davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-02-28

After an all-night session of Council,
and a series of sensational incidents,
one of the most notable political strug-
giles in the history of Wheeling ter
minated early yesterday morning in the
complete success of the Democrats and
their insurgent allies. The officers
named above were chosen. The insur-
gents selected the Republican names
for the slate, the terms of compromise
being agreed upon by both sides, with
the exception of Mr.. Thomas Burke,
Democrat from the Sixth ward, and
made binding by a solmen oath.
The Democrats succeeded in outwit-
ting the Republicans. They caused
the impression to go out that they
merely intended to meet and make up
a record, upon which they would base
an application to the Circuit Court
for a writ of mandamus to compel the
First Branch to go into joint session
for the purpose of filling the Offices
within the gift Of Council. This was
merely a strategic move, and was made
in anticipation of the regular Republic
cans leaving the city. or secreting
themselves, and thereby preventing a
quorum.
1t was the intention of the Demo-
Gratis to meet and order the immediate
arrest of absentees. Republican mem
beers, however, were only partially ia
ken off their guard. They determined
to remain away from the meeting, but
were wholly unprepared for an all
night siege.
AS a matter of fact, NO place of rem
devious had been chosen for the reg
ular Republicans. and it was in the
early evening that they decided TO go
to the Office of Councilman Hamilton,
on the third floor of the Masonic ~em-
Pile. They carefully locked the door,
and expected Council to adjourn early.
Fortunately for them, there was a
telephone in the room, and they were
kept we'll informed as to the progress
of affairs at the City Hall. The denoue-
ment came rather Unexpectedly. as is
set forth in detail below.
The Democrats have Won a signal
victory, and the people who have been
clamoring for reform in the City build
ing are to be congratulated. The only
old ofice-holder reelected was City
Receiver Alex. H. Forgey, who has been
very efficient. The selection of John
Corcoran as city collector, and John J..
Coniff, as city receiver, is looked upon
as an act Of retributivt justice.
Both of these gentlemen were cho-
sen at a caucus OF the Democrats when
they were in the majority, in a former
Council, but on the night of election
the caucus slate was broken, and the
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-02-28


The excitement vas intense. The ang-
er OF the Republicans was at q fever
heat They were lighting mad. If 1t
were not for the wholesome respect
which the blue coats and brass but
tons inspires, there would have been
open hostilities. As it was the Re-
publicans contented themselves with
giving oral expression to their feel
ings. They "cussed' to beat the band.
The policemen retorted in kind.
One regular" from the North End
applied a vile epithet TO Officer Nau,
who warned him not to repeat 1t. 1t
was repeated, and but for the inter
ference of Mr.. Otto the two would have
come to blows. Peace-makers were a
necessity. One policeman advised the
use of maces, but his cooler-headed as
sociates frowned upon the suggestion.
IT. fact, the excitement was so great
that for the time being everybody was
irresponsible.
The Councilmen demanded the au-
thority for arrest, and refused to go,
muttering i~mprecations and threats.
When comparative quiet was restored
Lieut.. FTohme arrived with a warrant
which he produced. Solicitor S. O..
Boyce declared hat it was not worth
the paper upon which it was written.
Lieut.. Lenhardt departed for police
headquarters to consult Chief Ritz.
During his absence the officers stood
about refusing to bulge from their po-
sitions, or to allow anybody to escape
from the room.
Within a short time Chief Of Police
John S. Ritz appeared upon the scene.
He was cool and deliberate, and spoke
with the determination which is char
acteristic of him.
you must go to the City Building,
gentlemen" he said. There is no
question about it. If you go peaceably,
all right; if not, we will have to use
force"
This settled the question Of going,
but the regulars continued to give ex-
| preston to their feelings in language
much more forcible than polite. They
denounced the proceedings as an out
| rage They walked down Market street
and up the alley TO the City Building,
in charge of a squad of police. Even
| at that early morning hour, the strange
| procession attracted a great deal OF
attention.
The news had preceded the Republi-
cans, and there wa excitement in the
Council chamber. Many of the Demo
Gratis and spectators had been doing
about. and others were assembled in
groups discussing tie situation or ar
! ranging to send word TO families or
employees, or both, that the exact mo-
ment of their release was very in
definite. The Democrats and insur-
gents were very determined, and many
members who are well up in years
stood the siege without a murmur OF
protest.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-02-28

