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About Savannah weekly news. (Savannah) 1894-1920 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 14, 1897)
lOTJMEfi] |£week| -awex-e- . THE MORNING NEWS. 1 V(IL 4.7 -(Established I*3o. - -Incorporated 1888. ▼ vii* • I J. H. t. * T T i. President. ) GREATER LOVE Ha m vi? .MAN. BY ADELINE SERGEANT, Author of "The Story of a Penitent Soul ces,” “Great Mill-street They said that he was dying, and he hoped that they were right. For the last fifteen years he had suffered a kind of martyrdom, and it was a blessed thing that even martyrdom should end at last. The workhouse nurse was very kind to him. Stic brought him broth and medi cine at stated hours, and made him extra cups of tea; but although he was scrupu lously grateful, it fretted him a little when she ctfme up to hia bed; he felt that she must know his story and despise him for It, although she seemed so kind. On the whole, he would rather that she stay ed away. He did not mind being alone. He could lie still and look at the white washed wall, or the glimpse of blue sky and green trees afforded by the window opposite his bed, and dream of the old days when he had been a deacon of the Independent Chapel In Easterby, and su perintendent of the Sunday school, and treasurer of the chapel funds, and half a hundred things beside. It was a long time ago, but he liked sometimes to think of it. Life had been happy and prosper ous then; and James —the son for whom he had given up all that made life worth living—had been a little lad with curly hair, and eyes as blue as the summer skies. He was an old man now. poor, broken down, disgraced; but he thanked God in his heart that his life was nearly over, and that Jim had never known the truth. Under his pillow were Jim’s letters. They had been written in queer places ; in a sailing ship, over a bush fire, from the bottom of a mine; but they were all af fectionate and hopeful, and light-hearted, and the joy of old Matthew Hornblower's heart. Now and then there was a word of penitence for past wildness and disobedi ence, which was more precious to him than all the rest. For it showed the lather that his sacrifices had not been made in vain. He liked to think of his son now—the prosperous, even wealthy, far mer out in Australia, with wife and child ren, horses, cattle and lands—and he had a tender triumph in the thought that Jim’s prosperity was after all, his doing— the doing of the father who might years ago have blighted the son’s lite with a Word—a word which he refused to speak. As be thought of these things, with a faint smile oh his withered lips, his mind jjtassed by (j. hat Ural trahsirion m the cij of hrs own lUfl fee saw him fcelf shrlpklng for the first time from the eyes of his brother deacons; ho remember ed the calling of that church-meeting in which he had been solemnly deprived of his offices in the church; he recalled that most difficult hour of all, when Mr. Shil llto, the minister, had visited him pri vately, and prayed with him, earnestly and gently, seeking to lead him to repent ance. Ah, how hard it had been to re sist! What a subtle temptation to coun terfeit the contrition which he did not feel! And with what heart-break did he realise, from bitter experience, that not one of his old friends trusted him, or stood up for him, or henceforth thought of him as anything but a convicted sinner, whom their charity alone had saved from public disgrace and punishment. lie could not blame them. Thinking over the matter, it seemed to him that they had been very kind. Grave, godly men, anx ious to maintain an upright walk and con versation, had shown him mercy, and tried to convince him of the error of hla ways. It was not their fault if they had broken his heart meanwhile. His business fell away from that time forward. He had been a fairly success ful corn -dealer, with a good connection, at one lime; but slowly and surely his trade passed Into other hands; people seemed to shrink from dealing with him. and his receipts dwindled until he saved himself from bankruptcy only by relin quishing everything to his creditors. A small sum was returned to him, and he began life as a miller’s man. Lately, how ever, he had done little but odd job s; and now he was completely invalided and had been taken to the workhouse infirmary. It was a great downfall for him. and no body could have felt it more keenly than old Matthew Hornblower. Easterby Union, as It was then called, stool back from the high road, just out side the little town. It was a tall white building, standing in a pleasant garden, where there were velvet lawns, and bright flower-beds and blooming trees. I remem ber to I his day the great white guelder rosea—the snowball tree we usedlo call it —that overhung the gate. As children we used to look with awe upon the building, and wonder what lay behind the stone wall and who eared for the guelder rosea tn the garden, but never dared to pick the snowballs, although they hung so tempt ingly beyond the iron gates. The inmates lived at the back of the house, where there were atone yards and high walls. I believe. Instead of green grass and snowiiall trees. But beyond these lay a trenches of green meadow and an over-arching sky. Matthew Horn blower was always thankful for that glimpse of green and blue. lie lay dreaming of old days until he be came conscious of some unusual stir in the corridor outside his ward. Voices rose and fell, apparently in angry recrimina tion. The sound worried him. and he turned hia eyes