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THE LIGHTS AT FAULT.
THE DRAWBRIDGE DISASTER
CAUSED BY WRONG SIGNALS.
The Coroner's Jury Places the Re
sponsibility With theTybee Railroad
Company for Flavins' an Incompe
tent Watchman at the Bridge-Talk
About the Verdict The Dead
Woman Identified—Condition of the
Injured —Crowds Visit the Wrecked
Steamer—Travel to Tybee Not Inter
rupted.
The coroner's investigation of Saturday
night’s fatal disaster at the St. Augustine
creek drawbridge resulted yesterday in
placing the blame oil the Tvb.-e Railroad
Company. Capt. Boulineau of the steamer
St. Nicholas was exonerated.
The jury charged the railroad company
with having an incompetent watchman at
the drawbridge, w h se failure to properly
lignal.tbe steamer caused the disaster. The
verdict caused a g ,od deal of talk
as many believed that the officers of the
steamer were responsible fjr the accident
and the loss of life.
The colored people whose friends and re
lations were injured in the collision were
greatly excited, and the funerals of the two
women who were killed were attended by
immense crowds.
The St. Nicholas was steered across the
river to Jones' wharf early yesterday morn
ing, where she was tied up,and the watchman
on the Georgia and Florida Inland .Steam
boat Company’s wharf was compelled to
shut off the lights before the crowds would
leave, even after the killed and maimed
were removed. Before 7 o'clock the crowd
began returning to the wharf and there was
a continuous stream throughout the day to
view the steamer as she luy moored across
the river. It was interesting for a by
stander to listen to the different comments.
One old negro was somewhat enthused, anil
was telling a couple of women about the
damage to the steumer, when one of the
women broke out: "Lawd, lissen at dat
Sou’s Colina nigger, lie out link ’bout do
soles <lat’s gone, but greibe ’oout de bote
bruk.” The crowd was not all confined to
the colored people, but many white people
viewed the steamer, and wondered that
there were so few killed with so many
aboard the boat.
WONDER THAT SO MANY ESCAPED.
From the cbaracler of the damages it
seems nothing short of a miracle that so
many escaped. The two “back” braces
made of heavy timbers wore broken
m pieces, and ail the frame work of the
saloon down to the main deck was broken
and smashed up to the pilot house. If the
steamer had been going at a greater speed
than she was the sal >on, pilot house and
entire upper woodwork would have been
swept clear of the main deck, or even if
the tide had been a little higher and the
steamer hail struck “stem on,” it
would have split her open from stem to stern
and the loss of life in either case would have
been frightful.
The damage to the st earner, it is estimated,
will approximate $2,000. An investigation
vi ill be held by the steamboat inspectors of
the cause of the disaster, and with a view
to placing the blame, if any, where it be
longs.
THE DEAD IDENTIFIED.
It is rather a strange coincidence that the
two women killed were cousins. One of
their bodies was pointed out by quite a
number of colored people as that of Emma
Foreman, but it proved to be Eve Cooper,
wife of Daniel Cooper, a woman about 48
years old, who lived in a locality known as
Join s’ fields, buck of " the Old
Fort. At 2 o’clock yesterday
morning a colored man assured the coroner
that it was the body of Emma Foreman,
nud taking the man in the wagon witli him,
the coroner took the body down into Yama
craw, and stopped at the door of the home
of the supposed dead woman, but Kmina
Foreman was in bed and sound asleep. Whoa
awakened she came to the door and assured
the coroner that she had not gone on the
excursion, and was olive and well. The
coroner returned with the body to his
undertaking rooms. Yesterday morning
Fannie Johnson called and inquired for
a missing woman, and when shown
the fuee in the coffin recognized it as her
mother, and the remains were taken to her
homo, and at 4 o’clock yesterday afternoon
the funeral took place at the First African
Baptist church.
The other dead woman, whom none of
the excursionists could identify Saturday
night, proved to be Amelia Wilson, who
lived in Broughtou stroat lane near Price
street. She and her cousin, Eve Cooper,
went on the excursion together, meeting at
Amelia’s house, where they prepared their
lunch basket.
RECOGNIZED BY A RELATIVE.
Early yesterday morning Coroner Dixon
had the body taken from The boat and laiil
tinder the full glare of the gas light, and
had the colored people pass it in single file
and examine it, to see it they could identify
it. There were more than I,UUO people
present, but it tvas not long before Alfred
Calhoun, a brother-in-law of the woman,
recognized the body as that of Amelia
Wilson, and it was removed to her
home, where the funeral took place at 4:3)
o’clock in the afternoon. The deceased was
about 30 years old, and was a vegetable
peddler. She had tieeu married but was
separated from her husband. She leaves a
daughter 3 years of age.
The “Fanners' Society,” a local beuefloial
society, of which both of tiie deceased
women were members, defrayed the ex
penses of the two funerals.
The members of the committee having
charge of the excursion says that there is
one woman missing, Kena Screven, who
lived in Charlton street lane, four doors
from Price street. She was known to have
gone on the excursion, and nothing had
been heard of her up to last night. It is
thought that she may have fallen overboard
at the time of the collision and drowned.
NONE BELIEVED TO HAVE GONE OVERBOARD.
Capt Boulineau said yesterday that
after the accident he saw a woman stoop
down and pick up something and go ashore.
He doos not think anyone was knocked
overboard, and he said that the young
white man whom Mr. Egan thought was
lost applied at the boat yesterday for his
valise. The captain said that there are
a great many inquiries for property, a
great deal of which has been collected and
cared for, and is given out to the proper
owners upon satisfactory identification and
under the authority of the excursion com
mittee. Ho said that there was a stir made
about a gold watch which had a green
ribbon attached aud which somebody had
lost. The captain has the property, but in
stead of a gold watch being attached to the
ribbon, it is a brass locket.
