The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-05-15
..OTEo OF THE DAY.


cave-ins in the coal region are usually
dreaded as dangerous and expensive acct
dents, but there was one near Lewiston,
Pa, last week, which was a happy Incl
dent 1t was found that the cavern had
opened a hole into an old mine which
was supposed to be filled with water and
which had been abandoned and the SHAFT
closed on that account. The water had
evidently drained off at a lower level. and
the owners of the mine believe they will
be able to remove from 1t about 60 acres
of coal.
A new life preserver has been invented,
says a London paper. which not only
keeps a man afioat, but which provides
him with meat, drink and shelter. 1t Is
claimed that in 1t a shipwrecked person
can be kept alive a month. The lower
part of this curious device resembles a
life preserving dress, the upper part is a
kind of buoy or floating chamber, In
which the occupant has some freedom
of motion for the head and arms. Inside
the enlarged upper chamber Ii Is pro-
posed to place provisions and water.
Roman fever is almost a thing of the
past. From $50 in 1881 the deaths from ma
laria ran down to 254 in 1891, while for
the last five years the average has been
149. the number in 1895 being lbs. These
figures are all the more significant in that
the population of Rome has increased
from 300 900 to 467, 900 in Is years. An
equally remarkable diminution has taken
place in the death rate for all other in
fictitious diseases, so that Rome, even in
the traditional unhealthy season, Is one
of the most healthy capitals of Europe.
The oil fever has again struck Ithaca,
Mich About four years ago strong indi-
cations of oil were discovered two miles
south and east of the place. 1t was at
tempted at that time to form stock
company for developing the find. Suffi-
cient capital was not pledged, however.
and the project fell through. Recently
the matter has been agitated again and
several hundred dollars have been sub
scribed conditional on a total of 1000 be-
ing raised. The oil is found on the sur
face of the water and many believe a
well would show ii in this region in pay
ing quantities.
The county commissioners of Tacoma,
Wash, last week opened bids for the
burying of the county poor but made no
award, as there was too much difference
between the estimates presented. Smith
& Co., the lowest bidders, offered to do
the work for l cent for each pauper.
while Mr.. Gilman, who now has the con-
tract submitted bid of S. The WASH
ington Undertaking company. the only
other bidder wanted 81. The commission
ers thought that the great difference of
s.. 80 was too much, and they concluded to
make some investigation before awarding
any contract.
The gun carriage that survives the tests
given it before it's acceptance by the ord
nance inspectors of the German army
need not fear the emergencies of an ac-
tual campaign. Near the arsenal at Man
dau a track has been built, covered with
all sorts of obstacles. 1t is in imitation of
bad roads at one part, is crossed by a
ditch another and there are realistic
limitations of mountain passes and ra-
vines. The motive power is a cable, to
which the gun carriage is attached and
then started through the ordeal, officers
running alongside and noting the beha-
vior of the carriage under difficulties.