’ Ill M’GRATH PUZZLE T I . The Dead Girl’s Father Declares That I She Was Murdered. l REASONS FOR HIS THEORY. His Daughter \Vas Making Preparations For Eastertide—Howard Fitzsirpmons, the Man to \Vhorn Annie Was Engaged, Tells His Story. PHILADELPHIA, March 28.—-Henry Mc- Grath, the father of Annie McGrath, on account of whose mysterious death S. P. Langdon, the capitalist; with whom she had been living. has been placed under ar- rest, says that he is certain that his daugh- ter was murdered, and that he proposes to prosecute the case to the end. “I believe that my daughter was most foully murdered,” he said. “ Up’ to this time I have not made this declaration, but I am now convinced of its truth. I am positive that it was done out of jealousy of Howard Fitzsimmons, who, it was said, was engaged to marry Annie. It is my be- lief that they were engaged, but I think that the engagement was broken. “To the best of my knowledge, Lang- don was so much infatuated with Annie that he himself proposed to her. “It is unreasonable .to suppose that a girl of the temperament of Annie would think of committing suicide. Why, do you know that for a week or more previous to SAMUEL P. LANGDON. her death she was constantly employed in making dresses for herself for Eastertide? She looked forward to Easter with much pleasure. It is not possible that a young girl full of happy thoughts of Easter would think of committing suicide.” Howard Fitzsimmons of West Chester, the man who was engaged to marry An- nie McGrath, came to Philadelphia. His story of. the engagement. as given to the police, is as follows: * “I first met Miss McGrath while spend- ing a few days at Atlantic City last sum- mer. Our friendship continued, and I afterward visited her frequently at her home on Gratz street. She, howaver, broke several appointments with me, and I ceased paying attention to her several months ago. Upon one occasion she made an engagement with me for a Sunday even- ing, and when I went to her house I found that she had gone to Jersey City, ostensi- bly to visit her sister. Thought Be “'as Duped. “At that time I began to suspect that she was duping me and was away with another man. She afterward wrote me, telling of the pleasures of the visit and wishing that I had been there. I have the letters yet. Shortly afterward I ceased my visits and have not seen her since. In my estimation Miss McGrath was a per- fect lady, so far as I know, and she always conducted herself properly when in my presence. Her family are very respectable folks, and I was greatly shocked upon learning her fate.” He stated that the ring found upon her finger bearing the inscription “H. F.——A. M.” had been presented to Miss McGrath by him some time ago, and that this led to his identification with the case. His last visit to Miss McGrath’s home was in the month of November. She made an appointment to meet him, but when he called she was not there, she having gone‘ away on the preceding night. Her mother endeavored to explain her daugh- ter’s absence to Fitzsimmons and expressed surprise that she had not notified him. “She may fool you, Mrs. McGrath, but she will never deceive me again,” re- marked the disappointed lover as he left the door. A few days afterward Mr. Fitzsimmons received a letter from the girl, expressing her regret at having disappointed him and asking that he return on a certain night. "I never answered her letter and heard no more of her until I read of her sad death,” said Fltzsimmons. “I had learned that she had been in the habit of going away from home and spending several nights, ostensibly with friends, and had grown rather suspicious of her conduct. Much as I thought of Annie, I resolved that she should not make a fool of me and quietly dropped out of her sight. “She was always nicely dressed, was a good 'conversationalist and of a pleasant disposition. I never knew of her visits to Langdon’s house on Girard avenue. and I never inquired into any of her private aflairs.” Raines‘ New Ballot Bill. ALBANY, March 28.—Senator Raines in- troduced a ballot bill today. He says the bill will completely change the methods of conducting elections in New York city and Brooklyn and will apply the general law of the state to New York and Brooklyn. Another change will be the giving to in- dependent parties a column and a circle, and a reduction from 20,000 to 10,000 in the number of votes required to be cast by a party. William Plucker Sentenced to Death. WARSAW, N. Y., March 28.—William Plucker, who shot and killed Hilas M. Martin at Arcade, and who was found guilty of murder in the first degree, has been sentenced to die in the electric chair during the week beginning May 10. The doomed man told the judge that his life had been falsely sworn away. Kilburn For Bank Sugerintendent. ALBANY, March 28.—Governor Morton sent the nomination of Frank D. Kilburn to be superintendent of banks to the sen- ate today, and it was unanimously con- firmed. Money For SingSing. ALBANY, March 28.