The News and Observer.
VOL. XXXIX. NO. 120.
TH LARGEST OKIHJTI! IF AMY IM IMIUI k Dili
JUSTICE DONE AT LAST
PJtOSCRIPTIVK DISABILITIES «*!•'
EX-CONFEOKU VTKS
REPJ* ALCI>
PASSED IN SENATE UNANIMOUSLY
Southern Senators Took no Pnr» in
Urging ihe Renal But Someoi Them
▼•ted lor Postponemont—Ex
pressions on the Part ol Northern
Senators ol a Desire to Hnrv W nr
Animosities--Resolution lor r<«ni i
tion ol Lalia-Ameriran Union.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 24.—The Sen
ate to-day presented a Christmas pres
ent to the South,as Mr. Hill, of New
York, appropriately characterized the
hill repealing: the proscriptive disa
bilities, passed at the close of the war,
against the service of ex-Confederates
in the United States army and navy.
The passage of such a repeal, with
out a dissenting vote, in a Senate hav
ing a Republican plurality and with
Northern Senators taking the initia
tive. lent gracefulness and significance
to the action in marked contrast with
former war controversies in Congress.
The Southern Senators, with the ex
ception of Mr. Daniel, of Virginia, took
no part in urging the repeal, and sev
eral of them, including Mr. Walthall
and Mr. Cockrell, who served in the
Confederate ranks, voted for a post
ponement by reference to committee.
But with such champions on the lie
publican side of the chamber as
Messrs. Chandler, Hawley' and Platt,
and on the Democratic side ns Mr. Hill
and Mr. Voorhees, the repeal was read
ily accomplished. In the two hours
given to speeches on the measure there
was the fullest expression of a desire
to bury war animosities.
The Senate did little beyond debat
ing aDd passing this bill. Mr. Allen
offered a resolution, which was re
ferred, urging a Latin-Ameriean union,
in which all the republics of the West
ern hemisphere would make a common
cause against European encroach
ments
Mr. Ilill in introducing the proscrip
tive repeal bill said it would be a most
fitting and generous Christmas present
to the men of the South.
Mr. Sherman, (Republican) suggest
ed there should be committee consid
eration. “I will vote for this bill,”
said Mr. Sherman. “The time is past
for such discrimination. But the us
ual course of committee action should
be taken.”
Mr. Chandler. (Republican. V. H.,)
urged immediate action. Thirty years
had elapsed since the war. There was
no reason for keeping this proscription
and there was abundant reason for re
pealing it. “The other day,” iuided
Mr. Chandler, “we caine to the # support
of a Democratic President on a ques
tion of National affairs, and I sincere
ly hope that the Senate will to-day,
without criticism and without a voice
of opposition, unanimously approve
this repeal.”
Mr. Gray. (Democrat. Delaware)
while favoring the legislation believed
committee action would secure the
most satisfactory action.
Mr. Hawley (Republican. Connecti
cut), responding to some criticisms by
Mr. Gray as to the course, of former
legislation in this line, said it was not
to lx* wondered at that there was some
feeling over Appomattox and Gettys
burg. This law followed the elose of
the war. It was not proscriptive. It
was regarded at the time as jierfeetly
just. The Senator said he had the
greatest respect personally for some of
these Confederate soldiers. Rut a
country that had any respect for itself
was compelled, at the close of a great
war, to protect itself against abuses of
that day, when ex-Confederates fre
quently enlisted in the Union armies
immediately after leaving the South
ern lines. The Senator, without upsw
ing the measure, felt that committee
action would give the step greater
force if it was to be taken.
Mr. Daniel (Democrat. Virginia)
spoke of the w ish of the South to have
one country and one people. “When
the war closed the South laid down its
arms. It was anxious now to obliter
ate the fierce memories of the war.”
Mr. Daniel presented the memorial of
ihe Virginia Legislature, urging this
repeal and also commending the Presi
dent's message on Venezuela.
Mr. Voorhees (Democrat, Indiana)
expressed the hope that this “last pro
cess of healing” should In* put into
effect. Already the Senate had con
firmed the civil appointments of Gen.
Rongsireet and that other great South
ern soldier, “second only to la*e,” .Too
Johnson. Mr. Voorhees said the repeal
would actually accomplish little, but
it would be an expression of good will.
