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NEW SERIES, VOL. 14, NO. 11.
SUNBURY, NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PA. SATURDAY, JUNE 8, 1801.
OLD SERIES, VOL. 22. NO 3
Tho Sunbury American.
PUBLISHED EVERY 6ATURDAY
BY H. B. MASSES,
Market Squart, Sunbury, rtnna.
TKRMSOF SUBUCRirilOH.
TWO llOLbAR per annnm tor paid hairyenr.
y mrtv,,". No rr discontinued nnt.l all arrearage.
rer'- TOCLUB8:
Thr Copies to one address ' ' ' J J
Reveu , do. do. -
Fift.cn do. do. W
riTOdolliiriin.dT.nM will p7 for three year's sub
sraintion to the American,
to.tma.ter. will pleaseact a. out Ami's, and franli
I ltaramiiMiiilng .ulneription money. Iney are nennii
1 tad to do thi. unUet the l'o.t Office Law.
TERMOFABVBIUI.
One Sqnare of 19 lines' 3 times, " 22
Kvery.ob.e,ucnt in.ertion, j"
One I'qunre, 3 month., " ? m
Bn month., . . 8 (10
One year,
Bn.ineMCoril.orFivelin,pimurn,
Merchants and other., artve-ti.uis- by the veer,
with the privilegeof inciting J.:ferentadv-
tisement. weekly. ,
iy Largci Advertisements, a. per agreement.
JOBPniNTXNO-
We have connected with our eftahli.hmeiit well sc
ire led JOB OFFICE, which will enable us to execute
in the neatest tyle, every vaiie.tv of printing.
i .ii . ; I '
H. B. MA3SEP..,
ATTORNEY AT LAW,
SUNBURV, PA.
Business attended to in the Counties of Nor
aumberland, Union, Lycoming Montour and
Columbia.
Reference! in Philadelphia .
Hon. .Inh R.Tvsnn. Chas. GIMns,F.sq
Somen ft. Sii'idgras.,
Linn Smith . Co
CHARLES Iff AT THEWS
OUtov nnj at atu,
No. 12S nroaihTAT, Sew York.
Will carefully attend to Collection, and all other matter
ntruRtril to hi. care.
Mnviil. l&a.
FRANKLIN HOUSE,
REBtTILT AND REFURNISH KD,
Cor. nf Howard and Franllin Streets, a few
Sifliares West of the N. C. R. R. Depot,
BALTIMOKB-
PsilMS, l PER DaT
(V. LEISENRING, Proprietor,
July 18, 1?59. tf From Selin. Grove, l"a.
WILLIAM K. SOMIBS
CHALKLKT BOMEMS"
G. SOMERS & SON,
Importers and Dealers in
Cloths, Cassimeres, Vestings, Taylors
Trimmings, &c,
No 32 South Fourth Street, between Market and
Chcsnut Streets, Philadelphia.
Merchants others visiting the city would find
it to their advantage to giv them a call and ex
jmine their stock.
March 10. I860
HARDWARE ! HARDWARE ! !
TfUST received by A. W. FISHER, at his
$ Drug Store, Sunbury, Pa., m
SCOOPS. SHOVELS, FORKS, LOG
CHAINS, MILL S,4VS, CROSS.
CUT SAWS.
Also, .Screws, Butts, Door Knobs, Thumb
Latched, and all hardware necessary for building.
A splendid I it of pocket and table cutlery, Scis
ors, Uerman feilver Spoons.
Looking Classes.
A large stock of Looking Classes, received and
for sale by A. W. FISHER.
Sunbury, July 17, 1S5R.
J. P. SHINDEL GOBIN,
Attorney j Counsellor at Law
WILL attend faithfully to the collection of claims
and all professional business in the counties of
Northumberland, Montour, Union and Snyder,
ounsel given in the German language.
Ollice one door east of the Prothonotary's
office.
Simbury, May 86, I860. ly
EINTERNATIONAL HOTEL,
BROADWAY, CORNER OF FRANKLIN STREET
NEW TOBK CITY,
ITcrs inducements to Merchants d Tourists visiting
ew York, uiwurpunwd by any Hotel ill the Metropolis,
t'he following are umong the advantage, which it posses
ses, and which will bo appreciated by all traveler..
st. A central location, convenient to place, of buaineu,
l. well as place, of amusement. , . . .
ad Scrupulously clenn, well furnished .itiing rooms,
.villi a magnificent Untie, l'uilor, coinmaiiduig uu exten
sive view of Broadway ... . ,
3il l.are;e n.d superbly furnished sitting rooms, with a
magnificat l'arlor, commanding an extensive view of
UiiHidwuy. .
4ih Heine conducted on the European plan, visitors
can live in the bent .tyle, with the greaie.t econon.y
6th. It i. connected with
Taslor's Celebrated Saloons,
whoro vii itom can have their meal., or, if they desire
they will b: furnished in their own room..
tith The fa;e seived in the Saloon, and Hotel i. ac
knowledued by epicuie., to be vastly superior to that of
buy other Il"tcl in the city. .
With all ihe.e adtanuiges, the cost of living in the
lutcrnutiuiial, is much below that of any other first clans
lintel. GILSON Jr, CO., Proprietor..
August 4, tSOO. ly
SPALDING'S rrenareil Glue, and Shelleys Mucilage
Price per bottle and brush 45 cents.
' Cordial Elixir uf Calisaya Bark 1 Uenzine.for removing
B'C',8'!' FOR 8 VLB AT THIS OFFICE.
Bunbury, March J7 1600.
A NEW LOT OF HARDWARE & SAD.
DLERY. AUo, the best assortment of Iror
Kails and Steel to be found in the county, at the
Mammoth store of FR1LJNU i Git ANT.
Kunbury, June 2, 1860.
SKELETON" SKIRTS
A T tha Mammoth Store will be found
very large BSBortment of Skeleton Skirts
from soveo boons up to tniriy.
Oct. 6, I860. Fill LIN Q& OR A NT.
