The New York Herald Newspaper, December 16, 1871, Page 5

THE SCAFFOLD. Execution of a Negro in North Carolina. A “Corn-Shueking” Scene Embel- lished by a Murder, Pomp Lyons Stabs Baker Tilly Three Times and Kills Him. The Murderer Arrested, Tried, Convicted and Sentenced. Horrors of His Last Night on Earth. UNPREPARED TO DIE. Fearful Sufferings in the Death Room. Hiixiss0R0, N. 0., Dec, 15, 1871. Among the numerous vices which the negro race Bave acquired since their emancipation from m@avery, and one that invariably leads tothe com- @nszton of crime, ts the carrying of and use of dan- gerous and death-dealing weapons. They are imi- tative in this, as in all other respects, of the worst characteristics, manners, habits and customs of the ‘white race; and, like the rowd®s and ruffians of the South, nearly every negro now carries his re- Volver, knife, dirk, or often @ still more effective ‘weapon—a razor. While they are slow to acquire the virtuos, culture and refinements of the whites, they are quick and too apt to pick up everything that is debasing, immoral nd vicious, All white bar-room ballies, street- corner rowdles and cowardly ruMlans have now tueir counterparts among the negroes, who strive #0 emulate them in vice, blackguardism and crime. ‘The jails, prisons and penitentiaries of every South- era State swarm with negro orimmais to such an extent that increased accommodations are every- where demanded, {hus tt 1s that civilization In- stead of being a boon has rather been a curse to the poor deluded negroes’ of the South since thelr emancipation trom slavery, and the orlme to which ‘Suis is but a pretace is another proof of the retrogres- sion of the negro from his standard of morality and virtue a3 a siuve, One of the most interesting events peculiar to the Bouthera planters lie 13 tue annual “CORN SHUQKING.!! Afver the corn has been gathered and brought in ftom the fields the uunusked ears are heaped toge- ‘ther 19 an open mpeons Pens are built for the recep- tion of the busked ears, a nightis set upon which the “shucking”’ is to take piace, pigs and jambs are slaughtered, & plentiful supply of whiskey is laid In, and runuess are sont out to invite the negroes from she neighboring Diantations to come and enjoy themselves, Such 18 the social disposition of the Regroes on the Southern farms tuat they are Knowo S walk ten or even twenty mules to be at one of these ge . = As ft ol Aaa eae their usual at home they start off, singly or in groups, followed by their ‘possum dog,” singing, shouting anu bing as they weld vudlr w; tou ye rendez. athe! yu, $0 one of these Bote rings shat Seip Ly dus Woot one saturday fh Th the N Of October last, on tre plantutioi bt Mr. 5 Kills, neac Fiat ver, im this aby he met another. negro, named bal , algo # Visitor, and promipent character jong the negroes, Pomp and Baker were rivals povuarity aud leaversiip at the ‘suucking,” having some yrudge of long standing exist- ing between them. The negroes were ai] welcomed, end spoon ty Uney set to work at tne pile of corn, O@vcasionaily being served with a = DUINK OF WHISKEY to keep up their spirtis ana revive their energics, All the negroes preseut were by this means kept in QD excessive woud umor, and as the work pro- their Vigor was tucreased tenfold. One of @ hegrogs at tue top of the corn pile sings a tive molody, generally tue effusio: some poe teliing Of tne dusky cuurms of some @anwel tid we neighborhood, or elge recounting the of sume successful possum hunier, /omp ons aud Baker Tilly were bot rnyming geniuses, Who sang extempore Hongs soMewLat ay 1olows:— um stump, LOW, fieae may ttle dog bate 1s shu to Lollow. feet owe eae hh Jones is smart; Bhe ue dearest gai in de worl’, ‘An’ sue nearly Oruke my beart, These impromptu songs were chorused by thi wd present, (hougi ail were working Wf di and the scene become wild w A ek ug. The sonys made tho vicimity ring wil he strange), musical noise of tue melodies, Under the oat J tment of the work aud songs and the 1nfluence of the whiskey ‘the negrovs yet luriously In carnest, and shey jerk at the huss ina Jrenzied mauner unul the white ears of corn are seen flying through the @ir ID Lick showers, US epoll ber Vies to get It half of the pile done first, Now their ragged ooate By ail, then (hei vesw Tollow, and lastly their cpa an the panting, perspiring negroes look ie p utoMs Altiing in the uncertain staright, sue Whiio Keeping up thelr wild, weird melodies, THE KNCOUNTER, Ip the midst of this scene of excitement Pomp a Tily came togetuer and a quarrel ensued. ‘This fea preceeded some time before it was taken any C8 Ol vy tae Cruwd of Negroes present, who were fovent upon their work, too much excited, and too anxious lor the supper that was awaiting them topay much wtiention to the parties to the quarrel, Words grew hut, epithets ioulowed, succeeued by Joud and bitter curses, aud Pop, losing entire con trol of his temper, drew us knife and indicted THREE SEVERE WOUNDB im Baker’s abdomen. ‘This brought the ciowd toa standstill, and now they ali flocked round the eombatan.a some endeavoring to separate them, oth rywg out vociferously in support of each, put the yreaver portion taking up the cause of the injured man, Who was now stretched moaning apon the ground, Upon raising him up he was found to be mortally wounded, his ENTRAILS PROTRUDING from the ghastly stabs in the stumach. No sooner ‘Was this discovered thau the sympathy all turned Baker ‘uly, and a corresponding degree of ation Was aroused agatust Pomp Lyons, woo this time had fled, Baker did not long survive injuries, and soon after his murderer was ar- rested. He was lodged in the jail bere, where he has since remained, At the November term of the Oircuit Court Pomp Lyons was tried and found guilty and sentenced to be executed to-day. ANOTHBA THEOKY OF THE AFFRAY. Another and perhaps more correct theory of the murder is fupmehed to-day by persous famtlar bo the circumstances, and this goes to say thar @ corn shucking was over, and a fire had been built, round which a number of the negroes were nding, and a them Baker Tilly and Pomp Fyons. o1 these were declared enemies of a year’s Btauding, anu Pop bad been heard to make {ireate against Baker repeatedly. As they stood at the tire Where the quarrel was renewed, aud Pomp Jeft the fire and weut to @ house near by and pro- ‘sured big shoe kaile, which be had carried and de ted there that might, and, returuing to the fire, liborately inflicted the stabs as above described, Which caused Baker's death, It w thought by many (hut this was a case of mi jaughter, but Poinp displayed evil intent in carrying the kuile to te dre aiterwards $Me corm shucking, aud earng {o procare it for the purpose o! derous work. BRFORH THB EXECUTION. ‘Tho morning upon which the scaffold tragedy as to take place was ushered in by a snow storm, tea daylight found the earth enveloped in & mantie white, There was @ keen, cold northwest gale wing, and wreaths of snow spun round and und On the ground, keeping the littie hillocks and ted portions of earth bare for some time before sorface was overwhelmed by the fleecy the day advanced Hillsboro wore the espect of a 8 so solemn, silll and deserted Were ite uneven streets