davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-12-09
Blown MP by Gas.

PrrrsBuRG, Dec. 4.-This after.
noon about four o'clock natural
gas explosion, with fatal results and
destroying much property, occurred
at 545 Grant street, in the cellar OF
house occupied by Mrs. j. Meehan.
Almost at the same time similar ex-
plosions, accompanied by tremen-
dous reports, occurred In the ad-
joining cellars of Louis F.ivilia,
fruit dealer, and ]. J. Fiannery 5
livery stable and undertaking rooms.
There is a six inch main running
along Grant street, but no connec-
tions with the houses in that square.
The gas probably escaped from the
main and found its way to the ad-
joining cellars.
Shortly after 4 o'clock Katie
Griffin, domestic in the employ OF
Mrs. Meehan, started for the cellar
for coal, taking with her lighted
lamp. At the cellar door she re-
quested Mrs. Phipps, who was In
the room, to hold the lamp. No
sooner had she opened the door
than the gas rushed out and ignited
from the lamp. A terrific explosion
ensued, followed in quick success
sion by explosions in the cellar OF
Flannery and Favilla. The noise
was heard squares away and created
the utmost excitement. Sheets OF
flames burst from the windows,
doors and sides of the wrecked
houses. From within were heard the
screams of terrified women and chill
dren. Several men forced their way
through the FIRE into Mrs. Meehsns
house, where terrible sight me,
their gaze.
Prone on the floor, with every
vestige of clothes burned from her
body, was lying Katie Griffin, bleed
ing from q deep cash in her side.
Near her was Mrs. Phipps, wrapped
in flames. Both women were picked
up and carried quickly fronl the
burning building. 1t was found
that Kate Griffin was burned be
yond hopes of recovery. She wa:
removed to the Homeopathic Hos
pital, where she is now lying un.
conscious. Mrs. Phipps was severe
ly burned, but her injuries are mo-
considered fatal. On the upper
floors of Mrs. Meehan's house there
were eight women and children anc
in Flannery's Mrs. Flannery anc
two babies. In Favilla's there was
Mrs. Favilla and her nephew, J. P
Case. The fire spread so rapidly
that they were rescued with dif
ficulty. All were finally taken out
uninjured, except Mrs Favilla ant
young Case, who were quite severe
ly hurt from the falling debris.
Meanwhile the flames had gained
such headway that they could no
: be controlled and Flannery's three
story brick building was complete
ly destroyed. The other house
were not entirely burned, but the,
; were SO badly wrecked by the con
cussion that they will have to b
torn down.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-12-09
Four Husbands, One Wife.

DEs MoLNEs, Iowa. December q
Walter l.. Wilson, a respectable far
mer, and Mrs. Catharine Skiles, ,alias
Catharine Lone were married on
Monday. Yesterday j. S. Skiles, the
husband of tie woman, arrived from
Denver and had her arrested, alleg-
ing that she had eloped from him
three months ago with one Johnson.
To-day two more men, one from
st. Louis. put III an appearance and
each asserted that he mad married
the woman and that after living
with him few months she disap-
peared. Wilson says that he retires
from the contest.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-12-09
A Stain on his Courage

New ORLEANS, Dec. 4.-The ultra
Democratic papers severely condemn
President Cleyeland's failure to at
tend the Vice Presidents funeral.
The States (official State organ says
the people regard the Presidents ac-
ton with disgust, and that even the
Presidents death would not be such
a calamity as the setting of pre-
cedent that the President fears to go
among the people, or that his life is
worth more than that of any other
citizen.
The Chronicle official city organ
says the Presidents action casts a
slur upon the whole people of the
country. the act is stain on his
courage and a blot upon American
manhood. 1t stamps him as unfit for
the high trust and honor of the
Presidency. The article concludes
THE same cowardiy thought must
have animated him when he refus
ed to visit this city,"
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-12-09
Towboar Blown up by Gas.

