New-York tribune., 1899-12-31
FROM SOUTH AFRICA.

spend the day at the Capitol. Her one ambition
was to shake hands with the Speaker the one
ambition Of her sweetheart was to satisfy her
aspiration. 1t was Saturday, and the House had
adjourned. The Speaker was taking much
needed rest. so a messenger informed the gentle
man from Virginia. The loving couple, however
were allowed TO look into his room A tall, good
looking man using the telephone. He turned
his face half round and bowed to the strangers
who stood at the door.
That is the Speaker" whispered the Virgin
ian; but come quickly; I promised we would
not disturb him."
"Oh, so glad to have seen him." an
nounced his Dulcinea He is very handsome
but he is mighty dark amt he?"
A joint committee of Senators. Representa-
tives and citizens OF the District appointed to
make arrangements for the unveng of the
statue of Daniel Webster made by Chevaer
Trentanove and presented TO the Government by
Stilson Hutchins have completed their arrange
ments. The ceremonies will take place in the
Lafayette Square Opera House on January 1S
Senator Chandler. of New Hampshire, will pre-
side and Senator Lodge. OF Massachusetts will
make the address. After the Presidents ac-
ceptance OF the statue on behalf of the United
States. those in charge Of the affair and the In
the unveiling will take place.
A bill before Congress which il is expected
will receive prompt action. having been favor
ably reported in a previous Congress by both
houses and passed by the Senate, is for the re-
lief of Hattie A. Phillips widow Of the brave
scout who made the famous ride from Fort
kearney to Fort Laramie In December, 1866.
which resulted I'm saving the garrison Of the
former post from being massacred by the Sioux.
The story Of John Phillips's celebrated ride is as
interesting any incident in the history Of
Indian warfare in the West. At the time It
was made Fort Kearney. at the foot Of the Big
Horn Mountains. two hundred miles from the
nearest telegraph station, was the extreme out
post in the Northwest, commanded by Colonel
Henry B. Darlington. The Sioux under Red
Cloud had been seen in the vicinity, and a
number Of them had congregated on the Tongue
River TO the northeast of the fort On December
2l the Indians attacked a wood train. Lieu
tenant Colonel Fetterman, with a detachment of
two officers, seventy-eight men and a number of
civilians made a dash from the fort for the
purpose of protecting the train. but were i'm
mediately surrounded and every one OF them
killed. whereupon the Indians, who numbered
twenty 10 every soul in the garrison invested
the fort and threatened attack. Knowing that II
the fort were taken il meant death for every
man In the garrison and captivity for the women
and children. John Phillips a scout and hunter.
volunteered to make his way 10 Fort Laramie
and ask for assistance He left the post in the
middle of the night after the massacre with
only few crackers in his pocket and no food
for his horse. His path lay across a country
barren, desolate uninhabted. covered deep with
snow and through bands of hostile Indians
The periis of the ride can scarcely be imagined
His scanty provisions were soon exhausted His
horse, half famished. spurred on with dim
Guilty; but he reached Laramie in safety falling
in dead faint as his dispatches were
delivered Assistance was promptly sent to
Kearney. and the fort. garrison and the women
and children. who. when it seemed they must
begged that they might be taken to the powder
house and there blown up, were saved The man
who accomplished this act OF heroism was never
rewarded by the Government, but 10 the end Of
his life was harassed and annoyed by the Sioux
who regarded him their deadly enemy for
having deprived them Of what seemed an easy
victory.
The Christmas season has attracted to Mount
St. Sepulchre. the Franciscan monastery at
the Catholic University. pilgrims from all over
the country, who go 10 view its emblematic
chapel. cells and corridors. The church is built
IN the form Of Greek cross. in the four cor
ners Of which are inserted tie same number Of
ehapels. forming the Franciscan arms Of the