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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (March 2, 1905)
n w m n mi i m hp mm mil w VOL. XLV. NO. 13,800. POBTLA2JD, OREGON, THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 1905. PRICE FIVE CENTS. OISDN IN 11 Mrs. Stanford Drinks Fatal Dose. DIES INGREAT AGONY Strychnine Was Put in Stomach Tonic, SECOND ATTEMPT ON LIFE Aged Philanthropist Was Just Recovering From First, . VISITING HAWAIIAN ISLANDS Guest In Honolulu Hotel Is Awak ened by Her Groans Late at Night, and Summons Help Too Late to Save Life. RESULT OF THE AUTOrST. HONOLULU. March 1. An autopsy on the remains of Mrs. Stanford was per formed this afternoon. The physician who conducted the autopsy pays that the cause of death -eras tetanus ot the respiratory organs, but that he cannot state how the tetanus was brought about -until after an examination of the con tents of the stomach. SAX FRANCISCO. Maruh 1. Dr. J. F. Ptllon. professor of materia rneciea at the College of rhysiclans and Surgeons, of this city, when informed of the result of the autopsy on Mrs. Stanford's bod, rhowlng tha. hr death viw due. tx teta nus of tnt respiratory errant, said to nigh, "Where there is a suspicion of polsln ing (n a death caused by tetanus (or P&r&lysk) of the respiratory organs. It may bo -regarded so -almost & certainty that death was due to strychnine. The administration .of strychnine In fatal doses' isalways followed by tetanus of tho .respiratory organs." HOXOLULU, March 2, 0i5C P. 31. The chemists' report of the analynia of the bicarbonate of noda of which. Mrs. Stanford took n dose hbortiy before her death states poxitlvely that the noda contained strychnine. HONOLULU. March 1. Mrs. Jana Lathrop Stanford, of San Francisco, widow of United States Senator Leland Stanford, died at 11:40 o'clock last night. 40 minutes after she was taken ill, at the Moano, Hotel here, und$r suspicious circumstances, pointing; la the opinion of the physician who at tended her In her dying: hour and seem ingly In that of others, to poisoning by the administration of strychnine in a vial of bicarbonate or soda given just before retiring:. Mrs. Stanford herself, when found by a truest of the hotel who had heard her groaning: in her agony and suffer ing from convulsions, declared. "I have been p'oisonod." and her last words were: "This Is a horrible death to dia." The physicians say that between con vulsions Mrs. Stanford repeated tb as sertion that she had been poisoned. and said it was the second time tha attempt had been made, the first tlm in her Sari Francisco home, and it was this attempt which caused her to coma to Honolulu. An autopsy on the remains showed that the cause of death was tetanus of the respiratory organs, but how this was brought about will not be known until after an examination of the con tents of the stomach. It is probable that the lnqpest will be delayed for several days awaiting the analysis of the contents of the stomach. High Sheriff Henry and Deputy Sheriff Rawlins .are both conducting the investi gation with the assistance of the police officials. At 11 o'clock A. Heunish, of San Francisco, a guest at the Moana. who occupied an Adjoining room, heard Mrs. Stanford groaning, and running to the room, found her lying on the floor. She had evidently tried to summon help. "When her death took place, less .than ' three-auarters of an hour later. Miss Berner her secretary, and Miss May Hunt her maid, were present. Both are prostrated. Mrs. Stanford came to Honolulu from San Francisco on the Korea February 2L She admitted to Mrs. Henry Highton, of San Francisco, who is now in Hono lulu, that an attempt had been made to poison her in San Francisco and that she had sailed on the Korea for this reason. Mrs. Highton says Mrs. Stan ford told her enough poison had been used in the attempt to kill 20 people. Mrs. Stanford retired shortly after 10 o'clock last night. She had attended a picnic during the afternoon, and took only soup for dinner. The remains were taken to an under taking establishment, where they are ' awaiting an autopsy. T investigations of the police have failed so far to find any evidence of poisoning, but the authorities decline to express any opinion pending the re sult of the autopsy and the analysis of the bottle of bicarbonate of soda. A box ot capsules was also found in the room, and these are being analyzed. Miss Berner has been Mrs. Stanford's secretary for 20 years. Ex-Judge W. Ij. Stanley represents the Stanford estate here. Mrs. Stanford took a. drive over the Pali road yesterday, accompanied by her secretary and her maid. "When she re turned to the hotel she seemed very cheerful and went Immediately to the dining-room, where she ordered only soup, saying that she was not hungry, as the had eaten a hearty luncheon. She spent tho evening on the veranda of the hotel, and apparently was in good spirits. Mr. Heunish, who., as already told, was the first to see Mrs. Stanford after she was taken ill, said to the correspondent of the Associated Press: T retired soon before 11 o'clock last night and soon fell asleep. My room Is next to that occupied by Mrs.