PrrTsBURG, Dec. AT about six
o'clock last evening the towboat Iron
City. in running down the Allegha-
ny River, was swung on to the bar
at the head Of Hers Island, where
she went badly aground just over
the main pipe of the Philadelphia
Natural Gas Company. All the eve-
ming and up to the time of the ex-
plosion unsuccessful attempts were
made to back off the vessel into
deeper water, and at 2 o'clock this
morning a terrific explosion occur
red. Pieces of the vessel were blown
from the middle of the river, where
the boat grounded, to the Allegheny
shore, 500 yards away. The boat
burned to the waters edge, and is a
total loss.
The crew, seven in number, were
blown into the river, and George
Ashton, the engineer, was instantly
killed. His remains were removed
to his home.
Within few moments after the
explosion the river banks and the
island were crowded with people.
the few skiffs that could be procured
were at once filled with eager crews
of rescurers. who FASTENED to the
scene of the disaster. The surviy-
ors were taken to the Allegheny
shore, where all that was possible
was done for them.
The accident was caused by nat
ural gas. The boat struck the gas
main and broke it, and the gas took
fire from the furnace, causing the
explosion.
The Iron City was built in this
city eleven years ago, and was 135
feet long and 25 wide. Her origi-
nal cost was about $4,000.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-12-09
The Organization.

WASHINGTON, Dec. Sat the Re-
publican Senatorial caucus to-day
Senator Sherman was nominated for
President pro tempore of the Senate.
Senator Edmunds received votes,
which were changed to Sherman be-
fore the result was announced.
Senator Sherman accepted the hon
or. The Democratic Senators named
Senator Harris, Of Tennessee, for the
same place.
The Democratic House caucus re-
nominated Speaker Carlisle and all
the old officers. Donaldson of Ten
nessee, was nominated for Door
keeper on the first ballot, and Rev.
w. II. Milbern, the blind preacher
of Illinois, was named for chaplain.
The Republican caucus nominated
Mr.. Reed, of Name, for Speaker on
the first ballot. The vote was Reed,
So; Hiscock, of New York, AZ, and
Ryan OF Kansas, 3.
The Republican caucus of both
Houses To day passed resolutions
looking to the early enactment of
laws 10 regulate the electoral count
and the Presidential succession.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-12-09
Robbery ola Private Bank.

Freedom, Pa, Dec. THE resi-
dents of this place were startled by
a loud explosion at = O'Clock this
morning. Several rushed out into
the streets TO ascertain the cause.
William Bashore, in passing p.
Bentel's bank, saw man running
out of the building. He shouted an
alarm and started after him. The
fleeing burglars turned and fired
several shots at him, none of which
took effect. Bishore turned about
and ran home. The four doors to
the Immense safe in the bank had
been blown from their fastenings
aud between $1,000 and $4,000 in
cash and 1850 in Government
bonds were missing. A number of
valuable papers and notes were part
~ destroyed by the explosion.
Considerable money and a large
package of bonds were left in the
safe. An entrance to the building
had been effected by forcing the
front doors. Detectives are in pur-
suit of the burglars. The bank will
resume business tomorrow and de-
positors will lose nothing.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-12-09
OUR REASONS
ADVERTISING

Our widespread method of advertising may seem to
some pel
pie uncalled for and admit that respect thev
rect Having reference to our old customers we are
that if they never in print they would n
nue to patronize long existed But on tbo =,
hand, ambition is that popularity as Cotbir.
Furnishing Goods House shall be felt far and wide and
respect advertising is essential.
Another thing claim is that only require one frame
ton with any customer in order to enlist his cons5
thereafter. Our Goods Our Prices and our Method ofn
Business is sufficient nducement to retain his support
Stranger, we want so you longing to have
first transaction with you, knowing that our present lin.
Winter Clothing and Furnishing Goods is to meet v
your approval We busy, but not busy to show va
through immense stock and make you acquainted with
secrets of our business success.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-12-09
THE MORMON ALARM.
Three Thousand Troops Within HAIL
ing Distance fSaIr Lake City.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6.-The War
Department has recently received
such reports from Its officials In
Utah regarding the very unsettled
condition of affairs in that Territory
growing out of the enforcement of
the laws against polygamy, as to
cause some uneasiness, but no alarm.
The recent shooting of Mormon by
United United States. Marshal Gre
ated a great deal of excitement
among the Mormons, and some ap-
prehension was felt at Salt Lake
that there would be an uprising
among them. A battery of artillery
was recently ordered from Omaha to
Fort Douglass, which is situated a
few miles from Salt Lake City. This
movement, however, was not par
ticularly on account of any fear OF a
Mormon rebellion, but has been in
contemplation for some time.
The force now at Fort Douglass
consists of a full regiment of Infant
~ and a battery of artillery, and is
nov under command of General Nc
Cook. In the event Of trouble in
Utah all the troops in the Depart
ment of the Platte, consisting OF
about 5000 men, could be concen-
trated at Fort Douglas in a few
hours. No serious trouble, however,
is apprehended by army officials.
An Omaha dispatch says; There
has been no new departure of troops
from Fort Omaha since yesterday
when Battery D was dispatched
west on a special train. General
Howard refused to state the destina-
ton of the soldiers, but it is gen.
orally conceded that they are bound
for Salt Lake. The entire garrison
is held in readiness lor orders tc
march. The Tenth Cavalry (colored)
stationed at Fort Robinson, is also
ready to move at a moments notice
All is quiet at Salt Lake. and
there is no probability of trouble
The precautions for the preservation
oflife and property are ample. The
action of Governor Murray and Gen
eral McCook in reporting the threat
ening situation here and gettinl
authority to station troops in tn
city, and the ordering of reinforce
ments here have removed all appre
hension for the present. McMurray
who was supposed to be fatally sho
by Deputy Marshal Collins, is recov
. ering.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-12-09
Gen. Logan Declines the Nomination
for President Pro Tenn.

