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THE ATLANTA WEEKLY SUN, FOR THE WEEK ENDING JUNE 12 1872.
THE ATLANTA SUN
FROM THE DAILY EDITION OF
Saturday, June 8th, 1872.
A VOICE FROM ILLINOIS.
Who 'Will Hear and Heed?
FROM
OUR ROVING correspond
ent AND AGENT.
Reported Killing of Colonel M.
Palmer.
A prorate letter from Gainesville, Ga.,
the 6th instant, to a gentleman in this
city says:
“Yesterday: morning, two miles above
Ezekeil Brown’s, Duke Palmer, of Cleve
land, was shot through or near the heart
(died instantly) by an unknown person,
which has created considerable excite
ment in that county.”
[Note : The place indicated i:
Towns county, about 28 miles north of
Cleveland, and just beyond the top of
the Blue Ridge.—Eds. Sun.]
We have received this intelligence
with pain and deep regret. Our readers
will remember the scathing letters that
the brave Palmer, of Cleveland, has pub
lished in The Sun, over his own signa
ture, exposing the villainy of the perse
cutions and robberies inflicted upon
the unfortunate people of Northeast
Georgia, and also how ho has
been brought here by the band of
Villains, under arrest, and how he
has come here voluntarily several times
to aid and assist his neighbors, who were
victims of the Ku KIux Radical Robber
K!an of that country. If this report be
true, as we fear it is, this brave min,
than whom a nobler never lived, hasbeen
murdered, no doubt, by some of the
Robber Band, who hated and dreaded
him.
Grant’s officials in Georgia and the
entire South, have been swift in punish
ing the alleged Ku Klux. Will they in
vestigate this case ?
The -great danger of the Democracy of to-day is
not the abandonment of principle, but the lots of
power by the rupture of its unity.—Corutituliori, 6(h
instant.
But what has “ruptured” its “unity,”
or threatened to do so? It is that a few
members of the Party—a few “trusted
leaders”—a few “smtinels on the watch-
tower”—have either proposed and urged
the abandonment of principles by the
Party, -or have expressed a willingness
to do so in a certain contingency, that
is, if the Baltimore Convention should
abandon Democratic Principles.
There cannot, by any possibility, be a
“rapture of unity” in any Party or As
sociation of men, till some one of sneb
Party, Association, or Organization, pro
poses to “abandon its principles,” or
take some New Departure. This is what
produces “rupture of unity”—nothing
else.
No danger from the “abandonment of
Principle? ” If not in this, wherein is
there any danger? The principles of the
Party have stood the test of time, and
on them it has achieved many a glorious
triumph. -On principle alone can it
again secure victory. When the Party
abandons principle, it can no longer be
supported by true Democrats.
The Constitution says:
" The Party is wedded to principles. It has
'clung to them in good and bad repute, through
war and storm and crucifixion."
This is true, but it is not because no
one has tried to induce the Party to
“abandon its principles.” There.has
been a persistant effort on the part of a
few, having a purpose, ever since the
war, to accomplish this—the sole object
being to Ml it forever. Right well these
manipulators know that an abandonment
of principle by the Party is death—end
less death—a fatal step, which it never
can survive; and they have rung the
changes in our ears, that we can’t bear
another defeat, and that we must em
brace] some new doctrine, at war with
Democratic principles, or we will be de
feated again.
And this delusive song has been sung
by those in high places so persistently,
that less conspicuous sentinels have be
come impressed with it, and have sin
cerely caught up the refrain, and are
either urging the Party to adopt it, or
preparing their minds to accept it if
necessarg—which is a more insidious way
of leading the Party into the paths of
error than an open advocacy of the same
would be.
The New Departure movement was an
effort to effect this very purpose. The
effort to induce the Cincinnati Conven
tion to nominate Adams, with the inten
tion of trying to transfer the Democratic
. Party to his support; and the effort now,
to get the Baltimore Convention to ac
cept, and the Party to support Greeley—
all these and much more—are earnest at
tempts to induce the party to “abandon
its principles;” and every- sentinel
upon the watohtower who sanctions
the efforts now being made either
to have the Party support Greeley, or
expresses a willingness to support any
one on any other than a sound Platform
of principles, is contributing to the
“rupture” of that “unity” which is es
sential to vitality. We do not charge
that such is the intention; far from it;
but we do say that there cannot be any
“rapture of unity,” or lack of harmony in
the Party, so long as no one proposes to
depart from, set aside, or abandon its
principles.
We call special attention to the follow
ing letter from one who writes his earnest
convictions. What he says is eminently
worthy of the most serious consideration
b.y every Democrat North and Sonth:
Monmouth, III., May 30, 1872.
