Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1884-06-25
CURIOUS, USEFUL AND SCIENTIFIC.
BIRTHDAYS IN DIFFERENT YEARS.

BIRTHDAYS IN DIFFERENT YEARS.
In 1881 Rutland County gentleman
had twins added to his family. The
births took place about half hour
apart, one baby coming to light at II AS
on the night of December 81, 1881,
and the other youngster putting in an
appearance little after IL o'clock on
the morning of January L, 1882. Here
we have circumstance of twin children
whose birthdays occur on different
days, in different months and in differ
ent years. Boston Globe.
PHoToGRAPHING A CORPSE.
Baltimore Sun: Thomas Blythe,
millionaire, died in California more
than year ago, leaving no will. In a
few months score of relatives appeared,
eager for share of his estate. His
body was embalmed, and for three
months it remained in the undertaker's
rooms, where the alleged widow of the
dead man paid daily visits and exhib-
tied theatrical grief over the remains.
The body was finally transferred to a
vault in cemetery. Last week, at the
request of English relatives, it was de-
clded to photograph the corpse, so the
vault was opened. The body was found
ife-hke in appearance, and, the coffin
being placed on end, very good pict-
ure of the eccentric millionaire was
taken.
TANNING HUMAN SKIN.
Several articles of public utility are
now being Systematically and profitably
manufactured in London out of the hui
man skin. An exhibition has just taken
place. in which twenty-four exhibits ap-
peared, all of this costly leather. The
exhibitor was not Yankee, but an en-
terprising Scotchman. He gave lect-
ure on his exhibit, in which he claimed
that our hides make the very best of
leather for general use. The purses ex-
hibited were especially elegant, and not
only ornamental but serviceable enough
for the most utilitarian. They were
subjected to the toughest usage and
bore the handling well. He also showed
gloves tough enough for the most thor
oughbred prize fighter. The exhibitor
said the skins of lazy and aristocratic
people were inferior to those of the
poorer classes for tanners USE Scot
tish Leather Trader.
A PRESIDENTS BUTTON.
While some workmen were removing
the floor in barn belonging to Will
lam Eckenrode, IN Adams County, Pa,
a dirty pice of metal vas discovered,
which, when cleaned, proved to be a
button of much historic interest. It is
about as large as an old-fashioned copper
cent. In the center is the monogram &c.
W." surrounded by circle bearing
the legend, "Long live the President"
On the outside edge is engraved a
chain, inscribed upon each link of
which is the initial letter of one of the
thirteen original states. The button is
one of the very few remaining which
was worn by the first president of the
republic. The supposition is that, at
some time during the days of the revo-
luton, he who was first in the hearts of
his countrymen slept in Mr.. Ecken-
rode's barn.
MODERN SURGERY.
There was an operation performed in
this city two weeks ago which will in
time attract great attention. A lady
was brought to the Jefferson college
hospital suffering from tumor in the
throat. She could not swallow, and
unless relief were obtained the woman
would of course starve to death. But
there was surgeon equal to the emer-
gency. He made an incision into the
stomach and inserted tube about the
size of lead pencil, but so fine at the
point as to be almost needle-hke.
Through this hole food especially pre-
pared was introduced, and the woman
is kept alive. In the meantime the sur
geon operates upon the throat. Of
course it cannot be told whether the
lady will ever recover, but she has ex-
listed for nearly three weeks Phila-
delphia Record.
WHAT rs IT.
Young George Smith of this city one
day last week on the Air Line railroad,
near the depot, captureda beast, water
fowl or some other kind of a brute,
about the size of large toad, that seems
to be cross between terrapin and a
billy goat, having body the shape of
the former and a head and horns like
the latter, only with the addition of a
sort of Embroidered night-cap on his
head, something like our grandmothers
used to wear. His eyes are little and
bright as black beads, and his hind
parts and tail are much like that of an
alligator and about the color. Around
the whole body, tail and all, and pretty
well sprinkled over it are little briers,
like those upon jimpson burr. His
movements are between that of COM
mon toad and big gray lizard, and he
won't bite. Now what is he?-[ Gaines
vile (Ga.) Southron.
SINGULAR MEETING.
Strange changes take place often
times. Sergeant-at-arms Canaday, of
the Senate, removed Postmaster
McMichael, Democrat, and substitute
ed one Allen, both from New Jersey.
The latter was selected at the urgent
request of Senator Sewell, the million