Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1866-10-11
STATE NEWS.

EDGEcoArBE COUNTY, n C-Out of era.
ven county Edgecombe was formed. Its
name signifies ga valley environed with
hills" according to our authority. It de-
rives its name from the Earl of Mount
Edgecombe, who was captain in the Brit
ish Navy, and served under the celebrated
Admiral Byng, in Minorca, whose cruel
and melancholy fate is familiar with the
town of Tarboro is the capital of the county,
situated on the western branch of the Tar
river, just south of a considerable bend to
the eastward and Northward. It is pro-
posed to connect Tarboro' with Wilmington
on the Roanoke, by rail, which will bring
the former place in more direct communi-
cation with this city by way of Albemarle
Sound and through the Albemarle and
Chesapeak canal. A small subscription has
already been made in this city towards the
enterprise. It is hoped that the next Leg
stature OF the State may be induced to en-
dorse the bonds and thus render the work
a success, in the estimation of its friends.
We are told that the original name of Tar
river was Tau, which is an Indian word
meaning river Of Health. This would
have beeu regarded as most appropriate in
the estimation of the celebrated Bishop
Berkeley. who it will be remembered by
some of our readers, wrote a remarkable
and learned essay on the healthful effects
of Tar water, which he regarded almost as
n panacea There have been discovered
the fossil remains of q mammoth skeleton
in this county near the railroad bridge
Col. Henry Irwin was born in this county
over whose remains with those of others,
the late James F. Watson erected marble
which we have already noticed. The his
tory of Mr.. Wheeler mentions several other
names of his tonic distinction, for which
we have no space. Cotton. corn, oats,
wheat, wool, turpentine, and fish are the
chief articles of expectation.
Norfolk Day Book.
MARTIN COUNTY, n. C-In IVA the coun-
~ OF Martin was carved out of Halifax and
Fayette counties, and named in honor of
Josiah Martin, who was at that time the
Royal Governor, and the last of the colony
of North Carolina. He arrived at Newbern
on the 18th of August, 1771, and succeeded
General Tyson. Gov. Martin was by pro-
fession a soldier, and occupied the rank of
Major in the British army. He was the
brother of the Samuel Martin, member of
Parliament in 1853, who was engaged in a
duel with the celebrated John Wilkes
Gov. Martin, after the battle of Moore's
Creek, in 1776, in which the loyalists were
defeated, embarked with Sir Peter Parker,
aud arrived at Charleston. He was at the
battle of Guilford with Lord CORVALLIS,
after which he went to England, then re-
turned to New York, and died at Rocka-
way. The county of Martin has the Roam
oke river on the North, which divides it
from BERTHE The thriving little town of
Williamson, situated on a bend of the
Roanoke, where an island is formed, accor-
ding to a map before us, is its capital.
Martin produces corn, cotton, oats, wheat,
wool, naval stores and fish.
Norfolk Day Book.
WAKE SUPERIOR COURT.-On Thursday
the case of the State rs. Charles johnson
and Richard Putney was tried. The charge
was highway robbery, committed on Sol.
Greason, of Alamance county, in February
last. Mr.. Attorney General Rogers for the
State, and Iessrs. E. G.. Haywood and r.
c. Badger for Johnson, and Messrs Bad
ham and Busbee for Putney. The Attorney
General entered mol pros. as to Putney,
and Johnson only was tried. The Jury,
after being out short time, returned a
verdict of guilty.
The speech of Mr. Haywood in defence
Of the prisoner was characterized by much
learning and ability. We understand an
appeal has been taken in this case to the
Supreme Court.
The Court was engaged on Friday in try
ing Rufus and James Hodgel for the al
legged murder of John Sturdivant The
Attorney General, on account of relation
ship to the prisoners, did not appear, and
". S. Mason, Esq, assisted by Hon. Thos.
Bragg and L. G. Haywood, Esq, appeared
for the State Messrs. B. f. Moore, S. F.
Phillips, and r. H. Battle, Jr., for the
prisoners.
Judge Merrimon is acquitting himself in
the best manner. With such Judges on our
bench it will not be long before crime will
be greatly diminished, and society restored
to the healthy tone which existed previous
" to the war-RaL Standard
GRANVILLE COJrNTY.-In announcing him
self candidate for the House of Commons,
James L. Littlejohn, Esq, declares as fol-
lows:
1st 1 am utterly opposed to Article II, COM
monty known the Constitutional amendment,
OF the Howard amendment. L not only beheve
that Il Is not the best we can do, but think 1t
is the JcOrSt we can do.
If We are to be degraded let us have no hand
in it.
ID. l am against reputation either in private
or public contracts of just and honest charac-
ter.
If We are unable to pay, we are able to oece our
Sd. L am for establishing penitentiary by the
State. Punishment by fine, whipping and impris-
Onment does not pay the criminal charges. This
has now to be met by taxation. We are not able
to bear 1t, and i'll my Judgment the only means
TO keep this tax (Which Is to be very heavy and
onerous) off the people, is by esta6lishining a
penitentiary, whereby the convicts will paw the
charges they have imposed on the State.
EMIGRANTs. Several hundred emigrants
from Randolph, Chatham and other coun
ties arrived here this morning on their way
to the Northwest. They are all working
people, who are impelled by the short crop
n the State, and the apprehensions the.
indulge of having negro suffrage force(
upOn this State, to remove to the North
west.-Raleigh Sentinel
LENOIR AND GREENE.-John III. Coward
Esq, and James P. Speight, ESQ.,, are can
didates for the Senate in Lenoir and Greene
F. NJ. Rountree, Esq, is candidate TO
the Commons in Greene.
A COOP HAUL-EoUR RoGUEs CAUGHT
On Thursday last, in the neighborhood o
Core Creek, on the Neuse road, four negroe
stole stear from Mr.. VIM Arnold, ant
soon after butchering it, the whole part,
were caught and brought to this city yester
day, to "receive their rights before tn
law, for the crime of stealing
I'm Friday +U-o white 1.oD+ A..