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Cotton Market: Following was ruling prices here yesterday: Middling, 9 1-4 cents Good mid. 9 3-8 cents VO. 1. No. 1 3 STRANGE THINGS HAPPENED IN 1866. In An Almanac of That Date Shows Several Very Interesting Facts Of That Time. We are indebted to our friend, Mr. IK I A. Bostwick, of the Gum Creek district, for the use of several old al¬ manac saved by his mother who is at I p re8 ent 80 years old and is still in the best of health and who thinks nothing I of walking a mile or two to visit a I sick neighbor. The almanac referred to chronicles I I the fact that in January of 1866 there were five phases of the moon and in I I eluded two full moons. In February of the same year there were only I three with no full moon at all. In I March of the same year there were I again five phases of the moon with I I two full ones to its credit. This is one of the most unusual phencmina I I and will not occur again, according to astronomers, in several million I years. It is not unusual now for the I moon to have five phases in one cal I endar month but it never gets full but I once. Very few people know of this erra I tie conduct of the moon and we pub I fish it with pleasure. In one of the almanacs of 1848 there appears a statistical table showing the condition of each county in Geor¬ gia and we give below the one apply¬ ing to Newton at that time: Number of polls, 1,267 Number of Slaves, 4,336 Free persons of color, 5 Number of professions, 21 Value of town lots, $97,417 Value of stock in trade, $41,620 Money at interest, $175,721 Number of carriages, 177 Banks, none Capital invested in factories, $45,000 Amount of taxes paid, $4,115.70 Number of poor children, 481 Educational fund, $418.04. As will be seen from the above there has been great strides made in this county along every line and es¬ pecially in the educational fund. During that year there were only five incorporated towns in the state, Augusta, Columbus, Macon, Milledge ville and Savannah. The Central Railroad owned 191 miles of road and WHAT DO YOU CARE About the size capital of your bank, whether $40,000.00 or $40,000,000.00 if you know your funds are safe and you can get accommodations when needed ? The First National Bank OFFERS YOU SAFETY. Vi e are under the direct supervision of the United States Government and obliged to be safe. OUR POLICY IS to be conservative, yet progressive, to meet every request of our patrons that is in keeping with sound banking principles, at¬ tentiveness to our business and courteous treatment to every one, CAN YOU ASK MORE? Our officers and directors are among the most progressive and conservative business men of this locality and they keep in touch with the banks’ business. “UNION IS STHENGTH.” OFFICERS: f- L 0 Z - BENTON, ANDERSON, Pres. C. C. ROBINSON, Vice Cashier Pres. - Vice Pres. R. E. STEPHENSON, DIRECTORS: r - C. ROBINSON E. O. LEE N. Z. ANDERSON C ‘ ( H00KS J. Z. JOHNSON L. O. BENTON w '' B. R. PENNINGTON BELCHER C. R. ROGERS A. J. E. STEPHENSON H. B. ANDERSON Vi e are not too large for you and you are neither too large nr too small for us. We invite your business. First National Bank Covington, Georgia. m DAVIS’ NAbu. TO BE REPLACED. President Roosevelt Has Ordered Jefferson Davis’ Put Back On Bridge. One of the things that should be commended in the president was the order by him to have the name of Jefferson Davis again placed on the stale tablet of Cabin John Bridge. When Jefferson Davis was secretary of war in 1957 this bridge, which is the longest single span bridge in the country, was built under his direction. In 1869, upon the order of Caleb Smith secretary of the interior under Lin¬ coln, the name of the President of the Confederacy was chiseled off of the tablet, upon which it had been placed as a record. Since that time repeated efforts have been made to have the name replaced but up to Roosevelt’s time it was uneessful. A special dis¬ patch to the New York World from Washington contains the Following: Cecil A. Lyon, Republican national committeeman from Texas, is receiv¬ ing credit for inducing the President to come to a final conclusion of the matter. Mr. Lyon called at the White House Sunday evening, February 14. “Mr. President,” he said, “I always have thought a great injustice was done Jefferson Davis when his name was cut off Cabin John Bridge. Why don’t you, as one of the last acts of your administration, order it re¬ stored?” “Bully!” said