davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1871-02-10
TERRIBLR R.fILBO.fD .fCCI-
DE.vT.
TwENTY-oNE LIVES LOST.


A terrible accident occurred, late Mon
day night, on the Hudson river railroad,
at New Hamburg, about eight miles south
of Poughkepsie, N. Y. An axle of an oil
train bound south broke, while passing
New Hamburg, and dragged along the
ground till 1t reached the draw bridge,
when striking the timbers, II threw the car
off its track and upon the up-track, in the
face of the Pacific express train going
north, which left New York at o'clock.
An attempt was made TO stop the express,
which was then approaching, but there
was not time enough and it struck the oil
car, the fragments of which were scattered
in every direction, and at once ignited, en-
veloping the entire express train in flames.
The express train was composed of To-
connective, one baggage car, one express
car, a Pullman sleeping car and coach
bound for Chicago, and five or six other
sleeping cars. The locomotive was at
once hurled into the river, and the bag
gage and express cars were piled on top of
the engine. At the same time the Chicago
sleeping car was one sheet of flame, and
two other sleeping cars next it were also
wrapped in flames. The passengers in
these last two, however, all got out safely.
The bridge then took fire, and in less than
ten minutes the whole structure fell, car
rying with it the Chicago car, and burying
it and its inmates out of sight, under wa
ter and among the ruins of the locomotive
and express cars.
The night was bitterly cold, the Their
momcter being below zero all night, which
rem dered the efforts of the citizens TO re-
cover the bodies very difficult and hazard
Gus, and several were badly frost-h itten
As soon MS possible, men were busily en-
gagged i'm drawing away the half-burned
rafters and strin gers of the bridge and
searching for the dead bodies The scene
of the catastrophe was most terrible one
AS fast as the bodies were raised to the sur
face, they were placed in the baggage car,
where fire was kept going to thaw the
clothing in order that search might be
made for anything which might lead to
their identification. Many of the victims,
however, were burned beyond the recogni-
ton of their friends. A corps of physi-
clans started for the scene of the disaster
from Poughkeepsie, early in the morning,
and other physicians and surgeons arrived
afterward from New York and Albany by
special trains. Twenty-one persons are
known to have been killed, all but one or
two of which have been recovered.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1871-02-10

The NoRTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD
This second highway across the continent
is in full process of construction, the east
ern division across Minnesota, from Du-
luth to the crossing of the Red River of the
North, 240 miles, for which the contracts
were made in July, being fully under way.
Several thousand men are employed, the
grading being nearly done, and the iron
being laid at the rate of one to two miles
day. Meantime, the engineers are locating
the line through Dacotah, work on the Pa
cific end will be begun in the spring, and
both ends therefore pushed till they meet.
The Northern Pacific has also bought the
ST. Paul and Pacific railway, embracing
800 miles of finished and paying road in
Minnesota, thus destroying rivalry and
making st. Paul practically one terminus
of the Northern road. The projectors of
the road do not intend to build one trunk
line and wait for business TO come to it,,
but are securing such connections with
chief lines of water communication and the
railroad systems of the Atlantic and Paci-
flc states as will give it, with its local trade,
a large and increasing share of the carry
ing trade from ocean to ocean. At Duluth
one arm meets the commerce of the lakes
and st, Lawrence, at 81. Paul the other
connects with the Mississippi and the east
ern roads, the main line runs through Da-
kotah, Montana and Idaho to Puget Sound,
with branches to Pembina and Portland,
Oregon, meeting the commerce of the Pa
cihc. Its chief advantages are. reducing
the distance 900 miles between the Pacific
and the lakes, and the distance from New
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1871-02-10
sT.fTE TE.uPBR.s.rtE CO.VJ'E.N-
T'IO.V.

