The Weather Today: Fair. SIXTEEN PAGES— SECTION ONE—Pages 1 to S,
The News and Observer
VOL. LI. NO. 140.
Leadsall MorthCarolina Dailiesin News and Circulation
LIKE A TIGER TILLMAN
LEAPS POS McLAURIN
Tillman Had Charged That McLaurin’s Vote For
Ratification of the Paris Treaty Was
Bought.
IT’S A DELIBERATE LIE, SAID McLAURIN
Then He Met Tillman’s Fu
rious Rush Midway.
THEY ARE SEPARATED WITH DIFFICULTY
The Senate Adopted a Besolntion De
claring Both in Contempt. By a Vote
They Are Allowed to Make State
ments and Both Apologize to the
Senate. The Matter is Beferred to
the Committee 1 on Privileges and
Elections.
(By the Associated Preps.)
Washington, D. C., Feb. 22.—1 n accord
ance with a long time custom on Wash
ington'* Birthday the farewell address of
Washington was read to the Senate to
day immediately after the body convened
at 11 o'clock. Mr. Burrows (Mich.), read
the immortal document.
At the conclusion of the reading at
11:50, Mr. Lodge, from the Massachusetts
Legislature, submitted a memorial in fa
vor of such an amendment to the Con
stitution as would place it within the
power of Congress to enact laws regulat
ing the hours of labor in the various
States.
When routine business had been con
cluded Mr. Tillman resumed his speech
In opposition to the pending Philippine
tariff bill which he began yesterday.
He referred to the reading ol' Washing
ton’s farewell address as similar to the
reading in our churches of the Sermon
cn the Mount, but (he one evidently has
as little effect as the other, as it seemed
that w*p today were pponc “to spit ujton
the principles enunciated by the Father
of His Country "
Discussing the Philippine Tariff Bill, he
declared that uo revenues were needed by
the Insular government, in the Philippines
as it had ample funds. The sole object
of the hill was that the Philippine archi
pelago should be exploited and be made 1
to furnish an oppoadunHy to the few’ to
reap a golden harvest from the islands.
He declared further along with respect
to Cuba that the purpose of the adminis
tration was to give protection to the Cu
ban plantations in order to put millions
of dollars in the pockets sugar and
tobacco trusts. Thus it was too, with
the I’Hiilipine.s. It was proposed to give
ihe Oriental Archipelago the same sort
of free trade ns Porto Kico had !>een
glvt n. That Was the “game,” he insist
ed, and just as sure as the gun shines,
it was the purpose to afford American
capitalist* every opportunity to acquire
possession of the valuable properties in
the Philippines. “Yet,” said he. “Cod
save the mark, we pretend to be honest."
TILLMAN NAMES A BETTER PLAN.
Mr. Tillman maintained that Instead of
trying to civilise and elevate the Fili
pinos. tlie government might better have
spent some of the $400,000,000 expended
in the Philippines in colonizing the ne
groes in the Southern Slates of this
country
When he later directed a question at
“his friends or. the other aide of the
chamber,” Mr. Spooner inquired to whom
ho referred.
“I have many friends on the Repub
lican =ide.” said Mr. Tillman. "Person
ally you are a nic«, clean-hearted set of
men, but politically you arc the most in
famous oowairds and hypocrites that ever
happened.“ (Laughter.)
In the course of his speech, Mr. Till
man became involved in a lively colloquy
with Mr Spooner (Wise), regarding the
ratification of the Paris Treaty. The South
Carolina Senator referred to Mr. Schoon
er's comments in his speech yesterday
upon the part by Win. J. Bryan in
the ratification of th n treaty.
He agreed with the \Vi«enn*ion Senator
that the influence of Mr. Rrvao was po
tent, but insisted that even his influence
wasno t sufficient, to induce the Senate
to ratify the treaty, \ftcr he bad done
all that 1t was possible for him to do.
Mr. Tillman asserted, the Republicans yet
lacked votes enough to secure ratifica
tion.
“You know.” be shouted, shaking his
fingr-r at the Republican side, “bow those
votes necessary w-ere secured.”