Kerosene Lninpo.
A VERY LARGE and cheap assortment will
be found at the Mammoth Store or
Dec. 15, 1800. FRILINU & GRANT.
II
0! YE LOVERS OF SOUP! Afresh
sunnlv of Macaroni and uonlectionery at
' ' null IVH A CD kKT'H
Sunbury, June 2, I860.
IT is important to the LADIES to know that
Friling & Grant, Have me Desi ana largest
assortment of Dress Goods in the county.
Sunbury, June 2, 1860.
4 FRESH 8UPPLY OF DRUGS at the
M.mmnlh kin,. Alan a MM ti nf DAr.
fumery, Soaps and Fancy Article. Very cheap.
FRILINU & GRANT.
Sunbury, May 26,1800.
I
JATBNT BR1TTANIA STOPPERS Jb
par uukueti iui uio vj
H. B MAS8ER.
AR Iron, Steel, Nails, Picks, Grub-Hoes and
Masoo Hammers, at low prices.
BRIGHT BON
SunUiry, June , 18fl.
Select IJflclru
UNFURL THE GLORIOUS BAN
NER. Unfurl tbe glorious banner,
Let It sway npon the breezn,
The emblem or our country's pride,
On land, and on the seas
The emblem of onr liberty,
Borne proudly in tbe wars,
The bope of eveiy freeman,
Tbe gleaming Stripes end Stars.
Tbe glotioos band of patriots
Who gave the Flag its birtb,
Have writ with steel in history,
The record of its worth ;
. From East to West, from sea to sea,
From pole to tropic sun,
Will eyes grow bright, and hearts throb
high
At tbe name of Washington.
Ab proudly should We bear It,
And guard this flag of ours,
Borne bravely In its infancy,
Amid tbe darker hours 1
Only the brave may bear it,
A guardian it shall be,
For those who well have won
Tbe right to boast of liberty.
Tbe meteor Flag of Seventy six,
Iong may it wave in pride,
To tell tbe world bow nobly
The patriot fathers died ;
Wben from tbe shadows of their night
Outburst the brilliant sun,
It bathed in light tbe Stripes and Stars,
An lo ! tbe field was woo.
A WINTER IN RUSSIA A FRO
ZEN NATION.
Frobably horseflesh is difficult to dicest :
for every day, after each meal, tbe Tartars
would spend three or four hours sitting or
lying down on tbe stone bench in front of
tleir dwelling, and Immediately opposite my
windows, lo tbe early part of September
tbe bench did not ocenpy altogether more
than four or five hours of their time, and by
me tniauie oi ttie montn tney bad nearly
abandoned it. One morning about that pe
riod, 1 observed a little puddle in tbe street
with ice on tbe top, and from that day the
Tartars took to digesting tbeir horseflesh in
doors. Then, to my alarm, one of them came
ont again with a fur coat, or shoubn, which be
began to brush with macb care, as though be
expected before long to have use for it. A
few days afterwards, I saw a sledge being
conveyed aleng tbe slreot on tbe too of a
cart laden with firewood. This produced tbe
same sort of impression npon me that I ex
perienced in Paris ou tbe 3d of December,
wuen, beiore tne bring bad commenced,
1 saw a party of soldiers marchiug in tbe
direction of the boulevard in charge of very
significant brancards.
I be next morning there was a fall of snow :
and tbe cream was brought in from tbe
country wrapped carefully round with matting
to prevent us freezing. Hundreds ot cab
bages and tbausands of potatoes, similarly
proiecieo, were partuaseu ana stowed away.
Furlongs of wood (in Russia wood is sold by
the foot) were laid up in tbe court yard ; an
inspector of stoves arrived to see that every
peitnhka was in proper woiking order, and an
examiner uuc Iittei-in or windows was sum
moned to adjust tbe usual extra sash. At
ast tbe windows had been made fast, each
pane being at the same time repnttied into
us irame. un tne window-sill, in tbe space
between the outer and inner panes, was
something resembling a long deep line of
snow, which was, however, merely a mass of
cotton wool placed tbere as an additional
protection againBt the external air.
Indeed, the winds of the Russian winter
bave such powers of penetration that, in a
room guarded by triple windows, besides
shutters closed with the greatest exactness,
1 have seen the curtains slightly agitated
wben the bowling outside was Bomewbat
loader than usual. "Tbe wind." says Ure
gorovitcb, in bis "Winter's Tale," "howls like
a dog ; and like a dog will bite tbe feet and
calves of those who have not duly provided
tbemseives witn lur goloshes and doubly-tbick
pantaloons." Such a wlud must not be suf
fered to intrude into any bouse intended to
be habitable. Besides tbe cotton wool, which
is a special provision against draughts, tbe
space between tbe two sashes is usually
aaorneo wuu nruucmi nowers; iqoeed, tbe
foudness of tbe Russians for Sowers and green
leaves during tbe winter is remarkable. Tbe
corridors are converted iuto greenhouses by
means oi ireuis-worK covered with creepers.
Tbe windows of many of tbe apartments are
encircled by evergteens, and iu drawing-rooms
Uower-stauds rorm toe principal ornaments.
At the Bame time enormous sums are paid
for bouquets from tbe hothouses which abound
in both tbe capitals. Doubtless tbe long
winters have some share in the production of
this passion for flowers and green plants, just
as love of country is increased by exile and
I five of liberty by imprisonment. There are
generally at least two heavy snowstorms by
way of warning before winter fairly commen
ces its reign. Tbe first fall of snow thaws
perhaps a few days afterwards, tbe second ,
in about a week, tbe third in five months.'
If a lady drops ber bracolet or brooch in tbe
street during tbe period of this third fall, she
need not trouble herself to put out handbills
ouering a reward tor its discovery, at all
events before tbe spring ; for it will be pre'
served in its hiding place, as well as ice can
preserve it, nnta about tbe middle or April,
wben, if tbe amount of tbe reward be greater
tban the valne of tbe article lost, it will, in all
probability, be restored to ber.
