I
THE . MORNING OREGONIAjtf, TUESDAY. JANUARY 5, 190i
lYUlR
More Russian Ships Not
Well for Japan.
WOULD LOSE ADVANTAGE
With Fleet at Tunis on Scene,
Strength Would Bequal.
BOER CONFLICT IS RECALLED
Dispatch of Large British Enforce
ments Caused President Kruger to
Open Hcstilities-Mikado Likely
to Profit by His Experience.
XAST STEPS BEFORE WAR.
LONDON, Jan. 4. The Dally Mall's
correspondent at the Japanese capi
tal declares that Japan has forwarded
to the powers a complete copy o! the
correspondence with Hu&sla, and the
paper points out that this Is usually
the last step taken prior to a declara
tion of war.
PARIS, Jan. 4. The movements of the
Russian naval division, at BIzerta, Tunis,
are being: closely followed by the powers
interested in the Japanese-Russian situ
ation. One of the leading diplomats said
the departure of the division for China
"might prove decisive in causing Japan to
take speedy action," and compared Jap
an's position with that of the Transvaal
on the eve of the outbreak of the South
African War, when the dispatch of large
British reinforcements Induced President
Kruger to open hostilities.
It is pointed out-that If this additional
division succeeds in passing Suez, Rus
sia's naval strength in Chinese waters will
thereafter exceed Japan's, their present
strength being about equal.
Russian Torpedo Boats Sail.
MALTA. Jan. 4.-TFlve Russian torpedo
boat destroyers sailod from here today in
an eastward direction.
Urgent Orders to Cruiser.
MOSCOW, Jan. 4. The Russian volun
teer fleet cruiser garatoff has been ordered
to Sebastopol, to receive her armament
and thence proceed with all haste to Port
Arthur. The Russian, auxiliary cruiser
Orel has been ordered to Odessa until she
receives her armament. :. -
RUSSIAN SHIPS SAIL FOR CHINA
Division Consists of 3500 Men Under
Admiral Wirenius.
PARIS, Jan. 4. A dispatch to the As
sociated Press from BIzerta, Tunis, says
the Russian naval division there, or re
cently in the vicinity, comprised the
armored cruiser DImitrl Donskol, launched
In 1SS3; the armored cruiser Oslayba,
launched in 189S; the protected cruiser
Aurora, launched in 1901; a dispatch-boat
destined for Viceroy Alexleff, and 11 torpedo-boat
destroyers of the latest make,
having a speed of 36 knots. The person
nel of the division consisted of 3500 o Ul
cers and men under Admiral Wirenius.
A number of the ships of this division
were still at BIzerta when the dispatch
was sent and others were near that port,
awaiting the movement of the division
as a whole. The Aurora left yesterday
for Piereaus, and Ave of the torpedo-boat
destroyers were recently at Malta. Vice
roy Alcxleffs dispatch states that the
boats had already started for China.
The Foreign Office has not received ad
vices of a material change in the diplo
matic sltuatlbn during the last five days.
The Japanese Legation here understands
that the two warships purchased by Japan
from Argentina will sail for the Far East
in the latter part of January. No objec
tion will be raised by Japan, it is said,
to the dlspatoh of the BIzerta division of
Russian warships to China, the naval
authorities at Toklo considering that the
ships form part of the Russian fleet In
tho Far East, and have been making
preparations accordingly. .
No news has been received at the Le
gation regarding tho Russian reply, but
it ie asserted that unless the reply is a
positive and favorable declaration of Rus
sia's attitude. Japan, without further ne
gotiations, will employ force' to obtain
satisfaction for her demands.
sary. The popular clamor has some
what subsided, although many support
the proposition to seize and declare a
protectorate oyer Corea.
It is safe to anticipate that the gov
ernment will continue negotiations un
til a peaceful settlement Is hopeless.
In the meantime it will watch the acts
of Russia in Corea. There Is much
Irritation at the present course of Rus
sia In Seoul and Pekln. The Imperial
Princes serving: In the navy have re
turned to their stations at Sasebog.
