St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1898-08-03
LETTER FROM CAMBRIDGE.


done considerable damage in st.
] ,hnsbury last week, was also felt
here; maniiesting unusual force and
energy in the towns adjoining Boston.
Many barns and some houses were
struck and burned. A few people re-
ceived severe shock but none were
reported killed by the lightning The
thermometer registered 90 degrees
that day, five less than on the won.
derful Fourth of July, but the hui
midity OF the air was exactly the
same, hence little evaporation and
much suffering until after the air
was cleared by the storm; the
weather has been cool and delightful
since.
People Of all ages and occupations,
rich and poor are sending contribu-
tions to the Massachusetts Volun-
teer Aid Association; men are work
ing night and day to get the hospital
ship ready, furnished with beds and
cots for the sick and wounded, while
women are equally vigorous and &C.
tive, making articles of all kinds for
the soldiers. Among the many gifts
1000 comfort bags came in one day
from Magnolia. Concerts and en-
tertainments are being given to raise
money. The Albert Dumois is to
leave soon with 40 tons Of articles
for the West Indies. The Spanish
prisoners in Portsmouth, n. H., are
being tenderly cared for, while some
Of our American soldier boys are
tossing on beds of pain down in the
South. The branch at Cambridge
amounts to 1852 % and strong
appeals are still going out to the
public. Work is to begin at once on
the new dry dock at the Navy Yard
at Charleston, costing 100000.
Although Massachusetts, has sent
out many more than her full quota
Of soldiers Others are ready to enlist.
We all rejoice that the stars and
stripes float over Hawaii, for we re-
alize that it ought to have been ours
some time ago. There is a marked
difference between possessing Hawaii
and Cuba; the former owes it's
Christianity and civilization chic fly
to the United States and to Ameri-
can missionaries. 1t was a non
Protestant element, who fought
against it's admission largely.
Last Friday afternoon thousands
of people crowded the Long Pier at
City Point South Boston, to witness
the explosionof the submarine mines
off Castle Island. under the charge OF
Col. Mansfield: before $50 p. m. the
button was touched to explode the
first mine anchored in 70 feet ofwater,
over 20 feet below the surface,
charged with 100 pounds of explo-
sive material. Sergeant Hart fired
the bombs off Millett's Point. The
water went up from 100 to 200 feet
in the air and you can imagine the
effect on small vessel located over
it.
Brocton is having so many fires
that it is thought there is a "hre
bug" in their midst and their facto-
ries are being strongly guarded.
Lynn, upon Saturday last, laid the
corner stone of the Shute Memorial
Library, when Mayor Ramsdell and
Others made eloquent and appropri
ate speeches. 1t was stated that in
the distribution Of books tor the past
ten years one million of homes had
been visited and with loss OF only
II books; he argued that the peo-
pie could be trusted.
Mr.. Frederic H. Rindge, formerly OF
Cambridge, who has given so much
to the city by way of public build
ings, has announced that he is now
ready to transfer the deed OF the
Manual Training School to the city
as gift. He gave the building and
has supported it for ten years and
now that it is so well equipped and
has proved such a success, the city
will assume its charge and support
Mr.. Rindge gave $500 per year fol
time and lately $4,000 for its
maintenance. 1t is a model of its
kind and has been copied elsewhere
1t has been an inspiration and helI
to many boys and young men.
"Ex.queen Lii" is on her way tc
the Hawaiian Islands to lay claim
to the annual rentals Of the land.
which belonged to the crown. Their,
are said to be nearly one millior
acres with an annual rental of $1OO,
900 and back rents of between three
and four hundred thousand dollars
She has able lawyers employed tt
sustain her demands.
The death OF William S. Butler, {
prominent merchant on Tremon
street, was surprise. He has hat
quite a long mercantile career ant
since 1872 the firm has been known