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I THE LARGEST Circulation of Any Newspaper % in the Fifth Congressional District ol S. C. Ledger SEMI-WEEKLY—PUBLISHED TUESDAY AND FRIDAY. WE GUARANTEE The Reliability of Every Adver tiser Who Uses the Col umns of This Paper. /\ Newspaper in ail that the Word Implies and Devoted to the Best Interests of the People of Cherokee County. ESTA II LIS 11 El) FEIL 1«, I HIM. GAFFNEY, 8. <J.. Fit IDA Y, DECEMBER 21, 1900 81.00 A YEAR, UNV AMERICANS 'HAVE BEEN SWINDLED ^London Claim Agents Live Ofl Their Contributions. CHOATE MAKES INQUIRY InvestixHtlou Reveals Great Erau<1*. >• Venezuela Pays American Claims. Prussian Hank Director Arrested. liattieship Kentucky at Port Said. London, Dec. 20.—So many expectant American heirs to fortunes reported to be held m the English court of chancery are being fooled by unscrupulous agouti* that the American embassy made a formal request to the court for a state ment of unclaimed property in which the Americans might be interested. J The court sent to Mr. Choate au official statement showing the absurdity of American expectations. The court holds a total of 1200.000.000 worth of prop erty, of which $180,000,000 are desig nated trusts for wards in chancery and known heirs of estates in process of ad judication, leaving a balance of •'* : 20,- 000,000 open for claim. But a large part of the latter is already claimed, and is only awaiting a decision of the court for settlement. Most of these un claimed estates are very small, only one being more than $500,600. A coterie of claim agents in London has been living off the contributions of American heirs for many years. SITUATION Fears GROWS WORSE Are Entertained of Another Anti-Foreign Outbreak. Peking, Dec. 19. — The situation throughout the provinces is rapidly growing worse, causing grave anxiety. ( Unless a definite system of government is speedily installed a recrudescence of the anti-foreign outbreaks is confidently predicted. The pressure of winter begins to be felt by the people, who are als suffering on account of the blackmail levied by the native employes of the allies, for which the foreigners are blamed. A number of desperadoes, imprisoned at San-Ohow-F» by General Mei, whom the Germans released, are now hurry ing to the Chi-Li Shang-Tung border burning houses, murdering and pillag ing. COLUMBIA HOTEL BURNED Fire Night Destroyed Over $100,- OOO Worth of Property. Cou mhia, S. O., Doc 20.—In the ag gregate of tire losses Columbia suffered last night as she has not done since the city was burnt by Sherman’s army. The chief loss is the destruction of Hotel Jerome, one c f the newest and best hos tel rios in the city. Fire was discovered in the rear of the big furniture house of J. M. Van Metre, and be tore the department arrived the hotel kitcln^ was on tire. Although there was no wind blowing, the tin men were unable to check the flumes which j burned through from Main to Assembly | street. On Main street, the Hotel Jerome, King’s racket store, Cap Carroll’s bar ber shop, J. M. Van Metro and J. A. Platt, groceries, were burned. On Assembly street, Meyers’ carriage factory building, Carolina hall and Long’s livery stable were burned. The loss on the hotel and furniture was about $(10,000. insurance, $.’0,0 Hi; King racket stun $(1,000, insurance, *1.- 700; J. A Piatt $8,000, insurance, $f,- 000; Carolina hall $5,(»oo, ewered; fac tory building I l.ooo, no insurance; stable building $3,000, no insurance. Van Metre’s lossis probably ovi r $7o,- 000 with about $2 1,000 insurance. WARNED TO LEAVE COUNTY Miss Hassett, Threatened With Dealh, ynits ItroWa Park. Hayden, Colo., Dec. 20.—The latest developments in connection with the reign of terror in the Brown Park sec tiou of Koutt count}’ is the publication of the following warning to Miss Anna Bassett, who has until recently been living with her father, postmaster at LaD -e, and assisting her brothers in their ranch and range work: “You are requested to leave Koutt county for parts unknown within 3o days or you will be killed. Thirty days for your life.” This note was enclosed in it letter bearing the postmark of Cheyenne, Wy., where it was mailed Nov. 15 and has just been made public by Miss Bassett, who is staying with a friend in Craig. All the members of the Bassett fam ily, except the father, have left the Brown Park country. POWERS HELD RESPONSIBLE He Is Censured For Ills Conduct CUDAHY PAID HEAVY RANSOM FOR HIS BOY Kidnapers Get $25,000 For His Son’s Return. SENT HOME LAST NIGHT Father Followed Directions Given Him In a Letter and Recovers His Son—Omaha Police Are at Work on the Case—No Clue to Abductors. pay ‘ qj on au Heavy Storm >“L) V K K1‘CH >L, Dt r ^ uioW great si_ ing over Great Br ward. Storms are reporte coasts, numbers of minor wrecks have occurred aud the southwest gale con tinues with unabated fury off the Irish coast. The Teutonic sailing today from Queenstown tor New York experienced the full force of the storm. Thirteen Thoii-otud on Strike. Antwerp, Dec. 20.