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8
KILLED BY HIS SOU
David Porter Slot by His
16-Year-Old Boy.
ANGERED BY lIIS FATHER S ACTS
Three Shots Fired.
YOCNG PORTER SUMMONS A PHY
SICIAN AND THEN WALKS TO
THE BARRACKS.
Story of the Tragedy
Deputy Collector of Customs David
Porter was shot anu killed by his lfi-year
old son, David Porter. Jr., at 1 o’clock this
morning, at his home. No. 30 Lffiarlton
street.
Three shots were fired, only one of which
was fatal, the others making grazed wounds
on the right side of the throat and on
the left ear. The fatal shot entered
the right breast. The wounded man lived
sixteen minutes.
As soon as young Porter finished firing
his pistol he ran out and notified several
neighbors what had happened and then
hastened to Dr. Stone's residence and asked
him to go to his father. He then crossed
the street ana surrendered himself at the
barracks to Sergt. Baughn.
Dr. Stone reached the house about five
minutes before Porter died, but he could do
nothing, as the fatal bullet had cut the big
artery near the heart
CAUSE OF TUB SHOOTING.
Family troubles were the cause of the
tragedy. Porter went home shortly before
12 o’clock under the influence of liquor aud
in a morose mood. His wife chided him for
his conduct, and he became enraged.
Jumping to bis feet he made an attack
upon her. She screamed and her daughter
Reby rushed to her mother’s side
and asked her father to desist. About this
time young Porter dashed into the room
and seeing his father m the aot of striking
his mother and sister, the boy lost oontrol
of himself. lie ran to a bureau where a
loaded No. 22 7-shooter was kept, and pull
ing It out of the drawer he flrod at
his father. The bullet struck the edge of
his left ear and drew blood.
The father then turned his attention to
his son and in the struggle which followed
the other two shots were fired. After he
received the death shot, the wounded man
staggered into an adjoining room and
fell iuto a rocking-chair, where he
died. He did not speak after
the bullet entered bis breast. Several gen
tlemen who lived in the neighborhood went
to the house as soon as tho patricide told
them of his crime, and were with the
wounded man when he died.
IN THE CORONER'S HANDS.
Coroner Dixon was notified and
he went to the house and examined
the dead man’s wounds. Mrs. Porter
was too excited by the tragedy
to tell much of a story and the coroner post
poned the inquest until this morning.
When young Porter presented himself at
the barracks sally port and remarked to
Officer Bcully: “I wish to surrender as I
have shot my father,” he was so cool and
collected that the officer thought
he was either joking or labor
ing under on hallucination. He hesitated
for a moment aud then began to question
the boy.
“Show me into the office, please,” said
young Porter, “and I will surrender to the
sergeant.”
Officer Sonlly took him into the office,
and. as they got in the light, he saw blood
on the boy’s face.
Walking coolly up to the railing around
the office desk, behind which Sergt. Baughn
was sitting, Porter pulled a pistol from bis
pocket and handing it over, remarked:
"Sergeant, I’ve shot my father, David
Porter, here’s the pistol. 1 wish to surren
der.”
Sergt. Baughn heard his story of the
crime and then ordered him looked up.
THE PATRICIDE’S STORY.
A Morning News reporter was at the
barracks a few minutes after the Doy sur
rendered and talked to him through the
bars of his cell. He did not then know
that his father was dead and seemed very
anxious to hear about his condition. Ho
was cool and didn’t seem to realize that
he had committed a terrible
crime. His father’s blood was
smeared over the left side of his face, down
the cheek from the eye to the chin and
across the nose.
“I have nothing to communicate for pub
lication,” he said, in answer to a request
that he tell his story of the affair. “It is
the result of a combination of family trou
bles, which, if spoken about, will involve
my mother and s.ster, and I don’t care to
bring them iuto auy more trouble than I
can help.”
£ Finally, after considerable persuasion,
young Porter told the story of the shoot
ing, leaving out the immediate causes which
led up to it.
“Thepistol with which I shot my father,"
said he, “had not been used for ten years,
end had been lying nearly all that time in
the drawer from where I took it.
I knew that it contained two empty
•hells and five bullets. When I took it out
I was within about five feet from my father.
When 1 fired the first shot at him. I did it
more to intimidate him than anything
•lse.
A STRUGGLE FOR THE PISTOL.
“He turned to me quick with the remark:
‘l’ll show you how to use a pistol
again, David,’ aul begau a strug
gle with me for its possession.
“Being powerful physically he threw me
to tho floor. While v. e were on the floor
struggling, one moment my finger on the
trigger and the next his, the second
shot waß fired. He kept repeating his re
mark about my using the pistol. And
during the continued struggle I said, ‘Pve
got another for you,’ and shortly afterward
the third shot was tired.”
The boy seemed anxious to get out of the
barracks and asked how long before he could
get out on bond, and whether Mayor Mc
j Donough had the power to accept a bond, or
: whether be would have to be turned oyer
' to the superior court.
