Democratic Sentinel, Volume 14, Number 37, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 October 1890 — Page 6

ALEXANDER SELKIRK.

OTHERWISE KNOWN AS ROBINSON CRUSOE. Th© Tru© Story of th* Keal Castaway—A Very Different Thins: from I>e Foe’s Tale —ln erecting Facts About th© Island of Juan Fernandez.

among records which relate to Alexander Selkirk, whose solitary sojourn upon the island of Juan Fernandez furnished the nucleus for the most famous tale of adventure which the world has ever read, and can but think that many who have asked themselves the question, how much of Robinson Crusoe is true? will find interest and pleasure in a brief statement of the facts of the strange career of the Scottish sailor who served as Daniel Defoe’s “original” Robinson Crusoe. Selkirk’s birthplace was in the little seaport town, Largo, county of Fife, Scotland, and the year of his birth 1676, and hero he spent the first thirteen years of his life. According to an ancient Scottish superstition, a seventh son, born without an intervening daughter, was bound to be a favorito of fate, and would become a great man. As the circumstances of Alexander’s birth met all the requirements of the tradition, it is not strange that Mrs. Selkirk secretly nursed largo hopes for her seventh lad, notwithstanding the fact that her husband John, a hard, practical, and high-tempered old shoemaker, held such dreams to be nonsense, and determined that Alexander should settle down to the shoemaker’s bench, and learn a quiet, honest trade. Thus Alexander and his future became a bone of contention between the hard, unloving, and sometimes cruel, old Scotchman and his gentle, shrinking wife, whose heart was full of dreams for her pet son. This unfortunate state of family feeling could have but one result: it made Alexander disobedient, headstrong, and discontented with life and all its wholesome restraints and occupations and made him determined to break away and enter upon the great career before him. By the time Alexander reached the age of nineteen, ho had acquired a fair knowledge of reading, writing, arithmetic, and considerable Information concerning navigation, together with a wellmerited reputation for being a wild boy. In England and Scotland the records of the churches wore carefully kept and preserved, and in the Presbyterian Church, in which John Selkirk was an “elder,” is the following entry: “August 25, 1695. Alexander Selcraig, son of John Selcraig, Elder, cited to appear before the session for indedent conduct in church.” This “indecent conduct” seems to have been laughing aloud. Two days later another entry was made: “August 27th. Alexander Selcraig called out; did not appear, having gone ; to sea. Continued until his return.” The citation appoars to have been thoroughly outlawed, for, according to an old Scottish narrative, Alexander spent tho next six years scouring the southern seas with buccaneers, who were a sort of semi-legalized pirates.' But when he did return Alexander made up in misconduct for all time lost during Ids absence. He quarreled with a half-witted brother and pounded him with a stick. For this he was sentenced by the sessions of the church to stand up and face the whole Sabbath congregation of the church —as humiliating a punishment as the church dignitaries knew how to inflict upon a young man of spirit. But young Selkirk took this bitter medicine with brazen stoicism. This was in November, 1701; and the next year found him in England, booked for eea under the standard of Dumpier, ono of the most celebrated characters in all the annals of buccaneering. Franco and Spain were then at war with England and other northern countries, and Dampicr secured permission from the crown to prey upon French and Spanish merchantmen and colonies. Wealthy London gentleinou furnished hint with two twenty-six gun vessels, Fame and St. George. Dampicr ltad associated with him a man named Pulling, who was to command the former vessel. Just as they were ready to set out upon their plundering expedition, Pulling and Dumpier quarreled, and the former sailed away, to unknown shores, with the Fame, and left Dumpier to secure another vessel. This ho did. She was called the Cinque Ports, and was officered as follows: “Charles Pickering, Captain; Thomas Stradling. Lieutenant; Alexander Selkirk, Sailing Master. ” Tho treachery of Pulling, and the delay which resulted, caused Dumpier to miss the capture of certain Spanish galleons, with their millions of treasures,

ABANDONED.

which lie had planned to take at Bueno! Ayres. As all concerned in the expedition were to share in the spoils, In accordance with their station, this result of Dampicr's quarrel made the crew dissatisfied with his iuanage-

