Newspaper Page Text
Cotton Market:
Following was ruling
prices here yesterday:
Middling/ 9 1-8 cents
Good mid. 9 1-4 cents
VOL. 1. NO. 17
R, JOHN S. MOORE
PASSES AWAY.
as One of The Best Known Min¬
isters ini The County. Leaves
a Host of Friends.
Dr. J. S. Moore, one of the best
no wn and most highly esteemed cit
L en a of the county, died at his home
n Oxford Sunday afternoon, aged
Eighty years. for twenty years
Dr. Moore was a
iember of the faculty of Emory col
e>r e holding the chair of Latin and
, period considered the
uring that was
est man in the entire faculty. Dur¬
ing this time he has lived in Oxford
Did has preached at every church and
Crossroads in Newton county and was
nown and loved by almost every
aan, woman and child anywhere in
Fis section. Besides being a most
Consecrated Christian, he was a man
assessing all those conscientious
rincipals which are essential to the
1 tilrin g of a strong character and a
od citizen. He was a polished gen¬
tleman and was truly a scholar of the
‘Id school, imbued with all the ehiv
jry and courteous traits of the true
outhern gentleman.
That his familiar figure will be
based by the people of Covington
,nd Oxford is useless to say. With
ut his helpful influence the commu
itv will feel his loss for a long time
,nd his memory will be a source of
omfort to those who knew him and
is example will be the guiding star
{more than one man’s character,
lis influence was always used for
hose things best and for the happi¬
ness and contentment of his fellow
:ien.
His death has brought the bitter
up of sorrow to the lips of friends
,nd relatives. His was a heart of
)ld. He was one of nature’s noble
nen in its truest sense—brave, gener¬
ic, manly. He was the real soul of
onor, and his friends and friendships
7ere sacred to him.
He leaves a wife, three sons, Messrs.
Villiam, Robert and Porter Moore, of
irmingnam, Ala., and three (laugh¬
ers, Mrs. Frank Evans, of Elberton;
Irs. B. C. Jarrell, of Rome, and Miss
lice Moore, of Virginia, to mourn
is death, besides the entire friend-
NATIONAL-SAFETY
I he word NATIONAL is and will always be a synonym
of SAhETY when it is attached to the name of a bank.
‘‘Government Supervision”
Means much to a depositor and you can bet that Uncle Sam
looks into the affairs of a NATIONAL BANK.
SAFE? Well, we have our entire capital stock invested in
United States Bonds. Guess Uncle Sam will take care of
that, won’t he?
Think About These Figures
Capital Stock, $40,000.00
All All invest invested in United States Bonds bear¬
ing ing interest. inti
Surplus and Profits, March 29, ’09 $ 2,958.26
Less every expense; you can figure the
price per share.
Loans and Discounts, March 29, ’09 $75,559.76
We have no doubtful paper and NEVER
LOST ONE DOLLAR through bad or
mismanaged loans.
Here you have it—FACTS AND FIGURES-stronger
than words.
Safety Is The First Consideration
In opening a bank account as well as the first in any other
transaction.
We are conveniently located—offer every up-to-date facility
Ur I romptness in Banking, and we wish to do business with
you.
First National Bank
Covington, Georgia.
my @mmimgmn
DATE FIXED FOR
TAX RETURNS
Date Is Fixed by Governor For
March Thirty-first. Books
Now Open.
Tax Receiver Lunsford is in receipt
of a letter from the governor, comp¬
troller-general and state treasurer in
which the date is fixed for making
the tax returns for 1909. They have
made the date March 31, and all prop¬
erty owned on that date is subject to
taxation and must be included in the
returns of each individual, firm or
corporation. In some cases the mat¬
ter of making tax returns is treated
in a careless manner and consequent¬
ly the rate has to be put up to a high
point to make ends meet. In this
county, however, we don’t think there
is a person who would wilfully under¬
estimate his worth in making his re¬
turns, and when they are all in we
think there will be a remarkable
increase in the amount of taxable
property over last year.
