any human agency, and soon caused Mr. Weekman to abandon his residence. Heard Mysterious Rappings. Then it was on March 1, 1848, John D. Fox and his family became its occu pants. The mysterious raps still con tinued. The neighbors were called in on occasions and every possible effort made to trace their origin, but in vain. It was on the night of March 31 that the mysterious rap first gave evidence of being directed by some controlling intelligence. The family had retired during a brief lull in the mysterious rapping, when suddenly LL began again, occuring this time near the bed oc cupied by the two daughters, Margar etta and Catherine, the latter known best to spiritualists as Kate. It is al leged that Kate had discovered that by rattling a window sash the mysterious rapping would respond. On this occa sion the child shouted: "Now go it, old Splitfoot!" Then she snapped her fingers six times, receiving six raps in reply. Her mother, who had by this time deter , mined there was some form of intel ligence in the sounds, called out: "How old is Margaretta?" "Twelve," i-avne the raps. "How old is Kate?" "Nine," was the response. "How many children have I?" "Six." This was the first seeming error, as Mrs. Fox had but five children. Then she asked: "How many children have I living?" "Five." "How many dead?" "One." This was correct. "Will you respond if I call in a neighbor?" There was one rap, signifying an affirmative, and a neighbor woman was brought in, and to her astonishment the spirit told her accurately how many children she had —living and dead. Of course the strange "goings-on" at *he Fox homestead aroused all the country and for a month the house was sur rounded with visitors, and slowly the information was learned that the rap pings came from the perturbed spirit of a man who had been murdered and robbed in the old house and buried twelve feet in the cellar. Some of his bones, it was alleged, were unearthed a few months later. Soon afterward the Fox family re moved to Rochester and the same spir itual manifestations continued in their new home, but only when Catherine or Margaretta were present. By using the letters of the alphabet in the manner already indicated the Fox sisters said they had found a great number of de parted spirits who desired to talk with them and to see them as a medium of communication with their departed friends. At l3ngth the alleged spirits com municated with the Fox girls their de sire that there, should be a public meet ing, at which a committee of investi gation, chosen by the audience, should determine whether they were genuine spirits, and produced their so-called manifestations without human aid. Such a meeting accordingly was held In Corinthian hall, Rochester, in No vember, 1849. The Fox sisters appen red on the stage and the spiritual phenom ena, being freely manifested, were in vestigated by a committee of prominent men, who, after continuing their re searches for several days, reported their inability to trace them to any human agency. The fame of the Fox sisters was now national and when they appeared in New York in the following May, an nouncing themselves as "spiritual med iums," a phrase which originated with them, they created an intense furore. These two young girls had thus found ed a new faith, to which they gave the name of spiritualism. Multitude of Believers. Humble as was its origin and in significant as was the character of its first manifestations, it soon found a multitude of believers in both hemis pheres. Spiritual mediums' soon sprang up all over the country and were soon multiplied by hundreds and even by thousands. No better evidence of the power of the new faith over the minds of men and of its perpetuity «©uld possibly be desired than the fact that even its denouncement ,as the 1 shallowest, *. flimsiest .t humbuggery. by [ those who • founded it : and' their state- : i ment that it is .an out and out ■ fraud originated: by .two .little. girls ■ solely in \ . a spirit of mischief, have been power- , ; less to "overthrow or even to shake it. But believers in Spiritualism now go j '■ far back beyond the Fox sisters for the j : origin of -their faith. So long ago as X the seventeenth andg eighteenth cen- ! j turies there - were :: many * persons who ■ I professed to be : under the direct quid- \ ance of the Divine Spirit, and who may. ) I in that i sense, r have been called Spirit-, j I ualists. . Those .same individuals r. also I i -r claimed to be in full open communi- j [ cation with* the spiritual world and to j j hold daily | conversations '•■ of the most ; familiar character with spirits and with j j j angels. Prominent among such mysti- - I cal thinkers .were Jacob Bohme, or | ! Boheraan, Spencer, J. Godfrey Arnold, I • John William. Peterson, John Albert;! j Bengel, Heinrich Jung Stilling, Mme. | j Guyon, Oetinger and Swedenborg. The ; | last named, when 'on ■ his^eathbed iin ■ i 1772, predicted that time there would be a general revelation from the spirit j world which would bring his teachings I into general notice and confirm their , truth, a prediction . which, it is as . serted.was fulfilled in; 1848, just seven- ; ; ;ty-six years after the death of.Sweden- I .borg, by the maifestations -of .. spirit power which were made- here in Hydes-' j ville, arid which soon attracted gen- i eral attention throughout the world. I Subject of Prophecy. ./ i" Besides the prediction of Sweden- j borg the birth of modern Spiritualism \ was prophesied twice. In .1843 some "t members of the Shaker communities in i \ New Lebanon and Watervliet, N. V., •' ' seemed to be under ; some ..strange] -psychological influence, which threw ; them into a trance. While in that con- i | dition they delivered: long discourses in , , the names of eminent men of bygone : ! ages, by whose spirits they said they . were possessed. After, these manifes tations had continued for nearly a year j the spirits.bade the brethren a solemn- i ] adieu, telling of what had passed, but ' ' .to; treasure it in their .hearts, . and i promising that in a ' few years they would return and' show to the whole '■ \ world the same manifestations which . i they had revealed ;to a chosen few of J the pious members of the Shaker com- i munities. : .:--£V-iV O ".'-■■ ':y<-(^ ■ .In 1843, too, one Andrew Jackson : Davis, a poor, ignorant country lad, in : : the employ of a farmer of Orange county, N. T., was mesmerized into a : trance by one William Livingstone, and I ever afterward seemed to have the ; power of passing into such a condition | at will. Though he was so illiterate he could scarcely read or write, yet in . the fall of 1846, lU'hile in the trance ' i state, he dictated, under the title of ] '•The Principles of Nature, Her Divine i j Revelations and a Voice to Mankind," a.l learned treatise on ontological, cosmi- j cal, theological, spiritual and social ! subjects. ; -V. . -/: ''.' ~:'.' j : ".;. Another Century of Mystery. . ; In this work he predicted that "com munication with the spiritual world would ere long assume the form of a i living demonstration,"- a ' prophecy i which the Spiritualists believe to have been fulfilled, as was that of Sweden- j borg and that of the spirits to the * : Shakers, by the manifestations at this : village in 1847-48. •. : The little village of Moravia in cen tral New York was also about fifteen . years ago one of the greatest centers , of Spiritualistic activity in the United States—indeed in the world-. It was a modern Endor. * At the bidding of its potent medium, the famous Mary An drews, mourners anxious to commune with loved ones lost wended their way by hundreds and thousands, .to the shores of Lake I Qwasco i and - found, or : thought .hey found, all that they sought. Widows • of statesmen ■ and judges went- 1; —statesmen and ; judges - :' went — learned profes ; sors, merchant"-" princes — a curi i ous medley ■ of men - and wom en of all ranks and. occupations.. I One of the roost noted .of the visitors ! was the relict of the martyred Abraham I Lincoln.