Nebraska Newspapers

    THE OMAHA DAILY BEE : SUNDAY , SEPTEMBER 12. 1SS6.-TWELYE PAGES. 0
THE CAUSE OF EARTHQUAKES
Edenrfo Disturbances Bad Violent Etonns
Dne to the Position of tlic Planets
THE CHARLESTON DISASTER.
Ancient nnd Modern Unlit-avals Klec-
ti-leal Cloud * nnd Oilier t'lic-
noincna Bllillcnl and
Scientific Cltntloti" .
{ Written for lltt fhnaliit Swnrfaw Bic ]
To make a scientific article understood
It Is bc-st - to discard scientific term"
"When It cannot be done , explain them.
Hence if we say Venus is in perihelion ,
we. mean it is near the sun ; if in aphe
lion , far from the sun. If t'ic moon is in
peripoo , it is near the earth , if in apogee ,
fur from the earth. If n planet is in con
junction , it is near another as viewed
from the earth ; if fn opposition , the
oarlti is between it and the sun. An in
ferior planet is one inside of the orbit of
the earth , and If it is in superior con
junction , It is lK'3'ond and near the sun ,
, If it is In inferior conjunction it is near
the earth nnd the sun , inside of the orbit
of the earth.
When God said : "Where xvast thou
when lt laid the foundations of the
'
earth ? ' * ' * * * "When the morning
stars " * * * the -
sang together , patriarch
triarch could not answer.
Or , as it reads in Genesis "In the bo-
gituiiilg God created the heaven and the
earth. " Like the patriarch , scientific
men have stumbled , and no intelligent
interpretation has ever been given.
, Or when the Deity , referring to a later
period of the earth's existence cor
responding to the second verse of Gene-
Bis , asked Job : "Or who shut up the sea
with doors when it brake forth , as if it
had Issued out of the-wombv" "When I
made the cloud the garment thereof , and
thick darkness a swaddling baud for it , "
he was still unable to reply.
Or again , as Genesis reads in the New
Revision ; "And the earth was waste and
void , and darkness -was upon the face of
the deep and the Spirit of God moved
upon the face of the waters. " Eminent
divines have assured us the scriptures do
not teach science , yet they teem with it ,
and scientific men have confused us by
declaring this period covered ages of un
told years. Huxley has said 110 one be
lieves a cataclysm ( deluge ) destroj'ed all
existence on the earth , although this pas
sage of scripture and marine fossils on
the mountains flatly contradict lain.
An interpretation of Job and Genesis
according to the principles of common
sense will bring light out of darkness ,
and make these vague passages clear.
The phrase "The morning stars sang to
gether" expresses nothing. It is poetic.
Milton , also poetic In writing , "The
planets in their station listening stood , "
to pressed a natural fact , but did not
grasp the full meaning of the sacred
writer. If we interpret the passage as
* HlMien the moving stars stood together , "
we are fitje to face witfi a natural law
the heavenly bodies , or a number of
tOem 'in conjunction , and they through
their magnetic influence acting upon the
( forth , forcing it into an orbit of its own ,
just as comets , supposubly of a different
su'Uslanee , and movements are held in
closed orbits by the gieat planets of the
solar systenl.
'Whether the earth was a "nebula , " P.S"
claimed by Laplace , or a "meteoric ag-
progatlonj'as affirmed by Proctor , cun-
nof be Ticcurulely determined , but the
inference is , it is composed of both , the
meteor dust in past ages , us well as now ,
mingling -with the _ gases until the crust
wiis formed , separating the gases inside
from 'those outside ol the crust ( those
outside gradually becoming clear ) , until
the atmospere and the land were formed ,
while the rotary motion of the earth
made it u hollow sphere , flattened at the
poles. Such belli" ; the cose , the atmos
phere , the land and water , and the inter
nal puses of the earth , necessarily abound
in the same materials , all subject io the
natural law of gravitation , or m&gnetio
attraction of the heavenly bodies. If
then , In obedience to this divine law , the
heavenly bodies forced the earth into its
orbit ( it must have been lighter then than
now ) , as It became cooler and heavier , we
must believe they still exert their influ
ence upon us , whether under the guise of
the sun or a planet , as in the case of the
tides of the ocean.
Conceding this , we are able to see that
at sundry times this has been disastrous
to the earth , hence the Almighty's ques
tions to Job , to which ho did not reply
the original creation of the earth , and
the subsequent cataclysm wherein earthly
life was destroyed prior to the advent of
man. By putting the passages together ,
as we understand them , the whole thing
becomes an easily comprehended demon
stration , thus :
"Where wast tliou when I laid the
foundations of the curt lit"
"When the moving stars stood to
gether. "
"In the beginning God created the
heaven ( the atmosphere ) and the earth. "
Now come lo the later period , when
the attractive power of the heavenly
bodies , the sun and moon especially ,
upon the earth was weakened , so the
waters of the sea could have receded 1
from the equator and covered the land ,
then substitute tiie word "wind" for
"spirit" ( tiie Hebrew word means both ) ,
and see how the passages read :
"Who shut up the sea witli doors when
it brake forth , us if it had issued out of
the wombJ"
* 'When I niado the cloud the garment
thereof , and thick darkness u waddling
band for it , "
"And the earth was desolate and unin
habited , and durknc&s was upon the face
of the drep , and the wind of God moved 1
upon the face of the waters.1'
Doesn't this show two things a cata
clysm , destroying all existence on the
eaith , and , subsequently , a great tcmpes-t
that drove away the cloud hanging like a
pall over the seas one evidently caused I
by the Joss of the attractive power of the
sun and the moon upon the waters , prob
ably resulting from all the planete being
on the opposite side of the sun. and the
other , the restoration of their attractive
power , by which the lempest arose , dis
persed the cloud and let the sun and moon
dra . up tiie waters and hold them at the
equator- The firmament was also cre
ated , or restored , by which the atmos
phere uusorbcd its particles of water ,
giving the blue skies above us and the
daUight , lii this connection is another
common'error the creation of light. It
is generally undersU o I Uiut when God
Kind , "Let there be light , and there was
light , " that Genesis reter to the creation
of unhcrsal light , but light is not uni
versal ; if it was , there would be 110
shadow or darkness. Such is not the
reading ofho text. It says God called
the-.light ; day , and the darkness , night ,
Showing that after the dispersion of the
cloud and the creation of tiio firmament ,
the diurnal motion of the earth from that
period to the present has given na dav
aud night successively. Genesis cannot
possibly rtifer to the creation of universal
I'tgliU Here we have the demonstration
ot one natural law still existing. It will
be noticed it was the fourth da > after the
pruit tempest that tbo lights of the sun ,
mopn ; , ami .the stunt were all visiblti iu
the sky Turn to any work on astronomy
uud you % viU find the moon u invisible
two days before it passes the sun. and
reuiauk so until tne second day after it
becomes * ntw moon" If on ran get
the weather records , or calculate buck
tiny given number of years , jou will find
Mime of the worst known storms in his
tory were , those occurring about the time
ol the new moon or two days before
This was unlit-fable last winter , on De
i-cm ! cr 4 and January 8 aud 4 , 01 or the
northwest.
