davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-07-17
NINE KILLED IN
EXPLOSION NEAR
Gle ELUM, WASH.
POWDER MAGAZINE BLOWN TO
ATOMS
MANY PERSONS ARE SERIOUSLY
INJURED
Town Mile Away Shaken as Though
by acknowledgement of
Bodies Scattered Huns
dreds of Rods

By Associated Press.
TACOMA, July ia special to the
Ledger from Gle Elum, Wash, says:
An explosion in the powder magazine
of the Northwestern Improvement COM
pany near here at o'clock this after
noon killed at least nine persons and
seriously injured a number, of others.
The dead:
GEORGE MEAD. manager Improves
ment companys store.
CLIFFORD MCDONALD. clerk in the
store.
ANDY GRILL, clerk in the store.
MRS. PETER MOFFATT, wife OF
brickmaker.
INFANT CHILD OF MOFFATT. ;.
JOE ROssI, miner. AZ
JOE POGRIAPPI, miner.
TWO MINERS, names unknown.
Shortly before o'clock Manager
Mead and the clerks in the store went
to the powder house to assist in un-
loading carload of powder. How the
accident happened is not known,
The magazine is a mile from the
center of the town, but the explosion
shook the town like an earthouake.
Windows for a mile around were
shattered and rocks and brick from
the powder house were thrown hun-
dreds of feet.
Mrs. Peter Moffatt, wife of a brick
maker, was living in q tent near the
magazine with her two children. The
tent was blown to pieces and Mrs.
Mofatt's body has not yet been found.
nFia l.
the explosion, but they have died down.
Fragments of bodies were scattered
for half mile from the magazine.
List of the Injured
| The injured are: Michael Evans. elec-
trician, struck on head by flying brick,
| probably will die. Mike Zuall laborer
seriously; Mrs. Robert Simpson, in
Jured in wreck of her home, not fatal:
second little daughter of Mrs. Moffatt,
seriously hurt; three men who were
working in the store house. Mead, Nc
Donald and Grill, were literally blown
to atoms, and diligent search after the
debris had been cleared away failed to
| bring forth a piece of their flesh or
bones that would fill anything larger
than a shoebox.
Three Italians not far from the
| powder house were killed instantly.
| Rossis shoe was blown off and in it
was found $3.50 in money.
| The terrific force of the explosion OF
nearly two cars of powder was felt in
the most remote districts of the town
and every windowpane within a dis
tance of seven blocks of the powder
house was shattered. The windows OF
bar not far from the scene of the dis
aster were broken into small bits, the
castings and bar fixtures were destroyed
and several men more or less hurt.
| Gle Elum is in a state of great ex-
citement and until this has subsided
the complete list of victims will not be
known. Scores of persons were slightly
injured and it is said the victims will
number more than a dozen.
'It was the most horrible sight ever
witnessed" said r. Lee Purdis, q resi-
dent Of Ellensburg. bits of bone and
| flesh were strewn about everywhere. /
believe that 1 found the largest piece
of the victims. 1t was the elbow socket
and a short part of the forearm bone.
The only recognizable part of Mead's
anatomy found was the left hand
blown off at the wrist and hardly in
jured,"
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-07-17
MAKE SERIOUS CHARGE
AGAINST POSTMASTER

SAN FRANCISCO, July 1s.-Gross
neglect of duty in failing to deliver
100 notices sent through the malls is
the charge made against Postmaster
Clarence c.. Merrill of Berkeley in
suit filed in the federal circuit court
today by the Juvenile Horticultural
society and Hugh LilienthaI of Berke-
ley.
The plaintiffs allege that on Febru-
ary 10 120 notices were mailed to pat
rons, members and friends of the So
ciety announcing a botanical excur-
sion.
1t is charged in the complaint that
Postmaster Merrill wrongfully, care
lessly and negligently failed to deliver
the notices to the addresses until it
was too late for them to go on the ex-
cursion.
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-07-17
MRS. TEAGLE STILL LIES
IN UNCONSCIOUS STATE
Physician Refuses to Commit Himself
on Chances of Recovery but
Fears Possibility of Blood
Poisoning
.recial to The Herald.


