The Abbeville press and banner. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, April 21, 1897, Image 9
W The Press ani Banner.
V BY HUGH WILSON. ~
Hr AniiKt'llJ.K. K. \
t "THOMAS JEFFERSON."
r WILLIAM J. BRYAN SPEAKS TO THAT
"OAST".
A Notable Gathering of Dtmocrafs In
W?nhli)ctnn to Ccltbrate JtfFeraon'a
Itlrthday?Mr. Bryau'a Fine Speech.
Washington. April 13 ?This was
William JenniDgs Bryan's day in
Washington. If ever a man received
a sincere reception he did this night.
At the Indian (^ueen tavern (the Metropolitan),
where thousands of old
j Democrats have spent pleasant hours
' while on their visits to the national
capital; where Jefferson met and
talked over his theories and principles
of Democracy with nis hundreds of
friends: where Calhoun and Clay
could be seen ia pleasant conversation,
a Jettersonian bacqiei, oamujBuiurative
of the 154th anuiversary of Jefferson's
birth, is being given. At the
head of the spacious dining hall
\ stands a large oil painting of the old
I statesman surrounded bylUnited States
V llags. There is here, perhaps, one of
J the greatest gathering of Democratic
' statesmen that has been held for many
years.
Three long fables run from one end
to the other of the halls. There are
assemoled senators, CDngressmen, national
committeemen and others of
high standing from every State in the
Union. Here they have met to raise
their voices in praise of their idol,
their leader, William Jennings Bryan.
Governor Blaofc, of Pennsylvania,
; stated "whv we are assembled."
j Benton McMillin was the toastmaster
and introduced Mr. Bryan, the
guest of honor, in glowing tribute at
11 o'clock. When Mr. Bryan began 1
speaking one could not hear his own
voice for the cheers that went up. A
band, concealed behind ferns, played
the songs "ye heard in olden time," 1
among them being the "Arkansas
Traveler," "Dixie," "Maryland, My
Maryland," "Old Virginia"and many
others popular to Democrats. (
The first celebration of the anniver- 1
sary of Jefferson's birth occurred at 1
the same hostelry, then known as the
Indian Queen; April 30, 1830. President
Jackson was the guest of honor 1
and the occasion was made memora- !
ble by the presence of Vice President
John C. Calhoun and other Demo i
cratic leaders of that clay. The toasts
were briefly responded to, except in
the case of Mr. Bryan, who spoke at
length to the toast "Thomas Jeffer- j
son." The order of the set toasts was ,
as follows: i
"Thomas Jefferson"?We celebrate ,
the anniversary of his birth not in the 1
spirit of personal idolatry, but from
regard and reverence of his political i
principles?"William J. Bryan of Ne- ,
braska. i
"The diffusion and arraignment of i
all abuses at the bar of public reason"
(from Jefferson's inaugural address)
James K. Jones of Arkansas.
"Equal and exact justice to all men, (
of whatever state or persuasion, relig
ious or political"?Richard P. Bland,
of Missouri. i
umu_ i-? . t t_ j??
jluo J^euiaranuu ui mucpouucuuo
?An enduring monument of that devotion
of liberty and abhorence of ty- :
ranny which stamp the character and
mark the whole course of the life of its
author?Joseph C. Sibley, of Pennsylvania.
" !
"Peace, commerce and honest
friendship with all nations, entangling
alliances with none," (from the ,
same address) ?John J. Lsntz, of
Ohio.
"An aristccracy of wealth is of
more harm and danger than benefit to
society" (Jefferson)?Andrew J. Lipscomb
of Virginia.
"A iftalnns rjtrp r?f thfi ripht of elec
tions oy the people; a mild and safe
corrective of those abuses which are
topped by the sword of revolution in
countries where peaceable remedies
are unprovided" (from Jefferson's inaugural
address)?William Sulzer of
New York.
Mr. Bryan said in part: The Democratic
party is strong just in proportion
as it proves true to the teachings
of its great founder. It is the mission
of the Democratic party to crystalize
into legislation the principles which
he taught. The party applies Demo
cratic principles "to the issue which
arise from time to time. For many
years, the tariff question was the paramount
issue aud the party took a
more advanced position each year until
1892, when it declared itself in favor
of a policy which meant substantially
a tariff for revenue only. But
the President elected at that time instead
of proceeding to carry out that
portion of the platform, forced upon
public attention an issue which had
up to that time been considered secondary.
Mr. Cleveland, more than any
other person in this nation, is responsible
for the prominent position which
tlio mnnaTT nnpctinn nnnr nannies. Tt.
was bis determination to complete the
demonetization of silver and make the
gold standard perpetual, that aroused
the masse of tne United States to active
resistance. Tne struggle for supremacy
between the gold standard
and bimetallism was recognized as a
contest between the money power and
the common people.