towards the door. The other occupants of the ward were for the moat part in a sebat-comatose state, pro ceeding from sleep or Imbecility, and no nurse or attendant was tn the room. Hut presently Nurse Leek returned, and with her a Visitor—a man whom Matthew had not seen there before. He was a tall, broad-shouldered, bearded man—possibly the new doctor, thought Matthew—and he came straight up to Matthew Horn blower’s bedside and stood there silent, as if he had not a word to aay. Old Mr. Hornblower, aa he was gener ally called. In deference to his lost posi tion, made an effort to be civil and grate ful. a* be wa« to all officiate of the place. "Good da>. Mir." he said, nodding his grey head. "Father! Father! Don’t you know me?" Matthew sat up In bed and stared In Mank alarm. The nurse tossed her head and muttered something. It was against her wish tbit James Hornblower should he allowed to make himself known to his old father. "H’S enough to kill the poor old gentle man.” she grumbled, as she turned away. Tito old tuan held out hia trembling UJechm 1\ ewe. "Jacobi’s wife,’’ “Under False Preten- Mystery,” &c., %c. arms. He had not stirred so much for many days. “Jim!" he said hoarsely. “Jim! my boy! my boy!” The bearded man’s arms were round the gaunt white figure In a moment; the old grey head drooped on the broad shoulder like a child’s. The nurse approached with a restorative, but Matthew waved her off; his son’s presence was cordial enough for him. "Oh, father, I never thought to find you e ’,” James Hornblower. "It’s al! right, my son; I’m quite com fortable here. I’ve been foolish, no doubt —improvident for my old age. But it’s nearly over now. I shall die happy now I’ve seen thee again.” “Yon’re not going to die at all,” said James, doggedly. “You’re coming out of this place this very afternoon. I’d like to know how this came about, without my hearing.” “It’s no matter, Jim. The bitterness is past.” “You said you were well-to-do, and had retired from business,” said the son, in an accusing tone. “I have retired, Jim. I’ve no more to do.” “But what are your friends about to let you come here? Why didn’t they write to me?” “Friends?” He echoed the word as if it had an unaccustomed sound to him. “There were hosts of ’em when I was at home,” said James. “There was old Shll llto, the minister; you were hand and glove with him, you know. Why didn’t he write? If I’d known for a moment that you were in need of anything, do you think I wouldn’t have sent a big cheque?” “I know you care for your old father, Jim.” There was a wonderful pathos In the old man’s tone. "I should rather think so. It’s a reflect ion on me not to have let me know how things were going. It’s a disgrace to me. I shall tell old Shlllito my mind when I see him.” “No, lad, no. Don’t speak to Mr. Shil- II to about it. He did not know your ad dress.” “He could have asked you for it. And there was Driffield, the other deacon; what' was he about?” Matthew Hornblower seemed to have some difficulty in replying; and it was in a reluctant voice that he forced out the words : "I ain’t friends with him now, Jim. I’ve changed. I’m not even a church mem ber.” “Eh, that’s a queer start," said Jim. “It’s recent, isn’t It? You wrote me only two months ago that you had charge of ♦he Sun<iay school, and were bead deacon, ’and I do'h’t know* wlf&t.” ’ “So 1 was, Jim, so I was. But it was sometime ago. Don’t talk about it, un less you want to distress me, boy. I am too old now—too old—for any work.” It was a subterfuge, and he knew IL But how could he tell his son that he had been deposed in disgrace from the offices that he used to hold? Jim stared for a moment, and sat silent. He was much overwhelmed at the present state of things, and very angry to think that he had been kept In ignorance. And he was puzzled by the change In his father, and the ab sence of all his former friends. In the days when James Horn blower was an Idle, shiftless lad, his father had been a stern man, rigid in discipline, and strict beyond measure in his religious views. Behind the Iron exterior, however, there lay a warmth of affection which the scapegrace had had the wit to discover and the heart to appreciate. He had be haved badly enough before he broke the bonds that held him to his home and flown to Australia, but In the bush he had repented him of his misdeeds, and remem bered the love that had been silently lav ished upon him. He came to return It now. He laid his father back upon the pillow, and put his mouth to the old man’s ear. “Father,” he said, in a softer voice, and with some hesitation, "you—you got the money all right?” The old man smiled a little; a singular brightness came into his eyes. “Yes, Jim. yes. I got the money all right. Don’t trouble yourself about that.” “It was fifty pounds, and the interest. I never spoke of it In a letter. 