The Oregon mist. (St. Helens, Columbia County, Or.) 188?-1913, May 19, 1899, Image 1

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The Oregon mist., May 19, 1899, Image 1

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Newspaper Page TextT.ann 1 XIJDj UIIJDjO" l- 0 VOL. XVI. ST. HELENS, OREGON, FRIDAY, MAY 19, 1899. NO. 22. HTTITi M EVENTS OF THE DAY Epitome of the Telegraphic News of the World. TKUSE TICKS FIIOM THE WIBKS An Intonating Collection of I tenia From the Two Ilemlapheree Pnuntod la a Condenied Fonni Vice-President Uobart U slowly Im proving. All hope of reconvening the joint American-Canadian commission Id August has been abandoned, Tbe Chinese legation at Washington protests against tbe restriction of Chinese immigrants to Cub. Acting-Secretary Meiklejobn bat de cided that tbe Cblneie exclusion act duel not apply to our new possessions. Newest trusts: Window glass, $30,. 000,000, will control 80 per cent of tbe product; plow manufacturer!, $06,000, 000. In spite ol precautionary nieasurei virulent smallpox ii spreading in Ger many. The disease was imported Into tbe country by Russian laborers. The Algerltes regard the beetreport a a complete vindication, and are happy; General Mile iodises to talk; oongresa may make another investiga tion next fall. Ex-President lltfrrison is on till way to France at counsel (or Venezuela in ' iti boundary dispute. Ex-Secretary ol tbe Navy B. F. Tracy la associate coun el, and may acooinpany hlin. Governor Thomas, of Colorado, baa wired Adjutant-General Corbin as fol lows: "The reported interview of mine in the Denver News concerning tbe Colorado volunteer! ia false and malicious." Rioters attempted to blow np West Dululh street car with dynamite. There were 10 passengers In th car and they all received slight braises. The car was thrown violently on its side, and its trucks were blown to pleoea. Tbe beef-packers are bringing tre mendous pressure to bear on the presi dent to remove General Miles from command of tbe army in spite of the closing recommendation of the Wade beef court that no further action be taken. At Jamestown, O., Postmaster George A. McLaughlin, with some boy friends, was putting a "tick-tack" on a window at the home of bis friend, E. E. Ginn. Mr. Glnn fired a shot through the window, killing McLaugh lin instantly. An Adelaide, South Australia, dis patch savys: The British ship Loch Sloy, Captain Nicol, from Clyde on January 6, for Adelaide and Mel bourne, was wrecked on Kangaroo island, April 24. Five passcgers and 3S of the crew were drowned. Several nogros were killed in a storm whioh swept over chamber! county, Georgia. , At a Are in Massillon, O., one fire man was killed and workman fatally injured. ' The president and Mrs. McKlnley have gone to Hot Springs, Va., for 10 days' vaoatlon. Fifteen oases of disease In Leolaire, - la., have been identified by officers of the state board of health as smallpox. The Davenport council has declared a quarantine against Leclatre. Tbe Topeka Capital has started popular subsorlption to purohase a sword for General Funston, the brave Kansan. Every county, town and city in the state Is aBked to contribute. George Olmatead, conductor of the train the Wardner rioters stole, has been arrested. Ha ran between Wal lace and Burke for years, yet persists be did not recognize any of the orowd. At Doniphan, Kan., Dlatriot Judge Stuart refused to grant a divorce to Ellon Phillips from P. O. Phillips, be cause their marriage was brought about by an advertisement in a matrimonial paper. Major Marchand, leader of the fatuous Marohand expedition, .which was returning from Fashoda, on the Kile, to the Red sea, en 'route to Fianoe, is reported to have been killed by a band of marauders. The Missouri hoiiBe bas passed and sont to the governor an Important bill requiring Missouii corporations to keep their principal office in the state, and providing that at least three di rectors shall be residents of Missouri. Governor Stanley, of Kansas, bas addressed to the governors! Western states pressing Invitations to attend the annual convention of the trans Mississippi commercial congress, which will be held in Wichita, May 81 to June 3, inclusive. Representatives of more than a score of the leading plow manufacturing con cerns of the United States met In Chi cago, and virtually completed organiza tion Into which It is proposed ulti