PASADENA, July 16.-Mrs. Walter
C. Teagle of Colorado street and El
Molino avenue, who shot herself last
night in a fit of melancholia, has not
recovered consciousness. Dr. Henry FL.
Sherk, who is attending her at Pasa-
dena hospital, Is unable to predict
whether she will survive.
"The thing most to be feared is
blood poisoning" he says. IF that
sets in she has no chance of recovery"
On account of Mrs. Teagle's serious
condition no attempt at operating on
the skull has been possible.
Miss Helen Boice, the nurse who has
been with Mrs. Teagle for two years
and a half, and who discovered her
last night after the tragedy, can hardly
be induced to leave her mistress side.
She stayed up all night and only left
today to get little absolutely neces-
sary sleep.
William P. Murray, father of the
unfortunate woman, left Chicago this
evening on his way here. Word also
has been received from Walter c..
Teagle, the husband, that he has start
ed for this city. He has just returned
to New York from a business trip
abroad.
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-07-17
INSURANCE COMPANY
FACING $212,3O5 SUIT
Fifty-elght Policy Holders Charge
PhIIade Iphia Concern with Falsely
Representing 1t Was lnsoIvent
Following Big Fire
By Associated Fress.

BY Associated Fress-
SAN FRANCISCO, July ia blan-
ket suit on fifty-eight policies for sums
aggregating $212,305 was filed today
against the American Fire Insurance
company of Philadelphia by the Policy
Holders Adjustment company.
In connection with the suit accusa-
tions are made of fraud on the part OF
the company, in that 1t falsely repre-
sented 1t was insolvent and could not
pay more than so per cent of claims
upon it after the fire of April 1906.
Upon these representations the policy
holders accepted 90 per cent in settle
ment, but it is claimed that both prior
and subsequent to the acceptance of
the settlement other policy holders were
paid in excess of 30 per cent.
The representations of the company
that it was insolvent and that 1t in
tended to wind up its affairs and go
out of business and that 1t could not
and would not pay more than 80 per
cent of claims, is declared to be false
and fraudulent.
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-07-17
CAPS EXPLODE;
THREE KILLED
TWO CUSTOMS INSPECTORS
ARE VICTIMS
Attempt to Open Box Of Explosives
with an Ak Is Followed
by a Terrific Ex-
plosion
BY Associated Press.

BY Associated Press.
BOSTON, July 1.-two government
customs inspectors and wharf watch
man were killed and two longshoremen
and two clerks injured in the explosion
today by a box containing intOnation
caps in an inspection locker in a shed
on pier AZ, mystic wharf. The dead:
y. H. NICKERSON, Lynn, Mass; /;
assistant examiner.
CHARLES f. ATWOOD, Quincy,
Mass; inspector.
THOMAS MASON, East Boston;
watchman.
The box containing the caps was
landed this afternoon from the Ham
burg American line steamer Bethany
and taken into the compartment OF
locker of the pier for inspection.
Nickerson began opening the box
with an ak when there came a muffled
report. Nickerson and Mason were
hurled against the side of the shed and
instantly killed. Atwood was picked
up unconscious. He barely lived to
reach a hospital
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-07-17
SLAVES EIGHTEEN
YEARS; NOW ARE
RETURNING HOME
COMPLETE SERVICES WITH
COFFEE PLANTERS
ONLY NINETEEN SURVIVORS TO
TELL OF HARDsHIPs
South Sea Islanders, Kidnapped and
Sold to Guatemala Masters, Ar
rive In San Francisco on
City of Para
By Associated Press.

BY Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO, July 16.-Nine-
teen survivors of several hundred
South Sea islanders, kidnapped eighteen
years ago from their native strand and
sold into slavery among the coffee
planters of Guatemala, arrived here
today on the steamer City of Para,
They are free and homeward bound,
and in addition are travelling as Cook $
tourists with the British government
paying expenses.
The natives were kidnapped by Capt.
Blackburn, who visited the islands in
his steamer the Monserrat, and entic-
Ing them aboard, sailed away.
They were supposed to be contract
laborers bound to their Guatemalan
employers for three years.
Ignorant of the language and in a
land where the law is sometimes the
dictator's will, it was easy to keep
them on the plantations, where they
slaved until their plight was made
known to the British government. This,
however, was not until eighteen years
had passed and most of the natives
had died. Those returning have little
to show for their years of toll.
Capt. Blackburn was lost at sea In
December, 1894, when the Monserrat
went down with all hands.
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-07-17
REFUTES
ALLEGED STORY
DENIES ACCUSING ROOSEVELT
OF UNJUST ACT
Telegram from WaIIa WaiIa Telling
of Election of Eugene Tausick,
Democrat, Is Pleasing
to Commoner
By Associated Press.

