The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1872-10-19 00:00:00

A WATERLOO VETERAN.

The Rev. William Allen, Leamington, writes to the Daily

.
Ou the 20th of next November another Waterloo
Veteran will complete his 82nd year, and as he is a
most worthy and tespectable old man, and at the same
time in the utmost poverty and very infirm, I think
that you will not object to bring his claims before
the public, that his last days may, if possible, be
cheered and soothed by the kind contributions of
a grateful nation. His name is Mark Pike, he
formerly belonged to the 23rd Regiment of the Welsh
Fusiliers, and he resides at Cricklade, Wilts. In
addition to having fought at Waterloo, he took an active
part in the Peninsular War. At the storming of Cam-
bray he and the Adjutant whom he served were
the first to scale the walls and enter the town, and
with his firelock the gate was blown open. He was
also in act ion at Toulouse and Orthez, and took part in
the siege of St. Sebastian. lie is now in receipt of
parish relief, hut having had an attack of paralysis he
greatly needs those comforts and that generous diet
which his bravery and good conduct have jdstly en-
titled him to look for, but which a pauper's pay will
not procure. He has received several wounds in
fighting for his country, of which the scars are still re-
maining. As I have known him for thirty-five years
I can conscientioudy testify to the character and re-
spectability of the worthy old hero. The Rector of St.
Mary, Cricklade, who has known him for nearly forty
years will gladly receive and acknowledge any con-
tributions sent for his relief, and will see that they are
poperty applied.

FEARFUL HURRICANE IN AMERICA.
The steamer Java which arrived at Liverpool on
Saturday, brought intelligence of a fearful storm which
took place in the Western States.
A despatch from Milwaukee, dated September 30th,
says :—" A severe north-east wind and heavy rain set
in here on Saturday night, and did not abate until
noon yestenlay. The schooner York State 0189 beached
near South Point, and a lumber vessel at Milwaukee
was sunk. The passengers and crews of both ves.els
were, however, saved."
A Detroit despatch, dated September 29th, says :
"The most furious gale of the season set in last night,
and still continues with unabated fury from the west-
south-west. Being unlooked for, its effects on the
shipping will undoubtedly be disastrous. Four vessels
are reported ashore and sunk near the head of Lake
Erie. The only name ascertained is that of 11.94iC
Naught, which had the spars of another vessel Icing
across her decks. There had probably been a collision.
The Annie Eaaght had a signal of distress flying, but
nothing could reach her. Another vessel is near by,
with the crew in the ri,ging. The U.S. steamer
Michigan and a number of tugs are at the mouth of
the river, ready to go out 89 soon as the weather per-
mits. Two large lumber rafts are ashore below Point
Aux, Lake Huron. The screw-steamer Glatcna is
ashore on Thunder Bay island."
_ _ _ _

A Memphis despatch, also ,lated Sept. 29, states
that: "A terrible storm swept on er Osceola, Arkansas,
yesterday, about noon, upt,otiog trees, sweeping away
fen, es, demolishin; houses, &c. Three chin ches and
several residences were destroyed, and two persons
were killed. The crops were ruined along the line of
the tornado, which crooned the river at this point, and
then swept up the Tennessee shore."