Wr T YYVtP vWwWvw
VOL. XXVI. NO. 14,483.
PORTLAND, OREGON, THURSDAY, MAY 9, 1907.
PRICE FIVE CENTS.
OHIO WILL UNITE
TO SUPPORT TUFT
Party Leaders Crawl
into Bandwagon.
STATE CHAIRMAN SPEAKS OUT
Boss Cox Declares for Har
mony to Save Party. '
FORAKER QUITE WILLING
State Committee Called to Make Ef
fective Overwhelming Sentiment
for Taft Foraker Is Glad to
Hold the Senatorship.
TOLEDO, O., May 8. (Special.)
Chairman Walter Brown, of the Re
publican State Central Committee, to
night issued a call for a meeting next
Wednesday at Columbus at which it
is planned formally to declare for
Taft ia the choice of Ohio for the
presidency. Many prominent Repub
licans will be invited. Mr. Brown also
dictated a statement clearing up his
mysterious attitude, saying In part:
"The Republican party leaders have
undoubtedly at last read the hand
writing on the wall and crawled into
the Taft bandwagon with much ce
lerity. While various party leaders
were urging the wisdom of a primary
election, there was abvlous Impropriety
on the part of any member of the com
mittee in arraying himself on either
side. Now that such primary has been
definitely abandoned, I am very glad
to put an end to the apparent mystery
about my position.
Will Be Unanimous for Taft.
"Since the state convention of 19J5,
over which Secretary Taft presided
as chairman, I have believed him to be
the logical choice of the Republicans
of Ohio for the presidency in 1908 and
I heartily favor the movement to se
cure for him the unequivocal lndorse
hent at this time. In my judgment,
the meeting of the party leaders and
joint committee at Columbus next
week will result in unanimous ex
pression in .favor of Secretary Taft."
Harry B. Klrtland says: "It looks
like a compromise, but the people will
be prepared to take a whack at any
compromise looking to the return of
Foraker to the Senate."
Cox Comes Out for Taft.
George B. Cox, of Cincinnati, erst
while Republican boss of Hamilton
County, has lnxormed the men who are
leading the light for the supremacy of
the Roosevelt policies, as represented
by the Secretary, that the sentiment
of the Buckeye State is undoubtedly
overwhelmingly for Mr. Taft. Mr. Cox,
it is understood, already has prepared,
or in a few days will prepare a public
statement setting forth the view, which
practically will have the effect of clos
ing the sensational fight in Ohio almost
beforo it has begun, and place Mr. Taft
squarely before the country a) the man
of undisputed home indorsement, who
is to lead the progressive tight for
control of the next Republican Ra
tional Convention.
lioss Cannot Help Secretary.
Mr. Cox is not piously a bandwagon
politician. His expression of opinion
that Mr. Taft has the Republican vot
ers of Ohio behind him will In no sense
be better than his personal Indorse
ment of the Taft candidacy. Mr. Cox's
indorsement would not help the Taft
cause in tha least, it is not desired and,
if offered with any view to tying up
with the movement in favor of the
Secretary as President Roosevelt's suc
cessor, would be repudiated by the man
in whose interest it ostensibly was
given. But Mr. Cox's surrender is en
tirely another matter.
COX "COMES OUT FOR TAFT
Ex-Boss Declares for Harmony and
Foraker Falls in Line.
CINCINNATI. May 8. Party harmony,
with Taft for President, J. B. Foraker
for United States Senator and A. I Har
ris for Governor, is the programme ad
vanced by George B. Cox, ex-Republican
leader in Hamilton County, in a state
ment given to the Associated Press today.
Reports from Columbus and Washington
had named Mr. Cox as engaged in the
conduct of negotiations looking toward a
compromise between the Taft and ;
Foraker forces, but Mr. Cox denied such
suggestions.
"As far as I am concerned," he said. ;
"there Is absolutely nothing to this talk.
I have retired from active participation
In politics. Of course I cannot absolutely
refuse to advise with friends."
As to the present situation in Ohio,
he said:
In my Judgment the time has come for
something to be done. We are on the eve
of next Fall's election. Nothing should be
done to endanger party success. If you will
recall two years ago we had factional dif
ferences In the party and our ticket went
down to defeat. This, I hope, will not
occur again.
We must not forget tnat we musi carry
the legislature next year to elect a United
States Senator and get much needed legis
lation and must elect a Governor and other
state officers. The way to do all this, I
bslleve. is for ail Republicans to put their
shoulders to the wheel In their several
neighborhoods and see to it that none but
true Republicans represent them. Our
watchword should be. "Success of the Re
publican Party," and to achieve this we
should support W. H. Taft for President,
J. B. Foraker for Senator and A. I. Harris
for Governor.
