davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-04-01
BRYAN LOSES THE CASE.
But Shows Himself as Ever Governed
by no Sordid Desires.
(By the Associated Press)

New Haven, Conn, March 31.-A find
ing that the sealed letter by which Philo
5. Bennett expressed wish that $50 900
should be given to William Jennings Bry-
an i'll his family was not part OF the last
viii of Mr.. Bennett was returned by the
jury in the Superior court in the trial of
Mr.. Bryan's appeal from the decision of
the probate court. This finding. which
urholds the decision of the probate court
was given in accordance with instructions
to the jury from Judge eager, who pre-
s!ded at the Superior court trial. Judge
Gagers ruling on a question which has
never before come directly before the
courts OF Connecticut. decided that the
scaled letter could not be admitted as
evidence in the trial. AS Mr.. Bryan's ap-
peal was based on the exclusion of this
letter as a part will in the probate court,
the decision of Judge eager that it could
not be admitted as evidence practically
concluded the proceedings in the Superior
court and the jury was accordingly direct
ed to bring in verdict against Mr. Bry-
ar. An appeal will be taken to the Su-
preme court by Mr.. Bryan's counsel on
the ground that the letter should be ad.
nitted as part of an established trust.
An interesting feature of the days pro-
ceedings was a statement which Mr.. Bry-
ali made in court that he was willing to
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-04-01
THE DOORS CLOSED
The Federal and the
Union Trust Compa-
nies Assign.
(By the Associated Press.)

Cleveland, O., March 31.-The Federal
Trust Company today made an assignment
to the Guardian Trust Company. The ac.
tions is stated to have been taken as re
suit of the disappearance of prominent
official of the federal Trust Company
Reports are in circulation that a shortage
has been found in the funds of the con-
Germ.
While no statement has been filed as
yet by the Federal Company, it is under
stood it will turn over about 81 100000 in
deposits to the assignee.
It's total assets will be about So, 100000.
The Federal Trust Company has a capital
stock of 81 500 900. 1t has a surplus fund
of $50, 100000 and about $4,000 undivid-
ed profits
Its last statement showed individual de-
posits of $1,593,S2 but officials state the
deposits weer about 81 100000 at the close
of business last night.
Officials of both of the trust comnanies
declare positively that no depositer will
lose a penny as a result of the assign
ment 1t is also stated that the shortage
in the accounts of the Federal Trust Com
view of sensational rumors. however, and
the possibility of run, it was deemed
wise to make an immediate assignment
The two concerns wer eunder an agree
ment recently ratified by the stockholders
to be merged OH April 1. This merger, t
is said, will be carried out. The Guard
ian Trust Company is assuming all the
liabilities Of the Federal Company.
Ass -E Il NrK.t., -.
culated in connection with the assign
ment of the Federal Trust Company, a
run was started today on the Pearl Street
Savings and Loan Company's bank. at
the corner Of Pearl and Clark Avenues.
in the south end. The bank is largely
patroniZed by foreigners, and for an hour
or SO the excited men and women crowd
ed its offices in quest of their money.
Big downtown banks promptly rushed
large sums of money to the Pearl Street
Bank, mostly in silver coin, which was
piled up high ON the counters in full view
OF the people crowding the place. The
effect of this was almost instantaneous,
and the crowd of depositors quickly melt
ed away and the run was over. The bank
is declared to be perfectly solvent.
Boston, Mass, March 31-The Union
Trust Company closed its doors today.
The Unicn Trust Company was incorpor-
ated in 1883 with a capital of $1O0, 900.
The president is former Congressman Will
liam E. Barrett The liabilities of the
company are placed at Sl,600,000 with
nominal assets of about the same amount.
The difficulties of the concern are at
tributed to heavy Withdrawals by deposi-
tors and the inability of the management
to realize quickly on securities in order to
provide for the unusual demands.
The directors of the company state that
the company will go out Of business. They
state positively that depositors will lose
nothing. The court will be asked 70 ap-
point receiver.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-04-01
Attack on Coast and Geodetic Survey
(By the Associated Press.) J


