The New York herald. [volume], June 17, 1876, Page 8, Image 8

About The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920

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Preparations at Morristown, N. J., for
the Coming- Fourth of July.
REVOLUTIONARY REMINISCENCES.
Fortunes and "Vicissitudes of the
Continental Army.
A HISTORIC ?> POT.
Mobristown, N. J., June 18, 1876.
A grand celebration, of aa exceedingly novel aud In
teresting character, is to b? held here upon the coming
fourth of July, The Mayor of Morrintown, the Com
Bon Council and the different officers of the county
will take part In it, and every trade and Industrial In
terest of (he city will be represented. The most elab
orate preparations ore being madu to render it a success.
_ Well may the inhabitants of this lovely little city de
Tote a small portion of their yearly income In appro
Cately celebrating this most important of oar national
Inlays, for, by so doing, they not only corememorate
X grand epoch of American history, but they also pay a
Itting tribute to the brave ami good who founded
Morristowivand who played a mo t Important part in
tbo great straggle for luuependence.
One familiar with the "Field ltook of the Revolution,"
Mho wander* about these beautiful hills finds at almost
0
every point something to remiud him of a bygone cen
tury, while as he gazes upou the quaint old relics
Which everywhere claim hia attention he < annot help
but feel that he is standing upon hallowed grouud.
There are but few places In the Slate of New Jersey
Where, during the dark hoars of colonial history, In
dividual heroism was more conspicuous, for It was
here, la the year 1776, that almost all the male in
habitant* who were old enough to shoulder a musket
lormed themselves into a body of "minute men," and,
urged on by their loyal and devoted famillea, ior
wardod a communication to Ueuoral Washington that
they were ready to march to tho point where their ser
vices were most required. For this noble and patriotlo
action the Provincial Congress returned them a vole of
heartiest thanks.
It was here, too, that In the year 1776 were reared
tboso mills and towers which supplied the Continental
Army with powder and shot; aud It waa from this his
toric spot that tho forces at Springfield and Trenton
Irew their ammunition and supplies that won for them
A succession of brilliant victories. llenco this posi
tion, so Important to the forces under Washington, it
was tho ambition of the British to attack; but so
lacrodly and systematically was It guarded that the
enemy were never able to capture it..
WASUIMUroN AT MOHHISTOWH.
General George Washington arrived at Morristown
On January 7, 1776, and took up his winter quarters at
what was then known as the Arnold Tavern. The
quaint old building, though slightly altered, is sttU
standing I can see it as I write, just over there on the
west side ol the Green. Its rooms, which have shel
tered so many Illustrious guesla, have all been trans
formed Into offices and stores, but tho general outline
of Us external architecture is to-day pretty nearly the
lame as it was a hundred years ago.
From tins point, on December 20, 1776, Washington
?wrote to Congress, stating that bo had JI roc ted turoo
regiments to halt at Morristown, where be understood
tbat about 800 militia wore gathered, Id order to restore
confidence among the peoplo and to encourage them,
as far as possible, to complotoly "cover their country. "*
These regiments were for the most part composed or
Xastorn men, and uumbercd in all about &20 souls.
General Maxwell, of New Jersey, commanded the
troops and Colonel Jacob Ford, Jr., of this place, was
put In charge of tho militia. Ho was otdered to "cover
the retreat of Washington," but whilo doing so the
anemy, under General Leslie, ponred such Vgalling tire
In upon blm that ho was compelled to retire and
bivouac again at Morristown. He died cl brain lover
?nly a few days arter being dnvon back.
About Arnold Tavern are clustered tb^ most sacred
recollections. It was whllo quartered here tho news
came up to Washington and his stall' from the I.owan
tlca Valley where tho troops were in camp, that tho
soldiers were attacked by tho most terrible of all dis
eases, the smallpox. From tho army It spread among
tho people residing in the town, and never In Its his
tory was the Continental Army brought in contact with
such a dire and dreadful enemy. Dontb daily visited
the terror-stricken army, until *.*05 bravo and valiant
jnen were placed under the sod. One can
well understand the alarm of Washington,
is bo beheld bis brave lollowers falling victims to tho
disease, and tho anxiety of the people of tho country
It this critical period can better be Imagined than
described, because should the ranxs or the army bo
somo so reduced that they could no longer defend their
Shot towers and pdwder nulls the causo would bo
utterly lost, for u was upon them mat almost tho entire
force in the field depended tor ammunition.
It is a legend that the malady was carried into the
Amorican camp by a Untish spy, the enemy, by this
dishonorable method, having endeavored to gain a
ihost important positiou and turn the tide of victory
toward themselves. lne hour was dark and the young
nation was plunged In gloom andsadnoss; but a darker
hour still was destined tfc follow, lor just at thia time
Washington iikcamk Mxantomt ill.
It was in the dead of winter. Tho entire country wm
?now bound, in order to travel from point to point it
was necessary to cut roads through the drills, as
Aborcrombie cut his way through tne underbrush trom
Lake George to Fort Tircuderoga. The soldiers were
shivering lor want of shelter an>l dying for lack of
proper care and attention. In bit desire to relieve
their position, and in his anxiety to prevent the spread
?1 the awful scourge, Washington, neglecting his own
health, constantly subjected bimtell to tho elemouts,
and is his frequent journeys between the camp and
headquarters contracted a heavy cold which brought
him down spun his back in the Arnold Tavern with
diphtheria.
The officers appreciating well the panic which this
Mul intelligence would create were It communicated to
the soldiers, purposely kept It irom them lor a time.
The non-appiaranoc of their commander in camp, how
ever, finally lod them to suspect his serious illness,
whereupon the officers, unable to keep them longer tu
suspense, revealed the wuole truth. It is said that the
forces were utterly heartbroken. They had laced the
enftay against terrible odds; they baa seen tlieir com
panions one alter another carried out to be buried.
They were content to sutler the conditions of one of
the most terrible winter* that has sver been known,
and st the voice of their commauder they would, what
was lelt of them, bare eveu vat marched in a solid
column against an army doubio their uumber; but now
teat the voice of their General was silent, now that in
the midst ol their despair they could no longer catch- a
% glimpse ol his familiar f.ico, they were wholly un
nerved, and lor Hie moment seemed to have lost all
trust in their God and their causa.
Tradition baa it that so alarming did tho position of
Washington become that his medical advisers ap- j
proscbcd him aud a ((uamted n in with his dangerous
situation. They asked him wuom lie considered must I
competent to fill bis place in caw of his lieatb. Wash
ington was unable to speak at tho time, but with his
dnger pointed out General Greene as the man. But,
thanks to the Almighty, the chieftain recovered, ana
this circumstance, along with tho fact that the towers 1
and mills were turning out Increased amounts of j
powder and shot, once mote Inspired hope among the
soldiers, and also placed them upon a rooting wit it tho :
enemy.
the winters of 1779-SO were terrible, almost beyond
description. Dr. Thatcher in his d a>y writes:?"The
soldiers are destitute of both tents and blanket*, and
many of them are barefooted sod almost naked. Our
lodging last night was on the frozen ground. " letter he !
adds:?"In addition to other rullerings the whose aiiny |
has been destitute of the sta:l ol lite for <-even days.
On the 3d Inst, we experienced one ol tne most tre
mendous suow storms ever remembered. .No man
could endure us violence many minutes without dan
ger ol his iile " .Ho heavy was the "form loat t orn
mnaication with tho army irom Morristown was
entirely cutoff, and it was about this time that Wash
lBgtnn wrote to the Chief Magistrate of New jersey as
follows:?"The present state of the armv with respect
to provisions is the most distressing ol any we have
experienced since toe beginning ol i*to war."
It waa in the winter ol 17MJ that ftnsbington moved
ffom tho Arnold Tavern to the Kord manatee, which ,
has ever since been regarded as his "Headquarteia."
Here be Mm joined by lAdy Washington. >o sooner \
lihi she arrived when sover.il ladies who held hnjh |?o
?tltoas in the country, put on tli'ir best "bib-. ae<!
