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Newspaper
Bristol Phenix
Location
Bristol, Rhode Island, United States of America
Date
Jan 06, 1855
Page
2
Distress from unemployment and rising prices shakes New York on New Year’s Day 1855. Citizens recall past cycles of over trading and hunger while many seek relief as the city faces cold weather and economic strain.
Jacob Babbitt and a Bowler family member were thrown into Mount Hope Bay when a sail fouled on a gunning trip. After about an hour in the water they were rescued by Mr. Babbitt’s coachman and recovered to near full consciousness.
The town records show a list of fourteen people aged over seventy who died in the past year with a combined total of 1123 years and an average age of 80. Names include Mary Luce Abigail Salisbury Thomas Richmond Sally Nooning Sarah Manchester Catharine Peckham Isabella Frazier Anne Coggeshall Joseph Peck Sarah Pearce Susan Sherman Phebe Reynolds and others.
Citizens forward a petition to the President urging release of John Henry Felix son of Henry Felix, once in this town, held in Havana for alleged involvement on a baracoa bound vessel with munitions. Felix, a former local resident, is said to be health motivated and loyal, and the petition seeks swift presidential action.
The week has been unusually mild for the season with conditions appearing more like spring than winter. Travel reports note horrid conditions for travelers and roads.
English immigrant John Murphy and his wife faced hardship after he lost work. Murphy died from a throat wound after his wife sought aid, while their five children reportedly suffered from starvation during the period of distress and inquest proceedings unfolded Saturday.
Ten Days Later from Europe reports the steamship Agia arriving at Halifax from Liverpool on the morning of the 26th. The Indus brings Constantinople dates the 10th. Russian and French naval actions near a Quarantine Fort are described with bombardments, sorties, and renewed fighting as both sides reinforce earth-works and batteries amid poor road conditions.
A House Committee on Commerce drafts a bill to prevent the shipment of paupers and criminals. It requires foreign passengers to present a certificate from the American consul showing no jail or workhouse in the previous year and no conviction in the prior four years, except political crimes. Violators face fines, imprisonment, and vessel forfeiture.
Arnison Munognen, recently convicted of murdering Mr and Mrs Allison in Cincinnati by an Infernal machine, lies pale and hopeful of escape. He is visited daily by a young lady said to be his fiancée. Also notes 326 revolutionary pensioners died last year and a new pension roll lists 1060 names.
The census lists 847,445 slaveholders in the United States with a few holding over a thousand each and many in lower brackets. It notes official import values for wine and spirits in 1853 at 5,199,000 dollars and 5,675,000 dollars in the last fiscal year, with a notable drop in brandy and port wine imports.
The report notes heavy rain felt across the area while mining news turns hopeful with a $200 gold nugget found on the east fork of the Carson river. Crook’s death sentence is commuted to ten years, and Los Angeles capitalists buy land to found a new city near San Pedro. Indignation grows in San Francisco over Dr. Hyde’s alderman election amid looms of riots.
In the XXXIII Congress a debate on Brodhead's bounty land grant for officers continues with amendments and no final result. The House advances a pension and land bill while the President vetoes the River and Harbor measure, urging states to fund improvements themselves. The Dutch barque Hendrike wrecks near Java, with all 40 aboard lost and many local families affected by the disaster.
A high official source in Havana reports the consul was denied permission to visit Mr. Felix in prison while Lacoste faces a likely death sentence from a military commission. The consul and others press for a treaty based, open trial rather than secret military proceedings. The government seeks better access and protection for Americans amid growing concern from traders and officials.
A caller from Lawrence reports settlers content and three newspapers planned there. One paper will advocate freeing the state from slavery. Governor Reeder is popular with anti slavery supporters and will oversee a census and registry to gauge opinion before the Territorial Legislature election.
Havana correspondent cites statements by a Freecisco Estrampes prisoner describing cruel treatment aboard a vessel. He says he was chained tight in the hold for six days from Baracoa to the city with scant food and no sleep, and forced to endure severe pain without a proper mattress.
The Journal reports a large house owned by Gs A Angell and occupied by Nathaniel S Hawkins in Smithfield burned on Saturday evening. A well filled barn and shed were destroyed. the incendiary fled the barn as flames spread. Insurance was $1900, loss about $5000 at Pawtucket Mutual. An attempt to fire remaining buildings occurred Monday night. the incendiary was shot at but escaped amid great neighborhood excitement.
A Worcester liquor dealer linked to D Day and Co of New York moved about 8000 dollars of liquor through a Providence trip. He found 1800 gallons valued at 2700 dollars missing after returning, suspecting the agent acted after termination of agency. Transcript, 30th ult.
A Herapath's Journal correspondent states Poulson’s Patent Pendulum T Lever will, in about a month, be shown to power a twenty five horsepower railway engine by two men seated. The device promises lighter engines, reduced boiler needs, and lower cost with wheels and frames repurposed for the new design.
At the request of the man convicted of killing Colonel Loring at the St. Nicholas hotel in New York, the court vacated the stay of proceedings. He will be moved to Sing Sing to serve his sentence, with a renewed push for a gubernatorial pardon.
The record shows a summary of railroad accidents with figures on deaths and injuries. It notes totals for killed and wounded across the United States, citing specific numbers and broken tallies for different incident counts.
The record shows 48 killed and 687 wounded across the nation from steam boat accidents. In 1853 the year logged three accidents caused 319 deaths and 168 injuries, a sharp and troubling rise.
Over the past year New York City reported 7869 births totaling 15115 with 178 Black individuals. Marriages reached 4723 while deaths numbered 28429 including 5634 men 5281 women 9379 boys and 8128 girls. Thomas Steere delivered a lecture at the Watt Institution praised by a large audience.
The Manchester American reports an infant son of Mr William se ulautd fir thaat was strangled in an unusual manner during the night. The other child in the bed pulled at a night dress and drew it tightly, causing the infant's death.
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