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A DANGEROUS SPOT.
Where the United States Navy
Stores Its Gunpowder.
gjcr Magazines on Ellis Island in
New York Bay.
Alore than one hundred tons of gun -
offder are stored in three magazines on
small isiand in tho bay but two miles
a and within
from N-jw York City eight
hundrcd yards of the Communipaw
docks at Jersey City. The island is
known as Edis Island, and is three acres
sn d a half in size, with a rough, rocky
back on all sides.
It has been in use as a powder depot
for the Navy Department for nearly
thirty years, and all the buildings on
the island, of which there are eleven,
are of plain, old-fashioned appearance,
although they are said to bo still sound
and good for many years’ future ser
vice. The main buildin g is circular iu
form and is built close to the water’s
edge on the northern extremity, facing
view York. It is a somewhat strag
gling-looking building from the out
side, being irregular in height and
painted a bright yellow; but inside the
greater portion of the 103 tons of pow
der now on the island is housed and in
spreted daily.
Them are two kinds of powder in the
magazines. The prismatic powder, of
which there is 130,000 pounds, or
about 65 ton 3 , is packed in small square
boxes, aud the common cannon pow
der, of which there is 200 barrels, or
about 43 tons, is stored away in bar
rels, as there is less danger from com
bustion in this grade of powder than
from the other. Inside the magazines,
where tho powder is kept, the cases and
barrels arc care fully arranged in rows
along the walls, and a daily examina
tion of the condition of the combusti
bles is m ide. On fair days the maga
zines are opened and aired, but great
care is taken to exclude the damp.
No one is allowed to enter the pow
der magazines without having first re
moved his shoes, and even then he is
cautioned not to handle anything dur
inghis inspection of the great store
rooms, while a vigilant watch is kept
to sie that he observes the commands
properly.
3esides tho circular storeroom there
are two others, standing near the centre
o! the island, which contain powder.
Then there is a large building, half
workroom and half storeroom, for car
tridges aud gun cotton. In this build
ing a force of three men it employed in
preparing the ammunition for war ships,
In this workroom there are half a dozen
kinds of gun charges. These are the
one, three and six pound shells for the
Hotchkiss breech-loading gun, and the
five, six and eight pound shells for
larger cannon. Some of these shells ar e
plain, while others have steel tips, and
their shapes vary according to the make
of the gun to which they belong.
One of the most interesting of these
charges is for tho six-inch rifle bore.
The charge is composed of numerous
small pieces of compressed powder of a
peculiar, six-sided shape, The man
employed m making the charge begins
by placing a round piece of board be
fore him on which are painted figures
exactly resembling tho bits of co ra
pressed powder used. lie then inserts
m iron rod in tho center of the board,
Hter which he attaches the powderto it
round holes bored through the cen-
10 °f cac h piece. When the first pile
3 made ho begins to build the blocks
ff> around it until he has a column of
' c,rcil lar form about five inches in
Sickness. A common bag is then
'laced °ver the charge to keep it in
!a<0 > Gie iron rod is removed and the
a S is encased in a copper cylinder mi-
1 lhed. This is the most complex and
itlicult charge used in the Navy do
- trtnient.
Two °f the buildings on the island
are res idences, and tlio remainder ni e
■used as workshops and magazines. All
ai e painty a bright yellow. Near the
ma 'n magazine stands engine house,
an
containing a stationary engine capable
d throwing water to part of the
sland. any
A hose and reel are attached
o the engine house, and tho flow of
'Mci can be conducted to any part of
ho Gland with little delay. Owing to
he close proximity of Jersey City, a
“'sc lookout is kept for sparks coming
r, m that place.
Die regular force of watchmen in
Ch, r ge of the magazines numbers four
V r 7 facility for hastening the work of
loading a ship is to bo found on tho
island. There is a small railway lead
ing from all the principal buddings to
shells the wharf, on which tho powder“aud
can be convoyed more quickly
an 1 safely than by band. A small pier,
pr. jectiug into the sm, nil . r ds landing
for the smal’cr steamers and sailing
vessels. —Neu> York Times.
Trade In the South Pacific.
