Evening Star Newspaper, December 16, 1893, Page 7

THE EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1893-TWENTY-FOUR PAGES. s et Do not accept any CALIFORNIA FIG SYRUP CO. SAN FRANCISCO, CAL, a, WEW YORK, N.Y. CAPIT Ss i OL LIGHTING. Plans for a New and Complete Elec- tric Plant. THE BUILDING IN DARKNESS. ee There is Also Great Danger From the Present System. ILLUMINATING THE DOME. It is gradually being forced upon the minds of the national legislators that the Capitol building is not fitted with what are known as “all the modern improvements.” Were it in the real estate market it would doubtless stand vacant a long time before a tenant could be found to submit to its antiquated conveniences. Not the least im- portant item in this matter is the method by which the building is lighted. It were almost sarcasm to call the process “light- ing,” after all, for even when the gas booms and the electric spark snaps in the vast space above the glass roofs in the chambers, there are many and many dark and gruesome nooks and corners where the yellow glow that filters through the varie- gated ceiling does not penetrate at all. Several times the question has been se- Tiously broached with a view to placing the Capitol on an equal footing with other pub- lic structures, but either from motives of economy or from the adoption of some makeshifts, in every case the permanent settlement of the matter has been pust- th poned. At the last session of Congress, however, the committee on rules of the Senate determined to take up the matter systematically and endeavor to reach the Mme. A. Ruppert’s world-renowned face bleach Js the only face tonic ip the world which positive- sy removes freckles, moth patches, blackheads, pimptes, birthmarks, eczema and all blemishes of the skin, and when applied cannot be observed by any one. Sold at $2 per bottle, or three bottles— usually required to clear the complexion—$5. Send 4 cents postage for full particulars. MME. A. RUPPERT, 6 E. lth st., New York. Washington office, 988 F st. nw., ap2d-stt Washington, D. ©. UNITED STATES ACADEMY MEDICINE AND SURGERY. 807, 809, S11 14th st. nw. (Get. H and I sts.), Washington, D. ©. & Permanent Institution for the Sctentific Treat- ment and Cure of Nervous and Special Diseases. | All Diseases jof a Special \Nature Suc- cessfully (Treated upon ithe Latest Blood | Diseases. Serhi ic CURES GUARANTEED "2 UNDERTAKEN. NO EXPERIMENTS. Cases and correspondence strictly confidential. Free consulta- tion, (Write or call.) Personal interview prefer- red. Norvous, Skin and Office hours, 9 to 8, 6 to 8, Sundays, 10 to 2 412,14,16,19,21,23. For any Blood or Chronic Disease, Such as Cancer, Consumption, Catarrb, Rheumatism, Malaria, light, both figuratively and Mterally. So a subcommittee, consisting of Senators Gor- man and Manderson, was appointed, and they held several meetings and came to the conclusion that there was a far greater amount of ground to be covered than’ they at first suspected. So they enlisted the @er- vices of some competent electrical engineers and several reports have been made by the latter from time to time. So far this ses- sion no meeting has been held, but the work of preparing information for the sub- committee has gone on, and {t is probable that in a very short time definite action will be taken by the Senate. dle A New Plant. “Tt is*more than likely that when the re- ‘port of’ ‘the subcommittee is presented it ‘Will~be adopted with the recommendation ‘that there be established an electric lighting plant of sufficient power not only for the Capitdt building, but for its annex, the Maltby House, and the Congressional Li- brary. To accomodate such a plant it will be necessary to locate the engines and dy- namos in a structure to be erected outside or the buildings now above ground. The location of the power house is now being carefully considered, and a decision is likely to be reached in a very short time. The house will be neat and attractive and will be of sufficient size to accommodate not only the eight dynamos needful for the present and immediately pending necessi- ties, but also for other buildings that may be added to the group clustered around the Capitol, notably the home for the Supreme Court that will probably in time be erected on the squares corresponding to those oc- cupied by the library. The Estimated Cost. A careful estimate has placed the original } } cost of the building, the machinery, the wiring and the general installation of the Plant at $200,000, This will insure the work to be of the best character and the plant to be of sufficient strength to furnish all the light that can be used in the bulld- ings and the grounds. This latter is a most important item in the calculation, for at present there is an utterly inadequate il- jumination of the great park. It is not cer- tain whether the grounds will be lighted by are lamps or groups of in nt gtobes. But this is a matter of de! to be settled afterward. The question of the cost of maintaining such @ plant has of course received the most careful attention and this item has had much to do with the general decision to adopt the system just as soon as possible. It is estimated that mot only will the new plant give a far better and more whole- some light, but it can be maintained vast- ly