Governor Taft, of the Philippine Isl
ands, arrived here today and was offi
cially welcomed. He will remain three
days. United States Minister Griscom
will give him a dinner and reception,
ami the Emperor and Empress will give
& private audience and luncheon. The
distinguished visitor will also be enter
tained at dinners by the War Minister
and the Minister for Foreign. Affairs.
JAPAN'S ENSIGN IS HOISTED.
New Warships Purchased From Ar
gentina Fly Her Colors.
LONDON, Jan. 4. The first authentic
news of the date the Russian reply to
Japan is expected reached Baron Hayashl,
the Japanese Minister to Great Britain,
through the Associated Press dispatch on
the subject from St. Petersburg today.
The Minister said the reception of Rus
sia's propositions would entirely depend
on how nearly they assimilated .with the
Japanese terms, from which it would be
extremely hard for Japan to -recede. He
added that orders were sent to Genoa to
day to hoist the Japanese ensign over the
new warships Kasaga and Niasln, recently
purchased by Japan from Argentina.
WILL GIVE NO DIRECT ANSWER
Russia's Reply WW Be Made Up of
Reasoned Propositions.
ST. PETERSBURG, Jan. 4. The As
sociated Press has the authority of the
Foreign Office for the statement that
the Russian reply will not be merely
"yes" or "no," but will be made up of
reasoned propositions. The general ba
sis of this communication is already
complete, but the details are being
elaborated on.
JAPAN BUYING MUCH COAL.
Odes for 80,000 Tons for January
Shipment Given n Wales. v
CARDIFF, Wales, Jan. 4. It was re
ported on the coal exchange today that
Japan was placing orders here for 80,000
tons of steam coal, the orders being large
ly conditioned on shipment during Janu
ary. It is estimatfd that 40.000 tons of
steam coal have already been bought by
Japan from Wales mines.
Russia's Reply Sent to Viceroy.
PARIS, Jan. 5. The St. Petersburg cor
respondent of the Paris edition of the New
York Herald says the reply of the Rus
sian government to the Japanese govern
ment is now in the hands of Admiral
Alexleff the Russian Viceroy in the Far
East, who will deliver it when he consid
ers a fitting moment has arrived. Accord
ing to the correspondent. Viceroy Alex
leff declares that Russia has not given
up hopo of peaceful settlement of the dif
ferences betwen the two glvernments.
The correspondent adds:
"As to whether Russia's reply will be
acceptable to Japan, no one here will ex
press an opinion. The reply has been care
fully considered, and from Russia's point
of view is framed in terms which Japan
can honorably accept.
Germany Is More Hopeful.
COLOGNE, Germany, Jan. 4. The
tension between Russia and Japan has
appreciably decreased, and the situation
is regarded in authoritative quarters as
Quite reassuring, according to a dis
patch to the Cologne Gazette from St,
Petersburg-.
"Although the preparations and
strategic deployment of both armies
will not be interrupted," adds the cor
respondent, "pending the negotiations
taking a turn affording the best pros
pects of Russia coming to a complete
understanding with Japan.
The dispatch also says that the Rus
slan reply is expected shortly, and that
Viceroy Alexleff will. start in February
ror sst. jfetersDurg.
Hanna Has No Comment to Make.
CLEVELAND. Ohio. Jan. 4. Senator
Hanna said he had no comment to make
when shown the dispatch from Washing
ton today announcing the favorable re
port of the Senate commltttee on mill
tary affairs In connection with the nomi
nation of General Wood to be Major-Gen-,
eraL It Is understood that the Senator
will make a speech against the conflrma
tlon of General Wood when the matter
Is taken up by the Senate.
