davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Portland daily press., 1888-01-07
NEARLY 80 YEARS AT LAW.
A Maine Mans Thousands In the
Clutches of New York Justice.


Charles Dickens in "Bleak House" makes
the suit in Chancery of Jarndyce VS.. Jarn-
dyce illustrate how the courts Of England by
the slow torture of a suit involving large
estate, always approaching but never reach
ing an end, may blast the hopes, ruin the
health or destroy the lives of all connected
with it. The suit of Gilman ct ais. VS.. Gill
man ct ais, executors, pending in the Surro-
gates Court of New York city, and which
was last week advanced step, bids fair to
rival its famous prototype Nathaniel Gill
man, formerly Of Wateryille, died here in
1859. He then claimed his residence in New
York city. He had been twice married and
left, of the first wife's children, George f.,
Watson, Mrs. Isaac Redington and Mrs Ed
ward McLellan-and two grandchildren,
sons of Nathaniel. Jr., deceased. OF the
second wife's children there were. living at
Mr. Gilman's death, Anna K, Charles b.,
Frazier and Theophilus. These last resided
in Waterville the others in New York Mr..
Gilman left quite large estate, valued by
the original inventory at 100000, but really
of much greater value, which he divided by
his will. after provision for Mr.. Gilman,
into ten shares, one to each of his nine chill
dren and one share to the two grandchil-
dren.
The will was first presented for probate in
New York, but the widow and her children
claimed that the estate ought TO be admins
tered in Maine and according to Maine laws.
This was resisted, the very common un-
pleasantness between two sets of children
under such circumstances became very pro-
nounced and the legal war began. The
widow was appointed Administrative, pend
ing the contest on the probate of the will. 1t
was claimed by the New York legatees that
the testator lived there, which was denied
by the widow and her children. 1t was
finally decreed by the Surrogate that without
cile. he should admit the will to probate, as
the bulk of the estate was there, and appoint
ancillary administrators for such portion of
the estate as was in Maine. He therefore
appointed the eldest son, Geo. Il. Gilman,
and the sons-in-law Of the testator, Isaac
The Portland daily press., 1888-01-07
Mexico and the Powers.

CITY OF MEXICO, Jan. 6.-Berlin advices
say that loan Of S52,00O.000 for Mexico will
be arranged before the close of this month
on terms favorable to this country. The
German government approves placing Ger
man capital here, where Germans have built
up large and lucrative trade. German
houses nearly control the wholesale trade Of
Mexico and have driven the English houses,
with two or three exceptions, out Of busi-
ness. The French monopolze the dry goods
trade in the larger cities. Both the German
and French houses have their rights clearly
and particularly defined IN commercial treat.
les. No commercial treaty exists with Great
Britain but the English minister, some time
ago, arranged protocol which gives Eng
lish citizens the rights enjoyed by the most
favored nationalities. The English are en-
deavoring to bring about comprehensive
commercial treaty. American interests, al
though amounting to nearly $500. o.000, 600, are
absolutely without treaty protection. Gen.
jackson, while minister. gave an outlined
plan for treaty but nothing has been done
since his resignation.
The Mexican government is ready to un-
dertake in friendly spirit negotiation of
treaty adapted to modern times and the
railway era. Mexican statesmen cannot un-
derstaLd the indifference of the American
government American residents here are
anxious IOr treaty. Inc government mas
declared free of duty everything entering in
to the construction of telegraph and tele-
phone lines.
Foreign Notes.
The Italian government has resolved to
censure Princes Masino, Deldenago and Bla-
tesla, who, although belonging TO the Italian
army, attended the Pope's reception.
About 130 cases of cholera are daily re-
ported at Valparaiso and between SO and 80
of them prove fatal.
Prof. Virchow in a new work declares can
Ger clrable
The Portland daily press., 1888-01-07
HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS
OF Lives Lost by the Floods In the
"Carden of China"
Millions of Refugees In Danger Of
Death by Starvation.
An Entire Province Converted into a
Vast Inland Sea.

