The New York Herald Newspaper, July 13, 1871, Page 8

8 SARATOGA RACES. @Dpening Day of the First Sum- mer Meeting. ‘Fine Attendance, Grand Display of Elegant Toilets and Good Racing Over a Heavy Track. Marry Basectt Winner of the Travers Stakes, Frogtown the Sweepstakes for All Ages, and Nema the Flash Stakes, Saratoga, July 12, 1871, ‘his rare summer retreat is again itself, By that must be understood its hotels, private boaraing houses and saloons are assuming much of their midsummer activity, and clerks are pro- g@rasticating the early arrival of the period when their “duties never cease’ and pro: Brietors are in a state of blissful excitement and having a “high old time” in counting @imes and dollars, In years gone by, however, Saratoga hus filled up earher in the season than Dow, the reasons for this, as given, being many and varied. The majority hold that the cold weatner, the mists and damps of what Dickens would have emphatically called “pinTY Days,”? Mecessitating the wrapping of tender frames in ‘warm and heavy clothing, did it all; and possibly such are right, as usually July, which wields @ sunny sceptre, is tyrannous im his reign of heat in this iatitude, and then pleasure g@eckers from the cities flock to its springs, its drives and its races in mighty multitudes. But pony. James Prentice, of Brovk!: ; Dr. T. M. Eddy, J. M. tor, Avery, Peti Colonel 0, M. Davidson, Butterworth, Major Frank S. Forbes, General J. R. © , A. H, DeForrest, W. HM. Gibbous, B. Forbes, M. Cattriil, of Mobile; Rufus Hunt, of New Orleans, and the Messrs. Gallagher, of Cincinnadt. From the Clarendon—R. W. Cameron, Jobn Coffee, Mr. Bathgate, R, L. Stuart, Alexander Stuart, Wm. H. Hays, A. K. Corning, John C. Green, Dr. Gray and Ezra White, of New York; Hamilton Harris, Krastus ee Albany; Admiral Alden, United Siates Navy; R, B. Groesbeck, Mr. Pennock, of Philadel- phia; Wm. Shullito, of Cincinnati; L. Louis Lorillard, of New York. Besides these were many others, including Messrs. Fury, Nuts and McLaughlin, of Brooklyn. TAE ELEGANT CUP, valued at $500, added vo the Travers Stakes by the gentleman of that name, was on exhtnition in front of the Grand Stand, Its exquisite design and ar- tistic Mnish were universally admired, “IN HARD LUCK ONCE MORE.” The betting men again lost heavily by the favorite in the sweepstakes for all ages, one and a quarter mile, bei ly beaten, Suid one representative man, known on every course in the Union, “Well, I'll be —, if that Frogtown hasn’t cleaned us again! Why, the sucker soid only for $10 m $100. It’s a second edition of Long Brancn, and he fessional chickens are up in a bailoon.’’ The ejected sport told the whole story tu this nut- The Favorite, Finesse, was last in the race, and the losses were consequently immense. THE RACING. The track was very heavy from the deluging rains of the previous day ana night, and the time made in the races was in consequence slow. There were three events on the card, the first being the Travers Bond, Dr. G, Ayres, Paul the latter being fifteen lengths tn front ‘Time of the mile and a quarter 2:20}. ‘THE THIRD RACE. Tur FLASH Stakes, for two-year-olds; $50 en- Samiti & ciky entered wrt Nem, by Light tringtiel ol entere re ema, S. Weatherbit. Chilltcothe, of Finesse, Ming, dam Cicily Jobson, ea sresece 1 August Belmont entered ch. f, Victorta, by Cen- sor, dam Carnilla, see eecsessesrsesessseese 2 A. Buiord entered ch. f. Melita, by Marion, dam Susan Harris, by Revenue....,...cseereeceseeee 8 Moran & Kelly entered b. f, Mollie McIntyre, by Star Davis, dam Zara, by Yorkshire. a Time, 0:53.44, THE BELTING. Buford. $110 150625850 S25 24D Siringiie 70 135 «485 «220265 200 Belmont....... 60 85 210 «160 «210 «130 Kelly & Moran. 30 55 «185 205 185 110 THE RACE. RAC The two-year-olds were started at the half-mile pole, Nema teading, Victoria second, Mollie Mclotyre third and Melita fourth, her jockey pulling her up as the word was given. She, however, starte; quickly and soon ran into third place, Moilte cIntyre not being so fast as the others, Nema kept tne lead around tie lower turn, with Victoria at her saddle girth. As they entered the homestretch Melita took sides with them for a short time but soon withdrew. Nema then shook herseif loose from Victoria, and coming along finely won the heat by four lengths, Victoria second, three lengths in frout of Melita, who was four lengths in advance of Mole McIntyre, ‘Time, 0:53 )s. MURDER BY POISONING. Crime in High Life in Baltimore. Stakes, for turee year olds, which closed with eighiy- three entries; the second a sweepstakes, for all all ages, which had seventeen entries, and the third Tace was the Flash Stakes, for two year olds, which had twenty-one entries. In the frst race seven only came to the post when the bugie sounded, comprising D. McDantels’ chest- nut colt Harry Bassett, by Lexington, dam Canary July of this year, in its beginning, and the latter , part of Jane, seemed to nave forgotten themselves in “Baratoga. They were remarkable days, and it may be doubted wether that authoritative and venerable individual abstraction, the ‘‘oldest inhabitant,” ever experienced more remarkable days. Instead of heat there was coolness, instead of dryness moisture, and out-of-doors was wunapprocha- ble and im-doors utterly tiresome, so the early visivors stayed out a sort of hopeless period of ‘Wastea existence with mortal patience and sublime fortituae—trozen, disgusted, damp, dismal—each and every one apparently disliking men and women, as Hamlet did after his interview with Denmark's ghost. Even yesterday was one of such INSUPFERABLY STUPID DAYS. ‘The firmament was drowned in vapor, and people sought in vain for any small Ararat of blue sky to show itself amid the monotonous and dreary waste. To those who came to Saratoga to be present at the opening day of the July meeting of the Racing Association the prospect was fright- Tul. Ideas of suicide became familiar to the best balanced minds and one looked rather with sympa- thetic pity than indignation on recorded instances of self-destruction, Damsels and dandies, dunces and dowagers, bent on fashionable rural felicity, and horsemen and betting men couldn’t for their dives see the beauty in that exquisite versification of Longfellow, How beautiful is the rain! Qnd itis a matter of much doubt if it would have ever been written had the poet expenenced a few days’ storm in Saratoga. But this morning balmier air began to mingie in the inbospitable atmosphere, and the sun, shorn for & time of ite power, arose trom its easiern bed with the strength of a giant refreshed with wine, and the birds followed and sang heaven-inspired peans tothe unfoldmg of such a morning of pristine spiendor. The leading men of the Saratoga Racing Associa- tion HAVE NOT BEEN IDLE Bince the last meeting. The Lake road, leading to the course, has been widened to 100 feet, and three rows of elms and maples are planted—one on either side and one in the centre of the roadway. The training track has been greatly improved, and with mew fences, fresh paint, and lawns of more than satin softness and hues richer than emerald green, agreeably terminate ander the