Rensselaer Union, Volume 6, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 February 1874 — Page 1

THE RENSSELAER UNION. Published Every Thuredey by HORACE E. JAMES, JOSHUA HEALEY, proprietors. Office over Wood’s Hardware Store, Washington Street. Subscription, $2.00 a Year, In Advance. ar oh -womc Of every to order In good style and at low rates.

EPITOME OF THE WEEK.

Condensed from Telegrams of Accompanying Dates. Friday, January 23. —According to the Spanish official reports of a recent engagement at Los Melones, near Camaguay, 650 Government troops, under Colonel Espanda, met 1,800 of the Insurgents, and after a severe fight of six hours and a half, the Spauiaids retreated, having four officers and fifty privates wounded, Espanda having his nose shot off. Private Cuban advices say that Espanda had 1,200 men, only 250 of whom escaped death, wounds, or capture.... A Washington Associated Press dispatch says that damaging reports about the election of Piuchbaek, by the Louisiana Legislature, having reached Mr. Morton, he sent for Pinehback, who made a clean breast, whereupon Morton abandoned the policy ot seating Pinehback on a prima facie case, and asked that the matter be carried to the Committee on Privileges and Elections to investigate the conduct of Pinehback.... The Republicans and Anti-Monopolists of the lowa House of Representatives have effected a compromise on' the following basis: The Republicans to have the Speaker and Chairmen of all the standing committees; the Anti-Monopolists to have all the remaining officers, the generarcommittees to be constituted equal in number of each party, and the Antl-MohOpolists to have the Chairman and a majority of one in each In vestigating committee... .In his recent report to the Wisconsin State Grange the Secretary gave a history of the order in Wisconsin, dating its progress from the Portage meeting, October 22, 1872, and from the .Ripon meeting following. The largest Grange now in the State is at Evansville, having a membership of ninety-six then and fifty-two women. The September report to the National Grange showed a State membership of 6,414, and 157 Granges. On January I, 1874, there were in the State 304 Granges.... The Michigan State Grange met in Convention at Kalamazoo on the 21st. The Secretary reported that In the United States there are now more than 10.000 subordinate Granges, with a membership of 1,000,000 patrons. The report concludes with a very hopeful view of the condition of the Order. Saturday, January 24*—The marriage of tile Duke of Edinburgh, the second son of Queen Victoria, to the Grand Duchess Marie was solemnized in St. Petersburg, Russia, on the 23d. Hie day was observed as a holiday. At London flags were displayed from all public and many private buildings, in honor of the event, and throughout England the bells were rung and marriages took place in nearly every church..... The British Parliament lias been dissolved by royal decree. Gladstone has issued an address to his constituents at Greenwich, asking for reelection and announcing that the Queen has been pleased to accept the advice of her Ministers to dissolve the present Parliament immediately, and summon a new one to meet on the 511161 March, 1874... .The mineowners inthe Scbuykill district In Pennsylvania have accepted the proposition of the miners to go to work on the basis of 1873, and the strike is therefore ended... .The lowa House of Representatives have effected an organization by electing the Republican candidate (Gear) for Speaker, and Anti-Monopolists for the other officers?'.. ..The Republican State Central Committee of Louisiana have unanimously adopted resolutions protesting against a new election as —.likely.'to.Cttßt.tlie.l.iYesjpf hundreds men in the northern part of the State and the Red River parishes. Monday, January 26—The Carlists report that Santander and Portugalcte surrendered unconditionally to their forces on the 22d, and that the entire Scgovfa batallion, flnumber of artillerymen and engineers, 1,200 ' Remington and 400 Minnie rifles, and twoeannous, fell into their hands.... From a statement just published it appears that since March, 1867, 58,618 petitions iu bankruptcy have been filed in the United States Courts. The number of discharges granted, are 38,747. The total expense of the proceedings has been $4,821,784.... An Associated Press dispatch of the 25th says Pinchback’s friends had denied that he made any confession to Senator Morton of fraudulent practices with reference to bis election by the Kellogg Legislature. He stated that he had been tendered the unanimous support of the true Republicans of Louisiana, and that, thus fortified, he was determined to abide the. issue before the Senate. ... .The Postmaster at Austin, Texas, has received a dispatch from the Postmaster-General directing that all mail matter addressed to the “Governor of Texas” should be delivered to Richard Coke, and all mail matter addressed to “Governor E. J. Davis,” or “E. J. Davis, Governor of Texas,” should be delivered to E. J. Davis. Similar action should be taken as to other State officers. These instructions were given after consultation with the President. ... .The officers elected by the lowa House of Representatives" on the 23d arc: John H. Gear, of Burlington, Speaker; James M. Wearl, Chief Clerk; L. Irwin, First Assistant Clerk; Mrs. Sally A. Van Pelt, of Dubuque, Enrolling Clerk; Mrs. E. M. Ives, Engrossing Clerk} W. A. Fulmer, Second Assistant Clerk. The official count of the vote for Governor foots up as follows: Carpenter, 106,122; Vale, 105,057. Tuesday, January 27.—A London dispatch says intelligence has just been received of the death of Dr. Livingstone in the interior of Africa.. He died of dysentery, in June last, while traveling from Lake Bembe to Upyanyemlie. He had l>ecn traveling over a partially submerged country, and after wading four days through water was seized by the illness —of which he died. His body has been embalmed, and is lining conveyed to England by way of Zanzibar... .The Rt. Hon. Benjamin Disraeli has Issued an address to his constituents in Buckinghamshire, condemning the course of the Government, and’ asking for rejection to Parliament. Mr. Nolan, Secretary of the Irish Amnesty Association, announces hb Intention 6f contesting the election of Gladstone in Greenwich a. . Vlce-Pres ident Wilson has left Washington for Boston, where he will remain three or four weeks.... A letter from Jeff. Davis was published in Washington on Jhe 25th, In which he pronounces ex-Senator H. 8. Foote, of Tennessee, " a “liar.” Mr. Foote the next morning published a card, In which he challenges Davis, and Insists that “the habitual calumniator of honest and patriotic men has rio right to skulk behind the hypocritical pretenses of extreme piety.” Wednesday, January 28.—While the expreas paswpger train from Edinburg for

THE RENSSELAER UNION.

