Hcppncr Gazette
Issued Thursday of Ciuh Week
. .
HEPPNER. OREGON
RESUME OF THE
WEEK'S DOINGS
General Review of Important Hap
penings Presented in a Brief and
Comprehensive Manner for Busy
Readers National, Political, His
torical and Commercial.
The American consul estimates the
dead at Messina at 90,000.
Harriman says college graduates as a
rule make good railroad men.
An anti-gambling law is expected
to be enacted by the California legisla
ture. rresident-elect Taft will install au
tomobiles instead of horses and car
riages. The house proposes to investigate
Roosevelt's barber drawing govern
ment pay.
Bonaparte has been summoned be
fore a senate committee to tell what
he knows of the steel merger.
The storm in California has abated.
With the ecxeption of the Sacramento,
which is still rising, all rivers are fall
ing. Governor Stubbs, of Kansas, refuses
to live in the executive mansion. Sim
ple life on a farm appeals more to
him.
Railroad officials place the blame for
the wreck at Dotsero, Col., with the
engineer, as the train was nine min
utes ahead of time.
Three bankers and a business man of
Pittsburg have received penitentiary
sentences for wrecking a bunk. Each
will have to serve five years.
Sfr.nrntp statehood for New Mexico
and Arizona seems assured.
The Hughes direct primary bill in
New York will probably fail.
Three jurors have been provisionally
accepted in the Calhoun case.
Thornton Plains has been acquitted
of complicity in the Annis murder.
A fire at Fort Omaha destroyed all
supplies, the wireless apparatus and
two balloons.
The United States and Great Britain,
have entered formal protest against
the dismissal of Yuan Shi Kai.
W. I. Buchanan, special agent of the
United States, will soon have terms of
settlement arranged with Venezuela.
Harriman has issued orders for the
Building of a road which will parallel
the Colorado & Southern, the new Hill
line.
A K-vear old child has been taken
from the ruins of Reggio, where it
had been entombed since the earth
quake. An officer was attracted by its
cries.
A snowslide hit a Canadain Pacific
tra:n 100 miles east of Vancouver, B.
C. The engine was knocked into the
river and the engineer and fireman
killed.
Emma Goldman has been arrested in
San Francisco for inciting riot.
Admiral Rojestvensky, who was de
feated by the Japanese in a naval bat
tle, is dead.
The Great Northern has succeeded
in getting some of its trains through
the snow in Montana.
Rockefeller's physician says the oil
magnate's health is perfect and that
he will live to be 100 years old.
Los Angeles jobbers have been given
a hearing by the Interstate Commerce
commission on switching charges.
Attorney General Bonaparte has
asked for the resignation of Hawaiian
judge who borrowed a minor's money.
An explosion of firedamp in a Hun
garian coal mine entombed 240 men.
All will doubtless be dead before
reached.
The Japanese consul at Chicago de
clares that advances in transportation
rates will lose Oriental trade to
America.
Statistics just issued show that dur
ing the Russian year just ended 1,957
persons were sentenced to death and
782 executed in the empire.
All parts of Central and Northern
California are flooded. Many railroad
bridges are washed out, cutting com
munication with Oregon and the East.
The Japanese imperial princess has
gone to Paris.
Harriman has headed off competition
by buying Santa Fe stock.
A Pittsburg railroad president has
been convicted of attempted bribery.
An unknown steamer is in trouble
off the coast rear Santa Barbara, Cal.
Railroads have agreed to hear Fa
cifi :c coast protests against increase in
rates.
Strikers in Brazil have seized a rail
road. In the fight two men were killed
and 60 wounded.
An American girl ha3 become a nat
uralized Japanese. This is the first
instance on record.
Proof 13 said to have been secured
that Yuan Shi Kai caused the emperor
of China to be poisoned.
With one exception, Secretary of
Agriculture Wilson holds the record for
long service in the cabinet.
OPIUM CAUSES SUICIDE.
Poppy Drug Responsible for 500, OCO
Cases Yearly.
Cleveland, O., Jan. 19. "Opium
causes half a million suicides a year,"
declared Rev. A. S. Gregg, of the In
ternational Reform bureau today, with
reference to the opium conference call
ed by President Roosevelt, which be
gins its session at Shanghai February
1. The statement is based on letters
and reports from Dr. K. W. Thwing,
special secretary of the reform bureau
who has been sent to Shanghai by the
bureau to attend the opium conference.
