davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-01-11
Opium QUEEN IS
Seized By POLICE
Woman Taken From
Her State Room as
the Vessel Docks in
New York To-day
GUIDING GENIUS
OF SMUGGLERS
Wife of Chinaman Is Charged With
Being American Agent of Group of
Opium Smugglers With Its Head
quarters in Liverpool
By Associated Press.

New York, Jan. 11.-Mrs. Sophia
Ghee, known to the police as "the
opium queen was taken from her
state room on the steamer Philadelphia,
when the vessel docked here to-day, and
placed under arrest as the guiding
genius of a band of alleged opium
smugglers of whom eleven men had
previously been locked up in New York,
Chicago and San Francisco. The war
rant under which she was arres
charges conspiracy to smuggle opium
into the United States.
Mrs. Ghee is of English birth and
Austrian parentage and the wife of
Chow Ghee, a Chinese living in Liver
pool. She sailed from New York on De-
cember 29, for Liverpool. A day later
evidence was found upon which the
warrant was issued. The federal au-
thorities notified Scotland Yard and
when Mrs. Ghee reached Liverpool she
was sent back to this city on the
technical grounds that she was an un-
desirable alien.
Edwin NJ. Stanton, Assistant United
States District Attorney, who arrested
her said she was charged with being
the American agent of group of
opium smugglers with its headquarters
in Liverpool and that the government
was prepared to prove that she was
responsible for the distribution of $685.
600 worth of opium throughout the
United States.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-01-11
1915 AUTO TAGS NET 1888. 1O3
Left to the Police Whether to Arrest
Persons Who Delay Getting Them

1t rests with the city police authori-
ties whether those persons who have
not vet been supplied with State auto.
mobile licenses and tags shall be halted
and placed under arrest, according to
statements made at the Capitol to-day
The Auto License Bureau of the State
Highway Department has been working
night and day to meet all applications
and has cleaned its work up to date.
Inquiry was made as to whether, in
the event of the license not being re.
eeived an auto owner could use the old
tag pending the arrival of new one
and all such inquiries have been re.
ferred to the police authorities. 1t is
thought that an extension of ten days
will be granted in most cities.
Up to date there have been granted
45,319 permits for pneumatic tired
autos; 1866 for solid tires; 21 trac.
tors; so trailers; LASS motorcycles
14,067 drivers; 2,219 dealers: S.S7S
operators and 50 transfers. There has
been collected and paid into the State
Treasury $5SS,103, all of which will
be applied to the good road fund.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-01-11
76 Large P a c k in G
Cases. Filling 2 Cars,
Contain Products of
Penna. Steel Co.
HATCHETS THAT
CUT INTO IRON
Racks, Such as Are Used in Panama
Canal Are Among Features to Ap-
pear in Local Plant Booth at Big
Exposition

One hundred and seventy-six large
packing cases, which fill two large
freight cars, contain the material to be
used by the Pennsylvania Steel Com
pany, of Steelton, in making an ex,
hibition of its products at the Panama.
Pacific Exposition, and are now speed
ing across the continent to San Fran
cisco.
This exhibit, in connection with
that to be made by the Maryland Steel
and the Cambria Steel Companies, will
be housed in block 10 of the Transpor-
tation Building, which consists of two
long wings, and forms part of the
square facing the Court Of Honor. The
local company and the Maryland Steel
Company will utilize a floor space of
1,772 square feet, while the Cambria 3
allotment of room consists of 672
square feet.
William Henderson. assistant super.
intendent of the frog shop of the Steel
ton plant of the Pennsylvania Steel
Company, had charge of planning the
exhibit, which will consist of prac.
tically everything manufactured at the
big plant, either in samples or photo
graphs exquisitely mounted in hand
some red Russian leather albums. Hun.
dreds of photographs have been taken
and mounted. After being numbered
they will be shipped to San Francisco.
OF the finished products of the local
company to be used in the show are
the following: Design III, Mannard
Continued ON Ninth Pare
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-01-11
MORE ALMSHOUSE DIPHTHERIA
One of the Nurses Now Stricken
Grand Jury's Visit Banned

