The Abbeville press and banner. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, January 06, 1892, Image 6

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A NEW WAR SECRETARY. r The President Names Stephen B. Elkins, of West Virginia. > Sketch of the Career of the New Cabinet Officer. STKPHKN B. ELKINS. President Harrison has named Stephen B. Elkins, of West Virginia, Secretary of War, to succeed Redfleld Proctor, of Vermont, who has taken ex-Senator Edmonds's seat in the United States Senate. Mr. Elkins was born in Ohio in 1841 and f at an early age moved with his parents to Missouri. After going to the common Ko want, tn th? TTniTersitv of Mis ? souri, from which institution he graduated with honor. He studied law immediately thereafter and was soon admitted to the Bar. In 1863 he turned his eyes to the far West and joined the expedition of Territorial officers bound for Arizona and New Mexico. Ex-Governor R. C. McCormick, who was then Governor of the new Territory of Arizona, headed the expedition. Ever since that time he and Mr. Elkins have been bo3om friends and have offices together in this city. Mr Elkins settled in New Mexico, and began to pracV < tice law. It did not take him long to fearn how to speak fluently and write correctly the Spanish language. In a few years he had tne largest law practice in the Territory, and was considered a rising young mau. His popularity increased so rapidly that he was electKl a delegate to Congress in 1873, and re-elected in 1875. Secretary Blaine was 8peaker in Congress when Mr. Elkins arrived in Washington, and from that time dates their firm and uninterrupted friendship. He al6<? met at the Capital Senator Henry G. Davis, of West Virginia, and in 1874 he married the Senator's eldest daugh ter in Baltimore. It is said he made a great deal of money by investments in silvtr mining in Colorado. Later te bought an interest in the coal neicu ?I West Virginia, and has his home at Piedmont, that State. His wealth comprises property in New Mexico, Colorado and West Virginia. He spends a great part of his time in New York City, whence he directs his vast business interests. In the campaign of 1884 Mr. Blkins superintended operations for his friend, Mr. Blaine. His conversion to the Republican party took place in 1870. Mr. Elkins looks like a typical Westerner, being over six feet high, broad shouldered and well proportioned. His face is always cleanly shaven and exhibits a firm set jaw and well rounded cheeks. His complexion is ruddy and he gives one at a glance the idea of great physical strength and mental activity. HEB CBEW LOST. The Steamer West Coast Driven on a Reef by Heavy Seas. ?~ Nine of the crew of the shipwrecked steamer Weet Coast lost their lives off Mendocino, CaL. in trying to gain the shore in a small boat. ! The steamer was being hauled alongside the wharf, at Point Arena, when her moorings parted and her stern lines -fouled the propeller. Captain Genie ordered sails noisted at once, and the steamer had just gained headway when two heavy seas struck her, driving heron the South Reef. Ten of the crew took to the small boat, but it capsized, and two engineers, two mates, the cook, the cabin boy and three sailors were drowned. The only persons saved were the Captain, the fireman and two seamen. The West Coast carried a cargo of railroad ties. She will be a total loss. Her owner is H. Garthwait, ol San Francisco. She is valued at 1300,000, and is partly insured THE CHEROKEE STRIP. Ail Agreement Reached for Its Sale to the United States. After more than two years of negotiations and four visits of the Cherokee Commission to Tahlequab, Indian' Territory, an agreement has been finally consummated whereby the Cherokees agreed to part with thentitle to the strip, and only the action of the United States is needed to make it public land. The price finally agreed upon is 18,595,736.12. The two commissions decided upon the terms of the agreement and immediately submitted it to the National Council for ratification. It must now be ratified by Congress. By the terms of the agreement the United States agrees to remove all unauthorized persons trom the strip, and these Cherokees now residents upon the strip may take eighty acres of land ejeo, which shall cover their improvements. ' TAXPAYERS IN A KI0T. A Repetition of the Scenes ot 18S4 Narrowly Averted in Cincinnati. The bloody court house riot of 1884 came near being re-euacted at Cincinnati, Ohio, a few mornings ago. A crowd of taxpayers crushed into the County Treasurer's ofiles to i?v their taxes and avoid the penalty. The tills bein? delayed, mads it "impossible to take all the money presented. One man shore J a revolver under the n033 of the receiving clerk, threatening to shoot if the money was not accepted. The crowd outside becam9 riotous', throwing stones through the windows. One man was hit and knocK? l insensible, while two women were crushed nearly to death. A large police reserve was called out, and by ~igorou3 measures the rioters were dm en off. SIX BANKS FAIL, Private Concerns in Pennsylvania and Virginia Suspend. A dispatch from Tyrone, Penn., says The doors of the Tyrone Bank, a private concern, were closed a few mornings ago. The following notice gives au ine inrormatioii obtainable as to the cause of the failure, a? the stockholders are either out of town o refuse to talk. "A drain on the resource.; compels this bank to close for the present.