shadow of the grand stand and pagoda buildings. The grounds, radiating in all direcuons, are of the most picturosque and lovely description. They show art, good taste and deli- cate handling. Under the watchful eyes of Mr. Charles Wheatley they have attained that degree of symmetry which occupies the chief merit in pro- Gucing s0 much of the alternating quiet and gaycty @escried about a race course, No better piace exists for the exibition of speed in horseflesh, and that it is appreciated is so well known that ita suc- cess aud victories need not here be repeated. EVERYBODY IS NOT HERE, but yet the crowa is very fair in matter of numbers. Im strolling aboat | have met ofMicers of the army and navy, who have dropped their gold lace ior awhile; politiclans from New York by the score, guch as big Judge Connolly, who has forgotten his duty there ukers, presidents of banks, members of your Stock Exchange, actresses, and husbands of such; scores of promiment sporting men, popular physicians from New York and Grookiyn, equally prominent contractors from the same seo- On, heads of ary goods importing houses, students Jor the ministry, foreign ministry in tue political dine, popular authors, any pumber of bar tenders and saloon keepers, several decidedly unpopular hotel beats and one or twoot that species of roughs denommated expressively “ear-chewers.” Yet all these are aitired qutte unexceptionably, as if they were on dress parade und are well behaved. There 18 BEAUTY HERE LIKEWISE, ‘and the really elegant and variegated costumes of belies and mesaames are charming to witness. There is much of the piquant element of inystery in the female toilet as here seeu—something real and Satisfactory; but all are not such, many being phe- Romenal curiosities merety—walking specimens of art. but such ts the worla or euininity” every- where, not excepting Saratoga. But enough of generalizations preceding the Faces; let us have details. Broadway, trom Cougress Hall and the Grand Union to the Clarendon ana American Hotels, was Gllea at an early hour with carriages. It was the centre of attraction. Some enterprising Saratogan fitted up an outdoor orchestra on a wagou, Which seated or spread over the rude benches, devoted ail its energies io Ofen- ach, making the thuroughfare of the jiveliest nature. During tnis time—for be it known it 1s alter break- fast and before the hour of going to the course—the Mysterious betung wen ass: ie in groups, aad in whisperings iow but prolonged canvass the POSSIBILITIES AND PROBABILITIES of the day. Standing about them, now and then alone, but generaily In trees and fours, the conu- trymeu, Who are uot up to the pitfalis and calain tues of the race-cuurse, listen eageriy to what these professionals have to say. The object of we countrymen in visiting Saratoga 1s twofold, to make moucy and have agood time. Whetuer they suc- ceeded in both attempts is not given to the prying public, but it is saie to say everybody seemed amply waustied alter the races, including the rurai deal zens. even if with having the aforesaid good ume thelr expenses were jarger than anticipated. Mean- Waile the sellers of tickets for the meeting are ei deavoriag Wo drive a brisk trade. avd there they go, with hands full of mor ing, bouncing, curveumg about the pi posing o1 the Heaviy gouien up pasteboard, u Jears tiey may never recover thet eyuilibriam. Without doubt the vettiig men come to Sara- tova—that is whe betung men With casy-go-lucky apirits—rather sadiy demoralized pecuniarily as ‘ew defeats and losses al Long Branca struck them with such suddenness taat many of tem uow took upon an unkown horse with certain LIMITED DEGREE OF AWE, and they enter the whiripool of the betting ring th & cautions refresiingly amusing. When you hear @ betting man, known ut times have had $15,000 or $20,000 upon a single race, deciaim to admiring friends that he’ Paving to be caretul oO: his soap tis Ue and be su before be lays a doilar,”’ you can wine that he has been taken in and feels like switching of unul his pocket 18 convalescent. But there was pleaty of betuing and @ good deal of Moating capital ready for the jucky ones to scoov in. The pools were Jarge and pumerous, aud ihe ubiquitous Underwood aud McGowan dispensed these favors With liberal Wauds, THE GRAND STAND ‘was a picture of extraordinary interest. It was ai- most filled trom end to end ‘with ladies in lovely toilets und representative men. The folowing novables of the sterner sex will give an idea of Wie prominent characters preseat:— August belmont, Williiaw R. Travers, John Hanter, ot New York; Dr. Donovan, of New Jersey; Jobu Smith, of Cincinnati; General Buford, of Kentucky. From Congress Haii came Baron de Rivaz, Rovert Schell, Mr. Bend, of New York; Hon, 4. J. Robert son, United States senator of South Carolina; Thomas Nesmith, of Lowell; J. ©, Baila day, W. 8. Fanshaw, of san Francisco; Dr. Faltz, Medical Director, United states Nav: ik H. Lord, General Sianull, A. Paraf, Colonel C, Hawkins, 4. Pheips, Chrisuen Thorsen, 3. W. Patterson, Hon. James Brooks, James B Witham Wali, Joseph Harker, Hon. Fernando ¥ jobn Appleton, 8. W. Coe, A. Boody and C, W. rant, of New York; fH. Pompeiiy, of Albany; Jonn |. @rouse, of Syracuse; Larz Anderson, Robert Burnet. pf Cingiwway; Me ky logulis, of Bosion; Here they are | Bird; Messrs. Jerome & Butord’s gray filly Nelly Gray, by Commodore, dam by Sovereign; J. A. Grinstead’s chestnut colt Alroy, by Australian, dam Nellle Gray; Thomas Doswell’s bay colt Eolus, by Leamington, dam Fanny Washington; George P. Wetmore’s bay colt, by Breckinridge, dam Sophia; Dennison & Crawford's chestnut colt, by Censor, dam Juda, and A. Belmont’s chestnut colt By the Sea, by Thormanby, dam Bernice. Harry Bassett was a great favorite previous to the start, 100 to 30 being wagered on his winning. He did win the race, and in the same easy manner that he won the Belmont Stakes at Jerome Park, and the Jersey Derby Stakes at Long Branch— that is, by taking the lead on the first half mile and showing the others the way to the end. Harry Bas- sett may now be considered the very vest tree year old on the American turf, and it 18 very doubtful if there is one in Europe that could beat him the Derby distance. Nellie Gray ran a good second, and Alroy acapital third. The others were widely spread out at the finish, as the heavy condition of the track pumped them out during the journey. The second race was for @ sweepstakes, a mile and a quarter, and of seventeen entries there were only four willing to start. These were Stringfleld & Stannope’s bay colt Frogtown, by Bonnie Scotiana, dam unknown; Taylor Page’s bay colt Hamburg, by Lexington, dam by Alexander Churchill; D. J. Crouse's brown colt Chillicothe, by Lexington, dam Lilla, and A. Belmont’e chestnut filly Finesse, by Lexington, dam Filligree, Chillicothe and Finesse were the first favorites in this race, the bevting alternaung first in favor of one and then the other, while Hamburg and Frogtown aid not bring over ten dollars apiece in @ hundred. Frogtown, however. won tie rac and the bettors of long odds on botn Finesse and Chillicothe sufered severely. Finesse