There were some very wild rumors afloat
yesterday afternoon about the discovery at
four more dead bodies—three in the marsh
near the drawbridge aud one in the wheel
of the boat. Traced down it was learned
that there is no foundation for the stories.
One colored man went to Coroner Dixon
and gave him to understand that he must
hold an inquest and find a verdict, so he
could make somebody support his mother
less babe. As Amelia H ilson is the only
one who left a child, and her husband
abandoned her, he could hardly have had
the assurance to ta:r; aoout finding some
one to “support” bis motherless balie. The
coroner thanked him for in true;mg him in
his duty, but there was a largo vein of sar
easm in the words of gratitude.
CONDITION OF THE INJURED.
There is a strong probability that several
of the injured will not recover. Dr. Boyd
said last night that Sallie Robinson of No.
236 Wald burg street has injuries which
render her recovery doubtful. Her leg is
crushed from the knee to the thigh, ai.d
the physician said that she has not recov
ered from the shock aud he don’t think she
will.
Dr. Weichselhanm is treating Margaret
Youmansof No. 224 Waldburg street, and
be said that she is .n a bad condition. She
has contusions of the arm and abdomen,
and ts internally inj red.
Tilhe Williams of New Houston street
lane, near Whitaker street, Dr. Nichols
I said, is not doing so well, as, in addition to
Ia broken wrist, she has an eye ruptured,
i and is internally injured.
Dr. Wegefarth said that the recovery of
' Mary Willis, at East Broad aud Bay
streets, is doubtful. She has internal in
juries and her thigh and back are bruised,
and he thinks tint she has sustains I in
juries to her kidneys. He also doubts the
recovery of I.ucv Genroe, No. New
Houston 9treet. "Her injuries are about the
head and she also has internal injuries. He
has hopes that William Willis of 37 Harris
street will pull through. Willis has in
ternal injuries and h.s condition is critical.
Louisa Giles. No. 15% Charlton street,
is attended by Dr. Dunn, and the d'>ctor
said that she is in a dangerous condition.
Her hip is bioken and stio is badly bruised.
Rosa Jenkens app.ied to Dr. Dunn yester
day for treatment. Her right elbow was
dislocated. Hhe was given a permit to enter
the Georgia Infirmary. Sne is one of the
many who rushed from the steamer as soon
as it reached the whari, without waiting to
be treated by the physicians. It is believed
that there are others who w ere injured, but
whose names could not be learned on board
the steamer.
THE CORONER’S INQUEST.
The coroner’s inquest over the bodies
of the two women was held in the
mayor’s court room at the police bar
racks, the verdict in the cose of Amelia
Wilson and Eva Cooper being identical ex
cept that the names were different. The
verdict in the Wilson case was as follows:
We. the jurors, tind from the evidence that
Amelia Wilson came to her dean, from the
carelessness of the Savannah and Tybee Rail
road Company in employing an incompetent
man as bridge watchmau, and we exonerate
Capt. Huulineau, of tbe steamer St. Nicholas,
fr in all blatne.
Tiie verdict wossigned by W.H. Bennett,
foreman, and the following jurors: Johu
F. Poeoi's, .Mduey Lilienthal, L P. Mast
er.), J. 11. Helmken, F. C. Lovell, T. J.
Brown, William Murray, C. Hetterich,
John D. Donelau, Thomas D. Downing and
Jeremiah .Murphy, and nat attested by
Coronor Dixon.
The inquest began at 11 o’clock in the
morning and was not concluded until nearly
3 o’clock in the afternoon. Hon. P. YV.
Mehirim was present with bis court re
porter, Mr. King, in the interest of the St.
Nicholas, and R. R. Richards, Esq., was
present taking notes as counsel for Craw
ford Williams, general agent of the Geor
gia and Florida Inland Steamboat Com
pany.
ENGINEER MASSETT’S STORY.
YY'hat may bo called the railroad wit
nesses were first examined. The first wit
ness was J. R. Massett, the engineer of the
Tybee train that left the city at 8:15
o’clock Saturday night. He testified
that when wilhin half a mile of
the St. Augustine bridge he saw n
red lamp, but whether the bridge tender
was motioning him down or was signaling
the steamer, he was unable to sav. He
said “they never signul to us at the bridge,
as we have to stop ut the sign. I saw the
red light in motion. I saw a steamer just
before 1 got to the drawbridge, and the ac
cident happened before the train got there.
I don’t know anything of tho signals used
for steamboats. We always stop until
signalod ahead. A white light is a coiuo
aheud signal, and tho signal I saw was a
red lamp. When I saw trie steamer she ap
peared to be about a oar’s length from the
bridge on the Savannah side. The night
was a dark one.
CONDUCTOR HARRIS ON THE STAND.
8. D. Harris, the conductor of the train,
testified that he was collecting tickets when
his attention was called to tho stopping of
the train, and he got out, but wueu the
train stal led again he got aboard. “Soon
after,” he said, “I heard rny name called
three or four times. I got off and met the
engineer, who reported an accident at the
bridge aud the waving of are l signal. 1
went to the watchman of the bridge, aud
he reported that he tried to wave the
steamer down before the accident. I hear!
cries for help and got in a boat and went
over to ttie steamer.” Mr. Harris
said that he found Capt. Boulineau excited,
and reported about three killed. He asked
Harris to see Capt. Usina, and he went aft
and found Capt. Usina very cool, and seem
ingly in charge of the boat. Harris was
requested to report the matter at Savannah.
“VVo alwuys stop at the bridge without
signal," he said, "and blow for Signal.