“How were they brewed?” demanded
Mr. Spooner.
“T know if the Senator docs not." re
plied Mr Tillman.
“I have received information in confi
de noe from that side of the chamber. 1
know from that, that improper influences
were used in getting these votes.”
“Name the man.” insisted Mr. Spooner,
‘ upon whom those inCutnces were
brought to hear. It is duo tb° Senator
and duo the country that he name him.
A man who impeaches another in confi
dence* is a coward. If the Senator knows
TO-DAY’S PAPER.
Today's News and Observer will con
tain much to-day to interest every
reader. For variety and excellence few
issues have surpassed to-day's number.
A “leading law-ycr” argues that the
Governor has the right to pardon in cases
of contempt, and says the matter has
been so decided by the Supreme court of
North Carolina, and quotes similar de
cisions from other States and the Su
preme Court of the United States.
Maj. P. W. Childs, postmaster at Bur
lington, Vt., under Cleveland and Harri
son, who has been at Jackson Springs,
gives his impressions of things as he finds
them in North Carolina.
Mr. F. R. Arendell advises the educa
tional .orators to "stick close to t.he
growing plant”—to carry the Gospel Into
the rural districts, speak more in Rhaiu
katte school-house and less in Wilming
ton. There are chunks of wisdom in this
advice.
Col. J. M. Galloway advances mason*
why he thinks the Antietam-Sharpsburg
battle was the most remarkable of mod
ern times. “There is no Sampson in this
case,” he concludes.
We print in full the admirable im
promptu speech of Hon. Edward W. Pou.
member of the House from the Fourth
district. It rings clear as a bell, and
will give hope and courage to the
Democracy. An interesting interview
with Mr. Pou is also given.
Mr. W. W. Zachary contends for the
election of a Senator by the. Legislature
without instructions and cheers Democrats
by the assurance of Democratic gains in
Western North Carolina.
Dr. Kemp P. Battle furnishes the gist
of his instructive lecture on “How To
Study History,” delivered in Raleigh last
week.
“in the Realms of the Supernatural,”
contains incidents in the life of citizens
of Raleigh, giving wonderful instances of
fulfillment of dreams.
Mr. <’has. Hallock, of the staff of For
est and Stream, who wrote several able
articles for this paper in favor of the
Constitutional amendment when it was
pending, contributes an article on “The
Mobile Awakening.”
Maj. W. A. Graham telle how Vance
made the term “Tar-heel” one of honor
rid not reproach.
Rev. J. A. Stradley gives sensible ad
vice on “The man to Marry.”
There is a variety of short miscellane
ous news, in addition to the usual de
partments, news stories and the fullest
telegraphic service by the Associated
Press.
Interest deepens in Tom Dixon's story,
“The leopard Spots." 'Dio demand for
back numbers containing the first in
stallments shows that it is being read
with interest. One of the ablest men of
the Episcopal church, said last week: “I
read it with growing interest. It, will
do great good. It Is a significant de
fense of North Carolinians during Re
construction, ns well us an absorbingly
interesting story.
George H. Hepworth's sermon, Herbert
Brewster s Literary Letter and Rill Aarp’s
Philosophy are exceptionally interesting
this week.
♦ «.
of any man who has been improperly in
fluenced lie should name him.”
SAYS McLAURIN WAS BOUGHT.
“1 know,” as.-erted Mr. Tillman, “that
the patronage—the Federal patronge—
of a State Ims been parceled out to a
Senator since the ratification of that
treaty.”
“What State?” demanded Mr. Spooner.
’ “South Carolina,’’ shouted Mr. Tillman.
Then,” said Mr. Spooner, “I leave you
to tight the matter out with your col
league.”
"Well,” retorted Mr. Tillman, “I never
shirk th responsibility for a statement
I make. I know that he (Mr. McLaurin,
his colleague), voted for the treaty. I
know that improper influences were
brought to bear. T kn*>w what T believe.”
“You simply believe." retorts Mr.
.Spooner, “v hat you do not know.”