Consequently this great tempest must
have been principally caused 03 the t ns-
si-geof the moon between the earth aud
the sun , aided doubtless bv Uie magnetic
attraction of the other heavenly Indies ,
they not being altogether in the some
positions since. If the lender has any
doubts of this , lot him study the com
bined attraction of the sun and the moon
upon the tides , and ho will hn.\v another
demonstration of a natural law existing
then and now As to the sun drawing
the water into tinair. . suflice it to say , if
lie can < Sraw upwards of 40.000 cubical
mill1 * yf \ \ atur into the atmosphere in one
3 car , whj should ho take a million 3 ears
or iigts to do it The posit on is non
senmcal , yet this is what some scientists
ask us to Inlieve.
Rom "tho beginning" the earth has
boon subject to the magnetic attraction
oi the heayrnly bodies ( I use magnetic
and electric as ) one ) , and the unnerse
itself is electric or magnetic , ono part
acting on the other. So closely idontiliKl
with each other : ire the heavenly bodies ,
what affects one must atlect the other ,
hence we have the universe full of life. ,
tlectricii3" , and all in motion. Now it
the e bodies arc so connected , as wo
know they arc , by the discovery of Nep
tune , by Adams and Levrrier , as to dis
turb each other , it follows they must
disturb not only the solids , but the fluids.
On the earth we have the laud as a solid ,
aud the atmosphere as a fluid. As to tiie
atmosjihore , being the lightest , it is first
affected , und heat , cold , hail , rain , snow ,
the tornado , the cyclone , and the hurri
cane follow. If the disturbance is violent
lent or strong , the crust of the earth is
affected , and w'e have the eaithquake ,
and , frequently-w'ith the storm , the hur
ricane aud the earthquake combined.
Knowing these things to bo true , und
acknowledging the magnetic attraction
of the heavenly bodies , A\ hen two or more
are moving in their orbits around the
sun , If i\ third comes iu between , it fol
lows eueb will be disturbed or shocked ,
more or less.
An illustration of this is in the fact of
two telegraph operators sitting close to
gether and working the "circuit. " Lot
some one -connect an extra battery of
great power to the wire. Will the opera
tors be disturbed V If not , why do they
object to sending messages during a
thunderstormv Because they know the
danger from the lightning. This is what
is happening in our solur s3-stem ever3-
month. As the earth and the planets re
volve around the sun , the moon revolves
around the earth , constantly disturbing
the magnetic currents between the earth
and other members of the solar S3'slem ,
and also disturbing the atmosphere and
the tides. In this we see n beautiful law
of the Creator , causing constant move
incut in the atmosphere and the ocean , tc
keep them pure , to preserve our lives and
contribute to the huppiuess of tiie human
race. But the moon is not alone in the
work all the planets contribute to this
result.
\Vhen we know that all these phe
nomena , dreadful us the3' arc , are but the
instruments to cleanse the air and sea
from plague , pestilence and famine , wt
will devote more time to 6tud3" , and , il
possible , prepare for aud avoid such as
can bo avoided , or ut least avoid the rum
that ensues. To do this we must study
the celestial phenomena , and watch tut
corresponding effects on the earth
whether locator general. Then by com
biuiiig them as taught by astionomy in
connection with those ot meteorolop3 .
we have the old neglected , but beautilul ,
science of astro-meteorolog3 * . possessed
by the _ ancients in a remarkable degree
revealing the beneficence of the Creator
in his love for us und all mankind.
To sl.ow that the solur system is mag
netie , let me say , recent announcements
of the discoveries of the spectrum de
dare the zodiacal lights , u comet's tail
and the aurora borealis are all electric
As to the magnetism of the latter , wt
have Currington's discovery of the sun
giving magnetism to the earth. He saw
a bright spot on the sun , at the sumo in
stant the magnetic noodle at Kcw was
violently afl'ectod , and that night the
heavens were blazing in the beauty of the
aurora borealis. Atter describing some
of the features of this phenomena. Pro
fessor Proctor says : -'Telegraphic com
munication was interrupted , und , iu some
cases , telegraphic offices were sot on fire ,
aud the whole frame of the earth seemed
to thrill responsivel3' to the disturbance
which had -affected the great central
luminary of the solar s3-stcm. "
"The reader sees that there is a bond of
sympathy between our earth and the
suuj that no disturbance can Rfl'ect the
solar" photosphere without affecting our
earth to a creator or loss degree. [ ljroctor
knows that Jupiter affects the solar photosphere
tosphere- then why shouldn't he afl'ect
our atmosphere , if he can disturb so
large a body us the sun * ] But if our
earth , then also the other planets. Mer
cury and Venus , so much nearer the sun
than we are , surely respond even more
twiftl3' and more distinctly to the solar
magnetic influence. "But beyond our
earth , and beyond the orbit of moonlcn-s ( ? )
Mars ( it has two moons ) , the magnetic
iinpulses.epeed with the velocity ol light
( the velocity is much greater than that of
light ) . The vast globe of Jupiter is
thrilled from pole to pole as the magnetic
wave rolls in upon it ; then Saturn fools
the shock , and then the vast distances
beyond -which lie Uranus and Neptune
arc swept by the ever-lessening , 3-01 ever-
widening , disturbance wave.1'
Apparently corroborating the passage
in Job about the creation of the earth
and the "morning stars , " he continues :
"Meteoric and camelic systems have
been visited by the great magnetic wave ,
and upon the dispersed members of the
one and the subtle structure of the other
effects even more important huvc been
produced than tlio.se striking phenomena
which chuiactenze the progress ol the
terrestiui or planetary magnetic storms.
