Youngstown News, 1902-03-28

              THE YOUNGSTOWN NEWS VOL. XXII. ¥OUNGSTOWN, N. Y., FRIDAY. MARCH 28, L 1902. NO. 8, YOUNG WILCOX CONVICTED Jury Declares That He is the Murderer of Nellie Cropsey. VERDICT AFTER THIRTY HOURS Crowd Around the Court-Koom Acted as If They Would Lynch the Prisoner If He Were Acquitted — Counsel Will Appeal For Wilcox — May Take a Vear to Dispose of the Case. Elizabeth City, N. C.—The jury in the trial of James Wilcox on the charge of murdering Nellie Cropsey came into court with a verdict of guilty of murder in the first degree. The jury had been out thirty hours. A crowd had lingered about the courtroom all day and there was such feeling against him that it was feared they would resort to violence if the prisoner were acquitted or if the jury disagreed.The trial lasted six days and caused much excitement. These are the facts brought out on the witness stand: In 1898 William H. Cropsey moved from Brooklyn, N. Y., to Elizabeth City. He brought with him a family of attractive girls. Miss Nellie, then fifteen years old, was pretty and bright. She had received a common school education. The family arrived here in April, and in June James Wilcox, only eon of former Sheriff Thomas P. Wilcox, began to call on Miss Nellie. He was a regular f«nd devoted beau from that time till last September, when he and the girl seem to have had the first quarrel of any consequence. During those days of intimacy Wilcox took the young lady to the shows at the Opera House, to the skating rink, to the dances, driving, sailing and calling. They were together several times every week. They exchanged Christmas and birthday presents. This period of friendship came to an end last September. Rev. George Stuart, a popular evangelist, preached In the Methodist Church here. He stirred up considerable excitement and many people joined the church. Miss Cropsey was among the number. From the time of that religious revival there was trouble for Wilcox. He did not get on well with the young lady. She seemed to avoid him. One of her sisters heard her tell him: "If you can't behave better than that you stay up home." The evening of November 20 Nellie Cropsey disappeared. Wilcox called at 8 o'clock. Miss Carrie Cropsey let him in. Carrie got up to go to her room several times, but Nellie persuaded her to stay. Finally, however, at 10.45, she retired and left the two couples in the sitting room. At 11.05 o'clock Wilcox got up from his chair and announced that he must go. He said: "Miss Nellie, may I see you in the hall?" She made no answer, but went out. That was the last seen of the girl. Her dead body was fished out of the river thirty-seven days later. Young Wilcox left the parlor at 11.05 and was seen in his own home several blocks from the Cropsey residence, at 11.50. All told, he had twenty-five minutes unaccounted for. The place where the body was found is but 135 yards from the house. The defense contended that all tests of drowning fail in a case where the person has been dead and buried in the water thirty-seven days. The best medical authorities say all signs fail in such cases. The people are tired of discussing the case, and since the verdict gives the prisoner the full penalty of the law, the people are satisfied. The first degree verdict was hardly expected. District Attorney Ward has stated that he did not expect one other than in second degree. Lawyer Aydlett, for the defense, will file an appeal, and as the Supreme Court does not meet until September next the case is likely to hang on for months. BURNS CIRL EXONERATED. Magistrate Finds No Proof That She Killed Young Brooks. New York City.—Florence Burns, the nineteen-year-old girl, whose alleged connection with the killing of Walter S. Brooks, in the Glen Island Hotel, on February 14, has been the subject of a lengthy examination before Justice Mayer, was discharged from custody by chat Magistrate, who declared that he found no proof of her guilt. i District Attorney Jerome states that Miss Burns must stand trial before a jury on the charge of murder, as he will present evidence which will result iin her indictment by the Grand Jury. The crowd was, if anything, larger than at any previous hearing and more frantic in the effort to get into the court-room. There were at least half a. dozen Avomen to every man in the; court-rocin. JUDGE DECLARES GUDEN SHERIFF Brooklyn Official's Kemoval by Govsrmor Odell Illegal. New York City.