The chief inJu dries of the leading
groups of the South Si a Islands are tin
collection of copra, or dried cocoanuts,
beche de mcr, pearl oysters and tortoise
shell, fruit, etc. The wealth of these
countries is simply incalculable, but has
been developed in very small degrees as
yet, chiefly from the ignorance of the
world concerning their resources. In
formation regarding tho island trade is
most difficult to procure. It is practi
cally controlled by a few New Zealand
and Australian firms, who not only will
not give any assistance to inquiries, but
discourage in every possible way all in
vestigations which shall bring their
operation i to the public vie w. The
managers of these firmi lose no oppor
tuuity of declaring that they are all go
ing to the dogs, or at best merely hold
ing their own ; but I ha^e seen enough
in their warehouses and the vast assort
meat of goods which they carry for the
native trade to convince me that most
of them are making huge profits, and
have no other fear that a knowledge of
the abounding wealth of the South Seas
will call the attention of capitalists the
world over to the vast field whose edges
only they are able to cultivate, This
policy is holding back this part of the
world immensely, and only tho natural
and spontaneous growths of land and
sea are gathered iu islands where cot
ton, coffee, tea, sugar cane, arrowroot,
vanilla, opium, tobacco, ginger aud an
infiuite variety of other articles could
be grown in profusion side by side
with the vegetables of Europe, Very
little ready money is used in trade with
the South Sea natives; be*er profits
cun be made by exchanging for copra
and other commodities which they pro
duce such articles of civilized manufac
ture as the natives demand.— Nero York
Times.
How Judges Become Stern.
It is a fact, says the New York Diily
News, that a large percentage of the
criminals arraigned in court each day
arc men and women who have been up
for the same offense many times before.
Few new faces are brought before
the bar on charges of theft or robbery.
Often it has been wondered at why it is
that judges of criminal courts seem to
impose heavier sentences as their years
on the bench increase. It is presum
ably due to the knowledge of the peo
ple brought before them. Years of ex
perience teach tho court that leniency
with such offenders is a mistake.
When a judge goes upon the bencl
for his first term, it is noticeable that
he is as tender-hearted as a ivoman, but
as he constantly sees fresh instances of
disregard for clemency he has shown in
the reappearance of the recipient of the
favor, he soon becomes case-hardened,
and has no compunction about imposing
the law’s severest penalty.
But experienc) also teaches the jus
tices to distinguish between persons and
to discriminate, so that first offenses
are usually treated with the greatest
cousiderarion, and inhny a convicted
person who has been brought trembling
before the bar of the Court of General
Sessions to receive a sentence, lias been
overwhelmed by being let go with a
reprimand, supplemented with ,gentlo
advice to endeavor to lead an honest
life.
Destruction of Our Forests.
Whilo Franco and most European
countries spend millions every year for
the maintenance and protection of their
forests, the New York Sun, draws at
tention to the fact that “tho United
States seems to go madly on with the
systematic destruction of its most val
uable timber, such as white ash the
scarcest of all the woods used in tha
construction of carraiges and wagons;
old-growth ash so extensively used fo
the interior finishing of houses anc
cabinet work; white wood, basswood,
white oak and hicsory, for which there
is no good substitute in all the world as
a carriage timbor. All through tho
South and in the State of Ohio there is
every year an ind.scriminate slaughter
of the finest hickories as ever grew, and
it is high time that Legislatures should
open their eyes to this lamentable state
of affairs.”
SCHLEY COUNTY NEWS
NEWS AND NOTES FOR WOMEN.
Brooches are the favorite ornaments
among Algerian women.
Mousseline chiffon, a softly falling
material, is used a great deal for evening
gowns.
Mrs. Hag-gins, the California million
aire s wife, possesses a ruby valued at
610,000.
Mrs. Cleveland expects to devote much
of this winter to a careful study of oil
painting.
Mrs. Lydia Bacon, of Sudbury, Mass.,
has celebrated her one huadecl and second
birthday.
A dainty lace pin is a cluster of sweet
peas in pink and white enamel, sprinkled
with diamond dewdrops.