VOL. VI.

Glasgow was running at great speed on the morning of the 27th, it came in collision with another express train. Sixteen persons were killed and a number were severely injured. Several coaches were demolished.... Dr. Wyman reports that the cause of Agassiz’s death was disease and obstruction of the arteries pt the brain. The greatest weight of the brain is estimated at 56 5 avoirdupois ounces... .The Boston School Committee have declared, by a vote of 46 to 45, that the seats of the women who had been elected members were vacant. The women whose seats were in question stayed in their places and voted f6r their side. ... .The lower portion of Fulton, N. Y., has been inundated. Ou the evening of tlie 25th about thirty families were obliged to leave their homes, and many more were the next morning carried from the second stories of their homes by boats. Men were seen wading in water to their waists, carrying the women of their households on their backs to places of safety. The damage to business interests was great.... Mr. Waite, the new Chief-Jus-tice, lias resigned the Presidency of the Ohio Constitutional Convention.... The Lower House of the Missouri Legislature has defeated the bill to allow women to bo elected to office under the school laws, by a vote of 30 yeas to 77 nays.... At Des Moines, on the 27th, Governor Carpenter took the oath of office and was inaugurated Governor of the State of lowa for a second term. Thursday, January 29.—A Bayonne .telegram says the report that the Carlists had captured Santander was denied, butanother report was current that the corporation was negotiating to raise 2,000,000 piasters, which the Carlisfts demanded as the price for abstaining from bombarding the city....A memorial of citizens of Phildelphia was presented to the President and Congress, representing that tbe near approach of the one hundredth anniversary of the nation’s birth renders it befitting that tbe survivors of those who freely offered Carpenters’ Hall to the Continental Congress, when even the time-honored State House was closed against them, should commemorate the nation’s advent at that place; therefore Congress is invited to assemble in Carpenters’ Hall on the sth day of the ninth month, 1874, the one hundredth anniversary of the meeting of the first American Congress, and order such ceremonies as they in their wisdom shall deem best. The President and Cabinet have also been invited.... Ex-Chief Justice James Thompson, of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, fell dead in the Supreme Court room iu Philadelphia oh the morning of the 28th, while engaged in arguing u tax-title case before the court... .The Hon. Rufus King, of Cincinnati, has been chosen successor to Mr. Wuite as President of the Ohio Constitutional Convention... .Gen. 8. B. Maxey has been elected United States Senator by tlie Texas Legislature, Reagan having withdrawn from tlie contest.

FORTY-THIRD CONGRESS.

