Democratic Sentinel, Volume 13, Number 14, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 April 1889 — Page 2

tHljc ihntocraticSientittc! RENSSELAER. INDIANA. I. W. McEWEN, - PUBLISHED

NUGGETS OF GOLD.

IMPORTANT HAPPENINGS IN EVERT QUARTER OF THE GLOBE. The Latest Intelligence Received by Wire from Distant Lands and at Home —The Cream of the News Gathered from AIJ Quarters of the World. SAVED FROM THE WATERS. Passengers and Crew of the Danmark Taken Oft' by the Missouri. All of the passengers and crew of the Danmark we e saved. Mr. Itaben, the first officer, who is among them, reports that on April 4 the Danmark’s shaft was broken. The next day the disabled steamor met the steamship Missouri, from London. March 28, for Philadelphia and Baltimore. The Missouri towed the Danmark \yitil the 6th, when the latter seemed to bo about to sink. At first the Missouri was only able to take aboard twenty of tho Danmark’s passonpors, but after having thrown over a portion of her cargo she found accommodations for all the crew and passengers of the Danmark. Tho Missouri then proceeded to tho Azores and leit thero the first and second officers and 320 passengers. She then continued her journey to Philadelphia, Pa., with 349 passengers and tho remainder of tho crew, where she arrived safely. Tho Captain and three engineers of tho Danmark left the Azores the 14th for London. The Danmark was about 800 miles from Newfoundland when the accident happened.

THREE MEN BURNED TO DEATH. Horrible Scene at a Fire In a Detroit Lodging House. A fire at Bonn’s Hotel, a choap lodging house at Detroit. Mich., causod the death of three men and serious injury to a fourth. Malaehi Powell, porter, lot a lighted lamp fall from his hands in tho rear of the barroom, and in an almost incredible spuco of time tho entire building was full of smoke. E. J. Gibson, a bartender, and P. T. Bollio were asleep on the third floor and loth were suffocated. William Whittaker, a sailor, was seen at his window on tho fourth floor, but before the firemen could reach him he fell back and was smothered. Powell was badly burned but will probably recover. Tho fire was conflnod to tho first floor and tho loss will not exceed $1,500. MYSTERIOUS WOMAN IN BLACK. She Haunts the Vicinity of the Jail Where Latimer Is Confined. A woman in black haunts the Jackson (Mich.) Jail and makes frequent attompts to soe Latimer, the accused murderer. She refuses to give her name and her identity is unknown, as her features are always concealed beneath a heavy black veil. Many prominent and reliable people have met 4 her in the neighborhood of the jail late at night. She says nothing to anyone, and hor object in patrolling tho neighborhood is a mystery that creates no end of gossip. Some believe that sho is an onemy of Latimer and others that she is the woman who ho has said all along would prove an alibi for him. THEATRICAL PEOPLE DUPED. A Bogus Priest at New York Collects Money for an Alleged Charitable Society. A man who represents himself as Ilev. Joseph Manning has been collecting subscriptions in New York City, for, he claimed, St. Mary’s Orphan Association, of Leavenworth, Kansas. He exhibited a certificate which purported to come from Bishop Fink, of Leavenworth. It now turns out that he Is a bogus priest. Ho has been arrested, and says his name is James Reynolds. Ho was a peddler, and reoently went to New York from Ohio. By his swindling scheme it is said that he has picked up several thousand dollars. Among those he has swindled are Banker Eugene Kelly, John McCaull, A. M. Palmer, and Ada Rohan. Oklahoma or . “ Bust.” Tho soramble for virgin soil in Oklahoma, I. T„ began on tho 22d inst. Fully 60,000 people were waiting on the border of that small patch of ground. Fast horses, railroad trains, stages, and all sorts of private vehicles bore them into the covoted territory nt the earliest possible moment. Ten thousand or more will likely get possession of all the desirable land, and then they will have to hold it against five times a 3 many disappointed men. Everybody is armed with deadly weapons. No government save that of the War Department exists. There is reason to fear, therefore, that much bloodshed will result from the general turmoil before the rush is over and the country settles down to quiet business. Egyptians Defeated by Soudanese. A force of Soudanese attacked and defeated a party of Egyptians from Suakin who were building a fort at Port Halait. The Egyptians lost ten killed and wounded. They were forced to take refuge on the steamer Agami and have returned to Suakin. Death of a Prominent Postmaster. Postmaster Pearson, of New York City, Is dead. His affliction was tumor of the stomach. Ho was about forty-seven years . of age. _____ Telcgrupliic Tickings. One hundred and two men have been discharged from the Chicago & Alton shops at Bloomington, 111., because of light business on the road. An election was held at Ligonier. Ind., to settle the contest of the postmastership, and resulted in the election of E. L. Schlotterbock. Rose Heyor, 20 years of age, employed at the Lutz hotel In Wabash, lad., died with symptoms of poisoning. An investigation lias been ordered.

