Madison County AlArchives News.....Items from The Huntsville Weekly Democrat January 31, 1883 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/al/alfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Kenneth Stacy klstacyfamily@aol.com January 28, 2007, 4:25 pm Microfilm At Huntsville Library January 31, 1883 PERSONAL MENTION Miss Elise Todd has returned from a visit to Selma and Montgomery. Rev. Thos. F. Gailor, Professor and Chaplain at the University of the South, has been the guest of Mr. Robert E. Coxe for several days. He preached two sermons of exceptional power and unction in the Church of the Nativity, last Sunday. Mr. H. G. Otis, of the Belmont Coal Mines, is in our city. Mr. John H. Newman’s family have gone to Birmingham, and he is about to go there, to make it his home. Mr. W. B. Green has sold his store-house to Mr. Weil, now occupied by Mr. R. E. Murphy as an auction house, and purposes to remove to Birmingham. Mr. Henry Stiles, of Ga., is a guest of his cousin, Geo. S. Gordon, Esq. Mrs. S. R. Cruse leaves, to-day, for Memphis. Mr. W. D. Whitelaw, celebrated banjoist and harmonicist late of W. E. Robinson’s Minstrels is in the city, who has been engaged by the Southern Serenaders, and will appear with them Thursday night Feb. 1st. DIED: CRUSE.—Died, in Memphis, Tenn., Jan’y 25, 1883, Mr. SAMUEL RIDGELY CRUSE, in his 53d year. Mr. Cruse was born in Huntsville, Ala., Dec. 23, 1829, and was married to Miss Bessie Newman, daughter of Dr. Fras. H. Newman Nov. 25th, 1854. He entered the Confederate service as First Lieutenant in Capt. J. J. Ward’s battery in 1861, and, when his gallant Captain was killed by his side in Gen. Jos. E. Johnston’s retreat from Dalton, Ga., succeeded to the Captaincy and served, gallantly, till the close of the war. In 1865, he succeeded his estimable father, Samuel Cruse, who died during the war, as Secretary and Treasurer of the Eastern Division of the Memphis & Charleston Railroad, and, when the Eastern and Western Divisions were consolidated, was elected Secretary and Treasurer of the whole line, and removed to the headquarters at Memphis. He, like his father, was extraordinary as an efficient and faithful officer. He was fervent in his friendships, and tender and devoted in all his family relations. His body was removed from Memphis to Huntsville in a special car draped in mourning, accompanied by his family—his wife and three sons—and a number of friends; and the passenger depot, here, was draped in mourning. His funeral took place at the Church of the Nativity, Rev. Dr. Banister officiating, and his body was buried in our City cemetery, a large concourse of citizens, by their attendance, testifying their esteem for the decease, and deep sympathy for the bereaved family. MARRIED: MITCHELL-BOULDIN.—Married at the residence of the bride’s mother, by Rev. A. L. Davis, on the 16th of January, 1883, Mr. W. H. MITCHELL, of Limestone Co., and Miss MADGIE E., daughter of the late Wylie F. Bouldin. They commenced their married life with the best wishes of many friends. LOCAL ITEMS Parlor Concerts ------------------- The young folks of the Church of the Nativity Sunday School are, already, beginning to work for their Easter offerings. Two of the classes had a parlor concert, a very recherché entertainment at Mr. J. J. McDavid’s last, evening, to which the following persons contributed; Misses Mattie Lou Brown and Lizzie Chadwick, and Mr. Ad. White, singing solos; Mrs. Geo. S. and Wm. Gordon, John Sheffey and Ad. White, a quartette; Miss Annie Comer played on the piano, and Prof. Cramer on the zithern. Misses Jennie Clay and Mamie Fariss recited, and Geo. S. Gordon read a selection from Dickens. There will be another entertainment of like character, at Mr. John D. Chadwick’s residence, on Thursday night, Feb. 1st, and another at Mr. J. W. Clay’s nest Monday night, Feb. 5, for a like object. Admittance, 25 cts. Messrs. Mina and Bertha Herz will give a Soiree Musicale at the Huntsville Hotel Monday Feb. 5, at 8 p.m. We bespeak for them a large audience. Gurleysville, having been incorporated by the present Legislature of Alabama, an election was held last Thursday, Jan. 25 for town officers, resulting in the election of John G. Bowen, Intendant, and the following five Councilmen: W. H. Beason, Thos. R. Hall, C. Branum, J. P. Joplin, and W. T. Bennett. Madison County Court ---------------------------- This Court will begin its February Term on Monday next, Feb’y 5—Hon. H. C. Speake presiding—and will hold four weeks. The firs and second week will be occupied with civil business. The criminal docket will be taken up the third week and continued till disposed of, and, if any time be left, the civil docket will be resumed. The number of felony cases on the docket (eight of