Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 September 1891 — Page 3

DEATH IN THE POT.

DAVID A. WELLS ON THE WOOL TARIFF. He Shows Its Effects in Increasing the Use <rf Shoddy—Consumption and Pneumonia from the Tariff Standpoint —How Our Death Bate Is Affected by Shoddy. The Wool Tariff. Hon. David A. Wells has recently written a striking article on the wool tariff lor the New York World. He takes as his text the Bible words, “There Is death in the pot,” applying them to the enormous development of the shoddy business by reason of the tax on wool, and the injurious effects of sholdy clothing' upon the health of the people. After calling attention to the analysis made by the New York Dry Goods Economist to show that our manufacturers, who favor a hi-h tax on wool use comparatively litt e wool in making their so-called “woolen goods,” while those manufacturers who are asking for free wool are makers of good, honest fabrics, Mr. Wells concludes: “In view of these revelations, Is it a mere coincidence, as the Economist pertinently asks, that the men engaged in the business of making bogus woolens and employing skilled designers, as they Undoubtedly do, not so much for producing attractive fabrics as for ingeniously hiding from the public their inferior nature, should be stanch advocates of a high tariff on wool; while the manufacturers of all-wool goods are in favor of free wool? Is not the explanation to be found in the fact that hightaxed wool means to its advocates a larger market for productions composed mainly of shoddy, cotton, cow-hair, and little wool? while the advocate of free wool feels that if he had all the wool markets of the world to draw from on the same bas sas his foreign competitors he could meet the large domestic demand for heavy woolens with goods made of all or nearly all wool. It is interesting also to note that while a large class of American wool manufacturers — such mei as E. B. Bigelow, J. Wiley Edmonds, Theodore Pomeroy, and their special representative, John L. Hayes—were unanimous in 1866 in characterizing shoddy as ‘a worthless material,’ and earnest in their petition to Congress to save the American people from the calamity of its use, the representatives and successors of these same men are now equally agreed that shoddy properly prepared -‘is an innoxious and most serviceable material,’ and that it is only through its extensive use that the Americau people can have cheap clothing and appear well dressed. Of course this latter proposition has foundation so long as a fiscal policy (which these same friends of shoddy advocate) is maintained that prevents the American people from having a proper and natural supply of wool, and which if abrogated would not only render the use of shoddy as a condition for producing cheap clothing to a great extent unnecessary, but would make feasible the production of clothing that was equally cheap, and at the same time warm, healthy and durable. In short, was there ever a better illustration of the wise ihaxim, that the great art in all cases of fraud upon the public is to get up a quantum sujjiclt of the wrong, and then set the abomination to defend itself, “Now, wherein is the pertinency of these facts to the Scriptural text adopted as the title of this article, ‘The.e Is Death in the Pot?’ Oust here: The tariff taxes imposed on that proportion of the wool consumption of the country —about 300,000,0.0 pounds— which tho country does not produ e. and which it is needful t? import, augment the price of all wool clothing to the American masses to a degree that they cannot or are unwilling to pay. Let any one who desijes to test this matter for himself Inquire at aijy respectable furnishing store the re ative prices of uhdobbtej all-wool fabrics', and of the fabrications that ordinarily pas i under tho name of woolens, and he will be abundantly satisfied. The result is that the masses buy at some popular price something for their clothing which is called ‘woolen,’ but. which is not rightfufly entitled to any such designation—something like the fabrics before referred to produced in Philadelphia, and analyzed by the Dry-Goods Merchant, which were composed of 72 per cent, of cotton and shoddy. The climate of the United States, especially of its northern portions, is,aseveryboJy knows, liable to sudden and extreme changes in temperature, and for the practically six winter months of the year, it is most essential that ail exposed to such changes should be warmly and substantially clad. No one in their senses, would knowingly venture into atmosphere charged with conditions favoring ‘grip,’ pneumonia, and the varied throat and lung ailments or diseases, clad in cotton ‘ garments. And yet this is exactly what the workingmen and poorer classes of the country do habitually under a tariff system that prevents the proper and healthful use of wool for the most ordinary clothing purposes. Docs not this condition of things also suggest a possible explanation of the fact that while the mortality from consumption and pneumonia in the United States is greater than from any other causes, the rate per 100,000 deaths annually in this country from these diseases is far greater than in the cold and* more damp climates of England and Wales. “In 1880 the morta'ity from consumption in the United States was at the rate of 12,059 in every 100,000 deaths and 8,330 from pneumonia. The corresponding figures for the same year in England and AV ales w. re 9,141 for consumption and 4,772 for, pneumonia “Certainty the man who wears the cheap coat, which the high tariff on wool compels him to wear, is like to become very cheap before he gets through Wearing it “Concerning the sanitary influence of the excessive use of shoddy in the United States as a material for the manufacture of clothing, a spirit of fairness requires the statement that when properly prepared, as it undoubtedly is in most cases, its original earthy or organic impurities are wholly or in a great degree eliminated from it or destroyed by the processes of carding, spinning, boiling, dyeing and (teaming to which ft is subjected in its conversion into fabrics, But as all these processes are costly and a?e. not primarily undertaken from sanitary considerations, the tendency Is to regard the purification of shoddy In its largest senae, in the course of its manufacture, as an incidental matter, In respect to which any special effort is not necessary. But be this as it may. 'ffhoddy is not wool, and if the wearers of clothing largely made from it and purchased because it is cheap could know of its genesis they would one and ail be •earnest and unco npromising opponents

