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Newspaper
Pittsburgh Dispatch
Location
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Date
May 11, 1891
Page
2
The report details a spree of killings across Allegheny County with a suspect named James E. Stewart among others. It notes numerous murders since late January, including a woman killed by her husband and a series of arrests,37 with corruptions and public outrage at the hangings and inquests across Mansfield, Chartiersborough, and surrounding areas.
Col John Culver, landscape gardener, plans road work in Schenley Park and aims for $25,000 per mile using park stone and gravel. He notes drainage crucial in the clay soil and cites New York Central Park costs, promising careful layout of walks and bridle paths amid the park’s varied surface.
George KR Blanchard chairman of the Central Traffic Association travels as a Chicago bound passenger. He forecasts the Chicago and Alton road faces defeat but cautions past hopes did not materialize. Blanchard cites strong crop era freight and rising shipments as signs of a busy season. General Passenger Agent E A Ford notes steady business along his line amid depression.
A valuable dog owned by the Armstrong family caused excitement on the Southside when it began frothing at the mouth and rolling in the street near Carson and South Sixth streets. A crowd formed as children played nearby and an officer shot the animal.
Pittsburg officials led by Mayor Gourley and Chief Bigelow outline a grand old time at Schenley Park with fireworks, baseball, speeches, and parades to boost patriotism. They seek $2,000+ from street railways and citizens, promise improved access via Forbes Street and a new bridge, and plan shorter speeches plus a larger child friendly program.
Chief Higelow’s pet exhibit in Schenley Park marks its first Sunday turnout with hundreds viewing and others arriving late. Despite a 400 acre area and two dozen animals, the establishment faces rough quarters and cool nights, prompting plans for better cages and visitor accommodations as crowds swell on warm spring Sundays.
Four youths George Korton Myer Samuels James Boverd and William Tuarler were arrested by Superintendent McKnight and Park Officer Miller yesterday morning at Schenley Park. They were lodged at the Fourteenth ward station on a charge of faster. The horse driven by Korton went over a bank. Korton and Samuels were thrown out but uninjured. Officers allege the boys tried a rear cut to flee. A hearing is set for this morning.
An observant walker notes Pittsburg markets opening early with fine vegetables and berries. He surveys the garden truck sources, watches morning drinkers, and observes saloons locked before 6 AM as would be expected in the era.
The article notes delays in laying out Neville Island boulevard may force island commerce to rely on river traffic. Objectors have paused active opposition, but their passive stance now hinders progress more than prior active protests. A county bridge project appears to affect toll-taker salaries and project timing.
Workers at the Building Trades Council and Builders' Exchange prepare for a decisive mass meeting with Gompers and Maguire in town. Labor leaders and contractors debate eight hour demands, apprentices returning to work, and potential rebuilding delays across multiple projects.
A Tin Plate Manufacturers meeting to organize permanently is set for next week in Pittsburg with New York attendees reporting tentative support from sheet mill owners. Committees will press for broader attendance, aiming to split production between two establishments and start by July 1 when the new duty begins. The US Tin Plate Company expands, new Philadelphia mill rising, capitalized at $1,000,000 to yield 10,000 boxes weekly.
The DisPatchH report said William Martin received propositions to return to an Amalgamated Association post. Martin was seen but declined to comment. He did not deny the offer, and observers suggest any return would require action by the association as a body, not individuals.
About 540 people arrived in nine carloads at the Union depot, including Germans English Swedes and Italians. At least 100 remained in Pittsburg with Germans and Swedes heading for Western farms while most Italians stayed. An Pittsburg mill experiment cut waste in ingots saving thousands yearly and boosting worker wages as no scrap was left.
Superintendent Muth intensifies crackdown on illegal bars in Pittsburgh area. Police, led by Lieutenants Thornton and Boyd, raid No 15 Sawmill Alley capturing five men. A second raid on Spring Garden Avenue at Mrs Simendinger’s residence nets nine arrests after a gambling parlor is shut down. Another raid on Jones Avenue labels Peter Burns and others as arrested.
A midnight melee near a pool hall drew about 50 protesters as officers faced a disorderly Peter Schrott and aides. Officers McNalley Mercer Mahan and others fought a mob, with injuries including a head wound and a bitten finger. Schrott Steffer and Wilhelm were arrested and fined $25 plus costs.
Thomas Tracy a 21 year old six foot two inch man visited the Fourth ward station asking for care. He claimed violent spells and soon after arriving at a temporary quarters he suffered another fit requiring four men to restrain him. He previously faced murder charges in the Ida Shannon case and this condition is suspected to be strain related with a family history of insanity.
