THE PlTSBTJRGr DISPATCH, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 27,'f 1892. 11 TO A REALTREASDHY A Bailroad Running South From Pittsburg "Would Cost lut Little, and EAPIDLY PAY FOR ITSELF. Great Desirability of a Direct Route to the Carolinas. MEASURES THAT ARE NECESSARY. CoL T. P. Eoberts Ixplains Fome Features of the Situation. THE RESOURCES OP WEST TICGINIi The staS correspondence of The Dis patch from various poind in AVest Vir ginia showing tie mutual desirability of closer connection with Pittsburg by rail and water has aroused considerable local in terest in the subject. The benefits of im proved transportation facilities are every where conceded. The pressins question is one of "ways and means. ColonelT. P. Koberts, the well-known civil engineer, is an authority on West Vir ginia as upon most sections of the broad area of which Pittsburc is the center. As long ago as 1875 Mr. Hoberts'made a survey for the Government showing the work nec essary to continue the slackwater in the lilonongabela above Fairmont. In con versation yesterday he said: "There can be no doubt as to tbe great need of Pitts burg for more direct communication with the South. This city is due north of Charleston, S. G. Yet when 1 wanted to go there a year or so ago I had to first travel 200 or 300 miles either East or West to "Washington or Cincinnati. The Cin cinnati people got together and buit a road at a cost of $20, 000,000, surmounting great engineering difficulties, that has been the making of their Southern trade. There Are No Natural Obstacles. "From Pittsburg south through the cen ter of West Virginia," continued Mr. Koberts," there are no engineering diffi culties whatever. I surveyed a road from here to Grafton some years ago. The best plan, though, would be to follow the Monon gahela until the section of West Virginia which is practically a glade is reached. Here the country is so level that you could hardlr tell which way the grades would run. The idea would be to connect with the Chesapeake and Ohio or Norfolk and West ern. Either one of those systems would be very willing to provide a connection for Pittsburg to the seaboard. This would make a direct line clear to the Carolinas, not only for Pittsburg, but for such points to the north as Buffalo, Cleveland and tbe intermediate places. "There being no natural obstacles such a road could be constructed for 512,000 to 515,000 a mile, and it wonld pay for itself nearly as fast as it was built Pittsburg's building interests are positively suffering for the lack of such a lumber supply as the West Virginia forests can furnish. The coal freights, of course, would be a great feature, and of that tbe supply is inexhaus tible. West Virginia is certain to be de veloped. If Pittsburg assists in the work it will stare in the benefits. It we stand aloof we may create a hostile and dangerous rival. A Difficulty to Be Met. "One trouble with Pittsburg," said Mr. Boberts, "is that it has little ground for ex pecting much from the management of the railroads that now secure such a great busi ness here. This is the most important point on the Pennsylvania system, yet none of the chief officials live here. They make an annual tour of inspection, but the facts , called to their attention then do not linger in their memories throughout the year. Pittsburg people mnst take the initiative in this work themselves. There are plenty of persons in West Virginia who would readily join hands in the enterprise if the proper encouragement was extended." Upon tbe subject of tbe further improve ment of the Monongahela, Colonel Boberts referred to his official report This recom mended the construction of six masonry locks and dams, similar to the work at Hoard's Bocks, at a probable cost of 5650, D00. But as prices have fallen since then the cost for such construction would be , considerably less than tbe estimates of 1876. Mr. Boberts, in describing the course of the Monongahela from Fairmont to Hor gantown, a distance of 27 miles, states that tbe fall in that distance is only 55 fett, which is an average of about two feet per mile, and that much the greater por tion oi the fall occurs in tbe lower half. Each of the two npper dams proposed has a lift of 10 feet and ponds back the river for a distance of nine miles. This flat place on the river is a marked and important feature. From Horgantown to Pittsburg, a distance of 102 miles, the course of the river is almost due north and tbe fall in this distance is 93 .feet An Ample Supply of Water. In seasons of drought the sole reliance for water is Tygart's Valley and West Fork rivers, and at such periods there is always more water at Fairmont than at Horgantown, thus giving an ample supply for slackwater purposes. On this point Mr. Boberts says: "As there need be no rush of business at any time at the locks, the dams will remain full, and a 6-foot naviga ble depth can be maintained in the Upper Monongahela at all times, save when the river may be closed by ice." Prof. 1. C. White, of Moreantown. is rec ognized as a geological authority through out the United States. He sneaks with pardonable enthusiasm of the mineral resources of West Virginia. In discussing the subject he says: "West Virginia has been damaged somewhat by those who have claimed too much for her resources. There is no need for such harmful exaggeration. In view ot these facts it is necessary for the benefit of onr own people as well as for the information of others, that a list of things wc do not have should be given. Those who would seek gold, silver, copper, tin, cine, lead, or any other of the rare or prec ious metals should give West Virginia a wide berth. She has none of these. Traces there .may be of all, but not in quantity sufficient to render mining profitable, and hence it can be truthfully said, these things are not among onr possessions. Can Afford to Be Frank. "We have so much of natural wealth in other things that vrs can afford to be per fectly irank about all those matters to which "we can make no honest pretensions. Bountiful nature has given to West Vir ginia neither precious minerals nor precious stones, but sue has lavished upon us sflch an infinite wealth of common minerals and common stones, and other common things, that our heritage is vastly richer than that of tbe people who can number the precious metals among their inheritances. "What we do have are these: Coal in greater quantity and variety than any other State in the Union; fire and pottery clays unexcelled; limestone in great abundance and purity; building stones of most excel