davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-07
TERRIBLE TRAGEDY.
BRAVE MINER STONED TO DEATH WHILE
DEFENDING AN OLD MAN AGAINST EUrr1ASs.

BRAVE MINER STONED TO DEATH WHILE
SCRANTON. May o, 1878
John PAUL, minor formerly living In Dunsmorc,
one tho suburbs OF this city died this morning from
the result OF injuries sustained Tuesday last when
he had his skull battered In by stones while defend.
ing an cd man IRON tho fury OF gang OF rufiaus.
This terrible scene was enacted at nvo
O'Clock In the afternoon on the open
street, In front OF Dupuy's hotel at Dunmorc and
Witnessed by forty mcn too terror stricken TO inter-
lore The aIray originated in Dupuy's hotel. dcs-
perado, named Jack Costello, and another namod
Ntzhugh, entered and called for drinks They refused
pay for them aud spoke thrcatcningy to tho bar
keeper, u feeble old man named Layton. Costello
drew from his pocket and rushed his way into
the hotel parlor. where about half dozen men
seated. His pro scnc created panic and most Of the
parry FASTENED IRON the place Is quickly ~ possible
white DINERS demonstrated with him IN succeeded In
prevailing on him 10 put away tho rozor IL hrs h,p
poskst.
Costello and his companion went into tho street
sgar, and nnding the Old brkccper standing outside
tho door they attacked HIM, endcavoriug 20 throw
him over an adjoining fence. AT this Juucturc John
Paul. peaccaDlc miner living N the ne,gh0orhood.
OF his children who was dying with scsrlet icv,r,
intercrcd requesting the ruisns TO lot the Old man
A BRAVE MANS FATE.
Then they attacked PAUL anu u terrible fight took
place. He Knocked them down repeatedly. anu.
although battered with stones, fell once during
the melee himself About malt a dozen OF Costello's
companions Joined In tho bloody assault which lasted
nearly hall AN hour, ana poured shower OF stones
upon PAUL. Tho light occurred In the micdlc OF
the street and was carried on IRON one Gnu OF the
block TO tho other. All this time PAUL. was alone. AZ
last PAUL staggered into a neighboIing hous,, and
was mot there many minutes before he WIS sozcd
With COMMISSIONS.
CRUSHED SKULL.
The doc ors found the skull fearfully battered In
nlalc ABOVE tho lett ear, another wound appeared
above the right and tho back Of the head was also
gashed and torn. Several pieces OF The skull were re-.
moved BY DR.. U'Brion, aud II seemed as u PAUL.
might 1.-Two.
A STRICKEN FAMILY.
To add 20 his great sorrow however, the SICK chiid
| for whom he had gone errapd when attacked
died on Friday, aud two other children were seized
With the lever. which tic himself caught uc bcIorc
| his death dis vile also been attacked ny
/ The lever, and Is not expected to recover.
Paulps murdercrs made their escape on tho night Of
~ tgfgSdys
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-07
CLOSING ITS DOORS.
THE COMMERCE INSURANCE COMPANY ABOUT
TO WIND UP ITS AFFAIRS.

