Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

1 SEE 3rd Page FOR FARM NEWS SEE Back Page FOR SPORT NEWS VOL. 72. ESTABLISHED 1342. TUESDAY MORNING, JUNE 23. 1914. FIVE CENTS A COPY. NUMBER 52 STRANGER DECLARES HE IS Unable To Explain Arty Motive T. J. Cartledge, of Greenville S. C. Makes Startling Declaration To Local Authorities. Consults Local Attorney It may be the result of some wild hallucination, or it may be the truth, but at any rate, the wierd mystery of it all is enough to inspire another “Hound of Baskerville” or another “Raven.” A stranger came to LaGrange last Sunday morning. He gave his name as T. J. Cartledge, of Greenville, S. C. He had worked in the factory of the International Agricultural Works for several months, but finally had given up his job and was making his way to the home of relatives at West Point, Ga. There was nothing so peculiar or mysterious about this statement, but it was in the man’s action and his mental attitude that first attracted attention. There was something about him that evidenced fear. He seemed haunted by a vague anticipa tion of something terrible. He was nervous, his eyes shifted unedsily to every newcomer and his searching gate into faces was enough to create the suspicion of everyone he met. Tells Story Monday. Monday morning this same man appeared at the office of one of the city’s most prominent attorneys. His face was haggard as if he had spent a restless night. He was afraid and he had finally come for assistance. By assuring him of friendship and of a willingness to assist him, the lawyer succeeded in getting the fol lowing strange narrative: On June 8th, Cartledge had become disatisfied with his job with the Greenville firm and had tendered his resignation. He gave as his excuse, mistreatment at the hands of the employees. They had taken a dislike to him and had taunted him until he could bear it no longer. Prom Greenville he went to Annis ton for a position with another con cern. It was while on his way he no ticed that he was followed. He se cured a position at Anniston, but strange to say he soon lost his job without any apparent reason. He at once conceived the idea that his former employer, whose name was Rivers, ’was trailing him to secure some kind of revenge. Cartledge staged that never in his life had he intentionally harmed anyone, and he was at a loss to known why he should be sought out as a man necessary to be shadowed. Their object was a great mystery to him. No attempt Will Introduce School Book Bill Col. E. T. Moon, of this city will leave today, where he will join his comrades in the legislature, which convenes at the capitol tomorrow. Col. Moon stated to a representa tive of The Reporter that he would in troduce at this session a new bill, which compels the use of a universal system of text books in the state. “It is useless," he stated, “as well as the cause of a great deal of un necessary expenditure, for the pupil, who moves out of one town, to anoth er, to have to buy entirely different text books, when they remain in the same grade." The present Georgia law has in augurated a specific series of text books in all towns and cities, which do not pay any special taxes, hut those places, which pay the special taxes find it optional as to the text books used. BIBB’S GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE SPEAKS HERE Not Ready to Announce Action Mr. J. E. Dunson, of this city, who has been prominently mentioned by the press of the state as a candidate for the office of governor, refused to make any definite announcement of his action in the matter, when inter viewed by a representative of The Re porter yesterday morning. Mr. Dunson stated that he had made his decision but was not yet prepared to make any public announcement. Numerous friend* of Mr. Dunson have refused to pledge their support to any candidates in the race ro far until it is known that he will not run. A great many people in this section are still hopeful that he will announce and declare that they will do every thing in their power for him in case he comes out. Caldwell Family on Motor Trip Mr. H. W. Caldwell returned home on Tuesday from a delightful motor trip with his family through North Georgia and. portions of South Caro lina. Leaving here on June 11 with Mrs. Caldwell, their four children, Mrs. Caldwell's. sister and a nurse, Mr. Caldwell carried them in his Overland car or! an extensive and thoroughly delightful trip which in cluded Lavonia the former home of Mrs. Caldwell and Anderson, S. C. where Mr. Caldwell resided when a boy. Mr. Caldwell left Mrs. Caldwell had ever been made to do him bodily and the (, hiWren at La VO nia and will injury, but