Calhoun County AlArchives News.....Newspaper abstracts for OCT, NOV, DEC 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, 7:12 pm The Jacksonville Republican 1881 NEWSPAPER ABSTRACTS FROM "THE JACKSONVILLE REPUBLICAN", Jacksonville, Calhoun County, Alabama for OCTOBER 1881, NOVEMBER 1881, DECEMBER 1881 NEWSPAPER Issue of Saturday, OCTOBER 1, 1881 LOCAL News Richard Cohely, charged with the killing of Jones in the eastern portion of the county some months ago, applied to Judge Woods on a writ of habeas corpus for bail. Tuesday, Judge Woods rendered his decision denying Cohely bail and he was remanded to jail. --- THE DE'ARMAN TRIAL Gadsden News In the habeas corpus trial now going on in the DeArman case before Hon. L. E. Hamlin, Messrs. Solicitor Martin, Col. Bradford, Col. Frank Bowden and Messrs Dunlap & Dortch are conducting the prosecution; Messrs. Geo. W. Parsons of Talladega, Denson and Disque and Whitlock and Son of Gadsden, representing the defense. On Monday at noon, after some haggling among the lawyers in regard to a witness remaining in the courtroom after being put under oath, the case was opened by Col. Bradford for the state, introducing as a witness Henry Reavis, landlord of the hotel at Jacksonville, who was the nearest eye witness of the homicide. Henry Reavis testified that "last August about 7 o'clock int he morning, defendant rode up to the Jacksonville Hotel of which he (Reavis) was proprietor, called out to Crook and asked him if he could blow a horn and if he would not go hunting with him. Crook responded, "No Judge, I can't go with you today". DeArman said "You promised me you would go." Crook still declined. In the hallway of the hotel where Crook was standing, there were three empty Army guns leaning up against the wall. After Crook's second refusal to go, Reavis heard DeArman's gun click and he (witness) then took his hand off of Crook's shoulder where it was resting and stepped one pace away. Crook was standing erect with his hands down by his side. When the gun fired he fell, giving one short gasp. He never spoke after the fall. DeArman's horse threw him; in a few seconds he recovered himself from the fall, returned to where Crook was and remarked to the bystanders, "God'm him, I came here to kill him and I have done it! I said I would kill him and I have done so", and in a few minutes afterwards called on some persons near to catch his horse, mounted him and rapidly left town. Crook wore black pants and a linen duster coat." There is a perfect cloud of witnesses, some 75 or 80 in number and the case will more than probably consume the whole week. The expense to Calhoun county of this part of the trial alone will be several hundred dollars. We were pleased to meet among the witnesses our old friends, Jno. M. Caldwell, Alfred Dean, D.Z. Goodlett, Henry Reavis, Walter Hammond, Berry Beale and John Ramagana of Jacksonville and Messrs. Jake Grreen, John M. Crook and E.G. Lee of Alexandria. D.Z. Goodlett and J.S. Kelley were examined Monday evening and their evidence was substantially the same as Mr. Reavis. On Tuesday morning, Walter Hammond, another eye witness, was put on the stand and gave about the same evidence with the addition that Dr. Francis pulled Crook's hand out of his duster pocket after he fell but that he saw no weapon. He did not hear the conversation between defendant and deceased. Ed G. Lee was also sworn. He was the Bailiff who arrested DeArman. He stated as to the declarations of DeArman after his arrest and also that some of the arresting party spoke of shooting Crook. Next week we will give a condensed statement of entire testimony including that for the defense. ---- LEGAL NOTICE TO CREDITORS Letters of Administration upon the estate of William Clough, deceased, having been granted the undersigned by the Hon. A. Woods, Judge of Probate Court of Calhoun county, on the 22nd day of Sept. 1881, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate will be required to present the same within the time allowed by law or they will be barred. Joseph T. Loyd, Adm'r. ---- STATE OF ALABAMA, Calhoun County Probate Court, Sept. 27, 1881 This day comes Joseph T. Loyd, administrator of the estate of Wm. Clough, deceased and filed in court his petition in writing, under oath, representing that the decedent died seized and possessed of the therein described lands lying and being situated in said county of Calhoun and said Administrator asks an order and decree of the court authorizing him to sell said lands for the purpose of paying the debts of said decedent and for distribution; and said administrator further states that: J.W. Clough and John D. Clough are non-resident heirs of full age, of said estate, residence and post office unknown to administrator. Thereupon, it is ordered by the court that the 7th day of November 1881 be set for the hearing of said petition and that notice thereof be given in the Jacksonville Republican, a newspaper printed and published in said county, for three successive weeks prior to said day as a notice to J.W. Clough and John Clough, and all others concerned, to be and appear in said court on the 7th day of November 1881 and