davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-04-21
GONE WITH THEIR BOOTY.
The Gigantic SwindIes Perpetrated b.
the Messrs. Parker.

The Gigantic SwindIes PeI.petrated by
the Messrs. Parker.
The crash and scandal attending the
flight of the fashionable solicitors, Messrs.
Parker, says a London special of the 18th
inst. to the New York World, prove worse
and worse upon investigation. The firm
was composed of William Searle Parker
and Frederick Searle Parker, and had ele-
CANT quarters at No. II Bedford row, w.
G. Both lived in sumptuous style. Their
clients were from among the wealthiest
and most arIstOcratic families of England.
The tin boxes on their shelves contained
the title deeds of scores of families of the
nobility and landed gentry, and the con-
sternatiOn was widespread when it was
announced on March 5 that both members
of the firm had fled after having misap-
propriated many title deeds belonging to
their clients and borrowed various sums
then reported to aggregate $2,500,0 900.
The first meeting of the creditors of the
abscOnding solicitors was held to-day,
and the report of the official inspector
showed that the total liabilities OF the
firm amounted to no less than $4,000, 900.
while the assets are virtually nothing.
Less than One-third of the liabilities are
secured against and the rest will prove
II iObdl iOSS, DIluglng dDSOluL6 u0a0cldl
ruin in many cases. The business of the
concern was shown to have yielded a
legitimate profit of $4,000 a year, but
the Parkers were the victims of two forms
of gambling-with baccarat and with
stocks-and they dipped constantly deeper
and deeper into the pockets of their
clients in their struggles to retrieve past
losses and achieve fortunes at bound.
They are now said to be spending their
ill-gotten gains at Boulogne, while many
of their creditors are reduced from a con-
ditiOn of comfort to actual want.
The Indignation among the creditors is
at fever-heat. Various methods of Sc
curing at least partial restitution have
been proposed, but there are many diff
culties in the way. The London banks
concerned refuse to act, fearing the dis
closures that might be made of their loose
methods of lending depositOrs' funds. 1t
is reported that several bankers shared in
the stock speculatiOns of the Parkers,
using their depOsitOrs' money and hoping
to return it out of profits that never came.
The creditors now hope to prove that
some of these bankers, who are still sol
vent, were in partnership with the Par
kers, and are, therefore. liable for their
debts. but the evidence is difficult to
gather and the hope coming from this
source is very vague.
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-04-21
SHOOTING HIS RIVAL.

a Rejected suiter Who Concealed His
Rage Until six Weeks After the Mar
riage.
John DickersOn and John Pressly were
suitors for the hand of one of the most
lovely bellies of Chiffon county, says an
Opelika Ala. special to the New York
Sun, but the lady showed a decided pre-
ference for Pressly. Dickerson concealed
his chagrin and continued his suit with
out intermissiOn. Six weeks ago Mr..
Pressly and his lady love were married,
and one of the most ELUSIVE well-wishers
of the couple was DickersOn, who monOp-
olized the brides attention almost to the
exclusion of the new-made husband.
When a few days afterwards the couple
were established in a charming rural
home, DickersOn made himself quite
neighborly, and all thought of resentment
over the rejection of his suit was COM
pletely forgotten. Still it was claimed by
those who knew the mans character that
he was harbOring his revenge for a con-
venient opportunity.
Yesterday John DickersOn, with his
brother George, borrowed Pressly's gun
to 90 hunting. On returning in the eve-
ming they met Pressly standing at his
front gate, who asked the hunters if they
had seen anything to shoot at. John Dick
ersOn replied: mo, d-n you. but | see
something nOw," and, le7eling his gun, he
fired. The bullet passed through Pressly's
heart, who fell where he stood, and died
Immediately, DickersOn made his escape,
and has not since been heard from. His
brother George was arrested as an acces-
sOry to the killing, and is now confined in
iail
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-04-21
THE TARIFF BILL.

