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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.