Newspaper Page Text
Americus
Recorder.
ESTABLISHED 1879.
AMERICUS. GEORGIA, FRIDAY. MARCH lb, 1891.
PLAY BALL!
SAYS ALL GEORGIA, AND AMERICUS
IS IN IT.
We Hive the Material-And Everybody
la Anxious for* BUrt—The Boys Are
More Then Willing -And We Will
Surely Have Miaj Games.
Play ball!
That’s what everybody In Ameri-
cus says.
play ball!
So echoes all Georgia.
The news comes from Macon,
Atlanta, Augusta, Brunswlok, Ath
ens, ami Savannah that the local
players, and the other lovers of the
great American game, are taking
rig ht hold of the matter, and have
already begun working with a view
to organizing teams for the purpose
of joining the Slate League.
During the life of the old South
ern League, Georgia hod by far tlio
best teams in the field, and many
of the players who composed it
have since taken their places amoug
some of the highest priced ba<e-
ballists of the North and West.
It is a fact worthy of notice that
amoug the best and most famous
players in the Georgia teams, at
that time, were natives of the State,
and many of them prominent busi
ness men of the cities 111 which the
clubs to which they bolonged were
organized. <
What is Americus going to do
about it?
That’s what the citizens here
waut to know, and yesterday a re
porter of The Recorder saw sev
eral of the players who have de
served reputations as baseballists,
Many of our old players have
left, but many new ones have come
in, and a better team can be gotten
up now than ever.
Mr. O. A. Coleman is one of the
best players to bo found anywhere,
and if he will only spare a little of
his valuable time, ho can make the
movement a belter success than
auyonc else. He kuows how to
lead, and all are anxious for him
to help in the matter. He was eeen,
and is heartilyaju sympathy with
the movement. Like all players lie
is in love with the game, h it lie is
not at a’l desirous of taking an
active part In the movement.
Other players were seen, such as
Usury Allen, Tom Wlldraan, Har
ry iioettings, John Ansiey, Charley
Mize, Andy Mcl’herson. All of
these are good players, and all are
anxious to organize a team. But
they want a mail like Mr. Coleman
at the head of It.
There are many other baseballists
here, and every one of them seem
enthused with the idea. The sea
son is almost upon us, and l>y next
week the boys will begin practic
ing.
Tlie cities above mentioned have
all been agitating the question of a
State League, and Americus may
be considered 111 it. The people
here never do things by halves.
They want base ball, and if a State
League is formed, our city will cer
tainly be in It.
Tlie Atlanta management are
anxious to hear from the towns
wishing to join the proposed League
and a meeting will be called to or
ganize and prepare for a season of
enjoyment.
A salary limit could be agreed
upon if thought best, nnd home
talent could be utilized, making it
more Interesting than high-salaried
players.
Correspondence is solicited on
tlie subject, and all letters addressed
toT. \V. White, secretary, care of
the Constitution, will be promptly
attended to.
The small boys have already be
gun playing here, and the older
people will start soon.
Keep the movement going, and
AinerlniiH will get there an she al
ways does—with both feet.
MEMORIAL DAY.
WILL BE
FITLY OBSERVED
AMERICUS.
| THAT NEW JAIL
WILL BE READY FOR OCCUPANCY
i BY FALL.
Tho Ladies Leading in the Glorious
Work—Their Meeting Yesterday—
flHon. Charles IT. Crisp Will be the
Orator.
The County Commisaionera Will Have
it Built as Quickly as Possible—And it
Will be a Splendid One.
Memorial day will be a grand suc
cess in Americus.
Tlie ladies of our city never forget
to cons3ciate this day, and their
noble work in this direction is
worthy of the highest commenda
tion.
And their work is praised.
All look upon their laborious ef
forts with the highest admiration,
and we know how eszeutiul in these
thihgj are the splendid women of
our city.
Memorial day is one which it is
the delight of all true-hearted men
to help celebrate, and when our
women lead the movement they are
more than pleased to follow.
April 20th is tlie date for these
commemorating exercises, and tlie
ladies have already begun the work
of preparation.
In Saturday’s Recorder appear
ed a call for a meeting of the Ladies
Memorial Association Monday af
ternoon at 3 o’clock, in tlie Library
rooms.
The call was signed by Mrs. John
R. Shaw, president, and Mrs. 8. A.
Maxwell, secretary.
