North Carolina Newspapers

M 1 II II II ,N t 1 1 . JLJLJr. . -JJ u iJ X VOL. XXXI'-NO. 4744. 1 I " ' I 1 I I .. 3K I 11.11 II II I I I I XXI ' I I I I X SUrtUW 1L H JLLi Lh in-, WW . i CHARLOTTE, N. C, MONDAY EVENING, JUNE 20, 1904. - ; f - " PRICE: 3 CENTS WIIDY CITY If 1HE fferent States Prepar The in ing for the Big Convention by Holding Caucuses and Doing Other Preliminary Work. As to Who Will be the Nomi nee for Vice President, U Still in Doubt. Senator Fsirbanks Still as Dumbas an Oyster. (By Associated Press) (:;,.iSo. June 20. The forenoon tiv.ii! today brought in the stragglers, a'.ul t;.e ranks of nearly all the State tle!.'s;:iiioiis have been filled. With the arrivr.1 of the delayed delegates were tiimiiuited all obstacles to the holding t f (. iin usns. State headquarters were MMisilit and the programme of the day as, t iuiiiKHl. It developed that most of tiic a.-.i-uses would be held late in the day and tonight and nothing remained to the newcomers but to take their places in the hotel lobbies and discuss ti:e absence of contest, the inactivity of lieWiuiutis and the small attendance. In the corridors of the principal hotels where the States have established headquarters is missed the buzz, the rcavt rsation proceeding from councils behind t'osed doors; pass groups of national figures and one hers the lainrli which follows a story well told. The utter absence of sharp political w.'ik :s noticeable and forces the real ization that "everything is fixed." One of the absentees is the man who lias "attended eery Republican con vention since Lincoln was nominated," l.i:t that is only another illustration of the quietness of convention eve. Seme importance is attached to a desultory discussion of Senator Fair banks' probable reasons for declining to talk about the Vice Presidency and of the wisdom of his reticence. Were it not for the gossip he has furnished and the little flurry raised by the possibility of tariff revision and the reciprocity rreeping into the resolutions in a form obnoxious to '"stand-patters," polities would be a dead letter in the Republi can eonventiQiijjris year. Though most WELCOMES ADVANCE GUARD -3f the States will cauensday -yuUtrfRtic-tfav ..nan convention tomorrow the hotels are not crowded. They are not even well filial. With no contest for first jilaee on the tii ket and apparently none for the second no occasion exists for marching clubs of enthusiastic shouting thous ands headed by bands, nor for other organizations which customarily add to the din, the blare and the excitement of a convention. They are not needed and they are not here. Senator Fairbanks' continued silence regarding the Vice Presidency has caused some of his strongest support ers in his own delegation to advise him to make an announcement today that v ie would be glad to nave tne nomina tion. A number of his friends, includ ing Representatives Watson and Hemenway and Chairman Goodrich, of the Indiana State committee, met in .Senator Fairbanks' room early in the day with the object of settling on whether he ought not now to say that he is a candidate. The decision prob ably will be communicated to the In diana delegation which meets this fore noon. ' "Xew York has not determined whom it will support for Vice Presi dent." said Governor Odell today. "It is not pledged to Fairbanks or Cannon or Hitt. There is plenty of time to ihink it over and there should be an open field." The New York delegation meets to night at 9 o'clock. Refused to be Smoked Out Chicago, June 20 Senator Fairbanks today continued his silence on the sub ject of his candidacy for the Vice Pies idencv. Some of his strongest sup porters in the Indiana delegation ad vise him make the announcement that be would he elad to have the nomma tion. Some of his friends held a consul tation with him as to whether he ought not now to say whether or not he will be a candidate for the office.. The re sult will probably be announced today Governor Odell aaid this morning that the New York delegation had not decided whom to support for Vice Pres ident, tip is nnt nledeed to any one :nd he said it should be an open field Senator Fairbanks Chairman. The Indiana delegation met today and on motion of Senator Beveridge, Si :sator Fairbanks was made chairman by acclamation. There was no mention o: the Vice Presidency and it is under ?' od that the silence on this