1853-5.-1st Dist. Thomas B. Florence, Dem. 1857-9.-1st Dist. Thomas B. Florence, Dem. WHAT THE "FRIENDS" HAVE TO It is only in exceptional cases and at infrequent intervals that the Ledger transfers to its own editorial columns the many words of praise bestowed upon it in the columns of its contemporaries. Occasionally, however, a notice comes to hand which, because of the peculiar circumstances that attend it, we feel it to be right to lay before our readers. Of this character is the following, copied from the Friends' Intelligencer of this city, of "Sixth Month, 20th, 1874." It comes from those who are not only proverbial for their plainness of speech and their avoidance of unmeaning flattery, but who are quite as proverbial for their adherence to the truth. Praise from such a source has such high value that it may well be treasured. This is what the Friends' Intelligencer has to say: "THE PUBLIC LEDGER.-We have received from the publisher a package of documents, giving a detailed and interesting account of the entire history of the Public Ledger from its first issue, as the pioneer of cheap journalism, to the present time. "The newspaper has become almost as necessary as the morning meal; few that live within reach of one are willing to forego the pleasure of knowing just what is going on in other parts of the world, and drinking in the details of the very latest items of intelligence with the coffee they sip for breakfast. And the power that is wielded by the daily press can scarcely be realized. If its scope is broad and catholic, if its tone is pure and lofty, it exerts an influence second to none in moulding and strengthening the convictions of men. "Of all such papers published in this State and elsewhere, there is not one, perhaps, that, for excellence and cheapness, surpasses the Public Ledger, as it is conducted by its present pro "From a small penny sheet, first issued in 1836, a copy of which lies on our table, it has grown to be a large and prosperous daily journal, with a circulation of over 90,000 copies, and, under present management, is free from anything that is objectionable. "The editorials are excellent, and generally commend themselves to the better judgment and clear sense of right in all unprejudiced minds, and are doubtless working in a quiet but sure way for the improvement of the tone of thought and the elevation in the social scale of the toiling masses. 2d. Charles O'Neill, Rep. 3d. Leon-prietor. ard Myers, Rep. 4th. William D. Kelley, Rep. 5th. Martin Russell Thayer, Rep. 1865-7.-1st Dist. Samuel J. Randall, Dem. 2d Charles O'Neill, Rep. 3d. Leonard Myers, Rep. 4th. William D. Kelley, Rep. 5th. Martin Russell Thayer, Rep. 1867-9.-1st Dist. Samuel J. Randall, Dem. 2d. Charles O'Neill, Rep. 3d. Leonard Myers, Rep. 4th. William D. Kelley, Rep. 5th. Caleb N. Taylor, of Montgomery, Rep. 1869-71.-1st Dist. Samuel J. Randall, Dem. 2d. Charles O'Neill, Rep. 3d. Leonard Myers, Rep. 4th. William D. Kelley, Rep. 5th. Caleb N. Taylor,t Rep. 1871-3-1st Dist. Samuel J. Randall, Dem. 2d. John V. Creely, Rep. 3d. Leonard Myers, Rep. 4th. Wm. D. Kelley, Rep. 5th. A. C. Harmer, Rep. 1873-5.-1st Dist. Samuel J. Randall, Dem. 2d. Charles O'Neill, Rep. 3d. Leonard Myers, Rep. 4th. Wm. D. Kelley, Rep. 5th. A. C. Harmer, Rep. John Moffet, Dem., was returned as elected, but Myers was admitted on contest. John R. Reading, Dem., was returned as elected, but Taylor was admitted on contest. "The man who had the genius to conceive, and the business ability to carry forward, such an enterprise as the Ledger now is, holds a powerful lever that must lift the substratum of society to a nearer plane with himself, and awaken a more earnest desire for greater excellence in those who are thus daily fed on earnest, thoughtful words, and have presented to their minds clear and forcible views on every topic that concerns the welfare of the community without party limitations. "The Public Ledger has ever been fearless and outspoken for the right, even in the darkest and stormiest times, and it has well earned the place it now holds among the daily papers of our city." You may give a man an office, but you cannot give him discretion.