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THE VALDOSTA TIMES, SATURDAY, MARCH 25, 1905.
DR. COBB PLEAD GUILTY
HE PAID A FINE OF $300 FOR AN
ACT OF PEONAGE.
Hit Trial Before Judge Speer in Sa
vannah This Week Resulted in a
Fine and a Scathing Lecture From
the Court—Hart Alton Fined.
Dr. M. H. Cobb, of this city, and
George P. Hart, who formerly clerked
in Cobb’s drug store, were arraigned
in 8avannah this week on the charge
of violating the peonage laws.
Both of the- defendants were ne
groes, and the fact that their victim
was a negro lends additional interest
to the case. The case, ordinarily,
would have been tried in the Valdos
ta division of the federal court, but it
was docketed in Savannah before this
division was created. Several other
cases which were tried there would
have been heard here had they not
already been docketed at Savannah.
Cobb and Hart were charged with
forcing Lula Durham, a negro girl,
from Vienna, Ga., into a condition of
peonage. It is said that the girl came
here and became indebted to Cobb.
It was also claimed that he preferred
some charges against the girl and
threatened to have her sent to the
chain-gang if she did not Consent to
work a given length of time for him.
It is said that the girl was thus sold
to the McRees for a term of
months or sdch a matter. In the trial
at Savannah the defendants were rep
resented by Col. G. A. Whitaker and
Mr. Myrick, of Savannah, and a plea
of not guilty was entered. After the
Jury had been empannelled, the de
fense decided to enter a plea of guilty
and did so.
Judge Speer imposed a fine of one
thousand dollars upon each of the de
fendants, or a term of one year In pris
on. The sentence was suspended,
however, upon the payment of $300 or
a term of one month in prison. Dr.
Cobb paid his fine, but Hart decided
that he would take one month in pris
on as his part.
Judge Speer’s Remarks.
In passing sentence on Dr. Cobb
and Hart, Judge Speer said:
“I have been very unfavorably im
pressed with the crime to which you
have now pleaded guilty. You took
a girl who went to Valdosta on a
pleasure trip. You manufactured a
claim against her for medical serv
ices, and you practically sent her to
the McRees for the debt you pretend
ed she had incurred. Now this sort
of thing is bad enough when done by
white people toward members of your
own race, but it is a great deal wnrfce
, when done by colored people. I am
11 'fnmltr If you had remained In Africa
that you both would have become
leaders of bands of slave catchers,
who swoop down on the unprotected
kraals of the Hottentots or the vil
lages on the headwaters of the Congo
and seize the defenseless peoplo and
bear them Off and sell them into slav
ery. You did not remain in Africa,
however, and you came to this land
of liberty and law and you have had
the advantage of enlightenment and
civilization and there is much testi
mony here that you are men of high
character — testimony from good
white men, too. You certainly fell far
from that high estate when you com
mitted this wrong on this poor, help
less girl.
“There is this to be said in your
favor. Many white people wero Coiq-
mitting similar offenses and the col
ored man is to some extent imitative,
and you imitated the worst examples
that were put before you. If you had
Imitated the examples of the good
and true, it would have been all right,
but you Imitated the examples of the
lawless, the reckless, the greedy and
the avaricious. I will place on you
not quite such a severe penalty as I
placed on the white men, who were
themselves both officers of the 1
fine you both one thousand dollars
each, and on tho payment of three
hundred dollars each, the remainder
of your sentenco will be suspended
during good behavior. If you do not
pay the fine as imposed with this mod
ification you will have to go to jail
and sustain the penalty of imprison
ment marked out by law.”
DISAPPEARED FROM HOME.
An Echols County Citizen Left With
a Threat to Kill Himself.
Mr. G. W. Prlne, of Statenville, who
was in the city on Wednesday,
brought the news of the mysterious
disappearance of J. W. Howze, an old
citizen, whose home is near Staten
ville. Mr. Howze left home on Mon
day night, and since then it is under
stood nothing has been heard from
him. He dropped a letter, addressed
to his wife, in the postofflee on Mon-
da night, which she received on Tues
day, the purport of which was that he
could not bear his troubles and that
he Intended to kill himself. The let
ter was the first intimation his family
has had that he contemplated such an
act. It is not known what the trou
bles were to which he referred.