point was !;.:o to a renuest from Senator Fair- ';;:nks himself, who still adheres to his determination to do nothing that would dv like seeking the positin. Senator li ,-eridge, who will represent Indiana rn the committee on resolutions is " rand-patter." Washinaton for Fairbanks. "Fairbanks for Vice President will uveive the solid vote of Washington.' This announcement was made today by Senator Ankeny. The Kentucky delegation is divided on the Vice Presidency. A majority, homever, are favorable to the Indiana Senator. A caucus is to be held late to ay when an effort will be made to unite on a candidate. Delegates from Indian .Territory, "tir-ertain as to what action will be taken by the convention on the subject of statehood, ' are making an earnest fight for home rule for all Territories, pending their admission to the Union.' The Iowa Idea. The "Iowa Idea" was emphatically laid on the table today by the Iowa delegation. It is understood, however, that Governor Cummins will advocate, it on the floor of the convention in supporting the Hansbrough resolution for tariff revision-and reciprocity. The Ibwa delegation met and organ ized today. This ceremony occupied but 15 minutes. At its conclusion Governor Cummins took the floor and presented his "idea" concisely embodied in a set of resolutions. Discussion which lasted for an hour and a half folliwed, when the resolutions were laid on the table by an overwhelming vote. The details of the vote -were not recorded. The Cummins resolution, which is the "Iowa Idea," up to date are as follows: "Resolved, That it is the sense of the delegation that the national; Republican platform about to be adopted should be broad enough to furnish comfortable standing room for all Republicans who believe in the essential, principles and poucies of the party that upon the sub ject of tariff and reciprocity it should embody in some form the following statements: ; First, clear and emphatic declaration of the time proven policy of protec- j tion. I "Second, an unmistakable ' recogni tion of the fact that the tariff sched ules must be readjusted at reasonable times to change the condition of pro duction; and that any such readjust ments should be made by the friends of protection. . "Third, that at the next session of the present Congress the subject should be taken up and such changes in the schedules should1 be made as are re quired to preserve for our producers and secure for our consumers ade quate protection no more, no less. "Fourth, a plain and forcible declara tionfor reciprocity; to be established either by treaty or by act of Congress circumstances may demand, whenever the policy can be employed to increase production at home and increases the general welfare whether in competitve or non-competitive things." No action was taken by the delega tion as to the Vice Presidential nomi nation, although the sentiment seems to be for Fairbanks. Mr. Long's Candidate. John D. Long, of Massachusetts, for mer Secretary of the Navy, today au thorized the Associated Press to an nounce that his candidate for the Vice Presidency was William H. Taft, Sec retary of War, whom he regards as in every way the most available and best man for the office. "There can be nc question of th' strength of Mr. Taft," said Mr. Long "He has made his record. The coun try knows him, and the ticket, Roose velt and Taft, would in my opinion guwon thf rnnntrv. Mv reasons for favoring Mr. Taft are these: "First, his eminent qualifications as presiding officer; dignity, ..sound udgment 'and deliberation, are char- -'sScbnd, his close and warm friend ship for the President. He wotua certainly make an agreeable running mate for Mr. Roosevelt. Third, the fact that he is splendid ly qualified for the increased responsi bilities which would devowce upon tne vice-president in the case cf an emer gency, and lastly, cr perhaps I should have said, first, the fact that there is strons sentiment throughout tne country toward Taft for the Presiden cy in 190S. . "My suggestion or Mr. Taft is being everywhere warmly received, and es pecially among the Eastern deiega tions, the sentiment seems to favor him for the vice-presidential nomin ation." Senator Cullom will organize the Illinois delegation over the opposition of Governor Yates. Twenty-eight out of the fifty-four delegates met in Senator Cullom's room today ana pledged