Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-05-28
ROME TXE.

The manufacturing towns of Leeds, Hay
denville and Williamsburg, in Western Massa-
chusetts, have been almost completely swept
away by a flood occasioned by the bursting of
great water reservoir erected for supplying
water-power in dry seasons. Great loss of
life and property resulted from this fearful
disaster, particulars of which are given else
where.
fatal accident occurred by the breaking of
Gardeners dam, on the upper Wolf, in North
ern Wisconsin, q few nights ago. Nine men
attempted to raise the gate, for the purpose of
relieving the pressure on the bulkhead, when
the whole structure gave way, precipitating
the men into the vortex of waters. Trees
were washed out and timber, logs and stones
of many tons weight were swept along in the
current. Four of the men were killed. The
Others escaped with many bruises, but with
out serious hurt.
The Chicago Times of a recent date contains
a lengthy report making serious charges
against the management of the insane hospital
at Oshkosh, Wis. According to the accounts
10y the Times reporter the unfortunate in
mates of the institution have been made the
victims Of gross neglect and abuse. The
freezing to death of one patient, and the suf
fering from cold, for want of proper care Oh
The part of the Superintendent and his assist
ants, are among the charges made, while i'm.
proper food improperly served is declared to
have been the order of the day during the past
winter.
Considerable excitement has been caused in
Washington by the discovery that printed
copies of the questions prepared for the several
ciVil-service examinations have become mat
ter of merchandise, and an investigation has
been begun to ascertain the persons who are
engaged in furnishing this kind of literature.
Northampton (Mass.) dispatch of the goth
says the Legislative Committee had Just re-
tarned from a visit to the scene of the Mill
River disaster. An examination of the reser-
Voir showed that the disaster was inevitable
in consequence of its faulty construction.
Instead of building the foundation three feet
below the bottom, as the contract specified,
it was placed directly upon the bottom. Col
Wilson, who accompanied the committee, in
his testimony said: 9 The terrible neglect and
gross ignorance displayed in the construction
of the same was criminal, and its recent evil
consequences murder" The contractor and
builder was one Bassett.
Gov. Moses, of South Carolina, and ex.
Treasurer Humburt were recently indicted on
charges of breach of trust and converting
public moneys to private uses. A warrant
was issued on the Goth for his arrest, but the
Governor refused TO be arrested and called
out the militia TO prevent it. 1t was under
stood that he would stand his trial at the ap.
pointed time, but that he would not submit
to the indignity of arrest.
The following National Banks have been
authorized by the Comptroller of the Cur
rency to commence business: Mattoon Ma.
tional Bank, Illinois, capital, $4,000: First
National Bank, Liverpool, Ohio, s5o.OOO
Second National Bank, Bay City, Mich.
100000; Peoples National Bank, Martins.
burg, w. Va, $4,000; First National Bank
Hancock, Mich, 100000.
A recent Northampton (Mass) dispatch saw:
there are in the Mill River Valley 1900 desti
tute and homeless people to feed and clothe
not for one day only, but until their future i.
decided upon, and they must have at leas
100000 for immediate use. The women, a.
usual, exhibit more fortitude than the men
and instead of yielding to their sorrows pu