Weather To-Day: COLD WAVE: RAIN.
The News and Observer,
VOL. XLV. NO. 100.
LEADS ILL PM CAROLINA HUES II IEIS AND CIRCUj^nON.
FUH. OF MORRILL
Nation’s Highest Honor the
Dead Statesman.
IN THE SENATE CHAMBER
SERVICES CONDUCTED WITH IM
PRESSIVE DIGNITY.
TRIBUTE TO THE DEC L -ASEt>’3 MEMORY
President, Vice President, Members of Cab net,
Justices of Supreme Court, Senators
and Representatives and Army
and Navy Men There.
Washington, Deo. 31.—Funeral services
over the late Senator Justin S. Merrill,
of Vermont, were held in the United
States Senate chamber at noon today.
They were conducted with impressive
dignity in the presence of a distinguished
assemblage, including the President, and
Vice President of the United States,
members of the Cabinet, Justices of the
Supreme Court, Senators and Represen
tatives in Congress, the Speaker of the
House and representatives of the army,
navy and of the Diponmtie Corps, as
well as a concourse of private citizens
who took this means of testifying the
affeetionat’t* regard in which Mr. Mer
rill was universally held.
Early in the day the remains were
borne from the family residence on Mas
sachusetts Avenue to the eapitol. There
was no service at the house, and the
funeral cortege was simple and formal.
Arriving there the casket was earri d
direct to the Senate chamber and de
posited in the semi-circular area imme
diately in front of the presiding officer's
desk. The casket was of rich, but sim
ple design, with black broadcloth cov
ering and heavy oxydized silver handles.
A silver plate on top bore the inscription:
“JUSTIN SMITH MORRILL.
“1810-1808.”
After the willing hands of Senatt cm
ployest, who had so long served the Sena
tor in life, had arranged the multitude
of flowers which had been sent, the lid
of the casket was rr moved, disclosing the
calm and peaceful face of the dead
statesman.
Bunked high on the lower part of the
casket, all about it and covering the
desks up to the presiding officer’s desk,
was a profusion of plants, flowers, floral
emblems, palms and garlands of galax
leaves. The vacant chair and desks in
the front row and to the left of the
presiding officer, so long used by Mr.
Morrill, were draped in black crepe.
By 11 o’clock the public galleries were
filled to overflowing with crowds who
had braved a driving rain. Exactly at
noon the ceremony began. Vice President
Hobart, accompanied by So aker Reed,
taking seats at the presiding officer’s
desk, while the President. Cabinet. Su
preme Court Justices. Senators and Rep
rest ntatives entered unannounced.
Mr. McKinley walked with Secretary
Gaffe, proceeding up iho aisle to a large
leather chair facing the casket and im
mediately alongside it. This was occu
pied by the President, while next to
him. facing the casket, sat Secretaries
Gage, L/ong. Alger, Bliss, Wilson. Post
master General Emory Smith. Attorney
I General Griggs and Secretary .to the
President, Porter. The large assem
blage, on the tloor and in the trilleri s.
rose and remained standing until the
Presidential party was seated. Banged
hack of them were the honorary com-
Initte of Senators and Representatives,
most of them white-haired and venerable
biwociates of Mr. Morrill. They wore
Ivhite mourning binds from shoulders to
liip. Chief Justice Puller and Justices
Brown and McKenna were with the
mrge representation <>f Senators and
Representatives filling the body of the
chamher. Former Senator John Sher
man. who became a member of the
House wi s h Mr. Morrill in lSr»3, was
present. Directly alongside tin* aisle
from the President and to the left of
the easket sat the family group. Mr.
James Sivan Morrill, son, Doctor and
Miss Swan, hrother-in-law and sisttr-in
law of the deceased. Aside from the
officials present, a number of ladies
were admitted to the floor.
The hon.ararv committee of Senators
consisted of Messrs. Proctor, Hoar,
f'ullom. Wolcott, Jones, of Arkansas:
\ Chandler, Gorman, Tillman, Jones, of
\ Nevada; Morgan, Fairbanks, Faulkner.
\ Mitchell and Nelson. That of the House
Was Representatives Dinghy. Grant.
Powers. Hitt, Foss, McCall. Bankhead,
lewis, Wheeler and Catehings. Messrs.
