davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-02-26
CHIEF FERBER'S REPORT.
Gives Interesting Statistics Concerning
the Number Of Fires in tho City.

The year 1895, according to Chief En-
gineer H. Il. Ferber's report, had q
com paratively low number of fires, the
smallest amount of losses for several
years back. and was free from any par
ticularly large coniiagration. The to-
tai number Of fires for the twelve
months ending Dec 81. was ia. a de-
crea Sc Of IL, as compared with the year
1894. The losses have not as yet been
figured up. but Chief Ferber estimates
that they We're exceedingly low as conf
pared with the years immediately pre-
ceding.
From the details of the report some
very interesting statistics are CLEANED.
one remarkable feature Is that during
the month of October there We're only
three fires. and none Of thm of seri-
Gus nature. August had the greatest
number of fires to its discredit, l6 in
all The other months had records as
follows: January, IA February, Is;
March, Is; April. II; May, y: June, ~;
July, .; September, 49, November, l6;
December, II. Despite the fair weather
and fireworks of the glorious Fourth,
July had very small number OF nres,
which Is something unusual.
SEVEN INCENDIARY FIRES.
There were seven ncendiary fires and
four more that We're supposed to he OF
incendiary origin. Overheated stoves
and defective flucs were among the
lea ding causes of fires, each or these
causes having six Conflagrations
ch q I,Sed against it, Fires of unknown
origin numbered 10; caused by upset
ting of lamp. 3; burning rubbish. .; gas
explosion, 4; spark from chimney. i;
defective stoVepipe, ); gas jet, -
candle. 8; hot ashes, ); children playing
with matches, 3. burning waste, =
spark from locomotive, :; careless
handling of matches, .; lamp cAplo-
sion. =; and one rire Is attributed to
each OF the following causes: Railroad
torch. plumbers lamp. electric light.
wax taper, overheated boiler. over
turned stove, igniting Of tar ,roof. cleo
trio, light wire, lighted pipe IN pocket,
spark from stove. spontaneous conibus-
ton. smoking meat, oil stove, cigarette
stub.
NUMBER OF ALARMS.
Eleven alarms were sounded from
box 3d. corner of Main avenue and jack
son street. which is the greatest NUM-
bei- sounded from any Of the 40 or more
box rs in use last year No. 10, corner OF
Lackawanna and Penn avenues, comes
next with alarms. Boxes NO. -, cor
ner of Wyoming avenue an. .-pruce
street: No. 49, corner of Prospect ave-
nue. and Beech street, ana NO. 1i, cor
ner of Prospect avenue and Fig street,
each sent in five alarms. Boxes I5 81
Gl, "a, lG 2S. Al and l3 each sent IN 1otr
alan Boxes "a. 62, "A. 80 ana IA sent
in three alarms each Boxes II, 49, u.
&c, 81. 49, SO. Al, i6 49, 30, &C, az, %. 81
and 1923 each sent in two alarms. one
alarm was sounded from each of the
foil wing boxes: 55. So. ~. 81, 81, IA, 20.
81. 81 and AZ. The following boxes.
twenty-onc in number. We're not opened
during the year except for inspection:
Nos. 1S, II, Is, "A. q, 29. 80. 36. AZ, 40,
81. 81. So, 81. 63, 81, 6S, II. 123. 2lS, S222.
There were also three still alarms dur
ing the year.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-02-26
Until THURSDAY NIGHT
Inquest In the Case OF John j. Rafter
Continued.
TONI DENIES THE SHOOTING
Ross kcoush. Who Was with tho Dc.
ceased at the Time Of the Shooting,
Identified Toni ns the Assail.
aut-Thc Funeral Yesterday.

