davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1898-08-27
LAUREL VISITED BY FIRE.
Leading Hotel and Numerous Busi
ness Houses Destroyed.


ness Houses Destroyed.
Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.
LAUREL. Md, August ga fire, which
broke out in Milstead's livery stable, on
Washington avenue. near Main street
shortly after II o'clock, destroyed the
stable, Milstead's undertaking establish
ment, adjoining. and hotel. on the corner Of
the avenue and Main street. The furniture
of the hotel has been saved and is strewn
about the streets. Behind Milstead's Hotel
was the Herbert House, the only other
hotel in Laurel, and the northwestern wind
blew the flames directly upon it, and It
also was burned to the ground Bucket
brigades worked hard and citizens carried
out the furniture iGf the Herbert House.
1t was feared thati the fire would spread
to Frost's stpree aRd other buildings on
Main street.
The only apparatus in the town is a hook
and ladder and there are no trained yolun-
teer fremen ands na waterworks
dozen hoYSes ID the livery stable were
saved. Milsttad's Toss may reach SIS. 900 or
$4,000. which is Understood to be partly
owned by Mr., Herbert. was valued at
IS, 600. Botho hotels were frame buildings
and Milstead'6 wasth historic landmark On
the Washington piRe. Chief McAfee, with
rived from Baltimore at lis, and the en-
gine drownebout tic embers.
The fire issosuppssed to have originated
near the kitchen in Niistead's Hotel, though
exactly whaotstartad 1t is hard to ascer.
tain at present. A good many summer
guests were stopping at the Herbert House
The total damage cannot be yet secured.
The frightened residents near the scene
of the fire moved nearly all of their nos
sessions into the street for fear of total
destruction of the same.
Charles Francke. a probationary fireman
on No. 10 company, was killed on Main
4 uyh he yUa haS,~.
up the street by men with ropes Francke
slipped and fell and the hind wheel of the
engine ran over his head. killing him AL
most instantly Dfs Byerly and Taylor,
Mackall ministered to him in the few mo-
ments intervening before his death.
Evening star., 1898-08-27
Sale of the Emmons smith stock.

This must have been one Of the greatest
days business ever done by local retail
store. The announcement by Saks & Co.
that they would offer the Boston Variety
stock at a sacrifice had the drawing power
of genuine bargains, and from store OPEN
ing all five floors of the Smith building
have been thronged-at times almost to the
point of closing the doors. This is the first
move toward the contamination of the new
department store which Saks & Co. intend
to conduct They are losing no time in
making the necessary alterations to con-
meet the two buildings, as the contractors
were at work this morning cutting arches
and making other important changes. The
improvements are to be completed before
September %. In the meantime Saks & Co.
will push the Smith stock out and when
they open the greater store it will be
with an entirely new line of goods through
out
Evening star., 1898-08-27
CAPT. HIGGINSON DETACHED.
Capt. Ludlow Assigned to Comm nd
the Massachusetts.


Capt. ]. F. Higginson has been detached
from command Of the battle ship Massa-
chusetts and ordered to duty as a member
of the light house board. His new assign
ment will not interfere, however with his
service as a member Of the naval board
considering the question of the disposition
of the vessels of the auxiliary naval fleet.
Capt. N. Ludlow has been detached from
command of the monitor Terror and order
ed to command the Massachusetts,.
Commander W. G. Gibson has been de-
tached from command of the City of Pekiu
and ordered to the Mare Island navy yard
for duty with the Adams.
Chief Engineer d. p. Mccartney, retired,
has been detached from duty at the Wash
ington navy yard and ordered home.
Surgeon w. H. Rush. from the City of
Pekin to the naval hospital, Mare Island
Cal
Lieut.. Commander w. T.. Everett. now at
the naval hospital. Newport. r. l., has
been selected to command the Michigan
Lieut.. NJ. A. Orlapp, from command of
the Elfrida and home
Lieat. T. c. Zeraga, from the New Hamp-
shire to command the Effrida.
The following named officers have been
honorably discharged: Lieut.. c. Wilkos
Ensign +. S. Gaylord. Ensign, We Par
ker, Ensign s. Hendrie, Passed Assistant
Surgeon d. L. Parker Lieut.. E. Minis
Lieut.. E. F. SDangenberg. Ensign B. Fer
guson, Ensign P. Butts Ensign H. G. Shaw
Ensign F. c. Ford and Ensign O. Grille.
Evening star., 1898-08-27
ADVERSE ACTION.
Commissioners Averse to Reducfn q
Rate of Taxation.