THE COMMERCE INSURANCE COMPANY ABOUT
TO WIND UP ITS AFFAIRS.
A meeting OF tho Board OF Directors Of tho Com.
mercs Insurance Company OF this city was held last
week at the company's office, No. 1T5 Broadway. The
ACCESSIBILITY oil closing the doors OF the Organization
was then discussed ana most Of the gentlemen pres
cnt were or the opinion that the existence OF the
company should be terminated. The reason Tor tnis
movement the unsettled state Of tho Insurance.
business In the past, the depression OF the present
and the uniavorable outlook OF the future.
me company was organized In 1850 Its officers are
Duncan McDouga. president, and William e. Hoxie,
secretary. The last statement Was made on January
1878. Tho capital stated at $500 ooo the asscts
s24O, $40 and the surplus at So 00s Mr. McDougal
has been president Tor four years He was formerly
a stock holder.
A HERALD reporter called upon Mr.. McDougall a
his residence last evening. That gentlemen
Tor some time past tho company HAD been going
quietly along, tho times not permitting any profits 10
BIO maae IL had been paying its stockholders out Of
the surplus; but this bad dwindod down, and 10
vas thought advisable TO close inc company's
rcctors 10 consolidate with another company
u they chose, and perhaps this consoilda.
a%ooe ,sa o%s Were wo ~,
company's doors tho other favoring O consolidation
with some stronger company. The former, comprs-
ing many of the heaviest stockholders. wero IN The
majority, and hence consolidation only poss-
bity. no present condition OF the company's af-
IhITs, MF. MCDouBui auuco, WIS ABOUT Tue Same as
when tho statement was mado IN January
last. 1nerc was no dciauting and losses 10
stockholders Tho company was solvent and per-
iecty able aud willing pay all ~ owed The stock
holders knew thcy would realize the full amount they
had Invested and this led them TO desire tho closing
OF tho organization rathor tnan It's continuance Oy
consolidation. We're the company able 10 pay only Q
part OF It's indebtedness there would be the desire
the part Of the stockholders TO JOIN with another
psny In the hope OF Inc iull invested
THE
The assets were very good Tho greater part were
In government bonds and the rest IN n mortgage
which worth NJ the ne,ghborhood OF double the
amount Mr. McDougall further said this action VI
the directors was but natural very few Of the In
suranco companies we're prospern g, thor dividends
being paid out Of surpusos got together in brighter
times than The present should 1t be definitely de.
cided upon TO close Tho company's doors q small
amount would cover the expenses OF the winding MP
Tho companys business was almost entirely local and
lis risks were slight. IL mad paid ave per cent divt
dend IN every six months until with n the last siy
months except on one occns,on-viz tho Bosto3 Are
when the company lost heavily, and an assessment
was made anu promptly paid W tho stockholders
To sum up. the winding up Is an outcome OF the
hard times, but she doors will b. closed with one
likely " be al0ser
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-07
ENGLAND'S INDIAN TROOPS.
OPINION or BRITISH OFFICER WHO HAS
THE NATIVES.

OPINION OF BRITISH OFFICEB WHO HAS
SERVED IN INDIA REGARDING THE VALUE OF
THE NATIVES.
LEoGETr's HOTEL, May 6. 1878.
To THE EDITOR OF HERALD:-
say a word for the native soldiers OF Her Mojesty's
army In India, who sec treated by writer In yes
terdsy Dispatch hall savagcs and doubt expressed
whether they can stand European climate. Their
fighting powers contemptuoasly compared by the
writer to that Of the French and the Turcos
Apart from tho ignorance OF the man. who seems TO
suppose to be anything bus what no really
Is u Frenchman, cannot allow tho remarks on this
Indian army to pass without protest l have
had tho honor to servo Her Majesty an officer for
many years, eleven OF whicE were served In India,
where was In garrison with Her Mnjcsty's native
Tor drill, discipline and 1gntng qualities have never
SEEN The Two regiments OF cavalry now on tho seas
their way toward Malta are nne cavalry as there
In tho world As swordsmen ana horscmen they
mounted and well equipped. feel sure that tho abc
General, Lord Napier OF MaRaia, who Is Nominated to
command any army England may put into the Held
Should She unhapply have 10 20 TO war) has not only
consented TO, but has urged the employment OF tho
native army, with whom he has served Tor nearly
forty years, aud in whose loyalty and courage he
knows he Jan depend, and VINO 1 believe Will prove,
when led by thor European officers, as good troops
any IN the world There need DC little fcar on the
vi climate. Indian climate alone oilers sum
Gent varieties OF temperature to test tho endurance
OF tho soldiers In tho North Of the Punjab Tho SOL
diers In the winter ara clothed IN shecpskn coats,
much the Same they would wear In winter In Eu-
rope. The In which the Ill clothed ship Lascars
brave out tho cold when they European seas I
sufficient proof that the natives eau stand Tho win-
ter Your obcdient servant, W. WYNDHAM.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-07