I lends' aud tbe:r most elegant "roiftcs and silks,1' to
call upon her. Whan they reached tho mansion they \
i?.un-i the lady busily eiiK>tg<Hl in knitting stocking lor
her husbsnd. During the course ol the visit she tooK
occasion, in a kinoly way, to give tbem a little whole
some a-tvloe. "If IS very Important 1 said she, ?'that
Aiii rit-an ladles should be patterns of miitistry lo lheir
countrywomen, because Hie separation fiom i'ie
mother country will dry up the sources w hence many
efonr comforts have been derived Ws innst beeome
Independent by our d ?termitanon to do without what 1
ws cannot make ourselves. While our hu*ban<i* and
brothers are sxample" of patriotism, we must be ex
Maplesef industry and ihrilL"
liut new a worn a out ihe
??HSabvt'antSHS."
As Me Is whirled m?o Morrotoen l>v the stenrn onrs !
New lock be beboids upon bis leit, situated ?ua j
slight elevation. ft quaint and curious old building, over
winch constantly floats the Btari and Stripes. This
tiruciure is known as the headquarters of General
Washington. H is reached by ? series of pleasant ter
rww, oil o! which are shaded by beautiful iret-s, while
the topmost one commands a grand view of the sur
rounding country. The bouse is of wood, but contains
enough solid tuul>er to build three houses ol modern
construction. It was reared in the year 1772, and baa
withstood the wind and weather of more than
a century, Its architecture I* Identical with (but
?1 tlie oldest buu.-rs ol New York, all private
residences of those days having been reared, appa
rently, after the same pattern. The entrance la
broad and high, ana is directly In tbe centre of the
?uuin structure. The door Is of solid oak, and
is divided in tho middle In the old fashioned
style. They are the same doors that swung back wide
to Washington and the illustrious men ot those times,
and ihe -atne old bruss knocker la sneuroly bolted
upon Uii ui. Upou entering one is impressed with the
height ot the ceiling and the exceeding depth uud
* wall ol the hail. The floor is of oak plauk. so tlneljr
polished that it glistens like a mirror. The Iront room
on the right was Washington's reception room; but It
is the Irout room on^bc lelt where are to be lonml the
most interesting relics. Standing against the wall on
one side ol the apartment is seen the curious old secre
tary o! the General, with all its secret drawers; onoe,
tio doubt, regarded as an elegant piece of lurniture, but
uuw so odd and peculiar that one can scarcely look
at it without a smile. Near this secretary is a little
oak" n latde, upou which Washington wrote all his
memorable despatches. In the ceutre ol the room
there is a large round table,- which was bis "reception
room taide," und there is a curiously wrought stdo
board, which belonged to the dining room.
I.VTRKKSTIMO RKI.ICS.
lu addition to the above, thero are to be soen two
straight backed chairs, with sheepskin bottom.-, and
au old chest, which, when leaving Morristown, Wash
; ington tell behind him. The tallies and the secretary
j 'how .still dark ink spots, aud it was upon these Inier
; esiing relua that ibo great ofllcer wrote some ol his
: most remarkable and characteristic letteis. It wax in
: tins room Hint the generous, brave and accomplished
; l.udy Washington entertained Alexander Hamilioii,
I Nathauiel Grecue, Steuben, Knox and tho cultured
j Kosciusko. lu the rear room are many things ol in
! i?resi; old Continental currency, Kevolulionary swords,
muskets captured at Trouton und Princeton, Washing
ton's in til ti.ig. open at the side instead of at the end;
(?eiKirui l'utnuic's pistols and a copy of the laws passed
by 'he Legislature in the year 1800.
Up stairs is Washington's bedroom. In It are seen
the large gilt irame mirror and dressing table
which bu used, along with the mirror aud bureau used
by l,ady Washington. A close observation ol the lloor,
the beams aud miters, show that they are as solid and
substantial a?, when tlrsl put togetner, while the walls
and ceilings are apparently as sound as they ever were.
Tho grouuds without are exceedingly neat and hand
some. Stately old Hevolulionary trees cast down their
rool, broad suadow*, and here and there are beds of
blooming (lowers. 1- roti'ing the house is a long line of
bru*.s cannon, mounted upou heavy carnages, aud scat
tered every when about are relics of past wars. At
llio rear ot the grounds there is a deep ravine, beyond
this a breadth ol rolling landscape, and further still a
range ot mountains, die summits ol which, away oil'
iu the dim distance, gcem to meel the sky. The spot
is as lovely us It is sacred. "It rarely happons that
art. nature and circumstance combine In eleuioiils ol
attructivenesa. lo this place belongs, however, tho
infrequent lortuno of blending much that Is Interesting
in art, more that is uharming in sceuery, and most
that is stirring in circumsiauce."
run COMING CKLSBKATIOK.
With such momorles as those narrated above to nrge
them on, and with such a sacred ground upon which
to conduct their exercises, itie people of this city are
la celebrate Ihe national holiday In mis the centennial 1
year. 1 need not say that the ceremonies are sure to ;
i Lie of the must interesting and impressive nature, lor
there aro living here many a iineal detcondaut of those
stanch aud true old miuute men, who will not allow
the day to pass without offering some lilting tribute to
tlieir courage aud putnotism. Aud there aro others
who, remembering how, upon these hills and among
these vaileys, inauy a gallant soldier preferred to walk
bareiooted in the blinding storm, sleep upon the frozen
ground?uye, yiela op his life altogether rather llyin
turn Ins buck upon the enemy, will gather at the old
lioaiU|iiarters and In speech and song perpetuate
the heroism of theso good men thai rising genera
tions may not lose the force of u noble example. Hut
the people in Morristown are not to bu praised so
much fur their purpose of celebrating the fourth of
July as they are lor the highly InteMslIng and novel
prcgrumuie which they intend to carry out. Of
course at this earlv day there are tnauy details to bo
attended to; but alter conversing with the gentlemen
ideutihed with the management of the afTair, I find
tbat tliey propose to act upou the advico which tho
Hkkai.u mure itian a year ago gave to the Centennial
Commissioners at Philadelphia, but winch, alas I the
Commissioners havo disregarded. They propose to
make their celebration an instructive one; ouu that
will show tlio people interested in Morristown what
progress has been mude since lho days of tho Kevolu
lion, lu luct, they propose lo hold an exposition of
their own, not under a rool nor within uny given
radius o( territory, but in procession, upon horseback,
in carriages and upou moving platforms.
The procession will represent overy department of
the tnuuicipul government ol the city, as woll as all Its
industrial interests, ihe following paragraph, issued
by the comuuiiee, will give ilic reader an idea of what
is mourn:?
"Woproposo Hint every brunch of business and
every trade be represented In the lino or march, and Id
such way us tlie participants the<aaelvcg may select,
either upon wagons ortiamouied according to Individual
taste, to illustrate the business, display goods, work
uiHUHliipi banners, decorations, Ac., or upou horseback
when desired. We suggest that, where one llrtn feels
unable alono, they umto with oilier ttrms in the
haino business. We also suggest that where practlca
hit; the business be actively curried on during the pro
cession.
"A linn of carpenters has promised to build a house
paintori: 10 pi mt one, masons to build another," &c.
The Major, iho judges of ihe courts, and those di
rectly eugaged in the management ol public allairs in
every cup.iclty, along wiih the l'olice ana Fire depart
ments, ?ill lead thif procession. There will be seen tha
manufacturer plying ins loom, the suoeinaker shaping
a shoe, the hurticssmaker lastiiuning his sudulos and
reins, the baker kneading his bread, all moving in a
gundy, unbroken line from the lovely avenues of the
city up to the bcaulilul terraces ol tiio old Fort man
mon. And in the procession old things and old ways
will bo contrasted with new, so that there may bo dis
cerned wb.it progress lias beeu made during the ttrst
ceutury ot our great Republic. Behind these will fol
low wagons and platiorius, upon which will be dis
played the natural pR>duots o: the soli?Iruit plucked
irotn a hundred orchards, flowers cullod from
n hundred gardens. What picture could be
more mugniiiceut? Iho visitor standing at
any given point can thus behold a grand
panoruma passing before bun, In which will be re
veiled, as ii i>y a llasn of lightning, the wealth, spirit,
enterprise and strength of Ihe on tiro country?the prod
ucts 01 us nunes, the industry of Its manulactures,
In fact all the sources of revenue.
