davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-04-19
KING MCPHERSON.
An American Sovereign Who Reigns
On OnatooSka island

WASHINGTON, April ia special agent
of the treasury reports an extraordinary con-
dition of affairs at Onalooska, one of the
Aleutian islands belonging to the United
States This island is "a miles long by IL miles
wide, and is inhabited by about 400 natives.
About thr years ago man named Nc
Pherson came from San Francisco and land
ed there. His total outfit consisted of suit
of clothes, an American flag. unbounded
cheek and paper purporting to be signed
by Attorney General Garland appointing
him United States commissioner He first
compelled the natives to build him house,
upon which he raised the flag and then or
ganized little despOtism all by himself,
compelling the natives to address him as
king Mcpherson" Every one of the in
habitants is forced to pay him tribute. and
he gets certain share of everything that Is
caught or produced on the island, the
amount being fixed by his own sweet will
Mcpherson would probably be enjoying this
sort of life for some time to come were 1t not
tnat the Treasury Department learned that
he had recently hanged three natives whose
actions did not suit him. The authorities
will send a vessel to Onalooska and capture
king McPherson," after which he will be
tried for murder. Nobody here knows any
thing about the adventurer, but steps are
being taken in San Francisco to look up his
record. Altogether it is the most remarka-
BILE case which has come before the Treasury
Department for long time.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-04-19
MILITIA Officers Promoted.
GEN ERAL NEWS.

Richard Ettinger was crushed to death
yesterday by falling earth in mine at Farm
ington, Pa.
A package containing $4,000 in gold mys-
teriously disappeared from the office of the
Northern Pacific Express Company in Brain
erd, Mimi, some time Wednesday night
An attempt was made Wednesday night to
wreck west bound passenger train on the
Chicago & West Michigan railroad, by the
opening of switch. The engine and all
the cars except one ran off the track No
one was injured.
Mrs, Amanda Wellington, of Jackson,
Mich. was found in Flint, Mich, early yes
terday morning, bound and gagged, lying
across the raj ailr0ad track. She reports hav-
ing been compelled at the point of reyolv-
er. to give up sixty dollars she had. She
was then chloroformed, gagged, bound and
left In the condition found. There is no clue
to the perpetrators.
James Munday, workman on the suspen:,
sion bridge at Niagara, while at work 2Oe
feet above Niagara river yesterday, slipped
and fell head first into the torrent when
next seen he was being borne toward tue
whirlpool, into which he passed before any
attempt could be made to save him. IL is
believed the body was lifeless.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-04-19
PRINCE RUDoLPHs DEATH.
The Empress Insane and the EN-
peror Far from Well.

New YORK. April 1s.-Henry LRbouchere
sends the following despatch from London
to the World; ~ hear from q reliable cor
respondent at Vienna that the Empress OF
Austria has become quite insane. She Is In
a state Of acute melancholia, with strong
suicidal symptoms and very troublesome de-
lusioHs, so that II Is necessary to watch her
closely. night and day. The court doctors
are anxious to remove the Empress to Wies-
baden, as 1t is thought that a course Of DR..
Metzger's treatment might prove beneficial
to her nervous system. But it would be DIFF
hcult to keep her under proper control, ex-
cept in one OF the imperial residences, with
out causing scandal. SO the Emperor
wishes her 70 remain at home.
The mostialarmng symptom in the En-
press's condition Is the fixed idea that her
death would be OF benefit to the Emperor,
who would thereby be placed In position 10
marry again, and then he might have anogh-
or son. The Emperor viii not visit Berlin
this year. In spite OF the semi-officlal an
nouncements on the subject he Is exceeding
ly III and quite unequal TO the round Of elab-
crate court festivities. The EmperOr's zea;-
Gus interest In public affairs has greatly re-
laxed since the Crown Princes death, and
now he neither works hard nor interieres
with the ministers, who are all squabbling
among themselves"
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-04-19
CLEARING THE STONES FROM HIS PATH.
Bismarck Again censures tho Con-
duct OF Or. knaPpe,
And Warns Naval Officers 10 Beware
Of the Fathenand's consuIs.
Henry Labouchere Says the Empress
Of Austria Is Insane.

