Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-03-16
ANOTHER MARINE DISASTER.
The Mercury Sunk-Twenty Lives
Lost.


The steamer Mercury, from Jackson
port, bound for Louisville, struck snag
on Wednesday night in the cut of, about
fifteen miles above the mouth of White
river, connecting that stream with the
Arkansas, which caused her to sink inn
mediately. So quietly did the unfortu-
nate affair occur that the cabin passen-
gers were not aware OF the casualty until
informed of it. She sunk in about ten
feet of water, and with such rapidity
that the deck passengers, numbering
eighteen, were instantly submerged and
drowned. Fortunately, before the Mer-
curry had time to settle in her tracks"
all the cabin passengers, with the excep-
ton of two, escaped. Those two, a
father and son, the owners of about two
hundred and twenty mules on board
(which were all lost, jumped upon bale
of cotton floating by About three hundred
bales of cotton were also lost. The sur
viving passengers ofthe Mercury reached
the city at late hour last night, on the
Governor Sharkey, which afforded them
every comfort. The Mercury is owned
principally by Captain Pink Varble and
Colonel May, of Louisville, and is par
TALLY insured. She will prove total
loss. Several of the passengers were
frost bitten. The cutoff taken by the
Mercury is known to be dangerous one,
but the high water would allow her to
float above all Instructions. Mr.. Pat
rick, a nephew of Mr.. Joyce, arrived on
the Nick Longworth, and was taken to
the Epps House on Adams street. He
jumped on bale of cotton with another
man, aud as they were floating down the
river, a tree fell on them, causing the
other man to relinquish his hold and fall
in the river. Mr.. Patrick was badly in
jured by the tree, and his recovery is
considered doubtful
SAM.-There was large audience at
the New Memphis Theatre last evening
on the occasion Of Mr. Chanfrau's bene-
fit, when he appeared for the second
time in his great character of Sam"
in De Walden's comedy of that name.
The performance was highly relished by
those present, who showed their appre-
citation by frequent bursts of applause
and laughter. Mr.. Chanfrau has estab-
lished brilliant reputation for his per-
sonation of "Sam," and he is fully en-
titled to it. Mrs flanagan as the dash
ing Laura Roslyn was played with
much spirit Miss Llewellyn's " Euphe-
mia was excellent, her high flown bursts
of eloquence being irresistibly provoke
tive of laughter. Mr. Marston as "Dick
Jenkinson," the ex-circus man, was good;
his limitations of the sports of the arena
we're admirable. Messrs. flanagan,
Wheelock, Particle, Ashton and Loder
did we'll, and thus aided to the success of
the entertainment Everybody appeared
in good spirits when leaving the theatre
last night, aud we would advise any one
suffering with-the blues to 90 to the New
Memphis to night and see Chanfrau as
the original and mirth-provoking SAN.
CRIMINAL CoURT.-Josh Bell, colored,
on trial for larceny, has been sentenced
to one years Imprisonment in the pen
itentiary. Motion was made for a new
trial in arrest of judgment The priso-
ner was allowed to 60 on his own bond
until the motion is heard and acted upon.
Capt. Van A. W. Anderson reported to
the court a resolution adopted in regard
to the death Of James G. Calhoun, by the
Memphis bar, requesting the same to be
spread upon the minutes Of the Criminal
Court. In introducing the same, Capt
Anderson delivered a beautiful and i'm
pressive eulogy upon the personal virtues
Of the deceased. Court adjourned this
morning in respect to the deceased. On
Monday morning the case Of D. r. 6raee
for killing Frank Cummings will be taken