Republican News Item. CHAS. LOREN WING, Editor. S3 THURSDAY JULY 21, 1898. "FIRST OF ALL—THE NEWS." The News Item Fights Fair. IT IS A PATRIOTIC HOME NEWSPAPER. Published Every Friday Morning. By The Sullivau Publishing Co. A.t. t he County Seat of Sullivan County. IjAPOHTE, PA. I ni. i.-.l iii i ii<- l\>«t Office at Laporte, as speon<)-i:lar>s mail matter. Si iist'Kin i<>> —per annum. If I.;ti.| 111 :tiiv:iiife ?I (Ml- Sample copies live. All coinluilliieiilioiis should be ail dl'essed to i;i:i• i; III.K'A N Nrcws ITEM, I. aporte Pa., Standing, sentinel-like, where the Susquehanna splits itself into the north and south branches, is old Fort Augusta, the veteran fighting strong hold of the United States. Beside a modern fort it would look, in size, like a dog alongside of an elephant. It is now the property of Mr. and Mrs. Isaao Gross of Sunbury, Pa., and is located in a field about 165 feet from the river bank, says the St. Ivotiis Globe-Demo crat. It was built in 175G, after plans by Col. Gordon, as a protection against the French and hostile Indians, and was named after the mother of George ill. In shape it closely resembles a bakeoven, and its interior is curious and interesting. A small mound of earth marks the spot, with an opening in the ground two and one-half feet wide. Twelve four-inch stone steps bad below. On descending the ground space inside is found to be 10 by 12 feet, and eight feet from the floor to the apex of the arched ceiling. The arch is brick, and commences in an offset purposely made in the wall five feet above the ground floor. The bricks are said to be of English manufacture. Its location at the forks of the Sus quehanna was a strong strategic ad vantage, as it held the chief passage by waterway from the north of the state. When completed it rcas regard ed as one ot the largest, strongest and most important of all the fortifications erected on the frontiers of the provin ces. Its original armament consisted of at least twelve cannon and two swivels, and one of these cannon is still in existence in Sunbury. it is of Eng lish make, of about three and one-half inch bore, and weighs nearly 1,000 pounds. Port Augusta ranks next in impor tance to Valley Forge as a factor in ilie achievement of our liberties, and i' is to be hoped that some day public spirit will see that steps are taken for its preservation, and a suitable tablet placed upon it to mark its stanch' as ■; ai rein the early career of this great country. Italy's Tower*. Travelers all know how celebrated tlie bell towers of Italy are. Each im portant church is made more beautiful architecturally by the campanile, or bell tower, which can be seen for miles away, because the church is always built on the highest point of land. Italy has church towers and civil towers, the first being the handsomest. They are always attached to a house of worship and in mediaeval days were used as watch towers and for forts. In the sixth century bells were introduced in the towers to call the people to pray ers. Civil towers arose in the eleventh century, when palaces, with battle mented towers, were built in great numbers. Nearly all the towers in Italy are square; some, however, have six or eight sides and a few are round. The oldest are undecorated and built of massive stone or brick, lighted by mere loopholes of windows. Gradually many changes were made and orna mentation, pillars and large windows were putin the towers. The leaning tower of Pisa is well known. It was built in the twelfth century and is thirteen feet out of per pendicular. Around a hollow, brick tube, are built eight stories of open gal leries, supported by slender columns. It is 179 feet high and at its summit is a room where Galileo experimented. There are also six bells, the largest of which weighs 12,000 pounds. One of them, which was tolled when criminals were led to execution, is ornamented with figures of the Virgin and the arms of the city. The bell tower of Florence is perhaps more beautiful than that of Pisa. Giotto was the architect, and no expense was spared. Figures by the greatest sculp tors adorn the base and the upper threo stories are ornamented with spiral shafts and carved moldings. Black and white marble was the material used and the mellowing hand of time has only added to the beauty of the whole. The Prince of Wales, when annoyed, winks his left eye rapidly; the Em peror of -Austria puffs out his cheeks; the Czar lays his hand flat on the top of his head; Mr. Gladstone turned swiftly on his heels, as if executing a volte face, and the Sultan of Turkey grasps his throat tightly with his hand. Prevents the Kettle Boiling Dry. To prevent kettles from boiling dry a water tank is placed in the cover with a float extending into a tube in the kettle below and attached to a pivoted bar whioh lifts a the cover to allow tbe water ko fldw into the kettle when the MUr focoadfo dry. , HOW FELT HATS ARE MADE, j Thonnndu of Men, Women ui Boy» Kmployfil in the Industry. One of the leading Industries of this country is