The Georgia enterprise. (Covington, Ga.) 1865-1905, November 09, 1865, Image 1

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THE GEORGIA ENTERPRISE. VOL 1. | 'l'il E worjjra Cntfrprisf Is published weekly, by DELANEY & ANDERSON, At Covington, Ga. TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION. One Copy, Three Months, $1 00 One Copy, One Year, S3 00 Si* Copies, §ls 00 BATES OF ADVERTISING. One Square, (ten lines or less of solid Brevier,) one insertion, $1 Od For oaeh subsequent insertion, 75 Permanent advertisements, nml those -Occupying a qintir or of u column, or more, will be taken by special contract. All personal matter, double price, or, for one square, one insertion, S- 00 For matt advertising his wife, §l2 00 Advertisements inserted without specification as to the number of insertions, will be publish ed until ordered out, and charged accordingly. JOB WORK. We are prepared to do JOB WORK, of all kinds, with- neatness and despatch. Also, all kinds of BLANKS printed to order at short notice. A liberal share of the Public Patron age is solicited. JAMES DELANEY, JAMES \V. ANDERSON. t —— • ' j |3octni Is it Como ? |T! e following is the poem that attracted the attention of the Marquis of Lansdownc, and induced him to make a present of £IOO to the authoress, Mbs Frances Brown. —Edinburg | jAdie* Otrn.] Is it come ? they svid on the banks of the Nile A\ ho looked for the world's long promised day, And saw but the suifo of Egypt’s toll, With the desert's salt Is and the granite grey, from the pyramid, temple and treasured dead We raii.lv ask for htr wisdom's plan : Tiny tell «f the slave ami tyrant’s dread— fet there w..s h pc when that day began. The ChnPee came with his starry 'ore, j That built up Babylon's crown and creed; And bricks were stamped on the Tigris’ shore W jtli Mens which mintages scarce can read. Front Minus’ Temple and Nimrod s Lower The rule of the old East's empire spread nqd wtr— I Buts; ill, Is it comer the Watcher said. t The tight of the Persian's worshiped flame O’er tilt ancient boi.dage its splendor tlucw ; Aa(d once on the West a sunrise came, When Giocce to her freedom 5 * tinst was true. With dream, to the uttermost nges dear, AV'itli the human gods and god-like men, No marvel the far oil' day set tin and near. To eyes that 1-okcd through her laurjs '.lien. The Romans c nquered asd revelled, t. o, Till honor and faith and power were gone, And deeper old Europe’s darkness grew As wave alt.-r wave the Go'll einiie on. • The gown was learning, the svvotd was law, The people sei ved in ti e ox-*n’s stead, But evci some gleam the W atelier .-aw, And evermore, Is it con e '! they said. I’oet and Seer that qttestion caught, Above tiled tt of life’s tears jind frets; It marched with letters—it. t, bed with thought Thru' schools and creeds which the eailh I'urg. ts. And statesmen trifle, and piicsts deceive, And traders baiter our world away; Yet hearts to that golden promise cleave, And sti 1, at times, Is it cuiao? they say. The Java of the nations hear no trace Os all the sun-line so far foretold; The cannon speaks in the teacher’s place— The age is weave with work and gold ; And higher hopes wither and memories wane On healths and altars the fires at e dead ; But that brave faith hath not lived in vain ; And this is all our Watcher said. Champ Ferguson's Full Confession. It will be remembered by our readers that during the tiial of Ferguson, we were granted the privilege of holding inteiviews with bint, and published a lengthy statement on one occasion. We withheld many developments at that time which we knew would he preju dicial to It'S trial. It was Champ Ferguson’s < xpress desire that the Local Editor of the Dispatch should receive his confession, and he frequently said to us during the progress of his trial, if it went adverse to him, he would “ tell us all,” —to use Lis own wotds On Wednesday afternoon, we visited the Penitentiary in company with Lieut. A. M. Coddington. On entering the prison through the massive iron doors, we found Champ sit ting by the stove in the hall or chamber which surrounds the cells, lie was permit ted to go out of the durgeon with a ball and chain. Champ met us in a very pleasant manner, and after conversing a few moments on important matters, we retired with him to his cell. lie appeared very anxious about his family, and had some feats of their not getting here in time