davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-01-12
FAMOUS MURDER LONG AGO.
Horrible Affair of 18th Century Recalled
by MilIer's Fiendish Act.


Brookfeld, Jan. u,-W Worcester coun-
ty has not been as prolific of murders
as most other parts of the common
wealth, and seldom indeed have the
BrooGfields been the scene of butchery.
Curiously enough though 1t was in tliis
town of Brookfleld that one of the most
famous murders of the earlier history
of Massachusetts occurred.
In this case, however the murderers
and not the victims numbered three
persons. On March 1. 177S, Joshua
Spooner, who lived about a half a mile
out from the end of the village opposite
that of the Newton murder of Saturday,
was murdered and his body thrown in
to well on his place. Three men who
had been soldiers in the American army
and who were living at Spooner's farm
were arrested for committing the deed.
Mrs. Spooner, wife of the murdered
man, was, at the trial, Shown to have
been an accessory and was tried with
the three men and with them sentenced
to death. Robert Treat Paine
was the states attorney and Levi Lin
coin of Worcester defended the prison.
er. An attempt was made to show that
the woman was insane, but it was un-
availing.
Then the governors council was called
upon for respite of one month on the
ground that the woman was about to
become mother. A jury Consisting
of two men, midwives and 10 matrons
was summoned, who, after examination,
reported that the woman's claim was
untrue, though afterward shown to
have been fact"
The execution took place in Worces-
ter July 2, and in the language of his
torian of the day: Just before they
reached the gallows, one of the most
terrible thunder storms that had oc-
Cured within the memory of any one
living, came UP and darkened the
heavens and all conspired to produce a
scene of most dreadful horror in the
minds of the thTong of 5000 people as
sembled to witness the spectacle.
TRIPLE FUNERAL TODAY
Brookfield, Jan. 11.-Everything is in
readiness for the funeral of the Newton
family at o'clock Wednesday after
noon. Undertaken ]. w. Livermore,
acting under direction of the relatives
of the murdered family, was busy all
day in finishing the preparations for the
last chapter in the frlghtful tragedy
committed by the bloodthirsty Miller.
The bodies will be placed in the Book
field receiving tomb.
DETECTIVE MURRAY IN NEW HA-
VEN
New Haven, Conn, Jan. 11.-Detective
Peleg Murray of Worcester, Mass, has
been busily engaged this afternoon with
the local detective force in trying to To-
cate Paul Miller, the suspected muir
derer of the Newton family of Brook
field, Mass. The Worcester detectiv=
has strong hopes of finding the man
here, though ne will say but little on
the matter
Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-01-12
MADlsoNs MISFORTUNE.
Failure in Name Village Liabls 10 Involve
MANY Residents

Madison, Me, Jan. lib. P. j. Wes-
ton, mill owner and lumber dealer
here. today filed petition in insolvency
with liabilities said to exceed $780, 600
with $4,000 of secured claims. Immedi-
ately following, Theodore Weston also
filed similar petition. Many residents
of the town are believed to have been
drawn into the failures to the extent of
their entire property. The townspeople
fear that today's failures will be as
severely felt as any in New England for
q long time.
VILLAGE TREASURY SHORT.
Madison. Me-, Jan. 11.-An investiga-
ton into the accounts Of James Emery.
late village treasurer, shows shortage
of s1166. Two of his bondsmen have
gone into insolvency.
Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-01-12
DROPPED DEAD IN THE STREET.
Sudden Death of a Resident of Worces-
ter in Boston.

Daniel Foster Messenger, of 10 La
grange street. of this city. dropped dead
on the street in Boston, early Tuesday
afternoon. The dispatch which was re-
ceived at 4 O'clock could hardly be
credited by his family, as Mr.. Messenger
has been in his usual state of health and
made no complaint of feeling i'll. He took
an early morning train for Boston,
where he was going to visit his uncle,
John Ross of Cambridge.
Mr. Messenger was about 20 years OF
age. He was born in Sterling, but has
been a resident of Worcester for nearly
fifty years. He was a tailor by trade
and has followed his vocation in Wor-
cester for many years, He leaves one
daughter, Mrs. William F. Tucker, and
one son, Charles A. Messenger. Funeral
arrangements will be made Wednesday.
Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-01-12
DEXTER MILLS SOLD.

