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4 Established 1850, THAT WHICH PLEASES MANY MUST POSSESS MERIT’’-THE CITIZEN PLEASES MANY. DALTON. GEORGIA, THURSDAY, AUGUST 6.1903. Popular Poetry for the People $®i -■/ - > © Citizen and and Farm one year, $1.00. VOL. LI II. NO. 45 All Home Print $1.00 Per Annum PERRY’S SENTENCE IS COMMUTED To Imprisonment for Life in the Penitentiary. PEOPLE DENOUNCE ACTION Order Arrived Yesterday and in Day or Two Prisoner Will Be Taken to Mines. Governor Terrell has acted. John Perry is not to hang to morrow for the murder of the showman, John Walker, nor is he to hang at all for that offense. His sentence has been commuted to imprisonment for life, and within a day or two he will be re moved to one of the mines where Georgia works her convicts. John says he is sorry he com mitted the crime; that he has never declared otherwise. He further says that he believes no man can slay another without regretting it. All of which may be true. It was not because the criminal was John Perry that the citizens of this county demanded his life. It was because they felt that unless the just sentence of the law were carried out human life would be unsafe within its borders ; and the general sentiment in Dalton today is that by his act of commu tation Gov. Terrell has opened the gates of invitation to the murderer and said:. “Kill! He who sends the assassin’s bullet on its murderous errand shall not hang—not while I am governor.” The people of Dalton were practically unanimous in favor of Perry’s execution, and very vigorous denunciation of the gov ernor’s conduct has been heard on the streets. SHERIFF READS COMMUTATION. The order of commutation reached Sheriff Johnson yesterday morning and The Citizen man accompanied him into the jail when he went to notify Perry of the fact. “Well, John,” remarked the sheriff, “I have it here; shall I read it to you ? ” “Yes, I guess so,” replied Perry, “I’ve never heard one read.” Sheriff Johnson then proceeded to read the document which saved John Perry from the gallows, as follows: State of Georgia, By His Excellency, J. M. Terrell, Governor. Atlanta, Ga., Aug. 4, 1903. In Re John Perry. Application for Executive Clemency. The applicant, John Perry, was convicted at the October term, 1902, of the superior court of Whitfield county of the crime of murder and sentenced to be exe cuted. The Prison Commission having had under advisement an applica tion for executive clemency in the above stated case, recommends commutation of sentence to life imprisonment for the following reasons: “On the trial of this case there appeared to be no extenuating circumstances connected with the homicide, but the same appeared to have been committed wantonly and maliciously, without provoca tion. Since the trial, however, reputable witnesses have been found who make affidavit that a short while before the killing, de ceased had assaulted defendant, knocking him down, and kicking and cuffing him out of his show tent, on account of some slight disturbance which defendant had created, while intoxicated. The crime was evidently committed while defendant was smarting under the assault and indignities so heaped upon him, and while no less murder, yet to some extent is mitigated by this previous assault.” This view of the case is taken by many hundred good citizens of Whitfield county, including a majority of the jury which tried him, who most strongly Urge this clemency. While clemency ifi his case has heretofore been declined, yet under the present showing, the evidence of the previous assault having been greatly strengthened, it is now thought that clemency is demanded. Therefore in view of the fore- going facts and the recommenda tion of the Prison Commission, it is ordered that the sentence of said John Perry he, and the same hereby is commuted to life im prisonment in the penitentiary. J. M. Terrell, Governor. By the Governor: C. M. Hitch, Sec’y Executive Dept. perry’s statement. When that was finished Sheriff Johnson remarked:- “John, here is a newspaper man who wants to hear what you have to say in regard to your case.” “I want him to hear it,” replied Perry. “I want to say that some people have told it around that I said I am not sorry, and would do it again if I had the chance. I never said it. I don’t believe any man in the world ever killed a man and was not sorry for it. “Many