—Justice Gaynor, of the Supreme Court, in Brooklyn, handed down a decision to the effect that Charles Guden is the Sheriff of Kings County, and declares the action of Colonel Dike and his associates in breaking into the Sheriff's office as unwarranted. Gudon was recently removed from office by Governor Odell, who appointed Colonel Dike in his place, justice Gaynor declares that Governor Odell's action in removing Guden was illegal. HUGE PROFITS IN EGGS Their Value and That of Poultry Given as $281,178,035. One of the Largest Industries Connected With Agriculture— lowa Leads the States In Chickens. Washington, D. C.— A census report shows that of the 5,739,657 farms in the United States, 5,096,255 reported poultry. The total number of fowls three months old and over reported were as follows: Chickens, including guinea fowls, 233,598,085; turkeys, 3,599,367; geese, 5,676,563; ducks, 4,807,358. The numbers of nearly all these classes of poultry are smaller as reported in 1900 than in 1890, owing to the fact that in 1890 they reported all fowls of whatever age, while in 1900 only those three months old and over were reported. The eggs produced in 1899 were 1,- 293.819,156 dozens, against 819,722,916 dozens in ISB9. An increase in the number of eggs produced, rather than in increase in the number of different kinds of fowls, marked the progress of this branch of the industry. The value of poultry on hand June 1, 1900, was $85,79-1,996; the value of poultry raised in 1899 was $136,891,877, and the value of eggs produced in 1899 was $144,286,158. The total income derived by the farmers from their poultry industry in 1899, representing the total value of the eggs produced us well as the poultry raised, was $81,- 178,035. This total makes the poultry industry one of the largest connected with agriculture. lowa leads the States in the number of chickens, including guinea fowls, having 18,907,673. Illinois Is second, with 16,600.725. Texas leads in the number of turkeys, with 428,671; Missouri is second, with 406,665. Kentucky leads In the number of geese, having 541,576. Missouri is second, with 425.307. lowa raises the largest number of ducks, reporting $487,752; Illinois is second, with 382,857. lowa reports the largest value of poultry on hand June 1, 1900, $6,535,464. Illinois Is second, with $0,415,033. Illinois reports the largest value of poultry raised in 1599, $i 1,307,599; lowa is second, with $9,491,843. Illinois reports, for export, eggs, 30,402,670 dozens. ADULTERATED FOOD PRODUCTS. Jams and Jellies of Apple Peelings—Wine of Coal Tar Dye, Sugar and Alcehol. Washington, D. C.-Dr. H. W. Wiley, Chief of the Bureau of Chemistry for the Department of Agriculture, who according to his own statements, has been making investigations in food products for more than ten years, appeared before the House Committee on Commerce in behalf of the Hepburn Pure Food bill. He exhibited a large variety of canned goods, jams, jellies, wines and syrups, and explained to the Committee the results of an analysis of the products. Dr. Wiley showed the Committee several kinds of jellies made from the peelings and cores of apples, chemically colored, and flavored to represent different fruit jellies. Dr. Wiley added that the by-products of the apples from which the jellies were made are shipped to Europe and used in the making of champagne. An "Ohio wine," made from coal tar dye, sugar and alcohol, and containing absolutely none of the products of the vine, was next shown. Dr. Wiley gave instances where manufacturers were themselves deceived by coal tar dyes, which were i/epresented as pure vegetable dyes. BOER LEADERS SEEK TERMS. Schaltbui-ger, Keitz, Meyer and JCrogjj Confer With Kitchener. Pretoria, South Africa.—Acting President Sclialburger, F. W. Reitz, former Secretary of State to tlie Transvaal, and Commandants Lucas Meyer and Krogh, with their secretaries and attendants, arrived here on a special train from Balmoral, about fifty miles east of here. They cam? into Balmoral under a flag of truce. Upon arriving here Schalkburger and his party drove immediately to General Kitchener's headquarters, where he had an interview with the British General. The Boers afterward proceeded to the railroad station and entrained for Kroonstad, whence they proceeded under a safe conduct. London.—The news that the wandering Boer "Government" had entered the British lines is regarded as having but one meaning, namely, that another attempt is being made to negotiate peace. The fact that the censor passed the news of this movement is accepted as confirmation of this opinion. SWEETHEART'S HAIR FALSE. Coui-t Upholds a Fiance's Elffht to Break an Engagement. Des Moines, lowa.