mately to take all manufacturers of agricultural implements. Tbe cap italization of the now oombluutiou is placed at over $65,000,000. Minor Hews Kama. It will take 45,000 men next year to handle the United States census. Work on a plant which is expected to age whisky in 94 hours bas been commeuoed at Louisville. Ky. The farm on whlah Abraham Lin coln waa born, whioh lies two miles south of Hodgenvi He, Ky., has been sold to David Grear, of New York city, and It la very probable that the farm will be converted into a paik. LATER NEWS. Because he refused to buy drinks Ohioago janitor was killod by thugs In a saloon. Long Island is Mon to have an In dustrial colony made up of negroes from the Booth. Cluirns aggregating millions have been filed for indemnity In Cuba by Great Britain, France and Germany. Miss Winnie Holmes, of Kent, Wash., was drowned In the Sound. She waa crossing from Kent to Dei Moines with another young lady and two young men, in row boat, which capsized. A naval expedition will be sent from Manila to the island of Mindanao to re lieve the Spanish foroes at Zamboanga, reported to be besieged by strong force of insurgents, if the report cur rent in Manila and sent by Otis to Washington is verified. A freight train of the Southern Pa cific was wrecked in Cow Creek can you, Southern Oregon. The engineer, James McCalley, was killed and the fireman, James Merriman, seriously in jured. The wreck waa caused by a heavy engine spreading tbe rails. Dr. Charles A. Briggs, who was sus pended for heresy by the Presbyterian assembly, was ordained a prinst of the Episcopal church in New York. He was ordained together with the Rev. Charles A. Snedeker, and the ordina tion ceremonies were conducted by Bishop Potter. At Minneapolis, one of the largest gatherings ever seen in this city adopt ed resolutions in sympathy with the administration of affairs in connection with the Philippines. The names of President MoKinley and Dewey were cheered to the echo several timea dur ing the afternoon. The Standard Bank, Bownrsnvllle, 64 miles from Toronto, was robbed of $11. 000 of tbe bank's money, and a quan tity of valuables entrusted to the bant for safe keeping by private citizens. Before attacking tbe bank the robbers went to the police atation and over powered Henry Metcalf. the man in charge. They blindfolded and gagged blm and took him with them while they entered the bank. Then they locked Metcalf up in tbe station and left The latest reports from Oregon or ohardfsts confirm tbe statement made last week that the prnnn crop will be practically a failure this season. The prunes continue to fall from the treea. Many orchardists are disposed to take a cheerful view of the situation, and say that with all conditions favorable only a short orop could hae been ex pected, for tbe trees bore so heavily last year that tbey needed a rent. With one season's rest and consequent growth, it is said, a full orop should be realized next year. Tbe Finns are fleeing to this coun try at tbe rate of 500 weekly to escape Russian military servioe. At test at Sandy Hook proving ground it was found tbat wet guncot ton could be safely used in a shell fired by powder. Dumarals, a Frenchman, who had entered tbe rebel lines to negotiate for the release of Spanish prisoners, is said to have just been assassinated by in surgent soldiers. Every postofflce in the island of Potrto Rico, about 80 in numbei, soon will be flying a United States flag. Flags will be bought by tbe postoffloe department and forwarded to Director of Posts Elliott. Captain Barker, the senior offloer of Dowey'a fleet and tbe commander of the battle-ship Oregon, will be tbe next commanding officer to ooma borne. His plaoe will be filled by Captain Wilde, of Boston. Aooordlng to a dispatch from Cairo to the Daily Mail, the director of the Egyptian musoum has discovered the mommy of Thothtnes J. of the 18th dynasty, B. O. 1638, and three other mummies in gilt coffins. La Patria, one of the best ed ited pa pers in Havana, has come out with an editorial strongly indorsing the Ameri can administration. Its utterances are regarded as representing the beet think ing element of tbe community. Capt. J. Masson, of Philadelphia, the well-known commander of the Munson line steamship Vimera, fell from bis vessel into the water while passing close to the Bahama islands and was swallowed by shark. The