davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The sun., 1896-10-31
KILLED BIZ ESCAPING GAA
Mrs. Houston Nearly Shares Her Hur-
banda Fnte-MovnbIe Rurner Defnctixe

Joseph NJ. Houston died early yestertlaN
OF gas poisoning and his wife nearly shared
his fate. in their fiat at $40 Columbus avenue.
Houston and his wife went to bed early'Tburss
aay night, and, for some time before they went
to sleep. Houston read aloud from book by
the light Of movable burner whi, III was
placed on tho window sill, nea. the head Of tho
bed. When Houston got ready to put out tho
light, instead Of getting up and turning It Off
At the bracket, with which It was connected by
rubber tube, he reached out end turned the
gascCck on the lamp.
Al some time in the night tie rubber tube
became unfastened from the lamp. The tube
was old and fitted very loosely. and it is
thought that tho pressure of the gas might
have forced 1t of gradually. Mrs. Houston
was awakened in the night by her husband
The odor of gas was very strong and both were
scarcely able to get out of bed. All tho VIM
wife tried 10 crawl from the bedroom into tns,
front part OF the fat. They collapsed how.
ioId.. hold. just 0e' onu 'n'' bedroom doors thfeah-
Ar 5 o'clock yesterday morning Mrs Blair
| who lives in the fiat across the hall. smelt gas
md heard moans coming from the fiat occupied
by the Houstons She told Peter CARROLL her
father; He raped Justify on the Houstons
down stairs and awoxe Rudolf Graf. the Janii
tor. Graf hurried out to the street where ho
found Policeman Palmer. who went back with
him, and broke in the transom of Houstons
fiat. There was no sound within. and gas
poured out Of the transom. Palmer broke in
the door, and he and: Graft entered. 1t was
still dark. but they did not dare strike a light
Cropping about. they opened the windows. and
front of The bedroom door. Both were uncon-
scious. An ambulance was sent for and. when
II came. the surgeon worked for more than.an
hour over the two; Houston showed some
signs Of l!fe.at first but in short time he was
dead. His wife was brought around enough
TO be taken to the Manhattan Hospital. where
she regained consciousness. II was said lass
night that she would be able TO leave there to-
day.
Houston was about so years old, and his
wife Is n few years younger. He was born in
scotland and came to this country about twen-
ty-fve years ago He Is member Of th0
Royal Arcnnum He had no relatives here,
but Mrs Houston's family lives in New York.
He was last employed shipping clerk In q
commercial house.
The sun., 1896-10-31
4 nEARG UMENr ORDERED.
Court OF Appeals Action In tho Elevated
Railroad Tax Case.

RAILROAD Tax case.
ALBANY. \. Y, Oct 3O.-The Court of Ap-
peals has ordered a reargument in the appeal
of the Manhattan Railway Company OF New
York city against an assessment by the New
York City Tax Commissioners for lS95, by
which the capital stock and surplus of the
company assessed at S16.+06.095 The
assessment was originally S30.0OO.OO0. but,
after hearing. the Tax Commissioners
reduced tho assessment to SIG, 1860 Tho
road applied to the Special Term for a writ
OF certiorari to review the assessment but the
application was denied and the Appellate Divi-
sion affirmed the Special TERMS decision.
The appeal from the decision OF the lower
court WAS argued in the Court OF Appeals
short time ago. The court to-day handed
down decision as follows: Reargument
dered, with leave to argue orally only, AS to
whether that clause OF the Constitution which
provides that mo unanimous decision of the
Appellate Division that there 10 evidence sup
porting or tending to sustain Il finding, a fact,
or q verdict not directed by tho Court shall
be reviewed by the Court of Appeals" is applca-
BILE to this appeal The road does not contest
its assessment for 1895 OF Sl5.0lO.90 upon it's
real estate. but holds that the assessed value OF
its real estate and its actual debts exceed the
actual value OF all its taxable assets. and that
there is no property ubject to taxation Rs capt
tai stock and surplus. The road paid $500. 900
In 1895 as taxes upon ita real estate.
The sun., 1896-10-31
THIS Is By THE PRESS AGENT.
Tragic Story OF tho Eject OF Choral on q
BuddinE Music Hall Star.

