Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-12-06

CLAIMING THAT THE SHOOTING WAS IN SELF
DEFENsE.-In the case of William Briggs, con-
victed Oct. 26 of the murder of Vim. JONES' in
a quarrel over hat on Columbia road in May
last, it is stated by persons interested that an
important witness has been discovered in a
colored man named Eli Ferguson, employed in
Pittsburg dry goods house as a porter. The
testimony in the case showed that Briggs and
Jones had quarrel over q hat and Briggs left,
but returned with pistol, and, the quarrel be-
ing renewed, he shot Jones. Briggs claimed
that the shooting was in self-defense. After he
had been convicted his counsel. Messrs. ]. Nc
Dowell Darlington and John Cruikshank moved
for a new trial and filed seven afidavits in sup
port thereof, and the government filed eight
affidavits in opposition. After argument, Judge
Montgomery denied the motion without preju-
dice on November "a. On the LIST instant mo-
ton was made for rehearing and three more
affidavits filed in its support 1t Is claimed that
Ferguson will testify that Briggs did all in his
power to escape from the conflict and was try
ing to get away, when Jones rushed at him and
the fatal shot was fred.
The CHORAL SOCIETY CoNCERr.-The Choral
society began its season last night with one of
the most successful concerts it has yet given.
The audience, while large, was not as numerous
as it should have been, in view of the fine
| record of the society as an entertainer and the
indefatigable and intelligent efforts of its men,
bers to promote musical culture in Washing
ton. The choruses last night were given with
power and nicely of finish and shading that
cannot be too highly praised, and the effect
drew from the audience hearty expressions of
delight. The POLITICALLY suggestive spinning
chorus from 1.-THE Flying Dutchman" and
GOunod's bacchanale merit special commenda-
tude of the musical people Of the city by in
Producing to their notice basso Of such
sterling merit as Mr.. d. NJ. Babcock, the
soloist Of the evening. His voice is of such
power, range, Ae3ibility and rich reson-
singers of the day. His singing excited great
enthusiasm and he was compelled to respond
| to encore after encore.
DEATH OF ONE OF THE FIRM OF R1aas Co.
ing-house Of Riggs Co., Of No. Sc Wall street.
New York, and Of this city, died Wednesday
morning, aged seventy-two, at his home in
New York, Of Brights disease. He began his
business career in Philadelphia with Romulus
Riggs, first in the dry goods business. He be-
railroad concerns, and at the time of his death
| was a director of the Illinois Central railway,
a trustee of the Atlantic Trust company, the
Manhattan bank and of several other corpora
| tions. He was confined to his home only ten
days before his death. He leaves two sons
THOMAS BEvANs FINED IN Four CAsEs-Yes-
| terday afternoon the trial Of Thomas Bevans,
charged in seven cases with petit larceny from
Saks 4 Co., was resumed before Judge Miller
in the Police Court. Testimony was offered as
to Saks wagon being seen in the neighborhood
| OF Rose Johnson's house and Q colored woman
riding with the driver. The government called
Elisha Taylor, who testified that about Novem-
and about IL o'clock the bell rang. He and
| Bevans went to the door and Rose johnson was
on the sidewalk. Bevans said that he knew
her, as she had been in his employ and she
had come there with messages TO Alfred Heller,
a clerk. Mr.. Heller denied that he knew the
woman. The case was briefly argued and the
court adjudged Bevans guilty on four of the
charges and dismissed the others. The Judge,
IN imposing sentences Of go each in two and
slo each in the other two, said he hoped the
circumstances would develop that would prove
advantageous TO the accused.
A q. A. R. EL.cr1os.-Lincoln post. No. 8.
e. A: r., elected last night the following
omcers Tor the ensuing year: Commander.
Major n. 7. Anderson; 8. v. O., ]. g. De,
Putron; ]: v. c., T. ]. Seigart; chaplain. Rev.
B. +. Swallow; quartermaster, J, A. VanDoren.
surgeon, Florence Donohue; of8cer Of the day'
ID. T. Craig; oficer Of the guard, James Nc.
Cres. Representatives to the department. en-.
campment: g. w. Streilz, d. p. Craig. ].
Jacobson, ]. A. vanDoren, J. G. DePutron. j.
I. Thornton, W. 2. Seville, W. F. DeKnight.
T. A; Wilson, K. G. Sneden, F. b. Evans, II. D.
Swallow, ]. T. Seigart C. p. Sayer, 81. ii. Mar.
tin, A. W, Bogia, J. 8. wyckoff
CAPT. SLocUM REACHES NoRrorx.-The boa,
La Libertad, Caps. Slocum, with his wife and
two children ~ passengers, which called from
Rio Janeiro the 2Ath Of July, bound to this
city, and which was last reported at Beaufort,
N. c., on the 18th Of November, arrived at Nor.
folk Wednesday morning with all wen on
board. The La libertad IL thirty-ive feei
long, seven feet and half wide and only three
feet deep. She was built ON q Japanese model
three masts, the mainsAn being square one
strengthened by bamboo strips. The sails were
made by Mrs. Slocum. who has also done full
sailors share in navigating the frail craft
house being covered with canvas, easily de-
tached. She Grfls for Washington to-day. with
New York a. her ultimate destination.
SPEAxKR CARLuIx viii introduce Mr.. DAME
QouQhexfyr 70 his sudinxaa - SAa f,a.,s....-