*' The liabilities are estimated at 575,000, witu assets supposed to amount to $5r,,U0i'. No other banks will be affected by tne failure. A dispatch from Woodstock. Va., say?: Five banks controlled by Rosenberger, Siiirely & Co., have be?n closed in the Hhenandoah Valley. The banks are in Warranto;!. Gordonsvitle, Basic City, Wavnssboro and Newmarket. The liabilities of Rosen tierger, Shirely & Co. are about $150,000. The small shopkeepers suffer most. Tightness in the monjy market is assigned as the cause of the failure. *or the first time iu fifty-six years a murder has occurred in Ice aud. The population is 66 000, but the islaud has n "> use for jails and criminal courts. The recent murder has caused as muca excitement as would ba felt in the capitals of Europj ove;- a general war THE UEWS EPITOMIZED. Eastern and Middle States. Rat Richards and John P. JohnsoD,aged sixteen years, of Ellsworth, Me., were drowned while skating. Winfleld Huntley, his son Horan, and Alexander Huntley, all of Machias, Me., were drowned while crossing Hadley Lake in a boat. Edward M. Field, son of Cyrus w. Field, has been indicted by the Grand Jury in New York City for forgery in the second degree. Field is said to have secured 8113,000 by a forge! bill of lading Rear Admiral Thomas Patterson*, United States Navy, died suddenly at his home in New Brighton, Staten Island, N. Y. Death was due to heart failure. He was born in Troy, N. Y., February 8, 1822. Mrs. Nancy Britt Ke.vnedy, the oldest womtn in Augusta, Me., died a few mornings since. At an early hour she got up and commenced praying that she might die, and continued her prayers for nearly three uarters of an hour, when she fell to the floor dead. Her age has been extensively reported as 118. John Hoey, who was deposed from the Presidency of the Adams Express Company "Waw VAwlr Pi'fw loaf. HofrtKar Koonnca nf transactions which the directors thought bad resulted in his personal enrichment to the detriment of the finances of the Company, has effected a settlement with the corporation, by the returning of about $500,000. Bernard Readt, aged twenty-seven, and Henry Linnen, aged twenty-one years, at Pittston, Penn., were hoisted up a coal mine shaft for the purpose of removing several huge pieces of ice. When they had ascended about 350 feat one of the massive icicles became detached and fell upon them. Ready was instantly killed and Linnen fatally in jure j. The National Commissioners for New York State oi the World's Fair?Messrs. Depew, Allen and Thacher?5ave a dinner at Delmonico's, New York City, for the purpose of "considering New York's duty and interest as related to the World's Columbian Exposition." Speeches were made by Chauncey M. Depew, G. M. Davis. VV. T. Baker, Thomas W. Palmer, J. leaver Page and others. 1 South and West. Samuel Gomper3 was re-elected President of the American Federation of Labor by the Birmingham (Ala.) Convention. A railroad accident at Buck Tunnel, Leadvilie, Col., resulted in killing four trackmen. Two colored prisoners m Live Oak, Fla., suspected of killing P. D. Parramoreof Valdosta. Ga., were lynched by a mob. A tramp was lynched at Emmett, Nevada County, Ark., for assaulting Alias Bettie McGough, a school teacher. A boiler used bv some stone contractors in Springfield, Mo., exploded, killing Engineer Philip Davis, Assistant Engineer RoDert Baer and George CrewB. The first colored mau in this country to be elevated to the Catholic priesthood was ordained a few mornings ago at the Cathedral in Baltimore, Ma., by Cardinal Gibbons. He is Charles Randolph Uncles, of Baltimore. Fire destroyed nearly all the eastern half of Truckee, Cal. The loss is over $50,000. A dozen men were injured. Fifty cadets and about twenty officers, being one-fifth of the whole number of cadets and officars of the Naval Academy u.t Annapolis, Md., were at one time in the clutches of the grip. . Thomas H. Allen & Co.. cotton brokers of Memphis, Tenn., who have been la business there for twenty-five years, hava'?all(d with liabilities of *544,000. John Stephens, colored, was killed, and Dr. D. Hudson and his son George, whites, were mortally wounded in a fight between whites and colored men near Coatburg, Ala Washington. Superintendent or Census Robert P. Porter's youngest daughter, Alice, aged three years, died in Washington after a Jong and lingering illness. Assistant Secretary Crounz issued from Washington the official advertisement for the sale of the old Custom House in Wall street, New York, on January 90, 1893. The minimum price for which the property will be sold is 14,000,000, the purchaser to rent the building to the Government until the new Custom House is completed. The Navy Department has taken steps toward securing transports and coaling vessels for use in case a war with Chili should become necessary. The Major-General commanding the army has issued a general order giving the names of officers and enlisted men who distinguished themselves bv "soeciallv meritorious acts or conduct in service" during the year 1890 and in the recent campaign in Soutn Dakota. Acting Secretary Grant has approved the revised plans tor the railroad bridge over the North River at New York City. The plans provide that the bridge shall be 130 feet above mean tide, fifteen feet higher than the Brooklyn Bridge. Speaker Crisp wrote a letter to Representative R. Q. Mills, of Texas, asking him if he would accept the second place on the Way8 and Means Committee. Mr. Mills replied, declining to serve in that position. CHiEF Justice Fuller announced in the United States Supreme Court that the decisions of the lower court in the cases of Charles Mcllvaine and Nipola Trezza, the two murderers lying under sentence at Sing Sing, N. Y., are confirmed, and the sentence must be carried out. speaker urisp nas appointed v?. oarret, correspondent of tha Atlanta (Ga.) Constitution, clerk to the Speaker, vice Asher C. Hinds, who served Speaker Reed. The funeral services of the late Senator Preston B.:Plumb,of Kansas, took place in the Senate Chamber at Washington. The President and his Cabinet, the Supreme Court, the Senators, the Diplomatic Corps and numbers of the Lower House filled all available space. Senator Peffer delivered an eulogy on his dead colleague. The "casket, preceded by the Congressional Committee, was then convened to the special c-tr at the Pennsylvania station. The Congressional Committee had a special car for their use during the trip. The two car3 were attached to the Columbia express train, which le;t the city at 3:25 o'clock for Emporia, Kan. Foreign. The German Reichstag adopted th9 commercial treaties with Austria-Hungary, Italy and Belgium; Emperor William has mada Chancellor.von Caprivi a Count for his success with the treaties. A destitute woman, who had bean put out of her home, threw herself and her baby beneath a