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Newspaper
Pittsburgh Dispatch
Location
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Date
Feb 06, 1891
Page
2
Witnesses describe accident causes and mine conditions at the Mammoth mine explosion. Fire boss and officials debate gas buildup, squeeze events, and ventilation failures as factors. Multiple workers testifying include Brown, Jr. and Peffer as they recount unsafe practices and prior warnings.
The Randall Club met with J. E. McCrickett presiding. Twenty three new members were elected and a sequence of routine business and discussions were reported, with thanks given to several officers for services at Harrishare and Llarmshero.
Manager Williams unveils a plan to store lithographs in large blocks of ice placed on city sidewalks in front of major businesses. The cold packaging aims to display attractions clearly as passersby view the frosted images. Officials question legality, but Williams argues the scheme is safe and non destructive.
Applicants for liquor licenses flooded the Clerk of Courts office, rushing to file and pay fees. Officials expect about twenty licenses to be issued tomorrow, with last year’s total surpassed by this year’s count. Wholesale licenses may be fewer, and Junto White’s presence as presiding judge is not yet confirmed.
Chief Brown and Superintendent Welr inspected the Mt Washington fire house yesterday. The new station will open next Monday with a modern layout including a front engine, rear patrol, and attached troops. A new hose carriage has been purchased, lighter than the older hose carriages, with a hose wagon planned for the Mt Washington house.
Capital Council No 4 of the Senior O U A M presented a large American flag to the Twenty-eighth ward school. Faculty and pupils attended with a ceremony in the school building. Prof Willow Urantz spoke for the presenters and Dr J L Riggs received the flag. W T Powell and W K Tate also spoke. pupils sang patriotic songs and Miss Birdie Sonn recited prose.
The report shows 57 deaths for the week ending January 31, down from 165 in the same week last year. Deaths occurred 24 in the Old City, 24 in East Red, 25 on the Southside and among institutions.
A new railroad project near Moon Run, connecting with the Pittsburg and Lake Erie line near Remington, aims to open vast coal lands. Backed by New York, Chicago, and Pittsburgh investors, work could start early spring, with options already exercised on several parcels and mining prospects expanding alongside.
The regular meeting drew a large crowd with H. P. Ford presiding as the new president for the first time. The highlight was the presentation of a gold watch to Thomas M. Farland Esq the retiring president, valued at 230.
Railroad officials and travelers are noted in city arrivals and departures. W. W. Cole, Norfolk and Western superintendent, was in town then left eastward and commented on Goulds and a new line to the Ohio. Others include Thomas M. King, Captain Warner, W. J. Rainey, Florida tourists, J. W. T. Yates, Ex-Sheriff Goffy, John A. Wolfe, and C. D. Borland visiting various hotels and sites.
Three Allegheny committees met at City Hall. Streets and Sewers accepted bids for sewers and paving on several streets. The Gas Committee sought a $90 000 next year appropriation, citing six months of Westinghouse plant operation. Poor Board finances noted farm and hospital counts and a small monthly expenditure.
In a crowded North Avenue schoolroom meeting, Allegheny Second Ward Republicans vote to print full slates and skip primaries. Twenty two candidates seek the Council seat amid a frenzy to secure nomination, list led by J. W. Miller and E. G. Merriman with many others vying for minor offices.
The Taxpayers Protection Association met at Hed ford school to nominate candidates. School Directors Sonne Smith and Theodore Weber were chosen along with Ward Assessors Frederick Schmunk Michael Kittenger and August Kline and Constable John Langenbacher.
Morris W. Mead, superintendent of the Bureau of Electricity, returns from visits to New York and Philadelphia. He describes Pittsburgs planned fire and police electrical system as the finest equipped, to be ready next summer and last at least 30 years. Brooklyn plans to copy Pittsburgs design.
A list of yesterday’s incidents shows two fatal accidents and a likely fatal outcome in a third. Notable injuries include burns to Margarst O Toorr Little’s daughter at Woods Run and multiple broken limbs from falls on Mulberry alley and Car eon street. Roscoe Maxwell, 2 months old, was killed by a streetcar at McHeesport while in transit.
A large Southside real estate boom is expected as eight streetcar lines on the Southside consolidate under two managements. The plan includes completing unfinished lines and interconnecting with the Southside Birmingham route, with electric service anticipated by spring.
Mrs. Henry Asthalter wife of a Southside physician distributes copies of Black Beauty Hig hrooms and Companions to liverymen and horse caretakers in Pittsburg. The Humane Society issued the book and Mrs Asthalter has given away several dozen copies and invites others with many horses to contact her at 5629 Butler Street for a copy.
