davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening journal., 1908-12-29
ENTERTAINED HER
PLAYGROUND FRIENDS

Miss Elizabeth Talley, supervisor Of the
Mundy Fairgrounds on French street be-
tween Second and Third. last night enter
tainod at her home. No. 1910 Broome
street. the members OF the playground
football team known as the Mundy team,
and the older girls who used the play
ground during the summer Miss Tuney
Is actively interested in the playground
work and she made hundreds OF friends
among the boys and girls OF the east side
who used the playground during the sum
mer.
About fifty OF the boys and girls were
present last night and they had the jol-
Hest time imaginable. Rugs had been
taketl up and the boys and girls played
games and had Virginia reels. square
dances and indulged IN other merry di-
versions. II was really a playground with
IN doors. and nobody entered into tho hap
py spirit OF the occasion more than dLsl
Miss Talley. Favors were distributed to
all present and Refreshments were served.
1t was a late hour before the boys and
girls started homeward. after thanking
Miss Talley most heartily for their
party" as they termed Il.
During the holidays the boys and girls
sent Miss Talley scores OF Christmas
cards TO show their friendship. The Mundy
football eleven has been turned into a
basketball team for the winter and Will
play many games.
Evening journal., 1908-12-29
HALT ARRESTS
IN PITTSBURG.
COunCiImen Assume a Defiant
Attitude and Protest
Innocence

BY United Press Leased Special Wire
p1TTSBURG. Dec. 29.-Pitsburg clu-
zcns are mystlhed by the defiant attitude
displayed by members OF the Select and
Common Councils accused OF participa-
tion Of the graft scandes. and the uncX-
pected reversal OF policy by District At
torney BlakeF'. who to-day declared there
viii be no more arrests at present.
That the seven councilmen directly ac-
cused for accepting bribes for appor-
tioning the city deposits among local
banks. will have the moral and political
support OF their colleagues. is Indicated
by the concerted tactics adopted at the
meetnh OF the Common and Select Coun-
ellis last night.
Despite the presence Of executive police
officials at both meetings. tho expected
arrest OF tewnty-two councilmen did not
take place. Elghty-three Of the ninety
six members OF the Common Council an
swered to roll call while every member
Of the Select --Jy attended the session.
Each OF the accused councilmen was ten
dered an ovation.
President Brandt. OF the Common Coun-
ell, delivered AN impassioned declaration
OF his Innocence OF the charges brought
against him by the Voters League and his
offer TO resign was turned down by a
unanimous vote.
The most important transaction Of the
session was the passage OF an ordinance
over Mayor Guthrie's veto. providing for
the sale of a million dollars worth OF
bonds TO erect bridge spanning the AL
legheny river at the point
Evening journal., 1908-12-29
BROWNSON HAS
A BIG SMOKER
Father Fleming Made Inter-
eStine Address on OppOr-
tunitieS Of Young Men

At the Brownson IIal last evening.
about 300 young men oi this city attended
a smoker given by the members 10 their
friends. Numerous speeches were made
during the evening, one Of great inter-
est being made by Father Fleming. OF
Australia. lie took for his subject 1.-THE
Opportunities OF Young Men"
lie highly recommended President
Roosevelt as a man who took advantage
OF every opportunity, now he worked his
way TO the Presidential chair. and now
being one OF the greatest men Of his KIND.
lie also gave praise 10 William j. Bryan.
stating that he was a self made man, and
advised all those present 20 start out In
life as these two men did
At the conclusion OF his address the
speaker was given much applause. After
the address was made Matthew Petite
crew and James Gallagher sang several
fine vocal selections. The ContinentalQuar-
tetto also rendered some fno selections.
Evening journal., 1908-12-29
TURNKEY NEELY
IS TO BE RETIRED

The special committee comprising
Chief of Police George Black, Captain,
Kane. and Patrolmen Wardell, David
son and Burchenal, which was appoint.
ed by the Police Commissioners to
hear objections to the proposed retire
ment of Turnkey Nicely, held a meet
ing yesterday a report will be sub
mitted the commissioners to-day az
their meeting. There was no one who
appeared at the meeting to register
objections.
At the last meeting of the commits
sioners it was decided to place Turn
KEY Neely on the pension list at his
own request despite the fact that he
has not served the % years on the
city force as required by the laws
governing the pension fund 1t wa
therefore necessary to appoint a special
committee.
When the formal retirement OF TURN
key Neely has been made new turn
key win have to be appointed and als'
a new patrolman. There are mans
applicants for both positions
Evening journal., 1908-12-29
EIns Music at lmmanusI.