cheaper. The most recent annual report of Architect Clark, submitted to the Secre- tary of the Interior, shows that the yearly cost of a’ the Capitol and grounds and Botanical len is $24,000, or just as much as is appropriated. The real neces- sity ig in fact more than this, and the cost averages abuot $26,000, thus creating a de- ficiency yearly of about $2,000. Of this sum the gas service alone amounts to $15,766.87, The pay rolls, lamp lighters, gas fitters, &c., aggregate $2,681, and the pay of the at- tendants of the electric lighting plant that is now established in the building amounts to $3,276.45. This plant is rented from the Westinghouse Company at an annual tax ‘of $874.19 and last year it required $349.96 to extend the pliant. The fuel required to snd the plant ranged between $1,800 and A rough estimate that has already been made of the cost of maintaining the new plant, which will do not only the work now done by the gas and electric plants in the Capitol building, but also the entire work of lighting the new library building and the Maltby House, shows that it will cost in. the neighborhood of $19,000. This is on the basis of 150 session days during the year and an average duration of six hours per day. Bright's Disease, Dyspepsia, Dip! theria, Kidney or Stomach troubles Take Radam’s Microbe Killer Cures where medical science fails. a ae ee Laight Street, New York City. . NTS FOR ASHINGTON: ave. = iS, Paave and 9th st. nw. eee NN aN NICOLAIDES's SARATOGA JAPANESE EMPORIUM, 1205 F =% The $50,000 Vases X —0f the famous Clolsonee Ware are stl on exhibition—tundreds see them daily. It is also @ treat to people of “HIGH TASTE” to take in our “museum” of Japanese Art Work, Caine, Bric-e-Brac, &e., piled on either side of our long aisles. You are always welcome—buy {f you want to. 7 Everything marked in plain figures. NNNNNNNNNNNANN HOLIDAY AND ALA ALALALZLAALZZAZZLZLAZLA a N N N N N N N From Decorated Pieces to Small and ESPEC! ENEXPENSIVE ARTICLES. CIALLY aDAPT- CHRISTMAS PRESENTS. RICH CUT AND ENGRAVED LASS RE. SOLID SILVER AND PLATED WARE. PARLOR, BANQUET PIAXO 3. AND MANY VELTIES. OPEN EVENINGS NEXT WEEK. : W. Beveridge, CHINA, GLASS WARE. 125 F AND 1214 @ ST. STORE ri. Dangerous Conditions. The electric plant now in the Capitol building was placed there a few years ago as a “six months’ exhibit,” and at the end of that time it was arranged for the gov- ertment to rent it. There are two dynamos on either side of the Capitol, and at first there was no more work for them to do than they could comfortably perform. Lamp after lamp, however, has been added until the engines and dynamos are taxed far be- yond the safety point, and there is grave danger that the wires are supercharged every day. This danger is more serious than one unfamiliar with electric matters might imagine; an overcharged wire ts liable at any time to cause an explosion that may start a conflagration, besides ruining the wiring in that vicinity. There are now about 1,750 lamps in the Capitol building. These lamps illuminate only a very small part of the structure, and in a great majority of the committee rooms that are almost secluded from the light of day there is nothing but the gas of questionable quality for the giving of light. Gas is used in many places where the first principle of safety and common sense should, in the light of modern conveniences, dictate that it should never be used. For example, in many of the file rooms and document rooms and other places where the most precious papers are stored are lighted by unprotect- ed, flaring gas jets. Matches have to be used to strike a light and a stray draught might at any time cause untold damage. Lamps in the Library. The new plant contemplates the introduc- tion of about fifteen thousand lamps in all the buildings. This will give ample illuimi- nation to every room in the Capitol and will flood the new library building through all of its galleries and alcoves with the bright- est light at all times. A casual visit to the present quarters of the library in the old Capitol will convince any person of the need of a new plant. The searchers for the books are compelled to use common brass kerosene lamps whenever they go into the alcoves or dark corners for books that are wanted by readers. These lamps are of the character that might set fire to the library at any moment. The vaults below in the crypt and the galleries under the dome are filled with the most valuable records, bound files of the newspapers and other precious | deposits and at no time does a ray of light | reach them save from matches or gas jets. | Lighting the Dome. The people of Washington well know that | for ten years or more the dome has never been fully illuminated. This has been gen- erally attributed to motives of economy, but this is a libel. The tholus or lantern at the top under the feet of Liberty is always lighted when there is a session of Congress, but this fs a requirement of law that cannot be avoided. The dome proper is never iight- ed, but it is on the grounds of the safety of the building. The gas pipes that run through almost every part of the mterior ome Riven aoa, ere and in many cases absolutely worn out. The dampness of the interior and the con- stant draughts and lack of attention have combined to sprinkle them with