ii ibii i immmir LANCASTER DAILY INTELLIGENCER FR1DA , DECEMBER 9. 1881. Eancestet intellCaencet. FRIDAY EVENING, DEC. 0. 1881. Ferney's Character and Career. The news of the death of Jehn W.For W.Fer ney will be sadly heard by very many people in this place of his nativity and scene of the successful labors of his early manhood, where his genial character made bis acquaintances bis friends, and his intelligent activity drew upon him the eyes and gained him the respect of the whole community. He was a re markable character, endowed with a strength that took him close te the doers of the highest station, but yet dropped him shdrt of the entrance. The arrow sped from a stout bow, but yet net se stout as te carry it te the fairly-aimed-at mark. Cel. Ferney was a politician of a high order, but net a statesman of the highest. Making state-craft the business of his life, he lacked the independence and steadfastness te principle that would have made successful the force with which his aim was followed. It cannot be said of him, as it can be of most men, that he did net use all the talents with which he was endowed by nature. He occupied the very front rank in public observation that he could reach. He was restrained by no slug gishness of disposition or diffidence of character from pressing as far forward as he could get. His industry was great, and his ability te graciously encounter his fellow men Avas unsurpassed. It may be assumed that he accomplished in his life all that his mental strength enabled him te, barring the luck of luck which may have forbidden him opportunities of greater prominence, if net of greater distinction. Almest he was a United .States senator ; but it is net cer tain that he would have Humiliated the position, although it is beyond question that he was a vastly superior man te the most of these who fill it. There is no doubt at all that Cel. For Fer ney was a man of brains and great talents, although we may net claim for him the highest order of mind. He arose from obscurity te great prominence, and honestly earned a great deal of money while attracting a great deal, also, of public applause; a faculty which is notably r.ire among our public men. And yet probably it was this matter of money that was the greatest drag upon his aspiration after fame ; for, freely as he made, he yet mere freely spent, and was seldom clear from a pressing neces sity te supply the material wants of his extravagant disposition. Independence is a difficult, if net impossible, thing te such a character. If Cel Ferney had been born a millionaire he would have been still the same ardent, industrious. warm-hearted man, with the ability te indulge the natural premptings of his honest nature. And, at least while his fortune cnduicd, the country would have had in him a zealous .servant without fear or reproach. Indeed we de net knew any man who could have been liberally pensioned upon the country for his life with greater profit te it than Jehn W. Ferney. He would have done it the geed service of which he was capable, with aider and singleness of. heart. He was exceed ingly ambitious of fame and .singularly unmoved by base considerations. The warm friendship felt for him by se many m2ii attests the uumbei of delightful traits iu his character ; and if we admit that he had weaknesses tee, we only admit his humanity. A great change was given te his life by his difference- with Mr. Buchanan, of whom, having been the warmest friend and advocate, he became one of the bit terest fees. The break in the relations of the two men necessarily followed Mr. Buchaiiau'selevalien topewcr,because of the marked difference in the generosity of their characters. Ferney was full of it, Buchanan had none te speak of. Ferney was the prime agent in seeming Buchanan's nomination, and it never occurred te him that his .successful efforts would net be magnificently ac knowledged. Net that he worked for his friend mainly for the reward. His en thusiasm was grounded upon his respect for his talents and the cordial friend ship which the great man showed him. But when the president turned coldly away from him, after he attained the place which his humbler instrument had done se much te secure for him, Cel. Ferney's feeling were of course out raged, his sensibilities wounded, his self love biuised, and his veneration for Mr. Buchanan turned into hatred by his great ingratitude. Mr. Buchanan doubtless did net consider himself un grateful. He thought that he had done much for Ferney in writing him an unwise letter intended te secure for him the senatership from Pennsylvania. He refused te feel any obligation resting upon him. It was net his nature te. He could net cling te his friends, and his en trance into the presidency severed his relations with most of them. It was net te their discredit, if they thought they were badly used. The scriptural rule te turn the un3mittcn cheek also te the smiter is net an ac cepted one in our lives. Cel. Ferney went out from his friendship with Mr. Buchanan supported, by the sym pathy of a host of friends who made at once successful the newspaper te which that rupture gave i i v. It was a fortu nate thing for Cel. Ferney that he get away from Jim dependence into indepen dence ; and it would have been .still mere fortunate if he could have utaid inde pendent in the proud position he had at the head of his journal. But he yearned for office, get it, and became an organ and an instrument. He ground and was ground ; and was shattered r and shorn of much of his influence before he broke .Viiy again te independence in the clos ing days of his active life. Tjik happy, holy Christmastide draws n ,tr ; and as it comes apace old winter ought te feel the need te make fitter weather for the season. Leng afore afere t'rnr it hath Iwen written that a green