JlMI
up "
GIVE THEM LIMIT
Secretary Hitchcock's Views on
Land Fraud Cases.
THEY LED HONEST MEN ASTRAY
GUILTY AS CHARGED.
Secretary Snys they Would Have Been
Tried Repeatedly Till Verdict
Wat Reached.
Washington, Sept. 30. "Tlio Jury
which returned tho verdict against
Representative Williamson, Dr. Gesner
and Marion Biggs, nt Portland, coin,
mended tho defendants to tho mercy of
tho court. This is not a case whero
any mercy should bo shown. I am
firmly o( the opinion that tho extreme
penalty should be Imposed."
This was Eecrctary Hitchcock's com
ment on the news from Poitland.
"I do not know what disposition tho
court will mako of this case," added
tho secretary1, "nor is it for me to sug
gest, but I hope tho full measure of
Justice will be meted out to those who
havo been found guilty. I hope they
will be given tho limit of tho law
Whenever some petty criminal, hungry
and in need, is convicted, in court, no
mercy Is shown. Thero is all the more
reason why no mercy should be shown
in this case. The defendants knew the
law and violated it knowingly and wil
fully. Ono of them, a public oillcinl,
was sworn to protect and uphold the
law, yet he used his influence to induce
a lot of poor, ignorant fellows to commit
a rank crime. Such men don't deserve
mercy at tho hands of tho court. I
think no leniency should be shown
them.
"Reports bavo been circulated,"
continued tho secretary, "to the effect
that the government would have
dropped its case against Williamson
and the others, bad this third trial re
sulted in a disagreement. That is not
so. The government is in earnest in
this matter, and we would have asked
for a fourth, a fifth, a sixth trial, and
so on to the end of the chapter. I am
not surprised, however, that this jury
should have agreed as it did. From
the evidence In the case no other ver
dict could justly have been returned.
This jury lias done its full duty to the
people of Oregon and the people of the
entire country.
"This is not the end of the land-
fraud prosecutions," said the secretary.
"We ate only beginning onr war on
this class of criminals. Our agents are
working and investigation is going for
ward in many states. We have a lot of
cases in Idaho soon to be taken up and
others in New Mexico. I have reason
to believe that the extent of this offend
ing has been very great and we Intend
to follow the investigation"
LET DOWN THE BARS.
Free Admission of Products of Phil
ippines Seems Likely.
San Francisco, Sept. 30. William J.
Johnston, of New York, publisher of
the American Exporter, who, as a
member of Secretary Taft's party, made
the trip to the Orient to investigate the
commercial conditions and the opportu
nities for extending the sale of Ameri
can manufactures in the Philippines,
Japan and China, today said:
"While one cannot always accurately
forecast the action of congress, the in
dications are that Philippine sugar and
tobacco will be admitted into the Unit
ed States free of duty, as hemp now is.
If so, congress will probably think that
as a matter of reciprocity American
machinery and appliances for develop
ing the industries of the islands should
go to the Philippines free. In case,
however, that goods from this country
shall not be admitted free at once, on
the ground that the revenues will be
asked for a time to meet the expenses
of the insular government, there is lit
tle doubt that at the latest this will
come at the time that the agreement
with Spain as to equal tariff privileges
in the Philippines shall expire In about
three years."
Land Receipts Decline.
Washington, Sept. 30. Because of
the marked decrease in public land re
ceipts during the past fiscal year, Ore
gon contributed less to the Reclamation
fund than in any year since the parage
of tho Reclamation act, and fell from
first to second place in extent of public
land receipts. It is estimated that Ore
gon during the year ending June 30
last, contributed f 075,325 to the Re
clamation fund. Washington contrib
uted 1522,203, and Idaho (370,272.
This decline is attributed to the land
fraud Investigation and prosecutions.
Earthquake Splits Mountain.
New York, Sept. 30. Says a Rome
diepatch to the Herald: A mountain
near Ajollo, called Pietra Calondia,
300 meters high, split in two yesterday,
owing to shocks of earthquake, and
threatens to bury tho town. All tho
inhabitant!) have fled. There was a
terrible cyclone at Sparanise, province
of Cazerta. All the trees and telegraph
poles were uprooted, houses were dam
aged and several persons were killed or
injured.
