Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-10-16
N. |. HAW
THE NEWS IN BRIEF.


The big African elephant Empress, owned by
John O'Brien, the circus mau, taken late Sat
urday night to ForepAughs winter quarters in Phila-
delpha and securely fastened in her stall on sun
day Robert NJ. White, who had charge Of the winter
quarters, and who boosted of bis ability to manage
elephants, left In charge Of Empress while her
keeper went to dinner. Before going the latter said
"Rob, don't you go near Empress for Just a. sure
as you do she'll kill you. "ohl thats all right"
torted White. This was the second warning that had
been given him. About a quarter of an hour later
White volunteered to show two companions how he
could manage the elephant, and proposed to bring
her ont and water her. They advised him not to
make the attempt, but be persisted. Going into the
stall, he unlinked the shackles on Empress, who fol-
lowed him to the water trough and took drink En-
press had no sooner finished than she wheeled sud-
denly about without making sound and struck
Whitea terrible blow with her trunk, knocking him
40 feet away against brick wall. She followed up
this work quickly by dsemboweling the helpless man
with her tnsEs and then raising one ponderous fore
and shoulder blade. Whites companions fed at the
hrst blow and gave the alarm. In few moments
Dan Taylor, the elephants keeper, appeared, and
seizing an elephant spear advanced and in a low,
cool tone commanded Empress to go back. Slowly
and suenly she backed away and she retired Tay-
lor advanced until he had reached Whites body.
There be stopped, and the injured man was picked
up. He still alive, but dei while being taken
the hospital. white Is the third man killed by this
elephant She is said to be perfectly docile when on
exhibition.
An explosion Of natural gas distressing in its de-
tails took place In paper factory at Tarentum, Pa
where the gas used fuel, hast undAy morning.
The accident was caused by q leakage in the pipes,
Rncn nlleQ every CreNtce with the OdOrles8
gas. Three men, not aware Of the presence Of gas
went down into the pit to oil the pump, taking with
them small lamp: As soon as they reached the bot
tom the gas ignted from the lamp and In insta
an explosion took place and the pit hlled with a
sheet Of fame. The report not loud, aud the
Are was out almost suddenly came but IL left
the three men lying their backs terribly burned
about the face, arms and limbs. They were carried
to their homes and the flesh peeled of their bodies
In large fakes. None Of them were expected TO re-
cover.
Jay Gould has been sued for $4,000 damages,
for breach Of contract, by John NJ. Woodward of St.
Louis. The writ was served Saturday as Mr.. Gould
stepped from his private at the Union depot. Mr.
Woodward alleges that on January 7, 1882, Jay Gould
entered into an agreement with him TO construct a
double track railroad between ST. Louis and the Pa
cc to be used for the trac Of the Missouri Pacific
road. The arrangement was that Me-. Gould should
have IS per cent of the stock and Mr.. Woodward As
per cent. that Mr.. Woodward should have annual
salary Of $1,000 for three years aud that he should
sale Of the road. He says that after making the
agreement Mr.. Gould advanced money for the pur-
pose OF organization and surveys, and considerable
halt In February Of the same year, when Mr. Gould
refused to go on with the work; Having abandoned
the scheme Mr.. Gould Is now asked to pay Mr. Wood
ward for failing to carry out the agreement.
"A Wyoming grand jury has refused to indict the
parties arrested for numbering the Cinnamon at the
liberty. on returning to Rock Springs they were
given an ovation by the people. United States ar.
my ocer there says the territory should be placed
under the rule Of martial law.
Mrs. Veronica Bulla died last week at Syracuse
N Y. after a fast which began August TO- 50 days be-
fore She did not touch morsel Of solid food, iy-
ing upon water in which small quantities Of morphine
were dissolved. She weighed lao pounds at the start
but at the time Of her death her bones nearly pro-
truded through the skin which lay in wrinkles and
her ewes were terribly sunken. All efforts OF hei
physicians and friends TO induce her TO eat were
fruitess. She was q well-to-do widow AndA native
OF Germany
The worst exposure of sprituallstic fraud sine
the Katie King AFFAIR took place at Hartford, Conn.
last week. A Mrs. Beste had been giving seance
there which she claimed to call up spirits In bodily
| form and flesh. The editor Of the Hartford Times
vas doubter aud he went 10 one Of the sittings tax
| ing with him three women and two stout Irishmen
Al the right time when the lights out, the Irish
/ men grabbed the spirit, which proved to be Mrs
Beste herself. She had little clothing on her bod!
except q lace wrap rubbed In phosphorus, which 4
seIf-iuminous. The woman confessed that she
fraud, and had done the same things in other New
England cities and said that all the mediums in Bos
made an Afhdayit to this effect and left.
Destructive prairie fires are raging west Of Win
| nipeQ Man. Two men, with many cattle and horse
| we're burned TO death Monday.
The English yacht Genesta started on her return
trip 10 England last week Thursday. AT the last mo
ment two Of her crew backed out aud refused 70 sal
home in her, fearing tnat rough NeAtner might Heh'
| her to the bottom.
| The ST. Louis street conductors and driver
are on a strike Travel is stopped, cars have beel
| smasbed and one or more lives have been lost. II
| said that the organization known as the Knights o
Labor instigated this strike as it has recent miner
strikes.
and boil her father at Warren, N. Y, pleaded guilt
| Of murder in the second degree and has been sen
| fenced 10 tho OnondAga penitentiary for life.
| -HuuRariAn laborers employed In building rail
road IN PennsylyGnia did not receive their pay las
! week and attacked the Americans who were superin
| tending the work. contractor named ferguso
| was captured, and the men swear now that they wi
| XII him n they do not get paid by the goth.
| There Is excitement in Belgrade, Swedish sci
| tlement in Minnesota, over q which the SWede
| beiIeve 10 be Witchcraft. The Swedish church Ia
held trial aud witnesses solemny testified to be
lief in witches aud stated what they had seen In TIL
| particular case Tue statement was made by on
| woman that she posted In Siteherait ana IA
had seen IL strike persons, who were soon after take
sick What will be done with the alleged witch ha
not been determined.
"A Chinese laundry at oakland, CAL, was burne
at O'Clock Wednesday morning, and i've Chiname
persisted.
Miss Annie Longfelow, youngest daughter OF th
poet was married at Cambridge Mass, Wednesda!
10 James Gilbert Thorpe Of Eau Claire Wis., hrotht
Of Mrs ole Bull, the ceremony taking place AZ VI
LOngfellow mansion. -
"A Fargo, OAK, despa tch u Oct. IA says: ~
news has lust reached here that the wife and Gnu
of Seth stanton perished IN prairie hre 10 baint
county so miles from here, saturday. ME- sRntot
VINO MAS some distance from bis house, ana saw u
are epreading In that direction, was barely able
reach there before the flames, and thought u 700 ~
10 save the buildings He took one little child und'
each arm and told bis wife to follow with the eide
one soon looking back he his wife and child el
welcomed 10 hamea. Mrs. Stanton persisted there, an
the child was so badly burned that II died next da
The hre parted at the house and left Il untouehea'