Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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SLAYS HIS COUSIN LEVI GUNTER SHOOTS AND KILLS LESTER GUNTER. ? HE CLAIMS SELF DEFENCE The Man Who 1)1(1 tlio Killing Declares That the Man lie Killed and Several of His Friends Made Threats and Used Abusive Language in Front of liis House. Lester Gunter, a young white man of the Steadinan section of Lexington county, was shot and almost instantly killed in tlio public road, about dark Sunday night, by Levi Gunter, his third cousin. The tragedy occurred in front of the home of Levi (Junter and five shots were fired. A ball from a 38-calibre Smith & Wesson revolver entered the side, ranging upwind, and lodged about two inches below the nipple, causing almost instant death. From the evidence adduced at the coroner's inuuest Monday morning and from what can bo learned from tho accused, it seems that tho trouble first had iih origin about a week ago, when, it is claimed, Lester Guntor and two or three companions went to the home of 10 d Gunter, father of Levi Gunter, and acted In a very ungcntlonianly manner in the presence of tho sisters of Levi Gunter. It seems that the troublo was renewel at tho Baptist Church at Stead man Sunday, and, according to the Btat.cm.ent of Levi Gunter, lie was attacked by seven young men. Levi Gunter says that he ran, being unarmed, in order to avoid an encounter. Lester Gunter was in the party, ali of whom, said Levi, were under tho influence of whiskey. Sunday night Lester Gunter, Glover Mall and Clinton Corley, in a buggy, drove by the homo of Levi Gunter and the last two were sworn at tho inquest Monday morning. Glover Hall testified that when they were about In front of Levi Gunter's house, Lester Gunter said, "Boys, I believe I will see if ho wants to shoot," and gave three yells. At tills juncture, Hall sai l, Levi Gunter came to tho door of his house and fired four or five times, non<? of the party in the buggy returning tho fire, and after driving a short distance Lester Gunter said that he was shot and ho expired a few minutes later. The two riaiiinnfl carried t ll O l)0(lv of Los tor (Junior lo tho home of his brother, four miles distant, whore the inquest was hold Monday morning. The tostiviony of the other young man, v. isjfb was with Lester (Junior at tho time of the shooting, is substantially tho same as Hall's. Levi Gunter, according to his statement, did not know that any one was injured until he reached Leesville with his father Monday morning, and being apprised of the fact by some friends, who had seen Sheriff Miller and Coroner it. I). Clark pass through on their way to hold tho inquest, tho young man boarded the first train and went to Lexington and gnvo himself up at the jail. He does not hesitate to talk about the affair, although he was visibly affected when seen by The News and Courier correspondent, whom he has known for many years. Ho said that ho shot in self-defence; that the young men in the buggy stopped in front of his homo, began to curse and make all kinds of threats; that they told him that he would either have to shoot or he killed. At the time tho buggy drove up to his home, ho said |hat he was sitting around the fireside nursing his two-year-old little child. He said thnt when he went to the door he he lieved that ho was going to bo instantly shot and that in defence of his own life he began to fire. Wo said ho heard nothing further and did not know that he had injured any one until Monday morning. Levi Hunter has employed the law firm of JOflrd & Prober to defend him and it. is likely that an application for bail will he made an soon as the papers can be arranged. Tie Is about no years old and has a wife and one child. Lester Hunter was about 1D years of age and unmarried. That mean whiskey played its part in (lie tragedy seems to bo the concensus of opinion among tho^e who aro familiar with the circumstances. The dead man was i son of James V. Hunter and his relatives have se-1 cured iho services of E. L. Asbi'.l, of Loesviile. to assist in the prosecution of tlie case. Tlie tragedy is very much deplored, all of the parties being prominent and well known citizens of the community and the two families are connected by blood audi marriage. - Two Killed, Plant Wrecked. Explosion of nino hundred quarts of glycerine in the American Company's factory at Prader, Ohio., killed two men and