davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-26

He Told the President He Would Ac-
cept the Portfolio if rendered.

DES MONIES, Ia, Dec. 25.-Gov. Leslie
NJ Shaw was interviewed tonight with ref
erence to his appointment secretary of
the treasury. He still declined to talk at
length about the matter. merely reiterating
that the President had confidentially asked
him by wire if he would accept the pO-
sition If it was rendered him. He replied
that he would accept but up to the present
time no formal tender of the position had
beer. made by the President. However,
from the tone of the dispatches from Wash
ington he assumed the President will ap-
point him and that TO all intents and pur-
poses the matter has been fully settled.
The Governors term as chief executive of
Iowa will not expire until Jan. l6. The
LEGISLATURE convenes Jan. 13 and Governor
Shaw will be very busy in the interim with
the preparation OF his annual message, so
that If the appointment by the President is
made Governor Shaw hardly will be able
TO take UP the duties of secretary OF the
treasury before the 10Th of January and
possibly later.
The people of Iowa are greatly elated at
Governor Shaw's prospective entry into
the Presidents Cabinet. but would regret
very much 20 have Secretary of Agriculture
Wilson retire in consequence.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-26
WRECKED AND BURNED
NOTHING LEFT of A NJ, n. & II.
TRAIN EXCEPT THE PULLMAN.
Ran Into a Blazing Bridge Near Dali
1as-Five Persons Injured, Three
Very Seriously.

DALLAS. Tex, Dec. 25-The north
bound Missouri, Kansas & Texas flyer, due
here at 1:2O o'clock p. m, ran into a
burned bridge five miles south of this city
just before last midnight.
There was no loss of life, but five per-
sons were injured, four cars were de-
stroyed, only the Pullman being saved
The injured:
]. S. CLARK, engineer, Denison, shoul-
der and ankle broken.
WILLIAM KEARNEY fireman. Deni-
son. cut on head and severely bruised.
JOEL HENRY, colored, internally, con-
dition serious
MRS. ROSE LULL, colored, Waco,
slightly hurt.
UNKNOWN COLORED WOMAN, slight
confusion.
On rounding curve at Five-mile creek,
Engineer Clark saw burning bridge
ahead. He reversed his engine, applied the
air brakes and jumped, as also did the fire.
man. The engine crossed the bridge but
the baggage car went down. This derailed
the engine, which, after tearing up the
track for some distance, turned over into
a ditch. The train behind the baggage
car was left standing on the track and
caught fire from the burning bridge. The
passengers were able to escape from the
train by jumping down a twelve-foot en-
bankment. The contents of the mail, eX-
press and baggage cars will be saved. The
Pullman was rolled out of danger by the
crew and passengers, but the remainder
of the train, including a chair car, two
coaches and q combination mail and bag
gage car, were consumed. Traffic was re-
sumed in three hours.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-26
Substantial Dinner Given by the SAL
vatiOn Army Last Night to 1900
Hungry New Workers.
ELKS ALSO NOT FORGETFUL
GLADDENED THE HEARTS AND
STOMACHS OF HUNDREDS.
Children in Paris Enter
tanned by the De YOungs-HOw
Royalty Spent the Day.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 25.-Washington
has seldom celebrated Christmas more
quietly than to-day. Owing to the police
regulations there were no noisy demon
strations on the street. The departments
were all closed, the chief officials generally
spending the day with their respective
families. The White House was closed to
the public and large portion of the cleri-
cal force was excused for the day. The
President put in much of the time in the
residence part of the building, giving his
principal attention to the children. who
were the recipients of many presents both
from their parents and from others. The
smaller members generally hung their
stockings up last night and all found on
awakening at an early hour that Santa
Claus" had been astir ahead of them and
had left liberal contributions. Later in the
Gay all assembled in the family room,
where the general exchange of presents
occurred and where jolly hour was spent
The President, Mrs. Roosevelt and the
children of the household, Robert Fergu-
son and another friend took lunch with
Commander and Mrs Cowles at the lat
ter'S residence on n street. The party re-
mained at the house several hours and then
the male members, including two of the
Roosevelt boys, and joined by several other
friends, among whom was Secretary Root
went for horseback ride in the outskirts
of the city.
Tonight there was quite a gathering at
the family dinner which included the
presidential household, Commander and
Mrs. Cowles and other guests. After the
dinner the entire party adjourned to the
East room, where the evening was spent,
the guests being entertained with medley
of popular airs.
The dinner was followed by a musical
programme and afterwards, in honor of
Theodore Roosevelt, jr., the evening was
closed with a dance in which about twenty
couples finished Christmas night
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-26

Secretary of Agriculture Is Said to
Have rendered His Resignation.

