davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Portland daily press., 1883-08-24
FRANCE HUMBLED.
The French Army in Tonquin disastsrous-
Iy Defeated.

LONDON, Auy. 23.-Later and fuller reports
of the French movements in Tonquin indicate
defeat instead of victory for the invaders, as at
first reported, The French seem to have been
caught in ambush, and to have succumbed to
the successful strategy of the Anamite
leaders, whose efforts are confined to leading
them into the interior Disaster met the
Fifteenth column under the command of
Bonet, it having met with very severe check
and had been forced to retreat only to find the
black flags on their flank and threatening
their rear. The French column was hotly
pursued, and only reached Haoni in the even
ing after forced march of fourteen hours, in
volviBg much suffering and important losses.
The march was a continuous fight. The
French papers say that the force in Tonquin is
insufficient to cope with the native govern
m ent, even should it have only the moral sup
port of China without her feet or troops. The
other columns, which had taken possession of
Phukai and adjacent villages, were afterwards
obliged to abandon their position and retire
towards the capital. The Times significantly
asks France whether, considering she infinite
complications into which the war in Tonquin
has led her, she thinks the game Is worth the
candle, and whether she ever expects an
adequate return for her outlay OF money and
life.
A correspondent at Hong Kong referring 70
the movement Of the Erench in Tonquin says
that the enemy was mainly composed Of
Chinese armed with Remington rifles. Gen.
Bonet commanded the left column Of the
French troops. 1t is believed that the enemy's
loss is small. The French doctors complain
of want of medicine and stores. The oper-
atoms of the French have been stopped for the
present, the number of troops being insuffi-
cient to attack Sintay and Bacninh which are
the strongest positions in the Delta. The
repulse of the French has disheartened them
and encouraged the enemy.
The Portland daily press., 1883-08-24

The details for general duty were: Field Off
Ger of the Day, Col. e. 81. Ballard Officer of
the Day, Capt. Manley, of the End Regiment;
Officer of the Guard, Lieut.. Niles of Co. H., 1st
Regiment.
The Governors reviewal commenced at 2
o'clock p. m. A multitude of people were in
attendance, this being the most importan
event of the muster. The Governor was in
citizens dress and his staff in full dress uniform
They were mounted. The troops appeared in
full uniforms, bearing knapsacks surmounted
by their red blankets neatly done up in a roll {.
The reviewal lasted about an hour
During the firing by the battery which fol-
lowed the review in the afternoon Private
a. Libby of the LIST Battery lost the three first
fingers of his right hand by the premature dis
charge OF cannon. The injured man was
taken to the Augusta House where his
wounds were dressed by Surgeons Thayer
and Sanger. Frank Dockamus of the battery
had one eye injured.
There will be an exhibition of shooting
given on the muster grounds tomorrow morn
ing at O'Clock for the benefit of the Massa-
chusetts officers visiting here One hundred
men will be detailed from each regiment for
the purpose.
The Portland daily press., 1883-08-24
THE MT. DESERT FIRES.
The Fires ssfll Spreading Tho Mountain
Hense and Railway TrcstIe in Danger.
BAR HARnoR. A

BAR HARBoR, Aug. %.
The forest fires on Mt Desert have broken
out with great violence. The whole southern
half of the Island is enveloped in smoke.
There is great danger, in the present extraor-
dinary drought, that the new Mountain House
and the trestlework connected with the railway
will take fire. No water can be obtained ex-
cept what is carried up by the tender of the
locomotive. Last night the flames rising to
the summit of the mountain furnished brill
liant likeness to volcano in action. There is
great excitement among the visitors and ma
tives, the walks being thronged with watchers.
Latest dispatches state that there is no further
danger.
Extensive forest fires are raging in this
vicinity. One on Connor's farm in Southwest
Valley, four miles distant. A large crew OF
men were fighting the flames yesterday and
to-day. Another in Young district four miles
west of Bar Harbor, on the other side OF the
Green Mountains, fifty men were fighting 1t
to-day. Some houses are endangered. The
most conspicuous from this village is the fire
on Green Mountain, which caught from loco
motive sparks and spread up the mountain.
Gangs are at work there to protect the rail-
road woodwork and the Summit House. Eagle
Lake is covered by a dense smoke and the
steamer on leaving the landing is lost from
sight as in fog. There are fires also on this
side of Green Mountain. Smoke envelopes
the top of the mountain and is pouring in
heavy volumn down into the gorges. Scfar
as heard from no buildings are burned.
The Portland daily press., 1883-08-24
THE YACHT MYSTERY.
Rupers sargent.s Body Identified.