leak holes, so that whenever the gas is tu>ned on there is @ tremendous escape. When the dome was | last lighted several years ago at the mo- ment the electric spark was sent through the wires there was an explosion that star- tled everybody for rods around the building. ‘The upper portion of the dome seemed to be in mes. escaping gas had mixed with the afr'in just the right proportion to form a most explosive compound and a sin- gle spark was sufficient to ignite this and make the dome shake to its foundation. It would cost upward of $20,000 to repipe the dome. With the installation of the electric lant it will be possible to illuminate Some with perfect safety at any time, thus make of this beautiful structure one of the most magnificent spectacles in the coun- The questions of installing this new plant came up very casually at a recent meeting of the House committee on appropriations when Gen. Casey was present. He was asked what he had estimated to be the capacity of the electric lighting plant which he proposed to establish in the library build- ing. He answered that he had given this matter no thought whatever and could not give an estimate. The matter was then Gropped and nothing definite was done. House and Senate. Under the new system the lighting of the chambers will be on much the same plan as at present. There will be groups of in- candescent lamps located above the stained glass roofs in each hcvse, and these will furnizh the same soft, mellow glow, though of greater intensity, that is now given by the gas. In addition there will be hemis- pheres of opalescent glass on the pilasters in the chamber itself and in the galleries, which are now sadly in want of illumina- tion. This will prevent the acts of mis- creants who are fond of congregating in the galleries during night sessions and are shielded by the half gicom that is caused by the concentration of the light in the center. One great advantage of the coming system will be the lack of heat in the lighting chambers above the ceiling. The hundreds of jets now in use furnish an amount of heat that is appalling. It will be remem- | bered that during the extra session one of large panels of glass cracked immedi- after the gas vas lighted, and the eee fell to the floor, barely escaping the ead of one of the members. This glass is thick and heavy, and might easily kill a person upon whom it fell. The breaking was caused undoubtedly by the sudden ex- ion of the cold glass when the intense eat from the burners reached it. In ad- dition to this strain there is considerable shock from the explosion caused by the lighting. As a matter of precaution, the ceilings are lighted one panel at a time, thus preventing the tremendous impact or down- ward blow that would result from the si- multaneous ignition of all the burners. Were the chamber lighted by electricity this danger would be entirely averted, and it is probable that the metal and glass roof of the building would be saved great wear and tear, now caused by the heat. ———__+ eo —___. THE STORY OF 4 BIRTH MARK. An Explanation of a Peculiar Scar Found on the Face of am Indian, From the Norwich Telegraph. One day last week the exchange editor saw in a Canadian paper an account of an aged Indian falling from an embankment and breaking his neck. This paper adds that the old man’s face was disfigured by a terrtble scar, which resembled a hunting knife. There was not much that was in- teresting in the item; not much to attract the attention of the casual newspaper read- er, and nothing that would, ordinarily, hold the glance of a man who reads hundreds of such items every day. But tle description of the man and the manner of his death brought to the mind of the editor a story as romantic as any Cooper tells. One Sunday in the late summer of "# the newspaper man started for a tramp in the country. His walk took him up the road that leads to South New Berlin and also to Chenango Lake. Every resident of Norwich knows of the little ravine on the north side of and far below this road, a short distance east from the main river road. It is a nar- row, shady crevice in the rocks. On the southern side is a bank or terrace about fif- teen feet high, at the foot of which, over a bed of rocks,»a shallow, lazy stream wan- ders on its way to the river, a little distance w. Walking through the ravine the writer saw, lying in the water, what he thought to be the dead body of a man. He hastened to investigate, and found it was indeed a man that he saw, but he was not dead, only stunned as if by a fall, or he might have fainted. Turning the man over on his back the newspaper man was horrified at the fearfully scarred face. He saw what was the exact image of an Indian’s hunting knife, ting with the handle near the right temple and extending clear across the face. The man was evidently of Indian blood, and very old. A little water brought him to consciousness, and he told this story, first exacting a promise that it should never be repeated till he was dead: “My father,” he said, “has often told me the story of my birth and how I came by this fearful scar and a desire which I can- not resist, the result of which you have just seen. My father was a chief or under chief of the Mohawk Indians. On some of his hunting or trapping expeditions toward the south he