THE WTE IS EIGHT TO THREE
DOES NOT WANT CHINA TO MIX
United States Realizes Such Action
Would Be Menace to Trade.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 4. Reports of un
rest In China and Indications that the
Pekln government is inclined to join hands
with Tokio In the event of war between
Russia and Japan have -been received at
the State Department with regret- The
possibility of China becoming involved in
such a conflict presents, it is said, a very
grave menace to American trade, and the
officials of the Washington Government
are disposed to bring to bear all the legiti
mate moral pressure at their command
both at St. Petersburg and Pekln to pre
servo peace between Russia and China,
even if war between Russia and Japan
cannot be averted.
Although no direct representations have
been received at the State Department re
cently from Pekln on the subject, the
statement is made that the United States
will gladly support any proposition com
ing from St. Petersburg or Pekln looking
to a reference of the Manchurian question
to The Hague tribunal for settlement. The
Washington Government sees nothing in
this problem which could not be carried to
The Hague. Unofficially our Government
has learned that China is disposed to re
fer the Manchurian question to The Hague
and agree not to mix in a war between
Russia and Japan.
Barges Lost in Storm.
NEWPORT NEWS, Va., Jan. 4. The
barges New Jersey and Liberty, which
left here in tow of the tug Navigator,
were lost In the storm. Both barges are
supposed to have gone down with all
on board. On board the Liberty were
Captain Peter Schipp and four men, and
on the New Jersey, Captain Elmer Hamel
and a crew of three.
) Heavy Fall In Securities.
LONDON, Jan. 5. Special telegrams
from Toklo printed in this morning's
newspapers have nothing new to report
concerning the situation in the Far East,
beyond the heavy fall in all securities on
tho Bourse, as a result of which several
brokers have been ruined and the bank'
era rendered excedlngly anxious.
Argentina Has No Ships for Sale.
BUENOS AYRES, Jan. 4. The Argen
tine Government, in answer to a tele
gram of Inquiry from a representative
of an English firm which negotiated
recent purchases of warships for Japan,
has stated that Argentina is not dis
posed to sell any more ships.
Great Secrecy Is Enjoined.
LONDON, Jan. 4. A dispatch to Reu
ters Telegram Company from Tokio says
that there is Increasing evidence there of
the Imminence of some Important develop
ments. but that the most rigorous secrecy
Is maintained In all official circles.
N FAVOR Of WOOD
)
Senator Committee Reports
for Promotion of General.
Reply Has Likely Reached Japan.
PEKIN. Jan. 4. Advices received here
from Toklo say that the Russian Foreign
Minister, Count Lamsdorff, promised " to
hand Russia's reply to the Japanese Min
ister at St Petersburg Saturday last, but
it is believed here that the reply reached
JAPAN STILL PREPARING.
Course of Russia at Seoul and Pekln
Causes Much irritation.
TOKIO. Jan. 4. War .preparations
continue, but the government seems de
termined to avoid the initiation of any
conflict, and for this purpose the note
ent to the powers was intended to
show that the responsibility rested up
on Russia, should the negotiations now
proceeding fail. The government is
proceeding very cautiously, and unless
Russia gives undue provocation It is
possible that peace may continue for
some time. The preparations made by
the government are. however, sufficient
to convince the populace of a determi
nation upon its part to fight it neces-
Russla Will Occupy Chinese Point.
TIEN TSIN, Jan. 4. The Russian of
fice here has Informed the railroad of
ficials that a detachment of 100 Russian
troops will occupy Sin-Mln-Tun, on the
railroad running to Shan Hal Kwan, and
Tien Tsln, In two days from date.
Witnesses Were Given Every Lati
tude, but Were Unabfe to Prove
Charges, and In Most Cases They
Held Real or Fancied Wrongs.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 4. Senator Fora-
ker, a member of the committee on mili
tary affairs, in executive session today.
submitted a brief in favor of Brigadier-
General Wood's confirmation to be Major
General. Eight of the 11 members of
the committee "have concurred in this report.
The committee met today for the pur
pose of acting on the matter of recom
mending or disapproving confirmation.