Dr. Thwing will ask the conference
to take action that will hasten the de
struction of the opium traffic through
out the world. Dr. Thwing says he has
obtained statistics from four Chinese
provinces with a population of 5S0,
000 in which he says the proportion of
the population using opium is from 'JO
to SO per cent, and the amount of mon
ey spent for the drug is $200,000,000
a year.
President Roosevelt called the opi
um conference at the suggestion of
Bishop Brent, of Manilia, and delegates
have been appointed by China, Japan,
Siam, Persia, Russia, Germany, Great
Britain, France, Italy, Holland and the
United States.
NEW RECORD SET.
Number of Mine Accidents Increased
Luring Past Year.
Pittsburg, Jan. 19. The year 1908
was marked by more mine horrors and
by more loss of life underground than
any other year in history. And the
year 1909 apparently is going after
1908's record. Only last Tuesday 100
lives were lost in an explosion in a
model mine near Bluefield, W. Va.,
and on the Sunday before death exact
ed another heavy toll in the Leiter
mines at Zeigler, 111.
"Science," said a mining engineer
today, "has not yet solved the problem
of preventing the formation of gas.
We recognize three kinds of mine gas
esthe fire damp, after damp and
white damp.
"Fire damp is the only one oi me
t.-in that is exnlosive. It is a gas giv
en off by coal under the influence of the
heat of the earth. VV hen Davy invent
ed the mine-s' safety lamp it was
thought that all danger of mine explo
sions was over, 'lr.e lamp nas me
flame surrounded with a metallic screen
which does not permit the passage of
the flame. But the screens burn out
after long usage and the miners grow
careless.
AFFAIRS SET RIGHT.
Gomez to Be Inaugurated President
of Cuba January 28.
Havana, Jan. 19. On January 28 at
noon the Cuban people will come into
their own for the second time at me
hands of the American government.
It was on May 20, 1902, that the Amer
ican flag, hoisted after the war with
Spain, was hauled down in favor of the
blue-striped, single-starred ensign of
Cuba.
Then, in September, 1906, a com
pany of marines landed at the palace
from the United States cruiser Denver,
and halted a victorious revolutionary
army on the outskirts of Havana, and
American ii t rvention, which first
came against a foreign power, was
once more a reality, this time to set
things right among the Cubans them
selves. The members of the Cuban congress
had become indifferent and for months
prior to the revolution it had been im
possible to secure the attendance of a
quorum. This necessitated govern
ment by presidential decree, and it was
quickly followed by the cry that Presi
dent Palma was assuming the role of
dictator. The American provisional
governor, Charles E. Magoon, has done
all that it was possible for him to do
to prevent a recurrence of thi3 state of
affairs by decreeing that congressmen
who do not attend the sessions shall
not receive pay. These rules, how
ever, have already been declared dicta
torial by the congressmen, and an at
tempt undoubtedly soon will be made
to repeal or amend them.
Frick to Sell Fine Home.
Pittsburg, Jan. 19. Real estate
men of Pittsburg have a quiet tip that
"Clayton," the Pittsburg palace of H.
C. Frick, on Homewood avenue, is for
sale. The steel king is desirous of
quitting Pittsburg forever. According
to those closely in society, Mr. Frick
is bitterly angry at the lack of inter
est shown in the coming-out of his
daughter, Helen, here some time since.
Only about 15 young men, scarcely
enough to perform the figures of the
dances, were in attendance at the big
party at "Clayton."
Trains Co l de Head On.
Coffey ville, Kan., Jan. 19. A south
bound passenger train on the Missouri
Pacific railroad, from Kansas City, col
lided head on with a north i o'jnd
freight train, two rn.les west of this
city this morning. Twenty-four pas
sengers were hurt, but only two, Mr.
and Mrs. P. S. Powell, of Mowata,
Okla,. are in a serious condition. The
members of the engine crews jumped
and saved themselves. The engines
were demolished.
Iroquois Cla;ms Settled.
Chicago, Jan. 19. It was made pub
lic today that aft'-r five years of litiga
tion settlements had been made in the
cases of 30 of the deaths caused by the
Iroquois theater fire. It is stated that
$750 a case is to be paid.
A WEEK WITH OUR STATE
LAWMAKERS AT SALEM
Wednesday, January 13.
Salem, Jan. 13. Memorials to con
gress adopted by the legislatures of
other states caused quite a tangle in
the senate. They dealt with almost
every subject and were finally referred
to a committee.
A resolution providing for a commit
tee to prepare for a celebration of Ore
gon's admission day was passed by the
senate.
