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W&t ?j)?ilt?t0m Jails jfefeg, VOLUME X.-NUMBER 2179. ' CHARLESTON, THURSDAY MORNING, JANUARY 9, 1873. EIGHT DOLLARS A YEAR7 A LIFE FOR A LIFE. THE HASHING OE FOSTER FOR THE MURDER OF PUTNAM. The Story of Ute Crime and It? Penalty -The Uw'i Rayente After tne Law's Delays-Foster's Family Exiled by His Crime. [SPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE NEWS.] Nsw TORT, Friday, March 21. Tbe drama which was played out here to-day % to its tragic end bas more than a local or tem? porary significance. A3 tbe great metropolis 6 ta uti s in the estimation of the American people as tbe representative city ot the country, so Its example will have an Influence over the length and breadth of tbe land. Red-handed orlme everywhere will feel that society le awakening to a sterner appreciation ot HB duty to itself. To-day's act was the culmina? tion of the struggle between lawlessness and law, and though the former bas flourished un? checked until good men were almost in de? spair, Justice bas secured the final triumph. The story of William Foster, the "car hook murderer," ls as lol lows: THE CROIS. On the 27th day of April, 1871, the citizens of New York were shocked lo learn from the mernina papers that a gentleman, well known In business circles. Mr. Avery D. Putnam, floor merchant, at No. 69 Pearl street, and re? siding at No. S Cottage Place, had been mor? tally assaulted by a man named Willi tm Fos? ter, the night, before, on a car of the Broadway and Seventh avenue line. It appears that Mr Putnam was an acquaintance of a Madame Duval, a fashionable dressmaker at No. 762 Broadway, and on this evening had consented to escort her and one of her daughters, a young lady in her teens, to a ball In the upper section of the city. The party entered a car and took 6eats In the forward part. On the front platform was a man named William Foster, who had been a conductor on this line, but who was now riding as a passenger. He had been drinking hard during the day, and at this time was noisy and quarrelsome, alisa Du? val, lt seems, was a pretty girl, and ber ball costume being In rather showy colors ehe was well calculated to attract the impertinent at? tention of any one rendered brutal and reek less by liquor. As soon as Foster noliced her hs glued his face to ihe car window, and for some minutes leered persistently. As she showed ber annoyance by turning her back he deliberately pushed open the car door and continued his Insolent behavior. Mr. Putnam ot once arose and quietly bul firmly closed the door. Foster opened lt again, and this opera Hon was repeated 'several times, Mr. Purnim closing and Foster opening the door each time. When the car reached Thirtieth street FOSTER CAME INSIDE, and with an oaih exclaimed, that he bad paid bis fare and bad as good a right to a seat as any one. He thrust himself Into a place next to Miss Duval, and behaved In a brutish man? ner, making a' kissing noise with bis lips and pushing bis feet against ber. She got up and changed places with Mr. Putnam, who was thus brougbt beside the ruffian. Foster then said to Mr. Putnam : "Say, what'athe matter with you V . "Nothing is the matter with anybody but yourself," replied Mr. Putn-im; "it ls evident yon bave loo much bad rum down you." Foster took no notice at first of the reply. Then he asked, suddenly : "How lar are you going op ?" This question was repeated several time? but the patient and long suffering gentleman apparently feeling how useless lt would be to have a row with a drunken man lu a s'reet car, declined to say anything further and lurfied away. Finally, Foster arose and going out to bis former place on the front platform, exclaimed : <' Well, I am going as far as you go, and be lore you leave this car I will give you bell." He asked the driver for the car hook, which ls a piece of Iron about two feet long and an inch and a half in circumference, and ls used for unhooking the horses from the car. He said to the driver : "I'll learn bim (meaning Putnam) bis bus! ness when he gets off. Til learn bim to keep his place." Mr. Putnam pulled tbe strap at the corner of Forty-Blzth street, and got out at thc . ear platform, the ladles following. At the outne Instant Foster seized the car book, telling ihe driver, who tried to stop him, to "go to hell," Jumped off la front and ran around the outside to the rear of tbe car. Mr. Pumam was in the act of helping Mrs. Duval to alight. THE FATAL BLOWS. Foster struck bim twice on th? head with the weapon in bil hand, and Iben disappeared Mr. Putnam fell to the pavement insensible Amidst the terrified cries of the ladlee, be was borne to the nearest statlonhouse, wbere be laid for several hours In a stupor. The police Burgeons examined the wound, and pro noir ed lt to be a latal lracture of tbe skull Tne dying maa Was subsequently taken to St, Luce's Hospital, and lingered until three o'clock, on tbe morning of the 29th instant He revived sufficiently to make au an te mor? tem statement, In which he fully Inculpated Foster as bis assailant. In his la?t mome?le, be was attended by h's wife and his only eon, aged thirteen years. Before the latter had arrived, the dying man, who had not spoken foAours, asked feebly, "Where ls Sydney ?" The boy came Imo the room, and gblng to the side of the bed took bis falber's hand and kissed lt. Tbe attendants fearing that the scene would overcome bim, advised bim to retire. Hearing the request, the dying father, too tar gone to speak, now raised his floger and beckoned the boy to return. Hands were clasped, and with a peaceful emile on his face, Avery D. Putnam passed away. The murdered man was a native ot Worces? ter, Mass., and was forty-six years old when he came to his untimely end. He had amassed considerable wealth In his business, and was regarded by his associates with esteem and confidence. His wife was a Miss Ellen L Smlth, of Providence, R. I. TBE PURSUIT AND ARREST. Wbea Foster fled he made his way to the residence of his father, No. 302 East Twenty fourth street. He was tracked there by the police, who at first had some difficulty lo ob? taining admission. By making the inmates believe they were his associate conductors, they got in. Mrs. Foster opened ibe door; the officers passed in and went up stairs, wbere toey found