The Daily News Batavia, Genesee Co., NY Friday Evening, November 4 1887 Weather Indications. --For Western New York: Fair weather; a slight rise, followed by falling temperature; brisk to high southwest and northwest winds, diminishing in force. * IN THE SHADOW OF DEATH. "Happy Bob" Van BRUNT Visited in the Warsaw Jail. He Has Given Up All Hope of Relief, but He Thinks that Imprisonment for Life Would be Sufficient Punishment for Him. Robert, otherwise known as "Happy Bob" Van BRUNT, who is to be hanged at Warsaw Thursday, December 8th, for the murder at Castile of Will ROY, with whose sister he was in live, was visited in jail on Tuesday by a reporter, who found him cheerful and self-possessed. He says he is growing more nervous and not able to read or study so much as usual because his head troubles him, but on the whole his health is excellent. In reference to the paper read by him on Saturday, when he was sentenced, he said he didn't expect it would do any good, but thought he might have no other chance to express his opinion. He wishes to have every possible step taken toward saving his life, though he has long looked death in the face unflinchingly. He spoke most gratefully of the faithfulness of his counsel, and said that his greatest comfort all along had been the thought that even if everyone else doubted him, General THAYER believed that he was not lying when he said the murder of Will ROY was done without premeditation. He didn't think petitions to the Governor amounted to much. He said he did not ask for sympathy, but only justice, and that, while he thought he should atone for the killing of poor Will ROY by life-long imprisonment, he did not think the extreme penalty of the law should be carried out, for the reason that the crime was unpremeditated. In the paper that Van BRUNT read in court he argued as strongly as he knew how that the crime he committed was not premeditated and contradicted the testimony of some of the witnesses for the prosecution. In conclusion he said: "The statement made by witnesses that I used the words 'I shoot to kill,' are false. I could not have used such words, for it would have been a lie. Such statements that I used threats against the life of the girl I loved better than my life, and against the life of her father, are hellish and devilish in their falseness. Your Honor, I have no more to say. I have tried with the little ability that God has given me to show why the extreme penalty of the law should not be carried out. In the hands of the God of all men I leave the rest." * Col. ROWE's Lecture. The lecture delivered at the Casino Rink last evening on "The Sunny and Cloudy Side of the late Rebellion" by Col. ROWE of Rochester was largely attended. Col. ROWE is a very interesting speaker and his lecture was highly enjoyed by all who attended. Upton POST, under whose auspices it was delivered, will realize a handsome sum from it. * PATENT ELECTION STICKERS. Every candidate for office should have them to place in the hands of a friend in each election district, gummed and placed on a card ready for use. The best an most convenient sticker made. Printed and for sale at The Daily News office. Orders should be given without delay. * CENTARIAN MILLER FAILING. Byron cor. the Batavian. Mr. Dewey MILLER, Byron's venerable centenarian, is reported to be quite rapidly failing in health and strength. Oct. 8th, when his 100th birthday anniversary was celebrated, he came into the room where the public exercises were being held and spoke intelligently to the large assemblage. Now his is not able to leave his bed, and undoubtedly his earthly career will soon be closed. * A WOMAN AS SCHOOL COMMISSIONER. Miss Jennie WHITE writing from Coudersport, Potter county, Pa., in regard to the candidacy of Miss Harriette S. DICKINSON for School Commissioner of Genesee county, says: " A woman has held the position in this county for the past six years, to the credit of her sex, the good of the schools, and the satisfaction of the people of the county." * CALLED HOME TO BE SURPRISED. Mr. Charles M. ROBSON of Batavia, who was in Ithaca yesterday morning and did not intend to return home for a day or two, received a telegram from his wife, reading: "Come home at once." Believing there was sickness, Mr. ROBSON hurried home, reaching here last evening, when he was promptly made the victim of a surprise party gotten up by Mrs. ROBSON, the occasion being her husband's birthday. Many neighbors and friends were present, all of whom thoroughly enjoyed themselves. During the evening Mr. ROBSON was presented with a secretary and an easy chair. Mr. John H. YATES made the presentation speech, talking impressively and eloquently, and Mr. ROBSON appropriately responded. * MR. HAMLIN'S WONDERFUL TEAM. One of the most notable performances that ever took place at the Buffalo Driving park was witnessed there yesterday afternoon by about three-hundred people who had assembled owing to the announcement that Belle Hamlin and Justina, C.J. HAMLIN's two famous mares, would be driven to a pole to beat 2.20. Mr. HAMLIN, who is 68 years old, drove the team himself. The quarter was made in 34 3/4 seconds, the half in 1:08 3/4, the third quarter in 1:44 and the mile in 2.18, breaking the world's record, Mr. HAMLIN being the only man who ever bred, raised, owned and drove a pair of horses in that time. * REMAINS OF A BIG SQUAW EXHUMED. Mr. W.H. ANDERSON of Le Roy, says a correspondent, on Tuesday resurrected a nearly complete Indian skeleton of massive size at Fort Hill. The skeleton, which is thought to be that of a woman, will be placed with a collection belonging to a gentleman residing at Scranton. The bones are very large. The body was found about two and a half