There seems to be little if any, doubt
In the minds OF the authorities and
Others converSant with the case, that
sam Toni. who Is locked in the county
Jail, shot and killed John j. Rafter.
The shooting took place in Old Forge
early in the month and Rafter died
Saturday at the home of his parents on
wyoming avenue. this city. Toni, how
ever, has astonished the Jail officials
with the statement that he did not do
the shooting and he cllngs to the asser-
ton in Il most determined manner. al
though there appears TO be no doubt as
TO his guilt
1t was expected that the story of the
crime would be completely told by eye
witnesses at the inquest to have been
conducted by Coroner Longstreet last
night in the arbitration room in the
court house. But the witnesses did not
appear and the inquest was postponed
until tomorrow night at o'clock.
ROSS kEOUGH SAW IT.
Ross keough. son W Justice of the
Peace keough, of old Forge. was the
unfortunate Rafter's companion at tho
time he received his death wounds, and
was to have been subpoenaed 10y Coun-
ty Detective LeyShon before the latter
left for Philadelphia Monday. keough
did not put III an appearance.
Keough immediately after the shoot
ing sworc out the warrant on which
Toni was arrested, and went with the
officer who served it. There was no
doubt or hesitancy on the part of the
young man in pointing out Toni as the
man VINO had committed the deed. In
view OF this very positive action and
evidence. il is pu2zling the officials to
know what the prisoner expects to gain
by his protestation mat he is guiltlesS.
John r. Martin is TOni's attorney.
FUNERAL YESTERDAY.
Rafters funeral took place yesterday
morning at the house in Green Ridge,
and was attended IN Il body by Com
pany G, Thirteenth regiment, in which
he was a corporal. The pall-bearerS
were Sergeant Edward Birchrr, Ser
geant Major Harry Coursen, Corporal
Thomas Murphy and Privates Frank
and Joseph Moir ana i.angan.
a high mass of requiem was cclehrat-
ed in St Paul's Catholic church by Rev.
j. j. McManuS. lntcrnont was III the
Hyde Park Catholic cemetery.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-02-26
OUR FLAT AT THE ACADEMY
An Excellent Comedy Produced by Very
Competcnt Company of PLAYERS.

1t was not a large but an exceedingly
we'll pleased audience that filed out of
the Academy of Music last evening at
the conclusion of Our Flat" Il comedy
that is built on the proper lines to
achieve success with modern theater-
goers. There are few dull moments
during the progress of the comedy. and
but little more action could possibly
be crowded into it.
The comedy deals with the unfOr-
tunute circumstance in which Mr.. and
Mrs. Reginald Sylvester find them
selves soon after marriage on account
OF their straitened financial circuln
stances. Sylvester is an author. who
earns little and when he married the
petted daughter Of IL wealthy man
against the latter's wishes he found
father-in-law's door closed to himself
and wife. Eventually the parent is
won over and prosperity smiles on the
young people but this does not occur
until the three acts of the comedy are
spent. and in the meantime there are
all kinds of complication for the loving
but sOIcly pressed young people. y
comedy which Mrs. Sylvester writes
and signs her husbands name to is
accepted by theatrical manager and
proves their salvation.
Miss Emily Bancker was at the head
vi lhe very eActIieilt cpiIpuiy tuat pre-
sented the comedy. She first came into
prominence as a member of the .'Glor-
lana company and has since been
steadily forging to the front rank as
a comedienne. She Is beautiful sings
well, has an expressive face. and that
cleverness without which no one may
hope To achieve success on the stage
especially In the line of comedy Her
performance as Margery Sylvester last
night won great applause for her.
Supporting her were Il quartette of
more than ordinarily competent people
They were George ". Parsons, VIII
Mandevllle Philip IL. Ryley and Anita
Nerno. The other members of the COM
pany also displayed much ability. "Our
Flat viii be sure of II hearty reception
ii return enga cement Isl played
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-02-26
CITY NOTES.
III WYOMING AVENUE.

