North Carolina Newspapers

THE CHARLOTTE NEWS More people read The News in Charlotte than any other TWO papers combined. We give Automobile Tickets for every 50 cents paid on subscription. THE ONLY AFTERNOON ASSOCIATED PRESS NEWSPAPER IN NORTH CAROLINA VOL. XXXII--NO. 5003. CHARLOTTE, N. C, WEDNESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 21 , 1904. PRICE: 3 CENTS. SHALL D1LW0RTH BE SUPPLIED WITH LIGHT El ! Mr, E. 0. Latta, President of the . Four C'S Company, Writes a i Letter in Defence of the Action of That Company in Stopping Catawba Company, Mr. R. 0, Alexander, the Citizen Of D'llworth Who Contracted 1 for the Catawba LiffhtS, Gives ! 0 ' out an Interview. Statement About Catawba Co. Following up the statement published exclusively in the News yesterday af ternoon, concerning the conflict be- tween the Four C's and the Catawba rower Company over the lighting of private residences in Diiworth. The News has received today the following! ecmunicatioas and interviews, whicli ir gives to ihe public herewith: A Card From Mr. Latta. Charlotte. N. C, Dec. 21. 1904. To the Editer of The News: There appeared in your paper yes terday a statement which in its general purport is misleading and detrimen tal to the interests of my company. Tho party of whom you make rerer er.ce is Mr. R. O. Alexander. The in- formation conveyed to you as it pears in print is a misreoresentation of facts, absoltitelv false. Mr. Alexander complained of the amount of his bill, and said he could get 1 better price from the Catawba Power Co. Our Mr. Jones called UDon him and offered him the established rate of the Catawba Power Co., being 10c minimum per lamp per month, and explained that this rate is not favor able to residences or large installations with short burning hours, because in summer months the bill would remain ; 1 - - 1- : i . . . 1 .1 . . . 1 1 . ; 1 1 I large, mine nu uui um ieilcs ujc uin cften does not exceed the meter mini- j nmm of $1.50. Our bill for November was $13.45, at the Catawba Power Co., rate, obtainable from us, would be $11.62. Mr. Alexander said the Catawba rower Co. offered to make his bill $8.00. and he would give us S7.00 per month for each month in the 1 ear. We de clined this, because we deal with all customers on the same basis; they are at liberty to accept from us either rate, and they are maintained without parti ally identically the same in Diiworth an m Charlotte. Our minimum lamp ratp is not a penny more nor a farthing less than the Catawba Power Co's., and Mr. Alexander insisted that we accept one dollar less per month than he ad mitted had been offered him by the Ca tawba Power Co. In view of the fact that Mr. Alexander could obtain from us exactly the same price that ether ; people pay us in Diiworth and Char- j lotte. and the same price as is being charged consumers in Charlotte by the Catawba Power Co., I regarded the ex actions of Mr. Alexander as beinr ar bitrary and perverse, and we ceased all further conference with him. He enjoys many privileges without cost to him. We maintain free arc lights, free water hydrants for fire pro tection, we keep sidewalks and street crossings in comfortable condition; we have recently donated the ground for free school purposes and are taxing our property for its maintenance, and but for the utter absence of gratitude, we seemingly should be accorded the pref erence of patronage at same price in the matter of home lighting. I was surprised when notified by 'phone that the Catawba Power Co., were digging holes and distributing poles along Park Avenue, and I went MM THE CATAWBA? out and stopped them. In the issuing . c0ioradDi and J. W. Whitehead, of Me of our deeds appears the following, viz: : dana Ohio. Niven is chairman of the and the party of the first part express ly reserves to itself all ri2hts, privi leges and easements in and upon its property, and also reserves the right and title to all streets and avenues within said boundaries of Diiworth." I rfgard this invasion by the Catawba Power Co. as extremely indelicate, due perhaps as I hope to their unfamili arlty with the peculiar conditions with which I am surrounded. The inception of Diiworth was my own, and the toils of its transformation from waste fields to attractive homesites is