davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-07
EARTH SHOCKS CONTINUE
MESSINA CEMETERY DESTROY
ED-CITY HALL BURNED.
Impossibility of Rebuilding City on
Old Site is Now Recognized.
Burial of the Dead.
Special Cablegram to The Star.

Special Csblegram TO The Star.
ROME, January "A further earth
quake shock has destroyed the cemetery
at Messina, which, with its orange groves
and magnificent monuments. was one of
the most beautiful in Italy.
Shocks are still continuing at the rate
of about ten per hour. Fire also has
again broken out, completing the destruc-
ton Of the city hall and the records stored
therein.
The only news arriving here now from
Messina is from official sources. The
evacuation of the city is now almost COM
plete. and nobody is allowed to enter. Or
ders have been given to hasten. at any
cost. the work of burying the dead
Eight long pits for the reception of the
bodies are dug daily. one in each zone.
Soldiers are doing the interment, and it
! ia hoped they will be able to bury at
least one thousand corpses daily, other
wise even the troops will be forced to
evacuate the city. in consequence of the
| stencil.
The newspaper correspondents who are
| returning from Messna show signs Of
the privations they suffered. They de-
! scribe the ruined city as an uninhabited
| cnarnal mouse, where II is lunpOSSlple u
even buy "a piece of bread without an
order. signed by the military commander
The impossibility of rebuilding the
! city on the same site is now recog-
nized, and another site will have to be
| found if it is to be rebuilt.
So far the relief contributions cabled
from the United States amount to
$780,
! A party OF men under the direction OF
| Mai. Lands, the American military at
tache at Rome. has been working for
four days to extricate the bodies Of A.
s. Cheney and his wife from the ruins
! Of the American consulate at Messina.
The apartment Of the CheneyS has not
yet been uncovered, and many feet OF
| wreckage still remain to be removed.
Bayard Cutting, jr.. Winthrop ChanleI
| and Stuart K. Lupton American consular
| representatives, are making every effor,
to trace Americans supposed to have beer
| in the earthquake zone at the time Of the
disaster, but so far without success
The policy OF clearing Messina was in
augurated yesterday with the refusal OF
the authorities to furnish people. with
food unless they agreed to embark fol
transportation elsewhere.
This has been done to discourage peas
ants coming from the mountains to take
advantage of the free distribution of ra
tons.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-07
oPEN-AIR TREATMENT o. K.
Two Cold-Proof Babes Thrive Under
UNIQUE Conditions.

CHICAGO. January There are two
cold-proof babies in Chicago who are en-
joying a drop in temperature which has
brought discomfort and suffering to the
rest of the population. One is at lead
ing hotel, into which she was carried.
minus shoes and stockings. by her father,
Thomas Robertson of Houghton, Mich.
Mr. Robertson said they were on their
way to the south and that his baby
daughter was being treated for compli-
cation of diseases, q part of the remedy
being bare legs and feet. He said the
treatment was proving successful and the
healthy face of the sleeping child in his
arms bore evidence that she was resting
comfortably.
The other baby is child of Thomas
Fitzpatrick, a policeman. A year ago it
was puny and the parents thought they
would not be able to raise it. On the adj
vice of Health Commissioner Evans the
baby was given its afternoon sleep in the
open air This has been kept up. summer
and winter and the child Is now one of
the heaIthiest in the city.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-07
INTEREST AT THE CAPITOL.
House District Committee May
Soon Take Up Gas Question.

The House District committee at it's reg
ular weekly meeting today discussed
more or less informally the reported pres
ence in large quantities of that deadly
gas carbon monoXide in the Illuminating
gas supply Of the District of Columbia.
There was no quorum at the time, and so
the committee could not have taken any
action even if it had desired. An nf1uen-
tial member of the committee told a Star
reporter this afternoon that every MEM
Der Of the committee was deeply inter-
ested i'm the subject, and that If investi-
cation showed that the analysis in ques-
ton, showing 10 or 80 per cent of carbon
monoxide in the product of the local gas
companies. was correct, he would intro
duce bill to correct the evil. A special
meeting of the committee may be called
to consider the matter.
The report transmitted to Congress by
the President will be found elsewhere
I'm The Star.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-07
Long Marital |nfeIicity
Ended in Grim Tragedy