Christmas maketli a fat graveyard, and for sentimental no less than mortal rea rea sens people likctew-e snow en tliegretuid and ice ever the water in the holiday season. Business droeopi and frenli meat spoils in the languor of these In dian summer days. -The new adminis tration and its weather direction make a peer job pf it. Keifer. is in despair ever the work or arranging his committees of the Heuse se that every man will have his desire, the fittest men shall have the proper places, and yet that Cameren and the influences which made Keifer speaker shall get all they want. 13-15-14 is nothing te Keifer's perplexity. Ik Tem Murphy shall Ixj appointed as sistant United States treasurer in New Yerk there is a chance that Belknap " and all of us " may yet be happy. " The Half breeds doubt the news of course but Mur phy is confident and Stalwart "cenfl deuce " new-a-days pans out a geed deal te the ten. Fitin evidence of the prevailing ten dency te accumulate lands in single pro prietorship was furnished the ether day in Albany by the filing for record ia the c'.etk's office of .deeds for 150 farms from the old Van Rensselaer estate te Walter S. Church. This will make Colonel Church one of the largest lauded proprie tors in New Yerk, as the farms range from 500 te 2000 acres each. Bectwell is new thought te be booked for the navy department. The competition is lively for the interior portfolio. Sargent is the leading candidate. Iowa insists en her right te retain Kirkwood or name his successor. Brewster is still the favorite choice of Dame Qessip te succeed Mac Veagh. Frclinghuysen will succeed Blaine, aud Lincoln will stay. He is stal wai t aud harmless. It was Cel. Ferney's ambition te edit the administration organ under Buchan an's administration. During the last ctuvpaign he chcrished the hope that in ths event of Hancock's election he might be the head of a great newspaper enter prise iu New Yerk, which would cham pien the administration that was te usher iu the new era of reconciliation, political purity aud old-fashienod economy of fed eral administration. Ir you get held of a $5 note en the Boylcsteu national bank of Bosten, take a second leek at it. There is a photograph ic ceuntci fc-it out en that hank. The pink seal and figures aie excellent imi tations of the genuine. A glance at the giceu bonier and ends en the back of the note show they have been engraved and piintcd in such .a ciude manner as te at ence attract attention and determine the fiaudulcut character of the note. The state arms in the left oval and the eagle in the light oval ate wretched travesties. Si:ver yi, week age appeals wcie sent out te all the churches of the country te take up a collection for the Garfield Mem Mem orial hospital en the fiist Sunday in November. In all, sonic feity thousand appeals were sent out te churches and te private citizens of well-known liberality. The pi eject turns out a signal failure, less than five thousand delars thus far haviug been received from all the churches iu the country, and net fifteen thousand dollars fiein all ether sources, iucluding cendi tienal subscriptions, although 200,000 weic needed for the project te build the buildings and $400,000 te properly endow the institution. As usual it is uew talked of te transfer the uudeitaking from a pri vate association te the government. T111; Tribune (Half-breed) bavins de clared that the message evidenced the vigorous work of Mr. Blaine, Hugh Bast ing's Commercial (Stalwart) retorts as fol fel lows : " The Tribune and the rest of the world might just as well knew that the message is exclusively the work of President Arthur, and that no member of the cabi net or any ether puty had anything te de with its composition beyond furnishing the ctatistics and information relating te the various departments. Mr. Blaine had the pleasure of leading the message for the fust time after it was read te Congress." Is this the reason why Blaine gives out that he will pick up his hat and go next Wednesday '.' PERSONAL. Speaker Keifer has appointed Benja min" P. Gaini, of Ohie, te be his clerk. He is a nephew of the speaker and served seme time as correspondent of the Chicaga Times. Jami;s McIIemiv, the Londen banker, has instituted a suit for libel against Pres ident Bend, of the Beading railroad, for saying in an interview en November 2C that "Jim McHeury " was the veriest vagabond that walked the Londen streets, and a notorious stockjobber. And new " report has it that during Miss Celeste Staufkek's visit te New Yeik this summer Mr. Samuel J. Tilden was her very attentive admirer." Miss Stauffcr is from New Oilcans, but well known in this county. Her last visit te this city, where she is popular in the younger society, jwas during the past sum mer, as the guest of ex-Mayer Stauffer. Mr.s. Blackburn, the accomplished wife of the governor of Kentucky, will be gin the gubernatorial entertainments of the winter en Tuesday evening of next week with an old-fashioned quilting party. It will close with a reel (O. S.) On the following Tuesday evening she gives a "germau." Thcse official entertain ments will inaugurate the gayety of the Reason. Ex Senater Wallace is net a candidate for the Democratic nomination for gover nor of Pennsylvania. The Clearfield Re publican, published in the town where lie lives, says autheritatively: "The ex s juater asks te be permitted te give hi3 time and attention solely te Ins practice aud his personal business, which se much needs his time. He is net acandidate for the gubernatorial nomination nor for any ethci- political office. Jeshua Nunn, who has served as vice consul general of the United States at Londen for twenty-six years, has resigned the jMrutien. On hearing of his resigna tion, a number of prominent business houses intimately connected with the American