Madison County AlArchives News.....Items from The Huntsville Weekly Democrat March 28, 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 February 5, 2007, 3:24 pm Microfilm At Huntsville Library March 28, 1883 PERSONAL MENTION Mr. and Mrs. Carrol St. Johns, of St. Louis, reached Huntsville last Friday, visiting Mr. James H. Mastin’s family Mr. and Mrs. S. S. Lanier, of Birmingham, came up, last week. Mr. L. has gone back. Mrs. L. is at her father’s Rev. Dr. Banister’s. Mr. Newton White and Mr. Todd Harrison were down from High Jackson at the performance of the “Pirates of Penzance.” Mr. Newton K. White of Abingdon, Va., is visiting relations here. Mr. W. McKinstry, editor of the Fredonia, N. Y., Censor, is in the city. Capt. Rob’t McFarland, of Florence, was in our city last Monday. Among the large crowd at the performance of “Pirates of Penzance,” were Rev. Mr. McQueen and H. A. Skeggs, of Decatur; E. V. Chardevoyne, H. D. Bynum, M. J. Gilchrist, Jr., and Misses McAlister and Susie Foster, of Courtland; W. C. Crozier, J. W. Cardwell and F. H. McClung, Jr., of Knoxville, Tenn., and the Hotel books have numerous names of other, drawn here, presumably, by the “Pirates.” Mrs. John Gregg of Aberdeen, Miss., is visiting her brother, Hon. W. W. Garth. DIED: Postmaster General Howe died, of pneumonia, yesterday, at his home in Wisconsin. In his honor, the Post Office here was closed from 2 to 5 p.m. to- day. LOCAL ITEMS Mr. and Mrs. Baker Roberts have a new-born son. He arrived at the residence of Mrs. R’s father, S. D. Cabaniss, Esq., in this city, last Sunday. On Saturday last, our popular ‘busman, Mr. Tom Mason, was presented with two girl-babies by Mrs. Mason. At this rate, they’ll need an omnibus to carry their own family. We are authorized to announce James E. Seat a candidate for Alderman of Huntsville for the Third Ward. Huntsville Amateur Opera Troupe ------------------------- In Pirates of Penzance ------------------------- A Grand Success ------------------------- The Huntsville Opera House being temporarily closed, the Amateurs were much disturbed in regard to a place of their first production of the “Pirates of Penzance” before the Huntsville people, to whom, they said, they owed their first allegiance. To provide for the emergency, some practical mind suggested the utilization of the Huntsville Hotel dining hall as an opera hall. The suggestion took with Mr. Geo. S. Gordon, the Magnus Apollo, and Mr. A. F. Murray, Manager, who has a first-rate eye for business. Maj. Davol, the liberal and public-spirited lessee of the Hotel, was approached and readily agreed to allow the Troupe the use of the dining hall without charge. Thereupon, a stage was erected with a proper front presentation, drop curtains and gaslights, and Mr. O. R. Goldman, the accomplished amateur artist of the Troupe, aided by Mr. H. G. Poore, house painter, painted appropriate scenery in admirable style, and most, if not all, of the appliances for a first class opera were provided. The public interest was manifested by nearly every seat—over 400 in all— being taken before nightsfall on Tuesday evening. Soon after the door was opened, people pressed in until they were packed in the seats very like sardines in a box, many were forced to stand, and others retired for want of room. All were eager for the curtain to rise, and, when it rose, there was an outburst of enthusiasm at the beauty of the scene, and it was, often, elicited, at intervals, as the performance progressed. We have never seen a more intelligent, brilliant and appreciative audience at any entertainment in our city, and none that seemed to be more delighted. Beside want of time and space, there are reasons, personal to the Editor, why we cannot give a discriminative criticism of performers. Suffice it, therefore, to say that the principal character and the choruses “brought down the house” frequently and, at the close, there seemed to be universal commendation of the performance as a grand success. In response to apparent public sentiment, the Troupe will, next Friday night March 30, repeat the “Pirates of Penzance” at the same place—“Gordon Opera Hall,” we think it should be called, in honor of Geo. S. Gordon, Esq., who organized the Amateurs and has contributed so much to the public entertainment and the refinement of the public musical and dramatical taste. We hope that the Troup, will, again, be complimented with a full house. They are not working for pecuniary profit, but, simply, as almoners of the fruits of their talents and toil for the public pleasure and profit. We have said so much that we have no space left for the programme, giving the names of performers. City Election ---------------- The election for Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Huntsville