Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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TWENTY-FIVE DEAD Frightful Wreck on Western Maryland Railroad. TRAINS CRASH TOGETHER e All of the Victims Were Railroad People Returning to Their Homes * Along the Line for Sunday Rest By far the worst wreck in the history of the Western Maryland railroad occurred Saturday evening at a point about a quarter of a mile from Patapsco, a small station between Westminster and Finckburg. The death list foots up twenty-five and this number is likely to be increased from among the list of those grievously mangled. Passenger train No. 5, westbound, was running at a very high rate of speed when, at the point named, it crashed into a double-header freightrunning east. All three of the engines were reduced to scrap iron, the express and baggage cars of the passenger were smashed and a number of the freight cars were splintered. The passenger coaches- sustained little Injury, and almost without exception their occupants escaped with nothing worse than a bad shaking up. Men Killed Were Employees. All the dead were employees of the railroad company, returning to their homes in the small towns along the railroad to spend Sunday. With the exception of the train crews, they had been at work repairing the damage done to the road about ten days ago by a minor freight wreck. The train, which was No. 5, passenger, westbound, carried a large number of passengers, all the coaches being filled. - Consequently, as many of the workmen as could do so went into the baggage car, the remainder of the gang of thirty-five finding places on the platforms between the mail and baggage cars and between the latter and the tender. In the neighborhood of Patapsco station ohroit p?e-hf- miles? from West minster, the Western Maryland ha? many curves, and that just west of the bridge crossing the Patapsco river is a sharp one. An extra freight, made up of heavy coal and provision cars, was running east It should have taken a siding to allow No. 5 to pass. Such were the orders. Why they were disregard- ! ed will never be known, for all those ;t who should have seen that they were obeyed are dead. The passenger train was running thirty miles an hour, and the freight was making good time, with the two < engines pulling it. Just west of the bridge they came together trith terrific force, the three i engines being piled one upon another. The fearful impact drove the passenger tender into the baggage car and demolished it and the mail car. Heartrending Shrieks. Heartrending shrieks from the injured brought to the scene (the inhab- < Itants of all the farm houses within ; a considerable radius and these immediately began helping ^he victims. < Farmers' wives and daughters made ; bandages of their clothing and household linen and work^J heroically amid the blood and grime. As fast as they could be taken j from the wreckage the dead were placed aboard the train for Westmin- ( ster and then taken to that town and i Blue Ridge. The more seriously injured were sent to Baltimore. At the union station in that city when the first train load of human wreckage arrived five patrol wagons and two ambulances were in waiting. When these were filled. exDress waaons were Dressed into service. At Westminster \ crowd of at least a thousand people met the -funeral train, and as many of the dead had friends and relatives in the town, there were terrible scenes at the engine house, where the bodies were taken and exposed for identification. ; FRANCE HOLDS ALOOF. Republic Takes No Action on Emperor Bill's Conference Proposal. A Paris special says: The efforts to secure a diplomatic adjustment of the Franco-German controversy relative to Morocco remain without definite results. France has not given her final response to Germany's movement for an international conference and the officials do not confirm the German press reports that France has definitely rejected the proposal for a confer ence. * OLD OFFICERS RETAINED. Present Heads of Knights of Honor to Serve Two More Years. For the first time in the history of j the Knights of Honor, every officer j of that body was elected unanimously j for the ensuing biennial term at the j meeting of the supreme lodge in Atlanta. I Beginning on July 1 women will j be admitted as members of the Knights of Honor. ?. \ ' MAXIMO GOMEX DEAD. idolized Patriot of Cuba Joins the Silent Majority After