Thursday, January 22.—Senate.—Several petitions were presented and e ferrod, among them one from Susan B. Anthony, relating the circumstances of her registering tn Rochester, N. Y., and her subsequent indictment and trial for illegal votingrbefore judge Hunt, of the United States Supreme Court, stating that her trial was not a fair one and her conviction was in violation of the statute, and asking that the fine Imposed on her be remitted. ...A resolution was submitted, laid on the table and ordered printed, Instructing the Committee on Transportation Routes to the Seaboard to consider and report the bill creating a Commission of five eminent and skilled persons, to.be appointed by tbe President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, who shall examine anft report to Congress what legislation is necessary and practicable in regard to inter-State railways, to promote the efficiency of such railways, the interests of commerce, and the convenience and safety of the traveling public A resolution was adopted against the printing in the Congressional Record any speech or part of speech not actually delivered in the Senate or House of Representatives ...A bIH was introduced for the further improvement of the Great Kanawha River... .Consideration of the" Finance resolution was resumed, and Mr. Boutwell addressed the Senate in opposition to an Increase in tbe volume of the currency, and at the same time in opposition to any reduction of it; he considered a general inflation of the currency of the country would be followed by speculation, disaster and ruin; he thought that the Issue of the $14,000,000 ought never to have been questioned, and hoped that the-matter would now be determined; the Treasury Department In using a part of it, had acted on the idea that it could lie used whenever there was a necessity for it, though It was to be retired when the exigency had passed; he opposed the plan of a currency convertible into bonds, and did not consider specie payments possible.... Adjourned. House— The bills to repeal all taxation on bank checks and friction matches were reported adversely from the Committee of Ways and Means, and the adverse reports were referred to tbe Committee of the Whole for discussion, and made the special order for the 28th.'... A bill was also reported fixing the amount of legal-tender notes at $400,0! o,<®o, which bill was made the special order in Committee of the Whole for the ■-’Wlh... .The West Virginia contested election case was further considered, bntno vote was reached, ."... Au evening session was held for the consideration of the bill revising and consolidating the statutes. Friday, January 23— Senate.— Among the pctitiona presented w’as one asking Congress to appoint a committee to examine into tbe manner in which the affairs of the Government of the District of Columbia are conducted, and especially those of the Board of Public Works, and that the petitioners be allowed to be present by counsel at such investigation.... Bills were passed—to confirm title to certain lands purchased for the site of the Fort Kearney military reservation; to pay the bonds of the Louisville & Portland Canal; the Postal Route bi 11.... A bill was Introduced and referred to provide for cheap transportation by way of tbe great lakes, southwest... .The ft-solutlon reported by the Finance Committee was further considered, Mr. Stewart speaking of the evils of depreciated currency, anil advocating free banking on a gold basis; he thought we could stand the efforts toward a return to specie payment now, but if a step be taken backward it could not. be retraced. The further consideration of tire resolution was postponed to the27th... .Adjourned to the 26th. House.— Several committee reports of a private character were made and referred.... A bill was reported and referred to the Committee of the Whole in reference to the education of the blind of tbe District of Columbia.... The West Virginia election case was further cpasldered, bnt without coming to* vote the House adjourned, the session on the 24th to be for general debate. Thursday, January 20.— Senate.— House bills were passed—to confirm certain land titles in Missouri; granting authority for coinage to be executed at the mints of the United States for foreign countries; to abolish the office of First Deputy Commissioner of Internal Revenue.. The resolutions in regard to the seating of Mr. Piuchback as Senator from Louisiana were taken up; an amendment was offered that P, B. Pinchhack be allowed to take his seat in the Senate upon taking the necessary oath, and that the Committee on Privileges and Elections subsequently consider the grounds upon which his seatie contested, and report to the Senate; and Mr. Morton then announced that, since his argument of a few days before as to the validity of the Kellogg government. and the legality of the Legislature tn electing Pinchback- and the General Government being bound by the decision of the State tribunal on a question of State law, or of tbe State Constitution., he had received information charging Pim bback with procuring bis election by bribery and of conduct in connection with his • election which, if true, render it improper for him (Piuchback) to have a seat on this floor He therefore moved-that the credentials of Mr. Piuchback : be recommitted to the Committee on Privileges and Elections, and that the said committee have power to send for persons and papers, and be instructed to investigate the conduct of said Pinch baek in connection with tbs said election. Mr. McCreery spoke at great length ths subject or

RENSSELAER, JASPER COUNTY, INDIANA, FEBRUARY 5, 1874.

Louisiana affairs, contending that the Kellogg government was ,an usurpation, and denying that Louisiana had a republican form of government, and argued that steps should be taken to protect her against fraud and usurpation. The further consideration of the motion to recommit was laid over till the 28th... .Executive session ■nd adjournmen.. House.— Bills were introduceu —repeal so much of the act of March 3,1873, as provides that the Representatives elect to Congress may receive their compensation monthly, from the beginning of the term until the beginning of the first session of Congress; to provide for a national currency, for the redemption thereof in coin, and for the redemption of the circulating notes issued by, or under the authority of the United Slates; providing for the survey, by army and navy engineers, or the ship canal from Lake Michigan to the Mississippi River near Cairo; for the removal of all troops in Southern States to the Western country as protection against the Indians; to incorporate the Eastern and Western Transportation Company, with a capital of $30,000,000; to maintain and manage a railway from Port Royal Harbor, S. C., to Leavenworth, Kansas, via Macon, Georgia, and Memphis, Tennessee.... Resolutions of ihstmcilon were adopted, among theAa one instructing the Judiciary Committee to inquire into the relations existing between tbe Federal Government and the loeal government of the District of Columbia.... The West Virginia Election case was further considered, hut without coming to a vote the ‘House adjourned. Wednesday, January 28,— Senate. — The credentials of William L. McMillan as Scnatorfrom Louisiana were recommitted to the Committee on Privileges and Elections....A bill was reported from committee, without amendment, providing that every volunteer accepted by the War Department under the proclamation of May 3, 1161. shall be paid the full bounty of one hundred dollars promised thereby.... Mr. Morion spoke in favor of the resolution providing for a Commission of five person* to examine and report to Congress what legislation is required in regard to inter-state railroads, and to provide for cheaper transportation, etc.... The bill supplementary to the act to protect all citizens of the United States in their civil rights, and to furnish the means of their vindication, was taken up and a debate ensued on a motion to refer to the Judiciary Committee.... The joint resolution proposing an amendment, to the Constitution, providing for the election of President by a direct vote of the people, and abolishing the office of Vice-President, came up and was referred to the Committee on Privileges and Elections... .The bill to authorize the organization of National Banks without circulation was taken np and debated Adjourned. House.— The Senate amendments to the Post-Route bill were concurred in.... Bills were reported and recommitted—reviving the grant of lauds to aid in the construction of a railroad from Vicksburg to the Texas State line; to incorporate the Southern Trans-continental Railroad Company, and to grant the right of way through public lands; to amend the act to encourage the growth of timber on the Western prairies,... The West Virginia contested election case was further considered, and at the close of the debate a vote was had on tbe resolutions, those reported by tbe majority of the Committee on Electionsbeing that J J. Davis and J. M. Hogan, chosen at the August election, were not. and that Benjamin Wilson and B. F. Martin, chosen at the October election, were duly elected—the resolutions reported by the minority of the Committee taking opposite grounds; the malorily report was supported by the Democratic and the minority report by the Republican side of the house, and the vote resulted in declaring Davis and Hogan entitled to seats, and they were accordingly sworn in... .Adjourned. < Thursday, January 29. Senate.— Among the petitions presented was one from soldiers in the late war, staling their belief that they are entitled to 16'' acres of land, and asking for the appointment of a special committee to investigate as to the working of the. existing laws touching the subject, .r. A bill was introduced and referred to amend the diplomatic and consular systems act of August 18, 1856.... The finance resolution was further debated, Mr. Bayard advocating the resumption of specie payment at the earliest possible day; he thought the Legal Tender act was a war measure, and should not be continued now in time of peace. Mr. Morrill (Vt.) replied to Mr. Boutwell, citing his (Boutwell's) former votes and reports to show that “his policy of standing still was impossible.” ...Executive session and adjonrnment. . - r —; —. • House.— A bill was passed establishing life-saving slations, and appropriating SII,CCD therefor, and $1,600 for medals ordered previously to be presented Io persons who had distinguished themselves in saving lives from the wreck of the steamer Metis... A memorial was presented and referred of New York bankers against any further inflation of tbe currency. ..A substitute was offered and referred for the bill introduced iu the House by the Committee of Ways and Means, fixing the status of the over-issue of legal tenders, such substitute deciariug that United States notes issued in excess of $306,u00,000 were issued without authority of law, and are not legal tenders, and Congress cannot give them the attribute of money under the recent decision of the Supreme Court, but, having been issued, are a just debt against the United States, redeemable in legal money.,.. he Army Appropriation bill, appropriating $28,449,916, was considered in Com.i.iitee of the Wh01e.... An evening session was provided for, to be for the consideration of the bill revising the statutes.

