History of Lynn, Essex County, Massachusetts, including Lynnfield ...

ANNALS OF LYNN 1 86/. 2$
On Sunday, March 24th, Rev. Mr. Woods of the Boston
Street Methodist Society, and Rev. Mr. Biddle, of the First Universahst,
exchanged pulpits. The leading doctrines taught by
these two divines being so directl}' opposite, a good deal of surprise
was manifested, and not a little feeling on the part of some
of the more rigid Methodists. While it was regarded by some
as a commendable instance of christian courtesy, by others it was
looked upon as a marked instance of waning denominational
integrity.
A strange reptile was killed near the head of Sluice pond, in
May. It was something more than four feet in length, and in
the largest part nearly as thick as a man's wrist. Its back was
covered with a horny coat resembling that of a crocodile, the
bone making a perceptible ridge.
On the 27th of May, a man, in digging a post hole, in Summer
street,
exhumed some human bones, which were in such a position
as to indicate that a body had been buried there, in a sitting
posture. An arrow head and one or two implements and ornaments
were found with the bones, leading to the conclusion
that they were Indian remains.
The new house of worship of the First Baptist Society, a neat
structure of wood, in Gothic style, on North Common street,
corner of Park, was dedicated June 20.
A beautiful mirage was observed from Long Beach, about
noon, on Sunday, June 23.
On the 24th of June — St. John's Day— 30.000 persons were
carried over the Eastern Rail-road, without an accident. It was
the day of the great masonic celebration, in Boston, when the
new temple was dedicated.
A balloon ascension was made from Lynn Common on the
afternoon of the 4.th of July. The descent was into the water
off Swampscott, but the excursionists escaped injury.
Sagamore building. Union street, was nearly destroyed by fire
on the night of July 13, it being the third time that it had come
near being consumed.
Immense quantities of mackerel appeared in the offing, in
July, affording rare sport for amateur fishermen and profitable employment
for professional. A whale, some fifty feet in length,
and two or three others somewhat smaller, were several times
seen ranging about, evidently bent on securing their share.
Several
voracious horse-mackerel, with keen appetites, also made
their appearance.
A fire occurred in Wyoma village, on the morning of August
3d, on the premises occupied by T. L. Brown and Company, for
the wool-pulling business. Property to the value of ^18.000 was
destroyed.
A swing-tail shark, fifteen feet in length, was taken off Swamp-