Most Event/ fu| and Stirring Career. A special from Havana says: General Maximo Gomez died at 6 o'clock Saturday evening. "El Claudillo'' (chieftain) as the great leader of revolutionists was called by his countrymen, expired at sunset in the presence of his family and his old time friend, Estrada Palma, president of the republic. The ena came quieuy in uc ucaumui wmporary home at the seaside in the suburb of Vedado. The distinguished patient's illness extended over forty-sC* days, although his health had be*n failing** for months prior to that time. The admiration of the mass of Cubans for General Gomez amounted armost to idolatry. His death admittedly is a severe blow to any political interest to which he was allied. He was one of the most radical leaders of the national party. General Gomez leaves a widow, five sons and one daughter. Only Saturday the secretary of the treasury delivered to one of General Gomez' sons a check for $100,000, which had been voted unanimously by congress for the general's benefit and approved by the president. This was in addition to the $50,000 previously voted by congress. General Gomez commanded the Cuban forces during the insurrection which broke out in 1895 and ended with the complete independence oi the island on May 20, 1902. He w*e born at Bani, Santo Domingo, in 1836, - - <-1 :~t. fnmilv XT a ana camt? ui <x o^<hiioii iamuj. xiv began life as a cavalry officer in the Spanish army in Santo Domingo and served during the last occupation of Santo Domingo by Spain. In the war with Havti Gomez distinguished himself at the battle of Tome, where, with twenty men, he routed a much superior force of Haytiens. When the Spaniards were driven from the island Gomez went with the Spanish troops to Cuba, and for a time was in garrison at Santiago. Later, disgusted at the manner in which the Spanishh general, Villar, treated some starving Cu?ban refugees, fo? whom Gomez had collected funds, the young lieutenant severed his connection with the Spanish army. He became so enraged at General Villar's conduct that he struck the general, called him a coward and from that time became a bitter enemy of Spain. He joined the patriots in the insurrection of 1868 and foughtt ten years, being Cuban commander-in-chief from 1873 to 1878, succeeding General Agramonte on the Iatter's death. As a guerrilla commander he was unexcelled and with President Cesipedes and Argamonte captured Bayamo, Tumas, Jiguani ana Helguin. In Puerto Principe later Gomez was known as the "terror" on account of the many defeats he inflicted on the Spaniards. OYAMA REPORTS PROGRESS. While Peace Plans Are Under Way Jap Guns Boom in Manchuria. The following report has been received in Tokio from the Manchurian armies: "In the Waiyuanpaomen district at 9 o'clock on the morning of June 16, 300 of the enemy's cavalry advanced against Kuyushu, but were repulsed. In the Chamotu district our advanced forces, after driving out the enemy stationed at Sumiencheng, occupied the place. In the Tasiemotun district our detachment, after dislodging the enemy's cavalry at Souchatzu, eight miles west of Sumiencheng, occupied that village. RUSSIA'S WISHES IGNORED. Czar Was Anxious to Have Peace Conference Held at The Hague. The plenipotentiaries of Russia and Japan will meet in Washington, despite rumors that the sessions of the peace conference might be transferred to The Hague. The authoritative statement has been made at the Russian embassy that Washington was acceptable to Russia, and will remain so. nrvrTft SHOWED GREAT NERVE. Young Wife Murderer Goes to Gallows in Hilarious Mood. Otis Botts, 21 years old, was executed at Peoria, 111., Friday for tht murder of his wife, on January 5, last Botts spent the night laughing and joking and telling stories. He invited everybody to attend his funeral. His mother wanted to attend the execution, but he said: "Don't do it. You'll make me lose my nerve." He died with a sneer on his lips.Botts strangled his girl-wife with a piece of ribbon. LONDON PAPERS PLEASED. Selection of Washington as Place for Conference Elicits Compliment. The acceptance of Washington as j the place for the conduct of peace ne- J gotiations is regarded by the London morning newspapers as a great compliment to President Roosevelt's diplomacy, and as a further proof of the growing influence of the United States in international politics. HAS PROVEN A LEAK So Declares Secretary of the Cotton