Important Notifications Anticipated
There is considerable gossip among
Democrats, says a Washington special,
as to the prospects of the tariff bill. IF the
desires of members are gratified at least
one hundred more long speeches will be
placed on the oyerburdened pages of the
Record. to deliver which will require at
least six weeks, and then only Will the
real business of considering the bill be-
gin The programme Of the Republicans
and of those Democrats who are opposed
to tariff agitation is to try to carry a
motion to strike out the enacting clause
as soon as the bill is open for
amendment. Mr.. Morrison may, however,
be able to cOunteract this before the
crisis arrives through promises to accept
and support various amendments which
will make the bill less Objectionable to
the Representative from certain States
1t is already whispered that the bill may
be so amended as to reduce duties only
ten per cent. and that a section shall be
added which will virtually abolish all the
internal revenue taxes, except those on
whisky and malt liquors. The latter
amendment, it is expected, will bring to
the support of the bill all the Democrats
in Virginia, North Carolina, South Caro-
lima, Georgia and Tennessee, whereas, as
the measure now stands number of men
are pledged to vote against it. Unless
the proposed free list is abandoned,
however, the Democrats from West
Virginia, Ohio, and California will resist
the bill, and probably many Ohio Demo-
Gratis will do so. The Pennsylvania and
New Jersey men will stand solid against
the bill to the end. The calendar is
already so large that there is practically
slight prospect that any important meas
ure except the appropria tion bills and the
tariff bill can be considered at this ses-
sion, unless it is taken out of the regular
order. Even then the prospects are not
good, for of the seven special orders now
existing only two have received con-
celebration
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-04-21
FoURTEEN-FooT sNAKE.
He Makes His Appearance in West Vir-
ginia-First Seen Thirty Years Ago.

He Makes His Appearance in West Vir-
ginia-First Seen Thirty Years Ago.
A monster snake was discovered at
Knoxville, two miles from here, yester-
day, says Grafton W. Va special Of
the 18th inst. to the New York World.
David Baker, who saw it, says that he,
with others, encountered the snake in the
woods. He described it as about IA feet
long and Of a dirty clay color. 1t was as
thick as mans waist, and because Of
its size its head was raised about two feet
above the ground. When it was first
seen one Of the men went to a house
near by and secured gun.
while the others watched, but on
bis return the snake had disaD-
peared. The monster has been seen be-
fore in the same neighborhOod. Ten years
ago he was seen by three children, who
state that as he crawled through the long
grass of the meadow he left broad track
behind him. He made his appearance
again two years ago. All of these differ
ent tales agree as to the appearance Of the
monster except that when be was first
seen, thirty years ago, he was but ten feet
long. The inhabitants along the swamp
run express their fixed determination to
capture the serpent dead or alive. They
have found his den and VIII watch until
the snake makes its appearance.
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-04-21
PENSION LEGISLATION.
The Influenoe Of claim Agents.

There is a strong desire on the part of
members on both sides of the House, says
a Washington special, to further what
they call ''liberalize'' the pension laws.
The tendency in this direction is very
marked in both branches of Congress.
The efforts of the pension claim agents
to work up what is called public
sentiment among the soldiers on behalf
of various propositions have been
very successful, and measures are
now seriously entertained by Senators
and Representatives which if embodied
in law would very soon remove whatever
evils are caused by the existence of a
large surplus. While efforts are thus
making to increase the pension rolls the
advocates of retrenchment in the House.
under the lead of Messrs. Randall and
Holman, are trying to lessen the facilities
for paying pensions. The number of pen
sion agents they propose to reduce from
eighteen to twelve. Another proposition
is to transfer the business OF paying
pensioners to the Paymaster's Bureau Of
the army,
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-04-21
THE vERDICTTHATLEDTO TO RIOT
One of the Cincinnati Jury Tells How
it was Reached

