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THIS WICKED WORLD.
Horrible Fate of an Unknown
Woman Near Savannah.
THE DCORS OPEN AND $48,000 GONE.
Savannah, Ga., September S.—[Special.]—
Beneath the overhanging boughs of a clump
of pine trees a few hundred yards northcast of
Beaulieu, the remains of an unknown mur
dered woman were today interred in the black
mold of the woods. Who she was. and whence
she came, were alike a mystery, nor was there
scarce a clue to the fiend who took her life.
All that was known to anyone present was that
the body had been found yesterday afternoon,
and beside it were the barrel and broken stock
of an old musket. For several days residents
in the neighborhood have noticed
BUZZARDS HOVERING OVER THE WOODS.
Yesterday Mr. Carter, a farmer, while look
ing for his cattle, was attracted by the smell of
a dead body, and ho went into a thicket of tall
weeds, almost as high as himself. There ho
saw a ghastly skull bleached almost white, a
pair of bony arms stretched out upon the
ground, and the lower limbs, fleshless, slightly
drawn up. He * hurriedly left the spot and
alarmed the neighborhood. A message was
sent into the city, and this morning Captain
W. D. Hixon, the county coroner, went out to
hold the inquest. There was very little mate
rial evidence obtainable. So far decomposed
was the body that it was impossible to identify
it by any features or marks. In fact, it was
scarcely more than a skeleton with a few
Clothes about the body.
THE BLONDE HAIR WAS CURLED
up tightly, and was attached to the scalp by a
shred. When the body was turned over it
was lying on its face. When found, the right
jaw was found to have been crushed in, and
the teeth had fallen out. Altogether it was as
horrible and wicked a sight as those gathered
about had ever looked upon. Hr. T. I;.
Chisholm and the coroner cut the clothing
away, and found a small clasp purse twith a
email iron chain attached. In it were two
keys. There was not a scrap of paper about
or anything to throw further light on the
tragedy. To all appearances the woman had
been dead two weeks, and possibly longer.
Her clothing was so discolored that the origi
nal colors could scarcely be told. The skirt
was originally of light-striped material, and
under it she wore a gray petticoat with a red
stripe. Her stockings, both of which were
off, were of a dark color. Neither hat nor
shoes could be found.
THE OLD BROKEN MUSKET
no one could identify. It was of Springfield
make, and on the left side of the stock was a
large “W” roughly scratched. But the stock
had been so spattered with blood that the let
ter was not distinguishable until the stock was
scraped clean. The barrel was old and bent.
The tube was very much worn or burned
away, and there was no cap on it. The
woman had not been shot, but brutally beaten
to death. More than the dead spoke, nothing
could bo learned.
Strange to say, not a person in the whole
neighborhood remembers having seen
A STRANGE WOMAN
out there, and no one in the neighborhood is
missing. Clarinda Jones, a colored woman who
lives not far away, said that last Monday
week a negro, apparently 45 years old, came to
her house and asked for water. Ho had a tin
bucket, and when he had tilled it with water
he inquired how he should go to reach Skida
way. He came out of the woods from the di
rection in which the body was found, and lie
returned the same way, taking his bucket of
water along with him. He was not watched,
and whether he knew anything of the woman
can’t be told. He had a brown skin, was a
little gray and wore a stiff hat with a flat
crown. Nothing was seen of him after he
went off with the water. The jury could get
no fact; that threw any light on the murder,
and their verdict was that the woman was un
known and that she was murdered by some
one unknown. Dr. Chisholm stated he
thought she was 25 C" 30 years old, and had
been dead nearly a month.
A PROBABLE CLUE.
A fruit dealer named Sampson, who has a
store at Jefferson and Bryan streets, went out
with the coroner. He. remembered having
seen a middle aged white man and a young
white woman enter his place about Monday, a
week ago. They were strangers, and the
woman .. its very reserved. The man went off
and stayed more than half an hour. She said
that the man was her husband. They acted a
little strange, Mr. Sampson thought. After
looking at the body this morning, he said that
it was not the same person. He saw the young
woman in his place take two keys out of a
purse, but the purse found on the body was
not the one, although it contained two keys.
It was reported that a girl
was missing from a fruit stand
at York street lane and Whitaker street, but
the proprietor says that the girl clerking for
him is* in Yamacraw. The general belief in
the neighborhood where the crime was com
mitted is that the woman was outraged and
murdered by some negro. Rev. Mr. Andrew,
pastor of St. Stephen’s church, Savannah,
read the burial service, and half a dozen col
ored men lowered the box into the grave.
Two picnics of white children have been
given to Montgomery within the past two
weeks, on V. ■ dr- sday two weeks and Friday
before last. It is believed possible that some
girl was outraged and murdered by her escort.
Savannah, Ga., September 9—[Special.]—
Mr. Love, of Montgomery, came into the city
this morning with what he thinks is a clue to
the mysterious murder discovered on Wednes
day. Mr. Love was at the inquest yesterday,
but did not testify. Today he stated that
early in -Avgust the schoonerjldaC. came up to
Montgomery, and anchored out in the middle
of the river. She belonged to Captain Harry
Thompson, a Norwegian, who has been oys
ter'ng and fishing along the coast for six or
eight years. Thompson s wife came ashore
and told some of her acquaintances that she
intended to quit him.
She had learned that lie had another wife,
and did not wish to go back on the boat. It
seems, however, that ‘ho did. Whether she is
dead or not, is nor known, however. She had
brown hair .nd so bad the woman who was
killed. She was not well dressed, and neither
Was the mu.dered woman. No shoes were
found at the scene cf the murder. Thompson
used to hide his wife’s shoes to keep her from
leaving the schooner, and once or twice he cut
her shoes up. Air. Love s theory is that either
Thompson, or a sailor he had. named Gleason,
committed the murder. lie thinks Mrs.
