smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1874

Many Modern Structures I'm Imminent


DanGer-An Acre OF Ground Burned


Over-The Water Supply Inadequate


Losses and Insurance.


BOSTON, August s, 1874.


Six alarms called the entire Fire Department to
South Boston between nine and ten O'Clock this
evening, the South Boston Railroad stables,
occupying nearly half the square between
Broadway, K and Fourth streets. being
well ablaze before the bells struck. The flames
were first seen IN the haylolr, in the rear OF the
Treasurer's ONCE, at twenty minutes past nine
O'Clock, and rapidly spreading through the second
story They gained great Roadway before the ap~
paratus could be brought into use, and before half
OF the department were at work the Water Works
proved inadequate to full supply for
the engines. The structure occupied nearly an
acre OF ground, and the walls were OF brick and
not very high which proved the salvation Of the
wooden dwellings Immediately contiguous. Tho
alarm was given In season to save $50 horses and
cars which were In the lower story, but the sta
BILE, carnOuse and large stock or hay were en-
t1rely consumed.


there was an insurance Of S60,0O0. The stock was
insured for $S0,000. consequently the loss to the
company will be small, except In the matter OF in
convenience in stabling until rebuilding is COM
peted. The Fire Department worked admirably,
considering the small supply Of water. That can
be attributed only to the insufficient size OF the
mains from the reservoirs.


An immense crowd gathered to witness the con-
Narration.
Year: 1874

! The developments Of yesterday tn the Brooklyn
scandal consist mainly in the presentation OF cor
respondence between Mr. Beecher and Mr.. Moulton
ana the appearance OF the latter before the
Investigating committee last night. The statement
iead by Mr.. MoultOn to the committee Last night is
given below. The important part OF 1t Is the ex.
preston Of willingness on the part OF ME-. MoutOn
to testify before this committee as soon as ne can
arrange In order the documents in his possession,
and which he has undertaken to submts TO the
committee when he makes this statement
Year: 1874

MEMPHIS Tenn, August s, 1874


There is more excitement over the election to
come or tomorrow than has been prior to an elec-
ton here for years, the civil rights issue being
squarely made. Both parties express themselves
as sanguine of success Extra police have been Or
dered on duty to preserve order, and all saloons
are ordered closed. No rioting Is apprehended,
though party feeling runs very high
Year: 1874

The following record will snow the changes in
the temperature for the past twenty four hours, in


comparison with the corresponding day Of last
wear. as indicated by the thermometer at Hudnut's
Year: 1874

CINCINNATI. OHIO, August s, 1874.
The steamer Pat Rogers was burned this morn
ing one mile below Aurora. From particulars
received 1t appears that several bales OF cotton,
which formed part or her cargo caught fire about
i've O'Clock this rning and the boat was burned
to the water's edge. Both the boat and cargo
the latter consisting OF CATTLE sheep and hogs, be-
sides cotton-are a total loss. The passenger
register and all the books were destroyed.


sTATEAENr OF THE ENGINEER.


Mr.. Holiness the engineer Of the steamer, arrived
In Cincinnati on the noon train, and was inter-
viewed by reporter of the Cincinnati Times. He
gives the following account of the burning:-"It
was just about six O'Clock, when the steamer was
just opposite Loughery Creek that flows into the
Ohio River two miles below Aurora, that noticed
q bright light among some bales Of cotton in the
after part OF the boat. hastened to the spot and
found


THE COTTON BURNING RAPIDLY
and beyond any possibility OF being Immediately
exungushed. l hurried on deck and gave the
alarm to the pilot and toll him to run the boat
ashore. He had Just turned her head to the shore
when she became unmanaGeable. The pilot states
that he could turn the wheel but the steamer
would not answer to her helm. He thinks the
tner rope had been cut. From this fact II Is
thought that the fire was


THE WORK OF AN NCENDlARY.