of any law or policy, like our existing tariff, which restricts them from using wool, cheap, healthy and of far greater enduring properties, in its place. “The experience thus selected and above set forth as an Illustration of the Influences prejudicial to public health arising from Unnatural legislative restrictions on the free use of commodities that enter largely into the living and well-being of the masses is not exceptional. Many others similar and even more, striking might be cited. “Indeed it may be regarded as a general rule that when the natural and free supply of any article in common use by the masses is artificially restricted, the tendency Is to fall back upon and use an inferior substitute, and for the general plane of living to be thereby lowered. Bnch a policy undoubtedly is productive of ga n to a comparatively few, but is certainly a nemesis of evil to the many. • Divided Counsels at.the Helm. It is really painful to heat two such eminent statesmen as our President and Maj. McKinley expressing views so out of harmony with each other. The President waxes eloquent about opening “the markets of our sister republics tn Central and South America to the products of American shops and farms;* yet the great tariff-maker said tn Congress last year: “If we would inwade the world's markets harsher conditions and greater sacrifices would be demanded of the masses. * Alas, the good old ship Protection is veering about at sea tn a most Xlmless condition. There is first one helmsman and then another at the wheel, and no one seems to know what port they are trying to make. They are not even agreed on so simple a. question as whether foreign trade is a good thing or not Is the President willing to abandon his reciprocity dreams in order not to demand those “harsher conditions and greater sacrifices” from the masses? Or is McKinley willing this year to have our farmers enter markets in which last year he professed to see only the most ruinous competition for them? Yet even McKinley is now making public rejoicings on the stump in Ohio that our ‘foreign trade-is greater than ever. Where will these helmsmen steer their ship? *

Cheap Tin-Plate Boasts.

And now the tin-plate epidemic has struck Baltimore again, it having been quiescent there since last fall, when a bogus report was in circulation that an enormous plant was to be established in that city to manufacture tin plate. Report now says that the firm of Coates & Co will build a large establishment at Locust Point, near Baltimore. A curious feature in connection with this report is an interview Jn the Baltimore Manufacturers' Record with Dr. L. R. Coates, the head of the firm, in which that gentleman boasts thus; “From all that we have been able to learn, we have reached the conclusion that tin plate can be made as cheaply in the United States as in Wales, in France, in Germany, or in any other part of the world. ” This is the same boast which was made two years ago by W. C. Cronemyer, Secretary of -the, American Stnnefl-Plate Association at Pittsburg, Pa. In a published'circular this gentleman said: “And it is a fact, and we can prove it by figures, that they can be made here and sold with profit at present selling prices. ” Notwithstanding this assertion of our ability to make tin-plate without any increase of duty, the patriotic Mr. Cronemyer was one of the., most active and, persistent workers securing the present duty of 2 1-5 cents per pou'nd. If thess tin-plate people speak the truth, why do we need that high McKinley duty?

