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Miscellaneous News
Articles
These articles were extracted from
very early newspapers such as:
The Columbian Museum & Savannah Advertiser, The Georgian, The Savannah Georgian,
Georgian Gazette, and many others.
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New York Weekly Journal (New York, NY); Thursday 24 May 1736; Pg.
4 col. 1
CHARLES-TOWN IN SOUTH-CAROLINA, MARCH 20.
Mr. Oglethorpe is now building a Fort of four Batlions
[sic] on the Island of St. Simons, where a Canoe cannot pass without going very
nigh the Fort, which is called Frederica. There are already more than 200 Men
at Work about it, It is said that he designs a larger and much better Fort on
the S. West End of the said Island.
He designs also a new Town behind Frederica, of which the
People are very fond, the Land there being all cleared, and extraordinary good.
The Spanish Court had sent a Gentleman, Mr. Dimsky, along with
Mr. Oglethorpe from England, who is gone to St. Augustine, in
order to settle the Boundaries between Georgia and that Government, and
it is hoped that the Frontiers of Georgia will be fixed on the River St.
Juan. Major Richards, fully instructed by Mr. Oglethorpe,
is gone to St. Augustine on that Account three Week ago.
The Georgia Gazette;
Wednesday 9 July 1766; pg. 4 col. 2
RUN AWAY from the subscriber at Sapelo, a NEGRO FELLOW named
HARRY, about 5 feet 8 inches high, 24 years of age, speaks bad
English. A reward of 20s. will be
given to any person who takes him, and delivers him to the warden of the work
house in Savannah,
or at Sapelo to GEORGE GRAY.
The Georgia Gazette;
Wednesday 15 October 1766; pg. 3 col. 2
STRAYED or STOLEN, from the subscriber, on Sapelo river, in
St.
Andrew’s parish, last March, TWO GELDINGS, on of a dunish grey colour, branded
on the shoulder or buttock SC, about 13 hands and a half high, about 5 years
old, and paces a little; the other a large sorely has a bald face and three
white feet. They were seen last 3
miles above John Middleton’s on
Alatamaha [sic].—Whoever will deliver them to
Mr. John Oates, at the plantation of
Lachlan McGillivray, Esq. near
Savannah, or to me on Sapelo river, shall have 40s. reward.
ANGUS CLARK.
The Georgia Gazette;
Wednesday 1 June 1768; pg. 4 col. 1
FOR SALE BY THE SUBSCRIBER—Three Valuable Tracts of Land
Upon the River Alatamaha [sic].
THE one a tract of 500 acres, fitted about three miles above the town of Darien, about 400 acres of
which is fine river swamp upon which there is a full command of the tide, and a
schooner of any burthen may lie at the landing.
The high land is both good and convenient, and fit for two settlements.
One other tract of 600 acres, fit for corn, rice, indico [sic], or hemp,
well timbered with white oak and cypress, about 30 acres cleared and u nder
fence, a great part of which has been plowed, with a dwelling house and a barn.
Also, a small island of fresh marsh, containing 60 acres, situated
opposite to Mr. Laurens’s settlement upon Broughton Island.
Any person inclined to purchase the above may treat with
Mr. George Baillie in
Savannah, or with me at Sapelo.
ROBERT BAILLIE.
The Georgia Gazette;
Wednesday 20 July 1768; pg. 2 col. 2
RUN AWAY the 14th inst. from
Mr. Forrester’s sawmill, on the way
from Savannah, A MULATTO BOY, named BILLY,
about five feet two inches high, has a remarkable bushy head, much pitted with
the smallpox, had on when he went away an old oznabrigs [sic] frock and trowsers
[sic], with an iron chain round his neck, which he endeavours to conceal by
wrapping a cloth round it. He was
just brought back from St. Kitts in the schooner
Sally, where he was carried about two
years ago by one Capt. Simpson, who
employed him ever since as a sailor.
He will probably pretend to be free, and attempt to get off again in a vessel.
All masters of vessels are hereby forwarned [sic] against carrying him
off, or employing him, as they may depend upon being prosecuted with the utmost
rigour. A REWARD of TWENTY
SHILLINGS, with all reasonable charges, will be paid to whoever apprehends the
said mulatto fellow, and delivers him to the keeper of the Work-House in Savannah, or to the
subscriber at his plantation on Sapelo.
GEORGE M’KINTOSH.
N.B. The above mulatto boy
was advertised in this paper about two years ago.
July 16, 1768.
The Georgia Gazette;
Wednesday 15 February 1769; pg. 4 col. 1
WENT AWAY the 13th inst. from the subscriber’s plantation on
Sapelo River, A TALL NEGROE FELLOW, very black, speaks pretty good English,
Angola born, and is named BRISTOL; he
is branded on the breast I W in small letters, and came from the West Indies
some years ago, is well acquainted about Sunbury and Midway, where he was taken
up once before. Any person that will
apprehend the said fellow, and deliver him to me, shall have a reward of twenty
shillings, with all reasonable charges.
GEORGE M’INTOSH.
17th January, 1769.
Georgia Gazette (Savannah, GA); Thursday 29 July 1790; Pg. 2 col.
1
GLYNN COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT, JULY TERM, 1790
WE the Grand Jury for the county of Glynn beg leave to congratulate
your Honour on your appointment as Chief Judge of this state; an appointment,
from experience, we are convinced, you will fill with no less honour to yourself
than benefit to the state.
The inhabitants of this county, having been drove from their
plantations and homes by Indian depredations; robbed and plundered of their
property; several of our citizens murdered, and others carried into captivity;
their houses burnt, and themselves and families confined to the sea islands,
where they have experience every degree of distress incident to such situation;
they found a consolation in their distress, when they learnt your Honour was
appointed one of the Commissioners to treat of peace with the Indians, having
the highest opinion of your prudence and abilities on that occasion, and heard,
with extreme regret, the failure of the negotiation.
We have seen with pleasure, since the counties of Glynn and Camden
have been organized, your unwearied assiduities to establish order and good
government amongst us; and we flatter ourselves, whenever a peace shall be
established with the Indians, our county, possessing, as it does, every
advantage of soil, climate, and navigation, will in a short time experience
those blessings to which your time and abilities have been so generously and
honourably directed.
We beg you to accept our sincere wishes for your health and
happiness; and return you our most sincere thanks for your excellent charge.
We present, as a grievance of a most alarming tendency, that nothing
effectual has been done, since the establishment of the Federal Government, to
compel the Spaniards to deliver up the fugitive slaves belonging to the
inhabitants of this state; these wanton and publick robberies are felt by many
of our inhabitants, who are made to feel the more keenly by the manner the
Spaniards treat those who follow their slaves; they are treated with smiles and
hospitality, while their owners are refused the liberty of passing their first
post, and laughed at when they complain. This is an evil which operates more
powerfully against the settling of those southern counties than an Indian war;
because wars have their end, but the Spanish robbery may, and most probably
will, increase, if the Federal Government does not take effectual measures to
stop this growing evil. And what adds to this misfortune is, the manner the
Federal troops are stationed, because Beard’s Bluff, the lowest or most eastern
station on the Alatamaha [sic], is thirty miles to the west of the common
thoroughfare of such of our fugitives as pass by land, and the station on St.
Mary’s is eight miles above the water passage, and as many below the land
passage. If this evil is not checked, the citizens of this state will be
compelled and will certainly do themselves justice.
We present, as a grievance, the want of a publick road from the
north end of St. Simon’s Island to the south end of the same; and we recommend
that John Braddock, James Harrison, Raymond Demere Jun.,
James Moore, and John Piles, be appointed Commissioners for feeing
the same carried into effect.
We recommend that your Honour appoint Constables for the county of
Glynn
JAMES SPALDING, Foreman;
RICHARD LEAKE,
JOHN W. GRAVES,
JOHN BRADDOCK,
JAMES H. HALL,
RAYMOND DEMERE,
JOHN MILLER,
JOHN PILES,
WILLIAM HARRIS sen.
JAMES MOORE,
CHRISTOPHER TOUCHSTONE,
JAMES CLUBB,
MARTIN PALMER,
WILLIAM STEVEN.
Columbian Museum & Savannah Advertiser;
Tuesday 19 April 1796; pg. 3 col. 4
25 DOLLARS REWARD
Ran away from the Subscriber's plantation, on Savannah Back River, a few days
ago, the following NEGROES, viz: A Negro Man, named SAMPSON, lately
purchased of Capt. John Dilworth, of Camden County, in this State; he is
full 6 feet high, very black, his head pretty grey, walks upright, is supposed
to be between 40 and 50 years of age, and formerly belonged to the estate of the
late Henry Sourby; he is well known in the southern parts of this State,
being used to go between St. Mary's and Savannah, in a boat with Mr. Dilworth,
and its supposed to be gone to St. Mary's, Beaufort, or some of the Sea Islands,
as he went away in a small Canoe.--Also, from the same Plantation about the same
time, a Young Negro Fellow, named SIMON, also very black, active and
artful; about twenty years of age, near six feet tall, very liekly, strong and
well made, is apt to flutter a little, if surprized or sharply spoken to, born
in South Carolina, and purchased by me, together with his mother, brother and
sisters, of the estate of Col. Joseph Maybank of St. Thomas's Parish in
that State, where it is probable he may attempt to go; it is said he has a wife
either at Mr. Campbell's plantation, adjoining mine, or at Dr.
Channings on Savannah River. A Reward of Twenty DOLLARS, will be paid
for apprehending and delivering Sampson to me in Savannah, and Five
Dollars for Simon. If either of them are harboured, the person so
doing may expect to be prosecuted.
JOHN GLEN.B
Savannah, April 18th.
Georgia Gazette; Friday 12 January 1798; pg. 2 col. 1
SHERIFF'S SALE
WILL BE SOLD, at the Courthouse in the Town of St. Mary, County of Camden,
between the hours of 10 and 3 o'clock, on Tuesday the 6th day of March next,
A Negro Fellow, named Will, seized under execution as the property of
John Dilworth, at the suit of Gen. James Jackson. Conditions
cath. The property pointed out by the Plaintiff Agent.
J.M. LINDSAY, S.C.C.
Sheriff's Office, November 30, 1797.
The City
Gazette & Daily Advertiser (Charleston, SC); Tuesday
12 June 1798; pg. 3 col. 2
Died, on the 29th ult. at Sapelo river, in McIntosh county,
Mrs.
Mary McKenzie, 89 years
of age, of which she lived 50 years in that county, without any sickness ‘till
her death.
Died, at Port Royal, Jamaica, on the 1st May last,
Elizabeth
Brown, a black woman, at the very
advanced age of 124 years.
The Georgia Gazette (Savannah, GA); Thursday 12 November 1801;
pg. 2 col. 2
October 27. Arrived this day, the ship Sarah,
Capt. Neal, from Africa, in 62 days, with a cargo of 217 slaves, in high
health, addressed to James Moss, Esq.
The City
Gazette & Commercial Daily Advertiser (Charleston, SC); Friday
26 March 1819; pg. 2 col. 5
Died, on Monday, the 15th inst on
Sapelo
Island, after a few days illness,
MR. JAMES SHEARWOOD, a native of Pennsylvania, aged 45
years. He has left a wife and two
daughters. He was as ingenious and
industrious mechanic, and supported a character [illegible] honest.
The Savannah
Georgian (Savannah, GA); Tuesday 21 August 1827; pg. 3 col. 4
FIVE DOLLARS
REWARD
RANAWAY from on board the sloop Favourite in Savannah, on the 4th day
of August, instant, a small pock marked negro man named Solomon, about 40
years of age. It is believed that he is lurking in and about Savannah, and is
probably harbored there by some person of colour. The above reward will be paid
to any person, who will apprehend the said Solomon and lodge him in Jail
in that place, by Elias Fort, Esq.
JAS. A.D. LAWRENCE
aug
18 199—E
[NOTE:
James Athelston Dawson Lawrence was a resident of St. Simons Island and
Elias Fort was a residence of Eastern Wayne County and Western Glynn County—ALH]
The Georgian (Savannah, GA); Tuesday 15 December 1829; pg. 3 col.
3
ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS REWARD
RAN AWAY from the plantation of the subscriber, three Negro Men, named HARRY,
JULY and AUGUST. The two former were bought from John Flynn,
the latter from Chas. A. Flynn. As the runaways have taken with them the
plantation boat, it is considered to be highly probable that they have gone
either to South Carolina or Florida. The above reward will be paid if they are
delivered upon the plantation, or FIFTY DOLLARS, if lodged in the Jail of either
Savannah or St. Mary’s, so that they may be removed.
JOHN PARLAND
Blyth [sic] Island, Glynn County, Dec. 1.
The Georgian
(Savannah, GA); Saturday 15 October 1831; pg. 1 col. 5
SHERIFF’S SALE
On the first Tuesday in November next,
WILL be sold in the Town of Brunswick, Glynn County, between the
usual hours of sale, the following slave Dick, levied on as the property
of James A.D. Lawrence, to satisfy the foreclosure of a mortgage in favor
of Samuel M. Burnett.
oct
11 W. MABRY, S.G.C.
The Georgian
(Savannah, GA); Friday 05 July 1832; pg. 4 col. 2
NOTICE—FOUR
months after date application will be made to the Honourable the Justices of the
Inferior Court of Chatham County, when sitting for Ordinary purposes, for leave
to sell the interest of Charles A.F. Irvine, Martha A. Irvine,
Caroline A.F. Irvine and James E. Irvine, being one undivided seventh
part each, in and to a tract of land containing 202 ½ acres, being numbered 13
in the 21st District of the 1st section in the County of
Lee in this State, as also in and to a tract of land containing 202 ½ acres,
being number [sic] 244 in the 19th district of the 2d section in the
County of Muscogee in said state, as also in and to five negroes named Flora,
Jane, Titus, Clarinda and Jonah—the said tracts
drawn by Alexander Irvin’s [sic] orphans, and the said property to be
sold for the benefit of said orphans.
ANN E. STEWART,
Guardian.
april 25—ju
The Georgian
(Savannah, GA); Saturday 6 October 1832; pg. 4 col. 1
SHERIFF’S
SALES
WILL be sold in the Town of Brunswick, on the first Tuesday in November, between
the usual hours of sale,
One tract of land containing two hundred acres—bounded on the south
by lands of R. Labon, and on all other sides by vacant land, run at the
time of survey. Levied on as the property of Henry Summerline to satisfy
an execution on the foreclosure of a mortgage in favour of Willis Franklin.
Also, one tract of land containing two hundred and ninety-nine ¼ acres, bounded
on the north-east by William Nelson’s land on all other sides by vacant
or unknown lands at the time of survey, levied on as the property of John
Gruntham [sic] under and by virtue of an attachment issued out of the Glynn
superior Court, in favor of William Clemants [sic].
aug 9
A.G. BURNETT, D.S.G.C.
SHERIFF
SALE—CONTINUED.
On the first Tuesday in November next,
WILL be sold in the town of Brunswick, Glynn Co., between the usual
hours of sale, two negroes, named Simon and cloey levied on to
satisfy an execution in favour of Smith & Dean against Mary
Abbott, and one in favor of John Anderson and John Franklin
vs. Mary Abbott.
Also, three tracts of land, one containing two hundred and
eighty-five and a quarter (285 ¼) acres, bounded on the south-east by
Parrott’s lands, on the south-west by Paynes and on the north-east by
Robert Wall’s land, and on all other sides by unknown lands, one other
tract containing four hundred and forty three (443) acres, bounded on the
north-west by marshes of the St. Tilla and on the north-east, by old survey of
Wanes, by the south-east by Walls Land. One other tract
containing two hundred (200) acres, bounded on the north-west and south-west by
vacant land, on the north-east by Hazzard’s land, and on all other sides
by vacant land—all levied on as the property of Solomon Moody to satisfy
an execution in favor of Ann M’Nish, Executrix of William M’Nish,
against Solomon Moody.
oct 4
A.G. BURNETT, D.S.C.
SHERIFF SALES
On the first Tuesday in November next,
WILL be sold in the town of Brunswick, Glynn county, between the
usual hours of sale—
One negro woman named Sary, levied on as the property of
James Jones, under an attachment issued out of a Justices Court in favour of
J.A.D. Lawrence, levy made and returned to one by a Constable. Also, one
black nae [sic], levied on as the property of Jacob Moore to satisfy an
execution in favor of John Andus.
oct 4
A.G. BURNETT, D.S.G.C.
Pg. 4 col. 2
NOTICE—FOUR
months after date application will be made to the Hon. the Inferior Court of
Wayne County, when sitting as a Court of Ordinary, for leave to sell Lot 153, in
the 29th district of lee, the property of Susan Gibson,
orphan.
july 13
JANE GIBSON, Guardian.
EDUCATION—THE
subscriber wishes to obtain, before January next, a situation in a private
School or Academy. He has been engaged in the education of youth, almost
constantly, for the last ten years; and fro his experience, fells himself
competent to teach all the branches of English and Classical instruction,
Mathematics, and such other studies as form the usual course preparatory to
collegiate admission. For further particulars, he would refer to himself, or
the following gentlemen, who will promptly reply to any inquiries that that
[sic] may be made of them.—
JAS. HAMILTON COOPER, Esq.}
The Rev’d. J. STILES} [all] Darien
The Rev’d. J. EVANS, P.E.}
EDMUND ATKINSON, Esq.,
Camden county.
THOS. BUTLER KING, Esq.
St. Simons Isl’d
Col. D.M. STUART}
J. ABRAHAMS, Esq’r.} [all of] Waynesville, Wayne county, Georgia.
S.C. KING, Esq’r.}
The Hon. S. SHEFFIELD}
ELIAS FORT, Esq.,
Savannah
P. MACINTYRE.
Waynesville, Wayne county, July 27, 1832
aug 2 198
NOTICE—ALL
persons having demands against the Estate of J. Newton Chapelle, of
Camden County, deceased, will present the same properly authenticated; and those
indebted make immediate payment to
CAROLINE CHAPELLE,
Administratrix
aug 23
The Macon Georgia
Telegraph; Tuesday 9 February 1841; pg. 3 col. 5
MARRIED—On the 26th ult. At Mount Arorat, Glynn
County, by the Hon. Francis M. Scarlett, ADAM S. GOODBREAD, to
Miss LOUISA HIGGINBOTHAM, of said county.
The Georgia Telegraph
& Republic (Macon, GA); Wednesday 9 July 1845; pg. 2 col. 3
SAVANNAH, June 24, 1845—Mr. Mozo and the Treasure found
by him on the banks of the Altamaha.
DEAR SIR—It is not probably known to many of
our citizens, that a regular trade was carried on in England with the Spanish
Provinces in America, and elsewhere, by the Birmingham manufacturers of spurious
Spanish dollars, from the year 1790 to 1800, and perhaps to a later period.
This base coin was made and sold in Birmingham, as they sold any other
hardware—giving to the metal the appearance and stamp of Spanish dollars—and
were bartered away at the rate of about five shillings to the pound sterling.
These manufactures made with impunity this base foreign coin in
great quantities, but would have been hung, every man of them, if they had tried
their skill on an English sixpence.
The merchants of that period, settled in Savannah, were urged to
take large sums of it, and I was informed recently, by a gentleman of great
observation and knowledge, who was in England about the year 1799, and spent
some time there, that to the honor of these merchants the offer was indignantly
declined, and in justice to Capt. Swarbrack, I mention his name, as he
was particularized; yet doubtlessly much of this Birmingham money found its way
into Georgia and the Floridas, and the large amount said to have been got by
Mr. Mozo (who is a very honest and clever man,) was without doubt taken by
speculators to the place where it was found, for the purpose of trading it away
to the Indians, for skins and other products of the wilderness country, and for
security, was buried where it was discovered by Mozo, and such sums only
disinterred as might be wanted for trade. I understood that the date of these
dollars was 1795. They may be worth something to Mr. Mozo, at least, I
should suppose, to the amount of the silver they may contain. It is probably
they were secreted by persons who were either destroyed by the Indians, or were
obliged suddenly to vacate the trading establishment.
Yours truly, W.J. McINTOSH.
Daily Chronicle & Sentinel
(Augusta, GA); Wednesday 26 January 1859; pg. 2A col. 3
ALLEGED PENSION FRAUD.—The Savannah Republican
says—“We understand that Samuel M. Burnett, formerly a member of the
Legislature from Glynn county, has been arrested upon the affidavit of Lucien
Peyton, Esq., a special agent of the United States for alleged frauds on the
Government. The charge consists in sending false and counterfeited writings to
the Department on account and in support of claims for Bounty Land in favor of
various persons. Mr. Burnett was brought to the city Friday last, and
leaves to-day (Monday) for Brunswick, in custody of the Deputy Marshal, and the
special agent to execute a bond of $20,000 with securities for his appearance at
the next District Court, to be held in Savannah, on the 2d Tuesday in February
next. The Government, through the efficient Commissioner of Pensions, George
C. Whiting, Esq., is displaying great energy and promptitude in ferreting
out and prosecuting frauds on the Pension fund.
“We know nothing of the strength of the evidence upon which Mr.
Burnett is to be brought to trial. From the high official position he has
held—having been more than once a member of the Georgia Legislature, and being
now one of the Justices of the Inferior Court of Glynn county—we are led to hope
that the charges may be ill-founded, and the trial result in a vindication of
his innocence.
Martha A. Strobhart, Invitation to
Funeral—January 13, 1860
Transcribed by
Jeff Anderson for
Becky
Mitchell and the Telfair County Historical Society to aid in the
effort of having the Captain
John L. Day Home in Lumber City,
Georgia placed on the National Register of Historical Places.
The friends and acquaintances of
Francis F. Strobhart and Family are invited to attend the Funeral of
Mrs. Martha A. Strobhart, this
morning at 10 o’clock from the residence of the family.
Corner of Zubly and St. Gall Streets.
[**This invitation of
friends and acquaintances to the Funeral of Martha A. Strobhart was found
recorded at the Georgia Historical Society Library and Archives, 501 Whitaker
Street, Savannah, Ga. During this
time the details of a funeral service were noted under the “Invitations to
Funeral” section of the Savannah newspaper.
Zubly and St. Gall Streets were near Broughton; Zubly still exists, St.
Gall does not.]
The Georgia Weekly
Telegraph (Bibb County); Friday 21 June 1861; pg. 1 col. 5
THE GEORGIA REGIMENTAL JOURNAL.
We have received the first number of a paper
bearing the above title, devoted to the interests of the Georgia army now in the
field, and published at Camp Symmes, (head quarters of the 2d Georgia Regiment)
near Brunswick. It is published semi weekly at 30 cents per month, upon the
material formerly used by the Brunswick Advocate. We wish it success, as the
undertaking is a highly laudable one. By means of it we can learn the state and
condition of our brave army encamped near Brunswick. It is edited with
considerable ability.
The Macon Telegraph
(Bibb County); Friday 19 July 1861; pg. 4 col. 2
A correspondent of the Waynesboro South
a private in the Burke Sharp Shooters, writes from camp Semmes, Brunswick, July
8. “A large ship is reported as lying about seven miles off the bar. We are in
a helpless condition should she determine upon our evacuation of this point. If
they attempt to land a force, however, beyond the protecting fire of a ship’s
guns, the blood of the 2d regiment will flow like water, and bear fitting
testimony to the patriotism and gallantry of old Georgia’s sons.”
The Burlington Weekly Hawkeye (Burlington, Iowa); Saturday 10 October 1861;
pg. 2 col. 2
Lieutenant commanding Gibson,
of the U.S. gunboat Senora, under date of Duboy [Doboy] Sound, Sept. 28th, says
that on the night of the 22d ult. he sent an armed boat crew up the Altamaha
River and destroyed Hudson Place Salt Works, near Darien, Georgia, entirely
demolishing boilers, engines, vats, &c., and bringing off Jas. H. Lockwood,
Superintendent, his two children and a free negro; other employees and visitors
fled at the approach of the force. The Works were situated within two miles of a
rebel encampment, whose pickets came very near the Works, but they did not
discover or resist the attack.
The Burlington Weekly Hawkeye (Burlington, Iowa);
Saturday 31 May 1862; pg. 3 col. 2
The Savannah News of the 17th says two Yankee steamers opened fire on Darien
on Friday. No damage.
The Daily Chronicle &
Sentinel (Augusta, GA); Monday 7 July 1862; pg. 1 cols. 1 & 2
From the Savannah News, 5th.
A CONTRABAND RETURNED FROM THE YANKEES
We saw yesterday, at the office of Messrs.
Blount & Dawson a negro man named Robert belonging to Mr.
Francis M. Scarlett, of Glynn county, who has just returned from a visit to
his friends at Hilton Head, James Island and other Yankee localities. He ran
away from his master’s place, near Waynesville, in March last, took a boat and
went to St. Simon’s Island. He discovered three gunboats off St. Simon’s, one
of which hailed him. He approached the steamer, and received from them a
countersign. He was then told to go to another one of the gunboats, and when
hailed, to give the word “Contraband.” He then approached the steamer
indicated—the Pocahontas—gave the countersign, and was taken on board.
He remained on board the Pocahontas eight days, during which time he
was kept steadily at work, scouring decks, &c. While on board the gunboat, she
attempted to go up the Altamaha river, but was prevented from going as far as
Darien in consequence of pilings, which they were unable to remove. While on
this trip she sent a boat with eight or nine men ashore to procure fresh meat
and other pickings. The boat was fired into by Confederate pickets, killing
three and wounding two others. The survivors immediately returned to the
Pocahontas, and the dead were subsequently buried on St. Simon’s Island.
From the Pocahontas he was transferred to a steamer, the name of
which he does not remember, and taken down on the Florida coast. Here he was
placed on board the Wabash, and shortly afterwards taken to Port Royal. While
at the last named place, he worked on the wharf in loading and unloading Yankee
steamers, for which he was promised $8 per month. He worked two months but
received pay for only one. He afterwards worked a short time in a saw-mill and
received no pay. He was then employed by Major White of Massachusetts,
as a body servant. The Major promised to pay $10 a month, but after
repeated application for pay, stated that he had no money. He asked Robert
how he would like to go to Massachusetts, who replied “very well,” but says he
had then determined to come back home as soon as an opportunity offered.
From Hilton Head Robert followed the Yankee troops to North
Edisto, and finally to James Island. He remained on the last named Island three
weeks, during which time the battle of Secessionville [sic] was fought. A few
days after the battle he succeeded in eluding the Federal pickets, and passed
into our lines. He was subsequently sent to Charleston and afterwards turned
over to his master.
Robert states that the Yankees are organizing companies of
contrabands, at a place called “Fish Hall,” or Hilton Head, and that it is their
intention to form them into a regiment. He explains the modus operandi
by which the negroes are induced to enter the service. Religious meetings are
held, at stated periods, at which a Rev. Mr. Wilson officiates. At these
meetings an “enrolling officer” was always present, who proceeded to take the
names of the able-bodied men present. These were asked to volunteer, and those
who refused—by far the greater number—were forcibly sent to Fish Hall and
mustered into service. He attended one meeting, which was addressed by a
colored brother from the North. A sentinel stood at the door, (as was the
invariable custom) while the colored brother harangued his audience in behalf of
a church in Canada, and a forced contribution was taken up at the expense of the
imprisoned contrabands. This was the last meeting Robert attended, and
he reports that the audience were at last accounts growing distressingly thin,
the general impression being that their colored orator pocketed the money, and
allowed the church in Canada to look after itself.
Robert reports the negroes on Hilton Head dissatisfied, and
many of them anxious to escape. The island is closely guarded, and escape is
next to impossible. A negro attempted to get away, while he was on the island,
and was shot. The negroes are worked from daylight until eight and nine o’clock
at night. They are allowed no privileges, and are very cruelly treated, and on
very slight offences, they are closely confined and put on bread and water.
Robert’s experience has given him a very unfavorable
impression of the Yankeedoodles generally, and of their military colony on
Hilton Head particularly. From his own report he has good reasons for
preferring to live in Dixie.
The Burlington Weekly Hawkeye (Burlington, Iowa); Saturday 22 November 1862;
pg. 6 cols. 4-6
BRILLIANT SUCCESS OF NEGRO TROOPS—REBEL SALT WORKS DESTROYED. LARGE CAPTURES
OF PRISONERS AND STORES
Correspondence of the New York Tribune.
On Board Steamer From Ft. Monroe to Baltimore, Nov. 14, 1862.
Events of no ordinary interest
have just occurred in the department of the South. The negro troops have been
tested, and to their great joy, though not contrary to their own expectations,
they have triumphed, not only over enemies armed with muskets and swords, but
over what the black man dreads most, sharp and cruel prejudices.
Gen. Saxton, on the 28th of
October, sent the captured steamer Darlington, Capt. Crandell, down the
coast of Georgia, and to Fernandina, Florida, to obtain recruits for the 1st
Regiment South Carolina Volunteers. Lieut. Col. O.T. Beard of the 48th
New York volunteers, was given the command of the expedition. In addition to
obtaining recruits, the condition and wants of the recent refugees from slavery
along the coast were to be looked into, and if, occasion should offer, it was
permitted to “feel the enemy.” At. St. Simons, Ga., Capt. Trowbridge,
with thirty-five men of the “Hunter Regiment of 1st South Carolina volunteers”
who had been stationed there for three months, together with twenty-seven more
men, were received on board. With this company of sixty-two men, the Darlington
proceeded to Fernandina.
On arriving a meeting of the colored
men was called to obtain enlistments. The large church was crowded. After
addresses had been made by the write and Col. Beard, 100 men volunteered
at once, and the number soon reached about 125. Such, however, were the demands
of Fort Clinch and the quarter-master’s department for labors, that Col. Rich,
commanding the port, consented to only twenty-five men leaving. This was a sad
disappointment, and one which some determined to not bear. The twenty five men
were carefully selected from among those not employed, either on the fort, or in
the quarter-master’s department, and put on board. Amid the farewells and
benedictions of hundreds of their friends on shore they took their departure, to
prove the truth or falsity of the charge. “The black man can never fight.” On
calling the roll, a few miles from port, it was found our twenty-five men had
increased to fifty-four. Determined not to be foiled in their purpose of being a
soldier, it was found that thirty men had quietly found their way on board, just
at break of day, and had concealed themselves in the hold of the ship. When
asked why they did so their reply was.
“Oh, we want to fight for our liberty
and for the liberty of our wives and children.”
“But would your dare to face your old
masters?”
“Yes, yes, yes; why, we would fight
to death to get our families,” was the quick response,--No one doubted their
sincerity. Muskets were soon in their hands, and not time was lost in drilling
them. Our steamer, a very frail one, had been barricaded around the bow and
stern, and also provided with two twelve-pounder Parrott guns. These guns had to
be worked by black men, under the direction of the captain of the steamer. Our
fighting men numbered only about 110 and 50 of them were raw recruits. The
expedition was not a very formidable one, still all seemed to have an unusual
degree of confidence to its success.
What had been done the day previous,
and what had been accomplished on the day of sailing, is described as follows by
Lieut. Col. Beard in his report to Gen. Saxton.
“On Monday, Nov. 3, with the steamer
Darlington, having on board Captain Trowbridge’s company, colored troops
(62,) I proceeded up Bell River, Florida, drove in the rebel pickets below
Cooper’s, destroyed their place of rendezvous, thence proceeded and destroyed
the saltworks, and all the salt, corn and wagons which we could not carry away,
besides killing the horses. Thence we proceeded to Jolly river and destroyed two
saltworks, with a large amount of salt and corn. Thence we proceeded to St.
Mary’s and brought off two families of contrabands, after driving in the enemy’s
pickets.
“On Tuesday, Nov. 4, proceeded to
King’s Bay, Georgia, destroyed a large saltwork in a creek about a mile from the
landing, together with all the property on the place. Here we were attacked by
about eighty of the enemy, of whom we killed two.”
This was the first place where the
troops were brought under fire. They had all (about thirty in number) just got
into the small boats, when the enemy suddenly rushed out of the thick woods and
fired upon them. Their condition was a perilous one, the enemy being not over
ten rods distant, and the steamer still further off. Nothing daunted, the men
loaded and fired coolly and incessantly, till safe on board. A warm fire was
opened at once by the men from the steamer, and one of our Parrotts played well
its part. It was marvelous that under so heavy a shower of bullets, not a man
was wounded, though many balls were lodged in the steamer and barricades.
Nov. 6—The first landing this day was
on Butler’s Island, from which the troops brought off quite a quantity of rice.
The next landing was at Darien, Ga., where two prisoners and some arms were
taken. The pickets fled at the approach of our troops. Lieut. Walker, of
Captain Trowbridge’s company, who had been left in charge of part of the
company on St. Simons Island, accompanied by twenty-five men, had crossed over
in small boats a few days before our arrival, and had captured, in Darien, the
Assistant Provost Marshal. One of our new prisoners stoutly objected to being
marched to the small boats by his negro captors. He swore a white man was
entitled to more respect; but the overjoyed negroes could not see the force of
his argument or profanity.
The women and children (about fifty)
taken from St. Simons on the day previous were now landed for safety at St. Catherines as a more hazardous work was to be undertaken. Much of the night was
spent in getting wood and cooking meats, rice and corn for our women and
children on shore, and for the troops. The men for the steamer, killing beeves
needed no “driver’s lash” to incite them to labor. Sleep and rest were almost
unwelcome, for they were preparing to go up Sapelo River, along whose banks on
the beautiful plantations, were their fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, wives
and children—Weeks and months before some of the men had left those loved ones,
with a promise to return, “If de good Lord jis open de way.”
At 5 o’clock on Friday morning, Nov.
7, we were under way. Capt. Budd, of the gunboat Potomska, had kindly
promised the evening before to accompany us past the most dangerous places. On
reaching his station in Sapelo Sound, we found him in readiness. Our little
fleet, led by the Potomska, and followed by the Darlington, sailed proudly up
the winding Sapelo, now through marshes, and then past large and beautiful
plantations. It was very affecting to see our soldiers watching intensely the
colored forms on land, on saying in the agony of deepest anxiety, “Oh, masir, my
wife and chillen lib dere,” and another singing out, “dere, dere my brodder,” or
“my sister.” The earnest longings of their poor, anguish-riven hearts for
landings, and then the sad, inexpressible (except by sighs) regrets as the
steamer passed, must be imagined—they cannot be described.
The first intelligence was made at a
picket station on Charles Hopkins’ plantation. The enemy was driven back;
a few guns and a sword only captured. The Potomska came to anchorage, for lack
of sufficient water, a few miles above, at Reuben King’s plantation. Here
we witnessed a rich scene. Some fifty negroes appeared on the banks, about
thirty rods distant from their master’s house, and the same distance from the
Darlington. They gazed upon us with intense feeling, ultimately turning their
eyes toward their master who was watching them from his piazza, and toward our
steamer, which as yet, had given them no assurance of landing.—The moment she
headed to the shore, their doubts were dispersed, and they gave us such a bowing
welcome as angels would be satisfied with. Some of the women were so filled with
joy that they ran, leaped, clapped their hands, and cried, “Glory to God! Glory
to God!”
The Darlington rested directly in
front of the old planter’s door. About eighty men were formed in line of battle
in the front yard, and some thirty were employed as scouts. The men were not all
landed before the dark subjects of the patriarchal institution were rushing for
the boat. It only required about fifteen minutes to gather their liberal supply
of “old duds.” As they were coming with bundles on their heads, children in
their arms and on their shoulders, loaded also with pigeons, pots, trays,
chickens, ducks, and squealing little pigs, I ventured my unhallowed feet upon
the piazza, when I met the planter and a widowed daughter, who was joint owner
of the fleeing “chattels.” Salutations being exchanged, I remarked to the lady,
“This is a sad morning to you.”
“Yes,” said she, “this seems hard.”
You may consider yourself fortunate
in being thus providentially relieved of the responsibility of going to the
judgment with the blood of these people upon you.
“If it were the wish of Providence,
then let him take them by death,” replied she. But their life is worth more than
their death. “It is a divine institution.”
If it were divine, we replied, it
would relieve them of their rags and filth, renovate their dark and loathsome
cabins, open the school house to their children, and cease to sell husbands and
wives, parents and children. You see how eagerly they rush to us, with a
thousand benedictions, while they express no kind regards to you. The good lady
had no reply, except that the negroes were all their dependence.
After relieving the old planter and
daughter of $20,000 worth of humanity, i.e., fifty-two slaves, and the leather
of his tannery, we re-embarked. Our boats were sent once and again however, to
the shore for men, who, having heard the steam whistle, came in great haste fro
distant plantations.
As the Potomska could go no further,
Capt. Budd kindly offered to accompany us with one gun’s crew. We were
glad to have his company and the service of the crew, as we had only one gun’s
crew of colored men. Above us was a bend in the river, and a high bluff covered
with thick woods. There we apprehended danger, for the rebels had had ample time
to collect their forces. The men were carefully posted, fully instructed as to
their duties and dangers by Col. Beard. Our Parrotts were manned, and
everything was in readiness. No sooner were we within rifle-shot than the enemy
opened on us a heavy fire from behind the bank and trees, and also from the tops
of trees. Our speed being slow and the river’s bend quite large, we were within
range of the enemy’s guns for some time. How well our troops bore themselves
will be seen by Capt. Budd’s testimony.
Our next landing was made at
Daniel McDonald’s plantation. His extensive and valuable salt works were
demolished, and he himself taken prisoner. By documents captured, it was
ascertained that he was a rebel of the tallest kind.—We took only a few of his
slaves, as he drove back into the woods about ninety of them just before our
arrival. One fine looking man came hobbling down on a crutch. McDonald
had shot off one of his legs about eighteen months before. The next plantation
had some 500 slaves on it; several of our troops had come down from it, and also
had relatives there, but the lateness of the hour and the dangerous points to be
passed on our return admonished us to retreat.
Our next attack was expected at the
bluff.—The enemy had improved the time since we parted them in gathering
reinforcements. Col. Beard prepared the men for a warm fire. While
everything was in readiness, and the steamer dropping down hard upon the enemy,
the write passed around among the men, who were waiting coolly for the moment of
attack, asked them if they found their courage failing. “Oh, no mas’r, our trust
be in the Lord. We only want a fair chance at ‘em,” was the unanimous cry.
The fire was immediately opened upon
us by the enemy, numbering from 80 to 100 men.—Our troops returned the fire with
effect. Two of the enemy soon fell headlong from the trees, and several on the
ground soon fell. Only three of our men were wounded, and they ceased not firing
till the enemy had, yet the blood completely covered the face of one who had
been struck by a ball in the forehead.
Most people have doubted the courage
of negroes and their ability to stand a warm fire of the enemy. The engagements
of this day were not an open field fight to be sure, but he circumstance were
peculiar. They were taken by surprise, the enemy concealed, his force not known,
and some of the troops had been enlisted only two days. Capt. Budd, a
brave and experienced officer, and yet witness of both engagements, has kindly
given his opinion, which we are sure will vindicate the policy, as well as
justness, of arming the colored man for his own freedom at least.
U.S. Steamer Potomska, Sapelo River, Ga.; Nov. 7
SIR,--It gives me pleasure to testify
to the admirable conduct of the negro troops (1st S.C. Volunteers,) under the
command of Lieut. Col. Beard, 48th N.Y. Volunteers, during this day’s
operation. They behaved splendidly under the warm and galling fire we were
exposed to, in the two skirmishes with the enemy. I did not see a man flinch,
contrary to my expectations.
One of them particularly came under
my notice, who, although badly wounded in the face, continued to load and fire,
in the coolest manner imaginable.
Every one of them acted like
veterans.
Very respectfully,
Wm. Budd, Acting Lieut. Com’g Potomska.
To the Rev. M. French, Chaplain, U.S.A.
On reaching his ship, Capt. Budd
led our retreat. It had been agreed, after full consultation on the subject,
that, in our descent down the river it was best to burn the buildings of
Capt. Hopkins and Col. Bailsford. Both of these places were strong
picket stations, particularly the latter. Bailsford had been down with a
small force a few days before our arrival at St. Catherine’s and shot one of our
contrabands, wounded mortally, as was supposed, another, and carried off four
women and three men. He had whipped to death three weeks before, a slave for
attempting to make his escape. We had on board Sam Miller, former slave,
who had received over 300 lashes for refusing to inform on a few of his fellows
who had escaped. He had been the owner of several of our troops and of their
friends.
The troops landed in these places
under the guns of the Potomska, and quickly did their work. The first place a
magazine was blown up. At the latter was a strong force, but the shells were too
much for them. The sun had gone down when the troops landed, and the enemy had
the advantage of darkness. Still our men went back half a mile, firing cabins,
outhouses, and finally the splendidly furnished mansion of Col. B.,
sparing only his sword and saddle. All this work was done in the very face and
eyes of the enemy, and yet such was their terror of black men armed that they
dare not make an attack. The en all reached the steamer by the small boats
without loss.
I would here remark that the men were
not allowed to take any article for their own use, nor indeed did they seem
anxious to do so. To damage the rebels, rescue their friends, and show that they
could be “sogers,” seemed the one desire of their hearts. It was truly
surprising to see how rapidly and expeditiously they could land; after leaping
from the small boats into the water knee-deep, and climbing up the banks, then
would rush into the woods as fearlessly as a dog after a fox. They felt
perfectly at home, scouting in the woods, and were an awful terror, as we had
reason to know, to the enemy. Their intimate knowledge of the rivers made them
invaluable as pilots.
On passing among the men as we were
leaving the scenes of action, I inquired if they had grown any to-day. Many
simultaneously exclaimed:
“Oh yes, massa, we have grown a’most
three inches,” said Sam; “I feel a heap more of a man.”
With the lurid flames still lighting
up all the region behind, and the bright rays of the smiling moon before them,
they formed a circle on the lower deck, and around the hatchway leading to the
hold, where were the women and children captured during the day, and on bended
knees they offered up sincere and heartfelt thanksgivings to the Almighty God
for the mercies of the day. Such fervent prayers for the president, for the
hearing of his proclamation by all in bonds, and for the ending of the war and
slavery, were seldom, if ever, heard before. About one hour was spent in singing
and prayer. Those waters surely never echoed with such sounds before.—It really
seemed, sometimes, as if we could almost hear the angels chanting over us, the
old son of Judes, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, and good
will to men.”
We refer again to Col. Beard’s
report. He says: “The colored men fought with astonishing coolness and bravery.
For alacrity in effecting landings; for determination, for “bush” fighting, I
found them all I could desire, more than I had hoped. They behaved bravely,
gloriously, and deserved all praise.”
Our steamer left Beaufort without a
soldier, and returned after an absence of twelve days with one hundred and
fifty-six fighting colored men, some of whom dropped hoe, took a musket, and
were at once soldiers, ready to fight for the freedom of others. The troops made
thirteen landings on the main between Fernandina and Fort Pulaski, destroying
nine large salt works, together with some $20,000 worth of salt, corn, rice,
horses, &c., which could not be brought away. About seventy slaves were taken
from their rebel masters, while our steamers brought back the scars of 150 of
the enemy’s balls. The men entered Beaufort singing the John Brown song
more heartily, I venture to say, than it was ever sang before. The negroes now
think they will be ready when the brigade is completed, to take the job of
putting down the rebellion.
Bangor Daily Whig & Courier (Bangor, Maine); 23 June 1863; pg. 3 col. 2
A Hilton Head letter of the 17th
states that Montgomery’s expedition, consisting of the 54th Mass., the 2d
South Carolina and Brayton’s R.I. battery, proceeded up St. Simons Sound,
Ga., and Tuttle [Turtle] River, above Brunswick, on the 8th, and destroyed a
railroad bridge over Buffalo Creek.
The expedition also ascended Attahama
[Altamaha] river on the 11th above Darien, and captured a schooner laden with 40
bales of cotton and brought her away. The expedition then returned to St. Simons
Island, without the loss of a man, and awaited orders from General Gilmore[?]
and the supply of certain defects of what was found necessary to its work.
The Weekly Gazette & Free Press (Janesville, Wisconsin); 26 June 1863; pg. 2
col. 5
Fort Monroe, June 21.
Richmond papers of the 20th say that
the city of Darien, Ga., was burned by the federals on the 11th inst., and is
now one plain of ashes and blackened chimneys. Seven iron-clads and were at
Brunswick, Ga., and large forces had landed from transports. Vallandigham
has run the blockade from Wilmington. He is going to Nassau and thence to
Canada.
The Weekly Gazette & Free Press (Janesville, Wisconsin); 3 July 1863; pg. 1
col. 9
CORRESPONDENCE OF THE N.Y. TRIBUNE—INVASION OF GEORGIA BY COLONEL MONTGOMERY
Hilton Head, June 17, 1863
Early on the morning of the 11th
inst., Col. Montgomery left St. Simons Island, where his brigade is now
encamped, to present his compliments to the rebels of Georgia, having the week
before sent them to those of South Carolina.
This force consisted of five
companies of the 2d South Carolina, eight companies of the 54th Massachusetts,
Col. Shaw, all negro, and the 3d Rhode Island battery, Capt. Brayton,
and the transports Sentinel and Harriet A. Wood, constituted the fleet.
The expedition ready, the order was
given to sail through Doboie [Doboy] Sound and up the Altamaha river, the
largest stream in Georgia, to the village of Darien, which is said to have
contained before the war some 2,000 inhabitants, most of whom were wedded to the
rebel cause.
As the John Adams approached the
village she poured a constant shower of shot and shell into the woods, along the
shore and into the town, as she came up to the wharf. The few “crackers” and
paupers remaining in the place ran frightened and terror stricken in every
direction, and when Col. Montgomery landed his troops, he found not a
single armed inhabitant to dispute his right. Through the activity of some of
the negro soldiers, a few of these poor “white-trash” were caught, who told the
story of there being a strong cavalry force within five miles of the place,
which may or may not have been true. At any rate, Col. Montgomery, from
the information obtained from them, did not desist from his original purpose,
but marched nearly his whole force into the town, posted his sentries and
prepared to do his work.
In a few hours all the valuable
property he could find, of a movable character, was transferred to his boats. A
large class of second-class furniture, considerable livestock, horses, cows, and
sheep, and rice and corn sufficient to feed his command for at least a month,
was thus disposed of.
The inhabitant driven out and the
town sacked, the nest step in Col. Montgomery’s programme was to burn and
destroy everything he could not carry off with him. In a few moments the
principal buildings were all in flames, and, a strong south-west wind prevailing
at the time, the whole village was soon enshrouded in flame and smoke, and
before the expedition returned not a single tenantable habitation remained.
Darien destroyed, Major Corwin
of the 2d South Carolina took the Harriet A. Wood and proceeded up the river in
search of a rebel craft he had heard of through some negroes. When four miles up
the stream he found the report to be correct, and overhauled and captured a
copper-bottomed schooner, a large flat-boat, and 80[?] bales of long staple
cotton, estimated to be worth $30,000. Major Corwin was absent from
Darien two hours, and when he returned with his prize, was received by the
Massachusetts and South Carolina negro soldiers with nine tremendous cheers.
These bold, rapid and successful
expeditions of Col. Montgomery are spreading terror throughout the entire
coast, and are compelling the rebels to abandon their rice and cotton fields,
and all the smaller villages which would be at all likely to be visited by him.
The New York Times; Sunday 28 August
1864; pg. 1 col. 4
CAPTURE OF THE BLOCKADE RUNNER LILLIAN.
Boston, Sunday, Aug. 27.
An officer of the United States transport
Massachusetts, arrived here today, reports that the blockade-runner
Lillian, for Nassau, N.P., was captured on the 25th inst. off Wilmington by
the gunboats Gettysburgh and Keystone State and transport
Massachusetts. Several shots were fired at her before she surrendered, one
of which took effect two feet below the water line, producing a bad leak, and
another cutting off a man’s hand. The leak was stopped, and the prize taken
into Beaufort, N.C. [sic]. She will be sent to Boston. Her cargo consisted of
721 bales cotton, 50 of which were thrown overboard. The Lillian is an
iron vessel, and very fast. Her Commander is said to be Capt. MAFFITT,
formerly of the pirate Florida.
[Another article states the capture happened on the 24th
ult.--ALH]
Fort Wayne Daily Gazette (Fort Wayne, Indiana); Tuesday 13 December 1864; pg.
2 col. 2
WHERE [WILL HE?] STRIKE
This is the question to Gen.
Sherman, which puzzles the rebels, and interests, as well, loyal hearts. It
s about time to hear from him through our own sources; and our government
doubtless thinks so, as the steamer Fulton has left New York with mail for
Sherman’s army.
The place spoken of most by the
rebels as Sherman’s objective point on the coast—laying aside Charleston
and Savannah—are Beaufort, Darien and Brunswick.
Beaufort is in South Carolina, about
two-thirds of the way between Charleston and Savannah, on an island. The main
land is in rebel possession, but we have forces in Beaufort and Port Royal, the
entrance to Broad River, up which Beaufort Stands.
Darien is in Georgia, sixty miles
down the coast from Savannah, at the mouth of the Altamaha river. There—and
vicinity—was the scene of Fanny Kemble Butler’s experience when she
resided on her husband’s plantation, and in the midst of the worst slavery
section of the world.
Brunswick is twenty miles further
down the coast, and is the terminus of a railroad that, striking into the
interior, connects with a railroad running from Savannah southwest across
Georgia toward Florida. [Chicago Journal.
Janesville Weekly Gazette (Janesville, Wisconsin); Thursday 15 December 1864;
pg. 4 col. 5
NEW YORK, Dec. 9—Richmond papers
of the 7th say that Sherman’s campaign is drawing to a close. He is
approaching the coast by way of Darien and Savannah, but we have a formidable
force between those points, which he will have to encounter before reaching
either point. We think Sherman is done with strategy and will now attempt
to break through our forces and thus attempt to reach the sea coast. Things will
culminate this week. We think Sherman is in a critical condition.
[Further down column]
NEW YORK, Dec. 9—The
Commercial’s Washington special says Richmond papers of Wednesday contain no
information about Sherman, but predict his defeat before he can reach
Savannah or Darien.
The Burlington Weekly Hawkeye (Burlington, Iowa); Saturday 31 December 1864;
pg. 1 col. 3
WHERE GRANT EXPECTED SHERMAN TO “COME OUT.”
General Grant and the War
Department expected Sherman to reach a sea-board base at Brunswick or
Darien. The rebel press almost unanimously hit upon the former point. Sherman
improved vastly upon all these forecasts, and has a base where he prosecutes the
siege of Savannah with whatever swiftness he may choose to employ.
The New York Times (New York, New York); Monday 8 July 1867;
pg. 4 col. 6
MURDER OF A BRITISH CONSUL AT BRUNSWICK, GA.
Savannah, Ga., Sunday, July 7.--E.J.
Westmoreland, British Consul at Brunswick, Ga., was killed at that place by
Capt. Martin on the 6th inst. The deceased had only been married four
hours. Martin was arrested and brought to this city. A gross mystery
exists regarding the affair.
Warren Village (Haverstraw, New York)
Thursday 15 August 1867; pg. 1 cols. 5 & 6
A TRAGEDY IN REAL LIFE
In Brunswick, Ga., a beautiful young lady, of
barely eighteen years, was married at eleven o’clock on the morning of the 5th
instant, and at four o’clock in the afternoon of the same day her husband was
shot dead by an unsuspected rival.
The name of the murdered bridegroom was Eardley G. Westmoreland.
He was an Englishman of good family, and held the office of British Vice-Consul
for the city of Brunswick. He came to this country during the war to represent
an English mercantile house which had some relations with the South. He
remained in Brunswick after the war, and entered into partnership with
General John B. Gordon, in the saw mill business. Mr. Westmoreland
was a young man of fine education, refined and accomplished, and, in all the
relations of life, maintained the strictest of integrity and the highest sense
of honor. The name of his rival and assassin is Edgar, or Egbert J.
Martin. He was born in Virginia, and says he is a nephew of General
Edward Johnson, of the confederate army, and that he served on his staff
until General Johnson was taken prisoner, when he joined the Confederate
artillery as lieutenant. He came to Brunswick in January last on some business,
and there made the acquaintance of General Gordon, with whom, after a
time, he entered into partnership in planting rice on the Altamaha River. He
also made the acquaintance of young Westmoreland, and for a time they were on
friendly, and even intimate terms. But a coldness and estrangement grew up
between them; they were both the admirers of one young lady. This feeling
originated with, or was first apparent on the part of Martin, and he
exhibited it in an ungracious if not offensive manner. One day, while
Westmoreland was in conversation with a gentleman and his daughter Martin
passed by, and Westmoreland said to him, “Stop Martin, and I will
go with you.” Martin made no reply and, indeed, seemed not to hear it.
Westmoreland repeated the words, when Martin answered, “Thank you,
I prefer my own company.” The next day Westmoreland asked for an
explanation, and Martin replied he might interpret it in any way he
thought fit. This led to a challenge from Westmoreland, which was
accepted by Martin, but the interference of three gentlemen of authority
in such matters, prevented duel; not, however, without difficulty, and only by
earnest appeals to both young men.
From this time the estrangement between them was complete, though
they did not cease entirely to speak to each other. They were both the open and
avowed suitors of the young lady, and each one thought his own chance the best.
Thus stood matters, when a third suitor arrived from New York for
the express purpose of pressing his suit—a young German gentleman, every way
worthy to aspire to so fair a hand. His presence seemed to bring the affair to
a climax, and to determine young Westmoreland, who was in reality the
favored lover and secretly engaged to the young lady, to bring the affair to a
conclusion. They had agreed to elope and be married. An elopement was rendered
necessary in consequence of the violent opposition on the part of the young
lady’s parents to the pretensions of Mr. Westmoreland. This opposition
was most decided on the mother’s part. She had forbidden all intercourse
between them, and did not know that they ever met. But they wee lovers, and
they did meet. A clandestine intercourse had been kept up from the time that he
was forbidden the house. On Thursday, July 4, a note written by Mr.
Westmoreland to his affianced, and unfortunately entrusted to inexpert hands
to deliver, fell under the yes of the mother. At once she knew all. She
reproached her daughter, but her daughter was firm and avowed her determination
to marry Mr. Westmoreland.
The next morning, Friday, July 5, the parents obtained a marriage
license, sent for a minister, peremptorily summoned Mr. Westmoreland to
their house, and had the young pair married. But their blessing did not rest on
the head of their child; no sooner was the marriage ceremony ended than the
young couple were told to leave the house. They went forth unblest.
Mr. Westmoreland having no house of his own, and intending to
leave Brunswick the same evening, took his bride to his office, and informed his
friends of his marriage. During the day they received several visits, and among
those who called was Martin. So generous and trusting was the future of
young Westmoreland, that he went out and left Martin alone with
his wife. Martin assured her that as she was married to Westmoreland
he would not pursue any felling of resentment against her husband and left her
with the impression that he meant to forget and bury the past. From here he
went to call on the parents of the bride, but what passed between them is not
known.