The procession will inovo between nine and ten A.
M., and tlie lino ol march will not be Jong enough to
weary any. Afterwards the wagona will be parked
upou' the square an<t remain lor inspection as long as
the owners may desire.
Iho oration' will he delivered by J. F. Tuttle,
President of Wabash College.
When at daybreak the long line of cannon In from of
the old headquarters in Hume and amok* proclaim the
birih of a new century ot American independcuco, the
people will sec what that century has brought lortb
aud how we liavo regarded that liberty which our
lathers bought by their patriotism and blond, and tbua,
If accident does not intervene, will be Inaugurated ono
of tho most novel, nnd one might say highly Intellec
tual, celebrations that tho country has ever known,
and It is to bo hoped that nothing may interfere to pro
vent Its perfect and aucceaslul consummation.
A CENTENNIAL CLUB.
THE ANCIENT BOOTH RIVEB CLUB OF KARY
LAND?AN INSTITUTION FOUNDED UNDER
COLONIAL RULE IN 1742?TUB BECORD IN
BRIEF OF A PECULIAR SOCIAL ORGANIZATION.
South Rivbu, Ann Arundol County, M<L, 1
Juno 16, *1870. J
Along the public read leading In tho direction of the
Chesapeake a half aero of ground ta encloaed by an old
worm lence. An unpretentious frame buildtug, with
an enormoua chimney, atauds in tha centre of this
enclosed space and is llankod by two stalely oaks that
look as though they might have belonged to tho "forest
primeval." Their spreading branches even at noon
day lurnlsb abundant shado to tbe grounds about the
bouse, and as tli* sun sinks behind the hills tbetr
sbadows gradually lengthen out until they become
merged with the loliagoof the woods in the distance.
This ts the old Bouttt River Club Hou*o, built in
and maintained lulact lor the purposes of
its fonuders through ail the vicisauudes of 1M
year*. Internal commotions or loreign war*
have found no echoing response within its walls.
Dedicated to aodlal purposes long anterior to the
American Revolution its doors have been thrown epen
every club day, and Ita members and their gue-ts have
escaped the strife aud turmoil ol real life amid the
pleasure of the hospitable board or tbe harm lass
amusements which the stringency ol ibo club rules per
muted. The Hskalo correspondent ha* been at some
pains to obtain the following facta with reference to its
history, and thiougb the courtesy of one of the mem
bers ot the Ancient Club he haa inspected the records
of the association. The club was undoubtedly formed
many years prior to 1*4.'. as tho Maryland (iatette lor
July 15, 1744, says tha gentlemen belonging to tho
Am ient Hottlh River Club, ''to express their loyally
to His Ma -sty on the success of the inimitable Duke ul
Cumberland s obtaining a complete victory ever the
Pretender and delivering ns from persecution at home
and Popery and invasi >n fr >;n abroad, have appointed
a grand entertainment to be given at their club bouse
on Thursday next;'' but in ltlJ tho old claii house
w..s destroyed by tire and the records perished in ibe
fl mien Tisa ttrst re nrd is the deed of the land upon
which the present club honse stands, given by John
tia'-away, and whirh is ns follows: ?
lhl? ittdeutais, sled* tti? third t If ??r Jntv. A'ino llnm.m
hundred a?<l I irt,, brtw-sa Jolin it, nf
Ami? .trund?l ?'??aiilv, nt (lis me |.?rl, an ( ; i s in.l r
i.f (tie el irr |>*ft v> Ii nesscih, tnat Ihe sat<l Jehu ?.????? .n.
tin and m ei ii' lei i.i mi >>t ins nmn of ei^iitr pewids #4
current Money keiag paid to ms tat. ?t lor tit* nsli ?? re of
Ii vltliia ?i>e ?:i -1 u re ln? ei uv?. iug tli* said half xcra
el laud to tut society within meiit.aned, and as the said haif
?"? of land now falls by riirtit to the said John Simnr. U
willing aud doth hereby by these ptriruta will aad nath
granted nuto him the said Hubert santlen, hia adminis
trators and assigns, *11 thai half acta of land on part whereof
the house in vhlok the society ur company commonly called
the South Kiver Club meet now elands?[here fellows the
c arses and distances)?to have and to hold the
said premises and every |>art and parcel thereof to him
the said iiohert Handera, hia executors, administrators and
assign*, for abd daring the term of HU9 years. Upon
thin iruat and confidence anil l? the iutereat and purpose fol
lowinir, via:?1o and lor the only use and hen-fit of the aaid
society or company railed the .south River Club.
And It shall be lawful fir the members, or such as ahall
Iroin time to time hn a>lmltte<t therein, to have, possess,
enjoy and uae the aaid house anil half acre of land lor their
meetings.
It then provides that, In the event of the olub ceasing
to exist, the load shall revert to Gassaway, his Heirs
and assigns, and is signed John Gassuway, and witnessed
by Samuel Smith and J. MonaL Then follows this re
ceipt from Gassuway for the ?80:?
1 do hereby acknowledge that my lather In hia lifetime
received th? sum ol ?*?>, current inotiey, of the aritlun
mined Hubert S.-nders, being the com I deration money
within specified, aa witneu iny hand, the d?.v and year
within written. JOI1N UAriSAWAV,
To the deed is attached the following certificate:?
There came befor- us, two of Ilia Lordship's Justice* for
Anne Aruudel county, the within imined John ijaasaway,
party to these preaeiita, and acknowledged the within in
dentures to be hia act and deed, and the land and premises
therein mentioned to he the entitle, right and title of the
within menlioueU Hubert Sandera, Ilia executors, admlms
tratora and aaeiena, lor the use and for the within time
specified. SAML. SMITH.
J. MUM A J'.
Peceived Jnly 21, 174?). To be recorded and recorded
the name dav in Anne Arundel County X<atid Kec.ird m i.lb.
It H. \V. 1. fol. IS. and examined. 1' BKICE, Clerk.
From the abovo it will bo perceived that this was
simply the completion of a transaction which had been
begun some years prior to 1740, and that the father of
John Gassaway hail already received the purchase
money, lly reference to the churchyard the Hkkai.d
writer discovered that Colonel Nicholas Gassaway, the
father of John, died in 1730, in the tltty-flfth year o( J
I his age. The most marked feature about the sale ol
! this land Is the excessively high liguru at winch it wus
| purchased. 1 think it can safely bo asserted tbat
I any farmer residing in ihis neighborhood at present
will willingly part wit^ every acre ho owns for one-bull'
! or evoti one-iuiru ol ?*0 per hall acre and consider
, that lie lias driven Hie sharpest bargain which his
luck has over ollercd hun.
THE UtfCOKU BOOK .
of the club Is a curiosity. It is the same that was used
in 174& They use thu same table, some of the snmo
chairs, and the rules have not been aiterod in the most
immaterial particular sine.'that time. The first omry
is dated February 11, 1742, and contains among other
things the following list el the members
tlicu belonging:?Mr. Robert Sanders, Mr.
j TliomasSiockcit, Mr. James Mouat, Mr. TnoinuaCaton, i
Mr. Samuel Jacobs, Mr. Benjamin Stocktm, Mr. John 1
! Howard, Mr. Samuel Burgess, Mr Samuel Day, Mr.
! Robert Harding, Mr. Tholuas Sparrow, Rev. William j
1 Rrogden, Mr. itirucr Wootion, .Mr. Jamos Diclt, Mr.
! Samuel CM am hers, Dr. Samuel Preston Moore, Mr. j
William Chapman. Jr., Captain Auihony Beck, Mr. j
I .lames Nicholson, Mr. John Brewer, Mr. JohuJiams, i
| Captain Zuchuriah Maccuhbin, Captain James Hull, .
