AMERICAN NEWS.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 278, 3 July 1874, Page 3

AMERICAN NEWS.

From our Dunedin files we extract the 'following items. The details of the partial destruction of three -villages in Massachussets, by the bursting of reservoirs, are of an appalling character. "The reservoirs were in the mountains storing water for mill purposes in the villages below. The water broke away the dams, and the torrents rushed down on the - sweeping away everything -in''its course. One hundred and eighty persons drowned. The damage to property is estimated at one million dollars. Four hundred families are homeless. Adding to the confusion and distress, as soon as the catastrophe was known, robbers and roughs from the neighboring towns poured in, eager for plunder.

The steamship Sivatoro, carrying scientists for the observation of the transit of Venus, was ready to leave New York. She will land parties at Crozet and Desolation Islands. Elaborate instruments, and 18 months' provisions, are on board. The Mayor of New Orleans telegraphs for further aid towards the sufferers by the great Louisiana inundation. He says 45,000 rations are distributed daily. Contributions amounting to a million dollars will be required, to prevent the horrors of amine and great "loss of life.' ' ;

The fall of a building in Buffalo killed eight persons. ; , Four ruffians fought their way out of the Indian State Prison, with revolvers and bowie knives, killing the turnkey. American steamer Manchu wrecked' by a gale in the Japan seas; 47 persons drowned, chiefly Chinamen. A man and his wife and an old woman arid her son were burned in Mexico for sorcery by Signor Castello, alcalde of Jacomino. They were tested by compelling them to swallow holy water. . A strike of stage drivers at New York caused the disappearance of the vehicle s from the streets, .< Over 40: leading business premises in Independence, Ohio, were burned; loss, 500,000d015.

- A. great - iceberg, near Quebec, damaged and wrecked a large number of steamers, and . other vessels.. .. Estimated damage, 1,500,000d015. . ,m > The New. York police are making raids on the gamblers.: Seventy have been arrested. v -

The police of San Juan, Porto Rico, are arresting the Freemasons "on the ground that they; favor separation of the colonies from Spain. , Intelligence from Japan states that the chief of the. rebels and 10 leaders have been caught and executed. , ; l

More brutal murders have occurred at San Francisco.

One hundred Catholic pilgrims left New York for Rome.

Havana intelligence states that:a courtmartial is sittingj and condemning a large number of people to death or imprisonment for treason.' " ' A. Bill has been introduced into Congress, empowering the purchase of 10.000 acres at Pango Pango, Samoa, as a naval station for the United States, without assuming the political control of the lands so acquired, which should continue under the native sovereignty; - subject to conditions necessary to secure the right of the United States. The Bill 'has been referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, which, is now considering Colonel Steinburg's report in favor of the annexation of the Navigator Group. It is understood' that annexation is opposed by the committee, which favors the purchase of any lands required.

: Thousands of Mormons are joining Brigham Young's "Order of Enoch," which requires every member to give all ttie .Church.,..