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About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (May 13, 1906)
THE SUNDAY OREGON! AN. PORTLAND. MAY 13, 1906. CHILD BURNS TG DEATH IN BARN ANOTHER TYPE OF OREGON BEAUTY QUEEN CANDIDATE No- n FORCED OUI BYEX0RB ITAHT REM Famous "Quarter Block of Fine Pianos" to Be Discontinue! Lizzie Walker Dies and Willie Shafer Narrowly Es capes Death. Employe Is Interested With Man Who Bids for Ir vington Contract. M .nil i Eilers Piano House Forced to Abandon Its Retail Piano and Orgc 5 X y ( 4 Business Owing to Astonishing Demands Made by a Frenziec Landlord. Entire Stock of Pianos and Organs to Be Sold in Twc 0 Si START FIRE IN HAYLOFT VIOLATES CITY CHARTER Weeks. Office and Store Furniture, Desks, Typewriters, Carpets Rugs, Etc, Etc., All for Sale at What They Will Bring. 10 SENSATION SPRUNG WATER BOARD Other Children Who Were Playing in the Barn at the Time That the Fire Started Made Their Escape. Lizzie Walker, the 4-year-old daugh ter of Conrad Walker, of 862 Rodney avenue, was burned to death in the hayloft of a small barn at .the rear of the Walker residence yesterday after noon, and her companion, Willie Shaf er, a baby boy only 3 years old, escaped death by. tumbling down a ladder. The two children had been playing together in the hayloft the greater part of the afternoon. Shortly before the Are broke out two or three other small children were playing house in the stalls beneath the loft. The Shafer or the Walker child obtained matches, Jt Is supposed, and while striking them set the hay on fire. Not until after the fire had burned itself out was it learned that the Shafer boy had escaped. He appeared in the crowd and pulled his mother's apron-strings to let her know that he was present. The little fellow was too frightened to give a coherent account of how the fire was started. He babbled a tew Ger man sentences, to the purport that Lizzie was playing with the matches and started the blaze by throwing the burning stubs into the hay. He did not realize that his little companion was dead, but refused stolidly to an swer questions. He appeared more frightened at the crowd than from the fact that he had narrowly escaped death. Willie said that when the fire started be got hold of a ladder which extended from the ground to the hayloft, and that he fell to the "bottom when he put his foot upon It. August Brandley, a near neighbor, said that he heard the screams of a child's voice when he arrived at the scene of the fire, and that he made an attempt to enter the barn. The heat and smoke, however, drove him back, and he was unable to effect a rescue. While the mothers of the two babies stood in the front ranks of the crowd calling to firemen to rescue the chil dren, other mothers were hunting for their children, who were known to liave been in the barn shortly before the fire was discovered. Before the fire had been extinguished all were ac ' counted for except the Shafer and the Walker children. The fire burned fiercely for half an hour before firemen could enter the place. While testing the ceiling of the floor bove the stalls the body of the little girl fell from the loft at the feet of Assistant Fire Chief Holden and Policeman Gittlngs. Her remains were removed from the barn to a shed to await the arrival of Coroner Flnley. Further search was made,' but as all children who had been In the barn were accounted for. it was soon ended. Conrad Walker, father of the burned child and teamster for a contracting firm, was sent for, and arrived shortly after the body of his daughter was taken from the ruins. He requested the Coroner to turn the body over to another undertaker, which Coroner Flnley did immediately, saying that an Innuest would not be necessary. The Coroner, on arrival, made a thorough investigation of the premises, and after questioning the parents of both chll ilren, said that death was caused by accident. No one, he said, could be held responsible. The loss to the barn, which was only it "mull, two-story frame building, in cluding the contents, will not amount to more than a few hundred dollars. No Insurance was carried. So fierce was the heat from the fire that the roof of a residence facing on Mallory avenue was fired. The blaze was quickly extinguished and- the damage was of no consequence. DEATH OF MRS. A. W. ALLEN Pioneer Woman Passes Away After Brief Illness. Mrs. Augusta J. Allen, wife of Cap tain H. S. Allen, clerk .of the City School Board, died yesterday after noon at the family residence, o27 John son street.