met and loved a maiden of the Otsegos. A brave of her own tribe loved her, too, but she seemed to think only of my father and to mourn for him when he was away. At last opposition from the sages of both tribes drove the young brave and his sweetheart to run away and marry. They built themselves a little hut in a ravine near the banks of the Chenango river and were happy there together. “All that summer my mother, for it was my father an@ mother who. came to live alone, used to come and sit in the shade on that little bank on the southerly side of the ravine. She was sitting there one day when @ noise disturbed her, and looking up she saw her old lover of the Otsegos. Drawing a hunting knife, he held it close to her face and told her if she could not belong to him she should belong to no one else. My mother, in her excitement, sprang to her feet and seized the powerful, angry Indian by the arm. In his endeavor to shake her off they slipped and fell from the embank- ment together into the water below. The Indian’s neck was broken. My mother man- aged to get to the little hut. That night I was born and my mother died. “You see this scar—that is the legacy the Otsego Indian left me. And he left me mor@ Every year on the same day, my birthday, I come to this place. I cannot help it. ‘Though I know what is going to happen, I come. Every year it is the same. I come to the edge of that bank, look at the stream below and fall. This is the first time I have ever been stunned. This is my desti- ny. I shall come here once every year on this same day till I die. I cannot help it. I do not know that I would if I could. Promise me that you will never tell this story; that no one shall ever hear it till I am dead.” ‘The writer made the promise. The old man marched straight up the ravine, never looking back. That is all there is to tell. The Canadian paper furnished the con- clusion, ———___+e+_—____ Why Do Women Work. From Jenness Miller Monthly. “Why do women work?" asks Walter Besant, and then he replies that there are six principal reasons: 1, Because their intellectual activity will not allow them to rest at home. Such a ‘woman, for instance, was George Eliot. There are intellectual openings for them in every direction. A woman of this kind may study medicine, science, history; she may teach as well as study; she may write; she may become a journalist or an editor; she may lecture. Any of these lives is bet- ter to such a brain than the old-fashioned | social round and domestic duties, the em- broidery, the piano playing, and the small arts. These are the happy workers; but these are not the average. 2. Because they must earn money some- how. Among these are the unhappy work- ers, the unwilling workers, who miss the life they would prefer. 3. Because they want to make a little more money for dress or for spending. 4. Because they have taken up a cause, and feel called upon to speak, act, write and work for it. 5. Because they have become “advanced” women, and they want, above all things, to show that they are as good ag the men. 6. Because their home lives are so deadly dull an unsocial, and lonely and vacuous, that they want a change. Knabe Pianos, S17 Pennsylvania avenue. Dr. Hans Von Bulow: I declare them the absolutely best in America.—Advt. J. JAY GOULD'S WONDER STORE, 421 9TH ST. OPEN FROM 8:30 TO 8:30. surface of the dome are cld and corroded, Beautiful Christmas tree ornaments. Unique and wonderfal variety. Come and see. ne | ALEXANDRIA COUNTY NEWS. Many people of the county will attend the meeting at Falls Church on Monday night next that is to be held in the interest of the Proposed electric railroad from ‘Washington to Falls Church. A meeting will be held in the large new hall at Ballston, about the last of January next, to forward the con- struction of this road. It is the intention of the incorporators andthe land owners along the line to have work commence on thi branch of the road by early spring. ‘rhere will be two branches of this road—one lead- ing to the Great Falls, the other to Alex- andria by way of Arlington and Fairfax Seminary. All the Sunday schools of the county will celebrate Christmas by having large Christ- mas trees, exercises and presents for the children. A petition is being circulated in the county asking Congress to allow the construction of a bridge over the piers of the Aqueduct bridge, just below the driveway bridge, to allow electric cars to come over. A line of electric cars coming into the city by this route would be of great convenience, both to Washington and the county. —_—_.___ LAUREL. The shooting match at clay pigeons be- tween the Highland and Laurel Gun Clubs was very close and exciting. Mr, Jas, Alb. Brown led the score, with a total of 20 out of 25, Dr. T. W. Byerly broke 16, David Reeley 16 and George Adlesperger 12; total, 68. For the Highland Club Mr. Edward L.nn led, with a score of 19; John Castor, 19; J. Link, 15; L. Willard, 15; total, 68. Mr. Brown was awarded the first prize. it is expected that the large shirt factory in this place, which has not been running on account of the dull times, will resume operations in a few days. The political gossip published in The Star of the 1ith instant is creating some dis- cussion, and the neighboring papers are considering the availability of Mr. John Hubner of Catonsville as a congressional candidate, The rumor that Gov. Frank Brown would be a candidate for re-election does not meet with much favor, and the governor pellet sirens d announce that he is not a candidate. 