The State Temperance Convention of
Vermont met at the City Hall, Burlington,
on Tuesday evening, Jan. 81, and was called
to order by Rev. w. w. Atwater, Secretary
of the State Temperance Society. Hon. G.
w. Grandey of Ncrgenncs, was chosen tenn
porary chairman, and Rev. C. C. Torrey of
Georgia, Secretary. After the appointment
of committees the chairman introduced DR..
Charles Jewctt of Rhode Island, who then
addressed the convention at length, stating
the principal reasons why the temperance
cause was not more successfully carried on.
His remarks were listened to with great at
tention, and loudly applauded.
Reports were made from every county
in the State except Essex; Windham coun-
ty being represented by o. b. and \. b.
Douglas of Brattleboro, and o. L. Butter
field and J. L. Clark of Wilmington.
Concerning the work accomplished by
the convention, MIR. Charles j. Marsh, one
Of the delegates, who reported the proceed
ings for the st. Adams Messenger, COM
ments rs follows:-
Judging it by the number of resolutions
passed, il certainly did work enough; but
whether they will amount to any more than
the "pous resolutions reported from some
of the county societies, or indicate more
than an annual breathing on the part of
those present, remains to be seen. During
the discussion IT was remarked by Rev. c.
f.. Perrin that when men lacked the moral
courage TO do their duty at home ii was not
only very cheap, but very cowardly
thing to come together and ask Conven
lion to use the lash they themselves dare
not wicld. There was apparently some oc-
casion for the remark Aside from this ac-
ton of the Convention looking towards in
dependent political organization, was con-
sdered doubtful policy by many in the
Convention, and doubtless will be by many
temperance men not there; and if regarded
by any simply us lash held up without
any expectation of its being used, it must
indicate weakness rather than strength"
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1871-02-10

Louis Kossuth is hopelcssly i'll at Tu-
rim.
Boston has statue Of GOV. Andrew,
which is to be formally unveiled on the
l4th
-FUiy-eigM degrees below zero was reg
istcred by the observers on Mount Wash
ington last Sunday morning, Feb. 9TH
The patent office, last year, issued 49,
s2l patents. The total receipts of the Office
were s6G9, 456, the expenses sjj7, Ia, and
the balance, January /, $4,000.
The Young Mems Mercln tile Library
Association of Cincinnati has yielded to
public sentiment, and on Sunday last its
members were admitted to its rooms as ON
week days.
-Four tenement houses in Beloit, Wis,
owned by b. Brown, were destroyed by AN
incendiary fire, on Sunday; loss $4,000,
insured for $4,000, The houses were occu-
pied by 10 families.
Milton S. Littlefeld and George W.
Shepson has been indicted for embezzling
seven millions of dollars Of North CARROLL
ma State bonds. Shepson has been arrested
but Littleield escaped.
A gang of burglars disguised as po-
licemen succeeded in robbing the kensing-
ton bank at Philadelphia on the night OF
Feb. I'd. About 900 belonging to de-
positors were tax m.
The expenses of our wars with Indians
since the beginning of the century amount
to more than Si00, 900, 900 while the amount
of money spent in attempts to educate
them has only been $4,000, 900. Is not this
sad commentary on our civilizatiou1
Military men have discovered new
remedy for intoxicatio on. 1t is nothing
more than raw potatoes, cut uN into >lises,
and eaten without salt. An ordinary
"murphy," 1t is said, will cure the most
obstinate case in half an hour.
The centennial anniversary of the birth
of the Rev. Hosea Ballou, the father of
American Universalism, will fall on Sun
day, April 80, of the present year, and will
no doubt, be made an occasion for fitting
eulogies of his life and character.
Theodore Tilton, whose recent retire
ment from the New York Independent,
has been "a matter of some comment, is
about to issue at New York weekly Jour
| nal "devoted to the free discussion of all
living questions in church, state, society,
| literature art and moral REFORM" to which
his editorial labors will hereafter be deyot-
cd.
A lady missionary stationed ut Bltlis,
Turkey in Asia, point 800 miles in the
interior, has succeeded in procuring Stein e
way piano, which, owing to the absence
of roads, had to be transported a distance
of 70 miles on the shoulders of the natives
Strange 10 say, the instrument arrived in
good order, and 1t is difficult to determine
whiclAis greater, the delight of the fail
owneFor the establishment of the natives
who.had never before behel d piano
A new temperance movement is on
foot in Massachusetts, the design of which
is "to educate the people in the principles
of temperance; to show them the vast
evils which drunkenness produces; t.
warn the young of their danger If they
form the habit of drinkingi to point on
the moral and physiological consequences
of the excessive use of intoxicating liq
uors in fact, the design il to make mel
and women temperate, and to create RICH
public sentiment"
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1871-02-10