1 could’t, somehow, although I sent It back; but I often thought-out there—that I’d like to hear you say, dad, that you forgive me.” "Yes. Jim, my boy. And God bless you.” “That’s all right, then. I’m glad to have said it—after all these years. Father. I quite thought you could afford it. I hope it wasn’t that loss which helped to cripple you?” “It was all right, Jim; you paid it back.” Jun drew a long breath. Something In his father’s manner had made him more ashamed than he had ever thought to be. The nurse Interposed. Mr. Hornblower must not be disturbed or excited any more, she said. So Jim went forth to find the authorities of the place, and to ar | range In his imperious way for his father’s immediate removal to the best inn of the place. He passed Driffield’s office, and I longed to go in and “speak his mind” to I* the man who could not save an old friend from the workhouse; but he put the visit off to another day. because he was ao I busy. And it was fortunate that he did. He came back to,the workhouse later in the evening. He was informed that Mr. Hornblower had sent for the minister. I Jim wondered why. He supposed that it was to tell him that his son had at last re turned. His face relaxed irtto a grim smile, as he stole Inta the ward. A screen had been placed at the foot of the bed. out of re spect to James Hornblower’s respectabil ity rather than for any need of shelter. I He bad no qualm about listening; he ex ported tu hear a paean of exultation from I his father's lips, and congratulating I speeches from those of Mr. Shillito. He I had known Mr. Shlllito and liked him In the days of old. He listened. Gradually the smile for- I sook his Ups. What was the minister saying? And ! why those warning tonfs? “I fear, Mr. Hornblower.” he said, “that your request savours of carnal pride, and 1 a nesire to escape frosa the penalty which God doth always exaet for sin.” I Mr. Shlllito had a naturally gentle voice; i but it is wonder ful how stern a gentle I voice can be sometimes. Jim’s heart swell ed within him: what did the old man mean? ”T sympathise as any man that is a father can sympathise with your desire to keep him In ignorance of your fall; but my poor friend, I’m In a painful position when you ask me to do so. I will never force the facts upon him, but if questioned, I fear 1 must reply.” Matthew Hornblower had laid silent, but now he groaned, as if In bodily pain. Mr. Shlilito’s voice grew gentler, and he press ed closer to the bed. “During all these years, Matthew Horn blower,” he said, “since the day when you acknowledged the crime of which you had been guilty, I have never heard a word of penitence or contrition from your lips. We had hoped that you would ask to be reinstalled as a church member, and on sign of repentance we would have wel comed you again—ay, with joy, even as the angels do rejoice over one sinner that repenteth. . Let me implore you to speak, even now. and to ask for God’s for giveness. YoU will surely not die in this awful state of hardness and impenitence.” The screen was roughly cast aside. James Hornbiower’s face appeared, crim son with wrath and pride. “Why do you insult my father in this way? He, the most upright and honor able of men! What do you mean?” Matthew lifted up his wrinkled hands. “For God’s sake, Shlllito, do not tell my boy!” “I must know,” said the man, setting his lips. His clenched hands and frowning brow might have struck terror to the heart of a timid man, but the min ister of Salem Chapel, Easterby, was not timid in spite of his usual gentleness. He' faced James Hornblower undauntedly. “I am grieved,” he said, “to have been the means of introducing a discussion of this kind. I will refer you to Mr. Driffield, one of our deacons, and treasurer of the chapei funds. He can answer all ques tions better than I can.” “I will hear it from you, not from Drif field,” said Jim. “What do you accuse my father of having done?” “It is no mere accusation,” said the min ister, in a nettled tone. “He avowed it— confessed it before the church. Led away by great temptation, in a time of pecuni ary difficulty he appropriated to his own use a sum of money for the chapel which had been placed in his charge. We should never have believed It hut for his own con fession—never. ” James Hornblower’s features had chang ed from crimson to a livid grey. His jaw dropped, his eyes were fixed upon his father’s quivering face, down which the tears of age had begun to fall. “A sum of money! How much? When? Tell me the details, quick." “It was fifteen years ago this month; just about the time when you left home, James. It was always thought probable that you knew something of the matter, and would not wait to see your father’s sad disgrace. It was a sum of fifty pounds. ♦ f “Done up In a leather bag ready to go to the bank. I know. And father—father said ” “He said ho used it,” said Mr. Shlllito, sadly. “He could not refund it when call ed upon to do so; but I am glad to say that years afterwards he paid us the amount in full, with interest and compound Interest. We did not prosecute, of course.” “AjiiJ you believed him? You■ turned y.im* dut j*,f tha church for thlsX*^ - ’ “Jim, my boy, be silent; it is all over now.” “He was deacon and superintendent and head man at your chapfel when I went away. You turned him out?” “It was impossible that he should con tinue to hold those positions,” said the minister, rather firmly. Jim’s loud voice and unbashed front took him by surprise. “What a set of fools you must be!” ex claimed the man from the bush, “not to know him better than that! Why, father, what was the good of it? It wouldn’t have hurt me for all the world to know that I took it!” “You took it?” gasped the minister. “I took it. I thought it was my father’s money and that he'd never miss it. I sent it back to him afterwards, and had no idea but what it had been all right, though it was a mean trick to walk off with the money without his consent. But I thought I knew my father—and—and—l didn’t, af ter all.” He dropped down into the nearest chair and hid his face in his hands.A mighty sob heaved his broad shoulders, and his father lay and looked at him with a ming ling of iove, shame and pity, which was heavenly in its