and forlorn-looking resi- dences. Towards noon, however, the town gradu- @ily awose from its death-like silliness, and occa- monally a citizen, wrapped in shawl, talma or gvercoat, ventured fortii, as if in defance of the shern elements by which this Southern climate ‘Deon visited. Bat while the storm raged with- it during the night, and the people siumbered in Penceiul repose, the doomed wan, IN HIS 1RON-BOUND CELL, Vain courted rest. Finding his attempts in this pect unavailing he endeavored to console nimeelf Spiritual thoughis and sending prayers to the me of Mercy; Dut in this he Was equally unsuc- 1. He moved restiessly in his pallet ina feverish state, his manacies clanking dismally as he and bis mind was tortured b; sof his. a Intensely until daylight penetrated bis cell na the executing his mur- wul fate, The poor wretch sul- fn the email crevices 10 the walls. So terrible was Mect of the nignt upon him that when he arose his features had assumed au ashy hue, his eyes were dull and sunken in their sockets and be @ppeared nervous, trembling and feevie. When the jalior proughe breaxtesk Tas last tnly Teakfast, his lust ear eai, he endeavored 10 eat, nut sutcesded in swale jowing only afew mouthiuls before a choking sen- sation made further efforts useless, About noon I visited him, and from the passage round ihe eels I Was = enabl 10 pee his | Jace NEW YORK HERALD, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1871.—TRIPLE SHEET. as 1 afterwards saw him on the seattold, it such I Rens outlt and muscular with a st0o) aecpinl Tr, Shoulders’ which he hed acquired from his siting jure at we shocmak usin’ but he was Cmaciated and weak from eonsnement and mental POMP NOT PREPARED TO DIE. “Pomp, | asked, are you prepared to meet your Jauer” No, sir.” “Why nos?” “ Weil, because I am not.” “ Have you not had time to prepare?” Yes, sir; Dut 1 could not Ax my mind.” “ Do you ackuowledge your sentence to be just?” “No, sir; 1 do not. Ido net deserve to suffer deatn for killing Baker.” “Why do you say so?” “We because I never intended to kill him, I had no more notion of killing him than I have of mines. hp now.” % ote “ Well, Pomp, you snou! ve made your peace with God, nevertheless” e ‘Yes, sir; L tried, but my mind was notin the right fix.”” As he Bald this in a tone of the deepest despair his face vanished from the small hole and he sunk back on his pallet in the cold and the thick dark- ness of the miserably ventilated and loathsome cell of Hillsboro Jail. This was in the upper story of the jail building, and descending to the lower floor 1 was conducted into the room now evilently devoted to the execution of felons, THE SCRAGGING ROOM AND STRANGLING MACHINES. It was in this same room that I witnessed the bar- barous execution of tio criminalsin April, 1870, and though the HERALD report was then copied in the sta a (Governor Holden’s official organ) at the time, and the attention o/ all the State and count: oMcials called to it in a most unmistakable manner, yet 1 was shocked to ece the same identical appa- Fain erected ior tue strangulation and torture of another victim. The ceillag of the room does not exceea ten feet and o half in height. There were two pieces of scantling fxea against the wall on either side of the rear window, in which were bored two holes at the level of the window sill and in these holes worked an axle at- tached to one aide of tnedrop, ‘hia drop, elevated toa level and supported by a movable prop, was exactly four feet from the floor. In the ceiling above were the two iron rings from which the criminals alluded to were suspended and strangled twenty montha ago, it was one of the most miserable, bar- barous and cruel contrivances ever witnessed in a c.vilized community, aud to which the mode of drawing the cart from beneath the criminal is ho Man aud far superior in effecting a speedy death, PINIONING POOR POMP, About one o’clock P, M. the Sheriff, accompanied by the jailer and assistant, proceeded to the cell of the doomed victim aud heavily pinioned him by the hands in front and by the elbows at the back. ‘The halter, @ three-quarter 10pe, was placed round hig neck; the black cap was also tled to the neck, but left hanging on the back, and in this bound ligitt the poor wretch was led down the stairs and to the death room, where he took a seat on the low steps to the drop. There was no crowd preven, owing to the privacy of the execution and he severe Weather, and not more than twenty-five rag Were admitted to witness the terrible wedy. ADMINISTERING SPIRITUAL COMFORTS TO POMP. At the request of the doomed man a clergyman Was sent for to offer’a last prayer for the salvation Of his soul ere it took iis Might to another world, While the messenger was absent a negro woman Was admitted to administer spiritual comfort to Pomp; but she became excited, and delivered her- self of a harangue, acombinaton of prayer, sermon and lecturo, which, insteat of consoling, only served to terrify the unfortunate man, and she had to be stopped. Soon after this the clergyman arrived, prayer followed, nearly all of the spectators:kneeling with uncovered heads, This coneluded, Pomp was fitier on the drop, and the jailor, by the instruo- ton of the Sheriff, read the death sentence. -The doomed man never spoke, except a iew words to ee clergyman, which were inaudible to any one else, TOE CULPRIT SWUNG INTO ETERNITY, ‘The rope was then pulled through one of the iron rings in thé ceiling and made fast. The black cap ‘Was drown over the fearures, and the few gaping spectators and dismal rooin—all that wae Visibie vo the condemned of this beautiful worla—were for- oe shut out from his vision, ‘he grop being cleared cf all but the ghastly, blind, boun imioned victim, at thirty-five Le HP one the prop bi jerked fei -§ aa and Pomp’s as performing noone foupofuons ike the alr, his Seer nly owe icot from tné ground. The fall Measured two and a hi leet. The rope had not been properly adjusted, and tne knot pet doet from its placé to the front and the ch ‘The death-rattle could be heard in ¥y tim’s throat, as he surged and swufig to ai From tne violence of his struggles, 1 is 1 ies8 tO say, the neck was not brokers ant awful as this sight was, the few witht the beemed to gaze grecdily on the victim, intent. on seeing the it agony, and seemingly anxious to devour the least of the savage details. In fifteen minutes lite is said to have been extinct, and, alter hanging thirty min- Utes, the body was cut down. A PARRICIDE HANGED. Execution of John Ware at Cam- den, N, J., Yesterday. DIES WITH A CURSE ON HIS LIPS, A Confession by the Murderer Ex- onerating His Mother. % rend ‘ CamDgn, N. J., Deo. 16, 1871. The majesty of the law has been once more vindi- cated, and the victim thereof has pald tne awful Penalty of his most unnatural crime, The excitement caused by the murder 1s yet un- abated in the quiet little hamiet known as Beriin Cross Roads, and the story of the deed 1s still told with bated breath and nervous tmaginings. The crime for which Ware died was the murder of his father, about sixteen months ago, The unflagging devotion of his counsel lea many to believe not a thirst for reputation alone was the in- centive, but an unshaken