THE MORlOSrG THTJBSDAY, UJcY 25, 1905,
PURCHASERS
WE PROTEST
State Land Board Asked to
Honor Certificates of
Sale.
HOLDERS .ARE INNOCENT
Minneapolis Firms Invested Heavily
in Oregon School Lands Which
Grand Jury Reported as
Tainted With Fraud.
isALEM, Or.. May 24. (SpeciaL)-',What
is the State Land Board driving at?" asks
a Minneapolis banker. In a letter to Attorney-General
Crawford. He holds 32
state land certificates, for 330 acres each,
or an aggregate of over 10.000 acres, and
wa recently notified that the grand jury
reported the certificates as having been
fraudulently obtained. The Land Board
called upon him for a showing of the- cir
cumstances of the transaction, and, there
fore, he wants to know what this sort
of proceeding means. Among other things,
he says:
About three years ago 1 purchased from
A. T. Kelliher quite a number of school-land
certificate:. 1 think I own :K! In all. I have
iron), time to time paid on the principal, down
to CO cents per acre, and a 1 way a paid my
Interest promptly on the day and am ready and
willing to pay the whole thine up and take
my deeds, but the board has always taid I
could carry it until they notified me, at 0
per cent interest.
In answer to a letter of mine inquiring
about two certificates which I recently pur
chased, the board curtly Informed inc I mast
put in an appearance there on or before
June 13, and show cause why all my certifi
cates rtiould not be cancelled. - Of courtc I
81311 put in an appearance and have an at
torney to defend me. but being aa far away.
It is a great hardship.
1 don't" care so much for the loss of the
money or land, or both, but I feel grieved
that such practices should be in vogue In any
fctatc. There are several other parties hete.
friends of mine, who are in the name boat as
myKlf- Probably there arc 100 of these
certificates In this city, all owned by inno
cent third parties, who have relied uion the
honor of the officials of your state. Seeing
the broad seal of the Mate on these papers
and the plain .statement in them that any one
could purchase 320 acres of land at a cer
tain price and terms of payment, there seemed
absolutely no risk in people Investing their
money.
The foregoing letter is signed by John
De Laittre. second vice-president of the
Farmers' & Mechanics' Savings Bank, of
Minneapolis.
The John Day Land & Lumber Com
pany, also of Minneapolis, also protests
against the action of - the State Land
Board in questioning the validity of cer
tificates held by that company. The com
pany holds 11 certificates granted upon
applications sworn to before H. H. Turn
er, a Salem Notary Public The grand
jury Included these certificates In its list
of those fraudulently obtained, and upon
this subject the company writes . the
board:
T e wish to state that we have purchased
these and other certificate? in good faith, and
representatives of this company havo repeat
edly been assured by your office that their
validity Is beyond question and that their
standing 1 good. We havo at sundry Urka
paid your office interest on all our certlflcafe
and hold your receipts for such payments; In
fact, all our investments on school-land cir
Uflcate 'have been made largely upon repro
eentatteas a "to their roundness made by your
-Offte.
It 1s aot Jtor us to say whether the appli
cations 'were fraudulent or not, but we do
look to the State of Oregon -to rocognlre and
honor contracts bearing Its seal, particularly
when such contracts are In the hands of inno
cent parties, which Is the case in the pres
ent instance. "We are entirely unfamiliar with
-the circumstances' of their issuance.
It is apparent from these letters that
the holders of state land certificates do
not intend to give up without a fight, and
that they do not propose to suffer loss
bi cause of any fraud that may have been
committed by the persons who bought the
land from the state. Some of the certifi
cates held by these parties -were among
-those that are alleged to have been issued
In the names of fictitious persons.
The question will now be presented
whether the state is legally bound by a
certificate fraudulently obtained, and, if
not, -whether it will be good policy for the
Ptatc to set aside a certificate of sale in
-the hands of an "innocent purchaser."
These two letters are characteristic of
those that come from the holders of cer
tificates who have taken these certificates
by assignment from the first purchasers.
TAX OX TRAVELING STOCK
Supreme. Court Will Pass on "Validity
of Recent Law.
SALEM, May 24. (Special.) A suit has
been brought in Lake County to test the
-alidlty of the act of the last Legislature
specifying the manner in -which livestock
shall be assessed and the taxes thereon
snail be paid. The new law provides that
when livestock is assessed, the tax shall
be then paid or secured at the rate of
levy for the preceding year, and that
when such stock is driven into another
county for pasturage. It shall be assessed
there and the owner shall pay a tax to
that county according to the time the
stock isipastured therein. The owner can
recover from the first county such por
tion of his tax as he paid to the second
county.
The purpose of the law wa"s to place a
restriction upon the driving of stock Into
this state from other states, or from one
county to another, the object being to
lessen the range troubles.
A suit was brought by Lake County to
enforce the payment of the tax, and the
defendant set up by demurrer that the
law is unconstitutional because it re
quires payment of a tax at a rate differ
ent from the rate charged upon other
classes of property. It is understood that
the court sustained the demurrer and
that the case will be appealed to the Su
preme Court at once, so that the question
may be settled.