Another theory is that one OF the deck passen.
gers while smoking dropped spark from his pipe
into the cotton. When the boat became unman-
ageable she drifted on to the sandbar and there
grounded. The names. instead OF spreading along
the lower deck, at once


SHOT UP TO THE CABIN
and pilot house and then swept across the hurri-
cane deck. The passengers were all aroused and
the boats lowered and many were carried ashore,
but others, IN their fright jumped into the water,
and those who were not drowned reached safe
landing place, after drifting long time with the
current. There were nearly 100 people on board.
TIE lost, missing and casualties by the burning
or the steamer Pat Rogers to-day sum up at nine
Year: 1874

use for the attainment Of highest politi-
cal places. deem that "the post of hon.
or is the private station" It is almost
an universal sentiment that public Office
no longer confers any honorable dis
tinction; that it is sought only for Pc
cuniary gain, and that some of the
highest offices in the land are held by
men who would not be permitted to
cross the Threshold of any private gen.
tleman's s residence for purposes Of social
intercourse. As the party press has
been chief instrumentality in contrib
uting to this state of affairs. it has suf-
fered the general decentralization proper
tionately. That editor who makes a
jackass of himself by consenting "to
carry nny load that party conventions
place upon his shoulders" must be
contented to be treated like jackass-
fed on thistles. The party press. which
is consenting slave to corrupt sys-
tenn of politics. can never elevate itself
above the conditions of beast of bur-
den, to do the service of, and to be
bought, seld. traded by the corrupt po.
liticians, as their interests may seem to
dictate. This is the experience of all
party editors who have been faithful to





their party obligations. If Public
Printer is to be elected, that Office is
uniformly used to trade upon by other
candidates, to divide up, and as often as
any way, given to some one who is nei-
ther printer nor editor. as reward for
dirty services. If retrenchment in pub
lie expenses is demanded, the dema-
gogues invariably commence, and gen.
orally end with cutting down the beg
carly pay of their printer to starvation
rates. If publisher exhausts his re-
sources in bringing his party into power
in county, he may reasonably expect
that the first official act of the newly
elected officers will be to sigLalize their
devotion to the public interests by let
ting the printing to the lowest bidder.
thus melting a party competition by
which the successful bidder is sure to
lose money. The press being thus de-
graded by politicians, it is subjected to
the same treatment in all other public
matters. Whatever public project an
editor may propose, if it succeeds he is
Immediately shouldered aside by some
Aippant pettifoggsr or village dema>
gogue, and his part in the matter is
soon forgotten; if it fails, he becomes an
object of derision to the same parties
who ever stand ready to steal and ap-
propriate to themselves his laurel Is. If
he throws himself into the breach in
time of peril to the community from
internal or external foes, the matter is
generally settled by making him the
scape-goat between the contending par
ties. or he is sacrificed by his friends to
propitiate the enemy.


The press can be degraded no longer
than than the partisan and merceny ele-
ments prevail; SO long as majority of
publishers consent to do dirty service
for debasing considerations. and thus
degrade the character of the whole.
Year: 1874

WHY THE TERMINUS WAS LOCATED AT
Tacoma A gentleman of whose veraci-
ty there is no question, lately related to
us the substance of an interview he had
with one of the officials of the Northern
Pacific Railroad, who explained to him
in full the reasons for terminating the
road, for the present, at Tacoma. He
said that he did not blame the people of
the Sound, particularly those of Seattle,
for their denunciations of the location;
for not a member of the Board regarded
it is the proper place for the terminus.
or believed that it would permanently
remain there. At tbs time the location
was determined upon, it was only a
matter of "any port in storm" The
Con pany had not the means, and no
resources to raise the means to construct
the road mile beyond that point, and
could only reach there by the aid of
parties interested in the Tacoma town
site. Beside, it was urged by Jay Cooke,
in whose interest the Tacoma Land Co.
was organized, under a charter granted
by the Pennsylvania Legislature. as
measure of relief to himself; brokers' 8
kite flying device to save himself from
impending bankruptcy. He argued that
by putting the stock of the Tacoma
Land Company upon the Eastern mar
ket Immediately after the announcement
of the location of the terminus. two
millions of dollars might be realized at
once from sales, and relieve him from
financial embarrassment. The failure
of that scheme, and the consequent
failure of Cooke, is very properly attri-
buted to the prompt exposition OF the
character of the location. made by the
DESPATCH, and telegraphed to New York
from day to day while the matter was
pending.