nate Oh
The District Commissioners several days
ago received a letter from Mr.. James +.
Miller of No. 1872 Oregon avenue, suggest
ing that the tax rate in the District be re-
duced from s1.50 to 81 per 500 of valuation,
explaining that the rate was great bur-
den to people The Commissioners today
forwarded to Mr.. Miller a report from Mr..
E. W. w. Griffin, the assistant assessor of
taxes, in which that official says:
referring to the communication from
Mr.. James Z. Miller, under date of 9th in
stant suggesting change of tax rate from
S1.50 to 81 per 500 valuation, would state
that such change, in my judgment, would
be unwise, impolitic and prejudicial to the
interest of the District. 1t is expected that
the general assessment for 1S99-I900, now
in progress by the board of assistant as
SCISSORS, will materially lessen the present
valuations and relieve in an appreciable
degree the burden of taxation complained
of by Mr.. Miller. 1t is a recognized fact
that our rate of taxation falls below that
of other cities of equal population and
wealth, while the assessed valuation is
higher; therefore it is apparent the remedy
should apply to the assessment and not the
rate The matter is submitted with an ad-
verse recommendation"
Evening star., 1898-08-27
LATE ARMY ORDERS.
OF Interest to Thos,
In the Military Service.

In the Military Service.
Major Charles NJ. Candy. brigade sur
geon, United States volunteers will pro-
ceed to Huntsville, Ala
Second Lieut.. George Florence 4th Ohio
Volunteer Infantry, will proceed to Mon
tauk Point. Long Island, for temporary
duty.
Capt Frederick H. Bugher assistant
quartermaster, United States volunteers,
will proceed to Fort Hamilton. N. Y, for
assignment to duty as quartermaster.
Capt William Lassiter, 10th Infantry.
now on sick leave at Milford, Pa, will pro-
ceed to Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point.
Long Island, n. Y, and join his company.
The following named officers having ten
dered their designations, are honoraely dis
charged the service of the United States;
Capt. Arthur Rowland, 1st New Jersey
Volunteer Infantry First Lieut.. Henry w.
French, Sth Massachusetts Volunteer In
fantry; Capt James w. Cooper. I'd North
Carolina Volunteer Infantry; First Lieut.
Stuart Brown, adjutant. 9TH Illinois Vol
unteer Infantry; First Lieut.. George l..
Snowden, 1st Georgia Volunteer infantry;
Second Lieut.. Alonzo Coons, 14th Mime
sofa Volunteer Infantry; Capt VIM. H.
Sweeney I'd Kentucky Volunteer Infantry.
Major John l.. Bulls. paymaster, now at
Tampa. Fla, will proceed to Atlanta, Ga
for duty.
cate United States Volunteers, is relieved
from duty as judge advocate of the Sd
Army Corps and will proceed to Santiago,
Cuba, and report in person TO the COM
manding general, department or Santiago,
for assignment to duty as judge advocate
| of that department
Mai. Augustus w. Corliss, 1tn Infantry,
now under medical treatment at Fort Lo-
gan, Colorado, will proceed to Camp Mlkoif,
Montauk Point Long Island. n. Y, and
join his regiment.
Acting assistant surgeons have been as
signed to duty as follows:
At Middletown, Pa.-H. NJ. Cohen, E. W.
Hartmann. At Huntsville, Ala.-Charles IL.
Andrews, ]. Fred. Haller. At Chickamauga
Park, Ga.-Albert n. Jacob, Dwight B. Tay-
lor, Charles H. Stoddard, Andrew Godfrey.
Chauncey T. Scudder, Charles J. Wooiford.
Maj. Philip II. Ellis, 18th Infantry, now
on sick leave at Fort Porter, n. Y, Will
proceed to Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point,
and join his regiment
Captain Abraham Benedict commissary
of subsistence, United States Volunteers.
is relieved from duty az assistant to the
purchasing and depot commissary at Dunn
Loring, Va, and will proceed to Camp
George G. Meade, near Middletown. Pa.
for assignment to duty as chief commits
sary of subsistence of the ID Division, 2d
Army Corps, to relieve Captain John Land
street, jr., commissary of subsistence,
United States Volunteers, of that duty.
First Lieut.. William F. Flynn, Sth United
duty at Topeka, Kansas, and will rejoin his
station, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
Captain Ulysses G.. McAlexander, assist
ant QuarterInaster, is relieved from duty
with the 1st Division of the 5th Army Corps
and will proceed to Governors Island. New
York,
Captain Frederick W. Hyde. commissary
of subsistence, is assigned to duty as depot
commissary at Camp George G. Meade. Mid
dletown, Pa.
Evening star., 1898-08-27
GRAIN.
PROVISSIo
Baltimore Markets.

