Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-07-15

Dark and soggy clouds hung low
along the horizon last evening, aud
for a period threatened showers, but
none came, though rain fell not many
miles distant, judging from appear
ances. 1t has been over a week since
we enjoyed a sprinkle.
Fifty Frenchmen, residents of this
city, enjoyed a banquet at No. 40 JEFF
ferson street, in honor of the French
nations holiday, and the anniversary
of the destruction of the famous Bas-
tile. Appropriate toastS and eloquent
sentiment we're a part Of the festivi-
ties.
A big cotton shed in the navy yard
and more sheds near the railway de-
pots are in course of construction for
the autumn and winter trade. Pro
lection from the weather will be
ready for about 125 900 bales of cot
ton before hat much can be picked
out in this vicinity.
Twenty or more leading merchants
have signed a paper calling for a citi-
zeus' meeting for Saturday evening
next, and irrespective of political
faith, to give expression to questions
involved in Southern Democrats
recent communication. The paper is
at the cotton exchange.
A lad of nine years, named Robt.
Enright, living near the corner Of
Desoto and Elliot streets, while play
ing with a pistol last evening. shot a
bullet through his hand and badly
mutilated that part of his anatomy.
Children should be provided with a
different class of playthings.
A crowd of 562 people from North
Georgia and thereabouts, passed
through the city yesterday afternoon,
on a tour of inspection through Texas
and the southwest. A vote was taken
on the cars before reaching here,
which resulted in II for Garfield, 4
for Weaver and the remainder for
Hancock.
The annual barbecueof city weigher
Mallory is in progress to-day out at
Colonel Hugh Greer's sylvan retreat,
and several scores Of friends are par
ticipating in the festival. A squad Of
ten or a dozen videttes went out last
evening and bunked in hay pile, to
be ready by the dawn for active duty
in the baking trenches.
After twelve years Of earnest devo-
ton to the cause, Mr.. R. c. Nicholson
has severed his connection with R. G.
Dun & Co., and is no longer in the
commercial agency business. Mr.
Nicholson contemplates embark
ing in other business here
next autumn. He will have
the best wishes of scores of friends in
any enterprise he may choose to EN-
bark.
There is trouble again at Presi-
dents Island workhouse farm. Sto-
ries Of whipping, on the bare back,
both white and black persons, are
current, and yesterday Judge Horri,
gan ordered the entire lot of prison
ers sent there on account of the
county brought up and lodged in jail
until the matter can be fully investi
gated. Two of the guards, named
Ed. Speers and Mr.. Slade, are said to
be the leading whippers.
The inhuman barbarity practiced
by a band of masked ~murderers on
Tom CoDkey and Prince helms, near
Bennets landing, is a subject of much
comment. Many stories regarding
the atrocity are current, one of which
is that the two victims were tied back
to back on horses, and were then
slasbed crosswise with sharp knives
through their stomachs, after which
their threats we're cut and they we're
left by the roadside. The people in
the vicinity are highly incensed and
wrought up oyer the horrible outrage.
Numerous topics of absorbing in
terest are now atfording active tongue
and mind exercise. The murders in
Tunica county, Miss; the great pro-
duction Of Southern Democrat
likewise that of the snappy Herman;
the quarantine movement, and the
fever on board the Swedish bark Ex-
celsior at New Orleans; the cruelty
to prisoners at Presidents island; the
warm weather and dusty roads; the
earth closets and politics; and last, but
not least, the public health, are all
items Of discussion at present.
The Recent Earfhnuake.