Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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VOL. VII. MANNING, S. C., WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 1891. NO. 14. THE COOSAW SITUATION. THE LATEST IN REFERENCE TO THE GREAT PHOSPHATE WAR. The Company Makes a Proposition Look ing to a Resumption of Work, Which is Accepted Conditionally by the State The Correspondence on the Sub ect. COL BIA. S. C., March 15.-The fol lowing letter was received by the Phos phate Commission to-day. It explains itself: To the lHon. B. R. Tillman. the lion. Y. J. Pope, the Hon. W. H. Ellerbe, the lon J. D. Montgomery and the Hon. Geo. H. Walter, Members o. the Board of Phosphate Commissiontrs-Gent!e men: It is a matter of regret to the Coosaw Mining Company that it has been found necessary, in order to pro tect their rights, to make any applica tion to the Ccurts, and that some ac commodation could not have been reached by which litigation would have been avoided. They have always de sired to live as law abiding citizens, conducting their affairs on business principles and avoiding all complica tions and litigation. But no alterna tive was left to them, and in taking this course they have only exercised the privilege guaranteed to every citi zen of having the rights which they claim to possess passed upon by the Courts of the country. How long this litigation will con tinue it is of course impossible to say, but the Coosaw Company is desirous of having it so conducted as to avoid any unnecessary delay and expense, and reach a final conclusion on the merits with all due speed. And their counsel stand ready to act in this spirit and to facilitate such a result. While, however, the matter is thus pending there arises a practical and business question upon which it may not be improper that I should address you. When the Act of the General Assem bly of 1890 went into effect on the 1st day of March, 1891, out of respect to the action of the General Assembly, the Coosaw Company suspended opera tions for the time being, although they were advised that such legislation could not effect them in the exercise of their previously acquired contract rights. But they desired no conflict with the authorities, which, as they learn, would have been brought about had they then continued mining. They did not, however, waive in the least by such stoppage any rights to which they believed themselves enti tled, nor do they now deem it proper here to discuss their right to resume such operations under the order of the Court. But they beg to say that they still earnestly desire so to arrange with your honorable board that pending the litigation they may continue their op erations in strict compliance with all the laws of the State, and under the superyision of the board. They are advised that by mutual con sent, and without reference to any or der of the Court already made, such an arrangement can be entered into with out prejudice to the existing rights of any party, and by which the operations of the company shall continue under the supervision of the board, and thus both the loss of royalty to the State and damage to the company can be avoided. The interests of the State and the Coosaw Company are so closely inter woven that it is impossible to affect one without the other. We do not desire to injure or embarrass the State, and, of course, do not want to injure our selves. Any prolonged suspension of opera tions will, of course, cause serious dam age both to the State and the company. Such damage is not only loss of present revenue, but the breaking up of an established business of value both to the company-and the State, and which, if Interrupted for any length of time, It will be difficult, if not impossible, to heonly persons to be benefited ould be our competitors in the busi n sof phophate mining, to whom our being out of the market means freedom to that extent from competition. I feel that I am addressing business men and that my mnotives and the mo tives of the company in so doing will not be misconstrued. And with this feeling I beg to call these matters to your attention and to say that the Coo saw Mining Company are ready and will be glad to enter into such an ar rangement by which, pending this liti gation and without prejudice to the rights of any party, they can continue their operations under the proper su pervision and direction of the board of phosphate commissioners. I am, yours very truly, Sgned.) Robt. Adger, Cif Mianager of Coosaw Mining Co. The Reply. CoLA, March1.-The phosphate commission met this morning, the pend Ing question beingithe proposition from Mr. Rrbert Adger on behalf of the Coo saw Company, which proposition is pub Ulied in full above. After a session of three hours, discussing this proposition and other matters, the commission pre pared the following reply: Mr. Robt. Adger, Chief Manager Coo saw Mining Company, Charleston, S. C. Dear Sir:l our letter of the 13th instant, proposing that "pending the litiga tion the Coosaw Minig Company may continue their operationsmi mtinie rock in Coosaw River," has this day been sub mitted to the board of phosphate comn missioners, and by direction of said board I am authorized to make this re ply: Under authority and by direction of an Act of the General Assembly we have taken possession of that portion of Coosaw River hereto leased to your company and have issued three licenses. viz: To the Carolina Minig Company, to the Farmer's Mining Company and to the Beaufort Phosphate Comnpainy to mine therein. Recognizing the mutuait y of interests between the State and the Coosaw im ng Company, we are ready and anxious to have your company resume work, and will grant you license upon compliance with the requirement as to bond, etc., in corporating into such license a provis ion that would prevent any prejudice to the claims set up by you under the Act of 186, but cannot permit the Coosaw Mining Company to resume work un less our licensees shall also be permitted to mine in said river; a proper construc tion of the powers of this board under the Act of the General Assembly, creat the same, we are sure will allow such restrictions as to howv mining shall be conducted as will prevent dauwage to the State property. The settlement by the Courts of question at issue between the State and the Coosaw Mining Company can be greatly hastened if youl .attorneys interpose no delays, aud therefore no great harm can result to your company if the Court of last re sort shall decide in your favor, and tht resumption of work under these condi tions by your company would appeal the best for all concerned. Respectfully, B. RI. Tillman, Governor and Chairman of the Boarc of Phosphate Commissioners. The questions will now naturally bo in statu quo, unless a reply be receivet fom Mr. Adger. THE ALLIANCE IN OHIO. The Old Politicians Dread the Efrect of the Order's Activity. CULUMs., Ohio, March 18.