war department is preparing to send four regiments of regulars to Ma nila, via New York and the Suez canal, In the transports Thomas, Meade and Logan, which are to be permanently transferred from tbe Atlantic to the Pacitio fleet. : If tbe inhabitants of the San Fer nando region are to be believed, there ia little sympathy with the insurrec tion in that auarter. Before evacuat ing the city, the rebels burned the church and the public buildings, and looted the Chinese quartois... They drove many rich Filipinos, with their families, out of the oity before them, as well as hundreds of Chinese, to pre vent them helping the Ameiicans. They out the throats of many. Many Chinese bid on roof-tops or in cellars, and some escaped by cutting off their queues. There are 60 fresh graves in the churchyard. Tbe International Sunday 'school con vention has decided to hold the next meeting at Denver in 1808. One American company in the last 60 days has removed orders for 48 steam and gas engines, and they will be ship ped to 10 different countries. The military paper in Vienna an nounce tbe invention of a IB-barreled quick-firing rifle, carrying 16 cart ridges at a time and tiring 40 per ruin ute, FORCE THE FIGHTING! Otis Ordered 'to Capture or Kill Every Rebel At'KINLEY CABLES INSTRUCTIONS i , His Orders Are, If Neeeeaarr, te Pea . irate Far lata tbe In terior. Hot Springs, Va., May 18. This is the gist of a 'ong cipher cable sent by President McKlnley today to General Otis at Manila: "Force the fighting. Penetrate far into the interior and capture or destroy every waring Filipino." It was prompted by several dis pitches form General Otia, transmitted by Secretary Alger, which greatly en couraged tbe president. Timely Kelufereemeate. " Manila. Mav 18. Although offered the presidency of the Filipino cabinet, Senor Paterno declines to accept it un til the native congress, now in special session at San Isldro, authorizes blm to treat for peace with the United StaU-s, The arrival of the transport Han cock from San Franoiscfo, with tbe Twenty-first infantry and a buttery of tbe First artillery, is timely, as Gen eral MacArthnr is in great need of re inforcements, as a result of the pro longed and arduous campaign Prominent Manila Filipinos have de cided to publish a newspaper, tbe Democracia, to advocate peace. Mr. Higgins, manager of the Manila Dugupau railway, and two of his assist ants, who had remained inside the in surgent line to take care ot the prop erty of the i ail way company, arrived at San Fernando yesterday. Tbey had been informed by the insurgents tbat tbey would no longer be responsible for their sufety if they remained longer wihtin their lines. Mr. Higgins cor roborated tbe stories that have been told ol the demoralization ot tbe Fili pinos, and saya tbe rebels are looting property. Mr. Higgins says now is tbe time for Americans to strike hard. SPACE TELEGRAPHY. Blgaal Corps Ksperlmenta With the Maroon! ayetera. Washington, May 18. General Greely today made the first authorita tive atatement as to the progress made in wireless telegraphy under the aus pices of the United States signal corps. The important conclusion is reached by General Greely tbat the wireless system is not likely to sup plant tbe ordinary method of tele graphic communications. Tbe results so far obtained have been uncertain. General Gieely'l statement is aa fol lows: "Since the announcement of the testa in spaoe telegraphy by Senor Marconi, two years ago, the subject lias been under consideration by tbe signal corps of the army, and recently experiments have been begun, with the object ot thoroughly testing tbe value of this means of communication for military and other governmental purposes. Special apparatus has been designed and constructed for these tests, which have already shown suffi cient promise to warrant further sys tematic trials. , "During the experiments oonstant communication by heliograph and flag between the transmitting and receiving stations has been kept np by tbe trained men ot the regular signal crops, and this has gieatly facilitated tbe work of experimenting. Signals, letters and words have been transmit ted and received between these sta tions, but tbe great delicacy and con stant adjustment leqaired in tbe pres ent receiver have made the transmis sion of regular messages as yet unrelia ble and uncertain. The presenoe ot large buildings