Washington, March Reconsideration
OF the Sundry Civil Appropriation bill
was concluded in the House today and
the bill was about to be passed when Mr..
Sulzer forced a roll call on a motion to
re-eommft the bill with instructions to
strike out the paragraph appropriating
$136,ooc for rental of the New York Gus
ton house. The vote showed a quorum
was not present and go an adjournment
was taken until tomorrow
The right OF boards of directors of State
homes for disabled volunteer soldiers TO
retain certain portions of pension money
received by the inmates was discussed at
length by Mr.. Eell, of California, VINO as
sailed his own State for permitting a can.
teen to be established in the California
State home and charged that the old sol
diers were allowed to draw their pension
money from the home in most instances
only through canteen checks. After ex-
tended debate an amendment by Mr.. Bell
to correct the evils complained of was
adopted.
Mr.. Sherley Dem., Ky), offered an
amendment striking out it's anti-canteen
feature. He emnhatically declared against
that specie OF paternalism which nnder.
takes to legislate the moral. of peon}e =
He was, he said. opposed to any anti.c,n.
teen law. Mr.. Shcrley's amendment vas
voted down.
A violent attack on the Coast and
Goedetlc Survey was made by Mr.. Robin
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-04-01
COLOMBIA LOSES
Legal Obstacles to Trans.
ference of Panama
Removed.
(By the Associated Press. }

Paris, March 31.-The First Civil Tri-
burial Of the Seine today decided the
case of the Republic of Colombia against
the Panama Canal Company in favor of
the defendants. The decision holds that
the complaint of Colombia is not receiv-
aplC and condemns the plaintiffs to pay
the costs of the action This decision has
The effect of. f.removing the legal obstacles
IN the way of the transfer oil the canal
concession from the company to the Uni
ted States.
The decision is a lengthy document
fully reviewing all the carly circumstances
or the concession and setting forth the
various acts of the Colombian Congress,
The treaties, ETC., particularly articles 20,
Il and 22 OF the treaty OF March 20, 1918,
whereby the company acquired its rights.
These articles, the decision says,
have the manifest purpose Of assuring
the full exercise of sovereignty over the
canal. 1t results from what is established
before this tribunal that Colombia is not
IN possession OF the territory traversed
by the canal. By coming before French
court III order to sustain its rights over
the canal Colombia tacitiy admits its in
ability to itself control the canal. 1t
therefore follows naturally tnat IL has lost
sovereignty over the territory traversed
by the canal. It also appears that this
sovereignty is maintained by the new re-
public of Panama, which is an actual pos
session of the authority and power of
administration and of police. Under such
circumstances, it remains for the Pan
ana Company to accept the actual situa-
tior OF authority by the fact relative to
The territory embraced by the concession.
Therefore the action commenced by Colon
b:a is not receivable"
The decision gave great satisfaction to
ths American officials and the Panama
Canal Company. Ambassador Porter re-
ceiSed early word OF the decision and eX-
piesscd himself as we'll satisfied with the
outlook Tor an early winding up OF the
transfer.
The Panama Canal Company promptly
took steps to call a meeting Of the stock
holders for final ratification of the sale
to the United States.
The law requires twenty-five days no.
tice before a meeting, so the ratification
is expected AprlI 25. The company mas
taken precautions to see that a majority
is sure 70 ratify and it already has far
more than majority Of the stock pledged
to ratification. The subsequent proceed
irgS therefore are considered mere for
meliti2s
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-04-01
Sinking of the HanyeI
Maru so characterized
LOOK FOR OUTBREAK
The CelestiaIs May Astonish the World
When the World Least Expects
Such Action. Gradual Ad-
vance of Japanese To-
ward Win.
ward Win.
(By the Associated Press.) }

Toxic March 31.--The action of Rus
sian warships in sinking the Japanese
coasting steamer Hanyei Maru, last Sat
urday, is deeply resented by the japanese.
In official circles the attack upon and
the sinking of this vessel, near Tachin
Island. is pronounced to be a clear vio-
lation of the neutrality of China, besides
being an act of wantonness against a de-
fenceless craft The sinking of the
Japanese steamer Nakonamara Maru by
the Russian Vladivostock squadron, near
the Tsugari Straits. is recalled.
The Hanyei Maru was an old steamer
of sixty-four tons and had been chartered
by some correspondents of Japanese
newspaper. After transferring ten Japan
ese and seven Chinese from the Hanyei
Maru, the fire of two vessels was directed
upon the steamer, and one of the Russian
torpedo boat destroyers sent several shells
through her hull
st. Petersburg, March 31-For sinking
the Japanese merchantmen in Tsugari
Straits, at the opening of the war. $75, 900
has been distributed in prize money to
the crews of the four cruisers Of the
Vladivostock SQUADRON.
The Invalid Russ, the army organ, con-
cludes from General Mishtchenko's reports
that the japanese are continuing their
concentration, and gradually advancing
on their way to Wiju, their advance
guard being at Kasan, and their outposts
ten miles further north. The paper de-
clines to pedict the future phases of the
Japanese advance upon the Yalu.
In connection with the activity of the
Chinese along the Shan Hai-Kwan Rail
road, the Bourse Gazettt, warns the
powers of the unreliability of Chinese
neutrality. and says it believes they are
making a serious mistake, declaring that
the Celestials are going to astohish the
world when the world least expects it.
Shanghai March 31-The Japanese
cruiser Akitsushima left here at noon to-
day, the dismantlemcnt of the Russian
gunboat Mandjura, which was in the
waters when the war broke out, and
which remained here, having been COM
pleted in accordance with the agreement
arrived at On the subject with the local
Seoul, March 31.-It is rumored that the
Russians, on March 27, killed the prefect
of Pak-Chon, for not following their in
structions.
The Russians are also said to have dis
persed the Korean garrison Of Wiju, after
divesting the soldiers of their uniforms.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-04-01