A white light at night is our signal to go
ahead, if waved up mid down, which is
answered by two blasts of the whistle.”
THE BKiDOK TENDER’S STATEMENT.
David Jenkens, the colored bridge tender
at the draw bridge, was an important wit
ness. Ho has been in charge of the bridgo
for considerably over a year and wus first
employed by Capt. D. G. Purse. He was
rather muddled in his testimony and while
there was little doubt that he understood his
duties he was uuable. when questioned by
the jurors, to state clearly the uses of the
signals, or what his duties at the bridge
were w ithout the facts being drawn i mt. He
said that he went out on the bridge Saturday
night when the St. Nicholas whistled a id the
regular Tybee bound train whistled just be
fore ho got to the draw. His orders were
not to open the bridge on train time, aud ha
began signaling the steamer down. He sent
a boy, whom he had with him, to signal the
train, aud lie continued waving his lantern
t > the steamer until she got to the bridge.
He “hollered" aud “whooped," but the peo
ple on the steamer did not. seem to hear him.
A red light, the teuder said, is hung at
each end of the bridge at night, and both
lights were out as the steamer ap
proached. The tender sits at the center
of the bridge with a white light until the
last train from the island at night has
crossed, and then the bridge is opened for
the night. When the tender saw the train
and steamer both approaching he took one
of the red lights from the bridge, which, he
said, he is allowed to do, and gave it to the
boy to signal the train, leaving but one red
light on the bridge.
SWUNG HIH LANTERN TO THE BOAT.
At the same time ho was signaling the
steamer with the whito light. His object
was to let the train cross aud then
open the draw for the steamer to go
through, as is the custom when a train aud
boat approach at the same time. It takes
about four minutes to open the draw, and
us soon as the train had crossed he would
have swung the bridge aroundt The
steamer coming from Savannah, lie said,
whistles at a regular poiut before reaching
the mouth of St. Augustine crook, and
then on rounding the point, giving the
bridge tender time to open the draw. The
jury asked Jenkins a number of questions
as to his duties at the bridge, the uses of the
lights, what thej' were for, and a
number of other mat ers, to find out
if he understood what his position was. He
answered thorn after a fasmon. but the jury
was evidently inclined to the belief that he
was not wh ily a competent man for the
pi sitiou he occupied, and that if the lights
bad been properly placed the accident
might not have occurred.
“Do you understand the responsibility of
your position ?” one of the juror’s asked.
“Yes, sir; I do,’’ was the reply. “It is
I too much responsibility for me.”
THE CAPTAIN’S SIDE OF IT.
I Capt. F. C. Ron.mean's testimony was
' that be i- captain of the steamer St. Nicho
■ “We left Savannah Saturday night,"
i he said, “at 8:33 o’clock on an excursion to
I Brunswick with 50.) people. W be:i wo got
I down to the mouth of south channel we
whistled tlirto ti nes, about three miles
from the bridge. When about three-quarters
of a mile fronting across for the mouth of
St. Augustine creek, 1 slowed down ami
ran under one bell, which is half speed, and
blew three short whistles. 1 saw two red
lights: one on each side of the drawbridge;
usually that is the sign that the bridge is
open. W hen within 3)0 ) ards of the bridge
I could see that the draw was not open.
I stopped her and backed, and called to
everybody to get off the forward deck. X
THE MORNING NEWS: MONDAY, JULY 22, 1889.
kept becking until the stern of the steamer
cleared the abutment on the eastern side,
then the stern brought np In the marsh, ami
I found she was solid. I left the pilot house
and went on deck.” The captain then de
tailed how, with tbe crew, the injured were
removed from the wreck, repairs were
made to the rudder, and the return was
made to the city, after which he said: “I
sa w tbe conductor when he came aboard
the steamer, aud asked him If he saw the
accident. He replied no; that he was about
at Fort Bartow. The night was a dark
one, and, with the crowd we had on board,
it was impossible for them to get out
of the way after I ocJled to them. It was
about an hour liefore low water, hut there
was a freshet in the river. When I got in
the mouth of the creek I saw someone
on the western side waving a white light,
which is sometimes done when the bridge is
left open. That is to let us know that the
bridge is open. I am positive about the
two lights.
HEARD THE WATCHMAN SHOUTING.
"I was at the wheel myself and heard the
watchman ‘halloo’after I started to back
it is hard to see the bridge, as it is painted
dartc and the trees make a background.
B°me h ats coul 1 be stopped in 300 yards,
but not the Bt. Nicholas. We cannot stop
our boat and go through the creek. It we
stop we are sure to strike the bridge.”
The draw, Capt. Boulineau thought,
could be opened in three minutes. “If the
train has the right of way,” he said, “we
back out and wait on her. Then I have
hod the train wait on rae. When I seethe
lights as I saw them last night, I suppose
tbe bridge isopen. I have before gotten
within 300 yards and backed out, but struck
the bridge all the same, and then the bridge
was open. I struck the bridge with the
Pope Catlin on one occasion. Had the
bridge been open last night I would hare
gone through clear."
Capt. M. P. Usina, purser and business
manager of the Bt. Nicholas, testified that
when the steamer nearei the bridge he
vent out on the hurricane deck and taw
that he was approaching the draw, and no
ticed that it was closed. “I ran to tho pilot
house,” he said, “and halloed to Capt.
B ulineau to back her full speed. I saw
that a collision was Inevitable, aud in a few
minutes we collided. I had shouted several
times to the people to go aft before we
struck. When I reached the pilot house the
boat was beiug backed. 1 did not go in the
pilot house. Capt. Boulineau and the
wheelsmen were both there. The night was
very dark, aud I did not notice tbe lights
on the bridge. I saw some lights, but iu
the confusion did not notice how they were
set."
