La Grande evening observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1904-1959, July 31, 1916, Image 1

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La Grande evening observer., July 31, 1916, Image 1

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Newspaper Page Textrattfc fEttfttttt AN INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER PRINTS THE NEWS THE DAY IT HAPPENS VOLUME XVI LA GRANDE, OREGON. MONDAY, JULY 31, 1916. NUMBER 35. Kill OF THE r,nlOSIOII IS II BYSTEBY 'LOSS OF LIFE AND PROPERTY , HEAXY WHEN MUNI- l.tJlioNS.iESPliODB;::''H MANY CARLOADS OF DYNA MITE EXPLODED BY FIRE New 'York Shaken by the Blast and .Fires Follow-Some Thought It Was An Earthquake Panic Fol lowsBay Is Filled With Floating Munition on Fire Word Sent to Jill Ship Captains To Be Watchful. New York, July 31. Secret Ser vice Chief Bielaski said today that re -ports from agents indicate an acci dent caused the explosion at New York yesterday. The bureau will not -make a complete investigation unless later reports indicate that outside in-, fluences wrecked the Allis munition stores. John Kilfoyley told the police today tho fire originated aboard ammunition cars which he worked late Saturday night to load, lie saw the cars Burn ing, and says the first explosion came from the cars and the second from the Ammunition barge. Jersey City, July 31. Albertj: M. Dickman, Letogh Valley agent;' and Alexander Davidson of the National Storage Co., were arraigned Jrt the Superior court chared wit n ? man slaughter in connection witi Black "Tom Island explosion yesterday. The cases were postponed until Friday, Each of the men was .released on $5,- ' 000 bail. New York, July 31. State and ' Federal officers have begun an invest igation to Sunday's explosion in which four people are know.i to hav been killed. One body is floating in the bay. " Dynamite Floating. Scores of boxcars of dynamite is floating and ship captains in all direc tions have been warned. The pros ecuting attorney has openly declared that every railroad terminal in New Jersey has flagrantly violated laws regulating the storgage of high ex plosives. Cause Unknown. The cause of the disaster remains -a mystery, although there is much . speculation. Some claim it is in cendiary, other spontaneous combus tion, and the best authority seems to . amount to little when it comes to . shedding light on the real cause. Fires started Sunday are now sub : siding and inspection of the burned ruins is now on. Many injured; Loss Is Heavy. . New York, July 31. (Special) One hundred and sixteen people are injured from the explosion and. fires of yesterday and last night.- Seventeen warehouses, six piers, .four barges, one tug boat, 85 frieght cars are reported to have been de stroyed. The estimated property damage to the National Storage Co. is twelve million dollars, Lehigh Valley Rail road Co. one milion, Central Railroad $50,000, Bedloe's Island, $150,000, Ellis 'Island, $100,000; other points $50,000, making a total of nineteen millions of dollars. Man Thrown from Bed. Herbert Delima of Jersey City de scribing tfhe explosion, said: "Jarred from my bed by the TiUnic burst I along with thousands fled into the streets in my night clothes. The lights were out, but the lightning flashed skyward causing roosters to crow tihinking it was daylight. Am bulances began passing, and sudden ly the entire world seemed split. The earth seemed to drop away and gave a sensation like a rapidly descending elevator. Overhead there wore whistling and whirring sounds. Shrnpnel -buzzed and continued to ex .plodc. Calm nurses carried wounded through the streets and it all brought to mind the srenes of the Eu ropean . war. Twisted steel bars weighing fifteen pounds were hurled for miles. Many freakish episodes are noticeable. Policeman Henry Doperty of Jersey City landed in the water naked, while Bargeman Charles (Continued 'on Page Eight) A IIE1V MECCA FOR CAMPERS AN OLD MOUNTAIN TOLL ROAD ATTRACTS MANY. Summit of the Mountain is Rendered Easy of Access.' A new paradise for. campers,; for auto parties, tourists, and others, has been discovered. It is near the sum- mik of the Blue mountains on the old Thomas and Ruckles toll road above Summerville. It is only about 12 miles up--the gradual mountain slope from the valley to wit&in three-quar ters of a mile to the - summit. This road is of such easy grade as (to be almost the same as level and ' iot nearly the whole distance the road lies within the slhade of the trees. Access to' this place has been se cured by road improvement whidh has been made jointly by subscription by residents