lent quality, and inexhaustible quantity; petroleum and natural gas, the modern Juel; iron ores we havo in considerable quantity, and glass sands in great plenty. These, with some manganese, and one or two others oi small importance, make up the list of our available minerals. "Few realize the immense value of the coal fields in our State. Goal is such a common and abundant mineral that most people when thinking of valuable minerals generally do not count it at all. But a short time since, and many people supposed that coal was soon to be a thing of the oastj that natural gas would entirely supplant it, and render coal lands valueless. No greater mistake could be made. Largest Coal Field In tbe World. "To the largest and most valuable coal field in the world, geologists have given the name Appalachian. It covers an area of nearly 60,000 square miles, and beginning near the northern line of Pennsylvania, ex tends southward across the State, and, tak ing nearly the whole of West Virginia, and a broad strip from the southern part of Ohio, passes on through Eastern Kentucky and Tennessee to end in Alabama, nearly 900 miles from its northern terminus. The shape of this great field is roughly that of a canoe, and West Virginia lies within the zone of its broadest and richest portion. In only four of the fifty-four counties in West Virginia is it impossible to find bituminous coal, viz: Jefferson, Berkeley, Morgan and Monroe. "This coal series enters West Virginia from Pennsylvania in Mnnnnfalia and Pres ton counties, with a thickness of 250 to 300j feet, and contains two valuable coal beds. the upper Freeport and tbe lower Kittan uing.the latter locally known as the"Austin coking" coal and the latter as the ''New burg shaft" seam on the Baltimore and Ohio Bailroad. These two beds are sep arated by an interval of shales and sand stones 100 to 180 feet thick, and they are both easily accessible over a very large area. Excellence of the Product. "Ths universal excellence 'of this coal for all purposes of fuel, eas, coke and every other use to which coal can be put, renders the field in question one of the most valu able in the, country, or in the world for that matter, and the railroad that first opens it up to market will have a monopoly of good things iu tbe coal traffic lor a long time. "It was formerly supposed that this coal would not make merchantable coKe, but the successful working of nearly 200 ovens at Montana, on the Fairmont, Morgantown and Pittsburg Bailroad, together with the successful plants at Fairmont, Clarksburg, Tyrcounell, Mononga, etc., have set this question happily at rest 'and proven that the coal in question will make a coke but little inferior, if any .at all, to that from the celebrated Connellsville region, ot which the Monongahela country is simply a southward extension. The West Virginia coal field is one, and a halt times larger than that of Great Britain, the production of whose mines are now nearly two hun dred million tons annually." A local Baltimore and Ohio official yes terday stated that the contracts for tbe re mainder of the Morgantown-Unioutown link had been let, including tbe bridge at Port Marion, and that the work would be pushed as rapidly as possible. THE COLUMBIAN, POSTAGE. Government Series of Stamps for the Four Hundredth Anniversary. The special series of postage stamps to be issued by the Government rn commemora tion of he discovery of Columbus will be ready for use on the 1st of January. The stamps will be sold during 1893, and will then be retired for the regular issues. The series consists of 15 stamps, as follows: One-cent "Columbus in Sight ot Land," after the painting by William H. Powell. On the left is an Indian woman with her child, and on the right an Indian man with head dress and feathers. The figures are in a sitting posture. Color, autwerp blue. Tuo-ceut "Landing of Columbus," after the painting by Vanderlyn in tbe rotunda of the Capitol at Washington. Color, ndr ple maroon. Three-cent "Flagship of Columbus," the Santa Maria in mid-ocean, from a Spanish engraving. -Color, medium shade of creen. Four-cent "Fleet of Columbus," tbe three caravals Santa Maria, Pinta and Nina in mid-ocean, from a Spanish en graving. Color, ultramarine blue. Five-cent "Columbus Soliciting Aid From Isabella," after the painting by Brozik in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Color, chocolate brown. Six-cent "Columbus Welcomed at Barce lona," from one of the panels of the bronze doors 'in the Capitol at Washington, by Randolph Rogers. On each side is a niche", in one of which is a statne of Ferdinand and in the other a statue of Boabdilla. Color, royal purple. Ten-cent "Columbus Presenting Na tives," after the painting by Luigi Gregori at the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Ind. Color, Vandyke brown. Fifteen-cent "Columbus Announcing His Discovery," after the painting by B. Balaea, now in Madrid. Color, dark green. Thirty-cent "Columbus at La Babida,', after the painting by B. Maso. Color, sienna brown. Fifty-cent "Becall of Columbus," after the painting by A G. Heaton, now in the Capitol at Washington. Color.carbon blue. One-dollar "Isabella Pledging Her Jewels, after the painting by Munoz De grain, now in Madrid. Color, rose salmon. Two-dollar "Columbus in Chains," after the painting byLentze, now in Providence, B. L Color, toued mineral red. Three-dollar "Columbus Describing His Third Voyage," after the painting by Fran cisco Jover. Color, light yellow green. Four-dollar Portraits in circles of Isa bella and Columbus, the portrait of Isabella after the well-fcnown painting in Madrid, and that of Columbus after the Lotto paint ing. Color, carmine. Five-dollar Profile of the head of Colum bus, alter a cast provided by the Treasury Department for the souvenir 50-ceut silver piece. Tbe profile is in a circle, on the right of which is tbe figure of America rep resented by a female Indian with a crown of leathers, on the left a figure of Liberty, both figures being in a sitting posture. Color, black. USE OF THE NAPKIN. It Was First Employed Only by Children and Scorned by Elder. Boston Globe.; Curiously enough, that article, now con sidered almost indispensable, the table nap kin, was first used only by children, and was only adopted by elder members of the family about the middle of the fifteenth century. In etiquette books of an earlier date than this, among other sage pieces of advioe for children, are instructions about wiping the fingers and lips with their nap kins. It seems that the tablecloth was long enough to reach