HURRIED TO THE PILOT HOUSE.
Capt. Usina says that he was on his wav
to the pilot house, from force of habit, as
he always goes there when nearing the
bridge, but oti this occasion he did not
reach the pilot house until just before the
collision. “I asked Capt. Boulineau, after
the collision,” he explafnod, “about the
lights. He said they were set as usual, and
there was no train at the bridge when tho
accident occurred. YVe are provided for
(WO passengers, but I don’t know how many
were on the boat last night.’’
The last witness called was John South
mayd, tho mate of the St. Nicholas. He
testified that he saw lights on the bridge,
but in the crowd and confusion be could
t 11 nothing about them. lie was amidships
when he heard the bells to stop ami back.
He started to go forward to see what was
the trouble, but the crowd was so dense
that he couldn’t see much except that the
boat was going into the bridge aud he hur
ried back aud told the engineer, auil by that
time the boat struck.
Southmayd testified that when about
the obstructions the signal whistle was
blown as usual, and when St. Augustine
creek was reached the boat struck ground,
but went over all right, and at the mouth
of the creek signals were again blown for
the bridge.
This closed the testimony, and the room
was cleared for the jury to make up the
verdict, which was brought in iu about ten
minutes.
TR AINS CROSS THE BRIDGE ALL RIGHT.
The damage to the drawbridge by the
collision was not such as to interrupt travel.
The bridge was twisted, but the rails were
changed so as to straighten tho track, and
trains ran over all right. The bridge can
not be opened, however, and vessels cannot
pass through. The steamer David Clark,
bouti 1 for Savannah from Darien, came up
to tho bridge in the afternoon, but was
turned back, and wont through Freeman’s
cut to Lazaretto creek, arriving at, her
wharf at 10 o’clock last night. The Clark
struck ttie Lazaretto creek bridge m passing
through, but was not damaged.
Tho passengers who came up from Tybee
as far as the bridge on Saturday night’s
train aud returned to the island, were
brought up yesterday morning aud crossed
the bridge. All trains during the day went
out on time. The August* special excur
sion brought down over GOO passengers win
spent the day at the beach and returned to
Augusta last night The afternoon trains
to the island were crowded and the last
train up last night was packed with people.
Sunt. Cobb made an inspection of tis
bridge yesterday morning and agaiu last
night to get at the extent of the damage,
and as soon as possible it will be repaired.
It will ba done, however, without inter
rupting travel.
AT THIS COURTS.
Happenings in the Superior and City
Court Rooms.
In the superior court Saturday, the mo
tion for anew trial iu the case of Frank
Polite, convicted of burglary and sentenced
to seven years in the penitentiary, was
argued by Thomas S. Morgan, Jr., and
tV. L. Clay for the defendant, aud resisted
by Solicitor General Fraser.
The court reserved its decision. The same
oou'se was taken on the motion for a re
duction of the penalty imposed on George
Williams, convicted of assault with intent
to murder and sentenced to two years in
the penitentiary. The motion was argued
for the prisoner by W, E. Morrison, Esq.,
and opposed by Solicitor General Fraser.
Mr. Morrison argued also for anew trial,
but withdrew it at the close of the solicitor
general’s speech.
Further argument was heard iu the
Weisbein case Saturday. Hon. Rufus E.
Lester for the general creditors spoke for
two hours against the motion for anew
trial in the case of the Jersey Continental
Works et al., against Ciafliu & Cos. and
Jailrey it Cos., and Col. William Garrard
cl ised the argument for Clailin & Cos. and
Jaffrey it Cos., iu favor of the motion. The
court took the papers aud reserved his de
cision.
CITY BREVITIES.
DeKalb Lodge, No. y, L O. 0. F., meets
this evening.
Calanthe Lodge, No. 28, K. P., holds a
regular meeting this evening.
Regular meeting of Magnolia Encamp
meut, No. 1, I. O. O. F., this evening.
There wore eleven cases docketed for
the mayor’s court up to 1:30 o'clock this
morning, all victims of John Barleycorn,
picke up iu the street.
There were 170 failures in tlio United
States reported to Rradstreet’s last week,
against 218 iu tho prec sling week and 141,
153. 104 and 185 in the c iriespordi ig weeks
of 1888, 1887, 1886 and 1885 respectively.
The Ge rgia Hussars will have their an
nual carbine and pistol contest at the rifle
range on the Coast Lme railroad at 4
o’clock this afternoon. The company will
assemble at the Coast Line depot at 3:30
o’clock, and will go out to the range iu a
special car.
The Bartow Light Infantry will be pre
sented a handsome flag to-day by Mrs. E.
M. Seabrook of Charleston, formerly Mrs.
Francis Bartow, after whose gallant hus
band the young company is named. The
presentation wilt take place at 9 o’clock this
morning at the residence of Copt. D. G.
Purse on Liberty street. The flag will be
received by Charles H. Olmstead iu behalf
of the Bar tows.
MANY BILLS PUT IN.
OVER SIOO,OOOIN CLAIMS AGAINST
THE 6HORT LINE.
The Lawyers Come in for a Good Slice
—A Big Legal Fight on Foot—The Ex
ceptions to the Receiver’s Report to
Be Argued Before Judge Falliaraht
This Week—What the Principal Ex
ceptions Are.
In the superior court Saturday afternoon
when the Savannah, Dublin and YY'estern
Short Line case came up it was easily to be
seen that a big legal warfare is inevitable.
There was quite an array of legal ta’eut
present. J. A. Cronk, attorney for Receiver
Davant; Hon. F. G. dußignon, Y\'. VY T .
Fraser, Esq., Col. William Garrard, R. It.
Richards, Esq., R. G. Erwm, E-q., Emile
Newman, Esq., and C. N. YY’est, Esq.