THE MARKETS.

NEW YORK, January 29,1874. Cotton.—Middling upland, 15H@15’4c. Live Stock.—Beef Cattle—[email protected]. Hogs— Live, [email protected]; Dressed, $0.87)4 g, 7.25. Sheep —Live. [email protected]. BitEADSTurrs. —Flour—Good to choice, $6,913 7.25; white wheat extra, $7.2508.00. Wheat—No. 2 Chicago, [email protected]; lowa spring, [email protected]; No. 2 Milwaukee spring, $1.5901.62. Rye—Western and State, $1.0801.10. Barley—[email protected]. Corn —Mixed Western afloat, BJ@BBc. Oats—New Western, 60@61c. Provisions.—Pork—New Mess, $15.87'4016.00. Lard—9Jk@9’ a c. Wool.—Common to extra, 40@70c. CHICAGO. Live Stock.—Beeves- -Choice, [email protected]; good, $4.9005.25: medium, [email protected]; butchers’ stock, [email protected]; stock cattle, $3.00@4.(0. Hogs—Live, $«[email protected]; Dressed, $6.35*6.50. Sheep—Good to choice, $4.7505.35. Provisions.—Butter —Choice, 83@37c. Eggs— Fresh, [email protected]. Pork—New Mess, $14,350 14.41'. Lard—9>«@9?ic. Bre adstutts Flour—White Winter extra, [email protected]; spring extra, [email protected]. Wheat -Spring, No. 2, $1.2301.284. Corn—No. 2, 53 05714 C. Oats—No. 2. 42'<@«Xc. Rye—No. 2, 80© 82c. Barley—No. 2, $1.6801.68. Wool.—Tub-washed, 40@52c; fleece,’ washed, 86@46c.; “fleece, unwashed, 25@32c.; pulled, 85010 c. CINCINNATI. Breadhtueps.—Flour—[email protected]. Wheat—‘sl.s2. Corn—sß362c. Rye-95c. Oatp—43@soc. Barley—sl.6ool.7o. Provisions. Pork 94c. ST. LOUIS. Live Stock.—Beeves—Fait; to choice, $4,250 6.25. Hogs—Live, $4.9005.65. BREADSTvrrs.-Flonr, XX Fall. $6.5007.00. Wheat—No. 2 Red Fall. $1.6301.65. Corn—No. 2. 63066 c. Oats—No. 2,45046 c. Rye—No. 2, 840 85c. Barley—sl.4ool.7s. .. ' , - ■ , ' Provisions.—Pork—Mess, $15.00015.25. Lard—--BM@9c. ’ . MILWAUKEE. BREADsrurrs.—Flour—Spring XX, $6.0006.* 0. Wheat-Spring No.l, $1 2501.254; No. 2, $1,280 1.234. Corn—No. 2,580584 c. Oato-No. 2,40® 4114 c. Rye—No. 1,770774 c. Barley—No. 2, $1.56 01.60. DETROIT. * Bbeadstutfs. Wheat—Extra, $1.6401.65. C0rn—630654c. 0at5—4704714c. TOLEDO. Beeadstuw*.—Wheat—Amber Mich., $1,480 1.49; No. 2 Red, $1.4«01.47. Corn-Mixed, 664 067 c. Oats—No. 1,464047 c. CLEVELAND. Bbeadstvtee.—Wheat—No. 1 Red, $1.5701.ML No. 2 Red, $1.4701.48. Com-66@71c. Oats—4B® BUFFALO. Lite Stock.—Beevea Live,56.8506.16. Sheep-Live, $5.37405.® 4—The average pay to teachers io the State of lowa it f 99 per month,

OUR COUNTRY AND OUR UNION.

A GASOLINE HORROR.