Bon. A. H. Stephens:
Dear Sir—Since the nomination of
Mr. Greeley at Cincinnati, it is claimed
in his behalf that he was the exclusive
favorite of the South, and nominated at
the earnest solicitation of the Sonth.
This seems so unlikely that I have deter
mined to send for one or more Southern
papers to learn something of the dispo
sition of the Southern people.
But how in the name of justice and
reason can the people of the Sonth for
get the deep wrongs which they have
suffered, more at the instigation of this
man Greeley than any other five hundred
men in America?
It is a matter of history written down,
that for at least thirty years he made
open war on the Constitution of the
fathers and the Union under it. He
made no disguise of the fact that he was
the bitter and sworn enemy of both, and
in this he persisted, until he drove the
country into war—bloody, heinous, dis
astrous to the North and to the South—
until J6 upturned the very bedrock upon
which Personal Libertv and the existence
of onr form of Govenmentjrested, and
without which neither Personal Liberty
or Republican Government can exist.
Strike down the great and fundamental
principle laid down by our fathers that
“Governments are instituted among
men, deriving their just Powers from the
consent of the governed,” and all is lost
to us.
In addition to all this, he has been the
life-long enemy of the Democratic Party
and its cherished principles and leaders.
He has applied to each the vilest epi
thets known to the meanest and lowest
political scavenger.
In the glorious old days when the
proud and gallant Whig Party used to
marshal its forces, Greeley was not reck
oned in the host. He spat upon its plat
form. More noble, generous and expan
sive minds controlled its action while it
lived. Would to God it lived again.—
All the aims of that gallant old Party
were broad, knowing no South, no North
and acknowledging no bond save the
Constitution. No one did more to de
stroy it than he did.
And such, in brief, the half not being
told, is the man set up by sore-beaded
Republicans as the champion and leader
of the Democratic Party.
But it is said that we must vote for
Greely to breakup the Republican Party
and so save the whole country. There
lies before me, an old book, in which an
important question is asked and answer
ed in these words: “Shall we do evil
that good may come of it ? God for
bid.”
My advice is to stand firm. Let these
Rebels against the Constitution and the
union—these original Rebels, with Gree
ley at their head, howl. I hear a shrill
clear voice saying, “truth, crushed to
earth will rise again,” and by the truth,
and in the right, I am willing to stand;
and there will I stand, depart who may.
Sooner than deposit a vote for Greeley,
or any one of the destroyers of my coun
try and her Temple of Liberty, let my
tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth,
and my hand fall palsied and withered
by my side.
I appeal to the people of the South to
shun him as you would the viper’s sting
or the deadly sirocco in its course,
appeal to you by the love of your honor.
I appeal to you, surrounded as you are
by the charred ruins of your once happy
homes, thus ruined, at least in a great
measure, by this same illustrious person
age who now comes to you, hat in hand,
without recanting one of these opinions,
and says: “Please you, gentlemen, whom
I have robbed and ruined, give me your
votes. I am yourjfriend.”
Isay, “no/” He is an enemy. Believe
him not.
I have long since, as a matter of choice,
retired from Politics; butthetendency'of
a portion of the Democratic Party to
disintegration and the nomination of
Mr. Greeley, fills me with anxiety. Upon
what reasonable pretext can Democrats
be asked to support Mr. Greeley ? and
even the Baltimore Convention is ex
pected by some to simply indorse his
nomination. If this be done, in my
judgement, the Democratic party from
that hour will cease to exist, from sheer
demoralization induced by a total disre
gard of true principle.
And when this shall happen; when the
Democratic party shall cease to exist,
shall die—then indeed may we sound the
death-knell of this Government, if there
is now indeed any Government.
And then may the long-devoted sons of
patriotic sires bid farewell to personal
liberty. May God in His Providence
avert the sad catastrophe.
I am trrfly yours, etc.,*
* Jas. W. Davidson.
A business letter from Covington,
the 6th inst., says:
The Sun is growing daily in favor with
ns. You are making many friends.
Fight on, as you have so manfully up to
his time, for your labors are appre
ciated.
Corhectiox,—In reporting the evidence of Sherifl
Harris yesterday, we inaccurately stated that his tea
timony was admitted only as showing his feelings
against the prisoner. It should have been his feel-
ngs (our^rds ox for t)ie prisoner.
A Voice from Camden County.
We have been permitted to peruse a
private letter from St. Mary’s, Georgia,
written by a highly, respectable, intelli
gent and influential gentleman of Cam
den county. We take the liberty of pub
fishing the following extract from the
same. It breathes the true Democratic
spirit, and we commend it to our readers:
“I never can, under any possible cir
cumstances, indorse Greeley. To do so
would be irretrievable rain to the South.