3 Delegates from Laurel and other parts of this county attended the convention of the ie. in Baltimore yesterday. | A bill was drafted for submission to the legislature at its next session, which was heartily indorsed, and if it becomes a law, Maryland will be abreast of other states in_ road building. Mr. Charles H. Stanley of Laurel has been elected counsel to the board of county commissioners. Mr. Winfield Parlett met with a peculiar and painful accident near here. He was out riding, when his horse became fright- ened, ran away, and threw him against a barbed wire fence. He received two severe wounds, several inches in length. . Rog: ers was sent for and sewed up the cuts, but Mr. Parlett will be crippled for some time, if_he suffers no other injury. Dr. Thomas Worthington, one of Howard county’s oldest and best physicians, has been compelled by declining health to give up his practice and move to Laurel. Mr. R. H. Coward of Laure! has pur- chased a small farm near here, and has moved his family thereto. ——._—_ BROOKLAND. At their meeting this week the Masonic Lodge of Brookland, had a good attendance of members as well as many visitors from Washington. Among the latter were Past Master McKenzie and Grand . Lecturer Hammacher. The degree of past master was conferred upon Worshipful Master T. G. Carmick of Brookland be Dr. and Mrs. J. H. Brooks have as their guest Rev. Father Leo of Colorado, who is on his way to Europe to spend some time. of Brookland held a meting at the re: dence of Mr. I. 8. Hollidge, and mapped out a pleasant program for their Christmas exercises, A good and appreciative audience attend- ed the concert in the town hall last even- ing by the Cloward male quartet, and were highly pleased by the high order of music presented for their entertainment. The quartet consists of the Messrs Jacob and George Schai first and second tenors; Oliver C. Hine, first bass, and Chas. F. Hall, second bass, and they were ably as- sisted by W. H. Conley, humorist; bi ‘. “accompanist. and Prof. N. Dushane Cloward, baritone. Mr. Conley gave some amusing recitations and the selectio! “Thou Art My Dream,” by Mr. Clo and the quartet, and the bass solo by Mr. Hall were exceptionally fine. —__. FALLS CHURCH, The members of the Baptist Church held a pleasant sociable at the residence of Mr. and Mrs, §. V. Proudfit on Friday night. Charades, drawings, &c,, were engaged in, to the amusement of all present. Mr. Web- ster Flagg received a handsome present for the best drawing. Among those present were Mr. and Mrs. Rev. J. T. Barber, Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Northrup, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hillier, Mrs. Capehart and daugh- ter, Mrs. G, F. McInturff, Mra. Dilly, Mrs. Flagg, Mrs. Berry, Mrs. Leo Parker, Misses Patten, Mulholl, Boarnstein, Luttrell, Ford, Birch, Mabin, Dilly, Rhodes and Messrs. Parker, Luttrell, Webster and Arthur Flagg, Will and Hudson Patten, Kinsley, Eastman, Evans and Lewis. The bell donated by Mr. Yale Rice to the Presbyterian Church arrived on Thursday and will be put in place at once. ‘The town council met on iday night, Mayor Patterson presiding the follow- ing members present, viz.: J. W. Brown, H. L. Turner and L. C. Young; absent, W. M. Ellison, G. L. Erwin and J. D. Payne. Mr. M. E. Church presented a bill for $15 for one year’s rent of land adjoining the town hall, in lieu of a rebate on taxes. The ac- count was allowed. He accepted a warrant for $5 in settlement of same. The contrac- tor for work on the hall was directed to at once complete the same. Councilmen J. W. Brown, W. M. Ellison and Citizens 8. V. Proudfit, J. S. Riley and E. J. Northrup with Mayor W. B. Patterson as chairman, were appointed to prepare amendments to the charter of the town and present to the legislature. Messrs. M. E. Church, J. W. Brown and V. I. Kerr were appointed a committee to obtain information in regard to securing fire apparatus for the town. A proposition from Messrs. J. H. Wells and E. F. Snoots to grade a portion of Jefferson street and make a sidewalk without expense to the corporation, was accepted. Miss Olive Capehart, who has been on a visit to her brother in Pittsburg, Penn., re- turned on Thursday. The members of the Central Mission held an interesting meeting on Friday night in Galither’s Hall. ———__ A Millio: ire Bricklayer. From the St. Louis Republic. Considerable comment was caused last night in the victaity of 12th and Spruce streets by a bricklayer clad in a high silk hat, Prince Albert coat, with trousers and vest to match. He wore a heavy gold chain, a large, valuable gold watch, had a diamond ring on each hand and large dia- mond stud in his shirt front. The brick- layer with the peculiar attire was assisting another man in the garb of the laborer in repairing a brick sidewalk in front of No. 406 South 12th street. The property be- longs to the Chouteau estate, and it is said the man is a member of that family and worth a million. By assisting in the work of repairing, the man saved the price of another laborer, probably $2 for the night’s