LONDON, Jan. 6.-The correspondent Of
the London Standard at Shanghai gives
graphic account in that paper today Of the
tremendous loss Of life in China from the
overflow of the Hoang Ho river and Of the
great famine now threatened. He says:
About one-sixth Of the entire area Of the
Garden of China" as the district of Honan
is styled, is now converted into vast lake
with pagoda tops, and some Of the higher
walls, rising above the increasing waters to
mark the site of what was short time ago
prosperous city Of many thousand inhabi-
tants. The rest Of the country is oyerrun
with wretched refugees who were fortunate
enough to escape with their lives, though
with nothing else.
In hundred OF instances men, who three
short moons ago were people OF wealth, To-
day sit gazing on the inland sea stunned,
hungry, stupid and without cloth 10 wear
or morsel of food to eat
The nundation commenced a short dis
tance from Kaifung, the capital and about
the largest city of the province OF Honan,
and in one instant some four miles OF solid
embankment of stone, brick, sand and clay
were swept away.
In the districts Of Ching Chow and Chen
Chow no less than three thousand large vii
lagos we're engulfed In very few moments
and scarcely any of the Inflated people had
time to save themselves, as the break oc-
Cured in the night The extent Of the dis
aster will be better appreciated when 1t Is
understood that an extent Of country much
larger than the whole prineipality of Wales
and much more thickly populated Is now
raging sea, and that all the inhabitants are
either drowned or have fled. The people
who are thus so extremely unfortunate can
MT be In number much less than the whole
population Of Ireland, as the whole province
includes twenty-five million inhabitants,
with an area Of 5000 square miles. The
waters of the river now cover between 5000
and 10 600 square miles.
The accounts daily published in China re-
veal most horrible sufferings undergone by
the survivors who are perishing OF famine.
| am told that in hundreds of cases when the
waters reached the cities, sweeping walls,
houses and everything down before them,
people refused to stir and met death with
wonderful indifference.
According to the best and most trustw0r-
thy authority the loss of life will not be
numbered by thousands or ten thousands,
but by hundreds of thousands, while the
starving people must be many millions.
These are utterly destitute and depending
for subsistence upon the charity Of others.
The Emperor has already contributed 1O0,-
600 taels out Of his private purse and paid
1000 coo taels out of the imperial treasury
toward relieving the suffering.
The Portland daily press., 1888-01-07

Redington and Edward Mcclellan, executors
in New York, and Anna K. and Charles
=. Gilman ancillary administrators OF
the Maine portion. This portion was
not large and consisted principally Of the
notes Of George f. Gilman and Mcclellan,
which although large amount were Of small
value then, but which will be of value in the
final deal as an Offset TO the accounts OF these
men as executors. The will provided that
the executors should not be obliged to give
bond for the faithful performance Of their
trust. In the meantime troubles arose in re-
lation to the management of the executors
and their accounts. Referees and auditors
were appointed to examine them. To their
reports objections were made and appeals
taken. To cUmplicate matters still further,
Mcclellan failed in business and absconded,
as the Maine legatees claim, with large por-
tion Of the estates securities. Thereupon
new proceedings, auditors, referees, reports,
objections and exceptions were in order. 1t
is said that in the matter of exceptions alone,
some 400 have first and last been taken To
the reports and rulings thereon.
Quite large portion Of the original estate
however has been divided already, the widow
having long ago secured her distributye
shares of the Maine estate and her DOVER
by the will. The Surrogate many years ago
ordered deposit of S200,000 in Trust Com
pany Of New York, and so much at least
seems sure for the legatees. Yet 1t may
be that it seems only. for for ways
are mysterious and expensive, the New York
courts are peculiar. The contestants Of the
accounts of the executors claim that
there should be now due the lega-
tees at least 100000. or 100000 per share.
If this estimate is made without deducting
at least half for lawyers, auditors, referees,
and court officials, there is still room for dis
appointment, If indeed any are fortunate
enough to survive the sickness of hopes so
long deferred. Some of the claimants have
got tired and sold their interests. Charles
B. Gilman has as yet refused all offers Of
compromise, the last one being $4,000, and
has a serene and steadfast faith, as he tells
the reporter, that he shall die rich. May he
live long enough to have his faith changed to
sight.
The advance step in the case was the ap-
pointment last Friday Of referee, for the
sixth time, mot for general purposes, hea-
ven forbid" was the pious ejaculation of
Surrogate Rollins, but to proceed from day
to day and re-settle the accounts" 1t was
one of his last official acts, as his term Of Of
fee expired on Saturday. He said it would
have been one Of the happiest acts Of his
official term il he could have signed decree
of Anal a ok~tI IS th.o
The Portland daily press., 1888-01-07
MILLIONS INVOLVED.
Beef Companies Suing Under the
Interstate Commerce Law.