Miss Heath delivered a talk on Mu"illo
at the residence OF Attorney and Mrs. NJ.
i. Mcdonald, on Adams avenue, last
night.
Mr.. and Mrs. James ODonnell had Il
narrow escape from asphyxiation in their
home, on New street, Monday morning
from coal gas.
John P. Mahon, ex-school controller. is
the latest candidate for clerk of the COM
mon council. Mr.. Mahon held the position
before being elected to the school board.
An interesting musical and literary en-
tertainInent was given by the members of
John Boyle O'Reilly council. Young Men $
Institute. at their rooms, on L.ackdwanna
avenue, last night.
The bond of James Phillips in the sum
of $2.S29.Sl, collector of delinquent school
tax for the Fifth ward, was yesterday flied
as judgment In the office Of Prothonotary
Pryor. The bOndsmen are John II. phil
lips and John Morris.
A $50 gold piece of the date Of 1852 was
yesterday exhibited at the Third National
thick. There Is a premium of Sl0 on the
coin owing to its rarity.
Colonel James Fairman, the artist, gave
an address at the Railroad Young Mer 5
Christian association last night on the
subject How to Make the Most of Life
from the Standpoint Of u Workingmau."
A large audience listened to the address.
Arrangements have been completed for
the pool match between Jerome Keogh,
of this city, and w. II. Clearwater, for
the championship of the world. The
match will take place at Pittsburg OH
March 49, 90 and 81, 800 balls each night
The stakes will be $50 side.
Jessups & Hand, attorneys for Herman
COlell. brought suit in assumpsit yester-
day in the office of Prothonotary Pryor
against John ]. and Albert +. Becker
partners trading under the firm name of
Becker Bros. The amount of the debt Is
s329.40 with interest from June y, 1895.
Marriage licenses were granted by Clerk
Of the Courts John II. Thomas yesterday
TO Simon j. Curley and Helen NJ. Kreg,
baum. Pittston: Herbert T.. Fish and .Ies.
sic Stark. Schutzville: Joseph Weiss and
Lena Sternberger. Scranton; Samuel l..
Goldstein, Binghamton, and Rachel Ro-
eenfield. Scranton; Jacob Alexander and
Flora b. Driesen, Scranton.
The following officers of the Persever-
ence club have been elected: President
Philip J. Vetter: first vice-president, W.
c. Cowles: second vice-president. ID. q.
Merrick, Blossburg secretary. Ed. G.
Deans; treasurer. Israel Bittenbender:
directors, T. J.. Sturges, i. X. Stock, F.
r. Davis: delegates to the board of dire,.-
tors, William Blume. C. b. Porter. l.. r.
Bone. r.. +. Jenkins, Frank A. Deans.
Jacob Miller. George w. Davis, Frank
Carey, William II. Mosher, L. NJ. Gil
lette, i. T.. Horton, W. Il. zimmerman,
y. q. Merrick. C. "A. Sweet and Joseph ii.
Mackey.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-02-26
THE SPRING INSPECTIONS.
Schc dulo That Has Deeu Prepared BY
Mujor w. :. MilIar.

Major w. S. Millar, of this city. in
specting officer of the Third brigade.
has made out the following schedule
for the spring inspection OF the COM
panies in the brigade:
Thirteenth Regiment-A and B, Scran-
tom March .: and d, Scranton, March 8;
l.. Iionesdale. March I: Fl. Providence,
March 3; Montrose, March 8; +. Hyde
Park. March Z.
Fourth Regiment-C. Columbia. March
o. a, Reading March 10; Il. Hamburg.
March II; G, Pine Grove, March II: i.
Pott sville March 13; II. Slatington, March
II: Band d, Allentown March l6.
Ninth Regiment-B and A. Wilkes-Barre.
March 20: ID and +, Willies-Barre, March
%: II and c. Wlkes-B Barre. March 25 |.
Pittston, March 25; T., Plymouth, March
q.
Twelfth Regiment-B and d, Williams
port. April 8; G, Williamsport. April !:
II, Lock Haven, April s; G. Milton, April
3: a. Lewisburg, April 10: +, Sunbury,
April II: +, Danville, April 13.
Eighth Regiment, WriShtsville, April
20: \. York, April q: c, Chambersburg.
April %: G. Carlisle, April %; d, Harris
burg. April n: IT.. Pottsvlle, April p:
X, ST Clair. April %; b, Tamauqua, April
2S: l., Mahanoy city, April 20: F.. Girards-
Vile, April 30; Regimental Band. Potts
Vile. March IS: Governors Troop. Harris
burg. April "a. afternoon Battery c. Phe-
niXville, March l6.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-02-26
BASE BALL SCHEDULE.
Scranton Wants Some Concession in the
Early Dates.