In a case filed by Lea Murray against George Wertman and Mack Griffiths, both connected to a West Deer township public school, Wertman and Griffiths face assault and battery charges over an incident with 12-year-old George Murray. Alderman McMaster heard the hearing yesterday. decision reserved until tomorrow.
Liberty street merchant employee Co C Martin of Allegheny faced charges after a counterfeit silver dollar passed through three transactions. Detective McSweeney says the practice harms business and must stop. bail set at 900 dollars ahead of Thursday hearing.
At Union Station a German swindler with limited English befriended a man and secured about 60 in exchange for a worthless check drawn on Sylvester W Fortescue and signed by Silas Harcourt The victim learned of the fraud when officers advised him to seek legal help and be wiser in the future.
J G Backofen died yesterday at his Sheridan avenue East End home aged 83. A pioneer Pittsburg resident born in Nuremberg Germany he founded the Pittsburg Courier German paper in 1835 and helped launch the Dollar Savings Bank. He was active in the German Library Association Smithfield Street German Church and held consular posts for several European powers. He was affiliated with Odd Fellows and Masonry and left six children including George W Backofen of Wood Street.
Coroner McDowell investigates the death of Joseph F. Zimmerman two at his Allegheny home after a sore throat and ulcers formed. Neighbors blamed medicine given by a physician, but inquiry shows diphtheria and throat ulcers caused the fatal outcome. No inquest is needed.
Fred J. Shaler, a former Carson Street businessman now returning to Chicago after eight years in the city, will become local agent of the Masonic Endowment Fund. He is a prominent member of the Junior Order United American Mechanics and helped urge the World's Fair Committee to set the anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill as “Junior.” The National Council is expected to be in session in Chicago then.
The Pittsburg Postoffice reports January receipts from stamps postal cards and stamped envelopes at 35113 up from 4721704 the prior year an increase of 74323 or about 15 percent Postmaster McKean praises the surge noting stamp sales stayed strong despite lower Clearing House receipts indicating no real drop in business.
Hampton Houghton of the Pennsylvania road reports four men planned the window smash on the limited at Ben's Creek near Gallutzin. Mrs. Mokeover of Nashville was injured. The men, who had been drinking, started a quarrel as the train neared and one struck the train with a bottle. They are jailed awaiting trial.
The institution of a new Daughters of Liberty council planned for Mansfeld tonight is postponed to next Friday evening. About 50 members will travel to Mansfield with National Councilor J. W. McCleary to oversee the initiation.
Joseph Fresh aged 13 who vanished from Sylvan avenue two weeks ago was found by his mother on Second avenue near Frankstown last night. She brought him to the Fourteenth ward police station and arranged for him to be sent to the Reform School after reporting to Magistrate Hyndman. Police had searched mills along Second avenue to locate him and the boy had received food from companions during his disappearance.
The Tur Hanover Club of Allegheny has opened new handsome rooms on Monterey Street for members and friends. The Second ward group hosted an informal reception last night making the event pleasant for attendees.
Richard Burrows testified before Alderman Soccop charging L Levi with forcible entry after claiming he bought Levi’s Carson street business and was refused possession. A brawl last Tuesday left Levi and his wife injured. Burrows was arrested for assault and battery and awaits the outcome today.
Harrisburg report shows coal operators furious over a Legislature bill creating an insurance fund for injured workers. It would tax every mined ton, collected by county treasuries and paid out on warrants after doctors certify injuries. Opponents warn of higher costs, unfair competition, and burden shifting to consumers.
President John K. Ikea and Secretary Robert Watchorn released a statement after a conference with operators. They argued for continuing work at the existing scale through March 1 and defended Connellsville wage figures, disputing claims about pay comparisons with competitive districts.
Signs of labor dispute at Frauenheim and Vilsack brewery as they add to Iron City Brewery with claimed non union brick. Master Workman Evans of District Assembly 3, Knights of Labor, will consult the firm today to resolve the issue. First story rises and three more levels remain. Lyons claims operation to use oyon brick, with masne allegedly supplied by Speer and mer.
Dixon Woods & Co. push Irwin plant toward operation in about two months and also handle plans and specifications for George & Co. spot furnaces at Ellwood.
The recent advance in nitrate of soda prices causes a stir in glass circles amid South American trouble. Local manufacturers claim adequate immediate supplies and expect prices to fall soon, as revolutions are usually short lived and do not disrupt markets for long.
The class and crockery men continued their business in the Monongahela House yesterday. Discussion centered on charging for ckages and the practice of selling tea powder and other goods on a gift plan. State Senator N. B. Scott of Wheeling delivered a strong speech.