to see him. He was ex peeling them hourly. We opened the subject of his confession to him, and he told us that it might not be discreet in him to make a confession unli] the last day. However, he proposed to give it to us with the understanding that it should not be published or mentioned in the paper until alter his execution. He commenced with TIIE KILLING OF REUBEN' WOOD. The testimony in this case was, with very few exceptions, false. Reuben Wood and I were always good friends before the war, hut after that b 6 was connected with same company in which my brother Jitn was oper ! ating. I knew that he intended killing me if he ever got a chauce. They both hunted me down, and drove nio fairly to desperation. On tlie day that he was killed, we met him in the road, and lie commenced on me, using the most abusive language. 1 knew his dls^ 1 position toward me, 31*1 I bqlieve he intended j to shoot nte. Ine touching story about his piteous appeals to me—that he had nursed me when a babe, and tossed me on his knee —are false, and were gotten up expressly to create sympathy, and set me forth as a heart ies* wretch. If I had not shotßeuben Wood I would not l.kely have been here, for he would have shot me. I never expressed a regret for committing the act, and never will, lie was iu open war against me. THE KILLING OF FtiOGO. The killing of Frogg is another in which I am falsely pluctid. The circumstances are well known to many in that neighborhood. He wits with the Home Guards, and instiga led my arrest while I was peaceably pursuing my avocation a3 a farmer. Not satisfied witli this, ho laid iu wait on the highways to kill me. lie even went so far as to 'make his threats to the neighbors that he iptendvd to kill me. On the day that I passed down the 1 road leading to Frogg’s house, Mrs. Pleasant Realty called to me, and warned me that Frogg was watching for an opportunity to kill me. I had been cautioned by a number of persons. There were two men with me at the lime Mrs. Beatty spoke to us, and I told the boys that I would settle the matter by going direct to Frogg’s Louse and killing bim. His wife was at the door peeling ap ples. I dismounted and went iu. He was lying in bed, and seising me, pulled the cover over Lis face. I then shot him twice. His wife ran awav, and its I passed nut I mol Miss Russell, who lives near there. She asked mo w hat was the matter 1 I told her that Frogg was killed, and that site had better go and loak aftet him. No words whatever were passed between Frogg »td myself. I consider mvself justified in killing him. THE SAI.TSVILLE MASSACRE, As it has Laui termed, was no wotk of mine. I was not in the fight, and did not kill any j negri es as charged. I acknowledge, however that 1 killed Lieutenant Smith in Emory and Henry ho-pital. 1 had a motive in commit ting the act. He captured a number of my tuen at different times, and always killed the last one of them. I was instigated to kill him, but 1 will not say by whom, as I do not wish to eliminate any of my friends. Smith belonged to the 13. h Kentucky, and opera ted around Duiksville. I will say this much —he never insulted my wife or daughter as was reported, lie was a relative of my first wife, and always treated my family with re spect. He is the only man that I killed at or neat Sal.sville, and I am not sorry for killing hitn. ESQUIRE ZACIIERY. I suppose that I am resonsible for the kill ing of E-quire Zicbeiy, hut I was not the man who shot him. I shot at him, but one of my men fired the hall that killed him. He was in command of a company of bush whackers, and was seeking my life. We went to his house for the purpose of killing him in order to save my own life. He was a clever man before tbe war, but got over it soon after the war broke out, and arrayed himself in deadly hostility to his old friends and neighbors. KILLING or DR. m’gLASSON. I am entirely ignorant of such a man as Dr. McGlasson, and never heard of him until the charges were read against me. He was no doubt in a fight way up the river, in which several were killed on both sides. I recollect of chasing a man to the verge of a bluff, and he ran down the bank to a fence. As he was getting over it, f bhot him. He might have been Dr. McGlasson, hut 1 hardly think so, for they say that the Doctor was killed sev eral miles from the creek. I know that he was never captured by me or any of mv men. The story of my