Capt j. Clayton Erb, who was con-
fidential secretary to Israel w. Durhahi'
Il former political boss of Philadelphia
and who was himself leader In Philadei-
phia political circles. was shot and IN
stantly killed at his home, Red Gables, at
Glen Riddle several miles from Phila-
,elphia. shortly before o'clock on the
night of October 6.
Only Mrs Erb and Mrs. Beisel wit
messed the killing, although the servants
were in the house. 1t was one OF the lat
Ter who ran to the home of DIR. Cullbac:
q short distance away, and told MIN VI
the tragedy after Mrs. Erb had told Aef
maid that the captain had been shot:
The doctor hurried over to Red ga
az once and found Erb lying dead in the
upper hall He made no investigation
of the location and character OF the
wounds as he did not wish TO disturb
the body until the coroner had arrived
1t was plain to him that the man had
died instantly.
Sisters Are Arrested.
In the meantime the coachman had
summoned a constable. Following Mrs.
Beiscls admission that she had shot Erb
in defense of her sister, she was arrested
and placed in Jail here. Mrs Erb was ar
rested the next day. She secured bail
early i'm November and was released. .
1t had been known for some time that
the life of the ErbS at Red Gables had
been far from feltcitous. In fact. only
two weeks before the shooting Capt Erb
had charged his wife with an attempt TO
poison him.
Mrs. Erb denied the charge. saying her
husband had mistaken hair tonic for whls-
Ky She retaliated with a charge that he
had set fierce dogs on her. Erb was still
to he heard on this charge at the time OF
his death.
The case attracted the greatest attention
in this part of the state. especially among
the foXhunting element. Mrs. Erb is a
fine horsewoman and has frequently fol-
lowed the hounds.
During the trial the prosecution en-
deavored to show that Mrs. Erb had been
on terms of intimacy with several men,
bers of the hunt club. This form OF at
tack caused CONSERVATION among the hunt
club members who were present. The dis
trict attorney failed to show Mrs. Erb
guilty in this way and abandoned the
quest.
Accusation and Defense.
The theory held by the prosecution was
that Capt Erb's death was the result of
a well laid plot between the two women.
with the idea of securing Erbs property
The defense fought to prove that the
shooting was clearly unprecedented, and
was done wholly in self-defense.
Mrs. Erb's story of the life she had led
at Red Gables was a strange recital OF
continued cruelty and abuse on the part
of her husband. So circumstantial was it
that to many it seemed likely to clear the
women.
OF her husbands shooting Mrs. Erb told
in detail, how he had rushed from his
room as she and her sister came upstairs
and threatened them with revolver. She
ran into the bathroom as Mrs. Beise
rushed at the captain and heard the shots
fired after there had been a struggle.
Mrs. Beisel corroborated this and in
sisted that it was in defense Of her own
and her sisters lives that she shot Erb.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-07
HIS ACCOUNTS SHORT
Alexandria Electric Light Com.
pany Clerk Absconds. !.
HE ADMITTED HIS GUILT
7. c. Roderick Promised to Ask Rel.
atives to Make Good.
TELLS OFFICIALS OF HIS ACT
Not to Be Found When Warrant for
His Arrest Is Ready to Serve.
Had Many Friends.
Special Correspondence of The Star.