Thon ipsonwen ! l ack on the schooner, and
that the boat dropped dm.n to Shipyard creek.
There Mrs. Thompson went ashore. A negro
who lives near is reported to have heard them
quarreling. Mr. Love is of the opinion that
Thompson followed Ids wife up toward Burn
side, and that when out of bearing he knocked
her in the head, i-'orne think that Gleason had
a hand in the ciime. It is reported that on
the same day Mr Thomps on was at Mont
gomery her husband walked down the railroad
from the direction of the Burnside station,
took a small boat and rowed down to his
Vessel. He used to coins up to Mont
gomery quite often, but for a month past
lie ba., not been here. Ho is well known along
the c 0..-1 as far down as I>ari< n, and made fre
quent . isits to S-.ipelo quarantine station.
Savannah, Ga., Sept -mber 10.—[Special.]—
Just at the moment a promising chain of cir
cum-tantial evidence hail apparently fixed tho
woman found murdered near Bulie, tidings
were received from Mrs. Agnes Thompson,
wh. trassupposed to bo the victim. Al o,
Mrs. Dawson has just arrived in tho city,
and gives assurances that Mrs. Thompson is
all m. I . :it” i.' - ru'd Tuesday nights
at hi » house, near Darien.
Last Act of a Tragedy Which Oceuned In
Hardeman County, Tenn.
Memphis, Septei.J er 9.—The last net of a
tragedy begun eighteen years ago was con
cluded in the ciicii’t court, at Bolivar, lo t
night, when Guy Smith was acquitted of tho
charge of mnrder. On the second day of Feb
ruary, 1869, at Salisbury, a little town on the
Memphis and Charleston railroad, a younger
brother of Smith became involved in a diffi
culty with two men named Bowdon
ajid Read, vell-to-do residents of the
vicinity. Young Smith was getting tho
worst of the affray, when Guy drew a re
volver and rushed to the rescue. Two pistol
shots rang out, and Bowden and Read fi ll to
the ground, shot through the body. Then tbo
man who bad done the deed to save his
brother from tho indignity of a thrashing,
threw away bis smoking pistol, and boarding
* train, whkffi was just moving out from tho
THE WEEKLY CONBTITLTION: ATLANTA. GA.. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 1887.
depot near by, was borne away to Chatta
nooga. By that one act ho had for
feited a flourishing business and
the championship of wife, children and friends,
and became a fugitive. From Chattanooga he
went to St. Louis and Kansas City, and then
tooK refuge in the plains of Montana. There
lie hved for several years, and by hard work
and "taking his own part” whenever neces
sary, became a partner in a prosperous cattle
business. All this time he went by the name
of Robert Brown. He dared not write home,
and his family and friends were left in doubt
as to whether ho was alive or
dead. He could not rest con
tent, even with a fortunein view, and, finally,
turned the ranch over to his partner anil
wandered away to the City of Mexico.
1 hero he was recognized by several of his
old comrades in Forest's cavalry, in which
command he had risen by gallant conduct on
the field to tho rank of colonel. They kept his
secret and ho embarked in business there.
Fortune favored him once more, and every
thing he touched turned to gold. Ho re
mained in the City of Mexico six or eight
years, and then, overcome by a longing to see
wife and children at all hazards, he started
immo. ror some reason he did not carry out
tins design, but stopped on tho way at a farm
he owned near Newport, Arkansas. There ho
lived until a few weeks ago, when the welcome
news came that the two men he bad shot were
not dead. They had recovered after a long
struggle against the effects of their
terrible wounds, and then left the country.
At the time of the shooting the grand
jury was in session. It was reported to
that body that Bowden and Read had died
o- their wounds, and an indictment was at
once found against Smith, charging him with
murder in the first degree. Through some
oversight this indictment was left standing as
originally drawn, and this fact was reported to
Smith. But it weighed nothing against his
yearning to see his family and clear his name,
so, as soon as possible after hearing the news,
ho returned to his old home. He found
the little children he had left
eighteen years before now grown to
manhood and womanhood and the handsome
young wife a grave and middle-aged matron.
His arrival was reported to the authorities, and
m due time the trial came off at Bolivar, tho
county seat of Hardeman county, wherein
Salisbury is also situated. It resulted in tho
acquittal of the accused, as already stated.
-Colonel Smith is now a wealthy man. He has
enough of wandering, and intends to devote
the remainder of liis life to tho domestic duties
and pleasures from which lie was so long de
barred.
A Mysterious Affair in Darke County
Ohio.
Cincinnati, September 5.—A special from
Freeville, Darke county, Ohio, says the county
treasurer's safe doors were found open this
morning and §48,000 missing. The treasurer,
John L. Simon, is not at home, but it is rumor
ed that he only went to Versailles last night to
visit his father, and is on his way back.
The bondsmen are twenty-nine in number,
about twenty of whom are regarded as good.
Simon lias been in the office for years, and a
new treasurer, Henry Beckel, was to take
charge of the office this morning. Captain
Gadsuch has been employed as night watch
man at the treasury, and says the safe was all
right and securely locked during Saturday
night. Yesterday morning, while asleep at
home, lie received a note from Simon, carried
by a son of Freasury Clerk Sullivan, ordering
him to give the key to the door leading to the
treasury room from the hall to the boy, and lie
dirl so. Coming to the treasury about 7 o’clock
in the evening, lie found the door open, and
entering the room, discovered the vault door
open, and closing it. he remained ffi the room
ail night without giving any alarm. Simon’s
son, Harry, was the first one in the treasury
this morning, and was grst to give tho alarm.
