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About The Oregon daily journal. (Portland, Or.) 1902-1972 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 6, 1908)
ffHE OK.auQN SUNDAY JOURNAL, PORTLAND, SUNDAY MORNING, DECEMBER. 6, 1908. ID PLMID TO SWINDLE HUNDREDS Samuel L. Biddison, Broker, Caught in Gigantic Plot to Use Wall Street as Me . dium of Heartless Robbery. (Beant Kewt by Longest Leased Wire.) New York, Doc. 6. Developments to day In connection with the arrest on Biddison, broker with -office - In the Morton building, disclosed what the police eay is one of the moat extensive. . Intricate and well planned schemes that ever has been hatched In Wall street :- . . These developments, It Is alleged, show that Biddison was the head and front of a swindling syndicate whose . operations covered the- whole . of . the United States. , Owing to the secrecy with which he enveloped his transac tions, It is likely, to be months, the district attorney's office tonight said, before the full extent of them can be ascertained. While Assistant District Attorney Kildebonger, who has charge of the case. Is convinced that Biddison and his confederates obtained hundreds of thousands of dollars, he says -that if the swindlers had not been stopped their booty would have run into the millions. The data on which this calculation . is based was brought to light by the mass of documents seized In Blddlson's office. These documents Included bonds and certificates of stocks calling for almost Incalculable sums. A Funny Phony Document. Among them, tfo, were some of the strangest communications ever seen. The most peculiar perhaps was a petition bearing the names of 10 of ine neat Known men in mo uniua States and addressed to the late Queen Victoria of . England and the i'rince of Wales. That petition apologises for the error or . our loreramers in oDiaining inde pendence, acknowledges Inability to run this government alone and asks for an nexation to England. It Is signed by Mark Hanna, Lyman J. Gage, John Sherman, Grover Cleveland, John G. Carlisle, John D. Palmer, John D. Rocke feller, John D. Tanner, Simon P. Duck-ner-and George M. Pullman. All the signatures to-this document are in me sume iimiuwriimgi wiuvu, ex perts nay, is Kiauioun h. , Blddlson's scheme was to lend certi ficates of stock and bonds in companies that existed principally In his imagina tion, for so much per month, to per sons desirous of obtaining security on which to raise money from banks or brokers. If an;' of the purchasers of the bonds spplied for the payment of the coupons, Biddison produced the receipt and al leged that the bonds had been stolen from him. If the victims did not pocket thetr loss and return the bonds, Biddi son threatened them with- criminal prosecution, and cited the cane of one of. his agents, a poor broken down man named A. Reffulus Ohippey. whom he did cause to be convicted and sent to Sing Sing,' where he Is now. - Through the papers found In Blddl son's office. It was learned that he had been .associated In schemes with Mrs. Ellen Peck of Sparkhlll, N. Y., who is now in the Tombs on the charge of swindling Norman and 'Wilson, real estate brokers, out of $20,000 In a bogus land deal in Kentucky. ' Many abstracts of title and deeds for hundreds of thousands df acres of land in Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Florida, Kansas. California. Michigan. Virginia. Tennessee,' New York, New Jersey, Min nesota, Missouri, Maine and Massachu setts were also found In Blddlson's of 'f Ina and were used. It Is believed" by the district attorney, in deceiving would- be victims aa to his financial standing. Montifiera Meyers, who was arrested recently at Pittsburg on a warrant sworn out by Biddison, charging that he had stolen some of the Central Coal com- Eany's bonds, and who. in turn caused ilddison's arrest aa a forger, occupied the same room in the Tombs for seve ral hours today with Biddison. Meyers says Biddison caused his ar rest on forged receipts, that he never had any bonds belonging to Biddison, and that hts sole connection with him was through the sale of some of the bonds of a broker named Mordecai, of tt Broadway. SUFFRAGETTES AWFUL Ml Kept Up, During Utterance of the Government's Promise to Act. (Hearst Hews by longest Leased Wire.) London, Deo. S. The suffragettes of Jthls city indulged in a riotous demon stration against David Lloyd George, chancellor of the exchequer, this after noon while he was delivering a speech at a meeting held by the woman's lib eral federation in Albert Hall. In his speech' the chancellor promised that a bill granting the elective franchise to women would soon be introduced in par liament., . - . ,.