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TRIAL OF THE CONSPIRATORS-PENCIL SKETCHES FROM OUK ARTIST'S SKETCH-BOOK. V **¦•» Jl P < THi! STKA.ITS. AN ATEKAGE EAEIT OPENING. The marine reporter yesterday interviewed a number of our most ancient mariners for their opinions as to when thk Straits would open. In a nutshell their opinions are that the season is most terribly backward so far as Lake Michigan is concerned, but that, with rai"1. and wind, the opening of the Straits will be as early as usual. The following table gives the dates on which the first craf;; have passed through since and including 1861: 18G1 18u2 1803 1SB4 1866 1867 1K(,:8 18(19 ... April 1" ...April 5 ...April 7 ...April 12 ...April 26 ....April 28 ...April 27 ....April 11 May 2 187Ch!.........April 16 1871...........April 1 1872........... Mav 6 1873..........April 28 1874..........April 18 1875.'..........May 12 1876........... May 6 1877..........April 17 1878..........March 16 18711...........April 24 1880........... May 18 S7 s REDUCING- THE KATES. A Legislative committee is at Buffalo to investigate terminal charges there. The Buffalo Commercial says: As to the charges which the Buffalo elevat- . t^r, T.oo-ialotnre would C -NA JIAN ITEMS. Special Teldfrsm iu Tim Inter Ocean. Sarnia, Out, April 8.—A break'oecurred about noon to-day in the ice-gorgs, at Port Edward, and considerable quantities of ice passed down the river before it closed again. Some of the calces grounded in twenty-five feet of water. Special Teleeram to Tlie Inter Ocean. Port Colborne, Ont., April 8.—No water is to bo seen off this harbor yet. The weather is milder to-day. 1 i'le.m'am to The Inter Ocean. TOTtoNTo, Ont., April 8.—Mrs. Fisher has decided to have -a new trial in her suit against the Georgian Bay Transportation : Company. It is expected to take place in ' June. Sueciai Telegram to The Inter Ocean. Ktngswill, Ont., April 8.— The Pelee Island mail which arrived by a small "boat yesterday, reports the ice for about throe miles from the north shore of the island. The rest of the passage is clear. There is no ice in wight from this place. Special Telegram to The Inter Ocean. Colchester, April 8.—The steamer City of Dresden passed down this afternoon, also the barge Cormorant and consort. The lake is free of ice as far as can be seen. Naviga- . tion fairly open at this end of Lake Erie. ! St. Catharines, Ont., April 8.—The Superintendent of the Welland Canal, Mr. Ellis, has given notice that the feed will be shut off at Ailensijurg to-morrow at noon, but the water Will not bo drawn out of the level -where t here is ic/e for some days yet. Special Tcletrraio t!> 'Vim Jnt;>r Ocean. _ Kincardine, Ont., April 8.—The ice outside.* tills harbor is moving south and from up-ft pcarancea at present navigation here willi; open earlier than expected. The new rang, lighthouse, which shows a red flash light will be ready for the opening of navigation. As to the cnarges vtmuu ui±« *,% ors make upon grain, the Legislature would certainly not desire to unduly hamper an important; industry in which about $7,000,-000 are invested, if it finds that the business is not improperly conducted. It has been alleged that extortion is practiced here; that whenever the State reduces tolls by canal, rates of elevation are proportionately advanced. If the committee, upon careful inquiry, find that no more is charged here than elsewhere for similar service, these al-I legations fall to the ground. That thi3 is | the case has already been established in evi-¦ dence. The rates at the various large receiving centers are as follows: Chicago—1H cents per bushel, including 10 days' storage. Milwaukee—1]4 cents per bushel, inicluding 10 days' storage. Philadelphia—1?4 cents per bushel,, including > 10 days' storage. St. Louis—l*fl Cents per bushel, tnieluding 10 days' storage. Kansas City—1*4 cents per bushel, including 10 days' storage, Duluth—'J cents per bushel, including 10 days' 1 storage. Toledo—I