boilers succeeded in defeating Corcoran
and Coniff.
The Councilmanic fight was the topic
OIL general conversation yesterday, al
most to the exclusion of everything
else. AS a matter of course, there was
considerable curiosity as to subsequent
proceedings, but the opinion was freely
expressed that the threats of litigation
which have been made will amount to
naught. 1t is believed that the chagrin,
nd disappointment and anger of some
of the Republicans will take wings, and
that the present belligerent spirit which
some of them are displaying will give
way to a feeling of philosophical res
ignation.
Most of the regular Republicans re-
gard the situation in the light of a
simple defeat of plans for postponing
the inevitable. No other result would
have been possible without the improp-
er use of money, and the public eye
was so fixed upon Councilmen that that
would have oeen hardly possible. AS
a matter Of fact, the attempt has al
ready been made. The Democrats are
in possession of incontrovertible evil
dence to sustain this assertion. but
would greatly deplore the necessity for
using it in criminal proceedings against
gentlemen whose partisan zeal ran
away with their judgment.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-02-28
A QUORUM SECURED.
Proceedings of Counou--The Slate OF
the Allies Went Through Without
Any OppositiOn.

Proceedings of Countu;-The Slate OF
the Allies Went Through Without
Any Opposition.
AS soon as the officers brought the
Republican members in, the presiding
officer raped for order. The Republi-
cans had a majority in the First
Branch, and Immediately started the
tactics which had been anticipated.
Mr.. Hamilton moved to adjourn. The
mayor ruled that he could not enter
tain the motion. Mr.. Hamilton APP
pealed, but it had no effect. When the
Second Branch members marched in,
r. Il. Hill took the chair. He an
nounced that the Second Branch stood
adjourned. Some of the Republicans
started to leave the chamber, but
were prevented from doing so by the
officers at the door.
The Democrats then selected Joseph
Weidner as temporary chairman, and
Mr.. Shafer offered the following:
Whereas. The Chairman Of this, the
Second Branch of Council, was illegally
chosen to that position, and has since at
tempted TO exercise the duties of his DO
sition as such. shown himself incompetent
to hold such position and has been mani
testify partisan and Intentionally unfair
and unlawful in mis- treatment OF the ma
jority of the members of this Branch;
therefore, be ii
Resolved. That said r. r. Hill be and
Is hereby removed as chairman Of this,
the Second Branch Of Council.
This was adopted. Mr.. Jesse Sha-
fer was then nominated and was
elected permanent president of the
Second Branch.
The First Branch was invited TO
go into joint session for the purpose
OF filling the Offices. Within a few
minutes the First Branch members
filed into the Second Branch chamber.
The Republicans took seats on the
south side OF the hall. insurgents
Marshall and st. Myers among them.
Mr.. Chew took a seat with the Demo-
Gratis. Mr.. Burke, who had in some
manner learned what was going on,
refused to leave the First Branch
chamber, but when threatened with
foroible removal, he went over and
sat with the Republicans.
The Mayor declared the purpose OF
the joint session to be the election
OF officers. Nominations were made.
and the slate officers were elected.
as given above. The Republicans
made no nominations and took no
part in the balloting. They sat with
stolid ~desneanor, none OF them look
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-02-28
REGULARS
The Door Was Opened, a Police Mace
Thrust In, and Exciting Scenes
Followed.

The Door Was Opened, a Police Mace
Thrust In, and Exciting Scenes
Followed.
The invasion of the camp Of the reg
ulars, and their surrender, took place
about seven O'Clock in the morning.
and was attended with considerable
excitement.
The force of men on guard at the
door at that hour numbered five or
six, and there were several more at
the street door OF the building. Otto
Kalbitzer, of the Eighth ward. wanted
to go out, but the others advised him
against it. Kalbitzer called attention
to the fact that Others had succeeded
in making their escape, and argued
that he could slip out, and the door
could be hurriedly closed behind him.
It was with some misgivings, and
rather in Difference to the insistence
of Mr.. Kalbitzer, that he was per-
mitted to make the attempt.
The door was opened cautiously. As
% as there was a space sufficient to
admit it, Officer Speide1's club was
inserted in the opening, and the off,
GERS pressed hard against the door.
This statement is accurate and is from
an eyewitness and corroberated by Mr..
Hamilton himself. The opposition.
however, in order to create public
sentiment, put the warn into circula-
ton that the door was broken open.
The Republicans inside had formed a
sort of foot ball formation. 1t was a
wedge, with the Second Branch mem
bers against the door, and First Branch
members in the background. This
~precaution was taken because the reg
ulars were advised that but one First
Branch member was needed to COM
plete a quorum. 1t was figured that
somebody might be captured. and the
regulars did not want to take a chance
on that somebody" being a member
Of the First Branch.
The regulars pushed with all their
might against the door. The officers
pressed from the outside. Suddenly
there was a crash. The stained glass
in the door was broken into small
fragments. In less time than is re-
quired to relate it, Officer Kronjaeger
had leaped through the window, and
was on the inside. There was no long
er any hope in resistance. The Jig
was up.
In the struggle al the door, John
Cummins was scratched upon the hand
which 5led freely. Otto Kalbitzer was
also scratched. Kronjaeger's escape
from injury was little short of mirac-
ulous. No person was seriously hurt,
however.
1t is doubtful II any man who was
| present at the denouement could give
| an accurate account Of what followed.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-02-28
POLICE VS. .C0NsTABLES.
The Power of the LAW Invoked to
relieve the Republican Prisoners
in the Masonic TempIe.

