The Evening Light, Vol. 1. No. 299. SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 1882. (Page 1)
THE EVENING LIGHT.
Vol. 1. No. 299.
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 1882.
10 Cents a Week.
Local Dots.
The engagement of Mr. Albert Steves to
Miss Fanny Baetz is announced.
—Mr. J. J. Molloy has taken out a license
to marry Miss Mattie Bennett.
—The festival of St. Peter Balsam, a
Christian martyr, is celebrated to-day by the
Catholic church.
—“Billie Taylor” was the opera originally
intended for production to-night, but by
request the “Mascotte” is to be substituted.
—The young man Semlinger, who was ac-
cidently shot on Friday, is doing well, and
there are good hopes of saving his life.
—There were only eleven cases before the
recorder this morning. Having regard to
the season the docket is exceedingly light.
—Drivers are expected to walk over the
Commerce street bridges, but there is no pub-
lic notice of this, but on Commerce street
bridge.
—Captain Sam Maverick sold one hundred
tickets for both Sunday and Monday nights to
the Templeton troupe. Last night he would
have sold more, but ran out of tickets.
—Geo. Reuter, Richard Bond, Frank Mil-
ler and Ernest Weisenberg, presented a hand-
some silver plate and a beautiful set of cut glass
to “Billie” Joe, as a New Year’s gift.
—By request, the Fay Templeton opera
company will repeat the “Mascotte” to-night
at the Casino, and to-morrow night will be
given for the first time in this city the comic
opera “Billie Taylor.”
—Mary Martin and Julia Johnson, two girls
of color, had a hot dispute, which ended
in strong language and hard knocks. The
police interfered, and each disputant was this
morning sentenced to pay a $5 fine.
—A man this morning called upon Dr.
Shepherd, and complained that he had been
kicked in the ribs by a horse. Dr. S.
examined him, but could not detect a frac-
ture, but the man was severely bruised.
—Miss Alice Vane nearly lost her purse
yesterday. In passing the Central hotel she
dropped it and a colored man artfully picked
it up and endeavored to conceal it. He was
detected and the purse restored to the owner.
—The Fay Templeton troupe are said to
have attracted the largest audience that ever
attended the Casino. However this may be,
the hall was assuredly so crowded that the
chairs had to be set in various parts, and many
had then to stand.
—An ancient of San Antonio tells us that he
never saw a quieter or more orderly New
Year’s day in our city. We noted the same
on an extensive walk through the city, and we
felt that for order, on such a festive day, no city
in the State can show a better record.
—There was a “dolly strength tester” on the
Main plaza to-day, and the boys by swing-
ing this are supposed to ascertain the power
of their strokes. The machine appears, how-
ever, to be unreliable and of no use.
—We have received a copy of Messrs. J. S.
Morton & Co.’s “Western Farmer’s Almanac”
for 1882. It is the fifty-fifth year of its issue,
is decidedly useful and excellent in compila-
tion, interesting to the general reader, and of
great service to farmers and agriculturists.
—Samuel Martin has been arrested and
jailed for stealing a banjo, the property of
George Washington, a colored man. It seems
that both parties lived in the same house, and
the prisoner managed to steal the banjo on
Saturday. On Sunday he pawned it at Per-
son’s, where it was traced last evening.
—Those who have graves at the city ceme-
tery complain of inability to get water for the
sustenance of floral decorations, and they
point out that the Government water main is
adjacent and could, by a friendly arrange-
ment, be made to serve the wants of both.
The matter should certainly be arranged if
there are such easy means of doing it.
—A stall-keeper, who dispenses meat, had
an unruly lot assembling at his stall and
throwing his things about, took up a club and
he vows to frighten them away. He was
charged with the offense, but the recorder,
finding his statement and that he had been
really provoked, discharged him.
—There was a row at the Vandevert hotel
over night. James Burns was the cause. He
was under the influence of wine and was guilty
of indecent conduct. For the latter act,
Thompson, the bar-keeper, threw him out of
doors and then served a friend in the same way.
Burns was this morning charged with inde-
cent conduct and with being drunk. For the
first charge he was discharged, being fined $5
for the latter. Mr. Thompson was charged
with assaulting Burns and also his friend, but
the recorder dismissed both charges against
him.
Special Meeting of the Bexar County Land
League.
A special meeting was called yesterday for the
purpose of arranging matters for the due recep-
tion of T. M. Healy, member of the British
Parliament for Wexford, secretary of the Irish
Land League, and a prominent member of the
home rule party.
Major J. E. Dwyer was, upon the motion of
Justice Shields, called to the chair. In taking
his seat he paid a great tribute to Mr. Healy, as
a man of great courage, great ability, and one
devoted to his country and her redemption.
Justice Shields followed in eulogizing the
distinguished visitor. Dr. E. R. Bennett then
spoke and proposed a resolution that a com-
mittee be appointed to draft a resolution ex-
pressive of their sympathy with Ireland in her
present distressing condition.
The following committees were then nomi-
nated:
Committee of Arrangements—Major J. E.
Dwyer, Justice T. J. Devine, Colonel Z. M. P.
Ingram, Colonel J. H. French, Major H. S.
Baker, W. J. H. Mellis, Captain T. P. Dwyer,
Thomas F. Johnson, J. P. Van Riper, W. L.
Higdon, J. W. Maurer, W. G. Kingsbury,
A. G. Froboese, F. Grossenbacher, J. R.
Sweet, C. G. Griesenbeck, James A. Lock-
wood, William Richter, J. C. Stafford, L. J.
Wortham, George Noonan, J. H. Kampmann,
J. B. Wenniger, E. O. Norton, Colonel S.
Maverick, George H. Noonan.
Committee of Reception—Mayor James H.
French, H. B. Grenet, Major Dwyer, T. P.
McCall, Jas. P. Newcomb, Judge Noonan,
Justice Shields, J. B. Lacoste, Esq., V. S.
Franklin, Ed. Braden and L. J. Kelley.
Committee on Music—Major Dwyer, J. B.
Lacoste and G. M. Maverick.
How are Sidewalks Constructed?
The power to construct sidewalks is given in
section 60 of the charter: “This power is more
distinctly referable to the police power of
municipal corporations than to the taxing
power. The cost of constructing the same
shall be defrayed by the owners of the lots
fronting upon the sidewalks, a different prin-
ciple from assessments for grading and mac-
adamizing streets, alleys and plazas, the con-
struction of sewers, gas and water works, and
other local improvements.” When a power is
granted a city to gratuitously make sidewalks
for the health of the inhabitants, and keep the
streets neat and clean, and that the exercise
of this power shall be paid for by special tax
on the abutting lots, nothing short of express
legislation can justify the city in abandoning
this mode of sidewalk construction and taxa-
tion, and lay a general and equal tax on all
the inhabitants to accomplish this object.
The special tax for sidewalks is not the kind
of tax under the charter to be levied and col-
lected as other taxes. The charter prescribes
no mode to do this. There is no collector and
assessor mentioned in that section, the pro-
ceedings for sidewalk construction and collec-
tion distinctly point out another mode.
The tax cannot be assessed upon the lots
until a sidewalk has been constructed under
the ordinance, and that ordinance provides no
mode to collect the tax without judicial pro-
ceedings.
It has been urged upon the city to exercise
the sidewalk power. When the sidewalks were
constructed the delinquent owners could be
made to pay their share of the tax through the
recorder’s court. The recorder could order,
in the proceedings, the delinquent lots sold as
other property, and the purchaser would re-
ceive a quit-claim deed from the city. If this
were done the city would have no further trou-
ble than to execute her quit claim deeds to the
new owners.
Can the city set apart from the general
fund $10,000 for sidewalk purposes? Can the
city “pave” property on Avenue C with good
sidewalks for “B.” on south Flores street?
Can the city issue bonds to borrow the ten
thousand dollars to construct sidewalks, and
provide a fund to pay the interest, at 8 per
cent per annum on the bonds, and a sinking
fund to redeem the bonds? We think not.
The only mode laid down by the charter in
this case is clearly one; that is by compelling
the owners of the lots to construct sidewalks,
or construct them, and if the results of at-
tempting to enforce the ordinance are not
satisfactory we can only console ourselves with
the reflection that we have exhausted the
powers given us by the legislature, what they
may do under the police power of the charter,
is another matter.
In all proceedings the delinquent lots are
alone chargeable with the cost. The sidewalk
in front of city property must be maintained
out of the general fund.
The city cannot pay out of the general fund
for sidewalk construction in front of private
property, and then recover the amount by a
general tax on the people.
The New Year Celebration.
The New Year receptions were somewhat
extensive, not so general as usual; but there
was no lack of general hospitality, all enter-
tained cordially. Guests and visitors seemed
well satisfied and all was well.
There was only a partial cessation of busi-
ness, and even that was not general. The
streets were very quiet and orderly, and there
was less drunkenness and the moral aspect of
the day was decidedly better.
There was a large attendance at the Casino
to witness the Fay Templeton performance of
“Olivette.” At the Turner Hall the Teutonia
gave a well arranged dance. The floors were
specially waxed and the chairs were arranged
at the side for the resting of the weary dancers.
The dances were arranged as follows: Grand
march, waltz, quadrille, schottische, danza,
waltz, polka, lancers, redowa, danza, polka,
schottische, quadrille, lancers and ladies’ waltz,
and so on.
The gentlemen were handsomely dressed, and
among them we noticed Messrs. Flores, Marie
Lacoste, Wolf, Lockhart, Guerguin, Quintana,
Burgstrom, Hauff, Heffel, Mr. Louis Giraud,
Mr. Ingles, Shein, Mr. Joseph Dwyer, Dr.
Carson, Mr. John Meunier, Mr. Froboese, Mr.
Raphael, Garcia, Crawford, Neindorff, Ander-
son, Drunie, Montes, Villareal, Rosemer,
Marucheat, Mrs. Thad. Smith, Captain Smith,
Mrs. Leal and Mrs. Casta. Dancing was kept
up till about 5 o’clock, when the party broke
up pleased with the result of the evening.
The appearance of the New Year has been
well celebrated. Let us hope it will be equally
prosperous to us all.
Fresh Oysters.
Hot coffee and rolls, at all hours, at Roberts,
Grange Block, Houston street.
THE LATEST FOLLY.
The Race for Long, Pointed Finger Nails—
How the Operation Is Performed.
From the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Dainty little nail cases have become fashionable at present, and are even seen among wedding gifts when the instruments are mounted in gold and silver. One given last week was made to order in Paris, and included a button-hook and glove buttoner. Like all the other pieces, the handles were of ivory studded with small turquoise, and the Russian leather case was lined with turquoise blue satin.
Nowadays, if you go to call on a young lady early in the morning, ten to one you find her lolling back in an easy chair, with her rosy finger-tips immersed in a finger-bowl of scented water (the first step in the process), or else, chamois polisher in hand, carefully and laboriously rubbing her nails with a fine pink powder that eventually makes them shine like diamonds.
The other day, having a desire to write up the process, I visited the establishment of Mrs. P., and it was there I was impressed with the growth of the new fashion, being asked to make an appointment three days later, owing to the rush of customers. I noticed that only ladies were present, and when I commented on it Mrs. P. showed me a small office entered from the back of the house, where were seated some gentlemen, one a Congressman from Virginia, all looking rather shamefaced at being there.
“They have not the courage to be seen entering,” said the manager, “so I had to arrange a sort of back door. A great many gentlemen come here, notably ministers and actors, as in their respective professions they are given to using their hands freely, and like to have them as effective as possible.
“Then fashionable young men have taken up the idea, and many of them are regular customers, and pay so much a month to have their nails taken care of. My two most famous patrons are a Brooklyn preacher and a Washington politician and orator.”
“And how about the ladies?”
“Oh, you can see for yourself;” and the manager took down a blank book in which were inscribed the autographs of her lady patrons. Among them were the names of several well-known actresses of stock companies, and of an American prima donna. Amusing to relate, the list of matrons was longer than that of young ladies.
But to the point. When my turn came I sat in a row with five other ladies, in the easiest of arm chairs, and with damask napkins in our laps. Finger-bowls of stained glass, on plates of painted French china, filled with tepid water perfumed and containing an acid to soften the skin, were given us, and solemnly we sat and soaked our fingers for fifteen minutes.
At the end of that time an “operator,” on a low stool, seated herself before me, dried one hand, posed it on a pin-cushion, and with an instrument quickly scraped away all the soft skin and half the nail; then she filed it into a point at the top and clipped the sides with sharp scissors; then she rubbed a red salve over it, wiped it off, and proceeded to polish it with the diamond powder, using the palm of her hand until the nail fairly glistened, and finally warm water, Castile soap and a soft brush left it clean, smooth and shining.
The process was repeated on every finger, and in half an hour, for the sum of $1.50, was finished, and the result was ten pink and brilliant weapons of defense, so sharp and pointed as to suggest the advantages of peace. The fashion of wearing these long and pointed nails has become so exaggerated that it necessitates long-fingered gloves, and extreme care to keep them from breaking off.
West Point Cadetship.
All applicants for the appointment as a cadet to fill the present vacancy at West Point Military Academy from the 6th Congressional District of Texas are requested to appear for a competitive examination, to be held at the Central school, rear of Vance House, in the city of San Antonio, on the 24th and 25th days of February, 1882, commencing at 9 o’clock a. m.
The applicant receiving the favorable report of the examining board for such appointment will receive my nomination therefor. Particular attention is called to the following qualifications:
“The age for the admission of cadets to the Academy is between seventeen and twenty-one years. Candidates must be at least five feet in height, and free from any infectious or immoral disorders, and generally from any deformity, disease, or infirmity which may render them unfit for military service. They must be well versed in reading, in writing (including orthography), and in arithmetic, and have a knowledge of the elements of English grammar, of descriptive geography, particularly of our own country, and of the history of the United States. The person appointed must be an actual resident of the district or territory from which the appointment is made.”
The person recommended for appointment from the competitive examination should forward to me his full name, exact age, giving date of birth and place of “permanent abode,” to enable me to make out his nomination in accordance with the requirements of the War Department.
All newspapers in the 6th Congressional District are requested to publish this notice. For further information address W. Rote, chairman of Board of Examiners, San Antonio, Texas.
C. Upson,
M. C. 6th District, Texas.
Mr. Healy has no right to the title of “Honorable,” usually prefixed to his name in this country. The fact of being a member of the British House of Commons gives him no title beyond the appendix M. P. (Member of Parliament). Judges’ and peers’ sons alone have the title of “Honorable.” Privy Councillors, whether members of Parliament or not, are always styled “Right Honorable.”
MEXICO.
Matias Romero, Mexican Minister at Washington—Two Marine Arsenals Contracted For.
City of Mexico, January 2.—It is stated that Hon. Matias Romero has been appointed Mexican Minister to Washington.
Gen. Naranjo assumes the portfolio of the War Department to-day.
The American firm of Wexel & DeGress have contracted with the Mexican Government for the erection of two marine arsenals, one at Campeche and the other on the Pacific coast.
AN HISTORICAL ACCIDENT.
The Lincoln Murderers Exhumed.
From the Boston Traveler.
As a newspaper correspondent I had occasion to visit the old Capital Prison in Washington in February, 1869, to witness the exhumation and rendition to their respective relatives and friends of the remains of the conspirators in the Lincoln assassination. President Johnson was about to go out of office, and he issued an order permitting Christian burial to the bodies of the five persons implicated in the death of Lincoln—Booth, Mrs. Surratt, Atzerodt, Payne and Herold.
They had been buried in ammunition boxes of common pine wood, six feet long, two feet wide and two feet deep. When the lid was lifted from Booth’s coffin his face was perfect, with the exception of a small hole about the size of a dime in each cheek. His hair was in as good condition as if he had just come out of a barber shop. In taking out the body to place it in a handsome rosewood coffin supplied by his mother, Mrs. Booth, of Baltimore, the head dropped off from the body. Not so with Mrs. Surratt. Her face and form were perfect, and she looked like one in a happy, dreamless sleep. Her head adhered to the body in the process of transfer. Payne’s body was greatly wasted, but Atzerodt’s was the worst of all; for when the army blanket that covered his remains was lifted up, it revealed a shapeless mass of blackened bones and ashes with a bald and separated skull in one corner.
Talking of this matter of the Lincoln assassination, I remember asking Andrew Johnson one day, when we were traveling through East Tennessee, at a time when he was running for Congressman-at-large against Horace Maynard and Frank Cheatham, why it was he did not pardon Mrs. Surratt. He was in a communicative mood, and he said:
“The true history of that case has never been told. It was represented in the papers that I refused to see Annie Surratt (the daughter of Mrs. Surratt) when she came to the White House the morning of the execution asking for the pardon of her mother. The fact is that I never knew it was Miss Surratt, because a man named Muzzy, who had general charge of the White House, came to me and said that a crazy woman was downstairs and wanted to get in and see me, and she wouldn’t give her name, but was crying and tearing her hair, and exhibiting all the evidences of insanity.”
“Would you have pardoned Mrs. Surratt,” I asked, “supposing you had known better?”
“I might have,” he replied, in his bluff way; “she didn’t do the shooting, but was accessory to it.”
Col. A. F. Williams, of Oakland, Cal., who has returned from a prospecting tour in Alaska, reports that the country is not as thickly covered with timber as many suppose, but considers it a good mineral region, and describes the success of many miners in the extensive plumbago districts.
Two iron steamships are to be built at Cramp’s shipyard, in Philadelphia, to carry anthracite coal to San Francisco for C. P. Huntington, of the Central Pacific Railway. The company owns mines at Port Carbon, Pa. The steamships will be 350 feet long and have 3,400 tons capacity.
The State Treasurer of Pennsylvania makes a good exhibit of the finances in his annual report. The receipts from taxation of corporations show an increase of $345,000, and without any taxation of real estate he has paid off $1,250,000 of floating indebtedness. He estimates that for the current year the receipts will exceed the expenditures by $1,000,000.
Go and examine carefully the pictures taken by N. Winther with the instantaneous process before having your picture taken.
Readjuster’s Budget.
Clark and Brackett, Tex.,
January 1st, 1882.
Editors Evening Light:
Col. A. L. Hough, of the 22nd Infantry, has returned from San Antonio.
Dr. Cooper, lately returned from Mayer’s Spring, exchanges station with Dr. Harner, now at Del Rio.
Capt. Randlett, 8th Cavalry, commanding at Del Rio, made a flying trip to Clark on the 29th ult.
Lieut. Hodges, 22nd Infantry, left for San Antonio last Friday.
We learn that Lieut. H. H. Ketchum, 22nd Infantry, was lately married at Syracuse, N. Y., to Miss E. L. Peck, of Buffalo.
Lieut. Roper, 8th Cavalry, arrived back from Washington yesterday.
Mr. Adams, overseer of schools at Fort Clark, has returned from a recreative visit to Devil’s River.
The recruits for the 8th Cavalry arrived last week, Lieut. Guest in charge.
Upon being asked to sit down, now they reply they’d as lief stand up, as they have been sitting down-tity-down all day.
“Miralda” will be presented by the Dramatic Club next Tuesday evening.
The 8th Cavalry string band played at Uvalde last Wednesday night, and by the happy smile on the face of the chief when they returned, I concluded that “by cat!” they must have been “waited on first.”
Look out for Karigan’s ball for the benefit of the church.
Hospital Steward Martin soon leaves for McIntosh.
Dr. Koontz died at Speares’ ranche last Tuesday morning of pneumonia. He had come in from Devil’s River as a witness in the Piggott case.
Mr. Charlie Geilhard, collector of customs at Del Rio, gave us a call yesterday.
Call at Piggott’s saloon and see how nice Tommy looks since he cut off his whiskers.
The hop at the Courthouse on the 26th ult. was, to use the familiar good old words of the News tautologist, “a very enjoyable affair,” and we hope the one to be given to-morrow evening will be “allee samee.”
The Courthouse in Kinney’s capital, through the kindness of the authorities, is used for various purposes. For instance:
To-night its walls echo to hymn-singing and prayer,
A scene which in Brackett is considered quite rare!
To-morrow the judge has the seat of the pastor,
And Justice prevails because Robinson’s master;
An unfortunate pris’ner takes the place of the deacon,
And strangers enquire, “Is that Bartlett or Beacom?”
Then you will learn that some traveling show
Has permission to vend stale jokes it may know.
Where the jury did sit they’ll place wings for a stage,
And a drop curtain fall where Stewart does rage.
’Tis evening again—there’s a dance in the hall,
The bar, dock and benches are piled ’gainst the wall;
Justice, avaunt! let Terpsichore reign;
To-night we’re her subjects, may her rule never wane.
Morning once more—hush! Death has the sway.
Men silently stand in the light of the day;
’Round a table on which a corpse is reported—
“Found dead!”—coroner’s verdict, ’tis reported.
Now you see, my dear LIGHT, by above little racket
To be observed with the Courthouse at Brackett.
I am so as to be about again, which is strange, considering the severe attack I received from the Fort Clark News. What “ye editor” wishes I now perceive is simply flattery, similar to that “Semi-Occasional” gave him in the Quill. That tickled him so that he’s been searching for him (Semi) ever since; says he wants to give him an “editorial kiss.” “Semi” is sorry he said anything. Although our Dave is responsible, it is evident one of his intellectual (?) hangers-on raked up that “rare ripe” article that was intended to sound “taps” for Readjuster. To the naked eye they resemble veracious, studious young gentlemen.
The fact of the matter is this: he is vexed because I can secure items he fails to obtain until they become stale; these he kindly dubs “imaginative items.” He doubts my veracity, which means that I lie. I thank him for the compliment—far superior to any he can expect to receive. He has two curious tales to unfold; “Ergo” is one—____ is the other. Dave wags his tails fiercely at times, and don’t mind who he hits, and more times the tales wag Dave. But then they consider themselves waggish fellows anyway; so let them wag, and remember—
There’s many a hidden snag
In the way of an amateur wag.
I content myself with the fact that I have accomplished a miracle in working up “ye editor.” “He that was dead is alive,” as his paper proves. I thank him for donating the half a column which was to crush his true friend, Readjuster.
Chas. Hummel & Son, dealers in fire-arms, ammunition, etc., have just received the largest and best assortment of breech and muzzle-loading single and double guns in the city, such as Colt’s, Parker, Baker and Remington’s new model, and all kinds of English makes, which they offer at very low prices. Please examine our stock before purchasing elsewhere.
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