train in Chesfer, Eugland. Bom were killei. The English holders pi Virginia debt scrip decided at a meeting held in Lon'lon to accept the terms of the agreement effected between the Virginia State Debt Commission and the Olcott Committee for the settlement of tha Virginia State debt. The daughter of President .Barillas, of ttuateniaia, nas Just bsen married to a Salvadorian, Sinor Ojeda. The bride's portion is $4,000,000. The wedding feast was a magnificent affair. Brazil's Congress reassembled at Rio Janeiro. President Peixotto. in his message to it, said the overthrow of Fonseca sbowe I tse people's virility. Minor revolts were reported trom Espirito Santo, Bahia au l Pernambuco. According to advices received lro:u Father Kutgo?, the Vicar Apostolic of Mongolia, Father Minn, a Chinese priest, and a thousand native Christians were massacre I during the recent troubles iu Northern China. cxeorge w. Hastings. Member of the British Parliament for East Worcestershire, was arrc-sted on a charze of bavins: embtzzled the sum of $140,000 from an estate of which he was a trustee. An engagement has taken place at Tortillas Tamaulipas, between the Mexican iroops and the insurgents. The insurgents were defeated with three men killed an 1 a number wounded. The Government of Honduras has grante i the exclusive privilege for a period of t"u years to Gilbert P. Cotton and Dr. K. *'ru:<gartner, as representatives of tlie Louisi&n i Lottery Company of New Orleans,to opsraiw a lottery in the Republic. Daniel Monroe, formerly Sheriff of Monroe County, Mo., a defaulter, on his deatube 1 in Tex is, has confessed to the murder of Christopher McAllister, a young farjier of Missouri, for wnose murder a j Swede named \ndarsan waj 1 rnuked. PRESTON B. PLUMB DEAD. Hie Kansas Senator Stricke? Suddenly at Washington. A Review of His Life and Publio Services. Jajp ? p> PRESTOS B. PLUMB. Preston B. Plumb, a Senator of the United States from the State of Kausas. died a few days ago in Washington of apoplexy. This news, passing from hi3 lodging in a plain brick house, diagonally opposite to th9 Ebbitt House, on Fourteenth street, near several of the hotels, spread abroad rapidly, creating a profound impression of astonishment and regret. It was a clear case of overwork and inattention to the laws of nature. The Senator has been known for years as the most Dushing, energetic, hard-working member of the Senate. A year ago he began to fail, his brain became ' affected, and throbbing headaches became more and more frequent. His physicians warned him that continuance of his labors meant death, but he refused to heed their warnings. He continued to worn with the euergv of a steam engine, and, when still apparently in full vigor, and with many years of life before him, he died. S About 2 o'clock in the morning of the fatal day he aroused his landlord, Mr. Jennings, and asked him to send for a doctor. Dr. Philip S. Wales. ex-Surgeon-Generalof the Navy, was summoned, and remained in charge of the case until the end. Hypodermic injections were administered, ana about 7 o'clock in the morning the Senator became unconscious, and continued in a state of coma, with scarcely any intermission, until his death. There were round his bedside at the time of his death, be-ides his physician, SurgeonGeneral Wales, B. F. Menniken, who for many years has been clerk of the Committee on Public Lands, of which Senator Plumb was chairman, and has acted as his private secretary; his landlord and other.'attendants. A distressing inci ent is tbe fact that Mrs. Plumb, who is an invalid at Emporia, Kan., telegraphed as soon as informed of her husband's death a request " *? ? 1? ..?4..-1 if narfm'n not to emoaim^uB uuu/ uu>u ? .. that death had occurred. 8ha followed this with another dispatch explaining that the Senator suffered from an attack of prostration last summer and had lain as one dead for several hours. The body of Senator Plumb was given in charge of the undertaker at 12:12, or twentytwo minutes after his death, and the process of embalming was finished an hour afterward. This was done by the direction of the Sergeant-at-Arms of the Senate and after Dr. Wales had pronounced Senator Plumb dead. Dr. Wales declares positively that Senator Plumb died of apoplexy at 11:50 o'clock. Sketch of His Career. Preston B. Plumb was born in Ohio, in 1S37. Before he became a lawyer and a banker he worked at the case as a practical printer. He moved to Kansas in 1S56 and took part in much ot the early exciting history of that State. Unlike most Senators of long service, he did not undergo a previous apprenticeship in the lower House of Congress, but came straight to the Senate in 187". He had previously served in many importaut positions in the Kansas Legislature, closing his career there as Speaker. During the war be fought his way up from a Second Lieutenancy to the Lieutenant-Colonelshipof the Eleventh Kansas Infantry. Senator Plumb has served fourteen years in the Senate, and two years ago was reelected for a term which would have expired In 1895. He was one of the bast known men in Congress. His tall, athletic form, his swinging Western gait, hia breezy method' of speaking, and hia rugged independence and originality of thought ana action made him a notable man, and he was a power on all questions to wfeich he gave his mind, lie was an ommverous reader and an untiring worker. In the few days that the present Congress has been in session he had submitted moro than thirty bills of a more or less public character. New Yorkers have been especially Interested in Senator Plucnb's efforts to induce Congress to order the removal of General Grant's body from Riverside to Washington. He introduced a bill to that effect in the last session of Congress and again within a few days, and was preparing to push the measure vigorously. The Senator leaves two unmarried daughters, who are now living with their mother at their home in Emporia, Kan.; a son of twenty-two years of age, now under treatment for his eyesight in Philadelphia, and u boy of twelve and a girl of fourteen at scho(d In Pennsylvania. FIFTY-SECOND^ CONGRESS. In the Senate. 