Verdict In tho Williamson, Gesner and
Biggs .Land Case.
Tortlnnd, Sept. 28. "Guilty as
charged in tho Indictment." After
three trials, extending over tlirve
months, John Newton Williamson,
Representative In congress from Ore
gon; Dr. Van Gesner, his partner, and
Marlon R. Riggs, their friend and tho
United States commissioner for the
general land oltice at Pilnovllle, have
been declared to be guilty of tho crime
of conspiracy to suborn perjury, and
have been thrown upon tho leniency
of the court, by reason of their previ
ous good character.
Tho long and tiresome third trial oi
the case has passed into history, but
unlike tho first and second, it lias been
productive of a decisive result. Once
moro tho cause of the government and
tho Indefatlgablo energy of United
States District Attorney Heney have
been triumphant, and conviction has
come from tho hands rf a jury selected
and sworn to try tho guilt or innocence
of the defendants upon tho law rind the
evidence.
Rut it was not a question easily de
cided or quick of settlement, for the
jury wrestled with tho decision from
5:20 In tho afternoon until It at night,
and it was eight minutes later before
the sealed envelope containing the fate
of the three men was handed to Judge
Hunt lor his perusal. For many bal
lots the jury stood 11 for conviction
and 1 for acquittal.
As soon as the verdict had been read
Judge Hunt arose and thanxed the jury
for their patient attention and uncom
plaining service throughout the trial,
lie then dismisied them.
Turning men 10 mo ueienuanis ami
their nttornev. Jndee Hunt asked it
B , ,,
there were any motions to be made,
and Mr. Bennett, shaking off the spell
which scorned to wrap him round,
asked to be allowed on behalf of all
the defendants to file notice of a motion
for a new trial. Judge Hunt stated
that he would like to have tho motion
filed as soon as possible, as he desired
to leavo the city within two weeks, but
he allowed ten days in which to com
plete tho written transcript of the mo
tion and place it before the court.
The court announced that pending
the filing of the motion the defendants
would be allowed to go on the same
bonds under which they are now rest
ing. Tiien the court adjourned, and
without speaking the defendants filed
silently from the room and into the
night. They had no statements to
make, they said. It was not their
time to talk.
UflLUUll 01UL u Lino ur imuiidi
KjpE p-p ii. . "
THERE IS JOY AT MERRILL.
Canal Will Be Pushed South From
There at Onco.
Klamath Falls Word comes from
Merrill, 22 mlUs south of here, that
tho cltliens of the tortn and farmers of
tho country arc considerably elated over
the report that the call by tho govern
incut (or bids for the first ten miles of
the main canal of the lower project will
lie followed by a call for bids for tho
extension of tho canal south of Merrill.
Instructions have been received by
the government otllclals here to push
the work of securing the rights of way
for the first ten miles of the main can
al, and then to proceed to Merrill and
secure the rights of way for tho exten
sion at once. This order comes some
what as a surprise, since it was thought
that tho work on the first ten miles of
the main canals would imj tho extent of
tho government irrigation work hre
until this section was fully under way.
So far not a single landholder has
refused to grant right of way through
his property. Kvcryono approached
has freely given the way without hesi
tancy. The canal passes through O. N.
Meyer's place, requiring tho removal of
his residence, and the only damages he
asks is tho actual cost ot moving the
house.
NO MARKET FOR HIS WHEAT
Baker County Farmer Cannot Sell
Grain In County Seat.
Raker City According to estimates
furnished by tho Raker City Dovcloi
ment league, there will Imj about 300,
000 bushels of wheat in Raker county
this fall for which there is no market
Raker county is just beginning to raise
wheat, but unless thero is a market
opened soon, the farmers declare they
will go back to alfalfa. There Is neith
er a (louring mill nor grain buying
firm in the city.
M. F. Bond, a farmer tilling 800
acres, raised a large amount ol wheat
this summer. He hauled two loads
to Raker City last week, but had to
haul them back again, as he could not
even give the wheat away, much less
sell it. The farmers have been raising
oats principally, for which cereal there
Is a good market, but since the price of
wheat went so high they began raising
it, and now cannot find any market for
it.