ASHLAND SUPPLY OF WATER
Bonds to Purchase Rights. Will Be
Voted Upon XextMouth.
ASHLAND, Or.. May 24. (Special.)
Ashland "will have a special election Sat
urday, June 10. for the purpose of voting
upon the proposal of issuing bonds of the
city to the amount of $30,000. for the pur
pose of acquiring additional water rights
In Ashland Creek for the use of the city
water system. The Council - ordered ,the
election at a special meeting last night,
in accordance with authority granted by
an act of the last Legislature amending
the charter of the city.
The city already owns large -water-right
Interests in the never-falling -mountain
stream which is the source of the. city's
water supply, but there is a general sen
timent In favor of the municipality con
trolling all valid rights, and it is to' do
thl$ that the -Ceuncll desires the -bonds
now to be voted, on -to be Issued.
The municipality Is. just now. too. enter
ing upon a legal' contest involving certain
water rights, which -will "be determined in
the courts. The company which supplies
the city with electric lights has instituted
suit against the city for determination of
its rights as against tke city, and also for
damages . for infringement upon its
claimed Tights by the -city.
BlG ENGINES JUMP CURVE.
Two of Crew Killed, Two Injured,
North of Los Angeles.
LOS ANGELES. Cal.. May 24. Twcrrail
road employes -were killed and two others
severely injured last evening by the
wrecking of two monster pasenger en
gines on the San Joaquin division -Qf:the
Southern Pacific, about' 15 miles north of
Los Angeles. The dead:
J. CANDY", engineer. ;
K. P. ALLISON, fireman.
The injured J. C. Lockard, engineer; H.
A. Russell, fireman.
All arc of Lw Angeles. "'"
The wreck occurred between Lang and
Russ stations, about 15 miles north of
Saugus. Both engines, which were coupled
together and running 'light," loft the
rails a"t a curve and plunged Into the
ditch at the side of the track.
PICKETING BY LABOR UNION
Washington Supreme Court Will
Pass on Its Lawfulness. '
OLYMPIA. Wash.. May 24. (Special.)
Whether picketing by a labor union in
opposition to an "unfair" concern Is law
ful in this state will be decided by the
Supreme Court when It acts on a case
argued today by Seattle attorneys. Will
iam Jonsen. proprietor of a Seattle cafe,
has secured a restraining order in the
lower court against the Cooks and Wait
ers Union, ordering the union, its officers
and certain specified members permanent
ly to desist from picketing, boycotting
and otherwise interfering with the cafe's
business.
Jenson refused to discharge a nonunion
floor manager, and November 13, IS04, the
union called out all Its employes. The
cafe was declared Vunfair," and with the
aid of pickets stationed at the outside
entrance and other means, the- business
of tlie cafe, which is one of the largest in
Seattle, was reduced J1W to J1C0 per day.
The lower court's judgment carries .with
it damages to be fixed by the court. The
union is the appellant.
Playing Boy Badly Hurt.
WEISER. Idaho, May 24. (Spocial.)
Clarence Gerdeau, the S-year-old son of
Thomas Gerdeau, a butcher, had his-left
leg broken In two places below tlie knee
and the flesh torn from the limb yester
day evening by having it caught In the
-wheel of a wagon In -which he "was riding
with his brother. The two boys were
wrestling in tho wagon, and the younger
was thrown out. He was taken to the
Baker City Hospital this mqrning, as it
is thought It will be necessary to ampu
tate the limb.
SMITH MADE II SCAPEGOAT
BAY CITY BANKERS GAMBLED
WITH PUBLIC MONEY.
Bulletin Says Tax Collector Was
Given Percentage by the Month
for Its Use.
SAN FRANCISCO. May 24. The Bulle
tin today says:
"It Is definitely known that a gigantic
ring operated with Edward J. Smith, the
defaulting Tax'Collector. who yesterday
was sentenced to tea years In Folsom.
The ring was composed of bankers of
San Francisco, who. through a dishonest
deal with Smith, gambled with enormous
sums of the city's money.
"Smith pleaded guilty In Judge Lawlor'i
court yesterday to save the banks from
serious embarrassment or porhaps, com
plete collapse. He took his .punishment
at the entreaty of the bankers who had
been interested with him. and who knew
that a trial of the case would bring out
all the ruinous facts.
"The bankers went to Smith and bor
rowed from him vasts sums. The money
was used in speculation for quick re
turns. Smith's compensation was 2 per
cent interest on the money he allowed the
banks7' to use. The loans were for a few
days at a time, but afterward, when' tKe
deals In which the financial men risked
the city's money -went wrong, they were
not repaid for months. At times during
the three years of Smith's incumbency the
amount out in private speculation exceed
ed Jl.000,000.""
us
OWNER FORGETS AND INNOCENT
MAN IS ARRESTED.
Members of Forest Grove Firm Now
Hunting for Another
lxst Sum.
FOREST GROVE, Or.. May 2i.-iSpc-cial.)