—Governor Morton has signed the bill appropriating $75,000 for finishing and equipping the newly erected buildings at Sing Sing prison. Advertise in the GAZETTE. l A STATEN ISLAND MYSTERY} Mrs. Driscoll Ate Mutton Broth, Which, It Is Declared, Contained Morphine. . NEW BRIGHTON, N. Y., March 28.—Th& friends of Mrs. F. O. Driscoll, wife of su- perintendent of the mail carriers of the New York postoffice, who lives at West New Brighton. Were surprised today to hear of a report that Mrs. Driscoll had made a- complaint to Justice of the Peace Acker that an attempt had been made to poison her. , Justice Acker said today that he had not issued warrants for the arrest of any-. body in connection with the case, and that no formal complaint had been made to him by Mrs. Driscoll. The justice admit- ted, however. that Mrs. Driscoll called at his office yesterday and had a consultation With him. He refused to divulge the de- tails Of the interview, but intimated that it was regarding Mrs. Driscoll’s domestic troubles. Justice Acker denied that he had conferred with District Attorney Pinney in relation to the case. Dr. Gray B. Sullivan, who keeps a drug store at 49 Castleton avenue, West New Brighton, said today that Mrs. Driscoll came to his store on Monday afternoon last with some mutton broth which she and her 4-year-old daughter May had eat. en at dinner. She told Dr. Sullivan that she and the child had become drowsy soon after partaking of the broth and had been seized with violent pains in the stomach. Mrs. Driscoll also said that she suspected there was poison in the broth, and that she gave some of it to a pet dog. The dog died in less than'15 minutes after swal- lowing the broth. Dr. Sullivan said that the broth was sent to Dr. Walter T. Scheele, a_ chemical expert of New York, and that Dr. Soheele had reported that he found three—quarters of a grain of morphine in the broth. Cambridge-Oxford Athletics. LONDON, March 28.—The annual con- test between the Cambridge and Oxford athletic teams took place at Kensington this afternoon. Jordan of Oxford won the hundred yard dash in 10% seconds. The hurdle race was won by Garnier of Ox- ford. The mile run was won by Howard of Cambridge. The long jump was won by Batchelor of Cambridge, with 22 feet 7 inches. llIiss Barton Hampered. LONDON, March 28.—A Constantinople dispatch to The Daily News says: “The council of ministers has decided that Miss Clara Barton can only work in cnnjunc tion with the local Turkish commissions in the distribution of relief, and can only use their lists of destitute Armenians. An irade to this effect is expected.” Err-President Harrison’s Wedding. INDIANAPOLIS, March 28.—Ex-Presidenl Harrison will leave here on Tuesday next for New York and will be married to Mrs. Mary Dimmick on April 6. He will be accompanied by D. M. Ransdell, ex- marshal of the D strict of Columbia, who appears to be the only person in this city who has received an invitation. Revivalist Nearly Lynched. FRESNO, Cal., March 28.-—An attempt was made to lynch Johnston, the revival- ist, who a few days ago made sweeping charges against the morality of Fresno's young women. Officers rescued him from an angry mob, and he is now under pro. tection Of the sheriff. An indignation meeting is to be held. Bucket Shops Baided. CHICAGO, March 28.—Five bucket shops were raided by detectives from the central station. As a result, 30 men are now un- der bonds to appear before Justice Glen- ' non. The specific charge against them is a violation of chapter 38, section 317, 01 the Illinois statutes—keeping a common gambling house. Burned at Her Dock. LOUISVILLE, March 28,—The steamer Sam Brown of Pittsburg, valued at $25,- 000, was burned at the foot of Markel street. The Brown was built at Pittsburg in 1881, and since her construction had been in the coal carrying trade between Pittsburg and the lower Ohio and Mis- sissippi rivers. Is This Jack the Strangler? SAN FRANCISCO, March 28.—Bobcrt M. Boyd, a sailor, was identified by Rosie Martin as a man who attempted to choki her. From the descriptions furnished the police by many of the strangler’s victims the police do not believe Boyd to he tht murderer of May McDermott or Bertha Paradi's. Our Star Dryd ock. PORT ROYAL, S. 0., March 28.-—-Tha Indiana was safely docked today. There was an abundance of water in the deck, the depth measuring nearly 26 feet, while the Indiana drew but 24 feet. Everything connected with the docking worked beau- tifully, and there was not the slightest mishap. Look For a Scoundrel. BALTIMORE, March 28.—-The police am looking for Frederick Heinrichs. aged 3t years, who went to the home of his parents in this city and demanded $300 from his father. Upon being refused, he shol his father in the neck and his sister in tho breast and left temple and escaped. Abolishing the Color Line. CHICAGO, March 28.