The peanut crop of the United States
exceeded 100000 bushels last year.
A good housewives motto. Whatever
thou dost, dust it with all thy might.
Alexander 7. Stewart paid in income
tax more than either one of twenty
States and Territories, and more than Ari-
iona, Colorado, Dakota, Florida, Washing
ton, New Mexico, Utah, Idaho and Monta-
ma combined. w. b. Astor paid more
than the whole state of Vermont.
The most wonderful invention of the
nineteenth century, in the shape of Il welt
thread knitting loom, is on exhibition in
Manchester, n. II. 1t is said to produce
the best wooden cloth extant at the enorm-
GUS rate of nearlya yard minute. Prac-
teal cloth manufacturers pronounce it
success, and believe it is destined to revo-
lutionize the entire system of weaving
wooden goods.
An Indiana pedagoguc going to school
on col morning, lately, found himself
locked out by number of scholars who
were inside. lie got ladder, assembled
the roof, and laid board over the top of
the chimney to smoke them out. They
took away his ladder and left him sitting on
the ridge-pole till he frozc his ears and
fingers and agreed TO yield to their de-
mands. Then they let him down. School
discipline is imperfect out that way.
An eccentric though very excellent
clergy man Of New England gave notice at
the close of the meeting one Sunday, that
he expected to 20 on mission to the hca-
then during the ensuing week. Alarmed
and sorrow-stricken at the prospect of los
ing their beloved pastor, the members of
the church gathered around him, and one
of the deacons, in great agitation exclaim-
ed: "What shall we do?" "Oh, Brother
c." said the minister with great APP
parent ease 81 do not expect to go out OF
town."
A snow storm in the United States AT
til end Of the year 1866 extended over q
district of 1900 miles in length and SOC
miles in width, the average depth of snow
being one foot. The weight was estimated
at five tons to the acre, or 1900 tons to the
square mile, or II grand total of !, 100000
O00 tons of snow-tcn times the weight o
all the wheat grown in the United State,
since the discovery of America; and this
vast weight Of snow fell in one storm from
one great cloud and within period of ON
ly four days.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1871-02-10

The Townshend Farmers Club met
cussed the subject of the care and MANAGE
ment of stock in winter. Remarks were
made by some of our oil dest and most OK
perienced farmers. All seemed to think
that the subject is one of great importance
to the farmer, and should receive more at
tention than it now does from majority of
them. The field for discussion is wide
one, as there is great difference of opin-
ion as TO the particulars of caring for stock.
Yet our farmers all agree that we should
keep good stock and keep il we'll that we
should take more care to have our barns
and stables warm and comfortable to pro-
tect our stork from the sudden changes of
this climate in winter Many of our far
mers are feeding all the grain they raise,
whereas a few years ago they fed none.
They think feeding it to stock is the best
way they can dispose of it. A good many
Of our farmers also think it pays them to
buy grain to feed. The Club adjourned to
meet Monday evening, Feb. eth.
The annual session OF the Teachers In
stitute will be held at Townshend, COM
mencing Monday, Feb. 18th, and closing
the following Friday. For particulars see
advertisement on another page.
-Chauncy Holland has sold his farm to
Henry Rand of Boston. Possession given
April lst.
A. j. Wilson has sold an interest in
his tin and hardware business TO Samuel
Wiswell.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1871-02-10

Rev. Alison Scott of North Orange, Ms.
preached in the Univers alst church here
last Sabbath, Feb. g. On the Saturday eve
ming preceding he delivered an able and
interesting temperance lecture to small
though apprccative audience.
A meeting is appointed to be held at
the village hall, Jacksonville, ON Saturday,
Feb. 18TH at o'clock p. NJ, to consider the
matter of organizing an agricultural socie-
ty in Nottingham, with the design of hold
ing its annual fairs alternately at Jackson
willie and Sadawga.
On Sunday morning, Feb. 8, the thor
mometer at daylight stood at l5o below &c
ro-the coolest morning we have had here
this winter. At noon il had risen to zero,
and varied but little from that point till the
next day, when it rose to p above that
point; and since that time it has been mild
and pleasant winter weather. We have but
little snow, and both wagons and sleighs
are in use in this vicinity,
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1871-02-10

