Indianapolis, Ind., July 23.—Monday was the hottest day on record in Indianapolis. The official record was 106 at two o’clock in the afternoon. At the same hour thermometers along the business streets recorded 110 and 112. There were two deaths and three prostrations from heat.
At the camp of the Indiana national guard all drills were suspended. Sixty men were overcome during the day, but all rapidly recovered, with the exception of seven, who are in the brigade hospital. Many animals were stricken, and livery men are refusing to hire horses.
All Previous Records Eclipsed.
Cincinnati, July 23.—All previous heat records here were eclipsed, Monday, when the official government thermometer at the office of the local weather bureau reached 106 degrees at 2:30 in the afternoon, and remained there for about an hour. Fortunately the humidity at that time registered only 25, and there were but few prostrations.
RETAIN MORRO CASTLE.
The United States Government Will Garrison and Hold the Famous Stronghold.
New York, July 20.—In addition to the other bases of supply demanded in the Platt amendment, it is the intention of the administration to permanently retain Morro castle, overlooking the harbor of Havana. This the Washington correspondent of the World says is announced on the highest authority. It is the intention, says the World’s special, to occupy, control and defend the stronghold with United States troops after the government of the island has been handed over to the Cubans. The plan is to equip the fortress with modern artillery, in order that Cuba may be assisted in defending herself against outside interference, and also that the United States may thus have a guarantee against failure on the part of the Cuban government to carry out its pledges and the terms of the treaty now in course of preparation as between this country and Cuba. Under this treaty the retention of the fort is provided for.
The Castle is Crumbling.
At this time Morro castle is crumbling with the weight of years and is of small account as a fortress. Spain was 100 years in building it. The fort was begun in 1667 by Oregon Gaston, governor of Havana, with money from the receipts from Mexico, then owned by Spain. Millions of dollars were squandered upon it, and when it was completed it was acknowledged to be one of the most formidable forts in the world.