- Report has it that searchers for unrevealed truths were allured even ; from foreign lands, eager to have a talk I with the ghost. j .In process of time Mary Andrews | grew weary of communion with the ; dead—she had made money. Whether ; the quiddities with whom she held I mysterious converse were solidities or i vanities lighter than air, they certainly , enabled Mary to attract to herself a : perfect stream of gold. i i A mourner came from Rochester who | had recently become a widow. • So com i forting were the communications, re- '. | ceived by her from" the' invisible wr^rld; | that she determined if possible to live i all the days of her remaining life where she could at any moment converse with I "ascending gods." ' Probably as the re j suit of advice, which came unmistak t ably from her late -revered husband, | she made a- business proposal to the great medium. ..She would purchase for I $11,000 the building, put up .on ; the shore of beautiful Owasco specially for the accommodation of mourners, and enter into possession of the business. But there was one thing that she could not buy. Mary Andrews had that which was- inalienable. It was ; a part of her : own. mysterious personality. She would act as medium if the widow would pay ! her a- stipulated salary and the bar gain was struck. Two Suitors Arrive. Just then two gentlemen arrived on the scene. They had: no broken hearts for spirits to mend, but came to make I money out of Spiritualism.. Both, the ! legend of the lake has it, fell in love j ' with the new proprietress of the shrine ! I of spirits. Each, was, however,: ignor-. I MISS MABEL C. AHLSTROM, Of Grantsburg, Wis., the Youngest County School Superintendent in the United States. Miss Ahlstrom, running independently, was elected county superintend ent of Burnett county by a majority of 904 votes. Miss Ahlstrom is only twenty-one years of age, and is, no doubt, the youngest county superin tendent of schools in the United States. Her home is in Grantsburg, and she is a graduate of the Minneapolis Central high school THE ST. PAUL GLORJEL SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1902. ant of the other's condition. One day, ! when rowing upon the lake, mutual confidence led No. 1 to confess his am- , orous plight to his friend. No. 2 then ; rejoined, "Why, so am I." Forthwith No. 1 discharged not his pistol—as might have been expected—but himself into the waters of amazed Owasco. Thereupon No. 2, throwing away his great opportunity, seized the sinking j body of his rival and uplifted the drip- | ping lover into the boat. Wisdom sue- i ceeded the plunge and it was agreed by L the two that the lady herself should be ; requested to decide between them, j Luckily, she was not averse to a second . marriage. The new husband became later man- ! ager of the spiritual business. His wife i had a carpet which on no account must be cut. Its pattern could not be sac- j rificed. Alas! every room in the shrine- : house was too small. "I can manage that," said the new husband, "I can ■ make the seanceroom larger." "How?" , asked the wife in amazement. "Why, ; don't you know that there is a false ' wall on all sides of that room about a j foot or so distant from the real wall?" j No communication from the spirit j world had ever revealed to the soul of ! the late mourner information half so marvelous. Up to this time her con- j fidence in the truth of Spiritualism had ; been complete. But when the inner tier j of board was removed —anyone may see ; the lines of nail marks on the existing floor—and when the blind passage was opened to the light of day, faith in darkness left the soul of that woman j forever. She at once refused to go on ■ with a business which she thus discov- I ered to be an imposture. She dismiss- i ed the medium and her train of spirits at once. Henceforth the shores of Ov.'asco were no more the resort of the mourner. The business of the railway j fell, hotels were no longer thronged j and the village of Moravia settled down ; into that humdrum condition of semi- i desolation which had been its predes- | tined phase of existence. . j Mrs. Andrews ceased to be a medium and pursued the ordinary vocation and I amusements of the mother of a house- ! hold. Spiritual meetings were held by enthusiastic devotees in the village, but the famous interlocutor of the dead j took no part in them. And now she made revelations more ; astounding than even that which cured the widow. The great med-ium within j the last few weeks has herself gone in I person to the world of spirits. Before ; withdrawing from the scene she made ; acknowledgment on her deathbed that i she knew there was no truth in Spirit- | ualism —affirming in evidence that she j had never allowed any of her daugh- : ters to be present at a seance; that I she had never brought them up to be- ; lieve in it, but had sent them to a con- i vent to be properly educated in