Ty L. Eyrle of the Department of Internal Affairs visited the city to collect statistics on strikes and lockouts for a July report. He expects future reports will be issued yearly rather than every five years. The Howard Plate Glass Works at Duquesne will convert to coal burning and remove natural fixtures.
Genly M Hippel a flatmaker from Toledo male about 60 and weighing 300 pounds died last night at a Maddox alley boarding house near Penn avenue and Ninth street. Residents say he drank heavily recently and his death is believed from that cause. He worked at Grabowsky’s hat store 707 Penn avenue and his body lies at the morgue. An inquest is set for today.
Uniontown girl Lacy Sullivan aged 14 was taken from a disorderly house on Second Avenue last night by Inspector McAleese. Sullivan says she was fed astray by a prominent citizen in Uniontown.
Louis Scherer will have a hearing Monday on desertion charged by his wife. Margaret Millker faces Tuesday hearings for larceny and assault and battery. Policeman Montgomery of Allegheny has a hearing today for striking a woman. Winsom Evers and John Ferguson were jailed on a fighting charge. Mrs Mary J Jones of West Carson was committed for trial on immorality charges. Andis Henkel and Jennie Smith were charged with stealing a watch from Peter Wolk and Smith was charged with assault.
The Irwin miners begin the tenth month of their strike. A Pirrsnvine firm is building a 150 ton toll man wire mill for United States Steel in Jackson. Lucans Nos. 1 and 4 IB Crossworkers plan a Turper Hall reception tonight. Factory Inspector Baker issues guard and gearing recommendations to Homestead steel works and Pennsylvania Tube Works. Masten Workman Evans of D A 3 K of L sees possible eight hour bill progress as the Olio Legislature acts. Klein's Silver Age Rye and MWFS Cream Ale advertised as winter staples.
Hon G F Lemaitre of Quebec and Joseph F Carty of St John s Newfoundland visited the city to promote affiliation with the United States. They advocate annexation due to religious and cultural tensions with England and plan to recruit American investors for Northwest ore and lumber lands. The pair will meet local capitalists after returning from Washington in a fortnight.
A stranger in New York identified the English mind reader Frederick Evans as the man who killed himself at the Astor House. The victim, who kept a wife in San Francisco, cut letters and disguises to thwart detection, destroying writings and signaling his intent with a final act.
Victoria Kansas February 1 The First Arkansas Valley Bank posted a notice on its door announcing temporary payment suspension due to collection failures and inability to procure funds. Officials said assets are more than twice sufficient to cover liabilities about 125000. The bank is noted as the oldest in Southwestern Kansas.
Grace Gridley of Amnor, Int February, reports lasting religious excitement caused a yearlong trance. She remained conscious yet unable to speak or eat, finally regaining movement and recalling conversations from her beating trance.
Elizabeth K Joyce testifies in the Fayerweather will case that on November 14 the decedent could not converse and barely used his hand. She says the testator appeared unsound minded and near death as he signed codicils giving millions to charity.
In Bath Maine on February 5 the keel of cruiser No 5 the first ironclad built in Maine was laid at Bath Iron Works. The keel for cruiser No 6 was laid the same day and construction will proceed rapidly. All leading Pennsylvania rye whiskies offered at 1 dollar per quart or six quarts for 35 by Max Klein's.
Extensive spring assortments feature table linens damasks napkins towels sheeting and pillow cases plus linen towels and damasks at reduced prices. Black silks colored silks crepe de chene and dresses fabrics are offered with a clearance on winter shawls at bargain rates.
In New Florence yesterday morning the fast mail westward No 7 on the Pennsylvania Railroad crashed into a freight train on the main line. The flagged fireman were badly injured but likely to recover. The freight train appeared to be moving without orders and carried no passengers.
The Leading Dry Goods House on Penn Ave presents Ladies' extra fine hand embroidered underwear. It claims the largest, finest assortment yet shown in these cities with the latest French ideas. Stock completed by recent importations and early attention urged. Some items are all hand made and hand embroidered.
Hand-made gowns feature turn-over collars and cuff matching with briar stitching at $2. A gown with embroidered neck and sleeve ruffle also priced at $2. Others include solid yoke and duster tucks with embroidered ruffles, $2.25 and $0.20. French percale gowns with intricate embroidery emphasize refined finish and new styles priced from 35 to 11.
The notice lists fine French percale and nainsook chemises and sacques priced from $1 to $450. It highlights hand-made embroidery, drawn work, cluster tucks, and feather stitching as features across various garments and prices.
Bespoke linen items including French Percale with feather stitching and embroidery priced from $1 to $750. Finely trimmed Nainsook and Lawn fabrics feature lace, scallops, and rich embroidery. Special bargains urge immediate attention with varied prices and elaborate designs.
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