The New York Herald Newspaper, September 22, 1876, Page 10

NEW YORK HERALD, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1876.—TRIPLE SHEET. . ~ SEARING THE BND, The Great Blast at Hallett’s Point on Sunday Next. PROCLAMATION, GENERAL = NEWTON'S Strong Contrasts of Feeling Among the Residents of Astoria. IS THERE DANGER.OR NOT? Everything is progressing successfully upon the government works at Hell Gate, and there now re- Mains no doudt that the 50,000 pounds of dynamite, Fendrock and vulcan powder lying under the treach- erous reef will be fred on Sunday ext, That the au- Shoritics are confident of being ready in time is evi- dont from the following proclamation seut to this office last night:— GENERAL NEWTON'S PROCLAMATION, Unrrep States Woxks, Hatixrr’s Porm, astonia, L. 1, Sept, 21, 18 To rax Epiror or tix Hearn: Tho explosion at Hell Gate is fixed for Sunday, tho 24th inst, at ten minutes to three P. V. er neces- sity has compelled the appointment of this day which, 1m Many other respects, 18 objectionable, Guard boats Will be stationed across the East River at the head of Binckweil’s Island and at the southeast point of Ward’s Islaud. A ijne of guard boats will also be stationed west of the Great aud Little Mall reefs, extenaing trom | Ward's Island obliquely to the Now York pier line. | ‘A space Will thus be formed having a radius of about 600 yards measure [rom Hallett’s Point, which will be Kepi clear of boats atand near the time of explosion. After the explosion vessels should give Hailew's Point a wide berth, as the surface of the reef may on points be cievated above tho presont level. As s00n As pos- sible after the explosion the reef will be marked out with buoys, Spectators are warned not to come to Astoria on the day named, as thore are no points in the town Irom which the explosion can be seen, while gcordon of police and regular soldiers will keep spec- ae back to aconsiderable distance from Hailett’s Point, ‘The best points for the view will be from the New York shore and from Ward’s Island. . A panic has been ereated to ‘some extent by persons who have no | knowledge of the matter except what has been derived | from explosions of powder and other explosives in the open air, Explosives imbedded in rock, in small charges, and Thoroughly tamped, will have an action in ail essential Tespects Widely different upon the surrounding me- dium. ‘There will be no commotion of tho air, and the un- derground effect will be sufficient only to jar buildings, without rupturing or cracking the walis. Persons (particularly in the neighborhood) would do well at least to have windows and doors opened and to look out for their ceilings. ‘The best tning to do would be to stand outdoors until the explosion is over, The mine will bo fired at the preciso moment named. JOHN NE i, Lieutenant Colonel of Engineers, Brevet Major General, PROGRESS OF THR PREPARATIONS. At an early bour yesterday morning was begun the work of “priming,” or inserting the explodent cart- ridges into the holes already charged with explosives, Tho latter work was completed on the previous night, when the last hole was charged and the last dyna- mite-stuffed iron pipes placed in posigion by nino o’clock. The work of priming is immediately super- vised by Mr. Julius Striedinger, and, clad from head to foot in a suit of india rubber, that gentleman plashed through the waters of, tho heading all day yesterday directing his force. Tho entire number of men upon the grounds was placed at this work, and accordingly it went forward with great celerity, Much more could have been accomplished, however, if the primers were all prepared. For lack of dynamite tho men ‘engaged in packing the explodent cartridges with this material were obliged to remain idle or turn their hands to other work for several days, and, consequently, the primers, which should otherwiso Bave been ready, are only now being filled, Almost 100 groups of twenty holes each were filled, however, yester. day, and it is expected that the entire 189 groups will be filled to-night, though it may be necessary ‘to have the men work a liitie over hours to accomplish It A very large number of visitors epplied for admis- sion daring the day but they were almost universally Fefused. Among the visitors who called and were Admitted to the tunnels by General Newton, personally, were Colonel Edinborough Bey, of Constantinople, Chief of Torpedo Corps of the Turkish Army, who Is now stopping in this city; General Ward B, Burnett and Admiral G. W. Blunt. These gentiemen, partica- larly the Turk (who, by the way, is ao Scotchman), were very much interested in tho work and wero delighted with the prospect of its speedy and successful consummation, So soon as ench group of holes was charged Mr, Btrieainger tested the completeness of the cireuit with asmail galvanometer carefully adjusted for tho pur pose, Euch wire had previously been tested separately threo different times, and they will be tested once again before the final circuit is formed. ‘The operation of testing the wires after the primers are in the holes is a very delicate one, and requires careful manipula- tion, One end of the wire 18 forced in contact with one pole ot the galvanometer and the other end 8 Ghen touched to the other pole of tho insffument, thas forming a complete cireuit and causing a current to flow through every percussion cap in every bole, Of course, if the current wert enough the platinum wire within the cap and coune: ing the ends of the circuit wire would be heated and a premature explosion would take place, As itis, how- ever, the instrament is adjusted so as to caus rent just strong enough to warm the wire throu and move the in of the imstrument a littie—jast htosbow that the circuit is compiete, In con- the wires from the various groaps with the A coMBr ng of ei ED CIRCUIT WILL. nt groops of t hotes being ,connected in continuous ctreuit ‘and the groups in derived circuit forming thus one compete circuit which is attached ‘to the pattery aud current closer by two leading wires of a larger siz only forty-six wires, repre- senting twenty groups will bo attached to the bate has been taken cal arrange- ment of a battery is to make | I resistance equal to the external resistance of tho current, The internal resistance of one cell of ihe battery to be used ig about fiten ohm which makes for forty celis just six ohms internal resistance, which answers the ex- ternai resistance of the current used, One of the fishermen near the point yesterday faught acurious fish of a kind never before seen in the Vicinity, and it was surrounded by a curious group when brougat to land, The party avbuce gave it the name of “pilot fish, d gave it as their opinion that it bad.come to warn ail other fish to leavo the waters ré being overtaken by the explosion, which it is anticipated will Kul every fish within a mile of tho Tine. PENLING OF THE RESIDENTS As the time for the great blast comes nearer and nearer the excitement of ihe residents of Astoria, Ra- yenswood and Hunter's Pot grows more and more | intense. Persons who have all along been nervous, if | not actually frightened, are preparing to pay visits to their friends in New Jersey or to make a trip to the Contesnial, while those who have heretofore professed to have perfect confidence in the | Statements of General Newton, and consequently in the barmiessness of the big explosion, begin to show Bigns ot “weakeuing” and to speak of what might oc- cur should the calculations of the distinguished engt- neer