known to but few. Some kind people have told me that I deserve credit, because they knew that ray failure would have brought distress to this community, while success has added increased value to every lot in Charlotte and every acre adjacent to its limits. The people of Diiworth are dependent upon me for the nrotection of free utilities, and upon my efforts rests the possible fur ther enhancement of their holdings, I and if my life is spared, my work of iil-building has only begun. I have the interests of our people at heart, and I am purely Democratic in my views governing citizenship, and if a major ity of the heads of homes in Diiworth will express their desire that the Ca tawba Power Co. shall enter Diiworth, and the said majority will devise plans and provide means for supplying arc lights, eac, relieving us entirely of all protectorate supervision, my consent is now committed to their will. The hand of encouragement has been extended me by many, and the vast majority of consumers of artificial light in Char lotte are standing steadfast and giv ing me their support, for which I am profoundly grateful, and their kindness I hali never forget, nor will I in any nieasure prove recreant to my obliga tion. E. D. LATTA. Mr. R. 0. Alexander on Diiworth Lights Mr. R. 0. Alexander was interviewed a News man today and asked what he thought of the ore1' ie Pour C's stopping the Ga'oJ ower Com- pany from putting poles on Park avenue. Mr. i 4 replied that he had not rer jefore that he was living in Ru .. where, as he under stands, the public thoroughfares can be used as private property, and where the Czar can make other people think they are not worth thirty cents. "I am in favor of Dilworth's incor porating at once," said Mr. Alexander. "I found out by a telephone message that I had from the Catawba Power Company that my bill would be four or five dollars less per month than it was from the Four C's and accordingly asRea mat me uaiawoa rower uum- pany put its lights into my residence. This is a simple matter of business with me. It amounts to an extra tax of fifty or sixty dollars a year. I am not antagonistic or partial to either company, but I repeat it is simply a business matter." Will Fight it Out. The Catawba. Power Company. through their representatives here, stated that they had nothing to say about the matter in dispute at this time, but it was learned that the com- wm enter the field in Diiworth it mere is any pussionity ui uuig so, ard they will make a hard fight. if necessary, to tais end. The News representative learned ! that the Catawba Power Company ex- t-cctod lo do their utmost to supply nower 111 the in wortn section, ana 1 that strong legal talent had besn em- ; ployed to secure that object. j " BISHOP OF CUBA. ' Rev. Albien W. Knight Consecrated in Atlanta Today With Imposing Ceremony. By Associated Press. Atlanta, Dec. 21. Rev. Albion W. Knight cf St. Phillips Episcopal Cath edral, Atlanta, was consecrated Bish op of Cuba today A large number of bishops and cler- i gy from all parts of the United States ap-'and several from Cuba took part in ! the services. The consecrators were Rev. D. S. 'TutthJ, Bishop of Missouri; Rev. F. G. Weed. Bishop of Florida and Rev. C. K. Nelson, Bishop of Georgia. The ! ordination sermon was delivered by Bishop Sessums, of Louisiana. SCHOONER LOST. Captain Rescued With the Crew and Telegraphs the News to the Owners. By Associated Press Portland, Me., Dec. 21. Connrma- tion of the loss of the schooner Clara Goodwyn, by Are off Diamond Shoals, and news of the escape of Captain P. J Ostman and crew was received today in a telegram from the captain to J. S. Winslow & Co.. owners of the ves sel. The message announced that the crew was rescued by the schooner Martha E. Wallace, and landed in New York last night. The Clara Goodwyn was bound from Port Tampa for Phila delphia, with phosphate rock. FIRE IN COLUMBUS. A Quarter of a Million Dollars Go Up in Smoke in the Ohio City. Bv Associated Press. Columbus, O.. Dec. 21 Fire on High strppt near Rroad. destroyed $150,000 propertv and in the explosion of gas fi firemen were iniured, none seri- ouly. The flames starteu in the Mithorr building in the rear of the First Na tional Bank. The serond, third and fourth floors were