defend against said petition if they think proper. This 27th day of September 1881. A. Woods, Judge of Probate ---- NEWSPAPER Issue of Saturday, OCTOBER 8, 1881 LOCAL News Died, Oct. 1st, near Morrisville, Calhoun county, Ala., Mr. James Weatherly, aged 76 years. He was one of the first settlers of this county, much loved and respected by all who knew him. He leaves an aged wife and children and many friends who were very much attached to him for his kindness and strict integrity. In their grief they have the solacing thought that their loss is his eternal gain. He was a member of the Baptist church for more than 50 years. It can be truly said of "Uncle Jimmie" that to know him was to love him. He always had kind words of encouragement for the young. The writer has often been cheered by the same. B.B.N. Mr. Weatherly whose obituary is published above, came to Calhoun county in 1833. He was very highly respected. He died with cancer. ---- NOTICE TO CREDITORS Letters of Administration upon the estate of Manerva Green, dec'd, having been granted the undersigned by the Hon. A. Woods, Judge of Probate court of Calhoun county on the 24th day of September 1881, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate will be required to present same within the time allowed by law or they will be barred. Wm. J. Scott, Exec'r. ---- NOTICE TO CREDITORS Letters of Administration upon the estate of S.J. Crook, deceased, having been granted the undersigned by the Hon. A. Woods, Judge of Probate of Calhoun county on the 6th day of Sept. 1881, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate will be required to present same within the time allowed by law or they will be barred. O.S. Crook, Adm'r. ---- THE DeARMAN TRIAL Gadsden News As we have a large number of readers in Etowah, Calhoun and Cleburne counties, who are greatly interested in this trial, and as a cloud of witnesses were in attendance who desire to be informed as to the testimony and the action of the court, we give a condensed statement of the proceedings and evidence in this, one of the most notorious and interesting murder trials of the country. Seaborn J. Crook, the deceased, was a young man about 26 years of age, related to one of the largest and most respectable families of Calhoun county. He was tall and large weighing about 160 pounds, with strong features, black eyes and hair, with an extensive reputation for courage and at the time of his death was Marshall of the town of Jacksonville. John A. DeArman is a man of ripe age, between 55 and 60 years old, tall and large weighing about 160 or 170, and was at one time, the Republican Probate Judge of Calhoun county. He is also largely and respectably connected in Calhoun and Cleburne counties. On the morning of the 16th of August 1881, the Circurt Court of Calhoun county being then in session, on the porch of the Hotel in Jacksonville, Ala., DeArman killed Crook by shooting him with a shotgun. During the same week the grand jury of that county preferred an indictment against him for murder; he was arrested, arraigned, pleased guilty and a day was set for his trial, but another murder trial having presedence, the case was continued for lack of time to try it until the Spring term of court, and shortly afterwards, DeArman was removed to the jail of Etowah county, the Jacksonville jail being considered unsafe. Recently upon a petition of a writ of habeas corpus to admit him bail, he was brought before Hon. L.E. Hamlin, Probate Judge of this county. On Monday at noon, after some haggling among the lawyers in regard to a witness remaining in the courtroom after being put under the rule, the case was opened by Col. Bradford for the state, introducing as a witness Henry Reavis, landlord of the Hotel at Jacksonville who was the nearest eye witness of the homicide. D.Z. Goodlett and J.S. Kelley were examined Monday evening and their evidence was substantially the same as Mr. Reavis. Goodlett was over at the Court House and did not hear the conversation, but saw the killing. That he made some demonstration toward arresting DeArman but the latter declined to be apprehended. Goodlet said that from where he was standing at the time of the shooting he could see into the hallway of the hotel and that Reavis was standing in the hallway near Crook. Goodlett said when DeArman rode up to the hotel, and in a pleasant way he called to Crook. He saw him move his hand in cocking the gun. Kelley said that after DeArman said something about blowing a horn, Crook advanced toward him and that after the firing, DeArman went back and looked at the dead body. That Crook made no reply to DeArman's remarks until defendeant asked him to go hunting and that he did not see Reavis there at all. On Tuesday morning, Walter Hammond, another eye witness, was put on the stand and gave about the same evidence with the addition that Dr. Francis pulled Crook's hand out of his duster pocket after he fell but that he saw no weapon. Hammond said that he was standing about 25 feet away from the door of the Hotel; that DeArman came from Ramagano's grocery over to the hotel and rode up on the sidewalk in front of the hotel. That Crook had