rocked tho countryBide. Edward Linkonatein and Hugh Fateion, wore blown to pieces. The factory was obliterated and much damage was done to buildings in a largo radius. ? ? -? Pirates' Cold Found in Cellar. While making excavations In tho cellar of a 2 0 0-year-old house at New Haven, Conn., an Italian laborer discovered a pewter pot containing over 1,700 coins. Tho vessel was about ten inches in diameter and filled to the brim with "eight-real" pieces. ? .? . Held Up and Itobbed Train. t Three masked men, little moro than boys, held up and robbed southbound Missouri, Kansas and Texas train No. 0 early Tuesday at Wirth, Okla. The bandits flagged the train as it rounded a curve onto a small tre9tle which they had set on Arc. HUGE BATTLESHIP FORTY THOUSAND l'KOI'I.E WITNKSB LAUNCHING. Will be tho Greatest War Ship fiver Built and Will Cost Ten Million Dollars. Tho super-dreadnought New York, greatest of the world s sea fighters was launched to-day at the New Yo*k navy yard, Brooklyn. Forty thousand persons, Including President Tal't and the secretary of the navy, witnessed the ceremony. Miss Elsie Candler, daughter of Representative William M. Candler, of Brooklyn, christened the ship. The New York is government built and has been under construction since September 11, 1911. She slid 1'ioin tho ways about 4 0 per cent, completed. It is estimated that another year and a half will be required before she is ready for her trials and can take her place with the Texas, now under construction at Newport News, at tho head of tho American navy. With all stores and ammunition aboard the New York will have a total displacement of 28,3G7. tons, which is about 1,000 tons more than the dreadnought Arkansas, the pride ot tho Atlantic Meet at its recent moI bilization in the Hudson river. Her length is 573 feet, and her breadth 95.25 feet. This will permit her pas|snge through the Panama canal. She I will bo equipped with two vertical I triple expansion engines and >vith fourteen boilers developing 28,1000 horse power. With this power, it is estimated, the great ship will make 21 knots on her speed trials. The estimated cost of the New York at completion is $10,000,000. The cost of the hull and machinery alone was $0,400,000. Her armament will consist of ten 14-inch guns, the largest ever placed on a battleship in the world. The minor armament of the New York will he made up ol twenty-one 5-inch rapid fire guns; four 3-pounders for saluting; and lour 21-inch submerged torpedo tubes. In addition, there will he four 3-inch field rifles. Sixty-three I officers and 1,000 men will man her. The vessel's armour protection consists of 12-inch plate to her water line belt, and above the belt and ex' tending to the main dock, 9-inch place. Extending from the funnels J of the turrets 12-inch plate will be vised. On the gun houses 12-inch armour will protect the most exposed placed; and 8-inch plates will shield other parts. To give the name New York to the latest and, with the Texas, the most powerful battleships of the United States navy, the cruiser that bore the flag of Admiral Sampson :.t the battle of Santiago had to be deprived of that title. TURKISH SOLDIERS EXECUTED. < .Many 1'ut to Death as Result of KirkKilisseli l'anic. A Constantinople dispatch says fhreo hundred Turkisn omcers ami men have been executed in connection with tlie panic among the Turkish troops at the taking of Kirk-Kilisst <1 by the Hulgarians. It is said hat a night attack upon the Bulgarian advance guard was ordered by ne Turkish commander, but the energetic defence offered uy the Bulgarians disconcerted the Turkisn Troops and a panic set in. The troops dispersed, abandoning in their (light their guns, rifles and ammunition. Mahmoud Mukhtar Pasha tried to stem the panic by shooting several fleeing soldieis. Prince Aziz Pasha joined in the flight. After consultation with Obdullali Pasha, the commander of the Turkish troops at Adrianople, by telegraph, Mahmoud iMukhtar Pasha ordered a general retreat. Many divisions of (lie Turkish army retreated in the greatest disorder. The main body retired toward Visa, where the divisions commanded by Fahri Pasha and Djemal Pasha stoppod the routs, restoring some semblance of order. Fnliri Pasha held the Bulgarians temporarily in check and recaptured four of the guns they had taken from the Turks. YEIJY COSTLY PEST. + ? Boll Weevil Has Caused Loss of Over One Million