BALTIMORE. August 27.--Flour dur. unchanged
Wheat steady-spot and month, 7oa7Ok; septen.
Der. tSlsa6s5e; October. 6slea6s%; December eTs,
se. steamer No. red. 64hs64ss-receipts. TT4o4
bushels: exports, noue; stock. SOP 334 bushels:
sales. $4,000 bushei,-southerh wheat by sample
6lail; do on grade, 65ha7Oh. Corn dall-spot
34aS4e; month. 34a34H: September, 33ylas4Is
October s4as4A; steamer mixed, as3,s--receipts
lis, o55 bushels; exports none; stock. sos Tod
yellow corn 341aa35. Oats duIi-No. 2 white west.
ern. 27ha2s; Nc. mixed do, 25a25H-re.eipts
I64. o2s bushels. Rye steedy-No nearby, &C;
No western, ts-receipts, .99s bushels: exports,
none; stock. e2 756 bushels. Hay quiet--No
timothy. Sll.o0s$l1.5o old. Grain freights quiet.
rnchsnsed. sugar strong unchanged, Dattei
STEADY unchanged. Egg hrm, unchanged. Cheese
steady, unchanged. Lettuce unchangcd yhisky
Evening star., 1898-08-27
Her Relations With China Strained
to the Last Point.
INSISTS UPON HONEST TREATMENT
Failure to Observe Her Wishes
Will Be Casus Belii.
r SSIA KEEPS DARK

LONDON, August 2T.-Authoritative con-
fitmatior has been obtained Of the truth of
the dispatch from Pekin to the Daily Mail
this morning asserting that the rela
between the Tsung- Li-Yamen and Sir
Claude Macdonald, the British minister to
China, are strained to the point Of rupture
and that Sir Claude has intimated that
Great Britain VIII regard as a casus belli
any failure on the part Of China to observe
her wishes.
1t is said that the situation between
Greas Britain and China is acute, SiI
Claude Macdonald strenuously insisting
that China shall observe her engagements
to the British syndicates and demanding
satisfactory explanations with regard to
the Pekin-Hankow railway.
If necessary, the British squadron now
assembled at Wei-Hai-Wei will support the
British minister's demands. Meanwhile, il
is added the negotiations that are being
conducted by Sir Charles Scott, the British
ambassador at st. Petersburg. to define the
respective British and Russian spheres OF
influences are proceeding in perfectly
friendly spirit
Evening star., 1898-08-27
COMMITTEE ON ARRANGEMENTS.
Maj. Sylvester Selects Representative
Men as Colleagues.

