October 3, 1867

PLAGUE OF LOCUSTS

The plague of grasshoppers and locusts that has been making its way across the Western United States for the last several years is now just twelve miles from Des Moines. The swarm consists of several thousands of millions of small, grey-patterned grasshoppers that have been devouring dog-fennel, corn blades, turnips, cabbage, and tomatoes just as soon as they reach it. Their march will be paused by the arrival of winter and their impact on next year’s crops will be a matter for hot stove speculation during the coming months.

FENIAN CATCH AND ESCAPE

Colonel Thomas J. Kelly, one of the leaders of the Fenian Brotherhood, was arrested in Manchester, United Kingdom, on September 11, but was sprung from a police van a week later while being transported to back to prison after his arraignment. A mob set upon the police officers taking Kelly and an accomplice, Captain Deasy, back to prison. Two of the policemen were shot, one of them killed. The two Fenians remain at large and a reward of £300 is on offer for their recapture.

BARNUM’S GORILLA

P. T. Barnum has captured and brought to New York a live gorilla. The beast was captured in the interior of Africa and transported to this continent aboard the Harding. As workers at Mr. Barnum’s museum worked furiously to secure the animal, in his fury, succeeded in bending double a wrought iron bar an inch and three quarters thick. His roars excited the other animals in the building and caused children to cry and women to faint. The gorilla is described thus by the New York Evening Post:

When standing upright it is about five and half feet in height, and is about the colour of an elephant. Its face has more the appearance of a human being than of a monkey, with an eye exactly like that of a human being. It’s hand is as delicate as that of a woman’s, and it would not seem possible that there is in it such much muscular power.

He is fed with vegetables and calmed by the placement of cloves or nutmeg in its cage.

JUARAEZ EXPECTED TO RETAIN MEXICAN PRESIDENCY

This past September 22 the electors tasked with electing the government officials in Mexico were chosen. On October 6 they will elect the members of Congress. The President and President of the Supreme Court will be chosen on October 7, with the remaining positions to be filled on October 8.

With no one daring to openly oppose the current president, Benito Juarez, his re-election is assured.

WARRANT FOR FISHERIES EXPENSES

The Cabinet has been presented with a report (Order-in-Council 1867-0067) recommending the approval of an Accountable Warrant in the amount of $10,000 for the payment of expenses within the Department of Marine and Fisheries dating from July 1, 1867. The legislative appropriation approved by the late Legislature of the united Province of Canada expired on June 30, 1867. The new warrant (which will be approved on October 14, 1867) will cover:

• expenses of La Canadienne — $6,000
• Salaries of Fishery Overseers from July 1 — $1,010
• Expenses for the fishing season dating from July 1 — $960
• Construction of Fishways — $430
• Incidental disbursements and office expenses initially paid by the Crown Lands Department — $600

An additional $1,000 is set aside to cover the expenses of those employed in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia upon receipt of their claims.

La Canadienne is a government schooner that was tasked with the protection of Canadian fisheries on the St. Lawrence over the summer months. She was commanded by Pierre Fortin, Esq. from the opening of the navigation until September 1.