PITTSBURG, Dec 25.-The Washington
correspondent Of the Dispatch says James
Wilson, secretary Of agriculture, will re-
turn TO private life because he no longer
enjoys the confidence of his chief. he
rendered his resignation verbally last night
just as soon he read OF the probable
selection of Governor Shaw as Secretary
Cages successor. Shaw and Wilson are
friends, but the latter does not like the
action of the President in offering a Cab
binet position to "A fellow IOwan without
even having shown him the courtesy OF
giving him advance information. Wilson,
like all other Cabinet officers, thought
he ought to have been consulted. But the
President waved Wilson and his resigna-
tion aside. He told the aggrieved Cabinet
officer that Ii was none of his business;
that if he desired il he would select all
IOwans without consulting anyone. Then
ne assured him that the appointment of
Governor Shaw would not affect him in the
least; that If he should hunt in every
nook and corner of the United States he
could not find better secretary of agrl-
culture. That assurance made Mr.. Wilson
feel easier, but he did not withdraw his
resignation. 1t is believed that in few
months he will insist upon its acceptance.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-26
BURNED WHILE ASLEEP
FOUR LIVES LOST ON THE STEAMER
Sun AT MEMPHIS.
Caught Fire Early Christmas Morning
and the Flames Spread So Rapidly
Escape Was Cut on.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. Dec. 25.-The steamer
Sun, employed in the Memphis and Fulton
trade, burned TO the waters edge early
this morning and four lives were lost. The
dead are:
d. n. RAINOR. Old River. Ark.
MRS. d. n. RAINOR, Old River, Ark.
MRS. G. NJ. TIMBS, Richardson Landing,
Tenn.
CHILD of G. M. Timbs three months
old.
The fire was discovered at 4:1O o'clock,
and spread with such rapidity that the
steamer was a mass of flames when the
department responded to the alarm. When
the Sun arrived in port last night from
Fulton she had considerable freight on
board and full list of passengers. All
of the latter LEFT the steamer Immediately,
with the exception of about a Dozen who
decided to spend the night on the boat.
Among these were Mr.. and Mrs. limbs and
baby, Mrs. Timbss sister. Miss Josie Ham
mers, and Mr.. and Mrs. d. n. RainOr. 1t
nearly midnight when the boat tied
up. Miss Hammers was sleeping with
her sister and the baby in a
stateroom and when she was awak-
ened by the smoke she aroused her
sister and started towards an exit
Her sister, however, went back for the
baby and before she could return the hur-
TIcane deck gave way and escape was cut
off. Miss Hammers got out without injury
Mr.. limbs was in another stateroOm and
until the collapse of the roof came. tried
by every means to reach mis- wife. Mr.
and Mrs. Rainor had a stateroom. 1t was
thought they had escaped until their
charred remains were discovered this morn
ing. When the first body was taken out
there was some doubt as TO who it was
but Mr.. Timbs identified it his wife
by a ring worn on her finger. The body
was terribly burned The body of
the baby has not been found and while
some are of the opinion that il fell in
the river, it is generally thought II lies
among the ashes in the hull. All the bodies
were turned over TO undertaken and
will be held until relatives be heard
from.
The steamer Sun was the property of
George w. Phillips. who was its captain
and John Brenner, who acted as clerk. The
loss TO the steamer and cargo will probab-
ly reach $4,000, partially insured.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-26
ADV. FOR "PAWNEE BILL"
ShOwman's Indians Alleged to Have
Gone on the Warpath.

