LARGEST EVER Battleship Nebraska Added to American Navy. IS SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHED rutty so.ooo People Viewed the Ceremonies Christened by Miss MkkeVi Governor's Daughter. Settle, Oct. 8. The battleship Ne braska, destined to b one of the finest fighting machines afloat and already showing in every detail that ahe will come up to expectations, slid gracefully into the water promptly at two minutes after 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon. The great man of nearly 15,000,000 pounds of steel moved down the ways as easily and noiselessly as though it were only a diminutive fishing schooner, instead of one of tl e largest battleships in the word. The etateu.ent that she moved i o e- lesely may be difficult to prove, foi bedlam broke lose almost simultaneous ly with the Nebraska and wild cheer ing from 40,000 throats drowr.ed the music of half a doaen bands and made the roar of the big cannon on the Unit ed States monitor Wyoming seem faint and far away. Taking up the refrain. who-w key was pitched under the build ing sheds of the yards every steam whistle between Ballard and Black river turned loose and hundreds of craft ranging in site from giant steamships down to launches and every locomotive on the water front add d to the music with whistle and bell. fully 50,000 people viewed the cere monies and saw the big vessel slip into the water, he created but a very small wave as she took her maiden plunge, and floated out gently and gracefully. Naval men who viewed the launching stated that it was the most successful they ever saw. Miss Mary Nain Mickey, daughter of the governor of Nebraska, christened the vessel. CLARK, INNOCENT PURCHASER. , Title Disputed to Land Grants Ac quired fraudulently. San Franciceo. Oct. 1C. The case of the United States against Senator Wil liam A Clark, was srgned today before the cncoit court of appeals. It came before this bench on an appeal trom the circuit court for the district of Montana. The action is brought to annul 82 land grants under which Clark claims title to timber lands it hin the state of Montana, on the groan 1 of alleged frauds committed by the a'entees in securing the same. It is charged tl at the patenli were secured under the direction of Rylert M. Cobban, who later transferred the land to Clark. Cobban le alleged to have first examined the lands and then hired persons to enter them nnder the stone and timber act, agreeing to pay them for their services, to defray all their expenses and furnish the pur chase price of the lands. The lower court held that, on snch a state of facto, Glark, the innocent pur chaser for a valuable consideration, acquired a valid title. The govern ment took the matter on a writ of er ror t the circuit conrt of appeals. ALASKA CABLE COMPLETED. Acting Governor Distin Announces Event' try Message. Seattle, Oct. 10. Telegraphic com munication has now been established between the Btates and all parts of Alaska: At 7:47 o'clock this after noon the following official n esBage was received here, announcing the opening of the line: Sitxa, Alaeka, Oct. 8, 1904. The newspapers of Seattle and the Associ ated Press: The completion of the government cable from Valdez to Sitka making a complete connection by an ail-American line with 46 stations in Alaska, is the beginning of a new era for Alaeka. Wagon roads and rail ways will open op tbe greatest mining center of the world. Other industries will quickly follow and insure this country's future prosperity. William L. Distin, acting governor of Alaska.' Blockade-Runner Captured. Tokio, Oct. 10. The Port Arthur blockading fleet has captured a junk laden with provisions. ihe junk was endeavoring to enter the harbor. The statements of the crew and evidence found aboard the junk indicate the existence of a fleet of 80 junks organ lzed to run the blockade from the vi cinity of Teingtaa. Despite the vigi lence of the blockading Meet, many junks reach the Russian unesatanum her of landing places on the lower end of the peninsula. The junks enter at night. Railroad to Be Electrified. New York, Oct. 10. About 100 miles of the Long Island railroad sys tem will be equipped with electricity it is stated, and be ready for operation with that power early next spring Ultimate y it will be possible for a per son to take train at the Pennsylvania station, to be built in the heart of Manhattan, and ride without a change of cars or motive power to Manhattan Beach, Rockaway Beach, Far K ek away, Averne or intermediate points. Russian Troops In Good Health. Moscow, Oct. 10. Professor Golo win, of the Red Cross society, who has just returned here f i om tbe front, re ports the health and general condition of the troopB are remarkably good. There are no epidemics, and no very serious disease, the prevailing com plaints being a light form of Btomach typhus and dysentery. PLEA NOT IN VAIN. America Gains Another Victory In Russian