of Summervillo and vicinity and by work done by the county. The present "terminal" is. just this side the summit, but within another weeK the road improvement is to be finished so the travelers may go over the di vide if desired. ,- The place as it is, affords the most inviting spot imaginable for campers and those who go for a day's outing. There are springs of ice cold water, abundance of shade and the sojourn ers may enjoy all the comforts of a mountain retreat without the rough traveling usually necessary to reach such a desirable placer -Yesterday there were a dozen auto loads of people from Summerville and valley points in camp on the old rood. There is also a large encampment of people who have gone there for a stav of a few days, included among them is "Uncle" Billy llmdman, of El gin, who camped on the old Thomas and Ruckles road 51 years ago. The place is about a machine hour from La Grande. .-, w"- INSTALLS WATER SYSTEM. . A. Rysdem Adds Improvement to His Country Home. Bay' & flweifel have just finished in stalling "a' private water system for LA. Rysdam at his ranch east of Elgin. The water ts lifted 450 feet into we private reservoir and then distributed over the premises. I ; . 1 Grand Circuit Races Start. Pittsburg, July 31. Despite fail ure in recent years to make Grand circuit racing at Brunots 'Island track 'here a success, the races orig inally awarded to the Grand Rapids club were transferred here and will begin this afternoon. Many of the fastest horses on the circuit are en tered. After the meet here the horses will go to Kalamazoo, on Au gust 6. ''., Satisfied With Mountain Road. J. G. Pacy and this party spent last night in Pendleton on their way back to Seattle after passing through the Yellowstone National park, says the Pendleton Tribune. Mr. Pacey is a Seattle manufacture of electric fix tures. The party is traveling in two eight-cylinder Cadillacs and the party of nine, with their dunnage is accom modated with ease. They went into the park from the Gardiner entrance after crossing over the northern part of Washington and Idaho into Mont ana. The park they found magnifi cent. Coming out on this side, they struck awful roads between the south ern gateway and Hailey, Ida. From there they had no difficulty and wore satisfied with the condition of the road from here to La Grande, of which they toad heard troublesome talcs. "All one needs is gasoline and patience," said Mr. Pa-iey. "Many of the tourists are trying to make 200 miles or more a day. We were sat isfied to take it easy and cover 125 miles on the average, so enjoyed our trip." After the Bomb Thrower San Francisco, July 31. Captain of Detectives Matheson declared today that the police are still hunting for one man who is thought to be a very prominent figure in the bomb throw ing plot. He believes plotters intend ed to dynamite the United Railways section of the parade because em ployes recently refused to, strike. The time was miscalculated, according to the chief's belief, and tho man aban doned his suitcase and fled. READY TO START. Baltimore, July 31. At 1:30 o'clock this afternoon the tug Timmons began removing barges tfr.at have obstructed the DeutscNland. There is every indication that immediate de parture is contemplated. f,r,,J f' ? mm ARE RECEIVED SPORTING CLUB RECEIVES FOUR CRATES TODAY Game Warden Walden Pleased With Nice Shipment of Birds The Wing, Fin and Fleetfoot dob today received through Game Warden John Walden. four crates of very fine China. Pheasants which will be liberated in the Grande Ronde valley adding to the already numerous birds of the kind. In- the four crates were forty-eight birds. They came by express and were properly cared for. Warden; Walden is delighted with the birds for in shipping them the state commis sion has honored his request for more birds for the valley. Since he- was first appointed he has been making an effort to get more birds and . it would seem that his efforts are now meeting with success. "" .'Members of the Wing, ' Fin and Fleetfoot club are elated today over the arrival of the birds. JACK CHILDS INVESTS. Becomes Partner in Stiles Feed and , Provision Store. Jack Childs has purchased an in terest in the feed, provision and trans fer business heretofore known as the Stiles concern. The partners are Jack Childs and Peare Stiles and it will hereafter be known under the eu phonious 'name of Childs & Stiles. JWth the new move Mr. Childs once more bids farewell to the contracting business in which he has been en gaged many years. He has, however, a contract for sewer construction which was recently awarded him by the city