This railroad magnate frankly admit
ted that the road had been miserably
managed on the Pacific division, but
the pecuniary endorsements OF the
Company had put it out OF their power
to make the needed reforms; Ainsworth
was depended upon for the means OF
completing the road to Tacoma, and he
demanded the retention of Sprague as
Superintendent. But for that Sprague
would have been superseded long ago.
He further said, that there was the best
reasons for believing that Congress WILL
pass the bill now before that body for
the relief of the Railroad Company, and
then such changes would be made as he
thought would give satisfaction to q
large majority of the people Of Wash
ington Territory.


We believe that the account of this
conversation given by our informant is
literally true in every essential particu-


lar, and we tell it as it was told to u.s..
Year: 1874

A REMARKABLE QUARREL.--A terrible
fight took place recently between two
women in Chill, under the following cir
cumstances.


One of them, who had recently given
birth to an infant, having to make q
journey to Rancagua, left the child un-
der the care of a neighbor, who had a
child of about the same age. A few
days afterward, the mother who had
gone on the journey returned home, land
was told that her child had died during
her absence. She insisted that the sur
viving infant was hers. She said she
knew the child to be hers, and was moi
going to be deceived by the stratagem
of her nelghbor. The other called all
the saints in heaven 10 witness that hei
child was the living one and not the
dead one. The dispute was finally end
ed in blows and the Intervention of the
police. The case has gone to the tri-
bunals. and another question like that
decided by King Solomon is now before
the Judges of Rancagua.
Year: 1874

1t is true that some of our Pennsylvania
members very orthodox free-traders
but that was equally thirty IN the eiec
tion which Immediately preceded the Democratic rec
trade tariff II is that few or our western
members not quite sound on the question Of tne
currency; they elected year before last when
Democratic ideas on this subject had not regained
their ascendency in the popular mind The party was
good deal debauched IN the Congressional nominations
wear before last by catering to the prJuices OF the
Liberal Republicans with whom IL had entered into
foolish coalition. The result OF that insane experiment.
ia warning against its repetition and this year we
shaIl nominate only true Democrats who have % kept
the faith" The of the tariff and the cur
renoy were excluded from the elections or 1871 0y the
absurd coalition which caused o large portion OF the
Democracy TO stand aloof IN disgust and vhen brought
fnfo Congress a few nominal Democrats who courtfd


Greeley votes and who now paraded by the authors
OF that coalition proof that the Democratic party ID
not united IN any settled policy. THIS "a well as tue
other bad Of the coalition will be corrected In the
nominations for tho next Congress. The Democratic
party VIII again ask the sunraees OF tne people
for OF tue Greeley pattern The great
Democratic victories last year IN OHIO aud New YORK
werr won by reesablishIng the old Democratic Land
marks aud the result 80 gratifying contrast 10
the coalition Of the preceding year that the party is IN
no danger Of again nominating candidates VINO do not
represent It's principles
Year: 1874

A BELL RINGING MYSTERY IN BALTIMORE
The effort made yesterday to discover the mys-
terry connected with the ringing OF bells in g
dwelling on North Stricker street failed COM
pletely, and number OF people left the house
thoroughly astonished. A further inVestiya-
ton by prominent cit zens is promised TO be
made to-day.-Gdzstts Oh.
Year: 1874

EX-Gov. MoMULLIN NOT IN FAyoR,-Gov
McMullin made an appointment to speak at
Big Lick and Cave Spring last week, but failed
TO DO so. He made his appearance at Big Lick
last Tuesday night, and on being told that no
one would be present to listen to him on We'd
nesday, he concluded to return, which he did
on the frst western bound train. This was very
wise In him, for the people or this county have
no use for him at all. We do not know of a
single man in Roanoke th at win vote for him
Roanoke Td.) Times.
Year: 1874