-The managers of both political parties are greatly surprised and annoyed at the discovery that the various farmer or ganizations of the State have been quietly at work during the Winter with a view of taking a leading position in the politics of the State. In the South ern tier of Counties bordering on the Ohio River active work was begun di rectly after the elections in November. Meetings have been heldin the sehool houses every week, and these gather ings have been addressed by the most persuasive and eloquent of the Western and Southern speakers. It may be said that the farmers are especially indignant at the present time at the course the Legislature has taken on many important measures. Both Republicans and Democrats pledged themselves to move in the direction of reducing the salaries of County officials, but so far nothing has been done in this direction. The disposition of the poli ticians to elect wealthy men to the Sen ate has been denounced in the strongest terms by the Alliance leaders. The election ;'f Mr. Brice has undoubtedly aroused the ire of the Alliance to a greater extent than any other perform ance of recent date. Brice is referred to as the wrecker of railroads, a mono polist who lives in New York and claims residence in Ohio. He is also charged with evading taxation for years. It is now apparent that the Alliance people will make an early start in their battle against the old regime. It has been fully determined to proceed with the tight at once and with this end in view a trial will be made at the township elections in a number of Counties where the organization is most perfect. The first move will be made next month in the choice of town ship officers, but it will be done quietly so as to create no suspicion. The plan as arranged is for the Alliance men to go the polls late in the day and vote a vest pocket ticket in favor of an Alli ance candidate. No nominations will be made publicly. The failnre of the Legislature to pass the Rawlings bill taxing manufactured goods and demanded by the State Far mers' Alliance Convention will add zest and vigor to the movement. The Gran ger element is very angry at the virtual defeat of this measure. The bill passed the House almost six weeks ago, and thb Alliance people were jubilant, but in the Senate it has been severely hand led and can hardly be recognized. If the Alliance is moderately success ful in its efforts next month, the work will be vigorously pushed, and in all the close or farmers' Counties the Alliance will have its own candidates for the Legislature. The mystery surrounding the movements of the various farmers' societies has a tendency to make the politicians particularly nervous, and this condition exists among both Re ublic is and Democrats alike.-New ork' mes. A Tenement House Burned. NEW YoRK, March 18.-The five story brick tenement No. 37% Allen steeet was gutted by fire this morning. James L. Alexander owned a liquor store on the ground floor and a number of fami lies lived above. Loss $15,000. Bernard Jaster, 56, Betsy Jaster, 13, and Sarah Jaster, 18 years, were burned to death. Minnie Jaster and Abraham George were injured. The tenants were He brew tailor families. Most of them went safely down the fire escapes. Max Gold stein found the rungs of the ladders white hot when he reached them with three children in his arms at a third story window. The police told him to drop them into a net, which he did. Two of them were caught uninjured, but he dropped them too fast and the third one was badly hurt. Goldstein then jumped and was caught uninjured. The fire is beleived to be incendiary, It broke out at 3:15 a. m. and was first discovered by the police on the street. The Jaster family lived on the fifth floor. Like a Siberian Horror. SrIIAoK1N, Pa., March 18.-Romance and cruelty are forbiddingly blended in the drama that has just come to light in a revelation made by Mrs. Noah B. Long, nee Mary Martin, formerly of this place, but for thirteen years a resi dent, ostensibly as a male miner of Streator, Ill. it was while Noah B. Long was a miner here, thirteen years ago, that he wooed and won Mary Mlar tin, and went through the form of a mock marriage with her. When, after they had gone to Illinois, Mary insisted on sending back here for the marriage certificate that was never issued. Long she says beat her, and finally she learned, just before their first child was born, that she was no wife. Long abused her terribly, and finally, to prevent her es cape, made her dress as a man and work as his helper in the mines. She did so for years. Finally her brother Walter, trom this place, learned of her condition and rescued her. A Frightful Accident. G EORGEToV'N, Col., March 18.-A frightful accident occurred at 3 o'clock this mnorning directly opposite the famous Bridal Veil falls above George town. A party of sixteen voung people had en:;aged a team and ban.! wagon, belonging to A. B. Kinley of this place, to bring them home from a St. Patrick's ballat Slyer Plume. Atthiepoint named the teamn became unnanageable and turned the entire party down the moun tain side upon the rocks below, Those that escaped injury from the fall suf fered frcomr the kicks and plunges of the hoses so that but one of the sixteen es ape)d injury. It is supposed the wag onI camne uponhf some ice and was too heavy for the animals to hold. Nobody w aski'.ied antd nobody is hk-ely to die, ut all sulffered cuts, bruises, or broken benes. - sumnairy Justiee. 31ILAN, Tenn., March 13.--The end iu of a l.arfuil crime and its awful sequ eric took place Wednesday night about tour miles north of Lavonia. Last Christmas M1iss Anna Belto, a 16-year od girl. was dragged from her horse and cdrsnal assulted by a neighbor, Henry Sadrs ged 20. A posse was or ganized to lynch Sanders, but he escap ed to Taxas, where he remained till a fw days ago. H~e was taken sick while in Texts. and came home last week, in order that he might reaeive the care of his family. The relatives of the girl waited until he recovered, and Wednes day night a mob went to his home, drag ed him from his bed, and. heedless of the screams of hie mother and sister, hanged him to the limb of a tree within 200 yards of his home. Lost His Baiance. M 1LwAKUiEE, Mlarch 12.-Thomas Nassey, a prominent merchant of this city, was instantly killed this morning at his residence on Oneida street. Hie leaned out of his attic window to dis lod ge some icicles, and losing his bal ance fell to the walk below, striking the porch in his descent. his skull was f nrctred and his neck broken. THE COOSAW WAlt. AN END TO THE EFFORTS TO COM PROMISE THE MATTER. The State Cannot Cojnsent to the Resump tion of Mining by the Coosaw Company Unless the Lessees of the State are Per mitted to Mine Also. COLUMBIA, March 18.