taking him out and telling him to run for his life and then shoot ing him is a lie manufactured of whole cloth. He never fell into my hands, and I am inno cent if he was killed in the fight, as he no doubt was. lam charged aith killing many 1 persons, who fell in battle, and a good many COVINGTON, GA., NOL 9, 18G5. killed by other commando are fpt* at nty door. V FOUNT ZACHERT. I I coufess that I shot the lad, Ffust Zach ery, and stabbed him after he f*II to the ground. We were out on a *cgLi, and ex pected a fight that night. Jim MJlenry was in command, and had given U 9 orders to shoot down any persons who might be s»tn with guns. As we neared a creek, the l;d emerg ed from a thicket with a gun on his*boulder. I shot him on sight in obedience l ' irders. THE SLAUGHTER OF TIIE TWELVE SOIDTERS. I am charged with killing at Saltsvilie. ; lam innocent y UHSkaige. I know they were killed by Htljpea’ and Bled soe’s commands, and they were fidrlvTcilled in battle. There were thirty instead of twelve that fell on that day, and it was in a regular fight. JOSEPH STOVER AND OTHEIjS. I killed Joseph Stover after he hjtd slmt at me twice. He was taking a third aim when I shot him iu the mouth, and Feuut Firost shot him in the side at the same tiuie. q’tn. Johnson was run over a cliff, and cine of‘the boys shot him. I shot and killed Pieicel as ho was running, with a double barreled shot gun. They were all Home Guards, «nd seek ing our lives. ALEXANDER IIOUOH. ' I am innocent of the killing of Altxanßer Hough. He was a cousin to my ni.ther, Aid I always liked him. 1 protested against Ijis being killed, and guarded him myself in the rear, until he broke and run, when one *f Bledsoe’s men shot'and killed him. ELISHA KOGIER. I killed Elisha Kogier, and dotie a good trick when I did it. He watched my house day and night, and sometimes until ho was neatly frozen, to get to kill me. Ue was a treacherous dog, and richly mcrileil his fate. A number of very affecting stories are told in connection with his death. ELAM IIUDD ESTON. I did not kill Elam. I was along, howev er. I think Ab. UiMrelh shot him. I kuow that E arn shot at me, and the balhgazed my J-'--*- • •*" ”VfK* PETER ZACIIERV AND OTHERS. I killed Peter Ziehery after one of the most desperate struggles I ever had in my life. We fell to the floor, and he kept shooting, whih I would kick the pistol aside. I finally got out my knife and stabbed him a few times, killing him. There were several in the house and we had ordered them to surrender. Allen Z iehery was killed by one of the boys. John Williams was shot by Ben. Barton, and David DJk was shot by another of our boys, all at the same time. JOHN CRABTREE. I killed John Crabtree. I went to Piles’ house in the night and stabbed him, and did a good job when I killed him. lie was a murderous villain, and had went to men’s houses and shot them to get their money. OFFEV WILLIAMS. I killed Offey Williams and a negro man in the mountains. I shot and stabbed them. They were scouting nfter my command, and they found the head of it. BOSWELL TABER. I killed Boswell Taber as a biishwaeker. He had killed three of rav men a few days previous. He was in front of his house when I shot him. lie ought to have been killed sooner. DUVAL AND HURT. I shot at Duval and Huit, but did not kill either of them. I don’t know who did kill them. Hurt shot through my coat and into my saddle. I say before my God that the statements 1 have made comprises all the killing in which I have figured, and I have told the whole truth in every case. I give them freely and without reservation. I told my lawyers, and you will recollect of my telling you, that that Court was bound to convict me. I was not fooled on that. I think the Judge Advocate run things entirely too far. My counsel did well, but it was use less, for every point of law in my favor was overruled, and they intimidated. But I am about as well reconciled to my fate as any man could possibly be. CHAMP ON DR. HALE. I wish to say for Dr. Hale that he is a mean, low flung dog, and he only persecuted me to speculate on tny blood by publishing pamphlets woiked up in lies from beginning to end. I never gave him any reason iu thl world to seek ray life. I hope, however, that God will forgive him for the wrongs he Las .done me. I could well imagine how Dr. Mc- Giasson wanted me prosecuted, for he honest ly believed I killed his brother. j lam iu good