of iLa Grande. This con tract he will complete, but after that no more contracting for your uncle Jack, . , . ,.!.' Power Plows Tear Ui Field. St. Louis, July 31. The first prac tical demonstration of tractor farm ing ever held in the Mississippi val ley began here today. Thousands .of farmers went to Kinlock, in St. Louis county, where for five days the latest power-driven agricultural implements will be demonstrated on a two thou sand acre farm. Under the auspices of the National Tractor Farming as sociation, harrowing, plowing, seed ing, spreading, pulverizing, threshing and harvesting will take up the morn ing sessions. Each afternoon 40 pow er-driven plows will tear up the ground. The dynamometer tests of draw bar pull of the various makes of plows attracted considerable attention as did the belt-work exhibit THREE AMERICAN Elpaso, July 31. Mexicans killed three troopers of the Eighth cavalry in a running fight on American soil near Fort Hancock. Five Mexicans were killed, and one American wound ed. The cavalry patrol surprised bandits on their way to raid an Amer ican ranch. The Mexicans fled to wards the border. At least 200 shots wore exchanged. DEATH OF NANNIE BERKLEY. Former La Grande Resident Away in Portland. Passes The death of Mrs. Nannie Berkley occurred at her home in Portland yes terday fpllowing several weeks of af fliction caused by a nervous break down. Mrs. Berkley lived for many years in La Grande but has lately been making foer home in ' Portland. The death of her husband, Scott Berk ley, occurred about 12 years ago. Mrs. Berkley was a daughter of John Stotts and a sister of James Stotts and Mrs. Henry Young, of La Grande. Mrs. Young nas been with her through the final weeks of her ill ness. She leaves to mourn her loss five children; three sons, James, Hugh and Le Roy, are at North Yakima, and Miss Lora Berkley, the oldest child, and her son Lee, tlhe youngest, have been living with her at the home in Portland. The remains will be brought to La Grande for interment and the funeral will be held from St. Peter's Episco pal dhurch tomorrow (Tuesday) after noon at 2 o'clock. UNION OPERA HOUSE DAMAGED Sunday Afternoon Fire Inflicted Very Severe I.oss. Union, July 31. (Special) The Union opera house belonging to Joe Yorgason was heavily damaged by fire which broke out at 1 o'clock yes terday afternoon. By very prompt jvork on the part of the fire depart- MILLIONS III FIRE DAMAGE MANY' LIVES LOST AND HEAVY PROPERTY LOSS SUFFERED Rains of Last Night Saved Canada ' from Further Devastation. Montreal, July 31. Nortfto Bay, On tario -reported at noon today that one hundred and eight-four bodies had been found in the forest Are district. Heavy rains drenched the country last : night and succeeded in ex tinguishing the flames. It is expected that railway communication will be resumed this afternoon. Fire has burned over hundreds of acres be tween Cochran, Hearst, and . several towns are reported to have been de stroyed.' . Several millions of dollars worth of timber has been destroyed. ROUND-UP BOOSTER HERE. Kit" Carson Tells of Wonders of the Big Show This Year. W. F. (better known as "Kit") Carson, is in La Grande for a day or two to explain in various ways the main features of the big Round-Up at Pendleton this year. Among other things he has moving pictures of the great annual gathering whidh he ex pects to have thrown on the canvass tomorrow. "There is no possible doubt," says Mr. Carson, "that the show will be bigger and grander than ever. An order has been sent to Texas for two carloads of tlhe biggest, longest- horned and most implacable steers that can 'be had for the performances. There will also be a bigger list of rid ers and ropers then ever before." "Kit Carson's territory extends as far east as Salt Lake and he intends to let everybody within that territory know through illustrated supple ments, moving pictures and otherwise what a big treat is in store for those who attend the 1916 Round-Up. Rookies in War Games. Plattsburg, N. Y., July 31. Undor the personal direction of Major Gen eral Leonard Wood, Commander of !he United States Army, Department of the East, 7,000 citizens rookies in training here for sevewl weeks start ed a series of war games today which will close the senior camp for wis. year. ...... Participating in the mimic cam paign ore a lot of New York society young men. The 7,000 includes four regiments of infantry, two squadrons of cavalry, a field artillery ' detach ment and several hundred regulars. The active operations are tinder the personal direction of Major Peter Murray, Camp Commaidor and Quar termaster