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VOL. VI.-No. 4.
PHILADELPHIA, FRIDAY, JULY G, 18GG.
DOUBLE SIIEET-TIIltEE CENTS.
TIIE GREAT FIRE AT PORTLAND.
Rvn Raaka, Tonr Newapapew, Fonr
Holela, and Eight Charebca Horned
Tw Thousand Families) Uaracd Oat.
Saco, Me., July 5. I have just returned from
the city t Portland, where I have witnessed
the most terrible conflagration ever inflicted on
city in New England. Nearly one-half the
territory had been burned over since Ave o'clock
yesterday, P. M. The tire broke out in a boat
building shop, just above Brown's sugar house,
the wind blowing u gale and continuing for
twelve hours, burning over a mile in length, and
from one-fourth to one-half aiile in width.
Brown's sugar-houst s are ail in ashes. .
The tire burned in a northeasterly direction to
Exchange and Middle streets, thence to Con
gress and Cumberland streets, thence down
through the town to the Grand Trunk Railway
station. All of Middle and Exchange streets
are In ruins, and all of Conaress street, from the
United States Hotel to the Munjoy HilL Ail the
banks, being the Casco Canal, Merchants'
Traders', Cumberland, and First and Second
National, are down. All the newspaper
offices, via., Tlie Fres, Advertiser, Argil, and
btar, are in rums. The Post Ollice and Custom
flouee is ruined, though it is thought 'the
records ere sale in the vaults. The American,
Commercial, and Intertitttional House, and
Wood's Marble Hotel, are burned.
Kii'ht churches and the new city buildings arc
destroyed. The Natural History Kooms are
gone.
Two thoueand families in the heart of the
city are turned out of their homes by the fire,
and some $10,000,000 of proi.erty destroyed. All
ot the business portion of the city, except Com
mercial street, is burned over. I send from
here, as the wires were not up when I lelt Port
land at nine this morning. The tire was still
raging when I lelt, though it was thought to
be voder control. Help was had irotn Saco,
Biddciord, Bath, Gardiner, and Lewlstown.
JV. Y. Tribune.
ANOTHER ACCOUNT.
Portland, July 6. Ono ot the most beautiful,
if not the most beautiful ot our smaller Atlantic
cities, now lies in ruins. Portland, which,
since the completion of the Grand Trunk Bail
road, and the selection of its noble harbor as
the winter terminus of the Canadian line of
steamers to Europe, had made such rapid
strides in prosperity as to promise at no distant
day a serious rivalry with Boston for the pri
macy ot commercial importance la New Eng
land, ba? been visited, in a season of profound
?eace, and on the anniversary of our national
ndependeuce, with a conflagration so sweep
ing and tremendous that it can be likened only
to the desolation bv fire oi some of our Southern
capitals in the very crisis an 1 fury of the late
war. How the fire was communicated to the
small wooden building in which it seems first
to have broken out, has hardly yet become a
subject of conjecture.
Some months ago a mysterious Individual was
arrested here shortly after a tire had taken place
in Free street, who finally confessed that he had
come to Portland for the express purpose of
burning the cily, and that be was the author of
the conflagration which last year laid waste the
capital of the State, Augusta a conflagration
which, until this day's sad work was done,
mnked first in the annals of our misfortunes ot
this bind. It is possible that this last catas
trophe may have been the work of some such
incendiary madness; but more probable, per
haps, that It is to be carried to the account of
the carnival of fire and gunpowder with hich
it is considered proper to celebrate the birthday
of the nation. Whatever its origin, its extent
of which, unfortunately, we cannot yet spenk
with precision, siuco the brave tiremen are still
battling with the enemy, an 1 have not yet
Becured their victory is" simply appalling. In
-less then twelve hours onc-tliird of the property
of this busy and flourishing city has been rollpd
up in a scroll of lire and blown away in clouds
of smoke.
Portland is divided into an upper hnd a lower
town. On the high land to the south and west
stand the handsonest private residences and
the most picturesque streets of the city. Con
spicuous among these is the stately mansion ot
Mr. John Brown, the architectural pride of
Portland, a house literally set upou a lull, and
the tower of which Is the first object descried
by the traveller coming in tro.n Boston on the
railway. From this mansion, proceeding east
ward as far as State stieet aud Park street, the
former of which, with its noble rows of fine
forest tiees, is one of the most charming street
in America, extends ihe richest "home quarter"
ol Portland, and this region happily has been
spared.
, Ihe fire began, as we have stated, below the
high lands to the eastward of the two larg sta
tions of the Boston ai d Milne and Eastern Rail
road, which, together with the Grand Trunk
depots, and the most part of the warehouses on
Commercial street, have escaped the flames.
From the little boat-builder's shop in which it
orieinated just be lore sunset, it was communi
cated to the splendid sugar-houses of Mr. Brown,
of whose residence we have already spoken as
the finest in the city. They constituted the most
extcrsivp sugar works in New England, boiling
over forty thousand casks of molasses annually.
Solid and substantial as they were, they had
disappeared totally before 10 o'clock at night;
and the wind, blowing almost a gale from the
southwest, swept the mighty mass ot Maine away
from Commercial street, aud up towards the
heart of the lower town.
