The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1868-12-25
GENERAL NEWS ITEMS.

into an arsenal building.
GENERAL NEWS ITEMS.
On Tuesday last, while the funeral services Of
Miss Helen Weston were proceeding In Pitts
street Chapel, Boston, the sexton discovered
FIRE well underway In tho woodwork over tho
furnace In the basement He informed the off,
GERS on duty there, who quietly procured water
from houses In the neighborhood and eItinguish-
cd the fire without letting any Of the congrga-
ton know what had happened. The chapel
was crowded almost to sufocation.
At Rock Creek, on the Pacific road, host Of
curiosities have been found. small hill Is
there entirely composed Of pieces Of rock which,
when broken open, are found to contain pctri-
factions Of the most curious descriptions; snakes
Of all sizes, some Strengthened out, others coil
| cd up; and shells OF every possible kind-oys-
ter, clam, mussel, ccnch, sc.
They have got new potato In Vermont
which exceeds everything heretofore known
among the solanum tribe. The following arc
represented as the latest transactions In that po-
tato market Sixteen specimens sold for 1925;
twelve for S6l5; one for cow; one for q sill
yer mounted harness; and the ordinary quo
tation Is $50 ayiece. Asa proof Of Its produc-
tiveness, II Is stated that . man who paid last
year $40 for one eye, raised from II the past
season potatoes for which he has realized $3.50
cash, and has three potatoes LEFT.
A woman in Pittsburg, Pa, who had suffered
much abuse from her husband when he was
drunk, took advantage Of recent spree to bind
him hand and foot and give him severe thrash.
Ing. He plead Justify for mercy and promised
better behavior, but the wife would not let up
till he had received chastisement he viii re-
member for long time.
JEFF Davis attended some races at Warwick,
Eng, at which the winning horse was named
president Lincoln"
The railroads in most Of the countries Of Eu-
rope are running their roads on the plan Of low
fares, to give the system fair trial, and the re-
suit. Is reported to be completely satisfactory.
Their profits have been largely increased in con-
sequence.
Letter writer's from Paris say that during
the late visit Of the Prince and Princess Of Wales
to the French Court, the Prince studiously neg.
lected his wife.
A slight shock Of earthquake Is said to have
taken place In Marlborough, N. H., on the eve
ming Of the 18th. at about nine o'clock.
The fishing firm from Cape Cod. which pro-
pose to purchase wharves and building Mt New
Castle, N. H., to carry on the Cod fishing bust
ness, have concluded the bargain, and now own
the property. They further propose to pur-
chase the Pier Wharf property In Portsmouth to
carry on the Mackhrel fishery.
Probably the most contented postmaster In the
world lives at Petropaylovsk, in Kamschatka.
Only one regular mail Is received there annual
ly Z; sometimes the mail misses, as mails do ev-
crywhere, and then the postmaster has nothing
enjoys Q salary Of three or four hundred rou-
blcs.
A single American drug house CONSUMES fifty
thousand sheepskins annually In making plas-
ters for our fellow citizens who have weak
backs.
A duel with broadswords was fought in New
Orleans last week, between Creole and a
Frenchman. 1t was ferocious affair, lasting
until one Of the contestants had received eight
wounds and the other six. Both wero fearfuly
gashed about the head and face.
Worcester has elected two ladies, Mrs. Earle
and Mrs. Baker to serve OH the school committee
though the laws Of the State have not yet been
% amended as to permit ladies to hold such
offices.
mitted TO tho room where their dead bodies lay,
fell on her knees beside them and called Heaven
to listen to the vow she there made to take terri
bio vcngcnce on their executioners.
Mr.. Johnson's salary IL twenty five thousand
dollars year. The Boston Transcript thinks
It would not be bad idea to pay II In q Trcasu-
~ bond for that amount, on interest, due In
seventeen years, with the provision that the In
tcrest as It accrues be deducted from tho prin-
sipal, instead Of being paid to Mr.. johnson.
Friday, Dec. IL, was the coolest day In st.
Louis for thirty years. The mercury went down
to IA degrees below zero.
The temperance men Of Illinois have held q
State Convention, and resolved to organize po-
litical party opposed to the manufacture aud
sale Of intoxicating drinks.
Seyenty-eight thousand eight hundred Penn
iylvanians sell liquor-sixtecn thousand eight
hundred and seventy teach school.
At Quincy. H.. Is German with curions
blood-mark. It Is perfect deer, about the size
Of SILVER dollar, and on his right check. The
form and outline skthe deer are as perfect rs
could be drawn by IN artist, and show q deer in
the act Of leaping.
A man In Indiana was chokcd to death by
piece Of beef on Thanksgiving day, and his
neighbors say that was judgment on him for
not eating turkey.
A seventeen-year old boy In North Carolina
succeeded In killing three geese-himself and
two of the feathered kind-at one shot. chad
loaded his gun too heavily.
A Milwaukean decided the genuineness Of his
call to the ministry by chipping up chip"
The wet side came up and there was another tho
illogical student.
A Chattanooga paper states that French
gentleman. named Bryant, has purchased land
on Mission Ridge, with the intention Of estab-
fishing there colony Of French wine growers.
Mr.. Edward A. Pollard, the historian Of the
"Lost Cause" makes the remarkable statement
that the bulk Of the valuable documents Of the
Confederate government, including the corrs-
pondencc Of Jefferson Davis. exists to-day In
conocalmcnt. deposited In place where they
remain concealed to this time. and will probably
not DO unearthed In this generation.
The Scientific Amsriean says the city Of
Austin, Nevsds, 5000 feet above the sea level,
has an atmosphere 30 thin that the least physical
labor causes great shortness Of breath and the
atmospheric pressure Is 50 light that those Of Its
1000 Inhabitants who find Il necessary to wear
artificial teeth experience great difficulty In keep
Ing their sets In position.
Senator Sprague has purchased valuable
island on the Georgia coast, near the mouth Of
st. Mary's river, Florida. It contains an ARIA
Of 5000 acres, and Is said to be extremely fer