F all the thousands iof boys who have I read the cnchantI ing pages of “Robi nI son Crusoe,” there is probably not one who has not asked: Is it true? And it >i s also probable that not one out of ten thousand who I asked that question •received an approximately intelligent j answer. I To gratify my ow n curiosity, I have made considerable research

ment-of the expedition, and at the island of Lo Grand, where tho vessels put in for repairs and supplies, nine of the men deserted But this was not the worst misfortune. Pickering, commander of the Cinque Ports, died here, and was succeeded by Lieutenant Stradling, who

A RACE FOR LIFE.

was cordially hated by the entire crew. To add to the general discontent, Selkirk dreamed that the voyage was to be ill-fated, and in those days dreams counted for much more than they do now. After some three months of bootless and storm-tossed sailing, the Cinque Ports put into a bay of tho island of Juan Fernandez to wood and repair

Tho discontent among the crews ran high, and would probably have resulted in outright mutiny while on the island, had not a French vessel hove in sight. In tho haste and confusion of giving her chase, five or six of the sailors who had strayed Into the interior of the island were left behind, but Selkirk wai not ono of them. After a severe engagement, the French merchantman managed to escape. They turned about and wore going to put into the bay at Juan Fernandez again, when they discovered two immense French vessels, heavily gunned, at anchor there. Tho pirate crafts lost no timo.in put-

CRUSOE AND HIS PETS.

ting leagues between them and tho French vessels and the six of their own men whom they had left behind. After this the Cinque Ports had varying fortunes, until she again dropped anchor at Juan Fernandez. September, 1704, to find that four of the men whom they had left behind six months before had been captured by the French, and tho other two had spent six mo:rths in the wild pleasures of seal and goat hunting. fishing and indolence, living on the abundant fruits of the island. While these men had been enjoying innocent ease and a life devoid of care, as their account of their sojourn pictured, Selkirk had been beset by wars “without and within,” and when not in the midst of scones of bloodshed, ho had been engaged in a bitter feud with his brutal commander, and surrounded by the strifes and dissensions of the crew. In a moment of blind and desperate longing to escape from all this strife, Selkirk asked to be left behind, with his scanty effects, upon the island. But no sooner had his request been granted, and tho ship about to hoist anchor, than a full sense of his folly and tho maddening realization of his desolation and peril came over him, and he cried and entreated with outstretched hands to be taken aboard. One narative says that he even rushed into the sea as far as he could go, and stood gazing out after tho retreating ship until the darkness began to settle down about him; and that as the vessel set sail, the revengeful Stradling stqod on dock aud laughed at poor Selkirk’s calamity. For many days the half-crazcd man staid by his sea chest and bundles on the beach, hoping against hope that the vessel might return, tormented by all the superstitions concerning spirits-aiid specters, with which the sailors are familiar. Not until liis forces were well nigh exhausted would he'<Juit the beach ana take food other than,sea lion flesh and clams, which he could get on the sliqre. . The exhaustion which followed this feaful strain sfeemed to taum and

his wild spirit and bring into his whole after-life a gentleness which had been entirely wanting before. An invoice of his possessions show.! him to have taken from the ship “bedding, clothing, a firelock, a pound ol gunpowder, bullets, flint and steel, several pounds of tobacco, a hatchet, a knife, a kettle, a flip can, a Bible, some books on devotion and one or two books on navigation, and some mathematical instruments.” He built himself two huts of pimento wood, and ono narrative, not authentic, however, gives a description of his cave, which is not mentioned in the most trustworthy account. Selkirk found an abundance of tropical fruits on his island, and also numoroiiiPwats, cats, and goats—but no savages. \ For ncarlwrtwo years Selkirk kept quite closely to the beach and watched for a friendly sail; but gradually he became more and more content with his solitary lot, and found a joy in the quiet round of the days, which lie spent in chasing the wild goats and domesticating them, taming cats, adding to his comforts, reading his Bible, and praying aloud. Although he several times caught sight of a sail upon the distant horizon, only two ships ever dropped anchor in his harbor previous to his deliverance, which occurred at 2 o’clock, on the afternoon of January 31, 1709. These ships wore both Spanish vessels, and would have carried him into a fearful slavery had he been indiscreet enough to have