WASHINGTON, D. c., Dec. 1.-The
caucus of Republican Senators to
agree upon a candidate for Presi-
dent pro tenn. OF the Senate was pre-
sided over by Senator Sherman.
Senator Edmunds recalled the fact
that last summer after Gen. Logan
had been nominated by the Repub-
lican National Convention for Vice.
President of the United States he
had offered to resign his place as
President Of the Senate in favor OF
Gen. Logan, but the latter objected
to the change. Senator Edmunds
moved that Gen. Logan be nomina-
ted for the position now by acclama-
ton.
Several Senators spoke briefly in
favor OF the nomination, and the
question was taken and agreed to
unanimously. Thereupon General
Logan spoke as follows:
"MR. CHAIRMAN-From the
depths of my heart | thank the Re-
publican Senators for the confidence
they repose in me as expressed by
the nomination just rendered me oy
acclamation for the position OF tem-
porary presiding officer of the Sen
ate. not only thank them, but the
people of the whole country for the
desire that | should be given this
very honorable position. was
however, sir, the nominee of the Re
publican party for Vice-President
and voted for at the last election.
was not elected.
"For that nomination L then
thanked the Republican party, anC
through the Senators present | agar
return to the Republicans of th'
country my grateful acknowledg
ments. If thought could bette
serve my constituents and my coun
try by accepting this position.
would most unhesitatingly do 81
and perform the duties to the oes
of my ability. | do not so think
and | am sure that | can, by worl
necessary to be performed in com
mittees and otherwise, do more tina
may be useful by remaining in my
position. In fact, Mr.. Chairman
the position is not to my taste, ant
unless | thought that ] could pei
form the duties in a more satisfaC
tory manner than any other Senate
(which | do not) cannot see a ne
cessity for me TO accept the chair i
preference TO any of my brothe
Senators. The Senate has at a
times been presided over in a yer
satisfactory manner since l hav
had the honor to be one of its men
bers, and doubtless will be so agai
by any one that may be selected.
am ready to assist in elevating an
one who may be selected. And no
my brother Senators, | want you
: know that / fully appreciate you
| kindne ess and the great compllmer
paid me, but you must allow me
say that, after carefully considerin
! the matter, | feel that | ought to d.
: cline this nomination, and now mos
: respectfully do so."
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-12-09

very pith and marrow of the Fetish
ne evoked, and howled at so frantic
ally in the Beaver campaign? An
other inquiry may not be amiss re-
garding this wondrous proposition
to Insure peace within the party. +"
From whence does the editor of the
Commercial bear this "olive branch?
The last we heard of him political
ly, he was marching in the Demo
cratic ranks and "whooping it up
for Philson. Whose ambassador OF
peace is he, anyhow? We fear US
much that in his frequent political
gyrations he has mistaken the power
to whom be fancies he is accredited,
with a treaty of peace. We respect
fully refer him to Mr.. Hoffman,
chairman of the Democratic Com
mittee, with whom he SO lately Ia
bored in sweet accord. At all events
the Republicans of this county have
never delegated to US the power to
control their action, and we do not
PROPOSE to assume it without war
rant.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-12-09

