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EVE BEFORE CHRISTMAS,
Tbe Streets Thronged With Merry
goinM People.
Ths Lut Purchase* Made and the
Secret Corners of Houses Filled
With Presents To-day—The Rush of
Bhoppers the Same as It Always Is
on Christmas Eve— Broughton and
Bull Streets Like a Carnival Scene.
To-day is Christmas eve according to
the calendar, but yesterday was Christ
mas eve so far as all practical purposes
were concerned.
The streets were filled with holiday
•hoppers all day and up to a late hour at
night finishing up the Christmas pur
chases which are to fill the stockings of
the little ones to-night and make gl ad the
hearts of many, both old and young, to
morrow. As yesterday was practically
Christmas eve, so to day will practically
take the place <sf to-morrow, com
bining appropriately the day
of rest and worship with
home enjoyment, good dinners and a gen
eral exchange of presents among those
above the juvenile age, especially among
the sentimentally inclined.
It was noticed by the merchants yes
terday that two-thirds turned more to
useful articles rather than to the merely
ornameatal. Hard times have taught
some good lessons, at any rate.
CHRISTMAS IS THE MARKET.
The market was a place worth visiting
yesterday. The stalls were loaded with
substantial supplies of every character,
big quarters of beef, haunches of venison,
freshly killed pork from pigs roasting
size to 2-year-olds, mutton and veal,
turkeys, ducks and poultry without
end and quantities of quail. The
butchers' stalls presented quite a
holiday appearance, with houghs of
cedar and pine tastefully arranged and
strung with oranges and other fruits.
Judging by the heavy sales there will be
no lack of supplies for good living in the
city’s homes to-day and to-morrow. In a
Urge city like Savannah, however, there
ipust he many homes in these hard times
unsupplied with Christmas cheer, and the
more fortunate should not forget to look
around them for a chance to furnish good
cheer where it may be lacking.
JOLLITY IN' THE STREETS,
The streets were filled last night with
uproarious and boisterous but good
humored crowds. The young people from
all over the city seemed to have flocked
down town to see the sights. Pande
monium seemed turned loose on Bull,
Broughton, Congress and Barnard streets,
with the babel of voices, the shouts of the
merry-makers, the braying of horns and
the banging of cannon crackers, while
the blaze of rockets and candles filled the
air.
Disorder of a serious kind, however,
was rare and the police had little to do
except to caution the crowds by their
presence. Chief Green had a special de
tail of police on the principal streets to
overawe disorderly spirits. Sergeant
Baugbn was stationed at Bull and
Broughton streets, where the throngs
were greatest, with a police on each cor
ner. The presence of the police had a
good effect and their active services were
•eldom required.
THE RAILROAD'S CHRISTMAS.
The railroads carried out large
crowds yesterday and last night of peo
ple going to spend Christmas at their
homes or with friends in the coun
try. Large crowds of turpentine hands
passed through the city during the week
en route to their homes in North Caro
lina and South Carolina, where it is the
custom of many of them who can afford it
to spend the holidays. They will begin
passing through again in January.
Christmas falling on Monday means
two day’s holiday for hundreds of people.
General work will not begin until
Tuesday, when business will again re
sume full sway, Christmas is always ob
served as a holiday in SavaunaU. Many
business houses will not open at all that
day, and the majority of the retail estab
lishments will only open for a few hours
in the morning.
The afternoon and night will be gen
erally given up to celebration of the day.
The usual holiday hours will be observed
by the postoffic e. The money order, reg
istry and stamp departments will bo
closed ail day. The general delivery
window will be open until 10 o’clock a. m.
The mailing department will be open as
usual. Carriers will make the usual de
liveries aud collections up to 10 o'clock
a. m.
The custom house, the court house, the
city exchange, the cotton exchange, and
the board of trade will be closed for the
day. Bay street will he almost as quiet
to-morrow as to-day. The banks, of course,
will all be closed.
riREWORK'g TURNED LOOBE.
According to all reports, last night was
only a preliminary showing of what the
younger element will do to morrow night.
The boys have thousands of barrels savod
up, and the dealers in fireworks report
very heavy sales. Fireworks are cheaper
this year than evor before, and the quan
tities of fireworks sold ought to give un
limited pleasure to the boys this week.
One firm reported last night that it had
almost closed out its very large stock of
fireworks. It did not have a single can
non cracker left. The boys used their
barrels sparingly last week, but the full
blaze of glory may be expected to burst
forth to-morrow night.
PRETTY SLICK THIS.
A Colored “Spotter" Works a Scheme
on One of His Prisoners.
Justice Frank McDermott committed
Turner Jackson, colored, to jail yesterday
morning on a warrant sworn out by Ed
ward Rough, also colored. Jackson, it is
claimed, stole a watch from the prose
cutor in a novel manner, and quite an in
teresting story was brought out in con
nection with the affair It runs like this:
The second Sunday in October Officer
John Kavanaugh stumbled upon a gang of
crap-shooters in Yamacraw, Jackson
was the only bird captured, the others es
caping.
