The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-11-17
DOMESTIC MISCELLANY,

Governor Kemper has appointed Judge A. B.
Cochran commissioner to look after the affairs
of the Chesapeake 4 Ohio Railroad in place OF IT,
w. Q. Lee, resigned.
The superintandaut Of the direct United States
cable in New York announces that the cable was
successfully repaired on the Alb. The CABLE after
fifteen months submersiop was found by the steam
er FArrsdy In absolutely as perfect a condition as
when manufactured. The fracture, which was
found in seventy fathoms Of water, was such as
would be caused by either az anchor or grapnel,
Disasters st sea.-Tbe loss of the msil steamer
Pacific on her voyage from Portland, q egon, to
San Francisco, with over two hur dred lives, com
prisinC her passengers and crew, has been followed
fast by the burning of the Texas steamer City Of
Waco, on her way from New Y ork to Galveston,
Just of the hsrbor of the latter city, leaving the
crew and passengers sfoat in the Gulf and drifting
out 10 q heavy sea in the boats and on the debris
Of the vessel, 70 encounter aa uncertain fate
These cslamities, and especially the hrst In which
the loss of life was so fearful. will be severely felt
throughout the land aud cause grief aud mourn
ing in many household.
The commander OF the Pacif, we see by our
DISPATCHES, was Captain j fferson Davis Howell,
the Youngest brother Of Mrs Jefferson Davis
When our civil war begun Captain Howell, who
was then q very young man, was clerk IN the
New Orleans GOSl OIuce, out Wneu the OOOieIef-
ate cruiser Sumter was fitted out he received a
leutenant's commission, and, We believe, followed
the fortunes of Admiral Semmes, both on that
vessel and Cd the Alabama to the close of her
career. He had another aud older brother, Joseph
Howell, who was with Col. Davis in the First Mis-
sissippi Rifles at the Battle Of Buens Vista, and
commanded one of the Montgomery feet of gun
boats in the engagement In front of Memphis IN
this war; Both brothers were gallant soldiers and
finished gentlemen. The death of the younger,
now reported, will be gloomy tidings to host OF
friends, relatives and admirers of this youthful
commander in the South. He was native Of
Mississippi, where his father resided up to the close
OF the war, dying few months after its termina
| ton -ERQurer,
Progress of the East River Bridge-The work OF
the East River Bridge thus far has cost SIS $780,
600 it is estimated that at least so 900 600 more
will have TO be raised. This done, the bridge vii
probably be completed by July, 1879 The exDen
diture for labor aud material averages about SIS,
! 600 per month. The tower on the Brooklyn sid
was finished two months ago. On the New Yorl
tower, work will be suspended on December l. TO
the Winter but it is stated that the structure vii
be completed and everything made ready for tn
throwing over OF q temporary bridge early ID tn
Summer of next year. On this temporary struc
ture the workmen will weave the wires into tn
permanent supporting cables. The galvanized
ropes for the foot bridge are to weigh II lbs. pc
foot and are to be SIS inches in diameter, Wit
q breaking strength of not less that 240 tons. A
vet no contracts for wire work have been made
; The work Of demoishing buildings for the Ne
York anchorage will be undertaken IN May mex