Dollars. The cotton boll weevil, the greatest pest of the south, has caused a loss of $125,000,000 represented by 2,550,000 bales of cotton since the weevil first invaded this country, according to an estimate of the depart' 'v ?? * n.vi.l.mUiirtA I n f H 1 A /1 IllI' Jit Ul 11,^1 IV iiuui u, IOOUOU n vu iicoday. The weevil crossed the Rio Orandeo into tho United States 2(5 yenrs ago. "The problem of tlie control of tho boll weevil will he more diflicult as the pest, continues its invasion of the cotton belt," announced the department. It. can not be considered as yet completely solved. There is no occasion to lose hope, but there must be devised better means of controlling the pest and reducing the enormous loss suffered, especinlly during unfavorable seasons in Texas. ? Rebels Will lie Shot. General Felix Diaz, leader of the rebellion recently inaugurated in Vera Cruz, Mexico, and three of his confederates have been sentenced to death by the court-martial before which they were tried in that city. The finding of the military court was announced in Vera Cruz. President Taft Shocked. President Taft Issued a statement Tuosday afternoon relative to the cannot withhold an expression of horror," he said, "at the act of the shooting of Colonel Rcooevelt. "I maniac who attempted to assassinate Colonel Roosevelt." OFFICERS ELECTED, ? BY ARGICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL SOCIETY t REPORT OF PRESIDENT ? President J. Arthur Hanks and All j the Other Officers of the Society ' i are Ke-elected, and Various Com- i mil tees are Appointed by the ( Body. Tlio State says Col. J. Arthur Banks ol St. Matthews was re-elect- i ed president of the South Carolina Agricultural anil Mechanical society at the annual meeting which was held in the Richland county court house Wednesday. All old ollicers op the society were re-elected. The election followed an effort to postpone the election ol oil cers to an adjourned meeting which was voted down after much discussion. This proposition came before the society in the form of a resolution ofu red by B. F. Taylor of Columbia, which asked for the election of a committee of five to consider changes in the constitution and by-laws and rules which was to report to an adjourned meeting and that election of officers be postponed until that time. The resolution called forth mucn discussion and a need of a change in the rules of the society so as to bring the fair to more modern and progressive methods were pointed out by a number of members. That part of i he Taylor resolution calling for the postponing of the election of officers was finally voted down and tno resolution as adopted reads as follows: "Whereas it is the sense of this meeting that the State Agricultural and Mechanical society of South Carolina has not kept pace with the past and present development of the agriculture in South Carolina, and it is believed that the usefulness of this society can be greatly increased by re-organization and revision of the constitution and by-laws to such an extent as will permit of the adoption of modern and progressive methods in the conducting of tho affairs of the society. "Now, therefore bo it resolved, That a committee of fivo members of the society be elected from the floor of this meeting to look into the constitution, rules and by-laws of the .-aid society and all matters connected with or in any way affecting the welfare ol tho society, and that said committee report its find rags ami recommendations, logo nor with drafts ot such amendments and by-laws as it. shall see fit to an adjourned meeting of the society to be held upon the call of the president during the corn I show. "He it further resolved, That this resolution is not intended to reflect . n any way on any member or members of the society engaged in the management of the affairs of the society at the present time." The committee selected to carry cut this resolution consists of If. F. T? ?filinivitvii) Tntti (1 Uniiior T? I a?? l\/l I I1MU1 t M. W 111 w, I I fci lit v> I , > ? ! Manning, G. A. Guingnard, S. .T. Summers. It is evident that a general re-organization of the whole society is contemplated in this resolution. When tho election of officers was reached Dr. Lancaster nominated .7. A. Banks, the incumbent, for president and seconds came from all parts of the hall, the nomination being received with cheers. The rules were suspended, and the