Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Mass.) 1828-1830, 1828-04-22
DOMESTIC NEWS.

Geneva Gazette gives description of the
model of plan for propelling boats on
canals, by means of an "endless chain, {"
moved by steam engines, at fixed stations,
invented by Henry H. Sitter, of that vii
lage. The method of operation is by
means OF an iron chain, five miles in
length, which being doubled, extends two
and half miles, and at each extremity of
this distance, passes around horizontal
wheel or drum. 1t is proposed to support
the chain on the sides of the tow-path, by
horizontal rollers, at suitable distances,
and at every variation from straight line,
vertical rollers are to be fixed, by the use
OF which rollers, friction would be lessen
ed. Boats may be attached to the chain
or loosened from it at pleasure.
Louisiana newspapers of the middle of
March express some apprehension of dam
age to crops from the unusual rise of the
waters of this river, occasioned by the
swelling of its tributary streams. This
rise QeNater has been owing to great rains
in the upper country. The Mississippi
had risen five feet above the common
spring tides, and the prairie on the east
ern border was fast filling with the back
water.
The votes for Governor, in 159 towns.
are, for Lincoln, Is, 4S3-Morton, 1850.
FIRES. The new two story dwelling
house of Charles Johnson, in Southbo-
rough, was consumed by fire on the after
noon of Monday last. The fire took in
some shavings, in room occupied as a
carpenters shop. Most of the furniture
was destroyed. The. kitchen adjoining in
the rear, was saved by the great exertions
OF those present. Loss estimated from
$1,000 to $l50O.-A dwelling house was
destroyed by fire, in New-Braintree, on
Sunday last. We understand that the
character of its occupants, and some other
circumstances, warrant the belief, that the
fire was Intentionally communicated by
some person unknown.-Several houses
in Newbern, N. c. were burnt on the 4th
inst. The fire caught in house occupied
by Mary Parker, whose brother went to
bed in state of intoxication and persisted
in the fames.-Two stores were burnt in
New-York on the 14th inst Loss, 8 or
9 thousand dollars.-On Tuesday last,
the dwelling house of Mr.. Harrison Ban
croft, in Petersham, occupied by Mr.. Levi
Blodget, jr. was consumed by fire, togeth-
er with all its contents. Mr.. Bancroft
and his wife were absent, leaving two
small children to take care of the house.
On the following day, the dwelling
house of Mr.. Henry Carruth, in Barre, on
the Petersham line, was also consumed by
fire. The fire is supposed to have been
communicated to the building by an in
cendlary.-On Sunday last week fire
broke out in the barn of Mr. William Har-
vey, in S. Berwick, Me, which consumed
it together with his cider house and shed.
His dwelling house took fire, but was saved
by an immediate collection ofpeople from
the Meeting house and neighbourhood.
He had in his barn four six feet oxen, five
calves, about eighteen tons of hay, with
many other things; also in his cider house
all his corn, grain, beans, cider mill and
press, &c. which were consumed. The
whole loss is estimated at one thousand
dollars.-The dwelling-house occupied by
Mrs. Trask, in Eastport, was destroyed by
fire on Saturday evening last.-A destruc-
tive fire happened at Albany on Wednes-
day night. The amount of the loss is
said to exceed $4,000. The Morning
Chronicle mentions that the fire ragged
with great violence between three and
four hours, destroying in the whole be-
tween thirty and forty buildings.-The
factory of Van Allen g. Co. near Kinder
hook, N. Y. was burnt down on Thursday
evening with all its contents, valued at
upwards of $4,000. About $4,000 was
insured.-Three or four stores at Roches-
ter, situated on the west side of the Gen
esee river, were destroyed by fire few
days since, together with quantity of
chandise.-Morse's tavern at Whit
tiers Mills, Mt. Vernon, was entirely
consumed by fire on Saturday last. The
building was large, ana the loss must nave
been considerable. There was no insur-
ance upon the property. The fire was
first discovered in the roof and was COM
municated, no doubt, by spark falling
from the chimney.
VERMONT SALT COMPANY. On the
9TH March last this company had succeed
ed to penetrate solid rock to the depth
of two hundred and forty-nine feet, when
serious misfortune occurred, which ar
rested their progress, and which, it was
predicted by many, would terminate the
Iabours and entirely defeat the object of
the company. This misfortune was a no
less serious and formidable one than the
breaking of pole tsoo hundred and tscenty-
nine feet from the surface, leaving twenty
feet attached to the drill-and the latter
firmly wedged in at the bottom. How to