West Virginia freeman. (Parkersburg, W. Va.) 1881-1886, 1883-08-01

has failed. The liabilities are esti-
mated at 100000; available assets
less than $1,000.
Oil sand has been struck by a
party of prospectors in Pine Greek
Valley, few miles north of Pitts
burg, Pa. The drill is down to the
depth of 1850 feet, and the party
is confident that new oil field has
been discovered.
The immigration for the last
fiscal year falls a little short of
100000, against nearly 100000 in
1882 and $4,000 in 1881. With
the exception of those two years,
this is the highest immigration
ever received in one year. The
point touched before the depres-
sion was 100000 in 1878 and the
lowest during that period was in
1878 when it ran down to $4,000.
Fifty people drink at the free
ice-water fountain near the New
York postcffice every minute, and
5000 pounds of ice are used every
day to keep the water cool. The
fountain is supported by the
Moderation Society, and affords
the only place for half mile
where thirsty man can get re-
freshment without paying for it.
Thousands of dollars are saved an
nually to the poor by this establish
ment, which would otherwise be
spent for whisky and beer.
Reduction of the National Debt.
The National debt was reduced
in the month of June about eigh-
teen millions OF dollars. During
the next eight years only $685.
100000 of the public debt will fall
due. Since July, 1865, the. public
debt has been reduced one billion
of dollars, and the interest charge
from $751; 100000 to $51, 100000
annually.
Monopoly of Freights.
Eight of the Trunk line roads be-
tween the East and West. have
formed new freight pool, agreeing
to leave to an arbitration the
amount of freight each should carry
They are preparing to make the
most out of the heavy grain crop in
the West. Unless some of the
roads break the agreement, this
means high freights for time.
Seventy Lives Lost.
On the evening of the 23d par
ty of some ZOO excursionists from
Baltimore gathered on pier at
North Point, on the Patapsco,
about ten miles from Baltimore.
The pier seems to have been much
decayed, for as the steamer which
was to take them to the city APP
preached, the pier gave way and
precipitated the crowd into some
ten feet of water. About seventy
lives were lost.
Yellow Fever.
We seem to be in danger from
yellow fever, as well as cholera. 1t
IS in certain Mexican cities now,
and has strong hold at Havana.
Quite a number of ships whose
route takes them to the Gulf have
become effected One steamship
on the way from Vera Cruz to New
York landed 26 cases at Havana,
and then proceeded on her way.
Several vessels have been quaran
tined at New Orleans, and two off
Newport News, with the fever on
board. Careful precautions are be-
ing taken to prevent the disease
from finding a resting place on our
shores.
Captain Webb Drowned.
The well known English swim
mer, Captain Matthew Webb, was
lost in the Niagara whirlpool
rapids on the afternoon of :he Oath.
1t had been previously announced
that he would attempt to swim
through them. He made the effort
in the presence of some 500 persons.
He soon disappeared in the boiling
water. and his body has not yet
been recovered. 1t was one more
OF the many exhibitions of crimi-
nal recklessness to which we are
q