The attorney for the receiver having pre
viously put in his claim for 83,500 for legal
services, the court set last Saturday, at 4
o’clock, to receive all claims of defendants’
counsel for legal services and to pass upon
them, and also to hear exceptions to the
report of the receiver.
In the absence of Capt. H. C. Cunning
ham, counsel for the Savannah and Fort
Y alley railroad, which means tiie Central,
if the reader is to base his judgment on the
exceptions filed, the case again went over
until next Satin day,
TO PUSH IT ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.
Judge Falligant, in extending the time,
took ooeaslon to say that he wanted to push
the matter either to a settlement or give it
a start to tbe supreme court if it is to be
taken there. He also notified counsel that
Judge Adams having stud.ed tho case and
being more familiar with it, he should
counsel with his predecessor in
his dealings with the case. The
judge said that he wanted counsel to come
prepared to argue tbe exceptions to the re
ceiver’s report, and the motion of Mr. YY’est
that the surplus should be invested in in
terest bearing security, the court did not
grant, saying that he desired to look into
the case further. It would appear, how
ever, from the bilb coining in that no such
sum as $130,000 will be left to invest, as Mr.
West suggested.
Iu the first place the receiver has recom
mended that $750 be paid Salomon Cohen,
the former receiver. Attorney Cronk asks
for $2,500; dußignon and Fraser ask for
$3,500; Mr. West wa its 10 per cent, of John
H. Bower's claim; Lawton & Cunningham
ask for a fair compensation and Receiver
Davant in aski:ig;tor his compensation takes
ocoasion to add that he made a 200-mile
ride over the line of the road to Havvkins
ville, encountering dangers and exposure
from which he has not fully recovered, and
he asks for “just compensation.”
THE RECEIVER'S REPORT.
The receiver's report lias alread v become
a target to shod exceptions at, and some of
the firing is directed point blank at the
Central railroad. It mat' be proper to first
give a brief synopsis of the receiver’s re
port with reference to his findings as to
amount of claim and priorit ,• guilder the
original bill of W. H. Ferguson & Cos., vs.
the Savannah, Dublin and Short Line Rail
way Company, to which declaration numer
ous other parties were made complainants
during the jjrogress of the much litigated
case.
Receiver Davant finds first the cost of
compensation, which includes $759 for the
former receiver, and the compensation for
Mr. Cronk, attorney for the receiver.
Next in order the receiver says that Jan.
I, 1886, the railwav company executed and
delivered a mortgage to k. P. Ho'ell, R.
A. Hardeman aud Howard E. YY r . Palmer,
trustees, upon all its property to secure
$3,000,000 of bonds, which it was able to
issue. The mortgage is regular in form and
recorded in all the couutie- through which
the line passed, and although not filed with
in the time required by law, the bonds were
regul irly issued, and are binding on the
railway company under the rules governing
negotiable paper.
The bonds Nos. 1, 2 and 3, for SI,OOO each,
paid to them as trustees, are found to be
valid aud binding for face value and in
terest.
THE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY’S DOINGS.
Ttie receiver says that the construction
company paid Carpenter, Grant, Mundy
& Cos., Jan. 38, 1888, on account of the con
struction uf Jno defendant railway, tho sum
of S;iS,OUO, and various claims amounting
to $14,707 04, on the faith of tho
pledge of bonds deposited with it
to the amount of $2,700,000. These
bonds, to the extent of $40,707 04, with
interest from Jan. 28, 1888, are a valid aud
subsisting lien on the property of the de
fendant railway company. The liens of
the trustees named and the construction
company are in priority and rauk next
after the cjsts aud expenses above men
tioned.
Next in priority are the various judg
ments against the defendant railway, ac
cording to the terms of court at which they
were rendered and their dates.
City court
tV. H. Seueiffeler $ 1,610 15
Theodore Busch 'gjg gjj
John F. Tietjen oua
P ' * 00 453 57
h. H- Voung 25 00
J. r. Clay brook 110
Jas. Ilarc & liro 178 90
Weed & Cornwell 4^
13. H. Levy# Hro 4ii*, 53-
A. J. Morrison 203 wr,
M. Verst Jt Cos 1,15129
T. t. Grady et al IdU 15
Justice Molina's court—
Bendlieitn liros. & Cos $44 30
lleury Burke 15 tis
Lilientlial A Son
City court—
J. U. Powers SIS 93 94
The accounts of SeOeiff -ler, Baseh, Tiet
jen, Farquhar & Cos., Wolff, Hart Bros., and
Weed & Cornweli have been assigned to
tbo Savannah aud Fort Valley Railway
Company, aud these assignments, the re
ceiver decides, are “binding against the
world.” That the company didn’t hold
shares or stock, so that the transaction does
not come within the constitutional inhi
bition. Code, section 5,097.
THE CONTRACT DEBTS. •
Next in order of priority are the debts
which rest in simple contract only. These,
tho receiver says, all stand upon the some
footing in the distribution to be made, aud
are itemized as follows:
Law ton <x Cunningham for use of
Savannah and Fort Valley Kail
wav Cos., with interest $27,447 42
The Krill Company 21,223 20
5Vm. A. Church 64 00
Acceptances—
l>. 1. Kaer, attorney fee and interest 5 100 00
P. H. Moeller M 40
J . F. Monroe :J5 00
Louis Bird 120 00
OlliffA Kennedy 123 7t
Due to complainant, W. H. Fergu
son & Cos 16,288 07
Less drafts drawn on, rail
way company and ac
cepted $10,892 83
Judgment in favor of J. H.