The explicit declaration in favor of
unlimited coinage of silver at the ratio
of 16 to 1 without waiting for the
aid or consent of any other nation was
made necessary by the attempt of certain
public men to evade the preceding
platform. The party struggle which
culminated in the Chicago convention
of necessity alienated a portion
of the party. The party was placed
in the position where it was compelled
to endorse the financial policy of the
President or adhere to the doctrines
and traditions of the party. Tne position
taken by the Democratic party in
1896 will not be surrendered. If you
doubt the permanency of the Chicago
platform as a party creed, go among
the rank and file of the paity and
measure the zeal and enthusiasm
which that platform has aroustd and
you will realize the impossibility of
) taking a backward step. True, the
\ present administration is seeking to
* turn public attention to the tariff
> question, but if our reasoning is well
lounded, an increase of taxes cannot
restore prosperity to the producers of
wealth.
If the Dingley bill brings general
and permanent prosperity, the Democratic
party will not be in a position
to win a contest by opposing it. If,
on the other hand, the Dingley bill
proves a disappointment to those who
advocate it, our position of 1896 will
r rj , /
be strengthened and public attention
will be rivet*d upon the fact that the
cause of financial depression is to be
found in our monetary system. There
is much in recent events to encourage
the followers of Thomas Jefferson.
The spring elections indicate a growing
sentiment along the lines of the
Chicago platform. In fact, the elec
tions which have taken place show
such great gains that the Republican
party may now be considered a minority
party. It has but one hope of escape
from the wrath to come and that
is to secure bimetallism by interna1'
' Vvafnwn nonrvlo nf
uuuai a^i'ccuicut uciuic uiu v??
the nation have another opportunity
to speak at the polls. While we who
believe in independent bimetallism
generally regard an international
agreement as neither necessary or possible.
We may well hops for success
to any who may make the attempt to
secure foreign assistance. If our opponents
succeed in opening the mints
of other nations as well as their own
mints, we shall rejoice because the
condition of the people will be im
proved and they will be able to proceed
with other remedial legislation.
If, however, the Republican party after
pledging itself to secure interna
uonai Dimeiauism, uiius it
to fulfill that pledge, its expressed
preference for a double standard will
rise up to condemn it if it attempts to
continue longer the evils of the gold
standard.
Senator Jones, chairman of the Democratic
national committee, in respondin?
to his.toast, referred to the insults
given Mr. Bryan at Yale college and
the refusal of the students there to
hear him during the last campaign.
He said: "And this in New England,
the proud seat of our learning, where
men in the old days would have died
to maintain the right of free speech."
L'ne result 01 inoiuumuipai cicuuuua
he said, showed that the cities which
in the last campaign were the strongholds
of the Republicans had regained
their senses and had rallied to the
standard of him who founded the
Democratic party and whose motto
was "Equal and exact to all."
After the set toasts had bsen responded
to, there were many impromptu
speeches and it was after
midnight before the dinner broke up.
The bill of fare was strictly of the
olden time. Chicken, gumbo, red
snapper, Georgia potatoes, fried chicken,
Virginia style; beef, asparagus,
ferranin were the solid dishes, wnile
the finest Haut Saute me, claret and
champagne were the favorite bsverages
and the assembly afterwards enjoyed
the best Key West cigars.?
dtate.
Teachers of the State.
The following circular letter about
the coming annual meeting of the
State Teachers' association to be held
on Paris Mountain has been sent out
dated from Greenville: Dear Sir: The
execuave committee of the State
PaoBliiiK.' ncnnni a Hnn VlOS Hfi.njdpd tQ
xuauuvx o oogvvinvivu ? - ?
hold the next meeting on Paris Mountain
at Hotel Altamont, beginning
June 30 and ending July 5. Tae committee
is anxious to secure a full attendance.
An excellent program of a
very helpful, practical nature has
been partially arranged and sent out.
It has been arranged with special refurence
to the needs of the teachers in
their school rooms and deals directly
with the work which is or has to be
taught by them daily. Tae place selected
offers many attractions?health
frpftdom. informality, beautiful scene
ry, low rates, comfort, convenience,
inspiration. Low railroad rates will
be secured to the mountain 75 cants for
round trip, baggage included; boarj,
$5 for five days, $1.50 per day for
those who come later than Thursday,
the 1st of July or leave before Monday,
the 5th. Everything possible will
be done to give the teachers a good
time and a profitable meeting. Please
do all you can to advertise the meeting
through your county papers; read
the letter to your teachers when they
assemble for the examinations on the
16th; keep it before them until the
time of meeting. Make your plans to
come yourself and let's nave a great
meeting. Full information will be
sent out soon. Will you kindly send
a list to your teachers so that circulars
may be sent them to W.E. Johnstone,
proprietor Altamont Hotel, or E. L
Hughes, superintendent, Greenville,
S.O.
Found After Four rears.
Los Angeles, Cal., April 14.?After
a search of four years, Edwin R.
Mohler, a millionaire lumber man of
Minneapolis, has located his divorced
wife, Loru Maude and their 8 year old
- 1 1 T> .J VT~U1??. rru?
CU1J.U, IdUl I\?ymuuu iuuaici. xuc
woman was found yesterday afternoon
in Pasadena, where she has been living
for the past few months under the
name of Austin. S^e was at once
brought to Los Angeles and is now in
charge of the sheriff. Tne history of
her disappearance is a strange one.
She and her husband were married
in Minneapolis 10 years ago and in
1893, a divorce was granted Mrs.