When we remember that what is true of
a relatively greater solar disturbance ,
is true also ( however d-ilU-cent in degree )
of the magnetic iuti nonces which the eiin
is at cver3 * instant exerting , we see that a
nowJ ( ) and most important bond of union
exists between the members of tiie soliu-
famil3' . "
In speaking of the ancients he says :
"That the partial destructions of the
earth , whether by flood or lire ( as thc3'
believed ) , wore associated with the move-
ments of the heavenly bodies , is evident
from the fact that wherever wo meet with
these idcr.K whether in '
, Egyptian , Ass3'r-
mn , Indian or Ciiinese records , diiect
leference IE afwa3-s mudo to the conjunc
tion of the planets , the position of the
nun and moon , and occasionally to the
apparition of comets and the fall of
meteoric bodies. "
And of the rrcat Chinese flood he K&ye-
"Tho flood began at equinox. The skies
rained meteoric showers of iron of extra
ordinary duration. Some , portions of the
couuto' remained under water several
3 ears , until B. C. 2231. jivheu canals or
dered to bo cut b3' the Emperor Fa Yu
couveyod to the Eea immense bodies of
water. " * * *
With the weight of this eminent au-
tliority let us turn to the celestial phe
nomena and their tcrrcstiu.5 results pre
vailing iu August.
Daring- the month the earth passed
through the meturio ueltfi , aud we of the
west observed the thickenedhazy atmos
phere , and the blood-red appearance of
the setting sun , always prevalent at this
season of the jew
On the ISUi , Mercnry was in inferior
conjunction with the sun. We remember
that blazing Sundaj' , followed 113- the
"cold wave'1 from the north , witli storms
in Dakota , Wisconsin , Illinois , Minnesota
and. else where , with an earthquake in the
Island of Malta.
On the 7th , the moon wo ? in conjunc
tion with Mori-art and Venus The same
day tticro were carttMjn ki' ! in South Car-
olina. Greece. L'gtpt and Italv , with the
loss of HOO lives In Greece ,
On the 2.Mh , the moon was ill perigee ,
and in conjunction with the s\m ( new ) .
It was cloudy nnd IIHZJat Omnha , with a
severe thunderstorm at Chicago , the
lightning exploding the Lafliu < Hand
powder mngar.inc.
On the 81st , the moon was in conjunc
tion with the great phmcts Jupiter aud
Uranus. Saturn , Venus , Neptune , Mars ,
Jupiter and Mercury were on lines with
the sun , while the now moon , the earth
and Jupiter were also iu a line. This
denoted u highiy electric condition of the
solar system , apparentlycentenngch oily
in the sun. On that date there wore
frosts in lowu and Minnesota , ruin at
Omaha at 10 p m , and about the same
hour , earthquakes at Charleston , S C. ,
and east of the Mississippi , aKo at bmjrna
and in Europe btill , one scientific gen
tleman thought the earthquake at
Charleston was a local affair , caused by a
land-slide that is , the sea undermining
the land and letting it sink lo a lower
level , which seems to have been the
trouble with ban Francisco on dhers
occasions.
On September 1 , the earthquakes
continued in the. unfortunate city ,
and. as will be seen by the ephcmens
( positions ) of the stars , the sun ga\o
signs of electric excitement. The cuii'-e
it the earthquake is found in the fact
hat on that day a magnetic storm pro-
ailed in all of the eastern states , show-
up it to be celestial , and not terrestiul ,
nlluences that wrought the disturbance ,
and 11103- were magnetic. J'hese oondi-
lens are passing , 11 ihey have not al
ready parsed away , aud it will take
uillions of dollars to restore the cit3' of
Charleston to its foimer beauty.
"
Back in IbSit earthquakes" nu
merous , but want of space forbids their
mention. Two of the most notable were
u July nnd August.
July 29 the moon was iu conjunction
with Saturn and Mars , with Mercur3' in
superior conjunction with flic sun. On
the night ol the .Jbtli the island ol Iseiiia
w as visited by a severe earthquake , fol-
owed b3" a storm on the succeeding day.
) n the iith it rained alf day aud night at
Omaha.
Aupust 25 and 20 , Krakutoa was de-
troyed by the great earthquake. On the
J5th the moon was again m conjunction
with baturii. On the same day it was
cloud3 ut Oinuhs1. .
October lit , the moon was once more in
conjunction with butura , and Jupiter
with M.irs lee formed one-fourth oi an
inch thick at Omaha. A northeast pale
| iievailed on the lubes at midmpht
Dl the I'.Hh and 20th , witli the wind blow
ing at the rate of fifty miles an hour. The
Atlantic wa swept 03 a g.ile. Four feet
ol snow lell in Colorado. There was an
earthquake at Bermuda , and one ut Gib-
rultur about midnight of the litth und
at2 a. m of the 20th.
But why enumerate when the records
show the intimate counectiou between
celestial and tenestial phenomena"
Those prevailing at the earthquake at
Lisbon show au equally exciting condi
tion of the solar system. Sneaking of
this earthquake a writer si3-s : "A sound
of thunder was heard underground , and
immediately a vioVut shock throw down
the greater part ot the city. In six min
utes 00,0(10 ( persons perished. ' ' They hud
collected Jor safety upon u new murole
quajIt sank sudden - into the sua , and
not one ol the dead bodies c\fsr floated to
the surface. A whirlpool was formed ,
and great numbers of small boats and
vessels were swallowed up and nevir
found. The wuter is now GOO feet deep.
The earthquake extended from the Baltic
sea to the West Indies , und from Canada
to Algiers. The earth opened and swal
lowed u village of 10,000 inhabitants on
the same da3' .