Tbe Russians put on tbeir furs at tbe first
signs of winter, and tbe sledges make their
appearauce in tbe streets as soon as tbe
snow is an inch or two thick. Of course at
such a time a sledge is far frota possessing
any auvamage ovur a carriage on wneels ; but
tbe Russians welcome tbeir appearance with
so mucn enthusiasm, I bat tba brst aledge'
drivers are sure of excellent receipts for
several days. Tbe droskies disappear ona by
one with tbe black mad of autumn and by
the time tbe gilt cupolas of tbe churches and
tbe red and green roofs of tbe booses bave
been mad whiter than tbeir own walls, tbe
city swarms with sledges. It is not however,
until near Christmas, wben tbe "frost of St.
Nicholas" sets in, that tbey are seen in all
tbeir glory. The earlier frosts of October
and November may or may not be attended
to witboot any very uaogaroos results en
suing; but wben the frigid St. Nicholas
muket bis appearance staying tba most
rapid currents, forming bridges over tbe
broadest rivers and converting seas into de
setts of ice thru l.U.-t (rum bis breath, 'f
i .
not properly guarded against, may f prove
fatal. 11 owever, foreigners alone are afraid
of him. He Is the Russian's best friend.
Of the Russian peasant be Is cot only tba
patron-saint, bnt also tbo real benefactor.
lie Is tbe greatest engineer in tba country,
and does more In tbe department of roads
and bridges in a single night than tba notori-J
ous xvieniumicoui uiu in me nuuie uuursu ui
bis ministry. But when bo approaches yon,
you must not go ont to meet him otherwise
tban in a garment of fur, or tbe disrespect
may be visited npon you witb severity. This
is the sole return be requires for his services
in enabling yon to receive tbe veal of Arch
angel and tbe beef of Steppes, which can
Only be transported in the winter along bis
excellent roads. The year I was id Moscow,
St. Nicholas was nearly false to bis devotees.
The winter appeared to bave set in for a
continuance in November, and .provisions
were beginning to arrive from tbe country,
when suddenly tbere was a tbaw, and soon
afterwards tbe smaller rivers, which as tbey
freeze tbe first, are also the first to break np,
were pronounced unsafe.
Accordingly, the peasants on arriving with
their sledges at tbe Oka, distant about twenty
miles from Moscow, waited oo its banks
before risking their precious lives, and, what
was more important, their valuable provis
ions, on its treacherous ice. As the tbaw
continued, thetiver became in some places
quite impassable, and tbe peasants fonnd
themselves in this dilemma : if they attempted
to cross the Oka, tbey and tbe contents of
tbeir sledges might be lost together ; but if
they remained where tbey were, tbe poultry
and meat which tbey bad intended to convey
to Moscow, would inevitably spoil, and they
would have to teturn home without provis
ions and witbont money. Now the peasants
on their road to the Moscow markets, take
their meals at the wayside inns on credit, and
pay as tbey go home, after tbey bave effected
a sale ; so that to return without money was
out of the questioo. Accordingly, rustici
expectaverunt, and in this case, with some
reason ; for though it was beginning to flow,
tbe river was certainly not destined to roll on
in omne volubilis oevum.
In tbe midst of the difficulty, like tbe devil
in a German legend, a Jew appeared on tbe
banks of tbe Oka. Tbe provisions were still
sound, and tbe Oka, though now nearly free
from ice, might be converted into a bard road
almost in a single night. At all events, if the
frost once recommenced, the provisions were
safe; and a Jew can always wait for bis
money, if by a few days' delay it will become
tripled and quadrupled. Accordingly tbe
Hebrew offered some sort of pottage on the
spot for tbe right of takiug all the sledges
witb tbeir contents to tbe Moscow markets
as ston as an opportunity presented itself.
Whether be also offered something to St.
Nicholas is unknown ; but that night tbe
mercury fell, tbe next morning tbe ground
was covered witb snow, and before evening
-the Oka was again a road, and tbe sledges on
tbeir way to tbe "Jt rozeo Market of Mos.
cow, where tbey arrived just in time for the
Nikolski fate.
Tbe Frozen Market is one of tbe most
curious in Moscowwhich abonnds in markets
of a curious kind. There is tbe market for
Che hiring of domestio servants ; tbe horse
market, beloved by gipsies ; tbe market for
earthen pots, and the market for wTtoden
pails. Tbere is tbe fruit market, especially ,
pleasing to foreigners from its delicious water
melons in tbe autumn, and its admirable
frozen apples, like apple-ice, in Uie winter.
There is the hay market, where, besides the
bay, cream, batter, eggs, and all kinds of farm
produce are exposed for Bale. There is the
market of tbe Soukbareff Tower, for tbe sale
of furniture, clotbs, sledges, tea-urns, screw,
drivers, rusty-nails, second hand books, and
especially stray numbers ot tbe Russian
Messenger, the Contemporary, tbe National
Annals, the Muscovite, and other ingenious
reviews. Then there is tbe market for odori
ferous sheepskins and moth-eaten shoubas,
vamped up winter boots, bage. loather glovea,
shaped like baby's mittend, Cossack and
Circassian caps, felt goloshes, caftans, and
girdles, to say nothing of fish-pies, salted
cucumbers, boiled liver, raspberry kvasn,
black bread, and other "delicacies of tbe
seasoo," for buyers and sellers ; a market
whose popular and emphatic name is "Lousu
Market," and where you may have your hand
kerchief stolen from you at one end and
offered to you for sale at tbe other.
Hut none of these markets are so strikingly
Russian as the Frozen Market. It is not
until the fete of St. Nicholas or later still,
the. week between Christmas and tbe new
year that this strange exhibition is to be
seen in all its glory. By that tioio tbe severe
period of winter has fairly sat in. Tbe sol
diers, tall, stalwart men, are wearing tbeir
long grey coats over tbeir heavy knapsacks,
which bulge out and make them look like
so many hunchbacks ; while tbe broad black
bandages which protect tbeir ears and cheeks
give them the appearance of persons suffering
from toothache. Tbe cold has, indeed, had
some effect upon them ; for as tbey march in
from tbe country their raw faces are as red as
beef, and tbeir frozen moustaches as white as
horseradish, hvery moujtk, with bis long
and literally snow-white beard, looks like an,
allegorical figure of winter.