made known his presence before satisfying himself of their nationality. But despite Ill's caution, he was, on one of these occasions, discovered and • based, and would probably have been taken had it not been for his superior swiftness of foot. On the 31st of January, 1709, after Selkirk had been on tho island four years and about three months, he watched the ships, the Duke and the Duchess, ride into his little harbor and send boats ashore. He knew the men to he Englishmen, and hastened to welcome them. At first they were shocked by his strange appearance, but soou learned his story and took him aboard the Duke, on which Dampicr, whose great expedition had turned out disastrously, was acting as pilot. On Dam pier's recommendation Selkirk was appointed mate and gained a fortune from the Spanish vessels which they captured in the next four years. in 1712 he returned scciotly to Largo, and was sitting in the old church when discovered by his aged and devoted mother, whose affection was too strong to be suppressed, even in the gaze of the whole kirkful of neighbors. Here, in his native town, Selkirk lived for some three years, spending most of his time in solitary rambles about the wildest Scottish glens in his country, or in sailing alone along the rugged shore, shunning human society and sighing for the solitude of his peaceful isle. Not all of his rambles, liowevwfj were entirely solitary. He occasionally fell in with a lass who was tending her mother’s cow, and finally fell in love with her, and persuaded her to go with him, secretly, to London, where it is supposed they lived together until her death. In 1724 Francos Candis, a fashionable woman, came to Largo to prove her rigiit to Selkirk’s property, under a will, dated Dec. 12, 1720. She also proved her marriage with Selkirk, and his death, In 1723, on board the Weymouth, of which he was Lieutenant. If any reader of this sketch should chance to be in Edinburgh, he may, by going to the “Museum of the Society of Antiquaries,” see the chest which contained Alexander Selkirk’s sole possessions when ho was set on his island, and also the

CRUSOE AT HIS DEVOTIONS.

cocoanut shell Which there served as his drinking cup. The island has sjneebeen peopled with Spanish colonists, devastated by an earthquake, used by Chili as a convict colony, and is now deserted, but as beautiful as the most charming scenes described in the ideal “Robinson Crusoe.” Fokkest Cbissey. Geneva, 111. I 5. An lowa man named his boy Twice, so that lightning wouldn’t strike him in the same spot. 1 .

THE NEW ELECTION LAW

| INSTRUCTIONS IN DETAIL AS TO VOTING BY A NEW SYSTEM. The Report of a Committee Selected by the State Chairmen of the Two Great Parties—How Votinff Must Re Hone. The committee, consisting of three lawyers of each of the two leading political parties appointed to take cognizance of points brought forward by the new election law, have completed their work and reported the result of their labors to the Chairmen of the Republican and Democratic State committees, The gentlemen engaged in this work were James B. Black, Addison C. Harris and Roscoe O. Hawkins on behalf of the Republicans, and Judge William E. Niblack, James McCabe and Jacob P. Dunn, jr M for the Democrats. The first section of the report applies to the order in which the ticket shall be printed, that of State being as follows: Secretary of State, Auditor of State, Treasurer of State, Judge of the Supreme Court—Fifth district, Attorney General, Clerk of the Supreme Coqrt, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Chief oiTlureau of Statistics, State Geologists On the local tickets, the names of the .candidates the committee advise should be In the following order, r.s far as applicable to the particular county; Representative in Congress, Judge of Circuit Court, Prosecuting Attorney, Judges of Superior Court, Judge of Criminal Court, Senator, joint Senator, Representative, joint Representative, Clerk of Circuit Court, County Auditor, County Treasurer, Recorder, Sheriff, Coroner, County Surveyor, County Commissioner. t The report then continues:

