Democratic Sentinel, Volume 20, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 April 1896 — Page 6

MUNITIONS OF WAR.

MADE AT THE ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL. Gigantic Shop* for the Manufacture of War’a Enginery—Picturesque Surroundings of the Depository of Munitions. Equipment for an Army. If ever again it is decided by the United States Government to unleash the dog? of" war Rock Island will at once become a pivotal point of perhaps greater international importance than any other spot of land of equal size in this country. Not the city of that name, 15l$t the island itself, the

CAVALRY SOLDIER EQUIPMENT.

Bite of the largest arsenal belonging to this government. Rock Island is in the Mississippi River, about 3<X) miles above St. Louis and ten miles below Galena. It is nearly three miles in length and varies in width from onefourth to three-fourths of a mile, and contains, above low-water mark, !)70 acres. Lengthwise the island lies nearly east and west, such being the course of the river at this point. The civil war early showed the need of a great armory and arsenal in the Mississippi Valley where the legions of the Western States could be rapidly armed and equipped for war. Rising well out of the bosom of the broad father of waters, among the high surrounding hills on which the cities of Davenport, Moline and Rock Island are built, with an immense water power right at hand, situated so far Inland as to be secure from an enemy’s attack, affording that seclusion so necessary for the prosecution of work of a warlike character and possessing line rail and water communication, the Island of Rock Island would seem marked out by nature as the ideal spot for the greatest United States armory and arsenal. The United States acquired Its title to the island through a treaty which .was made with William Henry Harrison, Governor and superintendent of Indian affairs for the Indian secretary and district of Louisiana, with certain chiefs of the Sac and Fox tribes of

Indians in November, 1804. Black Hawk, the famous Indian hero •f the Black 'Hawk war, was the principal chief of the Sacs, and did not Sign the treaty, but always held that it was not binding. Congress in 1862 made the first appropriation for the construction of the arsenal, which has been followed since by some 512,000,000 for government Improvements, besides annual appropriations for running expenses. The noted artillery engineer and ordnance scientist, General Thomas A.. Bodman, ordnance department, TJ. 8. A., was assigned to the duty of commencing the construction of the orsenal, which, after long and brilliant .work, was carried to successful completion by Colonel D. W. Flagler, now brigadier general and chief of ordnance. General Rodman died at his quarters at the arsenal June 7,1871.

Great Military Plant. This great military plant consists of ten immense fireproof stone shops of U-shape, with a system of dams giving over 3,000 horse power, and the necessary storehouses, magazines, laboratories, barracks and quarters, situated near the center of the island. Five of these great shops, placed in a row, each of which cost nearly $500,000, are intended as an armory for the manufacture of small arms, such as rifles and '’afblnes and cartridges, and the remaining five shops, in another row on the opposite side of the handsome, treeembowered avenue, facing the first row, are intended as an arsenal for the construction of ordnance and ord-

INFANTRY SOLDIER EQUIPMENT.

nance, stores. When in full operation during tirpe of war, and provided and equipped with all the necessary machinery, the arsenal shops would employ some 20,000 workmen, with twenty line officers and 200 ordnance soldiers as guard. Under these circumstances the capacity of the arsenal and the armory would be the full armament and equipment for a regiment of cavalry or of infantry, some 1,200 strong, each working day. The departments fully equipped and running at present comprise the machine, carpenter, leather, paint, gunca!*sage and forge shops, the foundry and rolling mill employing'about 400 ■ten, with a monthly pay roll of nearly *30,000. The administration of the government shops at all the arsenals is

excellent, and the relations between employer and employed would form an excellent model for many of the large manufacturing establishments of the present day. It is steady work, with short but busy hours every day, good wages and certain pay, just treatment, clean and roomy shops. The Present Output. The arsenal to-day is engaged in the manufacture and supply of ordnance stores for the regular army, the national guard, the military colleges, and partly for the marine corps, United States navy, and the naval reserves, a total force of over 150,000 men. The main part of the work consists In the construction of siege gun carriages, siege howitzer carriages, fixed gun carriages, with limbers, caissons and battery wagons complete, the complete accouterments for Infantry and cavalry soldiers, horse equipments and harness for light artillery. No rifles, swerds or revolvers are manufactured here in time of peace, but large quantities of these small arms are sent from the national armory at Springfield, Mass., to be distributed to the army forts, national guard and military colleges of the Mississippi valley and the Western States. All iron, wood, cloth and paper targets are also made here, besides the regular elliptical targets, iron frames to be covered with cotton cloth and representing soldiers In the act of firing, kneeling and lying down on the skirmish line, and cavalry soldiers on horseback. Small arm cartridges of all kinds are received in car lots from the government cartridge factory at Philadelphia, to be distributed also as above. In the several laboratories al) kinds of cartridges for fixed guns are made up. The fixed guns and their projectiles are made at Watervliet arsenal, West Troy, N. Y. Contracts for material used in construction at arsenals are made yearly. In the gun yard of the Rock Island arsenal may be seen grim trophies of several wars. One gun speaks of revolutionary struggles and patriotisin and bears this inscription: “Surrendered by the convention of Saratoga, Oct. 17, 1777.” This trophy of the surrender of Burgoyne has for many years been an honored guest at the arsenal.