The annual session of the State Teachers
Association was held at Northfeld com
mencing on Tuesday, Jan. 90. Interesting
discussions were held on the subject of
graded schools rs related to colleges and
academies, the town system as compared
with the district system, etc. The discus
sion ofthe latter topic was full and earnest.
and the superiority Of the town system, as
provided by the legislature at its last ses-
sion, over the system now in vogue, was
upheld and fully illustrated. Secretary
French delivered an address on Friday
which was able, earnest and practical. The
meeting was one of the best ever held both
in point of numbers and in the character of
its discussions.
Tho following is Il list of officers chosen
for the ensuing year
President. L. Goodrich, of Burlinslap
Vice Presidents-Prof. G. y. NfrNcR'
Middlebury; Prof. NJ. II. Buckhan, Bur
lington; C. u. Mead, swanton; f. Conant,
Randolph; b. i. Bingham, Brattlcboro !;
Rev. L. a. Austin, Manchester; Hon.
Jonathan Ross, st. Johmsbury; :. H..
Pearl, Johnson; Rev. W. II. Robinson,
Boston; j. w. Pierce, Springfield; l.. V.
Ferris, Windsor; c. o. Moore, Water
bury; L. w. Sowles, Alburgh.
Executive Committee-H. ". Shaw,
Springfieldi j. $. Spauding, Barre Rev.
II. G.. Williams, Castleton.
Secretary-Judah Dana, Rutland.
Treasurer-Rev. l.. A. Austin, Manches-
for
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1871-02-10

of thunder storm by Mr.. Wilcox served
to bring out the full capacity of the organ,
and well displayed the ability Of the or
ganist Tho singing by Miss Howard was
fitting accompaniment and the audience
attested their appreciation Of her merit in
hearty manner. The receipts amounted to
about $3.50.
--"That Comical Brown" will favor us
with one of his popular entertainments at
the Town Hall, on Saturday evening, Feb.
18th. We had occasion to speak of his con-
cert, through the columns of our paper, the
last time he visited us, and the notice is
now to be seen on the back of Mr.. Browns
programme His entertainments, although
extremely comical, are entirely chastc and
decorous, nothing being introduced which
can give offense to tho most refined lady.
He is assisted by very sweet ballad sing
or, Mr.. Buxton, and also the great musical
novelty, Prof Mack, of which the press in
different parts of the country where he has
performed team with laudatory notices.
Tickets are now for sale ut Clark q Will
lard's, and as Brown always draws crowd
ed house, the practicability of securing tick
The death of Mr.. James A, Chase, Of
this town, is an event which demands more
than a mere passing notice The deceased
was born in Guillord in 17sG,-three years
before Washington was elected President
for the first time. He was therefore II years
old when Washington died. Having passed
his long life in this vicinity, he had become
of lao In atria of I,o
gion. His descendants are numerous. Of
these there are now living 7 children, u
grandchildren, and II great grandchildren.
one of the latter being married. 1t is not
common thing that person lives to see u
great grandchild married. Mr.. Cnase's health
has always been remarkably good. lie
was able to attend to business until quito
recently, when he had an operation per-
formed for the removal of a cancerous tu-
NOR from the face. The operation was sue
cessful, the wound had nearly healed, and
recovery seemed certain, when he was sud
denly attacked with congestion of the lungs.
This new disease soon brought to a close
long, and in many respects useful life.
For more than GO years he had been pro-
Tossing Christian, and at the time of his
death was n member of the Baptist church
in this place, which church, as well as the
one in Dumnerston, he kindly remember
ed in his will. The community in which
he lived, his church and his family will
miss one who has for so long time been
identified with them.
The following is the list of letters re-
naming at the post-oflice, in this village,
Thursday, Feb. 0, 1871:
Gents-John r Edwards, Charles II
Eddy, l. p Farley, Wyman Flint, c W
Leach, S Il Miller, Lewis Pratt, j Franklin
Sargent, Augustus Walker.
Ladies-Elvira Fisher, Mary Hill, An
ma kingman, i T. Robinson, Mrs Eliza Ann
Smith, Eva l. Ward.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1871-02-10
Iy.sR VOTES.