—In Emmetsburg, William Strong made love to Jennie Amsler, proposed and was accepted. What, attracted Strong most was the young woman's hair, a beautiful nut brown. Strong boasted of Jennie s hair. A young woman who heard him remarked: "Yes, Jennie has beautiful ftair. And why shouldn't she, considering what she paid for it?" Thereupon the young man charged Jennie with deceit, compelled her to confess that tht adored tresses were not hers, and broke off the engagement. Jennie promptly sued for breach of promise and won. But the Supreme Court revei-sed the judgment, declaring that, as she had won his love because of her hair, and her hair was false, therefore she had won his love on a false pretense. MINOR EVENTS OF THE WEEK WASHINGTON ITEMS. President Roosevelt nominated Nevada N. Stranahan to be Collector of Customs for the District of New York. The House Committee on Naval Affairs voted to take no action on the numerous Schley bills and resolutions pending befort it. President Roosevelt offered the vacant Civil Service Commissionership to James R. Garfield, son of the late President Garfield. Brigadier-General J. H. Smith, in command of the American troops now campaigning in Sainar, P. 1., was ordered to command the Department of Texas, with headquarters at San Antonio.A Republican House caucus designated F. B. Lyons, of Cuba, N. Y., as doorkeeper of the House to succeed William J. Glenn, deceased. The resignation of William M. Johnson, First Assistant Postmaster-General, was accepted by President Roosevelt.President Roosevelt decided not to reappoint Commissioner-General of Immigration Powderly, and will name for the place Frank P. Sargent, Grand Master of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen. OUR ADOPTED ISLANDS Cuban customs revenues for January were $1,401,717, an increase over the same month of 1901 of $285,275. Lieutenant William S. Sinclair, of the Twenty-eighth Infantry, recently tried at Manila by court-martial on the charge of causing the death of a soldier prisoner by gagging him and pouring water on his head, was acquitted. Guevarra, successor to Lukban, in command of the Samar (P. I.) insurgents, agreed to surrender, with all his men. Porto Ricans gave $1497.40 to the McKinley memorial fund. Acting-Governor Wright, of the Philippines, said there was no insurrection in ninety-five per cent, of the archipelago.Manila declared a quarantine against I-long Kong because of cholera at the latter port. DOMESTIC. Governor Dockery, of Missouri, appealed for aid for farmers in; OfrftHEftk- County, who lost all last year's crops. The estate of Collis P. Huntington, which was estimated at $70,000,000, is said to be worth only $30,000,000 now. There are $2,000,000 in worthless notea. George Gordon, colored, was hanged at Raymond, Miss., for the murder of his wife. Henry Hitchcock, brother of Ethan Allen Hitchcock, Secretary of the Interior, and well known as a lawyer, died at his nome in S+. Louis, Mo. On his way home from the Philippines, where he served in the Fifth Infantry, Henry C. Hale was killed at Winfield, Kan. Three Slavish worlcingmen were killed in the iron mills at Steubenville, Ohio. Police protection was asked by George Van Sittart, British Consul at New Orleans, La., for fear of Boer sympathizers. Three residences in Park avenue, New York City, were ruined by a chasm which opened into the rapid transit subway, and residents of an entire block were driven from their homes. A million postage stamps were disposed of at one sale in the Chicago postoffice. A campaign against euchre was started by ministers in Wheeling, W. Va. The Council and Board of Trade of •Jacksonville, Fla., decided to furnish a site and $5000 annually to maintain a $50,000 library offered by Andrew Carnegie on these conditions. Four laborers in New York City were buried under a sand bank, two being killed. Remorseful because of his arrest on the charge of insulting a woman, Edwin Douglass, a well educated young Englishman, committed suicide in a cell in a police station in Buffalo, N. Y. Three Italians fell from a skiff and were drowned at Spring Valley, 111. The Central University at Danville, Ky., raised the $25,000 needed to secure a like sum from Thomas H. Swope, of Kansas City, Mo. An explosion in Edwards's sawmill at Huntington, W. Va., killed two and injured six men. The steamer European cleared from New Orleans, La., with 1150 horses for South Africa. FOREIGN. Eleven men were drowned In a cot lision between fishboats at Nazareth, Portugal. Rio Janeiro, Brazil, was declared free of bubonic plague. French Deputies voted amnesty to a large class of minor offenders, but reconsidered their vote, as the list was becoming too large. When a trip to America was suggested to the German Emperor he thoughtfully admitted that it would take no longer than his journey to Palestine. The French Chamber of Deputies voted for six instead of four-year legislative terms. The Venezuelan revolution headed by General Matos was spreading rapidly, and the position of the Castro Government was critical. NO BURGLAR-PROOF SAFE Cracksmen Now Use a Chemical Compound Known as Thermite. Treasury Experts Report That the Thickest Steel Cuts Xike Lead "When Subjected to Its Emollient Action. Washington, D. C.