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Newspaper
Bristol Phenix
Location
Bristol, Rhode Island, United States of America
Date
Apr 11, 1857
Page
2
Foreman did not alter the date line. the issue runs as April 4 in print but notes indicate April 11. Readership is warned the paper appeared with last week’s date and may reflect delayed scheduling.
An article discusses a predicted encounter with a visiting comet and possible inhabitants, noting the immense scientific curiosity and potential hazards. It mentions a predicted approach in June and questions about comet composition, atmosphere interaction, and the likelihood of any intelligent life aboard. The piece also advertises a lecture by Dr. Hays and promotes Bristol as a summer destination with hotels and amenities.
On Sunday crowds filled every church as Rev. Dr. Wise and bishops from several cities preached at St. Michael's and other congregations. Deacons and Elders were ordained at the Methodist Church, confirmations and baptisms occurred, while weather and farming activity followed. The Magee murder trial ended with a guilty verdict and impending sentencing.
The trial of Rev J S Kalloch concluded last Tuesday with eight jurors for acquittal and four for conviction. The Boston Journal suggests no further trial will occur. It is rumored Kalloch will abandon the ministry to study law.
The newspaper urges residents to stop borrowing papers without paying, cites teasing over a Phoenix fad, and appeals to paying subscribers. It advertises a 500 page inquiry volume with 3700 receipts for household use and a Bristol lithograph view priced at two dollars. It notes George Wilson’s trial for assault on Anne Baggott in Providence, with a five year state prison sentence.
The Providence Conference of the M E Church adjourned after a six day session marked by warm hospitality good humored fellowship and strong preaching. Bishop Jones praised as presiding officer the appointments for the coming year list numerous districts including Newport Bristol Providence and Fall River with seminary and educational honorees named Abel Stevens and Daniel Wise among those listed.
Anthony Patner presiding elder oversees Dover London and Lyme area with J B Gould and John W Case. Mystic and Mystic Bridge list J F Sheffield and Wm Kellen. Westerly’s assignment to Charles Hammond. Hopkinton to be supplied.
A long list of towns and supervisors including Gales Ferry Groton J E Heald Oweaseville Sandford Montville Salem and many others with To be supplied notes for several posts. Names such as George W. Dye water L D Bentley J W Packe Erastus Benton J D King H W Conant and Charles Morse appear.
A roster of presiding elders and clergy serving towns across Sandwich district including Sandwich, Osterrile, Yarmouth Port, Eastham, Truro, Falmouth, Wareham, Pembroke, Scituate, Hingham, Quincy and others. The document lists assignments, suppliers, and notes several posts marked to be supplied with names like J. N. Collier, F. B. Hinckley, Wm. Leonard, and J. Cooper among many. The next Conference is scheduled to be held in Norwalk, Conn.
Capt Soule of the barque Oregon arrived in New York from Havre and reports that on March 25 in latitude 46 06 north longitude 66 30 west dense fog fire poles passed over the vessel sounding like cannon shots. The final burst near the mast head sent sparks across the deck and knocked everyone down without injuries.
The report notes surprise and indignation at Judge Crawford who allegedly instructed juries to favor deadly force for defense. It contrasts Lee and Herbert at large after killings with a separate theft case sending a thief to six years, underlines perceived harshness of the system.
The managers of the American Bible Society held a Thursday evening meeting. Encouraging accounts came in from Shanghai, Bremen, St. Petersburg, Madeira, and others including Home agents. Grants of Bibles and Testaments in various languages were approved for soldiers sailors missionary societies along the Amazon River in New Granada Rio Janeiro and twenty volumes for the blind.
A tea shop conversation features Sally warned by a red haired colleague to keep away or be set afire. Sally retorts that she is too green to burn, highlighting a tense exchange between workers.
April dispatches note the Circassian arriving Liverpool on the 2d and arriving in port by 1015 pm, with other ships including City of Waslington and Niagara. London and Manchester market notes, while trade and woolen districts show mixed activity and iron orders for the US. International news covers France, Spain, Japan, and Hong Kong poisonings with proclamations and wartime tensions.
An afternoon accident delayed the steamboat train to Fall River after an axle broke, leaving the train stranded on the track. No injuries reported. The Fall River connection left last evening, while the accommodation train for Fall River did not reach the city until this morning.
A Prov Journal editorial laments the Hong Kong poisoning as a stark atrocity and questions whether war itself should be viewed as a crime. It argues that civilized progress shifts horrors from war to crime and ponders if rulers perpetrate greater evils than invading bakers of bread.
The barque Janes M Hicks of New York Capt Crowell 712 tons sailed from this port March 17. A letter from New Orleans consignees G C Bogert Co dated March 28 says the Hicks has been reported below for three days. The run to the Balize in eight days is believed unequaled.
In Detroit on Thursday Eunice C. Hall recovered $8000 in damages from Geo W Carne for breach of promise of marriage. Carne is described as wealthy, and the account implies he deserved to pay that amount.
Washington reports Gen. Cass has completed a letter to Lord Napier outlining Administration policy on China. The aims are protection of American citizens and property and expanding commerce into China. A naval force will be increased. a commissioner has not yet been chosen, with two nominees declining. Denmark Sound Dues abolition arrangements are finalized, noting US payment of 380000 dollars versus England's six million.
The Cincinnati Gazette reports Return J. Walker of Pennsylvania has been convicted of murdering his wife and burning her remains to hide evidence. The paper notes the crime's cold premeditation, the long process of dismemberment, and the odor from the chimney, with sentencing not yet delivered.
Intelligence reports a gruesome incident in Washington where a man named Baker killed his daughter with a firearm and then fatally shot himself. No motive has been released as investigators gather details. In Lowell, two Irish laborers Patrick and Jerome Hayes died when a tunnel collapse at the Merrimac Mills yard buried them. four others escaped with injuries.
In Canada at Aletrore Edmund Russell a popular tavern keeper dies suddenly. After burial his wife Nea Beaton employed by Russell but discharged for improper ties with the wife of an inter. The body was exhumed at neighbor request and the widow and her new husband were arrested while attempting to flee to the United States. A medical exam found arsenic in the stomach of the deceased.
Louisville reports a gruesome murder in Louiseville of Mary Travers a 24 year old bride killed on Thursday night her husband found beside her in bed after an apparent suicide attempt. In Washington Ky Mr Baker killed his daughter then shot himself with no cause yet known.
At a late hour on Saturday night the jury found Charles L. Cater guilty of murdering Solon H Teany, the warden of the Massachusetts State Prison. The jury deliberated about forty minutes. Cater spoke in court justifying his act as a response to unwholesome food and ill treatment of convicts by prison authorities. He was remanded for sentence.
The steamer Braptoro Dourrie will be hauled in a few days for repaving and repainting. New boilers will be installed, expected to boost speed by about one third.
Reported in the Buffalo Courier the Canadian Parliament considers a bill allowing any citizen of a foreign state with patent protections for British subjects to obtain a patent in Canada under the same liabilities as a British subject. The proposal aims to extend patent rights across borders.
The New Orleans Picayune reports a Mexican insurgent Vidaurri envoy offering annexation to the United States. Circulars nationwide praise annexation, sparking public excitement as crowds taste the promise of American protection and expansion.
Rev. L. M. Pease of the Five Points Mission retires after seven years of work. It is claimed that during his mission five thousand children were reclaimed from vice and vagrancy. An attempt to garrote a Cambridge professor occurred last week as he walked home, the assailant slipping away after a scuffle.
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