Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-10-21
CURIOUS CONVERSATIONS.

"A two-legged horse is on exhibition in
New York museum.
Madison, Ca, claims to have a horse
that took part in the Indian wars in 1890
"A Devon bank clerk has fallen neir to
abaronetcy and an income of $4,000 year.
AT Pensacola, Fla, a mustang that was
abused BY its driver rushed into the water and
held its head beneath the surface until fs
drowned.
The people Of the Northwest say that
the muskrats are building their houses nm
usually high, and that this is certain sign Of
very cold winter.
"A Litchfeld, Mich. couple who have
been married 30 years, had q Misunderstanding
about two years ago, and since then they
have never spoken TO each other, though living
in the same house.
Among the many curious sights the
traveller witnesses in the lower Columbia Is
men on horseback, wading about in what aIe
pears to be almost aimless manner. They are
In reality fishing for salmon with huge seins.
winch are SO heavy as to make the assistance
Oh tne horses imperative.
The Flathead Indians of Montana differ
widely from most other tribes on this conti-
nent They are not warriors, nor are they lazy
ana good Tor nothing. On the contrary. MOTT
ana skili are attested by big stacks Of hay and
grain about their dwellings.
james Watkins, who lives about six
miles north of Golconda, III, recently took to
town the skin of q monster catamount whicn
ne killed on his place. II is pronounced By
different people the largest one they ever saw.
Wnere II came from is a mystery. as wild
animals OF All kinds were exterminated in that
section years ago.
mn al - - n
Ind, was 100 years old October I6 He was born
In Knox county and has always resided there.
His life pursuit has been that of farmer, and
his habits plain. simple and regular. He has
never been sick but twice in bis long, quiet
LIE, and to-day he is a remarkably hale, spry
and vivacious old man. His halr Is still black
with but few silver threads, and he has no use
for spectacles.
There is curious effect wrought on the
hair and beard Of men engaged in the Martin
White mine at Ward, Neb The ore il roasted
but no disagreeable perfumes arise from the
heating process, yet there is some unknown
substance that change the hair, beard and eye
orows as green as grass. The hair Is not in
1ured- but retains its softness and gloss. It Is
problem that fumes Of the green tint Of copper
contained in the ore change the hair to that
color
"A noted Indian hunter Of the Fond du
Lac Reservation, Wa-me-quance, died Tues
day on the reservation 1t the age of l0I years.
His memory went back to the war Of 1872 and
long before that. A short time ago, IN talking
of his life, he stated that the British authorities
offered him big bribe to disclose to them
certain movements Of the American forces
with which he was familiar, but that be refused
their offer and was afterward connected with
the American campaign.
Two Hallowell (Me.) sportsmen saw an
interesting family In the Cobbosseecontee
stream the other day. They suddenly found
their boat surrounded by young muskrats. who
were as playful as kittens, diving and coming
boat 70 me d sqIdsee again, swimming around the
betray the least suspicion Of danger, For some
minutes the gentlemen watched their maneu-
vers until two old muskrats made their appear
dove with splash that seem TO be the signal
for the young ones 10 follow. which they quick
ly did.
AT Burlington, N. j., valuable dog
that had escaped from its owners kennel, was
caught BY policeman, who locked It in the
Mayors private office for safe keeping. Re
turning to the ofhce short time afterward the
officer discovered the dog had caused sad
havoc. Six policemen's helmets had been COM
pletely demolished. and the Mayors court
Bible, copy Of the city charter and ordinances
and other public documents reduced to pulp
The Mayor has issued strict orders prohibiting.
office.
The great Bear river canal in Utah,
for the construction Of which s2O0QOOO has
been provided, is expected to be one Of the
most extensive irrigation works in America
To get the river along the side hill along Bear
river canyon and out on to the plain near
Plymouth will nece8sitate moving 22O,000 cubic
yards Of solid rock, II, 900 cubic yards Of loose
rock 152&oo0 cubic yards Of earth, and digging
g. - N~~~~-~ -
10000 acres in Salt Lake valley, and 1000 900 on
Bear river. Increasing the value OF the land to
$50 per acre. while fencing. building and tiIlage
are expected to double this valuation In few
The reservoir for this canal covers 150 square
miles. and the canal win secure the irrigation
Of territory extending to Ogden.
-One of the most wonderful of fishes is
the one bearing the name Of chiasmodon niger,
or the great swallower. The body 10 elongated,
of nearly uniform thickness most Of the length
Of the fish. The jaws ara very long and httsd
with sharp teeth, some OF which seem to be re-
versible. The manner OF feeding Is to grasp
fab BY the tail and proceed 70 cl1mb over it
with its jaws. As the captive Is taken in the
stomach and integumeni stretch ont. the dis
tended belly appears a. great bag. The fish
will swallow another one or II times his own
size. This rapacity proves his own destruction
sometimes. as the gas formed by the process. Of
brings the fish to the surface. As his habitatis
supposed TO be l.6O0 feet below the surface,
this is the only way he came to be introduced
to the public, through the three specimens now
ON exhibition in museums.
There is little girl In Atlanta who
goes by the name Of Bright Eyes Bird. She n
the daughter Of Bob Bird, who was cowboy
in Texas for several years, and came By her
name in q romantic manner. When the Wild
West show was in Atlanta several years ago
Mr. Bird went to see the performances. He
knew some Of the cowboys and invited them to
his home. They accepted the invitation and
brought several Of the Indians with them Mr..
Birds little girl was then baby in the cradle.
and as the, wildlooking red men gathered
around her she gazed At them with wondering
eyes. The Indians were silent moment look
ing intently on the pale-face papoose. as they
called her. In q solemn manner one Of the
Indians united his necklace, and muttering an
Indian word, the English to which was Bright
Eyes" laid it In the baby's cradle. Each Of
the other Indians did the same and sBrirhr