Morning journal and courier., 1891-12-18
GENERAL STATE NEWS.
A Successful Coon Eaunt-Pofnts Ea from
 All Sections.

A Successful Coon Ell unt-POfnts from All Sections.
 A party of Hartford sportsmen who know just where and when to tree coons, stole away from the city on Tuesday even ing with guns, dogs, tree-climbers, tackle, lanterns and ammunition and returned 1 early yesterday morning with one small | squirrel, 8 large cock partridge and coon which tipped the beam at 1S4 pounds. | The partridge was fairly "nurdered," to use an expression of one of the number. The bird was caught asleep on the branch of a tree and was soon brought down with | a charge of shot reserved for coon. Not | long after the hunters came across coon l in tree who was not asleep, and lively l fight ensued. The party are very reserved grounds, which are we'll supplied with 1 coons, but the spot is around Talcott mountain. Some time ago members of the same party bagged four coons in one night. This large coon was short in one | leg, and it is singular fact that most coons over twelve pounds in weight, which indicates somewhat advanced age, travel on three legs. This is the result of being caught in fox traps When coon finds himself held by leg in trap he solves the difficulty by gnawing off the imprison- ed member, and thus gets free. The hunt ing party will eat their game.
 AN IDEAL APPOINTMENT.
 Concerning Judge Shipman's appoint ment the Hartford Courant we'll says: President Harrison could not have more thoroughly commended himself, on the new United States court, to the people of Connecticut than he has done by putting upon it's bench Nathaniel Shipman of this city. It is an appointment that the whole state, and host of good people outside the state, have wanted to have made ever since the position was created.
 Judge Shipman is in the prime of life, one of the foremost citizens of Connecticut, and a man of naturally judicial mind, with long experience upon the bench. All the lawyers who have practiced before him entertain the highest respect for his legal attainments, and all persons, lawyers and laymen alike, who come in contact with him, respect and admire the Christian gentleman that he is.
 Judge Shipman was born in Southbury August 23, 1928, son of the Rev. Thomas Lefhngwsll Shipman, known as Father Shipman. He was graduated at Yale in lS4o, and in 1884 received from that uni versity the degree of IL. D., and is one of the lecturers in the Yale law school In 1872 he was appointed United States dis trict judge by President Grant, when Judge William D. Shipman gave up the office, and has held the position ever since. He has lived in this city ever since he be- gan the practice of law, and has long been one of the leading citizens of Hartford.
 The position to which he is appointed, like that from which he is promoted, is for life. There are nine of these "circuit courts of appeals" created, one in each judicial circuit, and they have final appel late jurisdiction in many cases, their pur- pose being to relieve the United States su- preme court.
 The new appointment of Judge Shipman does not involve his removal from Hart ford. He will have to be 8 part of the time in New York, as he has hitherto had to be, but no change of residence is re quirod.
 NOW IN LITcHFIELD JAIL CHARGED WITH
 MURDER.
 Floyd Crossley, the negro charged with the murder of Dennis Dwyer, the Harwin- ton farmer, has had preliminary hearing and been bound over without bail to the superior court. He was taken to Litchfield jail, where the trial will probably take place in April. Dwyer had his hand nearly cut off in 8 fight with Crossley, after as- saulting his wife, and bled to death before the wound was dressed. His funeral was held Tuesday afternoon, with interment in the Catholic cemetery.
 CONGRESSMAN WILCOX AND THE BENCH.
 MIDDLETowN, Dec. 17.-It is rumored here that Congressman Wilcox is anxious to succeed Judge Phelps of the superior court bench. January 12 next Judge pa xUf1l ha fry a1l will retire. At present Mir. Wilcox re- sides in Chester, but if successful in being made judge will come to this city to re- side.