The Anderson intelligencer. (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, March 21, 1878, Image 1

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BY E. B. MURRAY & CO. ANDERSON, S. P., THURSDAY. MARCH 21, 1878. VOLXTtl-NO. 36. ."HARDY SOLOMOH'S CLAIM." FIFTH CHAPTER ON THE BOOF. OF FEATJDS. ? _ . A Bing of Political Pirates In the Baiting ?Ba*lne???lirposnre of de yraudulont Operations?Money, Prorlslom and "Whis? key Doatt Oat by tho Wnola.salo?A Bank Hcc?lver Substitut** a Bead Man's S ame. The Joint. Investigating Committee on Public F rauds have submitted the follow? ing additional report: Among the remarkable frauds perpe? trated against the State, that of the South Carolina Bank and Trust Company should not be overlooked. On the 29th day of October, 1873, a bill was introduced entitled "A bill to make appropriation to pay the claims of the South Carolina Bank aJ^d Trust Com? pany." which provided for the payment of claims amounting to the sum of one j hundred and twenty-five thousand dol? lars. The itemized schedule furnished by Hardy Solomon, President, ettab liihed corjclusivelv that only the bum of 5103,865.71 was due the bank, and that | a large number of claims on this sched? ule were of a doubtful character. This I bill was referred to the Committee on "Ways and Means, of which committee the notorious Bowley was chairman, lipon this bill there were majority and minority "reports. The minority report contained, amongst others, these objec? tions : "That; the wording of the bill was so obscure and indefinite, that it wan im- j possible to separate the principal from the interest; that the terms ot the bill required and directed the Treasurer to make, a distinction in. lavor of these claims as against all others, which is at ence illegal,, unjust and odious; that; the passage of this bill would bo to give an unjust and unfair preference to a power? ful corporation, when it is a well known ? fact, that the aakriea of school teachers who have kberod for a mere pittance, School Commissioners, Judges of pur Courts, County Auditors, clerks of dif? ferent depavtraents of Sfcate and many members of your honorable body remain-' unpaid for months,'and in some instances for years. As a still more grievous fact, it is" known, that $200,000 of the appro? priation for' public schools for the years 1871-2, and a large portion for 15i 2-3, remain unpaid." The presentation of suc h considera' ions availed absolutely nothing, and under the leadership of Bowley and the persua? sive argwnent? furnished by Hardy Solo? mon, the House was induced to pass the bill. . Sr. The evidence before your committee j indicates, that the same 'cogent reasons influenced grave and reverend Senator* J to voftrin favor, of this thinly disguised | fraudem it is noir known-that the hank j referred to was inaugurated in fraud, sup? ported by a ring of political, pirates com? posed.of. Chamberlain, Scott, Parker and other State officials, and exhibited during: its existence a series of corruptions ana robberies unknown in the history of any other corporation. It was through this disgraceful channel that thousand;. Of dollars worth of fraudulent pay certifi? cates and "armed force" orders .found their way into the State Treasurer's office and were paid, Whilst honest claimants were turned away heart-sick and dis? gusted. At the time the bill referred to was un? der consideration, it was well understood that this 7Tu>zt secure bank could not exist ?'vithont aid. It is not surprising there? fore that the bill was passed by the ex? penditure of $80,000 by way of bribes, absorbing more than two-thirds of the entire-amount of the appropriation; Of this there can bo no doubt, for with an amazing effrontery the books of the bank iihow the fact under the entry of "legiala ,tive expenses." The time for the failure of this bank had not arrived iu the interest of the ling. The passage of the bill afforded a - brief relief, and when the auspicious oc? casion arrived, its failure oame with over $200,000 of the money of the State and a -large amount of school and county funds on deposit, with as worthless a Jot of assets as were ever rendered in a court of insol? vency. To this failure we shall refer hereafter in a separate report. We are concerned now only to present the por? tions of the evidence showing the method and means by which this iniquitous meas? ure was fastened upon the people, and a I special tax was levied upon them for the payment of the claims embraced by it. It will be observed that a small por-1 tion of these claims were valid demands .against the State. These-were, however, ] .in a large measure subsequently abstrac t ed from the bill, and paid by the State Treasurer but of other funds, in order to I Eve place' to over-twenty thousand dol rs of fraudulent pay certificates manu factured for the occasion, so that certain "State officials might secure their share of | "gratification." Prince R. Biverstestifies, that he "vo? ted for the bill; met the -members" at a caucus; Hardy Solomon was there and spoke in the caucus; the next -night the members were to meet him there, and he was to see them separately. He offered me $500; that amount he afterwards paid me at the bank, in city bills. Sperry, of Georgetown, invited the members to meet Solomon at caucus. I think I met Keith and Humbert, of Darlington, at the bank." Keith testifies that he was paid ?5C in city' bills, ('and <aSbut $50 in groceries. Butler Spearej-'a' member ?rCm~Sumi;er, received goods amounting to about $120. W. W. Bamsay, a member from same county, testifies that he " vas paid $100 to support the bill, and payment was made first by a certificate of deposit be? ing given him; afterwards the certificate of depocit was paid in cit -bills and gro? ceries." ' * ? James Young, a member from Laurons County, testifies that he "voted for the claims, and received about $30 in city of Columbia bills." R. S. Tarlefon, member from Colleton, testifies that he voted for the bill and was | paid $50 worth of groceries, among them one barrel of molasses, chipped on .the South Carolina Railroad and Charleston and Savannah Railroad to his home. . Hastings Gantt testifies that he "voted I for the bill and received a paper calling for $70.00. (This was a certificate of deposit.) Solomon wanted him to take groceries for it,- which he refused, but | discounted the paper at'Mr. Love's sfore, under the Wheeler House." David Graham, a member from Edge field, testifies that he "voted foe the claim, and received a certificate of de? posit for $100 iu consideration of the vote." Paris Simkins, * member from Edge field, testifies that be "received about $200 in groceries for supporting the :fl25,000 claim." A. Simpkins, member from Edgefield, testifies that he "received, in considera? tion for supporting the bill, a certificate of deposit in his (Solomon's) bank for $250, which was paid in city mcney." Charley Simma, member from Chester County, testifies that he "voted for the bill called 'Hardy Solomon's bill,' and after it was passed went to the bank, and Hardy Solomon gave him thirteen dollars in city money, aud said that he bad no more, but that I could get provisions at j bis * tore, and asked me what I wanted. I told him I wanted some flour and meat. He then went with me to his store, and I got a barrel of flour, 100 pounds of meat and a gaHon of whiskey. That was what I got for voting for Hardy Solomon's bill." John Dixon, ? member from Orange burg, testifies that he voted for the bill; that Senator James L. Jamison, of his j county, made an arrangement with Solo mon for him and received a check for him;"that he o-.