-Four new cases of diphtheria, max
ing seven in all, including one fatality,
have developed at the Dauphin county
almshouse and the institution has been
placed under strict quarantine. Only
Steward Barber, who is following the
health parole rules, is allowed to leave
the institution. Women will not be ad-
mitted to the home and the fact that
the patients have not come in contact
with the male department is respon-
sible for ban not being placed on the
admittance of men to the home.
The authorities do not fear an ep-
idemic of the disease among the 234
inmates, although they are taking every
precaution to prevent such a condition
and to-day issued an order prohibiting
the Grand Jury, now sitting at the Jan
uary quarter sessions court, from max
ing the regular quarterly inspection
next Saturday.
Miss Beulah Weaver, one of the
almshouse nurses, has fallen a victim
to the disease. The other three new
patients are inmates. Children of
Charles Seibert, of Royalton. we're
found to be suffering from the disease
a day or so after constables found them
half clothed and sent them to the aims
house.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-01-11
Germans Get TRENCHES
IN France AND iNFLICT
HEAVY LOSSES ON Allies

Berlin, By Wireless to London, Jan.
II, 3.15 p. M.-Recounting the pro-
gress of the war the daily official state.
ment issued by the German army head
quarters announces that to-day in IN
engagement near Perthes, on the center
of the battle line in France, the Ger
mans have recaptured the parts of some
trenches which had been stormed by
the French and that the Germans in
flicted heavy losses on their opponents.
German successes are claimed in the
Argonne region and the statement also
reports that French attacks at LaBois-
selle and at point north of scissors
were repulsed. Unfavorable weather
continues to hinder the military opera
tions in Russian Poland though the
Germans claim to be making progress
slowly in the direction of Warsaw. The
text of the communication follows:
''In the western theatre: At Nieu-
port and at Ypres and south the only
artillery combats have taken place. A
French attack at LaBoisselle, to the
"North of Soissons the French, who
had established themselves in small
section of our outer trenches, attacked
afresh but so far they have gained no
successes. The battle continues. In
the neighborhood of Soupir (east of
Vailly) no fighting has taken place dur
ing the last few days.
''To the east of Perthes our troops
have reeaptured the portion of our
trenches which the enemy had taken
In this engagement, heavy losses were
inflicted ON the French. In the Argonne
forest our attacks have made further
progress. In Upper Alsace the situa-
tion is tranquil.
Gin the eastern war arena: In East
Prussia and in North Poland, the situa
tion remains the same. On account of
unfavorable weather our attacks in Pc.
land, to the west of the Vistula river,
are making slow progress
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-01-11
CHIEFIS The B'WANO TuMDO
Hutchison Dispatches 'Possum With
One Shot After Coppers Fail
to Bag Animal s..5.s =.

Chief of Police Hutchison is the
champion possum hunter on the Har-
risburg police force. His men having
tried repeatedly to land one which was
feasting on the chickens in the coop of
Augustus Beck, Boas and Myrtle
streets, the chief decided to try his
hand
For seventeen years the chief has
qualified as a marksman in the National
Guard and now that he is a colonel he
has not fallen away any in his mark
manship, so what chance had the poor
little 'possum when the Colonel decided
to 90 huntingl
The 'possum did not know what
mighty hunter was on its trail yester-
day morning and continued to MUNICH a
stolen foul, all unmindful of the bead
the 'wano Tumbo of Harrisburg was
taking on him. The end was quick and
painless, one shot from a shiny thirty
eight directed by the steady hand of
the Colonel of Eighth, dispatched the
marauder to 'possum heaven.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-01-11
Late WAR news SUMMARY
n. I. Herald

Official accounts of the fighting i'll
the west from Berlin and Paris to-day
show that comparative calm prevails
except at few points Even in upper
Alsace and in the Argonne, where there
have been violent encounters, recently,
activity has slackened. Near Soissons
and in the vicinity of Perthes, however,
spirited engagements are in progress. .
The German War Office admits that
the French have captured trenches
north of Scissors, toward the western
end of the battle line, but states that
further onslaughts were repulsed. The
French announcement says two more
lines of trenches covering 500 yards
of the front, have been occupied There
is similar disparity of statements con-
corning the progress of the fighting
near Perthes, which has assumed i'm
portance because the prize at stake is
control of railroads of high strategic
value. The French communication
states that 200 yards of German
trenches were seized while the German
authorities say that positions won by
their opponents were retaken.
Although further progress is being
made in the advance toward Warsaw
to the west, according to the German
announcement, the movement is slow
on account of bad weather. London
suggests that the inactivity of the al.
Continued on Ninth Page.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-01-11
Continued ON Ninth Page.
SEARCH FOR HARRISBURGER
Say Man Who Dynamited York House
Resided in This City