Captain Darby l.ux, Mr. Henry Gasxaway, Captain Jo- i
seph Cow v. an, Mr. John WotklOS, Mr. William Cliup- ;
man, Mr. William Reynolds, Mr. Jonathan Sellmau,
Mr. Charles Stewart, Mr. Richard Moore, Mr. Stephen
Wesl, Jr., anil Captain John White. It was also
"agreed that Mr. Robert Sanders, Mr. William Chap
man and Mr. John Watkins bo a committee to
collect i be names ol the members that have
ever belonged to this society to the best ol
their memories, Inasmuch as the present list appeared
very detective." lean tlnd no report from the coin
m111cc. The dinners at that time were given twico in
each month, the same member serving both times. It
was not at all unusual lor members living at a distance
to serve by proxy. Mr. Stephen Wcbt. Jr., tor In
stance, lived at Woodyard, in l'rmce George county,
fully twenty miles Irom me club house. It may be
added here, as a mailer ol Interest, that the place, the
Woodyard, is still in possession of his descendants.
There is nothing except the usual record ol dinners
given irom this time, 1742, until 10th of July, 1746,
when there appears the following entry:?
J t)i.T 10.?Then served Mr. Thomas Caton Ills first lime
according to rule, and at the same lime it was agreed by all
the members present that next Thursday be appoluied a
day ol rejoicing at this club on account of thegrcal success of
the Duke ol Cumberland entirely defeating the Pretender
And all his adherents. Also the Chairman, with ltev. Mr.
Williiini llrogdeu ami tho Worshipful Mr. James Monat, are
de-lred by this society to wall on ilia Excellency (Thomas
Bladen, Uovernor) and desire his company thai day,
TUN Ul'KK or CrMBKRLAND'S VICTORY.
Then under date 24th of the same month <8 the fol
lowing:?
Last Thursday was observed as a day ef rejotelnpr by this
society on account of tho glorious victory of Ills Royal High
nesj tlie Duse ol Cumneriana over the rebels, by drinking
of loyal healths, lirinir ol camion ; and great dntnoa-lraiions
ol loyalty were shown ou that nappy occasion by numbers of
gentlemen then present. Also a naiidiome dinner, Ao., was
lound by Mr. John Brewer, one of the present members, at
tlie expense ol the society. Also served Mr. Tboinas Catou
his second time, according to rule.
Mr. Thomas Culon was the father of the gentleman
who subsequently married daughter of Charles Car
roll,'ol Cariolltou. Any violation ol tho rules of the
club or neglect of duty was pumslied oy compelling
the delinquent to serve an extra dinner, as this entry
will show
May Il74S.-Th(n mr?iJ Mr. Henry Gunvt; hli sec
ond tim>:. according to rule. Aud at the same time it w??
unanimously voted that Mr. Jaraea Dick should nmt'
third time tor neglecting to deliver book and key to tiio
next Howard in course.
At a meeting on ihe 14th of Februnry, 1760, at whicb
time Mr. Stephen West, Jr., was steward ol the day or
serving uinmnur, application was mudo lor the use of
the house for a dancing school, the members present
ami voting in the alhriuative being MessrR. llenry
itasaaway, chairman ; William Chapman, James Dick,
James Mount, Jatues Nicholson, John Howard, Stephen
West, Jr.; Richard Moore. VMlltani Chanmnn, Jr.;
John (jams, Jonathan SelUnun, alterward a
distinguished general of the Kevoluiion; John
Brewer, Samuel Chambers and Joseph lirewer.
As no negative votes are given It is to be presumed the
motion prevailed. On the loth of April ot the same
year the steward ot the day was required to serve until
six o'clock, alter .which hour there should be no punch
mixed, so tho Mar> land custom of "whiskey straight"
hid its origin years back. On May 3, 1*5:1, "by reso
lution," Mr. John Gassuway waa directed to provide a
large punch bowl which was used for more than one
hundred years, and was then, with many other things
ot value, principally on account oi tlioir antiquity,
stolen trom tho house. This was tho uu.y tiruo the
bouso was ever broken open, so the writer was in
formed, though It>s never occupied, except on club
days, aurt always unprotected at night, aud is also ta
the heart ot thn country and remote Irorn any town or
village, Annapolis being the nearest place of Impor
tance, onrnt miles distant, ana separated trom It by a
Wide rlvor.
TIIK RL'I.KB
of the "association'' were still strictly enforced. The
ltev. William Urogden was in Juno ot this year (liftJ)
com (ml led to serve three times lor neglecting to appear
on the rmular club day in course, aud in April oi the
year lolluwtug Mr. John Watkins was required to do
likewise lor making a wrong entry in the record book,
dn the loth July, 1756, Mr. Jonathan Sellman and Mr.
Kicbard Mouro were appointed a committee "to see
that some necessary repairs be made botn ol the in aud
out side ot our club house, as also a sash window be llxed
in thesidool our said house." ihe repair- were new
sills and new sleepers to the floor, showing the antiquity
of the house. Under date ot January 12, 17.'<fl, is the
lollowing interesting entry:?
Then nerved Mr. Kicbard Moore hli second time, wbea it
wat voted that the fainnplviMia tiatnle should be loand and
delivered by tbu ltev. Mr Archibald xpencer lor Ovs mil.
lings yearly, and that Mr Jamea Dick shall provide the
t*i"/nou 'rosette tor ten shillings n?r tho une ot the society,
and that the aald papers shall t>c delivered to the natil club
on the Brat day ol nervine alter their receipt, wither by the
aforesaid Mr. Spencer and Mr. Dick or Mr. Joha Jacobs, lor
the use of the club.
And then, undor date of February 19, It appears that
"Mr. Spencer delivered the Pennsylvania papers, dated
January ?, as tho Unit papors since tbu culry ot ye
22d ol Junuary."
* On tho Alio ot April "Mr. James Dick brought the
now.-papers, instituted tbe West India and American
monthly packet ot intelligence, as a present from Mr.
John Bucbanau, merchant in London, to the society,
but nut lo be carried trom the club house."
On the 2s th of Feoruary, libo, it was resolved that
the club should be served ontio e.tch mouth, instead ol
twice, this resolution to take elicit on the first Thurs
day in April, whicu was done, and is yet the custom,
i the tirst Thursday in each month being "club day,"
I but the serving member can postpono it to some otiier
! day oy giving due notico lo tbe other mem berk. At
[ the meeting ou tho tint ot May. 170'J, it was uiiam
i mously agreed that Mr. Thomas Uaeaaway should take
{ me old rules belonging to this club aud apply to John
Jacobs and agree witn him to lairly copy them in a
plain rouud or Italian hand, lor which this society
promise to nay. This was done and the rule* trained
and iiuiig up lu a conspicuous place, where they yet
haiig?ttio s-iiiiu rules in the same tramo. On tho 7th
nt June, 17H4, an application was made to
| the members by Cap aiu ? Thomas Uarwood
lor permtssiou "of tbis club lo take a copy
ol thu rules ol this ancient club, which was
unabimutiny agreed to by Ihe members present, lor the
i perusal and government ot a sett of gentlemen who
j propose loriutng a *ociety ol the same sort." Thus tt
is seen that tbe recants tlioinsoives, la 1764, speak or
It as the Anetuut Club.
The record continues uninterrupted from this time to
177", without, however, containing any matter ot in
ter* si, when, under dale ot September 4 ol that year,
is tli s entry
"Then ?er*ed Mr. William Harwond hu time, agreeable ??
rale At the ?eme tune the club, ha nig taken into meir
serioaa cuaatderstioa l'i" alariuiiiK luteal inn of the Male,
oeraaione-i b> t >,? Im a??n oi iue iirlusii fleet at tins tiuie,
? hether a coaitMuaMliu ? this ? iab aa UMial or an adjourn
meul to a lu.urr day.' I'll - matter waa Ini i over on:il the
a?>ICHu day. when it waa again pottpinied until tlie next
meeting, on which occasion it a as agreed uuamluously that
the vino M rontin led ila uauai.
