smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1873

A Statement from the Captain Of the


IIl.Fated Vile du Havre..How


Easily the Awful Catastrophe


Might Have Been Ayerted.


NEW YORK, Dec. 19.-Captain Sur
mount, OF the Vile du Havre, has made a
8 statement concerning the disaster to bis
vessel and those on board, but 1t adds lit.
tie 10 what was previously known of the
tragical occurrence. He says: "1got up
from the sofa at 2 o'clock and LETT my
cabin. At this moment ship was un.
der full sail and showed herself at once
on our path. had hardly time to jump
on the bridge when the Vile du Havre
was already struck right in the side,
opposite the main mast. The damage
was enormous, being hole Of at least 10
feet, rendering II certain that the ship
could remain but little time afoat. The
engine was stopped at once and tho valves
opened. The water rushed In 30 quickly
that there was not time to close the door
of the bulk head which separated
the engine from the boiler. Besides, the
bulk head oi the coal bunkers having been
forced into the the engine, the water
poured in the way into the boiler. es.
innate that there was not more than
twelve minutes between the collision and
the sinking Of the ship. Captain Robert.
son, OF the Lochearn, who says he saw
me, says ten minutes; Others say fifteen.
But there Is only two or three minutes In
question. must say that In that short
interval the passengers were examples OF
coolness, calmness and resignation. At
the dreadful time oil this lamentable oc-
curence, when three hundred and fifty
five persons were Justly alarmed at the
thought OF certain death at any moment,
and their only hope was disappearing, the
women were first to set this noble exam.
pie. Capt. surmount's story Of the failure
to get the boats atloat does not differ
from that told by telegraph. The rapid
filling of the vessel and falling Of the
masts were the cause. He also says, l
have the satisfaction since the wreck OF
learning, by questioning the survivors OF
the crew, that every one was at his post;
that each did his duty and that all went
down with the vessel and were picked up
from the sea. The loss Of the unhappy
officers who commanded the watch at the
moment Of the collision renders me un-
able to give an exact account OF the oc-
curence before taking command myself,
but can declare that the Lochearn, 10
which I showed my ships side, and
which consequently had nothing 10 fear
from me, struck directly against my YES
sci al the risk Of smashing herself as well,
Wten By a slight stroke Of yr helm up
uard, for ii pas almost 50 ALREADY, the ter.
ri5k collision might haus been aperted.
Year: 1873

IN view of the recent rise in the price
of tea and coffee and the still rising ten.
Ieucy in these two necessities Of Life, the
article that we publish on the subject this
morning will be read with general inter
s,T 7-' .,
Year: 1873

The influence of the Sunday school
reaches far beyond the youth and in
nocence of those who attend it. Two
young society 'men of New York went
to Canada to kill each other the other
day, and after taking harmless shot,
shook hands, wept few blessed tears
and returned home. There are peo,
pie who will say that they are towards
and poor shots; but we insist that it
was the Sunday school of their early
days that finally reconciled them and
saved their lives. These young men
owe a debt to tho Sunday school which
they can never pay. They may owe
other debts; but there is certainty
about this one which will not admit
of argument. Doubtless there are
members Of the society in which they
move who will experience poignant re-
gret that the debt was ever contracted;
but there it is.


A misfortune has lately befallen
Chicago editor. by an adverse and
cruel fate lie has found himself far off
in San Francisco writing up the Chi
nese question, and the free passes arc
cut of. He now writes 10 his wife
that as his liver is badly out of order
be intends walking home, and that be
expects to arrive some time in lo74,io
time for their wooden wedding.


