davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-06-30
An Accomplished swindIer.
Tiuaacfar


His name is Higgs = DR.. Paget
Higgs. Having somehow got repu.
tation in England as a mathematician
and electrician, he came to this coun
try two years ago under the auspices
Of Boston man, to do certain work
fer a cable company Of that city, which
required the highest electrical knowl-
edge. He did 1t well, they say, and in
the intervals between his work for the
cable people he unfolded cleverly the
details Of wonderful coptrivances he
had invented for an economic electric
light, for the electrical transmission Of
power, and the construction Of storage
batteries. He was very brilliant
talker, and captured several prominent
Bostonians. Soon company was
organized with a capital Of So, 900 900
to develop Higgs' plans. When the
time came TO test his marvellous in
ventions, Higgs had hied him thence,
taking with him $4,000, this sum
representing the extent to which the
innocent Bostonians had trusted
Higgs.
The enterprising Higgs next turned
up in New York, and threw out his
lines for new lot Of fish, so to speak
His plausible manner, and entire
familiarity with electrical theories
made him many acquaintapces and
admirers. Among these was James G
Reed, at one time the Private Secreta,
~ Of President Arthur. TO him h,
made over an interest in his storag,
battery, assigning his applications fol
patents, which, by the way, never haC
been granted, and which he had pre-.
viously disposed Of TO his Boston
friends. In this way Higgs manage,
20 raise $2400. A company was or
ganized-a tremendous company. Mel
ali over the country we're interested ii
il. Riggs had q tiDe laboratory, Wher
he began work on the development 0
his electric light. The Higgs ligh
vas to be the light Of the world
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-06-30
lAdInr nlhLllIIlIL hllaIIr lELhNsIll.

Leading capitalists bebGlhg sBthaslp
tIu over Higes And bis S6hstnes. He
shipped electric lights to. Montreal,
Chicago and other cities. Recently It
has been found that they were not Of
his alleged patent. For several months
Higgs was in high clover in New York.
The complete failure of couple Of
dynamo machines sent to Chicago led
one ofthe persons interested to inves-
tigate Higgs' antecedents. Curiously,
nobody had thought Of that before. In
response to a letter of inquiry, one of
the Boston victims of Higgs wrote,
under date of April I'd:
II imported him into this country
little over two years ago, and for which
[ am very sorry. So far as
my dealings with him go / have found
him to be the greatest liar, scamp and
fraud OF all men | ever heard OF dur
ing my thirty years business with peo-
pie. de has no capability for Invent
ing anything but lies.
Notwithstanding this exposure,
Higgs was not denounced by his New
York associates. His remarkable
tongue and engaging manners saved
him. Soon afterward, however, Riggs
left and went to Philadelphia. There
he succeeded in organizing company
known as the Economic Electric
Lighting Company, with Ex-Governor
Hartranft as President and ex State
Treasurer Henry ID. Moore as Treas
urer. The company agreed to pay
Riggs $4,000 in cash May 10th, pro-
vided his light was then successfully
exhibited. A New York victim heard
of this scheme and made known to
Governor Hartranft and Mr.. Moore
the facts in his possession. Hartranft
at once resigned the Presidency. the
company went to pieces and Higgs
disappeared suddenly, without waiting
for the $4,000 promised. He was on
the ocean before the papers for crimi-
nal suits against him could be properly
The American career of this accom-
plished swindler, the facts of which
have just come to light, is a mostre
markable one. We doubt if it has a
parallel. Higgs is uuquestionably a
learned man. He was highly recon-
mended by Siemans, the famous En-
glish electrician. Why he chose to
prostitute his talents TO fraudulent
schemes, when a fine opportunity was
offered for making money honestly, is
a mystery, especially so in view of the
fact that most Of the money received
from his dupes-altogether aboutS2O,-
000-was expended in experiments.
Evidently he played for big game from
the start and laid his plans to that end,
but. fortunately. they failed in the
promised largeness."
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-06-30
No CLASS in His'n,