II as AeSdCneus
The grand jury, which is investigating
the late riots, says Cincinnati special of
the 18th inst. to the New York Times, is
believed to have been placed in possession
Of testimony of q sensational character.
1t is still pushing its investigation, and it
will probably be continued for some days
to come.
Michael Mcclure, one of the jury who
precipitated the trouble by finding Ber-
ner, self-cOnfessed murderer, guilty of
only manslaughter, made statement to
a reporter that throws much light upon
the method by which that wonderful Ver-
dict was reached. He says that between
the ballots games of cards were played
for money, and intimated that those who
won were not afterward as strenuous for
Berner's conviction. He says that after
retiring to the jury room the foreman, A.
f. Shaw, suggested that they take a bal
lot at once, and urged him Mcclure to
vote Not guilty" Shaw and one other
juror wrote the ballots and handed one to
him. 1t read "Not guilty." He threw it
into the hat and then took it out and voted
for murder IN the first degree. He says
that there was no open discussion of the
question Of Berners guilt, but four of the
jurors, including the foreman, held whis-
pered consultations after every ballot was
taken. The foreman. after one of the bal
lots, announced that it was unanimous
for manslaughter. Mcclure declared that
could not be possible, for he had voted for
murder in the first degree, and he thought
Juror Merrill had voted for murder in the
second degree. Mcclure says Shaw was
a good talker, and finally influenced Mer-
rill to vote manslaughter. At the last he
(McGuire) was forced to also vote for
manslaughter. AS soon as this vote was
taken they were rushed out to the court
room and the verdict read. He thought of
making an explanation to the Judge, but
was deferred from doing so by Shaw, who
told him that the Judge wanted them to
return verdict Of manslaughter, and was
pleased with it,
Mcclure has been before the grand jury,
and, it is believed, made before it a much
fuller and more startling statement than
the one given to the press
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-04-21
THE STEAMSHIP WAR.
A Big Reduction In Steerage Rates Be-
tween New York and England

A Big Reduction In Steerage Rates Be
tween New York and England
A war in steeragc rates has begun be-
tween the English steamship lines, says
the New York World of the 18th inst.
The dissolution of the North Atlantic
Steam Traffic Conference, in England. has
had a somewhat similar effect here, and
although none of the agents of the lines
forming the conference in this CITY will
admit that an absolute dissolution has oc-
CURED here, they all declare that for
while each line will act irrespective of
the other. The difficulty has been caused
by the monopoly enjoyed by the lines rum
ming fast vessels, and would continue to
be enjoyed as long as steerage rates on all
lines were the same. The slower boats.
which cost almost as much to run, be-
came deserted and when the owners OF
the fast steamers refused to allow de-
crease in rates for their less fortunate
neighbors, 1t was considered advisable bv
the Liverpool Conference that each COM
pany do as it please.
The White Star line began the war bv
reducing its rates on Thursday night to
SlS for the passage from this city and S21
the other way. The National line put its
prices down to SIT for the outward trip
and so inward. The State line dropped
to the same as the National line. The
Inman line made the same reductions as
the White Star. The GuiOn and Cunard
lines, after much deliberatiOn, did the
same.
The Anchor line.was the last to make
the reduction by charging $1S for the out
ward voyage, $21 for prepaid tickets for
the westward trip, and $26 for persons
paying cash in Glasgow or Liverpool to
come here. The German lines and the
French line have made no change, but it
is expected that the former will do so
shortly. The latter, having no COM
petition, says that the rate of so, either
way. will be maintained by it, no matter
how low other lines 90.
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-04-21
SOME INTERESTING FIGUREs.

The New Tax and Tariff Law Analysed
The Financial Chronicle, says the New
York lines, has analyzed the working of
the new tax and tarifflaw for nine months
with some surprising results. The de-
crease in receipts from internal revenue
and miscellaneous sources for the cur
rent year, estimated the last quarter upon
the experience of the first three, Will be
S24 900, 900, instead of $34, 750, 900, as had
been expected. But in the past the re-
ceIpts from these sources have shown a
constant increase, the rate being un-
changed. Hence, for the next year the de-
crease will be less than $24, 900, 900, a con-
cluslOn which there are special reasons
for regarding with confidence. The GUS
toms receipts for the three quarters de-
creased, respectively, by $780,
600, S5,250, 900, and $3,00O.0O0. That
is to say, the decrease itself con-
stantly diminishing, and for the third
quarter averaged only 81, 900, 900 monthly.
Even this decrease, it appears, is not due
to the alleged reduction of rates of Gus
toms, but to the decline in imports which
are>subject to tax. To state this differ
emily, the decline in customs receipts for
the third quarter was $3,000.000. but the
decline in imports was $10,000,000. The
conclusion is that the revenue for the next
fiscal year will be 1862, ,O00. 900 and the sur
plus $120, 100000. Perhaps no cause of
business depression is more prominent
than excessive taxation, and yet the debt,
which for special reasons no one wants
paid quickly, goes on diminishing at a
rate never before known.
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-04-21
THE RECENT COWHIDING OF
JUDGE REID.
Intense Excitement in Kentucky over
the ffair