cent per bushel, including 10 days' storage. Erie—1 cent per bushel, including 10 days' storage* Cincinnati—1 cent per bushel, including 10 days' storage. ; New York—1 cent per "bushel, including ?0 day:;' storage. , Buffalo— % to 1 cent per bushel, including 10 | J days' storage. \ It appears from this that the charges at ' Buffalo are lower than elsewhere. This certainly does not look like extortion! J We Relieve that the committee will find 'before it closes its investigation that the i ¦a are not responsible tor tne shoveling charges. To be sure the several gangs f doing this work are connected with the t elevators in a certain way, "but this is for convenience and better dispatch of business. The shovelers make their own charges, and if the Legislature purposes to regulate this matter it should treat it as ,<**. ^separate branch of business and not attach it to the elevators, '/ TUB STRAITS. Srjecial Telegram to The Inter Ocean. Mackinaw, Mich., April 23.—Tire weather has been exceedingly warm to-day, and the ice has melted fast. A warm, fresh, southwest wind has been blowing all day. At 8 a. m. the mercury was 46 above; at noon, 06 above; at 7 d. m., 5-1 above in the shade. There are several large openings between here and St. Ignace, and it in also open between there and Mackinaw Island, THE LATE CAPTAIN ROACH! The funeral of the lata Captain Michael Loach took place from tlie family residence. No. 1S8 North Peoria street, to St. Stephen's Church, yesterday morning; thence by train to Calvary Cemetery. Many friends were in attendance. Captain Roach was 57 years of ago. He was a pioneer lake navigator, hut retired from the water several years ago. lie leaves a fortune in real estate and some vessel property. Mrs. Roach is now lying dangerously ill. —«.— THE STRAITS. Special Telegram to The Inter Ocean. Mackinaw City, Mich., April 8.—The ice is solid. Teams arc crossing the straits dally, Travel across is better now than it was at any time during the winter. Boats cannot get through before the 1st of May. It is freezing hard nights and thawing very little in the daytime. " CiiEBomAN, Mich., March 8.-—The weather was very fine to-day, with a northeast wind, brisk. A gentle,west wind prevails to-night, and it is ciear and cold. Mr. O. T. Flint, the late Captain E. P. Dorr's right-hand man in his office at liuffaloVsuc-ceeds the late Captain as marine manager of the /Etna Insurance Company on the "lakes. The two sons of Captain Dorr, who were in his office, have entered into partnership, and take the fire business formerly managed by their late father. The second trial of the case of Mrs. Fisher against the Georgian Bav Transportation Company, wherein she asks for $20,000 damages for the boss of her husband, who was a passenger Ly the ill-fated steamer Waubona on her last trip in November, 1879, was closed at Toronto Saturday night, and resulted as before, in the disagreement of the iurv. , ¦ The Toronto Seamen's Union lias elected the following officers: President, J. D. Murphy; First Vice President, James Sanderson; Second Vice President, P C. Pike, and Secretary, Fred Lilly. The President's salary was fixed at $50 a month, and the opening rate of wages at $1.25 a day on Lake Ontario, and $1.50 through the canal. COLLINGWOOD HARBOUR Under the guidance of most or the above-named rentlcmen a visit was paid to the fleet of Collingwood steamers, some of which were ready for icrvice, while others were still being overhauled. Che ice was yet in the harbour in immense quantities. A few hours previously the steamer Lake Erie started for Owen Sound for the purpose of Igoing into the dry-dock there, and as she got 'clear of the ice in the bay it was thought that she would probably reach her destination all right. Should this be the case the steamer Northern Queen will have started out this "morning. The Lake Erie is the first steamer this season to leave-. Collingwood. The following named steamers com-B poso the fleet:—New England Transportation Line— ¦ Northern Queen, Lake Erie. Columbia, and Canada. These run to Chicago, carrying New England manufactures to Milwaukee and Chicago, and grain, pork, and lard in return to Collingwood, where the freight is taken eastward bv the Northern and North-Western Railway. The Collingwood and Lake Superior Transit Company—Steamers City of Winnipeg, Citym of Owen Sound, and Frances Smith. These ply between Collingwood and Lake Superior ports, Fort William, and Duluth, long a favourite passenger and excursion route. The Great Northern Transit Company own the steamers Manitoulin and Emerald (formerly called the Oswego Belle), plying to Sault Ste. Marie and intermediate ports, and the Northern Belle, which runs to Parry Sound. In connection with the Chicago line there isthe Northernand North-Western Railway Elevator, with a capacity of 160,000 bushels, and having an unloading power of 5,000 bushels an hour. Over four million bushels of grain was handled by this elevator last year. The steamers carry between eighteen and twenty-five thousand bushels each. They are all well built and commodious, the Manitoulin, ol which Capt. Campbell takes command this year, being especially admired. The Columbia is commanded by Cant. Fairgrieve, tl\Q Northern Queen by Capt. F^ot, and the Northern Belle by Capt. D. Taylor. It may be mentioned that there are owned at Collingwood between thirty and forty fishing smacks, of which a considerable number have already gone to the north shore. These go to Killarney; and other points, and shio down about thirty tons of fresh fish per week, which is immediately for-1 warded to Buffalo and elsewhere in the State of! New York. In the fall the smacks go to Lake Superior, where the fish are salted down as fast asl caught, until the formation of winter ice compels] the men to return home. and in the middle of' ui±a v.«,.v „ k,v«u v,.,u.^ through it anywhere here in the narrows. "A team crossed from Waugoshance to St. Ignace yesterday by keeping up near St. HelJena. The mail-carriers from St. Ignace were obliged to go up there for a crossing to-day, and they report the ice very rotten. They will not try to cross again on the ice unless it freezes. Special Telegram to Tlie inter Ocean. Cheboygan, Mich., April 23.--The ice is getting very porous and soft "Wind southwest today. The first boats will probably make this port next week from Dettaiu without much trouble. Tugs tried the ice yesterday, and they report it very rotten. CHEAP BATES. LAKE FREIGHTS AND INSURANCE. Mr. Spencer, agent, yesterday pub the schooner' Nellie Gardner in to G. P. Comstock & Co. for. corn to Buffalo—40,000 bushels. The rate .Us | stated to be 6 cents. The cargo was' insured ttjy ' Mr. Kellogg, agent for the Mechanics arnd Traders', at 40 cents, 10 off. It was understood that a propeller was also chartered. LOOKING- FOR BERTHS. Seamen are shipping now bv the trip, or $1.50 per day. By the trip {to west shore ports) they act $12 to $15. The departure of the fleet "hasn't made a hole" in the congregation of-sailors in Chicago. A member of the Seamen's Union, who was spoken to yesterday afternoon as-to the prospect, said "he couldn't: imagine where all these strange seamen came from;" that he bad lived in Chicago (or been m Chicago every spring) for fifteen years, and he never saw so many men waiting for bertha. , COARSE FREIGHTS. Several vessels, it is said, left Chicago for Muskegon and Grand Haven yesterday, to load lumber for Chicago, at Si. 50. It was claimed chat some went to Ludington at $1.6 2J2_ It was also claimed that one vessel went to Grand H aven for lumber for South Chicago at %1/Sl1^. Vessel-owners and masters, however, had better inquire M for themselves. Charters are not .always given to the reporters, 'correctly. All that aupei black and white (print) isn't necessarily the truth. Reporters are "fooled" jest as often as other peopLe. ANXIOUS WATCHING FOIl THE OPENING OF THE STfiATTS. Private dispatches from the Straits, received by shippers yesterday, said the ice was rapidly giving way and "there would be news" in the course of two or three daiys. Shippers, underwriters, vessel-ownters, sailors, tug-owners, grain trimmers, coal unloaders, dock laborers generally, and all classes connected with tne shipping in any way are watching the 'dis- patches from the Straits iust n <-.". When the glad tidings of the openiing arrive there well be a general "boom™ of employment, and it is not at all wonderful that there is such interest in the news. The following table shows the dates of the open-ins: m previous years: ^^^* THE LIFE-SAVING CREWS. LAKE MICHIGAN APPOINTMENTS. Captain Levi Mann, the new Superintendent of the Eleventh Life-saving District—Lake Michigan—has entered upon his duties, and was in Chicago yesterday. The keepers of the various stations for the season of 1881, are as follows i Station No. 1, Leaver Island, Captain Kar-i rison Miller. * Station No. 2, North Manitou Island, Cap-\*4 n Daniel L. Buss. [These stations have not regular crews, but their keepers are authorized to enlist a volunteer crew in oases of emergency. Station No. 4, Point Betsey, Captain Thos. E. Matthews. Will open thd20th iust. Station No. 5, Manistee; no appointment yet. Captain Henry Finch will undoubtedly be appointed. Will open the 20th iust. Station No. o, Big Point An Sauble, Captain banford W. Morgan. Will open the 20th inst. Station No. 7, Ludington, Captain Joshua J. Brown. Opened the 5th inst. Station No. 8, Muskegon, Captain William | Groh. Will open the 15th inst. Station No. 9, Grand Haven, Captain John D. Young. Will open the 10th inst. Station No. 10, St. Joseph, Captain Wm. L. Stevens, Will open the 15th inst Station No. 11", Chicago, Captajp Telles-f ord St. Peter. Will open the 10th inst. Station No. 12, Gbfcsse Paint, Captain Lawrence C. Lawson. Will open the 20th, inst. (^Station No. 13. Kenosli.:., Captain Ben] a man G. Cameron. Will open the loth inst. ;=¦*; Station No. 14, Racine, Captain John San-burg. Will open the 15th mat. Station No. 15, Milwaukee, Captain John Evenson. Will open the 15th inst. Station No. 10, Sheboygan, Captain Oley Groh. Will open the 15th inst. With the exception ot the crew at Grosse Point all the crews will be increased to seven men. ON TO THE GRAVE. The obsequies of the late Alvin Bronson, at Oswego, were largely attended. Crowds of citizens visited the house and took a last look at the honored remains. The casket was of plain rosewood, with bar handles, and was placed in the center of the east parlor.' TJoon it, near the head, was a large calla lily surrounded by green leaves. When the hour for the service arrived, the liev. Dr. Tully read a scriptural selection and offered prayer, after which he made extended remarks. At the conclusion of the service the remains were borne to Riverside Cemetery. The Common Council and city officials generally, the Board of Education, Board of 1 Trade, G. A. K, and the lfcost of our proBgrt-3| nent citizens were present to show their ro->" spect for the oldest and most honored citizen of Oswego. The following were the bearers: Honorary bearers—Luther Wright, John B. Edwards, tne Hon. Wm. Lewis, the Hon. Charles iioward, of Detroit; the Bev. S. 0. , Townsend, of Lockport; Judge S. B. Ludlow, I Edwin Clark, Jesse Gray. Pall Bearers—The J Hon. Charles Ithodes, the Hon. DelosDoAVoif, { Myron Pardee, the Hon. Edwin Allen, B. B. i Burt, Dr. C. C. P. Clark. 1801... 1862.... 1863.... 1804.... 1865.... 1866.... 1867.... 1868.... 1869.... 1870 ....ApriHSilSn.. .April 5|18"rt ....April 7 ....April 12 ....April 26 ....April 28 ......April 27 ..April 11 ...Mav 2 1873... 1874.. 1875.. 1876.. 1877.. 1878.. 1879.. .".".".."April 16|lb80. ...April 1 ....Mav 6 ...April 28 ....April 18 ....May 12 ___May 6 ....April 17 ..March 16 ....April 24 May 18 THE LIMB-KILNS. Special Telegram to Ihe Inter Oceau. Andebdon, Ont., April 29.