As Irode through Woodford, admir-
ing her great natural beauty and riches
smelling the new grown hemp and gaz-
ing with wonder at the surf like APP
pearance of the full wheat fields roll
ing before the wind like the green
waves of the ocean, a pretty little
stream was observed crossing the turn
pike, and seeing man dipping a cup
Of water, | halted my horse. deter
mined to slock my thirst. He was
good enough to lend me his cup. and |
drank with great satisfaction. wait a
moment" said /, 81 have some of
Searcy's Anderson county whisky, and
it you'll pluck sprig of that grass
there I'll ret the liquor and lump of
sugar." NhJreupon / got the same,
and, to my establishment, saw he had
not procured the mint.
"Ahl" said | surprised, whats the
matter?"
Didn't you never hear the story of
the man who drank grass in his
liquor"
mo, tell me-" and as we both sat
down, the stranger ran on thus:
1t was down in Tennessee, aud the
stranger chap driv up just as you have.
Give me a piece of mint, said he to
the farmer, and we'll take drink
together. The farmer gave him the
mint, and said he'd take his'n straight
as he could see how grass could I'M
prove corn juice Never mind, said
the stranger, do as | tell yOu; and be
handed the farmer what he called a
we'll mixed mint julip. The old far
mer looked at it moment, but when
he smelled it it went down with a gulp,
and, smacking his lips, he said he he.
lieved he'd try another one. The
stranger drove Or, and the farmer
went home to tell his wife how grass
helped whisky. 1t was nigh unto a
year later" the man at Woodford went
on, that that ere stranger went by
that same spot again.
"Hullo!" he cried at the farmer s
door, is the old man in"
No, said voice within. and the
old woman appeared at the door.
Where is he? asked the stranger
Dead, said the woman, sorrowiul-
ly.
What allied him?" asked the stran.
ger.
WELL" said the woman solemnly
ut was nigh onto a year ago that a
pesky stranger came into these part.
and taught my husband to drink
grass in his whisky, and the old foo
liked it so it killed him two months
ago."
And the man of Woodford, prefer
ing his straight" drank heartily o
AnderSon's best.
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-06-30
The Marriage OF Colonel j. w.
YOungblOOd.
VickSburs Herald, %.

Colonel J. W. Youngblood, editor
Of the Evening Commercial, was
united in marriage by the Rev. Father
Woods, at the rectory OF st. Paul's
Catholic church last evening, to Miss
Winnie Herin, Of this city. The
affair was of a very private nature,
only those being present who were
most intimately associated with the
contracting parties. At the oonsum-
nation Of the beautiful ceremony,
which made the happy couple one for
all time, Colonel Youngblood and his
bride were driven to the 8 pm. train
on the v. & NJ. road, by which they
departed on a wedding tour to the
mountains Of Tennessee, where they
will pass several weeks.
Both the bride and groom are we'll
known in this city, the former as a
most elegant aud estimable lady-one
whom tits a qualification as well IS o
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-06-30
The Hop Fly.
New York Sun.


The announcement that the hon fly
was threatening the hop crop in Eng
land sent a thrill through the hearts
of all lovers Of BASES ale. They
will, therefore, be delighted to her
that the danger is almost over, and
that there is every prospect of excel
lent crops in the sunny fields Of Kent
and Sussex. There is no more strik-
ing sight to the eye of the tourist in
England than the great fields OF the
graceful hop vine which one passes
through in the southern counties.
1t takes the place which the grape
vine has in other countries, but, un-
like the grape vine, it grows in level
fields, and not on sloping mountain
sides. The hop crop is one Of the
most important in England. In
the counties of Kent and Sussex
alone more hops are grown than in
all the rest Of the civilized
world. Sixty thousand acres
of rich English land are annually
given up to the production of this
peculiar plant. The planting, prun-
ing and picking give work to thou
sands of men, women, boys and girls.
The sickly, hard worked Londoner
flies from the hot and crowded East
End every autumn, and seeks health
and shekels in the pleasant hop fields,
Every year, about the end Of May or
the beginning Of June, the dreaded
hop fly makes its appearance. The
female comes first. The head il
black, the rest of the body being
green, with broad stripes here anC
there. In a short time, if the season
be propitious for insect life, thousands
and thousands Of young wingless fiel
make their appearance, and strikes
terror to the heart Of the farmer al
be sees them climbing up the graceful
stems Of the plants. No preventive
has as yet been discovered, and tbs
insects are too many to be removed b.
hand. The danger seems TO be owe
for this year, thanks to the cole
weather in the early part of June.
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-06-30
God RIess the YVOmenl