Mr. Platt, (Republican, Connecticut)
spoke of the attacks made on him by
Southern newspajiers because lie sug
gested the other day that this bill go
to committee. "From one end to tin
other of the South," sai<l Mr. l'latt,
“the press condemns me. applies to me
all kinds of epithets, declares that I am
lacking in patriotism, and finally
semis me marked copies of their con
demnations. “Hut. ' continued Mr.
Platt, “this country has for.- veu
much; it is ready to forgive more. And
I am so full of forgiveness on this day
Ik*fore Christmas that 1 am ready u>
forgive the ex-Confederates and to join
to-day with the Senator from New
York* (Hill) in supporting this up
jienl.”
Mr. Allen, speaking as a former pri
vate in the Northern ranks, urged the
repeal and condemned the “Blobdy*
tlag” jioitties of the past. The Senator
caused some amusements by referring
to the time when the command with
which he served captured that com-
nianded by the Senator from Missouri,
Mr. Cockrell.
Mr. Hill closed by pointing out the
delays and absurdities of committee
action. He created a laugh by point
ing out the. ineonsiderateness of Mr.
Platt in not sending him some of the
complimentary Southern press notes.
"For,” said Mr. Hill, good naturedly,
“it is so seldom nowadays that the
press says anything complimentary
of me.”
Mr, Sherman moved to refer the bill
to the committee on military affairs.
The motion was defeated, 8 to 30.
Messrs. Bacon. Cockrell, Elkins.
Frye, Gray, Sherman, Teller and Wnl
thal \oted vea.
The vote being short of a quorum,
a call of roll showed forty-seven Sena
tors present.
“It is evident,” interposed Mr. Sher
man, “that a majority of the Senate
wish to give this bill as a Christinas
present to the South, and 1 therefore
withdraw my motion for a reference."
Thereupon, without division, the
bill was passed.
Mr. Vest’s resolution for coining the
silver bullion in the treasury then
came up, Mr. Nest presenting some
amended features.
Mr. Morrill moved to refer the reso
lution to the Finance Committee.
Mr. Vest demanded a roll-call. It
looked like an unexpected test, of tin
silver strength. To avoid this Mr.
Morrill withdrew his resolution for a
reference, and on motion, at 2 o'clock,
the Senate adjourned until Friday.
TH V. DAY IN THE HOUSE.
Brazil Congratulates the President on
His Message.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 24. The ses
sion of the House was brief to-day, the
only busines transacted being the dis
tribution of the President’s message
among the several committees having
jurisdiction of the various parts there
of, and the passage of a bill making
Palm Beach, Fla., a jort of entry. Mr.
Shafroth, of Colorado, attempted to
secure the passage of a resolution
opening the South Platte and Plum
Creek forest reserves in Colorado,
•where there have recently l*een large
gold discoveries, to mining claimants,
but it was objected to. Speaker Reed
had read a communication from the
Chamber of Representatives of Brazil
felicitating the House of Representa
tives of the United States on the Pres
ident’s strong position on the Monroe
doctrine. The communication was ap
plauded. ’The message was as follows;
“RIO DK JANERO, Dec. 21.
"To President Chamber of Representa
tives.
* Washington, D. ( .
"The Chamber of Deputies of the
Republic of the United States of Brazil
congratulates the Chamber of the Rep
resentatives of the North American
Union for President Cleveland’s worthy
message, who so nobly and highly de
fends the rights and liberty of the
American nations consecrated in Mon
roe’s principles.
(Signed) "ROSA E. SILVA. President.’’
The House then at 12:40 adjourned
until Thursday.
M HAT GF V. MIL ES’ VISIT >IE *NT
He Wanted to Ascertain Condition ol
Our Coast Defences.
WASHINGTON, Dee. 24. It is now
learned that the main purpose of (Jen.