Wngley and Wheeler were not able to
rWh tin* city in time for the ceremony.
AVhush fell on tin* assemblage* as the
last of the officials wt re escorted to their
sea*, and a choir stationed in the gallery
bac\of the presiding officer in subdued
totic\ sang “Lead, Kindly Light.”
lU\ E. Bradford, of All Souls church,
begatuhe burial service with selections
from \hc Psalms, llis tribute to the
lnonnm of tin* deceased was heart felt
and elanent.
Agaitlihc voices of tin* choir floated
througlA the Senate chamber, singing'
"Nearer yly God to Thee.” Then with
uplifted hinds the blind chaplain of the
Senate, lyv. Dr. Milburn, delivered the
• losing iisocation. his voice trembling
with emotini as lie extolled this sweet,
gracious ail noble character.
It was l\o'clock when the ceremony
eoiudtidcd. aid the President and (Cabi
net led the \\ay past, the casket, taking a
final look ait the calm, silent face, and
the other offends retired. The casket,
remained in vie Senate chandler, where
it will be left until borne to the train
tomorrow morning en route to Mont
pelier, Vt.
FAVORS A CHANGE OF RATIO.
Ex-Judge McConnell's Views of the
Issues for 1900.
Chicago, Ills., Dec. 31. —Ex-Judge S.
P. McConnell, one of the Illinois dele
gates at large to the National Democratic
convention in 1890 delivered an address
before the Munlieollo Chib today which
caused a good deal of talk among local
Democrats, particularly in view of tin
fact that he has been a close associate
of ex-Governor John I*. Altgeld. The
speaker said in part:
"Thousands who voted for McKinley
in 1890 are- ready to join us in a cam
paign to be waged against trusts, combi
nations and monopolies. They only need
evidence that we will fight effectively.
“The question for us to console - , is.
whether w; are showing an appreciation
of the relative importance of issues when
we set-in to be willing to run the peril of
repeating the experience of 1800 rather
than to modify our proposition regarding
the ratio between gold and silver.
"With aggressive declarations in the
platform of 1900 against trusts and mo
nopolies am. against their great allies
and supports—the gold standard and the
protective tariff —without insisting on a
particular value for silver in a plan
for its remonetization at a particular
schedule for a revenue tariff, and with
the same great leader (Mr. Bryan) for
its candidate, the Democratic party will
be assured of success and the people,
through its victory, will be assured of
the blessings of healthy competition,
freedom in trade and honest money.”
ADA MS-UORMSII M YSTEItY.
New York, Dec. 31.—Captain McClus
ky, chief of the detective- bureau, made
the statement tonight that he still had
a score of detectives investigating the
murder of Mrs. Adams, but that abso
lutely nothing new had developed and
that there therefore was nothing to be
given out on that ease tonight.
CONFEDERATE GRAVE?
•
GOVERNMENT ASIG FOR LIST OF At-
CEMETERIES CONTAINING THEM.
dj Gen. Moorman Issues Circular to Civisid
Commanders Asking /lid ir. Furnish
ing Information Ask'd.
New Orleans, Dec. 31.—George Moor
man, adjutant general, has issued a
circular to United Confederate Veteran
division commanders in each Southern
State in which he says:
“Official request has been made by
an officer of the Government asking
these headquarters to furnish at once
a list of all graveyards or cemeteries
where Confederate soldiers are buried,
and so far as possible number of inter
ments.
"Will you please send at once names
of cemeteries, location and number in
terred as far as you are able and at
once take means to ascertain and report
i at your earliest convenience all in your
division.”
WHERE IS THE PREACHER?
Mr. Kelly. Who Mysteriously Disap
peared, Not Yet Heard From.
Charleston, 8. C., Dec. 31.—Nothing
has yet been heard from or of the Rev,
Win. A ken Kelly, who mysteriously dis
appeared nearly two weeks ago. Tlu*
police here, and the members of the
family have received many letters from
IK'ople in this and other States who
were interested in the ease by a former
dispatch sent out by the Associated
Press. Tlu-se letters contained strong
expressions of sympathy, but: no infor
mation regarding the pr* unit where
abouts of tin* unfortunate young minis
ter. Mrs. Kelly desires to express her
appreciation of the sympathy extended
her. and to request the readers of the
press dispatches to Continue to assist
herself and the detectives in tracing her
husband.
