Delaware State journal and statesman., 1863-11-06
LOCAL AFFAIRS.


NEWS FROM STANDARDIZATION Thursday night
of last week, Snake Hall, located on Tenth
street, near this city, was infested with reptiles
OF the genus copperhead, collected together to
hear un old fellow of the same species hiss
Gray old BOlus the chief of the belly-crawlers
and dirt-eaters, like an old lame gander led of,
and in turn several other copperheals followed
in his slimy track. A somewhat superauuated
old Brolon reptile, caught nearly seventy years
ago, in New Jersey, hissed quite an immoderute
length OF time, before the tribe and when he
had spent his venom and crept into his hole for
the night, Riddte-d snake Of similar breed
but of tanner temper and fewer years, raised up
his copper head and tried most painfully hard
to initiate the old snake "Charley" ns he is called
lie hissed pretty much in imitation of Il rebel
who, owning lands and nggers in Virginia, which
he could not well get at, seemed terribly annoy
ed and yexed at the people who stood n his way
lie soon expended his frJthy poison also, and
crept away into dark corner vi the cave, for
the remainder Of the evening. Next came forth
quite young reptile. Although Of few years,
he was long aud slender, and seemed 10 be
possessed OF double eyes The oognomeu of this
young copperhead is said, by traditionary Lore,
to be the direct product OF the old BroWa snake
Ii he should live and thrive he will, in time
make complete snake, aud will be fit and
safe companion to while away the lonesome mo-
mements Of jeff. Davis or Vallandighum There
is singular peculiarly about this young copper
head. lie, unlike most Of his tribe, is Of IL
sanctmoniOus turn aud whether on his back
or his belley eau lie more gracefully than is
common with snakes Of his youthful age. AL
though this faculty is not uncommon with The
tribe Of copperheads, ii is so ingeBiously blended
with the apparent tameness and dOcility Of
this particular reptile, that il forms quite nn
important feature, and will some dny lead to his
becoming special iayOrte in snakevilie. Like
the squirrels in the public parks OF Philadelphia,
he will be the favored recipient of all tho spare
crumbs and "cOld pieces" Of tho tribe, il he
continues to cultivate this smart facultyt
These several snakes having each had their hiss
according TO previous arrangement, the cage
closed, aud the exhibition beng over, old Bulus
physicked them all to sleep TIL the next dark
night should come along.
AuoTioHEERISG - Lewis W. Stdham, ha
taken out TN Auctioneers license Tor Now Castle
County, and is now ready to attend to all kinds
of business in that line. lie requests his
friends aud the public generally desiring the
services of an Auclioneer, 10 giye.him call.
EHulBlrloN.-T G. Taylor will give Stereop-
ticon exhibition, at the ltquest oil the ladies' Of
the Delaware State Association for the relief OF
Sick and Wounded Soldiers, at the Institute
Hall, on Thursday evening, the 18th inst, This
exhibition will consist of magnificent views OF
Natural Scenery, Portraits aud Statuary, with
views Of noted buildings, both III this country
and in Europe. The proceeds are to be devoted
to tho relief Of our gallant sick and wounded
volunteers, EVERYBODY should go, aud we hope
Mr. Taylor will he greeted by tho largest au-
dience ever seen in the Institute Hall.
BATTERY ten gun battery is being con-
structed by the Government, on land purchased
of Clement Reeves, Esq, near Delaware City
II is to have two faces, six Of the guns are to be
ten inches and four fifteen inches, the magazine
bomb proof, aud bomb proof protection for the
garrison. 1t will occupy about six acres of
ground. 1t will be quite q formidable work,
and fully able to sink any ordinary vessel Of
war coming up the Delaware Lieut.. W. II.
Hutton is engineer of construction; Reuben
Anderson has the supervision Of the wood work,
and Clement Reeves is general superintendent.
These officers deserve great credit for the energy
with which they have prosecuted the work 1t
is expected that it will be completed by Christ
mas
RAILROAD AoCIDEnT.-AbOut three O'Clock on
Tuesday morning On accident occurred on the
Z. W. & b. Railroad, about fourteen miles this
side Of Baltimore, aud one mile from Chases
Station, which detained the train for nearly
three hours and half The night train left
Philadelphia for that city at the usual hour, with
about $50 passengers, and proceeded safely on
its course until it reached the point indicated,
when rail broke and the eating car and two
passenger cars were thrown from the track.
The floor of the eating cur was torn up, but the
other cars sustained but slight injury. Some
four or five of the passengers received slight
scratches, and one had his shoulder dislocated.
DivipENp-The Bank of Delaware has de.
clared dividend of twelve dollars per Share,
being six per cent for the last six months, paya
bic on or after the l0ih inst. They have also
declared an extra dividend of four dollars per
Share, payable at the same time.