davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-01-01
POISONED HIDES.
Fatalities from Handling Imported zides
which Had been Dipped in Arsenic.

NFw YORK, Dec. 31.-Malachi Daily, porter for
o. G. Hatch, dealer in imported hides at 90 Gold
street, die1 yesterday. According to his ante
mortem statement while walking in the store room
on December 49, he fell against bale of Mexican
hides and scratched his right arm. He was taken
sick two days later and on Christmas day was una
BILE to do his work. His physician discovered poison
in the scratch. The abrasion was much infaIned.
One pustule as large Scent piece was surround
ed by half dozen bisters. Mr. DAILY complained
of nausea and apprehensions of death. He was of
the opinion that after the skin of his arm had been
broken dust from the hides was absorbed by the
wound. This is believed to be of a poisonous ma
ture His physician gave it as his opinion that the
patient was victim of animal poisoning. Samuel
Brandt, another porter employed by Mr.. Hatch
year ago, was bitten upon the wrist, presumably by
some insect concealed in the hides. His arm began
to swell, and finally equalled mans thigh. The
flesh became of purplish tint. He suffered intense
pain. physician made an incision. The flesh
sloughed off nearly to the bone, and Brandt recov-
cred. His arm is still friRhfuly scared Samuel Me
Williams, driver, has also been poisoned in sim
lar manner. His body swelled to an abnormal size,
and In twenty four hours he was corpse. Michael
Donovan, another driver, also became inoeulated
with the poison from the hides bnJ finally reeov-
cred. John Green of Brooklyn, an employe at Bos-
ton suffered from hide poisoning. DIR. Atkinson,
who treated him, became inoculated and died on
Saturday night las. Green had been handling
Bnenos Ayres hides. A small pimple appeared He
scratched it with his finger nail. fhe poison en-
tered his system, but under DR.. Atknson's care ne
recovered. The leather dealers in 1.-THE swamp"
in this city greatly disturbed today Days
death, and the cause to which it attributed.
They were pRzzled to account for it because they
were given to understand that the poisonous hides
did not come in contact with the victims skin. A
leather dealer remembered, however, that Mr.
Hatch did business in horns also. Daily in handling
these he thought, might have received the poison
under his nails. Later on he might have scratched
his arm ami then received the deadly stuff into his
system. Mr.. Hatch said that the hides, before be-
ing shipped from Buenos Ayres, are dipped in
mic. The solution he believed to be so weak that
could suffer seriously from it.; it might be, how
ever that the arsenic in some cases had not become
properly dissolved and still adheared to the hide.
The Mexican hides were sun-dried. The govern
ment would not permit those in the trade to make
use of arsenic.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-01-01
THRILLING STORY.
Schooner John Griffin Knocked
About in Hurricane.
THE CAPTAIN RESCUED FROM A
WATERY GRAVE BY HIS SON.

PHILADELPHIA, Pa, Dec. 31.-A thrilling
story of herosm at sea is published by the
Press to-day, as told by Capt. Edward Rice, of
the schooner John A. Griain, which arrived
yesterday. He says;
December 18th the wind veered and blew
regular hurricane to the Northeast. We were
then 30 miles South of Cape Henlopen, and
the hurricane carried us along at fearful
rate. Life lines were stretched along the deck
and preparations made TO leave the ship in
case she should spring aleak or be flooded at
once. We were struck full ON the starboard
side with great roll of water, and the next
moment sank beneath the second great wave
that followed close upon the first and almost
swallowed us up. The sea made complete
break over the vessel, and there was not
man who was not dashed from his place and
thrown about on deck that morning. was
Knocked over board; l sank into the sea- think
ing my last hour had come, and gave up all
hope. l was jasS aft Of the ship and after
rising from my filst sinking my son swan out
to me, though how he buffeted those waves in
that cold water God only knows. A moment
later he had me in his grip, and with power
almost superhuman kept himself sfoat while
he passed rope around my waist Then,
catching the rope himself and holding me up,
for was helpless, he signaled the crew to
draw us in. They got us alongside and we
were safe. | wac pulled up first, more dead
than alive, and my son was then hauled up.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-01-01
GEN ERAL NEWS.

