The age-herald., 1902-01-26
TWO MEN KILLED AND
 S3OO,OOO LOST N FIRE

Mobile. January 25.-(Special)-In the fire early this morning two men were killed, others injured and s9oo,0oo worth of property destroyed. The dead:
 Richard H. vidmer, prominent society man.
 Bat Thomas, negro laborer.
 Three firemen were injured two slightly and one painfully.
 Mir. yidmer and the negro Thomas were assisting the firemen in subduing the flames and were caught by falling walls. MT. Vidmer was a prominent Hoo Hoo and was once vice gerent snark for Ala bama.
 The fire was under good headway when discovered. and it was several hours be- fore it was gotten under control. The firms who suffered are:
 Michael & Lyons, wholesale grocers, building and stock completely destroyed; ~&~<%>%%~><~%~ depot when the Admiral alighted, but the blue coats were unable to restrain the crowd which straightway went wild at tie sight of the easily recognized goatee which showed above the heads of the guards as an unmistakable mark of the wearers identity. delegation of school children having flags, greeted the visitor at the further end of the station He bowed to them and waved his hand. The municipal councils resolutions were pre- sented and the Admiral and Mrs. Schley were driven through demonstrative throngs to their apartments-"rhe Pres idential suites at the Auditorium annex. Here Mir Schley retired to don his shore togs,' as he expressed. it.
 At II a. m. he was given breakfast by the reception committee of the Ham iltoh Club and enjoyed himself in an in formal manner
 The breakfast was laia for twenty-five persons Among those present were Gov ernor Yates. Mayor Harrison and former Comptroller of the Currency Eckels
 While the Admiral was being enter tained a comm ittee of women devoted themselves to Mrs. Schley. She was given a breakfast in another room of the hotel, while her husband was enjoy ing himself with the Hamilton Club Committee and later attended a recep- ton in her honor at the Woman's Club.
 After leaving the hotel the Admiral was taken to the Hamilton Club, where he shook hands with members and guests of that organization, giving kind word of greeting and a firm handshake to each one.
 Praises the Correspondents.
 At the Press Club the performance was repeated except that of the two or three hundred people present fully fifty per cent were women. A number of men who were correspondents in Cuba during the fights about Santiago were present, and to whom the admiral referred in his short speech of thanks as follows:
 q want to say that these boys were always to the forefront, one of them so much so that I was arraid that he'd be sunk At the time I wished he was any where else. But the boys were brave. IL is not pleasant to be shot at. but these boys stood up and were not only shot at but could not shoot back
 The admiral seemed to be enjoying him self. for when a photographer set off flash light he gasped. Then he laughed heartily. as did those about him.
 At the Boston Club, of which he is an honorary member, the admiral still in jovial mood, addressed a rew happy rs- marks to My Fellow Members" Tn the course of his speech he again indicated his feelings in regard to the political preference which has been talked about for him.
 T have been deeply touched by the tributes which I have received.'' he said, they have been tributes of love. and in my future years 1 shall never accept any office. however high. which might jeopar- dize that love. It is the dearest thing l have. It Is the dearest thing have. It is the greatest crown a man can have on this earth, and when I am gone l want it left with my children and their chill dren as their dearest possession"
 On his way back to the hotel the ad- miral stood for a few minutes at the Chi cago Athletic Club and the Woman's Club. At both places he grasped the hands of those who passed before him and uttered brief but courteous thanks for expressions of esteem.
 The Banquet.
 The banquet began at 6:45 o'clock, Ad- miral Schley, arm in arm with E. A. Munger the toastmaster, and Mayor Har- rison, was the first to enter the hall. Gov ernor Yates sat near him at the speark- CTS table.
 In front of the guest of the evening was an immense bouquet of American beauty roses. At each plate. as a souvenir, was a replica in plaster. of the likeness of Ad- miral Schley. The same replica, done in bronze, lay before the admiral.
 Father Vattman. chaplain of Fort Sher- idan. made an invocation. following which the banquet was served.
 Toastmaster Munger, in a glowing speech, referred to the presence of Ad- miral Schley. The speakers words were repeatedly interrupted and occasionally completely drowned by cheers and cries of What's the matter with Schley." Hes all right!'
 The first set response was by Henry w. Price. former president of the Maryland Society of Chicago. His subject was "The State of Maryland" He referred to Ad- miral Schley as the foremost Maryland CT of his time" The speaker quoted a brief portion of Isadore Rayners speech before the court of inquiry in behalf of Admiral Schley and was cheered. The guests then sang Maryland. My Mary land" adding two stanzas which had been written especially for the occasion.
 Fred Bangs, president of the Hamilton Club gave a brief history of the organi- zation. Admiral schley was the last speaker.