A Christian lady who wishes to become
a member of the Hebrew Church must
first of all learn Hebrew.
Accordion-plaited skirts of cream net
over colored silks are very pretty, and
much liked for evening wear.
Cow-boy hats for misses are of gray,
ecru wired or bright red felt, with wide un
brims edged with fur felt.
A new galloon is made of silk cord,
united by crochet stitches, the eliect
being similar to that of point lace.
Sir Julian Paunceforte’s four daugl l
ters have brilliant complexions and dress
in the extreme of English fashion.
Ruches of silk braid of different widths,
intermixed with oblong drops and aiguil
lettes, are used to trim the new mantles.
Moonstones continue to receive a large
share of popular favor. The fancy just
now brilliants. is lor large stones encircled with
Serviceable school hats are Tam o’
Shanters of plaid cloth, and plain felt
caps iu the same shape may be procured
in all colors.
Miss Cordelia Meyers, of Newville,
Penn., is the proud possessor of a piano
once owned by the wife of President
John Quincy Adams.
Fur-lined dolman wraps are less fav
ored than in previous seasons, but are
still occasionally made to order, to suit
the taste of purchasers.
Gray astrachan, chinchilla and light
beaver are the furs most favored for
misses and children’s wear, and they are
most appropriate and becoming.
Muffs and boas of both red and blue
fox will be worn by young ladies. The
red fox is a very beautiful fur, and espe
cially becoming to a certain type of
blondes.
Mme. Albani, who sings before Queen
Victoria every year, had the pleasure of
singing to her Majesty a few weeks ago.
She was accompanied by her sister, Miss
Lajeunesse.
A handsome corsage ornament is in the
form of a spray of three rosebuds, com
posed respectively of a blacks a pink and
a white pearl, with the stems and leaves
of diamonds.
Fur trimmings are mostly of the long
haired varieties, bear, black marten, lynx,
mink, fox, etc. Persiana, although, a
fiat fur is very stylish, but otter, beaver,
etc., are passee.
Mrs. Anna Lea Merritt, who was born
in Philadelphia, was one of the three
ladies who received honorable mention
for oil painting in the British section of
the Paris Exhibition.
As a rule, womeu need about nine
tenths of the nourishment requisite for
men, boys of sixteen about the same as
women, and cliildeen of ten half the
quantity needed for adults.
The bell sleeve appears upon a few of
the new seal jackets, but is not generally
favored. When used an inner close sleeve
is attached near the elbow, affording the
necessary protection to the arms.
Princess Marie Theresa of Bavaria, who
has a mania for pets, travels throughout
Europe with fourteen animals of one sort
and another, including several dogs, two
magpies, an enormous rat and a diminu
tive bear.
The Empress and members of the aris
tocracy of Japan have given up the idea
of adopting the western styles of dress
for women. The Parisian models did not
please the people in general, and the his
toric costumes will again be worn exclu
sively.
Queen Victoria doesn’t wear a great
deal of fur. She has an odd cloak, how
ever, in which she comfortably incases
herself when traveling in the cold
weather. It is made entirely of ermine,
and the ermine is outside. The cloak
gives her a very regal appearance.
Warm bonnets for little girls are made
of cashmere, the soft fronts gathered in
front to a high frill above the forehead,
and with accordion plaited capes six to
eight inches deep. Loops of ribbon are
set in the frill above tjie face, and a ro
sette outside, with a full cap trimming
resting upon the banged hair.
Mrs. Harrison is the first mistress of
the White House since Mrs. Hayes’s time
who really supervises the entire domestic
machinery. She has the whole of it in
hand, from the cellars to the attic. She
goes over the most of it every day. Both
the President and Mrs. Harrison are early
risers, and the day’s work gets started by
8 o’clock.
Fashionable bonnets in Paris this au
tumn suggest the great topic of the day.
There is the “178!) bonnet” in black
felt, with a tiny tricolor ribbon knot;
the “election capote,” ornamented with
white featheis of bouquets of immor
telles; and the “provincial voter's bon
uet,” simply made like the caps worn by
old country women.