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL has decided upon
the questions, as 10 whether the votes given iUr
and against the removal Of the capital in Mon
tsRa territory at recent election there were
legally canvaSSad or can be recanvassei are
questions OF local concern over which depart
ments Ot the government have no jurisdiGtUU
and that the appropriate place for their deter.
lniIation is in tie courts OF that territory.
Year: 1874




Mr. President, l cheerfully take the
" floor y so generously rendered me by the
gentleman who has just taken his seat, (Mr.
Spalding). Let me say. however, that the
many years of hard labor on the farm have
quite incapacitated me for tie floor Of
lyceum. am more used to swinging the
scythe that mows down the tall meadow
grass than that which deeapitates,< dead
heads. If, however, it becomes my duty TO
speak tonight on the subject Of deadhead-
ism, take great pleasure in announcing
that shall argue upon the affirmative. l
am aware that this is no less surprise to
the present audience than my distinguished
friend from Champlin. Be not harsh with
me, dear friends, if l cannot consent to
violate my conscience for the sake Of being
in opposition to Mr.. Spalding. No amount
Of applause could induce me to do so. nor
could any quantity Of reproach and ohloquy
prevent me from joining my friend in de-
nouncing vehemently the widespread and
ubiquitous domineer;ng deadheadism of the
present age. would further state before
entering upon the discussion of the subject
before the house, that have been moved
to this course for other considerations than
that Of conscientious principle. have
done it from, trust, an unselfish desire to
rescue the good name of my friend. fof
truth and veracity. You will remember
that the series of speeches delivered before
this audience (and reported in The GRANGE
ADvAScE) are headed by the somewhat pre-
tentious manifesto of 'Voices of Working
men," Now it seems that some evil dis.
posed person or persons have suggested
that since there is not another being in
Heaven above or in the earth beneath, or in
the waters under the earth, created or un-
created, that would endorse the principles
set forth in said speeches, it would have
been more modest and becoming, as we'll as
more truthful, if he had used the singular
instead Of the plural. Henceforth let all
such iaimical critics be dumb. Let it be
Year: 1874

Il LIVELY snow Storm visited Vino
mona and vicinity on Sunday night, be-
tween SIX and seven inches laying on
the ground in the morning. AS the
snow was very damp and melted rapid
~ 1t IS estimated that fully foot
must have fallen altogether
Year: 1874

+. T. WATSON has again established
himself in the harness making and furnish
ing business in this city. We looked in
upon him the other day and found him in
neat shape nicely stocked up and as
smiling as ever. All his old friends who
wish to see him will find him up stairs
next the Post Office, in the place. where
Justice used to be administered.
Year: 1874

Several members of the Common Council, al
the meeting on Friday oight, revived sugges.
tion which was made in 1871, and unfortunately
not acted on. This WAS to haye an independent
supply Of water for the use Of the Fire Depart
ment. The plan proposed is to introduce pipes


stream as is practicable, and at ali street cor


uers make openings by which the en-


gines can have an exclusive and an ipe1haustible


supply OF water. Under this arrangement


water could be carried TO all points north Of


Twenty-second street as far east as State street,


and ns far west as Halsted street. The main


river would supply the North Side IS far north


as Ohio street. and the North Branch would sup


ply the rest OF that division as far east Wells


street. Here, then, would be . district one mile


from east to west and several mics long, en-


bracing the central part OF the city and the


most e1pcnsively- improved property, fur


nished with IN eyer-ready and inexhaustible


supply of water for the use Of the Fire


Department, and wholly independent Of tho


Water Works. 1t must be borne in mind that,


so long as tue Fire Department is dependent for


water exclusively upon the supply furnished BY


the pumps, the uso Of twonty engines at one
time reduces that supply to each engine very
considerably, and diminis1es the supply in all
other parts Of tho city. When the Fire Depart


nent is drawing from twenty or more plugs. tho
supply left for staudpipes in large buildings,
and for hose in upper stories, is necessarily 80
scant as to ba valueless- The introduction of
water from the river through brick ripo tunnels
to convenient wells all through tho district he
tween Twenty on the south, l4a1sted Oh tho
west, State street on the east, and, say, Chicago
avenue GU the north, would be invaluable as IN
auxiliary supply 1t would avoid any serious
weakening OF the water in the ordinary mains,
would furnish the engines with an abundant
supply, and enable each man, on bis OWL prem
isee, with hose attached to the regular mains, to
defend himself.