trade presented him with a purse containing fifteen hundred guineas, accompanied by a very complimentary letter, as a token of their appreciation of his sei vices. A dispatch fiem Londen says : " Dr. Lwisen, who is suspected of causing the death of a 'student of the Blenheim house school, Wimbledon, with the view of succeeding te his property, and who disappeared from that neighborhood, has been arrested. He will be formally charged with murder." Dr. L. will be remembered ai formerly resident of Lan caster, and for a nhert time organist at St. Jamnn. Wm. F. Wkmi, of Bosten, who has died lately in Philadelphia, worth ten millions, once paid the government $300,000 in eash te settle a suit brought against him by revenue officials under the old moiety aysteat. He refused several years age te pay taxes in Bosten en $2,000,000 worth of personal property, but paid the assess ment under pretest and sued the city in 1875 te recover. He was defeated, but obtained an abatement en the assessor's valuation, and shortly after went te Phil adelphia te live. STATS ITEMS. Washington Walters, of Derrick City, McKean county, fell from a scaffolding and was instantly killed. Mr. Andrew Carnegie, who has offered te donate $250,000 toward a public library in Pittsburgh, is estimated te de wertn $10,000,000. Geerge P. Cerr, aged 67, was drowned by falling into a creek near Franklin, Ve nango county, while drunk. Mayer. Broderick, of Wilkesbarre has fixed his commercial value of a kiss at $1.50. He fined a man $4.50 for kissing a pretty girl three times against her will. Jehn Matz, aged twenty, of Beading, was working en an ice dam across the river, when the bank caved in and buiied him under a mass of earth. He died in a few hours after his rescue. Miss Means, one of the two old maiden ladies who lived alone in Franklin town ship, Wcstmerelend county, has died from the effects of rough usage by burglars, who entered their house en the 19th of November. Near Sand Patch, Westmoreland county, Samuel Wilhelm thought he heard wild turkeys in a clump of bushes. He crept toward the bushes, and, seeing something moving in them, fired. The bullet killed Julius Keefer, who was in hiding and seeking te lure wild, turkeys with a call. Samuel Lcter, of Pennsylvania, was robbed en tne border of Polk county, Ark. He had been buying laud for a colony, aud stepped at a cabin en the roadside. About 10 o'clock several masked men broke into the house and robbed him of $4,000 and escaped. The robbers were mounted. Margaret Kane, a women about foity feity foity five years of age, and the mother of five children, was killed en the railroad in Bridgeport near Norristown. She attempt ed te drive her cow from the track, when the engine of a passenger train struck her and threw her ten or twelve feet. Her head was horribly crushed, and she lived only a short time. Werk en the detour from the Pennsyl vania railroad, near Crcssen has se far progressed that track-laying has begun. The route is the New Portage railroad and the tunnel and bed are beiug put iu order. The line will ba te Hollidaysburg, thence via Williamsburg te Petersburg, Hunting don county, six miles west of Hunting don, where the mainline is again reached. The grades are much lighter than by the old line. LATEST NU.WS BY MAIL. Adam Wciner, 90 years of age, commit ted suic'ule at Brooklyn, N. Y., by hang ing. Mever May, a prominent citizen of Richmond, Ya., has died suddenly aged 52 years. Richard Leckctt, a ne'gre burglar, was shot aud killed at Butler, Ga., by a man named Waters. Leen Schoep, a news aud music dealer at Richmond, Va., shot aud killed himself in his store. Cause unknown. J. K. Jillson shot and killed himself at Springfield, Mass., during a fit of despon dency, heightened by acute rheumatism. Edward O'Brien has launched from his shipyard, at Thomaston, Me., a ship named General Knox, of 2217 tens regis ter, the largest bhip ever bui.t en the Geerges river. Governer Cernell, of New Yeik, has ap pointed General Benjamin F. Ticacy, of Brooklyn, as associate judge of the ceuit of appeals, in the place of Judge Andrews, promoted te chief judge. The dry goods establishment of S. P. Kidder & Ce., of Grand Rapids, was raided by burglars and $400 worth of furs taken, the best quality only being selected by the thieves. Hairis Vaughia, a coleicd boy, about twelve years old, was yesterday kidnapped from Hampteu, Ya., and carried off 111 a beat supposed te belong te a coasting schooner in the 1 eads. A tewaid of 50 is offered. An Italian tramp named Cassasscr dan gerously stabbed Harry Jenes, a farmer, en Wednesday night, near JrasuviIIe, Barry county, Mich., because the tramp was net furnished as geed accomedations as he desired. The tramp Is in custody. By a terrible boiler explosion at W. B. Jenes's gin houses, Elberton Ga., an cight-ycar-eld son of the proprietor had his head blown oil' ; a younger son was badly cut about the head ; ene colored man had both legs and ene arm broken, and another man was severely injured. In the suit of Jehn M. Armstrong, the widow and administratrix of Jehn M. Armstrong (of Philadelphia, some years age murdered by Hun ter, in Camden, for the insurance) against the New Yerk Mutul life insurance company, the jury in the United States circut court in Brooklyn, befeic Justice Wheeler, returned a verdict for the plan tiff for the full amount claimed, $10, 271,24. The steamer T. II. Moere, of the Peo ple's liuc, plyiug between Columbus. Ga., and Apalachicola, Fla., en her trip up the river struck en Beeten's rock, twenty-five miles below Columbus, and sank. The cargo consisted of cotton and mixed freight. The steamer went down in twenty feet of water and is a total less. None of the passengers wero injured. The cargo will be saved in a damaged condi tion. At the Harris mines, a few miles