GUTHRIE, o. T.. Dec. 25.-The Pawnee
Indians are on the warpath. An immense
buffalo bull was so injured in transfer
ring from the Santa Fe stockyards 10 Paw
nee Bills ranch, south of Guthrie, that ne
had to be killed. The meat was given
by Major Lille to the Indians for a buff
falo dance. The Indians have been dane
ing and powwowing ever since. They
claim the vast herds of buffalo are coming
back TO this country, and many of the
Indians have notified the white lessees to
vacate their ranches at once. they wish
to lay the fences low, the buffalo will
have full sway of the country. The white
people in the remote parts of the reserva-
tion are coming into Pawnee and report
the Indians are acting in a threatening
manner towards them.
Pawnee Bill has placed mounted guards
around his buffalo ranch, as the Indians
are camping in the timber west of there
and in sight of the herd. and from t4tir
suspicious actions he thinks they intend
to liberate the herd and perhaps kill them.
The United States Indian agent at that
point has been notified and has made a re-
port to the commissioner of Indian affairs
al Washington.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-26
ADEPT COUNTERFEITERS.
Why Italian Faces Are So Numerous
i'm the ROgues' Gallery.

Special TO the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, Dee. 25.-Turning over
the leaves in the case provided for the
rogues' gallery in the Secret-service Bureau
one is struck with the large number of
Italian faces. Questioning Chief Wilkie.
of the department somewhat curious ex-
planation is received. The criminal instinct
for cOunterfeiting in the Italian is not es-
pecially strong. but the artistic ability is
unusually highly developed. Superior coun-
terfeting is apt to require artistic skill
of the highest order The Italians in this
make busts, medallions, replicas. This skill
often leads them into trouble. Presently
instead OF making statuettes. he is making
mOlds for silver dollars. His counterfeit
ing is of the simplest kind. lie pours silver
into these molds and his profit is the differ
ence between the bullion value and the
coined face value. He makes dollars
dimes, quarters and half-dOlars. He is
not above making nickles and pennies He
is caught in swarms, very frequently whole
families being arrested at one time He
is not caught SO often as formerly for he
is "A quick learner. Remorseless prOsecu-
ton and long terms I'm prison do not ap-
peal To the thrifty mind OF the Italian and
he IL giving up the practice of his artistic
skill in cOunterfeiting. Even so there are
more Italian counterfeiters than from all
other peoples The Italian rarely makes
counterfeit bills.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-26
Another Gas Explosion.

Special to the indianapolis Journal.
MARION, Ind, Dec. 25.-Another gas ex-
plosion occurred about $3.50 o'clock this
afternoon, at the hardware store OF the
Barley & Spencer Lumber Company, at
Fifteenth and Mcclure streets, and as
result Gar White, aged fourteen years, was
painfully and probably seriously injured. In
the first explosion the second and third
floors Of the building were demolished.
The floor over the basement was intact,
however, and this afternoon the yard man
at the cOmpanys factory went into the
basement 10 see If he could locate the leak.
While hunting for IL he struck "A match.
and instantly the accumulated gas i'm the
basement exploded. Young White had fol-
lowed the Waterman into the basement,
and was standing on the stairway when
the explosion occurred and the flames COM
pletely enveloped his body. His clothing
was set afre, but prompt work by the
watchman, who had not suffered much ii-
jury TO speak of. extinguished the blaze.
He may die.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-26
DEATH OF MRS. S. w. GILLIAN
WELL-KNOWN RICHMOND WOMAN
PASSES AWAY IN CALIFORNIA.
Fires in the State-Prof. GIascock In
Dying at Bloomin gton-Accid Z
of the Holiday Season.
special to the indianapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal
FORT WAYNE, Ind, Dec 25.-George
Shaffer. aged forty-five. and Ann James. a
woman of the town, were found dead in
the formers house. this afternoon. having
been asphyXiated by escaping natural gas
Henry Anderson. a veteran OF the civil
war, was found in another room I'm a dying
condition, from the same cause, and is now
at Hope Hospital, with little hope of re-
covery.
Shaffer was a widower and retired
grocer of large means. He lived in a
handsome house on Broadway, and of late
years had dissipated great deal. by rea-
son of which he had lost his once high
social position. He had Anderson as a
living companion. Neighbors have known
for long time that women of the lowest
caste had frequented the house. and some
times women of this character, when n
financial straits made his place their home.
Ann James, well known in police circles,
was an utterly lost female. For the past
two or three days she had been living at
Shaffer's home and last night the three
inmates had a drunken revel. To-day none
of them was seen about the place and
neighbors thought they were sleeping of
the effects of a debauch
In the afternoon a young nephew OF
Shaffer called at the house and found the
front and side doors locked He went TO
the kitchen door which he found partly
open, and on entering was almost over
come by the fumes OF gas. lie managed to'
make his way TO a small bedroom of the
kitchen, and there found Anderson, appar-
emily dead. After opening the windows he
went upstairs and found the lifeless bodies
of his uncle and the James woman The
coroner was called and in his investigation
he found that the kitchen fiue was stopped
up. causing failure of proper combustion
of the natural gas, which esca ped and filled
the house.
The affair has caused a tremendous SEN
sation, owing to Shaffer's wide acquaint-
ance, his wealth and his once high social
standing.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-26
GENERALALGER CHEERFUL
ALL MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY PER-
MITTED TO SEE HIM YESTERDAY.
Had No Fever Last Night, and Liquid
Food Was Administered by the
Stomach-Other Sick People.