It is a relief even to those who scorn to believe In the supernatural when a supposed ghost is clearly proved to be of earthly origin. One of the most famous murder cases in Australia was discovered by the ghost of the murdered man sitting on a rail of a nam (Australian for horsepond) Into which hid body had been thrown. Numberless people saw It, and the crime was duly brought home. Even the skeptical admitted that this ghost seemed to be an authentic one. But some years after, a dying man making his confession said that he invented the ghost. He witnessed the crime but was threatened with death If he divulged it as he wished to, and the only way he saw out of

ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL.

the impasse was to affect to see the ghost where the body was found. As soon as he started the story, such is the power of nervousness that numerous other people began to see it, until its fame reached such dimensions that a search was made and the body found, and the murderers brought to justice.

James Payn, the London writer, tells a seasonable story. He says a young man was paying his attentions to a “beloved object,” contrary to the wishes of her father, “a man of thews and sinews,” and one day the latter kicked the lover violently into the street. In a day or two (after recovery) the rejected suitor, apparently not one whit discouraged, called at the house once more. “What, again!” exclaimed paterfamilias, putting on his well-soled boots for action. “No, sir,” cried the young man. “I have given up all hope of winning your daughter; but in consequence of that, astounding kick you gave me the other day I have been requested, on the strength of my earnest recommendation to the committee, to ask you to join our football club.”

In the British Medical Journal a Paris correspondent says at least 2,500 physicians in France are battling with starvation, and he adds that physicians themselves are largely responsible for th(s state of affairs. They “have taught lady patronesses of different societies to diagnose diseases, to dress and bandage wounds, to vaccinate their own children and those of their neighbors. Medical science is vulgarized in every way. Doctors write in important daily papers explaining how bronchitis and cramps of the stomach are to be cured, and in fashion journals they teaeh how to cure pimples and avert headaches. Five hundred thousand gratuitous consultations are given yearly in Paris dispensaries, and in this way a large amount of fees is diverted from the medical profession.”

Teacher—Now, suppose there were five boys going skating and they had only three pairs of skates; how many boys would have to look on? Boy—l know; the two that got the worst of the tight.—Harper’s Round Table.

Old Lady—Did’t I tell you never to come here again? Up-to-Date Tramp—l hope you will pardon me, madam, but it is the fault of my secretary; he has neglected to strike your name from my calling list —Tid-Bits. ' * Should a man think more, or less, of a man who gives him a poor cigar?

A Ghost Story Exploded.

Old Man Was Eligible.

Doctors Starving in France.

He Knew.

Not His Fault.

REAL RURAL READING

IYILL BE FOUND IN THIS D£PART M ENT. two Valuable New Varieties of Tomatoes Cheap Breeding House for Poultry—Convenient Farm Wagon— Trees Tapped More than Once. New Tomatoes. Hardly any other vegetable Is as variable In Its character and form as the tomato. Changes are going on constantly, new varieties are coming to the front, and old one disappear from the seed lists. Among the most promising varieties of this year’s introduction is the Crimson Cushion, introduced by

CRIMSON CUSHION—TOMATO, THORBURN, NEW YORK.

Peter Henderson & Co., New York, who consider it the earliest large tomato. It belongs to the Ponderosa class, but Is a decided improvement over its first representative. It is more symmetrical in shape, thicker through from stem to blossom end, frequently almost globular. The color Is brilliant scarlet crimson, untinged with purple, and ripens up completely to the stem. It is almost seedless, flesh firm, meaty, and of the best quality. Tomato, Thorburn New York, introduced by James M. Thorburn & Co., is a sport of the Acme. As will be seen from our illustration, it differs in form from all other varieties, being hexagon shaped, and unusually deep. Its color is deep red, with a purplish tint, and it Is altogether handsome and unique. The Height of Grape Trellises. Trellises are built much higher in this country than they are in Europe. We get our ideas of what the grape vine needs by seeing the wild vines in woods climbing to the tops of high trees and bearing their best fruit at the highest point. American grape vines require more room than Is usually given them. In Europe the vineyards are set in checks like our corn fields, with a vine tied to a stake not more than four to five feet high, and each bearing only a few bunches of fruit. We have seen many grape vines, each of which covered a large trellis and bore two to three bushels of fruit every year. Buch vines If rightly managed and pruned keep in better condition than those that are restricted for room. In most vineyards that we have seen, the owner after a few years wishes that the vines were twice as far apart as they are.