- .. The organisers of the meeting, who are - strongly opposed to the violent methods of. the militant suffragettes, had taken the precaution of having $60 stewards and a large force of police ready to handle the anticipated disturb ance. -- The suffragettes got Into action as soon as the meeting commenced. Lloyd George had scarcely opened his ' mouth wnen a woman in ine gaiiery snouted : "What we want is deeds, not words." The stewards at once nroceeded to re move her, but had great difficulty, for they found the Interrupter had chained herself to the seat. Momentary quiet followed; in which Lloyd, George en deavored to continue. - Organist to the Bescna. Ha said he was there not only to de clare his. own opinions xbut to express wnai ne Deiievea to De ine convictions and intentions at the rovernment At this point he was interrupted by a disturbance in toe gallery ana a xigni on tne noor or tne nau Deiween two women. The interrUDtiona then became almost incessant and the chancellor stood silent for five minutes. Two more chained disturbers were removed. . .Lloyd George offered to resume his seat rather than see any one thrown out but the suggestion was vetoed. Hardly had the speaker started afresh when half a dozen suffragettes removed their cloaks, revealing an imitation prison garb decorated with broad arrows. Then followed another volley of In terruptions, during which several more women were forcibly removed.. A con tinuous volley of war cries was kept up. Bells were rung and pandemonium reigned. Streams of struggling women were pushed toward the exits by the Stewards. The Albert hall organist intervened. He played "Oh, Dear, What Can the Matter be?" and when ha had finished Lady McLarln arose and requested that Lloyd .George be heard. . . Warning to Extremists. "He has an Important message. from the government to you, and this is your last chance to hear it," she said. The imperturbable chancellor rose again but before he had spoken half a dozen words the uproar broke out afresh and there were more removals. Finally a woman of some prominence who was sitting Invthe balcony arose and sug gested thak the interruptions be met with silence. -, Lloyd George seconded her appeal and added that he was not there on a fool's errand. After that the ossasjonal outbreaks were greeted with stony silence and it . was. evident that the spirit of the disturbance had spnt Itself. The chancellor continued to say that a bill to Enfranchise woman would soon be introduced in parliament. Speaking of the danger of reaction setting in against the cause on account of the an tics adopted by some sections of it, he appealed to the women present to do their utmost to Kelp rather than re tard the movement. If this chanee to get what they desired was thrown away, he said,, it would be entirely due to their folly or lunacy, as exhibited to day by some of those who felt that they had been assisting the cause. Funeral of Paul Smith. Funeral of Paul E. Smith, who died a few days ago at Notre Dame college, Indiana, will be held tomorrow morning at o'clock from St Mary's Cathollo church, Albina, with a solemn requiem high mass. Rev. Father Hugh Gal lagher will be celebrant at the mass. The students of Columbia university, Of which deceased was a graduate, will attend In a body. I BOOI'STHIST CURE f His 'Attack on the Prince and Princess do Sagan. Is Largely ; Eesponsible for Bringing Them Together -Princess Jealdus. x MIeust News by Longett Leased Wire.) : Paris, Dec 6. In spite of the deter mined denials of prince and princess de Sagan, there is no doubt that there was a quarrel a few weeks ago that nearlv resulted -in their - separation. Boni's attack was largely responsible for bringing: them together again. 