them charges of murder) is about 40, to say nothing of indictments for misdemeanors that the Grand Jury, which will be organized next Monday, may find. There are about 30 defendants in jail, the others are out on bonds. It is, therefore, not likely that the civil docket will be resumed after the close of the second week. The Petit Jurors summoned for the first week are: Wiley Stiles, Cornelius Freeman, L. M. Sublett, Arthur Laughinghouse, John Orgain, J. W. Sharp, H. J. Kinney, John R. Payne, Geo. W. McGaha, John Redman, David Berry, John A. Douglass, James Craft, T. J. Power, Aleck B. Moring, Walter Kennibrugh, Joseph Klaus, Wm. A. Walker, Wm. Hucks, Walter Nance, Wm. W. Drake, Jas. B. Williams, Wm. C. Stone, John Martin, Sep. C. Davis, Wm. C. Bragg, Russell M. Church, John W. Connally, Wesley Yarbrough, Wm. H. Ellis. Of these jurors, 26 are farmers, one minister of the Gospel, one merchant, one machinist, and one saloon keeper. Madison County Court Calendar --------------------------------------- Regular Terms of County Court held on Third Mondays in January, April, July and October. Regular Terms of Commissioners’ Court held on Second Mondays in February, April, August and November. Special Term to examine Assessor’s returns second Monday in July. All complaints as to assessments by Commissioners’ Court second Monday in August. Regular Terms of Probate Court: second Mondays in each month. Regular Terms of Circuit Court: first Mondays in February and August. Regular Terms of Chancery Court: first Mondays in January and July. Regular Terms of United States District and Circuit Courts: first Monday in April and second Monday in October. Southern Cultivator for January -------------------------------------- The January number of this standard Agricultural publication is on our table. It is, perhaps, ahead of any other number in general interest. In its pages are treated all matters pertaining to the success, comfort and happiness of the farmer. The publishers are doing what nearly all the proprietors of Southern publications have failed to do, namely: employing the best writers in the South to contribute to its columns. And they are thus making the most entertaining Agricultural journal ever furnished the Southern people. The January number has the usual able contributions from Dr. Jones—his “Thoughts for the Month” and the entertaining “Inquiry Department;” articles on Preparing Cotton for Market, Crop Lien Law, Railroads and Right of Way, Farm Tenants, Intensive Farming, Jute in the South, The Sugar Cane Question, Stock and Dairy Departments, Bill Arp’s Inimitable Letter, four full pages of Correspondence directly from the Farmers, Biographical Sketches and Portraits of Senator Barrow and Maj. Campbell Wallace, a full Discussion of Fish Culture, and the Patrons of Husbandry Department. The enumerated articles are only a small portion of the contents. It is a paper well worth the price, $1.50 per year, or ten copies one year for $10.00. Address Jas. P. Harrison & Co., Atlanta, Ga. ALABAMA ITEMS State Treasurer Vincent Steal over $200,000 ------------- The startling news comes by telegram from Montgomery, that Ike H. Vincent, Alabama State Treasurer, left Montgomery on Monday, leaving a note on his desk that he was off for New York, and it was discovered that he had robbed the treasury of $200,000 to $300,000. We hope he will be caught and punished to the full extent of the law. No time for further comment, this week. Gen. Pendleton. ------------------ From the Mobile Register Gen. W. C. Pendleton is dead, and another of the heroes of the Confederacy has passed away. He was a brave man and a splendid officer, and as, Chief of Artillery of the Army of Northern Virginia, was one of the most prominent figures in the bloody drama that was enacted for four years in the Old Dominion. He was a clergy man before he became an artillerist, and it is related of him that he used to exclaim, at the beginning of his military career, “Fire! And may the Lord have mercy of their souls.” Two of the most gallant soldiers of the Confederacy were clergymen—Leonidas Polk and W. C. Pendleton. One fell in front of the enemy; the other has lived to return to his chosen profession, and to die full of years after many of his associates on hard fought fields had gone before him. His life has been quiet and unostentatious since the close of the great struggle, and he has devoted himself to the duties of his sacred calling. Although, no doubt, he has often “Shown how fields were won;” yet he has oftener “Allured to brighter fields and led the way.” To Be Given Away More than $2,000 worth of Valuable and Useful Presents to cash subscribers to the Weekly Iron Age—one of the largest, newsiest and best newspapers in the State. Every farmer