The Sunday school Of Emmanuel p.
f. Church, Seventeenth and Riverview
avenue. will hold its annual Christ
mas festival on Thursday evening at
$50 o'clock. when the following pro
gramme VIII be rendered: Anthem.
"God With U.s." choir; "Hosanna.'
Sunday school: "Oer and Ger" sun
day school: Christmas hymn, BE a.
Little Herald" primary class; solo ana
chorus. "The City of David is Sleep
ing" anthem, "To Bethlehem" Miss
r. Kitchens class; anthem. "He Comes
to AL" Sunday school; Mighty Goo
and Price OF Peace" choir: Christmas
Bells Sunday school; "Harl from thu
Sky" Sunday school; benediction.
The organist is Miss Sarah smith
and the leader is William Mosley
Evening journal., 1908-12-29
GENERAL DUPONT
ON THE APPOINTMENT

Commenting on the appointment by
Governor elect S. S. Pennewill OF Dam
iel O. Hastings as secretary Of state
State Chairman T. Z. dupont last night
said:
Il think he is the best man under the
circumstances that the governor elect
could have named. He showed what
he was made of when after losing the
nomination for attorney general, he
jumped in and worked harder than
ever for party success. I think the
governor elect has made a wise Sc
lection. Men like Benson and Hastings
are the kind that make parties vim
Speaking Of the statement Of Alden
r. Benson. which was printed in THE
EVENING JOURNAL on Saturday
Chairman DUPONT said:
"His action is just like Benson
big-hearted. unselfish fellow, putting
his party ahead of himself and doine
the thing which he thinks is best for
the party. regardless OF his own per-
sonal gain. His action in this instance
alone will make him stronger than ever
before
Evening journal., 1908-12-29
CHARITIES
HELPED MANY FAMILIES

The Associated Charities sent out 50
baskets for Christmas to families. most
of whom have been well-known to
them for several years. Every effor
was made to avoid duplication. by ap-
pealing TO others engaged in distribut,
ing the same Christmas cheer. to ex
change lists of names, to prevent
baskets from being sent from scverai
sources 10 the same families. Two
or three lists were sent in very cheer.
fully, and the few names that appear
cd more than once were omitted on om
own list.
our baskets contained a chicken on
meat. groceries. bread. vegetables. fruit
and nuts. We used so chickens, 20
pounds of fresh beef. Is pounds ol
lamb. fresh shoulders and % pound.
Of scrapple, % dozen oranges and
grape fruit and barrel of apples.
Besides the baskets, we sent as a lit
tie further Christmas cheer, one
quarter of a ton of coal to each Of 2e
families. clothing and shoes to several
whom we knew to be in need of such
articles; and bed linen TO one family
We are still in need of table and bed
ding
The managers of the Associated
Charities thank the friends who made
it possible osend these comforts to Sc
many families. The committees in
charge of the work found great pleas
ure in preparing the baskets and pack
ages. and each was filed with the
Christmas spirit and good will.
Evening journal., 1908-12-29
ERB'S Wife
FACES TRIAL
Widow and Her Sister Charged
With the Murder of the
Philadelphia Politician
LARGE CROWD IN
THE MEDIA COURTROOM
py mic Press Leased srecIal MIC.

