News-Press from Fort Myers, Florida • Page 1

ADILV PUS Lf "NO STORMY WINTER ENTERS HERE, TI8 JOYOUS SPRING THROUGHOUT THE YEAR." VOLUME 1 FORT MYERS, FLORIDA. MONDAY, JANUARY 15, 1912. NUMBER 261 provement in railroad transportation to be a lynching bee if the negroes are caught. MB IN WORKERS OF AWf RCA FORT MYERS HAS IDE REMARKABLE GROWTH Captain Gwynne Says in Past Few Years Town Has Struck Wonderful Strides in Way of Development added institution to our growing community. Large preparations in Ihls line have been going forward to accommodate the tourists.

The Royal Palm hotel lias added ground and the annex and increased its capacity about 40 per cent. The Riverview has been greatly enlarged; the Leon and the Everglades are new hotels; the Bradford has added to its size, as have also a number of smaller houses j.ntire new streets have been opened. Royal Palm ave. two years ago was an uninviting section. Today it is beginning to look as if it accomplished.

PLANNING 10 IMPROVE St. Luke's Parish Is Preparing To Re model Church and Build Rectory To Be Used As Social Center. In the bazaar which the Woman's guild of St. Luke's church is prepar ing to hold early in February the pa rish begins active work toward establishing a building fund for the remodelling of the present church edifice and the erection of a rectory. It is estimated that the proposed improvements will cost several thousand dollars, and the rector, members of the guild and the parishioners generally are very de sirous of seeing a speedy consunima tion of their efforts.

The improvements in the church building will include the construction of a new chancel; the painting of the exterior, the redecoration of the windows, and other changes calculated to add to the attractiveness and convenience of the edifice. If the plans of the Rev. A. II. llilde-brand are carried out, the proposed rectory will serve a unique purpose, In addition to its use us a home for the resident priest, it also will be a center lor various social activities.

Besides furnishing a meeting place for the different church organizations, it is Mr. Hildebrand's idea that a parish house should be used as a social set tlement in the interpsis of the entire community. lie would have it as the headquarters for the Boy Scouts, also use it for informal evening parties among the young, people, for mothers' meetings, sewing circles, young men's club and boys' and girls' after school club. The Woman's guild pledged $500 for this year toward chur improve ments. At the bazaar all kinds of chil dren's clothing, fancy caps and aprons and household utility articles will bo offered, also a complete line of art val entines.

A HOSPITAL SITE MEN OF FORT MYERS WILu. BE GUESTS OF HONOR AT OPEN MEETING IN FEBRUARY. Determined to exorcise some of thw extra privileges which leap year has coin'erred upon them, the members of the Ladies' Friday Musieule club are arranging for a meeting that promises to be interesting. It will be an open meeting of the club, and will be given in the school auditorium Thursday evening, February 1. Each member will be privileged to Invite five of her men friends, and these guests will, In turn, have the privilege of bringing with them their wives, mothers, sisters or sweethearts.

The members of the Fort Myers Military wand will be special guests Of the occasion. A miscellaneous program is being arranged for this and the club will have chorus practice tomorrow afternoon, beginning at 3:30 o'clock, -in preparation for the event. The regular meeting of the club last Friday afternoon brought out a large number of members. The program was on Handel, and was excellently rendered. The musical numbers included a piano solo by Mrs.

I EVans; a vocal solo by Miss Edith Noblitt; a piano solo by Mrs. Clifton Johnson; vocal solos by Miss Odom and Mrs. Eraser and a violin duet by Miss Fron- ey and Mr. Murphy. Miss 13.

S. John son contributed a reading, "The Last Days of Handel." A week from next Friday the sec ond Chopin program will be given as follows: Quartet Mrs. Gilliam, Mrs. Thomas, Misses Menge and Odom. Story of the Polonaise Miss Stroup.

Instrumental Solo Polonaise Mrs. K. Hendry, Jr. Reading Love Affair Miss Johnson, Vocal Solo Mrs. Travels.

Current Events Mrs. Johns. Instrumental Solo Mrs, Clifton L. Johnson. Mrs.

Matheson, leader. Washington, Jan. 15, The employers liability law, which was passed in 1 90P was today d'elared constitutional the supreme cmrt. UNDER DISCUSSION COLD WEATHER HOLDS Frost Predicted For South Florida Freezing Weather In the Central Portion. Fort MyersMaximum 64; mum 43.

mini- i Washington, Jan. 15. Oold wave warnings were issued today by the United States weather bureau for Virginia, North and South Carolina and Georgia, and indications are that freezing temperature will extend well into central Florida, and frost to the southern portion by tomorrow morning. Another Blizzard Reigns. Chicago, Jan.