BERLIN. April 1s.-Prince Bismarck has
issued an order which defines the response
bility Of commanders Of war ships with re-
spect to requests Of c0nsuls abroad. The
Chancellor directs the commanders TO exam
inc for themselves the legal and political
grounds for such requests unless the consul
produces special authority from the German
foreign Office. The reason for this Is that re-
cent events in Samoa were unauthorized.
and a request there resulted In great loss Of
life and injury TO German interests. while
danger occurred Of Germanys becoming en-
broiled with friendly nation.
A Samoan white Book" has Just been Is
sued, obviously In view Of the approaching
Samoan conference. In despatch to Herr
Stuebel, the new German consul at Samoa,
dated April 10th, Prince Bismarck eensures
Consul Knappe's conduct throughout the
troubles In Samoa. The Chancellor declares
that Germany has nothing TO do with the In
ternal affairs OF Samoa. Her mission Is re-
strieted TO protecting Germans. and enabling
them to develop their commercial interests.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-04-19

Mr.: G. ii. Nelson, the prominent Water
Vile horseman, has come out strongly against
the recent action Of the Maine State Fair
trustees in appointing his enemy, A. II. Ger
aid OF Fairfield, superintendent Of the horse
department. In a long letter to the Lewis
ton Journal Mr.. Nelson reviews this action
and declares that his horses shall not be
shown at Lewiston while Mr.. Gerald Is in
charge Of this department He has no doubt
but what there will be fair without his ex-
hibit but he is very sare that no other attrac-
tion can take the place of his horses with the
people.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-04-19
CAPTAIN COLE DROWNED.
His Schooner the John $. MouIton
of Machiasport Abandoned.

New YORK, April 1s.-Steamship Alvena,
Capt MacKay, from Fortune Island, arrived
today. and brings r. w. Proctor, mate of the
schooner John S. Moulton of Machiasport
and four seamen. The schooner sailed from
Blaco River, Jamaica, for Chester, Pa. with
cargo of logwood. April 7th in lat. 33,
long. IA, she encount sred terrific northerly
gale. during which the mainsail and main
boom were carried away. Immense seas
boarded the vessel, washing overheard Capt
I. w. Cole and Seaman Toby johnson, car
rying away the steering gear, quarter rail
and all the sails, causing the vessel to spring
a leak. The mate was washed overheard
but was rescued. On April 10th in lat. %. %,
Ion. 7450, the schooner was failed in with by
the steamer Claribel, bound for King ston,
and the crew taken off, and landed on For
tune Island, whence they were brought by
the Alyena. The following we're saved:
r. w. Proctor, the mate
Charles Ii. johnson.
William Darracott.
Robert j. Schroeder.
William II. SclVl.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-04-19
GENERAL PAINE's OFFER.
An International Challenge Cup for
Seventy Footers.

BosToN, April 1S.-The council Of the
Eastern Yacht Club met last evening to take
action on the offer of General Paine to pre-
sent to the club challenge cup for interna-
tional matches between yachts not exceed
ing 70 feet water line measurement. The
council, holding the opinion that the Ameri-
cas- cup represents the championship of the
world, to be raced for by the fastest yachts.
within the prescribed limits, voted to accept
the offer, and now announce that match
of one or more races win be sailed for the
above international challenge cup after the
race for the Americas cup. Previous to the
offer of the cup assurance was obtained that
the Valkyrie would compete for 1t.
The offer of this cup by Gen. Paine and
several other pubiic-spirited yachtsmen in
sures an international race this fall between
20 foot yachts exclusively. Such race has
been hoped for, and will add greatly to the
interest in the Valkyrie's intended visit to
American waters. The cup will be an intes-
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-04-19
ARMY OFFICERS APPREHENsivE
They Share the Belief That Trouble
Is Coming In Oklahoma.

WASHINGTON, April 1s.-It is very appar-
ent here that officers of the army are filed
with the liveliest apprehension regarding
the opening of Oklahoma. The Secretary of
War has authorized statement that the
government is fully aware of the situation
and has arranged to take all proper steps to
prevent trouble. The subject formed the
main topic of discussion at the recent Cabi-
net meetings. The Attorney General has
been called upon to decide the question as to
the authority Of the War Department to act
in case Of strife, bloodshed or violence in the
newly opened country. Instructions have
been sent to the commandant of the troops
in Oklahoma to direct army officers to assist
in the maintenance of law, but to carefully
observe the regulations defining their au-
thority and leave arrests for violations of
law to the marshals.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-04-19
POST OFFICES AFLoAT.
A Proposition from the German Coy
eminent to Increase Facilities.