Policemen of three counties were en-
gagged to-day in search for King
Brown, said to be a resident of Harris
burg, who is wanted in York charged
with dynamiting a two and half story
house in the east end of that city
about / O'Clock this morning. Eleven
negroes of the family of G. w. Wood
were in the house which was literally
ripped to pieces, but all miraculously
escaped with but slight hurts.
Brown Is latest address furnished to
.the chief of police of York is 142
South street, Harrisburg. His wife, who
made her home with Wood, said that
her husband threatened to blow her to
pieces because she would not live with
him. The local police have been fur
nished with his description and are
making search throughout the city.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-01-11
MRS. BOGERS TO BE INDICTED
Case of Woman Who Killed Children
to Go Before Grand Jury
BY Associated Press.

New York, Jan. 11.-District Attor-
ney Francis Martin, of Bronx county,
announced last night that he will go be-
fore the Grand Jury to-day with de-
mand for Indictment OF murder against
Mrs. Ida Sniffen Walters, who called
herself Mrs. Rogers, after leaving her
husband for Lorlys Elton Rogers, the
Park Row lawyer, and who gave poison
to their S-monthold daughter, Lorida,
and their two-and-a- -half-year- son,
John.
Mrs. Walters is confined in private
room in Lebanon hospital, where she is
held pending complete recovery from
the poison she swallowed after giving
doses of it to her babies.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-01-11
Chief REPORTS several
DISORDERLY HOUSES here
Hutchison Says He Is Investigating
Them-Lquor Sold in Clubs on
Sundays, He Declares-Licensed
Saloons Observe the Sunday Laws

Declaring he has information show
ing the existence of several disorderly
houses in the city and that he now is
conducting an inquiry regarding them
Joseph B. Hutchison, Chief of Police.
in his quarterly report to the court.
filed this morning, announced that he
will expose the owners and lessees of
these houses at the March term of crim-
inal sessions.
The Chief refers to the houses as
"places where couples can get rooms
without question. He further report
ed that a number of hotels have "side
rooms where women are permitted to
gather and obtain liquor and, he added,
"this practice will tend to draw dis
reputable females and sooner or later
will put such hotels in the class of
disorderly houses.
Continuing, the Chief said that clubs
furnish liquor to their members on
Sunday, that liquor is furnished to vot-
ers on election days, but that those re-
eeiving it will not testify. He added:
81 believe the licensed saloonkeepers
all observe the Sunday laws"
George w. Charters, constable of the
Second ward, complained in report to
the court that the contractors con
strueting the subway at Second and
Mulberry streets have not provided a
foot path at the point of the improve
ment, compelling pedestrians to walk
in roundabout way.
The Graft constable reported that a
road one mile west of Gratz is not pass
able and its width is not sufficient to
permit one team to pass another.
The road between Oberlin and At
ticks avenue, in Swatara township, is
in "bad shape so the township con-
stable reported
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-01-11
SENATOR'S TEMPERATURE 1O4
Beidleman's Condition Causes Alarm
Precautions to Prevent Relapse

The condition of Senator h. Il.
Beidleman, of this city, who is suffer
ing from severe attack of grip, was
reported this morning to be slightly
improved. Hard work he did at the
opening sessions of the Legislature re-
suited in his developing a severe cold
and the grip attack followed, but moth
ing serious was anticipated until yes
terday when a high fever set in and
his temperature went up to 104, alarm
ing those in attendance. His ply
sicians have ordered him to remain in
bed until there is absolutely no danger
of a relapse.
Senator Beidleman is chairman of
the Legislature committee arranging
for the inauguration of DR., Brumbaugh
as Governor on January 10, but he had
matters so well in hand before being
taken i'll that the arrangements are be-
ing worked out satisfactorily.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-01-11
FORCE BAG" MAN ACCUSED
Seiferd, Who Figured in Will Fight
Charged With Fortune Telling