prove incorrect. Not a few persons have pre- pared to leave the piace to-day or to-morrow. It 1s a Somewhat curious fact that tlie greatest fear is felt by persons living at a considerable distance from the Scene of the explosion. Residents of Ravenswood and Hunter's Point exbibit much more fear than ibe peo- je of Astoria, and the few families who occupy uses within & stone's throw of the mine are the most undisturbed ofall, The reasou of this prob- ably is that tho people of the immediate vicinity have Decome educated up to the fearless standpoint. Long Detore the present work was undertaken the old resi- dents became familiar with the eifects of powerlul ex- plosives through tlie operations of Professor Maillofert ‘and others upon the scattered rocks in the channel op- osite Astoria. The present work has been in progre for about five yoars, and during that period nitro-giycerine nd other = powerful ex josives have been in const: use in Biasting the 68,000 cubic yards of rock which has been pxcavate Even tho Jeast intelligent and least observ- Ing inhabitant cannot have helped noticing through all these yoars with what scientific skill andeare every portion of the work has been projected and executed and with what untirmg zeal the officials in charge have superintended 1, From day to day, from inonth to month and from year to year they have marked the progress of the work until they have become accus toned to it and to look upon it as a permanent feature pi the town, Besides all this there bave been 14 yonstantly employed in the mine, and ihe medium of their families and friends, b: EDUCATED TO A FRARLESSNESS IN TUM MATTER avery jarge class in the community, one which, js being less intelligent, might naturally be expocted jo show more trepidation than their more wealthy and sumably better educated neighbors, Familiarity thus, in ® great measure, bred contempt in the minds of ® great portion of the community, and that portion whose dwellings are in proximity to the soon to be the scene of, perhaps, the that ever occurred. ly a portion of the com- ro many who aro jar from of the explosion, they say, ‘it is only anexperimont, No such quantity of terribie explosives has ever been fired one time, and, therefore, General Newton can only Conjecture the result “Who knows,” say others, ‘whether the rock be solid, or who can tell whether extends more than a foot beléw the floor of the cavern? And, should there prove to be a fissure below, or a cave, w! All the elaborate caloulations of the office! ‘The mumber of those that talk thas is considerabl and as they, impelied by their fears, talk much more ou the subject shan their more confident neighbors, it would seem to a casual observer that the people are in Astaie of breathless suspense or abject fear while awaiting the result. One of the most fortunate circumstances {n connec. tion with the wh business is jthe fact ry there aro very few ho within a distance of 1,500 or 2,000 yards of the excavation, and . With one hitle exception, built of wood, ld prevent their being injured even if there ura pretty severe shock, except, perhaps, that their plastering might suffer a slight rupture, Along the shore road, which General Newton pro- nounces the locality most ikely to feel the maximum effect of the shock, there are between the works and the ferry only three small cottager, not one of which te more than two stories high. GOOD ADVICE TO REBIDENTS. General Newton last night published in the Long Island papers a sort of letter of advice to the people, which will doubtless have a good effect im reassuring those who were to leave their homes on Sunday. “I have,” he ways, “the pleasure to inform the eith zens of Astoria who have so patiently endured the accumulation of explosives in the viemity of their town, that the tine of explosion is fixed ior Sunday, the 2ith inst., at ten minutes to three I’. M, “T have also to thank them for thetr fortitude, not withstanding attempts to make a panic instituted by poltroons of the malo sex. The exploston will have no effect upon tho atmosphere, and the effects conveyed through the ground will not exceed a jar upon build. ings. It imght, however, be sufficient to endanger valuable pier glasses, “The elects through the ground will be most felt along the shore iine leading irom Hallett’s Point to the ferry. A force of pelice and regular soldiers will guard the lino of Fuiton strect irom the ferry up Sto- Venus street to Franklin, up Franklin to Remsen, and following I n to Pot Cove. “Phe in nts are advised when the time of the explosion arrives to be without the cordon to be eetablishec, leaving their houses with doors and win- dows opei:. In every case when the soundness of ceil- ings are distrusted, the advice would be to vacate the houses at the time of explosion. Thore is no liability of wails being overturned or injured,” THR VIEWS OF AN RXPERT. Mr. A. C, Rand, of the Rendrock Powder Company and President of the Rock Drill Company, may weil be considered un expert as regards explosives, and bis views are, thereiore, published with pleasure by tho Henan to allay the alarm spread by many timid peo- ple. Mr. Rand bas no hesitation in saying that the character of the work accomplished by General New- ton fs such that the explosion may be anticipated with- ont the slightest fear as to the resnuits Me thinks that some of the rocks at tne edge of the excavation, where the water is not very high, may bo biown upa little distance above the water, but that otherwise the disturbance will be of far less magnitude than most peopic imagine. “I think people will be astonished,” said Mr. Rand, ‘to seo Row little disturbance the explosion will produce.” Mr. Rand thinks that itis high timo to allay the alarm felt by many timorons people who are ignorant on the subject of explosions, He says his physician has narrated to him the extreme apprehension felt by several of bis patients living near Eightieth and Nine- tieth streets, The erroneous impressions oa which these fears are based may, in his opinion, be traced back to people's general remembrance of the Bergen Heights explosion, when the shock was felt tor so great adistance. People CONFOUND A YRW AIR EXPLOSIONS with explostons under the rock and under water. To iNustrate the immense difference between the two Mr, Rand «i “Come down with me to Communipaw, or any other ce where we may freoly try the experiment, any day, and let us explode a quafter or half a pound of” rend- rock in the open air. What will be the effect? Comparatively it will be tremendous. — The shock will be beard, perhaps, for half. a mile. But now let us see what the effect will be if we put the very same quantity of this explosive under two fect of water. You will immediately see the wide difference, The powder will throw up acoluma of water perhaps fifty feet high, but the sound and shock will be confined to a tar smaller distance, and even then appear greatly deadened. Now let us place this very same quantity of rendrock under twenty-five or thirty feet of water, as tho explosive. at Hell Gate 18 placed, and what will be the effect? Only a little bubbling of the water’s suriace and scarcely any shock. If you will come down with me to any convenent place I'shall be happy to demonstrate the principle of explosion in the man- ner I have indicated, Lt is an exact illustration of the relative dangers existing at Hell Gate, The shock of such a vast explosion would undoubtedly be great it 1 took place in the open air, BUT UNDER ROCK AND WATER As itis, the effect must necessarily be slight and the Atmospheric transmission of the disturbance exceed- ingly Inmited."