or ~ liking the position vi the planet
the suas marked with parallel line oil right
ASCENSION which showed tho course OF Mercury 10 DO
all through in tho SUMS northern hemisphere
THE CLOSING OBSERVATIONS.
When the planet ABOUT emerge from the sun
DO atmospheric conditions were allowed 10 be
very good, and by using small powers on tho
Telescopes us wei defined outline could DO
tho last observations Professors Draper and
Holden were huddod close together the step lad
d. close the Instruments. each WIN eye intent
upon the images reflected IN tho eyeglasses. DR..
Draper pcrchcd near them on another step
ladder ana Professor Barker was at their feet watch
the camera wDerc it hau been projected BY tho
great telescope Mr.. Henry Draper nal hor stand
by the chronometer beating OF the secosds ana re-
pcating tacm. Tho other parties grouped themselves
around crglc, impatient 10 know " possible, tho
results OF the OBSERVATIONS. The predicted time tor
the panct To- emerge from the sun was according 10
Washington, ID e. mean tmel as foiows:-
Ill. oh. 3Im is.
Nv. OH l0in. 25s.
The above observations. ike the two that were
taken wnon tho anvl vas entering on the SUM- werc
designed to snow but nvcrscly the time OF FIRST and
second contact between tue OF the two
bodies Professor draper was wei satisfied win me
last contact 10 within l.gO oil the planet
diameter which be asccrtained 10 DO
calculated time approximately rcduccd) was uncr-
stood to be
Ill On. 35m. J3s.
Nv. oh. Sim 45s.
In the third aud fourth observations
(oi last contac the results registered by tho other
telescopes were asccrtained 70 be-
sIxrEEsIScH REFLECTOR.
III. 5b. 33m 13s.
Nv. Oh. 36m. 1ss.
six.iScn REFLECTOR.
III 5n. 33m. 2os.
Nv. On. 36m. 20s.
From the foregoing 1t viii be perceived that the cx-
times Of exterior and interior contact have not yet
orco Of Official authority but the ngures arc within
small HActl0R Vt hnDnG theTkht pnQA
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-07
M E r @ u r Y.
The "Twinkler" Passes Over the
Face of the Sun.
TELESCOPES AT A PREMIUM.
How the Astronomers Watched
the Transit.
WORK OF THE FRENCH COMMISSION.
Clouds and Haziness Obscur-
ing the Sun.
GENERAL RESULTS SATISFACTORY.

THE OBSERVATIONS By THE FRENCH AsTRo-
NoMIcAL COMMISSION At OGDEN, UTAH
CLOUDS oBscUnINa THE SKY AT THE EARLY
SERVED.
(BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.
OGDEN Utah. May o. 1878.
At ave A. NJ to-day the sky was cloudy but not al-
together uniavorabe for the observations Tor tho
transit of Mercury to be made here today and tho
representative OF tho HERALD repaired 10
tho Astronomical Observatory built In 1873
by Lieutenant Wheeler. which tho French
astronomers had selected for their operation. Tho
observers are Professor Charles Andre, OF the Obsorva
tory at Professor Alfred Angot oil Lycee Fon
sanes Paris and Mons. Philippe HAITI Of the French
survey Professor Angot conducts his observations
with six-inch pho,o-lithograph equatorial IN tho
dome OF the buidpG the other two gentlemen observe
in temporary building with sx-inch equatorals of m
proved construction. heltostat with Photographic
apparatus rs also brought into requisiton The
representative OF tho kindly permitted 10
witness the observations. At six A. NJ the clouds
thickened and at fortyone minutes after seven snow
began 20 fall in flakes
The transit OF Mercury began at IN. 44m. 43s, but
owing the unfavorabe atmospheric conditions tho
ingress exterior and interior contact were only
imperfectly observed. Al halfpast one r. NJ the
clouds consolidated and by two r. NJ. Professors An
the progress OF the transit The HERALD representa-
live had opportunity 10 observe tho phenomena.
The body OF Mercury appears on the SUMS disk Is
rot black OF Venus, but water blue. AT
BIB. lam. EOS the cgrcss took place by inner contact
ana al SD. Ism. 34s. the phenomena was over Sew.
entyeight Photographic negatives by photo-tnograpn
and helostat were produced. Tho observations tor
egress were satisfactory and Professor Andre ex-
presses himself satisfied with tho result.
The sky cleared ABOUT noon only tnrec pnoto-
graphs were taken up to O'Clock T. NJ,
alter which time seventy -avo photographs were
taken Till the timo oil evit which was at seventeen
minutes past three I. N. Tho observations re-
garded as successiu III and satisfactory.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-07
OBSERVATIONS IN TEXAS.
icy TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD

Icy TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD
AUSTIN, May 9, 1873
The transit OF Mercury began ~ four minutes past
ten o. lock and ended twontyone minutes Of six r.
NJ, Washington time. The 1rst and second contacts
were lost In clouds drifting Tho weather was cloudy
nil day. The polar equatorial diameters OF Mer-
curry were measured and found equal No aurora
around planet and no satellite Tho third
fourth contacts were we'll observed No black drops
we're observed.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-07
SUSPENSION OF MANUFACTURERS.