and large masses ot iron and metal, necesarily present in cities, makes such places nndeeirabls for oanying on experiment! of, this character. The distanoe over which signals may be transmitted by a given apparatus is a function of the height ot tbe vertical wire used in either end, and this has naturally suggested the use of small gas balloons, such as havs already been used for signal and othei purposes by tbe signal corps. A sup ply of these balloons baa been obtained, and will be used for this purpose in tbe near future. "Tbat there ia a field of usefulness for spaoe telegrhaphy ia nndoubted, but that it will supplant to a material extent the one ot wire for ordinary commercial telegraphy la not believed. For connection bewteen lighthouses and lightships at sea and to reolaoe or dinary flag methods in use between naval vessels it should prove invalua ble, since no kind of weather, nor fog, durkness or storm, avail to affect its use." Starvation nn Aaherort Trail. Viotoiia, B. C, May 6. A mail- carrier haa arrived from the Upper Stickeen river after making a hazardous trip over crumbling ice to get relief for prospectors who are starving at Deose Lake, on the Ashcroft trail. He reports that they have eaten all their supplies and horses an j are living on mules and dogs. A Family Tragedy. Auburn, N. Y., May 18. The bodies ot Mr. and Mrs. Henry Tinoknall were found in their rooms today. Tbe man waa dead, without a mark upon him. The woman was unconscious, with the side of her bead battered in, and the biain protruding. She was taken to the hospital, but cannot live, it is supposed her husband tried to kill her with a hammer, and then to wind op bis horrible butchery he committed suicide, j WHOLESALE , MURDER. Ma Kill Two Woman, Two Men, a Child and Sjhoote Hlineelf. Howard City, Mich., May 18. Thos. Harvey last night killed his wife, his uncle, Robert Pierson, and his grand mother, and mortally wounded his 8-months-old child, and his father-in-law, John Lngenslayer, and finally shot himself, inflicting a wound which is expected to prove fatal. Harvey's onole and grandmother live one mile north of town. The murderer went there last evening. It transpires that Harvey, on reach ing the borne ot bis mother-in-law, said nothing about his terrible acts at Piei son'i home. He offered to sit np by the corpse of bis wife's mother. Ac cordingly the others retired. It was 4 o'clock in the morning when Harvey went'to his wife's room and killed ber, and attempted to slay hia baby and bis father in-law. He also fired at Miss Iabard, but without effect. Harvey's wound is serious, bnt he is certain to recover. He was .employed in a furniture factory, and is only 20 years of age. The cause of his terrible aots has not been determined. He as serted that Pierson, his nnole, was quarreling witb his grandmother, and be interfered; tbat thereupon Pierson stabbed and killed tbe old lady, aged 70, and that be (Harvey) retaliated by shooting bis nnole. After shooting Pierson, Harvey stabbed him three times. Harvey then returned to bis home, two miles southwest of town. Arriving there, he shot his wife twice. Pierson's home presents a horrible appearance. Pierson's body waa found in a chair, and that of the old lady on the floor clad in her night dress.' There are signs of a desperate struggle between Harvey and his grand mother, bnt no indication of any fight between the two men. Harvey him self today informed the sheriff of the mnrders at Pierson's house. He was then arrested for murdering bis wife. He has nothing to say of the tragedy at his home. There are strong threats of lynching. Christian Soloneo Healer. New York, May 13. Tbe Westohes ter county grand jury, which will meet at White Plains on May 29, will take op tbe case of Mrs. Clarence Fowler, the Christian Science healer, Liston Barguet, jr., and Ethel Barguet, chil dren of Mrs. Liston Barguet, whose death tbey are charged with hastening. Tbe district attorney says that he will ask tbe grand jury to make a present ment urging tbat the treatment of pa tients by "silent thought" be stopped effectually. Tbe members of the Christian Science church in Mount Vernon have called a meeting lor next Sunday, when a prominent member will address tbem.and the inquest will be discussed. The Christian Scienoe institute will provide all tbe money to defend its votaries and will put up a stubborn