boro, hobbies upon his game leg and faces
the chairman. Blackburn gives him the
wink and the fun begins.
i hike you, DIR. Carson" says he, "but
you are with the wrong crowd 1 know
you are honest, but you are a Linney
man,and this crowd is for Spencer Black
h-rn''
The roof of the house now comes off
hguratively speaking, and for three min
utes pandemonium reigns. Raising his
voice to a high key and lifting his game
leg IN a positive manner, Ruff proceeds:
Doctor, / understand the game; you
and your committee just want to 'dilitate'
a little. / think we ought to proceed to
organize and / nominate Pat Crisp, OF
Caldwell, even if Pat did sign that certifi-
cate TO vote for the amendment, for chair
man of this convention"
May men rise everywhere and call,
Mr.. Cheerman." The chair recognizes
Dr. J. H. Moore, of Alexander, who saws:
II rise to point of order. This conven-
tion cannot proceed to organize until the
credentials committee reports. We don't
know who is entitled to voe''
Let those vote whose seats are mt con
tested" responded Henderson. Up comes
Sanders, of Stanly who stars off mad and
red in the face an says: II want an ex-
preston from this body
And the Blackburn men cheer, but after
proceeding for five minutes tn crowd dis
covrs that he is on the Blackburn
side. He reflects upon the Democratic
members OF the press sitting at the table
and finally winds up by an exclamation
that Ruff Henderson's out of order"
The anti-Blackburn men are confused.
Ruff calls for the vote Dr. Carson
fumhles and plays for time. Sam Brim,
OF Surry, rushes out and finds Jesse Ash
burn, the Primitive Baptist preacher and
says: Jesse, go and hold the fort until
the committee is ready to report
Jesse comes up smiling, and in pleas
ing, plaintive, deliberate and persuasive
manner that would discount Hon. Jim
Continued from Page Five)
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-04-01
THE MYSTIC SEVEN
Carolina and Georgia Now
Even. Tonight Pick
the Winner.
Especial to News and observer.)

Especial to News and Observer
Chapel Hill, n. c., March 31-The an
nual intercollegiate debate between the
University of Georgia and the University
Of North Carolina will be heard here to-
morrow night.
Georgias representatives, Messrs. A. G.
Goluc,,e and w. W. Patterson, arrived
this afternoon on the $50 train. They
were met at the train by Messrs. A. +.
Haywood and r. w. Herring two mem
bers of the reception committee, and
taken to Picllard's Hotel Messrs. A. l..
Cox and E. Mcdonald. the other two mem
bers OF the committee, and Carolina's rep
resent1tives, Messrs. A. H Johnston and
1. c. Wright weer at the hotel to receive
the young men.
Much interest is being taken in the de-
bate this year, and the interest will con-
tinue to increase as each succeeding year
rolls around.
For SIX successive years Carolina and
Georgia have met on the stage of intel
lectual battle, three victories having been
won by each university. This fact per-
haps accounts for the keen interest being
manifested in the coming contest.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-04-01


son, Of Indiana, who charged that scandal
attached to that office in connection with
allowances for communication of subsistence
Mr.. Hemenway, in charge Of the bill, in
dignantly denied the charge.
Mr.. Robinson, Qnd), declared that the
allowance for commutation 2f subsistence
to officers of this service had been abused
simply as a means of increasing salaries.
He cited Instances where some officers re-
ceived 81 per day in Communication of sub
sistence, whereas others in the same com
mand received nothing. He also mention
ed by name men on vacation who 1ad
drawn the allowance. He said that a sys-
TEN had grown up in this service which
was vicious in principle and promotive of
IaVolitism.
The House adjourned until tomorrow.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-04-01
BIG REAL ESTATE DEAL.
Mr.. John SFrlnt Hill Buys $4,000
Worth of Durham Dirt.
Especial to News and observer)