A Hartford lady got already to
! hang herself twice the other day,whsn
callers Intercepted some people
alYays coming Hheu not So"
Year: 1873

We learn something new every day
about the postal cards. The latest
valuable piece of information is that
they cannot be sent at the ordinary
rate when written over the side intend
ed only for the address. You may
write your letter and crowd as much
as possible in a microscopic hand up
on the blank side, but let no word
transgress the opposite face, else the
full letter postage must be forthcom-
ing to save your letter from confisca-
ton. A case of this kind was brought
to the Postmater General, who decided
shat any additional matter other
than the address on the face Of a pos
tai card renders il unmailabie except
at letter rates OF postage"
Year: 1873




The Secretary OF War having referred
to the Attorney General the question a;
to his power under acts Of Congress as
10 the construction of railroad bridge OF
the Milwaukee and st. Paul railroad
company across the Mississippi river at
Lacrosse. The Attorney General holds
that the bridge is to be erected by the
company and not by the Secretary oil
War but that in its construction the
Secretary of War has q supervision as
10 the security OF navigation and the
convenience Of access by other rail-
roads.


The ModOc Prisoners.


The meeting of the commission TOR
the trial Of the Modocs under the deci-
sion OF the Attorney General will be
designated by Major General Schoield.
The Attorney Generals decision has
already been forwarded 10 General
Schofeld for his guidance in the mat
ter. The Modocs who are not liable
TO trial before military commission will
probably be sent to other reservations
by the military authorities and scatter
ed around go that the name Of Modoc
will become extinct. Instruction as to
what reservation those not to be tried
will be sent will be forwarded to Gener-
al Schofield this week.


The advocates o!the peace policy pro-
tess satisfaction with the decision Of
Attorney General Williams that the
Modocs can be tried 10y a military
commission, as they hope to bring In
flueuces to bear on the President TO
have him deal leniently and fairly with
them, while on the other hand, If they
had been turned over to the civil au-
thorities Of Oregon, the whole matter
would have been in the hands OF the
governor o. that state and the President
could not have interEerei. AS the
peace policy is below par in Oregoo,
there would have been no show for
Captain Jack or any OF his followers,
had they ever come before an Oregon
iurv. The army officers are not very
firm believers 10 peace policy for To-
dians beyond the range OF musket
and while the commission for the trial
Of Capt. Jack will no doubt give him
and his gang the benefit OF all the evi-
deuce, yet they will not be very likely
to let them 60 scot free. The President,
however. has to approve Of the findings
OF the commission, and he will no doubt
be subject to a great pressure to deal
with them as leniently as possible,


New Stamps.


A specimen OF the new official stamps
for the special dispatch pouches OF the
State department, were received to-day
by the Postmaster General. All stamps
bear the profile picture of Secretary
Seward.


Mouon Overruied.


In the District Court to-day the case
OF Capt. Comins, U. S. n, against the
Florida prize case, the motion to dis
miss the libel fled by the Government,
on the ground that the seizure having
taken place in a Brazilian port 1t waa
illegal, was overruled.


The Sioux Indians.


News received from the Sioux COM
missioners makes it understood that
everything is progressing quietly
Grave fears were entertained at the
Interior Department as to what will be
the effect on the Sioux OF Col. Stanley g
expedition into their country at this
certsin point OF the negotiations with
them.
Year: 1873

quenchable desire to give this city an honest
government we behold the Reform Association
making ''fur fly" around the City Hail. To
insure this great good to our municipality 1t
would direct the government itself at the present
paltry rate of remuneration rather than see
things as they are, as they have been,
or are likely to be. Diogenes would have
shed tear if he felt compelled to pass this
band of patriots by without giving them the
palm of recognition. They are so very like
the genuine article that it would grieve all
men to find they were not. Probably for this
humane reason they will never be put III a
position to test the truth Of their earnest pro-
fessions. Next we cast our eyes on the
straight-haired virtue Of the Council of Polit-
cal Reform. The shade of greasy, almost
pious, seediness in their hats, and the
sanity, frayed edges of their shirt
fronts betray the martyrs to an idea,
which makes of professions of godliness
covering patriotic desire to serve their
country exclusively at the highest price that
can be obtained. The German Reform Asso-
citation presents its array of solid virtue in
imposing front. It's hats are respectfully aged
and curled of brim, WHILE but for occasional
lager stains, its shirt fronts would we with
any, particularly in breadth of BOSOM The
Bar Reform Association never found it
difficult to get up time honored "tiles, and
its shirt bosoms are now washed regularly,
and occasionally in public. No wonder the
poor old Committee of Seventy Reformers
grew ashamed Of their hats and shirt fronts
and decided to dissolve. They compressed
their hats into pancakes folded up their too
gorgeous shirt fronts and stole silently away
to seek fresh fields and pastures where their
collective character would be merged. We
have not gone over the entire ground of
reform, but we commend the subject to our
citizens who will shortly be called upon to
choose office-holders from the devoted patriots
of the seedy "tiles" and immaculate shirt
fronts.
Year: 1873

