The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-06-06


one to be long remembered. Great
booths had been constructed on the
plain and from them were distributed
free food, free beer, and also mugs as
souvenirs of the occasion. This free
feast, which has always been the popu-
lar feature of coronations, has hitherto
been the occasion of a great deal of
crowding and good natured fighting for
places ON the part of the hundreds of
thousands of guests of the city, but no
such gathering was ever witnessed on
the Hodynsky Plain, which has always
been the scene of the popular entertain
ments attending coronations, as that
which assembled that day.
Everything went smoothly until the
distribution of the food and gifts began.
Then the people in the rear began to
crowd forward, but the police and SOL
diers checked them, and for short time
there was comparative order.
Soon, however, the crowd in the rear
again became impatient, and surged for
ward despite every effort to hold them
back. Mad with pain and fright, the
people who we're crushed against the
barriers struggled to get away, but their
attempts we're fruitless. Their shrieks
were heard, and this had the effect of
further melting thosein the rear to rush
forward. Suddenly the barriers gave
way, and with rush the immense
throng swept forward. Hundreds Of
men, women and children were thrown
down, and to stumble and fall meant
death or serious injury, for no power
could check the crowd. many of whom
were in condition of panic.
The authorities were helpless, and for
time the scene baffled description.
Many persons we're killed by being
crushed against the barriers before they
gave way, and great number met their
deaths by being trampled upon. The
cries and shrieks of the injured could be
heard above the tumult of the crowd,
and the effect was heartrending.
Additional troops were called upon to
assist in quieting and dispensing the peo-
pie. This they finally succeeded in do
ing, when every effort was made to sue
cor the injured. Cossacks were placed
at the entrances of the 500 booths on the
plain, and into these structures were
carried the bodies of the dead.
Many wild estimates were at first
made as to the number Of persons who
had lost their lives. 1t was impossible
for some time to obtain any official in
formation as to the number, but it was
learned that the loss of life will exceed
100. Some reports place the number
of dead as high at $500.
The Supreme Court of the United
States, in an opinion read by Chief j u.s.
tice Fuller, decided the cases of Wiborg
ct al. vs.. the United States, involving
the Horsa expedition, affirming the judg
ment of the District Court for Pennsyl-
vania, sentencing Captain Wiborg to i'm
prisonment and fine for engaging in the
expedition, and reversing it as to Peter
sen and Johansen, the mates Of the
vessel. The Chief Justice said the arms
and men carried by the Horsa constitu-
ted military expedition within the
meaning of the neutrality laws.
A SUB COMMITTEE of the Senate Com
mittee on Foreign Relations conferred
with the President last week on Cuban
affairs. at is understood the President
expressed the wish that the matter be
left just where it is, in the hands of the
Executive, he believing that through
the diplomatic channels better and more
effective results can be secured than
through the periodic introduction of
resolutions in either House of Con-
gress."
THE New York City Board of Educa-
ton, last week elected John Jasper, City
Superintendent of Schools, for the
lUuTlu 5uCC055lNo loIms IIo I0COlFoO
thirteen votes TO six cast for Charles B.
Gilbert, Superintendent of the Public
Schools of st. Paul. Minnesota. and
President of the National Education As
ISOLATION. DR.. Gilman, of Johns Hop
kins University, withdrew his name.
The Sherman Statute Commission in
Washington, ID. c., selected the design
submitted by Carl Rohl Smith, of Chi.
cago, and awarded him the contract for
completing the statue. In this action
the Commission ignored the recommen-
dation of committee of sculptors, who
were asked to assist in the selection.
IT is stated that the United States
Government has not protested against
the decree of General Weyler forbidding