the floor, and served the grown people in place of napkins. When they did begin to use napkins they placed them first on the shoulder, then on the left arm, and finally tied them about the neck. A French writer, who evidently was con servative and did not welcome the napkin kindly, records with scorn: "Tbe napkin is placed under the chin and fastened in the back, as if one were going to be shared. A person told me that he wore his this way that he might not soil his beautiful frills.' Napkins became popular in France -sooner than in England. At one time it was cus tomary at great English dinners to change the napkins at every course, to perfume them with rose water, and to 'have them folded a different way for each guest Profits Thrown to the Winds. lake your pick of any ulster in the house Irrespective whether they are marked '$30, $2S, $25 or $20 for the nnliorm price of (IS. This is the most sweeping cut ever made on seasonable garments. Bead onr big ad. for particulars. Solohos & Eubiot, ttixnitbfleld and Diamond streets. IT WAS 'STILLED HERE. Another Authority Is Heard on the First Barrel of Crude Oil. COALPORT, OHIO, PRODUCED IT. The Oil Was Plngfjed off Because It Hurt the Salt Water Flow. LETTERS QUOTED ON MB NEW THE0RT "In 1851 oil was first discovered in flow ing quantities in tbis country," said Mr. L. O. Cameron, who has been in the oil business here for the past 45 years, while in conversation with a reporter for The Dis patch yesterday. "It was in Coalport,, O., it was first found. Most of the people of this great State will pitch' into me for saying this, as all seem to think that the credit is due this State. But that cannot be helped. I am an old resident of Penn sylvania, but I have proof of the matter. "I have read with great pleasure the in teresting statements of Judge Mellon and others in the Sunday Dispatch as to the first use cf petroleum. Most of the gentlemen I am and was personally ac quainted with. I am one of tbe oldest oil men here, and permit me to give my expe rience as to tbe first distilling of the oil. in doing so I would not detract one iota of justice due A. M. Kier. To him alone as a man the world owes universal praise for his interesting effort to harness petroleum and make it universally helping to mankind." Mr. Cameron's story was told as follows: His Story of tbe Finding. In 1S51, while boring for salt at Coalport, Meigs county., O., near Pomroy, the Coalport Salt Company struck petroleum, or rock oil as It was then called. Tbe first oil ever dis tilled for Ilsht was from that oil, In 1S51, at 620 Liberty street, third floor. The oil flowed in zraHt quantities, and run from the wells into the Ohio river, which was quito a dis tance, and as tbey baa no use lor tne stun, they hardly knew what disposition to make o' it They soon learned that IMr. Samuel Kier. of this city, was using oil as a medicine and they sent him a can of it see U be could make any use of it It was very light In cravity, black In color, and very combusti ble, lie could do nothing with It At that time I had a contract to manufacture stove ware for Messrs. Pennock & Mitchell, nt No. 620 Liberty street, on the third floor. I had spent years ot extra time trying to improve light as lat and lard lamps were the only things used at that time. The lamps that Mr. lilor used were of my make. In 1844 I carried on the business in Freeport. Pa., making lamps there lor miners in which to burn oil that was taken from tbe wells above that place. While at Pennock's, I made a still to distill resin, hoping to get a light from that, but It was not a success for illuminatinc. Samuel Wickllne worked for Mr. Eier ac the time the oil was sent to him, and Wick lino told me or tlio circumstance. I told him to ask Mr. Kier to let me have It, and the next evening he brought it to mo. 1 used a large cannon stove to beat my room, which extended from,Liberty street to Vir gin alley. Tbe Oil Promptly Exploded. I prepared my still to test the oil and placed it on the stove. It soon began to make a loud rumbling noise. I went to the rear of the room, but upon hearing an explo sion, looked around and siw the oil had scattered over the floor and walls and was all on fire. I did not want to raise an alarm, so ran back, took my coat from the wall and commenced battering itaronnd and around, until I became exhnusted. By that time the oil had spent its lorceand died out Had I known the nature of it I would have let it alone, as it will burn on and do no harm. Not finding that effort jx success, I made a still on the principle of a farina boiler, and put that In operation. It soon began to run a clear liquid, as carbon oil, and It aston ished me. I took some of tbe liquldand what I called the sediment in bottles down stairs, to show it to Messrs. Pennock and Mitchell. 1 asked them what it was. They pronounced one clear water and the other tar. I told them to din a piece of paper into It and bold It to the fire. They did so, and it blazed up beautifully. They became ex oited and asked me what It was. I brought them a sample or tbe crude oil and told them where It came from. They asked me to go to Pomroy, O , on the first boat and secure it. I took samples In bottles, went to the salt company's office in Pomroy and showed my samples to Mr. Horton, then manager of the salt company. He was de lighted with it, and we went down to Coal port to the wells, but they had nluggod it off the dny before, having no use for it, as it spoiled the salt water. Mr. Kier heard of my success, and came to roe, examined the oil and consulted with me as to the process and the making of his new still. He had a small still, but It was stolen while he was moving. It was after this that Mr. Kier made his developments. He Had the Proofs. "I have here the copy of a letter," said Mr. Cameron, "which I wrote to the postmaster at Pomoy, O., on August 17th, in order to get proof of my statement" It read? as follows: Pardon me, a stranger, for troubling yon with these lines. There is a controversy now as to who stilled the first petroleum, and where It came irom. Awiiy back in the forties oil was struck in quantities in one of the oil (salt) wells, owned by a salt company In your place. The well, I think, was located below your town, at a place called Coalport. It was managed by an old gentleman, Mr. Horton, and I think the office was In vour town. Some of the oil was at that time "sent to me at Pittsburg and I stilled It, taking some of the product to Mr. Horton. He was aelighted with it. We went to the wells, but on account of it spoiling the salt, and