he was constantly follow-; return for them after disposing of ed, he could not get out of the range some business matters which called of their wariness. | him home When asked to describe his follow-j ers the man stated: “Last year I practically lost myj Several times yesterday morning vision. I cannot recognize a man, Cartledge went to the office of Sheriff fifty feet from me and for this rea- ( Florence to secure aid in locating his son I am at a disadvantage. My followers, but the sheriff was out. followers ride in an automobile and | Declares Followers Are In LaGrange. they also have a motorcycle. There; “j have seen the car in LaGrange. is a negro who follows me afoot and ( They were here last night,” he stat- I can never keep out of their way. “j went down to the depot and Sometime I am able to elude them, { they followed me. There were two and I have watched the car from a Greeks and three Americans. I es- place of concealment race about in a around the depot. They follow- vain attempt to find me. When I am ^ me an< j | went.back to their car discovered the car slows down, turns the number. I was caught around and gets out of my sight. It before I could make sure, but as well is always the sam* car, I recognize as j cou id see j n tjie dark the ear was the whistle. j number 8363." One time, when I was alone the “When the parties came up, I mov- negro. came up to me and admitted that they wpre following me, but would give no reason. If I had had a pistol I would have forced the ne gro to a confession, but I am an old man and he could have overpowered “Havn’t you any idea why you are followed?” he was asked. “No, I have no money, I have com mitted no crime, and it is the mystery of it all that is so tantalizing. I am afraid. I don’t know what is their object. They have not attempted to harm me, but they may. It is enough to drive a man crazy.” ed off, and as soon as they saw me they drove away. “This morning I went out to one of the mill villages, just to see if they woulfollow, and they did. I heard that name shriek of the whistle as the car circled around and around me. I returned to LaGrange and the car followed.” Cartledge declared that he was go ing to ask the assistance of the gov ernment to have it stopped, and that if the LaGrange authorities were un able, he would enlist the aid of his relatives at West Point and find out the cause of it all. JUDGE NAT E. lIAItfyLS, Who spoke at the court houso here Friday night in the interest of his gubernatorial race. * 11 V HES==lBi^sitai=====ia;~*i.imiwBi^ a II Judge Nat E. Harris, guber- ;|| nutorial candidate, from Bibb county, stated in his address to the LaGrange audience last Friday night, that in case Hon. Joe Dunson, of this city, en tered the race for governor, he would not cross the bounds of the county aiid ask the citizens! of this section to go hack on a 6 local man. audience of Troup county vutej’s, Judge Nat E. Harris, the old soldier, of Bibb, last Friday night delivered the first political speech of the year in this city in the interest of his can didacy for governor of Georgia. The address was devoid of bitter ness and even in his references to W- J. Harris, his remarks were kind, and only to refute charges made agapnit him by his “cousin.” ., <. Judge Harris was introduced to the LgGrange audience by Col. Arthtti- Thompson, one of the city’s moijt prominent attorneys and well knjoMfri citizens. Col. Thompson’s remarks presented an appropriate preface tio the eloquent address, which followed, and although it was only a “minu|e speech,” the audience was made fami liar with the novel career of ; the gubernatorial aspirant. Judge Harris opened his speech by giving the reasons why he had f an nounced. The speaker stated that he had received numerous letters froth his friends in the state urging him to make the race, but not one of them had given any real reasos and it was not until a prominent citizen, of Waycross, had come to him and pres ented the argument that his race would mean a revival of the memory of the heroic deeds of our ancestors of the civil war. Judge Harris is a typical member of the fiery old southern school of men, who were sworn allies to the “And I will not injure any of our grest public institutions. “1 believe the state’s taxes arc too high. My wife owns a little property in Florida and Tennessee and I own some in Georgia and I am given an excellent opportunity to learn the dif ference in the rates, as T have to pay the taxes oh niy Wife’s property too.” (Laughter). - “IDpfyfii elected governor I will on deavor to decrease this rate,” (At this juncture someone in the audience asked "How yer goner do it?) and Before a large