Aftc-r having John Slefert arrested
for the theft of 580. Ritchie & Wells, local
grain dealers, found the uioney securely
hidden among their grain sacks, where
one of the members- of the firm had placed
It for safekeeping.
The money was missed from the till
early yesterday morning, and suspicion
rested upon young Slefert, who was re
ported to have been seen around the store
and whose reputation was not of the best.
Slefert was arrested last night, but was
released this morning when the proprietor
found the money where he himself had
put It.
It Is expected that Slefert -will bring
suit against the firm which caused his
arrest. Ritchie & "Wells are now hunting
through their grain sacks for ?40, which
was missed some time ago, and is be
lieved to have disappeared In the same
way.
.IN ANNUAL CONVOCATION.
Episcopal Clergymen From the"'DIs
trlct of Olympia.
CHEHALIS. "Wash.. May 24. (Special.)
The clergymen of .the District of Olym
pia of the Protestant Episcopal Church
arc holding their annual convocation at
Chehalis. The District of Olympia covers
Western Washington and about 23 par
ishes are represented by their rectors, lay
delegates and women of the churches,
probably 100 people being in attendance
from out of town. The visitors are being
entertained by the members of the Church
of the Epiphany of Chehalis.
Last night's session -was devoted to a
missionary programme and the confirma
tion of a large class of novitiates. This
forenoon the convocation was organized
and business proceeded -with In the after
noon, all of tho remaining delegates' hav
ing arrived on the noon trains. The
business of the convocation will occupy
the time untlUabout noon tomorrow and
part of tomorrow afternoon will be given
up to the work of the woman's auxiliary.
Bishop Frederic W. Keator, of Tacoma, is
presiding at the gathering.
Smuggled Opium on Steamer.
SEATTLE, May 24.-H. McCarron. a
water-tender on the Vancouver steamer
Ramona, was arrested today by customs
omcers on r charge of smuggling. Wncn
searched, ten pounds of opium was found
dn his -person. He had "been under suspi
cion for a month -. .
GRANGE IS GROWING
Annual Reports Show Order in
. Healthy Condition.
OVER- 5000 'MEMBERS NOW
Reports of the Executive Committee
and the Committee on Legisla
tion Received Many Reso
lutions Introduced.
FOREST GROVE. Or.. May 21. (Spe
cial.) Today's session of. the Oregon State
Grange was more largely attended than
yesterday, several hundred visitors ar
riving on the morning and evening trains.
The business of the day was begun as
soon as the Grange .was open, the firsts
order being a rollcall of counties" foV reso
lutions, which were referred without de
bate. President W. N. Ferrin. of the Pacific
University, extended an invitation to the
visitors to visit the buildings and grounds.
The invitation was accepted and at 1
o'clock the membership went In a body to
the college, where two hours -were spent
In a very enjoyable manner. Short ad
dresses were made, interspersed with
music, and the work of the college was
given a most thorough Inspection. Tho
speakers were Hon. Napoleon Davis, a
member of the board of trustees; Mrs.
Edith Tozler Wcatherred, Judge R. P.
Boise and Hon. W. D. Hare.
The secretary's annual report shows a
financial condition in accordance with
that exhibited in the treasurer's report.
The condition of the order is the best In
Its history In Oregon, a slight gain in
membership having been shown since last
year. There are now S2 Granges in the
state, with a membership of 5483.
The report of C. L. Shaw, state treas
urer, contained a good suggestion in re
gard t public schools, which will be
taken up by the Grange. He would have
the school laws . regulated so as to pro
vide for a uniformity of terms, giving
each nine months. It was pointed out
that the country districts frequently pny
more taxes in proportion tlmn the city
districts, and that there is not a Just dis
tribution of the funds provided for edu
cational purposes.
Report of the Executive Committee.
The report of the executive committee
was adopted as follows:
Immediately after the close of the last Ka
slon of the State Grange a mcetlnc ef the
committee was held and it war decided to
continue tlte name general plan of extension
work' with the same compensation thit had
been allowed heretofore.
Four new Granges have been organised dur
ing the year and bills have been allowed sm
per statement made further on In these . re
ports. Althouch no action was taken by the State
Grange at the last session In regard to main
taining headquarter at the State Fair, on
account of the approaching Alston of the
National Grange, and the necessity of estab
lishing some central bureau of Information,
so -that our members might become familiar
with the arrangements for the meeting, your
committee felt that it would be expedient to
maintain such headquarters. A tent wa
therefore c.ured ' for UiW purpose, and
Brother A. F. Miller was employed to take
charge of It. The total expense of thlf mat
ter amounted to f3.0.
At a meeting held in October final arrange
ments' were made for the meeting ef the Na
tional Grange. We are pleased to" report that
the funds raided by the committee who solicit
ed funds- in Portland proved to Be sufficient
to meet all the expenses which were Incurred,
so that .it was not necessary to draw upon
the State Grange treasury for this purpose.