will take place on Tuesday next, April 3. There is less excitement than on many previous occasions, but it is, gradually, developing as election day approaches. There are no party nominations. Registration of votes closed on the 23d inst. The number registered citizens has been furnished us, as follows: First Ward: Whites 164, Colored 163. Total, 327. Second Ward: Whites 202, colored 86. Total, 288. Third Ward: Whites 169, colored 56. Total, 225. Fourth Ward: Whites 17, colored, 207. Total, 224. Total white, 552. Total colored, 512. Total registered citizens, 1064. White majority, 40. Each voter is required to vote in his own Ward for Mayor and Aldermen, but no voter is authorized to vote for Aldermen out of his Ward. The margin between the white and colored vote is very small. Easter Sunday ----------------- Last Sunday, the Church of the Nativity, in this city, was beautifully decorated—altar, baptismal font, lectern, pulpit, organ and tablet to the late beloved Superintendent of the Sunday School and leader of the Choir, Col. Geo. A. Gordon—with crosses and wreaths of evergreens, immortelles, and native and exotic flowers. White cloths, with appropriate emblems, were on the altar— which bore the legend, “Christ is Risen,”—the lectern and the pulpit. Notwithstanding the inclement weather, the congregation was large. The resurrection of Christ was celebrated by special services, an excellent sermon by the Rector, Rev. Dr. Banister, and the administration of the Holy Communion. The afternoon service was omitted on account of the celebration, at night, by the children of the Church by singing a processional hymn, and intoning of the general confession (followed by the declaration of absolution by the Rector), the Lord’s prayer, and the Apostles’ creed, and singing of carols by classes of children, and their presentation of the respective class emblems and money offerings to the Rector, who disposed the former within the chancel and reverently placed the latter on the altar. The Rector, then, made an appropriate address, the Choir sang an anthem—“Crown Him! Crown Him!”—and the service was concluded with a benediction. The Church was nearly as full as usual with a congregation deeply interested, apparently. The children’s offerings were very gratifying in amount, and surprising, in view of the money scarcity. They were as follows: The Holy Innocents, $51.55 Lilies of the Valley, 47.00 Lambs of the Flock, 24.00 Bishop’s Boys, 56.00 Daisy Chain, 8.05 Crown Jewels, 20.25 Buds of Promise, 89.00 Choristers, 83.00 Branches of the Vine, 20.00 Pillars of the Temple, 30.25 Children of the Good Shepherd, 14.25 Soldiers of the Cross, 22.25 Ministering Children, 100.00 Pearl Gatherers, 75.00 --------- Total, $640.50 The State vs. Levin Powell -------------------------------- On Friday last, March 23, the defendant killed a negro man, Jerry Patton, on the farm of Miss Amanda Wade in the Big Cove in this county. On Monday last, he came to Huntsville and surrendered himself to Sheriff Cooper and went to jail. Yesterday, he was brought before Hon. Wm. Richardson for investigation of the facts. There were three State’s witnesses—a negro man and two negro women—and defendant, under a recent statute, made his statement. The testimony showed that defendant had been employed by Miss Wade to take charge of her farm, and had a contract with Jerry to work a portion of the land on shares. Jerry been working a certain horse, but was taken sick and the horse was assigned to another hand. Jerry, hearing this, got up and demanded the horse. Defendant told him that he could not get the horse then, but might have a mule instead for a day or two. Jerry swore he would have the horse or die. Defendant told him he could not have the horse then, and he didn’t want any difficulty with him. Jerry followed defendant as he was going to the field, still swearing he would have the horse or die. Defendant told him not to follow him, that he could’nt get the horse. Jerry, then, called defendant a d—d rascal, seized a hoe and rushed at him. Defendant picked up a brush—a grub, a witness called it—which had been cut from the field and thrown over the fence. Jerry struck at him with the hoe, and defendant warded it off his head with his left arm. Jerry seized defendant by his shirt collar or throat, struck him in the face with his fist, and, drawing his pocket knife, struck at defendant, cutting a slit about four inches long just above the left pocket of defendant’s vest and a slit in his cotton shirt, but not penetrating his undershirt. In this perilous position, defendant drew his Wesson pistol and shot Jerry in the left side or breast; and Jerry, disengaging himself, tore defendant’s shirt collar and shirt, fell down and died in about 20 minutes. Defendant showed marks of Jerry’s grip on his throat the blow of the hoe on his wrist, and his cut vest and shirt. These facts developing a clear case of self-defence and justifiable homicide, Judge Richardson promptly discharged defendant saying that he did not feel warranted in sending the case to the Grand Jury. The Federal Court ---------------------- Next Monday, April 2, is the first day of the regular Spring term of the U. S. Circuit and District Courts for the Northern District of Alabama.