- from the effects of pneu monia, after an illness of short dura tion. She was first attacked last Monday, hut the Illness was not believed to be of a serious nature, although her ftus hand remained-by her side to the end. The couple were very much devoted to each other, and the deepest sympathy is felt for Captain Allen in his be reavement. Mrs. Allen was one of the pioneer women of the state, and was greatly beloved by a large circle of friends, who will mourn her unexpected de mise. No definite arrangements have ns yet been made for her funeral, as Captain Allen was too greatly pros trated last night to discuss the mat ter. It is understood that relatives will reach here today, and in all proba bility an announcement of the funeral will then be made. FRIENDS MAKE CHARGES Declare That Smallpox Patient Lacked Proper Treatment. Friends of A. H. Wilson, clerk in the city water office, who died at the pest liouse of smallpox Friday, allege that he did not receive proper medical treat ment while confined there. Wilson, who was a native of Oregon, was born near Halsey in 1SS2. His parents were killed in a runaway ten years ago, and until he came to Portland he lived with an uncle. He was a student at the Oregon Agricultural College for two years, and aner coming here attended business col lege. He leaves two sisters and a large circle of friends. Husband Charges Desertion. A. F. Neunert, a grocer, has begun suit In the 8tate Circuit Court against Mina Neunert for a dissolution of the matrimonial bonds, on account of de sertion beginning March 16. 1905. They were married tn April. 1904. , .Sues to Recover Money. W. H. H. Morgan has begun an action in the 8tate Circuit Court against E. E. Merges for $500. 4 An admirer of this dreamy-eyed damsel has contributed this to the gallory of beauties now represented in the contest for the position of Queen and Columbia in the industrial parade . on - Friday, May 25. The contest closes with all pictures that are received by Monday afternoon. The selection of the candidates for the positions which they are to fill will be made as soon as possible. The task before the judges is no light one. For the Information of the aspirants It may be stated that the committee is desirous of having other young ladies in the floats besides those in the chief positions. A young lady is desired to represent the State of Oregon on the Oregon float, and several others, the details of which will be made known. The two ladies who are to serve as Queen and Columbia will be advised of their selection by the publication of their likenesses, to- " gether with the announcement of the decision of the judges. PUSSES THE More Than a Quarter of a Million Raised. OREGON'S AID TO STRICKEN Work Has Not Ceased, and Other Thousands Will Be Received for the Benefit, of the San Francisco Sufferers. PASSES QUARTER MILLION. The quarter-million Oregon relief fund for the San Francisco sufferera is an accomplished fact. With yester day's contributions the fund now amounts to $250,423.55, far past the mark first set by the relief commit tee. Contributions are still pouring- in and much more will be raised during the coming- week. Not since the first few days after the appeal for aid was issued was there so much energy and general spirit shown as yesterday. Everybody was eager to help the fund reach the quarter-million mark, and long before last evening $250, 000 was contributed. When the fact was announced that the fund only lacked sev eral hundred dollars from the goal, Port land doubled its energy in making - it reach the mark yesterday. People who de layed sending in their contribution, for some reason or other, hastened to do so yesterday, ' with the result that over $400 was contributed above the quarter-million mark. The phone in Secretary Giltner's office was busy from early morning, inquir ing whether the quarter-million mark was reached. It can hardly be realized that in a little over three weeks this gigantic sum was raised by voluntary contribu tions. The great appreciation shown Ore gon for her noble response by the suf ferers will more than repay the donors, and the timely' and liberal aid of Oregon will add another bright page to the his tory of the state. Much More Will Come. The committee expects to receive many more oontributions, as much Is yet needed. With over $400 as a good start above the quarter-million mark, the com mittee hopes to be able to raise many thousands more. The hard efforts of the members of the general relief and popular fund commit tees have been crowned with complete success, and they cannot conceal their great satisfaction at Oregon's showing. Although the goal has been reached, the "Made-in-Oregon" fund will continue to grow far beyond it, and offer much needed help to the unfortunates in the stricken city. Contributions received yesterday, Sat urday, May 12, 1906: Employes Pacific Hardware & Steel Rollins Mills $ 100.00 Employes of O. R. & N. lines in Oregon, additional 60.00 Miss Marie A. Soule, the pro ceeds of the benefit concert at the Heillg, May 10 229.65 Remitted by F. A. Mangold, Ger vais. Or.: H. L. Woolery. Sr., $1; John Marthaler. $5; cash. $2: cash, $2:30: total subscription.. 