Exchange street, in which were situated the
handsomest jewellers' shops of the citv, the
newspaper buildines four in number the Mer
chants' Newsroom, and many offices, public and
private, including the law office of Senator Fes
senden, and the British Consul's office; Middle
street, from just below the United States Hotel,
down to Exchange street, with all the banks in
the city seven in number the be-t retail shops,
and a number o' offices occupied by the leading
members of ihe Portland bar; the handsome
new Custom House, which contained the Post
Office also; the telegraph officer, situated at the
corner of Exchange and Middle streets, directly
opposite the Custom House all were wranned
in flame as the fiery surges swept steadily on-
The flames passed across, in the rear ot the
United Mutes Hotel, into Coneress street, de
etrovine the buildinors of the Portland Nuiumi
History Society, and with them its valuable
collections, and, sorest loss of all, perhaps, to
the architecture of the "Forest Citv." tha new
city aud county building, a very handsome
edifice ot hewn stone and brick, of which the
iieople of Portland were justly proud, claiming
that it ranked next after the new City Hall of
Boston among buildings of the klud iu New
England. This fine structure was completed
only two or three years ago, and was believed
to be so nearly Bre-nroof that manv persons had
sent their furniture and other goods into it as
the con migration went on, hoping thus to save
them. But all went together in the common
ruin.
During the brief darkness of the summer night
the spectacle presented by the conflagration, us
from the upper part of the city, wus indescriba
bly grand; but it is not easy to ludulge one's
love of the picturesque la the presence of those
Bmoking ruins, which alone now represent what
yesterday stood forth as the accumulated results
ot Human energy ana euierpnse, to the esti
mated value of some ten millions of dollars
Nearlv two thousand familie. an1. it U mm,
puted, from seven to eight thousand individuals
in all, are to-day destitute and homeless, who in
the morning of yesterday -constituted nearly
one third of the populution of one of the mo't
orderly, prosperous, and industrious cities in
America. Eight churches, seven hotels, every
printing office capable 01 issuing a newspaper,
have vanished.
The behavior of the people hoe been beyond
praise. Order has been preserved throughout
till these excitiug hours, and the inhabitants
have vied with each other, and with the good
people who lrom all the neighboring towns
lave hurried in to the rescue, in their energetic
efforts to maintain the public peace and to put
down the conflagration. Tlio means at their
dipposal for this purpose were certainly far
from adequate; and it is to be regretted toat
warning was not taken from the fire of lat
year in Augusta, to organize here a more exten
sive and efficient tire department. All that
could be done, however, has been done and is
doing; and even under the actual pressure of
this dire calamity, the people preserve a spirit
and resolution which promise well for the recu
peration of Portland from its great disaster.
But it is to be hoped that no time will be lost
by our leading cities to coming forward to the
assistance ol thts splf-helpftil yet sorely stricken
community. N. Y. Herald.
piketeh or tne Vltj ot Portland.
Portl fin 3 is situated on a peninsula at the
western extremity of Casco Bay, and it is one
hundred and five miles from Boston. The
present population Is about thirty-five thousand.
The city was rcgulaily laid out and handsomely
built, particularly its more modern portions,
which were noted for their elegant buildings.
It as lighted with pas and well supplied with
water, we speak ol the city as something that
was, for this calamity seems to have well nigh
destroyed it. Many of the streets were planted
with elm and other shade trees. The principal
public buildines were the Exchange, an elegant
structure, with handsome colonnade and dome,
containing the Post Office, Custom House, and
United Slates Court rooms; the City Hall, built
of brick: the old Custom House, of granite, and
twenty -four churches. Its public school sys
tem was one of tbe best in the country, and too
school buildines were structures of substan
tial elegance. There were also numerous private
schools and an academy. The Atbenoeum, in
corporated in 1827, had a library of over six
thousand volumes. The Natural History Society
had a valuable collection of minerals, speci
mens, etc. The natural advantages of the city
were very great, and had been improved by a
wealthy and cultivated population, until it was
known as ono ot the most beautiful places in
the whole country. All its elegance of public
and private buildings bas been swept away, and
there remoins a barren waste of ashes and ruins.
It was an important entrepcl of Canadian and
domestic commerce, while it exported in large
quantities ice, lumber, fish, and provisions.
Manufactures bad lately attracted much capital
to the spot. Ship building was extensively
carried on. The enterprise and public spirit of
its citizens are notorious, and we cannot but
hope that it will in a reasonably short time sur
mount the present misfortune, rebuilding the
city as beautiful as before.
TIIE GREAT FIRE IN NEW YORK.
Conflagration on tbo East River De
atructlou of tne New Haven Steamboat
Depot The Steamer Baltimore"
Burned to the Water's Edge Loss
Nearly $500,000 Four leraoua 8e
verely Borne d, Ete.
The most disastrous conflagration that has
visited our city since the destruction of the
Academy of Music, occurred yesterday morning
atthetreicht and passenger depot of the New
Haven Steamboat Company, located at Piers 25
and 26 East river, resulting in the total demoli
tion ot the depot and offices, with valuable
quantities of freieht, etc. A large steamer, the
Baltimore, lying at the wharf, was also de
stroyed. The total loss will uot fall short of halt
a million of dollars, most of wbkhisnotiururcd.
The (ire was discovered shortiv after 3 o'clock
yesterday morning, by private watchman
George Evans, among some goods iu that per
tion ol the depot frontintr on South street, at
the toot ot Peck's slip, end when first seen could
apparently have been extinguished with a few
pails of water; but the flames spread with such
leartul rapiuity that in a very few moments the
entire Iront portion of the' shed was on hre.