Breeding House for Poultry. Small breeding houses have come to be considered almost a necessity upon the average farm as well as In the yards of the fancier. The farmer has learned that it is economical and much more satisfactory to pick from his flock the most promising pullets and a well-bred male and place them In a commodious yard with a snug little house of their own. From this yard will come all the eggs that can be used for hatching. The eggs from hens having the entire range of the farm may be disposed of in the general market and used for household purposes. The accompanying illustration is of a small breeding house, which has been In use for three years. It was originally a large organ box and has been made over somewhat. Very little extra material was needed to complete it. A half sash, tar paper, hinges, hook and staple, and a few boards

A SMALL BREEDING HOUSE.

picked up about the farm were all the extras needed. This house accommodates In perfect comfort a pen of eight or ten hens and a rooster. Wheat in Drills. Nearly all winter wheat Is now sown by the drill. There are many advantages in this method of putting in the crop over broadcasting. Not the least of these is that It affords so good opportunity to drill mineral fertilizers in contact with the seed where they will greatly stimulate its early growth. But the most important advantage is that the drill leaves the wheat in a hollow where it can be slightly protected against all but the severest freezes. The ridge each side of it is mellowed by the frost, and when rains come it is washed down over the wheat roots. This is greatly helped by harrowing the wheat early in the spring so soon as the ground Is dry enough. Patience with Teams. The quality of farm help Is more nearly tested by its ability to manage a team without abusing it than by any other one thing. The horse is a sensitive, nervous animal, and if abused, as it often is, it soon becomes restless, and finally obstinate and vicious. A great many horses are ruined by the poof quality of farm help, which is now so common. If better help cannot be procured it may be necessary to do as is done by Southern farmers, breed mules, which will resent ill treatment so promptly that they will be less likely th be abused than is the horse. • ’ll Lose in Clover Ensilage. On® tiling which causes the loss with clover ensilage is that clover is a rather nitrogenous plant, says the Indiana Experiment Station, and often heats in the silo to a high degree, which causes the passing off of a large amount of fire-fanging, much the same as occurs tn a pile of horse manure; at least that kas been my experience In ensiloing It.

If sufficient water be used upon it, the heat Is reduced and the ensilage is preserved. It will be necessary ter the person filling the silo to watch pretty carefully, and if the temperature rise above 135 degrees, to keep water well poured on the surface. I do not think that any injurious results will arise from the application of water. We have ensilage here, and have received no results other than beneficial ones. Feeding Corn. Corn is one of the foods that are too rich in the heat and fat producing elements, says the Ohio Farmer. It needs something that contains more of the bone and muscle-forming elements to make it a good ration. Now, the scientist tells us that the excess of carbohydrates will be stored up in the system as fat. This is, in a measure, true. But all of us common hayseeds know that in practice, if an animal be fed an exclusive corn diet, the stor-ing-up process goes right on all right for a time. Then the appetite becomes clogged, there is a discouraging check in growth, and the animal takes an unthrifty appearance. Something besides corn should be fed as the grain ration, for the sake of variety if for no other reason. Relish has a great influence on digestion, and an animal will not cat with a good relish when‘fed on a single food for any great length of time. Vary the Diet of Cows, Milk is composed of certain solids and water, and, to produce it, we must give a cow such foods as contain these elements; that is, nitrogenous foods, says the Connecticut Farmer. Those which make fat will not produce milk, nor are they of much value for manorial purposes. Another point: Do not make the mistake of giving every cow in the herd the quantity or the same formulated ration. One cow will respond in milk, another will not; one will digest it all, another will not. And still another point: Give the cow, if you possibly can, a variety. She relishes a change, and, if it is a proper one, will do better for it None of us want pie at every meal, although the pie be ever so good; so with the cow, she likes an occasional change in her diet. Give It to her. Low Farm Wagons. An enormons amount of force is wasted in loading material into high farm wagons. It is fortunate that this truth is being discovered and lower gears are put into use. The accompanying sketch shows a convenient low farm wagon—commodious and light, but strong enough to make loading a very easy matter. The long body has a truss un-