A search was made for the missing
man on Tuesday morning, but aside
from the fact that he passed through
Statenville the night before, going in
the direction of Lake Park, nothing
was learned. It was feared that he
had thrown himself into the Alapaha
river, but it is believed that he did not
do so, as he crossed the river and was
traced beyond it.
It Is said that Mr. Howze disappear
ed several years ago, very much in
the same manner, and was awav from
his home for several months.
He has three grown sons in Fitzger
ald, besides a wife and other children
in Echols. A telegram was ssent to
the sons in Fitzgerald acquainting
them with the fact of their father's
disappearance.
RAILROAD COMMISSION
THE MEMBERS VISIT VALD08TA
TO HEAR COMPLAINT.
They Arrived From 8avannah This
Morning and Were Taken in Charge
by a Committee of Prominent Citi
zens—Kaiircad hen Were Also
Here.
The Georgia Railroad Commission,
composed of Hon. Pope Brown, Hon
Joseph Brown and Hon. Warner
Hill, reached the city this morning In
a private car from Savannah.
The came here to hear some com
plaints from the citizens in regard to
the accommodations which are afford
ed passengers at the depots here
They were accompanied by Superin
tendent Riddle, Division Superintend
Wireless Telegraphy Lecture,
Quite a large audience went to the
city hall Wednesday night to witness
demonstrations and hear the lecture
of Professor Patty on wireless teleg
raphy, radium and liquid air. The
greater part of the lecture was devo
ted to experiments with alleged wire
less telegraph Instruments. These
were placed upon tables a few feet
apart, and the tapping of the sound
ers was about all the audience had
to convince them of the genuineness
of the demonstration. It would have
been better if one of the instruments
had been placed in the rear of the hall
and the other in front, as it was very
easy for the lecturer to have wires on
the floor connecting the sounder and
receiver. Some of the audience were
unkind enough to suspect that the oc
casional tapping was caused by his
accidentally touching a button on the
floor as the lecturer walked around.
The lecturer told a great many
things about radium, and a little of
the stuff — valued at $7,000 — in
closed in a tube like a capsule, was
sent around among the crowd for in
spection.
Most of those present were anxious
to see tho experiments with liquid air,
but this was not given, as the supply
of liquid air, was oilt. The lecturer
invited the crowd, however, to re
main until tho midnight train came,
and ho would give the demonstration
ns he expected a new supply on that
train. But the crowd went home,
many of them feeling that they had
had enough of "hot air,” even If the
liquid air did not show up.
Statement From the Rest Room.
The following is a statement of the
receipts and expenditures for the
maintenance of the “Indies’ Rest
Rooms,” which is to be discontinued
Collected from merchants... .$189.90
Collected from Wymodausis
Club
Rent of rooms for rummage
sale
Commission on articles sold in
exchange
Cash donated
22.50
5.50
Granted Trustee’s Application,
The petition of the trustees in the
E. L. Moore bankruptcy case for leave
to sell the assets of the bankrupt,
came up before Referee in Bankrupt
cy Max Isaacs, at Brunswick, Wednes
day. There was considerable opposi
tion to the application, and efforts
were made to stop the sale of certain
properties claimed by the different
lawyers for their clients, but, after
hearing all the arguments, Judge
Isaacs entered an order granting the
trustee’s application.
Negro Loses His Smoke House.
Henry Clarke, a negro living on Mr.
John West’s place, near Clyatteville,
had his barn burned Tuesday night,
with all of its contents, including his
crop of corn, a large quantity of meat
and his guano. The loss falls heavily
upon Clarke, who is said to be a hard
working negro.
23.75
$243.80
Expenses.