election made by acclamation. President Ranks, in resuming the chair, made an appropriate expression of his appreciation. All of 'the other officers were reelected by acclamation except the assistant secretary. The Incumbent, T. A Heise, and Brown Ilvatt were placed in nomination and Mr. Heise was re-elected by a vote of 105 to 2S. The officers re-elected were: .7. M. Cantey, secretary; 7). G. Ellison, treasurer; .7. D. W. Watts, general superintendent; Tom C. Hauler, president pro tern., and the vice-presidents as follows: / S. G. Stoney, first congressional district, Charleston. It. B. Watson, second congressional district, Ridge Spring. T. J. Kinard, third congressional district, Ninety-Six. .Ino. 1). \V. Watts, fourth congressional district, Laurens. T. L. Bulow, fifth congressional district, Hidgoway. D. A. Spivey, sixth congressional district, Conway. E. C. McGregor, seventh congrcs slcnal cli8lrlct, Columbia. The following were selected as members of the executive committee: O. F. Moore of Chesterfield, S. T. I). Lancaster of Spartanburg, B. H. Boy- . kin of Boykins, J. IT. Wharton of Laurens, Tom C. Hamer of Bennetts- i ville, S. J. Summers of Calhoun, R. I. Manning of Sumter, Richard Singleton of Acton, L. J. Browning of Un- < ion, B. F. Taylor of Columbia, D. F. < Rflrd of Lexington, B. Harris of Pen- < dleton, S. D. Cross of Chester, J. N. < Kirvin of Darlington. These with i the officers and past presidents of the 1 fair constitute the executive commit- 1 tee. President Banks in his report re- | ferred to the erection of the new steel , building, of the difficulties which had to be overcome, of the assistance lent by the fair in securing the National ' Corn exposition, and said: "We are J in the midst of one of our best fairs and I have been much pleased to note J the marked improvement in our agri- ' cultural exhibits which we are making special efforts to encourage. The ( changes constantly taking place in 1 the agricultural and industrial life of 1 our State appear to make necessary 1 some changes In our methods and 1 1 would recommend tlio selection of a special committee to study conditions i and report at our February meeting r such changes in our rules as they l deem advisable." The president t 0* A TERRIBLE TRAGEDY | * I \ YOt'NO MAN SHOOTS HIS OWN; FATHER TO DEATH. I The Killing Took Place on the Street of Clinton in the Presence of Sev- . oi'ttl People. I A dispatch from Clinton in Laurens County says tlio good name of that town was again terribly blight- j " .Monday by a horrible killing that look place in tlio heart of the town, between tlio Columbia, Newberry and Laurens freight depot and J. W. Copeland'B LvOre, about 2:30 o'clock, when Warren Franklin Lawson, oi Lanfoid Station, was shot in the back of the head three times by his son, liobt. 11 Lawson, who lives live , miles north of that town. The father and son had boon quarrelling for about two years, it is said, tluring which time the son's life was often threatened by hi slather. Early Monday morning Robert left his heme to bring a hale of cotton to Clinton, expecting to apply it to his account. lie was followed by his father and younger brother, Victor. The son had just turned the cotton over to the citizen whom he wished to have it when, it seems, his father came and demanded it as rent. The citizen, seeing they were about to have some words, stepped into his office. Both the father and the son, with the bale of cotton, started towards the warehouse. Acco/ling to the son's statement, his father commanded him to got out of the wagon or he would kill him. Instantly tho son drew his revolve and fired rapidly five times, claiming that this was done in self-defence. It is said the father was driving and the first shots were fired into the back of his head. The fifth shot was fired, after he fell, into his side. u Without any words young Lawson, who is about 2 2 years of age and married last spring, surrendered and turned over to the policeman h>s pistol and his father's that he had picked up from the bottom of the wagon. In his cell Lawson expressed no sorrow nor regret for his action, and showed no excitement. A large number of people were on the streors at. the time and many witnessed tho whole affair. The general opinion Is that the shooting was not necessary. A young brother, who was just, back of the wagon, says that his father did not draw his gun. Lawson was taken at