and representative Ju(l(ro Harris shouted, “I don’t know! Lhave an idea floating around in my brain, that I am not prepared to give just yet, but if 1 am elected and if I fail to decrease the taxes, I will got Out before my term expires, but I am not in the least afraid of having to quit until; the last day.” ‘The speaker stated that his real platform had been written hundreds and hundreds of, years ago and that it was ombodied in the biblical scrip ture known as the golden rule. You do the best you can by me, he said and I’ll do the best I can for gfim’ 4M#k IdflAI a Modestly Refers «o Achievements. raiiLJUJlI 'UlSiL s\w% .Judge ’tfdri^s ’ modestly refetTed to his activities in the establishment of the Georgia Tedy his assistance oned t4 the state during her financial dif ficulties in 1884 and- tils connection With other educational institutions of the state. He declared that during his thiry odd years; of practicing h)w, he had never been accused of infidelity by his clients and that the recent charges made against him by W. J. Harris as being.unfit for the proper discharge of the chief executive’s duties on account of having been a corporation lawyer, could best be an swered by the fact that in all his practices he had been honest with his clients and he could not see why such methods would impede an efficient administration of the governor’s du ties. “It is only a matter of principle Will Receive Bids For Water Works WATERWORKS STATION, FIL TERS, MACHINERY AND EXTENSION. Bids for the new waterworks sup plies will be received by the city coun cil until Wednesday at 2 p. m., 1914 The following :s an explanation from Hon. J. D. Edmundson und the construction engineer, J. N. Hazel- hurst. LaGrange, Ga. Proposals will be received by the undersigned until 2 p. ml., Wednesday, July 21st, 1914. The work will include supplying all materials and labor necessary to construct waterworks with all appur tenances, including two brick stations, coagulating and clear water basin, transmission line, pumping machin ery an(l filters. Drawing and details may be ex amined and blank form of specifics tions and bid sheet be obtained of T. J. Harwell, city clerk, or the consult ing engineer, Atlanta, Ga. A deposit of $10.00 will be required for each set of plans which will he refunded on the return of the plans In good condition. Each proposal must be accompanied by a certified check In the sum of five (6) per cent, of the arnount bid, as evidence of good faith upon the part of the bidder. The city reserves the right to re ject any and all bids, or waiving for malities to accept any which may seem to it to be the best for the city of LaGrange. J. D. EDMUNDSON, Mayor. LaGrange, G(a. It JAMES NISBET HAZELHURST, Consulting Engineer, Atlanta, Ga. LaGrange to Have Dancing Class Mr. Victor Kafka, pupil of the fa mous Vernon Castle, arrived yesterday to start a dancing class. Only the very latest dunces will be taught. One step, hesitation, Maxixe and Tango. Children, classes a specialty. Ladies classes every morning at JO o’clock and 8:30 p. m., $5.00. Juniora every afternoon at 4:30, $3.00. Mixed class es every evening. Gentlemen $0.00, ladies $5.00. The course consists of eight lessons, Mr. Kafka .comes highly recommended and doubtless will make many friends. Phone 424. The classes will meet at McLendon’s Park, at the new pavilion. Mr. C'. S. Ward will take parties out to the park in his taXi for ten cents each. The respective classes will begin Wednesday the 24th, rtiqrriing, after noon and night. great cause, and having been in the after ail. I have fought against the midst of the shot and shell for over three years, he presented with stj-ilf- ing clearness, visions of theTerrible struggles; he had Aeen and un4er- gone. The candidate, old in years, but boyisb ih his enthusiasm and youthful in mien, presented a majestic figure as he referred in eloquent pathos to the heroism and altruism of the fath ers of the New South. And he was repeatedly cheered and there were many evidences 'of approbation on! all sides. His platform, to which he referred as “always a mighty convenient thing to get in on," was outlined as contain ing the following planks: Declares State Extravagant. “In my opinion there is an extrav agant use of the state’s funds and should I be elected, I will endeavor to the best of my ability to conserve the treasury a little more. railroads and I have fought for them lhave never been accused by my clients as dishonest, and my experi ence on both sides and..as judge has given me an excellent opportunity to learn the needs of our citizens.” Jn further answering this < charge Judge Harris recalled a number of the south’s greatest