But while we are looking upon these
monsters of the earth , let us'see what was
done iu the air by another brunch of this
meteorological family electric clouds.
lr Dick says : ' -In the year 1772 ,
bright cloud was observed ut midnight to
cover a aiountain in the island of Java ,
which emitted flames of lire so luminous
that the night became us clour as day. It
destroyed everything for twent3' miies
arotuid. buildings were demolished , plan
tations buried in the earth , ir > ,000 cuttle , a
vust number of horses and other animals ,
and aoovi 2,000 human beings. "
Of another he sa3'S : "On the 2lth ! of
October , 1737 , in the island of Malta , a
little after midnight , a great bluck cloud
appeared , which changed its color us it
uppiouched the city until it becume like a
flame of fire , mixed with black smoke ,
and a dreadful noise was hoard on its
approach , it tore un English ship to
pieces , uud earned the musts , sails and
cordage to a grcat distance. Small boats
in its course were broken to piocts urn !
sunk. Iu passing through the city it laid
in ruins everything that laid in its way ,
houses were leveled with the ground , the
roofs of churches were demolished ; noi
one steeple was left iu its passage , anc
the bells , together with the spires , wort
carried to a distance. " Nearl3'200 pcoplt
lost their lives. " This must have been a
tornado , and its electric features are a
once apparent.
You ask why these phenomena are so
frequent near the torrid zouoy Becaust
the heat is greater , aud possibl3' the crust
of the earth may be thinner near tht
edges of the continents of Europe anc
America. None can doubt this as to tht
islands , because in such places earth
quakes are always more destructive. Is
the earth in danger from earthquakes1'
The earth is inflammable and explosive ,
enough to blow it to pieces. A little in
crease in the quantity of oxygen is fcufli
cient for the purpose. An electric shock
might disarrange the oxygen in tlit
atmosphere , and without increasing the
quuntit } ' . by sinking it to thcj > Urface o
the earth , eviirj thing would melt witli
heat. But we need not four for the
present. The earth is in the hands of the
Creator , and He has given us to under
stand that certain prophecies are to bo
fulfilled in the centuries to come before
the final catastrophe which is to wind up
the world and iu afl'uirs , Then future
gcueratjous may look "for grout earth
quakes in divers places , and famines and
pestilence , und fearful sights and great
signs from heaven , when the earth shall
remove out of her place ( orbit ) , and reel
to and fro like a drunkard , when it shall
be utterty broken down and clean dis
solved. " This indicates that th < ) earth
quake , caused by magnetic attraction ,
will explode the crust of the earth , when
the internal puses not loose will fire the
atmosphere and roll it away as a scroll ,
reducing the earth once more to a gaseous
mass , with its framework broken down
and clean dissolved , unfit for the habita
tion of a single regenerate human soul
a lit abode for Satan and his legions , who
are to bo cast therein forever.
forever.E.
E. F. TE T.
Got a Mis ,
Wall Street News : A Cleveland church
deacon w ho had a few thousand dollars
to spare was advised 03a friend to invest
it in oil. The deacon held off for a while ,
arguing that it was itying in the face of
the Lord to enter into speculation , but he
filially put up f 4,000 and in a few weeks
came out winner by over a thousand.
'Well , I guess you have chanjrod your
mind about speculation , " " remarked the
friend as he met him.
"Y-e-B , somewhat , " was the reply.
"I've kinder come to believe that tiie
Lord has got me and Dtntcon Bmith
mixed up , for Smith went into wheat aud
dropped fifteen hundred dolluij m a
tnmtfh "
nioiuu.
Dlumess , nausea , drnws'u ess and dis
tress after eating can be cured and pre
vented by taking Dr J. II. McLean's
Liver and Kidney Fillets.
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ,
Its ] Dvelopment and Improvement in Be
cent Tears.
A VISIT TO AN ENGINE HOUSE
s Quarters Foe tlie Firemen How
iin Alnrin l llc > spDnd > d to A
Piece
ofvurlc. .
r tht Oinnha Sunday Sic ]
There is no arm of the municipal ser
vice which , in recent years , has under
gone as much development and improve
ment as the fire th-parttuent. Commenc
ing with the bucket brigade and attaining
to the stciim engine , it has called the
lightning into requisition to locate the
destroying ; flames and" enable its almost
instantaneous attendance upon them.
Since the oldest settler located in this
vicinity , he has seen the. bucket brigade ,
tiie hand-engine , the volunteer iireman ,
file into the memory ol the past , while
their places hare-been filled by the steam
ers , the water system , nnd the paid men of
later days. The average citizen's knowl
edge of
THE ruiu MSTT.M
is confined to the faet that the ringing of
the fire-bell is supposed to designate a
locality where a lire is in progress , and
when , a moment later , a hook and ladder
or hose cart rushes by , the latter nre mak
ing all due haste to reach the endangered
neighborhood. Behind these , however ,
there is a great deal which is not always
grasped by the rurioas , and yet not
sought by others to whom it would be of
exceeding interest.
.Not many nights ago , the rain fell in
torrenu , and 1 was forced to take shel
ter In
Tiir LNGIXL. iiort-c
of No. 3 , on llarney street. It was well
advanced to nurd midnight. The men
had gone to bed. There was no life on
the ground lloor , of all who belonged to
the place save what appeared in the
horses , two of whom stood on either-side
of the cart a short distance from the
door. Each of these looked at me suspi
ciously , and yet appeared both pleased
and interested in the uninvited visit.
They stood upon a bed ol fresh , clean
ha3 , which deadened their occasional
stamping. At times their heads dropped
low , so low , in fact , as to destroy the be
lief that they could possibly be tiie steeds
winch at any monieut might be called to
fly through the stretts ot the sleeping
city. Between them stood the hose cart ,
bright in its red and gold , with its reso
nant gong attached beneath the dash-
bourdr Suspended from the ceiling in
front and on either side of the pole were
two sets of harness To the right of the
cart a flight of stuir $ led to the second
story , and near by a highly polished per
pendicular brass "pdle ' disappeared ma
spacious opening in the ceiling. Two
jets of gas burned bdhind the horses , dis
closing a second team , stalled a those
aoove referred to ; thfe long hook nnd lad
der with the harness of its horses hung like
that of the animals of the cart ; and
lurther along , near tie | rear door , a sn.all ,
substantially built wagon , also in red ,
beside which stood Solitary horse. The
last vehicle is the chief's wacon , and the
last mentioned norse the animal used to
convey him to every fire.
1 mounted the stairs to the second floor.