occupied as flats where fifteen families resided. All were rescued. The fire spread to the stores of the Krauss, Butler and Benham Com pany, carpet and rug dealers, and the Wheeler Grocery. RURAL CARRIERS BOUNCED. By Trying to Get Legislation For Higher Wages They Loce What They Were Getting. By Associated Press. Washington, Dec. 21. -Postmaster General Wynne has removed two more rural carriers for alleged efforts tn influence legislation. The em- niovees beine H. E. Nivin, of Berthoud, Executive Board of the National Ru ral Carriers' Association. Whitehead is also a member of the Executive Board and Secretary of its Ohio State organization of carriers. CLUB HOUSE BURNED. The Fashionable Metropolitan Club House Gutted by Fire Loss $100, 000. , By Associated Press. Washington, Dec. 21. The Metro politan Club House, the home of the most fr.shionablc ciub in Washington, was gutted by fire, involving a loss es timated from $60,000 to $100,000, par tially covered by insurance. The fire was caused by a spark from an electric wire near the elevator shaft. FOURTH CLASS POSTMASTERS. North Carolina Draws Three Prizes, Georgia Two, and Florida One. By Associated Press. Washington. Dec. 2. The following fourth-class postmasters were appoint- Georgia: Ratcliff. William C. Rat cliff; Swindel, Basil Dasher. Florida: York, James S. Mann. North Carolina: Bay, Samuel N. Alexander; Judson, Francis J. How ard; Linwood, Miss L. Grimes. SCHOONER HELPLESS. Waterlogged Schooner, the Edith L. Allen, lying Off Diamond Shoals, Brought to Port. By Associated Press. New York, Dec. 21. A water-logged schooner, 1e Edith L. Allen, was re ported Monday as lying in a helpless condition near Diamond Shoals Light Shin, off the North Carolina coast, brought here today in the steamer Sa- I bine PLATT AND DEPEW. Senator Piatt Calls a Conference of Prominent New York Politicians to Advocacte Senator Depew's Candi dacy. 1 By Associated Press. New York, Dec. 21. Politicians gathered at Fifth Avenue Hotel for a conference called by Senator Piatt in the interest of Chauncey M. Depew's candidacy re-election United States Senator. About fifty or seventy-five Republi cans from various sections of the state attended. The meeting was called to order by Senator Piatt. Colonel Geo. W. Dunn, presided. Senator Piatt ex plained the situation regarding the United States Senatorship and the pur pose of the conference. At the conclusion of the conference it was the sentiment of the meeting that it w s unanimously in favor of Senator Depew's re-election. The meting appointed a committee to confer with Governor Odell on the subject. DIPLOMATIC MARRIAGE. The Minister From the Netherlands Married Today in Washington to Miss Glover. By Associated Press. Washington, Dec. 21. At noon in the Church of the Epiphany, Miss Elizabeth Lindsay Glover, was married to Jonk- uer n. ueiimitjes vuu bwiulbibu, luc Netherlands minister. Bishop Satterlee and Reverend Dr. McKim, the rector, officiated. Baron Moncheur, the Belgian minis- ter, was best man and Miss Hagner, Mrs. Roosevelt's secretary, maid of honor. PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATIONS. Some More Postmasters Named For Florida and South -arolina. By Associated Press. Washington, Dec. 21. The President sent to the Senate the following nomi nations today: Postmasters Florida, John B. Lef nngwell, Bradentown, (late Braiden town. South Carolina: James G. Harper, Seneca. THE MARCUM DAMAGE SUIT. The Defendant's Motion to Give Per emptory Instructions Overruled. By Associated Press. Winchester, Ky., Dec. 21. In the Marcum $100,000 damage suit Judge Benton overruled the defendant's coun sel that peremptory instructions for the defendant be given. Judge Ben ton also overruled the motion to set aside the swearing in of the jury and ordered the case to proceed. MANUFACTURERS RE-ELECT. The Overture to Leave All Matters to a Board of Arbitration is Rejected by the Fall River Manufacturers. By Associated Press. "Fall River, Mass., Dec. 21. The Fall River Cotton Manufacturers have re iccted a proposition for arbitration by the National Civic Federation, sub mitted by the Textile Council, and ratified yesterday by the Massachu setts meetings of five unions. Yale Students Fight Fire. New Haven, Dec. 21. Two hundred