Powers 1,893 84
Amount paid J. H. Fergu
son* Cos 1,357 27 14,143 94
Leaving balance due W. H. Fergu
son * Cos $ 2,144 13
To this report there are three hills of ex
ception filed by the counsel for the various
creditors, and others will bo filed. Thus
far the exceptions are uniform, and are in
brief!
1. Exceptions to the finding of #49,797 04
for the United States Construction Com
pany having priorty of claims to com
plainants and exceptions to the finding of
$3,1)00 for the trustees.
2. Exceptions to the finding in favor of
Lawton & Cunningham for the use of the
Savannah and Fort Valley Railway Com
pany for $27,442 42. Au exception of fact
is cited that the construction company did
not perform its contract according to the
terms of the same.
THE FOURTH EXCEPTION.
The fourth exception is one in which the
general creditors show their teeth at the
CeutraL saving: “The fourth exception is
that the said mester has in and by his re
port found that the claims made in this
cause by the United States Construction aud
Improvement Company of New Jersey
were not held by the said Construction and
Improvement Company for the Central
Railroad arid Banking Company of Geor
gia; that the said Central Railroad and
Banking Company of Georgia was not
the real purchaser and controller of
t e said claims in it* own interest, and that
the said Central Roilron l and Banking
Company of Georgia, in purchasing the said
claims, did not purchase the same for tbe
purpose of promoting monopoly and lessen
ing competition in railroad transportation
in the stateof Georgia by obtaining through
the said claims the control of the road of
the defendant railway company.”
In conclusion, by the fifth exception, it is
held that the said master has not found in
and by his report that the demands of the
construction and improvement company
against the defendant i ail wav company
“ere fraudulent in fact.”
It was suggested ju court Saturday, that
the whole matter be referred to anew mas
ter, but this did not meet with favor among
counsel, who hold that the court will iu the
end have to pass upon it.
As the time approaches to divide the
money arising from the sale of the road
tho real fight begin, a:.d next Saturday
will us an interesting day in court. R. R.
Richards, Esq., representing parties m in
terest, said in reply to a suggestion
by Col. Garaard that the case would
take only two or three hours, gave
notice that he could not present his side of
the caso in that time, and that it could not
lie disposed of short of two days. As the
case now stands it is the field against Law
ton & Cunningham for the Savannah and
Fort Valley Railroad Company with the
Central the power behind the throne.
RAIL AND CROSSTIffi.
The Chattanooga Times thinks that the
locomotive engineer brotherhood will make
a mistake if tuey let all railway employes
into their union. Chief Arthur opposes the
movement, and be is altogether the clearest
headed man in the brotherhood. They
never made a serious blunder except when
going counter to bis advice.
The talso bridge of the Savannah, Ameri
cus and Montgomery road across the Octnul
geo river at Abbeville, built by the Penn
Bridge Company, is ready for the train to
pass over. The construction train is uow
busy putting in a fill on the sides of the
bridge, and as sooti as this is completed the
Savannah, Americus and Montgomery cars
will cross over into Dodge, county.
Articles of incorporation are being pub
lished in various papers of the organization
of the Palatka and Lake Shore railroad, to
run from Palatka to the most eligible point
on the Florida Midland, thence to Kissim
mee. Mr. Dawe, the contractor of the Mid
land, inform* the Orlando Reporter that
tho company has cash on hand, the survey
ors will soon he at work on tho new line,
and that the chances are good for its early
construction.
In the caso of McGowen vs. Morgan’s
Louisiana and Texas Railroad and Steam
ship Company, the supreme court of Louisi
ana lately held that a regulation requiring
passengers boarding cars without pur
chasing tickets to pay 25 cents extra was
not unreasonable, and that the fact that
passengers boarding the cars at stations
where tickets we re not on sale were ex
empted from the regulation did not invali
date it as to the other passengers, and that
the regulation was not invalidated by the
fact that the company gave drawback
coupons for the extra fare on which the
passengers might collect it back from any
agent at a station.
UP TO NINETY-FIVE DEGRESS.
Mercury Climbs Toward the 100°
Mark.
Yesterday was about up to the hottest
day of the season. At the signal station
mercury reached 95’, but at some places in
the city it mounted up to the 100’ mark.
In the early part of the afternoon the heat
was intense, but toward night the rains
which passed south of the city cooled the
atmosphere and last night was pleasant.
.The interior stations of the Savannah
district of the cotton belt reported some
pretty high temperatures. Alapaha, Fort
Gaines aud Thomasville went Savannah
one degree better. Eastman, Jesup and
Millenrep >rted 98", and Smithville reported
IUO*. The average highest temperature
for the twelve stations of the'district was 96°.
There was a heavy rainfall at Albany and
about % an inch of rain fell at Fort Gaines,
but elsewhere iu the district there was
hardly any rainfall.
The indications for Savannah to-day are
partly cloudy weather with conditions
favorable for a thunderstorm this after
noon.
THE INJURED FIREMEN.
All Getting Along Well Except Rich
ard Hart.
The injured firemen are all doing fairly
well except Richard Hart, who is lying at
St. Joseph’s infirmary in a critical condi
tion from injuries to his head, with the
chances decidedly against him.
Maurice Buttimer had a set-back, and
had to take to his bed uutil his burns heal
up. He is getting along well.
Strobhert took a ride out on the street
cars Saturday and is convalescent.
Fireman Connolly is getting on ns well
as a man could who is suffering from a
fractured rib.
Ogrew is unable to walk, os his burns on
his feet have not healed, but he sits up, aud
is getting along nicely.
Funeral of John Rotchford.
