The Darien Timber Gazette

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Legal matters were repeated for 30+ days.  I only transcribed the first instance of the article in many cases,
as it was an exact reporting in each paper, and needlessly repetitive here.

Friday 29 September 1876

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MURDER ON DOBOY—Ellis Robinson, colored, Stabs Henry Williams alias Pritchard, colored.

            On Friday night last Capt. James Abeal, the officer in charge at Doboy, brought to the city the body of Henry Williams, a colored man, who had been murdered on Doboy, and Ellis Robinson, the man who did the killing.  The murderer was securely hand-cuffed, and was turned over to the jailer.

THE INQUEST— Coroner Burrell on Saturday morning empanelled the following jury of inquest:  W.W. Churchill, foreman; M.C. Tyler, S.P. Norris, H. Lawrence, L. Collat, Wm. Conway, Wm. Parry, Robt. Mitchell, B. Pfeiffer, D.B. Wing and R.W. Grubb.  After examining all the witnesses the jury returned a verdict “that the deceased, Henry Williams alias Pritchard, came to his death on Doboy Island, McIntosh county, Friday, September 22d, from a stab inflicted by one Ellis Robinson.”

THE MURDERER COMMITTED—At the instance of Thomas Grant, colored, a warrant, charging Ellis Robinson with murder, was issued by Justice Isaac M. Aiken on Saturday evening, and at half-past three the prisoner was arraigned for examination before Justice Aiken.  After the court was regularly opened the prisoner was asked, “Are you guilty or not guilty?” and his response was, “I stabbed deceased, but not with the intention of killing him.”  No attorneys on either side were employed in this case.  Our young friend H.A. Dunwoody, Esq., took down the evidence and saved much time.  The following witnesses were examined:  Thomas Grant, T.C. Aiken, Amos Brown and Isaac Simons all colored, who testified against the prisoner.  Justice Aiken was not long in rendering his decision, which was that the prisoner be committed to jail there to await a hearing for deliberate murder before the next Superior Court

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FROM BRUNSWICK—A Terribly Stricken City—Over Six Hundred Cases Down.

            Since our last issue the most distressing news reaches us from our sister city of Brunswick of the great spread of the yellow fever.  There is now over six hundred cases, and the greatest destitution prevails.  The Mayor and Chairman of the Board of Health are calling for help from all sections:

BRUNSWICK, GA., SEPTEMBER 22.
To the People of the State of Georgia:
            The city of Brunswick is in distress—stricken with the yellow fever.  All the aldermen except two, the marshal and police are either dead, runaway or sick.  Send us good nurses, groceries, etc.

T.E. Davenport, Mayor
J.M. Dexter, Chairman pro tem Board of Health

            Capt. Sharp telegraphed Superintendent Grant on Friday last as follows:

BRUNSWICK, GA., SEPTEMBER 22.
Capt. John A. Grant, Superintendent Macon and Brunswick Railroad:
            Dr. Blain, City Physician, T.E. Davenport and J.M. Dexter, for Board of Health, say positively that more than half the entire population are down sick, and unless they get help, it is possible that many will die that otherwise would be saved.  If possible, for God’s sake, induce the people to do something for the people of Brunswick, for they are in sore distress.  It is possible to exaggerate the frightful state of things here.  Some will die from starvation unless something is done.  The Mayor applied for help.  If possible, get it.  It has been sent in the press dispatches to the country.  A.A. Sharp.
            We reproduce the exact below from the Macon Telegraph and can vouch for the truthfulness of every sentence it contains.  The poor people of Brunswick need help and we sincerely hope that steps will be immediately taken to raise a handsome sum in Darien for the pestilence stricken “city by the sea.”  We have helped Savannah, now let us turn our attention to Brunswick.  We hope the chairman Board County Commissioners will attend to this matter;
            “In addition to the ravages of the pestilence, the people are upon the verge of starvation.  The cry for food comes to us with terrible force.  All the people of Brunswick are poor, and the stock of supplies in the city was scarcely ever in excess of present demand.  Last spring a break in the road, which stopped the trains for a few days, put the people to very serious inconvenience; and now, with all manner of business suspended, with the people away who were able to get away, with a fearful pestilence knocking at almost every door of the city, with people of all classes sick and dying—in this condition of affairs, comes up a pitiful appeal for food.  It is enough to arouse every spark of humanity, and open the hearts, purses and stores of every one who enjoys a blessed exemption from the pestilence.”
            “We make a special appeal to our people in behalf of Brunswick.  Give that city relief and give it to-day—now.  To-morrow will be too late for some of the sufferes.  Aid must come at once, and that too in liberal allowance.  We are all poor—but when such an appeal is made in the name of humanity, our poverty should be forgotted [sic] and our stores divided with our fellow creatures, who will perish as certainly as assistance is withheld.”
            Since our last report the following yellow fever deaths have occurred in Brunswick:  T.F. Smith, A.J. Smith, Mrs. W.C. Beck, A. Peters and son, Mr. Morgan, Mr. Speer, Mrs. Tuthill, Mrs. Myers, Mr. Gatchell, John Silvan, and others whose names we cannot get.  There has been altogether over fifty deaths from fever.