—It is now esti mated that there are 13,000 men on h Hr ike, including coal porters and sail ors, who have joined the dock laborers. Most of the imported laborers have been induced to join the union. The Red Star line officials have made special terms, hoping to get the steamer Neder land loaded in time to sail Saturday. P.aced Orders In America. Glasoow, Dec. 20.—Clyde shipbuild ers recently placed orders for 150,000 tons of plates in the United States at a saving of £50,000. The depres sion in Scotland steel and malleable iron trades is aente. Fourteen furnaces will be damped at the end of the year. The steelworks are talking of closing in definitely. American Claims Paid. Caracas, Venezuela, Dec. 20 —Form er President Benjamin Harrison has re ceived his fee for his services in connec tion with the arbitration of the boundary dispute between British Guiana and this republic. In addition the govern ment has paid the American mixed claims aud tne interest on the foreign debt. Hank Director Arresti-d. Potsdam, Dec. 20 — Councillor of Commerce Sauden, recently a director of the Prussian Hypotheken Aktieu bank, was arrested today aud confined in the Miabit prison. Kentucky at Port Said. Port Said, Dec. 20. — The United Brutes battleship Kentucky arrived here at 8 o’clock this morning. FRUIT MEN IN CONVENTION Annual Meeting of the North Carolina Horticultural Society. Asheville, N. C., Dec. 20.—The State Horticultural society met at the Swnu- nanoa hotel. President J. Van Lindley read his annual address, referring to western North Carolina as the ideal ap ple country of the United States. The society recommended Albemarle Pip pin, York Imperial, Ben Davis and Wine Sap as the best varieties for the state. At the night session a resolution was passed recommending congress to make increased appropriations of 125,000 to the division of vegetable physiology and pathology aud $10,000 more to the de partment of pomology and ask au in creased appropriation for tbs state agri cultural department Mandamus Against Fitzgerald. Savannah, Dec. 20.—In the United States court today Judge Emory Speer issued a mandamus against the city of Fitzgerald to show cause Monday, Jan. 7, why a tax levy shall not be made on the citizens to satify a judgment against Fitzgerald. The plaintiff is a fire ex tinguisher company of Chicago having a judgment for $2,700 for fire apparatus. May A Co. Assign. New York, Deo. 20.—The failure of L wi* Co , brokfrs, was an- juwiiidated huuge Censured for ills at Tuscaloosa. Montgomery, Ala., Dec. 20.—A rather sensational story growing out of the Tuscaloosa university embroglio has leaked out, aud the sympathy for the president of that institution has been changed to one of censure and pity It is now claimed that the pres.' was iu favor of the ‘‘whitmjj^gf<f*^' reso i u . tue 1 '*” Omaha, Dec. 20. — Chief of Police Douhun this morning gave out the fol lowing statement: “You may rest assured of this much, the Cudahy boy was kidnaped and he was taken from the city. Further than that I can say hut very little now, but I expect Mr. Cudahy to call at my office uml after u talk with him I expect to be tible to make a statement.” Being further pressed as to details about the ivtii n of the boy and the terms mml ^ !■! Cudahy, Sr., for (he return ot if any were offered, the chief siith. “We knew last'night that the boy was ktdtiape i til right and taken from the city He was returned home about 1:30 o'clock tins morning.’ It i- stated that Cudahy paid $25,000 random demanded by the abactors of hts son. ami it was by so doing that the young man was returned home. Y< sturduy about noon and several hours after a letter hud been left in the front yard at the Cudahy residence, tin- other missive was delivered to Mr. Cudahy at his residence. It came through the mails and con- tattled a proposition to return the boy safe and unharmed, provided the sum of $25,000 was paid that night. In the letter were lull directions as to where the money was to he left and the assur ance was given that the missing boy would he allowed to return within a few hours utter the time when the cash was paid. A consultation was held and ilm plan* were discussed for capturing the bandits when they should make their appearance at tin- rendezvous that had been designated, hut one after another they were dropped as being impractica ble. Father Pays tin* Runsoni. Finally, impelled by the strain nndei which the entire household was labor- ing, Mr. Cudahy decided to comply with the terms offered and ransom his son. The money was secured by a trusted messenger, who was sworn to secrecy, aud was brought to the Cuik^lS-Ekaii _ r Olliner Mr. Cudahy had one of his horses harnessed to a light SHARP BN WITH FILIPINO INSURGENTS Twenty Americans Surprise a Band of 80 Rebels. REAPPORTIONMENT BILL Minority Makes Its Report to House. South’s Representation Increased. Closing Arguments lu the Philip, pines Case. Washington, Dec. 20.—The following cablegram from Admiral Reutey, at Ca vite, dated today, giving an account ot of a sharp brush with Filipino insur gents, was received at the navy depart ment: “Fifteen troopers of the Fourth cav alry and five of the crew were landed from the gunboat Base > yesterday al Limbanes, Cavite province. They sur. prised 80 insurgents and a sharp skirm ish of half an hour followed. Thirteen insurgents killed, 12 rifles captured aud a large amount of stores destroyed. One soldier wounded.” MINORITY MAKES REPORT It Provides For a Gain In the South’s Representation. Washington, Dec. 20.—The report of the minority of tiie house census com mittee on the Hopkins reapportionment bill was submitted to the house today. It is signed by Messrs. Burleigh, Rus sell, Heatwole, Crumpacker, Grifflu aud Wilson aud proposed as a substitute for the Hopkins measure a bill fixing the total number of representatives at 860 instead of 357 as iu the Hopkins bill. Under this the gaiu is as follows: Ar kansas, California, Colorado, Connnec- ticut, Florida, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi. Missouri, N ■ rh Carolina, North Dakota, Washi’it: ou, West Vir ginia and Wisconsin one represen tative each; Minneso; New Jersey and Pennsylvania gain two; Illinois, New York and Tex ts gain three. SALE AND oHIPMENT OF GAME DrpHcmciit <>! Agriculture Issues a I tilb'i.ii ti This Subject. W wi; uio\, Dec. 2<).—The United Bt;tt* 1 arint nt of agriculture has in piv and will soon issue a bulletin t innl' i “Lav. -. Regulating Transport* anu''V^iiiau^advocated it botii before the trustees and on the outside of the meeting, aud but for his advocacy of the amnesty proceedings the board was ready to deal harshly with the in surrectionists. The fact that he ten dered his resignation after the meeting led many to believe that he did not ap prove of the action of the board. NEGROES Ten GOING TO HAWAII Thousand Are Wanted to Work on sugar Plantations. Nashville, Dec. 20.—R. O. Bean, traveling passenger agent of the South ern Pacific railroad, left here for Hono lulu with a party of 60 negroes, going to San Francisco by the Louisville aud Nashville aud the Southern Pacific. The negroes are going to the island to work on sugar plantations. Mr. Beau will return in 40 days, and iu March will take another party. He says it is desired to take out at least 10,000 fami lies for work ou the sugar plantations. The party will sail from San Francisco Dec. 26 on au Occidental steamer. Called to the Door and Slain. Winnsboro, S. C., Dec. 20.—Another tragedy has been added to Fairfield’s long list of murders for this year. It occurred at the country home of Starke P. Martin; near Rocky Mount, lb miles from here. Martin, answering a knock at his front door, was ireu upon with a gun by the assassin, who had concealed himself close by. The whole load en tered his stomach and at so close range was the shot tired that his clothing was burned by the powder. • Will Visit Cuba. Duluth, Dec. 20. -Archbishop Ire land of St. Paul is to make a trip to the island of Cuba shortly after the first of the year by commission from the presi dent and will investigate certain mat ters there with reference to the interests of the Roman Catholic church in the island and will make recommendations to the president with reference thereto. Hoy t barged With Assault. Pueblo, Colo., Dec. 20.