Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-07-15
0llurtcsirr 9laiipsspp.
rev EnsIand News summary.

New England News Summary.
BOSTON AND VICINITY.
The potato blight has destroyed the potato
crop in many towns near Boston, especially in
Arlington.
The Journal SAYS: "The boot, shoe and
leather trade of Boston viii make noble con-
tribution to the fine art museum fund"
The alleged defaulter at the Savannah custom
house, before alluded TO in our Geographic dis
patches, is, it appears, George B. Wellman, for.
merly Of Boston, who occupied the position of
cashier The defalcation amounts to eleven
Thousand dollars.
Boston is to lose one of its faithful railroad
superintendents. MIR. Jeremiah Prescott, who,
for sixteen years, has attended to the duties OF
that office on the Eastern road, has been ten
dered and has accepted the position of SupeTin-
tendent of the Northern Pacific railroad, with
headquarters at st. Paul, MINI.
Supervising Architect Mullett returned from
Massachusetts, on the 18th, having been absent
about ten days making arrangements for the
more speedy delivery of granite for the Boston
post office. He is well pleased with his sue
cess in this matter, as well as in bringing about
an amicable settlement of some petty disputes
among contractors and others.
In the surgeon-generaPs office, Boston, they
are busy at work on the claims of the soldiers
of 1872 and their widows. 1t was supposed
when the bill granting them a pension of six
lature, that about fifty would comprise the sum
OF the claimants; but up 10 the present time
about two hundred have been received. Among
them is a lady named Jane Rogers, who lives
in Champney place, Boston Highlands, whose
age is set down at 101 years. She is a veritable
centenarian, in years at least.
The Boston common council, at its meeting
on Thursday night, gave the first reading TO
resolution endorsing the worlds peace jubilee of
next year, and extending the city's hospitalities
TO the civil, naval and military officers of our
own and foreign countries who shall attend the
great festival. Probably, at the next meeting of
the council, the resolution will be finally adopt
ed without single dissenting voice. The iub-
lee is going to take place, and Boston must not
be niggardly in its Inequalities nor tardy in
setting the seal of its approval on this great
event.
The value of the Boston public library may
be estimated by the following facts, taken from
the superintendent last report. Between June
18th and July Sth there were taken from the
Bates hall 1888, and used in the hall 21S0, vol
umes; from the lower hail. IA, $50, while 224 vol
umes were used in the hall; from the East Bos-
ton branch library there were takea for home
use, 1892 volumes, and 80 were used in the hall
making grand total of books used by the
citizens, during twenty-five working days, Of
22,07S volumes.
In the superior court in Boston, this week,
Judge Pitman presiding, two witnesses declined
~ -
to have the oath administered to them as it is to
other citizens, viz, with the uplifted hand.
They said that one form was as binding OH their
as the other, but they thought it was
intended as degradation. Judge Pitman very
patiently explained to them that it was not, and
was not intended to be any such thing. He
said that in the Buzzel case, the supreme court
laid down the law, and had declared it to be
matter of common notoriety that in Catholic
countries it was the universal practice to swear
witnesses on the gospel. Mr. Sennott argued
the question in behalf of the witnesses, and
finally Judge Pitman, after much hesitation and
careful examination of the policemen, conclud-
ed to let them swear with uplifted hand, but
said it should not be considered in the light of
a precedent
MIDDLEsEx COUNTY.
The ceremonies of laying the corner stone of
the new st. PauPs church in Maiden, took place
on the 18th, on Washington street, in that vii
lage.
The smallpox is again on the increase in
Lowell city. Last week the number of deaths
from this disease was seven, all among the
Catholic Irish. The upper part of Market
street is more particularly infested with the
disease. The undated progress of the disease
is likely to injure the prospects of the New
England agricultural fair, which is to be held
there next September
The semi-annual examination and graduating
exercises of the state normal school at Framing
ham. took place on the 18th, and were, as usual,
OF an interesting character. Upon the platform
were seated his excellency Gov. Clahin, ex-Gov
Emory Washburn, Hon. Henry Chaplin. of Wor-
cester, D. B. Hager, principal of the normal
school at Salem, Hon. Joseph White, secretary
of the board of education, and other gentlemen
interested in educational matters. The first eX-
ercises consisted of an examination of the vari-
Gus classes. The parting class song was next
sung, after which diplomas were presented by
Claim fOltOVViOo
A. Blood, Hollis, N. H.; Susan Z. Brokenshire,
Milton, Mass; Louise II. Clapp Dorchester
Mass; Mary H. Coltman, Medfied, Mass;
Lucy NJ. Damon, Wayland, Mass; Emily P.