WEST FALMOUTH, Mass, Aug. 23.-The
body washed ashore here has been identified as
that of Rupert Sargent, one OF the New Haven
party, which sailed on the ill-fated yacht Mys-
terry.
Yesterday morning sunken yacht was dis
covered, "a of mile east of Hen and Chick
ems, near the entrance to BuZzard's Bay. 1t is
supposed to be the Mystery of New Haven.
WOODS HoLL Mass; ;;oAug. 23.--Another
body was found at Pocasset this p. m. Glenn
and Sargents families start Immediately for it.
The body was easily identified es that of Rob-
ert III. Hawkins. Hawkins was 26 years old
and unmarried
NEW BEDFORD, Aug. 23.-The yacht sunk
at Hen and Chickens reef was visited to-day
by a steamer. She could not be raised. She
is in seven fathoms of water. A diver will
visit her tomorrow. The reckage indicates
that she is the size of the missing Mystery.
BOSTON, Aug. 23.-The relatives of Geo. II.
Sargent of Sargent & Co., New York, offer
500 reward for the recovery of his body. Sar-
gent with Hawkins, whose body was found to-
day, were in charge of the yacht Mystery and
Sargent acted as skipper. He was an expert
sailor and a splendid swimmer, and is now be-
lieved to have been the man who was seen on
the Hen and Chickens reef on Tuesday of this
week, but who could not be rescued owing to
the heavy sea. The body picked up in New
Bedford harbor is supposed to be his.
The Portland daily press., 1883-08-24
NAMES MUSTER.
Good Day-Great guish-
ed Guests-Sad Accident.

AUGUSTA, Me-, Aug. 23-T To-day has been
the great day of the muster, and an excellent
one for the encampment like the two preced-
ing ones. A fresh and cool breeze has blown
steadily from the south during the day, which
has mitigated the heat which otherwise would
have been almost unbearabe At noon the
heavens became overcast, and at one time rain
was threatened, but only few drops fell how
ever. The continued fair weather showed the
wisdom of holding the encampment in this
month instead of during the stormy month
September, as was the case last year.
Large crowds of the rural population have
flashed on to the grounds to-day, and the num-
Der in attendance has been larger than on any
previous day. Coils Richardson and Yelling
ton, and Capt. DuChensy of the Massachusetts
military organization, have been in attendance
also Adjutaut General Dalton of Massachu
sets, Miss Mollie Robie and Mrs. Barker of
Bangor, daughters OF Gov. Robie, and Miss
Nellie Rodgers of Bath, were noticed at head
quarters.
Gen. Chamberlain was present during the
review in the afternoon. Gen. Charles P.
Mattocks of Portland, Col. Daniel White of
Bangor, formerly Colonel of the I'd Regiment;
Colonel Smith of Bangor, formerly on the
division staff, and Lieut.. Howe of Orono, of
the U. S. regular army, were on the grounds.
The skirmishers' match came off early in
the morning, the Frontier Guards and I'd
Regiment shooting. The Dexter company,
having the largest number of men, won and
the Guards made the highest average to each
man.
The 1st Regiment will shoot in the skirmish-
ers' match tomorrow morning.
Following is the score of this mornings
The Portland daily press., 1883-08-24
TERRIBLE FIRE.
Men Horribly Burned-Loss Nearly a
Million Dollars.