Dexter Me-. Jan. 1.-THE property Of
the Dexter wooden mills, consisting OF
three mills with water and steam power,
dye houses, machine shops, picker
house. store-houses. tenement-houses,
etc, were sold at auction today to Wes-
ley Judl1ins for $39, 600 The plant was
sold under a mortgage deed in order to
close up affairs, as all the incorporators
but one are dead
Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-01-12
PRAISE FOR LADY soMERsET

Chicago, Jan. n.--Miss Frances E. Will
lard said today: "The resignation OF Lady
Somerset has been impending for months.
and comes as the sequel of twelve years
of most devoted toll for the cause of total
abstinence and prohibition. This work
began with her signature to the pledge in
1885 as an example to her tenants and has
been persistently followed up with a zeal
that knew no bounds. The daughter of
an earl, and the inheritor OF wealth. she
brought to a most difficult and unpopular
reform more gifts and graees than any
other single individual has ever laid upon
its sacred shrine"
Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-01-12
A ROUGH VOYAGE.
The Cunard Steamer Pavonia Arrives
4S Hours Late

Boston, Jan. 11--At 500 o'clock this
morning the Cunard steamship Pavonia,
Captain John j. Atl1in, from Liverpool
via Queenstown, hauled into her berth
at East Boston, some forty-eight hours
late, due to the heavy weather that she
experienced. From the time of passing
Daunt's Rock on the night of Dec. 81,
she encountered continuation of strong
breezes to fresh gales, principally from
west and southwest, with heavy head
seas and occasional squalls. On Jan. 5,
in latitude 1920 north, longitude 40-05
west, she encountered a terrific gale,
with hail squalls, and a fearful sea, and
the steamer logged only 14S miles on
that day. This was the lowest days run
on the passage, although on the 7th she
made only 200 miles against another
terrific gale, On Jan. 4, at sos p. M, in
latitude 4S-49 north, longitude 1892 west,
she exchanged signals with an Ameri-
can steamer bound west. The Pavonia
brought no saloon passengers, and had
only six second cabin and forty-one
steerage.
Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-01-12
THE HIGH SCHOOL DEBATE.
Preliminaries Arranged for the Final
Contest Tuesday.

The debating union of the high school
held a meeting Tuesday afternoon to
make arrangements for the prize debate
between the Devens Society of the Eng
lish high school and the Sumner Club
Of the classical high school. Both these
clubs have won in the preliminary de-
bates 1t was decided that the Devens
Society should select the question to be
debated, and the Sumner Club have its
choice Of the side it's team is to assume
in the debate. The date for the debate
will be fixed by the union at a subse-
quent meeting The teams were
named at the meeting, and are as fol-
lows; Devens-Mes Reed, Cronin and
Bennett. Sumner-Messrs Haynes,
Hastings and Edison.
Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-01-12
RAINY WEATHER.

Boston, Mass, Jan. 11-LocaI fore
cast for Boston and vicinity for We'd
nesday: Threatening weather, with oc-
casional light rains; warmer; southerly
winds.
Washington, Jan. 11.--Forecast for
Wednesday: For Maine, New Hamp-
shire and Vermont, snow or rain, pre-
ceded by fair weather in Maine; warm
er; easterly winds
For Massachusetts,. Rhode Island,
Connecticut and eastern New York:
Rain; warmer; southeasterly winds
Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-01-12
ON PAYMENT OF CLAIMS.
Case of Attorney General VS.. Massachu-
setts Benefit Life Association.


