Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-05-17

had some suspicion of cadets Blake and
Mcdonald, because of their treatment of
him. lie had made Blake very angry
by putting on his cap by accident few
days before. Answering question, he said
that although this pique of Blake's would not
move sensible man to cut and mutilate an
other, yet it might have blinded him and pre-
JUDGED him to such an act. He and McDon-
donald had had fuss while they were
!" plebs, and had not been friendly since.
The Recorder asked Whitaker if the letter
he held In his hand was his fWhittaker'sl
Whitaker said he could not tell until he read
1t. and he reached out for it. The Recorder
again sharply asked if it was his writing, and
received the same answer. Finally Mr.
Wright. Whittaker's counsel, took the letter
from the Recorder, and handed it to Whit
taker, who read it aloud in dramatic man
ner. 1t was bitter denunciation of the per-
petrators of the outrage upon him, and re-
ferred to West Point in terms of reproach for
allowing such things to be perpetrated. 1t
was written to colored man in New York
city. The Recorders action in this matter
created an unfavorable impression and re-
marks, and ne (the Recorder) complained of
this to President Mordicai, who said a re-
petition of the same would cause the election
from the room of those making them. Whit
taker acknowledged the authorship of the
letter, and said he clung tenaciously to the
utterances still. The Recorder asked
if the marks on his ears remain, and
he said they did, but were slight. In
further cross-examination, he showed only
slight discrepancies with his former state
ments. He was questioned closely as to his
handkerchiefs, his knife, his doors, pillows,
etc, and answered all questions freely. He
described the third cadet, but said he had no
suspicion who he was. He was taller than
Mcdonald and smaller than Blake. The Re
corder asked how he could justify himself by
bringing the names of Mcdonald and Blake
into disrepute. Whitaker replied, "You
whom suspect" He had never mentioned
them before, and no one had suggested that
he do it, not even his counsel. The Recorder
read the reports of the experts, both Of whom
fixed on the handwriting of Whitaker az
the writing of the person who wrote the note
of warning. The reports of the experts bore
heavily against Whitaker. Expert South.
worth testifes in his report very circumstan-
tally, showing that the note of warning was
written on the same paper as that on which
Whitaker wrote to his mother and in fact
on part of the same sheet upon which he
had started to write. Southworth, and every
one of the five experts, identified the writing
as Whittaker's. Three of them were very
positive. The conclusion created a great SEN
sation.
The Milton Fire-A Prosperous Town
Reduced to Ashes.
SUNBURY pa, May 15th.-The scene at
Milton this morning beggars description.
Nothing remains except the black and desc
late ruins of once prosperous town. People
spent last night in lofts of the nail works and
planning mills. The number of buildings de.
stroyed was 666. The vaults of the banks
are uninjured. The people of the town are
almost entirely destitute. Provisions have
been pouring in from the surrounding country.
The man burned is identified as Mr.. Angey,
eighty five years old. He was attempting to
save the stable of the Poor House. Mrs.
Sticker died during the night from fright.
The fire originated from sparks from a saw
mill attached to the car works. The prin-
cipal losses are: William Raber, tanner,
S135, 900; Henry SCHROEDER. S75, 900; Academy
of Music, $4,000; car shop, 100000 Tin
surance 100000; Huff House, S35, 900 Tin
surance, S15, ,000); United States Hotel, S10,-
600; Broadway House, $4,000; Cyrus
Brown. druggist, $4,000; A. L. Wagner,
$50, 900 insurance, $40, ,000) Swartz's marble
yard, 5000; j. +. Gouger & Son, clothiers,
S1OUUO, DEOWu. DutCucT, GLO,UUU luO H.
surance); ex-senator Bond, $40, 600. Churches
destroyed: Reformed, $4,000; Catholic,
$4,000; Baptist, $4,000; Methodist SIS,
900; Co, enanters Evangelican Presbyterian,
$4,000. The insurance companies losses are
as follows: American, of Philadelphia,
100000; Girard, $4,000; Phoenix, of Lon
don, $50, 600; Lycoming, 800, 600; Fire
Association, of Philadelphia, S29, 900 !;
Farmers, of New York, S25, 600; Franklin,
$40, 900 North American, $4,000; Etna,
S125, 900, and two Danville Mechanics, S13,-
900. The aggregated loss is estimated at
100000.
RELIEVING THE DESTITUTE
Abraham Angeny was killed, and several
persons slightly injured This place has been
crowded with people all day. At noon hun
dreds gathered around the planning mill, where
food was distributed by the Relief Commit
tee. Several carloads of provisions arrived
during the day. A telegraphic order was re-
ceived from the Treasurer Of the Philadelpbia
Relief Committee for s., 900, and promising
more, and from Colonel Mcclure, authorizing
the proper persons to draw on the Times for
$3.50. Two hundred aud fifty tents, for
warded by Governor Hoyt, were erected in
the fields. Four carloads of people went to
Watsontown to spend the night Food was
again distributed at the planning mill this
evening, and persons worth thousands yester-
day accepted the charitable relief this even-
ing. Men have been at work tearing down
the crumbling ruins at the fire.
DAsTARDLY DEEDS.
This evening intense excitement was caused
by two attempts to rekindle the fire. A
bundle of rags, saturated with coal oil. was
placed at the back door of the Gresh House,
a wooden hotel, and the only one left in the
town. When discovered it had set fire to the
house. Another attempt was made to fire
the old Catawissa depot, in the southern
part of the town. As soon as these discov-
cries were made the people were in frenzy.
Much help will be necessary before the peo-
pie can relieve themselves. Hundreds of
women and children-are
houseless and penniless. Medical supplies
and clothing for males and females of all
ages is much needed. Large contributions of
money are also deemed necessary to aid the
people to re-establish themselves. Contribu.
tions sent there to r. NJ Frick, Cashier of
the Milton National Bank, or John M.
Caldwell, of the First National Bank. will
reach the sufferers. All food and clothing
should be sent to the Relief Committee.
FRIGHT OF THE CITIZENS.
MILTON, May 15th.-A reward of 5000 has
,endiaries who attempted again to fire the
town. On the news becoming known that
The attempt had been made, much confusion
snsued, and the people seemingly became
wild from fear and excitement, and many
whose property was saved yesterday packed
up their goods and prepared for fight in case
IF another fire. Colonel Head, OF Williams
port, with two companies of militia arrived
tonight. temporary Postoffice was erected,
md mail deliveries resumed. Some leading
business men have rented rooms, and Others
will commence rebuilding on Monday. Dis
patches received from different sections of the
country offered to lend aid. The local relief
committees appeal to the public says "The
ire swept with total destruction, in five hours,
,ver an area of mile wide, compactly built
covering the entire business and best built
portion of the town, including churches,
stores, banks and manufactures, involving a
oss of about 81, 600, 600 insured only to the
extent of S500,000.
Westward.Bound Passengers.
OMAHA, May 15th.-The following through
passengers were on to-day's train, leaving at
2;3O P. NJ, to arrive in Sacramento May
9th: Charles Drake, Miss Mary Drake,
New York; DR.. Austin, U. s. Navy; Mrs.
Henry Stewart, New Orleans ). Mrs j. NJ
gregory and two children, Suisun; Mrs. J.
N. Scooffey, Miss Scooffey, j. j. Felt, w.
P. Morgan, San Francisco Mrs. r. K.
Jones, Boston; Irving c. Jones, Washing
,on, D. c.; DR.. Sheldon, England; w. N.
Little, Y. s. Navy; Mrs. Irwin, Miss Emory,
Philadelphia Max Baumester and wife,
Walla Walla; E. r. Robertson. Miss M. l..