CHICAGO, Jan. Give immense petitions
have been sent to Washington from the va
rious beef canning companies to the Inter
State Commerce Commission. This is the
beginning of great lawsuit involving mil
lions. which will be contested in the United
States Supreme Court. 1t involves, also, the
constitutionality Of the Interstate law. In
dividual damages claimed by losses in re-
bates since the enforcement of the law,
amount to S950,O00, as follows: S. w. Alter
ton, 10000; Nelson Morris, 100000; i. ID.
Armour. 100000; g. II. Hammond, $780,
600; and g. +. Swift, 100000.
great array of legal talent has been en-
gagged, among others being Senator Edmunds
and Don Al. Dickinson. The five beef
companies mentioned have formally petit
TONED for relief. The leading charges
against the railroads are for violations of the
Interstate law. Those common carriers
have established, by agreement the rate of
60 cents per 100 pounds for dressed beef,
sheep and hogs in refrigerator cars, for con-
tinuous transportation, from the Union
points in proportion The petitioners load
and unload the cars and ship at their own
risk, relieving the roads OF much labor. Ihe
rate exacted since the act went into force is
145 per cent. greater than the average pub
lished tariff rate for the same service for
six years previous. For the transportation
Of dressed beef, sheep and hogs between
the initial and termil al points, 30 cents per
100 pounds more are demanded than for the
transportation of packing provisions; 80
cents per 100 pounds more than for the
Transportation of bulk meats; 100 pei. cent.
more than for the Transportation Of meat
provisions, although the car time. the initial
and terminal points, the length, dlrectlon
and character Of the haul, the product and
its value and every other condition and CIR cir-
cumstance are substantially the same. The
provision rate is an ample and remuneratiye
rate for the service rendered Freight. at
This rare is an established one and has been
maintained many years without material
variation. The tariff rates from Missouri
river points to Chicago on provisions, and
other kinds Of freight are the same. or sub
substantially the same as the tariff rates
from Chicago to New York, except in the
case of dressed beef, sheep and hogs, In
which case the rate from Chicago to New
York is more than 100 per cent. greater than
the rate from Missouri river points to, Chi
cago The dressed meat men demand re-
duction of dressed beef rates of 20 cents per
100 p0un1cs
The Portland daily press., 1888-01-07
Origin of the Leap Year Superstition.

The alliterative 1888 has at last overtaken
u.s. 1t happens but once in a century that
triplet Of figures can marshal itself before
the human understanding in this fashion,
and no boubt those who are up in dates will
find much that is figuratively suggestive in it
all. These three fat little eights are the very
''going, going. gone" of fate; 1777 has much
jauntier air, and 1899 has a tremendous
swing about it. Another pleasing thing
about this centennial year to, forlorn dam
sells at least, is the fact that it Is leap year,
and any unappropriated man may be had
for the asking, or pay the penalty Of refusal
"a silk gown.
This amusing old tradition is ''Oirish."
like lot of other delightful things. st. Pat
rick, the story goes, having "driven the fogs
out of the b0gs,' was walking along the
shore of Lough Neagh, when he was accosted
by st. Bridget IN tears, ard was told that
mutiny had broken out in the nunlery over
which she presided, the ladies claiming the
right of popping the question. st. Patrick
said he would concede them the right every
seventh year, when st. Bridget threw her
arms around his neck and exclaimed; "Arrah
Patrick, jewel, daurn't 90 back to the girls
wild such proposal; make it one year in four
St Patrick replied Bridget, acushla, hug
me that way agin and I'll give you leap year
the longest OF the lot" Upon this st.
Bridget popped the question to st. Patrick
himself, who, of course, could not marry,
so he patched up the difficulty as best ne
could with kiss aud silk gown. And so
came about the peculiar privileges OF leap
year.
The Portland daily press., 1888-01-07
MAINE GRIT.
The Great Work of TWO Bangor
Girls In the Orient.
Augusta New Age.1