Rent $124.30
Mutron 90.35
Furnishing room and sundry
expenses 29.15
$243.80
The above statement is for eleven
months. The ladies find it difficult to
collect sufficient funds to keep up the
rest room, therefore it has been dis
continued.
ent Kirkland and General Counsel Jo
seph W. Bennett, of the A tiff tic Coast
Line, and by Superirtendent Grady
and General Counsel John I. Hall, of
the Georgia Southern and Florida
road.
They made an inspection of the At
lantic Coast Line depot, and then went
to the Georgia Southern and Florida
road, where the accommodations
there were looked Into. It Is under
stood that the Georgia Southern offi
cials admit their accommodations are
inadequate, but they do not wish to
build a new depot until the city grants
the titles to the street on which their
tracks are laid. Tho Coast Line offi
cials, it Is understood, claim that their
accommodations are adequate.
The members of the commission
did not express themselves in regard
to the matter, but they will give con-
sideraton to the complaint upon their
return to Atlanta. It Is understood
that iheywero Informed before reach
ing Valdosta that the complaint for
better accommodations was not gen
eral In this city, but that it was the
movement of only a few men. They
were told hero that If they .had any
doubts on the subject they could find
out very quickly that the sentiment
is not only general, but that it is a
growing sentiment, by giving enough
time to call a meeting of citfzens be
fore them.
Hon. Warner Hiill returned to At
lanta at 11 o’cclock on account of sick
ness in his family, and tho other two
commissioners will leave during tho
day for Albanv to hear similar com-
plainis there.
Coast Line’s Thorough Cleaning,
By a strange coincidence, yesterday
was the day for the semi-centennlRi
cleaning up of the Atlantic Coast Lino
at this place, and the premises about
the depot were given such a drubbing
as they never had before. —
Two .section gangs, with an engine
and half a dozen cars, were put to
work early in the morning, and they
were kept at work all day long, get
ting everything In ship-shape for tho
spring season. The oldest inhabitants
do not remember that such a thing
ever occurred before.
Not only was all of the trash about
the depot hauled off and the waiting
rooms scoured, but Cairo or some of
the small towns west of here were
drawn upon for two settees, which
were placed in the waiting room
guarantee that the Coast Line is go
ing to provide for tho comfort of its
patrons if it costs thirty cents.
Everything last night and this
morning about the depot looked spick
and span, nnd by the use of umbrellas
and by standing close under
eaves, those who are unable to get In
the small waiting room during
rains today mnnaged to keep fairly
comfortable.
LIEUTENANT PARDEE RESIGNS
He Gives Up His Position as Ranking
Officer of the Videttes.
JJeut. W. A. Pardee, of the Valdosta
Videttes, sent in his resignation as
the ranking officer of the company,
the resignation having been
nounced at the last meeUng of the
company. It was forwarded to the
adjutant-general on Wednesday.
About the same time, Capt. W. B.
Fender, whose resignation was sent
in some time ago, received notice
from the adjutant-general that his
resignation would not be received.
This action on the part of the adju
tant-general is probably due to the
fact that resignations of officers are
not usually received until all of the
property belonging to the state is
checked up and accounted for. The
captains are held responsible for the
pfoperty of the commands, and, of
course, their responsibility would
cease with tho acceptance of their res
ignation.
Lieut Pardee's resignation is due
principally to the fact that he is get
ting tired of military life under the
present conditions in this state The
volunteers are held under discipline
as rigid as that of the regular army,
almost, and that fact is beginning to
be a galling yoke upon many of tho
young men throughout the state who
have taken pride In becoming a factor
ill the state’s military service. The
coil; and responsibility Is great, while
the recompense is small.
Or, at least, that is the way that
any of the young men are talking
about It.
IN THE SOCIAL REALM; W0MENT0BETTERSCH00L3
SOME OF THE PLEA8ANT EVENTS
OF THE PRE8ENT WEEK.
The Open Meeting of the Wymodauele
Club Largely Attended Wednetday
Afternoon—A Phantom Party at cach *K«ed to UNe charge of the
Plctunw) Good Books and Flowers
Will Be Furnished. ' ;
Macon, Ga., March 22.—The school
Improvement work in Bi&h county baa
received a most encouraging start.
