Newspaper Page Text
6
GENERAL PRESENTMENTS.
(Continued from Fourth Paso.)
*d. and by results, which we believe to be
the practie.il way of testing It.
Section C of the allegation reads:
The city bought a ( superior gravel to
that put on Dale avenue for 15 cents per
cubic yard less than the county paid for
the greater part which they used and 5
cents per yard less than any that was
bought by the county.
We report as to section C:
We find that at tile time the city pur
chased gravel at $1.15 that the county had
the same price offered it.
Section 7 of the allegation reads:
The county’s superintendent was said
to be the agent of the Gravel Company
and did receive orders in his office in the
court house for about S9OO worth for the
Park and Tree Commission. The chair
man of the board did not deny this, and
also admitted that Chaplin went to Macon
in the interest of the Gravel Company.
We report as to section 7:
There has been no evidence of Ihe coun
ty superintendent or any county commis
sioner being inter---O'-'t in any manner
with the gravel company in tile purchases
from them. Judge Eve. president of the
gravel company, testifying that in no
manner, directly or indirectly, were any
rebates or commissions, in any shape, paid
or given to the county superintendent, or
to any commissioner or any employe of
the county, and that no rebates or com
missions could have been paid without his
knowledge and consent; Mr. Chaplin testi
fied that he did recommend the gravel to
the Park and Tree Commission, and se
cured an order from them, for which, lie
and Judge Eve both testify, no commission
was paid in any form, and Mr. Chaplin
admits that whilst a commissioner, he
went to Macon In the interest of the grav
el company for which his expenses of the
trip was paid, but no commission.
Section 8 of the allegations reads:
Feed to the amount of $22.07 was paid
for in May that was never received by ihe
county, some of it was located at the
superintendent’s house.
We report as to section 8:
The records show that five (5) sacks of
corn were reported as being received at
a time when Ihe county paid for ten (10)
sacks, but the weight reported as being
received corresponds with the weight
charged, showing a clerical error In enter
ing the number of sacks; It was admitted
that grain was sent to Supt. Chaplin’s
house, but that it was the feed for the
horse used by his assistant lu bis official
capacity.
Section 9 of the allegations reads:
The superintendent used convicts for his
own private work in the city. One in par
ticular, ■Neptune Golden; he was sent hack
to the camp for another pair of new shoes,
when the old ones were worn out.
We report as to section 9:
The evidence shows that Mr. W. F.
Chaplin, county superintendent, did use
the services of a county convict, Neptune
Golden, for his private work without au
thority, and during the term of said con
vict’s sentence.
Section 10 of allegations reads;
Private horse and cows were kept at
the camps for months and fed and groom
ed at the county’s expense. Bran was reg
ularly sent to camp where the cows were.
We report as to section 10:
Supt. Chaplin admits having had his
cow at the camp, but denies using the
county’s feed for her, and Mr. Shuman
testified that said cow was not fed at
county's expense, the testimony being that
the bran used at that camp was for an old
Eick horse, the property of the county.
Section 11 of the allegations reads:
Early In May, when I became uetlng
chairman of the committee on chain
gang, I learned from Capt. Wimberly, In
charge of the farm camp, that there was
no punishment for adultery or promis
cuous cohabiting, and that as many as
three women were In the Georgia Infirm
ary at one time for confinement, Ed Ford,
a negro, and Fanny Myers, a white wo
man, were caught in the act, and although
the matter was reported and proven to
the superintendent, and the chairman, the
negro was not punished in any way. He
was a trustee, whose duty was to wait .on
the quartermaster. He got so bold as to
tell some colored women on the road to
Sandfly Station what a fine time lie was
having with white women at the camp.
The captain put the man out at hard
work some time after, but when the su
perintendent came out he ordered him
right back to wait on the quartermaster,
although another man had been assigned
to that duty.
When I learned these facts, after a full
investigation, as acting chairman of the
committee on chain-gang, 1 ordered that
this man be put at hard labor for the
balance of his time, and to tell the supers
lntendent when he came out that I had
given positive orders to keep Ford at la
bor for the balance of his time, and not
allow him the freedom of the camp un
der any circumstances. I reported the
matter to the chairman of the board next
morning, and Insisted on his approval or
disapproval. That was on Tuesday morn
ing. The negro was never put out on the
work, and was given the balance of his
time he had to serve for good conduct,
and discharged on Thursday morning fol
lowing.
We report as to section 11:
The evidence shows that Illicit relations
did exist between Ed Ford and Fanny
Myers whilst In camp as prisoners, and
that neither party were punished for the
offense. It was shown that the man Ford,
instead of being punished, was allowed the
usual deduction of time'for good behavior,
nothw ithstanding the objection of Mr. Ke
hoe, then acting chairman of the chain
gang, the prisoner being discharged on
Thursday, which was two days after Mr.
Kehoe forbid his allowance of time for
good behavior.
The evidence is that this woman is not
white, and that she is an old offender,
and is now serving another sentence.
We find that three women were sent
from the camp in the infirmary to l*e con
fined for childbirth, but the date of the
birth in each case shows that the pregnan
cy occurred before they were taken in the
camps, and, therefore, no blame can be
attached to the county or its officers there
for.
