ANOTHER VERSION Albi’s Account of the Shooting of HE ALLEGES SELF-DEFENSE - Believing That the Man Broke Into His Room to Rob Him, He Ordered the Intruder Away and Only Shot Him When He Persisted —The Spokane Affair. Rafael Albi and M. A. Albo were brought before Judge Townsénd this morning and remanded till Monday, May 7, when they will have a hearing before Magistrate Boultbee, the former on a charge of attempting to murder Robert Mc- Arthur, and the latter as an accss- sory. J. L. G. Abbott appeared for the crown, C. R, Hamilton and N. E. Nuzum for Albi. There are two theories of the as- sault, one that Albi shot McArthur as the outcome of. a quarrel, or in anger after he had left Albi’s door, and the other that McArthur was attempting burglary of Albi's room and refused to leave when ordered to do so. The latter version is as follows: Albi, who runs the Columbia hotel, had counted his cash, put it in his pocket ond gone to bed early, being sick. He occupies room 11 on the teft-hand side of the hall in the fron, of the second floor. McArthur en- tered the hotel through the bar- room and went to Albi’s room, ex- plaining to the bartender that he was going to “josh” May, a wait- ress in the International restaurant, who occupies room 5 at the head of the stairs. But he went past that room and on to Albi’s. A knock or noise at the door would naturally alarm Albi, after his experience of being held up in Spokane. Albi says he thought it was some .man who had seen him count the cash and take it to his room and who had come to rob him. The door was forced, as can be done easily, for it is only light and the partition is so flimsy that it gives way enough to free the latch. Albi, after shouting for police, fired the first shot through the door before it was forced, aiming low in order to frighten the man but not to hithim. The bullet fol- lowed a downward course through the door and lodged in the opposite wall of the hall. McArthur seized - him by the right arm and refused to let go. Albi, who is left-handed, - transferred the revolver to his left hand and fired a third time, this being the shot which hit. Still Mc- Arthur hung on, aad as he fell, gripped Albi’s right leg with one hand, still holding the right arm with the other. To release himselt from this grip, Albi beat him on the head with the revolver. Marks of blood are on the floor in the hall directly in front of Albi’s - door, where McArthur's head lay. Albo, who followed McCarter up- stairs, is alleged to have stood at the front end of the hall while the struggle was going on. The shots brought. into the hall two men who ovcupied No. 10, one from No. 9 and one from No.7, who. saw the close of the scene. The manin No. 7 was George Sdao, who denies the ‘statement which has been made that -Albo shouted to Albi to “Shoot that vman.” He says that Albo could not have done so, as he has only been in America a few months and cannot speak English, finding difficulty in ordering his meals at 4 restaurant. It is also denied that Albi and Mc- Arthur had quarreled during the evening, tor they were not even acquainted, D, Husband, proprietor of the Headquarters hotel, says’ that they had not.been in his’ house, ‘much less had a quarrel there. McArthur, who was still resting well today, made a sworn statement to Justice of the Peace Townsend yesterday afternoon, which will be put in evidence on Monday and will show how nearly the above version accords with his account of the affair.. Chief of Police Ingram re- fuses to reveal this ahead of the pre- In regard to Albi's former trouble in Spokane, the particulars do not bear out the impression that he is a desperado. He was held up and assaulted on June 17, 1898, by John Halley, alias James Lacy, the ‘‘Tor- onto Kid,” and John Murphy, while tending bar in the People's saloon on Sprague avenue. Lacy struck him on the head and kicked him; but while doing so his mask fell off and Albifidentified him by his brok- en nose. Murphy was afterwards killed by Lacey ina quarrel over the division of the spoils,but Lacey was acquitted on the ground of self-de- fense and/an alibi secured his acquit- tal of holding up Albi. He was no sooner released than he got drunk and under the influence of opium, and meeting Albi in the Coeur d'Alene gambling rooms, began to