davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1896-01-25
MATTEA WAN ASYLUM AFIRE.
THE FLAMES ONLY SUBDUED AFTER
HARD WORK.
THOUGHT TO HAVE BEEN STARTED BY CON
VICT-MUCH CONFUSION But no ESCAPES
AND NO ONE EHURT-sUFERINTENDENT
ALLISON COMMENDED.
TBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBuNE.l

fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBuNEl
Newburg n. Y. Jan. 24.-At about o'clock
this afternoon fire was discovered in the lower
part of the main building Of the Matteawan
Asylum for the Criminal Insane From appear
ances il would seem that il was started in nearly
half a dozen places at one time. Mattresses
and other infammable materials were used.
Cnquestionably 1t was the work OF an incendiary.
Suspicion rests upon a convict inmate named
Mitchell. He was transferred to the institution
from Auburn Prison about five years ago, and 1t
IS said that of his tendencies is to start fires
For several months past he has been engaged in
and about the kitchen, and when he was
searched after the fire was got well under con-
troll 1t was found that his pockets contained a
lot of matches. He Immediately locked up
and will hereafter put in his time in the isolation
ward.
The fires were started under the kitchen and
beneath the theatre. which are in the niaih
portion Of the institution. Superintendent ALI
son gave orders to run all the inmates to their
respective quarters. and amid the greatest CON
fusion this done The engn eer and his as
sstants turned on their hose and kept the flames
in check until the local fremen arrived. An
alarm was telephoned down to The Mat'eawan
and Ffshkill Landing fire deoirtmen.s. ard
with their help the flames were subduad after
two three hours good work. The ilamas Vtie
fed with light wood. such old boxes. anc they
burned furiousy d time. The entire institu-
ton was quickly filed with smoke. and The Ut
most confusion prevailed The superintendent
gave orders have the electric lights not turned
on This was a god idea and helped to keep
the inmates unuer coatrol. They were sent to
their rooms without heir suppers. and although
there were nearly 500 Of them. the affair was
managed so adroitly that they were kept under
escaped.
There was to have been an entertainment by
the prisoners in the theatre tonight and among
the many rumors that were circulated about the
origin OF the fire was which said 1t was
caused out of a spirit of jealousy by an inmate
who was not allowed to take part in the heat
ricals This story is however, not believed
The authorities pretty well convinced that
they have the incendiary In the person OF
Mitchell The fire threatened To be costly
one TO the State at time 1t was burning
furiously and great credit is deserved by the
local fremen for the work they performed II
is believed that had they not been at hand. ana
worked as they did for hours. at least the main
portion OF the institution would have peen III
ruins The damage to the burned part IL con
siderable, but no estimate OF loss can be made
tonight Superintendent Allison could give no
information upon this point as everything was
in such a chaotic condition. The superlntenheht
is commended for the coaness he displayed
which more than anything else. stayed thc
excitement and kept the crazy inmates amer
control.
New-York tribune., 1896-01-25
GR4Ty CROPS or THE SOUTH.

baltimore Jan. 2i-"The Southern States Maga-
zine publishes reports from over 1--WE hundred cor
respondents In all parts OF the South as 10 the
financial condition of farmers. These reports snow
that Southern farmers as a class are less burdehe'
with debt than they have Deen at any previous "ie
since the war; that they are now more ana more
every year producing at home their own provisions
and becoming less and less dependent upon the
West for corn, -four. pork. hay and IKE snpphes'
that growing these things themselves they are saw
Ing the enormous profits on them formerly paid 20
supply merchants and that living thus on their own
resources they can count largely as profit what
ever they may receive for such cotton as tnsy nsoL
grow An advance report OF the corn crop or io',
in the South from the United States Agrlcuitufal
Department. Is published 1t shows that 10 ,he ,h
South has now added I2,000o bushels the total Tor
1895 having reached the unprecedented mgures 6, OF
COZ COO on bushels gain OF 600 over 1888 Add
ing TO the crop the yield OF wheat ana oats the
exact figures OF which not yet obtainape, sHss
the south a total grain production In 1873 OF '+o-
nlish
New-York tribune., 1896-01-25
TPOrRJCS or BUSINESS MEN.