Major Frank Lawton. SOLDIERS KILLED ment the building was saved al though damage in tho vicinity of the stage where the bluze started is con siderable and will reach at least $1000. There had been a dance the night before and the probable theory is that the fire started from a smould ering cigar stub in the vicinity of the stage. Slocum Is Exonerated, Washington, July 81. Tho war de partment today announce-i tho exon eration of Colonel Herbert J Slocum of the Thirteenth cavalry from all blame for the Villista raid at Colum bus. Slocum was in command at Columbus during the raid and the charge against him was negligence. HAS NEW PRIVATE CAR. Superintendent Rollins Returns from Portland With No. 182. Superintendent W. Bollins and daughter, Miss Madeline, have re turned from a trip to Portland where the superintendent was an official business and incidentally a partic iDant in the cmnloves' nicnic at Bon neville. On his return Supt. Rollins brought wish him his private car, No. 182. This was formerly the "00" but it has been under a thorough over hauling and has been repainted, re numbered and revivified until it is the s ame as a bran new car. Believed He Was Mad Salem. July 31. A mun giving his name as M. J. O'iiiien of Camas, Washington, ru?hed into tho office of Chief of Police Welsh today and de manded that he be jailed or sent to the madhouse. Welsh did not believe the man was crazy but afraid he might suicide so he detained the man until he could get in touch with the sheriff of Clarke county, Washington, Later O'Brien said ho lost his job with the Willamette Paper Company and that it. had a bad effect on his mind. mills ARE 6ATHERIIIG PORTLAND IS PLACE WHERE , DAMON AND PYTHIAS MEET Delegations From All Parts of the Country Arriving in Metropolis Portland, July 31.- The . Supremo Lodge of the Knights of Pytihias and the Supreme Temple of the" Pythian, Sisters, to say nothing of the Grand Lodge of the Knights of Pythias of Oregon arej to all practical intents and purposes beginning trtieir session this morning. ' : , The most Important delegates to the two Supreme lodges reached Port land last night by special trains from the East, and while today is devoted according to the program, to regis tration' and preliminary work, the opening activities of the great bien nial sessions began to be apparent al most as soon as the first two of the big special trains from Chicago rolled into the city. Visitors Are Welcomed. Gus Moser, Frank S. Grant and W. J. H. Clarke, of the local committee, met the visitors in Seattle and ac companied them to Portland, where the local reception committee under W. M. Cake, took charge of them, and escorted the various delegates to their hotels The Knights of Pythias specials reached the city 15 minutes apart, the first arriving at 7 o'clock, and the special of the Pythian Sisters came in about 10 o clock. The two Kingiht's specials wore in charge of W. G. Edenes, of Chicago, who, for the past eight years, has made up tho official specials to the bi ennial Supreme lodge sessions. ' Officials Arrive Early. Every one of the Supreme lodge of ficials, with the exception of Fred E. Wheaton, Supreme Keeper of Records and Seal, who arrived several days ago, came in on the first section. Past supreme chancellors who were on tho train were W. W. Blackwejl, of Henderson, Ky.: H. P. Brown, of I Clavboume. Tex.: Thomas J. Carline, I of Macon, Gr.; Phillip T. Colgrove, of 1 ITnctfinfra Mill . nnrl Wttlfnf R Richie, of Lima, 0, . Thomas D, Meares, supreme master of the exchequer, will deposit at the First National bank this morning $85,000 for the mileage and por diem allowance of the delegates and for other expenses of the convention. John J. Brown Is conceded to be tho next supreme chancellor, under tjhe custom which advances the vice-chancellor to the chancellorship each bien nium, and the big contest of the con vention in election of officers will cen ter around the next supreme vice chancellor. Seven candidates are al ready mentioned prominently, and it is intimated that others may be in the contest before the election is made. Regarding other offices in the su preme lodge there is comparatively little interest displayed at this meet ing. San Francisco Suggested. Among those whose names are be ing bruoght forward for the supreme vice-chancellorship are: William La dow, of Now York; C. S. Davis, of Denver; Robt. Burns, of San Fran cisco; F. M. Beckford, of Laconia, N. H.; William Broening, of Baltimore;' Richard S. Witte, of Milwaukee, and Fred J. G. McArthur, of Winnipeg, Manitoba. The campaigns of various cities-for the honor of entertaining