Protective Wages in Italy.

A correspondent of that hide-bound protection organ, the Chicago Inter Ofeedn. wrltes to that paper from Venice, Italy, an account of a visit to a lacemaking establishment in that city. The correspondent has the following to say about wages: “I was shown some wonderful articles —scarfs, shawlS, mantles, spreads', handkerchiefs, etc. —some of which required six months in the making, offered to me at what I thought Were ridiculously low prices. When I expressed my astonishment and asked how it was possible to dispose of so exquisite a fabric for such an insignificant sum the manager of the department—who has been in America and knows something of its conditions —looked sidelong at me and said, with an eloquent smile: ‘Well, we pay our girls seven cents a day.’ ” And this in Italy, one of the most highly protected countries in Europe!

Imported Industries.

Protectionists are excessively jubilant whenever -they can print a report that some European manufacturer has been compelled by the McKinley law to set up a branch establishment in this country. But these European manufacturers will take away every penny that they make. What becomes then of that venerable superstition about protect on keeping our money in the country? The muddle-headed protectionists tell us Very glibly that under protection two profits are kept in the country, the profit made by the manufacturer and that made by the buyer of his goods. This Is not true; but it it were, what about the profit made in the American branch factory of some great European manufacturer? Does it not take to itself wings and fly away to Europe?

Prunes and Prune-Eaters.

It is estimated that the United States consumes annually about 85,000,000 pounds of prunes. The greater part of these is imported. The domestic supply is produted wholly on the Pacific coast, the output in 1890 being about 16,000,000 pounds. Those California prunes are so much better than foreign pruues that they sell readily in New York at considerab'y higher prices. Nearly all imported prunes, except those coming from France, are of a common qua ity and are bought by all housewives of modest means. Y’et WbKinley doubled the duty on the imported prunes of the poor in order to guarantee h'gher profits still to California prune growers, who sell their product to the rich.

Why Do the Germans Kick?

What in the world are the German people kicking against the grain duties for? Don't they know that these duties are paid by the foreigners who ship grain into Germany? Don’t they know that the higher the duties the cheaper the grain? Have they never read McKinley’s treatisas on taxation? If they fear a grain famine they should ask the Government to increase the duties on grain, and thus cheapen it, ra'her than to repeal them. Their present action is cal-

culated to make Str. McKinley appeal ridiculous when he tells the Ohio folks that a tariff is not a tax.— lndianapolis Sentinel.

No Tin Plate In Philadelphia.

The National Provistoner, a trade journal of New York, recently published a letter from the N. & G. Taylor Coinpany, of Philadelphia, declaring their readiness to supply American tin plate from their own mill tr their customers and to the public generally. In consequence of this, it says it has been flooded with letters from all parts of the country urging it to look more closely into this manufacture of American tin plate. “We have dbne so,” it continues, “anil we state today from,., positive knowledge of the facts? and beyond any question or doubt, that there is no Jin plate mill in Philadelphia* and consequently no American Ain plate is made there.” The, Provlsioner publishes verbatim an interview with the N. &G. Taylor Company. The latter refused to permit anybody to see their tin-plate works, but finally admitted that they bought their sheets from other parties. Being asked who manufactured the sheets, they said they were made in Pennsylvania, but declined to give the names of the maker. Being asked where their tin came from, they said California, but could not show any invoice of If. * Being ask how many men they employed in the manufacture of tin plate, they said seven men and six boys, and that the space occupied by their mill was 60x30 feet. Mr. C. Merchant, of Philadelphia, being interviewed said that this kind of making of tin plate was no new thing in this country, as the firm of H. W. Butterworth & Son had been doing it for the last fifteen or eighteen years. Yet this firm goes on advertising its tin plate, and saying: “We are making this brand in Philadelphia.”