perfect peace. The minis ter stood up, and positively gasped for breath. "I couldn't ha’ made ’em understand,” said Hornblower presently, in a soft and placid voice. “They’d ha’ called him a thief, and not seen that he was only bor rowing off his father—as he thought. They would have prosecuted, maybe, and that would have spoiled his career. You see, Mr. Shlllito, how well he’s done for him self. Was it for me to put hindrances in his way?” “But my poor friend,” said Mr. Shillito, almost unable to speak, and taking the old man's nerveless hand In his, “you need not have sacrificed yourself." “There seemed no other way,” said Matthew. “It was a question of him or me. Nobody else could ha’ corned at the money. And it was better to be me, though it went against me, Mr. Shillito, to tell the lie—it did. indeed. I never told a lie before nor since, so far as X can recol lect. That was why I could never profess the penitence you sought to arouse in me. But now I do sore repent the lie I told, and 1 trust the Lord will pardon me for it, considerin’ the circumstances of the case. It seems to me He must ha’ forgiven me, now that I see my boy standing at my bed side again.” “I don’t care who knows the truth.” said Jim, standing up and speaking firmly. “Mr. Shillito, you’ll see to it. My father’s name's got to be cleared at any cost. I’ll go to prison if you like ” “No, no, there will be no occasion.” said the minister. “Your father shall be hon ored as he deserves, be sure of that. Horn blower, my dear, dear old friend, can you forgive me?" Hornblower smiled and put out his hand. “Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant de part in peace,” he murmured, using words that had often been In his heart during the last few days and weeks. “You shan’t depart!” roared Jim. almost beside hints A with grief and something not unlike a kind of rage. “You’re going to live, and show everybody what a hero and saint you’ve been; you’ve got to live for other people’s sake —for mine most of all. How can I bear my life, father, if you you die? Y’ou must live!” And he did live. The stimulus of his son’s presence helped him to struggle hack to a fair measure of health and strength, sufficient at least to enable him to resume once more his old duties r.s chief office-bearer in the church. He was unanimously elected to all his former offices, and knew once more the joy of be ing deacon and Sunday school superin tendent and treasurer of the chapel fund. And after a few months he went with his son to Australia, where we heard some years later that his end—a quiet and peaceful end—had come. Perhaps the fullest compensation for all his sacrifice was made him when at the weekly prayer meeting at Salem Chapel, tn a hush of stilled expectancy, the minis- SAVANNAH, THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 1897. ter would rise in his place and say, with a certain insistence in his tone: “Our dear brother, Deacon Hornblower, will now conduct in prayer.” After fifteen years of silence, compen sation indeed—yet who could give him back those fifteen empty years? The End. SNOWING IN MANY STATES. The Storm Travels Eastward With Great Rapidity. Chicago, Jan. 13.—Reports received from points in the west indicate that a heavy snowstorm prevails, though the wjnd has been moderate and the weather not in tensely cold. Snow and rain fell in Kan sas last night, and a heavy snow began in Colorado and Wyoming. Snow fell in South Dakota and in Minnesota, flakes falling south of the central portion of the state, and in Wisconsin and Michigan also. The snow fall was heavy in the Missouri valley, and came eastward with great ra pidity. At Carlyle, 111., six inches had fallen before midnight. St. Paul and Min neapolis, Sioux City, Omaha, St. Joe and St. Louis were all in the path of the storm last night, and either snow or rain fell heavily in each place before morning. At Duluth the wind was high, and Lake Superior was unsafe. Throughout Nebraska and portions of Montana, it was snowing all day yester day, and drifts have formed in the rail road cuts. The snow, however, is light and fine, and the drifts therefore are not serious. On the ranges cattle can easily get to grass under the snow. The reports, however, indicate a heavy fall in tempera ture as probable, and this will put a nedv and serious phase on the situation. Ne braska grain men are jubilant over tho weather, as they say there never was so much moisture in the state at this season as at present. Throughout lowa heavy snows are also reported, with some delay in railroad traffic. Ogdenburg, N. Y., Jan. 13.—The ther mometer registered 16 degrees below zero this morning. The St. Lawrence is frozen over. Saratoga, N. Y., Jan. 13.—The thermom eter registered the lowest temperature thus far this season in many places throughout this section last night. At Blue Mountain it indicated 20 degrees be low zero; at Marion River carry, 20 be low; at Schroon Lake, 20, and at Warrens burg, 12. At this point the lowest tem perature indicated was 10 degrees below. Saranac Lake, N. Y., Jan. 13.—The mer cury dropped to 28 degrees below zero here last night, the lowest point touched here this season. SCURRILOUS EDITORIAL. Editor of the Christian Attacked by Washington, Jan. 13.