While on the way to the barracks the
negro told the officer that if he were re
leased he would put him up to a game
that was in progress at Dittmcrsville,
in the southeastern part of the city. As
there was realty no proof of the fellow
being guilty, the officer Jumped at the
offer, and, true to his word, Jackson led
him out to the house in the suburbs. In
the raid which followed. Edward Rough
was captured. The batch of prisoners
was divided among tho arresting officers,
anefißough fell into the hands of Jackson.
On the way in he was told by the latter
that he must give him his watch and
money, as laid down by law.
The other negro foolishly complied, and
after being fined $5 the next morning by
Recorder Wilson, he went to Jackson and
demanded his property, lie denied all
knowledge of tho affair. Several days
afterward the watch was found in a pawn
shop, and soon after Rough took out the
warrants above stated, and Detective
O’Hare caught Jackson in the ’Craw.
Shoe Merchant (measuring her foot)—Size
tW i° U 1 lust about tit you, I think little girl.
Little Girl (doing her own shopping)—Oh.
oear.no! That’s too large. 1 can wear half
past one.—Chicago Tribune.
FEW BETS BEING MADE.
Sporting Men Keeping a Close Watch
on the Fight.
The eyes of the sporting world are now
centered upon Jacksonville and the com
ing fight between Corbett and Mitchell.
The New York World will send down
two large parties over the Richmond and
Dapville and Florida Central and Penin
sular railroad while the Herald special
will come over the Atlantic Coast Line.
The New Yorkers were in hopes of secur
ing an excursion rate of $35, but the roads
have booked no sales under S6O. The
railroad companies will, in the
near future, name a rate which will give
them some of the benefit that so many
will derive from the mill.
The sale of box seats has begun and
orders are being filled at $25 a seat. In
dianapolis ordered first, then Cincinnati,
and the third on the list was from a large
saw-mill owner in Georgia. The arena at
the fair grounds of Jacksonville is almost
complete, and the railroads will run trains
to the gates.
Corbett being first on the ground, and
the fact of his beiug the ' man who licked
Sullivan,” makes him a favorite in Jack
sonville. and the betting will probahly be
in his favor from the start.
The sporting fraternity of Savannah
will gee the fight. They seem divided
somewhat as to how they will bet, but as
the time draws near they will name their
man and back their Judgment with the
“long green.”
No large bets have been made yet in
this city. One or two Bay street cotton
merchants have made wagers of a hat or
the equivalent, but the interest in the
betting circles has scarcely been kindled,
and it will be some days before any large
stakes are put up.
One man who won a round sum on Cor
bett when he fought Sullivan, now thinks
Mitchell will win with hands down. He
has enough money to back up his selec
tion, and says when he goes to Jackson
ville he will see his man win and bring
home a barrel of money.
The fight is Just a month from now and
the training of the two men will be
watched by their admirers all over the
country.
Just what the final outcome of theposi
tion now held by the governor of Florida
will be, nobody can say. The Duval
Athletic Club has never advertised the
contest as a fight, and this word does not
appear in the agreement signed by those
interested. It is to be a boxing match
with gloves, and as the city fathers of
Jacksonville have given their consent to
a sparring exhibition, the prevailing
opinion is that the lovers of the manly
art will not be disappointed. The fact
that Mitchell and his party will be in
Jacksonville Tuesday has had tho effect
of quieting the Kansas City, Mo., sports
who were willing to bet heavy odds that
Mitchell would not show up. Mitchell
now weighs 180 pounds, but will enter the
ring weighing 175.
Corbett has made a very favorably im
pression upon those who have seen him.
He is a hard and conscientious worker,
and feels confident he will win.
There is a diversity of opinion as re
gards the number of rounds that will be
fought. Corbett thinks about twenty
will be sufficient to decide who will be
the champion.
Corbett has been very successful od the
stage, and if he wins the chances are he
will continue to star and take in the
shekels. The money won on the great
Sullivan fight is represented by a valua
ble piece of real estate in New York.
EBTEVE & CO.’S TROUBLE.
Their Embarrassment Expected to be
Only Temporary.
Bay street was greatly surprised when
it read the Morning News yesterday and
saw that Esteve & Cos. were temporarily
embarrassed. The firm has always had
the esteem and confidence of the commer
cial world, and its main office in Barce
lona has been considered one of the
strongest financially in that city.
Messrs. Wilson & Grady.tho well-known
foreign exchange brokers, held a very close
relationship with the firm here, and all the
loans made by them to Esteve & Cos. are
amply secured by collateral, which can
be readily sold, leaving a good margin to
the credit of the embarrassed firm.
Mr. Walter Curtis, the member of the
firm in Savannah, is confined to the house
with the grip, but a Morning News re
porter saw him and learned that the im
mediate cause of the suspension was due
to the fact that the Barcelona house had
failed to send a remittance as it was re
quested to do in order that the Savannah
house could meet payments falling due.
Thp senior member of the firm, Mr. Es
teve, who manages the extensive inter
ests across the water, did not put Mr.
Curtis in funds, and the two drafts,
amounting to $1,500, were refused pay
ment.