'ine cause oi tne rupture was -not only the princess'- jealousy of Jeanne La Brouche, but. also anger at the dis covery of a debt Of, lluO.OoO incurred by the prince before he set out on the trip to the United States. The prince's creditors held him so close that he had absolutely to have some money for them before he was permitted to leave Franca Sagan had no resources what ever and as prospects of marrying the Gould millions were too remote to make frood collateral, he placed the matter n the hands of A. Thomas of Paris, who represents in France, Sutton, the great English pawnbroker. rotmd Some Sports at Ibaat. Thomas attempted first to place the loan with the English pawnbrokers on the terms of their accepting Sagan's notes for twice the amount advanced. They refused, as did a number of bankers. Finally Thomas placed the loan with a group .of French bankers who had enough confidence In Sagan's ability to win Anna to take a chance of doubling or losing their money. Notes payable In one year were given. For a time the bankers were greatly excited over the rumors that the De Sagans were to separate, and their in quiries and disclosures added to the troubles of the prince and princess. They were informed this week that all the notes would be met, so the gamble will pay them 100 per cent. Anna Kates BonL Last week the Princess de Bagan was forebearlng. Her attorney had in court seven letters by as many differ- CORPSE CRASHES THROUGH FLOOR Weight 500 Pounds; Mourn ers Crowd; Sills Crack; t Panic Ensues. ) Unlted Press Leased Wire.) Wabash. Ind., Dec. E. With a crash of broken timbers, a 'coffin containing the body of Mrs. Delia Dunfe, 24 years old and weighing 600 . pounds, fell through ' the floor of her residence at the conclusion of the funeral services today, - , Persons attending the services were so eager to catch a glimpse of the dead giantess that a crush about the cas ket resulted when-the undertaker an nounced that those who wished to view the remains for the last time should come forward. - The corpse was quickly surrounded. Then came a cracking tf wood, and as the huge ' cloth covered ' box quivered and then crashed downward there was a small panic, men and women making a dash to getout of the room. In their frenzy some of them resorted to windows as a means or exit. Although the floor completely gave way, there was no danger, as It was near the surface of the earth. No one was injured. The body was rearranged and the services completed. Mrs. Dunfe was' probably the largest woman in tnis country.-' ut required 12 pallbearers to handle- the coffin, which was of special, construction and $7 incnes wiae. -. LONGBOAT BEATEN IN TEN MILE FOOTRACE Philadelphia, Pa., Dec. 6. "Tom" Longboat, the Indian distance runner, was beaten In a 10-mile race here to night by Cal Smalfwood. The men ran aa a team until the seventh mile, when Smallwood "got the Jump" on the In dian and soon lapned him. He main tained that position until the last lap, when he again got away a quarter of a lap farther and won by a lap and a half, covering the distance In one hour, 6 minutes,' 10 1-6 seconds. ent society women In Paris, written to Boni and were compromising. Some of the writers were womew'of rank. "Of course, I have no sympathy with the women," she said, "but I ordered my counsel not to read the letters, be cause they might cause seven divorces, and I feel sorry for the seven hus bands." At the same time she said: "If I had to choose between Jail and marriage again with Castellane, I would select jail. I cannot bear to think of that man." Paris Is wondering now what she thinks of De Sagan and his big gamble with her as the high stakes. COUNTY'S GUESTS HOLD UNDRESS SOIREE BY URGENT INVITATION A "skin frisk" was held at the county Jail yesterday. For the benefit of those unfamiliar with such events. It should be explained that a frisk is a search for concealed weapons, opium and other for bidden things. Yesterday's event was in the nature of an all day soiree. In which all the prisoners were urgently invited to attend, dressed well, their costumes can not well be described. In fact there were no costumes at all. While the prisoners were lined up in the hallways and byways a force of deputy . sheriffs went through ttietr clothes and inspected their cells. It has been several months since a close search was made,- and the quest was re warded by the discovery of a choice col lection of articles that various prison ers had laid aside In the hope that they would some day be useful, in the event of a Jail - break, for Instance, three heavy iron bludgeons, a razor and sev eral knives that were found would be dangerous for the Jullers. One contrivance that was found was of more than ordinary Interest. It con sisted of a wire one foot long, attached to one end of which was a hook re sembling a fishhook. To the other end wag tied a thread. This, it was easy to see, was a fishing outfit. At one place In the