The cost OF this would be comparative
II triding. it could be laid expeditions
If. It would not cost over $1,000
milc and 100 miles Of it might be laid within the
next two years. to the incalculRble benefit Of the
city as a protective measure. Let any person
who thinks this aggregate expenditure large
ono think Of the consequences Of I'll accident
10 the pumping works on Chicago avenue! We
know what an interruption of those works costs,
and the peril that it involves. We who for ten
years have become familiar with fires costing
from one to ten millions Of dollars should
not think the expenditure Of 5700, 900 for IN
unfaiGng supply Of water for tho Fire Depart
ment either extrayagant OF large. Our present
supp1y-pipes arc in many districts too smnll to
furnish water to the engines fast enough. It is
proposed to take them up and 1ay large onea
To do this all parts Of the city where it is
needed will cost moro than to lay these pipes or
;unne1s from the river and its branches. II the
after be constructed the change in the WATER
pipes may be postponed for many years.
Year: 1874




The accuse1s OF Marsl.al Benner overlook thu
VERY important fact that when the fire broke ou
near Taylor street, last Tuesday afternoon
there Was fire burning in tho West Division OF
Twenty-second street, near Panina- This fTe
was in q planing-1nill, or bo4-factory, or some
other indammable structure, and the Marshal
WAS engaged there personally fighting that fire
at point far more threatening general con.
Migration than the one on tho South Side. Had
that fire got headway, who eau tell where it
would have stopped? Having subdued that the
Marshal came to the South Side fire, which was
then in full blast.


He1e is IN instance proving tho supreme folly
Of the compromise FIRE ordinance Of 1879. That
ordinance set apart all of the city south of Six
teenth street and west OF Jefferson, as far ae
Throop street, and thence all west Of Throop
street and south of Twelfth street. for
the construction Of wooden buildings, including
planing- mills, sash, door, and blind factories,
carpenter and cooper Bhops, wagon aud carriage
factories, furniture factories, saw-mil1s and
su other manner of buildings used for wood
manufactures. In this same district the distilla-
ton md manufacture OF naphtha, coal and other
inhammable oils, in wooden buildings was also
authorized. In this same district, and extend
ing north along the river to Twelfth street, are
stored lumber, lath, and shingles.


The funny thing about this ordinance is that
it Was enacted after the fire Of 1871, when it had
been established that the danger to Chicago was
from fires originating in the southwest part Of
the city. By that ordinance evory license and
encouragement was given to every business and
occupation and every kind Of intlammable build
ing to establish itself in the WIDE area southwest
Of the city. Any person who will visit that
district will see what the fire ordinance Of
1872 has done in preparing for d grand
conaagration to begin in that quarter and en-
velop the whole city. a. fire broke out in ono Of
these tinder-boxes on Tuesday an hour or two
before the Taylor street fire, aud the Marshal
in extinguishing that successfully, saved the
city from o con1agration much larger than that
of 1871. Now that the Common Council have
the consequences Of the ,diotic weakness Of
their predecessors before them, let them remedy
the evil as far as possible BY making the prohi-
bihon Of wooden buildings co-extensive with the
city limits.
Year: 1874

All we can afford to say about the
Beecher-Tilton scandal will be
found on an inner page. The press
is generally making too much of the
unhappy affair, and society is not be-
ing benefited by it. The matter will
doubtless go into the courts; and it
is better to be slow in forming opin-
ions as to the guilt or innocence OF
the parties. The facts will come out
in time.