Court. St. Petersburg, Oct. 8. Contiary to general expectations, the represen tations submitted to Russia by the United States for the recognition, with out diacriminaton, of American pass port hare not been entirely fruitless. Foreign Minister Lan sdorff's response, communicated to Ambassador McCor- mick today, even creates the hope that something may actually be accomp lished. After receiving consideration at the foiei&n office, the American not was referred to the high comission for gen- eral revision of passport laws, which mas created by imperial ukase, in De cember, 1903. All matters relating to passpoits and the exclusion of the Jews are governed by the international laws of the empire, and the question is out side of the direct field of diplomatic negotiation. By referring the icpre- sentation of the United States, compli ance with wiiieh would involve a modi- hcation of the passport laws, to the commission, whicli boity is competent to act theieon, a decison of the question may be directly reached. An official of the foreign office has been appointed by Couut I-amadorff to sit with the commssion, thus insuring consideration of the international as pect of the question. Moreover, the commission will sit under the diiection of the minister of the interior and Am bassador McCormick, who had an ex tended talk with Prince Sviatopolk- Musky, the minister of the interior, upon the subject this afternoon found him, as might have been expected from s recent public utterances, quite sympathetic. AUTO PLUNGES OVER BANK. Train Strikes the Wreckage and Three People are Killed. New York, Oct. 8. While speeding along in the Kronx early to is morning an automobile containing nine persons went off an embankment at One Hun dred and Sixty-first street and Jerome avenue and two pertons, a man and woman, were kille I The machine fell on to the New -Tk Central tracks, and the wreckage was strut k by a south bound train. In the automobile when the accident occurred were five women and four men. At Jerome avenue and One Hun dred and Sixty-first street the roadway is between 30 and 40 feet above the railroad tracks. When the big ma chine plunged downward it struck near the southbound tracks, and the nine persons and the automobile were caught by an incoming train. Besides the two killed, all the others in the automobile were injured. They were taken to the Fordbam hospital, where it was reported at 1 :30 this morning that at least four of those hurt were in a serious condition. One of the passengers on the train said that the train was running about 35 miles an hour when it struck the machine. TH machine was a heavy touring car, and i: i. said was running down Jerome avenr? rt a rapid rate of speed. STATION TOR COLUMBIA. Navy Department Is Pushing Estab lishment of Wireless Telegraphy. Washington, Oct. 8. Admiral Man- ney, cniet of tbe buieau ot toe equip ment of the navy department, has keen pushing with great energy the estab lishment of wireless stations for naval and general maritime use. A report addressed by bim to the secretary of the navy come time ago, but just made public, shows the bureau already has established 22 stations along the coast, Among the stations to be established are the following: San Diego, San Pedro, Point Conception, Point Sur, Point Arenas, Cape Mendicino, Cape Blanco, Columbia river, Cape Flattery, Port Towneend, Bremerton, Washing ton, Sitka, Dutch Harbor, Kieka is land, Honolulu, Midway islands, Guam, Tutuila, Cape Bojeador, Point Piedras, Capoee, Ologapo, San Bernar dino, Port fiubig, Port Cebu, Point Tabuna, Iloilo. Susla Straits. Chairman Tawney Coming. Portland, Oct. 8. James Tawney, chairman of the exposition committee of the United States congress, is to visit Portland next summer to attend the Lewis and Clark exposition. Mr. Tawney will be remembered as the con gressman who stood by tbe Oregon del egation at the time the exposition ap propriation bill was brought up, and he is in a large measure responsible for the passage of tbe bill. Word of his intended visit was received yester day by President Myers, of the state comiaeion. May Have Robbed Attaches. St. Petersburg, Oct. 8 The French embassy here has received informtion that two Chinamen have been ai rested at Ohefoo while trying to exchange $2, 000 in Fiench and German notes, be lieved to have been stolen from Lieu tenat de uuvervme and captain von Gilgenheim, respectively the French and German naval attaches at Port Arthur, who have mysteriously disap peared. A local paper intimates that the Japanese are the real culprits. Deathblow to Bullfighting in Spain. Madrid, Oct. 8. The Institute of Social Reforms, after a heated discus sion today, decided by 13 votes to eight to ratify the absolute prohibition of Sunray ball fighting. This is consid- eied to be the death blow to bull fight ing in Spain, FIGHT AT SEA Russian fleet at Port Arthur Ventures Out. TORT IS EXPECTED TO GIVE UP