Senators Hawley, Proctor, Fo raker,
Quarles, Warren and Alger, Republicans,
and Cockrell and Pettus, Democrats,
voted for a favorable report, while Scott,
Republican, and Blackburn, Democrat,
voted against confirmation. Senators
Hawley and Proctor were absent and
voted by proxies, and the vote of Sena
tor Bate will be recorded when he re
turns to Washington tomorrow. Senator
Foraker s report contains more than 100
printed pages, and deals with all the
evidence introduced in the exhaustive in
vestigation conducted by the Senate com
mittee on military affairs. It also covers
the 167 Army nominations held pending
action on General Wood'B nomination.
Biased in Their Views.
In his report. Senator Foraker quotes
the charges filed by Major Rathbone
against General Wood, and says that
every witness before the committee was
allowed to testify as to any fact of which
he might have knowledge, but that with
all this latitude, the witnesses had been
unable to support the charges made.
while, lnmost Instances, the fact had been
brought out that the witnesses were hold
ing real or fancied grievances against
General Wood, which made them biased
In their views to an extent apparent to
the members of the committee. Each
charge Is taken up by Senator Foraker,
in Its turn. The orders General Wood
U said to have issued to the courts In
the Rathbone case, it is argued, were
wholly within the province and duty of
General Wood as Governor-General. In
the postal cases, It Is declared that the
testimony showed General Wood to be
following the instructions followed by
the Secretary of War. The report de
clares that no' evidence was offered to
the committee to show that Major Rath
bone was not given a fair trial in Cuba.
Gifts From Jai All Company.
In regard to the gifts which General
Wood accepted from the Jai All Company,
the report says that "in the mere fact
of General Wood's accepting presents
from the Jai All Company there Is- noth
ing to be criticised," and adds that Gen
eral Wood's acceptance was with the full
knowledge of Secretary Root. The ref
erence made to the conflict of tesimony
In regard to the Runcio article, and the
word of Major Runcie is placed against
that of Ray Stannard Baker, the maga
zine writer, and General Wood, both of
whom have declared that the article was
not talked at a -dinner at Santiago, as
reported by Major Runcie.
The -charges made by- Major Rathbone
that General Wood had been unduly In
timate with an ex-cpnvict. Captain Bel-
lairs, are pronounced by Senator Foraker
to be seemingly only spiteful and ma
licious declarations, made without excuse,
of any kind, in a spirit of revenge and
wanton vllUficatlon. Senator Foraker
says that many persons high in social and
Army circles had trusted Bellalrs, and It
was natural General Wood should do the
same.
Charges made by A. E. Frye, ex-Superintendent
of Schools of Cuba, form an in
teresting part of the report, and Senator
Foraker gives as a reason for the differ
ences between Frye and General Wood
that the former had employed teachers
wholly Incompetent and in many cases
women who were leading Immoral lives.
The Santiago accounts of 189S are cov
ered In the general statement that the
accounts had been declared correct to the
last dollar by Secretary Root and by
counting officers.
It is declared that the charges made by
General Brooke that General Wood was
guilty of Insubordination were proved to
be without foundation, and, it is added,
"that Wood was fully sustained by the
War Department and the President as to
all points of difference between him and'
General Brooke."
As to His Rapid Rise.
Of the rapid rise of Wood, Senator For
aker says:
"When General Wood was made a Brigadier-General
In the Regular Army by ap
pointment of President McKlnley and the
unanimous vote of the Senate, he was ad
vanced over many ofllcers of longer serv
ice and higher rank. There was no ob
jection, because It was well known that
his promotion by President McKlnley was
due to the fact that In the judgment of
the President General Wood had rendered
conspicuous and . meritorious service and
had shown abilities and qualifications that
entitled him to the promotion, especially
In view of the service he was then ren
dering as military Governor of Cuba.
Under the head, "This promotion does not
Jump any other officer." Senator For
aker says:
"There seems to be an opinion widely
entertained that General Wood Is now, by
this appointment, being 'Jumped' over of
ficers senior to him in rank and of longer
and more important service. Such is not
the case. General Sumner and General
Wood were, when this nomination was
made, the ranking Brigadier-Generals of
the Army. Both were at the same time
nominated to fill the two vacancies then i
occurring, to be Major-Generals. Gen
eral Sumner had been confirmed. Only one
vacancy In the rank of Major-General
remains, and that is the one to which Gen
eral Wood has been appointed.