belief in the hereditary msanity of his client's family, and the injustice of the extreme sentence of the law ip this partioular case. There is every indicatian of hereditary in- sanity in tne Ware family, but this was a question not deemed within the province of an uneducated Jury, and they convictea the man on the evidence as they neard is, The strongest argament of the prose- cuting officer was the evidence of one Sands, who swore positively that Ware had made repeated threats against hia father’s life. This alone led the Judge and jury to believe that the murder was premeditated, and, thougn executed in @ moment of passion, was the result of a de- Mberate purpose. Mr. Scovel maintained that Sands’ evidence was & perjury from beginning to end, and Ware told me more than once that he never made @ threat against his father, but, on the con- trary, & good feeling had existed between them up to the day of the murder, aud this is the case ina few words, THE DEED WAS COMMITTED in the heat of passion, about sixteen months since, andthe murderer fied to Camden, where ne was arrested while trying to cross the ferry from Cam. den to Philadelphia. On being accused of the crime he frankly admitted it and waa locked up in the Camden County Jail to wait his trial, which in due course of tume was called. The important witnesses aguinst Ware were Patience Ware, his sister, married to George Williamson; Mary Ann Champion, and a map named Sands. It seems that she and her hus- band resided with Mr, and Mra, Ware, and that on the morning of the murder—August 16, 1670—old man Ware had gone to a neighboring store to get some flour, While the oid man was absent a quarrel arose between Patience and ter mother about a milkpan, and Joho arose and struck his ter in the face, upon which her husband arose to defend nis wifo, and John ** went for’ him also, but Williamson was too much for him. Having polished off John, Williamson took his wife and children aud leit the house. ‘They had proceeded but a short dis- tance when John seized o gun and fired at them. Qid man Ware was met on his way home, but Pa- tence Dever saw him alive again, MARY ANN UHAMPION swore to the killing of Mr. Ware. From her win- dow, in the upper part of the house, she saw John load the gun, and heard him say he woul ut & double load in it, and Killthem both.’ At this junc- ture the old man returned and stood still in the mid- die of the roud. fronting the house, and Jobu was in the front yard with the gun in nis hands, The old pAb told him to in the house and put up gun, when John replied, “You damned son of a@ —, I'll shoot you |’ The old man said “why Jonn YOU WOULD'T SHOOT YOUR POOR OLD FATHER, would you?” and repeated his request to go in and put up the gun. Jonn's angry passious were groused, and, thinking to frighten his tather into giving him some mouey, made the demand, but was told that he could have it as fast as be earned it chopping wood. John grew very angry at this, and, repeating the unnatui threat, rested the gun on the fence and fired, The oid man THREW UP B18 ARMS AND FRLL BACK DEAD. Joni took his pocketbook out of the pocket, looked at the money and cried ouk “Sapt op bis —— ow Hi foun, in “4 “There comes @ carriage” dis- sope in tie atamp. ap) |THE DEFENCE OF THE MURDERER, Of course it would nave been iale not to have ad- Mitted the commission of ber crime, and there was bus one grou! defence on which to rest ho} compe- Ution with the State authorities, Mr. Scovel had learned that insanity was au hereditary disease in the Ware Family, and this plea alone was offered in extenuation the crime. A number of wit- esses were FSsapes, who swore positively that Ware had never evinced any signs of bpageritit den nis youth up, nor did they (his life-long Reig ) ever suspect or hear of such a thing until after the murder, The case Bearing Deeg ably summed up by ‘both sies was presented to tne jury, whe, confining igensayes strictly to the evidence, brought in & MURDER IN THB FIRST DEGREE. Ware, who had always shown evidence of an un feeling nature, evinced no signs of uneasiness at the verdict. He was sentenced to be hung on the 29th of April; but, alter two poonemen he was granted a second trial, which, like the first, re- sulted in & verdict of guilty of murder in the first degree, and he was accordingly sentenced to be hung December 16, Mr. Scovei left no stone unturned, but labored unceasingly in the prisoner's benalf ‘or a writ of error; but was unsuccessful in each iustance, and was lly obliged to tell the less DrAORGE that he must die, and, as already reported in the HERALD, did so inform him on Wodnesday last. WARE SPENT HIS TMB since Wednesday in company with his keepers, and in listening, but not heeding, the woras of counsel and advice that nave been ceaselessly tendered. Reporters from different papers called on him and founa him willing to converse about his triad and the people who swore against him, On ail other subjects he was dumb, THE LAST NIGHT ON BARTH ‘Was not a restiess one. He was visited by Mr. Sco- vel, who had written @ statement of the case, which, upon being read, he signed with his X mark, The District Attorney had given orders to handcat him belore he slept, The order was communicated vo him, when he replied that any one that under- took to.come into the cage to handcuff hum would meet with his death, for he would xii) him with the chair, He was not handcuifed, ARISING ABOUT SEVEN O'CLOCK thia morning Mr. Cameron, his keeper, asked him if he had rested well, He repiiea, “On, I guess so.” He ate half an egg and drank some coffee about seven o'clock, and then walked around his cay and looked down into the street at the gathering crowd, Atcight o'clock four exhorters of the Meth- oaist Church arrived and began their exhortations, but without effect. When the HERALD representative arrived at nine o'clock, accompanied by Sheriff Fredericks and wile, the party were engaged in prayer, Ware kneeling on one knee and nervously rubbing his leg with his rignt hand, but apparently taking no interest in what was being said. Havi finished their payee the exhorters withdrew, an Mrs. Fredericks advanced and attempted to speak, but her heart failed her, and she burst into tears, Gaiming courage ina few moments sne said.— tw ‘OH, JOHN | PROMISE MB YOU'LL REPENT: promise to ask forgiveness for your sins; promise to try and meet us all in heaven, "Won't you be giad to meet your little poy and your wife in a better world ?”’ Not a word, oF a tear even, escapod the hardened wretch, She continued:—* On, Jonn! Do promise it; do, for my sake, for 1 have been kind to you, and have done everything to make your position easier.?? It was useless, Spe might just as well bave at- tempted to melt a heart of stone, “Well, John,’’ she continued, “goodby, since you won't promise me, and God pies you and receive oe spirit,” and Mrs, Fredericks, neariy heart- roken, retired. Left alone with him, he looked Sang me and began a conversation on the most ivial subjects, Matters im connection with nis trial were brought up. ‘Jenkins (District asornes) could have saved me and so could Judge Woodhull, {f they would, but they wouldn’t,” he said, and thas continued in a querulous tone of votce, “John,” I satd, ‘won't you let me tell Mrs. Fred. ericks that you will promise to do what she asked ?” WaARE—NO; what’s the use of it if f won’t do 1t? REPORTER—But you will do it, won’s you, no matter how hard you may appear ? Ware—I don’t like to have people come around here squalling about me. A man oni dies once— some-one time and some anotner, lav’s the use of making @ time about it? y Who could answer such gallows philosophy? I could not, and continued the conversation on topics that possessed an interest for him. His fearlessness of death 1 cannot believe was assumed, for his con. Yersation on other subjects was not at all nervous, He joked and laughed about ple in the street and was immensely tickled when he told me that Jenkins, the District Attorney, came up to speak to him yeste! id he wouldn't talk. went away downhearted,” he said, and then burst out in aloud laugh, forgetting, ap- parents that he was to die in fity minutes from nm . e. I coud not bear to listen to him, and walked out in the hall and looked out of the north window into the courtyard below, where workmen were busily engaued adjusting the rupes and making final pre- ptr iy es ae Ol me Lge — ‘was constracted ye rinciple, A Camaer policeman, while experimenting with the rope and welahe aday or two since, came ver near hai himself. He had the noose adynsted, but very looseiy, when the weigit fell and the noose fortunately sl dover his head, A littie tighter and he would proved the ability of that scaf- fold in the most signal manner. It Was near eleven o’clock when I re-entered the room in which the iron cage is situated. John came up tome immediately and recommenced tie con- versation. I gave hima cigar, which he smokea with evident relish, pausing occasionally to say mething smart about the people who had becn. instrumental in convicting him and then laughin, aloud. Jt was throughout the most heartrendin; conduct for @ man in his position that I have eyer witnessed, THE SHERIFF ENTERED aT ELBVEN O'CLOCK and introduced Hop. Wilham B Mann, District Attorney, and Sheriff Leeds, both of Philadelphia, Ware looked at them from under his eyebrows and shook them by the pend Ware was then asked to shake hands with Mr. Jeukins, but this he post- tively refused to do. He turned his head and the tears camo into his eyes, ‘would not relent. ie Sheriff burst {nto teers and ft bs) shake han4s with mr. Jenkins; ogitively Treiused, nor did he give an arensare when that gentleman came he cage and took his hand within nis own. With the exception of the clergy and reporters every one was requested to leave, ana an oficer entered the cage, handcuffs in hand, and proceeded to handcuff the prisoner, utterly SUBDUED IN BODY, BUT NOT IN STIRIT. e tears coursed down the criminal’s face, and one could imagine that some little repentance for his lather’s murder had possession ol his heart, put not @ word eoner’s him, He submitted passively to the ministrations of the officers. The black cap was adjusted loosely on the top of ms head, and in com- pany with Sherif’ Leeds and his deputy, followed by the press representatives and the ciergy, the solemn pegoranee began the march to the scaffold, Some wo hundred special policemen were on duty, and tne halls were kept clear and the passage open. THE ENCLOSURB ‘was already filled with an anxious, staring crowd; and, as the prisoner emerged into open air, a silence like death fell upon the scene. Even the leaves had ceased to rustle in the crisp December air, a8 if, in unison with the scenes at hand, they had for the moment retracted their allegiance to the winds. Sherif Fredericks turned to Ware with streaming eyes and asked his forgiveness, put NOT A WORD CAMB from the dumb lips of the law’s victim. All heads were uncovered, and an impressive prayer was offered on benalf of the wre.ched criminal. What a sorrowiul sight he presented, standing gallows! His coat in rags and ais elbows sticking out, pants half tastened upon his body and nis foot nervously beating time to the conticting emotions in his breast. Ina window of the Oourt House were two female domestics, crying as if their hearis would break at tne sight below them, qt they would not have missed seeing it ior any- hing. {t 18 @ peoultarity of people of their station in life that they are the first to make @ time on oo- casion of sufering, suifering which they need not witness, but, like these two women, cannot stay the opportunity to gratify their morbid desires, Fortunately jor the spirit of the age executions aré comparatively private. The prayer oelug fuished a number of peopie gathered around the criminal and endeavored to console him, to induce him to pray, but he was firm ahd answered not. A second prayer was then offered by old Mr. Cameron, the kind-hearted man that has acted as Ware's principal keeper, yet the stolid heart was antouched, and the old man arose, ‘with tears running down his cheeks. ‘‘John,"’ said Sheriff Fredericks, as he PULLED THE BLACK CaP down over Ware’s bead, “I ask ie" once more, will you pray for forgiveness? Will you not say one Iitue aeartielt prayer—offer up one last exoor- tation’? Ware was silent Jor about two seconds, and replied “Nor A DAMNED BIT OF Ir!’ He never spoke again on earth, Lhe Sheriff walked around vetnnd him, picked up the axe and with one blow severed the rope. The weight descenued ite | to the ground, and Ware shot mio the air fell back half a foot, and bung limp and dead. His meck was broken at once. The body was allowed to hang about half an hour, and was then cut down and turned over to bis friends, And thus ends ine earilily career of one of the most hardened criminais of the day, Let us hope that he will tind that mercy that earth dened nim, THE PAGRICIDE’S CONFESSION. jate lastevening, made the following con- ng CAMDEN Jatt, ILP. M, Deo. 14, 1871, Popuic:—What I nere suy I say in the presence d they are my last words, 1 am twenty-three years neither read nor write, T told one of my iy had reveived half {have since I would never have seen I kaow I have scarcely twelve hours tmy fate lke w man, My cou ted all the Ingenuity post friends they wiil rememb 0 rand a half, in my behalf; bur | am condemned to die this time without even the hope Of a ropriere, But verore 1 die 1 wish most solemnly to anver' IN BREUALF OP MY POOR MOT Ls the attempt of taking of my father’ Mary Champton herself, fatal shot was Gred, never met ber in never gave her any of the money Ware's person to get away with; 1 never saw my mot after the woods, took from John A. never saw her tii ahg came to the Camden jail taker my Beng! a er h be: ‘bday, ver ng al ton buy Polson to vowon bim wih; Mary Aon ‘Thompusit also tod a (aisehood when she says I pout and deliberately shot my father, pa Bho isa bad woman, brought house be A. Ware. nad alter she game there may my mother knew no more about tbe kill- ee iors ‘MY LITTLE ©! DID. Nw D> Ann Champlo eorge Willamson eeem to have Bad “a-bard’ fol enongh wituout Mr Bobvel has Fie, fe taytcne ty the eectsion that TT wenn eet the oft ae Es, ‘ime. I never talked with T never atid any such wort or anything ike i ye Bands is married to Mary Champion's niece, wh! wife, still living, is sn the Poorhouse in Vat