A Knlttiug-Mill, Filled with Operatives, Blown Up by n. Gasoline Explosion—Nine Women Burned to Death, and Many Others I* Jured. A terrible gasoline explosion occurred on the 20th of January in the manufacturing establishment known as the Green Mountain Knitting Mills, of Bennington, Vt., which very nearly caused the destruction of the entire building, and sent nine poor creatures unheralded to their graves. The building was a massive brick structure, employing seventyfive hands. There was a large “L” in the rear in which was placed the boiler -used to heat the building and to supply steam for an engine when tlie water-wheel did not furnish suffic.ientpowcr. To light the works, a portable gas apparatus was used, by means of which the vaporization of gasoline was made to serve as an illuminating agent. The nay the event here spoken of occurred, it was discovered that the pipes containing the gasoline were leaking, and a man was set to work repairing them. During this operation the vapor of gasoline was allowed to escape and fill the room, and a portion escaped into the “L” containing the boiler. It is well known that the vapor of gasoline, or any volatile substance, mixed with atmospheric air in certain proportions, will explode on coming in contact with fire, and this is just what happened in this instance. The vapor mixed with air came in contact with the fires under the boiler and an explosion followed which in an instant shattered the portion of that building permeated by the gas, which was nearly the whole structure in this instance. The roof was lifted from the side-walls which fell outward, and when the roof fell it dropped upon the heads of the employes, crushing them to the ground and imprisoning them beneath the ruins. In an instant the whole building was wrapped in flames, leaving those who attempted to put out the fire powerless to render aid to the poor creatures-who were imprisoned there, and they were rapidly burned to death. A local account says: “The screams were horrible to hear, and their agonizing cries for help were enough to put energy and courage into the nerves of every man, but all efforts were fruitless, and the unfortunate women perished miserably. After considerable time had been spent in subduing the flames, a search was made among the ruins, and the charred remains of nine bodies were recovered. In every instance there was no-possibility of recognition.directly, and the only guide to the names of the killed was tbe fact that the remains found were supposed to be those of the persons who worked at the benches where these remains were found.” It was a terrible affair, and the moral conveyed by it is sufficiently clear to be patent to the commonest comprehension. Alcohol, gasoline, kerosene, and the thousand and «ne burning fluids and compounds sold for illuminating purposes, will explode if the vapor arising from them be not kept away from Are, no mat ter what their vendors may say to the contrary. If those whose necessities compel their use would only remember this fact-, and act accordingly, the death-rate of the country would be very sensibly diminished, a vast amount of suffering saved, and readers of newspapers be spared such harrowing details as are here recited.

A Mercenary Corpse.

Here is a heart rending story from Louisiana, a portion of the country that in these latter days is somewjiat prolific in sensational developments. ’ Not many days ago a most abject and poverty-stricken woman called upon one of the most prominent merchants of New Orleans, well known for his liberality and kindness of heart, and after unfolding a tale of misfortune and wretchedness, said that her husband had died forty-eight hours before. Of course the merchant was profoundly moved by this revelation of distress, and, when his visitor graphically said that she was unable to defray the expenses of the burial, and disliked the idea of a. burial at public expense, and .that the bodj- was already beginning to decompose in the room inhabited by herself and her orphaned children, he hastily put on his hat and led the woman into the street, saying he would accompany her to the place, and not only see to the funeral, but make eotnj. arrangements for the comfort of the afflicted ones thus left desolate in a cold and heartless world. Arriving at the house, which, by the way, was an especially forlorn and unclean establishment on the liver front, the woman’s action was confused, not to say peculiar. She seemed overcome, crazed with grief, first knocking violently on the door, then jerking, an old mildewed bell-handle, and Anally entering without waiting for an answer to the summons. They went up a rickety, rotten staircase, and, on the fourth floor, entered a room whose door consisted of a blanket hung on nails. Two dirty cadaverous children crouched near the fire-place, and in a rough-hewn box of a coffin lay a swollen and discolored corpse. Its face was unclean, and blue and red spots about the eyes and toouth seemed to indicate that decomposition had already set in. The gentleman was horrified. This was more than be could stand. A sodden odor pervaded the room; a frightful atmosphere <jf death and abject poverty sickened “him. He thought he would go. He felt sorry he had eVer come. It would have been so.mueh better to give the woman money without bringing himself in contact with ail this horrible misery. He took out his pocket book, and, handing the woman its contents, which happened to be only fourteen dollars, told her to call again and he would do more for her. Then he fled. But at the foot of the stairs he found he had left bis umbrella—a' handsome twenty dollar affair, presented on Christmas by his most intimate friend. He hated to do it—he positively recoiled from entering that room again—but it seemed unfeeling to call the woman down, and he must return. He did so. He hurried quickly but softly up stairs, tip-toed to the door, and saw—the corpse sitting up in the coffin, counting his fourteen dollars very deliberately. He clutched the umbrella without a word and returned to bis place of business, a specially discontented and sheepish-looking man.

The Wisconsin and Michigan State Granges.

