AMERICAN ITEMS.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 931, 24 February 1872, Page 3

AMERICAN ITEMS.

It is now said that northern lowa is underlaid by a vast coal mine. Kansas is waiting for the arrival of a colony of 5000 now on the way out there. Rat skins constitute the most general currency in Northern Minnesota. An Atlanta an eleven-year-old shot and killed a playfellow in a quarrel over a mud-pie. Col. B. J. Locket, residing near Atlanta, Ga., has this year in cotton 6500 acres, and in corn and small grains 3500, making in all 10,000 acres. At less than a bale to two acres, and at GOdols per bale, the cotton crop would amount to 3000 bales,

and value to 180,000dols. Col. Locket employe 360 hands—all blacks. The total population whieh ho provides for is about 1000 persons. His cotton crop is fair—his corn crop is excellent. The negroes give him very little trouble, are orderly and tolerably industrious. Colonel Locket, throwing out the value of the increase of slaves, and calculating the interest on the investment in slaves, says that cotton can now be grown rather more cheaply than formerly. The mud at the outlets of the Mississippi river advances seaward 338 feet every year, and the work of keeping the channels open constantly increases the difficulty. Henry Ward Beecher commenced preaching, and got married, on a salary of 400 dols a year, Now he has the same wife, but a new salary of 20,00Q dols a year.

Gipsies have lately been coming to this country in considerable numbers, and it is said that their king in this country has his headquarters in New Jersey. It is estimated that there are over 5000 in the United States, 18,000 in Engl and, .40,000 in Spain, 97,000 in Austria, and 200,000 in Moldavia and Wallachia.

There are but seven toll-gates left in all Canada, the others having been abolished by the people.

Tennessee is one of the richest states in the Union, and yet its 28,000,000 acres, less than 20,000,000 are uncultivated.

The Houston County (Minn.) " Democrat " confirms the statement that a man at Spring Grove is turning into stone. His name is Harmon Silverson. He is completely petrified in all his limbs and body—the only exception being a portion about the mouth, throat, and eyes. He has a good appetite, eats and prays day and night for the Lord to deliver him from this terrible affliction. He is perfectly helpless. The process of petrifaction commenced some time last spring in his feet and kuees, since which time it has gradually increased. James W. Marshal], the discoverer of gold in California, has been forced in his old age to resort to lecturing and selling the written history of his life and adventures in order to gain a livelihood.

A ship has just been despatched from New York to Melbourne with the following cargo :—20,516 cases kerosene, 700 do spirits turpentine, 735 packages tobacco, 700 cases oysters, 200 do lobsters, 500 boxes maizena, 300 barrels rosin, 324.,000 ft lumber, and a large assortment of miscellaneous merchandise. The Alice Ball's cargo from New York for Sydney, embraces 13,000 cases kerosene, 300 do spirits turpentine, 83 packages tobacco, 325 cases lobsters and oysters, 109 packages linseed cake and general merchandise ; for Dunedin she has 6750 cases kerosene 100 do oysters, 75 do lobsters, 120 packages tobacco, 300 boxes maizena, 125 cases rubber boots, 123,500 ft lumber.

A special New York despatch says —Eeliable information has been received here that there exists a widespread organization of ex-Confederate officers, soldiers, and politicians, also including many persons who served in the Federal army, whose purpose is to bring about the annexation of Mexico, peacefully if they can, forcibly if they must. This organization expects to secure the annexation of Mexico within five years. It is believed that Juarez himself is not unfriendly to the object sought. The demand for annexation is to begin in Mexico. Tbe " Charleston Courier," in calling attention to a concert makes use of the following queer phrase:—" Any one can obtain admission by dropping a tear of sympathy, in the shape of a quarter of a dollar at the door."