The blackest borses are now piebald, thank?
to tbe boar-frost which has decorated tbeir
sides, while tbe congelation of tbeir breath
ronnd tbe long hairs that project horn tbeir
nostrils, adds to the peculiarity of tbeir ap
pearance, and furuisbes tbe-m witb a Bet of
spikes such as calves wear in weaning-time.
out although tbe drivers and borses of tbe
sledges, as they burry towards tbe market
place, lorm a by no means nniuteresting part
of the exhibition, tbeir loads, when taken out
and arranged witb a view to sale, present a
picture wbicb is lar more stnkiog. no one
side you see a collection of frozen sheep
stiff, ghastly objects some poised on tbeir
noo-s like tbe wooden animals in a cbiid s
'Noah's Ark;" others on tbeir aides, witb
tbeir legs projecting exactly at rigbt angles
to tbeir bodies ; others, again, on tbeir backs
witb tbeir leet in tbe air alter tbe manner or
inverted tables. The oxen are only less
grotesque from having been cleft down the
back an operation which seems to take them J
out of tbe category or oxen and place tbem
in that of beef. Tbe pigs are drawn up in
a line againBt a wall, standing on their iiiud
legs, witb their fore feet extended above tbeir
beads, in an attitude of exhortation.
Among the poultry and game, tbe bares
are especially remarkable, from the fact tbat
their fur, wbicb through tbe summer is either
brown or gray, has at tba approach of win
ter, turned completely white a provision of
nature which enables the Russian and Siberi
an bare to travel through tbe sno in quest
ot food witb a certain amount of impunity,
though it never fails to be represented at tbe
wiuter margeis oi Moscow and St. 1'eters
burg. Tbe partridges, quails, grouse, heath
cocks, woodbens, &c, are lying together in a
frozen mass t and by tbeir side are tba ducks
and geese, with outstretched necks, so stiff
and straight tnatyoa mtgbt take oca of these
l. jil e birds by the bill, and, using it as
bludgeon, knock your enemy down with tbe
body. Tbe fowls bave been plucked, plunged
into cold water, and left to freze. Thus tbey
are completely eocased ia ice, and in tbat
condition will 4eep for any time.
Frnm the Bellefcmte Watchman
Correspondence from the Oil Region.
Mr. Editor t An I have seen several distor
ted and very incorrect accounts of the recent fire
and lose of life in the Oil Regions, and as a cr.
rect and full discription of that terrible caustialitv
has not yet been published, I have concluded to
send you one which you one may either commit
to tbe flame of your columns as suits your hu
mor. In order that your "reader may fully under
stand it, it will be necessary to briefly desci be an
oil well.
The mode of making these differ in different
localities, in depends on the nature of the earth
which ia to be penetrated in reaching the rock.
In some sections the rock in usually reached by
digging, but on Oil Creek it is cove.cd by a very
deep deposit of alluvia, which is so tilled with
water as to render digging impossible. Thoy
therefore, are compelled to drive iron pipes of 5
or 6 inch calibre to the rock. In some instances
they have been driven 100 feet, but usually from
30 t CO feet. When the rnck is reached and
the pipe firmly driven into it, drilling commences
and ia carried on until "oil is struck," or a fissure
containing it is found, when the gas which always
accompanies It, throws it out with great violence
and with pulsations as regular as those of the
human heart when the body is at rest. This
discharge frequently con tines until eulficicnt oil
is discharged to pay all expenses, and has given
rise to those absurd stories of fabulous yields of
oil which one frequently sees in print. Often it
has "blown out" a pump Is j(Mrled, werkod with
steam, and the product which at first was perhaps
100 barrels per day, diminish to 5, 10 or IS bar
rels per 24 hours.
The land upon which this well is lecated, be
longs to ex 'Representative Rouse and Mitchel,
and is covered with oil wells at intervals of 6 or
8 rods. They were drilling it and had leached
the depth of 330 feet, which a vein was "struck,"
which threw up oil and gas In far greater quanti'
tics than had yet been seen. It discharged a
column the full sfzeof the pipe, 18 inches, with
such force as to raise it ISO feet in the air, and
the quantity of gas which is identical with that
used in lighting cities, was so great as to be dis
tinctly visible. The evening was calm, and it
therefore became exceedingly dense in the neigh,
borhood of the well, and in thrco quarters of an
fcour it had apparently diffused itself through the
phole, as about that period it ignited and explod
ed with a report louder than the heaviest artillery,
and with a shock that shook the earth for miles
around. Then followed a scene which entirely
beggars description. The ground near the well
was full of cavities containing oil, so that it stood
knee deep over most of the surface. Wben re
cently pOmped it contains a large percentage of
a volatile explosive and very inllatnmable liquid
called bepzole or benzine. Within and surround
ed by this mass of inflammable matter, were Mr.
House and a number of then, some engaged in
barreling oil, while others were attracted by cu
riosity. All these simultaneously with the ex
plosion were enveloped with, and several appa
rently instantly killed by? tltn. explosion, and
others made their way out of the fire with tbeir
clothing saturaded with oil and flaming high
above their heads. Some rushed out and with a
shriek fell dead, blackened, charred and burned
out of all semblance of humanity. One heroic
young man, a Mr. Skinner, after escaping him
self, rushed back and recovered twe, but in re
turning fur tie third Its unfortunately fell and
was burned to death.
Mr. Rouse was one of iboso rescued by Skin
ner, and when found it was impoasiblo for his
most intimate friends to rocnguize biin. When
asked who die was by those who had just from
him in health, he appeared to be greatly shocked
and exclaim, 'Is it possible that no one knows
Rouse V Parts of his body were completely con
sumed and the whole surface charred, yet in this
horrible condition he lived eight hours entirely
tree from pain, and witb a nnnJ as clear as it
ever was. He dictated his will, conversed cheer
fully, and could scarce believe the physicians
when they assured him tbat he must die, decla
ration that he never felt better in his life.