In the Wisconsin"Blate Grange on the 23d. resolutions were adopted favoring the Government building a double-track railway from Chicago to New York; favoring trade with those manufacturers who will give terms to Patrons, and refusing to deal with any others, and , to- instruct the State Agent to publish e list of those Anns who decline direct trade with the Order, Cungreuto authortze tte issue c-f or-

rency sufficient to supply a money circulation to answer the demands of trade, and obviate the effects of the present panic; approving of the movement of the Executive Committee of the Illinois Btate Grange in interrogating Representatives in Congress relative to the views entertained by them on leading measures now being prosecuted by Patrons of Husbandry; asking the Legislature to pass a law raising the present railway tax from three to five per cent.; and that Commissioners be appointed with full powers to regulate unjust discrimination and excessive rates of freight and passe gers; Hint railways should be taxed on their gross receipts. A telegram was received from the State Grange of Michigan, in session at Kalamazoo, sending the greeting of 800 Patrons then in session, and the response was returned that the State Grange of Wisconsin, open in the fifth degree, returns the fraternal greeting of Michigan with cheers of hope for the good cause everywhere. The Michigan State Grange adjourned on the 23d, after adopting a platform in which they declare that railroads are amenable to State regulation as much as plank and gravel road and that the Legislature lias as much right to regulate their charges as to fix turnpike toll or the charges of millers for grinding grain. They declare that the farmers have suffered more, by railway exactions than all other causes combined; and that the railway corporations have outgrown Legislatures or defy them, and have made the chosen representatives of the people a matter of barter and sale; and they assert that it is the duty of tbe Legislature and State officers to investigate the matter of the violation of the law by the various railway companies doing business in the State, and to promptly enforce the laws enacted for the protection of the rights of the people, and in cases where the present laws may be found deficient- to promptly remedy the defects by new enactments. They also resolved —that no legislative, judicial, or State officer should be allowed to accept free passes from aril ways, and all offers of any special privileges by railway companies to any such officers should be looked upon and treated as a corrupt attempt at bribery; that “we, as farmers of Michigan, regard the organization of the Order of the Patrons of Husbandry as a movement of vast importance, not only to the interests of the great producing class of our country, but also in its ultimate and highest objects designed and calcula-, ted to bless society at large,” etc.

TERRIBLE RESULTS OF A LAMP EXPLOSION.

Five Persons Involved in the Flames— Death of the Father and Eldest Daughter—The Mother add Babe Severely Burned. Kerosene and gasoline have long enjoyed the doubtful distinction of being the cause of a great majority of the household casualties of the day. Scarcely a paper can be taken tip that does not bristle with exclamation points, and tire the eye with black. letter headings, announcing the burning of this or that person who was engaged in the apparent ly innocent labor of filling a burning lamp with liquid death and destruction, sold under harmless sounding names—as non-explosive kerosene, Triumph oil, etc., etc. This time the product ozoline comes to the front and deals death and sorrow around in such liberal measure that tbe destroying angel who is supposed to oversee such matters ought to be satisfied with its work, and discard every other agency hereafter. About five o’clock on the morning of January 15, James McGinnis, of St. Joseph, Missouri, his wife, his daughter Annie, aged seventeen, and the baby, arose from their beds and repaired to the kitchen to partake of an early breakfast. Shortly afterwards Mrs. McGinnis sent Annie up stairs to bring down the lamp for refilling. The lamp was brought, and Mrs. McGinnis tilled it with ozoline within one inch of the burner, then lighted the wick and turned down the chimney, when tlie lamp exploded with a loud report, hurling the flames in every direction about the small room. The oil can, which contained nearly a gallon of the liquid, was also Involved in the explosion and contributed largely to the devouring element which completely filled the room. The bulk of the flames shot like lightning across the room, and over Annie sitting between her mother and the bed, and caught the bed in which lay the little baby Florence. Immediately Mr. McGinnis seized his wife and babe and threw them out of the window. By this time Annie was in a sheet of flame and , her father very badly burned from head to foot. Joseph, one of the sons, was. up stairs at the time; but hearing the report, rushed below, and in his efforts to do something was very severely burned on lioth bands, and his hair was singed. The other children rushed out of doors screaming “murder! murder! fire! fire!” The neighbors were aroused by the wild cries of terror, and forthwith went to the house to witness a scene which baffles description. The room was ablaze. The mother and babtrwere struggling with the flames which enveloped them, upon the frozen ground. The brave father, suffering intensely, was found sitting upon tbe porch In a delirium, his every footstep from the scene of the terrible accident being marked with blood. The eldest daughter, Annie, had crawled out of the caldron of flame, and was endeavoring to climb the stairway. Annie was burned to a crisp from bead to foot, and 1 after a most agonizing struggle death relieved her of her sufferings. James McGinnis, the father, was severcly burned all over bls body, and died a little after noon. Mrs. McGinnis and liaby Florence were taken to the residence of a neighbor. She was very severely burned on the face, neck and' bo'h bands and arms; and the"baby on the face, both arms and lower limbs. Tbe Herald, of .the 16tb, says that at Igat accounts, it was thought that the mother and son only would recover.

—“I don’t believe much in the Bible," said a collegian to an old Quaker. “Does thee believe in Franee?” “Yea, I do. I never saw it, but I have plenty of proof that there ia auch a country.” Then thee does not believe anything unless thee or thy reliable friends have seen it?” "No, be sure I won’t.” “Did thee ever see thy own brains?” “No.” ‘‘Did thee ever know anybody that has seen thy brains??; “No.” "Does thee believe thee has any brains?” , * When California wants a desperado she sets about securing him with an earnestness which could be profitably imitated elsewhere. The Legislature of that State has just passed a bill authorizing the Governor to offer a reward of 115,000 for Use capture of the notorious Vwfuez »n 4 bitband. ' ■-

NO. 20.