DUN & CO.'ti WEEKLY REPORT. Trade Centers Generally Reporting Steady Improvement—Heavy Wheat Surplus. R. G. Dun &. Co.’s review of trade for last week is as follows: Most of the indications usually considered of value point to a genuine improvement in business, and rather in volume of transactions than in ‘profits. Crop prospects brighten steadily. Lower prices result in largely increased exports. Honey is abundant, the Treasury is pouring out freely, and there are no signs of pressure from abroad. Railroad earnings are increasing, and payments through banks, yet failures in some important branches of trade are numerous. Collections are generally slower than usual; the iron and leather interests are embarrassed by production largely exceeding the present deiiiand. At Kansas City wet weather affected trado and collections, and at Pittsburg the slow movement and weakness In prices of iron and steel products, glass and coal affect business generally, but at Cleveland more inquiry for iron ore is reported and a better feeling is manifest. The wool market is waiting, the old supply is nearly exhausted, and new wool being not, as yet, available in any quantity, prices are mostly nominal, but average for 104 grades and qualities nearly )$c lower. The overproduction of leather does not appear to be caused by any sudden skrinkage iu the demand for finished products, since the shipments of boots and shoes are larger than in any previous year. But the depression in price, which lias now continued since 1880, and reached 30 per cent., is unprecedented as to duration, and the excess of production undoubtedly begins to embarrass many makers. The cotton manufacture Is progressing fairly, with a consumption a little larger than In any previous year. Wheat is but a shade lower and corn a little higher than a week ago. The rapid approach of another harvest, with 911 unsold surplus In excess of all probable demands, which seems likely to be not tar from 40,000,000 bushels July 1, is a sufficient cause of depression In wheat. The general average of prices is a shade lower than a week ago. The business failures numbor 240, as against 2JJ the previous week.

PENSION RULINGS. Three Decisions of Importance to Old Soldiers. Assistant Secretary Bussey has rendered three pension decisions in which is involved the important question of when may and when may not a soldier be considered “in the lino of duty.” They are as follows: The first case is that of W. H. Brokenshaw, who was injured at Jackson, Mich., in 1805, by three fellow-soldiers jumping on him while he was climbing into his bunk. Commissioner Black rejected the claim on the ground that the injury was not received in the line of duty. The Assistant Secretary overrules this decision, holding that the claimant was in his proper place, ready to perform such duty as he might be called upon to do, and the injury alleged as the ground of pension happpened to him without any fault or neglect on his part. Another case is that of C. H. Sedgwick, late midshipman in the navy, who was injured by a kick from a comrade whom he was “twitting and teasing.’’ The assistant secretary sustains tho former decision rejecting the application on the ground that the claimant contributed directly to produce the cause of liis injury, and was at the time engaged in a manner manifestly In violation of the rules of the service. The third case is that of Elizabeth Hull, widow of William Hull, a soldier who died in a military prison at Nashville, Tenn., of inflammation of the pleura contracted in the prison. Tho soldier, it appears from the evidence, was arrested and confined in the prison for being absent from his company and regiment without permission. In this case Mr. Bussey says: “To entitle a widow to a pension, the wound, the injury, or tho disease which caused tho husband’s death must have been connected, as a result, with the compliance by him with the requirements of military duty. Such connection between the fatal disease and the service did not exist in this case.’’ The former decision is adhered to. THE FRUIT CROP. Probable That the Yield of Apples AVill Bo Less Thau Last Year. The fruit and vegetable prospects of the whole country, summarized from reports by reliable correspondents in tho several States, are: Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas,Tennessee, Texas, and Mississippi furnish very full and complete reports. The peach crop will be the largest ever grown, the peach buds being alive at this time in every State in the Union, and the season being now so far advanced that, a crop is assured iu the West and South, and, although too early to safely predict a full yield iu the East, a good crop is expected at most points there. Fortunately for apple-growers, the crop of apples will be much smaller than that of last year, it being tho oil year for the crop at many of the big shipping points, notably western New York, a section that can flood every market in the country when a full crop is gathered. The strawberry crop is gathered up to the average, yet much larger than that of 1888, which was the lightest in many years. The pear crop will average light through its great enemy, the “blight.” The grape crop iu the West and South has been favored with such a mild winter that but little iujury bar been inflicted. Nearly double the yield of last year is looked for. In Ohio and the great grapegrowing regions in New York and Pennsylvania a good crop is anticipated. The general crop of other small fruits will not be large, being at many points rather neglected. The outlook for vegetables is good in all portions of the country and tho yield promises to he large.