Including him since the fire, 16 have died, and
la are still vnde treatment, of whom three are
in great danger but may recever if the weather
remains cool. Tbe remains of five are known to
be under the heap of manure and earth with
which the fire was smothered, but as there were
several sirangera present it is lelieved that tlicro
were snore, and this is strengthened by the recent
discovery of the irons of some carpet sacks in the
vicinity of the well, as the fire continued for sev
eral days, and the heat was siifliciciitly intense
in some parts to entirely dissipato every vestige
of a man. The number will never be certainly
known. This is as correct a stateynent of the
oaauality as can be made, and as I aim one of the
attending physicians, I have bad every facility
to acquire correct information.
As to the causes that produced the explosion,
there are various opinions. Some believe it was
ignited by a cigar, but the immense amount of
gas and its extensive difl'u'ion, render it probable
that it ignited at a distance from the well.
Regarding it as a pyrotechnic (if yon will
allow the expression) display, it wag the most
awfully graud ones ever presented to mortal
eye. More than half an acre of ground, in
cluding fonr wells and buildiugs attached
witb a large barn, was covered with a dense,
vivid, and roaring mass of flame from 50 to
lot leet bleb, whilst in the centre, towering
high above tbe rest, was the above mentioned
column of oil, now homing witb fury and
throwing on particles in every conceivable
angle while exploding in the air, threw out
myriads of brilliant sparks : others of larger
size fell witb graceful curvature to tbe ground,
wnera they exploded witb a load report
High above this column flamed tbe burning
gas, and tbe whole was capped and envelop
ed by tbe black, thick, dismal smoke of burn
ing bitumen, tba whole surging up and down,
to and fro, with each pulsation of tbe migbty
force below, each throb of which was attend
ed witb a bideoos, roaring, rusking sound.
Add to all this tbe cccasionrl glimpse or a
human body, as it was tossed about on tbe
fiery billows, tbo fact tbat each spectator
feared tbat it might be the remains of a
friend or.relative, ood tbe shrieks and cries of
men and women as tbey run frantically
around, calling opon tbe names of husband,
brother, or friend, and you bave an accumula
tion of horrors wbicb no pen can describe.
VVm. 11. SllL'OKRT.
W e leau from the "Wheeling Intelligencer"
of Thursday last, tbat tbe first belligerent
issue between tba "Union men" of of west
ern Virginia and the "State troops," recog
nizing; the authority of tbe Southern Con
federacy, bas been joined at tba town of
Clarksburg, in the oouoty or Harrison.
Two companies of tbe confederate military
laving marched into tbat place on the 20th
instant, tba Court Ilouse bell was rung as
a signal for tbs assemblage of tbe two "Un
ion military companies" in Clarksburg, dnder
tha command of Captains A. C. Moora and
I. 0. Vance, who demanded that tbe "confed
erate forces' should surrender tbeir arms and
disband. Alar a brie parley tba demand
was cuupiia wrvn,
HAVOC OF LIFE DT WAR.
It is difficult to conceive what fearful havoc
tbis custom has made of human life. It bas
at times entirely depopulated immenie dis
tricts. In modern as well as ancient times
large tracts have been left so utterly desolate,
tbat one might pass from village to village,
even from city to city, without finding a soli
tary inhabitant. Tbe war of 1756, waged in
tbe heart of Europe, left in one instance nn
less than twenty contiguous villages without
a single man or beast. The thirty years war,
the 7th century reduced tbe population of
Germany 12,000.000 to 8.000,000, three
fourths ; and that of Wirtemburg from 500,
000 to 48,000, more than nine-tenths I
Thirty thousand villages were destroyed in
many others the population entirely died out ;
and in districts, once studded with towns and
cities tbere porane ud immense forests.
Look at tbe havoc of seiges in that of
Londonderry 12,000 soldiers, besides a vast
number of inhabitants ; in that of Furis, in
the 16th century, 30,000 victims of mere
hunger : in that of Malplaqaent, 34,000 sol
diers alone : in tbat of Ismail, 40,000) of
V lenna, 70,000 ; Ostend, 120 000 ol Mexico,
150,000; of Acre, 300,000; of carthage,
700,000 ; of Jerusalem, 1,000,000 !
Mark the slaughter of siugle buttles at
Lepaote, 25,000; AtiEterlitz, 30,000; ot
Kylau, 60,000; at Waterloo and Quartre
bras, one engagement in fact, 70,000 ; at
Borodine, 80,000 ; at Fontenoy, 100,000 j
at Arbela, 300,000 ; at Chalons. 300.000 or
Attillu's army alone ; 400,000 Usipetes, slain
by Jubus Ciesar, in one battle, and 430,000
Germans, in another.
Tak only two cases more. Tbo army of
Xerxes, says Dr. Dix, must have amounted
to 5,282,320 ; and if tbe attendants were only
one-third as great as common at tbe present
day at Eastern countries, tbe sum total must
bave reached nearly six millions. Yet in
one year, this vast multitude was reduced,
though not entirely by death, to 300,000
fighting men ; and of these, only 3,000 esca
ped destruction. Jnngbiz'Kbau, tbe terrible
ravager of ABia in tbe 13ih century, thot
U0.0U0 on tbe plains of Nessa, and massacred
200,000 at tbe storming of Charasm. In tbe
district of Horot, be butchered 1,600,000. and
in two cities with tbeir dependencies, 1,700,
000. During tbo last twenty seven years of
bis long reign, be is said to have massacred
morn tban half a million every year; and in
.1.- c. r . , - , ,y
tun ursi lourieeu years, ne is supposea, oy
Chinese historians, to have destroyed not less
than qigbtuen millions; a sum total to
thirty-two million in forty-one years I
In any view, what a full destroyer is war !