themselves to support him for chairman of the meeting of the delegation later in the day. The Pennsylvanians will hold a con test tonight, when Senator Boies Pen rose or Senator Knox will be niaao chairman. I "Speaker Cannon is primarily our selection' for the vice-presidency," said Congressman Patterson, "but he is so unequivocally opposed to it, that, out (Continued on eighth page) THE T The WelL Known New York Negress Killed by Her Common Law Husband, Charles Arthur, Who is a White Man. 1 mv Aftsociated Press) - New York, June 20. Ida Howard, alias "Goldle" Morgan, a negress. who was' known as the colored "Badger Queen of the Tenderloin" was shot and killed today by her common law hus band, Charles J. Arthur, twenty-five years old, a white man. The shooting was the culmination of a quarrel in which the couple had been engaged for more than a week and oc curred after Arthur had been appar ently" deserted-by the woman. Arthur was arrested as he was about to fire a: fifth shot Into' the woman's body as she. lav in the street where she had fallen and on the way to the police station he was menaced by negroes who sought vengeance for the death of a member pi their race. - ' Mrs. Howard was 23 years old, and was exceptionally pretty. Arthur said he had intended to shoot himself .after, killing the woman, because, he said, she had ruined his life. He was locked up on a charge of murder. BADGER QUEEN MURDERED DAY Q METING OF THE BAR ASSOCIATION It Will be Called to Order at 8:30 0'Clock at the Colo nial Club. Mr. Chase Brenizer to Welcome the ''Legal Lights." i At the Meeting Tomorrow Morning Hon. Burton Smith of Atlanta to Deliver the Annual Oration. As sociation Notes. The meeting of the- State Bar Associ ation will hold its first session this evening at 8:30 o'clock at the Colonial Ciub rooms, the Elks building. Mr. F. R. Woodard, chairman of the executive committee will call the ses sion to order and Mr. W. D. Pruden, president of the Association will pre sent Mr. Chase Brenizer of the Char lotte Bar who will make the address of welcome. Judge R. W. Winston Vvill re spond to the address in behalf of the association. . This will be followed by an address ilNIGHI ' . .: 'X i !! - or , W. D. PRUDEN, President cf the Bar-Association. or "Law and Lawyers In Washington State," by.Mr.R. C. Strudwick of Greensboro. After Mr. Strudwick's ad dress, reports of the standing commit tees will be heard. Tomorrow the special feature will be the annual address by Hon. Burton Smith of Atlanta, at 10:30 o'clock. Mr. Smith is president of the Atlanta Bar Association, is a brother of Hon. Hoke Smith and is a lawyer with a national reputation. There, will also be a meet ing tomorrow night at 8:30 o'clock. La dies and the public generally are cor dially invited to attend any or all of these meetings. Tomorrow evening at 8:30 o'clock there will be a reception at the Manu facturers' Club in honor of the lawyers. The Charlotte lawyers are enthusi astic over the prospects for a fine meet ing of the association and everything is in readiness for thB opening session tonight. Some of the lawyers who have already arrived are the following named: Judge B. F. Long, of Statesville; . J. C. Martin, of Asheville; R. B. Red win of Monroe; B. G. Crisp of Manteo; Hon. Burton Smith of Atlanta; Mr. and Mrs. Jones Fuller, of Durham; Judge R. W. J. CRAWFORD BIGGS Secretary cf the Bar Association. Winston of Durham; Thos. ,W. Davis, died this morning. The funeral ser Wilmington; C. F. Warren, Washing-' vice will be held tomorrow afternoon ton, N. C; Crawford Biggs, Durham;, jat 4 o'clock at the residence on North Mr, and Mrs. W.D. Pruden, Edentonfi Davidson street, and will be con- Donald Mclver of Wadesboro; Judge R. C. Strudwick of Greensboro; J. L. Flemming of Greenville,1 Thos. S. Ken- an of Raleigh, and Marshall W. Bell of Murphy. They are an unusually fine looking set of men and one passing about the hotels cannot but notice them. The earlyrains this evening will be crowd ed with incoming lawyers from all parts of the State. Among the arrivals expected tonight is Hon. Lee S Over man, United States Senator. They are gladly given the freedom of the cify and the entire place will join with the Charlotte Bar Associa tion in giving thern a hospitable wel come and trying to make their visit a pleasant one. POISONED THE WELL. A Mean Attempt to Make Way With