—Clyde Gray, a 17-year-old white boy, has been ar rested here on the charge of having criminally assaulted Anna Rust at Di vide, Colo. Threats have been made against Gray and Governor Thomas has requested the sheriffs of Pueblo and El Paso counties so take all necessary pre- cautious to prevent a lynching. Hig Contract Let. Ban Francisco, Doc. 20.—The South ern Pacific has let a contract to a local firm for 50,000 bricks to be used in lin ing the tunnels of the new Bay Shore road to run through the hills of South San Francisco. This is said to be the largest contract of the kind over entered into iu the world. One Dead; I wo Wounded. Wetumpka, Ala., Dec. 20.—At John Reese’s, about 12 miles from bore, a difficulty occurred between Joe Martin and George Traylor and Traylor’s sou, iu which Martin killed George Traylor and young Traylor was badly wounded. Martin was also badly wounded by young Traylor. - Passengers on the Kaiser Wilhelm. New Yoke, Deo. 20—Jean DeRescke, the operatic tenor, and Beuor Don Frau- cisce Gonzales de Goace, governor of the state of Querotaro, Mix., arrived here today on board ho amor Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosso, Bremen, Shouthamptou and Chi’ buggy and taking the money with him left for the designated place at which it had been stipulated the money was to he left. In the buggy he carried a red lantern and was alone. Leaving the house he drove 5 miles west of town un til he came to a white lantern that was hanging on a short stick by the side of the road. This was the place where he wtis to leave the boy’s ransom, and alighting from his buggy he deposited the sack close by the stick bearing the white light. Then, without seeing any one, he returned to his home. pi the meantime the abductors of the boy had seen the red light coming up - the road and as soon as the buggy had disappeared iu the direction from which it had come, they took the money ami prepared to keep faith with the boy’s father. The lad was bundled into a hack and set down close by his father’s house about 1 o’clock this morning. Having been blindfold all the time, the boy was unable to say where he had been, but as nearly as he could estimate by the few observations he was able to make he thought he had been taken about 5 miles*south of South Omaha. There is absolutely uo clue to the identity of the abductors, although the police have been working incessantly on the matter ever since it was first re ported to them. Whether the boy will be able to furnish clues that will lead to the capture of the outlaws who hold him prisoner for over 24 hours remains to be seen later on. NEGROMURDERERRUN DOWN Slayer of Marshal Richardson (Jap» lured and Carried to Gulfport. Gulfport, Miss., Dec. 20.—The posse with hounds who started last night on the trail of the negro I-iewis, murderer of Marshal W. E. Richardson, have cap tured their prey. A third negro, who was with the others, escaped. The murder occurred last night. Mar shal Richardson was having some words with a negro who was demanding that a young white boy should be arrested aud was threatening the marshal physi cally when a negro boy in the crowd drew his pistol and fired at the marshal, killing him instantly. The murderer, his brother and father fled immediately, fhe murderer was caught today and was brought back to Gulfjiort. Much disorder prevails and business has been practically suspended. After the tragedy last night the negro church was set on fire and burned. Richardson’* Murderer Lynched. Nkw Orleans, Dec. 20.—A dispatch received from Gulfport at noon says that tho negro murderer who was cap tured today was taken to a tree half a mile from the scene of his crime and lynched. Negro Shot by M hltccup*. Williamson, Ga., Dec. 20.—White- caps visited the promises of J. P. Baker aud endeavored to got Henry Alford to come out of his house, which he refused to do, whereuiton a shot was fired through tiie door, mangling the negro's arm so that amputation was necessary. The isirties ara known, and warrants for assault with intent to murder have been placed in the hands of the sheriff. Hums to Ride For Whitney. San Francisco, Dec 20.