? Mr, Rand then spoke at some length of the Blossom Rock explosion, which he compared with tbat at Hell Gate, and mentioned points of superiority of the lat- ter work convincing as to its greater safety. ‘One ad- mirable novelty in this work,” said he, ‘4ntroduced by General Newton, is the distribution of the expio- sive through so many charges and over such a largo surlace of the rock. If he bad put all the pow- der tnto one hole,” said he, ‘as they did at Blossom Rock, you would undoubtedly baye a fine d play of shooting rocks; but, besides being more dan- gerous, this mode would also have been more costly, The distribution of the charges makes it far easier to rend the rock, We all—l mean myself and other ex- perts in the business—think the work has been excel- Jontly and cheaply done. Of course, as far as cheap- ness is concerned, the cost would only bave been two- thirds of whatit ts if the government bad been more prompt in supplying the money when it was needed. Mr. Rand was asked as to the dangers existing until the time of the explosion from possible CARELESSNESS IN THR HANDLING of the explosives, and said, “There is at handling explosives—no donbt about that—but I think General Newton and his assistants have taken evory possible care to avoid an accident, and even if part the powder should explode it does not follow that all would explode. Even then the explosion would be meroly local in effect.” The gentleman also dwelt.on the exaggerated impressions entertained by many people of the wonderful strength of theso modern explosives, such as nitro-glycerine, &o, He said that while they were undoubtedly stronger than the gunpowder formerly used—which was also used at Blossom Rock—their ifect did aot extend for so great adistance, Mr. Rand is so little afraid of the efteet ot the explosion that he will view it from Ward's Isiand and gladly take his chanco to be blown up with the rock. PEARS OF PLATE GLASSS INSURERS, There is no tittle anxiety felt among the insurance men regarding the Hell Gate explosion, and especially ainong the plate glass insurance companies. Theso companies 1osure the plate glass windows in nearly all the large and many of the small stores, “Mr. Charles Rousha, President of the Empire Plate Glass Company, sald yesterday that ho beheved the explosion would break a large namber of windows, and the company would be called upon to repiace them. He velleved that tho explosion Was greatly underestimated, and that serious damage would be done. Mr, Rousba said that there were four or five plate glass insurance companies in this city, and he expected that they would ail suffer loss, For his own sake ho hoped that General Newton's predictions for a quiet explosion would prove to be true. 4 WHERE TO SEE THE NLAST FROM, Tho explosion is causing no little excitement among the wost side residents—that 18, those who reside on Manbattanville and Fort Woshington, As arule, they feel thoroughly secure from all danger, onty expect- ing to feel a shght shock of the rocks on which their housee are built But their great anxiety 1s as to bow they can obtain a good view of the-great blast, The thousands who were present on Saturday last at the centennial celebration ot the battle of Harlem Pinins didnot fail to notice that the location was a splendid and safe one to witness the great Xplosion. The ridge extends for about three-quarters of @ miie and every inch of tt commands a view of vho scene of the explosion, Below the ridge le the famous Harlem Viains, On the right is Central Park, but, excepting on the top of the old fort, the view .of' Hell Gato 1s ob- structed from the heights by the trees, On the lett is Manhattanville and in front Mount Morris square, ‘Thus the spectator has a clear and sale view over the piains from 110th street to 120th street, and the prominent ridge will accommodate thousands with- out crowding. The citizens residing in the noighbor- hood will, of course, assemble at this spot, and many otuers irom down town will doubtiess prefer taking this elevated and free position four miles away to chancing themselves at the foot of Ninety-second street or wlong the East River. Mount Morris square, at 120th street and Fitth ave- nue, will also be a favored spot for spectators. Tho fquare is bonnded by Madixon avenue on tho past, 120th street on the south, 124th street on the north, and also 400 feet between Filth and Sixth avenues, ‘Thero are several places in the Park where a good view of the explosion can be obtamed, but tho best will bo from the bell tower on the top of ‘the hill, This placo is private, belonging to tho Fire Department, and those th authority will probably make use of the largo baicony on the top. Splendid views of the explosion may also be had from the high rocks over the Fourth avenue railroad from Ninetieth street to 100th street, Also from the refreshmont h®use Mount St. Vincent im Central Park. A very fine view may be had from the east side of the large reservoir in Central Park, and from other prom- io rocks OF mounds in tho porthern part of the Parl GEXERAL HUMPHREYS ANTICIPATES WO DANGER FROM THE ZXYLOSION—HIS ENTIRE CONFI- DENCE IN GENERAL NEWTON EXPRESSED, Wasmixeroy, Sept, 21, 1876, The coming explosion at Holl Gate having eccasioped great solicitude as to its effect ypon the adjacent neighborhood, mingled with apprenension of seriqus results, General A. A, Humphreys, Chief of Engineers of the United States Army, was interviewed to-day with a view of ascertaining his opinions in regard to the safety of conducting the great scientifit event, GENERAL HUMPHREYS’ OPINION, General Humpbroys was asked what he thought of the donbts-and fears entertained by the people arising from the supposed danger of the Hell Gate explosion, to take place on Sunday evening Kext, The General smiled when attention was catied to tho object of your correspondent’s inquiries, “Ob,” gaid be, “I do not know anything which I can communicate in regard to the coming Hell Gate ex- Plosion, I am so much taken up with a multiplicity of duties im the extended feild 1 have to look over that 1 cannot, of course, find time to go into details or speak of particular points connected with them. Indeed, | have no official information, and know nothing except what 1 see in the papers as to when General Newton is gotng to make the explosion. Oh! by the bye, I forgot tbat a letter was received at the department yesterday, 1 believe, saying that he was ly, but beyond thai i don’t know anything or see that I have anything to communicate.” “But, General, as you are the highest authority we have representing the engineers of the army and scientific knowledge, your opinion would have great effect in quieting unnecessary alarms among our people in New York.” “Oh,” said tbe General, “I have left that whole matter to General Newton, in whom we have the very highest confidence as one of our most distinguished, erudi ble engineer officers. He is « ger man of gre#t attainments in science and research. lle as fully conversant with the whole subject now under nig charge, He has pursued his investigations step ep, and knows everything thoroughly which upon bis experiments, moreover, aotablo for great cautiousvess, aud {8 well versed and discrect in everything that is to be done. In fact, General Newton 1s the proper officer for the Hxmatp to consult im the case, and not me."’ “But, eral, the main point is to know now that pons his superior officer, approve everything which @ bas done. General Newton has already favored tho Hxnatp with all the information in bis possession.” “Oh, certainly, we approve what ho bas done, aud most undoubtedly leave to him, with every reliance ‘on his judgment, all that is to be carried out ip to the Heil Gate obstructions. I jer think oO! = trolling him in the discretion he must use in the work confided to his supervision and direction. He knows rfeetl, ll what should be done, Besides, Mr. illefert, a scientific ongincer, agrees with him en- ly, and approves fully all that he 1s doing.”* “Well, General, can the explosion have any injurious effect upon hfe or property which cannot be guarded against?” “Why, 20 General Newton has already shown, I believe, by a statement of the setting of of a large amount of explosives in New York barber already ac- complished by him, amounting, I believe, (0 49,000 pounds or more, that he can master ali its agenc With perfect security, and that there is no danger whatever.’? “Will you be present at the great event of next Sun- day, and would you feel pertectly secure #”” “Ob! 1 dont Know, When | saw General Newton the other day (here General Humphreys laughed very rv heartily) { asked whether ho was soon going to bo | ready ‘to ‘sit down’ on that ledge of rocks and how near the table he would be. He said he was going to sit on it very soon, and the table would be the worse for it, But there 1s not the slightest danger. I feel per- fectly easy about the whole matter and that every- thing will go off just as General Newton wantst, with+ out any danger.” The head of the Engineer Department of the army said that he had his attention called to the admirable cuts and diagrams of tho Hxrato, which evinced a great interest in science, but he had been so busily engaged that he had not yet had time to the very full and interesting scien- tific matter accompanying them, 80 saying General Humphreys, politely bowing, withdrew to his dining parior to discuss more substantial dishes than scienco and gunpowder, either in the dynamite, nitroglycerine or lightning sbape. WHY THE EXPLOSION IS NOT DANGEROUS, New York, Sept. 20, 1876, To rnx Eprror or tHe HuRaiy:— 1 nave found by practical tests that the explosive force of nitro-glycerine under water and in blasts or in drill holes 18 not as powerfal and effective as gun- powder properly ignited, for the reason that the air is shut off—oxcluded, Nitro-glycerine requires air to bring out {ts full explosive power, as it explodes quicker than tho displacements of the air, and the air acts as @ tamping. ENGINEER, WANTS TO KNOW, ° Newark, N. J., Sept, 20, 1876, To THs Epiror or THE HERALD: — ‘According to the explanation in the Hxnatp the explo- sion will not be felt, as the concussion will not exert its force on the air as was the case at the Borgen Hill explosion. Now, if this be the case, how is it that the latter w: fel’ in Brooklyn, end, in fact, io all neighboring — places situated on the rock forming Manhattan Island, while in Newark, which is on soft ground, with the flats be- tween itand Bergen Hill, it was not felt at all. Jt secms as if inthis case the shock must have been transmitted through the rock, as, if it were torough the medium of the air that it exerted its force it certainly should have been felt in Newark as distinotly as tp Brooklyn, the distance bemg about the same, If this is the case one would think the explosion at Hell Gate would exert a very de- structive force in the same manner—viz., through the rock in which jt is enclosed, and this in a quantity twenty-five times as great, A READER, HORTICULTURAL EXHIBITION, The attendance at the Horticultaral display at Gil- more’s Garden seems rather to increase than diminish, More jadies than gentlemen attend the day exhibi- tions, while children aro numboredé by thousands. Yesterday afternoon the crowd was immense, and, de- spitetho nominal entrance feo, 1b could scarcely be pronounced a promiscuous assemblage. The large concourse of people were evidently those of wealth, culture and refinement, Many new additions have been received in the various departments, The floral circlo is enhanced by a large centennial bell. The bell itself is composed of white taberoses, balsams and carnations, with tho figures 1776 inscribed in scarlet geraniums round the base, The tongue is also of theso scarict blossoms The traditional crack in the beli is reprosented by a line of blue immortelles, A very bandsemo funeral design was the representa- tio of Faith, Hope and Charity, composed of tube and yearoses. Tho base was composed of white carnations and heliotropes, the whole set off by the inscription; “In Memoriam,” wrought in purple tmmortelics, Another novel and poctical design was the “Rock of Ages.’ The design is a largo circle or bank of tuberoses and carnations, fringed with ivy, myrtle and delicate ferus, “Rock of Ages’ 1s wrought in purple immortelles in the centre of this fragrant bed. Above this standard 1s a pinnacle of rocks, covered with ivies and ferns. On the apex is tho dove of poace, bearing the traditional -olive branch in its beak. Among the now collection of varieties is a circle of skeletonized leaves and truit, The silver trost work 18 brought into strong relief by its dark background, ana merits the handsome frame that enriches it, This will be awarded a premium. In fruits there are two new collections of hothouse grapes, comprising black Barbarossa, white Nice and the muscatel of Alexandria. There are also veveral cboico varieties of Hamburgs, A fine cotiection of standard currants and gooseberries, some of which are on exhibition at the Centennial, is also here. The first premium in funeral designs and hand bouquets was given to Hanft Brothers. ; ‘The extra awards in the floral design department were given to Messrs. W. Fitzpatrick, D. L. Broker, J. @ Bechamps & Son, Fre Walter Read, J. Philips, Lynch & Kelly, & son Extra awards made in plants were to Messrs. George Such, Louis Menard, Louis Zeliur, L. Kubne and R, Rathbun, A certificate of merit was also awarded to Mrs. Seiler for skeleton leaves, For sume splendid specimens of seedling raspverries—*Pride of the Hudson” —a cor- tiflcate of morit was awarded to E. P. Roo, SECRETARY MORRILL. Yesterday the Secretary of the United States Treas ury, Hon, Lot M. Morrill, visited Brooklyn and called at the office of Surrogate Veeder on business connected with the estate of Robert H. Vance, who died in July last, leaving his property to Sirs, Vance, his widow, who 18 a sister to Mr. Morrill, THE POST OFFICE BOX ROBBERY. Yesterday United States Commissioncr Winslow ad- mitted John D. Peletrau to bail in the sum of $5,000, Tho individual named was for eighteen years in tho employ of tho Brooklyn Post Uilico Department, and was arrested for embezziing money letters which he had collected from the street lamp boxes. He is sixty years of ayo and is respectavly connected, CROOKED WHISKEY IN JERSEY. Captain Van Riper, of the Second precinct, Jersey City, received information a few days ago that an ilictt distillery was in full operation at No, 209 Ninth street, im that city. After investigiting the matter he reported the caso to United States Deputy Marshal Bailey, who, with bis deputies, invested the concern at midnight on Wednesday, and arrested two men named John Daly, No, 206 Titlary street, Brooklyn, and John NeNamara, No 47 Emmet street, samo -city. Tho place was found in full operation. Thera were threo large mash tubs, one full of mash and one with several barrels of mash’ partly run off, There was ono full barrel of rum, twenty above proof, and two half-filled barrels which’ bad peen recently ran off. ‘The officers found besides four barrels of molasses, The property seized is Valued at $1,000, The tubs pave a capacity of 1,000 gallons, and the barrels seized contained 200 gal- Ions of rum.’ The prisoners were held tor examination by Commissioner Muirhead. JERSEY JUSTICE. Frank McDermott, found guilty of stealing $41, was sentenced, in the Court of Sessions, at Jersey City, yesterday, to Gve years in the State Prison, Mary McGrath, who stole a shawl valued at $3, was sentenced to one year. Henry Cartwright, a bighwayman from Bayonne, Teceived a sentence of one year. Lizzie Regill, who stole eight pair of shoes to pur- chase a marriage outiit, was seut up for three years. Witham Kelly forged a check for $180 and now gocs to Trenton live years, Joho Kgan and Mary MeGrath, for Jarceny, wero sentenced to three months each in the Penitentiary, DUNCAN, SHERMAN & CO.. CONTINUATION OF MR, BUTLER DUNCAN'S EX- AMINATION. The continuation of the mination of Mr. William Butler Duncan, of Messrs, Duncan, Sherman & Co, was proceeded with at the office of Register Ketchum, in the Bennett Building, yesterday, the examiner being Mr. R. P. Lee, counsel for E. Graham Haight, a smail creditor, Mr. Dancan appeared with Mr, Frank N. Bangs as bis counsel. The following is a summary of the interrogations and replies during the proceed. ings:— “When did you become insolvent ?”” “Within six hours before 1 announced myself hope- ly 80,” “When did you make an investigation of your affairs provious to your assignment?” “[ was engaged in making an investigation for two weeks previous.”” “When, if at any time previous to that, did youmake any such investigation ?”” “TL cannot state precisely. Itis dificult te answer that question with any precision, 1, of course, had a general knowledge of what was supposed to be the con- dition of my affatre at all timos.”” “Do you remember going to Europe @ short time Previous to your assignment?” “Yes; I went to Europe about the middle of May and returned during the first ten days of July.” “Did you have the same knowledge of your pecu- niary condition abroad as at home?!” “I supposed I had, 1 thought I had somo knowledge of the condition of my affairs while abroad, as I was in correspondence with tho other members of the firm by both letter and telegraph. ”? “Where are thoso letters and cables now?” “1 don't know whore they aro, 1 don’t keep such Jettors, and probably threw them in the waste basket, ’” “Will you swear that all these letters and cables aro destroyed?” “Yes, to tho best of my Knowledge and belief.” “Have you ever seen any of them since you re- turned?” ‘I may bavo done so in overhauling the contents of my trunks,’* “Can't you say with any more certainty ?? “No, I cannot.” “What was the condition of your firm’s affairs as to solvency when you lets for Europe ?”” “Do you mean what was my impression of the con- dition of my allairs at the time 1 Jets for Europe, or what I now know of my then affairs?’ “Answer first as to what your knowledge was when you lett,’? “I believed them to be solvent.” “On what did you base your beliet 1” “On the impression that! bad of the condition of my affairs,” “On what was this Impression based?” “On the general knowledge 1 supposed I possessed of the condition of my “pid you have acc base such impression ?”' “At that time I supposed I had.’? Question repeated. mn “I don't know what other answer 1 can give to the question.” “Did you bave apy knowledge upon which to baso this :mpresaion ?”” “I supposed I had all the knowledge necessary at that time, or otherwise I should not have had that im pression.” Question repeated by counsel for bankrupt with re- quest tor negative or affirmative answer. ‘Yea le ir @ information on which to derived? State fully all sources,”? “From my general acquaintance with the basmess of the firm and from conversations with the partners,” “Did you derive any knowledge of the condition of your affairs {rom any examinavion of your books? I Toler to the time of your leaving for Europe.” “1 did not, sir.” “Was your knowledge sufficient upon which to form an accurate opinion 7”? “I thought so at that time,” “Did you at that time have suMfcient knowledge as to the condition of your affairs upon which to form an ac- curate opinion aa to your solvency 2”? “Do you mean to say, ‘Do you now think vou had sufficient knowledge to form an accurate vpinion ?’ ”? “Answer first as to the present timo ” “1 do not now think J had suilicient knowledge.” “Now answer as to the time when you left for Fu- rope ?? “had no reason to believe at that time that I had the slightest want of confidence in the situation which made me cause for thought at that time.”? “Do you mean tosay that at that time you had no doubt your firm was solvent?” “Jost undoubtedly I mean to say that,’? “What is your opinion now as to the condition of your firm at that time?” “I was mistaken at that time with regard to {ts con. dition,” “Was your firm insolvent at that time ?”” Here counsel for bankrupt said he would require Mr. Lee to give his definition of “insolvent.” Mr. Lee replied that he used the word in asense in which Mr, Duncan, as @ merchant, would understand it, Mr. Dunean'then repliou:— “If you mean whether my firm at that time had paid all the demands upon it, in money, I answer it did. But without using its crodit, and after convert- ing all its assets into money at their actual val though I, at tha time, thought it could, 1 am now {sfied that it could not.” “Could this kgowledge which you now have have been had by you at that time provided you had mado & proper examination of the books ?”? “That is a matter of opinion. It’s impossible for mo fo say now what would have been my opiuion ot the vaiue of tho asseis it 1 had done go.”” : “At the time you left tor Europe, in May, 1875, was your firm in need of money to meet its obligations /”? “It was not in need of more money than it at that time possessed after all demands were made upon it. It was notone of my objecis in going to Europe to Taise money, nordid it occur to me, nor didl en- deavor to do so during my stay in Europe.’? FIRE UNDERWRITERS. CONCLUDING SESSION OF THE NATIONAL BOARD— RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED AND REFEBEED— AID FOR THE SAVANNAH SUFFERERS. Yesterday morning, at ten o'clock, the Nationa; Board of Fire Underwriters reassembled at No. 156 Broadway, President Chase occupying the chair, After a few preliminaries the Board went into execa- tive session for action on tho resolutions reported back from the Commitice of Filteem, The minority report was rejocted, and the majority report of the Committee was taken ander consideration. ‘Tho first resolution agreed.to by the Board was one in amendment to the constitution, making the meet ings of the Board biennial instead of annual. The second resolution was to the effect that when the Board committoes were caliod upon to pass rates in any city or town the Board companies who have their home offices in such city or town shall be eutitied to representation tn such committee whon sald rates are being considered. This resolution was passed. Tbe third resolution was that all deviations on the part of local agents be reporied to the general agont of the Board, who #Aall prepa Nat of thosame ond submit it to the Board at their noxt mecting. Adopted, The fourth resolution was a substitute for an article of