TESTING STATION SOON.
rimbormen Will Thon Uo Hollovod of
Dig Responsibility,
University of Oregon, Kugeno Plans
for tho timber testing station have ar
rived and all the machinery Is hero ex
cept the largo machine on exhibition
at the Lewis and Clark fair. This sta
tion la something that tho stnto has
needed for a long time. Thousands of
dollars have Wen lost to the state on
account of Its absence. Individual
timber men refuse to rpeclly timber
uon their own responsibility on which
account buyers have frequently import
ed titular Into this very territory that
they might know the exact strength of
their timber.
Hereafter Individuals wilt li spared
the responsibility ol specifying their
timber. The hill providing for tills
timlKT-testiug station, introduced by
Senator R. A. limit h, of Ijtue, passed
the legislature last session over the
governor's veto. The big machine In
Portland has a capacity ot 200,000
pounds, and is as large us any in ser
vice. It will bo sent to the university
aWiut October 15. Tho government
will have a man here nt that time to
take charge of it.
DRIFTINQ INTO REBELLION.
FIRE SCOTCHES COLON.
Two Blocks Are Cleared and Govern
ment Records Destroyed.
Colon, Sept. 20. -By sheer good luck
the city of Colon was saved from com
plete destruction by fire last night.
The fire broke out in a building next
to the residence of the Spanish consul,
and soon destroyed the Phoenix hotel,
an American-owned building, and two
other hotels, several liquor saloons and
several tenement buildings. Rowe'a
building, containing the postoffice, the
offices of the municipality, of Governor
Melendez, the port inspectors, the ju
diciary and other offices, together with
the tressuy building, were also burned
A fire brigade from Panama bringing
engines and equipment arrived at 1
o'clock, but by that time the fire was
under control.
Nearly all the records and documents
of the government were destroyed. The
burned region comprises two blocks.
The American residential quarter was
not touched.
The sanitary authorities are erecting
tents in the fire zone to shelter the
homeless.
During the fire many harrowiong
scenes wore witnessed. Among these
was the removal ot the body of a 16-
year old child. The child had died a
few minutes before the fire started.
Want to Close Early.
F.ugene A movement Is on foot
among the members ot the Merchants'
Protective association ot this city to In
duce all stores in tills city to close at
an early hour each evening. At pres
ent tho dry goods stores closo at 6
o'clock and tho grocery stores at 7.
Hardware stores, meat markets and
stores in other lines have no regular
hours for closing, often remaining orwn
until a late hour. A com in I tee has
been appointed to arrange a uniform
hour for closing, and It Is thought that
all will agree to it.
Primary Election April 20.
Salem Attorney General Crawford
has advised Secretary ot State Dnutuir
that tho date (or the primary election
under the direct primary law will Imi
April 20, 1000. Thu law provides that
the primary election shall lxt held on
the -15th day prior to tho general elec
tion. The general election will Imi
held Juno 4, and Mr. Crawford says
that the 45th day previous to the day
of general election will be April 20.
The usual rules for the computation of
time do not apply In this case, owing
to the language in which the provision
is made.
No Submarines Aided In Victory.
San Francisco, Sept. 20. F. T. Ca
ble, representing the Holland Hubrna
rlne Torpedo Boat company, arrived to
day on tho liner Corea from Japan.
He went to Japan some months ago to
superintend the work ot placing seven
submarines in working order and com
pleted the task at the navy yard of Yo
koeha, near Yokohama, the latter part
of June. Mr. Cable reports that none
of these vessels were engaged in the
battle of the sea ot Japan, They would
probably have been, he says, had the
conflict been delayed a month.
WIN Refund More Bonds.
Washington, Sept. 20. -The secretary
ol the treasury made the announcement
today that on October 2 next ho will
resume refunding operations under the
act of March 14, 1000, receiving 4 per
cent bonds of the funded loan of 1007
and 3 per cent bonds of tho loan of
1008-1018 at a valuation equal to their
present worth and issuing in placo
thereof 2 per cent bonds, consols of
1030, at 101, subject to discontinuance
at any time without notice.