the .j religious faith to which she herself be- j longed. She asked the Roman Catholic i priest of the village-to hear her for mal confession, to administer the last rites to her and to receive her back ; into the church from which she had j wandered. About to dismount from his ■ sleigh to do as the poor woman had re- j quested him, he was refused access to '■ her by her immediate relatives. Her ; confession, however, was previously j made to reliable persons. Such is the ; end, such is the confession of one of the j most successful practitioners in Spirit ualism that America and probably the ( world has ever seen. WOULD RESTRAIN RAILROAD COMPANY Great Legal Battle Between the Gould- Wabash Interests and Pennsyl vania Corporations. PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 15.—0n Thurs day next, in the United States court sit ting at Pittsburg, the Western Union Telegraph' company will file a suit praying for an injunction restraining the Penn sylvania Railroad company from remov ing- any poles, wires or fixtures of the plaintiff corporation from the land own ed by the defendant company east of Pittsburg and Erie. This move will mark the beginning of a great legal battle between the Coulcl- Wabash interests and the Pennsylvania- Cassatt corporations. The step preliminary to .the contest was taken Thursday," when Supt. J. P. Alt burger and General Solicitor Esterbrook, representing the Western Union, tender- ■ ed the Pennsylvania Railroad company a j bond, the exact character of which was not disclosed. This bond was refused by" George V. Massey on behalf of the rail road, and the proposed application for an injunction was decided upon. The claim of the Western Union is based upon the proposition that its poles and wires rightfully ocqupy space along the tracks of the Pennsylvania because of the general grants under what is known as the post road rights. This sets up the contention that the right of way along the railroad cannot be legally re stricted for the reason that the govern ment uses the railroad for transmission of the mails, and that, therefore, the rail roads are public servants in the broadest possible sense. The Western Union maintains that post road rights are equal in importance to the eminent domain rights of the railroad company. jiff Thanksgiving Day Specials 1 vj^rr '§£ ■* •* BEFORE asking your friends to dinner discard that old furniture ;• and get something New and •Uo to- 'i TOT •■ ' — Date* We offer .you inducements to make the change NOW. Never before have we shown such an ex- $ 1 ftrMT c;- V^SS^^^ tensive and attractive line of Dining Room Furniture. We think we can safely say there is not a larger stock <? 111 jV ,""^tT..;-./''- in ; ; the Northwest. . ' ,• '" "_ ' r ' v - - ... </ . 'i^^w^v-. llfe's^H iil "* Dinneron aY " 8 TU|<? fiAMJC QPAT PUAID "/', ' > ft Sideboard.....:... , $85 OO M"'V £ 111 , T ' « InISUAWt-SCAI nicely fin- rZ^Z? X Buffet Extension TabIV.V.V.V! $22*00 §§§ p2i^^Kfe»y VICiMfl I? T » No. 178—Goldsn oak. nicely fin- X Buffet $22"oO §11 tff UI- if Hll'l' « ishedl braced back, square '■ |llj| <S Five Chairs $62.50 . . I] '-■- ■•;■ '■■"■-■"■ -";. -■-JS" spindles.- ' Thanksgiving spe- liHIL . v One • Arm Chair ............ $1850 "■:'■ -:\ I | j J STEEL RANGE .5< cial , <£ .a AC 'Jj . J S> D . X ": -— J&zzsk ft<zr-^<>-Jzh^k. -_ , ■;: , , « price.... •, "Mi BB^ gg ; i/fO"' 1" / <> Regular price .......... $233.00 ft* .if [J^.^^^^^ *^-~ T*~-g^~i,. To insure the satisfactory <( .■•-.. ■■■-,■- ...... ;. -.|ML- I a <s t-u i , , .-.....**-»-» .v«j i i I ipgtlpZfP roasting of the turkey, or; fi No. 22 '-• Cane-s sat Chair- .8 ■ Thanksgiving special S2IQ 0(1 s=^=4' j'i™| f^JaSg • ' the •--•■•■ perfect ' baking of :«>. Golden oak, braced back, brace ■ ; «■ 1.-'' >? P ■'•••' WtIUiUU Q 1 tJ -■I^Sl JB|ii ; the bread, ; there :is none « arm, good style, QE. « « »■ ' Lessß uffet, only $200.00 v -■■■' ii— iG^^^> ;;-'. - ■■ --■ , l-... ■ ■ *.- r"5) only. "...../...... r j^^li • )( : • " f^u L^T^^l : to equal the btewart U / • - <s TITM PrB k -3 W^^TW j ' Steel Range. : They will" « |sjo. 1940 — A Magnificent Chair-The strong- » - 1 fc«Tll!,Vil!, Ofti. -;. [|| ?'j^^^^?: '' last, a life time. Every" >; . est chair ccntstruction made, golden' fi^<4| OSS S) Selected, weathered oak set; not so large, but of ASi iL.