WASHINGTON, April 1S.-The German
post office authorities have submitted pro-
position to those of the United States to es-
tablish on ocean steamers the system of as
sorting the mails that has been so successful
on the railway cars. The present practice
in bringing the European mails to this
countrysis to divide the letters into two par
GELS, one composed of letters intended for
New York and the other composed of letters
for the United States at large. There is no
fixed system of asserting the mail leaving
here for Europe. and numerous bags of let
tiers are put upon the steamers few min
utes before their departure without having
been assorted even by countries. If the
postal railway system was extended to the
ocean steamships the mails could be assorted
and made up during the voyage, and the de-
livery of the letters would thus be materially
expedited. The expense would not be large.
as there would be considerable saving OF
money now necessarily expended in hand
ling and asserting the mails at the offices at
the various ports of entry and upon the
postal cars. There Is no specific fund at the
disposal of the post office department for es-
tablishing postal steamship system, but it
is understood that the Postmaster General
will endeayOr to at least make the expert
ment OF having the ocean mails assorted and
made up during their passage between the
two continents. The attention of Congress
will be directed to this matter at the next
session. and an appropriation asked for.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-04-19
Robbed while in the CITY.

CHICAGO, April 18.-The mail car on the
Lake Shore road, which left here at 7.45 last
night, was robbed before it got out of the
city limits. The thief secured the pouch
containing about 100 pieces of registered
mail for Cleveland, and was rifing the con-
tents in an empty freight car when detected
by Watchman Dwyer. As Dwyer looked
into the car the man jumped out through the
door on the opposite side and escaped. He
had opened dozen registered letters and
succeeded in carrying away with him their
contents. The post Office officials were noti-
fed, and Superintendent Montgomery went
down to the car in person and brought the
pouch back. He would not express an
opinion as to the probable amount OF money
stolen, nor did he know the name of the
postal clerk in charge of the car.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-04-19
PORTLAND, MAINE FRIDAY MORNING, APRIL 49, 1885,

fired and burned to the ground. Sometime
after shots heard near by directed the neigh
bors to spot some 20 rods away, where the
murderer was found lying in pool of blood.
having shot himself. The cause Of the crime
caused by dissolute habits. The murderer
and suicide haa Enthusiastically planned the
deeds he committed. A few days since he
gave neighbor named Clark sealed manu-
script, and requested him to keep it and not
open 1t until sometime In the future, saying
he was going away, and when he was gone
the manuscript would reveal why he went
and where he would be. The paper, which
was opened today, revealed the determine
tion Of Edgar to kill his father, also his
aunt who lived with the family, and burn
the house. The final act was to be his own
death. All this with one exception has been
dnua
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-04-19

national challenge cup, but the conditions
which will govern 1t will probably not be de-
cided upon until after the Earl Of Dunraven
has been further consulted. The idea Of the
cup is credited to General Paine. When he
was in New York some time ago he called
upon ]. Beaver Webb, the designer, and at
his request Mr.. Webb wrote 10 the Earl Of
Dunraven inquiring If he would sail the
Valkyrie in race open to seventies" only.
A reply in the affirmative has evidently been
received by General Paine. There Is one
thing which would interfere with a race for
the Paine International challenge cup, and
that is the defeat Of the Volunteer by TO
footer In the trial races to be sailed under
the direction Of the Americas cup commit
tee Of the New York Yacht Club. General
Paine will not sail the Volunteer, and her
career under the management of any other
yachtsman will be closely watched
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-04-19
A Bay state Oracle.

GREAT HARRINGTON, Mass, April 49,
Levie Beetle, the Berkshire weather prophet
who successfully predicted the blizzard of
March, 1888, and mild weather and little
snow the past winter, predicts as follows
The weather from now through the spring
will be warm and dry in the northern At
lantic States with some rain along the coast
and in the southwest Atlantic States, the
storms drifting seaward Some severe
storms will occur in the Gulf States and in
the Middle States light rains and generally
light winds. There will be light frosts from
Nav 1St tn lime 10Th
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-04-19

Building promises to be lively the coming
season In Houlton, and mechanics will be
well employed.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-04-19
Washington Notes.

