Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-06-13
LOCAL B2sENfTiES.

The automatic car coupling, spoken of some
time ago as the invention OF the Rev. j. Dix
Mills, of this city, has been the subject for
some days past of the most rigid tests as TO its
efficiency aud practical value at Baltimore by
prominent railroad officers and machinsts, and
pronounced by them a complete success. This
coupling differs, it is said. from any heretofore
invented In being strictly automatic
The interest 10 the proposed regatta Of Mon
day is growing, aud the Indications are that
there will be large attendance and consider
able friendly rivalry. The owners Of the sew
eral yachts which are to participate are buslly
engaged in fitting them for the contest, and If
the weather proves at all favorable the little
feet will do some good sailing.
A large number of persous from this city
we're present at the Piuey branch track near
race that was to have been run there, but which
was prevented by the rain. 1t was rua this
evening, however, and nearly all who were
disappointed yesterday were present to-day.
An old coored woman named Adeline Rix-
ster, who lives with Mrs. Hemmcrslcy, uear
the Diagonal pump whose sudden aud unac-
the suspicion that she had been drowned, re-
wandered off in the country and been lost.
The festival pow in progress at the Assembly
Rooms. for the benefit Of the NJ. h. Church
South, will be closed tonight. During its con-
tinuance it has been the nightly source of enjoy
mcut and recreation to the large numbers who
have attended it, and who praise the manner
u which it has been conducted.
The death OF MIR. j. j. Blue, is noticed uu-
der the obituary head 10 to-day's Gazette.
Mr. Blue was the oldest resident of the city,
aud was resp cted and venerated BY all who
knew him. He was born near Hagerstown,
Maryland, but has lived here since the com
meucement Of the present Century.
Pot hunters from Washington infest all the
marshes below this city, play sad havoc among
the young wookcock, and seud their game in
large quantities, packed 10 ice, by sail boats to
that city. The shooting Of woudcock now is
contrary to law, the penalty being heavy foe,
half of which goes to. the lufurmcr.
Bugs are numerous this season. \ CORE
spoudeut informs US that no less than four
varieties of bugs have attacked his potatoes
small insect not unlike a flea. the common
potato bug (Cantharis Vittata. the Colorado
potato bug, and winged insect resembling u
lady bug, but greatly larger.
Miss Mary A. Triplett has been appointed
clerk 10 the return letter division of the Post
Office Department, vice Mary E. Fowler, re-
signed. Mis- MJry J Kinney has been ap-
pointed clerk in the finance Office, vice Miss A.
X. Evans, resigned. ...
The velocipede races DOW daily run on the
public thoroug hfares afford excellent sport, no
dJubt, to the boys who take part 10 them, but
are by 90 means agreeable to the pedestrians
who have to use the sidewalks at the same
time.
The new choir just organized for Christ
Church is composed as follows Messrs. John
ston and Buchanan, lSt tenors; Stuart add
Hunter, I'd tenors; Stab!er and Lee. lst basos,
and Davidson and Grihes, I'd basos; Professor
He, man, Director.
The British Settlers Association held a
meeting last night, at which affairs were har-
monlousiy discussed. Many letters to the AS
ISOLATION we're read, and appearances indicate
that ere long We may expect an increase of lm-
migrants among US.
An ash barrel, said to have remained on a
sidewalk on Royal street, between King and
Prince, for weeks past was found this morning
to have been surmouuted during the night
with a large placard upon which was Inscribed
In Memory of -. y
The meeting of the Board of Directors of the
Virginia Midland Railroad Company, which
has been 10 session for the last two days, ad-
journed yesterday, and the members of the
Board who reside out Of the city left for their
homes on the train this morning.