The liabilities of the firm are said to be
small, with ample assets to ofset them.
It is believed that as soon as the delay in
the remittance is explained, all matters
pertaining to the suspension will be satis
factorily adjusted.
TO TAKE OUT THE COACHES.
Two Special Trains to Go Over the F.
C. & P., To-day.
Two special trains will pull out of Sa
vannah this morning for Jacksonville
over the Florida Central and Peninsular
railroad. Conductor G. B. Tarver will be
in charge of one train and Conductor J.
Z. Glass ot the other.
These special trains will be run to
carry down the new coaches of the Flor
ida Central and Peninsular railroad, which
arrived in Savannah several days ngo,
and have been awaiting the opening of
the road in the Central railroad yard.
The coaches are of the latest modern
style, and are very handsome, as all who
have seen them will testify.
The first regular passenger train over
the new division will leave Jacksonville
at 7 o'clock to-morrow morning, arriving
in Savannah at noon.
SEVEN FOR STRIPES.
Several Prisoners Sent Off to Begin
Their Work for the State.
W. A. Starnes, of the Dade coal mines
left the city via the Central railroad! yes
terday morning In charge of Ambrose
Harris, William Quarterman, B. F. Smith
John Mallory, William Henry, Frank
Christie and Ned Taylor, whom he wil.
take up to that camp to begin work for
the state.
Harris goes up for life for killing Rogers
Broughton; Quarterman has twenty years
to serve for killing Joe Davis, Smith' will
remain there five years for forgery, Mal
lory and Henry will spend five years eacti
for burglary; Christio has one year for
larceny after trust, and Taylor' has one
year for larceny from the house.
The Modern Mother
Has found that her little ones are im
proved . more by the pleasant laxative,
Syrup of Figs, when in need of the laxa
tive effect of a gentle remedy than by any
other, and that it is more acceptable to
them. Children enjoy it and it benefits
them. The true remedy, Syrup of Figs,
is manufactured by the California Fig
Syrup Company only.—ad.
The Cosmorama.
Don’t fail to visit the beautiful display
of views of London this week, at 66 Bull
street. Presents awarded every week.
—ad.
THE MORNING NEWS: SUNDAY. DECEMBER 24, 1893.
THE HARBOR DEFENSES.
The Half Million Appropriation Will
be a Good Starter for the Work.
It Will Not be Spent on One Gun,
However, but Probably as the En
gineering Department Directs In the
Construction of Fortifications —A
12-inch Gun Costs Only 850,000,
and There Will be Three of Them
Before the Work is Finiehed—Tybee
and Cockspur Islands to be the
Places Where the Fortifications Will
be Constructed.
The Morning News a day or two ago
stated that in the fortifications bill pro
vision was made for a twelve-inch gun at
Fort Pulaski, to cost $500,000. This state
ment was. no doubt, an error, as the ord
nance used by the United States is made
irrespective of the place at which it is to
be located. It will probably be ascer
tained. when a copy of the bill is received
here, that the $500,000 referred to have
been appropriated for the purpose of
building foundation and masonry at either
Fort Pulaski or Tybee Island, or, In gen
eral terms, for the defenses at the mouth
of the Savannah river, to be used as the
discretion of the engineering department
directs.
For the defense of Savannah river
it is proposed to erect at Tybee Island
a mortar battery and a heavy gun
battery. As Fort Pulaski is not of much
value as it stands to-day, it will be re
modeled, so as to be capable of mounting
modern ordnance. There will also be
made provision for covering the channel
with sub-marine mines, or what is com
monly known as stationary torpedoes.
THE RIVER’S ONLY DEFENSE.
Fort Pulaski at present forms the sole
military defense of the mouth of the
Savannah river, and commands the inner
anchorage at Tybee roads and of the
northern channels of entrance to the city
of Savannah. Although the fort in its
present condition, would be almost
useless to repel an attack from
modern ships of war, the site is far more
important than ever, on account of the in
creasing depth of water in the river. At
present vessels drawing twenty-three
feet of water can anchor in Tybee roads,
and drafts of twenty-one and twenty-two
feet can be taken at high water up to the
city wharves. The whole of Cockspur
Island, upon which Fort Pulaski is situ
ated, with the exception of about thirty
acres, belongs to tho United States. Ju
risdiction was ceded in 1808. The only
quarters for a garrison are in the case
mates of the work. There is a cistern ca
pacity within the fort of about 175,000
gallons. Within the past few months an
artesian well was driven, and now there
is a supply of good artesian water.
A NEW FORT ON TYBEE.
The fort to be constructed at this point
will command both the outer and the
inner anchorages at Tybee roads and the
channel of approach to Savannah river.
The reservation, comprising the northern
end of Tybee Island, was acquired by the
United States in 1875. A portion of the
reservation is occupied by two lighthouses
and a set of quarters belonging to the
United States lighthouse establishment.
The Martello tower, built about 1812, is
occupied by the Southern Bell Telephone
and Telegraph Company as a signal sta
tion.