—The postofflee de partment yesterday received a copy of the Bristol Courier of Bristol, Tenn., con taining a scurrilous editorial signed by ‘the editor of the paper, Charles H. Stock, in which he attacks James Longstreet Faulkner, editor of the Christian. The contents of the editorial are such that its circulation through the malls consti tute a violation of the postal laws, and the paper was to-day forwarded to a post office Inspector, to be submitted by him to the United States district attorney of Eastern Tennessee, looking to the prose cution of the offender. WATSON’S CONTEST. The Committee to Discuss the Tes timony To-morrow. Washington, Jan. 13.—Elections commit tee No. 1, which has jurisdiction of the contested election cases of Watson vs. Black, from the Tenth congressional dis trict of Georgia, will meet on Friday next to discuss the testimony submitted and endeavor, if possible, to reach a con elusion respecting its merits. It is not likely that a definite decision will be reached at this meeting in view of the wide diversity of opinion among the mem bers. It is possible that several meetings may be called before the majority of the com mittee agree upon a report. SOUTHERN WAR CLAIMS. A Bill Providing For Their Payment Favorably Reported. Washington, Jan. 13.—A bill carrying an appropriation of representing 428 claims for stores and supplies taken in the south by federal troops during the late war, which claims have been adjudicated by the court of claims under the provis ions of the Bowman act, was to-day fav orably reported to the Senate by the com mittee on claims. This bill was incor porated by the Senate as an amendment in the sundry civil bill of the last session of congress, but was disagreed to by the House and stricken out in conference. CUTTING DOWN EXPENSES. A Saving of $127,000 Per Year Or dered at New York. Washington. Jan. 13.—A reduction of 1127,000 per annum has been ordered in the expenses of the office of the Collector of Customs at Ngw York. The reduction is to take place from Feb. 1. The reductions ordered will include the discontinuance of the services of twenty five inspectors, including twelve existing vacancies; six night inspectors (including two existing vacancies); one weigher; ten assistant weighers (including four exist ing vacancies); seven assistant weighers, and a reduction in the force of the tem porary weighers. NORTH CAROLINA’S SENATORSHIP. A a Effort to Be Made to Bring in a Republican Dark Horse. Raleigh, N. C., Jan. 13.—The senatorial situation remains unchanged. Both pop ulist factions caucused to-night. The bolters stood firm in their support of Sen ator Pritchard. The regular caucus ap pointed a committee to feel the republi cans on the subject of acting jointly in the election of senator. This is supposed to be a move to shelve Senator Pritchard and bring in a republican dark horse, but It is not believed that it will amount to anything. SWEATS FIGHT WITH SCANDAL NOTHING PROVED AGAINST MRS. CROSBY DESPITE THE TALK. The Judge Accused of Using His In fluence on the Bench to Secure Her Husband’s Acquittal on a Charge of Murder—Jurors Testify That the Judge Showed No Partiality. The Reese Case to Be Reached This Afternoon—No Provision Made by the Legislature For Meeting the Expenses of the Commission. Atlanta, Ga.. Jan. 13.—The Sweat Inves tigation was nearly completed this after noon by the committee. It will' not be resumed until to-morrow afternoon, when other witnesses to the Indian Springs end of the affair are expected. In the morn ning the Reese case will be commenced. Judge Reese arrived to-day, and was pres ent at the capitol awhile. The investigation to-day was confined to the alleged scandal at Indian Springs and to the charge that Judge Sweat had packed the grand jury of Camden county with talesmen for the purpose of getting that body to make a favorable recommenda tion of W. M. Toomer, candidate for so licitor, against John W. Bennett. There was strong testimony on both sides of this count, but the prevailing opinion is that it ,/as not satisfactorily sustained. The defense succeeded in proving beyond dispute that D. N. Crosby had been ad mitted to bail in Appling county, where he was under indictment for murder a year and more before the meeting be tween Judge Sweat and Mrs. Crosby, his wife, occurred at Indian Springs, but at the time of this meeting Crosby had not yet been acquitted. He was tried a month after this meeting, and it is alleged that Judge Sweat used his position upon the bench to secure his final acquittal, in con sequence of the alleged meeting with his wife. The charge which he delivered to the jury at that time has been sent for to show what he said to cause this sus picion, for at the time it was gossiped about that the relations between the judge and the wife of the man on trial were not proper. It was testified also that the appearance of Mrs. Crosby in the court room during the trial created a sen sation in connection with this gossip. On the other hand, it was shown by the testimony of jurors that Judge Sweat was impartial. Crosby's attorneys also testi fied that they believed the court had not acted partially, though the attorneys re marked significantly as he testified on this pdn\ “That he could not object to any iMGlg in the chaise that was favorable to his client.” Quite an interesting little bit of the in side working of the investigating com mittee came out this afternoon during the consideration of the preliminaries of the Reese case. It transpired that the legislature made no pro vision for meeting the expenses of the committee in summonsing witnesses, etc. Chairman Felder announced that he had asked the governor to draw his warrant for enough to pay the traveling expenses of the seargeant-at-arms and clerk in their work of summonsing witnesses