the President. He took up the matter the next day. —Watch for the Covington Buggy Co’s. Ad in next weeks issue of this paper. Have you tried Robinson’s Black Bitters? They are just the thing you need for a spring tonic. the Georgia owned 171. The total length of all railroads operating in the state was 807 miles. In that year Newton Anderson was sheriff of this county, Aug. W. Evans was clerk of the court. The court house was located at Covington. Newton county in 1845 had a demo¬ cratic vote of 442 and a whig vote of 913. COVJNGTON, GEORGIA, MARCH 1909. GEORGE. H. BELL IS GIVEN FREEDOM Judge Lewis Rules That He Was Illegally Incarcerated In State Mad House. George H. Bell, of whom there has been so much newspaper comment and the attention of the citizens of the entire state, has been given his freedom from the asylum at Miledge ville under a habeas corpus proceed¬ ing, and is now at the home of his father in Emanuel county. The letters written by George Bell have been read with lively interest by the readers of the live papers of the state, and to say the least of it, if he is a crazy man he certainly writes the most level headed letters of any bug house inmate we have ever heard of. He was placed in the asylum three years ago and since that time Judge Lewis rules that he has been illegally held. The ruling of the J idge cor¬ roborates the contention of the former legislator that his detention was il iegal. This is truly a serious charge that should be placed against some one forhis terrible experience there without the due process of law. Mr. Bell was at one time one of the representatives from Emanuel county and was considered one of the brain¬ iest young men of the state. He is known to thousands of Georgians and especially in this city. He is a grad¬ uate of Emory Colledge and has a number of friends who will learn of release with gratification. His ex¬ perience of the last three years is said by him to be one of the most terrible a man can endure. And on top of it all it has been proven and ruled by a superior court judge that every second of that time he was held illegally. His freedom is atfcrabuted to a woman who he befriended a number of years of years ago. Mr. Bell had forgotten the incident but the lady had come into possesion of vast wealth since that time and although there has been the elapse of several years the lady remembered the kind¬ ness and when she heard of his incar¬ ceration she stated that she would spend every dollar she had or obtain his release if he was not insane. She is Mrs. Blanche Burton, of Indiana¬ polis. The culmination of this habeas corpus proceeding ends one of the most in¬ teresting chapters of the history of the asylum at Milledgeville. There has been some serious declarations made against the officials in charge and in all probability they will here¬ after be more careful about people placed there. Although Bell has been given his freedom from what he very sanely calls purgatory, he never can be given back the three years of con¬ finement there. In his statement on the stand he gave the most clear and concise an¬ swers to all the questions put to him and impressed every one in the court room as being perfectly sane and clear¬ headed. He went into detail about his confinement, his commitment to that place and of his life since his in¬ carceration. He stated that he pro¬ tested against going to thea sylum and demanded at the time that the com¬ mitment papers be shown to him, and of the authorities refusal to do so. He also stated that he was never examin¬ ed by a jury who sent him there. Mr. Bell occupied the stand some forty minutes and every moment of the time his attitude and demeanor was thatof a perfectly sane man. He stated that he had written about three hundred letters to friends and newspapers throughout the state in his efforts to obtain his freedom. One of these let¬ ters was published in this paper some three or four weeks ago and was read with interest by our patrons. At the conclusion of Mr. Bell’s state¬ ment the authorities in charge ot.the institution, Drs. Jones, Little and Green, were introduced by the res¬ pondent and they made an effort to retain Mr. Bell in the asylum, stating that he was subject to delusive insan¬ ity and that he believed that his peo¬ ple and the authorities were using criminal conspiracy to hold him there. Evidently the judge didn’t agree with them. Several prominent Georgians were then placed on the stand and