I know of no personal differences that I
9iave with Secretary Taft. There may have
been some political differences, but they
are things of the past and will not be per
mitted to stand In the way of party suc
cess. When the attention of Senator Foraker
was called to Mr. Cox's statement, he
said: .
I have Just read what Mr. Cox says. If I
understand him correctly be makes a spe
cific recommendation Addressed to the Re
publicans of Ohio, as to what their action
shall We In the convention of next year. I
am not sure it calls for any response from
me, but, inasmuch as you seem to think it
does, I will repeat that I don't want any
political honors at the hands of the Re
publicans ,ot Ohio except with their party
indorsement. Therefore, if what Mr. Cox
suggests and recommends should meet with
their approval, no one will support Secre
tary Taft more cordially than I shall."
Charles P. Taft, editor of the Cincin
nati Times-Star and, brother of Secretary
Taft, when shown the Cox Interview,
said:
"Mr. Cox takes a broad view of the
matter. He sees the opportunity to elect
another Ohio President and very wisely
urges that we get together."
TAFT GLAD, BUT KEEPS QUIET
Declines to Discuss Presidential Out
look at Present.
WASHINGTON, May 8. Secretary Taft,
upon being shown the dispatches from
Chief of Folloe Maaix, of Stva Fran
cisco, Who Disarms Strikebreak
ers and Protects Cars.
Cincinnati containing the statements ac
credited to Senator Foraker and George
B. Cox relative to his candidacy for the
Presidency and the situation in Ohio, de
clined to discuss the subject. To a group
of newspapermen who sought an inter
view with him the Secretary said:
"Boys, I am glad that you have brought
me this news, but I have not a word to
say to you about it. It is a matter, you
know, that I cannot discuss at this time."
TWO CANDIDATES WITHDRAW
Licnroot and Cooper Out of Wiscon
sin Senatorial Fight.
MADISON. Wis., May 8. The with
drawal of Irwin Lenroot last night as a
Senatorial candidate was followed to
night by the withdrawal of Congressman
H. A. Cooper.
The development at tonight's caucus
was the gain of Hatton, who Increased his
vote over the noon-day joint session from
16 to 22. The fifty-eighth caucus ballot
resulted in no other changes.
BATTLE DH THE WHARVES
SEW YORK LONGSHOREMEN AT
TACK STRIKEBREAKERS.
Strike Forces Steamers to Sail Light
and Many Can't Load at All.
Two Lines Surrender.
NEW YORK, May 8. Several ships
were obliged to sail today with only par
tial cargoes, on account of the longshore
men's strike. The delay is being felt
keenly. The strikers find much satisfac
tion in this condition, believing a general
protest from mercantile interests would
impel the steamship owners to grant the
demands for higher wages. The liners
sailed as usual today.
Thirty-five men are in the hospital as a
result of a fierce riot tonight. Twelve
more are in jail.
Striking longshoremen attacked 600
Italians and Poles acting as strikebreak
ers, when the latter attempted to leave
the ships tonight and go to their homes.
Havemeyer sugar factory employes
helped the longshoremen. At' Williams
burg, after a brisk fight, a riot among
the Italian element was quelled.
In expectation of serions trouble. Police
Commissioner Bingham issued an order
to all commanders of station-houses to
hold all their men in reserve.
Nearly a score of companies have
agreed at a meeting to stand together
and fight the demands of the men. Thus
far only two companies, the Mallory line
and the Southern Pacific Company, have
made terms with the men. Work has
been resumed at the freight piers of
these companies.
In other quarters a few hundred strike
breakers have been engaged, but even
with the assistance of the crews of va
rious ships, these men have made but
small inroads in the mountains of freight
that are accumulating at all important
shipping points. The big trans-Atlantic
companies, however, are sending out
their ships nearly on schedule time, but
with only a small part of their usual
cargo.
The conciliation committee of the arbi
tration board, of which Mark M. Marks is
chairman, tried to bring about a con
ference, but neither party wants arbitra
tion. Will Entertain Peace Conference.
THE HAGUE, May S. The lower
house of Parliament yesterday voted W0,
000 for the reception of the delegates to
tha second peace conference.
FRENCH
STEAMER
pom
WRECKED
Goes Ashore on Coast
of Uruguay.
LOSS OF LIFE PUT AT 100
Women Jump Over and Swim
Ashore.
