American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1879-12-27
SOUTHERN GLEANINGS.

AT an early hour on the morning of the
18th the liyery-stable OF j. Gillis, corner OF
Scott and Elm Streets, Little Rock, Ark,
was destroyed by fire, also the cotton com
press adjoining. The ellis family occupied
apartments over the stable, and were not
awakened until III lower part OF the build
ings all in flames. They dropped then
two children out of the window, and then
Mrs. ellis, sunocated by smoke, fell back
into the flames, Mr. ellis jumped and suis.
tanned severe injuries, and the children were
likewise badly hurt,
Rev. George White, rector of the Cal
vary Episcopal Church, Memphis, was
stricken with paralysis while addressing his
sunday school class on the l4th He was re-
tn0Sed TO his residence ON litter. He is 81
years old, and universally respected.
The Sheriff of Lee County, Texas, re-
Gently captured five highwaymen. Their
names are william aud Burd Robinson, Jim
They are supposed to be the robbers who
have been depredating in Central Texas for
some months past.
Col. Zeb, Ward, lessee OF the Arkansas
fcnitentiary has closed contract for the
construction of the Little Rock and Pine
bluff Railroad. Work will commence at
once at Little Rock; 400 convitts will be EN-
ployed. The grading il 70 he completed by
Apri }, and the entire road in operation by
July /, 1850.
A curious case recently came before
Judge Hammond of the United States Cir
cult Court at Memphis. j. G, Birmingham
of Lauderdale County, Tenn, refused to
recognize the abolition OF slavery, and ever
since the War has claimed to own two negro
girls because he owned their mother. The
conduct of Birmingham excited the indig-
nation Of his neighbors, and at their instiga-
tion the United States Grand Jury recently
found an Indictment against him. Judge
Hammond quashed the indictment, holding
that slavery having been abolished there
could be no slaves here, and therefore no one
could be held as slave. This, the Judge
said, is an offense hot provided for by the
act of Congress and not punishable by in
dictmcnt in the Federal Courts. Defendant
was discharged.
Col. Cook, notorious counterfeiter of
Jessamine County, KY, was shot and killed
on the 10Th at his home near Nieholasyille,
while defying arrest at the hands of Deputy
Marshal Clark of Louisville. Cook was n
Colonel in the Federal Army during the
War, and was inah of great bravery. He
had been arrested several times for counter
trial;
Two English gentlemen, Messrs. Ross
and McNulty, We're recently at San Antonio,
Tex, arranging for weekly shipments of
fresh beef and mutton to England.
The Senate has passed bill appropri-
ating $l4. 900 for the Improvement of the
United States Arsenal DIT San Antonio,
Texas.
Chancellor Carroll; of the Pulaski tArk. }
Chancery Court, has decided the case of the
State vs.. the Memphis and Little Rock Rail-
road ct III. The suit was for Il foreclosure of
mortgage to secure loan of 100000, made
in 1861. The decree is for the State,
and orders the sale of the road, rolling stock,
etc, unless the debt and interest, amount
ny to over S-02.Oo0, is paid by day named.
The ease will probably be appealed.
WIN. liarralsUn, store Keeper at Me-
Bean Station, on the Central Railroad, Ii
miles from Augusta, was found murdered
in his store, on the night of the 18th. An
derson Jones (colored) has been arrested for
the crime.
-,iabriel Sweat, a desperate who escaped
from the Falls County (TeXas) Jail, recent
ly, was shot dead while resisting arrest by
the Sheriff and posse.
The boiler of the portable saw-mill
Thompson & Curry, located about 10 mile
from Harrodsburg, KY, on the edge of Wash
ington County, exploded on the 18th, in
stantly killing +. A. Goddard and his son
John and MORALLY wounding George Cob
bard and Robert Curry, the partner.
Robert l.. Edgerton, aged A, shot him.
self dead at his home in Louisville, KY, on
the 18th. Edgerton was manager Of the
wholesale department of the drug house Of
Afford, Newhouse 4 Co., and for many years
n member of the firm of Edward Wilder &
Co. He was declared temporarily insane.
Two brothers, named Moore, residing In
Lebanon, Collins County, Tex, while re-
turning home from Dallas, the other day,
were attacked by a negro highway robber,
who was captured by the Moore boys and
taken to Lebanon. In attempting to escape
the robber was shot and killed.
In 1865 Thomas Wall robbed the New Or
leans office of the Southern Express Com
pany of $4,000. After few years spent in
travelling and sightseeing he married and
settled down in Chicago, building himself O
nice house in an aristocratic quarter Of the
city, right under the noses of the Pinkerton
detectives who had been employed to effect
his capture. He now called himself Robert
Smith, and it was only few days ago that
his identity was established. When arrested
had good time with the money.
"A number of prominent New Orleans
Republicans have formed themselves into
body corporate, to be known rs the New
Orleans Ledger Publishing Company" The
object of the association is to publish Re-
publican newspaper in that city. The first
number will be issued Jan. 3. Ex-Governor
Michael Hahn was elected President OF
the Board of Directors and Editor-in-
Chief.
The pioneer steamship Mobile, Of the
new line between Glasgow, Scotland, and
Mobile, Ala, arrived at the latter port on
the 18th. She brought 900 tons of freight for
st. Louis, besides other cargo.
In the Federal Court at Dallas, Tex, on
the 18th, Henry Williams, for rObbing the
United States mail on the Fort Worth and
Fort Yuma Stage Line, was sentenced to the
Pententiary for life.
John Mailman, John Davis and John
Roberts were drowned on the night of the
18th, while crossing the Kentucky River,
eIsut niles below Owenton. 1t is supposed
the boat was carried down by the ferry rope
and capsized.