The room was daiker than that of the
floor below. It wail just as quiet also ,
save at intervals , Viipnthe deep breath
ing of some one told the tale ol the dor
mitory. Although 1 had \vaiked up with'
out noise , 1 was met At the landing by
1 "KIKO : , "
the guardian canine of the place. He
looked as if the safety of the institution
had been committed to him , and gazed at
me as if he expected , without asking , to
be informed of the object of my intru
sion. A few pats upon the head led him
to feel that perhaps I was a privileged
customer , and he immediately withdrew
to a corner in which , without rudely watch
ing his guest , he might yet be conscious
ol all niy movements.
In the dim light , I discovered about
fifteen beds , stretched beside the walls ,
some turned north and south , others east
and west , and others still obliquely to the
wall. It seemed as if each occupant had
u luncy ol his own to satisf v. At the foot
of each bed stood a crude looking bundle ,
which on closer inspection resolved itself
into a pair of boots , arounu the calf of
which a pair of pants had been placed.
Jsearly all the beds were occupied , and
e\ery occupant ueemed to sleep as
soundly us if he were a perfect embodi
ment ot the ideal ol th just. There was
u heartiness in their slumber which caused
mo to marvel how much effort would bo
required on their part to return from the
laud of dreams , because some of them ,
doubtless , were Jn that fairy realm. Here ,
1 fancied , was one who , perhaps , had just
rescued a deserted baby in u burning
building , and returned it to the agonized
mother ; a second , n j'oung man whose
thoughts had just commenced , perhaps ,
to dwell on love , was descending uladder
from a blazing structure , bearing in his
arms the limp form ol a senseless maiden ,
another was in the heat and the excite
ment ot the drive through the crowded
street , directing , in n serpentine track ,
through thronging vehicles , the galloping
horses , going like the wind , and the
cynosure of every eye and the admira
tion of every youth" . The thoughts of
some were doubtless upon less romantic
subjects , and these I did not attempt to
divine.
As 1 reached the end of the apartment ,
the rain outside commenced to fall with
redoubled violence. Against the low roof
every drop seemed to tall with a distinct
ness which an expert accountant might
have enumerated. At several places thereof
roof had worn out , and theolmentul fury
was visible in rtrearas of water upon the
floor. Some of theao led by a room on
the left in which the1 battery jaie ot the
lno-alarm telegraph tro stored , and
wound around the hole in the ceiling , be
fore mentioned , up through which came
the brass plo referred to. There were
two of these apertures and poles , one in
either end of the room.
I was about to return to the lower floor
when I looked at the dial. It was 1
o'clock. That instant , the horses below
seemed in unison Xq stamp the hoilow
floor , and the iioiud mingled with the
alarming and b&ding Bounds of the elec
tric gong beneath .and the heavy bell
above. The first stroke , nay , not even
the intimation of the-stroke , if such there
be when u sound is ihcard , had passed ,
when , in those fifteen ueds took place
AN ElirtmVE ITIIEAVAI. .
Fifteen dead jnen seemed suddenly
galvanized into life. Fifteen bed covers
went whomever they nho e , and fifteen
men , clad in underclothes rolled out of
bed , jumped into their waiting boots ,
drew up tlu-ir pantaloons and snapped
them at the waist. They were dressed
for the lire , hot a word was said. Some
ran to one pole , some-to another , and all ,
like the demon in -pantomime , disap
peared beneath The act was instanta
neous. The effect was almost bewildering -
ing , and instinctively 3 grasped the
neai est pole , and , following their exam
ple , descended to the floor. The men had
hitched the horses and were on their re
spective apparatus , -nud the latter had
started on a run to the fire. I saw at a
glance , by a comparison of the harness
us it had hung and asa't encased the ani
mals that but four " "
, "snaps" were required
to harness a horstvanfl that that could bo
done m a second. WUcn everj thing was
ready , the driver in his peat palled a cord ,
dropped the cross rope , oud the teams
rushed forth All of this was done by the
nu-r. trained to perfection and with the
assistance of electricity The current ,
which is turned on at the box from which
the alarm is sent- rings the pongs in every
engine house of thp oity , at the same time
looicns the fastenings of the horses ,
and startr them to their places
Where a horse is a little tricky , n M hip
attachment , worked bv the same agency ,
impels him forward The horses rush to
the pole , and when the men reacli them
the steeds are ready to be harnessed. The
same current opens the doors and a snap
catches them ai they spring open and
holds them while the apparatus runs out.
The rain was still fallmp , and n lion the
cnrt and hook and ladder nnd chief's
wagon rolled out in the storm , from the
tune of the alarm , fifteen seconds had not
elapsed. In that almost inappreciable
space of time , , fifteen men Itad been
aroused from sleep , dressed , traveled fifty
feet , harnessed four hordes , and with
open en's and faculties alert , were on
tneir way to do wort which required in
telligence , discretion and bravery.
Down came the rain , but it fell upon
men cased in rubber. 1 did not resist the
temptation to accompany them , and
though 1 had to scramble to pet upon the
vehicle they mounted with such dex
terity , 1 rode to the lire. Not a soul was
upon the streets The rain had driven
? vcn the loiterers within , and in some of
the streets of the western hills the gut-
ers , swollen with the down-pour , roared
ike mountain torrents. Now and then ,
u passing n house in which a light glim-
jnored through a window , a curtain would
be drawn and a slt cphead look forth , as
'f to see whether destruction threatened
Is owner's abode. No other pnpmp mortal
watched the dash of the apparatus through
the storm , of rimmorian darkness ,
momentarily dispelled by ominous flashes
of lightning. At length , after a ride of
about half a mile , a flaming cottage ,
ignited by the lightning , is reached ,
Horses and men are drenched , and as
the flames break through the roof of the
structure , the directed stream of the
hose anticipates the torrent * , of heaven
in their extinguishment. The lire is out.
A single tap of the bell announces UK-
fact , and the apparatus returns to the
house.
THHnC AKD MX COMPANIES
connected with the fire department of
this city , each of which would consider it
a reilection to be suspected of not being
able to do what has been above detailed.
It is the boast of every one of them that
they can , in response to an alarm , both at
night and during the day , be on the slree.t
belore the first signal has ceased striking
the numbers of the box. There is nobody
to denv the fact , because it is exemplified
a hundred times during the 5ear The
ambition to excel is strongly rooted in
the members , and may eventually result
in a contest which shall determine to
w Inch company the palm of excellence
belonsrs.