Solomon Jackson, oneot tne colored men iu
the employ of the company, ran to the pier to
attach hose to tne nyarant, and in tue attempt
wus compelled to tight his way out throjgh the
flames, and in doing so wus very seriously
burned. He was conveyed to the New York
Hocpital, where he now lies iu a critical con
dition. In the meantime the alarm had been sounded
on the tire bells, and was promptly responded to
by the firemen. Several large and powertul
ncamers were set at work, and the supply of
Croton being all that could be desired, immense
volumes 01 water were launched agaiust tue
burning buildings, but apparently without eircct.
The flames spread with increasing velocity along
the whole length of the pier, devouring all in
their way. Soon the freight of the Bridgeport
line ol steamers took hre, and it was then feared
that all the shipping lying at the adjoining piers
would (all aa easy prey to the general destruc
tion. Fortunately seveial tugboats promptly
got up steam, and several steamers and vessels
lying adjacent were towed into the stream. The
steamer Baltimore, of the Bridgeport line, took
ore, and when towed out was enveloped in
flames, and in this condition floated out into the
stream, and was finally scuttled when off Gov
ernor's Island, where she now lies a total wreck.
The scene presented at this juncture was of
terrible magnificence. All the sheds and build
ings on the pier were burniug fiercely, and vast
volumes of fire rose high in the air, illumining
the heavens with a lurid glare for a great dis
tance, while masses of burning material filled
tbe air. Tbe heat w as so intense, and the smoke
0 dense, that it was with great difficulty, and
at their peiil. that the firemen could approach
near enough to the burning mass to render their
efforts effective; and notwithstanding their
utmost exertions, under direction ot Chief
Engineer Kingslaud, it was not until the entire
structure and contents were consumed that the
flames could be subdued.
During yesterday the piers on which the
flames had exercised such, a fearful sway pre
sented a desolate appearance. Nothing but the
supporting posts were lelt standing to mark
tbe spot where the immense freight depot had
stood. The pier was strewed with the debris
of the conflagration. The freight on the pier at
the time of the fire consisted of two full cargoes
of assorted goods of all kinds. Dry goods,
cloths, hardware of ail descriptions, rifles,
knives and forks, two pianos, pails, ull mixed
up in an almost undistinguishaule mass. This
freight, which was valued at between three and
four thousand dollars, was consigned to nume
rous parties In this 'city from all parts of Con
necticut. Owing to the boat's manifest being
burned up in the office on the dock, no list of the
goods or ctirsignees can be obtuioed for several
(lays. But little of the stock is insured, and
the accents of 1he Comnanv cloirn that they are
notliublc for the loss, which will therefore lull
cuieny on ihe consignees.
A coal bartre at the end of the do;k. and an
immense pile ot coal, also took fire and burnt
obstinately lor some hours. Quite a quantity of
the coal was thus -consumed, and the barge
cuueiut-iuuiy oamuged. uaptain Benjamin L,one,
his Wile Catherine, and his brother Cinirles.
were asleep on the barge at the time. Their
escspo uy iuu pier was entirely cut on, and
thev were rescued from their oertl una situa
tion In a small bout, but not before they
had been considerably turned about the head,
neck, and arms.
The buildings, sheds, etc., on the piers bo
longed to the New Haven Steamboat Company.
Those destroyed were valued at teu thousand
dollars. The Company is said to be insured lor
twenty thousand dollars in the International
Insurance Company: but owins to the uhaHncn
ol Captain Peck, the general agent of the line
in New Haven, this could not be accurately
a ceitained.
The piers, which are the property of the city,
a e damaged to the extent of five thousand
dollars, and are not insured.
The oil ces of the Bridgeport line were also
destroyed, together with the steamer Baltimore,
the only boat on the line.
Mr. (ieoree B. Corlies, the agent of the line,
estimates the loss at $25,000; no insurance.
Fortunately there was no freight on the dock or
tbe boat.
The steamer Is owned by several parties In
Albany and Troy, and was chartered lor a year
to the company.
' She was valued at $50,000, and was Insured for
$10,000 in various companies; but owing to the
fact that the policies are in the safe, which is
still buried in tbe debris, the names of the com
panies could not be ascertained.
The coal barge damaged was No. "20," and
belongs to the Reading Railway Company. She
is damaged to the exteut ot $1000. Her cargo of
coal is not damaged.
There was more than a usual amount of freight
on the pier. It comprised all the cargo of the
Continental, whirh arrived on Tuesday night, the
cargo of the EVm Otty, which arrived on Wed
nesday morning, and also a large amount left
over lrom previous arrivals. Amoug other
things destroyed, or rendered nearly useless, is
an engine worth $15,000. There aie about
twenty pieces of machinery of various kinds in
the ruins, most ot which, ot course, are ren
dered useless.
A large number of laborers were employed
yesterday searching among the debris for what
ol value was not entirely destroyed. These
weie gathered up and deposited carefully,
awaiting claimants. Among the goods so re
covered were quite a number of cases contain
ing bottles of Congress water, the outside of the
cases only being charred, but the medicinal
waters had undergone a thorough boiling.
A Scotchman, with his wife and child, arrived
here yesterday morning, on board the lm City,
lie had been burned out Id New Haven, losing
all his household furniture, etc. He afterwards
invested all he was worth (about $1500) in the
purchase of household furniture, etc , which he
brought with him on the boat, and all these
articles were destroyed iu the tiro of this morn
ing. He proceeded to the pier this morning to
ob'aiu his "little all," and found only a wreck.
