The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-08-24

An Entire Week h a Single Stirring
Event-Capture and Return of Milan the
Defaulter Mecklenburg's New Court
House The.Social Season Soon to.Open-
Summer Tourists Returning.
Correspondence of The Messenger.)
Charlotte, N. c., August q.
The past week in Charlotte has been
rather dull, and no particularly excit-
ing events have occurred. Charlotte is
generally strictly up-to-date, and it is
very seldom that more than a week
passes without something startling. A
calm usually follows a storm, it is
said, and it is, therefore, very proba-
BILE that some event will soon occur to
break the monotony of things and make
us realize that we are still living in a
city that is keeping abreast Of the
times.
The most exciting event of the week
was the capture and return Of w. J..
Milan, the defaulting ticket agent Of
the Seaboard Air Line. 1t seems that
Milam went from here directly to Nor
ristOwn, Tenn, where he remained up
to the time of his capture. Morristown
is his old home and why he should go
there where he was SO we'll known is a
mystery. However, it seems when a
man goes wrong in one respect he does
all things wrong; for, had he so de-
sired he could have easily gOne out
of the country with the start he had.
He has not talked much since he was
brought back and lodged in Jail, but
from what he has said his was
caused by dabbling in stocks, futures,
etc., in a bucket shop in the same
building with the Seaboard Air Line Of
flee. 1t is the old, old story of specu-
lating and losing and then using the
company's money to catch up, with the
usual result that the catching up never
, comes, and then flight, dishOnor and
. disgrace. 1t is indeed strange that a
man we'll along in years with the ex-
perience of the world behind him will
do the same old thing that has sent
thousands down in disgrace, yet as
long as the temptation is placed in
mems way they cannot always resist.
Mecklenburg county's new court
house is just about completed, and it
will soon be opened for use. This cOur
house is one of the finest buildings in
the city, and it is a credit to the county
, officers who managed the way for its
! construction. 1t is situated in the CEN
/, ire of the city on one of the pretti-
| est streets in own. It has a large open
! yard with broad walks running down
! to the sidewalks on two streets, and,
! with everything finished up, as it is,
! in first class style, it presents an ap-
! pearance that would do credit to a
| town twice the size of Charlotte. This
! building when entirely completed will
! cost about $50, 900. The old court house
which has for a long time been entire
ly Inadequate for the needs of the
| county, will be sold after the new
building is completed and occupied.
The darkey camp meeting at Latta
| park still continues to hold the boards,
and the interest keeps up to a point of
| fever heat all the time. Blac Sam
| Jones" has been holding forth lately,
| and the way he has stirred up the sin
ners is a caution. He handles them
without gloves, and the energy with
which he pitches into satan and all
| his doings is indeed commendable. The
white folks attend by hundreds, and
| very often they outnumber the colored
brother. The meeting so far has been
J in a most orderly and SEEM
ly manner; the singing has been ex-
| cellent: the preaching good, and axe
altogether it has probably been the
most successful meeting of the kind
ever held in his vicinity.
The social season will open next
| week with a german to be given COM
| plimentary to several visiting young
ladies. AS this is the first social event
{ of the season, the young people are
| looking forward to it with a great
deal of genuine pleasure. The coming
| season will probably be of more inter-
est socially than any season for a long
time. The young people are already
| getting themselves in shape, and sew
| eral events are already on the taps,
with many more to follow in their
regular turn.
The cool weather which has lately
| prevailed has brought many Charlotte
| people back home from the resorts
near Wilmington, where they have
been enjoying the cool and refreshing
breeZes from he old Atlantic. All of
IL people who have visited the coast
express themselves delighted with
their trip and highly pleased with the
Kind attention they have received at
the hands of those who catered to their
wants while there. Among those who
have recently returned from the coast
are DIR. and Mrs. D.. O'Donoughue, Mr..
and Mrs. Geo. B. Crater, Misses John
sic and Sue Alexander. and Mrs. s. L.