Durham, N. c.. March 31.-Mr John
Sprunt Hill has purchased the real estate
owned by the r. f. Morris & Sons Manu-
featuring Company. The purchase price
was $4,000. 1t is understood that all of
the buildings will be cleared from the
lot and that handsome new structures will
be erected in theirEplace.
Next week a gun club viii be organized
in Durham. MessrS. c. A. Adams and ].
w. Elkins, of the Metallic Cartridge Com
pany, are here in the interest of this
club. 1t is thought now that the club
viii start out with large membership
The meeting OF the State Music Teach
ers' Association. which was to have been
held here in the Southern Conservatory
of Music, this city next Monday and
Tuesday, has been called off. This action
was taken on account of the small pox
scare. The executive committee will Sc
lect a later date and decide upon the
best place for holding the meeting.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-04-01
Leads all North Carolina Dailies i'm News Circulation


give bond that in no case would the
money mentioned in the sealed letter go
20 himself or family without Mrs. Ben
netts consent.
This statement was made in discussing
Inc question of trying the Bennett appeal
ease
Mr.. Stoddard said that undue influence
is alleged IN the Bennett appeal and if the
sealed letter" We're excluded from the
Will he might advise the withdrawal of
the Bennett appeal. Mr.. Bryan here said
that ne would not insist upon this trial.
He continued:
This is the only case in which feel
"a personal interest. / say now as
said in the court below that no money
will be used personally by ME without
the consent Of Mrs. Bennett
81 am willing to give bond' he went
on. that no member of my family will
receive one cent of that $4,000 without
The consent of Mrs. Bennett
The Bennett appeal case was dismissed
Judge eager in his decision said that
the letter, while testamentary in charac
ter was not attested and witnessed as
required by law; that it was not described
in the will with sufficient certainty, there
being nothing to show that it was the
letter the testator had in mind when hi
made the will. Quoting the directions
upon the letter and in the letter itsel
that the letter was to be read only by
Mrs. Bennett and Mr.. Bryan, Judge Gagel
says:
mo language could be more conclusive
upon the question that Mr.. Bennett him
self did not treat this letter as part
Of a technical will or as testamentary in
a legal sense but only as a letter OF
private instruction to Mrs. Bennett"
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-04-01
over HALF SCORE
DEAD AND DYING
Six Killed at Once by an
Explosion.
BUILDING in RUINS
Believed that One Of the Girls En-
pIoyed by the Dickson Squib
Company Threw One of the
Squibs into the
Stove.
tBy the Associated Press.)

Scranton, Pa, March 91--Six persons
are known to have been killed and five
fatally injured by an explosion in the
factory Of the Dickson Squib Company
az Priceburg, near here, today.
Tho dead are:
LIZZIE BRAY, Priceburg.
LILLIAN MAHON, Priceburg.
BECKIE LEWIS, North Scranton.
LIZZIE MATTHEW'S, olyphant.
GEORGE CALLAHAN, Priceburg.
TERESA CALLAHAN, Priceburg
Those fatally injured are: Mamie Gilal-
lor, Martha Haybrown, Cassie Foultz,
Mettie Hevron, Oscar Ayser
Twenty girls were employed in the fac
tory. What caused the explosion is not
known, but it is said that one of the girls
threw a squib into a stove and that the
force of the explosion was SO great that
it wrecked the building and set it OH
fire. The squibs are used in coal min
ing.
The Dickson Squib Company occupied
only the first floor of the structure, the
Callahan family having rooms on the sec
ord floor was here that the two Gala
han children lost their lives.
Thomas Callahan, the father, was at
work and Mrs. Callahan had just left the
room when the explosion occurred. The
children, aged three years and six months
respectively, were playing on tie floor.
Both were instantly killed. The building
caught fire and the flames communicated
to the two adjoining buildings, one oecu-
ried as hotel and the other as a butcher
shop. Both were destroyed.
All Of the bodies have been taken from
the debris. The bodies of the dead en-
ployes were so badly burned that it was
with great difficulty that they could be
recognized.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-04-01
Republican Convention Called.

