Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-12-28

New YORK, Dec. 27.-Before Judg
Truax, in the supreme court chamber
here, an application was made to compe
Mrs Elsie Bethune, the legal guardian O
Blind Tom," the pianist and musica
prodigy, to show cause why she shoul'
not be punished for contempt of court
Blind Tom" is well known all over tin
country. AT the time of the emancipation
OF the slaves he was owned by John G
Bethune of Virginia. The family, awar,
OF the negro's genius, decided to retair
him, Notwithstanding the fifteenth amend
ment. The supreme court of Virginia, OF
account of "Blind Toms" infirmity, de
cided that he was to remain the property
of the Bethunes forever. This decision
caused widespread gossip and not a little
harsh criticism. Col. Daniel p. Holland
Washington lawyer, endeavored to get
the negro out of the hands of the Bethune
family, but before that could be accom-
plished Mrs. Elsie Bethune succeeded in
being appointed Blind Toms" guardian.
Col Holland died, and, as his bill for legal
services on behalf of the musical genius
was not paid, Mrs. Irene Ackerman, of
Washington, brought suit against Mrs.
Bethune for the fee, amounting to $4,000.
Mrs. Ackerman won the suit, and the
the money earned by "Blind Tom" In
that action Mrs. Bethune swore that she
had no money resulting from her ward s
earnings Mrs. Irene Alderman claims
that Mrs. Bethune has s35, 900 and real
estate resulting from Blind Toms"
musical productions. hence the contempt
proceedings.
Judge Truax reserved his decision.
Topeka, Kas., Dec. 27-J. G. Wilson,
receiver of the Atchison, Topeka and
Santa Fe railway, opened his Office in the
directors room of the company's building
in this city yesterday. His first order was
to Edward Wilder, treasurer of the COM
pany, to at once make out checks for the
November wages of all employees the
money to be drawn from the fund that
has accumulated for the payment of in
terest on bonds due Jan. l. Checks for
the payment of the men on the Chicago
division were forwarded last night and all
of the system will be paid in full
by Saturday.
Receiver Wilson has been in consulta-
ton with General Manager Frey all day
getting information regarding the float
ing debt of the company and the condition
of its business. He will make report at
in New York in a few days.
PARIS, Dec. 27.--Written threats to de-
stroy various public buildings in this city
and elsewhere continue to be made osten-
sibly by anarchists. The latest buildings
are the stations of the Eastern
railway. Every precaution has been taken
to prevent the threats being put into exc
cution. Among the measures adopted is
an examination of the luggage of passen-
gers, it being feared that the anarchists
will attempt to smuggle trunk or valise
an Internal machine into the
The officials of the company at
Pantin, three and half miles northeast
of Paris, have taken stringent precautions
to guard the station there. Pantin is a
manufacturing town, and it is supposed
that some of the anarchist workmen there
are the authors of the threatening letters
TOPEKA, Kan, Dec 27-Reports of
committed by tramps con
tinue to come in from all parts of the
state. Along the eastern and southern
borders tramps are thick, and generally
travel in gangs of half dozen. They are
crowding into the larger towns of the
state, where they say they will have the
protection of the police under the COVER
nor's order. Every day a number of
tramps call at Gov. Lewelling's Office and
beg for money with which to buy some
thing to eat. The governor has found this
such burden that he is compelled to re-
fuse further aid to them.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 27.--President Cleve-
land, Secretary Gresham, and Secretary
Carlisle have left Washington for few
days recreation. The president and his
party, according to the best information
embarked on one of the light
house tenders, accompanied by Captain
Robley Evans, of the lighthouse board
They steamed down the Potomac to Ches-
apeake bay, and it is expected, will be alb
sent from the city couple of days. Duck
is suggested as the chief object
of the trip.
PARIS, Dec. ga pamphlet written
by Colonel de Polignac attracts consider
able attention. The writer proposes that
France should ally herself with the Moors
in order to extend her influence in north
ern Africa. Colonel de Polignac declares
that if an alliance should be established
France could compel the Moors to live at
peace with the Spanish Then, he says,
an alllunce could De formed between
France and Spain. France would thus
become mistress of the western Mediter-
ranean, while Spain would be able to
place sufficient artillery along the bay of
Algeciras to render Gibralter untenable
by the British.
LONDON, Dec. 27.-A despatch to the
Central News says that quantities of war
material are being shipped from the Ital-
ian arsenals to Massowah on the Red sea
to be used in the operations against the
dervishes. The despatch adds that two
regiments of irregular troops will be
raised for service in Africa.
New YORK, Dec. 27,-Police Commits
sioner Sheehan denied the story published
in the New York Times to the effect that
he was a defaulter while comptroller of
the city of Buffalo. The commissioner
said: "Thisis an old story that was thor
oughly exposed by an investigation in 1888
PITTsBURG, Pa, Dec. 27.-August Roet-
ting, of Bellevue, has been arrested for
attempting to saw off the head of Henry
Doetzenroth. The men had a fight, and,
getting Doetzenroth down, Noettng in