Newspaper Page Text
and Jury General Presentments.
The Bainbridgc Search Light
NUMBER 3.
BAINBRIDGE, DECATUR COUNTY, GEORGIA, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1904.
, $LOO YEAR IN ADVANCE
_
OFFICIAL, ORGAN OF DECATUR COUNTY AND CITY OF BAINBRIDGE.
the undersigned Grand Jn-
eI „pannelled and sworn to
a t the November term of
Super' 01, Court, I9°4< su ^'
findings and presentments
across i
to 1
lows.
U{ , h competent committees
ro ade the usual investiga-
„to the books and records of
(Unt y offices, and have dili-
inquired into the condition
, h public buildings and in-
lions, as by law we are requir-
v i sit , and the reports of these
littees are submitted below,
body has found the public
of the county in bad condk
j n many instances obstruc
roads have been al-
remain there for months,
iringthe roads dangerous it
[together impassible, but Ow-
the failure of our County
of Commissioners to put in-
g ec t the Altrrnative Road
recommended by our last
jury, we do not believe
would be authorized to
complaint against any one
,reof the road hands, over'
or road commissioners in
ivetal districts of the county,
under the old law, which
in displaced by the action
last Grand J ury In their
mendation. If our view of
latter is correct, the county
itseli unable to force a work-
the public roads under the
stem.
recommend, however that a
be constructed across
Water creek on the public
leading northward from
[ham; a’so that immediate at-
in be given to the western
oach to Swans bridge across
ig Creek near Brinson, and
proper repairs be made to the
across Big Attapulgus
on the road leading from At'
Igus t) Wh'gham, the same
known as the Lester bridge,
tway is also needed at the
point, and repairs should be
to the footways across the
mile branch on the Bainbridge
Thomasville public road, and
Swamp Creek on road be-
Harrell's Mill and Sotkee.
r committee appointed to in-
igate the dockets of the Jus-
of the Peace and Notaries
ic of the county, have found
all in proper form and cor-
ly kept so far as could be as-
ined. We recommend that
following vacancies in the of-
of Notary Public be filled by
ippointment of the following
'duals: 720th dist, T. J.
i 1046th dist. J. H. Boyett;
h dist. J. D. Talbert; 533rd
®- H. McNair,
ebave found it impossible in
®rt time to investigate closely
kwks of the Tax Receiver;
from the investigation it is evi
Ike books have not been han-
with due correctness, there
‘ring many errors in additions
•missions in the transfers from
original returns to the books.
have found many dis
'ations in the returns made as
value of glands and other
ty; yet recognizing the per-
'E question as to how is best
ok the taxable property of
which is now escaping
vigilance of | our officers, and
that it should, be reached
Worm action, and believing
1(1 that the question can best
^ to the legislature, to the
Receivers, and to the enhght
Jousciences of the tax payers,
has failed toj appoint or
suggest any special commission at
this time to look into the returns
for the purpose of raising or lows
ering them.
The committde on publ c records
have submitted, after careful in'
vestigation, a report which we do
not incorporate in full, in view of
its length, but the same is attached
in part as “Exhibit A”—Treas'
urer’s report. “Exhibit IV—Tax
Collector’s report. “Exhibit C”—
Ordinary’s report. Otherwise their
findings briefly summarized are as
follows: Ordinary's and Cleik’s
books and records, neat and cor
rect; we recommend that a com*
plete index of records of deeds
prior to 1877 be made. The books
of the Treasurer and Tax Col-
lector are correct and show proper
balances. We find that the books
of the Board of Roads and Reve
nues are - not as carefully and
neatly kept as we suggest they
might be. In regards to the rec
ords of the Sheriff’s we find a
great deal of unnecessary negli
gence and lack of care. In some
instances the jail book does not
show any disposition of prisoners;
while no record of sales of proper
ty appear on the county record
since April 1903. These records
are kept on a small book, and not
as the committee believes they
should be to insure safety in case
of fire or accidental loss. We
recommend that the Sheriff be res
quired to keep a Subpoena docket
showing the name of the bailiff to
whom papers are delivered to be
served, and said bailiff be held .re
sponsible tor the service of the
same.
