St. Joseph County Independent, Volume 18, Number 5, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 20 August 1892 — Page 2

JUST COMMON FOLKS. A hundred humble songsters trill The notes that to their lays belong, Where just one nightingale might fill The place with Its transcendent song. And thus Fame comes, and with it s smile A soul with lasting greatness cloaks And leaves a thousand else the while To be for aye just common folks. If only sweetest belli were rung. How we should miss the minor chimes 1 If only grandest poets sung There’d be no humble little rhymes, The modest, clinging vines add grace Unto the forest's giant oaks. And mid earth’s might y is a place To people with just common folks. Not they the warriors who shall win Upon the battlefield a ram ’ To sound above the awful din ; Not theirs the painter's deathless fa ne, Not theirs the poet’s muse that brings The rythmic gift his soul invokes ; Th irs but to do the simple things. That duty gives just common folks. They are the multitudes of earth And mingle ever in the crowd, Elbowing those of equal birth, Where none because of cast is proud. Bound by the meshes of a fate That sometimes a decree revokes ; Above the lowly, 'neath the great. Are millions of just common folks. Eate has not lifted them above The level of the human plain ; They share with men a brother love, In touch with pleasure and with pain. One great, far-reaching brotherhood With common burdens, common yokes And common wrongs and e mmon good, God’s army of just common folks. •-Free Press.

YANKEE COAL. I know it’s a right smart offer, Squire, and five hundred dollars is a big sum of money for a pilot to get , for taking a pair of boats from Pitts-; burgh to New Orleans; ’out, don’t you ' see, there’s a heap o' risk to run. 1 j ain’t afeerd o’ what the rivers can do, i for I've been down the Ohio and Mississipp’ times enough to make their acquaintance pretty well, but feel in’s 1 are hot among the people along the ’ banks o’ the lever waters, and’twou’d ! be as much as a man's ne k’d be ■ worth, to he caught with a broad kora of Yankee coal anywheres betwixt Cairo ana the Old Red Church." (The place where the coal-boats used to tie up at New Orleans.) ‘•l’m well aware, Jack Leathers, ; that the risk is great,” replied Squire Thomas, the owner of the coal. “But we have the boats all loaded, and I want them started, even though they don’t get farther than the mouth of the Ohio. So I promise you five l hundred dollars if you go through to New Orleans all right; with two hundred in advance, which will be yours, if your trip does not extend beyond Cairo.” “As 1 said,” returned Jack, who was one of the oldest pilots on the two rivers—“it's a ’mazin’ temptin’ offer. And if I can pick up a crew of square men, here in Pittsburgh, I’ll make a start of it.” “That’s right, Leathers,” answered the skipper. “Offer them $l5O apiece, one-third in advance.” “Very well, squire, and if any of the boys are loafing round that's got the ‘bottom’ in ' m to go witii me,

I’ll be ready to ‘cast oil’ at daylight to-m rrow morning. Jack Leathers .did not meet with, much difficulty in picking up a

?i!^ ‘" With ' whle’S*'tne people of the South were imbued, and consequently had not the fears for their safety which the pilot, more enlightened, possessed. “It’s no more than right for me to tell you, boys, that we’re startin’ on what may be the hottest trip that any of us have ever taken down stream. So it there's one among you that feels scary, he can jest chuck his plunder on the bank an’ go ashore right here. For after we swing out into the Ohio, not a man shall leave the boats till we get to New Orleans, unless he's taken by officers or soldiers along the way, or we strike a snag and have to swim for it.” “Ain’t you going down, Jack?” asked one of the crew significantly. “I should say I was,” was the grim answer. “Then 1 reckon we-uns have got as much sand as you-uns, so there ain't any need of more talk about it.” Though the reply was given in a gruff, almost surly tone, yet the pilot was pleased to receive it, as he knew the nature of the material he had to deal with, and accepted the laconic retort of the rough boatman for what it was: viz., a pledge of fidelity. As the pair of long, unwieldy coal boats swung out into the stream and felt the cun- nt of the river, she was ' heartily cheered by the crowd of idle ! spectators who were gathered upon the shore. “I wish we’d waited until night afore makin’ a start,” grumble 1 the pilot to his assistant, Billy Brown. “Now the news that Jack Leathers, with a broadhorn of Pittsburg coal, I is headed down river, will travel a good sight faster’n we w.il, and we may look for trouble even afore we ■ git to Cairo.” “Well, my advice is, Jack, not to hug that trouble before it comes aboard,” replied the youthful and light-hearted “second,” as he gave a I vigorous sweep with his long steer-ing-oar, as much to emphasize his remark as to guide the boat out into! mid-strcam. “1 don't prepose to. But, don’t you sec, while we’re up here among the Union folks, if any one stops an 1 asks us what we’ve got, we can -ay ! we’ve got Yankee coal, and tell the . truth. But. when we get down into 1 the Mississip’, and the other chaps ! hail us, we can’t say we're loaded i with Secesh cargo, ’cause that’d be a lie. and Jack Leathers hasn’t told a lie since he was a boy.” “Well,” replied his companion, “you wouldn’t catch Bill Brown hesitating long between a lie that would burn his tongue and the noose ot a rope. If I was in charge of this broadhorn, and any one around here asked me wnat I'd got, 1 should say Yankee coal. If I was down about

Vicksburg, and the chaps should ask ; me the same question I would tell ’em Secesh coal. If they took my s word for it and let me pass, I’d sleep > a heap sight sounder that night, 1 thinking I had squeezed through a mighty narrow hole. ; The conscientious chief slowly shook his head but made no answer for several minutes; finally, he said, — “Perhaps there’s some way we can get around it. Now, Kentu iky is as . much Secesh as she is for the Union, so I was thinkin' if we could make a trade for a hundred bushel or so of her coal, we'd have both kinds aboard, and we'd be all right.” Brown smiled at the novel manner in which his pilot propo e. 1 to quiet I his conscience, though he had to admit it was not a bad scheme. “But, he remarked, “won’t the rebs capture us if we make a landing to try that kind of a bartar?” “Yes, they would be likely to. But it struck me that before we got out of the Ohio we might meet a ■ steamer that'd be willing to exchange. | 1 I know most o’ the cap’ns, and i wouldn’t mind throwin’ in a few | extra bushels for the sake o’ the accommodation.” This idea seemed to greatly please both men, although Brown observed that he woulo not go to so much trouble, and volunteered to do all the lying in case they were stopped and ■ questioned. To this Leathers would not consent, ; so the matter was dropped. Day and night the broadhorn floated | tranquilly down the Ohio. Oqe after i another the large towns and cities , were passed, and our friends could : see that everywhere on shore great ! excitement prevailed. । They were now journeying through what might be termed a neutral ■ country, for the people, at this time. , had not openly espoused the cause of the other side. Nearly a week they had been absent from Pittsburgh when they ar- ' rived at Louisville. Here they were ' obliged to haul up and await their ' turn in passing through the canal. “ lou-uns won't get verv far with that Yankee coal,” observed a loafer on the levee. “The boats from down river say that they-uns are just lookin’ for : I such chaps as you-uns.” “Reckon they be,” replied Brown Brown, to whom the remark was addressed. “And they won’t have to 1 look hard to find us, for a broadhorn ain't so small an object that it can’t ; be seen from one bank to another.” This was the only comment made which would tend to cause the boat- ; men to fear or their safety further along. When again well on their I way, leaving the city behind then, the pilot said: “I’ve fixed it, Billy. I've fixed it all right. You know Hub Skelton, the cap’n o’ the Sandusky. Well, he’s I coming out o’ Louisville some time to-

' i night, and ’ll overhaul us a long way i this side o’ Cairo. He’s agreed to i slow down an’ make fast, and give us ■■u~

“It’s a^m'pert s^me?” wa.<the! , reply. “beein r it ain’t a-goin’ to delay 'His any, an’ will be a heap of relief to ' your mind.” I “That’s just it, my lad.” i Some hours after midnight, the heavy puffing of a high-pressure boat * was heard, approaching them up the river. “There’s the Sandusky!” exclaimed Leathers. “Now, light another lantern, Bill, and swing it so Skelton ’il know it's us.” As soon as the signal was displayed, , the experienced boatman could tell by the sounds that leached them that the steamer was slowing down. “It’s al! right,” said the pilot. Stand by for her lines. And you felI lows get ready to roust a hundred and twenty bushels aboard of her lively.” “Cur'us, a boat jest out o’ Louis- ! ville wantin’ ter buy coal,” grumbled one of the men. “P’raps she’s Secesh an' the Yanks wouldn’t sell it to her, or p’raps sh’s a Yank an’ the Secesh wouldn’t sell it to her,” returned another of the crew. “You can’t tell haw it is in these times.” It did not take long to secu r e the j hawsers, and the big steamer and the broadhorn floated on down the river, side by side. ! When the boatmen saw the negro crew of the Sandusky pass them with tided baskets, ami dump coal upon ! their own pile, they came to the con- J

017 VUV V/U elusion that eit her Leathers, the pilot, the captain of the steamer, or both, were crazy, but they continued their I labor until ordered to cease. I Then the big boat drew ahead, and so n her red-hot smoke stacks disappeared around the bend farther down. Leathers fairly’ danced with delight when the exchange ha 1 hem completed, and he was again alone with i his little band. Calling his crew about him, he said: “Now. boys. i F we're hauled up ' afore we reach the Mississippi or leastwise afore we pass' Island Num- j i ber Ten, and anyone asks what we’ve g it aboard, teil ’em 'Pittsburgh coil:’ but after that, mind you, it's Kentucky, for we’ve just taken some out o' the Sandusky.” As the cleverness of the pilot’s ; scheme dawned upon the none tno i brilliant minds of the boatmens, they ! burst into a hearty laugh, and con- : ■ gratnlabd their superior upon his ; strategy. On, on, they drifted, until the Mississippi opened before them. Although many boats wore met. some containing officers ami soldiers in uniform, they were interrupted but once i before they reached the Father of Maters. i “If you know when you’re well off, ! you’d better work in and make a' landing on the Illinois shore and sell j

your coal for what it will fetch,” ad-[ vised a man who had come off in a . skiff to hail them. “If you don’t, the Secesh will seize it and chuck you fel- ; lows overboard to the cattish.” “I hope things ain’t quite as bad as that.” returned Leathers. “If they’re not now. they will be before you get 200 miles further.” By this time the man in thp skiff was so far astern that his voice could scarcely be heard, and the pilot winked at his assistant and chuckled. The third night after passing Cairo they were startled by seeing a boat containing six men shoot out of the darkness, and its occupants spring over the rail. The strangers were armed and quickly covered the two pilots with their revolvers. “Where are you from?” demanded the leader. “We left Louisville two weeks ago,” I promptly repled Brown. “No lies. This is Yankee coal,” asserted the new comer. I “Now, if that stuff you’r standin’ i on warnt mined in Kentucky you may | hang Jack Leather to any tree on the I bank,” retorted the pilot. “Ah, Leathers, is that you?” went ‘ on the officer of the guard. “Now I ; know we’ve captured a prize.” And) turning to his followers he continued, I “Two of you men jump into the skiff j and run his line out to shore. And j you, Leathers, order your crew to the j oars. You must make a landing at ! Vicksburg. Ah. ha, this lot of Yan-! kee coal is just about what the boys i are in need of.” “I tell you,” persisted the pilot, i “I’ve got Kentucky coal aboard.” ••Perhaps you have, but we'll see.” | As the two secessionists got into the boat, Brown went forward to i hand them the end of the warping- ' line. In passing among his own | crew he whispered,— “Look here, if those fellows take : us to Vicksburg, every one of us will hang before daylight. It seems to me mighty cowardly to allow half a I dozen men, though they are armed, ’ to capture thirty big fellows like us.” “A low growl was the response, but it meant volumes. “Pay outl Pay out:” shouted the ■ soldiers in the boat. “All right,” returned the second ! pilot. “Pull away, you’re getting it now faster’n you can take it. ” I Though in reality Brown was holding i on to the rope until he could secure a j piece of timber to it. to mislead the i would-be captors and induce them to : think they were towing a hawser. Then he cut the line and noiselessly dropped the log of wood into the water. In the darkness the four southerners, who were gathered a! out the indignant pilot, could not see what was I going on, nor did they realize any . change in the situation until they : felt then ’rms pinioned to their sides, ' and heavy ’.lands placed over their

! mouths. “What does this mean?” qu stioned ■I Leathers - r S W - 1 x^s ’dl'bold sWoke. but perhrfps

the best oTCU’replied Leathers. -'Secure them firmly until we get by tin' i city. It won't take half an hour to । leave the lights behind. Where are j the two rascals that went off in the ,skiff?” | “Towing a log of wo d ashore to secure it to th? bank,” answered i Brown, with a chuckle. Ail eyes were now strained to de- ; tect the presence of another guardboat. should one be abroad upon the . river, but our friends were not moleste l. and the broadhorn swept b the cit v which ere long was to be the . scene of carnage and strife. As the sun arose the coal-boats were well down in the sparsely settled country, and Leathers, having secured the soldiers’ weapons, ordered them to be releas d, and invited them ■ to join him at breakfast. “What are you going to do with us?” demanded the officer, as soon as he recovered speech. ••Set you adrift in one of my skiffs, when you have finished eating.” was the cool reply. ••You’ll be made to suffer for this, believe me, Leathers.” “Oh. I reckon not. My instructions were to take this coal south as quickly as possible, and not to “tie up” or allow myself to be stopped under any circumstances. And I judge the officer who is looking for this cargo is a little bit higher up than you are, my friend.” “But where are you taking it?”

“There’s another of my instructions. Not to tell a soul on the river to whom it is consigned. So if you have finished your repast you may climb into the skiff and go back to Vicksburgh. It'll be a hard pull, I know, but it is your fault. You should have taken my word and not made the attempt to retard my progress. In a surly mood the soldiers took their sc iL in the boat, and without responding to the pilot's farewell, started on a good ten-mile row against the strong curr nt of the M ssissippi. When they were-well out of hearing, Leath ‘rs grasped the hand of his assistant, and said: “Brown you di 1 well, and if we i reach New Orleans ail right you shall have a hundred dollars for last night's ' work, if I have to pay it myself." “Oh, we’ll be sure to get there ; safe, now. I tell you the wav’ I reason. Vicksburg is the principal upper guard-station, and having run -the gauntlet there successfully there is but little danger of being stopped further down.” “Yes, but those fellows will report us as ^oon as they get ashore, set the telegraph at work, and we’ll be caught again. “I don't think so. v'H be ashamed to acknowledge six ; armed men allowed a coal-box to i slip by them. ”

Brown’s reasoning proved correct, and our friends met with no further trouble, but delivered the coal in safety at New Orleans. .Although Secesh sentiments ran high in the Crescent City, the boatmen found no difficulty in securing passes to return to their homes, and in just eight weeks from the time they left home, Jack Leathers, the pilot, and Bill Brown, his assistant, were back in Pittsburgh with a round sum of money in their pockets, earned by running a cargo of Yankee coal to New Orleans.—Yankee Blade. Ancient St.ll's. The ancient Greeks, in their desire to honor the healing art, cherished the myth that the first knowledge of medicine came from gods and demigods. The Romans, though in general more practical than the Greeks, | evinced less sense of the importance of the healing art, and for centuries held practicers of medicine in small esteem. Foreigners who tried to establish the art at Rome were looked । on with contempt and suspicion. I The elder Cato says that these doc- | tors came to Rome to put an end to ; the people. He cautioned his friends i to let them alone, and preferred to I treat his family and neighbors from ; I an old hand-book of medical recipes j which had probably been delivered to ! him by his father, who in turn had j received it from his progenitors. Romans of means bad physicians in ; their own houses. These men were ' slaves, for, odd as it may seem, many ' Roman slaves were accomplished in I literature, art and science. At one i time the selling price of a slave doctor ■ was about the e juivalent of three , hundred dollars in our money. After the time of Julius Cmsar, who encouraged physicians, the art began to “lift its head” in Rome, and later men of character and position, though generally foreigners, entered the profession. Some of them accumulated j large fortunes, and one made the ' equivalent of at least five bundled i thousand dollars in a few years. In some countries, where physicians did not thrive, sick people were placed on the road-side, that travelers who had suffered with like maladies might suggest remedies. Such crude efforts were supplanted at Rome by shops, in which various drugs and medicines were sold. Then as now quacks abounded, and the government, for the protection of the peop'c, ordered that ail remedies should bear a label declaring the character of the medicine, the name of its inventor,the sickness for which it was prepared, with a list of its ingredients. and full directions as to the way in which it should be taken.

Nr disorders of the stomach a fa- ■ vorite prescription was to the effect ’ that the sufferer should read aloud, in ' a clear, distinct tone, some book or speech, and then take moderate exer- ’ cise. Physicians were divided, as now, doctor - - 0A ! «Wreacfi tllUprb- ; fe^sion. Surgeons us->d various instruments, resembling in s une measure those of to-dav. They had ear-probes, syringes, instruments for cutting bom s, an I the like. In very early times dentists came into notice, and an ancient author refers to ••gold-illlngs." : — Professor A. P. Montague ii Youth's Companion. < .mine Experiments. • A Western correspondent sends to the Youth’s Companion an account of a handsome Chesapeake spaniel, mimed “Whiskers,” who has recently become an original investigator in electrical science. One cold evening, it appears. Mr. P . Whiskers' owner, came home from his office, put on his slippers, and sat down in a large cushioned chair to read the evening paper. Whiskers began to rub himself under Mr. P 's legs, between his feet and the cushioned chair, thus scratching both sides and his back at once until he had devclo: ed quite a charge of electricity. When tired of rubbing he took a roll on the carpet, and on getting up. discovered an orange seed on the floor. This he smelled of, and turning away from it. walked up to -Mr. P 's foot and smelled at his ankle, between his slipper and his pantaloons. Much to his surprise, he received a spark. After a moment of apparent reflection he proceeded to experiment. He rubbed as before, rolled, smelled at the orange-seed and finally at Mr. P ’s ankle, and received another spark.

L’he experiment was repeated again and again. He seemed to regard the orange-seed as pa of the necessary formula until it was remove I. Then he discovered that he could produce the desire result without it. He experiments now every evening, usuall}’ taking his spark from the zinc or from the shovel-handle under the stove, although he does not con line himself to these, but tries furniture, persons or potted plants, evidently prompted by something vory like curiosity to know how broad a bearing this interesting phenomenon may have. Sometimes he fails t > generate enough electricity to produce a spark. On such occasions he rubs. roils, and scratches with extraordinary vigor, and then, with caution bred of experience. proceeds to take what sometimes proves a snap so sharp a- t cause him to snap back —at the spark piobabiy. He learned and now practices this trick without a hint from any one, and always seems to be greatly interested in the results. People who keep their money tied up in stockings, usually believe in i ghosts and fairy tales.

THE SUNDAY SCHOOL SERIOUS SUBJECTS CAREFULLY CONSIDERED. A Scholarly Exposition of the Lesson— Thoughts Worthy of Calm Reflection — Half an Hour’s Study of the Scriptures —Time Well Spent. The Apostles Persecuted. The lesson for Sunday, Aug. 21, may be found In Acts 5: 20-42. INTRODUCTORY. We are giving a moving glimpse, In this lesson, of a church that got Its directions straight from God. and straightly obeyed. No taking counsel, no disputing: What says the word?—that was enough. And so when the angel said “go,” they went; when he said, “Go, stand in the temple,” they went and stood in the temple; when lie said, “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people,” they went, and stood and spoke. They did what they were told. And they got just what God promised they should have. WHAT THE LESSON SAYS. There came one, or, some one; indefinite. Behold. Expressive of surprise and apprehension. Standing in the temple and teaching the people. Compare with v. 20. They did just what they were told. The parallelism is more distinct in the original. The captain. The sergeant-at-arms of the temple. Officers or attendants. His posse, or bodyguard. Set them before the council; or, stood them, which would perhapt be more correct. The high priest asked them. A strong term, meaning to put through an .examination. Straightly command you. A Hebraism In the Greek; literally, with command command you. In this name. Greek, upon this name. The basis of the teaching. Your dcctrin ■. Another case of unfortunate variant translation so common to the A. V. It is the same word as teach in this verse, a line cr two above. Thus: that ye should not teach in tills name, and behold ye have filled Jerusalem with your teaching. And the other apostles. Others is added. Peter and the apostles is the Greek. Peter is doubtless here singled out as the spokesman of his fellows. Ought, or must. Obey. An interesting word. Coinpound in form, follow orders.

The God of our fathers raised up. This the main point with Peter, the resurrection of Christ. Ye slew. Literally, took in hands. Their hands were stained with his blood. Prince, or leader. To give repentance, L e., the privilege or opportunity of repentance. Forgiveness of sins. Including the sin of hanging Jesus on the cross. His witnesses. Compare this with the suggestive passage at John 15:27. (“Ye also shall bear witness”'. So is also the Holy Ghost. Compare with John 15: 26. (“He shall testify”—better, bear witness—“of me.”) The apostles, like the Holy Spirit, were witnesses in a peculiar sense. Obey. Same word as in v. 29. Ihe Holy Spirit bar longs to those who obey orders undt»i Christ Cut to the heart Not in the sense of grief, but perplexity, wholly without a way. Took counsel, t e., consulted together. Slay, or destroy, to make away with. A doctor of the law. Greek: Law-doc-tor. In reputation or honored. Commanded. Suggesting his influence and authority.

• I Take heed to yourselves He advised - j them to be - careful and to go slowly. I To do. Or to perform, as of an overt and | public act. R ; Theudas. Josephus mentions such an r I impostor, who seems to be put, however, .. at another date. This may have been another Theudas, as the name was not uncommon. Joined themselves. Literally, ’, leaned upon, as the people on. the word _ of Hezekiah, 2 Chron. 32: B._ fMarHn.) '• | gqiuq .w xne nurfi****^***^ 7 Ing. Dispersed. A strong word; strewn, । as the leaves by the wind. Refrain. Or, draw away from. Same word as in verse 37 (“drew away much people.”), This counsel, or purpo-e, idea. To tight against God. One word in the Greek: God-fighters. Agreed. Or, were persuaded. Beaten. Ihe word Implies the utmost cruelty, meaning to flog or scourge. Departed. The word rejoicing is closely connected with tbp in the original. They left the presence of the council in a spirit of exultation. Counted worthy to suffer shame. Worthy and shame are in distinct contrast. In every house. Or, from house to house, i Preach. The word means go >d tidings. WHAT THE LESSON TEACHES We ought to obey G d. ‘-What are your marching orders?” said the great duke. That was sufficient for the loyal soldier of Christ. Oh, for an obedient church, a church that Implicitly minds the order! God will take care of such a church. God will give the victory to such a church. We are staggering through unbelief; we are ’ wavering because ot slack loyalty. Lord, increase our faith! If it be of God. ye cannot overthrow it. That is to say if itbe not vs God it u ill overthrow itself; but if of God man cannot j overthrow it. This is another way for saying, as some one has well remarked, that I that which is not planted in God has the ' seeds of destruction in itself. There is a : profound philosophy here. The part cannot balance the whole, the mole-hill cannot ! jostle the mountain, the creature cannot circumvent the Creator. God is the changeless one, the everlasting one. Things and people are great according as they abide in him. Sidney Lanier sang it in his “Songs of the Marshes:” “As the marsh-hen secretly builds on the watery sod. Behold I will build me a nest on the greatness of Goi; I will fly in the greatness of God. As the marsh-hen flies In the freeiom that fills all the space

’Twixt the earth and the skies; By so many roots as the marsh grass casts in the s <l, I will heartily lay me ahold, on the greatness of God.” Counted worthy to suffer shame. Now one sees what it is to rejoice in infirmities. These disciples thought it worthy to ba counted unworthy for Jesus’ sake, esteemed it an honor to suffer dishonor In his name. When less for Jesus is regarded as gain, and disfavor Incurred on his account is looked upon as advancement, then the disciple is in a fairway to be one of the rich of the earth. It is always possible in this world to suffer shame for Jesus; therefore the path of glory is ever open. Next Lesson—“ The First Christian Martyr.” Acts 7: 54-CO; 8: 1-4. -Japanese sacques made of lighttinted flannel and daintily cascaded with lace afford not only a protection against draughts when the patient is sitting up in bed, but they give an air of prettiness to the convalescent’s surroundings. To tighten caneseat chaiis turn up the chair bottom and wash the canework thoroughly with soapy water and a soft cloth. Let it dry in the sun and it will be as firm as when new, provided the cane has not been broken. Pans and kettles will last much longer if they are placed before the fire a few : minutes to get thoroughly dry inside. If put away in a damp condition they । soon become rusty, and in a short time I are quite unfit for use. If faith were always equal, where would be its merit?

THE WAY THINGS RUN IN THE GREATEST OF GREAT STATES, INDIANA. Things Which Have Lately Happened Within Its Rortier*—Some Peasant and Some Sad Reading. Minor State Items. Kirkland will pipe gas from Sheriday this fall. “Queer” money is floating around in South Bend. Another gas well has been drilled near Columbus. A needle was found in an Elkhart egg the other day. South Bend Odd Fellows have organized a brass band. Diphtheria of a malignant type has appeared in Rensselaer. Noblesville is organizing a company to explore for lead near Cicero. Goshen ladies are holding prayermeetings at the jail once a week. The Fort Wayne Rifles are going to the World’s Fair opening in a body. The unlawful shooting of young ducks is being indulged in on the Kankakee. The Union soldiers of Wabash County will have a reunion at. Wabash, Sept. 14. Knightstown's new canning factory has started up. and employs 150 people. Muncie claims that the new reaper works will make her the second city of ' the State. The court house yard at Columbus is utilized as a sobering off place by the । town drunkards. It is said that every time a new house i is erected in Richmond another insurance agent moves to town. Cicero has organized a company to secure new factories, and it is landing one once in a while, too. Albert Parker, of Centerton, accidentally shot himself in the leg, fooling with a 38-caliber revolver. A natural gas explosion at Muncie blew out the plate-glass in Cunnington’s bakery without injuring any one. Sheep-killing dogs are running amuck in Montgomery County. One farmer lias lost twenty head of sheep. Frank Melton, a O-year-old boy, was killed in a runaway of a livery team belonging to S. B. Burton, at Rosedale. Broavn County hasn't an inch of railI road, and talk of building one there has : thrown the people into spasms of happiness. Some Logansport people want a patrol wagon, while others say the town needs ■ one about as badly as she does a white | elephant. j Maggie Webster of Jeffersonville, touched a match to a can of blasting : powder and both eyes were blown out of I her head.

A one-legged man and a one-armed woman had a fight at Mishawaka the i other day. in which the man came out second best. The Columbus Construction Company, j after so many difficulties, has at last finished its pipe line from Kokomo to i the State line. Two boys named Henry Riher and Frederick Slocon, residential Michigan । City, were drowned in mbia. against C. B. Wynegar for §7,000 for injuries inflicted by the latter, has been compromised for §1,500. Jack Milligan, a tough character of New Albany, was shot and killed by Allen Groves at Sugar Grove, twelve miles below New Albany. George Hoover, of Huntington, will be crippled for life because he neglected to call in a doctor two monthsago, when he dislocated his shoulder. Joseph Pierson, aged about 75, an inmate of tho I loyd County Infirmary, jumped from a second-story window of that institution, and broke his neck. It was uieide.

By the will of Joachim Fernandez, a wealthy Spaniard who died recently at Huntington, the Catholic Orphans’ Home of Fort Wayne will receive onehalt of the estate. John McNamara, an employe of the Rushville heading factory, was probably fatally hurt by the bursting of a saw, one of the pieces striking him in the face, destroying one eye and fracturing the skull. Recently M illiam Carey abandoned his young wife and she has now begun suit against her husband's parents, charging them with conspiring to rob the pliantiff of his aid, company and association. She demands §5,000 damages.

A report conies from Elizabethtown, on the Mississinewa, that scores of dead fish are floating in the eddies at Dunn’s mill, some of them weighing several pounds. It is said that many fish are found dead at New Cumberland, and people suspect that dynamite is being used by fisherman. Thomas ihvi.xe of Jeffersonville, has been arrested on the charge of poisoning fish. His arrest was made at the instance of the game and fish club. An investigation showed that poison had teen thrown into the river in Jargequantities at a point near Salt River and that fish had been taken from the stream by the wagon load. At Petersburg, the east end of the large wheat elevator, owned by L. R. Hargrave, gave way. The elevator contained about 20,000 bushels of wheat at the time, and over 8,000 bushels were scattered over the ground. Mr. Hargrave narrowly escaped with his life, one of the large timbers stiking within a foot of him. Loss, §5,000. A year ago Warren Remington, a young man at Eaton, Delaware County, was accidentally shot in the abdomen, but survived. Since that time the young man’s lower limbs have been paralyzed. At Eaton Park there is a boating and bathing place and young Remington spends most of his time in the water, where be swims like a fish. His legs or feet have no action, but float like a cork. Reginald A. Fessenden, late assistant to Thomas A. Edison in laboratory work, and a graduate of Trinity College and Bishop's College, Canada, has been called to the chair of electrical engineering at Purdue University. While workmen were engaged in placing a six-inch gas-line for the Salaironie Company, four miles south of Montpelier, the line bursted, killing Olie Olson instantly, and injuring Adam Hawk internally, so that he will hardly recover. Charles Powers was thrown ten feet, and had both of his feet badly hurt. There were four wells’ pressure on the line at the time of the accident.