Many Aral Its are recorded, and th" list of members,
tbongo uMit u smaller than wbou br?t given, bears
many oi the *-tme names, de^< miauls ot the gen
ilenicn who were meinner- in I"4J. I itu following are
' soine nt the members tor the year lfl(H:?)lr. Jonathan
1 .scllinan, Major w llliam Harwood, Colonel Kichard
lUrwood, Captain David ateuart. Major Sauiuoi Wat
kins, Mr. Caleb Memrt, Mr. William Siettart, Mr.
James MeCuilough, Mr. "olomon >p;irrow, .Major
I humu-i llsrwood, Major W, ham ltrt>|tde n, Mr. Jos"ph
Cowman, Mr. Itobcrt We.ch?and e >niamiug a very
pleutilul sprinkling ot miiltaiy heroes, probably the
oftknnois ol the American Kevoiution. f here were two
deaths ol members during the year 1A04, and no addt
1 Umk lliere has beou uoiiced ail through the re ori
| l?iok "the Micti iclmas collection." It was threo
Khiillngs ami am peu- ?? (less than il) per mi miter, un
| less repairs to house or lot or additions to inm.nure or
i inn ! or tabic linitt were needed, Mte amotinis required
cent, proportioned among the members.
During the year lSOS more were two deaths and live
1 new member* admitted, the list nomhering January 1,
] 18(>d, seventeen. Toe-re were also some extensive re
| pairs made during Una year to Uia bouse, tbe plaster
IDK alone coaling ?22 5a 1 K<L ($111 23). August 3,
l?Oti, permission ?u given to open
A SCHOOL IH TBI CLOB BOOM,
and the clab appointed the trustee* of the school (rem
tbelr msmbera They were Colonel Hlobard Harwood,
Major William Brogden, Oeneral Jonathan Srllman,
Messrs. William Steuart, Joseph N. Stockett, William
Banders and Or. John Goasaway. The trustees have
entire charge and meet four times a vear, unless olt
ener called together. This was the germ of the public
school aystem in Maryland, a number ol similar achvola
having been established about this time in different
parts ot tbe country, which are Known to tbia day a*
the old Iree schools, and there are many In this section
of the State who consider tbe system then inaugurated
incomparably superior to tho cumbrous and compre
hensive machinery now in vogue, under which thous
ands are being educated or ball-educated far beyond any
prospects, near or remote, tbey mav hare in life.
At a meeting September 6, 1811, a member wbose
name, for obvious reasons, la suppressed, was expelled
the aociety for cruel treatment to bis wile and chil
dren. No mention whatever la made of the war of
1812. Thnrcau only be attributed to the last that re
ligion and politics are strictly prohibited as subjects of
discussion, and In a certain seuse both tho Revolution,
to wbioh there Is only a slight reference, and tbe war
of 1812 wcro political.
From 1836 to 1840 the number of members waa gen
erally from sixteen to twenty. From 1840 to 1860 there
wcro many chanties, quite a number ol tbe old mem
bers resigning and some of them dying. Tbe list bears
tbe names of Hon. George W. Hughes, former mem
ber of Congress front this district; Mr. Virgil Maxey.
who was at one time Minister to Belgium and was
afterward killed by the bursting ot the "Peace Maker,"
onboard ih? Princeton; General George H. Stouart,
lather ol the Conlederate lieneral of tho same name;
Commodore Isaac Mayo, United Slates Navy; Colonel
Allred Sellman. of libode Kiver; Mr. J. Noble Stockett,
who was a member lor lorty-nlne consecutive years,
and Mr. Tbomu* Welsh, a promiuent plauter of South
River. Prom I860 to 1864 there were irom fllteen to
nineteen members, at which time they began gradu
ally to iall oil until 1S6U. when there were omy three
member*?Commodore Mavo, 0. McCuilough Brogden
anil F. 11. Stockett. To llieso wore added A. B. Hau
lier, ol the Annapolis Bar, N. H. Green, R. P. Sell
man. Dr. Howard M. Duvall and Rev. C. K. Nelson,
1). 1>., Vice Presideut ol St. John's College. The
record
UCRIKO T11R CIVIL WAR
gives no token of the struggle then taking place, the
rule prohibiting political discussions having been
strictly eniorceu. For a briel period after ihe war,
owing to the distressing effects o( the contest, there !
was a suspension of the meetings. On July 11, 18T2,
the mem tiers mot and reorganized, with Mr. David
McCuilough Brogden as President, since winch time
they have continued to meet on days appointed
The last dinner was served by Mr. W. D. Steuart,
grand-nephew of Mr. Win. Steuart, who bocame a
member ot tne club Juno 7, 1790.' At that time there
were live members?D. McCuilough Brogden, who be
came a member on the 5th of May, 1836 and who con
tinue his membership to tho day ol his death, on tbo
4lli of last month; A. B. Burner, Dr. Howard M.
Duvall and H. H. Brogden?whose lather, grandfather,
great-grandfather and greiu-grval-grandlalher had all
been members ol the club. From the above It will be
seen that tho South River Club is the oldest merely
social organization in tbe United States and perhaps the
oldest in tho world, as it win founded before the days
of clubs in Europe. The rules governing the clnb are
the game which controller it in 1700, for that is popu
larly supposed to bo the year in which it was founded.
Ml UA.MKI.IMI
has ever heen permitted on the premises. The only
game allowed is quoits, and the set ot quoit* now used :
was presented to tbe club by Joseph R. Ingersoll, of i
Philauelphia. for whicb ho was elected au honorary
member. No person who abuses the hospitality ol the '
association by drinkiug loo much cau be again in- 1
vitml. Three meals only are allowed?no side dishes?
oysters, crabs and Osh In season, but plainly served. |
No wines at all Whiskey and whiskey punch, clean
pipes and tobacco or cigars?potatoes?these things
comprise the bill of fare.
THE TRENTON DAMAGED.
Tbe flrra of John Roach h Sons, In addition te lt|
other extensive operations, Is at present engaged in tbe
construction of a sloop-ol-war for tbe United States
navy, to be ealled the Trentoo. Tbe work on her had
gone on rapidly lor some weeks, and Thursday after
noon was fixed for placing the cylinders of tho engine.
The Steam Derrick Company bad the contract for this
work and commenced operations on Thursday alter
noon at three o'clock. Tho cylinder weighed about
tweuty tons. It was raided up by tho derrick, and the
Immense mass of metal waa fust hanging over the
hatchway of the Trenton, when a large steamer
passing caused a good deal of movemont in
tho water. The derrick moved to the heaving of
the water and the twenty-ton cylinder, as a matter of
course, swayed with the motion ol the derrick. Fi
nally the cylinder slipped its * ham, crushed through
the cross iieams and drove a hull Inch holt through
the hull of tbo vessel. The hole was spoedily plugged
up, but it will be nearly a week before the damage done
by the tailing ol the cylinder can bo repaired. Aboat
$3,000 will cover tho loss caused by this accident,
which falls on the contractors, McDonald k Ce., oi the
Steam Derrick Company.
UNPAID WORKMEN.
Aboat 160 of tbe workmen employed by a contractor
In building the new elevator for tho New Tork Central
and Hudsou River Railroad Company, at the loot of
West Sixty-first street, stopped their work yesterday
morning in censoquenco of the non-payment of
their wages. The men said they had not
Iweo paid for seven weeks, and thut
some of them had been turned out ol their boarding
houses hecauso they could not pay their board bills.
They also say that the contractor, Oliver, has not been
seen by them tor a week. Tho mon are quiet and
orderly, but decline to work without any prospect of
receiving pay. They bad been promised $1 25 per day.
SUICIDE OR NOT?
Shortly before ten o'clock yesterday morning, aa 0110
of the Hudson Railroad dummy engines was proceeding
up Weal street, near Harrison, the engineer, John
Necly, noticed a middle aged man a short distance
ahead near tho track. He rang the boll, and tbe man
moved away, but just aa the engine reaohed blm be
threw himself on the track, and the wheels passed
over bis body, killing him almost Instantly. Tbe
engine was brought to a standstill by the obstruction,
and Ihe body was taken Irorn benumb tbe wheels Tbe
lace was mutilated beyond recognition. Officer
MoQuade, of tbe steunboat squad was iben called, and
bad the l>ody removed to tbo Ninth precinct. He ar
rested tbe engineer, who was brought belore the
Coroner, and admitted to ball in $AUO on bis statement
that tt.e cane was one of suicide and not an acculeut.