^El'^" ?k one fully warranted. " « oak, cane sea!, only I IVY <> the sensible "Mission" design, very neat in'appear- THIT '"v<lN - ' flß&^^^fas*W "■ ' IS^SSSS?;-.^ $2.70 «^No-390-5ideb0ard.......... ...;.... $4500 'THIS ' ' glVIIlgSPPriCe'- •••••■•••• •'•?"■■ W' j • N0.'337-China Cabinet.;./ $2?50 iffl^ fW » ?i No> 1191~Arm Chair (leather seat) $7.50 *■ Wo 206. ■•".." J. - ?fi\" ** -.^ -'";' 'jyitt' '•»';« '--'•";■ ."" .. ■ -.'•. '."■ ; ; : r/'" ' « Regular price ...".'. ...........V.7..-.. $119.50 '" -: "^ !^ OS v'';.^^^^^®Slf'"' " i 'r' V' ;;''" '"' ': v" '■■'■' ■"'■' ' - jLgjj^ W-.-Ij.Jl- j,u:'- »- ■ Thanksgiving Special .'..-:. """"*" *" $|ft fi : fill - 'et'S^^o^^^^^B I GABiNETS ri^^i) vi 7~ ■ ' _^. ~zr :^^ ;;; simiiar - |S^B';; i.:. . u/:f§ ra||'; | Extension Tables v - vr-*«*?_a ; SPCii ,Q •■ ;? ; ft -bottomTS™u?*s-WeU *jfA WS,A j[ « /^ 0/ Dis- ■ ■ SPECIAL LOT to : close—Odd Tables that' can- » 'worth $55.00. Spscial r'«|Ki^S& I « IU/Ocount not.be duplicated. . / « Thanksgiving Price ; ; m -'Kfflgffi ,i « ■ *^ : No. 2a^ Square 6. ft. ;: $5.50 V ..$4.75 if- C£t % EPS '^ll^^ j i^^ > n^ftnurnif nPPI nf lirilT No. 3 .33-Square, 6ft $9.00 ...... $7.00 .« 94*3aUU f<uXi^fl"' fiRfIfiKFRY RFPARTMFNT No 4^ Square, 6 ft. $8.50................ $6.00 % . -«n——^« < UllUlmi-ll I US.I HlB I lffli.li I No. 'c " Square 8 ft. $10.00 ........... $7.25 « ~~ ~^— ~ ~ ——; — — S >- • , , w'-V : No. <<% Square 10 ft. $12.50 ............. $8.00 « ' '?-:^ ' "'.. J We call special attention to our Old English Fowl or No. &13 Square 10 ft. $12.50........... $10.00 m n PARLOR • -I fl HHRA { Turkey Set—Best Cauldon China, very large 18-inch No.-245 Round 6 ft. $10 00 ....... ... $7.75 >< LI LIBRARY I A iUI M \ l\ platter and 8-inch plates, blue decoration under glaze, "* NoAS2S Round, 6 ft. $12.50.... 7.......:.. $9.50 0 :>^^©V and: - READING -; LHll§B .W: ft turkey desi^n- Very ?? T°&.% for stateoccasions. :S°-??i2O^^ ::-S"----S" j : i^^N A large and Hall and Den LampsJ I J^ 11"0^0 SALE PRICE« $9*50 jNajj^Hi Round,-,8 ft $20.00.........;.....515.00 .» [fc:.'--iJ®f I A large and exquisite assortment. 8 ; °"ly luril*J'-V No. 445 Round, 6 ft. $28.5.0..........;... $23.00 « V&^jMa 1 '. . . <?: Many Fish and Game Sets in attractive decorations. -jK--i^.'^- ' ■^'--i\f» I7IO— X V^ .-/.-.Special Thanksgiving Bargains X : Fruit; Ice Cream and Chocolate Sets at prices to iP=F=SS^=ii^^l ' 7 W N-cg-^r On our Dis- QC nQr nQn f n ff g entice buyers. §fff^ MHE-PUEGE SET. jK —^ -, 25 per cent off | sp£CIAL FOR THANKSGIVING ;^^^^^^^^^: This is,. a.plain, sub- .O',(gS^^^. CHAFING DISHES. 8 ICO-piece S.; P. Decorated Dinner. Set; QD /in TV T~^~^ stantially; constructed. g- fl/^WaWf HAll^^ WsMa^. ?S re gularvalueslo.oo CDiS-U : B^~=j{=^^3f,;" W3Sth3red oak ;. Set; § X^^D Sutterley;s best nickel dishes,, with . 8 . 10 0- piece S. P. Decorated Dinner Set; CQ Aft : I p^3lFn =]jfr=F^nl finely finished-and en- .O:-:i^2?. powerful improved lamp-and receipt 0 regular Vl --, e $13.00........ flOi *HJ 'iMitotffl tireiy devoid of freak- <^^^ book with each " ' 8 100 -piece S. P. Decorated Dinner Set, *in M 7}, :t - ;; . ==;==^JJ ishness. - ' S? PriCeS $3.75 tO $6.75. g .antique shapes; $14..... OIUiUU : . _ S*. Paul's Leading Housefurnishers. SIXTH AND MINNESOTA STS. WORLD'S FAIR TOWER STEEL STRUCTURE OVER 1,000 FEET IN. HEIGHT IS PLANNED '':. y ' . ■ V/ilt'pe CjrcullG«in Form With Aerial Railway on Outside -^.Observatory ofTstop Will HoldJ,ooo Sightseers— Interior to Contain Woman's Temple and Other Features, 4t< gig-antic circurar steel tower 1,050 feet irifheight, l,SO";feet in diameter and 585 feet in circumference, will be a leading attraction at Forest Park, St. Louis, during the world's fair of 1904. The enterprise is in the hands of the ....-:■• •■™« x - ■ ■■■■- V.l'^ .". !j i i - -i ' i \ -.-■ ■ ■ % * *s*- : .■.-.-. -. . :■- <" . | ■ ■ '-'.-. :-/•- ;..;.> ':•:■:-:':-y.'-y..-..-' -'■ ■•■■■-:><;: ■;-■"■■.•■■.-.■.:::... ..v.-:-.-:-.-:-.■'•:■" ■. I . ■:' .. ■ .■..X\-, 1 .. ■ .-::-■ .. .i ■ .-.