-Poor Richard. 4 49 11 16 5 53 11 58 15 45 655 O 39 SEPTEMBER. THE International Rifle-Match, held at Creedmoor, Long Island, September 26, 1874, was an exhibition of exceptional skill in the use of the rifle at long ranges, and the result one which was honorable only in different degrees to both teams. The Irish team consisted of six marksmen of the Irish rifle clubs, two of whom belonged to the Irish team which won the Elcho shield, the first prize, at Wimbledon, England, in July, 1874. The ranges were 800, 900 and 1000 yards-distances which may be better represented in thought by supposing the target to have been set up at Thirteenth and Chestnut streets, and the marksmen to have been placed at the Sixth street corner of the Ledger Building, for the 1000 yard range; for the goo yard range the marksmen would advance three-fourths of the way up the square toward Seventh street; and for the 800 6 13 6 41 5.7 0 14 7 8 7 33 5.8 o 58 7 568 176.1 I 378 37 8 56 6.2 1 58 2 20 9 17 9 39 6.4 3 3 10 O 10 22 6.5 3 48 10 44 II 76.5 4 38 11 31 11 57 6.5 5 33 O 24 6.3 6 30 I 196.1 2 21 5.8 3 3 5.4 SC. gr. hel. I. S 7.10 P.M. Vega S. 10.25 P.M. oh. 10.04 P.M. h south. 6.59 A.M. gr. hei, 1. X. 6.54 P.M. south. 7.03 P.M. Spi. sets. 9.00 P.M. Ant. sets. 6.19 A.M. a. 9.28 P.M. Arc. sets. 7.28 P.M. sets. 7.43 P.M. Altair S. 9.02 A.M. in Aph. 6.14 A.M. Aut, beg. 6.31 P.M. Spi, sets. 2.07 P.M.HC. 10.29 P.M. Fom. S. 6.07 P.M. Vega S. 10.29 P.M. Markab S. O eel. Inv.in S. (Phil. 9 266.38.53 P.M. yard range would be placed about fifty yards west of Seventh street. The targets were 6 feet high and 12 feet long, having a "bull's eye" 3 feet square in a "centre" 6 feet square, On either side of the centre were spaces in which, if a shot struck, it was called an "outer." Bull's eyes counted 4 points, centres 3 points and outers 2 points. The Irish team used the Rigby muzzle-loading rifle, made by Rigby of Dublin. Three Americans used the Remington breechloader and three the Sharpe target rifle, which is also a breech-loader. The scores at the different ranges were as follows: Irish team, John Rigby, 52, 56, 55; total, 163. J. B. Hamilton, 58, 52, 50; total, 160. James Wilson, 54, 51, 55: total, 160. J. K. Milner, 57, 49, 48; total, 154. Edmund Johnson, 50, 49, 51; total, 150. Captain Walker, 46, 55, 43; total, 144. American team, Henry Fulton, 58, 57, 56; total, 171. G. W. Yale, 55, 56, 51; total, 162. John Bodine, 54, 51, 53; total, 158. Colonel Gildersleeve, 53, 51, 51; total, 155. L. L. Hepburn, 53, 50, 46; total, 149. T. S. Dakin, 53, 45, 41; total, 139. American score at 800 yards, 326; Irish, 317. American at 900 yards, 310; Irish, 312. American at 1000 yards, 298; Irish, 302. Total: American, 934 points; Irish, 931 points. PHILADELPHIA CHRONOLOGY FOR 1873-4. 1873, December 1. The United City Relief Fund for the assistance of the poor with clothing, fuel and provisions was formed at the Union M. E. Church by ladies. December 4. City Councils passed an ordinance fixing the tax rate at 2.10 per 100 of valuation, and to cents special public buildings tax. December 5. The Supreme Court at Nisi Prius, at the suit of Wells and others, ordered an injunction to be issued against the Commissioners of election appointed by authority of the Constitutional Convention, to prevent them from holding an election in Philadelphia to determine whether the Constitution should be adopted or rejected; the result of which was to establish the right of the election officers appointed under the registry law. December 6. Fire at Warrington & Co.'s pen factory, north-west corner of Twelfth and Buttonwood streets; loss, $25,000. December II. Second Regiment, National Guards, Col. P. Lyle, celebrated thirty-third anniversary by parade and banquet. December 16. Election to determine whether the new Constitution of Pennsylvania should be adopted. Vote in the city for the Constitution, 59,114; against the Constitution, 24,994. Vote in the State for, 253,774; against, 108,594. Majority in the city, 34,120; majority in the State, 145,150. December 17. Centennial celebration of the destruction of tea in the harbor of Boston, by a tea-party at the Academy of Music and Horti cultural Hall. December 18. George Russel tried for murder of John Boyle at 524 Penn street, November 11, 1873: was found guilty of murder in the second degree, and sentenced to ten years and five months imprisonment. December 20. Fire at the stables of Forepaugh's Circus and Menagerie (winter quarters), Wistar street above Mill, Germantown; wagons, paraphernalia, curiosities and horses burned; loss, $100,000, December 21. St. Peter's P. E. Church, Germantown, opened for worship. December 23. Rosanna Meehan died at 1015 Hunter street from injuries received on the nineteenth. The Coroner's jury found that her death was occasioned by violence committed by James Clendenning, Samuel alias York Robinson, Chas. Lockart, Robert M. Keegan, John Clayton, Wm. White, Frederick Stork and George Turner. December 31. Godfrey Kuehnle was killed at his residence in Frankford road below Girard avenue; and an attempt was made to kill his wife. Frederick Heidenblut, a journeyman under employ, was tried for the crime, and on January 20 convicted of murder in the first degree. He was sentenced January 31 to be hanged. 1874, January 1. Manatawna Baptist Church, Ridge avenue, Twenty-third ward, dedicated. January 4. Fire at sugar refinery of McKean, Newhall & Borie, La Grange place between Second and Third streets; loss, $200,000. January 5. City Councils organized. In Select Council chamber, Robert W. Downing was elected president. In Common Council, A. Wilson Henszey was elected president. Board of Education organized by the election of M. Hall Stanton president, and other officers. January 9. The Board of Centennial Supervisors adopted plans and specifications for a permanent exhibition building, and recommended the Centennial Board of Finance to proceed with the work. The Coroner's jury found a verdict that an infant, found strangled at 1037 South Sixth street, was killed by its mother, Christiana Schmidt, who was committed to answer. She was tried April 23, 1874, and was acquitted. January 14. The steamship Illinois, of the American Steamship Co.'s line, started on her trial trip, and returned January 16, after a satisfactory test. January 15. House of Correction opened for the first time for use; one hundred and thirty-six persons removed to that institution from the Almshouse. January 18. Chapel of Heidelberg Church, corner of Nineteenth and Oxford streets, dedicated. January 22. Steamship Illinois, of the American Steamship line, started on her first voyage to Liverpool, under the command of Capt. A. A. Fengar. January 28. Thomas Stenson, charged with the murder of Robert Gray, an infant, at 1008 Beach street, September 26, 1873, was tried for the offence and acquitted. Charles Dorrington, charged with the murder of his wife Susan, October 1, 1873, at 128 Christian street, was tried and acquitted. January 29. New Olympic Theatre, Market street below Thirteenth, destroyed by fire; loss, $200,000. Two firemen were killed. January 30. Lawrence Welsh tried for the murder of his wife Mary Welsh, at Lancaster avenue and Forty-fourth street, October 14, 1873, convicted of murder in the second degree, and sentenced January 31 to an imprisonment of nine years and twenty days. February 4. Meeting of committees of the National Association of Iron Manufacturers, of the American Pig Iron Association and of the American Iron and Steel Association, at the Continental Hotel, for the purpose of forming a plan of union of the three associations in one body. It was resolved to unite under the title of the American Iron and Steel Association. First meeting of the association held the same day; president, Hon. David Thomas, of Catasauqua, Pennsylvania. February 5. Consolidation of the Honeybrook Coal Co. and the Wilkesbarre Coal and Iron Co., under the title of the Lehigh and Wilkesbarre Coal Co., by vote of stockholders at the Commercial Exchange; capital stock $10,000,000; coal and timber lands owned by the company, 3200 acres; men and boys employed, 12,000. - Miss Haye and Miss Lee, two ballet dancers at Mortimer's Variety Theatre, were severely burned by their dresses taking fire from a stove. Both were badly injured, and subsequently died. February 6. The Franklin Saving Fund Society was adjudged bankrupt in the U. S. District Court. Indignation meeting of depositors held same day at Assembly Buildings. Fiftieth anniversary of the Franklin Institute celebrated at Musical Fund Hall. February 13. The lager beer brewery of Henry Mueller, at Thirty-second and Jefferson streets, fell in from the weight of a great quantity of ice, which was being put in an apartment used for storing ice in the building. There were twenty 1859. 1874. Incr'se. 634,000 856,980 and Caucasus...... 1,134,200 1,401,510 89,950 118,300 317,650 605,000 222,980 Germany. 836,800 1,261,160 France and Algeria. 640,500 977,600 Belgium.. 80,250 Holland.... Great Britain.. Denmark.. Sweden and Nor way Totals............ THE Ledger is one of the best daily newspapers in the country, and wields an immense influence for good in Philadelphia and vicinity. 267,310 Everybody reads it, trusts it and follows its coun28,350 sels. Anything published in the Ledger is re287,550 garded by all Philadelphians as authentic. The 424,360 Ledger has a daily circulation of ninety thousand 337,100 copies, and probably more than half a million 13,340 readers. One of the peculiarities of the Public 5,770 Ledger is an entire absence from its columns of 233,020 self-laudation, puffery, clap-trap and braggado*8,850 cio. Its news and its discussions of public questions have always been characterized by truthful69.610 ness and an apparent desire to disseminate correct information. If it did not agree with its contem4,289,650 6,110,490 1,829,690 poraries, it never called them knaves and scoun8,850 drels by way of argument, but stated its views dis1,820,840 passionately, and thus acquired universal esteem and respect.-Scientific American, New York. 93,590 58,550 64,320 245,800 478,820 57,550 48,700 134,900 204,510 Less decrease....] Decrease. eight persons in the place at the time of these nine were killed or died soon after being extricated from the ruins, and eleven hadly injured. Everything in the building, including machinery, tubs, malt beer in barrels, etc., was destroyed. The pecuniary loss estimated at $100,000 On the same day a man who had been aiding in the search was killed by falling down an excavation in the neighborhood, and two others fell in and were injured. February 15. The Harriet Holland memorial chapel (Presbyterian), Federal between Broad and Thirteenth streets, dedicated. February 17. Municipal election for Mayor. Wm. S. Stokley, Rep., 60,128 votes; Alexander K. McClure, Ind., 49,133 votes; City Solicitor, C. H. T. Collis, Rep., 61,209 votes; C. H. Jones, Dem., 48,041 votes; Receiver of Taxes, Thes. J. Smith, Rep., 61,531 votes; Thomas M. Pierce, Dem., 47,814 votes. February 18. Autopsy upon the bodies of the Siamese twins (Chang and Eng Bunker) finished at the College of Physicians and Surgeons. February 22. Washington's birthday. The First Regiment National Guards, City Troop, Washington Greys, State Fencibles and some other military companies attended church. February 25. Celebration by the T. A. B. Union of Philadelphia, composed of Roman Catholic Total-Abstinence Societies, at the Academy of Music, by orations and other exercises. February 26. Mrs. Mary Wolboldt died at the Pennsylvania Hospital from the effects of a wound received from her husband, who resided at 1124 Passyunk road. The Coroner's jury found a verdict that the wounds were received at the hands of her husband, Leonard Wolboldt. He was tried May 21, and was convicted of murder in the second degree. February 27. First demonstration made against taverns and lager beer saloons, in imitation of proceedings in Ohio and other Western States. About twenty women visited three or four saloons and taverns in the neighborhood of Susquehanna avenue and Fifth street, sang hymns in front of these places and delivered prayers. The proprietors of the saloons did not close them. -The steamship Pennsylvania, of the American line, on her passage from Liverpool to Philadelphia, encountered a violent hurricane. A tremendous sea struck the ship, which carried away a portion of the forward house and forward wheel, and washed overboard Capt. Lewis T. Bradburn, Mr. Sweetland, first officer, Mr. Ross, second officer, and Josiah Chapman and James Davis, seamen, all of whom were lost. Command was assumed by a passenger, Capt. C. L. Brady, formerly an officer in the North Atlantic trade, and the ship was brought safe into port, March 9. March 4. Henry Haigh, a boy about sixteen years old, was killed in Moyamensing avenue near Mifflin street, by a shot from a pistol. The Coroner's jury found a verdict that the wound was received at the hands of H. Wilkinson, a boy. March 5. Ropewalk of John P. Bailey & Co., Otsego and Norris streets, burned; loss, $20,000. The office of the Receiver of Taxes was opened for the first time for the reception of taxes for 1874. Nearly $800,000 was received. March 8. In obedience to action of the Liquor Dealers' Protective Association and proclamation of the Mayor, nearly all the taverns and saloons in the city were closed. March 16. Meeting in Common Council chamber and State-house yard in relation to the Centennial celebration of 1876. It was resolved that the work of constructing the buildings for the exhibition ought to be at once commenced, and that the citizens of Philadelphia would pledge themselves to use diligent and earnest efforts to add to the former subscription an additional sum of not less than $1,000,000, March 17. St. Patrick's day. Procession of Catholic T. A. B. literary and patriotic societies. Several thousand persons participated. M. E. church, Holmesburg, totally destroyed by fire; loss, $2000. March 19. Fire at Insull & Dorey's spring factory, 1437 Hutchinson street; loss, $35,000. March 22. German Lutheran Church, of Manayunk and Roxborough, at Roxborough, dedicated. March 24. Machine shops and other buildings at the ship-yard of Wm. Cramp & Son, Beach and Norris streets, burned; loss, $175,000. March 29. The First Regiment (Grey Reserves), P. Ñ.G., Col. R. Dale Benson, left the city under arms, under orders of the Governor, for Susquehanna depot, Susquehanna, Pa., where the peace was threatened by rioters (strikers) connected with the N. Y. and Erie Railroad. - Catharine Clace died at 1245 Pearl street from the effects of malpractice. The Coroner's jury found a verdict that Dr. A. Gibson Mahon and Colton L. Landis were principals, and Louise Reed accessory after the fact. April 5. First Reformed Episcopal Church of Philadelphia established at Falls of Schuylkill; rector, Rev. Walter Windeyer. April 15. Steamship Nederland, of the Red Star line, from Antwerp to Philadelphia, ran on Brigantine Shoals, coast of New Jersey, losing rudder and propeller. Was got off on 18th and towed round to Philadelphia. April 22. Michael Trimber, who was convicted on September 28, 1872, of the murder of Wm. H. Webb alias Buck, his cell-mate, at the Eastern Penitentiary, was again tried in the Quarter Sessions, a new trial having been granted. The jury found a verdict of not guilty on the ground of insanity. April 25. Meeting of produce commission merchants held, and the Produce Exchange established. April 29. Meeting of citizens at the Mayor's office to concert means for the relief of the sufferers by great floods in the Mississippi Valley, especially in Louisiana. It was resolved to take up subscriptions for the relief of the sufferers, and committees were appointed. Steamship Mediator burned at Pier No. 19, Delaware avenue below Callowhill. Considerable amount of the cargo was destroyed; loss estimated at $250,000. April 30. Gethsemane Baptist Church, corner of Eighteenth and Columbia avenue, dedicated. May 4. George Genther died at St. Mary's Hospital from the effects of blows upon the head received on the evening of the second of May. The Coroner's jury found that the injuries were received at the hands of persons unknown. May 5. Second Reformed Episcopal Church formed at a meeting held at 1224 Chestnut street; vestrymen were elected. Fire at 252 Quince street, caused by the ex |