NEW YORK, Aug. 23.-The terrible fire in
Long Island City yesterday involved a loss of
over three-quarters of million, and enden-
gered many lives. Five persons were seriously
hurt, and some of them cannot recover. The
flames broke out in the canning department of
the Empire Oil Works, and spread with such
immense rapidity that the $50 employees escap-
ed only by running and tumbling down stairs,
saving nothing. A few were hurt by their
falls and by the crush, but none seriously
For an hour there was fusilade of exploding
oil cans, the heat becoming SO intense that it
could be felt for a quarter of mile, and the
smoke made cloud in the sky visible for
miles,
The fire originated in the packing shop
where 200 were engaged in soldering cans
Patrick Cooney leaned over the 20-quart can,
which he was soldering, to spit, and in doing
SO Inadvertently allowed the red-hot point OF
his soldering iron to touch the oil, which ar
once blaZed up, burst the can, and spread the
burning oil in every direction. Some of the
braver men stayed to save Cooney and carried
him out. He was horribly burned, and had
piece of the tin from the can forced into his
skull. A dozen men were horribly burned and
several cannot live. Long Island City has no
6mClenC nre department., ana alu was only rem
dered by the company's organized department.
and half dozen tugs, until the Brooklyn de-
partment arrived. Over 100000 cans of oil
were in storage. and the heat drove the fire.
men so far away that their streams could do
but little more than reach the building. The
flames spread to the docks, where there were
5000 barrels of crude petroleum. and the tag
itator,'' with 100 barrels, caught fire and ex-
ploded with terrific force. The box factory
was destroyed, with all its stock and machinery
and about 1000 empty barrels. The barrel
room and tin shops were Quilted, and their con-
tents destroyed. Nineteen laden vessels lying
at the dock we're towed into the river with but
little loss The wind shifted, and the timely
arrival of the Brooklyn fremen saved the 9TH
or large buildings. The brig Nera was cut
loose before the tugs arrived, and drifted
aground on the Astoria shore. The company
estimates it's loss at from $3.50. COO to $500 COO
although this is Ga rough estimate. The MAJ
chinery in the packing shops cost $200, 900, and
is now worthless. Machinery of equal value
was destroyed in the other shops. The loss on
docks, stock and buildings will reach at least
100000.
Forest Fire Near Milford.
MILFORD, Mass, Aug. 23.-A fire in Collins
Gaskill's woods at South Milford, Monday, was
extinguished, but rekiDdled Tuesday, and has
been burning since. Hundreds of acres are al
ready burned, and dwelling houses are threat
ened. The fire department is useless, as there
is no water, the drouth being very serious in
this section.
The Portland daily press., 1883-08-24
MARINE NEWS.

Goss & Sawyer yesterday launched at their
yard in Bath a seven hundred ton bark, rugged
on the stocks. owned in Rio Janeiro no name,
built for the South American trade. Capt. Y.
M. Penfeld of Bridgeport, Conn, will COM
mand it.
AUGUSTA, Aug, 23.-The steamer Ralph
Ross coming up the river tonight collided with
the fishing smack planet, sinking the planet in
three minutes. Two men on board were res
cued by a steamer.
QUEENSTOWN, Aug. %. The steamer Abys-
sinia from New York for this port and Liver
pool passed Fastnet this afternoon.
NEW YORK, Aug. 23.-The schooner W. II.
Moiller arrived today from st. John, N. b. via
Vineyard Harbor with lumber. The lost part
of her deck load and is leaking 40 strokes per
hour.
The schooner King Phillip, before reported
run into Auguft II, was repaired and proceed
ed this morning for Jonesport, Maine.
The Portland daily press., 1883-08-24
HANLAN's SCHEME.
A New Arrangement of the Course for
Rowing Matches.

A New Arrangement OF the Course for
Rowing Matches.
BOSTON, Aug 2S.-The Globe says that Han
Ian, the champion, previous to the race at Fall
River, in conversation with several newspaper
men and others, stated that people who get up
regattas and the scullers who participate there
in should study more the interests of the poo
pie who contribute by paying admission money
to groves and seaside resorts where these affairs
are. Gas it is now," said Hanlan, 'the courses
are usually of mile and half and turn pat
tern, and, as a consequence, when we get start
cd the majority of the people see very little of
us after we have gone half or SO. Nothing but
dissatisfaction and q mixing up of the oarsmen
at the finish generally results. In fact, don't
believe that among 1000 people twenty can
with certainty tell who wins she'll race. Now
there should be remedy for this. Everybody
should see the race as near as possible from
pate in regattas, will endeavor, as far as in
my power, to have three mile races rowed over
courses not more than three quarters of a mile
in length and two mile races over courses one
half mile in length. In both of these distances
it will be necessary to have three turns, and at
both these distances everybody present will
have an opportunity of viewing race at all of
its stages" These remarks made quite an i'm
preston on the writer, and meeting Sir Ed
ward in town yesterday, he suggested to the
champion that his plan would have fair trial
Friday next at the Point of Pines, upon the
occasion of the great scullers' contest. Han
Ian, who was going to the Point of Pines for q
day or two, thought the matter over, and last
evening, upon Meeting Manager Thayer at the
latter place, the project was discussed. Mr..
Thsyer favored it very much, but did not wish
to alter the programme which he had already
laid out without consulting the scullers The
oarsmen, upon having the matter referred to
them, thought at first that there were too many
turns, but after listening to an argument from
Hanlan they all acceded to request TO Try the
experiment. and the race at the Point OF flnes
Friday will be rowed over a course starting at
the Goodwood to a point just beyond the
steamboat wharf and return to the starting
point, where they will make another turn, and
the above course will be again traversed, max
ing a total distance of three miles. Everybody
upon the beach will thus be afforded fine view
OF the contest from start to finish, and without
difficulty will be able to determine the winners
at the finish
The Portland daily press., 1883-08-24
FLORIDA SHIP CANAL.
Will Save 800 Miles between New York
and New Orleans, but will Cost $4O,-
100000.