Opinion Based on Assertions That Squadron Would Make no Sortie Until Hope Was Gone. Tokio, Oct. 7. Tokio has advices that late yesterday evening a naval bat tle had occurred at Port Arthur. While no details are obtainable other thau that the fight is said to have followed a sortie on the part of the Russian squad ron, the belief prevails that there can be no doubt as to the outcome. The Russian vessels, as is well known, an in no condition to meet Admiral Togo's we'l-equipped and thoroughly repaired fleet. In addition to this, the Rus sians are greatly inferior in numbers. A sortie at this time by tbe Russian fleet would have peculiar significance, as it would indicate the land ("ices found their petition had become unten able, and the fall of tbe stronghold is now expected to follow quickly. It hs Keen stated on numerous occasions late ly, and on the twt of authority, that the battle-torn fleet bottled up in the harbor of the Port would make no fur ther attempt to escape, until tbe last hope of relief oi holding out had gone. TEARS AN AMERICAN PLOT. European Statesmen Believes She Has Designs on Trade. Talis, Oct. 7. Some European statesmen are seriously oncerned for the economic future ol Europe. Cer tain among them, see, or fancy they see, a deep-laid scheme on the part of the United States for absorbing tbe commerce of Asia, and appear to think the moment has arrived to issue a seri- ou note of warning. T k!v M. Melin, ex-prime ministei and leader ol the French Protectionists, sounds an alarm in the Repnblique Francaixe in an article entithd "The United States in Asia." M. Melin says no mistake should be made by Europe. lie says it is in the direction of the Far East America is evidently turning its commercial am bition. England, he says, will prefer to throw itself into the arms of the great American republic, which is close to her and may render her t-er vice. In conclusion M. Melin fays: 'One cannot tefrain from rather melancholy reflections on the commer cial and economic future of old Europe. The more her industry increases that much more her marhinery improves, and the more her warehouses are cram med with goods, just so much the more restricted and narrow her expansion abroad becomes. She now finds herself in the presence of a giant, who, with mighty Japan, is taking away her ens torn. After having seized a portion of that of South America, the giant is now prepar ng to deprive her of that of tbe Yellow races, which is the most important in the world. The issue promises to leave to Eurpe tbe negroes of the Soudau and the vast regions ol Afrita, but until that proves profitable poor Europe will have time to stew in her own juice." WILD RACE TO ESCAPE DANGER. last Furnace rilled With Hot Iron in Wake of Trolley Car. New York, Oct 7. A ten-ton rolling blast furnace filled with hot iron used for the welding of the joints of trolley tracks has been the cause ot an excit ing ride for a carload of people in New ark, N. J. The furnace became nn manageable on the top of a steep hill, and started down w ith rapidly increas ing speed in the wake ot a trolley car bound toward the1 center of tbe city. The motorman put on full speed, bit the mass of iron and fire gained stead ily. When it seemed a disastrous col lision was inevitable, the car crew and ten passengers, several of whom were women, held a hurried consultation and decided that the only chance to save their lives was in jumping. Alter the race had gone on for quarter of a mile, with the furnace steadily gaining, the runaway machine swerved and struck an oncoming car The passengers escaped serious injury Planning to Remove Buildings. St. Louis, Oct. 7. Plans are begin ning to assume shape for the restora tion of Forest park after the conclusion of the Louisiana Purchase exposition One member of the testoration com mittee has been appointed in the per son of George E. Kessler, who is at present landscipe architect for the ex position. Two other members of tbe committee are yet to he appointed by the directois of the exposition, and is probable Mayor Wells will appoint a committee of three to co-operate with the fair committee. Steel Plates Being Shipped. Minneapolis. Oct. 7. Fifty cars of heavy steel plates, intended for the Japanese government, are now being transhipped at Minnesota transfer They are from the Carnegie company, at Pittsburg, and aie consigned to tbe company's agent in Japan. The plate vary in thickness from half an inch to an inch and a quarter, and are of the kind ordinarily used in the construc tion of cruisers and torpedo boats. Large Oil Plant Burns. Findlay, O., Oct. 7. The plant of the National Refining company wtifl burned today. Loss, $200,000. The fire was started through lightning strik ing a tank which at the time contained I about 30,000 bairels. TOILERS OP the COLUMBIA Jfc By Paul DeLoncy & k f Kyrnor of "tor f the Desert." "Otyoon SfccHlKa," ICTf ana enter Pacific Coast Stork a