and the governor had refused, though he had paid members of the penitentiary parion committee their mileage and per diem dur ing the time they worked during the last vacation. The state treasurer had also refused to honor the request, Chairman Felder said, and he found that unless the investigation was to be allowed to fall through for the lack of funds with which to send out for the witnesses he would have to put up the money himself. This, he said, he had done to the amount of S2DO, but this was now exhausted, and he did not intend to put up any more, but would allow the committee to make some arrangement about it. Money was need ed at once to send out for the new wit nesses required, and the chairman stated that something would have to be done at once. The committee did not like the idea of taking up a collection to send the sergeant-at-arms out on the road again, and for a while it looked as if the new witnesses would be abandoned and the ad ditional charges preferred allowed to go to the demnitlon bow-wows. Finally Chairman Felder agreed that if the committee would pass the necessary resolution authorizing the expenditure that he had already made and that yet remained to be incurred, he would nego tiate a new loan to the committee for the necessary running expenses. This the committee did, and the sergeant-at-arms will take the road again in the morning on money furnished by Chairman Felder to keep the investigation going. But for his loan to the committee at the outset there could have been no investigation at all. During the controversy over this di lemma, Mr. Meldrim of Chatham declar ed that the newspaper reporters present should not be allowed to publish these matters, and said he thought that unless they would agree not to do so the com mittee should exclude them from the meeting. The views of the gentleman from Chatham, however, did not meet with the full endorsement of the commit tee and never came to a motion. Attorneys for Judge Reese this after noon announced that they took the posi tion that it will not suffice for impeach ment to establish the fact that he has been drunk once or twice, but that habit ual intoxication must be shown. A perfect array of witnesses has been summoned in this case, and the committee spent an hour this afternoon in trying to see some way by which the number could be less ened, but without success. The expense of all these witnesses will be enormous. Miss Leia’ Bradley, the girl to whom Judge Sweat is alleged to have made the improper advances at Indian Springs, was recalled at the opening of the investiga tion this morning, but neither side had anything furtffer to ask her and she was excused for the time being. Miss Emma Bradley was then called by Senator Carter. She is the aunt of Miss Leia and was with her at Indian Springs. She heard the conversation between Judge Sweat and Miss Leia at the spring. He passed the water around and asked one of the girls to run a race with him. The girl declined and the party went back toward the!’- home. The judge started off toward h’s hotel, but later intercepted the ladies and asked them to go back to the spring. The ladies did not want to go bazrk. Miss Leia asked her aunt what this man was following them for and the aunt told her to see what the man wanted. He said he wanted to speak to her and he did so, the two stepping to one side. Miss Emma did not hear what passed between Miss Leia and the judge, but after the conversation j WEEKLY 2-TIMES-A-WEEK $1 A YEAR 1 ATM 4 4 5 CENTS A COPY. I IX (L I DAILY, $lO A YEAR. f * (Miss Leia rejoined her party, “pale as a ghost.” She said the girl told her aunt what the judge had said to her, the same as testified to by Miss Leia yesterday af ternoon. Miss Bradley heard Mr. Mercer talking to Mr. Faulkner, Miss Leia’s un cle, about the Indian Springs affair. Mr. (Mercer said Judge Sweat ought not to be allowed to go on the way he had been do ing, or it would ruin him. Mr. Mercer asked if Faulkner was a Mason, and said if he was the matter could be easily set tled. Miss Bradley heard Mr. Mercer of fer Miss Leia SSOO to compromise the mat ter and heard the girl refuse. Later Judge Sweat called and asked Miss Leia to go to the orchard and gather peaches. There w r ere no peaches in the orchard at that time. bn the cross examination by Attorney Brantley Miss Bradley said that in offer ing to settle the matter Senator Mercer pretended to act as a friend of the fam ily. “Was Mr. Mercer your friend?” asked Mr. Brantley. “He pretended to be,” said Miss Brad ley, “but you can't read the heart of any man.” A. D. Graham of Mcßae was counsel for D. M. Crosby during his first trial for kill ing McCarthy. He knew nothing of the alleged improprieties at Indian Springs, but knew of a letter written by Judge Sweat to the attorney who was prosecut ing Crosby for murder. Mr. Padgett was the next witness. He was present at the second Crosby trial. He thought the judge was impartial in his charge. After the jury was out some time it was recalled. Judge Sweat then recharged them, emphasizing both sides of the case. The jury had been out a whole day before it was recalled. Mr. Padgett said that Judge Sweat was crit icised in the community for allowing Crosby bail without giving notice to the family of McCarthy. When Mrs. Crosby walked into the court room during tho progress of the trial, there was great com motion. Judge Sweat had nothing to do with the commotion, but in view of the gossip that was going around the coun try. it was natural that people should stare