Tbe deceased was about fifty years of age, dressed In
a black frockcoat, black pants and vest, black Kos
suth hat, white shirt and congress palters. The body
was removed to the Morgue to await identification. On
ha person was found a watch and,chain, but no paper*.
POOR BRIDGET BARRY.
To tbi Et?iTon or ma Hkiiald:?
as I was reading tho Hskalo this morning I came
across the artlclo that stated bow the agent and man
ager ot the Weed Sewing Machine Company treated
poor Bridget Barry. Cannot something be done for the
poor womanT
If only half of tbe money that was so unjustly taken
from her by the Weed Company could be raised she
might be able 10 Invest It In another company, one that
will give tbe poor woman time to pay without forcing
hor to,smash costly plate alas*. The Weed company,
uo doubt, has the satisfaction of knowing that they
'have $60 toward another glass. Who knows but that
they have taken many more fifties In the same way ?
Hoping ibis will find a piaco In your widely spread
paper, I remuin tbe same as before, A.REaDKIL
Juki 15, 1*76.
WALIZING WITH A SHARK.
RE XXULB XT?THEN GOES TO A DEMOCBATIO
CONTENTION.
[Pensacola (Florida) Gngette.]
Captain John B Outtmann, of the l'cnsacola Guards,
signalised himself in an odd enoonnter last Friday and
came out (Irst best. Hiding down to the snore or Es
ctmbla Bay the Captain noticed a strange commotion
in tbe waier, and that tbe beach (or a considerable dis
tanco was covered with fish from aix inches to a foot
and a half in length, some dead and some still lump
ing, while otliors continued to spring from tbe Mater,
soova wlncti .??howed the sharp dorsal tin of a shark,
cutting tbe surface as be pursue the flsh. The sport
ing spirit of the Captain wa* tired in uii instant, aad
spritigtug Irom bis buggy ho opened bis pocket
knile, with a blade less than three Inches
long, and rushed into tbe water, which wns
thiun deep, where he eucountered the shark and puaUeti
hut little knlle into ik The creature did not seem to
ieel it, and its hide was so tougli that the Captain could
not rip it, so he continued bis thrusts while the sbark
endeavored to turn so as to seize him. Finally ihe
shaffc felt the Wade, and retreating twelve or u'lieen
feet, charged back with a rush The Captain sprang
aside as It attempted to bite him and seized it by the
lis, which war ten inches long, and plied hit knife,
while they waltzed round, the shark continually turn
ing in tho etxtraver lo bite. Finding his kuile of no
avail against the nine lives ot the shark, the Csptain
caught up a short, heavy piece o( driftwood, which op
portunely came within reach, and as the flsli threw iia
head out ol wnier struck it a severe blow at the baso ol
tbe skull which instantly stnnued It. He then drew it
ashore, Where U was despatched. It was exactly live
led In length. In the earliest stages of tho conflict I ap
lain Outtmann'* three companions, who wereofl'in the
wooda at its beginning, eamu out on the blufT and called
out in alarm, "It's .? shark! Come out of the waterl"
That Prussian gave bis lips their usual twist and simply
said, ''I know it," tnd went on with his amusement,
which he says was almost equal to some fun he bas
had with hear* and hull bisons, namoers of both of
I which he bas slain. Now be has gnne as a delegate to
the democratic convention at (jnincy, and for what
ever be considers the right there he will make jnat aa
determined a fight aa he did with the shark. 'None
who do not know It woull suppose that the coirtly
and rather delicate looking g* nt eimm who presides in
his elegant Jewelry store has tbe materia! in him that
won d induce him to jump overboard In his nice
clothes ami attack a shark of nnknown * xe, tbe llrat
he had ever encountered, Jitst for the Inn of tbe thing,
lint the many s?ara on bis body prove that the Csytlll
has lougbt worse enemies than soar its.
j MBo. a. t. stewabt-s chabiths.
MCNIPICKNT DOTATION* TO TBI POOR, OCX,
cairruuD amd aouzLuaa or hew tobx
CITT.
Mra. Cornelia Stewart ban been lor tomt days past
engaged, with (be asaiatance ?f Judge Hilton, la ex
amining a Hat of tbe most worthy charitable Institu
tions of tbla city witb a new to carrying out the ex
pressed wwhc" of ber lata husband, Alexander T.
Stewart At tbla season of tbe year, wben wealthy
lamilioa are preparing to go to Eqropo or tbe watering
placet, tbe majority of these institutions find them
selves sadly In need of money, and very often in
arrears, so much so that they will gladly wolcome as
sistance so cordially tendered. The families leaving
lor tbe country or fbr Europe do not find It so very
convenient to make donations at Ibis time of the year,
and Judge Hilton, without solicitation In most casesj
has made, by Mrs. Stewart's wishes, the following
donations to cbariuble and other Institutions:?
Xor't Kye and Ear Infirmary. 12 000
The Nursery and Child's Hospital Vooo
Tbe Wommi's Hospital s'non
St. Luke's Hospital -/ftOO
American Geographical and Statist'icalSo^iety*.!! 2'600
Children's Aid Society 2 000
Association lor the llelief of Widows aii'd ChiV- '
v?/en ?' Clergymen of the Episcopal Church.... 2,000
National Academy of Design...... ?> r?s>
Blind Mechanics' Asylum -"'aoo
#w} orlc Protestant Episcopal City Mission Ho- **'
ciety 2 Q/jQ
New York S .eiety for the BelVefof'the Ruptured
and Crippled r ? .nn
Prison Association of New York,'.""'.'" I'onn
1 rotestant Kpiscopal Tract Soeiotv '500
1 rotesiant Episcopal Mission Society for Seamen
in the Port of New York 600
New Vork Orthopedic Uwpensary and Hospital " 1 000
Fivo Points House of Industry ??l"?'.. ,??
> ivc Points Mission
Oirls' lodging Houso
Home lor Incurables rJJU;
Home lor tbe Friendless i
Home for Old Men and Aged Couplet".*.I." 1 000
v I, i"1," '?r UHSlll'"e Females.... " j'juo
New > ork Infant Asylum 2 ono
New York Juvenile Asylum ." 2 000
New York Orphan Asylum....- .. I"
Roman Catholic Orphan Asylum.... a 000
mJto." H?m? '0f 1 a<^Stoi Christian' Fe" *?"*
Tbo sheltering Arm's.'."'..*!.".' 1,??5
SU John's (imld
Sisiers of the Strangers......* Vfv..
Societv for *:?pl"Tn,enl "id*Relief of"the Poor!! 500
Society for the Prevention el Cruelty to Chill
WowiBg'"Men's" ProtmiwUnmn7.7.7. 1
Young Women's A'd Association....
Colored Home lor the A?ed and Indigent. ?>
Home for Aged and lnflrm Deal Mules 2^
Home lor Friendless U,rl8.... ^
Orphans"0 "niJ SCU?01 'or 8old';?* "n j'sallor's*'
a !n'r!^n ^ma'tie'rund* Association'.
" S.,?!"" "? ?r toiin,"
American Friends .Socioty J'!?
Artists' Fund Society r?00
Newsboys' Lodging House.*.'.".".'.'
Lite Saving ;)en?v?leiit Association
H.bnomabn U?.p,ul ^ J;?
Total
charitable* somet'es^fn "hi T* 'o4,h"
proved to be thoron hlJ character if
speedy attention from Mrs, Stewart W?UW recelve
PLYMOUTH PBAYEB MEETING.
Plymouth prayer meeting was very well attended
last evening. Prayers were offered by Brothers Halll
day and Dam Alter which Mr. Beecher said -There
.? a great deal 0, use in a religion of conscience and ?