Invitations have been extended to the Governors
of all the States to attend the State and National
silver convention to be held in Denver, Colorado
on the 28th of January next. The object is stated
to be that such action may be taken as will influ-
Congress grant the unlimited coinage of Es-
yer.
In attempting to shoot stray dog at Carmi,
Illinois, Tuesday night, David Morrell, a young
farmer, hit his mother infctng probably fatal in
juries.
Archbishop Lynch of Toronto, Canada will at
tend the ceremony of the nvestture of the pallIum
upon Archbishop Ry an of Philadelphia Sunday
next.
The members of the New York Produce Ex-
change yesterday afternoon had New Years eve
celebration the floor of the exchange with music
athletic contests and other observances.
Richard Bartholdt, for several years foreign edi-
1or of the New York Stats Zetung, leaves today
for St. Louis to assume the editorshp of the Daily
German Tribune.
The buildings of the Perseverance worsted Com
pany of Woonsocket, r. l., were burned to the
ground yesterday afternoon. Loss S25, 900; under
stood to be fully insured.
The New York World paid cash dividend Of
S154,000 for 1884.
Owing to the heavy thaw the work on the Mon
treal Ice palace has been entirely suspended.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-01-01
FoGk DAYS RAIN.
Western Rivers Higher than Ever
Known Before.
RAIN STILL FALLING, SND BUsE-
NESS AT a sTANDsTaAL.

LITTLE Rock, Ark, Dec. 31.-Telegrams
from ali quarters of the State report eontinu-
GUS rain. The Arkansas river at this point
had risen up to last night four feet in the pre-
ceding Is hours, when It was one foot ten
inches bslow the danger line, and still rising,
All the other rivers, north, south and east, COR
tinued to rise, and additional damage to
fences, houses and stock are reported, hut tho
extent can only be conjectured, as miles of the
cotton lands along the rivers are flooded. The
total rainfall here for December has been more
than sixteen inches, two-thirds OF it in the past
80 hours.
GALVESTON, Tex, Dec 31.-Tsrri6e rain
storms have deluged this State dufing the past
four days, doing great damage to railway and
other properties. Towns have been delueed
and country roads rendered impossible owing
to bridge washouts.
CHICAGO, Dec. 81 1t has rained steadily for
nearly tour days throughout central and south
ern Illinois. The snow has disappeared and
all the streams are swollen. To some places
the water is higher than ever known before
Great damage is reported to the railroads,
bridges dams, fences, etc. Many trains have
been abandoned
At Vandaia the Okawa river is Almost up to
the highest poiat reached year ego. and it is
still rising. The entire bottom east Of the town
is one vast sheet of water, and the !. ank road
is covered for distance of 9uarser Of mile
People occupying houses ia the hooded dis
tricts are moving out. The ice >gorged in
the bottoms north Of the VaadassA sailroad
bridge, and some alarm is felt for the safety of
the bridge. Business is at staudstill. The
weather is warm and il is still raining.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-01-01
The Business Failures of 1884.
fRoafon .TnuruaIl


From its returns for all but the last week
of the year 1884, Bradslreet places the num-
Der of business failures throughout the Unit
ed States at 11,6O0, involving liabilities
amounting to S240,OO0,OOO, I'D having assets
valued at s1SO,OO0,OOO. Nj aber of failures
in 1888 was 10, ,299; the liabilities, SIZE, $685.
600; the assets, 500, ,s04 900. In 1890, the
first full year OF prosperous business after
the long period of depression which ended
early in 1879, the number of failures was
the assets S27, 100000. Tho quarterly re-
turns for the year 1884 show that the great
est number Of failures occurred during the
first three months of the years, ,329-and
the smallest during the second quarter
2, 1874. Tue failures of 1884 are greater in
number and the amounts involved than
those OF The year 1873, the one which was
the last year OF shrinkage before the remark
able recovery of 1879. That year t1S7S) the
number of failures was 10,500, and the
aggregate liabilities amounted to S234,-
100000. The depression Of business
and tbs stagnation of industry does
not appear to be so severe the pres
ent year as was that of 1878, cOnse-
quently the statistics of Bradstreet are some
what surprising. One OF the features of the
failures of the year 1884 is the number of
disasters which have overtaken banks and
bankers. To December 25 the number of
failures of banks and bankers was 121
against As the preceding year. Of these IL
were national banks, p were State banks,
II were savings banks and n were private
banks and bankers. OF the 121 bank fail
ures of the ye1r, 81, so far as known, are
traced 10 speculative causes. These sre
causes for which there is remedy which
can be applied by bank officials. So far as
The present period of shrinkage and business
lethargy corresponds with the last like peri
cd, it would seem that the country was now
at the bottom and waits something to give
start in the direction of improvement.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-01-01
NEW YORK.
EnveIOped in a Fog.

