New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-12-16
TOPICS IN LEADING CITIES.
SIN FRANCISOO.
THE cox MCLAUGHLIN HOMICIDE - THE
LICK TRUST-GENERAL HANCOCK'S VISIT.
LEY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBUNE.I


LICK TRUST-GENERAL HANCOCKS FlslI'
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBUNEI
SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 15.-The sensation OF tne
week has been the shooting of Charles McLaugh-
lin, the well-known capitalist, by Jerome b. COX,
an old railroad contractor The homicide grew OUT
of prolonged litigation, which had extended over
twenty years, in regard to the payment lor
building the railroad near San Jose. Mclaughlin
paid for portion of the work In instruments, Du1
refused to settle for the remainder, on which COX
had spent all his money. Hence the suit' winch
had been three times decided in Coxs favor, ana as
often returned by the Supreme Court because OF
some small technicaity. The last judgment, with
interest, was for $4,000. When the Supreme
Court reversed this and sent the case back TO the
lower court, about year ago. for the fourth time,
Cox half crazed by repeated Disappointment, at
tempted to shoot udRe McKinsey. who had rendered
the decision. All these years Cox has been living
in poverty, his family of late depending upon rela-
tives and friends for support He tried recently 10
get small public Office, but failed Then, on
Thursday, he called at McLaughlin's office and de-
manded portion Of the money due him. When he
wasrefused he shot down the capitalist. Mclaughlin
made his money the stage business and railroad
ing, and was estimated to be worth about $4,000
900. The case is a fair example of the way law is
tortured into injustice in this State by delays and
cast-iron adherence to technicalities.
There is promise that the Lick Trust, which has
dragged along for years. will be settled in short
time. The courts have decided that the trustees
must pay the requests without waiting
for the completion of the telescope and other fixtures
of the Mount Hamilton Observatory So several
charitable institutions viii rejoice, and the city
viii get, in due time, free baths for its hOOdums
and some bad statuary, one of the provisions of
the eccentric milonnaire's will being for statue
of the author of The Star-Spangled Banner"
legal contest, which will probably air dirty
family linen is the claim of Seth Cook, the min
ing millionaire, for nearly 100000 against the
estate of his brother Donald Cook, who died about
year ago. The brothers made their money in a
transaction which would not bear investigation,
and were known on the street as INSCRIPTIONS
operators In mines and stocks. This claim OF the
living brother is opposed by the widow of the dead
one, who is the daughter Of the late
General" Cotton, one of the Central Pacific
managers. 1t is a singular coincidence that her
mother is now engaged in suit against Stanford,
Croker g. Huntington for large amount, OF
which she claims they defrauded her in settling her
husbands estate. The railroad managers claim
that Cotton defaulter and that they behaved
generously in the compromise The suit is being
tried in Santa Rosa, the county seat OF Sonoma
County, before Judge Temple, by agreement of both
Of the parties, and engages about a dozen OF the
abest lawyers in the State.
The troubles in the Mussel Slough Country be-
tween the settlers and the Southern Pacific Rail-
road Company were ended by the decision of the
United States Supreme Court in favor of the rail-
road Nearly all the settlers have agreed to the
railroads terms, the disputed being left TO ar
bitraton. This controversy has been urged for
years, and caused much bitter feeling and loss of
many lives.
General Hancock was received with much enthusi
assn here, but his overland journey fatigued him so
greatly that he has accepted few of the invitations
showered upon him.
Another distinguished veteran in arms was expect
ed this week no less a parsonage than Singer"
Sullivan His name appeared in the passenger list,
and big delegation of the sporting fraternity went
over the Bay TO greet him. A stalwart man who
stepped from the cars was thought to he tho cham
pion, but it was finally discovered that crowd had
been hoaxed by practical joker, as Sullivan had
not started from Kansas.
Athletics are blooming" now. Hanlan, Bauer
(the wrestler and other of muscle are in town.
Bauer is trying to get up match with Muldoon,
while 1Ianlan is training for rowing race with
Stevenson, the Pacific Coast champion.
Theatres are even duller than usual. Their spec
taGuar effects are Outdone by the heavens, as the
brilliant sunsets continue. Professor Davidson, the
best authority this coast attributes the sunsets
to heavy masses of smoke held in the atmosphere
because of absence of winds. He dissents from the
theories of moisture in the atmosphere and of vol
canic ashes.
Two hundred and twenty-siX coolies arrived on
Thnr edovo IN tha gfp m
them were furnished with traders" certificates.
CHICAGO.
THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION
G.. P. A. HEALY-THE THEATRES