Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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A New Disease Discomed, Wkicfc Has * Killed Naiy ia the West *, ^ N IT COMES FROM MEXICO Ouned by the Bite of a Tick, This New Form of Ferrer Prevails Only at Hlffh Altitudes and Only Dur Ing Spring and Early Summer Months. A Washington tflgpatch to Tho News and Courier Bays since the hook worm, corn bread pellegra, and a few other strange diseases hare been discovered, diagnosed and prescribed for, the bacteriologists come forth with a new one found in the Rocky Mountain region. The new disease exists principally in Mon tana, Nevada, Idaho, Oregon and Wyoming, where it is locally called "tick fever." At first the physicians ard bacteriologists believed that the d'sease was similar to the ordinary, but usually fatal, typhus fever, which kills thousands of persons every year in this country. Later investigations somewhat upset thiB theory, and in order to more fully investigate the strange disease Dr. John A. Anderson, director of the hygenic laboratory staff of the public health and marine hospital service, went to Mexico, where he Bpent some time studying typus fever. Mexico is considered one of the great breeding grounds for this terrible disease. because of the very poor sanitary condtions exlsltlng In that country. While in Mexico, Dr. Anderson became convicted that typus fever was entirely a different disease from that known as "tick fever," and found In the far western part of our country. On his return to Washington, after making his investigations of the disease in Mexico, Dr. Anderson immediately began an exhaustive series of experiments with the bacilli of "tick fever," which confirmed his opinion, reached while in the former country. In experiments with guinea pigs, an injection of blood, drawn from patients suffering with typhus fever, failed to produce the same conditions which prevailed In the animals when the bacilli of the new disease was Injected. Similar inoculations of monkeys, rabbits and rats produced Identical results. These experiments, It 1b stated by Dr. Anderson, proved the non-Identity of the two diseases. This new malady Is found only at htgh altitudes, and does not prevail ROIlth nf in " -* ~ u? uuriu 01 47 degrees latitude. It is prevalent only during the spring and early summer. Hygonic laboratory experts are of che belief that the disease is caused by inoculation from the bite of a tick, which Infests horses and cattle on the Western ranges. f It is stated* by the bacteriologists of the public health and marine hospital service that this new malady is one of the most deadly diseases known to medial Bcience. The crisis of the disease is reached on the twelfth day, with fever as high as 106 degrees. A violent red eruption on the skin is one of the certain symptoms of the disease. The mortality is reported to be about 70 per cent. The bacteriologists of the hygenic laboratory are now searching for a remedy for the disease, and physicians in the territory where it prevails are conducting independent investigations to discover a remedy. Thus far the only drug which has been of any value in checking the disease has been quinine, administered in enormous doses. LOST 98,360 HOURS OF SLEEP. Injured Man Now Shown a Revrml and Can't Keep Awake. Physicians In Detroit, Mich., have found an enigma In Henry Stephen, for many years watchman at the Kalamazoo Stove works. Thirtythree years ago he was struck on the head by a falling brick. The wound healed bnt left Stephen In a sleepless condition. He never closed an eye In sleep in all those years, losing a total of 98,3 60 hours, flouring edghlt hours of slumber in every 24 hours of life. A few weeks ago Mr. Stephen fell on a slippery pavement and injured his head again. Now ho wants to sleep all the time. Heaviest Snow in Years A dispatch from Now York says the heaviest snowstorm of the winter fell upon that city eaily Friday morning and raged unabated all day. In one hour the thermometer fell from 31 degrees above zero to 20 above. Men Lashed to Steamer's Rigging. A dispatch from Marshfleld, Ore., says the wrecked steamer Czarina was plainly visible from shore a few days ago and half a dozen men could be seen lashed to the rigging of the last remaining mast. i I , ' I ENDS LIFE WITH ACID HARD PRESSED BANDIT SWALLOWS A DEADLY POISON. Uikaowi 11m Shoots Jewster, Proh shir FstoJ!