Boston, Jan. lin the supreme
court, before Judge Holmes, today, the
case Of the attorney general VS., the
Massachusetts Benefit Life Association,
now in the hands of receiver, came UP
on the questions of proof, classification
and payment of claims The questions to
be determined are mainly, if not wholly
upon construction of chapter 421, Sec
tion IA, Of the act of 1890, which pro-
vides in substance that accrued claims
shall be paid in this order: First,
claims upon certificates or policies ac-
crued IL the assets are sufficient, if not
then pro rata; second, if there is a bal
ance of assets, it shall be applied to the
payment of life claims thereafter ac-
crued in the order of their occurrence
This provision of statue applies when
the company stops business.
There are several classes of claims
presented to the receivers for allowance.
Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-01-12
DEATH OF CAPT. KEATING.
Eccentric German-American Who Had
Room Full of Weapons

Berlin, Jan. 1.-THE death of the
wealthy German-American Capt. Keat-
ing, has just occurred in Berlin, and the
deceased is suspected of having taken
his own life He is also supposed to have
left to relatives IN America an estate
valued at 100000. The captain had the
queerest habits. He lived and died lso-
lated, leaving a room full of loaded
weapons
Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-01-12
THE SEARCH IN WORCESTER.
Several Suspects Held But Nothing Def
mite Discovered.

The officers, as well as .he public at
large. have had watchful eye out during
the past few days for men who answer
the description of the Brooktield mur-
derer, and the number of suspicious ap-
pearing individuals who answer the de-
scription of the man wanted is really
wonderful.
The suspect who applied at Station 2
for lodging Monday night, as told in
Tuesday mornings Spy was held on
suspicion until TUESDAY morning, when
Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-01-12
BURLINGTON STRIKERS

Burlington, Vt, Jan. 1.-THE strike of
the so operatives at the Queen City
cotton mills, yesterday, has not been
settled. The company refuses to con-
cede the price list asked by the weavers.
If the strike is not settled, the mills
will be closed.
Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-01-12
an OPTIMISTIC pIsPArcH.

Madrid, Jan. 11.--In his first optimis-
tic dispatch to the government, re-
ceived today, Gen. Blanco says the har-
vest has commenced in Cuba, and the
customs receipts have increased
Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-01-12
A $4,000 SUIT.

Suit was brought Tuesday by Laura
Gardner against Joseph Berthiaume, of
this city, in an action of tort with ad
damnum in the sum of $4,000. The de-
fendant's real estate was attached by
Deputy Sheriff w. w. Scott.
Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-01-12
GERMAN EXPORTS.

Berlin Jan. l1.-Complete returns
from southern Germany show the ex-
ports to America in 1897 10 have been
sS6, sos. .S19. AGAINST Ss4. .21O. a27 in 1896.
Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-01-12
VERMONT HOTEL BURNED.

BrattIeboro, VI, Jan. 1.-THE Pros
pect House, a well known resort at
Lake Spofford. was burned last night.
The total loss is estimated at about
e1s, 1000.
Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-01-12
MISS GouLD's GIFT.
A Scholarship o. $5ooO to Mount Hol-
yoke College.

South Hadley, Jan. 11.-Miss Helen
Gould of New York has given q. scholar
ship of $4,000 to Mount Hoyoke College.
in memory of her mother, Miss Jay
Gould.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-07-29
Delaware and Hudson.

On Sunday, July Srd, trains will leave
For Carbondale-62 30, 7.53, S53 1913 a.
M; 12 noon; 1.23 2.20, 3.52. 5.25, 6.25, 7.o7,
915, 11.00 p. m; 116 a. nj
For Albany, Saratc ga. Montreal Bos-
ton, New England Points. etc.-6.2o a. m,
2.20 y. m.
For Honesdale-62o s.53 1913 a. m; IL
noon; 220, 5.25 p. m.
For Wilkcs-Bar GAS, 74S, s43, 9.3s, 1913
a. m; 12O3 1.23, 2.1S, 1888, 427. 6.1o. I4S.
For New York, Philadelphia, etc, via
Lehigh Valley Railroads.&c. a. m, 1903
press, 11.30 p. m.
For Pennsylvania Railroad Points--6,45,
93S a. m.; 2.1S, 4.27 p. m.
For Western Points, via Lehigh Valley
Railroad-74S a. m; 1903, 33S. with
Black Diamond Express, 1O.41. 11.So p. m.
Trains will arrive in Scranton as fol-
From Carbondale and the North-64 40,
TAB S3S 9.34, 1898, 11.5S a. m 1.23, 2.l5. 3.le,
423 5s3 TAB, 1923. 11.27 p. m.
From Wikes-Barre and the South--6.l5,
74S, S.4S, 10.0S, ll.55 a. m. l.S 2l4 3iS,
o0 81 753, 9.05, los pe M: lib a. m.
SUNDAY TRAINS.
For Carbondale-9.07, 11.33 a. m; 15S'
352, 5.53, 9.53 p. m.
For wilkes -Barre--9.3S. 1143 a. m; 1853,
1928, 5.43, 7.4S p. m,
Lowest rates to all points in United
states and Canada.
7 W. BURDICK. G. P. A., Albany, N, Y.
II. w. CROSS. d. p. A., Scranton, Pa.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-07-29
Del, Lacka. and Western.
Effect Monday, June 20, 1898.