the manufacture of hats. At the present time fur-felt hats are made in eleven states —namely, Connecticut, Indiana, Illinois, Maryland, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jer* sey, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island, says the New York Com mercial. There are in all more than 200 manufacturing plants producing hats for men's, boys', women's and children's wear, composed of the fur of the rabbit, beaver, nutria and other animals. Tbe industry employs up ward of 25,000 men, women and boys, and the approximate value of the Out put is said to be $20,000,000 annually. Speaking of men's hats and their man ufacture, a representative of one of the largest firms in t'his city said: "Felt hats include the popular derby and the various other styles of soft hats, all of which are made from ani mal furs, the natural coats of the coney, hare, nutria, muskrat and beav£r. To manipulate the skins of these animals so as to properly pre pare the fur for felting purposes is an expert chemical operation; in fact, a trade in itself, entirely distinct from that of liat-niaking. and is carried on by "hatters' ' fur-cutters in London, the world's great center for that work. The art of the hat maker includes a knowledge of the particular fur or combination of furs for making a given quality of hats. The proportioning of the different furs requires the utmost exactness. The quality of product having been decided upon, the fur is then cleaned and separated from stray hairs and all unfeltable substances. This initial process is accomplished by a windy machine called 'the devil.' "The next process, 'forming,' con sists of distributing by means of air currents a light coating of fur upon the outer surface of a revolving perpen dicular cone, perforated with small holes. When fur covers the cone suf ficenr. for one hat, it is wrapped in wet cloths and given a brief hot bath, then stripppd from the t one, and, after the 'stopping' process cl' adding a little fur to weak spots, is wrapped with other cloths inside a woolen cloth to 'harden' it for handling, f'y a process called 'sizing,' which consists of repeated im mersions in hot water, together with rolling and unrolling, folding and un folding. the cone-shaped mass is re duced to one-third its original size. It is wonderful how each fiber will twist and intertwine, basket-fashion, with the other, until the product is a closely woven mass. "The 'body' is then 'shaved' to re move stray hairs in the fur, and then it Is stiffened with a coating of shellac, thoroughly dried and then subjected to steam, which sofu-r.s the shellac and draws it into the fabric. When dried it is immersed in a hot alkaline solution to free the surface from shellac, and then - >i cold water to remove the alkali. " 'Blocking' succeeds stiffening. The fabric is dipped in boiling water and placed on a block patterned for the final shape of the hat. After the dyeing process comes that of finishing, which consists of steaming, blocking to shape the crown, drying, coating with a stif fening solution, drying again, ironing out wrinkles, after which it is pounced with emery paper and singed to re move the long nap, and oil applied to smooth the surface. The 'curling' de partment cuts the brim to tbe desired width, rolls up the sides and pitches the front and rear as the style de mands.. With the process of trim ming, consisting of sewing on the bind ing and band and cementing the lining, the derby is finished, if a soft hat is desired the stiffening process is omit ted." A Home That Snore*. Snoring men are as plentiful as whis key in Kentucky; they are nearly as numerous as women with cold feet. However, while these two evils are pre dominant witli the human race, yet it is indeed seldom that a member of the animal kingdom 'becomes afflicted with the sntrlng liubit. There is just one case oi the kind known to exist, in Knnsair City, Kan., and while there is no question about the existence of this one case the afflicted animal contracted the habit from man. Prince, the oldest horse on the Kan sas City. Kan., Fire Department, has the snoring habit, and he's got it bad. All of the "laddies" at Fire Headquar ters have good records as snorers, but Prince can allow them all a bad cold and then beat them out, pulled up. Snoring Prince, or the prince snorer, is the horse driven by Assistant Chief William McConnell. He generally minces away at his food until after 12 o'clock each night, providing there are no alarms. At about this hour the lies down in his stall and in a few minutes his eyes close and soon thereafter the snoring begins. The noise produced by the sleeping horse is similar to that of a snoring man. Before it became known that Prince actually snored several of the firemen, who take turn about watching at night, were accused of go ing to sleep on duty. The only founda tion for the accusation was the snor ing. In order to prove their innocence it became necessary for them to peach on Prin CP. lion Ihnen Looks. Ibsen, the Norwegian