8tk Day.?Mr. Manderson presided over the Senate as President pro tern The Standing and Select Committees were announced The nomination of Stephen B. Elkins to be Secretary of War was received from the President and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs Hill's credentials as Senator Irom New York were filed After speeches by Mr. Turpie, of Indiana, in favor of choosing Presidential Electors by the popular vote, and by Mr. Stewart, of Nevada, on the silver question, the Senate went into executive session. 9th Day.?Among the bills introduced am referred wero the following: By Mr. '.handler?To enlarge the ship room' and increase the comforts of immigrants. By Mr. Morgan?To establish a court of appeals in the District of Columbia The resolution for an increase of the messenger force was presented and agreed to?-A communication from the Court o.' Claims transmitting awards in certain Frenca spoliation claims cases was presented, and referred to the Commictee on Claims Mr. Stanfor.1, accompanied by his colleague, Mr. Felton, took the oath of office for his new Senatorial term, and then introduced several bills, among them being one for the extension of the Ex-cutive Mansiou After a short executive session, as a mark of respect to the memory of the late Representative Ford, of Michigan, the Senate, at 1:1U, adjourned. xn mo m/uic. 6th Day.?There were but few Representatives present when the House met at noon .Mr. Mcilillin reoorted a rule designating the committees, which were the same as last year, except that the Committee on Indian Depredations is droppaJ, the membership of Ways aud Means increased to fifteen and that. o? the ^uadro Centennial and on Irrigation to eieven, and the name of the Commerce Committee cuanged to Interstate and Foreign Commerce. The power to designate chairmen to succeed any who may die is gi'.en to the Speaker A current resolution providing tor a holiday reu9ss uutil Tuesiay, January 5, was adopted. An old woman In the poor-house at Butte, Mont., has received notice that she is heir to an immense estate in England. As is usual in such cases, a horde of relatives springs up, anxious to take charge of the dear old lady for the rest of her life. People never have so many devoted friends as when they inherit vast fortunes. . i RESCUED IN MID-OCEAN. The Steamer Abyssinia Burned, But All Hands Saved. Spontaneous Combustion of Cotton Caused the Disaster. Great excitement was caused in London, England, when the news was published to the effect that the Guion Line steamship Abyssinia, Captain Murray, had been burned at sea five days after sailing from New York for Liverpool. The passengers tuiu ulc" w ci o l CX'UOU xjy mu aucamoi up od of the North German Lloyd's, bound from New York for Bremen. At midnight, three days after the acciaeftt, the Spree landed the passengers and crew of the Abyssinia at Southampton, England. They were all iu fair condition, having recovered from the shock which their rough experience had given many of them, especially the women passengers. The Abyssinia^ voyage was without especial incident until the fifth day out. It was about noon when the signs of a fire were discovered by the crew. Care was taken not to alarm" the passengers, and Captain Murray made every effort to smother the fire, which had evidently been smoldering in the cargo for some time. When an attempt was made to ascertain its extent, a volume of smoke, thick and suffocating, drove back the explorers. It soon became evident that the vessel was beyond saving, and the passengers were quietly told to make preparations to leave, the crew laboring, meantime, to keep back the flames, which threatened to burst from the hold. The passengers behaved well, even the women showing wonderful courage under the circumstances. All eyes were strained for a sail, while the growing heat of the deck told of increasing danger. The flag of distress was hoisted, ana the horizon anxiously scanneJ. At length the Spree came in sight, and immediately directed her course toward the burning vessel. Captain Willigerod, of the Spree, lost no time iu questions. He asked Captain Murray the condition of his shiD, and on receiving a reply, instantly caused his boats to be lowered. The German sailors quickly manned them, and made for the burning vessel. The sea was not running high, and trausshipment was accomplished without mucu danger. Tue first let down into the boats were the women, no distinction being made between saloon and steerage passengers. A sturdy sauor carried down each of the children, ttieir mothers following. Then came the male passengers, and the crew last of all, Captaiu Murray going in the last boat. All were safely put on board the Spree. An hour's delay and all would have been iost. The Abyssinia was a sheet of flames, and as the Spree steamed on her way with the rescued Abyssinians the mainmast fell A great swell was on at the time and the passengers were drenched in their transit to the Spree. The weather was not very cold at the time, but just as the rescue was being effected a snowstorm arose and raged for a short tim*. From the time tha fire wa3 discovered by a man smelling smoke in the hold, until Cap* tain Murray left the the blazing boat, was not two hours. There were only six women on the Abyssinia and three infants. The crew numbered eighty-eight, the steerage thirty-nine and tne second cabin twenty. The passengers were permitted to take with them such belongings as they could carry about their persons, other baggage being sacrificed with the cargo. Captain vVilligerod gave Captain Murray accommodations In his own quarters, and the crew of the Spree were equally hospitable to their fellow seamen, while both cabin and steerage passengers found sufficient accommodations, the passenger list of the Spree not being large. After the Abyssinia had been abandoned the fire gained rapid headway, as could be seen from the Spree, and the vessel must have gone down soon after. The Spree proceeded on its course without delay. Captain Murray thinks that the fire originate 1 spontaneously in the car^o ot cotton, of which there were over a thousand bales, destined for Liverpool. The passengers were taken in charge by the agents of tbe Guion Line. The burne 1 vessel was an iron, bark rigged, screw steamer, of 2340 tons net an 1 36ol tons grosf. She was built at Govau, Scotland, in 1370. She was 353 feit long by forty-two feet seven inches beatn and thirtyfour feat depth of hold. She had compound engines of 5l!0 horse powe?