The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1862-06-14

the yellow one.
There is hotel in the city Of Corinth. II
rs called the Tishimingo House, and is fair
specimen Of its kind II has not bccn, how
ever, for many weeks, "a map Of busy life.
its fluctuations and its vast concerns" as
Cowper expresses his idea Of hotel, having
been converted into a hospital two months
ago. The inhabitants of the town have been
supplied with water from an artesian well.
upward of 900 feet deep, bored about three
years ago. The taste of the water drawn
from this source is not very pleasant, how
ever wholesome the article in itself may be.
There is no creek or stream near. and tie
confederate army was greatly iin!.eaanvenienccd i!.
on this account, a.. ,..,., 4 II. ~.
BlitZ and the Fire Amnihilnt on.
From the Liberty Museu n.
The recent successful experiment with the
fire annihilator has reminded us of some
circumstances connected with the first ex-
hibition of them in New York, and which
caused feud between p. T. Barnum and
Signor Blitz, SO well known for his skill in
training birds, and his extraordinary fcats
in natural magic Barnum had invited the
Signor to be present Tin New York; at an
experimental exhibition, in which he was in1
terested, ofthe machines that put out a great
fire with great smoke. The great deceiver
WAS at hand-a little man, dressed in black,
with iron gray hair, and restless, observ-
ant eye-and he mingled in the crowd un.
re recogaized.
The temporary structure in which the Are
was to be kindled, and then annihilatod, was
about fifteen feet square, and one story and
a half high. There was an upper floor, bit
no stairs, as name were needed The car,
penter who nailed it down had merely left
hole by which he had decendcd after pc,.
forming his job. t E.,
A large concourse fpeop!e assembled to
witness the experiment, which was to come
off little after dark The spectators exam-
ined at their leisure the building and the
queer looking cans that contained Barnum's
gas ready to be let forth to arrest the prog
ress Of that "devouring element" which, TO
use the stcreotyped language Of the insur.
anoc companies, .:ofaen swept away in few
hours the hard earnings Of many years"
Professor Cotton at last mounted stand,
and explained to the assembly the principles
Of the annihiator, and set forth the immense
benefits that would accrue fiom il to all
combustible communities.
Barnum was around, and, although he
had been searching for his friend Blitz, that
willy professor of dcviltry lodged the great
Snowman and remained invisible.
AT length everything was ready. A heap
of highly combustible matter had been pre-,
pared on the middle of the floor, and an as
sistant was proceeding to set fire to it. when
all in the vicinity were startled by cry from
the upper room In the building
"Don'tI Don't Let me out Don't
burn me up"
''Stopr' shouted police officer; "there's
a man in the loft"
The master of ceremonies stepped into the
building and ordered the intruder to jump
down.
~ can't (hic) get down." said the voice.
"Some drunken fool has got up there with
his bottle" said Barnum, in low tone OF
vexation. 80, for Maine liquor law in
these diggings! Somebody must GO up
and help the fellow down.
A stick oftimber was procured and placed
in slanting position, and policeman man.
aged to crawl up into the attic.
HHello, there Come out of this ~ said
the officer, poking about with his stick
But to his surprise, he found no one there,
After satisfying himself that the place was
vacant, the officer came down, muttering
curses upon the whole affair.
Again the torch -bearer approached to light
the pile, and again the voice sounded from
the upper room
"Let me out, sa-ay Condemn (hic}
yer pictures, will ys burn felrr alive Let
me out Let me ou-u ut ~
"Stop 7 shouted Barnum to the torch-
bearer, this won't do Mr.. Cotton, will
you send man up into that building who
has his senses a6outhim, Send him quick
too"
Another person now assembled to the loft,
which he examined 10y the light Of . lantern
that was passed up to him, and likewise r.
ported the place empty.
A short pause now took place, during
which the spectators began to manifest great
impatience, and their cries began to I'LL the
air.
"Humbug -
"A Barnum humbug y
1.-THE thinsumbab won't work =.
"Wooly horse ~ ~
"Joice Heth -
"Merma-a-id
These were some Of the unple .sent weF1e
that assailed Barnum's ear in the great bab.
Element that was risins like theroako a. waveQ
around him.
"Haye little patience, gs1ueRsn sndj
wen proceed said he.
swell, ye kin proceed, but yon csp;t
ceed," growled a amember ~ % fessy
company. ss,s III
The torch was now applied to ~
rosin. and, as the flames begsn ~ o.
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