"It would seem to be enough In view of
his good record to Justify the President
in giving him this appointment that he
is now the ranking Brigadier-General, and
naturally the first man to be considered
In the whole Army In connection with,
such an appointment."
Senator Scott Is preparing a statement
which will give the reasons of .the minori
ty members of the committee for voting
against the favorable report on the nomination.
THE DIFFERENT
STORE"
OLDS WORTMAN & KING
FIFTH AMD WASHINGTON STREETS
The Home of (Jcality
and Worth
cm
2d Day
Week
PMttcLt CLEARANCE SALE
Every article
in the house
contract
goods
excepted
deeply exst '
and
slashingly
redeced.
Of the Stocks in the Shoe Section-A Shoe Sale of Intense Importance to Evety
Prudent Shoe Buyer in or for Miles Around Portland -
The fact that the breaking through from our present store into the new annex, now being, so rapidly pushed to completion, necessitates tear
ing down the walls whereon rest the shelves that bear thousands upon thousands of dollars' worth of new, good, worthy, stylish Shoes, .of this
season's vintage, MAKES IT AN IMPERATIVE NECESSITY TO DISPOSE OP EVERY DOLLAR'S WORTH POSSIBLE OF THESE
SHOES before the dust, mortar and debris incident upon the alterations force use to move the stocks. We prefer to' submit to a present loss
rather than to wait for a later one that might mean a greater one so WE INAUGURATE THIS MORNING A GRAND, POSITIVE CLEAN
SWEEP SALE OP OUR ENTIRE SHOE STOCK, Every pair of Shoes, every pair of Boots and: every pair of Slippers in the house is RAD
ICALLY REDUCED. The printed list, below includes but few of hundreds of incomparable values. No other house is forced, as we are, to such
unheard of reductions on new, fashionable footwear not an unworthy shoe in all the lot no trash, but all the newest and best of shoes from
the leading factories of America's Shoe Cities.
THE LOSS IS DECISIVE THE CLEARANCE QUICK THE OPPORTUNITY YOURS! We warrant every pair to give satisfaction.
WOMEN'S
SHOES
at Wonderful Bargain
Prices
Women's handsome, ultra fashion
able "Pattern" or bench-made
shoes, the very extreme of style
in woman's footwear, finest of
kid, in Erencnbr enamel finish
or patent leather; choice of full
Louis or military heels and new
est style toes; regular $5.00 and
$6.00 values, in the sweep
at $3.85
WOMEN'S $3.60 EMPRESS
. SHOES, $2.48.
Eight styles in the choosing and 4
leading leathers; very
newest lasts.- $2.48
WOMEN'S $3.00 STREET SHOES, $.1.98.
All leading leathers and choice, of heavy
or light soles $1,98
WOMEN'S $1.25 HOUSE SLIPPERS, 83c.
Women's common
sense House Slip
pers, with broad
hoes, flat heels and
soft, flexible soles;
$1.25 values in the
sweep at.... 83
WOMEN'S COMMON-SENSE
HOUSE COM
FORTS, $1.75
AND $2.00 KIND
FOR $1.38
In lace or congress
styles, warm lined,
with flexible soles,
broad toes and flat
heels, go in the
sweep, the $1.75 and $2 values, at $1.38
$2.00 AND $.2.50 FANCY SLIPPERS, $1.68.
Fancy House or Party Slippers, in one or three
strap style, with beaded vamps or plain, high
or medium heels; the usual $2.00 and
$2.50 values go in the sweep for $1.68
$1.75 PARTY SLIPPERS, $1.18.
In one-strap style, kid stock, soft, hand-turned
soles.
