Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-05-31
LETTER FROM DARIEN.
Court NOtes-A Pleasant Social Event
Summer Homes on the "Ridge -

DARIEN, GA, May 27.-Edit0r Morning NetcS:
The criminal docket is finished and the grand
jury has been dismissed with thanks Of the
court.
Munro Harman, charged with the murder Of
Dan Bryan, in an election riot, October, 1880,
was acquitted thereof He may have heen
guilty, but as in passing the street, overheard
one gentleman say to another: "Iu such a
crowd, sir, it was impossible to tell who did the
shooting"
Some civil cases have been disposed of, and
others remain to be tried, but court will proba-
bly, adjourn tonight or early tomorrow.
In the case of the pilot, Mr.. Steen, vs. schoon-
er Altamaha, the jury brought in a verdict di-
rectlv opposing His Honor's charge, where
upon Judge Tompkins notified Mr.. Erwin,
counsel for defendant, that motion for new
trial would be granted if made. and made it
lCdS at once, and granted, so that case will be
talked over six months longer. 1t has excited
much interest generally, and the pilots, of
course. have been nightly exercised over a
probable precedent.
You may remember that the Termagant was
brought in, over the bar. by Pilot Steen She
was condemned and finally sold for liens against
her. When refitted under the name of the AL
tamaha she started out once more. She either
did not employ pilot, or took somebody else.
consequently MIR. Steen claimed damages and
entered suit.
The musicale" at the residence of Captain
l. NJ Aiken. on Wednesday night last given by
the ladies of the st. Andrews Home AssOcia-
ton to assist the vestry In the necessary re
roofing of the church edifice and for other DUR
poses, was pronounced by citizens and Strang-
ers a successful entertainment and delightful
recreation. There was soU g delay in commenc.
ing the performance, owing to the fact that the
''violincello" in the opening number was on
duty as juryman in that murder case; but at
this time, the Judge who, with Mrs. Tompkins
had been some minutes seated in the waiting
audience, was summoned to the court house to
hear the verdict acquitting Harman. He soon
returned, bringing other members of the bar
and the wanted musician with him. Poor fell
low. he was not granted a moments grace to
make his toilet, but showed on to his position in
the orchestra through the window
The many friends of Col. R. E. Lester were
pleased to see him at an early hour among the
guests OF the evening, and hope 1 may be
pardoned qf 1t should be at all out of tas' Cd
in saying that many ladies were presented to
Mrs. Tompkins during the evening, who with
gentle dignity met and seemed TO appreciate
the cordial reception given her on every hand
This musicale costing the ladies no little
troniZed by church people themselves, that
as we are not likely to have a pastor soon and
as starvation is more pressing need than
even church roof, it suggests itself to me that
the most Christian way to use the money (espe.
cially as the association is charitable and not
church organiZatiOn) would be to send it to
Patrlck county, va, 10 heIp those who are sui
fering there for bread, and for whom an appeal
is made as copied in the MORNING NEWS of
Thursday. 25th by Mr. J. H. Rapgtly. Of
Patrick Court House, Va, the State which from
first to last was one constant battle ground,
and bore unhnchngly the burden of being
bloody arena during our four years struggle
for right, holds strong claim on the love and
sympathy Of the whole South and at this first
call note of distress we should respond most
warmly and literally.
The steamship Wistaria. with Luoys etc for
the sound and channel, was up at the town
wharf on Sunday last. Several gentlemen
called on Lieut. and Mrs. Miller and took them
for drive through town and Ridge, and about
sunset the ship steamed of 10 Sapelo light
house.
The new Ridgeites are, If possible, more en-
thusiastic over their summer homes than old
residents, and an eminent physician who long
cOntended against the superiority that we sub
urbans claimed, in sanitary and climatic
way, over the city, having bought a home cut
there and removed to it, is now loudly advoca.
ting the right Of the Ridge to be built up into a
regular summer resort. As though we had not
always and ever been Newport out there
Rev Mr.. Tunis G. c. is not to be seen on
the streets as formerly, but hides his head with
amOdesty savoring highly of prudence What
and who brought him heref' is the question on
every ybody's lips. and some think they know.
The wind has been pretty high all dav and
sounds, but does not feel, wintry. HSB.