Friday 6 October 1876

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BRUNSWICK’S DISTRESS—Ravages of the Yellow Fever—A Letter From a Physician—An Appalling Picture

            The Griffin News publishes the following letter, written by Dr. James S. Blain, an eminent physician of Brunswick, to his aunt in Griffin.  We know the doctor well and can vouch for every word being true:

BRUNSWICK, GA., September 22, 1876.
            Dear Aunt—Your kind letter of inquiry came to hand.  The report as to the yellow fever in Brunswick is unfortunately true.  It has now been raging for two or three weeks, and our community is in a fearful condition.  God alone knows the extent of our calamnity [sic] and suffering.  Our people are either scattered, sick or dead.  I have not the time or inclination to write about it, but will tell you of our family, which will serve as a history of all.  I could not induce Peter to leave.  I was the first of the family to have it, and had to go to work before I was scarcely able to stand alone.  For days and nights I have been going without time to eat or sleep.  If I stop for a few minutes I can scarcely walk.  My sister Maria is just convalescent and able to assist me a little.  She, Julia and myself are the only ones up.  Mrs. Scranton, Berrien, Bill, Caddie, Peter and all the children except Mamie, are in bed with the fever.  My cook is even down.  How many will survive is impossible to tell.  Nurses are not to be had.  This is the third night without sleep or rest; I am sitting up nursing and attending to their wants.  In addition to this I have nearly, if not quite a hundred patients dependent on me.  Myself and Hampton are the only physicians now able to go.  We have telegraphed almost everywhere for physicians and nurses, but so far without success.  I am informed that three physicians, one from New Orleans, one from Mobile and one from Jacksonville, are now on the way to help us.  God grant that they may arrive soon.  I shall not be able to help the people much longer, but will have to devote my remaining strength to my own family.
            It is only a question with me as to how long a man can live without sleep when his heart is full and brain almost on fire.  When I go out to see patients the demand is so great that it sometimes takes hours for me to get back, and I am in constant dread that some member of the family may be dead or dying before I can return.  Can a man endure this always?
            Our people are dying for the want of medical attention, nurses, medicines and nutriment for the sick.  This is sad, but true.  Quarantine cuts us off from supplies that are absolutely essential to save and preserve life.
            Among the dead I will only mention a few that are known to you:  Col. A.J. Smith, T.F. Smith, Alex Peters, Mr. Tuthill, Col. Cole, Mrs. Boone, Noble and others I am unable to remember.  Four deaths yesterday and five the day before.  I have not heard the mortality for to-day.  We are entirely dependent upon the negroes to attend and bury the dead and for the little help we get.  The dead are buried in boxes, hastily made and without ceremony, as rapidly as possible after death.
            Father and mother are in bed sick.  Father just taken to-night.  Horace Robinson is the only one left to put up medicine.  He will probably be down soon; then what will the sick do for medicine unless other druggists volunteer to come and help us?
            I will not write more; my heart is too full.  I do not even wish to think of the sufferings of this community.  All would join me in love to you if they were able.  Love to Mollie.  Yours truly, J.S. Blain

THE TREATMENT OF THE YELLOW FEVER

Editor Darien Gazette:
            Sir—Having promised my friends that if successful in obtaining Dr. T.J. Charltons prescription for preventing fever, so far as human skill can go, and his treatment generally after one has the yellow fever, allow me to publish through your columns, with kindliest feelings towards our fellow citizens; and warm thanks to him, the following simple things, viz:
            Two grs. Quinine for grown people, less for children, less still for babies, is the very best preventive, taken three times a day.
            Should fever come despite this precaution, the very best treatment he has seen was written by a New Orleans lady, and [cut off]
            There is a good tonic and a preventive that Dr. C. pronounces such and as good as any, and that my own family has been using there with benefit, as a preventive.
            Envelope a strong quart bottle (best a champagne bottle) with paper, so as to exclude all light, chlorate of potash one drachm, put into bottle, pour over it muriatic acid, one fluid drachm, cork well and shake for five minutes; add one ounce of water (2 tablespoonsful) shake five minutes, add another ounce water and shake again five minutes, pour the fluid quickly into a six ounce bottle which was before already enveloped in paper and fill with water; cork well and keep in a dark place.  The mixture is of a green color, when exposed to the light it becomes decomposed and changes its color from green to white and is useless.
            Directions for use—As a preventive take three times a day one half of a tablespoonful in half a tumbler of water.
            Effect of ingredients—Chlorate potash is a deadly enemy of vegetable life, and prevents the formation of fungi in the blood, or destroys them where they already exist.  Muriatic acid promotes perspiration.
            I regret that these directions are cut out of the paper so closely, that nothing but the signature “Recluse” is seen, so if I am quilty [sic] of copying without credit, the paper that contained so valuable an article cannot surely be much hurt if I fail to mention its name I a time of such distress.  A FRIEND.

            The following have died in Brunswick from yellow fever since our last report:  Tim Myers, Dr. Romulus Noble, William Noble, Mr. Cohen, Miss Mason, Miss Mary Bean, Mrs. Dr. Faber, Pat Hawkins, H.F. Beach, Dr. Hampton, Isaac W. Christian, Joseph H. Goodbread, Infant Cox, two sailors, Mr. Stringfellow, Miss Lizzie Smith, Miss Waters.

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A CORRECTION—BRUNSWICK, GA., October 4, 1876.
Mr. R.W. Grubb, Editor Darien Gazette:
            Dear Sir—At Mr. Beck’s request please contradict report of Mrs. Beck’s death.  She is sitting up and doing well.  Mr. Boone is convalescent.  Improved state of health generally.  No deaths up to yesterday morning, two last night.

Yours truly, H.C. Day
            We deeply regret and sympathise [sic] with you in the loss of Dr. Baker.  I valued his friendship highly.  H.C.D.

Friday 27 July 1877

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            HENRY CAPERS, Charles Gary, Charles Thorpe, and Richard Drayton, all colored, were arrested on Friday last, at the instance of Joe Mansfield, who charged them with breaking into his store on the night of the 18^th inst. On Saturday they were arraigned before Justice Corker, under the charge of burglary in the night time. Henry Capers acknowledged that he entered the store, but said that the other men, Drayton, Thorpe, and Gary, had nothing to do with the robbery. They were discharged, and Henry Capers was committed to jail to await a hearing at the next term of the Superior Court, for burglary in the night time. Henry was to have been married on Saturday night, but we learn that he has indefinitely postponed the celebration of this happy event.

Friday 9 November 1877

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           HENRY CAPERS, the colored man who broke into Mr. Mansfield’s store several months since, was sentenced to a term of ten years in the Penitentiary, by Judge Tompkins, on Thursday.

Friday 26 September 1885

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            William Strickland, who some time ago shot and killed B.F. Cox in the upper end of Glynn county, was arrested on Tuesday night by policemen Higginbotham and Forbes, and is now confined in jail at Brunswick.  The people of Glynn county ought to raise a handsome fund for Higginbotham for apprehending the red-handed murderer.  Frank gets a reward of $200 from the State but we really think that Glynn county should show her appreciation of his bravery by tendering him a neat sum.  He deserves it.

Saturday 15 May 1886

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HENRY TODD’S WILL—The will of the late Henry Todd, the well-known and highly esteemed colored man of Darien, was opened and read in the Court of Ordinary on Monday morning last.  The will fills about fifteen pages of legal-cap paper, and is certainly a very interesting document.  We publish a synopsis of the contents of the will:  Mr. Todd bequeathed his entire estate and revenues to his wife, Mary Ann Todd, during her natural life, at her death the entire estate to be converted into cash.  Five hundred ($500) of this money will be spent in purchasing a bell for and in repairing the colored Baptist church of Darien.  A sufficient amount will also be appropriated for the erection of a school house in Darien for colored children.  The balance of the money will then be divided up as follows:  White Presbyterian church ten per cent.; white Episcopal church, five per cent.; white Methodist church, five per cent.; colored Baptist church, ten per cent.; 2nd colored Methodist church, five per cent.; colored Episcopal church, five per cent.; white school in Darien, five per cent.; Frank Cardone, brother-in-law, twenty per cent.; relatives in Key West and Jacksonville, Florida, twenty-five per cent.  The will names Messrs. Adam Strain, James K. Clarke and Henry Huntington as executors, and gives them three years after the death of Mrs. Todd to convert the property into money and settle up the estate.  It is said that the wealth of Mr. Todd is estimated at between $100,000 and $125,000.  Mrs. Todd, we are told, is the possessor of considerable wealth in her own name.  It will be seen from the above figures that this good man has left over one-half of his entire estate to the churches and schools of Darien, white and colored.  Mr. Todd was esteemed and honored while he was alive but now that he has gone from among us he has left a monument in this will that will last and be more enduring than the whitest of marble.  We have no words that can express our admiration for Henry Todd.  There was but one Henry Todd and this generation will probably never see another such colored man.

Saturday 2 April 1898

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BRIEF LOCALS—Items Taken in on the Fly—Odds and Ends.

Rev. Mr. Kemp raised a neat little sum for the Cuban sufferers this week.  It was forwarded to the Atlanta Journal.

Rev. J. Herbert Woodward, the popular rector of St. Andrews Episcopal church, is to be presented with a handsome bicycle.

On Monday last Justice Way committed John Davis, colored, charged with carrying concealed weapons, and Preston Dardsen, colored, charged with wife beating.

Postmaster Jackson tells us that the business done during the quarter ending the 31^st ult., was the largest ever transacted at the Darien post-office.  Let the good work go on.

Saturday 26 August 1899

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WEDNESDAY’S DISGRACE

            A mob of several hundred negroes took charge of McINTOSH county jail on Wednesday morning last and prevented the sheriff from conveying Henry Delegal, a negro charged with capital offense, to the Savannah jail for safe keeping.  The sheriff intended carrying DeLegal off on the 10:20 train but the presence of the well armed mob deterred him from doing so.  It was humiliating beyond measure to the law abiding citizens of Darien.  But as the lawless proceedings were altogether unexpected of course they were not prepared for the immergency [sic].  The governor was telegraphed to for troops, and at 7 in the afternoon 200 troops from Savannah, under command of Captain Gleason, reached Darien.  On arrival they proceeded at once to the jail.  The crowd of negroes were dispersed and the prisoner was carried to the train and sent to Savannah, most of the troops going back.  Captain Grayson, with about 60 men, remained here to preserve order.  During the day and up to the time of the arrival of the troops, the negroes were absolutely in charge of the jail, without authority and in defiance of law.  It was the intention of THE GAZETTE to give the DeLegal matter a passing notice and nothing more but the bad negroes of the county have taken the matter out off our hands and they will now have to suffer the consequences.  We have often praised them as law-abiding and good citizens, and it is now with a feeling of sorrow that we are compelled to publish their outrageous proceedings of Wednesday last.  They can blame no ones [sic] but themselves and the disgrace now reals [sic] with them.
            Many arrests have been made and we understand that a special term will be called for next week to try the law-breakers.  As we go to press everything is quiet again.
            Col. A.R. Lawton came down from Savannah on Thursday night to look over the situation.  He came here at the request of Gov. Candler.