1TnBtc Story OIL tnc Eucct OF eniOrhi On n
Budding Music Hall Star.
The press agent has broken loose again. this
time with blood-curdling tale about brand
new star. With the news Of the accident how
ever, comes the usual positive assurance that
tho star will appear as advertised, SO that the
public need not feel alarmed.
The new star Is the Countess Margherta De
Silva, described as "a Cuban and the wife of
Alexander H. Mott. brother OF Hopper s. Mott
of tho Metropolitan Club. and nephew OF Jordan
L. Mott, the iron man." Mrs. Mott, or Countess
De Silva. as she prefers to call herself, is now
suing her husband for separation. The news
papers have not noticed the case, and the
Countess had concluded to go on the stage some-
thing had to be done. So the music hall man
ager who had engaged the Countess to sing
Cuban songs at his house descended on the press
agent. and the press agent promised to fix 1t.
This how II happened. The Countess returned
homo from rehearsal ON Thursday night feel
ing very much fntigued. She lives at the Roch-
ester. PA West Fourteenth street. AS she
Peet of % West Twenty fourth street. who pre-
scribed ehloralsan told the Countess to take
state whether the Countess obeyed. but II she
didn't 1t must have been because she forgot, for
yesterday morning she took a tablespoonful. or
Chloral is a soothing drug, and tablespoon
full Of the hydrate would soothe almost any body
agent says so. "She fell writhinH to the floor"
are his very words. and was soon unconscious"
rate. DR.. Peet arrived on the scene most oppor-
tunely. found the patient in bed notified 'Po-
licemRn O'Hara. who in turn sent in call to
the Now York Hospital for an ambulance. and
the press notice was well under way. This is 1t.
Ambulance surgeons. however. are penetrat-
ing creatures. The one that answered Police
man O'Hara's call looked at the Countess. re-
marked Rats" and drove back to the hospital.
Charges will not be preferred against him for
his brutal conduct.
Then tho Countess recovered consciousness
and asked for tho evening papers.
The sun., 1896-10-31
WoMEN,s CLUBS OF JERSEY.
Omcers Elected; Lawyer Mary PhHbrooi
Praises the Leglslature.

Omcer1 Elected; Lawyer Mary PhubrooR
Praises the Legislature.
The second annual convention Of the New
jersey State Federation OF Women's Clubs ad-
iourned yesterday afternoon after ar interest
ing two days session in the Bergen Reformed
Church in Jersey City. Miss Mary Philbrook,
New Jerseys only woman lawyer. told the
members yesterday about What the Legisa-
ture of 90 has done for women" She said:
-Four laws were passed for women. Tho
first IS the Teachers Retirement Fund act.
The second law provides that in case OF the sep
araton OF husband and wife. when neither is
at.fault. the custody Of children may be given
to the parent most likely to make the children
happy. Tho third in the main is to co away
with tho wife's right OF dover and the hus-
bands control of property. The fourth act
permits the Chancellor to appoint women mas
ters in chancery."
The following officers were elected: Presi-
dent. Miss Cecilia Gaines OF the Odd Volumes
Club. Jersey City: First. ice president. Mrs
Isabella Craven of tho Womans Club. Salem:
Second Vice-President. Mrs. Florence Howe
Hall Of tho Monday Afternoon Club. Plain
field; Third Vice President. Mrs. Madge Mac
Cleary OF the Home Reading Club. Newark:
Fourth Nice-President. Miss Adaline Sterling
of the Woman's Club. Englewood: Recording
Secretary. Miss Mary Philbrook OF the Jersey
.'ity Noman's Club; Corresponding Secretary,
Mrs. Harriet Miles OF the Clio Club. Roselle:
Treasurer. Mrs. Gertrude B. Buckley of the
Mrs. Elizabeth Selden Lane of the Half Hour
Club. Merchantville.
The retiring President. Mrs. Margaret Yard
ly, was elected honorary President.
The sun., 1896-10-31
CUT PRICES ON PRAYER hooks.
Litigation Over Them Between Two Chtho-
lie Publishers.