Miles’ visit to the cities of our south
Alan tic coast was to ascertain, by per
sonal inspection, the actual condition
of the coast, defenses in that section
and 10 call the attention of the South
ern ‘people to the exposed position
they would occupy in the event of hos
tilities. He was particularly impress
ed with the antiquated condition of
the defenses at Fort Monroe, which
are relied upon not only to guard the
National Capital and Baltimore and
Norfolk and Richmond from attack
by water, but even more for an im
pregnable base of naval ojierations
and as a refuge of our warships in the
event that they are forced to retire
Ijefore an overwhelming hostile naval
force. Although the War Department,
has very little money available, it
probabL .will take immediate steps to
improve the defences * here, relying up
on sufficient appropriations from the
present Congress to restore the works
to the standing they had at the break
ing out of the civil war. namely, one
of the strongest systems of defence
in the world.
RILLED BY AN EXl'Mifitm.
A Terrible Christinas C-«*u»lit| at
Salisbury.
SALISBURY, N. <’., Dee. 24. -This
evening t he Smitbdenl Hardware Com
pany's powder and dynamite storage
house, one mile from Salisbury, ex
ploded. George Weaver was instantly
killed and bis body so badly mangled
as to lie unrecognizable. His brother.
Ira, 14 years of age, was badly hurt
and will hardly live. The cause of the
| explosion is supposed to be boys shoot
i ing at a target placed upon the storage
j house. The report, of the explosion
' was heard for twenty-live miles. Trees
I 'ii the vicinity wen- all stripped of
■ iiiiibs. and a hole was blown in the
• ground twenty feet deep. Window
•Hasses were shaken out for miles
i around. Fib-en hundred pounds of
dvnamileand seventy-five kegs of pow
,i,-v (..-<• in storage at the time.
MAY PARDON QUEEN 1.1 L.
SAN FRANCISCO, Dee. 24. Advices
from Hawaii to a local paper are to the
effect that President Dole and his cabi
j net are so well pleased with the way
in which Ex-Queen Liliuokalani has
\ conducted herself since her release in
parole that the granting of a full par
' don to her is under consideration.
RALEIGH, N. C., WEDNESDAY. DEC.
PERISHED IN A STORM
FURIOUS GALES RAGING OFF
THE COAST OF GKEtT
BRITAIN.
AND MANY SEAMEN ARE DROWNED
Two Large British Ships Have Been
Wrecked oft the Coast of Ireland ami
Tbirtv*three Lives Lost-*A Schooner
Goes Ashore on the Tyne ami the
Entire Crew is Drow.'ied-'Mauy Per
sons Have Been Rescued During the
Siorm by (he Life Boats.
DUBLIN, Dec. 24.—The British ship
Moresby, Captain Coomber, was
stranded yesterday off the Ballina
eourty light house, near Dungarven,
about a mile and a half from theshore.
Her crew, numbering thirty-six men,
lashed themselves to her rigging
throughout the night. To-day a life
boat succeeded in getting to the
Moresby and rescued several of her
crew.
Later the Moresby broke up and
seventeen of the crew were drowned.
ft is nQw known that nineteen of the
Moresby’s crew perished, including the
captain, his w ife and son, and all the
officers. The captain, with his son
strapped to his back, made a gallant
attempt to swim ashore, while the
mate swam with the captain’s wife
strapped to his back.
A large steamer is ashore to-night
in Dundalk Bay. A life-boat has gone
to her assistance.
SIXTEEN MEN WERE DROWNED.
A Three-Master Was H recked in
Kingstown Bay.
DUBLIN, Dec. 24.—A large three
masted vessel has been seen living
signals of distress in Kingstown Bay.
A life-boat which went to her assis
tant* was capsized and her crew of
sixteen men were drowned.
A second life-boat which started for
the rescue was also overturned but
the crew managed to cling to the boat
which was finally righted. The fate
of the three-master is not known.
The second life-boat which attempt
ed to put off to the three-masted vessel
flying signals of distress in Kingstown
Bay, finding it imj>ossible to board (lie
ship, returned to the shore with the
greatest difficulty, the bottom of the
boat being stove in. The coxswain
states that he did not see any one on
board the ship Whether the first life
boat took off the crew before capsizing
is not known. The name of the vessel
is also unknown, but. she is believed to
!»e a foreigner.
ANOTHER VESSEL ASHORE
Believed Thm All the Memliers ol ihe
Crew Perished.
LONDON, Dec. 24. —Heavy gales pre
vailed to-day over the coasts of Great
Britain and several wrecks have al
ready been re pended.
