New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-22
TOPICS IN CALIFORNIA.
TRAIN ROBBERY-CHURCH SCANDAL
THE RUSH TO ALASKA.
rBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l

fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNEl
San Francisco. March 21.--This week an at
tempt at train robbery was made near the
scene of the sensational crimes OF Sontag anu
Evans, but the leader Of the gang gained no
coin and lost his life because the law oiiicers
had been warned by youth in whom the rop-
her conAded. Visalia one Of the most lawless
places in the San Joaquin Valley was the scene
of the plot The leader was Dan Mccall
woodcbopper. but the officers Relieve that the
real orieinators of the scheme were Lovern ana
Ardell proprietors Of a disreputable saiooh'
which was the headquarters Of Evans and MS
rang in the old days. But for the betrayal OF
their secret the men would have succeeoeo' do
the trains through the valley nave not peeii
guarded lately, and the place that they o"o''
was we'll adapted for the purpose, as II - re,
rote and solitary From 1t, also, escape wouiu
have been easy with their plumber. Inc warn
Ing given by the boy induced the ofhcers 10 as
sign deputy-sherffs to every tram. Inc Tram
which was attacked was not the one oris'ia''
seected but on it were two deputies, who MADE
a good fight and. though both were wou'ue''
succeeded in killing the bandit. TITS ou'orean
NJ ,aw,essness Is the fifth which has occurred
since Sontag was killed and Evans sent 10
State Prison for life
Although the Congregational Councli OF "an
Francisco has rendered Its verdict on the neN'
Dr Charles O. Brown accused Of grave OF
fences this report has not ended the sc"iio"'
The Council found that the charge OF adultery
had not been proved, but 1t declared 'ha' 10
members could not understand why the preach
az Maid s5o0 hush-money to woman whom ne
declared a blackmailer nor why he attempted
a. ,n,m,date a Young woman Of his congrega-
@,on who he knew possessed vote ana was
MT favorable to him. Instead Of accepting 'hs
,,i,d reproof Brown at a church meeting criti-
cised the Council harshly and succeeded IN ue
feating a vote of thanks by his church ~ ."e
Council This has caused much 1li-1eeihs. ou.
what is worse, the preacher, on the evening" VI
the Councils decision, dictated message ~
both press associations declaring 'hat lie i'au
been acquitted of all charges, ana the "Sso'
lions sent this news to the East. Ihls IMPOSE
+,on upon the public Brown Will nave 10 answer
for. and the feeling against him Is so strong
that it may lead to request for MS resisha-
tion The whole scandal has peeh oepioi"0i'
IN its effects for it has shown the ugliest 1eat-
ures of envy malice and uncharitabeness
II looks now as though a general strike OF
tho building trades would follow the strike OF
use-painters. Fourteen hundred painters nave
boen ordered out, and other building traue
unions have declared their sympathy WIN inc
men in their contest for higher wages IL inc
strike becomes general 1t will have serious
effect on trade, as this is the busiest season"
in building.
What pluck will do for young fellow Is SHOWN
nv the advancement of Harold Sturgess' an Eng
lish lad of good family. who. until recently, was
annrenticed on the British ship Falls OF Halla-
dale. His four years term was nearly hnished
when the tyranny Of petty officer became so
e1;p
tempted to swim mile 20 shore He was picKeo
I'M by a tug and the captain admired his spirit SO
much that he made Sturgess third mate.
Tho Rev Anna Shaw is here again and de-
c,ar.s she proposes to stay till California men
gve women the franchise The suffrage cam
na,pn. which has brought Miss Shaw and susan
r Anthony out here again, will begin next Mon
day.
The theatres were rather fiat this week, the
only new thing that was noteworthy being MIL
ION Royle's comedy Captain Impudence,' which
obtained warm welcome on the opening nlght
from the regular army ami the militia Ofhcers.
What they thought OF military uisSa6''1 h,t
y could not have been complimentary Two OIL
= Hoyts pieces are running here-"A MIX Wnlte
Flag" at the Baldwin, and "A Iexas oteer d.
the Columbia
Heavy showers have fallen this week all over
the state and reports from the grain and frult
districts are very encouraging. The weather Is
mild with no indications OF frost
The mystery of the murder Of Editor Nc
Whistler of Fresno. may soon be cleared up as
new evidence is said to have been secured nXlng
the crime upon two prominent citizens or Fresno.
McWhister was called to his door after MD
right and shut DOM. Masks and loaded club
were left in the yard 20 give the impression that
the attack was made by burglars. Every effort
was made to secure evidence but several I'M
portant witnesses were spirited away, and II
was found impossible to connect by legal PROOF
the suspected persons with the crime Recently
some new witnesses have been found, and II IS
hoped soon TO reopen the case and endeaVor 10
bring the murderers TO justice
All the Northern transportation companies are
making heavy bids for the Alaska business, ana
the fare Is now as cheap as from here TO Port
land Despite the warnings of old miners, many
Iucspectors without money or outfit have start
ed for Forty Mile Creek and other placer mines
on the Yukon. The winter has been so severe
that the summer may be longer than usual, but
~ these prospectors do not have the best OF luck,
ttey will be in danger Of terrible hardships next
winter II costs so much TO carry provisions
across country to the Yukon mines that living is
very dear.
A CONGREGATIONS JUBILEE.