51
BIGGEST DEAL ON RECORD.
THE LORD JONES PROPERTY BOUGHT BY BURR & BURR.
One Hundred Thousand Dollars Paid for One Thousand Acres---A Big Boom for South Lincoln.
A Beautiful Location.
One of the largest and most important real estate deals that has been made in Lincoln for a long time was consummated yesterday. By the transaction Messrs. C. C. and F. S. Burr came into possession of the Lord Jones tract of land, lying southwest from the court house and between the business center of the city and Lincoln park, embracing one thousand acres of land, through the center of which, east and west, runs South street and the Asylum Street railway and south of which runs the Lincoln. Street railway's lines to the park, while north and south the tracks of the Union Pacific and B. & M. railways run. The price paid for this property was $160,000.
For years it has practically been unoccupied though some of the Lincoln's most modest little homes have sprung up all around it, as well as substantial manufacturing enterprises until now it has become through these circumstances very valuable and desirable land.
The Burrs have already begun to plat the property with a view to placing it on the market and no doubt it will be readily sold. One hundred and sixty-three acres will be on the market in a short time--this being the section more easily reached from car lines. The property includes the big brick mansion formerly occupied by Lord Jones, in the northeast corner of the property.
Mr. Burr sticks by Lincoln with his old time confidence and continues to gather in the golden sheckles. He states that there is an increasing demand for city property well located, while during the past two months there has been a greater demand for farm property in Nebraska than at any time within the last year, and the prospects for the rapid growth of the state in the immediate future are very bright and encouraging.
52
CONFLICTING REPORTS
ABOUT ALLEGED INSANE ASYLUM ABUSES.
Reports of the Committee Investigating the Institution Located at Anna, Illinois.
The Majority Recites a Story of Cruelty Shocking in the Extreme.
While the Minority Stoutly Dissents and Contends That the Investigation Was all Entirely One-Sided Proceeding.
They Differ Greatly.
SPRINGFIELD. ILL., June 10,--The special committee appointed to investigate the charges of brutality and mismanagement against the officials of the southern insane hospital at Anna reported to the house to day that they found a most deplorable state of affairs. Many of the inmates had been brutally beaten, kicked, slapped, their hair pulled and their arms wrung. Some of the recitals were such that no one could believe any sane human being guilty of the cruelty told of. Helpless insane persons were thrown or knocked down and stamped upon. One patient was beaten, thrown into a bath tub; a towel tied about his neck and then he was drawn by it from the bath tub to the floor. Another was beaten and scratched with a coarse scrub bursh used to scrub the floor. Patients are forced to work out in the winter so scantily clothed that their persons are indecently exposed and their feet soaked with water. A patient was thrown upon the heater and held there until badly burned. Another with high fever was taken from his room and beaten for asking for water. These are but a few of the many inhuman acts practiced upon the inmates by employes of the hospital. The very vilest epithesis were used to the inmates. The beds they are forced to sleep on are in some instances in a very filthy condition. The committee finds the food furnished the inmates generally fair except sugar, which is of a cheap quality, while that furnished the employes is the best. Although 100 gallons of milk goes each day into the kitchen, none of it gets into the wards. It is drank up in the kitchen or stolen by the attendants. Of this 100 gallons of milk daily only five and one-half gallons could be certainly traced from the kitchen and that goes to the table of the superintendant. The committe believes the inmates are deprived of the early vegetables and that they are sold. Employes steal from the institution regularly. Certain employes living outside the hospital help themselves to garden truck, bread, coffee, spoons, etc., feed their horses at the state stable and use state pastures. That the superintendent and officers of the institution were fully aware of these abuses there is from the evidence no doubt. In fact one of the officers himself held a female patient by the hair and stuffed an apron into her mouth. As many as ten people are forced to bathe in the same tub of water, which certainly becomes terribly filthy. The evidence clearly shows that the superintendent, physicians, supervisors and trustees have been informed of these things yet they still go on. The committee believes the treasurer of the hospital deposits the funds in a bank and converts the interest to his own private use; that he bought Mexican dollars at a discount of 15 per cent and paid them at par; that he was drawing two salaries from the state at the same time, one as a member of the Thirty-seventh general assembly and one as treasurer of this institution. The committee recommends the immediate dismissal of attendants Paul, Halley, Ansbrock, Leidick, Dickey, Meisenheimer, Lucretia Robinson, Harleys Robinson and Dick Slack, they being brutal and wholly unfitted for the position they occupy. The committee sincerely regrets they did not have time to fully investigate the institution, being contident that a full inquiry would bring to light many more instances of abuse.
