davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-09-13
A FISKDALE HORROR.
Peter King Pulled His Aged Parents From
Their Bed and Literally Pounded Them
to Death With Wicked Club
The Murderer Arrested After
Fierce Struggle.

comfortably as man could who is suf-
|fering from terrible attack of delerium
tremens.
Nothing definite could be learned at
this early hour of Peter King, the muir
derer. 1t is supposed, however, that
he continued the debauch which was
started several days ago, and for some
unaccountable reason, got the notion
into his head that he must kill his
parents
This he did in most thorough and
brutal manner.
Mr.. and Mrs. John King, the muir
dered people, had lived in Fiskdale for
many years. Mr.. King was formerly
an employee of the Fiskdale Manufac-
turing Company
He was a frugal, sturdy New Eng
lander, and at the time he retired from
his chosen calling, few years ago, had
acquired a comfortable competence.
Together with his aged wife, he had
occupied the cottage house where they
were murdered, this morning, for about
a score of years.
Both Mr. and Mrs. King were emin-
emily respectable people and had the
respect Of not only the residents of the
village of Fiskdale, but of the citizens
of the town of Sturbridge as well.
Peter King, the murderer, when
sober was considered a harmless and
genial Individual
He was known all through this sec
ton of the county, and always had a
pleasant word for his large number of
acquaintance.
He was a carpenter by trade and had
worked for various contractors in this
section of the south county.
OF late, he has been employed by Con-
tractor o. j. Aldrich, his more recent
work being done in the village of Fisk
dale and the adjacent town of Stur
bridge.
AT three o'clock this morning nearly
all of the residents of Fiskdale, includ-
ing the former fellow EMPLOYEES of
the murdered man, had heard of the
tragedy and made their way in small
groups to the King homestead on the
Brookfield road.
Great excitement prevails and the
horrible affair is discussed under their
breaths by every good resident of this
beautiful village, and heartfelt regrets
are expressed for the horrible end of
Mr.. and Mrs. John King.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-09-13
VIRTUAL ULTIMATUM.
Beers Regard Last British Note AS of
Deep Import.


London, Sept. IA special dispatch
from Pretoria says the British note,
which was read in both raads yesterday
(Tuesday) is received there as a virtual
ultimatum. The correspondent says:
1T proposes a five years franchise,
a quarter representation of the gold
fields in the volksraad, equality for the
British and Dutch in the volksraad and
equality for the old and new burghers
in regard to presidential and other
elections.
IF these conditions are accepted, a
conference between representatives of
the two covenants shall follow, for
the purpose of drafting the necessary
measures and of avoiding the introduce
ton of unnecessary conditions by the
Transvaal government or the POSSIBLE
ity Of the passage of any new bills cal
culated to defeat the reforms.
" In view of the fact the note says
that the present state of affairs in
South Africa cannot be prolonged, the
definite acceptance of this proposal is
demanded without delay. Otherwise
her majesty's government will imme-
diately take the whole situation under
reconsideration and will act so as to
bring a settlement. The situation is
acute"
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-09-13
AWAITING THE TRIAL.
Suspended Foresters Will Abide By
the Decision of the Court.

Suspended Foresters Will Abide BY
the Decision of the Court.
The members of Court Thomas E.
Cunningham who We're suspended by
Grand Chief Ranger Daniel f. Fitz-
gerald, held meeting last evening at
Foresters' hall and talked over the
coming trial in the central district
court Saturday, in which Michael j.
NfcNally brings suit against the court
to recover $110, which he alleges is due
him.
1t was decided to let the matter rest
with the decision of the court, and the
fight now merely narrows down to the
legality of the revised laws of the court
which went into effect in May, 1898
The suspended members claim that the
laws are legal and represent the laws
of the court, while Mr.. McNally does
not look at the matter in that light
He was ordered by the court, a short
time ago, to summon every member of
the court as a witness, and this will en-
tail an expense of more than $500 for
the plaintiff. Yesterday it was said
Mr.. McNally had neglected to do this
The members who had the meeting last
evening decided to fight the case Satur-
day and in the meantime will take no
notice of the action of Grand Chief
Ranger Fitzgerald in suspending the
members. They say they will take this
matter up later and make things as
warm as possible for Mr.. Fitzgerald.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-09-13