Lexington Ky. Jan q (SpecaD.-Captan Is. j.
Treacy the noted breeder Of trottins-horses ana
thoroug ghbreds made an assignment here this morn
ing to the Security Safety Trust and Vault COM
pany for the benefit Of his creditors. His assets
include two livery stables $50 head Of rottng stock
and ~ head Of thoroughbreds. His liabilities VIII
reach $4,000. -,
Chicago Jan. 2i-The Kotzenberg Company, No.
4?O3 Halstead-st manufacturers OF paints and oils
assigned this morning Liabilities. $1,000 assets.
5000 The failure was caused by dulness In the
trade during the last two years.
Franklin Ohio jan A.--The Eagle Paper Com
plny made an assignment last night. Inability 70
realize on their property or borrow money was ths
thought the assets will be the same. This Is the
third paper concern to fail since the embarrassment
Of the Franklin Bank.
New-York tribune., 1896-01-25
BOSTON HiRBOR'S NEEDS.
THE MAIN CHANNEL SHOULD BE pEEPENEp TO
AT LEAST THIRTY FEET.

THE MAIN CHANNEL SHOULD BE pEEPENED TO
AT LEAST THIRTY FEET
BOSTON, Jan 24-The Harbor and Land Commis-
sIoners IN their annual report submitted 10 the
Legislature to-day say Of the proposed improve
ment OF Boston harbor
II seems 10 the Board that the time mas come LOT
considering the much needed improvements IN bos-
ton harboi In "A broad and comprehensive way.
The Federal Government Is at work on lts proJect
OF deepening and widening the main snip channe nsa
so rs To obtain q feet at mean low water ana lVo
feet IN width up opposite to Constitution wharf
Rut since this WORK has been entered upon the
draughf OF the largest vessels which now sail TO
and from this port has increased several feet ana
their carrying capacity has doubled Under these
the question as to what Is TO be done
to maintain Boston as nrst-class port becomes
imperative. ,>,,.
Broad Sound Channel leaving President
Roads Is obsfructed between Deer and Green
Islands and for some distance outside by shoals
and by sundry locks and lodges beyond Ii Is
thought that expenditure from one-half TO
three,auarters OF a million dollars viii remove all
obstructions and give fair way from the bay
into President Roads. thirty feet deep at mean low
water and several thousand feet wide This would
insure an adequate approach to the harbor In a
straight course for all time To come.
In the interest OF economy or time and dispatch.
without which the sharp competition OF the present
day cannot be met, vessels OF the largest size
should be ena bled to steam to their berths without
end Is required a channel OF varying but sufficient
width frori President Roads TO the railroad ter
mnals with depth OF 80 feet at mean low water.
These requirements are essential to enabe e
Boston tc provide adequate accommodation for the
growing demands Of her commerce
New-York tribune., 1896-01-25
FATHER FTTZGERALD'S TRIAL FOR ARSON

Rochester. y. Y. Jan. A.-Father Fitzgeralds in
surance the topic which occupied the morning
session of the priests trial to-day. T.. G.. Wolf.
bookkeeper for Frederick thinner. insurance
agent testified to Father Fitzgerald coming to his
office about week prior to the fire. and asking for
policies OF 81 800 the school building. ST. 400 on
fixtures and $500 goods m basement. On ac-
count OF there having been four fires property
firm he refused to write them without consulting
Mr. thinner.
Mr. thinner called TO the stand and sad
81 issued two policies In the Reading and American
Central companies TO Father Fitzgerald. had told
FtZgerald previous to this that had notice from
our companies to issue more policies In Char
lotte, especially on his property. Five days later
| had a conversation with him, and told Mr.. Fftz
gerald that the Reading and American Central re-
fused to insure any more OF hts property. After
the fire | met Fitzg .rald, and he wished me TO
settle He said II | would pay him then and there
he would be willing to take a good deal less than
the actual loss. told him that had been notified
by the Bishop not to make any settlement with him.
but TO make IT With the Bishop.
George ID. Butler. manager Of the Western Union
produced a copy OF the telegram sent from Syracuse
by FITZGERALD to Nora Cronin on the day OF the
fre warning her against fires and tramps and end
ing thus: use your best judgment" =,
Miss Wrghtson. the Charlotte operator. testified
10 having received the message, and also SAID
Father Fitzgerald asked her two days after the
fire II Mr.. Schwartz the railroad operator near py
(yho was not on good terms with the priesD couid
hear the kilograms 20 over the wire from his ofhce
New-York tribune., 1896-01-25
OWNERS PROTEST.