15. After a very respite the central states were swept by another blizzard again today. Four degrees below zero in Chicago today and a half dozen steamers are irozerr fast in the ice off Grand Haven. Ten Dead In Kentucky. Louisville, Jan.

15. James J. Thompson, a tobacco planter, living near Henderson was frozen to death near his home last night. This is th tenth victim of the extreme cold in Kentucky since the bitter cold weather set in. The business portions of Pembroke and Blandville were both destroyed by lire last night, the Joss of the former being estimated at $40,000 and at Blandville $30,000.

An Ice gorge in the Ohio river is feared and the boatmen are preparing to combat with same if it occurs. CIVIC CLUB TO MEET. Special meeting of the Civic club to morrow, Tuesday at 3 p. m. at the home of 'Mrs.

Johns. Every member interested in the civic betterment of our city Is urgently requested to attend, Important matters regarding the work to be considered will be discuss ed. Mrs. Olive E. Stout, president, Mrs.

Nima Johns, secretary. COMMITTEE HOLDS MEETING AND AGREES ON LOCATION FOR INSTITUTION. Although it is not ready yet to make public announcement of the fact, the special committee appointed to secure information relative to the establish ment of an emergency hospital in Fort Mjers has agreed upon location for the new institution. The place chosen the committee feels, Is in every way a desirable one, as it meets all present needs and will permit of expansion is soon as the wor grows to a point where larger developments are lound to be necessary. The meeting at which the agreement mis reached was held in Mayor Hen dry's office the latter part of last week.

It was participated in by the members of the hospital ccmpiittee, including Mayor Hendry, Dr. Brecht, the Reverends C. N. Thomas, George Scott and A. lllldebrand, and by all the ph sicians of the city.

The merits of various locations which have been under discussion were fully canvassed, but it was decided that only one of them met all the needed re quirements. The committee and physicians arc 'now engaged in perfecting urthtr details, and wlllhave some im portant announcements to make with in a short time. Interest in the hospital continues to grow, arid those in charge of the move ment feel much encouraged over the outlook. The council has subscribed $300 toward a fund of $1,100 and the committee is charged with the task of securing the balance of $800 from the arions public bodies and citizens cc- jperaliug In the movement. It is be lieved that no difficulty will be en- ountcred, and that the hosptal will be realisation of the immediate future.

CCW BOY TO GOVERNOR. Santa Fe, N. 15. William McDonald, democrat, a former cow joy was inaugurated as governor of New Mexico today The procession at tendant upon the Inauguration was oni posed of the largpst crowd ever assembled In New Mexico. ISICALE CLUB PLANS NOVEL PROGRAM BUT LITTLE POPULATION HAS INCREASED ONLY 764 SINCE TAKING OF THE 1900 CENSUS.

LABOR IN GOOD DEMAND Governor Clark Files Interesting An nual Report With Secretary of Interior. Washington, Jan. 15. The annual report of the governor of the district of Alaska to the secretary of the in terior, covering- the fiscal year ended June 30, 1911, has just been given out for publication. The report, compiled by Governor Walter E.

Clark, touches every branch of industrial and social progress in the great territory of the northwest and urgently recommends the adoption of numerous legislative measures necessary in the development of the country. In spite of the big demand for mechanics, and laborers at good wages, the report-shows that there was no increase in population during the year. Governor Clark attributes this fact to the lack of a more liberal governmental policy and suggests the revision of the present land laws and the enactment of new ones. The governor also complains of the apparent indifference on the part of the presg and people in the states toward the development of Alaska by highly-capitalized interests. The total population, which is equally divided between whites and natives, is now 64,356 only 764 more than that show in the census of 1900.

According to the report, the ship ments of copper ore during the fiscal year of 1911 were far greater than ii 1910, and amounted to 23,633 tons valued at $776,497, as against tons, valued at $165,566, constituting the shipments of the year previous. Governor Clark bitterly complaint of the present system fixing the ownership of mining claims, which he blames for the frequent and long drawn out litigations in the courts, preventng the development of enormously wealthy miners. In most of the cases complained of, the ground is held for persons, who gave, the power of attorney and who probably never even vis ited Alaska, for speculative purposes only. A remedy of these unfair conditions to the prospector and miner who are actually on the ground with the hon est Intention of working their claims, is given by the suggestion of the enactment of a law requiring that the assessment work on an association claim be performed to the amount of $100 for each individual claim of 20 acres. During the past year the profits of the fisheries proved to be greater than those of any other article of commerce outside of the minerals.