The republican minority of the committee dissent from the majority and in a lengthy report they say from beginning to the end of the investigation they were not permitted to have a fair and impartial investigation. The superintendent and trustees were denied the right to be present either in person or by counsel to hear and confront the witnesses to hear and confront the witnesses produced and sworn under exclusive management of the majority of the committee. The minority says if the wild vagaries of persons known to be insane, together with evidence of prejudiced, discharged and disgruntled attendants, is worth anything, then such evidence, without the opportunity of contradicting the same only went to show that there had been some brutality in years gone by, but long before the time the present superintendent took charge. The minority holds there is no evidence of any brutality or mismanagement on the part of the present superintendent. The beds were well kept and clean and the food furnished the inamtes wholesome and ample. There was no evidence before the committee that under the present management any attendant, publicly or privately, used vile language, and in each charge of brutality when attendants were called before the committee there was an emphatic denial of the same. The minority denies the charges of the majority that employes stole the supplies of the state or fed horses at the state stables or pastures under the present management, and asserts that the patients were comfortably clothed. There is no evidence except the statement of one crazy person, which wa sfound to be untrue, that Superintendent Elrod ever had knowledge of any irregularities or brutalities except a few instances in which cases the attendants were promptly discharged. The minority says the person upon whom affidavit investigation was ordered stated under oath before the committee, that he had written a number of vile and obscene letters wholly unfit for publication, to Dr. Elrod before and since his escape from the institution for the sole purpose of annoying the superintendent, knowing that the charges were wholly untrue. The minority says there is no evidence to support the statement of the minority in regard to the treasurer using the interest or the Mexican dollar story. The minority says in support pf its report it relies upon the stenographic report and further says that when a temporary adjournment was had in order that reliable witnesses might be called, etc., the committee was never called together again.
OHIO PROHIBITIONISTS
In Session at Springfield--A Bitter Fight Expected.
SPRINGFIELD. O., June 10.--O[n?]er 1.500 strangers are in the city, drawn by the prohibitionist party state convention, which met here this afternoon, and many prohibition notables are on the ground, including Sam Staall of Georgia, Samuel Dickie, chairman of the national prohibition committee, and Colonel John Sobreski of Nebraska. The talk of the delegates now is for a strong farmer and labor platform and a upton with the farmers meets with wide favor. The convention met this afternoon and after appointing committees adjourned until 1 o'clock tomorrow. A bitter fight is on about the adoption of the platform between two factions, about evenly divided. One is headed by Editor Thompson of the New Era, the official state organ of the party, who favors the adoption of a broad platform, that is taking in the tariff and silver questions, woman suffrage, etc. Wilber Calvin heads the opposition, favoring the "one idea," that is prohibition and nothing else.
CRIME AND CASUALTY RECORD
SMUGGLING CARRIED ON AT MARE ISLAND.
War Ship Officials Interested--Goods Brought From China Without Paying Duties--Other Criminal Notes.
Dishonest Naval Officers.
SAN FRANCISCO, June 10.--The Chronicle states that a treasury agent visited Mare Island navy yard last week and made the discovery that a large quantity of dutiable merchandise had been brought into the country by several of our own war vessels which had returned from Chinese stations, and that no revenue charges were paid on the entire consignment, which is worth several thousand dollars. The Chronicle states that some of the principal officers of the Omaha and one or two officers of the Swatara are concerned in the smuggling and that action is being taken in the matter by the naval and treasury departments in Washington.
Seven Indictments.
WALLS WALLA. June 10.--The grand jury empanelled to investigate the lynching of Hunt by soldiers April 25, reported to the supreme court a true bill against seven men of the Fourth United States cavalry. The jury suggested that the county commissioners prepare a statement of the expenses incurred by the county on account of the outrage and present the same to the United States. It is thought, as the relations between the citizens and troops are rather strained, it would be well to have the latter exchanged.
Breaks Out Again.
GRAND RAPIDS, MICH., June 10.--The street car strike broke out again this morning. A crowd of 200 gathered at the Sweet street cable station and were smashing things when a posse of police arrived. A pitched battle ensued. Revolvers were fired and bricks and sticks were thrown. Before the mob dispersed the officers arrested thirteen of the mob. It is reported on of the crowd was fatally injured and others wounded.
An Editor Murdered.
BUTTE, MONT., June 10.--W. J. Penrose, editor of the Mining Journal and a member of the legislature, was murdered near his home this morning by some person as yet unknown. Mr. Penrose was shot through the temple. It is generally thought that the murder was committed by some person who had been offended by an article in Mr. Penrose's paper. Bell Browning has been arrested on suspicion.
Benson Convicted.
LEAVENWORTH, June 10.--Charles Benson was convicted of murder in the first degree. His victim was Mrs. Johan Mettman whose body, after he shot her he cut into small pieces and attempted to conceal in a secluded spot on the Ft. Leavenworth reservation.
Cotton Mill Damaged.
PHILADELPHIA, June 10.--A. Campbeli & Co.'s cotton mill at Manayunk, Pa., was damaged by fire to-day to the extent of $25,000. Crenshaw & Leaser, weavers in the same building, lose $75,000. Insurance enough to cover loss.
