Newspapers / The Smithfield Herald (Smithfield, … / Feb. 2, 1906, edition 1 / Page 3
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EIGHTEEN KILLED IN CHURCH PANIC Cry of Fire Caused Wild Rush in , Colored Baptist Church. AWFUL JAM IN THE STAIRWAY Philadelphia, Jan. 22.?A wild panic, following a loud shriek of "Fire!" brought death to 18 colored persons end injuries to nearly two-score of others in St Paul's Baptist church, on the west side of Eighth street, near Girard avenue. The terrible rush to gain the street was of brief duration, and that more were not killed in the stampede was probably due to the fact that the church was not crowded. At the time the disaster occurred not more than 300 persons were on the second floor of the building, which, with the gallery, was capable of ac commodating GOO to 700. The Are was a trifling one. and was extinguished before the firemen arrived. The smell of smoke added to the panic, and de spite the heroic work of Rev. E. \V. Johnson, the pastor of the church, who tried in vain to allay the fears of the frightened worshippers, the terror stricken people made a desperate rush to leave the church, only to be choked Up on the narrow stairway. Those in the rear leaped over the prostrate forms of those who fell, and when the rush was over 18 lay dead on the first floor and stairs of the building. Death in nearly every case was due to suf focation or trampling. Woman Shrieked Fire. The disaster occurred while a col lection was being taken up. The pas tor had Just concluded his sermon, the text of which was: "Why sit we here until we die?" Following the col lection. there was to hare been a bap tism of a man and wife. As the pastor was arranging the pulpit preparatory to beginning the baptismal service, a woman in one of the front rows of the left side of the altar gave a loud shriek of fire. Instantly all those about her were on their feet looking for the blaze. There were no flames in sight, but those near the pulpit smelled smoke and started down the aisle toward the pulpit. Then followed a half dozen criee of fire, and the whole congregation instantly became panic stricken. ^The pastor by this time realized the seriousness of the situa tion. and in a loud voice, which only added to the confustion, called to the terror-stricken people to be seated. No one listened, and despite his frantic appeal a rush started that meant death to many that were in it. Awful Jam On Stairway. When the rush started, those in the rear of the church did not fully real ize what was wrong, and were slow to move. The frantic shrieking of the women and children became louder and more general, and many were knocked down in the two aisles of the church. Then came the terrible rush down the stairways. For some unknown reason everybody tried to get down the left ;ilde of the building, compartively few attempting to leave by the right stair way. One eye witness says that per haps a dozen persons got safely down the stairs, when several people tripped and fell and caused the narrow way to become jammed. Several men on the first floor attempted to hold the people bark, but were knocked down, and then the human stream came tum bling down. The weaker ones fell, only to be trampled upon and crushed by those coming from behind. The horrible shrieks sent up by the prostrate persons added to the confu sion, and hy this time even the cooler ones In the rear of the fighting mass of men, women and children became terror stricken. Strong men, in fear that the building was falling, leaped over the heads of women and children, and fought only for their own safety. The terrific crush In the bend of the stairs became so great that the balus trade, which was only a frail, wooden affair, gave way. There was a terrible crash as half a hundred persons were precipitated to the floor, a distance of about 10 or 12 feet. This heightened the intensity of the panic, and the rush became one awful jam. The pastor of the church, a man of powerful physique and strong voice, continued to appeal to the crowd in the rear to stop their rush, but none would hear. Over the prostrate forms the crowd went, crushing the life out of those who were unable to extricate themselves. In the confusion some of the worshippers thought of the narrow door on the right side of the pulpit and made a quick exit that way, which action on their part probably saved the lives of a number of those who had been caught in the crush. Terrible Sight On Stairway. When those who came down the front stairs had left the building a ter rible sight presented Itself to the res cuers. The first floor and the stairway to the bend were covered three deep with the dead and dying. On the street hundreds were shrieking for help and looking for their missing loved ones. The ringing of the fire bells, the clang of the ambulance gongs, the al most total darkness and the thick fog added to the grewsomeness of the scene, and caused utter confusion for a time. Order was soon brought about, however, and every one who could not stand was placed in ambulances and rushed to hospitals. No time was ta ken up to see If any victim was dead, and within an hour after the disaster occurred tha street had been cleared of the mass of people