abuse himand made a motion to his hip pocket. “Albi pulled a gun and shot him dead. wx: ROSSLAND EVENING RECORD, MAY 4. tpov. BARBERS Vi. PRINTERS, , ‘Two Redoubtable Teams Will Contest for Hn MINOR MENTION. James White, the Trail shoe The baseball ground has been secured for-the game on Sunday for the Ottawa fire fund and with two such notable teams of sports and glorious weather there ought to bea good turn-out. The boys are exercising their muscle in prepara- tion and promise a great exhibi Game will be called at 3 o'clock. Following are the teams: BARBERS, PRINTERS. O'’Connell.....Catcher.... Syntalo Robinson... Bridgeford. Keller... . f..... Thompson At Lacey's trial the defe laimed and the prosecution admitted that Lacey was the head ofa gang of 15 notorious criminals who had terror- ized Spokane until the city offered a reward of $500 for the arrest of any one of them; also that Lacy, while in jail, said he would fix Albi. The latter’s good character was attested by Mayor Olmstead, Chief of Police Warren, Chief of Detectives Otto Bringgold, Councilmen L. Thomp- son, Meachan and Bungay and Jacob Leocher,owner of the block where he did b He was acq don the ground of self-defense and then sold his business and came to Ross- land, to get away from the reach of the Lacey gang. His brother was already in business at Midway as a railroad contractor. Mr. Nuzum, who defended Alb! in the Lacey case, says that his client has long been the banker for the Italians of Washington, issuing and cashing drafts for them, fur- nishing lodgings to them in winter and employment in summer. and » Dyer and Prof DeLeon, subs and rooters for the Barbers. The printing of tickets and dodg- ers has been donated by the several printing offices and the barbers will give a close shave to the turf on the ground, ‘TODAY'S STOCK SALES, Following is a summary of the sales on the local. exchange today, between the barbers and printers’ hant, was in the city today. Mrs, Coleman and son of Green- wood were in the city last night. The second payment on the Hun- gryman group has been made to W. B. Townsend and John M. Moore by the New Deer Park Gold Min- ing company. ‘The total price is $25,000. Thomas Parker has been ap- pointed returning officer for the Rossland riding and has started for the Boundary country to select polling places and deputies. C. R. B. McGilchrist, of Liver- pool, England, a member of the firm of Andrews, Bell & Co., of that city and Montreal, is in the city, making a tour of British Columbia. F. W. HINSDALE, CUSTOM HOUSE BROKER, In Custom House balling. we Vouk Hila Cemrve Lev, Washington street. Rossland, B.C, re NEW IDEAS SUNSHADES AND PARASOLS A very large stock from which to make a selection, a from 75c up to $10.00. ‘See them. ner Inthe Interests “ of Belding, Paul Uo. Mrs. Kenly will conduct class t Bian house commenting ase’ 7 Moats" ee HUNTER BROS. STORES -- . DRY GOODS ROOM. o% Seoaneaeacoren THE ROSSLAND RECORD. ° vou. 6. NO. 68. ROSSLAND, BRITISH COLUMBIA, FRIDAY, MAY 4, 1900 — PRICE § CENTS SSE LLNS 2 The Newest — “- SASHES With Souvenir Clasps. of color. Pleasing combinations Finest Enamel, Gilt and Silver. aS, Next door to Postottice. INTERNATIONAL THEATRE KLOCKMANN, Proprietor. FOR WEEK: BEGINNING APRIL 30, 1900, appearance of the Peerless Vocalist, MISS MAY DAVIS CE. Bena. M. H. McMahon CHARLES E. BENN & CO, Continued Success of MR. EDDIE ERB AND At 6 Buy, sell and trade Stocks and Real Estate for cleints. V&N'Pho Columbia Asa Ste PO Box 468 together with the qi Hossland Sales, Sales today on the local exchange as follows: Winnipeg, 500, 500, 13¢; Rathmullen,’ 3000, 3c; Giant, §000, 234; Okanogan, 3000, 2c; Peoria, 3700, 1'34c; Rambler, 500, 26c.. Total sales, 16,200. ASKED 30 taking care of their ‘ings for them. are two factions among them and the story of a vendetta following Albi’s arrest simply arose froma quarrel between two of them on Priest lake, Idaho, in regard to a piece of land. In an altercation, one of them said: . “Where did you get that money you have been spending? You got it for telling the sheriff that Billy Albi was on Priest lake.” - An Inhuman Brute. The Manager Rossland Evening RECORD. : Sir: During Tuesday four valua- ble dogs were poisoned in the neighborhood between the alley at the back.of Le Roi avcuue_ be- tween the Sisters’ hospital and Butte street and the corner of Butte and Kootenay avenue. Two of the dogs belonged to me, two fox ter- riers, which have been my friends and companions for many years, Two other dogs belonged to my neighbor, who no doubt was as much attached to them as I was to mine. The dogs were harailess and inogensive, and affecti d faithtul companions ‘and playmates with my neighbor's children. I have reason to believe that it will not be difficult to discover the perpretator ‘or instigator of this cowardly and inhuman. act. I have already placed the matter ‘in the hands of the police, but I take the liberty of writing to you, hoping that th ‘ As in all nationalities, there g vane . Vonder! SUSINESS LOCALS. Go to the Bodega for good ser- vice and atasty hot lunch. from 11:30 p> m. to 2 a. m., also from 8 to 12in evening. Choice liquors and cigars... Geo. H. Green, prop. McCormick's biscuits, the finest line of all. just re- Telephone 86, P.O. Box 268 A, 3 MACKENZIE & CO. MINING BROKERS. Columbia Ave, Roealand.B, O ‘The Popular Balladist, BERTHA LA MAR Mr. Zinn's translation of the Musical German Comedy, A PERFECT WIFE Replete with Bright Situations, Catchy Music and Crisp Dialogue. MISS HEWITT IN.THE CAST. ADMISSION. :. 2.2.0.2... 0.00) +.15c, 25c. AND 50 CENTS MONTREAL Loan & INVESTMENT 60, INCORPORATED Head office, Imperial building, St. James ‘Street, Authorized Sapna, ubscribed Capital ov. This Company has opened a branch office here, ‘lth the Iollowing Board of Sianagement ae Fimer A. Rolf. [Hon Thos. Mayne Daly.0. C, James Lawn, Chas. : Secretary-Treasurer, W. H. Falding. © mt For further “HA apply.to WH TANG, Bank of Montreal Chambers, Soluabla 5 Tegaurer . Kootenay Cafe. ¢ Fresh Oysters in any Style. Game in Season. Private rooms for parties, Business Men's Luneh, 85¢ GOpen Day and Night. Rooms and Bar ...... in connection Miss K. Swanson, Prop. Rolt & Grogan FOR RENT. Office on first ffoor 118; Block. Office and rooms o:. second fleor Burns Block. id Large Warehousesn center of town. .FOk SALE. deven-roomed Dwelling , nguse, pla ean oe nished thronghouut, Hotel and Saloon on Second. avenue. oe splendid business opportunity. ceived at O. M. Fox & Co's., 106 E.. Columbia ave. Tel. 60 and 20, St. Charles Hotel, Charles Ehlers, proprietor. Headquarters for workingmen, best board in Rossland. Commutation _ tickets $5.50 for $5.00; lodging $1, $1.50 and $2 per week. the widespread circulation of your paper I may succed in influencing the lovers of dumb animals and owners of valuable dogs to take this matter up and to call public atten- tion to it, until the inhuman brute or brutes are runto earth and ex- posed and punished. I remain, sir, yours faithfully, Cuartzs E. Benn. Wanted at Once, Four good lots north of Colum- bia avenue Iding cot- New Drug Store The Rossland Drug company is now doing business on Columbia avenue, next to the old city hall building. We have a complete line of pure fresh drugs, toilet articles and druggists sundries. Prescrip- tions carefully compounded. tf R. E. Strona, Mgr. Wantep—Good home for little girl 5 years-old. Address, T. H. Brown, Rossland. 5-1-6t. Le Roi Livery, Feed -& Sale Stables. JOHN F, LINDBURG .. . PROPRIETOR Heavy Transferring. First-class Saddle & Pack Horses. BTA] L728: Commercial any "Phen No. 89. toftice Fine 1h, HOTEL HOFFMAN, Wasbington Street, Roseland, B, 0. Furnished Roots. “ First-Ciass Bar. Railroad and Miners Time Checks cashed, tree of charge. Harry Mcintosh - - tages on and muller law without having to fillin teo much. I have the cash to pay for such lots. Call on, W. j. Carpenter, Of the firm of Carpenter & Co., photographers. Lost, a Wallet. Lost, a large leather wallet, con- taining a check and $2, Finder kindly return wallet to this office, liminary trial. § and keep the cash. A, G, CREELMAN, CONTRACTOR AND BUILDER, Estimates furnished on, all kind ing promptly attended to," Ore" 20" “Office: and shops Gomimsreial Court, rear ‘Albam —THE——. MONTANA STABLES. —<_e HANDSOME SADDLE HORSES STYLISH TURNOUTS., ra hotel, Proprietor. |. GOD SAVE THE QUEEN. e-> —— ¢ #+——HOUDES—— Straight Cut Cigarettes. MANUFACTURED BY B. Houde & Company, Quebec Are Better than the Best. . WHOLESALE AT Crow & Morris, Rossland. |_NEW DRUG STORE. ROSSLAND DRUG »COMPANY.. NEXT