-The phospeate commission met to-day at 12 M.; pres ent, all the members. Senator Smythe came up to represent the Coosaw Com pany. Mr. 11. A. M. Smith and Mr. F. E. Brotherhood also came up to-day and had a hearing before the board. The correspondent of The News and and Courier made a proposition that he be permitted to be present and take full stenographic notes of the proceed ings, which would also be the property of the commission. Governor Tillman announced this proposition,stating that be personally had no objection. Sena tor Smythe also did not object. The objection was, however, made by mem bers of the board that other new-paper correspondents might ask the same privilege, and that colored and incor rect statements might go out to the press. Senator Smythe said that he had no objection to the presence before the commission of Mr. H. A. M. Smith and Mr. Brotherhood. The commission has so far given out all of its proceedings to the press, and the rule was not broken to-day. At torney General Pope either reads the minutes of the meeting to the report ers or makes an abstract of the same. The special business of the commis sion to-day was to consider the reply of Mr. Robert Adger to the last letter from the commission ana also to hear Sena tor Smythe. The folc wing is the let ter of Mr Adger: OFFICE OF THE COOSAW MINING CO., CnARLESTON, S. C., March 17, 1891. Hon. B. R. Tillman, Governor and Chairman Board of Phosphate Com missioners, Columbia, S. C,-Dear Sir: Your favor of the 16th instant, stating that the board were not willing to ar range withthe Coosaw Mining Company to resume operations under your super vision unless other companies were al lowed to mine in the territory claimed by us, is received this morning. I regret that we cannot consent to the conditions imposed by the board, The proposition of the Coosaw Com pany was made in good faith as a busi ness offer but to be entered into with out prejudice to the rights of any party. The issue in the case is whether the Coosaw Company has the continuing right to exclusively occupy the territo ry in Coosaw River. This right we are seeking to enforce in the Courts. To consent, pending the litigation, to waive this right, and allow that to be done which we are asking the Court to forbid, will, as I am advised, practical ly put us out of Court. Another practical reason also gov erns our action. You must bear in mind that the mil lion and a quarter of dollars royalty which we have paid the State repre sents that many tons of phosphate rock removed from Coosaw River, more than the entire amount taken from all the rest of the State's territory. This has, of course, seriously diminished the original deposit. With careful management and pur suing the system we have always fol luwed we hope that there is enough left to supply us our average produc tion for a limited time to come. But if other companies are allowed to mine in it under general rights licenses the result in a short tims will be to ruin the remaining deposit. The damage to us would be irrepara ble, and we are sicere in saying that if such licenses are permitted to mine until the end of the litigation, expedite as we may. we would not care to ex pend the amcoint necessary to conduct the suit to obtain a decree securing us the exclusive right we claim. As a proof of sincerity in this opin ion we offered the board, before any action was taken by them in this mat ter, the use of a complete mining plant with which to make such a survey and examination of our territory, under their uncontrolled supervision, as they might desire. We are sincerely desirous of making some arrangement with the board. It appears to us from your letter that this could be effected, but for the licenstes referred td'therein. We fail to see why their interest should be the cause of preventing a satisfactory adjustment by which, pending the litigation, loss, both to the State and the Coosaw Com pany, could be avoided. I am yours very truly, Robert Adger, Chief Manager the Coosaw Mining Co. Mr. Smythe was then heard, and af ter wards Mr. H. A. M. Smith and Mr. Brotherhood appeared before the com mission. At nearly 3 o'clock the com mission took a recess until later in the afternoon, the impression left on the press being that the negrotiations had been broken off. The rock on which the negotiations were wrecked appears to be that the Legislature instructs the comnmission to perform a specific duty, i. e., to open up the Coosaw territory to miners gen erally. Licenses have been granted to several companies to mine in Coosaw territory under the Act, and the State cannot now revoke such licenses with out impairing its obligations with its licenses. The genesis of the difficulty ante dates the phosphate cornmmisst on. It is probably waisting time to criticise the phosphate commission, which is a cre ation of an Act of the Legislature de fining both its powers and duties. Mr. Hf. A. M. Smit h, af ter the session, would not or could not be intervie wed most probably would not Senator Smythe~ said that the line of what he had to say was included in the above letter. Mr. Brotherhood said that he would probably have a roasted i uck for supper, which he said he would dichotomize, so t~o speak, with this cor respondent. The strutnio-camelus, however, does not usually sup on ca nards. AN OFFICIAL REPOR:T. Attorney General Pope, secretary of the phosphate commission, dictated the following to the representative of The News and Courier as the substance of the proceedings before the morning and afternoon session of phosphate commis "The public has been apprised of the fact that Mr. Adger, chief manager of the Coosaw Company, had declined by telegram the proposition made to lumi by the board of phosphate commission ers of this State. .In a letter reccived by the commission to-day and read be fore the commission, the line of thought of the telegram is enlarged up~on. The proposition that the lion. A. T. Smythe be heard before the commission was ac ceeded to, and Mr. Smythe appeared to day and presented his views, the board hearing him with great attention. Mr. H. A. M1. Smith also came before the board, after which an adjournment was had until the afternoon. At this latter session the following resolutions was passed. Resolved, That Governor Tillman, as chirman of the board, be requested to write a reply to the communication of Mr. Adger this day received. "The board also requested the Attor ney General of the