Calhoun County AlArchives News.....Newspaper abstracts for JULY, AUG, SEPT. 1881 1881 ************************************************ 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 19, 2006, 1:33 pm The Jacksonville Republican 1881 NEWSPAPER ABSTRACTS FROM "THE JACKSONVILLE REPUBLICAN", Jacksonville, Calhoun County, Alabama for JULY 1881, AUGUST 1881, SEPTEMBER 1881 NEWSPAPER Issue of Saturday, JULY 9, 1881 LOCAL News Died, on the 1st inst., at her home in this place, Mrs. Susan Land, wife of W.C. Land. Deceased was born in Bladen Co. North Carolina, was raised in Augusta, Ga. and died in Jacksonville, Ala., at the ripe age of seventy-four years. For over twenty-four years, Mrs. Land had lived in Jacksonville and during that long period we do not suppose she made an enemy. She was gentle, charitable, and very kind to the sick; and when she died she was universally mourned. Peace to her gentle spirit. --- NEWSPAPER Issue of Saturday, JULY 16, 1881 LOCAL News The venerable mother of Mr. Joseph Nunnely of this place was buried here Wednesday. She died near Anniston. We did not learn the nature of the disease that proved fatal to her. --- HOMICIDE - - - On last Saturday evening about dusk, at a Grocery about 2 miles from Cottondale, a man named Simons stabbed in 3 places a man named Johnson, killing him almost instantly. Simons was brought to jail on Sunday evening on a warrent of Justice Mitchel, before whom a preliminary trial was held. Alcohol and a knife, two of the devils formidable weapons, did it. --- NEWSPAPER Issue of Saturday, JULY 23, 1881 ALABAMA News Mr. William Oliver of Cherokee county, while threshing wheat recently, was instantly killed by the explosion of the boiler running the thresher. --- Mr. Osborn Durham living on Sand Mountain met with the misfortune of having his house burned on the night of the 9th inst., some of the inmates barely escaping in their night clothes. --- Col. L. Mott of Columbus, Ga., was killed at the Union Depot in Atlanta on the 19th, by being run over by a train. --- HOMESTEAD NOTICE No. 887 Land Office, Montgomery, Ala. July 20, 1881 Notice is hereby given that the following named settler has filed notice of his intention to make final proof in support of his claim and that said proof will be made before the Clerk of the Circuit Court at Edwardsville, Ala., on the 27th day of August 1881, viz: Obediah H. Hooper, homestead entry No. 4009, for the NE 1/4 of NW 1/4 of Section 5, Township 15 South, Range 15 East. He names the following witnesses to prove his continuous residence and cultivation of said land, viz: George W. Chandler, Floyd Junior, Thornton C. King and William King, all of Hooper's Mill, Alabama. Pelham J. Anderson, Register --- HOMESTEAD NOTICE No. 886 Land Office at Montgomery, Ala. July 20, 1881 Notice is hereby given that the following named settler has filed notice of her intention to make final proof in support of her claim and that said proof will be made before Judge of Probate Court at Edwardsville, Ala., on Sept. 17, 1881, viz: Etisha E. Thompson, widow of Sampton Thompson, homestead entry No. 4278 for the East 1/2 of Southeast 1/4 Section 26 and Northwest 1/4 of Southwest 1/4 of Section 25, T. 17S., R. 10 East. She names the following witnesses to prove her continuous residence and cultivation of said land, viz: Jefferson Miller of Oak Level, Ala., Jesse Miller of Oak Level, Ala., John L. Camp and William Camp of Arbacoochee, Ala. Pelham J. Anderson, Register. --- ESTATE OF JOHN McELWRATH, Dec'd Notice is hereby given that the undersigned has been appointed Administrator of the estate of John McElwrath, by the Probate Court of Calhoun county, Ala., on the 13th day of July 1881. All persons indebted to said estate are requested to make payment at once and those having claims against said estate will present them to the undersigned in terms of the law or they will be barred. H.L. Stevenson, Admr. --- NEWSPAPER Issue of Saturday, JULY 30, 1881 LOCAL News Married in the courthouse on the 27th day of July by Hon. W. Woods, John T. Jones and Miss Mary A. Kilgore, all of Calhoun county. We congratulate the happy couple and wish them a long and prosperous life. --- Mr. D.A. Carey informs us that he sawed the first log on a number one new saw mill, just established at his mill, formerly called the Sisson Mill, and can hereafter supply that prosperous community with all the lumber they may want at reasonable prices. This enterprise of Mr. Carey will prove of great benefit to the community in which the mill is situated and he deserves praise for it. --- Died, at his home near Alexandria, on Saturday July 23, 1881, John Easterwood, an old and most valued citizen of this county. He was fifty-five years and a few months old at the time of his