The"members of these companies arc
as follows : No. 1 , Twentieth and Izard ,
Lon Cassidy , captain ; M. Carter , driver ,
Deles Beard and James Connlly , pipe-
men. In about twenty days this com
pany will move into the new brick engine
house on Saunders street , near Cuunng.
No. 2 , Tenth street. Ted Grebe , cap
tain , Samuel Crowley , driver ; Patrick
Keenan and Al. Ripper , piperoen.
No. 3 , llarney and Thirteenth streets.
William Webb , captain ; Frank Gruus ,
driver , George M indlieini , John Wil
liams and John Simpson , pipemeu.
No. 4 , Eleventh and Dorcas. Joseph
Vanderfort , captain and driver ; W Red-
field , pipemau. The apparatus at tins
place consists of a one-horse cart.
JJo. 5 , Phil Sheridan avenue uearLeay-
enworth. George Coulter , captain , Wil
liam Ellis , driver. Morris Jurkleson ,
driver of hose cart , John Anderson ,
stoker. At this house is a steam fire-
orpine and hose cart , the engine being
needed because of themsuffieiency of the
water supplv in that part ot the city.
Hook and ladder Thomas Ruanc , cap
tain ; James O'Brien.-drivcr : John Stein-
art Henry Loges , J" . G. Ferris , James
Dclaney , laddermen.
The department has , as is generally
known , recently passed under the direc
tion of Chief Galligan. This gentleman
is probablv as well known as any man in
Omaha. There have been few fires in the
last eight years at which he has not been
present , though in but a subordinate po
sition. His recent connection with the
force dates from a period shortly anterior
to the memorable destruction of the
Grand Central hotel. The lamentable
fatality of that night will long remain in
the minds of Omahaus who resided here
at that time. It aroused not alone the
sympathy of the people , but caused them
to open their eyes to the necessity of re-
rgp.nizing the lire department , so that it
might eventually become u means of pro
tection to both life and property. As a
result of the agitation , Galligan was
placed at the head of the department
Later , a controversy arose , ana a change
in the head took place again. An inter
regnum lasting for several years fol
lowed , and again Galligan became con
nected with the department. As assistant
to ex-Uhief Butler , his work was both
thorough and oflcctivo. Now at the head
of the department , respected by his men
and capable of readily inspiring all of
them with the energy and daring of
which he himself is possessed , there is
little doubt but the magnificent work of
the department of late years will be
greatly [ mproved. In this connection it
is certainly not nmise to testify to the
esteem in which the department is held
by the people. As its apparatus rolls
along the streets with the velocity of the
wind , the average Omahan fails to resist
the temptation to stand impressed al
ways with admiration and frequently
with awe. At the fire , commendation of
the work is freely ex-pressed , and it is not
an unusual boast to be heard indulged
that "Omaha has the bust fire department
of its size in the country. " How well de
served so over may be this laudation , the
fact is that tiiis city has certainly had
sufficient reason to place its confidence in
its fire department. It is true that since
its reorganization the force has not been
called upon to do duty in a six-story
block , almost beyond the reach of water.
What it would do , or how suceosffully it
would combat the flumes in such an
event , may not be foretold. This much
may be said , however , the force would bo
on hand in lc s than three minutes after
the alarm , and its chief would direct his
support to the place of inception. Should
such un emergency occur , _ and the flames
pass buyout ! their control , it would in no
wi&o be different , except in favor of our
men , from similar occurrences , in Chicago
cage , for instance , where one office build
ing was completely destroyed , though
deluged -with the water of thirty engines ,
Mr. Galligan's assistant is Charli's
Baiter , who in also electrician of the dp.
1 111x1:111 : , His second assistant is J. J.
arnes.
Tiie wages per month of the different
grades arc as follows- Driver , $70 ; cap
tain , $75 ; socon-1 assistant chief , $1)0 ) ;
first assistant chief , $100 ; chief , $125.
The men are on duty nearly all the
time. Occasionally they are allowed a
few hours off , bat if a fire occurs during
that time they are expected to attend.
As a rule , they are light drinkers. They
are a hardy , healthy , good natured body
of men , as devoted to their business and
as proud of it as if it were distinction to
be engaged in it. Many of ilium are
tradesmen , and under liutler's manage
ment have built several of the engine
houses 11 ow in town. They are alt re
quired to sleep in the engine house * , and
are thus enabled to make the response to
alarms above described. The shigle ex
ception to tliis rulfl is the chitf. Ho
sleeps at home on Eleventh street , near
Hariiey. The alarm that arouses the
men also awakes him trom his slumbers
His cart is hitched by his driver , BluUo ,
and is driven to the chief's huusr , where
Mr. Gulligun is in waiting to be dnvt-n lo
tiie fire Ills horse and driver are ia > 1
tar features. Both suern to icalize U.c
urgency of the occasion , anil with the
one supplying the motive and the other
the guiding power , the surface of the
streets are glided OMT with an awesome
rapidity sometimes wonderful to con
template. N hen the chief readies the
scene of the fire well , tvervbodknows
tliC rest. U. A. O'BittEN
Parlx'Tnll loner.