at her, the witness said. Mr. Pad gett saw the letter written by Judge Sweat to Judge T. A. Parker, and Chair man Felder announced that a telegram had been sent for Parker to come and tell about the letter. E. C. Stafford, a member of the grand jury, that recommended Mr. Toomer, said he did not know whether the ex tra men were secured that day for the purpose of securing Mr. Toomer’s endorsement, and Sheriff Brown of Cam den county said the day the extra men were summoned only twenty grand jurors were present. The judge told him there were three good men there, calling the names of several bystanders. In reply to Mr. Meldrim Mr. Brown said he knew that eighteen men constituted a legal grand jury. Twenty men were on hand and the judge ordered him to get three more as it was the custom not to start with less than twenty-three. Attorney A. A. Lawrence of Savannah testified that the solicitorship race was a warm one, and the action of the grand jyry was an important matter, fie had heard tne three grand jurors suggested by Judge Sweat express their preference for (Mr. Toomer. Mr. Toomer was recom mended by the grand jury two or three hours after being empanelled. Mr. Law rence did not know positively whether Judge Sweat knew how the men stood whom he designated for grand jurors. He saw the judge speak privately to Foreman Wright. Foreman Wright of the grand jury that endorsed Mr. Toomer was the first witness for Judge Sweat. He was one of the ex tra men put on. He said Judge Sweat had nothing to do with the endorsement of Mr. Toomer. Capt. Richardson, another of the tales grand jurors, said he went to the court room for the express purpose of being caught on the grand jury. It was gener ally known he was the head of the Toom er forces. Mr. Richardson had talked with Judge Sweat the day before the court had convened. Judge Sweat asked if Mr. Richardson would bo at court the next day. Mr. Richardson replied he supposed so, and he hoped the Toomer matter would come up. He did not think he told the judge he favored Mr. Toomer. Edwin Brobston, J. M. Calahan and M. W. Mock testified that Judge Sweat was sober the day after the St. Simons ban quet. Messrs. Goodberry, Walden and Stoddard, all of Brunswick, testified to the same effect, they being members of the jury that day. An affidavit of John W. Tippins, clerk of Appling superior court, was introduced to show that bond was allowed Crosby on Jan. 8, 1894, and that he was acquitted in September, 1895. G. J. Holton, attorney for Crosby, testi fied he went to Brunswick, where Judge Sweat was holding court, and made ap plication for bail. Mr. Brantley was present as solicitor general and repre sented the state. He made no objection to the bond. t John Hamilton, who was on the first jury that tried Crosby for killing Mc- Carthy, testified that the jury was out four days when the mistrial was declared. The jury stood eight for acquittal and four for voluntary manslaughter. Editor Stein of the Looking Glass, which paper published the scandal. In which Judge Sweat was alleged to have been involved at Indian Spring with Mrs. D. N. Crosby, was put on the stand. He said that the article was, he believed, based upon facts. The first intimation of the affair, he testified, came to him through the medium of an anonymous letter. Upon the receipt of this he sent a representative down to Indian Springs and an investigation was made. After the publication of the article, he said. George Collier told him that it was true, as he heard the gossip. Following Editor Stein, Judge s. a. Crosby, the uncle of Mrs. D. N. Crosby, was called to the stand. He testified that he did not know that Mrs. Crosby was ac quainted with Judge Sweat at all. His wife had been ill for eight years, and she had been advised to go to Indian Springs for her health, in the summer of 1895. For the sake of company he urged Mrs D. N. Crosby to go along with her, and several days afterward he followed them to that place, not having received any letters from them. Judge Sweat had left Indian Springs before he arrived. Mrs. Crosby, his niece, told him that Judge Sweat had asked about him and he re gretted that he did not meet him. Then Mrs. D. N. Crosby, the lady with whom Judge Sweat is charged with hav ing improper relations, was introduced as a witness for the defense. She is a very handsome woman of more than medium hight and was stylishly dressed in brown silk. Her carriage was graceful and state ly as she came down the center aisle of the Senate chamber to take the witness chair. She appeared to be perfectly self possessed and throughout her examina tion answered with a clearness that made every reply and statement easily heard in any part of the crowded chamber. Her whole demeanor was, however, of the most becoming modesty, but there was no hesitation or confusion in her manner. She evidently knew just what to say upon MONDAYS! and— j THURSDAYSI each interrogatory, and her readiness made what might otherwise have been a very embarrassing situation to the com mittee, easily gotten through with. Mrs. Crosby said she had never met Judge Sweat before going to Indian Springs, she had gone to that place with her aunt, the wife of Judge A. S, Crosby. Prior to that time she had seen Judge Sweat in Baxley presiding on the bench, but had never spoken to him. Later on, however, when cross-examined by Senator Carter, she said that Judge Sweat had been in the habit of speaking to her when they met in Baxley, and there was a passing acquaintance. At the springs, she and her aunt