Section 12 of the allegations reads:
The Buekhalter deal is simply a grand
echeme for the improvement and reclama
tion of a large section of land belonging
to the chairman, this year’s budget car
ries $3,000 for a trunk to be placed on his
land; that the Buckhainr scheme will be
any material benefit to the city of Savan
nah, every reputable ngineer or other dis
interested persons who have studied the
topography of the county disapprove of
this scheme.
We report as to section 12:
We can throw no light on Ihe Buckhal
ter swamp question, as it seems to be a
matter entirely or engineering opinion,
which future results will have to demon
strate whether wise or not.
Section 13 of the allegations reads:
Then there is the New Buekhalter road,
running from the Ogeqehee road 2 and 8-10
miles through swamp anil jurigie on an air
line, terminating on Buekhalter road, lead
ing up to the chairmnn’s gate.
We report as to section 13:
The commissions claim that this road is
a public benefit, and presented to us n
freely signed petition for its construction,
said petition containing about 135 names,
amongst whom are some of our best citi
zens.
Section 14 of the allegations reads:
Run-down mules and carts were bought
by Chaplin for SSO or $99 and hired to the
County at $7.50 per week In the name of
several different parties; money for hire
was brought to his house every Sunday
morning. Several time* the price of mules
and carts being paid in this manner and
he had better mules and carts to sell,
when work wns completed, than when It
commenced, as the stock was worked
light and'well fed and groomed.
We report as to section 14:
We find that whilst Mr. Chaplin was
commissioner he did hire teams to the
county for use on the road work, and re
ceived therefor the same compensation
as was allowed to any ar.d all other teams,
of which n great many were used; we
find that this was done with the consent
of the board, and with their full knowl
edge, and his name appears openly on the
pay rolls for team h.re, which pay rolls
were duly approved by the road committee
as correct, and then passed for payment
in regular form; in this connection, we
find ihat there were other instances where
members of the board were interest
ed In work done for, and supplies sold to
the county.
Section 15 of the allegations reads:
T also discovered that Chaplin was run
ning one man for two salaries, one place
at $6O and sandwiched in another place
at 445. Then the cots. The best bid ho
could get was $3.35. We had them made
at M.B7’-:..
We reiiort as to section 15:
The minutes, on pages 316 and "17, show
that by resolution, Mr. R. J. Wade was
discharged as a county employe, and was
Instructed to turn over ail books, accounts
and property to the quartermaster, Mr.
Stevens. Kvidence shows that Mr. Ste
vens continued for several months to fill
both positions, receiving the regular sal
ary as quartermaster, and $45 tier month
additional for his increased work, and that
these items are plainly shown on the pay
rolls, which were duly approved and paid
in regular form. The testimony os to the
OOIS varied as to whether the lower priced
cots were the cheapest in the end; the
price of cots submitted by Mr. Chaplin
was not a bid, but merely an open quota
tion for a particular make of col.
Section 16 of the allegations reads:
I also learn that there is quite a shav
ing shop run in the superintendent’s of
fice.
We report as to section 16:
It has been shown that J. W. Mclntyre
makes loans of money to court house em
ployes, for repayment on pay day, charg
ing about 16 per cent for fifteen or twenty
days; Mr. Ruben Butler also admits mak
ing loans to county employes, receiving
compensation therefor, and we recommend
that this practice be strictly prohibited.
Section 17 of the allegations reads:
The steam roller, Mr. Myers, who was
Mayor of the city at the time of the pur--
chase, told Mr. Dale and mysjelf that it
should have been bought for $2,300 or $2,400,
when we paid $3,200.
We report as to section 17:
This is simply an expression of opinion,
mo evidence l>elng offered that the roller
could have been secured for less than the
county paid for It.
Section 18 of the allegations reads:
The county gave Mr. Dale $3,000 to $5,000
each yenr to distribute In charity. He
never n>ode any report or statement to
even the members of the committee, and
when the movement was made to distri
bute through the Association of Organized
Charities, he cut the poor of the city off,
and made It $l,OOO for the county poor
outside of the city, ulthough I am quite
sure he did not distribute $lOO in the
county.
We report as to section 18:
The distribution of the poor
fund is in charge of
Mr. J. W. Mclntyre, and amounts to $196.00
cash per month, exclusive of cash paid for
groceries, etc.; for this work Mr. Mcln
tyre receives $25 per month out of the
$196.00, making $171.00 net in cash dis
tributed. a record of which Is kept in a
book used for that purpose. The chairman
of the boat’d has authority to decide who
shall receive these alms. In this connec
tion, we recommend that Mr. Mclntyre be
required to keep a pay roll to be signed
by those who participate In the fund, as
under the present system, there Is no
check whatever upon the disbursements.
On Nov. 8, 1893, Mr. Kehoe submitted the
following resolution, which was unani
mously Adopted, to-wlt:
“In the matter of the purchase of sup?
piles for Chatham county, the following
order was passed on motion of Commis
sioner Kehoe:
“Resolved, That all supplies, .etc., need
ed for this county be purchased by, the
clerk of this court, and that all requisi
tions for said supplies be made on said
clerk in writing.
Resolved, That the clerk shall keep
stubs iu his order book which shall con
tain duplicates of all orders given by him.
Resolved, further, That said order book
shall be subject to the inspection of any
member, of this at any ti-me during
office hours,"
Notwithstanding this rule, we find that
all Of the gravel used by the. county,
amounting to ov. r $59,900.00, was ordered
out by Superintendent Chaplin by his own
direction and without any observation of
this rule, and we likewise find that $1,339.93
worth of lumber was purchased at dif
ferent times by Chairman Dale without
following the prescribed rule.