fiem East St. Leuis, Me., the striking coal miners gathered at five o'clock yesterday morning, several hundred btreng, and es tablished a cordon around the pits through which the minci.i at work in the mines would have te pass. The sheriff aud posse appeared en the scene, aud the strikers retired. Later they returned in increased nnmbers, armed with revolvers. Affairs were critical, when the sheriff and posse bravely arrested scvei al 1 i nglca dei h and quelled the rioters. Espouses or the Government fur I.SS.'t. .The book of estimates of appiopiiatieiiK required for the service of the goverumout for the fiscal year ending June !M), 1HSII, has just been completed. The following i3a recapitulation of its centents: KkII mates Objects. ler 188.1. Legislative $ 5,92l.08l.7J Executive proper HM.SttXie Depar'teralate ,473.!Kn,e Treasury depai't, Il7.fii:,fil3.7 War department. 45.5M.27':.'il Navy " 20,327,80fM-. Interior " i!2,cin,ei2.ui Postefllce " 2,466,aJ7.'rt Dcptefagricul... fi02,9H0.0: Dcpt. et Justice. . 2".8l6,o.ye Alll(i'iii ler iMsi I ID.'IA'.S'l l,.'.ll,lir.t.l' K.7,MH7,l.t 4,7'.,Hl.r..7l lll,O73,9!)0 1'J H),2lif,SU.M 3,00,1(13 4.-1 S.VS.aXMIO 3,854,m.73 Grand totals $310,402,507.65 $a25,55,!3.Vl m fc A Frightful Tragedy In Georgia. Near Mosceld, in Lamar county, Ga , Mr. Winchester Armstrong left home, leaving his wife and babe and old mother-in-law in the house. A crazy negre enter ed and tried te carry off the infant. The mother attempted te ressue the child and a terrible struggle ensued. The negre seized an axe and split Mrs. Armstrong's head open. She died in a little while. The negre then beat her mother te death, and while still at the butchery Mr. Arm strong returned. The fiend assaulted him with the axe. Mr. Armstrong seized a gun and shot and killed him. The babe was uninjured. , CATAbTBOFHE AT VIENNA. Total Destruction of a Crowded Theatre. Several Hundred Uvea ljett Heart rending scenes la tne Building. The Vienna Ring theatre, formerly the Comic opera house,' where Sarah Bern hardt recently performed, took fire at 7 o'clock last night, just before the begin ning of the opera " Les Centes De Hoff Heff man." The lire was caused by the fail of a lamp en the stage. The house was tol erably full, and the less of life is very great. Sixty persons were -saved by means or ladders and by jumping into cloths held below. The greatest efforts were made te save life. The scene was terrible, the flames sheeting up through the reef and eventually gutting the entire building. 11 r. m. : One hundred and forty-five bodies have been brought of the theatre, but the dead therein are still numerous, many bodies having been consumed in the galleries and ether elevated parts of the building. The chief cause of the catastro phe yvas that iu the confusion the iron partition separating the stage from the auditorium was net lowered. Thousands of people assembled in the neighboring streets, where they could hear the cries of agony of the people at the windows of the theatre praying te be saved. The rapidity of the flames prevented the people from taking advantage of the ordinary exits. Only a small proportion of the audience saved themselves, which they didby leap ing from windows three stories high into cloths held below. MiDNienT : The taking out of bodies from the theatre continues. It is estimated that 300 persons perished. Seme of the bodies are fearfully disfigured. Several persons were injured in springing from the windows of the theatre. Among the missing are Herr Fefe, court musical director, and Herr Hellmerspetger. Most of the bodies identified up te the present time are these of tradesmen and miner officials. On the spreading of news of the disaster, the performances at the ether theatres were stepped. The Londen Standard's dispatch from Vienna says :" It is estimated that the audience in the thcatre numbered 2,000. Many persons were trampled te death in the panic which ensued.' As seen as the fire was seen there was an explosion of gas, and the audience was plunged in darkness." Iren Ore Production. Pennsylvania is still at the head of the states producing iron ere, her yield being a little mere than one-fourth of the whole producr.butMiehigan is pressing us closely. Of the total product of the Unites States in the census year 27J per ceut. came from Pennsylvania mines, and 23 per cent, from Michigan, and Michigan actually headed the list in value of product. There were sixteen states producing iron ere in 1870 ; there aie new twenty-three ; the number of employees bas been mere than doubled, and the increase in quality of product has been still gteater, owing te an increased use of steam power and machinery. LOCAL INTELLIGENCE. Uoesc-llono I'Mlosephy. We have had laid upon our table the breast-bone of a fat geese, recently slaughtered and toasted by our geed friend Ileniy Eckeit, of Gordonville. The geese-bone is unmistakably marked with what many people legard as a sure index of the condition of the weather for the en suing winter. The front or " prow " of the bone is perfectly white, which indi cates a pleasant autumn and mild weather during the early part of the winter. Near the middle of the bone there is a dark purple blotch of irregular shape, which indicates that we may leek out for Ecvcre weather with squalls about midwinter. Further te the rear is a bread white belt, indicating a term of mild weather, late in February or early iu March ; while the stern of the bone is also a dark purple, a sure sign that winter will go out howling, and that the spring will be late and cold. Skeptics, who don't cheese te accept the goc-e-bono theory, and who scout Venner aud Old Probabilities, will have te wait Candlemas, aud fall back upon the old and reliable groundhog. Driving Accidents. Last Sunday, as Sirs. Hull, accempau'ed by a son