. .,t Social THE TWICE-A-WEEK Roseburg, Oregon P lmnicokr. Roseburg Plaindealer : Poinlatin, awo. The County Sent of Douglas county. orirn Seldlera Home; C. s. Land Office and U. S. W. athir Bureau are located here 8. P. railroa 1 Mrfoa; splendid educational advantage. Gateway ! the Coos Bay and Coqnillc cimnlrv. f The moat widely read newapapar pnblianed In J southern Oregon and conaeiuentiy the Buradver- tiling medium. Large, modemly eqnipped Job I printing department In connection. Katablianed in 18S8. Hubacrlptlon, K per year (or Heml-Weekly. : Vol. XXXVII ROSEBURG, DOUGLAS COUNTY, OREGON, THURSDAY, MARCH i6, llJ05 No. 22 SENATOR JOHN H. MITCHELL HAS RETURNED TO PORTLAND FATAL ACCIDENT AT WINCHESTER MAY EXHUME BODY DEVELOPMENT CONVENTION RUSSIA'S LACK OF FUNDS MAY INFLUENCE PEACE NEGOTIATIONS liOGeburg Judge Bennett of The Dalles, to Conduct His De fense at the Land Fraud Trials Says He has been Treated Unfairly by the Newspapers. Portland. Or., March 14. Senator John H. Mitchell has arrived in Port land from Washington after visiting on his way here. To all inquirers the Senator declared that his health is good, and he appears to be much bet ter than when he left for Washington in January, although the ordeal through which he has passed has left its impress upon him. Mr. Mitchell refuses to give out any information beyond the statement that he is ready for and desires a speedy trial. As to the nature of his defense the Senator would say nothing. . "That is a matter which I do not care to discuss for publication. The newspapers here and elsewhere have been unfair to me." Senator Mitchell paused for a mo ment, and then with a flash of indig nation, he burst forth vehemently: "The Oregonian has been damnable. You know that as well as I do." The angry gleam in his eye and the vigor with which he spoke were even more expressive than the words. But it was evident that Senator Mitchell was firmly resolved to keep a tight rein on himself, and he added immediately : "I really do not wish to discuss the charges against me. You will have to excuse me." To his friends Senator Mitchell CAVES OF EASTERN OREGON WILL BE EXPLORED W. S. Mayberry of Milton, who is a dittance of over a mile with out evi- tk w principal of the pnplic school at Ant dope, Visco County, expects to irit the cave of Crook county, Oregon this summer, on an exploring trip. Mr. Mayberry spent two years in that por tion of the state some years ago, and while there visited the lava beds and cavos on the Des Chutes river and will i return, to more fully examine this wonderful region which has been explor-! ed but superficially. ' At places in the lava formation on the Des Chutes holes are found which lead ' to snbterraiiean caverns of unknown depth and in manv places water can be heard running underneath the floors of the caverns on a still lower chamber. The caves vary in heigh and width. In some places it is necessary to crawl through the small opening between the dark chambers, and on other places the caves widen out into spacious rooms, filled to overflowing with bats and rep tiles It is said that one of these under- ground chambers has been explored for SPRAYS, LIME, BLUE VITROL AND CAUSTIC SODA OF THE BEST QUALITIES SOLD AT MARSTERS' DRUG STORE reiterates his declaration that he is guiltless of the offenses charged against him. and that this will be ful ly established when the cases are tried. He says that if given a fair trial he has no fear of the outcome. Jndjc leaactt For Mitchell Judge Bennett of The Dalles . is to be Senator Mitchell's attorney. As sociate counsel may be employed also, but Judge Bennett will have charge of the case. He is regarded as one of the best jury lawyers in the state, and is said never to have lost an im portant jury case. He is a Democrat and has twice been a candidate for the state senate, but was defeated both times. His second defeat oc curred last June, when he ran against Wheald on; the latter was elected by a very narrow margin. W ien a young man, Judge Bennett served a term upon the circuit bench. It is possi ble that Senator Mitchell will join forces with Hermann and Wil liamson, and that the same attorneys will appear for all of them. George A. Knight of San Francisco and the local firm of Dolph, Mallory, Simon & Gearin have been mentioned as their probable choice, and it has also been reported that one of the foremost jury lawyers of Chicago had been re tained by the defendants. Thus far these