Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1892-09-29
Interesting and Curious.

In the tweuty-eight years that the bfoth-
erhood of Locomotive Engineers has had
existence, Chief Arthur states, it has dis
bursed over 81 900 900 to the widows and
families of deceased engineers.
In 1891 ll6s persons were killed on rail
wavs in the British Isles, according to the
report of the British Board of Trade. OF
these only I03 were passengers, and more
than 400 were persons neither passengers
nor emploves the number including tres
passers and suicides.
Three pieces of the first calico printed in
the [ nited States will be presented to the
Worlds Fair commissioners for exhibition
through Commodore Bradley one of the best
known men in northern New York, who got
them from Judge Waldron of North Creek.
The calico was printed at Johnsburg, War
rem county. and one of the pieces is from
the wedding dress OF the first lady married
in that town.
The largest locomotive in the world draws
the fastest train in the world, the Empire
state express between New York and Al
bany II commenced running last week.
Il has driving wheels feet J inches in di-
ameter, with : feet spread. 1t weighs GO
tons, and the weight on each of the four
driving wheels is 10 tons. Its length is 90
feet over all. including the tender, which is
not included in the weight.
4 curious cnIlecticn of books il contained
in the librarytof Warstentein, near Cassel.
/ in Germany. The books appear at first
sight to he logs of wood, hut each volume
is reall complete history of the tree it
represents. The back shows the bark. in
which small place is cut to write the
scientific and common name as a title. One
| side shows the tree trunk in its natural state
and the other is polished and vanished.
1 Inside are shown the leaves, fruit fiber and
/ insect parasites, to which is added a full
| description of the tree and its products.
I One of the finest elms within twenty miles
of New York is in the yard of private
( dwelling in Fourth avenue, Mount Vernon.
! The tree measures at least four feet IN diane
| ter at the ground and nearly seven feet at the
! point from which the main branches shoot.
| Several branches are two aud half feet in
/ diameter each. The spread of the branches
must cover a circle considerably more than
/ 100 feet in diameter. A large pavilion has
| been erected beneath the tree, with a stair
way leading up to the great branches. il
has been necessary TO hold the branches
together by means of stout iron bands
I British newspapers are discussing earn
e.tly the question of cloak rooms in church
| es, referring to the absence of, and absolute
I necessity for. facilities for disPoslng of
/ wraps. hats and overcoats. Some churches
in this country have wire hat racks beneath
the seats. and few have wire bars for over
| c rats and wraps on the backs of seats. One
church in Chicago has regular opera chairs
and the attendant conveniences. A cloak
1 rooBi seems TO Eli iong-feh want, for
there does not appear to Ne any good reason,
these days, any way. why man or woman
should not be as comfortable in church ~
in theatre.
The collections that Lieut.. Peary has
brought back from Greenland are Of great
value and are absolutely perfect. They
4 include everything that can possibly be OF
the slightest scientific Importance Among
the most interesting articles is set oi
/ Eskimo toys made of ivory. They are
marked with rude carvings Of deer, walrps,
seals, narwhals, ETC.. which. although ex.
ceetiipgiy rough, can readily be dis.
tinguished Then there are suits of Eskimo
clothing, specimens ready for mounting Of
the reindeer. polar bear. narwhaI, walrus
fox, hare, etc. There are butterflies, s0me
larger than bats. Eskimo knives, which are
constructed entirely Of ivory, weapons
cooking utensils, dog sleds, spears, and 81
on.