Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-06-04
DOMESTIC.

A new swindling device has been exposed
in Chicago. One GA. w. Locke" who pre-
tended to be an agent for English-made sew
ing machines, had been flooding the country
Offering to furnish first-class machines, of
American patents, made in England, for 500
and wait three months for his pay, only stips-
lating that 81, the amount required to pay
the customs duties, should be paid in advance
He gave excellent references, and a large num-
Der sent in their dollars. Suspicion being
aroused, an investigation was had, and the
swindle stood confessed. Locke was proved
TO be a myth and his project a delusion.
A large part of the business portion of
Forest City, Ark, has been destroyed by fire.
Loss nearly $4,000
The largest fire ever experienced in Iowa
occurred at Independence on the morning of
the 25th, destroying the heart and business
portion of the town. The fire broke out about
two O'Clock in a frame building, a high wind
blowing at the time, and the fire rapidly spread,
sweeping everything before it, taking both
sides of the principal street, destroying forty
five stores and business houses, one bank, two
printing offices and two hotels. The loss is
estimated at S50O,O0O. Covered by insurance
to about one-half that amount.
recent fire in Central City, Col, destroyed
one hundred and twenty-five buildings,
mostly of wood, and occupied for mercantile
and other business purposes. The burnt dis
trict covers about eight acres. The total loss
is estimated at about half a million Of dollars,
one-third covered by insurance.
The District Investigation Committee in
Washington closed its labors, so far as the
taking of evidence is concerned, on the 9th,
and would at once prepare a preliminary re-
port. The evidence taken before the commit
tee makes nearly 5000 printed pages.
recent Washington telegram says it ap-
pears that the Interior Department is not the
only one that has suffered in the use made of
its printed questions in the civil-seryice eX-
aminations. Investigations made in other de-
partments reveal a regular system of sale of
these printed questions, and the market price
appears to have been twenty-five dollars set.
A number of additional dismissals are soon to
take place, based upon the disclosures made.
The citizens of Oshkosh, Wis, on the 2Sth
issued call for a convention in aid of the
Fox and Wisconsin Rivers Improvement, to
meet at Oshkosh on the oath of June.
President Grant has issued q proclamation
extending to Newfoundland the provisions of
the treaty of Washington, and the products
OF the fisheries are now admitted free Of
duty.
internal revenue receipts for the month of
May up to the 30th were 81, 326, 430, and for
the year to same date S93, Isl, ola. So
Judgment was entered in the Sangamon
County OIl) Circuit Court on the Doth
against the Chicago Il Alton Railway Com.
pany in the case of the people of the State ,e
the company.
Mayor Willis, of New Orleans, has addressed
another urgent appeal for aid 10 Mayor Have
meyer, of New York city, in which he saws.
ssWill New York come to the rescue of our
destitute, ruined, furnishing people? A deadly
famine in Louisiana would be a national dis
grace which the wealth and philanthropy of
America must prevent at all hazards"
A bold attempt was made on the evening of
the goth to rob the express car on the Michi-
gan Central Railroad, near Three Oaks. Two
men entered the car and attacked the messen-
ger while he was asserting the money pack
ages Although seriously injured, he drew a
revolver and shot one of the robbers dead.