State and his associ ate counsel, M1r. George S. Mower, to take such steps as to the case now pend ing in the United States Court as will protect the interests of the State of South Carolina. The board then ad jurned." Governor Tillman said to-night that he would not write the reply of the com mission to the Coosaw Company until to-morrow. In the light of the occur rences of to-day, however, it does not require much ratiocination to infer that it will be a letter of rejection of the overtures of the Coosaw Company. In fact, it was understood, from Senator Smythe before he left here this after noon that the proposition had been non concurred in. It was learned also that Mr. H. A. M. Smith, who, he said repre sents one of licensees. appeared before the commissioners this afternoon, and that Mr. Smythe did not so appear. Mr. Brotherhood, of the Carolina Com pany, which has license to dig in Coosaw territory, was asked what he proposed to do. l e said that he proposed to obey the law, and for the present would not go up on the waters of Coosaw. From stray remarks made to-night it is learned that the attorneys for the State do not and will not admit the jur isdiction of the United States in the premises; so there's another brand new howdydo. Attorney General Pope can not be interviewed on the question as to how he will act, as per instruction of the phosphate commission. The curious can now go ahead and guess whether the commission will take the bull by the horns or the fish by the tail. Mr. II. A. M. Smith will leave Colum bia to-morrow morning for Charleston. His business before the commission, which was begun at the morning ses sion, was concluded in the afternoon at the Executive Mansion where the sec ond meeting was held. After hearing Mr. Smith the board went into private session and took the action stated above by Attorney General Pope. As the case now stands the State will either file a demurrer to the jurisdiction of the Federal Court, or answer-the bill already on its own merits, neither of which may be done until May. Of course this is providing that no unusual or summary process of settlement be em ployed by the phosphate commission. -News and Courier. Governor Tillman's Reply. In compliance with the resolution adopted by the Board of Phosphate Commissioners at their meeting Wed nesday, Governor Tillman last night sent a letter embodying the views of the board to the Coosaw Company. The letter is as follows: EXECUTIVE CIIA3IBER. COLU-MUIA, March 19, 1891. Mr. Robert Adger, Chief Manager of the Coosaw 'Mining Company, Charles ton, S. C.-DEAR SI: Your letter of March 17 came duly to hand and was submitted to the Board of Phosphate Commissioners yesterday. We also heid a conference with Mr. Smythe, your representative, in which the questions at issue were fully and freely discussed. There are in this case two main objects to which the Phosphate Commission must direct its attention in order to guard the State's rights and interests. The issue is not "whether the Coosaw Company shall have the continuing right to exclusively occupy the territory in Coosaw River," as you say, but: First-Whether the State has now or shall ever have power to raise the royal ty on phosphate rock. Second-Whether the monopoly which would thus practically be given to the Coosaw Company shall be continued. If the Coosaw Company has a "contract" with the State of South Carolina to per petually mine our richest deposits at one dollar a ton, it is idle to think of increasing thie royalty as against the miners outside of that river; and if the monopoly hitherto possessed by the Coosaw Company, by means of which it has practically absorbed the Sea Island Chemical Company and the Oak Point Company, shall be allowed to continue, it is only a question of time when the other three companies will be forced to suspend operations or be likewise ab sorbed. The main question is as to the right to increase royalty; for our observation of the mining around Beaufort has led us to believe that exclusive rights are not detrimental to the State's interests, and that it would be best for the State and for the miners were all the mining done by one company. I would call your at tention to the fact that your offer to allow us the use of one of your dredges with which to test and make examina tion of the territory hitherto occupied by you could not be accepted, because the offer involved the payment by the State of the running expenses of the same, and promised so little practical knowledge that we did not feel author ized to make such expenditure. Whether there is much or little rock in Coosaw River is not at present a matter for our consideration; whether there is a varia tion in grade which requires the peculiar skill possessed by your superintendent to mmne profitably is not the issue. The ruinous lawsuit which your Com pany has inaugurated and the tenacity with which it lights for their territory will rather in fluence men's opinions as to its value. It was our desire and hope to have saved the company from such loss and the State a decrease of revenue. But the question by your act has to be decided by the courts, and neither the dignity nor welfare of the State could be maintained, as we see it, had we agreed to the proposal you made. Realizing how heavy must be the loss to your Company in deterioration 0f plant and disorganization of labor we would further suggest that pending the lawsuit you take a license to mine outside of tfie disputed territory along with the other companies which have been driven out of Coosaw by the in junction of the United States Court, as it is possible that you may thus make running expenses. This is not a disin terested suggestion but it is made im good faith. Yours respectfully, B. R. TILLMIAN, Governor and Chairman of the Board of Phosphate Comniissioners. To Kee! Awake a Week. D)ETrr. Mh.rch 18.-The strangest of all matches for making money and noto riety was made here to-day by Andrew i. Ilunt, a sturdy Scotchman of th~rty eight, and William Bowerman. a slight built but determined-looking, Irishmari of twenty-two. Each contestant is to be on the stage at a local museum at mid night. M1arch 30, to begin a vigil contest whichi shall endI at the expiration of one hundred anid sixty-eight hours frozn it: start, or when one gives up. Neithe: contest ant shall be allowed an attendan1 to keep him awake and shall at all time: rsn othe question of the refere4 todtrie his condition. Either con testant may crder the referee to ask hi: oponent a question at any time he ma: desire. Neither man shall use any arti 1 icial means to keep awake. IIe shal not be restricted as to what he shall ea1 or drink, but shall not be allowed tc lave the hall for any purpose, or escap( the eye of one of the referees. The tw< men are to deposit Si6 each, the winne1 to take all and a certain portion of the egate rerceipts IVATERY GRAVES. FIVE HUNDRED ITALIANS DROWNED AT THE BAY OF GIBRALTAR. The Loss of Life by the Sinking of the Utopia Worse Than iReported-The Air Filled With Wild, Horrible Appeals and Shrieks of Terror. GIBRALTAR, March 18.