magnificent success has to be scored for
the great yacht race on the ocean. The full
reports, which we publish elsewhere, will evoke
something of the real seaman's enthusiasm
in the story Of the winning yacht Enchantress,
and the brief statement, much to the point, of
Captain Negus, of the winning pilot boat,
Thomas 5. Negus No. l. AS we yesterday ex-
planned, the length of the course and the
difficulties of the yachts having to beat one
hundred and fifty miles against the wind will
account for the fact that we are yet unable to
present the reports of all the contesting yes
sels The fact that pilot boat came in Sec
ond out of thirteen well-matched contestants
will make our best yachtsmen look to their
laurels 1t shows where thorough seaman
ship and q good boat will tell,
even without all the fancy canvas and
knicknacks that give the impression that
nothing can beat vessel SO provided. The
triumph of the Enchantress is one which will
stand on the record beside that of any victory
gained by any yacht in these waters. Sailed
under sailorly conditions that would take the
sneer out of the weather-beaten face Of
the Ancient Mariner himself at all
inshore seamanship, it reflects the greatest
credit on all hands, from the owner to the
cabin boy. For the winning pilot boat it is
substantially q greater victory still. Com
peting with yachts built exclusively for
speed the Negus and the Widgeon have
done good service, and we hope to
see the fruits of the race made visible
in q keen emulation among the hardy
sons Of Neptune who brave the stormy seas,
year in and year out, to pilot the floating
giants of commerce to safe harbor From the
working schooners and the schooner smack
we hope to hear lively story. There is little
doubt but the trading schooners outward
bound will hail their inbound sis
ters to tell the news of the victory
when it has come to hand For many a day
and through many night the tough old
Sandy Hook pilots will debate the ocean race
with the younger members Of their hardy
tribe, who are only toughened sufficiently to
talk with unassuming confidence in the pres
ence of the patriarchs of the shoals and banks
and bar Of New York. We have called
this q democratic race, and the results show
what strength Of purpose and intelligence can
be brought to the surface in free America
when need requires from among those who
struggle for their bread among u.s. as well as
from those whose bread was buttered on both
sides for them from their cradle-days. It
will long be noted as q bright day
among the ''Toilers Of the Sea" along our
coasts when they were admitted to full share
of racing honors by the gallant performance
Of the Negus. To our yachtsmen it will, we
have no doubt, be a marked day also, and one,
in its glories, repaying all the downright hard
work and perseverance it entailed on all con-
cerned
Year: 1873

1t seems that, after all the halcyon weather


Of the present fall, the country has not entirely


escaped the great equinoctial storm. The Sig
nal Service reports, which had been delayed


by telegraphic failure, now disclose the mag
nitude and violence Of the Florida cyclone Of
the 9th. 1t appears that this tremendous tenn
pest, which swept over the Florida peninsula
and bore away thence to the northwestward,


all along the path of the Gulf Stream, was
one Of the most terrific hurricanes ever re-
ported At Key West the wind reached the
velocity Of eighty miles per hour, and at
Punta Rasa, in Florida, ninety miles per
hour, while the mercury SANK to 28.40
inches, and the ocean rose fourteen
feet above the mean tide level, submerg-
ing everything and washing away everything
mobile. Such storm wave is extraordinary,
even in the hurricane belts Of the tropics and
reveals a disturbance which, in its European
track, must have done great havoc among
vessels which were overtaken in its vor-
tex. So violent was its force at Punta
Rasa that the supplies Of drinking water were
carried away, or probably ruined by the salt
spray dashed into the cisterns and tanks. The
great West Indian hurricane of 1870, at st.
kits, not only tore up by the roots many trees
of enormous size, but stripped all the foliage
from those left standing, so that the supply Of
water was cut of from the estates by the dry
ing up of the numerous streams from the hills.
A similar result will probably ensue from the
Year: 1873