New YORK, Dec 31.-For three days In snc-
cession the city has been enveloped in fog. In
the early forenoon, when it was the densest,
the sound of bells, the discordant notes of fog
horns, and the screechiDg of steam whistles on
the rivers ana bay indicated that boatnen
were having troublesome time, and hundreds
Of timid people waited in the ferry houses for
the fog 20 lift, rather than risk their lives in
crossing the rivers in the overc-owded ferry
boats Brooklyn bridge was black with psdeg-
TRANS and vehicles, and again demonstrated
its great popularity in foggy weather. 1t was
estimated that in FIVE hours 10000 people pass
ed over the bridge. The only accident on the
East river reported was caused by the ferry
boat Falton, Of the Falton line, missing her
pier on the New York side and running into
an adjoining one. The passengers were badly
frightened. The Sound steamers are all de-
layed on account of the fog.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-01-01

The boys ho participated ia the entertain
ment rendered their parts in manner most
crsditable to themselves and to the teachers in
charge of the institution, and everybody who
attended the exercises pronounced the occasion
a memorable one in the history of the school.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-01-01
SHAW BROTHERS AFFAIRS.
The Decision Of the Court 10 be Rendered
on january 8th.

on january Sth.
Boston, Dec 31.-The question of confirm
ing the composition in the insolvency case of
F. Shaw & Brothers came up before Judge
Brooks in the Insolvency Court at East Cam
bridge this morning. Mr.. George w.
Morse, the counsel fer the debtors, moved that
the case again be continued until Thursday
January 9th, in order to allow the creditors
further time to prove claims, and to await the
decision of Judge Field before proceeding fur
ther. The court granted the request, and or
dered the case to be SO continued. Mr.. B. f.
Brooks, the chairman of the committee of
creditors, then said that he thought it proper
that he, for the committee, should correct an
impression which has evidently bsen made in
some minds relative to tho past rslations be-
tween Trustee Wyman and Mr.. Forgan.
Mr.. Brooks said that Mr.. Forgau retired
from the committee OF his own free will at the
time the offer Of 40 cents vas Abandoned and,
further, that the committee of creditors had
no fault to ind with Mr.. Wyman for any or
position he offered 70 Mr.. Forgsu, for the COM
mitte5 was of the opinion that the latter
would not be cooperative in carrying cut the
trnst in business way.
The court then adjourned until January 9Th
at il o'clock, when it will probably render its
decision on the points before it. In the mean
lime Mr. It. A. Wyman, who has been Of
fered the position of assignee under the new
proceedings, will either accept or reject the
position as he may see fit.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-01-01
A sea Captain BrutaIly Assaulted

Capt. Seth W. Eldredge of Harwich, Mass,
master of schooner Magnolia, owned at Booth
bay. Me-, and lying at Sargent's wharf, was
brutally assaulted and disigured Tuesday
night on board his vessel. 1t was about $50
O'Clock, he thinks. that he heard considerable
noise on deck. he was In his berth at the
time, but got up and went on deck. There he
found Edward Collins and John Maran, two
Of his crew, who had just come on board
drunk. His remonstrances made the men
furious. Collins, it is claimed, struck Capt.
Eldredge with an oar, telling him to the deck
and Msran then sprang upon him and bit the
end of his nose off. Having accomplished
this alleged brutality, the assailants took a
boat and went ashore. The Eighth Police
were advised of what had taken place and
secured Eldredge's removal to the City Hos
pital. His head was badly bruised by the
blow from the oar and his nose badly mutt
lated. Collins and Maran were subsequently
found ct dance house on North street and
arrested. They hail from New York.-Roston
Journal.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-01-01
Colby Uniyersitr.