John Murphy & Co. OF Baltimore asked Justice
Beekman in the Supreme Court yesterday to
issue An injunction against the Christian Press
Publishing Company of this city to restrain
them from selling the authorized Catholic
prayer book lower than the official price.
1t seems that in 1883 the prayer books in use
among Catholics contained many inaccuracies
and statements not sanctioned by the Church.
new prayer book was got up at this time un-
der the supervision of Archbishop Corrigan.
The Catholic Publishing Society copyrighted
the book. and q set OF plates were sold to the
plaintiffs. An agreement was entered into be-
tween the two that the books should not be sold
for less than 81 90 each. This contract was car
ried out for six years. year ago the Catholic
Publishing Society failed and the defendants
bought out Its Interests. The new company at
once bagan selling the books for 80 cents at
wholesale and 10 cents at retail.
The Murphy Company alleges that tho de-
PENDANTS are violating the contract which they
know was In force at the time they bought out
the other company. They say that many deal
ers In this city have paid them 80 cents whole-
sale for the books, while the defendants are
selling them 70. Ave cents less at retail.
The defendants say that they have right to
sell the book at what price they please. They
say also. that ut the price OF Sl.25 there Is 800
per cent. profit in the book, which puts 1t above
the reach Of the poor. Decision was reserved.
The sun., 1896-10-31
sounApER COMES TO HEAL Us.
re Treats the Good and the had People
All Aiiko and Cures Them All.

All AltEo anu AuTeb Ahe" AL.
Augustus Schrader, the "Divine Healer, !"
who has recently been oxertinR his powerr in
Philadelphia, where he asserts that he hes
cured 10000 afflicted persons In four wooks,
arrived IN Jersey City on Thursday morning
He was accompanied by his agent, George h
Bergman, who looks after his temporal af-
fairs. Sohradef has long, brown hair and q
full beard. He wears long robe OF black ma
terial reaching 20 his feet, and across the front
OF this, printed on band of ribbon, arc the
words: Divine Healer Sohrader." AT times
he wears a red sash also, and carries a crucinN.
Schraher says he was born In Ellms"lle,
Wis, in 1871, and that his ability to cure was
first manifested to him when he was about / .
years old. several OF his friends raid to him
then that his touch was different from that OF
ordinary people. When he was 13 his cures,
he said, were the wonder of tho town. After
chat he started on his travels, he said, with tho
Lord as his guide"
when the Lord tells me that have stayed
move. and my power comes directly from God
and am his agent In this world"
Another thing which. he says, goes to provo
that he Is no ordinary MORTAL Is that he never
feels hunger or thirst. Once year, he says.
he fas's for forty days touching neither bread
nor water during the whole time
Schrader expects to hold his tirst meeting In
Snlter's Grove, Bayonne. tonight. He elaine
pocwr. also. 10 cure persons without touching
them. by means OF handkerchiefs which he
blrsscs. These applied to the afflicted parts
Will work ,n instant cure. He treats all alike.
he says. the wicked and the good the moral
people and the immoral, and cures them all.
The sun., 1896-10-31
CONVICTED MAN LET 90,
Justice Smyth Believes Morphini Wal
Not PrOperly Defended

the criminal branch of the Supreme Court yes-
terday charging Lawyer NJ. Jesse Henry with
swindlng and causing miscarriage of justice.
The afldavits were sworn to by John B. Nor.
phini, VINO had been tried convicted Of man-
slaughter in the second degree for the killing Of
John Isolaon on Aug. 27. 1895. Morphini deI
clared that the lawyer forced himself upon him
when he was arraigned in the police court,
that he extorted various sums OF money upon
false pretences and that through his gross mis-
management of the case he was convicted.
Morphini asked for a new trial. Assistant Dis
trict Attorney Mcintyre told Justice Smyth
that he had investigated the killing OF 1Sola,
and knew that Morphini was justified and
think that the man should be placed on trial.
and he moved that he be discharged on his own
recocnizance. Justice Smyth did this.
The sun., 1896-10-31
Police Commissioner Smith OF Saratoga
Arrested ON n Charge OF Fraud.