It is not the highest form. There is a considerable ad
vantage in a religion of (ear; bet It i. far Irom being the
be. t form. It i. belter than nothing as the motive
that inspires us to avoid evil and to fulfil duties
notP-cu'ar'yattra^e.if you can get nothing bet- I
to a better ml ^ '? " Br*d? b'6ber anU ,n8P"? men
to. better life by conscience, It is better than a religion
of Lin T* COn lnlrodace 1010 experience
hve onVn r C^err'" 0lement' 10 por,Ua,Iu ?? '?
live on a higher plane and with* nobler motive than
fear or conscience?If you can persuade men to that
form of religion on account of Its Intrinsic beauty that
* still higher-,t is one the higbesfj "
have such a sympsthy witb tbe right in all ita forma
that you find the motive spontaneous In you. But .ud
pose, however, attractive in our better moods, there
are hour, when we are absorbed by other things and
the attraction of Christian rectltade no longor acts. If
It wero possible to introduce a personal lufluence that
would co operate with tbe moral affection for
tzv: ?"?
a recogaition of tho beauty of hoUness and tb? rt,
nature, as that they ah.ll work toward "ctltud. ,^"
preference. Then, to associate this with a ?in.. ?
love to Christ, the presence of Christ sbonid k?
l?s jn*rS,irti'?"?s? Hor;;
Bi-jfsrfis!
against discouragement when you have trinnili 3
.alien It is a relive which l^ueSces us to pKd'on
the bright and shining way on which we have entered
Belore tbe benedictlnn Mr. Moeener r^.H - 1 ?.
fro,., the Orange V.iley "chur^h reo^tiM the
presonco of the Plymouth pastor at a en?nr\T^S i !
for the examination of a eamhdaU ^
pastorate. Added to lb a was aist otall the?h^?l
invited to attend After ho Ud niis'he^le sa
u observe that this list Includes nil ,VT
churches In this vicinity. w,i* some of which we
have not been on the best of terms lateiw u ? h.
tried .0 keep peacc with ourselves .ncl ^ith others
and somo other churches in trviuir to keen n<um h '
up-ctthe whole country s?me or *
have declined being present with Plymoutlf Jthurch at
this council because they cannot find out some,bin.
they never will dud out till tbrf inH*
ment day. I shall have to dec in, U*'
wITwTll 11*8 '*'gencles may arise In the chureh
which will require my presence here, but the chureh
shall be represented. I nominate Dr. Edward Bee^
to represeut Plymouth church In this councIL n
SiTSi""1"- **""
tnJehtin/:"mmtng Comm,tt<? met the prayer
AFRICAN METHODIST CONFERENCE.
Tbe third day'* session of the African Methodist
Episcopal Conference of the State of New York waa
held in the Bridge street church, near Myrtle avenue,
Brooklyn, yesterday.
The troubles or the Fleet street Methodist Episcopal
church, ol which Rov. J. B. Murray ia pastor, then
came IK-fore the Conforenqe.
The tn itter was reiem-d to a committee of five for
In vest l|:?ti?ii nnd rei>ort.
Ihe question as 10 wiiere the nest annual Conference
of the African Methodist Kpiscopal church shall be
held provoked a lengthy discussion.
It wan finally resolved that the next Conference
should he held in tbe Sullivan street Methodist church,
New York.
ONE HUNDRED AND FOUR.
DEATH or TBI OLDEST WOMAlt HI THB BOtJTH
WEBT.
[From the Joplln (Mo.) News.]
Six years ego, in the ninety-eighth year of her age,
Mrs. Nancy Fence passed through Jasper county in a
wagon, en the way with her family from Kentucky,
prospecting lor a home la Southwest Missouri; and,
after vtslituft several of Its co an ties, dually located in
Christian county, where she died on Wednesday last, at
the advanced age of 104 years, at the residence of her
son-in-law, Mr. W. G. Kstea. She was from Mew
Jersey, ana at a very enrly age removed with her
turner's (John Kitchen) family to Virginia. From Vir.
?tola they em grated to North Carolina, and when Mrs.
j l'ence waa eighteen year- oi age they removed to Ken
I turky, wner<'she iimrried .folia Pane, to whom aim
i bore fourteen children. The etphth cnlld, Mrs. U. W.
i Kates, with u hom she has been living lor tweuty-two
j years, is sixty-live rears of a^e. The Ozark M<mitor
1 ray*:?"Mrs Hence, who had been blind lor twemy
j one years, two years since recovered Bcr sight so that
' she could see perrons pasting ilie road. or. sh she said,
! conld see tie" form but could not aoe the features.
i Sixty years ago she united with the Baptist Church,
I an ; was a failbtnl member wild an earnest worker up
I to the time ot her death. She leaves behind her five
: children, avi rsgiag from forty-five 10 sixty-five year*
! of ace. fifty-four grandchildren and nearly 100 great
grandchildren, or a totai of living deecendenta a, tbe
time or her uo.-itn of nearly 160 souls There is ntwc
doubt but she tru the oldest woman IntheSoutb
A CORRECTION.
To mi Eorroa or thk iUkilu: -
In your issue of the day before yesterday, 1 an men
tioned as buvmg been present at tbe o Toole shooting
affray. As this statement baa been a great annoyance
to me and ray family, 1 would request yoa to state that
1 was sot present at all Yours truly.
JJUtai 0. OU&iUX.
DEATH IN A PIT.
TWO H" *TT T1tn >T CABBOKXO AOD W
DICT or TBI JUBY.
[From the Reading (P*) Tim**, Job* 1*]
Shortly before ?tx ?'doe* ye.terday morolM a?
appalling accident occurred ou the premises o! Thoma.
B Curry, No.. 180 and 1S2 South Fifth etreet, whereby
two men met their death almoet In.untly, and a ibird
fu on the brink of death, bat was eared by timely
aid The property 1? closcly built up. There are
two bouse., or a .ort ot double house ocoupied by two
families o* Fifth tw0 houlw" oa lh" **" *
of the lot en Wood .treet, and a dwelling bouse 01
eourt in the centre of the lot. Midway In the lot there
la a cesspool, used by aeveral families residl.g on the
premises, which had filled up and become obnoxious to
L neighborhood. On last Thursday Mr. Curry com
menced digging a well immediately lh* ^
cukspooL lie labored a!ono during Friday, and bad
dug the well to a depth of about three loot. He
then contracted with Mr. I.aac K. Loo*>,. ? c*r*r,
for the completion of ??> operation.,
25 bTX-ooMnr- hir dug the well to a depth
of nine feet or a little orer. Mr. Cmf U0CV??.
| ""b * b^po^on ot the
c?#siui, liowirir, i ?rd?nh with * siwuie, he wa?
"?^ ?u- rm
mstter wm then deierred until yesterday morning. On
"Xy a ?inb?e stench arose from the old ?.M?oU
which almost suffocated the lam ly of Mr lhomal
wiimifc who resided In the court almost immediately
lacing ibe cesspool. Mr. Elliott who reside.
and had pruviou. conrurwtion with Mr. curry, e*
^P^^^weV40 To carry out ^h'jjpujp?^
bowSr fc Co., on Wood street, bolow Chestnut where
lie wss employed, and obtained a large ??y5_ * i*
whkh 7bo . ? bole through the ?'?^ead of
The old cesspooL H was about *>al.-pa*t ?*?
o'c oct when bo left the shop, and he at ???*
roturned, descended into the well and bored a hol?
with tho augur. The holo was bored at a depth of sotn.
live leet from the suriace, wbere a strip of .culling
had been lelt in tho well aud a temporary
been erected. Upon boring the nole a
commenced flowing Irom the old well, and a roiuma
ol exceedingly noxious oarbonlo M,a
out, by which Mr. Elliott was overcome and lell to the
bottom. Edwardg a brother-in-law ot Mr. Co?7>
residing in ihe lam.ly of the latter, wa. werklng tn .
building on tbo lot ireezing ice cream, at wbwb be had
been employed Irom liall-pasi three in the morning.
Ue hastened 10 Elliott's assistance, and having de
scended into the well was also overcome by the gas.