—Tod Sloan and Tommy Burns, the jockeys, have arrived here. Sloan says he has come purely on pleasure and will not accept any mounts. Burns will ride hereafter the first of the year He has been en gaged by William U. Whitney for next season aud expects to ride iu England. BATTLE IS RAGING NEAR KRUGERSDORP Heavy Cannonnading Heard From That Place. BOERS TAKE COLESBURO invasion of Cape Colony Is Spreading. Burghesr Cross the Orange River. Lord Kitchener Has Sent Troops In Pursuit of the Knemy. Johannesburg, Dec. 20.—Heavy can nonading was heard this morning north ward of Krugersdorp. Marauding Boer parties still infest that district. London, Dec. 20.—A dispatch from Johannesburg, dated Dec. 19, says that heavy cannonading was heard the morn ing of the date north of Krugersdorp. Hoers Occupy Colesburg. Cape Town, Dec. 20.—The invasion of Cape Colony is spreading. It is re ported that the Boers have occupied Colesburg, south of Phillippopolis aud near the Orange River colony frontier. The people are inach disturbed. A mixed force of 1,000 men was dispatched north yesterday evening. TRAFFIC IN WHISKEY. BRITISH PURSUE THE BOERS ti m an I Sale • ; Tin- i u letin wtis pivvnred 8 r.ilin.T, wlt-> has ht in '•barged with th" imnietliati* .snj>< rvisinn of matters tflaring to game uinb*r the Lacey act, assi'. t il by H. W. Olds, an assistant in the division. It contains a compilation of such sec tions of the various s’ate laws ns relates to traiis]K»rtiition and sale and gives ta- hl' s and diagrams showing the close of the seasons, species prohibited from shipment and sale, limits of hags aud regulations regarding nonresident li censes. Kitchener Reports Considerable Ac tively Among the Burghers. London, Dec. 20.—The following dis patch has been received from General Kitchener, dated Pretoria, Wednesday, Deo. 19; “A party of Boers, estimated at from 600 to 800, has crossed the Orange river at Rhenoster Hoek. “A second band is reported to have crossed near Sand Drift. They have been followed. I have sent a considera ble body of mounted men after them. “The Boers from Rhenoster Hoek are being followed closely from Venterstadt, which they left at 3 o’clock yesterday evening, going in the direction of Steyusburg. “The important points on the railway and the qeighborhood are well guarded. I hope the band will soon be driven north again. ” Great Britain Bitterly Denounced. Amsterdam, Dec 20.—Mr. Kruger at tended a crowded meeting today in the Nienwe Kerk. The speakers declared Great Britain had sold her birthright for a handful of gold aud that the oou- Tj Hnental powers wonld forever bear the •’ . T '~r4pf Gain pnless they interlered in a^u’-Jpa. Subsequently Mr. Kru- South Palace of industry, arer rwriRired tiTSuAT - - - where 5,000 school boy? 1 with a choral Allen Will -i:|i:>ori the Bill. Washington, Dec. 20. —When the senate committee on agriculture today resumed its hearing upon the Grout oleomargarine hill, Senator Allen of Ne braska made a pointed argument con cerning his position as to the measure. He m-ver hud announced, he said, whether he was iu favo.- .>r opposed to the pending measure, but by reasons of some questions he h id a-ked yesterday it had been supposed by “ihe lobbyists present” that he would antagonize ths measure. Closing Arguments Made. Washington, Dec. 20.—The closing arguments in the Philippines and Porto Rieo cases was made in the United States supreme court to lay and the cases were submitted for the final adju dication of the court .Appropriation Cut Down. Washington, Dec. 20. — The riven and harbors committee of the house through a sub-corn in ittte were hard al work last night and cut down the appro priation by cutting down the continu ing contracts. Appropriation Rill Up. Washington, Dec. 20.—Immediately after the approval of the journal the house went into committee of the whole to discuss the appropriation bill. Condition of National Banks. Washington, Dec. 20.—The control ler of the currency has issued a call for reports of conditions of national banks ou Thursday Dec. 13. ATTEMPT TO ROB TREASURY Watchman at tin; Capitol Exchanges shot* With the Robbers. Lincoln, Neb., Dec. 20.