people have misrepre sented me, but I have no hard feelings against anyone for that. Still, I don’t feel that I have been treated exactly right. I don’t think I had a fair trial. Why, one witness swore that I was lying on the ground in the tent, but no other witness said he saw it. That was strange in such a crowd. “I have been misrepresented, and people believed the things said against me, hut would not believe what I said. It was Walker that kicked me out of the tent. “I am sorry that I ever went to that show. I was not drunk, but had a few drinks in me. I did nothing to cause trouble. I have studied the matter, and have thought that maybe Walker was honest in what he said, but that he mistook me for somebody else. “I certainly appreciate all that my friends have done for me, and won’t forget them for it. “I have been mighty nicely treated by Sheriff Johnson and Deputy Britton, as I was by Lake Quillian. I have had all I wanted to eat, all the tobacco I could chew and all I wanted to smoke. “I worried for awhile about what people said, but after I put it in God’s hands I quit worrying. I did’nt fear the gallows. “Of course, though, I am glad I won’t hang, and when I go to the mines I am going to do just what they tell me to do the best I can, and am going to try and make a good prisoner.” BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CRIME. On the 18th day of last October John Perry shot John A. Walker, a Scotch bagpipe player connected with John Robinson’s circus, which was showing in this city on that day. Eight days later Walker died. Perry claimed in defense of his action that Walker had “treated him like a dog,” in that he had kicked and beaten him and ejected him from the sideshow. Walker declared a short while before his death that he had never seen Perry before he shot him, and that consequently he could assign no reason for the deed. In the trial of the case, however, this statement was not admitted as evidence, owing to the fact that at the time it was made Walker said he believed he would recover. At the trial, which was held on October 30, 1902, Perry was con victed of murder and sentenced to hang on November 21 following. An appeal was taken, but the supreme court refused a new trial, THE GOBBLE-’EMS. (Dated up from James Whitcomb Riley.) You better jest be keerful, ’cos they’s danger everywhere; An’ look in all the cupboards, an’ under every chair, An’ peek behind the curtains an’ up the chimney flue An’ investigate the clothes-press, an’ the linen closet too. An’ you’d better have a shotgun an’ keep it handy by, An’ if you see ’em cornin’, take aim an’ let ’er fly, An’ sleep with one eye open, an’ take keer what you’re about, Or the Gobble-’Ems ’ll get you, Ef you Don’t Watch Out! and he was resentenced to hang on May 3, 1903. Perry’s attorneys took the case before the prison commission, who refused to recommend a commu tation, but on the understanding that new evidence favorable to the condemned had been discovered, the governor granted a respite in order that such evidence might be brought to the attention of the superior court. After its introduction before Judge Fite, that official once more refused another hearing, and Perry was for t' e third time sentenced to the gallows, the date of the execution being set for August 7 (tomorrow). Last Friday the matter was again taken up by the prison commission, who as a result, took it upon themselves to suggest to the governor that the sentence be commuted to life imprisonment, which was accordingly done. This action on the part of Georgia’s chief executive is very unpopular in Dalton, and is strongly condemned by at least nine-tenths of its citizens. “FAT” GAITHER Brought in Sunday Night By Sheriff Johnson. Sheriff John Johnson went over to Nelson, Ga., Sunday, returning that night with “Fat” Gaither, colored, who is now in jail here under an indictment for shooting Joe Brown, also colored, in this city last February. Both Sheriff Johnson and Deputy Britton _ deserve con siderable commendation for the smooth work they have done in locating Gaither, with whom it will undoubtedly go pretty hard when a jury gets hold of his case. He has made a cripple for life of Brown, and from facts ascertained in regard to the affair, the shoot ing was wholly unjustifiable. MRS. ELIZABETH LYNN. Her Life Needs No Pen to put It Into Words. The death of Mrs, Elizabeth McCrary