The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-03-29
GENERAL ITEMS.

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN RICHMOND.
On Sunday last the bridge of the Richmond and
Petersburg Railroad across James river, between
Richmond and Manchester, was fred by sparks
from passing train, and owing to high wind
the flames, In very few minutes. spread the
whole length of the bridge, 1852 feet. The
whole superstructure, which was of wood was
rapidly consumed, so far as to fall, leaving only
the high granite piers standing. Before the fire
department could stay its progress the fire was
communicated to buildings In Richmond near
the end OF the bridge, and there were DESTROYED
seven tobacco factories and stemmeries eighteen
tenement houses, stables the Vulcan Iron
Works wood and coal in yards, and a grist
mill At one time the heart of the CITY was so
seriously threatened that the Washington fire
department was telegraphed for aid but the fire
having been brought under control the order was
contaminated. On the Manchester side large
kaolln factory, recently erected, was burned
The total loss is roughly estimated at about half
million. The amount of insurance not vet
fully ascertaned, will fall much below the losses
But worse than AN this loss of property. was
the killing of youth, Charley Belts, who ven
turing too near the burning buildings was
crushed by falling wall.
The bridge will be rebuilt of iron.
MANIPULATING GOLD COMA
third floor back room at No. 8O8 Arch Street
philadelphia has had a mysterious occupant
Tor some time past who kept very secluded and
was believed to be a jeweller. The Chief of
Police and his detectives on the 22d, having
posted themselves where they could see unob
served found the mysterious workmen busy at
lathe. lie was summoned to the door ar
rested and found to be Eugene V. Clad, an ex
pert Jeweller, twenty five years old and the son
OIL metal me, chant. When arrested he was in
the act of gouging out five dollar gold piece.
ne would take piece, saw off the top and with
his lathe excavate the interior, leaving nothing
but shell. He filled this with a composition
OF OF me wire, copper and platinum and with a
olowplpe and fux soldered on the TOP. leay.
ing the coin apparently as before and about the
same weight; Clad confessed that he had de-
Vlsed the scheme months ago and that from
hVe dollar coins he took, in the manner de
scribed, $40, and from ten dollar coins 81 80
and 80 on. Some of the coins were depleted by
drilling through the rim and reflling with
platinum. Clad, who is a handsome, gentle
manly fellow, and the secretary of the Alexis
club was terribly depressed by his arrest and
denied that he had accomplices.
Rev. Lyman Coleman, D. D.. for
twenty years professor of Latin in Lafavette
College, Easton, died of paralysis. at that place
on on Thursday, the 18th inst. He was born in
Mlddleheld, Mass, June IA, 1876, and was
graduated at Gale College in 1917. and was
there tutor of DR.. William Adams and Horace
Dushnell and William M. Evarts. From 1923
to 1885 he was pastor of the Congregational
church at Belchertown Mass The rest of his
life was spent in teaching, first at the Burr and
Burton Seminary in Vermont at Andover
Mass and afterward in the colleges at Am.
herst, Princeton, and Easton. While studying
with Neander, the father of church history 3
IN Berlin, he prepared Antiquities of the
Christian church and Ancient Christianifv
Exempified in the life of the Primitive Chris
tans." His later works were The Apostolical
and Primitive Church, Historical Geoprapbv
OF the Bible, and Atlas of Biblical Geopr2pbv1 s.
all Of which have been republished in England
lie also wrote the Manual of Prelac9 and
Bltualism,' and the Genealogy of the Lyman
tamily,' and contributed numerous articles to
the American Quarteries. His large maps of
Palestine have been widely circulated
-" PRoTUMNA." Rev. William w
Downey, native Of Jefferson county. has pur
chased the beautiful landed Estate of Mr.. S w
NJ. Peters in this county, known as Protumna
or all that part Of it lying west Of the Winches
ter turnpike, paying therefor upwards of SIG.
600. Rev. Mr. D. will reside upon the estate
and thus, we hope become a permanent resi-,
dent. We would be glad to have many sucb
gentlemen come and make their homes with ne
Mortjnsburg Statesman.