--An unsuc cessful attempt was made to rob the state treasury early today. According to the story of Night Watchman Good, he di'ooverod three men iu the treasu- urer’s oflic > at the state capitol at 8 o’clock. Two shots, he says, were fired at him by the robbers, one of the shots going through the lappel of his coat. He fired in return, apparently without effect aud the robbers escaped without having opened the treasury v.iuir. When the steel v.mlt was examined it was found unm;) tied and nothing was missing, although t he office was in a *tatH of disorder .lohn-on need on I'rhi', Ringgold, (<i., Uee. 20. — George Johnson, arrest'd on suspicion ot being the assailant of 1 c>>ie Neal, near Co- 'autta, is on trial to iay at the uuuie of toe girl’s Texas Mob Foiled. Corsicana, Tex., Dec. 20—A mob uttci ipted to lynch Andrew Norris, the negro charged with murdering the wife of J. L French, hut was foiled. A Greater Nuisance Than the Alucli- Abused Yellow Dog. (Correspondence of The Ledger.) Willie, Dec. 18.—We stated in our last letter that it we were to judge by the actions ot our young people that we would have several weddings in our section in the near future. We were right in our prediction. Mr. Leonard Atkins and Miss Hettie Forester were married the first Sunday in this month. Mr. aud Mrs. Atkins have decided to make their future home at Maynard, Pickens county, S. C. Mr. Ben Tate and Miss^Minnie Herman were married last Wednes day. Mr. Tate was, as we had thought, a confirmed bachelor, but he has finally decided and taken unto himself a helpmeet. We wish for them a continuous smooth sailing over the matrimonial sea. Mr. and Mrs. Tate will make their home in our midst, Messrs. A. J. Farnham and A. W. Pennington made a trip to the mountains of North Carolina last week. We think with The Ledger that our legislators can spend their lime much more profitably for the State than by discussing tho “yellow dog.” The facts of the yellow dog are about these: He is very much of a nui sance but it would be almost impos sible to get rid of him. Were the legislature to enact a law placing a heavy tax on dogs, or even forbidding the ownership of dogs, if it could be enforced at all, the enforcement of such a law would cost the State a great deal more than the sheep and eggs, combined, would be worth. No, Mr. Legislator, you need not fool away any of your valuable time with the “yellow dog,” he is here aud here to stay. There is a considerable amount of moving and changing places among the tenant farmers of this section. Some few are going to the cotton mills. We are real glad that the Blacks burg correspondent has found out the fact at last, that the oflicers^are not veryj^diligent in trying to'en- force the* laws against* the illicit traffic in, liquor. We |found that fact out a good long while ago. Why, bless your life, brother, when ever they do happen to capture a blockader, instead of trying to|con- vict him, they go to using their very best efforts to clear him, especially if said blockader is so fortunate as to be in good standing, financially We will say for tip? >■* guidance of„ kl 0’w illicit tra**’ IS IN VIOLATION Of THEMONROE DOCTRINE France Proposes to Buy Bra zilian Territory. WOULD MAKE OBJECTION United State* Will Fnter Strong Pro test Against the aVeal—Land Wu* Awarded to Brazil by Switzerland a* Arbitrator—Washington New*. Washington, Dec. 17.—The territory until recently in dispute between Bra zil aud France, and which has been de creed to belong to Brazil, may shortly become the subject of dispute between France and the United States under the Monroe doctrine. It is now reported that some French financiers, anticipating that the decis ion would be favorable to France, had already invested their capital iu this tearitory, They are now, it is said, try ing to engineer a deal by which the French government will buy this land from Brazil. The state department has absolutely no knowledge ou the subject. Its at tention has, however, been called to the matter and the attempt of the French capitalists to secure government aid in getting their money back will be watch ed with interest. There is hardly any question, it is said, at the state depart ment that such action would be a viola tion of the Monroe doctrine and would call forth a protest from the Uulted States. As long as the claim was iu its origi nal form, France might have main tame 1 that she was simply rectifying her boundaries and that the United States could not object to tl at. France has however, forfeited the right to make that claim by submitting the matter to arbitration aud getting au adverse de cision. The territory involved embraces about 100,000 acres. Switzerland acted as ar bitrator aud decreed that the land be longed to Brazil. CHARGES AGAINST NOYES TERRIBLE GAS EXPLOSIONS and Seven Three Houses Wrecked People Injured. Beaver Falls, Pa., Dec. 20.