The owners of the Scranton club are
anxious to obtain some knowledge of
how the Eastern league base ball
schedule will be made up. On May 20
and q it is hoped to have the club
at home as at that time the city Will
contain thousands of knights Templar
and visitors, and two or more games
would mean a large profit to the club
There is little doubt that the team Will
be at home and in Wilkes Barre on
Decoration Day, the 30th, and il would
he of great advantage to have games
here on the earlier dates mentioned.
Aside from the unofficial assurance
that there will be Decoration Day
games here. little or nothing is known
about The proposed schedule. How
ever. IL ruinor can be believed, Scran-
ton will open at Springfield.
An effort is being made for n Cor
nell-Lehigh game here ON May 90. The
presence of the league clubs here on
that date would not seriously interfere
with the college game, as one or the
other could be played early in the af-
tprnOOu,
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-02-26
GONE TO CHERRY HILL.
Seven Law ViolatOrs Taken TO Phila.
dciphia Yesterday Morning.

Seven convicts We're taken from this
county to the Eastern penitentiary yes
terday morning. They left on the 8
o'clock train via. Delaware. Lacka
wanna and Western railroad, and We're
in charge of Deputy Sheriff Frank T..
Ryan. eX-SheriT John j. Fahey. Deputy
Sheriff L. G. Bortree, Jail Physician
Jenkins, ] Court Messenger b. Newton,
William Bruning. d. c. OIara and
Ric hard Protheroe.
The prisoners We're: Leonardo Rosa.
sent down for eleven years and six
months for the murder of vito Lorussa
at DunmOre on Feb. 2S. 1895: j. w.
Gardner, sentenced to two years and
six months for insurance swindling:
William Campbell. of Moscow. who will
serve one year and six months for lar
ceny and receiving: John Cloth of
Austin Heights. sentenced to one year
and six months for stealing $l3J and Il
jud gment note of Sl0O from his board
ing boss. Dominick Ambrovs: w. j.
Van Dyke. John Moran and Elias
Thomas. the three who burgla rized the
Methodist Episcopal parsonage at
Rendham on Aug. 81. 1898. Van Dyke
Will spend three years and seven
months, Moran. three years and one
TIL. and Thomas two years and one
month.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-02-26
REPORT OF THE AGENT
FATHERS HEROIC ACTION,
Was Severely Burned in His Efforts Il
Save His Little Child.


But for the prompt action of it's fa-
ther babe would have been burned to
death in an early morning Iire in Tay-
lor yesterday.
While the family of John Fla nnery.
a miner was breakfasting at 6 O'Clock
in the lower part of the house. u lamp.
which had been left burning at the
head OF the only flight of stairs in the
dwelling, exploded. The baby had been
left fast asleep in one of the front
rooms. The force of the explosion set
fire to almost the entire upper hallway,
which was found in a mass of flames
when the family reached the foot of
the stairs.
There was no means of rescuing the
sleeping child but by way OF the stairs
and passage through the flames. This
course was pursued by Flannery with
out seconds hesitation. He soon re-
appeared at the head of the stairs with
the little one wrapped i'm bedclothes in
his arms and reached the lower floor.
lie was painfully burned about the
hands and arms, but the burns are not
serious.
The Taylor Fire department eXtin-
guished the flames after a few hundred
dollars of damage had been done.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-02-26
AN EVENING or ATHLETICS.
Fine Exhibition Promised at the Froih-
irghain ON March 80.