a Family Near Raleigh. (Special The Novs.) Raleigh, June 20. An attempt to poi son the well and kill the family of Mr. Will Cooley, a prosperous farmer, who lives a few miles from Raleigh, was dis covered Sunday. Pieces of bread, with some evidently poisoned substance spread on it, were found in the well and a small sack of roqts and herbs witl a rock for a sinker was found lodged cntheAwallj near the water. A negro tenant dismissed for neglect ing the crofis is suspected. He refused to drink the water from the well before the suspicious substance was found. The State Chemist is making an anal ysis o fthe bag of roots and the bread. TWO BURNED TO DEATH. And Six Injured in a Saloon Fire in Cleveland. (By Associated Press.) Gleveland, June 20. Two persons were burned to death and six injured in a fire that partially destroyed a sa loon and boarding house here today. Several men and women jumped from the windows to escape. The origin of the fire -is unknown. 71f vr. Vi 3 "..'""5-. ' ' THREE CANDIDATES F Stedman, Turner and David son Make Satisfactory Re- - plies to Anti-Saloon In quiry. Mr. Glenn has Not Received the Inquiry. (Special The News.) Raleigh, N. C, June 20 Editor J. W. Bailey of the Biblical Recorder, who, as chairman of the North Caro lina Anti-Saloon League wired each of the four candidates for governor for an expression as to their position in the temperance fight in this State, said this morning that he has received sat isfactory replies from three, Stedman, nnvirlcrnn an.l Tnrnpr. dlfinTi hp savs. is an avowed temperance . man and the only reason nothing has been heard from him is that he is away from home and has not yet gotton the inquiry Col. P. M. Persall, private secre tary to Governor Aycock gave out the statement this morning that the gov ernor wishes to emphatically deny the persistent reports that he is- a candi- ' date for election as a delegate to the National Convention, - that he is not ' now and has never been a candidate for that honor and in fact could not go to St. Louis were he made a dele gate; that he has always told those who mentioned the matter to him that he did not desire the election. A charter, was issued for the Brown Rogers Co., Winston-Salem. The incorporators are Thos. J. Brown, Jas. M. Rogers, W. T. Carter. The capital stock will be $100,000. The company will conduct a wholesale and retail hardware business. Death of a Child. Fred ' Bangle, the 16-months old child of Mr. and Mrs. Luther Bangle, ducted by Rev. Messrs. George , W. Belk and L. A. Falls. The Interment will be in Elmwood cemetery. - ' 6. - . ARE RD ROM JAPANESE BURY RUSSIAN DEAD AT A Russian Officer States That ' No Soldiers on Earth Can OW p. J O f 4r I uuiieu caio xvusssiaii ueau auu lie re otand betOre the JapS aS I ports that many more dead have" been . - . r . . fcu.nd. I hey are hghting at I his lime. After the Battle of Vafangow the Japanese Bury Their Fallen Foes on the Battle Field. Russian Loss was About 7,000. (By Associated Press.) Liao' Yang, June 20. A general en gagement is proceeding near Kai Chou. The first train bearing 500 men has passed through going north. Tokio, June 20. It is reported that Vice Admiral Kumimura is engaging the Russian Vladivostock squadron off Oshima. The Navy Department has no confirmation of the report, but hopes th?.t it may bl truff. Cannonading Heard. Tokio, June 20. There is a possibil ity that the Russian Vladivostock squadron is again in the Korean chan nel. A report from Shiminoscki states that cannonading was again heard there today. Sl?.in on Battlefield. Tokio, June 20. General Oku reports (hat ho buried 1,516 Russian dead on the field after the battle of Vafangow, and the work was then incomplete. The natives say the Russians, them selves, buried and carried away many of the dead. Heavy Firing. Liao Yang, A correspondent of the Associated Press, reports from Haichen as having heard heavy, firing to the south and he believes it is either an attack upon Tshichiao bn the Japanese fleet again bombarding the coast near Kaiping. The firing continued from 10 o'clock at night until 2 oclock in the morning. No explanation has been given. Russian Officer Talks. New Chwang. June 20. 