in Alabama should have it. Canvassing agents, to whom will be given liberal compensation, wanted at every post office and in every neighborhood in the State. Any one wishing to subscribe or act as an agent should do so at once. Sample copies sent free upon application. Address IRON AGE PUBLISHING CO., jan.31-1m Birmingham, Ala. U.S. NEWS Upland Rice --------------- Aberdeen (Miss) Examiner The culture of rice in Mississippi is making rapid strides, and the next census will exhibit this valuable crop as one of the leading staples of the State. Here in Monroe, those who have given it attention have all met with success, while in Central and South Mississippi its yield has exceeded all expectations. The great difficulty experienced by farmers has been in hauling and cleaning it for market, but this trouble ho longer exists, for the only requirement is that it shall be threshed out like oats, in order to command ready sale “in the rough” in New Orleans and other points where hauling mills are established. Major John Smylie, State Land Commissioner, informs us that he made over twenty thousand pounds of it for market last season, and found ready sale for it in the rough, in New Orleans, at three cents a pound. The yield was thirty bushels to the acre—56 pounds to the bushel—or over $50, involving less labor in its culture than corn or cotton, as it only requires two workings. The land in this Rice paid him better than that in any other crop, besides leaving him the straw, which is valuable provender for stock, and has itself a good market demand. When more hulling mills are established, the price will undoubtedly advance, but Major Smylie is satisfied with the present figures and is largely increasing his acreage. Washington, Jan. 21.—Gen. Grant and a good many Congressmen have recommended Gen. Joseph E. Johnston for the position of Commissioner of this District. He is a resident of Washington and a property owner. Grant thinks that it will not be as easy to smirch his character as that of some other candidates for this place. Gen. John B. Gordon, of Georgia, comes home from Europe proud of his country. He said to a reporter: “It is enough to make an American proud to ride through the streets of London with its civilization of 2,000 years, and see American implement, American sewing machines, American tools and American goods displayed on every hand, and know that Americn watches are bind sold in the stores, and American fields are feeding the English people and American factories beginning to clothe them.—Exchange. We are indebted to Maj. Niles Merriwether for a copy of the Biennial Report of the President of Fire and Police Commissions of the Taxing District of Memphis, Tenn. We see from Mr. Merriwether’s report that he has, in two years, constructed 34 ½ miles of new sewers, old sewer lines added 4 1-10 miles, over 34 miles of subsoil drains, over ten miles of paving, and an immense deal of other work for the health, convenience and comfort of the city. The work done will, probably secure Memphis against any future yellow fever or other malarial epidemics.—What he has done or, by his knowledge and skill, has had done for Memphis, can scarcely be estimated in dollars and cents. Reminiscences of the Assassination ------------------------------------------ WASHINGTON, D. C., JAN. 14, 1883. DR. SAMUEL F. MUDD Died on Wednesday last at his residence in Charles county, Maryland. Dr. Mudd was sentenced to the Dry Tortugas for life, for harboring J. Wilkes Booth, the assassin, and was subsequently pardoned by President Johnson. Booth and Harrold, after the assassination, fled into Charles county, Maryland, and about daybreak on the morning after the shooting reached Dr. Mudd’s house, Booth, whose ankle had been broken by the leap from President Lincoln’s box at the theatre, was assisted into the house, where his injury was attended to by Dr. Mudd. Booth and his companion remained in the house until nightfall, and then departed. Dr. Mudd always contended that his was the beginning and ending of his acquaintance with them—that he did not know who they were, and did not hear of the shooting of the President until the next Sunday. At the trial of the conspirators, however, one of the witnesses testified that when he went to Dr. Mudd’s house to arrest him on April 21st the physician, finding they were going to search the house, told his wife to bring down an old boot leg cut open to get it off the injured leg of Booth. Inside of the leg was written in ink, “J. Wilkes.” Later in the day Dr. Mudd admitted that the injured man was Booth, and principally on this admission he was convicted. Dr. Mudd was sentenced, together with Spangler, Arnold and McLaughlin, to imprisonment in the Albany Penitentiary for life at hard