THE -PEN APPOINTMENTS.
Capt. Day Turns Them Over to Mcskrs.
Aren dell and Tillery.
Capt. Day, the new superintendent of
the penit ntiary, takes charge tomorrow.
lie said yesterday that all the offices,
now held by the Fusionists, would be at
once filled by competent Democrats.
All appointments on the farms, Capt.
Day said, would be made by Mr. J. It.
Tillery, manager of the farms. All ai>-
pointments at tlu* penitentiary will be
made by Mr. F. 15. Arendell, manager
of the State Prison.
“The only requirement 1 put upon them
in selecting these men.” continued Capt.
Day. "is that, they choose good Demo
crats and competent officials.”
TIIE MICHIGAN SAILS.
Savannah. Ga.. Dee. 51.-The tinn
s|j>rr Michigan sailed at 9 o clock to
night for Havana, with two battalions
of the Third Nebraska regiment:.
The Manitoba and Miunewaska an-J
Michigan will return at once from Cuba
to carry the Seventh cavalry.
DOCTOR KEENER’S DEATH.
Greensboro. Ala.. Dec. 31. —Dr. John
O. Keener, President of the Southern
University, and son of Bishop Keener,
of the M. E. Church. South, diet! here
to-day from the effects of a stroke of
paralysis.
The Assahet Manufacturing Company,
I of Boston, has made an assignment. Lia
.< bilities $3,018,101.
BALEIOH. N. 0., SUJSDAY MORN IN O, JANUARY 1, 18»9
FhENEGROES APPLAL
A Committee Calls at the
White House.
iSKS PRESIDENT’S AID
WISHES CONGItEaS TO TAKE IT*
S< >UT 11E RN 1 ANYTH NG S.
tANCY AND WHITE ON THE COMMITTEE
he Also Asked <o Us** His hfiuenc
in all Proper w-iys lo mi eve the Con
diticn of the Negro Race.
Negroes Pleased.
Washington, D. ('., Doc. 31. —The ex
ecutive committee of tin* National Afro-
American council now in session here
called at the White House tw-dav and
presented to the President an address,
in which he was asked to use his good
offices in presenting to Congress the
subject of tin* reeetit Jyncilings of col
ored men in the Carolina* that tin
perpetrators may be brought to justice.
The recent troubles in Illinois also was
called to his attention, and in a general
,way In* was asked exert his influence in
all proper ways to improve the condition
of the colored race. The committee
was composed of Bishop Walters. Bish
op Arnett. Bishop Clinton, Mr. Lyons,
of Georgia, Register of the United
States Treasury; Mr. Chatham, of North
Carolina; ex-Governor Pinehbaek, of
Louisiana; Representative White, of
North Carolina, and Messrs. Pelham, of
Michigan: Mitchell, of Virginia: For
tune. of New York; Adams, of Illinois:
ex-Representative Murra;.. of South
Carolina: Morris, of Massachusetts:
Lawson, of New Jersey; Biagburn, ot
Iowa; Casey, of New Jersey; Lewis, of
Louisiana; Dancy, of North Carolina:
Thompson, of Indiana: Sanford, of
Iowa; Bray, of Georgia: Murray, of Dis
trict of Columbia; Ferris, of Massa
chusetts, and Bradley, of Kansas.
At the conclusion of the call which
lasted fifteen minutes the delegation i
withdrew greatly pleased with their in
terview.
MEMORIAL ON RACE TROUBLES.
Washington. Dec. 31. —A delegation of
colored men from lowa, called at the
White House to-day and presented to
tin- President a memorial signed by the
colored people of that State in relation
to the recent race trouble in the South.
The delegation met with a' cordial re
ception.
NEXT MOVE FOB MRS. BOTKIN.
San Francisco, Cal., I)<*. 31. Mrs.
Cordelia Botkin, convicted of (lie mur
der of Mrs. John P. Dunning and her
sister, Mrs. Dean, of Dover, Del., is an
inmate of the Branch comity jail. She
became hysterical shortly after her ar
rival there last night and was calmed
with difficulty, but she recovered her us
ual sangfroid to-day, and has taken
hope from the promises of her attorneys,
who have stated that they will stand by
their client till the end.