THE MAYOR URGED TO DISAPPRoVE LEXoWs
BILL FOR AN EAST SIDE pEsTHorSE
delegation OF Eighteenth Ward property hold
ers called upon Mayor Strong yesterday TO protest
against the Mayor sanctlonng Senator Lexo" y
bill providing for the erection of peshouse at
Sxteenth-st and Avenue c. on the ground now oc-
cupied by the Street Cleaning Department as sta
ble The delegation was composed OF ex-Assembly-
men Edward B. La Fetra. Philip +. Donohue and
Henry Kropp. The b.ll proposes that the pesthouse
shall cover the Block of ground between Sixteenth
and Seventeenth sts Avenue & and the East RIVER.
The property owners he'd mass meeting to pro
test against the bill, arguing that besides deprecia
re the real estate in the district the erection OF
such a hospital would be serious menace to the
health OF the city generally They say that the
The Mayor said he would give the matter all due
onei1
New-York tribune., 1896-01-25
GOOD NEWS FOR MISS BARTON
A CONCESSION GRANTED BY THE TURK
ISH GOVERNMENT.
WHILE NOT OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZING THE RED
CROSS. IT WILL. PERMIT RELIEF TO BE DIS

WHILE NOT OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZING THE RED
CROSS. IT WILL PERMIT RELIEF TO BE DIS
TRIBtTED by PERSONS WHOM MIN
IsTER TERRELL MAY NAME
Washington. Jan. 24-Secretary Olney has re-
ceived from Mr. Terrell. the United States Min
lister at Constantinople. a telegram saying that
while the Porte refuses permission to the Red
Cross or to members of the Red Cross as such
to distribute relief In Armenia. and thereby de-
clines officially to recognize that society," 1t Will
permit any persons whom Mr. Terrell names
and approves to distribute relief In the Interior
Of Turkey provided the Turkish authorities are
kept informed of what they are doing.
This concession of the Turkish Government
materially simplihes the Armenian situation
with regard to the efforts of Miss Clara Barton
and her assistants to furnish food and clothing
to the suffering people in the perturbed dis
trcts The news will be welcome to Miss Bar
ton when she arrives at Southampton on her
way 10 Turkey She sailed from New-York on
Wednesday with the understanding that favor
able action by 'he Porte on the request OF this
Government that the Red Cross be permitted 10
enter Armenia had been refused. nut with the
determination to secure some modlncatlOh VI
the refusal when she reached Constantlnople
In the discretionary power given to Minister
Terrell tC name IcrsOns to make the dlstrlDu-
ton the Minister will undoubtedly designate
Miss Barton and the members or her party now
on their way 10 Southampton. but under 'he
stimulation of the Porte they must perform that
mission as private individuals. and as not In
any sense representing the humane society 10
which they belong. No insignia or the Red
Cross can be carried into Turkey. 1he turkish
branch OF the society has the crescent as It's
New-York tribune., 1896-01-25
THE HOWELL FAMILY STARVING.
A SEQUEL TO THE FAMOUS MURDER TRIAL IN
WEILSBORO. PENN.