having no use lor It, it wai pluged off. Is Mr. Horton living yet he was a fine gentleman? If so, ass: him if he remembers the circumstances or if he can give me the late ot the striking of that oil. Ic was in tho '40's. That will enable me to settle one point In 'stilling, ir Mr. Horton is not liv ing, perhaps some one of tne company can give the information desired as to the Btr.klngof tbe oil, at or about what time. Any information yon can gather for me, or having someone correspond with me as re gards to it or on tho subject will be a great lavor. .Respectfully, ' L. O. Camerox. Another Interesting Document Mr. Cameron then handed the reporter a copy of the answer ho received, which was irom Edward Turnbull, to whom the post master bad handed the letter. The letter is printed below: PouEitOY. Meigs county, O., ) December 25, 1892. My Dear Sib Tours of the 17th instant banded me yesterday by our postmaster. In renard to your inquiry. I will try and give you the answer. The first salt well borea at the Coalport Salt Company's works was in the summer of 1351 In boring the same tbey got oil, which flowed in such quantity as to run into tbe Ohio river, con tinning for some time. This was prior to my being engaged with the salt company in tlin wlnffli nf IfKUFi Thn a.nntiri i.U.ll was bored, but no oil was found in boring tbe same. In June, 1852, 1'put the pump into salt well No. 2, and on June IS started to pump the suit well. Alter pumping the same for an hour or so tlio oil came very proluselv. To stop the oil, as there was no demand for the same, I took the pump out of the well, put a flat seed bag on the pump at the depth of 230feotand shutout the oil. Oil was lound In some of the salt wells on the Kanawha river in the '40's, but it was not very plentiful. What I have stated I know from my own experience at both places. Mr. F. B. Horton has been dead lor several years. I do not know of but ono peison liv ing now besides my self that had any business with the works at that time. I was engaged as their manager in January, 1832. Tbe first salt well alluded to or the Coalport Sale Company never showed any sign of oil alter starting to pump salt water. But Found No Oil. I had a hole bored only three feet from tbe original to tbe depth of 830 feet, hut never got any oil. I was with the said company until May, 1851. If you wish any further testimony In regard to my standing, call on the firm of Messrs. C G. Hussey & Co., No. 49 Fifth avenue, Pittsburg, Pa. I think I have all tbe important points you wish to kno w. Trusting the foregoing will be satis factory, I remain Yours most respectfully, EDWABD TuBIfBULL. On receiving this letter Mr. Cameron immediately wrote in regard to some other points and received the following reply: Poiikbot, Deo. 29, 1891 Mr. L. O. Cameron: Mr Deab Sib Tours of the 26th received on the 27th nt 3 r. K. and contents lullv noted, il would have replied lortbwltli, but my heul th has been so very noor lor tho mit J lew days; hence tne delay. I am norvery robust, having passed my 72d milestone and may not pass another. I will try and com ply with your request, as you say the oil was very light in gravity nut very dark in color. Correct. One person I know mixed it with paint and painted two cottages. The oil evaporated and the balance penetrated Into the wood so that tho white lead all pealed off, leading the wood as before. I win send yon your original letter, also a copy of same, as I have no use that I Know of to wish to keep the same. I did not make any copy of my reply to you, thinking I would never hear from it again. Yes, I know something about slavery times. Hived six years in the Kanawha Salines. I was superintending the works known at the time as the Cowey Furnace, now known as the Daniel Boone. Away Back in the '40's. Tbe well was put down that got the oil In 1847, a little back from tho river and near to tho pike, but on the bottom between river and pike. The K. & O. R. It ruus close past same on tho north side of the welL ' e gathered the oil by nslug blankets irom the top of salt water In the reservoir, then using the oil out or blanket. Shonld yon come to Pomeroy soon shall be glad to see you. I remain yours most respectfully, Edward TtnufBULL. Mr. Cameron is confident that the above letters substantially prove him to have been the first distiller of erude petroleum oil. He remembers hearing of oil being report ed at Kanawha, and he footed it to that town, a distance of 61 miles. This was dur ing tbe slave days, and he was arrested three times on the way as a suspicious character. When the cholera visited tbis locality in the '40's he savs he had it very badly. Mr. Cameron lives at Bellevue with his wife. He has four children and a large number of grandchildren. "What is your age, Mr. Cameron?" the reporter asked. "What do you think it is?" Tbe reporter thought the gentleman must be much older than he looked, and put the figures at 70. "I was born in 1818," said Mr. Cameron, "and I can beat yon running yet," he added, with a laugh and a slap on the knee. Mr. Cameron does not look or act a day over 60, his step being light and his man ner much younger thanot most men 74 years of age. THE OVIDE MTJSIN C0NCEBT. Two Highly Successful Entertainments Given at the Old City Hall. It is not often that so many artists ot equal skill assist at a concert, where a well- known star appears, as was the case at Old City Hall yesterday when the Ovide Musin Company was the recipient ot one of the most enthusiastic welcomes ever accorded any body of performers. Mr. Eduard Scharf opened the matinee programme with Saint Saens' arrangement of "The Kermesse," from Gounod's "Faust" It is a very brilliant piece of music, with many technical difficulties that were all satisfactorily surmounted by tbe player's rare power of execution. Mr. Scharf is not only a very able ac companist, but a soloist of considerable merit, which bejdemonstrated in the render ing of Liszt's intricate "Rhapsodie No. 12." Mr. Pier Dehsco, the basso, was last heard here with the Minnie Hauk Opera Com pany and sustained favorably the impres sion he created at that time. His voice is not verv uowerful.notablv in the low tones. but his singing is so sympathetic and his general appearance so Impressive tha,t it is to be regretted he has left the stage for the concert platform. Miss Inez Parmater is without doubt one of the best ballad singers that has been heard of late in this city. Her mezzo soprano is remarkably clear and full aud her phrasing carried out in the minutest detail. Her rendering of Beginald