Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1874-11-05
Omaha correspondence.
OMAHA, November 1st, 1874.

Mr.. MiLLIKAN:
scarcely know where 10 look for items
with which to construct my letter. There
is dearth in items of general interest, and
since my last writing, nothing of local
Importance has occurred to ruffle the gen.
eral quiet, now prevailing.
A little episode In the routine of curt
business occurred the other day, which /
will mention. simply toillustrate tine man
ner in which our excellent District Judge,
deals with criminals: One Ira. II. Tom
linson was indicted for obtaining money
under false pretenses. from one of our
Omaha business houses. BY the way, !
this Tomlinson came here several months
ago, representing himself as travelling
agent for an eastern house. He took an
order for a bill of goods from our Omaha
house, and by some hook or crook Oh.
tanned an advance of some 5000 90; and.
TO use familiar phrase, "lit out In a
few DAYS, our Omaha house received a
dispatch from the eastern firm, warning
them against The impositions of this man,
| romlinson, stating that he was not their
agent. Not knowing what better to do
under the circumstances, our Omaha
house Immediately Instituted measures to
induce the return of Tomlinson, who was
was along the line of the U. ?. II. r.,
plying his lucrative trade With the Gov
crnor's requiSition and the assistance of
the Sheriff they succeeded, and he was
lodged in Jail. TO await his trial. He was
found guilty Of the crime, aud the judg
ment of the Court was: ten DAYS in Jail
on bread and water, and to pay fine OF
three hundred dollars and costs; and. to
stand committed until the fine and costs
are paid.
! Now. Judge Lake is a most excellent
Judge, and Las the name of being exceed
! ingly severe on criminals, and the fact is,
they receive nothing less than the extent
Of the law, at his ands but this sentence
caused smile To overspread the counte
nanccs or the members Of the Tar. whp
were az q loss to account FOR the sudden
/ leniency of the Judge. and as lie turned
and met the vacant stare of his legal audi:
encc, there was a perceptible relaxation of
his iigid features and an attempt 10 conceal
u smile was clearly apparent. 1t was net
long, however, when The real force ard
right of the judgment was discovered
! Owing to- some legal tcchnicality. the
nominal imprisonment must necessarily
be light; but to stand committed unit. "a
fine of three hundred do!lars was paid,
was the pith Cf the sentence, as it Was
soon discovered that this high toned
hummer and swindlng confidence man,
had not a cent TO help himself with, and
his friends exceedingly few. He anguish
ed in Jail Ten days on bread and water
is the by-word OF the bar, and the Judge
iius;ifies the assertion, that no one is more
ready TO protect our business men from
the swindling operation of such men than
he but he could do no more under the
law.
During the last few days, we have had
a reminder of the ap ,roaching winter, in
The way of cold north wester. with o
slight sprinkling of snow.
Our daily Reriep of money and com.
merce shows an apparent falling off IN
trade. Business at the banks has been
somewhat slack. and wing to the cold
snap, the retail trade is quite dull.
;. The many people who have visited
Omaha in years gone by, and who have
since spent their leisure time in cursing
the city Cor its muddy streets and misera
BILE side walks. must Iced to come back
and see tie improvements, and ask to be
forgiven. The city has spent thousands
of dollars this summer improving streets.
making side walks. and grading; and,
although the system of general improve
ment is barely commenced, our streets
present cred'table. appearance and are
less likely TO strike the casual visitor with
disgust, As in former times. and when the
improvements are finally completed,
Omaha will justly be proud of her broad
level streets, and her excellent side walks.
SPENCE.