was in very poor condition for a contest with such horses, as she had neither speed nor endurance to carry her through. Hamburg was second, Oniilicothe third. The third race had twenty-one entries, but only four of them put in an appearance at the sammous of the bugle to saddie. ‘These were Messrs. String- feld & Clay’s gray filly Nema, by Lightning, dam Cicily Jobson; A. Belmont's chestnut filly Victoria, by Censor, dain Camilla; A. Buford’s chestout till; Malia, by Marion, dam Susan Harris, and Moran Keliy’s bay filly Mollie Mcintyre. Malta was the favorite in the pool saics. She was beaten by both Nema and Victoria. She, however, had a very poor start, as her jockey was in the act of pulling her up when the flag feil, not thinking that the slart would be given. Malita had been off her feed since her last race, and was not in fit con- dition for the cuntest, The betters knew this, how ever, yet still they persisted in backing her, believ- ing tbat even im her present conaition she could beat auything that could be brought against her ‘Nema, the winner, 1a a very fine half a mile. formed Sity, and will beyond doubt make a racer. ‘The following are the details of the running as it Pprogressed:— THE FIRST RACE. THR TRAVERS STAKES, ‘or three-year-olds, $50 en- trance, play or pay; $1,009 in money added by the association and $590 in plate by W. R. ‘Travers, President, one and three-quarter mile, D. McDaniel’s ch. c. Harry Bassett, by Lexing- ton, dam Canary Bird. + Miles Keliy entered gr. aore, dam by Sovereign. J. 3, Grinstead eniered c! by Gominio- Han, dam Nellie Gray 3 Thomas W. Dosweil en ington, dam Fanny W: 4 George P. Wetmore entered b. by Breck: ridge, dam Sopma, by Bonnie Scothind........ 5 Denninson & Crawford entered ch. ¢. vy Censor, dam Julia, by Glencoe. A. Belmont entered ci. c. By the sea, manby, dam Bernice Time, 3:21%j. THE BETTING. $750 1,300 at 1,300 1,000 out wo 116 65 300 50 60 70 BOBO 6 55 36 75 ‘awiord = 2 Breckenridge Colt... 10 20 20 25 2% w THE RACE. ‘The race being a wile and three-quarters the horses were started on the inside or fractional track, and they ran across to the regular track, entering 1 at tye halt-miie pole. The horses had a capital start, Nelif® Gray taking the lead, the Breckenridge colt second, Folus third, the Censor colt fourth, Alroy fifth, by the Sea sixth and Harry Hassett seventh, ‘They ran sharply across to tne Haifmlie pole, aud as they passed it te Censor cult was on the lead, Nellie Gray second, Airoy turd. Marry Bassett fourth, the others together. Harry Bassett then dashed to the lead, being wel! in front about midway of the lower tu the Censor coit second, Neliie Gray third, the others somewhatstruug out. As they passed under the wire at ine eud of the three-quar- iers Of a inile Harry Bassett led taree lengths, going at a fine easy stride, Nelle Gray i toe Censor colt fourth, Hy the sea fifth, Alroy sixth, {| the Breckinridge seventh. ‘There was littie change | only that Alroy passed By around the uppei the Sea, and all the otver horses becaine bunched very close tog . Going down the back- stretch both Billy Gray and Kolus rau up and made a charge on Harry Bassett, vat they were unable to close up the daylight, as this famous son of Lexing- ton and Canary Vird had lots to spare. ‘The faster they ran the easier they were whip) ‘They kept up their running. “however, side by sid: around the lower turn, and = fonght nobl for second place up the homestretch until Eolus began to quit. <Alroy then ame on for ap atiack ai Neilie Gray, out he was unable to approaci her, aud te gallaut gray filly ran im sec- ond, flarry Bassett won the race in hand by four lengths, Nellie Gray five lengths im front of Alro, Eojus fourih, the ige colt fifth, tae Censor colt sixth, By the 3 th, having been putied up when it was found ne could not win, Time, B21. TUE SECOND RACE. SWEEPSTAKES for ail ages: $50 entrance, play or The horses were started from the three-quarter pole, ab the head of tne homestretch, to a capitat | Seud-off, Cliilicothe leading, Finesse second, Hain- burg third aud Frogtown fourth, They ran up tie hoimestreten side and side, und as they passed by the stand Hamburg led bulla length, Chilicoine second, a length intront of Finesse aud Frogtown, Who were side and side. Going round the npper turn Hamburg still ied and at the quarter pole was oue Jength in front, Chiliicotue second, one teugth abead of Finesse, who was half a length in advanc Frogtown. Finesse then began to quit, ana Frog- vown lefé her and made after the oilers, who were | forcing the pace down the vackstretch. At the haif- | mile pole Hamburg was haif a length ahead of Chil- licothe, the latter being three lengths in front of Frogtown, Finesse several lengths vehind, wead | beat. Going atong the lower turn the race was very | exciting between Hamburg and Caiticorie, who ran head and head, two jengths in advance of Frogiown, ‘Chillicothe and Hamburg came into the homestretch of | oked, and they straggie on fercely twxetuer. Frogtowmthen made a gallant dash and closing up rapidly or rhe inside, avout midway up the home- stretch, Was on even terms with Hamburg, who had beaten Chiiiicothe at this point. Frogtown came along al @ strong and Won the race by two lengths, Mewmoure epcond, oby lepath apead of The Widow of a United States Army Officer the Criminal—A General of the United States Army One of Her Victims—Startling Developments— A Frightful Record of Crime. Barfiorors, July 11, 1871. ‘The upper circles of Balttmore society are fear- fully aguated to-day, and nothing of a criminal character which has occurred im the Monumental City for many years has produced so profound a sensation as that which startled the community this morning. There 1s everything in the unusual character of the alleged crime and the proceedings which have marked its discovery and prosecution to throw around if the most sensational interest, and notwithstanding the concerted efforts of friends, counsel and officers of the law to keep secrect the facts much has been developed. It is extremely diMcult to ascertain particulars, but enough is known to satisfy the public that a charge of the gravest character now lies against A LADY OF THE FIRST CIRCLES OF BALTIMORE SO- crnry, being nothing less than the charge of murder and attempted murder by poisoning. ‘The reporters for the press have been denied ny the authorities the usual meaus of correctly informing themselves as to the facts, much less the particulars; but their reticence and denials have only served to increase the Bohemian aesire and determination to know the | Dut at Ure whole truth, The pubiic are eager for the fullest accounts, and great disappointment will doubtless be experienced when it is ascertained from to-mor- row’s prints what restrictions have been pot upon the work of the reporters, The officers who made the arrest; the doc tors, whose testimony is all-important; the clerks of the Conrt, the friends of the family and ‘the counsel engaged are evidently bent upon having as little made known through the press as possible. The case js, hoy of that all-absorbinug interest which will ren le any efforts