-eu Jamison and paid, bint iu that way; thinks it was aoout $100. Abram- Dannerly, of Orangeburg, (es titles that he "attended a caucus held in the interest of Hardy Solomon's claim. After the discussion, the members were invited one by one into a private room. I went in my turn in the room. I found | Hardy Solomon, and no one else was i present. He said if I would vote for his bill he would give me $100. I voted for it. After the bill passed, I went with others down to Hardy Solomon's bank:. The crowd went there just like when the members went to get paid on their pay certificates, and he gave money to the different members without making much secret of it. He gave me $60 m city money; he did not give me any more, though I asked him twice afterwards for the balance." John Yanderpool, a member from Charleston County, admits in his evi? dence that he "voted for the passage of Hardy Solomon's claim, and Mr. Solo? mon, in consideration thereof, paid to me the sum of $100, as well es I can re- j member." N. T. Spencer voted for the bill, and | in bis evidence says: "After its paraage, I I got the valce of $300 from him {Solo-1 mon)?not in money; part of it was goods from his store." J. J. Grant says: "I voted for the bill, bnt did not get anything for it. I don't thine I even went to get anything. On reflection, I think I got some things from the store?liquors and cigars. Mr.*Solo? mon may have regarded this as a favor for supporting his bill" ' J. C. Tingman, member from Charles? ton, says he "voted for Solomon's claim, and was paid a small sum of moduy and some goods from the store." R. A. Tomer, member from Charles? ton, says he "voted for the bill, and was promised $800 by Mr. Solomon, but was i only paid a little over $100." J. T. Gilmore testifies as follow*: "I was promised $250 by - Solomon to sup? port the bill.- I voted for it, and received a certificate of deposit for that amount on the bank. I traded the certificate to John Lilly for four cows." Senator Jarod Warley testifies that he voted for the bill; that he was a member of the House at the time, and received $100- in'payment from Mr. Zealy, on Hardy Solomon's order." Samuel Green, Senator from Beaufort County, in bisevidence, says: "Ivoted for Hardy Solomon's claim (was a mem? ber of the House at the time). James A. Eowley, member from Georgetown, and Chairman of Committee of Ways and Means, told mj that I could get $?00 for concurring in a favorable report on the bill to pay the claim. I concurred in the report I had nothing to do with Mr. Solomon nntil after the bill passed. Bowloy then referred me to Mr. Solomon. I saw him and he agreed to pay me, bnt did r.ot pay it then. Afterwards he gave me about $200, and said he had no more money then. The remaining $300 was paid for horses purchased of Mr. John Long." Representative Riley, of Orangeburg, testifies that he was paid to support the "bill." Senator C. L>. Hayne, of Aiken, admits in his evidence that be "was paid through a certificate of deposit $575 for his sup? port of Hardy Solomon's claim, and that it was placed to his credit in the Sooth Carolina Bank and Trost Company." Lawrence Ciin, Senator from Edge field County,' testifies that "at first he was opposed to the bill; that Senator Jervay, of Charleston, waited on Mr. Solomon in reference to the bill in bo half of himself and other Senators, and reported that he (Solomon) was willing to pay the party $5,000 and no more. Finally it was agreed that a party of as should receive for oar support of the bill the sum of $5,000. I received of this sum a little more than $600. There were eight of us?myself, Senator? W. R. Jervey, W. E. Johnston, Moses Martin, J. H. White, C. D. Hayne, F. A. Clin? ton and Dublin I. Walker. I am satis? fied these are the parties." W. B. Jervey, Senator from Charles? ton County, says: "Hardy Solomon sent for me to examine his claim.. I went to the bank, was shown the claims, and was asked to support the bill' for their pay? ment. I, told him (Solomon] I would give him' an answer. I asked State Treasurer F. L. Cardozo what he thought of vhem. Cardozo told me they were all right and that the bill would pass whether I voted for it or not, so I went up to Hardy Solomon's with Car? dozo and told him I would vote for it; he told me he would help me in return. Cardozo asked him what he thought he could do for me. He said he did not know positively; that his pile had run down pretty low; that be thought he could divide $5,000 between four or five of us, (or perhaps he said eight of as,) which would give each of us about $625 apiece.. Some time after the bill passed he gave me a certificate of deposit of the South Carolina Bank and Trust Com? pany for about the amount stated above, Baying that it would show that I had that amount deposited in the bank. I took the certificate and transferred it after? wards to Geueral Gurney for a debt I owed him. I think that Senators Law? rence Cain, J. H. White, F. A. Clinton and D. I. Walker, were among the eight referred to above." Moses Martin, Senator from Fairfield, says that he "voted for the bill and re? ceived from Hardy Solomon $500 in con? sideration of the tame." Senator Gaillard testified as follows : "I was offered $500 to support the bill, but refused to accept it. Before the final adjournment of the Legislature, Senator Nash told me that Hardy Solo? mon said .1 was a man, and that I had stuck to my word, and that he would like to make the friendship of a man like me. and would deposit something to my credit. Nash also said I had better see Hardy. I saw him and he told me he had placed the sum of $500 to my credit at bis bank. I drew the money on my check." S. J. Lee in his evidence says: "At the session at which the claim of Hardy Sol? omon passed. Hardy Solomon discovered that be could obtain a portion of it out of a different appropriation, amounting to something over $20,000, and desired the vacuum to be created in the $125,000 by the withdrawal of the claim to be thus otherwise paid, to be filled up by the issuance of pay certificates. I was then Speaker and attended a consultation to determine how the matter should be ar? ranged. Hardy Solomon, F. L. Cardozo, R. H. Gleaves, and I think Gov. F. J. Moses, Jr., and myself were present. It was agreed that about $20,000 should be withdrawn from the $125,000, and the vacuum thus created to be filled up by the increase of pay certificates by Gleaves and myself. I recognize the following certificates issued by Gleaves and myself to fill the vacuum referred to above: No. 149, in favor of B. M. Pat terson, for..