Foster sitting in a chair, asleep. They awoke him, and telling him that one of the drivers was In trouble, got him to accompany them to the street, when they told him what they wanted of him. He re? marked, "Ton have got the wrong man. I know who did lt, bat I would stand ten years before I would squeal." He was taken to the ttatlonhonse and locked up. rOSTER'8 ANTECEDENTS. jf The stories about Foster's antecedents are somewhat conflicting. Bev. Dr. Tyng, in hlB appeal io the governor tor a commutation of Foster's sentence, deecribed him as a young man who had been familiarly known to him from childhood. "He (trew up in ihe Sunday school and congregation of my church here, added Dr. Tyng;" he was always a qul9t, In- j dustilous boy-he grew up an Industrious | and well behaved young man-he has never been a bad man or a drunkard." Mr. Jobn Foster, the father of the murderer, wrote to Governor Dix: "No act of my son's life gave any Indication that under any circumstances would be be led to commit an act of vio? lence." These favorable accounts from Fos? ter's Iriends, however, were contradicted by the man's Intimate associates. They described him as oce who had abandoned himself lo a Hie of dissipation. His lather, who ls a per? son Of means, bad made every tffort lo re? form bim, and had several times started him In business-once being In the livery busi? ness. He had, however, become disgusted J with him, and refused to have any more to | do with him. FOSTER'S LIST tPREE. Foster got a situation on the Seventh avenue and Broadway Line as conductor. On the Monday night preceding tbe murder be asked to be excused from duty, saying he was | golDg to a ball. He was again at the office or | the company on Tuesday, but was not allowed to run his car because he was Intoxicated. From tbut time until Wednesday night be was continuously drunk. He bad a wife, who ap? pears lo be an estimable woman, and four I Hule children. His family was a very respec? table one, and one of his uncles was a man of j large wealth. Wm. Foster was the "black sheep" tl the family, and like most human "black sheep," comes to a shameful end.; Tbe trial began on the 15th of May following j the murder, in the Court of Oyer and Termi? ner, before Judge Cardozo. Distrlot Attorney Garvin appeared for the peoplp, and ex-Judge Stuart and Mr. B irtlelt for tbe prisoner. Six days were occupied in empanelling a Jury, the theory under the New York law belog that no citizen who has formed a previous opinion ot the guilt ot the prisoner ls eligible lor Jury? man. A crime so widely known as Foster's rendered it difficult to procure twelve unpreju? diced men. The case, however, opened on the 23d instant, and tbe verdict of gullly, with a recommendation to mercy, was rendered on the 25th. The scene In court on tbe latter oe- j easton was pnlnlnl. Mrs. Foster, who was present, cobbed in a piteous manner. Foster j did not manifest a great deal ot feeling. He j showed some nervousness and hung his head for a moment, aDd that was all. THE SENTENCE. On the next day, however, when Foster was brought up for sentence, his demeanor was diff?rent. He seemed to be Impressed with tbe seriousness of his position. He was very nervous, and his poor wile, who clung to his side, sobbed throughout the proceedings. When Judge Cardozo asked him what be bad to say why sentence should not be pronounc? ed, he said: "I had be?n drinking a good deal that day and n'gbl; I had no Intention of killing Mr. Putnam-." Here be broke down, weeping bitterly, and then resumed: "I did not know at the time wbal I was doing." He was sentenced lo be banged on UteJUih ol July. 1871. Early In July the friends of Foster were \ Btirrlng, and an application for a commuta- j tlon to imprisonment lor life was made to Governor Hoffman. On the 6th Instant a writ of error was filed and a stay of proceedings grant? d by ihe Supreme Court. The case was not reached (or eight months afterwards; Fos? ter ljlnz in the Tombs in the meantime. On the 21st of February tbe Judgment was affirmed at the general term, and Foster re? ceived bis second sentence lo death-the 22d of March being the time fixed for execution. Ing?nions counsel, however, succeeded In procuring another stay ot proceedings on tbe 11th of March, and for ten months longer the case was left In doubt. It was argued In Jan? uary lost before the Court of Appeals, and Judgment was again affirmed, and the 7ib of I March appointed for the execution. Governor | Dix granted a reprieve for iwo weeka, and that time expired to-day. TH H STRUGGLE TO SATE FOSTER'S KECK. Ever since the commission of his crime, Foster's friends have labored incessantly to get him clear. When thar hope vanished, ihey endeavored to procure a commutation of bis punishment. The wealth of the lather, and noi a lillie ot the means of ihe olher rela? tiv? s, have been lavished to bave the family from the disgrace wbich Impended. A power? ful effort was begun about six weeks ago to Influence Governor Dix, and the community at large, in favor of a commutation. Affidavits from a majority of the Jurors were presented, declaring lhat some ot their number did not j believe that Foster Intended to kill Putnam, ap 1 that ihey would not have agreed to render a verdict of murder In the first degree If they had not been assured by one of their associates, who professed to have a knowledge of the law, thit such a verdict, accompanied by a recommendation to mercy, would Insure a commutation of Ihe sentence. Supplement- J lng these affidavits were letters from Bev. Dre. Tyng and Walker, testifying to the previ? ous good character of the condemned, and opinions from such eminent lawyers as Wil? liam M. Evarts, Judge Davis, Judge Leonard and Hon. Abraham B. Lawrence, to the effect lhat Foster's crime was not murder In the first degree. Many prominent citizens signed a recommendation for mercy, the father of the pt isoner made a pathetic appeal, and two physicians testified that II was doubtful whether Mr. Putnam's death was really occa? sioned by the blow from the car book. MRS. PUTNAM'S INTERCESSION. The moBt effective of these paper?, however, was a letter written by Mrs. Putnam, the widow ol the murdered man, imploring mercy for Foster. Probably no such enginery was ever before brought to bear upon an execu? tive officer in favor of a prisoner. What made Governor Dix's position particularly distress? ing was, that while he was debatlog this mat? ter In his own mind, he received ihe news of the death of a lavorite son in Europe. And the lather ol William Foster etood before him pleading for his sou's Hie. But the Governor was a Boman. He decided to let the law take Us course, and gave bis reasons therefor in an admirable letter to Bev. Dr. Tyng, which met wltb the commendation ol the great majority or the people of New York. Tne papers, like the Sun, which had espoused the cause of Foster, kept up their fire upon ihe Governor until the day ot execution; and there were many sympathizers on ihe streets to-day who angrily bestowed upon tbe Governor the title ot "Hangman Dix." THE LAST DATS OF EARTH. From the moment ihe Governor's decision became known, FoBter resigned himeelftohis fate. He bad evidently been very hopeful of | a commutation and waa terribly disappointed. During the last few days he received visits irom bis lather and his reverend friend, Dr. Tyng. and would spend several hours In son-1 versaiion with them. His faithful wile, el lu black, waa always with him, and twodepi sheriffs wero near by to prevent him fri doing any violence to himself. When not < gaged In talking, be would sit behind ; large stove in the prison corridor, with head bowed and his arms resting on bis kne ant thus bury himself lu reflection. * Wednesday he bad his photograph taken. . day yesterday bis wife and friend? were wi bim, and during the day Dr. Tyng had a lo Interview with the condemned man who f npon the seat behind the a to ve In the corrld with his bead bowed down and covered wi his hands. His counsel made one more effi to obtain a brief stay of execution by appe lng to different Judges of the Supreme Coi upon teohnical grounds, but this proved failure. Sheriff Brennan visited Foster at fl o'clock to ask li he bad any suggestions make regarding ttn arrangements for t morrow, but he only asked that as few peor a9 possible might be allowed to witness 1 death. THE PARTING WITH HIS WIFE at eight o'olock waa deeply affecting. Wb< the deputy sheriff informed her that the Un had cime she turned deathly pale, and aft trying lu vain to control ber emoilon, she bur Into tears and exclaimed, " Qood bye, darlln This ls our last good bye." The next momcrj while tbe two were clasped in each ethel embrace, Mrs. Foster swooned and was es ried away by her brother. Foster fell bat upon his bed, burled bis face In his plilow ac wept long and bitterly. He then sat alone I his cell, absorbed in bitter meditatloi until two o'olock this morning, whe he went to sleep and slept . souni ly until awakened by the keepei at seven o'clock. Then he was quite unnen ed, and il was evident that bis ptiyaici strengtb was fast deserting bim. Rev. Dr Tyng and Walker arrived at eight o'cloct Foster was then sliting on the bed, weak an trembling, dressed In a black frock coat, blac pantaloons and a black vest buttoned up t the throat. He refused all food at first, bi took a cup of coffee, which, however, he In mediately vomited up. The sheriff a?ke him, "Are you 6lck ?'' and Foster replied "No, but very nervous." When Dr. Tyng ai rived be bad a private interview, durlD wblcb Foster begged bim to watch over hi wile and children, and Dr. Tyng, who wa affected I J tears, promised that he would Foster afterward asked for a Hille brand; but lt was denied. THE SCENE OF THE EXECUTION. A few minutes before nine o'clock, a fore of deputy sheriffs marched from ihe City Hal to the Tombs, and took up their position li the Jail yard. This ls a narrow courtyard surrounded by the lofty walls of the mal prison on ibe west, the female prison on th south, and the Tombs Police Court build in; on the east. Across this courtyard, at a dis diaiaoce of about eighteen feellrom the pave ment, is the "bridge of sighs," across wblct prisoners are conveyed from the Police Cour to the main prison. A strong cordon of polie bad already been stretched across the yard almost under this bridge, to keep bael the spectators, of whom about one hundred and filly bad been admit? ted on black-edged tickets Issued bi the sheriff. The scaffold, which baa been li use at ibe Tombs for some years, and on whlcl twelve murderers have already been banged consists ol two upright beams, eleven iee high, with a cross-beam about fourteen feet li length, all painted a dark drab color. In itu centre of the cross-beam ls a bole tbrougl which the rope was passed, the free end lerml nating in a small Iron ring, while Ihe otbe end passed behind a temporary board fenct which concealed ihe executioner and tbt heavy weights which were attached to th* rope, but upheld by a second rope until thi signal should be given for tbe latter to be cu by the keen hatchet which the executione: held In his band. 1HB WALK TO TUE GALLOWS. At nine o'clock the sheriff said, "William the lime has come, and ibis hos got to be. Bf a man and brave it out." Foster bowed bli bead and said, "I will." His arms were thei pinioned by cords passed around then above ihe elbews and behind his back, leav lng the fore arms and hands free; a blac? silk cap was placed on his bead, but noldrawi down so as to cover fie eyes, and the noose was placed loosely around bis neck. The pro cession then formed and marched loto thc prison yard, the expectant crowd exclaiming, "Here he cornea I" First came Foster, support ed by Sheriff Brennan and Under Sheriff Joel 0, Stevens; next, Rev. Drs. Tyng and Walker and Rev. Mr. Schoonmaker, chaplain of the Sing Sing prison, and then the deputy sheriffs, with their batons and shields covered with crape. These formed a line fronting the gallows, and all hats were doffed. Foster was unshaven, his hair was untrimmed, and bis face wore a deathly pallor. The sheriff walked wllb bim until tb' j came under tbe fatal beam, then he placed ni n with his back to the prison and hie face to the throng, and fell back. Dr. Tyng and Dr. Walker then began the service for the dying used in tbe Episcopal Church, Dr. Tyng reading the service while Dr. Walker recited the responses. Tnese prayet* occupied seven minutes, which seemed us muny boura to the spectators. Foster stood with his bead bowed, and with his left he.nd shading his eyes, as well as his pinioned arms would allow. He trembled visibly, and at length his emotion increased so greatly that the sheriff FEARED HR WOULD FALL, and stepping forward io Dr. Tyng, he said: "Doctor, you must cut ibis short." Then passing to Foster, he said: "FoBter, I tbougbt you would stand this like a man." FoBter bowed bis bead lower, but made no reply. Inclosing his prayer, Dr. Tyng laid bis band on Foster's shoulder, and Bald In. a deep voice, "Amen " Ihen pressing bis hand, he exclaimed, "God bless you, my brother," aod all fell back. A depuiy sheriff then drew the black cap over Foster's eyes, adjusted tbe noose, and fastened the snap at tbe end of the noose lo Ihe ring hanging from Ihe rope. As the sbarp click of the steel was heard a great shudder passed over Foster'B frame, he trembled violently, and bis body swayed io and fro as though be would have fallen. At this Instant Under Sheriff Stevens gave the prearranged signal to tbe executioner by placing bis hand in his bosom. There was a second's pause, Iben a dull thud waa heard as the axe severed ibe rope which held tbe weights, and Foster was suddenly Jerked up into the air until his bead almost touch'd the cross beam, and then dropped like a lump of lead until his feet were about three feet from the earth. His neck waa In? stantly broken, but the feet moved spasmodi? cally and tbe fingers clenched. After this lhere was no struggle, and the body Bwayed io the light wind, elowly turning lo and iro, for nearly five minutes. Then a slight shud? der was perceived, and ALL WAS OVER. The drop fell at eighteen minutes past nine, at twenty-nine minutes past ure was extinct, and at forty minutes past nine the corpse was gently lowered from the gallows into a ma? hogany casket bearing no plate or Inscription whatever OD the lid. The lace'looked natural, the eyes were tightly closed, and a few drops or blood trickled from the mouth, but there was no perceptible disfigurement. The sheriff empanelled a Jury o? InqueBt, and a verdict of deatb from asphyxia was rendered. The cof? fin was afterwards removed (rom tbe Tombs by Poster's relatives, the yard was cleared, and the Immense mob which bad assembled on Centre street gradually dispersed. There Is much excitement In the city to? day and great sympathy for Poster ls express? ed. Newsboys are flying about with extras containing the details of the hanging, and selling them by thousands. During the exe? cution the prisoners in u Murderers' Row " in the Tombs were very quiet Stokes was cheerful, and told the reporters that he was sure of a new trial and an acquittal. George Francis Train said : "The difference between Dix and Foster ls tbat Foster, while drunk, killed Putnam, and Dix, wolli sober, killed Poster." Several papers oon?femn Dr. TyDg lor holding so long a service at the gallows. He promised that be would not be longer than half a minute. During the services Foster must have suffered the agony of a hundred deaths. AN EXILED PAllILT. Several ot Foster's relatives sall Tor Europe to-morrow. It ls said that Mrs. Foster nnd her three ohlldren will accompany them. NTH. THE CHARLESTON AND SAVANNAH STEAMSHIPS. The great success and unequalled popularity which the superior steamships employed on the New York and Charleston lines always enjoyed placed them, we had supposed, so high io the estimation oi the business and travelling public that even the spirit of detrac? tion arlBlng from a sharp competition would refrain lrom an attempt to take away their high character. With a record ol favorable voyages unequalled by any but the lamons Cunarders, they certainly m\y ba considered as above any lasting Injury from misrepresen? tation. These remarks are drawn forth by the character of an article which appeared In an obscure publication known as the Grocers' Prices Current, and which was copied by a Savannah Journal. It ls headed "A Hint to Travellers," and represents that an English gentleman, connected with one of (he Euro? pean steam lines, entered a New Turk Insur? ance office and said : "A party of 113 are going to Florida, and we wlBh to take the salest and best boat. Will you pleaae tell us, slr, the comparative rating of the -Charleston and Sa? vannah steamers ?" After the books bad been consulted, lt ls said, he and his family "con? cluded to take the Savannah boat, and did not afterward regret their choice." The unavoid? able conclusion of the uninformed public would be tbat the Savannah steamships rated higher than the Charleston boats, and were consequently safer and belter vessels. We can say, after some Inquiry, that this conclusion bas DO basis In fact, as both lines, on the books of the underwriters, run from 14 to 14, and are all considered safe and staunch ships. This unfair attempt to lessen the high repu? tation of the New Tork and Charleston steamers cannot but recoil on the heads of the Inventors, and gives reason to suppose that tho cause which requires such measures for Its support ls rapidly losing patronage. The public may rest assured that the agents and proprietors ol ihe New York and Charleston steamships intend to keep iheir boats up to the highest slate of efficiency. THE COURTS. Court of Common Pleas. The conn, was occupied with the case of Catherine brackley vs. the Anons Insurance Company. The taking of the testimony was concluded, and the arguments were com? menced. The case will probably be decided to-day. Trial Justices' Courts. Cyrus and John Fraser, colored, were sen? tenced yesterday, by Trial Justice McKinlay, to thirty days in Jail, for beating Edward White, colored, and cutting him OD the should? er with a rock. John Fraser displayed much reluctance lo go to Jail, and made several un Buocesslul attempts to escape while being carried thither John W. Bennett, for assaulting and resist? ing a policeman, was bound over for trial be? fore the Inferior Court. Benjamin Campbell and Joe Gorden, col? ored, for attempting to rescue a prisoner from a policeman, were also bound over for trial. Mayor's Court. Romeo Smith, William Alston and James Wood, for petty larceny and breaking win? dows, were sent to the House of Correction for ten days. Michael Buckle, lor lying drunk in the street, and abusing the police, was fined one dollar. The case of Slrus Fraser, colored, charged with acting disorderly and assaulting a companion, was referred to a trial justice. James Brown and John Fraser, colored, for disorderly conduct, were fined two dollars. William Gadsden and Daniel Scott, for lying asleep in the street?, were sent to the Orphanhouse. HOTEL ARRIVALS-MARCH 21. Charleston. D Tyler,-Bollendorf, New York; C A Laren don, Oeo-gla; Mrs A M Kunkel, Mrs J J Kunkel, child and nurse, Maryland; 0 Wll'lamB, Philadel? phia; Mts T w DeForest, Kew Haven; Mrs l ucas, two children and nurse, N Wltander, New Yon ; J Q wilson, Mrs J F (.'ake, child and nurse, the Mises Cake, J B Bagley. Jr, Washington city; Jas Phelan, California; F W Mitchell, L Lillie, New York; C P Fd ward?. New Jersey; K M Cay lor, Sa? vannah: Maj :r-General McDowell, j H Jones, U S A ; S D Doar, W N simons, sumter; Wm Beach, J F Reynolds, Kew York; H Hale and lady, St Paul; li A Bodlne, New York; R H Barnwell, Bean fort; W Graham, Augusta; F La?joy and lady, J H Brt?lin and lady, Miss B Breslln and mud, Mise F Landon, M J (J'lurn, New York; T W Leary, Baltimore; C L eovel, Springfield, L W Gregory and lady, Berlin, Conn; Mrs 'j hum, Miss T Yoormeselle, Philadelphia; J H McAllister and lady, St Paul; C D Dickey, New Yerk; W H Lord, J W Coburn, J ll Symonds, tost?n; j p Howard. Pavilion. M M Graham, Lee's; B Greig, Monck'd Corner; WN Jones, Bonneau'*; D Glandlng, Altimore; JCBuier, south Carolina; ST Jenkins. Bamberg; WHeins, Ridgeway; Mrs O H Walker, Augusta; J F Brocklnton, sooth Carolina; J H Earle, sum? ter; E Snowden, Baltimore; W W Cloud, Doko;C Masaengale, Augusta; A Knox, Mount Pleasant; O P Strohlcker, -; S P Matthew.', lady and child, Klngstree; W S Parnell, J W Fohols, Phila. delphla: J c. Lee, sm Uh ford ; L Pauling, Brooklyn; CPiffany and lady, Bristol; S Frannell, lady and three children, Miss Frannell, Ottawa. ERIE'S LAST MISFORTUNE, THE FERRY AND DEPOTS AT JERSEY CITY DESTROYED. News and Gossip from New York Another Probable Murder. [PER SOUTHERN AND ATLANTIC TELEGRAPH.] NEW TORE, March 21. About noon to-day a fire broke out on Long Dock, Jersey City, where the freight aud pas? senger depots ot the Erie Ballway are located. Tbe whole Ure department of Jersey City was summoned, but the efforts of the firemen were partly unnvallng on account o' the scarcity of water, and Ihe fire soon spread to the Pavonla Ferry House and Taylor's saloon. The IOBS ls roughly estimated as follow?: Passenger depot, $15,000; ferry building, $12,000; ferry bridge, $10,i00; new freight building, $20,000; colton, $40,000; old freight depot, $15,000; lrelght, $50,000. The loss on buildings and slips lalla on tue rail? way company, and tbat on merchandise falls on the shippers and consignees. Erastus Lyman, at one time president of the Knickerbocker Life Iosurance Compaoy, haB been arrested at ihe suit ofthat company, charged wlih me mnonttnn-tao ur ?tn - twenty thousand dollars of Its funds. Judge Faucher held Lyman to bail in fifteen thou? sand dollars. Judge Faucher, of the Supreme Court, to? day Issued an attachment against Austin Bid? well alias F. A. Warren on affidavit in a suit of the Bank of England against him, which charges -.hat McDonald, who was arrested yesterday, and Bidwell urn Implicated ia for? geries whereby the Bank of Eoglaod lost lour hundred and ninety-seven thousand dollars. Chas. Goodrich, a wealthy real estai? dealer, brother of Hon. W. W. Goodrich, waa lound to-day In the basement of one of a row of new brown atone houaea which be had Just erected In D' graw street, near Fifth street, Brooklyn, wltn a pistol bullet wound through his bead, leaving little doubt that he bad been mur? dered, ills watch and pocketbook were gone. The Special Assembly committee, appointed to Invest?gale the affairs ot the Erle Railway Company, commenced Hs session here to-day at tbe Filth avenue Hotel. The greaier part ol the day was occupied lo examining Arch dall O'Dougherly regarding ibe Er.e coup d etat, former ISFUPB ot bonds, <kc. Another Serious Fire. BALTIMORE, March 21. A fire broke out early this morning, in the gentlemen's furnishing and shirt store ol Sirauon &, Haffl :ke. No. 155 Weat Ballimore street. Tue stock was nearly all destroyed. The loss ls estimated at about ten thousand dollars, and ls covered by Insurance. DUSTY AND SANDY COTTONS. We Invite the attention of our Irlends In the oouotry to the following article from the New Orleans Price Current. The excessive supply of dusty, sandy and mixed colton Bent to ibis market, the prosent season, has been the cause of much complaint and serious annoy? ance. Charleston, alike with New Orleanp, Memphis, and other markets, has suffered greatly from this evil : One of the principal features nf the markel, as Indicated by our cotton report, ls the ex? cessive supply of these dusty and sandy cot? tons. Moreover, lt la not New Orleans alone thal suffers Irom ibis evil. Ii prevails ai Memphis and other markets aa well, and baa been caused no doubt part ly by Ihe dry and dusty spell during ihe picking season, but main? ly by carelessness in picking. Negro laborers, working on shares, foolishly suppose t::at the heavier ihe colton, Irom sand or dust, the greater will be ihe returns, when ibe contrary ls the case. Every dollar ot increase by weight IR offset by two dollars In the diminished market price. Of the 125,000 bales uow unsold In inls market, a con? siderable portlou consists ot cotion which cannot be disposed ot unless at a concession of 2c. per pouod from ihe ruling rates for clean cotton of Ihe same grade. In these cases lhere la a net loss of 12} per cent, in prices, or $9 per bale, against a gain In ad? ditional weight equal to not over li per baie. So lar as these considerations may Induce more careful handling next season, they will be of the mosi Importance when Ihe picking season approaches, but lo ibe meaniime, lo prevent disappointment, the maller should be fully understood by planters and couniry mer? chants. An Interior shipper, wno 18 confident lhat bis cotton should class here as ordinary or good ordinary, and from our market quota? tions ls led to expect 15* il5jc. if the former, or 18jal8ic. If the latter, ls dissatisfied with returns ol I3i illc. in the one case, or 16$al7c. in the other. And yel he constantly urges his factor lo sell. The factor finds the cotton dusty or sandy, and lo effect a aale ls willing to make concessions of Ji.jj. per pound, but can find no buyer wno will give lt a moment's allen Hon at such fig? ures. His constituent again advices bim to realize, and he ls Iben willing to give way ja lc. per lb. Still no one will loucb ll. Again comes a letler more emphatically urging him to sell, and from showing the table when bro? kers visit bis cotton room, he buttonholes them on the street and In tbe Exchange, offer? ing bargains, but even when lie consents to a reduction of 2c. per lb. lie finds very few who are willing io louch lt. The constant, reply Is, "we have cabled to Liverpool, offering to put such cottons tree on board at 7d., and received ihe prompt reply, 'not wanted.' We have cabled to Havre wlih no more success." Oc? casionally, tempted by ibe low price, a buyer will come forward and take 50 or 100, or per hap-i as much aa 200 balea, on a basis of He. for what, if lt were cleao, would be ltic. oolton, but tbe demand la lluilied, and lo force Bales le simply Impracticable, unless al ruin? ous ooncesaioos. Our friends In tbe country musr. iheretorp, be prepared to receive very unsatisfactory accounu-sales, but Ihey must blame their own carelessness^ the negligence or Intentional Iratid of their laborers. In ibe meaniime ihe accumulation of such cottons presents not only au intolerable load for fac? tors lo carry, but drags down the entire mar? ket. We have had serious thoughts of giving two sets of quotations-one for clean cotions and the oi her lof'dusty. In their efforts to unload their excessive supplies of the lat ter, deters endeavor to work ihem off gradually lu mixed lists, but with very little success. We have beard of colton losing 100 lbs per bale and more, Irom dust or sand. Indepen? dently, moreover, ol'ihe check to the move? ment by nus!v aud aandy cottons, lt is also re ?t rielen by the exceselve supply of Ihe lower grade?, Including low ordinary, ordina? ry and good ordinary. Ail of these are neg? lected und slow ol sale, and cannot be forced off except ai. liberal concessions. f THE WEAT DER THIS DAY. WASHINGTON, March 21. Probabilities tor Saturday : IniheWeBtern Gull Slates there will be a rising tempera? ture, southerly winds and cloudy weather. IA the Elstern Gulf and Kouth Atlantic States weeteilv winds and parity cloudy and clear weal her. For the Ohio Valley and Middle At? lantic coast general cloudy weather, clearing during Saturday evening, with cold northwest and easterly winds lor me lower lakes. For New York and New England rising barometer to-brisk westerly winda and cloudy weather. For tbe upper lakps and the Northwest, fal? ling barometer, followed by southerly winda, wlih somewhat higher temperature Cautionary signals continue at all stations on the Middle and East Atlantic coast. They will be displayed at the lake stations Irom and after April let._ SPARKS FROM THE WIRES. -The strike on the St. Louis, Kansas and Northwestern Railroad la over. _The government has prohibited the ex? portation of war material to Spain. -James MoBbeny, the wife murderer, was haDged at Boston, yesterday. -Bark Josephine, for Buenos Ayres from Boston, with a cargo of wool and hides, has gone to pieces. -There has been a serious run on the Bait Lake Cliy National Bank. All demands, how? ever, are promptly met. - The steamer Jane Lolson, from London for Pniladelphia, ran ashore In Indian Biver Inlet, D.laware. The captain's wile and daughter, together with the first and second mates, and two seamen, were lost. "KEEP TO TBE RIGHT." This rule of Ihe road, which ls aa old aa the hills, and as necessary as the road Itself, does not appear to be recognized in all its impor? tance by the pedestrians who throng the side? walks of our eily, and the result is sometimes awkward. It 1B an axiom of physical science that no two bodies can occupy the same space at the same time, and lt was Jim Fisk who chronicled the fact that "you can't run two engines on the same track, If they're going to meet." So with two persons approaching each other on the sidewalk, though lhere may be plenty of room for both, and each may have the most amiable willingness to let the other pass on either side he wishes to, yet, as neither knows the exact intention ot the other, they oftentimes have recourse to an awkward chassez movement by way of experiment, and skip wildly from side to side for some seconds, to the diversion of the by? standers but to their own unspeakable em? barrassment. Al this Is to be avoided by the very simple rule of the road above mentioned, aad it Is obvlouB that If one always keep to the right he must always be about right, and T"m. ..... . mmm? llnM tretemps that we have felt lt a duty lo write about. BULWER AND HT? WIPE. The Story of their Marriage aad their Misery. Edward Bulwer Lytton, aeys Appleton's Journal, seems lo have combined, In charac? ter and good fortune, all that, as men are apt to suppose, produces earthly happiness. Tet Bulwer was far from being a happy man, even In the giddy eminence of bis youth; and nts old age was spent In morose seclusion, which Indicated lhat permanent gloom had settled down upon bte soul. Casting a glance back along his remarkable and really romantic ca? reer, but one cloud seems ever to have cast a shadow upon it, and that was the cloud which lay always between sunshine and home. Bul wei's separation from his wife, and the open, and public, and long-continued quarrel which succeeded il, were certainly well calculated to embitter the most flourishing worldly good fortune. Hu appears lo have met the young lady who became lils wile at ihe house of Hiss Spence, an odd tittie malden lady, at whose maim,OD, in Little Quebec street, Mayfair, a select literary coterie was wont to assemble weekly. Mies Spence had written, In con Junction with ihe iuture Lady Bulwer, a novel called '-Dame Rebecca Berry," and was noted for her pleasant chitchat and for the high, old-tasbloned turban she always wore. Bul wer's appearance as a literary lion caused Hiss Spence lo invite him to ber conversa? ziones; and there be became familiar with If, Indeed, be did not for the first time be hold-"ihe beamllul and gifted Rosina Wheeler." The Whartons say of this brilliant young Irish lady: "To a perfect beauty of lace, with her magnificent figure, she added great wit, great liveliness and power of ap? preciation." Bulwer himself, at this time, was "a luir young man nf aristocratic ele? gance, full of wit and laney." His annehmest for Miss Wheeler soon became passionate, and lt seemed as cordial a love match as Lon? don society had seen for many a day. She apparently worshipped his goulus, he her beauly and wit. They lived together for several years In ap? parent tranquillity; bat, from what bas since transpired, lt ls clear that very early in their wedded existence domestic dissension arose, and that their home life soon became positive? ly unhappy. What the causes of disagreement were ls not more definitely known lo the world than thOBe ol toe Byron troubles; but the lady, at least, spared no pains to lay her side of the unhappy story before the public. A woman of undoubted courage and spirit, as well os beau? ly, Lady Bulwer did not shrink from making lier quarrel willi the baronet a public one, bul continued lor years to manliest, lo various ways, her utter detestation of the husband whom she declared Rhe had "loved deeply and devotedly tor years." As long ago as 1819, but a very lew years after their dual separation, she began her pub? lic assaults upon bim by the publication of ber lamons novel of "Cbeveley; or the Man of Honor," which was boldly issued under her own name of Lidy Lyllou Bulwer. This de? scription ot what was plainly Intended to be, under the gulBe of flotlon, the picture of tbe interior of a r-jal fashionable English home, Is ample evidence of Lady Bulwer's literary genius, and sufficiently refutes Lady Mor? gan's "seml-wlt" insinuation. Its portrayal of character, Its Intensity ol' feeling, Its force of language, its descriptive power, mark ber as a genius almost able io compete with ber husband in the field of fashionable romance. The authoress leaves us In not a shadow ot doubt that Lord de Clifford is Bulwer, and Lady de Clifford herself. The "straight, stiff, obstinate brown hali" of the former; Dla nose, which "was so aquiline that if lt bad appeared on paper, Instead of on a human lace, lt would have been pronounced a caricature;" his "rag bag" of,mind; the description of him as a "Caligula in bis clemency, and Draco In bis displeasure," betray tne exaggerated like? ness of the husband by ihe Indignant wile. Nor were the charges made against the novel? ist detailed less explicitly than the snape of his nose or the stiffness of bis hauteur. In effect, Lady Bulwer accused her lord of having a violent temper, with personal bru? tality, and of the far more serious crime of conjugal infidelity. She virtually acknowl? edges that a Just jealousy on ber part, fol? lowed by retailatlou against that Jealousy on his. was the real bottom of the whole diffi? culty. The novel also gives Ihe evidence ol the lady that the husband at one time ac? knowledged his guilt, and begged to be for? given; that he was so forgiven, only to trans? gress worse than before; and that thereupon she left him forever. "Cbeveley" did not stop Bhort with presenting as repulsive and luridly painted a picture ol Bulwer and ol their domestic relations as ever was drawn. Something might be held to be excusable, ll not Justifiable, lo a wife who certainly thought herself verv gravely lojured, In exposing lo a gossiping West Ead world her story ol the separation; nothing whatever could palliate the literary castigation of the husband's rela? tives and friends. More than one bitter thrust ls dealt to Mrs. Lytton-Bulwer, the novelist's mother, a lady who was revered und honored by ail who knew her; and lt ls hluted lhat she bad something to do with the ill terms of the young couple. Lady Stepney, an author of reputation, and a lady of spot? less character, ls unmercifully satirized, and Lord Melbourne ls treated with as short a courtesy. The sting of the book was in the unques? tionable aolllty, and it waa long the talk of the town and ihe club. Bulwer, with rare good sense, refused io aoswer lt; nor ls lhere a trace ol a caricature ol his wile lo be found in any of his subsequeDt novels. But Lady Bulwer did not rest ber case with "Ctieve ley." For yearn after Its appearance she was active lu denouncing ber husband; endeavor? ing to casi ridicule upon his works, and to defeat his political aspirations. Within the memory of men not yet in their prime, she appealed at the county town ot Herts on elec? tion day, and did all that a handsome, spirited and bright-wilted woman could do to put bim at, the bottom of the poll, but the power of Knebworth Park waB loo much for her. Bulwer throughout bore these attacks with the dignity of silence, and lt is but Just to say that his lriends were all along convinced that Lady Bulwer'? more serious charges were un? founded, aud that the separation was brought about by her own infirmities of temper. This lll-a?soried union resulted in the births of a son and daughter. The daughter, alter having grown to a graceful and lovely maidenhood, died, lo the intense grlel of both parents; the son lives to bear bis lather's title and ancient estate, and to prolong the literary lame of the Lyttons by the production of Buch poems ae "Lucille." For some ttme alter the separation the children remained with the moiber; sub? sequently-bow ls not publicly known ihey were transferred to the lather's house? hold. -The blacksmith's shop on the plantation of Mr. John S. Richardson, lour mlies lrom Sumter, was burned on the 14th instant. TRAJ?SATLMTIC GOSSIP. THE END OF TBE BRITISH CABINET CRISIS. A Pleasure Trip for the Czarina-Four New Bishops for America. LONDON, March If. Gladstone had formally relamed the reina or ge ver o ment. In s> recent speech DUraell closed with these words: "I regret that there may possibly be some of my supporters io the , House who may be dissatisfied." [Load cries , " of "No I Nol"] McDonald, the alleged bank forger, has beea ~-. resigned to the sheriff, who held civil process against him. McDonald's plunder ls lu oas* tody. _ _ ST. PmRSBrjRO, March 31. Tne Empress has gone, to Florence, ea . route to Southern Italy, for her health. i [PEU BJCTHBBN AND ATLANTIC TILKOBATH.] " " , ROM?, March 2L His Holiness, Pope Plus Ninth, to-day nomi* - nated three American bishops to represent the Catholic Church io tbe United Stales, to be located as follows : Bishop Corrigan, at New? ark, N, J., Bishop Oros?, at Savannah, Gs?, and Bishop Lughars, at Vancouver's Island. t- wi m ' tx i rta Decision of the United States Supreme ; Court as to the inability of the South Carolina Railroad to Taxation. The following is the text of the decision of : the United States Supreme Court lo the case. of the Clly Council vs. Branch, delivered Ult Monday: The City Council of Charleston. Stephen Thomas and George Addison, appellants, vs. Thomas Branch, John P. Branch, Frederick ; B. Scott and Thomas P. Branch, as Branch. Sons & Co. Appeal from ihe Circuit Court ox ihe United States lor the District or Booth ' Carolina. Mr. Justice Bradley delivered the 1 opinion of the court. ThlB case ls precisely similar to the last, ihe property lazed being situated In the city ot Charleston, and ihe bill being filed to re- ' Btraln ibe city Irom collecting, and tbe oom* pany from paying, the taxes levied on said properly. The principles laid down in the preceding case muet be applied lo this. All parts ot the road and property formerly belonging to Ute South Carolina Canal and Railroad Company, , and all appendages and appurtenances thereof, are liable to taxation ; whilst all property ac- 1 quired by the South Carolina Railroad Compa uy directly under tts own charter, and tor ., purposes connected wlih its original road, Is . exempt from taxation. Prima lacie the rail? road terminus and depot in Charleston, sod . ibe oroperty accessory thereto, belong to the South Carolina Canal and Railroad Company portion of the Joint property. Bot If lt can be fairly Bbown that any or the company's i properly in Charleston, claimed to be taxable, ; ; waa acquired by the South Carolina Railroad Company lor tbe accommodation of the busi? ness belonging to Its original roads, or for the ? Joint accommodation of the entire system of roads under Its control, such property will, pro tanto,^nd In fair proportion, be exempt from taxation. Tbe decree must be reversed, and the record > remitted io the Circuit Court with direoiions io proceed in conformity with this opinion. A STEP TOWARD SPECIE PAYMENT?. Senator Fenton Wants a Currency Com? i vertible Into Gold. (FSB SOUTH BBS AND ATLANTIC TELEGRAPH.] WASHINGTON, Maroh SI. Io the Senate to-day Mr. Fenton offered the following resolution, wblob he asked to bi printed and laid over: 1 Resolved, That the committee on finance bit i directed tu Inquire what measures can ba adopted by the government which shall gi vu io ibe country a currency convertible Tnt a gold at the option of the bolder, thu?securlDr greater stability In tbe exchanges of trade lu the work ot production and Investment and In the compensations ot labor, and to report by bill or otherwise at the next session. The outstanding legal-tenders were forth** increased to-day by pavm*>ato from treasury department tu tne amount ot upwards ol one million two hundred and filly thousand dol? lars drawn irom tbe reserve fund of the treas? ury. The nomination of James E. Muletead, as collector of customs at Yorktown, was sent to tbe Senate to-day. Miss Van Low was con? firmed as poBtmlBtresa at Richmond. The confirmation of Clark, postmaster ot Savannah, was reconsidered to-day. This, lt ls thought, will break the back of the Georgia ultra ring. _ _ . . COMPARATIVE COTTON STATEMENT. ? fl .4 ; , NEW YORK, March 21. The following Is the comparative cotton s tata ment lor the week enalng March 21, 1873 : 1878. 1873. Receipts at all ports for week. 74,809 87,708 1 Receipts for ihe year to date...2,944,6*0 2,404.sta . Exports for the week. 89 6X8 ?6 8M Exports for the <year to date.. 1,744,006 1,479.8? Stock at all U. a. p rta.. 642.19T 446,711 stock at interior town-, (leas Uontg.mery). 101,318 7T.6M Stock ut Liverpool. 007,000 079,000 American afloat for Oreat Bri? tain. 270,000 303,000 , JOTTINGS ABOUT THE STATE. -The new county auditor ot Lancaster, Mr. Wm. McKenna, has filed his bond. -Florence ls rapidly Improving, many houses having been erected recently. -Shade trees are being planted In the streets of Anderson. -Greenville ls still pegging away at that cotton factory. -An election lor a new council comes off la Darlington next mooth. -The dwelling, barn and stables of Elijah Robeson, of Darlington, were burned on the 16th Instant. Loss fitteen hundred dollars. -The new county courthouse lor Richland, which ls now constructing, will be a strik? ingly handsome edifice. -Mr. Carawel), tbe temperance lecturer, Ia, figuratively speaking, taking the upper conn? ues by Btorm. -Mr. J. M. Watson, formerly of tbe Char? lotte (N. C.) Observer, has taken charge of ihe Bock HUI Lantern as publisher and tocal editor. -Mr. John Hugh Marsball, formerly of Ab? beville, but lor several years past a resident of GreenvlUe, died at the latter plane on Wed? nesday of paralysis. -Mr. James Jenkins, formerly of Raleigh, N. C., but for tbe last fifteen years a resident ol Darlington, died on Tuesday morning last afier a short Illness. -Judge T. J. Mackey bas purchased from Colonel E. T. Atkinson the properly situated on York street, In Chester, and known as the Kennedy place, intending to make lt his fu? ture residence. -The Farmers' and Mechanics' Association of Anderson met on ihe 16th Instant. Seventy two shares oi stock were represented. Toe election of officers was held wlih the following result : B. F. Crayton, Esq., president. Dlrec toH-E. G. Boberts, W. W. Humphreys, W. J. Llgon, J, W. Norria and B. F. Whitney. Jas. A. Hoyt, secretary and treasurer. -lc ls reponed that Judge T. H. Cooke, of the Eighth Judicial Circuit, ls closing op all the bar rooms lo Anderson, Oconee and Green? ville Counties, wbich do not conform to what la known as ihe Tupper law. This is a law which has remained on the Btatute books oi the State for many years, but bas been practi? cally a dead letter, for lt was nevar executed. Ii provides tbat no one shall keep a bar ex? cept be has a certain number ot beds and ac? commodation for horses-tn short, unless be keeps an Inn. Judge Cooke, lt ls said, Ignores licenses Issued by town or olly corporation?, and holds each vender io an account under the Tupper law. OUR SOUTH ATLANTIC NEIGHBORS. Georgia. -A cotton pool has been started at Co lU? A monument to tbe Confederate dead of Richmond County ls to be erected In St. Jamee'a Churchyard, Augusta. -Tbe augusta schuetzenpiatz ls being beau? tified by ibe planting of shade trew ?nd . erection or a dance hull, which Is to be finish? ed about the first of May.