tho constitution in regard tothe formation of the Executive Commitice. The substitute provides for an election of an executive committee at the uext meet ing In Aprtl, 3877, to consist of eloven members, who sball be officers or managers of companies, They are 10 hold office for one, two and three years, three of thein to go out of office at the end of the first, four at the end of the second, and four at the end of tho third year, Immediately atter their election the committea |) draw lots to determine the length of their re- sive terms, and at each subsequent annual mect. ing members of the Exceative Committee shail bo olected for threo years to iii! the places of those whose terms of office shall then oxpire. No member of tho Exerutive Committee shall be eligible to re-election until one year after the expiration of his iormer term. Adopted. ‘ The Ofth reaolution, creating a genoral agency of tho West, with the same powors as that of the Kast, was referred to a special committee of five to report at the April meeting of the Board, sixth resolution, to abolish the system of fining Jocal agents, was not concurred in, A resolntion offered by Mr. Damont, ot Mobile, for the establishment of a commitice of co operation in the Southern States, was referred to the Executive Committee, and they were aushorized to appomt such & co-operative committee. President Chase read a letter from an underwriter in Savannab, Ga, declaring the awiul condition of that city under the ravages of yellow fever, and asking the Board jor coniributions toward the relict of the sick apd destitute. Several gentlemen stated that their companies bad already made collections for this object; and a resolution was passed by the Board requesting {ts members to myite the directors of their respective compates to make donations, A collection was then taken up among the members of the Board for imme. diate contributions, aud tho result was $76 in cash and $45 pledged. . After a few remarks by the President, the Board ad- Journed for six months, The Executive’Committeo wiil meet in the Board room at ten o'clock this morning. Mayor Wickham, Profossor Huxley and wife and Commissioner Wood, of the Board of Education, yes- terday visited several of the public schools. Aldermen Tuomey, Hess, Wade, Morris, Billings and Gross lett for the Centennial Exbibition at Philadol- rday morning by the Pennsylvania road on nino train. poor woman called at the Mayor's office yes terday and handed in a sabscription of $1 for the yel- low fever sufferers in Savannab, EE BISHOP JANES’ FUNEBAL 4 VAST CROWD AT 87, PAUL'S CHUBCH-—IM- PEESSIVE RULOGIZS BY BISHOPS SCOTT AND SIMPSON AND OTHER OLERGYMEN. Tho obsequies of Bishop E. 8. Janes, of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, drew to St Paul's church, corner of ‘Fourth avenue and Twenty-second strcet, yesterday, a vast throng of the friends and admirers of this distinguished Methodist divine. Owing to the lateness of the hour when the services terminated the Tomains wore left over night in the church, and to-day they will be interred in Greenwood Cemetery. Long before two o'clock, the hour named for the ser- vices, a great multitude, including many ladies and clergymen from all parts of the city and contiguous towns, collected ip front ef the Fourth avenue en- trance, and whon the doors were opened the seats were quickly filled. The clergymen of the New York Co! ference wero admitted at the side door and assigned seats on the upper side of the church, On the plat- form were the following ministers who participated in the services:—Bishop Simpson, Bishop Scott, of Dela- ware, and Rev. Drs. Chapman of St, Paul’s; Dashiell, of the Missionary Society ; Crawford, presid! Ider of the New York Conference; William Adams, Hurst, President of the Drew Theological Seminary; Foss, President of the Wesleyan University at Middletown. The pall bearers were as follow: ergy me! Drs. H. B. Ridgeway, Bu Seminary; 1 3 Layinen—General C, bs ; . Fisk, A. V. Stout, Mayor Forry, of Orange; Ohver Hoyt, J. B, Cornell and Will- jam Phillips. ‘The arrangements were under the charge of J. D. Kurlybrook and an able corps of ushers, who pre- served excellent order in the vast edifice, The neusical part of the proceedings, under the di- rection of Mr, William Johnson, organist of the church, cowsisted of an opening anthem, ‘The Loyd 1s My Shepherd,” a hymn and the chanting of tho Lord’s Prayer, "The casket, containing all that was mortal oi the distinguished clergyman, at ten mitutes after two was gently borne in and deposited in front of the pulpit, which was draped in black. Upon Che cas- ket, which was of rosewood, elaborately supplied with silver trimmings, was a cluster of palm leaves from the Holy Land, with likes and roses artistically blended, On the left of the pulpit wes a sheal of wheat and other flowers, in frout @ large cro-s, in im:morteliss and roses, and on the right an aucbor, in Variegated colors Rey. Dr. Chapman, pastor of St Paul’s, led the ex- ercisos in a lengthy culogy of the deceased, who for so many years had been identified with Methodism 1m the United Staten. He was followed by Dr. Dastiell, Bishop Scott and Bishop Simpson, who feelingly re- ferred to the great services rendered the Church by the dead bishop. Rev. Dr, Foss offered upa tervent prayer, alter which the services wero’ concluded with singing the hymn commenciug— Servant ot God, well done! Thy glorious warfure's past The battie’s fonght, the race is won, ‘And thou art crowned at Last, ‘The casket was then uncovercd and an opportunity offered ail to take last look at the remainsot one they loved go weil in life and mourn so deeply in death, A REVOLVING CANNON. EXPERIMENTS ON A NEW INSTRUMENT OF WAR- FARE AT SANDY HOOK YESTERDAY—A TEBRI- BLE ENGINE OF DEATH—ITS ADAPTABILITY TO THE INDIAN WAR—YESTERDAY'S FIRING AT SHORT RANGE. Saxpy Hook, Sept. 21, 1876. ‘The official test of the Hotchkiss revolving cannon took place at Sandy Hook to-day before tho Board of Officers in charge of the ordnance tests for tho United States government. The party leit New York ata quarter past eleven A. M. on the steamer Henry Smith, and reached Sandy Hook at balf-past one P. M. Among those present were B, B. Hotchkiss, the inventor of the gun; ex-Governor Winchester, of Connecticut; Colonel Silas Crispin, Chief of Ordnance Bureau; Colonel Treadwell, Colonel Baylor and Major McKee, of tho Testing Board; Mr, Knapp, gunpowder manu- facturer, of Pittsburg; Mr. Merchant, Mr. Dawson, Colonel Johnson, of Saratoga, and a representative of the Hrraup, After a short delay the party repaired to tho testing range, whero they found the now gun in position. The following is a description of the ne ta of five barrels grouped around a common evolved in front of a solid breech block which has in one part an opening for the introduction of the cartridges and another through which to ex- tract the empty shell. Both operations are accom plished at the same time, and as tho cartridges arc fed to barrels on the same principles as with the Gatling gun the Gre can be maintained continuously at the rate of eighty per minute, If necessary. The calibre of the barrels 16 one anda half inches and the charge weighs three and a haif ounces, with a shell weighing about one anda quarter pounds. The shell is exploded by a percussion fase and bursts immediately on striking any object it mects. The barrels are revolved by acrank which controls all the mechanism of tho gun, eo that really a stream of shells, like water from a fire