By Associated Press.
FAIRVIEW, Lincoln, Neb., July 16.-
William J.. Bryan does not intend to be
drawn into the Brownsville case, If he
can help 1t.
In his conversations with visiting
delegations and others he has carefully
refrained from talking ON that subject
and today he put the brand of un-
truthfulness upon an alleged state
ment by Bishop Walters of the Afro
Methodist Episcopal church, to the ef-
feet that he had assured a negro dele
cation that he regarded President
Roosevelts action in that matter as
unjust.
At the same time he also denied an
other alleged interview of the bishop
that he discussed the appointment of
negroes to office. These declarations
were called forth by telegram from
the Baltimore Sun inquiring as to the
truth of the statements said to have
emanated from Bishop Walters.
To the newspapermen at Fairview
Mr.. Bryan said that he had not and
would not take up any issue not con-
tanned in the platform.
Mr.. Bryan spent a fairly busy day
today. Delegates returning from the
Denver convention again made pill
grimages to Fairview, where they con-
ferred with their leader about the COM
ing campaign. Mr.. Bryan impressed
them all with the necessity of organiz-
ing political clubs and exerting every
effort to poll the full Democratic vote
in November He believes that clubs of
that character will contribute very
largely to Democratic success.
The visitors all left with pledges of
hearty support and promises to get the
n "a. 70 40 oil Iaxy
came from Illinois, Alabama, Nevada
and Texas.
A telegram from w. H. Dunphy of
Walla Walla, WASH, conveying the in
formation that Eugene Tausick, Demo-
crat had triumphed by a good major
ity over w. P. Mexican, president of
the local Taft club, in the mayoralty
contest, was about the most pleasing
news of the day to Mr.. Bryan, who re-
garded it as an augury of what will
happen all over the country.
The visit of Representative Ollie
James of Kentucky and John e. Lamb
of Indiana, late in the afternoon, gave
rise to further gossip regarding the
craftsmanship of the national commit
tee. Nothing was given out bearing on
the business which brought them here,
but it is known that Mr.. James came
at the special invitation of Mr.. Bryan.
and that the question of the national
craftsmanship was discussed.
A prominent western Democrat, who
accompanied Mr.. James from Denver
to Lincoln, is authority for the state
ment that Mr.. Bryan strongly favors
Mr. James for national chairman. He
added the appointment, as a matter of
fact, had been rendered to Mr. James,
who in all probability will accept, al
though he prefers to take the stump in
Mr.. Bryan's behalf.
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-07-17
B0NI WANTS CHILDREN;
ALSO 100000 ANNUALLY

O PARIS, July 16.-The principal
@ ground set forth by Count BOni in his :
@ suit to gain possession of his chill
@ dren Is that the past record Of the
@ Prince de Sagan marks him as un-
O worthy to be in close relationship to
@ the children.
@ The conduct of the princess In trav-
g cling with the prince prior to the
@ marriage of the pair also is involved.
@ If allowed to remain with the Sagans
@ the summons declares the children
o would be brought up to dislike their
@ father.
@ As a cOrOllary the count asks the
@ court to order the mother of the chill
@ dren to contribute $4,000 annually
@ toward the maintainance Of each child
@ NJ. Chard, attorney for the Princess
@ de Sagan, had this comment to makei
@ Count BOni's modest request for $780,
o 900 a year is a sufficient commentary
@ upon this suit"
o NJ. Chard anticipated long legal
o fight, but he Is convinced that the
@ princess will win. AS much time will
8 be required to prepare the case 1t pos
o sibly will not be argued before the fall
@ term of court.
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-07-17
"CAP" ANS0N'S BILLIARD
HALL IN RECEIVERS HANDS
Retired Baseball Player in Financial
Straits and Liabilities Are Al
legged to Greatly Exceed
Assets

CHICAGO, July 16.-Adrian c. An
son, former captain of the Chicago
National league baseball club, was de-
fendant yesterday in proceedings be-
fore Judge Lands, which resulted in
the appointment of receiver for An
sons billiard and bowling alley place
here.
The bankruptcy proceedings followed
closely the beginning of suit against
Arson ON behalf of Mrs. Charles P.
Taft of Cincinnati, sister-in-law of the
Republican presidential nominee Mrs.
Taft alleged that Anson owed her $6500
for rent of the premises where he has
been conducting his billiard hall.
Schedules of accounts due amount to
about $4,000 and We're filed by the
petitioning creditors They averred
that the assets available for the Iiuui-
dation of these debts total between
$1,000 and $S000
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-07-17
LOS ANGELES ELKS MARCH
IN BIG PARADE AT DALLAS