to keep it silent, It promises to im starting and trightil de- velopments the famous case of Mrs. Lydia Sherman, of Birmingham, Conn., and is well calculated to awaken the most sensational emotions and to create a feeling of abhorrence, As far as your cor- respondent has been enabled to gather from the most trustworthy sources and to determine from the conflicting statements the following history of the case may be relied upon:—During the late war BREVET COLONEL MARRY W. WHARTON, anative of Philadelphia and a graduate of West Point, was stationed in this city as Paymaster of the United States forces of the military department of Maryland, ana after the war remained here on similar duty until bis death, in 1867, He was wel known and made mauy (riends, His suavity of manner Was unusial, and he wa8 conspicuous for his handsome though dressy appearance, It is said that ro oficer of the United States Army who ever served at this post was more universally beloved, His family was among the most infueantual in his native city, his fatuer having held a high jadicial position, and Colonel Wharton was noied as a zeal- ous, efficient. and unusually courteous officer. Ivis now said by those who knew the circumstances of his death that they were suspictous, but at that time no one Would have dared to breathe a whisper that his wife could bave turned her hand in morder, It is remembered well, however, ‘nat bis death was very sadden and that bis symp- toms were pecuilar, His remams were taken to Norristown, Penn., and interred in his family burial lot, His family consisted of a wife, a son and a daughter, whom he jeit in very comfortabie c1 cumstances and im occupation of the present resi- deuce of his widow, Mrs. E. G. Wharton, No, 263 North Eutaw street, in what is fashionably kuown in Baltimore as ‘‘Iiamilton place.” His son, MAJOR HARRY W. WHARTON, JR., was also an officer of the United States service, about twenty-seven years of age, and of very hand- some appearance. Svon after lis father’s death ne resigned his commission aud lived here with nis mother and sister. About Mfteen moatns since he died suddenly, and it is said by those who are ac- quainted with the family that his symptoms were the same as those of his father. it was remarked at the ime by persons intimately acquainted with him that nis sudden demise 1 tne character of his sickness were very strange, unt nothing was thought then of a probability of the “deep daianation of his taking off." About six or elgnt weeks before his death he insured his life for $40,000, holding @ policy im the Mu iaal Life In- surance Company oi New York and another in the Equitaple Life Insurance Company of this city. He died a bachelor, and fis mother received the full amount of the policies. It was considered at the time one of the most unnsual losses of iife msurance companies, but it Was Hot intimated that the wotuer could have poisoued her son. Under the devetop- ments Which have beea recenty made the belief has grown sivong, however, that Mrs. Wharton caused vhe death of ‘her lusband and son by the subtle bat potent agency which it 18 known sue has exercised effectually within At the death of both her hnsband a ited the greatest i there was nothing in her conduct to iead to a suspicion. continued to enjey the friend: ship and confid 1 @ Jari of refined and influenhal associates, and jived in comparative Nuence, though ina rather retiring manner, Hex DAUCNTER, MISS NEVLIE WHARTON, @ handsome young jady of twenty-three years, wae taken suddenly Ul in’a month or two after her brotuer’s death, a tion for some sympioms of po dn a critical condt- id now that the had 1 that her suferings oning pay, $759 added; one mile and a quarter, Were similar to those of tee fatner and brother. Stringtield & Stanhope entered b. ¢ Frogtown, by Nothing positive, however, can us yet be ascertained _ Bonule Scotland, dam Caaua’s data, 1! hy the members of the press m reference to the | Taylor Page en bc Hamburg, by 1 ses of the deaths of te husband aud son and dam by Alexander Charcaili, 4 year Bs ihe sickness of the daaghter, on accomnt of the ex- D. J. Crouse entered . ¢. Cniilicoune, by Lexiny: treme rencence observed by every member and ton, dam Lilla, by Yorkshire, 4 years oid... friend of the family, and the tamily physictan, August Belmont entered ch. f. Professor Hichaid Mesherry, the University of (on, dai Filligree, 4 yes 4) Maryland. There seems to by Al sites A disposi pent tou to suppress for the presen! at least the trae ts THE BETTIS history of the case, and to risk tie publication of | Chillicothe + $100 40 erroneous accounts rather than eniigateu the pupite Fine 100 495 by any disclosures, ‘The Work Of Myrs.gWharton in Frogtown, 5 40 ‘the destruction of ber famuy 1s Involved in mystery; Hamburg. 1% 80) ig 600 | ut What she has erected within the past three THE RACK. Weeks j3 clear and more within tie reach of egal investigation, After a careful analysis of the many varying reports the fouowiug appears (0 yout cor+ respondent to embrace the material points of Ue case: — Along the oldest and most intimate friends of the late Colonel Wharton was GENERAL WILLIAM SCOTT KETCHUM, a distingnished officer of the Gniiedsstates Army, and a brother-in-law of Paymaster General Brice, ume of itis d Was on the reured list. His relations of intimate tricndship with the mother and Gaugater of is old Companion in arms con- Mnued after the death of Colonet Wharton and his m, and some time since Le advanced to Mra Wharton the sam of $2,600, and took her note for that amount, On tue 23d of last month General Ketchum arrived irom Washivuton, and tinmedl- ately went to the residence of M Wharton, ia- tending to make her a brief visit. and, i 19 sald, to request the paymentof the note he held. On the zétu of tast month, the day after his arrival, he was taken suddenty violently sick, Dr. P. CU. Willams was catied in, as the family in Was absent froin Baltimore, but iis efforts fated to relieve him, and on the 23th of June, about three o'clock in the afternoon, he died, His remains were taken to Washington by his relatives, and his funeral took Rieve ob the Bit pit, JU peyouMls Leg pyoR Ia tue NEW- YORK HERALD. THURSDAY, JULY 13, 1871.