fight. Charon Cruanda Acainet Caterplllare. Montreal, May 13. A remarkable demonstration took place at St. Hil aire, Quebec, yesterday. Caterpillars which last year played havoc with ap ple and sugar orchards seem to be more numerous and vigorona than be fore. A crusade against them was for mally opneed in the parish ohuioh here, where maea was solemnized, after which a religious procession, headed by the priest and choir boys, followed by 160 or more parishioners, marohed through the infected section witb fer vent prayers asking divine assistance in their battle against the plague. . Tornado Struck Mexican Town. St. Louis, Mo., May 13. A special to the Republio from Eagle Pass, Tex., says: A tornado struck the mining town of Hondo, in the Sabinas valley, Mexico, last night. Lawrence Mo Kinney, son of the mine superinten dent, was killed, and 10 men were leverely injured. A large boarding house, railroad atation, store and build ings connected with the mines were al most entirely demolished. Hondo Is about 75 miles southwest ot Eagle Pass. It is tbe oenter of O. P. Hunt ington's Mexican coal and coke industries.'-'. ' ' Fire nt Shag-way. Seattle, May 18. Advices from Alaska say that afire ocouried at Skag way May 4. One block of business houses was destroyed. Tbe total loss is estimated at $10,000. The principal loss was that of Ma jor's general merchandise store, about 16,000. James Freeman, a former tesident of California, committed suicide at Atlin, by shooting himself thiough the head with a revolver. Domestio trouble was the cause. rretldrnt'a Weatern Trip. ChloRgo, May 13. A special to the Times-Herald from Washington says: President MoKinley proposes to make s tour ot tbe West daring his summer vacation. Arrangements for the trip have not yet been perfeoted. but it is understood be will go to San Francisco by tbe Southern Paolfio route, and re turn to this city on board a special Irain on the Northern Paoilio, stopping en route at the Yellowstone Park and other points of interest. He will leave bout the middle ot July and begone probably six weeks. Sewer ripe Truat. Dover, Del., May IS. Secretary ot State Hughes today issued a certificate nt incorporation to tbe Federal Sewer Pipe Company, ot Akron, O. The capital ot tbe company ia placed at $26,000,000. Bet Fire to a Freight Car. . Baltimore, May 13. Three men who were playing cards in a freight car set it on fire early this morning, and one of them, Clarence Kepler, ot this city, was burned to death. William Alders was badly burned. He was a fugitive from the house of correction. The flames spread to the cotton warehouse of the Mount Vernon coal and dock mills, and caused $50,000 damage. REAR-END COLLISION Many People Killed in a Wreck Near Reading. LARGE NUMBER WERE INJURED Four Cars Ware Teleeeoped ned save Tlotlma Were Terribly Manzled. Reading. Pa., May 15. A collision of passenger trains occurred on the Philadelphia & Beading railroad at Exeter, about six miles south of this city, tonight, and a great number ot people were killed and wounded. There is no telegraph office at Exeter, and details are therefore, difficult to obtain at this writing. The number killed is variously .stated to be from 98 to 80. Many are injured. The regular expresa train from Potts ville for Philadelphia connected at tbe station in Beading with a train from Harrisbnrg which was crowded witb ex cursionists, who had been to the state capital to witness the ceremonies in connection witb tbe unveiling of the Hartranft monument. Many of the Harrisbnrg passengers at Beading went aboard the Philadelphia express, bnt, it being found that all could not be ac commodated, St was decided to send an extra train to Philadelphia to rnn'as the second section of the express. Tbe extra train left 20 minutes latex tban tbe express. ' At Exeter, tbe express stopped for orders, and while standing atill tbe ex tra train crashed into it while moving at great speed. Three of the rear cars of the express weie telescoped, and the first ear of the extra train was also wrecked. The passengers in these were terribly mangled, many being killed outright, while others had limbs and bodies maimed. Word waa at once sent to Beading, and a special train with physicians and nurses was sent to the scene as qnickly as it could possibly be put in readi ness. Tbe identified killed are: John Leaf, Montgomery county; William