WASHINGTON, April 1S.-Solcitor General
jerks, who will be retained as counsel fer
the government to take charge of the cases
against the Bell Telephone Company when
his successor as solicitor general is chosen,
cases.
The charge dGGdires dd interim of Corea
in note to the Department of State on the
10th inst, says that newspaper accounts of
the famine In Corea are greatly exaggerated
He adds that the government and peonie of
Corea are deeply greatful for the kindness
and sympathy extended by foreigners in
Seoul.
Whitelaw Reid, the newly appointed min
lister to France, took the. toath of Office at the
Department of State today.
The appointment of Robert Smalls, the
colored ex-Congressman from South Caro-
lima as collector of customs at Beaufort has
haon daeinad unnn
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-04-19
The Southern Question.

PHILADELPHIA. April 1S.-The Philadel.
phia Inquirer will publish interviews tomor-
row with prominent men and politicians in
the Southern States on the following ques-
tions:
/. What is the southern question?
q. How should it be met 10 produce the greatest
good to the South?
The responses nearly all voice the same
sentiment that the race problem is the great
one to be solved and the South should be al
lowed to manage her own affairs without in.
reference.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-04-19

P C-Partly Cloudy.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-04-19
The Creditors Suspicious.

New YORK, April 1s.-The Calendar In
salating and Water Proofng Company failed
ten days ago. The charge is now published
that the assets, between 100000 and $780,
900, have disappeared. The whereabouts of
VIM. M. Calendar, the president of the COM
pany, 1t Is said, cannot be learned. The book
keeper is also absent. The creditors charge
that the assets, which consisted of bonds,
have been converted into cash and removed.
The friends of Calendar say he is at home
in Newark sick, and everything is all right.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-04-19
Said He Lived In Bangor.

NEW YORK. April 1s.-An unknown man,
supposed to be the murderer wanted in See
vance. Fla, has been arrested at Wood
bridge, N. j.. by Detective O'Harra of Gin
cinnati agency. The detective refused to
divnlge particulars and the prisoner is equal
ly dumb, although he said ne lived in BAN
gor, Me-. at the time of the supposed TRACE
dy. A letter giving the particulars of the ar
rest and the mans story has been sent to
Bangor, pending an answer to which the
prisoner will remain in the village lookup.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-04-19
ELECTRICITY IN COURT.
An Old Contest in Which Edison
Lost Ills Case.

New YORK, April 1S.-The Westinghouse
Electric Light Company through its lessee
the United States Electric Lighting Com
pany today brought suit in the United States
court in this city against the Manhattan
Electric Light Company of New York
which operates the Fort Wayne jenney sys-
TEN. for an infringement Of patent just
granted the United States Electric Lighting
Company on important improvements in the
armatures of dynamo electric machines
made a number OF years ago by Edward
Weston of Newark, N. j. The invention
forms part of nearly every dynamo ma
chine and electric motor in use in the United
States. Mr.. Edison claims to have invented
the same device and contest of six years
duration between Weston and Edison oc-
Cured ending in victory for the former.
The present suit is probably the beginning
Of war upon other infringers.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-04-19
The CLAYTON Case.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark, April 1S-The trial
of Wm Palmer, Thomas Henvey and VIM.
Hobbies, judges of election. charged with in
terfering with the congressional election In
Plummerville last November began in the
United States Circuit Court today. The theft
of the ballot box by masked men before the
votes were counted and the assassination of
John NJ. CLAYTON were features in the case.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-04-19
Interesting to Water Companies.

BosToN. April 1S.-The Hersey Meter
Company of Boston, today received tele-
gram from New York that the case of the
National Meter Company against the City Of
Yonkers as users and the Hersey Meter
Company as manufacturers has been de-
cided by Judge Wallace in the United States
district court in favor of the Hersey Meter
Company. As 6,000 of these meters are in
use in various cities this decision is of gem
eral interest to water departments.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-04-19
ANOTHER LAST HOPE CONE.
The National Liner Queen Saw
Nothing of the Danmark.