Dunne this lime the Curry and Elliott familie. wore
i aroused and all was commotion and excitement on the
nremisea. Sevoral lemale members ran for phy.iolans,
whilu othors ran lnto Wood street and called loudly lor
U*ifr Thomas B. Curry, tho owner of the premise.,
was aroused and descended into the well on a step
ladder as lar as ihe platlorm, but was unable to assist
ihn m?>n and wan liitio overpowered by the jerrl bio
snfelT kr Charles Broschxowsky, residing inthe
?ime'buiiding with Mr. Curry, was aroused, ran to the
well saw me dauger, and imiueditiely went lor ii rope.
George Dorsey, ihe 'colored coachman ol the Eckert
unnly "2uDg been in tho employ of the late IsaM
Eokert for a number of years, ran in from the .table
where he wa. c.calling his Dorses, and having boon Iu
w?"dth? th. uiet were drowning, bo, without,
[bought o. curbonle acid gas, Jumped into thowe^ to
I endeavor to rescue the other men. He, loo, was o\er
I come by the gas, anu became ,,DC?"*?lou* William A.
aii this hauDened In a lew minute* Mr. William a.
Fink was passing down Wood street at the ll?0> j'"'*'
hMring the alarm, ran Into the yard. He saw thei h re.
liwu ol top ot each other lu the well and Curry ou the
bladder Having got a whiff of the terrible'ga. ho
wLP almost overcome, and, hc.M that nothloiICOUW
be done without additional assistance, he ran "J?
Wood street crying (or bolp, and ran down to
Fiseni ower & Co.'s shop, where he obtained
block ana tackle, and also got the help of his father,
J?Mr *H?nrr S. Jenninge, Levi Moyer and other, atao
responded to the call lor help, and lnJ^ew
tha men out Dorsey was got oat fust in tine, a. a rew
Seconds more would Save llnmhed him. He w??moon
scous but tevived alter gelling into the Irc.h air.
The tWo meu, Elliott and Edwards, were drawn up.
havinif been at the bottom of the well an.
Edwards on wp oi Elliott, but 111. ? both wa. lou.d U
bVoXronorLLyon. whe resides al No. 413 Chestnut .tre?
anil wnose Hack building 1. within a low rod. olI th?
Mootie of tbo apcident, was soon Inlormed
ble affair. lie proceeded lo the .pot, and Bjjde I*"?*
dlate preparations lor holdings* Inqneat. rhefolow
ina gentlemen were iummoned s. iaror.:-Jehn Fink,
w ii Khoads. William A. Fink. Ilenry 8. JenBlngi,
rJthwW-d wmia-S. Miy^. A^rjiewin,
the bodies witnes s wore oxamlned M to ?ho ocew
rence, whose testimony wa. .ub.Untlally in acoor?
anco with the account as above given.
VERDICTS or THE JC*T. .
Verdicts were rgndered by Ihe Jury lu both **?* *
accordance with the loregoing rsots, couplcd witha
censure ol Mr. Taoma. B. Curry "for W toflil wm
nlied with tho rule, ana regulations of the Board or
Health and lor keeping and maintaining a full ce? PJ>?|
in a crowded nemhborliood, and recommending thai
proceedings bo instituted against him.
SKBTCBBH Or Tn? D10KAKl?n.
Thomas T. Elliott, who met his death In the aboro
terrible manner, was born in Wllliamsport, Pa. H?
would nave been thirty eight years_of age on the Uth
of August next. He served in the tnion army during
law war For several year, he had boen foreman
in ihe refrigerator department of Eisenhower, Fink k
Ca's carpvnior shops, and superintended the
otall reingerator*. He leares a wile, son adoptwl
daughter and a widowed mother. He was a ?J
Mount Fenn Lodge rfl Odd tellow., lulpehocken Tnb*
of Red Men and Knight, of tho Union.
John Edwards was a natire ol England and the .olo
support of a widowed mother residing In that c?"?"^.
He was a seaman lor over twenty year., sailing ob'?"*
frooi Knglaud u> the East lnl.es and Chin* During
this perioa be wss shipwrecked live time. a*d .no
struck twice. The last time he was ahlpwreeked wa.
in tho China Sea, when be was six days and O'e nlgbl.
on a lifohoat before being rescued. He came tolbs
countrv last August and was given employment bv hil
brother-in-law, Thomas B. Curry, In his ooiifeetionery
establishment. Elliott and Edwards were greatly aW
tach-d 10 each other. Tho latter had Intended to go to
North Carolina in a few wor ks nnd locato
maneotly. He wa. a widower and *bout forty year, el
age.
ANOTHER GIliL SHOT.
WW* OBAKSMniB KILLS H*B ACCID1HTA1XT.
[From the P*rker'? City (P*) Dally.]
Millkr's Edov, P*. June 10, 187*.
A rery sad and latal accident occurred bore to-day al
fifteen mtnutua paat one o'clock, resulting in the tn.unt
death of Mi*. Mary Plunket, aged thirteen year, and
six mouth* -The lata! ahot wa. Ored by her grand
lather. David Foringer, while taking aim at * r*C The
gun was loaded with .hot, and the old man being la
the house rested it against the aide or an open window
'or the purpose of steadying It while ho look aim. The
poor girl, who had lieen engaged in acrabblng the
house, was hurrying to tbe spring for a pafl or water,
and on bar way there she was obliged to past close by
the window, which she reached in time 10 receive the
contents oi iho gun Just above the right eye. she at the
time being leas thnu two yards distant Irom tbe muzzle.
The writer ot this, startled by the loud
report, followed Immediately by wailinga ol
distress, at once ran to tbe scene ot th?
acciiJeat, wnere ho arrived la about two minutes, and a
terrible spectacle was before him. The lifeless remains
of the child were lying with her leet toward tbe houae,
faceup. Tbe lips wore a rather pleasant expression:
tbe lorehead was black with powder, while the top or
the bend was curried away and tbe brains lay scattered
over the ground. Tbe poor old grandfather sat clos*
by, p.iie but tearless, gazing upon the horrible seen*.
His sadness was too deep lor leara On tbe wrttcr'i
approach tbe ohl man roso to bis feet and exelainied.
with all the sgouy o( distress, "My fled, see whal 1
bavedonol" "Who is thatf' waa asked. -My grand
child, Kmina riunket," the old man replied. At tbla
time others ol the neighbors garnered around, and also
tbe mother ol tbe child, and it la needless to say that a
heanrmdlng scene followed. May we nover wttneaa
another such. The writer gathered up tbe scattered
brains and replaced them within the scattered cal
varinm, sewed up the aculp as well as he could, closed
up the wound with adhesive strips, and tbna left the
poor girl beaiiliinl in death who was beautilal In life
bat half an hour beiore. I cannot close without first
Imploring the tender sympathy of all good citizens tor
the poor distressed old man, who by accident alow bit
grandchild.
A MAN SHOT.
[From tbe Elmtra (X. Y.) Gazette, Jane U]
On ^turday evening a young tnan named Do WiU
Storms, liviug near Carr's Corner*, was sbot 10 ue
breast by William Koache, a printer, working in the
Hiubandman oQice. Storms, it la stated, was on hli
way home from the city with a party of Irlenda, and
met Koache and another parly. A difficulty occurred,
which was settled, but afterward was renewed between
Konctie and Storms The lauer Is said to have struck
Koa< be with a club, whereupon he (the latter) drew a
revolver and fired six shots, one taking ertect in the
breast, Inflicting a wound which may prove fatal. The
I wounded man was taken home. Koache escnpod Tbe
i shooting occurred ne.ir the corner of Wa>nnt and
! Water streets. Koacho at last accounts had not beea
. arrested. A report prevailed on the street at nooa
I that Storms could not live till night.
i STABBING AFFBa i.
Yesterday morning John Smith, of Ibis city, and
Oodlrey blatter, ol West Ilnboicen, became involved la
a quarrel oa the Hackcnsack 1'lank Road. From words
tbev came to itsticuOs, after which blatter drew a large
clasp knilo and stabbed nmitb in the left arm. Slattqy
waa arresiad and Recorder Hlkok held him nndei
bonds to await ike aeilea of the Grand Jury ol Mada?
OMBI|,