once to Laurens and placed in jail. Till] PEOPLE A HE MAP. Incensed at the Charges Against the Ofliicers. A mspaien no in i?nou vuiu there was little if tiny abatement Monday of tin; intense cla-ss feeling engendered there Sunday night by the treatment accorded one of Greenville's most highly respected citizens. Kx-Sheriff .J. I). Clilreath and the other two men, both of whom are men o4' integrity, when they were arrested on warrants charging them with assisting T. IT. Vaugh.n to escape from the Greenville jail last Juno. Th/? affair is generally believed to bo a gigantic political conspiracy designee. to bring about the oflicial decapitulation of Police Inspector Gilrcath, who has been making blind tigers and operators of gambling dens sweat blood since his election to that oflice on October 1. It is also widely believed that since there is yet a deeper plot on foot, the statement being made openly on the streets that certain people of Greenville have promised Vaughn that they will procure executive clemency for him if lie will give them information that will bring about the downfall of Gilreath. It is a fact that two of Vaughn's brothers stated Monday that they did not believed any of the three accused men bad anything to do with the prisoner's escape. * They went further and stated that they had serious doubts as to their condemned brotliew making a confession implicating the three men. Th- three defendants will be given a preliminary hearing and leading members of the bar have clamored for the privilege of representing the defendants. Sheriff-elect Rector Monday afterneon issued a statement declaring that the arrests of Gilreath, Phillips and Gosnell were made unaer oraers declined t.o allow his friends to enter him as an independent, candidate for sheriff against Rector, who defeated the former in (lie recent primary, i ?? A VKRV SICK >I \X. + Xo Hope for the Recovery of VicePresident Sherman. < A dispatch from Uica, N. Y., says , James S. Sherman, Vice President of j rlie United States, is seriously ill and < steadily failing at his home there. ' \\ liile his physician, Dr. Fayette 11. \ Peck, believes there is no immediate ' danger, yet the distinguished patient j condition is such that it is a matter { of coyecture how much longer he j sa.n withstand the ravages of the di- ( *case with which he is suffering II? may withdraw from the Republican Presidential ticket. thanked the members for their co-op- , 3ration and assistance. The secretary was instructed to re- t Hiest the secretaries of the various county fairs to hold their fairs prior r o the State fair and to send as many 1 >f their exhibits to the State fair as j lonsible. c A committee was appointed to r iraft resolutions on the death of It. P. Hamer and report at the February xteeting. Mr. Hamer was a valued \nd useful member of the fair society i vnd was at one time president. Several new members were elected a \nd tho meeting was adjourned. I rhore were a largo number of tho a nembers in attendance and much in- t orest was manifested in the meeting. 1 SAVE THEIR LIVES IN EFFORT TO SAVE THE LIVES OF LITTLE ONES. FIRE IN OHPHAN HOME ?ix Noble ami Self-Sacrilicing Sisters of Charity I turned to Death Tlying to Save tiiO Orphans tinier Their j Chaise, Two oi Whom hose Their loves Also. bi.x Sisie.s oi Charity gave up their i\es to s.?,?e iicaii} one nnU'iied iilOC Oi Cll.iUiCll \\ HCll aSUllll .oiiua Oi piiuii uj,ti vv ub buiiiea at can .witonio, j lA.is, jasi OCiOie uu^ngii; ounesaay lauriiiiig. i wo oi tae i*itie chiidreu were also burned to .eatn, ine oiiiers escaped. Onl> tiiiee oi ine nine cisieis 111 charge ol die lioine escaped. i wo women enii'?o>ua as servants were badly burned. The origin of the lire is not yet known. mighty-seven orphan elnldieii ranging in ages from two to twelve years, and nine nuns, were in cue building where the lire started', i he Sisters of Charity nouiy sacri*.eed their own lives lor the helpless utile orphans, remaining in the .structure until the building itself began to crumble and tall. The death ol ihe mother superior, .Mary of the Cross, was a demonstration of unparalied courage. She returned to the dormitory when she heard the cry of a little child forgotten in the hurry and excitement. A few moments later she appeared at the window oil the front of the building with the child in her arms. Fire Chief Wright attempted to save her, but failed. A ladder