they all swore that they had known Mr. Bell previous to his confinement and con¬ i sidered him as sane as he ever was. After the respondent had closed the court ruled that he had been held il¬ legally and ordered his release. His many friends at Swainsbom and his father and family rejoice over the | fact that he has been liberated and are grateful for the interest shown in him. _____ Read the advertisements in Thi: | News and trade with home merchants. QUESTIONS FOR THE U, D. G. MEETING. The Ladies of U. D. C. Next Meet¬ ing Will Have an Interest¬ ing Program The answers to the following ques¬ tions will be found in Georgia Land and People, pages 271 to 277: 1 When was the first battle of the war fought and who won the victory ? 2 What was the conduct of the peo¬ ple in Richmond at this time. 3 Ho>v’ did Georgia manifest her joy over this victory and which of her regiments took part in this fight ? 4 Who was in command of the 11th Georgia Regular Volunteers and what was this company’s record throughout the war ? 5 Tell of the valiant service of the 7th and 8th Georgia Regiments in this battle and give the names of their commander ? 6 What were Barton’s words in leaving Georgia to join the Virginia army and what were his dying words at Manassas ? 7 Where and with what ceremonies was he buried ? 8 What Georgian was mentioned in Gen. Johnston’s official report and for what Georgia regimentdid Gen. Beau¬ regard express his admiration. 9 Give name of a member of the 9th Georgia who was wounded in this combat and tell main incident of his service in an Indian war ? 10 Who was struck senseless at the battle of Manansas and upon recovery what did he do ? 11 While Lieut. Hull was convalesc¬ ing in Richmond whom did he meet and what praise did he hear given the 8th Georgia. 12 When was the battle of Oak Hill, Mo., fought and what Georgian was killed there. 13 Who was in command of the 1st Georgia regiment and what was this company’s conduct in W. Va. 14 Tell of Georgia’s unceasing pre¬ parations for war ? 15 Who was elected Gov. oi Georgia at this time and by what majority ?. 16 Was there a precedent for the third term? 17 How did Gov. Brown show his pa¬ triotism on inauguration day ? 18 What did a Clarksville lady do to show her love for the Confederacy ? 19 With what words did Gov. Brown conclude his message to the legisla¬ ture. 20 By the end of the year how many regiments had Georgia sent and whom did Gov. Brown eventually call on for supplies. 21 What happened while the Legisla¬ ture was in session and who respond¬ ed ? 22 Tell of the actions along the coast toward the close of the year. 23 Name the Brig-Generals in the Confederate service at this time ? 24 Give Alex. H. Stephens’ state¬ ment summing up the cause for which Georgia was fighting. Miss Brownie Anderson, Miss Sallie Mae Cook, Committee. A Good Weekly. Editors Flowers and Taylor, of The Covington News, continue to get out one of the best weekly papers in the state. It is a credit to Covington and Newton county, and the people down there should be proud of their new paper. And the editors are doing the proper thing in making their subscrip¬ tion price the same to all. Publish ers-make a great mistake when they send their papers out at different prices.—Conyers Times. Warren Stillwell Hurt. Wi barren Stillwell, aged about eight years, was seriously hurt in a run-a way Monday afternoon, and while his injuries are not considered dangerous he has been suffering a good deal from his wounds. Mr. Waters Ballard was driving a horse hitched to a buggy and when he passed in front of Dr, Luke Robin son’s residence, the horse became frightened at the ditching machine and began to jump and run. The lit¬ tle fellow ran out in the street just in time to get under the wheels. Two of the wheels passed over his body, inflicting very painful injuries. He was given medical attention as quick as possible and his many friends will be pleased to learn that he will be out a^ain in a few days. $1.00 A Year In Advance. NEW PLAN FOR COUNTY CONVICTS. A Summary of Important Features In The New Law And Rules And Regulations. Important changes have been made in Georgia’s penitentiarys ystem and will take place April 1st. Within a few weeks the past ves¬ tige of the convict lease system, which has been in operation for 30 years in this state, will have disappeared and some 2,000 convicts will be at work upon the public highways of Georgia, in 105 of the 146 counties. Since the completion of the legis¬ lation last September under which these changes are to take place, those counties which propose to participate in this splendid opportunity which the state offers them have been, in a measure, preparing themselves to take up this progressive work, notwith¬ standing that it is all new to many of them, and they will have much to learn, both from observation and ex¬ perience. Twenty-nine Georgia counties, and Newton is one of them, have been using state convicts for road work for the past several years, under the law permitting them to take the short¬ term men with marked success, and it is a significant fact that not one of these counties is missing from the list that have made requisition for con¬ victs under the new law. It has been definitely and finally determined to place all the white male convict upon the special state farm to be purchased by the state for that purpose, a policy which will of course eliminate them from the pub¬ lic roads of the different counties. Under the law requiring seperaation of the races, no county wanted white convicts. For this and other reasons the commission decided that it was best to segregate the white men, about 300 in number, upon a farm which will be worked by them for the state. That farm will be purchased by the commission with the approval of the governor, probably this week. It is to be selected bj the commission from some 200 tracts of land which have been offered the state, and the com¬ mission’s purpose is to secure title to it within the next two weeks with a STRENGTH! Statement of condition of Bank of Covington, of Covington, Ga., at the close of business February 5th, 1909. RESOURCES Loans & Discounts, $139,638.78 Demand Loans...... 41,434.81 Cotton Overdrafts, 9,966.22 $191,039.81 Overdrafts, Unsecured,............ 782.31 Furniture and Fixtures,.......... 3,833.65 Cash on hand &due from Banks, 58.131.95 Total, $253,787.72 B LIABIIJTIES Capital............................... $ 100 , 000.00 Undivided Profits, (Net)......... 3,217.03 Dividends Unpaid,.................. 160.00 1 Deposits,............................. 150,410.69 Bills Payable and Rediscounts,.. NONE Total, $253,787.72 Deposits February 5, 1908, $113,134.93 Deposits February 5, 1909, $150,410.69 Capita] Increased Jan. Jst, 1908, With NO Un¬ 1 divided Profits—$8,000.00 Dividends Paid Stockholders Since Capital Was Increased. DIRECTORS: S. P. Thompson, Dr. J. T. Gibson, P. W. Godfrey, C. A. Sockwell, R. R. Fowler, N. S. Turner, R. S. Franklin, Jno. L. Stephenson, F. E. Heard, O. S. Porter, R. W- Milner, C. S. Thompson. Bank of Covington Covington, Georgia. WHY Have the Three Job Presses at this office been running 15 hours a day for sixty days? There’s a Reason. NEWTON OIL MILL MADE DEFENDANT. Henry Gaither Alleges He Was Damaged to the Amount of $5,000.—Lost Leg. Suit was entered Monday against the Newton County Oil Mills for $5,000 damages by Henry Gaither, colored, who was injured by falling from a ladder and breaking his leg last Sep¬ tember, the result being an amputa¬ tion of the limb. It seems that he was up on the latter and he alleges that Green Robinson knocked the ladder out from under him. He claims carelessness on the part of an employee and wants damages. Gaither has employed the law firm of Middlebrook, Rogers & Knox, who will conduct his case. At the present, when none of the facts are accessible, it is hard to say just how this will terminate, but it is safe to say that he will hardly get the full amount. Golden Fleece Lodge No. 6. Covington lodge, No. 6, F. & A. M. will meet in regular communication next Friday evening at 7:30. Work in third degree, all members requested to be present. view to begin work at the earliest possible moment and making a crop this season. LTpon this farm will be placed every white male convict whether able bodied or decrepid, sound or iinvalid, and nowhere else in Georgia will there be seen, for the present at least, any white inmate of the state peniten¬ tiary. While the commission has not selected any specific tract, and is still considering a number of them it has been practically determined to buy at once a single farm of 5,000 to 6,000 acres of good land, properly located, it being figured that each convict can work on an average about 20 acres. Upon this farm will be made va¬ rious products which will be used directly or through the proceeds of their sale, for the support and main¬ tenance of the prison department.