rumors have received no confir mation. dence of a tefminition of its wonderful suites of sub'eranean rooms. The for mation is lava and the caves open into side chambers and smaller rooms in numerable. At places openings are found reaching out to the surface at ' varying depths and the entire country is underlaid with a eystem of these lava caves. The principal opening by which the caves are entered is at a place on the Dee Chutes river, where a round hole has been formed in the surface of the ground, by a section of the earth's crust about 30 feet in diameter sinking to a depth of 30 feet forming a circular hole 30 feet across and 30 feet deep, from which the cave opens and by which ex- ' ploring parties enter. Mr. Mayberry will take a companion with him and make a complete explor ation of tbe caves this spring if possible It is thought that a wonderful system of ' underground caverns may be discovered adding a new and thrilling attraction to , Oregon's t houeand wonders. SULPHUR, Japanese Section Hand Crushed to Death Under Handcar Wheels. Foreman Injured. After the day's work had been fin ished and the Winchester Japanese sec t On crew under Foreman John Kay were returning to the station last Mon day evening about 6 o'clock, the end of a crow bar in some manner came in con tact with one of the car wheels and was hurled from the car, at the same time striking one of the Japanese workmen, named Okajaki, throwing him across the track before the car, which passed over his body crushing him (fatally. Id passing over Okajaki's body, the car was derailed and the rest of its occu pants thrown of!. Foreman Kay's left leg was dislocated at the knee and one of the two bones of the lower leg was broken a few inches beiow that joint. Asona sustained a badly sprained back which will keep him from work for several weeks. The other members of the crew suffered only slight bruises. Dr. Geo. E. Houck, of this city, at tended the injured men at Winchester shortly after the accident. He notified Justice Ixmg by telephone of Okajaki's death, but after learning the facts in the case, Mr. Long concluded that an inquest was unnecessary. Okajaki was to have resigned his posi tion on the section on the evening of his death and upon receipt of trans porta- tion the next day, go direct to Japan to enlist in the Mikado's army, which is now in pursuit of the retreating Kus- sians in Manchuria. The accident occurred about a quarter of a mile south of Winchester. The body of the unfortunate Japanese was taken to Portland on the overland train Monday night. RAILROAD OVER THE MOUNTAINS Cottage Grove, Ore., March 13. The railroad project mentioned here some time ago by P. J. Jennings to the Coos Bay county on the west, crossing the Cascade mountains beyond the Bohemia district, is being given considerable serious consideration. G. B. Hengen, who financed the Oregon Securities Company and built the Oregon A South eastern Railway from this place to Wild- wood, has been looking over the coast a vantages of such a project for some time, and there are many rumors to the effect that he and his people intend to do heavy work this year. Their present railway is 17 miles long and was built primarily to tap the rich timber resources east of Cottage Grove and open the Bohemia mining district It is expected that tbe road will be ex tended up the basin it is following until near the Oregon Securtiee mine, and those who have been interested in the new project believe it will cross tbe divide somewhere near the headwaters of the I'm p) as, reaching tbe Dee Chutes valley at the headwaters of that stream, where there are vast areas of white p me. Local developements indicate to tbe community tbst Mr. Hengen and bis associates have big work ahead, such as offers for property, but until he madefnn extended trip to tbe coast surveying the country through which tbe proposed route is to pass the real significance of the enterprise was not appreciated. STERLING MAY CLEAN UP $25,000 Medford, March 14. One of the few Southern Oreton hydraulic mines that has been supplied with water for con tinual operations this season, is the fa- mous old Sterling, of Jackson county, near here, vie property of B. E. and Levi Ankeny, and N. Cook, of Portland. It is believed that tbe output of the Sterling for the present season, despite the absence of rain, wilt be c ose to f2S,- 000, And. may be greater even than thai. This is a production of some 40 or 60 pec cent on the amount invested, and only. a small crew i required" to operate the property. Five veers ago the output of tbe Sterling was f90,000. Plans were' laid to eclipse that record this year but low water prevented. LIVES LOST m TrilEUCUT cine rncnen nun Y..