Mohleron the ground of incompatibility,
she recaiving the custody of the
child. Mohler, some months later,
became suspicious of the health of the
child and applied to the superior
court of Hennepin county, Minn., for
the custody of the child. After many
hearings and a bitter fight he was
awarded the custody of the child, bul
his wife frustrated this by mysteriously
disappearing with the infant son.
She had given out that she was going
to Florida, but really came to Califor
nia, settling in Los Angeles. Datec
tives scoured the country and finallj
located her in Pasadena. She hac
married again and was living undei
the name of Austin.
TYhlnksy and Wives.
Wytheville, Va., April 15.?The
Virginia conference of the African
Methodist Episcopal Church, which
has been in session here for a week,
has made an effort to raise the stand
ard of the colored ministry. The res
olutions were passed condemning min
isters for getting divorces from theii
wives. Bishop Handy declared tha'
no man in the connection in the dis
trict would receive an appointmeni
who had more than one wife. Thej
also condemned the use of whiskey
and several men who were fount
guilty of using intoxicant drinks wen
left without appointment. Rev. Jame;
Minter was expelled from the connec
tion for having two wives. The rul
ing of Bishop Handy is regarded as t
progressive step for the elevation ol
the negro race.
Not Yale Rowdies.
Charlottesville, Va., April 14Mr.
Bryan passed through here thi;
afternoon and was met at the depot b^
a crowd of 500, mostly students of thi
University of Virginia. The boy
gave him the varsity yell and h
made a few remarks.
PHOSPHATE ROYALTY.
I ~
t A DELAYED LETTER FROM CARTAS
FRANK E. TAYLOR.
! He Argues for Certain Belief It the Com'
panics are to Continue In Business?Th?
Coosaw Company Going Oat.
Columbia, April 16.?In the Char
leston correspondence of The Registei
yesterday was an interview with Cap
tain Frank E. Taylor in regard to tht
phosphate interests, in which he said
he had written Gov. Ellerbe his view.'
1 and that he would not give out the
contents unless the Governor did. Tht
Governor yesterday gave it to the
newspaper men, saying that although
it had been written before the Beau
fort trip, still he had not received it.
The letter follows:
Charleston. S. C., March 30, 1897.
Hon. W. H. Ellerbe, Chairman Boaro
of Phosphate Commissioners, Co
lumbia, 8. C,
Tina* Qim On nrtfinft Pvhpn
KJl A \/U UllV %JJL IVi MWAVW
ded to me it was impossible for me t:
make any arrangements to leave th<
city, as I had matters of great import
ance at home which demanded my at
teniion. I therefore, at the last mo
ment, wired Inspector Jones at Ye
massee that I could not join the par
ty, and wrote him, confirming mj
telegram, stating that I would com
municate with you.
The petition, under date March 6,
signed by the Coosaw Mining Com
pany and other companies, addressed
to yourself and the members of thf
board, has had my earnest considera
tion. I have given the matter much
thought and,as far as I am concerned,
have reached a definite conclusion,
which conclusion I will as briefly as
possible state in this communication.
First. I am in favor, in view of the
depressed condition of the phosphate
interests, resulting from the develop
ment of the phosphate industry in
other States, of extending such reliel
AI?1/1 Uf* ii nMfl A/M a n i~1 of
OO WUUiU UZJ J AOL OUU auvi nu
the same time work no hardship to
the State.
Second. I am of the opinion that a
royalty of 25 cents per ton is reasona
ble, and that the increase in said rov
alty should CDmmence at a figure nol
certainly higher than $3 per ton.
Third. I am of the opinion thai
whatever royalty may be decided up
1 on should be fixed for a period of nol
less than two years.
Fourth. I have reached the definiU
conclusion, in regard to the 49.00C
tons or more of rock on hand, say
about as follows: The Coosaw Com
pany 30,000 tons, the Farmers Mining
Company 14,000 tons, the Baaufort
Company 5,000 tons, that the State if
entitled to a royalty of 50 cents pei
ton upcn this surplus product, which,
at 50 cents Der ton on 49,000 tons
amounts to $24,500, for which saic
amount the State has a lien upon saic
rock. I think, therefore, that the
State should collect the 50 cents pei
ton royalty upon this 49,000 tons oJ
rock, but obligate and agree that a<
the expiration of twelve months frorr
the date of the action of the board, il
these each minded an equivalent
quantity of rock to that which thej
now have on hand, then the State
will rebate to them 25 cents per ton ol
the 50 csnts per ton collected,and will
charge 25 cents per ton royalty upon
the equivalent quantity that will be
mined during the time, viz: one yeai
from the date of the action of the
board.
By pursuing this course the State
will be assured of its $21,503, which is
the equivalent of 50 cants par ton or
49,000 tons of rock. It will not do tc
argue that because plants are valuable
they are, therefore, going to be run.
This is simply a business question thai
is presented to us. No matter how
sincerely we may sympathize with the
prostrate condition of the phosphate
industry, tnera is no just reason, ic
my mind, why the commissioners
should be at all philanthropic, and J
take it that it is not the intention ol
the mining companies to have tht
board consider the question in any
Qther than a business way.