The best interests Of all humanity
depend on the good health OF our
women folk. Woman's best friend
for relieving the painful weakness with
which so many are afflicted, and as a
general family medicine for wording
off bilious attacks and curing stomach,
liver and kidney complaints, is
Browns Iron Bitters. 1t contains
just such life-giving properties as are
needed in female diseases, and is
superior to all other preparations as
a true medicinal tonic, for giving
health, strength and vigor to every
part Of the body. II you are weak,
nervous and debilitated, or suffering
from dyspepsia, Browns Iron Bitters
will surely cure you,
S. Mansfield & Co., W. N. Wilker-
son 4 Co., and G. W. Jones & Co.,
wholesale agents.
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-06-30

stlshss, business, = nussd lbl
lepoftef. YES" was the reply. bit
| must be off now. There are several
rich families who keep from two to
ten birds, and | have to go to take
care Of them. Look in again"
The monkey was still playing with
the marble, the canaries singing, and
the parrots swearing as the reporter
took his leave,
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-06-30
General w. ID. Bate.
Springfield Record

The action of the State Democrats
Convention, which met at Nashville
last week, did itself honor by selecting
Gen. w. B. Bate as its standard.
bearer. His life is living epistle of
true manhood and bravery. and the
Democratic party, Of the old Volunteer
State will rally to him, en- masse.
If there is man in the State, in
our humble judgment, who could,
without a platform, concentrate a
force sufficient TO beat back the en-
envy, that man is General Bate.
When we say he lives in the hearts
Of his people, we but speak the truth.
Tennesseans, as a rule, know how to
appreciate true worth, and, as a gen.
eral thing, lose no opportunity for
rewarding it, yet in the past this
valiant man has always Just been in
time to be too late.
The late convention was composed
principally Of the hard listed yeo
many of Tennessee. They had say
for once, and we want no better evi.
dence Of appreciation by the great
heart Of the masses than the nomina.
ton Of General Bate, who has always
stood in the foremost ranks, in peace
as well as in war. The Record has
always felt deep sympathy for Gen
Bate, but circumstances over which
it had no control, have, heretofore
interviewed when its better judgment
led to him. Now, this paper feels re
ioiced to know that the services of Gen.
Bate to his State and his country are al
last to be recognized in substantial
way, and with hat in hand and shoul.
der to the wheel, we indorse him, and
in the final result we confidently ex
pect to see him elected by an increased
majority.
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-06-30
BIRDsi aOAaBIsaHOusA 4
The Peculiar Occupation Of a
New York Bird Fancier.
Now York Nail.

Within stones throw Of the Gilsey
House, in Broadway, is a small sized
building with a large show window.
Bird cages and other fixtures for the
use Of the feathered SOngsters suspend
from long wires. A neat little card
occupies prominent position. 1t at
tracts much attention from passers-b by.
1t bears the inscription:
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-06-30

Mr.. II. W. Merton, of 0swego, N.
Y, writes: My wife has been restored
to perfect health and strength. She
suffered many years from indigestion,
complicated with female Irregular.
ties. | never saw her lips so red and
her cheeks SO rosy for years.
s. Mansfield x Co., w. N. Wilker-
son & Co.. and G. W. Jones & Co.,
wholesale agents.
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-06-30

The PUBLIC LEDGER book bindery
10 Madison street, is in the same build
ing az the newspaper and job printing
establishment; is owned by the same
proprietor; embraces all machines and
material used in q 6rst-clas book
bindory, and ip conducted by compe-
tent workmen, capable Of executing
work In az good and substantial q
style a. can DO done anywhere, !
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-06-30
oARn.

To all who arc suffering from the errors and
indiscretions Of youth, nervous weakness,
early decay, loss Of manhood, etc. / will send
recipe that will cure you, FREE OF
CHARGE. This great remedy was discovered
by a missionary In South America. Send a
sclf-addressed envelope to the Rev. JosKPH T
LSKAS. Station d, New York City.
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-06-30

Naturally pale invalids are greatly
improved in health and appearances
by using Browns Iron Bitters. II
strengthens mind and body, brighteps
the eyes, gives rosy cheeks, and Gre
ates a perfect picture Of health
strength aud beauty.
s. Mansfield Il Co., W. N. Wilker.
son & Co., and G. W. Jones & Co.,
wholesale agents.
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-06-30

Jackson Clarion: Colonel j. s.
Hamilton, in behalf Of the peniteH-
tiary lessees. has made a contract with
Mr.. Fred Wolfe, manager of the Err
LANCER syndicate, by which the former
are TO put 800 hands TO work on the
Memphis & Holly Springs road. This
guarantees the early completion Of the
road. II has the two essentials to
move Il ahcad--money and labor.
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-06-30

Hand bills Of all sizes, from the
smallest to three-sheet poster, done
with neatness and dispatch at the
PUBLIC LEDGER job printing Office.
Prices as low as the lowest.
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-06-30

Music books, magazines, illustrated
papers, etc., bound at the PUBLIC
LEDGER bindery, 10 Madison street.
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-06-30
ATARTrrNG
CHAHCERY SALE.