$2,950 50 No. 150, in favor of P.D. Smith for. 8,875 00 No. 151, in favor of S. J. Wells, for. 3,474 00 No. 152, in favor of P. M. At? kinson, for.. 1,780 00 No. 153, in favor of C. T. Lee, for. 1,478 60 No. 154, in favor of M. E. Car? ter, for. 1,230 60 No. 155, in favor of G.T. Bran? son, for..... 1,535 90 All these certificates were issued with? out any consideration and are fraudu? lent. They were-all ante dated. This $20,000. was to be divided between Car dozo, CHeaves, Moses, H?ge, and myself. Cardozo said at the consultation that he would take Hoge's for him. House cer? tificate, No. 564, for $4,960.23, in favor of H. C. Hawkins, is a fraudulent certifi? cate, and was given by me to Hardy Solomon to go into his claim, and I re? ceived from him $5,000 for my services j in connection with the claim, which were Elaced to my credit in the South Caro na Bank and Trust Company. Thc bank books corroborate Lee in this state? ment. Ex-Governor F. J. Moses testifies in reference to the claim: "A schedule rep? resenting the character and amount of the claim was laid before the Geaeral Assembly; a large number of claims grovided in the bill were withdrawn by olomon and collected out of the de? ficiency tax, and certificates issued in fictitious names by Gleavea and Lee; that he (Mosesl received $7,000 of the amount; that the idea of withdrawing the lawful claims and substituting pay certificates was talked of on two occa? sions in his office, and thinks the first time Cardozo and Solomon were present: the second time Cardozo, Lee and Gl eaves; the two latter agreed to issue them and Cardozo to pay them." Mr. Lawrence N. Zealy, cashier o ' the bank corroborates the above ctate menta aa to the withdrawal of and sub? stitution and collection of the fraudu? lent paper for. the honest. We cannot more fully exhibit the frauds and bribe? ry connected with this transaction than by appending Mr. Zealy's evidence en- ] tire to this report aa showing that ten Senators and twenty members of the House were bribed or paid in certificates of deposit. The silent testimony of the books of the bank speak more conclu? sively tbau all-other witnesses. One fact ascertained by reference to these books deserves mention. These books at one time pissed into the custody of Comp? troller General Thomas C. Dunn aa re? ceiver of the bank. His name appeared in the list of persons who were the recip? ients of certificates of deposit and charg? ed under the head "Legislative Expen? ses" for $800, and was erased there rom and the name of Joseph Crews, then I dead, appears to be written in its place, in the .handwriting of Dunn. The fact was discovered by reference to the cor responding entry in the deposit book, and it beyond question. If the name then substituted bad been fictitious, or of a living person, theie would have been sonnuch to redeem the total depravity of this transaction. As it; is, indignation is fatigued beyond expression. Joist Investigating Committee, Columbia, 8. C, Feb. 15,1878. L. N. Zealy, being tworn, depose* on oath as follows: I was acting cashier of Che Sooth Carolina Bank and Trust Company in the year 1373, when the act I to make appropriation for payment of claims of said bank was passed. The accompanying paper (printed) contains a list of the claims submitted to the Leg- ] idature iu connection with the bill (ex-1 hibit marked "H. 6. B.") When the appropriation act afoiesaid had been I passed, some of the claims' mentioned id the list aforesaid were paid ont of the ''deficiency" appropriation, and other claims not included iu the list aforesaid were substituted and paid under this special act. The following were paid out of the " deficiency;'' appropriation : Comptroller's warrants dated April 2, 1873, in favor of John B. Dennis, Nob. 115,116,117, for $5,000 sach ; Comptrol? ler's warrant dated June 17, 1873, in favor of N. F. Walker, superintendent, No. 219, for $500; salary orders on State Treasurer, two of them drawn by Judge E. B. Carpenter for $1375 each, one by Judge Thompson H. Cooke for $588.28, and one by Adjutant General Purvis for $?25. The following claims not provided for or mentioned in the lisi; aforesaid were paid out of the appropriation under this sp ecial act: joint pay certificates dated de? cember 17, 1872. No. 152, in favor of P. M. At? kinson, for.$1,780 26 No. 153, in favor of C. T. Lee, for.. 1,478 60 No. 154, in favor of M. IS. Car? ter, for. 1,230 60 No. 155, in favor of G. T. Brown, for. 1,585 90 No. 156, in favor of J. I>. Mc Pheison, for. 3,928 90 No. 151, in favor of J. J. Wells, ;for. 3,474 00 No. 149, in favor of B. M. Pat nerson, for.-.. 2,950 50 No. 15J), in favor of P. D. I?mith, . j'or. 3,575 50 house certificates. Nc. 163}, in favor of Tiaomas Kingston, dated February 21, 1873 (or 1872) for.$ 500 00 No. 265, in favor of T.S.John ion, dated February 28,1873, lor.._ 500 00 No. 264, in favor of H. C. Harkness, dated February, 1878, for.. 4,960 23 These claims were not in the posses? sion of the bank at the time this special act was passed, for we : ncluded in the list aforesaid all claims that we had on band at the bank. March 4,187?. Li. N. Zealy, being :recalied, further de po: es on oath as follows: The attention of witneta being called to the following entries on page 57 of Individual Ledger A, under the bead of "Certificates of Deposit:' 1.873?Nov. 20, No. 72, John C. Hopo _,'i84?^500 1873?No. 73, James M. Smith?$1,000. "I do not remember wh it consideration was paid by Mr. Hope and Mr. Smith for these two certificates of deposit. 11 find entries of both of tb ;m on page 584 of Journal B of same date. I also lind entries on page 584 of Journal A of ss.me dato for same sums, and is there are no other sums for same amount in either book of same date, it appears that the latter entries are for the same tram ac? tions. The latter entries; appear under the head of 'Legislative Supplies.' The figures '372' opposite each of these latter en rics, in the first column, indicate that these entries are carried to that pag3 of the general ledger. I find, however, there is no such page in the general ledger. The leaves in tlnjgenerallecger from page 390 to 395 havo been cut out. I do not know who cut them out. I do no, think I have looked tit that part of the general ledger since the bank sus rnded on July 2,1875. I do not think have bad any occasioa to look at it since. I was acting cash ier of the bank at the time of its suspension. I was in the habit of handling the books every day, including the general ledger, and am satisfied the leaves ftom page 390 to page 395 were not cut out at the time of the suspension of the hank. All the books of the bank, including the gene? ral ledger, we handed over to the re? ceiver of the bank two or three day* after. The receiver was 1\ C. Dunn. I think I gave him the key ? myself. I do noi know of my own knowledge what was meant by'Legislative Supplies.' Mr. Solomon, tbe President of the bank, di? rected me o open and keep an account of expenses which be termed 'Legisla? tive Expenses/ I know, however, that tbe j.raoun; of those expenses was a clear loss to the bank. The entries on page 584 of Journal A are not in tbe names of Mr. Hope and Mr. Smith, as the entries in tbe other books are. They are in tbe names of 'Sucdry Persons.' written in each case over erasure. I do not recog? nize the handwriting in which 'Sundry Persons' it, written. I am certain the erasures were not made at tbe time I gave up r.hij books to the receiver." The attention of witness being called to tbe following additional entries on Eage 57 of Individual Ledger A, under ead of "Certificates of Deposit:" 1873?Nov. 24, No. 75, Mrs. M. Dora Whittemore?587?$5,000. Nov. 29, No. 77, L. Cain-59J.?$473. No. 78, W. II. Jervey, $600. No. 79, W. E. Johnston, $605. No. 81, W. B. Nash, $4,350. Dec 2, No. 86, T. C. Dunn, $800. "I do not remember what considera? tion was paid by these parties for these certificates of deposit. I find entries of all of the se on pages 589, 591 and 593, respectively, of Journal B, of corres flending dates. In all these cases these utter are in the names of tbe same par? ties, except in the case of No. 86, T. C. Dunn, for $8C0. In that case, instead of T. C. Dunn's name appearing, tbe name of "J.. Crews' appears, written over erasure. I cannot say what was erased, but the nutabcr and the date, as well as tbe amount, show it was the same cer? tificate of c eposit as was entered in In? dividual Ledger A in the name of T. C. Dunn. I do not know wbo made the erasure. Il> was not made at the time I Save up the books of the bank, including ournal ii, to the receiver. I also find entries on corresponding pages of Jour? nal A of corresponding dates for like sums, except the $800, for . which certifi? cate of de-posit No. 86 was issued to T. C. Dunn, which does not appear on page 593; and as there are no other sums of the same nmou at in either book of the same date, it appears that tbe latter en? tries were for the same transaction. The entries appear -ander the head of 'Legis? lative Expenses.' The figures '592' ap? pear opposite each of these latter entries in the first column, and indicate that these entries were carried to that page of the general ledger, but, as I have already said, there is n ) sucb page in the general ledger; the same, with others, having been cut out since the general ledger and the other books of the bank were turned over to Receiver Dunn. Mrs. M. Dora Whittemore, as I understand, is the wife ef Senator. B. F. Whittemore. The de? posits in her name were made by him." (The attention of witness being called to the following additional entries on Jage 57 of Individual Ledger A, under ead of "Certificates of Deposit.-" 1873?Dec. 3, No. 89, S. L. Duncan? 594?$100. 1873?Dec. 8, No. 92, L. Simmons? 598-^40. No. 93, J. Smith, $50. No. 94, John Boston, $125. No. 95, W. A. Grant, $200. No. 96, John T. Gilmore, $250. No. 97, B. H. Humbert, $20o. No. 98, Hastings Gantt, $75. No. 99, James D. Boston, $312. No. 100, Sam Green, $320. No. 101, August Siinkins, $200. No. 102, .51. L. Owens, $200. No. 103, J. D. Eobertson, $100. No. 104, N. B. Myers, $500. No. 105, C. ID. Hayne. $575.) I do not rem ember what consideration was paid by these parties for these certifi? cates of deposit, i find an entry of No. 89, S. L. Duncan for $100 on page 594 of Journal B for December 3, 1873. I also find an entry on page 594 of Journal A of same dale for same_ sum in name of "Sundries" written over erasure, under head of "Legislative Expenses." I find entries of tbe rest of these certificates of deposit on page 598 of Journal B of De? cember 8, 18/3. I also find entries on page 598 of Journal A of same date for "Legislative Expenses," one for$ll,451.11 and one for $60, and both having the figures "392 ' opposite in the first column, indicating that both entries were carried to that page of general ledger already mentioned a? having been cut out, after the general ledger had been turned over with other books of the bank to Mr. Dunn, the receiver. The attention of witness being called to tbe following additional entries on Eage 57 of Individual Ledger A, under ead of "Certificates of Deposit:" 1878?Dec. 10, No. 106, C. H. Sperry? 599?$2,138.33. Dec 11, No. 107, D. Graham?600? $136. Dec. 11, No. 108, M. Martin, $500. Dec. 13, No. 109, F. A damson?602? $100. Dec. 18, NTo. 110, John Lee-606? $222.76. Dec. 18, No. Ill, J. H. White, $398.46. Dec-18, K o. 112, H. C. Corwin, $346. Dec. 18, No. 113, H. J. Maxwell. $1,790. I do not remember what consideration was paid by i;hese parties for these certifi? cates of deposit. I find entries of til of them on pag ? 599, G00, 602 and 606 re? spectively. [ also find entries ou corres? ponding pages of Journal A for corres? ponding datt s for like sums, and as there are no other sums of the same amount in either book of the same date, it appears that the latter entries are for the same transaction. The latter entries appear under the head of "Legislative Expen? ses," and in the name of "Suudry Per? sons" written over erasures. They also have the figures "392" opposite, in the first column, indicating they are carried to that page of the general ledger, which, as I have already mentioned, has been cut out. (Tbe attention of witness here called to page 528 of general ledger.) I find under the head of "Legislative Expenses" the following entries: 1874?.March 5. To amount paid sundry persons...$76,105 34 January 24. To amount from cash file. 5,000 00 $81,105 34 This amount was a clear loss to tbe bank. I find other amounts included in this, charged under the bead of "Legis? lative Expenses," where the names of the parties have been erased, or else the numbers of the certificates of deposit have been erased and where there is no clue as to the identification. Some of these erasures were made at the time the books were turned over to Beceiver Dunn. L. N. Zealy. All of which is respectfully submitted. John R. Coouran, Chairman. Henry A. Meetze, On part of Senate. S. Dibble, Gebhard Muller, J. G. Blue, on part of House. ? A wild Texan boarded the train at Fort Worth for Dallas. It was his first ride on the cars, rind as the conductor reached in lm hip pocket for his puncb, the eye of tbe Texan caught a'glimpse of its polished handle, and quick as thought he leveled a navy six on the conductor, nuying: "Put'er up, or I'll blow dayliglii. through you. No man can get the drop on me. PETER COOPER'S PROJECT. The Institut? at limestone Spring*, South Carolina?Educational Plans. ' It was stated some time ago that Mr. Peter Cooper was arranging for the es tablishroeut of an institution in South Carolina, to be of a somewhat similar character to the Cooper Institute. It was regarded as a mistake. But it now ap? pears, however, that, although the news was premature, Mr. Cooper does enter? tain a design of the kind, and that it is more than probable that he will shortly put it iu execution. Mr. Cooper, some time since, advanced the sum of $13,000 to Mr. G. H. Bomar, who owns a large Sroperty at Limestone Springs, South arolina, taking a mortgage on the prop? erty, with the privilege of purchasing it at any time within a year for $26,000. He subsequently advanced $4,000 more for the purpose of developing some of the natural resources of the land, which leaves a balance of $9,000, by the pay? ment of which the property will become bis. Limestone Springs is near Spar tanburg, on the line of the Air Line Railroad, and was in ante bcllun days a favorite summer resort for Southerners and winter resort for Northerners. The elevation above the sea is about 1,200 feet and the air and water are said to be exceptionally fine. When the place was prosperous it supported a young ladies' college, a hotel, a large church, ccc, but during the war it fell into decay, and after the war Mr. Bomar, after purchas? ing the property for a mere aoug, tried to re-establish the school. Owing to the depression of affairs in the South he was unsuccessful in his enterprise, and find? ing it impossible to carry on the school and keep the property, he endeavored to sell it to Mr. Cooper. Mr. Cooper told the rest of the story himself to a reporter yesterday. He was sitting in his parlor reading a newspaper when the reporter called, and dropping his paper he began at once talking en? thusiastically of his new project, saying that if he found everything about the place to be as it was represented to bico to be, and if he was able to carry out such arrangements as he had in mind, he thought that Limestone Springs would become a sort of new Arcadia in the South. He referred to the great suc? cess of the Cooper Institute and the good done to hundreds of yonng men and women through its instrumentality, and said that in many respects the new establishment wonld probably be made to resemble the Ccoper Institute. "I have got that going," he said, "so that it will support itself when I am gone, I think. It has an income now of about $50,000 a year, and I want to make the new institution, if it is started, a self supporting one. I don't think much of these institutions that have to be sup? ported by begging." He told of a num? ber of instances of persons who had achieved good positions, and of some who had saved themselves from distress by the use of knowledge acquired in the Cooper Union schools, and, said that; he intended to make the South Carolina school one of science and art, applicable and applied to every day life. "That's my idea of a useful education," he said with a smile. Speaking further of the way in which ho became interested in the matter, he said: "The place was once a famous water place, and there was there a college for young ladies. The head of the college, I forget his name, conducted it for sixteen years and educated some 2,000 young ladies and had only one death among them iu all that time. He accumulated a fortune, but when the rebel war broke out he lent the rebels some $70,000. Tbey nsed him up, and when the war was over Mr. Bomar bought the place for a song and undertook to carry on a school there, but everything was depressed as it is. I suppose, all through the South, and he was pressed by bis creditors and finally became anxious to sell for $27,000, al? though I suppose the buildings on the Sroperty could not be put up lor $200, 00. He came to me and I advanced him $17,000. The first advance was only $13,000, but I lent him $4,000 after? ward to build some new lime fcilnii. You see the only place on tbe mountain where the limestone appears on he sur? face is on this property, and they have had some old-fashioned kilns at work there, but now-a-days they make very different kilns from what they used to and he wanted to develop the mine." "I have never seen the place," con? tinued Mr. Cooper, "but what I know of it I learned from a pamphlet about it which was shown to me, and fron what a number of persons have told me who have been there. They say it is a most delightful spot, and the most desirable site for anything of the kind in all .he country around. The climate iu most healthful, and the grounds themselves are beautiful, with a great number of trees of fine growth, large fruit orchards, &c. Then there is a large building erected for a hotel and a brick church capable of seating 500 persons, and ten other smaller buildings. Then it is thought that by establishing an attrac? tion there people will be induced to buy villa sites and erect residences there, to which the Southern people will go to escape the malaria of the lower country in the summer time, while tbe Northern people will go there in the winter as they used to do." "Have you then decided fully to establish this institution?" asked the! reporter. ('Well, it is too soon to say that," said Mr. Cooper, "but I am going down to see the place very soon. I'm going to take my daughter and some others of the fomily wi th me, and I shall go down and find out what the place really looks like, aad what is necessary to be done. Of course you kuow the buildings must be very much out of repair, and will need a quantity of paiuting and other work. A building will get out of repair when it is neglected for fifteen years, as they have been." ?'What do you propose to call the in? stitution, or is it too soon to ask that ?" said the reporter. "Oh, I can't tell that yet. I haven't got as far as that," said Mr. Cooper. "I am going down there, first to decide whether I shall do anything more about it, and then to arrange tbe details of it in case I determine to go on." "It is tiaid that there will be a normal school established in addition to the reg? ular academic course for tbe benefit of those who intend to become teachers. Is that so ?" asked the reporter. "Oh yes. I consider that to be a most valuable department. Teach the young people how to support themselves. The institution mast not only be made self supporting, but the pupils must also. Now in the Cooper Institute the especial value of tbe classes is that tbe students learn what is practically useful to them. Not long ago a lady was unexpectedly reduced to poverty by her husband's be? ing disabled through some injury, and she said that in casting about for some? thing to do in this emergency she re? membered that she had learned how to write stenographicaly in one of our classes. She applied at one of the courts for employment, and now she says she is able to support ber husband comforta? bly." And the kind hearted old geutle man laughed happily at the thought of this result of his favorite institute. "It is also said that there will be in the new establishment a kindergarten department, and that it will be under the charge of a lady; and also that there will be a school of art and design," said the reporter. "Yen, that is a very correct account," said Mr. Cooper, "but it is not started yet." And he smiled again. "Everythirig about it will be under the charge of women," he continued, "excepting that Mr. Bomar will con? tinue to be al. the head of it. But I must say again that it is too soon to talk about the particulars, At present I have not determined upon them." And Mr. Cooper changed the subject of the con? versation, saying that he had recently prepared an article for the press, which would soon be published, in which be had set forth his views of what was ne? cessary tube done to prese.ve the exist? ence of the republic. The life of the nation, he thought, was trembling-fn the balance, and prompt measures should be taken to avert disaster.?New York Herald. JEFF. DAYIS' CAPTURE. The Version Authorized by the Ex-Con federate President. From the N. Y. Herald Richmond, Va., Feb. 27,1878. Innumerable stories of the flight and capture of Jefferson Davis have been published both North and South by wri? ters in both sections. Until now, how? ever, Jefferson Davis' own account has never been in print. The Southern His? torical Society Papers, in its March issue, will contain a full narrative of that mem? orable affair, written by Major W. T. Walthall, the private Secretary of Mr. Davis. It is known here that this article was gotten up under the eye of Mr. Da? vis, and under his special supervision, and it is therefore regarded as Davis' own account of his flight and capture. The writer says: "On the evening of the second day (which waB the 9th of May) preparations were made for departure immediately after nightfall, when Col. W. P. John? ston returned from a neighboring village with the report that a band of 150 men were to attack the camp that night. "Meantime his horse (Davis'), already saddled, with his holsters and blanket in place, was in charge of bis body servant, and he himself was lying clothed, booted and even spurred, when, a little after daybreak, the alarm was given that the camp was attacked. Springing to his feet and stepping out of the tent, he saw at once, from the manner in which the assailants were deploying around the camp, that they were trained soldiers, and not irregular banditti, and, return? ing, he so informed Mrs. Davis. "As we have said, the President was already fully dressed. He hastily took leave of his wife, who threw ever his shoulders a waterproof cloak or wrapper, either as a protection from the dampness of the early morning, or in the hope that it might serve as a partial disguise, or perhaps with woman s ready and rapid thoughtful ness of its possible use for both these purposes. Mm. Davis also directed a female servant, who was present, to take an empty bucket and accompany him in the direction of the spring, his horse, on the other side of the camp, be? ing cut off from access by the interposi? tion of the assailants. "He had advanced only a few steps from the door of the tent when he was challenged by a. mounted soldier, who presented his carbine and ordered him to surrender.' The answer was, 'I never surrender to a baud of thieves.' The carbine was still presented, but the man refrained from dring?it is but fair to Eresume fiom an unwillingness to kill is adversary?while the President con? tinued to advance. This was not from deliberation or foolhardy recklessness, but of deliberate purpose. *..*.** Observing that the man, who was finely mounted, was so near as to be considera? bly above him, he had little apprehen? sion of being hit, and believed that by taking advantage of the excitement of the shot he might easily tip him from the saddle and get possession of his horse. The feasibility of this design was not to be tested, however, for at this moment Mrs. Davis, seeing only his danger, and animated by a cbaracteristic and heroic determination to share it, ran forward and threw her arms around his neck, with some impassioned exclamation, which probably none of the parties pres? ent would be able to repeat correctly. The only hope of escape had depended upon bring ng the matter to an immedi? ate issue, and, seeing that this was now lost, the President simply said, 'God's i will be don 9,' as he quietly turned back and seated himself upon a fallen tree, near which a camp-fire was burning." A letter written by Colonel William Preston Johnson, late Aid to Mr. Davis, to the writer of the article, Major Walt hall, confirms this statement? Lexington, Va., July 14,1877. Major W. T. Walthall, Mobile, Ala. ?My Dear Sir: Your letter has just come to band, and I reply at once. Wil? son's monograph is witten with a very strong an in um, not to say virus. It is not historical. It bears upon its face all the marks of special pleading. He states as matters of fact numbers of circum? stances which could not be of his owu knowledge, and which he must have picked up as rumor or mere gossip. Sin? gle errors of this sort are blemishes; but when they are grouped and used as fact and argument they become, what you truly call them, 'calumny.' "For instance, Mrs. Davis is represent? ed as leaving Richmond with the Presi? dent. My recollection is that she left some weeks beforehand. Breckinridge left on horseback and went to General Lee, rejoining Mr. Davis at Danville. I do not doubt that all the account of 'the preparations for flight' is purely ficti? tious. His statement of the conditions of the armistice is incorrect. * * * * "You will have the facts of our retreat and capture from many sources. My best plan is to tell you only what I know and saw mvsclf. The testimon3' is chiefly negative, but in so far as it goes will probably aid you. My undorstanding was that we were to part with Mrs. Davis' train on the morning of the 9th. We did not, and the President continued to ride in the ambulance. Ho was sick and a good deal exhausted, but was not the man to say anything about it. The day previous he had let little Jeff shoot his Deringem at a mark, and handed me one of the unloaded pistols, which he asked me to carry, as it incommoded him. At that time I spoke to him about the size of our train and our route, about which I had not previously talked, as he had said nothing and I did not wish to force his confidence. It was, howevor, distinctly understood that we were going to Texas. I that day said to him that I did not believe we could get west through Mississippi, and that, by rapid movement? and a bold attempt by sea from the Florida coast we were more likely to rer.ch Texa? safely and promptly. He replied, 'It is true?every negro in Mississippi knows me.' I also talked with Judge Reagan and Colonel Wood on this topic. The impression left on my mind was, however, that Mr. Davis in:eudec. to turn west south of Albany; but I had no definite idea of his purpose whether to go by sea or land. Indeed, rav scope of duty was simply to follow and obey him; and, so long as I was not consulted, I was well content to do this and no more. I con? fess I did not have great hopes of escape, though not apprehensive