A schooner was seen to run ashore
in the Tyne, near Shield, w here she l>e
eame a total wreck. It is believed that
all the member* of her crew were
drowned.
A SHORT CABINET MEETING.
Christinas Preparation* *>«lbb on at
the W l It** House.
WASHINGTON, Dee. 24.- The Cabi
net meeting to-dav lasted only a short
time, and Secretary Olney, who was
detained at the State Department to
receive the House Foreign Af
fairs Committee, who called to pay
their respects, was present only during
the last half hour About noon mes
sages were sent to the various depart
ments from the Cabinet officers at the
White House, directing that such of
the employees as could he spared be
excused for the afternoon, in conform
ity w ith th** good old custom on Christ
mas eve. and the employees were quick
to take advantage of this net of consid
eration.
There was a presage of Christmas in
the air at the White House in the nu
merous closely-wrapped parcels of all
sizes that began to come early in the
day, by mail and express, addressed to
the President and every member of the
household, riot forgetting the babies.
The President himself remembered all
of the-faithful employees of the house,
and bestowed turkeys upon them for
their Christmas dinners, and as the
members of the ( abinet left tin* \\ liite
House each carried a big apple, the
gift of Secretary Morton.
Senator Lodge was the only caller
of note at the White House during tin
forenoon. aside from the C abinet.
V FRICK SILVER AMENDMENT.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 24. The Popu
list Senators conferred to-day and de
cided to offer a free silver coinage bill
as an amendment to either a tariff or
bond bill or both, when they come over
from the House. The Populists are
favorable ton duty on wool, but »-
gainst a raise in duties on woolen
goods.
DANVILLE, Ya.. Dee. 24. Rev. Dr.
George tV. Dan e, for fifty years rector
of the Episcopal church here and one
of the oldest 'Masons in the Stale, and
at the time of his death chaplain of
the Grand Lodge of Virginia, died at
his residence in this city at (>:3O p. in.
OWENSBORO. Ky„ Dee. 24. -The
six-story tobacco factory of Elliott &
Soil burned last, night, with a loss of
$32,000; insurance, $24,000. Adjoining
buildings sustained $4,000 damages.
THt OUTLOOK GLOOMY
Ll l I LK MERCY W ILL BE SHOWN
TO THE DEMOCRATIC
CONTESTANTS
BY REED S ELECTION COMMITTEES
Though Mr. Shaw Think* lie W ill Get
Fair Treatment at Their Hand* ihe
Prospect is That They Will do 5 heir
Appointed Work and Leave a Bas
ketful of Democratic Head* as a
Party OflerP l.inney N and Pritch
ard’s Position or. Silver.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 24. (Special)
- In (he assignment of election eases
to Guillotine committees the contests
against Woodard, Sh iw and Lockhart,
in the order named, will be deeided by
Committee No. 2, of which Johnson,
of Indiana, is chairman. The North
Carolinians will be the last threee of
the eleven eases that will lie heard be
fore this committee.
Os the nine members who will do
the judging, Harrison, of Alabama;
McGuire, of California, and Kyle, of
Mississippi, are all the Democrats and
are said to be strong lawyers.
Chairman Johnson is regarded as a
partisan Republican; Strode, of Xe
braka, was elected against a fusion of
Populists and Democrats; Taylor, of
Ohio, is the man who beat Coxey;
Miller, of West Virginia, is regarded
as a conservative Republican; Long,
of Kansas, defeated Jerry Simpson;
Prince, of Illinois., Republican, is es
teemed to be a good lawyer. So that
it, would not seem that Strode, Taylor
and Long entered upon their labors
with any special love for the Popu
lists.
Although the North Carolina Demo
crats would have no fear of not having
fair play before Linney, for so they
expressed himself as highly pleased
mittee No. 1, which will have in charge
the first nine of the contested cases,
which are from Alabama, Georgia and
Florida.
I saw Mr. Shaw to-night. He has
been quite sick, so unwell that he has
not before now been able to leave his
home, whence he has just returned,
but he is better, and expects to re
main right through the holidays, not
even going home Christmas day. He
expresse himself as highly pleased
with the personnel of his committee,
and says he has every reason to ex
jx*et fair treatment at their hands. Iri
fact. In* says In- prefers it to any fuller
committee.