London Times' correspondence , AuptM
08. Up till now the hope 1ms been enter
lamed that the idea of erecting a metal
tower ! > S4 feet high on the occasion of r
great International exhibition would have
been abandoned in a country w Inch tins
long eniojed a reputation for wit and
sense. It appears , however , that this ex
pectation must be abandoned , nnd that
this eccentric , preposterous and mean
ingless scheme , the most absurd that
could possibly enter the head of an
insane engineer , is really to be carried out
There \\ill be erected at the entrance
of the Champs dollars , as a monument of
human folly and bad tasle , a gigantic
tower not much less than 1,000 feet high ,
of metal , to be painted black , 1 suppose ,
unless red is chosen as the color , which
would be most in keeping with the taste
of the dominant demagogy. The tower is
to rest , or to appear to rest , on enormous
arctips 101 feet wide , under which will
pass the entrance to the interior of the
exhibition. What is the propiietv of
making a tower of Babel the portal to an
exhibition * 1 am quite sure that in the
apes to come there will be antiquaries
who will po inad in attempting to di -
eover the logical connection between an
ou-rgrown tower , the exhibition of the
industrial , commercial , and artistic pro
ducts of the globe , and the celebration of
a political anniversary. Up to the present
moment 1 have not met one intellipent
ind thoughtful Frenchman who has been
.bio to give me any justification of this
onception , and it is clear that no one
jut the engineer who formed the idea
an supply an explanation But lie is the
mly person from whom 1 should like to
nsk one A man who proposes to erect
an immense tower which will cost live
millions ol francs on the occasion ot un
-xhibitiou , however absurd the idea may
be , or may appear , will have , if bo acts
'loneslly , a thousand good reasons to pivc
n justification of his personal preference
lor this idea , and ho is the only one who
annot be blamed for it , however
stupid it may appear to those
who are not in possession of
his reasons for finding it good. But
this engineer expected , 1 positively know
of no one who does not feel humiliated
bv the fact that in France m the year
1&3 ! ) a proposal is made to invite the
whole world to come and see an ovhibi-
tion which is to have at its entrance this
monstrous display of bad taste , which
cannot be iustilied on any .scientific , ar
tistic or industrial ground. It cannot
even be considered as giving evidence of
the ability of French engineers , for there
"
is not a "country in the civilized world
whore a hundred engineers could not be
found capable of solving the easy prob-
"ems involved in the work.
The fac.t is that this tower is a piece of
downright stupidity. It will shock every
eye , intercept views , destroy the eflucts
of perspective , thrust its hopelessly
monotonous lines before every one who
tries to obtain some idea of the general
effect of the exhibition. It threatens to
bring ridicule upon the whole undertak
ing There is something very strange m
that kind of indifference which seems to
take hold of everybody in France when
they should sny what they think about
matters of public interest. 1 have
not met , 1 repeat , one man capable of
pronouncing an opinion on the subjest ,
and entiUoa to do so , who has not ad
mitted that he was violently opposed to
this stupid idea and 1 believe it would be
a disgrace to the exhibition. I have spo
ken on the subject to artists , engineers ,
architects and oldiers , to persons of all
classes , and not one have 1 met who has
approved the unhappy idea. With the
exception of a few journalists who belong
to the opposition , and who arc forthwith
accused of having a bias , nobody has
protested against this idiotic and ugly
tower , which will distress Pans and all
who visit it for months together.
A REBEL SPY.
A Southern AVoiuan Who Bi avert All
Dangers for Her Liover.
Boston Budget : Prominent among the
female spies who gave the federal gov
ernment a great deal of trouble was a
woman named Baxley. She crossed the
Potomac from Maryland in a skin" rowed
by negroes , and made her way to Richmond
mend with many valuable articles about
her person. Then she came from Richmond
mend to Fortress Monroe under a flap of
truce , and was not discovered to bo a
spy until the boat was about lauding her
passengers at Baltimore. Mrs. Baxley
appeared gay on the passage , and at
breakfast a Mr. Bingham asked her
jocosely whether she was a secessionist ,
to which she answeied * 'Yes. " The boat
having landnd , Mrs. Bax-ley was heard to
say that "she thanked God that she
had arrived home safe , " and , when
about stepping ashore , Mr. Bingham
requested her attendance in the ladies'
cabin. As soon as the room was reached
she took off her bonnet , between the lin
ing of which were found fifty letters
sewed in , when eho exclaimed that , hav
ing boeh found out , she found it best to
deliver over the "contrabands , " and be
allowed to go. Mr. Binpham ins-isted on
it that she hud others , when in her shoes
and stocking other letters were found.
The lady was thereupon guarded until
the marshal sent a lady to examine Mrs.
Baxley. Almost every possible place
about'her clothing was tilted with letters
to the sympathizers in Baltimore , but in
her corsets was found a document , when
taken by the lady examining , Mrs. B
ley. rushed at her , and , getting hold of
paper , tore it in two. The lady exam
iner rushed at Mrs. Baxley. at the same
time calling assistance Mr , Bingham ,
who stock outside while the operation
was going on , rushed into the saloon
and found Mrs Baxley horse dn com
bat , but vanquished , and the document ,
though torn , in the possession of the mar
shal's aid. The document was a commis
sion from Jeff Davis to a Dr. Septimus
Brown of Baltimore ; also directions for
him to run the federal blockade. The
other documents in the Keeping of this
female smuggler proved to be a treasona
ble correspondence. Dr. Brown was im
mediately taken prisoner and sent to
Fort Jtlollenrr. Mis. Bavley was taken
to a hotel. While locked in her room
she dropped a note out of her window
addressed to heir lover ( the rebel doctor )
imploring him for God's sake to fly , as
all was discovered. She was now quite
disheartened , and ntid slielmd braved all
dangers for the sake of her lover , and
when on the point of having accom
plished all her cherished desires the cup
of happiness was dashed from tier lips.
It seemed to be her darling desire to get
her lover into the rebel army. She had a
diary detailing the prices of various arti
cles of necessity at Richmond , and a
memorandum of her having kissed the
hand of President Davis.
A Negro "Waiter's Ult-e. .
Baltimore AmericanAn unusual oc
currence in the dejmitmonts here is the
steady and rapid rise ot a young colored
man who entered the secretary's office in
the interior department as a messenger
some years ago. and yesterday reached a
third-class clerkship at 1,200 per annum.
The young fellow , whoso name is William
H. Gaincs , was lopuerly a waiter and
porter in the nrrploy of James Wormley.
The latter tool ; u great interest in Guines
and through his influence with public
men succeeded in petting him a mcsson
gerslup in the interior department The
jonng fellow was zealous and studious ,
and applied himself to learn.ng tne vise
of the typewriter so thoroughly timt he
was made a copyist at ( f ! iu per jar. .
From 11 is last position lie has just been
promoted to a f 1'JL * clerkship.
AN ENGLISH CHARLEY ROSS
The Storj of Willie Allbright , TSTiovros
Ednapped from Sheffield.
SEVEN YEARS FROM HOME.
Traveling Around tlicV irld with n
Circa * , He IP Dlpcorctrdnt
Ccdnr Knjilds , Io\vn
An IntcrcM'nc Story.