6 a. m. A c:.ssian officer who was wounded in tie battle at Vafangow (Telissu) told an Associated Press correspondent that the losses on both sides wpre. se vcre. He placed the Kussian casualties at at least 7,000. He says no soldiers In the world could withstand the Jap anesc as they have, been fighting lately. Their artillery fire, he claims, is mar velously effective. The Russians fought stubbornly but were unable to with stand the enemy's dashing persistency. Several hundred wounded Russians have been sent north owing to "a lack of hospitals and surgeons. All the available transportation! has to be used for supplies at the expense of the sick and wounded. The Japanese buried most cf the Russian dead after the battle. It is estimated on informa tion obtainable that the Japanese force moving northward is 70,000- strong, with 90,0(i0 men in the aggregate en gaged in the operations at Port Ar thur. Several Japanese spies have re cently teen captured a few miles south of Newchwang. The Russians are be coming more vigilant and are watching newspaper messages closely. Japs Used Lyddite. . Si Mu Chen, Manchuria, June 20. The Japanese artillery at the battle of Vafangow included heavy siege guns using Lyddite and sweeping the whole battlefield. The Japanese suffered tremendous losses in turning the Rus sian right. One battle of the Twenty first Regiment was annihilated. The hospital station at Vafangow was repeatedly struck by the enemy's shells, which mutilated the" Russian wounded. Refused to Sell Russia., St. Petersburg, June 20. 2 p. m It is now definitely established that negotia tions for the purchase by Russia of six Argentine cruisers had almost reached a successful conclusion when Argen tina raised the question as to under what flag they would be transferred, she being unwilling to sell direct to a belligerentThe medidm through which negotiations were conducted si.igsetLeu I that they be transfererd to Venezuela Costa Rica or Bulgaria, whicn wouia turn them over to Russia.- but Presi dent Roca rejected the proposal, in sisting that a bona fide maritime power should be the purchaser. ' Then Turkey began negotiations thrcugrf the Argen tine legation at Paris. The result of these negotiations is not known. Washington Hears of Battle. Washington. June 20. Tl-e Japanese legation has received the following ca blegram frdm Tokio: , - "General Oku reports that 'the Rus sian crnses which were buried by us near Telissu after the evening of the 17th amounted 1.516. The corpses are still being discovered and it is be lieved that the number , will be consid erably increased. The natives say that during the engagements the Russians carried back by railway a large number oftheir killed and wounded while later when about taking flight, they burned or buried corpses near Hua Hung Kau. The number of the rifles, guns and men captured beside those already re ported is increasing but the total is not yet known." ' Viceroy Alexiff Knighted, j St. Petersburg, June 20. The Patri arch of Jerusalem has appointed Vice roy Alexieff a Knight of the True Cross And sent to the Viceroy the decoration, containing a piece or the True Cross, with a letter expressing the hope that it will preserve him from all harm and enable him to come out victorious in his fight for the Ottiodox Church. A Severe Blow. Tokio, June 20. (3 p. m.) Further reports received here show that the blow inflicted by General Oku on the Russians in the fighting at Telissu (Vafangow) on -June 15th was more severe than at first wjs believed. The number of Russians killed in this battle will probably exceed 2,000 and their total loss including prisoners is esti mated at 10,000. The Japanese losses are lcs3 than 1,000 or about one-tenth of the Russian total. Up to June 17, General Oku had buried 1.516 Russian dead and he re- found, Chinese who watched the fighting from the Russian side report that the Rus sians removed many dead to ?.ie trains with their wounded, and that they buried or cremated many corpses in the village of Hua Sung Kou before they retreated. The number of prisoners and tro phies taken by the Japanese is en couraging. General Oku is not yet able to rep6rt the total number of prisoners. Three Thousand Killed. St. Petersburg, June 20. (5:05 p. m.) A detailed Teport of the Russian losses at the battle of Vafangow given out this afternoon places the total at three thousand killed -and wounded, mostly men who belonged to the tropp forming tne Russian right flank. HECTOR FULLER RELEASED. He Says Port Arthur is in No Danger From Japs. (By