Once daring the conversation a quick
remark was made about Mr. Porter’s death
to soe its etfect upon the boy. He suddenly
became pale and gr.jsped th 9 bars seem
ingly fer support, but as nothing further
was said about death he evidently supposed
he had misunderstood the remark and re
gained his composure, and continued talk
ing about the [vossibilities of his being al
lowed out on bond.
“Well.” said Porter, with an attempt at n
smile, “if I hare killed my father, that is if
he dies from his wounds, I have
:t to say from his own lips that I did right.
A few years ago, speaking in my presence
about a young man killing his father in
this city for beating bis mother, my father,
in reply to a remark that the young man
must regret his crime continually. said:
“Never. Ho may regret the necessity, hut
never the act.”
AT THE HOUSE.
Collector Johnson was notified and was
at the house w.th Dr. Stone, T. F. Gleason,
G. W. Haslam, Sergt. Keilly and Coroner
Dixon. The body was turned over to Un
dertaker J. 11. Fox and was prepared for
burial.
The justification of the shooting was
talked of by those who learned from the
family tho circumstances under which it
occurred. The full facts, however, will
probably not be brougnt out until the in
quest.
Young Porter was a graduate of the
high school a year ago, and is a member of
the Bartow Light Infantry.
THE DEAD MAN.
The dead man had been active in repub
lican politics here for the last fifteen years.
He wa9 last appointed deputy collector of
customs by Collector Johnson two years
ago. He was Collector Johnson’s deputy
under his previous administration and prior
to that was in the postofflee.
He came to (Savannah in 1871 from
Augusta. He was for a number of years
proprietor of the Habersham street phar
macy at Broughton and Habersham streets,
and for the last four years, up t > last sum
mer, he ran a drug store at No. 122 Brough
ton street In connection with his duties in
the government servico. He was 49 years
old.
A SECRET ORDER MAN.
He was a member of AV. S. Harcock
Post, G. A. 8., and was past dopartm n t
commander of tho department of Georgia,
and was elected assistant adjutant gen
eral of the Augusta encampment last week.
He had been a prominent Odd Fellow,
was a member of Oglethorpe Lodge, and
was past grand master of the state. He
was a man of ability and was recognized as
one of the most capable government offi
cials in the treasury service. He was not a
successful business limn. His busi
ness o(fairs had been at loose ends
for some time prior to the
closing of his drug store in the DeKenne
building. At one time he was an active
member of Wesley Monumental church
and was one of the stewards of tho church.
His church connections, however, closed
several yeai s ago.
Mr. J. F. LaFar of Savannah says: My
wife and myself have used your ‘‘Antimi
graine,”aud of ail the headache cures and
remedies which wo have ever tried none
have proved so efficient or given as much
satisfaction. It is wonderfully quick aud
lasting in its effect aud leaves no unpleas
ant result.—4d.
ATKINSON NOT THE MAN.
Tha Suspected Murderer of Love
Proveß His lnuocar.ee.
The Love assassination is again clouded
in mystery. The detectives ore again at sea,
because Isaiah Atkinson, thosuspeoted mur
derer, surrendered himself yesterday morn
ing to Justice McDermott and cleared him
self completely of all connection with the
killing of the watchman. He brought Nash’s
musket to the olfico of the justice and let
him examine it to see if it had been recently
fired. There was no evidence of this aud
Atkinson waß turned loose.
He said he was playing policy Saturday
night at the time the murder was commit
ted. Sunday and Sunday night while the
detectives were hunting for Atkinson he
was at homo at Hull and W est Broad streets,
but the ofHcers couldn’t find out where he
lived. Yesterday morning the negro went
to return the musket to Nash und the latter
told him the officers suspeotod he was the
murderer of Love and were trying to find
him. Atkinson at once went to Justice
McDermott and surrendered.
Having lost the clew that apparently
promised successful results, the detectives
are in a bad fix. They are still endeavor
ing, however, to unravel the myslerv sur
rounding the assassination, but tbev are
practically working in tho dark.
A rertaln cure for malarial fevers Is found
in Htnmons Liver Regulator.—.-Irf.
THE NEW TELEGRAPH RATE.
The 25-Oent Order to Go Into Effect
To-day.
The reduced telegraph rate on all mes
sages within Georgia goes iuto effect to
day.
Supt. Maxwell, of the Western Union, re
ceived a message from headquarters yester
day notifying him to make all chauges In
conformity to the recent order of the rail
road commission upon the telegraph tolls.
The last legislature passed a law placing
tho regulation of telegraph aud express
charges under the control of the
railroad commission. The commis
sion issued au order gome time
ago fixing the rate upon all telegraph mes
sages between points within the state at 25
cents for each message of ten words aud 2
cents for each extra word on day messages,
and 1 cent for each extra word on night
messages. The tariff to a number of points
outside the large cities has been 40 cants lor
each message of ten words heretofore.