work. He is about sixty years old, rather short in stature and has a gray beard. Altogether his appearance contrast- ed greatly with the work he did. At a late hour the repairing was still in progress. The old man did not mind the stares and the laughter of the passers. eee The French government will present to the gtate of New York nearly all of its edu- cational exhibit which was at the world’s fair. _— SS Little Gir Found the most wonderful variety of Tree Orma- men Y Masks, Unique Novelties, Favors, } i Glass Balls, Tinsel, Scrap Book Pictures, for making ‘Tree Ornaments, &. J. JAY GOULD, 421 9th st. a15-2t* It’s Worth While To call and look over our magnificent display of LAMPS, SHADES and ONYX ‘TABLES. You never saw such an aggre- gation of the beautiful in this line be- fore. If you think of them as CHRIST- MAS PRESENTS our prices are moderate enough to effect a sale. S. S. Sueno & Bro, 432 97u Sr. as GREAT GUNS OF GREAT NAVIES. Costly Weapons That Can Be Fired Only Seventy-Five Times. Two of the mammoth 110-ton guns, up- on which the British admiralty has so proudly commented as the “modern naval artillery,” and which cost about $100,000 each, went down into seventy fathoms of water with the battle ship Victoria, and in connection with this fact there must have been awakened much interest among read- ers as to whether such heavy war weapons, heavier than any yet made for the United States navy, and heavier than will probably be built, are a wise addition to a modern war vessel. And yet this big gun is not a new thing, as it practically dates back twelve years. About forty of these big guns have been built, and some of them were sent to Italy. It is easy to comprehend among navy offi- cers that such guns are an expensive lux- ury, not only in the actual cost of the gun and its ammunition, but also in the size of the ships required to carry them. But what will be of most interest to lay people ts the quantity and cost of ammunition and the life of the gun itself. The best ordnance experts calculate the life of the 110-ton gun to be seventy-five rounds with full charges. The 110-ton gun, and, indeed, all large guns, are fired with slow burning coacoa powder, the name coacoa being derived from the brown color of the powder. It is shaped in hexagonal prisms, this being the most con- venient form of packing, and 10,000 of these prisms are needed to make a full charge for this monster gun. Each prism is pierced with a hole in the center to give ready ac- tenn to the flame and insure an equable ig- nition. ‘ For nearly all naval guns the powder charge is made up of four cartridges, but owing to the extraordinary weight of the 110-ton gun charges (966 pounds) it is di- vided into eight cartridges, each weighing 120 pounds. To load the gun it is necessary to bring it to its extreme elevation—that is, the muzzle is pointed upward as far as it can be on the mount, and these operations follow: 1, Unlock and unscrew the breech block; 2, withdraw the breech block; 3, traverse breech block to one side; 4, place the loading tray in the gun; 5, swab out the gun; G, pam home, or put into place, the Projectile; 7, place the first charge; 8, place and ram home the second half chazge; », withdraw tne loading tray; 10, replace the breech s¢rew; 11, screw up and lock the breech screw. The gun is then ready to be sighted by the captain of the turret from his conning tower. It is fired by electricity. The gun can De loaded and fired within two and a half minutes. The projectile used in the gun, when ships or forts are attacked, weighs 1,800 pounds, or nearly 200 pounds less than a ton, and it leaves the muzzle with a velocity of 2,105 feet a second and has a destructive energy equal to 55,305 foot-tons. When tested before mounting on the Sanspareil three years ago the shot tore its way through lly manufactured steel armor twenty inches thick, and yet the armor belt of the Victoria ranged from sixteen to eighteen inches in thickness only. In addition to the twenty inches thickness of steel the shot went through eight inches of iron fastened in a heavy wrought-iron frame, twenty feet of oak baulks, six feet of granite blocks, eleven feet of concrete and six feet of brick. In other words, it went through forty-four and one-third feet of a wall unique in history for combination of width and variety and strength of mate- rials. The cost of one firing of this gun was $400 for the powder and $600 for the projectile and fuses, and‘after seventy-five rounds there would be the cost of the gun to add, namely, $100,000. In firing the gun against a body of men or a flotilla of boats it is intended to use shrapnel, a drum-like cylinder of steel, in- closing 2,300 four-ounce bullets. As soon as the shrapnel bursts the bullets go flying on, the spinning of the shell caused by the rifled grooves of the gun spreacing them out over a large area. When a shell is used it is chazged with powder, which causes it to explode and scatter its pieces with great destruction. ++ —___ FAMOUS METEORIC STONES, The Largest Known Weighs 50,000 Pounds and Was F: Greenland. Fr the Sen Francisco Cull. A meteoric stone, which is described by Pliny as being as large as a wagon, fell hear Aegospotami in Asia Minor in 467 B. C. About A. D. 1500 a stone weighing 1,400 pounds, fell in Mexico and ts