Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 April 1875 — A “Horse-Palace” on Wheels. [ARTICLE]

A “Horse-Palace” on Wheels.

The following description is given by the San Francisco Chronicle of the car in which the trotter Occident is to be brought East by Budd Doble: “ Underneath the car is carried a portable bridge for shipping or transhipping horses at a moment’s notice, being attended with no danger or trouble whatever. On the inside the conveniences are of the most superior character. There are four portable stalls for horses, two near each end of the car. When it is necessary to lie over a day or two for rest these single stalls can be converted into roomy boxstalls ; their sides are also cushioned to prevent accident. Every aperture, window, etc., has wire screens to prevent’ cinders from entering the car; the arrangements for preventing flies from troubling the horse are also very ingenious and useful. Overhead are conveniences for packing away sulkies. In one corner of the car a stove is carried for the purpose of heating water for feet as well as for cooking when necessary; also a refrigerator and numerous conveniences that show much ingenuity in their construction. In the center of the car Doble has a perfect gem of a boudoir, fitted up in the most superb manner, with frescoed walls and ceilings, Brussels carpets, tables, chairs, lounges, mirror, lace curtains, silver lamps; also a fine sideboard filled with elegant cut-glass and well stocked with wines. A bell is also at hand to call his help when required. In fact, take it all in all, it is one of the most tastily arranged cars for man and beast that there is in the United States. The cost was about $65,500|a1l told. Occident and St. James will probably be the only horse occupants of this horse-palace in the coming trip.”

A singularphenomenon occurred in this vicinity Wednesday—a Week ago to-day. A severe snow-storm, with moderate temperature and light but gradually increasing wind, prevailed during the day. About one p. m. along with, the descending snow came a dirty, yellowish substance, in the form of a powder, which when collected and dried had very much the appearance of the dust in the streets in summer. Mr. C. F. Foster, of this village, brought in a sample. It was deposited from perhaps a quart of snow, melted, which fell in the same connection, and was then taken out and dried. There was about an or dinary thimbleful of it. It was without taste or odor, and was of impalpable fineness. From all portions of this village and Oswego Falls we hear of the phenomena occurring, and from several miles west, which was the direction the wind came from. The fall of “ sand snow,” some observers designated it, continued about eight minutes, and appears to have been simultaneous throughout the territory from which we have heard- — Fulton (N. F.) Timet. • —“ I don’t care a cent for fashion— I’ve got to scratch rtiyheell” exclaimed a Detroit man as he pulled off his boot in. a street-car recently; -