For one, I do not intend to be an item
in such a bill of sale. Many would pre
fer to support Grant to Greeley. Of Ml
enemies of the South Greeley stands un
rivalled, and I hope that the Baltimore
Convention will nominate a straight
Democratic ticket. The chances of suc
cess were never better; and if our lead
ers sacrifice us by failing to make a nom
ination, woe be unto them and their chil
dren; for they will be slaves even unto
the third generation.
The only hope of the Sonth is to stand
united, whether in victory or defeat.
The only means by which snch a union can
possibly be maintained, is by keeping the
National Democratic organization alive.”
Hanging out Lis Sign.
We notice that the inde^TaMgable trav
eling agent of the Constitution, Colonel
Acton, has anew “ White Hat ” of Al
pine altitude and immense proportions.
marietta.
Marietta, Ga., May 29, 1872.
Bear Sun: This beautiful city, nest
is at the foot of the war-famous Ken-
nesaw, has been so often described by
abler pens, that I feel like shrinking
from the attempt. Before the war, it
was justly considered one of the hand
somest towns in Georgia, with its tall,
shady trees and beautiful residences—
the houses of luxury and refit ement—
bnt the iron heel and scowling front of
the war-god has left his imprint upon it.
But, Phoenix-like, it is rising from its
ashes, and verv few of war’s “sentinels”
remain. The cheery smiles of peace and
prosperity, together with an indomitable
perseverence, has caused them to dis-
apear rapidly and it now bears upon its
spreading wings the cheering prospect
of a glorious future.
THE PARK AND BAND.
The city can boast of a handsome
park, in the center of business, carpeted
jeautifully in green and ornamented with
a variety of trees; and, to still further
add to its charms, they have erected a
stand, in the center, for the convenience
of the Band, whose delightful music
may be heard pulsing, in soft cadencfes,
on the evening air.
They have a fine silver cornet band—
said to be one of the best in the State—
composed of first-class young men. It
was first organized as a brass band, but,
such was the favor with which the citi
zens ragarded it, they generously ex
changed their brass for silver instru
ments, paying the difference of two hun
dred dollars.
SOCIETY.
Marietta is made up of a very pleasant
society of people—perhaps, there is none
better in the State. They are intelligent
and high-toned, and evince that genial
character which renders the above quali
ties so charming. Its population is from
2,500 to 3,000. Its merchants are firm
and reliable men; and, considering the
proximity of the place to Atlanta, they
do a thriving business.
Owing to its high and healthy location,
as well as its many other attractions,
numbers of tue wealthy and refined from
Southwestern Georgia have summer
residences here, and many from the
Southeastern portions of the State resort
here to spend the summer; and, we may
add, it is also a resort for Northerners in
the winter.
THE KENNESAW HOUSE.
There is here one of the best Hotels
in Georgia—the Kennesaw House. It
is a brick edifice, three stories high, con
tains about forty rooms—all as neatly
furnished as are to be found anywhere.
Two of the finest Grand Pianos grace the
parlors. Most of the rooms are already
engaged for the summer. This Honse
is kept by Messrs. Fletcher & Freyer,
and is under the immediate supervision
of'Mr. Wm. E. Olds and wife (formerly
of the Madison House) who give their
entire attention to the welfare of all who
may give them a call.
THE CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS.
There are here four Churches—Metho
dist, Baptist, Presoyterian and Episcopa
lian—with a flourishing Sabbath school
attached to each. Also, there are two col
ored Churches—Methodist and Baptist
—which also have their Sabbath schools.
We were informed that the colored
people of this place are in a good condi
tion.
There are a large number of schools
for the size of the place. The Georgia
Agricultural and Mechanical Institute is
built upon the site of the old Military
school. This Institute is iu a thriving
condition, Rev. D. L. Buttolph, Presi
dent.
The Marietta Female College is also
in a prosperous condition, Rev. Wm. A.
Rodgers President.
The Marietta Free School, I am in
formed, is supported by donations, and is
doing a vast amount of good in educating
indigent children; Rev. W. L. Manfield
is the Principal.
Beside these, there are five primary
schools. The colored people also have
their schools.
They have just commenced to build
here a commodious Court House, which
will cost $20,000. We were told that
Marietta, as well as Cobb county, is en
tirely out of debt. This speaks well for
its prosperity.
TRANSPORTATION.
There is here a sale aud livery stable
convenient to the hotel, kept by Mr. J.