SARATOGA. Oct. 30.-Polce Commissioner
Adam Il. Smith. President OF the Adam b.
Smith Company. dry goods concern. was this
afternoon arrested on the charge OF fraud. Tho
accusation was made In civil action brought
by DIR. Charles S. Grant. Smith has furnished
bail to Sheriff d. :. Gilbert. who made the ar
Oct. "a. on executions for $4,000 In favor OF
Tefrt Weller q Co. of New York city. DIR. Grant
alleges that on Sept. 22 he loaned $1,000 to
being in a prosperous condition. while that
date the claim OF Tefft. Weller 4 Co. was past
due. The company. directly and indirectly. also
owes DIR. Grant $4,000. The Smith case will
come before the January circuit.
The sun., 1896-10-31
Th. Rev. Mr. ne.,op Let Go.

Robert Clayton Heslop an Oxford graduate,
who was formerly vicar Of the Church of
England. pleaded guilty to the larceny OF Sl3.56
in the Court of Special Sessions. Sentence was.
however suspended on the plea of his counsel.
Hugh o. Pentecost.
The prisoner was charged by the New York
Life Insurance Company. for hich he had been
soliciting insurance. with collecting Sl3.56 the
account for 1t. Mr.. iIeslop Believed. said the
lawyer. that the company owed him S27 for
premiums. and. while probably technically
guilty. thought 1t would be no crime to use the
Sl3.50 and credit the company with that sum.
The sun., 1896-10-31
uaelmen Complain to the Mayor.

The committee OF the Public Hack Owners
Union called upon Mayor Strong yesterday and
filed protest with him against the interference
of the two policemen who are daily stationed in
front OF the Hotel Waldorf. The spokesman
for the hack drivers declared that tho police
men do not do police duty, but really act as
drummers for the regular hotel hacks. He ex-
planned that the man who owns the hacks that
stand in front OF the hotel pays to the proprietor
OF the Hotel Waldorf 90 per cent. OF his re-
ceipts; that II a fare" emerging from the
hotel halls a passing hack the police interfere.
rush the regular hack UP TO the entrance, bar
out the man who was hailed. and thus deprive
him OF business. The Mayor said he would in
vestigate the matter fully.
The sun., 1896-10-31
Won't Patronize Private Employ mont
Agencies.

Alta meeting OF the Working Women's As
soclation, held at its rooms. 3l2 West Fifty
fourth street. on Wednesday, and attended by
600 working women. 1t was resolved that no
member OF the Association would pAtronize any
private agency, and that the only agencies
through which they would place their labor on
the market would be the State Free Employ
ment Agency at 33l East Fourteenth street,
and their own employment agency. AT 3l2 West
Fifty fourth street.
Housewives who desire TO engage servants
can do SO free OF charge by applying at the office
Ing Women's Association was taken in the hope
OF break ing up the extortion aud other abuses
which exist In many OF the private employment
agencies OF the city.
The sun., 1896-10-31
coRrR1GHr MADE DEPUrY CHIEF.
Was the Lowest In tho Eeatal Examine.
tion-McCuiIagh First.