S. Talon, Norristown: Colonel George Shaw, Norristown; Chief John felling snuff, Norristown; John Johnston, Montolair; William Lewis, Norristown; Harry Hunobenteger, Norristown; George H. Annis, Norristown; George Showers, Norristown; Barry Wents. Norristown; Samuel Batty, Consho bocken; Harry Thompson, Norris town; Hiram Shelby, Hatboro; Ben ton Silvas, Beading. The injured number about 13. BY THE SUEZ CANAL. - Admiral Dewey Seleeta Hie Homeward Konte. Washington, May 15. "Send Olym pic mail to B. F. Stevens, No. 4 Tra falgar Square. London, England," was the notice given out at the navy de partment today. This is the first formal indication that the famous flagship is coming home immediately. Upon inquiry it was ascertained that Secretary Long last evening oabled Admiral Dewey permission to return at once to tbe United States. He has been relieved of the obligation of remaining at Ma nila nntil the Philippine commission completes its work. He is not even required to await the cessation of hos tilities, but may start homeward at onoe. Tbe notioe poeted at tbe navy department amounts to the informa tion that the Olympia will, not remain long enough to reoeive the next out ward mail. Tbe Mr.' Stevena referred to is the navy department's agent at London to distribute all of tbe mail for United States warships in European waters, so he will see to it that the Olympia receives hers as soon aa she passes the Suez canal. . FORTIFYING SAN FRANCISCO. Defenaee Being Strengthened by a Bat tery of Sixteen Gum. San Francisco, May 15. The de feenses of this barobr are rapidly being strengthened. The work nnder way now is the mounting of tbe second bat tery of 16 mortars on tbe bluffs above and back of old Fort Winfield Scott. Eight of the huge pieces ot ordnance are already in position, and the others are being mounted by men from the Third artillery. Tbese mortars art considerably larger and more destruc tive than the battery of 16 that was monnted about three years ago. The new mortars are 13-inch steel, breech loading weapons, throwing a shell weighing 1,000 pounds, while tbe oth ers carry 800-pound sheila. In addi tion to the mortars a 12-inoh rifle and disappearing carriage of the newest model are ready for shipment from the East. A number of other big guns ot modern type are finished or in process ot construction, and will be placed in position around the entrauce to the bay as soon as they are received here. A Sash and Poor Combine. Chicago, May 15. The 84 mills en gaged in aasb, door and blind manu facture in Chicago have combined and, on about August 1 next, it is stated, will be taken over by a corporation, probably to be named the American Sash & Door Company, with a oapital of about $6,000,000. Caught by a Slide. Shamokln, Pa., May 15. Four men were instantly killed today by tbe slide of a portion ot a large bank at Cen tralis. Several were badly injured. The four bodies recovered were so bad ly disfigured it was difficult to identify them. The accident occurred while a large number ot Hungarians were screening coal in the Centralis breaker. The bank of coal refuse, whioh towered high above, waa seen to quiver and col lapse, completely burying tbe workmen. TAKEN BY LAWTON. an Ildefoneo Fella Into the Head a of the .Americana Manila, May 15. General Lawton has oaptured San Ildefonso, nine miles north of Balinag, which has been bis base ot operations. Although tre mendously well fortified and defended by a large and desperate body of Fili pinos, General Lawton's troops rushed tbe trenches and routed tbe enemy completely, with the loss of one Ameri can wounded. Fresh troops are beginning to go to tbe front. Two battalions ot the Seventeenth infantry (regulars), that had been holding the lines about the city of Manila, will join General Mac Arthur's division at San Fernando to morrow, and one battalion of tbe same regiment will reinforce General Law ton's division near Bacolor. Tbese troops will be replaced by tbe Twenty first infantry regiment, which arrived from tbe United States on the trans port Hancock yesterday. Captain Grant, of tbe Utah battery, whose success in managing the army gunboats Laguna de Bay and Cava donga bas won bim tbe sonbriquet of "the Dewey of tbe army." has been put in command of the recently pur chased Spanish gunboats, whose arms tbe insurgents captured. These vessels are now being prepared for operations on