From what 1 can judge in the at
mosphere of things here, I am not dis
posed to enter into the sanguine mood
of Mr. Shaw. On the other hand, it
seems quite probable that the com
mittees will do their appointed work,
leaving the basket-full of Democratic
heads as a party offering to the Herod
man from Maine.
Mr. Bunn got here to-day but will
la* home Christmas day. He says
nothing that he knows anything
of could “keep him away from his
nine children a’Cliristma*.” Mr. Bunn
expects, however, to return soon in
connection with his law partnership
business here.
Statesman Linney tells me that he
wilte oppose, till tin* cows come home,
any issue of any kind of bonds, and if
such a measure is embodied in the bill
to be reported Thursday by the Ways
amt Means Committeee. he will offer a
silver amendment. Asked if he would
not lie found keeping step
at the crack of the, party whip
he said no, nay, no! He said he made
his canvass on the coining of the Amer
ican product and not as suggested by
me, on the free, independent and un
limited coinage of silver. But lie says
he w ill vote for the tariff feature.
Senator Pritchard said to me this
morning practically the same thing, as
far as voting against any bond issue
was concerned. In the midst of his
conversation, the Senator took occa
sion to praise very highly the speech
of Mr. Linney in the caucus in which
Tipton was nominated by him for
Door-keeper. Senator Pritchard said
Mr. Finney's speech was pronounced
by the member from the. 18th district
of lowa to have been one of the finest
efforts lie had ever listened to. It
must be said in fairness that Linney
is taking a remarkably strong stand
with his party friends, and it is freely
predieted that he will be favorably
heard from.
Pearson, it may lie presumed has al
ready attained his “swell” ambition.
He. of course, is in the social "push,”
and as a member of the committee on
Foreign Affairs will no doubt* make
himself heard as far as voice is con
cerned.
Howard, of Alabama, the man who
wrote "If Christ should come to Con
gress,” told me this morning that that
was rather one of his youthful ebulli
tions and that he was now directing his
efforts to more serious work. 1 told
him I had heard him “roasted” by some
on that book. He replied that, on the
other hand, members had told him
that lie had not yet told it all. He
may prepare another book on some
phase of Christ and Congress, and
promised kindly to give me an outline
of it before long.
Col. William Allspeecli Turk, General
Passenger Agent of the Southern Rail
way*, is perhaps, the most popular man
in Washington among newspaper men.
As a newspaper man himself he is not
to be sneezed at. His speech at Bos
ton is still often and highly spoken of
by the members of the press. But,
nevertheless, he says the report was
w rong that lie had bought the Staun
ton, (Va.) Spectator. The mistake
was natural, as his brother, Mr. Sam
Turk, of Staunton, is the man. The
Spectator is one of tin* strongest pa-
jiers in the valley of Virginia, is 72
years old, and its present owner, Mr.
Sam Turk, is one of the most influent
ial men and one of the strongest law
yers and writers of that section. And
better still he is a Democrat from
Jeffersonville and Jacksonville.
Tazewell Kllett, of Virginia, who
beat George Wise for Congress, is one
of the handsomest, most cultured and
most promising of the young mein
liers. He is colonel of the Virginia reg
iment, and it is told of him that when
lie was captain of a company at the
Virginia Military Institute, he was
about to engage in a duel, it is said,
with Bogin Cash, who, it will be re
membered. was finally killed in South
Carolina. But the affair was stopped.
Mr. Ellett is domiciled at the Cairo
fiats, where there are several Congress
men, including Senator Martin, of Vir
ginia.
To show tlu* thoughtful courtesy of
ex-Speaker Crisp, when Mr. Ellett’s
mum* was called out in the Committee
on Inter-State Commerce. Mr. Crisp,
leaning forward from the row of seats
just behind, tapped Ellett on the shoul
der and congratulated him as having
been assigned to one of the strongest
committees in the House. It is this
heart-quality that makes Mr. Crisp so
popular among the young men of the
House.