—We presume that Judge Bruce will be here to open the Courts next Monday. The business of these Courts is decreasing every year, and, we hope that it will continue to decrease especially on the criminal docket, as many of the causes brought there are manifestly beyond the proper constitutional jurisdiction of Federal Courts, and many that ought not to be brought before any Court. There are several cases of alleged election frauds yet on docket, which we hardly think will be seriously pressed as they are not likely, now, to effect any political partisan purpose. There is at least, one case of mail robbery, possibly others. The most of the causes are alleged violations of the revenue laws and trespasses on the public lands. The weather is fine, just now, for planters. From various sections of this county, they tell us that preparation of ground for planting corn and cotton is rather backward. They report wheat rather sorry and oats doing rather better. Orton’s Circus and Menagerie --------------- This celebrated company have put up their big tent on the open lot on Randolph street, preparatory to next weeks performance. Mr. Orton intends to give an entertainment for the special pleasure of ladies and children, on Tuesday p.m., April 3d, at a low rate—children only 10 or 15 cents—preliminary to the grand show advertised in our columns for Wednesday, April 4. ALABAMA ITEMS Prof. Henry Tutwiler LL. D.—Rev. R. H. Rivers, D. D., recently published a series of articles in The Alabama Progress on “Thirty Five Yeats in the School Room,” and in one of these he made the following reference to Dr. Tutwiler, who began his career as a teacher over a half century ago as a professor in the first faculty of the University of Alabama: “For more than fifty years Prof. Tutwiler has been wielding the influence of a character without a flaw. Profoundly learned, sincerely true, inflexibly just, with every passion and appetite under perfect control, he appers before his pupils a model of every virtue and adorned with every moral excellence. What a blessing he has been to the State of Alabama no pen will ever be able to portray.” Official Defalcations ------------------------- The enemies of the Democratic Party in Alabama have been rolling, as a sweet morsel under their tongues, the report of H. C. Armstrong, State Superintendent of Education, that several County Superintendents were behind with their accounts. In explanation of this, the Montgomery Advertiser says: “The following is a statement of the County Superintendents reported short, with the amounts of their shortage and the status of the several cases at the present time: S. G. Wolffe, Marengo Co., reported short about $4,000, settled up in full before the Legislature adjourned. Jno. A. Jones, of Hale, reported short $18,000, has settled up all but about $1,400, and has tendered that and is ready to pay it whenever the exact amount due from him is fixed. J. M. Thigpen, of Butler, reported short $4,000, was relieved by the Legislature on Thigpen’s bondsmen agreeing to pay all outstanding claims of teachers while he was Superintendent, and expenses, attorney’s fees, etc., in the suit which had been instituted against them. Thigpen claimed that the money had been stolen from him. W. H. Stuckey, of Dale, reported short $4,658, has settled up all but $2,295. Suit is now pending against his bondsmen for the balance due. M. P. Brown, of Jackson county, reported short about $5,000, claims that the whole amount was lost by a burglary. There is no bank in Scottsboro, and he kept the school funds in a safe in a business house. The burglar stole other funds besides the school money, and the citizens there are quire general in their belief that Mr. Brown is entirely innocent of any wrong. Suit is now pending against his bondsmen. J. M. Guiton, of Lamar county, reported about $2,760, is dead, and suit is now pending against his administrator and his bondsmen. Have You Seen Luke Pryor? --------------------------------- Scottsboro Herald We met a young looking lady with a bundle in her arms on the street the other day, who, with a pleasant smile, saluted us with an inquiry as follows: “Have you seen Luke Pryor?” We answered, as we mutually stopped, that we had none.