Newspaper Page Text
V'
j^ior Court in Session.
i«e Sp ence organized the fall
’ the Superior Court on
onday. The grand jury,
u R. D. Carr, of Donalson-
foreman, was sworn in and
work, and have con tin*
Hr work until today at noon
they adjourned until Monday
the n to resume their work,
account of sickness in the
family all civil business
usually tried during the
lie of the session, was con-
until an adjourned term to
Isome time in January. The
.J return on next Monday
the trial of criminal business
jpn. The Sutton kidnapping
probably be tried first,
(d by the other criminal
the docket. There will
ijra l murder cases, among
that of Culpepper for the
of Folds at Donalsonville.
je number of witness in that
iborhood nave been subpoe-
and the trial will occasion
lerable interest. It is thought
the criminal business will
ie the entire week. Solicitor
Wooten is on hand and is
eek assisting the grand jury
deliberations.
lh MP «*tv i M'jO 3tl Uj V*tlO W*"
V v V » t # •*
The Bainbridge Search Light
NUMBER 2.
BAINBRIDGE,
DECATUR COUNTY, GEORGIA, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER S, W04. ' , J . 1 , !
=*= =T
$1.00 YEAR IN ADVANCE
u . HV
OFFICIAL ORGAN
OF DECATUR COUNTY'AND CITY 1 OF BAINBRIDGE. ■ •
- .. v ' - -• - a La. « . A A-,—
* V. ».
Negro Badly Injured,
tgro, Henry Johnson from
town near Quincy, Fla.,
lother negro whose identity
t yet been discovered, be
ngaged in an altercation, on
:oming A. C. L. train on
iy morning, and in the fracas
sued Johnson was shoved
ie train by the other negro,
lin was near Climax, and
rapidly when the accident
iscovered. The train was
d immediately, the injured
picked up and the matter
gated. Johnson was found
adly hurt, one eye being
i shoulder and several bones
. The negro who pushed
)m the train could not be
and it is presumed that he
i from the train and made
ape. Johnson is in a ser-
mdition and may die as a re
of his injuries. He was
it to Bainbridge and from
'as carried to his Florida
by private conveyance.
McNair-Welch.
ihe home of Miss Hattie
son, the bride’s aunt, on
esday evening Miss Rebecca
lit and Mr. Chas. M. Welsh
united in marriage. The
was artistically decorated in
m leaves and flowers and
anumber of the friends of
teting parties were present
Iness the simple but beauti
rcmony, which was performed
w.J.T. Ryder.
the ceremony an informal
•ion was held, and hearty
Mutations and good wishes
showered upon the newly
Kd pair.
* bride is the daughter of Mr.
McNair, of Recovery, and
W in this city for several-
r She is a charming and
•plished young woman and is
P°pular among a wide circle
both here and her for
lon 'e. Mr, Welch is one of
(08t prominent and successful
Jfctors in the city and is
I ^teemed by every one.
Mrs. Welch will begin
|^ ee ping a t once in a lovely
jWtage on West Street
f*** ei >d our congratulations
jr* 1 wishes for the future
H** 5 and prosperity of the
Rtcup’.e,
Apparatus Soon to Arrive.
The appaiatus for the new firr
department which was ordered
from a factory in Michigan several
months ago, has been completed,
and the latest news from the fac
tory is that it will arrive in Bain-
bridge on or about December ist.
This is good news to the citizens
as fires have been frequent ot late
and we are poorly prepared to pro
tect the property of the town.
The apparatus, already ordered,
we understand, is a one horse
combination wagon, with 800 feet
of hose, two trussed ladders anti
two chemical extinguishers. Two
expert firemen will be employed at
first to take charge ot these fire
fighting appliances and respond
promptly to all fire alarms. The
volunteer companies will be kept
in tact and will be expected to as
sist at all fires. The old hose
reels will be kept in different parts
the city for immediate use in
case of a fire. Under this system
the city will be well protected in
case of fire and our citizens may
feel more secure in their homes
and property.
No Bill for Baggs.
The grand jury in session this
week for the second time investi
gated the duel between Mercer
Baggs and John Hunter which
occurred last spring and in which
Hunter was killed. It will be
remembered that these gentlemen
had been business partners and
had fallen out and when they met
early one morning on the street
both began shooting instantly with
the result that Hunter was in
stantly killed and Baggs badly
injured.