It is believed that the increase in business
will more tha i repay the Joss by the reduc
tion.
THE BEACH HOUSE ON FIRE.
It Came Near Burning Three Times
Yesterday.
Lane’s Beach house at Tybee came near
going the same way yesterday that To
f hach’s Seaside pavilion went Sunday. The
oil house adjoining the hotel was discovered
on fire about daylight. The fire was ex
tinguished before much damage was done.
A telephone message was received last
nigut that the hotel caught fire in
the roof about 5 o’clock, but
the blaze was discovered in time to be got
under control before it had got much head
way. The residents of the neighborhood
turned out to render assistance aud before
they T got away fire was discovered in an
other part of the building.
The damage of the three fires is small.
Tneir origin is unexplained.
Have you ever tried Salvation Oil. the great
est cure on earth for pain! Price 25c.—.44.
THE MORNLNG NEWS: TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1892.
EDITORS SEE THE SIGHTS
THE fc'ICHI J ANDERS HAVE SA
VANNAH FOR A DAY.
They Talcs It In From the De Soto and
the Park to the Wharves and the
Water Works—The Drive to the Her
mitage and to Thunderbolt—A Lunch
at the Yacht Club House—The Vis
itors Formally Welcomed - What
They Said About Savannah and the
South.
The Michigan editors and their ladies had
a gala time in Savannah yesterday, and
when they left last night it was with pleas
ant recollections of the hospitalities of Sa
vannah newspaper men and citizens.
The visitors arrived on the morning tram
fr jtn Jacksonville and were escorted to the
De Soto by Cob D. H. Elliott of the Plant
system, who had charge of the excursion
through Florida and Georgia. The follow
ing composed the party:
W. P. Nisbett, pr-sident, and wife, Herald,
Big Kapi Js.
otto Kowte and wife, .Vest. Saul l Ste. Marie.
Perry K Powers. Sews and F.rpr-Cadillac.
B .1. I o-very. secretary, and wife, Record,
Howard City.
J. C. Collins and wife. Reeorrl , Howard City,
(korge W. Perry, wifeaud daughter, Gazette,
Bellevue.
Fred MofTatt, Herald. Stanton.
A. C. (Hidden and wife, Grange Visitor, Paw
Paw.
Charles S. Hampton and wife, lndeiendent
!>■ mocra , Petoskey.
H. C. ilaiuill and wife, Pioneer, Alpena.
I. E. Slussar and wife, Herald, Jlanctlona.
A. 11. Smith and wife. Leade-, Milau.
Fred Sherman, Times, port Huron.
(leorge B. (Tallin and wife, Telegram-Herald,
Grand Rapids.
Mrs. Etta Wilson, Telegram Herald, Grand
Rapids.
Franklin Morse and wire. Republican, St.
Ciair.
F. Moore, Jr., and sister, Rtimblican, St.
Clair.
Mrs. A. (\ Martin, True Sorthener, Paw
Paw.
W. D. Tucker, Herald, Ithaca.
J. E Beal, president-elect, and wife. Courier,
Anu Arbor.
B. B. Shermerhorn, Gazette, Hudson.
A. F, Bailey, Vigilant, Cassopolis.
C. G. Swensberg, Herald, Grand Rapids.
THE DRIVE THROUGH THE CITY.
Mayor McDonough. Col. J. H. Estlll,
Editor Stovall of tha Press, Traffic Mana
ger Owens of the Savannah, Florida and
Western railway, Vice President M. J.
O'Brien of the Southern Express Companv,
President Purse of the board of trade,
F. G. Bell. W. W. Starr and other members
of the local committee met the visitors at
the De Soto at 9:30 o’clock with carriages.
A drive to the park was first taken, and
after the editors and their ladies were given
au opportunity to view the beauties of that
delightful place they were taken to the
Ocean steamship wharves, the route bei g
down Drayton street to Liberty, to Bull, to
Bryan, to Whitaker and up Bay street. The
Kansas City. Chattahochee and Dessoug,
which wore lying at the wharves, were Hy
ing all their (lags and presented a gay ap
pearance. Agent Anderson took charge of
the visitors an l escorted them through the
Kansas City, with which they were de
lighted.
AT THE HERMITAGE.
From tho wharve* a visit, was made to tho
water works, and from that point the trip
was extended to the Hermitage. The old
plantation, with its abandoned negro
quarters, was a place of consi lerable inter
est to the Michiganders, and the quaint
beauty of the broad avenue, with
its overhanging oaks forming al
most a root, from which the
moss hangs in profusion, delighted them.
The drive back to the city from the Her
mitage was made over the Bay street road,
where the convicts were seen at work, The
system of working the roads with convicts
made such a favorable impression on tho
Wolverine journalists that many of them
said they would urge their state to adopt it
when they returned home.
