Madison County AlArchives News.....Items from The Huntsville Weekly Democrat January 10, 1883 ************************************************ 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: Kenneth Stacy klstacyfamily@aol.com January 28, 2007, 3:56 pm Microfilm At Huntsville Library January 10, 1883 PERSONAL MENTION Messrs. John G. Taylor and Reuben Chapman left, Friday last, for Sumpter Co., Ala. Miss Madison of Va., is the guest of Rev. Dr. Banister. Messrs. L. P. Walker, J. D. Brandon, Geo. S. Gordon, D. P. Lewis and R. P. Ward, have returned from the Supreme Court at Montgomery. Messrs. S. S. Lanier, R. J. Lowe and R. H. Watkins, of Birmingham, have been in our city several days. Mr. A. O. Lane and wife and wife, of Louisiana, are guests of Capt. Milton Humes. Mr. John Berry, an old Huntsvillian, is on a visit, from Birmingham, to his many friends here. Mrs. Lanier and Cadet Lanier, mother and brother of Mr. S. S. Lanier, came up from Birmingham to his marriage. Mr. and Mrs. S. S. Lanier left Monday night on a bridal trip to Louisville, Ky., Petersburg, Va., and New York, we hear. R. E. Spragins, Esq., has been appointed General Administrator of Madison County vice H. L. Clay resigned. Mr. Spragins following in the steps of his worth father, R. S. Spragins, will (we doubt not) prove a faithful public officer. DIED: MATTHEWS.—Died, at the residence of his son-in-law, James E. Fletcher, in Huntsville, Ala., Jan’y 5, 1883, Mr. SAMUEL MATTHEWS, in his 85th year. Mr. Matthews was born in Brunswick Co., Va., Dec. 12, 1798, and came to Madison Co., Ala., about 1818-19, afterwards removed to Limestone Co., Ala., and became a citizen of Huntsville in 1858. He was a man of sterling integrity in his business transactions, and of warm affections for his family and friends. He had been a member of the Presbyterian Church several years, and lived a Christian life. He leaves a large circle of a relations and friends to mourn his death. He was buried in our City Cemetery on Saturday last. SYKES.—Died, at Decatur Ala., Jan’y 6, 1883, Dr. FRANCIS W. SYKES, of Lawrence Co., Ala. Dr. Sykes was a native of North Carolina, and at an early age, came to Morgan Co., Ala., and, afterward, settled near Courtland, Lawrence Co., Ala. On Friday last, he left home for Huntsville, was taken ill, stopped at Decatur, and died there on Saturday. He represents Lawrence county repeatedly, in the State Legislature, and in the Constitutional Convention of 1875. A Democratic Legislature elected him to the U. S. Senate since the war, but the Radical Senate refused him his seat. An honest, earnest, able, useful citizen, the public could ill afford to lose him. MARRIED: Lanier-Banister.—Married, in the Church of the Nativity, Huntsville, Ala., by the Rector, Rev. Dr. J. M. Banister, Mr. Sterling S. Lanier, of Birmingham, Ala., to Miss Mary Lou Banister, daughter of the Rector. The bridegroom has a reputation for high moral worth. The bride is one of the brightest and loveliest of Huntsville’s fair daughters. The Church was brilliantly lighted, and the chanc_ beautifully decorated with evergreens, white roses and lilies. The bridegroom was tastefully dressed in black broadcloth, the bride in a dress of pearl white Surah satin en traine, trimmed with clair de lune passenienarie and lace, diamonds, and bead dress of orange blossom wreath and tulle veil, the gentlemen attendants in blackcloth and white had gloves, the bridemaids in white mull muslin. Rev. Stewart McQueen read the exhortation, and Rev. Dr. Banister completed the ceremony. A large number of friends (considering the snow and cold weather) were present. We extend our heartiest congratulations and prayers for the happiness and welfare of the wedded pair. The attendants were John L. Mudd, and Miss Gussie Banister, Frank H. Newman and Miss Daisy Madison, Newton White and Miss Katie Barnard, Robert J. Lowe and Miss Shelby White, Geo. R. Montague and Miss Nettie Campbell, Robt. H. Watkins and Miss Lizzie Chadwick. LOCAL ITEMS After several days almost warm enough for the first days of Spring, the weather turned suddenly cold on Monday evening and snow fell about one inch deep Monday night. To-day, the sun shone and the snow is melting, but it is still very cold. Mr. W. F. Struve, with his usual enterprise, is putting an elegant front of iron pillars and French glass plate to the doors of his saloon on the North corner of the Public Square. The owners of the building occupied by L. H. Wilson, Druggist, have had a good sand flagstone pavement put in front of the building. We think that the private interests and public spirit of other owners of storehouses on and near the Public Square should impel them to put like pavements in front of their buildings. Gurleysville ------------ A vote was taken, on Saturday last, for the incorporation of Gurleysville, and resulted in a large majority for incorporation. Mr. Wm. P. McClung will, likely, be elected Mayor, we understand. Gurleysville has a cedar stave factory, and ought to have a factory for cedar ware—buckets, pails, firkins, tubs, &c. &c. We are glad to note the progress of this, one of our County town, and hope that they will stir up Huntsville and other County towns to greater improvement, even if they get ahead of them. Madison County Court will begin its first quarterly term for 1883 on Monday next, Jan. 15. Dick Liddell --------------- Not to be Pardoned – Congressman Herndon’s Condition -------------------------- Special to the Advertiser. Washington, Jan. 5.