—Three houses were wrecked and seven persons injured by two natural gas explosions here today- The first explosion ooourred about 6 o’clock in Mrs. Celia Cox’s bouse, where the Barns family lived. The gas had accnmnlated in the cellar aud the lower part of the house, having followed the water pipe from the street The explosion was followed by a fire which spread to the adjoining dwelling and both were consumed, the occupants barely escaping with their lives. An boor later the residence of H. A. Moore, jnst across the street from Barns’, was torn to pieces by A terrific explosion. The inmates were slightly horned. Thepropertv loss Is estimated at $10,- 000. The explosions were caused by the breaking of a valve gate of the Fort Pitt gas line. HEAVY MAIL_PROM EUROPE Kaiser Wilhelm der Groase Breaks All Prevlou* Record*. New York, Dec. 20.—The steamship Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse arrived to day with 690 cabin and 641 steerage pas sengers and-au unusually heavy mail. The postal clerks on board report that the number of letters handled during the voyage was 275,000. There were 5,825 registered letters, making 2,276 sacks of mail The post age on about 40,000 letters was insuffi ciently prepaid. The work of separat ing and registering reqnired the con stant work of fonr clerks and two as sistants for 11 hoars eaoh day of the steamer’s voyage. Raleigh’s Census Correct. Raleigh, Deo. 20.—Raleigh people who were so greatly dissatisfied with the census figures are now satisfied of the correctness of the government cen sus. The latter showed 13,643 popula tion. The oity’s oeusns shows 18,674, a gain of only 31 over the government census. There are 8,227 white and 5,447 negroes. This census shows a large gain in whites and a large emigration of negroes in the past two years. There is a falling off of 500 negroes in one ward. Vaderland’s Malden Trip. New York, Dec. 20.—The steamer Vaderland of tho Red Star line arrived today from Antwerp and Southampton. The steamer encountered the usual heavy gales which have detained all the transatlantic liners this week and be haved handsomely thronghont. This is the first of the fonr new steamers build ing for the International Navigation company. Her tonnage is 7,490 and 11,000 gross. The Vaderland is com manded by Captain F. Albrecht. Emptied Beer Iu the Sewers. Charleston, Dec. 20.—During the putt two weeks the dispensary con stables have been working actively in this city, and yesterday 1,400 bottles of beer, the sei>ores from blind tigers in Charleston, were poured Into the sew ers. This was tne largest amount em|> tied iu a single day, and represent*! nearly $200, as most of the beer was tx port. t section, than the yellow dog or even.tbe bird dogs, together with their ^masters and guns. HILSwi We know of several men jin this section who have been |making and selling whiskey for the past five or six years; peoole coming from as far off as Clifton and Woodruff to buy from them, and isn’t it strange that these people away off there knows all about it aud that the officers don’t know any thing of it. Why even our constables whose duty it is to look after such matters, cannot find out anything about it. We would be glad to see the dis pensary law rigidly Enforced, but, to our mind, there will have to be a considerable change made, either in the law or in the officers, whose duty it *8 to enforce the law. We were passing a gentleman’s residence the other day at which we aaw three buggies, two wagons and three horaes stationed, the occupants of whichj 4 were all getting whiskey, and tbatj.on the public highway. Instradjof reducing the constabu lary force the governor should have doubled tbe force. In fact, about the only chance of.enforcing thefdis- pensary law in this section is for.tbe governor to appoint one or more-de tectives at every postoffice, whose duty it {should be to secure evidence against.fctbe violators of tbe law. Now, some one may wish to^know whyj we don’t inform against these law breaker*, to which our answer will be: Whenever we get tired of our wife and children and of staying in this old world, we may do such a thing; not until then. Octavus. The interest with which a young man watches hair coming out on his face is only equalled by the interest with which an older man watches it ooming out