dramatist, is an extraordinary looking man. Almost a dwarf in height, the upper part of the body is immense, compared with, his lower limbs. He has a huge head, : i:vered with bushy white hair, and Ms keen blue eyes glare at ihia interlocu tor with a piercing glance. it is impossible to runtitW jf 17,000 feet above the eeiu TELEGRAPHING IN SPAIN. It ia Generally Attended With Mncb DlfHcnlty and I'neertaliitr- The Spanish ceremonies which ac company the handling of a telegram would be amusing were they not so Irksome and time-killing. You ap proach a little window in the one office in the city, and, when your turn comes, hand In your message. The clerk counts the words a couple of times over, adds up the result of each page, refers to the written tarlfT, and finds out what the cost is in francs. Then he takes another slip of paper, finds out what the rate of exchange is at the moment, and reduces the francs to Spanish pesetas. Finally, he reads out the result—say, 597 pesetas, 35 cen times. You engrave these figures in your memory, and leaving the hall, go out to another widow in a passage outside, and there await your turn, re peating always the number 597,35 till the clerk asks you what you want. Then you explain that you are come to purchase Spanish stamps for the sum of 597 pesetas and 35 centimes, and then you take out a note for 1,000 pesetas. The pass°ge is dark on the brightest day, an.l you accept the stamps and your change in spirit of true religious faith, for you see not even darkly as in a glass. When you return to the inner sanctuary and help to make a queue, awaiting your turn again, the chances are that you find yourself short of stamps, in conse quence of a mistake on the part of clevk outside. This happened twice to me, but 1 am bound to say the indi vidual discovered and rectified his er ror, so that my only loss was of about thirty-five minutes more. What "Sin JF u SOUK ol Sl* Pence" Mean*. You all know the rhyme, but have you ever heard what it really means? The four-and-twenty blackbirds represented the twenty-four hours. The bottom of the pie is the world, while the top crust is the sky that over all lies it. The opening of the pie is the day dawn, when the birds begin to sing, and surely such a sight is lit for a King. The King, who is represented as sit ting in his parlor counting out his money, is the sun, while the gold pieces that slip through his fingers, as he counts them, are the gc m,v friends and neighbors for their kindness shown me during the sickness and death of my wife. 1). M. SPKAKY. Notice ol Dissolution. The partnership heretofore existing between M. E.lteeiler mul E. F. Ives, doing business under the firm name of Reeder & Ives, has been dissolv ed tills 14th Jay of July, by mutual consent, Al[ debts of said firm to be presented to M. E. Reeder for payment, and all parties owing said tirm to make payment to same. XI. E. REEDER. E. F. IVES. BUCK NELL UNIVERSITY, JOHN IIOWARI) HAKKIS, President. College, leading to degrees in Art, Philosophy anil Science. Academy, a preparatory school for young men and boys. Institute, a re fined boarding school ior young ladies. School of Music, with graduating courses. For catalogue, address the Itegirfler. W. C. (iRKT'/ixuER, Lewisburg, Pa. FOR SALE. I oiler the following properties: 70 acres, hemlock timber, near Ringdale; 373 acres, virgin timber, Klk Run, North Mountain, close to railroad; 32t'i acres, coal lands, at Bern ice, adjoining present workings; S lots (one entire section) at Eagles Merc, each lot 7feet front on Pennsylvania Ave., with "Bradford" privileges and title: 1 lot 75 It. front on LaPorte Ave.: several choice lots in La- Porte Boro.; also several warrants ot stripped lands in LaPorte. Col ley and Fox townships suitable for farming or grazing purposes. 11. T. DOWNS, Atty-at-Law. LaPorte, Pa. Evervbody si;i So. Cascarets Cand v Cathartic, the most won derful medical di'scoverv of the age, pleas ant and refreshing to the taste, act gently and positively on kidneys, liver and bowels, cleansing the entire system, dispel colds, cure headache, fever, habitual constipation and biliousness. Please buy and try a box of C. C. C. to-day; 10,25, !>0 cents. Hold and guaranteed to cure by ail druggists. Forffags, bunting and 4th of July nec essaries goto John W. Buck Soneatown Pa. Forks, rakes, scyths etc goto J. W. Buck. One Woman'* Word... 1 / "I consider AYER'S PILLS the best In the world." MRS. A. C. WESTON. 