The women’s clubs pf ; the . city hare
The Monument to J. W. Dampier.
The monument to former Chief of
Police J. W. Dampier was erected by
Mr. L. H. Warllck In the city cemetery
this week. It is a handsome shaft and
contains this inscription: "In mem
ory of J. W. Dampier, Chief of Police
of the City of Valdosta. Died Septem
ber 16th, 1903. Age 36 years. Erect
ed by his friends and associates." For
mer Policeman J. B. Singleton was
the leading spirit in getting up the
money and having the stone erected.
Prominent Elk Coming.
District Deputy Grand Exalted Rul
er M. G. Michael, of Athens, will visit
the Valdosta Lodge of Elks next Mon
day and will preside Monday night
at the meeting of the lodge. As that
if the night for the annual election of
ofocers, it is probable that there will
a large attendance of members.
The district deputy grand exalted rul
er is making the lodge an Informal
visit,'and he asked in advance that no
entertainment be planned In his
K i ,
Mrs. West’s Thursday Night—Other
Events.
On Wednesday afternoon a large
and cultured audience gathered in the
club rooms to listen to one of the
best programmes of the year.
The subject was "A 8tudy of Fa
mous Women,” arranged by Mrs. Pat
terson and her committee.
The first number was a well ren
dered instrumental solo by Miss T^nna
Thrasher. Then followed an ably
written paper by Mrs. R. B. Daniel.
Her subject was Judith, the heroine
of a Hebrew tale of ancient times; a
picture of womanly beauty and cour
age, and a heroine of exact counter
part to the lion-hearted Charlotte Cor-
day.
Then followed a beautifully written
paper by Mrs. Neely on that famous
Grecian woman, Aspasla, who was the
work at some country school.
Yesterday the Mary Hammond
Washington Chapter of the Daugh'
ters of the American Revolution sent
to Colaparchee school eight handsome
pictures, nicely framed, and a maga
zine for every child In the school, and
also a good book for each child.
Tho grounds at the schools are to
be enclosed, so flowers may be grown,
and practical agriculture may Me
learned by experiments.
There will be a generous rivalry be
tween the clubs to see which can
make tho best showing la this gveat
work among the schools. «. ..
inspiration and co-worker of Pericles,
the greatest Grecian statesman in the
most brilliant period of Grecian his
tory. She showed that Aspasla was
worthy of the love and confidence of
this great man and was truly a
great woman.
Then followed a dainty and prettily
rendered vocal solo’, “Tit for Tat," by
Miss Ethel Stotesbury.
A well written paper showing re
search, which brought out the
strongth of character of Isabella of
Spain, was next read by Miss Calla
way.
The nobility and beauty of the
character of Queen Victoria—a mod
ern type—was well portrayed in a
paper by Mrs. Patterson.
Then followed tho crowning feature
of the programme, “Italia, Italia Be
loved,” sung by a chorus of some
twelve voices. This classic chorus
was charmingly rendered and was one
of tho most enjoyable features of tho
aftornoon.
Phantom Party Tuesday Night,
halls, parlor and large veranda for an
hour or more, each wondering as to
the Identity of the other, and all giv
ing those who were unmasked some
thing for them to guess-about.
Refreshments, consisting of fruit
punch and wafers, were served, and
all who attended enjoyed the dccaslon,
even though a hair-raising sensation
was produced by the gathering of the
ghosts.
Entertained Wednesday Afternoon.
Miss Sue Corner entertained with a
euchre party Wednesday afternoon
complimentary to Miss Iva Hayes, of
Washington, D. C., who is the guest
of Mrs. James McDonald.
Miss Kathleen Roberts was the for
tunate wnner of the flrdt prize. -
After the game, delightful refresh
ments swere served. 9
Miss Corner’s guests were Misses
Leila „ Fender, Ethel Briggs, Pearl
Lewis, Neta Fender, Kathleen Rob
erts, Susie Pardee, Ida Mae Fender,
Caro Lewis, Ouida Dunbar, Mec
Young, Ethel Burdette, Miss Hayes
and Mrs. James McDonald.