Yale students went to a fire a short dis tance from the Yale campus tonisrht. The blaze was spreading fast when the students arrived. The city fire apparatus had been caught in a snowdrift. Parties of Yale men tugged at the engines and trucks. A hundred other students surrounded the burning house and fought the fire with snowballs. The students finally extricated the appa ratus and got to the fire, when the flames were quickly subdued. Indians Victims of Epidemic. Winnepeg, Dec. 21. The Indian agent: at Selkirk has received word from the far northern wilds that in the last two months over forty Indians have died around the trading post of the Hudson Bay Company at Norway House from a scourage of typhoid and scarlet fever, diphtheria, mumps and measles. When the messenger who brought this news left there by dog train four weeks ago the epidemics were under control. Ministers to Agree on Divorce. Wilkesbarre, Dec. 21. A plan to have the ministers of all denominations in this city to adopt a uniform rule as to marriage of divorced personus was pro posed today at a meeting of the Wilkes barre Cleric, after Dr. H. L. Jones, of St. Stephen's church, had explained the action taken at the Episcopal conven tion in Boston. The suggestion for uniform action here was received fa vorably and a definite decision will be reached at another meeting. Shot Through the Head. Newport News, Va., Dec. 21 Henry Mears, a hardware merchant, of Phoe bus, committed suicide today by shooting himself through the head. No letter or statement has been re ceived to throw any light upon the reason for his act. He was 37 years old. Raising the Mowhawk. Norfolk, Va., Dec. 21. The wreckers of the Merritt & Chapman Company began the task of raising the United States navy tug Mohawk, which sank without warning Thursday at the navy yard dock. When raised, the tug will be placed in the dry dock for ex amination as to the cause of the sink ing. Sevastopol Disabled. By Associated Press. Tokio, Dec. 21. Admiral Togo, who personally made a series of observa tions of the Russian battleship Se vastopol, expresses the opinion that tbe Sevastopol is disabled. NAN PATTERSON'S ELOQUENT LAWYER ADDRESSES JURY Mr. Levy Says That Nan Patter son is Not Being Tried For Im morality aud Should Not be Punished Because a Man Took His Life For Love of Her. He Arraigns the Testimony of Miss Patterson's Sister and Her "Disreputable Husband." The Proceedings of the Trial Yet to Come. i By Associated Press. New York, Dec. 21. The case of Nan Patterson, the former show girl, charged with the murder of Caesar Young, will not go to the jury today. This announcement was made this afternoon by Justice Davis, who said the physical condition of some of the jurors was such that they could not stand a night session. The Judge's charge probably will not be delivered until tomorrow. . Before Another Day. New York, Dec. 21. Before another day Nan Patterson probably will know whether her long cherished desire to spend Christmas with her invalid mother in Washington will be realized or whether she will be doomed to re turn to her sell a convicted murderess. She was supremely confident of the outcome. "I feel sure the jury believes my story," she said.. "And no matter what Mr. Rand says in regard to it, it will still be convinced of my innocence. I know, of course, such things are aw fully uncertain, but I feel I will be acquitted within a brief time after the jury adjourns to' deliberate." By agreement the closing argument will be confined to six hours. Half that time was assigned to Abraham Levy, leading counsel for Miss Patter son, and the remaining three hours was given Assistant District Attorney Rand. At the conclusion of the arguments Justice Davis will deliver his charge, and then the case will go to the jury. The appearance of the court room was in marked contrast to that of yes terday, and the day before. Not more than half the seats were occupied. Mr. linger, of counsel for defense, re newed the motion for Justice Davis to order the acquittal of Miss Patter son without further proceedings, but the court denied the motion. Mr. Levy then began the closing ad dress. Levy Addressed Jury. New York, Dec. 21. Mr. Lew ad dressed the jury with the fact that Miss Patterson was not