By United Press Leased Special Wire.
MEDIA, Pa. Dec 29-The widow ami
her sister, Mrs. Catherine Beisei.
charged jointly and severally with the
murder OF Captain J. Clayton Erb.
powerful politician and former private
secretary To BOSS" Durham, sat
girmly facing Judge Johnson to-day
when the trial for their lives were be.
gun in the Delaware County Court
House.
The intense interest which the case
holds for the neighbors Of the Erh
family was reflected in the cosmopli.
tan crowd Of spectators who assembled
outside the rail before the two hand.
some prisoners were ushered into court
ROOM
Mystery surrounds the widow Of J.
Clayton Erb and her sister is III.
source of morbid interest The hopt
that there may be some probing into
early history Of the widow is one OF
the features which promises to holo
the attention of the community untii
the final verdict is reached
Captain Erb met Mrs. Erb and Mira
Beisel at Atlantic City. and so infatu.
ated did the politician become with
the woman who claimed TO be the
divorced wife of w G.. Rothermel. a
wealthy broker, that a marriage fol-
lowed. Rothermel died about two
weeks before Captain Erb was killed
and it was about this time that tn,
captain first charged his wife with an
attempt to poison him.
Mrs. Mary Gibson. mother of the de
PENDANTS, and Harry Beisel husband
of Mrs Catherine Beisel arrived to
day from Philadelphia and jointed th'
prisoners in the court ROOM
District Attorney McDade. Of Della
ware county. assisted by j. r. Robin
son; William ]. Ccaffer of Chester
counsel for the Erb estate, and Georg
Q. Horwitz, of PHILADELPHIA, are an
pearing for the prosecution. Fran
=. Rhodes. w. Roger Frontefield ant
/ w. c. Alexander constitute the ARA,
I Of ggal talent engaged to protect tn
women from the extreme penalty O
/ the law which will be demanded b.
/ the state.
I tis understood to-day that bot
Florence Erb and Mrs. Beisel win tax
the witness stand TO relate the IN
\ cidents of the night at Red Gables tha
witnessed the death of Captain Err
Mrs. Beisel. It is reported, will Re
pudiate a confession she was said {
have made to Constable Simpson q
the time of her arrest This office
declares that Mrs. Beisel admitte
having shot Captain Erb to proven
him from attacking his wife.
Evening journal., 1908-12-29
GOVERNOR LEA
FIRES HOT SHOT
Tells Sussex County Commit
tee He Was Not Satisfied
With Campaign

Special to THE EVENING JOURNAL.
DOVER. Dec. 29.-There was a big time
at the state House to-day. The Sussex
county politicians got into dispute over
the selection of a Clerk of the Peace to
be appointed by Governor Lea to fill
vacancy caused by the death Of John W.
Green.
Or. Caleb r. Layton an1 friends sprang
a snap meeting Of the county committee
by telegraph, one of the quickest moves
ever made e. Delaware.
The unexphed term Of Clerk Of the
Peace is FOR two years at $500 a year.
The Sussex county committee met at tho
Hotel Richardson while at 10 O'Clock. a
number Of Sussex politicians beseiged the
State House where Governor Lea arrived
a. 1890 o'clock
Six candidates are after the position.
They are David II. Reed. Of E.; Mark L.
Davis, county chairman: Horace sudlcr.
Of Northwest Fork John T. Vandenberg.
OF Bridgeville; w. L. Wright. the present
deputy and George W. T. Macklin.
AT II o'clock the county committee went
before Governor Lea, with DR.. Layton as
spokesman, who stated to the Governor
that the committee found itself without
a full attendance and on Thursday they
proposed to meet again at Georgetown
and asked that he withhold the appoint-
ment until after that meeting. The Gov
ernor in reply got in some sharp raps on
the management Of the Republican cam
paign. He said that things were not as he
would like to see them by any means. nor
will he approve Of the manner in which
the recent campaign was conducted. He
therefore did not feel that in the dis
charge Of his duties it was incumbent
upon him to abide by the recommendation
OF the county committee. However in
Difference to their call upon him he agreed
to defer until after Thursday the appoint
ment and he said at the same time that
he would not be bound by any recon-
mendation the committee would make.
Evening journal., 1908-12-29
AGAINST
TENTH ST. Line
Petition Against Peoples Line
Extension on Tenth Street
Successful