Was the Lowest In tho Aeatal Examine.
tion-McCuiIaEh First.
Tho Police Commissioners. ut their meeting
yesterday. promoted Inspector Moses w. Cort-
right to deputy Chief at salary OF SIS 900 q
year.
When the Board met Col Grant presented
the percentages attained by the candidates in
the mental examination for deputy Chief. The
candidates were Inspector Cortright, Acting
Inspectors McCullagh and Thompson. and
Capts. Donald Grant of Old Slip and Allaire of
City Hall squad. These are the general per-
centages obtained by the candidates: Mccall
lagh. S2.65; Cortright- 1868; Thorn pson G6.60;
Allaire. $3.50. and Grant, $50. AS per-
centage Of rs Is necessary to get on tho eligible
list, only McCullagh and Cortright had passed.
and they were the only two eligible for promo
Although McCuliagh stood first on the list,
as Cortrght is a veteran he was entitled TO the
post Tho five candidates who were in the ex-
record and efficiency: CortriKht. 81; McCul:
lngh. 55: Thompson and AllAire, 40. aud
rFh the o%es mnc
only 22.6S out OF 35. This was due in meas
afs 80 OF
$3.50. Allaire 1850. and Grant 23.l9. Capt.
Grant WAS rated @ 30 low that he could not get on
no opposition to Inspector Cortrights promo
ton.
since Jan. Z. 1867. He was promoted to rounds.
man March 10, 1875. and was made a Sergeant
May 10. 1875. On Feb. 8. 1884 he rose 10 tho
rank of Captain. and he was appointed In
spector on Feb. II of this year. He was tan
ner by occupation before he became police
man. He was born Dec. 90. 1889
Deputy Chief Cortright, who was sworn In at
once will remain in charge OF tho Second In
spection district until after election This was
decided by Chief Conlin in the afternoon. The
Chief said that In view of the large amount of
work on hand at present In connection with the
election IL would not be we'll to make a change
until 1t has been disposed of.
Cortright's promotion leaves the department
without any full inspectors except Mclaughlin,
who Is under suspension.
The sun., 1896-10-31
showed III. Comraao Into a Clsters.

WHITEsToNE, l.. l.. Oct. 30-Theodore, the
three -year-old son of John Kaleserath OF Twen-
tieth street, and Eddie, the four-year-old con of
John O'Connor of Nineteenth street. were play
ing at the brink of cistern near their home
this morning throwing pebbles In the water
Theodore says they had a quarrel and that Ed
die showed him into the cisteTn.
Eddie ran 10 the house OF woman near by
and IOd OF his companions peril Tho woman
found Theodore clinging 10 a cross beam under
the arch of the cistern. His feet trailed in
water twenty feet deep. BY kneelinR and lean
ing down into the cistern the woman was Abse
10 reach the boy and drag him out.
The sun., 1896-10-31
ID. &. Potter's Church Must he sold.

Justice Beekman OF tho Supreme Court has
finally denied an application for an injunction
restraining the sale of the Tabernacle Baptist
Church property. at Tenth street and Second
avenue. in foreclosure proceedings by the New
York City Baptist Mission Society and tho
Southern New York Baptist Association. The
mortgages which have been foreclosea aggre-
gate $500 Tho sale will now co on Tie
Rev. DIR. ID. &. Potter is pastor of the Taberna-
Gle. Tho mortgages were given for money
loaned by John u. Rockefeller. Mrs Caroline G.
Bishop. and labez Bostwick, and were assigned
to the plaintiffs.
The sun., 1896-10-31

Justice Gaynor sat in Supreme Court. Cham
bers, yesterday with the Grand Jury present
(which he had summoned to hear the charges
against Mayor Gleason OF Long Island City re-
rarding the appointment OF election officers
He has declared thnt the officers appointed can
not be removed but that Gleason may be crimi-
nally liable for not having appoin ed them from
the two dominant parties, the Republicans and
Silver Democrats, followers of the jefferson
Club.
He concluded. however. TO lay the case over
until after election, and ad djourned its hearing
until next Thursday.
The sun., 1896-10-31
A French Canadian Newspaper Gives the
Terms of the Alleged Settlement.

MONTREAL. Quebec Oct. 3O.-L Union dcs Can
tons dc L'ESt. French newspaper published at
Arthabaskaville. where Premier Laurier lives
aud is now. announces that the Manitoba school
question has been settled. Tho understanding
arrived at. the newspaper says, is that the pres
ent system of national schools will continue.
but that religious instruction is secured to tho
Catholics as well as French in districts where
the majority is French, and Catholic teachers
are to be employed In districts where the ma
jority is Catholic. There will be no need now,
tho news paper adds. of Federal remedial iegis-
lation. The newspaper further announces that
the full terms of the settlement will be made
toba Cabinet.
The sun., 1896-10-31

and the man who was TO marry her. The
situation remained quite as uncomfortable
outset. Tho husband, of course, loved his
second wife more than his Arst. But 1t was
not the fault of tho poor woman that she went
crazy and lost her husbands love. Tho
spectators would not sympathiZe with the
man, and they had less liberation for the wo-
man who consented TO retain her place as
wife while the woman who was In reality
entitled to that place was compelled to leave
her country, even IL she did go with her own
daughter.
The sun., 1896-10-31
M,AAH0N sEN1EyCED FOR LIFE.

