St. Louis Post-Dispatch
March 31, 1898

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Rest ee | heads. ' lieve the pain. clothing was still of fire and he sprang into Hammes ABY'S wardrobe. more costly than a bride's trousseau. the story in the next OUNDAY POST-DISPATCH.| Vor. @, No. 204. Fancy such a col- lection of clothes collected for a mit of humanity who can only say “Goo!” Read amm . 3 * RECULAR CIRCULATION SUNDAY. 4 7. bs. a ae 1 7 4 „ 18 * A fed e * 1 a 2 — 9 * — THE ONLY ST. EVENING PAPER WITH * 8 ; . ~ N 8 * 3 - . » 5 . 7 * 8 tet SIXTEEN PAGES. * 2 THURSDAY EVENING—ST. LOUIS MARCH 31, 1898. * * "PRICE — — 1. ENVELOPED BY TONGUES OF FIRE. 3 Two Men Thought to be Fatally Burned. WERE CARELESS “ITH COAL OIL ‘ POURED THE CONTENTS OF A OAN ON SMOLDERING EMBERS 1 2 IN A STOVE. AN EXPLOSION FOLLOWED. Wild Scene on Twenty-Second Street and Frantic Efforts to Extinguish the Blaze—One Jumped Into a Tub of Water. Willen MoCarty and Thomas Cleary will probably die from frightful injuries received from the explosion of a can of kerosene. They are at the City Hospital with their ' heads, arms and hands swathed in bandages saturated with cooling lotions, They suffer the most intense pain, and the remedies usually effective fall completely to relieve them. Their hair is completely burned from their The flesh is seared and swollen so that it is impossible for them to open their eyes. Their heads are double the normal 6ize. ineir deplorable condition ie due to the fact that McCarty poured coal oil on a smomering fire, Cleary is 29 years old and is a peddler. _MeCarty is % years old and is a paper- ' hanger. Both are single and occupy a room in a one-story frame structure at the rear of 14233 North Twe ‘nty-second street. They went to their room at 8:30 o'clock Wednes- day night. The weather was cold and they drew up close to the little cannon stove and tried to kindle a fire. Kindling wood Was scarce, and their efforts were not fruitful. Cieary was sitting on a chair almost against the stove when McCarty oot he would start the fire. © Rot a can that contained nearly a gal- x of kerosene. He lifted off the lid of the 'Btove and turned up the can. A stream went down on the partly charred coal, The fire appeared to be ex- tinet. There was a sizzling sound, and dense white smoke arose from the coal. McCarty was determined to have a quick dre and he kept on pouring the oil, Sud- 1 there, was an explosion that shook ouse. A great blaze shot out from the stove and enveſoped the two men. The „ Stove was Knocked to pieces by the explo- gion and was scattered all over the room. The force of the explosion knocked both men to the floor, and in an instant both were enveloped in flames. They were blind- ed by the fire which seemed to burn their yes from the sockets. They shrieked wi R and tried to beat out the flames tha A communicated to their clothing. here was a tub half filled with water in * room. Cleary remembered this and found his way to it. He thrust his head and hands in the cold water, hoping to re- It only accéntuated it. His ‘the tub. The fire of the clothing was ex- . tinguished but he was blindsfrom pain. eCarty, meanwhile, was rolling on the floor in agony, trying to beat out with his hands the fire that was rning his cloth- ing and eearing his flesh. linded by d nd suffering untold tortures, he n agony on the floor. Hans and cries of the suffering men * ny eard by neighbors. When they ' gushed in the room it was filled with flames. few buckets of water judiciously used “ut out the fire. Medical aid was called, “ the physician said the burns were so the men should be sent to the hos- 2 0 Sutter said that Clearv's condi- thy the most critical, and either migu. dot recover. The men inhaled the Smoke and d flames. DERVISHES' > HAUNT FOUND. Reconnoitering Part Party 1 Retires After a Study of Their Position. CAIRO, March 31.—It is announced in a Message from Atbara than an important reconnaizance wae started by the Anglo- Egyptian troops Wednesday. Eight squad- rons of cavalry, four Maxim guns, a battery of horse artillery, two com of infantry and the whole of the miounte troops re- rA Dervish position 18 miles m Atbar his morning and encountered of the enemy's horsemen, whom they drove in and, pressing forward, found Mah- mouds’ position in the heavy bush strongly entrenched, with pita filled with riflemen and protected by a thick brush. In the center was a small hil) with — 4 tiers the ow- Aid not reply, 1 A awaiting ai an attack at close tained the enemy's ering force retired, follo horsemen, who did not under shell fire. A SLUMP IN WALL STREET. an Leading Specialties Suffer the Drop at the Opening. NEW YORK, March %1.