—Vessels cannot pass over the crossing with safety which draw over 13 feet 6 inches at present, as they have to pass to the outside or westward of the works. They have comxdetely shut up the channel they ran last year. and are now at work on the two lower shoals and expect to get them out in about a week. If they succeed, boats will be able to load to fourteen feet eight or ten inches with the present stage oil water. The water is about six inches higher than at this time last season. The tug Burn-side passed down at 4 p. m., with the schooners Kent and Myostotic, and will tow the Kent to Erie. Captain Pagan arrived here Thursday. He is fitting out the steb-raer Edwards and schooner Poster, which laid up here last fail. They will leave for Buffalo in a few ^..............April iu|ibou.............. A number of vessels are already grain loaded in Chicago and Milwaukee, and as soon as the opening is announced there will be a "rush" of additional cnarters. Special Tele<rram to The Inter Ocean. Cheboygan, Mich., April 27.—The ice is gone to within a few miles of Port Sauble, seven miles above this place. The ice bridge between this point and Mackinaw City is unbroken. Tne north passase between Mackinac Island and Pound Island is reported open, and extends along the way up toward Lake Michigan. A high wind will break it up from any direction THE FIRST FOB THE STRAITS. ,. THE GARDEN CITY. /^ The former propeller Garden City, rebuilt and converted into a handsome steambaree, arrived here yesterday. Captain Shaver comes here to ibuy 10,000 bushels of oats, which cargo ho will to Alpena. He was into Milwaukee, but v«~~ ._ iena. He was n .could not get so many oats at that ^reat com mercial point. The cargo will be taken on to-[day, and the Garden City will then leave for Alpena, probably being the first craft to test the ice in the Straits, from this side anyway. During the season the Garden City will ply between Alpena and Ohio ports. Captain Shaver is an old navigator, and has many friends " "* whom wish him the greatest success. all VESSEL TRANSFERS. The following, transfers of vessels were recorded at the Cleveland Custom House recently: Schooner A. H- Moss—Clinton A. Vincent to ' Caroline E. Becker, one-half; $1. Schooner A. H. Moss—Clinton A. Vincent to Caroline E. Becker, one-half; $1, Schooner C G. King—H. J. Johnson to Mary A. Clark, one-sixteenth; $1,200. Bark Constitution—Louis P. Trempe to John M. Lundv, one-fourth; $725. Schooner C. G. King-—J. H. Palmer to J. 11. Outliwaite, one-sixteenth; $1,300. Schooner Charles P. Minch—Charles Leimbach to Louis Body; one-sixteenth; $900. Bteartfbaree D. W* Powers—J. J. Morlcv to M. H. and C. T. MorleyT whole; $20,000. ' Schooner John Jewett—I. J. Butman to T. M. Webb and C. C. Calkins: one-half; $1,750. Schooner John Jewett—T. M. Webb to C. C. i Calkins; one-fourth; $1,250. Schooner Lafrinier—Owen Doyle to W. U Masters; whole: $17,500. ^F Propeller V.. H^Jfet.chum—A. II. Delamater to George B. Ma«6ry: one-twentieth; $3,000. Barge Orontes—Emetine Robinson to Patrick Bovlan; one-eighth; $675. Schooner Alva Bradley—J. H. Martin to A. Bradley; A. Bradley to M. A. Bradlev; each one-twenty-fourth; $1,100. SIGNALS AT THE CROSSING. " The night signals at the Lime-kiln croflbi will be as follows: _ Ft. anfl inches'; One white light...............................14.6 Two white lights....................-........14.3 Three white lights........................... 14 One red light.................................. .,'! Two red lights................................13-g Three re.d lights ..............................If-3 In the day-time the fluctuations of the water Will be shown by one or more boards, each seven feet hitfh by two feet, as follows: Ft. and inches. ' One white board.............................• •! '-^ Two white boards ............................Y\ ' 'hree white boards............................14 board ................................' ;;•;;' > J wo red boards................................1 g *y : Three red boards..............................L°-