He Repeats Before the Sentence That He
Is Not Guilty.
Patrick McAIahon, VINO was found guilty OF
murder in the second degree on Thursday night
for the murder OF his aunt Bridget Sexton. at
14o East Forty first street on Jan. 90. was SEN
fenced yesterday by Justice Smyth in the
criminal branch OF the Supreme Court to i'm
prisonineHt for life. When asked. first, II he
had anything to say, he responded:
Yes, have this TO say, am not guilty OF tho
crime here charged against me. My character
VIII compare favOrably with that of any man in
this court room, with the exception Of the time
was In prison on the charge made by my
mother and which she might have overlooked.
That's all have to say"
Mcmahon has filed notice OF appeal to the Ap-
pellate Division.
The sun., 1896-10-31
Husinrss Troubles.

George II. Dick, produce commission mer-
chant ut $50 Eighth avenue made an assign
ment yesterday to Benjamin 4 Jackson.
Deputy sheriff Dunphy took charge yesterday
OF the place OF business of Morris MnUtner, do
ing business as Mautner q Coz manufacturer Of
furs at OS2 Broadway, on an execution for
81. .SUS iu favor of Aaron u. Lewis on two notes.
The sun., 1896-10-31
Tried to Rob a Milliouairs'. Grave.

LOUISVILLE. KY, Oct. 3O.-An attempt was
made last night TO rob the mausoleum OF j. NJ.
Foster In tho local Catholic cemetery. Mr..
Foster was a millionaire cattle dealer of st.
Louis. 1t Is thought the robbers were after gold
ornaments which were supposed 10 ee on wsre shs
broken open. The men found no gold on the
coffin and left without disturbing the body.
The sun., 1896-10-31
JOSEPH UECHSLER,S WILL.
Tho ss.OoO,OOO E-tnte Divided Betweer
the Widow and Six Children.

The will OF the late Joseph Wechsler. the
millionaire dry goods merchant OF Brooklyn,
who died recently, has been offered for probate
in the Surrogate's office of Kings county. The
executors are Barbara Wechsler. the widow
and Justice William j. Gaynor. The latter fixes
the value or the estate at less than So, 600, ,000
In addition TO her dover the widow is to receive
$4,000 annually. The remainder OF the estate
Is divided equally between Aaron j.. Lewis,
Abraham. Emanuel. Philip. and Matte. the
children. There are no other beQuests of any
kind
The sun., 1896-10-31
FLAMES IN ATLANTIC DOCKS.
The Rozei Plantation Coffee Company'n
Works Burned Up.

Storehouse 1s9, at the end OF the South pier
OF the Atlantic Docks in Brooklyn. was gutted
by fire early yesterday morning. 1t was occu-
pied by Thomas Clark OF the Rozel Plantation
Coffee Company and owned by the Brooklyn
and New York Warehouse Company. The fire
boats seth Low and David a. Boody did effec-
tive work in stopping the flames. The coffee
company loses $40, 900 on stock and machinery.
and the loss on the building will reach about the
snne amount
The sun., 1896-10-31
Paving the Way for an international
Strlke.

A special meeting OF 'longshoremen will bo
held at 81 South street next Wednesday even
ing TO make arrangements for holding meetings
to organize longshoremcn's unions in Brook
lyn, Jersey CRY. and lIouoken. Edward Nc
Hugh, delegate OF the International Federation
OF ship Dock. and River Workers OF Europe.
will address the meeting. lie is now confldent
that lie wIlI ho able to establish 'longshoremen's
and sraurn's unions on the Atlantic and Pacific
coasts and on the Lakes, which will complet
his piuu OF a world. wide federation OF shipping
wOrkIuCu,