CHUTE. In constructing the chute, and in enforcing the provision that no person shall remain within fifty feot of the challenge window, regard should be had to the purposo of the statute. I'aHsage along the highway should not be unduly obstructed. Persons j>assing or being within fifty feet for manifestfy necessary and lawful purposes should not be hindered or molested. We recommend tho following instructions to votors, required by Section 35 to be printed on tlie cards which are to be posted at the polls, as sufficient to meet the requirements of the law: IN.3TRUCTIONS TO VOTERS. First—You must get your ballots of the polling e’erk in the election-room. Second—ls you want to vote a straight ticket, stamp the square to the loft of the numo of the party ior whose candidates you wish to vote. If you do not wish to vote a straight ticket, then do not stamp the square to the loft of the name ot your party, but stamp tho square to the left of the name of each candidate for whom you desire to vote on whatever list ol candidates it may be. Third—Do not mutilato your ballot, or mark It either by scratching a name off or writing one on, or in any other way except by the stomping on tho square or squures ns before mentioned. Otherwise tho ballot will not he counted. Fourth—After stamping yonr ballots, and before leaving tho booth, fold them separately, so that the face of them cannot be seen, anil so that the initial letters of tho names of the polling clerks on the back thereof can bo seen. Then hand your ballots to the Inspector, the stamp to the polling clerk, and lonve tho room. Fifth—lf you are physically unablo to stamp your ballot or cannot read English, so inform the polling clerks, and tell them how you wish to vote, and they will stamp your ballots for you. But the voter and clerks should not permlt any other person to hear or see how the ballot is stamped, Sixth —If you should accidentally, or by mistake, deface, mutilate or spoil your ballot, return it to tho poll clerks and get a now ballot. Sec. 43. Whoever shull knowingly or willfully make a false affidavit, under any of the provisions of this act, shall he doomed guiltv of perjury. Sec. 50. Any person who shall remove or attempt to remove a ballot or stamp from the election-ropm, or having in his possession outside tho election-room any ballot or stamp, either genuine or counterfeit, during the election, shall be guilty of felony, and on conviction shall be imprisoned in the penitentiary not less than two nor more than five years, and be disfranchised for any determinate period not less than te:i years. Sec. 55 If any persi-n not herein authorized so to do shall enter or attempt to enter tho election-room, or enter or attempt to enter within tho railing loading from tho challenge window to the entrance of the election-room without first having been passed by tho challengers, or having been sworn in as beroinbefore provided, or shall remain within fifty feet of the {wiling place, contrary to the provisions hereinbefore made, lie shall be guilty- of a misdemeanor, and on conviction thereof ue fined not more than SSOO. Sec. 56. If any person shall induce, or attempt to Induce, unv elector to writo, paste, or otherwise place ou bis builot tho name of any person or any sign or device of any kind as a distinguishing mark by which to indicate to any other person how such elector has voted, or shall enter into or attempt to form any agreement or conspiracy with any other person to induce or attempt to induce electors, or any eloceor, to so place aay distinguishing name or mark upon his ballot, whetner or not said act he committed or attempted to be committed, ■such person so offending shall bo guilty of felony, and, on conviction, bo imprisoned not more than Jive nor less than two years in the State’s prison. Sec. 53. Any person who shall, during the election, remove or destroy any of the supplies or other conveniences placed in the booths as aforesaid, or delivered to tho voter for the purpose of enabling the voter to prepare his ballot, or shall, during an election, remove, tear dowm, or deface the cards printed for the instruction of the voters, or shall, during an election, destroy or remove any booth, railing or other convenience provided for such election, or shall induce or attempt to induce any person to commit any of such acts, whether or not uny of such acts are committed or attempted to be committed, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than Rix months nor more than one year aud bo disfranchised for any determinate period not less than ten years. Sec. 60. No officer of election shall disclose to any person the name of any candidate for whom any elector has voted. No officer of election shall do any electioneering on election day. No person whatever shall do any electioneering on election day within any polling place, or within fifty feet of any polling place. No person shall apply for or receive any ballot in any polling place other than that in which he is outi led to vote. No person shall show his hallo: utter it is marked to any person in such away as to reveal the contents thereof, or the name of any candidate, or candidates for whom he has marked his vote; nor shall any person examine a ballot which an elector has prepared for voting or solicit the olector to show the same. No person except the inspector of election, or judge who may be temporarily acting for him, shall receive from any voter a ballot propured by him for voting. No voter shall receive a ballot from any person other than one of tho poll clerks ; nor shall any person other othan a poll clerk deliver a ballot to an inspector to be voted. No voter shall deliver any ballot to an inspector to be voted, except the one he receives from the poll clerk. No voter shall place any mark upon his ballot or suffer or permit any other person to do so, by which it may be afterward identified as the one voted by him. Whoever shall violate any provision of this section shall be deemed guilty of a felony, and, on conviction, shall be punished by Imprisonment for not less than 6ix months nor more,than one year, and by fino of not less than one hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars, and be disfranchised for any determinate period not less than ten years. SAMPLE BALLOTS. The sample State and local ballots, provided for by Section 35 of tho statute, acts of IHB9, page 174, throe of which are to be posted by the Inspector in and about each polling place, should be printed in large type, each on a shoot of paper about 25x38 inches in size. Tho sample State ballot will be preparod by the State Election Commissioners, and inclosed In the package of State ballots for each precinct. They will be printed on yellow paper, and will have printed thereon the words: “Sample Ballots. Genuine State ballot is oh red paper." The sample local ballot should be prepared by the County Board of Election Commissioners, and inclosed in the package of local ballots for each precinct of tho county. The sample local ballot should be printed bn green paper, and should have pripted thereon the words : “Sample ballots. Genuine local ballot is on white paper.” If deemed desirable by committees of political parties or by candidates for the purpose of the instruction of voters ballots conforming to the above description of sample ballots may be printed of any size, on yellow and green paper,