-Stanford. I had not been long asleep -when I was awakened by hearing a groan and then another groan. I opened my door and saw Mrs. Stanford standing In the door way of her room. She threw up her arms as if suffering great pain and said: " Oh, I am so IIL Get me a doctor, get me a doctor.' "I ran to the elevator and summoned Dr. Humphris, who was a guest of the hoteL Mrs. Stanford at that time did not seem to be very weak." Soda Tastes of- Strychnine. Dr. Humphris and his wife today took very small portions of the contents of the suspected bottle of bicarbonate of soda and say that it tasted very bitter and that they believed it contained strychnine. The doctor says there ware indications of strychnine. In accordance with the local law, a Coroner's Jury was immediately sum moned and viewed the remains in the hotel at 3:20 o'clock this morning. Dr. Humphris appointed ex-Judge Stan ley, who is a guest of the hotel, to look after the Interests of II rs. Stanford's es tate temporarily, and then cabled Pro fessor David Starr Jordan, president of the Iceland Stanford University, asking for instructions. President Jordan re plied, approving he action of Dr. Hum phris and requesting Judge Stanley to act. Former Attempt at Poisoning. Mrs. Henry Highton told the Associ ated Press correspondent that Mrs. Stan ford said to her shortly after arriving here; "The reason I left San Francisco was because an attempt -had been made on my life, an attempt to poison me; and enough poison was used to kill 20 persons." "Mrs. Stanford seemed to be greatly affected," said Mrs. Highton. "1 sought to disabuse her mind of the idea, as I feared . It might be only a delusion, but Mrs. Stanford talked so rationally ab.out the attempt, on her life that 1 do not now hold the belief that It was a mere fancy of hers. ' I was very uneasy after this talk with Mrs. Stanford and wrote to mutual frlonds in San Francisco regard ing the matter! They told me they feared such attempts had been made, no names, however, being mentioned." Remedies Are Applied In Vain. Dr. Humphris made the following state ment to the Associated Press correspond ent: "When I was called in I found Mrs. Stanford In convulsions and applied the quickest remedies, but It was not possible to save her life. Mrs. Stanford said to me: " 'Doctor, I have been poisoned.' "Mrs. Stanford's condition seemed to In dlcate strychnine poisoning. Between convulsions hor mind was unusually active and she said: " This is the tcond time they have THE LATE MRS. JANE tried It. They tried It last January and I came here to avoid them.' -I tasted the contents of the bottle," continued Dr. Humphris. ."Before mak ing an analysis I am unable to swear that it contains strychnine, but 1 am per fectly positive that it does contain strychnine." Bottle Bears Australia Label. The bottle containing tho bicarbonate of soda bears the label of Charles Fells &. Co.. 60 King William street. Adelaide, Australia, but it is believed that it had been refilled since purchased there. Miss Bertha Berner, Mrs. Stanford's secretary. TALKOFRETfiEftT Russian Army Is in Tight Place. IT MAY' BE CRUSHED Furious Battle Being Fought All Along the Line, BOMBARDIjNG P0UTIL0FF HILL Military Experts in St. Petersburg Deliberate on Wisdom of Order ing Retreat to Harbin to Avoid Disaster. SPECIAL CABLE. ST. PETERSBURG, via the frontier.. March 2. Official .circles at the Rus sian capital have been seized with great alarm, owing to the ominous news from the Far East, and a confer ence has been held of the military ex perts, who discussed the Japanese movement and debated at length what action the Russian government should take at tho present time to uphold General Kuropatkln. It Is felt toat the Japanese have him in a very precarious position and one in which It may Tc necessary for him again to order a general retreat. It is recognized