As&oelated Press.) Indianapolis, Ind., June 20. The News has received a special cablegram from Hector Fuller, its special staff war correspondent at Che Foo, giving the following account -of his release from Port Arthur, and the situation inside the besieged fortress: "Che Foo, June 20. After spending five days in a Russian prison, I was re leased and put on board a Chinese junk and sent to this place. The stories of starvation in Port Arthur, spread by the Japanese, are untrue, as stores and supplies are con stantly arriving at the besieged city lrom Cnmese ports. The Japanese blockade is ineffective. "The garrison consists of between 50.0C0 and G0.0C0 troops, and the health of both soldiers and civilians is good. "The damaged battleships have all been repaired and the harbor entrance cleared of obstructions. Immense new forts have been constructed, and, in my opinion, the place is in no immediate danger of falling into the hands of the Japanese. ' "The Japanese attack by land and sea made on the eighth instant, was easily repulsed. I was the first corre spondent to enter Port Arthur since the blockade began." Mr. Fuller was rowed across to Port Arthur from the Miautou Islands by two, Chinamen in an open boat and l:mdis JuiKj 13, was seixed, blind folded and thrown into a prison. in Side the fortress as was announced at the time by the Associated Press. REV. ELIJAH STONE DEAD. Was . Father of General Manager of Associated Press. (By Associated Press.) Chcago, June 20. The Rev. Elijah Stone, father of Melville E. Stone, gen eral manager of the Associated Press, and of Ormond Stone, professor of as tronomy at the University of Virginia, is dead at Charlottesville, Va., the home of his son, Ormond. He was born at Hampton, N. Y., in 1821 and educated for the ministry at the Auburn Seminary. Mr. Stone came to Illinois in 1840 and was one of the first circuit riders in the State. He often rode long distances in com pany with Abraham Lincoln when the iatter, was making his, campaign for the Legislature. His anti-slavery sympathies led him to take an active part in what was known as the "underground railroad." During Mormom troubles at Navoo. he was among those who opposed vio lence to Joseph Smith, although bit terly -opposed to Mor monism. - - . The Rev. Mr. Stone came to Chicago in 1855. He filled various Chicago pulpits until he retired from the ac tive ministry in 1882. I j TO INSTRUCT FOR PARKER. Texas Will Fall in Line For New York Jurist. (By Associated Press.) San Antonio, .Tex., June 20. Dele gates to the Democratic State conven tion which meets tomorrow to name delegates to the national convention are- already arriving. It is likely that the convention will instruct for Par ker. The platform will prcbably deal with State issues only. ( Clarence Owsley, of the Fort Worth Record, will probably be the temporary chairman of the convention. Arr.ong those stated to be delegates at large to St. Louis are, United States Senators Bailey and Culberson; Judge J. H. Rea gon, the only surviving member of the Confederate Cabinet, F. A. Bushick, editor of the San Antonio Express and Judge Clarence Martin, of Blanco. The convention will probably adopt a plat form dealfng with State issues only. " ' La. to Instruct for Parker. Baton- Rouge, La., June ? 20. The Democratic State Convention will meet tonight to select presidential electors and delegates, to the National Conven tion. Senators Foster and McEnery, E. B. Kruttsnicht and Governor Blanch ard will probably be delegates at large. It is expected ttat the convention will instruct for judge Parker. . , ' . To Be Released Tomorrow. (By Associated Press. ' ' Washington, June 20. The Navy De partment received a cablegram from Admiral Chawick at Tangier saying that Perdjcaris antf Varley will prob ably be released tomorrow. WEATHER.; ' Showerg Tonight and Tuesday. : : EAST RIVER STILL GIVES UP BODIES OF SLOW WRECK Up to Last Night 630 Bodies Had Been Recovered. Five More Were Added to the List of the Dead This Morning. More Than Two Hundred Witnesses Have Been Sum moned to Appear at the in quest Which Will Begin This Afternoon.' By AsKuci.