The total in vestment amounted to $20,711,422. Tin; finished product was 214,536,433 pounds with an export value of $13,259,839, showing an increase of 12,553,195 pounds and $2,078,471 over the products of 1909. The possibilities of agriculture in the northwestern region are given considerable space in the report the attempts at raising oats, hay, vegetables and live stock having been far beyond expectations. In the vicinity of the larger towns market gardening is being carried on extensively, all vegetables that are commonly raised on New England farms" apparently thriving In the Alaskan climate. The report of the development of the coal lands is very brief, Governor Clarke deeming It unnecessary to go Into a lengthy discussion on this, subject because of the trips of inspection made last year by the secretary of the 'ntcrior and the director of the burr of mines.

This report shows that over 79,000 tons of coal received in Alaska was shipped from foreign countries and was twice as large the total shipments of fuel received from the United States. Very little progress in the construction of railroads is shown. An extension of 65 miles on the Copper River and Northwestern railroad, from Chit-Ina to Kennecott, being the only im PROGRESS TO MEET BIG LABOR ORGANIZATION WILL CONVENE TOMORROW AT INDIANAPOLIS. WAGE SCALE THE ISSUE Strike Among Anthracite Coal Minora May Result From Action Take at the Convention. Indianapolis, Jan.

15. Whether thre will be a strike among the anthracite coal miners this spring will depend largely on the action taken at the annual convention of the United Mine Vrorkers of America, which will Convene here tomorrow and will continue in session for about two weeks. The contracts between the anthracite miners and the operators regulating the scale of wages, will expire this spring and one of the chief topics of discussion at the convention will be the wage scale. The committee in the eastern district had niadearrahgeniehts16meet the operators and make their demands two weeks ago, but owing to a difference of opinion within their ranks, it was decided to postpone the negotiations until after the convention. For several months President White has been touring the country, address ing local unions and conferring with the various leaders of the miner's organization.

It Is supposed that the wage scale question was the chief subject of these conferences and speeches, but this cannot be learned definitely, as President White refuses to be interviewed. All of the 28 districts comprising the American organization will ba represented by delegates and the presidents the districts, and If the usual custom Is carried out these presidents Will constitute a committee to consider questions on the wage scale, which promises to be the warmest proposition the delegates have handled years. Several constitutional amendments and the launching of a campaign for administrative economy are other important matters to be discussed by the delegates. The amendments to be proposed are purely technical and will cause no material change in the meaning of the rules now governing conventions. One recommendation that is almost certain to receive the backing' of a majority of the delegates provides for the insertion of a provision in the constitution for the establishment of a court in every district of the union for the purpose of trying members who are violating any policies of the or ganization.

Recommendations will also be made for the purpose of securing a more specifically worded constitution. The present loose wording of the constitu tion, according to Secretary Perry has placed the organization in embarrass ing situations in several previous con ventions. When the conventon Is called to or der It is expected that 1,600 delegates will be in their seats. The anti-administration men are determined to defeat the objects of the president and his backers and the sessions will un doubtedly be extremely bitter. John Mitchell, former president of the United Miners, Is expected to at tend the convention for the purpose of supporting President White and his staff of officers in the event of an at tempt on the part of ex-President Lewis and his adherents to wage a light on the policies endorsed by the present administration.

The committees on constitutional imendments, resolutions and grievances held meetings here for the last three days and have now completed the reports that will be made when called for by the convention. regular legislative sessions of the convention will not begin until Wednesday rnornlng as tomorrow will be spent in hearing addresses by Gov ernor of Indiana, Mayor Shank of Indianapolis and C. C. Had- ley, president of the Commercial club. -A.

Everett Hart of Evanston, was among the recent arrivals. While admitting that there are some conditions which need to be resolutely attacked and improved, Cupt. W. F. Gwynne, one of the most public spirited men in Kurt Myers, believes that the town has made a remarkable development within the past few ears.

Discussing the situation today he referred with approval to the present movement to secure greater publicity for the municipality, and called attention in specific terms to some of the, achievements which have already been accomplished. He said: Several articles have appeared in your issue recently, criticising conditions here at the present ttme. That there is some stagnation in business lines is most likely true. Now while criticisms are good, yet to accomplish the desired changes a constructive pol icy is necessary. Permit me to review the past IS months.

I believe a careful review will give us the basis ifor our inspiriation for the future. I read with great interest that splendid article of Mayor Hendry. May I suggest that others follow, suggesting a safe, sane policy that will help build up Fort Myers and Lee county, that will aid us in getting our section on a permanent basis of progress and development. There is no city in Florida that has made such stupendous progress in the past 18 months, the equal of Fort Myers. If there is I would like your readers to inform me.