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. Best size for a man—exercise. John B. Gough hasalectured 7,000 times in thirty-one years. Better be upright with poverty than be wicked with plenty. A writer wishes to know why people always spell finis without an h. What is the proper age for a parson ? Why, the parson-age, of course. A Maine woman sued a saloon keeper for "the loss other husband’s society.” One of the last stage lines in Maine, between Portland and Gray, has been discontinued. It costs $2,000 to bury a Congressman who dies at Washington. It could be done much cheaper at hoine. Over one hundred Eastern people with consumptive tendencies are wintering in Los Angeles, California. Typhoid fevers and pneumonia are said to prevail largely, this winter, in the northern counties of Kansas. The St. Paul Board of Health considers it unhealthy to allow steam pipes to be discharged into the sewers. Mibb Harriet Augusta Smith, of Wisconsin, is added to the list of heroic women who have shot a bear. An Augusta (Me.) minister refuses to perform the marriage ceremony for persons who have been divorced. Wiiat three authors would you mention in commenting on an extensive conflagration ? Dickens, Howitt Burns! Thirty-seven persons were killed last year by other persons playfully pointing supposed unloaded guns at them. Virginia is getting so many English settlers that it will soon be the correct thing to call her the h’old Dominion. A balky horse in a double team may always be started by tying his tail to the whiffletree and starting the other-horse. A Red Bank, N. J., farmer boasts that his hens lay eggs that can’t be beat. That farmer ought to be taken into custardy. The girls of Syracuse, N. ¥., amuse themselves by blackening their faces and going about in disguise for umbrellas to mend. It is a remarkable fact that the Bth of January, the anniversary of the battle of New Orleans, passed by this year without any especial notice. Agassiz used to claim that it was just as proper to say a “pint of milch” as to say “a milch cow.” His head was popularly supposed to be level. The London Morning Post declares that Mark Twain, as a humorist, is a fraud, not fit to be mentioned the same day with Artemus Ward. A great drinker being at a table they offered him grapes at dessert. “Thank you,” said he, pushing away the plate, “I don’t take my wine in pills.” Schultz’s chronscope, used in. estimating the initial velocity of a cannon ball, measures an interval of the time to within one fifty-thousandth of a second. Mrs. Lucy G. Thurston, now- in her seventy-seventh year, is the only survivor of the pioneer missionary band that landed in the Sandwich Islands in 1820. A lengthy article is in circulation telling how to make a good mustard plaster. An article -telling how to successfully dodge one is what a smitten people want. A late convict in the lowa State Prison has sued the warden of that institution to recover damages for being kicked in the stomach while incarcerated. He wants $6,000. One of the latest fashions is to trim a plain black skirt and waist with black velvet to simulate a redingotc. It is a clever idea, and is being extensively carried out. Some . thoughtful person says: “It is unkind to ridicule those items in the papers about centenarians. It is no easy thing to become a centenarian; several have failed.” The world is an old woman that mistakes any glittering farthing for a gold coin; whereby being often cheated she will henceforth trust nothing but the common copper. ■ The Archbishop of Canterbury says, speaking of the Mission of the Church, that it is no part of its business to make inroads upon dissent, but rather to make inroads upon ungodliness. The estimated cost of the Continuation of the Illinois & Michigan Canal across the State of Illinois, from Hennepin to the Mississippi, is $4,000,000. A survey has already been made. A noted leader of fashion in New York wore on New Year’s a dress of purple velvet trimmed with white feather trimming and lace. It was most beautiful and uncommonly effective. According to a recent issue of the Jacksonville (Fla.) Union, a large tigercat was killed by a boy eleven years old, a few days before, near that village. Gordon, the tiger killer, is vanquished. ‘ Dr. Lynch, in the Sanitarian, recommends the entire prohibition of the use of spring and well water in cities. He thinks the use of water of this kind is a fruitful source of disease, particularly of typhoid fever. The "intelligent contraband” and the “reliable gentleman” of war times have a successor just now in “the experienced banker,” who is loaded to the muzzle with schemes for the relief of our financial ills. Where books are liable to become mildewed, they may be preserved by brushing them over with wine. A few drops of any perfumed oil will secure libraries\from the consuming effects of mold and (lamp. There is an editor in Troy who proudly shows a lead pencil that he has used con stantly for nine years, and it is not half done yet. He has worn out several pairs of scissors, however, since his editorial career commenced. .

Of the people who die in our cities a trifle more than half are children under five years of age. The diseases that cause this infant mortality are many, bitt their causes are few. Roughly slated they are bad ventilation, defective drainage, and adulterated milk. One'Mrs. Law, of Vermont, called, her husband a liar eightyears ago, and he has not spoken to her since, though he has remained in the house. In this he has done right The practice of married women calling their husbands liars ought to be discouraged. - Sad is the story of the greasy town of Pithole, Pa., which, ninety days after the first house was built, during the petroleum excitement, had two theaters, two daily newspapers, an opera house, seventy five hotels and saloons, and, a little later, a population of 25,000. Now il boasts a population of scarcely one hundred,

m-MEUGB mi. ■ ■ ■.■.•assay RATES OF ADWtteTUHlta; - . A One Hnnnre (3 llnee or-lew) one InserU-n, SljOO Every subsequent Insertion, Mty cents. Advertisements not under contract mnat be merited the length of time desired, or they will be continued and charged until ordered out. Yearly advertise™ win bo charged exha for Dissolution and other notices not connected with tiftdr regular business. All foreign advertisements must bo paid quarterly In advance. Professional Cards of five .lues or less, one year, $5.00. O . ..—.I srACit. Im. Bm. tai. lye 1 One square $W $W MAO sift( • Two squares 5.00 7.00 13.00 IS.< f One-quarter column, 10.00 12-00 18.00 20X1 One-half column 12.00 10.(0 22.00 W.C • One column 18.00 80.00 «.00 80.0