/, m4 When Panned Take* Deadly Cwpomle. Frederick Boettcher, ft Brooklyn Jeweler, was sandbagged and fatally shot In hia store late Thursday aftor noon by an unknown man, who ended bis life by taking a capsule of carbolic acid before he could be locked up. Boettcher Identified his assailant as a man who come to his store not long ago and looked at some diamond rings. It was on this plea that the stranger entered Thursday presumably with the Intent of robbery. When the Jeweler started to come from behind the counter, the stranger pulled a chamois bag, filled with sand and shot, from his coat pocket and struck him a crushing blow on the head. As Boettcher reeled the man fired a shot .which took effect behind the jeweler's left ear. The Bhot brought Mrs. Boettcher dews from her apartments over the store and the man fled, leaving one revolver in the store and throwing another away as he ran along the street. Hard prqpsed by the police, who had been attracted by Mrs. Boettcher'B screams, the would-be robber was seen to raise his hands to his lips and swallow hastily. In a moment more he was under arrest and though apparently suffering, he walked back to the store where Boettcher Identified him as his assailant. The prisoner was taken to the police station and preparations were begun to search him. Here he^collapsed and died before medical assistance could b? summoned. An examination by a surgeon later showed beyond doubt that he swallowed carbolic acid in capsule form. Nothing was found on the man to indicate his Identity. His attemnt at robbery was a complete failure. FLOWERS ON IEEE'S STATUTE. Virginia Woman Honors Memory of Great Southern Leader. In an unusual, in fact, unprecedented manner was the memory of Robert E. Lee honored at the capital at Washington on Wednesday," despite the opposition which developed In the senate Tuesday against any actios of the United States government looking toward honoring the distinguished Confederate general. Members of congress passing through statuary hall saw the extraordinary addition to the statute of a huge bouquet of flowers adorning that of Gen. Lee. These statesmen commented upon tbe departure, but those who had expected to hear criticism on the part of senators who opposed in the upper house the reception of the statute were disappointed. Investigation revealed that the bouquet bore a caTd reading: "Mrs. George W. Boiling, R. E. Lee Chapter, United Daughters of the Confederacy, Falls Church, Va." Attaches of the capital declared that the placing of the flowers on a statue In the hall of fame in honor of the birthday of the man thus commemorated markAd a nr?_ cedent. Not a single employe remembered a similar occurrence. CONVICT BLOWN TO PIECES. Tried to Put Out Dynamite That Caught on Fire. A Chester dispatch says David Abell and Blddle Qlst, two negro convicts serving sentences on the county chalngang, were instantly killed a few days ago. near the camp, on the York road near Chester by the discharge of a stick of dynamite. The dynamite was being thawed out preparatory to blaeting when it took fire. Abell attempted to extinguish the blaze by beating the stuff on the ground and this caused a general explosion of dyna mite. Abell was torn into fragments, his head and other parts of his body being blown to a distance ol 125 feet in one direction and other parts being hurled equally far in other directions. (.list, while nol torn up so badly, was instantly killed. Guard Ed Schult was knocked down, but not seriously hurt, although one eye is injured. Costly Buttermilk. Five years' hard labor on the chalngang or in the State penitentiary is what Harry Ellis, a negro, will pay for a cup of buttermilk. This was all he secured when he last summer broke into the house ol VV. J. Ashmore in the southern part of Greenville county. He was found guilty in the court of general sessions there a few days ago of housebreaking and larceny and given the minimum sentence. a 9 m The worst bedfellow in Lite world is worry; kick it out! I *W '* >; " A DOWN AND OUT . Former Republican Mel Arrested fer Misise ef Mails FALL OF J. N. HUSTON He Mjule Ben Harrison President, and for His Work He Hoped to Bo m Cabinet Officer, but His Protege's Ingratitude in Dismissing Him Broke His Heart. The indictment returned against James N. Huston, of Indianapolis, Ind., for fraudulent use of the United States malls, means that this once great power in Indiana and national politics has struck the bottom. There are thousands who tympathize with him in the present unfortunate affair, thousands who have sympathized with him ever since he started on the decline, shortly after the election of Benjamin Harrison as president of the United States. It was James Huston who elected Harrison, practically an unknown man, to the highest honor in the gift of the people, and who worked cs no man has ever worked to elect a president, only to have the ingratitude of Harrison break his heart The president told Huston, who wished to be secretary of the treasury, that he was not a big enough man for the Job, and made him merely treasurer. Yet Huston was big enough to accomplish the election of Harrison, what no other man in the country could have done. Huston was elected state senator in Indiana In 1884, though it was a Democratic year. When Turpie was elected to the United States senate over Benjamin Harrison, after a long and exciting contest, Huston was the manager of the Harrison forces and regarded aB the future president's conndante and personal friend. Going to the home of Mr. Harrison on the day of Harrison's defeat for the senate, he met Mrs. Harrison with the prediction: "Mrs. Harrison, they've beaten ub for the senate, but we'll nominate and elect him president next year.' Early In the spring of 1888 Huston was elected chairman of the Republican State Central committee and at once he set about redeeming his