We think there sViould be a change trl
the system of bookkeeping better adapted
to the Increased business of the county.
Nearly ($99,000.00) ninety thousand dol
lars have been expended on the roads of
the county, yet this only appears In the
general ledger under ft consolidated head
of “Roads and Bridges.” This account
apparently is more for the purpose of
showing the amounts expended out of the
annual appropriation for these objects
than for any other purpose.
Recently there has been kept in the of
fice of the Commissioner of Public Works
a sort of sub-ledger, showing the amounts
expended on the different roads and
bridges, but as there appears no reference
to any book or original entry, from which
this information is taken, its value as a
source of information Is greatly impaired.
It Is proper that the general ledger should
give these facts; it appears to us that
there Is an Immediate necessity for Ihe
employment of a first-class bookkeeper
(assuming that those who now do the
work have not the time) to reorganize the
system of keeping a record of the busi
ness passing through the commissioner's
office.
We have teen afforded every assistance
by the County Commissioners and the em
ployes of the county, and we are indebted
to the solicitor for his valuable assistance
at all times. Respectfully eubmitted.
George W. Tiedeman, Chairman,
Walter S. King,
Charles H. Dorsett,
John 11. Hunter,
Frank G. Bell.
ROADS, BRIDGES AND DRAINAGE.
The committee on roads, bridges and
drainage, under the charge of Ihe court,
has visited the several points herein re
ferred to, and beg to submit, in detail,
their report.
Augusta Road (Ju’nq 20)-,
The paved portion of the road la in vety
fair condition. Beyond tile four-mile post,
ihe unpaved portion requires a smali
amount of work in the way of filling up
holes, which are getting worse every day
by neglect. This is notably the ease near
the seven-mile post. At the "Five-mile
Bend’’ the road is greatly in need of drain
age. There la a large settlement at this
point, and their health must tie effected
by the ponds in Ihe road. At Cherokee
hill the road Is very heavy. This portion
of the road needs attention very much
and is greatly dreaded by the many coun
ty carts using the road. There is prob
ably more produce brought over this road
Into the city than by any other road. The
paving of the road from the four-mile post
to Monteith. or at least beyond Cherokee
hill would be of greater value to the city
commercially than the paving of any other
toad In the county.
Monteith Road (June 20)—
This road is in very fair condition, a
very little work in filling up holes and
preventing the water from settling in the
rpad would put this In very fair order.
THE MORNING NEWS: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 189S.
Louisville Road (June 22)—*
This road is paved to the five-mile post,
and to that point Is in good condition. Be
yond that point a very little work would
PUt the.road in fair shape. As on other
dirt roads, no attention is paid to repairs
uhtil they get very bad. Holes are left
until they grow to ponds. The roads are
ail too flat, some of them "dished” in
stead of being rounded to cast the water
off into side ditches. The drainage of this
road is notoriously bad, but that is located
under its proper head.
The Importance of Pooler as the home
of many of our cltixens and the use this
road is put to by the people of adjoining
counties, should be very strong arguments
for continuing the paving for at least four
miles more to Pooler. As the Central Rail
road parallels this road, the cost of paving
would be very much reduced.
Ogeechee Road (June 27)
The paving on this road Is in very bad
condition. There are holes that should
have attention at once, as they are in
creasing in size every day. A great por
tion of the road should be resurfaced to
save the foundation from destruction. The
material used on the surface, has been
washed or worn away, exposing the gravel
and broken stones, which are being knock,
ed out of place, leaving a hole, which
is widened by every passing vehicle. Be
yond the paved portion, particularly be
tween the nine and ten-mile posts, the
road is very' rough, and evidently has not
been worked xor some time. The durabil
ity of the work done on this road—the
paved portion—ls greatly impaired by the
total lack of drainage, keeping the founda
tion of the road moist and soft.
Quaco Road (June 27)
This road is in fair condition, requiring
only a little attention in the way of round
ing up and filling holes, to keep it up to
the standard qf our dirt roads—not a very
high standard, by the way.
Pine Barren Road (June 22 and 27)
The condition of this road is almost the
same as the Quaco road, requiring but a
moderate amount of work to keep it in
fair condition for the limited travel on it.
Middle Ground Road (June 30)—
The Middle Ground road gives no evi
dence of work having been done on it for
years. It is exceedingly heavy, and but
little used beyond Tatemville.
Dutch Town Road (June 30)—
Portions of this road are in very bad
condition, very much neglected, and re
quiring work to keep it in even fair or
der. Near its Junction with the White
Bluff road, there is a large settlement of
citizens, and their needs in this direction
should be regarded.
Buekhalter (June 30)—
This road, up to the Savannah, Florida
and Western crossing, Js In very fair con
dition, but the branch upon which the con
vict camp is located is sadly, neglected.
Just beyond the camp, there Is a large
pond, extending Into the land on eaeh side
of the road, ‘and into the yards of the
persons living near it. This must produce
sickness, and must certainly effect the
health of the camp. An hour's work of
the gang would remedy this and greatly
improve the road. Beyond the railroad
there is one of the worst roads in the
county, but as It is proposed to take out
the bends In it, and the work Is now' in
progress, these objections will soon cease
to exist.