THE funniest and the checklist
thing that politics has brought forth
for many a day, was the appeal
made by the red-hot Democratic
Journals of the country during the
past ten days, to the Republican
Senators, to elect a Democrat to
take the place Of the dead Vice
President in the Senate. Could any
thing be more amusing? Spurred
on by their insensate fears that Mr..
Cleveland, who is enjoying most ro-
bust health, might be suddenly
stricken by death, these uncompro.
missing stalwart Democrats, who
have Justify and increasingly cheer
ed on the decapitation Of every Re
publican offieeholder, coolly inter
NIT their partisan crusade for mo
ment, to request the Republicans tC
lay aside partisanship and play in
to their hands. Nothing could b
funnier or more cheeky. Did any
one ever hear of Democrat forego'
ing a partisan advantage that h
could win or steal? We most sin
cerely hope that Mr.. Cleveland vii
live out every hour of the time allot
ted to him as President, and man,
day thereafter. We wish this 70
his own sake, and we wish it be
cause we believe that the best inter
ests Of the country and of the Re
publican party will be subserve'
thereby. But, all the same, we can
not forbear laughing at the pitifu
appeals of these hide-bound Demo
Gratis, VINO never entertained a mag
unanimous political sentiment i
their lives, to the magnanimity
Republican Senators.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-12-09

THAT was a very graceful as well
as a deserved tribute to General Lo-
gan By his Republican colleagues IN
the Senate, when they unanimously
rendered him the Presidency OF that
body. The Republican National
Convention selected General Logan
for that position, and the Repuoli-
cans of the entire country ratified
that selection by their votes. Dur
ing the campaign which resulted In
his defeat, not single charge was
urged against his personal or poliu-
cal purity, and in point OF TACT, he
tell a victim TO the disgraceful- and
treacherous warfare waged upon the
head of the ticket. In rendering
General Logan a nomination that
was equivalent to an election, Re
publican Senators did their full du-
ty to a gentleman whom their con-
stituents had designated as Their
choice, and in declining the honor
the General exhibited nice delica'
cy and a self-sacrifcing spirit, by
refusing to accept position foi
which Re had been defeated at the
polls. There is no true man in the
Nation, friend or foe, whose opinion
of General Logan will not be en-
hanced by his self-respecting con
; duct on this occasion.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-12-09
The Storms Great Fury,

CHICAGO, Dec. 9.-Last nights
storm was very severe throughout
the Mississippi region, reach
ing as far south as New Mexico. AT
Omaha the wind unroofed about 80
houses. Considerable damage was
also sustained at Wichita. A great
many walls, chimneys, signs, etc,
were blown down in st. Louis. A
number of lake vessels were driven
ashore, and it is feared many lives
were lost. At st. Paul the mercury
marked zero at 6 P. NJ. At this
point all trains were delayed from
80 minutes to one hour. Two men
were frozen to death.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-12-09

SINCE the death of Mr.. Hendricks.
the Democrats have been nightly
wrought up by the possible contin-
pencv that the President might die
before the meeting of Congress, and
there would be no one legally enti-
tied to take his place. We are hap
2y in the assurance we give our
Democratic friends, that Congress
has assembled, that Mr. Cleveland
still lives, and that the Senate has
selected John Sherman as his tenn
porary successor in the event OF his
sudden taking of. Fortunately the
contingency did not arise which the
Democratic House had made posi-
ble by its mulishness in refusing TO
adopt a bill last session, intended
to prevent a state of affairs ovel
which they have been very unhap'
DIV for the past ten days.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-12-09
Against Bogns Butter.

HARRISBURG, Pa, December A.
In the court of Dauphin county to-
day Judge Simonton handed down
an opinion in which he holds that
the act of the last Legislature pro-
hibiting the manufacture of the pro-
duct known as oleomargarine, or bo-
gus butter, was constitutional. This
was a trial case. The Court says:
"The central idea of the statute
seemed to be the prevention of facil
tiles for selling spurious or manu-
featuring a spurious article OF butter
resembling the genuine article so
closely in its external appearance as
to render it easy to deceive purchas-
ers into buying that which they
would not buy for the deception. Ii
this was the purpose of the enact
ment, we discover nothing in its
provisions which enables US in the
light of the authorities to say that
the Legislature, when passing the
act, exceeded the power contided to
this department of the Government,
and unless we can say this we can
not hold the act as being anything
less than valid. No
one has ever doubted that the Legis-
lature may prohibit the vending of
articles injurious to the safety of So
ciety, provided it does not interfere
with vested rights OF property"
The case will be taken to the su-
preme Court by the oleomagarine
manufacturers, that being the under
standing when the case was tried
here
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-12-09
The Cause of Mr. Hendrinks Death.