that the Japanese move ment at this timo is prompted by a de sire to crush Gcnoral Kuropatkln In the belief that a Russian defeat at this time would compel the Czar to sue for peace because of internal conditions in Russia. Harbin Is impregnable. Facing this fact, the Russian military experts feel that General Kuropatkln should go to any length to maintain his positions, for tho present at least. Failing in this, however, there is a growing belief that the Russian forces should abandon Mukden and retreat to Harbin, taking possession of the wcll- nlgi Impregnable "fortifications that have been built there. While this would mean the abandonment of all Manchu ria to the Japanese, the Russians could retain all of the territory beyond that point and would also be able to prevent tho Japanese from taking Vladivostok. It is reported that at the conference one of those present, who is recognized as one of Russia's ablest military ex perts, declared that matters had now so far progressed that the Japanese would probably bo able to take Muk den, no matter how good a defense General Kuropatkln put upHe is said to have pointed out the superiority of the Japanese artillery, their greater nu merical strength, and .to have stated that in his opinion It would be better for Russia to abandon all of Manchuria to the Japanese without much more than a perfunctory resistance, rather than to lose several thousand men and LATHROP STANFORD.. then to be obliged to surrender it any how. Seeking a Good Excuse. He Is said to have pointed out that, were the Russians to retire to Harbin, a good excuse could be given for the movement, but, wore they to wait until they were defeated and compelled to re treat there, they would be able to do nothing and would likely have to ac cept humiliating terms of peace, and then be compelled to face a revolution at home. This sentiment is said to have met with the approval of many of those present at the conference, but it was jRsBBBBBBBBBBsfiP finally decided to wait and see how the present movement was likely to turn out. CANNOT HOLD HIS POSITION Military Critics Believe Kuropstkin Must Soon Retreat. ST. PETERSBURG. March 2 (2 A. M.). The curtain of a-rtgld censorship has set tled down over events In Manchuria. There is no news of the results of yesterday's fighting. Dispatches describing the pic turesque events of the night retreat from Ira Pass and the all-night combat at the railroad bridge across the Shakha River have been allowed to come through, but nothing to show whether General Kuro patkln is withdrawing or Is determined to stand his ground. It is significant that no news has been received from the threatened left flank, the last dispatches leaving the Russians clinging desperately to Oubcnepu5a against strong forces of General Kuroki's veterans. " Although it 13 not admitted at the War Office, the general impression in military circles is that General Kuropatkln may be forced to withdraw. Not only is Gen eral Kuroki threatening his communica tions, but the redoubts at PutllotC and Novgorod Hills, and even the hills them selves, keys to the position of the Russian center, appear to be crumbling away un der the impact of the terrible shells such as leveled the fortifications of Port Ar thur and rendered the fortress untenable. No troops will be able to retain the posi tion long If tha bombardment continues. It develops that the Russians were un able to hold permanently the southern end of the railroad bridge across the Shakhe River. The advance of tho right wing seems for the moment to have come to a standstill. Magnificent Spring weath er sot in today. TREMENDOUS BATTLE RAGES Shot and Shell Fly Along Line of One Hundred Miles. SPECIAL CABLE. ST. PETERSBURG, -March 2. While several reports have been received as -to the progress of the fighting in Manchuria, nothing had been given out until a late hour last night by .the General Staff. Tho fighting before Mukden continues to be general and the "entire line 13 involved, the Japanese apparently making a des perate attempt to pierce the Russian po sition. The enemy throughout Wednes day concentrated a tremendous fire with field and siege artillery upon Poutlloff Hill. The bombardment was so fierce that the entire hill was enveloped, in smoke and the casualties were large, but (Concluded on-Fourtn Page.) CONTENTS OF TODAYS PAPER The Weather. TODAY'S Cloudy to partly cloudy, with prob ably occasional showers; winds mostly tx- nu.-uml.-.