Yesterday afternoon at tlie time
^mentioned, a large number of la
dies met, aud the discussion of the
&atter was taken up. Of course
little else could be done at the first
meeting, but tlie ladies moved rap
idly, and practically set*led many
matters.
The most important of these was
the selection of Hon. Charles F.
Crisp, the Democratic leader, as
orator of the occasion. This choice
shows the great wisdom of the la
dies, as a more acceptable speaker
could uot have been chosen. He is
a man whom all delight to hear,
and now just returned from fresh
triumphs it will be even more
pleasing. He lias been notified of
his selection, aud practically, but
uot formally, accepted the Jnvita
tiou.
This insures tlie success of the
day.
The ladies meet again next Tues
day afternoon, and will settle other
matters which tney have in discus
slon.
Sol-1 Half Intoreat.
Mr. (\ ,\. R e ii t 0 f tfiin place has
been dealing extensively in rough
and dressed lumber here and near
Cordele, has sold a half interest in
his mill business at tho Cordele
mill to Mr. J. W. Glover. He says
that he will soon retlie from tho
business entirely.
Opened Again.
Under an order granted by Jus
tice J. L. Adderton, tho citizens of
East Americus went to work with
willing bands and a determination
on Thursday morning at seven
o’clock, and a?aiu opened Lamar
street, which crosses Jefiersou
street in front of the old Jackson
place. This has been «* street for a
number of years, but the property
owner* have recently decided to
fence in their ground, but tho fence
has been repeatedly torn away.
The matter will be settled, we
learn, by a high court before it will
be satisfactory to both sides.
A Fox Chas-.
A «<irty of gentlemen, consisting
Mr. Marsh Johnson, of Macon,
Messrs. M. It. Council, John H.
"alkerand several others, hail a
Hue fox chase near Mr. Johnson's
plantation on the river, yesterday
morning. They succeeded in capt-
,ivc t end had a Hoe morning’s
• Tho Position Defined.
Sunday, the Marshall Division of
the Brotherhood of Locomotive Kn-
gineers aud the Order of Railway
Conductors held a joint session In
the halls of the former. The cause
of the meeting was to dually settle
the matter between Ihe engineers
ana tho management, which was
fixed for the time several weeksago.
There was no real trouble then and
there is none now between tho en
gineers and Mr. Mathews, hut to
prevent any complications the
meeting was held.
A committee was appointed, who,
with the sanction of the Grand
Odicers, will iledne the |x sitlon of
master of trains. This »ill exclude
all possibility'of mistake, aud the
last trouble, slight though It was,
will uot be repeated.
Liked Line.
Lieut Wheeler captured two ne
gro youths yesterday, who have
been engaged in petty thieving for
Unite a while. Their especial de
light lias been to purloin brldli
r. ins from l*ie teams hitched ii
and around tho city. Complaint
about tills has been heard for sev
eral weeks, and yesterday Lieut.
Wheeler located the work upon Lee
McMichael and Dolly Dorsey, two
young negroee.
He caught them aud landed them
in the lock up. Tlntf will he tried
before Judge Pllsbury this after
noon.
Sumter county has long needed
a new jail.
The present one is a shame upon
us, and is wholly inadequate to
serve such a building.
The Recorder has often men
tioned this and often spoke for the
people for a new jail. Every one
has recognized that the building
now used for a jail would not do
for many reasons. It Is not so ar
ranged as to make It very difficult
for the occupants to get out, and
escapes in the past have uot been
infrequent. It is also impossible
here to take the proper sanitary
precautions, and on this account
the prisoners have suffered a great
deal of inconvenience.
Our county officers have hem
dilligent and have done the best
they could, but they, as well as all
others, have long since recognized
the crying need of a new struct
ure.
The last grand jury, amoug other
happy recommeudalious, came to
the conclusion that a new jail must
be had at once, and this was left to
the county commissioners to pass
upon.
At a recent meeting the com
missioners to»k up the recommend
ation and fully concurred In the
opinion that the county must have
a now and better jail.
They turned the matter over to
Mr. J. W. Wheatley, one of their
number,, who was given the work
of securing bids on the work, be
sides other matters connected with
the start.
A better choice could uot have
been made to arrange those mat
ters, and Mr. Wheatley has gone to
work with a will.
A reporter saw him yesterday,
aud asked him about the work.