—The President has refused to interfere in the case of Dick Liddell, now in jail in Huntsville, convicted of robbing a United States paymaster in 1881. Gov. Crittenden, of Missouri, got up a long petition for the pardon of Liddell on the ground that he could be made useful in convicting Jesse James’s brother Frank. The Attorney General advised the President to leave Liddell alone and let Crittenden care for the James family. Congressman Herndon is easier to-night and sleeps often, but there is little or no hope of his recovery. John Wilkes. On Sunday night last, Capt. Billy Winston, our worthy County jailor, discovered that Dick Liddell, of the James Gang, Junior, charged with illicit distilling, and Foster, a state prisoner, were trying to break jail. The hole in the wall was about large enough for a man to get through. Capt. Billy went for Sheriff Cooper, and they “went in” for the prisoners and secured them. The Huntsville Advocate Gone Up ------------------------------- We have authentic information that Mr. Charles C. Ross resigned as editor of the Advocate ten days ago, that the suit of Hernando D. Wood et al. vs. the Advocate Publishing Company was dismissed this week, at the Company’s costs, and that Mr. Rob’t L. O’Neal, the Foreman, has bought the office and purposed to publish a local, non-political paper, we are told. The Advocate under Radical influences has been doing a great deal of mischief to the best interests of the people of Alabama, especially of this District and therefore, we shed no genuine or crocodile tears at its demise. Tribute of Respect to Dr. Fleming Jordan dec’d ---------------------------------------------- At the regular meeting of the Medical Society of Madison County the following announcement was made: On Sunday, the 24th day of December 1882, in the 79th year of his age, Dr. Fleming Jordan, an honored member of this Society, and the oldest practitioner of medicine in this County, ceased his earthly labors to enjoy the rest of the fitful. On Monday previous, he had ridden over 30 miles on his mission of charity, and on that night was seized with a violent attack of capillary bronchitis in one lung which yielded kindly to remedies administered, and his family and friends fondly hoped that he would have been spared yet a little while their comfort, friend and adviser. But on Sunday following the other lung became involved. His constitution enfeebled by age and exposure succumbed, and the grand old man passed away leaving us the heritage of his grand professional skill unflinching devotion to this profession, and strict adherence to the amenities of professional intercourse. An example most worthy of emulation—a void not easily filled and one long to be felt. He was a native of Georgia and moved with his parents to this county in his early childhood. He graduated in the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania in March 1829. In July of that year, he married Miss Lucy J. Moore and moved to the place where he has lived for the past 53 years, during which time he has almost uninterruptedly practiced his profession. A husband most tender and considerate, a father affectionate and indulgent, a neighbor kind and obliging, a friend true and staunch, ever ready to contribute his services and aid to the poor, he died lamented by a large circle, with whom his memory will ever be held in respectful veneration. It was, therefore, resolved: That this Society with sincere regrets has been informed of the death of one of its most honored members, one who always felt and took a lively interest in its welfare, and one whose loss will be deplored. Also: That a memorial page in its records be dedicated to his memory. Also: That we as a Society extend to his bereaved family our tenderest sympathy in their affliction, and that the Secretary be instructed to furnish them with a copy of the memorial and resolution. Also: That they be published in the City papers. L C. PYNCHON, Medical Society, of Madison County. ALABAMA ITEMS Wheeler’s Majority ------------------ We have not received official returns of the Congressional election of Jan’y 2, in any county but Madison. The Madison vote was counted by the Judge of Probate, Circuit Clerk and Sheriff on Saturday last, and Gen. Wheeler received 628 majority. We give the official majority for Madison and unofficial returns from other counties as follows: Madison 628, Jackson 851, Limestone 175, Morgan 651, Colbert 334, Lauderdale 388, Lawrence about 550, Franklin not heard from. Wheeler’s majority, as far as heard from, about 3,678, which Franklin will, probably, swell to about 4,000— a pretty fair majority on little, if any, over half a vote. U.S. NEWS Macon, Ga., January 4.