(special to News and observer)
New Bern N. c.. March 51.-Tha Repub-
lican Executive Committee this afternoon
n,t at Tho office of Chairman c. B. Hill
and vacancy on the committee in New
BgIn was filled by Mr. C. C. Clark. Jr.,
as committeeman. The committee called
4 convent;o1 to meet in this city on
ADrii 9,et - elect delegates to State and
Congressional conventions.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-04-01
BRYAN CENTER OF SENSATION.
Shall the "Sealed Letter" be Admit
ted? Judge Decides To-day.
(By the Associated Pregs.l

New Haven, Conn, March, 30.-Further
sensational incidents marked the second
days hearing on the appeal of William J.
Bryan from the Probate Court in the SUI
perior Court today before Judge eager.
Former Judge Stoddard, counsel for Mrs.
Bennett and Mr.. Bryan engaged in a
yordy war during the morning session and
the court had to intervene. 1t followed
Immediately after reference to the corre-
spondence between Mr.. Bryan and Mr.
Bennett had been made by Judge Stoddard
in which it was alleged that Mr. Bennett
was brought to the point of writing the
sealed letter. by Mr.. Bryan.
Judge Stoddard implied that Mr.. Bryan
was Withholding its contents and said:
IF this man insists upon getting $4,000
from the widow by suppressing facts and
showing that these letters were written at
his behcst, the court should know the
facts
Mr.. Bryan jumped to his feet and in
sisted that Judge Stoddard had misstated
the facts. but the court ordered him to sit
down.
The letters referred to are said to con-
tain an announcement of the intention of
Mr.. Bennett to withdraw the letter he had
already written in which he had expressed
a wish that Mr.. Bryan should have $780,
600 from his estate
At the hearing of the Probate Court it.
was stated that although Mr.. Bennett at
one time desired Mr. Bryan to have $780,
600 in accordance with the terms of the
| sealed letter." he had changed his inten-
tion, and had he lived he would sooner or
later have Withdrawn the letter which is
now in controversy.
The day was taken UP entirely by argu-
ments of admitting the sealed letter.
Judge Stoddard concluding the argument
that he began yesterday He declared
that the admission of the letter would be
contrary to all law in Connecticut framed
TO prohibit fraud, undue influence and i'm
position"
He was followed by Attorney Hewitt
after which Attorney Newton addressed
the court for over two hours, showing the
relations between Mr.. Bryan and Mr. Ben
nett, the reasons for appeal and facts to
show that the admission of the Sealed
letter" as evidence is proper in law. Mr..
Newton said:
1--WE protest against the charge that
Mr.. Bryon is trying to get this $50. 900 for
himself, and as his attorneys, It is our
duty to say that it has been his purpose.
to fulfill the trust made by Mr.. Bennett
to the letter"
Judge eager will rule on the admission
of the "sealed letter" tomorrow morning.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-04-01
Makaroff Places The Credit.
(By the Associated Press

Sebastopol, March 91.-According to a
dispatch from the commander of the Black
Sea 1eet congratulating him on the repulse
of the last attempt of the japanese to
block Port Arthur, Vice Admiral Maka-
rolf has telegraphed that the chief credit
for the achievement is due to Lieutenant
KrinzilSi, who commanded the torpedo
boat destroyer SLIM" a man who knows
his business. Through his skill in dis
charging the torpedo TIE missiles struck
the prov of the first ship, DETECTING the
vessel from its course, and the other lap
anese steamers followed in its wake"
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-04-01
Death Of Mr.. W. C. Whitley.

Especial to News and Observer)
Wakefield, N. c., March 31.-Mr. w. c.
Whitley died at his home near Wakefield
today at noon. Two days ago he was a
strong, robust, healthy man. He had an
acute attack of appendicitis. DR.. Hubert
Royster arrived here early this morning
to perform an operation, but found that
the operation could not save him.
MIR. Whitley was progressive young
farmer. During this tobacco season he
has been in copartnership with Mr. Bow
en-, of Youngsville, N. c., in the sale Of
tobacco. The funeral will take place to-
morrow at the old homestead.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-04-01
The Kaiser's Throat.

Gaeta, Italy. March So.-Emperor Will
liam. en- board the imperial yacht Ho-
henzollern, left here today for Messina,
Sicily, escorted by the German cruiser
Prinz Friedrich Karl.
Berlin, March 30-Inouirles made in
consequence OF report published in
Paris that alarming news had been re-
ceived concerning Emperor Williams
health, elicit the announcement that the
condition of His Maiesty's throat is nor
nal, and the report is otherwise dis
credited