WEATHER FORECAST
Roseburg and Vicinity
Showers Tonight mid Thursday.
TF you want to buy or sell some
thing, if you have lost or
found something use the News
want ad column. It will pay you
vol. in.
liOSKIU'lUi, IHH'tiLAS COUXTV, OltKOO.V. WKI.KSIAY. KKIIIIl'AKY 21, 1013
No. 02
ICECOLD WATER
Is Thrown on Railroad Pro
moters Proposition.
SEVERAL SPEAKERS FAVOR ROAD
Kxihh-UmI Enthusiasm Over a Hull
road From Rosoburg To Coos
Buy Fulls To Develop
May Ito IJeud.
Had it not been for a motion made
by Frank Alley at the Commercial
Club last evening a reply to the tele
gram received by Publicity Manager
Schlosser from Mr. Doyle, the rail
road promoter, would likely not have
been made.
Mr. Doyle was here some time ago
and looked over the right-of-way be
tween here and Coos Bay and made
a proposal to. a number of Roscburg
business men that if Roseburg would
put u? $10,000 for preliminary
work, etc., he ( Doyle) would en
gage capital In the project. The busi
ness men who were consulted stated
it to be their opinion that the peo
ple of Roseburg would prefer to put
up a bonus after the road was com
pleted rather than put up money for
survey work. The matter rested this
way and Mr. Doyle and his associates
left for Spokane, Wash.
Last week Mr. Schlosser received
a wire from Mr. Doyle, a copy of
which was published in The News
last Friday night. . In substance the
telegram was that if the people of
Roseburg would put it in writing
they were willing to guarantee the
sum of $100,000.00 to the promoters
upon the completion of the road,
work on the same would begin with
in tho next sixty days.
This wire was followed up with a
letter in which it was stated that
Roseburg's proportion of the $100,
000.00 bonus would be $50,000.00,
the remainder to be raised by people;
fn Marshfleld and Coos Buy territory.
It was for the purpose of sound
ing the sentiment of the people, of
Roseburg in reference to the bonus
that the meeting was called last
night. That the proposition met with
little favor was evident after the
first speaker, T. R. Sheridan, had
finished with his remarks. He stat
ed that he would not go on record as
willing to give anything to the bon
us unless he could be satisfied that
Mr. Doyle and his associates meant
business.
Frank Alley, E. L. Parrott, James
Perry. Mr. Armstrong, L. Wimberly
and G. P. Schlosser also addressed
the meeting briefly.
There was no spirit manifested for
the road. In fact most of the speak
ers doubted the good faith of the
people back of the telegram and
wanted to be "shown" that they
could "deliver the goods" before tak
ing any Interest In the road. It was
contended that the pormoters should
come here and give some satisfac
tory assurance to the people here
that they were financially able to
build the road before action was tak
en on the request for a bonus.
Frank Alley, after the speaking
had ceased and It looked like noth
ing would be done, arose and made
the following motion:
"That the secretary be instructed
to inform Mr. Doyle and his assoc.
ates that when they were prepared
to prove to the satisfaction of a com
mittee composed of the presidents
of the three banks and the president
and secretary of the Commercial
Club that they are able financially to
OF THE SEASON'S BEST STYLES IN
Imported Models and Pattern Hats. Ladies' and Misses' Cloaks, Suits,
Dresses and Waists.
Hair Goods, Neckwear, Novelties, Handbags and Corsets.
February 22-23-24, 1912
Five Living Models in Suits, Cloaks and Dresses, Saturday 7:30 to 8:30 P. M.
THE LEADER
I- 1 1.. UM
build a railroad and Intend to do so
within a reasonable time, that Rose
burg will agree to pledge Its propor
tion of the $100,000.00 bonus."
Tlfti motion was (seconded aud
without any discussion, was carried.
One prominent business man who
was Interviewed by a- News represen
tative today said that in his opin
ion this would kill the project, giving
as his reason that the promoters
would in all likllhood refuse to give
the names of those persons of cor
porations who are back of them.
Another said that of all the rail
roads meetings held here in the past
twenty years, this was the poorest
showing ever made.
Sheriff Quine this morning for
warded a letter to Governor West, in
which he. requests that a requisition
be granted for the return of Frank
Kelly, who was recently arrested at
Fargo, North Dakota, upon tele
graphic advice of the local officers.
Sheriff Quine expects an answer
from the governor some time to
morrow. FIRE SWEEPS
Houston, Texas Loss Will
Aggregate Millions.
THOUSANDS - ARE HOMELESS
Dynamlto Used To Check l'luines
JU'iallid .Mayor Of Seattle
Itobs Kor Hi-i'lM'tioii
Tills Fall.
(Special to The Evening News.)
HOUSTON, Feb. 21. Houston
faced a lire this morning that for
some hours threatened the city with
destruction. At 11 o'clock a section
in the residence district seven blocks
wide audi eighteen long had been
destroyed, and conservative esti
mates placed the loss at live mill
ions. The wind was blowing a thirty
five mile gale. Hundreds of resid
ences were burned, and included in
the burned area was several school
houses and warehouses of cotton
companies. The burned area adjoins
the S. P. Co. yards, and the flames
was only gotten under control by
dynamiting buildings. Thousands are
homeless tonight, but thero is no
suffering for want of food or care for
the destitute. Fifty-two blocks were
destroyed all told.
Gill Again In Lime Light.
SEATTLE, Feb. 21. Yesterday's
primary election resulted in the nom
ination of former .Mayor Gill, who
was recalled last spring. George
Cotterill, progressive, will oppose
Gill on election. Gill received 22,
00C votes, Cotterill, 1(1,000. Thomas
Parish 12,000, and Wells, the social
ist, received 10,000. Gill and Cot
terill will fight out the matter In the
general election.
ltOHN.
UntSICK To Mr. and Mrs. V. Bur
sick, of Melrose, on Tuesduy, Feb
ruary 20, 1912, a boy.
LaMKRE To Mr. and Mrs. LaMere,
in North Roseburg. on Tuesday,
Februury 19. 1912, a boy.
J. W. Koop, a merchant at Brain
ard, Minn., arrived in Uoselturg yes
terday to spend a few days. Mr.
Koop says the weather Is very cold
In the East and he is delighted with
Oregon, and especially Douglas
county.
Spring
WORTH CONSIDERING.
DIRECT STANDA F00T0FSN0W
Roosevelt Declares Flatly For
Progressive Issues.
QUIBBLES ON THE EECALl
l-:x-lrsitleiit Kiithusiastically
coined At Coluinlms It mill
CiimmI In a Decree Itut
Not AltoBi ther.
(Special to The Evening News.)
CO L 1' M Ill'S. Feb . 2 1. Flatly
pledging himself for the initiative
and referendum, the short ballot di
rect nominations by the people,
presidential preference primaries,
election of United States senators by
a direct vote, and, in a measure the
recall law. Theodore Roosevelt ad
dressed the Ohio constitutional con
vention today. Me outlined just
where he stands on those progressive
policies on whi'b'it is believed he
may again run for tho presidency.
The ex-president was enthusiastical
ly received.
tiilf Sweeps Texas.
AUSTIN, Feb. 21. -More than $2.
ouo. OOU damage is estimated will re
sult from the terrific gale that is
sweeping Texas today. Hundreds of
small buildings have been wrecked.
t ovnit jjt'j.ooo cuixkctt:!).
The sheriff's force was un-
usually busy yesterday, and no
less than $2,000 was collected
during the Initial day of tax col-
lecting. Of this amount, a con-
siderable sum came from farm-
ers who nro alert to take ad-
vantage of the usual rebate of
three per cent.
Taylor in Los Angeloi Times.
St. Louis and Kansas City Tied
up in Storm.
WORST SNOW OF THE WINTER
Many Cuttle Oiw Stork Itmiges Of
West unci Southwest Will Per
ish Americans 1-Teo
From Mexico.
(Special to The Evening News.)
ST. LOl'IS, Feb. 21. Tho entire
Middle and Southwest, comprising
the states of Missouri, Kansas, Okla
homa and Texas are shivering In one
of t lie worst blizzards of tho winter.