TO OLD CITY HALL, COLUMBIA AVENUE. © New and Complete Stock of Drugs, ‘and Patent Medicines. Prescriptions Carefully Compounded. o~2 ~ Robert E. Strong, Manager. CUNLIFFE & ABLETT, ENGINEERS AND MACHINISTS. All classes of Repairs and Construction Work Undertaker. Ore Cars, Wheels and Axl » Buckets, Fans, 5! ers, Pipe work @ specialty. Noriigy Fur Some pti stocks aaene for Wan Hamilton ills, Concentrators, Ete. ‘Third Avenue, Rossland. BP. 0, Hox 198 The Arlington. THE LEADING HOTEL AT TRAIL sas Headquarters for Commer- cial Men....Splendid.Sample Rooms. UNEXCELLED TABLE. Toun Havzrty, Proprie! toly ‘Don’t Burn Oi Long winter; close i Jassituds inertia; ficial heat... “that tired feeling.”” Cure: One bottle Tonic Bitters: one box Goodeve's Vegetable Liver Pills. TRY IT! It "you get it at GOODEVE’S, its GOOD. Goodeve Bros., Druggists and Stationers. It PAYS to deal with Goodeve Bros. Spring =< Hats..... and Boys Largest Stock in town; to be sold at practically your own price. M. J. O7HEARN, The Busy Store at the Busy Corner. THE CLOTHIER. ARE AMERICANS Federal Judge Decides the Status of Porto Ricans, TREATY MADE THEM SO Decision Given in the Case of Raphael Ortis "That the Foderal Constitution is Solf-Hx- tending Over New Territory—A Murderer Olaimed Trial by Jury. By Associated Press, St. Paul, Minn., May 4.—United States District Judge Lochren, in this county, has decided that the ratification of the treaty of peace be- tween the United States and Spain made Porto Rico American territory. and subject to the consolidation with the United States without any fur- ther act of congress. The decision was given in the case of Raphael Ortis, a Porto Rican, who is seeking release from the state prison at Stillwater on the ground that his trial for murder, by a mili- tary court was as FLAMES WIPE OUT SANDON Fire Completely Destroys the Chief City of the Slocan. PEOPLE IN The Flates Leave Only Three Buildings---Relief sures by This City.. The whole town of Sandon was an American citizen, he was entitled to a trial by jury. HE COULD NOT BE CONSOLED French Count Commits Suicide in Griet for Dead Wite. By Associated Press, New York, May 4—Count d’Elp- heux, French vice consul im this city, is dead under most distressing yed by fire before daylight this morning and the population is destitute and in distress. The fact of the destruction of the town was wired to the C. P. R. telegraph office from Three Forks this morning and the further fact was learned that the wires were down beyond Three Forks, the of- fice at Sandon having been burned. The whole pop had gone to $4The Latest! + Pulley Belt Rings, | AND. Pulley Belt Buckles. ‘We haye just received a consignment of these popular goods direct from New York. See them in our window. Jewelers——EWERT BROS.——Engravers ~~ .of Mme.-Murio- Celli, the. famous cir He was the band teacher of singing and former prima donna, who died April 10. After her death the count locked himself in the room with his dead wife and refused to allow the body tobe removed. At length his in- timate friends had to use force. Later he was removed to the in- sane asylum on Ward’s Island, where he made several attempts to take his own life. He refused .food and last night his dead body was brought back to the city for burial. TWO BIG STEAMERS WRECKED Three Forks and the C. P. R.. was sending a boxcar to Sandon for use as a telegraph office. From Nelson it was learned by telephone that the fire started about 1 o’clock this morning and that the whole town was in ruins before daylight, with the exception Byers’ hardware store, a store ad- No person was able to save anything of joining and one of the mills. and the whole population is home- less, without food and some persons short of clothing. Further particulars will he pub- ‘lin Nelson and a performance of DISTRESS Meas- lished in a later edition of the Rec- orp, if they can be obtained by an means available. Subscriptions are being collected *‘Pinafore” will be given there. on Monday evening for the relief. of the sufferers. MEASURES OF RELIEE. The Mayor Calls for Public Subscrip- tions and Summons Council. The news of the fire was com- i d to Mayor Goodeve by the following telegram: ‘*THREE Forks, B. C., May 4. «(Mayor oF Rosstanp: “Sandon completely wiped out by fire. Everything lost. “H. H. Pitts, Mayor.” The mayor sent a reply expressing sympathy on behalf of the people of Rossland and stating that subscrip- tion lists would be opened-immedi- ately. Subscriptions for the relief of the suffers will be received at all the banks. A special meeting of the city council has been called for 11 o’clock tomorrow morning to take action on behalf of the municipalty. Montpelier Ashore in St./ Coast SPL AL OL ost on iated Press, St. John, Nfd., May 4.