A. G. Anderson. We took a look through
the establishment and saw some very
fine photons, carriages, buggies, and
other vehicles, and some splendid stock;
but that Which most attracted our notice,
was a magnificent hearse, kept by this
gentleman, costing $1,300.
THE CITIES OF THE DEAD.
There are three cemeteries—the Con
federates, the city, and the National.—
The former has been recently improved
by order of the City Council.
Very mournful are the reminiscences
that come to your correspondent, when
he finds in his wanderings, such a “Gods’
Acre, ” (no other words express the mean
ing like those we learned in our boyhood
among the vine-clad hills of Germany).
A silent army, who sleep never again to
awake to the clarion call of battle—a
bannerless heart, whose only part in all
the pomp that fills the circuit of the
summer hills, is that their graves are
green.
The city cemetery, while there are no
very costly monuments, is, altogether,
one of the most beautiful homes of the
dead we have ever visited. The grounds
are carefully kept, and we could but no
tice the uniform taste in the choice of
shrubbery and the absence of glaring
colors in the flowers.
The. National Cemetery is a beautiful
place, and is still being improved.
KENNESAW MILLS AND OTHER MANUFAC
TURES.
Here is where the celebrated Kenesaw
Mills, owned by Messrs Cook & Cheek,
are located. This mill turns out an
average of 300 barrels flour per day, and
has the capacity of 400 barrels per day.
There is no better flour put up anywhere
we have tried. There is another, the
Clifton Mill, .owned by Messrs. W. L.
Mansfield & Son. This produces about
50 barrels flour, and grinds 130 bushels
corn per day.
Here, also, is a steam blind and gash
manufactory, where they do all kinds of
work in wood. Messrs. Henderson &
Dyson are the proprietors.
This county, perhaps, cannot be sur
passed by any other in the State for wa
ter power, and quite a number of manu
facturing establishments are in onera-
tion.
The Roswell Cotton Factory has a ca
pacity for running 10,000 spindles. At
present 6,000 only are running. Only
yarns are now produced, but the propri
etors are putting up machinery for mak
ing cloth, which will soon be in opera
tion. This is a stock company. Gen.
A. J. Hansell is President, and Mr. El-
dridge, Superintendent. The factory is
situated on Vickery’s Creek.
At the mouth of this creek is the Em
pire Factory, built during the past year.
Cotton yarns is its product. It, also, is
controlled by a stock company. James
R. King is President.
Another factory is about to be erected
on the same stream. We learn that stock
to the amount of $200,000 has been sub
scribed.
The Concord Woolen Mills is located
on Nickajack Creek. At this establish
ment they manufacture a superior article
of woolen goods, which has taken the
premium at every Fair where it has been
exhibited. They are not running at
present, but are putting in new ma
chinery, and will soon be in operation.
We learn thattney intend manufacturing
a fine article of broad-cloth. They have,
at this establishment, machinery for
carding wool for customers, which
is in running order. The proprietors of
this Mill are MessiB. Z. A. Rice and S.
B. Love.
The Marietta Paper Mills are situated
six miles from the city. They make
about 1,600 pounds of news and wrap
ping paper per day. Col. H. D. Ed
mondson is President, and Mr. E. Faw,
Superintendent.
CROPS AND OTHER MATTERS.
We learn that the crops of all kinds,
throughout the county, are doing well.
The Atlanta Sun, as might be expect
ed, is quite popular here. We have se
cured the services of Capt. P. H. Lyon
as local agent. We were told that he is
an energetic, reliable gentleman. He is
a merchant, and keeps a large stock of
family groceries.
There is one weekly paper published
here—the Marietta Journal, Messrs. R.
M. Goodman & Co., proprietors. We
are pleased to learn that it has a good
circulation. We did not have the pleas
ure of making the acquaintance of the
editor.
We shall bid the good people of this
place good-bye, and on the next train we
are On the Go.
THE CASE OF W. P. SILER
In Union there is Strength, and a united
Democracy the Only Hope of the
Country.
St. Mary’s, Ga., June 5th, 1872.
Editors of the Sun: One of our best
writers has given us the following tru
ism, viz: “The greatest thing on earth
is man, and the greatest thing in man is
mind.”. I will add that the greatest
thing in mind is charity; and while I am
willing to extend it to all men; while
differences of education, of constitution,
of pride, and all influences governing
persons, should be considered, and
charitable allowances should be made for
what we consider errors or weakness
es in each other, yet charity must be
governed by reason and justice or it may
itself be an error.