county, Bande and Mary Champion nave been syainst me . The poy Harper did not tell do not blame him so much as Patience, may sister ; for Harper sald at the firat tri! that Patience told him If he (Harper) would tell the a.ory ie did tell he (Harper) should plwaye bave s home there, | Knowing, that I'am about to dle T again say that I never told where else that I wor Harper ia the meadow or any- other for many v drove ber out 0! could skin me in # minute, turned ‘all the vile names he would HE OLD MAN AND GBT HI8 MONEV; My father m ere vy gun fled him. It was a fit ol Bay I bever: y the willing ‘of ; tather, Tihenk premed! e ing 2 il i all the peopie who have been kind ittle ebildren tate brought me presents. I thank them all, ‘am not afraid to die. My wife and child are alone in the rorid, and I hope those who have expressed their sympathy ‘with my hard lot feet like doing something to ald my poor boy, my mother and my wife when 1 am gone, and EDUCATE MY 8ON better than his father was, Mr. Scovel has promised to look after this. Lthank him for allhe has dove for me, and I thang Sherif Frederick and his good wife for their kindness to me, and Mr, Garrett and Mr, Hollinshead, who have never deserted me, I die without {il-will towards anybody in the ‘world, blaminz nobody, but believing little mercy has been shown me. This ia tho only confession I shall ever make in thia world or the next, persecuted and bunted a! tg been. Ido not fear to die. 18 JOBN x WARE, mark, L-CTO288 LAIT NIGuT. Amncsty—Leciure by Honter. There was arather slim attendance at the Cooper Institute last evening—not more than two dozen Dersons being present—the occasion being the dev livery of a lecture on “Universal Amnesty” by the colored orator, Isaac H. Hunter. At eight o'clock the large hall was extremely vacant, and the pros- pect was gloomy. The lecture, however, proved an excellent treat, and was thoroughly appreciatca by those in attendance, Mr. Horace Greeley pre- aided, and introduced the lecturer in appropriate terms, Mr. Hunter is a low-sized, slightly built and Intelligent-looking man, His address is pleasing, while his voice is strong and musical. The lecture was chioily devoted to @ general review of the present condition of affairs in the Southern States, and the speaker pointed out im very lorcible terms ‘she advantages which must result from universal amnesty. He contended that if universal amnesty Were proclaimed the Southern white men aud tie Southern colored men would go nand and hand in the work of reform. The iecturer reierred at some length to the proceedings of the Ku Klux Kian, and submitted that their objects were to a great extent misrepresented. He then opened on the carpet- baggers, and showed that tney were not sitogether confined to Northern adventurers, but included. many persons who were faithless to trusts imposed upon them by their Scuthern friends in time of trouble. He defined the word “gcalawag” in humorous terms, and having ad- Verted tosome of the war reminiscences he con- cluded by advocating the preservation of the Union at all hazards ana universal am- nesty. But it was necessary that when univer- gal amnesty was prociaimed white men must dea amnesty to the colored people. The lec- ure Was throughout very interesting, and snould have boen heard by a much larger assemblage. Mr. Greeley followed the lecturer, and endorsed the views whicn he presented. Mr. Greeley was extremely liberal in his observations, and his gener- ous expressions created much applause, Universal Inf'ac H. Hildebrand and the Supremncy of the Popes— Lecture by Dr. John Lord at Association Hall. Dr. John Lord delivered another of his elaborate and exhaustive historical essays last evening at Association Hall, Twenty-third street and Fourth avenue, The theme he selected was, ‘Hilde- brand and the Supremacy of the Popes.” In his exordium the reverend lecturer grew eloquent over the disorders which pervaded Christendom in the beginning of the eleventh centaty. Tne cor- ruptions of Tammany were but vental compared to the excesses which characterized the actions of both the ecclesiastics and laymen at that gloomy epoch. A reformer was sadly needed—a man who, to genius, firmness, purity of personal morals, added utter fearlessness. Such aman was found iu the great Cardinal Hilaebrand, otherwise known as Pope Gregory VII. The lecturer here took occasion to pay @ glowiug tribute to the wondrous power of the Papacy, and its salutary influence in meckne Se . sorders Gal that turbulent, tre Not- Wivbstanding, however, the power, mn gud Watise of temporal Pypees. ‘nad bie aye rupted. she SlerY of several kingdoms of wurde un central authority vested in the Roman Pontitls tad hecome seriously impaired. Added to this the personal vices of the Minor ecclesiasucs had become so fiagrant as to excite the distrust of the people and seriously preju- dice the interests of morality and true religion, Leo 1X. was then the reigniag Pontiff, but weak and ineficient, _ Hildebrand, who was born in italy, As 1620, and a monk of the Cis- vercian order an the Abbey of Clany, in the seclusion of his celi was a keen observer of the evils of the times ani bent all his thoughts and energies on their reformation. He eme from his retirement and, slep by step, advan to the highest digni- taries of the Church. On the aecegse # ie? dit 9 debrand wag Sleyaued 19. ig, PBpacy. illed wit: the importagce of miss! and to vest 10 with $e Mos: Foremn claims to the respect and veoera- non of Onristendom, he refetred bis choice to tho decision of tho Oléfyy and people of Rome, who wunanithously confirmed it. He then proceeded, barefooted, clad in humble garb, to the tomb of St. Peter, and tuere paid his jomage at the shrine of the Prince of the Apostles. Being thus instalied In oitice he set about vigor ously the work of reform. He had two great eviis to contend with—demoralization im the Church and Monarehical insolence. Gregory was himself a monk, vigorous and. austere, and the views of the secular clergy found netther favor nor indulgence in his eyes. He had aiso sprung from the people, and the tyranny of their feudal supe- riors had justly excited his indignation. He be- came their champion, and showed a bold front to their oppressors. The secular clergy, on the other hand, he resolved to curd by tne sirong arm ol the spiritual power. He ts, therefore, to be considered, said the lecturer, from two points—political and ecclesiastical. The great predominant vices of the clergy were concubInage and simony. He forced them, under pain, of excommunication, to abandon thelr vicious practices aud conform to the princi. ples and practices of the early Christians, In this, of cor as was Lo be expected, he met with the most stubborn opposition, which, to a man of less nerve than Hildebrand, would have proved disastrous, He succeeded In his purpose,and the murmus of dissent availed naught against the hye § wil of the iron Pontiff. Simony, or the sale of benefices, was another flagrant evil which was even more dificult to suppress. The avarice of both laymen and ec- clesiastics had so interwoven ttself with the moral in- terests of the Church that the work of purification was GiMouit in the extreme. But Gregory triumphed over every obstacle, and all alike, princes and ples, quailed before the edicts of the Vatican. laving thus reformed the Church intervally, Hiide- brand undertook the task ot checking the arrogance of the European sovereigns. They, too, fejt the torce of his strong arm, invested thougu it were with only spiritua: power, and succumbed. Charles A, Requa, eighteen years of age, died in Centre Street Hospital at an early hour yesterday moraing, from the efleots of injuries received tho night Faeviews, by being crushed between a steam- ship and a tugboat, of which his father ts owner, at ier 36 Norih River. The occurrence was quite acci- ental. Deceased lived in Tarrytown, Westchesier county, Coroner Schirmer was notified, Coroner Sobirmer was yesterday calied to 138 Essex street to hold an inquest on the body of Jacob Nederhafer, a lad sixteen years of age, who, while engaged in hoisting water through the hatcn- way to the third floor of the cabinet manufactor: 168 and 165 Attorned street, lost his balance an’ a 12 the ground floor, and was almost imstanty killed, Coroner Schirmer yesterday held an inquest on the pody of Antonio Hoffman, sixty years of age and a native of Germany, late of No. 119 Eighth street, Whose death resulted from injuries received by being knocked down, on the corner of Sixth sireet and avenue B, last Tuesday afternoon, by a team of horses attached to @ coach driven by a man whose name and residence are unknowd. Immedi- gry alter the occurrence the driver whipped up his horses and ran bani since which time Captain Garland, of the Eleventh precinct, and the members of his command have made diligent search for him, bat without success, Captain Garland will con- unue the search. On Monday next Coroner Young will commence an investigation in the case of Mr. Thomas McDer- mott, iate of West Tenth street, who died on the 7th Just, from injuries previously recetved by @ collision, corner Of Church and Barciay streets. lt appears eae of horses belonging to the Broadway had Seventh Avenue Railroad Company been detached from @ car at the and while the driver was in the act of hitching them to the otner end of the car they became trightened, broke away from tue driver and ran furiously down Barclay street, At the corner of Churen sirees the irigutened animals came in violent coilision with an Kighth avenue car, the side of which being crushed, and oae of the horses was forved partially into the care Mr, McDermott, being a passenger, was struck about the head @ horee, and, as alleged, received jojuries which hastened his deaih, The men in charge Of the rauaway horses used every exertion wer to hold them, but was unabie to do s0, ieeneg pre to he examined on oth sided, THE BROKEN BANKS. Improved Feeling in Wall Street Yesterday. Unfounded Rumors and Their Result, The Suspended Banks—ihe Oc-an, Eighth Na- tional and the Union Square—What They Say and What They Are Doing. Although a feeling of uneasiness was perceptible in Wall street cirqes yesterday morning the fact that the falsity of the malicious rumors, so ingenl- ously circulated, regarding tne instability of several institutions bad become established materially di- minished the teverish excitement tha: prevailed the day preceding. Inquiries at the Clearing House and elsewhere fully confirmed the opinion already expressed—that the condition of the banks generally was unusually sound. The bold, though unskiliul, manner in which the reckless stockjobbers mancuvred was calculated to create some excitement among those unacquainted with the wily tricks of the sharp lntriguers; but when the scheme failed and when it became well known that the institutions against which the groundiess re- ports had been set afloat were sound a very confl- dent and satisfactory feeling suppited that of doubt and anxiety, The Bunk of the Commonwealth weathered the gale with flying colors and came to anchor without the loss of a passonger on the stable craft, In fact, that institution has rather fared well by tha excitement, ani although slightly strained on Thursday by the storm through which it rode so bravely, the substanual support proffered to 1t in the nour of apparent distress was suMiciently demoustrated to prove that it did not lack @ host of steady financial friends, The com- mittee of the Clearing Honse finally established the soundness of the bank in question, and there the excitement ends. To be sure the street was @ little feverish in the morning, but towards noon business had resumed its nominal condition, Hints were given here ang there tothe offect that trouble might be expected in @ few prominent establisnments, but a litte 10- vestigation proved tuese injurious Wiisperings to ve entirely Without truth. Sofaras could be ascer- tained the banks are ali in @ fair condition, ag the several sheets at tne Clearlag House show, and if the petty stock operators could possibly contine themselvea to their own bust- ness the mercantile community would i.cquently be spared a great deal of unnecessary anxiety, ‘the recent crashes In a tew banking estaplishments were certainly saiiclent to cause a iesling of alarm in some quarters, théugh why that feeung should be aguravated by the "preconverted plans Of heart. Jess Speculators 18.a matter which requires no ex- planation, Having signauy fatied, then, in tiew efforts to create @ panic, however sinail, the stuck- jobbers were low spirited yesterday, wile o healhy and comfortable wwne prevailed in the market at large. The “run” on the Bank of the Commonwealth subsided to a mere walk, and depositors drew their checks without exbivit- ing symp.oms ol rapid respiration, Moreover, the deposits were large, and coniceuce Ju tiis institu. tion was firmly re-esiavlished, It wus, nevertheless, remarked 1n several circles that the affairs of some of the national banks sequired an overhaulll and that precautions should ve taken agains: fucure irregularities, As it 1s impossible to prevent the cir- culation of Ul-founded reports, no loopholes should be left whereby ingenious speculators could finda flaw to cavilat. 1p fine, the feeling was a decided improvement and 18 likely to contiuue. The Ocean Bavk—‘the Depositors’ Confer- ence. The depositors of tnis concern, of which Mr. Stevenson, an old paymaster of the Army of the Potomac, is President, and Theodore R. Davies was counsel and now receiver, were more clamorous yesterday than ever. Bitter words were uttered AND THREATS MADE against the recetver, Mr, Davies, and the detec- live, Mr. Flynn, who seems to be doing his duty ag faithfully a# the recelver’s orders will permit, but who is now anxions to sever his connection with the bank. For several hours yes- terday Mr. Davies was closeted with tho committee of depositors, and Mr. Flynn refused all admission to the presence of the receiver. About three o'clock P. M, a reporter of the HERALD aecured a moment's audience With the receiver, who intimated THAT OALLBNDER’S SBCURITIES deposited in the bank to cover his indebtedness con- sisted of $10,000 bonds of the Chicago, Decatrr, Sul- livan and Mattoon Rallroaa. and about $80,000 of the Portage Canal first mortgage bonas, which he oati- Mutes a8 Worth tne full amount. hese bonus, he re- fgeuret