12 Mar 1891
Page 1
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This newspaper page contains 38 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Pittsburgh Dispatch
Location
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Date
Mar 12, 1891
Page
1
A natural gas explosion at Weldin Block near Wood and Diamond streets sparked a rapid fire that gutted the Weldin building and heavily damaged Germania Bank and adjacent structures. Firemen faced high flames and shifting winds as residents fled, with property losses estimated around 500000.
A rear window sheet of flame bursts from the Heineman restaurant in Diamond alley. An explosion follows as flames race across the street. A rescuer forces doors open to save women occupants Miss Reineman and two girls. Heat makes escape hard. restaurant contents and value are destroyed.
Flooding drenched the billiard hall on the third floor of the M. and M. Insurance building. The janitor moved pictures and other movable property to safety.
At 1 30 p m smoke and flames were limited from the Market House area while police kept bystanders back. A resident near the Diamond alley bank begged to return to her home and was cautioned by a officer that the bank's heavy walls could collapse at any moment.
A distressed resident on Diamond street clung to a dirty mongrel near the old Lake Erie building as others fled. She valued the dog above home and furniture, reflecting a tense evacuation amid the scene.
Woldin and Dunn Co figures as heaviest losers with $553 100 total losses including water damage. The list names Weldon block owners, Lem son building tenants like J R Weldon Co, Cain nate boots, Baltimore and Ohio Express, American Express, Pauleton Bros hats, MacKoight’s bookstore, Bennett's shop, Mer chants and Manufacturers' Insurance Co, People's National Bank, and others.
Cast as a scheme to disband the Seventh and Eighth colored battalions in Washington, the move to cut armory funding sparks indignation among 60,000 local colored residents. General Ordway says these units will be dropped from muster rolls. supporters allege justification by Congress and militia leaders to suppress the colored militia.
In Danbury the election faces a dispute over Bulkeley’s authority to order it as Democrats plan to seek court restraint on the Republican judge taking office. Republicans claim valid election. both sides ready to fight. A Democratic judge will oversee probate duties in the interim.
The Rawlings measure passed the Senate with a minor amendment aiming to tax manufacturers by listing all materials and finished goods April recalls. Farmers backed the bill, arguing for tax equality, while opponents warned the amendment could kill it. The bill now goes to the House for concurrence as other bills reframe Columbus and Springfield governance and foreign mutual insurers face cash asset requirements.
In Harrisburg March 11 the House unites behind the Baker ballot reform bill as Democrats protest. Republicans push through amendments and reject many minority proposals while the bill advances to final passage amid heated speeches.
The bill states licenses shall not be issued for air delivery of spirits to U S residents and permits liquor delivery within the Commonwealth. Wholesalers cannot sell spirituous liquors in quantities under one quart. the original bill set one gallon minimum. License applicants must not have pecuniary interests in nearby businesses selling the liquors, though stock ownership in a corporation distilling or brewing the liquors does not bar licensing.
Guatemala signs a contract with Cosmos Steamship Company to run a line between Guatemala and Hamburg Germany. The agreement includes free government employee transport and half tariff rates for imports and European immigrants, plus free mail service within the region. In return Guatemala will pay a subsidy of 1000 dollars for every Cosmos steamer calling at Guatemalan ports.
Firemen responded to a downtown blaze as awnings ignited on several buildings from burning cinders. Awnings at G. Hussey, H. J. King, A. J. Lynch, Schaeler and Lloyd, and others burned or were endangered. A cornice at the Duquesne Theater caught fire and was extinguished. damage estimated around sum not stated. The Americus Club expected to suffer some loss.
Firefighters with Engine No. 2 were forced from their post on Smithfield Street between First and Second Avenues as the Weldin building blaze intensified. The engine reached Germania Bank area for a boost but risks grew, prompting a swift move to Dimond alley just before the mansard roof collapsed. Firemen escaped with the machine unharmed as flames raged to the third story. Continued on sixth page.
In Washington March 11 the Criminal Court refused a postponement for Charles E. Kincaid indicted for shooting ex Representative Taulbee. Judge Jeremiah Wilson and counsel noted the trial date set for the 16th inst. Senator Voorhees sent a telegram from Hot Springs Ark stating he cannot leave for at least several days for treatment. The District Attorney objected to delaying the case and Judge Hagner declined any postponement.
Chicago authorities probe a boxed freight believed to contain a murdered body sent from Chicago to Manitowoc Wisconsin. A tramp took delivery and claimed the box held glass. The box appeared sunk in the river with human flesh clues, but the man who accompanied it vanished. Investigations found no record of such a shipment in railroad logs.
Acting Rear Admiral Brown saluted with 12 guns when reaching Mare Island Yard after delivering King Kalakaua’s remains. Rear Admiral Benham’s flag replied with 11 guns, matching the rank of command. Secretary Tracy instructed Benham to honor Brown’s rank fully in future.
Deputy Sheriff Carraher served an attachment for 118129 against the Scranton Steel Company in favor of John S. Nichols of Philadelphia. The attachment was served on E. T. Hatfield, president of the Lackawanna Iron and Coal Company and of the new Lackawanna Steel and Iron Company, at 02 Wall Street.