Napoleon's wars sacrificed full six millions,
and all the wars consequent on the French
revolution some nine or ten millions. 1 be
Spaniards are said to have destroyed in forty
two years more tban twelve m.llions of
American Indians. Grecian wars sacrificed
15,000,000; Jewish wars 25,000,000; the
wars of tbe twelve Ctusurs, thirty millions ;
in nil tbe wars of the Romans before Jolins
Cicsar, sixty millions ; the wars cf tbe Roman
Empire, of tbe Saracens and tbe Turku,
sixty million enth ; those of tbe Tartars,
eighty millions ; those of Africa 100,000,'
000 1 ''If we take into consideration," says
tbe learned Dr. Dick, "the number not onlv
or those wjio have fallen in battle, but of
those who bave perished through the natural
consequences of war, it will not perhaps be
ovetrating tbo destruction of human life, if
wu affirm tbat oue tenth of tbe human race
has been destroyed by tbe ravages of war :
and, according to tbis estimate more than
fourteen thousand millions of human beings
bave been slaughtered in war Binco the
beginning or the world." Edmund Burke
weut still further. Bud reckoned the sum total
to its ravages, from tbe first, at no less tban
tbirty-uve thousand millions.
Hints on Washing the Hands
Some "philosophy" is useful in even so
simple a matter as washing the bands ; if any
one doubts it let ber, with a microscope,
examine tbe surface to be cleansed by water,
and ebe will be interested, and perhaps
shocked at tbe discoveries made. Instead of
a smooth surface of skiu, presented wkeu
unwashed, a dingy appearance, tbere will be
seen a rough, corrugated sarl'uce, witb deep,
irregular furrows, in which the foreign parti
cles are deposited like earth among tbe
rough paving stones oi a street. If tbey lay
loosely, it would be ao easy matter to dis
lodge tbem witb a little cold water ; but the
pores, tbe waste of tbe body, are contiuually
discharging into these open drains pespiration
and oil, which by evaporation become a
coraent to hold the particles of dust, etc., and
to remove tbem requires both chemical and
mechanical action. Warm water softens
tbis cemejit, expands the furrows, and makes
the ekiu pliable, so that by rubbing tbe soil
ia disturbed and partially removed. But
chomistry must aid a little before tbe process
is complete ; and soup is added, tbe alkali of
wbich unites with tbe oily matters, and tbe
whole is then easily disposed of.
The wash-clot is useful because its threads
or fibres work down among tbe furrows, like
so many little brooms, sweeping tbem out;
hence it should be soft and pliable. Flannel
is preferable to cotton for tbis purpose, and a
Bponge is best of all. Rough coarse cloth are
objectionable, as tbey abrade the silk and
leave it rough and more easily filled with
dust tban before. Harsh, etrougly ulkaline
soap should be avoided for tbe same reusou ;
it abstracts all tbe oil from tbo npper layer of
tbs skin nud makes it "chup or crack."
Wbere a sponge is not obtainable, a very
neat and serviceable wash cloth may be knit
of soft cotton twine ; either wit b the crot
chet, or. witb coarse wooden needles ; knit
ting back aud forth, as garters are knit. A
mitten knit of tbis cotton witb tbe crotchet
needle is very handy for tbis purpose, and
makes a neat article for tbe waab-btuud. A
wasb rag will not be tolerated by a tidy
housekeeper. If cloths are used, let tbem be
neatly benimed, and scrupulously vleau.
Applying a little vinegar and to tbe bauds
and face, after tbe use of soap, and rinsing
off the water, is a capital process to preveul
chapping or roughness. Tbe acid neutralises
the aliki of tbe soap, and keeps it from
destroying tba skin. Try this frequently,
especially on washing days. Diluted vine
gar or other acid is excellent for the face
after shaving. (Jermautown Telegraph.
How to Purify Ranoid Lard. A corres
pondent or the Country Gentleman furnishes
tbe following recipe : We bad some 40 lbs.
rancid lard, wbicb was valueless as it was
Knowing the antiseptic quality of the chlo
ride ef soda, 1 procured three ounces, which
was poured into a pailful of soft, and when hot
the lard added. After boiling it thoroughly
together for an bour or two it was set aside
to cool. Tbe lard was taken off when nearly
cold, and was subesquently boiled up. Tbe
color was restored to an alabaster white, and
tba lard was as sweet as a rose.
Dan wishes to know if kulet are coutbasti-
fcle, as be ofuo bears of tbeir being burnt.
What a Volcano can do.
Catopaxl, In 1738, threw its fiery rockets
3000 feet above its crater, while in 1744 the
blar.lsg mass, struggling for at) outlet, roared
so tbat its awful voice was beard a distance
of more than COO miles. In 1797 tha crater
or Tungnragua, one of the peaks of the Andes
flung out torrents of mud wbich dammed up
rivers, opeaed new lakes, end in valleys of a
tbonssnd feet wide made deposits of six hun
dred feet deep. The stream from Vesuvius,
which in 1737 passed through Torre del
Oreco, contained 33,600,000 cubic feet of
solid matter ; and in 1794, wben Tnrro del
Groco was destroyed a second time, tbe mass
of lava amounted to 45,000,000 cnbio feet.
In 1769, Etna poured forth a Good which
covered 84 square miles of surface, which
measured 105,000 cubic feot. On tbis occa
sion tbe scoriic formed the Monte Rossi, neefr
Nfccolo.'i, a cone two miles in circumference
and 4000 feet high. Tbe stream thrown out
by Etna in 1810 was in motion at tbe rate of
a yard per day for nine months after tbe
eruption ; and it is on record that tbe luva of
the same mountain, after a terrible eruption,
was not thoroughly cooled and consolidated
ten years after the event. Iu the eruption
of V esuvius, A. D., 70, the scoriic and ashes
vomited forth fur exceeded the entire bulk of
the mountain ; while in 1660 Etna disgorged
more .than twenty times its own mass. Ves
uvius bas thrown its ashes as far as Constan
tinople, Syria and Egypt; it burled stones,
eight pounds in weight, to Pompeii, a dis
tance of six miles, whilo similar masses were
tossed 2000 feet abovo its summit. Cotopaxi
bas projected a block of 109 cubio yardB in
volume a distance of nine miles, and Samba
wa, in 1815, during tbe most terriflo eruption
on record, sent its ashes os far es Java a
distance of 300 miles surface, and out of a
population of 12 000 souls, only 20 escaped.
