Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-02-05
Scraps aud fatts.

or in any other way save through the
heads of the departments. in or under
which they serve, on penalty of dismis-
sal from the government service"
Washington special to Philadelphia
Record The PRESIDENT Is believed to be
receding from his attitude in favor of
drastic Chinese legislation. Those
closely interested in preventing the en-
trance of the Chinese into the United
States, are convinced that the president
now desires a modification of the meas
ure already prepared. 1t Is understood
he wishes to have the clause eliminated
prohibiting the admission Of Chinese
merchants and their representatives
to this country. Within the past two
days the president has called for briefs
from the leading advocates Of exclu-
sion measures setting forth reasons for
such legislation. This request almost
created a sensation among the anti
Chinese element in congress who want
a cast-iron exclusion act, which would
leave no loop-hole through which Chi
nese could be brought into the United
States.
st. Louis dispatch to Philadelphia
Record: Judge Ryan, Of the circuit
court, refused to grant new hearing
today in the smooth nickel" case. In
which the st. Louis Transit company
was assessed $4,000 in favor Of John F.
Ruth. In denying motion for a new
trial, Judge Ryan said: There Is no
such thing as assumed in the defend
ants instructions as nickel Of less
than face value. A gold coin may be
worth less than its face value because
of abrasion or loss Of weight, but this
is not so Of a nickel. I think the
carrier should be held to the rule that
if it elects a passenger who tenders
gold coin in payment 1t does so at Its
peril. 1t is better that the conductor,
when in doubt, should receive the coin
than to establish a rule Of law which
would permit him to eject passenger
who tenders good coin, and then
pleads as an excuse that he thought 1t
was bad. In this case his plea does not
go so far; he only rejected it because 1t
was smooth He never claimed 1t was
bad. His act was mere wanton and
capricious rejection Of the only piece of
money the plaintiff had at the time"
New York special to New Orleans
imes-Democrat: Cotton seed that was
originally bought in this country is still
being reshipped from Europe in large
quantities. When the first shipments
of American seed were made from Eu-
rope it was not thought that this would
continue except in isolated cases. 1t
begins to look now, however, as though
the crushers of the eastern part Of the
country will have to look to Europe for
their seed until navigation on the lakes
is resumed. The crop Of this country
for 1901 has almost all been absorbed al
ready, and at none of the initial mar
kets can supply be secured. Usually
the crushers have surplus on hand at
this time of the year. This year, how
ever, their stock is already exhausted,
and they are forced to look to Europe
for further supply. This would seem
to indicate that an enormous consump-
tion is anticipated by the crushers. The
American demand on the foreign mar
kets has advanced prices materially on
Calcutta and La Plata seed for imme-
diate shipment. The American buy
ers are apparently not looking for fu-
ture seed in the foreign market, but
simply for seed for immediate use.
When sufficient seed has been secured
from Europe to supply the crushers un-
til the resumption of navigation, 1t Is.
thought that the demand will cease.
John and Ed Biddle, the two mur-
derers who escaped from the Pittsburg,
Pa. Jail last Thursday. were captured
on Friday. Mrs. Soffel, the wife Of the
jailer, who aided their escape, was with
them. The story is that after leaving
the Jail the fugitives jumped into a
sleigh they had waiting and drove rap
they stole others. In the meantime
eight deputies had started in pursuit.
The news of the affair had already been
spread over the country by means of
telephones. telegraph and newspapers.
The runaways were overhauled at
Mount Chestnut, some 30 miles from
Pittsburg. When the officers got with
in so yards they shouted to the Biddles
to hold up their hands. Instead, all
three commenced firing with shot guns
and revolvers. Mrs. Soffel stood up in
the sleigh with revolver in each hand,
shooting as rapidly as she could pull the
triggers. The officers answered in we'll
directed volleys. Edward Biddle was
shot through the left lung and killed.
John Biddle was disabled by numerous
wounds, but was not supposed to be IA
tally wounded. When Ed Biddle fell,
Mrs. Biddle fired shot into her own
breast. The bullet was DETECTED by the
stays Of her corset, and although she
fell insensible, she was not dangerous
lv hurt. On being taken back to Jail,
Ed Biddle confessed that Mrs. Soffel
had aided the escape, he having con-
rinced her that he was guiltless Of the
murder Of which he had been convict
ed. and for which he and his brother
were to be executed. Mrs. Soffel is about
35 years of age and previous to this oc-
currence. has borne an excellent repu-
tation. She had been accustomed to
minister to prisoners in the Jail and her
interest in the Biddles was the result
of a special request from a Catholic
priest. who had been called to see the
two men. The foregoing is made up