now in the Smithsonian Institution at Washing- ton. The largest meteoric masses on record were heard of first by Capt. Ross, the Arctic explorer; through some Esquimaux. ‘These lay on the west coast of Greenland and were subsequently found by the Swed- ish exploring party of 1870. One of them, now in the Royal Museum of Stockholm, weighs over 50,000" pounds and is the larg- est specimen known. Two remarkable meteorites have fallen in Iowa within the past twenty years. February 12, 1875, an exceedingly brilliant meteor, in the form of an elongated horse- shoe, was seen throughout a region of at least 400 miles in length and 250 in breadth, lying in Missouri and Iowa. It is described as “without a tail, but having a fiowing Jacket of flame. Detonations were heard so violent as to shake the earth and to Jar the windows like the shock of an earth- quake,” as it fell about 10:30 p.m., a few miles east of Marengo, Iowa. The ground }for the space of seven miles in length by two to four miles in breadth was strewn with fragments of this meteor varying in weight from a few ounces to seventy-four pounds. On May 10, 1879, a large and extraorai- narily luminous meteor exploded with ter- rific noise, followed at slight intervals with less violent detonations, and struck the earth in the edge of a ravine near Estherville, Emmet county, lowa, penetrat- ing to a depth of fourteen feet. Within two. miles other ents were found, one of which weighed 170 pounds and an- other 32 pounds. The principal mass weigh- ed 431 pounds. All the discovered parts aggregated about 640 pounds. The one of 170 pounds is now in the cabinet of the State University of Minnesota. The com- position of this aerolite is pec rin many respects, but as in nearly all aerolites there is a considerable proportion of iron and nickel. It is generally held that meteors at one time or another formed integral parts of a comet. The meteor enters the earth’s at- mosphere from without with a velocity relative to the earth that is comparabie with the earth’s velocity in its orbit, which is nineteen miles per second. By the re- sistance it meets in penetraung the air the light and the other phenomena of the lumi- nous train are produced. Many small me- teorites are undoubtedly consumed by this fire, caused by friction, before they reach the earth's surface. ——_+-e+______ The German reichstag adopted Thursday the Servian treaty by a large majority. There are 10,000 cases of influenza in the province of Rhine Hesse. The first trial of the Crosier-Buffington diseppearing gun carriage at Sandy Hook Thursday was a complete success. The body of Thomas O’Brien, aged fifty, was found Thursday at Manchester, N. H.. where he had died from starvation and cold. Apple Brandy $4 Gal. A\i CHRISTMAS Dk. forget the “wet goods for your puddings and mince ple 1 necessity—we keep THE BEST at 1. “my own brand of Pure Rye Whisky, old “BERKLEY,” is without a rival—$4 a gal. James Tharp, 812 F Sr N. W. BURCHELL'S STRING LEAF TEA at Boe. a pound in packages. Proper for Christinas gifts. 1325 F st. as bi | COLUMBIA. piete ° i Nose & Throat Institute. HUA New Institution For The “Exclusive” Treatment}! i Of The Nose, Throat and Ear. i#Parlors 1334 G St. N.W., Near 14th. ui Hi Open Monday, Dec. 18th. mm HTS iustitution is now permanently established at hig 1334 G st. and confines fteelf exclusively to the = treatment and cure of Catarrh, Asthma, Bronchitis i and ‘kindred allments of the Nose, Ear and — Throat. Most people consider Catarrh incurable. uu This is specially*trae of sufferers from this dread a thus spreading the fallacy. Ca’ qu been treated without succew it ti 101 the care of a doctor lacking the ni Se abdicate apm ti eld tte ea struments and We make a specialty of the cure it im any and all its pha cam cure it, positively, certainly, SSEbS iis sumption. bit cally and permanently. If you UI m MI tt ~ at onee, Hi Mt nn it int *" assail the bronchial tubes, then ut 11 1s Se fetta iia taistaiaintatotat al to assist the sick at little cost Washington that Catarrh can THROAT. included. Consultation free, w. Office Hours—9 to 12 a.m. fejotaintotniniofetatotattatetetatotetat an a a a a PSSST sse sss is} et pape a (Sistoaiai PEUMTATE SUT BEES pPeperecssecesbecesesreseesar TH Ht HR disease, who have been dosed ard treated month after month at Sreat expense, with little or no benefit. It is mo wonder that thes Pecome discouraged, @isgusted and finally believe that Ca- tarrh ie incurable, and communicate this belief to their friends, knowledge 80 essential in perfecting a cure. : til We Never Fail. sit __ ‘The SURGRON-IN-CHIEF of the COLUMBIA NOSE ang Hi THROAT INSTITUTE is a graduste of Jefferson Medican College, uy Philadelphia, and bas had special traiming and experience im the St successful treatment of Catarrh Hn you apply for treatment here you will not be turned over to an nn assistant, mor given some aptiquated preseription—nor will you Ha be kept @allying along month aiter month, Hi case to a sclvntifie and thorough examination. ne Apparent to you at once that the doctors have both the special Knowledge and the necessary equipment of the most modern in- npliances wherewith to cure yeu. Columbia Nose and Throat Institute, Never mind the prejedice about advertising, We ad- vertise because, by this metixd, we can