lAuguStd New ABel
Miss Lettie K. johnson, daughter OF /. S.
johnson, Esq, of Bangor, who has been
missionary among the Armenians at Van,
Turkey, during the past five years, is now on
her way home for well-earned vacation
Her companion at Van, Miss Grace Kimball
of Bangor, expects to join her here in the
spring for years vacation. These two
young ladies went out under the auspices Of
the American Board of Foreign Missions
(CongregationaD in the spring of 'S2, and
opened the only girls school in Van "a city
of $4,000 inhabitants) with sixteen pupils.
They found the women of ArmeniFliying in
the most woeful ignorance and down-trodden
in every way; and their. endeavors to en-
tighten and educate them was at first met
with strong disapproval. on the part OF the
male population. But byitheir liberal policy
and ready tact they have succeeded in win
ming high and low to their side; send at their
last examinations the Sultan himself sent
them his congratulations and best wishes
through the person of his highest official.
Their school now numbers over one hundred
pupils, and they have branch school OF
fifty pupils taught by one of their graduates
of last years class of six. The girls are
taught the common branches, English, music
and all kinds of plain sewing and fancy
work besides studying the Bible; and they
also have a tiourishing reading club for
mental and spiritual improvement, the ini-
tiation fee to which is one book, and these
books are to form the nucleus for circulat-
ing library. Six of the pupils have married
and established independent Christian
homes, independent of the tyrannical moth
er-in-law, who in Armenia occupies the same
position as in Japan and India-the daughter
in-law must be her abjectsslave. As an ex-
ample of the progress made by the pupils in
the English language, we mention the TACT
that one of the graduates of ,67 translated
seven Armenian sermons into English, wrote
them in good English hand and sent them
to Rev. Geo. w. Field of Bangor, the former
pastor of the young ladies.
To reach Van, Miss Kimball and Miss
johnson were obliged to travel 800 miles over
the mountains on horseback, from Trebizond
to Van, a journey of three weeks duration,
the wayside Khans. In returning, Miss
johnson took the route via Bayazid, Eriyan
and Batoum, sailing from the latter place
for Constantinople, Dec. 9th. This journey
was made on horseback, travelling ten hours
each day and sleeping in the stables with the
horses at night. In speaking of her journey
over the mountains, she writes her friends:
"On the top Of a mountain we came suddenly
upon Ararat close by, covered with snow.
All that afternoon we were up in the noun
tain tops, and by the light of the setting sun
we came do Bn through walls of rock to Ba-
yazid. The whole horizon was mountain
against mountain, and all fianked by snowy
Ararat. No scenery can surpass it,"
Miss Johnson's large circle of friends are
impatiently awaiting her arrival from Eng
land, anxious to welcome her home once
The Portland daily press., 1888-01-07

ployed by the Central Glass Company and
the Hobbs. Brockunier & Co., of Wheeling,
and at w. Dalzell's and Gilmore's works at
Wellsburg, w. Va, will sue the firms next
week for breach of contract. The men sign
ed scale last July which they claim was
to remain in force year. Yesterday they
were notified that the works would shut
down unless they accepted a new scale. The
Manufacturers Associations scale was re-
jec.ed and the factories were closed.
The Portland daily press., 1888-01-07
FELL EIGHTY EEET.
Collision Between Freight Trains on
the Canadian Pacific.

OTTAWA, Jan. 6.-Particulars of COLI
sion between two Canadian Pacific freight
trains in Manitoba show that the collision oc-
CURED on a trestle work bridge. The trestle
gave way and the trains tumDled car after
car into the vavine below, distance OF so
feet. The engine drivers and brakemen,
seven in all, were hurled down, with the ex-
ception of one brakeman, and were instantly
killed. The surviving brakeman jumped
safely into tree. The trestle was horse
shoe shaped, three-quarters of a mile long
and 100 feet high in the centre. All the cars
were filled with freight and everything was
smashed to atoms. The train coming east
was laden with Manitoba grain, thousands
of bushels of which are lying all over the
ica
The Portland daily press., 1888-01-07
A Judge who had a Good Heart.
rWoreecfar Snv I

A pathetic scene occurred in New York
court room last week. Herman Bender had
Just been sentenced. to three months in the
penitentiary for larceny. AS the prisoner
rose to 90, his wife,. a rosy-faced young
woman with 3-year-old child in her arms,
cried in an agoniZed voice:
"Oh, Hermann"
Bender turned and solemnly their lips met
kiss me. too, papa" lisped the child,
laughingly.
'Bring that man back" called the justice
He ascertaned from the wife that poverty
tempted her husband to steal, and the sem
tence of three months was reduced to one Of
five days in the city prison.
The Portland daily press., 1888-01-07
The WeiIand Canal.

TORONTO, Jan. Gam Ottawa special
says: Enquiries have been made atthe De-
partment of Railway and Canals to ascertain
what the authority was for the statement
resolution of inquiry in he American
House of Representatives, as to the alleged
discrimination against American vessels
trading through the Welland Canal The
officials stated that no foundation existed for
the statement and that they are bound by the
treaty of Washington not to discriminate,
The Portland daily press., 1888-01-07
Faithful to McEIynn.