To illustrate: TheCoosaw Company
has 30,000 tons of rock on hand, li
pays a royalty of $15,000. At the expiration
of tne year it shows that ii
has mined 30,000 tons additional. I
receives back from the State $7,500,
and is liable for 25 cents per ton roy
alty on the 30,000 tons mined during
thisyesr. Suppose, for instance, thai
the Coosaw ComDanv mined onl v 20,
000 tons then it would receive back 21
cents per ton royalty on 23,000 tons
i and would be liable to pay 25 cent*
i per ton on 20,000 tons mined.
I do not see why the State shoulc
i take any chances of any one of thesi
' companies shutting down. If th<
plants are so valuable and the compa
nies do not intend to shut down,then
under the proposition I present, thej
L will be perfectly assured that the}
i will get this rebate of 25 cents pai
ton. If, on the other hand, any on<
company has no intention of going or
' and makes up its mind to shut down
or produce a very small quantity o
> rock,then the State of Soutn Carolim
' will have simply lost so much royalty
' if they make the reduction in royalty
' without agreement suggested by me
i There is no quid pro quo or take it ir
t its last analysis. Suppose all the com
nanies should shut down and product
no rock this year. The State woulc
; simply ba out $12,250 on 49,000 ton
of rock, if they made a reduction o
25 cents par ton without binding th<
r companies to an equivalent furthe;
I production.
It seems to me, therefore, under thi
views I have presented we offer to ex
tend to them in good faith on busines:
principles all the relief that the]
should ask. If they are going on t<
mine and push the business, which !
understand they will do; they will, a
[ the expiration of the year, be refund
ed 25 cents par ton, provided they shal
have each mined au equal quantity o
" rock to that each now has on hand
. or, if not an eqial quantity, then re
bated pro rata.
[ In my judgment the best guaran
f tees that the comp mies are going t<
run is to put them in a position where
! if they do not run, they will not ge
the rebate on the royalty, and if the;
, do run, in accordance with the rule
4 laid down by the board, they will ge
25 cents pjr ton of the royalty refund
ed to them pro rata in accordanc
j. with the rock mined by each the com
ing twelve months.
I do not know whether the views
have expressed meet with the concur
- renceof the board, but, at any rate
3 they embody the opinion I entertain
j and I do not know, if agreed to b;
a the board, whether they meet the ap
s proval of the phosphate miners, but a
e far as that is concerned, I am on th
t board for the purpose of doing, as fa
as lies in my power, what I believe to
be justic9 to all parties concerned,and
am not seeking ibe favorable opinion
I of any class of individuels. I remain
yours very respectfully.
Frank E. Taylor.
A VERITABLE FIEND.
' Mnrdern a Girl, Her Father and Mother,
RurosThelr Bodies.
Pascong, R. I., April 14.? News
' reached here today of a tragedy at
Oakland, a small farming village a
5 few miles from Pascong, about 3
I o'clock this mornine. The house ocs
cupied by Edward Reynolds, his wife
> and an adopted daughter, was burned.
> It was several hoi'rs after the fire was
i discovered before those who were at
i the scene could begin their search.
At daylight a body was seen lying
near the centre of the ruins, and as
soon as possible this was removed.
- - - - ' * * . v. J?_ iL.i.
Although it was Durnea so Daaiy mm
I it was beyond recognition, the appear
ance iudicated that it was that of Sylyina
Reynolds, the 20-year-old daugh
ter of the family. A short time later
> Reynolds1 body was also recovered,
> the identification being a general one
as the body had been frightfully
burned.
When the neighbors, who had been
aroused by the fire, went to the Rey
nolds house this morning, they found
r that the fiames were confined to one
part of the building. The placa was
securely fastended, the doors being
, bolted, and locked and every window
closed tightly, so that they were comI
palled to burst open the door to gain
s admittance. The house ht.& been
saturated with kerosene, and the
l flames spread rapidly. The rescuers
, attempted to reach the part of the
, house where the family slept, but
i were driven back, and only had time
ta take Mrs. Reynolds' body out be>
fore that section of the house was in a
i blazj. Her head had been crushed in
and the upper part of the body was
i terribly multilated. Martin Mowry,
' who worked for Reynolds, slept in
another part of the house, and the
? villagers hurried to his room 1,o alarm
him.
i The room was empty and from the
- hasty examination that could be made
it was evident that the bad had not
t been disturbed. The bed clothing, as
well as the floor leading to the door,
t had been saturated with some liquip
supposed to be kerosene. Mowry'a
I trunk and a box belonging to him
were opened and his clothing was
s strewn about the floDr. Mowry was
found in Leander Buffum's barn
some distance from the scene of the
fire, chattering and laughing like a
: maniac. Buffum arrested the man
; and gave him up to the officer. Mo wry
i is a bachelor, about 65 years of age.
From the position of the bodies, it
is believed that Reynolds was called
, to his daughter's room by soma unI
usal sound and that when he reached
1 the side of her bed he received his
' death blow. At that time Miss Rey
nolds was Drobablv killed. The mur
derer, it is supposed, then went to
: Mrs. Reynold's room, and, afLer stabi
bingher twice in the faci, battered
her head ia with some bluat weapon.