Treasurer Simon was here yesterday, and in
the treasury, and, it is claimed, set the
time lock. No one but him knew the combi
nation of the inner safe doors leading to the
money vault. The combination was not in
jured. Simon has not returned to Greenville,
but gives no account except to make out that
the robbery had been committed unknown to
him. He weeps and appears to be in great
distress. His shoe store, containing a lajge
stock, lias been closked by the sheriff. The
commissioners have ordered an investigation
immediately by Prosecutor Elliott, a democrat
and Lawyer Fuller, a republican. Treasurer
Simon, and son Harry, were arrested and
brought before Squire Myers, tbo former
charged with the embezzlement of §35,000 and
the son with grand larceny to the amount of
$40,000. An examination was waived and tho
treasurer gave §5,000 bail and the son §3OO for
their appearance at the next term of the court
A Tragedy in Louisiana in Which Two Men
Are Killed.
New Orleans, September 7.—About a year
ago Manhall Eastcry, who was living in Amite
county, Miss., returned to his native parish of
St Helena, where he secured work in a saw
mill owned by Mr. Hurst. Yesterday while
Mr. Hurst was in tho mill a man named
Swearinger, who was carrying a gun, camo up
and engaged in a friendly conversation with
him. A few minutes after they were joined
by another man, named Newman, who was
also armed. As soon as Newman came up,
Swearingen turned to Eastery and said:
“We have come from Mississippi to kill you,”
at the same time discharging both barrels
of his gun in Eastery’s body, but without kill
ing him. Eastery ran into the mill, got his
gun and riddled Swearingen with bullets, kill
ing him instantly. Newman also fired, but
missed, whereupon Eastery pursued, unaware
of the fact that both barrels of liis gun were
empty. Newman fled, and he pursued biin for
some distance, al tempting to lire his gun, but
dropped dead in the act. Newman, the only
living ohe of the trio, is held for murder. He
claims that he and Swearingen were land offi
cers from Mississippi.
A Washington Negro to be Tried Under a
New Law.
Washington, September B.—A peculiar
case, charging bi gamy, came up in police court
today. Benjamin Andersen, a colored man,
was married about a year ago. Before the war
lie lived with a colored woman, although not
legally married to her. A statute, passed in
1886, declares that all colored persons in the
district, wh<> previous to their actual emanci
pation, lived together as man and wife, shall
be d< omed to be husband and wife, the same
as if they were duly married according to law.
i n 'er ibis statute it is sought to convict An
derson of bigamy in having remarried, the wo
man with whom he co-habited and by whom
he had several children being still alive. Tho
case was sent to the grand jury, and tho bail
was fixed at §3OO.
A Tragedy in Which One South Carolina
Farmer Kills Another.
Columbia, S. C., Septembers.—[Special.]—
Ji'Seph Werts shot and killed Jones Sadler
this morning on the public road, about five
miles from Prosperity, Newberry county.
Both men are white (farmers. Sadler had
threatened Werts’s life, and had told a neigh
bor a few days ago that ho intended to cut Joo
Werts to pieces on sight. Sadler met Werts
in his wagon this morning, and halting him,
asked him if he had been told of his threat.
Werts replied in tho affirmative, whereupon
Sadler advanced upon him witli a lurge open
knife in his right hand, and a heavy stick in
his left. Werts then drew his pistol, and shot
Sadler dead in tho road. Sadler was 1 des
perate character, and bore a bad reputation,
lie had served a term in the penitentiary for
housebreaking. _
A Sheriff and I’ossc lighting a Gan, of
Outlaws.
Austin, Texas, September 10.—Great ex
citement prevails here over a report from
Manchaca, a small village fifteen miles south
west of this city, that officers bad overhauled
and attacked a baud of train robbers, supposed
to be the same gang that perpetrated tho
McNeil and Flatonia train robberies several
m< nths ago. Local officers at Manchaca at
tempted, this afternoon, to arrest tho robbers,
v hen the latter opened bio, wounding one of
t'iei. . Two outlaws have, thus far, been
fatally wounded. Tbo fighting still contin
ues. Help has been ivked for from this place
and Sheriff Kyle and posse have just left for
the scene of conflict. The fir>t reports indi
cated that a fresh train robbery had been com
mitted. but this proved erroneous. Tito
wounded outlaws will be brought here tonight.
She Refuses to Obey tho Law and is Thrust
Into Jail.
Cincinnati, September 10.—Mrs. Rebecca
Stahlman was la-fore the court of common
pleas yesterday to show cause why she should
not l>e punished for contempt of court in refus
ing to sign add for the sale of real estate
sold by order of the court, in an estate of
which she was administratrix. It was shown
that the property had been twice
sold. Mrs. Stohlman’s son-in-law bought
it for her at the first sale,
but that sale was set aside. At the next offer
ing her son-in-law did not appear, and the
property was sold to another man. Mrs. Stahl
man refused to sign the deed. Her attorney,
in open court, urged her to obey the court, but
she stubbornly refused, and the court sen
tenced her to ten days in jail unless she soon
consented to sign the deed. She refused to
sign or to go to jail and had to be taken by
force.
♦
They Swim to Shore and Are Fired Upon by*
Cuban Soldiers.
Havana, September 9.—Four men, supposed
to be filibusters, recently appeared off Matan
zas ina small vessel. Owing to a lack of wind
they were unable to make the landing. They
decided to swim ashore. After great exertions
they reached the kind, They then made their
way to the Vista Hermosa estate, where they
were shortly afterward surprised by a force of
civil guards. The soldiers exchanged fire with
the men, but the latter succeeded in escaping
to the forest, leaving a portion of their effects
behind.
Fighting Filibusters.
New Orleans, La., September 10.—A
special from Key West says: While in am
bush some miles from Matanzas, Thursday
afternoon, just after lauding, a band of Cuban
filibusters, which left here recently, were at
tacked by a detachment of three hundred
Spanish soldiers. The latter were repulsed,
leaving three of their number dead ami carry
ing off five who had been wounded
by the dynamite bombs thrown by
the filibusters. Four of the Cubans
were wounded, but not all seriously, by shots
from the soldiers. The filibusters then made
their way into the interior, and private advices
received by the leader, by a representative of
tho cause here this morning, announces that
they have joined those who had preceded them.
