VOL. XLVL- JfO 14,551.
PORTLAND, OREGON, MONDAY, JULY
1907.
CENTS.
V
j
V.
JURY FINDS
IS
HOT GUILTY
Verdict Reported at
. 8 o'Clock and Pris
oner Discharged. '
AGREEMENT A SURPRISE
Jurors Deliberate 21 Hours
With Only Two Favor
ing Conviction.
SWAYED BY JUDGE'S CHARGE
Orchard's Grewsome Story
Given Little Credence.
QUIET SCENE IN COURT
Haywood Jumps From Chair, Shakes
Hands With Counsel, Warmly
Thanks Each Juror, and
Goes to See His Mother.
CfTROXOLOOT OF THE STETJlfEN
BERG CASE.
Ex-Governor Frank Steunenbers;
assssslated, December 30, 1005.
Karry Orchard arrested, charged
with crime. Jauary 1, 1006.
W. D. Haywood, secretary of "West
ern Federation of Miners, arrested on
charge of conspiracy, February IT,
. 16i.
Trial of Haywood began at Boise
May 0, 100T.
Jury secured and sworn June 3.
Prosecution rested case June 21.
Defense rested case July 13.
Prosecution closed rebuttal July
17.
Defense closed surrebuttal July 18.
Arguments of counsel began July
19 and ended July 28.
Jury retires July 27:
Haywood acquitted July 28.
BOISE. July 28. Into the bright sun
light of a beautiful Sunday morning.
Into the stillness of a city drowsy
with the lazy slumber of a Summer
Sunday, William D. Haywood, the de
fendant in one of the most noted trials
involving conspiracy and murder that
the country has ever known, walked
today a free man, acquitted of the mur
der of Former Governor Frank Steu
nenberg. The probability of a verdict of ac
quittal in the case of the secretary
treasurer and acknowledged leader of
the Western Federation of Miners had
been freely predicted since yesterday,
when Judge Fremont Wood read his
charge, which was regarded as strongly
favoring the defense in its interpreta
tion of the laws of conspiracy, circum
stantial evidence and the corroboration
of an accomplice who confesses.
Gooding Not Willing to Give Up.
It was also freely predicted that in
the event of Haywood's acquittal the
State would abandon the prosecution
of his associates, Charles H. Moyer, the
president of the Federation, and George
A. Pettlbone, of Denver. Statements
from counsel and from Governor Good
ing issued today dispel this view of
the situation. Governor Gooding said:
"The verdict is a great surprise to
me, and I believe to all citizens of
Idaho who have heard or read the evi
dence in the case.
"I have done my duty. I have no re
gret as to my action, and my conscience
is clear. As long as God gives me
strength I shall continue my efforts
for government by law and for organ
ized society.
"The State will continue a vigorous
prosecution of Moyer and Pettlbone and
Adams, and of Slmpking when appre
hended. There will be neither hesita
tion nor retreat." '
Bail Likely for Moyer and Pettlbone.
Application will be" made to Judge
Wood tomorrow to admit Moyer and
Pettlbone to bail, and It was said to
night that in the case of Moyer, against
whom the State is admitted to have its
weakest case, a favorable consideration
would not be unexpected.
The least interesting of the com
ments made upon the verdict today was
that of Harry Orchard, the self-confessed
murderer of Governor Steunen
berg, and the witness upon whom the
State chiefly relies to prove its claim
of a sinister conspiracy against the
Western Federation of Miners. When
told at the State Penitentiary that
Haywood had been acquitted. Orchard
said:
"Well, I have done my duty. I have
told the truth. I oould do no more. I
am ready to take any punishment that
HAYWOOD
may be meted out to me for my crime,
and the sooner It comes the better."
Two Only Wanted Conviction.
It was after being out for 21 hours
that the Jury, wnich at first had been
divided eight for acquittal, two for
conviction and two blank, and then
seemed deadlocked at 10 for acquittal
to two for conviction, finally came to
an agreement shortly after the first
faint streaks of the coming day showed
gray above the giant hills which bound
Boise to the north and east. The weary
old bailiff, who had kept an all-night
vigil before the door of the jury-room,
was startled into action by an Impera
tive knock from within. Evehts moved
rapidly enough after this, and hardly at
last the principal actors in the trial
had been gathered into the courtroom
at a few momenta before S o'clock,
when the white envelope was handed
by the foreman to the Judge and was
torn open and the verdict read.