Bee Road (July s)
The Bee road is poor, for its entire
length, In many places it is so badly wash
ed as to ba reduced to a gully, only
wide enough for one vehicle. Near the
Casey canal it is In dangerous condition
for night travel. In other portions, It is
exceedingly heavy with sand, and just
before its Junction with Skidaway road,
the road is lost In waier.
Skidaway Road (July 5) —
The Skidaway toad, from the four-mile
post, where the shells end, to the seven
mile post, where the gravel commences, is
exceedingly heavy. It has not been work
ed for years, and is a trial to man and
beast to travel. As this portion of the road
bounds the county’s land for quite a dis
tance, any Improvements made to It should
be returned to the county speedily, in the
enhancement of Its own property. The
causeway to the Isle of Hope needs grad
ing, and.a little work done at once will be
a great saving in the near future. There;
are decayed .planks in the floor of this
bridge. The hardening of this road waS
stopped at the causeway. From that point
to the church, which Is about the center
of the settlement on the Isle of Hope, is
less than a mile. The settlement being the
objective point, It seems to your commit
tee that this improvement was incomplete,
discontinued, before it was finished, by
stopping short of the terminus of the
route.
Causton Bluff Road (July 7)—
This road is said to have been aban
doned either for Its whole or a portion of
its length. Its condition warrants the re
port of abandonment. This is to be re
gretted, as It is one of the most pictur
esque and interesting drives near the city,
and terminates at a point connected with
the history of the civil war, which should
be interesting to citizens and strangers.
Ogeechee Avenue Road (July 8)
The Ogeechee Avenue road needs
straightening, and between that fact and
Ihe washing of the road, it has been worn
into a gully, rendering the passing of two
vehicles something of a problem. Even
the portion in the city limits is a reflec
tion upon the authorities who tax the
abutting property without giving anything
in return. The road, for its entire length,
gives no evidence of having been worked
in years.
Tremont Road (July 8)
This road, leading to the car works, is
very much used, and since it was first
opened has received no attention. It Is
very badly cut up by the heavy hauling
over it, and while it was proper to wait
for it to settle, the time has long passed
since that process was completed.
Montgomery Cross Road—
We find (his road in very good condi
tion. The paving seems to be holding up
well. Some of the culverts appeared to
be weak, and may blow out at any great
rainfall.
Waters Road—
The Waters road is in very good condi
tion. Like the other paved roads, we be
lieve that greater durability would have
been obtained if ditches had been dug the
entire length of the roads and made a part
of their construction. The earth taken
from them would have formed the crown
and if well rolled after grading, less gravel
would be necessary, and the hardening
material terminating at the ditch, the
road would be perfectly drained into the
ditches on both sides.
Dale Avenue—
This road being very new, only recently
completed, was In good order, with the ex
ception of the lack of provision for drain
age. This will become more apparent at
every hard rain, and will eventually have
to be provided for.
Garrard Road-
Tile Garrard road Is just being built
and has not progressed far enough to be
inspected.
Telfair Road—
The Telfair road is In very bad condi
tion in portions of it. There are spots of
fair driving, but It costs patience to reach
them.
Montgomery Road—
This road is very sandy, and in wet
weather almost Impassable. Portions of
the road are Immense ponds, without anv
good reason for It, except the lack of a
little work to carry off the water, outlets
being near by.
White Bluff Road—
We inspected this road Just after the
storm of Aug. 80 and found It In better
condition than might have been expected,
as to the roadbed. Your committee be
lieves that this should be a free road
und takes the liberty of bringing the mail
ter to your attention. The citizens living
on this road should enjoy the same privi
leges as do their fellow citizens who are
so fortunate as to live on the Augusta
and Igxuisville roa
Thunderbolt Roa'l
We found the r Ibed of this road In
vet>r fair condlt; an.l would apply to
thjs road the reni - made with reference
to tte White Bluff road.
Bay Street Extern-.on.
This road is in ged condition. The pav
ing seems to be c iring well.
White Marsh Islan : Itoad—
We inspected a i > lion of the roads on
this island. With very little work more
than can be acoonii'l -tied by the ordinary
road, hands, these i, ads would be In very
fair condition. A qKCial report on this
subject is made in reflection with another
matter.
The following roads we were unable* to
examine on account of the washing away
of bridges by the recent storm: Little
Ogeechee Neck, Fort Argyle and the
Chceves road. W, ■ ive also been unable,
for lack of lime, u> inspect the roads on
Wilmington, Skidaway and Ossabaw Isl
ands.
Bridges—
In the examinat of the bridges of the
county, we found -me of them needing
immediate repair, 1 took the liberty of
anticipating this i■ "ort, by reporting the
same to the comnn .oners as soon as no
ticed. This was e1..t0 only in cases when
delay was consid. red dangerous.
Pipe-Maker Bridg
'Phe northwest abutment is being under
mined by the defh won of the water from
the bed of the s'ream, caused by a cy
press stump. The wood-work of the bridge
is very much decare i in places.
Minis Canal Culvert—
This culvert Is badly cracked on both
sides of the road, apparently from a faulty
foundation. This crack is widening, and
we believe that tin culvert and the road
<s in danger.
Butcher Pen djiVcrt—
The culvert on the same road at the
Butcher Pen is also cracked.
Salt Creek Bridge
The stringer on the south side of this
bridge has entirely rotted away.
Owens Canal—
. There are four or five decayed planks
,in the floor of this bridge.