; When Mowry left the houue ho went
to the woods, where he shot himself in
? the head. The bullet only stunned
him, however, and he did not repeat
the attempt. He than went to Bat.
fum's farm. The revolver, with two
' chambers empty, was found in his
' possession and an empty oil cai was
found in Mo wry's apartments. Mowry
was willing to talk after his arrest,
but from his appearance and manner
of expression it seemed clear that he I
wraa insane. Ravnolds and his wife J
? were each about 50 years of age.
Sylvina was their adopted daughter,
the child of .Mm. Reynold^ deceased
. brother. Raynolds had little money and
hence it is thought robbery could not
i have been the object of the crime.
)
A 8torm Raised at Ann tpolis.
, Washington, April 15.?Congressman
Shattuc of Ohio yesterday nominated
D. J. Bandy a colored, lad of
i Cincinnati, to a cadets hip sit Annapolis.
He has baen urged to withdraw
the name but says he will stand by
th3 appointment. Tnere have been
t some murmers of dissapproval from
. the naval academy and the cadets and
students threaten to resign.
[ "The boy earned the appointment
fairly," said General Shattuc; today.
' "There was a competitive examinar
tion and two colored lads, one of thom
[ Bundy, outstripped their Caucasian
. competitors. One of them, however,
; proved to be over 20 and was, there
; fore, disbarred. I had told them that
3 the competition was open to every eligible
boy in my district. Buindy, who
I won, is one of the handsomest boys I
, ever saw. Yesterday I sent, his name
3 to the secretary of the navy and he
. will be appointed. I have received no
communications from the students at
f Annapolis on the subject, but several
, congressmen have told me that it was
.. an unwritten law not to allow a col
ored boy at Annapolis. They told me
| if I persisted it would break up the
school. That other students would
| resign." "Let them resign and be
it dammed," I said. "I shall keep his
r appointment and see that he goes to
Annapolis." General Shattuc says
he has 7,500 negroes in his district."
Beginning of the End,
Washington, April 16.?According
j to information received from trust|
worthy sources here the withdrawal of
' at least a part of the great army that
J Spain has maintained for several years
past in the island of Cuba will begin
when the rainy season set in within a
few days. The militia movement will
El be the departure of 10,000 Spanish
troops from Habana for Spain, and
[" within a short time after that 30.000
I troops, it is understood, will follow.
Whether this movement is to b'con'
strued in favor of or against the insur1
gents it is imppossible to say. The
j Spanish insist positively that it means
i only that little or nothing remains of
1 the insurrection; that Gomez has only
about 50 or 100 followers, and that to
watch these under the condition in
which the campaign was necessarily
conducted,a thousand men are quite as
y effective as the army of 180,000 men
> which has been maintained in Cuba.
1 The Cuban contingent, on the other
^ hand, insists that the Spanish linan?
cial resources are exhausted, and that
i the troops are to be withdrawn because
of lack of money to keep theaa
e in service.
Lawyer Drops Uetd.
I Washington, At?ril 15.?Judge
- James J. Storrow, lawyer of Boston,
i, dropped dead while at the Congresi,
sional Library today. Judge Slorrow
y took an important part in ttie proceed>
ings incident to tbe arbitration treaty
s between the governments of Great
i Britain and Venezuela for the settlev
ment of the boundary line dispute.
THE CROP CONDITION.
WHAT THE STATE BUREAU HAS TO
SAY ABOUT THEM.
The Weekly Ralletln Issued Tuesday by
Observer Bauer?Of Interest to Farming
Classes?The Outlook.
Columbia, April 14?The following
is the second weekly weather crop
bulletin of the season issued jesterday
by State Observer Bauer. It is
of special interest to those watching
the progress of farming operations in
this Slate:
temperature.
The temperature for the week averaged
three degrees warmer tnan normal,
due to very warm weather during
the first part of the week and cool
weather on the last two days. The
highest temperature reported was 87
on^he 8tb at Gillisonville, and the
lowest 38 on the 10th 'at Liberty and
Greenville. The lowest on the morning
of theJLOth ranged between 38 and
45 over the entire western portion of
the State. The State average temperature
(beiner the mean of all reuorts
received) was 64.
RAINFALL.
There were heavy rains over the
western counties on the 5th, washing
plowed lands badly and causing freshets,
with loss of life, on some of the
streams. There were also excessive
rains over the northwestern portion
of the State on the 8th. Other days
with rain were the 6th, 9 th and 10th,
general over the State; on the7th and
8th, local showers. Hail accompanied
the rains of the 5th over the western
counties, and the heavey rains on the
8th, with no damage to crop3. The
rainfall for the week was very heavy,
amounting to 2:23 at Darlington; 4:19
at Society Hill; 4 00 at Mont Clare;
2.50at Sellers; 4.75 at Walhalla; 4.77
at Loopers; 2.25 at Pleasant; 3.49 at
Greenville; 2.58 at Greenwood; 4.75 at
Liberty; 2 21 at Santuc. The average
of 35 reports from all sections of the
State was 1.78 inches, and the normal
for the same period is approximately
0.70 inches.