IN THE FURY OF FLAMES. New York Yisited by the Fiercest Fire Ever Known. The biggest and fiercest fire New-Yorkers have witnessed in this generation SAvef>t the east bank of the North River clear from Fifty-ninth street to what would bo Sixtyfifth street if that street ran to the river. It destroyed more than $1,500,000 worth of property belonging to the New York Central Railroad, and at least $500,030 worth of lard, flour, and the like, belonging to other persons, notably N. K, Fairbank, the great Chicago lard merchant. The flames destroyed the two big elevators, “A” and “B,” of the Yandorbilt system; a big brick building stretching from Fifty-ninth street to Sixtieth street, and occupied jointly by the Fairbank Lard Refinery and the Rossiter stores, and wiped out the dock property of the New York Central system from Fifty-ninth to past Sixtyfifth street. At least one man was killed in his headlong flight from tho fire. A number were injured jumping from the windows of the burning building. The following list includes the killed and injurod so far as is known: Henry Benning, John Johnson, Charles Brown, William J. Noble, and Edward H. Tobin. The financial loss will reach’53,355,003, largely covered by insurance. PRESIDENTIAL FAVORITES. Supposed to Be in the Interests of Civil Service Reform. The President has made public the following appointments: Edward S. Lacey of of Michigan, to be comptroller of tho currency; Timothy Guy Phelps, to be collector of customs for the district of San Francisco, Cal.; A. Snowden Hill, to be collector of internal revenue for the district lof Maryland; John H. Cozzens, to be collector of customs for the district of Newport, R. I.; Marville W. Cooper, to be appraiser, and Marshal J. Corbett, to be Assistant Appraiser of Merchandise in the District of New York. The two New York appointments are Baid to have been

made without regard to polities or party factious. Mr. Cooper is a member of the dry goods firm of Sprague, Smyche & Cooper. Mr. Corbett has been an examiner in the Appraiser’s office for many years. He is considered an expert on silk goods, and his promotion is regarded as in the line of civil service reform. OVERZEALOI S OFFICERS. They Arrest the Wrong Man and Thereby Get Into Trouble. The Sheriff of Lewis County. West Virginia, returned to Wheeling from Grand Forks, D. T.. with the prisoner ancsted there a few days since supposed to be Dick Dowell, who escaped from jail at Weston thirteen years ago on the eve of his execution for a double murder. Several hundred people gathered at the depot and it is thought they intended to lynch the prisoner had they identified him. tut of the hundreds who had known Dowell not one identified the prisoner, and the shout went up: "Let him loose. He is not the man.” The ai rested man gives hi 9 name as James Shelton, and says ho is from Morrison, Tenn. He claims he can establish his identity, and says be will bring suit for false arrest when he returns to Dakota. DEATH OF AN AFFLUENT BEGGAR. An Oltl French Woman Dies of Neglect with a Fortune in Her House. Felicia Viart. a professional beggar, aged 72 years, died in New Orleans of debility and neglect in an old shanty in the rear of that town. She had lived there for over twenty years ia tne most abject poverty, supporting herself by begging. The coroner, in investigating the circumstances of her death, discovered hidden in and around her shanty $38,500, of which $2,500 was in gold, secreted in an old flower pot in the yard, and $36,003 in gold bonds, s ocks, and securities secreted in the walls. The woman was believed to be in destitute circumstances. She went there from France, and her only heirs and relatives live in Paris.

