The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1902-07-31
A WEEK THROUGH THE STATE
New GovERNMENr SITE.

abeth City held meeting a few nights
ago aud decided to ask appropriations
from the Government Tor an entire
square in the city for government
building. Hon. John III. Small, Con-
gresham from that district, was present
and addressed the meeting. He has
secured an appropriation of $l2O,WO 0,
tor the public building.
BIGGEST SHARK YET.
An item sent out to the press from
Morebead City, July 26, says:
"The largest shark ever caught in
these waters was landed by Mr.. Russell
J. Coles, of Danvllle, Va, with a rcd
and reel after most desperate fight,
and before the shark was finally killed
ne was shot twenty times with heavy
revolver. Mr.. Coles used 600 feet Of
number thirty-six Cuttyhunk line on a
beay y tarpcon reel with short trolling
rod and his boatman had to bold him
III the boat when he was trying to
check the fierc q rushes of the shark.
CATER the shark was killed six men
we're unable to lift him from the water,
aud he WAS iually hauled up by block
and tackle after several failures, as his
great weight broke the first chain that
was used.
"The shark was twelve and one-half
feet long and his weight Was estimated
to be over 1900 pounds.
"Dr. Milligan, OF the Government
Fish commission boat, "Flsh Hawk, :"
says that he has fished all over the
world, aud that he DOES not believe that
as heavy fish as this was ever caught
on rod and reel In the world before"
A RAILROAD TO SwANsBoRO.
Swansboro correspondent to Will
mlngton Messenger;
"Our town is booming and the pros
pect now is that it seems to he
better for railroad than ever. A
charter for Il railroad from KinstOn to
Jacksonville, we have already, and the
extension of that charter from Jackson
vile on to Swansboro assured. II so,
we have at no great distance railr cad
to Swansboro and then our village o.!
400 inhabitants will soon bo as many
thousands.
"The crops in and around Swansboro
are very promising indeed. They are
the best we have had so far fer many
year. Mr.. Dan III. Russell, on his is-
land farm here, says he has never had
better pr aspects up to date. The mel
on crop is good too and they have been
in great demand up to this week
about IS 90 per hundred wholesale was
the price, but now they are on the de-
cline fast. Melons on the 4th OF July
sold readily for 25 and 80 cents"
RETURNED FROM LIBERIA.
Wilson correspondent to Wilmington
Messenger
"Rev. O L. w. Smith, late minister
resident and consul general to Liberia
West Coast of Africa, who was appoiDt t.
ed by President Mckinley in 1898, and
whose home is here, returned on the
2lth. He is prominent colored min
lister and stands we'll among cur people
who are glad TO see his safe return
from the far away country. He says
that while the climate of Liberia is not
very good, yet he enjoyed fair health
generally"
| HANGED HIMSELF.
Taylorsville correspondent to States.
vile Landmark:
"James D. Wallace who has been
confined In Jail here for few months
past On account OF his mind, committed
suicide yesterday between 10 and IL
o'clock by hanging himself with a
rope made out OF strip off OF color
ed sheet. This improvised rope was
tied around his neck and to a cane
placed on top OF the iron cage IN the
room. He got up in chair with his
back against the cage and his feet on
the seat of chair, where he was found
when Mrs. Childers carried his dinner
up to him. She had taken him some
water about 10 O'Clock, when he told
her good bye"
BIG DIsrILLERY CAPTURED.
Statesville Landmark:
"Revenue Officers, DAVIS, Kanlpe
and Sans captured largo distillinR
plant in New Hope township Tuesday.
It was located near Evalin postoffice
Two stills were being operated together
with. total capacity Of about SO gal
Ions of wiliskey per day. When tn,
officers arrived the fire was still burn
ing but the operators had fled. Thu
fofficers seized II fermonters, three
grain bins of 500 bushels capacity, cap