obtained the army guns from his store. They belonged to a miltary company in that town. Witnesses denied shooting at DeArman as he rode out of town; that Crook had been walking with a crutch for some time before but on that morning was using a walking stick for the first time. Ed G. Lee was also sworn. He was the bailiff that arrested DeArman. Lee testified that after the capture of DeArman, that the latter rode back to Jacksonville in a buggy with him and told him while they were riding together that he had done what he had intending to do for a long time. That he did not expect to employ a lawyer, that he did not need one as he intended to plead guilty and expected to be hanged or sent to the penitentiary. L.S. Carpenter saw defendant the morning of the killing, hat off, stirrup broken. Defendent said, "Hell was to play in town that morning. There was a man killed. I have killed Crook as dead as hell this morning." Was sorry that he did it or had it to do. Had heard the Judge say if Crook ever put him in the calaboose again he intended to kill him, about one month before killing. DEFENSE TESTIMONY Robt. J. Coleman: "Was in town the morning of the killing. Saw Crook coming up to the hotel with three guns and a pistol. DeArman rode up to the hotel with a gun, a horn and dog, asked Crook if he could blow a horn. Then DeArman asked Crook if he (Crook) would blow, as one of his dogs was gone. Crook said "No, by god" he could not or should not. Then Crook walked several steps toward DeArman and the gun fired. Crook was standing straight, thinks his hands were in his pockets. Ten or fifteen minutes before the killing, Crook passed witness. Heard him say he had a pistol that would serve his purpose but he would go and get some guns for them other fellows. Witness saw something that looked like a pistol in left pocket of Crook's duster. George Brown: "Was in town when Crook was killed. Did not know Crook. Was eating breakfast when gun fired. Had heard Crook say that he intended to kill DeArman. Threat was made on that morning a few minutes before slaying". D.H. Hall: "Saw Crook once walk from hotel across the square on morning of the killing and half hour before killing saw Crook and DeArman meet before killing. Crook walked out of hotel to edge of porch, one hand on right hip, left hand apparently in breast pocket. Saw something as Crook walked out that glistened in his left hand, did not know what it was. This was just before the killing. Saw Crook raise his right hand just before DeArman shot; then he, the witness turned his back, did not see Crook fall." Wm. Ashley: "Was on court house steps at the time of difficulty. Saw Crook a few minutes before killing walk by court house steps. Saw him pass again with guns. DeArman was in front of Ramagnano's grocery. Saw Crook go to tavern and set guns down in the piazza, close to corner of door facing. Heard conversation between the two in part, Crook, after replying that he could not go hunting, stepping towards DeArman, had his hands down. Nothing in his hands at that time that he saw. Thought he had a pistol in his left hand pocket and his hand was half way in his pocket. At the time he saw the pistol there was as many as fifteen people on the porch. Won't swear that it wasn't a pistol because he didn't see the handle, but it looked like a pistol. Would swear that it looked like the handle of a pistol." J.H. Andrews: " Saw the breach of a pistol as Crook passed witness while he was setting on court house steps. The color of the breach was dark, not a white handle. The breech is the place where you first take hold of a pistol. It was sticking out of his pocket, hip pocket. Crook had a duster. Couldn't say if it was buttoned. Was setting with Wm. Ashley on court house steps. Just before killing, Crook passed by them not over one quarter of an hour, going towards hotel. Had a walking stick in left hand and a pistol in either his coat or hip pocket. When he saw DeArman after the shooting he was in the act of falling off his horse. Could not say whether he was walking or riding. While they were talking about the horn, Crook's right hand was behind him." J.B. DeArman testified that he was a nephew of the defendant. That he saw Crook on the morning of the killing with some guns and a stick in his hands, saw Judge DeArman through a window ride up to the hotel. Reavis was standing by the dining room door holding the door open. " I was in the left hand or office room. I did not see Reavis go by the door to front door. I was in there but a minute when the shooting occurred. Crook's left hand was under his coat or in his pocket after he fell. Ab. Littlejohn and George Brown were offered as witnesses by the defense and they were questioned as to the character of the deceased as a violence and dangerous man. The question was objected to and after a most interesting argument by the lawyers on both sides, the court sustained the state's objection to the question. Witnesses were also offered to prove that previous to the killing, the deceased had threatened the life of the defendant but objection was made and after exhaustive arguments, the court refused to hear evidence