-e'recJpiuuon, none. The Vfkr in (WoFsV East Russian "War Office considering retreat to .Har em, rage x. Karopctkin may be recalled. Page 1. Japanese tear Put! I off and Novgorod Sills to pieces wun .sneus. Page 1. Shakhe bridge retaken by Japanese after sav age ngnt. page 1. Furious batUe being foaght along whole front. rise x. tiennenicampnrs division escapes capture by long signi marcn. .page 1. Affairs In Russia. Czar chooses form of assembly, but hesitates 10 announce it. Page 3. Workmen's meetings la St. Petersburg con- irouea oy politicians, page 3. Poland under martial law. Page 4. Father Gopon issues bloodthirsty manifesto In parts. Page 3. National. Both Houses of Congress pass large number 01 bills. Page-6. Senate increases appropriation., for Columbia Jetties. Page 6. House places lower limit on Judges' expenaesT Page 6. President urges passage of cattle quarantine Diu. page a. European powers threaten intervention in Saato iwmicgo. page 1. - Politics. Colorado contest committee will have four re ports to Legislature. Page 4. Kansas begins' suit for receiver of Prairie Oil Company. Page 2. , Anti-dUcrlmlcatton bill passed by Kansas Leg. lsiattn. Page Z. ... Domestic, Sucoessf ul experiment at Omaha with motor car for West Side road. Page 3. Ex-Senator wokxjtt dies at lion to Carlo. Page. 4. George Rice, the Standard Oil Company's greatest enemy, dead. -Page 4. Railroads will fight Interstate Commission's decision on livestock rates. Page 1. I Commercial and Maria e. "Weekly review of local produce and jobbing markets. Pare 13. Stock market shows evidence' of strength.' Page 13. Fluctuations in. Chicago wheat market. Page 13. Decrease lnallfornla grain stocks. Page 13. Arrival of two foreign cargo ships. Page 13. -Fears for overdue barkentine Emlgh. Page 12. Schooner Alexander runs into buoy. Page 12, Pari He Coast. Mrs. Jane L. Stanford, widow ot the late Cali fornia Senator, dies of poison from unknown hands in Honolulu. Page 1. Drastic railway commission bill is passed by the Washington Legislature. Page 1. Steamer Oregon is beached at Eureka; flames .difficult to subdue. Page 12. Astoria saloonkeeper found guilty of violation of local-option law. Page 5. Clackamas Grange will -take up referendum on million-dollar appropriation. Page 5. Sports. Board of "Arbitration recognizes Lucas' League and kills Pacific Northwest League. Page 4. John Ls Sullivan knocks out a man in a boxing match. .Page 4. - Fortbtad aaa Vldsdty. - Replica, cf Bobble Bums cottage may be brought to tha Exposition. - Page 12. Convicted' firebug tells Judge he is not ready for eentence. Page 8; 'v ' Council ha lively session; repeals lot-machlne license law. Pag 14. Land-fraud, witness "escaping- from country ls arrested .on O. R. & .. train. Page 8- Munlelpal Association to meet tonight and dis cuss coming political battle, page 8 . Drawbridge question may- be settled soon. Page 8. - Cars on O. W- ? lh' crash together, injuring eight. Page 9. .Defect In Senate calendar puts slot' machines out of business, jraae t. .Death of John Labbe Iworslaest merchant. LL IGNOREI. Railroads Decide on Livestock Rates, TEST CASE IN COURTS Commission's Decision Means Heavy Loss. PACKERS HAVE WHIP -HAND Order to Charge No Higher for Live stock Than for Its Products ' Raises Direct Issue With the Railroads. CHICAGO. March 1. (Special.) Execu tive officials of Western railroads today decided to Ignore the order of the Inter state Commerce Commission requiring them to charge no higher rates for live stock than are charged for the transpor tation of the products of livestock. By the advice of general counsel the matter will be tested in the courts, as the rail roads have determined that it will be im possible either to lower the livestock rates or to increase the rates on packing-house products. There is an inclination to do the latter, trat the contract which the Great Western road has with the packers for an 18-cent rate between Chicago and the Missouri River makes such action impracticable. Loss to Railroads Great. A reduction in livestock rates In com pliance with the decision of, the commis slon would mean a minimum reduction of 2fc cents per 100 pounds and a maximum reduction of about 8 cents, and the re ductions would affect fully 40 per cent of all tho livestock traffic west of Chicago. A compliance with the commission's or der by a reduction in the. livestock rates would mean, it is now estimated. loss to Western railroads of at least $2,000,000 annually. They say that such a loss, in view of the contention of the railroad officials that the rates are even no-A unremuneiative, is not to 00 thought of. What Big Roads Would Lose. The estimate of the annual loss Is made from figures on livestock movement for the last few years. Take the St, Paul road, for example; last year it brought Into Chicago 0,000 carloads of livestock, and the Northwestern 61,000. Each of these foads would, it Is stated, lose at least $250,000 annmxlly if they compiled with the commission's order by a reduction In the livestock rates. The loss to the Burling ton, which carried 56,000 carloads, and to the Rock Island; which transported 36.