An Awkward Coincidence.

It is too bad that almost on the very day Major McKinley delivered his beautiful peroration about the protective tariff “securely shielding American labor from the degrading competition of the old world” the Trades and Labor Assembly of Chicago should find that many women.in that city "are- working; twelve or thirteen hours daily for 8150 per week. Perhaps it would be a wise plan, since protective tariffs are such good things, to let Chicago have one all by herself. Her women might then be able to earn $2 per week. — Louisville CourierJournal.

Taxing Rellgion.

The pure cussedness of the tariff and the still worse cussedness of those who collect it is Illustrated by the following letter from a gentleman in Chicago: “Sin: One Bagster's Bible and one ‘Bohn’s Classical Quotations’ mailed to me from London, in two sealed packages, and invoiced to me at 8 *.60. Packages cut open at New York Custom-house, invoice raised to 83.60; packages rewrapped and mailed to Chicago Postoffice, C. O. D.. ninety cents duties. “I have preserved the mutl ated packages as an object-lesson. ”

Keeping Money at Home.

What do the tin plate cranks mean by all this talk;about “keeping jn the country the 825,000,000 or 830,000,000 that' we have been annually sending abroad for tin-plate.” The fact Is that we have not been sending abroad any money at all to pay for tin-plate, but have paid for it with our surplus commodities, mainly farm products. If the business of importing tin-plate is broken up by the McKinley law, the foreign market of our farmers will be made narrower; and the bushel of wheat and barrel of pork will have to remain at to depress prices.

Oh for Eyes of Faith!

A shipment of 780 boxes of Welsh tinplate passed through the Chicago Cus-tom-Hou-e last week, the duties thereon being paid by a local firm. It is an outrage and a' shame that any manufacturer should Import J tifi-plate, when any Republican newspaper will tell him there is an American tin plate factory within a stone’s throw of his office if he only had the eyes of faith to see it with.Chicago Times.

Struck by Lightning.

A woman In Helena, Mont, was struck by lightning the other day. It banged her against the wall, jammed her into a cupboard and knocked her senseless, leaving on her skin the exact pattern of a tree that grew in the front yard. She was not seriously hurt, and when askeef what she thought at the time, said she supposed her husband was enforcingJiis usual method of disapproving with her housekeeping. The lightning always hits the wrong fellow. Major McKinley regards it as a smart retort to the citations of lower prices for Ohio wool under his Increased tariff, to-say that this proves that “the tariff is not a tax. ” But the quotations of August prices for the indispensablo foreign carpet wools which American manufacturers must have for admixture show that they are from three to four cents a pound higher than last year. The people who buy the carpets pay the tax.—N. K World.

Free sugar is opening the eyes of the people as to the effects of a tariff tax. A “Republican Workingman” writes to the New York Press thus: “On account of sugar being free, the poor man can today purchase three and a half pounds of granulated sugar for 16 cents. If other imports were free, why could not he buy as cheap and have more luxuries than heretofore. ” Henry Cabot Lodge predicts that the tariff will not be the leading issue in the campaign of 1892, but he anticipates 'that “able Democratic editors” will see in this prediction an illustration of tne old saying that “the wish is father to the thought,” Republican losses on the tariff issue in Massachusetts would lend color to this Democratic view. McKinley doubled the duty on oatmeal, although we export enormous quantities every year, and put this into his “farmers’ tariff.” This was pretended to be a lift for labor, but now the newly organized oatmeal trust has reduced wages at Akron, Ohio, between 40 and 50 per cent Wool has taken a big drop since the McKinley tariff Jaw went into operation; yet the New York Tribune persists in speaking of that measure as “the best wool tariff ever enacted. ” This country uses about nine and onehalf pounds of wool per capita every year, of which only five pounds are grown here, the other four and one-half pounds being imported. All taxes that the people pay, the government should receive.— Edward Atkinson.