Hotel Burned.
BIRMINGHAM, FLA., June 10.--The East Lake hotel at East Lake, Ala., was struck by lightning this morning and burned to the ground. Loss $25,000, partially insured. The hotel was unoccupied.
Saw Mill Burned.
SEATTLE, WASH., June 20.--A saw mill at Swebchimst burned last night. The fire spread to the telegraph office, cutting off communications. Loss fully $100,000.
Insanity the Cause
CEDAR RAPIDS, Ia., June 10.--A. J. Simpson, aged fifty-two, hung himself yesterday at his farm near Manchester. Insanity was the cause.
Hanged for Murder.
LOUISVILLE, June 10.--Levi James, colored was hanged at Hickman, Ky., early this morning for murder committed in November, 1889.
HEAVY FALL OF HAIL.
NEBRASKA CITY, NEB., June 10.--[Special.]--A violent rain and hail storm prevailed here this morning. The hail stones were very large and did great damage to vegetables and flower gardens,
53
ON ART WORK IN LINCOLN
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WHAT THE HAYDON ART CLUB IS DOING
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Proceedings of the Annual Meeting, With a History of the Year.
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General Review at the Progress of Things Artisitc During the Last Twelve Months Prepared by Mrs. Wing
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The Annual Meeting.
At the annual meeting of the Haydon art club, held on Wednesday evening, June 3, in the chapel of the state university, the old officers were re-elected and arrangements were made for continuing the work of the society during the coming year with renewed enthusiasm. The report of the programme committee was as follows:
During the year just closed the prograduate committee has arranged for four public meetings of the Hayson art club. In January on two successive evenings, Tuesday and Wednesday, an exhibition of the chief works of Rapheal, Michael Angelo and other great artists and sculptors of the renaissance period, were given in the university chapel. The perception used was kindly loaned by Professor Bruce and worked by two of his assistants. Professor Hicks described the pictures the first evening and Mr. Henry E. Lewis as the second. These exhibitions gave great pleasure to a crowded house the first evening. Unfortunately a severe storm caused a small attendence the second evening. These exhibitions were free.
In February the committee arranged for a loan exhibit of choice specimens of Japanese art. Brief papers on Japanese are wer prepared by Miss Wilson and Mrs. Bessey,
In march Professor E. H. Bennett of the university of Wisconsin lectured before the club upon the results of moderate archeological research. This was largely attended, [?] was an admirable one, and the professor was received with great pleasure by his old friends.
THE YEAR.
Mrs. M. M. Wing read the following report of the work of the past year:
Members of the Hayden art club still remember doubtless the very interesting and exhaustive survey of art progress during the year [?], which Miss Moore read at the last annual meeting. An unusual pages of duties have made it impossible for her to present this year a like summary, yet some notes taken by her from time to time, with silent additions from other sources enables us to present to the club brief notes of art progress during 1800-81.
It is a very encouraging fact that in the old world and the new greater attention has been given to the subject of architecture than ever before. The possibility of embodying dignity and beauty with utility in the construction both of public and private buildings seems to be increasingly realized, and the demand for architects trained and instructed in their art as much, more widespread than formerly. The university of Pennsylvania sets a noble example in this direction. It has opened a school or college of architecture in Phildelphia. Its director is Mr. T. T. Chandler, jr.,the well known architect, and with him are assiciated a brilliant corps of assistants--Dr. Pepper, president of the university, Dr. Jayne, Dr. Dana and Professor Richards. In addtition provision is made for lectures by eminent architects in other parts of the country.
The course of study covers four years, and will give thorough practical theoretical and artisitc instruction. The degree of bachelor of architecture will be given graduates and certificates of proficiency to those taking partial courses.
The university buildings are used for lectures, certificates of designs, etc. while the work is temporarily done in the city offices of seward Philidelphia architects to each of whom a certain number of students is assigned. This ian adoption of the French Member System which has for centuries been so succesful in the school of finances.
In the line of [?] distsnce to nobler conceptions of the architecture the beautiful models of the Parthenon and Notre Dame at Paris this year been set in the Metropolitan museum. The Parthenon being the twentieth the size of the original. The [?] of Notre Dame includes more than 1,000 pieces and measures twenty-three feet in length by eighteen in height.
It is noted that the general scheme of the Columbian exposition buildings has been put in charge of [?] Olmstead. [?] & [?] though supervised by a board of architects from different cities, Mr. Root, chief of construction died suddenly in January and was succeeded by Mr. [?] of the same firm.
On March 4, 1801 the plans of the four competing firms for the Protestant cathedral of St. John the private in New York city, were handled in and put on exhibit. They were also published in the American Architect and some of the other perrodents.
Mr. S. P. Arny has recently given to Mr. Liby of Columbia college the professional books of his son, the late Mr. H. D. Arney, architect. In memorial of him an architectual alcove will be assigned to the collection, which will be made complete. Mr. Arny has already given $1,000 for additional purchases.