The grand jury at the May term
investigated the matter and failed
to find a bill against Baggs. and
the present grand jury having
made a similar finding no further
action can be taken and the mat
ter is at an end. Mr. Baggs’
friends are congratulating him on
the results.
Serious Case of Kidnapping.
The Cradle Roll.
The Presbyterian Sunday School
has a new department in the
Cradle Roll. The school is doing
a good work and invite the help
and presence of all the parents of
children who attend, or who wish
to attend. The attendance is
larger than it has been for years
This Cradle Roll Depaitment is
composed of the babies of the
church and congregation who are
under four years of age. Their
names are enrolled on a beautiful
register, which is hung in the
Sunday School room, and then
they are under the care of the
Cradle Roll superintendent and
the school until they are four years
old when they are expected to
come to Sunday School regularly.
The pastor, Bro. F. Perkins,
with the three superintendents
viz. Mr. J. S. Bradwell, general
superintendent, Mrs. F. Perkins,
primary superintendent. Miss Lu-
e ;ie O’Neal, Cradle Roll superin
tendent, are anxious and glad to
receive any encouragement from
the parents of the children.
On last Sunday special exercises
were prepared for two of the
babies, Edith Caldwell and Ruth
Perkins, their birthdays having
come during the preceding week
“Marcelie", the book of Misses
Willibert Davis and Claudia Bran-
non will arrive in Bainbridge
day .nil willbeonarle « SnbOT
Jewelry Store and the^Oak ^y
Drug Company. ’
*,.00 with a few in limp leather
with cover photo at £2.00 per t p
A matter of unusalpublicjuteri
est was the kidnapping last Thurs
day night of Alice Skelton, a
young girl eleven years old, by O.
N. Sutton, a married man and a
bar tender on Water street, in this
city.
The child was missed from her
home that night and investigation
led to the arrest and imprisonment
of Sutton as the kidnapper. It ap
pears trom the best sources of in
formation obtainable that Sutton,
while living across the street from
the home of the Skeltons, who
were the adopted parents of Alice,
had formed quite an infatuation
for her, she being an exceedingly
beautiful and precocious child.
Unfortunately for Sutton he had
expressed in no uncertain term9
his desire to possess the girl, it is
said, to several parties, who im
mediately upon her disappearance
indicted Sutton as the guilty party,
which led to his arrest.
It appears that Thursday night
while Alice was at play with her
little friends at the Skelton home
Sutton drove up in a buggy and
took or enticed her into his buggy
and drove away, telling her that
they were going for a drive. But
instead he kept driving and took
her to the home ot a Mr. Russell
in Baker county, who was a. kins
man of his. After leaving her
there Sutton returned to Bain
bridge, reaching here the next
morning about day.
In the mean time search had
been made for the girl and sus
picion pointed to Sutton and his
arrest followed. At first he re*
fused to tell anything, but when
he was told that sentiment against
him was very strong and that there
were rumors of mob violence un
less he should tell what he had
done with the girl, he confessed
that he had taken her away and
told also where she could be found
As soon as it was known that
Sutton had told where the girl
was, his attorney and a friend, Mr.
Henry McMurria, set out .in a
team to reach her before her
friends and the officers should ar
rive. After a start of considerable
time the officers found this out
and then began a race for the girl.
Bob Dean, the deputy sheriff, the
girl’s step father, Mr. Skelton, and
Mr. Brackin set out in one ot
Brackin’s swiftest teams and by
driving at break neck speed for
several hotits arrived in ftiket
county first and took possession of
the girl and brougkt-her back to
Bainbridge.
. Alice, while only 11 years of age,
is v.ell developed for her age and
is pretty and intelligent Her
story of the incident is directly
contrary to that told by Sutton
She says that she was forced to ac
company him and that it Was
against her will that he tooli her
trom Bainbridge. When a feto
miles from the City she Isays that
Sutton made certain attempts’ up
on her person that she tekeiil£d
with all her might, and' in ' the
struggle articles of apparal were
torn I rum her, This is Corfobor
.iU«l from Vhc fact 'that' It! Sut
ton's buggy, after his 1 ' return on
Friday morning, sOme ot tfiesfc ar
tides were foCfml, Diultdrs exdm*
ined tne child after her return abd
found that there was evidence
of an attempt at physical violence,
and that she w^s safe front harm
Theoccurrance his caused moire
excitement here than anything
that has happened in a long time
Crowds were gathered everywhere
discussing the matter and it was
with considerable difficulty" that
they were restrained from Meet
ing out summary punishment to
the perpetrator of what was con
sidered a dastardly crime. How
ever, as the court was near at hand
when the case could be dealt with
Six Weeks *1 S«ta*ss.