Trains leave Scranton as follows: Ex-
press for New York and all points East,
5'30' 800, 5l0, 500 and 1906 a. m. 1855 and
S.33 y. m.
Express for Easton, Trenton, Philadel-
phia ana the South, $40, 500 and 1905 a.
ii;, LOO ana 333 y. m.
Manunka Chunk and way stations, ESQ
p. IN. - -
TIobyhanna accommodation, 6.10 p. m.
cypress Tor Binghamton, Oswego, Ell
Meorris and Buffalo, 1910. 2.35, 900 a. m.
tions at Buffalo to all points in the West,
NorthWest and Southwest.
Blnghamton and way stations LOS p. m.
>factoryville accommodation, 400 and
NICHOLSON accommodation 800 p. m.
= express for Utica and Ricnfield Springs,
800 a. m., and 1.55 p. m.
Itnaca 235, 3. a. m, and l. p. M.
For Northumberland, Pittston. Wilkes
Barre. Plymouth, Bloomsbury and Dam
vile, making close connections at North
cumberland for Willamsport, Harrisburg,
Baltimore. Washington and the South
northumberland and intermediate sta
tons, 500. 1905 a. m, and lbs and $40 p.
m.
Nanticoke and intermediate stations,
sos and lilo a. m. Plymouth and inter-
mediate stations, 1886 and $50 p. m. For
Kingston, 2.55 p, m.
Pullman parlor and sleeping coaches on
all express trains.
For detailed information, pocket time
tables, ETC., apply to M. L. Smith. Dis
trict Passenger Agent, depot ticket Of
fee.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-07-29
CASTLE FOR CONGRESS.
The Allegheny Prohibition Leader
Will Oppose Mr.. Dalzell.

Pittsburg, July 2S.-Homer L. Castle,
the Prohibition leader in Allegheny
county, will be a candidate for con-
gress against John Dalzell in the Sec
ond district Mr.. Castle announced to-
day that his party was unable to find
any one in the Fourth legislative dis
trict who would be a candidate, but
with that exception a full county ticket
has been named. The other Prohibi-
tion candidates follow: For congress,
Twenty-third district, f. c. Britain;
Forty-second senatorial district George
Irwin, Bellevue; Forty fourth sena-
torial district, George II. CARRIER, East
End coroner, d. X. Murray.
The legislative candidates are: First
district, DIR. o. i. Miller and George
L. Hemphlll; Second district, John f.
Fletcher and James A. Cummings;
Third district, II. W. Dusenberry and
c. Fl. Howell; Fifth district, George
e. Briggs, DR.. James A. Calhoun and
r. Stevenson Sixth district, ]. B. Coon
and G. L. Fisher; Seventh district e.
e. Mcconnell and William b. Aller;
Eighth district, Or. 4. c. Robinson.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-07-29
MIDNIGHT ASSASSINS.
DR.. Skinner Is Called from His Bed
and Fatally Shot.


New York, July 2S.--Dr Richard
Skinner, coroner at North Hampstead,
L. l.. was probably fatally shot az his
residence shortly after midnight this
morning.
Dr. skinner retired about 10 o'clock
last night and about midnight there
came summons at his door for him
To attend a patient. He went to the
front door and told the man who was
there that he would dress as quickly
as possible.
While DIR. Skinner was putting on
his clothing With his back to the win
dow,the report of shotgun was heard,
he received a big charge of shot and
fell to the floor. The person who did
the shooting escaped in the carriage in
which he had arrived and from which,
presumably. the shot mad been fred.
The shooting aroused Dr. Skinner's 5
household, and his wife and son and
servants were soon at his side They
saw that ne was badly injured. Doc
tors arrived about an hour later. They
succeeded in stopping the flow OF
blood and under their care DIR. Skin
her improved. but is not yet out of
danger.
Dr. Skinner said that his visitor
did not ttll him where the patient
lived Nho wanted him. He vas in
formed that it was n desperate case
and that if he did not respond the pa
tient rlisht die.
Dr. Skinner is about sixty years old
He is one of the prominent physicians
Of Queens county and has been the
coroner of North Hampstead for a
number of years.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-07-29