It came as an electric thrill to the
if lliPSlills
j I . I
IV im I.
j 1
Ex-Governor K. G. McBrlde, of
Washington, Who May Again Enter
the Gubernatorial Rare.
prisoner, to his counsel, to the attor
neys for the State, and to the small
group of heavy-eyed newspapermen
and court officials who had been sum
moned from beds but lately sought, or
from offices where sleepless waiting
had marked the night.
Haywood Sheds Tears.
Tears swelled to the eyes of the man
who, during the SO days of his trial,
had sat with stolid indifference written
upon his every feature at last, the Icy
armor he had thrown about himself
with the first day of Jury selection had
been pierced, and whatever of pent-up
feeling had been contained within was
loosed. Haywood's attorneys were
fairly lifted from their seats, and Judge
Wood made no effort to restrain them
as they surrounded him to shake his
hands and shout aloud their congratu
lations. James H. Hawley, leading counsel
for the State, and O. M. Van Duyn,
the Prosecuting Attornew of the Coun
ty In which Former Governor Steunen
berg was assassinated, sat gloomy ami
unspeaklng In their places. Senator
Borah, who made the closing plea for
conviction, was not present. Of the
prisoner's counsel, those In the court
room were Clarence Darrow, of Chi
cago; E. F. Richardson, of Denver,
and, John F. Nugent, of Boise. The ab
sentees from tb.e defendant's table in
cluded Edgar Wilson, the former law
partner of Judge Wood, who presided
at the trial.
No Demonstration In Court Room.
No member of the prisoner's family nor
any of his friends among the Socilalst
writers and the so-called "labor jury" who
have been attending the trial was in the
courtroom at the early hour the verdict
was returned. The spectator" benches
were empty; bnt In the doorway stood
Governor Frank Gooding, who has taken
an active part In pressing the prosecution
of Haywood and his associates. There
was no demonstration other than that
made by the attorneys for the defense,
and the court proceedings were over, the
prisoner had been discharged and the Jury
dismissed for the term in less than three
minutes' time.
The news of the verdict was received
reluctantly in Boise. Extra editions of
the papers carried the tidings far and
wide, and during the day there was con
siderable discussion in clubs, cafes, hotel
lobbies and upon the street corners. The
surprise which had been so manifest in
the courtroom was prevalent everywhere.
The long time the Jury was out had con
veyed the general impression that there
oould be no other outcome than a disa
greement. Rumor Had Him Convicted.
The rumors which spread so rapidly and
frequently throughout the night, and
which were as unreliable as such rumors
always are, were generally to the effect
that a majority of the Jurors had voted for
conviction. Some were even so radical as
to say that the only difference of opinion
existing in the jury was as to the degree
of guilt. The apprehension of disagree
ment spread even to member of the de
fendant's counsel, and when to this feeling
were added the rumors of an adverse de
cision, which continually beat about their
ears during the night, there could be
found none to doubt the genuineness of
their Joy as the verdict was read.
Clarence Darrow, of Chicago, who had
made a plea describing the case at issue
as- a struggle of "class against class,"
who had defiantly told the Jurors that
they were hostile to his client and had
had their minds poisoned by a corrupt
and capitalistic press, had entered the
courtroom with the odor of his speech
still upon him; but as Haywood was freed
and as the jury was passing out he vied
with the other members of counsel and
with the prisoner himself In thanking,
with many evidences of sincerity, the
twelve citizens of Idaho who had heard
the evidence and rendered their unalter-
(Conoluded. on Fas -
E MAY GO
AGAINST MEAD
Washington Ex-Governor
May Run Again
FRIENDS GETTING ACTIYE
Factions Opposing at Last
Election Now Favorable.
CCSGROVE IS MENTIONED
Grand Army Men Strongly in Favor
of Him John D. Atkinson Also
Spoken of Governor Mead
Is Very Strong, However.
TACOMA. Wash., July 2S. (Special.)
