Calhoun County AlArchives News.....Newspaper abstracts for MARCH 1879 March 1879 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/al/alfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: C Gravelle tealtree@comcast.net September 9, 2006, 8:06 pm The Jacksonville Republican March 1879 NEWSPAPER ABSTRACTS FROM "THE JACKSONVILLE REPUBLICAN", Jacksonville, Calhoun County, Alabama for MARCH 1879 NEWSPAPER Issue of Saturday, March 1, 1879 STATE OF ALABAMA, Calhoun County Probate Court, Special Term, February 22, 1879 This day came Charles Martin, administrator of the estate of Loving Martin, deceased and filed his accounts and vouchers for an annual settlement of said estate. It is ordered that the 22nd day of March 1879 be appointed a day on which to make such settlement. At which time all persons interested can appear and contest said settlement if they think proper. L.W. Cannon, Judge of Probate --- LOCAL News Died, at the residence of her husband in this place, of paralysis, on Saturday the 22nd inst., Mrs. Johns. The deceased was a most exemplary christian lady, beloved by a large circle fo friends and her death is sincerely mourned by all who knew her. Her aged partner in life and her children have our heartfelt sympathy. --- (For the Jacksonville Republican) Died at the residence of his parents near Weeberville, Travis County, Texas on the 13th of Feb. 1879, Pinck E. Garrett, second son of Patillo and Susannah Garrett of South Carolina, aged 20 years last Jan. After a brief and painful illness his immortal spirit took its flight to its home in paradise with God. He bore his afflictions as a soldier of the cross. Praying constantly to his maker he vanished from our sight like a fleeting sunbeam and did not fear death; but oh, how sad to realize that his sweet smile will no more shed its light in the home circle, no more will he fill the vacant seat around the fire- side, but calmly and peacefully he fell asleep in Jesus, and his spirit has been wafted to the golden wings of immortal love from earth to the bosom of the Good Shepherd. Ella Avaline Garrett. --- NEWSPAPER Issue of Saturday, March 8, 1879 LOCAL News In company with Mr. J.J. Wilson of this place, we visited last Sabbath, Mrs. Ables, the victim of the brutal assaunt of Albert Ragan, the negro who paid the penalty of his crime with his life in the same place some weeks ago. We found her still living, through hanging on the very borders of death. She was delirious as she has been almost constantly since the assault. Her face presented a shocking appearance and the indendations in her forehead plainly told where the cruel rock in the hands of the fiend had done it's work. The cottage or rather hut in which she lives presents an appearance of extreme poverty, as we learned from some kind neighbors who were present, that she and her little family had been entirely dependent on the bounty of the charitable since her terrible misfortune. Before she was stricken Mrs. Ables was poor in this world's goods but was an honest, self reliant and industrious woman. She cultivated a little patch of ground and on it raised a sufficiency of food to supply her modest wants. The animal she used for plowing her land was a milch cow, whichs he worked through the day and milked in the evening. We were shown the animal, a meek, gentle looking creature, bearing the marks of the yoke plainly on its neck. The lady was in search of food for this mainstay of her little family when she was attacked and reduced to her present pitiful condition. From this it will be seen that before her misfortune she and her family were poor indeed; but since the dreadful assault that deprived her of at once of use and strength of arms, they are doubly poor and their conditon appeals most strongly to the sympathies of the charitable. So far the needs of the family have been suplied by kidn neighbors with some outside help from this place and in Gadsden; but this has not been more than sufficient to supply their immediate wants. Until the death or recovery of this lady, the family will be dependent on outside help. She cannot be moved and therefore cannot be taken under the care of the county, we learn. We would therefore suggest to the ministers of the various churches throughout the county to take up a charitable subscription in their churches for the relief of this stricken household and to send the amounts give to Judge Cannon who will see that it reaches the object for which it is designed. This case is one that should appeal in a special manner, most powerfully to the sympathies of women and we trust that the women of Calhoun county will see to it that this deserving but unfortunate family does not suffer. In the absence of church subscriptions, any party, who may feel so disposed, can make contributions either in money or provisions and as we have said before, Judge Cannon will see to it that everything so contributed reaches the object for which it is designed. --- LOCAL News Married, at the residence of Mrs. Phillips of this place on the 6th iinst. by Rev. T.P. Gwin, Mr. H.H. Boozer and Miss Sophie C. Phillips. --- CHOCCOLOCCO News Items Married, near