ICO CHAPTER III Continued. Left master ot the situation, old Sea dog pursued his investigations. The ship had filled with sand in the neigh borhood of the captain'a quarters. It was this veiy point that attracted the ciafty fiahermau's attention. Shovels were secured and the boys were ordered to delve their way into the captain's room. It was easy to find the door since the sand only extended about half way to the ceiling of the cabin. While the boys were shoveling back the dripping sand, old Seadog was al ternately on the lookout inside and out. He let nothing on tha stranded vessel escape his observation and kept a con stant vigilance out over the bay to see that no one was approaching. "If I can make sure that they were aboard my future is no longer an un- ceitainty," said the old man as he mused to himself. "It was impossible for any one to survive," he continued. The w hole crew and all aboard went to the bottom of the sea and the crabs ill have disfigured their bodies be yond recognition before they rise to the urface. And even should they escape these busy scavengers they may drift back to the ocean where they will furn ish food for the larger fish." Tbe fisheimen were already suspici ous of old Seadog and w hen driven from the wreck at the muule of his gun they immediately returned to the village and spread the news. The officers ought to take the mat ter in hand," said one. les, he is up to stealing the ship and cargo, said another. The justite of the peace w as appealed to as well as the village constable, but these two functionaries declared that they had only jurisdiction on the land and not on the sea. "But the pillaging should be stop ped," insisted the honest fishermen. When the justice of the peace saw that his neighbors were bent on some Kind of legal action, he informed-them that the higher courts had jurisdiction on the waters; that the government tself would act if it were informed: that the vessel was a foreign one and hat the consul of the country from which the vessel came would protect it from the hands of the land pirates. Astoria then had her customs offi cials and ahe had a United States com miesioner. Cape Dissappointment had her lighthouse, but it was before the days of telephone and telegraph service at that point and there was no way to communicate with the government authorities at Astoria, sixteen miles away on the south bank of the river, except by crossing the stream in small boat. But those men of the river weie not slow in arranging for the trip.' A small sail boat was launched and three of the most intelligent went aboard and were soon cutting their way across north of Sand Island as fast as the wind could carry them. Old Seadog'i watchful eye did not let them escape unnoticed, and he knew that ordinary matters did not prompt his neighbors on such a jour ney. "Dm for your lives, boys: lift out that sand I We may have trouble be fore our job is done. Some of those halfbreeds have gone to Astoria to raise trouble and we must get well and through before tbe storm blows back Old Seadog did not mean to disturb the property left on the vessel. He had a personal motive in view. His mission wsa not in quest of gold neither would he have carried away tbe smallest thing of intrinsic value but would have risked bis life and that of his boys for that which he sought While delving their way into the cabin they came upon many valuables These were cast aside as so much rub bish. Gold and silver trinkets were thrown upon the heaps of sand as if they were of no value. It was several hours after they had begun work and old Seadog was already casting uneasy glances toward the south side of the river when the boys struck the sea captain's iron chest. While battling with the storm the rocking, tossing vessel had shaken this heavy receptacle from its nsual place and bad hurled it about the room like a ping pong ball. But like a wedge it bad been driven into a heap of fur niture and baggage jammed together in one corner of the room and backed by these and the heavy bank of sand piled npon the top of the whole, it seemed thing as solid and immovable as the bull of the vessel itself. It was at this crisis (bat old . Seadog discovered a revenue cutter approach ine from the south, at whose helm floated the stars and stripes. "Exert yourselves, boys, exert your selves for yonr lives, or all is for naught! those fools have informed the officers and they will soon be npon us,' said tbe old man. Then they all put to and gave their energy to securing the iron chest The old man abandoned his lookout and joined the boys in the work. Tbe timbers were interlocked about it an at the same time deeply imbedded in tbe sand. "Get the capstan lever, boys; get tbe capstan. We must have her now or it will be too late!" exclaimed the excited old Seadog. Some ciowbars had been unearthed from the ship's tool room and with the addition of the capstan lever they set c to work with renewed vlgoi. "fry down to the left, boys, pry down to the left I" shouted the father. Already the exhaust of the govern ment launch could be heard as It slowed p to weigh anchor at a safe distance from the eandtar. It would only require the lowering of a boat and a few strokes of the oars to land the officers upon the fisheimen. fortune had always favored old Sea- dog and it favoied him again. With a heavy lurch they brought the client from under the timbers that held it own. Fortune doubly favored him. When the iron receptacle had been turned round it was found that the key still remained in the lock. The captain ad possibly attempted to open it at the last moment and had been driven out by the waves. 