One poor man was quite despondent, and stated
that lie applied for his property yesterday, but
that the Company refused to deliver it to him.
If such be the case the Company, it is contended,
is liable for their value.
A colored employe of the company, who came
from the South a few years ago, and has served
in the army, had a trunk containing all his
clothes and $250 in greenbacks in tbe office, all
of which were destroyed. Even the man's hat
and shoes were consumed.
Altogether tbe conflagration was one of the
most effectually destructive that we have been
culled upon to record for some time. Fortu
nately, neither of the boats comprising this line
Elm City snd Continental were at the wharf
at the time, and so escaped damage. ..Yeio York
World.
FRIGHTFUL TRAGEDY IN ARKANSAS.
Darius; Bobbery aud Murder Five Men
Shot Down In Cold Blood A Plautatlon
Devastated
From the Memphis Bulletin, 30th.
Information has iut reached Memphis of a
dreadful tragedy which was enacted 011 the
Tecumseh plantation, located in Chlco county,
Arkansas, a lew nitrhts ago, which resulted iu
the death of five men, who were shot down Iu
cold blood by a band of marauders. The
plantation is situated on the Mississippi, about
seven miles above Grand Lake, and is owned
by Mr. E. P. Johnson, and is farmed by Brigadier-General
Adams, formerly of the 81st Ohio
inlautry, and Messrs. Van Peit and Jenks, uudcr
the firm of Adams, Van 'Pelt & Co. About 1
o'clock on the morning of Tuesday week, while
the rain was descending in torrents, and when
Geueral Adams, Captain Johnson, Captain Van
Pelt, and Captain Junks, the owners, were
a-leep iu a small dwelling 011 the plantation,
the door suddenly opened, and four stalwart
men, with blackened faces and otherwise dis
guised, rushed into the room, sei.ed the sleep
ing men as they lay in their beds, and, with
pistols pointed at their heads, demuuded their
money.
The inmates of the room were powerless in
the grasp of these night marauders, for iu an
instant they bad secured the pistols of their
victims, which had been placed under tueir
pillows. Threats ot Instant death were made if
any resistance was offered, and General Adnms
was compelled to rise lrom Lis bed and point
out the trunk in which tbe money belonging to
the fiim was deposited. In an instant the trunk
was lorced open, and three thousaad dollars
secured by the robbers. This, however, did not
seem to satisfy them, as they immediately after
wards rifled the pockets of the gentlemen above
referred to, and took away whatever valuables
they could lay their hands on. After making
various tnreais in case tuey were interiered
with, two left the cabin, the others remamiug
to prevent the owners of the plantation from
leaving the cabin.
Meanwhile a dreadful tragedy had been en
acted at the quarters of the men, situated a
short distance lrom the dwelling occupied by
tbeowners. Another party of the marauders,
in the darkness ot the night, and in the midst
of the storm of wind and rain, had made an
attack on the quarters Entering the stable in
which tbe stock had been placed fur shelter.
they in the most wanton manner commenced
killing the poor animals by shooting t'uein with
their pistols. The firing bad the effect of
arousing the laborers on the plantation, manv
of whom were old soldiers, who quickly armed
themselves with muskets, revolvers, and what
ever they could lay their hands on. The
majority ot them did not take time to dress, but
sallied out, not knowing the meaning of the
attack. As they were marching towarls the
stnb'e tbe marauders fired a volley, killing five
of the laborers and wounding nine. The others
who had escaped, ten in number, returned the
tire, but iu the darkness of the night it was im
possible to rscertain whether any of the
marauders were killed or wounded.
Overpowered by numbers, the laborers re
treated to their quarters. The marauders, bent
on destruction, theu set the stabie on fire, aud
the engine and cotton gin were completely de
stroyed. Having completed their woik of de
struction, the marauders assembled their forces
and lelt tne place.
When moruiug at length broke, the bodies of
tho five men who were killed were found lyiu
about twenty yards from Hie burnpd stable, aud
arrangements were m&de for their decent in
terment. As they bad only arrived at the plantation a
couple of days belore lrom Cincinnati, our in
loraiaut, C aptain Jenks, could not give their
names. Afler the burial of their late comrades,
tho owners of the plantation, accompanied by
several of their hands, lollowed the track of
their assailants for a considerable distance, and
from the tracks made in the mud, it was com
puted that the band was composed of thirty
men at least. The traces of blood were to be
set n all along the road which they travelled,
and it was quite evident that one or more had
been wounded by the volluy which the laborers
tired in sell-defense. A consultation then took
pluce, and as it was considered that they would
be unable to cope with the murderers, even if
they came up with tbem, the chase was given
up. Fen rial ot a second attack when night came
on, the men resolved to separate and make their
way to the utarest canebrake for security, trust
ing thev would be able to buil a steamer passing
up the Mississippi.
Captain Jenks went out towards a small island
in tie rivtr lor the purpose of awaiting tbe
arrival of a steamer, but the wateh was a long
and wtary one, and he almost famished for the
want of subsistence. He procured materials and
1 ghted a fire, and a fawn being attracted by ths
1 ght, he succeeded In killing it with a club, aud
alter skinning the animal, be roasted a portion
of it on the coals. This was his only subsistence '
for three long days tend nights. Ou tbe third day
a steamer hove in sight, and aithoueh unable to
make those on board observe the signals made,
he witnessed the embarkation of several of his
late comrades from the mainland a considerable
distance above the Island in which he had taken
up his quarters. As the water was beginning to
rue, he procured a log and floated towards the
mainland, whieh he reached iu safety.