NAAO @AhdAE.
Not since Colonel Buford assassinated
Chief Justice Elliott, five years ago, SAYS
a Louisville, Kentucky, special to the
New York Times, has there been such in
tense excitement in Kentucky as has been
caused by the cowhiding of Judge Richard
Reid by lawyer Corneilson at Mount Ster-
ling. 1t is admitted now that COrneilson
had no reason for his assault beyond his
excited fancy that Reid had wronged him,
while on every side there are comments to
indicate that public sentiment regards
Reid as a coward. Political feeling for
and against Reid's candidacy for the
Court of Appeals has taken hold of
the affair, and at Mount Sterling
late last night COrneilsOn was hanged
in effigy. To-day Judge A. E. Richards,
a colleague of Reid's on the Superior
Bench, steps into the quarrel with pub
lished note to Reid, to the effect that he
Richards is officially and personally re-
sponsible for the decision against Cornell
son and for the comments derogatory to
that person in the courts opinion. Rich
ards is a man of high character, cool and
quiet, but is a singed cat in a fight. He
was a Confederate who served with Early
and Morgan, and rose from the ranks to
the position of Major for gallantry in the
field. The wife of Judge Reid is an am
bilious and courageous woman, and she
has threatened, it is said, to kill Cornell
son if her husband does not. There are
suggestions of a duel, but none will
likely occur. Reid is a mass of bruises
ard welts from Corneilson's savage blows.
At the State capital, and all through the
bluegrass region, the excitement is at
the highest pitch.
An Indignation meeting of Reid's friends
was called for tonight at Mount Sterling.
A special from that place this evening
says: Attached to the eftigy of Corneilson,
hanged last night, was this placard:
John J. Corneilson. The person who cuts
this down, this, the 18th day of April. before
u o'clock, viii be treated in like manner.
BEST CITIZENS.
A telephone message from Owingsville
from number Of Reid's friends says:
Fight or withdraw from the race for Judge
of the Court of Appeals.
Col Thomas POOre is here and will tes-
tify that the marginal notes of the record
rejecting on Corneilson are in the hand
writing of Judge Bowden, and not in
Reid's, as was suspected to be the case at
first. Several friends of Reid are expected
to-day. What action will be taken is a
matter of speculation. CorneilsOn is
calm and says he is biding his time, that
he will substantiate his charges against
Reid. 1t is not known what the effect of
Judge Richards letter will have, but
from the expression Ofopinion it is thought
he is premature, and that the issue is
private one between Reid and COrneilsOn.
Circulars are Just now being circulated
for an Indignation meeting tonight This
will only cOmplicate matters and add fuel
to the flame.
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-04-21
PAYING ITS DEBTS.
Memphis Making Good PrOgr,
Ifouidatine the Claims of Credi

Memphis Making Good Progress in
LiQuidating the Claims of Creditors.
The 10Th of April, 1888, says a Memphis
special of the 18th inst. to the Chicago
Tribune, the Taxing district began to
fund the old debt of the city of Memphis,
which at that time amounted in round
figures to about $6,OOO,OO0. The new
bonds of the Taxing district were given
in exchange at the rate of fifty cents on
the dollar. The date for funding expired
the 1st of last February, at which time
$2,660,00O Of Taxing district bonds had
been issued in exchange for double that
amount Of old city Indebtedness. The act
of the Legislature which authorized the
settlement of the old debt also provided
for a sinking fund, and, after promptly
paying the July and January interest on
the new bonds, surplus was found of
over $4,000, which, after due notice by
advertisement in the newspapers, was to-
day used to redeem new bonds, and
$4,000 worth of the new Taxing district
bonds were purchased, the prices ranging
from 7215 70 T4A cents, averaging about
7415 cents. These are the first bonds of
Memphis redeemed in cash in twenty-five
years, and 1t is a certainty that by next
January there will be another surplus Of
500, 0,000 which will be applied in the same
manner. There is about $4,000 Of old
indebtedness yet unfounded.
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-04-21
LETTER CARRIERS.
The FurlOugh Bill Reported by the
Post Office Committee.