and., daughter, was driving through Fairvillejshc touched up the horse with a carriage whip, which caused the animal te spring suddenly forward, tear ing the harness and breaking ene of the driving lines Fortunately, the unbroken line gave Mrs. Hull the power te pull the animal into a fence cei ncr until assistance ai rived and rescued the party fiem their rather perilous position. This morning a young man named Trent was driving the hoi se and wagon of Metzgcr & Reist's West King street gieccry, across the raihead at the Plum street crossing, nepr the Pcnn ireu works when, Trout says, a train came along without whistling, struck the team and broke the heisc's leg. He will have te be shot. Circumstantial Story ul a Unci. The Harrisburg Telegraph has an ac count of a duel that took place en Friday last en an island in the Susquehanna river, opposite Stcelteu. The parties en gaged were young men respectively from Carlisle and Harrisburg. They were at a ball given in Carlisle en Thanksgiving night, when the gentleman from Carlisle received the major portion of smiles that were bestowed by a young lady who was escorted te the ball by the Harrisburg gentleman. Het words ensued in the ball room, and a challenge was sent by the Carlisle gentleman and promptly accepted by the ether. The first fire was harmless, but in the second the Carlisle gentleman had his arm broken, when he declared him self satisfied. Ne arrests have been made. I'ellce Cases. Alueimau McConemy this morning com mitted "Chicago Sliin" and Pat Kelly te the county prison for 20 days each. They were arrested by Officer Pyle for drunken and disorderly conduct in and 'about the Pennsylvania railroad. The major had only four customers this morning. Twe of them, indigent travelers who had applied for lodgings aud were given a soft plank te sleep upon, were dis charged with a cup of coffee and a bless ing. A drunken man paid costs; and was discharged with the admonition te siu no ineie. A drunken woman was scut up for five days for needed rest and rojuperatien. TebncCD Sales. In Hopewell township, Yerk county, the, following tobacco sales have been uiade : A. C. Manifold te Stchman. of Lancaster county, 2 acres, at 18 cents for all ever 20 inches in length, and 8 and 3 ; J. W. Wallace, at 25 for all ever 24 inches, and 12, 5 and 3 ; Charles Gibbs, 3 acres, at 18 for all ever 20 inches, and 8 and 3 ; James Liggett, 1 acre, at 25 for all ever 24 incites, and 12 and 3 ; William Kncrr, 3- acres, at 25 for all aver 24 inche?, and 12 and 3. A Uttle Wreck. Anether small wreck occurred eh the Pennsylvania railroad, near the bark mill this city, last evening between 4 aud 5 o'clock. Owing te some imperfection in a switch two or three cars of a freight train took the wrong rail and were thrown from the track, blocking up the read for the remainder of the evening and night. The day express train which passes here at 5:15 was delayed about an hour. OBXTUAR7. l)i,ATH OS1 COL. FOKNKI. The Career of a Distinguished Journalist. The telegraphic news of yesterday brought tidings of the critical illness of Cel. Jehn W. Ferney, the well-known journalist and politician of Philadelphia. The morning papers confirmed the accounts of his precarious couditien, and at about 10 a. m. te-day a dispatch reached Lancaster announcing that he had died at 3 a. in. The immediate events hastening his decease, thus narrated in the Philadelphia Recerd of today, will be read with painful in terest by his wide circle of friends in this citv and county : " I feel as though I had twenty years of life before me yet," said Colonel Jehn W. Ferney te a reportorial friend a few weeks age. But man proposes and Ged disposes. Yesterday the veteran journalist, whose name is known ever two continents, lay at his residence en Washington Square at the point of death. When this sorrowful fact became known through the evening papers it produced a profound sensation, for al though Colonel Ferney had been confined te his room for a week the fact was only known te the family and a few intimate acquaintance."'. The week before last, while en a visit te Washington, be caught a severe cold, and was advised by his friends te return home at ence. But urgent business compelled his presence in New Yerk, and when he reached this city it was apparent that he was net in his usual geed health. He kept bravely at work, however, in the editorial chair of Progress uutil Wednesday of last week, when his strength deserted him and he was com pletely prostrated. At lirst it was thought that he was suffering from overwork and that a short lespite from his arduous journalistic labors would be followed by a restoration te health. Accordingly steps were taken te cancel a large number of lecturing engagements which he had made for different parts of the country during the winter and spring, ' Edwin Ferrest," "Themas Jeffersen" and "Andrew Jacksen " being the topics upon which he had arranged te speak. Symp toms of that terrible malady, Blight's disease of the kidneys, began, how ever, te manifest themselves, and despite all the efforts of his physician. Dr. Frank Getchell, he gradually sank. Up te Wed nesday he retained consciousness and pe rused the daily papers, but en the evening of that day he fell into a comatose state. At neon yesterday Dr. Getchell informed the sorrowing family that in his opinion the patient had peached a stage at which recovery was out of the question. Up te an early hour this morning there was no perceptible change in his condition, and he had net regained possession of his faculties. There were large numbers of anxious callers at the residence yesterday afternoon and evening. Mr. Geerge W. Childs and ex-Speaker Randall were sent for in the morning. When Mr. Childs called the patient could net lccegnize him. Mr.