jail there is an open ventilator, and the prisoners had evidently fished in this on the chance of grappling some article that might by chance or Dy de sign have been dropped into the ven tilator. An Inventory of the things confiscated during the frisk Includes a razor with a handle whittled from pieces of wood, a heavy flat bar of malleable iron wrenched from a bed and concealed un der a bathtub, two pocket knives, a rase knife, a small jimmy, a steel spring from a watch, two Iron bars and a piece of gas fixture. A Three-Time Winner Perfection of age, absolute purity, unsurpassed flavor, are the qualities upon which It was awarded three Gold Medals. ' INTERNATIONAL PURE FOOD EXHIBITION, PARIS, FRANCE ST. LOUIS WORLD'S FAIR M : LEWIS M CLARK EXPOSITIOtl, PORTUND. 0REC0I Those who appreciate a whiskey that" Is always uniform in quality and that quality the highest ask for Quaker Maid Rye , THE WHISKEY WITH A REPUTATION" For sale at leading bars, cafes and drag store's.. ss S. D1RSC0 & C0. y x Kansas City, Mo. CHLOROFORM IS FOOTPADS CURE Physician Uses Novel Means of Repulsing Holdup Man in Early Morning Fog.0 Dr. William Elsen, whose offices are In the AHskey building, cured a hold-up man this morning of what ailed him a desire to stick the doctor upand did It neatly and effectually. He chloro formed the footpad. The repulse of the robber is unique In the annals of Portland hold-ups. Dr. Elsen was returning about t o'clock this morning from a professional call, when, at the corner of Seventeenth and Overton streets a man dressed like a worklngman and carrying a small black dinner pall, suddenly loomed up out of tho fog with the demand that the doctor put up his hands. But Dr. Elsen's hands failed to be elevated. Instead, he dropped his med icine case and snatched a bottle of chloroform from his pocket. With all his force he dashed this Into the foot pad's face. The bottle broke and the burning fllud ran down Into the hold ups eyes. That was enough for him. Abandoning all Idea of frisking the doctor's pockets, he ran screaming Into the street and disappeared once more into the fog whence he had emerged. A good description of the man 'was given by Dr. Elsen to the police, who are looking for him. FROST KINO BLOWS BREATH ON PORTLAND A UL....k k A ti AmniMarse WSS tlAf particularly low last night, the temper ature appeared unusually frigid about towards evening, the dense fog making a heavy overcoat a welcome addition to one's costume. cast for today says the weather will be fair with easterly winds. He looks for the thermometer to drop to the 28 de gree mark this morning. , Notaries Commissioned. . (United Prats Lessd Wlro.t Salem, Or., Dec. 6. Commissions as notaries have been Issued to Gordon C. Moores, Portland, and .W. A. Linton, Salem. Grand Pre-Holiday Display ; of the Latest Reproducers of Sound Magnificent Display of Talking Machines Being Made by Eilers Piano House The large east show window of Eilers Piano House, on Washington street, is devoted to a most wonderful display of the latest Instruments for the reproduction of tone. Tp desig nate thorn as Talking Machines would net do them justice. The finest Instrument displayed is unquestionably a new 1221 style Reglnaphone this being undoubtedly the highest achieve ment as yet attained in the Phonograph, field.. - - . The marvelous Victor Vletrola is shown In several superb styles; the prices being )200 and $300. ., Another Instrument shaped somewhat like, a miniature piano Is designated as a "Symphony Grand." ft possesses a most wonderful velvety tone and Is priced at $200. An Instrument known as the "Auxetophone;" " wherein an electric motor creates a powerful air current, which Is forced against the reproducing diaphragm, ' thereby greatly increasing the volume of sound. Is also displayed. This Instrument costs $500 and Is particularly adaptable for very large gatherings. The double-sided Victor and Columbia dlse records are now being sold in large quantities at Eilers Pian'o House, as are also the latest achievement of the "Wixard" Edison, the new Four-Minute Edison Amberol Record a - Eilers Piano House Is the only place 4n Portland where alt the best makes of Talking" Machines and Records are shown Im partially side by aide, where you can determine Just exactly what you want, whether a $10 Victor a 1500 Auxetonhone a $225 Reglnaphone or any Instrument at a price within this range. All instruments sold on a weekly (Tie or $1) or monthly payment