If It should develop that Governor Mead's
principal opponent for the Republican
nomination for Governor next year was
ID
Henry McBrlde, and if it should occur
that the strongest advocates of McBride
were the men who fought him hardest
in 1904, it would not surprise those men
who keep in close touch with politics in
Washington.
There has grown up a McBride senti
ment during the past four months that is
fast crystallizing into a real boom. The
McBride mail has grown to abnormal
proportions and there is a surprisingly
small percentage of the letters the ex
Govemor opens that pertains to his law
practice. By far the great majority are
of a political character,"" and they urge
his candidacy against Governor Mead
next year. Not by word or sign has Mc
Bride given encouragement to the de
mand for his nomination. There is no
question but that the advocacy of his
nomination 1b pleasing to the ex-Governor,
but even if he were ambitious, Mc
Bride is too old a politician to make the
mistake of yielding too easily. Aside
from the political side he doesn't want
to yield, though the pressure grows
strong. His law practice has been grow
ing satisfactorily and his business Invest
ments have been profitable. If McBride
consulted his own wishes he would re
main in the law practice and leave poli
tics severely alone. But .things are com
ing to such a pass that a decision of
this kind will be hard to make.
Railroads Nominated Mead.
What is known as the "old guard" in
Washington politics was strongest when
McBride was Lieutenant-Governor and
Governor. They rode rough-shod over
McBride, but he fought back gamely and
finally lost out In the 1904 convention,
through the activity of the railroads and
the old-line politicians. There has never
been any secret of the fact that the rail
road control of the 1904 convention re
sulted in Mead's nomination. Railroad
control dictated a . platform that ignored
McBrlde's railroad commission platform,
and did so pointedly enough to Indicate
the Republican party was against a rail
road commission. In his subsequent cam
paign Governor Mead agreed to accept a
railroad commission, and In his first mes
sage to the Legislature he recommended
the creation of a commission. McBrlde's
policy lived if he was defeated. There
was never a close affiliation between
Mead and the practical politicians of the
state. He was simply a political exig
ency that was accepted. Even in defeat
McBrlde had the sympathy that one
fighter gives to another, and in the past
three years Mead has not won this away
from him.
The fact that Mead's administration is
Organizing for his nomination shows that
his advisers recognize there has existed
a breach that has never been healed
or that a Republican faction in this state
Is dissatisfied with the present Governor.
Were this not true, no organization
would be necessary and Mead's second
term would be conceded. The talk of
McBride is prompted by Republican
anxiety for some one to defeat the pres
ent Governor.
McBrlde's Old Enemies Turning.
The old lines that existed between the
politicians and the McBride men as the
railroad commission agitation drew the
line have disappeared. Some of the
strongest railroad men of 1901-03 have
been among the first to urge McBride
to be a candidate to succeed Mead and
the men who stood with McBrlde during
the four years he acted as Governor and
Lieutenant-Governor have fraternized In
the effort to bring him out again with
out asking each other for terms or con
sidering the matter. Erven those who
are urging MoBride to be a candidate
do not underestimate Mead's strength.
The voting population of the state has
changed in four years and there -are
thousands of new Republicans eligible
to vote at next year's primaries who
would have to ask their neighbors who
Governor Mead's opponents are. They
know about Mead and whether they like
him or not, and pollticans figure that
the floating x-ote should go to him be
cause of the prestige of an incumbency.
Just what effect Cosgrove'e swing over
to the state has had no politician has
been able to determine. There Is no
question but that Cosgrcve's East Side
friends are enthusiastic and that the
Grand Army Is strong for the Pomeroy
man. That showed in the state conven
tion held at Ballard where at a campflre
the veterans of the Civil War lauded
Cosgrove as the next Governor. But for
all that the actual proffers of support
have not been strong enough to de
termine an outcome.
There has been great deal - of talk
about John D. Atkinson's nomination for
governor. . The Attorney-tieneral Is one
of the most popular men in the state
and is strong with all factions. He has
not been drawn Into any of the recent
quarrels and would have a big following,
no matter what might develop. The
closest friends Atkinson has claim he
would not fight McBride if the latter
wanted to be named as the gubernatorial
candidate. In fact. Atkinson is getting
ready to leave public life and to settle
down In either his mining business or as
an attorney practicing at the bar. Both
Atkinson .and his closest friends would
like to see him nominated for Lieutenant-Governor.