—The By __ Red Star Storage & rater c d_ promptly. rat an fob Work . cont en. 0 J di d thing we handle. Good torage able rates, no. Bret tisk fe We act as shippers’ agents. Will clear, transfer, ware- house, or pig any ree of goods. = SELL Dp. Otice: Washington Bt, Oe ee rot Montreal. > WYP Erarliine, Migr. British of the Elder-Dempster line of Liverpool, from Cardiff for Montreal, while bound up the St. Lawrence, went ashore last night in a dense fog at Duck island, three miles from Cape Ray, at the entrance to Cabot strait. Nothing has been heard of the crew. The ship is probably a total loss. The Montpelier struck at g o’clock P. BURNS & CO. WHOLESALE MARKETS Nelson, Sandon, Revelstoke, Grand Forks, and Vancouver. Rossland, Greenwood, RETAIL MARKETS last night, and beat out her bow and bottom on the rocks. She is breaking to pieces today. Her crew landed today from the steam- er’s boats, in which they spent the night, lying off the coast waiting for daylight.. The crew had many narrow escapes while launching the boats in the darkness. Washington, May 4.—General Rossland, Trail, Nelson, Ymir, _Kaslo, d New Denver, Silverton, Cascade City, Grand Forks, Greenwood, Phcenix, Midway, Camp McKinney, Revelstoke Ferguson, and Vancouver. William Donald, Mgr., Rossland Branch. p dent Kimball, of the life saving service, has received a _tele- gram from Hatteras, N. C., (saying ' hospital closed three weeks. Kindly NO SMALLPOX IN ROSSLAND Col, Priors Information Ont of Date— ‘Whe Mayor's Correction. Col. Prior, M. P., ‘has not yet awakened to the fact that smallpox has been driven out of this city, for in a speech in parliament yesterday he said that the -disease still existed here. In order to correct this false impression, to which Dr. Reddick called attention, Mayor Goodeve this morning sent him the following telegram: : “(CoLONEL Prior, Ottawa. ‘‘No smallpox here; last case developed March -17;_ isolation correct statement made in House. ‘tA, S. Goopeve, Mayor.” BROWN SUPPLANTS RYDER He Will Run for Westininster—Perry Mills to Join Marin (Special to the Record.) Victoria, May 4—J. C. Brown, of New Westminster, was last night sworn in as minister of finance and agriculture in the cabinet, He is today discharging the duties of the office. He told your correspondent that he expected to receive the gov- ernmnnt nomination in Westminster tomorrow night. : Ryder resigned two evenings ago, supposedly under pressure, left his keys and a note saying he had Been d to Nanaimo by tel and would not be back. It is expected that Perry Mills will be president of the council be- fore the close of the week. Mr. Cur- winner of By Associated Press. London, May 4.— The one thou- sand guineas stakes, run at the tis, minister’ of mines, is expected back on Monday. ‘W. W. B. McInnes has returned to Nanaimo from an election trip that an L is ashore on Diamond Shoals. The crews of Cape Hatteras and Creeds Hill life saving stations have gone its expensive and dan nothing of the trouble and disa oF far more pl sant 2 and muuch fous, to a eable ou wll hin ROSS THOMPSON 1 have the following blocks in the Bese companies tor -ale 3ureka Consolidated, Gopt Stary Silverine, R.E. Lee, Bodie, Eureka, North Star and Zila M Lots in the Original :‘Townsite PHONE NO. 6 FOR A.GURNEY. Reddin. JacksonCo:, Agents, Rosstand, B.C They reduce insurance; give yout home or business place 9 brighter ry appearance, and save yov money In any ways. Use Electric Lights Estimates furnished for Wiring and Lighting, Steam Fixtures carried in stock. Electric Power supplied for Mining end Manufacturing purposes. Itis much cheaper than steam. _ Motors for sale or rent. erin case of trouble with lights, 5 feleonnne No. 67 ab between 8a.m., and 6 p.m. to her —_— Interment Tomorrow. The funeral services of Willie Norris Dunne, son of Mr. and