labor, and subsequently sent to the Dry Tortugas. While there he distinguished himself in his heroic service during the yellow fever epidemic,, and in consideration of this he was pardoned. Dr. Mudd returned home much broken in health, and resumed the practice of his profession in Charles county where he resided to the day of his death. Several years ago when the yellow fever threatened to become epidemic in the South, Dr. Mudd came to this city and tendered his services to the National Board of Health as a consulting physician to treat the cases, believing that his experience with the disease at the Dry Tortugas would be of much value. A claim for compensation for attending the Federal soldiers ill with the fever on the Dry Tortugas was filed before Congress a few days ago by Dr. Mudd, but was disallowed. Dr. Mudd was the last survivor of those who were tried and convicted of complicity in the assassination conspiracy. Wilkes Booth was killed; Harrold, Payne, Atzerodt and Mrs. Surratt executed in July, 1865, and Dr. Mudd, Arnold, McLaughlin and Spangler were sent to the Dry Tortugas. McLaughlin died there, and Dr. Mudd, Arnold and Spangler were pardoned. Arnold died in Baltimore in a few months after his release. Spangler died at Dr. Mudd’s residence a year or so ago, and now Dr. Mudd’s death closes the list of all who were supposed to be concerned in the conspiracy, excepting John H. Surratt, who was tried by the civil courts and escaped. Dr. Mudd, it will be remembered, was convicted principally on the testimony as to finding the leg of Booth’s boot under the bed, and that of Rev. W. B. Evans, who testified to having seen Mudd in company with Booth, together with the defendant’s own admissions. Princess in Charleston --------------------------- Arrival and Reception of the Vice-Regal Party --------------------------- On the Train—At the Depot—At the Hotel—Description of the Quarters—The Dinner— Personal Appearance of the Marquis and the Princess --------------------------- Charleston was considerably excited Friday over the announcement that Princess Louise and Vice Regal party would arrive in the afternoon at four o’clock. A special representative of the News and Courier was dispatched to meet the train at the King’s Tree Junction, and boarded at that point the “Afton,” one of the new and handsome Pullman drawing-room and sleeping cars of the Atlantic Coast Line, which had been engaged for the exclusive use of the Vice-Regal party from Richmond to Charleston. From his very interesting account we make the following extracts: HOW THE PARTY PASSED THE DAY At this time, about half past 3 p.m. the Princess Louise and Miss Harvey and Miss McNeil, her two lady companions, were occupying the parlor at the front of the car, and the ladies were engaged in worsted work, while on a seat near by was a guitar which had apparently been used to beguile the weary hours of travel. The Princess had remained in bed all day, passing the time in reading and an occasional glance at a passing station, a glimpse of which she obtained by wiping away the condensed moisture on the glass. Separated from the ladies in the main part of the car were seated the gentlemen of the party, who were surrounded with scores of newspapers, pamphlets and books. In the rear part of the car the smoking room was occupied by the light baggage of the ladies, and in the same room sat the two male servants of the party. It was learned from the conductor of the “Afton,” who had come through with the car from Washington and had taken charge of the party from Richmond, that at Wilmington the British Consul and a number of English gentlemen had assembled to pay their respects to the party, but everybody was in bed and refused to come out. At Florence, which was reached about 1 o’clock, a lunch was served in the car, the gentlemen taking theirs in the main part of the car and the ladies remaining with the Princess in the parlor. Indeed, during nearly the entire trip the ladies kept to themselves and the gentlemen had exclusive occupancy of the main portion of the car and smoked their cigars, read their papers and drank their toddies in undisturbed ease. The Marquis occupied a seat on the left of the car near the rear. He read a great deal, occasionally took mote of the rivers over which the train passed and frequently refreshed himself with food and drink. He was dressed in a short coat, speckled brown and white, with pants and vest to match, and his feet were encased in slippers. The Marquis is a little above the medium size, has light hair and whiskers and possesses a round, good-humored face. He appears to be in full health and takes a keen interest in all that passes around him. It was after half-past 6 o’clock when the long whistle of the locomotive