Hastings, Mt. Morris, N. T.; Catharine A. Hud-
son, New Bedford Mass; Ella S. King South
borough, Mass; Marietta Rice, Natiek, Mass. !;
Myra b. Richardson, Fitchburg, Mass; Ellen
M. Sanger, Holliston, Mass; COrrinna Shat
tuck, South Acton, Mass; Dora E. SOuthwick,
Millville, Mass; Eva A. Southwick, Millville,
Mass; Abbe F. Staples, WestbOrough, Mass;
Alice Z. Twiehell, Brookfeld, Mass; Gertrude
NJ. White, Grafton, Mass; Joan L. Wiswell,
birmingham, Mass. Addresses were then made
by Hons. Henry Chaplin and Joseph White, after
which the exercises concluded by singing the
doxology. The attendance during the day was
very large, every seat and even standing place
in the exhibition hall being occupied.
BRISTOL COUNTY.
John Riley, the murderer of the Frenchman
Berarde at Fall River, has been arrested in
Rhode Island and taken to Fall River.
HAMPDEN COUNTY.
The managers Of the Springfield club an.
nounce that the entries for the fall meeting will
close August 9th, instead of August 18th as be-
fore announced.
In speaking of the approaching regatta at In
gleside, the Providence Journal gives utterance
to the following sentiment, which will be appre-
ciated by the many friends Of the Brown boys
in worcester: 1--WE await the results with much
hope and many good wishes for Brown"
Take it all in all the regatta week promises
full as much pleasure as was obtained at Wor-
cester last year, though the course is by no
means as good. When first selected, the water
was some four or five feet higher than at pres
ent, and the other infeicities and irregularities
OF the river were not known. For about two
thirds of the distance to be rowed the track is A
straight one, but the last mile bends from the
first direction some thirty degrees, as has been
ascertained by actual measurement. Good
judges say there is much greater danger of
foul than at Quinsigamond, though there is no
turning stake. The hotel at Ingleside is on a
hill about midway between the termini, about
25O feet back from the river. 1t is already
crowded with visitors, and Chieopee, Holyoke
and Springfield will doubtless receive each its
complement next week
The regatta next week will really last three
days. On Tuesday comes the Harvard Atalanta
race, winch VIII undoubtedly be one of the
finest during the week. On Thursday, the So
called Springfield citizens race will be the at
traction. In these win be trials of skill between
wherries, four-oared and six-oared boats. For
the wherry race there have entered John Biglin,
Of New York; one or two of the Ward brothers;
Butler, of Boston; 0Leary, of Worcester, and
Harrington, of Springfield. The Biglins are
also among the entries for the fouroared race,
and there is every prospect of an exciting and
interesting time. The Springfield club offers
the prizes, which are 500, $50 and S25 for the
wherries; they amount to $3.50 for the six-oared
and 5000 for the four-oared boats. For the uni.
Yersity crew that wins is offered the prize of six
silver goblets worth $500, and to the freshmen
goblets one-fourth of that sum in value. The
colors and glory are also thrown in.
NEW HAMPSHIRE.
The house, barn and stave mill of D. W. Will
liams, in Richmond, was DESTROYED by fire on
the 9Th inst. Loss $500; insurance $500.
The house has ordered to a third reading a
bill prohibiting the throwing of saw dust fan
chips, and other refuse matter into the Winnipe.
saukee river.
The senate has passed the house resolution an
$500 to be expended by the board of
agriculture for the analysis of fertilizers, and
or kindred purposes.
A few days ago, the barn of Joseph Temple of
Hlsborough was recently struck by lightning
for the fourth time since its erection. The barn
and two calves were bnrned. Mr.. r. was pros
trated by the electric fluid