The next move in this ease will prob
ably he mi appeal to the Supreme court,
as it is certain that Judge Carroll Cook
will deny their petition for a new trial,
thus casting the ease into the higher
court for settlement. The attorneys for
the defense took a number of exceptions
during the trial, and hope to make capi
tal out of these when it makes its at
tempt to secure a reversal of the deci
sion.
The real tight for Mrs. Botkin’s liber
ty. will be made upon the question of
jurisdiction. The prosecution was con
ducted under tbe-provisions of section 37
of the Code, providing for the punish
ment of crimes committed in whole or
in part in this State. Tin* defense con
tends that, as the outcome of the crime
really took place in Delaware, that Mrs.
Botkin was only liable- to the law of
that State. It is believed ties question
has never been presented to the Appel
lante Court in this country. Judge
Cook has fixed next Saturday as the day
for imposing sentence.
It is stated that the first ballot of the
jury stood ten for hanging and two for
life imprisonment. The second ballot
was 11 for hanging and only one for life
imprisonment. But the one stood firm
and after much discussion the other
eleven went over to him.
TUBEE-C()RNERED DUEL.
Lulu. Miss., Dec. 31. —As the result of
a three-cornered dud fought here today
.1. E. Kennedy and Richard Harman are
dead and T. Grady mortally wounded.
It is not known how the trouble started,
no person being in tin* vicinity when flit
shooting began.
TOWBOAT COMPANY’S SUIT.
Newport News. Va., Dec. 31.—The
Knickerbocker Steam Towboat Com
pany. of New York, to-day entered suit
in the. Circuit court against the Atlantic
Transportation Company, operating at
this port, for recovery on ft note of
$45,000 and $5,000 damages. An at
tachment was obtained for the amount
and placed in the hands of proper offi
cers to he served on the company’s prop
• erty in this port.
The Secretary of State has formally
disapproved tin* Hawaiian concession to
the Pacific Cable Co., of an exclusive
right of laying a cable to Hawaii.
AN EIGHT CLUB LEAGUE.
The Scheme is to he Carried Out if
' Courts Decide Favorably.
Th statement is unequivocally made
for the first time that the eight club
league scheme is a reality and that its
consummation hangs on the decision of
the St. Louis courts, which will be made
this week in the ease of Muckenfuss vs.
Von Der Alu*. If the courts decide in
favor of Muckenfuss and thereby <n"t
Yon Der A lie, there will lie but eight
eluhs in the league and Louisville will
not be oneof them. The league has al
ready made an offer for tin* Colonels with
certain provisos and the local magnates
have practically agreed to the terms.
If the courts of St. Louis decide in
favor of Muckenfuss the Cleveland team
will play in the Mound City; Louisville
and Washington will be bought out and
abolished and the Baltimore team will
play in Brooklyn, thereby reducing the
league to eight eluhs. If Yon Der Abe
wins his suit, and he is kept in power
by the St. Louis courts, tln-u the reduc
tion will lie blocked and Louisville club
will probably dispose of some of its star
players. It: can be sad, however, that,
rhe magnates expect the courts to de
cide in favor of Muckenfuss and they
have already made arrangements for
a meeting of the heads of the eight clubs
inb-t^sfed.
While Mr. Dreyfus would not go into
details regarding the offers from the
Eastern clubs, he admitted that the New
York and Philadelphia clubs were the
ones that seek the Colonels best plays rs.
He also admitted that one of the offers
was SIO,OOO for Outfielders Fred Clarke
and Charles Dexter. Mr. Freedman also
made an offer of $4,000 for Pitcher Con
ningham. Philadelphia has also made
offeres for Clarke, Dexter and Kittredge.
Magee and Clingman are also sought by
the Eastern magnates. Il is stated that
the local owners can dispose of four or
five of their players to the Now York
and Philadelphia clubs for at least $95.-
(HtO. Whether the Louisville stockhold
ers will decide to dispose of these play
ers is a question which will not be an
swered until the annual meeting next
week,
WAR AGA NST GAMBLING
GRIND JURY AT LOUISV LIE CLEANSE
T HE CHY.
Mayor Severely Handled for His Inactivity
1 , Memb-rs of the Board of Public
Safety Asked to Resign.