The Department of State reports a decree by the Provisional Government of Brazil splitting its United States consulates into two groups. The New York Consulate General will cover New England, the Pacific coast, and the Middle Atlantic up to Maryland. The Baltimore Consulate handles the Atlantic and Gulf States from Maryland to Texas.
Washington March 11 Colonel Thomas M Bayne rejected reports he was to be named minister to Japan after the Swift vacancy He said he is not a candidate for the post or any other office and plans to go abroad in June without seeking a new appointment.
Lizzie Cook a four year old girl was shot in the head by a boy playmate of the same age in her mother’s home. The self cocking revolver was found in a bureau drawer and discharged when the boy aimed at Lizzie. Dr Gilroy removed the bullet embedded in the frontal bone.
Washington dispatch reports Representative Breckinridge of Kentucky is much improved after illness. His wife and eldest son departed Washington for Pensacola upon news of his condition, while Secretary Blaine states the Bering Sea question is substantially settled and will be referred to arbitration.
Special telegram reports Danbury Probate district will hold a special election on March 19 to fill the vacancy caused by Judge J. Howard Taylor's death. The order was served and Bulkeley seeks to influence turnout with party alignment risks.
New York March 11 Treasurer John Jay Knox said the Windom fund nearly reached its $60,000 target with only $800 left to raise. He expected the final amount within a day or so upon Stephen B. Elkins's return to Mr Elkins, who is in Washington consulting with Senator Washburn and representatives overseeing the Washington end.
Harrisburg March 1 1 The Brooks wholesale license bill will be reported affirmatively from the Ways and Means Committee tomorrow. It fixes the license fee in cities of the first second and third classes at 400 and 200 for other cities boroughs 200 townships 10. It also fixes bottlers licenses at the same figures with a proviso that distillers and brewers licensed in the state bottling their own product is allowed.
New York on March 1 reports five hundred passengers departing by four steamships. The Teutonic carries J W Fontar former minister to Spain Colonel W J Anderson James R Osgood and Mr and Mrs Ferdinand Yznoga. The Royal carries Courtland Palmer and Harry Schumacher. La Villard with W L Bagott also sailed.
In Harrisburg the bill sailed through the House with 43 yeas and no votes against it after Senator Dunlap reversed position saying opposition was too late. Proponents led by Senator Flinn and Public Works chief Bigelow argued, while Commodore Kouitz urged against, citing river balance and wharf impacts on Allegheny City.
Harrisburg dispatch reports third reading debate over the road bill. Senators Hines and Brown support a mileage based distribution while Gobin and Harlan oppose. The plan would allocate state funds to townships by road tax payments, with debate focusing on long term road improvements versus immediate equalization.
State Treasurer Boyer testified that only three depositories were active and Farmers and Mechanics Bank of Philadelphia held all payments for legislators and state expenses. Auditor General McCamant said the Treasury could access 3.5 million in convertible securities, recommending monthly statements from depositories to the State Treasurer.
Harrissvee March 1 The House Judiciary General Committee held a special meeting to again consider the anti discrimination bill. With 14 of 25 members present Seanor spoke for his message but the measure was returned with a negative recommendation by an 8 to 7 vote. The bill seems to have met the fate of similar measures over the last 17 years.
A Pittsburg delegation of secret society men including Thomas Maloney J M McNair A Wil B A Duncan E A Endaley and W R Ford will appear before the House Insurance Committee to discuss pending insurance bills.
In the House today Seyfert of Lancaster introduced a bill to prevent actresses from appearing in tights. The item continues on page six with further details and debate expected.
Reports from Kilgore a small mining town near the Newport News and Mississippi Valley line say six men were fatally shot and several others wounded in a ballroom battle sparked by a quarrel over a young woman. About 10 to 20 men fought as 60 to 150 shots rang out. authorities have not arrested anyone.
In Georgia Miss the Tennessee River at Chattanooga hits 41 feet 1 inch above danger line. Levees expected to hold though rail lines are submerged. Tombigbee in Mississippi falls after flood crest. river damage estimated later. A Mary M steamer reports a woman and two children drowned near Pickensville Alabama.
The Indiana State Board of Agriculture plans to test the constitutionality of a new law abolishing its body and creating a board for agriculture commerce livestock mechanical and art interests. The old board, which opposes the change, will resist. The new board has not yet been named, and the dispute may delay removal of the State Fair site for another year or longer.
Central office detectives arraigned in the Tombs Police Court Joseph Barondess and twelve Russian cigar makers after the Jamaica L I attack on Merman Greenbaum and his family. Mrs Greenbaum and her year old son were burned with vitriol in the incident Monday night. The prisoners were identified by Greenbaum and transported by ferry to Long Island City.
A doomed surgical attempt to save David Posten after a fatal shooting by Colonel H. Clay King failed. Surgeons removed 36 inches of ruptured intestines in a last hope operation, performed under extreme danger. King received the news of the victim's death calmly in his jail cell.
In Columbus the grand jury reports two indictments each against two participants in the Elliott Osborne case after a two week session with over 100 witnesses. J Elliott is charged with murder in the Osborne tragedy and W Le Hreghes is named as an innocent suspect.
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