The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-10-27
From the Spirit Of the Times, October 10
A WIFE'S HEROISM.

We regret to learn that one of our most OK
tensive breeders of blood stock at the North,
J. b. Monnot, Of Westchester county. New
York, has met with most serious loss, the
burning of his whole range of stables. II ap-
pears that on the morning of TUESDAY, the Atb
inStant. Mr.. Monnot- LEFT home. with the inten-
Fair, leaving his place in Charge OF hTs wrry--
Shortly after noon, while the men were yet a.
dinner, Mrs, Moano; discovered dense smoke
issuing tFom the stables. She was alone with
her women-not man within call-the blood
horses, worth nearly 100000, were in iuami-
nent danger. For a moment she was para
lyzed, but soon recovered her presence of mind
to psrform what she considered religious
duty-to save her husbands property, even at
the risk OF her own life. Starting her women
In various directions in search Of assistance.
she alone rushed into the stables, from the
sides of which the flames were by this time
bursting in every direction. Logan, the pride
and pet of her husband, was the first to be-
saved; TO unehain and lead him to tho door
of his box was but the work of an instant;
but, terrified at the flames which met his sight,
he rushed back TO his stall, and resisted every
attempt to lead him out, until, when nearly exa-
hausted by her exertions, Mrs. Monnot sue.
ceeded in blindfolding him with part Of her
dress, when he became tractable, and submitted
to be led to place Of safety.
The foreman and helpers of the farm at last
arrived, aud soon had every hoof turned out.
Now commenced a scene the widest and most
appalling eye ever witnessed. The stables,
which were Sufficiently extensive to accommo-
date $50 horses, and barns containing over 100
tons Of hay, were completely enveloped in
flames, The horses, which in the excitement
OF the moment without regard to sex or age,
were turned into small enclosure, maddsned
by fear, commenced fighting furiously, Kicking,
biting, and tearing each other in fearful maa-
ner, making 1t dangerous and apparently fool
hardy In the extreme, to attempt TO separate
them. The foreman, however, watching his
opportunity, succeeding in catching by the
name one Of the most furious, a two-year-old
colt, vino reared and plunged at such rate
that the man was soon sent flying under the
heels of the other horses. Mrs Monnot again
exhibited her nerve and courage by entering
the enclosure, and seizing the brute By the
nose. She held him until the man had recov.
cred himself and procured halter, with which
the animal was secured.
Old Sylphide, by Emihus, bred By r. L.
Stephens, now owned by Mr.. Monnot, was very
near being los, she was surrounded BIZ flames,
and had 10 be taken out through hole cut in
ths side of her stable. Having secured the
stock to the best of her Judgment, Mrs Monnot
sent an express messenger, TO convey the Ii.
dinss of ths calamity to her husband, who was
intercepted just as he was on the point OF EN-.
barking for Albany. On hearing the news,
his thoughts were not on his loss, but on his
wife. His first exclamation was, any God
and that poor woman's all alone!" He little
thought that shat poor woman, all alone"
had really saved his immense property.
PURCHASE OF THE FREEDoM OF MARYLAND
SLAyE.-The necessary amount to purchase
he freedom of Benjamin Bradley, slave at
Annapolis, Nd, has been subscribed-a por-
ton in that city and the balance in New York
His owner, Who valued him at 81 500, offered
70 set him free for $1,000. Ben himself had
saved 800, two gentlemen in Annapolis loaned
him $500, and the balance was raised by sub
scription. a writer in the New York Journal
Of Commerce. says:
eight years ago, Ben was employed in s.
printing Office in Annapolis. He was then
about sixteen, and showed great mechanical
skill and ingenuity. With piece Of gun.bar-
rel, some pewter, couple Of pieces Of round
steel, and some like materials, he constructed
a working model of steam-engine., His
master soon afterwards got him the place Of
helper in the department Of natural aud experi-
aental philosophy in the naval academy at Az
napolis. He sold his Srst steam.engine 70 o
midshipman.
with the proceeds aud what money be
could lay Up, (his master allowing him five dol.
fars month out of bis wages he built an en-
cine large enough to drive the first cutter of
sloop of war at the rate Of six knots an hour.
He was assisted in planning this engines being
told bow 10 End the resistance Of an immersed
floating body, and the size &c., Of bis propeller.
Prof Hopkins, of the academy, says that no
gets up the experiments for the lecture room.