Association. CHARGE SUBSTANTIATED Cheatham Returns from Washington and Talks of Result of Investigation as to Cotton Statistics. Richard Cheatham, secretary of the Southern Cotton Association, who has been in Washington the last two weeks, pushing charges against a branch of the agricultural department, returned to headquarters in Atlanta Friday. When seen by a representative of The Constitution, he talked interestinly of the situation as It now stands. "Some people think it is the same old hue and cry that has been made year after year," he said, "but they will soon see that it is an entirely different thing this time, and that the charges I have brought against the department will bear fruit. "I received a message stating that the evidence could be secured agisdnst the man or men who had altered the figures of the cotton statistics, and I left for New York on the first train. Getting reliable lawyers to help me, I soon found that I had the information I wanted, and wired President Harvie Jordan of the Southern Cotton Association, that I had enough evidence to convict "I was instructed to push the charges, and I went to Washington. Arriving there, I sent my card to Secretary Wilson of the agricultural department, and was received by him. "The information I brought him cut him to the quick. Not that he did not want to rid his department of all possible traces of fraud, but simply because he hated to .know that men he had trusted had been so unworthy of that trust. "I had brought with me from New lork lour Drokers, wno swore positively that they had received tips that came from the department ahead of the time the report was given to the public. "The matter stands this way. I got information indisputable that a certain man or men had altered the figures of the statistical bureau so as to hurt cotton producers, consumers and legitimate traders, and to help the few gambling speculators. "In addition to this, I found that the man or men gave out tips in regard to what the report would be in advance of the report to the public itself. One can readily see what the result would be in such cases. "With this proof in hand, E. S. Holmes, Jr., first assistant statistician, who was acting chief statistician in the absence of John Hyde in Europe, was suspended by Secretary Wilson, and is awaiting further action. ? * "When my information was given in, Secretary Wilson immediately had the secret service notified of the situation, and the detective force went to work on the matter. "The charges are neither dead nor rfvine. Thev are living and making themselves felt." Not only this, but I can say from knowledge that the charges will stick to Holmes. I am satisfied of this; in fact, positive. "We are not prepared to give out the exact charges. I won't even say whether others are implicated besides Holmes, but will in time tell. "Chief tSatistician Hyde has beene called back from Europe, and will arrive in Washington next Friday. Until that time final action in regard to the charges will not be taken. "This matter is too important to trifle with. Tfre northern papers have bejen filled with it, anft they realize exactly how far-reaching the charges will be if substantiated. Over 1,500,000 cotton men of the south are made to suffer on account of a part of the Wall street contingent who gamble in cotton futures." PIRATES CLEAN OUT TOWN. Over Hundred Natives Massacred and* Their Property Seized. News of a terrible riassacre of 150 natives by pirates on the Siberian coast has been received at San Francisco in a letter from Petropaulovski, on the coast of Kamchatka. Robbery was the only motive, for every hut had been ransacked and anything of marketable value was taken. Who the marauders are cannot be learned, excepting that some Japanese were said to be in the party. THREE SISTERS DROWNED. One Gets Beyond Depth and Pulls the Other Two Down With Her. Misses Hallie, Fannie and Annie Belle Booth, daughters of Dr. Grant Booth, were drowned while bathing in the Ohio river near Crecelius, Ky. Miss Annie Belle had become exhausted, her sisters swam to her rescue and in her frenzy the former drew both her sisters under the water. m AMERICAN CAPITAL Chosen by Mikado and Czar as Place for Conference. OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT Selection Made Known to Public in a Brief Note from Roosevelt. All Other Suggested Places Are Barred. Washington has been selected as the seat