This ended the incident for the time,
but the feeling engendered manifested it
self later in a thrilling and sensational
scene.
Mr. Tillman, continuing his speech,
•icad some letters from .oldier; in the
Philippines, detailing the alleged cruelties
practiced upon th- natives by the Amer
ican forces. He told of l<>o Filipinos to
whom, the writer stated, the water cure
had been adminlstred. resulting in the
e'eath of all out twenty-fix of tbem.
Mr. Hoar interrupted to say that he had
received many letters maxing charges
against the American forces, but in every
it stance the writers had given him the
information either in confidence or at in
cident: of which they merely had heard
i.L-d of which tb*-y professed to know
relitivg personally He protested against
Iv.formation of that kind and declared:
“I do not vaDt anybody to tell me in
strict confidence of a murder.”
Mr. Burton (Ken.), Interrupted to de
fend Jeneral Funston. upon whom, he
RALEIGH. NORTH CAROLINA. SIN DAY MORNING. FEBRUARY 23. 1902.
said, the comments of Mr Tillman bad
rffleeted, as the soldiers who were
charg ’d in'the letters the South Caro
lina Senator had read with the cruelties
were under Goner;.l Funston'* command.
Mr. Run on read General Fun?ton’s ex
plicit denial of the very story which had
been referred to by Mr. Tillman, the de
nial concluding with the statement:
“This statement I wish to brand as an
atrocious lie. without The slightest foun
dation. Statesments of this kind are sim
ply braggadocio and this braggadocio ft;
repeated in the Senate of the United
States.”
Mr. Burton quoted General Funston as
saying that practices of this kind some
times were resorted to by tbe Mncabebe
scouts (natives.)
“That's a confession of the truth of
the charges?” shouted Mr. Tillman. He
disclaimed, however, any reflection upon
Gen. Funston.
Soon afterward Mr. Tillman concluded
his remarks.
McLaurin stung to action.
Scarcely had he resumed his seat
when there was enacted one of the most
sensational scenes ever witnessed in the
history of the United State?.
Pale to the lips and trembling with
emotion, which in vain ho tried to con
trol. Mr. McLaurin, of South Carolina,
rose and addressed the Senate, speaking
to a question of personal privilege. In
stantly a hush fell over the Senate and
over the people in the thronged gal
leries- Tin*- very atmosphere seemed
surcharged with excitement. With
breathless interest the auditors, both on
the floor and in the galleries, lijung upon
every word uttered by the South Caro
lina Senator. Despite the emotion under
which he was laboring Mr. McLaurin
seemed to be the calmest man in the
chamber. H ■ spoke with deliberation
nnd his enunciation was clear an l dis
tinct- Every word he uttered seemed to
be felt, as well as heard, in the re
motest parts of the historic old hall.
“Mr. President,*’ he began, “I rise to
THIS READS LIKE A ROMANCE
»
Mr. L. B. Eaton of Warren County Left a Fortune
by Mrs. Caroline Holley of Washington.
(Special to the, News and Observer.)
Washington, Feb. 22.—The many
friends of Mr. L. 1>- Eaton, of
Warren county, (known by his school
friend* as “Patsy,”) North Carolina,
will rejoice to know that he will soon
come into the possession ot a nice es
tate- Mr. Eaton was educated at the
University ot" North Carolina, and ob
tained a position in the Treasury De
partment here through a Civil Service
examination. He has been promoted
several times and is very popular here
with a large circle of friends, a? he is
in North Carolina. The story read? like
a romance, and is given in the following
telegram, printed in .some of the New
York papers:
Middletown, X. Y.. Feb- 21.—Mrs.
Caroline Holley, who waa an employe of
the Treasury Department at Washington
and who died recently at the age of 7L
left a remarkable will. It was drawn
up by herself, in her own handwriting,
and is not witnessed by anybody. Nor
has any executor been appointed.