The committee appointed to
visit the pnblic buildings and the
county bridge have found th-.t the
eastern approach to the bridge
between West Bainbridge and
Bainbridge proper needs repair
The poor house is satisfactorily
kept and the inmates are content;
except they have made complaint
that their medical service is not
efficient. They claim that for
some time the physician has failed
to visit them as often as their con
dition required, and they have
suffered thereby. We recommend
that in rhe future the county phy
sician be required to attend more
closely the needs of these people
We also suggest that new pillars
be furnished the inmates. The
jail is badly kept, and we recom
mend that the immediate attention
of the sheriff or jailer be given it
The floors are unswept and un
clean, and conditions [otherwise
are objectionable^
Complaints having reached u
touching the condition of the tel-
ony convict camp operated by
Greer and Sons, in the western
part of the county, we have made
sufficient investigatiou to convince
that the camp is not operated
according to law, prisoners have
been fearfully whipped, have been
overworked, are not properly
clothed, and their camp equip
ments and food do not conform to
the rules governing the felony con
vict camps in this state. We
therefore request and recommend
that the Prison Commission be a
vised as to the affair and that they
be asked to take prompt
A Practical Necessity.
Some time ago there was much
discussion in regard to changing
the l< cation of tl e postoffice, and
arranging for a new and more
commodious building to be used
for this purpose, but the talk
seemi to have resulted in nothing.
It seems to us that Bainbridge,
with all of her other improvemems,
should consider it necessary to
have a public building of this kind
in keeping with the size and im-
portance ot the town, and it is
merely neglect that we have not
ere this, taken steps to secure a
post office which will not only be
of more convenience to the peopl
but one that will be of some credit
to the place. The present build
ing is not only unattractive but
wholly inadequate for such- a pur
pose and the officials ot the office
as well as the peoole wquld wel
come a change that would benefit
every one.
The matter should be attended
to at once, and a movement made
to either secure a larger ami better
equipped building or endeavor to
have a handsome government
building in the city.
steps,
either to insure proper treatment
of the convicts, or that the camp
be abolished.
We recommend that the amount
arising from the hire of the short
term felony convicts to which tb •
county is entitled, and wh.cH
now being held by the county
Treasurer contingent upon the ac
Change In Military Co.
Adjutant General Harris recent
ly issued an order which will be of
much interest in military circles as
it will effect every company in
the state. The order provides
that the number of men in any
military company, infantry, cavalry
or artillery, shall hereafter be lim
ited to a maximum of 50 and a
minimum of 35. This applies to
both white and colored troops
The provision will go into effect
at once, and those companies
whose membership exceeds fifty
cannot enlisl new members until
the membership is cut down to the
required number. This ofcourse
will be done gradually and will en
able the city companies with less
than fifty men, to enroll members
belonging to the companies with a
number exceeding the allotted
number. Tne order was issued tie-
cause of the fact that the compan
ies would be more regularly made
up, while at the same time, the
expense to [the stale would be
much less.
We hope that thirty-five enter
prising boys of Bainbridge will
get together in short order and or
ganize another military company
to take the place oT the one recent-
ly mustered out, and that the new
company may be a source of pride,'
pleasure and possible protection tb
the city.
Good Roads Proposition Revived.
Sutton Pound Guilty of Kidnapping.
O. N. Sutton was put on trial
in the Superior Court last Monday
morning for kidnapping little Alice
Skelton, an eleven year old child.
The little girl was in court, accom
panied by her foster parents, and
attracted much attention for her
intelligence and, beauty. When
put upon the stand she told her
story in a simple, straightforward 1 'Sutton and his wife to take her
manner, that evidently impressed
the jury as true, since they ac
cepted her statement and found
the defendant guilty.
T * e trial lasted throughout
Monday and Tuesday and a num
ber of witnessess were examined.