INFANTS' $1 LACE OR BUTTON SHOES,-68c
ml
Misses' and Children's
Shoes in Bargain Sweep
In new and fashion
able styles of street
shoes, button or
lace, Calf or kid
stock with plain or
patent lips
Sizes 6 to 8, $1.50
values for.-. .98$
Sizes Sy3 to 11,
$1.75 values
for $1.08
Sizes liy2 to 2. $2
values for..$1.38
$1.50 Slippers, 98c.
Bargain Table in
Shoe Aisle All
$1.50 values in
Men's or Women's
House and Party
Slippers of felt or
leather stock Juli
ette3 or low
cut styles. .98$
$2.00 HOUSE. SHOES, $1.38. ' 1
Best warm House Shoes, with felt tops, lined
throughout, in congress or lace styles, heavy
-or light soles.
Boys' Shoes in the
Slaughter
Boys' Heavy Winter Shoes, all solid calf stock,
double soles and made for hard service, in
. the sale as follows
In sizes 11 to 13, regular $175 values
at $1.28
v . In sizes 13 to 2, regular $2.00 val- .
v . ues at $1.48
In sizes 2y2 to 5, regular $2.50 val
ues at .$1.78
WOMEN'S $2.00 JULTETTES, $1.38.
In fancy fur trimmed styles, choice of felt or
velvet materials.
BOYS AND YOUTHS' SHOE BARGAINS.
Boys' and Youths' Sh6es, of extra heavy box
calf stock, heavy soles and broad toes, stylish,
mannish lasts
Sizes 11 to 13, $2.25 values at S1.78
Sizes 13 to. 2, $2.50 values at $1.98
Sizes 2y2 to 6, $3.00 values, at $2.28
MEN'S $3.50 REGENT SHOES, $2.68.
One of the best and most famous of the $3.50
Shoes made in America. All new, latest, most
fashionable styles, in box of velour calf or
enameled leather, with heavy double -soles.
A grand value at $2.68
CHILDREN'S $1.50 SHOES, 98c
In box calf, of vicMrid stock, button or lace
styles, with heavy double soles
Clearance Sale price -.98$
BARGAINS IN SLIPPERS.
Special Clearance of Christmas Slippers All
of our Fancy Pattern Slippers of superior
quality and bench-made from newest Eastern
patterns, with extra high, full Louis heels.
$5.00 values now S3.83
$4.00 values now SS.98
$3.50 values now $2.78.
In one, two or three-strap styles, with medium
high heels:
$3.00 values for $1.98
$2.00 and $2.50 values for ; $1.78
$1.75 values for $1.1S
THE NEWEST
THING OUT IN
LADIES'
T-TECKWEAR
The
5th Avenue
The newest, smartest sensation in Neckwear
for. fashionable women. . Just out pictured in
the latest periodicals and fashion articles in
the newspaperse made from models just re
ceived from our New York office. We'll make
'em to order at the Ribbon Counter from any
ribbon you may select call and see 'em.
Two Great Silk Specials
ANNEX-FIRST FLOOR -Extra
Special Clearance
Sale Black Taffeta 19
inches wide, very strong
and durable and high fin
ishour regular S5c value;
Special Clearance
price 69$
27 inches wide heavy, dur
able black Silk Taffeta.
with high, rich finish, splendid for drop skirts
and linings, our regular $1.25 value ;
Special Clearance price 96$
2a
Empress Dowager of Corea Dead.
"WASHINGTON, Jan. -J. Minister Allen,
at Seoul, has advised the State Department
that the Empress Dowager of Corea died
on the morning of January 2.
Japan Calls Officers Home.
BERLIN. Jan. 4. Several Japanese offi
cials who have been attending the' cavalry
school at Hanover have received" cable
messages from their government Instruct
ing them to return to Japan Immediately.
Shipping Strike Spreads.
BARCELONA. Jan. L The strike of per
sons employed by the shipping Interests,
which was declared yesterday, was Joined
today by J2.000 others. All attempts at
mediation 'have failed. The Chamber of
Commerce declares that the demands of
the men are extravagant.
Bound Over for Trial.
GARFIELD. "Wash., Jan. 4. (Special.)