By the document nearly all the prop
erty Mrs. Holley possessed, valued at,
520.000, is left to Lucius B. Eaton, 30
years old, who, too, work? for the
Treasury Department, who is named as
an adopted son- Mrs. Holley's rela-
a question of personal privilege.” 110 j
had voiced less than a dozen words, yet
the excitement by this ttime had be
come intense. All seemed to realize
that u portentous event was about to
happen. Senator Scott, of West. Vir
ginia. moved restlessly about in the rear
and Assistant Bergeaut-at-Arms Si. W.
Layton rose from his seat a* if to listen
the better to what was about to be said.
“During my absence," continued Mr
McLaurin, “A few moments ago from
the Senate chamber, in attendance upon
the Committee 'on Indian Affairs, the
Senator who has just taken his seat,
said that improper influence
bad been used in changing the vole of
somebody on that, treaty and then went
on lator and said that it applied to the'
Senator from South Carolina, who bad
been given the patronage in that State-
I think I got (he sense of the contro
versy.”
Still controlling himself with an est
but still speaking very calmly and
a carefully modulated tone, Mr. McL
in said, and his v, ords cut throng)
Senate chamber like a knife, “I <
to state, Mr. President. 1 would n<:
as strong lacguag*- as I intend had
scc-n after the Senate met repl
these insinuations and said tha<
were untrue.
“I now say,” continued Mr. Mel
with distinct emphasis upon ever
and half turning toward hi* co
Mr- Tillman, who sat in the same row
only three seats away, “that the state
ment it a wilful, malicious and deliber
ate lie.”
TILLMAN LEAPS UPON HIM.
Mr. McLaurin got no further with his
statement.
Mr. Tillman, who was occupying Ids
regular seat on tbe main aisle, sprang
with tiger-llke ferocity at his col
league. Mr. Teller, of Colorado, who
was Bitting at his desk between the two
South Carolina Senators, was swept
aside without ceremony. Indeed, the
infuriated Tillman climbed over him in
hi? effort to reach McLaurin. Without
the slightest hesitation McLaurin
sprang to meet the attack half way.
TiUman aimed a blow at hi* colleague
with his right list- It landed upon Mc-
Laurln’s forehead just above the loft
eye, although its force was partially
spent upon McLaurin’* arm, which had
raised in an effort to parry the blow.
Instantly McLaurin s right arm shot
out, the blow landing upon Tillman’s
face, apparently upon the nose. Again
Tillman struck out, frantically this
time, with his left hand. The blow did
not land upon McLaurin. Then follow
ed a will scrimmage, both Senators
clutching at each other madly.
Senators Marsh and Scott, both of
whom are powerful men, rushed toward
the combatants to separate them- As
sistant. Sergeant-at-Arms Layton sprang
over desks in his efforts to reach the be
liggerent Senators.
Just as he seized McLaurin, Tillman
aimed a left, handed blow at. his col
league, which struck Mr* Layton in tho
face. Fortunately the blow was
glancing and did no special lmrtn. Mr!
Layton toro them apart. Doth Senators
still were striking wildly at each other,
some of the blow* landing upon Mr.
Layton.
TORN APART STRUGGLING.
An instant later the angry Senators
were pinioned in the arms of Senators
Warren and Scott. They were dragged
further apart, although they still made
ineffectual efforts to get at each other-
Finally they were forced iDtp their
seats.
Mr. McLaurin. although very pale,
seemed to be the calmer of the two.
Mr. Tillman was a? while as a sheet.
As he gat. in his seat he drew his hand
kerchief from his pocket and wiped
blood from his face, that seemingly was
flowing Blight ly from his nose- Until
that lime It had not been supposed that
blood had been drawn in tho encounter.
During the flight Senator* all over
the chamber were on their feet. Not a
word, however, was spoken. The Sen
ate never in its history had received
such a shock.
The President Pro Turn, Mr. Frye, wan
I'ivdk, however, assert that she was In
fatuated with him.
