The La Grange reporter. (La Grange, Ga.) 184?-193?, June 19, 1914, Image 1

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SEE 3rd Page FOR FARM NEWS Jjt Mtp&ti&t SEE Back Page FOR SPORT NEWS VOL. 72. ESTABLISHED 1842. EBERHARDT BOUND OVER FOR INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER Jury Returns Verdict In 30 Minutes Family of Dead Man Incensed Over Evidence. Determine to Uncover All. The Coroner and Jury Conducted the Work at Their Own Expense. After being out for only thirty minutes the coroner's jury returned a verdict of “Involuntary manslaugh ter” in the case of T. V. Eberhardt, who was under probation on account of the sudden death of Charles Par tridge, a convict, who died in Ever- hardt's camp near Hogansville Sun day. When the body of Partridge brought to LaGrange Sunday after noon, the relatives of the dead man declared there was evidence of vio lence on his body. This circumstan tial evidence wus corroborated by testimonial evidence of two citizens of Hogansville and the family notified Coroner Spinks that an investigation vas desirable. Immediately after the family of FRIDAY MORNING, JUNE 19, 1914. Crumpled Bow of the Storstad And Photo of Empress of Ireland No Sensational Developments. No sensational developments oc curred in the examination of these men, all of whom swore about the same, which is in substance us fol lows: Charles Partridge, a young white man, 24 years of age, came to the convict camp, Tuesday, June 14. He had been sentenced to three months in the gang for whipping his wife. Upon his arrival at the camp he stat ed that he had no appetite and until the day of his death which was fol lowing Sunday he had eaten nothing save a little gruel. He complained of being sick, soon after his initiation in the road gang and Saturday, the day before his death, Dr. I. H. I.ane had been called. Dr. Lane, who is county physician, stated that nothing seemed to be wrong with Partridge, that he showed no signs of disease or wa ' 3 organic trouble and that his tempera ture and pulse were normal. When Dr. Lane came again Sunday Par tridge was dead and the physician ex pressed surprise and stated that there had been something unusual to take i place, probably heart trouble. It was sworn that Dr. Lane had prescribed, on Saturday, a dose of calomel and oil and a good whipping. Undertaker’s Testimony. the dead man demanded an investiga- tion of the affair, Coroner B. S. Mr. G. II. Turner who is an under- Spinks and his jurymen, J. T. Hunt, taker at Hogansville, and who has W. R. Campbell, Almand Cleaveland, R. M. Young and Dick Hutchinson, began vigorous activities toward bringing to light anything which might prove that Partridge came to his death by unnatural causes. Paid Own Expenses. Although the county’s allowance for expenses was only a dollar for each man, this jury hired cars and paid railroad fare out of their own pockets to give the matter every pos sible consideration. Tuesday morn ing at ten o’clock the coroner and his jury held court and the first sworn testimony was given. Hay and Denny Create Sensation. The testimony given was contradic been in this businew for twelve years, testified that he had been given or ders, upon the death of Partridge, to prepare a coffin and that this had been the most expensive coffin the county had ever ortered from him for a convict. Mr. Turner declared that the coffin was sent to the camp Sunday after noon in a wagon and that he, in com pany with J. B. Plant, had preceded the wagon in an automobile. When the two men arrived they found Captain Eberhardt, Ben Jones, and a number of guards gathered about a shanty and that a solemn at mosphere prevailed at the camp. The body of Pur.tidge was stretch- tory. The statements of the two | ed out under a shack a few rods above visitors to the camp, H. G. Hay and , them. Captain Eberhardt stated D. A. Denny, of Hogansville, that, here, that the death was probably due they 1 had seen Captain T. V. Eber-, to heart failure and that an exces- hardt, the warden, strike* Partridge] sive drinking of water, which had with a club, was denied by Captain Eberhardt and his witnesses,the coun ty blacksmith, the county physician, two county guards and two convicts. Hay and Denny stated that just as they approached the camp Sunday, about thirty feet from them they heard a blow, and when they turned were startled to see a young man of a very soiled appearance fall, and to see standing by him