IN view Of overwhelming protest
against trolley line on Tenth street
the Street and Sewer Directors this
morning declined to pass a resolution,
read twice previously, permitting the
Peoples Railway TO extend up Tenth
street from jefferson 20 Clayton TO
connect its two lines on those streets.
Property owners and residents of Tenth
street thronged the directors rooms
this morning and were vehement in
their request that the railways ap-
plication be disfavored. Lack of ne
cessity, menace TO children and depre-
citation Of real estate were the princi-
pal objections. To supplement their
oral protest, a petition signed by Il
residents or property owners of Tenth
street was presented with a letter from
Mrs. J G. Bush, a large property own
er Of the district. The petition con-
tained the names of all but persons
on Tenth street between Jefferson and
Clayton, and only one of those who
had not signed was known TO desire
the extension.
Fifty or more signers Of the petition
appeared at the directors meeting this
morning. each voicing his protest to
the proposed extension. The principal
speakers were William II. Heald, Con-
gresham elect; Caleb NJ. Steward. Of
the National Bank of Wilmington and
Brandywine. and the Rev. Hugo Paff
OF Sacred Heart Church Mr.. Heald
expressed the views Of most Of the
protestant swhen he said:
''I am not in favor Of the franchise
unless it is a great public necessity.
1t seems 70 me a case in which the
franchise is asked for when people do
not want the line Tenth street -
narrow; the Eighth street car line is
on one side and the Delaware avenut.
line on the other. further reason.
against the application in the deprecia-
tion Of the value of property on Tenth
street. I oppose the company's appli
cation with some regret, but I do so
as a duty"
Mr.. Steward opposed the applica.
/ ton on the score that Tenth street was
/ the only clear thoroughfare from the
/ heart of the city 10 Pennsylvania ave,
nue. except Ninth street hill. Danger
to children of Sacred Heart Parochial
| School disturbance to church services
/ and general nuisance were given by
/ Father Paff as reason for his opposi-
| tion. Others protested on the scor,
that the proposed line would detracl
/ from Tenth Street Park. send dust into
/ the Cool Spring reservoir and make
/ Tenth street unsightly.
General Manager Richard Crook, on
behalf of the railway company, ex.
pressed regret at the opposition to tn,
extension. but requested the directors
TO give the application earnest con.
sideration. IF In you good judgment
you believe we have a right there
In view OF the opposition Presideni
Melvin announced that the directors
! could not pass the resolution.
Evening journal., 1908-12-29
NOTABLE EARTHQUAKES
OF HISTORY.