CREW STICKS TO VESSEL
Heavy Gale Blowing Makes Rescue
Work Difficult, hut Ready Hands
Do All In Power to Help
Those Who. Remain.
MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay, May 6. The
French transport Marttime Poitou, from
Marseilles April for this port, has been
wrecked off San Jose Ignaclo, on the coast
of Uruguay. She is understood to have
had 300 passengers on board, and, ac
cording to late reports, nearly 200 of these
have been rescued and are on their way
to this city. The vessel and her cargo
will probably prove a total loss.
The casualty list has been reported at
100, but this has not been corroborate!.
The government is doing everything pc
slble to succor the shipwrecked people.
San Jose Ignaclo is a small rocky prom
ontory surrounded by reefs, 21 miles west
of Cape St. Maria, on the southeastern
coast of Uruguay and about 150 miles
from Montevideo.
The vessel was driven on the rocks yes
terday. She lies SO yards from shore. A
heavV gale has been blowing for several
days, and is still continuing. This renders
the work of rescue very difficult. The ef
forts to get the remainder of the passen
gers and crew to land are being contin
ued with untiring energy.
Panlo broke out on board the vessel
when she grounded, and a number of
terror-stricken people jumped overboard:
According to a report a number of women
managed to swim ashore, but many were
drowned. It Is known that customs offi
cers at Rlncon de Perrero saved 50 pas
sengers. Those still on board the vessel can be
seen from shore making despairing sig
nals. AGENTS THINK LOSS LIGHTER
Report to Home Office Says Crew
and Passengers Safe.
MARSEILLES, May 8. According to
dispatches received here from the agents
of the company that owned the French
steamer Poitou, wrecked on the coast of
Uruguay, all the passengers and crew
are safe. The passengers are being trans
ferred by steamer to Buenos Ayres. The
crew will remain on board until all hopes
of refloating the vessel are abandoned.
The dispatches say there has been no loss
of life. There were 160 passengers on
board the Poitou, mostly Spanish emi
grants. GRABBERS GIVE UP COAL
Government Recovers 1200 Acres.
St. Louisans Are Involved.
ST. LOUIS, May 8. Twenty-nine St.
Louisans have been summoned to ap
pear before the Federal grand jury at
Denver May 23 to tell what they know
of a supposed scheme to combine a
large number of coal-land claims un
der the control of some syndicate,
whose identity has not been publicly
established.
DENVER, May 8. It is stated that
the subpenas were issued on the Gov
ernment's belief that several St. Louis
ans had signed blanks for coal-land
claims in Colorado, with no Intention
of actually taking up and , working
the claims themselves, but with the
Intention of turning the claims over
to some combination of persons.
The law prohibits the granting of
more than 160 acres to one person or
more than 640 acres to any combina
tion of persons. It is said the land
claim blanks have not only been cir
culated in St. Louis, but in other parts
of the country. -
WASHINGTON, May 8. The Attorney-General
has received a dispatch
from Denver that officers of the De
partment have secured the surrender
of patents for about 1200 acres of
valuable coal lands Illegally entered
in Colorado, and the deeds to the Gov
ernment for the same will be put on
record forthwith. The. value of the
lands Is estimated at 8200,0.00.
Rich Mexicans Fight for Love.
PUEBLO, Mex., May 8. Larce Jan
dere, millionaire owner of several haci
endas, and Jose Marabellaran, munici
pal director of Tlatlanqui, both aspirants
for the hand of the daughter of a prom
inent planter of this district, fought a
duel with" pistols in the streets this
morning, both being mortally wounded.
Both men fell badly wounded at the
first Are. They continued firing until
each had received wounds from which
physicians say they will not recover.
CONTENTS TODAY'S PAPER
x
The Weather.
TESTERDAT8 Maximum temperature. 63
degrees; minimum, 49.
TODAY'S Showers; westerly winds.
Miners' Federation Trials.
Roosevelt writes' another letter emphasiz
ing his former opinions. Page 2.
Judge Wood refuses bill of particulars and
Haywood trial begins today. Page 2.
Ex-Congressman Wilson retained by the de
fense. Page 2.
Foreign.
Mexico severs diplomatic relations with
Guatemala, but will not fight. Page 4.
French steamer wrecked In South America
and many passengers lost. Page 1.
National.
President commutes January's sentence, but
refuses Immediate pardon. Page 3.
Bonaparte answers his critics. Page 3.
Naturalization Bureau may be established
In Portland. Page 2.