Captain Eber hardt with his walking stick in hand. The man, who had fallen, they learn ed to be Charles Partridge. They swore that the man on the ground looked weak and sick and that his mouth was open in a half gasp, say ing in a mumbled voice, “Don’t hit, cap.” The captain, they said, explained to them that the man was either crazy or mighty bad off and used some strong curse words and stated that the man had been playing off ever since he had been sent to camp. Hay and Denny both stated that they understood the prisoner to ask for wa ter that he might bathe his wounds, but that he was refused and Eber hardt again struck him on the body and head, cursing him and telling him to go to the bushes. In obeying these orders Partridge is stated to have fallen several times in a half dazed condition while the other convicts laughed. Hold Trial Again Thursday. Late Tuesday afternoon the court adjourned until further investigation could be made and all day Wednes- been done, was likely the cause. Did Not Examine Bodv For Fear of Being Called to Court. Turner swore that, aside from as sisting in putting the body in the coffin, he had not examined it and was unable to stale whether it bore any marks of violence. Judge R. M. Young then asked him why he had failed to examine the body and Turner replied that owing to the unusual manner in which the man had died, he was afraid of be ing called in court. Jury Found Back and Legs Blue. It is understood that upon the in vestigation of the dead man’s body by the jury last Monday that his back and legs were blue as if blood had clotted near the surface. Turner was asked if this was natu ral in the case of a dead man and he replied, “Sometime.” In an effort to ascertain whether these blue spots were caused from coagulation of the alood, Col. Arthur Greer asked Turner what was the usual time for blood to coagulate in dead bodies and if coagulation was faster in the summer than in winter, Turner stated that it was usually from four to ten hours before coagula tion set in and that it was faster in winter as the body grew cold faster, It was sworn that blue spots were found on the body of Partridge at three-thirty, Sunday afternoon, which was three hours after his death. The death scene of Partridge as described by one of the witnesses yes- FIVE CENTS A COPY. Hon. Clem Rainey Here Thursday Hon. Clem Rainey, of Dawson, und a member of the Prison Commission of Georgia, was in LaGrange Thurs day representing the commission in the investigation of the death lust week of Charles Partridge at the county convict camp. Judge Ruiney naturally did not feel free to make any statement as to the probable ac tion of the Prison Commission in the matter, but indicated that they would await the verdict of the coroner’s jury and endeavor to see that justice is done after the full facts arc known. Judg<^ Rainey is editor of the Daw son News, one of the most live and interesting newspapers of the rich South Georgia section and is a gentle man of marked ability and pleasant address. He is offering for re-elec tion as Prison Commissioner and has no opposition in the race so far. NUMBER 51 WILL HAVE MEN’S MEETING Rev. D. H. Coman to Preach i , „ fjM Photos copyright, 1»14, by American Proas Association. NE of the worst disasters of the sen In (lie world's history was the col lision of the s ten mot's Empress of Ireland and (he Storstad In the lower waters of the St. Lawrence river. The Empress of Ireland, hit in a fog by the Norwegian collier, snnk with the loss of over 1,000 lives. The Illustration shows (at topi the smashes) bows of the Storstad after the collision and the Empress of Ireland us she appeared the day she sailed from Quebec to her unfortunate fate. The Canadian government is conductlug a rigid Investigation of the catastrophe. 