de Koven's simple song, "Oh, Promise Me," captivated the sympathies ot the audience more than did any ot the other higher-classed numbers. Miss Annie Louise Tanner-Musin dis played a voice, ot uncommon range , and purity. Her high notes are delivered with an ease and precision' that are positively comfortable; tbe roulades are exquisite and shaded with perfect grace, while her sing ing throughout is so thoroughly artistic, scholarly and finished, without suffering from any conventionality, that her place rightly is among the very best concert 'singers before the Amer ican . public,, to-day. With due respects to the well known name of Mr. Musin, it is a serious question whether his wife does not surpass nim as a perfect ar tist. He has, of course, still the tame com mand ot his instrument that carried his tame across the Atlantic; his playing is brilliant and glittering, his execution mar velous to a degree, and his technique as magnificent as can be acquired with indus try and firm intent of purpose. But Mr. Ovide Musin is no longer a young man. The enthusiasm that filled his soul when younger is to some extent lost; he is heard to-day with the true admiration due to a mnsical genius, but a genius that knows its own worth and is satisfied with the victories already won. There are no new fields to conquer for him and no new honors to be obtained; his violin does not sing with the exuberant feeling ot a youth nor tatk with a man's convincing power. While his technical lorce is the same his sympathetic power has lost some ol its charm, and sym pathy is as necessary to music as aroma to a flower. For that reason Mrs. Musin was a bigger favorite with a greater part of the audi ence than the famous violinist himself. Withal, he still .possesses his old time popularity. His reception in the evening culminated in a demand for six encores, which were readily given. For once Pitts burg's lukewarm audiences melted before the genuine musical charm ot all the ar tists, and every number at both the mati nee and evening concerts was vigorously applauded and followed by encores. BETIEB THAN THE AUSIBIASS. The Australian Mounted Police Break All r.ecords in Biding. Boston Herald. In Australia, where population is sparse and distances are great, some remarkable feats of endurance in horse riding are cred ited to the mounted police, feats more re markable in some instances, taking into account all the circumstances, than those accomplished by the winners in the .mili tary ride between Vienna and Berlin. Trooper Power, in February, 1880, un dertook an arduous journey across a most inhospitable country in pursuit of a horse stealer named John Smith. This zealous officer traveled 766 miles in 26 days with out changing horses. For one stage of 80 miles he was wholly without water, and the country was in such a bad state for 130 miles that his two horses had nothing to eat His powers of endurance may be judged Irom the statement that he did 30 miles day on worn out horses, along long dry stages, aud with bad water or no water at all to drink. Trooper Wiltshire, on an other occasion, rode 85 miles in 20 hours on one horse. This was on May 28. J887, two days after the native had "stuck up" Eri duna station. The same man traveled 200 miles in four days when he heard that a comrade named Shirley had died ot thirst He did not have the macadamized roads and plenty of fresh water like trerman omcers, but ne bad a broiling sun to endure, sand hills to climb, "mulga" scrub to penetrate, and was some times compelled to take dead animals out of native wells before he could use the water. Ex-Votos Prom Palos. In the old church of Polos there are a number of small ex-votos of beaten silver, representing arms, hands, a man, a nun, the eyes, etc., hanging over the altar. Some of these objects are said to be ot great an tiquity. A recent visitor found a shop at Uuelva where they are still made and sold, and purchased for the Museum of the Uni versity a set ot these interesting objects identical with those in the church, where Columbus worshiped. Solomon JS Buben's Generous Offor. Choice of any ulster in the house, no mat ter whether tbey are marked 130, $28, $26,124, S22 or $20, for $15. Come quick, tbey will be snapped up In a burn-. Early comers wuivnavn tne uess cnoice. ueau our uu aa, for particulars. CROOKED DISTILLERS Greatly Interested in the Movement for a Higher Whisky Tax. IT WOULD BOOH THEIR TBADB And Also Force Uncle Fam to Double tbe Eevenne Force. BOMB LIGHT ON TBIS INDUSTRY The report that Congressman-Owen Scott, of Illinois, Is collecting Information with a View to securing the passage of a measure increasing the internal revenue tax on whisky has created more interest in the mountainous districts of Southern Ken tucky and Northern Tennessee than any proposed legislation since the days of re construction, says a correspondent writing from Glasgow, Ky., to the St Louis Globe Democrat. The very suggestion of an in crease of 40 per cent in the tax on distilled spirits has been sufficient to cause hun dreds of people of the "moonshine" ele ment in this section of tbe country to begin figuring on the price of stills, and to induce a number of the small army of revenue de tectives who frequent this territory to send in their resignations in anticipation of too much hard work. The opinion of an expert alone can deter mine just how much of an impetus the suc cess of Owen Scott's scheme will give to trie business ot moonshining. Colonel Tom Wells, the veteran revenue officer, is gen erally regarded as authority on this subject throughout several States of the South. He has seen twenty-one years ot this ser vice. Most of that time he has spent rov ing through the mountainous districts of Kentucky and Tennessee in search of illicit stills and their desperate owners, Curing this time he has received numerous wounds and has frequently escaped death mirac ulously where other men equally brave lost their lives. His nerve is never ques tioned by those familiar with the desperate fights in which he has figured with moon shiners. In a moment ot confidence Tom Wells once admitted that he 'had killed seven men at different periods of his life who insisted on distilling liquor withont the ordinary formalities prescribed by the Government A Determined "Kcvenooer." Withal Colonel Wells is a modest fellow. When he is quietly resting at his home in Bowling Grean he rather resembles a pro, fessional man. When he is in the saddle in a locality in which his favorite game is known to exist be undergoes a wonderful change. His orders are given