- 000 carloads, would also be great. During last year 2S6.000 carloads of livestock were brought into the city by all lines, east and west, and fully S5 per cent came from tho West. Some of the roads were In favor of raising the rates on packing-house prod ucts and permitting the Great Western to carry all It can. By doing this. It is stat- FORMER SENATOR EDWARD O. WOLCOTT, OF COLORADO. ed, the loss would be very much less than by permitting the packing-house rates to remain and lowering the livestock rates. Pay No Heed to Peace Rumors. TOKIO. March 1. Marquis Salonji, j president of the Constitutionalists, one of. the two great political parties, the 1 other being the Progressists headed 1 by 'Count, Okuma, In delivering a fare- j well-, address today to those - of the 1 party who are members of the Diet, warned them to pay no attention to false- rumors of peace between Japan and Russia. He said it would be neces sary to prosecute the war until the complete attainment of the National object namely, the securing to Japan of tho guarantee of a permanent peace. BUSSIANS I0SE SHAKHE BHIDGE Gallant Charge of Chasseurs Ren dered Fruitless by Japanese. RUSSIAN" ARMY HEADQUARTERS, HUAN MOUNTAIN. March D-After an all-night battle the Russian forces which seized the railroad bridge across the Shakhe Rivr retired after having de stroyed the Japanese fortifications at the further end of the bridge and thrown the enemy's forces, into consternation. The Japanese losses were heavy. The attack of the bridge began at 8 o'clock Tuesday evening. Under cover of a heavy bombardment, Russian chasseurs dashed forward and crossed the bridge, drove back the defenders and occupied the further end. There the chasseurs threw up hasty entrenchments and soon drove the Japanese from their defenses at the head of the bridge. An hour later the chasseurs rushed across the bridge and seized and fortified a thicket opposite Lamuting, overcoming number of wire entanglements, and blewv up the Japanese redoubts. An ar tillery company kept up the bombard ment and succeeded In demolishing the Japanese searchlights. Then a stubborn fight in the darkness began. The Japanese brought up their quick-fire guns and forced the Russians to abandon the thicket, whereupon the Japanese- proceeded to bombard the regi ments holding the head of the bridge. The fight was desperate and at close quar ters. The Japanese rushed up. heavy col umns ot reinforcements and charged re peatedly across the river, strewing the ice with the bodies of their dead. At dawn the Russians retired across the river, carrying their wounded, but leav ing 100 dead bodies. The Russians are exultant over the losses Inflicted upon the Japanese in this rally and are eager to renew tho fightr EMPEROR WILL NOT YIELD Kossuth Party Insists on Recognition of Hungarian Rights. VIENNA. March 1. The last 10 days, which have been filled with endeavors on the part of Emperor Francis Jo. seph and the Hungarian political lead ers to effect a solution of the political crisis in Hungary, especially the for mation of a neutral Cabinet to render possible legislation and routine bus! ness, have brought no result and no Improvement whatever. Today the situation is more uncer tain than ever. The extreme element of thi Independence party insist upon concessions from the throne on the military que3tion, . particularly the use of Hungarian wbrd3 of command in the Hungarian army. Francis Kossuth, leader of the united opposition, however, counsels modera tion, and even a postponement of the extreme military demands. To these the Emperor gives no direct sign of conceding. Hl3 continual silence ls drawing all Hungarian eyes more or less anxiously toward Vienna. He Is evidently waiting to see what the Hun garians will do. Each side seems try ing to exhaust the other's patience. The Hungarian Diet reassembles March 8, and the combined opposition does not conceal its determination