HAvRRHiLL, Mass, May y. ISIS
William II. Carleton Co., shoe manufacturers
suspended this morning, with liabilities Of aoou,
s0voUo
L. Johnson n Co, shoe manufacturers. suspended
this afternoon, with liabilities oi from 100000 70
S2Q0,QQ0
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-07
OBSERVATIONS AT CAMBRIDGE, MAss.-THE
TRANSIT CAREFULLY FOLLOWED by A
LARGE STAFF OF ASTRONOMERS.


lDY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD
CAMBRIDGE, May O. 1878
The observations nj Harvard to-day OF the transit OF
Mercury very successfully made the ccarncss OF
the day facilitating tho phoiographng and recording,
and when all calculations shall have been completed
IL Is expected that valuable additions will be made
the scientific data OF the day. Tho transit began
ut lou. 37m A. N. AT lob. 30m. tho shadow engullcd
The earth While tho planet upon the disk at
tempt was made to discover whether Mercury was
fringed with ring Of light Just before touching tho
sun, and whether this ring appeared as bright or
dark circle round the planet. when fully the solar
DISK ana also 10 note moro bright spots IL
there any, upon Mercury, photographs were
taken at stated Intervals by Mr. Arthur searle, as
sisted by MIR. Hudson and others. The contacts
observed equatorial by Professor Picker
Ing. at the cast equatorial by Mr. Waldo and with
smaller glasses by Messrs. W. Upton, q ii. Mcicaif
meridian diameter by Professor William Gray.
over sixty photographs were obtained mostly after
three o'clock Between Ave and six Eundrou mca-
surcmcnts OF tho diameter OF the planet were noted
but the records Of me IN transit are not yet worked
out No appreciabIe variation from tho time antlc-
pated is expected o result from the figures.
In tho afternoon clear sky afforded n most favor.
able opportunity for observation The contact took
place several seconds later than lO:26 A. NJ. The
general results are considered quite satisfactory.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-07
WATCHING THE TRANSIT AT THE NAVAL AcAD-
Envy, ANNAPOLIS, MD.
[By TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.

ANNAPOLIS. May o, 1873
Commander John A. Howell, assisted by Lieutenant
Commanders A. ID. Brown aud q. q. Bowen, madc OBJ.
scrvations TO day at the Naval Academy oh.
servatory on tho transit OF Mercury. Commander
Howell took tho nrst contact Of Mercury
with the disk OF tho sun ind then the
differences Of tho doclinaon between the limbs OF the
sun and Mercury by the micrometer Tho obscrva-
tons are still IN progress, and will end with
the meal passage or the sun. Three instru-
mcnls were at work during tho transit. Tho
weather was most favorable Tor tue obscrva-
tions, the results OF which will DO forwarded 10
the United States Observatory ~ wsshington Owing
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-07
At AMHERST COLLEGE, MASS. FAM wFATntn
AND MODERATE SUCCESS.

AMHERST, Mass. May g, 1878.
The result OF the observations at tho College OBJ
pervatory upon to.day's transit OF Mercury was as
favorable as tho weather would permit The lrst
contact not taken. but accurate measure
ments OF the planets position were made
and tho exact tImo recorded. Photographs
were taken during the planets coursc. and
the last contact-lnternal ana sxtornaiwas also OH
tanned. Noon signals from Washington to Amherst
arc BIO continued until next saturday, aud Is
pected that tho longitude oil Amherst Will be deter
mined with cxnctness. tho WORK was done bv Pro-
lessor Esiy assisted by q. w. Stosrns and h. Her.
bert. OF the senior class
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-07
OBSERVATIONS MADE AT WASHINGTON.

WASHINGTON, May 9, 1878
According TO tho observations Of Professor Now
comb bis assistants second informal contact OF
Mercury edge Of the sun occurred Al
thirty-threc minutes Atty seconds past nve O'Clock
this afternoon, and the external contact two
minutes and fifty seconds later Tho planet
through tho telescope appeared not larger than silver
6ve-cent piece Gentlemen engaged IN the work say
there could not not have been better day for tho
observations Professor Eastman was ut tho old
telescope ut the National Observatory and Professor
Hall superntended the taking OF photographs OF the
passing planet. These photographs were produced by
means Of tho horizontal telescope and reflector
Observations Of lhe second and third interval contacts
Of Mercury will be made last This afternoon. The
Naval Observatory Will not be prepared 20 furnish any
informal official report OF the transit until
10 morrow, 1t being necessary 10 first make computa-
lions Tor the adjustment OF time.
Tho transit Of Mercury. IN addition to being OBJ
served nj tho Naval Observatory was also observed by
Professor Ncwcombc and several OF his assistants who
were provdeI telescopes at tho Nautical Almanac
office. Tho observation fully confirmed the various
Tor the motion OF tho pcrineon OF Mercury.
The internal contact noted by Professor New
comb al 7 minutes AZ seconds past ten O'Clock TINS
morning, only seconds earlier than the time rop-
resented by various tables.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-07