SUNSHINE.
The sunshine was more nearly normal
than during the previous week.
The estimated percentage of possible
sunshine ranged between 28 at Society
Hill and 75 at Panola. The average
of 70 reports is 50 per cent, of the possible,
while the normal at this season
is nearly 70 per cent.
CROPS.
Bat liLtle progress could be made in
farm work during the week on account
of the continued wet condition
of the ground. Over the western
group of counties, and including onethird
or more of the entire area of the
State, only from one to two days
plowing could be done, after the
ground became fit and before the
work was again interrupted by rain.
0 rer this portion of the State farm
work is very much delayed and the
season iuny iwo weeas or more mier
than usual. In the central counties
and the extreme northeastern counties
the farmers are about up with their
work and planting is progressing rapidly
towards completion, especially
corn planting in Horry, Marion and
Marlboro. Corn planting is general
over the entire eastern and central
portions of the State as far westward
as Fairfield, Richland, Lexington and
Aiken counties. To the west and
north of these counties very little corn
has been planted and lands are yet unfit
for preparation. Scarcely any bottom
lands have been planted, corn is
coming up very satisfactorily, but in
some localities replanting will be
necessary. Cut and bud worms
have done considerable injury to
corn. In the western counties corn
planting is from 15 to 20 days late.
Cotton planting is fairly beeun, and
will this week become general over
the esatern half of the State. As yet,
the area planted is quite limited. The
early planted ia coming up to good
stands. In the western half of the
State, in the preparation of lands foi
planting cotton, plowing, hauling of
fertilizers and listing the^ame, scarcely
anything has been possible, owing
to the wet, sodden condition of the
soiL It is reported from many localities
that fields will not be as thoroughly
prepared as usual.
Tobacco beds are doing well, with
plants plentiful and large enough to
transplant, which work has been commenced
in Marion and Florence counties.
Melons nearly all planted and some
up in Barnwell.
Rice planting is delayed, as the
lands cannot readily be drained.
Some fields planted.
There will be large acreage devoted
to sorghum cane, if the seed can be
secured. Seed being reported very
scarce. Some has already been plant
ed and coming up.
Pastures growing well and afford
excellents grazing.
Cabbages, peas, asparagus, cucum
bers and strawberries being shipped
from Charleston.
Peacnes very materially injured ir
the northern and western counties
during March, but this week's reports
from those counties would indicate
that not all were killed. In the
central and eastern counties peaches
were not materially injured, in places
not at all. Apples are in full bloom
and are safe, as also are pears anc
grapes.
Gardens are backward but generally
growing well.
The following extract from the Na
tional Bulletin of April 5 shows the
progress of corn and cotton planting
in oiher portions of the country:
''Corn planting continues in the
southern States and over the more
southerly portions the early planted is
being cultivated. Preparations foi
planting are in progress as far north
as Oaio.
'"Cotton planting is in progressover
the southern portion of the cotton
bilt. In Texas tbe greater part of the
crop has been planted, and where not
damaged by heavj rains, is coming
up uioelv. Some replanting in Texas
Has been necessary, owing to excessive
rains in March. In Alabama the
early plunted cotton is coiniug up tc
good stands."
Upset by VutlDg for ? Negro.
Ralkigii, N. C., April 14 ?Perric
Gower, one of the wealthiest farmers
iu this region, today committed suicide
by drinking an ounce of laudnum.
lie was a confederate soldier, and un
til the last campaign a strong, intoler
ant Democrat. He became n populisi
last fail and voted a ticket composed
ol populists and Republicans, includ
ing a negro candidate for tbe legisla
ture. Afterward Gower brooded
over having voted for the negro, and
his mind became unbalanced.
INTERNATIONAL B'MSTALLISM.
MoKlnley Named Kx-Vlce President Stevenson
on the Commission.
Washington, April 13.?The naming
of three commissioners by President
McKinley under the Act of the
last Congress to promote bimetallism
was the subject of considerable discus
sion about the capital today. Almost
without exception the selections were
commended. Senators, regardless of
party were pleased with the selection of
ex-Vice President Stevens-on. It appears,
that tnis selection was the President's
own, no one appearing to urge
his appointment. The President desired
a Democrat who stood high in
his party and who was an earnest silver
man. He sent for Mr. Stevenson
and after talking the subject over with
him, decided to make him a member
of the commission. President McKinley
desired that the subject of international
bimetallism should be above
party politics, and that the men selected
should be those who would work
in harmony toward bringing about an
agreement.
Opposition to the scheme for internatisvnal
Kimotolliom Via a ^arrolnnpH frnm
bJLUUm ViUIVkUAiWIU M ll?> MV * WAVf WM > WM. |
an unexpected source. Morton Frewen,
of England, who has given a
great deal of attention to the subject,
and whb has visited this country several
times in the interest, of silver, is
now opposing an international agreement.
and declares that the money
question is one which each nation
must settle for itself. Mr. Fre wen
will oppose any agreement and use
his influence against the new commission
when it goes abroad.