Will Save 300 Miles between New Work
and New Orleans, but will Cost $4O,-
900, 600.
New aYoRK, Aug. % The Florida Ship
Canal and Transit Company, at a meeting in
this city Tuesday, received the report of Gen.
Charles P. Stone, the engineer appointed to
be constructed across the peninsula of Florida.
Taking the route surveyed by him in May, he
estimates that such canal can be constructed
of sufficient width and depth to allow the pas
sage of two sesgoing steamers of fast class
without inconvenience at total cost of $40,-
600, ,000The total length of the canal would be
1877 1-8 miles, and the highest elevation in
crossing the watershed 143 feet, but this
would only be for a short distance. The saving
of distance by the canal on steam vessels be-
tween New York and New Orleans would be
500 miles, between New Orleans and Liverpool
412, and New York and Pensacola 600. A
steamship making eleven miles an hour would
gain about forty-6ve hours in the passage from
New York sto New Orleans. The gain by
avoiding the dangerous passage through the
Florida straits would be very great, the loss
from wreckage being about So, 900 900 per year.
Gov. Brown says the prospects of the canal are
very encouraging. Prominent capitalists are
forming construction company, which will
submit proposition to the board of directors
at their next meeting, Sept. 17th.
Among those present were Hon. John q.
Brown, president; Hon. George G.. Gorham,
secretary; Gov. Cameron, Senator Malone,
Gen. Grover and A. w. Jones OF Virginia;
Townsend Cox, Michael Jacobs and s. T.
Never of New York, and Senator Mann and
Charles FL Jones of Florida.
The Portland daily press., 1883-08-24
VERMONT FIREMEN.
Their Reception In Bestsn by Mayor
Prince.