—Prices slumped at the opening of the stock market to-day practically all the leading et tm in- — red by the rvish tack, but retreated Aer and rangers showing losses of tw 1 and 2 points. Union ame pre- was off Burlington 2%. tan Street Rallway dropped 4 The did not entirely wipe out all of y's net gains, but in many leading a came near doing so. The course of rket wae foreshadowed by quo- tations from where Americans Amal! — but! later dro oo ng said to be for New York account. BRITISH STEAMER MISSING. de Ie Be, -4 That the. the aN and — HAS HO PARALLEL St. Louis the Center of a Gigantic Struggle. BATE TO THE PACIFIC $17.50. THIS CITY THE BEST PLACE FROM WHICH TO START FOR THE KLONDIKE. ALSO 4 CUT TO TEXAS. Such a Contest Between Railroads Has Never Been Known and There Are Signs of «a Truce. * + — — ’ * * St. Louis is the center of a railroad rate war, the like of which has never been known. Both in its extent and the magni- tude of its results the conflict is unlike any previous one in the history of railroading. It is an international war. St. Louis is the vantage ground for which both sides have been contending. Just at present it is, from ‘the standpoint of the local roads, in the hands of the enemy. How long it will remain so is a matter of conjecture. There is no sign of a truce. While the railroads battle the great trav- cling public is getting the benefit of the contest, and is getting more for its money than is usually conceded by transportation companies. The big cut which has set the railroad world agog applies to Helena, Butte, Garri- oe. Spokane, Tacoma, Seattle and Port- an One can buy a first-class ticket from St. Louis to those points 15 $27.50 and a sec- ond-class ticket for $17. From the — — this is the biggest bargain of the spring of 88. Its magnitude will be understood those who know that the regular St. Louis rate for the oints named is $57.50 for first-class and 7.50 for second-class. A clean cut of $30 has been made on both classes, The points named in the reduced tariffs are the gateways to the Klondike. While the comparatively insignificant rate remains in — 9 2 after a fortune in the 5 north find a gold mine at bo? end soln 5 ‘Tong et ie the Gust im Ge Uaitea Bi aten u . — spring 5, for Klondike opens. Thousands of prospectors should come to make their Mansi all By the. Klondike ¢ fortune seek- ers travel second-class. With a $17.8 rate from St. Louis the wd could afford to travel many miles to this point and still save money on their . With rates from other central points re ing normal, as they are now, a man could travel to St. Louis from any point in a radius of 500 miles, Rad his ticket here and save from 15 to #15 to consideration should - St. Louis a most deslrable starting po The rush of traffic aware the Klondike is responsible for the unprecedented cut. The Northern Pacific started the ball roll- ing by announcing a cut from eres The Canadian Pacific made a still rate. The Grand Trunk and the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul fell in Une. The Burlington was the first of the St. Louis lines to meet the cut. The Missouri Pacific followed suit. Now every line out of ty Louis for the West recognizes the tari The war is demoralizing passenger bus!i- ness even in the Fast. It is regarded as a conflict between United States and Cana- dian lines. All efforts to get back to the old basis have been unavailing, though several conferences of the most prominent railroad officials of the East and West have been held. All railroad men are agreed on one point; there can be no further reduction. They seem equally sure that it is the intention of the Canadian lines to keep the present low rates in effect until after the spring rush. There are other minor rate wars to dis- turb the St. Louis situation. The Chicago & Alton has announced that it will make a rate of $3) to San Antonio and return on account of the national convention of 13 Pumbers, to be held from April to 16. 15710, Illinois Central has already an- nounced its intention of making the same rate from St. Louis and other roads are Se the advisability of doing the “The Colorado rate trouble is still on. It RATEWAR THAT CRIPPLE'S LOVE IS REWARDED, Lewis Gates Who Shot Him- self May Marry Mamie. BLIND, HELPLESS AND HAPPY. MRS. GATES RELENTS AND SENDS FOR THE BOY'S SWEET- HEART, MISS SILBERMAN. SACRAMENT AT THE BEDSIDE. Pathetic Picture of Devotion in the Shadow of a Tragedy Which May Destroy Two Lives. HORT Lewis Gates, the young cripple who put a bullet through his brain because his mother objected to his union with Mamie Silberman, is suffering, blind and helpless, but happy. Mrs. Gates has relented and Lewis, de- spite his terrible, self-inflicted injuries, will marry the girl of his choice. There was a pathetic reunion at the Gates residence Thursday morning. The young man had been feverish all night, but suffer- ed