10.30 Mount Tabor School This school sent a big express-load of chil dren's clothes and about 100 quarts of home-canned fruits to the San Francisco hospitals; In addition they paid The Ore gonlan yesterday following cash subscription 6.39 Catholic churches of Portland, sent to The Oregonlan by A. Christie, Archbishop of Oregon City, by George B. Thompson, secretary 300.00 Mrs. I. Frohman. one share Lewis and Clark stock, re demption value 2.50 Total t im.fH Previously acknowledged 249.716.71 Grand total - $250,425.55 Traveling Men Swell Relief Fund. Portland Post of the Travelers' Pro MARK V 4 tective Association . has forwarded J10J0 to the San Francisco branch of the organization to be applied in the general relief work. The money was contributed by the traveling men of both Oregon and Washington, and will probably be followed, later by addi tional subscriptions. GEN. WILLIAMS DEPARTS Will Take Charge of the Department of Colorado. Brigadier-General Constant Williams, who -has been in command of the De partment of the Columbia, with headquar ters at Vancouver Barracks for near ly two years, has been relieved and as-f signed to the command of the Depart ment of Colorado, with headquarters at Denver. General Williams left yesterday morning for a tour of inspection in Alas ka, and it is thought that when- he re turns he will leave immediately for Den ver to assume command of the Depart ment of Colorado. It is presumed that the. successor of General Williams will be appointed some time this month. General Buchanan re tires this month, and it is believed by the Army officers at Vancouver that his suc cessor, who will be appointed, will be as signed to the command of the Depart ment of the Columbia. It is also understood that General Wil liams will retire within a year. He came to the Department of the Columbia from Texas, where he made his headquarters at Fort Sam Houston. General Williams Brigadier-General Constant Williams. has made many friends in Portland since he has been In command of the Depart ment of the Columbia, and both civilians and Army men greatly regret that he has been transferred. Doctors Take State Examination. The examination of 44 candidates who desire to practice medicine In Oregon was concluded yesterday noon by - the State Board of Medical" Examiners. The exam inations were held at the North Pacific Dental College and results will be an nounced In about ten days by Dr. Byron E. Miller, secretary. The following can didates took the examination: , Henry E. Estey, Arftiur K. Turner. Lk P. Bittner, J. J. Sarozin. W. A. Monroe, T. K. John son. O. M. Babbitt. W. W. Looney, F. P. Flsch, Alfred Williams, George Le Loss Beech. C. U. Wood. John Madden. J. L. Wooden, V. J. McComb." A. B. Starbuck, A, B. Sweet, Hisashi Mishina, F. F. T. Thompson, J. S. Rankin, A. E. Teasdale Buckell. 1. A. Ballman. W. K. Seelye, T. E. Zieber, C. M. Hollopeter H. J. Kavan augh, W. C. Judd, A. C. Hanson, James Sproat, J. C. Evans, George Wood. Roger Biswell, W. Le Roy Fuller, P. F. Mc Murdo, Lee Clanton. R. D. Byrd, R. H. Fields. R. E. Schmidt, L. V. Smith E. A, Woods, J. M. Sleicher, H. E. Kelly. Broken Dynamo Causes Trouble. A broken dynamo in the Portland Elec trical Works. 351 Stark street, at 9 o'clock last night set a number of live wires squirming and twisting about the' room by the force of the wasting current. The fire department answered a still alarm, and the firemen managed at length to cut the wires and eliminate the increasing danger of the building's catching fire. X -1 4 (k 4 - Charles Rullman Connected With Lowest Bidder, So Irvlngton Contract Goes to Standard Construction Company. A sensational feature of a special meet ing of the City Water Board was devel oped near the close of proceedings yes terday afternoon, when D. D. Clarke, chief engineer of the Water Department, declared that Charles Rullman, one of Its employes, was interested with his brother-in-law. W. C. Sorsby. of 354 San Rafael street, in the lowest bid for the removal of the Iryington standpipe. Mayor Lane stated that this was In direct violation of section 135 of the charter, which pro vides that no municipal employe shall be or become directly or indirectly Interested In or in the performance of any contract for the supply of labor or material to the city. - , Proposals Are Opened. Proposals for the removal of the stand pipe were opened at the regular meeting of the Water Bo'ard last ' Wednesday, and referred to the superintendent and Engi neer for tabulation. These- bids were in cluded In the offers: Portland Steel Ship