ROASTED BY MASKED BURGLARS. A Pennsylvania Farmer, Who Refuses to Surrender His Money, Tortured. Three masked men forced an entrance into the residence of Lewis Patterson, a wealthy farmer living near Centerville. Butler County, Ta. Patterson refused the burglars’ demands for his money, whereupon, after repeated threats of hanging and shooting without effect, the fiends held Patterson’s feet to the flro and roasted them so badly that amputation will be necessary. The robbers ransacked the house, and secured S4O and a gold watch. FIVE PERSONS DROWNED. A Mississippi Raft-Boat Struck by a Squall ami Sunk Near Burlington. The steamer Everett, a raft-boat belonging to the Burlington Lumber Company, was sunk at the head of Otter Island, near Burlington. lowa, and five of the sixteen persons on board were drowned. The names of the dead are : Capt. Vincent Peel, Mrs. Henry Bell, clerk, and her 3-year-old daughter, George Howard, and a nurse girl. THE STANDARD’S DEAL. Absolute Control of tlie Lima Oil Fields Secured by the Monopoly. The Standard Oil Company has gobbled tho last of the big oil-producing companies, the Ohio Oil Company, whose leases cover fifteen thousand acres of land and whose daily production is about 4,030 barrels. This gives them absolute control of tho Lima, Ohio, oil field. The price paid was $75 per share. Favored by the President. The President has made the following appointments: Solon W. Stocking, of Onondaga, N. Y., to be an Exaininer-hi-Cliief in the Patent Office; Ralph W. Wheelock, of Mitchell, D. T., to be Receiver of Public Moneys at Mitchell, D. T.; Harrison Kelley, of Jacksonville, Oregon, to be Receiver of Public Moneys at Drewsey, Oregon; Jamos R. Hayden, of Olympia, W. T., to be Receiver of Public Moneys at Seattle, W. T.; Laban J. Miles, .of West Branch, lowa, to be Agent for the Indians of tho Osage Agency in Indian Territory; James G. Hatchitt, of Frankfort, Ky., to be a social agent to make allotments of lands in Severalty to Indians, according to an act of Congress approved Feb. 8, 1887; Morris D. Wickersham, of Alabama, to be United States Attorney for the southern district of Alabama; Jay B. Huntington, of Oregon, to be Registrar of the land office at Drewsey, Oregon. John H. Fimple, of Ohio, has been appointed a principal examiner of claims and contests in the general land office.

The Fortunate Ones. In addition to the appointment of Col. Sexton at Chicago, the following Western Postmasters have been appointed by the President: Illinois—William R. Jewell, Danville; Thomas R. Weaver, Mattoon; Alexander Stone, Peoria. Indiana—Hiram J. Daniels, Anderson; Henry H. Downing, Goodland. Ohio—William T. Fouts, McConnellsville: J. A. Gibbs, Carey. Michigan—Samuel Foster, Midland. lowa—Jonathan M. Axton, West Liberty; Thomas N. Pace, Shenandoah. Kansas—Frod Louis, Marion ; William March, Baxter Springs ; David G. Bliss, Argentine; Eugene F. Goodrich, Lawrence. Missouri—Jacob Keiser, Clinton;Feter Shuurf, Joplin. Appointed by the President. The President has made the following appointments: Robert P. Portor, of New York, to be Superintendent of Census; J. W. Cunningham, to be Assayer of the United States Assay Office at Boise City Idaho: William H. Calkins, of Washington Territory, to be Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Territory of Washington; John R. Donally, of Louisiana, to be Marshal of the United States for the Eastern District of Louisiana. Foreign News Notes. The Paris tribunal has ordered the liquidator of the Panama Canal Company to compensate discharged - employes. M. Nunmagilly, the author of “Mes Dossieurs," has been sentenced to six months’ imprisonment at Paris, and M. Savine, the publisher of tho book, to three months’ imprisonment and to pay 3,000 francs fine and 8,000 francs damages for libeling ex-Minis-ter Baynal. France Will Tax Adulterated Lard. The United States consul at Havre, under date of April 4, informs the State Depart-