The announcement was made
on Monday that for the ensuing
six weeks tfie city would lie forced
to do without electric lighting, ow
ing to an accident which occurred
at the plant last week. On last
Saturday rii^ht, a well underneath
the light building caved in, caus
ing a portion ot the wall to fail
and so jarring the remaining por
tions of the building that it will be
impossible to operate ihe plant for
some time.
At the last meeting of the coun
ctl, as we stated last week, it was
decided to m6ve the" plant fron
its present location and to install
n,ew machinery tfifdughouf. The
accident of Saturday renders it
necessary to 1 mhve the plant at
once and to Hasten the ' prepara
tions for the new plant. However
af the very earliest,'It will be * sfx
weeks belore the View machinery
can arrive ahd be 'installed! and
during that time the people of tHe
pity will be compelled to be con
tent with dark streets and must
yesort to the use of lamps in Ihe
homes and stores. ' At tbe expi
ration of that'fiVne 'the' new plant
will be ready ahd we ' understand
that there can 1 be no' {wsAiblfc Coth-
plaint, and the new s^itim tflll Ms
perfect AccidChts Will ' happen,
30 we must deceit the situation
gracefully, get 'out our laVhps ahd
see that they are trimmed and
burning. ’ 1
Belcher Bros, the Millers.
, , ... We Wish to call the especial at
when the case could be dealt with Qur readers t0 the tw0
speed.1v by law and the defendant aJ ne|cher whirh
given the benefit of ms defenses, . ... . ,
appears in this issue of our paper,
Belcher Bros, arc known through
out the county as being one ot the
lowest priced large firms in the
city, and a look at the prices listed
in their ad will convince any pur
chaser that it is to his advantage
to call at this store before invest
ing his money in any kind of dry
goods. In their ad this week they
show a large line of every kind of
dry goods and groceries at the
most reasonable prices to be found
anywhere aud it will pay you to
pay them a visit when in need of
anything in their line of business
whatever they may be, there was
no further talk of mob law. The
grand jury began its session Mon
day and gave the Sutton case first
consideration and quickly indicted
him in two bills, one for kidnap
ping and the other for attempted
criminal assault. Judge Spence
immediately called the case for
trial but as the defendant was
ready he passed the case until next
Monday, when his counsel were
notified that the trial would be
had. It is said that Messrs. Shef
field, I’owell of Blakely, and Geer
of Colquitt, will be the attorneys
for the defendant. Some mem
bers of the local bar will assist the
solicitor in the prosecution. The
trial will create considerable inter
est and the outcome will be watch
ed with interest.
Death of Mrs. S. M. Brown.
Mr-. S. M. Brown passed peace
fully away from this life Monday,
November 14 th ; at 8 °’ clock P- m>
Mrs. Brown, who was Miss
Eldorendo Virginia Higgs, was
born in Covington, Ga„ December
n, 1835
She was left an orphan when
only seven years of age and was
raised by her grand father, Judge
I P. Henderson, who was for
thirteen years State Agricultural
Commissioner ot Georgia,
In 1853 she married Mr. S. M.
Brown. She taught school in
Alabama, and in Miller, Baker and
Decatur counties in Georgia.
She instructed her school chil
dren with love. Her life seemed
to lift others with her, and to help
the sorrowing along with their
burdens.
Those who knew her best, loved
her most, and her teachings and
influence will be long remembered
in this community.
She was a member of the Bap
tist church at this place, and was
a devoted Christian, a true friend,
a loving wife and tender mother.
Q. P. & A. Office) Moved.
The general offices of the G. F
& A. railroad were moved this
week from thebuildi ng on West
Street where they have been
located for the past two years into
the new offices fitted upjfor them
above the telegraph office in the
new Shingler block. Seven large
rooms have been specially prepared
for the G. F. & A. officials, and
they are much more conveniently
and comfortably situated than
before.
The building vacated which is
owned by President J. P. AVilliams
will be renovated and improved
and rented as a dwelling house.
