13 Dec 1879
Page 1
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Newspaper
Wilmington Daily Gazette
Location
Wilmington, Delaware, United States of America
Date
Dec 13, 1879
Page
1
The item reports on river pollution with dredgers dumping waste into the Delaware River and local officials considering legal action to stop the practice. It notes public concern, political debate, and calls for enforcement as ships and laborers face the controversy.
Special despatch details the railroad damages case in New Castine as witnesses describe Townsend and McCoy drinking champagne at a saloon before a crossing accident. Testimony covers watchman duties, crossing safety, plank roads, and the sequence of events leading to the collision amid a delay in jury trials.
The National Dredging Company of Washington and New York is expanding work on the Delaware river channel at Cherry Island flats. It buys a 20 acre South Wilmington tract for earth deposition, builds a river bank, and lays a 125 foot rail trestle with a small dump car to spread mud onto the lot. A 500 foot wharf is under construction to serve dredges and tugs, with deepening to allow vessel side loading. The project looms as a potential river depot and boosts local riverfront value. Also noted, Smyth Post No. 1 G A R held a meeting, voted to contest a silk flag, reduced initiation fees, and enrolled new members.
Philadelphia readies a grand reception for General Kan with a parade expected to be the largest. Some estimate sixty thousand participants including American Rifles DuPont Guards Lincoln Republican Club Thomas A Smyth Post G A K and others. Local trains may carry groups free with a twenty five cent fare reduction along the round trip and a Monday meeting to finalize plans.
The Big Four Minstrels quartet Smith Waldron Morton Martin brought lively burnt cork comedy to the Opera House crowd. A full house in standing room proves minstrel appeal remains strong as the quartet delivered songs dances and sketches.
Davis notices offer Christman presents for subscribers to New York or Philadelphia papers up to the 21st inst and an illustrated almanac. Hawkins' cigar store advertises Sunday papers and a delivery service. a ticket thief stole numerous tickets from Glen Olden station, dropping them near Eddystone. Detective Taggart recovered the tickets.
The December Department of Agriculture special crop report lists Delaware yields per acre: corn 27 bushels, wheat 13, rye 17, oats 22, potatoes 88, sweet potatoes 85, and hay 1.08 tons.
The Urandywine race coffer dam breach near the city mill caused heavy yet recoverable losses. Pennypacker mills lost 400 bushels of wheat. the wharf was damaged and a sloop with 2700 bushels of corn awaits Bohemia River transport. City engineer MelIntire predicts repairs by Monday evening, with total damage under 1000 dollars. A commission will assess damages. Col. MelIntire notes water shutoff to the race will be temporary.
Washington reports note the President stands by his policy in his message and clarified misperceptions after an interview. a letter to a friend also outlines his currency views. Delaware measures seek harbor obstructions removal and river navigation improvements plus Broad Creek upgrades. National Republican Committee to meet to fill Chandler vacancy and schedule the nominating convention. Indiana GOP managers consider Blaine support if Grant stays out. National Board of Trade urges federal inter state rail commerce legislation and a cabinet headed department of commerce. it calls for uniform contracts, fair rates, anti extortion rules, and seeks to press Britain on light dues.
Yesterday afternoon at the Arlington cotton mills in Ninth Ward John L. Wiley suffered a severe accident while using an adze. His foot slipped and hit the adze, nearly severing a tendon. Dr. Kane treated the wound and Wiley was sent home at 913 Shiple Street. he will be unable to walk for some time.
The Republican State Executive Committee met in Dover and appointed Gen. A T A Torbert to replace the late S M Harrington on the National Executive Committee. The national body plans a meeting in Washington soon.
The Liberal League schedules a public meeting at its rooms 214 King Street tomorrow at 10:30. Speakers will present ten minute talks on promiscuous questions, with free seating for attendees. A note mentions a young man who overdosed on Dr Bull's Baltimore Pills and advises following directions next time.
A fire last evening at Pusey’s cotton mill on Thirteenth and Walnut streets damaged the glazing room and wadding process. Heat from steam pipes and a gas burner ignited wadding, with flames sweeping the long one story structure to smoke and char. The fire department extinguished it quickly. insurance covers the loss pending machinery damage assessment. Separately, the Christiana stove obstruction work paused for the season with potential continuation if Congress funds resume. An amateur minstrel show at Moral Mission Reform Hall on Th ird and King streets aims to raise funds for the association.
A stout hoisting crane in the P. W. & R R freight yard at Fourth and Pine streets broke apart during a lift of a seven to ton boiler. The arm and suspended boiler toppled to the ground but workers at the rope stood at a safe distance. one rivet on the boiler suffered a dent while the crane post split due to rot and water logging. Officials plan a new crane and siding to handle heavy freights more safely.
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