HOW THEY MAKE RAIN.

RECEN * EXPERIMENTS WERE SUCCESSFUL. The Practicability of the Theory Said to Have Been Demonstrated—Three Closely Related Scientific Conditions Which Are Recognised and Acted Upon by the Experimenters. Produced by Man. Scientists, farmers, and ranchmen, and in fact the entire reading public, have recently had their attention centered on Texas and the successful operations of tho Government rainmakers. The cowboys of the “Staked Plains" of that State have been treated to a free exhibition of fireworks such as has seldom if ever bb'ehbqualed in the Lone Star State. The coyotes and antelopes have been scattered in terror by this; terrific cannonading of the experimenters, anil to the joy of the ranchman dobfous rains have fallen oh the parched prairies of the Llano Estacado, breaking drought

GEN. DYRENFORTH.

of long duration and averting the distress and suffering which would have followed a few more weeks of dry weather. Before the close of the late war, it became so conspicuous a fact that heavy rain would almost inevitably follow a ; hot engagement , that the storm ♦ was fully anticipated, and was regarded as one of the factors in the case to be considered by a leader when forming his plans upon the eve of a battle. In most of these cases the storms began about twelve hours after the heavy firing, generally arising in the night following the battle, and in eases of continual flght-

Ing for several days, as in the battles of the Wilderness, they occurred nightly during the continuance of the engagements. History also shows that during the Mexican war many battles on the arid platnsof Mexico were followed by copious rainfalls, a condition previously almost unknown in some of those localities. Gen. Daniel Ruggles, of Fredericksburg, Va., was among the number of those who observed the regularity of this phenomenon or rainfall after battles, and soon after the close of the war he applied for a patent on the idea of “producing rainfall artificially by means of explosions in the upper air.” Gen. Ruggles’ ideas were crude, but be obtained his patent and thereby the exclusive right to the wholesale and retail trade in the artificial rain-storms in this country. However, when Congress took np the matter and began to talk of investigating the subject Gen. Ruggles freely surrendered all his rights in favor pf the government

After Gen. Ruggles had taken out his papers the subjoi tpt artificial rainfall received little attention for twenty years or moie, but as the grain and cattle interest# extended into tho semi-arid regions of the West aid Southwest, the possibilities of the subject began to be discussed, and many of the prominent farm and ranch owners of the West were soon convinced tha? the scheme was well worth a trial C. B. Farwell and Nelson Morris, of Chicago, both of whom are largely interested in stock lands, took the matter before Congress and by dint of earnest agitation obtained last year an appropriation of 82,000 for use by the Department of Agriculture In prosecuting investigations in this line, and the last Congress added 87,000 to this sum for a series of practical experiments. At the urgent request of the friends of the scheme Gen. Robert G. Dyenforth consented to superintend the investigations and experiments * A series of tentative experiments were first prosecuted near Washington at which a number of prominent officials and scientists were present At the time of the operations in the District of Columbia the explosions produced great alarm throughout the suburbs, and a petition was immediately presented to Uncle Jerry Rusk praying that he remove “his dynamiters” to a region more remote and secluded, and an arid spot in Texas was selected. The mode of operation which General Dyrenforth adopts is to form a “line of battle” covering a position about three miles long and two deep. Along the front of the line giant powder is fired from mortars, and bombs of “rackarock” mixture are exploded. Behind this a second line is formed, consisting of fifty cloth kites held by electric wire and bearing loads of dynamite The. dynamite is exploded when the kites are high in the air by means of a cap and an electric current which is passed through the wires. The dynamite is suspended from the kites by wires of a length sufficient to prevent the kites from being injured by the explosions. A third line is formed behind the kites