A. d.. i51, Pontius and Macedonia,
Asia. 100 cities and thousands OF lives
destroyed.
7i2. syria, Palestine and Asia, 500
towns destroyed. loss OF life incalcuble.
956. Constantinople overturned, all
Greece shaken.
1885, Catanla. Sicily. destroyed 1900
killed.
12eS. Cillcia. Asia Minor. GoOOO killed.
1856. Dec o. Naples. 10000 killed.
1881. Feb 90, Lisbon, $4,000 killed.
1926. July 80. Naples, 1000 killed.
l61. Schamakl. $4,000 killed
1872. June 2. Port Royal. jamaica.
5000 killed
1893. Sept, Sicily. 10000 killed.
1903 FEB D. Toxic, Japan, eoo,OC0 killed
1906 Nov. 3, Abruzzi. Italy. 5000 killed
l5lG. Sept. !. Alglers. 5000 killed.
1881. Now 90, PeSin. China. 10000
killed.
i7i0. oct. 2S. Lima and Calloa, Peru.
1900 killed
l75i Cairo. Egypt, 1000 killed.
l7b5, Nov. 1, Lisbon. 10000 killed.
1863. Oct. 90. Syria. 10000 killed.
1913. June z, Santiago. Guatemala,
completely engulfed.
i79. Feb 9, Messlna and other large
italian towns. thousands killed.
1877. Feb. a. country between Santa
Fe and Panama, 10000 killed.
1872, March 26. Caracus. Venezuela,
1000 killed.
lsea. Aug. 10. Aleppo. Spain. 10000
killed
1851, Aug u. Mcln. Italy, 1900 killed.
iS52 Sept l6, Malta, Philippines, par
TALLY destroyed
1865. Toxic. nearly destroyed.
1851 Dec. i6 calabria, Italy. 10000
killed
1859. March %. Quito. Ecuador. 5000
killed.
1860. March 20. Mendoza, s. A., 1000
killed.
1868. July 2. Manila, 1000 killed.
1865. Aug. 10, Peru and Ecuador 25,-
600 killed.
1876 May IS. Colombia, South Amer
y lea. 1900 killed
1881. April. ., soio, Italy, 1000 killed
1883. oct. l6, Anatolin. Asia Minor
and other towns destroyed
{ 1885. July s, Cashmere, 10000 home
destroyed.
1856, Aug. 81, Charleston, S. G., .
killed.
1857. Feb. q. Coast from Corsica &
Lyons and Geneva. Switzerland. 1tal
ian and French, more than 10000 killed
1855 March Yun Mani China. 400
killed.
1891. multitudes killed I'm Japan.
1902. Martinique. 1880 killed.
1905. Southern Italy. $50 killed.
1905, San Francisco earthquake,
1907. Kingston. 500 killed
1908. Earthquake and Tidelwaye Il
Italy.
Evening journal., 1908-12-29
THOUSANDS ARE DEAD
In THE SICILIAN CITY
Messina Destroyed Y an Earthquake and Tidal
Wave, and More Than $4,000 if is
Estimated Have Penshed
ly unIIed rreas Leased specIal VIC.

Nv United Press Leased Special Wire.
ROME, Dec 29-Tho complete de-
struction of Messlna. the second city OF
Sicily and with a population Of 15c,-
O00 is told in an official message to
the Italian Government to-day. The
message expresses the fear that Reg
gio, Immediately across the Strait OF
Messina. has met a like fate and says
most of the towns on the strait have
been wiped out.
Railway communication between
Catania and Messina has been re-
established
Between 1000 and 5000 dead have
been accounted for by the army Off
GERS who are in charge OF the work OF
rescue, according to reports received
here to-day
They say the work OF recovering the
bodies has scarcely been begun owing
TO the necessity OF digging into great
piles Of debris. Some of the officers
estimate the total dead at upwards
10000. II is believed here that this
figure is greatly exaggerated.
All the seismic apparatus in Italy
was broken by the force Of the shock.
Messages from refugees from Reggie.
on the Strait of Messina, which Is now
believed to have been completely de,
stroyed. say that the earthquake ap-
peared to be upward IN its movement.
which had the effect OF throwing tho
buildings into the air.
Fissures were opened in the earth
several inches wide and the entire side
OF several mountains were split off and
crashed down In terrible landslides.
Several villages in the province Of
Reggie, Calahria are reported to have
been destroyed by fire.
The deaths among sailors at Reggie.
where many vessels were lost VIII
reach several hundred.
Tidal Wave Also.
The destruction Of Messlna was duo
in greater part TO the tidal wave than
TO the earthquake, according TO train
load of refugees Who have arrived at
Catania from Messina.
Gigantic waves overwhelmed tho
city. the refugees say, and completed
the ruin.
Part of the city literally dropped
into the sea. The refugees say the
number of dead in Alessina. officially
reported 1.sOO is feared too small. They
believe that at least 1900 We're killed
The Hotel Trinacria, which hac
I ninety guests. the town hall, Bours
telegraph Office. Dostomce and bar
racks, were raised at Mount Etno
Catania.
Mount Etna is but a few miles from
Catania and its detonations are plain
ly heard here The last eruption OF
the mountain was I'm 1892.
Over 65,ooo Killed. q
ROME, Dec. 29-In its late edition
today the Tribuna here estimates the
number OF earthquake victims at be-
tween $4,000 and $1,000 dead. and twice
that number as injured or suffering
CONTINUED on Second Page)
Evening journal., 1908-12-29
THOUSANDS OF UNEMPLOYED
ARE DISTRESSING LONDON

