Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-05-26
CHICAGO LETTER.
Correspondence Public Ledger.

"NN Ho'S DoSh abtO W ShJOJ OuVNoOA
rambles had ample room to Satiate
themselves with the lovely weather.
Your correspondent was deprived the
enjoyment. Why2 you ask. The tale
is easily told. About two weeks Of
severe illness, that only in the past few
days took a favorable turn, and which
now enables me to attempt to drop
you a short letter.
The Chicago newspaper reporter is
universally known as an irrepresslble
detective and beaver worker for news.
But defeat met him sQuarely on Sat
urday. And in the shape of whom
do you suppose? / will tell you. In
the person of a southern gentleman
named Davis. Yes, a no less distin-
guished one than Jefferson Davis, late
president of the late Confederate
States. This was the able tactician
who outgeneraled the boys, who
now feel pretty sore over their
defeat. But if Mr.. Davis ever
again enters Chicago he will find that
the death hounds of the press will dis
cover his retreat, and it will be a hard
battle to save himselffrom the pump
ing process. When the public was
made aware, through few lines in the
Daily News, that the ex-president of
the Confederacy had been in the city,
and had left for Montreal without his
presence being generally known, their
regrets knew no bounds. This l
learned through a commissioner sent
through the Hobbies Of the hotels to
feel the public pulse on the subject.
| believe if he would allow himself to
be drawn from his s~eclusion and make
an address in Chicago, in some nam
moth place, say the exposition hall,
5 1000 people would rally to listen to
him. And ! venture to say that not a
man in that vast conceurse, or one
double its size, would offer him one
indignity. The war is over in Chica-
co. says the soldier element; and this
is re-echoed by the business and pro-
fessional community. There are a few
ignorant or malicious individuals who
hold Mr.. Davis responsible for the
late war; but the intelligent
whole" of the people Of this little
world of a city know full well, and are
fres to admit that Mr.. Davis, as presi-
dent of the Confederate States, merely
did his duty the same as the hum
blest soldier in the ranks. The people
of the Confederacy called him to its
head. He had a sworn duty to per-
form. He did it. So did the soldiers
who followed Lee, johnson, Forrest,
Price, Kirby Smith, Dick Taylor,
Pat Cleburne, and the great Stone
wall jackson, and other leaders. This
is the settled opinion of the big heart
of Chicago, which contributed so many
men, and so much treasure to assist
in perpetuating the union intact. This
people are now wrapped up in bust
ness, and are sick aud tired hearing
political soreheads rafting the bones
of dead issues, and the desire of NAL
contents to make a target Of Mr.. Davis
at whom to spit their venom. In
speaking Of the distinguished gentle
mans presence in the city, the press,
so far as l have been able to investi-
gate, mentioned to occasion in courte-
Gus language.
The Duke of Sutherland vas an
other distinguished arrival. He,
and a large following of note
worthy persons from England,
came 10 on Friday. After viewing a
number Of the most attractive of the
countless attractions of our great me.
tropolis, being escorted by Mayor
Harrison and other prominent city
officials, the duke and party left for
other scenes. The dukes geneology
goes back 800 years, aud shows a good
record. He is a hale and hearty gem
tleman at 6fty-two years ofage, having
been born December l9, 1929. He is
possessed Of great wealth, having
splendid estates and residences in
England and Scotland.
A sudden death was that, yesterday
morning, of H. B. Mcclure, a promi.
nent and wealthy gentleman of Jack
sonville, Illinois, just as he entered
Chicago in a Michigan Central car.
Heart disease is believed to have been
the cause. His friends were immedi.
ately t~elegraphed.
Chicago is up in the betting again.
There lives here one Louis Rust, a
t%onsorial artist. Yesterday be exhib.
tied one of his peculiarities by com
hitting a deadly assault on one George
Berrhardy. His arrest followed, and
from his person were taken a peculiar
seven-shot pistol and a pair Of villain.
Gus brass knucks. The pistol is oil
superior make, and more powerful.
while lighter, than the most improved
ones for sale. Strange to say he man.
uiactured it himself. He would moi
disclose any particulars as to why he
pursued his present calling while he
was such an undoubted genius.
"Old Fort Dearborn" was, in timei
agone, where now is the intersection
Of River street and Michigan avenue
Chicago. This old landmark wal
memorialized yesterday by the pre-
entation to the historical society of
tablet bearing an inscription that vii
tell pOsterity where the noble rec
man and the pale face had many little
unpleasantnesses A large concours,
of people gathered to witness the in
%teresting ceremonies.
Sexton, who had contracted to d,
the iron work Of C%hicago's new cit
hall, and who had nearly complete,
the job, for some reason best know
to himself, recently stopped work an,
refused to 90 on with it. This induce,
Mayor Harrison to declare the con
tract forfeited. This was in accord
aRce with the conditions Of that in
strument. Of course the end is no
yet.
N Ill