\ AMERICAN BLOOD SHED. United States Troops Battle with Mexican Revolutionists. Captain John G-. Bourke, of the United States Army, with nineteen cavalrymen and infantry, met sixty Mexican revolutionists at a place called the. Retamal, in Starr County, Texas, seven miles from where Catarino Garza crossed into Mexico, near Sagoulia, that day. As a result Corporal Chatiles S. Edstrom lies dead at Fort Ringgold with t vo bullets in his head and one in his body, while Lieutenant Charles Hayes was knocked from his horse by a bullet glancing across his chest At 6:30that evening Deputy Mars al M. A. Banada, of Hidalgo County, informed Captain Bourko that a large body of revolutionists was rendezvousing below and would make a crossing at the Grulia Ranch the same night to attack Ce.margo. Captain Bourke at once moved out with Lieutenant Hayes and nineteen men, half of wh,om were mounted, to prevent it. They reached the Grulla at 9 p. m. and placed under guard Deputy United States Marshal Thomas Garzo, who gave information of the revolutionists' rendezvous, and with him marched for the Retamal, a collection of springs within one mile of that place. At 12:20 next morning the United States forces dismounted by Captain Bourke's orders and advanced carefully on the revolutionists, with orders to make no reply to a challenge. "Quieu vivaF' came from the enemy's pickets, and no answer being made the advance was fired on by the revolutionists' pickets. Then Captain Bourke gave the order, "Fire kneeling," and this was followed by three volleys, which made the revolutionists break and run. Deputy Tomas Garza escaped during the confusion. Being very dark. Captain Bourke, not knowing the ground, did not pursue, but returned to the river, where he neard the revolutionists had three skiffs ready to cross. After staying there a short time he took up the line of march again for the Retaale Springs, where the revolutionists were well posted. They opened fire on him at once, Killing Corporal Edstrom and wounding T iftufononf H'OVOC Captain Bourke's flankers beins; driven in, his handful of bluejackets at once advanced. They were outnumbered four to one, and in short order Garza's men ran. Lieutenant Hayes's horse was recaptured, with the complete outfit of one of the revolutionists, consisting of a Wiuchester rifle, 120 rounds of cartridges, saddle, bridle and a white badge, worn on his hat, with "Libres frontierizos" (free frontier) on it in large black letters. 'lhis gallant and timely attack upon them undouotedly prevented the sacniug of Catnargo, as was intended that night. These men came from the coast counties and were a party of several hundred, one' section being orciere t to rendezvous near .Los Angeles, near Laredo, to cross above Fort Mcintosh, the second to cross at Cardizo, to draw Mexicau troops from Guerrero, J Mier and Camargo, so as to leave the latter piace unguarded lor un nttacx by tb<? body that Captain Bourke aud men defeated. Commissioner Lajte of the Department of Agriculture of Alabama, has issued a circular to every State Agricultural Commissioner in the cotton-crowing Stat?s calling a convention of the farmers of the cottongrowing States to consider the expediency und practicability of decreasing the acreage of cotton in the South. He names Montgomery as the most suitable place. French physicians advance the theory that the diseise prevailing as an enidemic throughout Europe is not really influenza, but a malady of a typhoid form. The num ber of its victims in Galicia alone is reported at over 30,090, aud it 19 spreading, or rather hr?abincr out here and there as if subject to uo law. : y.: - ' ' WHITTIER'S BIRTHDAY, The Aged Poet Spends It Quietly Witb a Friend at Newburyport, Mass. JOHN GREE.VLEAF WHiTTTBR. John Greenleaf Whittier, the poet, celebrated his eighty-fourth birthday in Newburyport, Mass., at the home of Harriet Livermore, the schoolmistress of "Snow Bound." It Is now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Cartland, with whom he has spent nearly three-fourths of the past year, in Newbnryport and at the mountains. Mr. Whittier is an early riser, ana mat | morning he came down to breakfast at the regular time, declaring he felt better than usual, although he was a little afraid that he might not be able to .stand the fatigue of the occasion. With him for the day were his two nieces from Portland, Me., Mrs. B6rry and Mrs. 8. T. Pickard, who was accompanied by her husband, the editor of the Portland Iranacript. As the venerable poet dreads anything in the nature of ceremony earnest efforts were made to prevent any public receptions, but a number of relatives and intimate friends called, and those he seemed very glad to see. He also received the Haverhill Whittier Club, as he could not find it in his heart to refuse, | for everything relating to the home of his [ boyhood touches him deeply, and the fathers and mothers of some of this club were his old school fellows and playmates. There was one unusually interesting feature in the morning's reception, and that was the reunion of old schoolmates. With the party which left Haverhill in a special car at 8:15 a. m. came three grayheaded persons who had been to school with Mr. Whittier in the picturesque old school-house at East Haverhill. Theae were James H. Carleton, of Haverhill; Mrs. Warren Ordways, nee Caroline Foote, of Bradford, and Thomas B. Garland, of Dover, N. H. The club brought an extremely pretty floral gift. A unique souvenir was that sent by the teachers and pupils of the publie schools in West Point, Calaveras County, Cal. From the ladies of Winchester, Va., came a paper cutter made of wood from Fort JLoudon. which was built in that place by George Washington in 1755. Floral gifts were everywhere. All day long