The plans and specifications for the
fortification and defense of the mouth of
the Savannah river and the Savannah
harbor,' have been approved according to
the recommendations made and have been
on file in the engineering department at
Washington since 1888.
THE COST OF THE WOKE,
The estimated cost for these fortifica
tions and their equipment is $1,887,000, of
which $652,000 is to be spent for fortifica
tions, earthwork and masonry. The cost
of the guns, carriages and mortars, all
told, will be $650,000. The cost of the
mines or stationary torpedoes, will be
about $250,000.
The specifications for the armament of
the fortifications is as follows: Three
twelve-inch guns which cost about $50,000
each, six ten-inch guns which cost about
$27,000 each, four eight-inch guns which
cost about tiie same as the ten-inch guns,
and sixteen twelve-inch rifle mortars.
These specifications have all been ap
proved by the war department, but the
exact location of the different defenses
has not yet been made public. Most of
them, however, will be on Tybee and
Cockspur Islands. The appropriation
mentioned above is the first in accordance
with the recommendations.
THE FARMERS’ THANKS.
Hon. Daniel Needham’s Letter to
Mayor McDonough.
Mayor McDonough has received a letter
from Hon. Daniel Needham, president of
the New England Agricultural Society,
who is well remembered ns one of the
prominent members in attendance upon
the recent session of the National Farm
ers’ Congress in Savannah.
The letter reiterates the sentiments of
cordial feeling and hearty good will so
frequently expressed by that courteous
and genial gentleman during his stay in
Savannah:
Boston, Dec. 18.—Hon. J. J. McDonough—My
Dour Sir: 1 desire, from the standpoint of my
own home, to express to you, and through you
to the city government of Savannah, my deep
sense of gratitude for the royal maimer in
which the members of the Farmers'congress
were received and entertained. The cordial
welcome, the hearty hospitality and the gen
erous expressions of good will and patriotic
sentiment so constantly manifested and
uttered, will forever remain, as perpetual in
cense, to make delightful one of the most
memorable features of a long and busy life.
With expressions of the highest sentiment
of personal regard and wishes of future pros
perity for the noble, patriotic and enterpris
ing city of which you are the chosen head I
remain, your obedient servant.
Daniel Needham.
Two More Firea.
Yesterday morning about 2 o’clock
while Policeman Jamos McGuire was on
duty in the southwestern part of the city
he saw flames in the direction of Battery
park. On investigation he found the
2-story house of Ben Hughes, colored, at
Twelfth street across from the park on
fire.
The officer rode to No. 5 engine house
on Henry street and telephoned Chief
Puder, who was fighting the flames across
the canal at Flannery's warehouse. The
chief sent No. 4 engine in answer to tho
alarm, but after going out as far as Henry
and West Broad streets, the firemen re
turned as the house had already burned
down and no water could be obtained.
The damage is estimated at about ¥2,000
with small insuranoe.
At 4:45 yesterday afternoon fire broke
out in a shed belonging to Gabriel Noil at
22 Gwinnett street. Engine No. 4 and
reel responded, but when they arrived
the flames had boon extinguished by the
hose of the Tidewater Oil Company.
The loss will not exceed S3O. A telephone
alarm was sent in.
Mrs. Eliza Champion Dead.
Mrs. Eliza Champion died at the family
residence, on Duffy street, yesterday
morning, at the advanced age of 82 years.
Mrs. Champion was one of Savannah’s
oldest and best known residents. She
loaves two children, Mrs. G. W. Ger
many, of Savannah, and Mr. Francis J
Champion, of Philadelphia. Her funeral
will take place at 3:30 o’clock thi after
noon.
BOMB RARE CASES.
Judge MacDonell Dispenses Some
Large Christmas Gifts Yesterday.
An eventful day was yesterday in the
city court. There was a large number of
criminals on trial and some of the cases
were as rare and racy as ever come up be
fore that court.
The court had one very unusual experi
ence. The judge was thanked by a pros
ecutor of one of the criminals for some
justice which, it seems, had not been ad
ministered according to the latter’s im
pression with regard to the matter.
Catherine Stewart was the accused in
the case, and Constant Evan claimed to
be the victim. Evan is a Frenchman,
and cannot sneak a word of English, nor
understand it. F. Nagle was secured as
an interpreter, and for a while the trial
progressed smoothly. The Stewart
woman was charged with having stolen
some money from Evan, and ho was pros
ecuting her forthe offense. The evidence
in the case did not seem sufficient to the
court, aad she was declared not guilty.
She was under a thirty-day sentence from
police court, however, for drunk and dis
order, and she was sent back to serve
this out on the chain gang.
When Evan saw her going back to Jail
he thought he had secured her conviction
and he rushed hurriedly up to the Judge’s
bench before he could be stopped and be
gan bowing and talking French. He was
soon brought down, however, and the in
terpreter turning to the court said: “He
wants to thank your honor for tho justice
done him.”