being tried for immorality. No man becomes bad be cause f innate depravity, said he. She becomes bad because of the licentious ness of men and the weakness of her nature. If a man takes his life because of love of her why punish her? Mr. Levy de clared the prosecution had failed to sustain its charge that Miss Patterson pursued and threatened to separate Young from his wife. All evidence tended to prove that the contrary was true. Referring to the part Miss Patterson's sister and brother-in-llaw have had in the case, the attorney said: "I am not responsible for Julia or her disresputablbe husband and I would to. God I could have brought them here. What may or may not have prompted Julia to write the letter which has ap peared in the trial, I do not know. I don't know if it may not be that hid ing behind this defendant, Morgan Smith or his wife were attempting to blackmail the deceased. There is no evidence connecting defendant with letter nod showing she knew its con tents or whether or not it had been sent." He argued that the case in its prose cution was constructed of the most flimsy material and that this, if noth ing more, should raise a doubt in the minds of the jurors. Wins Famous Suit. Washington, Dec. 21. The United States Supreme Court today decided the boundary case between Missouri and Nebraska in favor of Nebraska. The court held that a change in the course of the Missouri river had not the effect of changing the boundary, which remains in the middle of the old channel. South Safe in This Congress. Cincinnati, Dec. 21. Senator For aker, who arrived from Washington today, says he does not believe the present Congress will pass any bill re ducing the representation in Congress of any States. Roosevelt to Visit Richmond. By Associated Press. Washington, Dec. 21. President Roosevelt accepted an invitation to visit Richmond, Va., some time during the approaching year. Toes Shot Off. Mr. Stephen Key had the misfortune to get several of his toes shot off a few days ago. He was hunting on Mr. Charles Henderson's farm in Croft and had the gun resting on his foot when it was accidentally discharged. He was brought to the city yesterday and Dr. John R. Irwin amputated three of his toes. HOUSE ADJOURNS. The Resolution About the Inaugural Bill is Not Taken Up Short Ses sion. Bj Associated Press. Washington, Dec. 21. Mr. Morrell, Pennsylvania, called up in the House i passed,, including one to petition the today the House resolution granting : Legislature to give the city the right the inaugural committee permission to 1 to issue $210,000 of bonds for purposes use certain public buildings and reser-J set forth in the resolutions, which fol vaitons, including the use of the pen- 1 low: sion building for the inaugural ball. "Resolved, First, That in the opin Mr. Morrell explained that the District j ion of this board, it is not advisable of Columbia committee had decided to ! to extend the municipal water plant accept the Senate resolution in its en- j to the Catawba river until such time tirety. Mr. Mann, Illinois, objected to j as the increased consumption of water the motion for unanimous consent to j shall require an increased water sup take the resolution up and it according- ply, which, in the opinion of the en ly goes over until after the holidays. I gineeis of the board, will not occur The House at 12.39 o'clock adjourned until January 4th. Livingston's Idea. Washington, Dec. 21 Representative Livingston, (.Ga.) introduced a joint resolution providing that hereafter electors for President and Vice-President and representatives in Congress shall be voted for in each State on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in September and that the 59th Congress shall assemble and hold its regular ses sion on the first Monday in October, 1905. GOES TO PENITENTIARY. Yancy County Has Severe Laws Against Retailing Whiskey Corpo rations Chartered. Special The News. Raleigh, N. C, Dec. 21. A charter was granted the Edton Grocery Com pany, capital $40,000, subbscribed by J. A. Woodward and others, and to the Leaksville-Spray Grocery Co., $10,000 capital, J. H. Moore and others being stockholders. Arlemas Tinsely Whitman was brought from Vancey county today to serve twelve months in the penitentiary for