-1, 11 In lk thrilling fire Hew York has experienced for many months 19 lives were lost and 40 persons injured, a number fatally. F.arlv tndav an Kaat 8id tnmnt ... destroyed. Many of the tenement dwelleis were roasted to death like flies on uie ciuimrou nrr-eucupeii, wiiue om ers jumped shrieking to the pavement before the eyes of the horrified specu Tors, firemen and potiee officer threw - . menu selves into me worn oi rescue witn absolute abandon of personal safety, and deeds of heroism were continuous. ' Many were rescued oeiore the roaring furnace drove firemen away and con sumed its remaining inmates. We have a limited amount of screen ings suitable for chicken feed that offer for sale in quantities not less than one hundred pounds. Douglas Countv Mills. tf Coroner May Investigate Death the Third Mrs. Branton. Writing in Note Sent to Cottage Grove Marshal Simi lar to that of Many Letters Written by Branton. Preliminary Hearing Cottage Grove, March, 14. Prosecu ting Attorney George M Brown arrived here from Roseburg and has been busy all day collecting evidence against John Branton, charged Willi shooting John Fletcher. Samples of notes and letters in Branton's hand writing were found and they bear unmistakable similarity to the note which was received by the city marshal, signed John Fletcher. These letters will be submitted to handwriting exert at once Tonight Attorney Brown left for Eu gene. In achlition to arranging lor me preliminary hearing of Branton, Proecu tor Brown will discuss the question of exhuming the body of Mrs. Branton tbe third. It will lie necesnarv for County Judge G. K. Chrisman, of Lane county to isruean order granting Mr. Brown the nower to draw uion I.ane countv for 1 the expense of conducting the coroner's ! inoue-it and to pav for a chemist to ex amine the contents of the stomach. If this is done the bodv of Mrs. Branton will be exhume J at once. The constant talk and ugly rumors which have been current during the past week have caused public sentiment to change against Branton. Today men ho had previously held to the inno cence of Branton say that if he is proven guilty of shooting thsre is perhaps some thing in the stories about tbe deaths of his three wives. John Branton has been married three times, and soon after marriage he is said to have induced his wives to take out liberal insurance parable to him. His first wife died at his home on Camp Creek east of Eugeue ; his second wife died suddenly under suspicious circum stances at Waterville. His third wife died suddenly a few months ago at Cot tage Grove. The latter having heard the ngly rumors concerning the demise of Branton's first wives, had refused t.i insure her life, but she had property in Cottage Grove which went to her hus band at her death and which after her death he forthwith mortgaged for all it was worth. The death of each of Bran tons wives seems to have been sur rounded bv suspicious circumstances. and Fletcher is supposed to have known too much of the details. It begins to look like Lane county has a Johann Hoch. ncafe br lia is Castes Cottage Grove, March 14 Specula tion aa to the shooting of John Fletcher is the theme on everybody's tongue. Tbe rambling stories as to the death of John Branton's three wives have also whetted the public appetite. T. J. Ellioit, the father of Branton's first wife, arrived here today from al terville for the purpose of looking after his three grand children. He is a man of about 70 vears of age, his hair is al most white, his shoulders drooped from age, yet he is active ana seems to nave good possession of his mental faculties it was easy to discern from his counte nance and expression that he is one of those honest citiiens who regards his word as sacred aa his note. Elliott said I "My wife died some 21 years ago, leav ing me two boys, John and William, and two daughters, Mary and Millie. The latter became tbe wife of John Branton. 