About four o’clock in the afternoon—the marriage had taken place at
eleven in the morning—Martin was walking along the street and met the
young German suitor, who had arrived in Brunswick a few days before. Martin
asked him to accompany him down the street, and they walked together until they
came opposite the door of Westmoreland’s office. The latter was sitting
on the doorstep in conversation with a gentleman who had called to speak to him
on business. The young bride was in an inner room preparing for her departure
in the steamer Sylvan Shore that very evening. Martin, leaving
his companion, walked deliberately up to Westmoreland, drew a pistol, and
without a word, fired. The ball entered full in the breast. Westmoreland
rose and exclaimed, “My God! Martin, what have I done that you should
shoot me?” Martin fired a second time, and the ball struck the groin. A
third time, though his victim had fallen, did he pull the trigger, but only the
cap exploded!
Westmoreland spoke no other words; he breathed a few minutes,
and life was ended.
Martin was instantly arrested by the United States officials
and taken to Savannah to be imprisoned and tried for murder.
Grand Traverse Herald (Traverse City, Michigan); Friday
15 November 1867; pg. 1 col. 3
It will be recollected that a few
months since, Mr. Westmoreland, the British Consul at Brunswick, Georgia,
was shot dead in about an hour after his marriage, by his unsuccessful rival,
Major Egbert Martin. The case came up before the Superior Court of the
district a few days ago, but it being found impossible to get a jury, the court
adjourned and Martin was released on $20,000 bail. Of course, that will
be the last of it, and Martin will go unpunished.
The Georgia
Weekly Telegraph (Macon, GA); Friday 11 September 1868
Pg. 1
cols. 6 & 7
BRUNSWICK—ITS
PAST HISTORY
In
our last issue we proposed in a short time to being a series of articles upon
the past history of this place—we then stated that we should begin from the year
1733, supposing at that time we should be able to collect something connected
with the mission of General James Oglethorpe, who has been termed the
father and founder of Georgia, and the opinion has by some means been impressed
upon many minds that he first surveyed and laid out Brunswick as a proper
location for a city.—We only find upon record the following in reference to that
matter, that he at one time, whether before or after landing at Savannah we are
not prepared to state, “landed at Brunswick, but from constant interruptions
from the Indians, he abandoned his project here.” We find that he made a
settlement at Savannah, but can find nothing more in reference to his visit, or
any projects in or about Brunswick. We must then begin at a more recent date,
unless future generations, or more diligent search shall reveal those particular
items which historians have failed to record.
A few days ago we addressed a note to Gen. H.C. Wayne,
knowing that he had spared no pains to examine as far as history and research
would permit, into the past history of Brunswick. His answer to our inquiries
will be found in another column, and contains all of interest that can be
gathered from historical books, etc., the only means of obtaining any further
information is from the memories of old citizens, as they have been gathered
from their fathers and mothers who now sleep among the nations of the dead.
About the year 1794, we learn that there were about ten families
here; the exact time when the first settlement was made remains among the hidden
things. John McCloud, George Purvis, Mr. Osborn, John
Piles, Thomas and Benjamin Hart, Wm. Paine, Mr.
McKenzie, Wm. Clubb and Leighton Wilson, were the heads of the
families alluded to, some of whom are still represented by surviving relatives.
McCloud married into the Burnett family; George Purvis’
relatives are to be found among the Hatchers, Franklins, and the
daughters of his son, Wm. Purvis, who died a few years ago. The
relatives of Mr. Osborn are to be found in the family of Mrs. Susan
Anderson, who with four daughters and one son lives to commemorate the
virtues of a noble sire.
The Hart family seems to have died or removed away, without
leaving any relatives behind them. Wm. Paine has a few distant relatives
still living.
The only surviving relative of McKenzie that we know of, is
Mrs. Frances Pyles, who is now living in Florida.
Wm. Clubb is still represented by several relatives and
friends among the Bunkleys and Clubbs.
The several members of the Hazelhurst family live to
perpetuate the memory and name of Leighton Wilson, whose bones have long
since returned to their mother dust.
The first settlements made in this place appears to have been
confined chiefly to the upper part of the town near where the mouth of the canal
now is.
A burial ground where rests the remains of our grand-fathers and
many of their children, although then very near a hundred yards from the stream,
now has well nigh washed away by inroads made by the wasting away of the banks
of the river; thus those once interred in the dry ground, have at last found a
watery grave.
BRUNSWICK,
August 22, 1868.
Editor of the Brunswick Banner: DEAR SIR: In reply to your
inquiry of the 18th inst., as to “the time Oglethorpe
attempted to settle Brunswick—whether or not he made a survey or located a town
here or did some one else survey and locate the town, and at what time, etc?” I
state, that so far as my historical researches extend, I have met with no
evidence that Oglethorpe ever had anything to do with Brunswick; but on
the contrary it appears that our town was located after Oglethorpe’s
return to England and the surrender of the Charter of Georgia by the Trustees to
the Crown in 1752.
In 1733 the country lying between the Savannah and Altamaha Rivers,
westward to the Pacific Ocean was granted by the King of Great Britain to a
corporation of which General Oglethorpe was an influential member, “in
trust for the poor,” the idea being to open “for the poor of that nation and for
persecuted Protestant of all nations an asylum where poverty would be no
reproach and where all might worship without fear of persecution” (Wilson;)
and this province was called Georgia.
In February, 1733, Gen. Oglethorpe landed at Yamacraw Bluff,
now Savannah, with a few emigrants. This was the first settlement in the new
province. In 1736 Oglethorpe who had been to England and returned to the
Colony, in anticipation of a war between England and Spain, fortified his
settlement by erecting forts at Augusta, Darien, Frederica, on Cumberland
Island, and as far as the St. Johns in Florida, claiming for England all the
country north of the St. Johns. Spanish Commissioners, however, treated with
Oglethorpe, and the General abandoned his fort on the St. Johns, but
retained that on Cumberland Island, which being near the mouth of St. Marys
river, that never became afterwards the southern boundary of Georgia.
In 1737 Oglethorpe returned to England, and eighteen months
afterwards returned to Georgia with the Commission of Brigadier General. In
November, 1739, England declared war against Spain, and in May, 1740,
Oglethorpe again invaded Florida, but from sickness among his troops and
other causes, withdrew and returned to Georgia. In 1742 the Spaniards
retaliated and invaded Georgia, landing on St. Simons Island, on the west side,
causing Oglethorpe to withdraw to Frederica, as he was expecting
reinforcements from Carolina. The Spaniards determined to attack before these
reinforcements could arrive, and in doing so they fell into an ambuscade at a
place since called “Bloody Marsh,” where they were badly beaten and returned to
their shipping, set sail for Florida, and on their way south made an
unsuccessful attack on Fort William, on Cumberland Island.—Soon after this, in
1743, Oglethorpe returned to England and never after revisited the
Colony. Up to this period the Colony had been under a sort of military rule.
But civil government was now established and committed to a President and
Council who governed according to the instructions of the [trustees]. In 1752
the Colony being in a bad way, and the Trustees weary of their duties and the
complaints against their system of government, resigned their charter to the
King, and Georgia and [sic] was formed into a Royal Province. During the times
that Oglethorpe was in America I find his only settlements in this
neighborhood to have been on St. Simons Island. Brunswick is not mentioned in
this connection by either White, Stevens, McCall or other
authorities, and if it be a fact, as I am informed, that grants of land to and
in the town of Brunswick were given by the Crown, I should say that the
inference was inevitable that Brunswick was located after 1752, that is after
Oglethorpe’s corporation had surrendered their charter to the Crown.
In the Secretary of State’s Offices there should be records, showing
who first surveyed and located Brunswick—when a Manual Labor School was
established, how long it existed, and why it went down—and there also should be
found, as also in the memories of some of our old inhabitants, the histories of
the railroad and canal enterprises, and the causes of their failure. As yet,
history is meager in its annals of Brunswick, but it is to be hoped that with
time this defect will be remedied.
Very truly yours, HENRY C. WAYNE.
The Macon Weekly Telegraph (Macon, GA); Friday 14 May 1869; pg. 8
col. 2
NOTES ON BRUNSWICK—A correspondent of the Savannah News, who went down with a
jolly party to attend the regatta party at Brunswick, says:
BRUNSWICK—At seven o’clock the houses of Brunswick were descried,
and a short run brought the steamer alongside of the wharf, where a few
Brunswickians were assembled. A few minutes after their arrival the party made
a movement upon the Ocean Hotel (C.F. [sic] Flanders, former of
Savannah, proprietor,) where the excursionists were warmly welcomed and properly
provided.
Brunswick is situated immediately on the Atlantic coast, and all the
livelong day is heard the musical plash of the waves as,
“—the bridegroom sea
Is toying with the shore, his wedded bride:
And in the fullness of his marriage joy
He decorates her tawny brow with shells:
Retires apace to see how fair she looks:
Then proud, runs up to kiss her.”
The town has about two thousand inhabitants, and is regularly laid
out, with streets crossing each other at right angles. The streets are wide,
but unpaved, either in the centre or on the sidewalk. The public buildings
consist of a Baptist, Methodist, Episcopal and a Catholic Church, two hotels and
two academies, one for white and the other for negro children. A Court-house
and jail are now in process of construction. There are five saw mills in active
operation, the whole number capable of cutting eighteen hundred thousand feet of
timber per month. One of the mills is owned by Messrs. Finney & Co., of
which Mr. W.A. Pennyman [sic], a gentleman well known to many of our
citizens, is superintendent.
A number of Northern capitalists are making arrangements for the
construction of a fine hotel here, and if everything is successful, an elegant
and commodious structure will be ready for the reception of visitors before many
months elapse.
The town supports one newspaper now known as the Brunswick Seaport
Appeal. The [illegible] has been sailing upon a sea of difficulties for several
years with various names at the head and numerous helmsmen, all of whom have
only succeeded in keeping her head above water.
The Macon and Brunswick Railroad is the hobby of the Brunswickians,
and other subjects are seldom introduced. The old son “Riding on a Rail” is
most popular. In the midst of conversation the non-talkers whistle it, others
others [sic] hum it, and all keep time with their feet. For instance the
conversation overheard by our reporter Wednesday between about twenty
individuals—three talking, six whistling the tune, seven humming it, and the
rest singing it. “Our road when finished will (rattling over the embankments)
open up the whole (“whizzing through the cuts”) of the back, (“dashing over the
country”) country and (“tearing through the fields”) make Brunswick rich in (oh
isn’t it pleasant).
“Riding on the Rail.”—The pianos play to the tune, the carpenters
saw and hammer to it, the anvil resounds with it the guitar and banjo are picked
to it, and the waves are being taught to plash to it; in an out of season is
heard, oh, won’t it be pleasant “Riding on the Rail.”
The town is governed by a Mayor and Council. Col. Houston is
Mayor and Col. Barkaloo [sic] Clerk of Council, with both of whom our
reporter had a pleasant interview.
The Brunswickians of to-day, like their fathers, grand fathers and
great-grand fathers, believe that their town is to expand until not only will
the whole back country be exhausted in supplying building lots, the forests cut
down to supply wood work, the bowels of the earth dug up to make bricks—but the
hills for leagues upon leagues around leveled to obtain earth to make land out
into the sea for the warehouses; and the whole of the United States and the rest
of th eowrld levied upon to pour its products, by means of the Macon and
Brunswick Railroad, into Brunswick’s lap, thence to be shipped everywhere by
Brunswick merchants an in Brunswick bottoms. But jesting aside, town’s people
are hopeful and turning every stone to push forward the interests of their burg,
and, in time, will doubtless make it a thriving place.
Lying at the wharves were the following vessels: Ship India,
loading with timber; bark Dirgo, loading with lumber; bark Habersham, loading
with timber; ship C.C. Bearse, loading with lumber for New York; bark Atlantic,
discharging railroad iron for the Macon & Brunswick Railroad. One schooner
arrived just before the excursionists left. A new tug boat has been recently
purchased by Bennett & Hughes, and will remain at this port.
The Macon Weekly
Telegraph (Bibb County); Tuesday 22 February 1870; pg. 8 col. 5
A GRAND JURY IN LIMBO
We stated yesterday that the Grand Jury of
Glynn county had been fined by the Judge of the Brunswick Circuit, twenty-five
dollars for contempt of Court in their General Presentment, or in default of
payment, sentenced to twenty-five days’ imprisonment. They had chosen the
latter, and there being no jail in Brunswick the sheriff had incarcerated them
in the jail at Savannah, where the intended to sue out a writ of habeas corpus
before Judge Schley, of the Eastern Circuit.
As this case is likely to attract some attention we append the facts
more in detail, as gleaned from the Brunswick Appeal, of the 11th
instant. The following was the Grand Jury Presentment:
GRAND JURY ROOM, GLYNN COUNTY}
February 8, 1879}
We, the Grand Jury of the adjourned February term, make these, our
general presentments:
While we congratulate our citizens that every convicted colored
offender found guilty by a legal jury has been sentenced by the Court, and they
are now undergoing the penalty due their crimes, and are prevented for a time at
least the opportunity of repeating or renewing their offences, we regret that a
white criminal found guilty by the same jury of a far more heinous offence than
any alleged to have been committed by those who are now paying the penalty of
their misdeeds, should, under the administration of our laws or the
interpretation of them, be permitted to go at large; and while w are placed
without our seeking, in a position that requires us to diligently inquire into,
and true presentments make, of all offences, we feel we are engaged in a solemn
farce, and mockery of law and we have no encouragement to offer our people that
the present enforcement of law affords them any adequate protection against the
commission of crime.
We are painfully alive to the fact how futile all our efforts for
the establishment of law and order have been rendered by the action of the Court
I admitting to bail one convicted of assault with intent to murder, against whom
an indictment is standing for murder in the first degree.
We have the honor to be,
Very respectfully.
Hamilton A. Kenrick, Chm’n.
Frances E. Kemp
Edward L. Harvey
L.H. duBignon
Joseph Dangaix
Horace B. Robinson
Alex. Peters
James T. Blain
J.C. Goodbread
Burr Winton
Alex. B. Forrester
William A. Couper
Benjamin M. Cargyle
Joseph W. Roberts
Horace Dart
John B. Habersham
Sylvester C. Littlefield
Geo. W. Aymar
Roland B. Hall
Upon the conclusion of the reading of the
presentments, the Judge rebuked and discharged the Jury. He then ordered the
Clerk not to spread the presentments upon the records of the Court. After
discharging the Jury, he issued the annexed order:
It is ordered and adjudged that each of said Grand Jurors, having
used such disrespectful and contemptuous language in regard to the action of
this Court, be and he is hereby adjudged in contempt of the Court in the
premises, and that they and each of them pay a fine for such contempt in the sum
of twenty-five dollars each, or in default thereof be confined in the county
jail of said county, or in such other jail as the Ordinary of said county of
Glynn may direct, for the full term and period of twenty-five days; and it is
further ordered, that the sheriff of said county be and is hereby commanded and
directed to execute this order.
W.M. SESSIONS, J.S.C.B.C.
The appeal declines to express an opinion about the affair. The
presentment is evidently in contempt, but we are unable to say how much or how
little it might have been merited by the Court.
Macon
Weekly Telegraph (Macon, GA); Tuesday 13 February 1872; pg. 6 col. 6
The Savannah News of Friday, has this item:
Last evening, while Dr. Stone,
the Deputy Collector of Customs for this port, was escorting the wife of
Capt. Colesberry of the Revenue cutter
Nansemond, to the wharf where the steamer
San Antonio was lying, on which vessel the lady was about to take
passage for Brunswick, he fell into the river.
Mrs. Colesberry, with great presence of mind, reached over the edge
of the wharf, and, the tide being high, succeeded in grasping
Dr. Stone by the hand, at the same
time giving the alarm, and attracting the attention of
Mr. Henry Maxwell, the engineer of the
San Antonio, who promptly came to the rescue and assisted in getting
Dr. Stone out of the treacherous
river. To the cool and intrepid conduct of the lady the rescued gentleman
probably owes his life and her conduct deserves more than a passing notice.
The Georgia
Weekly Telegraph and Journal & Messenger (Macon, GA); Tuesday 4 June 1872
Pg. 4 col.
6
A MISTAKE
RECITIFED—We give place to the following with pleasure and designed correcting
the mistake, which was a mere inadvertency, even had the writer not addressed us
on the subject:
NEW YORK, 20th May, 1872.
Editors Telegraph and Messenger: I notice in the TELEGRAPH
AND MESSENGER of the 17th inst. an article in reference to Mrs.
Anderson, the widow of the late General R.H. Anderson, U.S.A., in
which it is stated, “Mrs. Anderson is the daughter of Jacob Waldburg,
Esq., of Savannah.” You will please pardon me for setting you right in this
matter. But Mrs. Anderson is not the daughter of Mr. Waldburg,
but the eldest daughter of General Duncan L. Clinch, formerly of the
United States army, (and whig [sic] candidate for Governor of Georgia against
Towns.) Her maiden name was Eliza McIntosh Clinch, and she is the
granddaughter of General John Houston McIntosh, of Georgia, and she was
born in the little town of St. Marys, on the coast. Her brothers, five in
number, were in the Confederate army. Her eldest brother (H.M. Clinch)
married the only daughter of Mr. Jacob Waldburg, hence I presume, the
mistake.
Very truly yours, ONE WHO KNOWS.
The Macon Weekly Telegraph (Macon, GA); Tuesday 20 August 1872;
pg. 4 col. 4
AN ATTEMPT AT KIDNAPPING—WARESBORO, GA August 12, 1872.
Editors Telegraph and Messenger: Will you be so kind as to
allow me space in your columns to correct the unjustifiable report that has been
circulated in and around your city in regard to my arrest in Florida? It has
been reported that I was arrested upon a charge of forgery, which was a
complicated falsehood; and as a citizen of Middle Georgia, in justification to
myself, I feel it my duty to place before the public a true account of my arrest
by a gang of Florida outlaws. It is useless for me to trace the circumstances
all through, as I will send you the outlines as given by the Fernandina Observer
and Seaport Appeal, which will be sufficient to convince the people that the
report was a palpable falsehood. The rascal is now under a bond of one thousand
dollars.
Respectfully, C.B. Moore.
[The following was originally reported as a separate article in the same paper
on Thursday 15 August 1872 on pg. 1 in column 1—ALH]
ATTEMPTED KIDNAPPING—The Fernandina Observer has the following: “On Monday last
a young man named Moore, in the employ of the Florida Railroad Company,
took passage on the steamer Nick King for Brunswick, Ga. As the steamer
was going down the river, Moore was surrounded by a number of men who
seized and held him while Albert Reynolds, a shipping master of this city
securely handcuffed him. On reaching St. Mary’s, Reynolds took his
victim on board a bark lying there, bound for Europe, and here Moore
learned that the intention was to ship him as a sailor on board the vessel.
Notwithstanding his vehement protestations, he was forced to go below, still in
irons, where he was kept for nearly an hour, but the Captain becoming
apprehensive of trouble, refused to detain him any longer and directed R.
to take him away. As soon as he had regained his liberty, Moore went
before Justice Cutler and made a charge of kidnapping against Reynolds
who was arrested, and after a hearing, committed to jail to await the action of
the Grand Jury.
“These are the facts of the case as they have reached us, but there
may be some palliating circumstances which will go far toward justifying
Reynolds in his action.”
The young gentleman alluded to in the above article is a son of
Mr. D.A. Moore, of this city. He had recently been employed in Florida, and
had got aboard of the steamer Nick King, on his return to this city, when
the band of negro outlaws, led by Reynolds, boarded the steamer and
hand-cuffed him as described by the above writer. His father, learning of his
arrest, accompanied by Mr. D.T. Dunn, of this city, proceeded to
Fernandina, and had the rascal arrested for an attempt at kidnapping. The
thought of an unoffending citizen being shackled and shoved aboard a ship, by a
band of negroes, almost forces the blood to boil—and this aboard of a passenger
steamer in open daylight! What a commentary upon civil law in poor little
Florida! It appears that the scoundrel Reynolds makes a specialty of
obtaining sailors for vessels, which vocation he plies successfully even though
he has to secure them by force. If the rascal would thus attempt to secure a
white man as a sailor, we may be sure he would not hesitate in pursuing the same
course in forcing men of his own race as recruits for any vessel which might
need sailors. We learn that the feeling in Fernandina, even among the colored
people, was very much inflamed, many of them being anxious to lynch him. If the
rascal does not pay the severest penalty under the laws then we will indeed know
that lawn and order is only a mockery in our sister State.—Brunswick Appeal.
The
Georgia Weekly Telegraph and Journal & Messenger (Macon, GA); Tuesday 15 April
1873; pg. 8 col. 3
THE SAVANNA NEWS of Saturday learns “through private sources that
Mr. Fleming G. DuBignon, of
Brunswick, seriously shot his brother-in-law the other day. The difficutly grew
out of a dispute about a game at cards.
Mr. Davenport is seriously shot in the neck, but it is thought that he will
recover.”
The Georgia Weekly
Telegraph and Journal & Messenger (Macon, GA); Tuesday 27 April 1875; pg. 1
cols. 5-7
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE—CAMP OF THE FUN, FIN AND FEATHER
CLUB, CUMBERLAND ISLAND, April 16, 1875.
The writer at the appointed hour put in an
appearance on the quay at Brunswick, and was warmly greeted by the genial band
of amateur sports, who had kindly invited him to participate in the stirring
adventures and pleasures of a short hunting and fishing campaign, said the
tangled fastnesses, ocean heaved sand eminences, still lakes, and druidical
retreats of Cumberland, the most extensive island on the Atlantic coast of
Georgia.
They had chartered for the excursion PILOT BOAT NUMBER THREE,
commanded by Capt. Russell, the veterant [sic] “salt,” who, for his many
courtesies, had just been presented by the club with an elegant mariner’s
compass, of which he was not a little proud.
The “Fur, Fin and Feather” men had left nothing undone for the
thorough equipment of the expedition.
An organized association with ample funds at interest, they had
ordered AN IMMENSE TENT of middle proof canvas, having attached an
extensive “fly” to protect their table, with comfortable servant’s quarters, and
by the skill of Winston, the jolly steward, laid in a stock of supplies
almost equaling the luxuries of a stampeded Federal general’s quarters, in the
early part of the war.
There were no less than seventy-two dozen of bottled soda
water for teetotalers, (a good sign), one keg of “lager,” sundry mysterious
packages well protected against breakage, hams, canned fruits, bread, crackers,
pickles, butter, lard, sauces, tongues, rice, two barrels of ice, a box of
lemons, etc.
In short the published order of the president was “RATIONS FOR
TWENTY MEN.”
And it was duly filled with articles fit for the diet of a prince,
and enough to last for an indefinite period. Added to these was the “camp
cheat,” containing a complete outfit of tin plates, knives and forks, spoons,
table linen, goblets and cooking utensils.
About 11 A.M. of the 13th inst., the beautiful craft
unloosed from her moorings with the following company on board:
FIRST, THE CLUB PROPER, composed of the following gentlemen:
Col. John T. Collins, President; Capt. George A. Dure,
Vice-President; L.P. Anderson, Secretary and Treasurer; A.J. Smith,
Reporter; B. Winton, Steward; D.T. Dunn, S.E. Davenport,
I.N. Shannon and G.C. Fahm.
To these must be added the invited guests, who were: W.H.
Anderson, W.R. Bunkley, B.A. Fahm, C. Doerflinger,
F. Lebere [Lassere?], W.H. Bunkley and the Macon scribe. Many
others were invited but failed to appear, among the number Col. Thomas
Hardeman, Jr., whose letter in response was replete with wit and kind
feeling.
Of course the hounds, cook and staff of servants were on hand also.
THE VOYAGE TO CUMBERLAND, distant about twenty-five miles, afforded
the most perfect enjoyment to all on board.
Azure skies and a spanking breeze blowing dead aft, a craft that sat
like a duck in the water and seemed to respond intuitively to the mandate of
helm and sail, and an atmosphere cool and delicious, left nothing wanting to the
enjoyment of the party.
These pilot boats are wonderful specimens of man’s skill and
ingenuity. Mere cockle-shells in size, they are yet so deftly constructed as to
defy the stormiest sea, and live, where huge argosies and monarchs of the ocean
go helplessly down. Our skipper CAPTAIN RUSSELL, OWNER AND COMMANDER OF
NO. 3 was a native of Deerfield, Massachusetts, and a thorough seaman. His
vessel was built at Waterbury, Connecticut, of white oak, copper-sheathed and
fastened and measured eleven tons only, while so deep was her keel that
in ballast she drew seven feet water. This little sloop though graceful
as a swan, embodied the elements of strength and speed in a wonderful degree,
and on we sped at about ten knots an hour, the sea foam curling over her prow,
and sails and mast, bending and bellying to the breeze.
As usual we “quizzed” the Captain as to his craft and calling, and
learned that her first cost was $2,000 and she carried the enormous amount of
FOUR HUNDRED YARDS OF CANVAS which, when all set, almost lifted her out of the
water.
Six pilot boats belong to Brunswick, and cruise for hundreds of
miles in quest of incoming ships. The first that speaks a vessel is entitled to
navigate her in and out of port, and rates both ways, vary from $100 to $200,
according to the tonnage of the ship.
About $2,000 is the amount earned by each of these boats annually,
and their crews are exposed to fearful hardships and dangers.
But now we have sped along the entire coast of Jekyl Island, eight
miles in length, and are dancing upon the white caps of ST. ANDREW’S SOUND at
the mouth of the great Satilla.
Here, two or three of the passengers looked pale and miserable, and
we suspect the stomach pump of old Neptune was diligently plied by them. The
greenies didn’t know Col. H.J. Lamar’s remedy of “drawing a bead” upon a
bolt in the side of the vessel, while sitting statue like for hours amidships.
But the agony was soon over, and the bounding craft cast anchor at
the high point of Cumberland Island. Then followed quickly the landing in the
yawl of the hunters and their paraphernalia, and ere long, the baggage stowed in
Mr. Bunkley’s wagons, the line of march was taken up for the fishing and
hunting ground upon the “inlet,” two and a half miles distant, on the opposite
or eastern side of the island.
Arrived, all hands went to work, and in a trice the MAMMOTH TENT was
spread, the cock spurs and crow feet raked off, the ground covered over with a
natural matting composed of palmetto leaves, a roaring fire kindled, the coffee
pot, approximating in size to a tank of the gas-works, put to boiling, and in
little or no time a bountiful meal placed before the half-famished voyagers,
who had eaten nothing since breakfast.
The site chosen was in an open space, within biscuit-throw of the
inlet, and well protected from the wind by a dense thicket of live oak and small
growth.
Some parties went birding and fishing at once, and ere dark returned
with a goodly supply of the finny tribe, and some snipe and waterfowl.
THE CAMPAIGN WAS FAIRLY OPENED, and now ensued a scene of joyous
merriment, enough to banish every anchorite from the face of Christendom.
It is delightful to realize that we are now beyond the reach of
telegraphic influence, whether by cable, grape vine or otherwise, and perfectly
independent of all the world “and the rest of mankind.” If Grant saw fit
with the aid of the “boys in blue,” to make a coup de tat and declare
himself perpetual dictator, or forty cyclones swept the country and wrecked the
continent generally, on this little ocean-washed isle, inhabited by turtle, red
deer, the feathered tribe, and an occasional specimen of the genus man, all
would still remain tranquil and happy. It would resemble the still nook caused
by the eddying waters on the edge of a rushing cataract, where contrary and
opposite forces have created a dead calm, and all is peace and quiet in the
midst of the surrounding roar and turmoil. Its very remoteness and
insignificance would be the secret of our safety and tranquility. Let us paint
the scene.
A lofty bluff with old ocean in the distance, and hummocks of white
sand cast up by the deep, fringing the perspective—a blazing fire of live-oak
logs illuminating the capacious tent, where many genial spirits, sober as
judges, are playing chess, drafts and euchre, but neither drinking or
betting—the quiet stars and “horned moon” looking placidly on—all around, the
sweet refrain of that cheerful night songster, the whippoorwill, breaking upon
the ear—the attending darkies slumbering and snoring in their tent, oblivious of
care of responsibility—pointers and hounds prowling around, seeking in vain to
invade the larder of our vigilant steward—the muffled thunder of the surf
breaking upon the strand and sounding like the faint reverberations of the
battle field—these, and other influences, lend a weird and fascinating aspect to
this bivouac of friends and sportsmen, camped and associated together, not for
mortal combat, thank God, but to cultivate and promote the best instincts and
social promptings of our nature.
In this coterie are embraced large-souled [sic] noble Northern men,
who have long since bridged “the bloody chasm” and cast in their lot with the
unfortunate South. They have brought with them the sinewy power of capital,
kind hearts, wise heads, and a thorough devotion to their new home. All honor
to such men. They are the avant couriers of that bright epoch when past
ascerbities [sic] and deadly feuds shall be forgotten, and the American Union
become once more a homogeneous, united, and irresistible power among the nations
of earth. May God speed the dawn of that glorious day.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CLUB—A few hours only, of companionship,
sufficed to show that our amateurs were made up of a happy affiliation of the
choicest spirits.
The President was courteous and dignified, yet ever vigilant in
maintaining the rules and regulations of the camp, which were formally set forth
in the by-laws. It is due to his associates to say also that, never disputing
his authority, they yielded implicit obedience to all of his suggestions. The
other officers and members likewise deported themselves as gentlemen, and during
our entire sojourn on the island, not one word of unpleasantness or
recrimination marred the perfect harmony of the scene.
But there were UNCONSCIONABLE WAGS in the crowd, whose jokes and
humor constantly effervesced like the bubbling soda water which was so
plentifully imbibed, and occasioned prolonged roars of laughter. Reporter
Smith, who wields a spicy and graceful pen, and private Shannon, a
foeman worthy of his steel, and withal a splendid specimen of the frank-hearted
Tennessee hunter, were constantly at it, “hammer and tongs.” Some of their
bon mots and passages at arms were brilliant, and perfectly convulsing.
But we don’t intend to steal Brother Smith’s thunder, and
will leave the details of these bloodless tilts to his own graphic powers of
description and imagination. In due time they will be spread upon the minutes
of the club, and appear in the columns of the Sea Port Appeal, and will
doubtless reach our readers.
VICE PRESIDENT DURE, an old denizen of your city, is one of
the leading spirits of the expedition. Ready of speech, witty, and always good
humored and hilarious, he carried fun and mischief wherever he moved. Fahm
and Davenport are fisherman par excellence, and rarely take gun in
hand. They were pitted against each other on this occasion as contestants for
the prize in fishing. The writer, whose tastes incline in the same direction,
was their constant companion on the water, and never saw a pair more equally
matched. Woe be to the sheep-head or whiting that touched either line. In a
twinkling they were made to see daylight. The race was a drawn one until the
last day, when a change of “drop” proved disastrous to Davenport, and his
antagonist came out some fifteen ahead.
The quantity of fish taken almost exceeds belief. Before the line
could reach bottom they struck greedily at the bait, and frequently one was
drawn up on each hook. Even the unpracticed deponent scored two
hundred and eleven, exclusive of cats, toads, etc. Not less than FOUR
BUSHELS WERE THROWN AWAY after supplying all the wants of the camp. In the
number were included young drum, bass, whiting, sheep-head, trout, black fish,
croaker, yellow tails and alewives.
The sport was simply splendid, and prawn for bait, in abundance.
To resume our description of the dramatis personae of the
hunt.
L.P. ANDERSON was a man of “infinite jist,” and a good hunter
and clever fellow. He carried a fowling piece almost equal to a swivel in bore,
and which it was said was charged with fifty buckshot to the barrel. He
was one of the fortunate ones who brought down an “antlered monarch of the
forest,” and Smith swore that his field piece mowed a path like a cyclone
through the woods, and left its victim bleeding in the midst.
To one thing we can avouch. Never did such portentous shot holes
perforate the carcass of any quarry. They resembled huge augur borings, and
that luckless animal didn’t know what hurt him.
STEWART WINTON is the very embodiment of a good looking
well-fed caterer, and presided like a Crimean French artist (cook) over the
duties of his department. He was also a keen sportsman, and eagerly followed
the hounds, though he bagged no game. The whole party are much indebted to
Mr. Winton for their comfort and enjoyment, while socially he was the equal
of any.
OF THE GUESTS we have nothing to say, save to commend the delicious
music of Mr. Doerflinger on the accordion. His touch was almost magical,
and night after night he drew from that instrument such dulcet notes, as left
the hearer in doubt whether the music emanated from a violin, piano, harp,
French horn, guitar, “sack-but or dulcimer.”
In fact it was a happy combination of them all. Of the
Bunkleys, however, who are native Islanders, and their fathers before them,
it is but an act of justice to state, that in person, and with their hounds, and
fresh milk, and vegetables, they contributed no little to the enjoyment of the
party.
One gentleman, however, we had very nearly overlooked, and yet he is
one of the main springs and salient spirits of the club. It is to D.T. DUNN,
ESQ., that allusion is made. Those who heard his felicitous remarks at the
“regular meeting” of the club, will not soon forget them. Mr. Dunn is a
whole-souled, liberal, genial New Yorker, who has planted his stakes in
Brunswick, and is an enthusiastic member of the organization. There is no
evidence that he can hit a barn door with small shot, or is much better at
fishing, though it was rumored in camp that he did catch two cats and nine
toad-fish, which hooked themselves. But for all that he is an indispensable
member for his other good traits, and Shannon and Smith have
promised to put him through a course of training in gunnery on the beach, where
there is no danger of hitting any body, while Fahm and Davenport
don’t despair of learning him to catch a trout or sheep-head after some years’
practice.
THE TROPHIES OF THE HUNT—Those who followed the hounds jumped
twenty-one deer, and killed—it is not for us to say (as we were not present)
how many. This will duly appear in the chronicles of the club. But the
deponent will, if necessary, make his “affidavy” that they kept the camp in
venison all the time, and sent one fat deer, equal to any Esau or Nimrod ever
slew, to Brunswick. In the way of birds, too, there were doves, snipe, plover,
teal duck, etc., that were brought in, of which, however, we kept no account.
In the “fur” line, only, the expedition was a failure—not a solitary mink
or coon having been captured. But Captain Dure bragged of a porpoise
he had slain and landed on the beach. When, however, a party volunteered to
bring him in, the doughty Captain averred it was about ten miles off, and
all, much to his relief, “backed out.”
CLOSING SCENES—On Friday, the President, Mr. Dunn, one of the
Andersons, Mr. Fahm, and the deponent returned to Brunswick, the
others vowing they would stick it out several days longer.
Of the incidents at the regular meeting of the club, which was held
on the night previous, we may not speak, in anticipation of reporter Smith’s
official and amusing narrative.
We can only say that nearly every m ember perpetrated some happy hit
or speech, which brought down the “tent,” and certain ceremonies and
presentations took place, so ludicrous and inimitable, that we are almost
tempted to be guilty of violating the proprieties and reproducing them. But
this would be a breach of privilege and confidence, and we forbear.
Agreeably to custom, the camp received a name, and tho writer
would be wanting in courtesy if he did not gratefully acknowledge the compliment
to his paper and city, by the bestowal upon it of his own universal patronymic.
Thus ended our share in the hunting and fishing expedition of the
Fin, Fur, and Feather Club of Brunswick. Genial gentlemen all, and boon
companions, we shall not soon forget their attentions, and the intense enjoyment
derived from their pleasant society.
There was no excess of any kind, no hasty words spoken, and not a
single contretempt [sic] to mar the pleasure of the excursion. On the
contrary, we bear away a host of delightful reminiscences, mirth stirring
anecdotes, and ludicrous incidents, which must be reserved for the fireside and
friends at home. Time and space will admit of nothing more. H.H.J.
The Macon Telegraph (Macon, GA); Sunday 5 August 1883; Pg. 3 col.
2
The Advertiser and Appeal reports the performance of a brute
who ought to be hung. It is an abuse of language to call it simply “a
disgraceful affair.” “A disgraceful affair occurred at Vanceville on the
Brunswick and Western road, the past week. Mr. Ben Furlong, becoming
enraged with his wife, chastised her severely with a whip, and because she
attempted to get away struck her with the butt of the whip, knocking her
senseless. He then stood in his doorway with a double barrel gun and told all
outsiders to keep off or he would kill the first man who attempted to enter. He
remained master of the situation for several days and finally surrendered.
Meanwhile his poor wife was lying extremely ill without attention.”
The Macon Telegraph (Macon, GA); Saturday 20 October 1883; Pg. 3
col. 3
A HARDENED WRETCH—News and Advertiser
B.W. Furlong, who needs no introduction to the readers of the
News and Advertiser, came to the city on Tuesday night and was jailed
between 10 and 11 o’clock. He got drunk “rared round” considerably abusing his
best friends and making himself disagreeable generally. Some of his bondsmen
were in the city and had him arrested for the purpose of giving him up and
getting released from his bond. Marshal Westbrook and policeman
Bennett made the arrest and carried him to jail. He swore at first that he
would not go to jail, but he went all the same.
The Atlanta
Constitution; Tuesday 15 April 1884; pg. 2 col. 6
A MACON MURDER DANFORTH KILLS HIS EMPLOYER LANDSBERG—The
Sensation Created by Four Sharp Pistol Shots—The Murdered Man Falls Dead on the
Sidewalk—The Murderer Arrested—The Coroner s Jury Finds Him Guilty.
Special to The Constitution. MACON, Ga., April 14—Bang!
bang! bang! bang! A few moments after seven o’clock to-night persons in the
neighborhood of the corner of Cherry and Third streets were startled by the
rapid firing of an evidently heavy revolver. The firing was in the direction of
the counting room of the big wholesale dry goods house of M. Nussbaum & Co. An
instant later William
Landsburg, a member of the firm,
appeared at the side door on Cherry street, shouted: Murder! murder! and fell
dead on the steps.
THE TRAGEDY TOLD—A large crowd quickly collected at the
spot, and those who were first on the spot saw the man breathe feebly twice and
die. He was picked up and carried in the office, while
James
Rhodes Bacon
Danforth, entry clerk for the house,
stood just outside with a still smoking revolver in his hand. He walked to the
door, threw the empty weapon on the ground, and started down Cherry street
toward Third, two men walking to him and each taking his arm at the corner of
Third. Danforth saw the police
Officer
Daniel Thomas and asked:
Are you an officer? Yes, said the officer. Take me to jail. What for? asked the
officer I have killed a man, coolly replied
Danforth. The officer took the young man in charge and carried him
to the barracks, where he was locked up. He gave no account of why or how the
killing was done.
AN INQUEST WAS HELD —the dead man was taken into the back
room and placed on a sofa, and the coroner was sent for. He soon arrived, and a
jury was summoned. Up to that time no one could give any account of the
homicide, one man only having received a word from
Danforth, and that was to the effect
that it would all come out in the morning. By the time the jury was ready for
work and immense crowd was collected on Cherry street. The jury was composed of
the following men: J.C. Bannon
J.T. Boifeulett Dave Goldsmith James
Moore Henry Wooten Aleck Block Mitchell Flateau T. Moseley R.R. Flanders G.S.
Wing Z. Withers Dr. J.C. Johnson Mr. Boifeulett was elected foreman, and the
inquest proceeded. The investigation was begun by the examination of
Dr. Johnson, who probed the wounds,
which were five in number.
The first wound examine was a wound on the face.
Dr.
Johnson testified as follows: The
wound took effect in the left cheek near the angle of the nose, ranging downward
into the mouth, fracturing the lower jaw. The second shot entered just one inch
and a half to the right of the breast bone, striking the third rib and ranging
to the right. The next wound followed the left hypochrondriac [sic], ranging
diagonally to the right through the abdomen one inch and a half to the left of
the medium line, one inch above the naval. One link of watch chain was taken
from the wound. The fourth ball struck the eighth rib on the left side, and was
not traceable. The fifth shot was under the left arm, and entering the left
lung, and ranging downward. The doctor said Landsberg must have raised his left
arm as that shot was fired, and that the last mentioned wound caused almost
instant death.
WHY WAS IT DONE has not yet come out. There were no
witnesses beyond the man who fired the five shots into
Landsburg’s body, and the dead man
whose lips will tell no tale. Officer
Thomas testified to the facts already
stated concerning the arrest, but threw no light on the cause of the deed.
Mr.
Nussbaum, the senior member of the firm, testified that a week ago
Landsburg discovered that by an
oversight, Danforth had been drawing
a salary for nearly a year at the rate of a thousand dollars a year, while he
had been engaged at $800 that this morning he,
Nussbaum called Danforth
into the office, and stated the facts to him and told him he could pay the
overdrawn amount back at the rate of ten dollars a month or quit.
Danforth said nothing, but his
associates say he looked very pale and desperate all day. It appears he entered
the office at seven, found Landsburg
at his desk, RIDDLED HIM WITH BULLETS from a new self-cocking Smith & Wesson, 42
calibre. What passed between the two men prior to the shooting is not known, as
they were the only two persons in the store at the time. The jury returned a
verdict of murder.
DANFORTH S STATEMENT—Danforth
was taken at his request, to the Bibb county jail, fearing that an angry mob
would take him from the custody of the officers. A hack was secured, and
Officer
Jerry
Golden took him to the jail, where he was given a cell. A
representative of THE CONSTITUTION called on him, and found him sitting quiet in
his cell. He greeted the reporter with composure and seemed perfectly calm. He
said that he had been fostering a grudge against
Landsburg for some time, and had intended to kill him since 1882. He
spoke as if he cared very little for the occurrence and hoped that full justice
would be done him. He expressed regret that he should have caused his mother and
sister so much pain, and said he felt no regret at the killing.
During the conversation he became very nervous and would
start at the least noise without. When he was told the coroner’s inquest had
found him guilty of murder, a change came over his countenance, and he would not
talk further. Danforth is 20 years
old, and supports his mother and sister.
Landsburg was twenty-five. Both bore high characters.
Danforth threatened a week ago to
kill Landsburg.
The Atlanta Constitution; Tuesday 19
August 1884; pg. 2 col. 1
GEORGIA GOSSIP—SHORT TALKS WITH THE SCRIBES OF THE COUNTRY
PRESS—A Negro Man Tied to the Track of a Railroad – Homicide in Doughtery County
– The Rice Crop in a Splendid Condition – A Riot in Brunswick – Other Items of
Interest.
The Brunswick Herald says that a negro man was
securely tied across the railroad track about four miles north of Eastman on
Friday night; the train came thundering along and cut his head from his body.
The train stopped and immediately the vicinity was alive with negroes who had
doubtless bound the man to the track, and were hypocritically lamenting the
occurrence of the tragedy.
[Paragraphs omitted as they dealt with other counties—ALH]
Darien complains of the regularity of Saturday night tragedies among
the colored people. The knife and the razor are its favorable weapon.
James Maxwell, a colored man living in the neighborhood of
Carnaghan bridge, McIntosh county, was bitten on both ankles, by a large
rattlesnake on Saturday afternoon last, while looking for his cow.
Darien Gazette: Captain A.S. Barnwell commenced cutting rice
on Thursday and will get the first shipment to Savannah again this year. The
crops throughout the county and on the Altamaha river are in a splendid
condition and the prospects for a most successful harvest were never better.
The recent heavy rains have bothered the planters but little, and we therefore
think that the rice interests of this section will show up well this year. We
hope so anyway.
[Paragraphs omitted as they dealt with other counties—ALH]
The first bale of long or sea island cotton was purchased in
Waycross on Thursday by Mr. W.J. Smith, at six cents per pound, in the
seed. It was raised by Mr. Travers Pittman, on the Okeefeenokee swamp.
Waycross Headlight: Messrs. Lester and Ravenel, of
Savannah, and Colonel John C. McDonald, of Waycross, have filed suit in
Pierce superior court against the Savannah, Florida and Western railway for
$20,000 damages in favor of Mrs. Chauncy Folks, whose husband, it will be
remembered, was killed in a collision last February.
Brunswick Herald: About noon yesterday a report reached this city
that a riot was in progress at the upper wharf. The police went promptly to the
scene. It was found that the affair had been greatly exaggerated, but that an
affray between three colored men, Paul Austin, Massey Scarlett,
and Hampton Scarlett, Massey Scarlett had been stabbed in the
shoulder with a knife, the blade of which had been so deeply embedded in his
body that the point could not be pulled out. Scarlett was brought to
Brunswick and Dr. Burford tried to extract the blade, but it resisted all
efforts at extrication. Austin is in jail. H. Scarlett escaped
unhurt.
The Telegraph & Messenger (Macon, GA);
Saturday 6 September 1884; pg. 5
Transcribed by
Jeff Anderson for
Becky
Mitchell and the Telfair County Historical Society to aid in the
effort of having the Captain
John L. Day Home in Lumber City,
Georgia placed on the National Register of Historical Places.
Death of a Young Man—Mr. Harry G. Day
died yesterday at the residence of Lieut.
W.A. Wylie, on Oak street, after a long illness.
Mr.
Day was the eldest son of
Capt. John L. Day, well known as a
captain on the Ocmulgee and Altamaha steamboats.
Harry was born in Augusta,
March 19, 1867. He was a student at
the Sibley Grammar School in that city and a devoted member of St. James Sunday
School. For the past six months he
has been a resident of Macon, and was learning a trade at Crockett’s Ironworks
when stricken down with fever. His
remains will be carried to Lumber City, the temporary home of his parents, and
the funeral will take place on Sunday afternoon.
The remains will be taken to the East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia
railroad depot this morning at 9 o’clock.
The Augusta papers will please notice.
The Telegraph & Messenger (Macon, GA); Sunday
7 September 1884; pg. 5
Transcribed by
Jeff Anderson for
Becky
Mitchell and the Telfair County Historical Society to aid in the
effort of having the Captain
John L. Day Home in Lumber City,
Georgia placed on the National Register of Historical Places.
FUNERAL OF MR. DAY—The remains of
Mr. Harry Day, whose death we noticed
yesterday were taken from Lieutenant
Wylie’s residence on Oak street
yesterday morning at nine o’clock and conveyed to the East Tennessee, Virginia
and Georgia depot to be carried to Lumber City.
The funeral will take place this afternoon.
The following were the pall-bearers: Messrs.
W.A. Wylie, Oscar
Crockett,
Arthur Keeley,
A.C. Keeley, M. O’Hara,
Jeff
Wilkinson, Jeff
Willis and
T.C. Drew.
Savannah Morning News (Savannah, GA); Saturday 25 July 1885; pg. 5 col. 1
Fred Leben, Jr.,
the 14-year-old son of
Fred Leben, of
Albany, left for parts unknown on Monday night in company with a negro boy about
the same age. Young
Leben has been an
assiduous reader of dime novels for some time, and it is thought that this is
the secret of his Quixotic actions. Before leaving he provided himself with some
money, two bowie knives and a pistol.
Columbus Enquirer-Sun (Columbus, GA); Friday 18 June 1886; Pg. 3
col. 1
At Lee’s mill Wednesday, B.W. Furlong shot Chuck Brock,
a fireman on the Brunswick and Western railroad, in the abdomen. The difficulty
arose about some money Furlong owed Brock. Brock attempted
to strike Furlong, when Furlong fired. The wound is serious.
Cleveland Plain Dealer (Cleveland, OH); Sunday 10 October 1886;
Pg. 9 col. 4
A TOUGH CITIZEN—Remarkable Career of a Georgia Desperado.
From Boyhood to the Hour of His Death a Terror to Everybody—Over a Dozen Persons
Fall Victims to His Knife and Ever-Ready Gun—Heartless Cruelties Perpetrated
Upon Colored People—Finally Driven to Suicide Through Fear of Prosecution.
ALLAPAHA, Ga., Oct. 9.—Benjamin W. Furlong, who committed
suicide here two weeks ago, had led a life of singular desperation. From the
time when he was a boy to the hour of his death he was a terror to every
neighborhood in which he lived. At the age of 15 a responsible position in a
sawmill owned by his brother-in-law at Pine Bloom was given him. One day a
colored teamster was found in his wagon dead with his throat cut. It was
developed that young Furlong had had a quarrel with the teamster which
ended in the tragedy. The murderer disappeared and was gone several years.
When he returned he resumed his desperate career without ever having been called
to account. A little over two years ago Mr. R.P. Reppard, a wealthy
gentleman of Savannah, fitted up a sawmill at Vanceville, on the Brunswick &
Albany road, in which he invested $30,000. He placed Ben Furlong and his
brother John in charge of it, and having the utmost confidence in them
left it entirely to their management. The charge of such a large business
turned Furlong’s head completely. He began drinking heavily, NEGLECTED
HIS WIFE AND FAMILY, and took the companionship of wantons. One day he rode up
to his house with a woman from Savannah, and taking her in presented her to his
wife, saying: “Pocahontas, how do you like this? Ain’t she a beauty?”
The dishonored wife broke into tears, whereupon her husband seized her by the
hair an dragged her across the floor stamping upon her and breaking a chair to
pieces across her body. The pair then reentered the buggy and drove off leaving
the wife unconscious upon the floor. There she was found several hours later by
some passing neighbors. When her story became known the utmost indignation
prevailed. Parties of men started out in pursuit of the recreant husband. He
was caught up with at a country house, where he sat with a Winchester rifle
across his knees.
“I’ll blow out the brains of the first man who dares to come near
me,” he said determinedly.
For several hours the posse stood at a respectful distance, deeming
discretion the better part of valor, and then retired and left Furlong
master of the situation. Mr. Reppard soon became aware of the state of
affairs and dispatched a trusted agent to Vanceville to take charge of the
business. When the agent arrived at the mill he found that John Furlong
had received information of his coming and had scraped together $10,000 of the
mill’s money and skipped out for Texas. Three months later news was received of
JOHN’S TRAGIC DEATH in that state. He bid in some property at sheriff’s
sale and offered part payment in notes.
“That was not the bargain,” said the sheriff.
“You are a liar,” retorted John.
The reply was a bullet from the sheriff’s revolver which pierced
John’s heart. In the meantime Ben Furlong threw off all restraints.
Whenever he made his appearance all the officers seemed to withdraw in his
favor. On one occasion he boarded the train bound for Brunswick, and going into
the colored coach took a seat. In front of him sat a negro.
“Throw that cigar out of the window,” ordered Furlong.
“I have paid for my seat and do not want to be disturbed.”
Instantly Furlong caught the negro by the head, pulled it
back over the seat and made several lunges with his knife into the negro’s
throat. Furlong jumped off the car and escaped into the woods. On
another occasion Furlong sought out Engineer Brock on the
Brunswick & Albany road and asked him if he wanted the money which was due him.
On Brock making an affirmative reply, Furlong said: “If you do,
just take that,” firing at the same time and striking the engineer in the
abdomen. About six months ago Furlong gave SOME EVIDENCE OF REFORMATION,
to encourage which his friends united and started him once more in the business
with headquarters at Sniff, on the Brunswick & Albany road. But his reformation
was of short duration. He always went armed, and would shoot into a crowd of
colored people just for the purpose of seeing them scatter. On September 1 he
started on a big debauch and was so desperate that even his confederates feared
him. On the night of Thursday, September 23, he called his wife and children to
him, asked them to pardon him for his past bad conduct and declared that the
morning’s light would find him a new man. After kissing them he retired to his
room, where he was found an hour later in a comatose condition and by his side
was an empty laudanum vial. The end came before morning, and with the news of
Furlong’s death went rumors of a darker crime. No one would speak for
over a week, and then the story came out, which established the fact that
Furlong had been driven to suicide because of a murder which he had
committed two weeks before, and in the commission of which he had two
confederates.
On the down freight train on September 7 was Jesse Webb,
colored, who was in search of employment. He was put off the train at the Sniff
mill, where Furlong spotted him as a man who had previously entered into
a contract with him. Webb refused to go with Furlong, whereupon
the latter seized him and, handcuffing him, PUT HIM UNDER GUARD of J.M.
Lofton, a white man from Atlanta, and Tom Sharon. Webb made a
break for liberty, running toward the swamp, with Furlong in full
pursuit. A discharge from Furlong’s rifle brought Webb to the
ground in a clump of bushes about 400 yards from the house. When Furlong
returned to the house he put all under notice that he would kill the first one
that “peached.” Furlong, Lofton, and Sharon, each carrying
a double-barreled shot-gun, went down to where the wounded negro lay.
Furlong, in his desperation, cut the victim’s throat. For three days and
three nights they kept the victim there in sight of help and yet giving him
none. On the third day they killed him and dragged the body into the back yard,
where it was buried. When the body was exhumed by the coroner it was found that
the skull was crushed in in three places. In the man’s mouth was a roll of
waste such as used for packing boxes on car wheels. The strange part of the
story is that for three weeks fully fifty men knew of the murder, talked of it
among themselves, and yet stood in such mortal dread of Furlong that they
did not dare to tell the story until his suicide removed all danger. The two
accomplices of the murder have fled the country.
The Daily Enquirer-Sun
(Columbus, GA); Friday 3 December 1886; pg. 3 col. 1
When Mr. W.F. Doerflinger, of Brunswick,
was thirteen years old he broke off the point of a jeweler’s “rat tail” file in
one of his finger joints. Last Sunday, twenty-seven years afterward, it pained
him for the first time. So turning surgeon, he split open his finger, and with
the aid of Mr. Ed Bingham, took out the file point.
The Morning News
(Savannah, GA); Thursday 8 December 1887
Pg. 8 col. 1
JULIUS MACCAW MISSING—HE LEAVES A NOTE SAYING THAT
HE HAS RUN AWAY—Inability to Pay His Debts the Cause of His
Disappearance—Spending His Partner’s and His Friends’ Money in
Dissipation—The Amount of His Obligations Estimated at $3,000.
It leaked out on the Bay yesterday morning that Julius Maccaw,
of the firm of Hohenstein & Maccaw, insurance agents, had
disappeared. He has not been seen for several days, but in the busy part
of a city a man may drop out so easily without being missed that his
absence caused no suspicion. Had anyone but Maccaw’s intimate
friends known that he was out of the city it is not likely that it would
have been given a second thought. The first impression would have been
that he was away in business and that would have ended it, but the fact
of his absence was noted yesterday, and it was freely told that he had
run away. The cause of his disappearance was money troubles. He became
involved in debts which he could not pay, and took what struck him as
the easiest way out of the difficulty.
THE STORY OF HIS LEAVING—The history of his departure, as far as
it is known, was told last night by Mr. Hohenstein, his partner.
For some time past Maccaw has been drinking heavily and growing
more and more dissipated. Last Thursday night he was in the office of
the firm when his partner, who is on the street most of the time,
returned. Mr. Hohenstein said that as soon as he entered the
office he saw that Maccaw had been drinking too much, but he
thought he would be all right the next day. Friday morning he did not
put in his appearance. Nothing was heard from him that day or Saturday.