upon that point. Wm. Cook: "Was present when Lee arrested defendant. Oscar Crook threatened to shoot defendant's brains out twice, one when witness first got with posse, next going up the hill in Jacksonville. Rode close to the buggy all the way only when the buggy would get ahead on doing down a slant, didn't hear defendant allude to the killing. Was a son-in-law of DeArman. Defendant called on Ned Lee for protection." The court after due deliberations and an examination of the authorities submitted by defendant's counsel, refused to admit John A. DeArman to bail and remanded him to the county jail of Etowah county. ---- NEWSPAPER Issue of Saturday, OCTOBER 15, 1881 ALABAMA News The body of Wm. Mohon, the gentleman who mysteriously disappeared from Centre, Cherokee county, some days ago, has found in the Coosa River. --- STATE OF ALABAMA, Calhoun County Probate Court, October 7, 1881 To all whom it may concern: Notice is hereby given that Thos. A Kerr, administrator of the estate of Elijah Kerr, deceased, will file in thie court his petition on Saturday the 5th day of November 1881, asking that a Dower be assigned to the widow of said deceased, in the lands owned by by said decedent at his death. Notice is hereby given to non-resident heirs of Elijah Kerr, deceased, and all others interested to be and appear before me, at my office on the 5th day of Nov. 1881 when said petition will be heard and determined, and contest the same if they think proper. A. Woods, Judge of Probate ---- NOTICE TO CREDITORS Letters of Administration upon the estate of Coleman Bryant, deceased, having been granted the undersigned by the Hon. A. Woods, Judge of Probate court of Calhoun county on the 11th day of October 1881, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate will be required to present the same within the time allowed by law or they will be barred. J.J. Bryant, Adminstrator ---- NEWSPAPER Issue of Saturday, OCTOBER 29, 1881 LOCAL News Mrs. Robt. Adams is on a visit to her mother Mrs. Watson of Thompson, Ga. --- We learn that on Tuesday last while attending a steam gin at Peeks Hill, Mr. David Pruitt accidentally got his arm caught by the saws and was so lacerated that he bled to death before medical aid could be procured. --- Mr. John Abernathy who lived some eight miles west of town, died on Tuesday night of typhoid fever. Mr. Abernathy had been sick about three weeks. Thus another good citizen has passed away. --- NEWSPAPER Issue of Saturday, NOVEMBER 5, 1881 LOCAL News Emmit Laird, son of Wm. C. Laird of this place, left for New Mexico to make that his future home, Monday last. We can say it is with unfeigned regret we see him leave. He is a model young man in every respect and they are so uncommon in this day and generation that a county can ill afford to lose one. We wish Emmit unbounded prosperity. --- John Vise, an old and highly respected citizen of this county died Oct. 31st after a long illness. --- NEWSPAPER Issue of Saturday, NOVEMBER 26, 1881 LOCAL News Died at his home in Choccolocco some days ago, A.T. Martin, of congestion of the stomach. He was a member of the 10th Ala. Regiment during the war and was a faithful soldier. In the community in which he lived he was beloved for his good qualities, which are many, and his untimely death is deplored. ---- Died, after a long illness of the fever, Mrs. Jos. Wilson, at the home of Mr. Robt. Riley, a __? -in-law in this place Tuesday. Her husband was one of the first settlers of this county. Her surviving children and other relatives have the sympathy of the community. --- On Tuesday, the 15th inst., Mr. __? McCurry living near White Plains, committed suicide by shooting himself with a gun. He had been greatly troubled about his debts and illness and this unsettled his mind. He had been ill for two or three weeks before the tragedy. --- NOTICE TO CREDITORS Letters of Administration upon the estate of Elisha L. Bridges, dec'd, having been granted the undersigned by the Hon. A. Woods, Judge of the Probate court of Calhoun county on the 14th day of November 1881, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate will be required to present the same within the time allowed by law or they will be barred. C.W. Brewton, Adm'r. ---- NOTICE TO CREDITORS Letters of Administration upon the estate of R.W. Penney, deceased, having been granted the undersigned by Hon. A. Woods, Judge of Probate court of Calhoun county, on the 15th day of November 1881, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate will be required to present the same within the time allowed by law or they will be barred. Sarah A. Penney, Adm'x. ---- NEWSPAPER Issue of Saturday, DECEMBER 10, 1881 LOCAL News Our esteemed friend, Mr. W.A. Camp, has removed to his old home in Georgia. --- SAW MILL FOR SALE The Messrs. Camp are prepared to offer a bargain in their saw mill, situated in the midst of fine timber, near Weaver's Station and with ox teams, wagons, etc. W.A. Camp and Sons, Jacksonville, Ala. ---- File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/calhoun/newspapers/newspape1115gnw.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/alfiles/ File size: 21.5 Kb