Special Correspondence of The Star
ALEXANDRIA, Va, January Z. 1909.
A states warrant for the arrest OF r..
c. Roderick. formerly superintendent Of
the Alexandria Electric Light Company.
charging him with the embezzlement OF
$474,20 belonging to the company. was
sworn out last night by II. j. Makiver.
secretary and treasurer Of the company.
Roderick's home was afterward searched
by the police.
1t is said that Rodrick left the city
about 9 o'clock last night for parts un-
known, and has not been seen since
Lookouts have been sent, and the police
have notified other cities to take him
into custody. If found.
Mr.. Makiver stated to a reporter for
The Star this morning that Roderick's
amount to approximately $500. Mr.
Makiver and several other officials Of the
company had Rodrick at the company's
Office last night. going over tho books
given In the warrant. says Mr.. Makiver.
Promised to Make Good.
When asked what he proposed to do
about the matter, Mr.. Makiver declares.
Roderick said he would see some Of his
relatives and try to make good. His
services as superintendent were then
dispensed with.
Roderick turned over the keys OF the
ONCE to Mr.. Makiver. Roderick was re-
quested to report at the ONCE at O'clock
this morning.
Immediately following the discovery
Of the shortage and Roderick's alleged
admission, Mr.. Makiver says he secured
the warrant
Mr.. Makiver says Roderck contracted
number Of bills in the name OF the
company for which he really had no au
thority. Roderick was not bonded.
Failed to Credit Books.
J. L. Rigby. vice president Of the com.
pany, also said that Roder1ck'e total
shortage with the company will probably
reach $1,000. He added that the money
taken by Roderick was collections fol
lights, and that Roderick had failed &c
credit the collections on the books. II
Is alleged that the money was taken IL
small sums from time to time.
Married and Well Liked.
Roderick is married and HIVES with his
family at sol Duke street. He was ap.
pointed superintendent OF the company
last July. succeeding a Mr.. Darrah. He
came to Alexandria from Holly Oak, Del
Roderick is about thirty-five years old
During his stay in Alexandria he won for
himself many friends.
Following the dismissal OF Roderick tn,
officials of the company appointed Lee s.
Kirby as superintendent. Mr.. Kirby has
been assistant superintendent for some
time past
The Alexandra Electric Company is
owned by a northern syndicate, many OF
whom are from Pennsylvania.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-07
MEMORIAL TO SHAKESPEARE.
Great National Theater to Be Built
by Public Subscription.

LONDON, January London is to
have a national theater as a memorial to
Shakespeare. in which will be enacted
the poets works as we'll as plays by
other English dramatists. living and dead.
This decision is the outcome of extended
deliberations OF a special committee ap-
pointed last spring. when 1t was practi-
cally decided to substitute theater for a
statue as Shakespeare's memorial.
A number of large private subscriptions
have already been promised. and the lord
mayor OF London and the mayors in the
provinces will be asked TO open public
subscriptions. The educational and mu-
nicipal authorities of the kingdom have
been invited to associate themselves with
the project. which has the approval OF
the government.
A site will be selected in the heart OF
London and the theater will be controlled
by a board of trustees chosen from men
prominent In the literature, drama. music
and education of the dav.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-07
RESTORED TO OFFICE.
Persian Liberal Leader Becomes
Minister Of Foreign Affairs,

Mira Diavad Khan. Saaded-doaleh. a
brother of Gen. Morteza Khan, the Per-
sian minister here. has been appointed
minister OF foreign affairs of Persia, ac-
cording 20 cable advices received from
Tehsran at the legation.
II Was saaded-doaleh, who. "a ministe,
OF commerce. prior to the constitutional
regime. was sent into exile on account OF
his liberal ideas. and when the constitution
was proclaimed he was brought back by
The people and elected to lead the liberia
party IN the Persian parliament. This was
followed by his appointment as minister oil
foreign affairs under the new regime. but
because Of disturbances among variou.
parties he resigned.
His reappointment TO office, IL was stat
ed. IL hoped 10 signify that affairs in Per
sia are approaching a favorable crisis ant
that the people may look forward to tn,
restoration of parliament.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-07

PENDANT il his memory was any better
yesterday than on Monday.
Il think. your honor. ] have had
enough of the memory business said
Hams. II have answered to the best OF
my recollection
When the shooting was going on, the
defendant said. he saw only his brother
on the float.
Hams said that his brother was kneei-
were concealed behind the sail OF Annis'
boat.
Did YOU hear any shot fired when he
rose uD?''
No
Then all OF the shots were fred while
he was under the sail?'
"Yes"
Ii has been shown that one Of the shots
went through the sail a foot from the
mast. which Is several feet from where
Annis was sitting when the first shot
was fired.
Hams said that Tonning struck his
brother and the revolver dropped TO the
float He did not see Annis fall in the
water
Hams said that after the shooting and
Roberts had picked up the revolver he
still thought there were undischarxed
shots In the weapon and drew his re-
volver. The witness. who previously had
testified that he had never seen the re
vOlver in his possession until after the
shooting. suddenly added that Mai. Hains
| had similar revolver andu 1t contained
seven shots.
The defendant said that when he drew
his pistol and called for an officer every,
one but his brother and himself had left
the dock. Court then adjourned until
today.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-07
STRANGE SECT LURES GIRLS.
Bunch Calling Themselves Evan
gelists'' Under British Probe.