retailing whiskey. Vancey county is the only county in the state that makes retailing punishable by im prisonment in the penitentiary under statute. ANOTHER CHADWICK SATCHEL. The Satchel is "Found to be Missing" in an Examination Held Today. By Associated Press. Cleveland, Ohio, Dec. 21. Still an other satchel, one thought by Receiver Nathan Loesser to contain valuables belonging to Mrs. Chadwick, was today found to be missing. This developed in the examination of Mrs. Mary Londra vill, Mrs. Chadwick's former house keeper, held before Referee in Bank ruptcy Remington. She said upon in structions she gave the satchel to D. L. Pine this city. Willcox Asks for Money. Washington, Dec. 21. William R. Willcox. vho will on Jan. 1 become postmaster of New York City, spent the day here going over plans for im provement of the service Under his ad ministration. i It Sis his intention to secure, if pos sible, additional funds for the New York office. He desires to establish new branch offices and provide better trans portation facilities between the branches and the main office. He wants ! to open a new branch in Wall street and another at Forty-fifth street and Eighth avenue. The estimates have alreadw gone to the House Appropriations Committee, and officials cf the department dislike to change them, but Mr. Willcox be lieves he can induce the committee to make a better allowance. Money for Hero's iWdow. Pittsburg, Dee. 21. From a member of the Carnegie Hero Fund Commis sion here it was learned today that the case of Newman Miller, the fire man of the Glen Island, who lost his life trying to rescue a woman passen taken up. and if the facts warrant, as they now seem to, a portion of the fund will be delivered to the widow of the fireman. It is understood that a communica tion has been received here from Mr. Carnegie bearing on the case. Fire Trurk dn Runners. Baltimore, Dec. 21. No. 10 fire truck is being operated on runners ow ing to the snow-burdened streets. "Four years ago we built these run ners," explained Chief Engineer Hor ton, "and they have been in use ever since whenever the conditions justified. They were built by men in the depart ment and are serviceable. we carry every tiling un iurac 1 Tiers evcent the bodv of the regular truck and the extension ladders. We can use either four or two horses, but we can get around corners with two horses better than with four." B. F. Crawford to retire from busi T? Retire From Business. Chicago. Dec. 21 B. F. Crawford, president of the National Biscuit Co., will retire from that office at the an nual meeting in February. He will re Ui:ai iHt. Li liH ill I v. x 1 111 g ..... Tv,air. a memhor r,f Ihe Rnard of Direc- tors. The statement is made that there is nothing in the retirement significant of any change in policy. Mr. Crawford will retire from active business alto gether and will resume his residence in Mansfield, Ohio. For New Railway Terminal. Mnrfniv Vn Upp 21 A nartv of engineers' arrived here today to survey land and sound the water for a deep- water terminal for the Tidewater rail- road The road i3 projected from the coal fields of West Virginia to Nor- folk. The engineers began work at. SewaFs Point fi-ao Cnu F-vnlnrieH. T 4. ;v, rf Mr va m&y, orsttrasstove ex- , Mr. J. rwd, the well nown ploded while the evening meal was be- mail clerk, has been t, ansfei red j from ing prepared, and resultey in a com- the Monroe and Ruthcrfordton to the plfte demolition of the stove, although Whmington and J0. f by good fortune no one was near MT J-, 5 wiLfX wfl enouWto the stove to be injured by the ewbrn and Wilmington wiO the explosion I succeed Mr. Norwood. Mr. Burkheim- The cause of the accident appear to er is a son-in-law of Rev. J M. Burk have been due to the escape of gas.The helmer of this city. He wil move his flames were quickly extinguished after family to Charlotte about tne first of the explosion. Jtu year- MEETING OF WATER BOARD. Extension of Plant to the Catawba River is Postponed for Present. An importaht meeting of the water board was held yesterday afternoon, at which important resolutions were for probably five years. "Resolved, Second, That the board of aldermen be hereby requested to co-operate with the board in securing the passage of such legislation as