29 Pearl St., Laconia, N. H. AH Wo Miadom . . . A Horrible Railroad Accident is a daily chronicle in our papers; also the death of some dear friend, who had 4ied with Consumption, whereas, if he or she had taken Otto's Cure for Throat and Lung diseases in time, life would have been rendered happier and perhaps saved. Ileed the warning ! Ifyou have a cough or any affection of the Throat and Lungs Call on T. J. Keeler,Laporte; W. L. Hoffman, Hillsgrove; B. IS-Lancaster, Forksville; C. B Jennings, Agt. Estella; •Ino. W. Buck, Sonestown, and get a trialjpackage free. Large size 50c and 25c. G. A. Rogers I'ORKSVILL.R, i'A. (Successor to B.W. I'nwcett.) Watches, Jewelery, Silverware, Etc. Bicycle repairing. Bicycle sundries. Fishing tackle, at lowest possible Price. Good News. No other Medicine was ever given such a tesl ns Otto's Cure. Thousands of hot ties of this great Herman remedy are be ing distributed KKKK OK CHAKOK, to those afflicted with Consumption, Asthma, Croup, severe Coughs, Pneumonia and all Throat ami Lung diseases,giving the peo ple 11root that Otto's Cure will cure them For sale only bv T. .1. Keeler, Laporte; W.L. Hoffman, 11 illsgrove; H.S. Lancaster Forksville; B. Jennings, Kstella; Jno. W. Buck, Sonestown. Samples free. Large bottles 50c and 25c. New lot of timothy and clover seeds and onion sets at John W. Bucks, Sonestown. Nu-To-llw 1 for Fl.'.y Cents. Guaranteed tobacco habit cure, makes weak men sironft. blooU pure. 50c,51. All drugulsts. To Cure (?»n*tl,mtton Forever. Take Uascuiets t 'ulHiv Cuthurlkv 10c or 250. If C. C. (all to cure, ilrun«isis refuinl money. Heavy Cannonading on HIGH PRICES at PLACE'S New Grocery LAPORTE, PA. We step forward.not backward. We arc opening up new ways for the pub lic to attain .just as good bargains in General Merchandise at Laporte as in Williamsport or else where. We are planning each week to that end. This week it is Soap,' 12 bars for Threejcans of corn for Six pounds of oat meal Business at the store is getting busier each week. The newness ol the goods and the littleness of price tends to turn the stream of trade our way. A call will convince you that you can do the best at E. L. PLACE'S NEW GROCERY. Spring and Summer Every corner of the store is bright, with the newest things for Women's wear and Men's wear ami Children's wear. We are glad to have yon come in and see the new life of the old store and look tit its excellent line of goods. Spring Weight Underware for Men, Women and Children. In conjunction with the inviting varities, all prices will be found more than ordinarily small. Grocery Department A new and fresh sup ply of Groceries have have just arrived. Vernon Hull, Hillsgrove, Pa. W.L.Hoffman's „ - HILLSGROVE Three Big Stores- MUNCY VALLEY, PROCTOR, PA. An Explosion of Values. PRICES BLOWN TO ATOMS. Two or three reasons for this —liberal supply, bet ter qualities, less in price than found elsewhere. Ladies' Dress Wares. They are the kind women want, and our prices will cause lively selling. CORSETS Selling at Corset Prices. No other line in these stores has such decided growth as that of Corsets. Augmented sales each month demonstrates the superiority of brands. General Merchandise. There is to be found a general line of seasonable goods constantly on hand. Remember the Place. JENNINGS BROS. ! a^t We keep in stock at our mills a complete line of dressed lumber manufacturers of hemlock and hardwood. Gang Sawed and Trimmed Lumber. LOPEZ, PA. SPECIALTIES Hemlock Novelty or German Siding, Hemlock Ceiling 7-8 or j-8 stick, Hemlock Flooring any width desired, Hemlock Lath both $ and 4 feet long, Hardwood Flooring both Beech, Birch or Maple, The same woods in $-8 ceiling. CORRESPONDENCY SOLICITED. Buy Good Goods! And you will be surprised how cheap they are in the end. We have just unpacked such a stock of coats and capes to which we are pleased to call your special attention. We do not pretend to handle the cheapest coats in the market, but we do say we have the BEST and neatest fitting garments made. Our coats and capes are made to order, and in the latest styles with prices to suit everybody. IN DRESS GOODS WE WERE NEVER BETTER PREPARED TO PLEASE YOU THAN AT THE PRESENT, AS WE HAVE THE LARGEST AS SORTMENT IN THAT LINE EVER DISPLAY ED IN THE COUNTY. Ladiea and Misses, Boys and Men, you need not go hall frozen this winter for we have plenty of underwear for you all, both in cotton or wool, red or gray and the prices are very low, so low that when you see the goods you will ba aston •shed that we are able to give you such bargains. One word in regard to foot wear: Our shoe department was never more complete and if you will Jfavor us with your attention for a few minutes when in town we will convince you that we have the most carefully selected line of fine and heavy boots and shoes ever brought before the public. On crockery we have just received some very pretty designs in Decorated Dinner Sets to which we invite your attention. The buying of country produce has always been a special feature of ou Business, and we still continue in paying the highest each prices for Butter Egg" and Wool. E. G. Sylvara PUSHQRE, IPA. Wright & Haight, SUCCESSORS TO M. R. BLACK, Forksville, Pa. ndertafcing. MANUFACTURERS OF Doors, Sash, Moulding, Flooring, Ceiling etc. DRESSED LUMBER Full and complete seasoned stock always on hand, A fine line of furniture etc. The most complete line of Coffins and Casket to select from in Sullivan County. The finest hearse in the county, with equipments to match. Embalming a specialty. Funerals directed with safety and dispatch. PRICES REASONABLE,