1 Rush outside, boys; rush outside; will do the rest!" commanded the stern old parent. The boya were wrely in time. They were confronted by the officers Immediately upon climb ng to the deck. 'In the name of the government, men, we proclaim you our prisoners," calmly spoke one of the officers. Ths boys looked bewildered but spoke not in the absence of their fath- to whom they had always looked for advice and guidance. But the old man was busily engaged. With a surprising quickness he had opened the chest and tore from it the eglster roll. Then he closed the best, locked it and cast the keys into the water at the lower end of the hole Then he climbed out through a port hole at the rear, hurriedly secreted the roll in the sand at a safe distance from the vessel, cllmbd back through nd joined his boys who were prison ers on deck. But befoie he had hidden the parchment upon which the ship's register was made he had turned through it quickly. His eyes had rente I upon two names. This brought from him the ejaculation: 'Old Seadog rejoices at last; old Seadog rejoices at last; old Seadog has cause to rejoice! In the language of the convict who swam to the Diamond sles. 'the woild belongs to old Seadog now I' " CHAPTER IV. Odd Companions. After releasing the old man and the child from their entanglement they were carried to the nearest fisherman's cabin. The man, though lashed to the spar and pinioned to the earth by the driftwood was held no closer than was the babe. 11 la arms held it like a vise. They had been so long about it that they had formed like clasps around the body and, benumbed by the cold, they were as difficult to pry apart as are the cieepers which hold a vine in its upward climb. Young as it was, only a few weeks old, the infant posse sed mora vitality man uu us aged protector. it stretched forth its little hands and legs with surprising strength and cried piti fully, though in a voice that showed that its lungs were still strong and healthy. But the old n.an sarcely breathed He otened his dull eyes for a moment and stared blankly into the faces of those directly in the line of his vis ion, and then closed them. Ho was unconscious of all that was going on about him. His long gray hair hung in strands about his face and neck His silken gray heard was matted with the sand and trash of the beach. But for the alow pulsation of his heart he would have been pronounced dead by those around bim. Ihe women were running about as busy as only women can be when they are doing some great a"t of charity, and their devotion was increased by the fact that some dead mother's chid had fa'.len into their hands, and each felt a double responsibility on this ac count. Some were bringing dry clothing from the wardrobe of their own chil dren, others were warming ow's milk in a small basin on the stove, while a more thoughtful mother was sharing the breast of her own babe with the little waif. And those good women smiled with tears in their eyes as the little stranger tugged greedily at its new found mother's breast. "Ob, it will get along all right," said one. 'Yes, so long as it eats, the signs are good," said another. "Just so you don't give it too much," remarked an eideriy woman who was watching the proceedings. "But I fear it is all over with the old gent," whispered one of the women who had just returned from the adjoin ing room where the men were working with the child's elderly companion. The men were rubbing his arms and legs, and irons were being heated to place at his feet. Some brandy had been forced through his Hps, but it waB slow in showing encouraging effects. His eyes were fixed in his head, his features were aa pale as death. His firm lips were set as if in his last con scious moment he had fixed his determ ination upon some given object. He was a little more than five feet as he lay upon the bed. Still he was rather plump and well-kept for his age. But his skin was smooth and his mus clee soft, which indicated that he had not been a man of toil. When the hair was pushed bark from his face a broad Intelligent fre- head was eipoted. Had those flaW- men been able to read phrenological signs they would have discovered that the aged man before them was