The will has been tiled for probate by
Eaton- Attorney* for the heirs at law
and next of kin are trying to have the
will declared void. Here is the wording
of the document:
Washington. D. C., Aug. 31, 1901
‘l* am going on a journey and may
never return; and if I do not, this is my
last request: The mortgage on th •
King House, which is in the possession
of Mr. H. H. Brown, to go to the Metho
dist church at Blcomln^huvg. All the
rest of my property, both real aud per
sonal. to to)’ adopted son, L. I). Eaton,
of the Life Saving Service, Treasury
Department, Washington, D. C. All I
have is my own hard earnings, and I
intend to leave It to whom I please.
“CAROLINE HOLLEY."
Both Mr Eaton and the heirs-at-law
arc prepared for a stubborn light.
Mr Eaton could not be seen today
but it is understood that hi* attorney*
have no doubt that he will wiu the suit.
There is no more gallant gentleman liv
ing than Mr. Eaton, and he is the soul of
courtesy and Southern chivalry. Tho
lady who left him her estate regarded
him highly.
tbe first to regain composure. In calm
and unimpassioned font;* he directed
that the Senate be in order. He rapped
sharply two or three times, although
Senators, having by this time partially
recovered from tho shock, moved hur
riedly about tho chamber.
Mr- Gallinger was first to address the
chair
"Mr. President,” he said, “I ask that
the doors be closed.” Again tbe Presi
dent Pro Tem requested the Senate to
bo in order and that th Senator* re
sume their scuts.
McLAURIN SHUT OFF.
It was reserved for Mr. Pritchard, of
North Carolina, in a measure to relieve
the strain under which all were laboring,
lie desired to address the Senate on the
pending Philippine bill and calling for
the attention of the chair said: “If tho
Seuator from South Carolina (Mr- Mc
urin) has concluded” —
nterrupted by Mr- McLaurin,
ery calmly;
tow proceed with my remark*
re so unceremoniously iutcr
the Senator from South Caro
i ' rdcr.” interrupted Mr. Teller.’
i one of the Senators?” in-
Mr. McLaurin. with asperity,
one, ' said Mr. Teller, indicating
Laurin- “Arid the other one,
that
President,” interjected Mr. Foru
ktr. “i join in that. Surely,” lie con
tinued. with great feeling, himself as
i yet pale with excitement, “there is some
way to protect the dignity of this
| body.”
“Certainly,” said Mr. Burrows, who
had teen eudeavorins vainly to get the
eye of the chair, “and the Senate can
not let this thing pass. Mr- President.”
“Mr. President,” again said Mr. Gal
liager. “I Asked that the doors might
be cloe-ed."
“Mr. President.’ aaid Mr. Forager,
v ho bad moved into the aisle, ‘I move
that the Senate go into executive ses
sion."
Without, comment, evgp Senator labor
ing yet under the emotion which ail
(Contiuued on. Pag? 5.)
THIRTEEN LIVES LOST II A
FIRE | SEW YORE
The Flames Start In the Seventy First Regiment
Armory and Then Spread to Park Avenue
Hotel Thronged With Guests Many
of Whom Are Killed
and Injured.
(By the Associated Press.)
New York, Feb. 22.—For the third time
since New Year’s Day, Park Avcnuo
Hotel, this city, was the scene of the
loss of human life. The first was the
collision in the New York Central at
56th street and Park Avenue; second
came the dynamite explosion in the Rapid
Transit sub-way at 41st street, and the
third today was a fire, which started In
the 71st Regiment Armory at 33rd street
and then spread to the Park Avenue
Hotel, where thirteen persons were killed
and many InfVired.
It was the worst hotel fire since the
Windsor was destroyed.
The fire was first seen at about 1:30
o’clock In the morning in the armory,
and in a remarkably short time that
building was aflame from end to end.
The firemen made their way as best they
could through the streets deep with
slush and did all possible to confine tho
fire to the armory, but after they had
been at work nearly an hour, the dis
covery was made that the hotel was on
fire.
The hotel was crowded with guests,
who had come to attend the festivities in
honor of Prince Henry. More than 50'j
persons wore in the house.