DETROIT, Dec. 25-Dr. Charles G. Jen-
nings, who is attending Gen. Russell A.
Alger, said tonight: You may announce
that General Alger has safely passed the
first and most critical stage after the
operation that performed on him last
Sunday. OF course there will be a possi
bility of dangerous Developments for at
least another week. but we do not expect
any,"
The bulletin on the generals condition is
sued tonight says: General Alger passed
a very comfortable day. The patient has
had no fever, his pulse ranged from 6S
to 72 throughout the day. He will be given
liquid nourishment by the stomach tonight
for the first time. 1t will be solution of
egg albumen. The drainage from the gall
bladder is perfect"
For the first time since the opera ton all
the family were to-day admitted to General
Alger's room. The general was very bright
and cheerful throughout the day and was
ambitious to see more people than his
physicians would permit him.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-26
BANQUET TO NAVAL OFFICERS.
Demonstration of Gratitude on the
Part of Cubans.

HAVANA, Dec. 25.-A banquet was given
to the officers of the United States fleet
to-day by the Cuban veterans. 1t was
grand demonstration of gratitude on the
part of the Cubans toward the American
navy. General Carlos Garcia presided
Governor General Wood, in proposing
toast to the future republic, said that
when the fleet came again it would find a.
stable government in Cuba. Rear Ad-
miral Higginson thanked the Cubans for
their grand outpouring of hospitality and
said the presence of the fleet had no
special significance and certainly no
political one. 1t a source of satisfac-
ton to him, he declared that the navy
had been an important factor in bringing
about peace in the island. Captain Nc
Gala paid a high tribute to General Car
cia, who had co-operated with him at San
tiago, and to the Cubans for their courage
and fortitude during the war.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-26
Secretary Wilson, Though from Same
State, TO Remain at the Head of
the Agricultural Department.
SENATOR DOLLIvER PLEASED
SAYS MIR. SHAW IS QUALIFIED TO
DIRECT FINANCIAL AFFAIRS.
His Appointment Gratifying to the
Whole west-The Governors Term
90 End on the 18th of January.

WASHINGTON. Dec 25.-It was
nounced authoritatively this evening that
Governor Leslie NJ Shaw, of Iowa. would
be appointed secretary of the treasury,
10 succeed Secretary Lyman J. Gage.
There will be no change in the Office of
secretary of agriculture. Secretary Wilson,
also of Iowa, continuing to retain that port
folio.
The date of transfer of the Treasury De-
partment will depend on the mutual con-
venience Of the outgoing and incoming sec
retaries. Mr.. Gage having signifed an entire
willingness TO remain at the head of his
department until such time as it may be
agreeable to his successor to take hold.
II Is supposed, however. that Governor
Shaw will be indicted into his new Of
fee some time in January.
1t has been known for two or three days
that Governor Shaw was slated for appoint
ment TO succeed Secretary Gage but 1T
was not until to-day that the Iowa execu-
tive accepted the tender made to him.
The definite announcement of Governor
Shaw's selection for the position of secre-
tary OF the treasury gave the greatest
qualification to the IOwans resident here.
They regard him as a man well equipped
for the place and feel confident the ap-
pointment will give general satisfaction.
Secretary Wilson voiced these sentiments
when asked about Governor Shaw tonight
and he added that the Governor was bet
ter known TO the people east of the Mis-
sissippi river than any man in private life
west OF the Mississippi on questions of
finance.
To Senator Dolliver. of Iowa, whose rela-
tions with Governor Shaw have been close.
his selection for the treasury portfolio gave
the greatest pleasure. 1.-The Governor he
said has demonstrated by speeches de-
1ivered before chambers OF commerce and
banking associations in every important
city of the United States profound knowl-
edge of the theory and mechanism of our
banking and currency system. He is not
only student of these questions, but has
been for many years a successful banker
In selecting him the President undoubtedly
acted in great measure upon his personal
familiarity with Governor Shaw's abilities
I'm dealing with the special subjects that
belong TO the Treasury Department. His
appointment will be esIeei. lily gratifying
to the people of Iowa. and, indeed the
whole West and have no doubt satisfac-
tory TO the great business and commercial
interests of the United States"
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-26
SHOT By HIS SON.
Brazil Man Is Instantly Killed by a
Ball Through His Heart.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal
BRAZIL, Ind. Dec. 25.-Richard Watkins
was shot and instantly killed this even
ing by his nineteen-year-old son. Theodore
Watkins. The son says he fired the fatal
shots to save his mothers life. Watkins
went home under the influence of liquor
and objected to his wife attending Christ
mas entertainment at the church.
During the quarrel Watkins became angry
and seizing a hatchet attacked his wife.
who ran TO the bedroom, where her son
was cleaning a revolver. The husband fol-
lowed and was in the act OF striking his
wife when the son fired two shots at him
in quick succession from a heavy revolver.
One bullet passed through his heart and
the other pierced the left shoulder. Death
resulted instantly. Young Watkins at once
surrendered 10 Marshal Prince and was
placed in Jail The coroner is holding an
inquest. but public sentiment is decidedly
with the DOy.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-26