-It is now be lieved that the loss of life by the sink ing of the Anchor Line steamer Utopia, which collided yesterday with the Brit ish ironclad Rodney while enterinz the bay here, was much larger than at first estimated. It is calculated that of the 700 Italian emigrants and crew on board the steamer 570 persons were drowned. Several bodies of those who lost their lives in the disaster have been washed ashore on the Spanish coast. Another account of the disaster attri butes it to the fact that the British war ship Anson was drifting before the gale and rammed the Utopia abaft the fun nel. After ramming the Utopia the Anson is said to have reversed her en gines, which caused her to back away from the Utopia, which vessel was practically impaled on the spur of the Anson's ram, and the Utopia almost im mediately afterwards sank. Everything possible was done by the officers and seamen of the British war ship in their efforts to save life, and four seamen were washed over board and drowned from one of the war ship's steam launches while taking part in the work of rescue. Among the Utopia's oflicers and petty officers who were saved by thc. boats of the war ship were Captain McKeague, the ship's doctor, boatswain. chief steward and carpenter. The scene after the collision has pro bably never before been equalled in the history of miritime disaster. On one side was the passenger steamship crowded with about 700 emigrants, who filled the air with wild, horrible ap peals for help and shrieks of terror, overhead the clouds rushed furiously, driven along by a strong Southwest gale, which had been one of the causes of the calamity. To the right -nd left of the sinking vessel were the two monster battle ships, Rodney and An son pouring the light of their powerful electric reflectors upon the disabled steamship, lighting up the agony of her passengers and showing too clearly the terrible position in which they were placed. Here and there were the war ships' small boats, manned by sturdy blue jackets, who strained every nerve striving to reach the drowning passen gers. The rescued, estimated to the number of 330. were most kindly cared for on board'the ships and were taken ashore and housed in different government buildings. - At 3 o'clock the loss of life was placed at 400 or under. A naval court of inquiry will be con vened on board the Anson. It is ex pected that the Anchor line people will shortly take steps to forward the Uto pia's survi7ors to their (estinations in the United States by another steamship of their line. Some of the Italians, how ever, are so oadly scared by their expe riences of last night that they announce their intention of never again braving the dangers of an ocean voyage. The official report of the number of persons on board the Utopia shows that when she left Naples the steamship hid 860 souls on board, including passengers and crew. Of this number only 311 have been saved. Thus 569 of her pas sengers and crew are either drowned or missing. Not until now (5 p. in.) has it been possible to give a full and authentic ac count of the appalling catastrophe, fail ing light making it difficult last night to see from shore what was g oing on at the scene of the disaster, and a terrible gale making it almost impossible to com mu nicate with the vessels until a late hour to-day. Early last evening the Utopia was seen steaming into the bay in the direction of anchorage. When abreast of the ironclad Anson a strong gale, combined with the current, swept the vessel across the bows of the Anson atad her hull was pierced by the ramn of the ironclad. The Utopia, after pulling clear of the ironclad, drifted about be fore the wind and sea and settled down in five minutes from the time of the first impact. The Anson's boats were lowered im mediately as were also boats from other vessels of the British Channel Squad roon, the Swedish man-of-war Frega, and the cable ship America and Iron cads turned their powerfrul electric search lights on the scene of the disas ter to assist the rescuers. On shore the news spread quickly and an enormous crowd soon gathered on the parade and great excitement pre vailed. The shrieks of the Utopia's passengers and crew could be plainly heard above the roaring gale. T1he sea was so heavy that the boats of the rescuers could not with safety approach the wreck, so they were compelled to turn toward land where they picked up the people as they were swept from the decks. As the Utopia's bows settled, a terri ble scene was witnessed from the boats. Those still on board thesinking steamer made a sudden rush en mfa.se to the forecastle struggling for their lives, and vainly seeking a place of refuge. T wen ty minutes later the forecastle was sub merged and the large number of persons gathered there, who had not dared to leap overboard with the hope of being rescued by the boats and who had failed in their efforts to ascend the rigging, were carried away by the waves. The recuers, blinded by the wind and rain, saw nothing but a confused struggling mass of human beings entangled with the wreckage. A steam pinnace rescued all those who had taken refuge in the main rigging, hut the last ones were not taken of until 11 o'clock at night. Both British and Swedish sailors did plucky and vigorous work. While the steam pinnace belonging to the British iron clad Immortalite was engaged in the work of rescue, her screw fouled andl~ she became helpless and dIrif ted on the rocks. Two of the sailo-s aboard tne pinace were (frowned. The remainder were rescued. The total number of lives lost is now placed at 578. Divers are at work recovering the bodies fromn the wreck. THlE NEws IN NEW YORK. NEW YoRK, March 18.-The agents of the Anchor Line Steamsh ip Com pany to-day received the following report of the awful disaster at Gibraltar: The list of saved embrace two cabin p'asen gers, twenty-nine steerage passengers ~nd t wenty-filve of the cre w. Fif teen of the crew and 475 passengers were lost. The ship was not insuredl. The cargo intended for Mediterranean ports was valued at $300,000, and tile steamshi p at 400,000. The passengers saved will be brought over on the steamship Assyria of the same line, which was at Genoa at the time Of the accidlent, and has been ordered to Gibrnltar. By this delay the Utopia's passengers Iwill not arrive here until alter the new law "that no immigrants without per sonal effects shall be permitted to land,' goes into effect. 