by the endorsement of A, Wild, P. J. mL. Avéry, J. B. Conant & Co. aud D, jartiu, This was ail tne luformation Mr, phive o'clock, ) pl Day the 8 03 late as BAYS Biloting det 3 were obtained A CONFERENCE WITH THE RE At ten o'clock yesterday mormug appointed by the depositors of the Ucean Bank to confer with the receiver, Mr. Davies, relative to the securities wnd assets of thé company, met at the oitice of the vank, aud were courteously received by Mr. Davies, Wu expressed bin readiuess to alford all information possible to give upon so short a notice, Before the consultation commenced, a quesilo arose as to whetner. ' am REPORTHUS SHOULD BB ALLOWED to remain im the room. Mr. Davies said that per- sonaily he had no objection to thelr dulug so, but that he did not think it woud be worth thelr walle, as nis report was very crude and imperiect, hastily gotten up and incomplete in some of the details. He stated that he had veen busily employed preparing it up to a late hour the previous night, in ord to be im readiness to receive tee, It was finally decided by bot committee and. receiver to bold tie consultation private, as the business to be transacted Was more an over- hauling Of the books than anything else. Mr. Wan- dell, the chairman of the committee, said that on Monday they would meet ther constituents and then the press would be furnished with full detais, and if anything of importance transmred in tne meantime it would also be communicated. A HERALD reporter saw one of the commuitive after the meeting and this gentleman stated that it was absolutely necessary that the proceedings at the session should not be given to the press for publication. lt was, however, satisfactoril established to the committee that the depositor: will be paid in fall, but that the stockholders will probably suffer very heavily. From en ap- earances the bank will not be able e fang Business after getting througn its present diticuity, Dr, Starrs, one of the committee to whom Mr. Davies referred one of the Heravp reporters after the conference had ended, expressed his belief that the condition of the bank wag nluch BETTER THAN THB PUBLIG HAD BEEN LED TO BE- BY! A Some of the depositors tats TA the day circulated the Teport that Mr. Davies, the receiver, Was @ partner ofa detective named Edsall, who’ served under the late chief of detectives, Captain Jona Young, but thie statement 1s untrue. The Eizhth National Bavk. ‘The doors of the above bank were open yesterday, and depositors met with courteous responses from the polite clerks, One of them stated tnat tne delay in making a statement of its assets and liabilities was caused by the fact that about tno time the bank suspended, owing to the confusion, the combinavion was lost and they were unable to open the safes until yesterday morning, when a mechanic forced it open. Later in the day the receiver, Mr. ©. Mau, Was seen, aud he ex- pressed the belief that every depositor woud re- -ceive all justly due him, but for a few days he would be unable to give a statement to the press, The Union Square Bunk—Ufiicial of lts Affairs. The above bank seems to have secured the sym- pathy of all banks outside of the Clearing House, and even Mr. Hulburd, Comptroller of the cur- renoy, bears testimony to ite good management. Speaking of the causes that led to its suspension Mr. Bixby, Vice President, yesterday asserted that the action of the Shoe and Leather Bank was the cause, He said that when word was first received of the suspension of the Ocean Bank, and it was necessary for thé Union Square Bank to provide itself with a Ciearing House anne 764 cash and collaterais to the amount Of $63,620 were deposited in the Shoe and Leatner Bank, whereupon the President, Mr. Stout, wrote out a certiiicate to the effect that Statement he was the agent of the Onion Square Bank in the Oleariog House, and sent it Bloomfeld, the er, These certificates were then sent inter, to the diferent banks on ‘Tuesday morning. The ofMcers of the Union Square Bank further agreed to send $30,000 in to the ea ‘edi morning. ‘This money was paid before the rf poluted time, and Air, Bixby says that the contract was lulfliled in every way and that he never had the least douvt that the Shoe and Leather sank would redeem for tim, andt hat ie aciion astonished his directory aud by the posting compelied their sus- 01 pension, At @ late hour last evening a reporter of this paper met President Cecil, Vice President Bixby, Mr. Nathan, Mr. Beekman and other er of ond more gratily- exhibit than that published exclusively 10 HRAALD Ol yea 4 senueman sopointed 4 we ne ime vomptrolier Hulburd, as receiver, bore testl, ¥ to the correctness of the above de-laration- and afier the courteous bookkeeper, Mr. Audersoo, bad preparou it and tv vad been supervised by the receiver and the gentiemanty direciors present, the follow! Wos «. ven a8 the present conditiun of the aflairs of the inxtituiion, LIABILITIES, Individual depositors. . $5,981 SL Certitied checks. + 61,502 96 mks... 11,842 48 Ctreulation 50,000 00 TOM). .......0sececeerreses see vee $108,806 26 ASSETS. Bilis discounted and call loans.......... $480,308 OL bi ee bonds with Treasurer, 0,000 60 12,000; premiam, $8,000, ore Revenue ‘Face paint + 1,082 16 Cash in Shoe and Leather Bank.......... 42,918 28 Advances on real estate in Philadelphia to secure imacotedness, + 6,991 05 Outstanding collections 043 Cash in bank aad cash 1 14,483 76 Fixtures of bank, say 6,000 Totel . - $527,211 86 Linbitities...... 3288,805 34 Assets over jialilities.. + $138,406 6% & DRACIA. {talinn Opern—“Marthn.? Fiotow's light, sparkling opera 1s always popular 1m this city, especially when the leading roles are Interpieted by such artists as Mile Misson, Mise Cary, Capoul and Jamet. Last night there wae @ crowded house at the Academy down stairs and @ goodly representation im the boxes, alti oun about twenty of the last mentioned were not occupted. Nilsson 13 a Se Lady Henrietta, and espe. Ctaily in the celebrated spinning wheel quartet and in “The Last Rose of Summer’ she was irresistible, A matinée of “Faust” will be given to-day, and oa Monday “Trovatore” for the second time. On Tues- day “Faust” will be presented for the lust time, and on Wednesday the eutire troupe appear at Steinway Hall in a concert, Edwin Booth as Claude YWelnorre. It is a cold nature that can look on unmoved at the touching picture of human passions which Bulwer Lytton has so ably and artistically drawo 1m his “Laay of Lyons.” ‘The author has rendered hia Plece almost independent of the actor, whose inade- quacy may mar but cannot spoil its beauty. These Me tn the strength and naturalness of the situations nd tne purity and elevation of thought wuich rone through the dialogue. We have seea it presented under ail circumstances, eudangered by the mouth- Ing of the ranter and chilled py art of the actor; but Do want of understanding in the player could deprive it of its power to charm, It demanus at the hands of the actor that quaitty which ts Icast oiten found among the profession—naturalness, ‘‘o worthy portray the chief character of the piece requires that the stage should be forgotten aud that the actor should walk and talk as men do in everyday life