Lynn on Saturday, Au gust 1, brought keen sorrow to many hearts made brighter by her gentle presence and rare goodness. The crown of a good life is at its ending, just as the greater radi ance and beauty of light come when the sun sets. Then one thinks of its rising into the pure loveliness of a new day. There must be a far lovelier dawn into which the true soul floats at the moment of its reawakening. Mrs. Lynn’s life needs no pen to put it into words—it was in it self a strong and cleanly poem, the echo of whose measures will sound through years to come where memory lingers. Charity, religion and hospitality were among her chief characteristics, and most exemplary—most beau tiful—the firm and serene will which lifted her at all times above pain and suffering, holding her poised on wings of love and faith until something of her own sere nity entered into the hearts of those around her, making them almost strong in the midst of anxious sorrow. Mrs. Lynn had spent the greater part of her life in Dalton, where, until her failing health precluded its active manifestation, her inter est was identified with the aims of the First Presbyterian Church. She was born on September 26, 1846, and was married on January 1, 1868, to Mr. Alexander W. Lynn, who died several years ago. Mrs. Lynn’s children, all of whom were with her at her death except one, are Mrs. Percy Baker,, of San Diego,' Cal,, Miss May Lynn, Mrs. Will K. Moore, Miss Victor and Messrs. A. W. and William-McCrary Lynn. Mrs. Lynn was the sister of the late Mrs. Fletcher Denton. She has many relatives in Dalton and elsewhere. Her circle of influence was not limited, even during recent years of feebleness and suffering; for there are some lives which, though unseen, like flowers exhale a fra grance that reaches to farther points than many dream of. But the most perfect blossoming was in that home circle where deed, word and glance are treas ured as “apples of gold in pic tures of silver.” IN REUNION Were the Camps Who Come of Rev olutionary Stock. The annual reunion of the sons of Major William A. Camp and Mrs. Jane O. Camp was held Tuesday at the old homestead of their deceased parents, near town. The old homestead is now owned by the youngest son, Mr. John F. Camp, one of the most popular citizens of Whitfield county. This annual reunion occurs on their mother’s natal day, August 4th. There are seven stalwart brothers of this Camp family, and on each recurring 4th of August they meet under the old roof tree of their early home near Dalton, when the fatted calf is killed. It makes no difference where they may he, what distance or business chain them to the oars in other places, everything is dropped and all distances bridged in order to he present at this reunion and wish joy to the hearts of these men who sprang from good old North Carolina revolutionary stock. Their great grandfather,Thomas Camp, was bom September 1717, and died in September 1798 at the old North Carolina homestead. He had five sons in the revolu tionary army and all were in the battle of King’s Mountain. Their LIGHTNING FLASHED, « THUNDER ROARED great grandfather Thomas had twenty-one sons and three daugh ters, and all the Camps in the South, to the number of not less than five thousand, descend from this grand old man. One of the twenty-one sons was “Aaron,” the grandfather of the subjects of this sketch, who lived and died at Ringgold, Ga., and his son, Major William A. Camp, was the father of these seven at the reunion. He was a major in the Confed erate army and served with dis tinction—losing both eyes in the last battle of the war, Fort Tyler, West Point, Ga., April 16,1865, which battle occurred seven days after the surrender of Gen. Lee at Appomattox, Va. Major Camp* lived nineteen years after the sur render, dying on the old home stead and was soon followed by his Christian wife and mother of these seven boys. • At this reunion there answered to the roll call, R. O. Camp, 59 years of age, Wilton, Ala.; T. B. Camp, 57 years of age, Warren, Ark.; L. A. Camp, 55 years of age, Columbus, Ga.; J. O. Camp, 53 years of age, Jacksonville, Ala.; W. A. Camp, 51 years of age, At lanta, Ga.; E. J. Camp, 46 years of age, Anniston, Ala.; J. F. Camp, 43 years of age, Dalton, Ga. Whitfield county is proud to have within her borders again these men of her by-gone days, and wish them many happy re turns. Mr. W. A. Camp, of Atlanta, is compiling a history of ancient Thomas Camp, and his descend ants. And Water Has Poured In Tor rents on Dalton, MISS PEARL BISHOP Severely Injured by Lightning, While J. E. Sanders Also Re ceived Painful Shock. AT PLEASANT GROVE The S. S. Convention Was In Session « Last Saturday. The Whitfield. County Sunday School Convention met at Pleasant Grove August 1, 1903. In the temporary absence of President M. D. Smith the meeting was called to order by Rev. E. W. Way. After the reading of the Scrip, ture lesson and prayer, the min utes were read and the roll called, to which seventeen schools re sponded. The reports showed an enroll ment of 1,504 pupils attending Sunday school. First Methodist (Dalton), Pop lar Springs, Harmony and Keelers were ably represented by young people and children. Then dinner was announced, and a bountiful feast was served to a large concourse of people. The report of the committee on nominations was as follows: Pres ident, Rev. M. D. Smith; Vice- Presidents, R. A. Rushton, A. J. Miller, J. F. Wilson, W. W. Sey mour and L. N. Dantzler; Secre tary, Miss Fannie Vamell; Treas urer, J. L. Palmer. There was a lively contest for the banner, participated in by the following schools: First Presbyte rian (Dalton), Cumberland Pres byterian (Dalton), Poplar Springs, Harmony, Keelers, and Grove Level. This was one of the most charming features of the occasion, and, in the language of Rev. H. J. Ellis, each school came “mighty nigh getting the prize/” but as only one could get it, Prof. T. L. Bryan, in a short and humorous speech, delivered the banner to Poplar Springs. Then the convention was dis missed and thus was ended one of the most largely attended and suc cessful conventions in the history of the Association. Fannie Varnell, Sec. S. S. C. Electrical storms and pyrotech- nical displays have been numerous in Dalton the past week. Light ning has flashed and thunder roared, while Jnpiter Pluvius has opened the floodgates of the sky and poured down deluge after deluge. Several serious accidents have occurred, the principal one being the case of Miss Pearl Bishop, an employe of the A. J. Showaiter Co., who today is practically help less from the effects of a stroke of lightning, which injured her last Saturday night. Miss Bishop was standing at a bureau near an open window when the flash came. The bureau was literally torn to pieces, the mirror being completely shattered and a piece of it cutting her face. She was herself dashed to the floor and was for some time in a state of unconsciousness. Since then she has been practically help less, being unable to walk without assistance. Her right arm hangs inert, with apparently no life in it, while on the upper part it bears a round blue mark about the size of a silver dollar, with a puncture iu the center. Mr. James Sanders was another victim of the lightning’s vindic tiveness, although his injuries did not extend beyond a severe shock which lasted several hours. Sunday afternoon, seeing the storm approaching, Mr. Sanders stepped into the yard to arrange the pipe into his cistern. He held a nail and a piece of wire in his hand, to which the lightning was attracted. The current ran up his right arm and down and out at his feet, and the shock sustained, the effect of which was painful and benumbing, lasted until late in the evening. Almost simultaneously with Mr. Sanders’ experience a large oak tree on West Hill was torn to pieces. OLD VETERANS Hold Election of Officers for Ensuing Year. Joseph E. Johnston Camp, No. 34, U. C. V., at its regular an nual election day elected the fol lowing for its officers for the en suing term: S. B. Felker, Capt. Commander. A. C. Gunz, 1st Lieut. Com. John Sansom, 2nd Lieut. Com. Fred Cappes, 3rd Lieut. Com. Joshua Roach, 4th- Lieut. Com. J. H. Stanford, Adjutant. J. H. Hill, Q. M. and Historian. J. A. Lowry, Commissary. Dr. S. J. McKnight, Surgeon. Dr. J. A. Graham, Assistant Surgeon. Rev. Wm. McNabb, Chaplain. Rev. J. M. Stansberry, 1st Asst. Chaplain. Rev. J. C. Lynn, 2nd Assistant Chaplain. Joseph Bogle, Treasurer. T. P. Freeman, Sergt. Major. Henderson Renfro, Officer of Day. B. K. Hix, Color Sergeant. G. W. Stafford, Vidette. A. J. Calhoun, 1st Color Guard. B. W. Echols, 2nd Color Guard. J. C. Cruw, Bugler. Annual Reunion. The annual Fincher reunion will be held next Saturday at the old Fincher homestead.