“Bald he: “Well, as you know, a
beginning has hardly been made.
The commissioners passed upon the
matter, and all were .heartily in fa-
vorof the move. I was appointed to
do some work, aud everything is
progressing nicely. Of course lit
tle has been done as yet, but mat
ters are getting in shape, uud you
can say by early winter, at the
latest, Bumter will have as flue nnd
well arranged jail as any county In
the State. Work will be begun; In
a month or two, as soon as things
can be gotten in shape."
So our county will soon have
what she has long wanted. Then
all our public buildings will com
pare moBt favorably with those of
any other city, nnd we will ho able
to boast of the finest court house,
city hall and jail to be found In this
part of the State or any other.
ALMOST ESCAPED.
A JAIL DELIVERY PREVENTED BY
GOOD WORK.
’ SUICIDED.
A Glorious Clime.
Vegetables are being enjoyed by
many of the Americus people just
now, and while a lktlo backward
for tlie time of the year, they are
earlier than most people arc accus
tomed to. Radishes, lettuce, Kug-
lish peas, etc., were on many tables
Sunday, uud soon will be common
dishes. Strawberries too were en
joyed by many, but these wero all
shipped. The early ciop ofjherries
here was cut olT by tlie late cold
snap. But for this native strawber
ries would uow be found all arou nd.
Sheriff Forrest end Deputy Lamar
Make a Bonsational Diacovery—Fart
of the Jail Burned—And the Prisoners
Were to Have Left Last Night.
A Ruta Baj?a Pyramid.
Yesterday Mr. A. J. Buchanan
purchased a wagon load of ruta
bega turnips from Mr. Dorn, who
lives uear Friendship. He built a
pyramid of one hundred and eight,
four feet aud u half high, twelve
feet in circumference. The small
est turnip weighs four and a half
pounds while tlie largest pulls tlie
scales to nine and a half.
Mr. A. C. Bell says that tlie en
tire lot is very near tlie size of his
turnip, which the chickens now use
as a roosting place.
In the County Court.
Tho Western Union Telegraph
Company ghined another case in
the county court yesterday. A Mr.
Orchard, of Atlanta, sued for <100
for the non-delivery of a telegram
some time in December last. He
had no ess. at all, therefore he got
left. Judge Pilsbury stated that
he did Dot see why lawyers took
such .uses as bus been brought be
fore the court. There Is only one
more case to be hoard from at tins
point, that of Gun McCoIlougli, a
negro, the decision of which is
held up.
Sheriff Forrest and Deputy Lamar
esn’t be downed.
Tney are two of the best officers
tho county has ever bad, and but
for their vigilance there would
have been several prisoners less in
the jail this morning.
The escape was well planned and
was to have taken place last
night.
Everything was ready, but (he
afore mentioned gentlemen nipped
the scheme in the bud.
The work was going on In two
different cells, and the jail birds
thought to be at liberty to-day..
Messrs. Forrest aud Lamar ha"e
special knowledge of the faults of
the present jail, aud knowing of
the many escapes which have taken
place in the past, have made it a
duty to carefully inspect every part
of tho cells every two or three days.
Yesterday they went through the
structure again, and their careful
ness prevented the escape of half a
dozen of those incarcerated,
As will be seen in another column
six of the prisoners were carried off
to a convict camp yesterday. Otto
of those carried off was Lewis
Moore, who was sentanced to twen
ty years for rape upon a little negro
girl at Plains.
The cell occupied by Moore was
in the northeast corner, aud with
him were Andy Fletcher aud Itich-
ard Hill.
Fletcher was sentenced foi life
and Hill was In far twenty years,
found guilty of arson.
This cell was the one in which
the main attempt was made.
After Moore aud the other ne
groes were carried off" yesterday,
tho sheriff and his deputy made a
tour of the cells, and a thorough ex
amination. Against one of the
walls in this cell, was a chair over
which was thrown n pair of pants
in such a.mauuer as to hide part of
the wall bohind.
On moving this the plank9 were
found to be loose, and were easily
removed.
Then a startling discovery was
made.
The Inside w as completely burned
out, the logs which constitute the
solid part beiug burned through
end through for a distance of two
feet.
All that remained was the out
side casing, which could be cut out
In a few minutes with a pocket
knife.
It was an alariniugdiscovery, nnd
they proceeded with the investiga
tion. They found in the possession
of the occupants a large spring dirk,
sharp as a razor, and appearing as
If mads for the purpose of cutting
out. An almost full box of mntches
was also found.