Davisville, Ala., Jeffie Smith to Miss Mary A. Pendergrass, by J.F. M. Davis. --- Married at Choccolocco, Ala., on March 2nd, Dr. G.W. Sorrell of Alexandria City to Miss Mollie A. Bentley, by J.F.M. Davis. --- FATAL SHOOTING SCRAPE On the 3rd inst., a recontre occurred between Charles Curtis and Join Poindexter which resulted in the fatal shooting of the former. It appears that on Saturday a young lady went to the store where Curtis was employed to purchase a pair of shoes and as she alleges she was insulted by Curtis. This was made known to Poindexter who was the lady's fiance. Monday morning, Poindexter went to the store after Curtis and proceeded to cowhide him. After striking him a few blows he was stopped by persons who were present. About noon, Curtis with a friend, went to Poindexter's place of business and demanded an apology and public explanation which was refused. Curtis thereupon assaulted Poindexter with a cane. Poindexter warned his assailant not to stroke or he would shoot him but Curtis continued the assault. Poindexter commenced and continued firing and Curtis fell with three balls in his breast and one in his head. Curtis is not dead but no hopes for his recovery are entertained. Both are respectably connected and of excellent reputation. --- ALABAMA News Died, near Bennettsville in Etowah county, Ala., on the morning of Feb. 19th, Wm. C. Smith, son of John M. Smith, formerly of Choccolocco Valley. --- NEWSPAPER Issue of Saturday, March 15, 1879 LOCAL News We are glad to note the fact that the ladies of Jacksonville are responding to our appeal in behalf of Mrs. Ables. Mr. Hammonds has kindly tendered a conveyance by which everything subscribed can be sent out next Monday. Blessed charity! Thank God it still has a home in the breast of gentle women. Let the ladies include in their donation some delicacies suited to a sick person. --- CHOCCOLOCCO News Items Died, at Davisville on March 10th, Rev. Elijah Teague. --- Died, at Holly Springs, Miss., on Feb. 28th, 1879, Mrs. C.M. Wallace, daughter of Mrs. E.J. Mallory , formerly of this county. --- NEWSPAPER Issue of Saturday, March 22, 1879 MRS. ABLES Friday, a hack went from this place to the home of Mrs. Ables carrying a load of clothing and provisions to the unfortunate family. Judge Cannon has received some monetary contributions. The following from Louisiana on this subject explains itself: To Editor of the Jacksonville Republican, Your appeal through the Jacksonville Republican asking for aid to the unfortunate woman Mrs. Ables is before me. Although many miles away, I feel as though I would like to be among those who contribute to the relief of this poor woman and helpless family. I feel that it is really a privilege and offers an opportunity, that all should embrace, of doing the most good, in a charitable point of view. I firmly believe that God loves a cheerful giver. Enclosed find a small contribution of five dollars in bank check. Please hand it to Judge Cannon. The writer happened to be at the wedding of this unfortunate woman about twenty years ago. Acknowledge receipt and oblige, Wiley P. Mangham, Rayville, Louisiana --- COLONEL ROBERT A. ALSTON Atlanta, Ga., March 12, 1879 It is with faltering pen and uncertain fingers that I come to write of "Bob" Alston, dead! For ten years he was my friend, knit to my heart by a thousand ties. To write of him or talk of him is to give the public many things that shuld be cherished in the privacy that makes them sacred. For four years we were bound together with the sympathy that men feel for each other when they stand shoulder to shoulder and heart to heart to fight against odds; and in the extremities of that struggle I learned to know him, I believe better than any living man ever knew him. I shall write of him, then as if he was before me tonight, and with his blue eyes looking into mine, and my hand within his kindly grasps. If I should be betrayed into writing anything that would have been better unwritten, I shall remember that none but his friends have read it, for I do not believe that the state of Georgia holds today a single man or woman who was aught but regretful tenderness for the dead man that lies in that coffin yonder. Bob Alton came of a princely stock. His ancestors settled in Halifax, North Carolina, nearly a century ago. They were imperious, dauntless people, of enormous wealth, lavish habits and stirring traditions. They were of a stubborn strain of fighters, dominating over everything and brooking no contention. They were known over the country as a gentle but reckless race and came to be called the "Halifax" Alstons. Many a time I heard Alston tell, in his frank and bright way, of the traditions of these people, how they traveled from one of their estates to another in almost regal state, with the old King George coach and four and an army of sable attendants; his his grandmother used to carry her own sheets and pillows and loaf sugar with her everywhere she went; and how, in her mettlesome days, racing with her husband over the countryside, she would put $100. on a cockfight and follow the fox hounds where none but the Alstons dare ride. Or how his grandfahter offered his estates to Jefferson when war was declared and drank rye coffee to his death because he drank it during the war; of how honest Willis Alston, his grand uncle, had to confront the whole state of Carolina because of his assault upon a defaulting state treasurer; and of the lordly way in which these two brothers fought and frollicked alternately with the gentry from Virginia to Georgia. This is a point upon which Bob Alston has become more misunderstood than upon his alleged proclivity for fighting. The bravery and dash of the old Alston blood was there, but the passion fever had been cooled out of it and amost genial essence sent through it, col and sparkling. His mother was a gentle woman, and gave to her sons a most admirable sweetness of disposition. Whenever the Alston fire flashed in the veins, this delicious coolness put it down. I never saw Alston angry five minutes at any time in my life. It was a flash, a frown, a smile. Why does not John Nelms say that in the crisis of that murderous fight, while the messenger of death was already winged, the pale, stern face turned towards him and lighted with a smile? And does not the poor clay coffin silenced and stilled in that room, yet wear a smile that tells the passion roused in that forebearing frame died away before the smoke had cleared from his face? There was a touching thing done by Ed Mercer who always loved Alson well. He knew of Alston's fear that he would die a violent death; he said with tears in his eyes, "Poor Bob, he shall not die in his boots". And he tenderly pulled them off. At the bedside the scene was heart rendering. The poor wife, holding her husband's hand and calling on him in the most piteous tones. Near her, kneeled Gov. Colquitt, praying aloud and his voice so broken that he could not syllable his words. Around the bed stood friends with uncovered heads and streaming eyes, while the crowd thronged outside the door for the slightest bit of news. On the bed peaceful and resigned, his eyes resting fondly on his wife or lifted now and then to some friend, lay the sufferer. Ah, surely, in God's mercy, here was the peaceful death that he had prayed for. Surely here was a peace that mocked all earthly storms, a peace that smiled at the ghastly hole in the temple and the blood stains, a legacy of peace that would enrich his sons beyond all measure; a peace that passeth understanding. He was true to his friends to the last degree; he never failed to help them when chance offered and never deserted them when they were in trouble. Lovable, sympathetic and frank, he was wonderfully magnetic. Every man that worked on the old Herald with him loved him. Yesterdays dispatches were received from all over the state and today a half hundred of them will be in Decatur to see him buried. His love for his wife was marvelous in its freshness and strength. It was the passion of his life. The last letter he ever wrote was addressed to her as if he was suing for her hand in marriage. The morning that he left her he kissed her at the door. She followed him to the steps and there stopped. "What, no further than the steps with me?" he said. And laughingly she went to the gate with him. Ah, the poor woman spoke the secrets of her heart and the glory of her life when she rubbed his chilled hands and said..."speak to me, look at me". She was all to him, and nobly did she fill his life with her sweet and loyal love. May God in His infinite gentleness bathe her heart with mercy. I might write forever about him. About his home life, so soft and loving and gentle, about the kindliness with which he placed his arm about me when I came to this city a friendless youngster, about the charming surprises that his life developed day after day, about the half-sad, half-tender talks that we used to have about his life and the hopes and loves he had centered in his children; about his wonderful adventures and exploits, so full of that bright audacity that sat him so well. Today we bury him, tomorrow we shrine his memory in our hearts and turn our faces to the future. Tears are idle and no cry can bring back that bright presence and that winsome face. Nothing can light those darkened eyes, nothing thrill that confined heart, nothing quicken that tired brain. God's will be done, and God rest thee in peace, thou honest friend, thou golden-hearted gentleman. H.W.G. --- PETITION FOR PROBATE OF WILL State of Alabama, Calhoun County Probate Court, March 17, 1879 This day came Elijah W. Teague and produced and filed in court a paper in writing purporting to be the Last Will and Testament of Elijah Teague, deceased, and moves to court to admit said Will to probate. It is therefore ordered that the 14th day of April 1879 be set for hearing the said application; and that notice be given by publication in the Jacksonville Republican, a newspaper published in said county, for three successive weeks prior to said day as a notice to: Lidie M. Evans Sarah A. Kelley Lurana J. Brock; who are nieces at law and next of kin to the deceased; and who are non- residents of the state of Alabama, to be and appear at a regular term of said court to be held at the courthouse of said county on said 14th day of April 1879 and show if anything they have to allege why said Will should not be admitted to probate. L.W. Cannon, Judge of Probate --- FINAL SETTLEMENT NOTICE State of Alabama, Calhoun County Probate Court, March 15, 1879 This day came A.J. Bowls, administrator with Will annexed of the estate of P.D. Bowls, deceased and filed his statement, accounts and vouchers for a final settlement of his administration thereof. It is ordered by the court that the 5th day of May 1879 be appointed a day on which to make such settlement. At which time all persons interested can appear and contest the said settlement if they think proper. L.W. Cannon, Judge of Probate --- ANNUAL SETTLEMENT NOTICE State of Alabama, Calhoun county Probate Court, March 10, 1879 This day came John F. Walker, administrator of the estate of Elizabeth Walker, deceased, and filed his statement, accounts and vouchers for an annual settlement of his administration. It is ordered that the 17th day of April 1879 be appointed a day on which to make such settlement. At which time all persons interested can appear and contest said settlement if they think proper. L.W. Cannon, Judge of Probate --- LOCAL News W.A. Brown and Miss Mattie Collins were recently married in Morgan county. --- Miss Minnie Alexander of Tenn., sister of our townsman Mr. J.M. Alexander, is attending Calhoun college. --- We were pleased to receive a visit on Tuesday from Mr. N.S. Vestal, formerly of tis county but now of Helena Montana Territory. Mr. Vestal left his home more than a score of years since, a poor boy, to seek his fortune in the far west and having made a marvelous success of life, he now returns to the place of his youth, immensely rich, the object of his visit being to administer comfort and provide well for those whom he left long ago. --- Mr. Elijah Teague, an old and estimable citizen die at his home in Davisville on the 10th inst. --- We regret to learn of the death of Mr. A.D. Wilkins which occurred at his residence in this county on Friday the 14th. Mr. Wilkins was highly respected and esteemed and his loss is greatly deplored. --- NEWSPAPER Issue of Saturday, March 29, 1879 LOCAL News Mrs. Ables, the unfortunate lady whose condition we noticed two weeks ago, died last Friday. The clothing, etc. sent from this place by our charitable ladies reached the unfortunate family in good time, we heard, for she had not a garment suitable to be buried in. Charitable and responsible parties stand ready to take the youngest children and care for them. ---- We regret very much to learn of the death of Mrs. Wesley Neal of Ball Play in this county, last Saturday. She died of typhoid pneumonia after an illness of two weeks. The deceased was about twenty-nine years of age at the time of her death. The stricken husband has our heartfelt sympathy. --- ALABAMA News Some errors appearing in the following obituary as published last week, we publish this week in corrected form: Died, at his residence in Gadsden, Ala., on the 13th day of March 1879, after a lingering illness, Rev. Theophilus Moody, in the 72nd year of his age. Deceased had been a travelling Methodist preacher for about forty-nine years, and was a member of the first Alabama conference, held in the city of Tuscaloosa in 1832. During his ministry he traveled pretty much all over Alabama, and was, perhaps, as extensively kown as any preacher in the State; his field of labor being co-extensive with its limits. During his long service he filled many important charges with acceptability, proving himself a "workman that needeth not to be ashamed." In the private walks of life he was quiet and unostentatious, and esteemed by all as a humble, conscientious christian. In his ministrial character he was above reproach, and ever enjoyed the respect and confidence of his brethren. It was his highest aim, his greatest happiness, to do his whole duty as a minister of the New Testament, esteeming the promotion of the kingdom of Christ, paramount to everything else, "counting all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ". He loved the church, was devoted to her interests and during his long and faithful service in the ranks of the ministry, made many sacrifices and endured hardships and privations to further the great cause of the gospel. At home, in his family, he was known as a kind, affectionate parent, ever watchful and considerate, endeavoring to promote the welfare and happiness of each member. In all the relations of life, he was faithful and true, and left the impress of his godly character wherever he went. God, in His providence, permitted him to do a large work for the church while he had the strength. He lived out his three score years and ten and when the Master called him he was ready to go. His record is on high. May the Lord grant consolation to his bereaved relatives. "Servant of God, well done! Rest from thy loved employ; The battle fought, the victory won, Enter thy Master's joy." M.T.M. --- File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/calhoun/newspapers/newspape1089gnw.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/alfiles/ File size: 21.2 Kb