At the same meeting it wa decided to carry
out the instructions of the State Orange in
regard to Inspection work of the order. It
was-decided to offer (1.25 per day and neces
sary traveling expense as compensation for
deputies doing special Inspection and instruc
tion work, and individuals were selected, whom
It was thought would be especially culted
for work in various parts of the state.
Year committee felt that the compensation
offered wan ample, but with one exception none
of the individuals were so situated as to be
able to accept the work upon the terms of
fered. Bister Mary S. Howard undertook the
work in Clackamas County and did regular In
spection, work in seven of the grange of that
county, where It was- thought to be meat
needed. We are well pleased with results, so
far as the work has gone, but we regret that
we hare been unable to carry It further, as
we realize as fully as any one the absolute
necessity of work of this character if all the
fields now occupied arc to be retained. In
fact. It will be noted from the worthy secre
tary's report that ground has been lost during
the past year.
Early in January. Brother J. Vorbees re
signed as a member of the legislative commit-'
tee end Brother Thomas Paulson was ap
pointed In his place. Shortly after this a
special contract was entered into with Brother
Vorfaees to go Into Kastern Oregon and can
vars In a number of fields where there was
thought to be good prospects of organization,
as well as o build up and strengthen some
existing granges which were evidently much
in need of help. WVs a result of bis work one
new grange, Ramsey Park. No. 352. has been
organized in Dufur. Warco Count. Much
preliminary work has been done in a number
of other sections and an important section of
Eastern Oregon has been saved from absolute
lore to the Grange, and. we trust, permanently
restored to the field. "We have approved bills
for expenses and per diem In accordance with
this contract amounting to J1.1S.SS. and. con
sidering the results accomplished and ' the
opening made for future work, we consider the
money well spent.
Realizing the value of good literature In
creating sentiment favorable to the Grange,
and thus opening the way for organizaUon,
we have taken advantage of the very liberal
offer of the American Grange Bulletin, of ten.
three-months" trial subscriptions for $1. and
have nt it to do missionary work in a num
ber of communities. Bills for this purpose have
been 120.05.
Realising the importance of united and well
directed action in order to accomplish satis
factory results in legislative lines, wc deemed
it expedient to call together a number of those
who have In the past been most clotoly iden
tified with the legislative work of the order
for the purpose of determining upon a course
of action for the Grange. As a result of this
conference it was decided that the Grange
should undertake to initiate two bills to be
submitted to a- vote of the people la 1006.
Parties were employed to make a draft of the
bllls and they will be prevented for your
consideration at the proper time during the
present session.
Bills aggregating the sum of ?64C6a have
been approved and ordered paid during the
past year.
B. G. LBEDT.
g. r. Stephen sox.
A. T. BUXTON.
Executive committee.
Legislation Committee Report.
The report of the committee on legisla
tion was the subject of some debate, but
was adopted unanimously. It was as fol
lows: The different recommendations and resolu
tions by the State- Grange for the work of this
committee were carefully considered by v
and as far as circumstances permitted, car
ried out.
The recommendation to present the tax bill
'known as the Harris bill could not be carried
out. TTe found that a large majority of the
members of the Legislature were opposed to
this bill, because, while It provided for Just
taxation of express companies and similar
corporations. It also provided for a complete
ch&nrc in the mode of wteaclnr taxes. A
bill was introduced early In the section which
woufd. If K fc4 been eacte4 as. & law. by
taxing express companies sad tfanHar corpora
tion. Increase the revenue ef the state by
many thousands of dollars, and your commit
tee exercised whatever Influence It possessed
as representatives of our order, to bring about
the passage of this bill. However, while this
bill passed the Home by a large majority. It
was held up In a Senate committee and not
voted upon at all in that body. Thla is a fa
vorite way to kill a bill that Is supported by
the people, but not wanted by the corpora
tions. A bill providing for an appropriation of
$1500 for the purpose of holding Farmers'
Institutes was prepared by your committee,
but. upon the advice of Brother TV. K. Newlll.
representaUve from Washington County, who
Introduced the bill, the amount of appropri
ation asked for was Increased to $2500. This
bill passed the House and Senate by a good
majority and was therefore enacted as a law.
A bill to regulate the use of automobiles on
the public highways, Introduced by Brother
Frank Jagger. Representative from Clackamas
County, was enacted as a law, and while not
as far-reaching as the Grange desired. Is at
least a step In the right direction.
The recommendation of the Grange to your
committee regarding a bill giving a wife the
same rights and privileges upon the death t
her husband as arc now granted the husband
upon the death of his wife, tn transfer of all
property, was. upon consultation with a brother
Granger, one of the best-known and most
highly respected Judges of our state, consid
ered Inexpedient by your committee. However,
a bill that, while It did not 'give any more
rights and privileges to a wife upon the death
of her husband, equalized their respective
rights by reducing the courtesy right of the
husband upon the death of his wife to one
half of her Individual property, was Introduced
by Representative Kay, of Marlon County,
and upon full consideration your committee
exerted its influence to have this bill enacfed
as a law. This bill, while It passed the House
by a good majority, was held up In a Sen
ate committee and not voted upon at all in
ttat body.