After wandering lor a couple of days In the
canebrake, getting a precaiious subsistence by
fishing, he met Messrs. Johnson and Van Pelt,
and they continued together for half a day,
when they resolved to separate, aud Captain
Jenks was again thrown on his own resources.
He was fortunate emugh in securing a few fish,
and on these he lived till last Wednesday, when
he observed a steamer coming up the river. He
quickly made arrangements for hailing her, and
soon had the satisfaction of seeing that his sig
nals were observed. The steamer was the
Liberty No. 1, and he was soon on board, and
through the kindness of the officers he procured
a passage to Memphis, where he arrived at a
late hour on Thursday night. Captain Jeuks
has several friends and acquaintances in this
city. He can give no reason for the midnight
attack on the plantation except robbery and
murder on the part of the marauders.
Doable Suicide In DlartOrd.
From the Hart'ord Courant, July 2.
About one o'clock Sunday morning, Officers
Billings and Darlimr, of the police force, while
passing through Maiktt street, heard cries of
agony proceeding from tbe yard ot L. 8. Cowlcs,
and upon going there found B. J. Bolles, a shoe
maker, in a dying condition. He was in spasms
at times, though at intervals could converse,
and slated that he had taken poison. He was
carried to the Station House, where he died.
It appears that he has resided at No. 145 Asylum
street, a woman named Sophronia A. Shaw
having "kept home" for him. He had three
clildren and 6be two. They kept a boarding
house, and had an "affinity" otherwise, accord
ing to ihe testimony.
A jury of inquest was summoned by Coroner
Holmes, which consisted of the following per
sons: W. H. Freeman, Sidney A. Ensign, P. F.
Talcott, G. A. Hamblin, A. II. Pierce, Edwin
Smith. A lone thy examination took place in
the Police Court room. It was evident, from
letters introduced, that he bad formed an attach
ment tor Mrs. Shaw, and had become jealous of
her. One letter addressed to her made accusa
tions that she had "bin seen sitting very closely
and very loving with some men," and had ex
hibited more atlection lor others than she had
for bim. Upon his person the following letter
was found:
Dear Fbiend. I am now a goictr to- kill myself,
tor the reason ih s day Mrs Shaw asked me to ko
to bed. 1 went to be J. I am not quite a fool; yet
1 got op and went down, and found her chatting
and drlnkiuir whisky wan Mr. Wel s (one of tbe
boarders ) Jsho says, U God,!" But I got her,
and she cannot deny this. M10 is through wi'h me,
and I am going to rest alone, and she may go whoro
sliO pleaiea. I want the children to have all my
tlilnps, watch and obaiu, e o Do bury me In Hart
ford, and take care ot my children.
B. J. Eollks.
The allusion in the letter to his going to bed
was explained by one of the witnesses. Ho CRtue
home and found Wells and Mrs. Shaw in the
parlor. She said to him, "Won't you lie down
on the sola, to keep the buggers out ?"' and he
replied, angrily, ""Ml get under the table and bo
a dog. If vou want me lo." He then went up
stairs, got a rope from a bed, and lowered him
self from a back window. When he took the
poison is not known, or where he obtained it.
He was in great distress when discovered by the
policemen. The jury, alter a thorougli investi
gation, found that he came to his death by ad
ministering with his own hand strychnine. He
was a man very well known; has had a shoe
shop in Cenrral Row recently, though he is a
joiner by trade, and has done jobs iu that line.
The Rival ol Niagara.
Liviugstoue, the celebrated traveller, in his
recent book of travels in Africa, thus describes
the most wonderful geographical discovery of
modern times:
The Victoria Falls of tho Zambesi river are
among the most remarkable curiosities of the
iutenor of Atr'ca. For several miles above Ihe
cataract the river is smooth aad tranquil, flow
ine by lovely islands thickly covered with tropi
cul vegetation. Lotry palm trees, with their
fruits in golden clusters, grow abundantly upou
the banks. Many flowers peep out near the
water's edge. But these charming islands are
soon succeeded by dangerous rapids. It is only
w hen tho river 'is very low tnat they can be
passed in safety. Elephants aud hippopotami
are olten swept over the falls, and, of course,
smashed to pulp. Ou enteriug the race or
waters the party was requested not to speak,
"as talking might impair the virtue of medi
cine." There were places where the utmost
exertions of the canoemen had to beputloitu
to force the boat to tbe only safe part of the
rapid, and to prevent It from sweeping broad
side ou. At times it seemed as if nothing could
save the canoe from dashing headlong against
the rocks, but just at the nick of time, the word
was passed 10 the steersman, wno, with ready
pole, turned the craft a little aside; aud it glided
twiltly past the threatened danger.
On reaching the falls a spectacle of indescri
bable magnificence was presented to the travel
lers. Tbe cataract is formed by a crack across
the river, the bed ot the Zambezi, at the place.