Two years ago the population of Fort Myers including a radius of one and a half mile was was today it is 3,600, a gain in two years of 1,200 or 50 per cent. The assessed valuation of property me year ago was today it is $2,071,435, a gain of $341,251) in "one year or about 18 per cent. The postoiiiee receipts two years ago were last year they weie $10,963. 5, a gain of 1,205.79. These are figures which do not lie.

These are facts that aie a matter ot record. Not even the greatest pessimist can reach any other conclusion, but that Fort Myers' growth in this period is phenomenal. All this has been, however, largely a matter oi added growth from without. Such a growth of population, or post office receipts or even increased value of property, come without the residents of Fort Myers doing much in a prac tical way for this town. Hut upon investigation locally we find that the development of Fort Myers due to the enterprise and progressive spirit of its citizens is exceedingly encouraging.

Let us again refer to statistics. We have today about 12 miles of side walk. There have been a great many new houses built in every section of the town and a number of new busi ness houses have been erected. There is hardly a business house but lias shown growth and progress. Nor has the moral social and re ligious life of the community lagged behind.

We had a school house worth less than today our school build ing is one of the finest in the state, costing more than $40,000. We had nine teachers last, year, today the teaching force numbers 12. We hud no school In Fast Fort Myers last year, today there is a new building; withtwo teacher and 70 pupils. We have two teachers in the colored school and 115 pupils and they have a decent school building. Among the churches the Baptist church has gained decidedly in strength.

The Episcopal church is taking on new life and aggressiveness. The Methodist church has added an attractive 'Sunday-school room, the Roman Catholic church lias erected a new- brick building. The Presbyterian church was not in existence, but now Is growing Into a strong body and soon wll have remodeled a fine church structure. There was no musical organization then. Today we a brass band Which promises exceedingly well and a ladles' nui.sieal club with iiO numbers that are devoted to ami cultivating a larger enthusiasm for music.

The hospital movement which tins been started only recently is rap-Idly taking shape and soon will be an will be one of our most attractive streets. Two years ago there was practically not a single sea wall Now there are about 4,000 feet of wall. The River channel has been deepened and now we are having boat connections through the Towles line with Key- WesJ and Tampa. The Kinzie Bros- and the Menge Bros, both have enlarged their boats and added new ones. The electric light plant has added extensive improvements and is one of the best enterprises of this kind in South Florida.

We have spent $45,000 on a sewerage system. We have added a live and growing suburb to Fort Myers in East Fort Myers, with a population of about 400. During this period we have seen put up here the largest citrus fruit packing house in the whole south and the second largest in the world. Last and not least we have started a daily paper which in every respect represents the spirit of the town of Fort Myers. Let any fair minded individual ponder these facts and see if he will not see this is what we were able to do; this is a remarkable record.

With tills accomplishment in the past, what will we be able to do if we pull to4 gether, working along honorable and practical and legitimate linos? Why he will say, we are going to build a city on the broad Calousahutchee in sunny Florida where the soft balmy air is enjoyed the entire year. MILITIA CALLED OUT. Charged Three Thousand Strikers With the Bayonet. Lawrence, Jan. 15.

The state militia was called cut at 9:30 this morning as a result of an attack by the strikers on the woolen mills. Upon arrival the militia was forced to charge a mob of 3,000 men and women with bayonets. Many people were injured and were taken to the hospitals for treatment. The charge was made in front of the Atlantic mills, and upon dispersing the crowds attempted to go and attack other mills but the hose was turned on hem and many were bowled over by the streams of the icy water. Governor Foss crdcred five companies of militia to proceed to Lawrence to help quell the riot.

HEAD-ON COLLISION. Five Killed and Many Injured Train Took Wrong Track. Newcastle, Jan. 15. Two passenger trains met head-on in collision, wiiile running on the crossover of the Pittsburg and Lake Erie and the Baltimore and Ohio railroad tracks today.

The Baltimore and Ohio train took the wrong track and the trains came together running at high rate of speed. Many were injured, and five were killed outright, the list of dead being: LXGIN Ell CANNON. ENGINEER CI, ARK. KI REM AN NN I GUAM. FIREMAN SMITH.

BRIDG A ST KR CR A FT. NEGROES DYNAMITE BUILDING. One Killed Five Injured -Foreigner Blown To Atoms. Fairmount, W. Jan.

13. Some negroes today dynamited two houses-belonging to the Sackett company at Cans, Pa. One foreigner was blown to atoms, while two persons were fatally injured and three others seriously. The neprroes had just been released from jail and In a spirit of retaliation committed the deed, fled. A posse Is in pursuit, and there is liable.