Turner Jackson’s case was a very pecu
liar one. Jackson worked a sharp trick on
a negro and as a result will serve twelve
months on the chain-gang. Jackson told
Officer Kavanaugh some time ago that he
was onto a gang of gamblers Just beyond
the city limits, and the policeman
employed him to help him get them
into the barracks. Jackson picked his
man and informed him that he would
have to give him his watch and money
and everything else he had in his pocket
as he could not take those things in the
jail with him. The negro complied and
Jackson pocketed the property. Judge
MacDonell told him he was sorry he
could not give him a longer sentence for
such a crime.
July Houston put up a regular summer
defense to the charge against him. That
is it was too thin. He was on trial for
larceny from the house, being charged
with stealing a gun from W. Plater.
There was no doubt about the fact that
Houston took the gun. His reason for
doiug it, however, was, as he said, that
he knew that Plater wanted to kill him
and he had taken the gun to prevent him
from doing it. This didn’t go with the
court, however, and Houston wjll serve
the county for six months.
William W r rieht, the wire thief, who
was in the habit of climbing the poles of
the Brush Electric Light Company and
cutting down large lengths of copper wire
from the arc light circuit, was sent out
for a good year’s work on the canals.
The crosstio thieves will serve only one
week each in Jail. The two tried yester
day were Henry Wright and Wheeler
Washington, charged with stealing cross
ties from the remains of the Tybee rail
road. They were found guilty, but
claimed that they thought they were at
liberty to take the crossties, as the road
was not being used, and they thought it
had been abandoned.
John Robinson and Archie MacFarland,
two crosstie counters from the far away
state of California, were given the choice
between paying a $lO fine or serving a two
months’ sentence. They took the two
months. Ed Morgan and John Keenan,
two young white boys, were given a simi
lar sentence for not knowing what their
employment was.
Napoleon Brown and Clarence Bailev
got six months each on the poor farm for
stealing two caps from D. Siltbrstein’s
store. Henry Green was given six months
for purloining a pair of shoes from the
same place.
Charles Grant was in it for twelve
months for beating Edward Singleton,and
Willis Carter was let go,because his wife,
whom he was charged with beating, did
not appear against him.
Altogether the court distributed a good
lot of Christmas sentences.
ALONG THE RIVER FRONT.
Items Gathered Here and There
Among the Shipping,
The Ocean Steamship Company has
filed in the United States district court,
at Charleston, a libel for $20,000, instead
of $2,000, as announced yesterday, against
the British steamship Chinese Prince
and her cargo, which was towod into
Charleston harbor by the steamship Des
soug last Friday. The libellants allege
that at 11 o'clock a. m. of Dec. 20 the
steamship Dessoug, Capt. Doughty, while
bound for Savannah from Philadelphia,
with a valuable cargo, fell in with the
Chinese Prince twenty miles north of
Cape Komain, bound for Barcelona. The
Prince was tt.ving a distress flag, having
been disabled by the breaking of her en
gines; she was unable to proceed, a heavy
sea was running and she was at the
mercy of the winds; any change of the
weather might have caused tier to be
driven on the neighboring shoals and lost.
When the Dessoug came alongside Capt.
Atkinson, of the Prince, asked to be
towed back to Charleston. A hawser
was made fast, but it parted. Another
hawser was given and the vessel was
towed back to Charleston. After a con
siderable wait for tide, the steam tug
Hercules was engaged at a cost of SSOO to
assist, and the Prince was towed safely
into port. Besides the services rendered
the dibellants mentioned the various
items of extraordinary expense and
causes of inconvenience to their trade,
and claim $20,000 as a proper amount for
salvage.
IN THE SUPERIOR COURT.
A Brewing Company Incorporated
and Other Matters Disposed Of.
Judge Falligant yesterday incorporated
the Georgia Brewing Association, which
is to be established here. The incorpora
tors are Messrs. George Schwarz and
Jacob Bigler, and the amount of the capi
tal stock is to be $25,000.
In the case of Lewis Tison vs. Angelina
Tison, for divorce, an order was issued to
perfect the service by publication in the
Morning News.
In the case of Dr. R. J. Nunn, executor
of the will of Eliza Henderson vs James
E. Henderson and ottiers, an opinion con
struing the terms of the will was ren
dered by the court.
Axel Swiuson, a subject of Sweden and
Edward Muirhead, of Great Britain and
Ireland, were made citizens of the United
States by Judge Falligant.
The Late Mrs. Murphy.
The funeral of Mrs. Catherine Murphy,
who died at her home on Jefferson street,
Friday morning, will take place from St.
Patrick’s church this afternoon at 8
o’clock. Mrs. Murphy was nearly 60
years of age and had been a resident of
Savannah for forty years.
She leaves three sons, Policeman C. N.
Murphy, and James P. Murphy, of Sa
vannah. and John C. Murphy, of Wash
ington city, and a daughter, Mrs. L. C.
Murphy, of Savanuah.
The deceased was widely known and
respected, and her death causes regret
among a largo circle of acquaintances.
E. I. Okarma's Offer.
I will make as fine shoes as are made in
the United States for $6 50; no matter
what kind of leather you want. Latest
styles and shapes of lasts made in baiino
ral, congress, bluchors or button. Fit
guaranteed. 99 Broughton street, under
Marshall house; branches, 73 Whitaker
and 191 Cougress.—ad.