-. v ■ ■■■ s Crystal Palace Tower company and will in itself be an exhibition of scien tific and mechanical skill. The central feature of the Crystal Palace tower is a mammoth cylindrical column of the dimensions given above and constructed entirely of steel plates riveted together. At a height of 925 feet above the ground the tower will be crowned by an observatory, having a capacity of 7,000 people and furnish ed with-lelescopes and field glasses for viewing - the surrounding country. From tbds great height thousands of square miles of landscape can be sur veyed; Mn'which will be included hun dreds j^fiJßUburban towns and villages and about 150 miles of the sweep of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. The J^ervatory will be surmounted by a dome in which will be located a thoroughly equipped wireless telegraph station. Here instructors will impart to visitors information regarding the latest .^volution in the science of tele graphijc communication and operators will give exhibitions of the methods of transmitting messages. Special Railway Transit. The "observatory and wireless tele graph %tla*ion will be reached by ele vators onirthe interior of the tower and on thel exterior- by an endless palace car, which will make the ascent on a spiral .{rack encircling the tower at a 10 per c'e'rit grade. The car will have a seating capacity of 800. It will be op erated by twenty-five compressed air motors, to each of which will be at tached air compressors operated dur ing the ascent and descent by the wheels of the car, thus storing up suf ficient power for each trip. The system of elevator cages within the tower, two on each set of cables, one being up -when the other is down, will provide in conjunction with ,^e endless palace car a total carrying ca pacity of 70,000 visitors a day. The interior and exterior of the tower will be gorgeously- decorated with varicolored electric lights. A-wov- en wire curtain suspended from and entirely covering the walls of the in terior will be thickly studded with cut glass crystals, from which the rays from hundreds of arc lights will be re flected in all the colors of the rainbow, producing a light scene of marvelous beauty and brilliancy. The base of the tower will be sur rounded by a lagoon, the bottom of which^will be lined with salt blocks from the Rocky mountain beds. The water will be agitated by means of a mechanical wave producer, and its ex hilarating effects may be enjoyed by visitors. Fountain to Cool the Air. Immediately outside the lagoon will be a promenade street car and auto mobile landing or depot, from which the multitudes coming and going will enter the tower or the aerial palace car. The lagoon will be skirted by ever spouting fountains, through which a draught of air will pass into the tower at its base and be drawn upward by the forces of nature, cooling the in terior of the column and the abserva tory, though the atmosphere be dry and depressing elsewhere. Within the base of the tower several floors will afford space for panoramic exhibitions, reception rooms, cafes and restaurants, where guides and attend ants speaking various languages will direct visitors and impart information. At the close of the world's fair the Crystal Palace Tower company will construct within the lower part of the tower- as many additional floors as may be necessary to properly display such exhibits as can be secured for a permanent exposition. One floor will be added for an international audi torium and conservatory of music, arid one for a woman's temple, where meet ings and conventions may be assem bled. The cost of building and equipping the crystal palace tower is placed at $2,000,000, and the fund is being raised by popular subscription. OLD MUSKET PROVES - CLAIM TO A VILLAGE Tonawanda (N. V.) Man Is One of Sev eral Who Believe That a Town Belongs to Them. TONAWANDA, N. T., Nov. 15.—Eu gene Lockard, of Seymour street, is one of a score of heirs to whom a legacy of millions of dollars has fallen. Just how many millions the property is valued at is indefinite, as attorneys are now engaged in straightening out the es tate left by a granduncle of Mr. Lock ard, who died a quarter of a century ago. The village of Stoy, Pa., is part of the estate left to the heirs of the late John Stoy, a Pennsylvania pioneer. The old man was a jrrandunele of Eugene Lock ard. He leased several hundred acres of land for a term of ninety-nine years and the lease has just expired. After the property was leased to John Stoy a village sprang up on a part of it and was named after Stoy, who was the largest property holder in the vicinity. At the time