The lips of the crack are still quite sharp, ex
cept about three feet of the edge over which the
river rolls. The walls go sheer down from the
lips without any projecting crag. The clelt is
in lemrth a few yards more than the breadth ot
the Zambesi, which was lound to be, by measure
ment, a little over 1860 yards, but this number
wus retained to mark tne year in which the fall
was for the first lime examined. The width, at
the narrowest point, was found to bo eighty
yards, and at the widest somewhat more. Into
this chasm, twice as deep at Niagara Falls, tho
liver, a mile wide, rolls v,lth deafeulnr;
roar, forming the Victoria cataract. It is
broken Into several partial falls by rocks and
islands, in all making upwards of 2700 feet of
perennial falls. The whole body of water rolls
cleat over quite unbroken, but alter a descent
of ten or more feet tue entire mas suddenly
becomes like a huge sheet ol driven snow,
lneces of water leap from it in the form of
comets with tails streaming behind, till the
whole snowy sheet is changed into myriadj of
rushing, leaping, aqueous cornels. The amojut
is probubly exceeded by Niagara, though uor In
the mouths when the Zambesi is in flood. This
vast boly of water necessarily encloses In its
descent a large body of air, which, force 1 into
tho clelt to an unknown depth, reboun'U au i
rushes up loaded with vapor to form throe or
eveu six columns, as if of steam, vlsiblo at the
di auce of twenty-one miles. Ou reaching tho
height of two hundred teet from the level of
the river, this vapor besomes condensed into a
perpetual shower of line rain.
Coai. Fohtunes. An English paper has this
bit ot personal gossip: "The fortune of Ml is
Fletcher, the fiancee of the Hon. Mr. Cotton,
varies from 2:1.000 to 47,000 er annum, thus
rivalling that of Miss Tempest, the late Doager
Marchioness of Londonderry, who derived it
from the same source viz., coal."
Hay Fever. The Rev. H. H. Wood, curate of
Hemingtord Abbots, Huntingdonshire. England,
writes that "hay fevor" mav be instantly relieved
by bathing the nostrils and the closed eyelids
, with spirits oi camphor and warm water,
THIRD EDITION
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT
NEW ORLEANS.
ODD FELLOWS HALL DESTROYED.
THE LOSS ABOUT $300,000.
New Orleans, July 6. The Odd Fellows' Hall,
the most massive and magnificent building iu
this city, except the St. Charles Hotel, was
destroyed by fire last night. The building,
Including the furniture, was valued at $300,000
insured for $15,000.
The Masonic Brotherhood have tendered the
use of their temple to the Odd Fellows' lodges
turned out by the conflagration.
Another Destructive Fire.
Chprry Valley, Otsego county, New York,
July 6. All the buildings on the north side of
Main street, in this town, from the barns
attached to Stern'a Hotel to J. Sittcl's house,
were burned last night. The loss is from
$75,000 to $100,000.
Aid for the Portland Sufferers.
New Brunswick, N. J., July 6. A public
meeting was held here lat evening to take mea
sures for the relief of the sufferers by the fire at
Portland, Maine.
Mayor Jenkins presided, and addresses were
delivered by the Hon. Garrett B. AdrlaD, Rev.
J. W. Rchenck, and others.
INDEPENDENCE DAY DOWN SOUTH.
Nashville.
Nashville, July 5. The Fourth was cele
brated by several picnics. The loyal persons in
the community assembled at Bastley Grove, and
were addressed by Horace Maynard and othars.
Several prominent Generals were present.
The freedraen held a celebration at Fort
Gillcn, which was broken up by a party ot
soldiers of ihe 6th Regular Cavalry.
General Fiske received a despatch last night
from Smyrna, on the Nashville and Chattanooga
Railroad, asking for a detachment of troops to
quiet a disturbance between the citizens aud
negroes.
Louisville.
Louisville, July 5. The celebration of Inde
pendence Day was mostly confined to private
picnics and social meetings in the suburbs. The
military headquarters was illuminated, salutes
fired, the public buildings and a few private
buildings and Adams Express were decorated
with flags; but there was no municipal celebra
tion ol the day.
New Orleans.
New Orleans, July 5. The celebration of
Independence Day was universal. Thj shipping
nnd consulates displayed Innumerable flags.
The firemen had a grand festival.
LATER FROM MEXICO.
Liberal Occupation of Matamoras.
New Orleans, July 5. Tho steamer Peiano,
from Bagdad on the 20th ultimo, has arrived at
Frashear City. Tho steamers Ililconibe and
Eugenie, with two schooners, containing
Generals Mejia, Olivera, and staffs, together
with about one thousand persons, consisting of
troops, Government officials, women, and
children, crossed the bar of the Rio Grande on
the 2Gth, bound to Vera Cruz. General Esco
bedo occupied Matamoras on the evening of the
26th with Iwenty-flve men. Matamoras was
remarkably quiet and orderly.
From California.
San Francisco, July 5. Business was en
tirely suspended here yesterday, and much
enthusiasm was manifested throughout thj
Mate in the celebration of the Fourth of J uly.
The steamer Sacramento has arrived from
Panama, bringing New York advices of June 11.
Mining shares are fluctuating. Ophlr, $2"2;
Savage, $900; Yellow Jacket, $75; Belcher,
U!1; Imperial, $110; Chollar Potosi. $200.
Legal-tenders, 70.
The Red River.
New Orleans, July 5. There are continued
leportso! murder and robberies by the negro
iroops on the Red river.
The Western Texas election returns show a
decided hostility to negro suffrage.
Markets by Telegraph.
New York, July 6. Cotton dull at 80S3So.