- Randall arrived at night and took his place by the bcdside of Ins friend. The end scorns te have cemerpiite as early as had been anticipated, w As is well known te nearly ail the read ers of the public prints, Jehu W. Ferney was born in Lancaster iu 1817, and the circumstances et his parents gave him no advantages at the start of life's battle, save theso which natural genius, a com mon English education, youthful ambition, geniality of disposition and ardent indus try endowed him with. As early as at the age of 13, he was a boy iu a store, and seen afterwatds became au appren tice in the Journal printing office, edited with ability and distinction by Hugh Max well. When but 20 years of age he pm chascd the Intelligencer, James H. Bryson being associated with him in it.; publication for a part of the year 1837, at the end of which Ferney bought him out and ran the paper him self until Sept. 189, when he consolidated with it the Journal and enlarged the joint publication, making it a leading state pjper and of the Democratic party. Fer a brief period during his connection with it he was prothecolary of the common pleas court, by appointment, and devoted himself te his editorial duties iu thi city until 1S45, wheu he removed te Philadel phia te mere efficiently discharge the duties of deputy surveyor of the pert, te which President Polk had appointed him. His natural beut te waul aggressive jour nalism, however, led him te purchase a one-half interest in the city and state Democratic organ of that day, the Penn syhunian, with which he was associated from 1815 te 1853. Elected clerk of the Federal Heu?e of Representatives iu 1851, he held the place for several years, aud for his satisfactory aud impartial discharge of ' its duties, during the memorable struggle of 1855 50 for speaker, result ing in Bauks' election he was ten dered the compliment of a unanimous vote of thanks and commendation. He became an editor of the Washington Union, but wheu his friend, Mr. Buchanan, was nominated for the presidency, in order te devote himself with undivided zeal te the cause of his election, he left the paper, was made chairman of the Democratic state central cemmittee of Pennsylvania, threw his soul into that canvass and his labors in the press, en the stump and in the paity councils were exhaustive, untir ing and comprehensive. They carried Pennsylvania fcr "her favorite son" and that settled it. He was nomi nated ler United States senator by the Democrats, then in supposed con trol of the Legislature, but the coriur ceriur coriur tieu of Simen Cameren aud the trcaciicry of Loebe, Waggeascller aud Manear de feated him aud cheated him out of the office just as he seemed te have reached the crowning point of his career and te have had the golden prize, iu his hand. His memerable quarrel with Mr Buchan an seen followed, the circumstances of which are tee fresh te need revicw here and the causes of which hare long been in dispute between the friends of thy parties te it. He started the I'ress in 1857 aud was elected cleik of the Heuse again in December 1858. The Sunday Morning Chronicle, established in 1859, was converted into a daily aud for a time with "twepapcis, both daily," and with his official position, large experience and wide acquaintance, few men occupied a mere distinguished place in the public gaza or cxeiciscd greater iufiuence en popular thought and feeling. In the divisions in the Democratic party he espoused the cause of Douglas, and his opposition te the administration quickened his antagonisms aud intensified his friendships. Naturally at the opening of the war he drifted into Republicanism and for seven years, covering the most eventful period of our history, he was clerk cf the Senate, a busy actor in the scenes at Washington, intimate with all its public men and a fertile contribu tor te his Tianprfl. Tin nnarrelcd with Jehnsen when he vetoed the ' freedmen's bureau bill, and. Ferney first showed a disposition te break with his party when he sounded the famous "Halt" in a doable leaded editorial, evoked by the treatment which Sumner suffered from the Grant administration. He was tender ed and, after declining, finally was pre vailed upon te accept, the collectership of the pert of Philadelphia and, though he proved a geed officer, his fiends generally deprecated his departure from the path of independent journalism. He resigned it and aided the belt against Hartranft in 1572 with his veiee and pen. Fer this the Press was fiercely assailed by the Cameren faction and every effort was made te break it down ; financial em barrassments no doubt caused him te retire from its editorial manage ment about 1874, and he went abroad as agent for the Centennial exposition, which scheme he eloquently promoted in Eng land and en the continent, employing his leisure with letters te the Press, and with the production of further "Reminiscences of Public Men," in which ha delighted, and for which his wide acquaintance gave him almost uncqualeu opportunities. Re turning, he occupied a prominent place in that celebration, and has been ever since a leading figure iu the social and journal istic life of Philadelphia. Seme years age he established Progress, as a society and critical journal, -and made it a model of typographical beauty aud genial writing of the class te which it was deveted. But it has been only indifferently supported, and it is no secret that its sue cpss never quite justified the hopes of ts publisher. Iu 1880 Cel. Ferney espoused the cause of Gen. Hancock's election with great earnestness, and wrote a complete campaign biography of the Democratic candidate ; he speke at many places in support of bis election, and was in great demand as a stump speaker. He was great ly disappointed in the result of the campaigu, aud bince then his paper has been ardently