and the church door closed. PENNYPACKER MARKED VAN Anarchist Plot to Murder Prominent Men Unearthed. Washington. Pa., Jan. 24.?In hunt ing for the murderers of Michael Car razola, the wealthy Italian who was shot at Dunlevy last week, Washing ton county authorities have unearthed a plot to assassinate some of the lead ing men of the country. They have se cured evidence that among those marked for death was Governor Pen nypacker, of Pennsylvania. Letters and papers are also in possession of the authorities which decree the death of other leading men. The existence of this band of anarchists was unearthed when Coroner Slpe and Chief of Police 1-ogan, of Monongahela. began to fol low up clues which indicated that Car razola's death was due to the ma chinations of the Italian "Black Hand" society. The evidence on which charges will be based was discovered in a squalid shanty near the mining village of Baird. In this house located in an ob I seure hollow were found papers and documents pointing to a wholesale I assassination scheme. Anarchists in I many parts of the country are impli I cated and arrests in many sections are looked for. John Spida, president of the society, i was arrested and was put in jail along with George Barli, who is suspected of i implication in the death of Carrazola. LETTER WRITER ARRESTED Wanted President and Government Of ficials to Join "Civic Cadets." Philadelphia, Jan. 24.?An investiga tion that followed the receipt of scores of letters and circulars by President Roosevelt, members of his cabinet, j other government officials and con gre_ssmen, urging them to join an or ganiation called "The Civic Cadets of America," resulted in the arrest in this flty of Benjamin Katchlngs, of Blr mingham, Ala., who says he Is a son of former Congressman W. B. Katch Ings, of that state. No charge has been made against Katchings, who is about 25 years of age, but he will be held pending the action of his family, with whom the police have communicated. According to the secret service agent, Katchings has been sending let ters to men of national prominence urging them to join the "Civic Cadets." 'The letters were accompanied by cir culars and pamphlets on questions re lating to the manner of running the national government. A close perusal of the literature failed to indicate any precise purpose of the sender. The re ceipt by President Roosevelt of some of the letters and literature was re sponsible for the investigation. It was learned that the literature, most of which was signed "Civic Counsellor of the Civic Cadets of America," came from this city, and after a search the sender was located at a local hotel. When arrested he wanted to send tele grams summoning 1000 of his cadets to rescue him from his enemies. Katchings appears to be well edu cated, and the police believe he is suffering, temporarily at least, from dementia. BRAZILIAN WARSHIP SUNK Sent to Bottom By Explosion and 212 of Crew Perish. Rio Janeiro, Brazil, Jan. 23.?The Brazilian turretship Aquidaban has been sunk at Port Jacarepagua, south of Rio Janeiro, as the result of an ex plosion on board. The dead number 212 and the injured 36. Four rear admirals perished on board the Aqudaban, which had been used for the accommodation of a num ber ot supernumerary officers and men attached to the flotilla escorting the cruiser Barroeo. The Barroso had on board the minister of marine and his staff, who were inspecting the sites proposed for a new arsenal. The explosion on the Aquidaban oc curred in the powder magazine. The vessel sank in three minutes. SHORT OVER $30,000 Auditors Find Discrepancies In County Treasurer's Accounts. Meadville, Pa., Jan. 23.?According to the report of the board of county auditors filed in court, the accounts ot former Treasurer D. N. Scott are short $30,874. Mr. Scott had held the office for three years. He declares that a mistake has been made In accounting. He will file exceptions in court, enter ing a legal contest against the validi ties of the findings. He has deposited with the Crawford County Trust Com pany, at Meadville, mining and oil stock, cash mortgages and other stock giving face value of $31,000. Forged Senator Depew's Name. Washington, Jan. 22. ? Elizabeth Ray. a 14-year-old girl, arrested, charg ed with forging the name of Senator Chauneey M. Depew to a $50 check, with which she attempted to purchase a gold watch in a jewelry store here, today admitted her guilt. Mrs. Kath erine Berger, the mother of the girl, after being questioned by the police, was arrested. Both mother and daugh ter told stories to the effect that money had been left the daughter In care of Senator Depew. though the police re ceived word saying the senator denies these statements. General Wheeler Has Pneumonia. New York, Jan. 24.?That Brigadier General Joseph Wheeler, of the United States army, retired, has a mild at tack of pneumonia was announced at the home of his sister, Mrs. Sterling Smith, In Brooklyn, where General Wheeler Is ill. Cardinal Gotti Dying. Rome. Jan. 23.?Cardinal Gotti, pre fect of the propaganda, who has been seriously 111 from pneumonia for atrae days. Is dying. INDICTED PACKERS HAVE JEW PLEA Claim President's L'tter M ikes Them Immune From Prosecution. will offer it as evidence Ghhago, Jan. 23.