The fire was confined principally to
the fifth and sixth floors, near the eleva
tor and air shaft. At about the time
the hotel wus found to be on fire, the
lights went out. and the corridors were
filled with smoke. Tffe guests, unablo
to find their way through the darkened
hallway Jumped from windows or ran
directly Into the flame swpt portions of
the building. It is this fact which ac
counts for the large loss of life, al
though tin* hotel was not destroyed.
The dead:
NORMAN ACTON, Alabama.
COL. CHAS. L. BURDETTE, Hartford,
Conn., Colonel First Regiment of the
National Guard of that State.
MRS. ELLEN FOSTER, a Tombs Prison
Missionary.
FRED S. HOVEY, Lyons, N. Y.
THOS. r. HOKE. Denver.
JOHN H. IVERSON. Denver.
UNKNOWN WOMAN.
CHAS. UNDERWOOD O’CONNELL,
New York, died of hie injuries in a hos
pital.
COL. ALEXANDER HfPER, U. S.-A..
retired, resident of Hotel.
G. A. ROBBINS. Lawyer of Selma, La.
MISS ESTHER SCHLESINGER, of
Chicago.
JACOB SPAWN, a lawyer of Rochester,
New York.
JOHN E. WALKER, Columbia. Tenn.
WM. H. BARNHARDT, Chicago.
The unknown woman'* body found on
the sixth floor—-wore five rings on the
left hand.
The list of injured, who are being
cared for at Bellevue and New York hos
pitals, is 0s follows:
Mrs. Leonora A. Bausch. an invalid,
| suffering from nervous shock.
Margaret and Catherine Bennett, of
| Denver, Colo., burns ou body, hands and
i limbs.
Bennett Harold, face and hands burned.
Rev. Wm. S. Roardman, this city, burns.
Mrs. W. S. Boardman, burns on face
and arms.
Louis Barry. Portland, Me., shock.
Bridgctnan, leirus.
Wm. A. Goven, employe of hotel, burns
and fliook.
Chas. A. Gregory, lawyer, New York,
face and hands burned.
Mrs. (Jiirolin*: I. R. Hall and her
daughter.
Miss Anna G. Hall, Newark, N. J., suf
fering from burns and shock.
Win. B. Hale, Williarrisvillc, Mass.,
partially suffocated.
E. S. Ilearne, Atlanta, Ga., burned on j
body.
Emily I. Livingston, burns ori face and i
body.
Lyons, 145 East 22nd street, cut by
falling gla-s.
Mis*. E. S. Meyer. Savannah, Ga., suf
ering from shoe A
Jos. Pearson, Pljsolfl, shock.
Frank B. Read, proprietor of Park
Avenue Hotel, burned on face and bauds.
Mrs. Frank B. Reed. tmrn°d on face and
hands.
Wm. Stebbins, $5 years old, burned on j
face and hands. I
Mrs. -S. Veacb, burned on face, hands j
and body.
€has. L. Woodbury, Portland, Me., par
tlally suffocated.
The fire in the armory started on tho
floor on the 33rd street aide, where there
was a tier of rooms occupied by differ
ent companies of the regiment. Within
five minutes the whole structure was be
yond saving and ten minutes later the
roof fell in with a terrific crash. There
was no one in the armory at the h‘me,
except a janitor and his family. They
escaped by goin4 through a scuttle hold
in the roof and thence along the battle
ments on the 34th street side to safety
on the roofs of houses to the east. This
passage was attended by much danger.
owiDg to the icy condition of the roof.
Sir. alarms were turned in, but in spite
of the quick responses the armory was
doomed. The prevailing gale mads it im
possible to check the Daises. Several
handled pounds of ammunition stored In'
PRICE FIVE CUNTS.
the tower of the armory detonated in a
series of minor explosions partially
wrecking the portion of the walls, near
which it was stored. , This added terror
and caused fear of greater explosions to
those who were fighting the flames.
It was not until almost 3 o’clock that
flames were discovered in the Park Ave
nue Hotel, directly across from the ar
mory. Manager Reed, of the hotel, had
been on the roof watching the fire in
the armory with guests from the hotel.