Try Jt.—When there is not a breath of air stirring and you are in danger it stifling, attempt to light a cigar out of doors,'and you will be surprised at the breeze that will start up. We have seen a man try this experiment in a dead calm, and by the time he had scratched thirteen matches it was really so windy as to be uncomfortable.— Danbury News. , Perriere, the French consul at Newport, R. 1., has taken very French leave. He sold his house, some time since, and went away, leaving notice that he would return in a few days, but it has slipped his mind, somehow, and his creditors are uneasy. Another French consul at that port “ lit out ” in the same way, a few years ago. A Western orator said recently, rather prettily “As the Gulf stream is the creator of Ireland carrying the warm air of the tropics up northward and pouring it all round the isle, making it emerald in summerandwinter, so Lord Bacon’s brains was a strange stream of thought, which, flowing from himself outward-has covered the civilized world with a rich harvest of flowers and fruit.” The lola (Kansas) Register, which is now run by Mrs. Walker, during the temporary absence of her husband, brings Mr. Walker out as its candidate for United States Senator from that State. Mrs. Walker says he hasn’t money enough to become an aristocrat, nor poverty enough to become a tool; that his honesty is unquestioned, and his integrity untried. An indignant but eminently respectable lowa gentleman recently threw a stone at his dog, who would persist in following him into a Burlington street car. The stone hit the dog in the side, glanced off and struck an old lady, who was getting out of an omnibus, in the spine, fracturing it, and injuring her otherwise so seriously thather decease was momentarily expected. Madame Nilsson, the Swedish Nightingale, in addition to her other musical accomplishments, can whistle like a mocking-bird. A correspondent of the Arcadian says: “It is really wonderful to hear her whistle; no one ever could do it better. There is nothing she is fonder of than a good romp with a lot of lively children; she makes them all infatuated with her in less than a minute, and she kicks up more noise than an eight-horse-power school girl.” More coffee. A patent has recently been issued for a new article of “coffee,” made of roasted persimmon seeds. There is not the least objection to making persimmon seeds or any other kind of seeds into table beverages, provided they are sold under their proper names. But this mixing of all manner of seeds, grinding them up and calling the beverage “coffee” is an insult to the genuine fragrant berry, which should be frowned upon by those possessing cultivated tastes. The Miners' Journal (Pottsville, Pa.) proposes the following novel scheme of currency: “We would issue one dollar in currency to thirty-five dollars in wealth, and make wealth the basis of issue as the settled policy of the country in issuing currency, expanding it as business and wealth expands, if the business community should call for that quanity. This would not disturb relative values, and would greatly tend to check the periodical panics whieh must occur under the present system.” The Spectator says: “We suspect most wives understand their husbands, and most fathers their children, very well indeed, and that the popular phrase about the blindness of parents is merely a popular phrase. The blindness of parents about grown-up children is, it is true, frequently very marked; but that is the effect of long habit, which would blind them'equally to the merits and defects of anybody else. Most parents, we suspect, see through their children clearly enough, their failures being only apparent failures, because they see and admire or dislike qualities invisible to the outer world.” Some one has sent the Atlantic Monthly the following expose : “Lightly she lifts the large, pure, luminousshell,and poises it in her strong, shapely hand. ‘Listen!’ she says—‘it has a tale to tell, spoken in language you may understand.’ Smiling, she holds it to my dreaming ear: the old, delicious murmur of the sea steals like enchantment through me, and I hear voices like echoes of eternity. Let her poise. She may also lift the convoluted univalve in a ‘strong and shapely hand,’ and her biceps may swell out like a muskmelon. But the antique swindle touching the ‘old, delicious murmur of the sea’ is a humbug, afor, reader, if you will hold a beaver ha£ or a goblet, or a pickle-bot-tle to your ear, yon will hear the same delicious murmur.” A hint for careful housewives is embodied in the following stbry taken from the Springfield (Mass.) Republican: Some time since a lady died very suddenly at her home near this city. The deceased had lor many years raised vegetables for market, and had been quite successful. A few days since, some member of the bereaved family, prospecting among the stock of canned fruit for a supply for the table, found one can which, although sealed like the others, was much lighter. It was opened, and, to the astonished gaze of all, there was revealed inside the vessel the handsome some of $1,700 in greenbacks, the saving of the thrifty housewife, its existence unknown to any but herself.

The Leavenworth Commercial says the most wonderful curio, ity we have seen for these many days, came under our notice yesterday. It is a Texas steer, one of whose horns’turned back and downward, penetrating his neck between the windpipe and the bone. The horn had evidently received injuries when the animal was young, and had grown in that direction while the steer was running wild on the prairies of Texas. The point of the horn protruded about three Inches from the opposite side of the neck. The animal was the property of a man who was on his way to Nebraska He said that he purchased the steer from a Texas drover, in the southern patt of the State, about three years ago, and had worked him in a u-nni ever since. The wound made by the horn was entirely healed up, and no visible soreness, though during the heated season, in July and August, it sometimes Becomes irritated. —The other day, at a concert, a gentleman having put his hat uponachairto, keep a place, returned to claim it alter a short absence. The hat he found, sure enough, where it had been left, only there was a stout lady sitting on it. ‘ Madam, said he, “you are sitting on my hat. The lady blushed a little, turned round, »pd said in the blandest manner: “Ob, I beg pardon! I’m sure I thought it was W* hiKbasd’s,” ■ ? ' ■■■ "