Internal Revenue Collector David Martin and Jacob Wilde being more active in Beaver and Philadelphia. Martin fled reporters for Philadelphia then Pittsburg, as Beaver Senator Smith and Magee aides push to bury the hatchet and form an unbroken front for the coming election and a Harmonized presidential ticket.
Frank Bowden aged 13 and Harry Singer aged 10 were arrested at the Union depot after running away from Altoona. They reached Pittsburg on a freight train, gave their homes, were taken to Central station, and said they were lured to Johnstown by an old boy who later led them to Otteburg before returning home last night.
A sewer gas explosion in a house at 291 Center Avenue badly burned Frederick Keefer and his 83 year old child yesterday morning. Keefer went to the basement to light a fire at about 10 o clock and, after detecting a strange odor, struck a match. The resulting flame severely burned both occupants though doctors say the wounds are painful but not dangerous.
A strange case before Mayor Wyman in Allegheny features conductor Ames Bear and brakeman Edward Cavanaugh regarding a drunken passenger John Smith who was beaten on the Fort Wayne track line. Cavanaugh lost an arm after attempting to jump off the train, while Smith was found badly injured and later walked home.
A two year old child of Michael Cook of Locust alley near Lowrie street Allegheny drank embalming fluid intended for a brother and died in agony. Another child Edward Cook aged 12 died earlier after drinking ice water and severe cramps. An inquest will be held this morning. cremations or funerals to follow for the two victims.
John Hulligan and Thomas Murphy, neighbors on an alley between Forty-seventh and Forty-eighth streets below Harrison, quarreled over a clothesline. Murphy jeered from his home and was struck, losing blood from his nose and suffering head cuts. Murphy pressed felonious assault charges against Halligan before Alderman MecNeirney, who committed Halligan to jail for a hearing tomorrow.
Hearings across two cities showed no major cases, with many common drunks and disorderlies. Ten workhouse applicants, several street brawls, drunken disturbances, and minor offenses filled the docket at Central Station and Twenty-eighth ward station.
Nicholas Eckert was kicked in the face by a horse in Allegheny while riding down Ohio Street. A wheel came off the buggy and the horse attempted to flee, leaving Eckert knocked senseless on the scene.
A temperance meeting in Allegheny led by Mr. Moloney heard Andrew Bruce and others denounce the traffic in ruin. Next Sunday M D Grove from England will address the crowd with charts. WCTU in Allegheny met at Beaver avenue with Mrs Woods and Mrs Nate Texas speaking. Moorhead turnout was large with pledges and speeches by Yates, Hyde and Ihsie.
A. M. Sloan from Greensburg owns a portrait of General Grant painted from life by a struggling artist. Sloan helped the painter with rent and accepted payment in office furniture. Sloan kept the portrait in his Greensburg law office and has refused large offers after Grants death.
Report from the Machinista Convention notes ten delegates from Texas. While strolling Southfield Street last week they joked about a wooden horse and freerlance burro metaphors, provoking a chorus of amused reactions from a nearby group of girls.
The Hebrew Association met at 78 Fifth Avenue to aid Old World refugees. Poor attendance led to no decisive action, a committee was formed to contact interested parties, and a larger meeting is planned with concrete steps soon.
The German Catholics of Homestead began erecting a church beside their parochial school, which is nearly finished. The church will be known as daegs axe aesiid, de the Ws comeaae bu: purchased from Osynegig, Phigps 4 Ca.
A new schoolhouse at Sharpsburg will be built by St Mary’s congregation at a cost of $32,000 and aims to equal the best in the region. Authorities expect the project to start soon if the labor strike ends quickly.
Squire Love of Wilmerding reported the body of John McLaughlin found on Pennsylvania Railroad tracks in Wilmerding. The body shows multiple train passes. investigation to proceed today. McLaughlin resided in Turtle Creek.
A large silk sale advertises India silks in fashionable patterns and colors of superior quality. Hundreds of pieces for blouses and dresses offered at 75c yard, with special silk buys including pure silk Black Sarah striped and black figured silks noted for extra width and quality. May is proclaimed the month to buy in the largest silk department.
A catalog highlights India and China silks with Jardinere and Pompadour figures priced at $1 and $1 25 a yard. Crepe du Cheng dress patterns in black and colored grounds with woven figures appeal for evening wear. Over a hundred Habutai striped and checked fabrics in washable colors priced 75c to $1 a yard. Four White Pongee and Habutai specials offered at 50c, 65c, 75c and $1 a yard.
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