the rivers and along tbe coast. Tbe arming ot the gunboats is being pushed with all diligence. Admiral Dewey will begin bis return to Amerioa in tbe, orniser Olympia, via tbe Sues canal. Tbe Olympia will be docked at Hong Kong. -Captain Barker will command tbe fleet from the flagship Baltimore. Lieutenant Eberle is flag lieutenant. Captain, Wilde, of the Boston, will command the Oregon. Captain Whit ing leaves on the Boston for America, but will go to San Francisco. EXECTUION OF BRANTON. Hanged at Xugeae for the Harder of John Line. Eugene. May 15. Claude Branton waa hanged today foi tbe murder of John Linn. Branton retired last night at 11 o'clock, after writing seversl letters. He slept well, and got np at the usual time this morning, but would not eat breakfast. Beverenda Patterson and Handsaker, ot tbe Christian church, were admitted to the jail at 7 this morning, and remained to tbe end, praying and singing with tbe con demned. At 9:30 his people were admitted to the jail door, and conversed with him a few moments. Sheriff Withers then read the warrant Branton left the cell at 10:45 nnder the charge of tbe sheriff and two deputies. He walked upon the scaffold unassisted and took hia place on the trap. When asked if he bad anything to say, he replied be had but little. In a firm voice he told those present that he did not want them to bear any ill-will against his people on his account. He asked for sympathy and prayers, and urged them to walk in God's way. Sheriff Withers sprung tbe trap at 10:50. and 15 minutes later life was extinct, and tbe body was cut down. Not a hitch-occurred in the whole pro ceedings, everything passing off as smoothly as possible. ' The body dropped five feet. Before leaving the cell Branton bid good-bye to all around. He was per fectly calm. Branton left several letters to be mailed, and gave a white tie to his brother and left a Bible to his mother. All waa done without a quiver of a mupole. He assisted the officers in ty ing his hands, and did all be could to belp make a success of the execution. About 60 people wituessed the exe cution, while a thousand or more stood in the street around the incloeure. but were quiet and orderly. Tbe body waa placed in a coffin and delivered to his people. The orime for which Claude Branton paid the penalty of death was that of taking the life of John A. Linn, a stockman of Condon, Gilliam county, in June, 1898. Courtland Green la now serving a life sentence in the pen itentiary for complicity in tbe crime. o 1 The Filipino Congreae. . London, May 15. A special dispatch received here from Manila saya tbat tbe Filipino congress now sitting at San Isidro is oom posed of 66 members, of whom 20 favor peaoe, and an equal number are irreconcilable. Tbe oth ers, holding the balance ot power, are ready to admit that absolute independ ence is hopeless of attainment, but de mand better terms at the bands of tbe United States. Fell From a Trnln. Tacoma, Wash., May 15. William Godsby. assistant cook ot tbe west bound overland Northern Pacifio train, miraculounsly escaped death, falling from the train near Ellensbnrg, while going 80 miles an hour. He landed in a clump of willows beside the track. His fall was not noticed. He walked to the nearest station and took the next train to this city, being only slightly bruised. The Bleyele Traat. Trenton, N. J., May 15. Artioles of incorporation were filed witb the secre tary ot state tonight of tbe American Bioyole Company, witb an authorized capital stock of $80.000,000. Destructive Kiploelon. London, May 15. A fearful explo sion occurred today at Hurts' chemical works at St. Helens, Lancaster county, killing four persons and seriously in juring 80. Fire broke out in the chlorate-house, and a large quantity of chlorate ex ploded, causing much destruction. Subsequently the boiler exploded, and the whole works were razed. The two is strewn with debris, and most of the buildings in tbe plaoe were damaged. Tbe total loss is about 100.009, FIGHT IN A- JUNGLE Gunboats Dislodge Rebels on the Rio Grande. HEAVY VOLLEYS AT SHORT RANGE Americans Opened With Rapid-fire Gone and Vut the Knemy . 