1 opposed her marrying him, SENATOR FULTON TO NAME Washington, March 15. Senator and receiver of the Roseburg land office. He had a conference today with Secretary Hitchcock, and was told that removed. When the Government is at Fulton will hfi asked to make recommendations. His meti will be ex ominod ad if aatisfantorv will be appointed. If thev do not meet the " quirements he Will De aSKea to suomii his aoWtion will tret the offices. Secretaty Hitchcock has abandoned his independent search for men for the Ever since Bridges and Booth L . . . ,a , matin wrior l.epo. "M" -' " m dence which will warrant their removal, and such evidence they claim to . b t the mmQt tnat either Mr. Bridges or Mr. Booth will be indicted on - . . . these charges Dy tne granu jury - Secretary Hitchcock is satisfied that ; . . . j . the WramriAnr rnar, uri iitoh ;iuu nuuwi has practically been suspended during FREE FIGHT OF GREEK nnttam Grove. March 14. A big row - 1 is reported to have occurred at Com D " we stock Sunday anione a band of Greeks ! that is employed by tbe Southern Pa rifle Oomnanv ballasting the tracks. I Several shots were fired, but no one hit of but after her marriage I wished them well. They were married in 1S1M, and to thain three children were born. As to what caused her death I don't know She was a kind mother and was loved by all who knew her." Relative to the cause of the death of Branton's second wife Elliot did not know, only that she died verv suddenly. "There was no suspicion thrown aronnd Branton," Elliot continued, "until after the death of his second wife. Yes, his first two wives were in sured for $1000 and 12000 respectively, in favor of Branton." Asked if he thought Branton was re sponsible for the death of his wives and the shooting of John Fletcher, Elliot said : "I hop.' not. 1 hope there was no foul play with my daughter or any of them. 1 do not want to accuse him un- bul 1 wDt f our conn- trv upheld and if he is Iguiltv let him meet his just punishment. I told John Branton in tail at Eugene that if he Has guilty for the sake of his children for him to confess and not to throw any more stain upon the children than could be hlped and save some of the property for them In the course of the interview the old tn;in brake down several times and tears fk wed down his cheeks. He ha 1 left his home near Walterville and hastened here to see that these children were properly cared for. In conclusion he said : "I cams up here to look after my grandchildren. I want to take them home with me or see that they have a good home and are properly provided for. Another heartrending scene was wit nessed this morning. A man took a letter to the Branton house for the child ren from their lather. In part Branton wrote : "Th newspapers hit me hard, but if Grace and you children stand by me I don't care if the whole world is against me." The li ; girl twelve years of age. ept baUutly. This G race, Branton re ferred to is the woman who recently ob tained a divorce from her husband at Eugene and is here staying with Bran ton's children. It is reported that Branton and this woman were to be married soon. Coast FUtd it jseoo Kagene, March 15. John Branton was not given an examination before the justice of the peace this afternoon, as intended but instead District Attor nev Geo. M. Brown today filed wilh the I circuit court an information against j Branton, charging him with assault with j intent to kill, and fixed his bonds at $5000. The district attorney had taken I all the evidence in the case and it was 1 sufficient to ho d Branton, a preliminary ! examination being deemed unne edsmry. i As it is probable he will not be able to raise the bail, the prisoner will remain ! in the county jail hero till court meets ! in adjourned session on April 14. The matter of exhuming the body : ' Branton's last wife in order to ascertain ! whether or not she was poisoned is now being considered by County Judge Chrisman. If the evidence is strong enough to warrant the belief that the woman died from other than natural causes the order will be made by the court to have the stomach examined. REGISTER AND RECEIVER Fulton will name the new register in time Booth and Bridges will be ready to make new appointments Sen ro of . owier names, u any uium iuou land office were suspended, various agen ts of the In aWMn-,na :n,,nar; -,,.; i find u.. as- u A - -of ue...u uy mr. he has evidence enough to convince t. n...: t H lo,l ffi,- uiul im. iu3iucn.i at me khi these investigations. WORKMEN AT COMSTOCK A number of the men are badly bruised This is part of the gang that had a fra cas near Latham about a month ago when they threatened to kill the section foreman for dischari some of the men. To Be Held at Salem on March 23 All