The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1879-07-03

AolAl IL 0AAAElAA nANAAF ao a
rule, are remarkable for their matter-of-
fact dullness:
NEW YORK, June 80.
To Hon. \. D. HAzEN. THIRD POSTMASTER
GENERAL, WAsHINGToS - SIR Herewith
please find a live horned toad, excluded from
the mail by regulations, and which is respect
fully forward 10 your Office without the usual
detention, because close confinement in this
Office would seriously endanger the animals
existence. / would like to be advised what
disposition 10 make OF this class OF unmailable
matter in the future, as am not aware that
am authorized 10 destroy them. Even il l
were, do not know by what painless method
their destruction is 10 be accomplished.
Respectfully, T. l. JAMES.
The reply:
WASHINGTON, June 9th.
To 7. l. JAMES, NEW YoRK-SIR :-Referring
to your letter of the Sd inst, you are advised
that your action In forwarding a live horned
toad to the dead letter office is approved, and
will serve AS a precedent 10 be followed in
similar cases at your Office in future. It is
with no little qualification that the department
recognizes through your letter that Mr.. bergh's
good influence prevails in the post-ofiice, New
York. Respectfully, wN. NJ. MoRToS,
Acting Third Assistant Postmaster-General.
A monument was erected over the
grave of Benjamin c. Porter, the actor,
who was murdered at Dallas, Texas, at
Evergreen Cemetery to-day, John P.
Smith and Col. Aston Brown being the
committee appointed to attend to its
erection. The monument is OF white
marble neatly cut and simply designed,
and stands five feet in height, aud
bears the following inscription: "Benj.
c. Porter, aged forty years, died at
Dallas. Marshall county, Texas, March
10, 1879" The plot, which adjoins that
Of Elk's Rest, has been enclosed with
an ornamental iron rail and granite
posts. Mrs. Porter, the mother, Mrs.
Benjamin G. Porter, the wife, aud a
neice of the deceased, were at the grave,
and brought large quantity Of rare
plants aud exotics, and had them placed
about the plot, completely covering it
and making il very beautiful to look
upon aud pleasant to approach, the rich
fragrance from flowers filling the air
about. The monument has been erected
from the Porter fund, and without ex-
pense to the family Of the dead actor.
The trial Of Currie, the railroad detect
i've, who shot aud killed Porter, is to take
place on the 23d inst, at Dallas, Texas.
Maurice Barrymore and Miss Cum
mings, who are both in this city at pres
ent, will be two Of the principal wit
nesses for the prosecution, and upon their
evidence it is hoped Currie will be con-
victed.
The backwardness of the northern
strawberry crop this year, and conse-
quent slow forthcoming of the native
supply Of that delicious fruit to follow
the exhausted southern importation,
keep the metropolitan dining table OF
the period decidedly behind the season,
especially as the deficiency is accompa-
MED by similar shortcoming in the mat
ter of the choice fish usually plentiful in
June. A late and brief local shad period
has been succeeded by only fitful catches
Of bass, blue fish and other -piscatorial
favorites Of the New York markets, so
that Restigouche salmon, Spanish
mackerel from the Chesapeake and
North Carolina Sleeps head constitute
yet the bulk Of finny purchases for
hotels aud private families. Such q
sun as flames between showers this
week, however, must soon correct the
sectional fruit and vegetable deficits,
and probably expedite the arrival Of the
scaled and tender-gilled delicacies pre-
ferring to frequent the coast when the
water is slightly warm. But elsewhere
than at table the aspects and acceptance
Of veritable Summer are as decisive as
need be. White hats, muslin necktles
fanciful tweed and blue flannel suits
and low shoes are the sumptuary rule
from Wall street to Harlem, and on the
closing day Of the races at Jerome ParE
the fairer sex blossomed into its fulles
Summer fashion. An afternoon driv,
through any of the choicer residential
suburbs, whether up toward the ole
country-seats of Westchester or along
the more umbrageous rural avenues o
Staten Island, discovers lawn parties
already enjoying croquet, tennis anC
archery in the Hospitality exposed
grounds Of many a well-shaded mansion
The effect of the Coney Island attraction
is to be seen, even more generally thii
year than last, IN the indifference o
people not ofthe most exclusive fashion
about securing country boarding place.
for the season. With the easy resourc'
of a city Of magnificent surf-washe'