All article originally appeared in the Oshawa Vindicator
December 6, 1865, page 2
A Schooner Sunk at her Moorings
On Saturday last, the schooner “Atlantic,” of Port Hope, Howell & Treveth, owners, Walker, master, sunk at her moorings at the harbor. She was from Oswego, loaded with coal for the Hall Works and JO Guy. Coming to the wharf on Friday she cast a line, which was fastened, but owing to the roughness of the lake it broke. She then anchored. Upon trying again to get to the wharf, she fouled her anchor, and stove a hole in her bottom. The pumps were set to work, but they were unable to keep her afloat, and she sank during the night. On Monday, additional pumps were put in, and by pumping and unloading her she was again set afloat. During the day she was so much lightened, that she was enabled to set sail for Port Hope in the night. The insurance upon her had expired about twenty-two hours before she sank.
December 6, 1865, page 4
Barnum’s expressed design of exhibiting Tom Thumb in France, has called forth a good witticism from Ledru Rollin. “Tom Thumb should exhibit Barnum,” said he, “for the latter is the greater curiosity.”
Worlds Destroyed by Fire
The belief that this world is ultimately to be destroyed by fire is supported by the discovery that such a fate has befallen far larger planets than our town (sic). French astronomers assert that no fewer than fifteen hundred fixed stars have vanished from the firmament within the last three hundred years. Tycho Bruhe gives an interesting account of a brilliant star of the largest size, which, on account of its singular radiance, has become the special object of his daily observation for several months, during which the star became paler and paler until its final disappearance. Laplaco states that one of the vanished fixed stars of the northern hemisphere afforded indisputable evidence of having been consumed by fire. At first, the star was of a dazzling white, next of a glowing red, then a yellow lusture (sic), and finally, it became a pale ash color. The burning of the star lasted 16 months, when this visitor, to which, perhaps, a whole series of planets may have owed allegiance, finally took its departure and became invisible forever.
December 13, 1865, page 2
A Canadian lady crossed the river to Buffalo in bridal array, the other night, to be married, when the merciless revenue inspector confiscated her wedding outfit on suspicion that she was a smuggler.
Fire in Columbus – the building occupied by Mr. Thos. Gammel as a dwelling and weaver’s shop, was burned down on Monday morning. It took fire about three o’clock in the morning. The inmates were all asleep at the time; but Mr. Hill of the “Crown Inn,” who was up attending a sick child, discovered the fire and aroused the inmates. The building was entirely destroyed, as well as most of the furniture. The shed of the “Crown Inn” was pulled down to prevent the fire extending to that building. The furniture belonging to Mr. Hill was taken out, and considerable damaged by its hasty removal. The store of Mr. May was saved only by the strenuous exertions of the neighbors. No insurance upon any of the property.
December 20, 1865, page 2
Coloured men’s petition asking for suffrage in the District of Columbia is ready for submission to congress. It has over 7,000 signatures.
Between January 1 and June 28, 1865, no less than three hundred and sixty-one persons were conveyed to London hospitals to be treated for injuries received from dogs.
Municipal Elections
Notwithstanding that the first day of the New Year is generally supposed to be a public holiday, the law does not provide for the postponement of the Municipal Election, when the first Monday of January falls, as it does this year, upon the first day of the year. – The Village Clerk has therefore issued the annual proclamation requiring the presence of the electors at Town Hall upon the usual days to elect fir and proper persons to represent them in Council for the year 1866. Who these fit and proper persons are to be even rumor has not decided. The Council for the past year has really consisted of only four, for the fifth, Mr. Hepburn, has not for some time been a resident of the village. The Reeve has also signified his intention of leaving Oshawa also, and therefore will not be a candidate for re-election. The other members when they spoke of the subject at all, have expressed the desire not to be put in nomination. No other persons; names has yet been publicly mentioned in connection with office. This however is nothing unusual. We should be obliged to go back in our village history several years before we should find an election that occupied attention for more than a week previous to its taking place. Hitherto we have not wanted men to accept office not have we obliged to inflict a penalty upon any for refusing to perform the duties of an office to which he may have been elected. The upcoming first of January will in like manner bring the compliment of benevolent men who will be willing to suffer public office to be thrust upon them for the public good.
S of T Social – the Oshawa Division intent holding a social on Monday, Christmas evening. It is to be confined to the members of the organization, and friends invited by members of the Division. A committee has been appointed to prepare a programme for the evening’s entertainment.
December 27, 1865, page 2
The police found in the pockets of a man who lay dead drunk in the streets of New York $7474.
Christmas
The hopes of those who contemplated sleigh riding would form a great source of enjoyment on Christmas day were doomed to disappointment. The snow that fell on Friday caused the bells to ring out merrily on Saturday, and the overcast sky encouraged the hopeful to expect another fall, but the heat of Sunday was too much for that already on the ground. Skating was left as the only recourse. Throughout the day the rink was well patronized by skaters and lookers-on. A large number performed the regular duties of the day, although divine service was held in their respective churches. In the evening the Sons’ Hall was thronged by the members and their invited friends. Poetry written for the occasion was read; Christmas Anthems were rendered, and with these were mingled addresses, readings, recitations and music. At about ten o’clock, the social broke up, and as they wended their way home, several were passed, who, by their positions on the walk or the wayward steps gave evidence that they has not spent the evening soberly. Now and then the sound of brawling was beard, and once or twice drunken men came to blows. These gave evidence on the morrow, that their pains has dearly purchased their “Merrie Christmas.”
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