Morgan Still Sore on Panama.
Birmingham, Ala., Sept. 30. Senat
or John T. Morgan, of Alabama, has
written a letter to Chairman T. P.
Shonte, of tho Panama Canal commls
bIod, declining tho Invitation to accom
pany the commission when it leaves
New York for Panama. The senator
thinkB nothing will be accomplished by
the trip.
Cannot Suppress Boycott.
Seattle, Wash., Sept. 20. Chinese
merchants in Seattle state that they
have mail advices from Canton which
declare the viceroy of that province has
acknowledged his inability to put down
tho boycott. The viceroy insists that
the merchants and people will buy as
they see fit. He adds, though, that
tho sentiment is being resisted, and
that some gains have been mado by the
government's efforts to suppress tho
boycott.
Both Ordered Elsewhere.
Pendleton As a resnlt of differences
between Major J. J. McKoin, superin
tendent of the Umatilla Indian agency,
and Clerk C. M. Robinson, both have
been ordered to report for duty at other
agencies. Major McKoin, it is under
stood, will retire from the public serv
ice, though having !ecn ordered to take
charge ot the Shoshone agency. Mr.
Robinson has left for Browning, Mont.,
where he will be clerk at the 11 1 nek foot
Indian agency. The names ot their
successors have not been made public.
Indians Mutt Get Hunters' Licenses.
Salem That Indians residing on a
reservation must secure hunters' li
censes if they hunt off the reservation
Is asserted by Attorney General Craw
ford, In an opinion just rendered. Mr.
Crawford says that the law Is general
in iU terms, and since no exception has
been mado in the case of tho Indian,
the man whose forefathers inhabited
this country for a time whereof tho
memory of man runnotli not to tho con
trary, must pay his dollar n yar for
the privilege of joining In thu hunt.
Hop Estimates Vary.
Halem Hop ptcking is well advanc
ed in this arid Polk counties, many of
the smaller yards hfu-lng finished.
Thu rainy weather has not seriously in
terfered witli thu work of gathering tho
crop, it is too early to outrun a cor
rect estimate of the yield for this year,
but it Is estimated that all the way
from 85,000 to 105,000 bales. There
is no fixed market price for the hops.
A few have been sold recently for 13
cents, but as a rule tho growers are
waiting developments.
Will Develops Their Mine.
Bumpier M. H. Allen and Harry
Iteilly, who n few days ago discovered
a rich vein of oro in the Bald Moun
tain district, statu that they will make
airangemcnts immediately to develop
their find. Both men are jubilant.
Tho wholo section in tho neighborhood
of thu Gold Nugget und Sunnybrook
claims, the latter belonging to Messrs.
Allen and Reilly, has been located and
the hills are said to ho full of pros
pectors. Sues for Burned Wheat.
Salem S. 8. Rrownell brought suit
against Salem Flouring Mills company
to recover the valuo of 1,000 bushels
ot wheat destroyed by the mill flro in
1800. A similar suit involving a larg
er quanlty was brought through tho
Supreme court and tho armors won.
The qusetion involved is whether the
wheat belonged to the company or tho
farmers when it burnod.
Irrigation Office It Moved.
Pendleton -In conformity to a recent
order issued by Mr. Henny, of the
United States Reclamation service, the
ollice maintained in this city in charge
ot J. T. Whistler Is to he discontinued
and moved to Portland, whero it will
1ms nearer to the larger proortion ot
the government Irrigating projects un
der consideration. Mr. Whistler, who
has been 1 1 charge ot the ollice (or two
years, ami his assistant, Hubert Yates,
left for Portland last week, but W. C.
Sawyer will remain here lor some time
to complete thu gauging ol local streams.
Largo Attendance at Athland.
Ashland The Southern Oregon State
Normal school, which has opened for
thu 1005 Otl term, has the largest at
tendance in its history at opening time,
according to the reinirts of" the officials
of tho Institution. Tho senior class
has a memlrship of 33, which also
surpasses all past records, A marked
feature In the attendance is tho large
percentage ot graduates ot high schools
who are entering the normal to take
thu full normal con r so, President Mill
key sayi.
Opens Fine Body of Ora.