come reports Of about the same tenor.
In the eastern market operations in
all branches of the trade have been on
a small scale. At New York some or
ders for pig iron OF the cheaper grades
have been placed, with southern brands
mostly in demand. Values are slight
ly irregular. The finished lines con-
tinue rather dull. At Philadelphia the
pig iron business Is low, with reports
contradictory. More iron is being melt
ed and stocks are declining in mill
and foundry yards. A little more bar
iron is being sold and contracts are
being made for sheets for the balance
of the year at present prices. The
plate makers are busy and are hurry
ing shipments. Chicago reports COM
paratively few sales. The pig iron
market is quiet, but southern grades
are trifle stronger. A large amount
of billets has been sold during the
past week. A fairly good movement
In bars is reported, and sheets are in
good demand At Cincinnati there is
fair demand for pig, with the soft
southern grades most called for Con-
siderable new business in sheets has
been booked. The structural trade is
quiet. In the Cleveland market pig
i,on shows no new features. Bar and
sheet prices are low and other lines re-
main about as they were. In the
Wheeling district the mills are well
employed on numerous orders of small
size. The reduction in output has help
ed the pig iron situation.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-07-29

San Francisco, July 2s.--It was or
iginally intended that Lieutenant Col
onel Lee Slower, of the First South
Dakota, should be in command OF the
men on the st. Paul when that trans
port leaves this port today, but Col
onel Thomas N. Barber, of the First
New York infantry, who is to sail on
the vessel. being the senior officer. has
been instructed by General Merriam
to assume control of the troops on the
trip from here to Honolulu. After
leaving that place, however. Lteutcn-
ant Colonel Slower will be supreme in
command Until the vessel arrives at
Manila.
All the medical officers in the Eighth
Army corps have been instructed to
institute inquiry with a view to elm
mating from the various regiments all
enlisted men who, although unfit for
military duty, have passed medical cx-
animation ana been mustered In. Five
new cases of typhoid fever have de-
veloped at Camp Merritt. There are
now thirteen cases of fever at the
camp.
A message from Secretary Alger, re-
ceived at Les Angeles, says that the
Seventh California volunteers will go
TO Manila.
The California Red Cross has made
a statement showing that S20,405 has
been received, of which s400 is spe-
cial fund for hospital ship When
the last bill has been paid for the
Manila equipment there will be a lit
tie over $ll 900 in bank.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-07-29
RAILROAD TIME TABLES.
Central Railroad OF New Jersey
(Lehigh and Susquehanna Division.)

Stations in New York-Foot of Liberty
street. n. r., and South Ferry whitehall
street.
ing cleanliness and comfort.
TIME TABLE IN EFFECT JUNE &c, '9S.
Trains leave Scranton for Pittston'
Wilkes Barre, etc, at 80 lOlo a, m, IN
For Mountain Park $50 a: M, $40 p. m.
Sundays, 800 u. M 100, 2l5 p. m.
For For New York, Newark and Elizabeth.
$50 (express) a. m; 20 (eXpress), 320 tex
Reading Terminal. Zo3 p. m. and New
For or Mauch eh Chunk, Allentown, Bethle-
hem, Easton and Philadelphia. $40 a. m.
30 $50 p; m. sundays. 2l5 p. m. -,
For Baltimore and Washingt3n ;d Rg, n1s,em and
For Long Branch, Ocean Grove etc. at
$50 Cthrough carr a. IN. and l,2o p. m,
For Reading, Lebanon and Harrisburg
via Allentown. $50 a, m, 1.2O p. m. Sun
For Pottsviile, $50 a. mo l,2o p, m
NortS SatS fw River at S o eS
press a. M, 1.SO (express) p. m. Sunday
az Leave a; s' New York, South Ferry, foot
whitehall street. at sOS a. m, l,25 p, IN,
Passengers arriving or departing from
this terminal can connect under cover
with all the elevated railroa6s, BROADWAY
Staten Islands making quick transfer 10
and from GraEd Central Depot and Long
isIS@I Leave Philadelphia Reading Terminal
o q a m, 500 y. m. Sunday, 6,l5 a. m,
Through tickets to all points at lowest
rate may be had on application In ad-
II p, BALDWIN, Gen, Pass Agt
], II. OLHAUSEN. Gen. Supt.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-07-29
THE HEALTH OF OUR TROOPS.
Gen. Skaters Report Causes I'm
easiness in Washington.