promise to Mrs. Harrison. His first move was to call the Indiana Republicans Into a party love,feast, which was falrely buoyant with Harrison sentiment, and he then perfected an organization for work In other States. Delegations were sent East. West, North and South to confer with leading Republicans In the larger cities, and a bureau was established at Washington. Harrison was a comparatively poor man at that time, and It Is said that Huston took upon himself all this expense, left his business to be looked after by others, and seemed to have but one ambition?to make good his word to Mrs. Harrison. Harrison was nominated, mainly through these efforts, and then HusIton planned his campaign. It is estimated that this campaign for I I I ~ I ? T 1 ? A 4 uaiiisuu iu uiuiana coal |iuu,liuu ?not including what was spent at the election?and that $100,000 of the money came out of Huston's pocket. As soon as Harrison's election be came known Huston consulted his friends and became an applicant for the position of secretary of the treasury. He called the State committee together for its Indorsement, hut other Republicans argued against the committee making any recommendations to the president-elect, saying that be should be left free to selct his own family of advisors and that the action of the committee might embarrass him. > Huston was specially hurt by the. reports that Harrison did not consider him big enough for the plsce, and when Mr. Wlndom was called and It became certain that he was 1 to receive the secretaryship^ Huston's friends made no further ef forts. More because he wanted to prove that he could get recognition ; than because he wanted the office i Huston accepted the treasurship, but . he remained In Washington only a short time. From this time on his i decline was rapid and in a short time ' he had lost al lhls money and nearly all his friends. Price of Shoes to Rise. The price of shoes Is going up 1 The official announcement to this efTect was made Monday at Boston by the National Shoe Wholesale Association. The association says that, the existing high price of leather > and materials make the increase necessary, but that the new prices will be so adjusted as "to permit the addition to each grade of such . value as will compensate the wearer for increased cost." Augusta Wide Open. M. O. Whittle, a deputy sherifT of Richmond county,Oa., say that the prohibition law is practically of no force In Augusta. The town, he says, Is as wet as It was before the State-wido prohibition law was adopted. BOLL WEEVIL PEST HAS COTTON PLANTERS TOO FRIGHTEN KD TO FIGHT. i.i Dr. Knapp Urges Farmers to Take Heart aad Combat HI no Devil's and Insect Pest. Boll weevils have cost the United States untold hundreds of thousand.* of dollars in the destruction of the ootton crops, but most of it is to be charged against the "blnff ' that the Insect puts up, or rather, the fear that its approach inspires. According to Dr. Seaman A. Knapp of the department of agriculture, the averaige cotton planter was defeated before he ever began to fight the pest. Of all the drawbacks that confront the cotton planter, Dr. Knapp is convinced that pessimism is the worst. He 6ald so plainly and emphatically at Memphis Wednesday in an address on the weevil and the evils that follow in its train. "The first and most serious of these," he said, "Is the wave of discouragement and pessimism in advance of the weevil. Many honest but mistaken rnen affirm in advance of the weevil, that cotton can not be successfully made where the weevil appears. Immediately the bankjrs and the merchants withhold credit. Labor is compelled to leave. The farmers do half work and frequently abandon a portion of their crop. This frequently results in a loss of 20 per cent before the weevil has done any damage." ThlB "beaten-in-advance" attitude, Dr. Knapp went on to say, resulted in the humiliating surrender of planters and their "throwing up of the sponge" in the second year, with the result that the weevil is permitted a free territory in which to ravage and multiply and the crop fnlln t o 9R nor nont rv f Ha ovorowo "Much of this Iors la failure to plant, and to cultivate," he said, with an earnestness that impressed hla audience. "I will give you numerous examples In proof of what I Bay by quoting reliable government figures and Instances In Texas and Louisiana." The speaker then submitted a mass of statistical information touching on conditions In many counties in Texas and a number of the parishes of Louisiana. He insisted that from 30 to 40 per cent of the decline In production in the second year of the weevil was due entirely to discouragement and the consquent inability to obtain advances from the bankers. All of this depression. Dr. Knapp declared, was charged to the boll weevil, while it rightfully should be charged against the planters who succumbed to opposition and threat ened invasion. Following up his arraignment of the planters themselves. Dr. Knapp furnished seven rules for the guidance of those who would fight the pest successfully. They are as follows: 1. Early destruction of the stalks. 