The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1880-09-01

at which he became so enraged that he re-
peated the offence in the court room --call-
ing Tally some very ugly names which
caused that gentleman to Immediately jump
to his feet and draw back to strike him
and but for the immediate interference of
Officer Wins they would doubtless have
come to blows in the court room. The
Squire severely reprimanded them for their
conduct, after which they left in peace.
"A loud report yesterday forenoon heard
in the direction Of the court house, caused
a general commotion among the up town
people, many of whom made double quick
time in the direction of that building I'M
der the impression that prisoners had es-
capped from the jail and were being shot at;
others that some fearful tragedy had &C.
Cured and with the expectation of finding
an outstretched corpse; while others who
had heard it, remained quietly at home
fully satisfied that boat was coming down
the Mississippi and had just fired her can
non "for the fun of the thing" But
all these conjectures were wrong. 1t was
simply the explosion of a whisky barrel
which had for several days been standing
out in the sun in front of Mr.. Richard Fitz-
gerald's saloon. The barrel when placed
in front Of the building doubtless contained
small remnant of whisky, and the sun
shining on the barrel with such intensity
and heating the contents, resulted in filling
it with gas. While it was in this condition
it is supposed that a lighted match was
thrust into it through the faucet
hole by one of the boys Of
the neighborhood and an explosion
was the almost immediate result, which
shattered four or five panes of glass in the
nearest window sent portion of the head
OF the barrel through substantial portico
above and scattered other pieces in various
directions with remarkable force. The
hands of Mr.. Fitzgerald's little son, who
happened to be standing nearest the barrel,
were considerably burned and he sustained
a few bruises, but none of them as serious
as they might have been.
The tow-bost Raven, from New Or
leans, is due here tomorrow evening. She
is reported to have had five suspicious cases
of sickness on board, which were taken oil
by the inspector of the national board OF
health, DR.. c. A. Rice, at Vicksburg The
inspector protested against the boats
proceeding up the river but the
captain refused to obey, and she
is now on her way here. The authorities
of Memphis have taken action against her
and did not permit her to land. Our
board of health has done likewise. 1t met
last evening in the Office Of VI. J. Howley
for the purpose Of agreeing upon some
plan of action with reference TO the boat.
The members present were Aldermen
Smith, Halliday, and Saup; the other
members of the board being absent. After
some deliberation il was decided to instruct
the health officer to employ competent
physician to examine the boat upon her ar
rival here and, If there be found any reason
for alarm she is to be refused admittance
to the Caro- wharf. With due respect for
the judgement of the board We beg leave to
suggest that severe measures are not only
permissible, but demanded in this case.
The time for the spread Of infectious dseas-
es is not yet past and our health officers can
not be too cautious. Our city Is healthy
now and there is no danger whatever from
local causes. But the danger from external
influences is not past, No considerations
based upon the present pecuniary interests
of the community, should influence the au-
thoritieS to lenency toward any person or
thing that might endanger the citys health
The inspector at Vicksburg has stated that
the boat had five cases Of sickness upon
her and that believing that the disease
might be infectious, he protested against
her proceeding up the river This testimo-
ny should be regarded as sufficient ground
for refusing to permit the boat to land here.
1t was so regarded by the authorities of
Memphis and there is no reason why we
should be any less cautious than that city.
We believe that no ceremony should he
gone through with in this case, but that
the boat should be refused permission to
land under any circumstances. We do net
wish to sound the first note Of alarm for
there is, as yet, no reason for that; but
neither do we believe in making show of
bravery that MIGHT result in serious injury
to us. There is nothing whatever to be
lost by taking advantage of any doubt In
such matters and it might be that grea,
deal is gained.