A Dance Last Night
Tho dance given at the Valdes fast
night was an enjoyable affair. The
occasion was given by the young men
in compliment to several charming
young ladles. The dancers were
The phantom party at the residonco ... _ . . _ . . , „
of Mrs. W. S. West on Tuesday night
was highly enjoyed by all In attend
ance. Most of tho crowd were attired
In sheots, with whlta masks over their
bonds and faces, and as thoy moved
along the streets on tho way to tho
gathering of spookB they prosontod a
sceno which was calculated to fright
en tho wits out of that class of peoplo
who believe In "haunts," “ghosts" and
the like. The spooks moved about the
! Nota and Ida Mae Fender, Misa Ste
phens, of New York; Miss Wright, of
Brunswick, und Miss Ouldn Dunbar:
Mosars. W. D. Webster, W; A. Par-
dec, Roy Powell, C. Brooks, C. R, Ash
ley, Roy Dunaway, Hughes, of Atlanta,
Northcutt, of Marlotta, an d Ralph
Myddolton. '
Misery layabout the only'real en
joyment of the pessimist.
ft
Unfortunate Woman’s Death.
An unfortunate woman, who came
to this city from Savannah some time
ago, died yesterday morning at a
house in the southern part of the city,
after an illness of about a week. The
remains were taken in charge by Un
dertaker Ulmer and tho funeral oc
curred yesterday afternoon in the city
cemetery, Rev. Mr. Skagen officiating.
Only a few people attended the funer
al, among them the mother of the girl,
who was summoned from her home In
Savannah, and a sister from George
town, to witness the last rites over
the remains of the deceased. It was
a sad funeral and a fitting close to the
sad ending of a sad life.
Church Subscriptions,
contributors to the Methodist
church fund, who have not paid the
amounts subscribed, will please pay
same to J. T. Blalock or B. S. Rich
ardson by Monday. 27th.
Wreck on the S. & N. Road.
The lawyers and others who started
to Nashville Tuesday morning over the
Sparks and Nashville road wero con
siderably shaken up at a point about
three miles from Sparks, tho engine
and cars all leaving the track at that
place. The whole train went bounc
ing along over the cross-ties for prob
ably fifty yards, when It came to a
stop. Conductor Hudson was passing
from one coach to unother when tho
accident occurred and was thrown to
the ground and badly bruised. Mr.
Arthur Passmore, of this city,
thrown against a door and his hand
badly sprained. The train was run
ning at a good rate of speed, and it
was a wonder that there was not a
long list of wounded.
iijBloch
Double Team Ran Away.
An unbroke Texas pony caused an
exciting runaway on Hill avenue on
Wednesday. A negro named Ollte
Jackson was driving the team, and at
the intersection of Ashley street and
Hill avenue the pony began to kick
and then to run. The other h »rse be
came frightened and the two ran sev
eral blocks before they could be stop
ped. The two horses were thorough
ly frightened, but the driver stayed
with them until he got them under
control.
In addition to the regular pro
gramme tonight at the Methodist
church, Mr. Willie Dunwody, of Ma
con, has consented to sing one of bis
sweetest tenor solos.
Spring Hints
TO
Good Dressers.
\
Everybody that knows about good
clothes knows that Stein-Block, Col
lege Brand, Kuppenheimer & Kirsch-
baum’s are the best. We do not have
to price them, $8.00 to$22.50.
Imperial Hats For Spring.
The Imperial hat is always the newest,
it is THE HAT of hats. Our stock is
large.
$3.00 the World Over.
Earl & Wilson Collars, Cuffs and Shirts, Eclipse Shirts—
known as the best made at $1.00 and $1.50. 100 styles new
Spring Neckties. Full assortment Spring underwear.
One Price to AH.
Walk-Over and Stetson Shoes.
We have the best assortment of Ox
fords in these two well known brands
we have ever shown. Everybody
will wear Oxfords this Spring and
Summer. $3-50, $4.00 and $5.00.
M. A. BRIGGS,
Valdosta, Ga.