Arizona silver belt., 1900-12-20
ARIZON
News and Comments Pertaining to
 the Territory at Large.

OSut diIiNdi LII NIdudil Ca'uuUS lTOu Louisiana.
 The Prescott public schools have been closed until after the holidays on account of the appearance of scar let fever said to be of mild type.
 William Downing was acquitted of the charge of train robbery, at Tomb stone last Thursday. The jury gave no credence to the testimony of Stiles and Burts.
 Col. NJ. II. McCord was thrown from horse, at his ranch near Phoenix on the l2th inst, and hls left arm was fractured at the elbow and also near the shoulder.
 pr. w. G. Shaw of Nogales, govern ment inspector for this district, re- ports that the cattle shipments from sonora, this month, will be larger than usual, fully 4C00 head being passed through the sub,port of Naco.
 Dr. w. E. Doty, who arrived from Yuma informed the Star that the Fortuna people are about to drill for oil regardless of whether the stock is sold or not. The superintendent is reported to have said that s600O will be spent in the venture.
 The Mesa correspondent of the Re- publican says: Two officers of the Santa Fe railroad were in Mesa, look ing for crop indications for another year and getting an estimate of fruit and produce shipments likely to be made. They were also Investigating the feasibility of building branch road from Flagstaff to Globe.
 The Journal Miner says Judge Sloan heard the mandamus proceedings in the case brought to test the validity of the act permitting women under certain qualifications to vote at city elections. He decided that the law was unconstitutional in that it con fiicled with the organic act of the territory, and dismissed the applica- ton.
 The Bulletin says: We learn from d reliable source that the Sunset tele- phone company will at an early date extend their long distance telephone line from NUgaleS to Fl paso, Texas, via Florence, Globe, Clifton, Lords burg and Demiug. This will take in the Gila valley and give us telephone connection with outside points, which will oe great advantage to the Gila valley.
 Upon request of Sergt. $. $. Seaton, chief operator of the military lines Of Arizona, the chief signal office at Washington, D. C., called for esti- mates of material required for recon structing the government line from San Carlos to Holbrook, AriZ. Sergu. Seaton is doing all in his power to put the lines of his section in tirst-class shape and is meeting with success. - Wilcox Range News
 The Review announces that Bisbee Is to have public gymr asium build ing-the finest in ArizUna-and for that matter It's equal will not be found west of Chicago. The building, when completed, will represent cost of s30,0O0 and will be donation from Messrs. James and Dodge of Phelps, Dodge X O.. of New York Agymna- sium building is also being planned for Morenci, in Graham county, which is the home of the Detroit Copper com pany.
 The depot at Bowie station has late ly received general Oyerhauling, the encouragement greatly facilitating the transaction of business, which is steadily growing at that place. Now the telegraph, express and baggage business each has department separ- ate from the other. whereas formerly they were crowded into one depart ment Agent Dresser also has neat private office. The hotel, 50 long con ducted by Capt. J. H. Tevis, Is now run by $. M. Brown, who also has charge of the San Xavier hotel in Tucson.-Bulletin.
 On Wednesday of last week, James Bontnron, whose home is Toronto, Canada, was instantly killed by toucb- ing a guy wire, says the Phoenix En- terprise. The tragedy occurred in front of the Elks' circus. BrOnthron, with companion, was approaching the tent to visit the performance. He had crossed Washington street, as he arrived at the side Salk he reached forward tO lift the wire, which Ob- Structed his passage. In some man. ner the wire had become crossed by a live wire, and the instant his hand touched it the young man fell dead, with laugh on hls lips. The cOrO- ner'S jury held the owners of the cleo tric franchise responsible, alleging i'm perfect construction and operation of the wires.