#july 1883

[violetcrownchronicles]

Reservoirs of Abomination and Filth

2 JUL 1882. Austin Daily Statesman.

SEWERAGE.

Austin is improving rapidly. The population is increasing rapidly. Rents are advancing and new dwelling and store houses are being erected. In a very few years the old city limits will be densely populated and sewerage on an extended scale will be a necessity. Hundreds have sought and procured residences in Austin on account of the reputation this city has deservedly obtained as a healthy locality, and thousands in the future will be attracted to our beautiful capital for the same reason.

It is to the interest of every real estate owner in Austin that we should still deserve the credit of being the healthiest city in Texas. Without a thorough system of drainage and sewerage this cannot be done, and the sooner action is had the better. Any one who will ever take the trouble to stroll along Waller and Shoal creeks, east and west of the city -- natural sewers -- will find abundant cause for apprehension. They are reservoirs of abomination and filth. They are cleanly enough when rain is abundant, but in summer months and in time of drouth are cess pools, breeding disease and pestilence. With a more dense population the evil would be proportionally greater, and it is a wise policy to seize a favorable opportunity to abate the nuisances when it can be done at probably one-half the expense it will cost in the future.

That opportunity offers now. The legislature at the last special session, appropriated $45,000 for sewerage purposes for the capitol building, university, lunatic and blind asylums, and the board appointed to utilize this fund are now engaged in discussing plans for sewerage in connection to these state buildings, and the state will necessarily be compelled to use its grade in constructing a sewer. Cannot the city join with the state in building a sewer that can also be use by the city? One which, for all time to come, will be sufficient to drain all that portion of the city lying east of Congress avenue? The matter is one which should be seriously considered, and, if practicable, steps should be taken by the city to secure, at a minimum expense, drainage of all the eastern portion of the city.

[violetcrownchronicles]

We Are Highway Robbers

31 JULY 1883. Austin Daily Statesman.

Another Chapter From The Robbers.

Yesterday Mr. James Talley, who lives at Lone Grove, in Llano county, came to this city and reported another adventure with the highwaymen.  He is a cattle man, and also rung a freight wagon between the capital and Lone Grove.

Sunday night he went into camp near Spicewood Springs, and in the night some time he was aroused by three men.  One, a short, thick-set fellow, who rode a fine Kentucky charger, was dismounted, and shook him to wake him, saying, as he did so, "Get up, partner, we have a little business to transact."  So Mr. Talley got up and as he did so he noticed that one of them was taking his money out of his pants pocket.  He asked them what they were doing, and they told him, in the mildest possible manner; "We are highway robbers, and thinking that you might have a little spare change to contribute to a good cause, we have taken the liberty to disturb your slumbers.  Sorry to trouble you, but business is business, and we had to inconvenience you just a little."

Mr. Talley says he told them that they were not robbing him but robbing his wife and children, to which they replied:  "That is what they all say."  Then they told him he need not kick, for he was only one of many that had contributed to the good cause.  They related some of their exploits in Austin, and, as they did so, one of them took out a gold watch and said that it was taken from a doctor in this city.  Mr. Talley said he was astonished to hear of these robberies in Austin, and he did not believe the men.  He, however, asked them if they were following highway robbery for a trade, and they replied:  "No; they came to Austin for the purpose of robbing the state treasury, but some of the gang failed to put in an appearance, and so the job did not work."  He asked them how many of the gang there were and the robber replied saying, "there were twelve or fifteen of them."

They seemed to be very merry over their Austin exploits and related their Austin adventures here as good jokes.  They also related an experience with some man whom they say they gave chase and ran into a pasture, and they had to run him down before they brought him to a generous frame of mind, and then he contributed freely to the cause, getting nearly $100 from him.  As they counted Mr. Talley's money the man remarked, "that made two hundred and twenty-two dollars money they had secured."  The amount taken from Mr. Tulley was twenty-two dollars, all he had with him.

His description of the man on the Kentucky thoroughbred is the same as that given by all who have seen him.  One of the other men rode a cream colored horse and the other rode an iron gray.  Mr. Tulley is well known in this city, and those who know him say he is reliable in his statements.

[violetcrownchronicles]

Cholera Infantum - Careless Drivers - Conversation with the Bandits

Nameless Child  found. Cholera infantum. July 29, 1883. Oakwood Cemetery Record.  Austin History Center, Austin Public Library.

29 JULY 1883. Austin Daily Statesman.

City Matters in Brief.

"The prettiest baby in Austin" died yesterday evening at half-past 4 o'clock.  The little thing is out of trouble, and the mother, who so heartlessly abandoned it in the alley, will, no doubt, have a pang of remorse when she learns its fate.

Why cannot a fire alarm system be inaugurated and maintained by the city in connection with the telephone company?  Our firemen are very prompt at fires when the localities are ascertained.

Several ladies of this city came near being run over by careless drivers while crossing the streets recently.  The police should look after all such persons and promptly arrest them.  Our attention was called to the matter by a hackman driving his team against a lady yesterday.

The Highwayman.

James Texill, who says he resides about twenty miles up the Colorado river, was in the city last evening, and claims he saw the highwayman who robbed so many persons in this city during the past week.  He was interviewed by a Statesman reporter and stated his conversation with the bandits as follows:  He says there are two of them in company, and when he came across them they were dismounted and cooking a meal over a fire in the woods.  One of them he describes as a short, thick, heavy-set man, with a smooth face, and has a very fine Kentucky thoroughbred charger and the other rides, he says, a dark brown or nearly black Spanish pony, about fourteen hands and a half hands high, with a long thin tail.  Both men he says were armed just alike.  he says he asked them their names and they replied that the Statesman had named them Dick Turpin and that would be their names hereafter.

They were reported as exceedingly merry over the stories told by parties robbed, as published in the papers, and particularly those of Dr. Stoddard and Capt. Josselyn.  They had the Statesman of Friday and Saturday, and read Mr. Texill both accounts; as they did so pointing out what was true and what was false, as they claimed.

Mr. Texill says that the man who rides the Kentucky thoroughbred said in regard to Dr. Smoot, "That preacher is a trump, and no mistake.  Why, sir, he took the whole matter as a huge joke, and he acted more like a clown in a circus than a man shelling out to a highwayman.  If I lived in Austin I would to to hear that fellow preach every Sunday.  He is a taking card every time.  You ought to have seen him smile, though, when I handed him back his watch.  Why ge didn't care a flip about the $5 -- he was so pleased to get it back."

He also stated that Dr. Swearingen was the only courageous man whom he stopped, and gave it as his opinion that if the doctor had been armed he would, no doubt, had trouble with him, for he could see business in his eye.  He was asked if he would have killed him in case the man resisted.  The bandit said in reply to that, "d---d quick, and don't you forget it."

He is reported as saying in regard to Capt. Josselyn that he stopped the old gentleman, but when he found out his age he told him he was not robbing the aged, the crippled, or women and children, and let him pass on.  In regard to Dr. Stoddard, Texill reports that the robber claims to have robbed him, but only got a small sum of money from him.

The statement in regard to Dr. Stoddard and Capt. Josselyn are of course false, even if the men whom Mr. Texill saw were really the robbers, and were no doubt told as mere braggadocio on their part.  But the interesting part of the story told by Mr. Texill is the statement by the robbers that they came here for the express purpose of robbing the state treasury, and would have done so but that most of their gang failed to put in an appearance for some reason, they did not know why.  They claimed they came on in advance to look up the preliminaries, and the rest of the men were to follow a week ago Wednesday, but did not come, so the robbing of the treasury was off.  Mr. Texill say they made the remark that Austin would hear something drop one of these days that would scare her more than their robberies had.

It is probable that the whole story told our reporter is the work of wags, or perhaps the man representing himself to be James Texill is the wag himself, but we give it for what it is worth.  Several parties suggested that it was a little singular that they did not take what little Mr. Texill had too.

[violetcrownchronicles]

Reward for Robber -- Dr. Stoddard Braves the Bandit

28 JULY 1883. Austin Daily Statesman.

City Matters in Brief.

J. C. Terrell, who shot Capt. Winn and wife, did not leave his coat and shirts with Capt. Winn, but left them at the Occidental saloon, where they were seen by a representative of the Statesman yesterday.  He left them there Wednesday evening.

Dr. Swearingen offered $100 reward for the capture of the robber, but said to a representative of the Statesman yesterday that he should withdraw it until other citizens helped to increase it enough to make it worth while for a man to risk his life in the capture of this robber, and requested us to state that it was withdrawn until further notice.

Of course the all-absorbing topic during the day yesterday was the exploits of the highwayman.  The fact that the man has remained in the city and vicinity for five days, and has not been caught, with all the police and sheriff force of the capital, has created the utmost astonishment.  Many have said that a large reward should be offered, and many more are opposed to a reward on the ground that it offers a premium to the police force to neglect duty unless well paid for performing it.  The police claim to have done everything possible, and yet the man is still at large.  Perhaps the police force is too small.  Something should be done, and that speedily, that will result in his certain capture.

The Highwayman.

There was but little interest occurred in regard to the knight of the road yesterday.  He was seen in the morning by the delivery boy on the Statesman force, whom he stopped the day before.  He informed the police and they went in force to take him, but he had made his escape before they reached the place where he had been seen, and no trace of him could be found.  A reporter for the Statesman had an interview with Dr. Smoot yesterday, and he tells a good joke gotten off by the robber when he was interviewing the doctor.  When Dr. Smoot told him his watch was engraved, he said to him, in a tone indicative of doubt: "Pass it over please, and let me see for myself."  The doctor handed it over and the robber with his left hand opened the cases and passed his thumb over the inside of them feeling the engraving.  Then he replied:

"Yes, it is all cut to pieces and of no use to me -- you did tell the truth for once in your life," putting peculiar emphasis on the words "truth" and "once."  The doctor says it caused him to smile not withstanding the situation was a very embarrassing one, for he had just before informed him he was a preacher.

A Statesman reporter also interviewed Dr. Stoddard and learned from him the full particulars of his brave exploits with the bandit.  This the reporter tried to do the day before, but failed to find him.  He stated yesterday in this interview that he saw the man who stopped him stop two persons -- a man and a woman -- before he came up to him.  When he came to the bridge this man was on his horse in the creek, and rode up by his side saying, "Stop a moment, please!"  The doctor says he stopped, and the robber presented his pistol and demanded his money.  As he did that the doctor made a grab for the pistol and at the same time drew up the lines with the other hand which started his team, they having been trained to start by tightening the reins.  The robber snapped his pistol and then rode alongside of the doctor, continually calling to him to stop, but the doctor did not stop.  Both the doctor's team and the robber's horse were in a full gallop.  Soon they came in sight of the officers and the robber left.

When the doctor came home he procured a pistol and a livery horse and went back to hunt the highwayman.  As he came to the road leading to the railroad track he saw a man on a horse whom he took at the time to be Officer Oberwetter, and he called to him by that name, but the man did not reply, and he called a second and a third time.  The third time the man fired  at him and started his horse in a run.  The doctor started in pursuit, firing as he pursued him, three times, but he did not hit him, and as the horse the doctor was riding was stiff the robber got ahead.  When he got to the hill the robber was on the other side.  He called to the doctor saying "You d---d fool, what do you want?"  The doctor replied, "Come over here and I will show you," and dared the knight of the road to come but he declined so to do.  The doctor is of the opinion that this man is not the one who attempted to rob him and that there are two or more in company.  The doctor certainly showed remarkable courage in all his conduct, both in repelling the assault of the highwayman in the first instance and in pursuing him or his confederate afterwards.

[violetcrownchronicles]

Staggering Drunk All The Time

27 JULY 1883. Austin Daily Statesman.

THE SHOOTING AFFRAY -- At the Avenue Hotel -- Capt. Winn and His Wife Both Shot, One Through the Arm and the Other in the Hand -- Full Particulars -- Statement of Both Sides

On the heels of the excitement, so to speak, of the raid of the highwayman, came another quite as startling, in the shooting of Capt. Winn and his wife, yesterday, at the Avenue Hotel.  It occurred about half past 10 o'clock in the morning, and no sooner were the shots heard than a large crowd thronged to the hotel office and on the stairs leading thereto, to learn the particulars of the tragic affair.  A reporter for the Statesman happened to be near the spot at the time of the shooting and at once pushed his way through the mass of people and was admitted to the rooms where the wounded man and woman lay.

In an interview with Capt. Winn, he said that J. C. Terrell came to his hotel several days ago in a very deplorable condition, having been on a drunken spree for several weeks (to all appearance), and asked to be admitted as a guest, saying he would like to remain a few weeks, until he could sober up and entirely recover from the debauch he had been on.  The captain says he told him that he was a stranger and he could not take him unless he paid in advance.  He referred the captain to Col. Murphy whom, he said, well knew him and who would vouch for his responsibility.  The captain refused to permit him to become a guest of the hotel unless he paid in advance, stating that he had not to look up Col. Murphy.  The man then told him he would pay $20 on his bill and when he had boarded that out he would get more money to pay him further.  The captain says he told him this would be all right and gave him a room; the man giving him $20.  The captain says he asked him how long he would want the room and he replied about twenty days.  "Very well, then," said the captain, "I will take this money and use it," to which the man replied, "All right, do with it as you like, for I shall stay with you more than long enough to use it up."  Upon this statement Capt. Winn says he took the money and used it as his own.  The man was shown to his room and every attention paid him.

Thus matters went on until day before yesterday, when Mr. Terrell concluded to leave Austin and told Capt. Winn that he would like to settle with him.  The captain said all right, but I have used the money and I have not enough today to pay the balance coming to you, but will collect it in a short time.  They settled, and there was a balance due Terrell of $14.50.  A Mr. Cune was owing about that amount, and he gave the man an order on that gentleman for the amount due Terrell.  The latter took the order to Cune, but Cune did not pay it and he brought it back.  Captain Winn then gave him a note for the amount, and the man went out to negotiate the due bill.  The captain says he tried to sell the due bill and collect the money on the order too, and so when he came in demanded the papers from him.  He did not stay that night at the hotel, but went away with the understanding that he would come in yesterday morning and get his money.

Yesterday morning he came back, but Captain Will says Cune had not paid him yet and he did not have the money for him.  He asked to go to his room and the clerk gave him the key, and when he came back he claimed to have lost it.  Then he demanded of Capt. Winn shirts and a coat which he claimed he had left with the hotel proprietor.  Capt. Winn says he told him he did not leave any coat and shirts with him.  Terrell claimed that he did, and some hot words followed.  After the man had said considerable the captain made the remark, so he says, that the man was so drunk he did not know what he had been doing, judging from the fact he had lost the key to his room and accused him (Capt. Winn) of having his coat and shirt when he did not have them at all.

This made Terrell very angry, and he replied:  "You think I am so drunk I don't know what I did with the coat and shirts?"  "Yes, that is my opinion," replied the captain.  "Well," said the man, "I will do this, then," and as he said it he took out his revolver and pointed it at the captain.  Then he walked back without shooting, and Capt. Winn stepped into the hall.  Terrell followed him and said, "That is your opinion is it?"  to which the captain again replied:  "It is."

"I will do this -- there," responded Terrell, and fired:  the ball entering Capt. Winn's arm just about midway between the elbow and wrist, lodging against the bone.  Mrs. Winn and her nephew then seized Terrell and tripping him threw him to the floor.  When he fell Mrs. Winn went down with him, falling on top.  As he lay there he deliberately, she says, put the pistol to her breast to shoot, and as he did that she seized it with her left hand, the palm of the hand closing over the muzzle.  While she held the pistol in that position Terrell fired it, and the charge went through the center of her hand.  Such is the statement of Capt. Winn and his wife.

A reporter for the Statesman interviewed J. C. Terrell, the man who did the shooting, at the city jail, and his story is, in some respects, widely different from Capt. Winn's.

He says his home is in Rocky Springs, Miss., and he came to Austin for his health.  That he is a wealthy farmer and merchant at that place, but has been drinking very hard of late and since the 16 inst. has been "staggering drunk all the time," to use his own words.  He went to the Avenue Hotel, but he says he did not tell the landlord how long he would stay or make any contract with him whatever.  That he gave him $20, simply as a deposit for safe-keeping, and Captain Winn took it and used it without any permission at all.  When he came to pay his bill the captain did not have the money to pay him the balance and gave him the order, which the man on whom it was drawn refused to honor, when he took the captain's note and started for the train but was left.  He did not go back to the hotel that night but stayed with Mrs. Moore.

Yesterday morning he went to the hotel to get his coat and shirt, which he is very positive he left with Capt. Winn, and when he asked for them the captain told him he did not have them.  He says he asked the captain if that was the way he treated his guests, at which Capt. Winn became very angry and used abusive language.  He says he was angered at this language and took out his pistol and tried to kill the captain.  He stated he meant to kill him, and it was because he did not aim as he intended that he did not.

He agreed with Mrs. Winn about that lady and her nephew throwing him to the floor, but positively denied that he shot Mrs. Winn and declared with as much positiveness that only one shot was fired and that only one empty shell was found in his revolver.

He was asked by the Statesman reporter if Mrs. Winn was in the room when he shot Capt. Winn, and he said she was not; that only himself and the captain were present.  He was then asked if Mrs Winn could possibly have been hit by the shot fired at Capt. Winn, and he replied he was sure such a thing could not have occurred.  After so stating he was asked how he could account for the wound in Mrs. Winn's hand?  This he could not account for, and only reiterated he did not shoot her.  Such is his statement.

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Audacity Escaped Their Vigilance

26 JULY 1883. Austin Daily Statesman.

Bold Turpin. 

Finds a Successful Imitator -- Doctors the Principal Victims.

The prototype of Jesse James is in the city and no mistake, for a bolder highwayman never rode a steed or drew a six-shooter than the hero of last night's exploits.  He seems to have a fondness for Pecan street, and three times last night did the villain select victims from that thoroughfare.  He first met Dr. Smoot of the Southern Presbyterian church, just beyond the stone bridge on Pecan.  He was riding the same bay steed he rode Sunday morning when he robbed Henkle, the barber.  As he approached the doctor he inquired if the doctor could tell him where Plum street was.  The doctor told him he did not know and gave the direction where to find out.

While the doctor was giving this information the robber produced a six-shooter and demanded the doctor's money.  Fortunately he only had five dollars with him.  Then he asked to see his watch.  The doctor told him it was engraved.  He took it and looked at it and finding the doctor had told the truth gave it back to him and the doctor drove on.

Next he met Dr. Swearingen on Pecan and inquired from him the way to town.  He told him the direction and, while he was pointing it out, he covered Dr. S. with his six-shooter and demanded his money.  The doctor had $25, and this he contributed to enrich the highwayman's coffers.  Then he called for Dr. Swearingen's watch, which unfortunately, was not engraved, and the bandit robber shoved it into his pocket.  The watch was a highly valuable gold time keeper, worth at least $125.  After taking the watch, he permitted Dr. Swearingen to drive on.

The next man he met was Captain Joselyn.  He made a similar demand of the captain, and received a similar reply.  Then he went through him and took what little wealth he had and permitted him to move on.  His next victim was Dr. Stoddard, whom he met on Pecan street a few moments afterwards, and of him he made the same kind of inquiry, and when Dr. Stoddard was replying, drew the nickel-plated revolver and demanded his money.  Instead of giving his money the doctor spoke to his fiery team fiercely and they jumped like a flash.  So rapidly did they start that they completely astonished the knight of the road, who, however, snapped his pistol, but by a lucky mischance missed fire, and the flying team took the doctor beyond the robber's reach.

The bold bandit concluded to change his field of operations and struck out across the city and came riding down Congress Avenue above the temporary capitol.  Here he met a man driving a magnificent team.  It was the equipage of Col. Hancock driven by his negro, N. Holman.  He asked the negro if he knew where a certain person, naming him, lived.  The negro told him he did not.  While he was telling him this the robber covered him with the same nickel-plated six-shooter and demanded his money.  Holman told him he did not have a cent.  He replied it was a d---d lie and if he did not turn it over he would bore a hole through him.  The negro told him he did not have a cent.  At that juncture the highwayman caught sight of a watch chain and demanded the watch.  The negro explained that he did not have any watch and only wore the chain for style.  The robber threatened to shoot again and the negro drew out the chain to convince him that what he said was true.  The negro now began to yell for help and as he did this the bandit told him to stop or he would shoot, but the negro did not stop, and gentlemen in the vicinity hearing the cries came running to the spot.  When the bandit saw them approach he turned his steed about and galloped off towards Pecan street again and the negro came down the Avenue to hunt policemen.

In the meantime the telephone had conveyed the news to The Statesman office and the city editor at once started for the police station to get the full particulars, and met the negro on the corner near the new Statesman building.  After a moment's conversation he turned up Ash street to go to the police station and when near the top of the hill met the knight of the road riding his magnificent bay with his slouched hat down somewhat over is face, and his nickle-plated six-shooter in his belt.  To see a man dressed like a cowboy riding down that unfrequented thoroughfare suggested to the editor that it might perhaps be the man and be stopped and watched the fellow instantly.

As he approached he halted a moment as if hesitating what to do, and then rode past carefully turning his cleanly shaven face away from the city editor, who watched him till he reached the Avenue.  When he got to the Avenue he halted an instant, looking back to see if he was still being watched, and then turned right down the Avenue toward the river.

The city editor of The Statesman hastened to the police station and informed the clerk, Mr. Peck, but all the force were out hunting the bandit and consequently there was no one to follow him.  Had there been a force at command at that time, or any person with arms, he might have been captured.

In appearance he is a short, thick-set fellow with a smooth face, dressed something like a cowboy and rides as fine a bay horse as the writer ever saw.  Never in the history of this portion of the state has so bold a bandit appeared as this foot-pad has shown himself to be.  Right in the heart of the capital, with a police force noted for their skill and vigilance, of almost national reputation in this respect, he has robbed no fewer than five men last night, as they sat in their carriages driving along the most frequented public streets, and yet evaded the detection of the entire police force.  While the police were watching for him on the by-streets he took Congress avenue and by his very audacity escaped their vigilance.

It is now cause for alarm when a bandit can ride into the heart of our capital and rob our most prominent citizens while they drive along our streets in the very twilight.  It will not do to let such a man escape if there is any way to bring him to justice, and we say now as we said Tuesday, he should be captured if it takes every dollar in the state treasury to do it.  Let the governor promptly issue his proclamation, this very morning, and offer such a reward for is capture as shall be certain to induce his arrest.  But permit on man to make a success of such work as that of last night and Saturday, and in a short time the state of Texas will have the whole Mexican banditti at work, and thousands of recruits besides from our own state.

[violetcrownchronicles]

Replacement Alligators - Plant Theft - Expert Pool Playing - Baby Very Sick

26 JULY 1883. Austin Daily Statesman.

City Matters in Brief.

Mr. Prade has received two more alligators to replace the ones that were lost.

Some one stole all of Miss Bettie Johnson's house plants Tuesday night.  She had the pots sitting in the yard and they were all taken.

Ed Rosseau sold his saloon yesterday to Harry Duff, who keeps on Pecan street, and Mr. Rosseau will go into other business in this city.

Officer Johnson has had a warrant two weeks for Lewis Marcus, for stealing a pistol and threatening to kill his wife.  Yesterday he was found dead six miles below Manor.