Senator Wolcott said that there appeared
to be a mistaken impression
that the commission is appointed with
the purpose in view of having it represent
the United States at a confer
1? ITTUM^ 4l> a
tJUCt) only. wiiiie mo uumuiissiuu
might be utilized ia that way, a conference
should be held its first work is
to be of a purely diplomatic character,
looking entirely to securing Europen
co-operation. Whether there shall b8
a conference at all will depend upon
how the advances or the commissioners
are received by the principal powers.
Bloominqton, 111., April 13.?ExVice
President Stevenson said today
1 when questioned about his appointment
on the commission for the promotion
of an international agreement:
"I appreciate the compliment paid to
me by the President, and I will cheerfully
render what assistance I can to
accomplish the object of the commission.
" wnaiever our views may uc w> tu
the ability of our government to main1
tain the free and unlimited coinage of
silver without the co-operation of the
leading countries of Europe, it may
be safely assumed that every friend of
silver in this country will welcome
international bimetallism. As to the
impossibility of the success of this
commission, it is known that the
trend of public sentiment in European
countries, as well as our own, is undoubtedly
favorable to bimetallism.
"Many of the publicists of England
and Germany are in earnest accord
irri'tVi niiK rrr?T7?rnmf?nf linnn this OU6S
tion. Should public sentiment in
those countries justify an international
conference, would undoubtedly be
called and action taken that would be
deemed proper."
Two Women Murdered .
Watertown, N. Y., ipriJ 17.?
i Sometime Thursday night or during
the afterRoon or evening George Allen,
a steward of the Madison barracks
hired a horse and carriage at a livery
' stable at Sackett's harbor and took
two women out driving. One of his
companions was a young lady of Sackett's
Harbor. Miss Bailev. and the oth
' er was a divorced woman, Mrs.
Crouch. At 2:30 this morning the
i horse came back to the livery stable
drawing the carriage, which, at first
i the liveryman believed was empty,
' but on going up to the carriage he
found the bodies of the two women in
' the bottom of it. He at once notified
: the authorities. About this time Al)
len came staggering into the barracks
in a weakened condition and he, too,
is expected to die. He has made an
ante-mortem statement to the effect
l that Crouch, the husband of the di*
> vorced woman; assaulted the whole
party, murdering the two women and
threw him, Allen, into the creek.
Crouch is under arrest.
Destltntlon Great,
, Vicksburg, Miss. April. 16 ?Captain
Clark, of the Ordnance Department,
who has visited the territory
" ' ' i-L- iU
| irom VlCKSOUrg 10 lao muutu ui bUO
j Red River, arrived on the mail steam
er St. Joseph to day and states the suf.
fering and destitution of Davis Island
great, and in his opinion there is
[ great probability of further loss of life.
This island is twenty-two miles long
. and many places of it is not accessible,
I except by small yawls or skiffs, and he
fears that when the Hoods pass away
[ that quite a number will be missing.
Swallowed up by the Flood.
, St. Louis, April 16.?A special from
j Vicksburg, Miss., says: Refugees who
i came here from Davis Island on the
i government steamer Atlanta, report
t thedrowningof 15 persons, all colored,
[ on Davis island, on Wednesday evening.
It was thought that all on Davis
P island had escaped after the creevasse
had been repaired, but 15 bodies have
. been found around the old Bierfile
j plantation, which was the homestead
r of Jefferson Davis. The surviving in'
habitants were huddled in tents on the
j top of the levee.
Murdored by Robbers,
sommehsworth, N. EL, April 16.?
t While resisting the entry of two desperate
and determined robber* and during
. a futile struggle to protect $150,000 or
L more in money and securities in the
j compartments of the open vault of the
^ Great Falls National bank of Somers.
worth this afternoon Cashier Joseph
j A. Stickney was murdered near the
j desk which he had occupied for years.
, After killing Stickney the murderers
I ransacked tne vault and lied with all
the cash it contained with the exception
of a few #5 gold pieces.
[ Tragedy at Breakfast.
: Chicago, April 11.?While seated
; at breakfast this morning, Matthias
Duster, 22 jears old, was shot and
instantly killed by John Formillcr,
his father in-law. Before hi? body
t had fallen from the chair, Formiller
[ placed the weapon to his own head
aud lired. He was removed to St.
Elizabeth's hospital, but died a few
I minutes after his arrival there. The
I shooting was the result of a quarrel
which arose during the morning meal.
' -i
MODERN DARIUS GREEN.
A FOOLISH CONNECTICUT FARMER
AND HUS FLYING MACHINE.
He Started for Cuba Bat Came Down In
His Barnyard a Dlamal Wreck?Took
Compressed air Aboard to Use as Motor
Power.
The old-time experience of Darius
Green and his flying machine has
been double discounted by the adventurous
invention of a Woodbridge
| (Con) farmer named Dickerman,
who for some time has had an idea
that upon him alone devolved the
duty of successfully solving the secret
of aerial navigation.
A few years ago his attempt to navigate
a machine he had built to fly resulted
in injuries to the inventor^tbat
laid him up for six weeks with a broIrnn
litvik Dn4 MA AAitnAM l'c Vl Ck Vtadl As)
IV.Oil 11LIJLU. L>Ut UU QUUUC1 io UO uwuw
from one shaking up than he is ready
for another in the cause of science.