Recreative Science.
Tho Island of Java-
Batavia, tbe capital city is a brilliant spe
cimen of Oriental splendor. The houses,
which are white as snow, are placed two or
three hundred feet back from tbe street, tbe
intervening space being filled trees, literally
alive with birds, and every variety of plants
and flowers. Every house has a piazza in
front decorated with beautiful pictures, ele
gant lamps, bird cages, &c, furnish accom
modations for the family, who sit bore morn
ings and evenings. At night tbe city is one
blaze of light from the lumps. Tbe hotels
bave grounds of eight or ten acres in extent
around them covered witb fino 6bade-troes,
with fountains, flower-gardens, &s. Indeed
so numerous are tho trees, tbe city almost
resembles a forest. The rooms are very high
and spacious, without carpets and bnt few
curtains. Meals are served up in about the
same style as at first class hotels in the Uni
ted States, although tbe habits of living are
quite different. At daylight coffee and tea
are taken to tbe guest's room, and again at
eight o'clock, with light refreshments. At
twelve breakfast is served, and at Beven din
ner. Coffee and tea are always ready day
and night.
No biisinoss is done in tba street in tbs
middle of the day, on account of tbe heat.
The nights and mornings are cool and de
lightful ; birds are singing all night. The
thermometer stands at about 82 degrees
throughout tbe year. Tbe island of Java
contains a population or 10,000,000 ; tbe city
of Batavia, 180,000. Tbe island abounds
witb tigers, leopards, anacondas, and poison
ous insects of all kinds. The finest fruits in
the world are produced in great profusion.
Col, Ellsworth's Last Letter.
The following letter, directed to Col. Ells
worth's parents, was written by bim the night
preceding the visit to Alexandria, wbich re
sulted in his death. It seems from bis tone
that the gallant soldier must bave bees im
pressed witb tbe belief tbat tbe expedition
would result fatally to himself.
"Headquarters Fir6T Zouaves, Camp
Lincoln, Washington. May 23. My Dear
Father and Mother: The regiment is ordered
across the river to-nignt. Wo have no means
of knowing what reception we are to meet
with. I am inclined to tbe opinion tbat our
entrance to the city will be hotly contested,
as I am informed a large force bave arrived
tbere to day. Should tbis happen, my dear
parents, it may be my lot to be injured in
some manner.
"Whatever may happen, cherish tbe conso
lation tbat 1 was engaged in the performance
of a sacred duty ; and to-night, thinking over
tbe probabilities of tbe morrow and tbe oc
currences of tbe past, I am perfectly content
to accept whatever my fortune may be, confi
dent that lie who nototh even tbe fall of a
sparrow, will bave some purpose even in tbe
fate of one like me.
"My darling and ever-loved parents, good-
Dye, uoa Diess, protect, and care for you.
Elmer."
Guard Against Vulgar Languaoe.
Tbere is as much connection between tbe
tbe words and the thoughts as there is be
tween tbe thoughts and the actions. Tbe
letter are not only tbe expression of the form,
er, but they have a power to react npou the
soul, and leave the stain of their corruption
tbere. A young man who allows himself to
use one vulgar and profane word has not on
ly shown that tbere is a foul spot on bis mind,
but by the nttoracce of tbat word he extends
to tbat spot end inflames it, till, by Indulgence,
it will pollute aud ruiu the whole soul. lie
carefnl or your words as well as your tbogbts.
If you can control tbe tongue tbat bo improp
er words are pronounced by" it, you will soon
be able, also, to control the mind, and 6uve
that from corruption. You extinguish tbe
fire by emotheriug it, or by preventing bud
thoughts from bursting outiu language. Nev
er otter a word anywhere wbicb you would
be ashamed to speak iu the presence of tho
must refioed female or the most religious man.
Try this practice a little while, aud you will
soou have command of yourself.
Larue Cohtbacts. Some idea of the vast
necesxsties of war may be formed by a glance at
an olliciul aJvertiaelnent, pub.Ubed in the Wa.h.'
inglon papers, for supplies. Proposals are invi
ted for luruUhing articles for tbe army, which
are to be opened on the 3d of June. Amongtbe
articles required, we find the following:
Colton goods, various description, yds., 1 11 8 000
Flannel, vaiious colors, yards, 1,1 10.000
Cloib, various, 415.0U0
Stockings, woolen, ,airs, iOti.ODO
Blanket, oO.OOo
Thread, pounds, 14,000
Bunting, red, white and blue, yards, 60,000
Buttons, grooM, 97,000
Canteens, 00.000
Mess pane, Sfi.OOO
Camp kettles, 10,000
Together with all necessary tents and tent
equipage, ax.es, hatches, shovels, spades, pickax
e, ire.
A diver of Kiogetoa, J a mace a, recently
recovered a thousand dollars' wort of ivory
from a ibip sunk iu the harbor of that city
itr ous hundred years old.
Ths Isabella Grape.
