The Atlanta constitution. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, September 13, 1887, Image 11

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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.