Southbridge, Sept. 19.-John King and
wife, over 70 years of age, residents Of
FislkGale, in the town of Sturbridge,
who lived in a lonely spot on the Brook
field road, a short distance out of the
vill&ge, were brutally murdered this
morning at 100 o'clock by their oldest
son, Peter King, who was suffering
from an attack of delirium tremens.
The aged couple were pulled from
their bed without warning, and the in
furiated son dealt blow after blow with
a wicked club on the heads and bodies
of his parents. Both Mr.. King and his
wife struggled to overpower the crazed
man, but were practically powerless.
They shouted vigorously and young
er son, Thomas, who is about 26 years
old, who is suffering in the last stages
of consumption, rushed to their assist
ance.
When he reached the bedroom his
father and mother were lying bleeding
and apparently dead on the floor of
their chamber, while the liquor crazed
murderer flourished his club and acted
in frantic manner.
Thomas King shouted for help, and
his cries attracted the attention of Off
Ger Laflamme, who lives across the way.
officer Laffamme secured the assist
ance of Charles Cooper and officer Pat
terson.
They went to the house, and after a
terrific struggle with King, succeeded
in capturing him, and binding him Sc
curely, turned their attentions to the
old people lying on the floor.
A hasty examination told the horri-
BILE story Their bodies were fright
fully mangled from the wicked blows
rained upon their bodies.
BY this time the neighborhood was
aroused. People hurried to the house
and placed the bodies of the murdered
couple upon the bed from which they
had been dragged by their crazed son.
The murderer was placed in wagon
and guarded by officer Laflamme and
Patterson was taken to Southbridge.
When he arrived at the lookup, King
put up another terrible fight, and it was
with much difficulty that he was landed
in a cell.
Here he raved and tore about fran
ticaIly, muttering vaguely and dashing
himself against the door of the cell.
He finally became quiet and about 8
o'clock this morning was resting as
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-09-13
THE CIGAR FIGHT.
Labor Men Are Determined to XIII the
Upmann Cigar.

Representative William Strauss of
the International Cigar Makers Union
will expend thousands of dollars if ne
cessary in this city to ruin the sale of
Earl Upmann cigars.
He claims to have proof of the exist
ence of a letter written to a local dealer
by Carl Upmann, or at his dictation.
BY the letter it is claimed Mr. Upmann
makes the biggest slip, of any, in his
fight against organized labor Believ-
ing the dealer to be druggist the let
ter harped upon the attempt of New
York drug clerks to get shorter hours.
The tenor of the letter was that the
druggists in New England would be a
much abused lot If shorter hours for
clerks was insisted up. 1t is suggested
that it would neeessitate two shifts
of help and might force the druggist
himself to take a taste of the same
medicine he administers to his clerks by
forcing them to work long hours. Mr..
Strauss and two other members of the
Cigar Makers Union know of it's exist
ence and are prepared to use it as a
mighty weapon in the fight against
non-union made cigars.
Mr.. Strauss is compiling a list of
dealers III this city who handle Carl
Upmann cigars. Many promises have
been made to discontinue the sale of
the lJpmann product, and after rea-
sonable length of time, Mr.. Strauss will
make another canvass, and all dealers
who sell the boycotted cigars will be
placed under the ban of local labor
unions, and printed lists of dealers SELL
ing the cigars will be conspicuously
posted.
The exclusive news in yesterdays
Spy concerning the action of the ma
tional union in declaring that the local
union Of the Brotherhood of Painters
and Decorators of America should up
hold the fight against Kelley G. Dele
hanty, created a furry in the ranks of
organized labor yesterday. The con-
tents of the telegram had been harb-
ored by Secretary Crosbie, but yester-
day there was no denial Of the truth of
The Spys assertion. 1t was the inten-
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-09-13
RAMAPO DEAL PROBED.
Democratic Members Of
Mazet Commission Ask
For Platt.

