Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-11-11
ITEMS OF NEWS.

the last ninety days Clark avenue, at the intersec
ton Of Fourth street, in this city, has been on fire
Our attention was called to the fact day or two
since, by Henry L. Blow, esq, who stated that
for some time past, the neighborhood around his
white lead mandatory have been complaining
of the excessive smells and smokes which are
supposed to proceed from his extensive extablish-
ment, when, in fact they are the fumes and odors
arising from the burning street.
Our citizens will remember that Clark avenue
at the intersection OF Tenth of street. is deep Oil
across the head of Chouteau's pond In making
this Gil thousands of carloads of rags, paper,
manure shavings and all such refuse articles,
were made use Of Some three or four months
ago, parcel of mischievous boys, with matches,
set fire TO the sides of the ill where the rags and
paper were protruding, which continued 10 spread
and eat its way until the very centre of the street
has been gnited, and now continues TO shoulder
and smoke in spite Of all efforts to quench it,
Several days ago, fre-plug and hosc-ppe were
brought to bear upon the inextinguishable volcano
and though the heap of dirt was most thoroughly
soaked, yet on yesterday, the burning street for
distance of fifty yards along the sides, was emit
ting heavy columns of filthy smoke, and the ground
around feeling hot TO the touch. 1t has been partly
sinolhered several times, but the first puff Of wind
from the south seems TO fan it into vigorous life
again. Something efectual should be done for
this stubborn Popocatapete-St. Louis Democrat
FOOLISH Pedestrian FEAT. - Hughes, who
walked eighty consecutive hours upon wager,
at San Francisco, and was nearly killed by the
feat, undertook, on bet of $4,000, TO walk 100
hours. Commencing on Wednesday, he kept on
the move until Saturday night, when he began to
show the effects of fatigue, and staggered good
deal, particularly at the turnings. He carried
stick in his hand and friend kept by his side
continually and tried to keep him in conversation.
As the night advanced Hughes became very
drowsy; but by the application of stimulents and
slight whipping, he was kept in motion until Sun
day morning. when the crowd became so great as
to affect him considerably by the vitiation OF the
air in the room where he walked. The time ex-
PRED at IL o'clock at night, but before that time
he presented pitable sight. His mind seemed TO
be completely gone, and he would occasionally
speak TO the crowd, who were endeavoring to
arouse him and keep him TO his task by every
possible means, and asked what they We're doing
there, and such other questions So far was he
gone them that some of them claimed that he had
lost the bet. He still maintained his position on
the plank, however, until twenty minutes TO eleven
o'clock, when his friends gave up the task OF keep
ing him at work hopeless one, and allowed
him to come down. He was walked off by them
and properly cared for. Though failing to accom-
plish all that he had undertaken, he has, never
theless, performed the unprecedented feat of walk
ing, without cessation rest, for the space of %
hours and 40 minutes.
IMPORTANT, IF TRUE.-We see il stated in our
exchanges that process has been discovered by
which cordage of superior quality to that made
from hemp may be manufactured from cotton.
Washington Sentinel
Our usually well posted friends Of the Ssntiael
are behind the times in referring to this as new
discovery. The invention is of Fredericksburg
origin, and is now held by Messrs Slaughter, who
have disposed of the rights in the North, East,
West, and lately in New Orleans. The Sentinel
represents it correctly when it gives currency to
the statement that this is less affected than any
other rope by exposure TO the weather, suffers
less by abrasion, does more service, is as strong
of the same size, weighs less, does not readily
absorb moisture or water, and when strongly i'm
pregnated with its natural OIL resists the action OF
moisture for long time; it stretches no more, if
as much, as other rope, and requires no paint or
tar TO protect it from the weather, and though
mildew may cover its surface and blacken it, it
does not penetrate the body of the rope"
fredericksburg tVa) Herald.
SCIENTIFIC RoeuE--The local editor Of the
Petersburg Eapress relates the experience Of a
Norfolk lady at the State Fair. She had entered
one of the crowded omnibusses Of Main street. in
OTQeT 10 ulcct ucf hiChos NJ tuC ui oiOuuuSj uuu
as numbers were there anxious TO get seats in the
same vehicle, it was pretty close work:
fashionaby -attired gentleman, very distingue
looking, took his seat by the side OF the lady. He
was dressed in the best black, with most reli-
gious looking neckIie. A handsome talma cloak
hung gracefully over his shoulders, while his
hands (of most nobleblooded symmetry, encased
in spotless and delicately-coored " kids, rested
tranq uilly on his lap. The ladies present could
not help admiring the aristocratic model Of those
hands.
On drawing near the Chinese entrance TO the
Fair Grounds, our fair informant felt something
stirring her dress her pocket. II surely
could not be the hands Of her ge,teei neghbor, for
they were tranquil in his lap. Again she felt
something lingering near her sash, where her
watch was fascinaiingly lodged. She put down
her hand, and grasped the warm fingers Of an un-
known hand, belonging evidently 10 the genteel
parsonage by her side. The idea of a three or
four handed man so terrified the lady that she
shrieked and swooned--rigbt off, With a bold
swing of his "talma,n the aristocratic kids dis
appeared, and their owner amid the confusion,
said he'd run and get some water 10 restore the
lady. He did so, but we presume he went very
far 10 fetch it, for he has not yet been heard Of in
connection with said "water.p
When the lady found herself in speaking cond-
ton, she told the cause and perceived that her
port-monaie and pencil case were gone, and the
marks of pair Of nippers on her watch chain.
The pair Of neatly gloved hands were shan, y
mere decoy ducks !" while from beneath the ia
citatngly constructed folds Of the talma, the real
flesh and bone were wandering insidiousy in
search of the fair lady's vauables.
ArrKMrr TO MURDER FIVE PERSONS WITH ARSE
nc--ARRKsr OF THE PERPErRAToR.--Yesterd
morning information was received at the Fifth
Ward Police-station, by Lieutenant Hutchings, to
the effect that four colored women and white
man had been poisoned at boarding-house in
the rear Of No 1si Church street. 1t appears that
a Canadian colored woman, named Maria ]. Will
hams, who had recently arrived in the city from
Michigan, had engaged board at the house named !;
and during Monday had dispute with some of
the inmates. AT an early hour yesterday morning
she entered the kitchen, while the cook was alb
sent, and threw package into the kettle of coffee
which was boiling on the stove.
Shortly after the breakfast was prepared, a
white man whose name could not Learnt and
four Creoles, named Harriet Bates, Qkceper ofthe
house,) Sarah Miller Elizabeth Robinson and
Cathsrine Williams, sat down at table. II was
noticed at the time that the girl Williams refused
- H. r.. k,,s frl e. - n