to the posse in a quick, nervous tone. He knows tbe nature of the half-savage men he deals with and the danger ot being assassinated at every turn iu the road. It the moonshiners fight from behind protection thev are sure to nnu v ens auu ins men uoing likewise. A lew davs ago Colonel Wells was in Glasgow witfi two prisoners from the hills south of this place. When questioned on the subject of the proposition to increase the tax on distilled spirits he was at once interested. "Of course the plan will largely increase the revenue of the Government from the source," remarked Colonel Wells, "but I am satisfied the force of men now required to even keep the moonshiners in checK will have to be more than doubled. When the present enormous profit of the moonshiners is considered, with the small investments necessary, and the slight chance of detec tion they run, it is really a" mystery to me how the Government is able to handle the offenders. None but those in the business can know the enormous profits the industry Vays. Thes6 big distillers who form the trust think they have a great advantage over the moonshiner in their modern meth ods and costly machinery, but my experi ence teaches me to regard tbe skill ot the average moonshiner witb more admiration 'than he commonly receives. A Splendid Simple Secured. "Now, observe that .sample," said the Colonel, holding up to the sunlight a quart of as finely colored liquor as ever graced a sideboard. "I secured that in a raid sev eral days ago. It is as fine whisky as I ever drank, and the still in which it was manu factured did not cost $10. The beautiful golden color of that liquor is not the tinge ot old age, either. It is not a year old. It was made by an artist He knew too much to carry distillation to the furthest point. That produces fusel oil. That is what gives tbe nverace product of moonshine stills the very white appearance and bitter, biting taste. Too many moonshiners, in their anxiety tosecurc the greatest possible quan tity ot alcohol, carry the distillation too far, thus increasing the quantity of fusil oil and producing liquor that can always be recognized by an expert as the product of an illicit still, because the modern ma chinery avoids this trouble. "The wholesale distiller, with modern machinery, produces bis liquor at a edst of about 13 cents' per gallon.- He places it on the market at a cost of about $1 15 per gal lon. The difference represents tbe internal revenue tax and shipping. The moonshiner avoids all expenses except the original cost of distillation, and this is less than in tbe case of the legitimate. Tne Illicit Still Is Cheep. "The illicit still is simply constructed. A kettle fixed in a small rock furnace, in which the mash is boiled; a copper worm, similar to a piece of water pipe, through which the distillation may "be conducted through a vessel of water, In which the vapor may be cooled, aud a tnb to hold the product, is all the average moonshiner re quires to make hundreds of gallons of cood liquor annually and give employment to several posses of Revenue omcers. He raises all his product for the still. This is another nav in which he has an advantage over the distillers of the cities. In the reparation of an article as fine as any bourbon whisky that the Government over collected a tax of 90c per gallon on, the moonshiner will use 50 to 60 per cent of corn with 40 or 50 per cent of small grain." One hundred pounds of tbis mixture willr produce 4U pounds ot nne whisky, 25 per cent alcohol. II the distillation is not carried too far the result of the "run" will be a superb drink. If it is boiled too much and fusel oil is developed it may be redis tilled by adding more water, and the fiery taste thus done away with, bat tbis is seldom done because of the time required. Big Pre fits la Moonshining. "With the internal revenue tax at 90 cents, is at present, the profit of the moon shiner is $1 where tho trust makes 10 cents on a gallon of whisky. And with the reve nue officers in all these hills stills are being operated night and day. In 1875 more than 61,000,000 gallons of distilled spirits were manuiaciureci iu mis country, on which the Government tax was pai 1. I estimate that the moonshiners made and sold for the same period one-third as much. At the same time there were more than 3,000 high-salaried detectives operating in these Southern hills to suppress the illicit traffic It can't be done. The penalty when a conviction is secured is from one to five years, and tbis is nothing compared to the chances in the business to make a for tune. I know a number of fellows who have retired from the business after a few years with big fortunes. Tbe mar ket is inexhaustible and the income is cer tain. They are so well proteoted and so desperate that the efforts of tbe secret service annoy them about as much as a fly does a cow. Very seldom can they be con victed of murdering tbe officsrs. They do their fighting from ambush, though they do not lack courage, as I have frequently no ticed, and in the excitement of flying bul lets it is Impossible to identity the men who are doing tbe fighting even if they are ever caught Their instincts and surroundings teach them that they have a right to make and sell whisky withont the payment of any kind of a tax. Their fathers before them Jmoonihined and fought revenue offlcen,and they take a pride in following in tbe pater nal footslep ' The Chleror tho Moonshiners. "The acknowledged chief of the moon shiners of this entire section of the country is Joe Bowman. There is a remarkable fel low and it is a pity he is so wedded to his lawless ways. I am not certain that these illicit distillers are banded together in a secret manner, bnt ii they are Joe Bowman is at the head of tbe organization. He is a brainy fellow and with more nerve under trying circumstances thsn any man I ever saw. For more than ten years his head quarters have been near tbe Kentucky line In the southeast portion of the State. There is a great mystery surrounding the fellow. He has no family and, though he has made thousands of gallons of fine whisky annually and put it on the' market, I am told he is a poor man to-day. A whole army of revenue offi cers could not arrest Bowman, became all who knew him liked him for his liberal ways. He must have given awav all his money to the people he knows. We have tried repeatedly to catch him in tho past ten yean, but it is impossible. He seldom leaves his mountain fastness except to at tend to business, and then he appears scared to death until he-gets bark to his native wilds. I