He had descended to the first floor, and
•was standing talking to a guest when a
burst of flames came un through the eler
vator shaft. Immediately he ordered his
men to go through the hotel to give the
alarm. The lights almost Immediately
went out and the hotel corridors were in
darkness. The flames leaped up through
the elvatoer shaft and seined to gather
around ihe fifth and sixth floors, filling
the halls with dense smoke and making
exit by means of the stairway almost
impossible.
Manager Reed ran up to the fourth
floor, and there or'ered the elevator,
which was descending. He alighted at
the first, floor and soon after the elevator
was a wreck.
Various opinions are given as to the
origin of the fire in the hotels. The
manager claims that it was of incen
diary origin. Others hold that -the fire
originated from sparks •from the burning
armory building swept by wind in the
direction of the hotel, descending the
air shaft, which was directly alongside
the elevator and igniting the debris
which was piled up ia the basement and
uaar the elevator shaft. The idea of in
cendiary origin is accounted for by tho*
guests of the (hotel and by Fire Chief
Cinker. Another theory is that the fire
started cn the fifth and sixth floors and
thus resulted In the damage to those
floors more than to any other portion of
the bjulding. The theory advanced by
the majority as to the nir shaft, is con
firmed by many cf the fire captains.
The flame* mounted rapidly and ihe
fire extinguisher!} ma le litt 1« Impression.
The guests on the fifth and sixth floors
had been aroused and those who had
not lost their heads started for the stair
ways. clad ouly in wrappers and some
with only : he< ts thrown over them.
Scores of people were taken from the
windows of the third, fourth and fifth
lloors of the bouse by Art men and by
police, many of the rescued being made
hysterical from frigid.
At the windows on the Park Avenue
side of the hotel, many persons appeared.
Women were screaming frantically for
help. A Mr. and Bradley, guests of
the hotel, who were to lave, today ou
the transport McClellan for Manila, ap
peared at a fifth floor window on the
Thirty-Third street side screaming
loudly. A Mrs. Charlotte Bennett and
her husband, of Alabama, stood on the
fifth floor on a ledge directly over the
portico and main entrance of the hotel.
Mrs. Bennett evidently thinking that no
ere was going to rescue her, struggled
front her husband's grasp and shouted
that she was going to Jump. The tlrcmeu
gathered in a circle below and stretched
out their arms. She broke away from
her husband and flung herself out of the
window, while the slams had almost n
veloj ed her. She was killed. Her hus
band rushed into the hall and made his
escape, though fie was slightly burned
and almost overcome by smoke.
Col. Burdett. after making a desper
ate attempt to save bltf life, met death
in a shocking manner. His skull was
split op"n and he was found shortly after
G o’clock lying In the court yard within
the hoted. He had fallen six stories-
Col. Burdett wp.s a guest on tin- fifth
floor. Boon after the alarm of fire
| reached him all escape was cut off. Ho
! drusrgod the mattress from his bed
i and dropped I* to the roof of an exten
sion over the hole! dtntng room, three
stories below. Then by tying the sheets
together he made a rope and secured It
to tl'c window. His object was to land
on the mattress and thus break his fall.
He miscalculated the distance and foil
to the court. ,
One of the saddest Incidents of the
fire was th edeatli of Mr 3. Salome Fos
ter, “The Tombs Angel,” who for fifteen
i years has been in service in behalf of
• female prisoners i nthe Tomo3 and other
! city prisons. Mrs. Foster was the
widow of John W- Foster, and had lived
for the past five years at the Park
Avenue Hotel. Her Income, which was
at one time considered large, was for
the most part expended upon the de
serving poor.
•»
The Constitutional Convention
Richmond, Va., Feb. 22.—The Const It u
tioual Convention today took up the re
port of the Committee on Finance and
Taxation, and adopt'd several sections.
It refused to leave the preseut hall,
and will hold all future aescrious there,
the hall was tastefully draped with tb
national fiag3 and the acoustics were
great ly improved.
Mr. Bummers offered a resolution of
adjournment for the day in honor of
Geo. Washington. It was rejected by 4 •
■ large majority.