Tlie Appropriation Committee, 1
hear, tried to meet yesterday*, but
could not get a quorum, it is said that
all effort will Is* used to whip the Re
publicans back l»y Thursday*, and the
adjournment was made Thursday for
only one day in order to keep them in
touch. %
Leak, the black Raleigh divine, was
in the shuffle on the floor when the
House adjourned this morning. He
told in** that he had had several con
ferences with Reed and that the Speak
er was in line w ith his views. He said
that Miteliell, Jim Young's partner on
the Gazette —w ho lias lx*en here some
time—was trying to get an office, but
that as to him (Leak) there was no
office, except that of President, that he
would tali** in this country.
* # «
Miss Dixie Leach, the artist, of
Reidsville, and sister of Messrs Middle
ton and Edgar Leach, passed through
to-day on her way to New York to
sjiend Christmas.
Miss Pattie Mordeeai, of Raleigh,
who has been spending some days here
with her sister, Mrs. William A. Turk,
will return home to-morrow afternoon,
reaching Raleigh Christmas morning.
W. E. CHRISTIAN.
WEDDING AT CHAPEL HILL.
Marriage el Mb* Margaret Hendon
and Mr. J. Y. Lewi*.
CHAPEL HILL, X. Dec. 24. (Sjh*-
eial.) The joy*ous notes of wedding
bells anticipated the Christmas “mol
ten golden notes” to-day, as Mr. J. V.
Lewis, of the State Geological Depart
ment, wedded Miss Margaret Hendon,
one of Chapel Hills favorite young la
dies. The marriage took place at the
staid old Presbyterian church by the
young pastor, Rev. 1). J. Currie. The
gray walls had been festooned with
cedar and holly* by friendly hands.
Palms and jvotted plants made a tropi
cal background, while the couple, in
traveling costume, stood ’neath an
arch upholding a beautiful green bell.
The attendants were Misses Mattie
Faucett, of Durham, and Floy Martin,
of Chapel Hill, and Messrs. R. L. Davis,
of Tarboro, and Harl«* McCall, of
Statesville. The ushers were Messrs.
Lentz. Bryson, Patterson and Wyche.
The party left on the afternoon train
for Charlotte.
THE END OF THE STRIKE.
Street Car Men in Philadelphia Have
Returned to Work.
PHILADELPHIA, Pa., Dec. 24.—1 n
accordance with the terms of the
agreement entered into last night the
striking inotormen and conductors all
returned to work this morning and the
city has resumed its normal condition.
Everybody* seems relieved that the
scenes of turmoil and excitement are
at an end. Only a few of the men im
fiorted from other cities are at work.
It is understood that they are return
ing to their homes in great numbers.
Some of the rnotornien have their ears
decorated with flags in honor of the
resumption of work.
The directors of the Arch Street
Railway Company, which operates the
only independent line in the city*, met
to-day* anti passed resolutions com
mending the employees for their fideli
ty to the company* during the strike on
the other lines and appropriating
$2,500 as a Christmas present for them.
The money will la* divided among
three hundred men.
IF HE WILL ISSUE NO BONDS
George Francis Train t*i»»s lor Will
Elect Cleveland President.
NEW YORK, Dec. 24. Citizen George
Francis Train to-day sent the follow
ing message to President Cleveland:
"Madison Square.
“Day Before Christmas,
"Citizen.. President U. S. A..
Washington, 1). C.
"I have elected you twice by * psy
chism.’ 1 will do it again if you will
issue no bonds and throw the respon
'ibilitv of crisis on Congress.
(Signed) GEO. FRANCIS TRAIN."
GREENSBORO, X. ('., Dec. 24.—(Spe
cial.) —While out bird hunting this
evening. Bill Jsley was accidently* shot
iu the knee by Frank Myrick and died
shortly afterwards. The main artery
being cut, lie bled to death. Both are
white, prominent, and young men.
The accident is deplored by* the entire
eoiiimunit \.
PRICE FIVE CENTS.
HAVANA THREATENED
GOMEZ AND HIS FORCES ARE
ADVANCING UPON CUBA’S
CAPITAL.
MANY CONFLICTING REPORTS
At First it whs 8«iil That (4cm. Campos
Had Met and Detea:e*l the las argent*
With a Lost of 700 Dead and Wound
sd«»That is Now Denied an«l Louies
is Reported to be Almost in f*n**ca
sion of theCitvnr Matunzas—Spantsh
Forces Rapidly Concentrating.