Louisville, Ivy., Dec. 31. —The Decem
ber grand jury, winch created such a
sensation last Saturday by ordering a
raid of the pool rooms of the city, tin
first time they had Wen disturbed dur
ing the twenty years of their existence,
today returned a scorching report in
which Mayor Charles I*. Weaver was
taken severely to task for his inactivity
in the matter of gambling in Louisville.
The report also called for the resignation
of certain members of the board of public
safety, which uody has direct control of
the police force of the city, saying that
they not only hindered and obstructed
the chief of police in the discharge of
his duty, but that they should make
way for men who would enforce the
law.
Gambling of every kind is at. an end
and the Kentucky Lottery and the pool
rooms are closed. Prize fighting, which
flourished here for a time, has also been
stopped. However, a merry-go-round
race track will bo constructed here with
in the next thirty days, and pools will
be sold there.
DROPPED THIRTY DEGREES.
Richmond. Yu.. Dec. 31. —Between 12
m. today and midnight the themometer
fell 30 degrees, standing at the latter
hour at 21). A stiff cast wind is blow
ing anti bail and snow have been fall
ing since 10 o’clock. The ground is now
coveredvto the depth of about a quarter
of an inch.
ORDERS FOR TEN LOCOMOTIVES.
Richmond. Vo., Dec. 31.—Tilt* Rich
mond Locomotive and Machine Works
hits just received from the Erie Railroad
an order for fifteen ten-wheel locomo
tives.
TELEGRAPH 1(1 FLASHES.
General Corbin expioets no news from
Otis before to-night.
An explosion of a pump station supply
ing several towns inOhio with natural
gas is causing much suffering, as great
i trouble is experienced in supplying at
short notice other fuel in sufficient quan
tity for the consumption of the inhabi
tarits. Many people have taken to their
beds to keep warm. Part of the pumps
will be running again by Monday.
Representative Diuglcy. who has been
confined to his room in Washington sev
eral days, is threatened with pneumonia.
; FAVORS AUGt'ST ELECTIONS.
Laurinburg Exchange.
We reproduce Judge Avery’s letter to
the News and Observer favoring State
elections in August liefore general elec
tions in November, in this issue. We
heartily favor Judge Avery’s view of
the matter and though opposed in the
main to so many elections we believe
it the thing that will forever still all
doubt about who shall rule our State.
Republicans. Populists and Democrats
are convinced that no other race than
the Anglo-Saxon will be allowed to hold
the reins of our State government and
will vote accordingly.
A‘clumsy Sara logo waiter upset a cup
of tea on the shoulder of the late John
W. Hammersler. “Shall I bring you
another napkin ?7 asked the w j iter. “Per
haps,” said Mr.; Ilamniersjey, “you
• would better hrjng me a mackintosh."
1 OUTBREAK FEARED
Changes in Cuban Govern
ment Will be Peace‘ul.
ORGANIZING THE POLICE
NEARLY THIRTY-FOUR THOUS
AND TROOPS NOW IN CUBA.
FOUR NEW MILITARY DEPARTMENTS
Vilson With More Troops Ordered to Cub i
Brooke's Proc'amalion Asking Cuban
Co operation to Insure Good
Government.
Washington, D. Dee. 31.—The
prospects for a peaceful change of ad
ministration in Havana have brightened
very much as a result of the energetic
measures taken by the War Department
and the army officers in charge at Ha
vana to prevent trouble.
Advices to this effect appear in a
cablegram received to-day by Assistant
Secretary Meiklejohn from General
Brooke, Military Governor of Cuba, in
which after referring to some routine
matters he says:
“There will be no breach of order; of
that I am assured. You may rest as
sured that there has been nothing beyond
the usual in a city of this size.”
The War Department is also informed
that General Ludlow, in charge of
Habana city, is proceeding with vigor
to organize the police force there to re
place the dismissed Spanish force known
as the Ordeif Puhlic-o. After examining
a number of applicants for appointment
on tin* force he has selected and ap
pointed I.OUO Cubans. General Ludlow
has discovered to his surprise that there
never was a detective force in Havana,
so he has called in an expert member of
the New York detective bureau to or
ganize a corps for Ilabaua immediately.