Politics.
Ohio state chairman declares for Taft, so
does Boss Cox and Foraker fall in line.
Page 1.
Domestic.
Haskin on orange culture. Page 4.
Fire in Kansas City causes death and many
Injuries. Page 3.
Northern Pacific gives Clow's widow $4000;
chase of train-robbers continues. Page 4.
Wright completely cleared of -murder he
confessed. Page 1.
Serlous riot follows New York longshore
men's strike. Page 1.
New Haven road accused of corrupting Con
nectfeut Legislature. Page 4.
Sports.
West Side High School defeats Portland
Academy at baseball, 6 to 5. Page 7.
O'Brien plays coward and is whipped by
Burns. Page 6.
Pacific Coast.
Portland excursionists arrive at Boise.
Page 1.
Business men pleased with rich Eastern
Oregon country. Page 5.
Cars make test trip In San Francisco and
police give protection. Page 1.
Frank N- Gardiner kills husband of his
housekeeper near Rainier. Page 6.
Washington Railroad Commission cites
roads to hearing. Page 6.
Bond of RIplinger, absconding Seattle of
ficial, Is missing. Page 6.
Commercial and Marine.
Oregon hops consigned to Eastern markets.
Page 17.
Wheat prices lower on better crop weather.
' Page 17.
Stock market dull and uncertain. Page 17.
Stesmshlp Nlcomedia arrives from the
Orient with valuable cargo. Page 16.
Portland and Vicinity '
Railroads announce round-trip rates to Kast
on account of Jamestown Exposition.
Page 10. -
Dr. Samuel Johnston explains why he as
saulted bis wife. Page 10.
Friends of free-water amendment man
damus City Auditor. Page 13.
Democrats fail to depose George H. Thomas
as county chairman. Page 11.
District convention W. O. W. passes resolu
tion indorsing administration of Head
Consul Boak and other head officers.
Page 10.
Automobile Club agitates building of wagon
road from Portland to the sea. Page 16.
jr
(CfiMPrGM- of cr7f ff tortus, coi6fnwi r tion$
illBQi S2LS JrSss C0ul0 we ihdulGsiv -
i"
VIGORQU
5
REPELS RIOTERS
San Francisco Police
Guard Streetcars.
RUN GAUNTLET OF MISSILES
Club Assailants Freely and
Punch With Fists.
EXCITING SIX-MILE TRIP
Stones, Hatcliets and Red Pepper
Hurled at Cars Another Death
From Tuesday's Riot and Still
More Are Expected.
SAN FRANCISCO. May 8. The poll
for the first time since the commencement
of the streetcar strike furnished actual
protection this afternoon for two of the
United Railroad's cars manned by 21
strikebreakers, and as a result of this
protection these cars were run over six
miles of track without the firing of a
shot.
Four men, one of them a strikebreaker,
the other three members of the Electrical
Workers' Union, were Injured. There was
intermittent hurhng of missiles by union
crowds at various points along the route
and for two or three miles a mob of at
least 1000 men and boys ran with the cars,
yelling, calling epithets, daring the non
union men to get oft the cars and tight
and cheering vociferously whenever for
one cause or another the cars were
brought temporarily to a stop.
'Cars, Horses and Autos.
About 30 police officers and patrolmen
led by Chief Dinan, some of them in
autos. a number mounted on horses and
others afoot, accompanied the cars. As
sistant President Thornwell Muilally,
Superintendent Chapman vad 'ther offi
cers of the United Railroads kept pace in
automobiles with the cars.
The route selected was through the bet
ter class business and residence streets
of the Western Addition and the Rich
mond district from the carbarns at Oak
and Broderick streets to Stanyan, to the
Diamond crossover at Haight, to Page,
to Divide, to Sacramento, to Lake, to
Sixth avenue, to Clement, to the Eigth
avenue crossover and return by Fulton,
Stanyan, Hayes, Devlsadero, and Oak
streets. The start was made at 3 o'clock
and the run was completed two hours
later.
Police Act With Decision.
From its commencement to its finish the
police displayed decision, energy and de
termination in dealing with the hooting,
howling crowds. When necessity arose,
they did not hesitate to draw their clubs
and use them and as a result a number of
heads were broken, but the cars cams
through.
The fact that cars were to be started
from Oak and Broderick instead of from
Turk and Fillmore streets did not become
generally known until after the hour, and
the main crowds remained around the lat
ter point of congregation until a few min
utes after 2 o'clock, when two covered
wagons containing the 21 strikebreakers
who were to man the cars emerged into
Turk street from the company's yards
and were driven at a gallop to Oak and
Broderick, mounted policemen escorting.