Commercial Organizations Are Invited Salem, Or., March 14, 1SX5. Mr. W. C. Conner, KJitor Plaindealer, Roseburg, Oregon. Dear Sir: We enclose you a special invitation to our development conven tion, ttreater harmony and enthu siasm for upbuilding of Western Ore gon, city, town and country, is the object of this gathering. We are going to have fine programs and would like to have you present. The Press t'lab is trying to arrange a social feature of tbe convention especially for the newspaper men. Program will be sent yon Yours sincerely, E. HOFER, Pres. (Greater Salem Com mercial Club. Objtct of Ncetiag Pursuant to resolution of Salem Commercial Club, the Greater the under' that i eigneo committee, representing that body, earnestly invitees the commercial organizations oi tne several towns and cities of the l-miua vallev to attend a ! convention of such bodies which is to he held in this city on Thursdav, March 23, for the purpose of developing and carrying out the objects involve! in the following suggestions, among others. L The better development of our communities, the uniting of our forces and the harmonizing of oar interests along all lines that need promotion and advancement. 2. Making and securiag provisions for taking care of the incoming tide of tourists and homeeeekers. 3. Tbe encouraging of new indus tries ; the construction of branch lines of railroad, the extention of trollev lines, the utilization of our unemployed water powers, the establishment of rural telephones and other desirable utilities and enterprises. We request the attendance of the president and secretary of each com mercial organization and at least five delegates chosen from the membership. The intention is to bold sessions for the discussion of our varied interests in the forenoon, and afternoon and even ing, a program for which will be formu lated and sent you later. Let us come together and work to gether for better conditions in this grand country of Western Oregon. Fraternallv vours. J. U STOCKTON, Chairman. E. HOFER. IKAXK DA VET, Secretary. Committee on Invitation. P. S. Please notify us of the action of your organization as soon as convenient, and send our secretary a list of delegates appointed. GREAT REVIVAL AT EUGENE Kagene. March 14. One of the great est religious revivals held in Eugene in recent years is now in progress at the M. K church. Five churches, the M. E , Presbyterian, Cumberland Presby terian, B-ptist and I'nited Brethren. :ve united in these meetings and are nducting them jointly. Evangelist Beiderwolf is the preacher and is being sisted by Harry Maxwell, tenor solo The M. E church is crowded to iverllowing every night, and people who have not attended church for years can be seen at these meetings. Owe 300 persons, including a number of the lead ing business men, have signed cards, expressing the determination to lead a Christian life. STORM AT LOS ANGELES WAS BAD Los Angeles, March 14 Six persons lost their lives and propertv loss of $400,000 is the closest possible estimate of tbe enect of tbe two days storm in and about ixjs Angeles, two men were irowned by the falling of the Seventh street bridge, and two fishermen were drowned at Santa Monica, one man at North Beach and a railroad laborer at Cajon Pass. No bodies were recovered All the electric and steam railroa.ls are still tied up. HOME SEEKERS AT COTTAGE GROVE Cottage Grove, Ore., March 17. A delegating of homeseekera and colonists struck this town Saturday and more are to follow. Those that came here were from Iowa and were the friends and acqu lintanceBof a local real estate deal er. They report that country too cold for them and intend to settle here. Several citizens are in receipt of letters from friends advising them of the de parture for the Oregon country and Cot tage Grovs is the destination of many a home seeker. 