That would give him
prestige almost as great as that of the
Governor and at the same time give him
greater freedom in either business or
professional pursuits than the executive
office allows. ' It is too early to know,
but the Indications are that Atkinson
will be a candidate for Lieutenant-Gov-
William D. Haywood, Against Whom
a Boise Jury Haa Removed the
Charge of Murder.
ernor rather than for the principal of
fice of the state.
Several of the other men prominent in
Republican affairs have been discussed
as gubernatorial candidates, but their
possible candidacies have not reached a
point where they are serious. x
14 PEOPLE BURNED ALIVE
EXPLOSION SHATTERS SEW
YORK TENEMENT HOUSE.
lire Immediately Breaks Ont and
Victims Are Killed , and
Maimed by Score.
NEW YORK. July 2S. An explosion, ac
companied by fire, shattered an East Bide
tenement late tonight, asd within the
crumbling walls 14 persons went down
to death, while twice as many were prob
ably fatally injured.
The wrecked building was at 223 Chris
tie street, where a six-story tenement
rose above the grocery store basement.
The explosion is as yet unaccounted for
and tore out the front of the building,
and the fire that followed caught the 20
families, numbering 100 persons, while
most of them were sound asleep.
Fourteen dead bodies have been re
covered. Of the injured, many Jumped
from the windows, others were caught by
falling timbers, many, half suffocated by
smoke, were dragged from the hallways,
while others received their wounds dur
ing the panic and mad fight among each
other for an exit.
The tenement was occupied chiefly by
Italians. A passerby was attracted by
the explosion which apparently occurred
in the basement. As he turned toward
the building the whole front with its
flimsy fire escapes fell into the street, and
from the sagging floors a score of the half
awakened persons dopped into the street.
Many of these were badly hurt, but they
proved to be the more fortunate of the
tenants for another moment and the
building was wrapped In flames, and the
cries of persons burning to death rent the
air. In the wild excitement that followed
many were injured.
The fire, however, was not without Its
acts of heroism. Albert Johnson saw in
the sixth story window there were hang
ing a group of women and children. Just
across from them, hardly three feet away,
was the window In the sixth floor of the
tenement adjoining.
Accompanied by Detective Connors,
Johnson went to the top floor. There was
a small ledge Just below the window and
on this the captain took his stand, with
Connors behind him holding. Reaching
as far as he could. Johnson could JU3t
touch the hands of Tommasso Gazzaino,
who, with his three children and his wife
had fled to the window. The man was
the first saved. He was swung around
the big fireman so that Conners could
help him and drag him to safety. The
others followed in rapid succession while
the crowd below roared applause.
From the streets around the building
there came a continual chorus of groans
and screams from those having been,
caught when the blaze started, who had
been able to escape with their lives only.
Mothers called to children and little
babies ran to and fro under the feet of
the big fire horses.
OPERATORS DENIED RIGHTS
Renewal of Hostilities With Tele
graph Companies Threatened.
SAN FRANCISCO, July 28. A re
newal of hostilities is threatened be
tween the telegraphers and their em
ployers. The local union served no
tice today on the Western Union that
in its belief the spirit of the agree
ment which settled the strike was not
being observed by the corporation.
Resolutions were passed .expressing
the intention of the union to take the
matter up with the higher officials of
the Western Unlcn. It is claimed by
the men that, despite stipulations to
the contrary, in the agreement, the
operators who went on strike are being
discriminated against Complaint is
also made that the operators are forced
by the Postal and the Western Union
to work from 12 to 15 hours a day.
President Small, of the International
Union, has been requested to remain
for the present in San Francisco.
Brings Troops From Manila.
SAN FRANCISCO, July 28. The trans
port Buford arrived tonight from Manila
with two battalions of the Ninteenth infantry..
MAJORITY STOOD
FOR CONVICTION
Vote of Glass Jury
Was 7 to 5.
CAN'T AGREE; DISCHARGED
Sure There Was a Bribe, but
Couldn't Fasten Crime.
MUST FACE TRIAL AGAIN
Prosecution Confident They Will
Yet Convict the Millionaire.
Theodore Halsey's Case
Called Today.