—'PRIPLE SHEET, hewspapers at thetime. A brief biographical sketch of him appeared at the same time. “Mrs, Wharton numbered among her friends in this city ® young Man pamed EUGENE VAN NESS, son of Colonel Van Ness, who was stationed here during the late war as @ paymastcr, and & boOk- Keeper in the well snown banking house of Alex- ander Brown & Sons, corner of Baltimore and Cal- vert streets, He had known Mrs, Wharton and her family for several years, and transacted much of her business for her. On the 24th of last month, while General Ketchum lay ill at Mrs, Wharton's rest- deuce, Mr. Van Ness called to pay an evening visit and was as cordially received as on previous Occa~ sions. Several others were also present on that Occasion, and Mrs. Wharton offered to her guests beer, in which she said had been put a ‘ew drops of tian (a strong tonic). All drank except Mr. Van jess without experiencing any sickness. He, how- ever, Was soon taken violently sick, and Dr. Chew being summoned, declared that he was too sick to be moved. A mtik punch was prescribed and ad- ministered, by whom ii has been impossible for rr correspondent to ascertain After Mr. Van Ness ad emptied the cup it Was noticed by a person pre- sent that in the botiom lay White sediment, Atten- tion being,called to it,a lady present (your correspond- ent was uuavie to ascertain positively that it was Mrs. Wharton) said, “It 18 nothing but some white sugar.” A relative of Mr. Van Ness standing near then tasted it, and finding tt unpalatable set the cup aside, When an opportunity oifered the sediment was carefully removed and taken fo a competent chemist, who, after examining it well, pronounced it tartar emetic. This fact was communicated to the relatives and friends of Mr. Van Ness, and he was treated accordingly. The discovery of tne violent emetic and the fact of General Ketchum’s sudden Muess and death created a suspicion of crime. At that ume General Ketchum’s remams were in Washington, unburied, and by request Professor William E. Aiken, of the Universiy of Maryland, proceeded to analyze the stomach of the deceased officer, After a thorough and careful analysis he discovered TWENTY GRAINS OF TARTAR EMBTIC. ‘This was considered strong proof of crime, dat, for reasons which are as yet known to but afew, no further steps were taken. In the meanume Mrs. Wharton and her dauguter continued their prepara- tons for a European tour, and had perfected their arrangements to leave New York on Wednesday, duty, Last mht, however, the oilicers of the law called upon Mrs. Wharton with two bench war- rants issued by the Criminal Court in this city for her arrest upon the charge of having murdered General Ketchum by poisoning, ana wita having at tempted the murier by poisoning o: Mr. Eugene Van Ness. She was informed of the nature of the charges against her, and was notified that she would be held as a prisoner in her house. Robert Gilmor, dr., Judge of the Criminal Court of this city, was requested yesterday morning by Messrs, J. Nevitt Steeles and John H. Thomas, counsel for Mrs. Wharton, to be present in the city to receive an application for bail iM they moueneproper to make 11, the warrants hav- ing been issued in Chambers. Judge Gilmor com. pled with the request and a conference was held yesterday between his Houor Judge Gilmor, the Assistant State Attorney, Mr. Frederick Pinckney, ana Messrs. Steele and Thomas. What trans- pired at that time has been Kept strictly secret, but it was reilably reported that the case had been re- Terrea for further action to the Grand Jury, which meets on Saturday next, pursuant to the order of their discharge. In the meantime Mrs. Wharton is kept a prisoner in her own house and is under the constant surveillance of the police, Her daughter and two house servants have been notified that they Wl not be allowed to leave the City until the case has been investigated, as they are regarded as mate- Tial witnesses. AS soon as Mr. Van Ness had re- covered suliciently he was removed to the residence of his relative, Mrs, Frick, on Monument street, near Howard sirect, where he now lies in a critical con- dition, %, MRS. WHARTON’S PERSONAL APPEARANCE. In personal appearance. manners and’eonversa- tion Mrs. Waarton 18 unusually prepossessing and attractive. Her belght 1s above the medium, her figure slender but graceful, her eyes dark, her hair black, the expression of tie mouth pieasiug, her countenance open, her manners very easy yet not familiar, and her conversation spirited and refined. In everything she appears a periect lady, and there 18 nothing in her personal presentatton to lead to the belief that she would commit the feartul crimes with which she ts now charged, She bas always held @ high position in the soctal circtes of Baitimore, and, unul now, her character bas borne no reproach. She is a member of the Episcopal Chureh, and is a Tegular attendant. There are donbtiess many 10- teresting details connected wiih the adair which wili unfola a lengthy tale of more than uramatic In- terest, MURDER AT SING SING PRISON. A CONVICT’S REVENG Driving an Adze Through a Negro’s Brain— How the Murderer Was Discovered and Iden- tified—Coroner’s Inquest and Verdict of the Jury—Statement of the Acoused. An inquest was held at Sing Sing Prison yester- day, by Coroner Smith, on the body of a negro coa- vict named Joseph Walker, whose death was caused by injuries received at the hands of a fellow convict on the soth day of June last. Itseems that shortly after two o'clock on the af- ternoon of that day a convict at work in one of we lime kilns informed his keeper, James Fulvon, that a man bad begn “‘struck.”’ Hastening to a small shed situated udderneath a cooper shop, where barrels are made, Fulton saw the negro, COVERED WITH BLOOD, and having a gory adzeinone hand. Walker was staggering about, while another convict was en- deavoring to support him. On bemg asked what was the matter with him, Walker at first replied, “I don't know;” but immediately after stated that Edward Morgan had strack him with the adze. The injured man having been conveyed to the hospital, Dr. Coilins, the prison physician, on examination, found that the adze had penetrated the skull at the junc- tion of the temporal and occipital bone, spitting ofthe iatter, and had PASSED THROUGH THE BRAIN n @ lateral direction to the extent of about two inches. Walker was then told that he could not survive, and ou his re iterating that it was Morgan who dealt the murderous blow, the latter was brought to the beaside of the injured man, who, while conscious of his fast approaching end, fully identified Morgan in presence of several Witnesses. ‘The accused stoutly DENIED HIS GUILT, but while in the very act of asserting his innocence a ‘tell-tale spot of fresh blood was discovered on his cap, and for which he tried to account by saying that he had killed an obnoxtous ingect with It. The suspicions against Morgan were sul! further confirmed by another convict, who saw the accused and his victim alone m tie shed not many seconds before THE FATAL BLOW was struck. Other circumstances connected with the tragedy point almost unerringly to the guilt of the accused, Who persists 10. a totai dental of the charge against him. From all that can be ascer- tained It would appear that Morgan did not lack a motive for the iwurderous deed, as it is asserted among the convicts that Walker divulged particulars of 4 nameless and horrible offence which Morgan had frequently committed upon him by Mautual consent, Notwithstanding the fact that Walker's skuil was laid open and his brain terribly lacerated with the keen edge of the adze, he sur- } vived eleven daya, retaining sull CONSCIOUSNESS TO THE LAST. This is partly accounted for by the excessive hemorrhage which ensued, thas retarding conges- tion of the brain, Deceased, who was @ freedinan, was found guiity of the crime of murder by a mil- tary commission, convened at Camden, 8. C., Jan nary 1, 1866, and sente ced to ten years’ imprisou- ment at Sing Sing. he was about twenty-one years old. THR INQUEST. In his testimony