death. For two years previous to his death he had suffered much with cancer on the face, which no skill of the physician could cure and which he became satisfied would prove fatal to him, but his devoted family spared no expense and relaxed not their energies to alleviate if not to cure to the last days of his life. About five months prior to his death he made a bright profession of religion and when his summons came, he, with perfectly clear mind, awaited it with calm resignation. And this must be the consolation of his friends and relatives, that though he suffered much, through suffering he was brought to Christ and died in full hope of a glorious immortality, beside which the sufferings of this present life are not to be compared. ---- Died, Tuesday night at the home of his sister Mrs. Hurst in Cedartown, Ga., Joe A. Alexander of this place. The body was brought to Jacksonville by his sorrowing wife on Wednesday's train and after appropriate ceremonies at the St. Luke's church, were interred in the cemetery here. For more than a year he had suffered with an affliction of the throat or lungs which rapidly grew worse until it terminated in his death. Thinking that a change of climate might benefit him, some weeks ago he left his family here and went to the home of his sister in Cedartown. A short while back the news reached here that he was rapidly growing worse. His faithful wife at once hastened to his side and nursed him until he breathed his last. Both she and a little sister who lived with him and the little children he leaves behind, have the heartfelt sympathy of our entire community. ---- The aged wife of that kind and ever genial old friend of ours, Gen. D.C. Turrentine of Gadsden, is dead. For forty years they had lived as man and wife and all this time their lives were a benefaction to those among whom they dwelt. Gen. Turrentine is a pure, gentle old man whom to know is to love, and the death of his good wife will be mourned as much for him as for she that hath gone on before. Ere long he will join her, for he has almost accomplished the number of his days. When he shall set out on what will not be a pleasing journey to him, since the love of his early youth and the comfort of his latter days has passed on to the beautiful land; men may well say and they will say, "one has gone whose place cannot be filled." Gentle old friend, we mingle our tears with your! ---- NEWSPAPER issue of Saturday, AUGUST 6, 1881 LOCAL News Married on the 28th of July at the residence of the bride's father G.B. Skelton of Calhoun Co. Ala., Mr. John C. Anderson to Miss Rosa Skelton, by Rev. V.O. Hawkins. We wish the newly married couple much happiness on the voyage of wedded life. --- NEWSPAPER Issue of Saturday, AUGUST 13, 1881 HOMICIDE Friday the 5th inst. the body of a man named John Jones of Haralson county, Georgia was found in a field on Terrapin creek, about one mile below the Wilson Mill in this county, with bullet wounds in the shoulder and through the jugular vein. He was killed Tuesday, so far as the circumstances point and was not found until three days had elapsed. Suspicion points to a man named Dick Cohely, who has fled the country and who had said previously that he intended to kill him. Cohely had reportedly had some family trouble, of which it is said, Jones was the instigator. Cohely had sent him word that he intended to kill him, yet, nothwithstanding this, Jones went with him by invitation up the creek to a lonely spot to "talk the matter over." When Jones started from the field, a man who was working with him advised him not to go, saying, "if you don't mind, Dick will kill you." "If he can kill me before I can kill him, let him rip", replied Jones and he went. This was the last seen of him, until his body was found some days afterwards. It is said that Cohely told his brother-in-law whither he and Jones went after they left the field, that he had decoyed Jones to go with him to the coaling, three or four miles distant, intending he said, to kill him in the lonely hollows on the route and there leave the body, but his heart again failed him. "But", said Cohely to his brother-in-law, "damn him, I intend to kill him." Cohely and Jones after this set out to return to the point from whence they had started and had reached a place within a fourth of a mile of that point, when Jones was killed. Cohely was armed with a gun, one barrel of which was a rifle, the other had a shot gun. Two shots were heard and it is supposed that Cohely first shot at Jones with the rifle barrel and failing of his aim, then used the shot gun barrel on him. Cohely has not been heard from since he fled the scene of the murder. The above facts only given as floating rumors and may be disproved by evidence brought out at trial, should