was placed up against tlio wall and the lire chief scaled it, but before lie reached her the mother superior ami the child disappeared. The flooring had been burned away and she had fallen through to the floor below, \\ here her lifeless body was recovered later. Sister Kostka In jumping from the fourth floor window to" reach a life net evidently lost her balance as her body left the window she seemed to stumble or lost her footing and came down headfirst. Her body struct the railing on the second story and throw her out of line with the net. Her back was broken as were her limbs. She was carried into the hospital unconscious where she died in an hour. Sister Monica Monte/, also lost her life in jumping lroiu inc minium. After the children had been taken to | the fu'c escape on Uric west s'ifie ol the building she rofurned to take a last look in the dormitory. Her escape was cut off by a burst of flame into the place, but she made her way io the east side, where the firemen stood below with the net spread, she leaped, but missed the net. 11 or limbs and body were broken and bruised in numerous places and death was instantaneous. Mother Frances Pasteur and Sistors Peter CI aver Steven and Learadia Nolan were unable to escape from the building and met death In the veritable furnace, their lifeless bodies falling to the ground with a mass of burning debris. The charred remains of these sisters were .recovered by firemen at .1 o'clock, four hours after (lie breaking out of the firo. Tli : 11 .vile of the orphans from death, in the fir0 is considered remark hie. File Clin f Wright, one of the Pv.-.f on the scene after the alarm had h ("i sounded, declr red that the self-sacrifice or the nuns was all that saved the little ones. While one child is known to have been burned to death, another is missing, and it is fen red it, I oo, is dead. While every Sister of Charity of the orphanage at the time devoted her efforts to the saving of children, others f aun the hospita' gave assistance. In the rescue work Rt. Rev. Rislion I. W. Shaw rendered valuable service in carrying little orphans from t'e ns\ li:m. The?n children, some 01 whom were babies, were un able to help themselves. Even the older children, just arousd fiom sound- slumber, were unable to got about with much rapidity. The three nuns in the building when tiro broke out, who escaped, helped in taking children from the blazing structure and were inarching them across the yard when the walls began falling. Father Hume, the chancellor, and Father Duffy, chaplain, also risked their lives in the rescue of the orphans. Time anu again they rushed into the building t.o return with some child lost in the excitement and confusion. When the lire chief and the first apparatus reached the scene the fire liad spread throughout the entire structure. The roof was gone and great, openings in the walls eaten iway by the fire caused a draft that fanned the fire into greater fury. The mat was intense. The ortein of the ire is not vet known. The dead nuns belonged to the Sisters of Charity of ho Incarnate World. Vaughn is No Preacher. A dispatch from Greenville savs IT 1. .. I 1 ? .?.! *1, ....... V illi?11 (I wtio aii^ i i r\uuru uirio ,vi;h having been a minister because if the fact that he frequently occuion and was usually referred to as "Reverend". There is no record tvallable, however, showing that ho lad ever been ordained, lie had prepared for the ministry in a Raptist ollege and was always prominent in eliglous affairs. ? ? ? Cirrus Kmployoo Injured. At Columbia A. L. Moore, said to >e an employee of ?i circus, was probibly fatally Injured lute Tuesday by l Southern Railway train four miles >e!ow Columbia. He was brought to l local hospital. Ho was arrested by ho police late Monday night and recased Tuesday morning. 