Abraham, of Douglas county, object
ed to the word "graft" in senate docu
ments and it was changed to "waste."
For the first time this session the
senate today opened with a prayer.
Senator Abraham introduced a bill
that will do away with directed ver
dicts if it becomes a law.
Any county or city having over 10,
000 population is to be given power to
establish a free sanitarium for the
treatment of tuberculosis by the pro
visions of a senate bill.
Those measures of the last session
which received the governor's veto
after the legislature adjourned will be
taken up next Monday by ootn nouses.
A house bill provides for the codifi
cation of the laws of Oregon.
TJenrpsentative Dimick has a bill
which makes highway robbery punish
able by lite imprisonment.
A inint. resolution was introduced in
the house this morning protesting
against the removal of tariff of timber
supplies.
Although the house adjourned until
2 o'clock Monday afternoon, the senate
was more savimr of time and will meet
at. 1 1 o'clock on that day. President
Bowerman will then be ready with his
committee appointments.
Tuesday, January 12.
Salem, Jan. 12. Governor Chamber
lain's biennial message to the legisla
ture was read in the house chamber at
1 :3t) o'clock this afternoon, the senate
and house being in joint session. The
chief points of the document are :
Strict observance of the direct pri
mary pledge in the election of a United
States senator. Uniformity ot county
taxation to make the state levy equit
able. Use of convicts on roads, earn
ings to go to their families' support or
to the state. Conveyance of convicts
to the penitentiary by officials of that
institution. More money for State
p'air premiums; more money for im
provements on the grounds. Repeal of
$50,000 insurance company deposit law
and creation of an insurance depart
ment. Permanent settlement of the
normal school problem. Payment to
Indian war veterans for horses used or
lost in the campaigns. No repeal of
the railroad commission law. Earnest
consideration of the needs for,, expan
sion of the state's national guard.
Appointment of a commission on the
conservation of state resources, with a
small appropriation for it. Protection
of the fish:ng industry instead of pro
tection of the individuals engaged in it.
A complete code of water laws. Re
servation of the unappropriated water
powers for the benefit of the public.
An employers' liability act to protect
employes "to the fullest. Restriction
of sale of deadly weapons. Suit by the
state to settle the controversy with the
owners of the canal and locks at Will
amette Falls. Creation of a non-partisan
judiciary. Greater protection
for bank depositors ;' perhaps by the
Oklahoma law. Relief for the Su
preme court. Co-operation with the
reclamation service by establishment
of experiment stations. Ownership of
the Oregon City canal and locks by the
state, if- congress will not purchase
them. Appointment of a visitorial
board to guard against scandals in pri
vate asylums. Co-operation with the
Oregon Historial society to celebrate
Oregon's admission a3 a state. Legis
lation looking to the control of tuber
culosis. Legislation to make the pro
portional representation measure adopt
ed by the people last June.
In the house 30 bills were introduced
today and there were 18 in the senate.
Among them are :
Providing for form for printing initi
ative amendments; providing uniform
eight-hour law in factories, etc; regu
lating speed of automobiles; closed
season for pheasants and grouse be
tween October 1, 1909. and October 1,
1913; appropriating $100,000 for In
dian war veterans of 1855-56; one
board of regents for all state schools;
experiment station in Eastern Oregon;
prohibiting sports on Decoration day;
appropriating $75,000 for extension of
portage railway; abolishing Ashland
and Monmouth normal schools.
Monday, January II.
Salem, Jan. 11. The Oregon legis
lature today went into session for the
twenty-fifth time. Jay Bowerman, of
Condon, is president of the senate, re
ceiving the nomination in caucus by
acclamation. C. N. McArthur, of
Multnomah county, is speaker of the
j house, having been given the nomina
tion in the caucus by unanimous vote
after the withdrawal of Patton, of
Marion, Patton himself making the
; motion to make the vote unanimous.
I W. M. Barry, of Multnomah, is chief
clerk of the senate, and W. I red Dra
ger, of Marion, holds the same posi-
Rival Boards in Wrangle.
Pendleton Following a turbulent,
double meeting of the Umatilla Water
Users' association at Hermiston, the
organization is in danger of being per
manently disrupted and disbanded by
the government. Two rival boards of
directors are claiming to be on the
legal board and the matter will prob
ably!) ec arried into the courts for final
settlement. The trouble was caused
by the attempt of or.e faction trying to
oust the other.
tion in the house.
