The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-04-25

BILLIARDS.

The Srnte Tournament which Commences
To-night-An Account of the Preceding Com
tests.
Tonight the fourth billiard tournament which
will have taken place in Pennsylvania will com
monce at the Assembly Buildings. All the ne
cessary arrangements have been completed, and
ample and comfortable accommodations have
been made for both the contestants and the
visitors. This tournament Is for the champion
ship of the State, for which Messrs. Nelms,
Plunkett, Palmer Rockh1ll, and Hunter, of this
city, will contend. In addition there will be
three prizes awarded to the three best players.
The first will receive n gold-mounted cue, pre-
sented by Kavanagh ~ Decker of New York,
and a billiard table, presented by Victor Estephe,
of This city. The second will receive prize of
$3.50 and the third purse of $75. The great
game will be between Aessrs. Nelms aud
Puukett, both of whom have been engaged in
constant practice for some weeks. Little is
known of Nelms' play, while Plunkett has been
discOunting Palmer. Notwithstanding that but
little attention seems to have been given in
Philadelphia by the public to billiard contests,
three Journeys have been held in this city, Of
which we append short account
The first State tournament was played in this
city IN September, 1864. This was the first
tournament in tl.is country in which the obnox-
ious push-shot was abolished. Victor Estephe
won the first prize, defeating all of his oppo-
nents. The second prize was won by e. II.
Nelms. X. T. Ryall then challenged Estephe
for the Championship. 1t was accepted, and
the game played at SAMSON Street Hall Decem-
Der 13, 4S64, Estephe maintaining his right to
the cue by defeating his opponent 234 points in
a game of 1900 points. Soon after John Mont
gomery put IN his claim to the cue aud the title,
but met with defeat, having only scored 525
points to the champions 1900. In this contest
Estephe's average was 16, and his best run 1O9.
The next game tor the championship was played
between Estephe and e. II. Nelms at the Aca-
DENY of Music, in April, 1865 Nelms, who was
defeated, Immediately rechallenged Estephe
but owing to some disagreement the latter
resigned the cue to Nelms, who in turn resigned
1t to the Pennsylvania Billiard Congress.
The second tournament took place in 1866.
In this contest the Objectionable push-shot was
reirtroduced. The contestants were e. j. Plum
kett, r. I. Ryal and Victor Estephe. Nelms
having removed to Baltimore, did not partic-
pate The champion cue was won by Plunkett
and held by him until the third tournament
which was played in February, 1867, between
Nelms Estephe, Ryall, Rockhill, Palmer
Hewes, Bruce, and Hoyt. Owing to Plunkett
having left the State, he was barred from play
ing. The champion cue was won by Nelms, by
whom it has been held ever SINCE The follow
ing is a summary of the play
Nelms defeated all his opponents. Estephe
won with Ryall, Rockhill, Palmer, Hewes
Bruce, and Hoyt but lost with Nems. Ryall
defeated Palmer, Rockhill, Hewes Bruce, and
Hoyt, but was beaten by Nelms and Estephe.
Rockhill won with Palmer, Hewes Bruce, and
Hoyt, and lost with Nelms, Estephe, and Ryall.
Palmer successful with Hewes, Bruce, and
Aoyt, but was beaten by Nelms, Estephe, Ryall,
and Rockhill. Hewes defeated Bruce and Hoyt,
but was beaten by Nems, Estephe Ryall Rock
hill, and Palmer. Bruce successful with
Hoyt, but lost with all the other players. Hoyt
lost with every player.
During the two years which Nelms held the
cue he was called upon only once to defend it.
In that instance he defeated his opponent,
Robert t, Ryall by about 800 points.
THE JuB1EE.-The Central Committee hay
ing in charge the arrangements for the display
tomorrow by the colored citizens of Phiadel-
phia in commemoration of the ratification of
the fifteenth amendment sit to-day and tonight
at Liberty Hall, for the purpose of receiving the
final report of the general committees. Nearly
all had been handed in by noon, and from in
formation contained therein, the affair to-
morrow promises not only to be the grandest
affair yet held in this country by the new
made citizens, but it also promises to compare
favorably with many of the demonstrations
made by their white brethren. The complete
programme of the ceremonies has been
issued, and the various division marshals have
received their instructions as TO their duties on
the occasion. In addition to the preparations
made by the general committees, considerable
attention has been devoted by the various civic
and military organizations to the matter of
banners and ornaments to be carried in the line.
That which will undoubtedly attract the most
attention will be the Thaddeus Stevens Monu-
mental Association drawing a monument con-
sructed of wood and painted in imitation of
Italian marble. The base is four feet, and the
shaft is eight feet. full spread eagle will sur
mount the shaft, on either side of which there
will be appropriate inscriptions.
At nearly all of the colored churches there
will be appropriate religious services. The Q. 2.
Union League will attend St Thomas p. E.
Church. at Fifth and Adelphi streets, and the
Thaddeus Stevens Monumental Association
will attend the Central Presbyterian Church,
Lombard street, below Ninth. At the former
Rev. j. w. Ashton will deliver q discourse, and
at the latter Rev. John B. Reeve will oflicate.
A feature in the procession will be the Eighth
Ward Republican Legion of New York. They
will bear with them splendid silk standard
presented before leaving their native city by
the Union League of New York. Another fea
ture will be handsome banner rendered tho
Z. P. Union League by the Directors OF the
Broad street League.
ATTEMPTED BURGLARY.-Late on Saturday
afternoon officer ROner, of the Third district
heard cries of Murder! watch help" issuing
from the residence No. 3l5 Lombard street, auC
Immediately hastened to the spot and entered
The cries were made by lady occupant, who
stated that there was burglar in the yard
Tie officer entered the yard Just in time to SCI
fellow scale the fence. He at once followed
and, after long chase through alleys ant
streets, captured him at Fourth and Lombard
streets. He gives his name as JOS Reilly, an(
claims Baltimore for his residence. He will
have hearing to-day at the Central Station.
INCENDIARIsM.-Y Yesterday Fire Marsha
Blackburn caused the arrest of two mel
named Charles Franck an d ii. Palmer WIN
were found in lager beer saloon in the neigh
borhood of Eighth and Race streets, on the sus
picion of having set fire to an old frame dwell
ling, situated on Cherry street near Seventh
one week ago. The accused who are a portion
of a crowd that congregates around the Colum
bia Hose House, will have hearing to-da,
before Alderman Kerr at the Central Station.
SHoEs.-Last night thieves attempted to fore