at the time of capture, as our secuta, ten picked men, were explicit that no Federals were near and that pickets w ire out. Both of these were errors. On .he night of the 9th I was very much worn out with travel and watching, and lay down at the foot of a pine tree to sleep. "Just at gray dawn Mr. Davis' servant Jim awakened me. He said, 'Colonel, do you bear that iring?' I sprang up and. said, 'Bun anc. wake the President.' He did so. Hearing nothing as I pulled on my boots, I walked to the camp fire, some fifty or less steps off, and asked the cook if Jim was not mistaken. At this moment I saw eight or ten men charging down the road toward me. I thought they were guerrillas trying to stampede the stock. I ran to my saddle, where I had slept, and began unfastening the holster to get out my revolver, but they were too quick for me. Three men rode up and demanded my pistol, which, as soon as I got out, I gave up to the leader, a bright, slim, Boldterly fellow, dressed in Confederate gray clothes. The same man, I believe, captured Colonels Wood and Lubbock just 2 fter. One of my cap? tors ordered me to the camp fire and stood guard over me. I soon became aware that they were Federals. "In the meantime the firing went on. After about ten minutes, may be more, my guard left me aid I walked over to Mrs. Davis' tent, about fifty yards off. Mrs. Davis was in great distress. I said to the President, who was sitting outside on a camp stool, 'T ai; is a bad business, sir.' He replied, su pposing I knew about the circumstances 01 the capture. 'I would have heaved the scoundrel off his horse as he came up, but she caught me around the arms.' I understood what he meant, now he had proposed to dismount the trooper and get ha horse, for he had taught me the trick. I merely replied, 'It would have been useless.' "Mr. Davis was dressed as usual. He had on a knit woolen visor, which he al? ways wore at night for neuralgia. Hh wore cavalry boots. He complained of chilliness, and said they had taken away his 'raglan.' I believe they were so called, a light aquas:utum or spring over? coat, sometimes called a 'waterproof.' I had one exactly similar, except in color. I went to look for it, and either I, or some one at my instance, found it, and he wore it afterward. His own was not restored. "As I was looking for this coat, the firing still continuing, I met a mounted officer, who, if I am not mistaken, was a Captain Hodson. Feeling that the cause was lost, and not wishing useless blood? shed, I said to him, 'Captain, your men ate fighting each other over yonder.' He answered very pcsitively, 'You have an armed escort.' I replied, 'You ha7e our whole camp; I know your men are fighting each other. We have nobody on that side of the slough.' He then rode off. Colonel Lubbock bad a conversa? tion nearly identical with Colonel Pntch ard, who was not polite I believe. Yon can learn from Col. Lubbock about it. "Not long afterward, seeing Mr. Davis in altercation with an officer?Colonel Pritchard?I went up. Mr. Davis was denunciatory in his remarks. The ac? count given by Wilson is fabulous, ex? cept so far as Mr. Davis' remark is con? cerned?that 'their conduct was not that of gentlemen, but ruffians.' Pritchard did not make the reply attributed to him; I could swear to that. My recollection is that he said, in substance, and in an offensive manner, that 'he (Davis) was a prisoner, and could afford to talk so,' and walked away. Colonel Hamden's man? ner was conciliatory, if he was the other officer. If I am not mistaken, the first offense was his addressing Mr. Davis as 'Jeff,' or some rude familiarity. But this you can verify. I tried just afterward to reconcile Mr. Davis to the situation. "On the route to Macon, three days afterward, Mrs. Davis compluined to me with great bitterness that her trunks had been ransacked, the contents taken out and tumbled back with the leaves sticking to them. * * * I never heard of Mr. Davis' alleged disguise until I saw it in a New York Herald the day I got to Fort Delaware. I was astonished and, de? nounced it as a falsehood. The next day I was placed in solitary confinement;, and remained there. I do net believe it ossible that these ten days could havj ecn passed with our captors without allusion to it if it bad not been an after? thought or something to be kept from u.?. * * * Very sincerely yours, William Preston Johnston." Manuring Fruit Trees.?It may not be supposed that it is necessary t y tell people they ought to manure their fruit trees, for ours and other agricultu? ral papers have often urged this upoi them. The experience oi all is that or? chards are almost universally neglected, and experience equally universal shows that it is only by calling repeated atten? tion to these matters that people will do better. We do so now because this is a particularly good time to attend to suca work. The heaviest of farm work is over, and nothing is particularly presid? ing, so that just this iand of things can be done with advantage to laborers and the trees. When the trees are small and crops are cultivated and manured among them, they catch the benefit from a portion of the fertilizers, but when the trees grow so that the branches meet, crops cannot be grown to advantage any more, and then too often manuring in the orchard stops forever, and the trees commence to go backward ever afterwards; the leaves get yellow, the fruit poor and knotty, and much falls off before half maturing, and the worms take possession of the trees and hold on till one by one the trees die out, and farmers wonder why the .r trees are not thrifty ai their neighbor's who look after and manures his trees every season. Dirt hauled from pre per draining and ditching your roads; from around stumps, 1 fence corners, deposits of washings, ashes from the house, especially cob ashes, soap suds, rotten leav>s and chips, will make good dressings for your trees, and you will Bee the advantage from year to year to repay you for all your attention, labor and expense upo i your trees.?Otn Home Journal._ Chicken Cholera?A Cure.?The following is said to be in infallible rem? edy for the so-called chicken cholera: Make a mixture of two ounces each of red pepper, alum, resit, and flour of sul? phur, and put it in their food in propor? tions of one tablespoon ful to three pints of scalded meal. In tevere cases, give about one-third of a teaspoonful in a meal pellet onco a day to each fowl, put? ting a small lump of a! urn in their drink? ing water. The writer says: "I have tried the above ingredients with marked success; have cured fowls in the last stage of the disease. Y. make it a prac? tice now to pl.e ray fowls some of it once or twice a wee*:, and there are no symptoms of any disiaso among them." LET BYGONES BE BYGONES. Let bygones be bygones; if bygones were clouded By ought that occasioned a pang of regret, Oh, let them in darkent oblivion be shrouded, 'Tis wise, 'tis kind to forgive and forget. Let bygones be bygones, and good be ex? tracted From ill over which it is folly to fret; The wisest of mortals have foolishly acted? The kindest are those who forgive and forget. Let bygones be bygones; oh, cherish no longer The thought that the sun of Affection has set; Eclipsed for a moment, its rays will be stronger, If you, like a Christian, forgive and forget. Let bygones be bygones; your heart will be lighter, "When kindness of yours with reception has met; The flame of your love will be purer and brighter If, Godlike, you strive to forgiveand forget. Let bygones be bygones; oh. purge out the leaven Of malice, and try an example to set To others, who, craving the mercy of heaveu, Are sadly too slow to forgive and forget. Let bygones bo bygones; remember how deeply To heaven's forbearance we all arc in debt; They value God's infinite goodness too cheaply To heed not the precept, "Forgive and forget." Powuvr Mills Blown Up. Boston, March 12? 