ment at Washington, D. C., that from and after Mayl. a duty of GO cents per hundred pounds net will be levied on all importations Into France of lard mixed with cottonseed oIL Irrespective of the percentage of such mixture, and that ail lard imported from the United States will be subject to governmental examination. A Promising Outlook. Detailed reports from all the wheat stations on the Manitoba railway and covering übout half the wheat produced in Minnesota and Dakota have been received at St. Paul At 193 stations good to excellent condition of the ground is reported, thirty consider it fair, while only ten rate it as not good. The percentage of crop planted is equal to or above last year, and the acreage will also exceed last season, only thirteen stations reporting any decrease, while 102 have increased acreage. The dry spell is broken. The Drama. Lotfa played to large houses last week at McVicker’s Theater. Chicago. “Siberia,” Bartley Campbell’s spectacular and romantic play, is the attraction this week. Next week Denman Thompson, with his now play, “Two Sisters,” will appear. Rhakspeare’s “Tempest” will be produced for the first time in Chicago by Manager McVieker the coming summer.

Broke Jail and Fled. The prisoners in the jail of St. Joseph de la Beauce, a town about half way between Montreal and Quebec, Can., revolted and shot and serio%sly wounded Jailer Godbout and Sergeant Harpe of the provincial police, overpowered, bound and horribly maltreated three of their keepers and then five or the desperate convicts made good their escape. A Plucky Banker. At London, Ont., as Frank Clarko was sitting alone in the banking house of F. S. Clarke, two men entered, and one. presenting a revolver, demanded the funds. Mr. Clarke seized tho pistol and turned it aside. Ho grappled with the two men, and the noise created so alarmed tho would-be robbers that they rushed from the bank and disappeared. „ They Wanted to Die, and Did. At Minneapolis, Minn., President Charles F. Hatch, of the Wisconsin, Minnesota and Pacific Railway, and P. F. Lockwood, a well-known real estate dealer, committed suicide. The latter’s peculiar spiritual ideas, and Hatch’s alleged losses in wheat, are said to have caused the tragedies. Tied to the Tracks. In a coal yard at Flint, Mich., Mrs. Amanda Wallington, of Jackson, was found gagged and bound across a railway track. She claims to have also been chloroformed and robbed of SGO.

From Far and Near. Frank Webber, a brick-layer, has been arrested at Kansas City, Mo., charged with murdering Minnie Meyers. William Dibble, alias Joe E. Dow, colored, has been convicted of the murder pf Walter Lane at Atlanta, Ga. Mrs. Henry Bennehoff, 75 years, old, was assaulted by a tramp near Tiffin, Ohio, and so badly injured that she will die. Fourteen Poles, who arrived at Boston, Mass., and who are said to be under contract to work in the Pennsylvania mines, have been detained by the authorities pending an investigation. Charles Rice, living near Franklin, Pa,, sought relief from asthma by rubbing kerosene on his breast. While thus engaged the can explode!, wrecking the house and fatally injuring Rice. It is reported at St. Paul that thirteen warrants have boen issued for the arrest of members of the Minnesot 1 Legislature and others on charges of bribery and corruption. The People’s Railway Company, of Kansas, has completed its organization by the election of L. C. Alexander, of Kansas City, Mo., as President, and a full complement of officers. The line will run 122 miles through tho richest territory in Kansas. The entire plant of the Canastota Glass Works at Bowling Green, Ohio, was destroyed by fire. The loss is in the vicinity of $50,000; insurance unknown.

THE MARKETS.