Special 20 the Indianapolis Journal.
SUMMITVILLE, Ind, Dec. 25.-Mystery
again surrounds the identity OF the burglar
killed here several weeks ago. Yesterday
a supposed relative appeared and Identified
him as Albert Brown, OF near Muncie.
This morning Mr.. Brown read the account
in the Journal and Immediately telephoned
the undertaken here that he was alive and
well, and had no thought Of engaging In
the burglary business. Immediately on re-
tipt Of this message the body OF the dead
man was removed from the morgue 10 the
cemetery and his identity probably Will re-
main unknown.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-26
FED THE HUNGRY.
Thousands of New York Poor Pro-
vided for by SaIvationists.

NEW YORK, Dec. 25.-Public and private
charity gave happiness to thousands of
persons in this city to-day, while, in the
outlying districts, where the wealthy have
their country seats the poor were better
cared for and made happier than ever be-
fore.
The feature of the day was the organized
work of the Salvation Army. BY means of
a fund raised by that organization 5000 per-
sons sat down this evening to a sub
stantial dinner in MadisOn-square Garden
while earlier in the day 3,40O baskets each
containing a complete dinner, were dis
tributed at the garden. These baskets are
estimated to have contained food for 10000
persons. At the Bowery Mission nearly
ten thousand men and boys were fed and
entertained.
The postoffice broke all records and
the receipts, which on Monday amounted to
$50 600, were yesterday estimated at $4,000
The subtreasury yesterday made requisi-
ton for 500, COO gold in order to keep up
with the demand for gold coins to be used
as Christmas gifts.
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-26
The Day in London.

LONDON. Dec. 25.-Christmas in London
was fairly fine, but the heavy snow re
turned from Scotland. The King. with the
Princess Victoria. attended service in the
morning at the Chapel Royal. in St. James
Palace. and later dined quietly with the
Duke and Duchess of Connaught, at Car
ence House.
The Queen sent enormous quantity OF
toys, with autograph cards. 10 the chill
dren's hospitals in London. and the royal
family made generous gifts TO other hos
pitfalls. King Edward sent contributions
10 the dinners of all regiments OF the house
hold trOOnS
The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-26
INTOLERANCE OF CUBANS.
Gomez's Meeting Broken Up and the
General Called n Traitor.

HAVANA, Dec. 25.-According to tele-
grams printed i'm SenOr Estrada Palma s
official organs. General Gomez is faring
badly on his political tour in favor of Pal
ma. In the Puerto Principe province his
meetings have been broken up. he has been
greeted with shouts of '"Traitor!" and
stones have been thrown at him. General
Gomez is mounted on the same horse he
used during the war and is accompanied by
a band and a number of veterans. The
Maso feeling is running strong in Puerto
Principe.
Nacion says Gomez is paid by the govern
ment TO stump the country. He is met with
that accusation on every hand. Masos fol-
lowers have withdrawn every one of their
candidates and the feeling at some points
Is bitter.