Sumpter The force employed at the
Nine Strike group, in tho Cracker
Creek district, 1ms cut through the
ledge In thu lower cross cut. Thu dis
tance run isalmtit 125 feet. The upper
tunnel is in 300 fret, and has opened
up a lino body of ore. Tho width of
ledge matter in the lower cross cut is
20 (ect, all showing n (air grade of ore.
Tho Nluu Strike is located in one oi the
most promiri'ng sections in thu Kastern
Oregon mining district.
PORTLAND MARKETS.
Haired of Hungarian Pooplo for Fran
cis dotaph Grows.
lxindon, Sept. 27. The correspond
cut of tho Morning Pont at Hilda Pent
says:
The situation hero grows worse dally.
Thu Radical element threatens to
swamp the moderate party mid to hur
ty tho country Into Irreparable action.
Public references to thu dynasty are
made In a tone which It is Impossible
to reproduce. The principal newspa
pers urge the formation ot one great
party under Francis KoasutV This Is
upHtited by Kossuth, Count Appouyl
and llaron Itanfly,
The Dally Telegraph's Hilda IVst
lorrespondent says that great excite
ment pievalls, accompanied by n de
termination to keep up the struggle to
the bitter cud. Thucorietpondciit con
tinues:1 The Independent party Is believed to
have secured new adherents, while tho
old Liberal party has broken up. The
partisans ot Kossuth have also obtained
tlio upper hand in quarters which for
merly wero dominated by the Social
ists. Tho coalition Icadcta have Issued a
proclamation stating that they are de
termined to eschew alt revolutionary
methods. Kossuth Is quoted as saying
ho believed that the klng-cmpcror
would yet change his mind and grant
concessions to Hungary.
Hoth In Hilda Pest and Vienna 1' Is
readied that much depends on the out
come of tho great meeting ol all the
coalition parties to bo held at Hilda
l'rst October 20, at which, It Is iindur
stood, a plan for legislation will Imi
formulated.
The wildest rumors are afloat In
Hilda Pest, Oun paper publishes a
statement that tho kingcinperor in
tends to resign tlm crown ol Hungary
in favor ol Prince Francis Ferdinand,
and other similar uiiatilhcntlcatcd
statements are mado.
According to the concensus ot tho re
ports, the klng-eliiKror has determined
to appoint a cabinet with Count Johatin
'ichy at its head.
ONLY NEEDS WATER
Soil ol liolso and I'ayolle Valleys
In Idatiu Is Very Hlcli,
PART NOW UNDER CULTIVATION
Proposed Government Irrigation Pro
ject Will Increase tlm Arable
Acreage FourFold.
RUINS FILL MANILA.
Oats No. 1 white feed, $2.1.50(324;
gray, $23.50(824 per ton.
Wheat Club, 7172c per bushel;
bluesteru, 7475c; valley, 71c.
Barley Feed, 111) Qt 20 per ton;
brewing, $10320; rolled, $22(823.
Rye $1. M0 per cental.
Hay Kastern Oregon timothy, $14(3
15 IK" ton; valley timothy, $11(812;
clover, $800; grain hay, $8U.
Fruits Apples, $1(31.60 per box;
peaches, 05c(i$$l per cratu; plums, 50
t75ci cantaloupes, $1$1 .25 per orate;
pears, $1.25(81.50 per box; water
melons, ?4le per jwjundj crabnpplus,
$1 per box; quinces, $1 per box.
vegetables Beans, l4c per pound;
cabbage, 101 Jc per pound; cauliflow
er, 75c per dozen; celery, 75c
pur dozen; corn, 05c per suck; cu
cumbers, 10Q15c perdozen; pumpkins,
l4Ucpor pound; tomatoes, 253
SOcpercrato; squash, 5u pur pound;
turnips, 00cll.00 per sack; carrots,
05(3750 per sack; beets, 85c$l
per suck.
Onions Oregon, $1 por sack;
globe, 75c per sack.
Potatoes Oregon, fancy, 05o per
sack; common, nominal.
Butter rancy creamery, 2530c.
Kgge Oregon much, 2727Jic.