BRIDGEPORT, ILL.,, December "A
prominent physician, who was Mr..
Hendricks friend and attendant for
a longer period than any other ply
sician. says that Mr.. Hendricks did
not die of heart paralysis. Several
years ago Mr. Hendricks was strick-
en- with paralysis from which he
never fully recovered, and, as is u.s.
uai in cases of partial paralysis, a
clot formed that eventually reached
the brain and caused death.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-12-09
Disgraceful scene i'm a Church

DETROIT, Mich, Dec. 2.-The
troubles at st. Albert's Catholic
Church were resumed this morning
when Fathers Dombrowski and
Jawerski, the newly appointed pas
tors, attempted to read the morning
masses. A crowd of 1000 Polish
women and number of men were
in the church, and the services were
interrupted by yells and the brand
ishing of fists, and a number of the
women tried to get at the altar to
remove the priests. Policemen were
stationed at the heads of the aisles
and prevented any progress toward
the altar. One woman Lizzie jew
andowski. climbed over the pews
and succeeded in getting within the
sanctuary, where she prayed and
yelled by turns in Polish. Father
Jaworski came forward to speak to
the people, but eager hands clutch
ed him and tore his habit off At
this time there were thirty police
men in and about the edifice, and
conflicts between them and the po-
pie were many. Fathers Dombrog-
ski and Jaworski were pelted with
mud while crossing the street on
their return to their seminary OPP
posite the church. The police clear
ed the street, but the crowd closed
in, making it impossible TO prevent
the assault. The new priest officiated
this morning at a funeral. Father
Kolasinski, the deposed priest, still
holds out in the rectory OF the
church, but Bishop Borgess. has
given him notice to surrender the
rectory to the new pastors by to-
morrow night. He still leads the
people, but counsels moderation,
fearing they may go too far. The
Bishop has ordered that the church
be closed.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-12-09
Numbering witness to silence Him.

WAYNEsBoRo, Ga, Dec. 3.-Wil-
liam Hankerson mysteriously disap-
peared several days ago. He was
an important witness against Viii
ham Garvin in a case of hog-stealing.
This fact coupled with other circum-
stances, caused the arrest and con
finement of Garvin under charge
Of murder. No trace of the body
could be discovered, and some began
to doubt that he was guilty. To-
day, however, the body of Hanker-
son, chained and weighted, with a
sack tied over the head, was found
in the Savannah river. The body
showed that he bad been murdered,
and now no one doubts but that
Garvin killed him to get clear of bis
evidence on the hog-stealing case
Garvins case was continued
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-12-09

The next State nominations are
beginning TO be canvassed by the
politicians. 1t appears to be gener-
ally conceded that General Beaver
will be the nominee for Governor.
probably without opposition, but
the names of quite a number OF
prominent gentlemen are mentioned
in connection With the nomination
for Lieutenant Governor. As w.
7. Davies went down in the ruck
with General Beaver 10 1882, with
out any fault of his own, We think
II would be only fair play, as well
as the right thing to do, to again
place hiu on the ticket with Bea-
ver. etjustice be done, though the
heavens fall.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-12-09
Judge White Summoned a. a Witness

INDIANA, Dec. 3.-Notwithstand-
ing the fact that courts meets on
Monday next, the Derr boys keep
up the open sale of liquor. The no.
tel is practically closed, but the bar
il wide open and four barrels oi
whisky were put in the cellar yester-
day, and the brewery wagon makes
frequent visits. To-day Judge White
was summoned to appear as wit.
ness in the trial of the case on be-
half Of the Derrs The counsel for
the Derrs expect by that movement
10 incapaci.ate Judge White from
trying the cases and compel hin. to
certify them to another judge at a
special court. If this succeeds the
trials may not come Up for months.