one ever be had, and the public are warned not to allow their minds prejudiced against Cohely in their publication. The law presumes every man innocent until he is proven guilt. LATER - - Cohely was arrested in Cleburne county and lodged in jail Tuesday at his place. ---- LOCAL News Last week, Mrs. Jeptha Smith with her sister-in-law and some children got into a buggy, pulled by an old and reliable family horse and drove a short distance to visit a sick lady. Arriving, they unhitched the horse. On return, the ladies themselves harnessed the horse, there being no man on the place and it is supposed, hitched him to the buggy improperly. At any rate, when the horse reached a very steep hill the buggy fell on him causing him to run away, smashed the buggy to pieces and seriously hurt every inmate in the vehicle. By some means the lines got around the neck of Mrs. Smith and when the horse tore loose from the buggy, she was dragged some distance by the neck, and frightfully bruised and torn, having several of her teeth knocked out. The other lady was knocked senseless and hurt badly. We are glad to be able to report at this writing that no death occurred from the frightful accident and that both ladies and children are now doing well. --- STRUCK BY LIGHTNING Mr. Otis Mattison of Oxford was killed a few days ago by lightning. His neck was broken and skull cracked. The unfortunate man and Mr. George Mattison and his son were working at a saw mill together, when a storm came up. They took shelter in a house near by. Shortly after the house was struck and Mr. Otis Mattison was killed as related above. Mr. George Mattison and his son were also stunned but not seriously injured. --- FOR SALE The undersigned as agents of the heirs of the estate of C.J. Cochran will sell on the premises the 10th day of October the desirable place known as the old Georgia Wood place, situated three miles east of Greensport and containing 200 acres, 40 acres open land. Good buldings, good average soil, well wooded and watered. Fine Chalybeate spring within 75 yards of house. Accessible by water and very desirable as a summer resort. W.M. Cochran S.B. Cochran ---- NEWSPAPER Issue of Saturday, AUGUST 20, 1881 THE KILLING OF S.J. CROOK, TOWN MARSHALL OF JACKSONVILLE Tuesday morning, the 16th inst., about 7 o'clock, our town was startled by a loud report of a gun on the public square and a few moments afterwards the news ran from lip to lip that Seab Crook had been killed by Jno. A DeArman. The day previous was the first day of criminal week of Court here and large numbers of men were in town, and much whiskey was drank. The Marshall made many arrests and incarcerated several in the Calaboose, among them DeArman which is supposed to be the incentive to the desperate deed afterwards committed by him. At night all incarcerated parties were released and allowed to go home, among them DeArman. Early Tuesday morning DeArman rode into town with a gun and dogs and announced that he was going on a hunt. He rode to a bar room and without dismounting, ordered a glass of whiskey which was handed him by some one. Crook was on the public square at the time and was watched by DeArman until he stopped at the hotel and sat down on the porch. Probably in anticipation of a renewal of the difficulties of the evening previous, Crook had procured three breech loading rifles belonging to the Military Company here and had placed them near him, with the remark "these never fail." Soon after, DeArman rode up in front of the hotel and addressing Crook, said "Seab can you blow a horn; at the same time holding up a hunting horn." To this Crook made no reply, it is said. DeArman again addressing him then said , "Seab, won't you go hunting with me today? You told me yesterday you would go." At this, Crook rose and leaving his guns, took two or three steps toward DeArman, directly facing him and not five feet from him, replied "I can't go today, Judge." At this, and without any warning, DeArman cocked his gun and before Crook could realize his intention, without raising the gun to his shoulder, discharged the load directly in his breast, the ball passing through or in the near region of the heart. Without a word and with a gasp, Crook fell back on the porch of the hotel, feet hanging over, a dead man. At the report of a gun, DeArman's horse wheeled and threw him heavily to the ground. He arose, and taking up his gun, advanced to the body and looking down upon it, he said, " I have done what I came to do." He then turned and walked deliberately away to undertake his horse, which had trotted off in the direction of his home. These facts we get from an eye witness to the whole affair and who was within two feet of Crook when he was shot. After DeArman had proceeded a