the lease was drawn up an old musket owned by the original lessee was described in them, it being agreed that the gun should pass from one heir to another as a proof of the ownership if there was any dispute when the ninety-nine year lease should expire. From John Stoy, the original owner, the gun descended through gen erations, finally being in the possession at. the present time of Isaac Stoy, of Sherwood, Mich. Mr. LockanJ's mother, who was a sister of Isaac Stoy, died a few years ago. She left two sons, Eugene, of this village, and Andrew ,of Union City, Mich., who will share equally in her division of the immense estate. The share of each will easily reach $500,000, as much of the property is in oil hold ings that are valuable. Besides the actual value of the land, a large sum has accumulated in rents which have not been paid in many cases, since the Civil war, when the estate became involved through the disappearance of the last direct heir. Lawyers have been busy during the years since that time and have now es tablished the claim of the heirs to the entire property included in the original lease made ninety-nine years ago. Professions of Aldermen Wealth has numerous advantages and gratifies many wishes, but it is a notable fact that it has been a miss ing quantity in the make-up of St. Paul's two law making bodies, the as sembly and the board of, aldermen. If a millionaire ever broke into the ranks of the two, as far as the Saintly City is concerned, history has rot taken advantage of the fact by making it a matter of record. This does not furnish material from which to draw the conclusion that the poor are "agin" the rich, perhaps the latter dis dain the lowly calling of a city council man and have never sought it, but it does go to show that the American vot ing public while not adverse to the one, yet is aware of the leaven that a liberal mixture of the other brings. It believes in variety of interests and wealth has just as much show at its hands as any other condition or oc cupation provided it cares to partici pate. Previous condition and present call ing offer no bar to participation in American politics, and perhaps this was never better "exemplified than in the make up of the two St. Paul law making bodies. Wealth, great wealth, has no place in its ranks, but a var iety of interests and occupations are represented, perhaps greater in num ber than in any previous council. Of the twenty members that compose the board of aldermen and the assembly no less than thirteen distinct profes sions and occupations are to be found. There Are Thirteen Professions. Four lawyers. Two butchers. ■ Two doctors. Two real estate' dealers. T\vY> saloon keepers. One jag curist. One plumber. One tailor. One brickmaker. One bank clerk. One retired merchant. One horse shoer. One tanner. Of the professions, if such a distinc tion can be made in enumerating the various callings, that of laweyr has the lead, no le?3 than four of the twenty members being disciples of Blaekstone. Three, Frank Arnold, Michael Doran, Jr., and Howard Wheeler, are members of the assembly, while only one, Leonard J. Dobner, is to be found in the board of aldermen. Dobner and Wheeler have twice serv ed their constituency, while Doran and Arnold are beginning their political ca reers. Of the four all enjoy a fair patronage and a compentency, but the world has so far failed to recognize them as millionaires or even approach ing it. The two physicians are found in the persons K>i Dr. Rudolph Schiffmann, who is president of the assembly, and Dr. E. H. Whitcomb, also a member of that body. Both are old in the game of politics. Here perhaps wealth alone has a distinguishing mark. Dr. Schiffmann is conceded to be the wealthiest man holding office in St Paul today and he is perhaps the most progressive of those that go to make up the assembly. Wealth here is su bordinated .to a strict observance of the needs and desires of his constitu ency. Dr. E. H. Whitcomb is among the most eminent of his profession in St. Paul and enjoys a large practice, yet finds time to give the demands of his office its fullest due. Two Deal in Meat. Assemblyman Henry Haas and Otto Rohland, alderman from the Fifth ward, are identified with the butcher's calling, an occupation that has brought them each a competency that is