consisting of exp’oslve balloons of 10, 12, >ond 20 foot diameter charged with oxhydrogen gas, which is one of the most violent texplosives knoFn to science Ten to twenty of those balloons are In the air at once, < a h containing from 60Oio 5,000 cubic feet of the explosive gases The concussions from the explosion of one of these balloons Is so great that it must bo allowed to rise to a great height in order to prevent injury to the operatives and surrounding objects. The explosion is produced by means of electric wires or by a time fuse so regulated that the explosion will take place when the balloon has had time to reach the proper altitude, which varies according to conditions, from 1,000 to 7,000. feet In charging the balloons with the gases the empty envelope is first spread on the ground and filled one-third full with oxygen. This is done by attaching the balloon by a ho e to retorts filled vlth chlorate of potassium and manganese. The retort-i are then subjected to intense heat in oxygen furnaces constructed for the purpose, when oxygen gas is generated and passes through a lime-water wash into the balloon. When the balloon is one-third full it Is detached from the oxygon apparatus and connected by a pipe with one of the large hydrogen generators, wjjtch completes the inflation. The hydrogen generator consists of a large tank half-full of water and iron borings turned from cast-iron projectiles in the navy yard at Washington. Into this sulphuric add, or vitriol, is slowly decanted. The acid separates the water Into its gases, hydrogen and oxygen, and the iron takes up the oxygen, allowing the free hydrogen to escape through a pipe and washbarrel into the ba'loon, which is held captive by a netting attached to sand baga The observation ascents are made in balloons of twenty feet diameter. The balloon is held captive at a height of 1,000 feet by a strong cable while the meteorologist In the basket communicates the readings of his instrument through a telephone to those on the ground below. The cable Is then let go, and the balloon rises to the height of over two “mties, and then descending lands the occupant at a distance of several miles from the starting point A carriage has already started from the headquarters, however, and the aeronautical observer is seen riding quietly back on terra firms, with his balloon, folding basket, and Instruments safely packed away.

FILLING THE SALOONS.

Three clMely related principle* of theories ate recognized and acted upon by General Dyrenforth and blf.party In their experiments, which; stated briefly and bereft of technical terms, are as follows: First, most rain* storms have their origin In the mingling of different currents of the upper air strata, some of which are warm and moisture-laden (in any locality) while others are much cooler. As soon as these currents begin to mingle, the warm, rr.olst current Is cooled and its moisture is thus squeezed out of it as from a sponge. This moisture first becomes visible as vapor or “cloud,” and finally condenses into rain. The process is a progressive one and will generally multiply upon itself from a very small beginning. The Immense air waves produced by the explosion of the balloons at high altitudes start this mingling of currents which, progressing by

MORTAR FOR FIRING POWDER.

the force of the latent heat released in the condensation of moisture, grows into a storm center. The second theory is that a continuous series of explosions ars together or agglomerates the particles of moisture in the air into rain drops, which are precipitated to the ground. The effect is evident after a heavy clap of thunder and has been repeatedly produced by General Dyenforth’s party, heavy showers having been shaken from light clouds from which no ra n had been falling. To produce this effect the kites are used with dynamite cartridges attached. Gon. Dyrenforth does not claim that he has fully demonstrated the practicability of producing rainfall artificially at all times and under all conditions, but it seems certain, from observations made, that his operations have exerted marked influen e upon the condition of the weather and produced definite practical results in the midst of the arid “Staked Plains’ of Texas. In the third place it is believed that the frictional electricity which is generated in the jarring of the earth and air at the point of the operations and socreates a magnetic, field into which the particles of molsture-.are drawn - and gathered. The explosions on and near the ground are especially calculated to sequre this result, • “I think I mistook my calling,” salt! the young man, when his opponent laid down four aces.— Washington Star.