able TO secure money to pay their
rent. whole families by the score are
thrown daily upon the streets by mer-
ciless landlords.
The homeless ones tnrong the streets
during the day and huddle in doorway
and parks during the nights. The tenn
perature has been below freezing each
night. but the city stations are too
small TO accommodate the sufferers and
the spectacle OF these families. ragged
and starving, with the mute appeal Of
bounded animals in their eyes. beggars
description.
The police are having great difficulty
in suppressing the riots started by the
street agitators, who are preaching q
doctrine Of self preservation by loot and
piilage rather than death from cold
and starvation. The crowds gather
about the places of amusement and
until driven away by the police, call
upon the well dressed, oppulent theatre
goers TO witness their suffering.
Evening journal., 1908-12-29
AGAINST STREET
VACATION AGAIN
JeSSup & Moore Paper Com
pany and Others Petition
Directors

The Jessup and Moore Paper Company,
through it's superintendent, a. b. Ayrest.
James Kelly and Joseph Beste. this
morning respectfully. but firmly" pro-
tested against the closing or abandonment
OF Justison street for the Harlan and Hol-
lingsworth Corporation. The protest was
contained IN petition TO the Street and
Sewer Directors. the signers designating
themselves as "land owners and rcpresen-
tatives of land owners In Middleborough
Marsh and along marlborough road.
Tho petition is the first evidence Of OPP
position ON the part OF the Jessup and
Moore Paper Company to the Street and
Sewer Directors plan TO extend certain
streets in lieu Of Justison street, the va
cation Of which they purpose to recon-
mend to the Superior Court so that the
Harlan and Hollngsworth Corporation
may build across it to obtain facilities
for the construction Of steel passenger
coaches. Two readings have been given
a resolution for these extensions and final
action is pending IN decision Of the
court.
The Harlan and Holliugsworth Corpo-
ration now has its application In the
hands of attorneys for presentation Ia
the Superior Court at next term, with
the recommendation OF the Street Di-
roctors that st be favored. Tho direc.
tors took no action on the petition and
further protest must evidently be will
held until the session OF Superior Court
The petition IS as follows:
I'VE, the undersigned. land owners and
representatives OF land owners in Mid
dleborough Marsh and along Marsh Road
which is an extension Of Justison stree
IN the city OF Wilmington. hereby respect
fully but firmly protes. against the clos
ing or abandonment Of Justison street
as IL now exists. from the railroads nea
Front street TO a point near the property
OF the Wilmington Coal Gas Company, un
III we. and the interests which we repre-
sent. shall be furnished with road In al
respects equally safe and convenient al
Jususon street which we now use, an'
we further desire to make Il known tina
we are not at an interested In the opening
OF Liberty street and are convinced tina
what we understand is the proposed plai
Of the Street and Sewer Department o
the city of Wilmington TO compel us &
use Madison street from Front stree
south across the railroads 20 where 1
viii be intlersected by said Liberty street
thence to use Liberty street or the Marsl
road until it shall intersect what Is nov
Justison street or the Marsh road Is en-
tirely unsatisfactory TO us and viii be
great annoyance and hardship TO us a
owners and users Of the said Marsh road
and 10 such hardship VIC cannot quietl
/ and tamely submit
3 (sgned) "Tho Jessup and Moore Pape
. Company. A. p. Arrest, Superintendent
: ''James Kelly.
Joseph Beste"
Evening journal., 1908-12-29
PHILADELPHIA TROLLEY
MEN PENNED IN BY FIRE

BY United Iress Leased Special Wire
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. Dec. 29.-Penncd
I'm on the third floor OF stevens Build
ing by sheets of flame and choking
smoke. and escape by the fire escape made
impossible "a score Of motormen and con-
ductors loaped from windows early to-
day. many sustaining painful injuries.
The fire. of inceudiary origin. started
IN the cellar, whore gas meter was
broken open and fired. when the fire.
men arrived they found the front door
of the building locked on tho outside, inn
prlsoning the men who We're holding a
netting to decide whether or not to join
the amalgamated union.