The visitors made a stop at the city ex
change, where they remained about tea
minutes. Gen. Lee’s picture in the council
chamber was the center of interest, as it is
to all strangers.
WITH THE POLICE AND FIREMEN.
The drive was continued from the ex
change along Bay street to East Broad, and
thence to Liberty street into Habersham,
where a stop was made at the police burl
racks. Mayor Mo Donough escorted the
party through the quarters and also through
the station house.
The lire headquarters was next visited,
and Chief Ruder gave aa exhibition of the
workings of the department. The firemen
were sent upstairs to quarters, and when
the gong sounded they came down on the
poles iu quick time. The intelligence dis
played by the horses in taking their positions
under the harness was a rovelatlon to the
visitors ns well as the quick time in which
everything was done. They applauded
loudly aud were flattering iu tneir praise oi
the efficiency of Savannah’s fire service.
ON THE SALTS.
The drive to Thunderbolt was mado aftor
leaving flremen’s headquarters. Au elabo
rate lunch was served by Mrs. Hannon at
the yacht club and was highly enjoyed.
After the lunch Mayor McDonough said
he was no public speaker, as many present
knew,and those who didn’t know would soon
find out if he attempted to make a speech.
Although he could’nt entertai:i t them in that
manner, Mayor McDonough said he could
bid tho Michigan editors aud thoir ladies a
warm welcome to Savannah, and prooosed
their health. The mayor added that Col.
Estill and Mr. Stovall had told him they
were loaded with speech tor the occasion
and he called upon Col. Estill.
A WELCOME TO SAVANNAH.
Col. Estill told the guests that from Mayor
McDonough's remarks one would suppose
he was a great Bpeaaer, but that was a joke
the mayor perpetrated uoon him
on all occasions. He would
not attempt Rto impo.’e upon them,
he said, a poor speech, but he seconded
Mayor McDonough iu extending to them a
hearty welcome to Savannah.
“There was a time,” said 001. Estill,
“when wo didn’t like to see Michiganders
come among us, and in fact, didn’t want
them among us, but circumstances have
changed now aud we are glad to welcome
them or any other delegation of northern
people to our city. We will receive all with
open arms,”
Col. Estill spoke of the reoent threatened
trout,le with Chile, and said that the
country is now reunited with one flag for
all, and if a foreign nation should
come In conflict with America the people
of the south would fly to the defense of that
Hag as quickly as those of the north. “We
would have,” said he, “as good ‘yankee’
soldiers in the south as in the north.” CoL
Estill closed with a second welcome to tho
guests aud took his seat amid applause.
PRESIDENT NISBETT’S IE PLY.
President Nisbett thanked Mayor Mc-
Donough and Col. Estill for the kind words
and for the hospitable manner in which
they had been treated in Savannah. “1 can
not,” said ho, “express mv appreciation in
words. I couldn’t find sufficient language
for that purpose."
Charles S. Hampton of the Petoskey Inde
pendent-Democrat made a happy speech,
the excursionists, he said, had a delightful
time all through the southland, but it re
mained for ihe Savannah visit to cap the
climax. Nowhere in their journey had
they been accorded such royal treatment,
said he. Tne hospitality Is truly magnifi
cent, and the trip of the Michigan Press
Association will always be remembered by
the mem 1 ers as one of the pleasantest epochs
in tho history of the organization.
President Nesbitt called upon J. E. Beal
of the Ann Arbor Courier for a conun
drum, and he propounded the question: “Is
Savannah aud the yacht club in it?” The
whole delegation shouted together: "Well,
well, we should felicitiously smile. Rah I
Rah! Michigan and Georgia. They’re in
EDITOR STOVALL’S WELCOME.
Mayor McDonough called upon Editor
btovall of the Press for a speech, aud he
! responded in one of those classic addre-ses
I for wbich he is noted. “You nave listened
to a welcome," said Mr. Stovall, “from
Mayer McDonough, one of the most honest
and eonseien - icus ■ fflcials cf the count! y
to-day. and from CoL Est.il, the m .st suc
cessful journalist of the south, and I can
only add mine to theirs.” Mr. Stovall
•poke of the grandeur of Michigan's ins:i
! lotion iof learning, and hoped that some
i day Georgia will have at Athens one equal
Ito that at Ann Arbor. He was listsued
jto with rapt attention. “The
bright southern sunshine,” said
Mr. Stovall, ’ls not more warm or spon
taneous than the welcome Savannah feels
for its guests on this occasion. The Wolver
ines of Mic ijgan and the lambs of Georgia
are mingling together and paving the way
to fne sdhip over banks of oyster -hells.”
Perry F. Powers, of the Cadillac News
anti A'rpress, said the Michigan journalists
did not oome south merely as sight-seers.
“There was a broader intention in the trip,”
said Mr. Powers. “We came to learn, to
mingle with the southern people and learn
something atiout them. I assure you we
have learned something, and we will
carry back to our Michigan homes,
nothing but happy recollections of the
southern feopie. Aslste.pcd out of the
hotel a little book was handed tne, entitled
a “Plea for Deep Water.” That book
meant more to me than one would imagine.