before the jury of Inquest Dr. Col- lins set sorth the lact stated above regaraing the na- ture and extent of the prisoner's injuries and the formal identification of Morgan vy the deccased, He aiso testified that death was occasioned by the wound already described.) Having heard the evi- dence of several other witnesses the jury rendered a verdict that Waiker came to his death irom a wound inflicted by an adze in the hands of Edward Mor- gan. WHAT THE ACCUSED SAYS. Accompanied by Mr. F. L. Ladin, inspector in charge, the HERALD representative visited the prisoner in his cell for the purpose of taking any statement which he might wish to make in regard to the crim Morgan, who is rather prepossessing in appearance, quietly provested his innocence of te alleged murder, and sad that he and tne de ceased Had always been on the moat friendly terms, He also said that he was in the habit of teaching the deceased to read, and this was one reason why he was suspected of having been near Waiker When the assauit was made, Wale samitring that circumstances were against him, the accused expressed himsell as being abie to prove his innocence when the proper time arrived. Morgan was convicted in Westchester county of grand larceny in October, 1870, and sentenced by Judge Cochran to three ‘8’ penal servitude, The prisoner 18 @ native of the city of New York, and is about twenty-one years old, NAVAL INTELLIGENCE, Lieutenant Commander Kane has been detached from the Supply and placed on waiting orders, A statement has been published tnat the Severn, flagship of the West India squadron, is not only un- seaworthy but that her timbers are rotten and she is in a most dangerous condition. There is offictal authority for contradicting the statement in the fact that the Severn left the New York Navy Yard only last December, after having been completely refittea and during @ period of five ponies, Under the diyeot sungrymupn of Adzuiral REVELATIONS OF THE PAST Scenes from the History of the Late Revolution in Paris. After the Death of the Commune—Arrests and How They Were Made—The Story of a Rus- sian Count Saved by an American Lady— Innocent People Shot Down Like Dogs—Blood-Stained Walls—A Brave Boy—What a Grave- digger Had to Say. Panis, June 13, 1871. Paris is fast resuming its normal condition. Strangers are flocking in rapidiy tosee the ruins and the traces of the confict that are visibie in every street and square of the city, The boulevards are crowded in the evening with promenaders, and the brilliantly ligated cafés are once more alive with a gay and merry tnrong of pleasure-seekers, who are holding higb revel in the places where but afew days ago WAR'S STERN RULE held undivided sway. They may be seen every- where in the ruined and desolate suburbs curiously inspecting the wrecks of what were once pretty Uttle cottages, or picking up bits of shell and chas- Sepot bails as mementos of the conflict, FACTS COMING. TO LIGHT. Every day more cases are coming to light of the murder of innocent people, not only by the infuri- ated mob and exasperated soldiers, but by the drum- head court martials that for the first few days were established all over the city. It will be remembered that Bithoray’s execution was announced in all the Papers, with the circumstances attending his cap- ture; how he had been recognized and denounced on the boulevard by the mob; how, when taken and searched, 1,300 francs were found in his pockets, Which sum he had, of course, stolen while In power; how he begged for life, like the coward he was, and how he was led out and shot on luis knees. The papers were extremely jubilant over the matter, and were exceedingly rejoiced that he showed himself in his true colors, it never uccurring totnem that when people are shot witiout trial friends as weil as enemies may be the victims. It now appears that Billloray 1s safe and well, a pri- soner at satory, and that the man who was SHOT IN HIS PLACE was a quiet, inoffensive old bourgeois, who had not been out of his house for weeks until that day. He was followed to the place of sittung of the court mar- tial by a band of howling idiots, who had never seen him or Billioray in their lives, all yelling, ‘est Bitlioray! & mort, & mort! and as it is the leading principle of French justice and French logic to con- sider all accused men guilty and treat them as such, te poor old man was backed up to the first wall and shot, protesting his innocence all the while. 80 MANY CASES of this kind have come within my own observa- tion; so many people have been shot for throwing petroleum down cellars, upon the simple accusa- ton of anybody, of nobody knows who, without the least effort being made to see if the charge was well founded, that 1 have grown incredulous about these petroleum stories and do not believe that @ single case of petroleum throwing after the passage of the Versailles can be established upon evidence that would hang a dog. THR RUSSIAN COUNT. I met yesteraay the Count D., a Russian, who ‘was arrested and taken to Satory fora shot whica they said was fired upon an otiicer from the house 1m whieh he lived, 12 his aosence. Upon Halen | to the house he found it surrounded by suldiers and nearly everybody who lived in the square ar- rested, Attempting to enter he was stopped by an officer, who asked bim if he lived in that house, and upon receiving an adirmative repiy put @ pistol to his head and said, “Then lam going to BLOW OUT YOUR BRAINS.’? Count D. told him that if he intended to blow out his braims there was of course no way of preventing it as he was entirely unarmed, and that he had seea enough of Frenchmen to-know tbat they fought better with unarmed men than with those who were ina condition to defend iemseives, but that he would like to know in any case why he was to be shot, “A shot was fired upon a body of troops (rom this house,” repiied the ollicer, somewhat cooled down by the bold frout shown by the Count, You see yourself that [ have only just arrived,” said the Count, and thut it could not have been fired by me."’ Jt may be as well to aay afterwards appeared no shot and that it was the OFFICER'S OWN REVOLVER accidently discharged 0 bis povket, which had given rise to the dificuity, causing thé arrest of at least fifty persons. “No matter,” said the officer, ‘be thankfui for your life and come with me vo the Prefecture de Police.” y Arrived at the oMice of the Chief of Police he showed his papers proving tuat he had been a coi- onel in the Russian army, that he had received per- mission from the Czar to cowe aiter the declaration of war to offer his services to France, that he had served with distinction throughout Lhe war and nad been promoted to the rauk of major for bis bravery on the field of battle, and that he was at tnat moment waiting for the pay due liim by the Freach government for services rendered. Nothiag would do, however; he was @ foreigner and must go vo Versailles to await bis trial, although there was not the shadow of a compsauit against him, While wait- ing here a friena whom he recognized was brougnt tn, and they had a few minutes conversation belure being separated. “WHAT ABSURD CHARGE have they against your” asked Count D. “Oh, some Woman that 1 never saw before in my Ife, told a stupid National Guard that 1 had peen throwing petroleum, and he brougut me here. 1 will pe liberated, of course, as soon as | can estab- lish my identity, as they cannot shvot a man upon such evidence as that.’ “Would you believe it?” said the Connt to me, with # tremor in his voice, “1 inquired after him as I was released, and found that ie had been shot just an hour after we separated.” “The Prefet de Police had promised me @ room for the night,” continuea the Count, ‘and that I shoutd not be marched to Versaiiles between a ille of sol. diers, lt was now dark, and I was taken and put into a little room, about ten Jeet square, where there were already twenty-five or thirty persons, and they were packed m 80 tignt Lhat there was not tne slightest possibility of lying down. Here I was ovliged to remain ail night, almost suffocated by the hot, stifling air, weak and ting with hunger and latigue, and thinking coaunually of a horrible story I once read about the BLACK HOLE OF CALCUTTA. There were three or four women among us, who fainted away and were supportea on the arms of the men, as It would have been certam death to let them lie down in that norrible, vitiated air. About four o’clock m the morning we were all called out and arranged in marcting order between two files of soldiers. My companion happened to be a woman, and we had not marched far when, overhearing @ remark of the soldier next to her, she commenced sobbing and wringing her hands wildly, ‘Mon Meu, Monsicur,’ cried she to me, ‘they are taking us i TO THE LUXEMBOURG TO BR SHOT. It was only too true. I had fallen into a company of prisoners that had been sentenced to death, and we were on our way to execution. 1 spoke to the oticer in command, telling him it was a misiake, that [ should be sent to Versailles, and not to the Luxembourg. ‘No matter where you go,’ was the reply, ‘you will be shot anyhow, and the sooner the better. “If I hear any more of your impudence I will give you a taste of the flat of my sword.’ As It was amaiter of life and deatn to me, however, con- tinued the Count, I finally induced him to look over his list, and he found, sure enough, that my name was not there. 1 was immediately hustled out of this gang and put into another one of about five hondred that were on the way to Versailles, There was 4 line of cavalry on each side of us, and every man held a revolver in his hand. Arriving at the Porte Muillot_ we were told that if any one of us attempted to escape he would not only BE SHOT DOWN, but ten others also us pen 3. “we linked arms in squads of five, in order to pre vent each other from attempting to escape, and marched thus the whole distance to Versailles. 1t was @ march the horrors of which | shall never forget. The rain had commenced falling steadily ht here that as it been fired ai ail, au continued pouring down upon us the whole distance in an uninterrupted stream, They had compelled us to throw of our hats while yet in the city, and we had nothing to do but march op (through tne mud and rain, which soaked and chuled us through and Urough and gave many a fellow there bis Jeuine de route for the other world, even without ‘the interposition of the friendly Chassepot. Theve were pale, weak women among us, Who had scarce- iy strength enough to drag their weary limbs along; children crying bitterly for father or mother—poor, miserable, frightened littie tniugs that made my heart oleed to look at; old men stooping with the weight of years that were jnst able to totter along bata Ana help of @ cane; hardened-looking villains, asuly SCOWLING SAVAGE FACES; National Guards; refined, educated, intelligent wo- men—all mixed up in one norrid jumble, ali look- be shot at moment, saw & wounded man who was unable to go any farther helped on a wagon with tue points of bayo- neta; | saw two old men whose powers /ailed them taken out of the lines and SHOT ON THE ROAD SIDE; I saw women and chilaren urged onward with points of the soldiers’ bayonets, and yet not one of there le had been tried, not one but what would oie) ag Augooeas DY ApstiCAn vt KpKlgh. law. Bat lam a the thongnt of the horrors have witnessed. Suffice it to say that after lying five or six days in the prison at Satory and the 01 after sleeping in the mud and rain, afier on stale bread and water, after seeing: NUMBERS DIE AROUND ME of fever brought on py weakness, exposure and starvation; alter having been insulted and mal- treated by this French people whom I have fought for worse than we treat our convicts, I was at last releaged by the Jarorposion, of @ kind Ameri- can lady in my benalf, who happened to hear of my arrest, and who, with a kindness shall never lorget. never ceased working night and day until she procired my release, just as they were on the point of sendmg me to Ch at A At pre- sent,” concluded the Count, witn a significant look, “| wash my hands of the whole French people, and I can assure you that the next time I TAKZ UP MY SWORD TO FIGHT It will not be for France.” 1 think there are very few foreigners who have witnessed the events of the last few months that do not sympathize with the feelings of the Count, It 1s, of course, perfectly right to punish the guilty; but that 18 no reason why innocent people should be taken and dragged to the first stone wall and shot down like dogs. ‘Better ninety-nine guilty men should escape than one inno- cent mau lose his lite,’ say thé Americans and the English. “Better nimety-nine innocent people should suffer than one guilty man escape,” say the French, and there you have the difference between French and English logic. ‘The way ip which they have treated children, too, {6 simply worthy of an American Indian, One can imagine a Western savage dashing ont the brains of an infant agaist the nearest tree, but can you pic- ture to yourself a polisied, gentlemanly French officer, one of those mustached fellows whom the ladies dote upon, his breast covered with decora- tions, with the Cro-s of the Legion or Honor, one of those who saved his life by surrendering to the Pras- sians at Sedan, ranging a half dozen PRIGHTENED, CRYING CHILDREN (babies they were) against a wall avd coolly shoot. ing them, because some exctied Idiot said they had been trymg to burn tie city? Would it be possivle for such a thing to happen anywhere onisile of France? Wouid auybody but a Frenchman—a civil- ized, educated, refined Frenchman—be capabie of such an act of baroarous cruelty? 