-i I f1 Press) New York, June 20. All along the . East river from North Brother Island down to what are known as the Sunken Meadows, search was made today for bodies of the unfortunate who lost their lives in the disaster to the ex- cuision steamer, General Slocum last Wednfsday. : Although more than 630 bodies had been recovered last night, reports from the first few minutes of work today added five more to the total. These were found at widely separated points, and the searchers were of the opinion that before the day ended the list of miss ing would be considerably decreased. They believe that the big steamer and other craft will so stir up the water us to cause bodies lying along the bed ct the river to rise to the surface1. Wreckers at work on the wreck of the Slocum encountered new difficul ties. They were at work about the hull ot the sunken steamer when they Louud that instead of the hull resting in mud as they thought, it rested oa rocks which were never known to ex ist. This they say will delay the work somewhat. Several niore bodies were.-recovered itfing the forenoon, some of them in the vicinity of the wreck of the Slo cum. i,.oie than 200 witnesses have been summoned to appear at the inquest which was scheduled to begin before Coroner Berry today. It also Was' plan ned to have present Assistant United States District Attorney .and a stenog rapher with Instructions from the De partment of Justice to take down all the testimony offered. As fast . as the notes are transcribed the evidence will he examined by United States District Attorney Burness, who will In turn ' forward the evidence, together with his opinion thereon, to the department.. "If the evidence warrants it," said General Burnett today, "I shall not v.ait until the end of the inquest be fore moving in the matter, tt the evi- ' dence is strong enough the Federal jury will be considering certain phases of the case long before the inquest has closed." . Two bodies were found on the bot tom of the river with these ring pre servers around them. Another charge which the coroner was to investigate was one to the effect that a portion of the guard rail to which four bodies were found clinging when it was raised from the bottom of the river yes terday, was rotten and worm eaten. A resident of Jersey City named Workman, who lost two daughters and . a son in the disaster, returned home last night after having visited the scene of the wreck and after attending memorial services during the day blew his brain out with a revolver. The Coroner's Jury Secured. The coroner's jury was quickly se cured. President Barnaby, of the Knickerbocker Steamboat Company, owner of the General Slocum, was the first witness and from him was learned that the actual operation of the steam er was under Captain Vanshack, who received his instructions from Captain Pease. Cn application of the latter, he said, an inspection of the Slocum 7as made by the United States authorities before she was put in commission this year, adding, "It was reported to us that the Slocum was in thorough good order and working condition." He had not personally inspected the boat but said ie had examined the re ports of the company's inspection and of that by the United States inspection officers. The certificate of United States in spection was placed in evidence. It certified that on May 7, 1904, the Gen eral Slocum ,was in good condition, to carry 2,500 passengers, and that it had aboard 2,550 life preservers. The bills for dife preservers, .pre sented by Mr. Barnaby, which were sdted in different months in 1902, 1903 and 1904, upon examination proved to . have originally "borne the ' name "Grand Republic." This name had been scratched out and the name "General Slocum" substituted. When this fact was called to Mr. Barnaby's attention he was unable to explain, why anything . . of this kind had been done. The books of the company, however, would show what supplies went to the Slocum an J what to the Grand Republic. ' Asked if the ledgers would not show 'how many life preservers were bought for the Slocum since she was built In J 891, Mr. Barnaby. said he was not sure that all the ledgers could e found. Mr. Barnaby said that .be had in- -structed Captain Pease att the opening of the season to-put the .Slocum, "in firs.t class condition and to spare no ex pense." We spent $12,000 on the repairs suggested. '. - r ,-. ' -'".' ' ' He said the company estimated the boat as worth $165,000 and carried $70, 000 insurance on -her. Asked if ; the' boat was considered a good risk he re- . plied: "We paid the lowest possible premiums' . -I v -