2. There must be better d:alai~3 of the soil so there will be a good stand and the crop c^n be workel soon after rains. 3. There must be excellent preparation of the boII for planting. Plant early as the season will permit and be safe. 4. Seed of an early maturing variety must be used; one that puts out its fruit limt>? low on the stalk and fruits heavily. Rows wider apart than usual. The seed also must be of the best quality. 5. Cultivation should be intensive. 6. Do not lay by the cotton as usual, but continue to cultivate until the bolls.begin to open. Cotton is thus made all the time. If the rules of producing cotton ar4 followed a good crop can be made. In addition to giving rules for , the fight on the boll weevil and the production of good cotton crops In the face of all emergencies, Dr. Knapp advised his hearers not to forget that cotton was far from the only crop worth whlls cultivating. He declared the plantation should produce all the food necessary for men and live stock, and that, in addition, the other crops should pay most of the running expenses of the plantation. Concluding, he said the delta lands were the most valuable on the continent. They were Intrinsically worth $200 an acre, even If the boll weevil were an Inch deep ovei every foot of the soil. Fat-ally llurned. The fiery flames that followed the lighting of a stove by oil fatally burned Mrs. Tom Creemer In her homo In Glrard( Ala., a few days ago, causing the most excruclatlns agony to the dying woman. Mrs. Creemer attempted to pour oil In the stove to start the fire. The oil Ignited, burs ted the gallon can and covered the woman with the liquid flames. Woman Dead. Mr^. Marv Doo'nan. aged 52, fell exhausted after fighting against the blizzard at Providence, R. I., and died a few minutes later in a cab In which she was being taken to her home. ENDED AT LAST The Dispensary Winding Up Commission Gets Throngh Its Work AND MAKES ITS REPORT The Board Represses Satisfaction That the State Dispensary h?. Been Wound Up and Is Now a Thing of the I'ast, After Giving tho Details of Their Doings. The commission appointed by Governor Ansel under an Act of the legislature to wind up the affair* of the old State dispensary has drafted Its final report to the Governor, and is now in the hands of the printer, and will b(e laid od the desk of the members of the legislature In a few days. The report is an exceedingly. Interesting one, and the commission has apparently made a fine business showing. The total net money result Is $453,464.56, of which $275,000 has been paid Ituo the State treasury, $80,832.80 is on hand In cash, $22,631.76 due by counties, and $75,000 is real estate, this being the summary of the business from the time the commission asumed charge on February 16, 1907, up to January 12 of the present year. And more is to come from overjudgments, amounting to over $200,000. The commission has realized grand total receipts of $974,586.55, of which $56,936.36 is interest earned by deposits of funds in the banks over the tSate at 4 per cent. The to tal amount paid out was $893,753.75, including the $275,000 turned over to the State treasurer. On merchandise account a gross profit of $12,024.86 is shown, while on capl tal account of $400,000 there is a net loss of only $4,189.76. The supply account shows a net loss of $33,286.42, "which loss Is accounted for in running the dls pensary several months, using these supplies in suppying the various dispensaries for goods sold to them.' The "conscience money" received "from old creditors, who had no accounts on the books," amounted to $39,500, "the attorneys receiving 50 per cent commission on all they could recover on claims of this kind." The litigation in the Federal courts was costly, the report says, | but this was charged against the 1 whiskey houses and the commission "considers that this litigation 1 has cost the State practically nothing." " Exhibit 'D' shows the assets and liabilities, part of which we consider a contingent liabiltiy amount ing to $41,277.63, being amounts claimed by parties who have appealed from the findings of this commission to the Supreme court for final settlement," says the report. "Exhibit 'E' gives Itemized state-' ments of all expenses per diem and mileage incurred by this commie sion during the entire period, which fully explans itself. We call at tendon to the total, which la $7,077.54." "The results of the efforts" of Anderson, Felder, Rountree & Wilson, of Atlanta, who were paid 10 per cent on all savings from over charges and 60 per cent of the conscience money "is Bhown in exhibit 'G.' The amount so charged up to creditors was $173,831.95, of which $20,446.08 was for expenses of litigation." "In coming to the close of this unfortunate business, we desire to express our satisfaction at having reached the end of a business that has been burdensome in detail and responsibility, annoying in the extreme in that we were compelled to go contrary to the wishes of the claimants and were frequently un1 Justly misrepresented by the public 1 prints, and disgusting in the revelations of corrpution which had so deplorably permeated the business that it renders fumigation, figuratively speaking, necessary to approach the subject with comfort." 