We see a voice raised for this well-known
and formerly highly prized grape, in the
Oardener't Monthly, and we do not wish to
stifle it. H there can be anything suggested
by wbich we can produce annually rair, well,
ripened crops or lbs Isabella, we are ready
to adopt it. We bave been so long disap
pointed in obtaining satisfactory crops, with
what we supposed to be careful cultivation
that Wo have almost despaired of success,
after the Vines cot a littln V h.r.io.
copy what a "New York Fruit Grower" has
to say, with pleasure, and commend it to
attention t
"This OODUlar Varlntv la OTlonoi-jol-,
on the Hudson, and more tons of it are annu
ally soia in me xvew-xork market than of all
others put together. It is a good grower,
aud when nronnrlv nlnnt.prl nnrt n.nn.,1 I
I I I - vuu .UWC, ,
does not snffer from tbe mildew either in tho
leal or lro.it in this locality. It is so amazing'
lv nrnrtnr-tiva thnl. ulinn n.l r...r...,l I .... -
enough it is apt to Bet twice as much frnTt os
ii, tuu mature, auu ioe vine win yield up all
Aer strength in order to mature the fruit t
which, however, in such cases, does not ripen
ur ueuume eweei u it remains on tue vine till
winter, and tbe vino in such case, will almost
invariably b found in a burl r.,nr1it,nn r
fruiting tbe next season. Hence the impor
tance or pruning witb care and skill, and he
wbo is the master of tlm hnnins.a Kill oolrl,.
leave more bearfog wood than tbe strength of
iu viue win aamn oi, Dut 11 be should be
will before tho fruit is half grown tbin it co
the vine will Buffer no injury. No grape that
we cultivate is so prone to overbear as the
Issabella, and very one who grows tbis
grane in a rich sftil olinol.l
remove suporfluous shoots from the old wood
and all the spurs from tbe beariog branches
and only one fruit bearing shoot should bo
suffered to grow from a bud. If these direc
tions ere followed, tbe result will be fine largo
clusters which will ripen witb as much cer
tainty as apples or pears."
Our Creed.
Wo believe in small farms and thorough cut
tivation. We bclicye that soil loves tJ eat, as Well as
its owner, and ought, thercforo, to be manured.
We believe in largo crops which leave the land
better than they lound it -making both the fur
mcr and the farm rich at once.
We believe in RoiiiK to tbe bottom of th intra.
ond, therefore, in deep plowing, and enough of
it. All the better if with a subsoil plow.
e Deueve mat mo best fertiliser ct any soil,
is a spiitt of industry, enterprise and intelligence
without this; lime and gypsum, bones and
green manure, marl and guano will be of little
use.
We believe in good fences, eood barns, o-ood
farm-housea, good stock, good orchards, aud
children enough to gather tho fruit.
We believe in a clean kitchen, a neat wife in
it, a spinning. niano, a clean cunboard. a clean
dairy, and a clean conscience.
We firmly disbelieve In farmers that will not
improve ; iu farms that grow pooi every year ; in
starveling cattle ; in farmers' boys turning into
clorks and merchants ; in farmer' daughters un
willing to work, and in all farmers ashamed of
their vocation, or who drink whisky till honest
people are ashamed of the hi. Iiev.il. W. Ueo.
cher.
Elder Bubues vs Curculio A few weeks
since 1 visited a garden in this vicinity, and
saw several plum trees heavily laden with
fruit. I was requested to oxamine end seo if
1 could discover any traces or marks of thu
curculio. I did so npon fruit npon tbe trees
and ripe fruit that bad fallen offend lay, upon
iuu groouu. i coum oiscover no marks and
no larvsa in tho fruit. I gathered np fruit
from tbe ground and carried it home ; it was
all perfect. I thought tbere roust have) been
greet pains token to kill the insects; but
there had been none at all. Having raised
plums more or less for twenty years in Mich
igan, but never without the e fleets of tbe cur
culio more or less, and sometimes to tbe des
truction of the entire crop, you may judge of
my surprise when informed tbat all that had
been done was to procure common elder bush
es end tie them to tbe branches or tbe trees.
This man has lived on the place five years.
Tbe trees wore opon tbe place bearing trees
wben be took possession ; the first two
years be tried to save bis fruit by shaking tba
trees and gathering up tbe curculios upon
clotbs spread under tbem. lie bad very poor
success ; the fruit was nearly all Btung, and
dropped off prematurely. He was in despair
tbe second year, when be was told by (as be
said) an "old Freucbmau" that if he would
put elder bushes iuto tbe trees be would raise
fruit. He has tried it three years witb the
same success a full crnp or perfect fruit.
Cor. of Michigau l 'aruitr.
Preserving Fruit. If you hays room lo
tbe housekeepers' corner of your valuable
paper, for tbis plan or preserving fruit, per
baps it may bo unknown to some persons
and prove as useful to them as it bus been lo
the family of tbe subscriber for several gene
rations. Fill the jars full as for canning, and cover
two circles of uoglazad paper witb whites or
eggs, both oo the iuuer surface and between
the papers, and press this carefully over tbo
mouth of tbe jar (its contents being as hot us
possible ;) cover all with thick, liiuslin tied
down, end it hermetically soared. It is espe
cially adapted for keeping stoned fruit during
the summer, either for the tabid or for pies.
We have kept rhubarb and even peaches for
a year, and always secure our jellies aud pro
serves in this manuur. Clin.i.iK.
k'ermaiiruu'ri Telegraph.
A Hint. We bave fonnd nothing so effec
tual in protecting tbo young plants of uelous,
cucumbers, Ac, from tbe depredations of in
sects, tban the sowing round tbe hill, of tad
isb seed. Tbe young growth of the radish is
much preferred by theo insects to tbat or thu
melon aod cucumber j hence, whilo tbe form
er is freely feasted on, tbe latter is permitted
to go scot free. If too late for trial tbis sea
son, let it be remembered for tbe next tier,
'lei.
Cami-hob and Mosquitoes. Camphor ia
the most powerful egeot to drive away mos
quitoes. A camphar bag bang up in an ( pen
casement will prove an effectual barrier to
tbeir entrance. Camphorated spirits applied
as a pefume to tbe race and huuds will act as
ao effectual preventive ; but when bitten
by tbem, aromatic vinegar is the best
antidote.
Barlkv kobPIkks. There is bo grain to
well suited as food ror bens. Barley, wbeo
red witb oats and corn, will often be gathered
first by tbe fjwla, and bens fed witb more or
less barley, ere a-iid f I iy more freely. Wo
bave nsed barley aod peas, and our Mum
ggs is evidence of tba suitableness uf Ih
food.