like a stoic. He was rational, and nothing he said or did would indicate that a bullet had passed through his brain and destroyed his eyesight forever. He had a long talk with his mother, pleading with her to send for Mamie. The appeal touched the mother’s heart. She dispatched Fred Hesslinger, a neigh- bor’s son, to the home of the Silbermans, with a message asking Mamie to come at once. Mamie responded to the call and with her mother was soon at the stricken youth’s bedside. of both families was in waiting. Mamie knelt by the side of the man, who preferred death to life without her. Candles were lighted and heads “were bowed in reverence while the priest ad- ministered the sacraments of the church. Mamie partook of the Lord's ee with her devoted flance Lewis could not see puree 4 on her head as she knelt by the and he was made happy in her pres- ence and strengthened by the ministrations of Father Nugent. Mrs. Gates’ reception of the Silbermans was cold at first, but the pathetic solemnity of the scene at the bedside caused her to melt into tears and throw her ms about — neck of the girl whose union with her e had oppos 8 — the depths of despair 28238 Gates was raised to the heights of hope by the presence of his sweetheart. Before her ar- rival he told a Post-Dispatch reporter he was not sorry for aula ear to kill him- self and said he would t again ff he recovered. After the visit of Mamie he said he meant to get well and make her happy. Gates has wonderful vitality. With a bullet in his brain he lay propped up — his pillow and smoked cigarettes Thursd Mrs. Gates says she will, mot object to the marriage now. It may be celebrated in a few days. The doctors say the young man has only one chance in a thousand to re- cover. JULIUS LEHMANN STRICKEN. Ex-Speaker of the House of Delegates Near Death’s Door. Julius Lehmann, ex-Speaker of the House of Delegates, was stricken down in the of- fice of Health Commissioner Starkloff in the old City Hall at 1:30 o’clock Thursday after- noon. * A carriage was called, and in the care of friends he was sent to his home, 8317 North Twenty-third strect. Heart disease is thought to have been the trouble, His condition is serious and death is ex- is largely responsible for the present move- pected ment to organize the western ines in an association to be called the Western Trunk Line Committee Charles A. Parker, — ae well known in St. Louis as eneral enger and gy ht agent of t 3 Missour! racific, will chairman of ike: new committee. Acquitted in Criminal Court. Charles Cunningham, Jesse Wilson and Sarah Weiser, eo in Judge Fliteraft's court with entici and ruining Rosa Dow- dell were E= by a jury ureday. HANNA SEES THE SUN OF PEACE. Father Nugent, the parish priest her, but his hand SITUATION TO-DAY | early adjustment. . |BELIEF THAT SP HAS REJ ECTED 55 PRESIDEN Sagasta Is Said to Have Declared That Spanish Rights Must Invaded or Spanish Honor Assaultec. The Ministry Reported to Have Arrived at allt May Be Laid Before Woodford at the Definite Conclusion. : - net Meeting I To-Day. The Answer May Not Reach Washington Until Friday. — — THE POWER TO DECLARE WAR. War may be declared by bill as in the war of 1812 and that with Mexico, or by joint resolution as in the measure intro- | duced by Senator Rawlins. 1 This resolution will go the regular way of such measures 9 and if it passes both houses by a majority vote will go to the President for his signature as directed by the Constitution Art. |, Sec. 7. If he signs it, it becomes effective as a law like any other act of Congress. It is within. the Constitutional power of the President. to veto a war bill or resolution and in that event the measure! i is referred back to Congress, which may override his veto by a two-thirds vote. Should the President in pursuance of a peace pélley t fuse to sign the war bill or resolution he can prevent the adop- tion of a war measure if supported by one more than one- ¢ third in either house. War may be brought on by an overt act by. Spain, or ‘the forces of the United 8 ee a + formal 238 2 ; . * . IS VERY WARLIKE, 8 That France, Italy and England Have Of- fered Their Services as Mediators Between America and Spain. —— ——ä—6ä—— LONDON PAPERS URGE SPAIN TO YIELD. — THE PRESIDENT _ DEFINITELY STATES IHE SITUATION. ’ WASHIN GTON „Maren 31.— President McKinley stated the situation to-day to members of Congress substantially as follows: “The administration is simply awaiting definite responses from Madrid. Negotiations are in progress and all will depend upon the effect of these. “The Administration desires to avoid anything tending to pre- cipitation and undue haste in matters so fraught with the oor consequences. It is struggling for peace so far as national hone and dignity will permit. It is hoped that the issue will come to a definite a Pe" > al . * N a a 5 Pt LONDON; March 51.