This year the faculty allowed the students
holiday recess from Dec. oath to Dec. 29th in
stead of giving them New Years day, as has
formerly been the custom. Many of the boys
availed themselves Of the opportunity and
spent Christmas at their homes.
Professor Warren is quite sick with a cold
and fever. but the physicians say that in few
days If nothing serious happens he will be
about again. In the meantime the bows are
enjoying cut from mathematics.
The college has received lately some very
fine pieces of statuary. These have been
mounted in Memorial Hall, which soon begins
to assume the appearance of quite an art pa
provide some special place for the art collec-
tion, the present place beginning already to
appear crowded.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-01-01
HOG CHOLERA.
Experiments TO Discover the Germ of the
Disease.

Experiments to Discover the Germ of the
Disease.
WHEELING, W. Va, Dec 31.-A series of
experiments is now in progress, the result of
which will be awaited with interest by the sci
entiic as we'll as the agricultural world. Ex-
periments are going on at three places, at the
Department of Agriculture, at Johns Hopkins
University, Baltimore, and at the office of DIR.
Reeves, executive officer of the West Virginia
health board The first result achieved has
been the discovery that the germ of hog choI-
era is a spec. .tic germ, bacillus, and can be
reproduced. Ii the experiments verify the
present hopes, hogs and other animals can be
inoculated with the virus of cholera, aud by
producing in them the disease in mild form,
the ravages by the plague in its fatal shape
may be prevented. Already cattle may be in
oculated for Texas fever and penropneu-
monis, and DR.. Reeves has the strongest hope
of the same result with cholera. The disease
is now raging through Belmont county, Ohio,
and in all OF Eastern Ohio, although practical
lp stamped out in West Virginia.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-01-01
BUSINESS SUMMARY.
Facts and Figures Cleaned from a Hzass
of Matter.


of Matter.
Boston, Dec. 31.-The Globe tomorrow
morning will publish special edition giving
comprehensive summary of Boston and other
New England cities during the past year
From the mass of metter published the follow
ing facts and figares are cleaned:
Except in some few branches profits have been
smaller and the volume of business less than in
1888. The retail dry goods trade, however, never
has been more prosperous, and it has been years
since the building trade has been in such good
diion. In Boston 1438 buildings have been erected
at a cost of 81 100000. an unprecedented record;
paid out in dividends in Boston during 1884, SGT,
305,S00. far above the average of years
since 1878 excepting 1888. In cotton goods about
the same amount of business has been done in 18S4
as in 1888, but at a smaller profit. The eight
broad guage railroads running into the city made
gain in net income 1888 of $219,073. In
breadstutfs there has been marked improvement
during the year. The iron business has been dull.
Deposits in the saving banks in Massachusetts in
creased over ten million dollars during the year.
Most of the manufacturing cities of Massachusetts
report very fair business during the year as com
pared with 1888, although profits smaller.
Maine, New Hampshire and Rhode Island cities
have done much better business than was anti
cipated at the beginning of the year. Interviews
with several hundred leading merchants and manu-
facturers show them to be in a very hopeful and
confident state of mind, and they are almost unani-
nous in predicting good paying business for 1885.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-01-01
A Lot of Religious Fanatics.

DENVER, Col, Dec 3l--Last night another
foandling died at Williams Asylum, making
three deaths from inatteation since Christmas
AT the inquest to-day Williams admitted that
no physician had been called to attend the
children, and that not even the simplest rem
edes had been applied, as he and his house.
hold firmly believed ia the efficacy of prayer
to cure all human ills, and it is his belief
that where the patients die in his institution
Prominent physicians held an autopsy to-day,
which revealed the fact that one or more OF
the children would have recovered with proper
medical attention or even with the care of
competent nurse. The coroners jury declares
hands of a lot of religious fanatics, who in the
above csses were criminallg negligent, and
recommends that the place be closed by the
authorities
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-01-01
FIGHTING A MANIAC.
Desperate Struggle in "A Chicago National
Bank.