no or dinary being. His Intellectual fore head, small feet and bands, dress and general appearance Indicated that La bad followed one of the professions. In the meantime tha village physi cian arrived and a hie. I In resuscitating tha old man. The child gradually passed away to aleep after ita wants were satisfied and slept as soundly aa If Ita own mother still hovered over it. It was a soft sweet sleep such only aa Is seen in the repose of the innocent before the trials and tribulations of life have come to their knowledge. It knew not of Us lost mother and father, the fearful storm at sea, tbe hours in the water, the terrible night among the driftwood on the beach, u slept in a repose akin to perfect bliss. ' She's a darling little girl," said the woman who had shared her own child's clothing with the little sleep r. 'What pretty blue eyes she has," remarked she w ho had warmed tha milk. "Such dainty little limbs," said tha woman who had run about tbe plae neivously trying to do everything and had accomplished hut little. But look what pretty features and awrel lips," said tbe one who had nursed the child to sleep, with an air of superiority. Tbe child did not exceed one month in sge. It was probably younger. Ita light hair, fair akin and pretty bine eyes even at so young an age showed that it was a born beauty. Still lis features were much like those of the I-Inlanders, so many of whom had set tled along the Columbia in lite fishing districts. They think the old man Is dying," said one ot the women In a whisper who had M-en watching the men work with the aged sufferer. Oh, such a pity, remarked tha women in a sulnlued chorus. "We 111 never learn the child's name or anything about the late of Ita mother or father." "It must have been born on the voy age, said one, lor they say the ship was a Finnish vessel and has been many week at sea." "Old Seadog'i action in ti e matter is a mystery to everylndy. Why ha made such quick haste to board the hl, is beyond all understanding. And he actually pointed firearms at the men when they attempted to go aboard fie vessel," said a woman who had just been talking with her Inn band on tha outside. "Hut the officers will ravel the matter out,'' she continued as sha remembered the details or the episode as given her by her husband. Then there was a commotion out side. A fisherman had just arrived from the sand spit. He had brought news of the arrival of officers at tha scene of ths wreck. "Old Seadog and his boys are all on- uer arrest: was wmspered irora up a .its ( I to Hp. (To t cunUnutJ) The Other Fellow's Job. There'a a crite among us mortals that Is cruel hard to name, Wherenne'er you Ami a human you will II i) J the cine the nine; You may nook among the wont of men or seek among tbe best, And you'll find that every person Is pre- cUely like the real, believes (hut his real calling Is along some other litis the one at which he's working take, for iiistauce, youra and iiiId. the niennent "nie-too" creature to the leader of tht uiob, Each Than From There's a universal craving for "the oth er fellow's Job." There are millions of positions In tha buay world to-day, Each a drudge to him who holds It, but to him who doesn't, play; Every farmer's broken-hearted that la youth he missed his cull, While that same unhappy farmer Is tha envy of us all. Any tnxk you care to mention seems a viutly better lot Than the one especial something which you happen to have got. There's but one sure way to smother Envy's heartache and her sob; Keep too busy, at your own, to want "the other fellow's Job." Success. - The Word Picnic The derivation of the word picnic la uncertain. In I-ondon Notes and Que ries of 1853 attempts were niado to trace its origin. One correspondent says: "Under a French form the word ap pears in a speech of Robespierre, 'C'est Icl kqu'll dolt m'accuHer, et non dana les plquosnlqiies.' An earlier instance occurs In one of Lord Chesterfield a letters, dated October, 1748." Another writer of the same dato tries to trace the word from France Into Italy. Starting with the assump tion that plquenlquo In French Implies a party at which each guest provides some particular dish or performs some special duty, he finds the Italian ex pressions nlcchla (duty) and plccola (s trifling service), and from these ha coins plccola nlcchla (picnic). A French encyclopedia, 1843, has it that the word is compounded of tha simple English pick (to choose) and nick (In the nick of time, on the spur of the moment). I A France the term Is also used for Indoor picnics. , r A Domestlo Chef. Mrs. De Style (after giving her order for dinner) Can you remember all thatl New Girl Sure, It's a French chef yes think Ol am. "It Is our ordinary compnny dinner. Guests are expected, you know." "Wull, mum. Oi'H Just make yea an Olrlsh stew, an' thin yea can sort ths things out to suit y'rsllves, sn' call thlrn as many nose-crackla' French names aa yaa lolka" t-