have always thought Bowmsn was wanted somewhere for some seriousDfTense, on account of the mystery with which he surrounds all his movements. He is one of the few moonshiners the money of the de tectives has been unable to reach. In most cases someone can be found to give informa tion about this class of outlaws, but it is not so in Bowman's case. Quick With Shooting Irons. "I met Bowman once. It was three years ago. I was hunting him. I was accom panied by Andy Boshford, one of the best revenue detectives in this State. We found Bowman and he shot us from our horses single handed before we could pull a gun. It was in the western part of Johnson county. - We knew Bowman was in that locality, as Andy had followed him from the southern part of the State the day be fore. We were on horseback. Neither had seen tbe noted moonshiner, bnt knew him by reputation, as he had killed a mutual friend tbe summer before in a regular duel near his mountain home. "It was about noon when we turned into a by-path to eat a lunch we carried. I was opening my saddlebags when I heard the report of a gun a long distance away, and at the same moment my companion threw up his hands with a scream of agony and fell from his horse. My horse sprang baek into tbe road we, had abandoned and before I could cast myself from my saddle I felt a bullet tear through my shoulder, and a second later I heard tho report of the sec ond shot. Again my horse jumped and I was thrown to the ground. I was scared terribly, because I could see no one. The suspense was awful. The possibility that I was liable to be shot to pieces from ambush was more than I could think ot without a shudder. From the ground I could see nothing, and I crawled to my companion's side. His face' was covered with blood from a big hole in his head. I thought be was dead as I could distinguish no signs of ife. I covered his face with his coat and hen examined myself. A Winchester bullet bad torn a terrible wound in my shoulder, from which blood was pouring. I bound it up tbe best I could and crawled through the woods to a creek we had crossed a lew minutes before the shooting. I carried my revolver, de termined to get a shot at our assailants if possible. I taw nothing till I was return ine, when I observed a man crawling toward me from tbe way I had just come. I was getting ready to shoot him when he raised his-face, and I recognized Andy. The ball had only produced a flesh wound, and he was coming down to get a driuk of water when I met him. "We remained in tbe woods till night and then reached a cabin where we were as sisted out of the neighborhood. I afterward heard that Bowman had done the shooting from almost half a mile awayC He said be shot just to try his rifle, and knew that, while he had hit us both, we were not killed, because the gun was not fatal that far. He could easily have waited and killed us both. No, I anTnot anxious to meet him again, though if I do one of us will get killed." POTtEBT W03ZEBS IN E07PT. What They Produce In Ceramics and Dainty Articles de Luxe. Jewelers' Chronicle. 3 Some very Interesting particulars respect ing the home industries of Egypt are given in a recent report which the Austrian Con sul at Cairo made to his Government. The greater part of the goods manufactured find a sale principally among tourists and for eigners visiting tbe country. Speaking gen erally, the Egyptian industries of to-day may be divided into three groups: The minor or "house" industry, agriculture, and the factory industry. Of the first group, one ot tbe oldest is the ceramio in dustry, which is carried on in pottery works on the river sides in Cairo, Alexandria and Bossetta. The chief articles of this class produced are the porous bottle-shaped vessels and bulging refrigerators known by the name of Alkaraza, as well as filters known as Sir, tbe latter chiefly made at Keneh. The finer classes of goods, such as ornamental vases, lamps, and ornamental articles ceneraliy, come irom Assiout and Upper Egypt. Cairo is tbe chief center of tbe metal in dustry. Articles of gold and silver are manuiactured in small quantities indeed ana chiefly for the peasant population and tourists. They mostly consist of massive silver rings for decorating the arms and ankles, twisted bands, chains ind filigree work of fine gold and silver. There are several lapidaries in Cairo and Alexandria, chiefly engaged in cutting turquoises. Tbe wood industry, besides employing a large number of joiners engaged in pro ducing ordinary European furniture, in cludes also some establishments in Cairo and Alexandria, where art furniture in the Arabian style is turned out. This mainly consists ih wall screens, presses, chairs, fauteuils, small tables, so-called Koran stands, mirror and picture frames, pier tables, etc, generally inlaid with mother-of-pearl, bone or metal. The principal pur chasers of these articies,too, are foreigners, either settledin or journeying through the country. Assiout docs an export trade in articles of ebony of finer workmanship in laid with ivory . Custom of Balslmrthe Bat The custom oi raising the bat to a woman arose in the days of chivalry and knight errantry during the period hetweon tbe eleventh and fourteenth centuries, when a youth's great object was to be admitted to the order of knighthood, one of the qualifi cations for which position was tenderness and gallantry toward women. Each woman in those days had her chosen knight, pre pared to do battle on her Denair, who on entering the lists, would raise to her his helmet as a mark of respect and obedience to her commands and it gradually became a mark of respect and deference to raise the hat to all women. Bobbers In Northern China. In many districts of Northern China or ganized robbery is the regular winter em ployment of so large a proportion of the people that travelers are forced to avoid these regions, it is said. Bobbers prey upon the people of the country as well as upon travelers. In many places families are obliged to have one member sit up all night with a light to discourage tbe thieves from attack, hut the robbers are so well or ganized that in many instances they bese and overpower the watchers. For a sore throat there is nothing better than a flannel bandage dampened with Cham berlain's Fain Balm. It will nearly always effect a cure in one night's time. This reme dy is also a favorite for rheumatism and has cured many very severe cases. CO cent, bot-tkl. OIL WELLS SHUT DOWN. Operators and Drillers Taking TwoDayi' Vacation Miles or Pipe Lines Frozen TJp-Theory Regarding the Change of Ohio