The log cabin Democrat., 1908-02-13

A prairie fire that started in Cros- by county in Northwest Texas five days ago has caused the loss of near ly one million dollars, having devas- tated over 300,o00 acres, part of which was cultivated, destroyed twen- ty ranchers' houses and other build ings and killed about 5000 head of cattle on the range. The fire started west of Emma, the county seat, with a strong north wind, and burned rap- idly south and into Garza county, and was still raging two days ago. The nearest telegraph station is 1l0 miles from the conhagration, which had burned sixty-eight miles on q straight line. and nearly seven miles wide. No loss of life was report ed.
 The license to do business in Tex as of all the fire and life insurance companies expired on December 31. Only one life and one fire insurance company have made application to the state commissioner of insurance for a renewal of their permits. They still have 25 days in which to take out new permits, without being out lawed from the state. It is stated that the companies object to paying the increased taxes, which the last legislature imposed upon them. The commissioner of insurance will not issue them permits to do busness un- less their taxes are paid.
 It will be interesting to Americans that King Manuel is specially fond of America and Americans. In May, 1904, when he was appointed a nav al apprentice, an American squadron under Rear Admiral Barker, then at the Azores, hastened its arrival a few days at the request of the Amer ican minister, Charles Page Bryan, in order to be present at the cere- mony. The prince was overjoyed at the courtesy and when speaking to Minister Bryan since seldom failed to recall the delight and pleasure he had in the presence of the Amerl- can officers.
 All hope for the steamship Blue- fields, which sailed from Jacksonville on Jan. 21 for Philadelphia, has practically been abandoned, and the best that is hoped for now is that Capt. Higgins and his crew might have been picked up by some for eign-bound vessel. It is feared the vessel foundered on the night ot Jan. 23, when one of the greatest storms that have been known for years swept the North Atlantic coast. The Blac- fields was laden with lumber and car-
 For forty years Adolf Bennett and his wife, Mollie Suydam Bennett, lived together in their house at the foot of Seventy-ninth street, Brook lyn. Wednesday the prayer of their late years was granted and they died together. No children ever came to bless them, but as property around the old farm rose in value, relatives and friends gathered around them and throughout that portion of the city their love and companionship became almost proverbial.
 The railroads of the country have been penalized in sum aggregatlng more than $1,000,000 since January 1, 1906, for failure to arrive and de- part on schedule time with the mails. This information is given in a spe- cial report to the Senate from the postmaster general in response to a resolution of Senator Clay, passed January 20.
 Choking with smoke from fire that crackled in the rafters directly above and in front of her in Ker- cheval Avenue Methodist Episcopal church, at Detroit, Mich, Miss Eva Ludgate, young woman from Chi cago, sang "Glory for Me- while her audience filed out to safety, Her calmncss averted a serious panic.
 Following the old Biblical admonl- tion, If thy right hand offend thee, cut it off," Rainsford Ferriss, we'll known resident of Portchester, \. Y., went into his cellar and nearly severed his right hand at the wrist