—4 Madrid cable says tha ability Spain will evade, if not directly refuse, the tr ment proposed by the United States. Sagasta is qu 0 ed ing in an interview to-day that “no invasion of Spanish assault on Spanish honor will for one momentbe tolerated.” claimed that the Spanish Ministry has reached a decision a believed to be in line with the policy state in Sagasta’s int At the conference yesterday between Senor Sagasta, 7 mier, and Senor Gamazo and Senor Silvela, leaders of 2 S vatives, the Premier unfolded the terms proposed by tie States through Minister Woodford. The opposition leaders seled the rejection. Senor Sagasta replied that, personally was not disposed to accede to them. He said he would like to mit the question of the loss of the Maine which was not tor upon at his conference 8 8 Gen. Woodford, to- the * Powers. l The feeling in Madrid to-day is pessimistic. The news here are ignorant of the actual proposals of the United Sts are urging no surrender. The Heraldo (Independent), National (Conservative), opposed even the suggested i the Correo (Liberal), makes a furious appeal to Don A number of sentences from the Madrid dispatch ciated Press cabled. last evening, a duplicate of Which to the Spanish frontier and from telegraphed to: office of the Associated Press were evidently eliminat Spanish censor. The dispatch should have contained the “To-morrow will be the critical day, Gen. Woodford tions wiil then have decided whether it is to be peace or , less Spain gives @ favorable answer to America’s Woodford will ae eros Se presumably tik for “If it can be settled peaceably it will be gratifying and if satis- factory ecnelusions cannot be reached within a day the Adminis- tration will still hope for it to be effected before the week closes.” The President advised them that in his opinion there should be no rabid talk. Cool judgment should prevail in a matter which in- volved national honor and which will either bring the country out of the crisis peaceably or plunge it into war. The President further expressed gratification that the senti- ment of Congress favored giving a little longer time for the Admin- istration to act and he cited the necessity for awaiting the final ef- feet of the dispatches in process of communication between the two governments. 9 TERMS OF SETTLEMENT PROPOSED BY M. KINLEV. Ports" Special to the Post-Dispatch. The censor throughout changed the mrords “Dems 5 WASHINGTON, March 31.— There are assurances that Spain has receded “Propositions.” . eek i ees The censored dispatch concluded as ae Then seem to be no diffieulty in Spain acceding and saving b pride and the possession of Cuba, which is generally admitte slipping from her grasp. But the Spaniints, Carine Wie com were disposed to stand upon their dignity and said N grant au armistice if the insurgents asked for it direct.” _ The Cabinet Council today lasted an hour and 4 h of people watched the arrival and departure of the impression prevails seas Spain will not United States. from the position she previously held—that independence could not be considered for a nioment—and asked President McKinley, in effect: “Will nothing but the independence of Cuba satisfy the American people?” President McKinley, recognizing at last the temper of this country, has replied in positive terms that no other basis for a settlement is possible. If Sagasta does not propose ultimate independence in Cuba, the entire matter will then be left to Con- gress. A definite reply is expected to-day. The President expressed his hope that Spain would concede as follows: A cessation of hostilities in Cuba, leading to ultimate independence of the island. The cessation of warfare to commence as soon as possible. The present home rule government to remain in control, with Gen. Blanco as the Governor-General. ¢ t * Measures to be taken at once to lieve starvation and suffering. The recon- . centrados to be allowed to return to ee plements, seeds, etc. Needed artic! ft to go into Cuba free of duty. + 1 Aid be furnished them, im- — wy n EVERYTHING NOW D PENDS — No definite time is mentioned “:ring which a cessation of hostilities is to be ON ‘SP 1 : RE maintained. Next October was su, aA bo pe eee RP wr Mee F An indemnity, to be agreed or Zy by Cuba. In this ronnection it Special to the Post- should be stated that the Preside- voi the ae bond . WASHIN GTO „March $1.— A sum under $50,000,000 has vestions have been made to; | „ Gage’spla. The] reply. Sagasta's pep to the Spain that a “plebiscite” be people of Cuba were ther: tion of 1 ning : Washington to-day. ee 5 we | Spanish sovereignty. ~ ; ed. ik ‘cob , 4 been ser usly co- reached a conclusion. This. -onclusion waits pol an ent hom it «bes mitt- . N —