Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1838-06-26

morning At Niagara, miles below this, and also al
this place. there has no doubt been an engagement OF
trihlng character between a small party OF the
Queens Lancers and aIsrge body Of Patriots. The
Patriots are estimated at from 400 to 1900. They are
situated in swamp, near the Welland canal, and
about 20 miles west from this place. The engage
ment took place last evening. Most of the Patriot
leaders have left this part of the country"
The Buffalo Daily Star of Friday has the following
rumor:-
There is a rumor of a fresh instruction at Short
Hills, Canada, about thirty miles from this city. We
doubt the extent of killed and prisoners which have
been reported. We shall probably know before our
next paper comes ont.
Piano FoRrE MAKERs-" GRAND AcTIoSs."-
We understand that extensive manufacturing firm
Of Piano forbes not 100 miles from the City Hotel
abont shortly to exhibit of their recently dis
covered" Grand Actions. The City Hall, or rather
building in the of the City Hail. facing Broad
way, is TO be appropriated 10 this purpose, and TWO
eminent professors already retained" 10 lnves-
tigae the merits of these "recenty discovered Grand
Actions" The Pendle-acton which was exhibited
in enc of our Public Halls last December. and which
was then ably explained by two most talented
Professors it is believed will be found to be far nfe-
rior to the new, recently discovered" particularly
in the Base part of the Action.
II is generally believed that it will be found neces
sary to remove the present Manufactory from the
Avenue to Sing Sing as tho neise of the City svery
apt to put these "reccntly discovered Grand Action
Piano fortes" out of tune and thereby compel these
most upright and hodorable "sole inventors" TO
give back the large sums of money that they have
tLn od xc
discovery.
We shall have frequently occasion to make few
remarks on this highly interesting investigation in
the meantime recommend it TO the attention of
all Piano forte makers-but particularly of the New
York Manufacturing Company, the inventors are
well known for their extended iberality to the trade
generally.
P. S.-The Public may rest assured that these Pr
ano fortes will be made of rery old mahogany it
having been deemed the interest of the inventors
to buy up all in the market, as it might become
scarce and the /" interest is very considerable
so large an amount.
THE Bowie KNrFE.-Thepaperst the other day aada
great deal Of twadde about the origin of the Bowie
Knife; their statements were entirely wrong. The
first person who had Bowie knife made in this
country, was the father of Gel James Bowie, who
was killed in Alame The old man was originally
from Scotland, and settled plantation up the Red
River. He used il altogether as hunting and cane
knife Gel. James Bowie, as he was more famil-
iarly Called Jem Bowie, improved upon it, as he
thought, and first used the weapon in duel. He
became notorious by his bloody duel at Iberville. on
the Paqueminc Bayou, in Louisiana; he was there
shot down, and as his antagonist was STOPPING over
him TO dispatch him, Jcm Bowie seized him by the
waist and cut him nearly in half with his knife. The
"brother'' Of Jem Bowie, spoken Of in the Express
ms tho inventor If the knife, is Reason Bowie, who
lately lived at Thibadouxvle, on the Bayou La Four
che near Lake Chicot in Louisiana. He is nearly
blind and so far from being what he is described in
the Express, used to be perfect rowdy, as was Jem
Iowie himself Again, the Express says Jem Bow
lie used the knife al the Alamo. This is untrue; he
was sick and helpless and buichered in bed
Col Almonte told the writer of this article SO and
Jem Bowie himself informed US Of the history and
origin of the knife described above. This al
80 corroborated by DR.. CAN'T of Nova Iberia, Attak-
apas in whose possession we saw the original Bowie
knife in 1886. The knife found with COL Bowe's
baggage, in the Alamo. is now in the possession of
Miss Charlotte Cushman, of the Park Theatre.
SUICfDE-hUout ohc0 SS'Sh NcuNuay ultcTuOoHs tnc
repor, of pistol was heard to proceed from sum-
mcr house al Burnham 8, situated the North River
near Boomingdale, and upon arriving at the spot the
inmates Of the hotel discovered the eless bsdy of
young man wclcring in his blood shot through the
heart with the contents Of horse pistol. The de-
ceased was entirely unknown in the neighborhood,
and had casually stroIkd through Burnhams grounds
10 the arbor at the back Of the rver where he effected
his horrible purpose. He well dressed, having
on black coat new hat, white drilling pantaloons
cross ribbed vest, linen shirt with small gold pin in
the bosom. His features regular, and his person
generally well formed-rsther under the ordinary
size--whskers grown under the chin--har black.
Nothing was found upon the person Of the deceased
by which any clue could be traced to his name or re.
sdence. Tie body remains in the dead mouse for
public inspection.
MunpxRous AssAuIr.-- Yesterday afternoon an al
tercation took place between Mr. William Hanegann
the proprietor of charcoal waggen, and stout fell
lew named John Boyd relative 10 the payment Of an
additional three cents which the latter claimed for
services rendered in helping to load the Wagon of
the ether at the fost of Hubert street. when the driver
in order to get rid Of the Others opportunities threw
apiece Of charcoal at him, which struck HIM upon the
hat without causing the slightest injury. whereupon
Boyd seized a heavy bludgeon from the tail Of the
Wagon and stuck Mr.. flanagan in 20 severe man
mar "a IN hroak his arm, The blow was aimed NJ his