Poultry Average old hens, 1314o
per pound; mixed chickens, 130
13c; old roosters, I'dJluo; young
roosters, 11012c; springs, 140iro;
dressed chickens, 14c; turkeys, live, 18
021c; geese, livo, 800c; ducks, 130
lie.
Hops Nominal at 13a for choice
1005s,
Wool Kastern Oregon averago best,
10021c; lower grades down to 1 Co, ac
cording to shrlnkago; vulloy, 26027c
per pound; mohair, cholco, 30c.
Beef Dressed bulls, l2o per
Terrible Typhoon Sweeps Capital of
Philippine Ittandt.
Manila, Sept. 27. Tun thousand ol
Manila's Inhabitant are homeless,
more than 200 lntircd and six known
dead (rum the terrible effects ol a ty
phoon which swept over tho Philippine
capital late yesterday afternoon.
When the great storm struck the city
the streets wem plunged Into darkness.
Thousands of electric wires were blown
down and short circuited, The known
dead were killed by thrse live wires.
Hundreds ol stone dwelling were
blown down, and two churches and a
hotel unroofed. The greatest damage
occurred in tho native quarters.
Tralllc is suspended and tlm streets
are deserted. The K)llce stations are
making an effort to feed and shelter
the hotnolexfi.
It I believed that shipping In the
bay had warning ot the approaching
storm and got out ol its course, but
thero are grave fears for the wifely ot
many vessels.
Tho typhoon carno to an end at 7:30
P. M. Gangs ot men are clearing the
streets and the Impression prevails that
many dead will bo found in the ruins
ol the dwellings.
REVOLVER AND MACHETE.
Boise, Idaho, Sept. 28. October Hi
a lamrd ot consulting engineers ot the
Reclamation service will meet here to
determine whether construction shall
be ordered upon what is known as tlm
llolse Payette project. It Is confidently
expected construction will bo recom
mended, us nil the preliminaries liavo
Iteon completed and It h known tlm
service is anxious to go on with tlm
work.
This Is one ot the most liurtant as
well as one ot the most complicated re
clamaliou project under consideration.
It Is ol great Importance liveaiuti of tlm
large amount ot land It Is proposed to
reclaim, Ix-causo of thu fact that the
supply ol water lor lauds which lurn
not a sulllcieiit amount available (ur
their use is to Imi ro-enlurced, Ix-eaiitn
of the value ot the lauds when supplied
with water, nod liecansn ot tho marked
effect it will have Upon the future of
this section ot the stale. It Is compli
cated, not so lunch hecnilsa ot eiigliucr
lug problems, though these are Inter
esting, but Ix-causo ol the private Inter
ests that ale woven through the project
in nearly all Its purls.
In the llolse ami Pay el tit valleys
there Is now Irrigated nltoul 100.00".
acres of laud; under the prooed gov
eminent system there will hn nearly
400,000 acres producing crops. These
valleys are now regarded as among the
must valuable and attractive of tlm
West. They supMil a largo imputa
tion and yield enormous crops ol all
(arm products, together with latge
quantities of fruit. The apples grown
here are regarded as lielng the equal ol
those ol any other section, while tlm
prune stand abreast ot tltonn ot Cali
fornia and Oregon.
All fruits flourish that can be grown
in a temperate climate, and this sec
tion Is looked upon as one of the tniwl
promising orchard regions oft lie West.
Under them condition tlm lauds, when
given water, command high prices and
yield large returns In money. It Is,
therefore, of great lmHirlaure that tho
unwatcrcd lauds shall I reclaimed,
and (or this reason the project has hern
regarded by the reclamation otllclals as
one of the most attractive that has Imtii
called to their attention.
FIRE AT SPOKANE.
Hall
Meant Gomez Advocates to Followers
to Win Cuban Pretldency.
Havana, Kept. 27, Judging from the
present outlook, Cuba I facing a seri
ous ixdltlcal disturbance, compurcd to
which thu recent troubles will bo Insig
nificant. Miguel Gomex, thn Liberal party's
presidential candidate, admitting thu
defeat of his party by the outcome of
Saturday's election, advises all Liberals
to abandon the ixdltlcal battle, saying
the united States Is backing President
Palma and the Moderates, and that tho
fight Is useless. Tlio only hope for tho
Liberals, lie says, lies through thu use
ot the revolver and machete.