1 have never heard of but one case where children were not treated the same as grown up people. It 18 well known that many boys of twelve and fifteen years of age, the gavcroches or gamins of Paris, fought with the greatest coolness: and courage in the barricades. Among the many that were shot in the garden of the Luxembourg ‘was one little fellow who, when they were avout to fire upon him, heid up his hand and spoke to the omoae in command, and the following dialogue en- sued:— GaMIN—Mon capitaine, OFFICER—Well, what is it? GaMIN—D’ve got a watch here that Istole, If you will let me I'll leave it at the nearest grocers with the address of the owner, OFFICER—NO you don't, young scalawag; you want to run away. GAMIN —No, indeed, mon capitaine, I will leave the watch aud come right straight back, BRAVE BOY, A feeling of compassion moved the officer to grant the gamin’s wish, und ne saw him run away with a smile, supposing he would vever hear of tum again ‘until the next revolution, What was his astouish+ ment upon seeing tne little fellow, about ten min- utes afterward, reappear and take his place beside THE BLOOD-STAINED WALL among the gory corpses of those who had just been shot, “What are you there again you littie devil ?”” cried the officer. “All right, mon Capitaine, fre away; I’m ready,” was the answer, 11 a Clear, childish voice. For reply the officer caugut him, cutfed his ears soundly and seni him abous his business, with the threat that he would be thrashed within an inch of his lite Wf ever found in a barricade again, “Tres bien, Mon Capitaine, bat I would rather you: would shoot me,’ and the gamin marcbed off, whistling the ‘Marseillaise.”” ican vouch for tue truth of this story, as I have it from a periectly reiiavle and truttuul person, Who witnessed the whole occurrence, But of a different nature was the story I heard from one of the ei GRAVEDIGGERS in the Pére la Chaise, who had been employed to bury the prisoners that were being brought in and shot every day. One day 145, woo had been strin- ped by tle Prussians, were brought in and ranged along the wall in the corner of the graveyard farthest from the city, it 18 alow, marsny bit of ground, shut in by a little Lill on one side, and the cemetery walis on ine other. There were abow a dozen women among the prisoners and five or six children, The execution of the whole HUNDRED AND FORTY-FIVE Tasted about three minutes, and those. who were only wounde’ by the first discharges wi immedi- ately despatcned. About two hours after, however, one little teliow, twelve years old, rose to his feet, having been apparentiy stunned, but not in the least injured, and commenced begging piteously for his life, pnhering some sobbing exclamations about his mother. Tne oMcer in command ordered out three men and commanded him to be shot instantly, which barbarous order was instantly executed. It isall very weil to talk about the barbarity and cruelty of the Commune, but | will venture to assert that Monsieur Thiers has killed five innocent per- sons for every one killed by tne Communists. History will, sooucr or later, prouounce upon this: matter, and wheu that day comes we shall see on which side has been the sauvagerie of which we talk so much, GREAT STORM IN PHILADELPHIA, Freaks of Lightniag—Several Dwellings Struck—Narrow Escape trom a Horrible Death—The Port Richmond Iron Worke Struck and Partially Destroyed. . PHILADELPHIA, July 12, 1871. About six o'clock Inst evening a heavy thundet storm visited this city, aad rain in periect torrents fell for about an honr. several accidents were caused by the lightning. George W. Williams, residing in Manayunk, was struck by lightning and severely in- jared. At the residence corner of Third and Norris streets & lady was thrown by the lightning from one side of asecond story room to the other, but fortunately escaped serious injury. Her husband was also somewhat bruised and the furniture scattered in all directions, A report prevailed that the Roman Catholic cathe- dral on Twentieth and Race streets bad been struck, but it proved to be false. The lightning struck the flagstaff of the school house on Eighth and Fitzwa- ter streets and shattered it, but did no farther damage to the building. J. P. Morris & Co.'s Port Richmond Iron Works ‘was struck by lightning and partially destroyed, The premises cover live acres of ground. The buildin; which was destroyed was two stories high. A cler! and a watchman employed on the establisnment saw the lightning strike the building ana observed two huge balls of fire fall from the roof into the courtyard. This fact was reported to Mr. John Mor- Tis, bUL no attention was patd to it, About Mteen minutes later the building was discovered to be on fire m three places. The insurances on the stock are as foilow8:—Manhatian, or New York, $912; Standard, of New York, $912; Lorillard, of New York, $912; Niagara, of New York, $1,800; Contl- nental, of New York,’ $1,800; City of Hartford, $0 25 Asma, of HartforJ, $1,800; Phonix, of Hartford, $1,800; Hanover, of New York, $912; Occidental, of San Francisco, $912; Reliance, of Philadelpnia, $900; Pennsylvania, $1,800; American, of Philadelphia, $1,800; Merchants’, of Hartiord, $900; North Ameri- can, of Philadeiphta, $1,800; North American, of Hartford, $900; State of Pennsylvania, $1,800; Roger Williams, of Provideuce, $1,875; Washington, of New York, $1,875; Yonkers, of New York, $1,875; Actua, of New York, $1, Union, of Sau’ Francisco, $8, 750—$33,87. The total of insurance amounts to 40,957, Which Will not cover tbe losses, including the value of the buliding, by at least $15,000, The steeple of the new Presbyterian church, at Twentieth and Oxford streets, was struck by light- ning and completely vemolished. ‘fhe freshet caused great damage to property along the Wissahickon and other small streams north of the city, THE COTTON CROP OF THE COUNTRY. WasHinaton, D. C., July 12, 1871, The information received at the Agricultura? Bureau since the last report concerning the prospect of the cotton crop tends to confirm that report in all respects. In several important cotton growing sections there is no improvement. In other sections there is a slight falling of in the condition of the stand, and 11 other sections there 13 @ slight tm- provement. In many counties in the best cotton growing States the crop is a good deal in the grass and will give peyas mdiferent yleid. Altogether the prospect is fo better than at the last report. Tn a day or two the oficial report will be given to the public, AQUATIO. the Aquatic Carnival at Aalifax. HALIFAX, N. &,, July 12, 1871. ‘The following is the programme for the Aquati¢e Carnival on the 29th, 30th and 31st of August:— First day—Coasting and fishing vessels, yachts and general rowing races, Second day—A four-vared race, open to the world, for $3,000. Tinrd day—A steam race, open to the world; the first prize $50, the second prize $100. ‘The entries must be made belore the 16th of August, puitdacsuibcdieal: Hepwia Raasr.—The great comédienne who is to visit America the coming season unuer Mr. Grauw’s management, recently concladed an cngage- ment of twenty-cight nights in St. Petersburg, for which she received the sum of $25,000, Upon the occasion of her beneitt the receipts amounted to over $3,000, and she was the recipient of many costly presents from her numerous admirers, among ‘whom are pambered the Emperor and many of the nobility. It is rumored that, in addition to Hedwig Raabe and acomplete German dramatic company, Mr, J. Grau will bring to this country an attraction that shall surpass any of his previous efforts, It must, indeed, be something great, considering tnat this ntieman has given us Ristori, the best opér@ 7 ev ila Programme of 17 Opes WE v¥er Nad, Aad od