2olonel Weber said to-day that the survivors of the Utopia would probable be examined in Gibral tar and the destitute and sick and crip pled be left behind, only those with baggage and able to take care of them selves being brought. An officer of the Utopia says: "We were slowing our enrines and preparing to anchor, when before we realized our danger we found ourselves broadside on the bows of the Anson. There was a shout from both vessels, which was in stantly followed by the Anson's ram tearing into the Utopia. We were about a quarter of a mile from shore at the time." The officers in talking about the catastrophe say they will never for get the scene that followed the collision. The Italians were thrown into a state of complete and cowardly panic. They yelled frantically and fought madly to rea-h the forecastle. A few of the married men dragged their wives with them, but the bulk of the single men were heedless of the pathetic appeals of the women and children. The fore castle and rigging were soon crowded and the vessel began to settle down. Presently an explosion, with a deafen ing report, occurred in the forecastle, killing many and throwing others into the sea. Luckily the masts held and remained some yards above the water. As the vessel touched bottom from forty to fifty persons were rescued from -he masts. The only instances of manliness occurred among the people in the rigging. Many men and nearly every woman clasped their children to their breasts, but they were gradually overcome by sheer exnaustion and cold, and were compelled to drop the burdens and often followed themselves. Those in the lo wer rigging who were exposed to the full force of the waves were swept away before the first of the Anson's boat was able to reach them. Some of of the men had tied themselves each his wife or child, hoping to be able to float until they were saved. Several bodies so tied together were washed ashore dead. The majority of the Ital ians, however, behaved more like beasts than like reasoniing men. Paternal Cruelty. TUO)IASYILLE, Ga., March 16.-A horrible case of paternal cruelty has just come to light here. Coroner John son was notified Monday morning to go to Patten and hold an inquest on the body of Thomas Thompson, a negro boy of about 12 years of age, who had been whipped to death by his father, Peter Thompson. The coroner proceeded to the scene of the crime and held an inquest. The fol lo wing is the evidence of Daniel Ponder, the principal witness: On Monday morning, March the 9th, 1891, about 6 or 7 o'clock, Peter Thompson broke a switch off of a cherry tree and com menced to whip deceased. I was about thirty or forty yards- off. Peter struck deceased seyeral times, when tne boy ran to his mother, who caught Peter and tried to stop him. Peter struck him again on the right side, and the boy fell, and as he started to get up his father struck him again, and told him to go to his plow, The boy started to do as commanded, in a half bent position, with his hand to his right side. Ile went about forty yards and fell upon his face. When I went up, his father had him in his arms and he was dead. Peter seemed grieved, and said he didn't know he was whip ping him hard enough to hurt him, and said, "The Lord knows I didn't in tend to kill him." The switch was worn to a stub when he struck the last two licks. The jury returned a verdict that the deceased came to his death by two strokes of a stub of a switch in the hands of his father, Peter Thompson. Thompson has been arrested and put in jail here. Guilty Conscience. IInAWArPCots, March 17.-As Dep ty Robinson was entering the office of the federal marshal, he was accosted by a haggard looking, shivering man, who introduced himself as J. H. Woolums of: Midway, Ky., and he explained that he was postmaster at that place, and was short in his accounts, "but I am tired of being a fugitive," added Mr Woolums, "and I want to be sent back home." Mr. Woolums explained that two weeks ago he received warning that his ac counts would be investigated, and, know ing that lie was short, he fled from home and came to this city. The day before his last cent disappeared, and after walk ing the street until night, he finally went to the police station, and was given shel ter in the "bum" room, along with the scum of humanity finding its way there every cold night. "That settled it," said Mr. Woolums, '"and I made up my mind to go back home and face the mus ic. I have some property-enough to make good the shortage-and I am ready to receive any punishment." H is Marriage a Lottery. W INC1IEsTER, 0., March 17,-John Smith, living at White Onk, west of this city. was married, and a large concourse of young ladies and gentlemen assem bed at the house for the purpose of serenading the happy couple, by whom they were well received. A fter the cere mony the minister asked, with a smile, if there were any more present who de sired to get married. Cyrus Burris, a a young farmer, stepped forward and asked itf there was a lady present who would be his companion through :ife, and Miss Smith accepted him. Taking her place by his side the reverend gentle man admninistered the oath, Burris all this time regardling it a practical joke, as ie had no licensje. T1he minister in formed Burris, however, that the mar iage was legal. Ihis new bride also in sis ted that it was legal. But Burris has disappeared and cannot be found. Bad Business for a Bishop. LONDON. March 17.-A blue book issued by the government to-day dis closes the fact that 152 peers of the realm are owners of places in which in toxicating drinks are sold. The num ber of drink shops owned by these peers is 1529. The list is headed by the Earl of Derby, who is owner of 72 drinking places. Next comes the Duke of Bed ford with 48 "drink shops" to his credit; theu comes the Duke of Devonshire with 47, followed by the Earl of Cawder with :39, the Duke of Rutland with 37, tha Earl of D)udley with 35, the Duke of Northumberland with :34, and the Duke of Portland with:32. Included in this list is the Rt. Rev. Richard Lewis, D. ID., Bishop of Llandoff, who is owner of two laces wvhiich are devoted to the sale of intoxicating liquors. Paralyxed Whle Preaching. CII.Eu-ToN, S. C., March 16.-The Rev. J. Mercier Green, of Charleston, was stricken with paralysis while vreaching on JTohn's Island Sunday, and ied at a late hour the same night. lie was a prominent Episcopal minis ter. The fiirnal services will take place from Grace church to-morrow morning at 11 o'clock. Disastrous Collision at sea. LONDON, March 16.