1 "We desire in conclusion," says the report, "to thank your Excel1 lency for the courteous consideration shown us in all matters and for your unwavering loyalty through all vis si uucuia, nuu id congratulate you and the State on being delivered In your administration from baneful effects of the most corrupt institution which ever existed in this State as a i part of the State government whilo our own people were controlling pub lie affairs." \ The report is signed by the full ; commission, consisting of Dr. VV. J. Murray, of Columbia, chairman; Avery Patton, of Greenville; John i McSween, of Timmonsville; J. S. Rriee, of Yorkvllle, and A. N. Wood, of Gaffney. Rejects tlie Itoiuls. A Providence dispatch says Rl^ode Island's repudiation of the gift of over half a million dollars worth of Xorth Carolina bonds was practically completed a few days ago, when the senate noted to reject the'gift and return the bonds to the donors. V . ' * I DON'T LIKE THEM BILL TAFT SPEAKS OF DEMOCRATS AS YELLOW DOGS. Objecto to Minority's Selection of Members for O^mmitteo to Probe Bnllinger-Pinchot Row. r Zach McOee is his Washington letter to The State says President Taft not only disapproved of putting Henry T. Ralney and Ollle James on the committee to Investigate the interior department but ,he Is hot about it, and he calls the two Democrats "yellow dogs." A number of newspaper men and others were In the office of the president's private secretary when tho president walked In. "What Is the news about the insurgents?" asked the president. "You ought to know, Mr. President," replied one of the correspondents. "They hare been calling on you." "Yes," said the president, his face clouding, "but they can not persuade me to accept two yellow dogs. 1 do not propose to play a game with loaded dice." The committee to investigate the Interior department and the conduct of Secretary llalllnger is to consist of four Republicans and two Democrats. The question being asked Is, "Is Air. Taft afraid that Messrs. James and Ilainey might make political capital out of the investigation?" The only posaible way they could make political capital would be to find something discreditable to tho administration. If ltalllnger has nothing to his discredit, not even a "ye^pw dog" qould make capital out of it. HEAVY FERTILIZER SALES. This Season's llusiness Probably Greatest in The News and Courier says, "from all reports, the fertilizer Bales for the present season are greater than have been known in the business in a number of years. "The farmers seem to be investing heavily in fertilizers, which might indicate an increased crop acreage, or perhaps, a desire to build up lands that ha>*e been heavily taxed (tiirlnw -? ? * ? .. r> ?."?= I'ufti if* years. when the financial condition of many planters forced economy along all agricultural lines, particularly m in the use of fertilizers. Practically every farmer now has money ahead, as the result of last season's fine crops and high prlcee and at least a portion of the surplus could not be put to better use than that of Improving the soil. "Another evidence of the prosperity of the farmers is the fact that many who have heretofore bought their fertilizers on credit have paid cash this season. Those who have done so will be relieved of the necessity of meeting heavy obligations when their crops are harvested. TRAIN LEAPS OVER PRECIPICE Tow Killed and Three Are Hurt Id Freight Wreck. A freight train Jumped over a precipice near Leadvllle a few days ago on the Colorado Midland Railway and two trainmen and Edward Davenport, of Van, Mich., were killed, and three other persona were injured. Albert Harter, of Grand Rapids, Mich., was slightly hurt. An extra freight, east-bound, ot o ? ? a * ?.i tcu uown me steep grade from the east portal of the Ruak-Ivanhoc tunnel to Arkansas Junction. At Windy Point, on a sharp curve. the locomotive and the eleven cars left the track and plunged down a precipice. The accident was oaused by a broken rail. Harter and Davenport were riding a box car. Harter was thrown more than 200 feet into a snow drift. He made his way toward the wreck and found Engineer Forest fifty feet from his engine, burled under the ruins of a box car. The body of Fireman Rich was found under tho engine, cut in two. Davenport was found under a box car. Caused by "Pipe." The North Carolina corporation commission has rendered its dec'sion as to cause of the wreck of a Southern railway passenger train, near Greensboro, on December 15, in which there was great loss of life and injury to passengers and whicn matter the commission has under investigation. The commission attributes the cause to a "pipe" in a rail, sustaining the contention of the y?' railway ofliclals. Crushed to Death. At Ft. Pierce, Fla., Henry I. KIopp, a leading architect and builder of the Florida east coast, was instantly killed Wednesday afternoon when superintending the moving of a large iron safe Into the new court house. The workmen, in some unaccountable manner, let tho hoisting gear loose, crushing Mr. Klopp against the iron vault.