Mrs. William N. Dunne, will be held at 2 o'clock tomorrow afternoon from the family residence on Le Roi ave. All members of the Masonic fra ternity are invited to attend the funeral and will meet at Masonic Ni ket spring ing today, was won by Mr. L. Brassey's Wini- freda. This event is of 100 sover- eigns each, half forfeit for three- year-old fillies, the owner of the second filly to receive 200 sover- eigns from the stakes and the third to save his stakes. Lord Ell "s1 itive was t wh North Nanai and says he is confident he will beat Bryden, \Wictoria has sent over $1300 to the Ottawa relief fund. The Japs yesterday subscribed $85. For the Use of Sheep Creek Wa ter. City Engineer Van Buskirk is second and Sir Waldie Griffith’s Vain Duchess third. Acarload of whiskey from To- ronto came in by the C. P. R. to- day for Steen & Co., which has Rossland “Water and Light Go. ) hall at 1:30. king surveys on Sheep creek for the purpose of designing a plan for using the water of that stream for municipal purposes. This is the plan asked for by the lieutenant- governor in council at the time when City Solicitor Abbott made ADVANCE BEGINS Capture of Brandfort ‘the First Step on the Northward. March. BOERS HAVE WITHDRAWN Roberta’ Headquarters Have Been Moved For- ward—Winburg is the Next. Point to Aim at—Good Work Done by the Troops Under French, London, May 4.—Lord Roberts reports to the war office as follows: “Brandfort, May 3.—Occupied Brandfort without much opposition and without, I hope, many casual- ties. The first brigade of mounted infantry covered the'left flank of the fourteenth brigade of the seventh division and the ‘right flank was supported by the fifteenth brigade. Pole-Carew’s division advanced di- rectly on Brandfort. “The Boer army. which was un- der command of Delarey, retired in a northeasterly direction.” Importance of the Capture. London, May 4.—News of the occupation of Brandfort was pub- lished in the war office at 10 this forenoon, comfirming a dispatch pr ly r d by the A i ted Press. It is generally consider ed the most important communi- cation received from the front since the capture of General Cronje and the relief of Ladysmith. The key to one ofthe main roads leading to the Drakensberg passes, which possibly. may be the means of co- operating with General Buller iater on,provides‘an advance base of sup- ply, andat the same time menaces the Boers now surrounding Bloem- fontein. It is obviously the reason for the importance attached by all hands of the intelligence. The Boer army at Brandfort was commanded by General Delarey. It is presumably retiring on Win- burg. Brandfort,35 miles nearer the Transvaal camp, is now Lord Rob- erts’ headquarters. What, particu- larly gratifies the British public is the evidence that the army of Lord Roberts in the Orange Free State has recovered its mobility and is again capable of undertaking the general/advance, so long retard- ed, Next Stand at Kroonstadt. It is hardly expected the Boers will make much of a stand south of Kroonstadt, and possibly not there if Lord Roberts succeeds in captur- ing Winburg, thus interposing between the main federal army and the Boer forces in the neighborhood of Thaba Nchu and Hout Nek. In this case the latter would be forced to move far to the eastward and their mobility would probably en- able them to reach the - Bethlehem and Harrismith linein safety. The only opposition which the British encountered at Brandfort seems to have come from the Irish-. American command, The central British army is now inline with the extreme left at Boshof under Lord Methuen, and the extreme right at Elandslaagte, under Gen. Buller,so that the moving of these wings in co-opzration with the main army may shortly be ex- pected. Mfoers Leave Thaba Nehu. Thaba Nchu, May 3.—The Boers have evacuated Thaba Nchu hill. They are believed to be still trekk- ing, though one gun has shelled the camp indiscriminately. Scouts re- port that some of the Boers retired towards Wepener. They. believe the Boers evacuated the position during the night, trekking to the northward in three directions. General French left today. Gen- eral Rundle is in command here. It is expected that General Brabant been only nine days on the road. application for the water right. will effect a junction at any moment.