No. $3.50, R--Chancery Court Of Shelby county
j Il McCallum, admir- Of w ID MoCallum,
decd, VS. Sam Winfree OF al.
DY virtue Of an lntorlooutory decree for sale,
ID entered in tho above cause on the 18th
day Of une, 1882 ] will sell, at public auction,
Masters Office, courthouse Of Shelby county,
Memphis, Tennessee. on
Saturday, July J, ISs2,
within legal hours, commencing AZ 70 0 'clook
m j, all the uncolleeted accounts duo the o..
tate Of W d McCallumr deceased, subject to
inspection at the time Of sale.
Terms OF Salo-Cagh.
This June2l, 1882
r BLACK. Clerk and Master.
Finlay 4 Peters, andW NJ Randolph, soprs.
81 los
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-06-30

or n. A. DAUPHIN. "e" VsleAns' Lar
n, W. W. seventh event a., Washington, ID. q.
n. B.-Orders sSSrs;smsnean Phi,, Iona.
Nln receive prompt attention, WV w J&alTiEns
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-06-30

Application fer rates IL
Orlesns, N' Va 'no company In New
a. oE further information, write clearly viv-
nss,I ,ta Asqqqre3a. Send orders By express.
snl Ests ~ hAttef' or Money order, addfcsSsd
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-06-30

APPROXIMATION p RTiiHEiiS;i..' N''OOu
Approximation Prizes ~ t5s0 sso
AAppreHimation Prts' Of 500. 4sGoS
APPROXIMATION SD Ges Of 25O. 9SS
Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-06-30
ron GoVERNOR.

The Democratic stale Executive
Committee.
The Evening critic., 1882-02-22
He Was All Right.

Derrick Dodd.
The other morning, while the Guffey fam
lily were at break fast, letter was handed
to tho head of the family from his son,
Marc Anthony Guffey, who was at the
Cornell University.
''Ah !" said old Gufiey, as he opened the
letter, much excited, 'this will tell us how
Tony passed his graduating examination.
! hope my fears are not realized"
"Oh guess Tony's all right" said
MIS- GufIey, proudly.
"Yes, indeed" cried the old gentleman,
delightedly; at is all right. Tony has
failed completely in all branches. He is at
the foot of every class. How fortunate" +"
Fortunate, Mr.. Guffey?"
Exactly, my dear. l have been tor
mented with the idea that possibly our boy
possessed brains, and was therefore doomed
TO suffer from envy, opposition and pow
erty. But, thank heaven! there is no dan
ger of that now, see. Our beloved son is
exactly adapted for success and prosperity
in San Francisco. He has turned out to be
id fool p
And the good old couple mingled theil
grateful tears over the blessed fact.
The Evening critic., 1882-02-22
Delightful Food.

Apropos of tho manufacture OF cheap
uicklrs' the Hour recently gave some strik-
ing facts concerning the alarming cNtent OF
food adulteration and the use Of poisons in
the preparation of wearing apparel. Con-
gressional investigation, says the journal,
has revealed the fact that pure drugs arc
almost unknown in this country, notwth-
standing the fact that the profits OF the
trade will reach the enormous gain of from
100 TO 1000 per cent on the sale of the
pure article Seven. eighths of all physicians
prescriptions are rendered of little worth
by reason of the extent of drug adultera-
ton. In respect to food the revelations are
more alarming still, and it was brought
out recently that pure sugar and milk were
unknown in a very prominent Western
city that even the bread was poisonous,
and that the so.called imported teas
were made with leaves faced" with Prus-
sian blue and chromate Of lead. Alum is
generally used in the manufacture of bak.
ing. powder and sulphuric acid, alum aud
verdigris are employed to give picking
fluid a flavor, and copperas is used in pre-
pairing the gherkin. White earth often
constitutes three-quarters ofthe ingredients
of cream Of tartar, and lamp-black is used
to coat coffee. The same deleterious adul-
teration is traced In American. made cigar
cites, and arsenic and glucose are used to
such an extent in the making of confec-
tons as in some cases, according to the
Hour, to merit criminal prosecution Of the
candy maker" Arsenic is also called into
requisition in the manufacture of clothing
In some instances cloth has been found to
contain eight grains of the poison to the
square foot, and ten grains have been dis
covered in some artificial flowers. Toys
colored stockings, walls, and other arti-
cles are in many cases more or less harm
iul, and yet no steps are taken by legisla'
tors for the protection of the consumer
and people go on from year to year eating
and wearing that which is poisoned to a
greater or less extent, rs If pure food and
honest manufactures were useless or thing
70 he avoided
The Evening critic., 1882-02-22
PATHS Stockings.