-A serious mari time disaster is reported. The ship Roxburgh collided with the ship British Peer of Calcutta for London, 120 miles southwest of the Sicilly islands. The Roxburgh sank and a crew of twenty. four were drowned, the captain and one seaman being rescued. The other ship was also badly damad. KENTUCKY POISONERS. Lynchers Looking for Old Man 1Wiggin ton Who Instigated the Crime. MoUNT STERLING, Kr., March 18. The whole miserable story of as dia bolical a crime as was ever committed in Kentucky, has just been extorted from the aged mother of the perpetra tors. On Thursday morning, March 5, William Ferguson. B. C. Watts and a Miss Boyd were mysteriousl! poisonei, and Ferguson and Watts dvd. Inves tigation showed arsevic in Lirge quaa tities in the stomachs of the two men, and also in the coffee-pot f om which they were served. How it got there no one knew. It was known that William Wiggin ton had quarreled with Watts. Slignt suspicions were aroused!. and Wiggin ton and his two sons, Frank and Char ley, were arrested. They had their ex amining trial on Saturday last, and the evidence appeared strong enough to hold the boys, but the old man was dis missed. The people believed that the Wiggintons were guilty, and on Satur day night a mob went to their home to investigate. Old Wigginton had dis appeared, but the wife and mother was found. She refused to say anything un til a rope was placed around her neck, and she was threatered with death. Then she told all she knew ot the dread ful story. Mrs. Wigginton said that Charley Wigginton came from William Fergu son's house on Wednesday evenin. very mad at Watts because he would not give him some money, and that Charley said he would fix him. Char ley had a small package which he showed to the old man, and said to him: "This is the stuff to do it with." The old man told Charley to nut the poison in the coffee-pot, and that he did not care if he burned the house. Frank and Charley started for Fergu son's house. They came back about 1 or 2 o'clock; said that they had been to Ferguson's and put the stuff in the cof fee-pot. The old man said that was right. The old man told them that they had best leave the country, and they were fixing to do so when ar rested. When Charley was told that the old woman had made a clean confession he stoutly denied everything t ill she was brought to the jail in his presence. Then he finally made the same confes sion as she had made, and said that the old man had given him ten cents and told him to buy the poison. Men are scouring the country for the old man, and if he is found he, Charley, Frank and probably the woman will be dis posed of summarily. The City of Blood. NE W ORLEANS, March 18.-At 11 o'clock to-night Capt. Arthur Dunn, a prominent politician and a well known attorney of this city, became involved in a quarrei with Frank Waters, an ex journalist and well known character about town, and a shooting scrape re sulted, terminating in the killing of Waters and the serious wounding of Dunn. Capt. Dunn was one of the attorneys employed by the state in the re ent trial of the Italians. The trouble to-night be gan in the early part of the evening. Waters had been drinking in a saloon, and during the course or his .:f-emarks stigmatized the killing of the Italians at the parish prison as an ourage on the community, and expressed himself as satisfied that all those men'who parti cipated in the killing would cone to an untimely end. Dunn met him shortly afterwards and a dispute took place, during the progress of which Dunn referred to Waters as a muderer, he having killed ,Joseph Banter here in 1887. The dispute grew warmer, and Dunn pulled his revolver and shot Waters in the cheek and in the mouth. The last bullet ranged upward and pene trated the brain. Waters returned the fire of his antago mst and wounded Dunn twice in the left leg and again in the right side of his chest, near the nipple. Waters died al most instantly. Dunn was taken to the hospital, where he lies in a precarious condition. Their Nativ-ity was not Asked. LOUISVILLE, Ky., Miarch 1S.-Apro pos of the continued howling in Rome and throughout the American and Eu ropean Italian settlements over the re cent New Orleans lynching, this morn ings Courier-Journal publishes the fol lowing editorial: "At the time the New Orleans regulutors were killing the as sassins who had escaped conviction by bribery and by perjury, the men of the life-saving station at Sandy liook were at the point of their lives, rescuing the crew of lifteen from the Italian bark Umberto Primo, ashore on Romer shoals. America is hospitable to all men and creeds except to those who teach assassination. Neither thme life savers nor the regulators asked the na tivity of the men, but they were moved only by the finest instincts of human nature. which knows nothing of nation alities."' Sueing the Frtilizer Facto! . GREENvILLE, S. C., Miarch 18.-Mrs. Nancy Johnson of Greenville is suing the Greenville fertilizer factory for $5,000 damages. The case is the first of the kihd ever brought to trial here. The plaintiff owns property and lives about 150 or 200 yards East of the fac tory. She alleges that the fumes from the factory are injurious to ansmual and vegetable life; that the health au-l comfort of herself and her fauily are impaired by the odors; that her prop erty has decreased in value smece the factory was started, and that people have been prevented from buying and building in that part of the city. The case was decided in favor of the fe-rtil izer company. A Six-Year-OJld suicide. LEXINGTON. Ky., Miarch 19.-"Bmud" Iarper, aged 6; years. is helies ed to be dying to-night. the result of a deliberate attempt at suicide, lie was deeply in terested in the New Orleans lynching. anl had the story told him several times on Sundar. Both that day and yester day he acted strangely, but this was at tributed to sickness. Yesterday after noon he went to the barn of his grandl father. John Perkins, climbed on a bar rel and af ter tyicg about his neck a rope suspended from the loft, kicked the bar rel away. IIe was found uncnscious and has remained so since. Dcath in the Snaowslid. CHiESTED) BUTTE. Col., Miarch 17 Another snowslide horror was reported this moring. This time it is the E-ure k a mine, on T1reasury motutain. Charles Devine, J1. C. 31eQuarrio anmd .Jos. \Mc Cullogh, the entire force on the mmne, were killed and their bodies are covered by the snow. It is not known when they were killed or where to look for thebodies, and it is not at all unlikely that their remains will stay u:nder the snow until the bare ground of the sum mer reveals them. RECENT municipal elect o0,n iif an resulted in D~emocratic i tt.ries in Bangor. Uiadeford and Lew stena, which cities have hit herto be!en c. trit-d by the Tpu blicans. AN ASYLE BURNED. SIX OF THE INMATES PERISH IN THE FLAMES. The Central Insane Asylum Near Nash ville. Tenn., a Mass of Ruins-Over 400 Persons In the Building When the Alarm Was Given. NASIVILLE, March 14.