It made me feel that the man who gave me
that hook was my countryman in evory
sense; that wnat is for Georgia's good is for
Michigan’s good: that wo are one people and
one country.” Mr. Powers concluded with
thanks for the kind treatment received in
(Savannah, and a hope that an opportunity
will be offered at aa early date to rec'pro
oato.
A DEEP WATER SPEECH.
Capt. Purse made a “deep water” speech.
Ho told tho visitors about the growth of
Savannah’s commerce and increased pro
ferity which demands more water to accom
modate the shipping. He also showed them
that it was to the interest of all tho west to
have deep water at Savannah to transport
its commerce to Europe because it is the
shortest route to ,he countries of the old
world.
W. W. Starr followed in a humorous
speeoh, saying that he didn’t advocate water
for anything except swimming ships and a
little washing. If he was called upon for
advice he said he would advocate beer every
time. Mr. Starr said he had never spent a
pleasanter day than the one in company
with the Michigan journalists, and he only
wished the day could be lengthened out to
last till to-night.
Otto Fowie of the Bault Ste. Marie News
made a speech on the efforts of his city to
get deeper water through the locks to ac
commodate the shipping. He gave
stat istics to show that more shipping p isses
through the locks of Sto. Marie than through
the Suez canal m a year and he put tho
question to Capt. Purse that if Michigan
will help Savannah get deep water, will
Savannah help Ste Marie.
Capt. Purse said the only reply he could
make to tha proposition was that the
Georgia representatives and senators al
ways voted for such improvements and
will always continue to do so.
A stop was made at Bonaventuro ceme
tery on the return to tha city aud several
of the editors took views of the grand old
burying ground. Tho ladies of the par. y
were delighted with tho picturesque beautv
of the place, and took away armfuls of
moss as souvenirs.
Tho committee bale the visitors
adieu at the De Soto, where
they arrived at 4:20 o’clock, but before
leaving was treated to the “{Veil, well,
rah' rah 1” of the Michiganders in thanks
for its kindness.
THE MORNING NEWS VISITED.
Col. Estill Invited tha editors to visit the
Morning News building during the after
noon and nearly all availed themselves of
the invitation. The immensity of the
building and its plant was a revelation to
them. They complimented Col. Estill on
the magnitude of the Morning
News. He presented each a copy
of the Morning News diary and
“Savannah and Jts Surroundings.” ' To the
Masonlo members of tho delegation Col.
F.still gave copies of his interesting book on
Masonry. The Michiganders left at 7
o’clock for Atlanta where they will spend
to-day.
The members of the delegation were
enthusiastic over the beauty of Savannah.
Editor Catlin pronounced it the handsomest
city they had visited in the south, with an
air of energy about it which is bound to
push it to the fore front of southern cities.
Editor Nisbett sail ho never realized that
Savannah is such an important commercial
city until he came iuto per
soual contact with it. “The immensity
of the shipping," he said, “is a revelation
to me, and hereafter I will have a different
opinion of Savannah as a commercial point
to that which I entertained before. As to
the beauty of the city, 1 cannot find words
to express myself. It is one of tho
prettiest lakl out cities that I have ever had
tho pleasure of visiting.”
The expenses of the entertainment of the
editors was paid by a few well-known gen
tlemen of the committee, and the character
of the entertainment reflects credit upon
them.
Mayor McDonough did himself honor by
the manner in which be represented the city,
he having devoted his entire time from
early morning until late in the afternoon
looking after the comforts of tho journalists.
The Savannah, Florida and Western rail
way paid the expenses of tho entertainment
at the De Soto.
A Healthy and Delioious Beverage.
Menier Chocolate. Learn to make a real
cup of chocolate. Address “Menier, New
York." Free sample with directions.—AtZ.
WOLVEdINoS ON POLITICS.
Tha Michigan Editors Take a Shy at
the Presidential Situation.
The Michigan editors talked politics very
freely. The majority of the party were re
publicans, though there ware 6ome very
strong democrats among them.
The republicans unanimously declared
that Blaine is the coming man and that he
can have the vote of the northwest against
any other man the party can offer. They
praised President Harrison’s administra
tion, but did not favor his reuomination.
Cleveland, they admitted, is very strong in
the northwe-t, and might carry sev
eral of tha northwestern states
over Harrison or any other republican ex
cept Blaine, but Blaine they declared would
sweep the field. Hill, they said, would not
be in it if nominated by the democrats.
The democrats admitted pretty much the
same things. Cleveland, they said, is
stronger then Hill in the northwest, though
Hill’s qualities as a leader are admired.
Cleveland, they said, would poll a larger
vote in the northwest than any other demo
crat that might be named, and for that rea
son thev were anxious that he should be
nominated.