hose, can be poured on any given point with ab- solute accuracy and feartully destructive effect with scarcely more difficulty than playmg on a street organ, A peculiarity of the revolution of the barrels is that they stop to discharge, so that tho accuracy of the fire ig not in any way impaired by a continuation of the revolution at the moment the firing pin strikes the exploding cap behind the charge, The weight of the breech block 1s 60 great that it ab- sorbs the force of the recoil, and by simply clamping the wheels of the gun carriago the whole becomes im- movable, although a continuous fire ts maintained, Tho most delicate sighting of the piece is not dis. turbed, and once the range is obtained it can be pre. servod unaltered for the entire time the piece is in action. Besides the group of five barrels there are only (\hirieen parts to the gua, the whole being compact and easily taken apart, and assembled withuut special tools in afew minutes, The shell 18 a cast-iron cylin. der ogival-shaped projectile, slightly rounded on tho rear, and tired, aa stated, with a percussion fuse. 1t and the charge are connected by a casing of soft brass, of the sume shape and capped ip the same manner as the ordinary rifle shell, and can be reloaded as many as twenty times, thus saving a great deal inthe trans- portation of Oxed ammunition for immediate service, THR CARRIAGE 1s similar in shape to the ordinary fleld gun carriage, but is built of wrought iron and is bolted and stro! A number of boxes aro fitted im the bali whieh contain the necessary tools fe ting the parts together when tn the gunners 18 made of iron, and turns up, rerving as a shield against sharpshooters for the men serving the piece, THE RANGRS laid out for the trial are 1,000, 2,000 and 2,640 yards, severally. THR TARGRTS are screens of wood, placed vertically wpon posts, Each rango has four’ targets, placed one behind the other, to test the eflect of the explosion of the shells ou a surface, and also as to the depth from tho front into a column of men. The distapee apart of the targets of each group is about 125 feet, the four representing about the depth ofa battalion advancing along a road, The suriaces presented to the fire are 10 feet by 26. TUE TEKST TO-DAY was limited to the one thousand yard range, The day was cloudy and the wind brisk from the eastward. Seventy shots were fired, singly, and volleys of five, ten and twenty, All the shells burst within the group of targets, perforating tbe first forty-four times by shots, The second was hit in 112 places by shots and splinters, The third thirty-two’ times ots and spliuters, and the fourth eighteen & ‘This shows that the’ principal execution took place about the, first and second target of the first group. In point of accuracy the trial of the gun was most satisfactory, abd the officers of the Board express their high approval of the gun, so far as tested. Tht being its first trial in the United States much inter attached to the test because of the favorable reports tendered by the ordnance officers of the French, Span- ish and Brazilian governments, Judging of the gun, after this preliminary trial, whieh was conducted with the utmost care by tie ordnance officers, the Hoteb- kiss revolving cannon takes a high rank among the most terribly effective engines of modern warlare, A battery of eich guns, ably served, could hold its own WcAInst A division of the best troops in the world, be- cause the picces beng so easily handled they can be turned in any direction, To resist flank attacks a Hghter gun on the sume plan has been built by Mr, Hotohkiss for service with eavairy and is believed to re eflective than the heavier piece, ‘ J # like that against the Sioux they would be invaluable, for no horseman, civilized or savage, could withstand their fire. The ‘trial to-day demonstrated that infantry in column would melt away under the fire of these guns like a tailow ¢andie before a furnace grate, A continuous showor of splinters seemed to rain on the ground ail around tho targets while the In- ventor kept grinding out sholis irom his deadly mill, ‘On account of the lateness of the hour at which the trial began to-day the tiring at longer ranges was post. poned until (o-morrow morning, when the tost will be continued to its conciusion, The Certiticates of foreign governments and the in- yentor’s claims go to show that the revolving cannon is/as oficient at three miles’ range ng at 1,000 yards, Tais boing so) it mast be regarded as the coming gun for fleld service. Mr, Hotehkiss, the inventor, was & manufacturer of cartridges for the French govern- ment during the late war. His works being at Verviers, Belgium, the government of Marshal MacMahon has or- dered a large number of the guns for the French vice, The United States authorities havo ordered t trials, in order to thoroughly test its efll sy belot adopting it into our service, HELD FOR ARSON. John Stock, who was arrested for setting fire to the tenement house No. 332 Atlantie avenue, Brooklyn, on tho 12th inst, was yesterday arraigned bofore Justice Delmar to answer, He waived examination itted to await the action of ‘hen by her ‘Mrs. M. death in Flush ready been mate, is ‘The case of alleged malpractice ing, brief mention of which has causing « great deal of talk and gxcitement in that vil- lage and Whitestone, in which iatter village the parties resided, The woman accused of the crime is Mrs, Houghton, widow of Dr, Houghton, who was a physi- cian of some standing and ag one time the editor of the Churchman, The dead woman wag buried under tho name of Mary E, Stanley, but it is alleged that she was really the wite of Frank Houghton, Mrs, Hougnton’s son, f Coroner Burns, of Flushing, will commence the in- quest in the case 0-day. He empanelied a jury on Weanesday and had the body exhumed. Drs. Hicks, “Bagger and Burns/! made a post-mortem examina- tion and the body has been reinterred. The result of the autopsy wiil be made known at the inquest The woman was apparently about thirty-four years old, and sho must bave been decidedly good locking when alive The circumstances preceding her death are, some of idedly mysterious im character, They may briefly as follows:— rears that Mrs. Houghton’sson Frank rome time ived from Colorado; the deceased followed him ighton says that they were not married, but that she was bis miatress—having a husband in Cuolorado— githough the woman (Mrs. Stanley) signed letters writ- Houghion.”