John Rotchford, for ten years an employe
of the Morning News job printing and
lithographic departments, died at the
Savannah hospital on Saturday, of con
sumption, aud was buried yesterday from
the Cathedral. Mr. Rotchford was 28
years old. He had been a sufferer for
several years and for the last three months
he was confined to his bed. He was a mem
ber of the Ford Dramatic Association, and
his face was familiar to those who were
accustomed three years ago to attend the
Fords’ performances. His workmates at
tended the funeral in a body. One of the
floral tributes was a bouquet of flowers
from Messrs. James and Henry Neill of the
Fords. Father McCarthy officiated at the
funeral services, aud the interment was in
Cathedral cemetery.
Darien’s Quarantine Action.
A called meeting of the Darien board of
health was held last week. A letter from
Dr. Brunner of Savannah was read, asking
that some action be taken by the board,
protesting against the closing of the
national quarantine station at Sapelo on
Oct. L The following resolution was
unanimously adopted: “We, the
board of health, respectfully re
fer Dr. Brunner’s letter to the mayor and
city c uncil with our full approval aud ap
preciation . f the doctor’s suggestions, and
we urgently ask the city authorities to take
steps to secure Col. Lester’s assistance in
presenting our protest and endeavoring to
secure the keeping open of the Sapelo quar
antine station at Sapelo ail the year.”
Wedded in Waithourville.
Mr. Charles A. Gibbes and Miss Julia
Thomas, daughter of County Engineer
E lward J. Thomas, wore quietly married
at the home of the bride’s grandmother,
Mrs. G. W. Walthour in Waithourville
Liberty county last Thursday, by Rev. Mr.
Amhurst of Hineeville. The bride and
groom will spend their honeymoon in the
mountains of North. Georgia.
LOCAL PERSONAL.
Miss Elisa Bryan is visiting relatives at
the Ridge in Darien.
WEDDING BELLS HUSHED.
A Fashionable Society Marriage Post
poned at the Twelfth Hour.
From the Sew York World.
Cleveland, 0., July ID.—The morning
papers of yesterday contained the announce
ment that at high noon, Frank C. Me ..illin
and Miss Ida Riddle, well known society
people of this city, would be married at tfce
residence of the bride's parents. No. 1729
Euclid avenue. Although the invitations
‘had been issued, tbe guests had assembled
to witness the ceremony, and the minister
was on hand to perform it, Miss Riddle is
Miss Riddle still, and tee whole affair is a
riddie to the public.
Mr. McMillin is a member of the law
firm of Ong & McMillin, well to do, pros
perous in his profession, aud handsome. He
is 37 years of age, and for several years has
been a marked figure in East End society.
His home Is at No. 1806 Euclid avenue, two
blocks from tbe Riddle residence. Miss
Riddle is the daughter of J. Q. Riddle, a
partner in the wholesale hardware firm
of Lockwood, Taylor & Cos., and is
25 years old, but lookß no more
than 20. She is of medium hight, has
brown hair and blue eyes, a pretty face and
figure, and great vivacity of maimer. Of
late year* no social event at the East End
has been considered complete without her
presence. She was the life of car l parties
in winter and tenuis parties and picnics ill
summer, the best conversationalist in her
set, and an accomplished musician—just
such a companionable, level-headed, hand
some American girl as might inspire the
warmest devotion in’a suitor.
She had scores of admirers, but one by
one they gave way before the steady ad
vances of McMillin. Two years ago they
became engaged, aud the course of true
love was never smoother titan in her case.
It was arranged that they should be mar
ried in the coming fall or winter. Two
weeks ago Mr. McMilliu suggested that
they get married at once. The reason he
gave for hurrying matters was that
during the summer he could arrange
to get away for a trip to the Paris
exposition and elsewhere, which would
bo impracticable later. Miss Riddle con
sented anil began preparations for the wed
ding. Rev. S. L. Darsie, of the Franklin
Avenue Disciple’s church, arrived at the
Riddle residence at 11 o’clock yesterday
morning, having been summoned iu haste
to a family conference. He had engaged to
perform the marriage ceremony an hour
later. The carriages of friends began to
arrive in numbers, the hour for the services
approached, but neither the prospective
bride nor the groom could be seen.
At 12 o’clock Mr. Riddle announced that
the marriage of his daughter had been un
avoidably postponed on account of her ill
ness. Mr. McMilliu, in a dazed manner,
confirmed the report. They united in say
ing that Miss Riddle was suffering with
nervous prostration; she had worked too
hard in preparing her trousseau, the time
being limited; the selection of guests from
her host of friends had been a severe trial to
her nervous system; she was confined to her
bod, aud it was impossible to tell when her
condition would warrant proceeding with
the marriage. It might be to-morrow or
the next day, or next week, possibly not
until the time originally intended, next fall,
but it would take place some time. Mr.
McMillin seemed utterly crushed, and Mr.
Riddle was evidently iu a very disturbed
state of mind. Tho guests departed, gos
siping as guests will under such circum
stances.
There seems no reason to doubt the state
ments of the family, but the newsgatherers
were suspicious and instituted an inde
pendent line of action. The result is the
discovery that Miss Riddie is in a very fail
state of health, and that three or four nours
before the ceremony was to be performed
she changed her mind aud flat-footedly re
fused to carry out the contract. Neither
the persuasions of her parents or lover, or
the advice of her minister, bad any effect
upon her. She didn’t want to get married
and she wouldn’t. The fact that she was
bringing disgrace to an honorable an 1 esti
mable and devoted lover and prejudicing
her family and herself, was presented io
her in the strongest light, but without
effect. Mr. MoMillin returned to his homo
in despair, and immediately began prepara
tions for a trip abroad without the bride he
had expected would accompany him.