“The democrats swept Michigan the last
time, but they will never do it again,” de
clared an enthusiastic republican. “They
have blundered fearfully.
“Blaine is my idea of a man for Presi
dent,” he continued. “He will be nomi
nated and he wifi be elected.”
“What’s the matter with Harrison?” in
quired a democrat.
“O, Harrison is all right, but he doesn’t
seem to take with the people somehow.”
“I have n great admiration for Harrison,”
remarked the democrat.
"I know of only ore other President that
can ootnpare with him.”
“Who is that?”
“Rutherford B. Hayes,” responded the
democrat.
■r- “O. rats,” oxolaimed the republicans.
It was noticed that there were very few
prohibitionists in the party.
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DICKSON PLEADS GUILTY.
SENTENCED TO THE OHIO PENI
TENTIARY FOR ONE YEAR.
The Government’s Chain of Evidence
Too Strong for Him to Brea* and He
Threw Himself Upon the Mercy of
the Court-Judge Speer Imposes a
Lighter Penalty Than He Would in
Case of a Conviction—The Story of
D ckson’s Frauds.
The case of A. J. Dickson, which has been
on trial in the United States court since
last Thursday, ended yesterday by Dickson
pleading guilty and throwing himself upon
the mercy of the court. He was sentenced
to one year and a day in the Ohio peniten
tiary and to pay’ a fine of 31.
Dickson was still feeling badly from his
.Saturday night’s illness and had to be
helped into court by Marshal Corbett yes
terday. HU physician, Dr. Wegefartb,
was with him. Dickson did not desire to
aprear in court, but the physician certified
that his condition was such that the trial
could proceed.
As scon as the court opened Col. Nlcholls,
Dickson’s attorney, said he was convinced
that the case of the government was irre
sistible aud tha prisoner acknowledged it.
He did not desire to give any further
trouble and the defendant threw himself on
the mercy of the court.
Judge Speer directed the foreman of the
jury to sign a verdict of guilty, which was
done.
THE PRISONER SENTENCED.
In passing sentence upon Dickson Judge
Speer took occasion to review his offenses
with some sound and appropriate comments
showing how great he had erred when it
was within his power to have achieved suc
cess by honorable means. Judge Speer said
that had Dickson fought the case stubbornly
to the end as had appeared to be bis inten
tion he would certainly have imposed upon
him the extreme penalty of the law, eighteen
months in the peuitentiarv and |SOO flue,
but in consideration of the fact that his
counsel had voluntarily pleaded guilty for
him, not more than one-half the penalty
would be imposed.
“As it is now,” said Judge Speer, “how
ever, 1 will reduce that penalty very large
ly. It Is, then, the judgment of the court
that you be imprisoned for a year and aday
in the Ohio state penitentiary in tho city of
Columbus aud pay a flue of 31. You will
get three months’reduction in that year if
you behave well, which wifi reduce your
i enalty to nine months’ confinement, which
is half the maximum penalty.
“The oourt could have imposed upon you
a fine of 3509, but has put a fine of il. The
oourt trusts that if you live to come out of
the penitentiary, which, in view of your life
and strength, you may confidently hope,
that you will return to your family and
friends with the resolute purpose to live the
lifo of a better man, that you will no more
rely upon fraud aud artifice to ohtaiu the
goods of others; that you will endeavor to
become a good citizen and useful member
of society.
“You need not despair—there is a place
and a time of repentance for all, and I
sincerely trust that this opportunity, while
a very sad one for you, will yet be salutary,
and that your trial may redound to your
permanent benefit, and your conviction as
well to deter those who have indulged in
fraudulent designs of a similar character."
THE JURY RELEASED.
Tho jury was greatly relieved to find that
its term of confinement was ended, though
it had no complaints to make of the treat
ment while uuder Marshal Corbett.
It has the distinction of beiug the first
jury of any court that was ever quartered
at the De Soto, aud Dickson was taken to
the Pulaski house uuder charge of Marshal
Corbett, where he will remain until able to
betaken to the Ohio penitentiary.
The history of the Dickson case is a very
interesting one.
Dickson resided in Pierce county, near the
terminus of a tram road leading out from
Offern: in station on the Bavannah, Florida
and Western railway. A small country
postofflee was established at his house under
tho name of Mershon and Dickson was made
postma.ter. Ia February,lß9o,he addressed
a ie'.ter to Jaques & Tinsley of Macon
signed A. J. Dickson & Cos., in which he
ordered on thirty days’ time a small bill of
groceries, stating that they would probably
want more, but never “lapped” bills. On
receipt of this order Jaques & Tinsley
mailed to A. .1. Dickson fit Cos. a printed
blank to be filled out with a statement of
tho names of the partners and their assets.
DICKSON’S BOGUS FIRM.
They received in reply through the mails
a letter signed N. L. Stafford & Cos., which
went on to say that they had bought out A.