When we consider the qualifications
of persons for high public stations, there
is something more to be weighed than
merely personal feelings. There is some
thing of the gravest character, appealing
to reason, justice and patriotism, because
the greatest consequences result to the
whole people from the election of a
ruler.
With all the talent and goodness given
to Mr. Greeley—the “whited sepulchre”
of an age—I do not believe that he is
either intellectually or morally qualified
to be President of the United States.
While his intellectual attainments may,
in some aspects, be grand and greatly
admired, they are diseased when viewed
from other standpoints. He is a “bundle
of curiosities and inconsistencies,” most
generally true, however, to the spirit of
bigotry and persecution, and in sectional
warfare upon the people.
I do not oppose the endorsement of
Greeley, at the Baltimore Convention,
because I hate him personally, but be-
’ cause I know that he ha.es the principles
of truth and justice in which I believe,
and because he hates the people I love so
well; because he is intensely sectional,
and we need a man intensely national, to
stand upon and administer the Constitu
tion as if there were no North, South,
East or West.
I am not alone in this view. If I were,
I would be silent, but I believe the real
desire of nine-tenths of the Southern
people is to see the country honestly re
united upon the Constitution of onr
fathers, and administered by a man upon
whom all sections could look with the
profound respect that such a position
ought to command.
So far as my own feelings are concern
ed, judging from the past history of
Greeley, and knowing what like men
have done, under like circumstances, I
think he is both the most objectionable
and. most dangerous man out of all the
prominent Republicans, that could have
been presented for the support of the
Southern people; There is no consisten
cy or honesty in him. It matters not
what promises he might be willing to
make, in view of the twenty-five thou
sand dollars per annum and perquisites,
by way of contingencies, such as has of
late grown into costom.
I am not alone in this section in urg
ing _the_ Democratic Party to make a
nomination, and give us a chance to at
tempt to redeem onr country. There is
no other hope. Although onr enemies
have apparently .divided, they are in
heart and soul united against ns, aud
opposed to the Constitution which we
desire to see restored in its primitive
glory.
The only hope is in keeping the ele
ments of the Democratic party united.
Division would be ruin, and unless we
have a candidate, the Sonth will be di
vided, and the Democratic party will be
divided, and a terrible doom would be
onr portion.
We must remain united, at all hazards,
even if the Baltimore Convention fails to
give us a candidate. If it fails we must
have one against Greeley.
So far as Brown is concerned I have
no objection to him, as I presume that
he is quite a favorite with all sections.
Then would it not be a wise stroke of
policy to adopt Brown and nominate, say
Gen. Hancock, or a like man. I believe,
however, all things considered, that he is
the strongest man we could put into the
field, and if he was elected he would be
just and nation a 1 , which is what we de
sire. J. M. A.
SEVENTH DAY’S PROCEEDINGS !
The Prisoner’s Statement.
The Argument Commenced !
The counsel for the prisoner resumed their cross-
examination of Mr. Wing yesterday morning. He
testified that Mrs. Gist frequently brought articles
of food to her husband—bring with her her little
hoy Willie, who alwa; s cried so much that on one
occasion Mrs. Gist said she would bring him no
more. Elliott sometimes tried to pacify him. Mrs.
Gist said something about Conley or Judge Hopkins
examining papers looking to his pardon, and some
thing about his leaving the State; and that nothing
could be done towards obtaining pardon.
Judge D. F. Hammond testified to the good char
acter of Siler. He further testified: I have had con
versations with Charles F. Elliott about the key.
He informed me that he knew more about the facts
of the case than any one else, and approached me to
ascertain whether it would be possible to procure a
pardon on condition that he revealed all these facts.
I afterwards mentioned the fact to the Solicitor-
General. At a second interview, Elliott told me
that he knew the keys were in the jail before this
aceufationwas preferred against Siler, and that Siler
had nothing to do with it. He further stated that
he did not intend to be a witness.
On the cross-examination: Elliott said he could
put his hand on Fry by Friday night (of the week
iu which the conversation occurred,) if a pardon
could be obtained. My conviction is that Elliott
wanted to make as much profit on h s knowledge of
the transaction as possible.
Mr. Dozier, formerly constable of the lG2Gth dis
trict, who had SJr. Siler in charge some time during
bis arrest, testified: Sheriff Harris asked me what
Siler said to me while he was in my charge, Siler
said that all he regretted was that it would grieve
his mother; he did not know how to impart the
news to her. During the night I,took occasion to
say something about penitentiary convicts, and he
seemed eager to learn. He was troubled.
Counsel for defense here introduced Squire Robti
Waters, who testified: I saw Bonnell at the Tuif
Saloon on the morning the prisoners escaped. I
told him there I had seen, just a few minutes be
fore, five or six persons running, as if they were
tired, about a mile from the city, and I thought they
could be arrested.