Their Reception In Bostsn by Mayor
Prince.
BOSTON, Aug. 2S.-The Vermont firemen ar
rived in Boston on their return from Provi-
dence this morning, and were again met by an
escort of Boston fremen at the depot. Form
ing in line they marched through Boylston,
Arlington and Beacon streets, past the State
House to the City Hall. Their bearing and
proficiency in military drill caused many fav-
orable remarks from the by-standers. At the
City Hall they were received by Mayor Palm.
er, who, after tho iptrolxatory remarks of
Chief Engiaser Green, addressed the visitors:
"Gentemen, it gives me great pleasure IN be-
half Of all the iremen and citizens OF Boston
to welcome you here. We are glad you have
come to view one portion of our municipality
in which we take great pride. We recognize
the great value of the fire department Of this
city, and know what careful guardians lof life
and property our firemen are, and we have no
doubt that you have done much for your own
beautiful city. But should be doing iDjus-
tice to you and to Boston If omitted to say
that we are glad to welcome you here as citi-
zens of Vermont. Your name itself shows
your character; Ethan Aliens name stands as
firm as the Green Mountains themselves. We
know In Boston what giant men you have Civ
en- to the nation and to the National Senate,
and the great character of your men of the
past is sustained by the men of the present.
Massachusetts, takes pride in the reputation Of
Vermont, and is glad to welcome her represen-
tatives. We take greater pride in the nation
as whole than in any individual State"
In reply to this greeting Capt Sicklen Of the
Ethan Allen Company responded: "We thank
you for your cordial welcome and generous
hospitality. We come simply to VISIT a city
which has such greatireputation throughous
the world as a leader in literature, in art. We
expected only formal courtesies, but from the
moment of our arrival we have fallen into the
hands of good hearted men who have led us,
Green Mountain maple sugar fellows through
out the city, and have furthermore given us a
lesson on extinguishing fires on scientific prin-
ciples which we shall not soon forget"
EaThree Vermont cheers were then given by
the company for Chief Engineer Green, Mayor
Palmer and the firemen and citizens of Bos-
ton, after which the line was again formed
and the march taken up through the principle
streets. -,
This afternoon at 8 o'clock the visitors Will
be taken to Fort Hill square to observe the
practical worksngs of the fire department.
and at o'clock they will be taken on trip
down the harbor in the Dudley Bradley.
The Portland daily press., 1883-08-24
WASHINGTON.
Cattle Quarantine a. wal.hnm.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23-The Acting Secre-
tary of the Treasury has authorized the erec-
ton of four additional cattle sheds at the
quarantine station at Walthain, Mass He al
SO directed that the agricultural buildings and
grounds at Concord, Mass. be leased, at the
rate of 1000 per annum.
Overcrowding Passenger Steamers.
Under the existing law, when steamboat
owner overcrowds his vessel the government
cannot proceed directly against him, but must
do so through its agents. This leads to abuses,
and in many cases system of blackmail by
informers. In order to avoid this, Supervising
Inspector Dumont will, in the next annual re-
port, recommend to Congress the adoption of
law under which suits may be disectly institute
ed by the government. In the opinion of Gen.
Dumont such law will have the effect Of
stopping, to a great extent, the practice of
overcrowding passenger steamers.
Cheap Pine Lands.s
The sales of pine lands in the ST. Cloudsdis-
trict of Minnesota closed yesterday, The price
realized was five cents less than on the first
day, being $3.50 per acre. The total receipts
FROM these sales approximated $70,OC0.
Free Mail Delivery Wanted.
The towns of Waterbury, Conn. and Rutland
Vt. have applied for the establishment of free
delivery systems. The law requires that the
gross receipts of an office must amount to
$40 600 and upwards per year, or the popula-
tion must exceed 10000 before the system can
be established. Rutland and Waterbury COM
ply with the requirements of the law in this
respect, and a special agent will be sent to each
TO examine into their municipal government,
whether the houses are numbered, streets
lighted, etc. If found satisfactory free deliv-
cry service will be ordered.
The Rowdy Diplomat.
The investigation into the charges against
Senior Lomaix, of the Brazilian Legation, by
the police authorities substantially verify the
published account, but as no formal complaint
has been entered at the State Departmentthe
Brazilian government will not be officially noe
tilted. Senior Lomaix's successor is said to be
ON his way to assume his position as charge
'affaires
The Case of Architect Hill.
Ex-Representative Murch arrived here this
morning. He says that he dcas not believe
the investigating committee will entirely exon-
crate Hill but II they should do so he intends
to bring the matter before the next Congress,
as he is by no means satisfied with the case.
The Hill investigation committee to-day re-
ceiyed report on the condition of the heating
apparatus in the Chicago custom house from
Messrs. Robert Russell and Albert Galloway,
experts, appointed by the Collector of Customs
at Bhcago, at the instance of Assistant Secre
tary New, to examine the apparatus. The
committee decline to disclose the character Of
the report,
The Portland daily press., 1883-08-24
NEW HAMPSHIRE.
rIalarin nt the Reaches.


PORTSMOUTH, Aug. 23.-A malarial disease
has appeared at the New Hampshire beaches.
Mr.. Lewis, wealthy Philadelphian, died in
his cottage yesterday near this city, OF malig-
nant typhoid fever. His family and servants
are ill. Defective sewerage is doubtless the
cause of the trouble.
Mrs. Wood, hotel guests at Rye Beach died
yesterday of the same trouble
The Bemis Will Cnse.
CONCORD, Aug. 23.--Judge Lewis A. Clark
of the supreme court has decided the famous
Bemis will case, which was heard several
weeks since in this city. He finds that the
testator, the late DR.. Samuel A. Bemis OF
Hart's Location, was an illegitimate child OF
Hodassah McWain, who was never married TO
his father, Samuel Bemis of West Cambridge,
Mass. Judge Clark decided upon the eyi-
dence that the latter welded Sally Willis, the
mother of Mrs. Julia Ann Hatch of Boston,
who claimed the right to assail the will on the
ground of heirship, although the finding, in ef-
feet, dismisses her claim, as we'll as that OF the
New York branch of the Bemis family This
result leaves only DR.. 9. " Bemis of Medford
and William Sohier of Beverly Mass. to dis
pute the last will made in favor of George II.
Morey of Hart's Location. The report will be
made to the full bench of the supreme court at
the August adjourned term in Concord next
Tuesday. 1t is expected that jury trial will
be held at Ossipee during the coming fall to
determine the validity of the Morey will, ana
as $4,000 to $4,000 is involved, the result OF
the litigation Will be awaited with interest,".