SAN FRANCISCO. July 28. (Spe
cial.) After 16 ballots, in which there
was sman variation from the original
standing of the body seven for con
viction and five for acquittal, the Jury
in the Louts Glass bribery case was
discharged this afternoon by Judge
Lawlor,
The men who stood out for acquittal
were: Michael Samuels, a photographer;
George Kohn, a commission broker;
Jacob Wcrtheimer, a wholesale cigar.'
dealer; Charles P. Fonda, a wholesale
manufacturers' agent, and Hugo Shus
sel, a retired grocer.
There was no disagreement as to the
payment of a bribe, but it was con
tended by the men who voted for ac
quittal that the crime had not been
positively fastened upon Glass.
The retrial of the case has been set
for August 3. .
Begin Halsey Trial Today.
Tomorrow morning, Theodore V.
Halsey, who acted as the bribery agent
of the Pacific Telephone Company, will
be placed on trial. The prosecution an
ticipates no trouble in convicting Hal
sey, and has openly stated that if
necessary he will be granted Immunity
if he will take the stand and tell the
truth.
Francis J. Heney and D. M. Delmas
were out of the city today. The for
mer at the Bohemian Club Grove, on
the Russian River, and the latter at
his ranch at Mountain View.
William J. Burns, who has assisted
Heney In gathering the evidence, said
he was greatly disappointed. Glass
said that he would reserve comment
until he had been tried on all of the
11 Indictments against him.
Confident Vet of Getting Glass.
The prosecution will lose no time in
placing Glass on trial again. If Zlm
mer, whose testimony would convict
Glass in two minutes, persists in his
refusal to answer questions on the
witness stand, he will be punished to the
extent of the California law, which al
lows imprisonment for six months for
each such refusal. By this process
Zlmmer can be given a total of nearly
five years In prison.
Still another alternative is before
the prosecution.
Many of the Jurors who voted for ac
quittal said that if the indictment had
been against both Zlmmer and Glass
they would have voted for conviction.
They said the only uncertainty in their
mind was whether Glass or Zlmmer
had ordered the payment of the bribe.
It is within the power of the Grand
Jury to make this question easier of
solution by additional Indictments.
TO GO OUT ONE AT A TIME
Schmitz' Boodling Board of Super
visors "Will Be Deposed Today.
BAN FRANCISCO, July 28. It Is be
lieved that by tomorrow night the 16
supervisors appointed by Mayor Taylor
will be formally seated. The present
plan is to have one member of the bood
ling board resign at a time in order that
there may be a majority to pass the res
olution of formal recognition of each
of the new members as he takes his seat.
In this manner it is planned to proceed
until each of the 16 resignations have
been formally accepted and each of the
16 of Mayor Taylor's list has been for
mally appointed, and recognized. Some
of the old board say they will not resign
as there was nothing In tnelr Immunity
contracts about resigning. In reply to
this assertion District Attorney Langdon
said:
"I am not worrying over the state
ments that f our . of the supervisors have
refused to resign. They will all be out
Monday. And if any will show me a
contract which guarantees them remain
ing in office I should like to see it."
Former Mayor Schmitz is preparing
at the county Jail a list of super
visors whom he will appoint to succeed
the old board.
A test case to establish Mayor Taylor's
authority is soon to be made by bring
ing mandamus proceedings against City
Treasurer Bantel to honor salary war
rants. -
SEATTLE PASTOR RESIGNS
Rev. Myron W. Haynes to Go to
Baptist Church In Chicago.
SEATTLE. Wash., July 28. (Spe
cial., The Rev. Myron W. Haynes to
day tendered his resignation as pastor
of the First Baptist Church. He ex
pects the congregation of the Second
Baptist Church of Chicago to ratify a
call extended to him and will go East
in September. During the course of
the announcement he made to his con
gregation, Dr. Haynes vehemently de
nied that he ever had any ulterior mo
tives in holding to his pastorate here
after dissension in the church ap
peared. He declared any person who
attributed such motives to him lied,
and declared that there is prepared
a place for those who lie. Dr. Haynes
told his congregation that the deacons
would not follow the course of church
management to which he has been ac
customed, and that this led to friction
and a unanimous decision by the dea
cons that a new minister should be
called.