—The Hamilton club has added the name of a colored mar. to the list of its members. It is the firsi of the leading men’s organizations in Chi» cago to abolish the color line. This specia'. honor was conferred upon Adelbert H. Roberts, a lawyer-.4 To Prosecute Dirty Bakers. ALBANY, March 28.——State Factory In- spector Connolly announces that he has or- dered actions to be commenced againsi three Syracuse bakers for keeping unclear bakeshops. He declines to give the nameI of the parties. Latest From Divorceville. FARGO, N. D., March 28.—Judge Laud- er has grant-ed an absolute decree of di- vorce 'to Harry G. Woodcock from Eliza Woodcock on the ground of desertion. Woodcock is a prominent insurance brokei of Brooklyn. Fears That a Steamer Has Foundered. LONDON. March 28.-—-A severe gale swept over the channel, causing consider- able damage to shipping, and it is feared that a large steamer which was in distress off the Goodwin sands has foun’dered. Wrecked by a. Wheel. WARSAW, Ind., March 28,—A wheel broke and wrecked a train at Shelby, new here. ’ About 12 cars were wrecked and piled up together, and one man was man- gled beyond recognition. Count Mortera Is Dead. MADRID, March 28.—Count Mortera, leader at the Cuban reform party, is dead. Advertise “"2119 GAZETTE. IIIIIBIWBELU‘ON_. The Outbreak Is More Serious Than Wasat First Reported. SETTLERS FLOCK TO TOWNS. Re-enforcements of Mounted Police Sent to Bulawayo—Many “’hites Reported Slain—A Patrol Repulsed by Determined Natives. CAPE TOWN, March Bil—Dispatches re- ceived from Buluwayo, Matabeleland, to- day indicate that the uprising in that part of the colony is much more serious than the authorities will admit. The telegrams yesterday merely outlined a revolt of a few natives in the Inseze and Filabusi districts, the massacre of some white settlers, in- cluding Commissary Bentley, and the send ing of a small force of volunteers to the scene of the disturbance. Today’s dis- patches show that the disturbance is wide- spread. An uprising of the natives has taken place, and the revolt is likely to spread to other parts of South Africa. The settlers in Matebeleland are flocking into the towns, and the latter are being placed in a state for defense. Volunteers are en- rolling everywhere, ahd all necessary steps are being taken to meet serious develop- ments. Re-enforoements of mounted police have been sent to Buluwayo, Inseze and Gam- bo, and the Cape ,Rifles have received or- ders to prepare for active service. Supplies of ammunition for the maxim guns are being hurried to Buluwayo, and all the horses of the disturbed territory have been commanded by Colonel Napier, who is in charge of the government forces. The na-v tives are raiding farms and killing white settlers in the Matapo hills district, 'and it is reported that more than 50 persons have been slain. Frederick C. Selous, the explorer who distinguished himself during the Matabele war, has been driven from his farm and has sought safety at Buluwayo. . He brought in with him three indunas whom he had arrested as a matter of precaution, and asked that they be held prisoners un- til the cattle from the Selous estate, raided by the natives, are restored. In the mean- while he is enrolling volunteers and will soon start for the front at the head of a. strong force. In an interview he is quoted as saying that the authorities must act quickly and effectively, otherwise the re- volt will spread in all directions and the government will experience great difificulty in restoring order. , A patrol of mounted police, which was sent out from Buluwayo, had a sharp en- gagement with the native-1. and, although the official report says that the troopers “retired in good order,” unofficial advices have it that the patrol lost several men killed. had a number of men wounded and beat a heavy retreat, closely pursued by the Matabeles. A small detachment of volunteers, which also pushed forward yesterday to protect the endangered set- tlers, has been compelled to halt and is now occupying a fortified position about 25 miles Irom Buluwayo while awaiting the re-enlurcements under Selou's. There are plenty of volunteers, but the horses necessary to mount them and the arms, ammunition and supplies necessary to equip them are not forthcoming as promptly as desired. Authorities Unprepared. The authorities, indeed, have been caught unprepared for the outbreak, and the usual detachments of mounted police have been drawn upon in order to provide troopers for service elsewhere. The Opinion is expressed here that the outbreak is one of the outOOmes of-the Jameson raid and the defeat inflicted by the Boers upon the British. The news has spread far and wide in greatly exaggerated forms, and, coupled with the arming of the Boers of the Transvaal and of the Orange Free State and the departure of Boers from other parts of South Africa into the two republics, has excited the na- tives, who are led to believe that the British are to be driven out of South Africa. The Transvaal and the Orange Free