The gazette. (Elberton, Ga.) 1872-1881, July 21, 1875, Image 1

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TJCS PAFER 13 OH TTLB WITH TDOWELL & r^BESSBSSa JL\ Advertising Agents, THIRD * CHESTNUT STS., ST. LOUIS, MO. dltetcw ~~ PHOTOGRAPHIC ARTIST H&8 located for a short time at DR. EDMUNDS’ GALLERY, ELBERTON. GA. WHERE he is prepared to execute every class of work in his line to the satisfac tion of all who bestow their patronage. Confi dent of his ability to please, he cordially iuyites a test of his skill, with the guarantee that it lie does net pas3 a critical inspection it need not be taken mch24.tf. HAKES A SPECIALTY OP Copying & Enlarging Old Pictures j. Fashionable Tailor, Up-Stairs, over Swift & Arnold’s Store, ELCERCOK, GEORGIA. BOOTS * SHOES. The undersigned respectfully an > nounoes to ths people of Elberton and surrounding country that he has opened a first class Boot and Shoe SIXOF IN ELBERTON Where he is prepared to make any style of Boot or Shoe desired, atshortnpticeand with prompt ness. REPAIRING NEATLY EXECUTED. The patronage of the public is respectfully •elicited. ap.29-tf (*. W. GARItECHT. MiresjwratY. 3?. J. SIijANZSTCUST, Saddler & Harness Maker Is fully prepared to manufacture HARNESS, f 5 ! vIIIIDLItnS, SADDLES, At the ahortest notice, in the best manner, and ' on reasonable terms. Stop at John S. Brown’s Old Stand. # ORDERS SOLICITED. H. K. CAIRDNER, ELBEIiTON, GA., DEALER IN HI HOODS. SEOCBRIE, HARDWARE, CROCKERY, BOOTS, SHOES, HATS Notions, &o T. M. SWIFT. MACK ARNOLD SWIFT & ARNOLD, (Successors to T. M. Swift,) DEALERS IN DRY GOODS, GROCERIES, CROCKERY, BOOTS AND SHOES, HARDWARE, &c., Public Square, EEISERTON GA. F. A. F. UOBLETT, maotae season, ELBERTON, GA. WHI oontract for work in STONE and BRICK anywhere in Elbert county [je 16 6m SUPERB PREMIUM ENGRAVING FOIi 1875. COSTING $2,000 TO ENGRAVE. GEN. WASHINGTON S FIRST INTERVIEW WITH HIS WIFE. GET UP YOUR CLUBS AT ONCE. This magnificent premium engraring it to r*- ward those w ho get np clubs lor PETERSON’S MAGAZINE, for 1875. It is after an original picture by the. celebrated artist Enninger, and represents the first interview of Washington with the fair •widow who afterwards became his wife, and is known in history as Lady Washington. The story is quite romantic. During the great French and Indian war of 1755, Washington, then about to proceed to the frontier, stopped for an hour’s refreshment at the hospitable mansion known then, as now, as the White House, in Virginia. There he met, for the first time, the fair widow who afterwards became his wife. Beguiled by her charms and conversation, he remained hour after hour, his orderly leading his horse to and froacross the lawn. It is this incident which tbeengraviug represents. It is the Largest and Most Costly We have efer offered, and can only be had of us, as it will not be sold elsewhere. At a retail store similar pictures are sold at from six to ten dollars each. It is engraved in the very highest style of the art after an original picture, and foi4 patriotic as well as ariistic reasons ought to bfl in every home in America. To accommodate the tens of persons who will desire to have this we offer it as a premium to persons clubs for 1875. Remember that the postage on nxinc. and the premium will lie <>f himi'i w:tl out additionu'MyFgjSy the subscriber. jy9jg39g^B Address, postpaid, f„- terms. Ac ■■■ ' CHARLES J. i'ETEIjM9BBB|| 306 Chestnut st., Pj^BHHB^B THE GAZETTE. 3STew Series. SUMMERFIELD’S SEOEET. In tho Sacrameto Daily Union of a recent date appears the extraordinary statement of one Leonidas Parker, writ ten before his death, and giving what purports to be the true account of his connection with the murder ofGregory Summerheld. The latter individual haa beo t known for many years as “The Man with a Secret,’* and be met witn a horrible death at the age of seventy years, by being pushed from the plat form of a train upon the Union Pacific Railroad near the the north fork of the American river, at a place called Cape Horn. The unfertunate wretch was huried downward a distance of over one thousand feet upon the bristling recks at the foot of the declivity. Parker, who was upon the platform with Sum merfield at the time of the catastrophe, was twice arested and tried for the alleged murder, but was on each occa sion mysteriously acquitted, once by a justice and the second time by a grand jury . . ... Parker was himself a distinguished lawyer of Sacramento and was widely respected. He always remained silent concerning the ciscumstances of the im puted crime, but shortly before his death he placed in the hands of a friend a doc ument the gist of which we give below, the entire story taking up nearly a page of the Union- Referring to Gregory Summerfield, the murdered man, Mr. Parker speaks of him as having been one of the age, a nat ural mathematical a profound astron mer, and a man of excellent general lit erary attainments. Parker had known Summerfield for over twenty years, their acquaintance having been formed in Texas during the days of the repub lic. Continuing his account, Parker says: “One clay toward tbo clobq, *of last September an old man rapped at my office door, and