of negotiations between the plenipotentiaries of Russia and Japan for a treaty of peace. The choice of America's national capital as the location of the peace conference marks another forward step in the negotiations toward ultimate peace in the Far East instituted by President Roosevelt Official announcement of the selection of Washington was made by Secretly iToeb at the white house at 1:30 o'clock Thursday afternoon. It was in typewritten form and read as follows: "When the two governments were unable to agree upon either Chefoo or Paris, the president suggested The Hague, but both governments have now requested that Washington be chosen as the place of meeting anr^ the president has accordingly formally notified both governments that Washington will be so selected." This statement was supplemented shortly afterwards by a semi-official announcement that "after meeting and organizing, the plenipotentiaries of the two governments, if it should be found to be uncomfortably hot in TT7^ rttrtw maw A A f TV>?totlT1flr 1 VV LUajr aujvuiu taw Uivvwug to some summer resort in the north and there continue their sitting until such time as" the weather in Washington shall be more comfortable/' Now that some of the details of the negotiations, which have been pending for more than two weeks, are known, the selection of Washington is regarded as the only logical solution of the problem presented to the bel- I ligerent governments.- After the ac- ! ceptaace by Russia and Japan of Pre!*ident Roosevelt's proposition that they consent to the discussion of peace, Russia indicated Paris as the most desirable place for the meeting to negotiate a treaty, and Japan indicated Chefoo. There the subject rested* for forty-eight hours. Finally, Japan declined to consider Paris, for obvious reasons, and Russia objected to the holding of the conference in any Oriental city. Washington was then suggested as a place at which the belligerents could meet on common ground, undisturbed by either political or personal influences. As^ a means of facilitating the negotiations, the president suggested that the conference be held at The Hague, the seat of the international arbitration tribunal, and the location of the first general arbitration conference, called at the instance of Emperor Nicholas of Russia. He indicated that for both practical and sen timental reasons, The Hague would be a most desirable place of meeting for the plenipotentiaries. Further consideration of the subject developed the practically unalterable objection of Japan to any European capital as a seat for the conference. She objected particularly to The Hague, believing that it was too far within the sphere of Russian influenence, and for a similar reason she declined favorably to consider Geneva. Until Thursday, however, Irreconcilable opposition to the selection of any European capital was not known definitely. At a conference which Togoro Takahira, the Japanese minister, had svith President Roosevelt during the day, he conveyed to the president the Japanese government's final refusal tc consent to the holding of the conference in Europe. FATHER AND SONS HELD. For Dastardly Assasssinatjon of Two Carter Children. The latest arrest Thursday in connection with the murder of the Carter children at Hahira, Ga., was that of J. G. Rawlins, whose three sons were arrested Wednesday with two negroes, who are charged with the crime. Frank Turner, a negro preacher, has also been arrested. Willie Carter, the 17-year-old boy who was slain, lived several hours after being wounded, and declared that Jesse Rawlings had shot him. It is declared that the Rawlings boys were seen loitering around the Carter home on the night of the murder, and were seen by three members of the family. Later Carter fired at them as they were preparing to put I shucks under the house preparatory to j firing it. I j CANNOT SHIFT A STREET. k I Georgia Supreme Court Decides Interesting Case in Atlanta. Authority to shift the location of I Waverly place, a short street in Ati lanta, in order to make room for the terminal stations of the Louisville and Nashville and other railroads, is denied the city under a unanimous decision of the state supreme court, which was handed down Thursday morning. THREE VICTIMS OF NOOSE " Murderers of Young Woman and a Policeman Pay Penalty of Crimes at Decatur, Alabama, Harvey Smith, John Collier and Will Jackson, colored, were hanged in