The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1856-01-05
Sharpe:s Rifles.

This recently invented weapon, if it pos
sesses one-half of the power and capacity
claimed for it by its proprietor, is destined
soon to supersede every other weapon for
warlike purposes now in existence. 1t is
the most efficacious and terrible fire-arm in
existence. The small carbine now in use by
the United States mounted men, throws a
ball with deadly accuracy one-quarter of a
mile and can be fired ten times per minute.
1t is not complicated in structure, it is easily
cleaned and suffers no injury from wet
weather.
Mr.. Sharpe is now preparing models fol
four new species of this weapon, namely: A
small pocket pistol calculated to throw a
minnie ball one hundred yards; cavalry
pistol, with range of FIVE hundred yards; q
rifle suitable for footmen with range of one
mile; and large gun to throw two-ounce
ball, or small shell, one mile and half, OF
as far as man or horse can be seen to advan-
tage. With this latter weapon, Mr.. S. de-
clares he can set on fire house or ship at
distance of nearly two miles, and prevent
the use of field artillery by killing the horses
before the guns are brought within good
range.
This rifle in the hands of good marks
man, is equal to ten muskets, bayonets and
all, for, place man six rods distant with a
musket and bayonet and before he can bring
the bayonet into use, the rife can be loaded
and discharged ten times. They carry balls
with great.precision and force. Mr.. Sharpe
intends these rifles to become a national
weapon, and should Congress, by using a
little liberality purchase the patent, the
country would be possessed of a means oil
warfare unequalled in the world.
ESpeaking of the sword, pistol and
military garments of Ethan Allen, which the
Legislature of Vermont have ordered to be
procured from Michigan, the Grand Rapids
Enquirer says;
"Those articles are now in the possession
of Mrs. Allen, widow of a son of General
Ethan Allen, and who resides on Grand
River, in Ottawa County, nesr Steele's Land
ing. The old lady has been a resident Of
this State for many years, and must be near
ly or quite 70 years of age. Her husband
Ethan Allen, jr., died when only % years
old. She says lie weighed, at the time Of
her marriage, 230 pounds, while her weight
was only 90 pounds. She is still hale, hear
ty, and lively, and loves to recount facts and
incidents which occurred in the life of Ethan
Allen, and in those days Switch tried mems
souls"
A CHEERFUL PHILosopHY.-The follow
ing true and pleasant passage occurs in one
of Frederika Bremer's books:
"There is much goodness in the world
although at superficial glance, one is dis
posed to doubt it. What is bad is noised
abroad-is echoed back from side to side, and
newspapers and social circles find much to
say about it-whilst what is good goes at
best, like sunshine, quietly through the
world"
PAPER.-The following calculation as to
the amount of paper made in the q. S. is
FLOATING" about without credit:
There are in the United States $50 paper
mills in actual operation, having 5000 en-
gines, and producing in the pear $4,000, 600
pounds of paper, which is worth ten cents
per pound $25 100000. To produce this
quantity of paper, 4O2, 00O, 900 pounds Of
rags are required, i IA lbs of rags being