It is believed hero that certain Span
ish smacks, the property of wealthy
Cuban home-rulers, sailing ont of
Havana, and which are supposed to be in tho
fishing trade,are really doing a profitable busi
ness smuggling aguardiente to Florida main
land and carrying arms and reinforcements
on their return to Cuba from Tampa to this
city. Two Spanish gunboats have been cruis
ing in sight of this island all day.
A Murderer Caught.
Rockmart, Ga., September 6—[Special.]—
A telegram was received here yesterday from
Cross Plains, Ala., requesting the arrest, on
sight, of a negro boy, aged eighteen or twenty,
who had killed a white man byname of Lewis,
at Cross Plains. In a few minutes after it was
received, such a negro passed along the rail
road through town A. G. Bullock, the city
marshal, pursued, captured and imprisoned
tho fugitive. Ho acknowledged knocking a
man in the head with a rock, but didn’t know
he was dead. Officers arrived and conveyed
him to Cross Plains, A reward cf §25 was of
fered for liis arrest.
The killing took place Saturday about dark,
at Cross Plains, in Calhoun county. Mr. R.
E, Lewis, a prominent white citizen, was the
one murdered. The negro Hail had been
rocking Mr. Lewis’ cows, when the latter re
monstrated with him. A quarrel ensued,
which resulted in the negro boy picking up a
large rock and with great force hurled it at
Mr. Lewis, striking him on tho left temple.
The skull was shattered, and the wound was a
horrible sight. Mr. Lewis never spoke after
he was hit and in about thirty minutes died.
Another killing took place in the same coun
ty on Friday night, being tho murder of a
white woman by a negro man. This occurred
near Duke’s, on the East and West railroad.
It seems that the negro and the woman’s hus
band had previously some falling out. On the
night mentioned above the black scoundrel
went to the house of the man and called him
out. The wife went to the door, however, and
perhaps thinking it was the one he intended
to kill, shot her down. The negro then ran
away, and has not been seen since.
These two murders have created great ex
citement and indignation in Calhoun county.
The woods are being scoured by several parties
of men on horseback.
Trial of the Raid Knobbers.
Jefferson City, Mo., September 10. —The
trial of the Bald Knobbers camo to a sudden
termination yesterday afternoon by the defen
dants in a body entering a plea of guilty. In
the morning Colonel Boyd, their counsel,
showed fight, find the case of George Deaton
was called, lie was charged with bulldozing
a homesteader, Ridouhone. John Denny and
George Silvey were arraigned for whipping
Caleb Atwood, and entered a plea of not guil
ty. Colonel Boyd asked for a severance of the
two cases, which was denied. lie then
objected to the jury on the ground that it was
prejudiced from hearing the other case. The
court ordered tho trial to proceed.
When the court adjourned at noon, the gov
ernment had made the best case up to date..
Tho direct and circumstantial evidence was
very strong, and when the afternoon session
opened Colonel Boyd said: “All you Bald
Knobbers who have not been tried, come for
ward.”
John Wright, William Silvey, George Sil
vey, John Denny, E. 11. Denny and W. F.
Wright responded. Colonel Benton stated to
the court that an agreement had been reached
With Colonel Boyd, that prisoners that had not
yet been arraigned, together with the prison
ers on trial, should submit their cases jointly
to the jury and agree to a verdict of guilty on
all indictments; also, that the prisoners , on
victed and under second indictment for beat
ing Hugh Ratcliff had agreed to the same pro
cess. The jury returned a verdict of guilty in
each case.
J udge Kreckel said he would not pass sen
tence before next week. Tho men are all
young, of good character, none of them being
over 21 years of age. There is no blood-thirsty
demand for vengeance, and it is generally be
lieved that tho sentence will be mild.
Shooting Desperadoes.
Alburqukbque, N. M., September 6.—A
desperate shooting occurred Sunday night at
Holbrook, Apache county, Arizona, in which
Andy Cooper and a half-brother, named Sam
uel Blevins, were killed by Sheriff Owens,and
John Blevins and Mose B. Roberts wounded,
the former slightly, the latter mortally. On
Monday of last week Sheriff Owens learned
that four men had arrived in Holbrook and
were residing in a small house near the rail
road track,armed with Winchesters. The offi
cer started alone to arrest the desperadoes.
Arriving at tho house he knocked, and upon
tho door being openeikby Cooper, the officer in
formed him ho had a warrant for his arrest.
The reply ho received was a bullet, which
pa sed through the sheriff ’s coat, without in
juring him. Tho fire was roturnedand Cooper
fell dead. The shooting then became general.
Owens took a position ata window, shooting
all three of the men inside the house. Samuel
Blevins, one of the killed, is a boy only 14
years of ago, but fully as desperate as the rest.
The Woman Will Die.
Montgomery, Ala., September 6.—[Special.]
John Johnson, a negro living two miles from
the city, this morning got in a quarrel with his
wife, Jennie, cut her throat ami stabbed her
six times. The woman was found by neigh
bors weltering in blood, semi-conscious. John
son fled and has not yet been captured. The
woman will die.
TheSHiiddock Murder Case.
Sioux City, la., September 9.—Tho trial of
Freil Munchieath for tho murder of tho pro
hibition advocate, Rev. George C. Haddock,
began this morning. Tho courtroom was
crowded and cro,wds rt mained standing around
the courthouse discussing over again the most
memorable tragedy in the history of the state.
92 Mlles an Hour on a Bicycle.
The mutt wonderful Invention of tlio pnst few
years is the bicycle. It is an Immense wheel with
spider like spokes, on which a man mounts live feet
Irota the ground and starts off like riding a cart
wheel A man can ride twenty-two miles In fifty,
nine minutes. He can ride one mile in two minutes
and twenty-nine seconds, and a man lias ridden 235
miles without getting off bis bicycle. Thomas
Btevens rode around the world on fils bicyc •
Bicycles are growing rapidly Into use for the
country reals. A young boy ran ride eighty miles
a day easily over country roe ds on a bicycle up and
down hills. The bicycle races at the Piedmont ex
position will be very interesting. You will see men
riding bicycles against horses, and one muu beating
a dozen bonea taken up one at n time.
THE OFFICIAL INQUIRY.
Governor Gordon Reopens the
Convict Lease Investigation.
“ CONVICTS WORKED BY STARLIGHT I”
When the governor entered tho supremo
court room yesterday morning a few minutes
before 10 o’clock there were very few specta
tors present.
Mr. Smith said that two points had been
raised, that the counsel for tho state seeks to
raise issues already passed upon, and that they
must contino the investigation to the point
made in the official order of your excellency.
“In the order appointing us a counsel, we
are instructed not to confine ourselves to tho
one charge of inhuman whipping by Bingham.
We present other matters, and in addition to
other things present the broad proposition that
tho present lessees of No. 2 aud 3 hold their
contracts w thout any shadow of law or title,
and have no more right to those contracts than
any other man.
Mr. Smith here read tho following amend
ments which were made to the grounds here
tofore filed as reasons for vacating tho lease:
The third ground is amended ns follows: Convicts
have been worked other than in mines, canals,
roads, quarries and brickmaking, and away from
the place or site known as the penitentiary, as here
inafter stated. In Oglethorpe county by James 11.
Smith in general routine work of farming constant
ly during the past two years. At Greston, in the
work of sawnulling constantly during 18.-5. in or
near Cedartown, at work running Iron furnaces
constantly during 18'<>, 1886 and 1887. Near SV.:, on
the Centi.il railload, cutting logs, timber or wood
during ISSSand 1886, and at many otlicrplaces not
herein particularly specified.
The sixth ground is amended as follows: They
have worked ami permitted convicts to work on the
Sabbath day frequently mid constantly al rising
Fawn during 18S6 and 1887.
At a camp near Augusta, Ga., convicts working
for and actually in tl.e custody of W. H. Lowe mid
Bondurant and Joplin were so insntlic emlv fed,mid
so without tho prop r selection of o id, and the
campaud its management in such a bad sanitary
condition, during the years lsf6 and 1887. as to de
velop scurvy and cause the same to prevail general
ly among the convicts to such an extent as to
seriously impair tho health and endanger the lives
of many of the convicts, and led to the death of
some of them.
At both of the camps of James Smith sickness
was caused mid seen y produced from the want of
of; io.-er food fertile convicts during the year ISBS.
At the camp on the Macon and Covington rail
road convicts were deprived of fresh meat aud veg
etables for two weeks or more in the month of Jan
uary, 1887.
At Camp Bingham, in Spalding county, the bed
ding of the convicts was neglected and 'allowed to
become dirty and tiltfiy, aud unlit even for the use of
convicts.
Three convitfs afflicted with chronic diseases
were kept at lamp McCue away from any hospital
forna iy months after they became too unwell to
work, io the great injury to the health and danger
to the lives of said convicts.
Peter a kson was kept at work for months during
the winlerof 1883 mid 1886 with a squad under VI.
E. Smith, near Oldtown, ami long after be was en-
I oded by disease and unfit and unable to work,
and finally was sent to Oldtown in so exhausted a
condition that he died within a few days thereafter;
yet even then upon Ids back he boro fresh marks
lr ,m die strap.
Third. The mismanagement and unfnlthftil
treatment of the convicts by the lessees, or by those
who time undertaken to succeed the lessees, has
manifested itself In the birth of ni merous bustard
children, begotten and hoi n during the terms of
confinement of women under the control of tho
lessees. Seme of flic instances which mentioned
are ttie following:
Laura Heard, hi 1886, nt Camp Oldtown.
Susan Gilbert, at Clinttaboocnee Brick company,
and under assignment to company No. 2, several
children.
Jiney Mayer, at Chattnlieocliec Brick cominnv,
ai d 'under assignment to company No. 8, one child.
Julia Whitlield, at < liattuhooeliee Brick company,
mid unde.' assignment to company No. 2, one child.
The first witness introduced by the state was
the convict named William Slaughter, sent
from Carroll county.
In reply to questions, Slaughter told the fol
lowing story:
“ 11avo been four years in penitentiary, three
weeks ago was at work at Camp Bingham on
Georgia Midland road. Was whipped on 19th
of August by Captain Bingham, Cause of
whipping was a difficulty witli another convict
(not important). Was placed across a barrel,
held by the four guards (naming them) and
whipped with strap. Don’t know how many
licks were given,
BI T THIS BLOOD WAS MADE TO RUN.
“The blood rail down my legs, and when T
would get up after being whipped pants would
stick to mo. Whipped Friday night and was
kept at work until following Tuesday night.
Principal keeper came down then and ordered
those whippedjto be kept from work, but did
not stop uni il next day. On the cross-exami
nation, conducted by Mr. Hill, ho said:
“Was sent from Carroll county for attempt
to rape. Party was a white girl, grown. Am
not guilty. Sent for twelve years, have served
about four. Nover a convict before. When
whipped no one present save guards and con
victs; the latter helped to hold mo. I was
sleeping when Bingham came in. Reason why
I resisted was
BECAUSE IT WOULD TAKE SIX MEN TO HOLD
any man whipped like T was. (Explained
the fight with convict. Did not know I was to
be whipped until Bingham camo in. Fight
witli convict took place on July 31st;] was
whipped on August 19th.
On the cross examination by Smith, wit
ness told about being at Chattahoochee brick
yard when Lockett was there, and that Lock
ett had struck him with his fists.
“That he was sent from Screven county for
manslaughter. Was whipped on August, 19th.
Told of tho conversation with the guard or of
fi‘iai that Jed to his whipping. Ho had been
cm i. and had said if he was free ho would
nut .«it. Was whipped for ft, Tho last
one whipped. Was laid on barrel and beat
WITH STRAP WELL tfOAKED AND DRAGGED IN
THE SAND.
“Every time it hit the skin came. Went to
work next morning throwing dirt. Could not
work; wounds pained inc, and every movement
made clothes rub raw places.” Corroborated
Slaughter about being kept at work until
Tuesday.
“When ordered out next morning Bingham
stood at door and struck right and left with
strap at the men. Some were hit, but I got out
safe. Ho did that sort of whipping every now
and then; did not know what for.
“Am -not well yet; working Kent places
raw.” Said that Bingham threatened to whip
more of them the same way.
“Ran away from home when about twelve;
took name of Mobley; Anderson Blocker right
name. Worked on turpentine farm; got into
difficulty there with negro, and sent up for
voluntary manslaughter.” Narrated times,
places, who had whipped him while in peni
tentiary. “Was whipped at Chattahoochee
camp twice by Bingham because I reported
sick; was sick; had not got used to climate.
“We change clothes every Sunday. I changed
my pants Saturday night, and tho seat was
bloody from wounds and hud scabs and flesh
on it.”
SHE GENERAL SLASHING OF BINGHAM.
“Bingham slashed men al the doorthe morn
ing after whipping. Used the strap. Bob
Allen was cut <m nose, lip anil jaw. Willis
Williams and Tom Love were al o hit; I have
seen Bingham do the like out at the brickyaid
camp several times. Os course it hurt, if it hit
you.” Described position of Bingham, guards,
and men when slashing was done.
Tho state then introduced Dr. Willis West
moreland, tho principal physician of tho peni
tentiary.
Dr. Westmoreland told of the whipping of
tho convicts at Bingham’s camp. Said lour
had been severely and inhumanly whipped.
Described their condition when ho saw them
and said that they were unable to work, but
had been made to work. Every movement
they made was accompanied by pain. Their
wounds would have healed much sooner with
rest and quiet.
Tho testimony of (ho doctor was what has
already been printed in his official report. Tho
Jl'indurant camp was in a bad fix; (145 days’
work had been lost in a little over six months
with only 78 men. This was a very bad record.
On Georgia Midland toad, with 410 convicte,
only Gio days had been lost. Conditions as to
climate and healthfulness of climate was the
same.
"There has D.en a good deal of scurvy since
I’vs been in office, resulting from bad, imrirop
er food, and improper hygiene.” Minutely
related condition of tho Bondurant camp, near
Augusta. Tho reports as to that camp were
true. Witness saiil that a good deal of sick
ness originated in jails before prisoners went
to penitentiary.
The state introduced Dr. E. M. Houk, who,
being sworn, in sub dance and in brief, said
among other things:
“That ho began his connection with peni
tentiary at Oldtown Camp in latter part
of 1885 as physician and commissary. Knew
X. J. James was in his employ. KYiew con-
vict, Peter Jackson; ho camo to Oldtown
from Rogers, 20 miles away. His condition
was bad; was a mere skeleton. When I first
knew him he was in good health.
“He lived four or five days, when ho died.
Os his condition before coming to Oldtown,
I only know of by hearsay.
Mr. Hill objected to hearsay evidence, and
tho witness went on relating what ho positively
know.
“I saw that he (Jackson) had marks of re
cent whippings on his person, four or five days
before he died. Ho ought not to have worked
for two or three months previous to bis death.”
In reply to a question, how long the convicts
were worked, he said:
"I have seen tho stars shining in tho early
morning when they were carried out, and they
were shining at night when they were brought
in.”
"I knew Ben Nix; he died within three days
after honvamo to tho hospital. Don’t know
how long ho had been sick before; ho said ho
had asked Smith, the whipping boss, for med
icine, and Smith had said this will cure you,
holding up the strap. Ho was brought to tho
hospital from the field, ho had marks of whip
ping on his person; in three days ho was
dead.”
Witness said he knew Bingham, had seen
him whip convicts at Perkins's mill or station.
Had seen T. J. James, a lessee, slap at con
victs with a brush. Never had inhumanly
whipped them, but had four or five times seen
him strike them three or four lieks. Never
saw Bingham use any tiling but a strap.
THE LEGISLATURE.
Mr. Atkinson introduced a bill providing
that all amounts received for inspection of oils
should bo paid into tho treasury of the state
and become a part of tho educational fund of
the state. His bill looked to tho inspection
being performed by the inspectors of fertili
zers without, extra pav in addition to their sal
ary as inspectors of fertilizers. This was re
ferred to tho finance committee, who reported
A SUBSTITUTE FOR IT,
entitled "an act to amend the laws of this
state in reference to the inspection of illumi
nating oils by providing for tho appointment
of inspectors of oils, proscribing tho manner
and amount of their compensation, revising
the schedule of fees now prescribed by law for
the inspection of oils, providing for tho dispo
sition of said fees,” etc.
Tiio fees for tho inspection arc: Lots of 400
gallons, or upwards, in bulk or in barrels, one
half cent per gallon ; 200 gallons, and less than
400 gallons, one cent per gallon; less than two
hundred gallons, 1] cents per gallon.
Mr. Atkinson offered a substitute for the sub
stitute- This made it tho duty of inspectors
of fertilizers to inspect oils without additional
compensation. When other inspectors are
appointed, they receive as compensation one
third of the fees received by them for tlie in
spection of oils. Tho foe for inspection is made
one cent per gallon. Each inspector gives a
bond of §I,OOO.
“The commissioner of agriculture, in his re
port, gives tho following facts:
“Gal lons of oil inspected, 1885,1,767,020 jfees,
§10,756.27.
“Gallonsof oil inspected, 1880,2,103,317; fees,
$12,569.35, a total of 3,870,337 gallons aud §23,-
352.62 fees.
“Os this amount the inspector at Atlanta re
ceived §6,607.52; at Savannah, §5,095.91; at
Columbus, §2,282.36; at Macon, §3,053.051 at
Rome, $444.44; at Athens, $190.88; at Bruns
wick, $372.55.
"The substitute of the finance committee
makes separate and distinct offices, and gives
them one-half of the fees. The bill enables the
Standard Oil company to bo masters of the oil
trade.”
Mr. Harrison, of Quitman —“Representatives
will remember the time when tho people of
Georgia wont about at night with alighted keg
of powder in their hands,and inquiry was made,
if science could not come forward with some
preventive—some relief from danger. Tho
press was filled with details of children burned
to death from oil, accidents mid property de
stroyed. Two-thirds of tho oil was not in
spected at all. Tho legislature of 1881 made
an effort to remedy this evil. The legislature
raised the standard to one hundred ami twen
ty degrees fire test, and made tho seller respon
sible in money damages. Who has heard of
such accidents since 1882? Encourage the in
troduction of oil in large quantities. lam
not favorable to either bill or substitute.”
Mr. Atkinson’s substitute was rejected, tho
Bubstituto of the comitteo adopted, and the
bill passed by yeas 92 nays 18.
The election of a justice to fill the vacancy
on the supremo bench made by the death of
Judge Samuel Hall took place on Wednesday.
A day or two before the election tho Macon
Telegraph editorially denounced Judge T. J.
Simmons, of Bibb, one of the candidate, as a
man “unfit for the position.” Tho Macon bar
rallied to the support of Judge Simmons and
indorsed him in strong terms. Tho action of
tho Telegraph had the effect of increasing the
number of Simmons’ supporters, and they
wont to work for him enthusiastically. On tho
first ballot Simmons received 101, Clarke 71,
Hook 32. On the second ballot Simmons re
ceived 109, six more votes than he needed to
elect him. Tho news was promptly bulletined
at the Macon office of Tim Constitution, ami
was received with cheers by largo crowds of
people.
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
Mahone ami Blddleberger.
Atlanta, Ga., September 10.—Editors Constitu
tion ; Will you please decide a controversy be
tween two traveling men from Virginia, in regard
to the Virginia senatorsblp. If Virginia elects a re
publican legislature, and again chooses General Ma
hone, does lie become his own successor, or docs ho
succeed Ridilleberger? Did, or did not, John W.
Daniel full heir to the seat, at present occupied by
Mui,one? J. P. G.
Miihonc’s term in the senate expired on tho 4th
of bu t march. John W. Daniel was elected to sue
« "<_•< i Ii: m and h now u senator from Virginia.
Should Die next Virginia legislature elect Mahono
senator, be would be the successor of Biddleborger.
- • —■
I’lstols,
There is a great a-do just at this time about
tho foolish, unlawful, cowardly and wicked practice
of carrying concealed weapons. It Is urged that In
order to put astop to It, the penalties prescribed by
law should be made more severe. There is reason
to believe that this would make matters worse,
rather than better. Public opinion would not sustain
the courts now if they were 0» inflict tho
penalties already prescribed by law. It is hard to
eunvi. - one now for tills offenso, although thejpen
alty inll.; h «.i is usually not more than fifty or a hun
dred dollars; if tho penalty were imprisonment in
the pcnlteatiary for u term of yeais, it would be
next to Imjiossiblo to convict <,no at all. Excessive
penalties are equivalent to no ja nulties; ore ex
treme begets another; an extreme of severity makes
a law inoperative and virtually abolishes it; too
much law is no law.
It our legislature should heed the Lad advice now
given, and raise the grade of this offense from that
of a misdemeanor to teat of a felony, arid annex a
punishmeut which tho people would think harsh
and unreasonable, tlie result would be that the Jaw
could not bo enforced; and being practically null
and void, we should ho, so fur as this point Is con
cerned, in a state of anarchy. It is to I o hoped that
no such uuwl e thing will bo done. What wo
n, • <1 to suppress tills evil is not more leg lb tlon but
a proper enforcement of tho law as It now stands.
TliO only v.ayto do thia Is to bring about a more
whole'.m : slate of public opinion, and to inspire
our courts with more Imlduess. The penally fur this
offense is that set forth in section 4310 of the code,
namely, (1) a fine not to exceed one thousand dol
lar ; or (2; Imprisonment In the county Jail not to
exceed six months; or (3) work on tho
chain gang not to exc cd twelve months;
or (4; any two or all three of the e penalties together
at the discretion of tbo court. laws anybody pre
tend to suggest that these penalties, i . ion L liy al: of
them together, aie not severe enough tor the ol' .
of carrying a concealed wcajou? So fur from tl.i .
tin re is not a court in the statu that would dare to
inflict one-half of this on any one convicted ol this
offense. it Is uu old and familiar saying,
and a very Just one, fl,at it Is not tho
s verity of law, but rati o tho certainty of its in
forcement that deteis fr<m crime, lus eadefiuk-
Ing for heavier I c naltle*, which would amount to
nothing more thau brutum fulmen, let us ask that
some ol the milder penalties wt ch tl.e law now
pn rcril es, be strictly enforci d. (me tenth of what
tire law now allows would be twice too inueb. One
hundred dollma is one-tntb of v.b>t the law now
calls for: eighteen days in jail is one- tenth of tho
time fixed by law; thirty- lx dajs In the clralngang
Is one-tenth of the time also fixed by law. All three
of thorn together oonstittlte Jmt one-tenth of
what ti e prest nt law allows. Public opinion at
th a time would notsastiiln a court in inhieJng one
half of th I a tenth on any oi e convict <1 of this
offense. Why should we demand I ear icr penalties
from our law mak' r■, wh< n ,■ ut■ 'y refuse to in
flict one-half Os cm-Vr. th of the petuUics which
are prescribed already? We have no right
ot ask that tho present law la. superseded by another
until we have put the present one to its best. When
we have done this, and find that it Is insufficient,
then wo shall be in position to ask for something
more, but not till then. The present outcry for a
severer law when the present law is twenty times!
more severe than the people will endure, and a hun
dred times more severe than is ever enforced, is ab
surd. If It were certainly known that ten days in
the chaingang would Inevitably and invariably bo
the consequence, on conviction,of carrying conceal
ed wearons, the offense would not often lie commit-*
ted. If ten days should nofound to fail in deterrent
pow er, the time might tie increased to thirty or sixty
days, aud this would certainly suffice. 1
On general principles how severe ought the pun
ishinent of a crime to be? It ought to be just eevero
enough to reduce tho commission of that crime to
tho minimum. And less thau this is not enough;!
any moro is too much. h. h. Tucker. 1
THE BEAUTIFUL BLONDE,
Whose Trim Figure Set the Youths of Savan
nah Wild.
Savannah, Ga., Soptom)>or 7.—[Special.]—
Tomorrow a refcreo in Now York will take up
the suit of Montague Ellis for a total divorco
from his wife, Lida Ellis, formerly Lida*
Branch, a young woman who has enjoyed a
varied career. W. W. Mackall concluded tho
hearing of testimony here yesterday, .and for- j
warded it to New York. The husband*
was formerly the British vice-consul here, and 1
tho wife was a few years ago tiro leading demtl
mondaine in Savannah. She was a woman ot
beautiful complexion of tho blonde type, and
had a voluptuous figure and most at tractive
face. Her admirers were counted by tlio
score, and tho lavished money and gems u]>on
her. She was always richly dressotf when she
appeared on tho streets and her figure glisten
ed with sparkling stones. At one time she
occupied, but not alone four communicating
rosidem’os in the southern part of tho city with
northern fronts on Anderson street, and was
then at her zenith. It was about that time
two of her admirers became jealous, and a duel
was on tho tapis. A meeting never occurred*
She was a Cora Pearl on a reduced scale. Ellis
was said to bo the victim of designing friends
when he was induced to marry her. They did
not live together long. He went to New York
and she remained hero except for tho period
she snout in the society of Washington states
men. She has since had numerous admirers,
but has gradually lost many of those physical
charms which once attracted so many. About
a year ago two detectives camo here from Now
Y r ork and met her. They took her and a com
panion out riding, ami set up the wine. After
getting well acquainted, one of tho detectives
proposed that they should all go
to a photographer and have their pictures
taken. Among other evidence which will be
offered by the libellant is a group picture, show
ing his wife leaning affectionately upon tho
shoulder of a young and handsome detective.
Tho defendant will offer in evidence sonic let
ters which she received before and after mar
riage. They show that Ellis was fully aware of
his wife’s record long before he married her.
Ellis was received in tlm bast society oft
Savannah, even after his marriage, which was
sedulously concealed for some time after its*
celebration.
Tn many localities Hood’s Sarsaparilla is in
such general demand that it is tho recognlfced 1
family medicine. People write that “tfm wholA
neighborhood is taking it,” etc. Particularly
is this true of Lowell, Mass., where it is made
and where moro of I food’s Sarsaparilla is sold 1
than of any other sarsaparilla or blood purifier?
It is tho groat remedy for debility, scrofula,
dyspepsia, biliousness, or any disease caused by
impure state or low condition of tho blood.i
Give it a trial.
Pictures in Outlines of Fire.
Tho progress in fireworks is amazing, It is now
possible to project a picture of a man or woman in
lines of fire in mid-air, so that tho portrait can be
recognized. A match is touched In the darkness, a
fuse isfired, and the portrait suddenly flushes
the darkness in lines of lire. Tho portrait of Presi
dent and Mrs. Cleveland will bo shown at the Pled*
mont fireworks display. There are rockets which
fly into tho very clouds and discharge there a shower
of difl'erent colored lights, covering a thousand feeg
of space. The stars will be lost in the glory of the
fireworks display at tho Piedmont exposition.
Oiii|taliiiieMfeil
MONOPOLY IN TRADE
AND
Ill’ll Prices for Sewing Machines Ended!
THE PREMIUM
jS
- ■
■
|
Half Cabinet, Five Drawer,
Sixty Dollar Machine,
FOR $22!
Willi Copy of Weekly Constitution
ONE YEAR.
THE PREMIUM HIGH-ARM
Is llght-r inning and noiseless, uses a STRAIGHT
BELF4jr TTING NEEDLE, and makes the double
th.ead " ock-stltch." It Is the perfection of mech
anism foe hemming, felllug, binding, cordin'', braid
ing, seaming, tucking, milling, gathering, embroid
ering, hem stitching, quilting, elo.
It Is adapted for every variety of sewing, from tho
lightest muslin to the heaviest cloths, end wtll do u
i i cater range of work than any other uoseldne.
Th* woodwork Is unique and attractive In stvlo
and substantially ma le uom well seasoned and care
lultyie’e ted material. I'Selegant finish and trim
mlngs, whh h arc In ;■ o 1 taste, harmonize with tho
excellent workmanship of the machine.
Ear mote hands'.mo and ornamental then tho
ordinary st vie of got d .vork, it Is at the sumo time of
equal durability, utility audgisrd titil-h.
WARRANTED. The usual Flue Years' Warrantee
Is given to ' S by the manufacturers and we in turn
guarantee every machine to clvu full and entire sot-'
Wfactlon, and ngieo with every purchaw r to dupli
cate any I it that proves defective In live pan
FREE GF < HARGE. (Hhuttles, Needles and Bob-
Lilia excepted.)
<lrßewlng Machine Agents sell this Mi*,
chine for •55 and (MIO. 1 buys <uie from
ua with n year's subscription to VVEtIr.LV
tONSTHL'HON lu addition.
Address
Constitution Publishing Co.,'
ATLANTA, GA.