The War Department is confident that
there will be an adequate force of troops
in the island to carry out its plans and
to maintain order. Adjutant General Cor
bin has prepared a statement showing
that to-morrow when the Spanish flag
comes down there will be an American
army in Cuba numbering 33,914 men,
made up of 32,45(5 enlisted men .and L
-45(5 officers. These are distributed
among the exisiting provinces as fol
lows:
In Habana province, 15.914: Pinar del
Rio, 2,lbH; Matanzas, 3.054; Santa
Clara. 2,43(5; Puerto Principe, 1,403;
Santiago de Cuba, 7,405,
To simplify the administration of mil
itary affairs and prevent possible con
flict of authority, the War Department
to-day issued an order creating four
new military departments in Cuba,
namely, Pinar del Rio, Matanzas. Santa
Clara, and Puerto Principe, bounded by
the provincial boundaries of the same
name. Three departments have boon
heretofore established. Santiago, Ha
bana, and the city of Habana. so that
the island now stands divided into
seven.distinct military departments each
under the command of an army of
ficer independent of the others, but all
responsible to General Brooke, the Mili
tary Governor of the entire island.
The War Department has come to tlu
conclusion that it will be necessary to
afford General Brooke the assistance ol
a special Cabinet, approaching in func
tions the late Autonomous Cabinet of
Culm, in the administration, of the civil
affairs of the island, it has not been
decided whether the Cabinet, to be ap
pointed, shall he mad * up of army of
ficers, specially detailed, or whether as
sistants shall be called in.
Orders have been issued for the dis
patch of additional troops to Cuba to
assist in the maintenance of g:>od gov
ernment there. The orders are ad
dressed to Major General J. 11. Wil
son. commanding the First Army Corps
with headquarters at Macon. On. The
Secretary of War directs that the head
quarters of that corps, originally fixed
at Cienfuegos, Cuba, be changed to
Matanzas qnd that General Wilson with
his headquarters and the Eighth Massa
chusetts, Hundred an 4 Sixteenth In
diana and the Third lv-ntucky volunteer
infantry be put in rend mess for trans
portation to Cuba, fully armed and
equippped for field service ami supplied
with thirty days rations and forage in
addition to that reqprel lor the jour
ney.
Havana, Dee. 51.—A proclamation by
Major General John It. Brooke, Mili
tary Governor of Cuba, will bo- issued
to-morrow to the jieople of the island.
In part it is as follows: J
"The object of the present govern-j
ment is to give protection to the people j
and security to property, to restore con
fidence. to encourage the people, to re-!
smne the pursuits of peace, to build up
waste plantations, to resume dimmer-'
trial traffic, and to afford full protection
in the exercise of all civil and religions
rights.
"To this end the protection of the
United States Government will be directJ
ed, and every possible provision will be
made to carry out these objects through
the channels of civil administration, al
though under military control.
"In the interest and for the benefit ol’
all the people of Cuba and those pos
sessed of rights and property in the is
land, the civil and criminal codes which'
prevailed prior to the relinquishment of
Spanish sovereignty will remain in
force, with such modifications and
changes as ..may, from time to time he
SECOND EDITION:
• PRICE Fl’ / JENTB.
found necessary in tlu* interest of good
government.
"The people of Cuba, without regard
to previous affiliations, are invited and
urged to co-operate in these objects by
the exercise of moderation, conciliation
and good will, one toward another.
"Tlu* Military Governor of the island
will also be pleased to confer with those
who may desire to consult him on mat
ters of public interest.”
The city is quiet and the Cuban in
dignation at the American authorities
forbidding demonstration* is subsiding.
A general order was issued to-day tak
ing over tin* Spanish telegraph and
telephone lines.
The Spanish auxiliary cruiser Rapido
and the Spanish torpedo boat Marques
Ensenada. Galicia. Marques Molins and
Diego Yelasqiiz sailed to-day for Spain
via the Island of Martinique. The Ra
pido had on hoard Amniral Manterola,
the Spanish naval commander, and the
Patriota, another Sianish auxiliary
cruiser takes the Spanish naval officials.
The arsenal here was occupied by
Americans to-day and Morro Castle and
Cabanas were occupied according to
program last night.
The position of the Mil itary adminis
tration in requesting the Cubans not to
make any demonstration to-morrow upon
the occasion of the turning over of the
government to the United States was
privately advised by several notable Cu
bans. whose names are not made public
in order to protect them from the wrath
of their people. The prohibition would
have been issued even if this advice had
uot been given. Nevertheless the tact
that it wastgiven shows that the judg
ment of General Brooke and General
Ludlow is sustained by expert judges
of Cuban character and feeling.