ONE MORE UNFORTUNATE.
Another Case of Biew Out the Gas
Ends Fatally.
Homer Sheppard, of Livingrston, S. 0.,
Asphyxiated in Hie Room at the
Pulaeki Honee—A Simple Case of
Ignorance of What He Wae Doing.
The Gas Tamed on Fall When the
Room Was Entered—The Body to Be
Returned to the Dead Man’s Home
To-day.
Homer Sheppard, of Livingston, S. C.,
was found dead in his bed in room 69 at
the Pulaski house yesterday morning
about 10 o’clock. His death was the re
sult of asphyxiation.
There was nothing about Sheppard's
actions the night before, nor in the indi
cations which he left behind, to lead to
the belief that his death was the result
of anything but ignorance—another sim
ple case of “blew out the gas.”
Sheppard came in last night on the
South Bound railroad to meet Mr. Elam
Hurd, the contractor by whom he had
been hired to cut some crossties. He
walked out for a while, and returned
about 10:30 in the evening, when he re
tired to his room. That was the last seen
of him alive.
HE BLEW OUT THE GAS.
Before retiring however he left a
card on which he had written his name
for Mr. Hurd and safd that he would see
him in the morning.
The porter had lighted the gas in his
room. No. 69 on the third story. Shep
pard went in and from the indications ate
an orange before retiring. He then blew
out the gas, at least that is the only con
clusion that can be drawn, and went to
bed.
Mr. Hurd sat waiting for him in the
office of the hotel yesterday morning, and
wondered why he was so late in coming
down. The employes of the hotel on that
floor noticed a strong smell of escaping gas
early yesterday morning. It became so bad
that they finally reported it to the office and
it was determined to investigate it. There
was no mistakiugffne quarter from which
the smell came, and the door of room 69
was tried. It was securely locked, how
ever, and the key was on the inside.
There was but one way to get in without
breaking in the door, and one of the bell
boys tried it. He had practically to climb
a wall a distance of twenty feet with but
one or two window sills to aid him, but he
reached the window of the room and
raised it. The room was filled with gas,
and when the door was opened Sheppard
was found stretched lifeless diagonally
across the bod.
A CASE OF IGNORANCE.
Coroner Dixon was notified at once of
the finding of the body which was dis
covered about 10 o'clock. He made
investigation of the room and the man's*
effects. Sheppard had only $6.20 on his
person, besides a pistol which was not
loaded. Several cartridges were found on
the bureau, together with some tax re
ceipts and other business papers.
The gas was found turned on full force
when the room was opened and the win
dow was closed tightly, though that was
probably done on account of the coolness
of the night. There was nothing what
ever to indicate that Sheppard's death
was anything more than the result of ig
norance and carelessness, from the fact,
perhaps, that he was not accustomed to
gas.
The coroner took charge of the
body and telegraphed Sheppard’s
wife, at Livingston’s Sheppard was
a farmer at that station, which fis up
on the South Bound railroad, and the
fact that he lived about four miles out
from the station delayed the answer last
night. He was a heavy man. weighing
about 230 pounds, and was between 50
and 60 years old. He leaves a wife and
family near Livingston
Coroner Dixon received a dispatch
signed S. A. Sheppard, last night, in
answer to the one he had sent, stating
that Henry Boles, a relative of the dead
man. would be in the city to-day to take
the body to Livingston.
ALL THE FAVORITES ENTERED.
A Brilliant Day's Sport at Thunder
bolt To-morrow.
The races at the Thunderbolt park to
morrow afternoon will commence
promptly at 2:45 o’clock. The 2:35 class
will be called first. After one heat has
been trotted the running horses will take
their warming up brushes before they are
brought to the post for the running
events.
The horses for the first running race
will be required to report at the post at
3:30 o’clock. The judges for the day will
be Messrs. E. C. Gleason, W. H. Connerat
and J. A. Dell, of Baltimore.
The famous driver, Tom Kerr, will offi
ciate in the starters’ box. Mr. Kerr has
had much experience starting runners,
and his work at the post will be greatly
ainireciated by race-goers.
The running races will be twenty min
utes apart, and will be conducted on the
same principle as they are at any of the
big tracks.
The four horses in the harness event
ought to put up a brilliant race. Morgan,
tlie trotter, has a large circle of
friends, and they will probably make
him a favorite. Pat Fallon and Dick
Egan are in good form and will be hard to
beat. The veteran reinsman, J. A. Bland,
will drive his speedy pacer, Fidus, in ttiis
race, and he says that “they will have to
go ttiree very fast heats to beat him for
first place.”
Entries for the running events have all
been filled with a large number of candi
dates,and each stable intends to back their
entry heavily. Just what horse will be the
favorite in the running is hard to tell
until after the horses are warmed up on
the day of the race.
Manager Doyle requests the patrons of
the park to come early as he will be com
pelled to start the programme promptly
as advertised.
There will be ample accommodations at
the park and the electric lines will run
special schedules to the grounds.