few steps in the direction of his horse he encountered the Sheriff who was crossing the square diagonally and who was unarmed. He warned him not to attempt his arrest, at the peril of his life. While the Sheriff was still advancing toward him, several young men procured rifles belonging to the Military Company and shot guns and took up the pursuit. Meanwhile DeArman reached his horse and mounting him, fled down the hill leading north from the town. As he went over the hill and subsequantly some six or seven shots were discharged at him, but without effect. A large posse pursued in the direction of DeArman's house and proceeded to search for him. While a couple of the party were passing through a corn field adjacent to the house, they came upon DeArman lying prone on the ground near a bush with his face to the earth, apparently asleep. They at once covered him with their guns and ordered his surrender. He submitted without resistance. By him was found his gun with one barrel discharged. He was brought to town within two hours after the commission of the deed and is confined in a room of the Court house at this writing, awaiting the action of the Grand Jury now in session. For the benefit of people at a distance and who are unaquainted with the parties, we will state that DeArman is a farmer who has lived in this county for a great number of years, part of the time in Jacksonville and who at present resides two miles north of Jacksonville at Germania. He is a Republican in politics and in times past has been a local politician of some note. He is about fifty years of age and has a wife and children, some of them grown. Crook was a son of W.P. Crook, once Clerk of the Circuit Court of this county and cousin of Capt. James Crook, one of the State Railroad Commissioners. He was quite a young man of unbounded liberality and generosity of character, and brave to a fault. He had been Marshall of the town for some years and was very efficient, the only objection ever urged against him was his rashness. He had many warm friends and of course some enemies, as any man would have occupying his official position. But the grave intervenes to bury the resentments of the latter, while his virtues and generous qualities will long remain green in the remembrances of the former. The event is greatly deplored in this community and the families of both the slayer and slain are to be greatly pitied. LATER - - The evening of the day of the commission of the offense, the Grand Jury found an indictment against DeArman for murder. He wa brought into open Court from jail and plead "not guilty". Friday was set as the day for the trial and the Sheriff was ordered to get a jury of one hundred men for that day. DeArman is now in jail. All the wild reports flying about concerning contemplated lynching are without foundation. This community will let the law take its course and deprecate anything like violence. A very large number of people gathered at his father's residence to attend the funeral services of S.J. Crook and all day long throngs of people were going to the house to view the remains and tender such sympathy as they could. In the evening the body was taken to Alexandria for interment Wednesday morning in the family burial ground. ------ Died, Sunday morning about six o'clock, J.B. Forney, a well known citizen of this town and county, and brother of Hon. Wm. H. Forney, Member of Congress for this district. Mr. Forney had been in bad health for two or three years and gradually failed, until his life went our peacefully last Sabbath morning. He was a member of the Episcopal church of this place and the funeral services were conducted in the church. A large concourse of friends and relatives followed the remains to the grave. Perhaps no man has ever lived in Calhoun county who had fewer enemies than Mr. Forney. Kind of heart, courteous of manner, never speaking ill of any one, he pursued the even tenor of is way, leaving no resentments behind and accumulating friends as he went. We have known him since infancy and with truth can say we never heard an ill word spoken of him. What volumes does this speak! Firm in a saving faith, he has exchanged a life burdened with infirmities and suffering in his latter years for a future brighter than pen can paint or imagination conceive. He is far better off, but still regret lingers that the gentle, quiet, genial friend of other days has gone to be seen no more forever here. ---- We learn that a daughter of Mr. Elisha McClelen died very suddenly and unexpectedly at the home of her father last Saturday. She had been sick for a week but was not considered dangerous, and had been sitting up an hour or two before her death. Her father was in Jacksonville when the sad event occurred, and, at last accounts, the mother was so prostrated by the shock that she was thought in a dangerous condition. Mr. McClelen had not long been up himself from an almost fatal sickness and the day in question was his first visit to Jacksonville. How sad the summons that bid him home! Both the aged father and stricken mother have the deepest sympathy of all who know them. ---- Died, Sunday the 14th inst., Mr. George McCluskey of this place. He had been sick a great while with Consumption but had not long been confined to his bed previous to his death. He was an industrious man, a kind husband and father and a good citizen and leaves to his children, if no other legacy, that of a good name, which is better than riches. He was buried Monday evening; a large concourse of friends and relatives followed the remains to the grave. ---- STATE OF ALABAMA, Calhoun County Probate Court, Special Term, August 7, 1881 This day came Scott Nabors, and filed in court his petition in writing and under oath, praying for an order of the court appointing Commissioners to sell the real estate in said section described and owned jointly by petitioner and Slade Nabors, deceased, for the purpose of division among those interested. It is ordered that the 12th day of September 1881 is hereby appointed a day on which to hear and determine upon said petition and that notice thereof be given by publication in the Jacksonville Republican, a newspaper printed and published in said county, for three successive weeks prior to said daty, as a notice to: Clara A. Nabors who is the widow of said Slade Nabors, deceased, who is a non- resident and who resides at Cave Springs in the state of Georgia; and to all other persons interested, to be and appear before me at my office in the courthouse of said county on the 12th day of September, and defend against said petition if they think proper. A. Woods, Judge of Probate ---- LOCAL News Mr. Frank Bowdon of Talladega came up Tuesday to attend the funeral of his friend Seab Crook. They were very much attached to each other. --- NEWSPAPER Issue of Saturday, SEPTEMBER 3, 1881 STATE OF ALABAMA, Calhoun County Probate Court, Regular Term, August 8, 1881 This day came Robert M. Hanna, administrator of the estate of Woodford R. Hanna, deceased and filed in court his petition in writing and under oath, praying an order of sale of certain real eastate in said petition belonging to said estate for the purpose of paying the debts of said estate. It is ordered that the 17th day of September 1881 be appointed a day on which to hear and determine upon said petition, and that notice thereof 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: Mary E. Henderson, wife of Jas. J. Henderson who resides in Jack county, Texas, who is an heir-at-law of Woodford R. Hanna, deceaed, and a non- resident, and to all other persons interested, to be and appear before me at my office in Jacksonville, Ala., on the 17th day of September 1881 and defend against said petition if they think proper. A. Woods, Judge of Probate ---- A CORRECTION Mr. Editor, In justice both to myself and the dead, I deem it my duty to make a statement in regard to the reported mistreatment of John A. DeArman by S.J. Crook, on the occasion of the arrest and incarceration of DrArman on the day prior to the killing of Crook. It is currently reported that Crook kicked DeArman as he put him in the calaboose that day. I was employed on that day not as an arresting officer but as a guard at the door of the calaboose and was present when Crook brought DeArman to prison. When DeArman reached the door he placed his hands against the door and remarked that he did not want to go in. Crook replied that he must and placing his hands upon his shoulders and his knee in his back he forced him through the door and closed it. Crook used only such force as was necessary to do this, which force was not violent or unnecessarily harsh. Crook did not enter the prison after DeArman went in. This much I state, not for the purpose of making opinion, but as a simple act of justice to one who is dead and cannot speak for himself, as well as to myself, who was employed as guard at the door of the prison, and whose duty it would have been to have interfered in case of rough treatment of prisoners by arresting officers. R.H. ??? ---- NEWSPAPER Issue of Saturday, SEPTEMBER 17, 1881 ALABAMA News Eufala News - - - Mrs. Ann S. Yarrington, sister of Maj. Wallace Screws and Mrs. J.N. Williams of this county died at Seale Monday evening last. Eufala News - - - Mr. John Hendrix died last Saturay night in the 96th year of his age. ---- File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/calhoun/newspapers/newspape1114gnw.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/alfiles/ File size: 24.6 Kb