Miscellaneous Items from 1836

Miscellaneous Items from 1836

Accidental Shooting

Accident:  On Friday afternoon last, as one of the canal packet sloops from Philadelphia for New York was laying at anchor near south Amboy, the captian loaded his gun with slugs for the purpose of shooting ducks.  He cocked the gun, and after waiting some time without getting a chance to shoot he uncocked it and placed it in two boxes which were standing on the quarter deck.  He then laid down on the deck, together with a friend, who had accompanied him from Philadelphia, and one of the deck hands, with the muzzle of the gun pointed towards them.  After laying there for about fifteen mintues, the gun went off, and ten of the slugs pierced the cpatain's friend, seven entering his right thigh, and three penetrating his abdomen.  The captain was also shot through the right leg just below the knee, by which the artery was separated.  They were brought ashore to Joseph Kesties, at South Amboy, where medical assitance was procured.  We were unable to learn their names.--N.Y. Gazette  [Chenango Telegraph, June 22, 1836]

 

Lightning Strikes

 

We understand that on Saturday morning last, a man named Parks was struck down by lightning in Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], while standing in his door, and considerably burnt.  He recovered, and is doing well.

 

On the afternoon of the same day, the house of Mr. Daniel Cook, in the east part of this town [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], was also struck by lightning ,and the arm of Mrs. C. was slightly burnt by the fluid.  So we hear.  [Chenango Telegraph, June 22, 1836]

 

Slavery Debate in Congress

 

House of Representatives:  Monday, Feb. 8:  The House was engaged all day in debating the question touching the abolition of slavery, and, as the result, adopted the resolution offered by Mr. Pickney, of South Carolina, referring all the memorials, praying for the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia, to a select Committee with instructions to report that Congress ought not to interfere in any way with the subject of slavery in the District, as such interference would be "a violation of the public faith, unwise, impolitic, and dangerous to the Union."  [Chenango Telegraph, Feb. 17, 1836]

 

Bible Distribution

 

Rev. Richard Williams has been employed as Agent for the Chenango County Bible Society, to visit every family in the county, and supply, by sale or donation, every family destitute of a full copy of the Bible; and every child that can read it, under 16 years of age, who is destitute, with at least a New Testament--where there is a willingness to receive.  He is also to receive subscriptions and donations to the county Society, to enable them to sustain the heavy expense of this great and benevolent work.  The Agent has this day entered upon his arduous work, in this county, having for years been successfully engaged in it in other places.  [Chenango Telegraph, Feb. 3, 1836]