will authorize the issuance of $210,000 bonds, to be known as the water bonds of the city of Charlotte, with which to take up the $110,000 short term wa ter bonds, recently issued by this beard, and to provide an additional fund sufficient to complete the water plant as at present projected, said bonds to run for such time and to bear such rate of interest as the two boards shall mutually agree, the net income to be derived from water rent als to be applied to the payment of the interest on said bonds. "Resolved, Third, That, the said act to authorize the issue of the said $210,- 000 bonds, shall authorize the further issue of not exceeding $400,000 "water bonds," at such time as the two boards shall decide to extend said water plant so as to connect with the Catawba river." The above resolutions were unani mously adopted by the board. The board of aldermen also met last night and considered the reso lutions, as above given, but decided to wait for the January meeting be fore taking final action on the matter at issue. ThG aldermen last night also grant ed permission to Mr. E. D. Latta, president of the 4 C's Company, to change the route of the car line in the first ward, so that the road will pass by the Seaboard depot from Eleventh street. The new track will be laid as soon as practicable by the 4 C's Company. SHY ONE JUROR. Eleven Men Sit on Case Now in Fed eral Court. Tho News was informed today that one of the twelve men who constitute the jury, which has been sitting upon the Avery-Westall case in Federal court, was taken ill last evening and that the juror having to be excused, the matter of a new trial and a new start in the case coming up, it was decided by both sides that they would allow the case to be tried by the elev en jurors who were left, thus avoiding much delay and expense to the gov ernment likewise. The juror who was taken ill was Mr. Efird. of Stanly county, and he was excused yesterday afternoon. The case of eleveji men sitting up on a case is an unusual one. but the two sides engaged in the litigation preferred to have the eleven men to sit upon the merits of the case rather than to have to await the holding of a new trial on account of the break in the ranks of the jury. ENGINE WAS WRECKED. Steam Plant at Bessemer Cotton Mills Almost Ruined Today. At the Bessemer City Cotton Mills this morning at four o'clock, there was a disastrous accident in the engine room, resulting in the wrecking of the steam plant and the ruin of the huge engine which is used to drive the ma chinery of the mills. The cylinder head of the engine blew out, completely wrecking the engine and making it necessary to install a new steam plant, it is thought. The trouble occurred at 4 o'clock this morning, and the engineer by the merest accident, escaped injury, by stepping outside the engine room just as the explosion took place, the door behind him being blown shut by the force of the expanding steam. Had he been one moment later in starting out, death would have almost certainly been the result. The damage to the plant has not been estimated in detail but will amount to several thousand dollars. Holidavs at Postoffice. From 12 to 2 o'clock will be the hours !at the Charlotte postoffice on next Sun day and Monday, but no street deliv- orys wil! be made by the carriers. These hours will give ample time for patrons to get their holiday mail at the office and will also assist the carriers in getting rid of the excessively heavy delivery which would otherwise result on Tuesday after Christmas. The office will put on a special ae- , - I livery wagen for packages on Saturday ito aid the carriers in getting out the heavy Christmas mail. Mr. Perkin's Condition. Mr. Leander Perkins, who was seri ously hurt in Lemmons stables las week continues to suffer considerably from his injujries. He has been con fined at the Presbyterian Hospital ever since and was unable to be taken to his .ncrne m uncom county mis unwis. - Mr. J. T. Perkins, his brother came down this morning to remove him but j it was thought best not to do so, a', least tor several days. He will remain in the city until it is thought safe to do so. I . Mail Clerks Change WRECK ON SOUTHERN, NO, THIRTY-EIGHT. PASSENGER KILLED The North Bound Vestibule That Left