Criticisn from very influential sources is this year made upon the lack of artistic excellence in public school buildings, and a movement is on foot, noticeably, in Philidelphia to improve the now buildings in this respect.
A new remarkable movement in the way of architectural education seems to have begun in England. The architectural associtation some time since provided for its memeber a systematic course of professional instruction, but recently persons outside the profession have other liberal and and contributed large sums of money to increase the resources for instruction. Better still the architects of Edinburgh have prescribed a memorial to the commissioners for the Scothc universities, praying that a course in architecture might be added to the curriculem of the university of Edinburg.
The council of the school of fine arts in Paris, is seriously considering the question of admitting women to the officail atehers among otheres to those in the department of architecture.
The plan when first mentioned was treated with a brutality of comment surprising to those acquainted with the attitude of the French toward wooden that the movement has, been quietly urged, and it seems likely that the change will soon be made.
It is to be noted in theis connection, and in cheering contrast to the attitude of the French that American women architects have competed for plans for one of the Columbian exposition building and that a woman has received the award with the hearty approval of the whole country.
A curious fact is mentioned in connections with the restoration in the church of St. Mark at Venice in which there is a point of practical interest. It [?] that spider's webs had accumulated to a disfiguring extent in the domed ceiling of the church and all ordinary means of clearing them away were in[?]able. But the architect in charge, Signor Laccardo, bethought himself to have some balloons made about a yard of diameter and filled with ordinary illuminating gas. A long silk thread was attached to them and this served to sheer the from place to place under the dome, which they swept clear of cobwebs in a short time.
The greatest artisitic event of 1890 in Italy, is the architectural exhibition at Tunni, the first one ever held in that country.
The importance is confirmed by two noteworthy facts. First by the nomination of a government commission charged witht the study of the archtectural exhibition. Second as a result of the brillian success of this exhibition, An international exhibit is to be held in in 1893.
The Ulm Cathedral, which has been in building some five centuries, is this year completed. The spire is 580 feet from the ground, the highest building in the world. The cathedral ranks among the six great monsters of Germany and issecond only to Cologne, which it overtops in height , not yet complete.
Mr. Franklin Smith of Boston, famous for his Pompelian villa at Saratoga, his Moonish one at St. Augustine, and his projected Roman palace in the same place, has presented in Washington a scheme more extensive than enay of the previosu ones. He proposes to errect in one of the parks a structure which is to cover 150 acres. His plan is to make the central motive a reprodcution of the parthenon, ranges of galleries to extend to wither side and to the front, these divided by a sort of sacra which crosses a bridge lined with statues, while semi-circlular colonnades like those in front of St. Peter's cathedral at Rome are arranged on each side to diversify the perspective. This is intended to serve as an art museaum and to be built of concrete. Mr. Smith believes the money can be obtained by private subscription if the government will give the land and is ready to begin work when ever the subscription reaches $300,000.
In the domain of archaeology some noteworthy events should be mentioned.
The French government without help from private subscriptions has already appropriated $100,000 for the exploration of Delphi--$60,000 to be expanded in the removal of the village of Castriland $40,000 in the work of excavation. American archeaologists lausent that this rich field of research which so nearly was obstracted by us should have failed to be secured by the Unites States that rejoice the works is to be pushed forward, and so intelligently and rapidly as it undefinately will be by the French.
March 14, 1891--Cablegrams recieved from American school in Athens, Greece, announced a remarkable find, [?], a city of tombs discovered, elegant marble architecture, statue of the daughter of Aristotle, much gold found, six diadems, immense wealth of gold earrings in form of doves set with jewels. Nothing finer ever discovered.
Not long since excavation made in the village of Vaphio Lacoma, site on the Honneric town of Anyeho and Phasis, a fonno subterranean chamber was discovered similar to those at Mycense. In this chamber were found many vases, earthen ware and metal with ornaments of gold and silver, bronze weapons, javelins and most important of all, two-vases of pure gold decorated with beautiful tigers in relief, on a hunt for wild oxen placidly pasturizing. [?] of this work unknown, but subject and style different from any belonging to classical Greek period, not impossible but they date back to Agatneration and siege of Troy.
If we tuen to the domain of the fine arts, there is much to record that we feel hopeless of making any satisfactory selection. A few encouraging and interesting achievments must suffice.
The final fate of the Angelus becomes to so manu people in this country a beautiful memory, may not be known to all. It was purchased in November last by M, Chanchard, Paris for $150,000. He is a man of advanced age and childless, so it surmised that the famous painting may be left eventually to the Louvere. (Receipts for ehibition in America, about $50,000.)
Mrs. George Hitchcock's "Tulips Garden" has been bought for the Blenheum collection by the duke of Mafborough.