SEQUEL TO THE FAMOUS MURDER TRIAL IN
wEIIsBORo PENN.
Wellsboro Penn. Jan. H-Mrs Charlotte Howell
who was recently acquitted OF the charge OF muir
dering Libbe Knapp after a sensational tral OK
three weeks Duration made application 10 the
Commissioners OF Tioga County for relief she ana
her husband represented that they ana tneir TWO
children were on the verge OF starvation ms
sequel to the famous murder case mas lta,uies
which have not before been made PUBIC l1utlhS
the trial It became known that Mrs. howeK haa
never been married TO Chauncey HoweI, the tatner
OF her two children. They had lived together zen
wears IL was further shown that the woman Is the
sister OF three brothers who are wealthy residents
OF New-York city. They paid the expenses ot tne
trial At the close of the trial they onerei nome
for herself and children. but the stipulation was
that If she accepted this nome she must ioaTTfea TH
forsake Chauncey Howell. and assume her maiden
name. which Is DuttOn -, -.
II is said that the woman acquiesced IN thls pan
hut later reconsidered the matter ana decided 10
live i'm the humble home Howell provided Tor her
and the children. The County Commissioners were Mere
nowerless TO aid the Howells In order TO get away
from the Rouse in which Iibbie Knapp was mur-
dcrei the Howells have left the borough OF l,oga
and have gone to Elkland this county, "here
Chauncey expects to find work in a tannery
New-York tribune., 1896-01-25
KILLED BY .MTTINEERS.
MURDER OF THE CAPTAIN. NATE AND a
PASSENGER OF AN AMERICAN TRAD
INC; SCHOONER.

San Francisco. Jan. A-Particuars OF 'ne "u'"'
Off the Andrew Islands on board the american ''"'
ing schooner Maria Captain Brown. have just oee'
received IN this city. Captain Brown. Hermann
Hch,mann, the mate. and passenger were muir
dered In cold blood by the crew and Mrs brown
and her son nearly killed by blows from an axe
After killing the captain mate and the passenger
late at night the schooner was headed Tor the An
drew Islands and Mrs. Brown and her boy were
kept close prisoners II being the intention OF the
mutlneers to put them ashore on an Isolated corai
reef near Andrew Island. Before the isand was
reached the Chinese cooks native sailors and boat
swain got to fighting among themselvcs, ana knives
were drawn. Two haf-breeds were killed instantly
and another died OF wounds received All me u,i m ~
noers were more or less wounded Provisions gave
out and. when cruising off the Andrew Islands me
scho- ,er was manned solely by the boatswaln, Two
Chin. and a half ~
The schooner steered into port ana the Nine
OF the isands gave the murderers food enough 10
last them several weeks Before the vessel saliei
again however the King became suspicious,
boarded the craft. rescued Mrs. Brown and her boy
the former dead than alive-and TOOK the
mutineers prisoners. The Spanish gunboat Nalascl
put in at Andrew Island and took the murderers 10
10
New-York tribune., 1896-01-25
RLOWN UP BY CHEMICALS.

Chicago Jan. A-An explosion Of chemicals IN the
laboratory Of the Swanson Rheumatic Cure Com
many on the second floor Of the old Stock Exchange
Building Dearborn and Monroe SITS. this morning
wrecked the contents OF the Offices on that floor
frightened into panic the occupants OF the build
ing injured three persons and caused property loss
NJ s0 O0O The injured are: Mabel Finerty Swan
Con Company employe. jumped from second story
,.,ndow breaking arm and three ribs. Henry j.
UDardweil president Of the Swanson Company. badly
h,,rned about head and hands: j. s. Robinson.
hands burned. 40, ,,,. - =, -
~ medicine when the explosion occurred. hurting
he ,hem against a partition In her terror" Miss
ti,nr,v flung herself through the open window the
iass having been blown out. a steady stream Of
h, man and women climbed down the hre-escapes
afn,v before the fremen got to work
New-York tribune., 1896-01-25
AGAINST THE PULLMAN COMPANY.

A DECREE THAT 1T PAY H.235.o44 TO THE CEN
TRAI. TRANSPORTATION COMPANY ENTERED.
Philadelphia Jan. IA decree was entered before
Judges Dallas and Butler In the United States Cir
cult Court to-day for 81 235ci In favor OF the Gen.
trail Transportation Company against the Pullman
Palace Car Company. The award Is made up OF
s. $50 900 and eleven years interest The order en-
tered reads.
/ That both the exceptions filed by the Cen
tral TRANSPORTATION Company and the exceptions
filed by the Pullman Palace Car Company to the
masters report be dismissed.
2 That the Pullman Palace Car Company
pav 10 the Central Transportation Company the
sum OF S. 2a5.0A
3 That the Pullman Palace Car company
nav the costs OF this cause incurred account OF
the cross bill.
II has not yet been decided whether the Pullman
Company can appeal the case to the United states
Supreme Court or only TO the United States Cir
cult Court OF Appeals.
New-York tribune., 1896-01-25
EXAMINED FOR SERGEANCTES.