Mai. Sylvester Selects Representative
Men Colleagues.
Major Richard Sylvester completed last
night the committee on arrangements for
the reception to the District Volunteer
Regiment, of which he is chairman The
names selected were those of representa-
tive people as the following list will show:
Vice chairman. Henry L. West; secretary,
Frederick Alvey; John Joy Edison, Edward
Stellwagen. DR.. Francis r. Lane, Theodore
w Noyes Colonel T. A. Bingham, l. S.
A; General John NJ. Wilson. L. S. A;
Frank A Vanderlip ]. Henry Small, jr..
Isadore Saks, W. H. Moses, S. w. Wood
ward, W. S. Hutchins, E. G. Schaeffer,
Colonel Charles Haywood, U. S. N. G.: Ar
thur Hendricks, Edwin c. Jones, j. Holds
worth Gordon e. B. Hay. John E. Her
rell, N E Young, J. Nota McGill, Louis D..
Wine J. C. Hill, Colonel Henry May, Alli-
son Naflor, jr.. William Dickson, George
w Evans, Major Fleetwood, w. A. VIM
satt. Rev George F. Dudley, Mrs. NJ. NJ.
North.
Chairman Sylvester also selected COM
mittee to visit the regiment at Montauk
and report upon its condition. AS indicated
in The Star yesterday, Mai James E. Bell
was made chairman. The other members
are Maj. e. II. Ncumeyer, DR.. H. L. f..
johnson, Thos NJ. Exley and Simon Wolf
The committee on arrangements will
meet Monday night at the Ebbitt House.
Mr.. John JOY Edison. chairman of the
finance committee, is engaged in selecting
the other members of that important body.
Commissioner Ross wishes that contribu-
tions to the reception fund which subscrib-
ers may desire to send to him be sent to
Chairman Edison Of the finance committee.
A Graceful Acknowledgement.
In acknowledging the receipt of the check
for 800 sent to him yesterday by President
8. II. Kaufman of The Evening Star Com
pany as a contribution to the reception
fund for the District regiment Mr. Ross
expressed TO The Evening Star Company
the sincere thanks of all who have at heart
the best interests of our regiment
Rawlins Post Takes Action.
John a. Rawlins Post, No 1, G. A, r..
through a committee consisting of John
NJ. Keogh, Newton Terree and Hiram
Buckinham has forwarded TO the citizens
committee series of resolutions passed
| unanimously last night, reciting that the
post had heard with sincere pleasure that
the patriotic citizens of Washington would
give to the brave boys of the 1st District
of Columbia Volunteer Infantry, on their
return to the city from the scenes of their
privations. hardships and triumphs at San
tiago de Cuba, suitable ovation and re-
ception, and that it was eminently appropri-
ate that the Grand Army of the Republic,
composed of veterans of the war which
preserved and consolidated the Union,
should take a prominent part in this pa
triotic movement, and resolving that the
post rendered its services to the citizens
committee for escort any other duty to
which it may be deemed proper to assign
it on that occasion.
Evening star., 1898-08-27
PRESENT A PROTEST.
Committee of TeIegraphers Wait
Upon Secretary MeikeIjohn.

A committee representing the telegraph
operators who recently resigned from the
War Department waited upon Acting Sec
retary Meiklejohn this afternoon and pre-
sented formal protest against the admin
istration of Lieutenant Pierson, the head
of the telegraph office. Their action was
the result of a meeting held last evening
at the Hotel Regent, at which L. NJ Smith
was chairman and NJ H. Weber was Sec
retery. They informed Mr. Meiklejohn tha,
they had no grievance against the War
Department, but wanted simply to show the
true state of affairs in the telegraph office
with view 10 an improvement of the SER
vice.
Mr.. Meiklejohn gave them a patient hear
ing, and said that their wishes would be
considered
Evening star., 1898-08-27
FILES IT'S ANSWER.
Capital Traction Company's Response
to Charge of Infringement

The Capital Traction Company today
filed answer to the suit for alleged in
fringement on a patent, instituted some
time ago by the Electrical Railway Equip
ment Company of Virginia. 1t was alleged
that the Capital Traction Company was
using current collector for electric rail-
ways which had been patented by one
Frederick A. Anderson, who had assigned
all of his rights to the complainant COM
pany.
The answer declares that the Capital
Traction Company knows nothing of the
complainant and denies that Anderson was
the originator or inventor of the apparatus
in question. 1t Is also denied that letters
patent were lawfully issued to Anderson,
the claim being that they are Invalid and
void. 1t is alleged further in the answer
that the current collectors were manufac-
tured and were in use and on sale in this
country two years before Anderson filed
application for patent. The Traction COM
pany prays to be dismissed.
Evening star., 1898-08-27
Spent a Pleasant Hour at Camp
Meade This Afternoon.
MUCH PLEASED WITH WHAT BE saw
P.oposed Review Of the Troops Was
Given Up.
ON HIS WAY TO SOMERSET