During the last year Washington has received a new statue of Lafayette, and has no place for it. Lafeyette park would be the natural and appropraite place, and foundations were actually put there for the statue, but such objection was made to placing it there because it would cut off the view of Mills statue of General Jackson that the work was arrested and the statue still waits for a proper place of rest.
Rather an absurd fact is mentioned in connection with the Earl of Radbun and his famous collection among which are several splendid Holbeins. His son wishes to marry but having himself an income of only $4,000 a year and the next earl only about $150,000 per year, they desire to obtain a little money to set the son up in housekeeping and propose to sell some of these priceless Holbetus for the purpose. Members of the family object and appeal has been made tothe courts to restrain the saled, but notwithstanding this protest permission has been granted to sell the picture.
The "Dodge" prize of #300 has been awarded this year to Mrs. Mary Sargent Florence for her allegorical decorative picture. "New Born Death." The judgement of the jury is approval by all.
The Omaha are exhibition association refused point blank to compensate Messrs, Bussod, Valadon & Co. for the damage $18,000 to Bonguereau's "Return of Spring." The association claims that the value of the picture has been increased for the purposes of exhibition. Asa matyter of fact the success of the exhibit in Denver was said to owe much to its presence.
Mr. Chass Pirst of the society of American artisits, and who well deserves the honor of this postion, recently sold a collection of sixtey-seven pictures and sketches. These pictures were slaughtered at an auction sale, although many of them were gems of art. There seems to be a constitutional backwardness in America[?] to patronizing American artisits.
An interesting scheme has been proposed by Mr. T. N. Chandler of New York to raise a fund the interest of which shall be used to send meritorious students of are abroad and maintain them there for five years. It is proposed to allow them $900 per year, and to open the scholarships to students of any of the fine arts, including music and the drama; students are required to send samples of work every three months, and then upon the merit of these their stay is to depend--only students in good health to be eligible. This plan applies only to students resident in New York state, but it is thought the plan will be adopted in other states.
The third part of the Lewis' of historical exhibits was opened this spring in Regent street, London. It represents the royal house of Geulph or Hanover, its statesmen, poets, authors and distinguished men during the reigns of the four Georges and of course the work of the distinctively English painter from Hojarete to Luemr, including Rommy, Gainsborough, Raeburn and Reynolds.
The Tudor exhibition of last year was remarkable for its magnificent collection of painting and drawing by Hans Holbine. The Stuart exhibition of two years ago for its Vandykes.
The Farmers and the Alliance.
Tfhe farmers and others who formed the so-called people's party adopted a definite platform which the farmers of Ohion in convention have repudiated, also refusing by a close vote to put up an independent ticket in that state. Since this untword event a cloud has come over the prospects of the third party enthusuasts, and their meditations have been tinged with sadness. It is natural that some of them in their vexation at the miscarriage of their plans attribute the decision of the Ohio farmers to the influence of that bad man McKinley. It would have been more sensible had they considered that the crazy platform adopted by the Cincinnati convention was enought o warn practical farmers to keep away from the movement for a while at least. What they mean to do in the end the farmers of Ohio are able to tell when they choose. But their repudiation of the alliance platform reveals so radical a separation in opinion and purpose that refusal to join in a third party movement was the only logical course for them.
Predictions about such popular movements are always unsafe. When a set of men have become such fanatics that they can go into a delirium of joy over the adoption of a platform like that of the Cincinnati convention, their conduct cannot be judged by the inferences which could govern "men of common sense. The frantic part of the movement is plain enough, is sufficiently frantic to go on, though the utter absurdity and absolute hopelessness of their movement were demonstrated even to their satisfaction. Men in that state do not reason or judge, and they are quite as likely to do the most foolish and suicidal thing as any other. But the great body of farmers at the west are not of that sort. They are men of sober common sense, unless the past has strangely misrepresented them. They are apt to be governed by the reasons which would influence other men of ordinary sanity. It is therefore probable thea some inferences can now be drawn with safety, not regarding the course fo the "movement" of the frenzied few, but as the extent of cooperation they will have from the rational many.
It is just here that politcal performances of this kind usually ruin themselves and those who engage in them. Getting hot headed and lightheaded, the managers of leaders rush forward with their own notions, ignoring or forgetting the temper and thoughts of the vast body of voters upon whom they must depend for success. When they have shouted themselves hoarse, and sung all old parties into their grave, they cool off enough to discover that they have completely seperated themselves from the sane portion of mankind. If the alliance leaders have gone further than sane farmers will go, the movement will stop moving.
The Ohio convention of farmers has given one indication that this is the fact. It is part of the published record of the Cincinnati gathering that its leaders declared their certainty that the Ohio farmers woudl follow them the next week "with a whoop" and no following, and the wildest of the fanatics now have only this to say, that they will presently get up another convention of Ohio farmers, in which the minority of the former convention shall express it vows and put up a ticket. Putting up a ticket is not the only thing necessary to an election in this practical age. If the men who put up tickets have gone one way, and the voters the other, the result to the ticket is apt to be unhealthy.