--President Rooee ve t has been made the ventral figure i"j- ird which revolves the entire case in ulving the pleas of the indicted pa krs for immunity from further pr jc tion by the government on ch rr s of being in a conspiracy to re st in interstate commerce. Attorney William J. Hynes, for the d< ?nuants, in closing his open state m it tiefore the jury hearing the im m; aity pleas, read an excerpt from a letter writ'cn by President Roosevelt to Attorney General Moody in the At- . chlson, Topeka & Santa Fe rebate case. This letter was a part of ^ke commu- ; nications between the two men called i for by coi ';rc?8 some time ago. This leUe; is taken by the packers as an adn..oSi^u by the president that the depar.a. ::t cf commerce and labor and the department of Justice worked together to indict the packers, support ing the e . p..'on of the packers on which thev n ;.t for immunity. The defendant . net era will endeavor to in terject the lelter into the case as evi dence, jurt as if the president were here and testified concerning it. That part of the letter read by Attorney Hines, and which will be introduced by the defendants if possible as evi dence from President Roosevelt, fol lows: With mv approval, the department of justice, with the assistance of the department of commerce and labor, has for some months been endeavor ing to find out whether or not they ran obtain evidence of such wilful and deliberate violations of the injunction by any individual. If the grand jury now sitting in Chicago finds an indict ment against any individual connected with the packing corporations, it will be because in their judgment such le gal evidence of the violation of the in junction has been laid before them." The letter is purported to be signed by President Roosevelt, and is taken by the defendants as proof of their contentions. "That letter is a public document, and we will introduce it as evidence In this case," said Attorney John S. Miller, one of the packers' attorneys. "If the government contests it, wa can, of course, call for an original copy." plegro Suspects Released. restown, N. J., Jan. 22.?There wen no new developments in the search for the murderer of Miss Flor ence Allinson, whose body was found in the stable of a farm near here last Thursday. Several of the negro sus pects. including Thomas Berry, who were arrested Friday and Saturday, were released from custody. In the ar rest of Berry the police thought they had the right man, but the accused negro's employers came forward and proved an alibi for him. In the hunt for the murderer the police are com pletely baffled because of the inability of the 5-year-old girl, who was the only one to see the murderer on the farm, to give an accurate description of the man wanted. PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATIONS Names of New Ambasadors and Post masters Sent to Senate. Washington, Jan. 23.?The president sent the following nominations to the senate: Ambassadors extraordinary and plen ipotentiary?Lake E. Wright, Tennes see, to Japan: David E. Thompson, Nebraska, to Mexico; Lloyd C. Gris com, Pennsylvania, to Brazil. Governor general of the Philippine Islands?Henry Clay Ide, Vermont. Vice governor of the Philippine Isl ands?James F. Smith, California. , Collector of customs ? C. Wesley Thomas, District of Philadelphia, Pa. Postmasters ? Maryland?Walter R. Rudy, Mount Airy; William M. School field. Pocomoke City. New Jersey?William II. Hamilton, Ocean Grove. Pennsylvania ? Joseph H. McClel land, New Florence; William H. Mor ris, Rimersburg; Wallace W. Oberly, Womelsdorf; John C. Chamberlain, Everett; Wiiliam J. Leahy, Falls Creek; Warren F. Simrell, Hallstead; Robert D. Peck, Lock Haven; George C. Burns, Montrose; Ezra H. Ripple, Scranton. Virginia?W. S. Ross, Big Stone Gap; Thomas W. Carter, Orange; Bentley Kern, Winchester. Will Discharge 1000 Men. Washington, Jan. 24. ? Because of the refusal of congress to include In the urgent deficiency bill $1,000,000 asked for to cover the cost of repairs on ships In need of overhauling. Sec retary Bonaparte was rompelled to Is sue an order reducing by 44 per cent, the force of employes under the bu reau of steam engineering at all yards and stations. This will cause the dis charge of about 1000 men. Boiler Explosion Kills Seven. Chipewa Falls, Wis., Jan. 23.?An explosion of a boiler In a saw mill four and a half miles from Hllcomb re sulted in the killing of seven men and injury to three Oth01 "'! i'.'