CHICAGO, Dec. 31.-Dr. Edward Prentice is
popular veterinary surgeon and has an office
at No. l65 Michigan avenue He has been
acting strangely, it is said, for the past few
daye. About 1l30 o'clock last night he en-
tered the First National Bank as the ianitor
Charles Brandt, was sweeping out, and de-
clared he wanted sum of money he bad
locked up 10 one of the vaults. The janitor
informed him it was too late 60 get his money
and advised him to come in the morning. At
this Prentice became euraged. Officer Nash,
of Pinkerton's, attempted to eject him, but
Prentice struck Nash powerful blow, knock
ing him down, aud then leaped toward Brandt.
The latter, thinking he faced bank robber,
pointed his revolver and fred Just ss Prentice
sprang forward. The bullet struck a gold
watch in Prentice's vest pocket and dropped
to tae floor, not indictng scratch. Officers
Cox and Duffy arrived at this juncture, and
with the assistance of the other two mon held
Prentice prisoner until the arrival Of the
patrol wagon. AS the party drove 10 the
armory Prentice wrenched his hands loose,
and seizing Sergeant Bohan by the neck
choked him until he was helpless The police
rained their clubs on him and it required four
men to make him relinQuish his grasp. Prem
tice had $500 on his person, and is evidently
insane.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-01-01
SPORTING.
Saco and BiddefOrd Excited Over a Pro
posed Wrestling Match.
/cnoc;ol IN tho PraSlN

Especial to the Press)
BmDEFoRD, Dec. 31.-Sporting circles in
this vicinity ar eat present allIablszs over the
wrestling contest which is to take place at City
Opera House Friday evening of this week, ,!he-
tween George Emery of Saco, the champion
catch-as-catch-can wrestler Of the State a1d
Spotted Wolf of the Crew Indian tribe of wild
Indians, who is the Acknowledged champion
wrestler of this noble race of athletes. The
match will be catch-as-catch-can, best three in
i've fair falls. Both men have been in train
ng tbe past week, and are in excellent condi-
ion. Emery weighs 100 pounds, while SPOT
,d Wolf tips the scales at 165 pounds Emery
- restled with Spotted Wolf at Marble Hall on
he 4ta last, winning the match, but the In-
ian being dissatisfied with the referees decis-
n, has resulted in bringing abo1t another
ontest. 1t is not at present known who is to
sreieree, Frauk Cole, the well-known splint
inner who was selected, being objected to by
potted Wolf, AS the men appear to be about
Ysnly matched the result of the coming Her
1leau struggle will eawaited with much in-
srest.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-01-01

LATEST MARINE Ws.
Rough Experience of the Brig Josepha of
Portland.

NEW YORK, Dec 3l.-Brig Josepha of Port
land arrived here today from Pernambuco
She Ieports having encountered heavy gales.
Captain Goodwin said: "We left Pernambuco
November 29th, with cargo of sugar for Hal
fax, and had pretty rough time all the way.
Bot on December % the winds lashed the sea
into fury, tossed US about like cork, and We
expected to go down several times. We we're
making water fast and had to man the pumps.
December 25th the wind blew terrific gale
from the northeast in which our sails were
split to shreds and torn away. We lost our
msinsail, mainstaysai, foretopsail and storm
trysail and split the foresail. In this condition
we made for this port for repairs, after which
we shall proceed to Halifax"
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-01-01
FINANCIAL.
Financial Curiosity at Philadelphia
Check Drawn for $14,9A9,O 9.

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. ST. The largest check
ever drawn up probably in this country, and
certainly in this city, has been framed and
hung up in the treasurers Office of the PENN
sylvania Railroad Company. The sum is $14-
94a052, and the institution cashing it was the
National Bank of Commerce, New York city.
Il was drawn in favor of Kidder, Peabody 8
Co. of that city, and is in full settlement of
the large block of shares which that firm pro-
cured for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company
in order that it might obtain controlling inter-
est 10 the Philadelphia, Wilmington & Balti-
more Railroad Company. The check was paid
one week ahead OF the time it was due.
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-01-01

LOGAN, o., Dec. 31.-There is general up
rising in the Hockingl valley. Sheriff McCar-
thy with large posse left here on special
train at a late hour last night to trace the
ceived at Nelsonville yesterday. The attacks
commenced on the railroad bridges. Special
officers are being sworn in and taken to the
region of Bnchtel, where the strikers are said
to be concentrating. With communications
cut off at the mining points further particulars
cannot be obtained