Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-04-28
FROM CHICAGO.
Correspondence of the Ledssr.l

AheSANoe eh"N "htoShSN " ~ AmhiSNA
ately after the shooting, which oc-
CURED Wednesday night, a few min
utes after l had mailed my letter to
the LEDGER. On returning from the
postofice | dropped into the theater
(McVioker's) to witness the closing
scenes of Richard II. was just in
time to witness the thrilling %innoya-
ton not on the programme. Booth,
as Richard II, was repeating a
soliloquy. The lights were down, and
no one visible on the stage but erich
ard" Suddenly the audience was
startled by two shots being fired from
the balcony, near thestage. Ina second
the terrible state Of affairs was com
pretended. Public and private po-
lice rushed to the point of firing. Two
men were grappled. AT this point
Mr.. Booth stepped to the front and
pointed out the one who made the
attempt upon his life. The audience
shouted, "Hang him hang him p
But the police hurried the eulprit
away to the station, and locked him in
a dreary cell. The excitement of this
episode was most intense for a few
minutes, but the GOODNESS of Booth
soon restored order. He stepped to
the front and asked to be excused for
a brief period, as his wife had tainted.
On his appearance he was given a
grand ovation Of applause. Then
the play was finished. The
chief actor in this unexpected
drama was found to be one
Mark Gray, of st. Louis and
Keokuk, a gentleman aged twenty
three. He seemed to be very much
disappointed at his failure to make an
angel of Nh. B. Now Nh. G.. lam
guishes under a bond of $4,000 to
await action of the grand jury. His
reason for his attempt on the great
actors life he will not divulge, but
says the tragedian knows he has good
cause. There is some mystery, GER.
tainly, about the affair that only time
will unravel. Some contend that
Gray is a little out of plumb in his
upper regions. But there are not a
few who believe that the whole affair
is merely an advertising dodge of
Manager McVicker, who, it is said, is
opposed to paying for newspaper ad-
vertising. Toyour orrespondentthings
look mixed and he does not believe
much hardship will attach to Gray
for his little amusement. Booth was
before the grand jury to-day, and af-
forwards visited the prisoner. They
resemble each other very much in
stature and physiognOmy, which gives
zest to the assertion that Booth is a
very near relative, say father, Of the
" surface" culprit.
The Daily News (Liberal) says that
Senator David Davis recent speech
was the only statesman-like effort that
has been made in congress for 10
these many days. And the Times
talks in the same strain. The former
says it was good enough to be a rec
omendation for the next Presidency.
Your correspondent gave such as his
opinion in his previous letter.
Boiling stiffs is the latest charge
against the warden of the Cook
county, Ills. hospital. A stiff" be
it known, is a human corpse. The
question to be decided by the au-
thorities is what kind of soup the de-
functs would make. Chicago and
Cook county always try to be ahead in
everything.
The Stevens murder trial may be
finished by tomorrow Saturday
night. The farce is costing the city a
good round sum and it is more than
likely the gallows will go begging.
This is a good hint to the Conkling-
ties. 1t is a Times item of this morn
ing: "0ne Of the many reasons why
the colonies united in a declaration Of
independence was the employment Of
troops by his majesty of England in
other than a lawful manner. The
Declaration of independence was sup
posed in its day to be a pretty level
headed kind of a document"
The riots Of 1877 had a tragedy
that is again before the public and the
courts. During the excitement the
police broke up a meeting of the
Harmonic Association of Joiners,'
and, in doing so, it is alleged, killed
one of the society's members. Now
the association are bringing action fol-
$4,000 damages against the theT
superintendent of police, Mr.. Hickey
as the party authorizing the unwar
ranted action of the police in disturb
ing a body of citizens c%ongregated t,
peaceably discuss business pertaining
to their order. Among the witnesse
for the plaintiffs is Alderman Stran
! her, one Of the officers Of the associa
! tion and a Socialist leader Of ability
Remember, Socialist used to b
! Communist" in the estimation 0
t venal and unprincipled politician
t when speaking of said protective OF
ganization. There is no telling wher
t this will end. Certainly Hickey O
t some of his mercenaries should b
punished.
General Carter Harrison, late con
t gresham, will take his seat as mayo
s Of Chicago. He will be the frs
: Democratic incumbent of that ho1
orable position for years agone. Ifh
makes a peoples mayor he will b
their choice for next governor
Illinois.
General Phil Sheridan, and b.
brother, Colonel Mike, are off ives
ward on IN inspection tour.
The Carnival Of Authors has bee
such a grand success that it would
useless to attempt to portray all j
IT geat attractions in a paragraph
q Consequently, l will only say that a
d the appointments are grand, gorgeou