Dr. Haynes had reference to a plan
he suggested of attracting young peo
ple to the church. He ignored the
factional fight that has been waged
ever since he was called from the
Belden-Avenue Church, of Chicago, but
sarcastically criticised those members
of the congregation who have been
reporting his resignation. To indicate
I i ' - ' 4ws'i I
t r I tf " ! t
I f h v , t
if - ; I
! V "'A ;
j i , Av - ;
? J T
'-41 - & m ?iflfi in.;. I
S. G, Cosgrove, Who Is Spoken of
as a Possible Candidate for Gov
ernor of Washington.
that he is through with Seattle, Dr.
Haynes declared: "This is the only
resignation I have presented to this
church, and it is the only resignation
I ever will present."
TRAGEDY AT A DEATHBED
ERRING SON SHOOTS TWO SIS
TERS AND A BROTHER.
Had Received Blessing From Dying
Father, but Refused to Talk
to His Mother.
VERSAILLES, July 28. Henry
Huntington, son of Douglas St. George
Huntington, ex-Attache of the Ameri
can Embassy in Paris, was arrested
here tonight on the charge of shooting
his two sisters and one of his brothers.
The condition of the sisters Is serious,
Elizabeth having received a bullet near
the heart, and is thought to be dying.
The tragedy occurred at the bedside
of the father, who was dying. Henry
had returned to ask his father's for
giveness, having been estranged from
his parents for some time past. Around
the sick man's bedside were grouped
the weeping wife, the sisters, Edith
and Elizabeth, and the sons, Alonzo
and Douglas.
Henry pleaded forgiveness for the
sorrow he had caused, and had re
ceived his father's blessing, when
Douglas requested him to seek the
pardon of his mother also. This Henry
declined to do, and thereupon Alonzo
asked him to leave the room.
' According to the police, Henry im
mediately drew a revolver and fired at
Alonzo. He then wheeled and shot
both sisters and endeavored to make
his escape. He was captured, however,
by a guard, who ran into the house
to investigate the cause of the nhots.
Later it developed that Douglas
Huntington also had been shot by fly
ing bullets.
CONTENTS TODAY'S PAPER
The Weather.
YESTERDAY'S Maximum temperature, SI
degreee; minimum, 55 degrees.
TODAY'S Fair; cooler; westerly winds.
Foreign.
American idea adopted at The Hague,
Page 3.
National.
Uncle Sam's troops not best paid In the
world. Page 2.
Domestic
Denver grand Jury promises sensation In
land-fraud development. Page 4.
New York overrun with criminals; unsafe
for children to play on streets. Page 2.
Fourteen people perish In New York tene
ment fire. P,age 1.
Governor Swanson. of Virginia, vigorously
denounces court decision on 2-oent rate
law. Page 3.
Coney Island hard hit by fire. Page 1.
Rockefeller tells Sunday School pupils true
-secret of success. Page 2.
Pacific Coast.
Haywood acquitted of charge of complicity
In Steunenberg murder. Page 1.
Lone highwayman holds up two California
stages. Page 2.
Olass Jury disagrees; seven to convict, five
to acquit. Page 1.
Ex-Governor McBrlde, of Washington, may
enter race again. Page 1.
Sports.
Los Angeles wins from Portland, 4 to 0.
Page 5. '
Fast auto races at North Yakima. Page 8.
Portland and Vicinity.
Captain E. W. Mason, of steamer Costa
Rica, thinks Columbia's missing lifeboats
will be found. Page 8.
Industrial Workers of World members Insult
President Roosevelt. Page 14.
Caspar Strelb hangs himself In North End
lodging-house. Page 9. ,
Upper River salmon packer ridicules protec
tion views of Astoria man. .Page 8.
Evangelist Ross scores Tongues of Fire and
the merely religious. Page 12.
W. J. Clemens, of Portland, demonstrates
tbat automobile trip from Portland to
sea in seven hours Is practicable. Page 14.
Bev. E. M. Hill says woman should be a
good housekeeper, but not a slave to the
home. Page 9.
Rev. Clarence True Wilson denounces Coun
cil and says if Heney investigated mem
bers, worse conditions would be found
than In San Francisco. Pag 13.
CONEY ISLAND IS
VISITED BY FIRE
Show Place Losses
at $1,000,000.