The officers and committeeman OF the
Scranton. Bicycle club are working with
a will to make Il big success out of
the gymnastic exhibition to be given IN
the Frothingham thrater. March 20
by the gymnaStic team of the tniver-
sity of Pennsylvania. They feel sam
guine of favorable result of their
undertaking, and for reasons which
were very clearly set forth by prom
inent member of the club yesterday.
He said in conversation with a Trib-
une reporter.
DO you know that the Bicycle club
has lost a good many hundred dollars
in its many race meets and other pro-
jeCts which were undertaken not Tor
the purpose of making large sums of
money, but We're forwarded to stimu
la to interest in legitimate sport. and to
advertise Scranton? Yes, that's fact.
Now that we are planning for the APP
pearance OF the Pennsylvania gymnas-
tic team here, we expect that the public
will give US Il more liberal support
than on several occasions in the past.
"The club isn't begging: ii believes
it will be entitled to all and possibly
more than it gets. The kirmess. for in
stance, is an example. We gave free
the use of our club house, with its
light and heat, which are no small
items. for rehearsals for several weeks,
and on many occasions we have do
mated the hall. and in some cases the
entire building. for charitable uses. In
patroniaing the Pennsylvania show
the public can return us some favors
and at the same time be well enter
tanned as the exhibition is a splendid
one. showing, as it does, what the pick
of the best athletes in the university
can do.
IF we make any money out of the
venture. it will be applied toward our
proposed addition to the club house.
The addition will cost $4,000. When Ii
is finished it will contain the largest
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-02-26
OLD FOLKS CONCERT.
Llrsc Audience Enjoyed the SpIcnlid!y
Executed Programme.

The old folks concert in the Young
Mems Christian association hall last
night under the auspices of the Young
Womens Christian association was at
tended by an audience which taxed to
the utmost the seating capacity of the
hail. The generous patronage was
m,rted by the excellent programme
given under the direction of Professor
&. y. Dernnan.
Those who participated in the pro-
grain!nc were dressed in colonial garb.
excepting Mrs. Joseph O'Rrien. who
sang II soprano solo. and Miss Norton,
who rccited. The twenty chorus sing
crs We're volunteers from several
church chOiTs. Bauer's orch astra
played the opening number and accom-
panied the chorus parts.
Individual numbers Were rendered as
follows: Duet Mrs. ames Heckei and
Miss Lydia Pichel soprano solo. Mrs
O'Brien recitation. Miss Norton: comic
song Il b.. Atherton: violin solo. Pro-
fessor kopt: tenor solo. Edward
Smith baritone solo, John Watkins;
tenor solo. Alfred Wooler
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-02-26
Don't Miss the Greatest Bargains Ever
Offered

We must sell and are Offering our on.
tire stock at about half price, and re-.
sponsible buyers can buy Just AZ cbaan
on time as for cash. Look at the prices:
Hallett & Davls.plano. good as new .sl25
Chickering Upright piano, used but
niue, soou as new. ........... 2i0
Chickering piano. not good as new. 40
Sterling Organ, 6 octaves, oak case.
mirror top, 4 sets reeds. ca
Clough & Warren organ. high ton.
perfect order; used "a little 20
Others from $40 to $40
Many others equally low. Every
thing must be sold in the next 30 days.
Don't miss this opportunity.
Guernsey Brothers,
22f Wyoming ave.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-02-26
BOARD OF CHARITIES.
Envis' Thcatcr Benefit Melted S'IS6 sS.
for Which Purpose Thanks Arc Ex-
pressed.