DALLAS, Texas, July 16.-Garbed in
costumes both unique and typical of
the different sections of the country
they represented the various delega-
tions attending the annual reunion of
the Elks marched in review today be-
fore a throng of cheering onlookers.
New York lodge No. L, the pioneer
lodge of the organization, marched be-
hind a blood red banner and Los An
geles, which city was chosen as the
next place of meeting, in spotless
white followed, and in turn the various
other delegations, each with some
original feature, and the bands, some
forty in number.
Behind banner borne by two burros
w. A. Ritz of Walla Walla, Wash.
marched with hat more than yard
wide and in height of proportion
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-07-17
ANTI-IMPERIALIST LEAGUE
OFFERS REBUKE TO TAFT

1 BOSTON, July 16.-The executive &
@ committee of the Anti-Imperialist (.
8 league issued statement today recon- Z
q mending that friends of the league (.
q withhold their votes from William III. {
8 Taft for president and support w. j. &
8 Bryan. The statement says: (
q "ThOugh other ways of opposing tho Z
q attitude Of Mr.. Taft may be welcomed, Z
q 1t is obvious that direct support of Mr.. z
q Bryan Is an effective means of rebuIx- z
8 ing imperialism, because of his SINGER z
8 ity and his earnest purpose to secure z
c$ to the FillpinOs their independence and Z
SS because he stands upon platform &
<3 which meets upon this vital Issue our z
c1 unqualified approval &
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-07-17
MRS. EDDY CELEBRATES
EIGHTY-SEVENTH BIRTHDAY

NEWTON, Mass, July 16.--Mrs.
Mary Baker G. Eddy, founder and
head of the Christian Science church,
today reached her S7th year, but be-
yond congratulations from members of
the household and officials of the
church, there was no observance of the
event.
Mrs. EQdy is reported in good health
and maintains the same routine which
governed her life at Concord, n. H..
during the past several years.
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-07-17
ALLEGED REvOLUTIONISTS
PROMPTLY BOUND OVER

Ell PASO. Texas, July 16.-United
States Commissioner Oliver this after
noon, at the close of the preliminary
hearing of four alleged Mexican revo-
lutionists, hound them over to the fed
eral grand jury.
The four are Preciliano Silva, Jose
Ramirez, Benjamin Silva and Leocar-
dio Trevino, and were renanded to jail
under failure to furnish bonds.
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-07-17
ASKS JAPAN TO RESTRICT
IMPORTATION OF OPIUM

PEKIN, July 16.-China has asked
Japan to consent to sthe restriction of
the importation to China of morphine
as well as the instruments used for the
injection of the drug. All the other
powers long since agreed to this re-
striction. 1t is highly desirable that
Japan consent to this proposal, particu-
larly in view of the opium congress to
be held in Shanghai in January. when
measures for the control of the opium
traffic are to be devised.
If Japan does not consent China is
helpless to restrict the importation.
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-07-17
PRESIDENTS OF
RAILROADS SEE
TROUBLE AHEAD
HIGHER RATES LIKELY TO BE
DISASTROUS
HEAVY SHIPPERS SHOW oPPo-
SITlON
Maqnates of Eastern and Western
Lines May Decide to Cut
Wages of Thousands
of Employees
By Associated Press.

By Associated Press
NEW YORK, July ia conference
of railroad presidents extended through
long morning and afternoon sessions
today at the offices of the Trunk Line
association here on the subject of the
proposed raising of freight rates.
Considerable divergence of opinion
appeared in the discussion as to the
policy of raising the scheduled rates
at the present time, owing to the dull
ness of trade and the opposition that
has been already displayed on the part
of shippers to the proposed increase.
On the one hand, it was argued, the
necessities of the railroads were urgent,
and while strict economies are being
practiced in working expenses, reduc-
ton of wages on large scale has not
been resorted to.
On the other hand the effect of
raising the rates before any marked
improvement in general freight traffic
has set in may be to retard the flow
of rising business that is expected with
the fall
This consideration appeals more
strongly to the eastern lines than to
the western, which can rely on the
usual shipments of fruit and grain.
It was reported that officers of the
Pennsylvania, who had hitherto ad-
Vocated an early raising of the sched-
uled rates, have now changed their
opinion in the matter. and together
with the Lackawanna, Reading and Le-
high Valley are opposed to an imme-
diate advance, and in this attitude
We're decidedly at variance with the
policy advocated by Mr.. Hartman and
the lines allied with him.
The discussion brought out very
clearly the fact that difference of
opinion exists among the railroad
authorities themselves on the question
whether rates shall be increased or not.
The matter of reduction of wages was
not discussed by the conference.
At the close of the conference a
statement was given out by Mr.. Nc
Kain. secretary of the association, that
no definite conclusion was reached.
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-07-17
MATTHIAS MEYER, BANKER,
DIES AT SAN FRANCISCO