messages of congratulation were received. The eighty-fourth birthday of the poet was very generally observed at Amesbury, Mass. Exercises were held in the public schools, and in the evening the Whittier Chautauqua Circle and the Methodist Church held entertainments *in honor of the day. Mr. Whittier has resided in Amesbury most of the time since 1836. LATER TOW?. About five hundred and fifty sons of New England celebrated Forefathers' Day with the eighty-sixth anniversary dinner at Sherry's, In New York City. J. Pierpont Morgan presided. After the feasting there were speeches by the Rev J. H. Twitcbell, the Rev. Dr. Huntington, Dr. Cbauncey' M. Depew, Isaac H. Bromley, uenerai xxoraco Porter, and the Hon. John DaJzill. The Bank of Greenville, Miss., has assigned; liabilities nearly ?1,000,000. Jerome L Case, a manufacturer and horse breeder of Racine, Wis., died in that city a few days ago, aged nearly seventy years. His fortune amounts to about 15, 000.000, and his threshing-machine works cover forty acres. His stable still includes the famous Phallas and Jay Eye See. John P. Richardson, one of the richest men of the South, died at Chattanooga, Tenn., the victim of cigarettes. His wealth was estimated at ?2,000,003 and he was perhaps the* greatest cotton planter in the United States. Heart failure set in, due to the absorption of nicotine. His life was insured for 8103,000. Oscar, Baron WoJel Tarlsbury of Christiana, Norway, died In a barn at Albert Lea, Minn., a short time after he received a remittance of $5000, with information of the death of his father and his own succession. The young baron went on a spree, which ended his life, as soon as he received the news. The Senate in executive session confirmed the nomination of Stephen B. Elkins to be Secretary of W ar. The United States Treasury Department has completed the coinage of trade-dollar bullion into silver dollars. The amount coined was 4,365,631 ounces. Unless Congress, by legislation, directs that the silver purchased each month be coined, no more silver dollars will be coined. While 200 laborers were returning from work upon the Sulmona and Isernia Railway in Italy they were overtaken by a ter- j rifle snowstorm. Many of the men were suffocated in drifts and others were frozen to death. Fifteen bodies were recovered and twenty of the men were reported as missing. The new Quebec (Canada) Cabinet, with if, De Boucherville as Premier, has beef sworn in. PTJ.OMTNENT PEOPLE. Mrs. Mary A. Livermore is seventy years old. Russell Sage was once a school teacher in Vermont. Queen Victoria's granddaughters now outnumber her grandsons by almost three to one. Speaker Crisp keeps order with a beau> tiful new gavel made of Georgia pine inlaid with gold. The Grand Army of the Republic in Indiana will probably erect a monument to the late Governor Hovey. Gladstone, since middle age, has grown two inciies shorter, while the iucreasei size 1 of his head forces turn to wear a much larger I bar. i he Czar of Russia was married on the J I birthday of the Prince ot Wales. Thefrince of Wales was married on the birthday of the Czir of Russia. The anniversary of the death of the Prince Consort.^ thirty years ago, was obssrved by Queen Victoria by memorial services in the Koval Mausoleum at Windsor. Professor Agassiz, of Harvard College, declares that iu his opinion Dom Pedro, the late ex-Emperor of Brazil, was the best practical geologist in the world. It is only a few years ago that F. T. Dubois. now Senator "from Idaho, with a salary of $5000 a year, was trying hard to get a twelve hundred dollar clerkship in Washington. Mrs. Taylor^Little Washington, Penn., is known as the Oil Queen, because she has accumulated a fortuue of $3,000,000 by personal investments in the Ritchie County fields. Sir Edwin Arnold says that thore is a curious little brown birthmark on the poat Tennyson's neck; a spjt that looks as if a drop of wine had falbu there ani stained the skin. J V TEMPERANCE ^ THE WIVES' APPEAL. Some ladies of Rhineland, Austria, recently sent a petition to the burgomaster of Mettman in tne following strain' "We, your petitioners, pray your police officers may visit the inns of this place to prevent oar husbands and sons from staying there far into the night, while we, vour petitioners, are at home anxiously awaiting them from their daily labors. Furthermore, we are of opinion that the moneys squandered there could be more advantageously spent at home. In the hope that our appeal will m?et with your sympathy, we remain with highest esteem.?(Signed) The Wives of several Mettman Citizens." SETTING A BAD EXAMPLE. The following is a passage from a letter recently written to a citizen of Hartford, Conn., by B. Bowser, the United States Consul at Sierra Leone "I am not a missionary, nor the soil of one, but I judge the present by the past The Christian nations of tho _f..~*L~4- ? w-** i? *1?- a?J eoi bu musbcoi' a uviici fAaiu^ic tuau uvuuing this coiiitry with ram and gin, and landing it oath! Sabbath day at the wharf, within ntty yarns of the church. I stood on the wharf last Sabbath and saw steamers come into the harbor from Germany and England, and they commenced to land ram and gin. There were dver one hundred men employed all day and me customs officers had to be on duty. The n itive kings are petitioning the Government p stop the liquor traffic, it is raining their seople. One king says, if they continue, it iriH cause bim to leave his country and j y where the white man's ram can't reach hn people." 