building Company, $13,715; W. C. Sorsby, of 354 San Rafael street, Portland. $11,075;' Paquet, Gleblsch & Joplin, $15,330: Stand ard Construction Company, $13,3S0; Phoe nix Iron Works, $16,360. Mr. Clarke explained that, after the bids had been received, from all informa tlo nat hand, gathered from independent sources, he made an estimate of the cost involved, and said it aggregated $13,200 He. with others, was surprised at the low amount of the bid submitted by Sorsby, and, while investigating his standing with a view of ascertaining his responsibility in carrying out the contract, the discovery was made that he was the brother-in-law of Rullman, an employe in the main office of the Water Department. Pleads Ignorance as Defense. In extenuation of his conduct, Rullman had told him that he was unaware of any municipal regulation that prohibited him from assisting his relative in the prepara tion of the bid, and besides he Intended to quit his position with the city in case Sorsby was successful in securing the con tract, and engage in partnership with him 'on the work. According to Mr. Clarke, Rullman had announced his in tention to resign at once, in view of the situation. "He intends to quit tonight," said Mr. Clarke. "Well, I think If I were in his place that would be a good Job quit tonight," responded Mayor Lane, significantly. Mr.- Clarke stated as his belief that while Rullman had been technically In discreet In certain respects, he did not consider him willfully guilty' ' of any wrong-doing, as whatever information he was capable of furnishing to Sorsby was available to anybody. He stated further that Rullman had worked on the plans after office hours, hence he was not in fringing in any way on the city's demand for his services. Engineer Clarke at tributed the lowness of his bid to the fact that he had depended upon figures fur nished him by bollernlakers and others interested in materials of this character, but who had refused to stand by their figures when Sorsby and Rullman sought to have them bind themselves to perform certain work when It was apparent Sorsby would get the contract. Rullman Put Up Deposit. Rullman is also said to have acknowl edged to Mr. Clarke that he had advanced a portion of the J5C0 deposit as an evidence of good faith at the time the bid was sub mitted. The revelations of Mr. Clarke created a decided sensation among members of the Water Board, and provoked considerable discussion concerning the advisability of making any award at all under the pro posals. Dr. C. H. Raffety . thought the safest, best and most honorable thing to do under the circumstances was to reject all the bids and readvertise. Dr. 9. E. Joseph! contended that before the contract was entered Into with Rull man he would have to quit the employ of the city, and he could not see how it would interfere with his bid. It seemed to him that If the bid was rejected, and the award made to the next highest bidder. It would look too much as if the Board Itself had been trying to use him as a straw bidder. He was in favor of plac ing the burden on Sorsby, and in case he could not carry out his contract, make htm forfeit his $500 deposit. Besides the $2315 difference between the Sorsby bid and that of the Standard Construction Com pany, the next lowest, appealed to Dr. Josephl very strongly. Sorsby Bid Is Rejected. Mayor Lane said that if the board was without notice of the situation it would be different, but having inci dentally ascertained the condition of things, he felt that it was incumbent on the body to at least reject the Sorsby proposal. This view of the mat ter seemed to meet the views of nearly all the members, and upon motion of G. W. Allen, seconded by Dr. Raffety, the Sorsby bid was rejected and the contract awarded to the Standard Con struction Company upon its bid of $13,390. . Rullman is not a civil service ap pointee, and as a matter of fact failed in the examination, although he has always been regarded' as a capable man. especially in- the draughting de partment, and is merely temporarily employed at present owing to a scar city of ellglbles. It Is thought that yesterday's developments will have a tendency to curtail his services, and Superintendent - Dodge intimated as much to Mayor Iane, as It was conced ed the episode was likely to create ad verse criticism. Hoge & Swift Get Contract. Hoge & Swift were awarded the con tract for supplying gate valves on their bid of $5453.40, and the Oregon Foun dry waa successful in the matter of furnishing the department with 100 fire hydrants. Its bid was $5500. . It was also the sense of the board that the Alblna pumping station should be remodeled as a measure of precau tion against fire, and also ot conform with the recommendations of the Na tional