The counsel for the State here objected to the tes
timony, whereupon counsel for the prisoner re
called Mr. W. A. Bonnell to the stand for the purpose
of laying the foundation for his impeachment. Mr.
BOnnell testified: I don’t remeber seeing Mr.
Waters that morning ; I recollect that he told me
anything about the escaped prisoners. I may have
taken a drink that morning at the saloon.
Here Mr. Waters was recalled and repeated what
he had said in regard to the circumstances of their
meeting at the Turf Saloon, and further testified
that Bennell was greatly excited. At this time, 10:35,
a. m., the testimony was closed,when, at the solicita
tion of Geu. Gartrell, Mr. Siler was allowed to make
his
STATEMENT.
Mr. Siler, thereupon took the stand and stated:
"It is proper, I suppose, first to explain my rela
tion with Fry. He aud I never roomed togetner. I
knew him firet while employed at G. W. Jack’s,
where I knew him only as "Fry.” I next knew him
at the State Road, still as Fry. In August, 1870,1
joined the Minute Club of this city. He was a mem
ber. Our intimacy commenced. The Club had
parties and picnics, and our acquaintance was such
only as existed between members of the Club. We
were not intimate friends; he was not my especial
associate,—not my confidential bosom friend.
About this time Brumby & McPherson com
menced a similar enterprise. I was still anxious to
control the business. I wanted to buy them out,
and learned I could bny the entire lot for $400. I
went to the jail to see Fry, and asked him if he
conld release _the mortgage. He agreed to do it, if
by that means he conld assist me. He said I was a
poor but industrious young man, and he believed I
would pay it. He intimated to me nothing of his
intention to escape; did not ask me to assist him. I
then left him. As I turned to leave, he asked me to
get hbn some papers to read. I will state, however,
that Fry told me he thought the mortgage was de-
stroped, and if not, he would order it to be de-
stroped, and would see Hoyt for that purpose.
I asked him what papers he wan.ed. “The
New York Herald, the Chimney Corner, or anything,
except the daily papers, for I receive them,” he re
plied. I told him I would bring him the Day's Do
ings, as that contained the particulars of the murder
of Jim Fisk.
I went to Phillips & Crew’s, bought the papers, got
my dinner and returned to the jail. Mr. Wing
opened the papers, found nothing in them, and re
turned them to me. I attempted to put both papers
through the grate, but the Day’s Doings, being a large
sheet, I separated them, pushed in the Day's Doings,
and then the New York Herald. Wo then talked a
few moments, but nothing was said in reference to
the escape; all about the cart matter. The conver
sation was short. I then left.
A few days afterwards I heard that Fry had es
caped—on Tuesday morning, I believe it was. I,
like others, was supprised, and curious to know the
circumstances of tUe escape. Ou the Monday fol
lowing, Capt. Whit. Anderson met me on the street
between one aud two o’clock, and shook hands with
me, and said ho had a warrant for my arrest. At
first I thought he was joking, and said: “Sir, I’m
your prisoner.” Just at that moment, Capt. Ander
son said: “We’re here at Justice B itt’s office; sup
pose we go in." Before we went in,I said: “I haven’t
asked what is the charge, but suppose I will know
in time.’ After gettting in the office he gave me the
warrant.’ I read it. I w-s indignant, aud ex
claimed: “It’s a lie. Prove it, if you can!”
Justice JButt said he would be ready
for the trial at 3 o’clock.. I asked Capt. Anderson to
walk with me to my|room. On my way it occurred
to me that these papers were the cause of this diffi
culty, and said; “I suppose those papers got me into
this trouble;” but I say now that those papers con
tained nothing, and Wing knows it. In returning
from my room I met Mr. John Stephens, and stated
to him that I wanted him and General Gat troll to
represent me in the trial. I went then to his
office, and after consultation there, we went
over and had the trial. My bond was fixed at
$5,000. As it was dark, and I then had no opportu
nity to get bail, I asked that I be per
mitted to remain out of jail during the night
Captain Anderson kindly agreed to leave me at
the Georgia National Bank. Mr. Dozier went along,
also, I believe, as my guard. During the night the
conversation was general'betweon Captain Anderson,
Captain John S. Wise, Mr. Dozier and myself. That
I was troubled was natural, even though I was per
fectly innocent, and if I was excited it was natural,
never before having been suspected of anything
irregular. I had a widowed mother and three sis
ters, and thettouble that it would give them to learn
that I had been accused of such a thing by men who
had 6Worn falsely, was enough to make me restless
and uneasy. How I was to disprove this charge,
and escape the clutches of these men was a perplex-
f ng question.