HAVANA. Dec. 24.—Christmas Eve
is ushered in with something very like
dismay in tin* city and there is appre
hension hourly gaining ground, that
Havana will be besieged by armed
forces before Christinas Day is over.
The advance of the insurgents seemed
at latest reports to Ik* uninterrupted
thus contradicting a report sent out
during the afternoon that they had
been turned back in a pitched battle
by Campos himself, and were striving
to make their way back into Santa
Clara province.
This rumor stated in great detail
that Gen. Campos in person, at the
head of the Spanish forces, had suc
ceeded in coming face to face with
Gomez and his forces at the planta
tion of Coliseo, which was in flames.
This plantation is situated twelve
miles from Cardenas and twenty-one
miles from Matanzus. The insurgents,
it was said, were hemmed in and were
compelled to fight, all retreat being cut
off. Desperate engagements took
place, the combatants being surround
ed by the flames of the burning planta
tion. The insurgents, it was said, were
dispersed, leaving seven hundred dead
and wounded on the field.
The troops' loss was, it was report
ed, comparatively insignificant, being
only fourteen, and Generals Valdez and
I.uque had already started to Sabanillu
del Encombendums, supported by sev
eral other columns, in pursuit of the
flying insurgents, who were supposed
to be making their way back to Santa
Clara province at their best speed.
This report is having the effect of
greatly restoring confidence here, anti
it was generally believed for a time
that it indicated that Gomez had given
up his campaign for lack of support in
Matanzas.
The details of this engagement had
hardly become disseminated through
the city, however, before there came a
further re|x»rt that the insurgents
were marching towards Guanabana
and that Captain General Campos hurl
hastened to that |x>int to oppose the
advances, thus once more moving his
headquarters westward and nearer
Havana, as he has had to do so often
within the last few days.
Gunabana is only about five miles
out of Matanzas and ten or fifteen
miles west of Coloseo plantation,where
Gen. Campos was said to have won his
important victory over Gomez in per
son. It became evident that the re
ports of Gen. Campos successful stand
and route of the insurgents was either
unfounded, or that the force that he
had met with merely a wing of the in
surgent army sent to make a diversion,
while the main columns pushed on to
the westward.
All is confusion of mind here and •
the authorities are apparently all at
sea as to what will Ik* th** next step of
the insurgents, whether Matanzas will
V>** besieged or whether the advance
on that jx>int is merely a feint to hold
the Spanish forces there, while the
insurgent forces make away once more
in the west for Havana, which is less
than fifty miles from Matanzas. The
near approach of the insurgents to
Matanzas has, in fart, had the effect
of concentrating all th** available
Spanish forces at that town and the
country people from miles around have
flocked into Matanzas.
KILLED HIS U IFE’B FATHER.
Tragic Ending ot a Sensational Love
A flair.
DES MOINES, lowa, Dec. 24. A sen
sational tragedy, resulting from an
elopement, occurred here to-day, in
the murder of Walter Scott, a young
business man. by S. R. Dawson, whose
daughter, Clara, was a few hours be
fore married to Scott. The young peo
ple have been lovers for some time,
but Miss Dawson’s parents would not
consent to their marriage.
This afternoon the pair eloped and
were married by a justice of tin* peace.
After tin* ceremony Mr. Scott, ac
companied by Police Officer Duval],
went to the residence of his bride’s
parents to get some clothes belonging
to her. Mr. Dawson refused to give up
the clothes, and, as his callers turned
to go, tired four shots at Scott, with
fatal effect. Dawson is under arrest.
WORST IN MANY \ EARS.
Mat h Uneaslnes* Felt (or the Strath*
nevis mill Danube.
PORT TOWNSEND, Wn.. Dee. 21.
The worst storm experienced in many
years has prevailed in this district for
two days. The telegraph wires are
prostrated ami shipping is at a stand
still. Steamers arriving from the
South report a severe gale from the
west and steamers bound down are
compelled to seek shelter and wait for
foe weather to moderate.
Thu prevalence of a succession of
southerly and westerly gales has not
only intensified fears for the safety
of the missing Strathnevis of the North
Pacific 1 in**, but much uneasiness is
now felt here for the British steam
er Danube which left Victoria two
weeks ago hi search for the disabled
steamer. I hiring that periotl the
went her has been intensely storuiv.