The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1888-12-29
NEWS FROM THE EAST.

On last Sunday, the 23d instant,
there was an appalling disaster on
the Mississippi river near Com
merce, forty miles south of Mem
phis. The steamer 'Kate Adams
burned and about fifty people lost
their lives. The steamer was en-
route to Memphis and had about
200 passengers aboard. The fire
caught in some cotton bales and
spread very rapidly. A panic seized
the crew and passengers and the
scene was frightful. Many jumped
overheard and were drowned, as the
water was so cold it benumbed the
limbs. Many of those lost were
burned to death. A negro murderer
who was being taken to Memphis
for trial persisted. He was hand
cuffed, and the officer in charge left
the negro in that helpless condi-
ton while he made good his own
escape. The boat and cargo was
valued at $145,OOO. The skate
Adams" was the fastest boat be-
tween Helena and Memphis.
The dispatches TEEN with acct
dents, crimes and disasters, that
make very sad reading for the hol-
iday season. A fire at Hermans-
vile, Mich, destroyed nearly the
entire village, and while no lives
were lost, there was extreme suffer
ing from the intense cold.
A prairie fire near Rapid City,
OAK, destroyed many farm houses
and other buildings. There have
been more than the average num-
Der of railroad accidents. One issue
of daily paper recently gave ac-
count of eight different railway ac-
cldents, but fortunately the loss of
life was not great, only four per-
sons reported killed in them all.
1t is pleasant to turn from such
records to something more cheerful.
The latest reliable news in rela-
ton to Stanley, the explorer, is that
he is positively alive.
Gossip from Washington states
that President and Mrs. Cleveland
intended to spend their Christmas
quietly at the White House. The
Departments closed at noon of the
Oath and opened on the morning
of the Goth.
Mrs. Whitney has been saying
some very severe things about SEN
ator ingalls, and accusing him of
great activity in circulating the very
unpleasant stories that are aaoat
in regard to the infelicities of the
private life of President Cleveland
and his lovely young wife. Sena-
tor ingalls, in an interview with
newspaper reporter Indignantly de-
MED the accusation and said that
though opposed to the President
politically, he has no more ill-will
against him than he has against
the "yellow fever or the March biz
zard," and that his weapons are
those of the gladiator, not of the
assassin. In the course of his re-
marks the Senator paid the follow
ing beautiful tribute to Mrs. Cleve-
land: "The Presidents marriage
was the most popular act of his
administration. The mistress of
the White House has no enemy and
no rival in the afectionate admira-
ton of the American people. Amid
many temptations to levity, and
many opportunities for flivolity,
she has borne herself with unex-
ampled grace, dignity and compos-
ure. Adulation has not disturbed
the charming and unaffected SIM
plicity of her character. She will
carry with her into retirement the
undated honor and regard of all
w,4o have been so fortunate as to
know her. She will remain among
the noblest illustrations of Ameri-
can womanhood SO long as virtue
has votary or beauty champion"
Preparations for the Inaugural
ton are progressing. Quarters have
been engaged at the Arlington Ho-
tel for General Harrison and his
party when they go to Washington
next March for the inauguration
ceremonies. The party will consist
of General Harrison and wife;
Russell Harrison and wife; J. R.
Mckee, wife and two children; ex-
Senator Sanders, of Nebraska, and
wife; the parents of Mrs. Russell
Harrison, and E. w. Haliord, pri-
vate secretary. On the morning of
the Inauguration they will go to
Wizards Hotel and occupy par
lor commanding a view of the pro-
cession as it forms. In accordance
with the precedent established by
Andrew Jackson, and observed by
all the Presidents but two since,
President Cleveland will call for
President-elect Harrison at Will
ards and escort him to the Capitol.
DR.. Carver is trying to beat his
own record in shooting balls, at
Minneapolis. He proposed to put
bullets in 10000 wooden balls in
six days, from 10 An. till mid
night. In the first fifty minutes he
.bo+ OOO halls orI ro;ccol OK r.