The Rothschilds come promptly for
ward to relieve France of the immediate
consequences of the war. Their generous
contribution to the poor of the city of Par
is is followed by the princely offer to ad-
vance the entire amount of the war indem-
nifty levied by the Germans upon that mu-
nicipality.
In this country, the movement for the
relief of the French war sufferers is pro-
progressing with vigor worthy of the
cause and of the generosity of the Ameri-
can people. Boston, always foremost in ev-
cry good work, has already contributed
more than S37, 900 to secure cargo of
breadstufls to be sent to starving Paris.
New York, prompt in its libcrality, puts
fifty thousand francs to the credit of the
American Minister for use among the poor
of the French capital. 1t is a rivalry in Il
noble deed which leads the people of all
sections of the country to come to the re-
lief of suffering humanity; and with
equally prompt assistance from the govern
ment, the liberal contributions of Boston,
New York, and other cities will form
grand expression of American sympathy
with national misfortune.
"A dispatch dated Versailles, Feb. 4th,
says: Very few people are TO be seen on the
streets of Paris, and none have gone out of
the city. The condition of the city is terri
Bile. NJ. Favre states that the populace is
violently excited, and he has requested the
Germans not to allow Englishmen to en-
ter Paris for he considers their lives un-
safe. The interior of Fort ID Issy is an APP
palling evidence of the bombardment. The
barracks are absolutely ground to powder,
but the dcicuces are not materially impair
ed. D'lsSy is stronger than Nalerien eX-
ccpt in position. Prince Napoleon's chat
eau at Mendon is destroyed. Paris is on
the verge of starvation. Flour will be ut
terly exhausted on the ith, and horscflesh
on the llth. The Emperor is ordering
flour TO be sent from the mills of Corboil
and Chantilly, The Versailles bakers are
| allowed to send 1900 iour-pound loaves dali
| ly. 1t is now known that about $50, 900
prisoners were taken in Paris, with 1850
cannon and 400 field pieces and mitraill-
euses. The gunboats in the Seine and the
rolling stock Of the railways were also APP
prOprlateu ny lne berllalS, Inc tltN GOV-
ern ment Of Paris will pay to Prussia on
the 18th of February one hundred million
francs, the amount claimed by the latter
for war expenses during the siege. In ad-
dition TO the assessment of the city of Par
is, the terms of Leace include an indemni-
fication from France to the amount of ten
mill ion francs, which is equal to two mill
ion dollars.
Before Paris was compelled to capitu-
late, her means of communication with the
outside world by balloons and pigeons had
been brought into something like satisfac-
tory system. On the sth, 9th and 10th OF
January balloons successfully left the city,
and on the 10th pigeon arrived with dis
patches which, when printed, filled four
columns of the newspapers, and with fif-
teen thousand messages for private indi-
viduals! This extraordinary compression
of mail matter into 80 small compass was
due TO microscopic photography.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1871-02-10
State Meas.

Liquor smuggling from Canada is re-
ported lively.
"A new marble company of Toledo (O)
men has been formed, with a capital of
100000, to quarry marble at quarry in
Middlebury.
Rutland Is making strong effort to
raise subscription to the stock Of the
Horse Stock Company, which shall secure
the location Of the stock farm at Rutland.
Mrs. Serepta Davis, aged 81. residing
with A. c. Foster Of Sherburne, was burn
ed to death on Friday, the 9th ult., by her
clothes taking fire while alone in the
house.
John Sargent, u native Of this State at
tempted to commit suicide on Monday, Both
ult., at Hopkinton, n. H., but was prevent
ed by the clerk of the hotel, who found him
hanging to bed-post in his room by his
scarf, and cut him down. He il described
as "a man Of culture"
-Messrs Fairbanks & Co. Of st. Johns
bury have just been awarded the contract
for furnishing the government with scales
for the post-ofIice department. The popu-
larity of the well known scales made by
the firm may be inferred from the fact that
during thirty days they received more than
100 carloads of materials for their manu-
facture.
The ST. Adams Messenger learns that
Gov. Smith, either by himself or for the
Vermont Central Trustees, has purchased
all the boats and other property of the Nor
thern Transportation Co., on the great lax es
running from Ogdensburgh to Duluth.
This line includes large number of the
first class upper-cabin propellers, and has
for years been the most popular emlgrant
line to the west, and the most important
water route for western shipments to the
past
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1871-02-10

}. c. Roberts of this place is 60 years
of age, was born on the farm where he
now resides, and has never been of Of it
more than 20 days at any one time. lie al
so belongs to the few who have been sub
scrbers for the PHOENIX over since its
foundation, thirty-eght years ago,
The friends Of the Rev, A. Foster, paid
him their annual donation visit Jan. 3lst,
and spent a very pleasant afternoon and
evening. His erect form and familiar
voice was seen and heard with joy by both
old and young, and as the hour of nine APP
preached he was presented with $3.50 in
cash. His many friends then bade him
good evening, and the hope was expressed
that they might meet and enjoy many
more like visits.