As stated above, the Republicans did
not expect to be prisoners in the small
Office in the Masonic Temple. and
had made no provision therefor. When
apprised over the phone of what was
transpiring at the City Hall, they Sc
cured dominoes and cards. and settled
down to make a night of it. A table
for the games vas improvised. and in
II corner of the room a stand was
arranged for refreshments. Sand
witches, coffee and cigars were secur-
ed from Mr.. c. E. Vankeuren, and
when the officers were on guard. were
passed into the room over the tran
som.
The Councilmen present were Messrs.
Hamilton, Megrail, Cummins (John).
Knoke, Zwicker. Beckett and Otto, of
the First Branch; and Messrs. Hazlett,
Scheehle, Meyer, Kalbitzer, Beu, Nay
lor, Hill and Brown, of the Second
Branch-fifteen in all. James Cum
Minis, of the Second Branch, escaped
early in the evening and went to bed
at his home on the Island. H. W.
Fair, of the Third ward, was i'll at his
home. Two Republicans of the First
Branch. and one of the Second. had
been arrested and were detained in the
Council chambers.
The regular Republicans awaited
with much interest the advices from
headquarters, and were somewhat dis
turbed late in the morning by a re
port that the officers had arranged by
a system of ropes, ETC.. to enter the
office through the windows. They were
necessarily crowded, and could not
have spent the hours with the same
degree Of comfort as the Democrats and
insurgents. Nevertheless, they appear
ed to be game" 10 the core, and some
Of them stated to Register reporters
after it was all over, that but for the
unfortunate incident at savan O'Clock
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-02-28

they we're prepared for an intermin-
able test Of endurance.
S. O. Boyce, then City Solicitor, was
with the regulars in the Office. but
managed to escape, and Immediately
~inaugurated plans for securing the re-
lease of the Republicans. The notice
given to Chief Ritz, accompanied with
the threat Of habeas corpus proceed
ings, which appeared to be fathered by
H. c. Richards and ]. P. Maxwell, vas
really inspired by Boyce. 1t was evil
IDENTIFY a bluff, pure and simple, as no
effort was made to get a hearing before
Judge Hervey.
1t was upon the advice Of Mr.. Boyce
that Justice of the Peace J. A. Dun
ming was awakened, and issued the
warrants which led to the unfortunate
clash between county and municipal
authorities. Justice Dunning yesterday
admitted that the warrants did not
contain the names of the officers
against whom they were directed. The
warrants were sworn out by James P.
Maxwell. and the language OF the
charge was dictated by S. O. Boyce.
Constable Darby, and ex-Oficer Wells,
who was deputized, served the war
rants upon the three officers who stood
guard at the door of Mr.. Hamiiton's
Office. They refused to accept service,
and the c~onstables departed
Mr.. ]. P Maxwell then secured the
KEY to the street door from the janltor
of the building and locked 1T from the
inside. explaining that he proposed to
detain the police officers until there
was sufficient force Of constabies 10
take them away.
The Democrats then awoke MI. j..
A. Miller, president OF the MASONIC
Temple association, who came GOWN
to police headquarters and wrote out
an order for the key from the Janltor,
which was placed in the hands Oh
Chief Ritz.
Justice OF the Peace M. ]. Fitzpat-
rick was routed out of bed n
brought down to the building, where
he issued a warrant for James Z.
Maxwell, charging him with Interior
ing with an officer in the discharge
of his duty. Detective O'Leary, Sher-
if Irwin and one or two officers went
down to the Masonic Temple to arrest
Maxwell.
Mr.. Maxwell came through the
street door and was placed under ar
rest. He was asked for the key, and
stated that he had given it to the
j~anitor. Officers on the inside hunted
up the j~anitor, who at first denied
having possession of the key, but
found it in his pocket and opened the
door.
Meanwhile, in order to escape the
crowd which had assembled, Mr..
Maxwell was taken to the Jail Office,
where he was detained a few minutes,
Sheriff Irwin going upon his bond.
His case is set for hearing on March
4th.
Justice Dunning has fixed no time
for the hearing of Officers Amman,
Nau and Friese, who as a matter Of
fact, have not been arrested.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-02-28