CHICAGO. Cattle—Prime $4.00 @ 4.50 Good > 3.50 @4.00 Common 2.50 @ 3.50 Hogs—Shipping Grades 4.50 @ 5.00 Sheep 4.00 @ 5.25 Whea*—No. 2 Red 87)$@ .88 Corn—No. 2 34 @ .35 Oats—No. 2 24 @ . .24}$ Rye—No. 2 43 @ .43)$ Butter—Choice Creamery 23 @ .25 Cheese—Full Cream, flats 10}$ @ .11 Eggs—Fresh 10 @ .11 Potatoes—Car-loads, per bu 25 @ .30 Pork—Mess 11.50 @12.00 MILWAUKEE. Wheat—Cash 82 @ .83 Corn—No. 3 33y,@ ,34}0 Oats—No. 2 White 27)$@ .28}$ Rye—No. 1 44 @ .46 * Barley—No. 2 57 @ .59 Pork—Mesß 11.50 @12.00 DETROIT. Cattle 3.50 @ 5.00 Hogs 4.00 @ 5.00 Sheep 4.00 @ 5.00 Wheat—No. 2 Red 88 @ .89 Corn—No. 2 Yellow. 34 @ .34)$ Oats—No. 2 White 28 @ .29 TOLEDO. Wheat—No. 2 Red 90 @ .92 Corn—Cash .' 35 @ .36 Oats—Mav 25 @ .26 NEW YORK. Cattle 4.00 @ 4.75 Hogs 5.00 @ 5.50 Sheep 4.50 @6,00 Wheat—No. 2 Red Corn—No. 2 45 @ .47 Oats—White 35 @ .40 Pork—New Mess 13.25 @14.03 ST. LOUIS. Cattle 4.00 @ 4.75 Hogs t | 4.50 @5.00 Wheat—No. 2 .84 @ .85 Corn—No. 2. 30 @ .30)$ Oats 24 @ .24)$ Barley—Wisconsin 63 @ .70 INDIANAPOLIS. Cattle 3. 00 @ 4.50 Hogs 4.50 @ 5.00 Sheep 3.00 @ 4.00 Lambs 4.00 @ 6.00 CINCINNATI. Hogs—Butchers’ 4.00 @ 5.50 Wheat—No. 2 Red 85 @ .86 Corn—No. 2 35 @ .35)$ Oats—No. 2 Mixed 27 & 27*6 Rye—No. 2 50' @ .51 Pork—Mess 12.25 @12.75 KANSAS CITY. Cattle—Good 4.00 @4.50 Common 8.25 @ 4.00 Stockers 1 8.00 @ 3.75 Hogs—Choice 4.50 @ 4.75 Medium 4.25 @4.50 ••••«»•« 2L50 @ 4»79

CROP PROSPECTS GOOD.