Flour i dull; 6600 barrels sold; State $8 60;u,li-26;
Oloo 88 8013-76; Western 0'6Oal0: Southern
S10 2017; Csnaoian 89 0,13.90. Wheat has declined
Vn2o. 1400busnels Weste-n so!d at 83 25, Coru
lvT higher; salei oi 60,000 bus iels at 8J,oj9Jo. Beef
stendv. Poric heavy; 1200 barrels Mo sold at
W lutky dull.
New Oblbaks, July 6. Sales of cotton today,
1000 bales; prices unohaugeil; receipts to-day only
80 hale, scerlmc exchange lti7J. New lork ex.
cn&ngo, 1 piemium.
Heart-rending Catairol A. I.lttle Girl
llurucd to Heath.
One of the most afllictlug events connected
with the celebration of yesterday was the
burning to death of a little girl named Nancy
J. Andrews, who resided with her widowel
mother at No. 161 Academy street. She had
been down in the city during the forenoon to
witness the procession, and after dinner took
another little giil by the hand and went with
her to the corner of Summit street, to see sonic
boys w ho were tiring crackers there. She had
stood there but a moment, when a boy
thoughtlessly threw a lighted match at her,
which set tire to her dress, and in a moment
smead to everv Dart of her entire garments.
The poor little creature smarted screaming for
home, completely wrapped in flames, when a
young man" nuu.ed Charles Combs took otf his
coat and threw it about her, too late, however,
to stop the raging fire, or save the
i t Id. now suirerinflr untold agony. Other at
tempts were made to put out the lire, but they
ncre unsuccesslul until all the little sufferer's
clothes, except a chemise, were burned from
her body. She was then picked up and carried
to her home. Dr. Baldwin being called to attend
her. The physician at once pronounced her
case a hopeless one; but she lingered until 4
o'clock this mornine, when death put an end to
her pain. The event caused a feeling of sadness
throughout the neighborhood; but tongue can
not express the agony of the mother, who was
thus suddenly called to look uoon her darling a
charred and dv'ng mass. 8ne had lost her hus
band at the battle of Pittsburg Landing, and it
seemed that this last alliictlou would almost
unseat ber reason. The young man who threw
his coat about the little crirl In hopes of putting
out the fire had his hands badly burned and his
coat completely ruined. The funeial will take
place to-morrow afternoon. Hvwark Evening
Courier.
FINANCE AND COMMERCE.
OrrtCE of the Even ins Teleorapb, 1
Friday, July 6, 1866. (
The Stock market opened very dull this
morning, owing to the extremely warm wea
ther. Railroad shares, as we have noticed
for some time past, continue the most active
on the list. About 2600 shares Catawissa
preferred sold at from 34$351, the former
rate a decline of 1; Pennsylvania Railroad at 60,
no change; Reading at eaiOeijalight advance;
and Phiadclphla and Erie at 31, no change;
132 was bid for Camden and Amboy; 66J for
Norristown; 38 for North Pennsylvania; 61Jfor
Lehigh Valley; 43 for Elmira preferred; and 43
for Northern Central.
In City Passenger Railroad shares there 1
nothing doing. 68 was bid for Second and
Third; 67 for Tenth and Eleventh; 21$ for Thb
tcenth and Fifteenth; 00 for Chesnut and Wal
nut; 10 for Hcstonville; and 30 for Green and
Coates.
Government bonds are firmly held at full
prices. 5-20ssoldatl04i1041; and 6's of 1881
at 108410S. 974 was bid for 10 40s; and 103
for 7"30s. City loans are in fair demand. Nev?
City Gs sold at 9Gj96i, no change.
Bank shares are in demand, but wo hear of no
sales. 114 was bid for North America; 142 for
Philadelphia; 124 for Farmers' and Mechanics';
64 for Commercial; 93 for Northern Liberties;
31 for Mechanics'; 62 for Penn Township; 63
forGlrard; 80 for Western; 65 for City; 63 for
Commonwealth; 04 for Corn Exchange; and 69
for Union.
In Canal shares there was very little move
ment. 27 was bid for Schuylkill Navigation
common; 35i for preferred do.;67 for Lehigh
Navigation; 120 for Morris preferred; 14j for
Susquehanna Canal; and p68 for Delaware
Division.
Quotations of Gold 10 A. M., 154; 11 A. M.
154; 12 M., 154; IP. M., 164J.
PHILADELPHIA STOCK EXCHANGE SALES TO-DAY
Reported by De Bavon & Jbro. . No. 40 S. Third street
BEFOBE BOARDS.
600 Bh Reading it K lots. slO 63
FIRST BOARD.
SenOCltrGs new.lB. 061 100 ati Cat nf. 85
mni) do 06f lOOib do s6 86l
$5000 do .... Ji.SU Wii kuuab do lots bo
8700 do.mun.lota 06 j
100 sh
100 sli
do e 86,
do 86
3000 do mun 96i
81000 US 6s '81 COUt..lOi
100 sh
do bSO 864
do..lotsb80 8&
do c 84
do......b80 85
do o 84
do e. 84 J
do 84g
do. lots.. b& 86
do Si
do slO 86
do 864
do....10.. 864
82000 U S 6s, "i6.r-g 104 i 200 sh
81X) V K A os ov. .