Canal Bridge-
One sleeper in the bridge over the canal
on the Quaco road has rotted away and
needs attention at once.
Middle Ground Road-
Near the four-mil- post on the Middle
Ground road a wooden trunk across the
road has rotted and caved in, making a
dangerous trap for a horse at night.
Bee Road—
There are two decayed planks in the
bridge 'over the Del tonne canal on the
Bee road. Tho bridge over the Casey
canal on tills road is in a dangerous con
dition,,stringers and part of the floor rot
ted.
Skidaway Road—
The following bridges on this road are
in bad condition: ’’ 'Possum bridge.” one
near six-mile post, one between the six
and seven-mile post.
Causton Bluff Road—
The bridge on this road is entirely oown.
Ogeefchee Avenue—
The first bridge on this road, near the
old Bilboa farm, and also the one near
Lamar canal, and near Southover, are all
in bad order—one of them badly careened.
Telfair-
Two planks In the bridge over the canal
on this road are badly decayed, arid the
bridge near the Bburquin land has floated
away.
Montgomery Road -
The bridge at the Menahavts Place on
this road is partiady burned and is badly
caved from washes.
Dean Forest—
The bridge -over tho canal on this road
hits fallen and cannot be used.
“Tift atfo\c tt fe re.-Tfcre before
(fie storm of Auc. 30. No examination
of bridges has- been made since.' A great
deal of crude work is noticeable in the
bridges through the county. A small in
vestment in and use of nails would save
to the county many months in the life
of many of the bridges.
Drainage—
As far as It has been possible we have
examined the drainggejn conjunction with
the roads. ThesAkiiiCe-*of a part of our
committee on special work for the grand
jury and the condition ol the country since
the storm has prevented as thorough work
on the drainage as we expected to give It.
Augusta Road—
Tii,. Dundee canal was cleaned of vege
tation-as far as the eye could reach from
the road, but Just around the curve of the
canal, where it could not be seen from
the road, the work had stopped. As the
object of the work should be the perfect
ing of the drainage, the portion done was
useless, and suell neglect should be In
vestigated by the fcomrriiSsioners and those
responsible for it should be reprimanded.
This canal has been stopped north of
the Central Railroad track, leaving un
dratned some of the foulest places in the
county. Along the line of the Central
Railroad and along the line of the Louis
ville road, also between the Louisville
road and the Florida Central and Penin
sular Railroad, ther£ are stagnant ponds,
green with malarial poison, and which
could be put in a sanitary condition, if
thi* canal hud been continued as planned.
This section of the county is in bail con
dition and much of it could be Improved
if some agreement could be made between
the Central Railroad and the county au
thorities for the use of the Ogeechee canal
for drain;'ge purposes.
On the Ogeechee road we find practi
cally no drainage at all, after leaving the
Minis canal, There was much standing
water licforo ths storm, ditches that ex
isted years ago, which If opened would
relieve the situation, were grown up and
pipe culverts laid when the road was built
are too high to carry off the water.
On the White Bluff road we find all of
the ditches grown up.
Lamar canal has been cleaned only In
spots. These drains west of Louisville
were grown up with weeds, and the cul
verts stopped.
The drains just west and south of
Twelfth street, passing through the Baker
land and emptying into Minis canal, is ob
structed.
East of the White Bluff road the drain
age is in better condition than on the
west side, but in many places, we found
the drains foul, to wit; In East Savannah,
portions of the Placentia drain, ditches
near six-mile post on the Skidaway road,
and much standing water on the land near
the four-mile post on same road.
The same careless and partial cleaning
noted in the Dundee canal exists in the
Casey canal and the Deßenne canals, In
the vicinity of the Bee road.
We also call attention to the condition
of the drainage at Pooler. The citizens
complain that the canal stops at Harden
swamp and that in consequence lands are
flooded and farms rendered unhealthy that
were not previously in that condition.
They claim that the right-of-way will be
given to extend this drain to the Ogee
ehee canal, which would remedy the evils
complained of.
With the very large force at the com
mand of the commissioners the county
ought to he kept In a sanitary condition.
A small squad, kept constantly cleaning
the several drains, could keep them in
good working order the year around. Re
spectfully submitted,
A. W. Harmon.
, W, S. King.
C. H. Dorsett.
D. B. Morgan.
H. M. Branch.
ROADS—SPECIAL REPORT.
In the matter of the petition presented
in person by Col. John Screven and Maj.
N. O. Tilton and signed by over fifty
prominent citizens and taxpayers, asking
for certain work on White Marsh Island,
we beg respectfully to report:
On the 9th of'September your committee
visited and walked over the greater por
tion of the route of the road and found
much less work to be done than they ex
pected.
No work lit asked, to be done on Wil
mington Island. This the citizens expect
to do. They ask the County to 'build a
bridge over Turner’s ereek at the oyster
factory on Wilmington Island to-connect
that island With White Marsh Island.
On White Marsh Island the Confeder
ate Military road still exists and Is well
preserved, requiring only that the earth
from the ditches be thrown In the middle
of the road, where it Is worn down to the
cedar and pine roots. There would also
have to he built at either end of this
old road two short pieces of new road, in
the one case to connect with the bridge
over Turner's creek and in the other
rase to extend to a point opposite Thun
derbolt as near thereto as It could be
brought. These citizens would operate a
ferry from Thunderbolt to this nearest
point on White Marsh.