plan If desired. v ' CHURCH MERGER ' HOT PUIED Officers of Grace M. E. Promptly Deny Published Amalgamation Eumor. There is little or no foundation for a published story to the effect that the Taylor Street and Grace Methodist Episcopal churches are to be merged. J. K. QUI, president of the board of trustees of Grace Methodist church, and W. J.'Herpe. Its pastor, both denied last night that there had been any consid eration of a coalition of the two con gregations. , . ,,, "I've heard such a clan temotelv sug gested by one or two members of the church," said Mr. Gill, "but it has never been taaen up Dy tne board or consid ered by it in any way. I have never flven the matter any more thought than would if I had heard some one sug gest it: might be a good plan to .take down our sign next week. I have heard of no" movement-to : bring It before Blffrop Smith when be arrives next 1. Ileppe said that the matter had never been discussed outside of one or two members talking to one another about it. ' - " ' "I can say nothing aa to its feasi bility, -Because I have never thought of it," aid Mr. Heppe. "It was something that has never been considered by the church or the board of trustees, to my knowledge." . ' , ACTING GOVERNOR : : - IS BILLIirS HOPE 'United Press Leaded Wlre.l " Chicago, Dec. 5. That Herman Billlk, convicted of poisoning the Vrzal family, would not hang. Friday, December 11, was ibi confident prediction of those acquainted with the facts In the case. The departure of Governor Deneen from Springfield tomorrow to attend the con servation congress, at Washington -until December IS, is regarded, as significant lieutenant ciovernofternian--wm -e in full, charge and could commute Bil lik's sentence. He can reprieve the con demned man. If he does not change the 'sentence to one of life imprisonment Billik's attorneys tonight expressed sat isfaction with the announcement of the .change-of control and ventured the opinion that Actingjiovcror . BheYmsn would st-t faVorabi.y. Tley will ' take trps Moi!idiiy to present the. matter to him,. A i - r A A 1 r A heavy supply of Plumbing Supplies, slightly damaged by water and smoke in our recent fire, are to be placed on sale REGARDLESS OF PREVIOUS PRICES. We do not belong to the trust, consequently we will not be dictated to regarding what prices we will have to place on our OWN STOCK. We sell to individuals as well as to the trade. If you are in need of any Plumbing Supplies,: avail yourself of this opportunity and SAVE MONEY. Here are a few of the prices mentioned for quoted articles. You will notice a saving is evident when you compare our prices with those of the plumbers. IT'S A LEAD PIPE CINCH That we are going to sell the goods when such figures are placed on staple articles as below. 5 foot "Cast Iron White Enameled Bath Tubs, very slightlyV'damaged. Plumbers Price $30.1 C AA OUR SPECIAL PRICE .... J) 1 0U V High Tank Washout Toilets, complete (including tank, nickel plate flush pipe, flush ell, bowl and double seat), very slightly damaged. Plumbers' Price t A A A $19. OUR SPECIAL PRICE . .P 1 U.UU We also carry all other styles in stock at right prices. Cast-Iron White Enameled Lavatories or Wash' Basins' (S. 60), standard size, very slightly damaged, complete with N. P. Fuller cocks and N. P. trap and supply pipes. Plumbers Price $16. OUR SPECIAL &6 A A PRICE J)OwUU Large variety of stock all sizes and styles. Two-Part Cement Trays or Laundry Tubs, absolutely no damage. Plumbers' Price $18. OUR (1A A A SPECIAL PRICE Dy.UU 20x30 Flat-Rim Cast-Iron White Enameled Sinks, but very slightly damaged. Plumbers Price (Jl PA $6. OUR SPECIAL PRICE , . . . : . .J) 1 .OU All other styles and sizes in stock. , Range Boilers, 30 gallons capacity, guaranteed 200 pounds. No damage on these goods. Plumb- (3 A A ers Price $8. OUR SPECIAL PRICE, . . DO.UU We carry all other sizes in stock. jWe carry, complete stock of soiled Pipe and Fittings of all kinds and in all sizes. Also anything and everything required in plumbing work, be it for a cottage or a skyscraper. CONTRACT WORK is executed by us on short notice. ONLY THE MOST SKILLED OF UNION LABOR is employed upon plumbing executed "under our direction. PERFECT WORK and PERFECT SATISFACTION. Try us. We strive to please. ' Sale Opens Monday, December 7, 1908, 7 A. M,, Closes 6 P. M. Saturday, Dec; 13 CAL AND SELECT BEFORE THE LINES OF STOCK ARE .BROKEN M B-A RD E HO NORTH THIRD STREET r r . : BOMS PHONE M AIM IC: