Newspapers / Wilmington Journal [1844-1895] (Wilmington, … / Oct. 30, 1874, edition 1 / Page 1
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tHE WILMINGTON JOURNAL BATES OF ADVERTISING One Square, one week ...i0 One Square, twe weeks... 180 One Square, one monta. 2 One Square, tnree month... One Square, six months...... 13 Additional Square? at rrorortlonal rates. A Square is equal to txx polu hues of ad vertlsingtypo. Cash, invariably, in adranee. ENGELHARD & SAUNDERS, Kalilors iutl I'roprir t rs. ti:rws OF Si !IS :H 1 5 lit IK I'AU.V .IOITRNAI. mailed t rs at Kiuht IKi.laks ieriinnm : WILMINGTON, N. C, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1874. NO. 44 wlmiti. Imtrtual 1011 urn Stl I IM m. it in '. r v. Ik desir :iuti prt p hit. ited that tb.-re"is am ul unions Cbaserva ic arc pawns listeners; they hear, vcigh and deb rmine, and tliere is miple time for th ir verdict to be nade up and rendered before the netting of the next Legislature. The lumbers of that body, fresh from the cople, will assemble with a full knowledge of their wishes and wants, :nl will, no doubt, regulate their pub ic action accordingly. The leading ournala of the State have invited com anni atious on the subj ct an 1 taking isods tor tuiuKing that a ould le called. The Constitution b.r t! a oeoolc should he- ndan A brief r. fen Constiti the rn, quality ot represeuta ad produced, in t'ue conrse of oecome to ti le, that t;:. v seemed to be de 1, if they could not . ffect a rating from the Ea t, and, if v. by force. that Constitution ea h c nnty itled to one Senator and two icrs, without recrard to popu- jverv ii'' te f r rrj c m I rs li ite n com i guisiied mes - wi sh ii f 1 , inch i f them as property qnali invention of IS: Inn ! 177': in A population tiou ;u the C number : Set tioned them i bv the ' mi It depri It chat the Ij ature irom an k the eli ct so ffhiela c ius d the venerable statesman N"af. Mac .!!, who presided over thi Lionveoti iv., to vote against the adop ion of the Constitution. Annnai elec :ions he considered "a fundaments mncipje ol Republican i: b rty. Finer distinguished men entertamei he same view and joined w:ih him ii tcprccutiDfif t i U ell Mil ?" It .abolished the religious t st anion? iinst'.aas by making ail qua! befon lie law, but st;!l excluded Jews. tl made otl c ti retamea n for Govern- system." ition of 177' and tl;:tt of I Is .r.g their members, 'nence, and the Consti- ma be ri garded as the j both, has not been sur- . sdom, perspicuity, and j i ;ntal law it beca ue, by iy Bimilar body 'hat has ol abolishing, by legisla tit, the free-hold qualifi- j tlVI io;-s wen 111 !.!)- d oa es mat txK piac sed the ordinance c o amended the famou Article as to adm btlt, in ! : i r i so; .".: d of t! On t e Hold, t, drew Job .f May. proci nited st-'e. I Provh thor-'i' 'f ol ?ortu Carolina, with au ly k? caU a Convention "of the People of said State, who are loyal to ariy Son the C them on of lve 18G1 id o 'c,i n but seemed to thi ! ious display of I03 ate their fallen fo that o 'tenfca y might reentr ies. One mem- i t ae i en k invention, a tool np ites ! the I not for the Con; ;mper of man e 1 anted fro: i ties (f the tin them from euera of : n lh occa that onld "VI irovinf . n apt :r man a i 7r i d eh a :s were worst, the t&fined States; specteu nd ho ofiiee of 0 overnor was t ritizens of tliC the d.-Wfito LTnit from in hav niter amenth ?giole mber each ,i l i te dis- iov: ngtne for ruished h i :r- u I it- is. review to man rative necessity i Is which the milita ible Convention of d to fasten immova- ibmit the following that ye. bly upo l prono-e io o.s- ature ui the ITS aei : . The Convention of 1868, which I the present Constitution of the State, was not a free Convention of the people of North Carolina, and its work was adopted under coercion. Second. Tho said Convention was d under ana il to the b hrough influences st interests of the Third. The Constitni ot adapted to the wants ol ile. is burdensome and ts operation, and should b e peo ssive in nended leediest practicable mou It would, inde Iy necessary to i prepositions. I men throushout ,1 ;n to f lie be sc force id hi will a lrce oiug .nest lmit th State theii truth. They will ho denied only by ihe brood of adventurers, the spawn of the war, fastened upon us by the result or that struggle, and the native renegades who joined them in the hope of turnirg the misfortunes of their coun heir own emo.u- North Carolina, by the Convention of 1865 ap- acts oi tin proved bv the people 1 declared the irdii of secession null and void, tudiated the Confederate debt, d forever forbidden slavery in te, the doors of Congress were on her members elect and they fused admittance to that body, ras inaugurated a species of !eg- ! known as the "Keci nstructio ur charai ir detail n -r v d de lntionary in th I. otic in all the livided into ted military r check than Jbiet ssigned the comprising Upon his succeeded, i . otuei ral in C e '.sil! of the Ge To (h n. Sickle cond military nth and Si uth signation Gen. : waf distrii Carol Can N vested, as had been h preot cesser, with powers over our citizens little less than those of tho Autocrat of Bus- sia over his subjects. It is true ho had i Hiherin wherein to punish his vie ' 'ii . l .i the Dry Torgngan, and other i as-ilfs, witnes.sen of scarce y less bar bt ity arid cruelty, wereclo.se enough liainl t serve his purpose. In con- j iiiction with the Jjreedmaus Bureau he exercised nuthoiity, which, in its cos upon the people's mind, can be described only by the term " terror - in this condition of affairs, at the c .mmandof this military dictator, a (' m ention wa called. By the terms i i : ... order nearly every prominent i.it: in whom the people had eonii ,! ,.., whs ineligible thereto. Many oil Zens were disfranchised, i- .very iiiiil" n. gro twenty -one v'ei ! o.d, Rim is ad resided one year in t.':' .Ti-iie, waa ent tied to vote and eligible as a delegate. It was evident tin i and has been demonstrated since, K.ui me purpos tM tie reeou 'tioti iiets" w.is to rehabilitate the on the basis of absolute negro e 1 1 Kiev. the i t of delegates which assem ed ." Ilaieigh, under the auspices of ' ' aiiby, cannot be contemplated even now without emotion. Not the !);:!.!' l asingle white man is to be found there who had tho confidence of the p sople, and but one prominent North Carolinian had a seat in tho body. The negro, t lie carpet-bagger and the renegade, but generally obscure na tives, tilled the place which had beer, honored by men distinguished by their wisdom, and reverenced for their virtues. This Convention seemed to be abso lutely under the control of such men as Heaton,Tourgee,Abbott and Lalliii. Not from their numbers, nor yet from j their ability, but by the negroes in the Convention they were regarded rs oracles, and by the mass of the white mcmbr-ra were supposed to be the promulgators of Canby s orders, and were, therefore, followed implicitly. These men were born and reared in the North rn State.-; they came here am ng a horde of adventurers after the v , they knew nothing of the .; iud wants of our people, and . ,-.-. , wed disposed they might V-- heeti, were wholly incapable of in r.g it i ,t daraental law for north Curoi'ii.i. : ;.i:"fools rush in where eis t trend, and the men I ! . oned, although of limited g and capacity, detroyed, wi'.ii a ruthless hand, that edifice which had beeu constructed by tlie patri i f 177. modified and strength i u d by t'i-.r wisest men in 1835, not a . tone of which was misplaced by Buf Jia, Cadger, Edwards and their com p' ers in Ihol, and which commanded ! i e admirationand reverence of Moore, Manly, Eaton, Boyden and their asiso ciates at a still later day. Those iconoclasts, with one fell weep, annulled the property qualifica tion for office which had been required fur nearly a hundred years. They overturned our whole Judi ciary system, under which, for neariv .; eentury. tered pure ir laws had been adminis- without "sale, denial or lered obligatory the enact ude, which is not under compilers, and is nuintel to the Judges who ex- ay. ' d th lawyers who practice d tho government of which, under its pre nent, had become the eh our iov tiplied useless office jected us to heavy i and Lpen- tulcavored, by anticipjition, irreaiovably upon us a heavy ;ie s which was even then ltly ci mtemplated. iy continue the list ? No im , m can contemplate their iiout feeliug that their pur cak down, pccuniarilv 1 1 lly, tho white men of the o pr .vide for the absolute herein of the negroes and ites. ,1 l-'C. -" S 1 1 tkened as our people were tary rule, and anxious as they take sacrifices for the sal.e of 'tored to their civil rights, d nol be induced to give the wi i in: e to l t i icd r a w Qd I leir vote", to an instru ader such auspice!', re hole to their sense of videntlv intended for mi vo Ir: a their subjection They remained, in a great measure passive, but the Con stitution passed through the farce of the lection ordeal, by the force and eli'ect of military orders and negro votes, and what has been the result ? Cur University, once the pride of onr State, nearly destroyed the grass almost growing in her once honored halls. The State burdened with a heavy fraudulent debt her resources appa r utly exhausted, her credit ruined, and her people nurdened by oppres- The administration of tho laws in i iany instances a by-word and a re proach, the cost of litigation greatly increased, and the "Code itself unin telligible even to the most learned." And finally, no adequate protection for property from excessive taxation whereby the holder may be secured in the fruits of his toil and industry. If the narrative I have given is true, and a hundred thousand witnesses in North Caroliaa sustain it, then I sub mit that each of the foregoing prop ositions is proved to a demonstration. That tho Constitution needs amend in. nt is conceded, but the question is, how should this bo effected, by a Convention, or by the legislative mode. Ii the Constitution required amend ment in some unimportant, not vital particular, wo might prefer the Legis lative mode, and possess our souls in patience throughout the whole tedious ,. p,-o it requires remodeling irom turret to foundation stone," and the Legislature is not the body to do the work. Oppressed as the members of such an assembly are with tho de tails of public and private bills, and the distractions arising from the im cortunities of constituents seeking to push through pet schemes, they can not be supposed to be able to give that consideration to the framing of the organic law, which its great importance demands. Another reason o', it ap pears to me, much weight against this m de, is tho fear of the action of the Supreme Court, which is likely to modify any amendment that may be thus proposed. This seems to have governed somewhat the extent and scope of tho amendments now pend ing, and was confescdly considered in tho structure of the election law, which xempts some of the members of that bod v from its operations, for no rea s in" that could bo discovered, except that otherwise tho Conrt would declare the Act in certain particulars to be un constitutional and void. Our changed social relations, the depreciation and loss of property, and the consequent universal distress, the result of tho war. and which followed in its wake, demanded changes in the organic law. Some were made by the Convention of lH(i5, and others again by that of 18G8, which no one proposes to disturb. But at no period since the surrender, have our people been free to speak and to act before the present year. .Now the citizens ol the oiate arc fully enfranchised, ana per haps thero is not a prominent man among us ineligible to office. Free i.t to aet, free r v c i i ill tosethei of enlarged patriot virtues and interitv. ism, eminent identified with our interests, who will do no wrong, who will f arm a Consti " tntion adap od to our wants, fully pro tecting, at the s:une time, the rights of all without regard to race, coloror pre vious condition But it is objected that by tho call of a Convention, we will excite the fears of the nesrroes lest we mav cur tail tlr ir rights, and of the timid among the whites, lest we may strike the homestead provision from the Con stitution. While it is admitted that Bach fears ere entirely groundless, t is suggested tte.t they in iy, neverthe less, be worked .upon to our injury. Since the lirsl hour that the negroes became entitled to vote, they have vo ted as a unit. Devoid of political in telligence, they have followed, as if oy animal instinct, the lean ot the uis hone. t po'iticians; who have, so far as in their power lay ruined and dis graced the State. We have allowed the negro to be used as a bugbear hjng enongh. Never rutil we marched up and met him at the "color-lino" which he had so li ho lioil IriT. rr ilm-n.l na fo nn- proach, did we succeed in the political contest. Whether we propose to mod ify the Constitution by legislative en actment, or by a Convention, we will alike meet with his opposition, and we are also to do without his snp poi t. The Constitution of the United States protects the rights of the negro; we could not curtail them if we would and we would not if we could. If he can not understand and appreciate this, it is a hopeless task to tiy to enlighten him. The white people concede to the negro an equality of political rights, but are not willing that he should be vested with more. They will not bend their necks to the yoke of negro su premacy. If there is to lie any suprem acy in North Carolina, let it bo that of law, order and prosperity, and not negro supremacy. There is not a white voter of respec tability in North Carolina, who would sustain any attempt to set aside the homestead clause of the constitution. To exempt from execution real prop erty in fee, of the value of one thou sand dollars; and personal property of the value of rive hundred dollars, has become the fixed policy of the State, and it is not in the power of any man, be he knave or fool, to delude the peo ple into the belief that the Conserva tive party desire to overturn that pol icy, in the preservation of which, the white man and not the negro, is mainly interested. But all such objections must be ef fectually silenced by the fact that it is not necessary to submit the call of a Convention to tho popular vote. If two-thirds of the .Legislature should be in favor of it, that will be proof positive that it meets with the public sanction. The demagogue will not then have any opportunity to "ply his vocation," by working on tho fears of the ignorant and the timid. When the Convention shall have done its work, the people will have an opportu nity thoroughly to examine it. They will then Bee that the rights of the races preserve their equality, and that the Homestead is fixed on a sure and solid basis. He who now remains silent is dere lict in the duty which, as a citizen, he owes to his State. Whether for, or against, a Convention, we ought to speak out like men, and give to each other the benefit of our counsel. Eor this reason, and beean of the impor- tauce and d tune way. "V i. it I ! i Of tlu h cuss: favors iloni "i subject, I have examined d it at much length. For ns let U3 meet her half A Citizen. RDWAKD mj i. . n :, ;:si. By an unaccountable slip of the pen, in mentioning the letter written by this gentlemen to the Wilmington Joi'RKAli upon the subject of Conven tion, we stated that Mr. Conigland wasopposedto the movement. This was all a mistake, and we gladly make the correction, having our attention called to it by our valued contempora ry. Mr. Conigland was one of th? earliest and is one of tho most earnest supporters ui the call for a Conven tion, and we do not blame the Joitrxai, for its nnwillingni ss to lose the influ ence of his name in its favor. No man possesses in larger degree the confidence and esteem of those who know him than Mr. Conigland ; and and his abilities and devotion to the best interest of North Carolina entitle his opinions and respect. We sincerely regret Ral. News. to consideration he mistake. - Judge Manly has written a letter to the Wilmington JotjknaIj favoring a n stricted Convention. If a restricted Convention can bo called, we would like to see it, for in that we can over come tho objections that would be offered, and would not be liable to the misrepresentations that would be made and which would probably de feat an unrestricted On ensboro Patriot. Convention- One hot sultry morning, a few years ago, when the cholera was raging in St. Louis, and excitement among all classes was at fever heat, a gentleman of Teutonic persuasion, weighing about two hundred and fifty pounds, suffer ing from the effects of a big spree, and apparently in great mental agitation, approached the news stand and slid to the proprietor, "Mishtcr, will you bleas gif me a baber vat has de names of dem beeples vat has gone ded rnit de cholera morbis now all de time, hey !" Ihe paiier was handed him, and looking it over in a confused way for a few moments, ho passed it back, remarking, "Will you bleas read me de names of de beoples vat don't got the cholera no raoie, don't it, und see if Carl Genescnkoopfenhoffin 1ms got em." The proprietor read over the list, tho Teuton standing by and wiping tho perspiration from his brow in a terrible state of excitement. Tho proprietor finished tho list remarking, "No such name there, sir." Teuton, brightening up, "You don't find em." Troprietor, "No, sir." Teuton, seiz ing him warmly by tho hand, "Mine friend, dis ish goot, dat ish some funs dat ish my name, by tarn, I peen so drunk as never vas for three days, und I dont I was gone dedmit the cholera, and didn't know it ! Mine Gott, I vas suart !" In Philadelphia, tho restaurant of the Beform Club House, on Chestnut street, is thrown open during the day to the wives and daughters of mem bers who happen to be out on shop ping excursions. "Phros. Littlejohn" used to live in Cheyenne, but she lives iu Chicago now and is Euphrosyne Euphemia Diminutivejohaunes. Gen. Sheridan won't marry because he wants the privilege of going to bed with his boots on when he feels like it. A package, weighing six hundred and fifty pounds, arrived at Cincinnati the other day, bringing live specimens of all kinds of native American snakes. They were for the city's zoological gardeu. to Bp ak : elect nml t. f a botly of in. f I OI l I nil it: ! a :i:ci:. The Petersburg Index Appeal says Last week the order of tho United Slates Court, fitting at Bichmond, compelled certain registers of this city to surrender to a United States grand inrv the books of registration, of which the State law makes them the sworn and sole responsible custodians. These registrar-i are State officers, ap pointed by tho State courts, paid by the State, and made responsible for any delinquency of duty to the State authorities. One of the duties to which they are sworn i3 to keep per sonal charge of their registration books; and this duty they were com pelled by process of the Federal Court last week to violate, although they en- teied most solemn protest. The re sult is, the books have passed out of their hands, and they are no more able to certify to their correctness; and they refuse most properly to be come responsible for any registration, when the opportunity has been offered, and perhaps improved, for tho perpe tration of fraud and the corruption of the record. All this outrage on the dignity and authority of the State of Virginia has elapsed without protest, without even ordinary newspaper notice, except on part of the local press. The Governor does not appear to have heard of it, and the press of the State has never made any the least allusiou to the out rage, so far as we are informed. The people are really disfranchised by act of a Federal Court.aud it is altogether probable that the polls will not be opened on the day when tho rest of the State will exercise the usnal civic rights. And yet there arises no voice of remonstrance there is offered no word of objection ! To this degree of supine submission has the country been reduced by the long infliction o: tyrannical rule and wrong. TAXtS. To-morrow, according to advertise ment, a large amount of property is advertised to be sold for City taxes. Do we ask too much af the Board of Aldermen to postpone the forcible col lection of this lax? We are well awai e that the City needs money, but this very fact arises from the monetary crisis through which this immediate section is now passing. The tightness of money in the veiy height of the crisis last Fall and Winter, is nothing to that which now exists. Indeed, we may say truly, that tho present busi ness depression is without parallel since tho war. Upon these grounds we ask, in all sincerity, the Board of Uermfn to take some steps lookiug to a postponement of the sale of prop erty for taxes. The people need relief, and surely the City is bet ter able to extend tho time of payment, than are the people to meet the tax. Many of them cannot do it, and their property mu'-'t needs be sold. And we desiro also to appeal to the County Commissioners in this same behalf. The postponement of tho col lection of County taxes should also be postponed, so that our citizens can p:.y in instalments. Last year tho Legis lature postponed the collection of the State tax, and will doubtless do so again. If people ever needed relief ours do now, ami having the power, our officials ought to extend it to them. If property is sold, tho owner must pay twenty-live per cent in order to have it restored and, besides, mny cf them, unacquainted with the proper forms, are compelled to employ a law yer to attend to it for them. Under all these considerations we earnestly appeal to our City and County officials to extend the time for the col lection of taxes sufficiently kmg to af ford substantial relief to our over burdened citizens. We hope they will heed our appeal. Carolina Central Uailuay In junction Case. Upon the application of Dr. Orr, says the Charlotte Observer, an in junction was granted, a few days ago, by Judge David Seheuck, at Cham bers, restraining tho Carolina Central Ilailway Company from further oper atious on Ids lauds, irutil certain dam ages claimed by him had been paid by the company. It is claimed by some that the injunction, which was served on the President yesterday, will stop further work on the road uutil the matter can bo adjusted. As the case is an important one it naturally exciter considerable feeling in our community, but like all legal questions it has two sides, and, as we d nt know the merits iro and con, we forbear any comment, except to say, "JFial justitia, mat caelum." We are informed, however, that au applicatioa will be made in a few days to vacate or modify this injunction, and at that time the case will be heard upon its merits. At I'll am he rat His Honor, Judge MeKoy, heard last night, at Chambers, the argument of Messrs. N. A. Ste Iman, Jr., and Thos. II. Sutton, of Bladen, counsel for Biley Sutton, colored, convicted at last Bladen Court of murder. The argument was on a motion for a new trial, which was granted. l ire 111 1 leiiiinion. We regret to learn that the distil lery and store houso of Mr. John B. Jackson, situated within two miles of Flemington, were entirely destroyed by fire last Friday night. A brother of Mr. Jackson and another gentle man were asleep in the store at the time but knew nothing of the lire until it was too late to save anything. The fire was accidental, and is said to have originated from fire left in the furnace. There were about 250 barrels of turpentine on the yard at the time, and also a considerable quantity of spirits of turpentine and rosin, no shipments navir.g ueen rnaue ior a week past.nearly all of which was lost, together wiUi the distillery and the contents of the store. The loss foots up about $2,000, on which we regret to learu that there was no insurance. .I tt It K SI FEKIOR (Ol IS I. Important Vo.sk. State vs. John E. Wood, Jesse Bow- den and J. R. Everett, affray. The Court was engaged during the entire day on yesterday, from 9 o'clock in tho morning until 1 o'clock in tho afternoon, without intermission for dinner, in the trial of tho above cause. The above named defendants to gether with a large number of others, were indicted for an affray at Bocky Point, in the county of N tw Hanover, on the day of tho August election. The Court ordered that the trial of the defendants should be divided, and these defendants were put upon their trial yesterday. The remainder, ex cept those who have submitted, or made their escape, will be placed on trial to-morrow. Tho witnesses for the State, all of whom were colored, seemed to conflict with each other; but their testimony, unexplained and un rcfuted, would probably have brought down the scale against the defendants. It was in substance as follows : On tne aay ol tne late August election a fight occurred between Mr. John Bry ant and George Hill, colored, the lat ter having given the former the "damned lie". This occurrence took place at some distance from the polls; that during the excitement which en sued and grew out of this difficulty, the defendant Wood made his appear auce at some distance from the scene, with a gun in his hands, which he brought to his face and pointed at the crowd which was assembled around the combatants. That the defendant Everett attempt ed to get to tho crowd with a drawn pistol in his hand. That the defendant Bowden left the polls, where he was acting as chal longer, went to the crowd and partici cqiated in the affrpy. This is about the substance of the testimony of the State's witnesses.whc were only three in number. For the defence, a great number were called and sworn. Dr. Torter, in substance, stated that ou the day of the elec ion an affray took place at Bocky Point between Mr. John Bryant and Geo. Hill, colored. The de fendant, Jesse Bowden, was engaged at the polls in the capacity of a chal lenger, some distance from tho place of the fight; witness did not see him until after the fight commenced, and when he, the defendant, attempted to keep the peace a crowd turned upon him with clubs and sticks, one man having a sledge hammer, and pressed him backwards, threatening his life, cursing, swearing and trying "kill him! kill him!" WThen witness had gotten defendant Bowden into the house, through the backway, tho crowd came into the front part of the house, using the like violent language, gestures and threats. Witness considered that defendant's lifo was in danger. When ho was re treating before the crowd he fell; whether ho was knocked down, or ac cidcntly tripjied, witness could not tell. Mr. Bowden had to be guarded from tho mob uutil ho left the grounds for his home, He saw him do noth ing except in the interests of peace and self-defence. Mr. D. T. Durham testified to the same eli'ect. Bowden had been sitting at tho polls, discharging his duty as challenger, in a peaceable and quiet manner, until after the row had com menced. Within a half minute after Bowden came near tho place where Bryant and the negro Hill were fight ing, witness saw Bowden backing and defeading himself from a crowd that was makiag upoa him, which consisted of about one hundred and fifty ne groes armed with clubs, sticks, Szc. He saw Bowdeu fall; whether he fell accidently or was knocked down, wit ness conld not tell. He considered Bowden's life in great danger during the disturbance, the crowd of negroes crying "kill him ! kill him !" One of the poll-holders stated that Bowden was peacefully occupied as challenger at the polls, until after the row had commenced. Mr. Bryant, who was also indicted, but had previously submitted to the judgment of tho Court, testified in corroboration of the three last witness es; and that when the negro Hill cal led him a damned liar, he struck him; that the defendant Everett took no part in the fight, but seemed to be present in the interests of peace; as sisted to rescue me from the mob;took me to Gamebrg's house, locked me ia, and remained with me until tho dis turbance was over. Everett did not encourage the fight. After the gen tlemen had rescued me from the crowd, and when we were endeavoring to get into Gamberg's house I was intercept ed and headed off several times by the rioters. Hockey testified that Bowden came ontof the house to assist in quelling the disturbance. When he approached the crowd some forty or fifty colored people separated from the main body of the crowd, and took after him, crying out "there is Jesse Bowden, kill him ! kill him !" While retreating before the advancing crowd, Bowden fell. One voice proclaimed, "I knocked the damned scoundrel down." Saw sever al blows aimed at Bowden, but did not see him strike any one until he was, himself, knocked down. Saw the de fendant Everett take Mr. Bryant out of the crowd, but at no time saw him participate in the fight, or in any man ner encourage it. Thos. A. Price corroborated the foregoing testimony as to the conduct of defendant Bowden. When the crowd was pressing upon Llai, George Hill, colored, jumped out of a ditch made at Bowden for afight,and pressed him so hard that he struck Hill, when tho crowd yelled out "damn Jesse BowdeD; kill him! kill him! kill the damned son of a . If we don't get him now, we will get him to night." Mr. McPhersou, a justice of the peace, summoned a posso to keep the peace. Of the crowd of negroes that was after Mr. Bowden, some of them were armed with clubs and sticks which were loaded with lead and iron. The defendant, Everett, was in every way peaceable. Bowden did not gat up to where Mr. Bryant and Hill had been fighting. William F. Price testified that he was in the house at tho polls with Mr. Bowdeu when the fight commenced, no said to my brother, who was also present, "they are fighting out doors; let us go out and see if wo cannot stop it! " When Bowden reached the crowd, he said to them "this is no place to fight. Let us vote, and go away in peace." The witness then described the action of the crowd to be as the foregoing witnesses had described it; and when some one struck Bowden, witness heard the cries of "kill him! kill him! If we can't get him now we will have him to-night." Angus Williams, colored, testified that he saw Major Pope, colored, strike Mr. Bowden twice with a load ed stick. The crowd was makinc nt 0 Mr. Bowden, cursing, sweariag and yelling. G. P. Duncan testified that he did not see the beginning of the difficulty; the first he saw of Bowden ho was giving back before a crowd of negroes who were advancing upon him, with clubs and sticks raised, cursing swearing and yelling, and crying "kill him!" Mr. Chadwick testified that Bowden did not reach the spot where Bryant and Hill had been fighting, at all. He knew that he 6hould have seen him if he had been there. I was between Bryant and Hill at one part of the difficulty, and Hill shoved his pistol against iayl breast, and I know that Bowden was not present. As to the defendant, Everett, the witness stated that the colored peace officer, Jordan, saw Everett inside Gamberg's garden with a pistol in his hand, coming to wards the gate. Jordan said to Ever ett, "you cannot go out with that pis tol." Everett then offered to give the pistol to Mr. Beery who refused to take it. Everett then gave the pistol to Jordan, saying, "to show yon I mean no harm, you can take the pistol, and go along w lh mo." The witness saw the two walk off together, towards the crowd, and afterwards saw Everett take Bryant out of the crowd and car rv him off. Braswell Durham testified that he saw Bryant strike Hill ; was the first or second person to reach them; caught Hill's stick to prevent his striking ; tried to separate them; saw no one strike Hill except Bryant; testified that Bowden did not strike Hill at that time. Soon after this he saw Bowden retreating as before described. James Durham testified that he saw Everett there; that he had previously seen him in the garden, when Sam Jor denand Sam Simpson said to him "you can't come out of there with that pis tol." Everett said he did not intend to use the pistol except in self-defence; said he was for peace and gave his pis tol to Sam Jorden. After the fight was over, he tried to get Bryant away from the crowd. Everett and Bryant disappeared inside Gamberg's yard. S. S. Beery testified that he saw Everett with the pistol, and heard Jordan tell him that he could not go into the crowd with it. Everett then offered the pistol to witness, who de clined to take it. and saw Jordan tako it. Witness saw the defendant Wood with the gun, but he did not raise it to his shoulder, but held it down in his hands. Mr. Everitt Wood, father of defend ant John E. Wood, testified that he saw the gim in his house at dinner time. The gun belonged to McDon old, a negro; told his son to carry the gun to the store, his object being to keep any one from getting hold of it. T. A. Claus testified that he saw the defendant, John Wood, bring the gun to the store; that he did not point it at the crowd. James B. McPherson, Esq., was called on the part of the State, and testified that he was a magistrate at Bocky Point; that he saw Jesse Bowden in the house at the time the disturbance began; and saw Bow den retreatiag before the crowd. While Bryant and Hill were fighting, witness saw two blows struck, does not know by whom. Shortly after this.he saw Bowden retreating. The evidence for theproseention and defence was here closed. At 2:30 o'clock, the argument was commenced. Hon. Geo. Davis, who opened for the defence, made one of his most ef fective argumentative efforts of near an hour's length. Mr. Solicitor Norment closed the discussion at near 4 o'clock.in a speech which was replete with sound logic and cogeat reasoaiag. He evinced the character of the public officer who comes squarely up to the honest dis charge of duty, without favor, with out affection. All of the defendants in this case were the Solicitor's political friends. His Honor gave the Jury a charge of ten minute's duration, when they retired, and very shortly thereafter re turned a verdict of "JVot Ouilty" as to all the defendants. Fire car imp I in X Konds and tention of lie Train. The southern bound passenger train on the Wilmington & Weldon Bail road arrived here yesterday morning two hours behind time, the detention having been caused by the burning of a large lot of wood piled up oa the side of the track about 5 miles south of Daplin X Boads and about 30 miles above the city. As the train approached that point the engineer discovered the fire ahead and shut down at once. The train was stopped when it was ascertained that a large pile of pine wood ahead, probably about 500 cords, was burning furious- ly, and that the heat was so intense that the rails had become warped by it. The Conductor, Engineer and brakesmen, and all the male passen gers on board tho train at onco went vigorously into tho businosa of fight ing the fire and soon had it under control. By this time workmen had arrived on the spot and in an almost incredibly short time the track was again in order and the train passed over safely, reaching ihe city two hours behind schedule time. About 300 cords of wood were burned and it is thought that it was set on fire. Sampson Court. His Honor, Judge Kerr, has con sented to hold Sampsoa Court for Judge MeKoy. This is rendered ne cessary from the fact that tho latter has been interested, as counsel, in so large a number of the cases pending in that Court. As Judge Kerr's circuit will be over there will bo no exchange between these gentlemen. We are sure the good peoplo of Sampson will be glad to see Judge Kerr in their county, and we know ho will be well pleased with his visit. Harbor Improvements. Wilmington, N. C, Oct.22d, 1871. Col. Wm. JO. DeRosset, President of the Chamber of Commerce: Sir: On the 8th instant wo visited the public works for improving the Harbor, but owing to conflicting cir cumstances the inspection was not so thorough as was intended it should be. We found the unfinished breakwater at FEDEBAn POINT somewhat damaged by the late storms of August and September. Several of the upper