Having gone over most of the ground,
we found no physical difficulties in the
way, the nature of the work being the
same as the road work done in other parts
of the county by the convict force. With
the facilities possessed by the county, the
amount of road work would be small as
compared with that done in different por
tions of the county. The bridge over the
crock would require mdfe .expert labor,
but much of it could bit aone by the con
victs. - w
So greatly do these citizens feel the
need of this convenience that Capt. Au
gustus Oemler, representing them, offers
to the committee,the following help:
Thirty colored hands will give a month's
work each, if the work is not done when
they are in the midst of their oystering
and fishing season; the land-owners will
give all of the timber needed; Capt. Oem
ler will donate the entire large lot of
shell now at the oyster factory, and also
the output of the winter, which he will
not only donate, but will load on lighters,
if moored in reach of his runs.
.Inasmuch as Wilmington island has de
veloped into a summer resort, second only
to Tybee and Is capable of very much
greater development, and White Marsh
Island Is equally desirable, we feel that
this request, from a large number of In
fluential citizens, who haye expended
money on these islands, suoul'd not be dis
regarded.
We. therefore, report favorably upon the
petition, and ask that the petition, with
this report, and the United States coast
survey chart accompanying it, be trans
mitted to the County Commissioners, with
the respectful request that they have the
route surveyed and staked out and an
estimate of the cost of the work, and
that the work lie done, unless the cost is
found to be very much greater than the
amounts expended in other portions of the
county. Respectfully submitted.
A. W. Harmon.
W. S. King.
D. B. Morgan.
C. H. Dorsett.
H. M. Branch.
CONVICTS.
Tour committee beg leave to report that
we visited the poor farm on the afternoon
of the 21st. Inst. We found 24 men prison
ers, 33 boys and 20 women. Of this number
there were 3 women sieje and 6 men.
We found the sick wonfen in
the general sleeping apartments. We
would suggest that It might be
best to have all sick prisoners kept in
the hospital, or in an apartment set aside
for that purpose. The prisoners seemed to
be in a healthy, good condition.
We find a great many young boys
amongst these prisoners, and we suggest
that it might be better to separate them,
if it is possible to do so.
Upon examination, we find the sleeping
apartments and the bedding not as clean
and nice as we expected to And it; the
mattresses are old, and should be changed
as often as possible for the health of the
prisoners.
t\ e are informed that there are about
300 acres under cultivation. Bast year, the
farm yielded about 1,300 gallons of syruf*
1.800 bushels of corn, and about 600 bush
els of potatoes. They expect to make a
much better crop this year.
The camp is very nicely arranged, clean
and well supplied with good artesian wa
ter.
On the‘2Bth your committee visited Buck
halter camp. We found there 75 men and 6
boys—4 sick with syphillis. Your commit
tee think that these prisoners should not
be allowed to sfeep In the same apart
ments as the others, their disease being of
a contagious character.
We would lecommend that a cooking
shed be built at this camp, as there is no
place in which they can cook during wet
weather.
There Is considerable complaint from the
prisoners regarding the quality of the rice
and molasses furnished them at this camp.
We examined-the quality of both and
found that they were Inferior.
The camp is clean and well kept, but the
bedding seemed to be old, and about in
the same condition as we found at the
poor form.
On July 6th we visited the jail. We
found there 58 prisoners, 40 colored men, 11
white, one white woman, and 6 colored
women. The apartments were clegn and
well kept, and the prisoners in a healthy
condition.
We visited Oarrfjj No. 3, located near the
new road, this afternoon, Sept. 1, and En
gineer Brown, In charge of the camp re
ported 28 men. The storm having blown
down their tents, the prisoners were all
moved over to the County Farm. Work
has been suspended on the road on account
of the wet weather. Respectfully submit
ted. W, C. McDonough, Chairman,
Win. G. Cooper,
Clayton R. Woods,
Geo. W. Tiedeman.
MAGISTRATES.
“We have carefully examined the dock
ets of the magistrates and notaries public,
and found all neatly and correctly kept.'
We found several cases where Magistrate
McLeod King of the Seventh district,
had issued criminal warrants for the pur
pose of collecting store accounts due by
employes of the Ocean Steamship Com
pany and the Central Railroad of Georgia
and we recommend that a case be made
against him and that he be suspended
pending trial.
Respectfully submitted,
John H. Hunter,
W. C. Neidlinger,
A. C. Harmon.”
INDORSEMENTS.
The following resolution was unanimous
ly passed by this grand Jury, and ordered
to be incorporated in the general present
ments:
"Whereas, by the act creating the At
lantic circuit It is specially provided that
the Judge of that circuit may aid in the
disposition of the business of Chatham
county, and Chatham county Is therefore
directly Interested' in the Judgeship of said
circuit, we indorse Hon. George T Cann
for Judge of the Atlantic Circuit, believ
ing him by character, ability and experi
ence fully qualified to satisfactorily flu
that position; and we request our senator
and representatives to use all honorable
means to secure his election.”
We return our thanks *o your honor for
the very able charge given us at the be
ginning of the term, and for the courte
sies extended us during our service. To
the Solicitor General, Mr. W. W. Osborne
we are Indebted for his kindnes and as
sistance and thank him for the same. We
deem it appropriate to compliment him for
his prompt prosecution of the criminal
cases which have arisen duriag our term
of service. Justice Is seldom meted out as
promptly to offenders as has been the case
in Chatham county during the past few
months.