1'ropertv is cheap here but is looking up and as soon as the mines open up values of property will greatly ascend. Vacant houses are filling up and now there are only a few desirable houses for rent ; these people, however, will probable buy lands near the city and then move out in the country. The Japs arc Repulsed at Tie Pass with Heavy Loss. France Turns a Deaf Ear to Russia's Appeal for a New Loan. Kuropatkin is Recalled. .St. Petersburg, March 15. Prince Khikoff. minister of public works and railways, in an interview on the sub ject of peace, said: "Personally I should be glad to see the end of the war, but peace is impossible. Since we received Kuropatkin's telegram relative to the situation, there is no reason for alarm. The question of peace could be solved by the Zemski Sobor, but this will not be summoned soon." France Itfasa Lul Paris, March lo. It is understood that the 13 rg French banks will re war fuse to take up the new Russian , , l0aD' In tte event that the? do jt thought the war will be brought to a speedy termination, and that Russia will sue for peace. DOUGLAS COUNTY LIME Portland, March 13. L. A. Greenley will leave in a few days for his lime properties in Dinglas County, where he will commence operations preparatory ' to opening up a plant for the manufac ture of lime. Arrangements will be made for resuming work so that the' WORK OF FIFTY-EIGHTH The Fifty eighth Congress was con vened March 4, ly03 and closed Msrch 4, 1905. Much initiated legislation failed to become law because of the ex treme pressure in the closing weeks. Tbe following is a summary of the most important accomplishments of the four sessions : Special session of Senate At the ses sion of March 5-l!. 1903. the Cuban re ciprocity treaty and the Hay-Herron treaty with Columbia for lease of the Panama strip were ratified. First seesion extraordinary In this session, which lasted from Nov. 9 to Dec. 7, 1903. the Cuban Reciprocity En abling act parsed tbe Hooee; in the Senate it was discussed and secured agreement for vote on Dec. 16. Second session, regular This extend ed from Dec 7. 1903. to April 28, 1904. The Hay-Yariila Panama treaty was ratified : Pre-ident authorized to pay French Canal Company 40,000,000 and Panama Republic $10,000,000, to Uke possession of canal zone and begin work. Cuban reciprocity was finally enacts I. The coastwise laws were extended to the Philippines after July 1, 1905. THE DRUG STORE OF QUALITY FLLLERTON & RICHARDSON REGISTERED DRIG61STS WAR DEFIT ROSEBlRti. OREGON We have implicit faith in the power of Good Drugs to heal the sick. We believe that nature's laws are such that if properly applied they will do as nature intended they should. Our laboratory is equipped to properly prepare what nature has provided accordiug to the most modern methods. WE 6UARANTEE PURITY AND ACCURACY FULLERTON NEAR DEPOT DOUGLAS C 0 U NTY B A N K Jaaastsc leashes London, March 15 A dispatch to the Central News, from Tie Ling, states that the Japanese attacked the fortifications outside of that town but were repulsed- It is believed that the Japanese losses are heavy. Karoaatkii IbbBbj St Petersburg, March 15. A re port is current here that Gen. . Line vitch has been cut off and surrounded by two divisions of Japanese under Nogi which were attempting the turn ing movement west of Tie Pass. The lecision of the council of war to send Nicholsivtch to replace Kuropatkin has been approved by the emperor. St Petersburg, March 15 Kuro patkin reports that the Japanese were repulsed at Tie Pass, and left 1000 dead on the field. KILN TO BE OPERATED manufacture of lime will probably be gin within two months, and will con tinue for tbe remainder of the year. The rock on Mr. Greenley's property has been pronounced bv experts to produce the most superior lime on the Pacific Cosst. CONGRESS IN BRIEF Age Pension Order So. 78 was given legislative approval by appropriation. All army officers with Civil War rec ords were given promotion on retire ment. The sum of (500,000 was voted for eradication of cotton boll weevil and foot and month disease An investigation of the alleged Beef Trust was ordered. Increase of navy was authorized by one first-class battleship, two first-class armored cruisers, three scout cruisers, and two colliers to cost 131,000,000) and 3000 enlisted men. House passed a bill for Statehood for Oklahoma (.including Indian Territory . Appropriations were ordered of $4, 00,000 to aid Louisiana E i position and $475,000 for Lewis and Clark Expo sition. The total appropriation for maintain ing the national government for one year, to June 30, 1906, amounted to $7S1, 172,375. Third session, regular. This extend ed from Dec. 5, 1904, to March 4, 1906. General arbitration treaties with six v Concluded on second page' RICHARDSON ROSEBlRti. OREGON K.sUOlUsr.e.1 l.-vSS Incorporated 1901 Capital Stock $5o,ooo F. 1. RKNSON. A C Praatdenu MARSTKEtt Vice Preatdeat. I'aahier. J. HKSKV BOoHl BOARD Of DIRBCTOR3 hK.nso.n, R. A. BOOTU J. H. BOOTH. K.KLLT, JOS. LIONS, A. C. MAKdTKJU MlUJtK. F. W j. r K. L A GENERAL BANKING BUSINESS TRANSACTED