The opening of the session was de
void of incident, and any bitterness of
defeat was hidden under the sur'ac in
a desire to invoke harmony. Wi h the
exception of Libby, of Marion, who
refused to go into the house caucus,
and Farrell, of Multnomah, who was
called home by reason of Ins lather s
death, all of the Republican house
members participated in the caucus.
Selling, of Multnomah, did not arrive
in time to go into the caucus of the
senate. Kellaher and Abraham signed
the call, while Albee went into the
meeting and cast his vote, but had it
understood that he was not to be bound
by the action of the organization un
less he so wished.
Both houses met early and proceeded
to temporary organization. They took
a recess to 2 o'clock, in the meantime
holding two caucuses.
At 2 o'clock the houses reassembled,
the committee on credentials submitted
its report, the members were sworn in
and the first business of the session
was transacted with the introduction
of resolutions and the first reading of
bills.
Resoluions were introduced in both
houses this afternoori calling for a par
ticipation by the members of the legis
lature in the proper observation of Lin
coln's birthday, February 12, and the
50th anniversary of the adminsssion of
Oregon to the Union on February 15.
Changes in School Law.
Salem Superintendent Aekerman's
bill to renuire six months' school in
every district in the state is meeting
much favorable comment. it is
thought the measure will be satisfac
tory to all, as it is one that will in
crease the educational standards of the
state. It will affect the di tricts in
the remoter parts of the state, and
those who live in those districts i re to
be most benefited by it. It requires
that there must be six months school
in every district, and if the ui trict is
m.t able to meet the expense the school
hoard mav call unon the county school
fund, or a special tax may be levied
on the county to meet the expenses in
the district requiring help to the ex
tent of $300 for each district.
Rainbow to Change Hands.
Baker City It is generally believed
here that the Rainbow mine, owned by
T.f!ar,rl f a ni t n 1 i t s . nnd located in
L VI HWLI1I ii.jyivu...-,
the Mormon liasin, uaner ouy, is
about to ! e sold to the Newhouse min
ing interests, of Salt Lake City. Ac
cording to the best information obtain
able the Salt Lake people are taking
over the property at $700,000. Ten
per cent of this amount is to be paid
in at once, and the remainder is to be
paid in installments, according to the
mine's production. This is the prop
erty that is said to have produced a
thousand dollars a clay during the
greater part of last summer.
Laborers Hard to Find.
Baker City There should no longer
be any idle men in the Northwest, ac
cording to General Manager O'Dell, of
the Oxbow power project on Snake
river. He stated recently that he was
putting every man to work who came
to his camp and has plenty of work for
many more. Besides the Oxbow pro
ject, which is being built to harness
the Snake river for the purpose of gen
erating electricity, the Northwestern
rai'road is building rapid. y down the
river, and the Utah Construction com
pany, which has the contracts, reports
lack of help.
Grand Jury at Pendleton.
Pendleton Though there are few
criminal cases on the docket for the
January term oi the Circuit court, the
proceedings will be watched with more
than the usual amount of interest, due
to the fact that the new law makes the
polling of a grand jury on the opening
day of the term compulsory and it is
the action of the grand jury on viola
tions of the liquor law which is expect
ed to furnish the excitement to those
interested.
Good Prune Season.
Albany The Northwestern Fruit
association, of this city, which has had
a very successful season, has about
completed the packing of its prunes
for the present year. Seventy car
loads of commercially packed fruit has
been handled, shipped for the most
part to Eastern states. About $10, OCO
in wages have been paid out this sea
son. The local business has been un
der the management of S. A. Laselle.
Big Irrigation Merger.
Pendleton According to an an
nouncement msde by J. W. Messner,
president of the Western Land & Irri
gation company, all the ditches on the
west side of the Umatilla river have
been consolidated with his company
and hereafter will take water from the
same main feed canal. This brings
25,000 acres of lnd under the one pro
ject. High Bounties for Varmints.
Astoria The county court announces
that it will pay a bounty of $20 each
$5 each for bear and $1
! each for wildcat scalps. These are the
I .. . .. re 11 1
highest bounties ever onereo ra-rr, i.u
are thought to be the largest in the
state.
The biennial report of the Boys' and
Girls' Aid society shows that 59 chil
dren from 27 counties were taken care
of during 1907 and 1908. The society
asks for $14,000 to carry on the work
for the next two years.
WOOL POOL FAILS.
Buyers Offer H:gh Prices and Break
Proposed Combine.
Pocatello, Idaho, Jan. 18.-Chief
Forester Pinchot turne d down two invi
tations to attend the convention of the
National Woolgrowers' association,
which adjourned in this city Saturday.