New York, Sept 12.-The Mazet in
vestigating committee resumed it's sit
tings here today. The day was confined
to the Ramapo water matter. Among
those present were Silas B. butcher.
president of the Ramapo Water Co.,
with his counsel, Edward Lauterbach.
Mr.. Dalton, commissioner of water
supply, was the chief witness examined
Previous to the commencement of the
examination, Committeeman Hoffman
one of the democratic members, an
nounced that the members of the COM
mittee would do all in their power to
bring out every fact concerning the
Ramapo water affair. and demanded
that Senator T. c. Plat be called to
the witness stand
Chairman Mazet said that the COM
mittee would go into its investigation
thoroughly and would call such wit
nesses as it deemed fit to call. Mr.. Dali
ton was closely questioned regarding
the proposed contract with the Ramapo
company. He said that he had been i'm
pressed With what the company had
proposed to do. He added that he relied
largely on the advice of his engineer
Mr.. Birdsall, but he could not be in
duced to say that Engineer Birdsall had
advised him to advocate the Ramapo
contract.
Indeed, when Mr.. Birdsall was called
to the stand for the purpose of settling
this important point, he said that he
had not advised the commissioner to
accept the contract of the Ramapo
company Commissioner Dalton de-
clared that the city needed more water
and that he would vote for the Ramapo
contract even now If the city could not
get a water supply Of it's own. In con-
versation with Ne Croker, the witness
said, Mr.. Croker advised him to do
what he thought best for the interest
of the city.
A number Of discrepancies in the
Ramapo proposals were enumerated by
Mr.. Moss, and as each one was referred
to, Commissioner Dalton made the
statement that he haG not given it par
ticular attention and pointed out the
fact that the contract had no been in
any way approved and therefore, stood
open for improvement. The session was
very monotonous and was the prelimin-
airy work to a thorough investigation
and disclosures are promised by Mr..
Moss
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-09-13

rectors of the New York Central which
was to have been held today. He was
feeling as well as usual and had no
prernonition Of approachingtdeath He
reached his home here at about o'clock
and went to bed about 10 o'clock last
night. He woke up this morning about
5 o'clock feeling very i'll, and he called
his wife, who Immediately sent for a
physician. Mr. Vanderbilt died soon
afterwards, and before any physician
arrived. Because death was so sud-
den, the coroner was notified.
The funeral will be held in st. Bar
tholomew's church, probably next Fri
day, and Bishop Potter and the rector,
the Rev. DR.. Greer, will officiate at the
service. There will be a meeting of
the Vanderbilt lines next Thursday. to
pass appropriate resolutions of respect
to Mr.. Vanderbilt.
All the members of the family have
either called in person or sent tele-
grams, with the exception of his son
Alfred, who is now travelling in China.
A telegram was sent to several points
in China and Japan, informing him of
the death of his father. Cornelius
Vanderbilt, Jr, sent a telegram from
Newport, stating that he was on his
way here. The news of the death of
the railroad magnate was great shock
to every one.
Chauncey M. Depew, who was a near
friend and business associate of the de-
ceased, reached the house at about Z. 30
o'clock. He was visibly affected. He
remained a short while, and when he
came out there were tears in his eyes.
William K. Vanderbilt, Jr., and his wife
called early and remained some time at
the house. Then William K. Wander
bilt, Jr. went for his father and
brought him to the house.
The father was so much affected when
he caught sight of the house where his
brother lay dead, that he clasped his
son in his arms and kissed him. They
walked together arm in arm into the
house, both shedding tears. Mrs. w.
d. Sloane and Mr.. and Mrs. H. Nick
Twombly and others, called at the
house during the day. There was
quite a crowd in front of the house all
dav. watching the carriages drive up.
Elliott r. Shepard. President Gallo
way of the New York Central Railway,
DR.. Seward Webb and many leading
officials Of the New York Central, called
during the day. Coroners Physician
Dr.. Hamilton Williams made the in
quest into the cause of death. and found
that 1t was due to cerebral hemor-
rhage. Coroner Fitzpatrick also view
ed the body and endorsed DIR. Williams
finding. Permission for burial was
given, and the body was embalmed. A
special detail of policemen are on duty
at the Vanderbilt house.
DIR. Depew, speaking OF Mr.. Wander
bilt, said: Mr.. Vanderbilt and l were
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-09-13
HALF a BILLION.

New York, Sept. 12,-Up to July of
the current year the Mutual Life In
surance company OF New York city has
returned to its members $500, $50, 737, or
over half billion of dollars, and its
accumulated assets on that date were
$2SS,536,471. This shows that the com
pany has practically paid out as much
money to the insuring pubic as any
other two companies Of like character
and that by holding a larger amaund
in assets than any other company il is
beyond question the largest and strong
est Institution Of its kind in the world.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-09-13
MANY REQUESTS.