J. Dicks in and that the new firm was com
posed of N. L. Stafford and B. F. Phillips,
the former aged 38 and worth 35,900, the
latter aged 28 and worth $5,090, and speci
fying the character of property owned.
Tne new firm asked that the order
sent in by A. J. Dickson & Cos.
bo filled for them. The fact was
that B. F. Phillips was a day laborer
at 50 cents a day for A. J. Dickion, was
not worth 325, aud was not 21 years old,
and Stafford had no property whatever,
aud boih deny that they were ever in
partnership. The Stafford <fc Cos. letter
was proved to have been written by Dick
son. Jaques & Tinsley filled the first order.
This bill was promptly paid, and an order
for goods to the amount of $550 was se it
on, aud this was also tilled. When this bill
became due, Jaques & Linsley received a
letter signed Stafford & Cos. asking for an
extension of credit until the fall, and order
ing another bill of goods to the amount of
SSO, promising to close up both bills
by a note indorsed by Dickson Bros. & Cos.,
another fictitious firm, and this was done.
Dickson then had his 15-vear-old son, M.
M. Dickson, order a bill of goods from
Jaques & Tinsley and gave Stafford & Cos.
as reference, and when the latter wa3 writ
ten to, they, or rather A. J. Dickson under
that namo, replied that M. M. Dickton was
a good business man, 23 or 24 years of age,
aud worth $7,000 clear of all debt, aud good
for all bo would buy. This order for such a
oboiee customer was also filled. These bills
were never paid,
A GENERAL RUN OF RASCALITY.
Similar schemes were worked by Dickson,
uuder the name of Stafford & Cos., upon
the Chattanooga saw works, from which
a $275 saw-mill outfit was obtained. The
\V. L. Douglass $3 shoe company, of Bos
ton, was "touched” for an invoice of shoes.
The Savannah Brewiug Company was
worked to the extent of about S2OO worth
of beer, and a Macon wholesale whisky
house was stuck for a barrel of whisky,
which, to use the language of “Stafford &
C 0.,” was wanted “for one of our best cus
tomers to use at the election to carry the
negro vote.” All these frauds wore per
petrated by use of the mails.
Fending the hearing of the evidence on
tho trial Judge Speer, on his own motion,
ruised the point and called for argument
from counsel on both sides as to whether a
scheme to defraud a merchant by ordering
goods in the manner practiced by Dickson
was within the scope of the federal statute
providing for the punishment of the pro
moters of fraudulent schemes carried on
through the mail.
WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT’S JURISDICTION.
The question was forcibly presented and
argued on both sides, ami at the conclusion
of the argument Judge Speer held that the
case was within the scope of the statute, and
*Dat while ordinary dealings between mer
chant and merchant through the mails might
not be within the perview of the law, where
such misrepresentations were made as would
show moral turpitude in the fraudulent
acquisition of the property of another and
not mere legal fraud as understood in civil
causes, such transactions were punishable in
the federal courts where such scheme is to
be effected by use of the mails. He held
hat the case must prooeed.
Saturday night when District Attorney
Marion Erwin announced tho case for the
government closed, it was universally con
ceded that he made out a case which was
simply overwhelming. And when on the
opening of the court yesterday morning CoL
Nicholto gratefully submitted to a verdict
and throw the defendant upon the mercy of
the court all felt that he had done the best
that c uld be done for his client after a
most gallant fight.
The importance of the case from a com
mercial standpoint is great, and the district
attorney has been warmly congratulated
upon the skill with which he has haudled it.
Bronchitis yields at or ce to the influence of
Dr. Bull's Cough Syrup. It only costs 25c.— Ad.
LOCAL personal.
J. G. Sheffield of Crescent is at the Mar
shall.
\Y. F. Harrell of Eastman is at the
Pulaski.
John T. Hunt of Griffin is a guo3t of the
Pulaski.
H. J. Biddenbaok of Stillmore is at the
Screven.
M. L. Ellis of Blacksbear is stopping at
the Marshall.
C. T. Battle of Thomasville is registered
at the Marshall.
A. W. Patterson of Jacksonville, Fla., is
a guest of the Marshall.
Health Officer Dr. Brunner is quite ill at
his residence on Harris street.
S. B. Perkins and H. Y. Perkins of Wad
ley are stopping at the Pulaski.
Mr. and Mrs. B. C. Heyward of Charles
ton are stopping at the Screven.
J. F. Cooper Myers of New York was a
visitor on the floor of the cotton exchange
yesterday.
Col. 11. R. Kuser of Trenton, N. J., Is
stopping at the De Soto. Col. Kusor is a
member of the staff of Gov. Abbett cf Now
Jersey.
Col. Howard Winston of Portland Me.,
deputy supreme chief of the Knights of the
Gi lde i Eagle is in the city. Col. Winston
is a large lumber dealer and is here on
business.
The Georgia Hussars spent three hours at
the parade ground last night drilling as in
fantry. It is said that the Hussars will sur
prise the infantry by ihe drill they will put
up at their inspection.