The following thoroughbreds will start
in the running events.
MILE DASH, PURSE $75.
J. A. Bland, Nashville, brg. Lake Shore.
J. G. Dobbs, Louisville, s. g. Carbine.
J. A. Bland, Nashhille, s. g. Old South.
FIVE-EIGHTH’S O? A MILE HEATS, PURSE $75.
J. W. Marshall, Savannah, g. g. Gray
Dick.
J. G. Dobbs, Louisville, g. g. Gray Eagle.
J. A. Bland, Nashville, s. g. Koko.
J. Rutledge, Louisville, br. m. Alta.
D. J. Brice, Quitman, Ga., b. s. Little
Baltick.
ONE-QUARTER MILE HEATS, PURSE SSO.
G. D. Lancaster, Chattanooga, b. g.
Douglass.
J. W. Marshall, Savannah, b. g. Dallas.
J. A. Bland, Nashville, br. g. Climax 11.
J. Rutledge, Louisville, s. g. Duke of
Kent.
William Johnson, Savannah, g. m. Irish
Girl.
RAIL AND CROSSTIE.
The Central railroad shops at Macon
will shut down for ten days with the
close of work last night. The suspension
is said to be due solely to the holidays,
and not because of any special financ'iai
depression and not in a spirit of simple
retrenchment and reform. Many of the
workmen will spend their holidays out of
the city.
RAILWAY MEN MADE HAPPY.
Two Christmas Present ationa at the
S., F. & W.
Master Mechanic G. M. D. Riley was
handsomely remembered yesterday after
noon by the employes of the Savannah,
Florida and Western and Charleston and
Savannah railway shops at Savannah, of
which he has been the head for several
years.
The remembrance took the shape of a
handsome silver service in an oaken
chest.
The presentation speech was made by
Mr. J. F. Enright, who, in an appropriate
manner, expressed the feelings of the em
ployes toward their chief.
In speaking of Mr. Riley’s treatment of
the employes, Mr. Enright said:
You have been kind, generous and just in
sll your dealings with us. and we feel that
some compensation is due you, not as is reck
oned in dollars and cents, or in the value of
the gift, but that which emanates from the
heart, which we call good will. Nor, sir, will
that good will cease with the setting of to
day's sun. It shall continue in the future as
it has been in the past.
We sincerely wish yourself and family the
merriest of Christmases, the happiest of New
Years', turning over to your keeping some
thing that, in after years, when you
have crossed the river and are mingling with
the select majority, your children can point to
with pride and say: This was presented my
father by his workmen because he was a
just man.
Mr. Riley's response was brief and ap
propriate. He said:
Mr. Enright and Gentlemen—Words fail me
when I attempt to express to you mv feelings
at this moment. When 1 look upon this token
of your friendship it makes me feel proud to
know that I have under my employ men who
esteem me as you do. and weak words could
not convey unto you the emotions that fili my
inmost heart.
As far as my justice in dealing with you Is
concerned, it is only mortal, and is what is re
quired of all mankind. No doubt if many of
you occupied mv position you would strive as
haid as I do to discharge the duties and re
sponsibilities that rest upon me, in a just and
conscientious manner; aud to know that you
esteem me thus more than repays me for my
efforts.
Gentlemen. I can sav no more, except that
I wish you, one and all, a merry, merry Christ
mas, with many happy returns.
Presented a Silver Servioe.
The employes of the Savannah, Florida
and Western wharf played Santa Claus to
Assistant Agent S. R. Harris yesterday
afternoon. Mr. Harris’ gifts from hi#
employes were very handsome.
They consisted of a handsome silver
service of five pieces upon a large silver
waiter with two large silver candelabra
and a large bronze lamp.
The presentation was made by Mr. J. J.
Stafford, who in a few well chosen words,
stated the appreciation of the employes of
their uniformly kind and courteous treat
ment by their superior as well as their ad
miration for the able manner in which he
discharged the duties of his office.
Mr. Harris responded with much feel
ing, thanking the employes for the evi
dences of their kind consideration.
The center of the large silver waiter is
engraved with the inscription, “Pre
sented to S. R. Harris, assistant agent
Savannah, Florida and Western wharf,
by the employes, Christmas, 1893.”
The silver service is engraved with Mr.
Harris' monogram on each piece.
The silver candelabra are of fine work
manship and will make handsome orna
ments.
Mr. Harris has reason to feel proud of
his Christmas gifts.
LOCAL PERSONAL.
G. P. Falks, of Waycross, is at the
Screven.
Mr. H. W. Johnston went up to Augusta
last night.
Dr. W. F. Aiken left last night for
New York.
W. H. Wade, Esq., of Birmingham, Is
in the city.
W. M. Shinall, of Hamburg is stopping
at the Screven.
H. I. Norvell, of Americas, is stopping
at the Screven.
J. J. Bevans. of Jacksonville is a guest
of the Pulaski.
J. B. Prlston, of Hancock county, is reg
istered at the Pulaski house.
A. B. Stansell and L. B. Ingram, of
Belknap, are guests of the Screven house.