Many join in sympathy to the
aged companion with whom she
journeyed along life’s road for
more than fifty years, and to her
six weeping children who will see
“mother” no more, until they see
her in that beautiful home beyond.
She was nearly sixty-nine years
old, and though it is lonely here
without her I am glad she is rest
ing in a better home.
In the presence of many friends
she was laid to rest Tuesday p. m.
at 3 o'clock. The funeral services
were conducted by her pastor,
Rev. E. D. Johnson, assisted by
Rev. J. M. Jackson.
A. Friend.
A Disastrous Storm.
One of the most disastrous
storms which has occurred in
years, started off the Florida coast
09.Sunday, and swept the Atlan
tic coast from the gulf of Mexico,
and as i(i travelled northward de
veloped into a gale that worked
great damage to the number of
states through which it passed.
While the storm worked much
disaster throughout its entire
course it is conceded that the
north and east suffered more than
ojher portions of the storm-swept'
country, as the almost complete
19: up of wire communications -
rendered traffic of all kinds prac
tically impossible. The telegraph
and telephone communications -
were completely cut off for sever
al days, and the full extent of the
damage in some of the states has "
not as yet been learned. In some
places the fall of snow wa9 so
heavy that the mere weight brokd '
dpwn the wires, while the fierce '
winds caused the destruction of
icveral vessels on the sea.
It was impossible for several
days to get any communication
with New York, Washington and' ’*
other .^cities save through a tele
phone line hastily put into service .
by the Associated Press.
, Railway, traffic was delayed, and
several,,wrecks occurred as a re
sult pf the storm, which is con
sidered. the worst which has oc
curred 4inq<)i8$8. In the South
ern states, at least in this, portion
of the country,, the weather was
unusually, cold on Sunday and'
Monday, but moderated consider- ,
ably during the latter part of the.
week. There was a slight, but.,
cold wind, blowing through Sun
day, but the weather has not J>ccn.,
more severe than we a r e accus
tomed to have in the middle ot
November.
It is difficult for those who live
outside the storm belt to realize
the suffering and disasters caused
by such storms, and each distress
ing occurence should teach U9 how
to fully appreciate and value our
sunny south and our ideal weather.
Old Decatur Advaaciof.
We publish in another colum
the advertisement of Hon. Ben. E.
Russel), who has now decided
devote his whole time and atten
tion to the real estate business
and the advertising and promotion
of the material interests of Decs
tur county.
Jt is a fact of universal know
ledge that Mr. Bin. Russell has
been one of the most prominent
factors in the development
Bainbridge and Deoitur county
Now that he is entering the ex
elusive field of promotion we pre
diet for him the fullest measure
of success, for we are sure that he
has the best wishes of tbe people
at large.
A flood Politer.
When the South proclaims her
commercial independence of the
North, and lives square up to such
a proclamation, then, and not until
then will she be recognized in the
councils of the general govern
ment. Let cotton continue up to
the ten cent mark, and cotton
mills invade every Southern com
munity. Let all of our great re
sources reach their highest devel-
ment—and, then, if the South
does not become the dominant
section in this Republic, we read
the stars totally wrong.
Kssolatlons of Respect.
Whereas, God in his .AUwise
Providence has taken from our
midst our beloved brother, W. W.
McCulley.
Resolved 1. That we the mem
bers of Brinson M. E. Church
South, do sadly deplore this be
reavement. Yet, humbly submit
to the dealings of our Gracious
Heavertly Father, recognizing the
fact that he doeth all things Well.
Resolved 2. That wc will ever
cherish in bis memory his purity
of life, integrity of character, right
eousness of his daily walk and
readiness with which he applied
himself to the work entrusted in
his hands by the Lord and the
members of his church.
Resolved 3. That we deeply,
sympathize with the loved ones of
his family who remain to grieve at
his departure, and we earnestly
pray for the abiding presence of the
Holy Spirit to comfort and cheer
their hearts in this trial, and to-
guide them into Holiness and
Truth that they too |may enter
into rest (as we believe he has)
prepared for tbe Saints of God
and pray that they as he, shall
serve out their generation by the
will of God.
Resolved 4 That a copy of
these resolutions shall be tendered
Sister McCulley and tamily and
that we send a copy to the Bain
bridge Search Light for publica
tion.
C. S. Hodges,
J. D. Murphy,
D. C. Rogers,
Joel Warren,
Joe H. Gilpin,
C. L, Funderburk.