Board of Fire Underwriters. Cunning Opium Smugglers. SEATTLE, Wash., May 12. (Spe claDA reward of $2500 has been of fered by customs authorities for the discovery of the cache of 500 pounds of opium supposed to be hidden on the banks of the Puyallup River or Hyle bos Creek near Tacoma Harbor. While customs officials lay in wait Sunday The news of the decision reluctantly reached by the past week to retire altogether from the retail piano er than to submit to outrageous demands made by a received on all sides with a great deal of astonishment and much genuine regret. Within the next two weeks "Portland's Quarter-Block of Fine Pianos," which has so long held the play in the United States, A statement of our effect a renewal of the old adroit evasion of definite beforehand, and the oily promises, on part of the landlord, of fair and proper treatment "when the time comes" (at the termination of the old lease), is not essential here. Suffice it receiving the following "Eilers Piano House, possession on the 31st day of May, 1906, of the premises now occupied by you, under lease from Thos. Scott Brooke, Trustee, and owned by the estate of Lloyd Brooke, deceased, said lease terminating May 31st, 1906, said premises being known as Eilers Piano House, and occupying the ground floor and the basement of the building situated on lots five and six, block 214, City of Portland, Oregon. , "Signed,. THOS. SCOTT BROOKE, Trustee." It would seem safe to assume that Eilers Piano House, ranking as it does with the three largest and foremost concerns of its kind in the United States, is surely in position to pay a rental for store and show rooms equal to any other mercantile establishment; but when an avaricious landlord greedily demands an annual rental exceeding practically the entire annual net earnings on the Portland retail business of the concern, the maintenance of such an establish ment is simply out of the question. Much as we regret to take this step, there is left for Eilers Piano, House no other alternative than to retire from the retail business, and this must be done within the next two weeks. ' The famous establishment on Upper Washington street, which has done more to bring a retail clientele to the Westward, and has, during the past seven years, done more in the fostering and cause of music than any other Western concern, will have to give way before the rapacious demands of a landlord who must have surely lost his head. Nor is this the only case where the demands for rentals out of all reason have caused the retirement of a more or less important concern. - - ' i With our wholesale facilities at Thirteenth and Northrup streets (which property we own), and with recently acquired facilities in both Tacoma and Seattle, we shall be able to maintain a volume of business in excess of the pre ceding years, but until such time as we can secure facilities in keeping with our requirements, on a basis that will enable us to make ends meet, Eilers Piano House will remain out of the retail piano and organ business of Portland. In the meantime, commencing Tuesday morning, the greatest sacrifice of fine pianos, new ones and used ones, of practically every make, will take place. Tomorrow the retail department will be kept closed. Look for closing-out an nouncement in tomorrow (Monday) morning's paper. Everything must be sold pianos, organs, pipe organs, pianola pianos, music rolls, carpets, furnish ings, fixtures, a safe, typewriters, etc., etc. It's a sad breaking up, for which, however, others than the owners and officers of Eilers Piano House are responsible. watching for the smugglers to reach their cache at Brown's Point, the men suceeded In approaching and removing: the opium. The smugglers had ' headquarters here in a houseboat on the Duwamish River. One side could be removed to allow their launch Amp to enter and depart, and for months . the customs authorities were unable to find the hiding-place of the boat they were convinced had been smuggling the contraband. The launch has been siezed. STREET-CARMEN ORGANIZE Half of the Force Said to Have Signed the Roll. ' Motormen and conductors In the em ploy of the Portland Railway Com pany and the Oregon Water Power Company are quietly organizing Into a union. Perhaps half of the 600" men on the Portland Railway Company's lines have signed and organizers who are at work have hopes of unionizing practically the whole working force of the city lines. Carmen are reticent about the organization and its pur poses but it is supposed that in case the recent petitions for an advance tn wages are disregarded by the company that the union will attempt to enforce its demands by trying to tie up the system. Officials of the company will not discuss the situation. Will Discuss Lumber