Charlotte Last Night, Was Wrecked at Somerset, Virginia, Early This Morning. Accident Un explain able. One Passenger, McAHhiiry From Baltimore, Was Killed) Three Others Injured. One Sleeper Leaves Track artd Burns. Traffic Not Long Stopped. . Numbr 38, the Northbound vestibule on the Southern Railway, which left Charlotte last night at 8.28, was wreck ed at Sommerset, Va, at 7.40 this morn ing. . One sleeping car, which was next to the last in the train, was derailed and a short while thereafter took fire and was comnletely consumed. The day coach which was connected to the sleeper, was also derailed, but the flames were gotten under control before this car was burned. The cause of the accident is unex plainable. The train was very nearly on time and was not running at a high rate of speed. It is thought, how ever, that some break on the day coach which was in front of the sleeper, was the cause of the troublbe. Traffic was interrupted for only a short while,., most of the trains not be ing delayed over 15 or 20 minutes on account of the accident The point where No. 88 was wrecked was seven miles from Grange and on a reverse curve. Near this point several years nzo there was quite a bad dis aster resulting in great loss to the rail road and the death of two. The train at the time of the accident was climbing a long hill and had just; reached a deep cut, where the reverse curve ends. The Pres Acount. By Associated Press. Charlottesville, Va., Dec. 21. North bound Washington and Chattanooga limited train on Virginia Midland Di vision, Southern Railway was derailed at Somerset, Va., 21 miles north of here at 7:40 this morning. One person was killed,' and six slight ly injured: Dead Three year old daughter of Mrs. McArthur, of Savannah, Ga. Injured Frank Stewart, Knoxvillc, Tenn., baggage master; Miss Susan E. Colgin, East Radford, Va. George K. MacFarland.. of Wesches ter, Pa., Mre, A. G. Figgett, Fincastle, Va. C. E. Taylor, conductor and Lucien H. Cocke, Roanoke, Va., all injured, were taken on a special train to Char lottesville, where physicians attended their injuries after which they left for Washington. CHRISTMAS AT TABERNACLE. Program Will Include Cantata and Other Features. The members of the Sunday school of the East Avenue Tabernacle are preparing for a special Christmas ser vice, to be held in the Sunday school room of the church next Monday even ing at 7:30 o'clock. There will be a Christmas Cantata by the members of the Sunday school, which will be rendered at the opening of the evening's exercises, to be fol lowed by distribution of Christmas presents in the way of fruits or re freshments which will be for the pleas ure of the little folks. There will bo other features on the program besides the Cantata and the refreshments, and a most pleasent ev ening is anticipated. $75,000 COMPRISE. Order Signed in Railway Case in Fed eral Court Today. The case of Avery against Westall which has been before tnc uistrmi Court for several days is likely to coin to an end this afternoon. All the testi mony is in and the Invyers have begun to make their arguments. The case of F. G. W.ison, administra tor of Robert Q. Wilson against the Southern Railway Company which has been pending in the United Ssates Dis trict Court was settled today by a com promise. Judge Boyd signed an agree ment in favor of the plaiptiff for $7,500, the amount to be paid by the railroid company. Mr. C. W. Ttllett represented the plaintiff . and Mr. W. B. Rodman the defendant. A Small Fire. The fire companies were called out this morning at 1 o'clock to extinguish a small blaze in a house No. 204 South Myers street occupied by Mr. S. H. Myers. The cause of the fire was JW explosion cf a lamp. For a while it seemed that the entire house would soon be a mass of flames and but for the prompt response of the firemen, this might have happened. The blaze was extinguished by the chemical engine. The damage will probably amount to ?200 or $300. The furniture in two rooms was considerably dam aged. New Pastor. Rev. E. D. Brown, the new pastor of the Honewell chcurch, was installed this morning at 11 o'clock. The offi ciating ministers wtere Rev. P. H. Gwynn of Sugar Creek. Rev. G. L. Cook of Paw Creek and Rev. John M. Grier, D. D., of Huntersville.