The letter sent out by the commit¬
tee is in the hands of the receiver
and we publish it below for the bene¬
fit of our readers:
“Whereas, The General Tax Act,
approved August 22, 1907, requires
the Governor, the Comptroller-Gen¬
eral and State Treasurer to fix a day
between January 1 and April 1 of the
year 1909, as a day for making returns
of taxes, which day shall be fixed im¬
mediately after the first day of March
of said year. It is therefore:
“Ordered: That the 31st day of
March, 1909, be, and the same is
day hereby fixed and designated as the
for making returns of taxes for
the year 1909; hereby requiring the
values of all property owned and pos¬
sessed on that day to be the basis of
said tax returns for the year 1909.
“Witness our official signatures this
the 2nd day of March, 1909.
“Hoke Smith, Governor.
“Wm. A. Wright, Comp-Gen.
“R. E. Park, State Treasurer.”
ship of the community, who will miss
him and feel their loss in his death.
The funeral services were held at
the Methodist church at Oxford Mon¬
day afternoon, conducted by Dr. C.
E. Dowman arid Rev. W. H. LaPrade,
after which the remains were tender¬
ly laid to rest in the cemetery at that
place.
COVINGTON, GEORGIA, MARCH 3), 1909.
HEAVY WIND STORM
STRIKES COUNTY.
Several Dwellings and Two Churches
Damaged, but No One
Seriously Injured.
This county was visited by a very
severe wind storm last Wednesday
night w r hich did considerable damage
to property in several sections but
there was no one hurt. It u’as the
heaviest wind known in many years,
and coming as it did at midnight,
there was considerable excitement.
All during the storm there was a con¬
tinual down pour of rain. Trees and
fences were blown down in the city
and all over the county.
At Oxford several dwelling were
blown down, causing a loss something
like $2,000. At Alcova the church
and several dwellings and outbuildings
were blown to pieces, but no one was
hurt. At Stewart the church and
dwelling houses were blown down.
The storm continued for an hour
and during that time it seemed as if a
sure enough cyclone was in force.
MR. J. M, DAVIS
IS SUPERINTENDENT.
Commissioners Elected Him To Take
The Place of S. V. Farmer Who
Resigned Recently.
At a recent meeting of the commis¬
sioners Mr. J. M. Davis a former resi¬
dent of this county but now of Tift
county, was elected to the position of
superintendent of the road gang of
Newton county to take the place of
Mr. S. V. Farmer, whose resignation
took place a few days ago.
Mr. Davis is well known to the
people of this county he having been
reared here and was at one time the
superintendent of the road gang.
Since he has been in south Georgia
he was the superintendent of road
work in Tift county and was held in [
high esteem by the people of that
county. He resigned the place there
to accept the position here as it is at
his old home here. He has moved
his family to Mansfield, where they
are at home to their friends.
In speaking of him as an officer in
Tift couuty the Tifton Gazatte in its
last issue has the following to say
about him.
“Mr.J.M.Davis, who has served the
County Commissioners ably for the
past two years as superintendent tendered his of
road construction, has
resignation, having been offered a
more lucrative position at his former
home in North Georgia. his resigna¬
“Mr. Davis tendered
tion last week, and left Sunday for
Newton county, where he had been
offered the position of superintendent returned
of road construction. He
Wednesday, and is now making ar¬
rangements to leave next Sunday to
take up his new work Monday morn¬
ing. He expects to go to Pittsburg
Tuesday, to get a number of convicts
for Newton county. public roads
“Mr. Davis’ work on the
of Tift county is a monument to his
ability and experience, and he leaves
with the best of feeling on both sides,
his only reason for going being the
better salary offered and the fact this
work will be at his former home.
“His work here has been very satis¬
factory to the Board of Commissioners
and they see him go with regret. His
sucessor has not yet been selected,
although there are several applica¬
tions. Until another man is employ¬
ed, Mr. George W. Walker, who has
been assisting Mr. Davis for some
time, will be in charge.”
Firm Name Changed.
The firm of the Harrison Company, |
which has been doing business here
for the past several years, has had its
name changed to the Stationery and
Novelty Co., and will continue to do
business at the same place. The
change of the nama does not in any
way change the personnel of this pop¬
ular firm and the same corps of clerks
will be there to greet their friends.
The News wishes for this company
the same lively busness under its
new name as it experienced under the
old. They are making some very at¬
tractive offers in their advertisement
in another column. Look at them
and trade with this firm when you
want anything in their line.
FOR RENT— Three 5-room cot¬
tages on Thompson avenue, the
new and fast coming resident sec¬
tion of the city. Apply to D. A.
Thompson.—tf.
Sash Ribbons atC.C. Robinsno’s
GEORGE H. BELL
COMMITS SUICIDE.
Was on His Way From Atlanta to
His Home in Swainsboro
When He Killed Himself.
While on the Central train from
Macon to Savannah last Thursday
morning George H. Bell cut his throat
which resulted in death while near
Toorosboro. Mr. Bell was formerly
a representative from Emanuel coun¬
ty to the legislature and due to the
fact that he was only recently re¬
leased from the state asylum at Mil
ledgeville after a lot of publicity on
habeas corpus proceedings, he was
widely known throughout the entire
state.
Mr. Bell inflicted a deep stab in his
throat in the presence of Conductor
Robert Brake who was standing be¬
side the unfortunate man, but was
not close enough to prevent his mad
act. Previous to the coming into the
oar of the conductor, Mr. Bell had
stabbed himself beneath the heart and
was lying on the floor of the smoking
compartment of the coach.
Thinking that the man had suffered
from a hemorrhage, Conductor Brake
lifted him from the floor and placed
him upon a seat, and while standing
up after his effort, was astounded to
see Bell take a poeketknife and pull it
across his throat from left to right,
and immediately under the jawbone.
Bell sank into a collapse immediate¬
ly, and expired at once. An exami¬
nation of the body showed the stab
under the heart, from which he had
bled profusely, though the evidences
were covered by his clothing. The
body w T as kept on the train until Wad
ley was reached, and from there sent
to Swainsboro to his relatives.
One month ago, to the day, George
Bell was released from the state asy¬
lum, after a sensational fight in which
he was aided by Mrs. Blanche Burton
a former actress,^now the wife of a
wealthy" Indianapolis man, whom Bell
had once befriended.
In his petition for release from the
asylum, Bell contended that he had
been illegally held. From the begin
ing of his fight, he claimed that he
was kidnapped without having been
regularly and legally adjudged insane.
He was placed in the asylum on
April 18, 1906. He was given his re¬
lease February 25, 1909.
Several weeks ago Mrs. Bell, who
is now a stenographer at Waycross,
filed suit for divorce, alleging cruelty.
Bell announced that he would not
take any legal steps to contest the
suit, nor would he oppose her taking
their only child. Mrs. Bell is promi¬
nently connected with one of the best
families in the state.
During his confinement in the asy¬
lum, Bell wrote a number of articles
to the newspapers of the state, which
attraced great attention. In these
articles he claimed that he was ille¬
gally committed to the aslyum, was
held against his will, and should be
released. He was a brilliant writer,
and hundreds of people, after reading
his literature, were apparently con¬
vinced that he was sane.
One of these articles attracted the
attention of Mrs. Blanche Burton,
whom he had once befriended, and
she determined to help him. She
was aided by Hon. L. J. Kilburn and
W. D. McNeal a well known lawyer
of Macon. Mr. Kilburn was a col¬
league of Bell when he was a member
of the legislature. Mrs. Burton was
visiting in Macon at the time she en¬
listed her efforts in behalf of Bell.
Bell was arraigned for a hearing at
Milledgeville some weeks ago, but
was at the conclusion sent back to
the asylum.
Not discouraged, friends of Rell
went to work and by habeas corpus
proceedings succeeded in having the
case again brought up. This time
the hearing was before Judge Lewis
at Greensboro, who ordered Bell to
be held for 30 days and then released
unless legal steps were taken. The
asylum authorities, however, at once
freed the former legislator.
Contractors Busy.
The contractors on the water and
sewerage system are moving right
along with the ditching and pipe lay¬
ing on the system and some of the
pipe has already been laid for the
water mains. They are making un¬
usual good time considering the con¬
tinued rainy spell we have had, and
from all indications it is their inten¬
tion to push the work to completion.
The streets on which the work has
been finished are in a bad condition,
but as fast as Street Overseer
can get to them they will be put
in good shape.
DIRT BROKEN ON
BAPTIST __at CHI. our store. Great
Contract Has Been Let To tor.*d e that We Say it is
Builders in the County.
Dirt has been broken on the new
Baptist church here and the work
will continue at a rapid rate until the
edifice is completed. Everything is
in readiness for the completion of the
job and contractor Clark will go
ahead with the work.
The contract was first let to the
Gresham Manufacturing Company", of
Griffin, but there was a clause in the
contract which allowed the building
committee to cancel it anytime with¬
in thirty days. Mr. Clark had en¬
tered a bid at the same time that the
contract was let to the Griffin people
and it was found a few days ago that
he w r as in better position to do the
work at a lower price than the other
bidders and the contract was can¬
celled with the Gresham firm and
awarded to Mr. Clark. The News is
glad that the work will be done by a
local man and that Mr. Clark got it.
He is recognized as the most reliable
builder in this section and has a lot of
first-class jobs to his credit. He is at
present constructing the new school
auditorium, which will be one of the
best pieces of work in the city.
This new Baptist church will be
frected at a cost of something like
$11,000 and will be a lasting ornament
to the people of the city. It is ex¬
pected that it will be completed some¬
time during the coming summer and
will be ready for service sometime
during the early fall.
The people of the Baptist church
have worked faithfully in the cause
of the new building and are to be
congratulated in their having suc¬
ceeded so well.
Mr. Robert R. Wood.
News reached the city" y r esterdey,
Tuesday, that Mr. Robert R. Wood
was ill with appendicitis at his home
in Atlanta and that his condition was
considered very serious. Mr. Wood
was resident of this city for a num¬
ber of years but has been connected
with t ie George Muse Company for
sometime. His many friends here
wish for him a speedy recovery.
NOT
An Experiment
WE have passed “the new boot stage.”
WE do not experiment with our business, nor
with your business.
WE are not incorporated for the purpose of
financing auxiliary enterprises.
enjoy the distinction of top notch quality
“that time enduring kind.”
WE respectfully solicit your hanking business on
the basis of superior strength and experience, and assure
courteous, intelligent treatment and close attention to your
individual wants.
Bank of Covington
Covington, Georgia.
CAPITAL, - - $100,000
til is (‘OI11 111 l llli t \
jy to the very
quota
and the.*
work on t,
county. A t
superintendent
man of the boa?— —■
Mr. Kitchens and
son left yesterday, Tu
for the mines at Pitt
county, and will bring tti
in number, arriving here
during the day Friday. They T\
placed at the convict camp where the
necessary changes and other details
have been arranged for their recep¬
tion.
This taking of the long-term con¬
victs is a new venture with Newton
county the same as with the other
counties applying for them and while
all the preparations possible to make
have been made, matters will have to
be changed occasionally to fit the
circumstances.
The new law requires that all the
long-term men be kept in separate
quarters from the misdemeanor con¬
victs and new cars have been added
to the present camp outfit to conform
as nearly as possible with the desire
of the state and the purpose of the
new law.
While the cars which have been se¬
lected are better than the ones form¬
erly used for the county convicts it
seems to ua that for the custody of
felony convicts the cars should be so
constructed as to make it impossible
for them to escape, even if they
should slip their shackles. A number
of the counties using only the con¬
victs sent up for a short period have
their ears built on the same order as
a prison cell, with steel bars entirely
around and over them. This makes
escape practically impossible and is a
safe-guard that should not be neg¬
lected.
The people of the county are very
much interested in this new venture
and will watch the result with inter¬
est.