above want. Assemblym&n Ha&s is of the well known meat firm of Haas Bros., one of tae largest in its line in the city, while the shop conducted by Aid. Rohland is to the Fifth ward its prin cipal purveyor of meats. The real estate interests of St. Paul are represented by Michael J. Moriarty, of the Sisth wird, and David R. El der, aldermen from the Tenth ward. Mr. Moriarty has only lately been identified with this particular line of business, but Mr. Elder is a pioneer. Neither ;s counted among the wealthy, but they are above want Man's inner refreshment is catered to by no less than two members of the board of aldermen, Frank J. Hubei. president of the board, and Andrew Dahlquist, the representative of the Third ward. Their places of business, the one at Cedar and Seventh street, and the other at Sibley and Sixth, are among the most exclusive of their class in the city. Both are tried in the game cf politic* and while it has not brought them unoounded wealth they have the respect of their constituency. Two saloon keepers and one pro moter of a cure for the liquor habit seems ar. odd combination, but the three are a unit when it comes to car ing for the city's interest. Assembly man H. C. Schurmeier conducts an in stitution for the cure of the iiquor habit, and he is one of the most re spected of the St. Paul city council. He is an aggressive member and many good things have resulted from his stewardship. A Miscellaneous Bunch. One plumber, one tailor, one re tired merchant, one bank clerk, one bricklayer, one horse shoer,. one tanner, could a greater variety of occupations be found in one body of men. No previous council, perhaps, has equeled it and it is hardly likely that it will happen again in years. John E. Holt, alderman from the First ward is the plumber of the city council; Mathew Bantz, aldermen o£~the Eight ward, is the tailor; J. W. L. Corning', of the Seventh ward, is a brick and tile maker; John W. Hir.k ens, alderman of the Ninth ward, in the capacity of bookkeeper of the Capital bark, is credited with bank clerk as his occupation; William E. Bur-ch mann, alderman of the Second ward, follows the calling of a horse shoer; Assemblyman Rosen, as head and own er of one of the largest fur dressing establishments in the Northwest, is the tanner, and Assemblyman Van Slyke is the member listed as retired. Of those named not one, unless it be As semblyman Rosen, can be credited as rich, but they all have sufficient of this world's goods to make them fairly in dependent. In their respective lines of business they are among the most progressive. Their individuality is not confined to any particular sphere or class. They are identified with the people and thus are enabled to under stand and cater to their wants in the administration of the city's affairs. Of the two council bodies the board of aldermen it will be seen cailies within its ranks the greatest diversity in point of occupations. 'The profes sions predominate iii the assembly. This body is elected at large, while the vote getting efforts of the other body is confined to particular districts. RIVAL FOR A WIDOW IS GAGGED AND BOUND Favored Swain's Assailants Carried Him to a Bridge and Were About to Throw Him Into River. OWOSSO, Mich., Nov. 15.—Albert Porter, a local painter and paper hanger, was nearer death last night probably than he will be again until his hour has come. Jealous rivals for the affections of Mrs. Ida Curtis, wait ress at Sloane's restaurant caught Por ter about 8 o'clock on Washington street bridge. The electric light is two blocks away, and the bridge is in a dense shadow. Porter was seized from behind, gag ged, bound hand and foot, and was about to be thrown into Shiawasse riv er, when the coming of Frank Hiler frightened Porter's assailants. They dropped Porter and fled. Porter was released by Hiler, and reported the affair to the police. He asserts he recognized one of his assailants, and the fellow will be arrested. The railing of the bridge is five feet high, and as Porter struggled violent ly, the m£n found it impossible to get him over the railing before Hiler hap pened along and spoiled their plans. Mrs. Curtis is a handsome widow. Porter is in love with her .but has been given little more encouragement than other suitors, which caused numerout quarrels in the past.