CONVENIENT LOW FARM TRUCK.

der it to support the middle, the chains being attached veil under the body at the front, to av l id the wheels in turning. Side and pieces can be put upon such a b< dy, and a wagon box made if needed. Let the wheels be not only low, but le ! them have broad rims, so they will not cut into the land when hauling loads a< ross the fields. Tappin t Trees Twice. When the tapping of maple trees was done with an axe, chopping a gash in the maple and fixing a spout to conduct the sap to the bucket, a few seasons sufficed to so scar the tree as to greatly Injure its future growth and value. And after all, less sap was procured by this method than by those now used, which scarcely make a scar at all. A half-mch bit, boring into the tree at a slight angle above horizontal, will gather the sap best. It is not uncommon to put two or even three spouts into some of the best trees. If the spouts are withdrawn and the holes are filled, a healthy tree will grow over the wound in a year or two, so as to leave a very snail scar. Low Tops for Fruit Trees. The increasing prevalence of high winds has much to do with making fruit growers favor the heading out of fruit trees near the ground. There is great loss of fruit when the trees are high headed, ard it is also much more difficult to gather without injury. As for the old practice of training the high head, so that teams used in plowing and cultivating can be driven under the branches, it is very rarely followed now. The orchard ought to be cultivated only when young. After it gets into bearing, seed it and pasture with sheep or swine, also adding mineral fertilizers every year.

Pampering Young Pigs. The young pig should have enough feed to maintain thrift, but he should not be fed as if he were being fattened. The digestion of young pigs is weak, and if overfed at this time, especially with corn, they will become stunted and never prove profitable animals. The feed for young pigs should not be concentrated. Give them a small proportion of grain and wheat middlings, with enough milk and dish water to distend their stomachs and keep their digestion in good condition. A pig should be eight or nine months old before it will be safe to feed it heavily with corn.

Rewarding Heroism.

Only to the officers and men who In time of war have distinguished themselves by some act of valor or devotion is the Victoria Cross awarded. Where the act of daring is performed under the eye or command of an admiral, general or officer, the cross can be awarded on the spot. Where not so performed, the claimant has to make good his claim, which is most jealously inquired into. In the first case the decoration is made publicly before the naval or military force to which the claimant belongs, and his name is to be recorded in a general order, while the cause of his special distinction is to be set forward. In the second Instance the decoration is to be conferred as soon after the claim is proved as possible; and the name of the recipient must also appear in a general order. Valor, like virtue, is, of course, its own reward, and the best men, as a matter of fact, are seldom claimants for so great an honor. They are recommended by comrades who were eye (witnesses of their heroism. Lorenzo Faginoil, who saved Garibaldi’s life In IM9 by hiding him in the swamps nejr Ravenna, after he had been obliged to leave his dying wife in the retreat from Rome, has just died at Ha-enna.

CHANGES CHANGED.