.I wa? badly wrecked. Collieries to Close Three Daya. Mahanoy City, Pa.. Jan. 24.?A gen eral suspension of the 26 collieries of the Lehigh Valley Coal company in the anthracite region was ordered for three days, commencing Wednesday night \ Uobeson Farmer Wakes Thirteen Bales of Cotton on Six Acres of Land. It appears that Mr. X. Shaw, of Lumber Bridge, who made thirteen bales of cotton on six acres, is in the lead as no other equal yield has been reported. It is desirable to know how be did it. Questions are being asked about it. Three facts are recall ed. He put two hundred pounds of kairit, four hundred pounds of acid phosphate, four huudred pounds Quick Step and twenty bushels cottou seed broadcast to each acre, all of which cost him tifteen dollars. The land ; was no pet lot which has been highly fertilized a number of sue cessive years. It was planted and cultivated skillfully. The 1 ind was no better than very much of the laud through the section in which it lies. Very much of the cause for the laige yield is due to tbe.hoeiug and plowing? In a word, the cultiva tion 11 cads for as much b. aius and nice judgment to be | a?successful farmer as to be the i governor of the State. There is | more in the man than in thelaud. The same laud and fertilizers and seasons will furnish the same yield if men of the same skill are the farmers, but if of two one is more skillful the more skillful will get the larger yield every time.?P. R. Law, in Lum berton Robesonian. A stitch in time saves nine and much more in preveutirg consumption and curing bad coughs and bronchitis, which |Vick's Yellow Pine Tar will certainly do. 25c at Hood Bros. Saloons In Mississippi. All but thirteen of the seventy - j six counties in Mississippi now j prohibit the sale of liquor and ; forbid people to give it away. The remaining thirteen counties have license regulations. It costs $1,000 to start a saloon any where in Mississippi, and in some counties the license fee is $1,500. There are no saloons in Jackson, the capital. The only places in Mississippi where whiskey is sold are: Vicks burg, Natchez, Greenville, Can ton, Biloxi, Gulport, and the small winter resorts along the gulf coast. The town of Canton j is the only station on the main line of the Illinois Central Hail road between New Orleans and Memphis at which liquor is sold. The few saloon-keepers in Mis sissippi, however, have a com pact organization and employ shrewd attorneys who are able to defeat the efforts to secure a general prohibition law at the Legislature. The temperate ele ment will renew the tight at the next session and in case it suc ceeds will follow up in the amend ment by demanding a constitu tional amendment.?M ichig an Christian Advocate. Just a little Kodol after meals will re lieve that fullness, belching, gas on stomach, and all other symptoms of in digestion. Kodol digests what you eat, and enables the stomach and digestive organs to perform their functions naturally. Benson Drug Co. Hood Bros, and J. K. I,edbetter. The elevator boy manages to reach the top, but he isn't allow ed to stay there. A millinery bill frightens a man almost as much as a mouse frightens a woman. NOTICE. This is to notify all persons that my son, G. W. Parker, who is yet under age, has left my home, and that I will in nowise be responsible for any debts or contracts he may make. Jas. I. Parker. Four Oaks, N. C. Jan. 17, 1906. READ THIS. I have just received a car load of mules weighing from 800 to 1250, well broke and the finest mules ever come to this market, I am here to do business and want you to come to se? me be fore buying. Wagons, if you want a good wagon come to see me as I have just received a car of Virginia wagons the best wagons to be found. I want to buy 100 head of nice cattle and will pay the market for them. Before sell ing your cotton see me. Yours to serve. Alonzo Paurish. Go to W. G. Yelvington's store for your jackets, cloaks, ready made skirts, dry goods and ladies' fine dress shoes and millinery at reduced prices. 2000 tons of fertilizer for sale by The Austin Stephenson Co Can deliver it to you any wliero. Prices right. J! Blsx-cksmith and Gsneral * f Repair Work g - t*: * * J? We will shoo your horse on short notice. X If We will repair your wagon, buggy and cart. X J Don't fail to bring us your work to the now g shop back of W. S. Stevens' new stores, ami X g there will be uo delay. Wo have the very X* g best workmen employed and satisfaction is X' g guaranteed. W 9*i IX g Bf M STEPHENSON ?. BAKER | SAilTHFIELD, N. C. J IX IFira! Fcra!i FiraHi FireiHS 1 First the fire, Then the smoke. No Insurance? Then you are broke! Insure your property at once with iSam T. Honeycutt, Agent And you will be protected against loss. | A Happy | | New Year ? H/ ? m vA> 1* \hl We 'are still taking measures for (I* ? Clothing That Fits jjj Plenty Shoes for the jj & Cold Weather ffy vit m jjj Ladies Ask About the Big Sale JJ* | Gulley | I & Qulley 1 u/ * m \|jl CLAYTON, - - - North Carolina fft ftr j* THE JOHN A. McKAY MFG. COMPANY Dunn. N. C., Jno. A. McKay. Sole Proprietor General Founders and Machinists. All kinds of Machinery and Mill Supplies. Ovir Swinging Saw Machine. Dost and C heepest. >^<*^The "McKay Stalk Cutter Sold by us, Dunn, N. C. W. M. Sanders, Smitbfleld, N. 0. W. A. Myatt, Raleigh, N. C. The Adams Co., Four Oaks, N. C. Ashley Home & Son, Clayton, N. C. Farmers Please Keep Your Eye on this Machine * X Si Watch ? This ? Space - Every - Week % & ; S y B 2 We have a largo line of Cole Com 55 2 bination Planters and Guano Dis- [5 C tributors now in. Come early as 55 2 they are hard to get later. Poultry 55 2 Netting, Stalk Cutters and all kinds 52 2 Farm Tools now on hand 55 *j BIGSTOCK '* 2 Yours to serve, 3 ? - .. i * E. L. HALL C& BRO., j J Benson. N. C. X
The Smithfield Herald (Smithfield, N.C.)
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Feb. 2, 1906, edition 1
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