statesmen, who had been railroad attorneys. Speech Lasted For Nearly Two Hours The address lasted for nearly two hours, beginning at eight o'clock and ending at a quarter of ten. At the conclusion, a largo group of promin ent LaGrange and <Youp county citi zens gathered around Judge Harris and encouraged him by stating that they would give him preference to all who had announced thus far, and that only the entry of Hon. J. E. Dunson, of this city would prevent his getting a large vote in this section. Judge Harris remained overnight Albert Lehmann Returns Home Mr. Albert Lehmann, Jr., who for some time has held a responsible posi tion in the office of the Shawmut Mills of West Point, has accepted a position with the Dixie Mills of La Grange. Miss Ruth Slack [In Near-Accident Trial Takes Place Thursday Purse Has Been Made Up By Popular Subscription To Pros ecute T. V. Eberhardt, Attor neys For Defense Will Put Up Strong Fight Miss Ruth Slack, who is visiting her friend, Miss Mary Chainpe in Lexington,, Va., was in the wreck on .the Southern last Friday, her car derailed and the Window of her sec tion shattered, but fortunately she es caped unhurt. HOME FROM COLLEGE. Mr. Frank Hamjnett returned homo last week from the University of Georgia where he graduated in phar macy. He also passed the state ex amination at Indian Springs a few Vveeks ago, and his many friends wish for him much success in his chosen profession. in LaGrange at the Park hotel and left Saturday morning for points along the A. & W. P. road between {LaGrange and Atlanta, where he will {continue his campaign lectures. T. Eberhardt, former warden of the Troup convict camp, and who was charged by the coroner’s jury last Thursday with involuntary man slaughter in the death of Charles Partridge, a young white man, who died in the camp the Sunday previous, has been arrested and placed in jail on a charge of murder. Immediately after the verdict of the Coroner’s jury last Thursday, Eber hardt was released wn a $350 bond. Ha resigned as warden of the convict camp Friday and went to his home at Gainesville. The family, of the young man, who died in the convict camp a short time ago were not satisfied with the ver dict of the coroner’s jury and de manded Eberhardt’s arrest on a charge of murder. Arrested and Placed in Jail. A warrant was sworn out and serv ed on the former warden for murder uhd he was placed in the Troup coun ty jail Saturday night, having come back to LaGrange on his own volition upon the notification of the warrant. The committal; trial. will. begin in. LaGrange Thursday at ten ojclock and counsel for prosecution and defenso have been employed. , Solicitor Render Terrell, of Green ville, and Col. Arthur Greer^ of this city will conduct the prosecution and Colonels M. U. Mooty, E. A. Jqne3, A. J- Andrews and. Meadows, all of LaGrange will represent.the defense. Coroner’s Verdict Signed by Five Men The verdict of involuntary man slaughter as returned by the coroner's jury last Thursday was signed by five of the six jurymen, Col. Arthur Greer, refusing to sign the verdict. According to Juwge R. M. Young, who was foreman of the jury, there Was considerable trouble in reaching a decision. Judge Voung states that the jury seemed satisfied that Eber hardt had not intentionally killed Partridge, but that all were dissatis fied with the warden’s action in the matter. ; Judge Young advanced the idea of involuntary manslaughter and all agreed to this with the exception of Col. Greer. In the ooronor’s jury, a majority rules. Made Up Purse For Fighting Case. It is understood that the friends of the Partridge family have made up a purse of several hundred dollars for the purpose of prosecuting Eberhardt. The family charges that Eberhardt’s treatment of the young man amount ed to more than involuntary man slaughter and it is their belief that he will be convicted of murder. Jimmy McMichaei Now Warden. As soon as Eberhardt tendered his resignation to the prison commission in Atlanta la3t Friday, Jimmy Mc Michaei, one of the deputies at the camp was appointed to succeed him. The position pays a salary of $160 a month. “Jimmy," as, he is knew only to his friends in this section, has been with the county fdr a number of years and it is thought that he is ably fitted for the job. A group of County commissioners visited the camp yesterday and re port everything to be in good con dition;’ MISS WILLIAMS ON VACATION Miss Carrie Williams, who has beet teaching school at McDonough, Ga. is at home on vacation. Miss Wil liams is the second daughter of Mrs Minnie Pitman Williams and het friends will be pleased to know thal she is making a success of her chosen vocation. J.'