respectively, and posted up or circulated by such committee or candidates at any time during the political canvass! BALLOTS. As there are two ballots and two ballotboxes, inspectors should be extremely careful to put the red ticket in the red box and the white ticket in the white box. The initials of the poll clerks on the back of each ballot should be scrutinized before the ballot is depositeu in tho box, as a safeguard against possible forgery of ballots. In case a voter offers a ballot that is not folded so as to show the initials of the poll clerk it should be returned to him, with instructions to go into | the booth and refold it eo that they will be i shown. If a voter offers a ballot so folded that the name of any candidate voted for is disI closed it cannot be placed in the box, and ho cannot thereafter be allowed to vote. This ballot should be surrendered and destroyed, and a minute of the occurrence, with the statement of the destruction of the ballot, should be entered upon the poll-list, opposite the name of the person. CHALLENGERS AND POLL-BOOK HOLDERS. Section 41 of the Act of March 6, 1889, provided “One challenge! 1 aud one poll-book holder appointed anti designated by each party organization shull be entitled to stand at the side of the chute near the challenge window." The County Chairman should provide a written appointment for such persons, which should bo recognized by the Election Board, unless revoked and a substitute appointed over the same signature. The judges of the Marion Superior Court have constructed Section 2 of the Political Purity Act of March 9, 1889, (Chapter 130. Acts 1889,) to prohibit the payment of challengers, poll-book holders, drivers, or any other party-workers on election day. We acquiesce in their construction of that act. ELECTION SHERIFFS. Election sheriffs will preserve order at the polls, make arrests on the demand of a member of the Election Board, or on affidavits. They should conduct blind voters or others needing physical assistance through the chute and to aud from the voting-room. They should attend from tho opening of tho polls to the conclusion of the count. COUNTING OUT. When the polls arc closed the Election Board mußt first count the ballots remain ng and unvoted, and the clerks must record the number of unvoted ballots on the tally-sheets. Thereupon these unvoted tickets must be totally consumed bv fire. The board must then count the Slate ballots before counting the local ballots, by laying each ballot upon the table in the order in which it is token from the ballot-box, and the inspector and the judge of election differing in politics from the inspector, shall view the ballots as the names of the persons voted for are read therefrom. If a ballot is not stamped on one of the squares at the left of tho titles of the tickets it will be counted for the names with stamps on the squares to tho left of them, and no others. If two or more names of opposing candidates for the same office ore stamped neither can be counted. If the title of a ticket is stamped and no names are stamped, the ballot will be counted for all the names on the ticket whose title is stamped. It two or more titles are stamped, the ballot must ba treated as if neither title were stamped. If the title of one ticket is stimped and also numes on other tickets, the ballot must be counted for the names so stamped and also for all the names under the title stamped, except the opponents of names stamped. This is subjoct to the following exception : In cose there ure two or more candidates for the same office on the some ticket, as in case of candidates for i the Legislature, judges of the Superior Court, I justices of the peace, etc., in some counties, if j the title of ono ticket and the names of one or , more, but less than all, of such candidates on j another ticket are stamped, such ballots cannot be counted for any of the candidates for such offices, for the reason that the intention of the voter is not apparent. If a voter desires to vote a mixed ticket, as to such offices, ho must stamp.the name of each candidate for whom ho desires to voto, whether he stamps the titlo of a ticket or not. To avoid possibility of mistake, in such eases, olection officers shpuld advise votors, if they vote a mixed ncket, to stamp the name of each person voted for. If any ticket is found not indorsed with the initials of the poll clerk, or if any ticket bears any distinguishing mark or mutilation, it shall not bo counted; so if any ticket properly indorsed and not mutilated, is so made up that it is impossible to determine from the ballot the elector’s choice of candidates, such ballots shall not be counted as to the candidate or candidates affected thereby, but should be counted as to the candidates not thereby affected. In making the count, if any member of the board shall protest or object to the decision of a majority theroof, as to counting or not counting the ticket, 3uch ballots must be preserved by the inspector, and the poll clerks must record ou the tally-sheets a memorandum Btating how the tickets were stamped and counted, describing them for identification. Ou completing the count of the State ballots and recording the tallies, the board must then totally consume by fire the undisputed ballots, and tho inspector must preserve, as hereafter stated, the disputed ballots. The board will then proceed to count the local ballots in the same manner. The count ended, tne board must fill up the election return papers, showing the total vole cast for each candidate, and immediately make a memorandum of the total voto cast for each candidate, and deliver a copy thereof to each member of sngb board.