ing as If they We're tickled to death
W. the situation.
Each candidate received the votes
of the following members. % in num-
Der, namely:
First Branch-Messrs. Chew. Has
kins, Ochsenkuhn. Scally. schmidt
and WAREHOUSES.
Second Branch-Messrs. Alderman,
Cooey. Fitzsimmons. Killeen, Krafti
Krnjaegsr, Marshall. Lavey. Plant.
Reitz. st. Meyers. Shafer. Tracy. Weld
ner, Weisner, Weisgerber-16.
Mr.. Zwicke surprised the Republican
members by voting with the Democrats
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-02-28
WITNESSES OF DRFRR1

They Refused to Take Part in the Proceedings, But
Their Presence Made a Quorum, and the Slate of
the Democrats and Insurgents Went Through
Without Incidents in Con-
nection With the Arrest of the ReguIars--Arrests
Made During the Early Morning--Threat of Litiga-
ton Growing Out of the Matter--VieWs and In
tervieWS on the Subject.
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-02-28

SAA&AAA4A4A+ +AAA,
1 NEW ROSTER OF CITY OFFICIALS.
4 ASSESSOR NORTH f THE CREEK-C.A A. eImbright, Republican.
j ASSESSOR SOUTH OF TIKI CREEK-w. w. Mcmillan, Democrat.
u CITY COLLECTOR-JOhn Corcoran, Democrat.
y MARKET MASTER, SECOND WARD-L. :. Davis Republican,.
4 MARKET MASTER, FIFTH wARD-John Mc<eevcr, Democrat.
n SExTON-C. Eeiser, Republican.
= CITY SOLICTOR-JohnJ ConiE, rnocrat
y CITY WElGHNASTER-F. G. Remple, Republican.
q HEALTH OFFICER-Dr. W.. w. SpargO, Republican
g L0CkUP-k EEPER-WiIIinm brandt, Republican.
Al ASSISTANT OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Moran, Democrat.
4 LICENSE OFFICER-James McCahon, Republicans.
q SUPERINTENDENT OF CIT PRISON-Frauk Woods, RepubIcan.
81 CITY RECEIVER-A. II. Forge Republican,.
z BOARD DIT PUBLIC W0RKs-Joseph spcideI, Republican,; {. w. Krei-
Il tel Democrat; Charles MenkemeIer, Democrat.
4 WATER BOARD-JohnR Butts Republicans; William Lindsay, Repub-
y SUPERINTENDENT o + CREMATORY-Louis Serig,R Republican,.
3 JANIT0H-Wiliiank Kemp, Republican,.
7 ASSISTANT JANIT0R-Grace Straub, II present incumbent.
TY4@ TTTT TTT1s
Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-02-28

Continued ON Sixth Page.
Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1901-11-20
NOTES FROM NEARBY