feet under ground, and had the appearance of having been inclosed in bark when buried. Quite a number of trinkets lay beside it, such as beads, etc. * ADOPTED REGULATIONS. The Board of Health and Dr. PATTEN, the Health Officer, met at the offices of L.L. CROSBY, clerk of the Board, this forenoon and prepared rules and regulations, which are to be printed in book form. The regulations adopted were those recommended by the State Board of Health, with a few alterations. * DRILLING AT A RAPID RATE. Five Feet an Hour Being Made--A Man Who Nearly Lost His Watch. At the gas well everything is moving smoothly and the drill continues to sink through the hydraulic limestone with comparative ease. This morning the hole was something over 400 feet deep. An average of five feet an hour is made now, and if no accidents happen it will be known in a short time whether the well contains anything or is merely a "dry hole." The drillers are of the opinion that no wells will be put down on the FARGO farm until this well is completed and they say if nothing is found here nothing will be done there. They say this Anchor Oil Company, which Mr. O'DONNELL represents, is nothing more or less than the Standard Oil Company of monopoly fame. A gentleman who is a daily visitor at the well and who is very much interested in the work, came very near losing his time-piece a few days since on account of his eagerness. He was very anxious to know when the drill was to be brought up and changed and was standing close to the rope with his watch in hand. Driller WOODWARD was turning the handle-bar attached to the rope and when it came to the side where the gentleman was standing it struck his watch, breaking the chain and knocking it from his hand. It fell and very nearly went into the hole. * THE NEWS IN BERGEN. A Young Man's Collar Bone Broken.--Various Other Matters. Bergen, Nov. 4.--Charles McSHAEN went to Chili last Sunday to see his girl, and in turning around his buggy near her house, tipped over and broke his collar bone. Mrs. Lucina MYERS has bought the HAZELL place of E.H. PARISH for $550. Charles BROWN started Wednesday evening for Bay City, Mich., where he was to meet a party of sportsmen and lead them into the woods on a hunting expedition. Mrs. P. McCAFFERY, who has been living with her father, J. KALER, removed to Rochester yesterday. On account of his removal from the village Andrew GIFFORD resigned his place as lamp-lighter Wednesday evening, and John McSHAEN was appointed his successor. He gets one dollar a night. Both GIFFORD and McSHEAN are one-armed men, GIFFORD having lost his right and McSHEAN his left arm. Mrs. D.C. LEWELLYN of Olean, is in town the guest of her brother-in-law, Fred. LEWELLYN. Mrs. P.B. BASSETT got back yesterday morning from Michigan. Anson HENDERSON and another man from Batavia were in town yesterday trying to induce Republicans to vote for Capt. PARKER. They claimed to be Republicans. * Today's Briefs From the Wires. BURIED UNDER THE WALLS. Fatal Fire in Nashville, Tenn.--Pecuniary Loss, About $200,000. Nashville, Tenn., Nov. 4.--Fire this morning destroyed the block on College street between Bank alley and the Western Union building. Three large firms are burned out. The total loss is nearly $200,000; about half insured. A brick wall fell, badly injuring a number of firemen and spectators, some fatally. It is reported that others were buried in the debris, which is now being searched. * SAD PLIGHT OF A YOUNG GIRL. Hartford, Conn., Nov. 4.--The police are investigating an affair which threatens terrible revelations. Pretty Clara Louise ENDE, aged 16, came to this city from Windsor a week ago in search of employment. She made an engagement at an employment office to go to Bristol and while in her new place she was drugged and outraged. She is now insane in the almshouse in this city. Judging from her ravings she was subject to abuse for several days. At one time she exclaimed: "You have a mother, sir, and before you commit this crime think of her. I beg of you, sir, don't touch me, but let me go and I will bless you." She was found Sunday evening wandering on the street, dazed and bewildered. She grew worse rapidly and was brought to Hartford yesterday for safety. * Los Angeles, Cal. - Hattie WOLSTEIN, the alleged murderess of Dr. HARLAN, was yesterday held on trial for the murder. Bail was refused. New Orleans, La. - The strike on the sugar plantations is about at an end. All he indications point to an adjustment and all hands will be at work on Monday. Newark, N.J. - Thomas WALLACE, aged 19, a prisoner in the Essex county penitentiary, was shot dead by one of the guards Wednesday evening while attempting to escape. SURROUNDED BY WOLVES. The Presence of Mind of Two Michigan Women Saved their Lives. Houghton, Mich., Nov. 4.--Dolphie BRUNELLE, a farmer near here, was called from his home Wednesday and left his wife and daughter, the latter aged 17, alone. Mrs. BRUNELLE heard a noise in the calf-pen late in the evening and she and her daughter went out with a lantern to see what was the matter. They found the barn surrounded by wolves and before the women had time to retreat the ferocious animals surrounded them. The brutes were afraid of the lanterns and retreated whenever it was swung towards them, but Mrs. BRUNELLE dared not swing the lantern violently for fear it would go out. With remarkable courage she worked her way step by step toward the barn, keeping the wolves at bay with the lantern. After ten minutes of the greatest ordeal she managed to reach a pitchfork and while the daughter swung the lantern she attacked the wolves with a fork, finally succeeded in getting into the barn and closing the door. Then both fainted. * submitted by L.C. Schmidt