Other signs of the same nature can be seen by those who look fo rthem. The truth is that the main body of western alliance men have never accepted unreservedly the crazy land-loaning of sub-treasury schemes of the most vociferous leaders. There are thousands who appear from recently published accounts to have made up their minds that there is more money to be gained by putting in crops this year fair weather, than by attending alliance meetings. To the leaders who have rushed ahead making platforms and putting up tickets and burying old parties this is an ominous notion to have sprung up in the minds of the farmers.--New York Tribune.
A Move for Disfranchisement.
Town people who are not farmers cannot join the alliance, but since the movement has become political there are lotsw of town men anxious to get into the swim. Anyhone is eligible who will sign a pledge that when he cannot conscientiously vote for an alliance nominee he will abstain from voting for anyone else. If a bad man gets the endorsement of the organization a member who cannot vote for him must be disfranchised, have his hands tied and tacitly said in a giving office to one untit. This is a peculiar way of seeking reform. Several calls for the organization of such a club here havebeen made, but the organ has not mentioned the result or given the names of officers or members. A "fly-by-night" party cannot gain much strength, though it may stab some one in the back. The Enterprise has heard the names of some of the members and when the political ball opens may surprise the democrats by revealing the names of a few of the deserters whom they have assisted in the past and who are now signing the opposition pledge in order to get office again--The Enterprise.
Springs the Records on the Old Man.
Tfhere is a military officer stationed in Philidelphia who has a son at West Point. Not long ago he had occasion to take the boy to taks for receiving such a low average for conduct. The lad, having no excuse silently bore the reprimand. As soon as the parent had left West Point the boy went to the library and got down the records for the years in which his father was a cadet and carefully marked down the father's average for conduct. Soon after the first visit the father called on his son again and began to lecture him. The son stood for a short time and then quickly going to his desk brought out an envelope addressed to his father and handed it to him saying "Before you go any further you had better look at this." The father opened the letter and as soon as he began to read it he saw that his son had made a comparison of his conduct average with his own, and as the father's was the worse he quickly put the letter in his pocket and said: "Well, my boy, things were different then, but we will drop the subject." After that the cadet's reports were passed by the father without comment--New York Mercury.
54
THE TRIAL OF THE TROLLEY.
THE FIRST ELECTRIC CAR TO LINCOLN PARK.
It Makes a Satisfactory Trial Trip and Is Warmly Welcomed Along the Entire Line
A Promise of Quick Time.
A new civilization dawned in South Lincoln last evening. No greater, perhaps, was the curiosity excited among the native denizens of these primitive wilds when the first prairie schooner, the pioneer "flyer," hove into view on the soil of Nebraska, than was that excited by the first trip of an electric motor over the Tenth street line of the Lincoln Street railway to Lincoln park last evening. It was a little before 8 o'clock when the car came catering north on Ninth street from the new power house with a clanging of belts and gleaming headlight and interior electric lights, while lightning flashed from the grinding wheels and the singing trolley. At O street it skipped across to Tenth and started southward at a right merry gait. Within the car was Mr.and Mrs. F. W. Little, Superintendent Upham, a number of friends of these parties, about a dozen other employes of the company and a member of THE JOURNAL staff. As the brilliant innovation progressed southward crowds of cheering people watched it with pleasure and satisfaction depicted in their features. Right merrily it sung its greetings song as it sailed down Tenth street and finally turned westward towards distant Lincoln park. People stood in the open doors of their houses and in gateways as it flew cautiously along its maiden trip, waving hats and handkerchief, and children flew in the very road to welcome this useful, beautiful and wonderful contrivance for the comfort and convenience of man. All across the bottoms on the trip west to the park old men and young, women, children and dogs were out in the road to salute the unchanging visitor. The tracks, from disuse, were covered with clods of mud here and there , some of the conveniences for operating the switches were not in place anti an occasion stop was necessary to accustom the plodding street car horses met on the trip to proximity with their tireless successor, but with as the delays to was but 8 o'clock when the return trip from the park was begun. The return was a repetition of the outward trip except that the crowds were increased. The corner pf Tenth and P streets was reached just fifteen minutes out from the bark, in spite of the cautions speed maintained and the numerous stops.
It is not expected that the Tenth street line will be put into immediate electric service, although trips will be made occasionally for the training of the men in the details of managing the motors. It is promised, however, that the electric system will carry traffic to the park next Sunday, and the pretty and comfortable cars will doubtless be taxed to their utmost capacity.
55
Mr. Samuel Shears the Managing Proprietor of the "Lincoln" is the Man.
He Tells Some Interesting Facts in Relation to the War, How the Peace Conference Was Conducted At Niagra.
How a Passport Across the River Was Secured.