4 wood alcohol. A subscrib^lliving near where wood alcohol is distilMt writes askiug if it is ever used for complmding drinks. We referred this question t ltbe editors of the Scientific American as llijjb authority, and received this answen 'Drdinkry wood alcohol is not used for drihk^lmless in exceptional cases. Its offensive o<i* can not be disguised, and it would be poil, pous unless greatly diluted. The process otJpuriflcation is expensive." < Here, as we havl before pointed oat, is one step toward solving objections to the manu' facture of alcohllic beverages. Every prohibitory law, constitutional or statuary, has been fought withthe assertion ' The manufacture of alcoroi is absolutely necessary for mechanical purposes." But wood alcohol is availabled At* that use, while there is very little danger Ipf its being used for drinking purposes; the risk is too great both to seller and drinker t IA few years ago in this State, five out of fix young men who had drank such decoction sola them in a low down saloon, died, apid the man who sold it to them is behind prison bars. With alcoholic wine banished from the communion table, non-alcoholidmedicationdemonstrated by our Temperancc Hospital, and wood alcohol for use in me :hanics and the arts, there is no longer any nwd for prohibitory laws to make the exceptions "for mechanical, medicinal and sacremental purposees."Union Signal. a morUl issttz. The suppression orthesaloons is moreover, a moral issue. It is not a question of fiscal expediency alone. It does not appeal to Kelf-mterest aione. its ciaims reaca tae conscience of men and w^>men, simplv, directly, and with tremendous power. it does not, before reaching the moral sense, require a maa's intellect to grapple withjcompler and abstruse problems Of finance or commerce. It contains the potency of a great moral enthusiasm, the only thing in this sublunary planet that has ever overturned great organized injustice entrenched In governmental and financial authority. It strikes at an evil that men sae and feel. It stalks before them on the street and thrusts itself upon their notice on thW railroad car, in the street car, anywhere And everywhere. It is an evil that comes cfiose to men, in their homes, among their friends. Men see "and feel and know it, and once give to this movement for its extirpation a size and sweep that give promise of near success, and the nation will witness such | a tide of moral enthusiasm, such a resistless uprising, as, we verily believe, was neven before witnessed in this American Republic. I This is proven by the extent to which ItLis issue, in State amendment contests, ana despite the combined forces of both old-paity machines and nearly the entire daily press, has stirred the communities to their veryWepths. It is an issue men and women will brave death for: it is an issue some of therri have gladly died for.?The Voice, I EFFECTS OF STROIf** imiwit. Speaking of the effects! of strong drink the gifted Henry W. G-rW7 said: "To* night it enters an humbl) h<Jma to ffSrlke the roses from a woman's cheeki and to-morrow it challenges this Republic to the halls of Congress. To-day it striked * crust from .the Hps of a starring child, |*nd to-morrow levies tribute from the Ck)fernm2nt itself. There is no cottage in fchi3 city humble enough to escape it-r-n.S palace strong enough to shut it out lc tfefles the laws when it cannot coarce suffraj?6-. It h flexible in cajole, but merciless ii? victory. It is the mortal enemy of peace order, the despoiler of men and terror women, the cloud that shadows the face:of children, the tiemon that has dug- more gi'aves &Q-1 sent more souls unshrivea to judgn{?Qt than ali the pestilences that have wair^d life since God sent the plagues to Egy^t and all the wars since Joshua stood beyond Jericho. It cornea to ruin, and it shall prof}6 mainly by the ruin of your sons and mineJ It comes to mislead human souls and t4Mru9h human hearts under its rumbling wh It comes to bring gray-haired moth down in shame and sorrow to their gra vc*- It comes to destroy the wife's love in despair and firide into shame. It come;[to stilt'the aughter on the lip* of the 1 'ttle children. It comes to stifle all the music 1?^ the home, aud fill it with silence and desolation. It comes to ruin your body and nJhiJ, to wreck your home, and it knows it niust measure its prosperity by the swiftness cln'l. certainty with which it wreaks this world*-" H TEMPERANCE NEWS AND :"0TES. In Syria there is a W. C. T tJ, of 500 members. The W. C. T. U. have fifty lo< unions in the Sandwich islands. China sent a report stating th *t they had 340 white ribboners in that empit 6He who looks frequently at the! wine when it is red will, by ana by, begin to pel blue. In India the Army Temperana? Association has 141 branches, with over rftOO!) members. Citizen?"Why are you always frowning?" Polimsman?"Bekase. sor. Oi'd be joined tin days' pay if if I was ketched sinoii^-" The TV. C. T. U. has gained during the past year 10,369 new members. ?'ine hundred and sixty of these coine from fapan. Linuseus said of alcohol that "A tat sinks gradually by this fell poisou; first to favors it, then he warms to it, then he bui &s for it, then he is consumed by it. Dr. Roger Dutt, a Hindoo, sag* that drunkenness is increasing amon? ^>3 educated classes in this country, owindfto contact with Western civilization. Ig The Church of Christ of the Chris^u denomination of Elgin, 111., has passeJTesolutiona making prohibition pari; of i/? creed and refusing fellowship to tho3o w?01 vote | otherwise. It is said to be the socomljChurch iu the country to do this. Inebriety is curable in nearly all ^ses in I the early stages. After repeated poisoning | or intoxications for years, condition? of de' generations come on, from which rec)very is ' very rare. The drink impulse may out I or be psrmanently checked, but the itJory to the brain and nervous system remain'Mi's. Tel Sono, of Japan, was a prominent white ribboner at the world's convention. Maw, Angelini of Italy, Mrs. Barayfr* and brother of upper Egypt, Dr. Mausel oi ladia, Miss Campbell of South Africa an' Miss ..? ii . orilial Wi eeii uL iuy nanauu xoiaimo gx*3etings from different portions i>t the ylobe. Australia au<l iiurmali tver" also rapresente All but nine states out of the forty-fW in the United States now make scientific tern perance education compulsory in tliein common schools. There are between t>velw and thirteen million children in Amerija of whom the laws says that they shall to tiugut | the truth against strong drink and kindred narcotics. In the majority of these ^fcates no teacher who has not passed a satisfactory examination in the subject is granted a certificate or authorized Uj teach. A Pe^-stlvan-ia girl has lied from