the jail yard at Decatur, Ala., Friday afternoon. Troops were present as a precautionary measure, but there was no disorder. Smith and Collier were hanged for the murder of Miss Belle Bloodworth and Jackson for the murder of Officer E. L. Steele. Two thousand people surrounded the jail during the execution. The three men were hanged together, but, when the drop fell, the knot slipped On Smith's pppIt onrl hp HrnnnpH tn ! the ground, crying: "Thank God, I am free; yes, I am free!" He was picked up in a semi-conscious condition and hanged a second time, the rope drawing so taut that it cut deep into his flesh. Smith was practically unconscious when the drop fell the second" time, and had to be held up on the scaffold as the rope was adjusted. Both Smith and Collier protested their innocence to the last, while Jackson claimed he killed Officer Steele in self-defense. Smith and Collier were convicted of assaulting and killing Miss Belle Bloodworth, a popular and well known young lady of Decatur. The boldness of the crime startled the whole state. '< Miss Bloodworth was at the store of Mr. Wilkinson in the afternoon about dark and telephoned her home telling her mother she was on her way there. One of the negroes was at the store at the time and the testimony showed that the two followed her for several squares and then, when she was near a dark street, but almost in the heart 1 of the city, they attacked her. She evidently gave them a hard fight for her life, for the ground < around the spot' was torn up consid- : erably. When Mis? Belle did not get < home in some time her mother be- < came anxious and began inquiries. A 1 rrf n o o n/1 tVkO H ItlH SCiircll ' vv ao uiauc <iuu vuv uv?*u ^uv? bruised body of the young lady was found in a yard near the place where she was attacked. Posses were immediately organized. No trace could be found.1 Large rewards were offered and special detectives from all over the country took up the search. After some time a clew was secured, i and after working faithfully for some time, the two negroes were arrested. While the people of Decatur were still talking of the murder of Miss Bloodworth, Jackson shot and killed , Officer E. L. Steele, who was carrying him to the lock-up. Jackson was arrested on the charge of being a vagrant and, while en route to jail, he snatched the officer's pistol and shot him through the brain. Several people caught him before he could escape. BIG f-KAUD IS ALLtlitD. I Atlanta Citizens After Purchasing Co. ; of Padueah, Kentucky. One hundred citizens of Atlanta, ^ Ga., who claim the concern is fraud- < ulent and that something like $50,000 : is at stake, have organized for fhe purpose of investigating the affairs of the People's Home Purchasing com- j pany of Padueah, Ky., which has of- 5 flees and agents in Atlanta. Warrants have been sworn out and a petition ^ for a receiver filed. The hundred cit- j izens are backed by the United States government, the postmasters having ^ - -? - -i? wioll In. been instructed to stop auj tended for the company. THE FATHER IS SUSPECTED. Many Believe Elder Rawlings Instigated Murder of Carter Children. J. G. Rawlings is suspected of being the instigator of the killing oi the Carter children at Hahira, Ga. Only two of the sons, Jesse and Milton, are held as principals in the murder. Another son, Leonard, is held to av/ait further developments. It is charged that the father oi the boys instigated his sons to commit the crime, after having first tried and failed fo hire negroes for that purpose. KING ED ENGINEERS WEDDING. Princess Margaret "Tacks On" to | Prince Gustavus Adolphus. Windsor, England, the scene of r many historic events, particularly during the reign of the late Queen Vic- / toria, was in holiday attire Thursday < for the wedding of Princess Miargaret f of Connaught, eldest daughter of the c duke of Connaught, to Prince Gustavus j Adolphus, eldest son of Crown Prince . Gustavus of Sweden. Arrangements were made under the personal direction of King Edward. BELDAME WINS THE BROOKLYN. ' Belmont Mare First Under Wire in Classic Event at Shepshead. A New York dispatch says: Beldame j ] was crowned queen of the American j , turf when she won the twenty-second ! , Suburban handicap Thursday after- J ( noon at Sheephead bay. She was the I | second mare to capture the classic. , Proper was second and First Mason ( third. < - > W$jl . VETS REELECT LEE K And Name New Orleans