Charles Devltt, the hotelrunner, who re
cently cut up the face and head of J. T.
Penn with a lantern at the O. R. & N.
depot, was brought here today from Col
fax, and had a preliminary examination
before Judge Bentley. Divltt was- bound
over in the sum of $500 for his appearance
at the. " February term of the Superior
Ocmrt. Being unable to give bonds he was
escorted back to. the County Jail by a
Deputy Sheriff.
Kittle Paul told Tne last evening I was the
prettiest girl he ever sawr. Bessie Oh, that's
nothing: he said the same to me last year.
Kittle I know, dear; but his taste may have
Improved since then, you know. Boston Transcript.
A WIFE FOR FOUR BITS
SALE OF WOMEN STILL ENGLISH
CUSTOM.
One Man, Failing to Beat Unruly
Young Helpmeet Into Submis
sion, Sells Her to Soldier.
Readers of -lr. Brady's novels have
been reminded of the opening chapters of
"The Mayor of Casrterbridge" "by the .case
at Marlborough-Street PoUce Court the
other day, where It was shown that the
defendant had cot rid of his wife bv sell
ing her for a couple of shillings, says the Elizabeth Smith, free from me forever, to
London Globe. For precedents of this ' do 33 se has a mind, this day, Dec 11,
commercial form of divorce some Journal
ists have searched the records of a cen-
in a case at Sheffield County Court in
18S7: "At tho Royal Oak. Sheffield, I,
Abraham Boothroyd, agree to ell my
wife, Clara, to "William Hall for the sum
of 5s." In another case the bargaining
was accidentally overheard in a public
house by a Sheffield journalist. A collier's
wife had transferred her affections to
another man, and the husband was will
ing to renounce his claim for a suitable jThis
compensation. So the parties assembled later
In a 'public house to arrange matters.
There was the Tiusband with a friend;
his wife with her fau.er and mot..er, and
the prospective purchaser with a friend.
The husband demanded 3 for his wife;
she herself said it was too much, and
her new man said he wouldn't give more
than a sovereign. Finally 30a wag the
sum agreed upon, it was paid over, and
this document drawn up, signed and wit
nessed: "Mr. Taylor to have my wife.
tury ago, and produced numerous in-
18S3."
These are merely two recent cases which
have come to light. The majority of such
stances of wives being led to the cattle 7 sales of wives never attain publicity. At
market and there knocked down to the '. Leeds Assl2es in .1835, Benjamin Gibbons
highest bidder. But it is not necessary to 1 was tried for bigamy. He admitted that
Mamma Bobby, have you been fighting?
Bobby Only a little bit. Mamma How did
that happen? Bobby Oh, the boy I licked
wasn't much of a fighter. Cblcaro Kews.
go back anything like a hundred years for
such sales or wives. Tnere are sufficient
modern instances to maintain the asser
tion that wife-selling is still a British cus
tom. There are Hundreds of people who
still believe that to transfer a wife to
another man for a cash payment is a
legal transaction, and a valid dissolution
of matrimonial ties. As a popular error
It ranks with the Idea, that if husband or
wife be absent or unheard of for seven
years the other Is free to marry again.
In Yorkshire generally, .nd In Sheffield
In particular, this doctrine of wife-selling
is still so firmly estabhaed and frequent
ly practiced that it baa little less than the
force of a local law.
Legends of Sheffield grinders who in
drunken bouts sell their wives for a quart
of ale are well known. But nowadays such
transaction are'ino longer conducted off
hand. They are Invested with formality,
as witness this document, which figured
he had married a woman while his first
trine of "value received" Is so far under
stood by the vulgar mind. The sale, in
deed. Is the poorlnan's divorce. His hon
esty In this matter is shown by his re
tention of the children of the marriage,
and his maintenance of them. In a case
at Doncaster in 1S9S the purchaser. In
stead of paying cash, agreed to take over
the vendor's four children with the wife.
was the document which figured
in the police court: "New Conis-
boro', March 28, 1S96. I, Enoch Chllds.
is quite willing to take your wife and
children as mine, that Is your wife, Ellen
Tart, and Sarah, John. Henry, and Eliza.