when moved by passions as intense as thyse which he endeavors to simulate. For it must be remem- bered that jove and pride have survived the days when Bonaparte went to ltaly, and that men are moved by the same motives of hope and love and anger and jealousy In the society in which we move and live, and that atl these passions are fell and expressed without the intervention <0! we sock and puskin, Human passion iff not @ garment beiongmg to some particular age that men must needs throw themselves ito Un naturai and forced postures when trymyg toexpress them. In tragedy, when treating of the classic or heroic ages, a certain license 13 allowed, and we are not at all shocked vo see the heroes of a past ‘ake deliver themselves in & manner ihat would seem Intensely ridiculous 1n one of our acquaintances; but as the time 1a which the action occurs approaches our own, we are wont to be more exacting, aud like to age the actor keep as close as possible to the accepted form of procedure in the ordinary affairs of life, ‘Thus a man who should play the part of Bonaparte in the spirit in which he acts Macbeth would very likely be luughed at for his reward. It geems to us that Mr, Booth bis not Kept this fact before his mimd with suif- cient clearness, and there peeps through the peasant dress of Claude Melnotte too much of his tragic Hamlet. He forgets the Danish Prince’s ex- cellent advice and ‘saws the air’? too much, and stamps the ground with that offensive theasric movement which recalls 80 strongly memories o! itinerant players. in his impersonation of the peasant there was no treshocss, 00 euthusiasm, nothing of the simple force that would certalaly be found in such @ man as Claude Meinotic, Claude's interview with his mother, where 3 wan hs be expected to be casy and natural, and even gus ung. ‘Was only histrionic, It was an effort, aud a vistbi one on the part of Mr. bovth, who plunged at ence into the depth of tragedy, and missed whe force ud sympathy of enthusiasin which uandertied and forms the basis of this scene. Viaudée at this period is fuil of Ife and hope, and Ailedwita joy and animatton at his triumph over the otner vil- lagers tu the rifle contest, and is fendiy foreshadow. ing other and greater successes; but Mr. Uooth’d - rendering deprives lim of sll the sunshine, and resents him as an exceedingly tragic person. ‘here is tvo little nature and too much of the si in the character as presented tor 1t Lo please us, In the second act the yame fauit was visiole. His act. ing wanted spontafPity and was marked by a cold formality, Every gesture was carefully studied, but theréwus Jacking that heartiness in the og which could proiitaply have rep! some of the ert It is just ble to have too much of @ good thing, and, though astady is good, inay be carried too far, In the scene with the beirayed wile there Was not enough emotion. As he pictured the progress and rejection of his love there was im his voice neither the fire of passion nor the bitterness of resentment, and yet 1t Was suca @ scene us might well make tremulous the voice of the lover, But in this, as in every olaer scene, all was sacrificed to the tragic muse. We cannot lvok upon the repre. sentation a8 @ success; the quality of naturalness | so Important in a drama that no mere exceilence o reading or polish of action can replace it, and this gagential was absent from Mr, Booth’s Ulaude Mel. Ole, ee later as: ‘ Nothing vut the good quality of the piay saved it from the utter incapacity of the otier actors, . Mr. Robert Pateman presented us with the piciure of a Cockney snob as the nearest approach to als con~ cepuon of a French fop, treating us eh passant toa litte of the dialect of Houndsditea, Mr. Wil- son's Beauseaut was heavy and wanting polish,, and, we might add, 10 pr K understanding of is role, ais picture of the French nobleman Was, cer- tainly, highly auasing, notwithstanding tsa some- what tragic mauner, to any one with & sense of the ridiculous Mr ¥euno seemed ta have some sympathy with his part, but at times was a little vulgar, Miss Hella Pateman acved her part grace/ully, butis evidentiy tanuenced to a ilitle heaviness by contact with Mr. Booth, Nether her voice nor her faciai expression Is gulll- cieutly Aypipasnen. for though she more than on¢g@ gave evidence of comprenending the edect fo be sought, suc fatied fully to realizet. in the meet- img with her father her efforts were completely marred by the acting of Mr. Rooney, whose Mons, Deschppelles comes not into the regious gf eriti~ Cry eras bane Ld MF, Booth will appear as Claude Memotto in the Matinée performance to-day. A Succese'ul Play. On Monday night the comedy drama of “Divorce” reached ita hundreath performance, and so andl- ence approaching the dimensions of a “jam” satin vhe cosey little Fiftn avenue dramatic boudotr to witness the most successiul piay of the season. When a play crowds a theatre for one hundred nights, and gives indications of vitality suMelens to carry it over @ hundred more, there can be but one opinion about it, Even the Chicago excite ment and the interest manifested in Italian opera falled to affect the attendance at Mr. Daly’s theatre since the season opened, so that it is fair to pre- sume that elther the interesting subject ot the play, the vivid and natural manner of treatment by the author, iis superb mounting and stage accessories, ‘or the talent of the Lo se engaged in. it, nas taken iast hold of the public, At all events, many Novelties that were in preparation to follow “Divorce” have been indefinitely pos! fm the Seegest does not probably feel disposea to withdraw @ play that fills the house every might, ‘Miss Agnes Ethel aud Burnside will make ag appearance alter “Divorce” bas reached ts “Humpty Dumpty” from a Two Dollar Pellet of View. , New York, Dec, 14, 1871, To THe EDITOR OF THE HERALD (— Having written two coms to Mr. W LL. Fox, (Humpty Dumpty) since thanksgiving day on the following subject, and not having received @ reply in any shape, I thought last night, on reading the HERALD, and seeing the prominence you give the play in your review of yesterday, that I would again bring the matter to nis notice thro? your columns, since he has not had the common politeness to re- ply to my respectful notes. The case is this,—On Thanksgiving day [ took my three children to the “ulympic rheatre” to see “Hum; bu yy,” at the matinée, and bought 4 tlok for the pur. pose, but the place was so crow we could not wee the peri consequently [ took them out;—got into a Broadway stage and took them to the Circus in 14th st., which being also overcrowded for the er (L suppose) told me noé to buy tckets or go inside but come some other afternoon, declining te take Ny could not be accommodated. Now contrast this Manly act with that of the Olympic & and tell Mme what you think of the matter, As desired to see hum} Dumpty I or to the us passes BOL 5 we i ck = conta oe ‘a cae any longer desire to see UI character I would ask him since | got Do value for my money, ($2) to send it to me thro thé :iBRALD OF to my nouse No 72 Amity St this city, Resp'ly yours HOS. KEAN. If you or Mr. Fox desire to see me you can find me nearer to hang at the Bm Indi Saviivs Bank, 61 Chambers 5u