The appearance Of Mercury on the sun vas black,
but mot so dark as had been expected
No bright spots were observed on the dark DISK o.
Mercury, there any appearance OF sateiiite
near planet No solar spots observed; neither
were solar protuberances observed
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-07

TORY on ACCOUNT OF CLoUDINEss.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD
DETROIT, Mich, May 0, 1873.
Tho observations on tho transit Of Mercury made
here to- day by the scientific corps OF the lake survey
were unsatisfactory. The first contact was rated
condition OF the atmosphere being favorable, nut
shortly alter clouds ana haas interior cd and view
Of tho small planet cbscurcc, much to the
of tho Eager observers
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-07
OBSERVATIONS AT PHrLADELPHIA-A REPORT
TO BE PREPARED,
OBSERVATIONS At LEWISTON, ME.-THE

WEATHER uNrAvoRABLx CLOUDY.
LEWISTON No. May g. 1873
Professor Fullerton. OF Bates Biological School,
ado observations OF the transit Of Mercury to-day.
In the forenoon IL was obscurcd and In the afternoon
clouds ntcrcred.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-07
r WEST POINT OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES OBJ
sERvArIoSs OF THE Transit.

Observations for all tour contacts OF Mercury with
the sun successfully made to-day at the West
Poirt Observatory.
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1878-04-06
He that Was Lost is Found.

Many persons in Peoria have been &C.
quainted with the fact that Mr.. Charles
Chapman, son of DR.. w. H. Chapman,
of this city, has been missing for sew
eral years, that is, his family and friends
knew nothing of his whereabouts.
About five years ago Mr.. Chapman,
then a lad of II, started scout West. -
He located at or near Cheyenne, and en-
gagged in mining. Here he lost pretty
much all his property BY fire, and be-
came very much discouraged. At this
time his family lost all trace of him,
and have latterly mourned him as dead.
On Monday his family were greatly
gratified at receiving letter from him,
and to learn that he was alive and well.
The letter is written from Bridgewater,
England, a small town a short distance
from Hull. 1t appears that after Char
ley's misfortune at Cheyenne he wan
dered down to the Pacific coast and
shipped as a sailor on vessel going to
Australia. Later he went to the East
Indies, and from Calcutta he came to
England. He writes that he has had q
great many adventures. Young Chap
man says that he has seen nearly every
part of the world, but none of them is
equal to his "Home, Sweet Home"
He expected shortly to go on visit up
the Mediterranean, and If successful
therein he is coming home next year.
Peoria (W.) Transcript.
The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1878-04-06
A Freak Of Nature.

One OF those unaccOuntable freaks OF
nature which puzzle the brain of the
scientist, has Just come to light in West
Baltimore, and furnishes the medical
fraternity in particular with food for
thought and theme for conversation.
The case is that of a colored woman
about As years of age, who died last
week in a house on West Lexington
Street, from a complication of diseases.
Eight years ago this woman was q
light mulatto, and at the time of her
death, according to the testimony of
several physicians and others who saw
her, she was as black as midnight. The
change during this period of eight years
was SO gradual, but SO certain withal,
that the family with whom she lived
could readily perceive the color as it
deepened from light yellow into shin
ing black.
The whole system of the woman un-
derwent q complete Transformation.
From stout, portly and unwieldy per-
son, who used to attract the notice of
persons on account of her size, she
dwindled away into the thin. spare and
angular form of the typical spinster.
The physician who had been attending
her for the last four years said that he
could not fathom the mysteries of the
case, and does not know to what cause
he may attribute the transformation that
was apparent to the eyes of all who
knew the woman. She herself was very
about the matter, and before
her death she could not bear to hear any
one pass any remarks on the change
that had been made in her personal ap-
pearance. She was q Virginian, owned
1t one time by the family Of D. Wade,
Of the firm of d. Wade & Co., wholesale
on South Howard Street.
Baltimore NesDs.