Mr. Hohenstein made inquiries, but could not learn where he was.
Thinking that perhaps he was only off on a spree, he was not troubled
until Monday morning, when Maccaw’s absence remained still
unexplained. His business required his attention and he was compelled to
think less of Maccaw than he otherwise would, as he had the work
of both to do. Monday passed and still no tidings came.
A NOTE FROM MACCAW—On Tuesday morning Mr. W.G. Morrell
went to Hohenstein and said that he had received a note from
Maccaw and that he had run away. In the note Maccaw said that
he had become so deeply involved in debt that he saw no way out of his
difficulties, and the only thing he could do was to leave. Mr.
Hohenstein knew that Maccaw was in debt to the firm, and he
began at once to straighten out the books. He was not a little surprised
when a few hours later he received notice that a draft of Hohenstein
& Maccaw for $200 had gone to protest. He at once looked into
that matter, and he found that about the last thing Maccaw had
done was to draw a draft on New York for $200, deposit it in bank, draw
the money, and appropriate it to his own use, and the first thing his
partner knew of the draft was when he received the notice of protest.
USED THE FIRM’S MONEY—In examining the books Mr. Hohenstein
found that he had been crediting the firm with notes which, according to
the books, were drawn to pay the firm’s debts, but which, in fact, went
into Macaw’s pocket. He was personally indebted to the firm to
the extend of nearly $1,000. Mr. Hohenstein knew that, of course,
but as Maccaw had promised to pay it back, he had concluded to
say nothing about it. Besides this debt Maccaw has left the firm
in debt between $700 and $1,000. Not only is he indebted to his firm,
however, but to many of his friends. The sums he owes to three of these
will aggregate $1,000. In addition to all this he has left many personal
bills unpaid, the amount of which is not known. His total obligations
will probably amount to more than $3,000, but how much more cannot be
told.
HIS WHEREABOUTS UNKNOWN—No one knows nor has any one so far as
can be learned an idea where he has gone, or what he took with him. He
probably cashed the draft for $200, which was drawn on Thursday in order
to obtain money to get away, and only a few weeks ago he borrowed $100
from one of his friends upon the plea that he needed it in his business.
It was not used in the business, but it is supposed that he spent all
that dissipating.
The firm of which he was a member was a young one, but it was
doing a good business. Maccaw had an income that ought to have
been sufficient to more than cover all his expenses, and his business
prospects were bright. He was a member of the Savannah Yacht Club, and a
Lieutenant of the Republican Blues.
The Atlanta Constitution; Thursday 5
April 1888
Pg. 3 col. 4
Sunday’s Brunswick Journal gave an account of a
mysterious pistol report early Sunday morning. It now transpires that some one
was trying to burglarize the residence of Mr. W.F. Barkuloo and hence the
pistol shots. Mrs. Barkuloo woke up about 2 o’clock Sunday morning and
saw a man sitting in her bed room window. The man had a long pole or stick to
which was attached a handkerchief saturated with chloroform and was waving it
over the sleepers. Mrs. Barkuloo was very much frightened and attempted
to wake her husband, but he had become so much under the influence of the drug
as to be deaf to her entreaties. She then screamed, which woke up Mr.
Scarlett here father, and he came to her room to find out the trouble. The
two together aroused Mr. Barkuloo who seized his pistol when made
acquainted with the facts and fired three shots, but the would be burglar was
out of range before this time and escaped unharmed.
The Georgia Weekly Telegraph and Journal & Messenger (Macon, GA);
Friday 8 October 1888; pg. 2 col. 3
BRUNSWICK Advertiser: From a gentleman just returned from the
Minehan-Calnan camp, on the new railroad from Waycross to Jacksonville, we
learn that an Irishman, a stranger, had gone down there and tried to get work.
Having failed, he had indulged too freely in liquor, and was lying by the road
drunk, when a Swede, named Charley Patterson, also in liquor, came along,
and, without provocation, as far as we can learn, made an assault upon the
drunken Irishman, and actually kicked him to death, and then left for other
parts. The sheriff was notified, and was in pursuit at last accounts. This
same chap (the Swede) sought to get into a difficulty with our informant just a
short while before the killing occurred.
The Macon
Daily Telegraph (Macon, GA); Friday 26 October 1888; Pg. 3 col.
2
A BRUNSWICK
VILLAIN—He Entices a Young Woman from Her Home and Deserts Her.
EUFAULA, ALA., Oct. 25.—A man who cannot be called a gentleman came to this city
last Saturday night and brought with him a young lady, who, from what can be
learned, he had enticed to leave her home and run away with him. On arriving
here he took her to a house of ill fame kept by Daisy Earl and engaged
board for both of them. He staid there until last night, and while she and
others in the house were asleep, he stole out with his baggage and left the city
on the early cannon ball train. He failed to pay either his own board or the
young woman’s and left her without a cent of money.
She is almost crazy with grief and says she cannot bear to return to
her mother and will take her own life before she will remain in the house and
lead a life of shame. They claim to be from Brunswick.
Pg. 3 col. 3
Brunswick News:
M. Agee, a section boss on the East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia road,
knocked on the head and seriously hurt Charlie Tresvant, one of the hands
belonging to another section. It occurred about 10 o’clock yesterday, and
produced concussion of the brain, that may result in death. It was caused by a
dispute having arisen as to some tools that the colored man claimed were in the
care of the section boss. Tresvant went in to take possession of what he
claimed was his own tools, when Mr. Agee picked up a shovel and struck
him on the head. A warrant was sworn out before Judge Lambright
yesterday for Mr. Agee, but up to last night no arrest had been made.
The Brunswick Daily Advertiser & Appeal; Saturday 10 November
1888; pg. 4 col. 2
HE DIDN’T TELL ALL—Messrs. Editors, when Capt. Clubb was telling you
about the slave ship Wanderer, he forgot an important part in which he
figured. He didn’t tell how the officials captured him and locked him up in
jail, because he would not tell all he knew. Ask him about this part of the
history.—READER.
PREVIOUS ARTICLE IN 8 November 1888 paper on front page.
The Macon Telegraph (Macon, GA); Monday 7 January 1889; pg. 4
col. 6
BRUNSWICK SUNDAY NOTES—A Negro Knocked Down and Beaten—Anniversary.
BRUNSWICK, Jan. 6.—[Special.]—Mayor D.T. Dunn, a republican
who has held that office for two terms, retires tomorrow at 12 o’clock, having
been defeated at the last election. Hon. M.J. Colson, a democrat, and
all the board of aldermen will be installed at that time.
KNOCKED DOWN AND KICKED—J.R. Minehan, proprietor of the Oglethorpe
stables, received an insulting message from the porter in the rival stables.
The porter passed by Minehan’s stable today and was stopped and
questioned as to whether he sent the message. On replying that he did,
Minehan knocked him down and kicked his face terribly. The negro is badly
disfigured but will recover.
ANNIVERSARY CHURCH SERVICES—The services at the Methodist church today were of
unusual interest. It was the anniversary sermon of Rev. M.F. McCook, who
has been pastor for the last year, and who has done wonderful work in building
up the church to its present condition. The church was crowded to overflowing.
Speeches were made by non members. Mayor Colson, Col. C.P. Goodyear,
and Mr. E.J. Harvey addressed the congregation. Ninety-two persons have
joined in the last year, and seventeen joined today.
A RUNAWAY—A horse running down New Castle street [sic] at a fearful rate, with a
buggy containing Alderman T. O’Connor, Jr., and Mr. M. Houseman,
created intense excitement for a while tonight. He turned the buggy over and
threw the gentlemen out, bruising them up considerably but not seriously.
The Macon Telegraph (Macon, GA); Monday 23 September 1889; pg. 1
col. 1
CHASED BY A BLACK MOB—A BRUNSWICK WHITE MAN NARROWLY ESCAPES NEGRO LYNCHERS—The
White Man Shoots a Negro and a Black Mob Chases him Crying, “Kill”—Officers
Rescue the Man and Disperse the Mob.
BRUNSWICK, Sept. 22.—[Special.]—A sensational shooting scrape
occurred this morning about 2 o’clock, in which J.H. [sic] Minehan
(white) shot and probably fatally wounded Frank Golden (colored).
Minehan by instructions of his lawyers refused to talk.
Golden says that the shooting was without provocation. It occurred in front
of Golden’s saloon on Mansfield street.
CATCH HIM! KILL HIM! THE NEGROES CRIED—As soon as the shot was
fired a crowd of negroes gathered, and Minehan ran, the crowd following,
yelling:
Catch him! Catch him! Kill him! Kill him!
The town was aroused, and as Minehan run up Bay street
several came down Monk street to join him.
HELD THE MOB AT THE PISTOL’S POINT—Arriving at the Ocean Hotel he
saw it was useless to continue farther, as he would be overtaken and probably
killed. He stepped in the front door and held the mob of infuriated blacks at
bay with his pistol.
THE BLACKS LOTH [sic] TO DISPERSE—Officer Goodbread arrived
on the scene at the same time warning his pursuers to leave. They seemed loth
[sic] to leave, and followed both Minehan and Goodbread to jail.
THIS TIME THE MOB SCATTERED—Fearing serious trouble, orders were
again given to the crowd to disperse, and the words this time had their effect,
as one by one they left from around the jail.
The Augusta Chronicle
(Richmond Co., GA); Tuesday 24 September 1889
Pg. 1 col. 2
CHASED BY A BLACK MOB—A Brunswick White Man Narrowly
Escapes Negro Lynchers.
BRUNSWICK, Sept. 23.—[Special.]—A sensational
shooting scrape occurred yesterday morning about 2 o’clock, in which J.H.
Minehan (white) shot and probably fatally wounded Frank Golden
(colored).
Minehan, by instructions of his lawyers, refused to talk.
Golden says that the shooting was without provocation. It occurred in front
of Golden’s saloon, on Mansfield street.
As soon as the shot was fired a crowd of negroes gathered, and
Minehan ran, the crowd following, yelling:
Catch him! Catch him! Kill him! Kill him!
The town was aroused, and as Minehan ran up Bay street
several came down Monk street to join him.
Arriving at the Ocean hotel he saw it was useless to continue
farther, as he would be overtaken and probably killed. He stepped in the front
door and held the mob of infuriated blacks at bay with his pistol.
Officer Goodbread arrived on the scene at the same time
warning his pursuers to leave. They seemed loathe to leave, and followed both
Minehan and Goodbread to jail.
Fearing serious trouble, orders were again given to this crowd to
disperse, and the words this time had their effect, as one by one they left from
around the jail.
The Macon Telegraph; Thursday 13 February 1890; pg. 2 col. 5
STRANGE BRUNSWICK CASE—THE VERY MYSTERIOUS SHOOTING OF MISS MINNIE BROWN—She Was
Shot as She Was Coming From Her Mother’s Grave—A Pistol Was Found Near Her That
Resembled Her Own.
BRUNSWICK, Feb. 12—[Special.]—A mysterious shooting occurred
to-night about 7 o’clock. The victim was Miss Minnie Brown, a handsome
young lady, employed as bookkeeper by the furniture dealer, C. McGarvey.
The shooting occurred in front of the residence of A.A. Delorme on Howe
Street.
Miss Brown claims that late this afternoon she was at the
cemetery visiting her mother’s grave and became suddenly sick. When she
recovered sufficiently to seek shelter it was nearly 7 o’clock. The nearest
residence was Delorme’s. Just as she reached his gate somebody, whom she
didn’t see, fired at her with a pistol. The ball struck her left thigh, making
an ugly and dangerous wound. A passing police officer carried her into the
house and a physician was called. A.A. Delorme, were in the house and
heard the shot.
MISS BROWN’S QUEER REMARK—They also heard Miss Brown scream.
A.A. Delorme says that when Miss Brown was brought into the house,
she suggested that an early search might result in finding the pistol with which
she was shot. Search was made and the pistol was secured. A.A. Delorme
declared it to be exactly like one which Miss Brown owned and carried.
So far it has been impossible to get any other facts. The matter is
very strange and caused a big sensation.
Up to the first of January Miss Brown was employed as
proofreader in the news room of the Daily Times. She is well educated and well
connected.
The Evening Post (Brunswick, Georgia); Tuesday 29 April
1890
Pg. 1 Col. 6
TUESDAY’S TRIFLES (SOCIETY)
The street cars are rapidly nearing
completion.
Ground was broken this morning for
the new city market.
Mr. H.S Barkuloo and bride
will tender a reception for the Brunswick Riflemen this evening at their
residence on Grant Street.
H.M. Miller & Sons, who have
been temporarily over the store of J. Michelson, have moved back to their
old quarters on Richmond Street.
A new safe was put in the Ordinary’s
office this morning. It weighed 3100 pounds, was furnished by Messrs.
Bowles & Baker.
About 1 o’clock to-day a horse
attached to a four-wheeled wagon ran down Newcastle Street, and succeeded in
demolishing Dr. Tucker’s buggy, and finally riding himself of the
vehicle, by running into another wagon in front of Busbee’s fruit store.
Pg. 1 Col. 6
PERSONAL MENTION
Cards are out for the marriage, on
Wednesday evening, May 7, of Mr. Constant Miller, of
Brunswick, and Miss Letitia Harrell, of Quitman.
The Evening Post (Brunswick, Georgia); Friday 9 May 1890
Pg. 1 Col. 5
PLEASANT RECEPTION
Tendered Mr. and Mrs.
Constant Miller Last Night.
The social event of the season was a
reception tendered Mr. Constant Miller and bride last night
at their residence on H Street.
The happy couple arrived yesterday
afternoon and were met at the depot by a special committee of the Atlantic Band.
From there Mr. and Mrs. Miller were driven to their future
home on B Street.
All during the afternoon friends of
the groom’s family called to pay their respects to the bride.
Last night, about 8 o’clock, guest
began to assemble at the residence, and when the hours of the clock pointed to
the hour of nine, the parlor and reception rooms were filled to overflowing.
During the evening Mr.
McDuffie’s orchestra discoursed sweet music to the happy throng. At 11
o’clock the doors of the spacious dining room were thrown open and the guests
were invited in to partake of the choicest viands.
Mr. and Mrs. Miller
were the recipients of numerous and costly presents. Notable among the
gifts was that of the Atlantic Band, which consisted of a beautiful and costly
set of silverware.
At 12 o’clock, the guest dispersed
satisfied that Mr. Miller had made an excellent choice in the
matrimonial field.
Pg. 1 Col. 7
FRIDAY’S FINDINGS
The stone work on the new city hall
is rapidly progressing.
Complaints are being daily made as to
the lack of lights in the northern suburbs.
The material for the cells in the
county jail will arrive tomorrow and work will be commenced next week.
PERSONAL MENTION
Lewis C. Hoover, left
for Jekyl Island this morning, to make a map drawing of the club house and
grounds.
The Macon Telegraph (Macon, GA); Sunday 27 July 1890; g. 1 col. 7
BRUNSWICK SENSATION—Willful Murder—An Escaped Prisoner Who Couldn’t Get
Arrested.
BRUNSWICK, July 26.—[Special.]—Claudie Gardner shot and
killed Isiah Minnifield in Tom Golden’s this afternoon at 1
o’clock. The row originated about a game in Pollard’s bar last night.
Minnifield threatened Gardner’s life, and the latter got a pistol
and killed him at sight. Three shots were fired, one entering the bowels, one
the brain, and the other missed. Gardner ran out and gave himself up to
Policeman Goin and Sheriff Berrie.
The coroner’s inquest rendered a verdict of willful murder.
TRIED TO SURRENDER AND COULDN’T
A great sensation was caused by Minehan, who murdered
Charlie Brown last September and escaped jail the following November. He
returned to this city, Thursday, and drove in a carriage around the principal
streets. He went to the jail to give up. Sheriff Berrie was in Florida
and no one would let him in the hail. A reward of $500 is offered for him,
still no policeman made the arrest. He left here at 11 o’clock last night on
the East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia for parts unknown. The citizens are
very indignant because the arrest was not made.
[This article seems to be in error, Minehan shot and killed Frank
Golden not Charlie Brown, unless the editor was using “slang” to
refer to Mr. Golden who was African-American—ALH.]
The Macon Telegraph (Macon, GA); Tuesday 29 July 1890; pg. 3 col.
4
MINEHAN IN BRUNSWICK—Says He Would Have Gone Back Had He Thought He Was Wanted.
BRUNSWICK, July 25.—[Special.]—G.H. Minehan, the person who
shot and killed Frank Golden some time ago, was arrested and escaped from
jail, and after remaining away some months, returned to the city and coolly
walked around town and then suddenly disappeared, was arrested in Macon last
night and brought here to-day. Minehan seems cheerful and says he would
have returned alone if he had thought they wanted him.
The Atlanta Constitution; Sunday 23
November 1890; pg. 22 col. 2
The news of the nuptials of Mr. Albert
Hilsman, of Macon, and Miss Annie Belle Scarlett, of Brunswick, which
were celebrated in Brunswick recently, has caused many congratulations to pour
from Atlanta to the happy couple.
The wedding took place at the residence of the bride at
“Fancy-Bluff-Across-the-Bay,” in Brunswick a few nights ago. The attendants
were Mr. Mason Scarlett, with Miss Julia Iverson, of Columbus, and
Mr. W.P. Robertson, of Anniston, Ala., and Miss Fannie Scarlett,
of Brunswick. The ceremony was conducted by Rev. S.R. Shaw, of Augusta.
There is no couple better known in the social circles of south
Georgia than these, and at their future home in Macon they have the sincere
congratulations and best wishes of hosts of friends.
The
Daily Times-Enterprise (Thomasville, GA); Tuesday 9 December 1890; pg. 3 col. 1
FORMER PROPRIETRESS OF A BOARDING HOUSE HERE SHOT.
Mrs. W.L. Wallace,
proprietress of the Commercial Hotel at, Albany, who was shot by her husband a
few days ago, formerly had charge of a boarding house in this city, and she will
be remembered by quite a number. She was the wife or
Mr. Leben, but for some reason they separated; and
Mrs. Leben procured a divorce. One
day last July she and Will Wallace
went to a town near Albany and married. On their return their marriage was
announced by means of a certificate which appeared in the News and Advertiser.
The marriage was a surprise as the bride was then 40 years of age and the groom
only 21. The shooting occurred Friday.
Wallace fired several shots, but only one took effect. He escaped, but
returned and gave himself up. He said that he intended to kill his wife, and
then himself, but his nerve failed him.
The Columbus
Enquirer-Sun (Columbus, GA); Saturday 1 August 1891; pg. 1 col. 7
GENERAL FLUKER KILLED—A NOTORIOUS NEGRO SHOT DOWN WHILE
RESISTING AN OFFICER.
BRUNSWICK, Ga., July 31.—At Jessup today
Marshal Goodbread killed General Fluker (col.), an escaped
murderer from Brunswick, while attempting to arrest him. The verdict of the
coroner’s jury was justifiable homicide.
The Columbus
Enquirer-Sun (Columbus, GA); Thursday 10 September 1891; pg. 1 col. 4
A BRUNSWICK SHOOTING—THE MYSTERIOUS WOUNDING OF A COLORED
WOMAN.
BRUNSWICK, September 9.—[Special.]—Alice
Westmoreland, a mulatto woman in the employ of G.A. Hanson, white,
who keeps a restaurant on Oglethorpe street, was shot between 11 and 12 o’clock
last night in Hanson’s restaurant. The shooting, according to the
statement of the woman and Hanson was accidental. The latter says that
he threw his pistol on a table, when it was discharged, the ball entering the
left ear of the woman, ploughing through the fleshy portion of the base of the
head, coming out three inches in the rear of the ear and making a scalp wound on
his head. The wound on Hanson was examined by your correspondent and it
was evident that it could only have been made by some blunt instrument, and not
by a bullet. According to the statement of Mr. S.T. Goodbread, who rents
the building in which the restaurant is located, and runs a bar in an adjoining
room, and others, the woman is a paramour of Hanson’s. She was found
lying on a pallet in a closet adjoining the restaurant. When questioned she
confirmed the story as told by Hanson. She told Mr. Goodbread,
however, this morning that the shooting was intentional, Hanson married a
sister of Goodbread about two years ago, and deserted his wife and two
children in Boston. The woman is not seriously wounded.
The Macon
Telegraph; Saturday 26 September 1891; pg. 1 col. 6
GRAVE ROBBERS
AT WORK—Suspicious Action of Two Men at a Brunswick Cemetery.
BRUNSWICK, Sept. 25.—[Special.]—There are rumors of a grave robbery in Brunswick
tonight, and investigation does not relieve the mystery surrounding the affair.
Last night about 7 o’clock, seven children of a lady who lives on
Cochran avenue, near Oak Grove cemetery, were passing from one house to another,
and were startled by a carriage driven to the cemetery gate, stopping and
waiting until two men stepped from it, entered the cemetery and returned,
bearing what had every appearance to them of being a child’s coffin.
DROVE AWAY RAPIDLY—Jumping hurriedly into the carriage, they drove
off, and the children rushed in to inform their mother. She was startled, and
later heard a carriage pass her door. Looking out, she saw that the vehicle
answered to her children’s description of the one they saw, but owing to the
darkness she could not distinguish the features of the driver or occupants, if
there were any. The carriage turned toward the cemetery entrance, but she was
alone and could not follow to see if it stopped.
NO GRAVES DISTURBED—Today no traces of a disturbed grave could be
found. Last night was one for such a crime. Heavy, dark clouds hid the sky,
and the shadows of immense trees made the cemetery extremely dark, and it is
probable if a grave was disturbed the rain covered all traces of the work.
The Macon
Telegraph; Thursday 15 October 1891; pg. 2 col. 5
A WEDDING AT
SPARTA—Miss Gabrielle Clinch Married to Mr. Tate.
SPARTA, Oct. 14.—[Special.]—At the residence of the bride’s father, at 10
o’clock a.m., Miss Gabrielle Clinch was united in marriage
to Mr. Sterrett Tate of Pensacola, Fla. After a sumptuous
luncheon the bridal party took affectionate leave of the assembled friends for
an extensive tour to Northern and Eastern cities. They will make Pensacola
their home, where they carry the love and hope of the community.
Mr. Tate is a gentleman of fine qualities of mind and heart,
and has extensive interests in Florida.
The bride is the only daughter of Col. H.A. Clinch of this
place and granddaughter of the late distinguished Gen. Duncan Clinch,
U.S.A., and of Dr. Louis Ford of Augusta. She is a lady of fine person
and a distinguished beauty.
The Morning News; Monday 26 December 1892;
pg. 1
Transcribed by
Jeff Anderson for
Becky
Mitchell and the Telfair County Historical Society to aid in the
effort of having the Captain
John L. Day Home in Lumber City,
Georgia placed on the National Register of Historical Places.
MRS. JOHN L. DAY—DEAD
Lumber City, Ga., Dec. 25.—Mrs.
Day, wife of Capt. John L. Day, formerly of Savannah, died in this city at 9:40
o’clock a.m. She will be buried in
Laurel Grove cemetery at Savannah at 3 o’clock tomorrow afternoon.
The Sandersville Herald (Sandersville, GA); Thursday 23 February 1893;
pg. 2 col. 1
Two hundred and sixty Arkansas negroes arrived in Brunswick on
Friday, to embark for Africa. As no vessel was in port to sail for
Africa, their colored friends aidded them in settling and getting them
work. If they are the dupes of bogus emigrant agents, such agents should
be arrested, and severely punished.
The Americus Weekly Times-Recorder (Americus, GA); Friday 24 February
1893; pg. 7 col. 1
GOING TO THE FATHERLAND
BRUNSWICK, February 17.—Brunswick’s population was rather
undecsribably [sic] increased to the extent of 200 this morning. The
influx consisted of Arkansas negroes en route to Africa, but the
prospect of sending them to the land of their forefathers is not bright,
as no vessel is expected in this port bound for African shores. The
colored people of Brunswick are giving them what assistance they can in
settling in houses and getting work for them to do.
The Morning News (Savannah, GA); Friday 24 February 1893; pg. 3 col. 2
A FIGHT OVER AN ELOPEMENT
BRUNSWICK, GA., Feb. 23.—This afternoon at 2 o’clock in
Justice Coker’s office a general row and shooting occurred between
the three Mocks, father and two sons, and ex-Assistant Marshal
Randolph and Andrew Turner, about the elopement of J.M.
Mock and Miss Sarah Turner, who were secretly married here
last night. The parties were scared up but none of the balls took
effect. The parties were arrested, but later settled the matter between
themselves and it was withdrawn from the court.
The Morning News (Savannah, GA); Saturday 25 February 1893; pg. 3 col. 2
NOT BOUND FOR AFRICA—The Negroes Who Recently
Reached Brunswick going to the Woods.
WAYCROSS, GA., Feb. 24.—Six of the 150 negroes from Woodruff
county, Arkansas, arrived here to-day. They were in charge of J.P.
Stallings of Folkston, Ga. They will work on Mr. Stallings’
turpentine farm at Folkston. It was reported that they were on their way
to Africa, but this was a mistake. They left their homes in Arkansas on
account of the failure of crops and the scarcity of work. Their
destination was from the first Brunswick, Ga. The report that they were
in bad circumstances was incorrect. Mr. Stallings found them in
good circumstances at Brunswick, Ga., with money and provisions. The
majority of there [sic] are able-bodied men. When asked if they left
Arkansas to go to Africa, they said they did not, but started to
Brunswick. One little black fellow hearing the question said: “Is
Brunswick African? If dat’s so, den dat’s whar’ we was gwine.” This
section of the state is covered with naval stores and saw-mill
enterprises, and work is furnished to thousands of negroes, and the
demand for more laborers is increasing every year. Good prices are paid
for common labor. The Arkansas negroes were in a good humor, and
appeared to be pleased at having found work.
The Waycross Weekly Herald (Waycross, GA); Saturday 4 March 1893; pg. 1
col. 3
DELUDED NEGROES!!—THEY ARE BOUND FOR
AFRICA.—Deluded Arkansas Negroes in Brunswick, Ga., on Their Way to
Africa. They are Looking for the Agent.
BRUNSWICK, Feb. 20.—The other day a special train passed through
Macon on the East Tennessee road for Brunswick. The train carried 260
negro immigrants from Arkansas, who were bound for Africa via Brunswick.
They reached Brunswick all right that night, but found no ships,
or agent, or anyone to meet them. They were in a deplorable condition.
Among the immigrants were peo- [sic] of all ages, sizes and
colors, and they were half-starved.
Chief Beach, of Brunswick, and members of the force and
detective Wiggins heard the stories of the bewildered negroes and
at once lent assistance. Colored people’s hearts were also touched, and
they went about securing sleeping places for the African bound visitors.
All of the women and children were housed, while many of the men were
noticed on the streets all night.
In the notorious colored lodging house at the corner of Bay and
Mansfield streets, a reporter, with detective Wiggins, visited
some of the visitors last night at midnight. In a room 12x14 feet,
nineteen men, women and five children and one small dog were found, all
making efforts to sleep. Some were standing against the walls sleeping,
while others were twisted up on the floor.
An old gray-headed darkey was found in this room who seemed to be
one of the leaders.
He said they were all living comfortably in Woodruff and Jackson
counties, Arkansas, a month ago, when a man named Doll, or
Doyle, or Dodd, came to them and told them if they would
bunch together and come to Brunswick they could take a steamer to Africa
and there live without working, or if they wished to work they could get
several dollars a day wages working on turpentine farms. They had just
closed out their last year’s crops, so they bunched and paid the agent
$1,200 and now they are very anxious to come up with this agent. They
last saw him at Memphis but expected to meet him here.
He hasn’t turned up.
No ship is here bound for Africa.
The negroes are determined not to starve. They say Brunswick
looks a land of milk and honey, and they will start out in search of
employment this morning.
The East Tennessee railroad has a soliciting agent named Doll
who spent last summer here and who carried the Knights of Pythias of
Brunswick west over his road, and many believe it is he who sent the
negroes to Brunswick.
The Thomasville Times-Enterprise (Thomasville, GA); Saturday 25 February
1893; pg. 4 col. 2
TO BE PITIED
The Brunswick correspondent of the News thus refers to the
Arkansas negroes who have been so heartlessly duped:
“Two hundred and sixty bewildered negroes arrived in Brunswick at
6 o’clock to night [sic] on board of the East Tennessee special train,
bound for Africa, the land pictured to them as one of milk and honey,
where money grew on trees in big clusters, intermingled with cocoanuts
and bananas that would furnish them food. Huddled together in a confused
mass near the depot they were found by the Morning News correspondent.
Young men and old men, young women with suckling babies and old women
with walking sticks that afforded them support, little children crying
for bread and older children resting their tired bodies on the grassy
lawn enjoying the sleep they had not known for days and nights. It was a
pitiful picture, and Chief Police Beach and his kind-hearted
policemen, aided by Detective Wiggins, had to act the good
Samaritans. Going among them they learned that they were without money
and leadership. By hard work they were secured sleeping places, and
to-night, with the help of the kind-hearted people of Brunswick, most of
them have shelter, while others wander through the streets in search of
some place to sleep.”
A smart negro had told them that a vessel would be ready at
Brunswick to carry them to Africa, where they could live without work.
He skipped at Memphis with the hard earnings of these wretched people.
The Morning
News (Savannah, GA); Thursday 30 March 1893; Pg. 6 col. 2
The Brunswick Times of
yesterday says: “Thomas W. Turner, a
brother of the Turner boys of this
city, is a truck farmer living four miles out, whose troubles with highwaymen
the Times related a week ago. Monday,
he says he went to the home of Mike
O’Brien, who occupies a house the property of
J.E. duBignon near the canal bridge
on the road to Island View. Turner,
as agent, went to collect the rent from the
O’Brien’s but did not get it.
Turner was in the city yesterday
morning and started out early and for fear of trouble with the highwaymen he
says he borrowed a Winchester rifle from his brother
Hardy. He went to
O’Brien’s house before 6 o’clock a.m., but found no one at home. He
says he started to return and sat down on a log beside the road and laid his gun
down beside him and shortly he saw
O’Brien and his wife Hannah and
her mother, Mrs. Mahala Myers and a
clean-shaved stranger coming along from toward Brunswick in a one-horse wagon.
He says he spoken politely, and but three or four words passed before the
O’Briens jumped upon him,
Mike grabbing his rifle and striking
him over the head breaking the rifle in three pieces. He was knocked senseless,
and says all took a hand in the attack. When he became conscious, he was in a
strange section of the forest, over 200 yards from where he was attacked, having
been dragged across the canal bridge and tied with ropes to a post. He says his
captors had spades and a shovel and began digging a long hole in the ground in
front of where he was tied, and into this all of the blood from his wounds,
which had reddened the ground, was raked, and says they told him they were
digging his grave. He said that he was perfectly helpless, and it seemed that he
would be buried alive. He saw a negro across the canal and hailed him, asking
for help and that he notify his friends.
Turner says he saw one of the women take a pistol, with which she
held the negro up, not allowing him to cross over to where he was tied. The
negro fled toward Brunswick. The next person he saw was a little girl en route
to school. He yelled to her and she gave the alarm and news was carried to
Turner’s wife, at their home, a mile
away. He says in the meantime his captors took his knife, with which they gashed
his head and face, and that $18 in silver was also taken from his pockets.
Shortly Sam Goodbread and
Mrs.
Turner started home with him. They were about half way when they were
met by Sheriff Berrie and
Chief Beach, who assisted them.
Mike O’Brien is a cotton jammer at
the New docks and his wife peddles oysters. The
O’Briens say Tom Turner
came to their house Monday evening and cursed out the females of the household
and said he would return Tuesday with his rifle and “do them up.” They say when
they came up to him yesterday morning he had his gun in his hand and that it was
cocked and he attempted to shoot, whereupon
Mike O’Brien took it from him, he says to, save his life, as he had
been warned and knew Turner would
shoot. They dispute the statement that the gun was sitting by the log and that
Turner did not raise the row.
Mrs. O’Brien said she would not
return to her home, for fear Turner’s
friends might trouble her, so she went to
Putnam’s stables and ordered wagons to go out and get her effects and bring
them to the city. The colored baggagemen went, reaching the house just after
dark. They entered and were piling trunks and furniture in their wagons when a
mob of negroes came up with guns and ran them away. They fled to Brunswick
reaching the city at 8 o’clock last night and what belongings they secured are
at Putnam’s stable. Another attempt
will be made to get the balance of the
O’Brien’s house furnishings.
The Columbus Daily Enquirer (Columbus, GA); 18 May 1893; pg. 4
cols. 6 & 7
CUMBERLAND ISLAND—The Hotel Cumberland will be opened for guests on May 20.
Finest and safest surf bathing in the world. No undertow and beach twenty-two
miles long, 500 feet wide. Boating and fishing unexcelled. The finest artesian
sulphur water on earth. Cures dyspepsia and purifies the entire system. A most
excellent orchestra of six pieces. Splendid livery, run by Mr. Minehan
of Brunswick and Jekyl Island fame. Resident physician throughout the season.
Baggage checked through to hotel. For further information address WM. C.
MORGAN, Manager, Cumberland, Camden Co., Ga.
The Macon Telegraph (Macon, GA); Tuesday 30 May 1893; pg. 6 col.
5
MORTGAGED TO CREDITORS—Lloyd and Adams Gone in the General Smash.
Savannah, May 29.—(Special.)—Lloyd and Adams,
wholesale druggists and paint dealers, granted a mortgage to creditors today
aggregating $18,000. The mortgages were filed in court.
C.B. Lloyd as president of the Brunswick State bank which
failed last week and the bank holds collateral against his firm here aggregating
$15,000.
The Macon Telegraph (Macon, GA); Friday 20 October 1893; pg. 1
col. 3
Bossie [sic] Davenport, a young white man, attempted
to commit suicide in Putnam’s stable today while drunk. Davenport
grabbed a rope from a negro [sic] and remarked that he would show them how to
hang. Tying one end over a post and the other in a loop knot around his neck he
fell back. The negroes, thinking he was having fun, laughed heartily when his
tongue hung out. When Putnam cut him down all the negroes ran and it
required twenty minutes’ work by Dr. Hugh Burford to restore life and
consciousness in Davenport. He was sober when it was ended.
The Atlanta
Constitution; Thursday 26 October 1893; pg. 2 col. 3
SHOT IN A BARROOM—Jelow, a Roustabout, Kills a Cripple at
Brunswick—The Dead Man Gave No Offense—An Exciting Pursuit in a Boat and the
Murderer Captured—Says He Was Shooting at Another Man.
Brunswick, Ga., October 25 (Special)—William
Jelow shot and killed Raford Curry at 6:30 o’clock tonight in
William McClure’s barroom, known as “The Office,” located in the rear of the
vacant building at the corner of George and Bay streets. The murder was cold
blooded and cowardly. Jelow’s mind was frenzied by drink and the refusal
of a barkeeper to give him more.
The murderer was a roustabout. Curry was a peaceful cripple
who of late has tried to lead a quiet life, moving about the streets on
crutches, while the stump of one limb from above the knee dangled, a reminder of
an accident when at work once on a pile driver.
Jelow, the murderer, staggered into the bar and called for a
drink. Frank Scott, the bartender, refused to hand it out, saying:
“Billy, you’ve had enough.”
“You say I am drunk, take that,” exclaimed Jelow as he jerked
out a pistol and pulled the trigger.
The bullet sped harmlessly into the wall, Curry, who was
standing quietly by drew away.
“Take this,” yelled Jelow as he backed out of the door and
fired the second time. This ball struck Curry who began falling.
“And this,” and another ball struck Curry, who fell to the
floor. Jelow backed further away and Scott ran out facing him,
clearing Curry’s prostrate from at one bound. Again the pistol was
raised. A passerby, Horace Robinson, rushed to the murderer’s side and
grasped his arm. The scene was intensely dramatic. Robinson swung to
Jelow and begged him not to shoot again. A crowd quickly assembled. With
an oath the murderer broke from Robinson and fled.
Curry had died almost instantly. He was hit twice in the
breast by the bullets. Rev. Father Hennessy came by but he was too late
to be of assistance.
The saloon was closed and a crowd started in search of Jelow.
Sheriff Berrie, on horseback, rode at breakneck speed through the streets
and woods posting the guards. This proved unnecessary, for across the bow of
his schooner, Matt Henry Heywood observed a man pulling hard against the
tide. Heywood jumped into a boat and gave chase. He called to Jelow
to stop.
The pursued dropped his oars and said:
“I give up. Don’t shoot.” Turning his boat around Jelow
rowed silently to the shore. His captor followed with a drawn pistol.
On the wharf Lee Curry stood swearing vengeance against his
brother’s murderer. In the nick of time help arrived and Curry was led
off and Jelow carried to jail. Jelow made a statement in his
cell. He denied any intention to kill Curry and said he shot at Scott
in self-defense. Jelow has a son who bears a good reputation.
The barroom where the killing occurred was the scene of another
murder recently.
Mayor Lamb will hold an inquest tomorrow. The coroner is
gone and Justice Coker is sick. To the horror of the epidemic three
murders have been added.
[On 3 September 1893, William McClure shot and killed John
Kelly, coroner’s jury pronounced it murder. McClure’s only statement was that
he shot Kelly.—ALH]
The Atlanta
Constitution; Friday 27 October 1893; pg. 3 col. 3
DENOUNCING THE JURY—Citizens Indignant at a Verdict of
“Accidental Murder”
Brunswick, Ga., October 26 (Special)—The coroner’s jury
today in the murder of Curry rendered a verdict of “accidental murder.”
The jury as a whole was composed of representative citizens. The verdict was
the best the officer could get under the circumstances. This verdict subjected
the jurors to bitter denunciation on the streets today. Justice Coker
who got out of a sick bed to hold the inquest state that he told the jury, when
they handed in the verdict, that it was nonsensical, foolish and unknown to
law. He advised them to let the lawyers say whether it was accidental or not.
Sheriff Berrie expressed surprise at the verdict. Assistant
Chief of Police Robert Levison, who was instrumental in capturing the
murderer, said the jury acted strangely. Chief Beach could see no sense
in the verdict. The murder was cold blooded and some of the witnesses before
the jury are accused of having lied straight out. Ben Hansen, the chief
witness, whose name was given as Olsen last night, has been sent to jail
by Justice Coker on account of his testimony. Judge Coker, and
the citizens generally, denounce the jury’s verdict in unmistakable terms.
The Atlanta Constitution; Tuesday 6
February 1894 pg. 2 col. 2
A report which reached Brunswick yesterday that
Mr. Frank M. Scarlett, a wealthy and respected citizen of Glynn county,
had killed J. Keen, of Wayne county, has been confirmed.
The story as told is to the effect that Keen made a violent
attack on Scarlett and to save his own life, Scarlett struck him
with a quart bottle, which happened to be the only weapon at hand.
Keen was killed almost instantly. He was known as a
desperate man and had been in many serious difficulties during his life.
Scarlett was in the city this morning and gave an account of the killing.
He says Keen was drunk and, probably mistaking him for his
brother, Joe Scarlett, with whom he was not on good terms, made the
attack on him. Scarlett sought to avoid a difficulty, but Keen
persisted and left him no other alternative but to defend himself. Scarlett
says he regrets the affair very much, but it was unavoidable on his part.
The Atlanta Constitution; Thursday 8
February 1894; pg. 3 col. 2
The coroner’s jury rendered a verdict of
justifiable homicide in the case of Frank M. Scarlett, who killed J.
Keene, several days ago, while Keene was endeavoring to kill him.
The Weekly Telegraph (Macon, GA); Thursday 8
February 1894; pg. 6
Transcribed by
Jeff Anderson for
Becky
Mitchell and the Telfair County Historical Society to aid in the
effort of having the Captain
John L. Day Home in Lumber City,
Georgia placed on the National Register of Historical Places.
A WEDDING IN LUMBER CITY
Lumber City, Feb. 3.— (Special.)—On February 1 friends were present to
witness the marriage of Mrs. C.F. Ryals, near McRae, and
Capt. John L. Day, at the
home of Maj. D.F. McRae.
The bride wore a lovely Moorish tan silk and lavender velvet, adorned
with white roses and smilax. The
ceremony was beautifully performed by the pastor,
Rev. R.L. Wiggins.
Very soon guests were invited to the dining room, which was appropriately
decorated, the table just laden with choice fruits and flowers and everything
the inner man could want.
At 4 o’clock, after the bride was dressed in her traveling dress of dark
green broadcloth, trimmed in satin, the guests, accompanied the captain and his
bride to their lovely home, where they were pleasantly entertained until 5
o’clock.
At 5:15 the happy couple left on vestibule train for Jacksonville, St.
Augustine, Cuba and other points. We
wish them a happy life.
The
Princeton Union (Princeton, MN); 26 November 1896
Transcribed by James Wade Bishop
OLD-TIME SOUTHERN SPORTS—Members of Hunting Clubs on Whom—Big Fines Were Imposed
Among the sports of olden times the hunting clubs were prominent
everywhere, says the Atlanta Constitution. In Camden County one of the most
famous clubhouses in this country was built at Bear Hammock and kept under the
supervision of Gen. John Floyd. It was there that the Camden County
Hunting Club, organized in 1832, held its meetings, made its rules and imposed
its fines. The charter members of this club were Charles R. Floyd,
Richard Floyd, Ben Hopkins, J.H. Dilworth, James
Holzendorf, John Holzendorf, Alexander Holzendorf,
P.M. Nightingale, William Berrie and Henry duBignon.
Several members joined afterward. The club dress was a scarlet jacket and black
pantaloons and a fine of 500 copper caps was imposed on Alexander
Holzendorf at one meeting for not having on the regulation dress. No member
was to be absent from the meeting unless by good excuse, and James
Holzendorf was fined 1,000 copper caps for one absence. After the day's
hunt, some-times, with the luck of sixteen deer, an elegant dinner was served
before dispersing. The seventeenth rule read: "Game is considered by the club
to be deer, bear, hogs, cows, bulls, wildcats and turkeys." Wild cattle and
hogs abounded in woods in those days, the latter living to an old age, which was
told by the tusks, sometimes eight to ten inches long.
The Daily
Times-Enterprise (Thomasville, GA); Tuesday 16 February 1897; pg. 1 col. 4
MENTALLY UNBALANCED
A dispatch from Americus says: “Fred
Leben, a well known young man of this city, is n a rather precarious
condition to-day, the result of sudden mental derangement.
Leben was at work yesterday and the
attack that resulted in the loss of reason came upon him like a flash. He is so
unmanageable that it requires four men to hold him in bed, and it was finally
found necessary to bind him with ropes.
Leben has been a constant reader of dime novels and imagines himself Nick
Carter and other heroes of trashy novels.”
Leben is very well known here,
having married in Thomasville. His mother lived here at one time, keeping a
boarding house on the corner of Crawford and Jefferson streets.
The Atlanta Constitution; Sunday 17
October 1897; pg. 26 (all) & 31
REMARKABLE LIFE OF GEO. BEE MABRY, OF BRUNSWICK—Relates The
Rise of a Brilliant Young Man in Politics and Law. WAS DRAGGED DOWN BY A SECRET
CHAIN Now He Relates the Hallucinations Which Bound Him.—Colonel Mabry Tells the
Checkered Story of His Eventful Life. THE SPECTER LADY WHO WAS AT HIS SIDE He
Was Chased for His Life by a Band of Imaginary Lynchers.
A story strange and uncanny as that which
follows demands that something should be known of its author—a man who once
loomed so prominently before the people of Georgia, and whose light went out
into such sudden gloom.
George Bee Mabry was born in Macon, Ga., on July 25, 1855.
His father, Woodford Mabry, was collector of customs for the ports of
Brunswick and Darien for sixteen consecutive years, up to the secession of the
southern states.
Young Mabry was admitted to the bar at the age of twenty
years, was appointed consular agent of the Spanish government at the port of
Brunswick in the spring of 1877 and served for a year, resigning in consequence
of the famous Spanish bark, Teresa I Iguerus, case, in which the Spanish
government made demand for reparation, on account of a posse from a justice’s
court forcibly going aboard the bark and arresting the captain. It was through
his instrumentality and coolness that bloodshed was adverted, he being aboard
the vessel when the posse approached and landed. Shortly after his resignation
he was appointed judge of the county court of Brunswick, and at the time he
received his commission was the youngest officer in the state, being but twenty
three years of age. He served until the summer of 1880, when he resigned to
take part in the campaign of Governor Colquitt against Judge Thomas M.
Norwood, and when the legislature met that fall, he announced his candidacy
for solicitor general of the Brunswick circuit, and after one of the hottest
fights of the session he was elected over Judge J.L. Carter, of Appling
county, and Colonel Ira E. Smith, of his own city. Owing to the lateness
of his announcement as a candidate, the bar of the entire circuit, with four
exceptions, had indorsed one or the other of his opponents, and the legislators
from his circuit were all pledged against him with two exceptions, Hon. T.W.
Lamb, of his own county, and William M. Gaskins, from Coffee county.
So that out of the twelve votes in his circuit, he went before the legislature
with but two of them. Despite this handicap he was elected in a fair and
high-toned race. He served the term of four years to the perfect satisfaction
of the circuit, and was voluntarily indorsed by the various grand juries for
re-election when his term was ended, but his broken health impelled him to
refuse. After h is retirement he continued, though in a most miserable health,
to endeavor to attend to his profession, but during the year 1887 he completely
collapsed, and did nothing until his recovery in 1891 when he again opened his
law office in Brunswick, and has been in practice ever since.
The story of his reformation is fraught with many interesting
incidents of struggle and failure, of desperate attempts and surrender again,
and his final triumph over the power of the drug is, as stated by one of the
physicians who at different times attempted his release, as “one case out of a
thousand”. His career during the period he was solicitor general was marked by
vigorous prosecutions, shown by the conviction and execution of five criminals
for capital offenses, and the conviction in Glynn county of the first murderer
who had ever been sentenced to death in the history of the courts of that
county, but who cheated the gallows two days before the day set for his
execution by expiring in the jail of Chatham county. He never speaks of his
enthrallment to the terrible habit from which he escaped, unless approached by
some sufferer who desires to know “how he reformed,” at which time his advice is
freely given. He again made the race for his old office of solicitor general at
the last term of the legislature, his name being placed in nomination before the
caucus by former Governor James S. Boynton, but he was defeated.
He is now living quietly, engaged in his professional duties and
occasional literary work.
And now for the story, which he tells under his own signature.
At an early age I was sent away to the University of the South, and
for a long period my only associates were the students and such chance
acquaintances as I happened to meet and become intimate with. I was of a genial
disposition my ability and attainments not above the average and I was generally
liked by my associates. After leaving the university, owing to failure of my
financial support, I came back to my home in southeast Georgia and commenced the
study of the Law, was admitted to the practice in due time, and as the saying
goes “swung my shingle to the breeze,” gathered a paying clientage, commenced to
make a little money and settled down in earnest to the realities of life. Four
years after my admission to the bar I was elected for a term of four years
solicitor general of the Brunswick circuit embracing nine counties, and served
the term, working hard and from the congratulatory expressions of the grand
juries and the people generally, I believe I served the state faithfully. So
much as an introduction.
The hallucinations, or illusions, of which I shall give account all
occurred during a period of three years during the time I held the state’s
commission referred to as solicitor general. The cause of those illusions, or
hallucinations was attributed by learned physicians to an excessive use of
morphine and opium to which habit I became a slave in the beginning of the last
decade of years. I have no doubt now and I had no doubt then of the truth of
that diagnosis, my daily supply was enormous—ten grains of morphine
hypodermically administered. In justice to myself now I declare with solemn
emphasis that I have been for a number of years entirely free from the habit and
that what follows in the narratives is written under the dictation of a brain
unclouded by narcotic stimulant, or other excitant, and I simply record the
incidents as reproduced by a memory as clear and faithful as ordinary men are
endowed with, asserting most positively that each hallucination, or illusion, as
I narrate them, occurred. I leave the learned to explain under the laws or
science of metaphysics the phenomena. I do not attribute my cure to any
strength of will or constitutional ability to withstand the terrible agony that
must be endured in throwing off the yoke of captivity to the opium habit but
partly by accident, that placed me where I could not obtain the drug and
therefore had to endure, and partly through the aid of a medicine, potent, I
believe to give relief if taken as directed (and therein lies the secret of the
medicine’s failure) my cure was effected and I again lived, and now live a free
man.
HALLUCINATION FIRST—A Woman as Prosecutrix—It was during the spring
term of Glynn superior court that I was called on as solicitor general of the
Brunswick circuit to prosecute a case of peculiar local interest. The night
before the case was called I heard my door bell ring, and on going to answer the
call a lady stood on the threshold. She was a stranger, I had never seen her
before. Of medium height, finely modeled, blue eyes and black hair (a
combination seldom seen), a woman anyone would unhesitatingly pronounce
beautiful. Before I could utter a word of salutation or inquiry this stranger
spoke raising her hand in a warning manner, and a hand it was of snowy
whiteness. “colonel, I trust this call is not inopportune, but I am your
friend, although you do not know me I know and appreciate the fact that you are
not well. On tomorrow your strength and brain will be taxed to the uttermost
and I have come to say that I am going to constitute myself your alter ego. I
will become a part of yourself and aid you. Ask me nothing, I will not answer.
Some day you will know. Goodnight. I started to speak to follow her as she
passed down the front steps and into the street. I could not move but stood
with straining eyes and watched her retreating figure as she passed down the
sidewalk out of sight. Slowly I closed the door and went back to my library.
Think as I did speculate as I did I was completely dumfounded. Of three things
I was certain first that I had never seen the lady before, second I had no idea
who she was, and third, I could not divine the cause of her interest in me, or
her object in volunteering to aid me. “Of course I will politely decline her
assistance” I thought “the idea of a lady aiding the solicitor general in a
prosecution is ridiculous.” I sat till long after midnight, and then retiring
slept soundly until morning. After a light breakfast, I walked to my office,
thinking of the strange occurrence of the night but no “fair lady in white” did
I encounter greatly to my relief for somehow I rather dreaded the curious aspect
of the novel situation. After arranging my papers and telling my office boy to
say to any lady who might call that I would not be able to see any one that day
I repaired to the courtroom. On the way I met a lawyer friend (Frank H.
Harris) and confidentially related my night’s experience to him. He laughed
heartily and made some remark about “some old sweetheart whom I had forgotten
come to renew acquaintance,” which sally I indignantly denied. Arriving at the
courthouse we went inside the lawyers’ pen or part of the room reserved for the
bar, and I felt greatly relieved to see that my fair visitor of the night before
was not in sight. I finally concluded that the woman I had seen was some
adventuress who had endeavored to interest me in her welfare—but court was
called to order and the clerk began to call the jury. While his voice was
sounding in monotones the names of the jurors I suddenly felt a light hand rest
on my shoulder and the lady of last night, smiling bowed and passing to my right
sat in a vacant chair by my side. I leaned over and tried to offer her my hand
but it seemed that a slight paralysis caused my movement to be stayed. I spoke
in a low voice and bid her good morning, to which she whispered “You must not
even look at me. I am here to aid you. If you speak to me or look at me it
will create comment against you, mind you, against you be passive to my will and
I will lead you.” The strangeness of the woman’s actions in thus putting
herself in such a position completely mystified me, but a strange feeling of
passive obedience took possession of me, and completely controlled me. I was
impelled by an unknown force, a subtle weird influence, to submit to a
condition, in which my mind seemed to take its work by a system of mental
induction from the strange sibyl at my side. It was a most delightful
sensation. Sir Thomas More in his creation of Utopia must have been as
I, at the time, felt—so safe and strong under the protecting smile of my lady.
After the impaneling of the jury the case of the state vs. Horace Cadone
was called. The state and defendant both announcing ready, the battle was
begun. Legal talent of high order was arrayed against me. I was then
twenty-six years of age. At every stage of the trial they assaulted the state’s
case but surely and fully the web of guilt was woven, and the state closed.
The argument—my brain seemed to be mellowed, and yet strengthened,
by the softest soporific soothed and calmed by the melodious whispers of the
strange being at my side. The facts of the case, as developed by the witnesses,
grouped themselves in wonderful symmetry and sequences. Every salient point of
the defense was marked in my mined. The crime, the evidence, the defense, the
law bearing on the case, all stood in my brain. Not a point or utterance of
counsel, court or witness escaped me. I did not see the crowded courtroom. I
heard not the noise from the street. I was oblivious to all save the case and
the whispers of my lady. I made my argument without effort perceptible to me
only. I knew the woman by my side was intently watching me. I swear I felt her
presence. I know that she was gulking [sic] me and I was strong. I had the
concluding argument—I finished, reeled to a chair, and for a brief moment was
unconscious, at the instant being aroused by the judge’s stern rebuke of a
ripple of applause that came from the spectators. I looked to the seat where my
lady had sat. She was not there but I swear I felt her warm breath on my cheek
and heard her whisper “goodby” [sic]. The next morning the following article
appeared in The Advertiser. “In the case of the state vs. Horace Cadone
filed yesterday the solicitor general made a magnificent speech and masterly
argument. All who heard it pronounce it a great effort, that none like it was
ever before heard at this bar.” I was confined to my bed for some days after
the trial. The good doctor pronounced my illness “nervous prostration.” After
my recovery, fearing comment I carefully inquired about the lady who had sat by
me during the trial. No one had seen her there, or elsewhere. The truth dawned
on me but to me she had been a living presence. I would know her voice or
whisper in the darkness of Erebus. GEORGE B. MABRY
CHASED BY LYNCHERS—There had been a “lynching bee” in Coffee county,
in the Brunswick circuit. A tramp named Willie Johns accused of burning
the store of Daniel Lott, was the victim. At that time there was a feud
between the Lott and Curry families, and at the fall term of the
superior court strenuous efforts were made to indict certain members of the
Lott faction as the perpetrators of the crime. I drew the indictment and
laid it before the grand jury but owing to the lack of available evidence the
jury returned “no bill,” but with the instruction of that body to prefer another
bill at the next session at which time it was expected the evidence would be
forthcoming to fix the crime on the guilty ones. About two months after court
had adjourned I received an anonymous letter, in the following terms:
“Colonel G.B. Mabry, Solicitor General. Brunswick, Ga.—Sir.
As a friend I advise you not to press the Willie Johns case any further.
The Lotts are strong and influential and your life will be in danger if
you persist. You had better stay away from court next term and it will probably
be dropped. Take my warning. A FRIEND.
“P.S.—I cannot give you my name as I am afraid the Lotts
would get hold of it and do me harm.”
I immediately consulted Judge Mershon (at that time judge of
the circuit), and he advised me to pay no attention to it, but to “keep my eyes
open.” I heard nothing more from any one of a threatening nature, and when the
time had come for me to attend court I went in company with the judge and the
attorneys who generally practiced in Coffee county. We left eh train at a
little station on the Brunswick and Western railroad (Pierson) on Saturday
evening, and on Sunday rode through the county to Douglass [sic], the county
site, arriving there about dark. Of course I had been thinking of the lynching
case, and of the anonymous letter, and although I believe I was a man of
reasonable courage, I confess that a feeling of uneasiness pervaded me. After
supper I decided to ride over to Jonathan Peterson’s, a warm friend of
mine, and talk over the Willie Johns case and find out anything he might
know. The night was clear, and a bright moonlight enabled me to see objects for
some distance. I had ridden about a mile when I distinctly heard some one hail
me from the direction of Douglass, from whence I was riding. I reined in my
horse, a fine animal belonging to Joseph Lichtenstein, the tavern keeper,
and listened without answering the call. A cold chill crept over me, and then a
feeling of horror, for I heard the tramp of many horses and loud voices cursing
and threatening, and above the voices I distinctly heard Dr. Pat Hall a
strong sympathiser [sic] of the Lotts, shout, “Come on, boys, he ain’t
far ahead. I was in the horse lot when Lichtenstein gave him his horse.
We’ll shoot him and put him in the swamp. Come ahead.” In an instant I seemed
to be transformed, all of the chances and avenues of escape passed in a flash
before me. I was armed with a 38-caliber Smith & Wesson pistol, but I knew I
would stand no chance of getting off alive in a battle with a crowd of armed men
in pursuit of me. Realizing this, I gathered my reins, urged my horse to a
rapid gallop and guided him in the direction of Hazelhurst [sic], a small town
on the Southern railroad (then the East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia). I did
not believe that my pursurers [sic] would follow me where they would be known.
On and on I urged my horse. I heard the shouts of my pursurers I heard the
shots from their rifles and pistols. I heard their oaths and maledictions and
knew that a hidden grave in the “river swamp” would be mine if I was overtaken.
The distance I had to ride before I reached Hazlehurst was about ten miles. I
know not the time I was on the way but I do know that when the station light
came in view I uttered a “thank God,” and crossing the the [sic] railroad track
I leaped from my horse and rushed into the hotel office where a negro was asleep
in a chair. I told him to carry me out the back way and show me the house of
Jim Curry who was marshal of Hazlehurst. I literally dragged him through
the hotel, for just then I heard the voices of my pursurers as they were
crossing the railroad. Out through the back yard through a little belt of pine
saplings, and the frightened negro pointed to a small house surrounded by a
garden as the home of Marshal Jim. Grabbing him by the arm I fairly
hissed, “I’ll kill you if you tell any one where I am.” The negro promised and
I sprang over the fence (I did not look for the gate) and running to the door
called, “Jim, Jim, for God sake open the door. It’s Mabry,
I am in trouble.” I heard him spring out of bed and walk to the door. “Who is
there?” he asked. “It is Mabry open the door there is a crowd of men
trying to kill me.” The door opened and I passed in and hastily related my
terrible ride, and then told him the party was in town near the hotel. Hastily
dressing himself Jim told me to wait until he returned and buckling his
pistol around his waist went out. It seemed to me that I lived an age in the
brief half hour he was gone, the horror of that wild ride and my peril now
impressed me with its awful reality. I sat in silence. Not a sound disturbed
me although my sense of hearing was strained to the uttermost. Finally I heard
a gate open and footsteps ascending the stairway of the little house. I was
relieved to hear Curry’s voice say, “Open the door, colonel.” I
instantly turned the key and Jim stepped in, closing the door after him.
Hen then lighted a lamp and sitting down said, “Colonel, there ain’t any one in
town that I can see or find out. The station agent says he saw you when you
galloped up to the hotel, as he is sitting up to give the train some dispatches,
and that not a soul came after you.” I felt relieved, but I knew he was
mistaken. However, I concluded that the lynchers had given up the pursuit, not
daring to be recognized, and so telling Jim I would stay with him till
daylight, I used the little hypodermic syringe I carried with me, and lying down
on a couch was soon asleep, despite my determination to keep awake. I was
aroused just at dawn of day by Curry, and after bathing my face, I sat
down and began to think over the events of the night. Soon I was invited into
breakfast, and the hot coffee revived me more than my sleep. As soon as I had
finished I related to Curry the incident of the anonymous letter, my
intended visit to Peterson’s, the lynchers’ pursuit, and my determination
to at once report the matter at court. He seemed to doubt my statement, but my
jaded horse and undoubted excitement the night previous, and positive assertion
(added to my request) induced him to agree to accompany me on my return. We
started at once. My return trip was devoid of any incident other than the
meeting of Dr. Pat Hall at the intersection of the roads, about four
miles from Douglass. I saw him and recognized him at some distance away. I got
my pistol ready and told Curry to watch him. As soon as he got in
speaking distance he spoke to me in a courteous manner asking after my health
and then inquired “What in the world are you coming from this direction for? I
thought you lawyers came by Pierson.” He said “he was just from his home, ten
miles away, on his way to court.” His demeanor and conversation persuaded me
that I had made a mistake in thinking it was his voice I had heard in the
pursuing party of last night. I, however, carefully interrogated him as to the
pursuit making up my mind to find out the truth. He laughed and remarked to me
that I was not well, and that “he would advise me to take a good rest after we
reached Douglass.” The doctor had a flask of whiskey and invited us to take a
drink, a common hospitality in that part of the county in those days. I drank
heavily from the flask. The liquor seemed to clear up the mystery of the night
before. I all at once realized my situation. I knew that I had been the victim
of a vivid hallucination. The experience of that awful ride, in front of a band
of bloodthirsty lynchers, dwelt with me in memory for many a day, and I began
the struggle to free myself from the cause, as I knew it. Strange to relate,
after reaching Douglass, and begging my two friends to say nothing of the
occurrence, I repaired to the courthouse and attended to my duties. I felt no
ill effects from the terrible nervous strain to which I had been subjected, and
preferred the bill of indictment in the Willie Johns lynching case, but
the grand jury returned it marked “No bill.” GEORGE B. MABRY.
HALLUCINATION THIRD—My Only Murder—In the spring of 1883 the
government dredge boat in the harbor of Brunswick was sunk by a Nova Scotia bark
named Alice Roy. The contractor filed his libel in the United States court at
Savannah and I was employed by the owners of the bark to make the ship’s
defense. Judge Spencer R. Atkinson, attorney for the tugboat that had
the vessel in tow at the time of the collision, and he, Captain U. Dart,
and I went to Savannah to attend to the case. After my business was arranged I
went to my room at the Screven house, and after taking my usual dose of
morphine, hypodermically, I lay down and was soon asleep. I did not wake until
after dark, and then I was aroused by voices in the next room. I heard one of
the men (as I recognized the people to be) say, “He is asleep now, we can easily
unlock this door and go in, and to be sure we do not get into a rumpus by waking
him up, I will give him the knife.” I had about $200 in my pocket and felt sure
it was the money they were after, until I heard a voice I recognized as that of
Lawrence, the government contractor, say, “Damn him, if I get him out of
the way, those Canadians will pay up the $10,000 and be done with it, but as
long as he lives his infernal advice will keep us in hot water.” I did not wait
to hear more but quickly getting up, I drew on my shoes, and hastily putting on
my coat, quickly unlocked my door and hurried to the office and asked the clerk
to send up my card to the gentlemen in the room next to mine. He did so. My
intention was to get some friend or the clerk himself to go with me and accuse
Mr. Lawrence to his face of the dastardly intent evinced by the language
I had overheard, but in a few minutes the bellboy came back and reported “No one
in.” I then asked the clerk who occupied the room. He looked at me in a
curious manner and said, “A gentleman from new York,” and began to look over the
register for his name. “Never mind,” I exclaimed. I was then more certain than
ever that it was Lawrence I had heard and that “the gentleman from New
York” was his partner, who really did reside there, and who only came to
Brunswick at intervals, presumably to see how the work was progressing. I
immediately ordered my valise to be brought down, settled my bill, and as it was
nearly two hours before the night train left for Jesup, at which point I would
change for Brunswick, I sat down and watched for Mr. Lawrence and “the
gentleman from New York.” I was growing more and more uneasy and nervous for I
realized that the man must be desperate to resolve upon assassination to carry
his point. I resolved to say nothing to him until I reached Brunswick, where I
was sure he would be in a short time. Finally the bus driver came into the
office and cried out, “All aboard for the Savannah, Florida and Western road.”
I pointed to my valise and passed out and took my seat in the omnibus and was
soon at the depot. I at once went aboard the train and in a few minutes was
relieved to see Judge Atkinson and Mr. Dart enter. They spoke
cordially and presently Mr. Dart came over to my seat and we were soon
engaged in conversation about our case, but somehow I kept thinking of
Lawrence and “the gentleman from New York” and wondering whether they would
be on that train bound for Brunswick. But the train pulled out and was away for
Jesup without my seeing anything. After the first station was reached I went
into the smoking car, and lighting a cigar, tried to compose myself, but somehow
I was becoming more uneasy. I felt as if some impending calamity was at hand.
I became thirsty, and getting up to get a drink of water, as I approached the
cooler I looked toward the door, and there stood Lawrence peering through
the glass panel of the car door. As quick as a flash he drew aside from the
door, but as his hand passed the glass panel seemingly to balance himself
against the jerk of the car, I saw a long bright dirk held by him. I then
resolved that I would not be murdered by him. I was satisfied that he had
concealed himself on the train and that he had seen me come in the smoking car,
and had taken his stand there on the platform with intent to stab me and hurl me
from the train as I attempted to pass back into the coach I had left. Though I
was desperately excited, and in a nervous tremor, yet was I not alarmed. I was
armed with a fine Smith & Wesson double action, 38 caliber pistol, and besides
that I opened my pocket knife, quite a formidable weapon itself, and kept it in
my hand. I went back to my seat without a word to any of the passengers but
turned the back of my seat so that I faced the rear door, where Lawrence
was standing hoping that Judge Atkinson or Mr. Dart would come
into the smoking car, when I resolved I would acquaint them of the conspiracy.
I sat in that position for about fifteen minutes when the train came to a stop
and I again saw Lawrence peer cautiously through the glass. I sprang up
and walked rapidly to the door, my knife in hand, and just then the conductor (Lovick
DuPont) came through the door of the first-class car on his way to the
smoker. As he opened the door, I asked him “to bear witness to anything that
happened.” He seemed not to understand me, for, calling out “All aboard” the
train moved on, he slammed the door and I had lost the opportunity of passing
into the first-class car with an eye-witness to check Lawrence if he
attacked me. I sat down but was in such a state of frenzy, at the infamous
intention of Lawrence, that in a few minutes I determined to pass him if
he was still at the car door, even if I had to kill him. I became an enraged
being incapable of controlling the torrent of anger and revengeful thought (?)
that completely pressed me. “The villain, the would-be assassin, the dastard.
“I’ll confront him, and shoot him like a dog.” At once I arose, and walking
rapidly to the door, peered through the glass and panel [sic] and saw
Lawrence sitting or rather crouched on the steps of the coach. “Now is my
time.” I thought and opening the door with a jerk I stepped on the platform,
closing the entrance after me. “Lawrence,” I shouted “you are trying to
kill me, are you? I heard you tonight at the Screven plotting to assassinate
me.” My futher [sic] denunciation was stopped, he sprang up and made a lunge
across the rail of the two coaches at me his aim was not true, or the swinging
of the train made him miss my breast at which he seemed to strike. His knife
struck the iron rail of the platform and went whizzing into the air. Now was my
time. I saw him put his hand to his hip pocket. I knew what that meant and to
know was to act. My knife was still in my hand, and sharp and bright it was.
Drawing my right hand and forearm well up over my left shoulder (a
blow the frontiersman strikes when the death angel is near) I drove the blade
into his breast. He uttered not a word and I heard not a groan but backward
over the platform his body plunged. In an instant the horror of the situation
appalled me. I threw my knife out into the darkness and went into the
first-class car and saw Judge Atkinson and Dart looking at me
intently. Had they seen my act? I must have looked as I felt. God grant I may
never feel the like again, even in delirium. I sat down by Dart and he
asked me if I was ill. I told him yes. Upon his inquiring the cause of my
illness and the character I could only answer that I believed I had taken an
overdose of stimulant. The next stop of the train they carried me into the
baggage car and Conductor DuPont held the train up and sent for a cup of
coffee at a wayside restaurant. I drank it, and on being assisted back to the
coach I was made as comfortable as possible and thank God fell asleep. They
aroused me at Jesup and I went into the Brunswick train but no more sleep. My
brain was in a tempest of fear for the consequences of the murder. Would they
find the body early? Would I be suspected? Would I be arrested and tried? How
could I defend myself? I ought to have had him arrested in Savannah. A
thousand horrors presented themselves. A vision of the barred cell of a prison,
a dream of the gallows. “O God have mercy upon me a sinner,” I cried. While in
this condition I remembered I had a flask of whiskey in my valise. I went and
drunk enough to have ordinarily made a [illegible] drunk. It only calmed me. I
reached my home in the early morning and went at once to bed. The strain of my
nerves had apparently paralyzed my sense of trouble and I slept for seventeen
hours. When I awoke it was near midnight a light was burning low. My memory
was with me—all the details of my murder were with me but I now realized it was
a terrible hallucination! GEORGE B. MABRY
HALLUCINATION FOURTH—The Race With Death—In the fall of 1882 I was
attending the superior court in Coffee county. Douglass, the county site is
fourteen miles away from Pierson on the Brunswick and Western railroad the
little town the judge and lawyers always stopped at en rout to Douglass which
latter place we reached by buggy or horseback. As usual I rode over on Sunday
evening so as to be on hand to attend to my duties as solicitor general Monday
morning. I arrived about dark and as was my custom stopped with Joe
Lichtenstein who kept one of the taverns. After supper I returned to my
room and after disrobing I took my morphine syringe and the bottle of a
dissolved drug and prepared to administer to myself the injection that was
necessary to keep me free of the agonies attending a deprivation of the accursed
potion. I had begun to feel the need of it long before supper but desisted till
bedtime. In consequence of which I was extremely shaky when I attempted to put
the needle beneath the skin of my left arm. I gave a start as the point
[illegible] rather too deeply and that little spasm caused the syringe to fall
from my hand to the floor and it was broken in a hundred pieces. I had the
bottle of the dissolved drug on the table by my side and as I reached in
spasmodic haste to catch the falling syringe my right arm struck against the
bottle of fluid and it too fell with a crash to the floor and was shattered. My
God ye who have never felt the pain the mortal agony the anguish the wild
terrible longing for relief as felt by the opium and morphine cursed no language
though the most forceful of the adjectives of the tongues of the earth be
employed can even remotely catch the meaning of anguish and horror of such a
situation. I quickly resolved what I must do but in the resolution I saw the
terror and pain in its accomplishment. There was no physician nearer than
Pierson fourteen miles away there was none of the drug or its substitutes in
Douglass. I must make the ride to Pierson. I must start at once there is no
time to be lost even now I feel the coldness of approaching dissolution. I
dressed as quickly as I could, went down, and calling the landlord told him I
had to go over to a friend’s in the neighborhood and asked for a good saddle
horse. He agreed and gave me a fine animal which I at once mounted and after
getting out of sight I plied the lash and into the darkness of swamp and forest
I rode. My brain was beginning to turn cold. I felt the cold perspiration
trickling down my spinal column intense pains were shooting through my nerve
centers bright flashes as of livid streaks of lightning were playing before me.
I had just entered a belt of swamp bordering a creek when I heard the swish of a
lash and a large black horse blacker than the night around me dashed up by me.
On his back was a phosphorescent figure grim and ghastly. Plainly could I see
by the pale light of his own body the deathly pallor and horrible smile on his
face. My solemn word for it my horse seemed to realize the terrible presence
for he plunged forward and flew through the darkness of the swamp. As I drew
away from the specter I heard him yell “At 12 o’clock tonight I will away you.
You cannot [illegible]. Your doom is at hand. I will break the doctor’s charm
and you will be mine. I am Death.” I caught the full meaning of the words. It
was a race for life. I leaned forward and urged my good horse on. He seemed
himself terror stricken for his pace was quickened and on through the darkness
and gloom of the night he plunged. I had completely lost my bearing and what if
the animal I rode should miss the way? The though intensified the horror of my
condition my heart’s blood rushed through the arteries in streams as cold as
ice. Ever and anon I heard the sound of the black horse’s footfalls and the
demoniac laugh of his ghostly rider. Once in a paroxysm of pain and horrible
thought I drew my pistol until then forgotten and pressed the cold muzzle to my
temple but a flash of vivid light streaked the air in front of me, my horse
plunged wildly and the weapon dropped in the darkness of the way. “Oh, Christ!
help me! Oh Jesus! save me” I shrieked and I lost the sound of the black
horse’s tread. I heard a terrible yell—a crash as if a thunder bolt had
fallen—and then I swear oblivion came over my senses. I was aroused by the
ringing of my horse’s hoofs on the iron rails of the railroad track. I looked
around and recognized the station house and lamp of the depot in Pierson. I was
in an agony of doubt of fear of mortal pain. I was conscious that my horse had
stopped—I listened far off beyond the limits of the village. I heard the yell
of the specter. I will be there to claim you was borne to my straining ears. I
struck my horse and in a minute I was before the doctor’s door. Tumbling from
the saddle I staggered to the door and knocked with all my strength. I heard
his footsteps coming. For God’s sake doctor hurry I’m dying! He had been on a
sick call and had not yet retired. He opened the door and I fell before him.
“Morphine doctor! Give me morphine quick or I die!” Thoroughly aroused he
lifted me and carried me into his dining room and placed me in an easy chair.
“Quick good doctor. For Christ’s sake quick! Death is near at hand!”
Hurriedly he emptied the drug in a glass dissolving it in water and equally as
quick he drew in the accursed portion and piercing my arm the injection was
completed. Instantly the circulation had done its work and I felt calm—but
Doctor don’t go to the door it is Death I won the race hear him knocking. O
Death! you've lost your sting. I have won! I have won! I remember no more
until I was aroused by the doctor bathing my face in water. I opened my eyes
and looked around. The sun was just rising. I had been placed on a coach and
the good doctor had been with me since my arrival. I remembered my accident my
wild ride against Death and my victory. He administered another injection and I
felt well again. My poor horse was jaded but after a light repast I rode away
to Douglass arriving in time for court. I borrowed the good doctor’s little
syringe supplied myself with enough of the drug to last me and was among the
last to leave the courthouse at the end of the week. The horror of that awful
night the terror of my condition and the narrowness of my escape from Death will
be fresh in my memory as long as life shall last. On my ride back to Douglass
that morning I accompanied the mail carrier. He called my attention to a pine
tree evidently riven by lightning. I didn’t notice that tree yesterday he
said. It didn’t storm last night. It must have been a stray bolt out of some
passing cloud lightning plays funny freaks some times. I was silent. I
remembered the peal that I had heard last night. My pistol was found by a negro
in the grass by the road. It was bought by William McClure a mechanic in
the employ of the railroad. I never laid claim to it. I would not have owned
it again for the wealth of the Indies. GEORGE B. MABRY
HALLUCINATION FIFTH—Asbell’s Knife Leaves a Scar—I had been ill. At
times I was delirious but at not time did I forget or lose sight of the little
morphine syringe and bottle of dissolved drug I had concealed beneath the
mattress of my bed. The noise around my hotel and my own loud groans and cries
at times caused them to send me to the hospital in Brunswick. Dr. H.M.
Branham was the physician who attended me. After my removal I rested
easier. My nerves were in a calmer state and I had freer access to my syringe
and drug as I had concealed it successfully in my removal and after my
retirement in the hospital. I noticed the first night I spent there that I was
harassed by dreams of a horrible nature. When I would wake however my brain
would immediately grasp the situation and I would know at once that I had only
been disturbed by one of that class of dreams known as “nightmares.” The
evening of the third day I spent in my new quarters I took an unusually large
injection of the drug and besides drank about two ounces of whiskey to stay the
nausea that sometimes followed the use of my syringe. I fell asleep about 9
o’clock and was aroused about the middle of the night (judging from the
reckoning of two other inmates of the same ward I was in) by the voices of
George Asbell—now on the police force of Brunswick—and his brother Dudley.
I heard George say “He is on the cot in the corner you wait here by the
window and I’ll go in by the side door. If he should wake and try to get away
or fight you fire through the blinds. I will go in easy though and try and kill
him by one blow of my knife.” In an instant I was alert and planning escape. I
had no weapon and felt that I was completely in their power unless I could elude
them. The other patients in the ward I knew could not aid me. One was a
sufferer with inflammatory rheumatism and the other a simple minded fellow I
knew would fall on his knees and ask for money instead of giving me aid against
the men who sought my life. Quickly I resolved on my line of action. There was
a window in another ward adjoining the one I was in and I determined to wait
until I heard Asbell in the other room through which he must pass before
reaching me and then I would spring through and attempt to reach the police
barracks. My brain was clear. I realized fully that the chances were desperate
and that my only safety was in flight. I got out of bed and commenced to dress
but before I had a single piece of my clothing on I heard Asbell stumble
on a chair at the door of my ward and hear him mutter a curse and start toward
me. I waited no longer, but sprang through the door of the next room rushed to
the window hastily threw it up and out in the dark and cold drizzling rain I
leaped. It was in the month of January. A cold spell with rain, was upon the
city, but I felt I not. Clad only in my undergarments bareheaded and shoeless,
I climbed to the top of the hospital fence, and was in the act of springing to
the ground on the outside when I heard Asbell say “I’ll kill you
tonight. You let off those fellows who I prosecuted for trying to mob me and
now d—n you I am going to get even with you.” I sprang to the ground and
started in a run through the woods that borders the hospital. I heard the dull
thud as he also dropped to the ground on the outside of the fence and the race
began. I became confused as to my direction and lost my reckoning. Through
brush and over logs now dodging behind a tree now squatting in some hollow—but
it seemed of no use—Asbell was surely following. He seemed to trail me
with the persistence of the bloodhound. I was becoming weak. My heart sounded
with beats like a drum. My breath was like the hissing of steam. It fairly
scalded my lips as it was poured forth by my straining lungs. I felt that I was
in a desperate position. Asbell was a man of fully 180 pounds. I was
scarcely 120. I calculated the chances of a hand to hand encounter I unarmed—he
with a murderous knife, and probably pistol. Folly I would but invite death to
grapple with him. Once only in the chase did I hop for aid. I was crouching
behind a log listening hoping praying that the man had given up his intended
assassination. As I strained every nerve of my being to aid in catching sound I
heard way off through the woods a voice say “We must find him quickly or twill
all be over with him. That voice was evidently alluding to me. The conspiracy
of the Asbell’s must have been discovered and there were men now out
chasing him and hunting me. I arose and started forward in the direction from
whence the voice came. I would have called for help but feared I would reveal
my position to the man who was thirsting for my blood and who I knew was
searching for me and was following me with unerring footsteps. I had moved
forward only a few steps when to my sorrow I saw Asbell about a hundred
feet from me immediately in the direction I would go. He saw me at the same
time and called to me to stop for I immediately turned and commenced in a wild
run—I know not where for I was lost. I was confused localities were blanks
distances were forgotten. But on and on I struggled now entangled in the vines
and brush of the forest then tripping over logs and falling heavily now and
again from sheer exhaustion. My underclothes were in tatters my limbs were torn
and bleeding and my feet were bruised and lacerated. Yet the thought of the
terrible death I would suffer if overtaken by my pursurer [sic] urged me on.
Once I thought me [sic] of s sermon I had heard and that had impressed me it was
on the efficacy of prayer. In the tension of my ordeal to think was to act. I
stopped and listened. I heard no sound save the nightbirds cry and the moaning
of the trees as the winter wind touched their branches. I felt safe for at
least a few minutes. Down on my knees and I sent up to heaven a prayer. But
again I heard the rapidly approaching footsteps of Asbell. My God!
Could I not elude him? Off again I struggled but my strength was gone and I
fell heavily to the ground.
God have mercy now and receive my soul was the wild cry I uttered.
I looked up and Asbell was standing over me. His hair was dishevelled
[sic] his eyes gleamed like coals from hell his face was horribly distorted his
clothing was torn and hung in rags about him and there!—My God! in his upraised
hand gleamed a murderous knife. One word only he spoke—Die!—and his hand and
the blade descended toward my breast. But a sudden frenzy of desperation
possessed me. I sprang up—I seemed to be endowed with the strength of the
tiger. I leaned aside as I rose and the knife which had been aimed at my
breast, missed its mark. The force of the stroke unbalanced him and he fell
forward at my feet. I turned to flee. Again he struck, wildly blindly, and I
felt a twinge and stinging pain in my right knee. The point of his knife had
struck me my strength was revived. I sprang away again and tore through the
woods calling for help. Suddenly the woods began to be more open. I saw the
bright light and turning toward it saw the chimney and black smoke from the
cotton factory of Kennon & Co. I ran to the boiler room door and there met
McCardle the night watchman who was firing the furnaces for the day’s work
the red streaks of dawn were then in the eastern sky. He caught me in his arms
as I staggered before him. I heard him say, “What in the name of God is the
matter, colonel” and then I knew no more until I regained consciousness in my
cot at the hospital. McCardle had carried me into the boiler room
wrapped me in quilts and telephoned to police headquarters from whence an
officer (Jerry Wilcher) was sent in a carriage to take me back to the
hospital. The attending physician placed a watch over me the next night but I
was not troubled again. How the wound in my knee was really made I do not
really know, but to me if my reason and sense of truth did not control me the
vividness of that wild chase and attempted assassination would impel me to
say—aye, even to swear—that the livid scar was made by Asbell’s knife!
GEORGE B. MABRY
HALLUCINATION SIXTH—A Study for Metaphysicians—When Dr. O.W.
Tucker was in charge of the city hospital in Brunswick I was an inmate
during the months of June and July. My illness was extreme nervous prostration,
the direct result of the morphine habit. My long confinement left me in an
extremely weak condition, physically in consequence of which I was detained for
a week or more after my sickness, gathering strength. About a week before my
departure a Norwegian who could not speak a word of English neither could I
speak or understand Norwegian was brought in. He was suffering from severe
inflammation of the bowels and was in a high fever. Dr. Tucker was
exceedingly kind to the poor fellow and often left his directions and medicines
with me to administer. The sufferer seemed to appreciate the attention of the
doctor and my little assistance and often took my hand and muttered in an
unknown tongue evidently trying to make me understand something I know not
what. The night before he died I began to feel very badly. I took much more
than my customary supply of morphine, and drank five or six ounces of whiskey to
allay the nausea that frequently followed excessive injections of the drug.
Some time toward midnight I was conscious of some one whispering to the sick
man. As well as I could hear and judge from my position it was the whisper of a
woman. At times she would apparently forget herself and her words were
distinctly audible to me. It occurred to me rather peculiar that her whispered
language was in English for the reason that the sick man could not speak or
understand that language. After she had been thus whispering for about ten
minutes I heard her say “Now be sure and tell him he will understand.” By this
time my curiosity mastered me and I turned on my cot and looked over to the
other end of the ward where the sick man lay and by the dim light of the lamp I
distinctly saw the form of a tall woman as she passed into the next room but I
hear no footfalls. The Norwegian had not answered the whispers but had remained
in perfect quite. I arose and went over to his cotside. He was evidently in a
deep sleep and I therefore turned down the lamp and, not a little worried and
puzzled to know who the woman was, I lay down and tried to compose myself. But
I continued to try to think who the woman was, and how she expected a Norwegian,
who did not know English, to comprehend her in that language. At last however,
the drug gave its after effect of somnolence, and I slept. I was awake and
sitting up when the doctor came in the morning. I had taken my usual morning
injection of the drug and was experiencing the delightful feeling of absolute
rest, that is only felt by the confirmed captive after a period of troublous
nervousness. He spoke cordially with me and passed on to the Norwegian’s cot.
As soon as he reached his bedside the sick man raised himself on his elbows and
his face took on a wild excited expression and he began to mutter something I
could not understand. His excitement was contagious with me. Seeing his
staring eyes and distorted face, and realizing that a crisis was at hand, I was
myself thrown into a paroxyism [sic] of nervous trepidation. I rose and walked
over to the cot and stood by the doctor. As soon as I got to his bedside the
sick man fell back on his pillow and extended his hand to me and drew me to a
sitting posture. Then he began in hurried quick language to tell me “that his
trunk was at the house of a woman named Jennie Green,” and that there was
$35 in it besides his clothes. He said that “he wanted the money sent to his
sister in New York,” and putting his hand under his pillow, drew forth two
letters and handed them to me. They were from his sister. He ceased speaking
and closed his eyes. The doctor said “he was delirious,” and noticing my own
condition, took me by the arm and led me to my cot telling me to compose myself
and try to take a nap. I lay down and then said “Doctor, you had better take
these letters and see what they are about, I suppose, though, they are from his
sister he told me he wanted his money sent to.” “What sister? What money?”
asked the doctor. “Why, didn’t you hear him telling me of his trunk at
Jennie Green’s and of the $35 that is in it?” “Try and go to sleep,” spoke
Dr. Tucker, “you are nervous. I heard the poor fellow rattling off
something in Norwegian or some other foreign language but of course did not
understand him.” I was impressed by his coolness, and I wondered if I had been
the victim of another hallucination. After the doctor left I used my syringe,
and was soon asleep. The next night the Norwegian died. I left the hospital
the day following. A few days after Dr. Tucker stopped me on the street
and said “Mabry, do you remember what you told me about that poor fellow
having a trunk and $35 at Jennie Green’s?” “Yes,” I replied. “Well it’s
strange,” said the doctor “but Jennie Green sent the trunk to the
hospital yesterday. We opened it, and sure enough in the top flap we found the
money and it had a lot of good clothes also. We sent all to his sister’s
address given in the letters you handed me after telegraphing her.” There was a
negro nurse—Isaac—who also heard and saw I have been told there are
recorded instances like the one in which I heard and understood the Norwegian
language. Dr. Tucker published the incident in a medical journal.
GEORGE B. MABRY.
The Atlanta Constitution; Thursday 6
October 1898; pg. 8 col. 3
ONE HUNDRED LIVES LOST. That is the Estimated Loss of life in
Sunday's Storm.
Brunswick, Ga.,
October 5--(Special)--Martin Anderson, master of the steamer Hessie, from
Darien, reports eighty bodies found on Butler's Island. These, with twenty
previously reported at Campbell Island, runs to a total of one hundred.
There will probably be other returns when the vessels begin to get into the
surrounding rice fields and island waterways. The property damaged at
Brunswick, Darien and surrounding country will probably go to one million.
At Jekyl island the clubhouse and cottage damage will go thirty thousand.
Jekyl's dock is on Joseph Pulitzer's cottage porch. The above and
other news now coming in simply confirms.
BRIDGES WASHED AWAY
Waycross, Ga. October
5--(Special)--Reports continue to come in from the storm stricken districts of
this section. The latest information is that the bridges across the creeks
were washed away and the woods are so boggy that the sawmill and turpentine
wagons have been unable to haul the products to the manufacturing plants.
A number of bridges in Waycross and vicinity were washed away. The
estimated damage to property in Waycross will not exceed $5,000. The roads
are impassable in the country and it will be impossible to get election returns
promptly from several precincts of the railroad.
The Atlanta Constitution; Saturday 8
October 1898; pg. 3 col. 4
REJOICING AT BRUNSWICK; Over the Election and the Subsidence
of the Waters
Brunswick, Ga.
October 7.--(Special)--The sanitary department has had over 200 men at work
cleaning up for several days and the merchants are beginning to get their stocks
dried out. Bonfires of rubbish and brush are ablaze on many streets, while
barrels of carbolic acid have been sprinkled in every wet street where sickness
was liable to develop. This prompt action of the sanitary department has
made it practically impossible for bad health results to follow the flood.
Brunswickians, as a whole, are peculiarly happy-hearted, meeting disasters with
a steady nerve and going to work cheerfully afterwards to clean up and enjoy
life.
As an illustration, there is tonight
a torchlight procession on hand, with which the good government peo9ple intend
to celebrate their political victory of Wednesday last. As this is being
written the people are crowding Newcastle street to participate in and view the
procession. Fireworks are going off and where three days ago a flood of
water five feet deep destroyed the citizens' property, many of them are now
gathering as if to witness a carnival street ball. All is life, light and
merriment, without a trace of gloom from either the defeated or winning side.
It is the ability to forget disaster and nerve and pluck necessary to work hard
which keeps Brunswick growing, and she will yet come to the front with both feet
on top of the ground and everybody prosperous.
The Atlanta Constitution; Thursday 24
August 1899; pg. 3 cols. 1 & 2
TROOPS WERE SENT TO DARIEN—Negro Mob Objects to Removal of
Prisoner—IS CHARGED WITH ASSAULT—From Darien to the Jail at Savannah—SHERIFF
TELEGRAPHED THE GOVERNOR—Asked for Troops, Which Were Sent on Special Train from
Savannah. Negro Prisoner Brought to Chatham Jail—Quiet at Darien.
Darien, Ga., August 23—(Special)—On Monday
Henry Delegal, colored, charged with assault upon a white woman in the
country, gave himself up. The sheriff had him in the McIntosh jail, and the
colored people gathered in great crowds, fearing there would be an attempt to
lynch Delegal. The authorities attempted to remove Delegal to
Savannah, and were met by an armed mob of negroes, who said they did not want
him to be sent and that he be left here in our jail. The authorities determined
to place him in Chatham jail, and asked the governor to send troops to take him
to Savannah.
TROOPS LEAVE SAVANNAH
Savannah, Ga., August 23—(Special)—The first
news of the trouble at Darien here came through a telegram from Governor
Candler to the commanding officer of the First Georgia volunteer regiment,
directing him to take 200 men to Darien at once by special train. Captain
P.F. Gleason, of the Irish Jasper Greens, being the senior commanding
officer in the city, at once asked Mayor Myers to have the riot call
rung, and the eleven strokes from the big fire alarm bell made the volunteers
hurry to their armories.
The Savannah Volunteer Guards also assembled, but their services
were not needed. Captain Gleason got his 200 men from the five companies
of the First regiment and completed the requisite number of twenty-five men from
the Georgia Hussars, ordered out by Major Berne Gordon, senior commanding
officer of the First Cavalry regiment here.
A special train on the Florida Central and Peninsular railroad was
secured in short order, and the troops left the city in command of Captain
Gleason at 5:30 o’clock. At 6:30 o’clock they reached Darien junction, and
within half an hour after that were in Darien.
The Savannah troops had no trouble in taking Delegal from the
jail. It was supposed that the troops had come there simply to protect the
prisoner. Judge Paul E. Seabrook had made a speech to the assembled mob,
and there was no attempt at any outbreak. The troops took the prisoner to their
special train, and at 8 o’clock left Darien to return to Savannah.
THE TROUBLE IN DARIEN—On Monday Henry Delegal, learning that
he was wanted on the charge of rape, made by his alleged victim, gave himself up
to Sheriff Black, of McIntosh county. That evening a mob of negroes
gathered around the jail. They thought he was to be lynched, and they were
there to defend him. Yesterday an effort was made to bring him to Savannah, but
the threats of the negro mob prevented it. This morning there was to be another
attempt on the part of the authorities to bring him here for safe keeping, of
which the negroes were apprised. They rang the colored Baptist church bell as a
warning signal, and the negro mob again assembled, though there was no
violence. This led to the action on the part of Mayor Kenan and
prominent citizens of Darien requesting the governor to order troops there at
once.
As soon as the bell rang, four or five hundred negroes assembled,
many of them under arms, and there was considerable excitement all during the
day. The mob made no attack on the jail, but simply announced its intention of
preventing the negro being taken away or being lynched.
Mayor Kenan telegraphed the governor that the town was in
charge of an armed mob of negroes, and his request for troops was promptly
responded to.
A telephone message from Darien tonight stated that there had been
nor disorder there at all, though it was feared on account of the threats of the
mob. Yesterday a party of Darien citizens called on Judge Seabrook here
and requested him to call a special term of court to try Delegal, fearing
that a lynching would take place unless this was done. In the event of a
lynching, a race riot was predicted. Judge Seabrook was willing to do
anything possible to prevent a disturbance, but things began to look more
ominous, and precautionary measures had to be taken.
According to the story, the alleged offense was committed nine
months ago, and it only became known when the girl in question gave birth to a
mulatto child a few days ago. Then it was she had to explain, and she named
Delegal as her assailant, stating that he had used force in accomplishing
his purpose. She said she had not told it before because Delegal had
threatened to burn her father’s house and to kill her father and herself in the
even she informed upon him.
The special train from Darien arrived tonight at 10:30 o’clock,
western time, and Delegal was taken at once to Chatham county jail, where
he will be safely kept. Captain Gleason left seventy-five men in Darien
in command of Captain Grayson, to preserve order.
ALL QUIET AT DARIEN—The latest report from Darien said the negro mob
had practically dispersed, and no further trouble was anticipated.
The name of the woman is Mrs. Matilda Ann Hope, a young woman
aged twenty-two years. Her husband left her some time ago. The alleged offense
was committed in McIntosh county, about twelve miles west of Darien.
GOVERNOR ORDERS TROOPS—Chief Executive of Georgia Promptly
Puts an End to the Riot at Darien.
Governor Candler was notified by
telegram at noon yesterday of the imminence of a riot at Darien, Ga., and was
urged to hurry troops to the McIntosh county town without delay. The dispatch
received at the executive office stated that as the result of the arrest of
Henry Delegal, a negro charged with assault, a mob of 400 negroes from the
surrounding counties had assembled at Darien and held the town at their mercy.
Governor Candler acted with his usual energy and discretion
and in five minutes after the receipt of the telegram from Darien, a dispatch
from him was on the way to Savannah to the commander of the First Georgia
regiment ordering him to Darien with 200 men. The commander of the regiment was
instructed not to lose a moment if necessary to get a special train for his
troops.
The telegram from Darien called on the governor for 500 men, but
with his recent experiences with mobs before him, Governor Candler was
satisfied in his own mind that a body of 200 troops, well officered, could quell
any negro riot that might arise.
Following is the telegram received by Governor Candler from
prominent officials of Darien and McIntosh county:
Henry Delegal, colored, charged
with rape of a white woman now confined in McIntosh county jail. Attempt was
made by officer to remove him this morning to Savannah, but was checked by armed
mob of 400 negroes; own now in hands of mob; desire to remove him to Chatham
county tonight for safekeeping; forces at command inadequate; please order here
immediately 500 troops. Send arms and ammunition for local troops; presence of
troops here tonight imperative. W.C. CLARK, Chairman County Commission.
T.B. BLOUNT, Sheriff. S. KENAN, Mayor. R.H. KNOX, Mayor
Pro Tem.
In addition to the telegram to Governor
Candler a dispatch was received by Adjutant General Byrd
from Captain B.F. Sinclair, of Troop F, First Georgia cavalry, stationed
at Darien, asking for arms and ammunition at once.
Scarcely half an hour after filing his telegram to the commander of
the First Georgia regiment ordering him to Darien, Governor Candler
received a dispatch in reply from Captain Gleason, of company B, as
follows:
Obedient to your telegram ordering 200 men of the First Georgia to Darien, I
leave in thirty minutes with that number under arms and will report promptly to
sheriff. CAPTAIN GLEASON, Company B, First Georgia.
Last night Governor Candler was notified of the safe return
of Captain Gleason to Savannah with his prisoner.
The prompt manner in which the Savannah troops responded to the call
of Governor Candler is taken as one of the signs of the thorough
reorganization of the state militia which Governor Candler determined to
bring about with the aid of his active adjutant general immediately upon his
inauguration.
Davenport Daily Leader (Davenport,
Iowa); Sunday 27 August 1899; pg. 1 col. 2
DELEGAL SURRENDERS
Darien, Ga., Aug. 26—The roundup of the riotous
negroes in McIntosh county by the military today resulted in the surrender of
Henry Delegal, the murder of Deputy Sheriff Townsend at the location
of Delegal’s brother and the woman directly implicated in the killing.
Delegal’s surrender was made to Lieut. Wood in charge of a
detachment of soldiers stationed fifteen miles in the country to back up the
sheriff’s posse, who were scouring the swamps. Delegal stated he
surrendered for protection as his capture was only a matter of a few hours. The
arrest of Delegal and the arrival of reinforcements for the military
seems to have broken the backbone of defiance by the negroes. There are still
several ring leaders of the blacks wanted by the officers of the law. Unless
they come in and surrender or are brought in by friends and turned over to the
authorities the troops will go after them tomorrow.
The Atlanta Constitution; Monday 28
August 1899; pg. 1 cols. 1 & 3
A BUSY NIGHT FOR MILITIA AT DARIEN—Quiet Day Followed by
Hours of Active Work in the Dark—NEGROES SEEMED SUBDUED—Judge Seabrook Calls a
Special Term of the Superior Court—SESSION WILL OPEN WEDNESDAY—Citizens Employ
Prominent Attorney To Take Part in the Prosecution of the Men To Be Indicted and
Arraigned.
By C.W. Deming.
Darien, Ga., August 27—(Special)—At 10 o’clock
tonight Captain Sinclair has a detachment of the McIntosh dragoons
marching toward the Lower Bluff mill on the hill of Dodge Lumber Company. The
dispatching of these men followed reports from dragoons on the outposts’ country
districts which told of a big fire reported in that direction.
Considerable apprehension is felt, and a sweep of the country around
discloses fire reflections between Darien and Brunswick.
The negroes are thick around Hilton and Dodge’s Hill, but the fire
did not last long enough to warrant apprehension that the mills have had the
torch applied to them. The dragoons’ posse is heavily armed and well equipped
for trouble.
Sounds of filing in the jail have just been reported to the
dragoons’ armory, and Captain Sinclair has acted promptly. The town
marshal was hurriedly sent for and returned. With his soldiers he attempted to
open the door, but the sheriff had barricaded in on the inside. The marshal had
no key to the other doors, and the sheriff is three miles away at the ridge.
Captain Sinclair has thrown a double guard around the jail, and at the first
efforts to escape the prisoners will be fired upon. John Delegal, the
murderer of Deputy Sheriff Townsend, is one of these prisoners, and it is
thought the filing is being done by him.
LIBERTY TROOP GOES HOME—The Liberty Independent troop at Crescent
City today were given permission to return home.
Scouting parties of dragoons coming in from the country tonight
report to Captain Sinclair that thirteen heavily armed negroes are in the
swamp near the river road. These negroes hide in the swamp during the day, and
come out at night. The dragoons asked and were given permission to return to
the scene with an arrangement by which a detachment of dragoons will go forward
at daybreak to re-enforce them should they not be heard from by then.
At midnight shots near the depot called out all the troops in the
dragoons’ armory, and the entire First regiment from their camps. Captain
Sinclair, at the head of the dragoons, hurried to the depot and found the
sentinels had fired on suspicious parties.
The dragoons and sentinels where thrown out as searchers, but could
not capture the parties. Every company in the First regiment was formed and
prepared for action. Dragoons detachment from Lower Bluff mills returned at
midnight and reported Hilton Dodge mills safe.
TROOPS ARE SENT HOME—This morning Colonel Lawton returned 86
men and three officers to Savannah, and now has remaining 175 men and officers,
all told, from the First Georgia regiment and the McIntosh Light Dragoons.
Colonel Lawton states he cannot say how long all of these troops will be
kept on the scene, but says a large portion of them will be held in camp here
until the special term of McIntosh superior court is over. This special term
has been called by Judge Seabrook, of the Atlantic circuit, and will open
Wednesday next to try the thirty-five negro rioters now in jail at Savannah and
Henry Delegal, the negro about whom the trouble here originated, and
John Delegal, his son, who is in jail here now for the murder of Deputy
Sheriff Townsend, together with such others as may be arrested in the
meantime for riotous conduct.
A committee of prominent citizens acting on behalf of the whites of
this section, has formed and engaged special counsel to assist Livingston
Kenan in prosecuting the negroes. This counsel is Walter C. Hartridge,
of Savannah, and W.G. Charlton, of Savannah, who is well known as a
prosecuting attorney employed by the government in the case of Captain
Oberlin M. Carter. These attorneys are due to arrive tonight and will at
once be taken in charge by the citizens’ committee and furnished evidence on
which to base the prosecution.
MONOTONOUS FOR SOLDIERS—In military circles the day has been
monotonous, barring the departure of Captain Grayson and his men for
Savannah and the arrival of tents for Colonel Lawton’s troops. Among the
citizens of Darien quiet has been partially restored, but the people in outlying
districts are very apprehensive and occasional reports of armed bodies of
negroes being seen in the swamps keeps Darienites on the alert. Today reports
of a negro mob in King’s swamp and continual gun firing in this section resulted
in scouts being sent out and their reports on the situation is expected tonight.
It appears that at least until Wednesday the situation will not be
changed. All the negroes appear to be thoroughly overawed by the determined
action of citizens and the military. They now realize that the whites will not
tolerate their lawlessness and that the whites remain masters of the situation.
They have viewed the arrival of many rifles and much ammunition and noted the
armed men scattered throughout the country until they have come to understand
that all negroes must be peaceful. In Darien and through the country where they
military have passed the soldiers have had a wonderful quieting effect. What
the situation will develop on Wednesday when the negro rioters arrive is a
matter of conjecture, but indications do not point to an outbreak.
MILITARY WILL REMAIN FOR DAYS—Colonel Lawton says tonight
that he is here to preserve order and enough military will remain in Darien
during the special term of court to keep everything quiet, and that he considers
the county practically quiet tonight. Colonel Jacob E. Dart, the
well-known Georgia politician, is here with a party of Brunswickians, consisting
of Robert Pyles, Mason Scarlett, J.A. Clark, of Jekyl
Island; William Davenport, Clarence Leavy, Charles Morgan,
Clinton Brown. They came on a special boat in response to calls for
re-enforcements Friday night and have been doing splendid service as special
deputy sheriffs. Inspector General Obear, of the state militia, left for
Atlanta tonight, after two days here with the troops.
The credit for the part taken by the military in the search for and
surrender of Delegal was given to Lieutenant Leonard Wood. No
such named officer has been here. The military that accompanied the sheriff’s
posse was commanded by Lieutenant Edward A. Leonard, of Savannah.
Colonel Lawton and others request a correction of the error in names, and in
making the request Colonel Lawton said:
“I regret that Lieutenant Leonard’s name was not used. He is
a splendid officer and deserves fully the credit for the military part in
yesterday’s affairs. Lieutenant Leonard acted fearlessly and with a
great deal of discretion and diplomacy in securing Delegal, and I think
he deserves all the praise that can be given him.”
Robert R. Hopkins, whose brother was wounded by Delegal
at the time he killed Townsend, says of Lieutenant Leonard:
“He is a brave officer, and did his duty well as one of the
sheriff’s posse. I know of Leonard’s worth and work and wish you would
give him full measure of praise.”
I can also testify to the bravery, tact and good judgment of
Lieutenant Leonard, having been a witness to his work in the Delegal
swaps at the time of the murderer’s capture.
The Atlanta Constitution; Wednesday 30
August 1899; pg. 3 col. 3
DELEGAL NOW QUITE HUNGRY—McIntosh Negro Says the Wallaces
Are Persecuting Him.
Savannah, Ga., August 29—(Special)—Henry
Delegal, the negro from McIntosh county, who is in jail here, waiting to be
carried back to Darien to be tried for a criminal assault, talked quite freely
today about the recent trouble at his home in which is son killed Joseph
Townsend and shot another white man. Henry knows nothing about the
trouble except what has been told him, but he feels sure something must have
been done or said to his son to make him take the life of the deputy sheriff.
The negro gave a new version of the trouble between himself and
Troup Wallace, the father of the woman who alleges that he committed a
criminal assault upon her. He says there is malice behind the whole affair. A
nephew of Wallace tried to sell a stolen ox to Delegal several
years ago, he says, and Delegal reported the matter to the authorities.
The nephew was sent to the penitentiary for six months, he says, and the
Wallace family has been after him. They tried to get him arrested once on a
charge of cutting timber on another man’s land and failed.
Delegal says he is a pretty hungry man now, despite the fact
that he is given jail rations. He does not complain of the fare except that he
gets bakers’ bread to eat, and he has not cultivated a taste for it.
The Atlanta Constitution; Saturday 2
September 1899; pg. 3 cols. 1 & 2
FIVE ARE CONVICTED OF RIOTING; THE TRIAL AT DARIEN
YESTERDAY—First Block of Five Negroes Found Guilt but Sentence Not Passed—FIVE
MORE BEFORE A JURY—Twenty-Seven Have Been Indicted and the Court Will Be Very
Busy—WILL TAKE A WEEK TO TRY CASES—After These Trials Have Been Concluded, the
Cases of the Murderers of Deputy Sheriff Townsend Will Be Taken Up.
Brunswick, Ga., September 1—(Special)—The first
block of five rioters were found guilty today. The jury was out only fifteen
minutes. The rioters were three men and two women who were most prominent in
the leading affair against the sheriff on Wednesday last.
The opening speech for the defense was made by Attorney Colding,
followed by Attorneys Hartridge and Charlton, for the
prosecution. The closing argument was made by Judge Twiggs, for the
defense, in a speech over one hour long. His main line of argument was that the
negro rioters were not rioters at all, but out of curiosity assembled when the
church bell began to ring.
The general sentiment in McIntosh county is that the verdict was a
just one.
Court took recess for one hour and reconvened for tonight’s
session. There are thirty-seven indictments out, but only about twenty-six
arrests have been made so far.
It took all day to try the first block of five and at that rate it
will be a week before these trials are concluded. In the meantime there are the
other arrests to be made.
Following these trials comes that of the three Delegals for
the murder of Deputy Sheriff Townsend. No sentences will be passed until
all riot cases are disposed of.
The rioters convicted today are Ben Dunham, James Wylly,
Marshall Dorsey, Louisa Underwood and Maria Curry. Those
on trial tonight are Jonas Green, a bad negro, Lawrence Baker,
Josephine Bird, a mean negress, Abram Green and Moses Miller.
REVIEW OF THE DARIEN ROW—Showing How Delegal Ruled the
Negroes of McIntosh County.
Darien, Ga., September 1—(Special)—There have
been many race riots reported in this country and many peculiar features
connected with them, but the Darien affair can be safely said to stand without a
parallel in the history of all the troubles. Between time spent in riding about
from one part of McIntosh county to another with military and sheriff’s posses,
and tracing down various rumors of more or less exciting nature, some of which
were veritable “hair curlers.” I have learned a great deal of what can happen
to alarm people in a county where negroes outnumber whites about four to one,
and woods are so thick a man can hardly force a horse through. To get to the
bottom of this trouble one has to review a situation of many years’ existence.
In years gone by negroes ruled the county vote and negro office holders were the
rule and not the exception. There are two here now, the postmaster and deputy
collector of customs, but President McKinley put these two where they are
and they cut no figure in the present situation except the influence their
holding such responsible and prominent offices has upon the minds of the average
negro. But to go back to the beginning is to tell of the days of the carpet
baggers and the means that intelligent whites had to employ to get rid of them
as office holders. To accomplish this end the work of negro leaders had to be
secured.
HENRY DELEGAL’S INFLUENCE—One of the negroes who became identified
with the whites in this effort was Henry Delegal, now in jail charged
with raping a white woman and about whom the present trouble originated.
Delegal worked with the whites for years and then became a rank republican
negro leader. He forsook the even peaceful tenor of white democratic ways, and
moving into a dense swamp settlement, became ruler of the inhabitants. The
settlement became known finally as the Delegal Settlement, so powerful was the
negro’s domination. Around this settlement many poor white people who had their
little property and could not afford to give it up and leave, but who viewed
year by year the domineering manner of Henry Delegal and his black
followers. To the blacks Delegal was a hero, a king, and they worshiped
him as a god, while to the whites around he was a terror and a man to be always
feared. At the infectious increase of negro lust for white women spread over
Georgia it reached the Delegal settlement and it was during that time
that Delegal began to sleep with the white woman who recently gave birth
to his black child. She was a woman of bad character, but despite that the
whites of McIntosh county, in view of their knowledge of Delegal
domination, believed her story that Delegal gratified his lust under
threats of death to herself and entire family if she told of his crimes. Not
until the black child came did the whites know that Delegal had gone so
far with his power and when the physician attending the woman reported the
facts, the blood of the whites began to boil. A citizens’ meeting was called
and conducted by fair-minded men. The consensus of opinion was that no negro
could sleep with a white woman in McIntosh county and go unpunished. With this
determination a warrant was sworn out for Delegal’s arrest and he was
jailed. There was some talk of whites from other counties harming him and the
sheriff decided to remove his prisoner to Savannah for safe keeping.
Unexpectedly and to the great astonishment of the whites the negroes arose in
arms and declared that Delegal should not be removed from jail here.
They constituted themselves protectors of Delegal from a mob which only
existed in their excited imagination and from every side came to his rescue from
a supposed danger which never existed. Every lumber boom was deserted, laborers
ran from their work at the mills or quit their work of loading vessels, while
from the country districts they flocked in overwhelming numbers. The negro
church bells rang to call them in, and then for the first time the peaceful
white citizens of this county learned that Delegal’s friends had been
arming and preparing themselves for just such an event for the past ten days.
The whites, totally unprepared for such an occurrence, and outnumbered five to
one by armed negroes, could not assist the sheriff and he returned Delegal
to his cell in the face of five hundred or more desperate blacks, who held the
streets in front of the jail. Immediately the whites began to order arms and
call for troops and re-enforcements, which came in numbers. With their arrival
came the exciting events in which the whites were victorious and Delegal
was removed to the Savannah jail. Quiet was partially restored and the
remaining troops grew tired under the monotonous strain of unexciting guard
duty, when like a thunderclap came the report Friday morning of the killing of
Deputy Sheriff Townsend and the wounding of Deputy Hopkins while
they were attempting to arrest Delegal’s sons for riot and jail them with
a few others that had been implicated in the affair with the sheriff. Like a
seething cauldron the rage of the whites then exerted itself and determination
to bring the murderers to justice and subdue the negro population was evident on
every side.
HAD CONFIDENCE IN SOLDIERS—The situation grew critical and
Governor Candler was called upon for more troops. His response with two
hundred men and the later events which followed are fresh in the public mind, as
they appeared in these dispatches and it is not necessary to review them here.
But there is connected with these events some circumstances which call for more
than passing mention, and they present a new phase to the latter days. IT is
the relation of the military to the negroes that is strikingly illustrated. To
the military only have these rioters surrendered, and to the man in uniform they
have given their unreserved confidence. When Lieutenant Leonard was
negotiating with the Delegal’s mother in the swamps of McIntosh he wore
the coat of the “U.S.V.” which had been part of his uniform while a captain in
the late Spanish-American war. This “U.S.V.” was taken by the negroes to mean
that Lieutenant Leonard was a United States soldier, and soon, throughout
all that negro settlement the news spread that the president had sent down
United States troops to protect the negroes. Lieutenant Leonard then
became the negroes’ idol and the Delegal who fired the fatal shot
surrendered to him willingly. How strongly this idea of United States troops
prevailed is best told in the fact that the first circular issued by the negro
preachers and intelligent leaders, referred to the United States troops having
protected Delegal from being lynched and calling upon all rioters to come
from their hiding places and give themselves up and rest under the protection of
these soldiers. The whites of McIntosh objected to the wording of these
circulars and it was called in and another one issued which contained no use of
the word “lynching.”
Following the issuing of this circular negro leaders visited the
swamp settlements and called their people in. Many surrenders followed and the
most important one was the surrender of Ed Delegal on Tuesday last to
Lieutenant Leonard. Delegal regarded Lieutenant Leonard as
his brother’s savior and to him only would he give up. Sixteen miles from the
soldiers’ camp, and in a lonely wood Lieutenant Leonard was piloted to
Delegal and there received his arms. A posse of military were in the
background two miles away, but the negro did not know it. Delegal came
from the swamp and his friends with him. Lieutenant Leonard then held a
semi-reception with the blacks, who gazed at his should straps and the “U.S.V.”
in wonder and admiration. The opportunity was one not to be missed and
Lieutenant Leonard made the negroes a speech, advising them to go in town
and give themselves up for trial, promising them full protection by the
military. That his advice was well taken was evident from the many subsequent
surrenders and complete abandonment of the swamps by the blacks. The court
trials and scenes attendant followed and now one of the most unusual occurrences
of a century is coming to a close in the little city of Darien, situated on the
coast of Georgia.
The Stevens Point Journal (Stevens
Point, Wisconsin); Saturday 2 September 1899; pg. 2 col. 5
MILITARY IN CONTROL—Outbreak of Riotous Negroes in Georgia
Is Likely Soon to Be at an End.
Darien, Ga., Aug. 28—The round-up of riotous
negroes in McIntosh county by the military resulted in the surrender of Henry
Delegal, the murderer of Deputy Sheriff Townsend, and the location
for future arrest of Delegal’s brother and the woman directly implicated
in the killing.
The arrest of Delegal and the arrival of reinforcements for
the military have broken the backbone of the defiance of the law by the
negroes. A whole regiment of troops are now on duty in and about Darien, under
command of Col. Lawton, but it is not believed there will be further
bloodshed.
There are still several ringleaders of the blacks wanted by the
officers of the law. Unless they come in and surrender or are brought in by
their friends and turned over to the authorities the troops will go after them
to-day.
The Atlanta Constitution; Sunday 3
September 1899 pg. 4 cols. 1 & 3
[Photo of troops in front of Darien court house with this
article—ALH]
RAPID WORK OF COURT AT DARIEN—Jurymen on Second Batch of
Five Were Divided—REPORTED TO THE JUDGE—That They Were Unable To Agree as to the
Guilt of Some Prisoners—THEIR VERDICT, HOWEVER, ACCEPTED—Three Rioters
Convicted, One Acquitted and a Mistrial Reported on the Other—Grand Jury Has the
Delegal Case in Hand.
Brunswick, Ga., September 2—(Special)—At Darien
today the court moved more rapidly in the trial of the negro rioters. The jury,
out last night on the second batch of five, sat on the case for twelve hours and
then returned with the statement that it was impossible for them to agree on the
guilt of Josephine Bird, the negress, while as for Abram Green
they found a verdict of not guilty.
Judge Seabrook sent the jury back and told them to agree and
report. The foreman stated that they would not agree if they were out six
months and Judge Seabrook told them they could sit seven if necessary.
In about an hour the Judge sent for the jury, accepting their verdict, as they
were then ready to return it.
Those convicted were Jones Green, Moses Miller and
Lawrence Baker.
Josephine Bird’s case was reported a mistrial and Abram
Green was found not guilty.
The cases against Charles McDonald, Dave Petty,
Hugh Thompson, Moses Bailey, and John Thompson were on trial
in the meantime and the jury was out only about ten minutes when a verdict of
guilty against them was returned with the exception of John Thompson.
The case against Bill Jenkins was tried separately, he having
employed a different lawyer from the rest, and the jury brought in a verdict of
guilty against him in about ten minutes’ time.
Court then adjourned until Monday morning next.
The grand jury this afternoon took up the case of Henry Delegal,
charged with rape, and about whom the entire trouble at Darien originated. The
jury did not conclude its labors and court adjourned until Monday.
Lawyers for the defense of the rioters today intimated that they
would endeavor to secure new trials for the negroes and asked the court when
they could make a motion to that effect. Judge Seabrook stated that he
thought they had better wait until all the cases had been tried and sentences
were passed before the lawyers began to consider propositions for new trials.
He state, however, that he was not exactly clear on that point and he would let
the lawyers know later.
Judge Seabrook is rushing things at Darien. Three juries a
day are sitting and the trials are being pushed night and day, although it will
probably take all next week to get through with them. Then the murder case is
to come up, followed by the rape case.
BRUNSWICK FOLKS VERY INDIGNANT—Editorial in a Negro
Newspaper Conveys a Threat—ITS AUTHOR IS WELL KNOWN—As a Very Bad Negro, Who Has
Caused Trouble Before—GOOD MEN OF HIS RACE AGAINST HIM—Attacks the Mocks Family
and States That Negroes of Brunswick Are Ripe for a Row.
Brunswick, Ga., September 2—(Special)—The
people of Brunswick have perhaps never been so deeply aroused and indignant as
they are today from an editorial publication in The Brunswick Herald, edited by
Henry A. Hagler, a well-known negro, in which he states that “there are
upward of 200 negroes well armed in Brunswick, who are ready and sworn to
protect us with the last drop of their blood.”
The editorial in question is a second one of the like character, the
first having appeared last week, during which Hagler wrote very strongly
regarding a case now pending in the courts, here against Mr. J.B. Mock,
who is being tried for an alleged offense of assaulting a young negro girl.
Hagler seems to have the idea that the Mock family are after him, and
the editorial starts out directed at them, but includes all the whites of
Brunswick, in a desperate effort to bring a bloody conflict between the whites
and blacks of this county. The editorial in full reads:
THE MOCKS ARE MAD—“Tell Hagler to see me, and see me damn
quick,” the is the message that reached me this week while out in Camden county
soliciting subscribers from one of the Mocks, of whom we wrote last week
as having raped a little negro girl in his store in Brunswick some days ago.
Judging from the past record of the Mocks, they are not yet the angels we
would like them to be, but we were fully acquainted with this fact when the
former article was written, and for the information of the whole crowd of
Mocks we state that we will be in Brunswick about the middle of next week;
that we have a brace of revolvers and Winchesters, and with assurances of
kindest consideration we state that the first person that disturbs the even
tenor of the way will have the early opportunity of being fanned by the gentle
zephyrs from the delectable mountains. It is not our intention to be
discourteous to any one; no gentleman would. We wish to be fair and impartial
to all mankind and in return all mankind must treat us as a man, not as a pigmy;
a gentleman, not a lackey. If the Mocks have any grievances against us,
let them be written out and sent to our office, and they will receive
consideration. Threats with us count for nothing. We know now how we are
situated, and for the benefit of the Mocks and any other hothead who
would rush in where angels fear to tread, we will state that there is upward of
200 negroes well armed in Brunswick who are sworn to protect us with the last
drop of their life blood. It behooves the Messrs. Mocks, et al, to awake
to the fact that times and conditions with the negro have changed. They are now
not the arrant coward they once were. They have reached the conclusion that the
cause of one is the cause of all, and that since they are doomed to die anyway,
they may as well leave some vacant homes other than theirs when they are ushered
into the eternity. We guess this is enough said.
CAUSED CONSIDERABLE COMMENT—When the editorial appeared on the
streets it created a wave of intense comment amongst the whites and blacks of
Brunswick. The white people, and the better class of colored people alike, felt
outraged at the attempt of Hagler to bring on trouble between the whites
and blacks of this community, and on every corner the talk was heard as men
gathered in groups.
Tonight correspondent’s offices were visited by Deputy Revenue
Collector W.H. Matthews and Deputy Collector of Customs Eugene Belcher,
the latter of whom is chairman of the republican eleventh district congressional
committee, and they, on behalf of the colored people, denounce Hagler as
a crazy man who was irresponsible for his attacks and whom the colored race all
condemned for efforts to cause trouble. They stated that they colored people
would call a meeting for Monday and pass resolutions condemning Hagler’s
utterances.
Hagler’s history is one of an effort to arouse the whites
against the blacks. Bill Pledger, the noted republican leader of
Atlanta, seized his office there for his writings against prominent people, and
in Brunswick the sheriff has his office, and Hagler publishes The Herald
at Charlotte, N.C. From Charlotte The Herald is mailed to Brunswick for
distribution. Hagler is the same negro who aroused the whites of the
south so greatly several years ago by the bitterness of his attack in his
Atlanta paper against the memory of Jefferson Davis. It was at the time
of the removal of the ex-president’s remains to Virginia, and the day the casket
passed through Atlanta the editorial appeared. It inflamed the whites and began
Hagler’s downward career in Atlanta. He then embittered John H.
Devereaux, collector of customs at Savannah; Henry A. Rucker,
collector at Atlanta, and many of the leading colored men in the state against
him by the savagery of his attacks on them personally and against President
McKinley.
Hagler is a firebrand in any community, and the sentiment of
both the whites and better class of colored people here is that Brunswick does
not want him any longer.
Following so closely on the Darien race trouble, his writings are
like a match to a powder magazine.
Tonight the leading negroes of Brunswick furnished your
correspondent with a card denouncing The Herald’s article as untrue, and stating
that they are law-abiding citizens, and do not want trouble with the whites.
The Atlanta Constitution; Tuesday 5
September 1899; pg. 4 col. 1
JUDGE SEABROOK GRANTS THE DELEGALS A CHANGE OF
VENUE—Slayers of Deputy Sheriff Townsend Will Be Arraigned for Trial in
Effingham County—DECREE CAUSES SENSATION—Prisoners Will Be Carried to Savannah
Today for Safe-Keeping—CASES TO COME UP WEDNESDAY WEEK—Judge Declares He Does
not Question Wisdom of Governor Candler in Sending Troops to Darien, but Fears a
Fair Trial Is Impossible.
Brunswick, Ga., September 4—(Special)—“I am
opposed to trying cases that involve human life, where the shadow of the
courthouse falls upon the military,” was in substance the statement made by
Judge Seabrook from he bench of McIntosh superior court today, as he announced
his decision to grant a change of venue in the cases against John Delegal,
Ed Delegal, and Mirrandy Delegal, under indictment for the murder
of Deputy Sheriff Townsend.
This statement created a stir in the courtroom and great discussion
on all sides. Judge Seabrook followed it with the declaration that he did not
question the wisdom of Governor Candler in sending the military forces to
Darien at the time he did to protect the place, neither did he mean to criticize
the judgment displayed by Governor Candler in calling out the military,
but for the reason given and for other reasons he did not think necessary to
mention from the bench, he had decided to grant the change of venue to the
accused and set the case against them for trial in Effingham county superior
court on Wednesday week, September 13th.
The calling of the murder case today was something of a surprise and
attorneys for the defense immediately sprang their plea for a change of venue.
Judge Twiggs, for the defense, opened with the declaration
that the accused could not secure an impartial trial in McIntosh county, due to
the inflamed condition of the public mind, and in support of this argument
presented affidavits from Captain Gleason, Captain West and others
of the First Georgia regiment, who were present from Savannah during the
exciting times that followed the murder of Deputy Townsend, and cited the
fact that Henry Delegal and other prisoners had been removed to Savannah
for safe keeping.
The three prisoners had been brought to the courtroom under a
military escort of twelve men and the courtroom was crowded with spectators.
When the defense summoned Colonel Lawton, who is in charge of
the entire military forces at Darien, there was a buzz of excitement.
Colonel Lawton, when questioned by the defense, made a statement to the
effect that he preferred not to testify in regard to the case at all. He said
in substance that occupying the position he did in the adjustment of the
troubles in McIntosh county, he did not think it would be proper for him to
testify and he firmly requested to be excused. The defense decided to grant the
request, and Colonel Lawton stepped from the stand.
Attorney Charlton, for the prosecution, stated that as the
defense had not offered any facts in evidence, only surmises and suppositions
that the accused could not get a fair trial, the prosecution did not feel it
necessary to offer counter evidence, but if the court wanted counter evidence
presented the attorneys for the prosecution would have to have a little time to
prepare it, as the plea for a change of venue was unexpected. Judge Seabrook
gave the prosecution until 4 o’clock this afternoon to present counter evidence.
In the interval the court took up the cases for riot against Ben
Brown, Bob Odistal, Harper Gordon, Henry Gordon, and
Freeman Elverson. The jury convicted three and acquitted Bob Odistal
and Ben Brown. This evening the cases against Jim Ross, Morris
Seabroe, Dan Johnson, Kit Alexander and Ed Follien were
tried. Four were found guilty and the court ordered Ed Follien
discharged. There are eight more rioters now in jail and they will be tried
tomorrow. Indictments are out now for several more, and these will be tried as
soon as they are arrested.
Wednesday morning the case against Henry Delegal, charged
with raping the white woman, will be called. Advices from Darien tonight are
that the military forces will, in all probability, leave tomorrow for Savannah,
taking the Delegals to Savannah jail.
The Atlanta Constitution; Wednesday 6
September 1899; pg. 3 col. 4
DARIEN RIOTERS GIVEN TERMS—Twenty-Two of the Convicted
Negroes Sentenced—SIX ARE HEAVILY FINED—One Thousand Dollars or Twelve Months
Imposed on the Leaders—SIXTEEN GOT OFF A SHADE LIGHTER—The Case Against Harry
Delegal, Charged with Assaulting White Woman, Will Be Taken Up When the Court
Convenes Today.
Brunswick, Ga., September 5—(Special)—Sentences
were passed on twenty-two rioters at Darien today, six being fined one thousand
dollars each or twelve months on the chain gang and sixteen being fined two
hundred and fifty dollars each or twelve months in the gang. Two others are out
on bond and were not present to have sentences passed. It is presumed that they
will not show up and it is hardly probable that any of the convicted ones will
be able to pay their fines.
The ring-leaders who got the thousand dollar sentences were Jonas
Green, James Wylly, Ben Dunham, Charles McDonald,
Joseph Kimmon, Charles Turner. The others sentenced were Moses
Miller Jr., Hugh Thompson, Dave Petty, James Bailey,
Freeman Elverson, Sharper Gordon, Henry Golden, James Ross,
Kit Alexander, Dan Johnson, Horace Seabroe, Levi
Mitchell, Charles Baptist, Marshall Dorsey and two women,
Maria Currey and Louisa Underwood.
In passing sentence Judge Seabrook took occasion to deliver
the rioters and the spectators a lecture on the necessity of upholding the law
at all times and the penalty that must follow any violation of it. The trial of
the last batch of eight rioters today, the conviction of four and passing of
sentences on the twenty-two, were the main features of the court proceedings,
and tomorrow the court will take up the case of Henry Delegal, charged
with raping the white woman.
Colonel Lawton left Darien today with the remainder of his
military forces, it being in his judgment unnecessary for the military to remain
longer. Henry Delegal was brought over from Savannah on tonight’s train
under a military escort of forty men and these will probably remain throughout
his trial.
DELEGALS ALL IN ONE JAIL—Prisoners Held at Darien Have Been
Transferred to Savannah.
Savannah, Ga., September 5—(Special)—John
Delegal, Eddie Delegal and Mary Delegal, their mother, arrived
from Darien at 1:30 o’clock this afternoon. They were immediately placed in the
Chatham county jail, where they will be held until the day of their trial in
Effingham county. Colonel A.R. Lawton, Lieutenant Edward A. Leonard
and the Liberty Independent troop, thirty-eight strong, came from Darien with
the prisoners. They were met at the depot by Sergeant of Police Owen Reilly,
and a squad of eleven patrolmen. The “red maria” attracted a great deal of
attention as it hurried down Liberty street loaded with blue coats. Many
persons thought there was a riot and that this was the reason for the assembling
of the officers of the law.
“It is needless for me to march them through the streets of Savannah
and attract a crowd. You are fully able to take care of them and transport them
to the jail without any excitement,” said Colonel Lawton to Sergeant
Reilly.
The patrolmen formed in double ranks and the Delegals were
handed over to them. They were handcuffed to each other and were escorted by
Deputy Sheriff T.A. Baily, of Darien. Mary Delegal, the mother of
the two boys, followed behind. She was not shackled. Up to this time Henry
Delegal, who is charged with rape, did not know that his wife and youngest
son, Eddie, were under arrest. He was in the corridor on the first floor
looking through the bars. The sight of his wife and two boys startled him. He
could hardly believe his own eyes.
“Praise to God, my whole family is in this place; God will do right
and justice is my hope,” he said.
Colonel Lawton announced on his arrival that he was home to
stay. The commanding officer of the First Georgia regiment, who has been in
Darien almost since the trouble first started two weeks ago, looked quite
fatigued. He stated that everything was quiet at Darien and that the trouble
had all ended.
The Atlanta Constitution; Thursday 7
September 1899; pg. 3 col. 3
IS HARD TO SECURE A JURY—McIntosh Residents Are Prejudiced
Against Henry Delegal.
Brunswick, Ga., September 6—(Special)—Trouble
is being experienced in McIntosh county in securing a jury to try Henry
Delegal. Today over seventy jurors were summoned and out of that number
only eleven have been secured. The jurors go down mostly for cause and about
nine-tenths of them admit their prejudice in the case.
Court has adjourned until tomorrow to give the sheriff another
chance to bring in men and that official is actively at work tonight hunting
available material to present to the court tomorrow.
The Atlanta Constitution; Friday 8
September 1899; pg. 3 col. 2
DELEGAL’S CASE WITH JURY—Defense Offered No Evidence, but
Prisoner Makes Statement.
Brunswick, Ga., September 7—(Special)—The
twelfth juror in the case against Henry Delegal was secured in McIntosh
court today and after a heated trial behind closed doors the case is late
tonight in the hands of the jury. There is a belief that it will result in a
mistrial. The woman’s character precludes the probability of the jury agreeing
on the case tonight at least. The trial opened today with the woman’s father on
the stand and the impression made by his testimony was unfavorable to the
prosecution. The woman was then placed on the stand and told a story of
Delegal having forced his way into her house on the night of December 2d
last.
The defense offered no evidence beyond the statement of the accused
and he denied the charge against him.
The Atlanta Constitution; Saturday 9
September 1899
Pg. 3 col. 4
DELEGAL GETS A MISTRIAL—Jury Was Unable To Agree and Change
of Venue Was Granted.
Brunswick Ga September 8—(Special)—The Jury in
the case of Henry Delegal returned a statement that they stood seven for
conviction and five for acquittal after being out all last night. Judge
Seabrook ordered a mistrial. Declared on motion for change of venue it was
granted and the case set for re-hearing at the special term of Effingham court
the same week that the Delegal murderers are to be tried. Judge
Seabrook and all the Savannah attorneys returned to Savannah today.
Delegal was carried back under military escort and lodged in Savannah jail.
Effingham’s special term of court begins next Wednesday. The
prisoners will all be removed next Tuesday night.
The Atlanta Constitution; Wednesday 13
September 1899
Pg. 3 col. 2
DELEGALS ARRIVE AT GUYTON—Will Be Placed on Trial for Their
Lives Today.
Guyton, Ga., September 12—(Special)—Sheriff
W.W. Griffin, assisted by Deputies L.B. Smith and J.J. Usher,
of this county, arrived here from Savannah at 3 o’clock this evening, with
Henry and John Delegal, the alleged murder and rapist, on their way
to Springfield, where they will be placed upon trial tomorrow morning for their
lives. It will be remembered that old man Henry Delegal was placed upon
trial a few days ago at a special term of McIntosh superior court for an assault
upon a white woman, and a mistrial resulted, whereupon a change of venue was
made by Judge Seabrook to this county. The brothers and friends of
Deputy Sheriff Townsend, who was killed by John Delegal, in McIntosh
county, a few days ago, accompanied the sheriff’s posse to Springfield and will
be present at the trial tomorrow morning.
The Atlanta Constitution; Friday 15
September 1899
Pg. 3 col. 3
JOHN DELEGAL GOES FOR LIFE—Convicted of the Murder of
Deputy Sheriff Townsend—DURING THE DARIEN RIOT—Jury Recommended Him To Mercy of
the Court—AND THIS SAVED HIM FROM GALLOWS—Henry Delegal, Charged with Rape, Was
Placed on Trial Yesterday Afternoon at Guyton—All the Evidence Has Been Taken.
Guyton, Ga., September 14—The case of John
Delegal of the Darien rioters sent to the Effingham court on change of venue
from McIntosh county was concluded today in a verdict of guilty of murder with a
recommendation to the mercy of the court. He was sentenced to life
imprisonment. John Delegal it will be remembered shot and killed Deputy
Sheriff Townsend, who went to arrest him during the time of the riots.
His brother and sister, who were indicted with him, were acquitted.
The case of Henry Delegal for rape which, after a mistrial in
Darien last week, was sent to this county on a change of venue was taken up this
afternoon. This covers the case out of which grew the riots. There was no
trouble in securing a jury and the evidence was quickly submitted.
The Atlanta Constitution; Saturday 16
September 1899; pg. 3 col. 2
HENRY DELEGAL IS SET FREE—JURY BROUGHT IN A VERDICT OF NOT
GUILTY—Crime Charged Against Him Caused the Recent Riot at Darien.
Guyton, Ga., September 15—Henry Delegal,
colored, was today acquitted in the Effingham court of the charge of criminal
assault upon a white woman in McIntosh county. This was the affair out of which
grew the Darien riots. Arguments of the attorneys were made at a late hour last
night, and the jury remained locked up until noon today when a verdict of not
guilty was returned.
The cases of Edward and Melinda Delegal, charged with
being accessories to the murder of Sheriff Townsend, were begun this
afternoon. These are the last the [sic] Darien riot cases.
The Atlanta Constitution; Sunday 17
September 1899; pg. 7 col. 4
EDWARD DELEGAL FOR LIFE—Convicted as Accessory to Murder of
Deputy Sheriff Townsend.
Guyton, Ga., September 16—The Darien riot cases
were cleared up today by the Effingham court. Edward Delegal was
convicted as accessory in the murder of Deputy Sheriff Townsend, of
Darien, and sentenced to life imprisonment. Malinda Delegal, his mother,
indicted under the same charge, was acquitted. A summary of the riot trials
show: Henry Delegal, for criminal assault, acquitted; John and
Edward Delegal, for murder, sentenced to the penitentiary for life, and
twenty-eight rioters sentenced to various terms of imprisonment.
The Kansas
City Journal (Kansas City, MO); Saturday 14 October 1899; pg. 7 col. 5
TERRORIZED BY
A NEGRESS—Georgia Community in Deadly Fear of a Crazy Woman Who Has a Gun.
BRUNSWICK, GA., Oct. 13.—The section of Glynn county around Sapp’s still
is being terrorized by a crazy negro woman, stark naked, roaming the woods,
shooting at any one she sees. Already one man has fallen dead before her
pistol, while two other negroes, her husband and a brother, have been wounded by
her bullets.
The woman’s name is Mary Eason. A few days ago she became
violently insane, stole the weapon with which she is now armed and a box of
cartridges from her husband and was oof to the swamp. Persons go armed in the
neighborhood and houses are guarded as protection for the women and children.
Union Recorder (Milledgeville, GA); Tuesday 30 January 1900; pg. 3 col. 2
MR. W.F. LEBEN DISAPPEARS
Mr. F.W. Leben, manager of the
City Baker, mysteriously disappeared from this city last Monday evening.
Late Monday afternoon, Mr. Leben,
accompanied by Mr. Iverson Barnes,
went to the Oconee river, for the purpose of fishing, and young
Barnes left him standing on the banks
of the river, near a boat, and went off for a light. When he returned,
Mr. Leben and the boat were gone. He
called several times, and receiving no answer, came back to the city. Early
Tuesday morning a party went to the river and made a diligent search for the
missing man. A paddle, which was in the boat, was found near the bridge, and the
boat was found several miles down the river, where it had apparently drifted.
These are the circumstances immediately preceding the disappearance of
Mr. Leben, but is thought that he
left the city by another route, and is still in the land of the living.
The Macon Telegraph; Monday 7 May 1900; pg. 6 col. 4
GRETNA GREEN AFFAIR—A Waresboro School Girl Eloped With Her Lover.
WARESBORO, Ga., May 6.—On last Sunday afternoon Miss Nina Furlong,
a pupil of the Institute, eloped with Mr. Allen Spence. They were
married by Judge Cribb. The brothers of Miss Furlong desired that
she finish her education before thinking of marriage, and had, as they thought,
broken up the love affair of the two young people, but they found they were
mistaken.
The Atlanta Constitution; Monday 7 January
1901; pg. 2 col. 3
HOME OF CARNEGIE IS BURNED; Was Located on Cumberland Island
and Loss is $50,000
Fernandina, Fla.;
January 6--The residence of W.C. Carnegie, at Stafford Place, five miles
from Dungeness, on Cumberland Island, was burned to the ground yesterday
afternoon. The loss was almost total, very little being saved on the lower
floor. The estimated loss is $50,000. Mr. Carnegie is a son
of Mrs. Lucy Carnegie, of Dungeness, and of national reputation as an
expert golfer. The origin of the fire is unknown.
The Atlanta Constitution; Wednesday 12
June 1901
Pg. 2 col. 3
GRIFFIN TO BE HANGED FRIDAY—Slayer of Conductor Latimer
Confesses and Is Ready To Die.
Brunswick, Ga., June 11—(Special)—Tricy
Griffin, the negro slayer of Conductor Latimer, is to hang on Friday,
and the scaffold has been erected in the jail yard. The hanging will be
private. Griffin has confessed that he killed Conductor Latimer
and says he is now willing to die.
The Atlanta Constitution; Saturday 15
June 1901
Pg. 5 col. 4
GRIFFIN STRANGLED TO DEATH—Slayer of Conductor Latimer is
Hanged at Brunswick.
Brunswick, Ga., June 14—(Special)—Tricy
Griffin, convicted of the murder of Conductor Latimer, was hanged in
the jail here today at noon, in the presence of about forty people, including
Detectives Conally and Scarlett, of Atlanta, who effected his
capture and conviction. Prior to the hour set for the hanging, the streets
surrounding were well filled with people anxious to catch a glimpse of the
condemned man.
Griffin was kept in his cell until a short time before the
execution, when he was brought into the jail corridor to prepare for the death
trap. He was allowed to talk to the crowds outside the jail fence, and to many
of these he said goodby [sic].
In the jail corridor Griffin reviewed the act which sent him
to the gallows at length and said that he did not intend to kill Conductor
Latimer, but only meant to frighten him. He attributed all his present
trouble to women, cards and whisky. Griffin was led to the trap and
unflinchingly stood while the black cap was fastened and the noose adjusted by
Deputy Sheriff Price of Wayne county. The drop was sprung and
Griffin’s body shot downward to recoil from the jerk. It was seen that the
knot had slipped from under the jawbone to the back of his neck. This prolonged
his death evidently by strangulation, and it was about five minutes before
Drs. Blanton and Blaine [sic] pronounced life extinct. The body was
cut down and placed in a coffin for burial. This ended the first legal hanging
in Glynn county in seventy years.
The Atlanta Constitution; Monday 20 January
1902; pg. 2 col. 1
Stafford Heirs To Sue for Cumberland Island Property
Brunswick,
Ga.,--January 19.--(Special)--The heirs of Robert Stafford are preparing
to bring suit against the Carnegies for the possession of Cumberland
Island property.
The Carnegies have spent about
a half million dollars in improving the property on the island, and the suit
will be an interesting one from many standpoints.
Historical Newspapers, Birth,
Marriage, & Death Announcements, 1851-2003; The Atlanta Constitution; 27 April
1902
BRUNSWICK HEARS ATLANTAN—Hon. Albert Cox Delivers Eloquent
Memorial Address There.
Brunswick, Ga., April 26.—(Special.)—Memorial
day was appropriately celebrated in this city today. The feature was the
unveiling of the monument recently erected in Hanover park to commemorate the
confederate dead, and about which there has been considerable discord in the
ranks of the veterans. That body turned out today only about half of its
members to assist in the unveiling exercises. Commander Dart was greatly
missed at the head of the old warriors, this being the first parade he has not
commanded in many years.
The unveiling address was delivered by Hon. Albert Cox, of
Atlanta, and it was thoroughly enjoyed by the large crowd present in Hanover
park.
The Savannah Morning
News (Savannah, GA); Wednesday 29 April 1903; pg. 9 col. 1
CHARGED WITH POISONING—Will Adams, a
Brunswick negro, is behind the bars of the Glynn county jail for
poisoning some eight or ten Brunswick people. It seems that Mrs. J.K.
Nightengale entertained with a small party at her residence on
Halifax Square Friday night, and nearly everyone of the guests became
afterwards ill. One by one they were attacked, until the illness of them
all brought on suspicion, and an investigation revealed the fact that
they had all eaten rough on rats, which was said to have been the work
of this negro. The supposition is that the negro entered the pantry of
Mrs. Nightengale and mixes the rough on rats in the jars
containing sugar and rice.
The Savannah Morning
News; 3 June 1903; pg. 2 col. 1
PRISONER GETS 25 YEARS—Will Adams Convicted for His
Wholesale Murder Attempt.
Brunswick, Ga., June 2.—In the Superior Court yesterday, Will
Adams, the negro who poisoned a number of prominent people at a
social party at few weeks ago, was arraigned and sentenced to
twenty-five years in the penitentiary.
He pleaded guilty to the charge, there being three cases against
him, but there could have been sixteen, as that is the number of persons
that he poisoned. He stated that he placed Rough on Rats in the ice
cream to poison the cook, and not the guests at the party, but this tale
is not believed to be true.
The party was given at the residence of Mrs. J.K. Nightengale,
one of the most prominent families in the city. Eighteen or twenty
guests were present, and the following morning a number became suddenly
ill. An investigation revealed that they had been poisoned. The police
department was at once notified, and late in the afternoon succeeded in
placing the negro in jail. It was discovered that he had purchased Rough
on Rats, slipped into the residence of Mrs. Nightengale and
placed the poisonous drug in the ice cream, which he knew would be
served at the entertainment. A number of the guests were ill for several
days but they all recovered.
Joe Story, the white man who has been confined in jail for
two years on the charge of killing Hamp Shriver, also white, and
who has twice before faced a jury, both times a mistrial being declared,
will be arraigned again to-morrow. It is generally thought that it will
be difficult to secure a jury.
The Atlanta Constitution; Sunday 14 June
1903; pg. 5 cols. 2 & 3
Brunswick, Georgia Social News June 13
Miss Arabella Wright has returned from Lucy Cobb, and after a few days at home
leaves for Europe, where she will spend the summer.
Mrs. R.T. Hicks is spending
some time in Brunswick, the guest of her mother, Mrs. C.H. Colesberry.
Mrs. Jennings Butts is
spending a few days on Cumberland Island.
Mrs. C.L. Elliott and her
guest, Mrs. R.L. Branham, of Waycross, are with friends in Jacksonville
for a short time.
Mrs. Courtland Symmes and
little sons are spending some time with friends in Atlanta.
Mr. and Mrs. Julius May
have returned to Brunswick, after a visit to New York.
Mrs. William Naussbaum leaves
next week to spend some time in Albany, the guest of Mrs. L. Ehrlich.
Miss Calla Lilly, of
Vienna, is expected in a few days, to spend some time in Brunswick, the guest of
Misses Bessie and Fannie Symmes.
Mrs. W.B. Clarkson has
returned to her home in Florida, after a visit to friends in Brunswick.
Misses Marie and Josephine
Torras are spending a short time the guests of friends in Atlanta.
Mrs. J.F. Bays has returned
from a visit to friends in Jacksonville.
Dr. and Mrs. Wyllys Rede
and children have returned from a week on St. Simons Island.
Mrs. Robert Levison
entertained a few afternoons ago in compliment to Mrs. S.J. Oppenheim of
St. Louis.
Mr. and Mrs. A.M. May
have moved into their cottage on St. Simons, and have as their guests Miss
Annie White and Mr. W.H. Morse, of Abbeville, S.C.; Mr. and
Mrs. John Townsend and Miss Nora Hendry, of Quitman, and Mrs. J.E.
Way and children of Walthourville.
Captain and Mrs. W.M.
Tupper, Mr. and Mrs. R.B. Tupper and little Miss Tupper
have moved down to their cottage on St. Simons for the summer.
Mrs. C.T. Calnan entertained
with flinch a few evenings ago, her guests being Miss Mamie Page, of
Savannah; Miss Bessie Smith, Miss Florence Porter, Mrs. Lillian Hurst,
Messrs. Oren Douglas, W.C. Brown, F.C. Bunkley.
Mr. and Mrs. A.C. Banks
entertained Tuesday evening in compliment to Miss Susie Lamar, their
invited guests being Misses Susie Lamar, Arabella Wright, Hazle Nightingale,
Ethel Conoley, Marie DeVoe, Clara Lamar, Maude Nightingale, Lula Burdette,
Fannie Symmes, Reta McKinnon, Marie Burdette, Messrs. Roy Fuller, Lawson Lamar,
C.C. Cosby, Frank Stacy, Holmes Sheldon, Tom O'Connor, J.Y. Brame, Ivine
Burdette, J.W. Bailey, C.M. Peddicord, Fred Penniman, Howard Smith, George
Smith, J.L. Andrews, Hunter Hopkins, Hugh Burford, M.C. Sale, Insley West.
Mrs. May Screvin has retunred
to Darien after a short visit to Brunswick.
Mr. and Mrs. J.J. Conoley
and Miss Ethel Conoley are spending some time in their cottage on St.
Simons.
Miss Aline Jeffers, of
Waycross, is the guest of Misses Laura and Louise Baker for a week
or tow.
Mrs. Constant Miller and
children are spending some time with friends in Quitman.
Miss Etta Rothschild, of
Darien, is the guest of Mrs. J.J. Lissner for a week or two.
The Atlanta Constitution; Sunday 27
December 1903; pg. 10 col. 6
BRUNSWICK, GA—The engagement has been announced of Miss
Mary Emily Scarlett, of Fancy Bluff, and Mr. Frank A. Dunn, of this
city, the wedding to occur January 6 at the home of the bride’s mother, Mrs.
G.S. Scarlett. Both these young people are well and popularly known in
Brunswick. Miss Scarlett is one of Glynn county’s most popular young
girls, and Mr. Dunn is one of the city’s most popular young men. He has
been closely identified in military circles for several years and has served as
captain and lieutenant of several companies. He occupies an important position
under his father, Colonel H.T. Dunn, who is collector of customs at this
port.
The
Americus Weekly Times-Recorder; Friday 26 January 1906; pg. 5 col. 2
THEIR MARRIAGE IN DECEMBER—Will Be Announced to Friends
This Morning.
Mr. and
Mrs. A.V. Toole of Atlanta announce the marriage of their sister,
Mrs. Bertha Hudson Troutman, to
Mr. E.J. Leben of Americus, the
marriage having occurred at Spring Street Presbyterian church in Atlanta, on
Saturday, December 30th, 1905.
The rites were solemnized by the pastor,
Rev. Geo. H. Mack.
Mr. and
Mrs. Leben will be “at home” after Thursday, January 24th,
at their residence, 804 Lee street. Both are well known here, and a tinge of
romance surrounds the wedding.
Last summer, while ill with typhoid fever at the Americus Hospital,
Mr. Leben was attended by a pretty
nurse there who was none other than the lady he now claims as his bride. Later
he called upon her at her home in Atlanta, their marriage following.
The marriage has since been kept a profound secret, not even their most
intimate friends suspecting, but now announcement of the nuptials is made and
Mr. and
Mrs. Leben will be the recipients of many and sincere
congratulations today.
Mr. Leben has resided in
Americus for more than a year and is a successful young jeweler.
The Savannah Morning News (Savannah, GA);
Saturday 10 March 1906; pg. 5
Transcribed by
Jeff Anderson for
Becky
Mitchell and the Telfair County Historical Society to aid in the
effort of having the Captain
John L. Day Home in Lumber City,
Georgia placed on the National Register of Historical Places.
JOHN L. DAY, LUMBER CITY
McRae, Ga., March 9.—Capt. John L.
Day of Lumber City died at his home about 7 o’clock this evening after an
illness of two months of Bright’s disease.
Capt. Day was owner and operator of a line of steamers on the
Ocmulgee and Altamaha rivers for years and had accumulated a handsome property.
He was a prominent Mason and Odd Fellow, a trustee of Emory College at
Oxford and South Georgia College of McRae.
He is survived by his wife and two children,
Col. Thomas Day, Mayor of Lumber
City, and Mrs. J.H. Barrett of
Guyton.
The burial will take place in Laurel Grove Cemetery at Savannah on
Sunday.
The Telfair Enterprise (McRae, GA); Thursday
15 March 1906; pg. 1
Transcribed by
Jeff Anderson for
Becky
Mitchell and the Telfair County Historical Society to aid in the
effort of having the Captain
John L. Day Home in Lumber City,
Georgia placed on the National Register of Historical Places.
CAPT. JOHN L. DAY—WHO DIED AT LUMBER CITY LAST FRIDAY EVENING, A PROMINENT
CITIZEN.
The subject of this sketch, Capt.
John L. Day, was born of English parentage in the city of New York, April
22, 1838. His parents moved to that
place from Bristol, England in 1831.
His father was manager of a line of steamboats for a Georgia Company and in 1858
on a trip from Augusta to Savannah his cotton laden vessel caught fire and the
passengers and crew had to jump overboard and of the twelve of fifteen who were
drowned he was one of them, for he could not swim.
Capt. John L. Day served seven
years with his father at three branches of mechanical industry—Millwrighting, in
the machine shop, and at pattern making.
At the age of twenty two he entered the employ of the government as a
journeyman, and was in consequence exempted from military duty.
Since the year 1867 up to a short time before his death he had several
steamboats running on the Ocmulgee and Oconee rivers in connection with railroad
lines. In this work and in his machine
shop he had accumulated a nice fortune, variously estimated at from forty to
sixty thousand dollars. His first
wife was Miss
Mary Strobar [sic] of
Savannah, who died several years ago.
To this union four children were born,
Mrs. John H. Barrett of Savannah,
Harry G., who died in 1885,
John P. who died in infancy, and
Col. Thomas F. Day.
His second wife was Mrs. Christian
McRae Ryals who with Mrs. Barrett
and Col. Day survive him.
Captain
Day had always led a very active and
industrious life, had had very little sickness and only the last of last year
did he realize that the trouble which caused his death was of a serious nature.
This disease was a cancerous affection of the bladder and early in this
year he was carried to Atlanta and operated upon, but little hope was ever felt
for his recovery after the operation as the disease had a strong hold upon him.
Three weeks ago he was brought home and he continued to grow weaker until
the end last Friday night when he quietly and peacefully fell into sleep.
A funeral service was held in Lumber City Saturday afternoon at the
Methodist church, conducted by the pastor,
Rev. W.L. Wright.
Sunday morning his remains were carried to Savannah where with Masonic
ceremonies his body was laid to rest in beautiful Laurel Grove cemetery.
The local lodges of Masons and Odd Fellows, of which he was a member sent
delegations and a number of friends, besides the family, accompanied his
remains.
Captain
Day was a prominent Mason, being a
member of the Royal Arch, Chapter and the Shrine, and he was also an
enthusiastic Odd Fellow. He was
faithful and earnest in his devotion to these orders and had held the highest
offices in them.
He was a member of the Methodist church and for sixteen years he had
represented the church in the General Conferences, this being the highest honor
a lay member could receive and he always led the delegation in point of
popularity. He took great interest
in all classes of church work, was true, loyal, and zealous in every department.
One of the noblest works he did was in the Sunday school, he having been
Superintendent of the Lumber City school for many years, and the great sorrow
expressed and shown by the members of the school gave striking evidence of his
success in this line.
Capt. Day was an honored
member of the Board of Trustees of the South Georgia College here and of Emory.
He was also one of the trustees of Wesleyan Christian Advocate.
Promptness, earnestness, honesty, strict attention to duty, and a happy
disposition were characteristics that contributed largely to his success in
life.
Lumber City as a town, our county, the secret orders, the Methodist
church of this section and of the South Georgia conference will sorely miss the
presence of this good man, and his enthusiasm and helpful influence.
His life was a splendid illustration of the successful Christian business
man. With him Christianity was a
principle and he steadfastly adhered to it since his conversion forty two years
ago.
When told that he could not live, he calmly remarked that he was
perfectly prepared and death had no terrors for him.
He wanted to live because life to him was a pleasure, but he was ready
for the transition to that other country and when the summons came he wrapped
the drapery of his couch about him and lay down to pleasant dreams.
As he sleeps in the flower covered tomb, he can well be remembered by the
good that he has done.
His life has been a blessing to many who will ever hold him in grateful
remembrance. To all his relatives we
extend our sympathy in this hour of bereavement.
Note on above obituary:
According to his tombstone (Laurel Grove Cemetery Savannah) Capt. Day’s
son, Harry G., died in the year 1884, Sept. 5 instead of 1885 as written in
paragraph two of article. Harry died in Macon.
The Atlanta Georgian (Atlanta, GA); 7 June
1906; pg. 8
Transcribed by
Jeff Anderson for
Becky
Mitchell and the Telfair County Historical Society to aid in the
effort of having the Captain
John L. Day Home in Lumber City,
Georgia placed on the National Register of Historical Places.
DAY-GUILD
The marriage of Miss Mabel
Young
Guild and Mr. Thomas F.
Day took place Wednesday evening at 8
o’clock at the home of the bride on Crew Street.
Rev. J.E. White, of the Second
Baptist Church, performed the ceremony, after which the bride and groom left for
Savannah to go by water to New York.
They will be at home after the 12th in Lumber City, where
Mr. Day is a prominent lawyer and is
mayor of the town.
The
Atlanta Georgian (Atlanta, GA); Monday 10 September 1906; pg. 7 col. 1
THE INEVITABLE REMEDY
To the Editor of The Georgian:
Permit me a few words in your columns on the “Reign of Terror” question.
First, what shall be done with the negro rapist, who assaults a white
woman?
Second, what shall be done with the white man who lives with negro women
and is the father of mulatto children?
The solution of the one demands the solution of the other.
They are inseparable. Their results, unmolested, would in time bring
about the same end, namely, racial equality.
You may search history through all ages and you will f ind this truth.
Where two races live on the same soil it is only a question of time until the
higher will pull the lower up to its standard, or the lower will drag the higher
down to its level. If the negro remains amongst us, one of these two things will
inevitably happen in time, therefore, I say, as the United States owns the
Philippines and the majority of the inhabitants of those islands are negroes,
why not send all the negroes to the Philippine Islands, giving them in exchange
there the same value in property that they possessed here and bring to the
United States all the whites now residing in the Philippines, giving them the
same value in property here that they possessed there, and, if necessary, put on
a pro rata taxation on the whites of the United States to pay their
transportation? I, for one, would be willing to pay my just share. This taxation
could be extended over ten or twenty years, if necessary.
Castrating the negro males would never do. The animal passions of the
negro females not finding gratification with their equals would seek, more than
ever, their superiors, which would mean more dangers for wayward men and
innocent young boys, and—more mulattos.
If you castrate the negro male you must also unsex the female, and if the
object is extermination, why not experiment them outright and be done with it?
Better, I say, remove them from our midst before it is too late.
Increasing the police force in Atlanta and Fulton county will not solve
the problem. An outrage is just as likely to occur in South Carolina, South
Georgia or Alabama as Atlanta. It is a national question, and must be settled by
the nation.
Forcing the negro to co-operate with you in catching and punishing the
rapist is not a remedy. Co-operation makes the remaining negroes more united in
brotherly feeling. Hence co-operation is one step nearer to assimilation.
Every white man who is guilty of co-habitation with a negro females is
partially responsible for every terrible outrage on our noble white women, and a
just God will some day hold him so.
The solution of the first question demands also the solution of the
second.
Faithfully yours, for purity, justice, reverence for our noble women and
the welfare of my country, I am a subscriber. Yours truly,
E.J. Leben, Gainesville, Ga.
The Atlanta Constitution; Sunday 28 October 1906; pg. 12M cols. 4 & 5
LIBERTY TREE CELEBRATION BY BRUNSWICK CHAPTER
Brunswick, Ga., October 27.—(Special.)—The “liberty tree”
celebration of the Daughters of American Revolution of this city, which will be
held in this city on Friday evening next at the Oglethorpe hotel, to be followed
on Saturday afternoon with the planting of the “Liberty tree” in Magnolia
square, where the new county court house is now being erected, is attracting
widespread attention.
Mrs. E.F. Coney, of this city, who first took up the affair,
has carried it to success. Letters of encouragement have been received from
President Roosevelt and the governors of all the states.
Friday evening an exhibition will be held in the parlors of the
Oglethorpe at which will be shown the soils sent by the governor of each state
and many interesting relics. Other enjoyable amusements will be provided.
On Saturday afternoon the planting of the “Liberty tree” will be an
occasion which will interest every one, and in which about seventy-five young
girls will take part. Congressman Brantley will be the orator of the
occasion.
Miss Lucile Ware, as Columbia, with her maids will be the
first in the line of march to be formed at the Oglethorpe, and will be followed
by the members of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the speakers, etc.,
and also the following young girls representing the states:
Alabama, Helen Branham; Arkansas, Louise Elliot;
Arizona, Irene Leben; Connecticut, Pearl Bankston; California,
Ernesting Eisenberg; Colorado, Leila Sheridan; Delaware, Lillie
Schoeppel; Florida, Annie Ricks; Georgia, Ophelia Ricks;
Illinois, Eva Harris; Indiana, Willie Cornell; Indian Territory,
Ida Long; Iowa, Dorothy Burford; Idaho, Gertrude Briesnick;
Kentucky, Ethel Mason; Kansas, Irene King; Louisiana, Louise
Baker; Mississippi, Carrie Atkinson; Michigan, May Stiles;
Massachusetts, Winnie McKinnon; Maryland, Catharine Stiles;
Minnesota, May Joe Lott; Montana, Virginia McGarvey; Missouri,
Eunice Brieseneck [sic]; Nevada, Alice Wilson; New Hampshire,
Miriam Gonto [sic]; New Mexico, Ruth Irvin [sic]; New York,
Blanche McDonald; New Jersey, Aranita Oldham; North Carolina,
Vinita Raffo; North Dakota, Carrie Raffo; Nebraska, Olma Harris;
Ohio, Helen Baumgartner; Oregon, Lillie Rumph; Oklahoma,
Ophelia Harris; Pennsylvania, Fryphena Manoe; Rhoda Island, Martha
Loewenstein; South Carolina, Frances Beach; South Dakota, Rita
Doerflinger; Tennessee, Clara Wood; Texas, Maria Raffo; Utah,
Corinne Southard; Virginia, Leona Clark; Vermont, Lillie Arnold;
Wisconsin, Mary Lou Gatchell; Washington, Mary Blitch; West
Virginia, Mattie Brown; Wyoming, Lois Rumph; District of Columbia,
Lucile Ware, Florence Jones, Pearl Anderson, Maude Lott,
Effie Arnold, Florrie Hall, Hester Hill, Maude Manoe,
Mattie Lowe, Ruth Iverson, Helen Thornton, Rhoda Iverson,
Frances Leben, Clara Jackson, Martha Westbrook, Lillie
Lowe.
The Washington Post; Tuesday 15 January
1907; pg. 3 col. 3
TO OUST MRS. CARNEGIE; Cumberland Island Estate of
Philanthropist's Sister-in-law in Dispute
Savannah, Ga., Jan.
14.--Deputy United States Marshall Wilson has returned from Dungeness,
the home of Mrs. Lucy C. Carnegie, on Cumberland Island, where he served
her with papers in what is expected to develop into a suit for the land she now
occupies with her country home. An effort is being made by Cornelius
[Cornelia] Stafford Williams, of New York, and Nancy Stafford Gassman,
of Zurich, Switzerland, to perpetuate the testimony of several aged witnesses.
The plaintiffs claim that it is their
intention to file suit for 7,740 acres of land on Cumberland Island, now claimed
by Mrs. Carnegie, as it was the property of Robert Stafford, whom
they claim was their father. The deputy was informed that Andrew
Carnegie is expected at Dungeness next week. Mrs. Carnegie is
his sister-in-law.
The Atlanta Georgian & News (Atlanta,
GA); Thursday 28 February 1907; pg. 5 col. 3
KILLED WIFE AND WOUNDED COMPANION—Brunswick Man Shoots
Couple While in Park.
Special to The Georgian.
Brunswick, Ga., Feb. 28.—Richard
L. Davenport shot and killed his wife,
Mrs. Lillian Davenport, and seriously
wounded A.R. Brown, a bartender, here
last night.
Davenport and wife came to
this city about six months ago with the Parker Carnival Company.
Mrs. Davenport claimed her husband was a drunkard and they had been
separated for some weeks, Mrs. Davenport
taking a position as waitress in the Metropolitan restaurant, on Newcastle
street.
After the separation Mrs.
Davenport met Brown.
Davenport became jealous, and after warning
Brown, it is said, from further association with his wife, he
followed them last night to Windsor Park, where the tragedy occurred.
Brown states that he and
Mrs. Davenport were walking in the
park and Davenport came up from
behind them, shooting Brown first
through the abdomen, then turning upon his wife and fired one shot, which
penetrated the heart.
Mrs. Davenport was a pretty
brunette and attractive in appearance.
Davenport has made many friends in this city.
Brown has been removed to the
city hospital.
The Atlanta Georgian & News (Atlanta,
GA); Saturday 2 March 1907; pg. 3 cols. 1-2
DID BRUNSWICK COUPLE KILL EACH OTHER IN PARK? NO CLEW [sic]
TO SHOOTING
Special to The Georgian.
Brunswick, Ga., March 2.—Teddy
Mercatos arrived in the city yesterday with positive proof that he was in
Savannah at the time of the
Davenport-Brown shooting.
The coroner’s jury met at 3 o’clock and after several hours were
discharged. Various conjectures are indulged in, but there are no material
developments in the cases. It is believed by many that
Brown and
Mrs. Davenport engaged in a quarrel,
which finally resulted in a battle to the death between them.
Brown made several statements and all
of them materially differed. No tracks except those of
Brown and Mrs. Davenport
were found in the park. Two roses found on the scene were identified as having
been worn by Brown and the woman,
also a pocketbook and a fascinator were found some distance from where the body
of Mrs. Davenport laid, and it is
claimed as evidence of a struggle. A majority of the members of the coroner’s
jury, as well as Coroner Jennings and
Acting Solicitor Butts, held to this
belief.
Mrs. Davenport was laid to
rest in Palmetto cemetery yesterday.
Brown’s body was carried to
his home, in Americus, by his brother
Joseph Brown.
BROWN WENT TO ROOM AFTER THE TRAGEDY
Special to The Georgian.
Brunswick, Ga., March 2.—The shocking double tragedy which occurred on
Wednesday night in Windsor park, is as yet a mystery.
Richard L. Davenport and wife,
Lillian Davenport, came to this city
several months ago with the Parker carnival, for the purpose of wintering here.
As long as the carnival was running their domestic affairs seemed to move along
smoothly. Shortly after they went into winter quarters an estrangement between
the two occurred. Matters finally reached a climax and the young wife left her
husband and was employed as a waitress at the Metropolitan restaurant, on
Newcastle street, she claiming that
Davenport was unkind to her when under the influence of whiskey.
FORMED BROWN’S ACQUAINTANCE
Shortly after Mrs. Davenport
secured employment she met A.R. Brown,
a bartender. Rumors reached Davenport’s
ears and it is stated he [illegible words] his friends, that her conduct was
grieving him and that he could not live without her.
Davenport, it is said, made a persona visit to
Brown Monday and told him that the woman was his wife and warned him
from further association with her.
Nothing more was heard of the affair until Wednesday night, when
Brown, shot through the stomach, made his way to his room and told
his room mate he had been shot and that
Mrs. Davenport had been killed, and that
Davenport had done the shooting.
Brown stated that he and
Mrs. Davenport had walked to the park
and that they had been there only a short time when
Davenport appeared on the scene with
a revolver and shot first at him and then turned upon
Mrs. Davenport and fired one shot, which penetrated her heart.
TOLD ANOTHER STORY
Brown was removed to the city
hospital, where he afterwards stated that “Teddy”
Marcatos, a Greek, owner of the
restaurant where the woman was employed, was very much in love with her and that
he believed she was killed by Marcatos
and not Davenport, as he first
stated. While Brown and
Mrs. Davenport were out for a walk
Monday evening he claimed they were followed by
Marcatos. However, a fellow Greek
stated that Marcatos left Monday
night for Savannah and there he was located. No one has been found who has seen
him since the tragedy occurred.
MAY HAVE SHOT EACH OTHER
Davenport was arrested, but
proved that he was at his boarding house from 8:30 o’clock until the hour of the
arrest. He was released Thursday afternoon from jail.
After hours of suffering at the city hospital,
Brown died Thursday evening. It is
thought by some here that Brown may have been shot by the woman and he in turn secured the
weapon and shot her. Brown’s first
statement after reaching his room was that they had been shot by
Davenport, and later he was uncertain
and said it was Marcatos who did the
shooting.
At no time, it is stated, did
Brown show a desire for hunting down and punishment [sic] of the one who had
shot him nor express pity for the dead woman.
The Manning Times (Manning, SC);
Wednesday 6 March 1907; pg. 1 col. 3
SHOT IN PARK—An Actress Killed and Her Escort Seriously
Wounded—BY UNKNOWN MAN—Brown, the Wounded Man, Says the Man, Who Did the
Shooting, Was Davenport, the Woman’s Husband—Davenport Denies the Charge and
Says That He Can Prove An Alibi.
The police of Brunswick, Ga., are trying to solve a murder mystery.
Lillian Davenport, an actress, was
shot and almost instantly killed, and W.H.
Brown, a bartender, who was with her, was also shot, and will probably die,
in a secluded part of Windsor park, in that city, Thursday inght [sic].
R.L. Davenport, manager of the
Majestic theater, and husband of the dead actress, is under arrest suspected of
the killing.
Davenport denies that he
killed the woman. Brown at first
thought that Davenport did but later,
at the inquest, was doubtful. Davenport’s
friends say he can prove an alibi.
Three shots in all were fired. Two pierced
Brown’s body, and the actress, trying
to defend him, started toward the man who shot, and herself was shot. Before
Brown could bring assistance to the
dying woman, she succumbed.
Winsor [sic] Park is a resort near Brunswick, and it was there that
Brown and the actress went. They sat
on a bench in the moonlight, in a secluded spot and had been there only a short
time when the man appeared.
The man, according to the bartender, slipped up on them. Before
Brown knew that he was being watched,
he says, he heard two shots and simultaneously fell over. Both bullets had taken
effect, one entering the abdomen, and the other following it closely.
The woman screamed, and in response to
Brown’s appeal to shoot his
assailant, rose to her feet and started toward the man, now in full view in the
moonight [sic].
She had gone but a few steps, however, when a third shot was fired. The
bullet entered the actress’ breast, and she fell, mortally wounded.
Then, Brown says, the
assailant disappeared under the trees, but he himself, although probably
mortally wounded, went to the woman’s assistance.
“I am dying,” she cried. “Loosen my dress. Let me breathe.”
Brown, followed her
instructions, and placed her on a bench. Then staggering from loss of blood,
Brown started toward the city for assistance. He first notified the
police, and Assistant Chief of Police
Owens, with his mounted officers, and a physician, hurried [blank space] the
park.
They were too late, however, to render the
Davenport woman any assistance. She
was dead when they arrived, and near her, on the ground, were found her wrap,
jacket, a book and a cluster of roses.
Meanwhile, Brown, having
notified the authorities, fainted from loss of blood and was borne to the city
hospital. There the doctors said that his chances of recovery were small.
The police after a search, found
Davenport at his quarters in New Castle street and placed him under arrest.
Davenport stoutly denied that he had
shot the actress and Brown.
“I have been right here since supper,” he declared.
Brown, however, thought
Davenport was the guilty man, and
Davenport was arrested.
Davenport is the manager of
the Majestic theater, which was recently opened here. He came to Brunswick last
January with the Parker Amusement company. His wife the dead actress, was “Superba,”
the leading attraction carried by the carnival company.
Brown is a bartender at the Mecca saloon, and has lived in Brunswick
only a short time.
The Americus Weekly Times-Recorder
(Americus, GA); Friday 8 March 1907; pg. 6 col. 1
BROWN IS DEAD AS RESULT OF SHOT—Americus Man Succumbs To
Wounds—WOMAN IN CASE WAS KILLED—“Ronnie” Brown and Woman Were Sitting Together
in Park When Unknown Party Shot Woman Dead and Wounded Brown.
“Ronnie”
Brown, the Americus young man fatally shot on Wednesday night while
sitting in Windsor Park, Brunswick, with a woman,
Lillian Davenport, died at 1 o’clock on Friday morning from the
pistol shots fired at him by an unknown man.
The woman in the case was also shot fatally, and died a few minutes
thereafter.
The woman, Lillian Davenport,
is remembered by hundreds in Americus, where she was seen in November last in “Superba”
a dancing show with a carnival company here.
Newspaper accounts of the tragedy, sent out from Brunswick yesterday
morning are as follows.
The couple were in Windsor Park, a suburb east of the city.
Brown was shot through the back, the ball passing through the body,
passing out at the right of the abdomen and probably penetrating the bladder.
According to Mr. Brown’s
story, he was shot before he knew of the presence of any one. The woman ran
toward the assailant, whose hat was down over his eees [sic]. The next moment a
second shot was fired and the woman reeled, shot through the heart.
After firing a third shot at Brown
his assailant ran.
Brown, after trying to aid the
woman, stumbled through the brush for over a half a mile before securing aid. It
was midnight before the police were notified.
At 3 o’clock, Davenport the
woman’s husband from whom she had separated a few weeks ago, was arrested in his
boarding house and held under arrest until at noon Thursday he proved a positive
alibi before the coroner’s jury. He was released at 5 o’clock.
The woman’s body was buried at 10 o’clock yesterday at Palmetto Cemetery.
She was born in St. Joseph, Missouri, and the couple were married in San
Antonio, Texas. They had been with the show for some time.
[Another newspaper said that the Parker Amusement Co. was
in Tifton in early January 1908 and were last from Illinois.]
The Evansville Ind Journal
(Evansville, IN); Sunday 14 April 1907; Part 2 Pg. 7 cols. 1-7
THE MYSTERY OF THE MARSHES OF GLYNN
Journal-News Special Service.
BRUNSWICK, Ga., April 13.—Haunting mystery—mystery that will not be
denied, that seems hopeless of solution—envelops this city, and all its
inhabitants, dominating every one like an obsession that is persona and not to
be thrown off.
About Lanier’s Oak, which marks the romantic border of the Marshes of
Glynn, just beyond the town’s limits, the mystery centers. There it is thickest
and most impenetrable. The roots of the grass that grows lustily near the old
oak have lately been nourished by human blood—blood that gushed from the hearts
of a man and a woman, leaving them dead, one instantly and the other too soon
for the tragic impulse to reveal itself. It was night—a night late in February,
but still a pleasant night here in this Southern clime. If the mists that rose
from the Marshes of Glynn held a slight chill that was the only discomfort.
Possibly those mists were thick enough to conceal the form of an assassin, or
perhaps he hid himself in the shadow of the old oak—no one knows.
All that human lips have testified to concerning that midnight scene was
told by the man, when he staggered into the apartmetn [sic] of a friend in the
town with a gaping, mortal bullet wound in his abdomen. And the essentials of
the man’s testimony have been disproven. It is known that the man was infatuated
with the woman. She was Mrs. Lillian
Davenport, an actress, wife of R.L.
Davenport, manager of the Majestic Theatre of Brunswick—a beautiful and
fascinating young woman two or three years short of thirty.
The man was A.R. Brown, a
young business man of the town, a bachelor, not wealthy, but with wealthy family
connections and good social position.
INFATUATED WITH A STATE BEAUTY
Mrs. Davenport came to
Brunswick last December. She was the star of a carnival company which appeared
at her husband’s theatre in January. There were large audiences.
Mrs. Davenport was very much admired.
Mr. Brown in particular, was so interested that he attended the
performance almost nightly.
He sent flowers to the star, and finally sought her acquaintance. This
was not difficult to gain—less difficult, perhaps, in a small city than in a
large one.
Mr. Brown was known as a
“man’s man.” All men like him, and he had several close friends to whom he was
rather frank about his infatuation with the beautiful actress. The situation
became apparent to quite a number of the townspeople.
There was another element in the affair that added zest to the gossip.
Mrs. Davenport was said to be
neglected and cruelly treated by her husband.
Suddenly Brown and his friends
became aware that although Davenport
may not have been altogether kind to his wife he was desperately in love with
her. Was she the cruel one? Was she a coquette? Was she making her husband’s
life miserable through the attentions she acepted [sic] from other men? So the
gossip ran. Then presently there was a definite and quite delicious morsel
furnished to the gossipers.
Davenport met his wife while
she was in Brown’s company. The
meeting between the two was public, outwardly harmless. But
Davenport was in a rage.
“You are Mr. A.R. Brown, I
believe?” said the manager.
“That is my name,” answered Mr.
Brown with dignity.
“Well, sir, this lady is my wife.”
“Of that I am well aware, sir.”
“Then when I tell you that I object to your attentions to this lady
possibly you understand what I mean?”
“If the lady objects, also,” said
Brown, quite imperturbably, “whatever you mean will certainly have weight
with me.”
As though she feared a scene, Mrs.
Davenport put out her hand, which Mr.
Brown took.
“Good night, Mr. Brown. Thank
you very much for your courtesy.”
“Good night, Mrs. Davenport.”
That was all—upon this occasion.
While Mrs. Davenport continued
in this life there were no more fresh pegs upon which to hang gossip. After her
dead body was found near the old oak by the border of the Marshes of Glynn—the
oak named ofr [sic] the poet Lanier—on
the morning of Feb. 28, the fact of at least one clandestine meeting came out.
At about 8 o’clock on the evening of the tragedy
Mrs. Davenport and A.R. Brown
were seen to meet at the post-office. Several persons saw them walk together out
Gloucester street to Windsor Park, beyond which lay the Marshes of Glynn.
Many persons were in the park, for it was a lovely evening. A bright moon
shone through the branches of old oaks and pines. Over beyond the Marshes of
Glynn was the ocean, that “gray and melancholy waste” of
Lanier’s poem.
Even as midnight drew near the park was not yet deserted. Several persons
heard the faint reports of three pistol shots coming from the direction of
Lanier’s Oak. There were no screams
or other disturbances, so they gave no special thought to the matter.
An hour later Brown staggered
into his friend’s apartment and sank to the floor unconscious. A physician was
called. He saw that the man’s wound was mortal, but after a time he succeeded in
restoring him to consciousness.
Then Brown told his story. He
had walked into Windsor Park with Mrs.
Davenport. They had continued their walk out to the border of the Marshes of
Glynn. When near Lanier’s Oak thye
[sic] had stopped to survey the beauties of the scene. As they turned at the
sound of footsteps the man fired a pistol.
Brown fell, shot through the abdomen.
He heard another shot and saw Mrs. Davenport fall. Then the man ran away.
In the bright moonlight he saw the man quite clearly. eH [sic] believed
him to be R.L. Davenport. He crawled
to the woman’s side and saw that she was dead. Then he managed to drag himself
back to town and to his friend’s apartment. At daylight the police found the
dead body of Mrs. Davenport. It lay
close by Lanier’s Oak. They found
Davenport and arrested him for the
murder of his wife.
But at the inquest held a few hours later,
Davenport proved a complete alibi.
People where he boarded testified that he had not left his room during the
entire evening.
This was a tremendous surprise to the townspeople, who fully believed
that the meaning of the tragedy was a wronged husband avenging his honor. Now
they knew that not only was Davenport
innocent, but that he was crazed with grief over the murder of his beautiful and
desperately loved wife.
Brown, already in the throes
of death that found him a few hours later, seemed amazed. He thought deeply, and
then said that, Davenport being found
innocent, he could think of but one other man who would be likely to commit such
an act. He named Teddy Mercatos, the
former proprietor of the Metropolitan restaurant, where
Brown had first met Mrs.
Davenport.
Mercatos was arrested in
Savannah, to white [sic] city he proved he had gone several days prior to the
tragedy, and had not since left it.
A WALL OF MYSTERY
Brown died without making any
further accusations. The police investigations were brought up short against an
impregnable wall of mystery.
A wealthy brother of Brown
took his body to Sumter county for burial. The funeral of
Mrs. Davenport was attended by all the members of her company, who
earnestly proclaimed her to have been a good woman. The bereaved husband was
chief mourner. His love and his grief were too genuine to be for a moment
doubted.
The police were not long in coming to the conclusion that it was useless
to work on the theory that there was a third party in this tragedy. The intimate
friends of Brown shared in this
opinion. They had noticed something in the manner of
Brown during his last hours which, upon reflection, convinced them
of his determination to carry with him to the grave the secret of that last
scene beneath the branches of Lanier’s
Oak. But if there were no other actors and no other witnesses connected with the
tragedy of that February night, how would it be possible to ascertain the manner
of it, or the motive?
All who knew Brown well agree
that no woman in his company would even dream of the need of a weapon with which
to hold him at a distance. He was of a mild, pleasant, most agreeable
disposition, with all the characteristic chivalry of Southerners in their
attitude toward women.
Those who knew Mrs. Davenport
agree that she was too experienced in the ways of the world, too used to the
attention of admiring men—which no footlight favorite can easily escape—to make
it possible for an unfortunate love affair to drive her to the homicidal
extreme.
So murder and suicide, as well as shooting in self defense, must be
eliminated so far as the woman is concerned.
When the position and character of
Brown are analyzed the situation appears in a different light. If she
accepted his attentions in the light and thoughtless manner characteristic of
women in her profession who count their admirers by hundreds, it is certain that
Brown’s state of mind was very
different.
He was so infatuated with the charming actress that dignified gentleman
as he was, he stooped to clandestine meetings in the face of her husband’s
warning. He was a bachelor, free to marry and abundantly able to support a wife.
He had heard of Davenport’s alleged
cruelty. Perhaps he belisved [sic] Mrs.
Devenport [sic] would willingly procure a divorce in order to marry him.
Indeed, his conduct latterly had been that of a man so thoroughly
infatuated that his whole future seemed to him to be wrapped up in this woman.
She must have realized this, thought probably without realizing how
serious to him would be the farewell she intended saying to him, as perhaps she
had said to other admirers.
Women are incurably sentimental, even when they do not love deeply. They
can not reconcile themselves to brusque or offhand partings with men who adore
them. The parting scene must partake of the nature of a ceremony. There must be
handclasps, and, if not kisses, at least a few tears and assurances of
everlasting regard, or the little comedy will lack its proper sentimental and
artistic ending.
So behold Mrs. Davenport
meeting Mr. Brown at the postoffice
[sic] that evening to take advantage of the silver moonshine and the natural
beauties of Windsor Park for a romantic setting of the final scene of her
innocent little comedy in which she would let her latest admirer “down easy”
with a sentimental farewell and “God bless you.”
If, terribly in earnest, Mr. Brown
carried in his pocket a loaded revolver, he was doing no more than many another
man who had been threatened by a jealous husband.
Perhaps it was in Windsor Park that
Mrs. Davenport gave to
Mr. Brown the first intimation that
it was really all a little comedy and was about to end with a touch of sentiment
mingled with pathos. Perhaps then he first realized that there was no way of
escaping the tragedy.
In the park there were people all about. Did he tell her about the
incomparably romantic interest centering about
Lanier’s Oak and the moonlit border
of the lonely Marshes of Glynn? If so, would not a woman in her position, with
her sentimental object in view, eagerly accept his proposition to walk in that
direction?
The exact details of the last tragic scenes are not material. Women of
the stage are accustomed to act in emergencies with greater promptness and
resolution than their less independent sisters in private life. It is a part of
their training. It is credible that when
Mr. Brown with his last hope gone, drew the revolver to end his life she
seized the weapon and was killed by the bullet which he had intended for
himself. Finding that she was dead, there was another and even stronger reason
why he should carry out his original purpose. Perhaps it was his extreme
agitation that caused the bullet aimed at his heart to strike a less fatal spot,
and the third shot heard by person in Windsor Park—to miss him entirely. Then,
the suicidal impulse having departed, it was natural for the wounded animal to
seek relief—and Brown [directed?]
himself toward home.
But why did Brown accuse two
men as possible assassins? It is known that he entertained a strong hope of
recovering from the effect of his wound. He had this hope when he made his
accusation against the woman’s husband. Would he not rather live as the innocent
victim of a jealous husband’s act, than as the suspected murderer of a woman who
died while defending her honor?
Brown died knowing that the
men he had accused were safe. Therefore there was no occasion for him to recant
or to divulge the real secret of the tragedy.
The Macon
Daily Telegraph; Monday 18 November 1907
Pg. 1 col.
3
A.D.
STRICKLAND SHOT ONE BROTHER TO DEATH AND WOUNDED ANOTHER
HAZLEHURST, Ga., Nov. 17.—A.D. Strickland, a prominent farmer who lives
seven miles south of here, was brought through town today en route to Baxley
jail, charged with the murder of John Cole, Strickland’s tenant.
The story is that Cole went to Strickland’s house last evening,
Strickland asked him what he wanted. He replied that he had come for a
settlement, Strickland said all right, I will give you a settlement,
reached for his gun and fired a load of No. 4 shot into his breast. Cole
died this morning. Cole’s brother and Gus Herrington were
present. The brother ran and Strickland asked Herrington if that
other man who was running was Cole’s brother. Receiving an affirmative
answer Strickland fired a load into the brother’s back. The latter’s
wounds are slight and he will recover. Herrington then ran away from the
scene. It is said that there had never been any disagreement between
Strickland and Cole, and the general opinion is that Strickland
is deranged, although there is a difference of opinion on this and some hold to
the theory that there will develop past ill feeling. Strickland seems to
be unconscious of what has occurred.
The Macon
Daily Telegraph; Monday 16 December 1907
Pg. 1 col.
6
A.D.
STRICKLAND INSISTS JOHN COLE IS NOT DEAD
HAZLEHURST, Ga., Dec. 15.—A.D. Strickland, who shot and killed John
Cole a few weeks ago, was given a preliminary trial yesterday and was
re-committed to jail for murder. He will be given a trial as to this sanity
before the grand-jury takes action on the case. He converses as intelligently
as he ever did but his memory is blank on many things. He avers vehemently that
he has not killed Cole, that Cole had trouble with his wife’s
people and left this section. There can be no doubt about his being unbalanced.
The Brunswick Journal (Brunswick,
Georgia); Saturday 11 January 1908
[no page numbers on any of the four pages. I have full copies of pages and
margins, but no numbers--June (Lott) Nevar]
First Pg. Col. 2
THE KING’S DAUGHTER’S TO HOLD ANNUAL MEETING.
Notices have been issued for the
annual election of officers of the Glynn Circle of the King’s Daughters, the
meeting to be held at the home of Miss Katie Hall, 501
Union Street, at 8 o’clock on the evening of Jan. 10.
CHAPTER OF MERCY REORGANIZED YESTERDAY.
The Episcopal Church has always had a
charitable organization whose work was non-sectarian, St, Mark’s Church of this
city has reorganized this branch of church work under the head “Chapter of
Mercy.”
A meeting was held yesterday and the
following efficient officers elected: Miss Ethel Conoly,
warden; Miss Fannie Mason, treasurer, Miss Josie
Smith, secretary, to act until the return of Miss Maria
Blaine.
Any appeals for aid in the way of
clothing, food, or along any other line of want, will be promptly met and
relieved by any of the officers named.
First Pg. Col. 4
JUDGE REAGAN WILL OPEN COURT
JUDGE LITTLEJOHN COMES FOR SECOND WEEK OF THE TERM.
Judge Reagan from Henry County
was named yesterday by Governor Smith to open Glynn Superior Court Monday
afternoon at 2 o’clock and preside for the first week of the term in the place
of Judge T.A. Parker, who remains quite ill at his home in Waycross.
Judge Littlejohn of Americus
will hold court the second week of the term. The order was received at noon
today by Clerk duBignon.
A NEW FIRM MEMBER
George F. Gay, the furniture man, expects soon
to get up a sign to read, “Gay & Sons,” as another young man arrived at this
home early this morning. Mrs. Gay and the little chap are doing
very nicely.
LADIES AID MEETING
An important meeting of the Ladies
Aid Society of the Methodist church will be held at the home of Col.
D.W. Krauss, Monday afternoon at 3 o’clock.
CLUB ELECTS OFFICERS
These officers were elected by the
Progress Club at its annual meeting to serve through 1908: L. Goldsmith,
President, and Fred Pfeiffer, Secretary.
First Pg. Col. 5
DEPUTY SHERIFF PYLES NOW DEPUTY U.S. MARSHALL.
It is now R.B. Pyles, Deputy
Sheriff of Glynn County and Deputy U. S. Marshall for southeast Georgia from
Brunswick to Waycross, Brunswick to a point halfway between this city and
Savannah and on the Southern to Lumber City. U. S. Marshall White, while
in the city yesterday, made the announcement.
COL. GOODYEAR CANDIDATE FOR CITY ATTORNEY.
It was announced on the streets today
that Col. C.P. Goodyear will be an applicant before Council for
city attorneyship. Col. Goodyear’s many friends will be interested in
this announcement.
First Pg. Col. 6
CONCERT AT OGLETHORPE ON SUNDAY EVENING.
The third in a series of concerts
being given by the Oglethorpe Orchestra at the Oglethorpe promises to attract
all lovers of good music who are cordially invited to attend. Leader
Ternest has arranged a pleasing program for Sunday evening, commencing at 8
o’clock.
No page number, Col. 2
SOCIETY
Mrs. J.D.
Sparks will entertain her son Robert this afternoon.
Mrs. John C Stiles
is the guest of her mother, Mrs. Burdette, in Savannah.
Miss Edith Wilkes
returned to her home in New York on today’s Mallory.
Mrs. Haym and Harry
Haym are being welcomed home after a two month visit to Columbus.
Mrs. W.S. Stacy, who
spent some time in the city, has returned to her home in Fort Mills, South
Carolina.
Miss Madeline
Downing is the guest of Miss Mary Coachman in
Jacksonville.
Mr. and Mrs. George
Hill are recently arrived guests at Mrs. C.L. Elliot’s.
Mr. and Mrs. Guy
Harvard are back from a visit to relatives in North Carolina.
Mrs. James Foster
and little son are being entertained by Mrs. J.B. Wright at her
home on Union Street.
Dr. and Mrs. Blanton
have their daughter, Mrs. Edward E. Smith, and her little
daughter, of Atlanta, as guests.
Mrs. Anson W. Ball
and her little daughters will arrive in the city the early part of the coming
week, to visit Mrs. Ball’s parents, Sheriff and Mrs.
Berrie.
Mrs. J.F. Baya is the
guest of Mrs. J.W. Thomas for a few days. Mrs. Baya
has been the recipient of many social attentions and is warmly welcomed by many
who miss her as a resident.
Tuesday of next week, Mrs. H.W.
Cornell, will entertain at luncheon in the Oglethorpe, where she is a guest.
Mrs. Cornell is a most thoughtful hostess, and entertained
delightfully several times last winter.
Mrs. Alice Clay’s
card party was very enjoyable. A very handsome drawn work tea cloth was
the first prize, won by Mrs. R.R. Hopkins. A bottle of fine
perfume fell to the lot of Mrs. A.C. Banks, and was a delightful
consolation.
The Ladies Aid Society of the
Presbyterian Church will meet with Mrs. W.M. Tupper, as is their
annual custom, for the election of officers for the year. Mrs.
Tupper always makes meetings enjoyable, by holding a social session, serving
refreshments, after all business has been transacted.
Miss Ophelia Dent
will take a congenial party down to Hofwyl on Sunday for a short stay at her
father’s plantation, her guest including Miss Florence Stevens,
Miss Anna Stevens, Mrs. Beirne Gordon,
Jr., Mr. Fort Hammond and Mr. Joseph
D. Taylor--Savannah Press.
No page number Col. 3
Mrs. J.W.
Griffith returns to her home in Savannah today, after a visit to Brunswick,
where she was cordially welcomed by her girl friends. As Miss
Rita McKinnon, Miss Griffith was one of he brides of
1907 and one of the most popular ladies of this social set.
Miss Arabella Wright,
one of the handsomest of Brunswick’s society belles, is rejoicing in the
possession of a new horse which has just reached the city from Atlanta.
The arrival is a perfect beauty, and his proud owner looks forward to some happy
hours in the saddle and driving.
The Acacia Club will enjoy a most
original scheme of entertainment today when Mrs. F.D. Aiken will be
hostess for the club. Miss Sallie Aiken of New York
will be the guest of honor. Mrs. Aiken has adapted the
“Katzenjammer Kids” as the decorative feature, and Uncle Heiney and the long
suffering Mrs. Katzenjammer will figure as markers and decorations.
Miss Fe Symone has done some very clever work, and the figures
will be prized for their daintiness. The prizes will be very pretty
pieces.
No page number Col. 3
WANTS (Want ads)
FOR RENT
For rent-Two furnished rooms, one
large room and one small. Apply to Mrs. Williamson, corner
Norwich and Monk Street.
FORT RENT
For rent-unfurnished rooms, suitable
for light housekeeping. Apply 608 S. Albany Street.
FOR RENT
A nice country home, dwelling of 6
rooms, kitchen, servant house, garden, strawberry bed, and some patches, one
mile from depot, church, and good school, healthy climate, and water. 50
miles above Augusta on C. & W. C. R. R.; price $13.50 a month. Address Mrs.
B.C. Cade, Bordeaux, S.C.
FOR RENT
Cottage, 5 rooms and bath; close in.
Apply Mrs. Hattie Latimer, 117 North Union Street.
Found-a bunch of keys on F Street.
Owner may have same by proving property and paying for this ad. B. Journal
Office.
WANTED- One room, unfurnished, near business center and in good
locality. Address G. 204 E Street.
SPECIAL NOTICES
DR. BULLOCK HOME
Dr. C.R. Bullock, after a pleasant two week visit in Atlanta,
returned to the city yesterday.
The Brunswick Journal (Brunswick,
Georgia); Monday 10 February 1908; pg. 1 col. 5
NEW HOTEL ROYAL WILL BE POPULAR PLACE
The personal popularity of Host
Miller, of the Hotel Royal, the new European hotel opposite the Oglethorpe,
which opened Saturday, assures the new house fine patronage.
As the Host of the Central, Manager
Miller made a success which in his new quarters he will more than repeat.
The first day’s arrivals Saturday
included guests from New York, Baltimore, and several northern cities.
The Hotel Royal occupies the entire
upper floor of the new Brunswick building and is a perfectly appointed, up to
date hotel in every detail. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have leased
the house for a number of years, thus adding another fine hostelry to care for
visitors.
Pg. 3 Col. 2
SOCIETY
Little Miss Bunkley is
with Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Bunkley.
Mr. And Mrs. Eugene
Creamer is entertaining a little son.
A little daughter has arrived at the
home of Mr. and Mrs. W.M. Lucree.
Miss Arabella Wright
entertains with a formal tea this afternoon, inviting her girl friends to meet
Miss Chaffee, a visitor at the home of Mrs. William
Nightingale.
The Cinderella dances at the
Oglethorpe every Saturday are enjoyed by the younger set. Dancing is
indulged in until twelve, and then a feature resembling the dance the little
maid of the fairy story took part in. Usually a number of suppers, more or
less on the chafing dish order, follow, and the week’s social candle goes
merrily out.
The Macon
Daily Telegraph; Tuesday 23 February 1909; pg. 8 col. 1
STRICKLAND
SAYS HE WAS ARCH ANGEL—Jeff Davis Man Held for Murder, Tells Remarkable Tale.
HAZLEHURST, Ga., Feb. 22.—Jeff Davis superior court convened this morning.
Judge T.A. Parker presiding and J.H. Thomas, the newly appointed
solicitor general, appearing for the state.
Rev. DeFoor opened court with prayer.
Four murder cases are ready for trial. A.D. Strickland, who
killed John Cole and was soon afterward adjudged insane and sent to the
asylum, is well and back ready for trial. He says the whole time from before
the date of the homicide to his awakening at Milledgeville is a blank; that when
his mind becomes rational it appeared to him that he had reached heaven, having
had all sorts of delusions during his insanity. He can recollect signing checks
for millions of dollars and feeling like he owned the world; not only that but
he occupied an archangel’s place in heaven.
The case of the state against Walter Carter for the homicide
of Elias Mobley, which resulted in a mistrial when tried before, will
likely be tried this week.
Carrie Miller and John Supple, colored, will be tried
for the killing of other negroes.
Frank Hall, who is charged with having burglarized the
southern depot and Wilson Hardware store, has been captured after a lively chase
in Florida and after being shot in the leg is here for trial.
In addition to this there are fifty misdemeanor cases and
seventy-six civil cases on the docket and ready for trial.
The Brunswick Journal;
24 May 1911 (Extracted by John Frost Murlin)
COL.
DART WRITES OF LIEUTENANT PETTIGREW—History of Lieutenant Geo. W. Pettigrew.
How few know those finer traits of human character, in our daily
contact with each other until after being brought out by crucial tests; here was
a Brunswick boy who made no pretense of a more heroic mould than his average,
every day acquaintances, yet, when occasion offered, towered above them like
some incarnate knight.
He was almost the first of the old riflemen to form our company on
October 20, 1860, and when the call was made in “61” for volunteers, almost the
first to answer, and was mustered into service with the company on May 27, 1861,
and marched away to the call of duty, leaving behind a young wife, though the
bridal kiss had scarcely left her cheek; was it an innate soul prophecy, no one
ever knew, but he always contended he would be killed in the first battle; laugh
as they might, as the boys guyed him he was ever firm in this belief.
He was possessed of a rich contralto voice, and often in camp would
sing for the boys. His favorite was “Woodman Spare That Tree”. After a hard
day’s march we arrived on the 12th of December 1862 near Hamilton’s
Crossing just south of Fredericksburg. That night (a cold one) gathered around
a camp fire, Capt. Dart asked him to sing, “Woodman Spare That Tree”. He
was standing near a large oak. At first he excused himself, but we became
insistent and he yielded. I had heard him sing that old, old song before, but
never with the same deep pathos as that night, and when he came to that part,
“Woodman, forbear they stroke, cut not this earth beyond ties, oh spare that
aged oak now towering to the skies” his voice grew tremulous, and he thinking of
the old oaks he saw so often in his boyhood, bamboled beneath with his youthful
playmates, in the loved home, Brunswick. Boys from other commands gathered
around to listen to the song, and when he ended there was more than one moist
cheek. After a pause he said: “Let us get some rest, for who can tell what
tomorrow may bring.”
At about ten o’clock the next day (13th), we took
position on an old country road; in front were dense woods. Skirmishing was
going on in our front, we being held in reserve. I think it was about one
o’clock when Meade, who had his division marked in by two lines,
assaulted. (I think it was Gregg’s brave boys as ever faced a foe), but
they were overpowered and driven back, and our brigade, Lawton’s—afterwards
Gordon’s—under the command of Col. E.N. Atkinson (than whom no
more gallant officer ever wore a sword), were ordered forward. The woods was
thick with briers, wild roses and fallen limbs, many cut down by shot and shell
from the enemy’s batteries in front.
Our company, A 26th Georgia, was on the extreme right.
The railroad ran through a copse of woods before coming out toward
Fredericksburg. Lieut. Pettigrew was on the right and a few of the
company following him went through those woods. I think I can give the names of
those with him: Jake Sykes, Clay Williams, Ben Williams,
Tobe Goodbread, and the writer. There may have been others but I fail to
remember now. As we passed through and came upon the open plain, the
battlefield in all its terrible grandeur broke in view upon us. Thirty pieces
of Federal artillery were hurling shot, shell, canister and grape on their
mission of death, while there was one incessant crash of musketry.
It seemed that all the demours of the lower regions were there
riding in high carnival on the warring passions of men, gleating, gibering, and
laughing in fiendish delight over the harvest of death.
Yet there stood Pettigrew, calm, tall and commanding, his
sword pointing toward the artillery, saying “Boys, forward and take those
batteries!” About twenty paces in front there was a ditch and he jumped
across. I saw him sway a moment, then settle down on his right knee, then on
his elbows with his sword still grasped in his hand. Running up I asked,
“Lieutenant, are you hurt?’ “yes, but don’t’ mind me, go on and take those
batteries!” It was his last command.
In my next I shall let the old news-paper clippings, old faded
letters, which have been blurred with tears and the mists of forty-nine years,
tell of his heroic death and sad burial in the city of Washington. J.E. Dart.
The Brunswick Journal; 30 May 1911 (Extracted
by John Frost Murlin)
DEATH OF LIEUTENANT PETTIGREW DESCRIBED BY COLONEL J.E. DART—History of Lieut.
Pettigrew Brunswick Riflemen (Concluded).
In my last article I said that I would let old newspaper clippings
and faded letters finish his history. Had I said I was writing as his school
mate, his comrade, his kinsman, it might have been said it was from a partisan
view. J.E.D.
EXTRACT FROM ONE OF HIS LAST LETTERS
“Lynchburg, Va. Sept. 2, 1862
My
dear Wife:
Your letter was received with the deepest feelings of joy. I have
for some time been anxiously waiting to hear from the loved ones at home and
that I have been permitted to persue those lines of deep affection traced by the
hand of a fond and muched loved wife, I am now fully recovered, but I cannot say
how long it will last; cannot say how soon I shall be able to return to my
suffering family, and accept the noble offer made by my friend Mike. I
feel grateful to him for his kindness to me and mine, and should I never be able
to repay him, may God reward him and vouchsafe him a long and happy life.”
Further on he says:
“I see the army is now at
Manassas and have a terrible battle in
which Ewell’s division was twice driven back with great loss, but being
reinforced they charged the third time and swept the enemy from the field. Our
brigade is attached to this division. I tremble with fear as to the result.
May God forbid that my brother could fall victim to this cruel war.” (His
brother, Moore, was killed at Turky Ridge June 1, 1864.)
Speaking further on he writes:
“Oh, God, what a happy hour it is for him (his brother, only 16
years old) when peace is declared he could shed tears of joy at the bare
prospect of peace and a happy reunion with those dearer to me than life. Give
my love to my dear mother and tell her that I will never forget that inestimable
being to whom I owe my existence, and upon my heart is indelibly stamped the
image of a fond and revered mother. Goodbye, your ever true and devoted
husband.
George W. Pettigrew.”
Note from the battlefield:
“The enemy has treated me kindly. Those who will send you this will
tell you where I am, if alive. George W. Pettigrew.”
On the back of the note:
“Your son was sent to Washington, D.C. yesterday. W. Pollock.”
“Washington, D.C. Jan. 3, 1863
My
dear Mrs. Pettigrew:
Being one among your late husband’s friends that attended his dying
bedside, I offer you my sincere sympathy, and write a few incidents of his last
moments. I was sent for on Sunday, to go and see him, accompanied by Mrs.
Wilson, who kindly wrote you of your meloncholly loss. I sent for the
Rev. Dr. Hall, formerly of Augusta, Ga. and communicated to him his dying
state. He received it with christian resignation. The Lord’s Prayer was read
for his family, then under affection he then asked that the Apostles Creed be
read. When I finished he took the book from my hand saying: ‘I want to see
those blessed words’. Oh, Merciful God, look with pity upon you all, is the
prayer of your friend.
CATHERINE CHESS OLDFIELD.”
What Mrs. Butts writes:
“I called to see your husband at the Patent Office Hospital, on the
Sunday previous to his death and took a memorandum of what he desired me to say
to you which was that he wanted his mother or wife, one or both, to come to see
him. He was wounded in the left knew at Fredricksburg, and I shall never forget
how his countenance lighted up as I asked him at what time he was wounded and he
replied ‘I was wounded on Saturday about three o’clock, while making a charge on
the enemies batteries.’
(did I uote history in my first article?)
He had every attention from kind ladies that could properly be given
him. I regret that the lock of hair was taken out by the Federal officer who
examined the letter.
Comment is not necessary on this incident, save he belonged not to
those high toned christian soldiers who wore the blue like our honored fellow
citizens, Maj. Downing, Goodyear, Dunn and others. They
would not have deprived a grey haired old mother and sorrowing wife the sad
sweet privilege of moistening with tears that harmless token, a tress of hair
from that brave boy’s brow.”
What the Washington papers said:
BURIAL OF A REBEL OFFICER—The funeral of Major Geo. W. Pettigrew
who was wounded at Fredericksburg and taken a prisoner took place from Masonic
hall this afternoon and was attended by a large number of Masons, who followed
his remains to the Congressional cemetery and was buried in the lot belonging to
the Grand Lodge.
He was a relative of a distinguished lawyer of that name of
Charleston, S.C.
In the battle of Fredericksburg he was wounded in the knee. He was
brought to this city and taken to the Patent Office Hospital on Wednesday last,
but steadily refused to allow his wound to be dressed until all the wounded, who
had come up at the same time, had been attended to and when his case came it was
found that modification had taken place, which resulted in his death Monday
night. On Sunday finding that there was no hope of his recovery he made himself
known as a Mason to the surgeon in charge, and asked that the fact should be
made known to some of the Masons in Washington.
Grand Master Stansburg was at once informed and hastened to
his bedside. A will was drawn leaving his property to his mother, wife and
children, about whom he seemed to be mostly concerned. He also requested that
the Masonic fraternities would take charge of his body and it be buried with the
usual honors.
After his death, which took place Monday night, his remains were
placed in a handsome mahogany casket and laid in state at Masonic hall and this
afternoon the services of the Episcopal church, of which he was a member, was
conducted by Rev. Dr. McCurdy of Kentucky. The Masonic services at the
grave were conducted by Grand Master and Lecturer E.L. Stevens.
Extract from another Washington paper:
The death of Major Pettigrew was caused by the mortification
of the wound, which resulted from his persistent refusal to have his wounds
dressed until after all of our wounded men were attended to—not his comrades in
gray, but his late foes upon the field of battle.
Let song and story tell of Leonidas and his Spartan band.
Let poets sing of the charge of the light brigade at Balaclava; let Phillips
in the House of Lords, speaking of Napoleon’s death, say “he was the
greatest man that, in the annals of the world ever rose, reigned or fell.
Let marble shafts rear high their heads to commemorate the heroism
of men; let golden medals be pinned upon their breast for noble deeds, but here
was a Brunswick boy seeking no fame or reward, forgetting mother, wife, and
prattling babes, reaching out in that broad field of suffering humanity, though
they were his foes.
With that charity extending beyond the grave, knowing that every
hour his chances of life were growing less and less, saying: ‘Don’t mind me or
my sufferings, help the other suffers, they are no longer foes, but belong to
that great world of humanity and died that others might live.’”
Some years ago I was on my way to Washington when near Hamilton’s
Crossing an accident occurred to the engine. The conductor said it would
require an hour for repairs. It was late in the evening, the sun was sinking
behind the western hills. I knew where I saw him last, with sword grasped in
hand. There was the same ditch but the ploughshare had been there. Fields of
grain were waving with the autumn winds, a stray sunbeam rested for a moment,
then faded away. In the gathering twilight all was so calm, so still, so
peaceful. No sound was heard, save the distinct song of the reapers, gathering
the golden harvest.
The shrill whistle of the engine recalled me, “and night closed as I
went.” J.E. DART.
The Macon Daily Telegraph (Macon, GA); Saturday 19 October 1912; pg. 2 col. 3
“SPANISH SWINDLE” IS TRIED IN BRUNSWICK—Ralph Minehan Gets Letter From Far Famed
Prisoner Languishing Unjustly in Old Madrid Dungeon.
BRUNSWICK, Oct. 18.—In these days of frenzied finance it does not
fall to the share of every young man to receive unsolicited an offer to share in
a $300,000 fortune. But Ralph Minehan, of the Brunswick Trading and
Development company, stands to “win” $100,000. Mr. Minehan, who is one
of this city’s well-known young business men, reived [sic] the news in a letter
from Madrid, which after testifying to his honesty and secrecy, urges him to
defray the expenses of recovering trunk [sic] “containing” documents worth
$300,000, which the Don claims are to all his property in America.
Mr. Minehan is wondering where he gained the reputation which
the letter states he bears. He says that during his life he has “stood” for
several $5 and $10 “touches,” but he never imagined the news had traveled to old
Madrid.
The letter is the first step in the game known as “the Spanish
prisoner swindle.” Unlike other letters received by people over the country
from the “poor political prisoner” the missive received by Mr. Minehan
does not ask him to make the trip to Spain, but requests that monetary
assistance without his presence is what is wanted. The letter is signed
“Ex-Banker,” and will adorn the wall of Mr. Minehan’s den in future as
the work of the most ingenious “touch artist” he has yet been brought in
contact.
The Savannah Tribune (Savannah, GA); Saturday 16 November 1912;
pg. 1 col. 4
AN INTERESTING THANKSGIVING WEDDING
Considerable interest is being shown in the coming wedding of Mr.
Samuel G. Dent of Brunswick, Ga., and Miss Eleanor L. Jones of this
city, which is to take place on Thanksgiving evening at St. Stephen’s Episcopal
church, this city. The contracting persons are both very popular in their
respective towns and the wedding bids fair to be one of the most brilliant
affairs of the season. Miss Jones is the eldest daughter of Capt.
and Mrs. F.F. Jones, 506 Henry street, east, while Mr. Dent is a
mail carrier in Brunswick, Ga., and is one of the most progressive young men of
that city.
The Savannah Tribune (Savannah, GA); Saturday 7 December 1912;
pg. 1 cols. 2 & 3
JONES – DENT
The marriage at St. Stephen’s Episcopal church Thanksgiving evening
of Miss Eleanor L. Jones, the elder daughter of Capt. and Mrs.
F.F. Jones, to Mr. Samuel G. Dent of Brunswick, Ga., was an
exceptionally beautiful event, followed by a reception at the home of the
bride’s parents, 506 east Henry street. The church was very beautifully
decorated for the occasion in southern smilax and palms which made a very
effective background for the yellow gowns of the bridesmaids and distinctly
brought out the color scheme, yellow and green. Special interest surrounded the
wedding for the bride has been, since her debut several years ago, one of the
most admired of the younger society girls. The church was filled with guests
some time before the ceremony and while they were assembling, Mr. Charles
McDowell, the organist, rendered some charming numbers. As the bride and
her attendants entered the church, the bridal chorus from Lohengrin was
beautifully played. The ushers, Mr. Marion Johnson, Mr. Matthew Jones,
Mr. Valdore Giles and Mr. Tattnall of Brunswick, passed up the
aisle first, standing on either side of the pulpit; then the two groomsmen,
Mr. John Carr and Mr. Duncan Scott, following these were the
bridesmaids, Miss Anna Tucker and Miss Clinton Dingle who took
their places next to the groomsmen on opposite sides of the altar, next came the
maid of honor, sister of the bride. Immediately preceding the bride came the
little flower girls, strewing rose petals from their baskets of yellow roses in
the path of the bride. The bride entered with her father and was met at the
altar by Mr. Dent and his best man, Dr. Charles Hoskins, of
Brunswick. Amid the gentle strains of “Oh, Promise Me,” impressively rendered
by the organist, the ceremony was performed in a most solemn manner by the
rector, Arch Deacon Richard Bright, at the conclusion of which
Mendelssohn’s wedding march was played as recessional.
The bride in her wedding gown of white satin charmeuse and duchess
lace was a picture of exquisite beauty. The corsage was v shaped neck and
finished at the throat with rhinestones. Over the left shoulder was laid a
plastron of duchess lace and an ornament of pearls extended across the entire
front, the short sleeves were of duchess lace with trimmings of pearls and
rhinestones. The train, which was round, hung from the waist and was very
artistically and beautifully trimmed with handmade chiffon and satin roses,
which [illegible word] a delicately tucked inset of satin charmeuse which made a
beautiful finish for the train and at the top of which was a large satin bow.
The skirt was gracefully draped on one side and caught with ropes of pearls
extending from side-front to the train, the other side having a large bow
holding a similar drapery in place, with a panel-like effect of duchess lace
just above the drapery which gave an additional touch of charm and beauty. The
bride wore a tulle veil with cap of real lace held in place by a garland of
orange blossoms. She wore a handsome lavilliere necklace of pearls and carried
a bouquet of white roses, lilies of the valley and maiden hair fern.
Miss Mildred Jones, maid-of-honor, wore a charming gown of
white satin veiled in crystal net with trimmings of crystal bands and fringe.
The skirt had a crystal net tunic caught up with rosettes of chiffon and bottom
of skirt was finished with a wide puffing of stain. The bodice was v neck edged
with crystal bands and the short sleeves were draped in crystal net edged with
crystal fringe and bands. She wore a crystal bandeau in her hair and carried
yellow chrysanthemums tied with yellow ribbon.
The bridesmaids’ gowns were of yellow satin charmeuse draped with
yellow chiffon and shadow lace. The bodice was of chiffon and lace with
rhinestone banding. The draperies of the skirt were held in place with
ornaments of crystal and pearl. They wore crystal bandeaux with aigrettes, and
carried yellow chrysanthemums tied with yellow ribbon.
The flower girls, little Misses Hilda Edwards and Edwina
Perry, wore dainty lace dresses over yellow and carried baskets of yellow
roses tied with yellow ribbon.
The bride’s mother was gowned in a handsome taupe satin with corsage
veiled with gray chiffon and yoke and sleeves of lace.
Mrs. J.R. Jones of Philadelphia, Pa., sister-in-law of the
bride, was very becomingly gowned in pink crepe-de-chene with bodice and tunic
veiled in pink chiffon. The v shaped yoke and sleeves were finished with bands
of pearl and crystal fringe and front part of lace yoke was trimmed with dainty
pink buttons. The girdle was of crepe-de-chene having a black velvet bow at the
back, the ends of which extended a little below the knee where the tunic of
chiffon, drawn back, was held in place by another black velvet bow.
Mrs. Sophie Moulden was exquisitely gowned in a steel gray
stain veiled with gray chiffon, the bodice was elaborately trimmed with
embroidered cloth of silver with collar and yoke of shadow lace. The skirt was
draped in gray chiffon and at the bottom of tunic was a handsome band of the
embroidered cloth of silver and a wide fold of steel gray panne velvet finished
skirt.
The reception was largely attended, and with the beautiful
decorations of the house, in which the color scheme was distinctly brought out
by the yellow chrysanthemums and southern smilax, and the beautifully gowned
women and well-groomed men made it a very beautiful affair. In the parlor
Mr. and Mrs. Dent stood under an arch of palms to receive
congratulations. All during the reception beautiful music was rendered in the
second parlor by the Misses Alice and Helen Ellis.
The wedding gifts were numerous and costly. Mr. and Mrs.
Dent left next morning at 4:30 o’clock for Brunswick, Ga., where they will
make their future home. The bride wore for the journey a tailored coat suit of
gray broadcloth with chiffon blouse of the same shade and a becoming tailored
hat. The out-of-town guests were: Mrs. J.R. Jones of Philadelphia, Pa.,
Mrs. Jones, Dr. Charles Hoskins and Mr. Tattnall of
Brunswick, Ga.
The Tampa Tribune (Tampa, FL); Sunday 24 August 1913; pg. 9 col.
3
R.L. Raffo, city electrician, left Friday for Brunswick, Ga.,
where he will join Mrs. Raffo, who has been there with relatives for the
past two months and will see her safely started for Colorado, where she goes on
the advice of physicians for the benefit of her health.
The Macon Daily
Telegraph (Macon, GA); Friday 17 October 1913; pg. 8 col. 3
BRUNSWICK PILOTS ARE FINED OR SUSPENDED—G.A. Manoe and E.S.
Tabbott Are Given Their Preference of Paying $100 or Suspension Several Months.
BRUNSWICK, Oct. 16.—The Brunswick commissioners
of pilotage held a meeting yesterday morning for the purpose of taking up
charges preferred against two of the local pilots, G.A. Manoe and E.S.
Tabbott. Both of these pilots were charged with misconduct. Evidence in
their cases was heard and both of them were convicted.
Manoe was given the option of a six months’ suspension or a
fine of $100, and Tabbott was given a find of $100 or four months’
suspension, the suspension in each case to stand until the fines are paid. It
was stated by the commissioners that the charges warranted severe action and
that the light fines were given more in the nature of a warning, being the first
charges brought before the board as now constituted.
The Savannah Morning News; Saturday 29
November 1913; pg. 3
Transcribed by
Jeff Anderson for
Becky
Mitchell and the Telfair County Historical Society to aid in the
effort of having the Captain
John L. Day Home in Lumber City,
Georgia placed on the National Register of Historical Places.
JOHN H. BARRETT—After a prolonged illness,
John H. Barrett, aged 53 years, died
at [illegible] o’clock last night at his home, No. [illegible] East Thirty-ninth
street, from diabetic gangrene. At
an Atlanta hospital last April his right leg was amputated in an effort to save
his life but the poison had permeated his system and finally resulted in his
death. He was a native of Atlanta,
where he was born Jan. 10, 1860.
Mr. Barrett was a well known
commercial [illegible] dealer. For
twenty-five years he traveled out of Savannah, for M. Fern & Sons until they
discontinued business and then for George
W. Tieder[??]. Besides
his wife, Mrs. Ida V. Barrett, he is
survived by three daughters and three sons, as follows:
Mrs. L.J. Chedel,
Mrs. J.E. Gilmore and
Mrs. E.M. Aspinwall, and
W.D.,
J.G., and Guy
Barrett of Savannah.
His mother, Mrs. Frances Barrett of Savannah and three grandchildren,
Ida
Mae Barrett,
Dorothy
Ruth, and V.M. Aspinwall Jr.,
also survive. Final funeral
arrangements have not been made.
[Note:
An error in article; Mrs. E.M. Aspinwall, a surviving daughter, should have been
Mrs. V.M.
Aspinwall (Vernon
Matthew
Aspinwall).]
The Macon
Daily Telegraph; Sunday 19 April 1914; pg. 3 col. 2
MELDRIM TO
DELIVER MEMORIAL DAY ADDRESS
BRUNSWICK, April 18.—General Peter W. Meldrim, of Savannah, has accepted
an invitation to deliver the Memorial day address in Brunswick next Sunday, and
an interesting program has been arranged for the observance of the day. Instead
of observing Monday as Memorial day, the exercises will be held Sunday
afternoon. The parade will be participated in by the band and all the military
of the city. After the exercises at the opera house, the parade will again form
and continue to Oak Grove cemetery, where the usual salute will be fired over
the graves of the dead Confederate soldiers.
The Macon
Daily Telegraph; Sunday 19 April 1914; pg. 3 col. 2
MELDRIM TO
DELIVER MEMORIAL DAY ADDRESS
BRUNSWICK, April 18.—General Peter W. Meldrim, of Savannah, has accepted
an invitation to deliver the Memorial day address in Brunswick next Sunday, and
an interesting program has been arranged for the observance of the day. Instead
of observing Monday as Memorial day, the exercises will be held Sunday
afternoon. The parade will be participated in by the band and all the military
of the city. After the exercises at the opera house, the parade will again form
and continue to Oak Grove cemetery, where the usual salute will be fired over
the graves of the dead Confederate soldiers.
The Atlanta Constitution; Thursday 19
November 1914; pg. 2 col. 6
MRS. LUCY C. CARNEGIE VERY ILL AT DUNGENESS
Jacksonville, Fla.,
November 18.--Mrs. Lucy C. Carnegie is reported to be seriously ill at
Dungeness, Andrew Carnegie's winter home near Fernandina. Andrew
Carnegie II, her son, and other relatives reached Fernandina from New York
by special train early today. Mrs. Carnegie is the mother of
Thomas Morrison Carnegie of New York, a trustee of the Carnegie Foundation.
The Atlanta Constitution; Thursday 7
January 1915; pg. 1 col. 1
SIX BELIEVE DROWNED—No Hope for Crew of Brunswick Tug.
Brunswick, Ga., January 6—Hope for the safety
of any of the six members of the crew of the tug Rambler, wrecked off Cumberland
island near here Monday during a heavy sea, were abandoned tonight.
The bodies of the two negro crew members were found on the beach
today, together with portions of the clothing of the four white men. Wreckage
was strewn for two miles along the coast.
The Rambler was wrecked after going aground and while the crew was
waiting for high tide to float the vessel.
The missing and dead include Harry Ingram, captain; Carlos
U. Dart, engineer; George Bell, fireman; Charles Segui,
fisherman; Henry Roberts, negro deck hand, and Dave Smith, negro
cook.
The Macon
Daily Telegraph; Monday 8 March 1915
Pg. 1 col.
2 & pg. 5 cols. 6 & 7
SEVENTH MAN
DEAD OF SHOT WOUNDS; DEAD BEING BURIED—Ernest McDonald Latest Victim of
Phillips—GUNNER TOLNAS IS BETTER—Bank Clerk Now Has Chance to Recover—DUNWODY IS
NOT BURIED—Prominent Men Arrive to Attend the Funeral—MINEHAN SHOT PHILLIPS—New
Feature of the Shooting at Brunswick is the Fact That Pistol Ball is Found in
Body of Monroe Phillips, Fired by Young Clerk.
BRUNSWICK, March 7,--Brunswick people began to realize this morning the awful
extent of yesterday’s frightful tragedy in which seven human lives were snuffed
out in as many minutes. Terror stricken and under great excitement the
awfulness of this horrible affair did not dawn upon the people of this city
until hearses began to pass through public streets and avenues carrying to their
last resting places those of Brunswick’s dead who lost their lives only a few
hours before.
In twenty-five homes there linger victims of the ruthless bullets
and in the city hospital one other death occurred this morning, that of
Ernest McDonald, 23 years of age, well-known and popular.
WAS INNOCENT BYSTANDER—Ernest McDonald, like all of those who
have preceded him into the shadows of death, was an innocent bystander. He had
emerged from a barber shop, happy because the Lord only recently had spared him
from a serious attack of pneumonia.
There was hope during the early hours of the morning that
McDonald might rally and all that physicians and nurses could do was done to
save him, but all in vain, and shortly before 11 o’clock this morning he passed
away, leaving a young widow and two children, a boy of 5 and a girl.
TOLNAS MAY RECOVER—Another patient at the city hospital, Gunner
Tolnas, the 21-year-old bank collector, who was shot while riding his
bicycle, is still alive and tonight physicians announces that there appeared to
be a little improvement and some hope is now entertained for his recovery.
The condition of A.M. May is also considered very serious.
L.J. Leavy, the aged Confederate veteran, who received one
ugly wound just under the shoulder and another in the chest, was reported to be
resting easy. Unless complications set in he will recover.
Sigmund Levison, another of the seriously injured, shows
improvement.
COUNCILMAN IS WOUNDED—A.H. Boyle, a member of city council,
received a bad wound in the chest, jumping in an auto immediately after he was
shot and going to his home. It was hours afterwards before it was known that
Mr. Boyle had been wounded. His condition is not considered serious.
All of the other twenty or more people who were more or less injured
were reported to be improving today. The body of young Officer Deaver
was interred this afternoon at his old home at Frederica.
William A. Hackett, the aged undertaker, was buried in Oak
Grove cemetery at 3 o’clock and his funeral was attended by the Knights of
Pythias, the Odd Fellows and the American Mechanics. He was a charter member of
Rathbone lodge, K. of P., and as a tribute of respect to him, no hearse was
used, but members of this lodge carried the casket bearing the remains from his
residence to the cemetery.
The funeral of George W. Asbell took place at 3 o’clock this
afternoon, his remains being interred in Palmetto cemetery.
The body of L.C. Padgett was forwarded to his former home,
some distance from the city, for interment.
DUNWODY’S FUNERAL NOT HELD—Pending the arrival of a brother from
Colorado, arrangements for the funeral of Col. H.F. Dunwody were not
completed tonight. The interment, however, will probably be tomorrow
afternoon. Among the kinsmen who arrived today to attend Mr. Donwody’s
funeral were Justice Samuel C. Atkinson, of the Georgia supreme court,
and Hon. Spencer R. Atkinson, member of the house from Fulton county,
uncles of the deceased; Reuben Arnold, and Hollis Randolph, of
Atlanta, brothers-in-law, and others.
The body of Monroe Phillips, instigator of the city’s
terrible tragedy, will be buried here tomorrow afternoon. It was intended to
forward the body to Reid’s, near Macon, for interment, but both
arrangements were changed today.
MINEHAN SHOT PHILLIPS—The only new development in the
tragedy today of interest was to fact that an examination of Phillips’
body showed that although the load of buckshot from the gun of E.C. Butts
brought him to the floor in Branch’s drug store, as he was preparing to
reload his gun and fire, that he also was struck by three or four .32 caliber
pistol balls. As all police officers firing at him were shooting .38 caliber
pistols, it was not known at first who had fired upon him with the .32
revolver. Ralph Minehan, a young real estate dealer, who had seen
Phillips shoot down three men, had rushed to a nearby hardware store,
secured a revolver, and returned to the drug store, entering by a side door, and
fired upon the blood-crazed man just a few seconds before Mr. Butts sent
him down with a load of buckshot.
he real cause of the shooting, it appears, though Phillips
had planned it sooner or later, arose over a telephone conversation between
Col. Dunwody and Mrs. Phillips early yesterday morning. Mr.
Dunwody represented clients who had attached the proceeds from the sale of a
lighter several days ago, and Mrs. Phillips called him over the phone to
endeavor to settle the matter. Mrs. Phillips later told her husband that
Mr. Dunwody had insulted her by saying “You and your husband are trying
to beat these people out of this money.” This seems to have enraged him and,
securing his shotgun and at least fifty shells, eh started out to murder all
whom he claimed had wronged him in the past. Among these were Albert Fendig,
prominent real estate dealer and banker; A.M. Way, who was badly injured,
R.E. Briesnick and others.
Hundreds of Brunswick citizens gathered around the scene of the
terrible tragedy today. In almost every building for two blocks signs of
Phillips’ shooting was in evidence, buckshot landing here and there in show
windows, in door fronts, in telegraph poles, behind which many people sought
safety, and other places.
The Macon
Daily Telegraph; Sunday 25 April 1915; pg. 5 cols. 3 & 4
EXERCISES AT
BRUNSWICK—Interesting Services Monday in Observance of Memorial Day.
BRUNSWICK, April 24.—Interesting exercises will be held in Brunswick Monday in
observing Memorial day. The program will begin promptly at 2 o’clock, in order
that it will be concluded in time to permit those who desire to attend the
opening baseball game of the Georgia State league at 3:30 o’clock.
The exercises will be held at St. Mark’s Episcopal church, where the
Memorial day address will be delivered by Rev. R.E. Boykin. The program
will also include music and a short talk by Miss Maria Blain, president
of the local chapter of the Daughters of the Confederacy. Following the
exercises at the church the parade, participated in by the First Regiment band,
the Brunswick Riflemen, the boy and girl scout organizations of the city and
others, will proceed to Oak Grove cemetery, where the usual salute will be fired
over the graves of the dead Confederate soldiers.
The Savannah Tribune
(Chatham Co., GA); Saturday 17 June 1916; pg. 4 col. 2
Brunswick is being well represented in the
northern states these days with a large number that is already there, yet there
are a few more to go. Miss Leola Menidy, Miss Ellen Dennis,
Miss Sally Ried and Mrs. Eldora Floyd will leave Friday for points in
the north.
Miss Leola Buggs is spending her
vacation with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Adolphus C. Buggs.
Miss Buggs is one of the teachers of Coleman Institute at Gisbland, La. She
reports having had much success her first year in teaching music. Miss Buggs
is a graduate of Fisk University.
The closing exercise of Risley school last
Friday night was excellent from every point of view. The teachers deserve much
credit. Notwithstanding the number of hours each teacher is engaged in her
duties each participant displayed well his part. Since the leaving of Prof.
Whithead as principal, the work has been entirely in the hands of Miss
C.I. McIntyre. There ought to be ome [sic] request made to the board of
education by the colored citizens of Brunswick in reference to our public school
system, for conditions are bad. To search the record of Risley one would find
that the board has not done one thing for the colored people but remodeled and
painted what was given by northern philanthropists. There are as many colored
children as white and only one school for them. The grand jury recommends but
the recommendations fail to materialize.
Frankfort Crescent News; 25 September 1916
COURT PERMITS ADOPTION OF 19-MONTHS OLD CHILD
A petition by Mr. and
Mrs. Manson Coffman for the adoption
of Harry Edmond Hanson, 19-months
old, child of Raymond Hanson, was
granted by Judge Combs in circuit
court today. The mother is dead and the father gave his consent for adoption.
The child’s name was changed to Charles
Clifford Coffman.
The Augusta Chronicle (Augusta, GA); Thursday 1 February 1917;
pg. 3 col. 3
ANGIER-MINEHAN
Many friends in Augusta of both contracting parties will be
interested to learn of the marriage of Miss Ruth Angier and Mr. J.R.
Minehan, both of Brunswick, Ga., which occurred at Kissimmee, Fla.
The marriage was quite a romantic and interesting one, as the bride
and groom constituted two members of a touring party, which was on its way to
the west coast of Florida, being chaperoned by Mr. and Mrs. G.W.
Harper, but upon arrival at Kissimmee they took the marital vows, probably
superinduced by the name of the town itself as well as the natural inclinations
which had been manifest to their friends for some time.
Augusta friends, especially of the bride, are quite numerous. She
is a niece of Mrs. Benjamin Duke, of the famous Duke family of
tobacco manufacturers, and is well known in the East as well as this section of
the country.
The Savannah Morning News; Sunday 6
June 1920; pg. 4 cols. 1-3
TUG CAPTAIN’S BODY FOUND IN CREEK—MISSING SEVERAL MONTHS—No
Trace of Bodies of Mr. Jouett and Miss Fitch.
Brunswick, Ga., June 5—Neither the body of
E.H. Jouett of Atlanta, or Miss Marguerite Fitch of Savannah, who
were drowned on St. Simon[s] Island last Sunday, has as yet been recovered,
although a constant search has been kept on all of the nearby beaches for the
bodies. A reward has been offered by relatives for their recovery. What was
thought to be the body of the drowned man was picked up yesterday in a small
creek off Jekyl Island by a negro fisherman, but after an investigation it
developed that the body found was that of Capt. Chadwick of the ill-fated
tug Fortune, wrecked off Jekyl island some three or four months ago.
The negro fisherman was passing through the creek in his small prawn
boat when he noticed the body. He at once came to the shore and reported what
he had found to Coroner Jennings, who instructed the negro to at once
bring the body to the city. It was naturally believed that the body was that of
Mr. Jouett, but after it reached the city it was discovered that it was
unquestionably that of one of the missing men from the tug, as some half a dozen
drowned when the boat went down have never been accounted for. Although the
body had been in the water for a long time, the face was in a splendid state of
preservation, but other portions of the body were badly mutilated. But little
flesh remained on the bones. It is believed, from the condition of the body,
that the head had been buried in the mud, probably since the drowning, and that
it was floated by the high tides recently.
The coroner at once notified the owners of the ill-fated tug, and
the body is being held pending instruction from the company. In the meantime
every effort is being made to locate the bodies of the unfortunate couple who
met with such a horrible accident on the island Sunday, when they both were
drowned, the young lady losing her life in an effort to save her companion.
They had both been thrown from a small canoe, in which they, with others, had
been paddling around the surf, when the boat was suddenly overturned. Being an
expert swimmer, Miss Fitch attempted to save Mr. Jouett, but the
strong tide was more than she could withstand, and they both went down as other
people on the beach were making every effort to reach them.
The Macon Daily Telegraph (Macon, GA); Thursday 31 March 1921;
pg. 9 col. 4
MINEHAN HELD ON FEDERAL CHARGE—Brunswick Man Is Arrested For Misappropriation of
Funds—WAS BANKRUPTCY RECEIVER—Reports Say That Others Will Be Implicated in
Heath Case.
BRUNSWICK, Ga., March 30.—James R. Minehan, a well known
[sic] young Brunswick automobile dealer at the head of the Minehan Auto
Co., one of the oldest concerns of the city, was placed under arrest today by
Deputy United States Marshal J.O. Mattox, on a warrant charging
misappropriation of funds in connection with the handling of the bankruptcy case
of the J.W.S. Heath Motor Co., of which Mr. Minehan was the
receiver.
Mr. Minehan had just returned to Brunswick from Miami,
Florida, he having completed arrangements to move to that city. Marshal
Mattox was accompanied to Brunswick by Assistant United States District
Attorney W.D. Turner and special agent J.F. Shipp, of the
Department of Justice, under whose direction the proceedings were brought.
J.W.S. Heath skipped out from Brunswick just a year ago after
the most sensational operation ever known in this city, leaving creditors all
over the country. The amount he got away with was estimated at upwards of
$150,000. His business was thrown into bankruptcy and Minehan was named
as receiver. Following his arrest today, rumors were afloat that other people,
prominent in Brunswick, would also be arrested in connection with the case.
Several months ago, it was rumored that there had been certain
irregularities in handling the Heath estate, valued at $1000,000 [sic],
and it is reported today an investigation by the Department of Justice followed,
which resulted in the arrest of Minehan today. When questioned on the
subject after his arrest, he said he had nothing to say and late this afternoon
Marshal Mattox carried him to Waycross, where, it is understood, he will
waive a preliminary hearing, furnishing the necessary bond, and will return to
this city tomorrow.
The Savannah Tribune
(Chatham Co., GA); Saturday 25 June 1921; pg. 2 col. 2
Mrs. Madison Scarlett and her daughter,
Miss Annie M. Scarlett left Washington last week to spend some time with
her son, Geo. Scarlett, who is practicing law in that city. Miss
Scarlett is a recent graduate of Howard University. They will return next
month.
The engagement of Prof. S.C. Mitchell,
principal of Selden Institute to Miss Ella McLeod is announced. Their
wedding will take place June 29, 9 o’clock at the Presbyterian church, Cordele,
Ga. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell will be at home Selden Institute,
Brunswick, Ga., after July 1.
The Macon Telegraph (Macon, GA); Tuesday 17 May 1921; pg. 4 cols.
6 & 7
Death Attempt Futile, Still Desires to Die—Looks Like I Will Survive, to My
Sorrow, Ponsell States.
Putnam Ponsell, machinist, aged 30, of 217 Broadway, who
yesterday morning made an unsuccessful attempt to commit suicide by swallowing
three tablets of bichloride [sic] of mercury, still wants to die.
“It looks like I am going to get well, much to my sorrow,” he told a
reporter yesterday.
Despondency over the failure of his wife and two small children to
return and live with him is given as the cause for Ponsell’s act. He
said that his wife went to South Carolina in February, taking the children with
her, to pay relatives a short visit but that she now refused to return.
Ponsell said his mind was not clear as the result of the worry over the
conduct of his wife and that he did not feel responsible for his act.
Ponsell took the bichloride of mercury tablets shortly before
11 o’clock and was sent to the Macon Hospital in a few minutes, a maid at the
boarding house having discovered that he had taken the poison. The physicians
were able to pump out most of the poison.
The Macon Telegraph (Macon, GA); Tuesday 12 July 1921; pg. 1 col.
5
PAIR CONFESSES TO FLORIDA MURDER—Joe Martin, of Brunswick, and Jim Lingo, of
Milan, Under Arrest—CAPTURED AT BAINBRIDGE—Admit Slaying John M. Tuggle, of
Chipley, Fla., in His Auto.
BAINBRIDGE, Ga., July 11—Joe Martin, 30, of Brunswick, Ga.,
and Jim Lingo, alias S.F. [sic] Ponsell, 26, of Milan, Ga.,
today confessed to the murder of John M. Tuggle, of Chipley, Fla., near
Deerland on July 4, according to a statement made by Sheriff S.W. Martin,
of Decatur county, following the arrest of the pair on suspicion.
The prisoners were taken to Jacksonville where they were turned over
to Florida officials.
The capture of the two men came as the result of a charge of
stealing two shirts placed against Martin by a man residing in the same
boarding house that Martin was stopping at since he arrived here from
Florida a few days ago. Martin was taken into custody and when he was
brought before Sheriff Martin his description answered that sent out by
Florida authorities shortly after the crime was discovered.
Lingo was arrested while he was at work in the office of a
local lumber company after officers are alleged to have searched Martin
and recovered Tuggle’s gold watch. Martin was the first to
confess and alleged that Lingo perpetuated the crime, while Lingo
in his confession placed the blame on Martin.
HEAD CRUSHED BY JACK—Tuggle, on July 3, while en route in an
automobile from his home in Chipley to Milton overtook Martin and
Lingo walking on the highway. He invited the men to ride with him as far as
Milton. They accepted the invitation. Tuggle went to Milton and while
returning home on the Fourth again met up with the two men. He picked them up
and while riding along he is alleged to have been slain by the two men.
When Tuggle failed to arrive home a search was instigated and
his body was found lying besides [sic] his automobile about one-half mile off
the main highway. His head was badly mutilated and a blood spattered jack
nearby indicated that it has been used as a weapon. Tuggle’s money and
watch were missing as well as his extra clothes which had been in a suitcase.
Laundry marks cut from the clothes were found beside the car.
Martin, in his confession to Sheriff Martin, stated
that both the men had taken part in the robbery and murder, but claims that
Lingo was the one who struck Tuggle over the head with the automobile
jack. Lingo claims that Martin struck the autoist [sic] many
blows.
The Macon Telegraph (Macon, GA); Thursday 8 September 1921; pg. 3
cols. 6 & 7
DEATH SENTENCE PASSED ON PAIR—Putnam Ponsell and J.V. Martin Confess Tuggle
Murder—CRIME COMMITTED JULY 4—Men Arrested in Bainbridge Are Convicted in
Florida.
CRESTVIEW, Fla., Sept. 7—The death sentence was today passed by
Judge Campbell in the circuit court here, on Putnam Ponsell and
J.V. Martin, for the murder of John Tuggle on July 4, inst.
Ponsell made a full confession of the crime in court
yesterday, implicating Martin. Martin was immediately placed on
trial, Ponsell being the chief witness. He repeatedly denied his
connection with the case, as the confession indicated, claiming that the deed
was done by Ponsell and that the only part he took was as an onlooker,
being afraid to remonstrate on account of threats on his life by Ponsell.
The jury brought in a verdict at 5 o’clock this afternoon after being out 30
minutes. After the verdict, Martin broke down and made a full
confession, corroborating the story as told by Ponsell.
The substance of the confession was that Ponsell and
Martin met Tuggle driving toward Milton in an automobile on July 2
and were given a lift. When Tuggle left Milton on July 4, the two met
him just across the river from Milton and asked for a lift back to DeFuniak.
When a few miles from Deerland, Ponsell, who was riding in the back seat,
struck Tuggle on the head with an iron bar, stunning him. Martin
then struck him two more blows with the bar. They then drove the automobile
about 50 yards from the main road, pushed the body of Tuggle out of the
car, one man beating him with the bar and the other with an auto jack, until
they were sure he was dead. After robbing Tuggle of his money and
clothes, the men walked to the railroad boarding a train for Bainbridge, Ga.,
where they were later recognized and arrested.
The Columbus Ledger (Columbus, GA) Tuesday 20 September 1921; pg.
5 cols. 2-4
GEORGE YOUNG MEN TO HANG—Penalty for Brutal Murder to Be Paid on Gallows at
Crestview, Fla., Next Friday.
Crestview, Fla., Sept. 20—Unless something unforeseen occurs,
Sheriff Steele will on Friday, September 23, officiate at the execution of
Jake Martin and Putnam Ponsell, convicted a bare ten days ago of
the murder in July of John Tuggle, a young man of Chipley, Fla., who had
befriended them a hot day in July by taking them into his car and giving them a
lift. They rode to the east bank of the Blackwater river, opposite Milton, with
Tuggle, and were carried possibly twenty miles by the man and in the car
of the man whom they afterwards slew. On the way to Milton they learned from
Tuggle that the latter was on the way to Milton to visit a young lady, that
he expected to make a return trip within a day or two. Then it is thought, the
two conceived the idea of getting car [sic] and Tuggle’s money, and
killing him. Tuggle started back on the return trip July 5, and the two
men he had formerly befriended met him again. Whether or not he invited them to
again ride with him was never known. They did enter his car a few miles east of
Milton, and at a point near Deerland, they slew him. Spattered by the victim’s
blood, the car presented too much of a telltale appearance and they would not
take it. They were arrested at Bainbridge, Ga., a few days later, charged with
the offense, one of them confessed, and then they went to Jacksonville for
safekeeping. Kept there until the week before their trial they were sent to
Pensacola and the day before their trial, sent here. The jury convicted them in
27 minutes. It was quick justice. They were sentenced just a week ago to pay
the supreme penalty on the gallows, and unless something intervenes, the two
will be launched into eternity shortly after noon. They both have admitted they
were guilty. Ponsell never denied his guilt. In fact, he all along
admitted the crime, saying he was the one who struck the first blow. He made a
written statement, admitting his guilt, but Martin, shaking like a leaf,
tried to place the blame on the other man. The jury was not long in finding
that Martin was just as guilty as Ponsell and Judge Campbell
sentenced them both to die.
People here who witnessed the trial of the celebrated Blackwell
case when the two brothers who were convicted several times of having murdered
Bud Davis and wife, claim that Ponsell, even after admitting his
crime, and calmly detailing it to the jury, showed even more bravery than did
Robert Blackwell, who, even on the gallows, stood with firm step and looked
the people square in the eye until the trap was sprung. There would have been a
double hanging, with white men as the principals in the execution if one of the
Blackwell brothers had not died in Pensacola. The other brother lived to
expiate the crime on the gallows. Davis and his wife were murdered for
their money. Tuggle was killed for his money and the car he owned and
drove. A singular coincidence is the assertion that relatives were the
principals in both of these crimes which have blackened the criminal history of
Okaloosa county. The Blackwells were brothers, and Ponsell is an
uncle of Martin.
Sheriff Steele is taking the utmost precautions to see that
the sentence of the court is carried out. He is affording the unfortunate
prisoners the utmost consideration in their last days, but it can be banked on
that they will be ready to ascend the gallows next Friday.
The trial of the two men was accomplished without the presence of a
relative of the accused men. It is the first time in local criminal history
that such a feature attended any criminal case. No mother, no father, no wife,
sisters or brothers were there to intercede, to comfort, to sympathize.
The youthful criminals had been brought up, living at different
points in south and southeast Georgia.
The Augusta Chronicle (Augusta, GA); Saturday 24 September 1921;
pg. 1 col. 2
MEN HANG TOGETHER AS 10,000 PERSONS LOOK ON—Murderers Pay Death Penalty While
Crowd Boosts Collection.
Crestview, Fla., Sept. 23—A double execution took place here today
when Putnam Ponsell and Jake Martin, paid the death penalty for
the murder of John Tuggle on July 4th, near this place. The
trap was sprung at 19 minutes past 12 and the men were pronounced dead in 18
minutes.
A crowd estimated at 10,000 persons had gathered to witness the
hanging which was a public one.
Both Ponsell and Martin admitted their guilt just
before the execution and a letter from the mother of John Tuggle was read
to the men in which she said that she had forgiven them.
A collection was taken up in the crowd for the benefit of the wife
and two children of Ponsell and the wife and one child of Martin
who are destitute and more than a thousand dollars was contributed.
Columbus Daily Enquirer (Columbus, GA); Friday 28 April 1922; pg.
1 col. 4
FIVE ARE KILLED; TRAIN HITS AUTO—Seaboard Air Line Train Strikes An Automobile
Near White Oak, Ga., With Fatal Results.
WHITE OAK, Ga., April 27—Five persons were killed and two others
injured when a Sea Board Air Line train struck an automobile driven by the
Rev. B.C. Prickett, of the First Methodist church of this place late today.
The dead are: Margaret Sarmon, 14, Pauline Sarmon, 4,
Vera Cheney, 14, Evelyn Crickett [sic], 10, and Mr. Prickett,
who was about fifty years old.
The injured are Elizabeth Prickett and Mrs. Prickett,
wife of the pastor.
The party was returning from practice for a church entertainment to
be given at an Epworth League meeting tomorrow night and the automobile was
within 400 yards of Mr. Prickett’s home when it was struck. He died
within an hour and the other four were almost instantly killed.
Macon Telegraph (Macon, GA); Friday 28 April 1922; pg. 1 col. 8
5 DIED 2 HURT IN AUTO CRASH IN CAMDEN CO.—MINISTER AND 4 CHILDREN SLAIN BY S.A.L.
TRAIN—Accident Occurs On Grade Crossing At White Oak—REV. B.C. PRICKETT DEAD—Sarmon
Girls, Vera Cheney, Evelyn Prickett Killed—AUTO HURLED 200 YARDS—Mrs. Prickett
and Another Daughter On Injured List.
WHITE OAK, Ga., April 21, Five persons were killed almost instantly
and two are seriously injured here late this afternoon when an automobile driven
by Rev. B.C. Prickett, of the First Methodist Church of this place, was
struck by a fast mail train on the Seaboard Airline Railroad.
The dead are:
Margaret Sarmon, aged 14.
Pauline Sarmon, aged 4.
Vera Chaney, aged 14.
Evelyn Prickett, aged 10.
Rev. B.C. Prickett, aged 50.
The injured are:
Elizabeth Prickett, age 8.
Mrs. B.C. Prickett.
The accident occurred within two hundred yards of the minister’s
home. The party was returning home from practice for a church social to be
given here tomorrow night, the entertainment to be in honor of members of the
Epworth League from Kingsland and Folkston.
TAKE INJURED TO JACKSONVILLE—The bodies of the minister and his
daughter, his injured wife and child, were taken to Jacksonville on the train
which struck their small automobile. It was learned early tonight that little
hopes are entertained for the recovery of the daughter, Elizabeth, while
Mrs. Prickett may recover.
The little Chaney girl jumped out of the automobile just
before the train crashed into it, but was killed when the train dragged the
machine over her body before the engineer could bring his engine to a stop.
While no funeral arrangements have yet been completed ti is probable that she
will be laid to rest here tomorrow afternoon.
The bodies of the two Sarmon children will be taken to
Tallulah Falls, Ga., the home of their mother’s family, where interment will
take place.
The accident occurred at an open crossing, the automobile being
hurled a distance of 200 yards. It is believed that when the automobile was
attempting to cross the railroad its engine stalled. Before the minister could
restart the stalled motor the train hove into sight and the accident resulted.
Miami Herald (Miami, FL); Friday 28 April 1922; pg. 1 col. 6
FIVE KILLED WHEN TRAIN STRIKES CAR—George Preacher, Daughter and Three Others
Meet Death; Wife and Another Child Seriously Hurt.
BY ASSOCIATED PRESS NIGHT WIRE.
WHITE OAK, Ga., April 27.—Five persons were killed and two others
seriously injured when a Seaboard Air Line mail train struck the automobile
driven by Rev. B.C. Prickett of the First Methodist church of this place,
late today.
The dead are Margaret Sarmon, 14; Pauline Sarmon, 4;
Vera Chaney, 14; Evelyn Prickett, 10, and Rev. B.C. Prickett.
The injured: Elizabeth Prickett, 8, and Mrs. Prickett,
wife of the pastor.
VICTIMS IN JACKSONVILLE
JACKSONVILLE, April 27.—Four members of the Prickett family,
victims of an automobile accident at White Oak, Ga., arrived here tonight, two
of them dead and two injured. They were placed aboard a train and hurried to
this city for medical attention immediately after the accident. Rev.
Prickett, however died as the train pulled away from the station. The body
of his daughter, Evelyn, was sent along too.
Mrs. Prickett, wife of the pastor, and Elizabeth, a
daughter, were taken to a local hospital, where Mrs. Prickett was said to
not be seriously injured, and although the little girl was in a serious
condition it was believed she would recover.
The Atlanta Constitution; Sunday 17
June 1923; pg. 1K col. 2
MISS MORGAN WEDS FRANK SCARLETT
Washington, June 16—The marriage of Miss
Mary Louise Morgan, of Pen-Argyl, Pa., and Frank M. Scarlett, of
Brunswick, Ga., took place Friday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the First
Presbyterian church. The pastor, Dr. John Britton Clark, performed the
ceremony. The only witnesses was Cranston Williams, secretary to Senator
William J. Harris. No announcement had been made of the engagement.
Miss Morgan resided in Washington several years while in the
government service, but returned to her Pennsylvania home two years ago. Mr.
Scarlett is solicitor of the city court of Brunswick and one of the
prominent young attorneys of the state. He was active in the recent
gubernatorial race as a supporter of Governor Clifford Walker, and was
appointed as solicitor by Governor Dorsey.
Mr. and Mrs. Scarlett are at the Hotel Raleigh until
they leave for Asheville, N.C. Saturday. After several days in North Carolina
they will go by automobile to Brunswick.
The Macon Daily Telegraph (Macon, GA); Sunday 6 July 1924; pg. 13
cols. 5-7
FORMAL EXERCISES ARE PLANNED FOR OPENING OF GLYNN HIGHWAY—Brunswick-St. Simon
Road to Be Made Available, Formally, on Friday.
By L.J. LEAVY, JR.
BRUNSWICK, Ga., July 5.—On next Friday the people of Brunswick and
Glynn County will witness the formal opening of the now completed Brunswick-St.
Simon [sic] highway. To this great festival this community has bidden all
Georgia and is cordially reserving for her visitors on that day such a reception
as few Georgia cities have ever undertaken to extend to fellow Georgians.
The opening of this highway means a great deal to Brunswick and
means a great deal to all of the rest of Georgia and three or four bordering
states, the people of whom should make of the Sylvan Isle of St. Simon one great
playhouse for their Summer diversion.
The opening of this highway brings an actual realization to a dream
that has lived in the heart of Brunswick people for more than a half century;
indeed it was stated a few days ago by a pioneer citizen and one who has been a
pathfinder in most of the coastal development that Gen. James Oglethorpe
at one time figured seriously on building some sort of a roadway from St. Simon
to Brunswick in order to find an outlet in the event that the troops of Spain
forced his men to an exit.
Generation from generation, like a hope’s desire, bequeathed from
father to son, as thus, stirred the hearts and the ambition of Brunswick and
Glynn County people through all of the vista of years that have flown into the
past. Always, there has seemed to be an impression among local leaders that
some smiling Gent would some day [sic] come along, touch the magic lamp and
bring forth wealth to construct this great highway. But “hope long deferred,
maketh the heart sick,” and finally official Brunswick, official Glynn County,
and the rank and file of this citizenship highly resolved to do for themselves
what they had patiently waited for years and years for someone else to do.
The found the will to act, and let it be said to the everlasting
credit of the citizens of this community, they found ready hands and willing
hearts prepared to co-operate and to give to them that concrete encouragement
always necessary when leaders, with a vision, point the way.
Accordingly some three years ago the officials of the City of
Brunswick and the county of Glynn, supported by an almost unanimous wish on the
part of the people, made up their minds to put this tremendous development over;
spontaneous support came from every civic organization, assurances, co-operation
were literally poured at the feet of those who were blazing the way; public
meetings were held, a campaign of education was launched, in which press and
pulpit played its part, and finally the idea of a joint bond issue in an amount
sufficient to construct the highway was submitted to both the county of Glynn
and the City of Brunswick and when these stalwart South Georgians, who have
always stood four-square to every commercial wind that blows, voted on the
question, there were only a few dissenting votes, and the first real success had
been achieved!
SETTLE HIGHWAY ROUTE—With the bonds sold, at a time when such
securities were bringing good prices, the active work was soon under way. With
the co-operation of the Georgia Highway Department two or three surveys were
made and then same considerable discussion as to the route to be followed; the
first site starting the road several miles from the city, but after another
survey and careful thought this plan was changed and the highway starts at a
point within Brunswick’s city limits.
Very naturally a people whose hearts had been so long centered on
one object would find almost adoration for the finished product once it stood
reveled to them. That in short is the attitude of the average citizen of Glynn
County today.
They look upon this highway as unquestionably the most picturesque
one in this section; picturesque because it is unique in its individuality. It
is a highway that first traverses the marshes from whence Sidney Lanier
found the inspiration for his sweetest song: then in a majestic sweep it
crosses the various estuaries and rivers over bridges of wood and steel. It is
a highway lined on either side by imposing palms that give comfort to the
journey while interspersed between the stately relics of the coast is “row after
row” of sea myrtle, with its sweet ozone intermingled with that from old ocean,
fills one with an odor of sweet perfume. In short it is a roadway that, like
the stars, dwells apart, and is in a class all by itself
After this fairy land journey through marshes, over winding streams
and rivers one finds oneself on St. Simon Island, an isle rich in historic lore,
an island almost enchanting in its native loveliness, to which has recently been
added winding surface roads that carry one through almost holy ground in
Georgia; ground baptized by the blood of Oglethorpe’s continentals as
they, under his magic leadership, drove the last remnant of Spanish rule from
this hemisphere as Wolfe had done with the French on the dizzy heights of
Abraham.
The tourist will pass through the famous battle ground of Bloody
Marsh and not a furlong’s distance away is the scene where once stood the famous
oak under whose sheltering boughs the immortal John Wesley expounded the
initial theories from which was evolved the great Methodist Church. At
Frederica, just off the line of the highway, is that historical fort, built by
the willing hands of the troops of Oglethorpe and which stands today a
great monument not only to their craftiness in building, but that patriotism
which drove the Castilian hordes back to Spain.
Finally the tourist we have been picturing finishes his journey
still traveling on surface roads, that take him to Ocean Pier, and later will
take him to Long Island and East Beach and here he beholds a plan that nature
has fashioned for a Summer resort sufficiently large to make it a playhouse for
three or four Southern States. Unlike most spots of this character, St. Simon
is literally interspersed with the most beautiful shade trees and groves of
mighty oaks, while on the ocean side a beach stretching for many miles and a
surf [sic] constantly wishing it, bids a welcome to those who would take a dip
in the briny deep.
First and last the Brunswick-St. Simon highway is a thing of beauty,
to its winding courses there is pinned a people’s hope that not only Georgia
people, but those from Alabama, Tennessee and the Carolinas will take advantage
of the opportunity and come to St. Simons island [sic] and make of it such a
resort as Atlantic City is to Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware and other states.
FEAT OF ENGINEERING—It is no ordinary highway that has been
constructed: in fact engineers have pronounced it the work of modern
engineering, and again Brunswick scores, because a native son, Fernando J.
Torras was the engineer in charge of every piece of the work and he
personally saw practically every yard of sand and gravel pumped from the bottom
of the river by a gigantic suction dredge, he watched day by day the
construction of the two large draw bridges and the half-dozen trestles made
necessary in the building of the highway, and to this young Brunswickian,
successful in many other large engineering feats is due great credit for the
magnificent piece of work he has superintended.
Being built jointly by the city and county, a representative of each
was at the head of the building of the highway. Mayor Malcolm B. McKinnon,
representing the city, and County Commissioner E.L. Stephens,
representing the county, composed the St. Simon Highway Commission and have
devoted much of their time to the work, while A.O. Townsend, acting as
clerk of the commission, has also labored in season and out for the success of
the undertaking.
The program to be rendered on next Friday, at the formal opening
exercises, will be brief, except for an historical pagent [sic] to be staged in
the afternoon. The procession, in which will be a number floats, will form in
the city at 10 o’clock and proceed to the island, where, at the end of the
island, a large gate will be swung, and will be opened by a pioneer resident of
the island, through which the parade will pass onto the island. The highway
will be christened by little Miss Catherine McKinnon, daughter of
Mayor and Mrs. W.B. McKinnon attended by fifteen prominent young
Brunswick girls. Following these exercises there will be several short
addresses, after which an adjournment will be taken for dinner and a drive over
the island.
In the afternoon the Brunswick Woman’s Club, always leaders in civic
and educational advancement, will present an historic pageant depicting
accurately the early history of St. Simon and Brunswick. The pageant will have
nine episodes containing twenty-two different scenes, arranged by a committee
from the club, who spent a great deal of time and research compiling authentic
details and every scene shown will be absolutely accurate. The costumes
committee, through the courtesy of Senator Wm. J. Harris, has furnished
valuable information from the Congressional Library, and the costumes are also
true to the various periods shown.
The site selected for the staging of the pageant is perfect, being
across the drawbridge over Frederica River on Cascoigne [sic] Bluff. Under a
huge grove of majestic moss-hung oaks, sheltered from the July sun, the throngs
of visitors will view the pageant in the great out-of-doors.
The pageant will open with a scene in the Creek Indian camp, showing
among the tepees and the warriors returning from a hunt and executing an Indian
dance. It will also show an Indian trading scene when the Cherokee tribe from
upper Georgia came to trade flint arrow heads for dried leaves and herbs.
The second episode is in 1569, three years after the founding of St.
Augustine, and shows the coming of the Friars of the Order of St. Francis,
together with Spanish officers and soldiers and an Indian interpreter. Through
this interpreter friendly relations are established between the Friars and the
Indians. A crude church is built and the Friars teach the natives to read,
write and count as well as arts and crafts. In 1597 [or 1697, print is hard to
read] some trouble developed between the Friars and the Indians, which resulted
in the massacre of Father Velascola and all his associates.
The next scene shows the debtor’s prison in England, about 1730.
Conditions were so horrible in these prisons at this time that Parliament sent a
committee headed by Oglethorpe, to investigate. Oglethorpe was so
impressed that he decided to ask King George II to grant him a colony in
America and allow him to bring the prisoners from the debtors prison to settle
the new country. The next scene shows the court of King George II on
June 9, 1732, and the king gives to Oglethorpe and twenty-one trustees
the charter of the colony of Georgia.
The next episode shows the founding of Frederica February 18, 1736.
Oglethorpe accompanied by his secretary, Charles Wesley, soldiers,
settlers, surveyors, etc., begin the construction of Fort Oglethorpe. The
second scene shows Charles Wesley preaching under the oak trees at
Frederica and his brother, John Wesley, leading the singing. One of
Wesley’s famous hymns, O, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing, will be sung
during this scene.
BATTLE OF BLOODY MARSH—The battle of Blood Mash [sic], which was
fought March 11, 1743 [the battle was actually fought 18 July 1742], turning the
tide of English supremacy in America is next. Lieutenant Sutherland
enters with the English soldiers and Indians; Lieutenant MacKay with his
Scotch Highlanders (from Darien) and the Spanish soldiers, under Don Miguel
Bucarell. While the Spanish soldiers are at supper, MacKay gives the
signal of attack, by raising a Highland cap on end of a stick [sic], which
results in the killing, wounding and capturing of the Spaniards.
The next scene shows the colonial council in Savannah, May 8, 1771,
when a map of Brunswick is drawn, the streets and squares named and George
McIntosh, a surveyor, is sent to Brunswick to survey the city.
The next episode presents five distinguished visitors who have lived
on St. Simons. The first is William Bartram, who visited Frederica in
March 1774 and was the guest of James Spaulding. Bartram was sent
to America by Dr. Fothergill of London, “to explore the vegetable kingdom
for the discovery of rare and useful productions of nature.” He found a rare
species of the camellia family, which he named Gordonia Franklinia (now known as
the Lost Gordonia). This is the only plant of the kind ever discovered in its
natural habitat. Bartram gathered seed and carried them to other parts
of America and to England. From these seed have been grown a number of plants.
The second distinguished personage is Commodore John Barry,
who visited St. Simons in 1794 to select lumber for the building of the United
States “Constitution” familiarly known as “Old Ironsides.” This lumber was
loaded at Gascoingne’s Bluff, where the pageant will be held.
Nancy Hart, the pioneer woman, moved to Brunswick after the
revolutionary war [sic]. Her husband, Benjamin Hart, died here and his
will was filed in the local court.
In 1804 Aaron Burr, vice president [sic] of the United
States, following his duel with Alexander Hamilton, sought refuge and
solitude on St. Simon at the home of his friend, Major Pierce Butler,
where he spent a month.
In 1839 Fannie Kemble, noted English actress, married
Pierce Butler, and for a few years lived on St. Simon. In letters written
to friends in Boston she described the horrors of slavery as she saw it.
Through Henry Ward Beecher and his sister, Harriet Beecher Stowe,
(author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin) these letters were published in book form and
circulated throughout England. The letters so influenced different member of
parliament that they refused to recognize the Confederate State [sic] of
America.
The next episode shows a garden party at King’s Retreat, the
home of Thomas Butler King. At this time social life on the island was
at its height. The guests danced the Virginia reel. In the distance the
servants can be heard singing their plantation melodies and they are called to
sing for the party. A messenger arrives in great haste with news that Sumter
has been fired upon and the men are summoned to war. The men leave and the
women begin to make a Confederate flag. The next scene shows the return of a
few of the men after the war, wounded and ragged.
The last scene in the pageant shows Sidney Lanier in 1878 and
a few verses of his famous Marshes of Glynn are recited, after which a grand
ensemble will bring the pageant to a dramatic and colorful close. The natural
beauty of the setting, the bright and elaborate costumes of the various periods
and appropriate music will make this one of the most beautiful and interesting
pageants ever presented in the South.
The Macon Daily Telegraph (Macon, GA); Saturday 12 July 1924; pg.
1 col. 5
BIG CROWD AT ROAD OPENING IN BRUNSWICK—Between 12,000 and 15,000 People Attend
Ceremonies—CELEBRATION IS IMPOSING—Notables Address Throngs That Come to
Jollification—OPEN ST. SIMON [SIC] HIGHWAY—Dream of Years Is Realized as
Official Ceremony Held.
FACTS OF THE HIGHWAY
Cost, $400,000.
Length of project, 4.1 miles.
Length of bridge, one mile.
Span of drawbridges, 208 feet each.
Work on highway started May 10, 1923.
Highway opened to traffic June 26, 1924.
Total steel in bridges, 210 tons.
Height of bridges (low water) 20 feet.
Total amount of fill in road, 986,000 cubic yards.
Total amount creosote piling, 62,200 feet.
Total amount of creosote timber, 599,000 feet.
Total amount of concrete, 1,600 cubic yards.
Spans designed by State Highway Department.
Engineer in charge of highway, F.J. Torras.
Contractors on fill work, Atlantic, Pacific and Gulf Company.
On bridge and steel spans, Virginia Bridge and Iron Company.
On trestles and foundation, Savannah Foundation Company.
Gravel surfacing, Brunswick-St. Simon Highway Commission.
The expense of the entire project was borne equally by the City of
Brunswick and the county of Glynn.
BRUNSWICK, Ga., July 11.—A crowd estimated at between 12,000 and
15,000 people attended the opening of the Brunswick-St. Simon highway today,
which proved to be the most notable event of the kind in Brunswick’s history.
The parade, which preceded the ceremonies, was the largest ever seen
in this city. When little Miss Catherine McKinnon, daughter of Mayor
and Mrs. McKinnon, was christening the road on Frederica River, the end
of the automobile motorcade and parade rested in Brunswick, five miles distant,
and it was three hours thereafter that all cars reached the island.
The christening ceremonies were imposing. After the Key to St.
Simon had been handed to Governor Walker by Miss Felicite Gould,
great granddaughter of the original settlers of the island, the little sponsor
broke a bottle of “something” and the bridge was officially christened. The
speaking, scheduled to begin at 11 o’clock, was delayed somewhat, but it was
practically all over before the end of the long motorcade arrived at the island.
HEAR ADDRESSES—Among the speakers were United States Senators
Harris and George, Governor Walker, Clark Howell,
Representative Copeland, of Lowndes County, Dr. J.W. Simmons, of this
city, and several others.
This afternoon the women of Brunswick put on what was pronounced by
hundreds of visitors as the greatest pageant ever staged in the South, when 600
people took part. It was a historical pageant, depicting accurately the early
life of Brunswick and St. Simon. It was witnessed by a huge throng.
EVENT SIGNIFICANT—Brunswickians agreed tonight that the biggest
event of its kind in the city’s history was the celebration today. The opening
of the handsome, picturesque road to St. Simon Island, connecting the mainland
at Brunswick with the great separated from time immemorial by a span of just
four miles, across the marshes of Glynn, was pointed to as markedly significant
of the progress this section is making.
Brunswick invited, and Brunswick expected, hundreds of visitors but
the number exceeded practically all expectations, and during the entire day
there was nothing but a jam of hundreds of handsomely decorated automobiles
every inch of the entire distance from Brunswick to the island.
The day’s festivities opened promptly at 10 o’clock this morning
with the longest and most imposing parade in the city’s history. Dozens of
handsomely arranged floats, headed by a military band, rested on St. Simon
Island, while the rear end of the parade made up of regular motorcade of
decorated automobiles, occupied streets in Brunswick, unable to proceed because
of the congestion. From the time the parade moved until the final cars reached
the island three and a half hours elapsed, and even at that the program of
speaking was over before hundreds of people could reach the island.
B.F. Mann, master of ceremonies, first introduced Dr. J.W.
Simmons, who in a short but eloquent talk, welcomed the visitors to
Brunswick. The response was made by Hon. John N. Holder, chairman of the
State Highway Department, who complimented Brunswick and Glynn County on the
magnificent piece of work they had accomplished in building his great highway.
HOWELL IS HEARD—F.E. Twitty, director of the Dixie Highway
Association, then introduced Clark Howell, editor of the Atlanta
Constitution, who made a beautiful talk, in which he paid tribute to the people
of this county in complimenting
Pg. 3 cols. 3-5
[continued from page 1] them on the completion of a highway leading to what he
thought would eventually be the greatest playground of the South.
Sen. Walter George was the next orator, and for half an hour
he told the large assembly just what he thought Brunswick had done for the
entire State in building this magnificent highway. He said he had heard of it,
had read about it and had pictured it, but he was absolutely surprised when he
rode over it today. He said not only should all of Georgia appreciate it, but
that it meant much for adjoining states and, for that matter, the entire South.
Senator George was followed by Sen. W.J. Harris, who
like the other orators paid Brunswick a great compliment for what she had
accomplished. He said it took an energetic enthusiastic citizenry to plan and
perfect such a highway as Brunswick has built to St. Simon and that is was [sic]
truly a gift to the people of Georgia. While the senator, who came
unexpectedly, was not scheduled for an address, he made a most pleasing one. He
had long ago been extended an invitation, but feared he would be unable to
attend up to the last moment.
The highway was accepted on the part of the State of Georgia by
Governor Walker, who in an eloquent address of an hour told the people just
what Brunswick, St. Simon and Glynn County had done for the remainder of the
State and he said he knew that all of Georgia appreciates it to the fullest.
GLYNN PAID FOR IT—The Governor pointed out the fact that no state or
federal funds were available for the construction of the road, therefore Glynn
County had to stand for the entire expense, “but you have not only built a
highway, you have built a monument.” The Governor said Brunswick had claimed
that the highway would make St. Simon the playground of Georgia, and he added
that it would not only e the playground of this State, but of two or three
others. He briefly told of some of the other great work done by Brunswick and
Glynn County is road building and said he doubted seriously if there was a
county in the entire State that had kept apace with Glynn.
Following the Governor’s address the meeting adjourned, and under
the dozens of beautiful moss covered oaks where improvised tables had been
erected, Brunswick fed her guests. There were hundreds of them, but
arrangements had been made for just such a throng, and a genuine old-fashioned
fish dinner was served.
The guests were then given until 3:30 o’clock to drive over the
island, and hundreds of cars visited many points of interest, including
Frederica, Bloody Marsh, Long Island, St. Simon’s Pier and dozens of other
beautiful and historical spots.
By 3:30 o’clock, at which hour the historical pageant was scheduled,
the crowd had reached such proportion that it appeared almost impossible to
handle it. Again a continuous line of cars stretched every yard of the distance
of five miles from Brunswick to the island, and when the great pageant got under
way there were many hundreds who could not view it, while thousands looked on.
The general concensus [sic] of opinion is that the pageant, which was sponsored
by the Women’s Clubs, was the most spectacular ever staged in Georgia. More
than 500 people, all in costumes, participated and the early life of St. Simon
and Brunswick was accurately depicted. The first episode dated back to the
early days of the island. It pictured the peaceful Indian village, with the
warriors returning from a hunt and engaging in a dance. Next the Spanish
missionaries in 1568, arriving at the island. Friars of the order of St Francis
entered the Indian village. They raised the cross. The timid Indians flee and
hide behind the large island trees.
An interpreter assures them that the priests are friends and a monk
preaches Christianity to them. They establish a mission.
The next episode shifts to England and shows the interior of a
debtor’s prison which General Oglethorpe visits. Horrified by the
conditions he evolves a plan to take these men from their misery to the new
world.
OTHER EPISODES—And then, episode by episode, the pageant depicts the
battle of Bloody Marsh, the laying out of the City of Brunswick, a survey of the
streets, the distinguished visitors who have lived or stopped on the Island,
including Commodore Barry, who was shown landing at the Island to select
timber for the United States frigate, Constitution. Nancy Hart, the
famous pioneer woman, who moved to Brunswick after the Civil War [sic], was
depicted, as was Aaron Burr, who fled the island after killing
Alexander Hamilton in a duel [sic]. A great deal more of the early life of
the island was pictured and the pageant ended with a last feature picturing
Sidney Lanier as he wrote his Marshes of Glynn under a little oak tree which
still stands in Brunswick
In the crowd that participated in the parade and assembled on the
Island to witness the pageant, it is believed that practically every city in
Georgia was represented.
The Legislative party coming down to attend included Senators
Carroll Garlick, R.E. Hamby, C.S. Arnow, Dr. Spence:
Representatives B.F. Mann, Burwell Atkinson, Miss Bessie
Kempton, W.T. Ison, Strickland, Copeland, W.M. Sapp,
James Dixon, Charles Mullis, Lawrence Camp, L.L. Griner,
R.H. Bandy.
Among the prominent visitors were: Senators George
and Harris, Governor Walker, Peter S. Twitty,
John N. Holder, Adjutant General Cox, Charles Bowen, Major
Sultan, Hal M. Stanley, and a dozen members of the Governor’s staff.
The Macon Telegraph (Macon, GA); Tuesday 27 March 1928; pg. 6
col. 2
MISS DUGGAN MARRIES MR. ALLYN K. OVERALL
Mr. and Mrs. James S. Raffo, of Brunswick, Ga.,
announce the marriage of their daughter, Miss Cynthia Duggan, of Memphis,
Tenn., and St. Simons Island, which was solemnized Saturday afternoon at the
First Baptist pastorium, Rev. O.P. Gilbert performing the ceremony.
Miss Lottie Johnson, of Darien, was maid of honor, and Mr. Harry Arnold,
of Brunswick, was best man.
The bride was attractive in a dainty spring model of Alice blue flat
crepe with gray accessories.
The young couple left immediately after the ceremony for Savannah,
where they will spend a few days, and upon their return will be at Ture’s lodge
on St. Simons Island.
The Amarillo Globe (Amarillo, Texas);
Friday 21 December 1928; pg. 2 col. 1
At Brunswick, Georgia, Walter Rawlins,
in prison, saw his wife whose complaint had jailed him for wife-beating. He
seized a carving knife, dashed from the prison, overtook his wife, stabbed her
several times. His excuse is “I loved my wife so, that I would rather see her
dead than with somebody else.”
The Macon
Telegraph (Macon, GA); Sunday 22 March 1931; Pg. 3 col. 3
STOREKEEPER SHOT
STERLING, Ga., March 21 (AP)—J.T. Young, storekeeper, was
shot through the arm and side last night as he stepped out of the back door
after closing his place of business. Chief Godwin, of the county police,
took Young to Brunswick for medical attention.
The Macon
Telegraph (Macon, GA); Friday 4 September 1931; Pg. 15 col. 4
FEDERAL OFFICERS FACE TWO CHARGES FOR ISLAND FIGHT
BRUNSWICK, Ga., Sept. 3 (AP) – L.O. Godwin, Glynn county
chief of police, today caused the arrest of W.T. Spell, his son, Dan
Spell, and Earl Lucas, local federal prohibition officers, on charges
of assault and battery and using profane language in the presence of women.
Chief Godwin said he swore out the warrants for the three men
investigating a report that F.L. Perry, resident of St Simons Island, was
badly beaten by the officers during a fight on the island Saturday, in the
course of which the officers used profane language.
The prohibition officers were out of the city when they warrants
were issued but were arrested upon their return and the trio posted bond for
their appearance at the next session of city court.
The
Macon Telegraph (Macon, GA); Wednesday 25 May 1932; pg. 8 col. 2
ED
FADER IS HELD IN WRIGHT SLAYING
BRUNSWICK, Ga., May 24 (AP)—Bunnell
Wright, alias J.B. Connor, 48,
was shot and killed today and Ed L. Fader,
51, was arrested and charged with the slaying,
Fader claimed self-defense.
Wright died without making a
statement. Officers said they found 20 gallons of whiskey in his car, parked
near one driven by Fader.
J.B. Boyd and a Negro,
Charlie Lang, in the
Fader car, were held as witnesses.
Tampa Morning
Tribune (Tampa, FL); Saturday 12 November 1932;
Pg. 18 col. 3
3 FREED IN KILLING, ONE MUST SERVE OLD SENTENCE
BRUNSWICK, Ga., Nov. 11.—(AP)—A man listed by officers as S.I.
Sharpe and his two sons, whose names were given as W.H. Sharpe and
David Sharpe, were exonerated by a coroner’s jury today of charges of murder
in the death of William Turner, local filling station operator, but the
father was held by state authorities to serve out a sentence on a Walton county
chain gang. The men pleaded self-defense in the shooting of Turner.
Sharpe was arrested in Jacksonville, Fla. County Chief of
Police L.O. Godwin said he escaped from the Walton county gang where he
was serving a sentence for killing T.C. Brooks.
The Richmond
Times Dispatch (Richmond, VA); Sunday 27 January 1935
Pg. 1 cols. 6 & 7
HEIRESS ELOPES WITH
CHAUFFEUR; MOTHER SAYS HE STOLE HER GEMS
WASHINGTON, Jan.
26—(AP)—The marriage of Jane Cooke, 20-year-old society girl of Chevy
Chase, Md., to George S. Scarlett the family chauffeur, was disclosed
tonight a few hours after the mother swore out a warrant for the chauffeur’s
arrest on a charge of stealing her jewelry.
The mother, Mrs. Howard deWalden Cooke, reported to police
that when she awoke this morning she found Jane, another daughter,
Anna, 22, Scarlett two of the family cars, two dogs and some of the
family liquor all missing.
The mother’s fears that the girls may have been abducted were
displaced when a telegram signed “Jane and Nan” arrived early
tonight saying they had “decided to go South” and that “everything was O.K.)
[sic].
Mrs. Cooke went to the police station at Bethesda, Md.,
however, and obtained a warrant for Scarlett’s arrest on a charge that he
had made off with $5,000 worth of jewelry.
A few hours afterward it was revealed that Jane and
Scarlett had been married Friday afternoon by the Rev. John C. Ball
of the Metropolitan Baptist Church, Washington.
WINSTON-SALEM,
N.C., Jan. 26—(AP)—The marriage of Jane Cooke, 20-year-old Chevy Chase,
Md., girl, to her mother’s chauffeur, George Scarlett, was disclosed here
tonight by her sister, Anna, 22.
Scarlett’s father is a retired railroad detective.
The Cleveland
Plain Dealer (Cleveland, OH); Monday 28 January 1935
Pg. 4 col. 1
ELOPERS ON WAY
TO ‘FACE MUSIC’—Chauffeur, Socialite-Bride Face Blessing and Theft Charge.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 27.—(AP)—A paternal blessing and a maternal charge of theft
tonight awaited the former Jane Cooke, 20, society girl, and George S.
Scarlett, her chauffeur-husband, on their return to the Cooke home in
near-by Chevy Chase, Md.
The couple, who eloped and were married here Friday and then set off
for Scarlett’s home in Winston Salem, N.C., accompanied by Jane’s
elder sister, Anna, were reported on their way back.
The parents of the girls, Mr. and Mrs. Howard De Walden
Cooke, refused to discuss the affair, but Jane’s aunt, Mrs. John
J. Madigan, Jr., said she knew the father was ready to bestow his blessing
on the couple.
“Mr. Cooke has said many times that Mr. Scarlett is a
fine young man,” Mrs. Madigan said. “He is a college graduate and was
engaged as a companion for Mr. Cooke. He comes from one of our best
southern families.”
CLAIM JEWELRY
IS THEIRS.
Mrs. Cooke found her two daughters, Scarlett, two dogs and two family
automobiles missing when she awoke yesterday. She told police she feared her
daughters had been abducted.
Later, when she received a telegram from the girls saying they were
safe, her fear of an abduction vanished, but she went to a police station and
swore out a warrant charging Scarlett with the theft of $5,000 worth of
jewelry.
Mrs. Madigan said the girls had talked with her by telephone
from Winston-Salem and had denied that any of their mother’s jewelry was taken.
“The only jewelry they took was their own,” Mrs. Madigan
said. “The dogs was theirs and even the cars were registered in their name.”
Mrs. Madigan said she believed the trio might come to her
home in Washington on their return. Scarlett’s father at Winston-Salem
advised the young couple to return to Mrs. Cooke and “face the music.”
Richmond
Times-Dispatch (Richmond, VA); Tuesday 5 February 1935; pg. 3 col. 5
ELOPING
NEWLYWEDS BACK, ANSWER CHARGES
ROCKVILLE, MD., Feb. 4—(AP)—George S. Scarlett, Chevy Chase chauffeur who
eloped with his employer’s daughter, posted $1,000 bail today for his appearance
in court on his mother-in-law’s charge that he stole $5,000 worth of her
jewelry.
As Scarlett made arrangements for his bond in the States
attorney’s office, his bride, the former Jane Cooke, 20, and her father,
Howard de Walden Cooke, were with him.
The father, according to all appearances, had welcomed him into the
family, but Mrs. Cooke, cloistered in her home, was still adamant about
pressing criminal charge against the youth.
The Albuquerque Journal (Albuquerque,
New Mexico); Friday 8 February 1935; pg. 2 col. 5
CHAUFFEUR ELOPER IS LIBERATED—Judge Says Theft Charge Is
Only Family Affair
ROCKVILLE, Md., Feb. 7 (AP)—George Scarlett,
the chauffeur who eloped with the daughter of the family he worked for, faced
his socially prominent mother-in-law’s charge of theft in Police Court Thursday
and a few moments later walked out a free man.
After listening to Mrs. Howard de Walden Cooke of fashionable
Chevy Chase, accuse Scarlett of running away with both her 20-year-old
daughter, Jane, and $5000 worth of her jewels, Police Judge Donald A.
de Lashmutt dismissed the warrant, saying:
“This case is evidently a family affair. The veracity of the
prosecuting witness, who charges her son-in-law with the theft of her jewelry,
is equal to the denial of the defendant.”
The judge pointed out that neither the bride’s father, who is
reported to have welcomed the erstwhile chauffeur into the family, nor her elder
sister, Anna, was willing to appear against Scarlett or to
corroborate the mother’s story.
The story of the marriage of the couple, as disclosed, was that they
slipped off to Washington and were married two weeks ago after Scarlett
was given 30 cents and some time off by Mrs. Cooke to get lunch. This
was a reward, according to testimony, for his extra work of shoveling snow in
the Cooke back yard.
The Seattle
Daily Times (Seattle, WA); Friday 8 February 1935; pg. 1 col. 3
CHAUFFEUR’S
SOCIETY BRIDE DISAPPEARS
WASHINGTON, Friday, Feb. 8.—(AP)—George S. Scarlett chauffeur who eloped
with Jane Cooke, daughter of a socially prominent family of Chevy Chase,
Md., today had only the wedding ring of a vanished bride.
He was freed in Police Court in Rockville, Md., yesterday on a
charge brought by Mrs. Howard de Walden Cooke, his mother-in-law, that he
had stolen $5,000 worth of her jewelry.
When Scarlett returned to the home of the bride’s aunt in
Washington, where they had been staying, he found a note. The wedding ring fell
out. The bride wrote merely that she was going away.
The Cleveland
Plain-Dealer (Cleveland, OH); Sunday 10 February 1935; pg. 28 cols. 5 & 6
CHAUFFEUR’S
SOCIETY BRIDE “ACTED IN HASTE,” REPENTS
WASHINGTON, Feb. 9.—(AP)—A case of “act in haste and repent at leisure” was how
the “disillusioned” Mrs. Jane Cooke Scarlett, 20, described her recent
elopement with the family chauffeur when she called on an attorney to discuss an
annulment or divorce.
The society bride of two weeks remained in hiding today after she
disappeared Thursday while her husband, George S. Scarlett III, 21, was
being cleared in Police Court, of charges that he made off with $5,000 worth of
jewelry belonging to his mother-in-law, Mrs. Howard De Walden Cooke of
Chevy Chase, Md.
The bride left a note containing the wedding ring Scarlett
had given her. Another message to an aunt declared she “would never return” to
Washington.
Mrs. Scarlett, however, called on Attorney Alvin Newmyer
yesterday afternoon. She explained she had been too hasty in her elopement with
Scarlett and wished to terminate the marriage, either by annulment or
divorce.
Newmyer said today he had accepted the case and probably
would arrange a conference in a few days between the couple and members of their
families.
Mrs. Scarlett, the attorney said, is not stopping with her
family or relatives, although she probably is in communication with them.
Earlier friends expressed a belief she might be visiting an aunt at Belfast, Me.
The San Diego
Union (San Diego, CA); Sunday 10 February 1935; pg. 6 col. 3
DEB SEEKS TO
ANNUL HASTY WEDDING RITES
WASHINGTON, Feb. 9 (I.N.S.)—The brief romance of pretty, 19-year-old Jane
Cook [sic], Chevy Chase debutante, and her father’s handsome young
chauffeur, George S. Scarlett that blazed with their elopement and was
interrupted by Scarlett’s arrest on a larceny charge, is nearing the
rocks. Jane, who vanished two days ago after a magistrate had dismissed
the charge against Scarlett, is in or near Washington. She is going to
sue for annulment of her hasty marriage to the chauffeur and Scarlett
will not oppose the action. Jane decided, according to her friends, that
the Cook family and the Scarlett family never would mix. Hence
the suit for annulment.
The Richmond
Times-Dispatch (Richmond, VA); Tuesday 12 February 1935; pg. 3 col. 5
ELOPING BRIDE
REJECTS RECONCILIATION PLEA
WASHINGTON, Feb. 11—(AP)—A reconciliation plea of George S. Scarlett,
chauffeur who eloped with his employer’s daughter, was rejected today by his
bride, the former Jane Cooke of Chevy Chase, Md.
Alvin Newmyer, attorney for the girl, acted as her spokesman
in turning down a proposal by Scarlett that they make a new effort to
make their marriage a success.
Newmyer said his 20-year-old client was determined to
terminate the marriage, either by annulment or divorce.
The Times
Picayune (New Orleans, LA); 20 February 1935; pg. 19 col. 4
Pg. 19 col.
CHAUFFEUR TO
FIGHT ANNULMENT ACTION
(By The Associated Press)
Washington, Feb. 19.—George S. Scarlett, chauffeur who eloped with his
employer’s daughter, will contest the annulment suit brought by his bride, the
former Jane Cooke, 20 years old, of Chevy Chase, Md.
Claude A. Thompson, Scarlett’s attorney, said today
the allegations made in the suit would be denied to “keep the record clear.”
Mrs. Scarlett said she married the chauffeur only after he
had threatened to kill her, and that he had told her he had a well-paying job in
the South, while in actuality he expected her family to support him.
The Albuquerque
Journal (Albuquerque, New Mexico); Sunday 6 October 1935; pg. 10 Magazine
Section
[Photos of the family with whole page article—ALH]
A Love-Lorn Chauffeur’s $100,00 Bill for Steering a Debbie
to the Altar—The Elopement Ended in a Cell—for Him—and Seclusion—for Her; Now He
Cries “Persecution” While His Bride Says: “He’s Unchivalrous!”
Glamorous and romantic Jane Cooke, the
“Little Miss Muffet” of the Chevy Chase, Md., debutante set, after all these
months has blasted her “upstairs and downstairs” romance with her “Admirable
Crichton” chauffeur-lover, George Stanton Scarlette 3rd, by coming right
out in public and saying that she is through with George because “it was
unchivalrous of him” to bring a $100,000 damage suit against her mother.
George is suing Mrs. Howard de Walden Cooke, Washington, D.C., social
arbiter, for false arrest.
Just like the characters in Sir James Barrie’s inspired play,
Jane—she’s the daughter of the fabulously wealthy Cookes reared
and educated in the cloistered confines of Holy Cross Convent and only lately
introduced to society—fell head over heels in love with the attractive and
personable Scarlett. He’s the handsome son of railroad detective, and he
had entered the Cooke household as a servant. Pretty Jane eloped
with him to Washington, where they were married in true Lochinvar last January,
with Jane’s approving sister, Anne, acting as bridesmaid.
Everyone was thrilled over the story-book elopement. Howard de
Walden Cooke, 78-year-old father of the 19-year-old runaway bride, beamed on
the romantic pair. Jane’s condescending aunt, the socially prominent
Mrs. John Madigan, nodded approval and wished the newlyweds happiness. But
as to Mrs. Cooke, Jane’s mother—
“He’s a fugitive and I want him arrested!” she telephoned
police in Savannah, Ga., where the newlyweds with sister Anne
chaperoning, stopped for the night. “He carried away diamonds I gave to him
to take to the jewelers, and he has both the family cars and two of the family
pet dogs.”
So, on the strength of a warrant taken out in Rockville, Md.,
George was torn from the side of his bride and kept in jail in Savannah
several days. He waived extradition and was taken to Rockville for a hearing.
Jane’s father frowned on the whole unsavory business. He really liked
his 20-year-old chauffeur son-in-law, and his daughter Jane was his pet
and he wanted her to be happy. Besides, Papa Cooke had observed his
younger daughter’s conduct on horseback and in the drawing room, and trusted her
judgment. Papa didn’t bother about warrants.
Finally, after he had spent eighteen hideous days in the several
hoosegows, Scarlette was exonerated of the charge of theft. It appears
that either Mrs. Cooke relented or that very essential factor, evidence
of guilt, was lacking. At any rate, George was liberated, but there were
more thorns in his path.
Jane was missing. He was frantic until he learned that his
bride had gone to the home of her aunt, Mrs. John Madigan, in Belfast,
Maine. What messages passed between them, what pleas and deelings[?],
invitations and “regrets,” none may know—for, of course, the principals in the
furloughed romance didn’t tell. All anyone really could know was this. Jane
and her handsome chauffeur-bridegroom WEREN’T living together.
It may be inferred that young George fretted, chafed
and—remembered. Finally he did something Crichton, in the play, would
have never dreamed of doing. He consulted a lawyer and announced that he was
going to sue his mama-in-law for $100,00 damages, or approximately $5,550 an
hour for every hour he’d spent in jail.
The suit was filed, and by filing it, George just blasted
himself right out of the marriage picture, if he hadn’t done so before. He was
no longer the “Admirable Crichton” in the eyes of the Cooke family
or those of the Chevy Chase set who might, in time, have been willing to accept
him as the son-in-law of Howard de Walden Cooke. When Mrs. Cooke
was served with the papers in the damage suit she called him an “intriguing
adventurer,” and announced at the same time that her daughter Jane would
prosecute and annulment suit against her chauffeur-husband on the ground that
he’d become very dramatic and induced the girl to marry him by dire prophecies
as to what would happen if she didn’t.
“My love for him is dead,” Jane declared. “He can
go back to his family. I have decided that the Cooke family and the
Scarlett family can never mix.”
And she filed her annulment suit, still pending at this writing.
Thus ended another attempt of “upstairs and downstairs” to meet on common
romantic ground in accordance with Sir James M. Barrie’s theme of the
servant who fell in love with the millionaire’s daughter.
It was in the summer of 1934 when the wealthy Howard de Walden
Cooke, retired businessman, took young Scarlette, who was then 20,
into his household as chauffeur and valet. Everyone in the Cooke
household was happy. Scarlette was handsome, pleasing in his manners and
willingly helpful. He became the all-around handy man and valet to Mr. Cooke,
and was unfailingly courteous and obliging to Mrs. Cooke and her two
lovely daughters, Anne, 20, and Jane, 19.
“We do not look upon George as a hired hand,” Mr.
Cooke boated whenever he had the chance to speak of his admirable
chauffeur. “He is like one of the household. We think the world and all of
him and trust him implicitly.”
Of course, he had no idea that Scarlette’s advent into the
family circle would culminate in a romance with one of his own daughters. Thus,
it made little difference to the Cookes whether or not he was the scion
of a prominent North Carolina family, as a good many people supposed, or just
merely the son of a humble, hard-working southern railway detective.
Scarlette was handsome. That couldn’t be denied him. And he
had excelled in athletics when he was a student at Winston-Salem High School.
In his conversations with members of the Cooke family, George let
it be known that he had left a good job with the railroad in Winston-Salem, and
could return to the job whenever he wanted to.
The lovely Cooke girls, Anne and Jane, were
educated at such fashionable schools as Holy Cross Convent and National
Cathedral School. They were allowed to have a few friends, but never were they
allowed to have engagements with boys. Jane was a sort of “Little Miss
Muffett” to her friends because of the restricted life she led. They were
fun-loving girls, though, and got a tremendous kick out of it when the handsome
chauffeur drove them to visit their aunt, Mrs. Madigan, who lives in
Washington. Mrs. Madigan, it appears, was more lenient and romantic than
her sister, Mrs. Cooke, and allowed the girls a bit more latitude on
their visits.
It was while the girls were visiting their aunt in Washington that
it was discovered that Jane had suddenly developed an interest in
something. That something, it later developed, was the handsome, stalwart
chauffeur who had made himself such a valuable part of the family retinue.
Then came the day when Jane and George eloped. All
Chevy Chase thrilled to the romantic affair. Sister Anne, who knew all
along about the budding love of her sister and the chauffeur, acted as stage
manager for the elopement, saw the wedding through and accompanied the newlyweds
to Brunswick, Ga. There she suddenly came face to face with the realization
that two is company and three is a crowd. So she returned home.
Anne, by the way, was herself married the other day to
Captain Thomas Hay Nixon, Washington Army
officer, divorced form his first wife, Annette Pauline Nixon. It was
a surprise wedding. The couple went to Belfast, Maine, to have the ceremony
performed. But to return to Jane’s elopement.
Jane’s mother stormed when she tot a telegram from her
daughters in Charlotte, N.C. The wire read:
“Decided to go South. Everything is all right. Please do not
worry. Love Jane and Anne.”
Jane and her chauffeur-husband were having a lovely time as
long as George’s $38 and Jane’s $20 lasted. They were making a
toast to their “Dutch Treat” honeymoon, in Savannah, at the moment the sheriff
arrived with the warrant for Scarlette’s arrest.
Jane remained in Savannah only a short time after her
bridegroom was torn from her. When she arrived at her home in Chevy Chase she
found her mother in an unforgiving mood, but her aunt, Mrs. Madigan,
received Jane with open arms and with the announcement that she would
entertain the young couple at her home until such time as her sister would
relent.
Forgiveness, it seems, hovered elusively in the background for some
weeks, or even months. Then its shy apparition fled; finally Scarlette
drove it away for good by announcing that he would sue his mother-in-law for
damages.
“It is the most unchivalrous thing for him to do,” snapped
his disillusioned heiress bride. “I could forgive anything but that. I’m
through with him. He can go back home.”
On Scarlette’s side, it’s obvious that 18 days in jail plus
the loss of a lovely bud you’ve just made your bride is rather tough.
Sentimental person still may speculate whether Jane would have changed
her mind some day and the romance would have ended in true Barrie fashion
had the love-lorn chauffeur not sent to his mama-in-law a $100,000 bill for
steering her debbie daughter into marriage.
The
Columbus Enquirer (Columbus, GA); Saturday 19 October 1935;
Pg. 3 cols. 4
& 5
LOSS IS DISCOVERED
Brunswick, Ga., Oct. 18—(AP)—The loss of a truck carry a cargo of
whiskey valued at $2,500 near Brunswick while en route to Savannah from
Jacksonville was reported to Chief L.O. Godwin of the Glynn county
police, last night by S.O. Sasser, of Savannah.
Chief Godwin stated that Sasser informed him the truck
was driven by a negro [sic]] employee, while Sasser himself followed the
cargo in another automobile. The police chief stated that Sasser stopped
in Brunswick and instructed the negro driver to continue the trip to Savannah.
After leaving Brunswick following a brief visit with relatives,
Sasser, according to Chief Godwin, resumed his trip to Savannah
expecting to overtake the liquor-laden truck en route. After reaching a point
near Darien, Chief Godwin stated, Sasser was unable to locate the
truck and returned to Brunswick where he notified Chief Godwin of its
disappearance.
Later during the night, Chief Godwin accompanied by Sasser,
conducted a search and discovered the truck had turned off the
Savannah-Brunswick road at a point the other side of Darien and had traveled the
county road to the Jesup road where the officer and Sasser lost trail.
Sasser informed Chief Godwin according to the officer,
that he believed hijackers had seized the truck and forced the negro to depart
from his route to Savannah.
The Albuquerque
Journal (Albuquerque, New Mexico); Sunday 5 July 1936; pg. 10 Magazine Section
Another Marital Cropper for Chevy Chase’s Fox-Hunting
Debs—After Stage-Managing Her Younger Sister’s Elopement with the Family
Chauffeur, Dashing Anne Has Troubles of Her Own.
[Photos of the family with whole page article—ALH]
The socially-minded, precise dowagers and
debbies of aristocratic Chevy Chase, Maryland, are all a-dither. Telephones are
ringing, conferences are buzzing, hunting activities are almost suspended.
Perplexity rules the drawing-rooms and the riding clubs.
Each member of the “horsey” set is worried about a stupendous
problem that faces every swanky hostess in the exclusive Washington, D.C.,
suburb.
Is blueblooded Anne Cooke Nixon a wife, or is she not?
Shall she be received as the wife of Captain Thomas Hay Nixon of the
Ordnance Bureau, United States Army, or shall she be ignored? So run the
everlasting queries. Up to the present, animated lingual activity hasn’t solved
the dowagers’ and debbies’ awful dilemma.
The basis for all the excitement is a ruling handed down by a
Pennsylvania Court the other day—a ruling that makes the marriage of socially
prominent Anne to dashing Captain Nixon void, in that State at
least.
The army officer’s second wife, Annette Finneron Cooke, ex-“George
White Scandals” girl, instigated the complaint that placed Mrs. Nixon,
3rd—and Chevy Chase hostesses—in such an unhappy spot. The showgirl asked the
court to set aside Nixon’s divorce from her—and her request was granted!
And this seriously complicated matters for fox-hunting Anne,
for two children have already been born to her union with Captain Nixon!
While the decision stands, the children will legally be without names, in
Pennsylvania at any rate.
And the austere, correct Mrs. Howard de Walden Cooke,
Anne’s wealthy mother—what will she do now? Last time Mrs. Cooke
went into action, when her younger daughter Jane was embroiled in a
marital mix-up, the results were emphatic. Sparks, remarks and bits of broken
hearts flew all over the Maryland landscape.
The blueblooded matron has had her hands full with the marital
peccadilloes—and “croppers”—of her two attractive equestrienne daughters, during
the past year. And this in spite of her many precautions that Anne and
her younger sister, Jane, should marry well and take their rightful place
in society.
It’s all been quite a blow to Mrs. Cooke, for she had sent
her fox-hunting debbie daughters to fashionable and exclusive schools; their
comings and goings were carefully supervised, even drastically restricted, for
fear of improper associations, and unchaperoned “dates” were completely out.
And maybe that’s why 19-year-old Jane eloped with the
handsome, nearest[?] hand George Stuanton Scarlett, shortly after he had
been hired by her late father to act as a chauffeur-valet and handy-man!
Apparently Scarlett’s “handiness” wasn’t confined to just
small jobs about the garage. In a short time he won his way into the confidence
of the family to such an extent that Cooke said to friends “We do not
look upon George as a hired hand. He is like one of the household. We
think the world of him and trust him implicitly.”
The fun-loving, carefully watched girls got a tremendous kick out of
going for rides in the Cooke limousine with George, and in paying
visits “below stairs” to the servants’ quarters, where they were wont to smoke a
hurried cigarette while the chauffeur kept his eye peeled for strict Mama
Cooke.
Jane and George began to pay a lot of attention to one
another. Before long the watchful eye of the society dowager noted the “love in
bloom” and bundled Jane off on a trip south. But absence made the young
hearts grow fonder. Endearing letters passed between George and Jane.
Some time later, when the younger Cooke sister returned,
George proposed. The happy couple told Anne of their plans for an
elopement. Anne agreed it was a swell idea—so good, that she proceeded
to “stage manage” the romantic runaway.
With the family car, the family jewels, two pedigreed dogs, $38
belonging to Scarlett and $20 to Jane, the trio drove to
Washington, where the ceremony was performed. It was so much fun, Anne
decided to accompany the youngsters on their honeymoon.
Within a short time the horse-minded Chevy Chasers heard of the
“upstairs and downstairs” elopement. Everyone was thrilled—that is, except
irate Mrs. Cooke. She sent out a police alarm for her missing daughters
and possessions!
A few days later, in Savannah, Georgia, the Cooke care was
completely demolished at a railway crossing. The occupants escaped unhurt, but
the well bred dogs, annoyed at the irregular proceedings, disappeared.
Outraged Mrs. Cooke swore out a warrant for Scarlett’s
arrest. “He is a fugitive and I want him arrested,” strongly declared
the mother. She accused the chauffeur of absconding with the family jewels.
Jane returned tearfully to Chevy Chase while George
remained behind Savannah bars. Upon his return, the young husband was
exonerated of the theft charges. Meanwhile, his bride was missing. She had
been sent off to an aunt in Maine.
The runaway romance blew up when George filed a $100,000
damage suit against his stern mother-in-law. Jane indignantly
announced: “It’s the most unchivalrous thing for him to do. I’m through
with him. He can go back home.” Mrs. Cooke agreed, labeling the
chauffeur “an intriguing adventurer.” Jane filed an annulment
suit, which was dismissed, and immediately after, filed suit for a limited
divorce, which was granted not long ago.
So the Cooke household—and Chevy Chase—settled down to
nothing more exciting than the usual run of parties and punts afield. But not
for long.
Sister Anne, who knew a lot about elopements, decided to
stage one for herself! Her choice for a husband was dashing, worldly-wise
Captain Thomas Hay Nixon, a handsome army man who had already been
married twice. His fist wife had been a beauty from Georgia, and his second
lovely Annette Finnaron, a “Scandals” girl of some years back.
During her vacation in Maine, pretty Anne and the romantic
Captain were married. Just four days had elapsed since he had received his
divorce form showgirl Annette.
But Captain Nixon seemed to have forgotten something and Wife
No. 2 was extremely annoyed. According to Annette, Nixon hadn’t
told her of the divorce; she declared that knowledge of the split-up first
reached her when she read of his third jump into the matrimonial swim with
Anne.
Annette didn’t mind not being invited to the Captain’s third
marriage, but she did object strenuously to not having been invited to her
divorce. Having had court experience before, when she had charged the jaunty
officer with inadequate maintenance and, on another occasion with cruelty, the
showgirl decided that everything wasn’t “according to Hoyle”—or legal
procedure. So she proceeded to petition that Nixon’s Gettysburg,
Pennsylvania divorce be declared invalid, even though this would invalidate his
ensuing marriage to Anne!
Annette asked for dismissal of the divorce on grounds that
the Captain was not genuinely a legal resident of the Quaker state. It was the
same plea that has knocked out so many Reno divorces of late—and it worked! In
a twenty-nine page opinion, presiding judge declared the divorce invalid. The
justice held that residence is a “physical fact” and that more possessions in a
home (Nixon’s mother’s house) was not proof of residence.
The handsome officer, and Anne, were stunned by the
decisions. “I have always considered Gettysburg my home,” the Captain
said, “for since I have been in the army I have had to move around too much
to establish permanent residence elsewhere.”
And the next thing you know, Annette Finnaron Nixon filed
suit for absolute divorce on grounds of cruelty—and named Anne Cooke Nixon
as correspondent! Then followed a merry game of hide-and-seek, as blueblooded
Anne sought to evade process servers. Perhaps she felt like the fox she
had so often pursued. Finally, she accepted the papers.
But to make the muddle more mixed-up than ever, along came twins!
Their birth was all that was needed to make the socialites forget their teas and
horses.
Dear, oh, dear—this was so terribly, terribly interesting! Why—what
was lovely Anne going to do? And the highly correct Mrs. Cooke—how
would she establish the legality of her daughter’s marriage and the parentage of
her tiny grandchildren?
Plainly worried, Anne still clings to the belief that
everything will come out all right. “It is all a terrible mistake!” she
cries.
Meanwhile, Chevy-Chasers have stopped chasing the fox and are
waiting for Annette Finnaron Nixon’s divorce trial to come up. And
swanky mothers with pretty daughters of their own aren’t letting them out of
their sight!
The Macon
Telegraph (Macon, GA); Thursday 4 March 1937;
Pg. 10 col. 5
TOURIST CAMP BODY IDENTIFIED BY CHIEF
BRUNSWICK, Ga., March 3 (AP)—Glynn County Police Chief L.O.
Godwin said he identified the body of a man found in a burned bed in a
tourist camp cottage here today as Percy Strickland, about 40, of Daytona
Beach, Fla.
The identification was made from letters in the man’s pocket.
Investigators advanced the theory Strickland died when the
mattress on the bed caught fire during the night.
The San
Diego Union (San Diego, CA); Monday 7 February 1938;
Pg. 1 col. 6
SNIPER KILLS RECTOR AT WORK ON SERMON
BRUNSWICK, Ga., Feb. 6 (AP)—Dr. Charles H. Lee, 71, rector of
historic Christ church on St. Simon’s island [sic], was slain by a mysterious
sniper while preparing a sermon in the rectory study.
“We have few clues,” Chief L.O. Godwin said.
Dr. Lee, native of Virginia, had ben rector of the little
Episcopal church on moss-hung St. Simon’s island 11 years.
The paper found in his hand read, “What so ever ye do in word or
deed, do all in the name Lord, Jesus.” It was based on the words of St. Paul.
J.D. Baldwin, coroner, who investigated the death of the
distinguished rector, a second cousin of Gen. Robert E. Lee, said he was
unable to assign any motive.
G.C. Durand, head master of Sea Island school and one of
those called to the rector’s house for assistance after the shooting, asserted
Dr. Lee had been disturbed over what he described as vice conditions.
The
Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA); Monday 7 February 1938;
Pg. 1 col. 1 &
pg. 2 cols. 4 & 5
EPISCOPAL CHURCH RECTOR IS KILLED BY MYSTERY SHOT—Sniper Sends Bullet from
Darkness into Study as Pastor is Preparing Sermon—TWO SLUGS FOUND IN RECTORY
WALLS—Officers Find No motive for Slaying But Friend Advances Vice Racket Theory
(The Associated Press)
St Simons Island, Ga., Feb. 6.—A bullet from the dark killed Dr.
Charles H. Lee, 71-year-old rector of historic Christ Church, as he sat
preparing a sermon in his rectory last night.
The text on the paper found clutched in his hand read, “What so ever
ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of Lord Jesus.” It was based on the
words of St. Paul.
Coroner J.D. Baldwin, who investigated the death of the
distinguished rector, a second cousin of General Robert E. Lee, said he
was unable to assign any motive for this incident.
“I don’t expect that the jury will have any recommendation for
several days,” said Baldwin. “All I can say now is that Dr. Lee
died of gunshot wounds.”
TWO SHOTS FIRED
Dr. Lee’s wife found her husband sitting upright in their
living room shortly before midnight with a bullet through his temple. She said
it was apparently the second of two fired into the rectory through a window
within a span of half an hour.
Explaining both she and Dr. Lee suffered slightly from
deafness, Mrs. Lee told a coroner’s jury they previously heard an
explosion they attributed to the backfiring of a motor car. They did not notice
that a bullet smashed through the glass of the window.
Then Mrs. Lee retired, and a second bullet, apparently fired
from the same position outside the house, struck her husband. Hearing the
second shot, she said, she returned to the living room to find her husband
dying.
THINLY POPULATED
St. Simons is one of six islands off the South Georgia coast. A
causeway connects it with the mainland and Sea Island, a resort developed by the
late Howard Coffin. It is heavily wooded, thinly populated and laced
with thickets and marshes. The rectory is 200 yards from any other building.
G.C. Durand, head master of Sea Island school, one of those
called to the rector’s house for assistance just after the shooting, asserted
Dr. Lee had been disturbed over what he described as vice conditions in
Glynn county of which the island is a part.
Durand said Mrs. Lee quoted her husband recently as
saying “some great tragedy will have to occur before Glynn county will have law
and order.”
“This,” added Durand, “looks like the tragedy. There are
many dives being operated on the island which Dr. Lee, myself and others
have been moving to have cleaned out.”
BULLETS FOUND
Dr. E.H. Egbert, a physician summoned to Dr. Lee, said
the bullet struck in the right temple, came out of the left ear and ranged
through the walls of two rooms.
“I don’t believe he ever knew what hit him,” said the physician.
Officers said two .38-caliber slugs were found in the house, one of
lead and the other copper-jacketed. The bullet holes were a scant six inches
apart both in the outside screen and the window pane.
Dr. Lee was sitting on a davenport on the far side of the
room and was facing the window.
Dr. Egbert, who had been Dr. Lee’s physician for many
years, said Mrs. Lee at first thought her husband had suffered a stroke.
“I can’t imagine why anyone would want to kill him,” he said,
“unless he found out someone was not living straight. He was very outspoken to
individuals and insisted that everyone around him live right.”
NO MOTIVE FOUND
Police Chief L.O. Godwin reported late today no motive had
been established and no arrest was imminent.
Early today, he said, a servant was questioned but had provided a
satisfactory account of his whereabouts.
Friends of the Episcopal rector declared he was retiring in public.
He had never campaigned from the pulpit, but was most outspoken in private.
Even as the coroner’s jury and police continued the search for
clues, a lay leader held a simple prayer service at the church to keep unbroken
the chain of Sabbath messages begun there by John Wesley, the founder of
Methodism.
ATTENDED BY NOTABLES
Christ Church is the main Protestant church on the island. Many
members of its congregation have been the nation’s notables vacationing on this
moss coastal island.
Calvin Coolidge attended services at the church in 1929 when
he was president of the United States. Mrs. Herbert Hoover has been
there. Industrialist Henry Ford has traveled from his Georgia plantation
to hear Dr. Lee preach.
Last month some thousand Methodists from all three branches of the
American church pilgrimaged from Savannah to Christ Church, surrounded by the
Wesley oaks under which Wesley is said to have delivered most of his
American sermons. Dr. Lee, a native of Charlestown, was director of the
church for 11 years.
Previously he was pastor at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church at Macon for
more than 15 years.
Survivors include three daughters, Mrs. Dwight Day,
Portsmouth, N.H.; Miss Lucy Cartis Lee, Cooperstown, N.Y., and Mrs.
Ralph Skylstead, Long Beach, Cal., and a sister, Miss Eliza Lee,
Gloucester, Va.
Funeral services will be delayed pending the arrival of Mrs. Day
from New Hampshire.
SAW NOTHING
Mrs. Lee was confined to her room after the tragedy and four
members of the coroner’s jury took her testimony at the bedside.
She said that after hearing the second shot and still unaware of
what it was, she opened the window and looked out. “Except for an automobile
going toward the pier I saw nothing,” she said.
From physical evidence, officers said they had determined the shots
probably were fired by a person standing at the corner of the rectory garage.
The living room is at the rear of the building and a large thicket is behind the
house.
Chief Godwin saying he found no clues, asserted, “The weapon
was apparently a revolver because we found no ejected shells.” The coroners’
[sic] jury was recessed tonight until Tuesday for further study of the case.
Lee was a tall, powerfully built man, standing more than six
feet two. He weighed 250 pounds. Mrs. Lee said he was educated at
Hampden Sydney college in Virginia and at the Virginia Theological Seminary.
He entered the ministry in 1893 and served at Leeds parish,
Virginia, Greenville, Ohio, and Jackson, Tenn., before going to Macon. He
taught school in Brunswick near here before entering the ministry.
John and Charles Wesley, before the founding of
Methodism, served as the first rectors of Episcopal Christ Church. Charles
Wesley had been employed to come to Georgia as secretary to England’s
General James E. Oglethorpe, who established the first colony in Georgia.
When Oglethorpe established his colony he set up Fort
Frederica on St. Simons as a buffer state between English Carolina and Spanish
Florida.
St. Simon’s Island, its trees hung with Spanish moss, has an area of
about 19,000 acres. It has a population of approximately 1000. Most of the
full-time residents are engaged in fishing or the naval stores industry or are
connected with resort establishments.
The Macon
Telegraph (Macon, GA); Wednesday 9 February 1938;
Pg. 1 cols. 2
& 3 & pg. 2 col. 8
CHIEF WORKS QUIETLY ON CLUES IN LEE CASE
[Photo of Church with caption: HISTORIC CHRIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH on St. Simons
Island near Brunswick, Ga., is without a rector following the assassination of
Dr. Charles H. Lee, 71, as he prepared his Sunday sermon in his home
nearby. The assassin fired through a window.]
ST SIMONS ISLAND, Ga., Feb. 8. (AP)—Law enforcement agents of this
coastal island continued investigation of “slender clues” today in the
assassination of Dr. Charles H. Lee as several hundred persons attended
burial services for the slain rector in the yard of Christ church.
An inquest into the killing of the 71-year-old Episcopal churchman
has been arranged for tomorrow in Glynn county’s waterfront casino by Coroner
J.D. Baldwin, who has promised to “get at the bottom” of the slaying if it
is necessary to “call every man and woman” on the island.
Funeral services for Dr. Lee, who was killed by a shot from
the outside darkness through a window of the rectory Saturday night as he
prepared his Sabbath sermon, were conducted by the Rt. Rev. Middleton S.
Barnwell of Savannah, bishop of the Georgia diocese of the Episcopal church.
While other county officers watched the crowd attending the burial,
Police Chief L.O. Godwin was absent on an undisclosed mission. Chairman
of Glynn county commissioners, R.A. Gould, said Godwin was in
complete charge of the case, working “quietly on slender clues,” but that
special investigators would be called into the case.
“They are not yet on the ground so far as I know,” Gould
said. “We are leaving no stone unturned to solve the crime. We are convinced,
however, there is no vice ring on the island or in Glynn county.”
Friends of the slain churchman had advanced the theory that he may
have been murdered by someone with a dislike for his outspoken comments on vice
and wrongdoing on the island.
Dr. Lee’s widow and his daughters, Mrs. Dwight Day of
Portsmouth, N.H., Miss Lucy Cartis Lee of Cooperstown, N.Y., and Mrs.
Ralph Skylstead of Long Beach, Calif., sat with drawn faces beneath tall oak
trees as the last rites were intoned.
Commissioner Gould, an honorary pallbearer, said after the
service the next development in the case was expected at tomorrow’s mass
inquest, called by Coroner Baldwin, who said he was subpoenaing “many,
many persons” to appear at the inquiry in an attempt to uncover the motive for
the slaying. Baldwin predicted “several arrests” in the interim.
Rewards of $1,000 have been offered for a solution of the slaying,
more than half the total having been raised by parishioners of Dr. Lee, a
native of Charlestown, W. Va., who had served the island church for 11 years.
The flower-decked casket was placed in a grave not more than 50 feet
from the church. The only departure from the solemn ritual was the singing of
two Negro spirituals by a group of island Negroes.
So far the only clues in possession of investigators are two
.38-caliber bullets, one of which killed the rector shortly after a first shot
had missed him, and reproductions of footprints found in the mud outside the
study.
The
Columbus Enquirer (Columbus, GA); Friday 25 February 1938;
Pg. 16 cols. 5
& 6
PROBERS FAIL TO BREAK LEE SLAYING CASE—Officers Adopt Policy of Watchful Waiting
For Clues
BRUNSWICK, Ga., Feb. 24—(AP)—Glynn county police are waiting for
some “slip of the lip” to lead them to a solution of the mysterious slaying of
the Rev. Charles H. Lee, 71-year-old rector of famed Christ church on St.
Simons Island, who was killed early this month by a bullet fired through a
window of his living room.
After 18 days of fruitless search for the assassin. County Police
Chief L.O. Godwin said his investigation had reached the stage of
“watchful waiting.” He expressed confidence, however, that the case would not
be placed in the file of unsolved crimes.
“Our greatest hope,” Godwin said, “is that through a slip of
the lip someone will drop information which will prove valuable in our
investigation.
Chief Godwin added that he did not expect “an early arrest.”
Meanwhile, as investigators continued the slow process of
elimination of possible motives, a coroner’s jury was held intact awaiting call
from Coroner J.D. Baldwin to resume its inquiry.
Friends of the rector and members of the family were questioned at
two sessions of the jury shortly after the slaying.
Coroner Baldwin has forwarded to the federal bureau of
investigation at Washington the bullet which ended the clergyman’s life, for
examination by ballistics experts.
“We have never definitely established the type of gun from which the
bullet was fired,” the coroner said, “and I do not intend reconvening the jury
until that information is received from Washington.”
Another bullet of a different type also was fired through the
rectory but did not strike Dr. Lee.
The Macon
Telegraph (Macon, GA); Monday 13 June 1938;
Pg. 10 col. 8
FIRE BELIEVED SET TO ASSIST ROBBERY
BRUNSWICK, Ga., June 12—County Police Chief L.O. Godwin is
hunting for a man who set fire to two cabins at Jenkins Tourist camp at Dock
Junction Thursday night and again Saturday morning, believing he intended to
lure attendants to the scene so he could rob the cash register.
This belief is based on the fact that Saturday morning when the
second fire was discovered an employee saw a white man tampering with the cash
box at the filling station. Securing a pistol, he fired several shots at the
marauder who escaped.
The Macon
Telegraph (Macon, GA); Monday 17 October 1938;
Pg. 1 col. 6 &
pg. 2 col. 1
CHURCH KEPT APART FROM LEE WRANGLE—Bishop Barnwell Declines to Be Drawn Into
Controversy Over Murder
SAVANNAH, Oct. 15—Bishop Middleton S. Barnwell of the
Episcopal diocese of Georgia today refused to allow Glynn county officials to
drag his church into controversy over investigation of the murder of Dr.
Charles H. Lee, St. Simons Island rector.
R.A. Gould, chairman of Glynn commissioners, stated yesterday
in Brunswick that the Georgia diocese had shown no interest in probing the fatal
shooting of its Christ church clergyman last February. He revealed that two
private detectives have been employed on the case by the county within the last
two months.
Confronted with Mr. Gould’s declaration, Bishop Barnwell
appeared astonished at the attempt to draw the church organization into a
criminal investigation and said he thought it best to refrain from any comment.
Dr. Lee was mysteriously slain in his lonely island home late
Saturday night, Feb. 5, as he sat making notes on his next day’s sermon. The
assassin stood somewhere in the darkness of the tree-gloomed yard, and pierced
the 78-year-old minster’s temple with one of two bullets fired through a screen
and window.
BARNWELL WAS IN CORDELE
Bishop Barnwell said he was notified of the death as he was
preparing his own sermon at a Cordele hotel, but did not learn there had been a
murder until the following day at service. He immediately excused himself and
hurried to St. Simons.
The case has been extremely baffling because of the small amount of
real evidence available. Numerous people milled about the rectorate on the
morning following the crime, destroying any footprints or other clues which
might have been found.
The two bullets remain the significant points to work from, but only
the lead one, which struck the aged prelate, has been sent to Washington for
expert ballistics tests, County Police Chief L.O. Godwin has said that he
is holding the second bullet, a copper clad one, until further evidence, such as
the gun, is found.
Analysis of the fatal bullet showed it to be from a .38 caliber
revolver closely resembling the Smith and Wesson type. Without testing the
other bullet, it cannot definitely be proved that both came from the same gun.
GOOD MARKSMAN
The shots were fired nearly half an hour apart according to police
who said that Dr. and Mrs. Lee mistook the first discharge for an
automobile backfire. Mrs. Lee was in the room with her husband at this
time, but had gone upstairs to bed when the minister was killed.
Persons who saw the bullet holes in the screen, scarcely an inch
apart, expressed amazement that a gunman could achieve such marksmanship unless
he fired twice in rapid succession.
This incredulity is strengthened by the fact that the first shot
passed within six inches of Dr. Lee’s forehead (indicated by holes in the
wall) and should have caused an impression other than a car’s backfire.
Weakness of the half-hour theory also is shown by many’s [sic] supposition that
Dr. and Mrs. Lee actually did hear a car backfire at the time the
latter thought the first shot was fired.
Mr. Gould and Chief Godwin have said that the county
authorities have not called on the state for investigation aid. Gov. E.D.
Rivers has noted on two occasions that he would be glad to step in if
requested, the state being unable legally to enter such matters otherwise.
Glynn County Coroner J.D. Baldwin continues to hold
investigating jury sessions at frequent intervals and often has gone to his own
expense to ferret out additional information.
The Syracuse Herald (Syracuse, New
York); Sunday 30 October 1938; pg. 7A col. 1
NEGRO WHO ADMITTED SLAYING AGED CLERIC NOW DENIES CRIME
Brunswick, Ga., Oct. 29 (UP)—George Cleyborn,
Negro held for the murder of the Rev. Dr. Charles H. Lee, 71, tonight
repudiated his confession which had resulted in the arrest of three other men.
Cleyborn had stated that he and another Negro, Willie
Green, had been hired for $150 by Henry J. and W.H. Cofer,
resort operators on St. Simons Island, to kill the aged cleric because of his
outspoken attacks against vice conditions on the island.
George Cowart, attorney representing the accused Negro, took
Solicitor W. Ben Gibbs to the Wayne County jail at Jesup late today and
Cleyborn changed his story.
The Negro said that he made the confession because he was “scared”
and that he was not involved in the killing.
Authorities said the murder charges against the Cofer
brothers and the Negroes would hold, but that a new investigation would be made
at once.
The Syracuse Herald (Syracuse, New
York); Monday 23 January 1939; pg. 17 col. 5
NEGRO IS CONVICTED OF SLAYING RECTOR; 2 OTHERS FACE TRIAL
Brunswick, Ga., Jan. 23 (AP)—George Cleyborn,
25-year-old Negro, faced life imprisonment today for the midnight assassination
of Dr. Charles H. Lee, aged Episcopal rector.
A Glynn County Superior Court jury convicted the tall Negro of first
degree murder yesterday, with a recommendation of mercy. During the four-day
trial he denied any knowledge of the minister’s slaying.
W.H. Cofer and H.J. Cofer, white brothers also
indicted on murder charges, probably will not go on trial until the May term of
court. The two resort operators and the Negro were charged with shooting the
71-year-old rector through a window while he was preparing a sermon in the
rectory of Christ Church on St. Simons Island last Feb. 5.
Defense attorneys said they would file a motion for a new trial.
The Macon
Telegraph (Macon, GA); Friday 3 March 1939;
Pg. 5 col. 1
OUSTER OF CHIEF SOUGHT BY JURY—Glynn Body Charges County Police Head With
Neglect of Duty
(Telegraph’s Georgia News Service)
BRUNSWICK March 2—Dismissal of County Police Chief L.O. Godwin
and dismissal or discipline of County Officer J.C. Coleman are among the
recommendations made by the Glynn county grand jury in their general
presentments submitted to the Glynn superior court Tuesday afternoon.
Various county matters are discussed in the presentments, and many
recommendations made, among them being the Georgia law which requires counties
having less than 30,000 population, the tax commissioners, sheriffs and
constables shall each pay over from time to time the county taxes to the proper
officers, as required by law, as soon as $5,000 has been collected, be enforced
in this county.
The county police chief is charged with “flagrant” lack of
performance of his duty and of conduct unbecoming an officer by the grand jury.
The body also recommended that since the present clerk of county
commissioners is ill and unable to perform his duties, that he be given an
indefinite leave of absence with appropriate pay, and a competent successor be
employed to assume these duties and that a person be secured with executive
ability.
The Macon
Telegraph (Macon, GA); Saturday 18 March 1939;
Pg. 8 col. 5
GODWIN HEARING HAS NO TALKERS—Glynn Chief Hit by Jury. Doesn’t Know Charges
BRUNSWICK March 17 (AP)—When no one submitted evidence against him,
a public hearing called on charges against County Police Chief L.O. Godwin
was adjourned today.
The hearing was called by the county commissioners at the request of
Godwin after the grand jury, in recommendations, called for his immediate
dismissal “for lack of duty and acts unbecoming an officer.”
No charges were specified.
Oakland Tribune (Oakland, California);
Wednesday 28 May 1941; pg. 25D col. 5
MARRIAGE IS SET FOR SATURDAY—Miss D’Arcy Dieckmann To Wed
John Landon At Simple Ceremony—by Suzette
Miss D’Arcy Frederica Dieckmann of
Berkeley telephoned to friends, Monday afternoon, telling them of her engagement
to John Edwin Landon, San Francisco attorney. Miss Dieckmann is
the daughter of the late Frederic T. Dieckmann and of Mrs. Dieckmann
of Berkeley.
The wedding ceremony, which will be read by the Reverend Laurence
Cross, pastor of the Northbrae Community Church in the presence of the two
families, at 1 o’clock Saturday afternoon, will be simple in appointment. The
bride will be [missing].
FROM OLD FAMILY
Miss Dieckmann, a member of one of the
older families in Bay society, is a granddaughter of the late Dr. and
Mrs. Daniel Hopps of Piedmont and of the late Joseph Henry Dieckmann
at one time United States consul-general to Mexico. She is a niece of the
Misses Marie and Anita Dieckmann of Oakland.
Landon is a son of Col. Edwin Landon, U.S.A. retired,
a former professor of political science at the University of California, now
residing at Monterey.
U.C. GRADUATE
The future bridegroom, a graduate of the
University of California school of jurisprudence, is practicing law in San
Francisco. The home of the young couple will be established in Berkeley.
George MacQueen Landon of Detroit is a brother of the
benedict-elect, and Mrs. Charles Vincent Litton, of Redwood City, his
sister. Litton will serve as best man for his brother-in-law.
Miss Dieckmann is a student of art and attended the
California College of Arts and Crafts. She is a graduate of Miss Horton’s.
The Augusta
Chronicle (Augusta, GA); Thursday 18 December 1941; pg. 1A col. 4
GLYNN GUN
BATTLE FATAL TO TWO MEN
BRUNSWICK, Ga., Dec. 17 (AP)—The assistant chief of Glynn county police and the
operator of a roadside tavern were killed and another county policeman seriously
wounded near here late today in a gun battle, County Police Chief L.O.
Goodwin reported.
Assistant Chief Anton Krauss was killed by T.L. (Nub)
Turner, operator of the tavern, Godwin said. Policeman J.C.
Coleman was wounded by Turner, the chief said, and then killed
Turner.
Godwin said the officers were called to the tavern, known as
“Nub’s Place,” to investigate a report two truck drivers there were drunk.
The chief said Turner came up to the officers, started an
argument, then pulled his pistol and shot Krauss. Coleman, the
chief continued, turned around to see what happened, and Turner shot
him. Coleman thereupon shot and killed Turner, Godwin
declared.
The Augusta Chronicle (Augusta, GA); Monday 3 February 1947; pg.
1 col. 3
EX-CON TAKEN IN GUN BATTLE AT ST. SIMON’S
BRUNSWICK, Ga., Feb. 2 (AP)—Glynn county Police Chief R.B.
Henderson told today of shooting and wounding an ex-convict and arresting
his shapely blonde companion after a gun battle in a rented cottage on
fashionable St. Simon’s [sic] island.
Chief Henderson identified the wounded man as Buddy Wilson,
29, alias Erwin M. Enzer, and his companion as Mrs. Ruby Cullifer,
24, of Brunswick.
The police officer said Mrs. Cullifer told a story of having
been doped by Wilson, brought to the cottage and held there as a
prisoner.
He said he was holding Wilson on a larceny charge, while
Mrs. Cullifer was released under a $500 bond on a similar charge and turned
over to Fernandina, Fla., police officers for questioning in connection with the
removal of a safe containing a quantity of jewelry from a furniture store in
that city.
Chief Henderson said Mrs. Cullifer and Wilson
rented the cottage January 18 and had been living there since.
Yesterday, Henderson continued, Mrs. Cullifer’s
husband, Dan Cullifer, swore out a larceny warrant against the pair,
charging theft of a $3,600 diamond ring.
The Augusta Chronicle (Augusta, GA); Saturday 12 July 1947; pg. 1
col. 1
5 CONVICTS DIE TRYING TO ESCAPE—8 Others Wounded At State Prison Camp; Had
Refused to Work
BRUNSWICK, Ga., July 11—(AP)—Five Negro convicts were shot to death
with shotguns and rifles and eight others wounded, two critically, today when
they made an attempt to scale a 12-foot wire fence enclosing their prison camp
near here.
(Editor’s note: The United Press reported early today that one of the convicts
wounded near Brunswick had died in a hospital, bringing to six the number
slain.)
Warden W.G. Worthy said five prison guards and other officers
who had been called to the camp to quell a disturbance, opened fire on 27
convicts as they raced toward the fence.
One of the Negroes, shot as he climbed the fence, toppled dead on
the other side. When the shooting ended, five negroes [sic] lay dead and eight
wounded. Fourteen prisoners came back with their hands up and surrendered, the
warden said.
NONE HAD FIREARMS—None of the Negroes was armed with knives or
firearms, the warden said, but several carried short iron bars and sticks.
The warden and County Chief of Police Russell B. Henderson
said the escape was “incited” by Willie Bell, who attacked the warden and
attempted to disarm him. Bell was shot in the leg.
Of the eight Negroes taken to a Brunswick hospital, two were
released to jail after first aid treatment. The six others remained in the
hospital under guard.
The camp is an all Negro prison and has about 75 inmates.
Major C.A. Williams, head of the state department of prisons,
tonight sent two investigators her(e) from Atlanta, 300 miles northward.
The warden gave his account of the shooting.
REFUSED TO WORK—A group of new prisoners joined the camp yesterday,
and were sent out today to work on the Jesup highway. The new prisoners refused
to work and were brought back to the camp about 4 p.m. They wouldn’t get out
of the trucks when ordered and Warden Worthy called county police.
Chief Henderson talked to the prisoners and told them to do
what the warden ordered, “and cut out that foolishness.”
The Negroes got out of the trucks and were lined up in the prison
enclosure. When the police chief finished talking to them, they broke and ran
to the barracks, and dove under the building which sits about two feet off the
ground.
The Augusta Chronicle (Augusta, GA); Friday 31 October 1947; pg.
1 col. 1
CONVICT CAMP GUARDS TELL BRUNSWICK JURY OF PRISONER ‘REVOLT’
BRUNSWICK, Ga., Oct. 30 (AP)—Stories by convict camp guards of
alleged rebellion by Negro prisoners before eight were shot to death at the
Glynn county camp last July 11 were given a federal jury today.
County police officers called to the camp before the shooting
supported testimony of guards concerning refusal of 37 Negroes to obey orders of
Warden N.G. Worthy and resume work on a ditch cleaning job.
County Chief of Police Russell Henderson testified that the
alleged ringleader, Willie Bell, made a “lunge” for the warden before the
latter fired at Bell’s legs.
Henderson said other convict guards opened fire when the
prisoners started running. He said he and two county policemen did not fire
their guns.
The Columbus Enquirer
(Columbus, GA); Thursday 24 June 1948; pg. 4 cols. 2-3
TOP O’ THE MORN By
W.C. Tucker
(This is the fourth of
a series of articles on Jekyll Island State Park.)
AN OLD CEMETERY—We
told yesterday of a jeep trip with
Governor Thompson at the wheel.
One
point of interest was a long-abandoned cemetery. It was a small one, though,
containing only a few graves. One was for a baby,
Herman Brinkman, born Dec. 2, 1898
and died June 4, 1899. George Hervey,
born in England, and Hector Deliyannis,
born in Smyrna, were drowned at Jekyll march 21, 1912. There was the grave of
Joseph du Bignon, who died April 27,
1852, and the grave of Marie Felicite
Riffault, who died April 8, 1852.
Mrs. Amelia du Bignon died May 4, 1850. The
du Bignons dated back to the latter
part of the 16th century when royalists fleeing the revolution in
France came into possession of Jekyll. This group which included
Christopher Poulan du Bignon took
possession in 1792 but they immediately lost title to the island when the ship
taking the deeds to France for recording was pursued by an enemy vessel and the
deeds were thrown overboard, along with other ship’s papers, to prevent their
capture. Later the claim of du Bignon and his friends had to be reestablished by law.
OWNED BY FAMILY—The
royalists soon fell to quarreling among themselves and a duel was fought in
which one of the du Bignons was
killed. This ended the noble partnership and the Island seems to have become the
exclusive property of the du Bignon
family in 1800.
In
1859 Jekyll became the subject of international controversy when the yacht
Wanderer, last slave ship to land in America, deposited 300 slaves on the
island.
Christopher du Bignon died in 1825
and the Island was bequeathed to his son,
Henry Charles. One of the latter’s numerous descendants is
H.F. du Bignon, now clerk of the
Glynn County Superior Court and who had the job of handing out the checks to the
individual owners when the state bought Jekyll. Another descendant,
Fleming G. du Bignon, was president
of the Georgia Senate in 1890 and lived in Atlanta for many years.
The
du Bignon family owned Jekyll for
nearly a century and concerned themselves principally with growing their famous
Sea Island cotton. In 1887 John E. du Bignon sold the island to a group of New York
millionaires, headed by the original J.P.
Morgan and George F. Baker. The
millionaires owned the island for 61 years and during their regime an estimated
fifty million dollars was spent on developments. Virtually all of these became
the property of the State when Georgia acquired the island through condemnation
and purchase on October 8, 1947.
CONTROVERSY NOT NEW—Jimmy
Jones, publicity director of the Department of Parks, is our authority for
the statement that the type of controversy that attended the State’s acquisition
of the Island from a group of New York millionaires for $675,000 is nothing new
to Jekyll.
“For more than a century the huge island of nearly 11,000 acres was the pawn in
a terrific international chess game between Spain and England with France
sitting in as an occasional kibitzer through private owners,” said
Mr. Jones. “Incidentally, one of
these, old Christopher P. du Bignon,
earned himself a modest niche as one of the unsung heroes of the War of 1812
between the United States and Great Britain.”
Mr. Jones was on Jekyll last week and
gave us plenty of historical data.
In
the early spring of 1814, so the story goes, three British men o’war hove to off
Jekyll. They were part of a squadron that had participated in the attack on
Washington which resulted in the burning of the White House and were on their
way to support British General Packenham in his siege of New Orleans. The squadron’s commander, a
Captain Ross lowered a boat and sent
a party shoreward with terms for the surrender of the Island.
But the party never landed.
Monsieur du Bignon hurriedly assembled a defense unit made up of his sons,
relatives and slaves and they showered the boat with gunfire, sticks, stones and
French invective. The British returned later and carried off some slaves and
some of the du Bignon silver but in
the ensuing scuffle, Captain Ross was
killed and the ships turned tail and sailed away. Meanwhile,
General Andrew Jackson had fought and won the Battle of New Orleans
which ended British rule in America for all time.
MANY TRAGEDIES—“The death of
Captain Ross was only one of the many
tragedies which attended the surge of history about Jekyll’s wooded shores and
inlets,” said Mr. Jones. “During the
latter part of the 17th century the Island was the hideout of
William Teach (alias
Blackbeard) and other notorious
pirates who sallied boldly forth from the sheltered harbor of Jekyll River to
prey on the treasure laden galleons plying the Spanish main. Legend has it that
Blackbeard buried much of his
fabulous treasure on the Island and then boasted as he lay dying: ‘Only me and
the devil hisself [sic] knows where it’s buried and we won’t tell.’”
“Evidently Blackie was right,
for several treasure hunting parties have visited the island in recent years and
no one has yet reported finding a doubloon.
“During the Indian uprising against Spain in 1597 the Island was the
scene of a bloody massacre. A small group of Spanish priests who had established
a mission there was wipe out, excepting one
Father D’Avila who was spared for
some reason unknown to history. Then in 1603, the Spaniards fitted out a
punitive expedition and returned to slaughter the Indians.”
The island was under the flag of Spain until the English came in 1733 to
found the colony of Georgia. General
James Oglethorpe, who led the expedition, immediately took a fancy to
Jekyll. The Spanish were ousted and
Oglethorpe set up residence on the Island and lived there until his
retirement in 1743. The ruins of a small fort built by
Oglethorpe to house the island’s
garrison exists today in a remarkable state of preservation.
After Oglethorpe’s retirement,
the island seems to have returned to the Indians who originally owned it. But
King George III reclaimed it for
England in 1768 on the bassis [sic] of
Sir Francis Drake’s visit to the island in 1587 while engaged in an
expedition against Spanish shipping.
King George, in turn, awarded
it as a gift to a friend, Clement Martin,
who was ousted from ownership during the Revolution. Following
Martin’s death, the island was sold at auction, in 1784 to one
Richard Leake, a merchant, for the
sum of 500 pounds.
Next to own the island was a group of Royalists fleeing the Revolution in
France.
(The Jekyll Island series will be continued tomorrow.)
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