A month ago he bought a wagon
body and an electric battery storage
system. He attached the wagon body
to a quantity of canvass made in the
form of an umbrella.
This was supposed to inflate and
hold the wagon in mid-air. He reasoned
that if he placed his wagon on
the top of the barn, with the canvas
held aloft, spread in parachute style,
and then, when all was ready, pulled
the barn out from under it, Dickerman
had some idea of an electric motor for
his machine. A man in New Haven
told him that compressed air was a
powerful and cheap motive power.
It came in cans, the man said, and
when once he got to going the whole
mif.^rtAva s?n?i1rl Ko iifilivo/i in fnrniA*
VUU'UV/ViO VUUIU WV UUUIUUVt AM ?mmmmmmm
ing power. Air could be compressed
in the cans while in motion, ana would
be a continual and limitless source of
supply.
Dickerman figured it out that after
starting his ship with the aid of the
electric motor, and obtaining a good
velocity, the compressed air could be
brought into play for additional
speed, and then the ship would be
speeding through the sky at a rate so
rapid that with tbe cans enough compressed
air could be captured to insure
a continuance of the speed.
Dickerman bought up all the windmill
arms he could find and attached
them to the outside of the wagon
body, which he had propped up on
the top of his barn. Cog wheels connected
with the shaft of each with a
rod that was to be turned by means of
the electric motor.
What compressed air was and how
it was utilized Dickerman knew not,
hut he had creat faith. He brought
out his rusty fowling piece, bought
two pounds of powder, half a dozen
revolvers, a dozen sticks of blasting
dynamite and a can-opener with which
to open the compressed air cans, and
he was ready to start, he said, to the
aid of Cuba.
A day or two ago he made the start.
The ship was perched upon the top of
the barn, loaded with the arms, ammunition
and the can-opener and a
feather pillow and provisioned for a
"""ioa imo onnil?Vl thn in
WOC1X O VI UUW} W1UV vuwiAg
ventor was satisfied to circumnavigate
the globe. The start was to be made
at 1.30, so that Cuba would be reached
before dark. A gallon of oil and a
lantern were stowed away under the
motor, and Mr. Dickerman bade his
sister good bye and repaired to the
barn roof.
Mike, the hired man, and half a
dozen of Dickerman's cronies were
present to boost the ship along on its
i<M*v ninlranmavi flFAf. TT1
iriULUpUMUb blip. VWAuiumu &W. ,
settled himself down in the rocking *
chair, which he had placed there to
insure a comfortaDle trip, started the
motor and waited. The canvas overhead
lay quiet and the motor made
but one dismal turn.
The arms struck the roof and refused
to go around further.
"They'll go like sixty when we're
clear of the barn," said Dickerman
confidentially, "push there, Mike,"
The hired man and his aids exerted
a tremendous leverage. Dickerman
sat majestically in his chair, and
shouted "Gtood-bye." The air ahip
toppled over the roof. There was a
thump and a crash that fairly shook
the barn, and on the ground, piled up
in a mass of debris,lay the wagon-box,
covered over with a white pall of canvass.
Mike pulled off the canvass.
There sat Mr. Dickerman with the
- - -L!-L 1 L.J
chair irame, in wmcu uc uau oat,
doubled about his boay to the armpits.
Its cane seat, broken by the
shock, had doubled the inventor up
like a jackknife. Dickerman is at
present under the doctor's care. His
faith in his invention still lives, and
he says he will yet fly.
Gigantic Swindling Plans.
Pittsburg, April 13.?The arrest of
C. Lin wood Woods of C. T. Woods &
Co., bankers, in his office here today
charged with attempt at insurance
swindling, was a sensation in insur
ance circles.
Chief Harper, chief of the revision
department of the Mutual Reserve
Fund Life insurance association of
New York charged Woods with procuring
policies with intent to defraud.
When Woods was confronted by the
arresting officer he fell in a dead faint.
He made a written confession in which
he gave the details of his scheme. His
mode of procedure was to insert advertisement
in the local papers for old
men to act as collectors. He would
ask the applicant for bond, but kindly
.waived the bond if the applicant
would sign an application for insurance
on his life. This was generally
secured and then Woods would get
some irresponsible man to sign a proinisory
note to the C. T- Woods Banking
company, filled with amounts
ranging from $10,000, to $15,000, so
that consideration for the insurance
policy at death could be claimed to be
the debt established by the note. It is
not yet known how the applicants
passed the medical examination.
In Woods'desk were found 65 policies
with himself >s beneficiary, aggregating
$200,000.
Two Brothers Suicide.
St. Louis, April 16.?A special to
the Post-Dispatch from Fayettville,
Ark., says: Two young sons of a
Mr. Herson, living at Greenland, five
mile south of Fayettville, age 9 and 15
years, committed suicide while their
parents were at Fayettvile trading.
The boys were angry because they
were left at home. Both took a bath,
dressed in their best clothes, wrote
notes to their parents, pinned them on
the door, took strychnine and went to
bed. Both died before the parents returned
home. The notes bade their
parents good-bye and expressed the
hope that they would meet in heaven.