Captain Anderson said to me: “Siler, if you know
anything about it, I advise you to tell all, though do
not understand me as trying to induco you to con-
ess.” I told him I knew nothing about the key-
or how it was introduced into the jail.
The conversation then turned on the Penitentiary
and McLaughlin. Wise said, it was all a lie about
McLaughlin being whipped. I said if I were a con
vict, I’d behave myself, and would have no fears of
being whipped.
That night I wrote a letter to my mother explain
ing, and told her I was innocent, ana I believed it
would be so proven on tr.al. I then went to bed
and slept till morning, when I was awakened by
Dozier. I understood that I would be allowed one
day in which to provide a bond, and wanted to see
my friends for that purpose; but I was sent to jail at
10 o’clock.
That or the next afternoon Sheriff Harris came to
the jail about the time for closing; came inside and
asked me to walk up stairs. WhenI got in the room,
Harris said: “Siler, old fellow, I'm sorry to see
you in this situation, and I have come to help you if
possible.” I believe he added: “ Neither I nor my
friends think you are guilty, but think that you
know a great deal about it. I’m only an Apprentice
Mason, but so far as that goes, I'll promise not to
reveal it unless it can be used in your behalf, aud
then not without your consent.” I reminded him
that Bonnell was not a Mason. Bonnell lelt. Harris
shat the door, and, I think, locked it. His counten
ance then seemed to brighten at the hopes of hear
ing "'my confession. “Now toll all about
it,” said be. I said: “Mr. Harris. I’ve looked
upon you as a father. I’m surprised to think that
you would suppose I would make a confession, an
act which would steep me still deeper in shame.
You have your evidence, work on it, and if you can
convict me do so.” He toen assured me that I was
mistaken, that he wanted to save me, • that he be
lieved others to he guilty of this act, and that I had
been made a tool of; to tell him who they were and
he would seek to have me released. I then said:
“Mr. Harris, if I was on the scaffold, and the rope
was around ray neck, I would make this confession:
I never saw the key until I saw it in your hands.
I did not know^that Fry or his friends were having
one made. I was as much surprised to hear of the
escape as you or any other man.” Mr. Harris in
sisted, and pressed me as if he were dissatisfied with
my answer. It was very cold. I was cold and wor
ried, and I may add, mad. To rid myself of him, I
said: “Go and consult with my lawyers. What they
do I’ll abide by.” He then left.
The next morning I saw in The Sun that I had
confessed. I knew that none but Mr. Harris could
have published it. I immediately wrote to Mr. 'Wat
son, gave him a sketch of the conversation with
Harris, and told him I had not confessed. Next
morning I saw an article in the paper stating that I
had denied that I had confessed. - It did not give the
contents of my note, hut stated that the informa
tion had been obtained from Mr. Harris. On Sun
day, Harris came to the jail, and said he had come
to explain the piece in the paper, announcing that I
had confessed. He Eaid The Sex was mistaken; he
had given no such information; that the facts were
obtained from Anderson or Dozier. I said that I
was in jail, where I could not defend myself against
such statements, and hoought to retract what
had been said and correct the statement. He said
that he had held a consultation with Mr. Watson and
other friends, and that they had concluded to drop
the matter; that the more that was said the worse
they would make it. I replied that that might sat
isfy him, but that it would not satisfy me. He then
left. I told him that the impression ^7?
announcement on the community woul(l,i^ by the
convict me than the evidence, and tw to
would believe it, since he, the Sheriff l i ieaa »
thiB announcement, and thus he wonl,i’u. ^adi
a bad light before the people. U Iesve Ole ia
Y would now add that my assertion made to qi,
Hariis is true. I was no party to the eselrL , hpri ff
and I knew nothing of his intentions to
the efforts of his friends to enable him to 2??' °t
have no more idea who carried the kev to r ^ I
any man in this Court House. I did not
After the conclusion of this statement th ”
licitor General opened the argument for eJ 0,
in a speech of about two hours in lenetii i,
followed by Mr. S. B. Spencer, in an able addrL* 53
about two and a half hours, when the Court of
ed till this morning. 1 “loom.
This morning Gen. Gartrell will continue the
gumont for tho defendant, after which Hon lm? 1 '
A. Candler will conclude iu an argument' , 11
State. The case will then be submitted tothej.^
Old John Brown.—That was i n a<wi
_ fit thing for the Philadelphia Com?
tion to signalize the nomination of Groni
by singing the song about the old hoi
thief and ruffian John Brown mf
Mosby stumps Virginia for Grant C
should make much of this highly credit
able incident.—Atlanta Constitution.