—There is no such thing as a burglar-proof vault or safe, according to a report that has been submitted by Treasury experts to Assistant Secretary Taylor. The best tempered steel, no matter how thick, is not proof against a new chemical ,compound which up-to-date professional cracksmen have learned to use. This compound, called thermite, whep mixed with magnesium powder, will destroy the hardness of the metal and rob it of its temper, enabling a burglar with ordinary tools to cut into it as though it were lead. For this reason Mr. Taylor believes the Treasury ought not to continue to expend large sums of money in the construction1 .of so-called burglar-proof vaults and strong boxes In which to store Government funds. The investigation of the reality of the security afforded by these steel structures was made by J. E. Powell, the chief mechanical and electrical engineer of the Treasury, and John P. Bergin, ' vault, safe and lock expert. These men went to Chicago and other cities and made experiments with thermite and also with electricity. They hate come back to Washington convinced that the present value of safes and' vaults as against burglars is much overestimated. An application of thermite and magnesium made to a steel plate of the highest temper and five-eighths of an inch in thickness reduced the metal to a condition rendering it possible to cut a hole through it with an ordinary chisel. The experts have recommended that the best means of security against professional cracksmen is to be found in an electrical signal system, which, when disarranged by burglars or thieves, will sound an alarm. Messrs. Powell,and Bergin have submitted a set of conclusions and recommendations as a result of their investigations. They say that, inasmuch ,as the best types of safes and vaults are not invulnerable, it would .Jn their judgment, for the Government to insmll alarm systems in the new vaults now being constructed at the New York Custom House, at the Sub-Treasury in Philadelphia and wherever else Government moneys are kept. THE EVACUATION OF BOSTON A Monument in Commemoration of ths Historic Event Dedicated. Boston, Mass. —On Dorchester Heights, South Boston, where 12G years ago the breastworks the Colonial army compelled the evacuation of Boston by the British troops, a monument of white granite has been dedicated. BOHCHESTEB HEIGHTS MONUMENT. SPRING BUSINESS MOVING Most Sanguine Expectations Being Realized in Nearly All Sections. New York City—R. G. Dun & Co.'s Weekly Review of Trade says: "Outside of Massachusetts the labor situation is exceptionally free from controversy, and even in the coal mines ther§ is less than the usual agitation as April approaches. Distribution of spring merchandise is making rapid progress, the most sanguine expectations being fully realized in all sections outside the strike area." Bradstreet's says: "The week ends more favorable than it began. This is particularly true of weather conditions and of affairs industrial, which have improved greatly in various sections of the country." SYMPATHY FOR THE BOERS. House Democrats "Will EndeaTor to Force Action hy Congress. Washington, D. C.—The Democratic members of the House, at a caucus, unanimously adopted resolutions declaring that Congress "should express the sympathy of the American people for the struggling Boer republics," and pledging themselves to use their utmost endeavors to "force" the committees to report resolutions expressing such sympathy if only that Congress might have an opportunity to act. In pursuance of the action of the caucus a resolution will be framed for introduction in the House, and hereafter the Democrats will do everything in their power to secure action on it. MILES MAY ,BE RETIRED He Criticises the War Department's General Staff Bill. ACT DISPLEASES HIS SUPERIORS Secretary Root's Measure Is Subversive of the Interests of t.he Army, He Tells a Senate Committee—Threatens to Resign Ilis Commission if the Bill la Passed*» President Likely to Retire Him Washington, D. C.