Christmas ship goes to bottom

Chicago Dec. 4-- The Rouse Simmons , a three masted schooner, with Capt. Christian Nelson and his wife, as guests and a crew of fourteen men are believed to have gone down in Lake Michigan The boat is two weeks overdue from Manistique, Mich., with its annual cargo of Christmas trees.

According to messages received by the Chicago harbor master, and the life saving station, the Rouse Simmons was sighted off Pentwater, Mich., more than a week ago, flying distress signals and making a weak effort to keep her course during a severe gale.

The Pentwater life saving crew attempted to reach her in a motorboat. The high sea and the wind hindered them and they lost sight of the schooner.

The station at Two Rivers Wisc., started a search in the neighborhood, where the freight boat was last seen. They found small pieces of wreckage ans scores of Christmas trees floating on the water, but could find no trace of the missing ship.

Believing that the Christmas boat captain had thrown the trees overboard to lighten the ship, the lifesaving men, assisted by a revenue cutter and steamers from Milwaukee, continued the search. Today they reported that they believe the boat had gone down with all on board.