NORTH INDIANA CONFERENCE APPOINTMENTS. Simpson to Preside Over Fort Wayne District—Names and Places of the Other Methodist Elders—Complete Itinerary la Announced. North Indiana Conference. The North Indiana conference closed its week’s session at Richmond Tuesday with the reading of the appointments of ministers for the ensuing year, as follows: Fort Wayne District —F. T. Simpson, presiding elder; Angola, M. F. Kemper; Auburn, J. K. Walts; Avilla, C. E. Davis; Blnffton, C. U. Wade; Bobo, G. Cocking; Ceylon, W. A. Griest; Churubusco, J. M. Haines; Coesse, N. P. Bartin; Decatur, E. T. Gregg; Fort Wayne, Berry Street, C. C. Cissel; Fort 'Wayne, St. Paul, M. C. Cooper; Fort Wayne, Simpson, J. W. Paschall; Fort Wayne, Trinity, E. F. Albertson; Fort Wayne, Wayne Street, H. W. Bennett; Fremont, 0. E. 'Wilcox; Garrett, A. S. Wooten; Geneva, D. G. Murray; Harlan, Lewis Reeves and D. I. Hower; Hoagland, C. Tinkham; Huntington, F. G. Browne; Leo, R. C. Jones; Markle, J. M. Stewart; Monroeville, M. E. Murray; New Haven, Grant Teeters; Ossian, S. C. Norris; Poneto, E. J. Magor; Roanoke, C. M. Hollopeter; Spencerville, E. M. Foster; Uniohdale, L. C. Zimmerman; Wolf Lake, D. D. Smith. Goshen District —C. G. Hudson, presiding elder; Albion, T. F. Freeh; Bristol; L. E. Knox; Butler, C. E. Disbro; Butler circuit, G. H. Kemp; Corunna, F. J. Speckeine; Elkhart, J. H. Jackson; Elkhart circuit, A. J. Duryee; Goshen, First, A. S. Preston; Goshen, Fifth Avenue, B. Sawyer; Hamilton, U. A. Foster; Hudson and Ashley, E. B. W’esthafer; Kendallville, M. J. Magor; La Grange, C. H. Browne; Leesburg, W. R. Pierce; Ligonier, W. M. Nelson; Lima, M. F. Stright; Middlebury, W. D. Smith; Milford, W. P. Herron; Mishawaka, B. A. Kemp; Nappanee, A. S. Wooten; New Paris, C. E. Parsons; Orland, J. A. Sumwait; Osceola, C. H. Murray; Topeka, A. McKee; Valentine, A. A. Turner; Wakarusa, A. L. Weaver; Waterloo, F. L. Erlougher; Wolcottville, J. T. Fettro, Kokomo District —M. S. Marble, presiding elder; Alto, W. W. Martin; Arcadia, J- W. Welch; Atlanta, J. E. Earp; Bunker Hill, F. A. Fish; Center, J. L. Hutchens; Cicero, M. J. Walts; Converse, J. O. Bills; Elwood, T. M. Guild; Galveston, T. J. Johnson; Goldsmith, W. G. -Bogue and E. Tripper; Greentown, O. S. Harrison; Jolietville, Martin Cause; Kokomo, Grace, W. D. Parr; Kokomo, Markland Avenue, D. H. Guild; Logansport, Broadway, E. L. Semans; Logansport, Market Street, W. It. Wones; Logansport, Wheatland Street, M. M. Harland; New Britton, E. A. Sarah; New Waverly. F. S. Stanim; Noblesville, F. M. Stone; Peru, E. E. Neal; Point Isabelle, J. H. Walters; Russiaville, O. V. L. Harbour; Santa Fe, J. M. B. Reeves; Circleville, T. A. Graham; Sharpsville, J. F. Radcliffe; Sheridan, C. H. Wilkinson; Tipton, D. C. Woolpert; Walton, S. H. Stokes; Windfall, David Wells; Westfield. E. A. McClintock. Muncie District—H. N. Herrick, presiding elder; Albany, W. S. Stewart; Albany circuit, Eli Davis; Alexandria, H. A. Davis; Anderson, Indiana Avenue, J. C. Darwin; Anderson, Meridian Street, G. N. Eldridge; Anderson, Noble Street, P. E. Powell; Anderson circuit, G. H. Meyers; Blaine, Earl H. Bryant; Dunkirk, G. B. Work; Eaton, G. W. Greene; Fairmount, H. M. Johnson; Farmland, Sylvester Billheimer; Fortville, F. M. Lacy; Frankton, J. D. Croan; Gas City, M. Pell; Gaston, J. H. Slack; Hartford City, L. A. Beeks; Ingals, E. L. Jones; Jonesboro, W. R. Surnan; Lapel, R. C. Jones; McCordsville, T. C. H. Beall; Mill Grove, J. Z. Barrett; Montpelier, H. C. Smith; Muncie, Avondale and Whiteley, C. W. Coons; High Street, George H. Hill; Madison Street, H. N. Phillips; Muncie circuit, R. S. Reed; New Burlington, J. F. Bailey; Parker, James E. Ferris; Pendleton, E. F. Hasty; Pennville, W. E. Grose; Perkinsville, J. J. Fred; Red Key, C. W. Lynch; Selma, B. S. Hollopeter; Summitville. J. A. Railey; Upland, John C. White; Yorkton, C. W. Shoemaker.