A recommendation was made" to your commit
tee to eecure the patsage ol a law' that would
confine the use of the emergency Clause to
cases in which the public health!- peace or
safety are in danger; we .found upon, exam
ination that this Is already provided for by
law and no additional law would or- could
take away from the Legislature the right to
Judge or construe this law.
The recommendation toj your committee to
be watchful of appointments ofjregents. of the
Agricultural College was carefully heeded,, and
we have every reason to be satisfied with the
appointment of a regent made during the last
year.
VTe recommend that all resolutions and rec
ommendations hereafter made by the State
Grange be published in the Grange Bulletin
and fully discussed In the subordinate Grange.
In conclusion, your committee desires to
state that they received the utmost courtesy
from the Governor and all other state of
ficial. as well as the members of the Leds
lalure. The fact Is evident that the Grange
and lt influence Is acknowledged by all to be
exerted for the good of the people, and not
enly for one class. The time has cone by
when it was necessary or at least thought ex
pedient for the Grange to hide its. light under
a bu.hel.
B. G. L.KEDV.
THOMAS PAULSEN.
W. M. 1IILLEAVV,
Committee.
The Parcels Post.
The parcels post question came in for a
great share of attention. It was favorably
discussed by Hon. W. D. Hare. Judge
Boise, William HIHeary and others. There
is an evident determination to press the
matter to a successful issue, even though
it may take many years ycL The Na
tional Grange was encouraged to use all
legitimate efforts to secure a law giving
the people a parcels post system, it being
pointed out that the Government now has
the necessary machinery for" the purpose.
Judge Boise made a masterful address
on the subject, showing who "are 'obstruc
tionists and why the law" is- not passed.
However, an optimistic view was taken,
and there Is a determination never to
yield the point until victory Is assured.
A resolution from the Linn County Po
mona Grange condemned football in our
colleges and struck a blow at the state
normal schools. It also asked for a law
giving the Governor power to veto any
portion of a ' blanket appropriation bill !
pasSed by the Legislature, without affect- '
lng the whole bill. j
Some of the -Multnomah and Clackamas (
delegates have presented resolutions ask-
lng that the next session of the State
Grange be hvld In Portland. There is
much adverse sentiment, many delegates
holding that the Grange should go to some
rural town. McMinnville and Salem seem
to have an equal chance for the next ses
sion. The Benton County delegates have pre
sented a resolution asking that the initia
tive and referendum be Invoked to provide
a law affecting taxes on farm lands, to
the end that they may be made more
equltabl.0 Also to provide that candidates
seeking public office will not be supported
by Grangers who do not state publicly
their positions on all questions affecting
the community.
Two resolutions came from Zlackamas
County, asking for changes in the by-laws
of the order, concerning the dropping o
members for nonpayment of dues to cer
tain dates.
Linn County delegates favor ownership
by the Government of the canal and locks
at Oregon City, and would urge Congress
to appropriate money for their purchase.
Marfan Points With Pride.
Marion County referred with much pride
to the successful Juvenile Grange at Mac
leay. the only one on the Coast, and is
asking that the next session of the State
Grange be held at Salem. In order that
the juveniles may be a part of the at
tractions next session. The matter will
be taken up when it comes to decide the
location of the next meeting place.
Multnomah Pomona Grange presented a
resolution asking that Congress be memo
rialized to pass the parcels post bill now
pending. Another resolution from the
Multnomah delegation would eliminate the
single degrees from the ritual' and regu
late the combined degrees so as to secure
uniformity in the work. Also to amend
the constitution so -as to permit balloting
on candidates collectively, instead of sin
gly, as at present.
W. H. H. Dufur, of Wasco, is the au
thor of a resolution asking for compensa
tion for persons unjustly incarcerated in
prisons at the rate of 52 per day and ex
penses. He would also invite the initia
tive so as to make it" a misdemeanor to
Issue or receive railroad passes. This bill
is to be submitted at the general election
In 1SS6.
The committee on legislation made a
report asking for the enactment of the
laws suggested by the National Grange as
outlined in the master's annual address,
together with several other measures rec
ommended by the various resolutions read
and referred at yesterday's meeting. The
Grange, stands -hedged to all these meas
ures, and the report was unanimously ap
proved. Relief for the Founder.
Several resolutions have been presented,
asking the State Grange to raise a relief
fund for O. H. Kelly, founder of the order,
who Is in destitute circumstances. The
resolutions provide for a percapita tax on
all members, -varying from 2 cents to 10
cents. Favorable action is sure to follow.
Washington County came in with a re
quest that the State Grange remit fees
to any Grange Intending to build a hall
for its own use. said money to be applied
for that puropse-. The matter will be
taken up again.
The evening was taken up by. an ex
emplification of the subordinate degree
work by a team o'f over 50 members of
Evening Star Grange, of Multnomah
County. The work was perfect, but as
there were no other contestants, no prize
could be awarded. However, the State
Grange will allow ample compensation for
the work done.