1878. The Northeastern portion of Middle? sex county was startled a few minutes before nine o'clock to-day by the report of a terrific explo- ;on, which was heard in Lowell, seven... an miles away from the point at which the explosion oc? curred. It was noon learned that the shock cr.me from the blowing up of two mills of the American Powder Company at South Acton. The company has beeu running on extra time to fill orders for the Turkish government, the powder be? ing shipped from New Haven. Those who heard the ? report and were close enough to the works to see the smoke de? scribe it as very picturesque. Soon after the shock was felt and the rumbling noise that accompanied it. a huge volume of smoke rose to the height of about five hundred feet, and floated away on the morning air. The two mills destroyed and completely shattered to pieces were the water press mill and mill No. 4. Both were new structures erected since the explosion of last year. Two workmen in the press mill?Low? ell Foster, of Winchendon, aged twenty four and unmarried, and Turpener. be? longing in Kingston, N. Y., aged thirty and unmarried?were instantly killed, their bodies being thrown some three hundred yards from the mill. Turpener'a head was found quite a distance from the other portions of his body, and at the present time only about half of the re? mains have been seen. Both bodies were terribly mutilated, and in fragments they were picked up at different points. Fos? ter's body was completely cut to pieces, and some portions of the bodies were found a quarter of a mile distant mashec to jelly. One arm was found in one place, a portion of a leg in another anc. tufts of scalp, with the hair on, iu an? other. The bodies are not recognizable, only on account of the fact that their size was kpown by their comrades. Th 3 cause of the explosion is not known fo r certain, but Edmund Hooper, fore ma 1 on the line, says when near the press mill where Foster and Turpener were work ? ing, he heard a piece of machinery breat , and, knowing there would be troubh, sprang behind a tree and ran for th 2 woods outside the grounds, the explosio 1 following immediately. Several other c f the employees were injured, but none seriously. The office of the company, situated Borne 600 feet from the press mill, was demolished, the doors being torn to pieces, the clapboards thrown elf and the windows smashed into thousands of nieces, covering the floor and the desk and other furniture. The keg shop nei.r by was also battered and demolished, not a whole window remaining. All about the grounds and over an area of sever d acres are strewn the debris, nothing r 3 maining of the exploded mills but the iron machinery and heavy framing tin? ners. The amount of powder destroyed is not known, but it was only the accumulation of this morning. Both the men Irilhd were new workmen here, but Tnpener was an old powder-maker. Hundreds of people, men and women, came in from the surrounding towns within an hoir. The shock was distinctly felt at Wil tbam. some twelve miles distant. The remains of the men killed are now at the boarding house, and they present a sick? ening appearance. This is the third time within nine months that these m 11s have exploded, and two of the former workmen left the work only a short time since, not daring to risk their lives long er. The loss is estimated at $200,000. Keep the Children Happy.?In? vent every possible amusement to koep your boys happy at home evenings. Never mind if they do scatter books md pictures, coats, hats and boots. Ne rer mind if they do make a noise around you with their whistling and hurrahiig! We would stand aghast if we could have a vision of the young men gone to utter destruction for the very reason that, h iv ing cold, disagreeable, dull, stiff firesides at home, they sought amusement e'se where. The influence of a loving mot ler or fister is incalculable. Like the ciicle formed by casting a stone into the wa er, it goes on and on through a man's whole life. Circumstance and worldly pleas ire may weaken the remembrance for a time, but each touch upon the cord of memsry will awaken the old time music, and her face, her voice, and her loving words 'rill come up before him like a revelation. The time will come, before you think, when you would give the world to have your house tumbled by the dear handi of those very boys; when your heart shall long for their noisy steps iu the hall, :ind their ruddy cheeks laid up to yoixs; when you would rather have their jolly whistle than the music of Thomas or the songs of Neilsson; when you would glad? ly have dirty carpets, aye, live without carpets at all, but to have their bright, strong forms beside you once more. Then play with and pet them. Pr use Johnny's drawing, Betty's music, wd baby's first atttempt at writing his name. Encourage Tom to chop off his stick of wood, aud Dick to persevere iu mak ing his hen-coop. If one shows a talent for figures, tell nim he is your famous mat he matician; and if another loves geogra? phy, tell him he will be sure to msl:e a good traveler or a foreign minister. 60 with them to see their young rabbits ind chickens and pigeons; and down to the creek-fall to see the mill in full Opera? tion. Have them gather your moises and grasses and bright autumn leaves, to decorate their rooms when the snow is all over the earth. And you will keep yourself young and fresh by entering into their joys.?Exchange. ? The postage stamp was introduced in London January 10,1840, by Bowl and Hill, in connection with cheap post ige. The next nation to introduce it was France, nine years after. Germany be? gan to use the stamp iu 1850, ana was the first to introduce the postal card. In 1874 Great Britian realized a net reve? nue from its Post Offices of thirteen mil? lions of dollars, while the United Stites, in ths fame time, lost about twenty-four millions. ? "Pa, what is a legislature V A leg? islature, my son, is a body elected by the sovereign people." "But what is a leg iulature for, papa?" "O, my boy. ivs to kill time?only to kill time."