PATHS stockings dropped down while she
was singing l Barber at New Orleans
recently, and the musical critic of the
Times-Democrdt nearly turned double
someisault in his attempt to describe the
event. Hear him Her short Spanish
dress afforded scope for the display of a pair
of beautiful silk stockings elaborately en-
broidered with delicate rosebuds and ten
der leaflets. She had toyed with the
notes of the middle register, playing with
them without seemingly an effort, and had
just purled out flood of high staccati,
when slowly down slipped the right stock
ing, rosebuds and all, until it hung about
her shapely instep limp and subdued
mass, displaying an ankle Eof alabastcr
whiteness." 1t appears to have troubled
this gentleman much more than it did
Patti, for she quickly walked to the side
scenes, when, presto she reappeared, and
the stocking was in place again, and the
rosebuds were once more shining out"
The Evening critic., 1882-02-22
How TO Build the Washington MOnu.
menf.

The Boston Post says: "The request of
the Fall River cotton spinners that they
be allowed chance to celebrate on Wash
ington's birthday is not an unreasonable
one. George Washington was a pretty
good man for this country, almost good
enough to have his name commemorated
by a monument at Washington. 1t would
be good idea if all business could be sus-
pended on the coming anniversary of his
birth and penny collections made at every
city hall and town house in the country,
the amount collected to be used in COM
pleting the great monument at the capital
upon which work was commenced years
ago.
The Evening critic., 1882-02-22

Sir Samuel Rowe, Governor of the Gold
Coast, discredits the reports of massacre
of young women by the King of Ashantee,
in letter of which the following is a
part: 81 have inquired of residents here
who are likely to know, and cannot learn
that any one of them has heard of such
action. have the honor to forward copy
of letter from Mr.. Edward Bannerman
(whose mother is Princess of Ashantee
and the sister of Prince Ansah) on this sub
ject. In conversation, he informed me
that at present any such action is an inn
possibility, as the King has no captives,
and the people would not consent that
their children should be sacrificed. u .
II is not likely that such an occurrence
would take place at the moment of Cap
tain LoDsdale's presence in Coomassie."
Mr.. Zimmerman, in the letter to which
Sir Samuel Rowe refers, says; "As mat
ter of fact, the King of Ashantee has no
more power to kill two hundred or even
two girls under such circumstances and
for such purposes as those alleged than the
Governor of the Gold Coast, or any other
British colony, as Mr.. Freeman and many
other less partial authorities than | am
usually supposed TO be will assure your
Excellency. AS matter of fact, if the
King had attempted anything of the kind
thing never attempted by any of his most
powerful predecessors, the whole of Coo
inarsie would have risen in revolt against
him. am convinced that tn,
whole matter is fabrication manufactured
in Cape Coast"
The Evening critic., 1882-02-22
nANFoRTH HAS MADE THOUSANDS

nANFoRTH HAS MADE THOUSANDS
IL of Homes pleasant with his Light and Stove.
Started hundreds on their way to fortune, selling
his goods, LIGHTING and COOKING. No
chimney, wick kndling, ashes, nor waste. Light
ed in one minute put out in one second. Small
capital invested IN GOODS, which will sell from 80
to 800 per cent. profit. ACTUAL NECESSITIES.
Fourteen years success in every agency opened
Inventions perfected. Patents issued. Expert:
ments finished. Manufacturing commenced and
sales daily increasing, with Mr.. DIS means abil-
ity and advice to aid everyone who helps himself.
Willing to sell rights. / prefer to sell goods at
close prices for cash; give control of town, and
feel that have direct interest in every agency.
Danforth's Specialties leave no remnants. No de-
cay. Noshrinkage Energetically pushed, sue
cess sure. Gold dollars do not walk into ones
pocket. Work, that's the word" If my busi-
ness does not show success. don't invest.
Mr.. Danforth Is at his desk from 10 to p M.
assures you of courteous attention. Plain state
ments backed by sales, and good will of all who
purchase. j can use 100 good men, who have
take charge of Branch Agencies in different
States. Come and see me, or send for circulars
DANFORTH: 94l D ST. H. W., Daily Post Bailding,
Washington. d. c. i23