pressed.
Rev. Rogers Israel. Colonel L.. II.
Ripple, II. j. Moore, Il. J. Kelly. w. T..
Smith, j. X. Cohen, G. Il. Kinsley and
T.. J. Lynett were present at the board
of Associated Charities meeting last
night.
Reports from the benefit performance
at Davis theater showed that the
treasury had been increased thereby
to the extent of $3.50. SO. which makes in
all nearly 81, GOO, which Mr.. Davis has
been instrumental i'll turning over to
the board. The secretary, Rev. Mr..
Israel was instructed to extend the
boards acknowledgements and tina nks to
Mr.. Davis, and also TO the police force
through Mayor Connell for the work
done by the officers on that occasion.
Mr. Kinslcy reported that the Trac-
tion company had cut off the agents
street car pass, and intended hereaf-
ter t. make a cash contribution to the
board, instead of granting the pass
Treasurer Smith was directed to pur-
chase street car tickets for the agent.
CASE OF MARY BROWN.
The case of Mary Brown the l3-year-
old Lithuanian girl arrested for beg
cling and stealing, occupied the at
tention Of the board for a time. The
gin! was placed in the House of the
Good Shenherd after her hearing, and
last night was turned over to the child
saving committee, of which Mr.. Kelly
Is chairman. Attorney Stark. repre-
sontinS thc parents of the girl, had an
interview with Mr.. Kelly and Mrs
Duggan concerning the securing of the
sisrs release and they agreed to visit
her home, and then decide on what
course to pursue.
The two children of the notorious
Convey woman, who was arrested for
cn.!ciag young girls To their ruin. We're.
after thC arrest, placed In the keeping
of their aunt. who now wants To get
them Oft her hands. the child saving
committee was entrusted with their
care.
Air. kinsley brought UP the question
Cf separate prison cells for women IN
the Cchtral station house, and. after
some discussion, il was decided to rec
ommtnd to the estimates committee
that provision be made for this i'm
provemcnt.
REPORT OF THE AGENT.
The report of the agent. Mrs. Duggan.
was as follows: Cases Investigated, "a;
found worthy, 2S; sent to hospital. .;
to Hillside Hcme, 3; sent to Florence
Mission, !: sent to the House of the
Good Shepherd, .: provided with lodg-
ing and meals, 3. Miss Keisel. the dis
trict nurse reported having attended
to ten patients during the past two
weeks.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-02-26
MRS. TURNER RAN AWAY.
Sho Was from Plymouth and Her Illus
band Took Her Back.

Martin Turner. Of Plymouth, accom-
panied by q constable, came to this city
yesterday on "a hunt for his runaway
wife. and with II warrant for the arrest
of the man in the ease. His mission
was attended with success.
Mrs. Turner Is q fairly attractive wo-
man of about 80 years of age Last
Friday she left Plymouth. and it was
ascertained soon afterward that Jo-
seph Yagashuck had also left the place.
The pair were finally located on Ca.
pouse avenue. in this city, where they
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-02-26
TOURNAMENT NEXT MONTH.
Union Athletic Club. Of O!d Forge, viii
Run One nt EaiInn,s Hall

on Monday. March 90. at T.. J. Fal
Ions hall. Old Forge. there will be a
boxing tournament under the auspices
of the Union Athletic club of that
place. Ii will In reality be a benefit for
Mike buddy. the lightweight, who con-
test ed with steve Judge in u finish bat
tie ut Weber's rink. Taylor. last sum-
meT-. The engagement lasted eleven
rounds and was won by Judge.
Champion James Judge. Toby Gard
ner. John McGuinness, Michael Kane,
of Minooka; Paddy Burke, of Plains.
and other celebrities will appear in the
ring Burke is perhaps the cleverest
boxer in the lightweight class in Lu-
2erne county.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-02-26
FELL ON A HOT STOVE.
Serious Acc.dcH; TO n Thrce.ycar Old
Child mt Miuooka.

A S-year-old daughter of Martin Gal
lagEer. of Minooka, was seriously
burned yesterday afternoon by falling
from q chair on which she was sitting
onto the kitchen stove, which at the
time. was red hot
Tho hands and face of the little one
were In had shane from contact with
the red iron: her clothes caught fire.
but her mother was close at hand and
hurried to her rescue. DR.. j. }. Walsh
was summoned and he attended to the
case; his opinion is that the child will
recover and be free from burn marks.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-02-26

were surprised by the husband and
Constable Roberts, of Plymouth, and
Deputy Constable Bryant. of this city.
The party left the city for Plymouth
in the noon bloomsbury train yester-
day.
Mrs Turner was not in repentant
mood and averred that she would not
again live with her husband. and that
she had a great liking for the pris-