EVERY LADY
m WANTS – A SILK DRESS
pflttity- With This is your opportu
A new de
fwpartore. Silks di
| met from the mauufac
£jj 5|gjk turers Our reduced to you. prices
ip bring vithinrcachofall. the best goods
We are the only
A'd.; manufacturers in
L the U. S. selling
direct to eon
I I RKnicrs. You
L take no risk. We
9 warrant every
piece of goods as
i \ represented, or
1, money refund
lX i ed. See our re
[Lferences. Haro the oldest We
} –v. ^ igggggf^L^ Sr 1 -- tet mm II m life- 11' i ,\ i sing Ibc » ^ over guarantee DRESS perience. finish for color, ed U.S. CHAFFEE turers Silk unexcelled in qualities, 50years’ richness Establish- and 1838, Manufac- superior SILKS, in wear- with the We ex- the to of
[by | of any Black make
‘Silks in tli©
offer - '-world. We
these Dress Silks in Gros Grains,
Cloths, Satins, Surahs, iu Blacks Faille only. Francaise and Aida
Send us a2c.-stamp (to pay postage) and
we will forward you samples of "all our
styles freo with prices, and you can see
for yourselves.
O. S. CHAFFEE – SON,
^ Mansfield Centre, Conn.
Refer, by permission, to Flrat National Bunk,
W indham National Bank.Dime Savings Bank. Wll
limantic Savings Institute, of Willimantic, Conn
nitULLll I lardXwjng^kUdeno^h kllk Braid tO bind bottom S >
dress. Of
1
m GS CO CO all are carrying delivered charges to you I
THE NEWS
IS PREPARED TO DO YOUR
JOB PRINTING.
SUCH AS
NOTE HEADS,
LETTER EADS »
DILI HEADS,
ENVELOPES,
CARDS i
COMMISSARY CHECKS,
CIRCULARS AND PAMPHLETS
OF ALL KINDS.
XYHATLY AND WITH DISPATCH
FINE JOB WORK
-DONE AT
THIS OFFICE!
T JUS season year IS ot' which THE the gW: BvH Ite-a |
v
to purchase a Black Silk or Satin Dress.
It is adapted to so many uses for which
ladies require a becoming and handsome
dress ; for house wear, as hostess or guest,
make calls, attend church, receptions’, wed
dings, parties, lectures, amusements and en
tertainments of ail kinds. A good Black
Silk or Satin Dross retains its beauty and
line appearance many years, outlasting and •
out-wearing half-a-dozen ordinary dresses.
A GREAT many are now looking
around to see what to give as a
CHRISTMAS, BIRTHDAY
or NEW YEAR PRESENT. In
many cases it is the intention to present
the wife of an officer, pastor, or a ladv
teacher with something handsome, tasty,
and beautiful. To all such we sav send us
2 -cent stamp and GET OUR SAMPLES and
prices, you will socn be convinced that a
Black Silk or Satin Dress is just what vou
have BEEN LOOKING FOR.
Everybody ivc sell to is as well sat -
isfied as the following parties:
Dear Sirs —1 Westport, Kentucky. May 1,1889.
received the silk in good order, It is
the best and cheapest goods for the money I ever saw.
The same goods would sell for $2.00 per yard in
Louisville Ky. The extra finality of the silk, the 1(1
per cent silk, discount, the silk braid and lt)0O yards of
spool is certainly a wonderful bargain to offer to
the public. I take pleasure in showing my friends the
samples and Respectfully, advising them to purchase of you.
Miss M. L. GUYTON.
Office of Biblical Kecoddfr, i
Messes. O. Chaffee Raleigh, N.C., Dec. 17,1S88.
S. – Son :
Dear Sirs —The package of silk for my wife came
with safely it and and soundly plea-ed to that hand to-day. She ts delighted and
with her. I highly vou appreciate were so prompt
generous the com
pliment With myself, and enclose check for the $25.00.
very best wishes, C. T. Bailey.
direct from our factory is the MOST
ECONOMICAL (lr<5SS ITindC* W0 gU«U*anteCl
perfect satisfaction or refund the money.
0. S. CHAFFEE – SON, Mansfield Centre CoM*