HALIFAX. n. s., January More
than fifty young girls have been lured
from their homes in the British isles by
members of a small sect calling them
selves "Evangelists, according TO dec
laration made by the overseers of the
poor for the county OF Suffolk. England,
which has just been received here. The
testimony taken in England went to show
that many girls were induced to leave
their homes by promises that their trans
portation TO this city would be paid for
ihe purpose of enabling them to attend a
convention in Halifax some time in
1903"
II was further alleged that the society
existed for the purpose of spiriting girls
away. but for what object was not made
clear in the dispositions.
In all It 10 said fifty young women were
ssnt 70 the United States and number to
this country.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-07

the Jury might have gained wrong
impression from some remarks that
passed between court and jury.
Judge Johnson recounted the testl-
mony and said it was for the jury TO
decide whether Mrs. Beisel TOOK step
toward E,rb after she had pointed the
pistol or before. There was some DIS
cussion among the jurors.
Finally the foreman, Dickinson, asked !:
IF Mrs Beisel had chance TO set
away. was she justified in shooting
Erb?'
The judge replied:
1T is for the jury to say what was
the condition of her mind. If 1t was
necessary for her to shoot to save her
life or herself from great bodily harnl,
or if she thought SO. she had rlgh' "
shoot
The law is that a person must escape
if he can before shooting. 1t is for you
to decide whether Mrs. Beisei had thd'
opportunity
The jury then retired again
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-07
CAPITAL WORM TURNS.
Glass Company Files Damage Suits
AGAINST Labor Union Members.

J-NIONTOWN, Pa, January 7-The
Jeanette Glass Company of Point Marion
has instituted damage suits against ten
of it's employees in Fayette county courts
for alleged violation Of contract in obey
ing the recent strike order OF Preside nj
Faulkner of the Window Glass Workers
Association 1t is stated that the commit.
tee Of the Glass Manufacturers Associa.
ton will meet in Pittsburg January II ia
consider similar action by institutina
damage suits against the organization az
a union and the men as individuals. All
the defendants in the suits filed here ars
property owners.
This is the first move made by the man.
ufacturers to force the hand glassbIowers
to respect their agreement. effective unit
July 81 1t is said the defendants will
receive financial support from the organi
zation.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-07
Explosives Not to Be Bought.

On the recommendation Of Gen. CroZier.
chief of ordnance, Secretary Wright has
covered back into the Treasury 800 600.
the entire amount appropriate
ed by Congress in March. 1901. to enable
the Secretary of War to buy the right to
use the Isham high explosive shell and
the high explosive thorite invented by DR..
Tuttle on the general ground that these
explosives are not suitable for the mill
tary purpose of the government.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-07
PRESIDENT CALLS
FOR EARLY. ACTION
Continued from First Page.)

CONTINUED from First Page.)
which will effectively cover any future
case Of the nature of the one discussed
in the report.
In his message to Congress, which is
short but emphatic, the President says:
81 transmit herewith for the considera-
ton Of the Congress letter from the At
torney General and accompanying papers,
and call particular attention to the copy of
the communication of United States At
torney Baker under date of January ).
The situation in reference to the compost
ton of Illuminating gas furnished in the
District of Columbia is one that would
seem to require immediate action.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT,
The White House,
Lon,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-07
New Franco-American Treaty

PARIS. January THE new Franco
American treaty of extradition has been
signed In this city by Ambassador White
for the United States and Foreign Min
lister Pichon for France. This treaty is
substantially identical with the one nego-
tiated in 1892
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-07

Among the charters granted at Charles
ton. w. Va. since January l were the
Morris Creek Colliery Company. Danwood.
W. Va, capital $4,000 the Chesapeake
OIL and Gas Company. Huntington, capt.
tal 10000: the Equality Oil Company of
surance Company. Hinton, capital SO, 900
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-07

J. S. Yoder of Roanoke, Va, was acauit
ted of the charge of misappropriatinl
about $1,000 of the funds of the Brothog
hood of Locomotive Firemen.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-07
Discrepancy in Testimony.

Now. do you recoilect that on Mon
day you testifie dthat when you turned
away from your brother. you walked
ten or fifteen feet up the dock?''
Hams said he did, and the district
attorney, calling his attention to his
testimony yesterday when he went thirty
or forty feet up. the dock, asked the de-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-07

The White House,
January Z. 1NlA -
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-07
Militia Organizations Coming.


Adj. Gen, Bingham Of Massachusetts
has notified Gen. Johnston. chief of staff
to the grand marshal. that the National
Guard of that state is taking great in
terest in the coming inauguration of Mr..
Taft, and that two regiments. and pos
sibly a provisional regiment, will partic-
ipate in the parade. Gov. Draper will
be present with his staff.
Gov. Stuart of Pennsylvania has given
notice that that state will be represented
in the inaugural parade by a provisional
brigade of three regiments. The governor
and his staff will also be present.
Word has been received from Ohio tina,
the authorities of that state are making
plans to send two regiments of the Ma
tional Guard of that state to Washing
ton at the Inauguration. This representa-
| ton will be I'm addition to Troop A OF
Cleveland. which organization has beer
personally selected by MIR. Taft to act as
| his personal escort,
The Washington herald., 1909-11-17
DRAFTING FOOTBALL BYLAW.
commiusiOner mcfarland Proposes

Commissioner mcfarland Proposes
20 Regulate Game in District.
AS q result Of the many fatal injuries
received IN games OF football this year.
Commissioner 1acfarland yesterday be-
gan the draft Of G. proposed law, which
has for its object the regulation Of the
game 10 prevent serious consequences TO
those who play It.
Although Mr.. Macfarland has had the
matter under consideration for sometime,
matters were preoipitated by the death
Sunday morning Of Archie-Christian from
injuries received during the Virginia.
Georgetown game on Saturday.
Corporation Counsel Thomas was closet
ed with Mr.. Nacfarland for over an hour
yesterday morning. while the subject
was gone over thoroughly. At the con-
clusion or the conference. Mr.. Alacfarland
said:
II am heartily in favor OF regulating
football by law, so as 10 prevent the kill
ing OF those who play Il. II Il cannot
DO so regulated it ought 10 be abolished
! believe the game can be played without
killing or even wounding the players, and
that Il would be far better sport than
& Is to-day. Just how 70 regulate II by
law and whether It requires an act OF
Congress, or can be done BY a regulation
of the Commissioners. under our general
police power granted by Congress to pro-
The Washington herald., 1909-11-17
MEN ARB DEEPLY AFFECTED
Georgetown Squad Touched by Flu.
neral of Archer Christian.
University Il Quiet and Students
Talk of Disseminating Game
Next Year.

The Georgetown University football
team and the members OF the executive
board Of the athletic association, accom-
panied by Rev. Charles Emmett the fac
ulty director OF athletics. who went 70
Richmond out Of sympathy for the Chris
tan family, returned home late last night
All were deeply affected. and said that
the funeral was tho saddest they had
ever attended.
The main topic at Georgetown :, not
the selection Of a coach for next years
football team. but whether or not that
sport shall be continued IN the future.
It would not be at all surprising 10 see
the Blue and Gray school abandon the
sport next year, as many Of the uni
versities are bound 70 do unless the rules
are radically changed. There are many
other outdoor sports which would be
interesting for the spectator and the con-
testant. which are not dangerous 70 life
and limb, and during the winter this mat
ter will DO seriously considered by the
faculty and students
Had Georgetown contemplated finishing
the seasons games. It IS doubtless
whether a football eleven could be mus
tered now. Every one OF the men COM
mend the act of President Carlin, of the
athletic association, IN cancelling the
games that remained out Of respect 10
Archer Christian. and the men wouldn't
have the heart 20 play again. Although
several Of the men have personally eX-
pressed themselves as being done with
the game for good. they would be COM
PEELED TO quit anyway because Of parental
objections. Nearly every member Of the
team residing outside Of the city has
received kilograms from home telling
that he must stop playing football
/ There will be no more games on George
/ town Field this year, and as the preps
have also cancelled their games. the goa
posts will be taken down in n few days
and the dummy figure and the bleachers
moved back TO their accustomed place
/ alongside Of the running track, and IL
another week only. the whlte-marbed field
will remain 20 tell the tale OF a spor
which may have been played for the las
| time at Georgetown.