Teach the greatest number of people and do the griatest possible amount of good. Do not allow Catarrh to encroach upon your vitslity, to Stop the trouble at once, and this you can surely do if you apply to us without delay. Physicians of the COLUMBIA NOSE and THROAT INSTITUTE is $5 Per Month is the Only Charge, And that includes all medicines. OUR SPECIALTY IS CATARRH, ASTHMA, BRONCHITIS and all ACUTE or CHRONIC Diseases of the EAR, NOSE and Remember—$5.00 a mouth fs the ONLY charge, all Medicine H. HEISER, M. Sundays, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. peeecenceseeeesectseustuchiressecseccicerecceceteel ritteani cert aypeirectetearencttreerereeettettt PUTTER SDERED Thetis Eber ED ET pectisees item ibestecsentietisentiniseetitseltericiiissetetiiiitt ‘tarth can be cured! If you have js because you have been under skill, training and specific! ju all its various forms. Whee We subject every It will be made treatment of “Catarrh” an@ cap ees. We know all about it—we + decidedly, assuredly, emphati- suffer from Caterrh, come to the the lungs and carry you inte con- The one great aim of the and to demonstrate to the people of Le cured If properly treated. D., Surgeon-in-Chief. 3 to 5 pm. ald 7 w 8 pm, i ++ ut pee recageetecetreestes TG TULaTae He WUE Lit) pant inti i] Bes Poor Fi clering. From the Detroit Free Press. “Now, then, this is the plan,” said one weary-looking wayfarer to another, as they leaned against a fence on Clifford street. “You see that brown house over there?” “Of course.” “It has a sign ‘for sale’ on it.” “You go and ring the bell, and tell the woman you'll give her $5,000 for it if the title is all right. In looking over the place you can mention that you are collecting old clothes to send to the heathen in Africa. It's a big scheme and is bound to work. Tl wait here, and we'll have a square di- vide.” The wayfarer crossed the street and rang the front door bell and was admitted to the the road, his gait was that of a man who had been kicked rather high up. “Well, what's the matter?” queried the one who had waited. “No go!” was the gloomy reply. “Did you see the woman and offer her 35,0002" “No; I saw the man and offered him $4,000, and as he had just sold the place for $3,500 he gave me $500 worth of boot! It's no use, old pard; the more we try to finan- cier the worse we get left. We shall have to go back to straight business!” y ° Rae EPILEPSY OR FITS, Can this disense be cured? Most physicians say No—I say Yes; all forms and the worst cases. After 30 years’ study and experiment I have found the remedy.—Epilepsy is cured by it; not subdued by oplates—the old, quack treatment. Do not despair. Forget past impositions on your purse, past outrages on your on the subject and large bottle of the remedy. sent free for trial. Mention post office and express address, Prof. W. H. PEEKE, F. D., jaT-s52t 4 Cedar st., New York. Fine Furs & Sealskins — & superb Sealskin? ——- to buy them than here? Newest Shapes remedy is of today. Vatuable work | = | | NOTICE. . GALT & BRO., Jewellers & Silversmiths, 1107 Pennsylvania Ave., Have completed their preparations for the holidays and now dis- play a larger and more attractive stock than on any previous occas sion. Customers have not only a larger and more complete assortment from which to select, but better attention than is bie imme- diately before Christ- mas. Those in search of in- expensive presents will be surprised at how low a price any of athous- and and one unique and desirable articles may be bought. An early selection is all important to those intending to make hol- iday gifts. Store open in the evening. ali-tt | SUT ma EQ)” Were You In : The Crowds —which thronged our estab- lishment all this week? You Sbouid uot fall to avail your-/; 4 « ¢ ANTI EN NTTT =f) self of this grand EQ} Bi Sante Settinn ae = < at exceptionally low prices. “Smail and odd” lots are having their price cut ip baif to hasten their de- parture, vir Lot of Silver-plated Pho- tograph Frames, cut from $1.50 to Te. others et half Moore & Leding, Jewelers apd Silversmiths, Swiniminirmn man in Sealskin Jackers, Mf! oney, Monkey, Beaver, More of those stylish jush Capes, Every good sért of Trimming Fi im ail’ widths. — For Men 1 vm sex sx hats for men—headed by makers as “Knox” and Heat Kintosbes, Caves, Umbrellas, & Stinemetz & Son Hatters and Purriers, 1237 Pa. ave. You'll Find —it a pay D> inunered 8, &e., last twice as “s joug ordivarily, We ise only filtered water, and our work is the finest that best facilities and Skil can produce. Blankets, 25e. up. Lace Curtains, 50° up. Collars and Cafis, 2c. ea Capital Steam Laundry, 9 41s investment to bave your clothes KE. With our improved ma- MRS. M. A. WEAVER, PROPRIETOR, 512 STH ST. (pp. P. O. Dept.) as ED EDIMONSTON A FINE SHOE Tent to be found on a bargain table, a at_a bargain price. When you pay $3.50 for a Sboe here you get at least four times the service you'll get from any $1 Sboe, mo matter under what cireumstances you buy ft. Besides you get cctrfort, @ peat ap? pearance avd the cousclouspess that our feet are dressed faultlessly. Our 50 Ladies’ Shows, Dongola, Calf, fin- ished, Button and Lace, hand- sewed, will wear as well as French calf. They're made to stand hard wear, vut look dressy. $3.50. MONSTON 1334 F Sz. N. W. stone NEW ae