WITH IMPURE DRINKING WATER
Use Hereford's Add Thesfeate -
Destroys the germs -of typhoid aad other
itvtn. Makes-a. refresblsg aad eeeltag; Sum
mer 4r!alc
out rnur
Crazed Californian Kills Wife
and Five Children.
USES PIST0LTT0 END LIFE
Passing Milkman Is Pursued In
Early Morning by William Stcph
ens After the Butchery or
His Household.
SAX RAFAEL. Cal.. May 24. William
Stephens, of Ross-Valley, Marin County,
at 5 o'clock this morningallied his wife,
shot his five children, three of whom died
Instantly, and two later in a hospital, at
tempted to kljl a passing milkman, and
then ended his own life, after firing two
bullets Into himself.
Stephens was about 33 years old, and
was formerly a book agent, but latterly
connected with a rubber goods house of
San Francisco. The family also con
ducted a chicken ranch at their home In
Ross Valley, and had a flock of 1000 fowls.
This morning a passing milkman- was
startled to see Stephens emerge from his
home, revolver in hand, and Are upon
him. The milkman whipped up his horse
and Stephens pursued him for 200 yards,
firing, as he ran. Stephens then halted In
the roadway, placed the revolver to his
breast and discharged the weapon. The
bullet- did not end his life, and he sent a
second shot through his brain.
When neighbors and officers entered the
home of Stephens they came upon a
shocking scene. In all of the beds were
the members of the unfortunate family,
each with a revolver wound In the head.
The wife and thre of the children were
dead. The, children ranged, from 1 to 11
years In age.
There Is at present no known reason
for the tragedy, but the theory Is ad
vanced that Stephens became suddenly In
sane, and his murderous attack on the un
offending milkman appears to substanti
ate that belief.
Stephens four years ago underwent an
operation for appendicitis, and at times
since had suffered greatly. He was also
afflicted with dyspepsia and insomnia.
Then there were financial worries, due
to the fact that the family had little
money and no credit. Not long ago Maud,
the 8-year-old daughter, now dead, told
her playmates at school that she and her
mother and brothers and sisters were
afraid of their father because he was
acting so strangely.
The Stephens family came to California
from Portland, Or., a year and a half
ago. - His wife was he daughter of an
Eastern college yjrofessor. Stephens
w'orked as a salesman for a rubber com
pany and as a bicycle agent in San Fran
cisco, but failed In both pursuits, pre
sumably because of his health. Eight
months ago Mrs. Stephens received quite
a sum of money from relatives in the
East, and with this money s.he purchased
a chicken ranch near Ross Station, fn
which the tragedy took place.
Linden Butterfleld was the milkman
who heard the shots and then saw SteT
phens run out of the house. The latter
had a pistol in his hand and jumped up
and down as If frantic. Then he started
for the milkman and fired the shot at
him. When Butterneld saw Stephens "stop
and shoot -himself in -the breast and then
through the head, falling into the road, he
ran to the house, and in the first room
saw Mrs. Stephens lying dead on the floor
with a bullet wound In the head. He
went Into another room and found three
children dead and two wounded in the
head.
-Appalled by the ghastly scene. Butter
field ran out of the house and notified the
Coroner. All the victims were shot in
the head.
The two wounded Stephens children died
at a hospital this afternoon.
Shot Wire, Boy and Self.
BUTTE. Mont.. May 21. Michael Hag
gerty, a miner, shot and probably fatally
wounded his wife at their home In this
city this morning, shot his 14-year-old
son and then blew out his brains. The
boy was not seriously injured. Jealousy
of the wife Is supposed to be the cause.
KL1PPEL IS AT LEWON
O. R. & X. CO. SOON EXPECTED
TO ENTER THE FIELD.
Portland Engineer Is Not Accom
panied to Idaho City by His
Party of Surveyors.
LEWISTON. Idaho, May 24.-Specia!.)
What appears to be activity by the O. R.
& X. Co. in this section developed thJs
evening by the arrival of Engineer H.
V. Klippel. of Portland, who Is known to
have represented the company when work
was being carried on in Clearwater Coun
ty several months ago. When the North
ern Pacific engineers entered this field a
few weeks ago It was reported that Mr.
Klippel was at Riparia with a crew of
men to Invade this section again, but
through some mysterious force he did
not make bis appearance until this eve
ning, when he came alone.
Mr. Klippel refused to' discuss the ob
ject of his trip here, nor would he say
that he would be followed by surveyors.
It la believed he Is the advance-guard of
surveyors that will be placed In the field
by the O. R. & N. within a few days, as
It Is reported the company will send men
to work on the RIparla-Lewiston branch,
with the Idea of making surveys prelimi
nary to the early continuation of this
line.
Engineer E. C. Pollard, who Is In charge
of several surveying crews of the Northern
Pacific now working on the reservation,
was an arrival here this evening also.
Mr. Pollard says that one crew is now
running a line down Big Canyon, near
Peck, which will bring the line to the
Clearwater River. Another crew is work
ing near Winchester, coming toward Cul
desac. while a third crew Is on the moun
tain near Laka Waha, working toward
Grangevllle.