stopped at the Elder house. One day while getting water she met Judge Sweat. It was rain ing, and he escorted her to the Wigwam hotel, and they sat on the veranda togeth er for a while. She had never been in the hotel and he proposed to show her through. She agreed and they entered. As they passed the door of his room which was on the third floor, he told her that w a 3 his room, and at the same time entered to get an unbrella. As he came out, he told a chamber maid to place a table in there, that he wanted to do some writing that night. She said that she was not a type writer or stenographer and never said she was. At the time her husband was ad mitted to bail for the killing of McCarthy she did not know Judge Sweat at all. Mrs. D. M. Crosby denied that she had ever taken any moonlight strolls with Judge Sweat. She met him first the day it rained, and he took her home and then called to see her next day. On cross-examination by Senator Carter, Mrs. Crosby was asked if she ever went into or came out of the Wigwam with Judge Sweat by a back door or private way, which she declared she had not. She had never met Judge Sweat before going to Indian Springs, and had seen him only once or twice on the bench. He had never mentioned the case of her husband to her nor she to him. Judge Sweat’s room was on the third floor. The day she went to walk with Judge Sweat, they just went up the road and back again. Mrs. Crosby was asked by Senator Carter if she had had a conference at the Kim ball house last night with Judge Sweat. She replied that she had not, nor with any one else. Mr. Hall of the committee asked who introduced Judge Sweat to her. “I don’t know, she replied.” I don’t think I was ever introduced to the judge.” “We had seen each pther a great many times, and it was just the same,” she added, when Mr. Hall asked if he ap proached her without being presented. To explain this sort of a meeting Mr. Brantley brought out from Mrs. Crosby that she was on speaking terms with Judge Sweat as well as many lawyers at tending court at Baxley. “Did you ever dress in black at Indian Eprings?” asked Maj. Meldrim, as Mrs. Crosby left the stand. “Yes, sir, I did,” was the reply. This was intended to identify Mrs. Cros by as the lady in black, whom Judge Sweat met on the bridge and walked off with. Attorney Brantley was sworn and testi fied that at tWUjae Crosby was admitted to bail had a copy us the ‘‘Videroe be-\ tore the coroiWr’s Jury, and therefore con sented that he should be admitted to ball. His recollection was that it was the March following that Judge Parker told him ho was to be employed to assist sh the pros ecution. He did not know at the time bond was made that the family of Mc- Carthy had employed counsel to prosecute. He said there was nothing at all improper in the conduct of Judge Sweat in the trial of the case. He said so far as he knew, Judge ‘Sweat took no part in the solicitor ship contest in Camden county, and he himself did not know how the grand jury stood as between Bennett and Toomer. SCENE OF THE PRIZE FIGHT. Dan Stnart Declines to Disclose It at Present. Dallas, Tex., Jan. 13.—Dan A. Stuart declines to affirm or deny the truth of the Chicago Associated Press dispatch, print ed this morning, that the Corbett-Fitz simmons fight will place at Carson City, Nev. He simply says: “I could not tell the public positively at this time which of a half dozen or more places that have recently been guessed by newspaper reporters is the right one. My financial in terests would naturally suggest that I take the public Into my confidence as early as possible, for the earlier the pub lic know the location for a certainty, the better it will be for me, financially. I shall tell the public the location at least one full month prior to the date set for the fight, and as much earlier as my in terests will justify. In the meantime let the newspaper boys keep guessing.” STOLE A SWEETHEART. A Girl Jills Her Intended Husband on the Wedding Day. Jackson, Miss., Jan. 13.—A special from Yazoo City to the Clarion-Ledger says a Miss Vaughan of Greenwood and Mr. Russell of Halondale were to have been married to-day, 150 invitations having been sent out, one of which reached Mr. Berry, a former sweetheart at the A. and M. College. He threw aside his books and took a train to Greenwood, repairing to the home of the young lady. She agreed to marry him and he got the preacher at once. The happy couple then left for their future home at Yazoo City, leaving Russell dazed. The parties all stand high socially. SKIRMISHING IN CUBA. The Insnrßents Invariably Reported Defeated. Havana, Jan. 13.—Official reports re ceived here continue to detail skirmishes betwreen the troops and bands of rebels in various parts of the island, in which the rebels are invariably beaten and their camps, huts, houses, infirmaries, provis ions, munitions, etc., destroyed. These engagements have taken place in the pro vinces of Pinar del Rio, Havana and Ma tanzas. A resume of the reports gives a total of thirty-five rebels killed, one wounded prisoner captured and 710 huts destroyed. The troops lost one killed and twenty wounded. WRECKED BY A BROKEN RAIL. The Eugineer Killed and Six Other Persons Injured. Bushnell, 111., Jan. 13.—A wreck occurred on the Toledo, Peoria and yVestern rail way at Scotia, ten miles west of here, this morning. The engine, mail, baggage and two pas senger coaches were piled in a heap. The engineer was killed and the bag gageman and five passengers hurt. The wreck was caused by a broken rail.
