Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1879-05-30
NEWS SUMMARY.
Eastern and Middle States.

respectively, were drowned by the upsetting OF
a steam launch in Little Hell Gate, New York.
The steamer Ashland, from New York for
Fall River, Mass, went ashore at Point Judith,
II. l., and was totally wrecked.
Judge Asa Packer died at Philadelphia, aged
seventy-two years. Mr.. Packer was born in
Mystic, Conn, from where when about sixteen
years of age he journeyed ON foot, with all his
earthly possessions done up in a knapsack on
his back, to Susquehanna county, Pa, where
he apprenticed himself to his uncle, a carpen-
ter. In two or three years he had mastered
his trade, and came to New York to work at
it; but the city was not to his taste, and he
returned to Susquehanna county. At the age
of twenty three he married Sarah NJ. Blakelee
the pretty daughter of farmer living in the
neighborhood. For four years the pair earned
only a scauty subsistence, young Packer work.
ing a small farm and doing odd Jobs at his
trade. At the time of the opening OF the Le-
high canal, in the spring of 1885, he became a
canal-boat driver. With his earnings he grad
ually was enabled to buy interests in n number
OF boats, and retaining these he gave up driv-
ing and opened a store and boat yard. After
ward he contracted TOR the building OF locks in
the upper Lehigh, and soon his fame as a con-
tractor became great throughout the region.
In 1858 he built boats at Pottsville for the
transportation OF coal 10 New York direct. In
1910, leaving his bodybuilding business to his
brother, Mr.. Packer removed to Mauch Chunk,
and Tor many years engaged in the shipment
oil coal. In 1852 he alone began the building
of the Lehigh Valley railroad. In 1866, when
it was completed, he was all but ruined, but
aided by Commodore Stockton, he survived
his temporary embarrassments, and his road
rewarded him to that extent that tor many
years he has been accounted the richest man
in Pennsylvania. Mr.. Packer was twice
elected to Congress, and served under the adj
ministration of Mr.. Pierce. He built for him.
self beautifr residence at Mauch Chunk,
which was his home.
At the baby show in New York 100 infants,
of various degrees OF beauty and size OF lungs,
competed for cash prizes.
In a communication signed "the Russian
Revolutionary Committee" the Russian consul
In New York has been threatened with dire
consequences tor uttering certain slanderous
insinuations and base falsehoods in New York
society against one of our most honored and
trusted friends" If this communication is
genuine, it would indicate that the Nihilists
have an organization in this country.
There are now 2l2 fire insurance companies
doing business in Massachusetts, nine having
been admitted during the past year. One
thousand seven hundred and twenty eight fires
|
lS2 was paid. Three hundred and nine y
seven of the fires were incendiary.
At Niagara Falls, N. Y, H. P. Peers, q
Canadian, jumped from the center OF the Sus.
pension bridge into Niagara river, distance
of 1872 feet. The descent was made in fou1
seconds, and Peers was picked up by boat
unhurt. A large crowd witnessed the daring
feat.
Some weeks ago Henry Riddle, who had
been for many years superintendent of public
schools in New York city, published work
on Spiritualism which caused great comment
and II resolution was introduced at the next
meeting of the Board OF Education, requesting
him to resign, but it failed to obtain majority
ofvotes. Mr. Riddle, however, has seen fl
to resign of his own accord, and the Board o
Education has accepted his resignation pass
ing resolutions complimentary to his efficiency
while in office.
Mrs. Mary Billet and her small child wert
run over and killed by freight train nea
Harrisburg, Pa.
Shrinkage in securities and assets, togethe
with inability to collect interest on loans ha
embarrassed the Five Cent Savings Bank, O
Lowell Mass, and it has been enjoined iron
doing business. There are 10000 depositor
with 81, 100000 to their credit
Inc Will OF Judge Facker was read at Allen
town, Pa. 1t bequeaths Tor the permanen
endowment of Lehigh University, OF Bethle
hem, Pa, $l,50000O; for library for tn
university, $500,OOO; to st. Lukes Hospital
Bethlehem, $300,000; st. Marks Episcopa
Church, Mauch Chunk, Pa, 10000.
At the tenth annual commencement of tn
Women's Medical College of the New Yor
Infirnary ten young women, all of New Yor
city, received diplomas to practice medicine.
The two New York elevated railroad CON
panies have joined forces, and will be operate
under one management hereafter.
The New York Legislature has adjourned
The most important financial bill passed dui
ing the session was the one reducing the leg,
, rate OF interest in the State from seven to 81
, per cent.
: The fiftieth anniversary of the Brookly
Sunday-School Union was celebrated by
parade OF the teachers and scholarso l40 Sal
btth-schools, comprising about $4,000 indivit
t nals The day was generally observed as
holiday throughout the city.
t Western and Southern States.