Washington, July 2S.-The report OF
General Shafter showing that there
was total of 3,770 cases of sickness
in the army in Cuba has given the
officials Of the war department con-
siderable concern. but the reports here
tofore made that the yellow fever cases
were of mild type encourages the
hope that the death rate is to be small.
The large number Of fever cases re-
ported (2,92D shows that not only yell
low fever but typhoid and other kinds
are numerous.
urgeon-Goneral Sternberg says yell
low fever spreads rapidly. and, having
once got started in the camp, it is sure
to infect many soldiers. Speaking of
the other fevers. he said that not only
in Cuba but in the camps in the United
States there had been many cases, and
1t was the history of all new armies
that fevers, especially typhoid, became
quite common. That was due to the
change of climate and the mode of life
of the new soldiers. Even where the
water was pure cases would arise. Sol
diers bought an1 ate things not fur
nished by the cQmmissary. such as milk
and other things peddled about the
camps. Often those foods caused sick
ness. Another feature he mentioned
was the Indifferent care which some
men took of themselves when they
Joined the army. 1t was his belief
that as the men became more seasoned
there would be less sickness.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-07-29

Philadelphia, July 2S-Wheat--Firm and
ssal2c. higher; contract grade, July, ia
12hc.; August. 7O5sa7o7sc. September, C9}l
a1Oc. Corn-Aahc. higher; No. mixed,
July, 3SlRa3Ssic.; August, 3sI2aSS2ic. oats
Firm and Ac. higher; No. . white
clppe, 3ic.; No. 3 do, 32,5a33c.; No. .
mixedB, 30laa3lc. Butter-Firm; fancy
western creamery, 19c.; do. prints, zlc.
Eggs-Dull and hc. lower; fresh, nearby,
1Hsal3c.; do. western, l2laa13c. do. south
ern, l0c. Cheese--Firm. Refined Sugars
Unchanged. Cotton-Steady. Tallow-
Unchanged; city prime. in hogshedds,
Csc; country, do. do, barrels, sac; dark,
do, &C.; cakes. 3hc.; grease, 2Ac. Live
Poultry-Quiet but steady; fowls, loa
1OAc.; old ROSTERS, 7c. spring chickens,
10a13c; spring ducks, Sa9c.;. Dressed
Poultry-Firm: fowls, choice, llc.; do.
fair to good, loal0Rc.: old roosters. &c.
spring chickens, nearby, l6alSc. do. large,
Hal6c.; do small and scalded. 11a13c. Re-
ceipts-Flour. 5000 barrels and 5000 sacks
wheat $1,000 bushels; corn, IS. 900 bushels
oats, 1000 bushels. Shipments-Wheat,
1000 bushels: corn, 1000 bushels; oats,
1000 bushels.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-07-29
SHIPPERS ARE FAVORED.
Decision in Test Case Against Elk
press Company.

Chicago, July 2S.-Judge Tuley, of
the Circuit court, today ruled in favor
of the shippers in the test case brought
by the Illinois Manufacturers assocla-
ton, granting a writ of mandamus
compelling the United States Express
company to accept for transportation
packages for shipment without the
payment of one cent excess of the
regular rates. The case will be ap-
pealed by the defendants.
The court held it was not within the
domain of the shipper to issue the bill
and the law expressly provides that the
person issuing the receipt shall affiX
the stamp. Three million dollars an
nually is the estimated sum which the
express companies will have to pay in
case the opinion is sustained by higher
courts,