A foot of snow has already fallen In
all of the states mentioned, except
Texas, and the storm is unabated. In
Kansas City and St. Ixnils the snow
is so deep and the severity of the
storm so general that business Is
practically at a standstill. All traf
fic Is at a standstill, while reports
from the cattle country Indicate that
losses oT stock are heavy.
Americans I'lee l-'or Safely.
EL PASO. Feb. 21. American
women and children are being rush
ed from Northern Mexico to places
of safety in Texas, and all north
bound trains are crowded. Arms
and ammunition are being sent Into
Mexico from El Paso.
V. Long, formerly engaged In the
harness business, this morning leas
ed the room iinlil recently occupied
by A. M. Molesworlh and situated
at the corner of Douglas and Jackson
streets, and will open an up-to-date
fruit stand within a few days. Tho
front of the building will ho re
modeled, and upon completion will
present a inoft attractive appearance.
Opening :-: Display
DRAKE ISGUELTY
Convicted on Charge of Crim
inal Libel.
CASE IS TO BE APPEALED
Sentence Will Ho Passed lly Jmlgv
Calkins On Friday Morning
Jury Taken Threw llnllots
During lMilH'ration.
After a deliberation of about ai.
hour the jury empaneled to listen to
the evidence and decide the fate of
Jesse O. Drake, accused of criminal
libel, returned a verdict of guilty in
the circuit court shortly after 11
o'clock this morning.
According to the report of a mem
ber of the Jury, three ballots were
taken during the brief deliberation.
On the first ballot tho vote stood 9 I
for conviction and two for acquittal'
ono of the Jurymen casting a
blank. On the bocoikI ballot the
voto stood 10 for conviction and two
for acquittal. On the third ballot
the vote was unanimous In favor of
conviction. 1
The closing arguments of tho at
torneys were lengthy and interest
ing, and attracted tho attention of a
largo crowd. Attorneys Brown &
Eddy, who conducted the prosecu
tion, contended that tho article was
not only libelous and reflected upon
the good name of Judge Hamilton,
but that It would result hi great
damage to Roseburg nnd Its citizens.
"This article has been circulated in
all sections of the United States,"
3ald District Attorney Urown, "and
I admit that some people will con
sider It seriously. Do you suppose
that families contemplating the pur
chase of homes In Roseburg will
come here In the event they believe
the contents of this article which
In brief refers to the officials as a
band of two-faced traitors? I claim
they will not come to Roseburg to
reside under such circumstances."
District Attorney (leorgo M. Urown
aud Attorney II. L. Eddy also refer
red repeatedly to the danger of al
lowing Buch articles to gain circu
lation, and in this regard, claimed
that Judge Hamilton had been Injur
ed as had other officers of the court.
"A man's reputation is his capital,"
said the district attorney, "and when
a person brings a person's character
into disrepute, he Is no better than
the man who Hteals a horse."
Tho prosecution also made a de
termined effort, through nrgumeut.
to impress upon tho Jury the conten
tion that Drake had been proven
the author of tho article. Hot!) at
torneys traced the article from the
time It was claimed to have been
written until It appeared In a Port
land newspaper. They also reviewed
the testimony to (he effect that
Drako admitted Its authorship, and
especially the evidence of J. W.
Tollman, who arranged to havo the
original manuscript typewritten.
Attorneys Robert Smith, of (irauts
Pass, nnd Attorney C. S. Jackson, of
Roseburg, appearing on behalf of the
defense, argued that the article was
not libelous, neither had the state
succeeded In proving Its authorship.
Attorney Sin it h said there was no
evidence to show that; the article
was written by Drake, and Tar leHS
that he canned its puhl leal ion In a
Port land newspaper. It was also
contended that the writing was
wholly void of libelous matter, con
sidering that the chart's. In tho
event they were true, did not reflect
SAKE FOIl SALE,
FOIl SAM3 Oil TRADE Good
of lice safe. ' Cull at News of-
fleo.
dishonesty upon tho prosecuting wit
ness. Tho Instructions of Judge P. M.