Strikebreakers All Unarmed.
Captain Gleason had instructions from
Chief Dinan to board the cars with a de
tail of officers as soon as any disturb
ance was made and search the operatives
ACTON
for revolvers. He was to arrest and send
to headquarters any of the strikebreak
ers whom he found armed. These in
structions were conveyed to Mr. Muilally
after the arrival of the nonunion men,
and after a brief conference Mr. Muilally
gave . his word that none of the carmen
would be armed. This promise was rig
idly kept and there was no search by the
police.
. The start from Oak and Broderick at 3
o'clock was a tame affair compared with
yesterday's experiences. ' Chief - Dinan,
Captains Martin and Gleason, Police
Commissioner Haggerty and Officer
McKevitt led in an automobile. The
crowd of 500 or 00 men and boys col
lected at the starting point did nothing
more serious than to howl and Jeer as
tha cars proceeded out Oak.
First Blood for Rioters.
The first stone was thrown at McAllis
ter and Devlsadero streets by a unUn
man. It struck John Davison, one of the
guards, in the mouth and laid his lip
open to the bone. . He was knocked to his
knees on the- platform. The sight of
blood streaming . from the man's face
caught the eyes of the mob as Davison
staggered to his feet, and they set up a
cheer. The cars were stopped at once
and Mr. Chapman left his automobile
and went to the injured man's aid. He
boarded a car, while the crowds hooted,
and led Davison to an inside seat. He
stood there beside the bleeding guard
I I S-'ijA :
j, " '
It' V 3S?$; , ,
j A ' :
Richard Cornelius, Prenident of Car
men's Union, Who Is Managing
the San Krancisco Strike.
for 10 or 15 minutes, while the car was
under way.
Second blood was drawn at Hayes street
and Masonic avenue, where three mem
bers of the Electrical Workers' Union,
mounted on a supply wagon, blocked
the track and refused to move. Mounted
Officer Budd finally lashed the men's
horses with his quirt and got the wagon
out of the way. The electricians, curs
ing and promising revenge, forced their
wagon in between one of the cars and
an automobile and kept pace, meantime
reviling the strikebreakers. Budd or
dered them off and, to enforce the order,
struck the union driver several stinging
blows in the face with his quirt. The
man responded with fist blows and finally,
as Budd rode alongside, struck him in
the face with a pair of heavy pliers. At
this - point half a dozen policemen came
to Budd's assistance. They clubbed the
union men until blood flowed freely from
gashes in their heads, and dragged them
bodily from their wagon. They were ar
rested on a charge of assault and sent
to the Park Precinct Station.
Hatchet Flung at Car.
When Hayes and Divisadero streets
were reached, a large crowd packed the
thoroughfare and blocked progress. Here
the men had trouble in making a switch
and for 10 minutes, stones flew from the
hands of the strikers and their friends.
Several throwers were collared by offi
cers and knocked down with fist blows
ana clubs. At this place a carpenter
working on a scaffolding threw his
hatchet. It found lodgment in the fore
most car, but struck no one. The man
was captured by two officers after a
short chase and was arrested for assault
with a deadly weapon.
At another point on Hayes street a
bartender stepped out of a saloon and
tossed a revolver Into a light wagon
driven by H. R. Hoag, proprietor of the
Rapid Press Company. Hoag picked the
weapon aup, and the police, not advised
of the circumstances and thinking that
he had pulled the gun and was about to
shoot, seized him and took the pistol
away. He explained the situation and
was released.
Officer Stelner, one of the most active
in forcing back the crowds, broke his
club in beating a striker and thereafter
made use of his fists.
Red Pepper Misses Mark.
One of the last acts of violence that
featured the exciting six-mile run of the
cars happened after passing from Hayes
int Devlsadero. A striker ran up along
side the rear car and threw a boxful of
red pepper at the guards. The aim fell
short.
The two cars that ran the gauntlet of
the mobs were Nos. 1398 and 1385. H.
Balail was the controller of the former
and R. A. Strothers operated the latter.
After the return to the carhouse at the
general offices at Oak and Broderick
streets, Mr. Muilally stated that cars will
be operated again tomorrow. He
thought it best not to divulge the starting
time or give the route in advance. A
majority of the strikebreakers who
manned the cars today came from Ken
tucky. Of the thirty-odd persons who were shot
or otherwise wounded in yesterday's
pitched battles on Turk street four are
expected to die. This would Increase the
number of deaths to five, as James Walsh
died last night. Many of the others
among the injured were removed' to their
homes today.