of bis bead, FREE BLOOD CURE. An Offer Proving Faith to Sufferer*. Is your Blood Pure? Are you sure of it? Do cuts and scratches heal slowly ? Does your skin itch or burn ? Have you Pimples? Eruptions? Aching Bones or Back? Eczema? Old Sores? Boils? Scrofula? Rheu matism? Foul Breath? Catarrh? Are you pale? If so purify your Blood at once with B. B. B. (Botanic Blood Balm). It makes the Blood Pure and Rich, heals every sore and gives a clear, smooth, healthy skin. Deep-seated cases like ulcers, cancer, eating sores, Painful Swellings, Blood Poison are quickly cured by B. h. B., made especially for all obstinate Blood and Skin Troubles. B. B. B. dramsjthe Poisons sad Humors out of the Blood and entire system so the symptoms cannot return. Give it a trial. It cures when all fails. Thor oughly tested for 30 years. Sold at drug stores st $lj|per large bottle, 6 large bottles (full treatment) $5. Be aure tbe bottle reads Botanic Blood Balm. So sufferers may test It, a trial bottle given away absolutely free. Write for It. Address BLOOD BALM CO.‘ Atlanta, Ga. Write to day. Describe the trouble and free medical advice given. For sale bv S. B. Crawley <fc Co. Seuator Carter Introduces a Resolu tion For an Investigation. Washington, Dec. 17.—Soon after the senate convened today a bill extend ing to homestead settlers on the Chip pewa Indian reservation in Minnesota the right to commute their entries was reported by Mr. Nelsou of Minnesota. After a half hoar’s discussion it was lY/r’inltted to the committee. the senate today^J£i^£!hlter of na _ resolution caTT 1 hg upon the judiciary committee to in vestigate and report to the seuate the facts iu the matter of charges against Judge Noyes of Alaska. The resolution is more comprehensive than that presented by Mr. Brick of Indiana iu the house and covers all the allegations previous to the appointment of Judge Noyes. It is referred to the judiciary committee. The senate at 12:45 o’clock went into executive session for the further cousid- eratieu of the Hay-Pauucefote treaty. INDIVIDUAL PENSION DAY Mr. Bromwell Speaks lu Favor of tha Fending Measure. Washington, Dec. 17.—This was in dividual pension day iu the house. The speaker first recognized Mr. Bromwell of Ohio, who moved to sus pend the rules aud pass the kill reported by the civil service commission to give preference to honorably discharged sol diers in the executive departmeuts of the goverumet. It provided that honorably disohargod soldiers of the civil war aud after them honorably disoharged soldiers of the Spanish war and the war in the Philip pines be gven preference both in ap pointment to office and retention therein aud that loss of limbs or other physical impairment which does not Incapacitate shall not disqualify them. After an interesting debate the bill was defeated, 51 to 105. No Satisfactory Keason Given. Washington, Deo. 17.—Such report* as the state department has had from Mr. Conger up to the present tail to de velop a satisfactory reason for the in- sistance of the British government on amending the Peking agreement on the one hand or for the hesitation of the foreign ministers to sign the agreement on the other hand. Several Case* Advanced. Washington, Dec. 17.—Chief Jnstioe Fuller today advanced a number of cases involving the relation between the United States and Porto Rico so as to be heard with the DeLima oase, iu which this question is at issue. Gould* File Answer. New York, Deo. 17.—An answer was made today iu tbe suit of Anton J. Ditt- xnar against George J. Gould, Edwin Gould, Howard Gould and Helen M. Gould, as trustees and under the last will and testament of the late Jay Gould, to restrain them from continu ing to pay the Countess aud Count Boni de Castellaue the income of the countess from the estate of Jay Gould. Waylaid and Murdered. Montgomery, Ala., Deo. 17.—Clark Stafford, a negro, was assasainated late Saturday night while returning home from the city. His body was found about 4 miles from here on the Mobil* road with two bullet holes in th* back. Death of David Nichols. Boulder, Colo., Dec. 17.—David H. Nichols, lieutenant governor of Colora do from 1898 to 1895, is dead at his home near this city. He w&4 a veteran of th* Mexican war. He had resided in Colo rado slnoe 1859. Organisation Perfected. Bbunswick,Ga., Deo. 17.—The Brune- wiok and Birmingham Railroad com pany has been organized wun K. Q. Maohen president.