The Portland daily press., 1872-02-15

A FERRIRLE CRIME-AN ALMOST INCREDI-
BILE ATRocIFY~-Fpom Sgsgqehanna Depot,
Pa, on the 18th comes an account Of the fol-
lowing horrible crime:
An outrage was perpetrated here yesterday
morning which, for fiendsh cruelty, surpasses
anything that has eyef been recorded of those
alleged demons in human form, the Hulk lux
gangs of the South, and this one, unfortunate
~, is only too true The particulars are these:
About week ago a conductor on one OF the
Erie freight trains found hid away in chest in
his caboose, shortly after leaving Lackawazeu,
a negro boy about twelve or thirteen years of
age, who on being discovered begged to remain
ON the train in such an amusing manner that
he was not put off and was brought to this
place, where he was left. After remaining
here day or two he BECAME a great favorite
with the railroaders, who set him up as boot
black On Saturday last he played some mis-
chievous tricks ON some Irish laborers, who had
already shown signs of hatred to the
"dhirty little nagur," as they called him,
and they threatened him with severe
treatment when thy caught him. Nothing
was thought of the matter further until Sun
day, when it was brought to every ones reco-
lection most wildly. Late on Saturday night
the boy entered building belonging to the Erie
Railway, near the depot. and went to sleep, ~
ing near the stove. Early on Sunday morning.
three of the Irishmen who had been ihs victims
of the little darkey' stricks, entered the build
about taking their revenge. Procuring can
of kerosene, they poured quantity of the oil
over the boys clothing and then deliberately
set it on fire. Quick as tightening the flames
spread over the boy from head to foot, literally
enveloping him in a sheet of fire. Awaking,
he ran wildly about the room shrieking for
some one to put out the fire: His cries attract
ed Waterman from the outside, who entered,
and who says the three Irishmep were stand
ing and viewing the terrible situation OF the
poor boy with apparent unconcern When they
saw the newcomer, however, one OF them
seized pail of water and threw it over the burn
ing boy, which only added fuel to the flames.
The Waterman shouted to another OF them to
throw coat he had on this arm about the boy,
which he reluctantly did, and then his efforts
attended with any earnestness. The flames
were finally smothered and physician at once
sent for, who upon examiningthe boy pronOunc-
ed his injuries fatal. His right leg was burned
to a crisp from the knee up, his hip bone being
visible where mass of flesh had been literally
roasted away. Although still alive his death
is expected at any moment. His sufferings are
intense. The feeling against the three Irish
men, for time seemed to invoke the spirit of
Judge Lynch, but has settled down to logged
determination 20 gee meted to them the fuii ex-
tent of the law. They claim that they only in
tended to have a joke on the boy and had no
intention of carrying it to what will be fatal
termination. They have not at this writing
been arrested, although warrants have issued
for that purpose
AN VICTORIOUS FIzzLE.-'Perley," of the
Boston Journal says in his dispatch that the
political bombshell which the conspirators
against the administration have been so indus
triously charging with stories of fraudulent
sales Of arms to France, and which they had
expected would do great damage when explod-
ed, appears to be most inglorioasiy fzgling out.
Mr.. Sumner may show that some of the musty
principles of international law have been vio-
lated, but as the diplomatic representative of
the German Empire has made no complaint, it
is hardly probable that any great harm has been
done. The investigation of the alleged fraud
will show that certain INSCRIPTIONS parties, in
Guiding foreign agent, have been at work for
months endeayoring to concoct these charges
against the administration, and especially to
implicate Gen. Ingalls,, who is known to enjoy
the confidence of his own commander Official
documents will show that the War Department
had no direct dealings with the French govern
ment who purchased of American dealers in
arms, and who doubtless charged more than
they paid, although they may not have been
willing to share their profits with the French
agents The discrepancy between the Secreta-
ry of Wars report that ten million dollars worth
of ordnance stores were sold in eighteen seven
ty-one, and the statement of the Treasury that
eight million two hundred and eighty-six
thousand one hundred and thirty-one dollars
only were received by that Department, is ex-
planned by the fact that the Secretary of War
brought his figures down to the end of October,
while the Treasury stopped at the end of the
fiscal year, four months sooner. Mr.. Sumner
may show that there has been some uninten-
tional violation of international law, but the
friends of the Secretary of War and of the gal
liant officer implicated challenge the investiga-
ton.