—Lieutenant-Gcneral Nelson A. Miles, commanding the Army, has made more difficult his position as Commanding General of the Army, by criticising the President and Secretary Root before the Senate Committee on Military Affairs. While the fact that he made his statements in the capacity of a witness may exempt him from punishment for his criticism, this and other actions which have not met with the approval of the Administration may lead to his forcible retirement by the President. General Miles declared that if the staff reorganization bill became a law he would resign the office of Commanding General of the Army. He asserted that the bill was calculated to accomplish no purpose except to allow the Secretary of War and the Adjutant- General to promote the Interests of their personal favorites. He added that If the bill were passed he could now name the men who would hold the places of honor which it created. These names he did not mention, but he is said to have had Adjutant-General Corbin in mind. So utterly subversive is this of military discipline that the President and Secretary of War may decide that even though the remarks made by the General were addressed to the Military Committee of the Senate, he had no right to make such an attack upon his superior officer's. Secretary Root was at the White House four hours, and it was presumed that he had conferred with the President regarding General Miles', conduct. He denied that this was the case, and added: 'T ,am soi-ry that. General M'les is opposed to the bill, because it in elms mut-h foT> the efficiency of the Army. Under the proposed bill he •would hold the office of chief of staff and have largely increased powers." General Miles' threat that he would resign from the Army if the bill became a law was based upon the view that it was subversive of the interests of the military establishment, and he declared that he did not intend to be a party to such a proceeding, even If he had to relinquish his office. Section 7 of the Root Army bill provides for the assignment of the senior general officer of the Armjf to command "such portion of the Army as the President may direct or be detailed to duty in the general staff corps. All duties prescribed by law for the Commanding General shall be performed by the chief of the general staff, or other general officer designated by the Secretary of War." The unity of the Army would be destroyed, General Miles predicted, if this provision should be enacted into law. MANY LIVES LOST IN STORM. 15)000 Sheep and Cattle and 500 Horses Also Perish In It. St. Paul, Minn.—Reports of loss of life in the great storm that swept over North Dakota show that at least fifteen deaths resulted from freezing, with the prospect that the number of persons lost will be much larger. The aggregate loss of live stock will reach 10,000 sheep, 5000 cattle and perhaps 500 or 600 horset. On the Great Northern Railroad five carloads of valuable horses and a train load of cattle were frozen to death in the cars. Ranchmen and farmers have been found frozen and the carcasses of their horses found near thtjm, showing great struggles to reach places of shelter. It may be a month or more before the exact number of fatalities can be accurately ascertained, for it is believed that many strangers out on the prairie selecting homes were overtaken by the storm whose bodies cannot be found until the snow melts. RICH WIDOW DROPS TO DEATH, Her Body Found on Top of the Passenger Elevator in Her Home. Boston, Mass.—Mrs. Julia Blanche French, widow of Benjamin French, a litigant in more legal actions than any other woman in Massachusetts, was found dead at her home. The house/ in which she had lived almost as a recluse, was broken into and her body was discovered lying upon the top of tlie passenger elevator. She had evidently fallen from the third story, a distance of about forty feet There is 110 suspicion that her death was other than accidental. Mrs. French, besides beiug the owner of several hundred thousand dollars' worth of property, at one time had as many as thirty different cases pending in which she was interested. Crowninshleild a Rear-Admiral Now The United States Senate has confirmed the nomination of Captain A. Si Crowninshield to be a Rear-Admiral. There was no comment upon the nomination.War Tax Repeal Bill Passed The War Revenue Reduction bill haa passed the United States Senate with-i out a division or a yea and nay vote. It has already passed the House and now will become a law. STATE NEWS. Nominations by Governor Odell. Governor Odell lias sent the following nominations to the State Senate: Trustees Washington's Headquarters —Joseph H. H. Chapman, of Newburg, in the place of Charles L. C. Iverr, deceased, and for a further term of five years from April 1, 1902, and Charles D. Robinson, reappointed. Manager ElmJra Reformatory—Henry Solomon.