The evidence was substantiated as
ontlined . in these columns last
week, but briefly stated was about
as follows: Alice Skelton is an
orphan and was living with her
foster parents, Mr. and Mrs. Skel
ton in this city. She was kindly
treated by them and was happy
and contented. She knew the
defendant, who lived«across the
street from her home, wich his
wife. The state proved that Sut
ton had been attracted by her
beauty and made remarks about
her indicating that he was infatu
ated and pointing to this as a
motive for stealing her away from
her parents. Sutton took her
one night by force and without her
consent from her home and carried
her in his buggy to the home of
Mr. Ben Russell in Baker county,
about 30 miles from Bainbridge.
On the way she says that he at
tempted the criminal assault for
which he is indicted and yet to be
tried. After Sutton’s arrest on
his return to Bainbridge the next
Monday he told what he had done
with the child and she was brought
back by the father and a officer
and told of the treatment she had
received at the home of the de
fendant.
The defendant attempted to
prove that Alice was cruelly treat
ed by her foster parents, was not
by them being properly clothed
and educated, and that she asked
away and provide her with a more
suitable home where she could
have the advantages she wanted,
and that the meeting that night
and flight into Baker county was
prearranged, to all of which Alice
consented. Sutton denied the
attempted assault
After elaborate argument from
the attorneys on each side, and a
comprehensive charge by the
Judge the jury retired at 6 o’clock
in the evening and at 11 that
night reached a verdict of guilty
with recommendation to mercy of
the court. The Judge and attor
neys were present when the jury
made the verdict, as was also quite
a crowd ot interested spectators.
As soon as tne verdict was read
the Judge sentenced Sutton to
five years in the penitentiary, the
limit for kidnapping being seven
years. .
Sutton’s attorney's immediately
filed their motion for a new trial
which will suspend the sentence
until it can be determined. The
case will likely be appealed to the
Supreme Court In the mean
time bail to the sum of two thons
and dollars in this case is fixed
but not given as no bail has been
allowed in the assault case p®w*we
against Him. The latter case will
not be tried until the January ad
journed term.
The advocates of the Alterna
tive Road Law in this county,
will learn with interest that the
way is being cleared up for the
betterment of the conditions of
the public highways ot the county
It will be remembered that the
Grand Jury in last May recom
mended in their general present
ments that the commissioners
adopt 1 he alternative road law,
but owing to a misunderstanding
among the Commissioners them
selves as to the rate of taxes to be
assessed for this purpose, nothing
has been done. The Cominis
sioners acting under the idea that
they ij/rl full discretion in the
matter, paid no attention to the
action of the Grand Jury, taking
their recommendation as only a
suggestion to their body.
Judge Spence looks upon the
matter in an entirely different
light,, and he has taken it up with
the Commissioners, and will insist
upon their compliance with the
wishes of the Grand Jury. The
Judge in the discussion of the
affair had about this presentation
of the case to make, and this is
his idea of the law, which is be
yond question the meaning of the
statute. The Alternative Road
Law is a general law applying all
over the state; and upon its pas
sage some years ago, it became
the road law ot the state; but
owing to conditions which existed
in some sections which prevented
its successful operation, the act
was made dependent upon the
recommendation of the Grand
Jury. , It is therefore provided
that when it is so recommended,
it becomes the road law. The
Commissioners of the county have
no right to make or change a law,
neither can they lawfully stave off
the operation of the law.
The Commissioners haue doubt
less never looked upon the matter
in this light before, and it is pre
sumed that as they are sworn to
enforce only the laws which are
operative, they will take up the
matter, and renew their efforts
to get together on a reasonable
and just rate, and start up the new
law. It therefore appears that if
any blame is to be attached to
anyone by those who might oppose
the Alternative Road Law it can
not be rightfully laid at the doors
of the Cpmmissioners, but it
should be attached to (he legisla
ture which passed the act several
years ago, and to the Grand J ury
whose recommendation placed it'
beyond the legal authority of the
Commissionets to further enforce
the old law.
Under the interpretation Judge
Spence gives to the matter, and
we think he is not wrong in the
interpretation, the cit'zens of the
county could not be forced to work
the roads of the county under the
old law; for the reason that upon
the recommendation of the Grand
Jury, the system is entirely chang
ed. We are not sure that Judge
Spence goei to the extent, but
arguing from his interpretation
he gives, there could be no way to
enforce the operation of a law,
that is a law no longer. If the
roads are to be kept up. then the
Commissioners will have to deal
promptly.