The FurlOugh Bill Reported by the
Post Office Committee.
In reporting a bill granting to letter
carriers at free delivery offices leave of
absence, says a Washington special, at
the rate of fourteen days in each year
without loss Of pay, a majority of the
House Post Office Committee say that this
is just and reasonable concession to a
class of employees exceptionally deserV-
ing of the favorable consideration of Con-
gress. The committee call attention to
the following facts: The weight of mail
which a carrier is obliged to deliver is a
matter worthy Of notice. From forty
to one hundred pounds Of mail is de-
livered each day by each carrier, and
oftentimes fifty pounds are delivered
in a single trip. The number of
miles Travelled per day by the carrier, eX-
elusive of going to and from the office
average about fifteen miles, and several
instances are given where the carrier
walks over twenty miles per day. In the
English free delivery service carrier is
allowed a tifteen-days leave each year
without loss of pay. When sick, medi-
cine and medical attendance are provided
by the government. If a single man.
sleeping apartments are furnished him,
and if married a cottage is provided at a
nominal rental. After a faithful ser
vice of fifteen years he may be
retired with a pension, and in no
case is he allowed to remain
in active service longer than twenty
years. These liberal provisions have
helped to secure the best talent and the
best service, and are worthy the attention
of those who are anxious to see the free
delivery service of the United States made
as perfect and efficient as possible. The
cost Of granting the proposed leave of alb
sence would not be great. Should every
carrier employed take advantage of the
privilege sought to be granted by the bill,
viz, two weeks leave Of absence. the cost
would be $131,652.
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-04-21
SHENDY FUGIT[VES SLAIN
45O ON A GROUNDED STEAMER
KILLED BY REBELS.

Berber's Fall Feared to be Not Far on
Gen. Gordon Gives Notice that He
Must Use His Own Judgment-Franee
Comes to England's Financial PrOpo-
sitiOn.
9 CAIRO, April 20.-A large number Of
refugees, owing to the shortness Of pro-
visions, left Shendy few days ago on
steamer for Berber. The steamer ran
agroundon a sand bank near by and was
soon surrounded by swarms of rebels
who attacked the steamer on all sides
and massacred everybody on board.
The fugitives numbered 40, including
portion of the Shendy garrison and many
women and children.
Nubar Pasha, the Prime Minister, fears
that before long the spirit of rebellion
will reach AssOuan. He has received a
despOnding telegram from Hussein Pasha,
Governor of Berber, who states that the
attitude of the population generally is
threatening. He expects that Berber will
shortly be surrounded and captured by
the rebels, who are constantly increasing
in number around the town and threaten
ing all avenues of communication. Hus-
sein Pasha says that he will resign unless
troops are sent to assist in the defense of
the town.
GORDON TO USE HIS OWN JUDGMENT
LONDON, April 20.-Gen. Gordon has
notified the British Government that
owing to the difficulty and delay eX-
perienced in sending and receiving COM
munications he viii henceforth act on his
own Judgment and responsibility.
EGYPTIAN FINANCES.
After several conferences between NJ.
WaddingtOn and Earl Granville the
French Government has assented to a
modification of the Egyptian law of liqui-
dation and agreed to support the English
proposals for financial reform in Egypt.
4 European conference on the question is
now needless. No further opposition is
expected from any power.
GORDoN's AIR CASTLE.
Sir Evelyn Barring, the British Minister
to Egypt, has been summoned to England
to discuss Egyptian affairs generally and
the Soudan question especially. His alb
sence from Cairo will probably be a long
one. The reports that Ell Mahdi was re-
Gently twice defeated by Tegeba tribes
are not believed at Cairo. 1t is said to be
a part of FL Mahdfs tactics to propagate
falsehOOds in order to cloak his own move
ments. Gen. Gordon has telegraphed as
follows to Sir Samuel Baker, under date
of April s: 1--WE have provisions for
five months, but we are hemmed in by
500 determined and 1900 rag-tag Arabs.
Our position will be much better
when the Nile rises Sennaar, Kassala,
D0ngOla and Berber are quite safe for the
present. DoyOu think that ii an appeal
was made to the miliOnaires Of England
and the United States for 9200, ,000it would
be available? II the Sultan of Turkey
will.send two or three thousand piv ans to
3erber under Zebehr Pasha we could not
only settle affairs at KhartOum, but do for
FL Mahdi, in whose collapse the Sultan is
necessarily Interested. | am sure that if
1t was known how Loyalty the inhabitants
and garrison of KhartOum hold to me and
how my lot is involved in theirs my ap-
peal would be considered fully iustiiied.'