Litchfield enquirer., 1857-09-03
News of the Week.

Not long since, young man by the name of Peter Wiley in the prime of life was sent to Sing Sing State Prison, for the third time, his offence stealing, and the cause of his stealing was in keeping lad company. The last term he served out. for three years and three months and when he had been set free, he made strong protesta tons of reform, and promised faithfully to for sake his old companions, and lead new life but he returned to New York, and there in the Fifth Ward among his boon companions, he was soon seen to associate, and when remonstrated with for the course he was pursuing, remarked carelessly: " Oh. I'm going TO shake these fellows of, and do better,' but ne did not '' shake them off, and in very short time arrested and tried for bur giary, convicted and sentenced for fifteen years he bore his sentence with fortitude but when he was again in the gloomy prison, and was placed in the carpenter S shop to commence work the overseer, who knew him we'll ordered him to strip and go to work, Wiley stood and looked at him for a moment and the asked him why he did not strip and go to work Wiley said '' Are you going to keep me here fifteen years at work 7. '.1 suppose so sir that's the sentence Then it won't be in the carpenter shop said Wiley, and instantly lay ing one hand upon the bench, raised cleaver and before the could interfere it had descended and severed every finger from his hand.
 The United States steam frgate Niagara, Cap tain Hudson from the Atlantic, followed by the SuStlucldilnd OdpI ana f1cT Majesty screw steamer, Agamemnon, Master Commander Noddall, entered Plymouth on the 18th ut., on their return
 from their unsuccessful effort to lay the teegraphic cable. Or boarl the Niagara they report that at the time of the severance, o'clock Tuesday morning, 536 nautical or about 3S0 statute miles had been laid at a distance of 26O to 290 miles ill direct course from Valentia The wind was south erly, there sea- and the ship was going frn tD md f.abl five or six, and sometimes seven knots
 As the quantity of slack thus expended was great CT than expected at starting, and more than could be afforded the retard strain therefore increas- ed to pressure of 5000 pounds and the cable broke
 The extra expenditure of slack commenced on Monday evening, when a streng breeze and a heavy swell prevailed, and powerful undercurrent was experienced. This current forced the wire from the ship at considerable angle.
 When the break was applied with increased power the stern of the Niagara was down in the trough of sea, and the extra strain caused by her rising the immediate reason oi the cables parting.
 The Susquehanna was a mile off, on the Niagara s starboard beam; the Agamemnon the Cyclops, and the Leopard were within signal distance.
 At l2 o clock, the Cyclops left for falentia, and the Leopard for Spithead. The other three remained to make some experiments.
 Soundings found by the Cyclops at 1000 fathoms. At night they kept course E. s. E.. under easy steam, and on Wednesday morning at 10 O clock bore up for Plymouth Sound The Mag ara is gone into Hamoaze The general opinion i>
 that the is too far advanced for anothr effort now but every confidence is expressed in the ulti- mate success of the undertaking The machinery now aboard the Niagara is considered too heavy for the purpose It is stated that the wheels ceased to revolve when the pressure w;ss applied on Tuesday morning.
 At the village of Hastingsvil1e, Birmingham, Mass, farmer named John K. Hastings committed
 
 the following circumstances He went out to his barn with his gun, deliberately took off one boot and stocking; tied string to his great 1oe the other end of which he attached to the lock of his gun he then placed the muzzle of the gun under his chin and discharged 1t. The gun heavily loaded that the explosion was heard at q great distance The charge horlidly maGgled the head the unfor- tunate man and the brairs and bone were scattered in every direction. The inmates of the house ran to the spot only to find their husband and father dead upon the floor. The deceased was in comfort able circumstances, about II years of age leaves wife and several children. No cause for the deed was known, he had been about his work as usual up to tho day ot his death The village in which he lived inhabited by his brothers and relatives of the same name, wlIo are worthy farmers and har- ness makers, of highly respectable character.
 In St. Louis, on Cass Avenue, a day or two ago. two men were arrested suspicious Of being coun- terteiers. On searching the house. the officers dis covered secreted ewesry, consisting chiefly of ladies brooches, iockets pins, bracelets &c, sufficient to fill half bushel basket. and worth probably from seO to SG0O, also bundles of new counterfeit hls done up quite professionally and ready for trade the amount of over 800 consisting of hrees m tle National Bunk of Providence R. r. and lives on the littsheld Bank, Pittsiied Mass. ives o, the Chin pewa Bank ot pePin. Wis, tens on the North Vest crn Bank of Virginia. and twenties on the State Bank of Missouri, Palmyra Branch larce nro portion ot these are finely executed anC! would do celve any but the most experienced Of the rbi, pewa ttves and North-WesteIn of Virgi lia tens a large number have been put T, circulation and so few of the Missouri twenties
 On Thursday night, at 8 o'clock, the train iron, Railway to New York, when near the city of Ehz abeth, was thrown off by encounterng an iron rail which had been laid on the track. The Philadelphia train came along soon afterward brought the pas sengers of the Railway train to Jersey City No one was reported as injured. The tie was nlaced in such position that the pilot of the engine Power passed over it. and the forward truck passing over it threw the engine from the track, and after rpn ming some 600 feet, took sheer and came in con tact with the wall, where it stopped. The cars were left on the track uninjured. little delay oc cured to the Philadelphia train, after which inc night trains ran regularly.
 The Boston Journal of Saturday last states that there is now stored on the Boston Wharf South Bos ton, in bond over six acres of molasses and sugar There are also large quantities in other localities What is to become of all this There is similarly large stock in all the principal cities of the Un;ted States, showing clearly that it not scarcity of these articles, become necessary of lie that has run up the price more than double within A year. There is now in Boston, New York PhiIadel. pha and Baltimore, more than there was year aeo
 We learn that a wholesale dealer here who snn- plies many retailers, reports that he has not sold