The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-15
MINOR MENTION.

/
| THE Springfield, Mass, Republican records
| the recent death in that city of old steel-en-
| graver named Thomas Chubbuck, noted in the
| community as quaint and eccentric character.
| The Republican says that some forty odd years
| ago, before the government began to post
| age stamps MIR. Chubbuck was employed by the
| local authorities of Brattleboro, Mass, to en-
| grave the stamp now quite famous among col
lectors as the Brattleboro stamp. It was pat
termed closely after the Providence stamp. which
in turn was inspired by the efforts of the New
York and ST. Louis postmasters to supply the
convenient means of prepayment of postage
which the government properly provided for in
1847. Within the last dozen years Mr.. Club
buck has had many a laugh over the philatelic
papers in all languages. most of which he could
not read, that have poured in on him with de-
scriptions of is stamp and it's great rarity. He
was amused at the odd twistings they gave his
name, favorite form being "Cubbock:" and he
enjoyed telling how he sold an incomplete sheet
of these stamps from his specimen box to
stamp crank" for 81. and thought the fellow
crazy because he insisted paying for them
and then his chagrin at hearing of the sale Of
these seven stamps at $40 apiece and their sub
seQuent rise in value among collectors till $175
or 5000 has been paid for a specimen. The
craving of this little label, which he did ''for the
fun of the thing has carried Mr.. Chubbuck's
name into every civilized land.
SOME of the readers of Mr.. Howels's recent
works may have noticed that he spells ardor
''ardour, humor ':humour,' etc. The latter is
the English-spelline. and it seems little odd
for an American writer to adopt it. The expla-
nation is found in the fact that the stereotype
nlo of NJ Nj -
burgh, and sent over here for printing the
American editions of his works. And does he
do this for some international copyright reason
or for economy2 little of both The Boston
Herald has had curiosity enough to investigate
the matter, and finds that Mr.. Howells has his
plates manufactured abroad not because it is
cheaper TO do so, but because his books are first
published in England to secure copyright there
and by having the plates sent to this country he
avoids the expense of making two SETS So, as
the setting and proofreadine are done on
the other side the peculiarities of English spell
ing are accounted for.
AN incident that occurred in Chicago few
days ago illustrates the folly of some strikes
boss painter and contractor entered building
where he had number of men employed to see
how the work was getting on when he was sur
pail of beer surrounded by crowd of painters.
The foreman discharged forthwith, not
withstanding he had been in the contractors
employ for nearly ten years. The discharged
foreman hunted up the walking delegate and in
company with him visited all the places where
the contractors men were employed. The men
were told to quit work and ask no questions.
They did as commanded, the result being that
1T -fvan MT ST all 81
discharge of drunken foreman who neglected
his work during working hours and led others to
do the same The labor cause must have great
vitality to survive such nonsense as that.
SENATOR INGALLS,, whose house and its con-
tents were recently consumed by fire. including
bis library and many objects, is fond of col.
Letting curiosities. Among others at his library
N Washington is one that vergss on the horri-
BILE. This is a human scalp with the hair at
.ached 1t is an Indian trophy. A correspond |
ant says 1t makes ones flesh creep to hear In |
gals describe how the Indian scalps are taken. |
His eyes fash as he talks and in tones dramatic |
ells how the savage grasps the lock in one hand |
ind swings the knife in a circle of light about |
he head of his victim. He then, with gesture.
shows how. bracine himself with his feet on the |
allen mans shoulders, the Indian jerks off the
PRODUCED by the suction, like the pulling of a
vet piece of leather from the hagstone.
THE Chicago News says that Pittsbure gas
men taking a very active interest in the
for natural gas in the vicinity of that city
'ut are working very quietly. Their agents are
aid to be prospecting all along the line between
,hicago and the end of the Indiana gas belt at
lokomo. They are leasing thousands of acres
land wherever they find any indications of
as. Last week tract of 2, 900 acres was Sc
ured near Valparaiso The Pittsburg experts
ont expect to find gas very near to Chicago.
hey believe the field is in Indiana. The pros
ects favorable near Valparaiso, whence gas
ould be easily piped into Chicago, distance of
ut forfy-seven miles Perhaps the owners Of
md in that vicinity had better be careful
bout entering into leases If Chicago is to be
applied with gas from Indiana our Hoosier
ud-owners ought to get good round price
,r it.
IT Is noted as a singular coincidence that spots
,pesfsd the simultaneously with the
ismio disturbance of the week in South Caro-
IA. If the moon had been visible on Friday night
Id any body had thought to look at it, there is
1t little doubt that spots could have been no.
.ed on its face at the time of the Meridian
reef fire. !
THE Journal publishes this morning review
the great battle of Champions Hill. by Gen. {
gorge F. McGinnis 1t had been the Generals
tention to withhold this paper from the public
It'll after his death, but he has changed his ,
ind, and it is now printed in the Journal 1t
II be that General McCiinnis severely c
nsures Generals Osterhaus. Carr and Smith for l