health and spirits. My sleep I is undisturbed by dreams, and I havo just concluded to give myself up to these good fiieuds of mine around here, and if they are determined to hang me, it is all light. J, would like to live for my family, for they have lost ail. I leave them penniless. lam not worth a dollar. Ido not fear death, but 1 love my family, and am grieved to leave | them on the world without means. I have a firm belief in God and the future, A min ister of the Presbyterian church was hero to day. lam pleased to meet and talk with I him. I was not surprised when the sentence j of death was real! to me. 1 looked for it"' daily. If my family had plenty I could die without a murmur. Champ was furnished with some brandy. He requested th t Lieutenant to get him a | bottle of pure brandy to take on the morning j ho was to be hung. He also requested that i a raised cherry coffin be furnished him. In ! answer to a question, he remarked that he was considered one of the best marksmen in his part of the country, and rarely aimed at anything but Tinker Dave but which he brought down. We had a second interview with Champ on Thursday. He appeared lively and talked j freely. He resumed by stating that he be lieved he ought to have had a trial by a civil court. That he did not desire to criminate any of his friends, or he might say a great deal. He that his wife and daugh ter had arrived, and that he had had an in terview with them. lie told its that his re- j mains would be given to his wife, and | that sho would tako them to the pure soil of White county, two miles above Sparta, lie said in answer to a question, that “if he lived ” until the 20. h of November be would be 44 years of age. He retraiked that he had no choice of the manner of death ; it all amounts to the same thing in the end. He had been shaved just before we came, and looked well. His health was never better, he told us, than at that time. He requested the Lieutenant to ascertain from General Tbotiias if his horse and equip, tnfflsw|'di —U. ibii-pmoJi. 1 of iJrsreAfltm'J” will be turned over to bis wife, lie thinks that they are his property, and his wife should should have them. We wore exclusively admitted to see Champ in his cell yesterday, tty his own request, and he made the following statement in additiou to what he bad previously given us, swearing before God that every word is true : I surrendered to Gen. Thomas, on the let ter or order sent to all armed bands, me with the rest. I did not think they would treat me a6 they, have done. I am the same man I was before the war, and my intentions ate the same, and will be to the very last minute of my life. I don’t know what men in high office can think of sending out such men as Col. Blackburn and others for the purpose of hanging me. lie told me I was no worse than the rest, and that I should bo protected, and that be was glad to see me. I was a Southern man at the start. lam yet, and will die a Rebel. I believe I was right in all I did. I don't think I done any thing wrong at any time. I committed my deeds in a cool and deliberate manner. I killed a good many men, of course. I don’t deny that, but never killed a man whom I d>d not know was seeking my life. It is false that I never took any prisoneis. I have ta ken a great many, and after keeping them awhile paroled them. I tried to prove this during my trial, but they would not give me time to do it. I don’t think I had a fair or just trial. I wish to thank Mrs. Blackburn for her kind ness to me during my trial. One of the witnesses against me, (Louis Davis.) told the truth in every particular. Also Miss Dowdy, except in one or two words. I had always heard that the Federnls would not take rao prisoner, but shoot me down, wherever found. That is what made me kill moje than I should have done. They never got a man that be longed to my command or Bledsoe’s company but what they killed, and of course they might expect that I would not miss doing the same with their men. Except the Dowdys and Louis Duval, of the witnesses against me, I have little faith in them, or anything they would swear to. 1 will repeat that I die a rebel out and out, and my last request is that my body be removed to White county, Tenn., and be buried in good rebel soil. My own witness es were true to me. —Nashville Dispatch. A large number of female Tost Masters were appointed during the last month to oc cupy offices in the Southern Slate*. Jefferson Davis. No one in Georgia heard with more pleas ure the news of Mr. Stephens’ release from confinement than we. In so doing, Mr, Johnson not only performed an act of justice and humanity, but one calculated to advaueo bis popularity and go far towards restoring the brotherly feelings that existed iu the purer and earlier days of the Republic. There is one mote act of humanity—one more act of forgiveness that yet remains to be done—the full and complete pardon of Jetfersou Davis. The Southern people must be either hap f-py, law-abiding, or ffise&p/.etited ci.Uwns. — - God knows we have suffered enough in (he past. Our homes and cities have been burn ed, our fields devastated, our skives emancipa ted, and many of the flower of our chivalry lie upon more than one hundred battle fields and in the cemeteries of Northern prisons. Add to this the keen mortification felt at our final defeat, and we ark, in the name of all that is just, is not the picture dark euougb ! If the Government can, consistently with its dignity and power, alleviate our sorrows and sufferings, who would be so bard hearted as to say nay ? It is useless to deuy that in the hours of prosperity Mr. Davis possessed the admiration and love of this people, and in adversity he has their sincere sympathy.— Neither pen nor tongue can describe the joy and gladness that would be felt at the news of his restoration to freedom, friends, and family. If he erred, we erred with him ; and until God shall change tho heart and its affection, the greater his sufferings the greater our sympathy. Who is Jefferson Davis? Docs history place his name among those of the cowardly, brutal, and depraved men of the earth ? Ah 1 well do Americans re member that on Buena Vista’s bloody field, after the flight of an Indiana regiment, his skill and daring contributed largely to the achievement of victory and the salvation of the army. As U. S. Senator and Secretary of War he upheld the dignity and glory of his country. When he gave his voice for secession be did what millions besides him self thought was riidil. During his admin istration as President no *act~o? wanton cru elty cau be charged against him ! On the contrary, many men now living owe their existence to his unshaken firmness and love of mercy. Has he not ensured enough ? llis wealth and position aro gone, and his be loved children wander in a foreign land. Are those who were lately our enemies so clam orous for blood that they must have one more victim ? What earthly good can re sult from his longer imprisonment and final execution ? Would these things make stronger the bonds of Uuion ? Could fra ternal affection find in them nourishment?— Shall the American prove itself severer and sterner than the English government, which prefers exile to execution ! Not only in our own land has Jefferson Davis sympathizers, for across the waters his messages and proclamations were read with delight and pronounced equal to any ever written by aU. S. official. Ills release would be a source o( delight to these admirers, and show to the world that ours was not only a gieat but a merciful government. The past conduct of President Johnson gives us assurance that the day that will wit ness the release of Mr. Davis is not distant in the future. We anxiously await its ap proach.—New nan Herald. A Washington correspondent of the New Yoik Herald says: Many air using incidents might be reported of pardon-seekers at ibo White House. A day or two since, Mr. Hilliard, of Georgia, former Minister to Belgium, rushed up to tho President, seized bis hand and “hoped his pardon would not be delayed.” The Presi dent quietly remarked to the ex-reverend gentleman that “ hope was tho reward of tho righteous,” and vouchsafed no other reply.— On another occasion a rebel of some notori ety raised quite a laugh by saying, “ I thank you, Mr. President, for my pardon ; I am now a good Union man, am emphatically one of you ; but didn’t Stonewall Jackson give m b—li in the Valley 1” In Maryland, the other day, a negro having applied to a lawyer to get his son released from legal servitude, was asked if he could take care of the boy. He re plied : *• Well, massa, I think I’s capable as him, for you see dat old massa has done gone and hire de boy out fur fuu' dollar a month, and put de money in his pocket, and I spec I’s caperbla of dat kind ot kore anyways!” NO 1.