Mr. Pinchot's refusals were based on
what he termed the selfish and narrow
policy of the association toward the
government forestry service.
On a final showdown on the Chicago
wool storage proposition it was found
that the signatures to the Chicago con
tract were 4,500,000 pounds phort of
the required 25,000,000 pounds neces
sary to insure the Chicago market. At
a meeting of those already signed up
it was found to be impossible to secure
pledges of the required amount among
delegates present at the Pocatello con
vention, and a campaign will he inaug
urated on the outside.
Wool buyers from Chicago, and St.
Louis have been active during the con
vention in buying the 1909 clip at
from 18 to 21 cents. Many woolgrow
ers, heretofore considered as staunch
supporters of the Chicago plan, have
contracted their clips to private buy
ers, allured by the remarkable prices.
Ogden was selected as the next place
of meeting.
Fred W. Gooding, of Shoshone,
Idaho, was re-elected president;
George S. Walker, of Cheyenne, VVyo.,
again was chosen secretary, and Lewis
Penwell, of Helena, Mont, once more
selected as treasurer. A. H. Knollin,
of Chicago, succeeded Joseph E. Wing,
of Mechanicsburg, O., as Eastern vice
president, and A. J. Delfelter, of Lara
mie, Wyo., succeeded Dr. J. M. Wil
son, of Wyoming, as Western vice
president.
In the resolutions adopted any reduc
tion in the present tariff on wool and
hides was opposed, and the pro.ose.1
establishment of a central wool market
in Chicago approved.
NO CHANGE IN POLICY.
Dismissal of Yuan Shi Kai Wiil Not
Affect China.
Pekin, Jan. 18. Prince Ching, pres
ident of the board of foreign affairs,
has assured the American and British
ministers that the dismissal of Yuan
Shi Kai means no change in Chinese
policy, but bitterness has arisen be
tween the British and Japanese repre
sentatives here on account of Japan's
refusal to join Great Britain in her
representations to Prince Ching. The
British p sition is that Japan acts in
bad faith, while the Japanese legation
explains that it was agreed to concur
in the opinion of the majority and that
a majority of the ministers favored the
taking of no action in this direction.
William M. Rockhill and Sir John
Jordan, respectively the ministers to
China from the United States and
Great Britain, today expressed them
selves as pleased with the reception
accorded them by Prince Ching. They
say the prince received them in the
spirit in which they came, as repre
sentatives of two friendly powers. He
listened to Messrs. Rockhill and Jordan
respectfully, who inquired whether the
dismissal of Yuan Shi Kai meant a
change in the policy of China.
Prince Ching authoratively assured
his ca'lers that this was not so. This
assurance, it is understood, puts an end
to the bad impression that followed the
dismissal of Yuan Shi Kai.
Bodies of Cheneys Found.
Washington, Jan. 18. The bodies of
the American Consul, Arthur S. Che
ney and Mrs. Cheney were found in
the ruins of the American consulate at
Messina yesterday afternoon by the
sailors of the American battleship Illi
nois, which arrived at Messina yes
terday from Suez. The bodies were
prepared for shipment and taken
aboard the American supply ship Cul
goa, which will carry them to Naples.
Arrangements are being made for the
shipment of the bodies to the United
States. The Illinois has returned to
Malta.
Uncle Sam Helps Braves.
Helena, Mont., Jan. 18. The gov
ernment has now taken charge of the
indigent band of Chippewa Indians,
whose pitable condition during the cold
spell excited the charitably disposed
residents of the state in no small de
gree, with the result that they were
afforded every possible relief. The
government has sent an inspector here
and he has received instructions to pro
vide clothing and food for them and
this is being done.
Nicholas Gets Off Throne.
Paris, Jan. 18. Prince Nicholas, of
Montenegro, has abdicated in favor of
his son, Prince Mirko, according to a
dispatch received here this evening
from Vienna. The report lacks con
firmation, though it is generally cred
ited, as Nicholas had not met the full
desires of his subjects in his attitude
toward Austria. He was confronted
with the same situation as now con
fronts King Peter, of Servia, whose
abdication is expected at any moment.
No River and Harbor Bill.
Washington, Jan. 18. The house
committee on rivers and harbors has
voted against a general appropriation
bill for river and harbor improvements.
The committee will report a bill pro
viding fc r carrying on important work
i lready begun, for surveys of urgent
projects proposed and for any emer
gencies which may arise. This bill
will probably carry not to exceed $10,-000.000.