THE NORTHWEST GREATLY BENEFITED BY RECENT RAINS. Winter Wheat Prospects Good Everywhere —Spring Wheat Seeding Still Progressing—Oats and Grass Greatly Benefited by the Rains. The following crop report is gleaned from correspondents scattered throughout the country for the week ending the 13th inst.: The copious rains of the last week greatlybenefited the grass and put the ground in excellent condition. In Southern Michigan the wheat prospects are certainly now all that could be desired. The wheat stands from two to four inches high all over the fields. Fanners are all busy t eeding cats, and spring work ba3 now commenced in earnest. Wheat supplies are fast disappearing and local mills v ill soon be crying for wheat to keep their mills running. Many mills are now going to Detroit for wheat. This is something unusual. Northern Ohio reports plenty of rain for the present. The winter wheat crop has improved considerably during the last thirty days. It does not stand in some places thick enough on the ground. It is about four inches high. In Southern Ohio the crop stands in need of moisture. The early sown looks well, and ranges in height all the way from two to six inches. Slocks in the hauds of farmers are being gradually sold and are less than a year ago. Southern Indiana reports that the new wheat stands about six inches high; is of good color and free from any defects so far. Stocks in the hands of farmers are greatly reduced. In Northern Indiana the wheat is about four inches high. The raius will help it. Iu Southern Illinois the growing crop continues to look well. The growing wheat—that is, the best of it—is from six to eight iuches high. Farmers’ deliveries amount to almost nothing, and the local stocks have been reduced 50 per cent, since the first of March. In Central Illinois there is a good deal of wheat that stands now from ten to twelve inches high, There are some reports of insects. The reserves of winter wheat are being absorbed rapidly, and but a small proportion of the crop now remains in farmers’ hands; an early harvest is looked for. In Eastern Kansas there has been plenty of rain. The winter wheat is growing fast, and is from six to ten inches high. The prospects for wheat were never better for years than they are to-day, and the reserves ox winter wheat are melting away fast. There is little in farmers’ hands. With present conditions, the early sown will be fit to cut the second week in June. The oats are all up, and have made a good stand. Farmers are planting corn. Southwestern Kansas says that winter wheat never looked better at this time of year than at present. The rocent rains, which were general over Southwestern Kansas, have given the wheat a fresh impetus, and it is now from eight to ten inches high. Many of the mills are running less than one-third of the time, and are importing most all of the wheat they grind. In Northern Missouri all the moisture necessary for the wheat has fallen since the Ist of April. The prospects are now excellent, and tho season is three weeks earlier than usual. Southern Missouri reports plenty of rain; wheat prospects never better; reserves getting low, being slowly but surely consumed. Kentucky reports the wheat good color, with light rain just sufficient to keep vegetation growing. The crop prospects on the whole aro promising. In Tennessee some of the early wheat is tall enough to joint—twelve to fifteen inches high. The season seems to be at least fourteen days earlier than usual. The stocks of wheat in farmers’ hands aio growing less and lesß, aud the new crop will find all the old wheat gone. Many farmers have now finished planting corn. The large mills of the State are about through with their home purchases aud are now importing wheat from Southern Indiana aud Illinois, and some coming from St. Louis. Considerable wheat will have to be imported into. Tennessee and Kentucky before another crop is made. Reports from Northern Texas are not quite as favorable as they were ten days ago. The ground lia3 dried up woudtr’ully fast. The harvest promised to be unusually early this season, aud with a dry harvest new wheat will be used by the mills by the Ist of June. In the central portion of the State wheat is now well joined and in au advanced condition. There are some reports of rust, but it v> ill be ten or fifteen days before the damage, If any, can be ascertained. Reports from Central California show that during the last twenty days the growth of grain has been rapid. Barley 'is beginning to head. The movement of grain to market is slow, indicating either a short surplus or a disposition to hold for an advance. Millers enter the markets only lo supply immediate warns. Eastern Dakota reports that seeding has been in full blast, and that up to the luth inst. 50 per cent, of the crop was in. The lack of rain was felt in the early part of the week, but the generous showers of the last few days have done much to supply the necessary degree of moisture. The acreage is being increased, as the early season and higher prices have decided many to plow more or less of the land which was left for summer fallow. Elevators have forwarded theii holdings, as the courts have decided that wheat in store mast be assessed April 1. Reports from Central Dakota say that wheat which hod been sown prior to the strong winds will to a great extent have to be resown and all of it will have t.o be harrowed as it was laid bare. Nebraska reports dry weather, and in some parts of the State the ground is too dry to plow for com. lowa has already been In the same condition, but has been greatly relieved by the late,rains. The oats are all sown an* farmers have commenced to plow for corn. The week closes up with the country practically in this condition. The winter wheat promises now an excellent crop. As to its amount in bushels let statisticians figure it to their heartls content. The size of a crop depends upon its price. There is a good prospect of an early harvest. Reserves everywhere are slowly but surely melting away, and the prospect is now that they will be nearly exhausted by the lime the new crop is fit to grind. The spring wheat seeding is progressing. Seeding in Minnesota and Dakota is not yet finished. The acreage of Bpring wheat is largely increased. Plowing for corn is progressing slowly, and there seems to be no hurry about it.

SORGHUM EXPERIMENTS.

The Manufacture of Sugar on a Small Scale Not Profitable. H. W. Wiley, chemist of the agricultural department at Washington, D. C., has completed his record of experiments in the manufactnre of sugar from sorghum, conducted last year at Rio Grande, N. J.; Kinner, La., and Conway Springs, Douglas, and Sterling, Kan. Prof. Wiley says the experiments show that the manufacture of sugar on a small scale cannot be made commercially successful. He concludes that Southern and Western Kansas possess the best soil and climate for sorghum raising, so far as is now known. Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee and North Carolina probably present equally favorable conditions, but this yet awaits demonstration. The Indian Territory is destinedto be the center of the industry. The report says that an average of 194 pounds of sugar can be made from a ton of sugar-cane under the diffusion process.

An Aged Farmer Victimized.

Two strangers visited Daniel Keller’s place, near Shamokin, Pa., and, after a proposal to purchase his farm, engaged the old farmer in a game of cards. Keller became interested and procured $4,700, which he put up as stakes. The money was seized by the strangers, and Keller was covered with a revolver while they moved off. Both escaped. One of the men represented himself as the son of J. B. Packer, of Sunbury, an old friend of KeL’er’s.