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HON. B.H. HILL
Before tho aenateofOeorstato 1510-fer-
don of W. i.. Choice.
(Written for the Benoer-Wetchmen.]
In 1860 tbo senate of Georgia bad in U
some of tbo brightest intellects in the
• State. Conspicuous of these may be
mentioned, Billups, of Clarice, Tracy, of
Bibb, Holt, of Muscogee, King, of Glynn,
Lawton, of Chatham, Hammond, of Ful
ton. and last, and most prominent in the
erent which constitutes the theme of
this article, Hill, of Troup. Many im
portant incidents marked the course of
that session ofthc Georgia legislature,
but none of a local or personal character
elicited more lirely interest than the bill
for the pardon of Wn. A. Choice. He
had been convicted of murder in the
October term of Fulton superior conrt in
1850. The fact on whieh this convie-
tion was baaed wea that on the 80th of
Deo. '68 he bad shot and killed Calvin
Webb, a constable of the county of Ful
ton, who had on the previous day, on a
warrant issued at the instance of a credi
tor, arrested Choice for the failure to
pay a small debt of tendollars. The
murderer was a son of a pious widowed
mother, who had for many years kept a
hotel in Rome, and whose excellent per
sonal character, and skill and hospitality
in the conduct of her business, bad at
tached to her a large multitude of friends
throughout the state, and among them,the
unfortunate occurrence in which her son
was the chief actor, and the dreadful
issue of that occurrence in his convic
tion of murdor, had excited an intense
sympathy. On the other hand, the ag.
granted nature of the crime, the utter
absence of personal provocation to its
commission, the fact that the murdered
man had been shot, as most distinctly ap
peared, because of the execution of his
legal duty, had aroused an intenso coun
ter feeling of condemnation in the breasts
of vast numbers, who believed his con
viction just After conviction the case
had been appealed to the supreme court,
then having as its chief that model of
judicial purity and learning, Judge J. H.
Lumpkin, and the finding of the court
below had been confirmed. The opinion
of the higher tribunal had been express
ed in such terms as to add to, rather
than take from, the intensity of convic
tion on the public mind, as to the cor.
rectness of the verdict It was with this
adverse state of facts that Mr. Hill, the
principal counsel for tho defendant, had
to contend in the endeavor to secure the
pardon. Still another fact unfavorable
to the success fill issue of his effort ex
isted in the person of the Governor, J. E.
Brown. The personal relations of these
two men weru not at that time of such
a nature as to encourage hope that he
(the Governor) would be easy to influ.
. once favorably toward any measure
whicli might add to the reputation, or
gratify the ambition of Mr. HilL They
were rivals for the favor of the entira
state. Mr. Hill was the brilliant orator,
and the almost unconquerable political
controversialist. Though comparatively
a young man, he had met in debate the
oldest and most renowned political lead
ers in the state, and if not victorious over
them in the strife of words, had won Ian-
rels which bad satisfied his warmest
friends, and at least excited the jealousy
and spprebension of his enables. He
had opposed Mr. Brown, I believe, in the
last preceding gubernatorial contest, and,
though defeated by a majority very grat
ifying to Mr. Brown’s political friends,
he had evinced such masterly control of
his adherents, and they had shown such
invincible loyalty to his fortunes, wheth
er in triumph or defeat, as to subdoe
largely the feeling of triumph on the port
of his successful antagonist and those
who voted for him. Mr. Hill bad. been
defeated, but he had shown a vitality to
defeat which was calculated to awaken
apprehension. Besides these considera
tions, it was a general belief that Gov.