Democratic, bitterly op posed te the aggressive encreachments of the " Plutocracy" en the rights and liber ties of the people, and devoted te the res toration of geed feeling toward the Seuth, and the building up of its material inter ests. One of the most notable features of Cel. Ferney's whole life and character was his unfaltering devotion te aud grateful mem ory of his early home and associations. Ha never forget Lancaster nor its people, and all his effusiveness and the warmth of his nature wera called ent by recollections of this city aud county. Te the mother and sister left here he was always and under all circumstances dutiful iu every obligation, generous and noble hearted. In all the vicissitudes of his political caresr he tried te maintain un changed relations with his Lancaster friends of every creed and paity. He speke in this city in 18G0, for the new con stitution in 1873, he has lectured here re peatedly and in 1880 he made political speeches in Fulton hall, this city, at Mountville, Quarryville and New Helland. He made these and many ether visits te Lancaster, the occasion of renewing and reviving his acquaintances and nothing had greater interest for him, albeit tinged with melancholy, than te see from time te time hew his generation were "passing away,' and the sons of the men with whom he associated were taking their places in the business, professional and social life of his native city. During his last visit and three days stay here, in the presidential campaign of 1880, he was quite enfeebled aud showed sigus that age was beginning te tell upon him. lie delighted iu the wonderful de velopment of Lancaster county and never tiled revelling iu its beauties and enjoy ing its hospitality. He was fend of re calling the old men of his day and iu trac ing the caiecr of these who started with him ; but throughout the re view of his own life he was bit terly mindful cf the ingratitude aud uukiudness he had often met where least deserved and most unexpected. He was especially sensitive te the giewiug power of accumulated wealth and apprehensive of the dangers te the country from aggre gated capital. His novel aimed te deal with this qucst'eu while showing the tine royalty of theso Americans who lise te deserved eminence by their own labeis. " Cel. I emey was a handsome man, of striking appearance, with ruddy complex ion, gray side whiskers, strong and yet graceful figure, and, uutil somewhat crip pled with rheumatism, walked erect and with fine step. Few Americans of this age have had mere eventful careers. Ne citizen cf Lan caster had seen mere of public life and public men. Few have contributed se much te the cuirent periodical literature of the day. But time alone will tell what permanent influence will attach te his work. Cel. Ferney was married te a daughter of the late Philip Reitzel, of this city, and she survives him, together with a family of children all grown, and of whom Capt. James, Jehn W. Ferney, jr., Mrs. W. W Wciglcy, Misses Emma and Tillie are well known in Philadelphia and Lancaster society. Hi3 sister, Miss Sue Ferney, is a tcsident of Lancaster, and numerous rela tives of his wife. His brother-in-law, W. W. Reitzel, has been manager of Progress since its establishment. Death of James Feeples. James Peeples, blacksmith, an intelli gent and well-known resident of this city, died this morning at 10 o'clock at his resi dence en West Vine street, near St Mary's church. Mr. Peeples was born in the county Denegal, Ireland, and came te this country in 1847. In 1818 he took up his residence in this city, carrying en the blacksmithing and herse shoeing business until a few years age, when declining health compelled him te relinquish it. He was au active politician of the Democratic faith and showed considerable ability in meulding the politics of the old South west ward, which en several occasions elected him te membership in the city councils. He was a very genial man and informed en all matlei.s of general inter est. He was a strict Catholic and mem ber of St. Mary's church. At the time of his death he was in the Cist year of his a'e. A I.ititx man's Narrow Kscane. The Lititz Recerd prints an account of a large conflagration which occurred in Kingsten, Jamaica, en the 8th of Novem Nevem Novem bcr,destreying seven buildings. The fire originated in a confectionery store, owned by L C. Rutledge, in which Mr. Herace Eshbach, formerly of Lititz, wascmplejed. About 2 o'clock that gentleman was awak ened by a crackling noise iu the beuse and seen discovered the building te be en firfc. He had only time te save a few of his per sonal effects and escape from the flames by sliding down the pests .of a piazza te the ground. COLUMBIA NEWS. OUR RKGOLAb COKUESl'ONuKKCK Council meets this evening. Five tramps ia the lock-up last night. A herse employed at the "cut" fell dead this morning. The Citizens' baud will have no practice . until after the holidays. Miss Lillie Hinten's parents were fiem Columbia. The G. A. R. pest is complete in equip-. ments except a drum, and this will seen be purchased. Railroad traffic is slacking up. Seventeen different men were hurt in Columbia during the past week. One of the cars at little Washington, the most demolished eue, was sold by the Pennsylvania railroad company te Mr. Brush, of that borough, for kindling weed. A mail bio; has been placed en the opera house lamp p.)st. Thanks te Post master Mullen. Mr. Gee. Sample, who has been seri ously ill for the p lit six or ci;bt wceks. is out again. Mr. Scott Snyder is very dan gereusly ill. The beat that was caught at tbe bridge, en Wednesday evening, belonged te Ames Shutter, of Cellins station. It was sent home yesterday. Miss Lillie Hiuteu Tuesday and "Pa tience," comic opera, Saturday evening of next week. Tobacco buMiicss increasing ; a new stere