on invitation came in, an.l advancing called me by name. Perceiving that I did not at first recognize bim he introduced him self as Gregory Summerfield. After in viting bim to a seat I scrutinized bis features more closely and quickly iden tified him as the same person whom I bad met twenty-two years before. He was greatly altered in appearance, but there was the old charm of intellectual superiority in bis conversation, and I welcomed bim to California as an im portant addition to her mental wealth. “It was not many minutes before he followed me into my back office, carefully closed the door after bim and locked it. We bad scarcely seated ourselves before he incpiired of me if I had noticed any recent articles in. the newspapers res pectin" the discovery of the art of de composing water so as to fit it for use as a fuel for ordinary purposes T “1 replied that 1 had observed noth ing new upon the subject since the ex periments of Agassiz and Professor Henry, and added that, in my opinion, the expensive mode of reduction would always prevent its use.’’ “In a few words he then informed me that he had made the discovery that the art was extremely simple, and the ex pense atteading the decomposition so slight as be insignificant. “Presuming that the object of his visit to me was to procure the necessary forms to get out a patent for the right, I congratulated him upon his good for tune, and was about to branch forth with description of some of the great benefits that must ensue to the community, when he snddenly and somewhat unciv illy required me to listen to what he had to say.” “He began with some general remarks about the inequality of fortune among mankind, and instanced himself striking example of one of who, according to all the rules ought to be near the top the foot of the ladder of - id; / said lie, springing to -> I'M 81 VC fiiei-y. 1 • ii y o i.. i: ■ f ii '•jt'tfO late, or < f ii.ilici upon tbe whole hue “Looking at- M thought I could c* gleam of madness lent and awaited ■ But my scrutiny,* been detected, arfl to the expression® I am neither drufl in deep earnest itfl am fully to fully the truth of “For the carried a . !iis ln> ■ j ■ Mi and JBj ‘ -->V! .Ji jfl B B ESTABLISHED 1859. ELBERTON, GEORGIA, JILY 21. 1875. he observed, but disdained to notice. i “My mind was fully made up that I had a maniac to deal with, and 1 pre pared to act accordingly. But | ascer tained at once that my inmost thoughts were read by tfcc remarkable man before me, and seemed to be anticipated by him in advance of tbeir expression. “‘Perhaps,’ said I, ‘Mr. Sumtgerfiald, vpu would oblige me by informing me Tully of the grounds of your cWm and the nature of your discovery.’ A “‘That is the object of my he replied. ‘I claim to have discovered the key which unlocks the constituent gases of water, and frees each from tho embrace of the other, at a single touch.’ “‘You mean to assert,’ I rejoined, ‘that you can make water burn itself up?' “‘Nothing more nor less,’ he re sponded, ‘except this—to insist upon the consequences of the secret if my de mand be not at once completed with. “ ‘ Now, suppose I fling the contents of this small phial into the Pacific Ocean, what would be the result? Dare you contemplate it for an instant? I do not assert that the entire surface cf the sea would instantaneously bubble up into insufferable flames; no, but from the nucleus of a circle of which this phial would be the center, lurid radii of flames would gradually shoot outword, until the blazing circumference ’would roll in vast billows of fire, upon the ut termost shores. Not all the dripping ! clouds of the deluge could extinguish ! it; nor all the tears of saints and augelß could for an instant check its progress. Onward and onwark it would swefep, with the steady gait of destiny, until ine continents would melt with fervent heat, the atmosphere glare vith the ominous conflagration, and all living creatures — in land, and sea, and Air—perish in. one universal catastrophe.' “Then, sucluenly starting to his feet, he drew himself to his full height, and murmured solemnly, Tfeel like a God! and recognize my fedow men but as pig mies that I spurn beneath my feet.’ At this Parker states that he attempt ed to reason with Summerfield upon the absurdity of believing, that ha held in his hands power so giighty, at which the latter retorted with Humbold’s ‘Cosmos,’ aud the works of fain jus astronomical writers, proving that it was not only possible for entire planets to be des troyed by fire, but that such terrible events had actually occnred. This an swer concluded, he handed Parker a small phial, requesting him to open and smell of its contents, the result being that a strong odor of potassium was ob served. At this Summerfield continued, “Of course,’ said he, “you are familiar with the chief characteristic of that substance. It ignites instantly when brought into contact with water. With in that little globule of potassium I have imbedded a pill of my own composition and discovery. The moment it is liber ated from the potassium it commences the work of decomposing the fluid on which it,floats. The potassium at once ignites the liberated oxygen, and the conflagration of this mighty globe is be gun.” “‘Yes,’ said I, ‘begun, if you plr*: e, but your little pill soon evaporate* or sinks, or melts in the surrounding s. as, and your conflagration ends just where it began.’ “‘But,’ sneered he, ‘the elementary substances in that small phial recreate themselves; they are self generating, and when once fairly under way, cessarily sweep onward, in all the seas are "Rising pal men in San Francisoo to the extreme importance of Snmmerfield’s discovery. “A leading banker, a bishop, a chem ist, two State university professors, a physician, a judge, and two Protestant divines were selected by me to witness the experiment on a large scale. This was done at a small sand hill near the sea shore, but separated from it by a ridge of lofty mountains, distant not more than ten miles from San Francisco. Every single drop of water was burned up in less than fifteen minutes. We next did all we could to pacify Summerfield, and endeavored to induce him to lower his price and bring it within the bounds of a reasonable possibility. But without avail. He began to grew urgent in his demands. The sub-committee soon com menced work among the wealthiest citi zens of San Francisco, and by appealing to the terrors of a few and the sympa thies of all, succeeded in raising one half the prescribed amount. I shall never forget the woe begone faces of California street during the month of October. The outside world and the newspapers spoke most learnedly of a money panic—a pressure in business and the disturbance in the New York gold room. “But to the initiated there was an ea sier solution of the enigma. The pale spectre of death looked down upon them all, and pointed with his bony the fiery tomb of the whole ray e , already looming up in the distance before them. Day after day I see the dreadful ravages of tb;/ s secret horror; doubly terrible since they dared not divulge it. •buill, do v all that we could, the money could not be obtained. The day piece ding the last one given, Summerfield was summoned before the committee, and full information given bim of the state of affairs. Obdurate, hard and cruel he still continued. Finally a prop osition was started that an attempt be made to raise the other half of the mon ey in the city of New York. To this proppsition Summerfield ultimately yielded, but with extreme reluctance. It was agreed in committee that I should accompany liim thither, and take with me, in my own possession, evidences of the sums subscribed here ; that a proper appeal should be made to the leading capitalists, scholars and'clergymen of the metropolis; and that, when the whole amount was raised, it ehould be paid over to Summerfield, and a bond taken from him never to divulge his awful se cret to any human being. “With this he seemed to be catisfied, and left us to prepare foi his going the next morning. “As soon as he left tb6 apartment the bishop arose and deprecated the action that had been taken, and characterised it as childish and absurd. He declared that no man was safe one moment while that diabolical wretch still lived ; that the only security for us all was his imme diate extirpation from the £l?e of the earth, and that no amount of could seal his lips or close h H s hands- It would be no crime, he said, to deprive him-of the means of assassinating the whole human family, and that as for himself, he was for dooming him to im mediate death. “With a unanimity that was extraor dinary entire committee coincided. “A great many plans were proposed, discussed and rejected, having in view the extermination of Summerfield. In them all there was the want of that pro per caution which would lull the appre hension of an enemy : for should he for Vol. IV.-No. 12. HE NEVER SAW. Two gentlemen from New York, one of whom had been in California for nearly a year, and the other just arrive!, were overheard in the following conver sation at the Sutter House, Sacramento. The newcomer was lamenting his condi tion, and especially two beautiful daugh ters, who were just budding into woman hood—when he asked the other if he had a family. “Yes, sir ; I have a wife and six chil dren in New York—and I never saw one of them.” After this the couple sat a few mo ments in silence, and then the interro gator again commenced: “Were you ever blind, sir?” “No, sir.” Another lapse of time. “Did I understand you to say, sir, that you had a wife and six children liv ing in New York, and had never seen one of them ?” “Yes, sir ; I so stated it.” Another and a long pause of silci.ee. Then the interrogator again inquired: “Hov\r can it be that you acver saw one of them ?” by, was fne response, “one of them was V>orn after I left” “Qu 1 ah!” and a general laugh fol lowed. After that the first New Yorker was especially distinguished as the man who had six children, and never saw one of them. — TERRIBLE 00NPLI0I WITH A PANTHER. Mr. John K. Markill, of Norfolk, St. Lawrence county, N. Y., returned home late, having been detained by a storm, and going out some time after to care for bis team, was just in the act of opening his stable door when ho was seized from behind by a panther, which attempted to grapple his throat, and he was carried to the ground, falling on his back. So sudden was the attack, that for a mo ment Mr. Markill was partly stunned, but quickly realizing his danger he at tempted to draw his jack knife, at the same time calling loudly for help, vln the meantime the animal had fastened his jaws on the side of his victim’s neck, but owing to the heavy collar of Mr. Markill’ft coat, which was fortunately turned up, and a fur collar around his neck, the asinaal’s teeth did not pene trate the flesh, although the pressure, as described by Mr. Markill, was such as to almost entirely prevent his breathing. His alarm brought to his assistance very soon a large and ferocious dog, which at once fastened on the throat of the for midable foe. The animal then turned on his new antagonist, and for a moment a terrific battle ensued. After a prolong ed struggle, Mr. Markill succeeded in conquering the animal with a pichfork and the dog’s help. The panther mcas ured from tip of nose to tip of tail seven feet five and a half inches, was a brown isu color, with legs rather short, but ti;ick anil muscular. ■ SISTER EM. My sister Em has gjt a feller who has been coming to see her almost every night for some time. Night berbrs last, just to have a little fun, I went into the parlor and crawled under the sofa, and waited there until he and Em had got settled, and just as he was asking her if he willimr to become liis dear THE MANAOLING OP JEFFERSON DA VIS. We take the following from ft Ha np ton (Va.) letter to the Springfield Re publican : There are some interesting characters here who can spimyarns. I will only men tion Captain Titlow, the sheriff, who diet good service in the war, and now super intends a very poor specimen of a jail with a good whipping post, an institu tion which ought to be extensively ro vived. The captain, an affable gentle man, with a keen eye, and so troubled with rheumatism that he has to employ a good deal of leisure in attending to it, interested one as having been the per sonal keeper of Mr. Jefferson Dav.s when incarcerated in Fortress Monroe. He was unfortunate enough to have coir ! mitted to him the painful duty of put | ting the Confederate ex-Prcsident in irons. It was one of those stupid blunders which, were it possible, should bo con signed to oblivion, but, since that can hardly be, it is well enough to know that it was at the time regarded by sensible men like Captain Titlow as a wholly un necessary and gratuitous insult. Tho officer in command had orders from Sec retary Stanton to iron Mr. Davis should any exigency require it. But there was no such exigency. He was secured in tho inner apart ment of a casement, with sentries in the gun room that opened from it, and other Bentries outside in front and rear by night and day. When Captain Titlow, as ordered by his superior officer, General , en tered tho casemate, tho blacksmith fol lowing him with the irons, Mr. Davis was seated on his cot, there beiDg no furni ture besides but a stool and a few arti cles of tin ware. When he glanced at tho blacksmith and comprehended the situation, lie ex claimed, “My God! this indignity to bo put on me ! Not while I have life.” At first he pleaded for opportunity to in quire of Secretary Stanton. Then his excitement rose to fury as he walked tho cell, venting himself in almost incoher ent ravings. The captain at length calmly reminded him that as a soldier he must be aware that, however disagree able the duty assigned, it must be per formed, and that, as in duty bound, he should perform it. “Nono but a dog would obey such or ders,” replied Mr. Davis, emphasizing his determination never to be manacled alive by grasping the stool and aiming a very vicious blow. The sentries rushed for ward to disarm him, but were ordered back into their places. Captain Titlow explained that such demonstrations of self defence were foolish and useless, and that it would be much better for Mr. Davis to submit to the inevitable neces sity. But, while receiving this advice, he took the opportunity of grasping musket of one of the sentries, and ir. Rie furious endeavor to wrest it from him quite a scuffle ensued. Tlit unded, the captain took the precaution of clapping his hand on his swoad hilt, as he por ceived Mr. Davis’ eye was on it, and at onco ordered the corporal of tho guard to send into the casemate four of his strongest men without side arms, as ho feared they might get into tho wreng possession and cause damage. They were ordered to take the prisoner as gently as possible and, using no unne cessary force, to lay him upon tho cot and there hold him down. It proved about as much as the four could do, the writbiugs and uphoavings of the infuri ated man developing tho strength of a maniac, until it culminated in sheer ex haustion. When the unhappy aud shame ful task was done, Mr. Davis, after lying still awhile, raised him'self and sat on the side of the bed. As his feet touched tho floor, and the chain clanked, he was ut terly overcome ; the tears burst out in a flood. When ho became calm he apologised in a manly way to the captain for tbo needless trouble he had caused him, and they afterwards maintained mutlid rela tions of personal esteem and Aiendli