MORE THAN ONE HUNDRED RoUNDsMEN GO
THROUGH THE CIVIL SERVICE TEST
More than hundred police roundsmen were ex-
amined for promotion to sergeancies by Civil Ser
vice Examiner ". b. Dobbs. In Room No. III. Fed
eral Building yesterday. Among the applicants for
advancement were stephen O Brien. now acting heat
OF the Detective Bureau and George McCusky,
who was O'Briens predecessor in the same position
O'Brien is now a detective sergeant The Police
Board recently reduced him TO patrolman. then
made him a rounds nan, and cited him for examna-
tion for a sergeancy. Under the present regula-
tons this r. the only way by which detective
sergeant be raised to captalncy II Is evident
y the Boards intention TO place OfrIen permanent,
~ In charge OF the Detective Bureau IL Is said
that McCusky will be a competitor for the place.
New-York tribune., 1896-01-25
MILD CENSTRE FOR BAYARD.
THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE TO RE-
PORT A RESOLUTION OF REBUKE

PORT A RESOLUTION OF REBUKE.
Washington, Jan PA mild resolution OF
censure will probably be adopted by the House
Committee on Foreign Affairs an expression
OF its disapproval OF the sentiments uttered by
Ambassador Bayard In the speeches delivered
by him in England some weeks ago. The full
text Of these speeches. together with the cor
respondence between the State Department and
Mr. Bayard relating to the matter, were sent TO
the House early this week and referred to SUBJ
committee OF which Nj. Draper. of Massachu-
setts, is chairman This subcommittee met this
afternoon an1 discussed the matter for an hour
and half. The other members OF the commit
tee Mr.. Pearson Of North Carolina, and Mr.
Dnsmore. of Arkansas
None Of them were willing to make public the
details Of the session. but 1t IL understood that
In general way the majority felt that the
House should take some action calculated TO ex-
press its dissatisfaction with the position taken
by Mr. Bayard, the argument being that Amer
lean diplomatic representatives abroad cannot
be too circumspect In their utterances. what
the full com n.tee may do when the sub-commit-
tee makes its report is a matter Of speculation,
but II is not doubted that 1t will adopt the con-
cusiOns OF the subcommittee.
New-York tribune., 1896-01-25
THRILLING RIDE IN THE STORM.

srHr WHEELS OF THE CARS LIFT THE RAILS MD
THE ROOF OF A COACH WAS LoosENED.
winsted. Conn., Jan. A-The wind blew hurr-
cane throughout Northwestern CONNECTICUT ana the
.outbeastern part of New-York State to-day. At
Conake n " the wind travelled at the rate Of
sixty miles an hour.
I,pon the arrival here this afternoon OF train NO.
2 on the Philadelphia. Reading and New-Engand
Railroad from Campbell Hall. ~ T.. the crew ana
passengers told thrilling story OF ther ride De-
twean conake and Norfolk Conn The wind blew
with such force while the train was rounding. "a
curve at Copake that the coach wheels on one s,qe
OF the track left the rails and the roof was partly
raised from the rear PASSENGER coach' Sacbe
The places 10 which they had purchased TICKETS
New-York tribune., 1896-01-25
A LANDSLIDE NEAR TARRYTOWN.