as " ? Next Place of Meeting. BUSINESS IS COMPLETED Action Taken to Insure Truthful HI*. tory of South's Status In Cfv& War ? Many Notable Ad? dresses Delivered. , ? The United Confederate Veteran fm annual reunion at Louisville reflected, their old officers as follows: % Commander-in-Chief ? Ir*ftutnimi General Stephen D. Lee of sippi. , Commander Trans-Mississippi Da* v partment ? General L. W. Cabell. y Texas. Commander Army of Tennessee- Department?Lieutenant General CVnaient A. Evans, Georgia. Commander Army of Northern Tip* ginia Department?C. Irving Walker. * South Carolina. New Orleans had slight difficult? tec ' | securing the convention of 1906. Nfcakvllle made a fight, which was a sar- .j prise to the convention, but the an- -*|! tlment was strongly in favor of thai Crescent City. The day was a strenuous one. Twer sessions were held, and much bustecar transacted. At noon an bonr was devoted to the customary memorial seer- 'J ices in honor of the distinfptebad. dead of the year. The annual address to the veterans ';was .delivered by Captain N. E. Bar- :'A ris of Macon, Ga. For more than tmm ' j hours he held the large audience dm> '% Ly. At the conclusion of his adds?I ^ he was given an ovation. . During the progress of the bashmr ^ of the day it wias discovered thsttfca name of a federal officer was on tite J committee on resolutions. This cans- 'fy ed a commotion among the delegates* ;jl The officer in question was Ookml S. C. Russell of Indian Territory. - .M Colonel Russell did not attend the eon- ? ^ vention and on the protest of a Toot ' M member of the committee, Gentttf ... 3 Lee substituted the name of J. JL ^ Kendall .of Indian Territory. Fraternal greetings were read ft cm 1 J| the state encampment of Grand Arag ~ of the Republic of Indiana in mriaa at Madison. > Other interesting reports submitted during the day were those of the fcto*. 3 tory committee and the battle ahtwy ;'f| committee. Tfte history committee ported gratifying progress in the met . ter of securing accurate histories fer use in southern schools. An imenfr ment was adopted that future Mste? -J ries show that Jefferson Daris wa?/ mistreated while in prison. The battle abbey is now assure*. It will be built in Richmond, but the | exact site in that city, has not hem || decided. The suit for $16,000 commit- % slon claimed by John C. Undm net -.3 for collecting funds for this prafecfc, is still in the courts, but tbe eonuntfe tiaa muialvAll ?amiMTI?>8 OOO more can be collected If It Id. Ji a ceded. The report of the Davis Mammal ?3 Association says that $69,000 is Mm %i ^ the bank drawing interest, and tbs monument to the dead chleftai* la >| therefore assured. The reading ad the report caused prolonged dn? a (ng. South Carolina's sponsor, Miss BHs? f, ibeth Lumpkin, was given an ovattoft ? by the old men in gray at the tmm slusion of a remarkable address of greetings. This young woman jiiin? ' jes a splendid voice, and she swayed M ler audience alternately to tears and * % ?eers. . \M The spectacular feature of the rfrmion?the parade of the remnants /> )f the south's once great army?took - 31 place Friday. The veterans had a 2 sood rest, and the number of mem ha | ine exceeded that of any recent is 1.1 mion. The line of march covered ft ; | listance of nearly three miles. , -M A conservative estimate of thft ; ;? lumber of veterans 'and visitors ?flending the reunion, based on flgwras :'r: tfven by railroad men of expertaxcft, s placed at or near the 40,000 mask. STANDARD TIME. UPHELDt Insurance Decision bV tkt Ilil^VI MIMh _ Kentucky Court of Appeals. The Kentucky court of appeals or Thursday, Jn the case of a firs inr 'M rurance company against the Peuieelaulbert company from Jefferw. | sounty, upholds "standard" orer "naU* :irae in defining "noon." The plast )f the Apelle company was destroy*! it 11:39 a. m. and the policy expired ^ mder its terms at "noon." The loss* >r court held the company liable fhr :he loss, and this is upheld. ARMISTICE NOW PROBABLE. Armies fn Manchuria May Soon Be Served With "Stop" Orders. A "Washington dispatch says: Alone Dn the plains of Manchuria, midway between the two great armies, the Russian and Japanese commanders will meet to sign the armistice which will pave the way for the Washiajp :on conference if the present tent* :ive program is followed. Exchange* 3n this point are now in progress b* . iween Tokio and St. Petersburg, via Washington.