Mr. Pollard says.-the surveying parties
will have completed their work within 30
days, and that actual continuation of the
road to Grangevllle will be under way
within SO days. He would not state from
what point the line would be built. Mr.
Pollard also states that the company has
two sites for terminal grounds at Grange
vllle, one of which will soon fie selected.
FAST TUG TAKES TO DEXTIST
But State Senator Condon vDoes Not
! Get Tooth Pulle.d.
SEATTLE, Wash., May 24. (Special.)
State Senator "Dick" Condon ordered'
out a tug and rode for five hours with
an aching- molar to see a. dentist to
day. He traveled from Port Gamble to
Seattle to have a tooth pulled aad.waen
he got here the dentist talked aim oat
of It, rewoved an old filling- anO. con
traeteu for a near aae.
Senator Condon, la superintendent of
the Pugfit Sound. Mill Company's lum
ber plant at Port Gamble in Kitsap
Couaty. He represents Kitsap. Island
and Mason In the upper house of the
Legislature.
L'esterday Senator Condon had a
toothache. He was scarcely able to
sleep during the night and. this morn
ing the diseased molar made business
impossible. There Is no dentist in Port
Gamble and the. 'regular mail boat is a
slow-going- vessel that follows a tor
tuous route Into Seattle. One of the
company's tugs was at the dock and
Senator Condon ordered Its crew to
bring- him here for medical attention.
t
PACIFIO COAST DEAD.
Mrs. Mary Dixdn.
EUGENE, Or,-May 24. (Special.)
As the southbound Southern Pacific
train passed through here this morn
ing at 1:20 the remains of Mrs. Mary
Dixon, of Grant's- Pass, were taken
from the train, she having died on the
way from heart failure.
Mrs. Dixon was on her way from
Portland to Grant's Pass, and was ac
companied by her son. H. D. Dixon.
S"he was taken ill on the train and a
physician was called at Junction City
to attend her. The remains were taken
to an undertaker's here and prepared
for shipment to Grant's Pass.
Mr3. Mary HiiEon.
ROSEBURG. Or., May 24.-(Special.)-Mrs.
Mary Hlxson. an Oregon pioneer of
1532., died at the family home, nine miles
southwest of here, Monday evening, of
heart failure. Death came as she was
conversing with her husband and son
of the death of their nearest neighbor,
James Davlln. another pioneer, which oc
curred the day before. Mrs. Hlxson was
the eighth pioneer who has died within
a space of as many miles In the past
four months. She Is survived by her
aged husband. W. G. Hlxson, nine sons
and two daughters.
Mrs. H. H. Judah.
SAN FRANCISCO. May 24. Mrs. H.
Henry Judah. wife of General Judah. is
dead in this city. She was S2 years old,
and for a long time had made her home
here with her son. H. R. Judah, one of
the assistant general passenger, agents
of the Southern Pacific
Mrs. Sarah F. Wright.
EUGENE. Or.. May 24. (Special.)-Mrs.
Sarah F. Wright died this morning from
cancer, after a protracted Illness. She
wasa native of Linn County and was 46
years of age.
TWICE IN THE SAME PLAGE
LIGHTNING MAKES EXCEPTION
TOTHE RULE.
While Man Is Examining Stricken
Horse, He Himself Is Killed
by Bolt.
GREAT FALLS. Mont, May 24. A
special to the Tribune from Willlston,
N. D.. says that Charles Peary was
struck by lightning and instantly killed
at a ranch four miles southwest of there.
A horse was killed by one bolt and while
the man was examining the horse he was
struck. " Another man was stunned,
Pioneer Falls Under Train.
SEATTLE. Wash.. May 24. Benjamin S.
Miller, ex-Sheriff of Jefferson County, and
one of the best-known pioneers of the
Puget Sound country, was cut to pieces
by a train In the Northern Pacific yards
near the Oriental Dock about midnight
last night. The body was found at 2
o'clock this morning, but It was so hor
ribly mangled that identification was im
possible. This morning the body was
identified as that of Mr. Miller from
pieces of clothing and from papers found
in tho pockets. It Is presumed that he
was on nis way to catch the last boat for
Al-KI Point when he was struck and
killed by a train. The dead man- was a
brother of Leander Miller, a well-known
Democratic politician of Seattle, and was
the father of Miss Lillian Miller, a well
known singer of this city.
Guard Robs Stage Coach.
SAN DIEGO. Cal., May 24. A special
dispatch to the Evening Tribune from
Ensenada, Lower California, says that the
Ensenada-San Quentin stage was held
up hot far from Ensenada last evening,
the driver ahot and Government funds in
transit stolen, and that a posse has
started in pursuit. The holdup occurred
at La Gruella Canyon. 18 miles south of
Ensenada. The stage carried J700 of Gov
ernment money, which was intended to
pay men working on the roads near San
Quentin, and which was guarded by a
special rural messenger named Estrada.
Estrada, it is alleged, shot the driver,
Pancho Arans, in the neck and clubbed
him until he was apparently deadf and
then decamped with the funds.
