Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-02-09
MACON MATTERS.
t-Amusements- Federal Prosecu-
tiOns-The Sunday Law.


MACON, Feb. s.-Early yesterday the bells
announced the beginning of Lenten service.
some Of those who had been the gayest in the
social throng on the evening before, with SOM
bre eountenance and quiet step passed through
the falling rain to the church, and with sub
dued voice Joined in the interesting service Of
the sanctuary with chastened spirits and
submissive heart.
The amusement season has been unusually
attractive, and with a variety to please the
most eXacting. Many regrets have been ex-
pressed that 'HaZel kirke" did not reach here
before Lent began, by those who limit their
theatre going according to this season. The
play viii be presented here tonight. and will
no doubt draw a full house. Mrs. Miller, if
she has any of the dramatic power OF her
mother, cannot fail to please.
We nave had quite a number of United
states prisoners here during the past week or
two. A squad from Schley county, two cOun-
terfeiters from Baldwin county, and two
Illicit distillers from Macon county. Com
missioner W. W. Brown has presided with
dignity and admitted fairness in every case
some Of the prosecutions are frivolous and
cannot be sustained. The cOunterfeiters were
bound over in $1,000 bonds 1t is unfortunate
that young Bland should have fallen into the
company Of such people. He is quite "A youth,
and has nothing in his appearance or bearing
that would indicate q bad nature. 1t is the
old story of "pOor Tray" The illicit distillers
by the name of Hill were bound over for the
in this city.
An attempt was made to enforce the sun
day law on last Sunday. 1t was not regarded
however, and quite number of our citizens
were summoned to appear at the Recorders
Court, among them our worthy Mayor, who is
an ice and fish dealer. The City Council had
taken action, allowing these parties to sell
tsh, fruit, cigars and papers, and the Recorder
dismissed the cases. No law can be executed
without il has public opinion to sustain it,
Judge Simmons health has been restored
sufficiently To hermit him To resume his dufips
on the bench. The Superior Court has been
IN session all the week, and considerable
been disclosed G of o5e SgSlness esse
attracted the most attention from outsiders
was the trial Of Silas Ivey, for the murder of
Butler Graves during last October. Ivey was
at large until few weeks ago he was cap
tured in the Burnett House, in Cincinnati, by
eN-Chief Hurley. of this city. The Jury was
not out long, and much to the surprise of
those who had heard the evidence, brought in
a verdict OF guilty, with a recommendation to
the mercy Of the court, which subjects the
criminal to a life time servitude in the coal
mines. The prisoner seemed to take the de-
cisiOn with considerable Indifference, having
braced himself up to meet the worst new
trial, of course, will be asked, and failing that
the case viii go to the Supreme Court
The case of 4. W. Gibson. charged with
assault with intent to murder Major A. NJ
NOlihin, of Albany, at the National Hotel in
this city. ON the 10Th of June, 1880, is set for
hearing on next Wednesday, and Judge Sim
mons seems determined to have this case
taken from the docket and disposed of, and
has so notified all parties. Mr.. WOlihin has
greatly improved in health. although far from
being well man yet. In fact, Mr.. Gibson Is
the feeblest looking man Of the two. Mr.
WOlihin Is well known all over the State in
Masonic circles. being a prominent membe
of that order. Mr.. Gibson is connected with
some Of our best citizens, who take a great
interest in this unfortunate case.
Real estate is still in great demand in Ma
con, and prices rule high. There are more
or less transactions IN such every week show
ing that money Is seeking investment in this
class of property.
The recent burning of the Baptist Church
in this city throws the fourth congregation
out of their church buildings. The Mulberry
Street Methodist Church placed their building
in the hands of the repairer early last sum-
meT, and the congregation are worshiping in
the Masonic Hall. They Will not be able to
finish up their building before June LIST. The
estimated cost of repairs will be about $4,000
When finished it Will be one of the handsOmest
churches in the State. Last fan Christ's
lEpiscOpal) Church was also placed in the
hands of the repairer, but work upon il also
moves slowly towards completion. The con-
gregatiOn will spend about s., 500 on the re-
pairs, and viii make it one of the most at
tractive church editices in the city. The
congregation are WOrshlplng IN their sun
day school chapel, and keep up regular
services. The congregation of St. Paul
Episcopal Church are wOrshiping In their
chapel near the Appleton Home, but are fin
ishing up in elegant style small but neat new
church building, costing in the neighbOrhOOd
of $4,000. They will be able, learn, to hold
services in their new building some time in
March, or the first of April. Our Baptists,
whose splendid church was destroyed recently,
are wOrshiping in the Superior Court room,
and are having fine congregations. They will
either repair the present building. or sell that
and build elsewhere. The church is somewhat
divided on the subject. The question will
soon be settled, and they will be in their own
building again.
The Harmonic Society, of Macon. was at
one period the most nOurishing musical or
ganiZatiOn in Georgia. It was the pride and
glory of the city. But for the past three wears
it has quietly retired by degrees from the
public mind. But | am glad to see that efforts
are being made to resuscitate the society. 1t
would be a boon to the community if il could
regain its old time vigOr and efficiency.
We are coming to the Sesqui- Centennial in
strong numbers. The writer hopes to look
upon the crowd for a short time at least.
Dr