There wa nothing now in the plot of
tinde persto villians who sought to ex
tort money from Mr Itoss by stealing his
fen Charley. Tlie kidnapping of chil-
clrcn for the sake of pain or rccngo has
boon practiced for hundreds of 3 ears.
There arc doubtless to-day in this coun
try n score or more of Charley Koss rases ,
but as the parents arc not rich nml promi
nent , and the search nldnd by U-girfativo
action and the united preis , they are sd-
ilom heard of by the great public
The case of Willie All bright , nn English -
lish lad , was full of strange adventures.
He lived nt Sheffield with his pat-outs'
until live years of ape His father was
employed in a gieat factory there , und-
his mother was a dressmaker for the
neighborhood. They lived in n cottugo
in the suburbs of the town , and at the ago
of four the boy was permitted to run'
about the neighborhood a Rood deal. At
five , when lie was kidnapped , he was
sent to the Mores to make purchaNCR- * :
and knew all the streets clear tov
the factory in which his lather ?
worked. Oue day in 1801 , about 2 o'clock )
in the afternoon , he was Pout to a store1
three blocks away after some buttons.- ]
Before he reached it a strange man ao- '
costed him and asked his name He then i
cave Willie some sweetmeats , and asked1
iiim to go and look at a Punch and Judy.
; how in the town , promising to letum-
n'itli him in a half hour. The boy cugoriy.
set off with him , nnd was taken to tuej |
railroad depot and placed on a train inj
chanre of a middle-aped woman , whol
cave him more sweetmeats , and was TcryJ
indly spoken. She said the show hadr
moved away and they were polnp after '
t , and the novelty of the child's position
iireveuted him from feeling anjanxiety. . - '
When the detectives came to take the
case up. as thej- did two days after the
oy's ciisapjearauee , they pot no clue
whatever. Althouph he had walked a
nile or two hand in hand with the ubduc-
or , along crowded streets , nobody re
membered seeing the pair. Tlicy had
gone openly to the railroad station , but
no one there had noticed them. The
puard on the tram diraty remembered a
woman and child in a compartment , but
could pive no description. As thoAll-
brights were poor and lowly no great stir
ivus created , and no preat effort was
aiade by the detectives to restore the boy
to his parents.
Tne boy was taken from Sheffield to
Liverpool , being so well treated on the
way that he had no thought of his home.
At Liverpool he was told Unit his name
was .John Manton , and that the woman
was his mother. When he disputed the
point he was soundly whipped. His hair
was cut close , his dress entirely changed ,
and a liquid was rubbed on his skin which
irnud it dark. Except when he asked to
o home , or denied that his name was
John Manton , he was kindly treated , and
after he had been beaten seven or eight
times , he accepted the new name , .and
leased to refer to his parents. Youtig as
ic was this was a stroke of policy o.\ his
; jart. He realized that lie had been stolen
from home , and he kept repeating tohim-
self that his true name was Willie All
bright , and that he lived at Sheffield.
After a couple of weeks lessons in
tumbling and tight-rope walking were
given to the boy. He was never per
mitted to go out alone or to com rse
with strangers , and it soon camoiiuttmTl
for him to cull the woman mother. In
the course of a couple of months the post
seemed a dream to him , and he would
have forgotten all about it had he not
kept repeating to himself. " 1 am not
Johnny Manton , but Willie Ailbright ,
and they stole me from Sheffield. " Ho
was in Liverpool six weeks before he
knew the name of the city. When lie
had been taught how to dance , sinjr.
tumble , and walk a tight rope a matter
of three months' time he was taken
around the country with a small show ,
which the woman owned in part. The
novelty of travel was PO agreeable that
he almost forgot his situation and was
for two or three years auitu content.
There was no one to teach him how to
read or write , but he was quick-witted ,
and could reason bsyond his
years. He had hopes that the ; show
would some day reach Sheffield , and he
would then slip out and run home , but
the people of course carefully avoided
the place. Once , when they "were show
ing at Doneaster , a few miles away ,
Willie observed a man , whose lace had u
familiar look , gazing at him in an earn
est manner , and presently heard him say
to a friend :
"The laddie keeps me thinking of the
child who-was stolen away irom neighbor
Ailbright , but of course it can't be the
one "
The boy was about to call out that his
name was Willie Ailbright , when the
woman , who always keut an caglo cvqon
him , came closer and intimidated him.
The show then hurriedly packed up and
Jeft the place. The boy now realised
more fully than ever that his right name
was Ailbright , and that he had been
stolen from home , but lie also felt his
helplessness , lie had been told that if
he ever tried to run away wild animals
would pursue and devour him , and ho
was in mortal terror of a bulldog which
followed the show He therefore humbly
obeyed all orders and made no move to
run away. Ho was about eight years old
when he changed masters , being
sold for n good round price
to u man who called himself 1'rofdbsor
i Williams. This man was a ventrilo
quist and juggler , and he took the boy
to Australia with him and gave hall per
formances for a year or so. They then
returned , and made the tour of Scotland
and Ireland , and sailed for America. All-
bright was about eleven yeai a old when
he landed in New York. The professor
took the name of La I'ierro , though he
was no Frenchman in look or speech.und
travelled for a year. One day , as they
were filling a date at Cedar Htiplds , Iowa ,
the b 3 was sent to the postollieo with
Jettors.und a curious tiling happened. Ouo
of the four boys who had witnessed tliu
performance the night previous made up
to him in a friendly waj % and asked his
name.
"Johnny Manton1 was the rrply
"Yes , but tint's your stage name.
What is the other" "
Willie Ailbright. "
"That's funny. A family named Al
bright live next door to us. They used
to live in England.1
bodid J.lp
"Mavbo yon arc related. I'm going to
tell them about you. "
Two hours later a man anil his tufa
called at the hotel and asked for the boy ,
and the mother had no sooner net eyes on
him than she hugged him to her heart
The father was Jonger making tip Ins
mind , but he soon cauic to fee i certain
tnat John Mauton v. JIB Willie Allbright
nnd the boy who had boon stolen from
him seven or eight years before The
parents had been in America throe rears ,
and had long before given up nil Dopes
of ever hearing from the child. The pi o-
fcssor made a great kick , as his bivad
and butter were as Uukc , but when hu
found the people determined to liate
justice doni he slipped aw 83 ui the in Lt
and waa heard of 1.0 more.