been broken down and that many who hither-
to walked apart are now agreed; it cannot but
be that orthodox Professionalism, realizing its
strength, will put forth more energy and ac-
complish greater work than before. Denomi-
natonalism will still continue and will still
prosper but denominationalism will have lost
all its offensiveness when it ceases to bar
brotherly love and is found compatible
with hearty cooperative effort Already the
Alliance has done much to remove the charge
that among Protestants there was no unity.
In the past tho Alliance has been the powerful
friend of the prosecuted in all lands. More
and more it ought to give itself to this work.
1t can reach and it can influence all the most
powerful governments of modern times. Let
it take the prosecuted Jews of the Lower
Danube especially under its protection, and
let it be able to boast, at the Seventh General
Conference, that it has made persecution for
conscience sake impossible within the limits
of modern civilization. There are many fields
on which the Alliance could act with effect.
Under its guidance the churches might deal
at once more effectively and more economi-
cally with the various evils which afflict the
social life Of great cities. The Alliance has
now given abundant proof of its ability and
learning; it will reveal even more OF the spirit
of the Master if now it goes down into the
lanes and alleys, the highways and the by
ways of our great cities, and strives to save
the poor and the perishing. In these and such
directions the Alliance ought not to fail of
good and abundant fruit. We hope it will
not
Year: 1873

SHREVEPORT AND MEMPH1s-THE FEVER
The dreadful pestilence which has SO terribly
scourged the unprepared city of Shreveport is
evidently dying out in that quarter There
were in the city cemetery on Monday last only
two interments from the fever, and the few
new cases that had been developed were Of a
mild type, and the fever patients generally
were doing well From Memphis our reports
are still discouraging, and it is probable that
unless q heavy frost should intervene the dis
ease will reIhain terror there to the end of
this month. We hope, however, that before
the expiration Of this week the heavy frost SO
much desired will come.
Year: 1873

late cyclone in the leeward West Indies, but 1t
is growing too late in the season for the crops to
be blasted and the soil baked by the sun. We
may hope that this tempest has exhausted the
fury of the Storm King, and that serene skies
will prevail. The Gulf and tropic bound YES
sells from our Atlantic ports still need, how
ever, to be wide awake and on the alert against
such destructive meteors along the ship tracks
to the West Indies
Year: 1873

1t is easier to DO a good business
man than poor one. Halfthe en-.
ergy displayed in keeping ahead
that it requires to catch up when
behind will save credit, give more
time TO business, and add to the
profit and reputation Of your word.
Honor your engagements. If you
promise to meet man, or do u GER
tain thing be ready at the appoint
cd time. IF you have work to do,
do it at once, cheerfully, and there.
fore moro speedily and correctly.
If you go out on business, bo found
there when wanted. No man can
get rich by sitting around stores
and saloons. Never "tool' on bu-
siness matters. If you have to Ia
Dor for a living, remember that one
hour in the morning is worth two
at night. If you employ others,
beon hand and see that they attend
to their duties, and to direct with
regularity, promptness, liberality.
DO not meddle with any business
that you know nothing Of. Never
buy any article simply because the
man who sells it will take it out in
trade. Trade is money. Time is
money, A good business habit and
reputation is also money. Make
your business pleasant and attrac-
tive; then stay there to wait on
customers.