Among the prominent citizens of Lincoln is one who is entitled to the distinction of having spent more years in hotel life than any other man in the state, and it is doubtful if any other person in the country has spent as many years in the harness as host as he. Mr. Samuel Shears, the proprietor of the Lincoln, by all odds the finest hotel in the state, was born at Rochester New York in September 1828, and is consequently was sixty-two years of age. At the time of his birth his father was the proprietor of the Monroe house the then leading hotel of Rochester, and from that day to the present Mr. Shears' life has, with the exception of about five years, been spent in a hotel. At the age of eighteen he went to Buffalo and in company with a brother opened and conducted the Arcade, the principal hotel of that city. This they ran until 1851 when he formed a partnership with another brother and for twenty-two years rean the Clifton, the leading hotel on the Canada side of the river at Niagara Falls, Samuel assuming the active management. In the latter part of 1878 they sold out the Cliften and he opened the Boody house at Toledo, then just completed and the finest house in that portion of Ohio. From Toledo he went to Cincinnati where he opened the magnificient Burnett, and remained there until 1882, when he came to Omaha and in company with Messrs. Markel and Swobe built and opened the Millard whose popularity under the direct management of Mr. Shears soon extended from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
Something over two years ago he thought that half a century and more in the harness entitled him to a release from active work and he sold out to his partners. He had however mistaken his own temperament and found that contentment for him was not to be found in the relinquishment of the business habits and activity acquired by his many years of service, and he began to cast about him with the object of again entering the life for which his is so eminently fitted. During this time a number of enterprising and wealthy citizens of this city organized the Lincoln Hotel company, and proceeded at once with the erection of the present magnificent structure, costing nearly $250,000 on the corner of Ninth and P streets. Before it was completed it was leased to Mr. Shears and his former partner in the Millard, Mr. Markel, and it is as joint proprietor and active manager that Mr. Shears may be found, always ready to meet the guests of the house with those polite attentions which at once puts them at their ease and makes them feel at home. The faculty of pleasing the travelling public is born in some men, and is a something that cannot be acquired, and this faculty is possessed to an eminent degree by Mr. Shears. As may be supposed his long career as proprietor of leading hotels has brought him in contact and in numberless cases on terms of familiarity with the celebraties of this and other nations, and he possesses a fund of anecdote and information about people and events that makes him a most interesting conversationalist.
A few evenings ago a JOURNAL man asked him to recount some of the incidents that transpired at his house during that most interesting period of American history, the civil war. In compliance with this request he obligingly seated himself, saying:
"I hardly know how to begin, each day during those stirring times was crowded with events that if fairly told would prove most interesting. As you are aware, Niagra Falls from its location and natural attractions became during the rebellion, the headquarters on on this continent for foreign southern sympathizers. This of itself made it the northern headquarters for copperheads, and large numbers of representative southern men who were in one way or another actual participants in the rebellion. My hotel was the leading one, and from the first became the headquarters for conferences and political intrigue, and as a natural consequence I became acquainted with and entertained many prominent personages. While proprietor I had among other guests of the house the Prince of Wales, who remained five days, Princess Lousia, his sister, the Duke of Endinboro for two weeks and Prince Arthur who remained three months; besides these were innumerable foreign ambassadors and their families in addition to scores of noted men of the United States, both north and south. I must not gorget to mention also Miss Kate Boyd, a daughter of Dr. Boyd a leading and influential citizent of Memphis Tenn., and Mrs. Train, wife of the erratic George Francis Train. Both of these ladies were southern spies, who in some manner unknown to me crossed the river and made their way through the northen states to the confederate capital bearing with them information deemed of importance to the confederate leaders and returning they brought such word as was entrusted to them for transmission from the rebels to their sympathizers and friends at Niagara. Both these women were mediums through whom communication was kept up between Niagara and Richmond, and there was also another medium used which it will suprise you to learn of, and that was a special wire to Louisville, over which confederate messages were sent with the utmost confidence that secrecy would be inviolably maintained; I know that such was the case and to me it was one of the most astonishing bits of information that I became possessed of during the war.
During the early part of the war I had many wealthy northern people at my house, but as the war progressed and the number of southern people increased, the northerners forsook the Falls compelled to do so in a measure by the intensity of feeling that developed between them and the southern sympathizers. An incident that occurred at the house will serve to show to what a degree this feeling was developed. In addition to a large number of southern ladies who were stopping at the house was a party of wives and daughters of weathy New York men. After supper they would all go out on the veranda, the southern ladies occupying one end and the New York ladies the other. One evening some Italian musicians came up on the veranda and began playing "Dixie," One of the New York ladies gave them a half dollar to play the Star Spangled Banner. I was in the office and a gentleman came in and told me if I did not go out and drive those Italians away that the ladies would soon be engaged in a pitched-battle, and sure enough when I went out they were gathered around the musicians, frantic with rage at each other and paying them $5 gold pieces to play certain pieces. I made the Italians come inside and took $90 in gold from them which the ladies had given them and then went out and talked to the ladies about the foolishness of the proceeding, after which I gave each side back $45.