Two champion 15-ball pool players had two match games at Neff's billiard parlors yesterday.  They played two games in two minutes.  This is said to be as expert playing as can be found anywhere.

"The prettiest baby ever seen in Austin" is very sick.  It is still under the care of Aunt Sally.  So soon as well enough it will be given to a family outside of this city, but to whom is to be kept a profound secret, so says the county judge.

There are several charges filed against persons who are erecting houses without building permits.  The mayor, we are informed by the city clerk, intends to strictly enforce the law in this particular, and all persons better take out permits before they begin to build and give $10 and costs.

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In the Territory - Treated to the Best - What is to be Done With The Students

25 JULY 1883. Austin Daily Statesman.

City Matters in Brief.

Cattle men in the city report trouble with the Indians in the Territory on the main trail.  It is said the Indians attack them and force them to pay tribute when they pass by that route.

Chas. Wolf is putting up some very nice cottages for sale or rent on the square west of Scholz's hall.  These kind of houses, rented to persons of moderate means, are what has been wanted for many months.

Mr. E. N. Luce had a hard time yesterday with Harry Love.  He says he was standing in the street with his horse and carriage, when Love backed his vehicle against his carriage wheels.  He politely requested him to move ahead, and Love said emphatically he would not do it till he got ready.  Mr. Luce took hold of Love's carriage, to set it away from him own, whereupon the latter kicked him in the eye with his boot.  His eye, when seen by a Statesman reporter, was in a terrible condition.  The reporter tried to find Mr. Love to get his side of the case, but failed to see him.

In Good Hands.

Mr. Harry Duff has bought the saloon at the old Kluge stand, and asks that all the old customers of the place give him a chance.  Mr. Duff is one of those men who know how to build up a business, as was evidenced by the trade he so soon acquired on Pecan street.  In his new place, as in the old, he will cater to the best class of the trade, and will, therefore, use only the very best brands of liquors and cigars.  The public may rely upon it that they will be treated to the best he has at the usual rates.

State University.

 Yesterday a representative of The Statesman visited the new university building and took a look at the structure and workmanship.  The walls are above the uppermost floor and nine masons are at work, earning $5 each per day, building them to the roof, which Col. Cook, the contractor, thought would take them three weeks longer.  Then, after the walls are completed, it will take three weeks to put on the slate roof, and the university cannot be completed before the middle of October; so the colonel said, and he no doubt knows, for it is to his interest to have it done as soon as possible, as he forfeits $50 a day for every day after the 1st of September.  According to his statement there will be a delay of forty-five days, amounting to $2250 forfeiture under the contract.  The contractor has had exceedingly bad luck.  In the first place, he could not get material and this caused delay; then he could not get help, and this further delayed the work; and then he was obliged to pay $5 a day to the men whom he did employ.  His first contract called for the completion of the structure by the 1st of January.  This was extended to the 1st of September, at which time he thought, without doubt, he would be able to finish it; but it will not be ready for occupancy, in all probability, until the 1st of November.  What is to be done with the students and professors in the meantime is an unsolved problem for the astute philosopher to determine.  Perhaps the $2250 forfeiture will enable the board of regents to provide a place for all until the building is competed; or, may be, they can all sit in the beautiful camps and study Greek for a couple of months, with as much devotion to the dead languages as though they were looking from the plate-glass windows of the sighty structure out upon one of the most beautiful views ever witnessed anywhere; for such, truly, is the sight from the university windows.

The work seems to be very well done.  The outer walls have the appearance of solidity, and the brick work is fairly good.  The stone caps and ornamentation are carved artistically and present a finished appearance to the eye, and when the building is all done it will prove satisfactory to all.  If possible, a larger force of men should be set to work, but Col. Cook stated to our reporter that he could not find them.  The interior of the building is well arranged into lecture and recitation rooms, with a broad stairway leading from floor to floor.  The clear of the first story is fifteen feet; of the second, fourteen, and the upper thirteen, which makes all the rooms light and airy.  This wing of the building will cost, when completed, in round numbers, $60,000 -- so we are informed by Secretary Wooldridge.