Separate conferences of United Rail
roads officials and officers of the Car
men's Union were held with Mayor
lCanclude4 on Page 3.JL
WARMLY GREETED
ALL ALONG LIE
Business Party at End
of Its Journey.
ENTERTAINED BY BOISE CLUB
H. M. Cake and Senator Ful
ton Speak for Visitors.
RETURN TO OREGON TODAY
Portland Excursionists Royally Re
ceived on Short Side Trip, Visit
ing Ontario, Welser, Payette,
Caldwell and Nainpa.
BOISE, Idaho, May 8. (Staff corre
spondence.) Having arrived at the
end of their journey tonight, the Port
land excursionists will leave Boise
Thursday afternoon on their way back
to Oregon and will arrive in Pendle
ton Friday morning.
At Boise the visitors have been
royally entertained by the business
men of this city, who tonight held a
reception in their honor at the com
mercial Club. The visitors were wel
comed formally by A. B. Carlson, presi
dent of the club, and Judge J. If. Rich
ardson. The responses for the Oregon
party were made by H. M. Cake, chair
man of the party for the day, and
Senator Fulton. .
Run Back Into Oregon.
All of today was spent by the ex
cursionists in Idaho, except for a short
run back over the Oregon line to On
tario, on the Oregon Short Line. The
towns visited were Welser, Payette,
Caldwell, Napa and finally Boise. At
each of them the excursionists were
cordially received.
At Welser, the early morning stop, a
fefce'frtroTf" tommittee .consisting of
Mayor J. R. Numbers. R. C. McKlnney
and E. M. Shelly, greeted the Port
landers.. Mayor Numbers formerly a
Portland resident, made an address
of welcome, and F. E. Beach responded.
The visitors rode through the city
in vehicles supplied by the citizens.
Welser has a population of 3D00.
Ride Up Payette Valley.
At Payette, the visitors were treated
to a ride to Payette Valley on the rail-,
road, during which they inspected the
rich - farming country. Returning to
Payette they were escorted to the
Commercial Club, where addresses were
made by Mayor J. A. Coughnavurl J.
M. Bennett and A. B. Moss. Re
sponses were made by H. M. Cake and
C. S. Jackson.
At Ontario, James A. Lackey, Mayor,
and G. A. Hogue, president of the
Commercial Club, escorted the visitors
through the streets.
At Caldwell and Nampa.
Ontario was eager to show that had
the Oregon Legislature appropriated
$15,000 for a bridge across the Snake
River, a large part of the trade of
Payette Valley could have been drawn
to Ontario, on Oregon soil.
At Caldwell the Portlanders were es
corted to the Commercial Club and
listened to addresses by J. B. Good
win, B. F. Clay and Henry Griffith.
Responses were made by J. P. Finley
and Perkins. The party spent an
hour and a half at Nampa. There they
were met by a committee of Boise
citizens who escorted them to this
city.
The Portland men are very much im
pressed with the evidences of rapid
progress in agriculture and horticult
ure, and in the cities in this part of
Idaho.
FREED OF MURDER CHARGE
WRIGHT, WHO COXFKSSED POI
SONING WIFE, DISCHARGED.
Chemist Finds Woman and Daughter
Were Accidentally Killed by Car- .
bon Monoxide.
DENVER. May 8. The trial of Ben
jamin c. Wright, charged with the mur
der of his wife and 5-year-old daughter,
was brought to an abrupt conclusion to
day when, after hearing the testimony
of Professor W. D. Engle, Instructor of
chemistry at Denver University, counsel
for the state, at the request of the Dis
trict Attorney, announced that the case
against Wright would not be continued,
and the jury,' in accordance with instruc
tions from the court, returned a verdict
acquitting the defendant.
Professor Engle said that he had ex
amined the viscera and other organs of
the woman and her child and . testified
that carbon monoxide poisoning, gen
erated, he believed, by a gas heater, was
the cause of death.
The bodies of Mrs. Wright and her
daughter were found in their home on
February 25 last. Wright himself, ap
parently unconscious, was taken from the
house bv the authorities and after being
placed in custody confessed to the Chief
of Police that he had committed the
crime. However, he can give no reason
for the double murder and persisted In
the statement that he had no recollection
of how It was accomplished. This con
fession he afterwards repudiated and it
was not referred to at his trial.
The Wrights came to this city several
years ago from Benton Harbor Mich
TPH i03.o