VIII of Fanny Davenport Filed iu
Probate Court.
Plymouth. Mass, Sept. 12.-The will
of Fannie Davenport, the actress, has
been filed in the Plymouth county pro-
bate court. By the will, the sum of
$S4, 900 is bequeathed to Florence C.
Tiers, Blanche Davenport and Mary D.
Seymour sisters of testator;. Edgar L.
Davenport and Harry Davenport,
brothers; Edgar L. D. Seymour and
Harold Tiers, cousins, to be divided
equally.
The sum of $4,000 is left to George Nc
Dowell, son of Melbourne Mcdowell, to-
gether with all sums belonging to tes-
tator, on deposit at the Manhattan Saw
ings Bank of New York Miss Daven-
ports country residence at Canton, Pa,
is left to her sisters, May D. Seymour
and Florence G.. Tiers.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-09-13

New York, Sept. 12.-Cornelius Van
derbilt, head of the Vanderbilt family,
died at his residence in this city at
$40 o'clock this morning, from stroke
of paralysis. Mr.. Vanderbilt was in
his seth year. At his bedside when he
died were his wife and children, Gladys
and Reginald. No physician was in
attendance. The attack was very sud-
den and entirely unexpected, and it was
impossible to reach any physician be-
fore death occurred.
DR.. Francis Delafeld, who had been
attending Mr.. Vanderbilt, arrived at the
house after Mr.. Vanderbilt's death had
occurred, and pronounced death due to
cerebral hemorrhage.
Mr.. Vanderbilt left Newport yester-
day to attend meeting of the di-
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-09-13
BOTH TAKE PLACES.
Carni and Bains Compete in Putnam,
Ct, Races.

Putnam, Conn. Sept. 12.-Bicycle races
were the chief attraction of the county
fair, which opened here, today. In an
exhibition five-mile. motor-paced, Joe
Downing of Jamaica Plains, Mass, made
the distance in 1882, lowering the state
record by Is seconds. The other races
resulted as follows:
One mile, open-Won by F. S. Williams,
Providence; William. Bains, Worcester,
second; r. A. Carni, Worcester, third
Time, 2:29A.
One mile, novice-Won by Henry Ozuer,
Putnam Thomas Conlin, Worcester; Sec
ond. Time 2:35 AS.
Three-mile pursuit-Won by Torrey and
Lambert Putnam. Time 1924.
Five miles. open--Won by F. S. Will
liams, Providence. Time 1897.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-09-13
RETURNS FROM THE WAR.
Private Nilsson Is Still Weak from the
Effects of His Wound

Abel Nilsson, late private in the First
washington regiment of volunteers. has
returned to his home in this city after
serving in the war with the Filipinos.
He has an honorable record and was
wounded by a Mauser bullet, which
struck his rife and glancing UP passed
through his mouth and cheek.
He has entirely recovered from the
effects of the wound, though at present
he is unable to eat any solid food be-
cause of it. Young Nilsson was wounded
in skirmish, April 81 and reached San
Francisco July 1, remaining in hospital
until his departure for home. The jour-
ney from the west was fatiguing to the
young man, but he bore Up bravely and
a merry homecoming was observed at
mis- home last evening.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-09-13
POOL SELLERS ARRAIGNED
Charter Oak Gamblers Ordered by
Court to Pay Heavy Fines.

Oak Park pool sellers arrested at the in
stance of the Law and Order League, on
the 9Th instant were arraigned before
Judge John A. Thayer in the superior
court, this afternoon All pleaded guilty
to six complaints. one for each day of
the races making thirty cases in all. In
imposing sentence the court said that he
did not approve of multiplying cases and
would impose only a nominal fine of $40
in five of the cases against each person.
On the other one he would fix the fine
at 800. making a total of $3.50 and the
costs for each of the accused to pay. The
court deferred the taxation of costs until
he could look into the matter.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-09-13
PARDON ASSURED.
Said President Loubet viii Exercise
His P,eroeative Shortly.

LONDON. Sept. 12.-The Paris corre-
spondent of the Daily Chronicle claims to
have good authority for the statement
that Dreyfus will be pardoned. although
President Loubet will not exercise his
until after the meeting of the
conseil de revision. He adds that Capt
Beauvaise and Maj. Breon were the two
members of the court-martial who voted
for acquittal, and it was Capt. p rfait
who insisted upon the proviso regarding
circumstances.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-09-13
DREYFUS MAY Die.
Said That He Can Live
But a Few
Weeks.

Rennes, Sept. 13.-It is stated on very
good authority that Capt. Dreyfus is so
seriously ill that his condition is causing
his friends and family the gravest CON
cern. It is even said by some that he
may be expected to live only few weeks,
or at most, months, longer.
He is said to be afflicted with form
of Bright's disease. All through the
trial he subsisted entirely on eggs and
milk, and now that he is no longer buoyed
up with hope his condition is pitiful. 1t
is thought that Dreyfus' unhappy physi-
cal condition was the circumstance which
led the judges OF the court-martial to beg
for leniency.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-09-13
CHANCE FOR SPORTS.

The Lowell Arms & Cycle Company will
open the greatest sale of sporting goods
ever conducted in this city, at its store
this morning. The company will offer its
entire stock of sporting goods at prices
that will be quickly appreciated by foot
ball base ball. track athletic teams,
gymnasts and men interested in sports of
any department. The company intends
to dispose Of its entire stock and the sale
win continue until all the goods are dis
posed.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-09-13
A RICH MANS LIFE.

Born Poor, Cornelius Vanderbilt In
herited and Amassed Untold Wealth.
Cornelius Vanderbilt, second of the
name, was born at New Dorp, Staten
Island, Nov. 81, 1S4S, His father was
William H. Vanderbilt, at that time a
farmer, and his mothers maiden name
was Maria Louisa Nissan. He was the
eldest SON. his brothers being William
Nissan. Frederick William and George
Washington.
At the age of IS Cornelius left school
and secured place as messenger in the
Shoe and Leather Bank His grand
father the Commodore, learning OF this,
sent for him and asked why he had not
applied to him for place.
Because | did not want to ask you
for anything, was the reply. This
pleased the Commodore. and it is said
that he made a codicil to his will few
days later leaving $l,000.000 to his
grandson.
Cornelius left the Shoe and Leather
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-09-13
HICKMAN ATTACKED.
Hiehwaymen Pull Him OFF the Box
and Rifle His Pockets.

Thomas Sexton was knocked down
and robbed near the Pond Lily House
on the Grafton road last night, by three
men, who secured him to drive them
to the road house earlier in the even
ing. Sexton was driving along the
road when the men jumped out of the
hack, pulled him off the seat and ri
fled his pockets They then took the
hack and drove away, leaving Sexton
IN the road When he left Worces-
ter, he gave $50 to owen Carroll, the
Washington square saloon keeper. for
safe-keeping. Later in the evening the
hack was found by the police and re-
turned to Mr.. Sexton.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-09-13
GERMANY WILL EXHIBIT.
Nation Cannot Officially Boycott the
Paris Exposition.


Berlin, Sept 12.-The German COM
missioner for the Paris exposition. ac-
companied by three assistants, has
gone to Paris to complete arrangements
for the German exhibitors. This is
taken as an indication that Germany
has no intention, as a nation, of refrain
ing from participation in the exposi-
ton.
The Neuste Nachrichten says it is
extremely improbable that Germany
will further interest herself in the
Dreyfus case by allowing documents
proving his innocence and Esterhazys
guilt to be published. But, the paper
adds. there are reasons to believe that
should the French government official
ly apply for these papers, the docu-
ments would be produced without any
hesitation.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-09-13
WEATHER REPORT.

Boston, Sept 12.-Forecast for Boston
and vicinity: Wedne sday, fair, clear
weather Wednesday and Thursday; fresh
westerly winds.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-09-13

A committee from the Steam Filters
union visited Drs. Kelly and Deehanty
yesterday and obtained the promise of
the physicians to employ none but union
men in the steam fitting of the new
block in Trumbul square. A non-union
steam fitting firm registered a bid $40
lower than any of the union firms, but
the doctors will not let the work to a
non-union firm
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-09-13
MAY NOT EXHIBIT.
Boston School Board Suspends Pre-
pairing an Exhibit.

Boston, Sept Pat the meeting of the
Boston school board this evening the fol-
lowing order was passed unanimously
"Ordered, that work in preparation for
the school exhibit at the Paris exposition
be suspended as far as possible, and that
the committee on the Paris exposition be
reueusted to consider and report upon the
advisability of resembling the votes of the
board which provide for the exhibit"
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-09-13

ton to use the national communication
as the trump card at the meeting of the
Building Trades Council tonight, when
a vote will be taken on unseating the
delegates from the Painters and Dec
orators Union.