We recommend the publication of these
presentments in the Savannah Morning
News and the Savannah Press, and that
the clerk of this court be required to sand I
a certified cony of these presentments to
the County Commissioners.
Respectfully submitted.
J. A. G. Carson, Foreman,
Clarence'S. Connerat,
Geo. W. Tiedeman,
Walter S. King,
H.-M. Branch, -
David B. Morgan,
A. W. Harmon,
W. C. Neidlinger,
Wm. Q. Cooper,
A. C. Harmon, *
R. L. Rockwell,
* Frgnk G: Bell,
Charles H. Dorsett,
i-;. OabaiiUs, *
Peter Reilly,.
John H. Hunter, ,
W. C. McDonough,
R. D. Lattimore,
Clayton R. Woods,
Adolph Berg.
Publication ordered as recommended In
open court. R. Falligant, Judge.
Sept. 18, 1898.
PLUG TOBACCO COMBINATION.
A Deni on nt St. Lonis to Perfect n
Gigantic Consolidation.
St. Louis, Sept. 19.*-The Republic to
morrow will say:
“It can be stated upon authority that
cannot lie questioned that the deal for the
organization of the Continental Tobacco
Company is again on. this time with the
chances largely In favor of Its consum
mation. The scheme Is to form a corpora
tion with a capital stock sufficiently large
to enable It to take in all of the plug
tobacco factories in the United States,
including the big independent plants of
the Liggett & Myers and Drummond To
bacco Companies of this city. The Amer
ican Tobacco Company is behind the deal
and it was behind the one which fell
through several weeks ago.
“If the deal goes through the Independ
ent plants here will become part and par
cel of the Continental Company, while
the cigarette factories, which they are op
erating in order to even up with the Amer
ican company for entering the plug field,
will be merged into the American com
pany.
President Duke of the American Tobac
co Company is In the city. He declares he
is her# on personal business in connec
tion with the management of the Ameri
can company’s plant in this city, and that
his company has nothing ttf do with the
rumored deal. He has refused to discuss
the organization of the Continental com
pany.
The president of one of the largest to
bacco concerns in the United Slates told
a reporter of the Republic to-day that
the outcome of the negotiations would be
a combination of all the plug manufac
turers in the country at an early date,
even if the present deal fails.
WAIFS FROM WASHINGTON.
Interesting- Items Concerning; tlie
People of Wilkes Connty.
Washington, Ga., Sept. 19.—The public
schools opened last week with the largest
attendance In their history. There has re
cently been added an additional grade to
the high school and the schools are now
equal to the best.
We have had no rain in this section for
more than a week, and begin to hope that
the rainy season is over.
Many hearts here were rejoiced to hear
that the Second Georgia would soon be
mustered out, as the boys from this coun
ty were most of them enlisted in that reg
iment.
At the commitment trial of W. P. Harp
er for the killing of R. D. Wallace, Harp
er was bound over to the Superior Court
for Involuntary manslaughter under a
bond of $750.
Last week a negro man, whose name we
did mot learn, was struck in the head with
a rock by another negro. The blow did
not seem to be serious, as the man walked
home that night, but he died before morn
ing from congestion of the brain.
FIXING FOB CANDLER’S COMING.
A Ronslngr Bnrbeene Will Be Given
Him In DnnglßS.
Douglas, Ga., Sept. 19.—0n Saturday
last Hon. F. G. dußignon notified Chair
man F. Willis Dart that Hon. Allen D.
Candler, Georgia’s next Governor, would
address the people of Coffee county at
Douglas on Oct. 1, and the Democrats at
once went to work to give the biggest
barbecue ever given In the county in
honor of the occasion, with an invitation
for everybody to attend.
The Rep-Pop-fusion people, believing
that opposition is the life of trade, even
in politics, now announce that J. R. Ho
gan, J. Moses Wilkinson and Ben Milli
ken will, on the same date, speak at Nich
ols, and they will have a big barbecue
there, with seven beeves, ten sheep and
five hogs already subscribed.
However, it is thought that this little
scheme will not materially lessen Mr.
Candler’s audience.
PHOHIBITIOMST A SALOONIST.
He Battled for Prohibition to Kill
the Dispensary Proposition,
Washington, Ga., Sept. 19.—The prohibi
tion campaign in this county, which term
inated so triumphantly for the prohibi
tionists, had some unique features. One
of these was that one of the leaders of the
prohibitionists had been, and is still the
leading saloon keeper in the place. The
choice was between prohibition and the dis
pensary. and of the two he chose the lesser
evil—as he conceived it.
Now it transpires that according to the
present iaw the barrooms must be closed
in thirty days time, Instead of being al
lowed to hold over until the expiration of
their licenses. It is said that this bar
keeper-prohibitionist has employed a law
yer to fight this phase of the law.
DOUGLAS DOTS.
Otl F. Fanlkner Died Saturday Nenr
l’hil lip’s Mill.
Douglas, Ga., Sept. 19.—Otis F. Faulkner,
formerly of the firm of Faulkner & Harper
of this city, died near Phillips’ Mill on
Saturday nlgh||last from hemorrhage of
the bowels.
The Douglas Institute now numbers sev
enty-seven pupils and will reach the one
hundred mark w'ithin four weeks.
Politics in Coffee county is at white heat,
and both sides express themselves as con
ifident of victory. The contest will be bit
ter and c-Tose.