the next bi ennial convention -has not yet begun to make itself apparet. Norfolk, Va.; Richmond, Atlantic City, Buffalo, Pittsburg and Chicago all lhad their supporters on the train coming out, although no faction made a prominent preliminary campaign. Atlantic City thus far appears to be making the most definite campaign for the con- vention. The delagt.es were met at the sta tion last night by a committee of wives of the local Knights of Pythias, under the chairmanship of Mrs. Wil- lurd Marks, and roses were given to all of the visitors. The uniformed rank of Cosmopolitan Ijdge No. 109, i under Cnptnin G. F. H. Murray, was! drawn up on parade as the incoming delegates loft the train, and served as an escort of honor to tho vehicles which were provided to hurrv tho guests to their hotels. Formal Opening Tomorrow. The convention proper of the Su- prcme lodge of the Knights of Pythias will not open until 9 o'clock tomorrow morning, when tho formal ceremonies of welcome will be held at tho Masonic Temple. A public reception will be beld to night, however, nt the Baker theatre in honor of the delegates to the two Supreme conventions and to the Grand lodge of the state. Gus C. Moser will preside, and the principal speakers will be Supreme Chancellor Young, and James E. Watson, of In- SUNDAY SEES t FOR ALLIES FRENCH DEFEAT GERMANS AND CONSOLIDATE ON NEW GROUND. I i BRITISH SAID TO HAVE MADE ADVANCE Haig Says Britishers Are, Far Ad vanced North of Bazaline Leoetit and Spent Night Improving Their Newly . Won Positions Russian Deliver Sunday Defeat to Austrian and Germans on East Front. Paris, July SI. It is announced hore that the French defeated several violent German attacks near Mina cue. According to the information given out Germans suffered terribly. The French are consolidating on tho newly won positions lour miles north of Somme. They have recaptured the trenches near Minacue Farm. , British Are Advancing. '. London, July 31. Commander Haig has' reported further advances of the British north of Bazaline Lep etit. He Bays the British spent the night improving positions they won yesterday. ,. - Russians Defeat Austrian. . ' Potyogvad, July 31.--Announce-: meni is made here that Russians have v won in a fierce battle around tBrody. They drove the Austrians and Ger mans to Graberki and Serot rivers. ' - -.-.--j..i ' thatt Battle in Air ' 'London, July 81. The admiralty reports a battle between a British aeroplane and a - German Zeppelin thirty miles off the east coast. Tho British pilot. fought until the gun burst, which delivered ;. a . stunning blow to the pilot. - When he recovered it is asserted the Zeppelin was gor.o, Berlin, July 81. -The war office an- nounces that Fiench attacks from Longueval to Somme have been heavi ly repulsod. 'Russian attacks wero also repulsed, it is Baid. .Northwest of BuczacZ the Russians penetrated the first line but were later dejec- tod- u.'. ' i&Li'r ' " v TRANSCONTINENTAL RECORD. Auto Speeds Across the Continent In - side of Six Days. San Francisco. July 31.. Samuel D. Stevens, of Rome, N. Y., who yester day made a new transcontinental au tomobile record of five days 15 hours and 30 minutes, delivered today at the headquarters of the Western depart ment of the United States Army a let ter from Major-General Leonard Wood, commanding the Eastern de partment. .' Mr. Stevens said tonight that tho aim of the trip was to bring home to the public the ease and speed with which troops might be transported long distances by means of motor cars. The journey was made under the auspices of the American Defense so ciety, of which Mr. Stevens is chair man of the automobile division . diana. Otlhcr Kinghts will give short addresses. The Supreme Temple of the Pyth ian Sisters will open its session this afternoon at 3 o'clock with the mem orial ceremonies, which will be most impressive. These ceremonies will be held at the Elks' lodge rooms, and will be open to the general public. The report of the special committee on tho early history of tho order will bo re ceived immediately after the memor ial ceremony and will bo presented by Dr. 'Ida M. Jane Weaver, of Se- attle, and five other past Supreme chiefs of tho order. Dr. Weaver has the distinction of hnving been tho first chief of tho Pythian Temple, when it was found ed in Warsaw, Ind., 27 years ago, and to have been the first grand chief in that state and the first supreme chief over the Supreme Temple. The other members of tho committee also ars pioneers in the work of the order. Tho meeting this afternoon will be presided over by Abbe Warren Libby, of Maine, pnt supreme chief.