Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1895-07-03
Straps and faets.

ivy, or laurel. The occurrence has
caused alarm among honey raisers
and can only be accounted for on the
ground that the common old black
bee has been replaced by the italian
bee, and that the latter can collect
honey from the poisonous flowers
which the ordinary bee cannot.
20. o. Cattle, a wealthy Buffalo, n.
Y, lawyer, had a strange experience a
few days ago. While walking along
the streets of the city he was suddenly
seized and gagged by two desperate
villains, who carried him to a vacant
house near by, chained him to post,
and informed him that he could not
regain his liberty except upon the
payment of ransom of $1,000. Cattle
wrote to his son to pay the money;
but the young man refused to do it,
and also neglected to inform the po-
lice. After remaining a prisoner for
4S hours, Cattle succeeded in attract
ing the attention of policeman who
happened to be passing along outside,
and was released. His kidnappers
made good their escape.
Cuban sympathizers from all parts
of the country, have arranged for the
holding of convention in New York
city within the next few days for the
purpose of considering steps looking
to the advancement Of Cuban liberty.
Among other things, it is expected
that a new provisional government
will be established by the election of
a president and other officers, and
that an attempt will be made to carry
on the war by the issuance of a large
amount of bonds. 1t is reported that
a number of wealthy Cuban residents
of New York and other American
cities, have signiied their willingness
to lend money on the proposed bonds,
ard as the result of the convention, it
is believed that the insurrection, which
is now progressing satisfactorily, will
take a renewed impetus.
There is considerable excitement
over the action of Hoke Smith, secre-
tary of the interior, in discharging five
men from the United States pension
agency in Knoxville, says dispatch of
Saturday. 1t is reported that the five
clerks were discharged to make room
for five men from Georgia, who were
recently dismissed from the pension
bureau in Washington, as matter of
economy. All the discharged clerks
are East Tennesseeans and were Sc
lected by Major D. A. Carpenter, pen-
sion agent. He declares they all are
competent men. This is the second
instance where the secretary of the
interior has interfered in the matter of
appointment since the Knoxville agen-
cy was established. AS coincidence,
it is remarked that the five men dis
charged were all outspoken free silver
Democrats.
1t will be remembered that few
years ago, one Frank Melborne created
big sensation throughout the West
by his pretended ability to produce
rain at pleasure. Just about that time
the government was making some ex-
periments at rain producing by the
conclusions of high explosives in the
air. Melborne pretended to have a
more efficient method of coaxing down
refreshing showers. Thousands Of peo-
pie believed him, and whole counties
united in paying him large sums of
money to make it rain for them. He
was called the Grain King" and
made mint of money. He has spent
all his money in luxurious living, and
recently he confessed that his pretend
ed power was all humbug. Human
nature, he said, loves>to be humbug-
ged, and the bigger the humbug the
better it goes. 1t was knowledge of
this fact that led him TO pretend ability
to produce rain.
- A horrible affair occurred near
Huntersville, N. c., last Friday. A
white farmer named Sims was work
ing in his field and two or three white
boys, who were passing by, used dis
respectful language to him. Sims
started toward the boys angrily. The
boys humbly apologized, claiming they
meant no offense and Sims started back
to his work. Just then one of the boys
shouted: "If you have anything to do
you had better get at it," Sims started
back toward the boys again and one of
them threw stone at him. He drew
a pistol and fired into the crowd. The
ball struck one of the boys in the fore
head and produced mortal wound.
Sims then started toward his home,
not far distant, and coming upon his
wife shot her fatally. He then went
to Huntersville and gave himself up
to the authorities. He said that after
he shot the boy he knew he would
either be sent to the penitentiary for
life or be hanged, and in either case
he could not bear the idea of leaving
his wife to face the world alone.
- The story Of a strange freak of
electricity comes from Dennison, Tex,
under date of June 27. Miss Fannie
MoXie was sitting at an organ during
a. thunderstorm, and Miss Guile
stood by with one hand on her shoul-
der. Miss Moxie was struck by light
ming and fell to the floor; but Miss
Guile failed to feel any shock. Ex-
animation showed that the bolt came
through the ceiling and made a hole
therein about the size of a 3S-calibre