Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-10-19
General News.

A mountain of copper ore has been discov-
cred in Nevada
Four cotton mills are to be started at
Petersburg, Vs.
A note of the Bank of England, when
twisted can sustain pull of 329 pounds
without parting.
BY the recent readjustment of the post
Office rules there are 2l75 presidential post.
offices, the combined salaries OF which
amount to 81, $50. 900.
Conductors on the Denver and Rio Grande
Railway are provided with medicines and
surgical instruments, with illustrated direc-
lions for their use in case of accident.
American companies have spent over $50.
900. 900 in railroads in Mexico, and conplet-
ed over 1000 miles of track. The English
lines aggregate 353 miles and the Mexican
63J
Connecticuts Board of Health is investi-
eating a poisonous wood from Panama, term
cd cokobola. II takes a brilliant polish. and
is much used for knife handles and ornamen-
tation. but it poisons the men who work It,
Chill iren playing in its sawdust have had their
feet poisoned and at large factory in Elm
street, Bridgeport, chickens have died after
eating the dust that had settled on the grass.
An extraordinary pearl has been found at
NichOl Bay. Ii is composed of nine distinct
pearls about the size of peas, of fine lustre
| and firmly bedded together in the form of a
perfect cross about an inch and q half long
Ii is perfectly unique curiosity and Is expect
ed, says the Melbourne Argus, to fetch q
fabulous price, owing to the extraordinary
coincidence of its perfectly representing the
symbol of Christianity.
The Helena Independent tells of gulch
between Helena and Virginia City, New,
whose waters cover all polished iron and
steel with a coating of pure metallic copper.
as bright as the FURNISHED metal. Pick and
| shovels used there soon become copper. plat
ed. One day in 81 horse was permitted to
| stand in the moist sand some 10 minutes, and
| when led out his shoes had bright copper
coating. The sands in this gulch are full OF
beautiful crystals Of metallic copper. Some
times we found masses of crystalized copper
weighing there and four ounces.
An attempt is being made at Salisbury,
England to revive an old ecclesiastical tax
origina ly levied in the Twelfth century by
Bishop Poor, by which every occupant Of
| land had to pay one penny perch. 1t con-
| tinued TO be collected to the beginning of the
century by the Bishops officials, when it
| !apsed to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners.
Fourteen years ago it ceased to be collected,
| but now the Commissioners have notified the
| six chief trsdesmen that unless the money
is paid they will take proceedings.
Blasting With Lime.
few days ago successful experiment of
| blasting coal with lime was made in Hazel
| ton mine, and was witnessed by q number
of prominent coal operators, who were well
pleased with the result. The use OF this
new mining agent, it is claimed, will avoid
many Of the dangers arising from the use Of
gunpowder, and in addition purifying the
air in the mine. The mode of operation is
| to employ nearly pure carbonate of lime
| which, after being carefully calcined, il
ground to a fine powder. This is conducted
to hydraulic press having a die two inches
in diameter and seven inches deep. A pres
sure of forty tons is applied simultaneously
| to both ends of the column Of ground lime,
which reduces it from seven inches to four
and quarter, thus nearly doubling its densi-
ty. The cartridge, after having a small
| groove cut along its sides is then ready for
use. They are then inserted into the hole
drilled into the COAL where they are slightly
tamped. Water is then introduced with a
force-pump, and the steam generated by the
action of the water causes an expansion which
cracks away the coal. The claim set up for
this material over gunpowder is economy and
saving of time in using it, safety where dan
ger0us gases gather, pure air in the mine and
getting the coal without blowing it to pieces,
as is done with powder. 1t has been tried
with satisfactory results in many coal dis
tricts in England, Wales and Belgium, and
is rapidly taking the place OF Powder.-Cafo
| uissa Ners Item,