There was a large number of rascals there who made bounty jumping a business. They would cross over into the states get a bounty for enlisting, desert and come back over the river, and perhaps repeat the same thing within a week. A Mr. Spaulding who was appointed collector of customs at the Falls by Mr. Lincoln, established a very close watch and endeavored to prevent anyone crossing the river into Canada without a passport, but as shrewd as he was he met more than his match in George N. Sanders, who had represented Virginia in the United States congress, and was then, I think, a member of the confederate congress. He had been entrusted with a large amount of confederate bonds for the purpose of delivering them to some Englishmen whom it had been pre-arranged were to receive them at the Falls. He succeeded in getting from Richmond through the states to the American side of the falls; here the problem of getting across the river confronted him. He was disguised as a laboring man and carried an old carpet bag in his hand. He decided upon a plan and proceeded to act upon it. He went direct to Spaulding and stating that he wanted to go across the river and about thirty miles inot the country to harvest a crop for a bedriddent brother who was unable to hire it done, asked him to give or lend him a quarter to pay his bridge toll; Spaulding told him that he would have to have a passport as well as a quarter for toll; this information seemed to suprise him greatly and his grief for his stricken brother seemed so genuine that in the end Spaulding not only paid his toll but gave him a passport. He came up to the desk in my office and I thought he was about as forlorn a looking spectacle as I had ever seen enter a first class hotel with the intention of staying and I eyed him suspiciously as he took up a pen and registered, not his name but the letters 'S. N. G.' which, I afterward found to be his initials reversed. I told him that it was required of guests of the house that they register by name, but he made some trifling remark, said it was all right and asked me to put his carpet bag in the safe. I was inclined to think the fellow was a little off his base, and stood looking at him when he took from around his waist a belt heave with gold and asked me to put that in the safe also, that settled it with me, he wanted one of the best rooms in the house, and got it too. Within an hour after his arrival a dozen of the most distinguished men in the house had been up to his room and when he reappeared for supper, he came in full dress with a silk tie, and big diamond in his shirt front.
One of the most interesting events to me was the conference held at my house between Clement C. Clay, Thompson, Mason, and Beverly Tucker on the part of the confederates, and Horace Greely and Dean Richmond as unofficial representatives of the north. President Lincoln's private secretary, Mr. Hayes was also present for the purpose of keeping Mr. Lincoln informed of what was taking place. Of course the southern men were clothed with authority from the government to definite action whil Messrs. Greely and Richmond had no such authority from the administration at Washington and any act that could possibly be construed as a recognition of the south as a separate government was persistently avoided by them. Mr. Greely and his companions had rooms in one end of the house and the southern gentlement in the other. The usual form of communication between them was by unsigned letters. These letters were also unaddressed, but bore peculiar marks. I was instructed as to the significance of these marks and when a lette was left lying in a designated place I knew by the mark upon the envelope for whom it was intended and delivered it personally. I became a great admirer of Horace Greely. I recollect that one night he sat up with me until two o'clock in the morning and talked to me of what he was there for, of the delicacy and importance of the work he had undertaken, and of the hopes he had of a successful ending. His own great heart was bleeding because of the sheading of each others' blood by brothers and his supreme desire was to end the slaughter of war. After they had been there some two weeks, I think it must have been, Dean Richmond sat down by me late one night and said Mr. Shears thank God, we have about come to terms, and our work is nearly done. Although he did not say much about the terms of the proposed agreement he gave me to understand that slavery was not to be interfered with, I delivered into Clay's hands Lincoln's proclamation addressed to whom it may concern but intended in fact as a guarantee of safe escort for Clay and his fellow representatives to Washington. As you are aware the conference failed of its object, and Mr. Greely and his companions departed sad and dejected. To my dying day I shall revere the memory of Horace Greely."
In Spokane Falls.
Senator Frye stepped in to shake hands with the club a few evenings ago. The conversation naturally tuned on home industry. The senator remarked: "I was in Washington at Spokane Falls last year, and was entertained by one of the local boomers. He was a patriarchal old fellow, with a long beard who looked like a deacon, and was worth $5,000,000 or $6,000,000.
He took me out to drive behind a fine pair of horses and showed me the town. One of the objects that attracted my attention was a very long building- a tremendous affair- one of the longest buildings I ever saw in my life.
"How many gambling games do you suppose there are in that building? asked my friend, the patriarch.
"Give it up," said I.
"Thirty-nine."
"Now look here, my friend," said I, "you must destroy that thing, or it will destroy you."
"What do you mean?" he demanded.
"Mean? I mean that you ought to drive it out of town."
"Good God, senator," said he, "if we lose it Tacoma'll get it."