SAN FRANCISCO, July 16.-Mathias
Meyer, banker and financler, "a years
old, a resident of San Francisco since
1864, died after an Illness extending
over a year at his home, 1888 Geary
street, today. Since coming to this city
from the northern part of the state he
was actively identified with the bank
brother
The exact value of his estate is not
known, but Meyer was classed among
the big rich men of California. He was
born in Bavaria, and when a young
man came to California.
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-07-17
DISCOVER PLOT TO BLOW
UP A TENEMENT HOUSE

SAN DIEGO, July 16.-The police this
morning discovered three nitro-gylcer-
inc bombs under a tenement house
where resided number of Greek and
italian workmen.
The bombs were crude affairs and
apparently homemade. They were
laid and the fuse and caps were ready
when an officer appeared. A man
started from the place on a run, and
his actions compelled an investigation,
which resulted as above.
The police are of the opinion that
some labor trouble is responsible for
the attempt to blow UP the house.
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-07-17
LAUNCH FOUNDERS;
TWENTY-FIVE DROWN
By Associated Press.


MANILA, July ia pleasure
launch bound from Manila to Corre-
gidor island and carrying about seven
ty-five passengers was caught in a ty-
phoon at noon today and foundered.
1t is believed twenty-five of the pas
sengers, including three Americans,
were drowned.
The others, numbering about fifty,
were picked up by the British steamer
Suveric, which was passing close to
the launch when it foundered
The Suveric lowered boats immedi-
ately and these, together with boats
from other craft that came to the
rescue, picked up the fifty passengers
with much difficulty.
1t is reported an army surgeon is
among the lost. Details of the disaster
have not yet reached Manila.
Corregidor island is at the entrance
of Manila bay, some thirty miles dis
tant from the city.
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-07-17
$5OO,OOO INVOLVED IN
SUIT AGAINST A.O.U.W.
BY Associated Press.

BY Associated Press.
DES MONIES, Iowa, July 16.-Illegal
transactions, shady business deals and
violation of trusts were charged
against the supreme lodge of the A. o.
U. w. by the grand lodge of Wisconsin
in a law suit Involving 100000, filed in
the district court here yesterday.
A representative of the Fidelity Trust
company, of the grand lodge of Wis
consin, filed the petition. which charges
that the supreme lodge has failed to
pay claims of $68,966, and that 1t has
also made away with a guarantee fund
amounting to $427,973.
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-07-17
MURDER MYSTERY IS
DIFFICULT TO SOLVE
Tragedy at Dover In Which Aged Man
Was Killed Arouses the En-
tire Delaware Penn-
suIa
By Associated Press.

By Associated Press
DOVER, Del, July 16.-The supposed
murderer of William Williams, the
60-year-old farmer who lived near
the Maryland state line and who was
about to marry Elizabeth Walls, 13-
year-old girl, has aroused the entire
Delaware peninsula. The authorities
are sparing no efforts to reach a So
luton of the mystery. The body of
williams was buried today.
The evidence of the coronor's physi-
clan before the coroner's jury disproved
the suicide theory, and he said death
was due to blood clots on the brain,
the result of a heavy blow on the
head.
Members of the family are very reti-
cent regarding the tragedy.
In searching for clues the Delaware
and Maryland authorities have discov-
cred that both the Walls and Williams
families were opposed to the marriage.
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-07-17
FIRST CALIFORNIA GRAPES
OF SEASON GO TO CHICAGO

FRESNO, July 16.-The first car
load of grapes for the east was shipped
from Reedley this morning for Chi
cago by the Pioneer Fruit company.
1t consists of seedless Thompsons of a
fine variety. A fancy price is expected
for the goods The eastern markets
are reported to be improving.
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-07-17
AMERICAN MARINES
READY FOR SERVICE

PANAMA, July 16.-Lieut. Com
mander Cole, commander of the Ameri-
can marines now here, today received
orders from Washington to have 100
marines ready for immediate field ser
vice.
1t is believed they will be Immediately
dispatched to Honduras on the u. S. S.
Des Moines, which is expected at Colon
any moment The cruiser Albany,
which left on Sunday, carried 100 ma
rines, destined for Amapala.