-Of New York City, in the place of Thomas Sturgis, resigned. Manager House of Refuge for Women at Hudson—Jessie Vanzile Belden, of Syracuse, reappointment. Manager Thomas Asylum for Orphan and Destitute Indian Children- Helen G. Ely, of Rochester, reappointment.Commissioner State Board of Charities, Fourth Judicial District—Newton Aldrich, of Gouverneur, reappointment.Port Warden. Port of New York- Isaac W. Edsall, of Spring Valley, reappointment.Trustees New York State Soldiers' and Sailors' Home-Joseph A. Goulden, of New York City, in the place of Thomas W. Bradley, who failed to qualify; Otis Smith, Bath, reappointment.Managers Syracuse State Institution for Feeble-Minded Children- Walter W. Cheney, of Manlius, and Lewis F. Weaver, of Syracuse, both reappointments. Senator Humphrey Dead. State Senator Lester Hayden Humphrey, who represented the Fortysixth District, died at his residence in Albany. The Senator was ill for several days with pneumonia, but the doctors held out hope for his recovery almost to the last. Mr. Humphrey was born In Sheldon, Wyoming County, January 22, 1850. At the time of his death he was President of the Wyoming County National Bank, and waa also interested in a number of business establishments in Warsaw, Wyoming County. He was elected State Senator in 1895, and had served continuously ever since. He was Chairman of the Senate Bank Committee and a member of the Committees on Finance, Taxation and Retrenchment and Canals. Funeral services for Senator Humphrey were held at the Congregatloaal Church in Warsaw. Lieutenant-Qovernor Woodruff, the entire Senate, a committee of seven from the Assembly arid other State officials were present. Would Stop Compulsory Vaccination. Assemblyman Patton has introduced in the State Assembly a bill repealing the sections of the public health law which give school trustees the power to compel pupils attending their schools to submit to vaccination, or, if they refuse, to exclude them from the school; also the section authorizing the appointment of a physician by the trustees to have charge of such vaccination. Mr. Patten's bill includes provisions for the appointment of a commission to investigate the nature and value of vaccination, antitoxin, and alleged prophylatics, Malone's Mid-Air Journey. While Willis Malone, a telephone lineman, was at work at the top of a high pole, at Middletown, a sudden gust of the gale caught him in an unguarded moment and bore him from his foothold. He was swept through thi> air over twenty feet and caught on the crossarm of a lighting company's pole, thirty feet below, where, suspended by hl3 clothing, he hung until Ills fellow workmen rescued him, j>ractlcally unharmed. Jealous Husband's Crime. Henry Nye, a farmer whose home is in Stephenrowii, Rensselaer County, has murdered his wife. Nye, it is said, was jealous of his wife, whom he had married but a short time ago. Nye entered the house for supper about 6 o'clock, and sat down at the table. A quarrel ensued. Nye arose, went to another room and returning to the supper table with a shotgun, fired the contents of the gun into his wife's body. Celebrated His 101st Birthday, Israel Burt, of Waverly, has cele* brated his 101 st birthday. The day was also village election day at Waverly and Mr. Burt was sick in bed. He thus missed his first vote since he cast his first ballot for John Quincy Adams in 1824, and this fact worried the old man greatly. Last April Mr. Burt made his first trip to New York City and spent four days sight-seeing in the Metropolis. No Boxing Legislation This Session. There will be no legislation this yea? letting down the bars in this State for any kind of boxing, or making legal any sparring exhibitions whatever. The Assembly Rules Committee wlJl not report the Dooling bill authorizing the Amateur Athletic Union to conduct sparring exhibitions, or the Manes bill permitting bouts between professionals.Defect in the Liability Bill. It has been discovered that the Slater Employers' Liability bill, which ha 9 been passed by the State Senate, is in its present form unconstitutional. It was made so by the insertion of a clause providing that the act shall not apply to injuries caused to domestic servants or farm laborers, by their fellow employes. Erie Cunal to Open on April 24 Suoerinreiulent Charles S. Boyd, of the State Department of Public Works, has fixed upon April 2-1 as the tentative date for opening the Erie Canal. The superintendent has instructed all the section superintendents to hurry the Canal repair and improvement Work, so as to be ready for the opening.$An Independent Re- J * pnolicao Paper. * J G. OLIVER FRICK, - i The Brightest and Best ? County Paper. $1.00 Per Year in Advance, y Advertising Bates on Application. |