The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1881-04-01
FROM THE CENTENNIALCITy.
PnIAnrIruIA MAncn. 26. 1881

PHILADELPHIA MARCH. 20. 1851.
The adage that "Winter sometimes
fingers In the lap Of Spring" has been
proven emphatically true the present
season. There has not been as cold
winter, neither has 80 much snow fallen
in this city since the winter of 1866.
Last winter the Thermometer did not
once touch zero; the present winter il
has fallen below number of times.
On the 30th OF December il touched 3
degrees below; the lowest point IL has
fallen In the last fifteen years. To my
apprehension, at zero here il is as cold
as IL used to be in Vermont al, say de-
grees below, but perhaps my person
may not be as correct thermometrical
test las a mercurial tube might be, but il
so, the matter must be referred to
weather mongers, or doctors of philo-
osphy for solution. A few days since
in passing through "Laurel Iiill,"I
heard the sweet and melodlous notes of
the robin aud of other birds, as they
seemed to chant our Makers praise
among the tree tops, that swing their
leafless pendants over the slumbering
dead, entombed in that picturesque me-
cropolis; and in the distance from the
shore of n tiny pond, could be heard
the piping of frogs; but for the last few
days the musical songsters have uffied
their feathers, and ceased to make mel
ody, and the croaking frog has shut up,
but the laspse of time always produces
changes in nature, and probably il will
produce warmer weather ere long.
The approaching 2Q0th anniversary
of the landing of William Penn, is be-
ing discussed by the Bi-Centennial As
the state legislature, asking for an APP
preparation of 800, 900, and the passage
OF an act creating commission of ten
persons, to be appointed by the govern
or of the state and the mayor of Phila-
delphia, who shall have charge of the
celebration. 1t Is proposed that the
affair shall continue number of days,
among other exercises that of the en-
tombing of the remains of William Penn
with appropriate ceremonies. Penn
was buried in England, and il is al
ready whispered that opposition will be
met with in England, 10 regard TO re.
gard to removing the remains TO this
city. Paramount Park will probably be
the scene of the celebration.
A few days since IL was announced
from Florida, that the government Of
that state had entered into an agree
ment, for the reclamation of II DOC. 00C
acres Of swamp land, known as the
Everglades" This property has been
under water for untold years, and is
dotted with islands and lakes, which
form an abiding place for innumerable
wild beasts and alligators. 1t is now
said that the work of reclamation is to
be done under the auspices of Phila.
delphia company of well known capital.
to be procured, by issuing 900, 00C
shares of stock of the par value of $40
each share carrying the right to an acre
of the property. The stock will be list.
ed on the Philadelphia Exchange, and
the proceeds of $4,000 shares is to be
set apart as the working capital. II is
proposed to drain the land by means OF
two canals, one from Lake Okeechobee
to the Caloosakatchee river, which emp.
ties into the Gulf of Mexico; and the
other to the eastward tapping the St
Lucie River, which flows into the At.
lantic. II is believed that every pro-
duction of the tropics can be raised on
the soil.
At the Pennsylvania Railroad Com
pany's shops at Altoona in this state,
monter locomotive is receiving the
finishing touches. Its length from tha
pilots point to the dead wood on the
rear end of the tank is sixty-two feet
weight is 80 200 pounds. Each revolu-
ton of the driving wheels propels the
engine nineteen aud one-half feet. The
company purposes placing this huge
machine on their road between this city
and New York, reducing the transit
time between the two cities TO ninety
minutes, which will average a mile q
minute the distance being ninety miles.
At recent trial trip it is said to have
even beat this time.
Ten railroads converge in this city,
and il appears from late official report
OF the coroner, that during the last
three years one hundred and eighty
five person have lost their lives from
Injuries received while crossing steam
railroad tracks within the city limits,
which includes the outlying suburbs,
and that nearly the same member have
been into the various hospitals, suffer
In from injuries from the same cause.
Another deceased person was lately
subjected to the fiery ordeal in the Gre
matory furnace at Washington in this
State, by the name of Arthur Strabos
In two hours and half after the body
was placed in the retort, the furnace
was sealed to cool, incineration being
regarded as complete.
The great actress Sara Bernhardt, has
been here and left. Total receipts for
six nights 1926, $500. During her stay
in this city the Arch st. theatre inaugur-
ated a play, entitled Sarah Heartburn,
reversing her name. Ii was said the
actress was convulsed with laughter al
the sharp hits and puus got of dnring
the performance. r
A few evenings ago at camp few
miles west of the town of Pennfeld,
Clearfeld county,. this state, the inmates
Of the lumber campheard a cry for help
on going short distance, man was
found lying in The road, lighted Ian
tern standing by him. The mans neck
was. frightfully torn, but he was able
to say that a panther had sprung upon
him and tore him in this manner. He
was carried to the camp and died with.
In an hour. The severe weather the
past winter. has made the wild animals
In that mountainous region both hungry
and ferocions. -
Col. Tom Scott. ex-president of the
Pennsylvania Railroad, as well as ex-
railroad king, has just given the prince.
ly sum of two hundred thousand dol
lars to three public Institutions; divid-
ed between the University of Pennsyl-
vania. the Jefferson Medical College.
and Orthopedic Hospital, all located in