Never use quick words, or allow
yourself to make hasty or ungentle-
manly remarks to those in your
employ; for to do so lessons their
respect for You and your influence
over them. Help yourselfa and 9TH
crs will help you. Be faithful over
the interests contided to your keep
ing, and all in good time your re.
sponsiblities will be increased
Do not be in too great haste to get
rich. Do not build until you have
laid and arranged a good tounda,
ton. Do not, as you hope for sue
cess, spend time in idleness. If
your time is your own, business
will suffer if you do. 1fit is given
to another for pay, it belongs to
him and you have no more right to
steal that than to steal money. Be
ob!iging. Strive to avoid harsh
words and personalities. Do not
kick every stone in your path
more miles can be made in day by
going steadily along than by stop
ping to kick. Pay as you go. A
man of honor respects his word as
he docs his bond. Ask, but never
beg. Help others when you can,
but never give when you cannot af-
ford TO, simply because it is fashion
able. Learn to say no. No neces-
sity of swapping it out dog.fashion,
but say it respe cfully. Have but
few confidents, the fewer the better
Use your own brains rather than
those of others. Learn to think
and act for yourself. Be vigilant.
Keep ahead rather than behind the
time. Decide upon some particu-
lar employment, and porsevere in
it. Make up your mind to accom-
plish what you undertake. All diff
ficulties are overcome by diligence
and perseverance.
Year: 1873




A New WAY TO Light CASA
now method of lighting gas has
been invented by Mr.. J. Ellington
Booth, of Preston. BY this meth
cd street lamps can be lighted 81.
multancously from any distance.
The apparatus constituting the in
ventior, the Preston Chronicle tells
US, looks like u moderately sized
globular inkstand of glass, sur
rounded by q tube Of the same ma
terial, with y metallic top. BY
scrcwing off the burner it can bo
very easily attached to any lamp,
chandelier, pipe or ordinary gas
jet. The base or globular portion
is well filled with deep red col
ored liquid, so cheap that three
penny worth will serve the lamp
for year. Over tho liquid and
within the glass tube there is
plate of zinc, with apiece of graph
ite or gas coal, and between these
and n thin coiled platinum wire,
fixed over the cup Of tho general
vessel, into which q gas burner is
inserted, galvanic communication
is obtained. Ignition is thus ef-
fected: A pipe is screwed to tho
top of the gas pipe, pressure on
the gas in this pipe causes n stimuli
tanoous depression upon the chcmi-
cal solution which occupies lower
level in two side tubes; the gas oc
cupies the vacuum caused By the
displaced liquid, and then ascends
to chamber connected with tho
burner, while displaced liquid is
pressed into two side tubes effect
ing contact with the zinc and
graphite, and generating galvanic
activity. This is communicated to
the platinum wire, and excites its
catalytic power; the wire being
then exposed to the ascending jet
of sgas, immediate ignition takes
place,
Year: 1873

A WISE PLAN.-To be sure soft
answer turns away wrath-in some
cases. But absolute silence is even
more efficacious. A Spanish wri-
ter tells of q woman who bad been
very frequently beaten by her hus-
band, who asked surgeon what
remedy he could give her to pre-
vent SO much pain and misery to
herself. The surgeon gave bottle
of spring water, and advised her
whenever her husband came homo
in a passion she should fill her
mouth with this physic, and keep
it there so long as her husband
was angry. The cure was perfect
and complete. And this supplies
another proof of tho destructive
power of words. There arc words
which separate hearts sooner than
sharps words there are words
whose sting can remain in the heart
through q whole life. Therefore,
think always before you speak, and
speak in love, or be silent.
Year: 1873

Perhaps the greatest improvement
for facilitating the rapid production
of newspapers since the introduction
Of the power press, is that by which
newspaper forms are quickly and
cheaply stereotyped. In fact, it
would hardly be possible to use Ell.
ther the Bullock or the Walter press


to print from type, as the cylinder


which the stereotype form is made
to fit is SO small that the type could
not we'll be held in place. Even
with the Hoe presses, however, if it
were not for the process Of sterec-
tipping, great difficulty would be ex-
perlenced, and was felt in former
years, in printing an edition OF any.
thing more than twenty or thirty
thousand copies with sufficient rapid
ity to meet the demands Of daily
newspaper. TO obtain. and make
ready all tho news, and have the type
set up and put in the form, requires
the tull force of editors, reporters