announced that the train was nearing the city. A few moments later the train slowed down and ran into the railway yard, greeted by the yells of fifty to one hundred little negroes. When the train drew up at the platform a huge wall of humanity stretched itself along the covered way and a strong force of policemen was required to keep the crowed from rushing upon the cars. Capt. Domville, of H. M. S. Dido, Mr. Consul Walker and Mr. Vice-Consul Box, all in full uniform, were standing in front of the crowed, waiting for the party. Col. De Winton first came out of the car, and after shaking hands with Capt. Domville and the consul and vice-consul, he returned into the car with several dispatches which the consul handed him for the Princess. Several minutes then elapsed, and the crowd outside grew impatient. Presently, the Marquis of Lorne appeared at the door of the car with the Princess upon his arm. They stepped down on the platform, and were immediately followed by the other members of the party. With simply a bow to her Majesty’s officers, the Princess, the Marquis and the rest of the party walked rapidly along the platform leading to the waiting- room, their passage being made through a dense crowd which thronged the platform on either side. Upon reaching the station another sea of faces could be seen stretched across the room, and policemen were walking up and down in a frantic manner to keep the way clear. The party walked on at the same rapid pace in to the ladies’ waiting-room, and without stopping they got into the Charleston Hotel carriages, which had been engaged for their use, and drove off to the hotel. The walk from the car to the carriages must have been fully one hundred yards, and during all this time the party were subjected to the gaze of hundreds of inquisitive eyes. The princess had on a terra-cotta colored jacket covered with spots of a darker shade of brown. Her dress, which was short, was of a dark striped material and was made with large box plaits all around. She wore a round hat covered with a veil, which likewise covered half of her face. To the casual observer the Princess would not convey the idea that she was in delicate health. She is about the medium size, quite plump and with a round, fresh English face which, while not beautiful, is pretty and attractive. When the carriages containing the party reached THE CHARLESTON HOTEL a large crowd of people were standing on the sidewalk, waiting with the same eager curiosity to see the Princess, as had been manifested at every point where there was thought to be the slightest chance of seeing her. The party got out of the carriage at the ladies’ entrance and went immediately up the staircase to their apartments, leaving in the lurch about one hundred and fifty knowing ones who had assembled around the elevator to get a good look at the Princess as shed should step into it to go on to eh second floor, where her apartments are booked. WAITING FOR THE PARTY As early as three o’clock in the afternoon, people began to assemble in front of the Charleston Hotel, but the news of the delay on the arrival of the train soon got out, and the crowd with the exception of a score or two of negroes, dispersed. At six o’clock the people again commenced to gather, and by 7 o’clock the grand piazza of the hotel and the street in the immediate vicinity were densely crowded. A squad of policemen who had been on duty since 4 o’clock kept the sidewalk clear and the railed passage to the ladies’ entrance free, In the hotel the lady boarders hurried through their tea and lined the corridor on the first floor, anxious to get a look at the royal party. THE APARTMENT Upon the receipt of the intelligence of the expected arrival of the Princess and her suite, Mr. Walker, the British consul, engaged quarters for them at the Charleston Hotel. Mr. Jackson, the proprietor, made arrangements for his guests; the entire Southern wing of the building, containing in all fifteen rooms were overhauled and put in order for immediate use. Room No. 116, on the West face of the building, was fitted up as a private parlor for the Princess. This room is known as the Bridal Chamber, and probably one of the prettiest parlors in any hotel in the South. It is furnished with a parlor set of rich crimson velvet, to which have been added two luxurious rocking chairs of variegated rep silk. A full length mirror stands against the south wall, and another large mirror rests on the richly carved mantle-piece which is between the two doors in the west wall opening on the second story piazza. A rich rosewood book case and mirrored doors stands against the North wall, and the doors leading out in the piazza are curtained with lace curtains topped with rich lambrequins. The floor is covered by a