Calkins were brief, aud simply cov
ered the law governing actions of
libel.
Attorney C. 8. Jackson announced
this morning that the case would be
appealed to the supreme court nt the
earliest possible moment. Attorney
Jackson claims to have umple
grounds upon which to base a revers
al of this morning's decision.
Sentence will be passed on Satur
day morning.
Jurors Adler and Brosl remained
oval to Drake on the first and sec
nd ballots, changing for conviction
on the third ballot.
Spokane Merchants File Claim
For $2,000,000.
NOW UP TO SUPREME COURT
ShiperM Are All Heady For Imme
diate. Action CoM And Snow
Strikes Heavily In
Chicago.
(Special to Tho Evonlng News.)
WAN 1 NO TON. Feb. 2 1 . Slxty
tlve Spokane firms tiled with the In
terstate commerco commission today
demands for n refund of two million
dollars on excessive freight charges
collected by tho Western railroads
above what should have been duo In
event tho commerco court had not
I'lijoined the rate decision of tho fn
terstao commerco commission relat
ing to liitor-inountalu tariffs. Argu
ment In the appealed Spokane case
comes up before the United States
supreme court Friday, and today's
petition will euablo the commission
to act Instantly for the shippers If
tho court should upset the Injunc
tion, legalizing the lower rales pro
scribed by the commission.
Storm At Chicago.
CHICAtiO. Feb. 21. This city 1b
grlpHd In a severe snow storm that
Is general throughout tho Mississippi
Valley. Tho storm extends through
out Ohio.
WANT A REFUND
aamimmmmmmtmimwia
Announcement
Beginning February 22, 1912, we wilj have
our First Showing of Street Hats. Also
Shapes in High Grade Milans, Hemps, Pan
amas and Javas. Our workroom opens next
Monday, Februaiy 26, in the charge of our
former" Trimmer, Miss Ivy Henderson.
fames A. Perry
Millinery and Ladies' Toggery
AFFIRM
VERDICT
Dumbeck Win Action In Su
preme Court.
WATER RIGHT IN CONTROVERSY
Decision In Written lly Judge Mc
ltririo Oute 1h Appended From
Circuit Court Of Doug
las County.
After several weeks of delibera
tion, the supreme court yesterday
handed down a decision In which
they nfflrm the findings of the lower
court In the case of Henry and
Kittle Dushnell vs. ".I. T. and John
Dumbeck. The opinion waB written
by Judge McBrlde.
The case first originated in Doug
las county nearly a year ago, when
the plaintiffs brought suit to enforce
specific performance of contract. At
the time Mr. nnd Mrs. Dushnell al
leged that they had consulted with
tho defendants, and the latter had
agreed to sell them a certuln tract of
land, comprising about 180 acres,
under tho conditions that the origin
al ownors could reservo a water
right.
The defendants admitted that they
agreed to sell the land as contended
by tho plaintiffs, but In opposing
the action, alleged that the parties
Interested had failed to reach an
agreement relative to the location of
the wnter right. In view of this
contention, the defendants contend
ed thnt no siieclflc contract wns In
oxlstenco, and consequently, Its en
forcement was un impossibility.
After listening to the evldonce In
the case, the circuit court Jury re
turned a verdict In favor of the de
fendants. The action wus Inter ap
pealed by tho plalntirfs, with the re
sult thnt the decision of the lower
court was affinued.
Attorneys Coshow & Rice appear
ed for tho plnlntlfrs, while Attor
neys John T. Long, W. W. Cnrdwoll
nnd J. O. Watson represented the
defendants.
Tho Bllver medal contest given last
evening nt tho Christian church un
der the auspices of tho Woman's
Christian Temperance Union, wns a
success. Tho medal was presented
to Miss Kutherlne Morrill, she be
ing the winning contoBtant. Souvln
ers wero presented to tho other con
testants In appreciation of their ex
cellent work. The members of the
W. C. T. U. Insist to express their
thanks to all who so generously as
sisted on tho program, and to tho
large nudience for their attendance.
Better Than Ever everyway wmb j