? She brought a child with ber, a boy, over a year old, and Frank never de- nied that it was bis son, Mrs, Stanley was enceinée also and it was while giving birth to the second child thay she died. The allegation 1s that she had been treated by Mrs, Houghtom with a view to abortion, and that lg ‘was this, together with bad treatment, that prodacéd . her death. She wrote letters to a neighbor, in which she states that Mrs. Houghton desired to perferman operation, to which she would not consent, and she) also refused to take medicines which Mra. Houghton prescribed. These letters were writ- ten to an Irish woman named Mrs, Connolly, who lived in an adjacent house, and to whom Mrs, Stanley appears to have taken a liking to the extent of making per a confidant. Mrs. Connolly, it seems, isin some Way interested in the estate left by Dr. Houghton, It is said that many others aro like- wiso interested, a8 be 18 alleged to have disposed of reul estate with imperfect titi nd get fons red from some expressions in tho rs referred to that property troubies are in some amy mixed up with the whole affa:r, as Mrs, Stanley’s children might interfere with the disposal or disiribution of the estate, In some of the letters to Mrs. Connolly, which are now in the bands of the authorities, Mrs. Stanley her to farnish her with food, and indicated where it could be placed for her in the garden, where she could get it at night, saying that she was afraid to cat the food oflered her by Mrs. Houghton, Why she did not leave the house under these circumstances is perhaps, explained by an expression in the letters that she would stay to protect others from being despoicl of their property. It is supposed from this that there may have been some conspiracy between Frank and his mother to get possession of certain property, and that Mrs. Stanley Telusedto become a party to it. Thore appears to be Hittledoubt that she was reaily married to Frank, she often spoke of him as ber husband, and it 1s pot known that he has denied the rejationship himself, Another singular circumstance 1s the fact that while tt is alleged that Mrs. Stan ey eloped trom Colorado to jotn Frank, ber mother lived in the village of White- store, and is known as Pamelia Windiab, and Mra, Staniey bad known Mrs. Houghton for twenty years or more. Tho letters of Mrs. Stanley to Mrs. Connolly show that Mrs. Houghton endeavored to procure ortion upon her by giving her medicine, They ow, if they are to be relied upon, that Mrs. Houghton cagriod on the business of an abortionist. One of the hat a man named Hopkins her, and what followod atement of Mrs, Stanley to ber confidant, that the woman was going to die; that Hop- kins and Mrs. Houghton became alarmed and wore going to remove the woman, Mrs. Stanley also relatos having geen terrible things in the cellar, though the character of what she saw is not disclosed at present, Mrs, Stanley, as above stated, died in giving birth ta she child, which, it is understood, lived. She was taken sick on Monday, died on Tuesday and was buried on Wednesday, Dr, Bleecker was cal in, but not until after his services were of no avail to save life, It ta alleged that there was no proper certificate of burial Mr. Fowler, an undertaker, made the interment. Mra. Houghton said Dr. Bleecker was absent. but would give a certificate upon his return, Mr. Fowler aiterward asked the Doctor fora certificato, and as he besitaied to give one his suspicions were aroused. The Doctor, however, gave a non-committal certificate as follows :— “I judge the cause of death, trom seeing her just pro- vious to death, to have been cougestive chills.’? Coroner Burns heard of the case through Undertaker Fowler. The letters were shown to him by Mrs, Con- nolly. He consulted with District Attorney Downing, and upon bis advice he issued warrants for the arrest ot Mrs. Houghton and her son Frank. Officers Smith and Schmidt made tho arrests. Frank was subse quently aliowed to go on his own recognizance, bt Mrs. Houghton was held. ‘The character of the letters, somo of which aro very Jong, is indicated in the above sketch. One of them, considerably abbreviated by tearing out portions re- lating to her want of food and nourishment, is as fol-. lows:— Be onreful and do not say to an: Now, Fannie ought to to be attached; but it would not do to tell her, for she woul cone tearing over here and make a terrible time, and I say you cohid not make ber believe they would be jt Prince said yesterday 1 in the was worth ten cents, Mrs. M, brought coffee and some toast about ten o'clock this , but I dare not touch it. She has given me two Ince I have been here, and I dare not take anythi e She has tried everv way to make me k my, baby: does not intend that it shall live; but G the strongest, and He will protect us, I hope, Mrs. M. E, HOUGHTON, ‘The letters are well written, evidently by a cultured person, FATAL ACCIDENT. Yesterday morning two jonrneymen painters, namea Joseph and Terence Smith, brothers, were thrown a dis- tance of thirty-five feet to the ground, while at work on a scaffold in front ot No, 152 Clinton street, Brook- lyn, and were fatally injured. It appears that the scat fold consisted of an orainary ladder, twenty-five feot long, with a slab flooring. This platform was sus pended from the roof of tho house by ropes and pul- leys. As the men moved toward the centre of tne lad- der it snapped in two. One of the unfortunate men ‘was impaled ou the iron railing which is in front of the building, the picket penetrating the abdomen. The or~y~other brother struck on tho basement window sill, and Teceived internal injuries, which will, tt 19 feared, re- sult in death. The men wero romoved to the Long Island College Hospital in an unconscious condition. They reside at No. 121 Wyckoff street and are in the employ of Mr. Wainwright, of Bergen street. Terence h, who is ty-nine years of age inily, His brostcr, who is unmarried, is twen- ce. Tho taddor on which ‘the m were working is said to have been rotten, and the Cor- ouer proposes to endeavor to fasten the responsibility for the accident where it belongs, A CASE FOR THE DOCTORS Coroner Ellinger was yesterday notified of the death of James Orlando J oralemon, aged sixty-throe, of tbe foot of Kighty-ninth street, He was alleged to have been killed by a doso of half a grain of morphine igno rantly administered by his wife. The post-mortem ree vealed congestion of the brain and oedema of the lunge ‘with uraemia, The latter diseaso would have caused congestion of the brain, but the morphine would have produced the same appearances. Deputy Coroner Gold- achmiedt ts of the opinion, however, that death was duc to tho disease, as the man bad beon in the habit ot taking morphine before and the dose would not therefore have killed him. A strange circumstance in the case, which will prove interesting to surgeons, is that, the man’s abdomen being opened, only one kidney could be tound. This lack probably’ accelerated the disease from which he died. CHEAP FURNITURE, About two weeks ago Anna Lincoln, of No. 238 West Thirty-fourth street, called on Mrs. Muretta O’Brien, a furnitare dealer, of No. 175 Macdougal street, and tho house No, 187 Lexington ayo. nue, which she did, at a cost of $1,500. The furniture was subsequently removed, and when Mrs, O'Brien des mauded payment she could not fina her co ‘The caso was placed in the hands of Detectives Ferris and McConnell, of the Central Office. They succeeded last night in arresting Mrs. Lincoin at her residence, She was taken to the Central Office last night and locked . up ob a charge of grand jarceny, PROBABLE MURDER An altercation took placo last night in the liquor sae loon at No. 45 Crosby street, between Louis Bedula, of No. 47 Crosby strect, and two brothers, named respects ively Joseph and Michael Furreilie, of No. 9 Crosuy street, which resulted in a desperate fight between the three men. During the mélée Bedula was st the left side and also in the head, the wounds being Very severe. The Forroilies, afer stabbing Bedulay Fon away, but were subsequently arrested by Ollicet Bagley and locked up in the Fourteenth precinct sua- tion house, The wounded Leapiia man Was sent to Bellevue nscale icy STABBING AFFRAY, During an altorcation Iast night at the corner of Oak and James street, between James Gleason, aged fifteen, of No. 17 Monroo street, and Jonn Donahue, agod seventeen, of No. 149 Chatham street, the Severely stabbed in tho left side with @ intpe boas knifo He was sent aud Gleason ‘wee arrwsion rgsshtiatabeess oepttaly atterward and lived with bim as his wife, Mra.