TRAFFIC SLIGHTLY DELAYED AND CoMPARA-
TIvELY LITTLE DAMAGE DONE
Traffic on the New-York Central Railroad was de-
layed last night through landslide which occurred
near Miss Helen Goulds place, two miles from
Tarrvtown Owing to the road being four-track
one the trains were gotten through without danger
and with comparatively slight delay. Twenty tons
OF rock crashed down the tracks. burying them
ter feet deep There was one stone In the mass
that weighed about nine tons
The northbound train, leaving the Grand central
in occurred Another train due in hve minutes.
The track inspectors discovered the fa oeock with
in few seconds after occurred. and the train was
held at the tower house below. Then by switchins
il over to one Of the souhbound tracks 1t was sent
ST
New-York tribune., 1896-01-25
WIDOWS PURSUIT or A FORTUNE

corning. n. " Jan. A.-John McCaffrey, who
,,d IN Corning in 1si9 and married woman
.ar,ad Mrs William O'Dea, OF Starkey, died Few
months ago in Chicago, leaving an estate OF haii a
'' ',,,a aouars W j. Cheney. a Corning lawyer,
""'''o ,n,ed az commissioner by the Cook County
,a was court 10 take testimony In the matter OF
PROBATE ,he estate 1t Is alleged that Mrs ODea
setting w. shortly after their marriage and ra n
left With 6Dea who later fought IN the ctyii h,
War ana ,on war nm TO January l. 1896 as the widow
ns, penson
married 10 - De She claims to be McCaffreys WIDOW
that % she Wa a. recover the vast fortune
New-York tribune., 1896-01-25
BLIZZARD RAGING IN THE WEST.
RAIN sLEET AND sNOw-RAILWAY TRAFFIC ID
LAYFD BY DRIFTS.

LAYED BY DRIFTS
St. Louis. Jan. 24-Reports received yesterday
and to-day state that a blizzard Is raging in South
arm Iowa Eastern Kansas. throughout Missouri and
extends as far south as Little Rock. Ark In
southeastern Arkansas heavy rain Is falling. and
railroad traffic Is in danger OF interruption. The
storrn is the most severe in Western and Southern
Missouri In places the Snowfall is over four
Teen inches In the last twenty-four hours and the
nigh wind is pi,ing 1t into drifts which delay rail-
road traffic In Southern Iowa the temperature has
<aIIen twenty-fve degrees since yesterday The
sieet storm which followed the downpour of rain
caused serious damage to telegraph and electro
Stght wires At Abba the coating Of ice on the
electric light wires was so great as to snap them
ts.t night The weather In ST. Louis to-day is
rsssr and cold with brisk northwest wind.
New-York tribune., 1896-01-25
MONEY! ELECTED SENATOR.

| Jackson Miss. Jan. 2.-The Legislature took n
iont ballot for United States Senator at IL o'clock
to-day resulting follows: Money. 1866: Burkitt. z
These two votes were from the two Populist mem.
hers of the House and were given as compiiment
! TO Frank Burktt, their candidate for Governor al
| ne la 81 election.
New-York tribune., 1896-01-25
THE ALAMO AELOAT AGAIN.

Jacksonville. Fla. Jan. 24.-The Mallory Line
Neamer Alamo. which went ashore on Pelican
enoas, near Key West on Wednesday, has been
yuied on by the Key West wreckng feet. The
rseekers have libeed the vessel for 1000 salvase
esAxn y.n tor the full amount Of the claim has Deen
- released
New-York tribune., 1896-01-25
THE COMMISSION AT WORh.
MEETING OF THE VENEZUELAN BOuN-
DAIRY TRIBUNAL.


GREAT MASS OF MATERIAL ALREADY GATH
ERED-MR. OI.NEY ASKED FOR FURTHER IN
FORMATION--JUsTICE BREWER SAYS
THAT EXCELLENT PROGRESS
Is BEING MADE
Washington. Jan. 24.-The Venezuelan Commits
sion all its members and its secretary attending,
held what was practically its first formal busi-
ness session in its temporary quarters this morn
ing and made matters of record the result ac-
complished by its members acting Independently
in the last two weeks II was found that con-
siderable valuable information. both geOgraphi-
New-York tribune., 1896-01-25
sry.TOP.ELEcT WELLINGTON BETTER.

Cumberland. Md. Jan. A-united states senator
EJECT George l.. Wellington was much improved To-
.., rIa u,., able 10 sit I'D during the greater
mart of to-day. and his physician says he VIII be
aantirs;v u few days He was suuer-
Inc from a slight attack OF pneumonia