SCOREOFHOTELS FEED FLAMES
Burning Steeplechase Park?
Spectacular Scene,
FREAKS ROUTED FROM BED
Chorus Girls and Snake Charmers
Hurried . Into the Streets at
Early Hour in Morning.
Lucky Wind Saves Much.
NEW YORK, July 2S.--Coney Island
was visited by a disastrous fire early to
day, and seven blocks in the amusement
zone were destroyed.
The loss estimated by the shows is
about $1,000,000. Tllyou's Steeplechase
Park and nearly a score of small hotels
were wiped out, and for a time the flames
threatened the destruction of Luna Park
and Dreamland, great homes of Summer
amusement, and the scores of smaller
places which fringe the water's edge for
a mile. A lucky shift of the wind to sea
ward aided the firemen and probably
saved the whole picturesque area.
The destruction of Steeplechase Park
was a spectacular scene. Flames leaped
hither and thither, licking up the dancing
pavilion and the horse-racing railway.
The Steeplechase and hotel and nearly
a score of smaller wooden hotels which
fronted along the western side of the isl
and were blazing.
Effective Work by Firemen.
Fire Commissioner Lintry, seeing that
nothing could be saved in the park, or
dered that all efforts be concentrated on
the east side of the flaming blocks to
keep the fire from getting Into the flam
ing buildings in the Bowery and thus
making a fire trail to Dreamland and
Luna Park. The firemen were massed
at the entrance of the Bowery, and al
though a Japanese skating rink, a small
dance hall and a restaurant were de
stroyed there, the fire was checked. The
wind had in the meantime switched to the
south, and this favorable slant of breeze
aided the fire-fighters in confining the
fire to seven blocks.
The alarm of Are woke up dozing Coney
Island with a start, and in a few minutes
Burt avenue was Jammed with excitedj
freaks and frolickers, chorus-girls, snake
charmers, animal-trainers, performers,
amusement employes all the miscel
laneous population of the island, in fact.
Limbless Wonder Is Rescued.
Inside the burning park all was ex
citement and confusion among the two
score employes who slept in a house near
the entrance. Carrying grips and lug
gage they scurried to the street, and
while the exodus was In progress a cry
went up that Sandora, the armless and
legless man, who eats a dozen meals a
day Just to show that he can do it with
out the aid of arms and legs, was missing.
Seizing a basket, two employes hurried
back and found Sandora wiggling along
the floor toward the door. The "wonder"
was plied into a basket, and though the
flames and smoke threatened to engulf
hlB rescuers, he was carried to a hotel,
where he remarked that his escape had
been effected, "without the loss of life or
limb."
The hotels burned like tinder, and a few
minutes sufficed to wipe them out clean.
"Fire Eater" Flees From Flames.
One of the first to escape from his lodg
ing place was Francesco, the fire eater.
When things are calm and placid Fran
cesco eats fire and breathes it forth again,
all for a livelihood. Sometimes he is
advertised to bathe In tongues of flames.
But today's conflagration waa too much
even for Francesco, and he wisely gave
way to the firemen.
Arthur Lee. manager of Steeplechase
Park, speaking for Mr. Tilyou, said that
the loss on the park, which was complete
ly destroyed, would reach $1,000,000, and
there was no insurance.
The hotels destroyed were small and the
property loss on them will not reach mora
than J100.000.
The police report three injured by tha
fire.
Estimates of the total loss by the show
people are somewhat In excess of tha
figures set by the Police and Fire Depart
ments, who say $200,000 would be a con
servative estimate of the damage.
JOHNSTON TO BE SENATOR
Alabama's Governor Will Succeed
to Seat Occupied by Pettns.
BIRMINGHAM. Ala., July 28. The suc
cessor to Senator E. W. Pettus, who died
yesterday in Hot Springs, N. C, will be
ex-Governor Joseph J. Johnston, of
Birmingham. At the state primaries last
year, candidates for the Senatorships were
voted on and Senator Bulkhead received
the highest number. He was therefore
given the vacancy, on Senator Morgan'
death. Governor Johnson received the
next highest vote and will, therefore, be
elected to the second vacancy by tha
Legislature in joint session one week from.
Wednesday.