It is not improbable that there is another
man in the case, and his name is said to be
Charles H. Pennington, sou of B. L. Pen
nington, a wealthy vessel owner. He has
been very attentive to Miss Riddle of late
in a quiet way, aud friends of the young
lady intimate that her affections have been
transferred to him. Mr. Pennington is
considerably younger than Mr. McMillin,
equally prominent iu society aud a great
favorite.
First a Pigmy—Anon a Giant.
We are too apt to regard a small ailment
much as we would some of
aspect and prankish indeed, but incapable of
serious mischief. We ignore the fact that it
grows prodigiously, strengthens in propor
tion and begets evil progeny. A fit of indiges
tion, a slight bilious attack, sensations of unrest
and languor when the system should have been
braced by recent sleep, unaccountable nervous
ness, inactivity of the kidneys or bladder—what
are the precursors of obstinate and
serious bodily disturbance? In either of the
above emergencies common sense and experi
ence unite in indicating Hostetter's Stomach
Bitters as the best preventive. Particularly
should its use be prompt when the languor,
yawning, childness down the back and feverish
ness that precede a malarial attack, manifest
themselves. Incipient rheumatism grows apace.
Don’t neglect it. So with constipation and de
bility.
Is Friday an Unlucky Day?
More or less superstition attaches to the
sixth day of the week, and numerous are
the undertakings or ventures that are post
poned to a more propitious (?) day. Friday
is as good a day as any other in wliioh to
inaugurate a quest for health, and P. P. P.
(Prickly Ash, Poke Root and Potassium) is
the very best weapon with which to begin
an onslaught on disease. For ali blood im
purities such as are indicated by Rheuma
tism, Gout, Syphilis, Scrofula or eruption
of the skin, P. P. P. is a sure aud simple
remedy. For women suffering from loss of
appetite, strength and vigor it is a splendid
tonic aud remarkable iu its result*. All
druggists keep it.
At EstllTs.
Savannah Daily Morning News,
“’Twixt Love and Law,” by Annie Jenness
Miller; “Thou Shalt Not,” “A Crooked
Path,” by Mrs. Alexander; "Mv Uncle Bar
basson,” by Mario Uchard; “Merle’s Cru
sade,” by Rosa Nouchette Carey; “The
Princess and the Jew,” by I. 1. Kraszewslti;
“An Invention of tho Evening,” by Will
iam H. Babcock; Lippincott’s Magazine
for August, Paris Illustre, Peck’s Sun, Lon
don Illustrated News (10c. edition), Hone
man, Sporting South, Sporting Times,
Sporting News, Sporting Life, Sportsman,
New York Weekly, Saturday Night, New
York Ledger, Fireside Companion, Family
Story Paper, Public Omnion, New York
Herald, World, Press, Sun, Star,
Times, Tribune, Boston Herald, Boston
Globe, Baltimore Sun, Cincinnati Fn
auirer, Cincinnati Gazette, Philadelphia
Press, Philadelphia Times, New Orleans
Times-Democrat, Atlanta Constitution,
Macon Telegraph, Augusta Chronicle,
Charleston News and Courier, Charleston
World, Florida Times-Union, Louisville
Courier-J ournal.
There is a good deal said in pn at about
the overworked preacher, the overworked
novelist, and the overworked actress, but
there is little or no attention paid, to the
overworked public. —Merchant Trci'MUr.
Turn About Fair Play.— A. (—So he
kicked you, did he? Vf
B.—Yes, he did that very thing. : :
“And you didn’t kick him back?” tlm
“No, indeed. If I had then it f would
have been his turn again.”— TexM Sirt
inas, M
rakt n° pnwp'jn
mm
POWDER
Absolutely p Urot
This powder never varies A nuir-i .
strength aud wholesomeoes* w l ”‘ to
than the ordinary kinds,"' and T 1
sold ini competition with the multlaS? 0 *
test short weight alum or
hold only in cans Roym Tubi v-5. and P°*l
106 Wall street. New York Po ' r ’"il
* BATES 8. M, u
Our Fifth Clearance
Sale excels all its pred
ecessors in attrac
tiveness and success
The variety of instrui
ments offered is very
great, prices for Pi.
anos ranging from
SSO to $450. Organs
at your own price.
Many of the most
tempting bargains
have, of course, been
taken, but there ars
still plenty of chances
for shrewd spot cash
buyers.
* * * * We have Always
ourwarerooms the largest sto
South of Chickerings, Math
sheks, Mason and Hamlir
Sterlings and other favor
makes of Pianos and Orgai
* * * *
MEN HATES 0,
DRY GOODS.
Important Notit
TO
Bayers of Reliable Dry Git
(Mllli
137 Broughton St.
Our ANNUAL SALE will be extended to
weeks longer, during which time we will I
tiuue to offer our entire stock at cost.
JUST RECEIVED,
$3,000 WORT
OF
Laflies’ Audit MM
Made Entirely (tusking and all) on Lock-Si
Machine, and Best Six-Cord Threat, tt
Manufacturers’ Prices.
croiiasTdoose
imlit
OUR PEREMPTORY SALE of Fun*
Carpets, Matting, Window Abates
Curtains, Etc., saved from our late Are, ’™
gin WEDNESDAY, July 17th. at 91 Bay
between Abercorn and Drayton. Every *■
must be sold, and buyers will have the
tunity of a lifetime to buy goods CHEA”
CASH. Come early and avoid the rush.
A. J. HILLER A Cl
01 BAY STREET.
Three Lines of Cars Pais Our j*
COAL AND WOOD ___
COAL & woo:
Of All Kinds and Gra4
Office: 1 Drayton St Telepto
SPECTACLES.
AQCA CRYSTAL SPECTAf’ I'*' 1 '*'
“OUR EYBS'L (e
A BOOK on this important fM
charge, can be obtained sXM
Jeweler and Optician, 117 Brought I
ynnth. I