Richmond District—A. E. Makin,. presiding elder; Cadiz, H. H.Compton; Cambridge City, J. H. Harwell; Centerville, E. F. Nafberger; Charlottesville, A. Cone; Dublin, C. W. Smith;. Fountain City, J. P. Chamness;. Greenfield, M. E. Nethercut; Hagerstown, A. G. Neal; Kennard, F. N. Sandifur; Knightstown-, C. E. White; Lynn, C. A. Rowand; Middletown, W. H. Pierce; Newcastle, H .J. Norris; Philadelphia, S. F. Harter; Portland, L. ML Krider; Richmond, First Church, W. H. Daniel; Richmond. Grace Church, L. J. Nafberger; Richmond, Third Church, C. H. Metts; Richmond, Fifth Street Church, C. B. Wilcox; Ridgeville, J. W. Bowen; Saratoga, M. C. Pittinger; Spiceland, F. L. Houghtby; Trenton, J. L. Ramsey; Union City, A. W. Lampart; Williamsburg, H. Lacy; Winchester, J. W. Cain. Warsaw District—J. A. Lewelen, presiding elder; Akron, W. W. Brown; Andrews, C. Harvey; Bippus, S. C. Heston; Bourbon, J. A. Patterson; Claypool, W. F. Dingel; Columbia City, C. O. King; Denver, J. M. Baker; Etna Green, S. F. Spitz; Inwood, D. S. Jones; La Fontaine, J. W. Tillman; Lagro, J. D. Belt; Larwill, W. B. Freeland; Macy, I. W. Singer; Marion, First Church, J. M. Driver; Marion, Grace Church, J. S. Cain; Mentone, M. H. Mott; Mexico, R. H. Smith; North Manchester, J. B. Ford; North Webster, A. M. Patterson; Pierceton, J. B. Alleman; Roann, I. R. Goodwin; Silver Lake, W. T. A. White; South Whitely, S. A. Bridge; Van Buren, J. B. Cook; Wabash, S. Light; Wabash circuit, J. I. McCoy; Warren, H. Berdge; Warsaw, J. A. Beatty; West Marion, J. E. Erwin.

Church of Latter Day Saints, The Indiana conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints closed its session at Marion, 111,, Tuesday night. Headquarters of the Northern States is changed from Council Bluffs, lowa, to Kansas City, Mo. Following are the prominent appointments for the Indiana conference for the ensuing six months: Chicago, 111., 55 Rees-street, A. A. Da’hle and Christian Larson; Anna, 111., William E. Craygun and George A. Hill; Bloomfield, Ind., 'Vyilliam C. Humphreys and Asa Kienke; Centralia, 111,, Daniel A. Lonsy and Oliver Ostter; Crumstown, Ind., W. F. Mayhen and Ernest M. Boyer; Cincinnati, 0., Charles L. Olsen, 109 Plum street; Gent, Ind., Martin Brotherson and Foster M. Jones; Murphysboro, 111., Peter W. Anderson and Stephen L. Bunnell; Metropolis, 111., F. M. Stephenson and Charles Dinwoodie; Metz, Ind., Samuel C. Spencer, piesident of the Indiana conference; Odon, Ind., Thomas Cook and John P. Sorensen; Ora, Ind., J. H. Stout and Watham Gedge; Pinckneyville, 111., Joseph Enxpey and G. Buehman; Robinson, Ind., John N. Davis and Allen Archibald; Sulphur Wells, Ind., Erastus D. Sorensen and M. Waddups; Tasweli, Ind., James W. Viekers and William F. Tolley; Wyoming, 111., J. G. Ranck and Freeman P. Durfee; Vienna, 111., Thomas W. Eggett .and Victor E. Candland.

DUMAS AND GOLDSMITH.

The Points of Bea*mblance Between thc Two Writers. Dumas the elder had not a few points of resemblance to Oliver Goldsmith. He could not help running into debt, giving alms largely to every one who demanded them without stopping to inquire whether the mendicant were an impostor or an honest man, being a prey to sharp dealers and parasites, and living from hand to mouth. He was also boastful, from a fear of being forgotten or underrated, though without a grain of envy in his genial soul; was fond of the excitement and adventures of the old-fashioned modes of traveling; and had an undying love for the place In which he spent his youth. Throughout his long and varied literary career he nursed the hope of ending his days in the forest-girdled to<wn of Villers-Cotterets, in the ancient province of Valois, where he was born and reared. If ever the thought of saving any of his earnings traversed his brain, the father to it was his lifelong desire "to there return, and die at home at last.” He often talked of buying, when he had the means, the house in the Rue de Lormier in which he was born as day dawned on a July morning, in the second year of this century. Villers-CotteretS was written on his heart, and reacted on most of his after-life impressions. When he revisited the town he was-lionized by great and small, and found that boyish escapades and venial sins of adolescence were still held in kindly remembrance by the old folks. Dumas was a man of warm and ready sympathies, jovial of temperament, and sparkling with ready wit His impressions were vivacious, the fountains were near his eyes, and after laughing and crying, or rather blubbering, for sheer joy at the welcome be received, he lent himself to convivial demonstrations, and delighted all who sat down with him at table by his high spirits and the brilliancy of his conversation.—Century.