to maintain its present strong position. EUROPE MAY TAKE A HAND President Will Urge Prompt Action on Dominican Treaty. WASHINGTON March 1. The Presi- DIES IN ITALY dent-is framing another message to the Senate, urging speedy action on the pend ing Dominican treaty. He is led to sup plement the strong representations con tained in his first communication by Im portant developments, which. It 13 un derstood, relate to the possible action of European powers pecuniarily Interested In Santo Domingo in the event of the failure of the treaty to secure approval before the adjournment of tho extra, session of the Senate." Wi HO Railway Commission Is Passed. DRASTIC IN EXTREME Senators Tire of Block ade Made by Friends. ONLY FOUR STICK IT OUT Amendments Made Are Con curred in by the House, GOVERNOR AGREED TOSIGH Measure Characterized as "an Aet?t 1 - Retard the Growth of Wshlnj. ton and Appoint Receiver " for the Railroads," 'S AMENDMENTS TO BI The commission bill was atnendedtls, accordance with the sgrtnient beforetits passage. -"j The salaries of the Commlspioars were'Sf cut down to ?4O0O. In section 17, that portion limiting to S50O the amount . that mar be recovered as damages by persons, firms or corpo rations on account of violations ot the act is cut out; also tha privilege of pleading as a defense that such violation was unintentional. The section as it now reads ulmply gives tho Injured-party the right of recovery of damages, and la considered much harsher than befors amendment. The third amendment gi-res the rail road the risbl to- grant rwlate rates r free transportation to employes and'"'w cx-eniplayes In eearch of work and" to their household goods and personal effects. OL.TMPIA, Wash., March 1. (Spe cial.) The . Legislature has passed a Railway Commission bill drastic enough In its provisions to please' the most, ardent advocates of Railway Commission legislation, the Senate having advanced the bill under a sus penslonyof the rules and adopted it by a vote of 36 to 4. The passage of the bill was precipi tated soon before 2 o'clock in the Sen ate, where it was lodged near tho foot of the calender, by the decision of the opponents of the bill to defeat further hold-ups of meritorious bills, and to put an end to trading on special inter est bills. The attitude of the anti-Commission men is explained forcibly by Senator Link Davis, of Pierce County, who, be fore announcing his vote in favor of the bill, characterized it as "an act to build up the State of Oregon, re tard the growth of Washington and appoint receivers for the railroads of Washington," and then said: 'Tt seems that everything in this Legislature must stop until this bill ia passed. Nothing else will be done until the Railroad Commission Is granted, believe with . my friend from Jefferson ' (Clapp) that this is an iniquitous bUC but we have simply got to make thX. fight over and over again until iti" n settled. ; Expects to Hear Spokane "HoIUrv "I expect to be here two years from now, voting with my friends from Spo kane to repeal this bilL Within six months I expect to hear Spokane hol lering the loudest against a Railway Commission. This matter has simply got to the proposition that the bill will pass, and that other legislation Is af fected, by its. delay. Tne sooner It passes the better. 'The bill provides that the Commis sion simply moves in and takes posses sion of the railroads. There is noth ing for the railroads to do but try cases in court and pay taxes, but I am going to vote for the bilL" The motion to advance the bill on the calendar was made by Senator J. J. Smith, of King County, who asked it in behalf of the committee, on rules, which had given it another setback on the calendar at a meeting held last night. Senator Baker secured a call of the House and Earles and Van de Vanter were excused on account of ill ness. FJnd Fight Is Hopeless. ' That the Senate had taken up the bill was practically unknown In, the corridors or In the House, so much of a surprise was the sudden move of th anti-Commission Senators. This morn ing it became apparent that the Sena tors who in the caucus last, night agreed to force the House to pass Earles sockeye protection bilL could, not make good. The promise had al ready .gone out from the steering com mittee of the House to tha opponents of the Earles bill that they would kill " tho measure. Although the matter had not beea fully settled with ' Earfes, an agree- - (Concluded ta Third. Page.) ... - ' i '. - . (Conclude! oa Page 3.1 4 t