Newspaper Page Text
ninth year
CON VIC’ FARM
t'apt. K. R. Foster Elected Su
perintendent.
TAKES CHARGE AT ONCE
And WIH The Building of
Stoekades And Superin
tendant's House.
Capt. K. R. Foster, of Lyerly,
Ga., has been elected superin
tendent of the state convict farm.
The many friends of Capt. Foster
will receive this information most
gladly, not only on his personal
account, but on account of the
state as well. It is a position
which imposes important respon
sibilities, calling for a cool, level
head, sound judgement and dis
cretion, and above all, honesty
and humaneness of disposition
and spirit. That Capt. Foster
possesses all these “very neces
sary qualifications,” none who
know him will for a moment
question.
The farm contains between
three and four thousand acres of
land, upon which will be about 200
convicts —men, women and boys.
Only such men will be placed
there as are too old or infirm
to serve out sentences in harder
places. The women and chil
dren, as we understand it, will
be placed upon this farm, where
by judicious and proper manage
ment they at least can be made to
some degree serviceable.
It will require about 40 mules
to run this mammoth state farm,
and her ce with such a force to
overlook, and such an extensive
farm to properly till, calls for a
man at the head of it, who in ad
dition to being a good farmer,
must possess fine executive abili
ty. We believe and so all who
know him well, that Capt. Foster
will fill the bill, and that the
high trust will be faithfully
guarded and looked after.
Capt. Foster will take charge
right away and commence at
once the building of stockades
and the construction of a super
intendent's home.
The election of Capt. Foster is
not only a high and deserved
compliment to him, but demon
strates that those who have this
very important matter in hand,
were wide awake and careful to
select the best man. We thank
them, and congratulate Capt.
Foster.
•t< Sleb
—.
I am sitting calmly and serene
ly under the table writing this
loi tear that some turbulent spirit
will next ruffle my peaceful
feathers, tor I am a peaceful
wan. My mind reverts back to
the good old days before the war
"the days of musters, of gander
pullings, of pitching horseshoes,
11 the old time hustings and liquor
Mainly, when the editor in chief
t°hl me the following story
*hich occurred there, or there
abouts, and told me that I could
6° and do likewise if the emer
gency ever arose.
* *
*
Gid Bill Skillet was a well
k n °wn old time fighter, and had
reputation of licking every
"’‘ogthat tackled him. Regular
duster was to convene on the
THE ROME lIUSTEER-COMMhiU /At.
next day, when Old Bill’s nephew,
John, came over from an adjoin
ing township to pay him a visit
and attend the muster.
* *
*
“That night Old Bill enter
tained his nephew with how he
was going to lick everything at
the grounds the next day, and
young John was keyed up to the
highest pitch, for he knew Uncle
Bill was “a fiter from Fiters
ville.”
* *
*
“The next day all the fellows
from anywhere, everywhere and
nowhere, gathered at the muster
ground, tanked up to a considera
ble extent on Georgia corn of the
purest variety, made at home,
distilled in the mountains and
sold in tin cups.
* *
*
“Finally, Uncle Bill got up a
fight and John was excited and
capered around like a two
year old in a fresh, green pas
ture.
* *
*
“A ring was made, Uncle Bill
and the other fighter, a big,
brawney, muscular mountaineer,
stripped to the waist. It was de
cided that none should interfere
with the fight or even enter the
ring till one or the other of the
combatants hollowed “nuff,” and
guards were posted around to
keep the crowd back.
* *
*
“The fight commenced and fur
flew, blip, blick, bling, with the
fists of first Uncle Bill and then
the other fellow.
* *
*
“John was in high glee and
capered around the ring, jump
ing high in the air, hollowing,
“Go it Uncle Bill! ” “Give him
another one Uncle Bill 1” “Go it
Uncle Bill!” when, directly, he
stepped into the ring. No sooner
had he lit than one of the big
guards give him a lick—“with a
get out of the ring’’ sound to it
and knocked John about fifty
eleven feet and when he hit the
ground he hit it with hat in hand
and running.”
* *
*
“On reaching the top of the
old red hill leading from the
grounds he stopped, turned
around and roared, “Fight ding,
your fractious skins, fight.”
* .■
* *
I considered that good policy
and so from my Bohemian head
quarters cry with uncle Bill’s
nephews, “Fight, ding your
fractious skins, fight.”
*
* *
In the meantime the Hustler-
Commercial will give you all the
news. The Idler.
L ■ ■FF ,l i—T
SPREADS LIKE WILDFIRE
You can’t keep a good thing
down. News of it travels fast.
When things are “the best” they
become “the best selling.” Abra
ham Hare, a leading druggist of
Belleville, 0., writes: “Electric
bitters are the best selling bitters
I have ever handled in my 20
years’ experience.” You know
why ? Most diseases begin in
disorders of stomach, liver, kid
neys, bowels, blood and nerves.
Electric Bitters tones up the stom
ach, regulates liver, kidneys and
bowels, purifies the blood
strengthens the nerves, hence
cures multitudes of maladies. It
builds up the entire system. Puts
new life and vigor into any weak,
sickly, run-down man or woman.
Only 50 cents. Sold by Curry-
Arrington, druggists, guaranteed.
ROME, . ECRGIa. THURSDAY EVENING, JANUARY 12, 1899.
ROWS
The Caustic Editorials Regarding
Clerk Smith’s Salary
CAUSES MUCH TROUBLE.
City Attorney Underwood And
Editor Knowles- Fight Holmes
Smith Canes Col. Sawyer.
Rome has witnessed two of
the most sensational encounters
within the past twenty-four hours
that she has had in quite a
number of years, and it is feared
by some that it is the commencing
of a feud that will exist for quite a
while and may result seriously
as all of the parties concerned
are known not to back down.
It is hoped however by mutual
and conservative friends that all
differences will be settled amica
bly before any other trouble
occurs.
The whole matter is the out
come of attacks made in the
Rome Tribune and the Daily
Argus on the mayor and council
on account of re-electing City
Clerk Smith a few weeks ago
with an increased salary after he
had tendered his resignation.
The Tribune stated a warm
fusilade against the present city
administration some time ago,
and when the Argus was re
launched into the sea of daily
journalism on January 2nd, they
rallied to the support of the
Tribune in its antagonism of the
council’s action regarding Clerk
Snath’s salary.
v At the meeting of the City
Council in December that body
requested a legal opinion from
the city attorney as to their action
on the salary of Clerk Smith.
On last Monday night City
Attorney Underwood handed in
his opinion, which was to the
effect that the action of the coun
cil was legal.
The city attorney’s opinion
was a very exhaustive document
dealing with the case in every
detail.
On yesterday morning the
Rome Tribune printed as a lead
ing editorial, a rather severe
criticism of the opinion of the city
attorney and said, “It may be
good law technically, but it is
bad moials, vicious and dishon
est.”
The editorial proved to be of
fensive to Mr. Underwood who
went to the office of the Tribune
to have certain parts of it correct
ed.
In the conversation which fol
lowed the lie was passed between
Mr. Underwood and Editor
Knowles, and a lively scrap en
sued.
The combatants were finally
separated with little damage. Mr.
Underwood receiving several cuts
about the head from a ring on
Mr. Knowles hand and Mr.
Knowles had a thumb dislocated
in the melee.
The fight proved to be quite a
sensation and was the talk of the
town last night as much feeling
pro and con exists between the
two factions in the city.
Today Mr. Underwoad was
seen at his residence, corner of
Seventh avenue and West First
street, but said he preferred to
make no statement at present.
Mr. Knowles was seen in his
office in the Tribune building
ahd furnished the following state- ,
ment for publication:
“City Attorney Underwood
came to the Tribune with his
friend, Lem Early. He had in his
hand an editorial clipped from
the Tribune which commented
on his legal opinion in reference
to the increase in the city clerk’s
salary. I told him I would publish
any statement he would write and
give me.
“He replied that he demanded
a retraction. I refused, stating
that I supposed he and his friend
came up for a difficulty, and said
the editorial was a just and fair
criticism of his opinion.
“He called me a liar and I
struck him several times with my
fist. We were then separated.
This is all I can say about the
matter.”
Thus matters in this case
stand, though as stated above,
mutual friends hope to adjust the
matter.
ANOTHER FIGHT.
But there was another person
al encounter this morning that,
if anything, may prove more se
rious than the one of yesterday
evening.
It was a fight between Col. B.
F. Sawyer, of The Daily Argus
and his son, Mr. Robert Sawyer,
on one side and Messrs. Norris
and Holmes Smith, sons of City
Clerk Smith, on the other.
This difficulty., like the
Knowles-Underwood affair, is
the result of certain sensational
editorials.
It is known that the Argus and
Tribune both have offices in the
Tribune building, and Col. Saw
yer was until recently leading ed
itorial writer for the Tribune, and
Editor Knowles, of the Triburfe,
was until January Ist, proprietor
of the Argus, and the policy of
the two papers in local politics is
very similar.
It seems that some time ago
Col. Sawyer wrote a rather caus
tic editorial on Clerk Smith, and
the action of the council, and
was warned by Mr. Smith’s sons
not to do so any more.
Yesterday afternoon the Argus
sent broadcast a number of cir
culars announcing to the public
that there would be “hot stuff” in
yesterday evening’s issue.
When the paper came out it
was found to contain an editorial
headed “Due Warning” which
was another severe criticism of
Clerk Smith and also stating that
the editor had been notified
by Mr. Smith’s sons to desist
from publishing such scathing
comments.
This morning about 7:30
o’clock Col. Sawyer and his son,
Mr. Robert Sawyer, were met by
Messrs. Norris and Holmes
Smith near the Fifth ward abutt
ment of Broad St. bridge, and
while Mr. Norris Smith and Mr.
Robert Sawyer were having a
bout, Mr. Holmes Smith, his
younger brother aged 18, pro
ceeded to ply a walking cane
vigorously over Col. Sawyer’s
shoulders and arms.
The only witness to the fight
was Recorder M. B. Eubanks,
who happened to be passing and
who refuses to make a statement
regarding the matter until he is
called as a witness on the trial.
After Recorder Eubanks suc
ceeded in stopping the row, it
was found that Mr. Robert Saw
yer cut Mr. Norris Smith
several times on the head, none
of the wounds being serious, how
ever. Dr. Garlington dressed
Mr. Smith’s head and he is able
DINGLEY IMPROVES
The Republican Leader is Much
Better And His
CONDITION IS ENCOURAGING.
Unless Unlooked for Complica-
tions Arise he V/i’.l In all
Probability Get Well.
Washington, Jan. 12. —Greater
encouragement for the recovery
ot Representative Dingley is felt
by his physicians today than for
some days. This is based on the
wonderful manner in whieh he
has kept up in his desperate ill
ness and the remarkable vitality
shown. Save for new complica
tions which are not now looked
for, the family feel very hopeful
that the worst is past. The pa
tient has been fairly comfortable
today, has taken nourishment
freely and is resting well.
to be out this afternoon.
None of the other combatants
were seriously hurt, except Col.
Sawyer received several painful
bruises on the shoulders and
arms.
Col. Sawyer was seen at the
office of the Daily Argus this
morning and made the following
statement:
“The Messrs. Smith called at
my residence night before last
and demanded authority for cer
tain things that I had published
in an editorial. I told them
that Mr. R. A. Denny was my
authority, or rather that Mr.
Denny told Mr. Knowles and
Mr. Knowles had told me. They
said they came to inform me that
this thing (referring to criticisms
of the raising of the clerk’s
salary) must be stopped. That
inspired the editorial in yesterday
evening’s Argus and this morn
ing the trouble came.
“I was advised by friends to
arm myself, this I declined to do,
as I think it is a reflection upon
the city of Rome if a fellow can’t
walk its streets without being
loaded with ordnance.
“I came along this morning at
my usual time and in my usual
way without even a stick in my
hand.
“I came through the cemetery
to avoid the mud, as is also my
custom.
“When I got in sight of the
shanty near Broad Street bridge
I saw two men. I passed along
in my usual way when I was
accosted and was struck by one
of the men with a cane with a
steel head on it.
“I made a grab at the stick,
but he backed out of my way
and continued to frail me,
“I threw up my arm, and the
first lick disabled the left hand.
Then as I would rush on the
young man he would back and
continue to strike, saying noth
ing.
“I told Mr. Eubanks who had
come up to stop my son Robert,
and the other man and take that
man’s pistol from him, but it
seems that they had stopped of
their own accord.
“This is all I have got to say.”
City Clerk Smith was seen at
the city hall and made the follow
ing statement:
“The official action of any mu
municipality is open to legitimate
1 criticism by an editor, but per-
IO CENTS PER WEEK
sonal insult and billingsgate
must be resented by a gentleman.
I, however, did not know my
sons were going to see Colonel
Sawyer day betore yesterday to
request him not to use personal
abuse, not having ev£n- read the
article in the Argus of the 10th.
Col. Sawyer’s paper said he was
warned, and it looked like a de
liberate insult to persist in per
sonal abuse.”
Neither of the Messrs Smith
made a statement, preferring to
be heard at the trial, which will
probably occur before Mayor
Seay tomorrow.
Both sides have engaged emi
nent counsel and the outcome of
the aflair will be watched with
interest.
LOCAL NEWS.
Items of Interest Gathered From
The Street Corners.
Yesterday afternoon Judge G.
A. H. Hasris granted a new trial
in the case of the state vs. Annie
Maples.
So much depends upon the
purity of the blood that by taking
Hood’s Sarsaporilla many differ
ent diseases are cured.
The young men will give a
dance at the Armstrong tonight
in honor of Miss Wofford, of
Cartersville, who is a guest of
Mrs. G. H. Rawlins.
This morning at 10 o’clock
Ordinary Davis heard the heabeas
corpus case of Ed Harris, Arthur
Bryant and Joe Horton, an ac
count of which appeared in yes
terday’s Hustler-Commercial,
and dismissed the case against
them.
Hustler-Commercial, please
inquire through your columns,
what has become of the Roser
monument fund. I understand
that his children gave in cash
sixty dollars toward it.
C. N. Brann.
Jan. 12, 1899.
There was a quiet home wed
ding near Foster’s Mill last
night, the contracting parties
being Miss Sarah House and
Mr. Charles Bryant. The mar
riage occurred at the home of
the bride’s father, Mr. Henry
House, Esquire J. M. Latham
officiating.
RECORDER’S COURT.
Judge Marcus Disposes of Four Sinners
This Mornining.
This morning at 11 o’clock
Recorder Eubanks disposed of
four cases at recorder’s court.
Chas Compton,, a “Weary
Willie” who mends umbrellas for
a pass-time, was fined $5 or 10
days for being drunk and disor
derly, but sentence was suspend
ed thirty minutes, to give the
“Weary” time to leave town. And
he left.
George Jones, another sinner
of the same trade and profession,
was fined $3 or 6 days for being
drunk, and was given a like op
portunity to “git.”
Poly Hunt, a young white
man well-known in police circles,
was fined $lO or 20 days for
breaking down the door of a
house occupied by a Mrs. Sparks,
on “Morphine” street. Bill Beard,
another young white man, was
fined $5 or 10 days, for being as
sociated with Hunt in the dooi
breaking.
Rlpana Tabules: lor sour acM.