Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-10-24

Gas Company VS.. Murphy ct al, con-
tinues TO occupy the attention Of Judge
Heiskell, of the First Circuit Court.
The testimony is being taken down as a
matter Of record by Mr.. David Philip,
Photographic reporter, and the intro.
duction Of testimony is pertinaciously
fought by the able counsel engaged.
The case viii not be concluded this week
The case of the driver of hack No. 90,
heard on the charge Of extoriion yester-
day by the Recorder, was settled by a
fine Of five dollars, and afterwards the
fine was RENTED. it appearing to the
Court that the charge made by the
driver was not an overcharge, and was
made under such circumstances that it
was probably justifable. The explana-
ton made as to the charge was satisfac-
tory to all parties, and the case was dis
missed.
Mrs. Mary Swan, mother Of Esquire
James Swan of this city, died on the
nth inst in Fayette county. The ven
cradle lady was ninety-six years Of age
at the time of her death, and was strong
and active up to within few days Of
her decease. She had resided in Ten
nessee for over seventy years, and in
Fayette county since 1884. For sixty
three years she had been member in
good standing in the Methodist Church.
Our city magistrates complain of dull
times, both in civil and criminal bust
ness. In each of our magisterial Offices
the awful form of justice can be seen re-
Ginning in an easy chair, with its feet
elevated on the bench, and highly col
ored meerschaum between its teeth.
Tobacco smoke is the handmade of pa
tience and the arant courier of good
humor. We have the best looking and
cleverest set Of magistrates in the State
We had a pleasant visit to-day from
Mr.. Wash. Blodgett, the affable business
agent Of the great DeCastro the famous
wizard and illusionist. Mr.. Blodgett
inform us that DeCastro created an
immense sensation in Nashville and
Huntsville recently, and will appear in
Little Rock, Arkansas, in few days,
and will again visit Memphis sometime
next month. We commend Mr. Blodgett
and Prof. DeCastro to the Little Rock
people as reliable and accomplished
gentlemen.
The officers of the Shelby County
Fair Association were busily engaged
yesterday at the Chamber of Commerce
cashing the eoGp ons held by the fortu-
nate holders of prizes. A colored ma n
from Whites station secured five hun
dred dollars and went on his way rejoic-
ing. 1t was generally remarked that
not man failed to appear at an early
hour and claim his prize. The ten
thousand dollars were distributed with
out the slightest difficulty.
Stealing a railroad Express train is
the latest exploit of the Communists.
They read recently how the Chinese pi-
rates stole two miles of Hong Kong and
Japan ocean cable, and were deter
mined to compete las Coburn fights in
the ring for the honor Of America.
The Union City thieves carried off two
thousand dollars from the Express safe
and then abandoned the train, after in
forming the overpowered guard that they
would come back and harri-karri him if
he moved.
A peripatetic astronomer displays the
wonders of the heavens on the corner Of
jefferson and Main streets every even
ing to crowds of children and darkies
who are respectfully invited to gaze
through a stove-pipe telescope and de-
post ten cents for the privilege. He
also shows his customers the ocean mon
sters that swim and fight in drop Of.
water, as displayed by powerful micro
scope. He IS public benefactor, and
distributor of homeopathic doses of sci-
ence.
Colonel Sidney b. Jones, general pas
senger agent at Cincinnati, sends out an
important circular announcing that the
Baltimore and Ohio railroad has made
an arrangement with connecting compa-
MES to issue excursion tickets at half
fare whenever Eve or more persons APP
ply for the same. These tickets can be
had already at Pittsburg. Columbus,
Cincinnati and Sandusky and other
places, and after the LIST of December
can be had at Louisville and points
further West This liberal arrangement
will enable many citizens to visit Wash
ington City during the next session of
Congress, who otherwise might not in
cur the expense The Capital viii be
crowded with strangers this winter, and
the season will be one Of great interest
and attraction The arrangements con
templated are but in keeping with the
spirit Of enterprise usually displayed by
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Com
pany.
H.A. Ltttlstoa a. Co. ~,