VINTAGE NEWS
Portsmouth Journal, July 1839

By 1839 the Portsmouth economy was at its nadir. Charles Brewster’s newspaper was, however, at its peak, filled with stores that would become BREWSTER’S RAMBLES some day. Here are local tidbits from the news including stories of lucky citizens who escaped disaster and one who did not.

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Tidbits from the Portsmouth Journal, July 1839

Accident from Gun-Powder
Mr John Trickey, of this town, camer near losing his life, on the morning of the 4^th by the premature explosion of a charge of powder in a ledge of stone which he was blasting.

He had charged a seam, in the ledge, with from eight to ten pounds of powder, and prepared it for an explosion ; but from some mistake in applying the match, The powder ignited sooner than was intended. Mr. Tickey when first aware of this danger, was standing on the shelly side of the seam. Quick as thought he leaped across the seam, on to the solid rock, and at the same instant more than thirty tons of stone was thrown up on the side from he had leaped, in pieces and fragments of all possible sizes. Luckily, none of the stones struck Mr. Trickey, yet he received several severe flesh wounds from sand and gravel blown into his left leg, side and arm ; from the effects of which, we are happy to add, he is fast recovering. Had he attempted to escape in any other way than by leaping the danger he would have been inevitably killed – probably blown into atoms. But by his "presence of mind" was his life saved. -- Dover Gazette

Sue the Bastards
NOVEL SUIT – The Family of Mr. Steele, who was recently killed on the Trenton and Philadelphia Railroad, by an accident which occurred in consequence of the road being culpably out of repair, have sued the corporation for forty thousands dollars in damages.

The Swimming an Elephant
The most novel mode of celebrating the Fourth of July that we ever yet heard of, was adopted at the late anniversary by certain citizens of Norfolk. It appears that an elephant, connected with a menagerie now exhibiting at that place, was made to swim across the harbor from Town point to Portsmouth side and return without touching the opposite shore. – The feat had been advertised for several days previous, and great crowds of course gathered on the occasion. The spectators, according to the Norfolk Beacon, were highly gratified with the performance of the elephant.

Accident by Lightning
We learn from Greaet-Falls, that about six o’clock on Thursday morning 11^th inst. The two story Dwelling house of Mr. Nathaniel Grant, situated on the Berwick side of the river, a few rods westerly of the covered bridge, was struck by lightning and very materially injured.

The chimney, above the ridgepole, was split in two, and a half thrown off on each side of the house. From the ridge pole to the garret floor the chimney was completely demolished and the bricks and mortar strown about the garret. – From the garret to the basement story the chimney was more of less injured, and about every room in the house bore evident marks of visitation from the electric fluid. Eleven individuals were in the house at the time, two only of whom where injured, and they but slightly.

Mrs. Grant we are told, was thrown down by the shock of the fluid passing near her, but was not much injured except by the fright. A young woman, who was holding a child on her lap, had her shows and stockings torn from her feet, and her feet slightly burnt, but neither she nor the child suffered any other hurt – a small dog lying near her was killed. Great damage was done to the house and furniture. – Dover Gazette

Missing Man Sought
DISAPPEARED from on board schr. Calbe Nichols, on the night of the 15^th inst. A sea man belonging to the said schr. ; --had on at the time a red flannel shirt and dark grey pants, with a dark vest, no shoes and tarpaulin hat; -- calls his name JOSEPH BUTLER, belonging, as we are informed, in New-London, Conn ; -- is supposed to be drowned – the vessel lay at the time against the south side of the Pier in Portsmouth harbor. The said man came on board late in the evening, and going into the head fell overboard, and was drowned as is supposed ; and the sum of $5 will be given for the recovery of the body, and all reasonable charges paid, as he has some effects on board, which will be delivered to any person who shall be authorized and demand to receive them. Apply to Captain on board within five days.