Dusters to Producers. There was scarcely a string of tools run ning yesterday in the southwestern oil fields. The drilling wells were shut down Saturday night, and will not be started up until to-day or to-morrow. There was ne change reported in the flowing wells. The People's Gas Company expect to get in one well on the Wallace farm and a couple on the Dixon this week. They are located in the Gordon sand district, below Willow Grove. There were only one or two pipe line pump stations running yesterday, and the majority of the field men spent Christmas in Pittsburg. The pipe line people in tbe 3IcCurdy field are having trouble with the lines on account of the cold weather. Tho statement was made that there were four miles of pipe in that region which wero clogged up. "No statement of the runs and shipments of the various lines were sent out last evening. Theory in Regard to Ohio Wells. The following theory in regard to a pecu liarity of the Northern Ohio fields appeared as an editorial in a recent issue of the New Xork Morning Advertiser: Press dispatches state that an oil well flowing 2,030 barrels an hour was "struck" the other, day in Portage township, Han cock county, O., somo two or three mllea outside tbe city limits ot Flndlay. Tha peculiar thing about this Is that a number of wells were drilled In Portazo township four and five years ago, and they all "came in dnsters," showinfj neither oil nor gas. Abont 2i years ago oil was found in spots la good paring quantities. The puzzle has been to account for the fact that whereas there was no oil in this locality a few years ago Jt Is now found, there in great abundance. The most plausible theory is that the escape of the gas from tbe great field north and east of Portago township which supplies Detroit, Toledo, Flndlay. Fremont, Sandusky, Nor wnlk, Fostoria, Tiffin. Kenton. Ferrysburg, Bowling Green and 100 smaller towns, be sides tbe majority of tbe farmers living ad jacent to tbe pipe lines, creates such a suc tion as to draw tbe oil in from remote terri tory where It lies in pools and reservoirs connected with the Flndlay field by crevices in tbe earth which serve as conduits through which it may flow. Indeed, this seems to be the only reason able theory. The force of the suction may be estimated wben it Is stated that In the hundreds, perhaps thousands, of gas wells iu Hancock and Wood counties the pressure is from 250 to S00 pounds to tbe square inch. There are various other points in the Flndlay field which held neither oil nor gas a lew years ago in which fortunes have re cently been made from abundant flows of oil, but the increase bas been especially no ticeable in portage, ana tne inaications are that tbe field will always remain a jrood one. Tbe Ohio oil does not command so good a price as tbe Pennsylvania product but ic pays well enonzh to have already yielded a. great many fortunes to skillful and fortu nate operators, and will probably continue to do so. The farmers in that field are ex ceptionally lucky, as tbe soil is very rich, yielding splendid crops, while their royal ties from oil are so large that in many cases the amount received lor agricultural prod ucts cuts but a small figure In their yearly ncomes. LIVE STOCK. Cattle Higher, Hogs Barely Steady and Sheep lower. JI03DAT, Dec 28. The supply of stock on sale at the opening of the markets at tbe Central Drove Yards this morning was unusually light, particu larly with respect to cattle, but it was mainly because a train or two had becomo stalled west of Pittsburg. They were expected in dnring tho day, bnt had not arrived when the market closed at 11 x. East Liberty. Receipts at the opening: Cattle, SO loads; hog,33 double-deck loads; sheep, IS double deck loads. Lnst Monday: Cattle, 99 loads; hog", 25 double-dock loads; sheep, 20 double deck loads. CATTLE. Owing principally to the vory light sup ply the market opened 1015o per cwt niznoron common ana medium grade-, and 2025o on top grades. Snme of the early transactions are appended: William Holmes & Co. sold 19 head, weigh ing 24,050 lb. at $1 83: 19 bead, 22,660 lb, at i 30: 1 bull. 1,"3J lb. $3 30. Laflcrty Bros. & Iladden sold IS head, welshlnz 13,000 lb, at S3 5; six head, 6.210 ll. U 23: eight bead, 7,7:0 lb, $3 40; one coa-, 970 ll 12 35. Drnni, DyerJfc Co. sold 18 hnad, weighing 20,890 lb. H 35: 15 head, 19,770 lb, $5 00; IS hind. 17.000 11,$0: 1 bull. 1.610 lb, $3 23; 21 oxen, 3.C40 lb, $2 75; 1 heifer, 8101b, $2 75. John llesknt & Co. sold 19 head, weighing 23,'juu id, at $ MJ-. i ueau,B,-u " ' w; jo naa. 12,790 lb, at $3 10: 11 head, 15.710 In, $1 50: 20 head, 22.390 lb. $1 00; 3 cow and calves, $65; 1 bull, 1,93010, S3 00. 3eneker, Linkborn & Co, sold 8 head, weighing 7,41011), nt $2 63: 13 head. 110601b, $3 20; 18 head, 17.6SJ lb, $3 53: 7 oxen, 7.9V) lb, $3 20; 1 cows. a750 lb, $2 60; 23 head, 22.510 lb, $3 60; 5 bulls, 6,980 lb, $2 70. ilcCnll, Kowlen & Newborn sold 16 head, weighing 17.080 10, $4 00; 24 head, 22,840 lb, $3 50; 19 head, 20,030 lb, $4 10: 9 head, 12.610 lb, $3 35:17head,23.t2Jlb.$4 40: 7 head, 7,C631b, $3 75; 2 bull, 2,010 lb, $2 50; 7 heifera, 5,860 lb, $3 00. HnlT, nazelwood & ImbonT sold 25 bead, 23,110 lb. $3 63: 2 oxen, 3.140 lb, $2 65. 8. B. Hodge & Co. sold 9 head, weighing 9.140 lb. at J4 00; 1 cow, 1,090 lb, $2 60; 1 spring er, $21 00. EHEEF. The supply was light about 19 double deck loads, bnt the market was slow and a shade lower, as follow: Extra, 93 to 100 lb, $5 0O5 25; good. E5 to 93 Hi, $4 4001 70: fair, 70 to ;0 lb, $3 253 90; common, SI 0J3 0O yearlings, $3 O0JJ5 00; good to prime Iambs, 65 to 80 lb, $5 806 25; common to lair Iambs, $3 CC4 50. HOQ3. The offerings were fairly large numerically and rally up to the averago in quality, but the market was Mow and barely steady, on the ra-tl3 ! 16 755 83 lor best Philadelphia and $6 60Q6 70 lor best Yorkers. The Superior MEDICINE for all forms of blood disease, AyER 9& Sarsaparilla the health restorer, and health maintainer. Cures Others will cure you. DANIEL M'CAFFREY. PRIME YELLOW EAR CORN. 23! AND 240 JfXB" I'll . de23-n riTTSTtTTRO. UEOKEKS- FXN ANC IAL. ESTAULISUED l&Si. John M. Oakley & Co., UA-NKERS AND BUOK&K3. 45 SIXTH ST. Direct private wiro to New York and CM cogo. Member Sew York, Chicago and Pltej burg Exchanges. local seouriilei bought and sold for casl or carried on liberal margins. Investments made at our discretion anl dividends paid quarterly. Interest paid? on balance (since 1833.) Honey to lean on call. Information books on all markets mailed on application. ie7 Whitney & Stephenson 57 Fourth Avenue. ap3M