On criminal charge of practieing
fortune telling and clairviancy Harrison
Seiferd, 1901 South Cameron street. al.
legged to be spiritualist, to-day was
heard by Alderman Murray.
The suit is being prosecuted by
James g. Hatz, an attorney, who, in a
civil action, is representing certain of
the heirs of the late Martha Adams who
charged the defendant with having in.
duced Mrs. Adams to give him the
bulk of her estate. During recent
argument regarding Mrs. Adams will,
before Register Danner, witnesses said
that Seiferd sold "force bags,'' for
which he claimed mysterious powers.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-01-11
Pair Accused of Trying
to Defra a u d Banks
Will Make Vigorous
Defense Tomorrow
MERCER SAID TO
HAVE A RECORD
New York Detective Asserts He Is Man
Who Got Thousands by "Ambu-
lance Chasing Known to District
Attorney Jerome

No case scheduled for trial in the
Dauphin county court this week has at
tracted more outside attention than
that of H. r. Mercer and Fred Le-
Brun, accused of false pretenSe. who
will be called tomorrow to face charges
brought by the Harrisburg police de-
partment,
The prosecution has gone to excep-
tional lengths in an endeavor to es-
tablish an unbroken chain of evidence
around the men who, the police say,
are as clever as any defendants who
have ever been taken into custody
here. A witness from Jacksonville,
Fla, will be placed on the stand City
Detective .1bach, having gone to Jack
sonville to subpoenaed him last Friday
This witness is an official of one of
the two jacksonville banks on which.
the police say, a check for $1,000 was
drawn and later deposited in a Harris
burg bank. This and another similar
check were deposited in Harrisburg
banks on Saturday morning, November
IL. After banking hours ON Saturday
tHeche were uIdNn on lnOSe deposits
by the two men, according to the pO-
lice. AdviceS received from Jackson
vile by the local banks on that day
were to the effect that the $1,000
checks were worthless. This infOrma.
tion was given to the police and later
the men were arrested in the Metropoli-
tan Hotel, where they were stopping.
The defense will seek to prove. it
was learned to-day, that the checks
were deposited in good faith, the men
not knowing that they were worthless.
Two checks had been passed on Harris
burg merchants before the men were
arrested, according to the police. Both
men were subsequently held under So
600 bail by Mayor Royal They were
unable to obtain that amount of bail
and have since been in the Dauphin
county Jail awaiting trial.
Look Into Mercer's History
Mercer, VINO gave his home as Will
mington, Del, has been active in his
own behalf since he has been in Jail,
while his companion, LeBrun, native
Frenchmau, on the contrary. has been
mOrose and uncommunicative A de-
tainer and bench warrant charging
grand larceny have been forwarded
Continued on Fifth Page.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-01-11
Increasing Indications
of Her Early Partici-
patton in the Great
European War
DIFFICULTIES
ARE OVERCOME
Requisite Supplies for the Equipment
and Provisioning of the Rumanian
Army Have Been Forwarded to
That Country by the Allies
By Associated Press.

London, Jan. IL. 1.27 p. M.-There
are increasing indications of the early
participation of Rumania in the war,
thus bringing into play another party to
the combination against the Teutonlc
powers contemplated by Great Britain,
France and Russia.
Difficulties confronted the allies in
the earlier stages of the war in furnish
ing munitions, equipment and other ne
cessities of war beyond those required
for their own immediate needs. These
difficulties now have been surmounted,
and the obstacle which hitherto has
blocked full Rumanian mobilization has
been removed with the arrival in that
country of the requisite supplies for
tie equipment and provisioning of the
100000 men which she is able to put
into the field. Arrangements have been
completed also for the financing of
these operations.
Lack of Stirring Battles
The lack of stirring battles at the
present stage is attributed by British
commentators largely to the determi-
nation of the allied commanders to con-
tent themselves with holding their pres
ent positions until the projected ring
of armies is considered sufficiently
strong to strike blow which they hope
will prove decisive.
The British idea that operations up
to the present are only preparatory TO
big events fits in with bit of gossip
now heard here. 1t is to the effect that
Lord Kitchener, when asked concerning
the probable duration of the war said:
81 don t know when it will end, but
do know when it will begin, and that
is in the month of May"
Real Crisis Next Summer
The opinion is expressed in some
quarters. however, that the Inaugural
ton of more general movements will
be on an earlier date than is generally
expected, although persons in close
tough with the army believe that the
real crisis will not be reached Until
summer.
Russia is still sending enormous
CONTINUED ON Fifth Page.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-01-11
HEAVY LOSSES REPORTED
IN EAST AFRICAN BATTLE

Berlin, Jan. 1.-THE official press
bureau publishes the following:
"The Morgen Post prints details
of recent British attack on Tanga,
German East Africa, which apparently
emanated from the German Colonial Of
fee. The first landing of 5000 British
and Hindus was repulsed\ by the Ger
mans, who numbered about 200, the
British losing 5000 killed or wounded.
The British attacked the next day with
reinforcements, but again were defeat
ed with a loss of 5000. They then re-
embarked and sailed for Mombasa'
Tanga is a seaport town of 5000
population, of whom 100 are Euro
peans. 1t is starting point for cara
vans to the interior of German East
Africa.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-01-11
FIRE AT JOHANNESBURG
Blaze Does $4OO Damage in Home of
DR.. Dougherty

Especial to the Star Independent
Mechanicsburg, Pa, Jan. 11.-Fire
starting near the furnace in the cellar
in the home of DR.. NJ. NJ. Dougherty,
Keller and Frederick streets, at 1
o'clock this afternoon did considerable
damage to the lower part of the house
before the firemen subdued it. Smoke
going through the upper floors of the
dwelling added to the damage, which
may reach $400.
The blaze was confined to the cellar
DR.. Dougherty was nominated last week
by President Wilson as postmaster for
Mechanicsburg.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-01-11
Huntingdon. His Home
Town. Will Send Big
Marching Delegation
to Inaugural Parade
THE INVITATIONS
BEING MAILED
$4,000 of Them Are Going Out From
Here to All Parts of the State
Six Big Political Clubs Have An
nounced They VIII Be in Line.

High silk hats and black dress uni
forms, gorgeous club badges, yellow
canes and buff gloves will be very much
in evidence when the political clubs
that have signitied their intention of
participating in the parade get into line
here on Inauguration day, January 10.
The committee on arrangements has
thus far heard from six large political
organizations that desire places in the
line, and there will be more to report
between now and next Saturday, or pos
sibly Monday, when the official pro.
gram, including the formation of the
procession and the line of march, will
be given out.
Philadelphia will send two, or pos
sibly three clubs; Harrisburg will have
| two, West Chester one and HuntIngdon
one, but Pittsburgh, Reading, Wilkes
Barre, Scranton and Lancaster are yet
to be heard from and will very likely
be represented by political marching or
CARNATIONS.
The South Philadelphia Brumbaugh
Club will number 500 members and will
be marshaled by Congressman William
S. Ware. In its ranks, which will be
| headed by two bands of music, will be a
number of political leaders of South
Philadelphia, as we'll as State and city
officials who owe their political exist
ence to the Wares.
The North Philadelphia Brumbaugh
Club will be marshaled by David II.
Lane, Republican city chairman and one
of the political veterans of the State.
With him will march Senator McNichol
and number of State and city officials,
as we'll as numerous prominent ward
leaders. This club will also have two
bands of music.
Plans OF Harrisburg Clubs
The Harrisburg Republican Club will
be headed by President Edward NJ.
Householder, the marshal yet to be Sc
lected. The West End Republican
Club will be headed by President Harrie
A. Douglas, and will select a marshal
at this week s meeting
The West Chester Republican Club
will be accompanied by baud of forty
pieces and pioneer corps of fifty men.
1t will be marshaled by T. Larry Eyre,
former Superintendent of Public
Grounds and Buildings.
The Huntingdon club will be com
Continued on sixth Page.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-01-11
Major Hart Again a Director

The Great Southern Lumber Com,
pany, concern which has offices in
this city and in which Harrisburg capi.
tai is invested but which operates in
Louisiana and Mississippi, this morning
reelected all the old directors, one of
whom is Major Lane s. Hart, of Har.
risburg. g. NJ. Whitney, of this city
is secretary of the company. The late
Congressman Marlin E. Olmsted, it is
understood, was largely interested in
the corporation.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-01-11
VILLA Attacks monterey?
Believed to Have Begun at Noon To.
day After Operators Desert Tele-
graph Office in That City
By Associated Press.

Laredo, Tex, Jan. 11.-An attack
by Villa troops upon Monterey is be-
lieved to have begun about noon to-
day. At II O'Clock the operators at
Monterey deserted the telegraph office
there.
Since the defeat of the constitution
alists numbering $4,000 under General
Villareal before Saltillo early yester-
day, Villa troors have been reported to
be making rapid advance toward
Monterey.