We are perhaps justified in say
ing that the Alternative Road
Law will be put into operation in
Decatur county at an early day;
for belter or for worse, and cer
tainly our road conditions could
not will be made worse. Early
county, and many others of the
state are operating under the law
and while some dissatisfaction was
at first expressed, it has all disap
peared and the people would nAt
willingly go back to the old sys
tem. The Search Light favors
any reasonable and just law look
ing to the batterment of Decatur
county, either in tne increased
valuation of her land or in the con
venience afforded the people for
better public schools, churches,
etc, by reason of good roads. If
this new Jaw works here as well as
it appears to be working in other
counties where it is now in effect,
why we feel confident that all will
be well, and it will end. in incal
culable benefit to this county.
tion of this body, be made immed
iately available for the public
schools ot this county. We fix
the per diem of jurors, court bailiffs
and riding bailiffs for the ensuing
year the same as they are now re
ceiving.
Finally, we desire to extend our
thanks to the Judge presiding,
and to the Solicitor General, for
their courteous consideration and
assistance; and we recommend
that these General Presentments
be published in the local news
papers. , „
All of which is respectfully sub
mitted. R- D. Carr,
Foreman.
And twenty-two others.
Death Near Climax.
Un Monday, at her home near
Climax, Mrs. Elizabeth McDowell
died after an illness of some dura
tion.
The deceased was for many
years a resident of Bainbridge, liv
ing here with her children until
she moved to Climax. She was
about 82 years of age and a noble
Christian woman. She leaves 1
number of grand children and rel
atives and a large circle of friends
New County Movement.
The last issue of the Cairo Mes
senger contained a call for a meet
ing of the friends of-the new
county movement to be held in
Cairo to day; having in view thi
work of mapping out the territory,
and tke raising of funds for de
fraying the expenses incident to
the work. It is probable that this
meeting is being well attended;
as there has been a strong effort
in that section -of the county to
stir up a sentiment iu favor ot the
movement.
At this time there is much dis
cussion as to what the chances
are for the new county; and what
steps will be necessary to secure
one. At the same time those
who are opposed to the movement
are exercised over the question as
to how best to block the efforts of
the friends ot the new county.
The Search Light has-before
given the itatus of the affair, but
we take pleasure in again inform
ing all who may not be informed
already. Before any new county
in Georgia can be formed it is
necessary that a bill be introduced
in the legislature providing for the
laying out of the territory. This
bill will be before the committees
of the legislature and a full hear
ing of both sides may there be
had. The probability therefore is
that where there appears any very
material fight between the repre
sentatives of the territory embrac-
to regret her loss. Her remains
were interred in the cemetery at |cd,U wiU be hard to pass the bill
Climax on Tuesday. ‘before the legislature. Even
should this be done,, the question
will thefo have to be voted on by
the people living within the terri
tory proposed to be embraced. It
is therefore clear that before a
slice will be taken off Decatur
county, the people interested w;ill
have two opportunities to fight it
out.
We understand that thus far
the movement in the eastern part
of the county is not as favorably
looked upon, as at first it had been
thought The town of Whigham
is bitterly opposed to any new
county, and citizens from Hig
dons’, Reagans. Spring Hill, and
I other contiguous sections to Cairo
tell us that they will not support
the movement. Whether this be
true is a matter that will be evi-
nenced by their action tomorrow
either in attending the new coun
ty meeting, or staying away.
The friends of the new county
have been -very active and it is
evident that they will leave no
stone unturned; but until they
have mapped out their plans, and
laid them bare the other side will
have to wait in patience. The
question is to be settled; but until
the measure passes the legislature
there would appear no real cause
tor apprehension.
The Search Light is no enemy
to the progress of south Georgia,
neither do we favor any unneces
sary segmentation of subdivision
of our county; however, we refrain
from any discussion of the plans
of the new county advocates until
their ideas have been placed be
fore us more plainly. We shall
watch the course of events with
due vigilance and a lively interest.