New YORK, Jan. Cat meeting OF Dr.
McGlynn's former parishioners tonight reso-
lutlons were adopted in substance as follows
Whereas in political harangue on Sunday last
Mgr. Preston grossly misrepreSented the prlncl-
pies and outraged the citizenship OF American
Catholics by declaring IL any man would take ms
faith from Peter and not take his politics from
Peter he was not a true Catholic. -
Resolved, That we denounce this as an Insult
to all Catholics, and reiterate that the Pope has
no title TO obedience from Catholics in political
affairs.
Resolved, That we adopt the principle an
nounced by OC0nnell, that he would as soon take
his politics from the Sultan as from the Pope
Resolved, That as citizens and in the domain OF
politics. We render neither allegiance nor obedl-
ence to any authority but the constitution and the
laws.
The Portland daily press., 1888-01-07
MAINE.
Norway's Masonic Hall.

NORWAY, Jan. .6.-F. E. Sleeper, Grand
Master of the Grand Lodge of Masons of
this State. and A. M. Roak, Grand Marshal,
assisted by Hon. George A. Wilson, Acting
Deputy Grand Master, j f. King, Acting
Grand Warden, Freeland Howe, Acting
Grand Chaplain, with others, dedicated the
new Masonic Hall in this village with i'm
posing ceremonies Thursday evening. The
hall was crowded with the members and
their ladies from Norway and the neighbor-
ing lodges. and the invited guests Many
had never seen dedication of this kind be-
fore and the ceremony Of pouring corn,
wine and oil" was very impressive. The
Grand Masters address was an excellent
one. Remarks were made "for the good OF
the order by Hon. George d. Bisbee, Judge
Wilson, II. c. Davis, Esq, S. s. Stearns,
Esq, Rev. t. I. Merry, and others. The
music by the Congregational church choir
was very fine. Young's orchestra also
played several selections. At the close Of
the exercises sumptuous repast was par
taken of, followed by dancing.
an overhe ated Stove.
FARMIN GToN, Jan. 6.--An over-heated
oJOfC otb hAC w N AthAhes hSoe AhoAANe AAA eHN
basement of Bates block, in Phillips, this
evening, damaging it about $500. The stock
of Wheeler Bros, dry goods, on the first
floor, was considerably damaged by smoke.
The loss is not known; probably insured.
Bath News.
BATH, Jan. 6-The buildings Of the Pat
ten Car Works, which have been vacant for
nine years, have been sold to Addition &
Strout, from Hallowell, new firm, to start
an oil cloth factory here. The factory will
be in operation within two months and so
men will be employed.
The funeral of Engineer William II. Ham,
mond, killed at Brunswick, Tuesday, was
held this afternoon at the Uniyersalist
Church and was largely attended by many
citizens and large number of the employees
of the Maine Central, Eastern and Boston 81
Maine railroads. The services were con-
Quoted by the Rev. Mr.. Hayden, of Auburn,
and Polar Star Lodge of Masons. There were
beautiful floral tributes, consisting of a
broken column and wreaths from the Maine
Central employees, pillow from relatives.
cluster of lilies from Mrs. A. S. Pettingill, of
Lisbon Falls, and wreath from friends in
Grove Cemetery.
Knox Agriculturists.
= RocKLAND, Jan. 6.-The Knox Agricul-
tural and Horticultural Society has elected
the following officers:
Presipent-F. II. Berry, Rockland.
Vice Presidents-Erastus Lermond Thomas
ton; George w. Young, Lincolnvie; A. g.
Thomas Rockland; John III. Andrews, Camden;
X. s. Bodweii Vinalhaven.
Trustees-A. NJ. Cobb, Thomaston; B. G.. Abb
bout, Camden; w. j. Robbins, Rockville; Jona-
than Spear, A. C.. Hamilton, Rockland.
Secretary-R. Y. erie, Rockland.
Treasurer-J. A. Tolman, Rockland.
No Strike at Lewiston.
LEWISTON, Jan. 6-The agent of the
Cowan mill says there has been no strike or
any difficulty with weavers. A change was
lately made in the work and prices reduced.
Some of the weavers who were dissatisfied
x,,o ~ al tbai, rau1,lar patica and left The
The Portland daily press., 1888-01-07
The STATE.


ARoosTooK COUNTY.
The Presque Isle National Bank was
opened for business January I'd.
CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
Mr. John Perry, graduate Of BOwdoin,
and former resident of Brunswick, was
killed at his home In Braintree, Mass, last
Saturday, by an accident that happened
while setting out tree.
The Portland daily press., 1888-01-07

A. III. Ball, 26 years of age, confidential
pay clerk of the Hopedale Machine Company,
was arrested Thursday in Milford. Mass,
charged with embezzing the funds OF the
company. He was held in $1,000 for trial.
The sum stolen was about $1,000.
The owners Of the Anchor line Of steam
ships propose to run line between New
York and Calcutta. This will be a severe
blow to American shipping interests.