Brown possessed much of that iron firm-
ness which to always necessary to the
enforcement of law which is painful and
total Mtainflictions.. He had won ■
reputation for superiority to the to flu
encesby which less virtuous and Weakef
men uncontrolled, which forbade the
hope that he could be cajoled, or de
ceived, or frightened into an unwise in
terference with the coarse of the. law,
after that h*d' been thoroughly, calmly
and judicially appealed to. The pros
pects.Of; success to an appeal for pardon
to the seuate of Georgia, under all these
circumstances, were slender. It requir
ed the energy of despair, or the buoy-
ancy'of an almost unreasonable hope to
inspire the effort. It was probably as
much th'e.foruMvaa the latter that was
had boon by so small a majority, and . work, to the right of the Pros, .lent, left,
then was such anumenus and weighty | saying he bad done his duty by uphold.
bill had been once—possibly twice—•
passed and /eturned without the Gov
ernor’s ekastare. A final and desper
ate ehs»t was now to be made to secure
a two-thirds majority, which was neces
sary to order to make the bill a lqw with
out that signature. Its previous peonage
vote against it, that no one but a. moat
determined and unconquerable advocate
could hare hoped atrong enough for suc
cess not to weaken bis own cause by
manifestation of discouragement How
ever Mr. HiU felt, be never for once be
trayed any bnt the moat fervent seal and
the moat confident expectation of sue-
cess. He began his gnat speech before
the senate atthe opening of the afternoon
seeeion. The chamber wee filled to iteut-
moet capacity; representatives from the
other end of the building, end citixons of
leisure, andbusinesa men of weighty en
gagements, hating heard during the
noon reoeu of the anticipated ’ afternoon
undertaking; wen then, drawn by the
wide-spread Intereat already given the
occumnce, and equally, also, by the re
nown of the speaker, who had
already come to be conaidorad
well-nigh irrasiitible at the bar, ei
well as on the etump. The wid.
owed mother of the condemned men, for
whose life this final heroic effort
to be made, set in the aisle’ fronting tho
President's desk, clothed in deep mourn
ing, end evoking the sympathy of the
sternest, not only by her son's dreadful
danger, but by her own affliction with
paralysis, with wich she hid sufferred
from before the date of the crime. Just
behind eat a sister of the condemned
man, wife of a prominent senator; and
just behind the sister, end very near the
entrance from the lobby, sat the aged
colored nurse,on whose motherly cere the
infant life of Choice had leaned in safety.
These were all clad in deep mourning.
The lobby end gallery end every availa
ble foot of space in every part of (he
chamber wee occupied by the sympa
thising and expectant Hr. HiU began
with his usual deliberations, and for two
hours that afternoon went patiently
through the review of the history of
the case from the commission of tho
deed to the conviction. There were two
points to which he gave especial promi
nence. The first, that it was impossible
to the very nature of things, that the
man for whom he pleaded had a fair and
impartial trial, at the time of his convic
tion. owing to the excited state of the
public mind in Atlanta against him; sec
ond, that the evidences of his insanity
were of a conclusive nature. His argu
ment continued during the two hours of
the afternoon session and then adjourn
ment took place while he was in the
midatofit He resumed his speech af
ter the confirmation of the minutes next
morning and for another period extend
ing over an hour ar.d half, there was the
same undivided attention given him by
that crowded assembly. A vast number
of enriona facta were brought forward
to support of Mr, HiU’a second proposi
tion. One thing .that had been held
in the trial was that intelligent design
ing capacity, or coherent recollection
and narration of events wore proofs of
sanity and positive disproof!' of insanit
In rebuttal of this claim Mr. HiU had
collected a number of'very remarkable
instances of tho contrary. One of these
the writer remembers in many of its de
tails until the present day. A mother in
New Jersey, I think, had been arrested
and was on trial for tho murder of her
own children to tho number of six or
seven. Wien she came to make her
own statement as she was allowed to do
before the final verdict, she told exactly
where ehe got the knifo or niorwUh
which iho committed the deed; whieh
one of her children she began the bloody
execution on, the pains she took to make
the death sure at one stroke, that there
might not bo the arousing of tho other
children by the straggles or cries of the
the one which was being murdered, the
order to which the committed the sepa
rate acts, and what aha subsequently
did with Hie instrument used, arid with
the remains of her murdered children to
ordaor to conceal hercrime, and other
things that she did to escape the penalty
of it; and yet she wan adjnged a lunatic,
and if I remember correctly, was eonfin.
ed at that time to the asylum of New
Jersey for such unfortunates. The
speech, was one of Mr. Hill’e best There
were passages of iminttable rhetorical
beauty and others ef surpassing elo
quence, and tear-provoking pathos. He
concluded with a powerful appeal to aU
the hnmane feelings of hit bearers. Into
this appeal he threw all that magnetism
which belongs to one who has made the
cause he ‘ advocates his own, and who
pleads as though it store his own life at
state; or rather aa though he were al.
ready suffering the pains of death, and
begging deliverance
Tlie speech was closed amid profound
ing the Governor’s veto before, and
would now let the matter take its own
course. By these absences the negative
voto was so lessened that a two-thirds
majority over tke Governor’s voto was
obtained without materially increasing
the vote by which the bill had before
been passed. Thus terminated one
the most hotly contested straggles of
legal nature of which our court records
afford us any knowledge. Choice after
ward became a soldier to the Confederate
army, was a brave fightojybut to the ond
of his career addicted to drink, by which
he was always inflamed into unnatural
irritability. He continued to evince that
want of harmony of character with which
he was credited at the time of the killing
of Webb, and aa a result of which,
was both admired and dreaded even by
bia friends.
moss Hu reran.
The Washington correspondent of the
Atlanta Constitution says: H. W. J,
Ham, of Gainesville, lost his place as
clerk of the committee on education to
day, by the tardiness of one of his friends.
Some time ago Mr. Aiken, of South Caro
lina, chairman of the committee, wrote
to Colonel Candler, who is second on it,
to assume the duties of chairman, and
orgsniaa the committee, aa he could not
tell when the condition of hia health
would permit him to come to Washing-
ton. Mr. Candler organised the' com
mittee and is still acting aa chairman.
He nominated Ham for clerk, sad he was
unanimously sleeted. Last week Hr.
Murkison, of South Carolina, presented
hie appointment from Chairman Aiken aa
clerk of this committee. This caused
complication which was settled this
morning. Nine member* of the commit
tee were present, Mr. Candler presiding.
Four voted for Ham and four for Murk'
toon. Candler said that in deference to
Colonel Aiken, he would vote for Hurt
toon, which defeated Ham by one vote.
Just as the committee adjourned, Mr.
Taylor, of Ohio, came in hurriedly. He
was very anxious to vote for Ham, and
had he been five minutes earlier the
clever Georgian wontd have been elect-
Ii Is a rule of Uio liuuau that tho
committee clerk shall be appointed by
the chairman, by and with the consent of
the committee. The point to raised in
this case that Aiken has never been sworn
in ns n member of the present house, and
if, therefore, not chairman of the com.
mittee, but his man will probably hold
the fort, while all the Georgians here
unite in the wish that Ham may get
aomething better.
THE DYNAMITER AT LARGE.
Tebe Jackson capture* One of tha Doga.
From th* Atlanta Constitution we
learn that the Cartenville dynamiter
still at Urige, and not only at large, bnt
baa captured the celebrated negro dog,
“Nig;’.’ that is said to b* the best in the'
world. Old “Nig” may te a good one
for runaway niggers, but he to not much
on a dynamite nigger. If the Carters-
villa people want Tobe Jackson caught,
they had better lend to Jim Smith's
camp and get dogs that won’t , bo
tured.
the real motive power in the appesL The '.(irhen and with many bedewed cheek*
and the calling of th* yeas aad nays wsa
proceeded with. Many senators who
■at patiently and listened attentively to
the arguments and appeals, left their
before their
Os* ef them
■ernes were
THS KATOK'S QXBKAX.
Pro tom Mayor B. L Smith pnt on- th*
fioveeywterday, aad knocked out sec
tion 225 in three rounds. Several of the
parties settled cases sgaimst them plead'
ing guilty. There wero two dusky dam-
sela wko had been a little too free with
their tongue, and who used language not
laid down to Oliver’s code* The Mayor
pro tern, after giving them a good lecture,
ended the performance with fines of seven
and ten dollars.
a day or ream. ,
Thursday, the 28th tost, will be wide
ly obeervedasaday of prayer for educa
tional institutions. There will bop onion
service of prayer for young people at
their studies,'at 3# o’clock, p. n^ on
that day at the Presbyterian church. Ift-
stractory students and the public gener
ally invited to attend. \ r f;
John Booker, ayeuagboy of the ace
of spade* variety, to the possessor of a
parlor rifle, which he uses very effectu
ally to destroying the coating robin crop.
Booker, however, mistook his big toe far
a tubta, and put a r shall tiled ball through
mi BnnravuHBB.
The Gibling fire extinguisher will giro
in exhibition on Friday, near Hodgson’s
•bop. All the insurance men and every
one interested are invited to be present.
A small sixed house will be built and dot
en fire and extinguished. Notice will be
given of the hour.
BBuann am omogk.
Mr. John Knox, ef Oglethorpe, Dep
uty U. 8. Marshal, was to Atkeas yea-
There is a cane of measles at Mr. An
derson's boarding house.
Col. Frank Baldwin, the South Caro
lina shoe drummer. is in tho city.
The tournamont of tho fire companies
promises to be the biggost ever held in
Georgia. " •• v’.'t: •
Coleman leaves to-day for Eibarton.
He is looking after his washing machine.
The stseet railroad at tho crossing of
Hancock arenuo and Hull street should
be fixed so that Wagons can pull over it
A little work with dirt properly, thrown
ini Will do a great deal of good.
The Athen! Chronicle was busy yes
terday moving. The paper will not be
Issued this week.
GoL Tom Fleming left yesterday for
Savannah.
J. W. Arnold formerly of Oglethorpe,
to in the city, representing the Wrought
Iron range.
Mrs. Meeker, who has been so criti
cally ill at Col. Thurmond’s, we an glad
to announce, to much better, and hopes
are entertained of her recovery.
Walter Hodges, the itadent from
Hartwell, whom it was thought had mea
sles, has recovered. Hia illness was
simply an attack of cold.
Katie Putnam has always been an
Athena favorite. She has lost none of
her oto-time vivacity, end will no donbt
meet with a warm reception upon her
retain. •, j
There were number* of strangers at
the Mikado performance Monday night.
Mr, Otis Childs, who has been on n
visit to his brother, Mr. A. K. Childs,
left yesterday morning for the Santee
mines to spend n short season.
Cranford’s newt depot fill* a long-felt
want in Athena. Horace has things
neatly fixed np. HU assistant, Mr. Daria,
to making many friends fn Athens.
Oar Jewish citisens are the most lib*i>
si patrons of the opera house. There is
never en entertainment there without
they are largely represented.
Then to s young lawyer in Athena
who carries hu “attachment* mostly in
hia . outside coat pocket instead of hia
vest,
The negroes in Augusta started to or
ganise a Hibernian society, but for some
reason the scheme failed.
The whistlers have caught on to the
“Yum Yum” air, and that’s ail we’ll hear
for a month; but, oh, that month! We
hope the little niggers won’t start it on
their mouth organs.
The new postmaster will be appointed
early to February. There are three
plicants now, we believe—Dr. Orr, W. B.
Barnett and Henry Beuaae. We wiU
loon know which it ii.
The Maaone of Harmony Grove have
invited Mt Vernon Lodge to meet with
them on Friday night next j They will
have an interesting time.
Tha expressions of regret at Mr. Gantt’s
protracted and serious illness are univer
sal. Everybody will bu glad to as
out again.
Tne Athens foundry to crowded with
work. Their facilities are good and they
will not remain for behind their order*.
Miss Leila Richardson, the besntifnl
and accomplished daughter of Rev. 8. P.
Richardson arrived in oar city tost Wed
nesday, and we are glad to say will make
thto her home.
Work is progressing rapidly on the
. M. C. A. rooms. AU young men
should join the association.
The street cun' are a great conveni
ence when there to an attraction at the.
opera house. They go and eomeerowd-
IN BTRIOTY FIRHT CLASS HOODS 1
Just Received in Every Department, atthe Shoe Store
Broad Street, Athens, Ga.
No Such Stock of
boots&shohB
Ever seen in Athens Before, All the Latest Styles in
Ladies’and Misses’ Shoes
BALDWIN & FLEMING.
ed.
The Mikado Joke on Fowler seemed
to cany the boose by storm. Some of
the Japs most have found where Fowl
er lived during their ehort stay.
The Y. M. 0. A. want aU the boys to
join them. -Titty will have an especial
work for boy*. They wantto make good
men out of them.
The school girls should patronise the
street railroad liberally.
Sheriff Wier*s game leg to working
finely. V
Judge McCIeskey died testate, leaving
estate worth about 130,000.
-Eugene Brydia is in Augusta on .busi
ness connected with the firemens' tour
nament to be held hero to July.
Wn. Hunt has resigned the office of
treasurer of Belief fire company.
Mr. Hugh Taylor is having his real
dence repaired.
Some splendid up-town property will
change hands soon.
Since the stock iaw has gone into ef
fect it is unfashionable to have gates to
the front yards to Athens.
— »
GRIFFITH & WIELL,
INSURANCE AGENTS.
Represent best Companies and insure desirable pro
pfcrty in Athens and vicinity on most favorable terms
Liar or Coeraxnts.
Georgia Heme.
Home of New Turk.
Pbmuix of I Lifford
Liverpool and' London and Globe
Insurance C’oriipmy nl North America....
Assxrs.
...... 7*10,000
7,260,058
.... 4,240,760
14.500,000
9,087,235
North British aud Mercantile..,. 3,313,714
New York Ui dorwr’ter* 3,505,877
Germania of New York 2,533,783
Merchants of New Jersey 1,190,984
Atlanta Home (Pajre dividends to policy holder*.) 219,323,48
■ LONG TERM POLICIES ISSUED ON NOTEf PLAN.
OFFICE AT BANK OF THE UNIVERSITY.
jaolSdly.
EASTERN
SEED POTATOES.
SEED OATS,
Genuine Rust Proof.
O'FARRELL & HODGSON.
", .'**’*■*• . \ , * [/. . • ;* JmXMBBI
; BU1STS WARRENTED
GARDENSEED
AT WHOLESALE AND RETAIL,
In Papers and in Bulk.
GOLDEN DENT CORN & M1LL0 MAIZE.
WfthftYa sold out oor first shipment of Send. and are telling on our second supply, dill guar*
an teed fresh. Bulata Garden Calender* and Manuals free to all. jivold a paor stand and a secoad
planting by buying year seed from
JOHN CRAWFORD & CO.
Wholesale & Retail, Druggists & Seedsmen, Clayton St.
out orr na urn.
A negro working at th* cotton seed oil
miii bad hi* hand caught in the machin
ery and several of his fingers had to be
aaipatatod. Dr*. Lyndon and Hogan
the fingers.
J. N. SMITH & CO.,
GBAIN DEALERS AND MILLERS
GRAIN, FEED AND MEAL,
JsalMly.
STEAM AND WATER GROUND,
JEWELRY STORK.
Before Buying Presents
For the Holidays,
Call and Examine a Beau
tiful New Lot of Goods.
1 L-.-irsin IUIH—W■
E- W- BURKE,
Bookseller ani
Keeps full stock of B1
dren’s Books,
Office Sn;