0 JUDGE HARRIS TO SPEAK HERE Will Arrive in LaGrange at Noon or op the 4:25 Train, in the Interest of His Candidacy. Judge Nat E. Harris, of Macon, candidate for governor, expects to reach LaGrange today, Friday, and his friends here have arranged for him to speak to the voters in the af ternoon at the court house. The ex act hour of the speaking could not be announced, as it is lot known wheth er Judge Harris will arrive at noon or on the 4:25 train. The time of meet ing will probably be announced by the good old-fashioned method of the “town crier,” with this function per formed by some lusty lunged citizen; and no doubt there will be a general desire to hear this able and worthy son of Georgia. Judge Harris was a gallant con federate soldier and has since been one of Georgia’s foremost citizens along lines of peaceful upbuilding and development. Among his services was the founding of the Georgia School of Technology and he is still chairman of the board of trustees. He is also a trustee of Wesleyan Female College and of University of Georgia. Large Audience of Men of Every Denomination Are Expected Out Sunday to Hear Noted Evangelist—Much Enthusiasm Over Protracted Services. MILLS TO HAVE SWIMMING POOL 40 by 80 Feet Will Be the Size of the Pool Which Will Be Completed in Two Weeks. TO HIVE RACES ON JULYFOURTH Work is Already Being Done on the Track and Everything Will Soon Be Ready. Speed fiends in this section of the state will get all they want and then some here on the fourth of July next, when some of the hottest races you ever saw will be pulled off between perfectly good horse blood and per fectly good mechanism. It will be a race by horses and auto mobiles. . No, the horses will not race with the automobiles, but the horses and automobiles will be allowed free rein, or opened wide, as the saying goes and if predictions amount to much there will be a few records "broken. Work is already being done on the track and everything looks pretty good. Considerable smoothing will have to be done yet before the danger of a burst tire will be eliminated, but the men behind the fair movement are hard at work and they will do all in their power to make of the lit tle fair in July as much a success as the big one,, which will be given here in October. The management of the Unity Cot ton Mills, Unity Spinning Mills and Elm City Cotton Mills are building a large swimming pool for the free use of employees and their families. The pool, which is located just below Elm City, is being constructed in the best manner with' concrete sides and bot tom and of depth ranging from two feet to seven feet. There will be a building on the east side, ranged with dressing rooms for the bathers. The pool will be 40 by 80 feet, enclosed .on all sides and a con crete walk will be' made the entire length on one side. Water will be supplied by gravity from the Elm City pond. The work is being done by Mr. Otis Cleaveland and will prob ably be completed within two weeks. This latest act of thoughtfulness on the part of the mill officers is in keeping with the altruistic spirit of these splendid and successful enter prises and no doubt will be ap preciated by the fortunate people who will have access to the pool. Messrs Fuller Callaway, Neal Truitt, Roy Dallis, Yates Austin, William Turner and Ira Grimes, who compose the ac tive management, are showing that best results can be attained through a sincerely co-operative spirit between all factors in the organization. In the Unity and Elm City communities are many of as good citizens as there are in LaGrange, and the general standard is notably high. A Contest for The Prettiest Store PRIMITIVE BAPTISTS ARGUE ORIGIN OF NEW CHURCH day was spent in searching out newterday was gruesome in every detail witnesses and probing into the cir cumstances in an effort to bring out further testimony. Yesterday afternoon at one-thirty o’clock, coroner B. S. Spinks again called session of his court and before a packed house new witnesses were questioned and cross examined by the jury. Witneses introduced yesterday ■were: Will Levens, John Nall, George Turner, Ben Jones, J. B. Plant, Nor wood Darden, of .Hogansville; and county deputy Hayes, of this city. and the story partly reveals the man ner in which convicts are handled. Ben Jones testified, “Jimmy Mc- Michael, one of the guards, said Par tridge was sitting out under a tree a short distance from the rest. One of the “trustees” carried him a dish of gruel. The “trustee” soon realized something unusual about the man and he called for aid. The others ran to assist Partridge, who had fallen faint like. He was dead in a moment. Jimmy said he tried to cut the shack les off before he died.” In a news account sent to The Re porter last Monday by some of the members of the Primitive Baptist church, of this city, it was stated that the church, whose building has just been completed on South Greenwood street, was originated in 1902 on Cherry street. Now comes a correction from Mrs. G. M. Edwards stating that this is a mistake and that the church originat ed in 1902 is the same as the church, which