The condition of Rev. G. S. Johnson was
so much improved yesterday that his physi
cians now have good bopes uf bis recovery.
This will be good news to his many friends
who have been anxiously awaiting to hear
the result of his illness.
Clarence T. Doty, formerly of this city,
but now of Jacksonville, with his bride,
spent several days with his sisters at their
home, 53 Gordon street, and left yesterday
morning on an extended bridal tour
through Florida and Cuba, after which
they will return to Jacksonville, their fut
ure home.
Best iodides and vegetable alteratives make
Ayer’s Sarsaparilla tne best blood medicine.
Ad.
C.TY BREVITIES.
The work of demolishing the old buildings
at Bull and State streets, running back to
Broughton street lane, and recently occu
pied bv Ldvingston, Gardner and Collman,
preparatory to the erection of the uo,v
building ou that site, began yesterday-.
Detective M irgan returned last night
from Augusta with Sebastian Garmova,
the Greek, thief, who robbed his friend of
352, au account of which appeared la the
Morning News at tuo time Garmoza
was locked up in jail to await his trial
before the superior court.
Alderman Harmon, chairman of the
street and lane committee, has undertaken*
a long-needed work in cleaning the Bull
street monuments. The Pulaski monu
ment looks almost like anew shaft
since it has been cleaned. S. E. Brown is
doing tho work under the direction of the
council committee.
For a disordered liver try Beecham’s
Pills.— Ad.
Funeral of W. I, Hnupt.
The funeral of the late W. L. Haupt took
place yesterday afternoon at Laurel Grove
cemetery. The funeral was very largely
attended, the deceased beiug a well-known
aud highly esteemed citizen. The funeral
services were performed by Rev. E. P.
Jones of Duffy Street Baptist church. A
detachment of twelve men from Company
Bof Che Guards and under command of
Capt. Screven, with Sorgts. Crane and
Bacon, attended as an escort cf honor, the
deceased being an honorary member of the
corps.
Hiss Feelay’s Funeral.
The funeral of Miss Catherine Feeley took
place from tho cathedral yesterday after
noon at 3:30 o’clock, and was la-gely at
tended. Vicar General Cafferty performed
the services at the church and the grave in
Cathedral cemetery.
Miss Feeley, whose death occurred Sun
day, was about 50 years of age and was a
native of Ireland. She was a sister of John
and Michael Feeley. The deceased lady
had many friends, to whom she was en
deared by her kind characteristics.
Simmons Liver Regulator is invaluable in
the nursery. It is a gentle laxative ami harm
less.— Ad._
AN EXHIBITION.
The Franco-American Food Company
Will give au exbibiti' n of their French
soups, game pates, entrees aud plum pudding
at the store of A, M. & C, W. West every
day this week. This company is noted for
their cleanliness in preparing thoir foods,
and the piquante flavor and excellency of
all their i roducts is unsurpassed and not
even equaled. The out Tic is invited to call
any day this week and make a practical
test by trying them, as this will bo the best
proof. A. M. & C. W. West.
— Ad.
Boys. “O Boys.’’t|
Altmayer’s are giving away 100 bicycles
in their hoys’ clothing department. You
stand a good chance of getting one.— Ad.
LTJDDKN A BATES S. M. H.
WEATHER PRoPABIUTIh-TUESriTZ '
Oenerallu fair and warmer weather *
STEINWAY,
ST El SWAY,
ST EINWAY,
All who are interested m
music are cordially invited
to visit our warerooms,where
we have now ready for in
spection the finest exam
ples of the celebrated pianos
of Messrs. STEINWAY &
SONS ever seen in this
city, We are now the
Soullicrn Wholesale Agents
FOR THE
STEINWAY,
And can offer to our cus
tomers EVERYTHING AT
PRESENT MOST DESIR
ABLE in the modern art of
piano building.
New York Prices.
Easy Terms.
L-& B.S.M.H,
DRY GOODS.
W_ iff.
In order to comply with the
wishes of our numerous patron;
who have not yet taken advan
tage of the very liberal discoun;
offered on all goods purchased al
o:ir store, we have decided tc
extend the same at the ahovt
reduction for two weeks longer.
u
CLOTHING.
EITRA=
—PANTS
FOR YOUR
BOYS
Are now needed, and our nominal prices wil
enable you to keep the boys snug and nice whil
winter lasts. .
tiffin
149 Broughton Street
Great Reduction
IN
SHOES.
We will not mention
prices, but refer you to oui
windows.
COKLAT’S
COAL AND AVOOD.
GOAL ANO WOOD
Of all kinds and sizes promptly delivered.
D. R. THOMAS,
111 JBay St. West Broad St. Wharves.
Telephone No. 63.
GROCERIES.
In Cliii
Saratoga Chips,
Canned Pumpkin,
Boston Brown Bread
—AT—
A.M.&C.’W. West’s