The hnruiug had evidently been
done off and on for several days.
The prisoners had removed the in
side planks, which was easy to do,
and gradually burned out the logs.
A loug string was found which
explained how the dirk and match
es were gotten. Borne friend had
brought the articles to the jail, and
they were brought up by means of
the string.
As nothing but the outsido plunks
remained between the prisoners
and liberty, it was evident that last
night was meant to he the one in
which to make the escape.
The negroes protested innocence,
saying that those who were carried
oil were responsible. They stated
that they begged them not to do it,
and were going to inform tlie officers
about it.
Of course no credence was put iu
their tale, and the occupants of I be
cell were hestled out into another.
JjJThe examination wan continued,
and ill the southeast cell was found
another burnt plane. This cell con
tained Osborn Bullock and Lee Mc
Michael, who was put In the day
before for stealing buggy lines, a
full account of which appeared in
yesterday’s Recorder. Here the
work had just been begun, and the
negroes seemed to lie following
the example set by the negroes in
the other cell.
These discoveries prevented seve
ral negro criminals from being at
large now, ami show not only how
poor our jail is, hut that the occu
pants are desperate aud will seize
any means to escape. Help was
certainly given them from tlie out
side, nnd Jailor Pace will closely
watch who come about. Those
who venture around at night need
not be surprised to receive a load of
buckshot.
Sumter county is to be congratu
lated on having such officers, and
their carefulness and diligence pre
vented a big Jail delivery.
JIM
M’CORKLE TOOK MORPHINE
AND DIED. '
He Passed Away Yesterday Afternoon—
The Morphine Taken The Day Before
—A Bad Case,
Jim McCorkle is dead.
That’s the news received In
Americus yesterday afternoon, and
which has caused so much mourn
ing.
Yesterday morning It was Btated
that Mi. J. S. McCorkle, one of the
most prominent of our young law
yers, had attempted to commit sui
cide the day before In Buena
Vista.
None who heard It had aDy idea
that Ills life was in danger, and
while regretting It thought that be
would be back again In a day or
two.
But late the news was received
that Jim McCorkle was dead.
The people could hardly believe
what they heard and mauy doubts
were expressed as to the fact.
But it was only too true, aud one
of the brightest young lawyer* in
Americus is uo more.
There was a great deal ( f discus
sion yesterday as to whether the
death was caused by accident or
was suicidal intent. The following
special was received by The Re
corder from Buena Vista:
“McCorkle died this afternoon at
3 o'clock from an overdose of mor
phine. He purchased au empty
pint Mask from Max Altman yes
terday at 1 o’clock, went to the
cemetery, took the morphine, then
placed the flask filled with water
on the spot where he wished to be
buried. He came back to town and
fell iu the Btreet, was picked up
and carried to the hotel. Three
physicians attended him, but the
large amount of the drug baffled
tbelr skill. His remains will be
buried to-moirow. Can't give the
cause of tho raBh act. His wife end
family are in grief." i
That explains all that Is known,
Mrs. Busan Williams, his mother,
with Mr. Lester Williams, his half
brother, left for Buena Vista, last
night, at which place he will be
buried to-day. His relations here
were almost prostrated by the
news.
No cause can be assigned for the
suicide, except drink. Willie a
brilliant younir lawyer, ho was ad
dieted to intoxicants, and this is
the most plausible reason which
can be given for the act. Family
trouble has been mentioned, but all
who know Bay that while Ills wife
lived with her parents in Buena
Vista, the couple were most de
voted. No children arc left.
The tragic deith affected his
many friends here, and they now
greatly grieve for him.
Delightful Music.
Of all the musicians of our city,
tioue can excell in sweetness and
elegance the performance of Dr.
and Mrs. A. B. Iliakle. Dr. Hin
kle performs on the violiu with
technical ease and natural beauty,
and Mrs. Hinkle can draw forth the
most delightful touea from a piano.
Bhe also sings ill a manner which
would charm the most austere crit
ic, aud possesses that euvled gift of
an exquisite voice, which she has
cultivated to a degree which ena
bles her to coll through tlie most
difficult arias with charming grace
ana delightful expresslou.