J. H. Dillon, advance agent of the Marie
Tempest Opera Company, is at the Pu
laski.
Miss Lillie Eaton, of Richmond, Va., is
visiting her sister, Mrs. E. B. White
hurst.
Mr. J. W. Golden, Se cretary of the Mu
tual Gas Light Company, left last night
for Atlanta.
John Thompson, D. E. Maxwell, Jr ,
and W. L. Maxwell, of Fernandina, are
registered at the Pulaski house.
The following party from Madison is at
the Screven: P. S. Coggins and wife,
Miss May Coggins and Mr. Clem Coggins.
Mr. Arthur Strauss leaves on the steam
ship City of Augusta for New York to
morrow, where he will spend a month’s
vacation.
Mrs C. P. Connor has returned home
via the Atlantic Coast line, after a
month's visit to her mother and sister,
Mrs. J. J. Foley.
Mr. Robert E. Ro.vall, of Wake Forest,
N. C., aud Mrs. F. I’. Hobgood, of Oxford,
N. C.. are visiting their sister, Mrs. W. C.
Powell, at 168 Waldburg street.
Charles M. Rushing left last night for
Atlanta via the Central railroad, where
Dec. 26. he will wed Miss Fannie Louise
Newcomer, of Jackson, Miss. He will
return to Savannah to live after Hie holi
days.
Mr. Archie H. Lane, of the Central
railroad auditor’s office, left last night
for Danielsville, Madison county, near
Athens, where he will spend Christmas
with his mother, who is now in her
84th year.
Mr. R. M. Hicks left last night for his
old home in Sweetwater, Tenn., where he
will spend the holidays. From Sweet
water, Mr. Hicks will make a tour across
the continent to San Francisco, where he
will visit his brother, who is a business
man of that city.
Mr. Henry B. Foye, of Port Roval,
spent yesterday in the city. Mr. Fo.ve
was one of the most popular residents of
the city up to his removal, over a year
ago. and his many friends gave him a
hearty welcome yesterday. Their only
regret is that he does not come oftener.
Mr. Foye is now roadmaster of the Port
Royal and Augusta railroad.
The Florida Citizen, of yesterday, has
this to say of a well known southern rail
road man: “Mr. M. H. ConuaU.y, of the
Nashville, Chicago and St. Louis rail
way, returned yesterday morning from a
week’s trip to southern parts of the state,
and in tho evening he left for Atlanta
and Savannah to enjoy Christmas and
New Year’s with relatives. Rumor says
that that sly elf, Cupid, has something to
do with this visit and that a prospective
Mrs. Connally is now somewhere in Geor
gia.”
Mr. G. B. Tarver arrived in the city
yesterday morning from Jacksonville.
Mr. Tarver was formerly the popular (on
ductor of the Tybce railroad, but has
been railroading in Florida for the last
several months. He will now have charge
of one of the trains of the Florida Cen
tral and Peninsular railroad, between
Savannah and Jacksonville, and will go
out this morning on that road with a
special train to carry down some of the
new coaches which have been lving in tho
Central railroad yard. Mr. Tarver's
friends here are glad to welcomo him
back to Savannah.'
"Very romantic about their marriage
vrasn l it? He rescued her from drowning ’’
"les. They were slttyig in a boat when he
proposed. She refused him and he shoved
her into the water.’’—Truth.
LUDDEN & BATES 8. M. H.
WEATHER PROBABILITIES— SATtrw
DAY: Wanner: generally fair, followed X
showers; winds generally southeast to tonti
HOLIDAY
PIANOS
in coses it urn
Mull! mm
White Mahogany,
Burl Walnut, Sat
inwood, Ebonized,
English Wa f nut,
Domingo Mahogal
ny, Quartered Oalc
Beauties, every one
of them; specially selec
ted for Holiday~GiftiT
Special inducementsto
buyers before JanTT
Terms made very easy"
Ludden & Bates
M HOUSE.
CLOTHING.
WE ~
WISH
YOU
A MERRY
CHRISTMAS.
You have all this week In which to re
pair any acts of omission.
Our fine Clothing, Overcoats and fur
nishing stock, despite the great inroads
made on It, is capable of supplying al]
wants.
WEDDING PRESENTS.
HOLIDAY
GOODS
SUITABLE FOR
PRESENTS.
DOLLS,
BISQUES,
BRONZES,
Vases, Statues,
Dinner Sets,
Tea Sets,
Fish Sets,
Elegant China,
Fancy Cutlery, Etc.
NO FANCY PRICES.
Jas. Douglass
CLOTHING.
1 [Willi TIM
For our small donation to
the poor little boys of the
city is entirely in the hands
of the King’s Daughters.
These ladies, who do so
much good work for the
poor of the city, know ex
actly where to place them
to advantage.
100 CASES
OLD PEPPER WHISKY
1 have secured the Savannah agency fo *
JAS. E. PEPPER & (XVS Distillery Bottled
Whisky, and am prepared to sell the trad®
distillery prices.
J/\S. McCRATH
18 AND 19H WHITAKER ST.