LONDON. April 1S.-The National line
steamers, the Queen, from New York, which
it was thought might bring some news of
the missing passengers of the Danmark, has
arrived at Queenstown. She reports that
she saw nothing of the steamer or her pas
sengers.
Incoming steamers report having hailed
other steamers almost daily, none of which
mentioned the Danmark.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-04-19
The legislatiye committed on mercantiIe

The legislative committee on mercantile
affairs gave hearing in Boston yesterday on
the petition Of the Bell Telephone company.
for an increase of S10,OO0,0OO in its capital
stock. The counsel said the company. has
721 exchanges and uses 1,270.00O,000 miles OF
wire. The average number Of daily messages
Is 1,055, ,000 The new capital is wanted
mainly to build the long distance system.
During the next four years II Is intended to
build double line from Boston to Chicago
at an expense Of about S10,0O0,000.
The Massachusetts legislative committee
on street railways by a vote Of to 3 has
agreed to report in the House a bill in favor
of the petition of Frank NJ. Ames, w. b.
Collier, John Shepard, Nathaniel y. Rust
and w. +. Lamson to construct an elevated
railroad, the name Of the company to be the
Boston Elevated Railroad company and the
capital S750,000 for each mile constructed:
once and three miles Of road must be put in
operation within two years Of the date OF
the charter.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-04-19
state College.

Tire Sophomores appointed to compete for
the Prentiss prize for the best Sophomore
defamation at commencement were appoint
ed Tuesday morning They are Wan. NJ.
Bailey, Skowhegan; Edmund Clark, Bethel /;
Wallace 4. Harrington, Cape Elizabeth
Cyrus Hanliu. Bangor; Jacob F. Hersev.
patten Hugo g. Menges, Bangor True 4 I
Merrill, Orono; Warren X. Page, Hampden
Henry v. Starrett, Warren; Chas. MI Tax.
lor. Hampden: Geo. Il. Thompson. Orono.
and Alden T.. Webster, OrOnO.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-04-19
The First Battle.

FoRT SMITH, Ark. April 1S.-An encoun-
ter has occurred between party of BOOM
ers and cattlemen on the one side and the
Chickasaw police on the other, at the ford
on Chisholm's cattle trail, across the Cana
dian river, 40 miles West Of Oklahoma City
The cattle men were taking several head OF
cattle from Frank Colberrs ranch In the
Chickasaw Nation TO Kansas. The mounted
police guarding the Southern border of Okla
homa refused them permission TO use the
well known Chisholm trail through the new
Territory, and fight followed. The cattle
men were reinforced by party Of boomers
from Texas. One policeman, two cattle men
and boomer named Gefse, were killed, be-
sides some valuable horses. The cattle men
finally abandoned the proposed route and
took the old Abiline route through the Chey
enne reservation.
Big Fleets OF Prairie Schooners.
WELLINGTON, Kan, April 1S.-The stream
Of prairie schooners moving Southwark has
not diminished. The streets of the city are
filled with boomers and they continue to pour
In from the North, East and West. Ere
quently six to II wagons and teams are in
cluded in one outfit. such emigration has
never before been witnessed in this section.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-04-19
Bic EIeets on PralrIe schoonars
OBITUARY.

AN OLD MAINE SQUIRE.
Leonard J. Thomas, Esq, Of Eden, Me-,
who died April Sth, held the Oldest commis-
sion as postmaster of any man in the United
States, 1t being dated Nov. q, 1925, signed
by John Mclean, Postmaster General. he
received five commissions and died an incum-
bent OF the office. During the years that he
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-04-19
An Old Time AbolitIonist,

KEENE, N. H., April 1S.-Edward A.
Webb, an old-time abolitionist and philan-
thropist, died suddenly today, aged 70. He
was born in England, and was sailor in his
youth. For 80 years he has been overseer
in Faulkner & Colony's factory.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-04-19
~--~~--~7--7-7--7-~
A Chance for oarsnen.

BOSTON, April 1S.-The common council
has appropriated 81 900 for sports in Boston
on labor day. half of this will 60 toward
tne expense of the regatta on the Charles
river proposed TO be held by the New Eng
land Amateur Rowing Association.