HARRISBURG. Pa. August 27.-Presi-
dent Mckinley and party arrived in Har-
risburg at 2:3J today and were met at the
station by Attorney General Mccormick
and Secretary of the Commonwealth Mar
tin, who had been requested by Governor
Hastings to welcome the President. The
greeting between the gentlemen was very
cordial, and the Pennsylvanians were then
presented to Mrs. Mckinley. There was a
crowd of over 1000 persons at the station
ard for ten minutes the President held an
1mpromptu reception, the rush to shake
hands with him being so great that some
of the people were almost caught by the
car wheels. The party left at 12:45 for
Camp Meade.
The President at Camp Meade.
CAMP MEADE, Middletown, Pa, August
27.-President and Mrs. Mckinley spent
pleasant hour today at Camp Meade on
the way to Somerset, Pa, for a short vaca-
ton. Gen. Graham had ordered a march
ing review in honor of his distinguished
guests, but at their request the order was
revoked. The President and Mrs. Mckinley
reached here al 1 o'clock, and were met
by Gen. Graham and staff and the ist
Delaware Regiment, which was detailed as
guard of honor.
The regiment vas drawn I'D along the
road leading to camp, and when the Pres
iGent and other guests had been seated n
oIen carriages the regiment presented arms
and the band played ''The Presidents
March," Secretary of the Commonwealth
Martin and Attorney General Mccormick
received the President in the absence of
Gov. Hastings. who is in the south with the
Pennsylvania hospital train.
President Frank Thomson and other Of
ficials of the Pennsylvania railroad com
pany with their ladies reached camp in q
special train fifteen minutes in advance Of
President and Mrs. Mckinley, and were al
so the guests of General Graham. The two
parties were consolidated at Camp Meade
station and driven to general headquarters,
under escort of General Graham and staff.
After hurried inspection of the quarters
of the general and his staff President and
Mrs. Mckinley were driven through the
camp. Company streets were scrupulously
clear and the men looked their best.
The President was much pleased with
the location of the camp and the appear
arce and condition of the men,
The various regiments were drawn up
In line to receive the party when they ar
rived at their quarters. The President Wis
tied the division hospital and the hospital
which the Red Cross Society of Philadel-
phia has established for the care of the
most serious cases.
President and Mrs. Mckinley left camp
at o'clock this afternoon for Somerset,
Pa. where they will be the guests of Abner
Mckinley and family.
Maj. Gen. Davis, commander of the first
DIVISION will be here tonight from Thor
oughfare Gap with his staff. The move
ment of this division commenced yesterday
and will be completed by Monday. Gen.
Goblin has been directed to hurry forward
the first division from Camp Alger. as Gen.
Graham is anxious to have his corps here
within ten DAYS.
Evening star., 1898-08-27
HEIRS WAIVE CLAIM.
Passing of Title to Land for Street
Extensions.

By a deed placed on record in the office
of the recorder of deeds today the heirs
of David Moore convey to the District of
Columbia certain Of the lands of the es-
tate necessary to the extension of North
Capitol and 1st streets. The heirs waive
claim to an award of s21,01S confirmed by
the District courts, in consideration of
which the District Commissioners agree to
improve the streets through the property
by grading them the entire width, laying
water mains, sewers granite curbs. grano-
uthic sidewalks, etc, without cost to the
heirs. The Commissioners also agree to
cancel all assessments heretofore made
against the property for street improve
mCntS.
Evening star., 1898-08-27
EVERY BUREAU IS BUSY.
The War Department on Matters Con
nected With the Wars Cioes.