RETURNS. The count being completed, tho board must place iu a puper ha : or envelope, to be furnished for that purposo. all affidavits made and taken during the election, which bag or envelope must be securely sealed by tho boacu. Each member of the board must indorse his name on the back of such bag or envelope, which must be directed to the clerk of the county, to whom the inspector must deliver such bag or enveleoe within three days. All protested and disputed ballots preserved from destruction must be put in another bag furnished for that purpose, together with the seals of the ballot packages in the same condition as they were when the packages were opened at tho beginning of the election. The inspector must seul this bag with wax, and indorse thereon the number of ballots therein and with tho name of tho township and the number of tho precinct. And each inspector shall deliver the same at the earliest possible period to tho clerk of the county. In a third bag must be placed one of the lists of voters kept by the poll clerks and ono of the tally-papers, which bag must bo tightly closed aud sealed with wax by the inspector in the presence of the judgss ; aud the inspector must deliver the same to the county clerk on or before the Thursday next succeeding the day of election, and inuko the affidavit required by Section 4713 oi the ltevised Statutes ol 1891.

The Children’s Prayer.

Au incident which was quite amusing, but also a rather pretty illustration of faith in prayer as evinced by two little folks, 4 and 9 years old, occurred in Washington recently and is thus described by the Star of that city. In explanation it should be stated that the names used were those of valued friends, with the exception of Tommy Russell’s family. This interest was the result of the witnessing by the children of Tommy Russell’s performance of “Little Lord Fauntlercy.” The mother of the children, entering a room where they had been very quietly playing for some time, was addressed by the little girl, aged 9, in this way: “Mamma, we have been asking God to save us wnd you and papa, Uncle Charlie, Mrs. H—, Tommy Russell, his sisters and brothers, if he has any, Mr. and Mrs. Russell—” Here the boy, aged 4, interrupted: “Oh, Ethel we forgot to ask for Willie and Kathleen and Miss Kate and Miss Nan and Mr. II—.” “Well,” said Ethel, “you ask Him.” So down on his knees went the little fellow, reverently bowed his head, and, after moving his lips quietly for a minute or two, rose. “Did you ask Him?” questioned his sister. “Yes,” replied Clifford, his little face as earnest and serious as possible. “Then,” coDtintied Ethel, “we would want a train of steam cars and a conductor, so we could go all over the world; because we thought if God would let us live we would like to stay on earth and see how nice and quiet it is while every one else is having a good time in Heaven.” A small boy who was shown a drop of water through a microscope, said that he knew now what made the singing in the teakettle.