finishing cribs, not being sufficiently weighted with stone, were displaced and carried off by tho vio lence of the winds and waves. No ia jury, however, appears to have beea sastaiaed by the poiat, beach aad shoals; the breakwater proper, that is, the foundation cribs which had been placed in position and filled with stoneremains intact, nor have any per ceptible encroachments been made upon it. zeke's island, on the opposite side of the Inlet, sus tained no damage, but has evidently been enlarged by an accumulation of sand, although its shape hag been somewhat altered. THE OLD BF.EAKWATER extending south from Zeke's Island and connecting with Smith Island beaches sustained some damage. At a point in its line, commencing some 500 feet from Zeke's Island, was a section which, from some unknown cause, contained leaks which admitted an ingress and egress current sufficient to prevent the formation of beach against it, thereby exposing the tim ber of the cribs to depredation by navy worms which weakened and de stroyed its resisting power against the violence of the storm; consequently about 100 to 150 feet of the cribs were swept away, leaving, however, the foundation of stone to bnild upon in repairing this damage. The balance of the breakwater sus tained no damage whatever; on the coatrary, as a eompeasatioa for the damage above alluded to, largo quaa tities of sand were brought to form and strengthen the beach, so that the breakwater itself was entirely covered in many places, and now, the entire distance from Zeke's to Smith Island, may be passed dry-footed at half tide, upon the beach, independent of the breakwater. THE BEACH SOUTH Is evidently wasting from abrasion of the terrible in-and-out currents of the Inlet, intensified by the continuous winds which prevail across this point over the open bay, and over this long me of bare, unprotected sand-beach. The two small inlets or swashes, some distance down the beach, alluded to in a former report, do not seem to have increased in magnitude, but rather, the indications are. that they are disposed to close themselves. BALD-HEAD POINT Is undoubtedly doomed. Appearan ces indicate that tho main current is disposed to make a straight shoot into mid-ocean from the mouth of Bald head creek. Ii these indications should result in fact, the day is not far dis tant when Bald-head will bo known in history only, and as a thing that was. We are not prepared to hazard an opinion on thesubjectof this apparent freak of nature, but some observers entertain the opinion, .and not without reason, that owing to the division, both of the river and bay aer by the opeaiag aad loag neglect of New Ialet,'thereby depreciatiag the volume of water pass ing out, of the main outlet, de stroying its scouring inlluence and tho power of maintaining its original and natural channel, conse quently, the outlet adapted itself to circumstances, permitting shoals and reefs to be formed, partially closing the mouth of the harbor. Those shoals have now become packed and hard, diverting the channel into crooks and irregularities. And now that the vol ume of water is somewhat restored by the partial closing of New Inlet, abra sion of tho light sands of the beach is a much easier task to perform than the removal of the hard packed shoals. Nor are we prepared to offer an opin ion as to what will be the result or effect upon the Harbor Outlet by the washing away of the point of Bald Head; possibly it will not be prejudi cial, and it may be beneficial as matters now stand, without the .ability of straightening the channel by artificial means, which, perhaps, would better and quicker secure valuable results. We can only hope that it will prove a disguised blessing. The suction dredge Woodbury, hav ing returned from Baltimore, and un dergone some repairs, commenced work upon Baldhead channel, where she has continued operations ever since (except occasional stops for re pairs) with good results. On the 10th of August a contract for dredging the river was concluded with Messrs. Curtis & Fober, and on the 9th of September they commenced work on the Snowy Marsh channel, since which time the work has pro givssed irregularly with no percepti ble results. Capt. Phillips returned from Balti more on the 19th, and the stean tug Easton on the 20th of September. Our last report was made on the 23rd of July, of operations to that date from the 22nd of May, when our previous report was made. At the date of our last report in July, Baldhead channel had percepti bly improved, and our pilots began to use it with 12 to 12 J feet of water ;sub 3equently H feet was carried out, and on the 24th of September the German barque Frederick Seal a, drawing 15 feet, was towed safely to sea. At present it is reported that 1G or 17 feet may pass safely out. This being our first report for the present fiscal year, commencing on tho 10th of July last, we deem it proper to recapitulate the operations of the previous year ending at that time. The last fiscal year was ushered in on the let of July, 1973, with m np- propriation of 8100,000 to conduct operations for the year. Tho break water of 4,400 feet, connecting Smith with Zeke's Island, having been com pleted, it was determined by tho Engineer to construct a deflecting breakwater from Federal Point, about 1,500 to 2,000 feet in a southwest di rection, for tho purpose of diverting the river current from the Inlet, and thereby assist in its final close, and to this end the work wa3 immediately commenced. After proceeding 500 feet it was found that the cost so far exceeded tho estimates, that the ap propriation was insufficient to com plete it, and the Supervising Engineer thought it best to stop tho work at that point and devote tho residue of funds at his disposal to the immediate relief of navigation by dredging and removing obstructions from the river. A steamer was purchased and fitted np with necessarv machinery as a suctiou dredge, at tho cost of $20,000, to bo used on the outer bar of Baldhead channel. A river snag dredge also was