1 to Boat. Manila, May 16. The tinclad gnn boat Laguna de Bay and Cavadonga and a launch, nnder Captain Grant, ran into a nest of insurgents concealed in tbe bushes on both sides ot the Bio Grande, three miles above Calumpit, yesterday afternoon, and were received witb heavy vol leva at short range. A sergeant belonging to the U tab bat tery was killed, and one private was wounded. Opening witb their rapid fire guns, tbe Americana killed 30 of tbe natives and wounded several others, filling the jungle with a hail of shot for half an hour, nntil tbe enemy fled. flanked tbe Enemy. Manila, May 16. Two companies of the Second Oregon volunteers, and the same number of Minnesota men, with 20 American scouts, nnder Cap tain Case and Berkheimer, flanked the insurgents at San Ildefonso this morn ing and captured the place. The Filipinos, in terror and panio. fired 20,000 rounds of ammunition, bnt only slightly wounded one scout. One insurgent officer waa killed and six men wonnded. Tbe insurgents retreated and are now at San Miguel, six miles north of San Ildefonso. Twenty per cent of the opposing rebel force has been killed and wound ed since Lawton began his advance May 1. . Spaalarde ohnt In. Washington, May 16. The war de partment today received the following dispatch: "Manila, May 16. It is reported that at Zamboanga tbe insurgents at tacked the Spanish troops . May 11, using qaickflring guns and arms cap tured from tbe Spanish gunboat. The Spanish general and two officers were wounded. There were few casualties among the troops. The Spanish gar rison is now besieged. Tbe water sup ply is cut off. and tbe troops are call ing for relief. OTIS." A CHECK TO RUSSIA. China Befnaee a Demand for Railway Coaoeeelone. Sbangehai. May 16. The tsung-Ii-yaman (Ciiinese foreign office) has re plied to the Russian minister at Pe king, M. De Giers, that tbe govern ment is nnable to accede to the Russian demand, made last Wednesday, for a new railway concession connecting Pe king with Bussia's present system in Manohuria. Not since the taking of Port Arthur by Russia have tire Chinese been so agitated aa over this demand. Whetn er M. De Giers named a specific route is not yet ascertainable, some officials as serting that only a preliminary notice was given for a line direct fiom Peking to Shan Hai Ewon. Ceitainly the British legation in Peking had no previous knowledge that such proposal was coming from St. Petersburg. The concession asked 'for would ruin the existing northern rail ways, in wbicb British capital to tbe amount of 3,000,000 is invested, but there seems to be no alternative route without interfering witb plans for rail way extension which the Chinese themselves have in mind. : It is believed tbat Bussia's action in this matter is intended to demonstrate to the world that the recent convention witb Great Britain respecting spheres of influence in China, which was noti fied to the Chinese government almost before this last convention was de manded, has not fettered tbe action of Russia at the court of Peking, and also to strengthen Bussia's prestige with the Chinese, which was unfavorably affected by ber withdrawal of her late protest respecting the northern rail ways. . . ' SITUATION ON THE ISLANDS. Otle Glvea Orders for Receiving- the Filipino Negotlatora. - Washington, May 16. The follow ing dispatch from Major-General Otis, giving tbe status of the military situa tion, as it now exists, in the opera tions against the insurgents, was re ceived at the war department today: "Manila, May IS. Adjutant-General, Washington: The situation is as follows: Lawton from Baliuag has taken Ildefonso and San Miguel to the nortb, with slight losses, and driving a considerable force of the enemy; gun boats and canoes, accompanying 1,500 men under Eohbe up the Bio Grande from Calumpit. will depart on the 16th. MacArthur remains at San Fernando, covering the country. "Yesterday a messenger came from Agninaldo expressing a wish to send a commission to Manila for a conference with the United States commission to arrange terma of peace. Directions have been given to pass a body of rep resentative insugrents to Manila, should tbey present themselves. OX13." To Bo Onnbonta. New York, May 18. Under the in structions ot Secretary Long, the gun boats Annapolis and Vickabnrg are to be placed out of commission and re fitted fur servioe as gunboats, instead of as training ships. Experience has demonstrated that these vessels are Ina small tor the training service, snd their places will be taken in this serv ice by the Monongahola on tbe At lantic coast, and the Htvtford and U.d Fensacoht in PaciSo wat em.