ALMOST A CATASTROPIIE

PASSENGERS HAVE A NARROW ESCAPE. A Chicago Street-Car Goes Into the Elver and Gives Its Passengers a Terrible Fright—The Bridge Was Open and the Brakes Would Not Work. [Chicago dispatch.] A Lincoln avenue street car which left the North Side terminus of tho line at midnight went into the river at the Clark street bridge early this morning carrying the horses with it. The car was filled with passengers, but almost miraculously they managed to escape, the last passenger jumping from the rear platform as tho vehicle tottered and fell with a tremendous splash into the dark waters. The bridge had been turned to allow the passage of tho barge Howard just as the car came into sight on the viaduct north of the bridge. The grade from the viaduct to tho bridge is very steep and descends without a break. As the car reached the edge of the viaduct the driver applied the brake. It refused to work, and the car began to slide down the grade, gaining velocity as it sped on toward the river. When within fifty feet of the river the driver with an almost herculean effort threw himself against the brake, snapping the chains with the force of his exertions. The car could not be stopped, and with great presence of mind the driver threw open the front door, exclaiming: “I can’t stop the car. The bridge is turned. Jump for your lives.” Quick to realize the situation, the conductor joined in the cry and sprang into the car, shouting to tho passengers to jump and shaking the sleeping ones vigorously. Almost instantly the passengers seemed to appreciate their dangerous situation and with a rush sprang to doors and windows. As the car tottered on the brink it was seen that still one man remained inside. He had been asleep aud awoke as the vehicle rocked on the verge. A cry of horror went up from tho people who had gathered around, and his escape from death appeared to be impossible. As the car began to slide into the stream he made a desperate leap and gained the rear platform just in time to jump to the street as the car toppled over. His name Is George P. McAdee, and he i 9 the manager of a microbe killer company, with offices in tho Owings building. -Mr. McAdee was very much excited when interviewed a moment after the accident, and said: ‘T was asleep in the car, when I felt a strange motion, and awoke suddenly to find myself sliding toward the end of the car. I can’t tell how I ever managed to escape 4 dreadful death. I just jumped, and found myself in a*big crowd without hardly knowing how I got there. ” The other passengers were E. D. T. Townsend of 2032Calumot avenue, Frank Swift of 178 South Water street, James K. Johnson of 426 Oak street, and Thos. May. The driver is Henry Schnaten, and he lives at 38 Edson avenue. Tho conductor is an old employe of tho North Division company, and is known as “Gus. ” The car runs on Lincoln avenue, and is numbered 178. Schnaten’s story is as follows: “As my car came to tho edge of the viaduct, I saw that tho bridge was turned and tried to set the brake, but it would not work, and, seeing that wo were bound to go into the river, I yelled to the passengers to jump, and they did so, and, thank God, were saved.” Mrs. James Minick, who lives on Division street, was in a cab with her husband on tho north side of tho bridge as tho car came down tho grade. She tells abouj, tho samo story as the driver, and says that he used every effort to bring the vehicle to a standstill. Many bystanders spoke of tho seeming indifference of the people on the barge Howard. The boat was not stopped, and no effort was made on the part of Its crow to render any assistance whatever. Tho horses were carried to tho bottom with tho car and came up a moment later disengaged from the harness and from each otlter. One swam up-stream toward the LaS&lle-strect tunnel other swam east. A tug in passing tried to rescue one of the animals, but it tools fright at the boat and swam away. After swimming desperately for somo time fatigue overcame them and they went to the bottom.

Pertinent Paragraphs.

A neoko at Perry, Da., is said to weigh 500 pounds and to have gained 100 pounds within a year. A Macomb County, Michigan, farmer has harvested 604 bushels of good oats from twelve acres of ground. A Kentucky widower has just mar* ried his seventh wife. He is 83 and his new wife over fifty years of age. Ix 1889 Russian peasants killed or captured 318 boars, 85 wolvos, 503 foxes, 14,834 hares, 7'1,»60 squirrels, 539 martens, etc. In the reign of Queen Elizabeth a clergyman whose benefice did not exceed £2O per annum was allowed to follow a trade. A snake cucumber seven foet long and resembling a hideous green snake coiled, is one of the curiosities of Los Angeles, Cal. At tho National Library of Paris a MS. of tho Bible has been discovered. It was written in 1259 in a suburb of Perpignan and is richly illuminated, It is illegal to sHI cigarettes to boys in Cincinnati, and dll bdys found smoking are to be arrested and held until they tell where tlifty got the prohibited articles. , A youno woman who has a dressmaking establishment in New York makes her rent by storing furs, wraps, and winter dresses for her customers during the warm weather. The military authorities at St. Petersburg have decreed that in future foreigners shall not be allowed to serve in the army unless they are willing to become Russian citizens. The total imports of bananas at New York during the year 1889 aggregated 3,636,593 bunches, to which Jamaica contributed about one-third, qia, 346,062, while Colon sent 310,528..:,:. * j, : What is probably the largest rose bush in the world grows alongside the residence of Dr. E. B. Matthews, in Mobile, Ala. It was planted in 1813, and now covers the entire house and neighboring trees. It is now asserted that the "ghost of Bartholomew, hanged at the Easton County (Pa.) prison for tho murder of Washington Dillard, visits;itlj&' jail the first night-following each new moon. Neak&y $30,000 'worth of half francs wero found among the effects of a rich lawyer who died recently in Paris. It was his stock of small coin from which ~ ho daily gavq largo sums to beggars.