Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-03-15

An alum nine mas Deen discovered IN
Utah. 1t yields 80 to 90 per cent pure alum,
which can be extracted by simply placing
the crude material in boiling water
Edgar Saltus has written novel which
he calls "a Transaction of Hearts" The
presumption is that it is full of dismal
pictures. Saltus is the prince of pessi-
mists.
Nearly a million Lebel rifles have been
turned out in France, yet the manufacture
of them continues, since the government in
tends to have four rifles ready for each
soldier when the great mobilization comes.
According to the Fiji Shimpo there are
twenty cotton factories now in operation in
Japan, with total of 81, $50 spindles. There
are also twenty factories in process of estab-
lishment or extension, with an estimated
capacity or 1905 spindles.
Mrs. Newton, one Of the four women who
were given the Crimean medal, which
Queen Victoria personally pinned on her, is
still living in Toronto, She was nurse in
the Crimean war, and was shot through the
knee in "a trench before the redah
United States Minister Strauss has in
duced the Sultan of Turkey to allow the ex-
plorers sent out by the University of Penn
y
Babylon for two years. This favor has
been vainly sought by representatives, OF
European powers.
On a mountain in Alpine county, Califor-
MIA, during thunderstor the lightning
struck pine tree followed it down into the
ground and Immediately there burst forth
brilliant fire, which has continued TO burn
ever since. 1t is believed that the lightning
ignited bed of coal, which is now feeding
the flames.
Miss Emma G. Shields, public school
teacher of RocGland, Me, made an cleo
ton bet with friend, the loser to sell pea
nuts in Postofflce Square all day on
designated Saturday. Miss Shields lost,
and she paid her bet "a few Saturdays ago.
She had great run of customers and made
quite sum of money, which she gave to the
fund of the Rociland Charitable Associa-
ton.
There is a decided movement in West
Virginia in favor of changing the name OF
that state. Its promoters say that every
state should have distinct name Of its
own, so far removed from the name of any
other state that no confusion Of names can
arise West Virginia is so near like Vir-
ginia that the people DO not enjoy it, Curl
ously enough, they all agree "Kanawha" is
the name for the state.
The big iron tower in Paris which is now
in process of being erected is about two
thirds finished. II will be 9s4 feet in height
when completed, and the ascent will be ac-
complished i'm elevators in five minutes. At
present the worl1men occupy an hour in
reaching their work, and they wear binders,
which prevent them from seeing any thing
but the work before them, as an outlook
would produce giddiness.
At Charleston, 5. c., last week a carboy
of vitrol exploded while teing conveyed on
dray, and the liquid swelled into a seeth-
ing mass of flame around the two draymen
and the mules. The clothing of the for
mer and the names and tails of the mules
were quickly in flames, when both men
and mules iumbed into the river and the
flames were extinguished. The mules
will recover, but the men are expected do
die.
A tramp passed through Augusta, Me,
called English Charley" who quoted
Scripture as glibly as he gave a history Of
the prize ring and narrated the story of tho
rebellion, giving all the battles and sliirm-
ishes in which tho Union army was victor
ious or defeated as clearly as he discussed
the events of the present day. Thirty-three
years ago he was soldier in the English
army, and he vivaciously told the story OF
the fall of Sebaspol in 1855, which he wit
messed.
AT a recent book auction in Cleveland
Ohio, two young husbands, married but a
few months became considerably warmed
up in bidding on cook book. Both were
savagcly bent on having it, and the price
was run up to good figure. What do you
suppose called for such strife, and what
would the wives of the young men say if
they hear of such conduct out in publici
The husband that had been the longer mar
ried got the book He was presumably
desperate
Mrs. Mary Maccr, bon, who died at Wash
ington the other dav, nearly one hundred
years old, used 10 say that she had seen
every president from George Washington to
Grover Cleveland. She was living in Bal
timore in 1912, and saw the bombardment Of
Fort McHenry. She knew we'll John How
ard Payne, the author of "Home, Sweet
Home" and witnessed his first appearance
on the stage at Baltimore She went TO
Washington first in 1921, and it took twelve
hours by stage.
The Mound Morgan gold mine Of Queens.
land has proved to be the richest mine in
the world. 1t is situated on the range of a
sheep ranch. 1t is an iron-stone hill in the
midst of green grass. A public road runs
over the mountain. and il was while repair
ing it that the gold was discovered. 1t was
purcased for $500 just IS an acre, and the
shares are now worth s75,O)O,O0O 1t is sup
posed to be an old geyser impregnated with
gold The metal is extracted by the chlori-
nation process and costs $50 ton.
Living on a farm near Cherrytree, six
miles from Titusville, Penn. is Ralph Al
corn, u boy thirteen years old, who has the
largest head for his years on record in that
state Three years ago his measurement
was for No. si4 hat. Two years later his
his head had grown TO acquire a No. So
Last season "a No. So dicer was ordered for
him, while this week No. ~, was the size re-
quired. The boy is very bright and quick
wiSed, has wonderful memory, is good
BOOKING, we'll built, weighs los pounds, and,
though IL is very large, his head is regular
In abnT.p and parfa,,tIt- L.,