Every bureau of the War Department is
busy with matters connected with the
close of the war. The pay department has
a big task before 1t in settling with the
troops and officers in the final muster-out.
There must be an accounting of all govern
ment property, and each muster roll must
be complete and satisfactory to the ac-
counting officers of the government before
there can be final settlement. The cloth
ing and purchases by the soldiers will have
to be looked UP and balanced by the pay
officers before final payment Is made. All
officers who have charge of government
property of any kind must account for It
before they can receive fiEal discharge.
The ordnance officers are busy preparing
for the reception and disposal of the arms
of the soldiers, and blanks and papers are
being made ready
Evening star., 1898-08-27
EXPECTS TO BE RELEASED.
Imprisoned Quartermaster Young Hs
influential Friends at Work.

SAN FRANCISCO, Cal. August 81
Quartermaster Sergeant James A. Young
of Kansas, sentenced to Imprisonment for
embezz1ement, declares that he is not
guilty, because If he violated any military
law it was through ignorance, and he never
appropriated a cent of the money to his
own use. He says that he has friends at
home who VIII present his case direct to
Secretary AIger and that he will soon be
out of the penitentiary.
General Miller says many ameliorating
circumstances in the case will be forwarded
by him to the adjutant general at Wash
ington.
Evening star., 1898-08-27
RoNA-FIDE CIRCULATION.

A reference to the statement be-
low will show that the circulation
sworn to is a bona flde one.
It Is easily possible for . news
paper with an elastic conscience to
swell its legitimate circulation enor-
mously. in orier to deceive adver-
tisers, by sending out thousands of
papers to newsstands, which are re-
turnable, and which are in fact re-
turned. but nevertheless are in
cluded in what purports to be an
honest statement of circulation.
Intelligent advertisers. however,
Judge by results. and bogus circuIa-
tions don't give them.
The family circulation Of The Star
is many thousands in excess of any
other Washington paper.
Evening star., 1898-08-27

The New York Avenue Presbyterian
Church has been undergoing renovation
this month. and has been closed for two
Sundays. 1t will be reopened for services
tomorrow morning. when Rev. o. s. Dean,
DID, of New York. formerly of Indian
apoils and Kalamazoo, will preach. At
night DR.. Dean will preach at Faith Chanel
on M street southwest, one of the missions
connected with the New York Avenue
Church.
Evening star., 1898-08-27
FORMATION OF FIRST REGIMENT.
How the Divisions Into BattaIfons
Are Made.

There appears to be considerable doubt
about the way in which the formation of
the 1ss Regiment. District of Columbia
Volunteers, Is arranged by companies. In
order to set all these questions at rest. it
may be stated that the regiment is divided
into Il rec battalions- The LIST Battalion
comprises Companies F, A, B and G, and
is now en- route from Santiago The I'd
Battallion consists of Companies L. D, E
and NJ, and the Sd of Companies X, I, C
and II. The latter company. which is COM
n anded by Capt. LOCKER. Is in Porto Rico
doing engineer duty.
Evening star., 1898-08-27
GERMANY NOT ASKED.

United States Has Not Consulted Her
Regarding the Philippines.
BERLIN, August 27.-A high official "a
the foreign Office assured the correspondent
os the Associated Press today that the
United States government had not asked
Germanys opinion or wishes regarding the
Philippines.
The official added that he did not believe
America would ask any power to partici-
pate In the Philippines settlement
Evening star., 1898-08-27
Have No objection.

The District Commissioners have reported
to Senator Mcmillan. chairman of the Sem
ste District committee. on the House bill
to change the name of the Capital Railway
Company. saying that they see no objection
to its passage in its present form
Evening star., 1898-08-27
DIR. DUNCAN GUILTY.
Verdict of Ccurt-Martiai Against n
Kansas Soldier.

CAMP MEADE. Middletown, Pa, Au-
gust 27.-The court-martial in the case Of
DR.. Duncan of the I'D Kansas found him
guilty of desecrating the grave of con-
federate officer at the Bun Run battle
field, and he was sentenced last evening
to an Imprisonment of five years