heavy velvet carpet. There were no decorations but a glowing fire in the grate made it a cozy and pleasant place of retreat for the ladies who were fatigued by their long journey. The dining room is in the South wing of the building within convenient reach of the chambers occupied by the party. It is fitted up with lace curtains and lambrequins, and has table with covers for eight persons. A buffet of black walnut with marble top occupies a position against the East wall, and the room is just large enough to permit eight persons to sit comfortably at the table. The chamber selected for the Marquise and the Princess consists of a suite of rooms, plainly but neatly and prettily furnished in walnut, with sets of chintz furniture in dark blue and light blue and with lambrequins to match. The rooms are situated at the Southeast angle of the building, the windows opening on Hayne street. A double toilet set of white china decorated with a simple band of pink and gold occupies the washstand. The floors are carpeted with French moquett. The visitors in the meantime had been registered by Mr. Jocoline Bagot as follows: His Excellency the Marquis of Lorne. Her Royal Highness, the Princess Louise. Miss Harvey, Miss McHeill, Col. DeWinton, Col. Tourtolotte, U. S. A., Capt. W. Bagot, Mr. Jocoline Bagot, Dr. Burnet. Col. DeWinton and Captain and Mr. Bagot are members of the Marquis’s staff. Dr. Durnet in as eminent London physician, and the two ladies are maids of honor to the Princess, Col. Tourtelotte is a member of Gen. Sherman’s staff and is acting as an escort of honor for this occasion. THE DINNER was served about half-past 8 o’clock in the Princess’s dining room. The table was laid with covers for eight, and was decorated only with a tray of violets, jonquils and ferns, which perfumed the entire rooms. A Brave ___ Bark ---------------------- Tidings of the dory Pacific, that sailed from San Francisco in August, bound for Australia, were brought by the barkentine Tropic Bird, which arrived at San Francisco about a week ago. About sunset on November 17, the crew of the Tropic Bird discovered a small schooner-rigged boat off their starboard bow, with the stars and stripes floating from her mizzen gaff. In answer to “Boat ahoy,” a strong voice came back: This is the boat Pacific, ninety days out from San Francisco and Brisbane, Australia.” In answer to enquiries, the captain said his name was Bernard C_ooy, and that he was making the voyage entirely alone, just to see what could be done. His boat, he said, was less than two tons burden—1 7/8 exactly.—He reported having experienced fine weather throughout the voyage, except between latitude 5 and 8 degrees North, where he had head-winds and calms, and was delayed twenty-nine days. He seemed cheerful and sanguine of success, and did not want any assistance. A Tennessee Scandal of 1860 ---------------------------------- Cincinnati Commercial-Gazette The capture of Col. Marsh T. Polk, the defaulting State Treasurer of Tennessee, has caused Tennesseans here to revive the scandal of Dr. Standiford, who, in 1863, was, on the recommendation of Andrew Johnson, then Military Governor of that State, nominated by President Lincoln, and confirmed by the Senate, as surgeon in the army. Subsequently, the Tennessee Legislature, against the wishes of Gov. Browlow, elected Dr. Standiford Treasurer of Tennessee, and he was entrusted, as was Polk, with the funds of the State. Although the law at that time was explicit in requiring State funds to be kept at Nashville, Dr. Standiford was induced to deposit some $600,000 of this money in a national bank at Memphis. It is supposed that he intended to let a friend use this money for speculation in cotton, but Governor Brownlow, having learned that the money had been taken to Memphis, sent a committee there and recovered $350,000. Afterward, all of the remainder except about $100,000 was recovered and returned to the State, but the exposure was so mortifying that Dr. Standiford resigned, and going to his home in Green county, East Tennessee, made his will and then committed suicide by talking laudanum. In the case of Jammilon & co., of New York, vs., Cage & co., of Texas, tried before Judge Merrill in the Federal Court at the Eastern District of Texas, plaintiffs sued for the balance due on the future contract. Defendants set up the plea that it was a gambling case, and, therefore, against public policy and void. The decision and judgment were in favor of defendants. The decision is an important one, as speculation in interest has been carried on extensively all over the State. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/madison/newspapers/itemsfro1305gnw.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/alfiles/ File size: 29.3 Kb