A CALL TO REV, LOA'E.
First Baptist Church at St. Lonis
AVants Him,
Omaha, Neb., Sept. 19.—E. K. Love of
Georgia, who Is said to be pastor of the
largest negro church In America, has been
tendered a call to the First Baptist Church
of St. Louis. He was here with a large
delegation of negro preachers, who visited
the exposition to-day, and left to-night’
for Georgia. He addressed an audience
here to-night of White people. He was .In
vited to lecture in the leading white
church to-morrow night.
JACKSONVILLE’S CAMP ALL RIGHT.
Chief Snrgreon L. M. Mnus’ Report to
Gen. Lee.
Washington, Sept. 19.—The following re
port has been received at the war depart
ment, showing the condition of the camp
at Jacksonville, Fla. It is addressed ip
Gen. Lee and signed by the chief surgeon,
L. M. Maus:
“I have the honor to state that the dail -
sick report of the three division
tn this corps, shows 669 undergoing treat
ment. There are only a few of the e is. ,
undergoing treatment in the division hos
pitals that are of a serious nature an l
these are principally typhoid fever whie i
infection was brought to Jacksonville l,y
the regiments coming here. Those treated
in quarters are. as a rule, slight ailments
and are scarcely worth mentioning sudi
as diarrhea, headaches, and men excused
from duty on account of fatigue. The
health of this corps, in my opinion may
be regarded as excellent. The water sup
ply to the troops of this corps comes from
artesian wells about 800 to 1,000 feet be
low the earth’s surface, and is saturat. i
with sulphuretted hydrogen gas, whip
quickly evaporates after being expos,,! to
the air. 1 regard the water supply per.
feet.
“The grounds occupied by the three di.
visions are excellent for camping purposes
and are supplied with every facility Ur
disposing of garbage, night soil, etc. in
my opinion, Jacksonville is ope of the
healthiest places in the United States for
the encampment of troops. I believe that
the results of the sick report will show
this at the end of the season if W e are
permitted to remain here until the corns
goes to Cuba. Th 4 three division hospi--
al9 nre completely organized and are la
thorough running order. They are well
supplied with tents, cots, kitchens, nurs* s
and a competent medical staff, Tlie quar
termaster’s department supplies us with
the necessary tentage, and the medical
department with the necessary medical
supplies. The three division ambulance
companies are also thoroughly organized
and In running order, as well as the re
serve ambulance company. The personnel
of the hospital corps of this command
consists of about seventy-five medical of
ficers, seventh-five hospital steward"
thirty acting hospital stewards, ami -,i)
privates. The system of transferring en
listed men from the volunteer regiments
to the hospital corps has works admira
bly. Most of the men serving now in this
corps have been gotten from that source.
A great many of these men were excellent
nurses, and the others have become qu ia
proficient in the last two or three months
“The condition of the medical depart
ment, and the health of the corps nny
be regarded as satisfactory, and that tli’a
amount of sickness is extremely small to
the number of men in the corps."
MILLS HANGED FOR MURDER.
His Companion In Crime Fnt On
Trinl nt Clinton.
Little Rock, Ark., Sept. 19,—Lee Mills
was hanged St Heber, the county seal of
Cleburne county, last Friday.
The execution was witnessed by 3,000 peo
ple.
Cleburne is a sparsely settled mountain
county far from telegraph or railroad
communication.
The crime for which Mills was hanged
was the murder of Hugh Patterson, near
Clinton, last winter. Patterson was a pen
sioner and was reputed to have consider
able money hoarded away in his house.
Lee Mills and Will Harding, two young
white men, went to the Patterson "home
for the purpose of robbery. They met
with resistance and a terrible fight lie.
tween the robbers and the family ensued,
in which Patterson was killed and three
members of his family shot and stabbed.
Qn the gallows Mills made a full con
fession, but placed the blame for con
ceiving the crime on Hardin. He met
his death without flinching. Hardin was
nut on trial to-day at Clinton. Mills was
at one time a candidate for sheriff.
m ~m
WORKMAN 4 |
who carries a p|ig
pail finds he fipSa
can better fLJpii
afford a
Monarch &J
Bicycle Jp
nt its little cost, and take hl recreation
so, than to spend all his wages for what
will bring him no genuine good.
Ifii 111 rig;ht, ride enny, none betten,
*OB MONARCUS *SO AND *6O.
>O7 MON VRCHS $33
MONARCH CYCLE MFG. CO.
CHICAGO. NEW YORK.
WANTED, live agents In Savannah and
vlcinh>u_^_
Savannah Building
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Interior damaged by storm promptly
put In good condition by us at reasonable
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Let us estimate on your painting and
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SAVANNAH
OIL and GASOLINE
DELIVERY,
p. O. BOX 19. TELEPHONE 40b
Just telephone or drop us a jrostal when
you wane oil or gasoline, and you will o®
surprised how quick we will serve yo u -
Also OAK and PINE WOOD.
Pine 73c; three cut 85c.
Mixed 90c; three cut 90c.
Oak $1.00; three cut SI.OO.
J. P. CORDRAS .
Broughton and Price-
SEED RYE.
Southern Coast Raised.
HAY, GRAIN, BRAN, COW AND
CHICKEN FEED, etc.
X. J, DAVIS,
Thone 223. U 8 Bay Street, Wert,