88200 Scb Nav Hs 82. 79
S12000 1'ft 1st in 6s its 99 I
60ruPcnn K b6 66
104 sh do Iota 66
100 sn Kcadinir ... .0 68
10 sh do 64
20 sh Wilmington. . 661
loo rb I'd & E. b5wd 81;
800 lb MI k M. . ota 6)
100 Bh
100 sh
11,0 Bll
100 ah
100 sh
100 sh
100 sh
100 sh
100 Bb
TOO ah
Messrs. DcIIaven & Brother. No. 40 South
Third street, make the following quotations ol
the rates of exchange to-day at IP. M. .
jsuymq Seizing.
American Gold
American Silver, 8 and 8. . .
Compound Interest Notes:
" " June,
I c
mi
Ii2
1S64..
12
raj
12?
Ill
log
8
Julv. 1804. .
" August, 1804....
" Octobt-r, 18G4. .
' " Dec, 1804..
" May, 18iS5. .
" " AUMKt, 1805. .
" " Sept., 1805..
- - October. 1806. ,
101
5
Si
6i
The New York Tribune this morning says:
"Money is extremely easy, and largo amounts are
oflured at 4:o.5 per cent, to brokers. For priuri bills
tbe niont general rate is 6JatiJ per cent, with ex.
ceptious at 6 la. 7 tier cent Sterling Exchange is
steady. Tne, leadinir drawers of sterling quote 60
days' bills at 1084, hut the transactions at this rate are
quitclmited; Loudon pnmo bankers', 60 dava, 1083
lubj ; London prime bankers', slubt, llOallOj ; Lon
don, prime commercial, 107 n 108; I'arK bankers',
loDg, 6 20 S5 13" : Paris, bankers, short, 6126 08 ;
Swiss, 6'2Ua6 13; Hamburg, 80 K"3"! Ainalordain,
40Jia41; Frankfort, nominal; Bremen, 7879;
Berlin, nominal, 72vr74."
The Chicago Clearing House Assoc'atlon
passed the following resolutions at a meeting on
Friday evening last:
"Resolved, unanimously, as thesone of this Aso
ciation, Tliat the proiOBed arueiidiuont to tbe Na
tiouai liuukiuK law, bv which tne country banks of
all the Western and Noithwesturu States and Tern,
torics are required to redeem their notes in New
York, inotead of tne k- eat commercial centres of the
West, as originally provided lor, is calculated to
work luiuuouely to tne fliianoiftl interests ot tbe
country, by tbo concentration whioli would natu
rul y follow of so large an amrreaato of bank
balances in that city; and that an behalf of the
tanking In'oresta of the Northwest this Association
earnestly lenionatiat aeaitst the same.
Meso!verf,Thn this As oo ation reMeot!ully Iny.te
lepre-entanves of the National banks of Ohl3, In
(liana. M chiifon, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Kanas,
Wit cousin, Minnesota, and the Northwestern Jerri,
tones, to meet iu conyent on in this city, on the 12tn
day ot September next, for coneu tation with reter.
euce to such meuum aa may be deemed proper lor
the protection of their interests and tbe com
mercial anQ financial wants of their portion of tue
country."
The Eighth National Bonk announces a
semi-annual dividend of 5 per cent., clear of tax,,
payable on demand.
The Lehigh Valley Railroad announces a
quarterly dividend of 2 per cent., payable after
the 18th inst.
The St. Nicholas Coal Company announces a
dividend of 2 per cent., or 6 cents per fharet
clear of tax, payable on tue 16th inst,
The Delaware Avenue Market Company
announces a dividend of 3 per cent., clear ot tax,
pajablo on the 17th inst.
The Schomacker Piano Forte Manufacturing
Company announces a dividend of 4 per cent.,
clear of tax.
The Coal tonnage on the Echuylkill Navigation
for the wet k ending Tun. Cwt.
.In lie 28, 1806. wan: 86,597 10
Corresponding- week last year 18,781 10
Increase for the week 16,863 20
Tonnage for the season to date 606,683 OS
Corresponding time last year 241,848 06
Increase lor the season of 13S6 865,189 19
Philadelphia Trade Report.
1 hubs-day, July 6. There i no perceptible change
to notice In the Flour Market, and the only sale re
ported were a few hundred barre s for the supply of
the homo trade at 88ff3 75 l bbl for supertlue; t'Jg
9 76 tor extra ; $10-76 a,12 60 for Northwestern extra
faiMly; and $11 60&l!i'60 lor fancy brands, accord
Ins to quality. The market to almost bare of Kyo
V lour, and it U held at 9i 60 y bbl. I'rice. of Cora
AIchI are entirely nominal.
1 here ft no new movement to notice in the Wheat
3if iket, and prices aie nominal. A oar load of now
Delaware red aold at US; aUo 600 bunliela choice
spring at 2 66; white rang s from 8 20toty86.
hve is quiet, witu tma l a'es at (1 2iK(l 26 for
Western and 1'enriBVivania. There is a lair demand
tor Corn, with a!ea of 8( 00 buhela at $1-01, and
16 000 bushels Western mixed at IKJo. In Oati but
Hile doing and price ire dropping; sales of lenn
tylvaaia at 70c.. aud Western at 60 a 670. Nothing
doing In Barley or Malt
The reoeipts and aiooks of Feedi eontinne very
unali Cloverseed Bella at e7t)8 per 64 In.;
Timothy at 95 2&5 60; and F'axneed at 3 50('ij8 65.
ho 1 Quercitron Bark U held at (86 per ton.
WMBky Ib inactive. Small (alet of i'tianylYnJ
at f 2 S4&2-2&, and Ohio at
(