MR. ELLIS FOUND DEAD.
Christmas Fatalities —The # German
Club’s Dance.
Henderson, N. (’., Dee. 31. —(Special.)
—The funeral services of Mr. Robert M.
Ellis were held at the residence of his
son. near Henderson, yesterday after
noon. the Rev. J. I), llufham officiating.
His death occurred suddenly, while at
tending to liis business in his pack room.
He was found dead, hours afterwards,
and his death was attributed to heart
failure, by the examining physieans.
Mr. Ellis was an honorable gentleman
and an old Confederate soldier. He
served in tin* Townesville Guards, un
der Capt. Coleman, during the whole of
the war.
Henderson has had its crimes, as well
as pleasures, during the Christmas holi
days. Joe Knight came near killing
Elisha Wimbish. and Nelson Marrow
broke the skull of Peter Crutchfield with
his gnu—all colored. Both of the injured
men are in critical conditions.
The festivities of the season 'closed
with a delightful german (by the Hen
derson German Club) in Cooper Opera
House last evening. Mr. Brooks Par
ham led, and the following couples took
part: Mr. Albert Clifton, of Texas, and
Miss Daisy Stephens; Mr. Charlie El
more and Miss Bessie Shaw; Mr. Tay
lor. of Oxford, and Miss Annie Slmw, of
Elizabeth City; Mr. Henry Powell and
Miss Nannie Landis; Mr. Allen, of
Lonisburg, and Miss Avery; Mr. Thom
as Horner and Miss Lottie Britt, of Ox
ford; Mr. R. B. Powell and Miss Lola
Tucker: Mr. L. Miller and Miss Leva
Lyon, of Durham: Mr. Janies Davis and
Miss Annie Taylor, of Oxford: Mr. I
Young and Miss Fannie Gregory. <>t'
Mr. James Broilie and Miss
Willie Skinner, of Oxford; Mr. John
Horton and Miss Alice Cheek; Mr. Ford,
of Lonisburg. and Miss Belle Thorpe, of
Goshen; Mr. and Mrs. John Thomas;
Mosdamcs Jas. Lassiter, Joe Inman,
Miller, and W. O. Shannon were the
chaperones.
THE BOTTOM FELL OUT.
An Exciting Experience at a Chritinas
Entertainment.
Durham, N. C., Dec. 31. —(Special.)—
The information reaches here that while
a Christmas entertainment was in pro
gress at Bell's Chapel. in Chatham
county, one night this week, the floor
collapsed. Some one outside yelled
“fire!” and for a few minutes pandemo
nium reigned. Nearly every sleeper of
the floor gave way at the same time
and the crowd was thrown in a con
fused pile in the center of the house.
This caused a general scramble and
great excitement. At this juncture sev
eral persons on the outside heard tin*
commotion, and not knowing what it
was or what else to do. began to yell
“tire!” again. This added new terror
to. the already excited crowd in tin
house, and for a while it looked as it
a general stampede would follow. Some
cool heads, however, soon quited things.
No one was seriusly hurt, but several
were bruisd.
Minni Whitt, tlu* 9-year-old daughter
of Mr. Thomas Whitt, died last night
at 9 o’clock on Chapel ll'ill street, of
something like rheumatism. She was
taken sick in Raleigh some weeks ago.
Rev. R. Hihberd, superintendent ot
J the North Durham Mission Sunday
j School, was presented last evening with
! a nice Bible from the scholars and
j friends of the school. Dr. A. Clieat
■ ham presented the gift on behalf of th *
school.
I Dr. W. I*. Few, of Trinity College,
has returned from a visit to his father
in Carolina, and also a trip to
I Ya.
Katie L. Johnson gave a very
Jflpnjoyuble party last night a( her home
ron-Chapel Hill street.
Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Simmons arrived
in Durham from Rome, Ga., this morn-/
I ing. Mrs. Simmons, who was Miss Les
lie Southgate before her marriage, is
well known throughout North Carolina,
and other States.
A cage accident in the Lake Superiß)
Michigan, mine yesterday caused
death of six Finnish miners and
injury to three mitre. 9g||