Signed. Ellen Tart, Enoch Childs."
Though Lancashire la so akin to York
shire no sales of wives are known In the
County Palatine. But at Alfreton. in Der
byshire, a collier sold his wife for four
pence in 1S82. In 1873 there was a re
markable case at Belper: there the wife
of an abscon-lng debtor had a halter i
placed about her neck and was led to '
the marketplace on Saturday afternoon
and offered for sale by auction as one ;
of her husband's assets. But there was ;
nb bidders and no sale. About four years ,
ago Irtalingborough, near Northampton,
supplied a Southern instance. A shoe
maker naraded the streets with a bell
wife was alive, but he pleaded that 'as he calling upon all persons tp know that he
naa mat aiternoon soi aim ucnLiciaCu
his wife to John . He proclaimed the
names of two companions as witnesses to
the transaction. The purchase money was
2 shillings. Mr. Baring Ciouia cues sim
had sold her he was entitled to marry
again. She was a young woman and un--ruly:
even though he constantly gave her
good hidings she troubled him, and tiring
of her he sold "her to a soldier for 3s 6d.
She went quite willingly, and had married
her purchaser. Again, at Leeds Assizes
three years agor another bigamist offered
the same defense. Oh his arrest he
stated: "When I married her I knew I
had a wife living, but I sold her for 50s."
More recently at Stockport an elderly
man told the Magistrates that he thought
he was entitled to marry again, as he had
sold his first wife to a chimneysweep
for 12d.
In each case It will be noted that the
purchase money is small. This is not due
to a low valuation of the woman, but. a
nominal sum is agreed upon to make the
bargain an actual one. The leca.1 floc-
ii!ir snip in the west Country, ana to
go back more than 30 years would mean
the extension of this subject to intolerant
lengin, for a century ago wife-sellingwa3
almost common. Tnat it is practiced as
frequently as It Is will come as a surprise
to most readers. In addition to these
Northern Instances, many a wife is sold
today in the east end of London, but of
all such cases over the country only a
few are revealed to public knowledge.
Steel Plant Will Resume Work.
PITTSBURG. Jan. 4. The Black Dia
mond Steel Company mills, of the Cru
cible Steel Company of America, will re
sume work In nearly all departments to
morrow, after a shutdown in many de
partments of five month's. One thousand
men are affected.
Has a Grudge Against Women.
A Joplln bachelor regards woman as a
very wayward, fickle creature, and seems
to have some grounds for his opinion.
"Several years ago," he says, I hap
pened to be in another town, engaged oa
a contract, and while there I ran across
a young woman whom I used, to know
working In a hotel. I had known her
when she was but a girl, and at that
time her parents were well fixed. She
told me that her husband had deserted
her, leaving her to work out for her
living. I dldnt like to- see her there,
and arranged with a friend to give her a
better position. Finally I took uch a lik
ing to her that I proposed marriage; and
she accepted me, agreeing to marry -me
as soon as she could get a divorce. She
went to Springfield, and proposed to get a
divorce there. Every now and then she
would send me marked copies of papers
containing Items regarding the progress
of her case. AH the time I was sending
her money to support here there and aid
her in getting the case through. Some
time after I received a copy of a Spring
field paper with the account of her di
vorce being granted. She asked for a lit
tle more money to get her wedding trous
seau made. I sent her more money, and
she wrote me how she was progressing
with her trousseau."
"Well, did she get it finished?"
The bachelor paused to relight his cigar.
"Yes, she did. I received another
marked copy of a Springfield paper. Thl3
time It contained the notice of her mar-
"Her marriage V . ,
"Yes. The blankety-blanked woman had
gone and married a conductor, and here
she had worked me for the nJoney to buy
her wedding outfit and get her divorce.
"That's the reason I'm still baching,"
continued the Joplln man, with a sigh.