is now conducted by Rev. J. T. Satterwhite, of LaFayette, Ala. Mrs. Edwards’ statement in full is as follows: “In the last issue of The Reporter, there was quite an error in regard to the new church house on South Green wood street. “Some of the members” stated that this church originated in 1902 on Cherry street. “The LaGrange Primitive Baptist church was constituted in 1902 on the corner of Ghoran and Fannin 'streets, and after the division, which took place over two years ago, the Primi tive Baptists bought a church house and lot on Cherry street, where they still hold services every second Sun day and Saturday before in each month. Elder J. T. Satterwhite, of LaFayette, Ala., is the pastor. “This is the church that Elder A. B. Whatley was serving, when he died, and is recognized by the Primitive Baptists throughout the United States and Canada as The LaGjrange Primi tive Baptist church.” There is a contest on between the two local jewelers as to who shall have the best looking store, and both are determined to make as good show ing as the other. Mr. Laramore has just completed some interior work of installing ma hogany fixtures and Mr. Lehmann is having extensive work done on both the inside and out of his store. People of LaGrange may decide for themselves which of the two stores is prettier. Dr. Morgan' ; Buys A Ford Roadster Dr. D. E. Morgan, a prominent physician of LaGrange, has just purchased a Ford roadster. This makes two cars owned by Dr. Mor gan. He states that he bought the smaller machine with the idea of sav ing his big touring ear. Thi3 sale of the Ford is only one of a number, which have been placed recently by J. A. & Cline Bagwell. Rev. D. H. Coman, one of the prominent evangelists of the south, who has been conducting a series of meetings nt the Presbyterian church, at this city, hus consented to prolong his stay in LaGrange until next Sunday night. It was Rev. Coman’s original plan to terminate the meetings last Wed nesday night, but upon the insistence of a large number of LaGrange peo ple, who have been greatly interested by his sermons, he made this change in his program. A meeting for men only will be held at the court house Sunday after noon and it is the desire of the eyan- gelist that as many as possible at tend. People, who have heard his sermons, declare that Coman has a wonderfully appealing power to men and the male members of every de nomination are expected out next Sunday afternoon. Since the first of the Coman ser mons, which was delivered in La Grange a little over a week ago, the Presbyterian church has been packed almost to its full capacity at every meeting. More interest has been aroused in Christianity at these meetings than LaGrange has known in many years. Coman is a hard student, a deep thinker, and a man of wonderful en thusiasm and force. He impresses his congregation with his sincerety, his determination and his practical doc trines. He is not a man to force his con gregation into a paroxysm of enthus iastic Bhouting, he does not transform, in one brilliant flight of divine in spiration, the dyed In the wool sinner to the snow capped saint, but he ap proaches his man on the ground of reason and if he does not get him the first time he forces him to think and thus prepare the way for a second appeal. No doubt Rev. Coman’s work in La Grange will have a survival value and that he will long be remembered by people, who have not been heretofore, especially interested in the church. And rews& Meadows vs. The Finny Tribe Col. A. J. Andrews, who is associat ed with Col. M. U. Mooty, of this city, and Col. Meadows, who is as sociated with Col. E. A. Jones, left a few days ago for a fishing frolic over near LaFayette, Ala. The many friends of these two young members of the local bar wish for the greatest of luck and sincerely hope that they will catch a big un. Olympia Doing Thriving Business The Olympia Cafe, which was open ed a short time ago under the management of Poolos & Pappas is doing a thriving business according to Mr. Poolos and trade is increasing daily. The people have a pretty place, neatly fitted up on the interior and electric fans and good eats go a long way toward drawing their crowds. Attends Funeral Directors Meeting Mr. R. 0. Pharr, of Pharr Bros & Childs, left LaGrange Wednesday morning for a few days visit in At lanta. Mr. Pharr will attend the Georgia Funeral Directors’ conven tion, which will be held in Atlanta this week.