The Lake County star., 1876-06-29
MINOR TOPICS.


of pig iron in stock at the close of 1876.
We are indebted to Mr.. James M.
Swank, Secretary of the Association, for
elaborate tables showing the production
by States. In 1875 it amounted to 1885,
5Sl net tons in the whole country de-
crease of 422,S32 tons, or fifteen per
cent. from 1874. The following States
increased their product in 1875 over
1874: Maine, Virginia, Georgia, In
diana, Illinois and Wisconsin. The pro-
duct of Pennsylvania fell off from ,213,-
1S3 tons in 1874 to 960,SS4 tons in 1875.
Ohio ranks next in production, with
5l4,S93 tons. The decrease in 1875 was
all on anthracite and charcoal pig iron,
while there was an increase in the pro.
duction of bituminous coal and coke pig
iron of S6,S3S tons.
LORD SANDoN's Compulsory Educa-
tion Bill, just introduced into the British
Parliament, is certain to excite warm
discussion. The Non -conformists fear
that it will force children in the rural
districts into the Church schools. The
employers of child labor, especially mill
and factory owners, see that its applica-
tion to them will be very important.
If adopted, it will take effect the 1st of
January next. 1t provides that no child
under ten years of age shall be hired to
labor, and no child over ten who can not
show certificate of a certain amount
of proficiency (specified in the billy in
reading, writing, and arithmetic. Child
rem over five years of age are required
to 60 to school; any such found habit
ually wandering, or in the company of
rogues, vagabonds, or reputed criminals,
may, after warning given, be sent to
school by a magistrate. The penalty
for employing child in violation of the
act is fine not exceeding forty shill-
ings. In regard to all details the bill is
very carefully drawn.
AN apparatus has been attached to
the rear of the pay Car used on the Mid
die Division of the Pennsylvania Rail-
road, which is expected to be of import
ant service to the officers of the road
when on tours of inspection. A roll of
white paper seven hundred feet in length
encircles cylinder, from which it is
paid out at the rate of three feet to the
mile run by the car, its forward move
ment being regulated by the revolutions
of the nearest axle under the car. A
lead pencil placed about the center Of
the paper indicates by its mark the con-
dition of the track. The more uneven
the track the longer will be the mark
which the pencil will make. Another
way of showing the inspecting parties
that the track is uneven is by hori-
zontal piece of iron or steel, which os-
cillates like the pendulum of clock as
the train moves. When very defective
point is reached the pendulum comes in
contact with metal on each side, circu-
lar in shape, and creates Sound like
that of bell. This new invention is
expected to work much more satisfac-
torily than the telegraph apparatus
formerly In operation.
AN ingenious French device is that
for changing sea water into drinkable
water, the means being SO simple as TO
be entirely practicable. A shallow box is
made, fourteen feet long, two feet broad,
and about six inches deep. The sides
are an inch or more thick, and well
calked. Into this salt water is poured
to an inch in depth, and glass is laid
over the top at an inclination of an inch
and half. A channel is added below
the lower edge of the glass-window
sashes, such as are used for cabin win
dows or skylights, answering for this
purpose as well as sheets of glass, care
being taken to cut away the framing, so
as to make both the wood and glass on
the under side level. This apparatus,
as thus formed, is exposed to the sun.
the effect of whose rays is to evaporate
the water, which condenses on the under
side of the glass, flows down into the
channel, and is caught by vessel.
After condensation, the water is, of
course, fresh. 1t is stated that, by means
of this arrangement, and with a glass
three feet two inches square, two gallons
of fresh water per day may easily be
condensed under hot sun from salt
water.
DETAILS of the duel at River Bend
Colorado, show that Albert Jessup, sor
of the New York banker, and M. o.
Davis were seen earnestly talking, ther
engaged in hot words, and agreed to &c
out on the prairie and fight it out. They
had no seconds. Davis carried Win
chester rife, while Jessup had a Colt,
revolver. They walked close together
and appeared to be engaged in conf
dental conversation, neither one gesticu
lating or exhibiting signs of anger OF
excitement. When about i've hundred
yards from the station, on the open
prairie, Jessup and Davis shook hands
took positions fifty PAGES apart, and be
fore the spectators could reach tn,
dueling ground firing commenced
Jessup, who now showed some excite
ment, glancing around among the cactus
plants, fired his three shots wild, neither
ball touching his adversary. Davis
taking a steady aim each time, fred two
shots from his rife, the second on,
piercing Jessup through the heart. Davis
aided by the spectators, carried the body
TO the railroad station on the Kansai
Pacific road. The corpse arrived a.
Denver and was placed in the hands O.
an undertaken for shipment to New
York. After seeing the body placed OF
the train at River Bend station, Dayi
mounted his horse and rode off, sine,
which time he has not bsen seen.
WHO ever possessed integrity that die
not derive untold advantages from il
IL is better than riches, il is of NOR
value than diamonds and all prec;ou