tight lacing. It is to be hoped her example will not be waisted upon i her sex. . ( m ?????mmmm??wmtmmwq Oldest House Now Standing In America Guilford, Conn., claims the honor of having within its limits the oldest house in America. The Old Stone House is THE OLDEST HOUSE IN AMERICA. said to hare been built in 1639 by the Rev. Henry Whitfield, one of the original settlers of Guilford, for the nccommoda-. tion of his family and as a fortification for the protection of the inhabitants1 against the Indians. It occupies a rising ground overlooking the south part of the village ar.d commands a fine prospect of Long Island Sound. It is said the first marriage in the town was celebrated in it. The contracting parties were the Rev. John Higgiuson and Sarah Whit- j flol/1 and +Vip tppdrlinc table was Famished J """"r"- 3 a with those substantial luxuries, pork and f peas. According to tradition the stone of which the house is built was brought by the Indians on hand-barrows from the rocks about eighty rods east of the house, and an ancient causeway across a swamp is shown as the path employed for this purpose. The house consists of two stories and an attic. The walls are three feet thick. In the recesses of the windows are broad seats. At t'ae southwest corner of the second story there was originally a singular embrasure commanding the approach from the south and west. It was about a foot wide,; with a stune flooring, and was evidently; made for defensive purposes. In the attic there were two recesses, and at the> end of the wing by the chimney in the second Btory wa3 a recess, all evidently intended as places of concealment. Thehouse was kept in its original form until; / 1868, when it underwent such renovation' as changed its appearance and internal arrangement to a great extent. The beams are of oak, and the floors, doors and window sash were originally of oak and the window panes were diamond shape. When, the house was repaired in 186S it was necessary to remove some of the oaken timbers, and ihe present stair rail and balusters were made from one of-them. The house is owned t>y Mrs. Sarah B. Cone, of Stockbridge, Mass., a native and for many years a resident of Guilford. The present occupant is Mr. F: v:' S. Hall, who superintends the farm, i Indian relics are frequently found on this land, and not long sinoa a number of stone arrow hea4s and a stone mortar pestle were unearthed when plowing.-* Neva York Preu. Handling Gu as to Avoid Accidents. . Dr. George Waters, President of the Ohio State TraD Shooters' League, has recently furnished to th^Spirting Rni?wt\ ' of Chicago, some suggestions concerning ] the handling of guns in order to avoid: accidents that are worth bearing in mind/; There have been a great many shootingj accidents among gunners this, season.^ On the Great South Bay three occurred in one day, while in the Adirondack*; j earlier in the season, there was qafte an' epidemic of them. Dr. Waters'* rules are as follows: ; Remove shells from both barrels before > attempting to climb a feaca. ' Never get into a vehicle of any kind with* out removing shells from tha gun. Keep cool; It is in moments of greatest Interest that Occidents usually 03cur. Never suffer a gun, whether loaded or unloaded, to be polatad toirard any numan being. There ought to b9 no more than two, and never more than three, in a bunting party. Tf vAn ho.vA nnver la&rned to handle a goo safely and cireiully, for th.9 sales of humanity stay athome. Don't be continually straying off from J'our hunting companions, an 1 you will be eas likely to nave your eyes filled with bird shot. Never beat the bushei or your dog with a a club is far better for theformn-, andyour dog requires punishment, use a wiup. Be sure no foreign substance, such as snow or dirt, finds its way into toe muzzle of. the Enn; should this occur, the next shot will kely burst the barrel and more than likely' seriously injure the shooter. The reckless folly of drawing a gun k , through the fence muzzle first is eo glaring that one would suppose that no one bnt a lunatic would do such a thin?, and yet wo | hear frequently of careless huaters being in- I jnred or Killed in that manner. I If the doctor was accustomed to shoot 8 ducks from & battery In the Great South J Bay he would undoubtedly hare found I many other rules to add. The greater ; N number of accidents there hare been of ' men putting a load of shot into their legs or feet. When lying on one's back in a battery it is not easy to manage the gun. The best plan, however, is to let ' the muzzle reach up a little over the edge of the wing of the4 battery; not: sc much as to make it plainly in sight / of the ducks, but so as never to cover qi be in line with any portion of the .body. Then if the hammer or the trigger is onniHonfltr And thfl f/Ufl dis IULiuUCU avOiVkvu?*j ??. Q, charged the load will go soariag into air. The double batteries are especially dangerous, and hunters should always keep their fowling piece? under close inspection to sje that they are never poiuting at their companions. ? Fork Times. Simple Care for Diphtheria. The late prevalence of diphtheria has brought out uiaav popular remedies. Oae of these, which is frequently adopted in Germany, is to close the room on the first appearauce of the disease in the throat of the child. A tin cup is then filled with equal parts of tar and turpentine and held over the fire until the fumes fill the room. This will cause the little patient to expectorate copiously, and to expel the membraneous matter, which is the source of the mischief. The timely relief thus afforded is ofteu the meaus not only of obviating the necessity for medical aid, but of saving the life of the suiferer.? CourierJournal. Japanese Festivals. The Japanese festivals are easily re- f membered: 1st of first month, tne ^ew/' Year; 3d of third month, Feast of Dolls, J :_u. kh, nf month. Feast ol ior guw? vwi* v? ??? ?, Flags, for boys; 7th of seventh month, I the day for the god aud goddess of Love; M 9th of ninth month, the ''escape to the mountaio," the Feast of Chrysanthemums. The latter is not uow geuerull^fl^H observed. ? Ohicago Tints.