TRAINS COLLIDE;
EIGHTEEN DEAD
Denver h Rio Grande Scene of Dis
astrous Crash.
Thirty Persons Are Injured Passen
ger Train Dashes Into Moving
Freight Train Special Loaded
With Doctors and Nurses Hurried
to Scene of Accident.
Glenvvood Springs, Colo., Jan. 10.
In a collision between Denver & Rio
Grande pas-ener train No. 5, west
bound, and eastbound freight No. 006,
at Dotsero last night, IS persons were
killed and 30 injiued, so far as known.
As soon as tlu information reached
here that a wreck had occurred, a
special was made up and all the avail
able doctors and nurses in the city
pressed into service and carried to the
scene of the accident. This train, it
was expected, would bring the injured
back, and possibly the dead, last night,
but it was not expected to reach hero
before 2 o'clock.
Meager details of the wreck are to
the effect that the freight train wa3
attempting to take a siding to let the
passenger pass, but had only partly run
off the main line when the passenger
train came tearing along and crashed
into it. The chair car of the passen
ger was torn in two and one tourist car
telescoped. The passenger train was
well filled with passengers, most of
whom were asleep.
It is feared that the list of elead will
be greatly augmented when full details
are received.
DENOUNCE FOREST SERVICE
Woolgrowers Say Pinchot's Subordi
nates Have Too Much Power.
Pocatt lio, Idaho, Jan. Ilk The sec
ond day's session of the convention of
the National Woolgrowers' association
in this city was marked by another at
tack on the forest service. S. Gosney,
of Flagstaff, Arizona, in an address in
the afternoon, declared that just ce to
the sheepmen of the West demanded a
change in the present methods of ad
ministration of the range control.
Mr. Gosney asserted that he could
cite numerouss instances in his own
state where favoritism, prejudice and
graft have figured in the administra
tion of the national r serves.
After the election of officers and se
lection of the place of meeting for
1910, the convention will adjourn.
Salt Lake has withdrawn in favor of
Ogden, which city is now in the lead.
Contending that any c hange in the
existing protecting tariff on wool
would work great injury on the sir ep
industry in America, C. 11. Harding,
of Philadelphia, ex-president of the
National Association of Wool manufac
turers, addressed the convention. Ho
compared the recent hearing before
the house committee on tariff revision
to a minstrel show, with some of the
congressmen as end mwi.
NO TRAINS RUNNING.
Oerland Traffic on Central Pacific
Stopped by Floods.
San Fran'iseo, Jan. 1(.- Beyond the
d stru'-tion of the Southern Pacific
company's bridges at Sacramento and
th:' W"sL' rn Pacific crossing nee.r
there, the damage r-suiting from the
great rain storm which has deluged the
central part of Cal fornia fur the last
week is slight. The danger is not
over, however, if the rain continues,
though apparently the storm is ceasing.
So far very little of the grain land
in the Sacramento and San Joaquin
vallegys has been inundated, and the
crest of the flood has passed several of
the most dangerous points.
The principal danger is also at Sac
ramento and Stockton, where an im
mense spread of farming land will he
under water if the levees give way.
Tonight's reports from those points are
reassuring.
Heavy Rains in California.
Sacramento, Jan. 16. At the weath
er bureau in this city today reports re
ceived indicated that floods might be
expected at Stockton and on the islands,
in the delta of the Sacramento and San
Joaquin rivers, on account of the heavy
rainfall along the watersheds of the
Calaveras river and other streams ris
ing in the Sierras. Steamers arriving
from the north this morning reported a
break in the levee on the Yolo county
side, below Elkhorn, 12 miles above
here. The break is 75 feet wide.
Valuable Freight Burns.
Vancouver, B. C, Jan. 16. A Cana
dian Pacific silk train with a cargo
valued at $1,000,000, which arrived
by the Empress of China, was run into
aby a fast freight while standing on a
siding 17 miles east of Swift Current
last night. An error of the b'akomnn
in not closing the switch after th
train had taken the siding caused the
accident. The train immediately
caught fire and four cars with valuable
freight were totally destroyed.
Colonize Quake Victims.
Paris, Jan. 14. The Duke di Litta,
an Italian nobleman and owner of vast
estates along the Miakka river in Flor
ida, will throw open his lands for col
onization to 5,000 falimilies made des
titute by the earthquake in Southern
Italy. The only condition named by
the duke is that e ach family shall tako
two farms, cultivating one for them
selves and the other for him.