Tho private secretary ot Gomes has
been arrested on a charge ot conspiracy
to overthrow tho government,
Calls Peace Conference,
St. Petersburg, Sept. 27. It Is an
nounced that the Russian representa
tives abroad were Instructed on Sep
tember 21 to communicate to thu gov
ernments to which thuy wero accred
ited an invitation to a second peace
conference ut Tho Hague. They were
further directed, in tho oventof accept
ance, to announce that tlio Russian
government's proposal would bo strict
ly practical, and that tho conference
would especially and exclusively deal
with tho serious questions arising out
of tho lute war.
a Block of Brick Bulldlnrt In
Wholesale District Burned.
Spokane, Wash., Sept. 28. A disas
trous fire broke out In thu heart ol tlm
wholeoalo and shipping section ol tlm
city at 2t.'!f o'clock this morning, which
completely gutted three brick build
ings. The total tire loss will approxi
mate $80,000.
The cause ol the fire Is unknown. It
broke out In the Cudshy building,
which was filled with soap and lard,
and spread with great rapidity to the
Weeks bulldlngf1 on the east. I ater
tho Hootlie-McCllntock building, on
tho west corner ot tho block, caught
fire. Thu four-story brick building on
thu imst corner, occupied by the Spo
kane Drug company, was saved by a
flro wall.
All ot thu building owners who suf
fered losses In tile flro, which destroyed
halt a block of buildings and their con
tents, have announced their Intention
nt rebuilding at once, and will erect
larger and itmru comptetu structures.
Hundreds ot people had personal prop
erty stored In thu Pacific Transfer com
pany's building at owners' risk, and
their total losses are estimated various
ly from $6,000 to $20,000,
pound; cows, 3Q4c; country steers, 4
34Jj,c.
Veal Dreseod, 38o por pound.
Mutton Dressed, fancy, 0K7o por
pound ordinary, 406c; lambs, 77Ko.land havo eaten everything from
Pork Dressed, U0,c por pound' to all kinds of brush and trees.
Shaw Says Ho Will Quit.
Washington, Hupf. 27. In reltorat
lug Ills declaration ot last March that
he would leavo tho cabinet about Felt
ruary, Secretary Hlmw tonight said s
"I shall luuvo tho cabinet on or about
February 1, as has been well known,
In fact, over slnco I entered It. I nil
nounced that I should remain In tho
cabinet for a comparatively short tlmo.
I had hoped to got nut last March, hut
consented to remain longer because
certain interests kept ma thero,"
Work for Heney.
Washington, Sept. 28. Secretary
Hitchcock, In an Interview, said:
"After tlio land-fraud casus In Oregon
havo la-en wound up, United States At
torney Heney, who has been conducting
them, will come to Washington and
will look utter tho California cases In
which Hyde, Dlmniid und others havo
been Indicted. Latir on thero will
probably bo other Indictments In other
states. Thu loss to thu government
through theso frauds has aggregated
millions of acres of land and millions
moro ol dollars,"
Starving Cattle In Montana.
Great Falls, Mont., Sopt. 27. "Word
comes from tlio Muriads river district,
in Teton county, that thero aru fullv
800 head of cattle In that section Thuv
havo been out on the rnugo slnco Juno
Stovont Showing Results.
Panama, Sept, 28. Tlio work nt
John F, Slovens, chief engineer of thu
Panama canal Is beginning to
show results, Thu correspondent of thu
Associated Press today visited Ij lloeu,
where the work has been pushed for
ward slnco tho arrival ot Mr. Stevuus
on tho Increase of tho dockage facili
ties, Mr. Stevens informed thu cor
respondent that tho now 1, 000-foot
dock at 1a Hocu would bo finished Sep
tember 30.
Mall 8orvlce on tho Yukon.
Washington, Sopt. 28, Arrange
ments similar to those In operation
last year havo again boon mado bo
twouu thu Postofllco department of tha
United States und Canada for thu dis
tribution of malls In tho Yukon dis
trict, Tho contract provides for a tri
glass weekly distribution during thu clouod
season.