Bench AND Bar.

The Ruling Spirit Strong. The prosecuting attorney of a North Missouri county and a young attorney noted for his persistence were recently trying the preliminary hearing of a criminal case before a justice of the peace. The young attorney asked many irrelevant and incompetent questions, and when the prosecuting attorney would object would always say: “Your honor, before you pass on that objection I want to argue it.” Finally the young man asked the same question the seventh time against the prosecuting attorney’s objection, when the prosecutor, losing his patience, said in a loud aside: “ , are you never going to get over being a confounded fool?” Whereupon the young fellow jumped up wth bis usual remark: “Your honor, before you pass on that I want to argue it.”

Interruptions by the Court. Lord 1 Chief Justice Erie was prone to interrupt counsel when it was found that the judges had already made up their minds against him. On one occasion Mr. Bovill, Q. C., soon afterward made a judge, was stopped with: “Here we stand, we four men, and we have all firmly (emphasizing the adverb) made up our minds that there must be a new trial; but if you think it worth your while going on after that (playfully), why of course we’ll keep on hearing you.” Whereupon the Q. C. laughingly sat down. On another occasion he again interrupted with “I beg to inform the counsel ‘there is a time in the mind of every man at which he lets down the flood-gates of his understanding, and allows not one more drop to enter;’ and that time in my mind has fully arrived.” The Judge's Little Joke. Judge Gary has a dry wit with him that is occasionally the cause of bls grim court-room being pervaded by a very audible tittering. The other day, says the Green Bag, one of the attorneys was airing his indignation. He had been robbed. Yes, sir, robbed. It was shameful the way things went right there under the eyes of the law. Finally Judge Gary noticed Hie fuming and fretting one. “What’s the matter now?” he asked. “Matter? It’s a confounded outrage. Had my overcoat stolen right from, this room.” The judge smiled a little; “Overcoat, eh?” he said. “Pah, that’s nothing. Whole suits are lost here every day.” Paid the Damages. A Western judge, sitting in chambers, seeing,from the piles of papers in the lawyers’ hands that the first case was likely to be hotly contested, asked: “What is the amount in question?” “Two dollars,” said the plaintiff’s counsel. “I’ll pay it,” said the judge, handing over the, money; “call the next &»se.” He had not the patience of Sir William /Grant, who, after listening for two days to the arguments as to the construction of a certain act, quietly observed when they had done: “That act has been repealed.” ,

Hopeful.

At the restaurant: Diner—When I saw you a year ago you had just left college. You were then about to make your fortune, you said. Attendant—Yes; and now I am waiting for'it—Boston Transcript. “I want to marry your daughter,” said young Sprocket, the bicycle scorcher. “Can’t yob give us a start in li/e?” “Certainly,” replied the old man, opening the front door; “I believe you’ve tried the flying start before.”—Yonkers Statesmim. 1 “The gams’ is up,” remarked the hungry customer as he noted the advance in price of Hirds on the bill ®f fare.”— Philadelphia Record. Listen to iny man talk five minutes, and you wit learn that he is being Imposed upon’

RECORD OF THE WEEK

INDIANA INCIDENTS TERSELY TOLD. Kokomo Has a Tremendous Gos Ex* plosion—Widespread Ruin the Result—Joseph Mix Rapidly Sinking Because of Son’s Alleged Disgrace. Terrible Kxplonion of Gas. The most destructive natural gas explosion that ever occurred in the Indiana gas belt took place in Kokomo at noon Friday, the station of the Kokomo Natural Gas and Oil Company, consisting of four iron and brick buildings, located in the central part of the city, being demolished and many houses in the immediate neighborhood being shattered and almost wrecked. Fire burst forth from the ruins just after the explosion and the plant and machinery were entirely consumed. So violent wax the shock of the explosion that windows three squares away were broken to- flinders and men and horses going along the street were knocked down and seriously injured. Joseph Lindley, superintendent of the plant, was in the office when the explosion occurred and was hurled through one of the windows and fell forty feet away. Two horses in the works were raised high in the air and were crushed to death in the fall and thefar bodies ‘burned. No lives were lost, though several employes were slightly hurt.. The company furnished fuel gas for domestic consumption, and hundreds of families were thus cut off without fuel supply. Among the buildings that suffered most from the chock of the explosion were the jail and the court house, both of which had the windows torn out and bricks>and L stones displaced.