Why should not all who stump the
State for Greeley do the same tiling
Whoever made more of the song in rat _4'-
ory of the old horse thief thuu Hora™
Greeley?
>-♦«- —
From Our Roving Correspondent ana
ACWORTH.
Acworth, Ga., May 31, 1872.
Dear Sir: This place is fitly named.
Its citizens are worth flattering mention
and worth commendation for their in!
dustry and energy. The village is situ-
ated in Cobb county, one mile from Bar
tow and Cherokee counties and three
miles from Paulding county, on the
Western & Atlantic Railroad. It is said
to be the highest point between Atlanta
and Chattanooga. The population is es
timated at from 600 to 700. Its citizens'
are very energetic and obliging. It has
a good hotel, the Littlefield House, Co]
Littlefield proprietor. His size, figure
and manner, indicate that nature fore
ordained his calling. He knows how to
keep a hotel, and he keeps one.
IMPROVEMENTS GOING ON.
This village presents a thriving appear
ance. It has some very elegant houses—
all newly painted. We noticed two large
brick stores in course of erection; also a
very fine brick building designed for a
large Steam Merchant Mill, being erected
by Messrs. Smith, Lemmons & Co.
CHURCHES ANfD SCHOOLS.
There are three churches here—the
Methodist, the Presbyterian and the
Baptist. The two first are built of brick.
Two of the churches have thriving Sun
day Schools. The colored people, also,
have a church.
There is an excellent school, carried
on in a large and new brick buiiding,
erected for that purpose, and has an av
erage attendance of 75 pupils. Mr. j.
A. Carswell is Principal; Miss S. S. Can
dler and Mrs. Carswell, assistants; and
Mrs. Mitcnell, teacher of music. This
is said to be a first-class school. Prof.
Candler has taught here successfully for
threo years, which of itself is evidence
that he is appreciated by the people, as
well as of his superior ability as an edu
cator.
THE MERCHANTS.
There are seven stores where a miscel
laneous business is done, and two family
groceries. The most prominent mer
chants are Messrs. S. Lemmons & Co.,
Messrs.iTanner,jPutnam & Co., Messrs.
Phillips, Perkinson& Co., Messrs. Autry
& Cooper, Messrs. B. F. Martin & Low,
and A. M. Norcutt & Co.
SAM HILBURN.
An amusing anecdote is told here of
Colonel Sam Hilburn, who resides near
this place. Mr. H. prides himself upon
his hotel keeping attainments.
Having kept a hotel in your city and
eating houses on the line of the State
Road with good success, he concluded
the places were too small to display his
superior abilities, and concluded he
would go to Charleston, where he would
have a wide field of operation. After
looking through one of those large first-
class hotels, inspecting furniture, &c.,
he concluded it was just the thing for
his talents, and inquired the price. “One
hundred thousand dollars” was the an
swer. Thinking he had heard amiss, h»
repeated the question and got the same
reply. Earnestly looking at the proprie
tor, and scratching his head, Hilburn
drawled out, “what in the h—1 would I
want with a hotel if I was worth $100,-
000?”
MINES.
This place is situated in the center of
the gold and copper strata running in a
line from Virginia into Alabama. The
celebrated “Glade Mines” are situated
about four miles distant. They are
not being worked at present. Another
mine four-and-a-half miles from here,
formerly operated by the Acworth Min
ing Company, is at present worked suc
cessfully by a company from Boston.
Capitalists are invited to visit this sec
tion.
AGENT FOR THE SUN.
We have secured the services of a
staunch old Democratic firm, Messrs. A.
M. Norcotfc & Company, as Agents for
The Sun. May its rays shed its lustre
all over the place and county to cheer
the people while we are still
On the Go.
United States District Court.—His
Honor, Judge Erskine, this morningi
(Saturday), delivered an elaborate opin
ion in the Hendricks Habeas Corpus
case, which we will soon publish. It
was that the writ be sustained, and that
on the payment of costs the Relator be
discharged.
Attorney General Hammond, gave no
tice of a probable appeal to the Supreme
Court of the United States, whereupon
the following judgment was rendered by
the Court:
It is ordered by the Court that the
Relator, H. W. Hendricks, be discharged
upon the payment of costs in said case;
but notice being given by the Attorney-
General for the State that he will ask for
an appeal to the Supreme Court of the
United States, it is ordered that the
Relator remain in the custody of the
Court until the hearing of the matter of
bail on Monday next at 10 o’clock. I&
Open Court. John Erskine,
United States Judge.