-The beauti fuLi Central Insane Asylum, seven miles from this city is almost a mass of ruins and beneath it are the charred bodies oi a half dozen inmates. In the outhouses near by are huddled poor creatures who fonnd the asylum once a grand old structure. now laid in ashes. At 10:15 last night a tongue of flam broke through the roof on Wester, main wing. I1ow it caught none could divine, but it reached from the ground through the second and third stories and cut off a few rooms beyond it. The alarm was given and the 400 inmates of the institution were thrown into wild commotion. Twenty-eight men were in the wing when the fire caught, and twenty-two of them were quickly re moved to the main hall, the other iX being left to their fates behind tie im passable wall of flames. The loss is heavy, but the building is insured. - The city was telephoned for aid, but Chief Carrel of the Fire Department could not be found and his subordinates ref used to move without instructions. Finally, after two hour's delay, the Chief was found, and he, with tro en gnes, left for the scenes of the disaster. the meantime the West wing had collapsed. The inmates, made frantic by the danger, were beginning to break frora the gards and scatter like frightened animals over the surrounding country The fire en gines arrived at 2:15, and in a few mo ments a fine stream of water was play ing on the building. Previously the in mates, servants and guards had render ed fine service with buckets, and suc ceeded in holding the fire in check to some extent. Had it not been for their vigilant service the entire, structure would have been in flames before the arrival of the fire department. The names of the kiiled were: J. S. Johns of Rutherford County, J. Burt Dexter of Wilson, Blue Preston of Can non, John Kelly of Wayne, W. H. Beas try of Hickman, B. F. Hollowell of Davidson-all white men. By midnight nothing remained for the men, who had fought so nobly, to do but to stand aside and await the coming of the engines from the city. When one of the reporters was about a mile this side of the 6re on his way out, he met a couple of lunatics in their shirt sleeves trudging along the highway with their arms locked about each other's neck. As they passed one of them cried out: "Fire! fire! cold! cold!" On his return the same pair were overtaken just within the corporation line. This time they were heard to says: "We are free! we are free! but don't you tell! don't you tell!" And turning around he saw their arms were well locked about each other's neck. Hiding in the shrabbery immediately around the road were many who had escaped when the sudden exodus was made from the West ing. Most of them were but partially dressed, but almost without exception their faces were covered with smiles, as if the downfall of their refuge was a source of pleasure to them and the bit ing wind a thing unfelt. At 3:15 .the inmates wef had been huddled for several hours in the yard in front of the main building were returnedto the East wing. About twenty-five had escaped, the majority of whom were harmless. At this moment the West wing had be come entirely demolished and about one half of the main building. The danger ous lunatics were kept locked all the time in the East wing, and none of them were subjected to exposure or danger during the progress ot the flames. It was reported at 3;30 this mornimg that one of the women, an inmate of the asylum, had been drowned in the lake on the lawn, but her name could not be learned. The lire was at the same time reported ftuly under control, and the inmates were comfortably housed and all was quiet. The loss to the building is estimated at about 850.000; fully covered by insur ance. The fire is supposed to haye been caused by Lee Ford, an inmate, who mn some mysterious manner escaped. Itis reported that lie was recaptured to-day near Severgne. About 125 of the 'in mates will be transferred to the West Tennessee asylum at Blolivar. The Proper Act. COLUIAIA, S. C., March 17.-At a special meeting of the military commit tee, tonight, the following resolutions were passed: -esolved. That His Excellency, Gov ernor 13. Rl. Tillman, and staff and all division and brigade commanders, and their stalls, are hereby most cordially invited to participate in the Centenmial parade, May 14. "Resolved further, That all white military companies in the State of South Carolina, and all white military compa nies in other states of the Union, are also most cordially invited to attend the Centennial and participate in the parade. "Resolved, That all companies desir ing information will communicate with George K. Wright, chairman of the committee on arrangements." Lients. E. M. Rucker, Joseh K. -Al len, Hf. P. 'reen, Jr., were apfOinted a committee to obtain permission from the State to allow the camp to be 1o cated on the field in the rear of the University. Peculiar Coincidences. WASIsmGTON, March 17-Nothing new was receivedl at the navy depart ment to-day about the disasters to the war vessel Galena and the government naval tugs M1ina and Triana. A pecua liar coincidence in connection with the wreck of these three vessels is that oa arch l16, 1889, t wo years ago yesterday, three other United States vessels were destroyed at Apia. Samoa, by the great three clays hurricane. Another pecu liar circumstance connected with the disasters is that Lieutenant Comman der II. W. Lyon, who is commanding the Triana, was the executive oflicer of the Trenton when she was wrecked, and nsign Field, of the Galena, was on the Nipsic when she went ashore at Apia. Starving Miners. Cme IA( o.3March 13.-A dispatch from Zanesville. Uhio, says: Work at the coal mines of the .Randville Hierking Comn pay, twenty miles Southwest of this citvy has been suspended for several weeks. The miners are in a destitute condition and the families of most of them are suirering for the necessaries of life. Yesterday fifty of them proceeded in a body to MceCoy auri Williams's store, broke it open and carried off thirty bar rels of dlour and several hundred pounds of meats. They make no attempt to con ceal their identity, but said they had to Isteal or starve. Active measures- are Ibeing taken to inquire into the wants of the peop'le and relieve the suffering. A Hard Record to Beat. MiLAN. Tenn., 3Macch 1.-Mrs. Tuz Williams. living near 'iragette, has gvn birth to tive children in a year ins at one time and triplets at sanother. IThe triplets arrived yesterday, and are ja1 .ir.s weighing six pounds each