—She promptly uncovered the face of what proved to be a fine looking boy, the pride of a young mother, and said, “Well, this is Luke Pryor.” The newborn boys are all named Luke Pryor. No more George Washingtons, Andrew Jacksons, or Henry Clays.— Our printer, J. C. Brightman, has a Luke Pryor, so has T. J. Grantham, and so, also, has our townsman, R. C. Hunt. But there is a fine boy babe we hear of, that is not named Luke. Through the kindness of his mother and the intervention of a partial young lady friend, he is a name sake of the editor of the Herald. U.S. NEWS The Mail Robber’s Confession ----------------------------------- Ozark, Ark., March 21.—The Johnson brothers, two of the Little Rock and Fort Smith train robbers now in jail, confessed their crime. George Johnson said the party was organized at Mrs. Herndon’s but the plan was not entirely completed then but it was the understanding that the train on the Little Rock and Fort Smith railroad was to be captured and robbed, and adjourned to meet at Mulberry where the plans of operations was formed in woods near the town. Their intention was not to kill anyone except in self-defense, and to avoid bloodshed unless absolutely necessary. Jim Herndon, who was captured this morning near Huntsville Madison County, fired the shot that killed Conductor Cain, Herndon went to McDonald, of the gang, and told him to stop shooting but McDonald shot at him, supposing he was a passenger, when Jim shot McDonald in the face. The original plan was to capture Cain and rob the train. George Johnson is an ex-Federal soldier, now drawing a government pension. Secretary Folger is reported seriously ill in Washington. The President’s health is said to be bad, and he expects to go, soon, to Florida to recruit. Rev. George Allen, of Worcester, Mass., has completed his ninety-first year. He is the oldest male citizen of Worcester, the oldest clergyman in the State, and probably the only survivor of his calls (1813) in Yale College.— Boston Herald. The man who struck Billy Patterson has been discovered by the Atlanta Constitution, which is good authority. It will be remembered that Billy Patterson willed a thousand dollars to the man who would acknowledge that he struck the blow. It was in 1783 when the fight occurred in which Billy Patterson was struck. A Mrs. Jennie G. Covely, daughter of G. W. Tiller, has written to the ordinary of Franklin county claiming the legacy of one thousand. The Divorce Mania ------------------------ The region of high moral ideas and ultra-progressive isms of various sorts is making a social record that is a reproach to civilized institutions.—In the matter of divorces, the standard of New England morality appears to be even lower than that of France.—In the sixth of series of Lenten lectures now in progress in Trinity Chapel, New York, Dr. Dix brought this growing evil into striking notice: “In the State of Massachusetts in 1860,” said Dr. Dix, “there were five causes for which divorce could be obtained, and a ratio of 1 divorce to 51 marriages; in 1878, the number of causes for which divorce was allowed had advanced to 9 and the ratio to 1 divorce for every 21 marriages. IN other New England States, the case was even worse. In Vermont, the ratio was 1 divorce to 14 marriages; in Rhode Island, 1 divorce to 12 marriages; in Connecticut, 1 divorce to 11 marriages. New Hampshire showed about the same proportion, and in Maine is was even worse.” It may be fairly presumed that the condition of things is worse now thatn at either of the times specified. Supposing such a state of affairs to exist throughout the United Sttes, who could speak one word in favor of the socially elevating tendancy of Republican institutions? If the loose legislation which fosters this spreading evil continues, we may well say with Dr. Dix: “Then this will be the history:-- That’s she whom God lifted up from the state of concubinage and crowned with honor and glory as a Christian wife, will, after having turned away from God to follow her own desires, sink back to be once more man’s slave and concubine.” CLASSIFIEDS The Late Gov. Stephens We have just published a fine Portrait Picture of the late Alex. H. Stephens, engraved from a photograph and pronounced a perfect and lifelike likeness of the great Georgia statesman, size 14x10 inches, on heavy plate paper. A sample copy will be sent by mail in a pasteboard tube and post-paid, on receipt of 30 cents in stamps. Agents wanted everywhere to sell this and other popular pictures, etc. Write for our catalogue. Sent free. Address HILL & BURROW, Publishers m28-3w 40 Marietta St., Atlanta, Ga. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/madison/newspapers/itemsfro1341gnw.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/alfiles/ File size: 19.8 Kb