9 RECTOR IN BAD REPUTE PEOPLE IN GREENVILLE OPPOSE HIS ELECTION. They Met in Mass Meeting and Put Out a Candidate Against Him for Sheriff. A special dispatch to The News and Courier from Greenville says the most remarkable gathering of a political naturo held in that city for many years was the mass meeting of the Citizens of Greenville County at the boaru ot trade rooms Wednesday night, lor tho purpose of formally raining an independent ' ndidate for the on.ce of sheiiif ol that county. The result of the gatherings was a unammous endorsement < f Mr. W. F. Verdin, of Austin Township, as tho inn. nendent candidate to oppose Mr. llendrix Rector lor this highest executive ofiice of the eouky. In llie meeting were rrcn I'.om ^.il walks of life, 'l lie mill operatives, the farmer, the clerk, the merchant, the mill superintendent, the mill president, the banker, the broker and the barber were all represented. A more comprehensive collection of men it would be very dillicult to find. The meeting was the culmination of tho opposition to iMr. Rector, because of the alleged part he took in the arrest of Messrs. Gilreath, C?os11011 and Phillips. The meeting was not extensively advertised, being more in the nature of voluntary uprising of the conservative citizens. Of the .approximately one hundred ami fifty men who were on hand, perhaps twenty-five gave expression of their views. Tho keynote of all these speeches was that the oaths of the primary were absolved, because ef the fact that matters have now risen above the standard of politics. The question, as these speakers put it, is no longer one of loyalty to a more or less perfunctory form, but of loyalty to the manhood, prestige, dignity and welfare of the county." As one of the gentlemen who addressed the gathering stated, the call was no longer one of politics, but of "simple manhood and decency." It was pointed out that the movement on foot is not one to split tho Democratic party, but to preserve it from men who would vitiato it. * KIIJJll) HIS IU'/ST FHIKND. * Prominent Railroad Man Slain by I lis Chief Clerk. Geo. C. Thomson, division freight agent of the Southern railroad, with headquarters at Greensboro, N. C., uidelv known In tho South, was shot. ui)'' killed by William F. Blair, chief cle^k in hi.-jn^fllco, at noon Tuesday. An egort of BlaYr \q eud his own life when advised by a physiciwn that. Thomson was dying was frustrated by the physician who wrenched from his hands a .32 calibre revolver freshly loaded. When carried to jail ho muttered in broken sentences regrot of his action and declared ho had killed his best friend. Later be lapsed into a semi-comatose state, brought on, his physician said, "by fhe use of whiskey during the past week." Thomson was shot down in Blair's homo after he had responded to a roriuest of his assailant that ho come to his home for a few moments. The request by Blair was in answer to a note delivered during the morning and signed by Thomson in which Thomson stated that effective November 1 the services of Blair would be no longer desired In the division freight otlices. NORM I)KINKS AND HMOKK8. ^ Consumption for I0?L5 Heaviest in History of Country. 'Idie American people are drinking more whiskey and beer and smoking more cigars and cigarettes than ever before in history, according to tax returns received by Royal K. Cabell, commissioner of internal revenue. From duly I to Octo-ber 1, t B12, more than 3,800,000,000 cigarettes were smelted, an increase of one bil huh 1111; ni t rv?.ipun f.i i rjg rn'i uni m the previous year, which broke all i c co rds. The nation consumed 33,150,000 gallons of whiskey during July, August. and September, an increase of 150,000 gallons as compared with that quarter of 1911, while nearly 1,950,000 cigars were smoked during that time The cigar consumption promises to establish a now record. A total of lO.SOO.OOO barrels of beer were consumed during the three months, which was 3 00,000 barrels more than in the same period of 1911. This somewhat surprised revenue oHieia Is as beer drinking fell off considerably during the fiscal year ending June 3 0 lest. Smoked Too Many Cigarettes. Incessant smoking of cigarettes was said by physicians to have caused tho suicide of Con Holder, of Macon, (la., recently. Fielder, who is a prominent business man, visited his parents about ten miles from the Qjity. After dinner he went to an adjoining room and shot himself in the head, lie was dead when his mother reached his side. , . llangs in the Balances. A dispatch from Condon says tho fate of Turkey is in the balance, lteports indicate that the critical battle of tlie Turkish Balkan war is being fought in some place along the lino from Tohorlu to laile Burgas in the eastern area below Adrianople. * Ghost Guards Tuuiu 1. "A man without a head,'* is terrorizing froight trainmen at the Sand Patch tunnel, near llyndman, Pa. Several brakemen and flagmen have refused to ride any train that enters the tunnel unless they be allowed to remain in 'the caboose.