Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-03-22
ITEMS OF INTEREST.

Somebody tells the Scientific American
of a way to clear a well of carbOnic acid
gas. 1t is to lower q red hot iron to the
water. so as to produce little steam. The
vapor instantly absOTbs the gas.
Two years ago Oregon was the only
State in the Union that did not contain a
single mile of railroad. Now she has more
miles of finished road in proportion to her
inhabitants than any other State.
The leading Adamantine Candle Manu-
facturers of the country have resolved to
discontinue the practice Of putting up short
weights.
1t is stated that Horace Clark, son-in-law
of Cornelius Vanderbilt, will succeed Thos.
A. Scott as President of the Union Pacific
Railroad, upon the Iatter's withdrawal from
that company to take charge Of the Texas
Pacific Railroad.
An immense bed of saltpeter has been
discovered near the base Of the COrdiDeras.
In some places it is ten feet thick, and there
is said to be enough for all the requirements
of commerce and manufacture for 1893
years, according to the present rate OF con-
sumption.
The shipments of wool from California
in 1871. show the extent to which the over
land railroad has diverted the freight traffic
from the water routes. The shipments OF
wool in that year from California amounted
to q, 323, 504 pounds, of which 1921 ,3So
pounds came overland. The value of all
the wool sent East was s., $4,000.
In 1880 the total production OF print
cloths in this country was $4,000 pieces
per week. Now the weekly production is
100000 pieces. Of these about 10000
pieces are used for other purposes than
printing, leaving 125,000 for printing
There are in the country PAS printing ma
chimes adapted to the printing of cottons,
30 of which are idle for want of cloths.
All is not gold that glitters, nor silver
that shines. 1t is reported that the Washoe
mines, which have produced more bullion
than any in Nevada, have never paid dol
lar profit to their owners. While the gross
Weld for ten years has been Sl5O,OOO,OOO,
the dividends paid to stockholders have been
but S22,000,O00, and the assessments levied
| have exceeded that sum.
The exhibit of the silk interest in this
country, made before the Committee OF
WAYS and Means during the week, to pre-
vent a reduction in the duty of raw silk,
shows a most gratifying growth Of that fab
| rication here; from 100000 to $25,OOO,-
600 in capital invested, employing 10000
operatives, who are paid $7,OOO,OOO an
| nualy, at about seven fold the wages in
Europe.
Statistics of the Treasury Department
since its organization show that the exports
| of the United States reached the colossal
proportions of S1,9OO,OOO,OO0 in the four
years from 1866 to 1869 inclusive, against
STA, OOO, 900 IN the four years from 1893 to
| 1895 inclusive. This is the most suggestive
representation of the increase Of population,
geographical enlargement of territory and
| development of resources, during period
| of seventy years.
The first coal ever mined in the United
| States was dug near Richmond, Va. Btu
minous coal was mined there as early as
| 100. and in 1875 was extensively used in
the vicinity. During the Revolution a
| Richmond foundry employed the coal in
making shot and shell for the use Of the
| Continental forces. From local celebrity
it gradually obtained a national renown,
and in 1899, it was being sent to Philadel-
phia. New York, and even to Boston.
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