rcccut'y opened en Locust near Third street. A yeang married couple, just rutuined from their wedding tour, v.cic treated last evening te a serenade. The Celumbii wicckeis, aiter working about four hours, succeeded it raising the three ears at Washington. The remains of the late wreck have nv all been clear ed away. A drunken man for indecent exposure had a healing before Squire Yeung at neon te day, but missed being taken te Lancas ter in the 1:20 p. m., train. He will be sent there this evening. The members of t he ( 'oekman chapel practiced last evening for their Christmas entertainment. A number of our young men, theso who pirticipited -in last year's entertainment for the benefit of the peer, were requested yesterday h ive another f the same kind during the holidays. Tne Sluwnee Mill Strike. The strike at the Shawnee rolling 'mill has brought out the following facts : The men have different turns ; one week they work at night and the next week at day. When the " day turn" gees oil" the "night turn " gees en. On Wednesday as the night turn were about quitting work they were informed that they would be com pelled te work auether week during the night. This they refused pcint blank te de, and as there was euly eue alternative, they struck. Neither the manager nor the meu have as yet come te a definite conclu sion, but the mill will net start again for a week or two. Tim Scheel Heard. All of the members of the school beaid were present at the meetins last evening except Mr. AVike. The finance cemmittM reported as fellows : KECKI1TJ. Balance en hand f :,07" 41; Tuition Steii;r$i, Mellingcr pi VI mi Trespass lines per Grler - '1 . Fer old building en Fifth -licet 41 w T. 11. Dunbar, collector IsM I.oie 4: EXrEKDITUKK Outers paid $1,I is Balance en hand I'.'.Syi 97 Under this head the financial statement of the new building en Fifth street was icad : .Balance credited te hiilldiu;; account per last repeit $1,77.1 7 Oidcrs paid en buildiiiii'.-eeiint 4't.; Zl Balance en hand $1,331 11 Several questions en ta.cs were referred te the finance committee. The text book committee aud repair aud supply committee were given orders for purchases made. Miss Paiac's school wau granted mere desks ; and 1 thermometer was ordered for each room. The libraiy committee was awarded an order for its appropriation for 1S81. Mr. Given made an eloquent speech in K-gaid te the libraiy, and said that if the be. -d would pay the librarian, room rent, ht--.it. light and ethci incidental expense!', he aud the lest of the committee would make it a personal mat ter te canvass the town aud vicinity fei subscriber aud te work it up. On motion the rate el subscription was lowered from two dollars te one dollar. The auctioneer was eidcied te be paid for selling off the Fifth street building. Building committee repotted progress and approved bills for $314 C5, which were ordered paid. It was resolved te close the schools for holidays from Dee. 23 te Jan. 9. J. A. SJade, J. A. Mcyerund A. Biunei were appointed a committee ou next com mencement, te report occasionally te the beard and te confer with the superintend ent. Superintendent B. G. Ames made his second annual repeit which gave immetise satisfaction te the beaid. In a leugthy addrcss he spoke of thu improvement el" the schools ; hew a great amount of money was saved by the economical way iu which the schools were conducted, yet at. the same time everything was fust class ; about the morals of the scholars compared te what thy were two years age, the change for the better was indeed wonderful. "The improvements iu schelaiship" Las been gradually ou the iucrcase, both iu the white aud colored schools The local institutes he thinks of a great ben efit te the teacheis, .r; was pievcn by two letters fiem teac era. He spoke of the high school with feelings of pride, and was peitic the system as it is new worked cannot be impievcd. He complimented the school beaid upon tl.cit efficient services atid thanked them for as sisting him iu raising the grade of the colored school, and also for givin ; them comfortable quarteis. He offered ccvcral recommendations and they will be acted upon. The report was accepted aud a committee of three appointed te take into consideration the recommendations con tained therein and te report te the heard at subsequent meetings. President Meyer will act as chairman of the committee. Michigan Keller. The Detroit Free Presi of the 7th iust. contains the following letter from Mayer MacGonigle te the chairman of the relief committee of Detroit, Michigan. We re produce the lettt r, as it pays a t'cseivcd tribute te the liberality of our citi.ci s and especially of the MeniieLr.es : Lancaster, P.i., Dec. 5, 1881. HOK.H. P. Hu.Dvns Dear Sir : 'En closed find draft for $141.1 1, tbe balance remaining iu my bauds at this date of contributions te the suffereis of your state by the fires of last summer. Our people have done well, and particularly thereli giens people of this county knewu a Mennonites have responded nobly. At a rough guess I would say the Menuonite; de net number mere than one tenth of the eaunty population, but. they have sub scribed te your sufferers fully one third of the total amount remitted. $2,214.14. Hop ing that the efforts of the charitable will te some considerable extent have alleviated the distress of the lite. sufferers, I remain very respectfully yours. Jxe. T. MacGoniele. Majer. The report published in the Free 2Vms shows the total number of subscriptions received from all sources up te date te bj $159,933.43. "Will Have te W1U Hum.-. The Will Grever ': numpty Dampty" troupe which appeared here the ether night, and gave a very geed show tee, stranded at Norristown, Wednesday, and didn't have enough money te get away. U V.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers