biglam/hmd_newspapers huggingface dataset:
The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-05-11

A MAN WRESTLING WITH A BEAR.

Francis Borne, otherwise known as John Boulanger,
a Frenchman, died on the 14th ult., at the New York
Hospital, from terrible injuries received from a
wrestling bout with a large grey bear in Troy
(says the New York Times). Borne was a well-
known wrestler, and was formerly employed as a
bar tender at a New York drinking shop, where
wrestling matches between men and bears were
first introduded. Borne often wrestled with bears at
this place, and usually came off victorious. After-
wards he joined a wrestling troupe and travelled with
them about the country. Some six weeks ago before
his death he wrestled with a powerful gray bear, was
very roughly hugged, and came to New York, for
medical treatment. On examination it was found
that he had sustained severe internal injuries. Some
days ago marks of the bear's huge paws made their
appearance on both sides of his body. The bear is
known as Lena, and is the largest and most powerful
of the three trained bears imported for exhibition as
wrestlers. tena's owner says that she was a very
highly-trained animal, and was as expert a wrestler as
any of the men who had been pitted against her. She
was leased to the troop at 60 dole, per week. She was
not an ill-tempered brute, but was very powerful,
weighing over 300 lb. Borne had been warned of the
terrible strength of the bear, but always appeared
confident that he was a match for her.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-05-11

THE ARMY AND MILITIA RESERVES,

The Duke of Cambridge has drawn the attention of
commanding officers of regular regiments of the army
to the fact that many of the men from the militia re-
serve have been non-commissioned officers in the
militia, and are well reported on by their late com-
manding officers. The Commander-in-Chief considers
that the opportunity may now be taken, under the
increased establishment of regiments, for promoting
to substantive or lance rank such of these men as are
found efficient. From some battalions complaints
have been received of the difficulty in obtaining good
non-commissioned officers, and of the youth and in-
experience of many of those appointed. The present
occasion appears suitable for meeting this want, and
there can be no doubt that any such recognition of the
efficiency of the militia would have a good effect in
that force generally.
A War Office circular says that it does not appear
to be generally known that the allowance of 6d. a day
to the wives, and 2d. a day kr each child, granted to
the families of men of the first-class army reserve can
be drawn at once by the families concerned. ARalica-
tion should be made to the staff officers of pensioners
in the case of army reserve men and to adjutants of
militia in the case of militia reserve men.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-05-11

DUDLEY.

ToNvx COUNCIL,—On Tuesday evening the usual
monthly meeting was held. the Mayor (Mr. W, North)
presiding.—lt appeared from the General Purposes
Committee's report that the south Staffordshire Water
works had consented to put down their mains at Darby
c.ud and ochlield li)ad.—ln proposing that the re
port of the Public Works Committee be adopted, the
.dayur stated that the long-standing difficulty as to catch
pits at i'rtuirose dill add Slower's Green had been over-
come. TUC waiter was now, he said, satisfact,rriiy
settled wins the Birmingham Canal Company.—Tht•
Officer of health (Dr. limn:tins) reported Via the num-
ber of deatus during the mouth had been 138, giving
death-rat, of 256 per 1,00. Forty-seven had died
under one year of age. Tire diseases prevalent were
scarlatin r, measles, whooping cough, and diarrhoaa.—
lir. George ihomp.mn (ex-Mayor), its reply to an inquiry
from Alderman i,Viikiuson, said the market tolls paid
interest of money, and gontributed about £6O per
annual to toe Corpuration.—Mr. John Dunn moved that
the reso utiols of the Council adopting recent reports
of the Rai way Co amissioners be rescinded. Ha took
this course in consequence of the resolutions recom
mending the Corporatrou to make approaches to th
Dudley (South) Station of the Great Western Railway
l'he company, he said, were a wealthy monopoly, and
would make the road if left alons.—Alr. Wainwright
pointed out that the Council had promised long ago to
assist the railway company in providing better accom-
modation at that end of the town. He urged that to
keep faith with the company and the public the pro-
position of Mr. Dunn should be rejected.—Alderman
Dudley considered the Council were bound in honour to
carry out tha resolutions ; aud similar -pinions were
expressed by Alderman Badge, Mr. Clark, and Mr.
Stokes —Recognising the feeling of the meeting, Mr.
Du.in withdrew his motion.. .

:•kfIAMEPUL TRICK.—At the Police Court, on Monday,
two boys, named Christman and Sadler, were charged
with defrauding a newsagent named Timmins of 6d.
Thr. prosecutor is blind, and the boys taking advantage
of this, asked him to change 6d. He agreed to do this,
and when he handed over the coppers the defendants
gave him a circular piece of tin. Prosecutor recognised
one of the boys by his voice, and thus the pair were
apprehended.—Christman was sent to gaol for a fort-
night, and Sadler was ordered to receive twelve stripes
with a rod.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-05-11

HARVEST PROSPECTS.

The Tilrzs of Wednesday publishes the following from Mr
J. J. Mechi, Tiptree Hall, Essex :
Sir,—Harvest prospects continue for all crops most
promising. An ample supply of sunshine preceding
and following sufficient moisture has, especially on
land drained naturally or artificially, so warmed the
soil that its heat has both stimulated vegetable growth
and protected it from night frosts, which last year,
during early May, so ruined our fruits mad damaged
other crops..

- Clover; tares, and permanent pagture promiFe
abrinclant hay crop, while pea, beans, barley, oats,
and wheat are in full plant and growth.
mangel-wurzel come up quitldy, and seed growers
look for a favourable crop.
Taken as a whole I never saw our crops look more
prnmising and early.
Many corn crops, especially where highly farmed
and too thickly a4wn, are likely to be prematurely
laid, unless flagged in good time.

A request having been made ro the Wolverhampton
Commerce by the Board of Tra«le to forward a return of the
average rate of wages earned by the artisan classes in that
district, the Chamber declined to do Si), on the ground of
the difficulty in obtaining the information, and that it
would be exceeding their functiolut.