Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-08-16

holding the convention hereafter was fixed for
the third Wednesday In July. A resolution was
adopted approving the action OF Congress In
appointing an chronological commission and
urging more liberal appropriation to such
commission. 1t was stated In this connection
by Mr.. Gardner, OF Mobile, that In 1861 7-6s one.
a nali the cotton @ crop R was DESTROYED by the cat
over one-hah of the crop was destroyed by
them. He believed that since 1867 the annual
average loss to the southern planters was over
twenty million dollars. Resolutions were also
adopted petitfoning Congress to promote in
every practical way the Improvement Of the
Mississippi river and its tributaries.
THE UNHAPPY SPRAGUEs.-Mrs. VIM. Sprague
remained at Canonchet Thursday night, q kfns-
man from Ohio being one OF the friends in the
house. but the position was exceedingly un-
comfortable for all parties. Mr.. Sprague de-
clales that he will have the children at all haz-
bis wifes orders without consulting HIM Mrs
Sprague is reported as greatly Frustrated by
the events OF the past few days, as also by
cruel reports OF the newspapers and by appre-
tensions for the children.
HOTEL FIRE AND Loss OF LIFE.-The Locust
Grove Hotel, at Bath, L. l., was destroyed by
fire last night. The majority OF the boarders
lost everything. The fire commenced in the
pavilion, at 1876 O'Clock, where two men were
enRgaged eng IN flng amPs one OF which exploded
was also destroyed. Jos. Pearce, the manager,
and William Shurhard, a night Watchman, are
TepOTte0 missing. Il6 latter is WldOWer,
with four children. Loss, $4,000. The hotel
was owned by G. Godfrey Gunther, and the
lessee is Mr.. Walker.
ROBBERY AND MURDER IN BosTON-Joseph
+. Frye, aged about forty years, a dealer In
hides and leather, was found murdered yester-
day morning at his residence, No. 13 Joy street,
Boston. letter carrier, seeing his door atar
entered and found Mr.. Frye lying In front of
his open safe, with bullet through his head,
The safe had been robbed of its contents Mr..
Frye was last seen at his place of business
about five O'Clock Wednesday evening His
family were away from home When the off,
GERS arrived the outside door of the safe was
found open, and solid silver set of thirty
pieces was In view and apparently undtsturbed
In coal hod about four feet behind the body
was revolver, one barrel OF which had been
discharged. An autopsy OF Mr.. Frye's body
shows that he was not only shot through the
heart but that he had received at least dozen
stabs In the back and numerous bruises on the
BODY. The Indications are that he had terri.
BILE struggle with his assailantS His watch
was missing and his pockets had been rified
The full extent OF the robbery is not yet known
The startling details OF the assassination create
intense excitement In the community
TELEPHONE IN MINB-At LeadytlIe, Col.
Edisons telephone was placed In operation
Thursday In the carbonate mine. The mine
Will henceforth be worked by orders per tele-
phone, much time being thus saved This Is the
first experiment OF the kind ever made. 1t Is
proposed TO introduce EdisOn's electric light in
the mines at Leadville. 1t would be consider
able saving OF money 1t Is thought.