Mlnimums. It Is probable that some new adjust ment of lumber mlnimums more satisfac tory to the Oregon and Washington mil lers will be made by the railroads. The recent new minimums, announced to be come effective June 1. have met objections- from lumbermen throughout the Northwest, their contention being that because of the difficulty of loading cer tain kinds ' of lumber to the prescribed minimum, the effect 01 the new figures would result In a raise in rates. R. B. Miller, general freight agent of the Harriman lines In the Northwest, left yesterday for St. Paul, taking with him his chief rate clerk. J. W. Chapman, and it is understood that the lumber question will be given thorough consideration. Secures Japs for Railway Work. Driven by the scarcity of laborers for railroad work to go to other states in search for men. President E. E. Lytle, of the Pacific Railway & Navigation Com pany, has just signed a contract for me Bervices of 300 Japanese, which were se cured by a California labor agent. The force of Japanese will go to work on the proud distinction as being will be a matter of mere history.. many attempts during the past lease on an increased but a reasonable basis, and the conclusions on account of alleged inability to decide to say that matters have finally culminated in our formal notice: City: You are hereby notified to quit and deliver up construction of the Lytle road now being built from Hillsboro to Tillamook. Engines Will Burn Oil. All passenger locomotives on the Harri man lines in Oregon, with the exception of those running on the O. R. & N. beyond Umatilla, will be burning oil exclusively for fuel before ' the end of the present week. Passengers on these lines need I hereafter have no fear of cinders, for oil burners do not scatter them. Black smoke will also be conspicuous for Its absence and the new fuel will add largely to the comfort of travel over Oregon railroads. Railway Personals. A. E. Campbell, commercial agent at Seattle for the Burlington, spent yester day in Portland on business. Paul Thompson, agent for the Illinois Central at Seattle, was looking after bus iness for his road In Portland yesterday. H. Dickson, city passenger agent for the Great Northern, is spending a few days at Long Beach. He will return to town early this week. Joseph F. Reilly, detective for the O. R. & N.. leaves today for New York for a month's visit. He will be In Omaha on his way East for a short stay with rail road friends. William McMurray, assistant general passenger agent for the Harriman lines, will return home today from Pendleton, where he has been attending a session of the Oregon Development League. H. A. Hinshaw, formerly agent for the Southern Pacific at Hillsboro, has been appointed traveling freight agent for the Southern Pacific, with headquarters ' at Portland. He will enter on his new du ties immediately and will office with Dis trict Freight Agent H. E. Lounsbury In the Worcester building. TACOMA FIREMEN ASSIST Send Fund for Relief of Department In San Francisco. Chief Campbell yesterday received a letter from George McAlvey, chief of the Tacoma fire department. Inclosing a check for $85.60, which was indicated as the proceeds of a voluntary subscription on the part of the firemen of that city In behalf of the San Francisco firemen and their families. This does not represent the total subscriptions from the Tacoma firemen, as the members had made do nations through other channels, and in addition its relief association had given a substantial amount to the general re lief committee of San Francisco. As president of the Northwest Fire men's Association, Chief Campbell haa Eilers Piano House dunngj and organ business, rath frenzied landlord, will be the largest and finest dis eight or nine months to received many subscriptions of this s from the firemen of adjacent cities, : of which have been promptly forward to the relief of the San Francisco depai ment and the families of its member He has been indefatigable In his effor In this direction. - Trial Docket to Be Called. Judge Wolverton will call the tri dockets in both the District and Cii cult Courts tomorrow morning at o'clock. Attorneys will be present 1 agree upon dates for the various case Finishes Hearing on Free Alcohol WASHINGTON, May 12. Hearing on the denatured alcohol bill wer closed today by the Senate committe on finance. Dr.W.IIortonDavis&Co ESTABLISHED 1889 Van Noy Hotel.Ccr.Tliird and Pine Sts Portland, Oregon For ttie Treatment of Special, Nervous and Chronic DISEASES OF MEN Special attention paid to treatment by mall. Office Hours: Dally, to 6 and 1 to P. 1L Sunday, Id A. M. to 12 M. Should you desire you may pay after cure has been effected. Consultation free and confidential. All mediclnea free until cured