Mr.. Yardley L. Brown. for Years
the editor of the Hamilton Telephone.
has moved to Hamburg. n. Y, W here
he has purchased newspaper.
The "Belleyiew farm. in jefferson
county, has been bought by John (.
Wase for $50 per acre cash. The
property was sold by Capt. III. C..
Getzendanner. aud contains $50 acres.
Capt ". Ill. Kesrfott has resigned
his post as Commander of Henry
hidd Douglass Camp, Sons of Con
tederate Veterans, of Shepherdstown,
to accept the position AS Division
Commander of West Virginia Rob.
ert /. Banks has been chosen to sue
coed hun.
Capt. George Baylor, of Charles
town, who has been IN poor health
for some tune, has been taken TO the
johns Horkins Hospital, Baltimore,
for treatment At the last reports
he was Improving.
The Indian Creek Coal CO., in
which MeSsrs. ). III marlborough.
". III. Baker. III. III. Baker, Il. W.
Stone, and holmes Conrad, of Win
chester, were largely interested. have
sold their coal land IN Tazewell coun-
", TO Northern capitalists for SlO2.
500. IL Is said they cleared hand
some sum on their Investment.
Rev. w. L. Seabrook, one of the
most prominent Lutheran clergyman
IN the Valley, aud president of the
Synod of Virginia, has resigned the
paStorate of the Lutheran Church AT
Winchester aud accepted call to
F New berry, :. c. The change will
take effect January LIST.
Viola Bender. girl Of Is wears.
the daughter of Henry Bender, com
united suicide at her home about
three miles from Martinsburg by
taking a dose of strychniue. The
I girl had been washing and her step
mother asked her to stop aud take
the baby. The request so provoked
the girl. who was hurrying to get
done, that she in angry took pinch
of the poison. The family physician
was called, but two hours elapsed be.
fore ae got there and the patient wa.
beyond hope. She died In CONFUSION:
about three hours after taking the
poison.
Mr.. II. 4. Clevenger, of near Rip.
on, has been missing corn from hl,
flrid tor some tine and Monday night
began 10 watch for the visitor or vis
ltors who had been taking It, Hi.
vigil was rewarded in surprising two
men who had invaded the field 10 la,
lu supply of grain for the rising
market. Several shots from breech
loader were the welcome Mr.. eleven
ger gave them and they retreated
without waiting on the order of going
IL Is not known whether either of the
men WAS hurt.-Charlestown Advo
cate.
Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1901-11-20

WANTED-SEVERAL PERSONS OF
Character and good reputation in each state
lone III this county required) TO represent
and advertise old established wealthy bust
ness house OfsOlid financial standing. SAla
~ $500 weekly with expenses additional.
ell payable IN cash each ednesday direct
d from head offices Horse and carriage fur
nlshed, when necessary. References. Enclose
sclt-addressed stamped enAelope. Manager,
80 Caxton Building, Chicago.
If newspaper reports are to be de
livered, there will be contest in the
next Congress between the high pro
tectionists and those who believe that
the time has now come when the
tarlt duties ought to be reduced.
The tight will be between the Repub-
Means, for the opposition to the I'M
just tariff laws is led by some of the
prominent men in that party, and
the only part that the Democrats can
play is to help out those who are
contending for the reform.
BIB. Pursell, Kintersville. Pa. saws
he suffered 25 years with piles and could
obtain no relief until DeWitrs Witch
Hazel Salve effected a permanent cure.
Counterfeits are worthless. &c. Avis
Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1901-11-20
TIKI BOER WAR

Since kichener's proclamation
that all BOer found In arms after
September l5Shouid be drported and
their propSrtycOnliscated, the war IN
South Africa as taken a course that
war. with al its horrors seldom
reaches. Thee have been numerous
trials for treaSn and executions of
Beers. BOer raiders strongly advo-
Gated Immediately reprissls aud were
held In check nly by the influence
of President kuger, who refused To
follow the al, re that for every Boer
prisoner executed a captured British
officer should l. shot. He said he
did not wish tOgive the campaign the
although it nd already become "a
war of determination. In the BOer
concentration cmp, where the Eng
lish have Thousands of BOer subjects
penned up, the sutf-ring is intense.
In 1t there are 1000 men; 3S.O22
women and 54,:26 children. Dur
ing the mouth Il September 10 men.
32S women and l 1864 children died.
The British rGUse TO remove the
camp nearer to .eashOre where sup
plies could mop easily be procured
aud other cOndi lonS would bee more
favorable. ThU state that so long
AS the camp Is he interior, supply
trains are not molestei by the Beers.
who might thus destroy the meaus
of sustenance of their own friends.
The contest between Spain and
Cuba had never reached a worse.
stage than this as depicted 5y the.
newspaper reports, and it is continues
without hope of quick completion.
1t is impossible for the British with
the means at command TO subdue
the Boer army fighting as it is now
doing, and the Beers are evidently
determined 20 continue the battle So
long as man who can bear arms re
mains alive. IL is with sorrow that
Americans sea the war prolonged.
becoming daily and stronger exempt
fication that "war Is the creates
curse that the pride and passions of
men ever placed upon mankind"