Peter Kern Was Divorced.
OREGON CITY, Or., May 24. Special.)
Peter Kern has disproved the charges
of bigamy that were preferred against
him by a displeased heir of thejate Patsy
Kern by filing in the Probate Court to
day a certified copy of a divorce decree
that was granted him from his first wife
by a Wyoming court several years ago.
This certified copy of the Wyoming court
GHIRARDELLIS
GROUND
CHOCOLATE
Of 1
EDITH WHARTON'S StM-y
" THE HOUSE OF MIHTH"
The New York Sun says:
"Attention focuses particularly
upon Mrs. Whartons heroine in
"The House of Mirth" because with
each instalment of the story she
seems to lose the balance of values
as well as the integrity of morals
which even the fashionable woman's
code respects and protects. From
being a somewhat careless and unfor
tunate but sprightly and attractive
virgin she is deteriorating to the level
of the unprincipled promoter of dis
honorable schemes, and involving
herself in a tangle from which it
will be difficult to rescue her with a
shred of self-respect. The general
consensus of opinion is that Mrs.
Wharton's heroine is a real person
age, and that the picture she presents
of modern society is none too highly
colored. There are critics who go
so far as to say that if the story be
true it should not be told, and if it
be not true then certainly it should
not be written. It is the old question:
Is it or is it not and if so, where
are we ? "
IN SCRIBNER'S FOR JUNE
Five Short Stories In this Number
25 C1s. at all Jtetvxtan&t
record was made a part of Kern's an
swer to the petition of Columbus Parrish.
an heir-at-law of the Patsy Kern estate,
who demanded the removal of Kern as
administrator of his wife's estate for the
reason -that he. Kern, had a former wife
living in Germany from whom he had
not been divorced at the time he married
the decedent.
This practically terminates the contest
over the appointment of an administra
tor for the estate, which is of the valua
of about $20CO,
Ten Graduates at Ashland.
ASHLAND. Or.. May 24.-(SpeciaI.)-The
Ashland public schools close this week
after a very sucpessful year, with the
largest attendance In their history. The
graduating exercises of the High School
occur Friday evening at the Chautauqua
Tabernacle, the chief feature of the pro-,
gramme being an address by President P.
L. Campbell, of the State University. The
annual reunion of the High School Alurr.r
nl Association will take place after the
graduating exercises, and the programme
will include the annual banquet and re
ception of the class of '05, who number
ten. as follows:
Henrr R. Davis, Elda Farlow, Cath
erine Garrett. Ray C. Heverier. A. .1. Mc
Callen, Orra Patrick. Eva Polcy,N Llla
Smith, Vora Storey and W. W. Wells.
Yakima Bank Changes Hands.
NORTH YAKIMA. Wash.. May 21.
(Special.) The Yakima Valley Bank was
sold today to W. W. Armstrong, of Salt
Lake City, Utah, and Mayor O. A. Fech
ter, of this city. The leading stockholders
whom they have bought out are Miles
Cannon, the president; Coffin Bros, and
R. N. Harrison. The capitalization (3
$75,000, 60 per cent' of which Is paid in.
The stock was sold for par at 5100 a
share. Mr. Fechter will be president of
the bank. Some of the other stockhold
ers will be bought out later. The -deal
was purely a business one.
Guilty of Manslaughter.
GREAT FALLS, Mont., May 24.-A spe
cial to the Tribune from Kallspell says:
Ed Trueman, accused of the murder of
James McCabe, at Sedan, last election
day, was found guilty of manslaughter.
The case occupied eight days, and went
to the jury last night. The Jury reported
a verdict when court convened this morn
ing, leaving the Judge to fix the penalty.
Sentence will be passed Saturday. "The
penalty is one to ten years. A former
trial last February resulted In a "disagree
ment. Crushed by Rolling- Logs.
OREGON CITY, Or.. May 24. (Special.)
While logging near Viola yesterday, Ir
vin Lacroy, an unmarried man aged 25
years, fell before a rolling log and was
carried into the waters of Eagle Creek,
where he was caught between two logs
and badly crushed about the waist. It
was 30 minutes later before help was pro
cured and the Injured man-removed from
the water. -Xacroy has been taken to a
Portland hospital.
Class Day at Willamette.
WILLAMETTE UNIVERSITY. Salem.
Or.. May 24. (Special.) For the first time
In many years, "class day" will be fit
tingly observed at Willamette, the same
as at other Institutions throughout the
country. A programme has been ar
ranged, which will be rendered on th
campus, beginning at 10 o'clock Thursday
morning. June 15. Each member of the
class will take part in the proceedings.
Health Officer of Lane County.
EUGENE, Or.. May 21. (Special.) Th
County Court today appointed Dr. J. W.
Harris Health Officer for Lane County,
under the provisions of the new law.
A good many of the people
who drink Ghirardellt's
Ground Chocolate are
converted, tea and coffee
drinkers.
Their health as well as
taste enjoy the change.
Ahoays fresh in hermeHcstUy
staled cms.