State are making common cause against Great Britain, in which they are secretly encouraged by German agents. The Boers are daily becoming more de- fiant, and for question of demanding a a large indemity from Great Britain as a result of the Jameson raid is openly dis- cussed, with conflscation of the property of the uitlanders who took part in the demonstration against the government of the Transvaal, in case the indemnity is refused. The trial of the members ofthe reform committee of Johannesburg has shown that the uitlanders had carefully paved the way for an attempt to overthrow the government. Arms and ammunition, rifles and maxim guns had been smuggled into the Transvaal by wholesale, labeled “Machinery” or “Hardware,” supposed to be intended for use in the mines. Numbers of Germans are flocking into the republic, and it is currently reported that German army officers “on leave” are supervising the construction of forts at Pretoria and drilling the Boer artillery, armed with krupp guns recently imported from Germany. The report that Great Britain has pur- chased Delagoa Bay from Portugal has re- peatedly been circulated here and has as Often been denied, but in official circles it is understood that if an emergency arises it will be seen that Great Britain has for some time occupied a stronger position in that connection than has generally been l believed. The British naval force at Del- agoa Bay far outnumbers the other for— eign forces combined. Great Britain undoubtedly intends to maintain her protectorate over the Trans; vaal, the Boers are determined to declare their complete independence. and the war preparations at Pretoria are the prelimi- nary steps toward this declaration. Bobinson’s Dispatch. LONDON, March 28.—-The governor of Cape Colony, Sir Hercules Robinson, tele- graphs under yesterday’s date that a cou- rier from the Shangani district has arrived at Buluwayo and reports that seven whites in that part of the country have been kill- ed or wounded and that four others are missing. The remaining whites of the dis- trict have fled from their farms and are encamped in two places, 20 miles apart. The natives of Shangani, the governor telegraphed, left their kraal and had a powwow at Jingen yesterday. It Was said that a prominent witch doctor was the in- stigator of the rising. ‘ The Sudan Expedition. CAIRO, March 28.—The Egyptian debt commission has paid the first installment frOm the reserve fund, amounting to £200,000 ($1,000,000), of the money re- quired for the expenses .of the British. Egyptian expedition up the Nile. _Adverfisel'n the Gamma. - l imuEimVENINGNGAZETTB' ALWAYS 3 ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT. w urw mu ounce. 442 snowm- m to sun, ; a: NORWALK. ‘ . ....< ’ i . Impnovmc THE TIME. OPENING DAYS OFW ladies’ and children’s Jackets. capes" and Millinely. 0n Salurday we shall lhrow open our Suil Room lhal we have enlarged, embel- lished and decorated. The ceiling we have enamelcd'in while, and on the floor we have pul a beautiful velvcl axminslcr, and everylhing is now in keeping with our rich lines of Ladies’ and children’s Suils, Jackets, tapes, Scparalc Skirls. and Ladies’. Shirl Waisls, making lhis deparlmcnl lIIc largesl Soil and cloak Room belwccn New York and Boslon. You are cordially invilcd lo allend lhis opening, SiTIlllllll, Mill- on and rum“. DRESS GOODS It seems to us that every lady is haying a new Spring Cown of us. Well, our prices are right and they know it. l0 pieces Silk Warp Irridescent, $l.00 quality, for 750. 8 pieces New Novelties, 750 quality for 500. 3 pieces only, Silk Warp Black Henrietta, the SI quality for 69c per yard. One dress to customer. 2 pieces only, Black Silk Warp Henrietta, the 9.5 I .50 quality for S I .00. One dress to a customer. 5 pieces Black and Navy Traveletta, for Bicycle Suits, warranted rain-proof, 59c per yard. I0 pieces Light and Dark Novelties, 50c quality, 39c. l0 pieces Hair Cloth, the 50c quality, 370. LACE CURTAINS ______/ We have'removed this departrrient to the first floor, and in order to let you know where it is we shall offer some Low Prices. ' ‘ 3 l-2 yards Long Nett Lace Curtains, $l.00, for 69c. 5 doz. Nottingham Lace for 98c. BllSlllN SlllllE. cm. Main and Wall 88. Irish Point Lace Curtains, $3.50. A POINTER... Is your plate glass or safe insured? If’ not, call on me and i I will write you a policy in the Mutual Plate Glass and Safe Insur- ance Company. Glass will break and burglars use dynamite. ‘ _ n Case of Fire You should be insured. A policy in the Reliance of Philadelphia Phoenix .of Hartford; Scotland Union of Scotland; New Hampshire of ’ Manchester; Rochester German of Rochester; United States and Pacific of New York; Security of New Hampshire or Granite State of Ports-V mouth will protect you against thr- lire fiend. W. is. BYINGTQN. ,Real Estate and General Insurance, ROOM 1. GAZETTE BUILDING LOANS NEGOTIATED AND INVESTMENTS MADE. , —_————— CORRESPONDENCE SOLICITED