Noted Seer of White River Dying-. Joseph Mix, of Anderson, the old seer of White River, known.as such all-over: Ohio and Indiana, is reported dying. He was declared of unsound mind some time ago and his money, or rather that part which could be found, was put into the hands of a guardian. He is 70 years-of age and has gained his-title from the fact that he had a strange insight into the future. He could, it is said, locate missing, stolen or lost articles, could tell who the thieves were and do many equally strange things. He practiced his art in Indiana for forty years and during his last years people came from the Eastern and Western States to have him locate lost children. In this manner he amassed a fortune and it is thought that’he buried most of it. When Ms estate was turned over to the guardians but $4,000 could be found. 1 It is thought that he is worth many times this amount. His aberration was due to a peculiar circumstance; His son Joe married and later sold his wife and threw in her bed clothing to Joe Badgley, a neighbor, for $25 on easy payments. The bed clothes were thrown in to fill out the bargain and the money was paid and he delivered the wife. The sale would probably have held good but for the State stepping in and taking a hand. The news Was sent out through a press association and the similarity in names caused many to think that it was him. turned his mind and he has been failing eVer since.

All Over the State. A. J. Conover, the alleged forger, held at Peru on a charge of having bogus Checks in his possession, has been released, the authorities finding no case against him. Daniel Baugh, of Jeffersonville, celebrated the 107th anniversary of his birth Wednesday. He is probably the oldest man in the State. He is hale and hearty and retains his mental faculties. Rev. Dr. John Rutledge, of Oakville, was arrested, but was released on bond of SI,OOO. The indictment was returned by the recent grand jury. It is charged that on Dec. 24 last Rev. Dr. Rutledge united in marriage Charles Jones and Miss Lalo Hunt, though the. United Brethren Church had revoked his. license. It is alleged that he had.no authority to perform the marriage, and was guilty of felony. He isone of Delaware County’s oldest residents, and has been a physician and minister at Oakville for a number of years. It is not known, why the license was revoked. Theodore Frank was severely injured Saturday night while, attempting to clean out a dance near Inwood. Frank, Grimsley and Thompson,, three of. the most spirited young men in the vicinity, had. partly carried out a plan to throw out the young men at the dance and take possession of the hall. Frank was-the first one in the hall, and, , taking hold of the smalb est man in. the room, received a violent, blow across the head with a. stove poker, in the hands of. Charles Meyer. Instantly all the men: present joined against the intruders. Knives, guns, stove pokersand stones, were freely flying in the room. Mr. Meyer,, living close by, heard theracket and went over to see about it. With the help of several others he quieted thefighters. Frank, Grimsley and Thompson, were arrested and put under bonds. Early Wednesday morning the authorities of Bremen were notified, to. meet the-west-bound limited express om the Baltimore and Ohio road and arrest a gang of thieves, supposed to be on, board. They had boarded the train at Garrett and. catching Theodore BeilsteiiL of Chicago, on the platform, ro'bbed. hipi aud threw him from the rapidly moving, car. One of the gang remarked that he-believed. Beilsteia held, the keys to the express safe. After he had recovered from the shock Beilstein crawled, bruised and" bleeding, to Garrett and notified the authorities. Officers were lined up on both allies of the .track, and as soon as th£ train. Slowed up the gang was located between’the cars. They made a desperate resistance and two of them got away. Four were arrested, and when about a. block from the depot one of them knocked down the officer who had him in charge and made a dash for liberty. The officers opened fire, which was returned. Two of the thieves were Shot and one will die as a result. Robert Torrey, for years with Buffalo Bill’s show, while going through a livery stable at Valparaiso, was struck on the head by a bale of hay and killed. The block coal miners of the Brazil district asked the operators for a joint conference, which was granted. The miners met in secret session and formulated a scale for the ensuing year which they will present at the joint conference. It is said that they will ask an increase in the price of mining in the same ratio as that granted in Ohio and Pennsylvania. The operators say they are, not in a position to grant a raise. Quite a sensation whs created at Valparaiso by finding the remains of an unknown about ’l9' years old, lying by the Fort Wayne tracks, west of the city, Tuesday night. Nothing was foqnd on. his person to- establish his identity.’ " %ome small change and a purchasing check of a clothing house in Chicago wefe’ found In his right trousers pocket, while the left was missing. His clothes indicate that he was no tramp. A party of tramps, of whom several seem to have met the dead man on a freight -train coming out of Chicago, were locked up pending; the coroner's examination. It is thought be wa« robbed and then thrown from the train.