char tered to operate on the fiats abovo Big Island, where sho operated for about one month, with decided effect, removing from the channel many pon drous stumps and logs, thus relieving navigation to some extent. Ihe suction dredge, tho Woodbury, got to work about the 1st of April, op- w-iuiiu... iui i lutv uujs oniy, jus 6 long l enough to test her ability and adapta- f oimy io mo service, wnen on tne oUi ot April rt was discovered that propriation was exhausted, and rations were suspend d. The i and tug were sent to Baltimore pairs, and tho hands all discharged. except a few to tako ' are of thjB prop erty, so that all op', rations were en tirely suspended for the balance of the year for want of funds An appropriation of $150,000 was obtained from tho last Congress for prosecuting this wcrk during the pre sent year ; this sum being considered altogether inadequate for a successful attempt at closing the New Inlet, which ia the fundamental principal or feature in the system of our Harbor Improvements, this appropriation will most probably be devoted to dredg ing, removing obstructions, repairing damages, tc, relying upon the ne::t Congress for such an appropriation as the Supervising Engineer may think proper to recommend for a successful prosecution of the work. In concluding this report, wo desire to express our appreciation of tho ability of Capt. C. B. Phillips, the As sistant Engineer, who has the immedi ate charge of all the working details of the improvement, and it is to his skill, industry and devotion to the cause, that we are largely indebted for the won derful success which has attended this great enterprise, surrounded as it has been, by tho most embarrassing cir cumstances from its very incipiency, and we commend him to tho favorable consideration of the Chamber. Bespeet fully submitted, H. Nutt, Geo. Harriss, Jab. II. CnADBorntN. Committee. We are accused, eays the Courier Journal, of a double-dealing in this, that we, who have assailed lawlessness and intolerance wherever they havo appeared in Kentucky, turn vehem ently upon outsiders when they put in their bill. Just so. It is none of their concern, and it is ours. Tilings have come to a lie!! of ;i pM When ime can't wallop his own .jackass, But things have reached a s-t;il worse jmss When the wrong fool wallops the wrong jaekats! A Touching iTla.rria.ge Ceremony. It was tho writer's privilege, yester day, at halt-past four r. m. , to witnesH tho union of two loving and devoted hearts, under circumstances of tho most trying and distressing character. The dramatis persona; on this unique and intsrestiag occasion, were Senator T. J. Perry, of Arlington, Ga. and Miss Anna A., the daughter of General George P. Harrison, of Chat ham county. The former, it will be remembered, only three days since had his leg ter ribly crushed by a locomotive in the car shed, rendering amputation necos sary. The intelligence was telegraphed to his affianced in Savannah, and like a true woman and blessed angel of mercy, accompanied by her father, she hastened to his Ride. In her case there was no revilsion of feeling no seek ing to recall the plighted troth no hesitancy in casting her lot with a maimed and bleeding lover forever, come weal, come woe, in sunshine and in shade. On the contrary, he became tho more endeared to her, and she regarded him, "JOven as a broken miirnr, which the glass In every fragment multiples, and makes A thousand Images of one that was, The sime, ami still the more, the more it breaks." Anxious to minister to the comfort of tho being who Heaven had set apart for her companion through life, to his entreaty, feebly uttered on a couch of languishing, she at once responded with noble candor, and consented to assume the duties of the wife immedi ately. The nuptials were accordingly sol emnized, as staled, at Brown's Hotel, yesterday afternoon, in the presence of the father of the bride, a brother of the wounded husband, and about a dozen other ladies and gentlemen. Bev. George N. McJDaniel, of this city, officiated, the bride dressed in black and sitting by the bedside of her ali'icted lover. Never was a wedding ceremony more impressively rendered, or the rosposi bilitiesof the marital relation made to appear ia stronger colors .The responses of both tho principals were distinctly audible, a soft light beaming from tho eyes of the gentle bride as sho devoted herself to the caro and happiness of the feeble sniferer to whom her fate was uow indissolubly linked. And if ever mortal looked serenely content and happy, albeit his sad condition, ii was the young senator who so recently had exenungod tho triumphs of tho hustings for the long confinement of a sick chamber. The concluding prayer of the minis ter was replete with pathos and fervor, and his earnest appeals in behalf of tho married pair, found an echo in every bosom. The ceremony over, each guest, after a word of greeting, quickly retired. Who can doubt that angels' wings hovered around that sublimo and almost weird scene ? Tho lovo of woman is indeed beautiful and fathom less. May long years of blissful peace reward the fidelity and constancy of these hearts now by the alchemy of Cupid transformed into one. Macon Telegraph and Messenger. Tho Kinston Gazette says : Mr. George Webb, of this town, has shown us a neat little contrivance that he has invented for holding up window sashes at aay desired poiat, and is xerfectly secure. When the window is closed it serves as a perfect lock. A patent has been applied for. The Kaleigh News says : The old est citizen of Wake county was buried in tho colored cemetery of this city yesterday. Her name w;is J ndy Fields, and was ona hundred and seven years of age at her death. Our oldest; inhab itants testify to the fact that old aunt Judy was aged as far ba,ek; as, tjigir ejory serves. tiUew, the any' all gp- drerjeo tor re-
Wilmington Journal [1844-1895] (Wilmington, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Oct. 30, 1874, edition 1
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