THE WAY THINGS RUN

IN THE GREATEST OF GREAT STATES, INDIANA. Thing* Which Have Lately Happened Within Jta Borders—Some Pleasant and Some Sad Heading, —Hogs are dying of cholera in Wayne County. —Hay rack parties are in order at Michigan City. —A project is on foot to start a bank at Wingate, Montgomery County. —Charles Bellitz, near Michigan City, fell under a hand car and broke two ribs. —Crawfordsville will have gas this winter. Will pipe from the Sheridan fields. —The Crawfordsville DqUy Argus News has been sold to S. M. Coffman, a former proprietor. —Mr. Staffer’s 3-year-old child was caught in the wheels of a reaper and ground to pieces near Fort Wayne. —Mrs. Lizzie Lucus, of Bartie, fell out of bed while asleep and broke her collar-bone and dislocated her shoulderbone. —John D. W. Eprlcost, once a prominent attorney at Princeton, has got in a hole. He took poison in a saloon at Ft. Branch. —Fifty colored men at Jeffersonville contributed 50 cents apiece to a strange negro, who promised them work, but had none for them. —M. T. Lewman, of Jeffersonville, has secured contracts to build twenty schoolhouses In Mexico, at total cost of 2150,000. —Mary Gibson, who would soon have been 90 years old, died at her libme, In Greensburg. She was one of tho earliest settlors of the town. —The Hamlin oil well, just drilled In >t Portland, is good for 200 barrels a day. The Standard Oil Company is laying its pipes to the Jay County field. —Orvlll Babb, residing near Montpelier, was badly injured by tho explosion of one barrel of his shotgun. He 1 was seriously burned about the face and head.

—John Cronin, a Jeffersonville youth, was climbing a tree when ho slipped. A ring on one of his fingers caught on a broken limb, stripping the flesh completely off. —A straw-board factory Is to bo located at Middletown. It will cost 8100,000 and give employment to 150 men and will-increase tho population of that town to 600 people. —Elizabeth Whitehead wants 85,000 damages from the city of Evansville. She was Injured by being thrown opt of her wagon, which overturned on account of bad streets.

—While loading logs in the woods southwest of Franklin, Bert Chandler was caught under a rolling timber and instantly killed. He leaves a wife and eight children. —Frank Linn, a fireman, but who was making an extra run on the Monon as a brakeman, was struck on the head by a bridge, near Gosport, knocked insensible and lay on tho top of the car for some time before being discovered. —ln the New Albany division of tho Seventh Internal revenue district there are forty-five distilleries in operation, an abundant fruit crop rendering it possible for them to run day and night, and the output is something marvelous. —Charles C. Madden, a dessolute character about Lexington, was horsewhipped into Insensibility by James R. Morgan, a liveryman, for insulting and attempting to enter the room of his 12-year-old daughter. He has been warned by citizens to cease this practice, and if the offense is repeated he will be roughly handled.

—An epidemic of measles is prevailing In the Home for Feeble-minded at Fort Wayne. Dr. Dills, in compliance with an order from Secretary Metcalf, of the State Board of Health, investigated the sanitary condition of the home, and found the epidemic to be of a serious nature. He issued an order that the institution shall bo closed to all visitors during the prevailence of the contagion. —The little daughter of Grant Bay, a leading business man of Mitchell, met with a sad and perhaps fatal accident while engaged in play with a neighbor's child. The children -obtained possession of a large butcher-knife, and, running around the house in opposite directions, collided at the corner. The knife penetrated the abdominal cavity, causing a frightful protrution of the bowels, and making an incision necessary in order to replace them. The child’s condition is very dangerous. —A year ago the residence of P. Phillips, President of the First National Bank at New Castle, was burglarized of some money, jewelry and diamonds. A man named Mcridith was sent to the penitentiary for four years for the crime, but would not reveal the whereabouts of the booty. A few days since Merldeth wrote a penitent letter to Prosecutor Barnard, of Henry County, telling him two of the diamonds, valued atsl4o, were in possession of Kate Phinney, a notorious character in Muncie, to whom he had sold them for $4. The diamonds were recovered. —David Black went to Kokomo and represented himself as being authorized to collect premiums for Knights Templar and Masonic insurance. He got the money and left town. A big fraud. —Bees took possession of the house of Mrs. Charles Logan, of Hanover, while she was making peach jelly. Mrs. Logan, her two children and a colored servant were severely stung before the arrival of Mr. Logan, who vanquished the insects, and swept up half a bushel of them after the battle was over.