The Recorder is indebted to
them for the Joy arising from hear
ing through the telephoue last
night both instrumental and vocal
selections, aud can with the strict
est truth say a sweeter aud more
refreshing treat could uot havo
been presented.
A Preparatory Department.
Dr. I. B. Hopkins, of the Btate
Technological Bchool requests The
Recorder to announce that ou
Monday next, the 16th, a prepara
tory department of this instltutlion
will be opened. Applicants under
sixteen years of age will be admit
ted without examination, counties
not now having representation
being given the preference. Va
cancies will be tilled In the order
of the application. This i* a splen
did chance for some Bumter coun
ty boys.
Quite An Increase.
Within the past fourteen months
there have been NTT arrests made by
Americus policemen. This amount
is more than double the number
ever arrested in the same length of
time betore. The lines amounted
to »2,667.31.
That shows we are growing, If
nothing else.
UNDER A NEW NAME.
THE AMERICUS LIGHT AND POWER
COMPANY NO MORE-
And s Fstition for Incorporation la En
tered—Tor tho Americus Illuminating
and Power Company-New Gea Plant.
The Americus Light and Power
Company is a thing of the past.
And the latest Is the Americus
Illuminating and Power Company.
A petition for the incorporation
of this company was tiled In the
clerk’s office yesterday.
And will be found published in
the columns of The Recorder.
This doesn’t mean that we will
have two companies furnishing
light and power here.
It merely means that a local syn
dicate will have charge of the pres
ent plants, and will run them so as
to suit the people here.
The petitioners mentioned in the
application nre H. R. Johnson, U.
B. Harrold, W. E. Murphey and
J. B. Felder.
The amount of capital to he em
ployed, actually paid iu, shall be
$100,000, with the privilege of in
creasing to $200,000.
They ask for the same lights
granted the other compauy.
However there Is one thing the
new company proposes to do, and
at once. That 1* to tear down the
old gas plant and put up a flue one.
Coal will be used to make the gas,
and in every respect the plant will
be equal, if not superior, to any in
the South. It will be sufficiently
large to supply a city of 30,000 in
habitants.
The bonds Htill hold good, of
course, but the local compauy will
have charge, aud guarantee a first-
class all roumj service.
Americus is to be congratulated
that this step has been taken, nnd
she will be given what she has
never had—a service for the peo
ple.
Several of the petitioners were
seen by a reporter, aud they say
they luteud to do all this.
Bald one: “Wo heartily realize-
the great inconvenience the people
have been put to by the poor sys
tem the city has had, and we have
suffered like the rest. Now that
the honoholders have bought in
the property, we see our chance,
and are going ahead to help the-
city. We will have charge and'
will do our very btst. Tho new gas
plant will be a splendid one, nnd
the service will In every way be
better."
A Lucky Find.
While going home from the city
Monday lilght, Messrs. Chas. Mize
and Ben Wheeler found a large cot
ton basket in the middle of the
road that contained eight full
grown chickens. They have en
deavored to find the owner, but
have been unable to do so up to
date. Mr. Mize thinks tho chick
ens were stolen. The owner can
have them by applying to him,
proving property and paying all
o >sts.
A Crematory.
Americus wMl probably have a
crematory at an early date. Mr.
Morse met the committee from the
council aud the board of health yes
terday afternoon, and gave them all
the details they wished to know.
The cost will be between $3,000 and
$8,000.
A quorum was not present, but all
there expressed themselves as be
ing in favor of the scheme.
Americus is the healthiest eity to
be found uow, and If such a step te
taken, our health for all years to
come is assured.
A Close Bar-Keeper.
The railroad boys tell a good one
on a popular saloon keeper on Cot
ton Avenue. There is a drink
which Is very popular, kmwn as
Cherry. It is prepared by placing
a cherry ln.the glass and then pour
ing the whiskey in. It Ih very
smooth and palatable. Tho saloon
keeper has had such a run on
cherries that hie supply is almost
exhausted. To meet the demand
he now splits his cherries, thereby
making two drinks instead of one.
A bplendid Order.
Few People appreciate the great
benefit of the order known as the
Brotherhood of Locomotive engin
eer*.
Yesterday, Mr. W. D. Fliat,agent
of the order here, received a check
from the headquarter* at Cleveland
Ohio, for $3,000, to be paid to Mrs,
Louisa A. Rogers.
This was the amoubtof insurance
due on the death of her husband,
and the prompt payment shows
how the order attends to business.