—Alexander Mobley and his wife were riding on a cart loaded with seed-cotton, and the cart upset and Mrs. Mobley was caught under the load and smothered. The $400,000 Steal of Marsh T. Polk, State Treasurer of Tennessee ----------- We publish, elsewhere, many particulars of the robbery of the Tennessee State Treasury by State Treasurer Polk, of over $400,000, and his attempt to escape to Mexico. The Nashville papers furnish additional information that Gov. Hawkins received telegrams from San Antonio, Texas, that Polk had been arrested on a dispatch from Capt. Farrell, of the New Orleans Detective Agency, by Detective John Price, and was released after six hours, because he could not be detained longer under Texas law, without an oath identifying him. It is charged that Polk gave the Detective $40,000 to release him. Another telegram reached Gov. Hawkins from Milner, U. S. Marshal, at San Antonio, Jan. 9, that Polk has been re-arrested and will be delivered to Tennessee authorities on payment of reward.” Gov. Hawkins has made requisition on Gov. Roberts, of Texas, for Polk, and Detective Porter and Officer Sam Fields, of Nashville, have been sent as agents of the State, to take Polk in custody and bring him back. We deplore the fall of Polk and the dishonor to himself, his family, his proud family name and his State, but, we think that the higher his social and official position, the greater the reason for punishing him to the extent of the law. No person, family or other consideration should protect a deliberate thief from just punishment for his crime. $400,000 Short ------------------ Treasurer Polk of Tennessee, Comes up Missing ------------------ And Things Look Rotten About His Office. ------------------ Nashville, January 5.—The legislative committee appointed to investigate the office of the state treasurer, reported this morning that the treasurer has been out of the city for two days, and that his clerk was not prepared to make a statement of his account. The committee reports a deficit in the treasury of $400,000, and, after consultation with his bondsmen, recommended a suspension of the business of his office for the present. LATER. The announcement from the State capitol this morning of the deficit in the State treasury produced a genuine sensation throughout the city.—The following is the report of the legislative committee: “The joint select committee to settle with the comptroller and treasurer report that they have visited the office of the treasurer, and on inquiry find the treasurer is away from the capitol and has been for two days; and they are not advised when he will return. His clerks states that he cannot go into a settlement of the treasurer’s account until his chief returns. They also have information from the bondsmen, of some of them, that the condition of the treasury is such that they feel justified to recommend that the workings of the treasury be stopped until an examination can be had. The Senate adopted the following joint resolution: Whereas, The Senate has reason to believe that M. T. Polk, present treasurer, is a defaulter for almost $400,000, and Whereas, The bond given by said officer is not sufficient in amount to secure said default Therefore, be it resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives that the Attorney General of the State be, and he is hereby instructed to attach instantly all available assets belonging to said M. T. Polk, provided that sufficient grounds exist, to the end that the same be held for the satisfaction of said deficit. The state treasurer’s official bond was for $100,000. His bondsmen are Wm. M. and A. R. Duncan, of Newell, Duncan & Co., brokers, Max Sax, cashier of the Nashville Savings banks, Wm. Morrow, former State Treasurer, Will Polk and J. E. R. Carpenter, all of Nashville, and J. K. Polk, F. D. Allison and P. Cole, of West Tennessee, and A. S. Hansby, of Columbia. At the late extra session of the legislature, a bill was introduced to increase the bond of the State treasurer but the bill was stolen from the desk of the clerk of the senate the night before it was to come up for final passage on the final adjournment of the legislature. The amount of deficit in the treasury cannot be accurately ascertained till after thorough investigation. One of the bondsmen, who has been examining the accounts, says they show thus far a deficit of $300,000. The same bondsman says the treasurer’s books and accounts at one of the banks show a discrepancy of over $300,000. Just before Christmas it is said he drew out of the bank at Pulaski, $300,000. The State bonds were distributed in various banks at Nashville, Knoxville and Memphis. The missing fund are supposed to have been lost in speculation or loaned to personal friends engaged in speculation in bonds and stocks. Treasurer Polk left Nashville Wednesday and was last heard of at Milan, Tenn., from which point he wrote back that he would return Sunday. His family here do not know of his whereabouts. Treasurer Polk is fifty-one years old. He graduated at West point and served four years on the frontier. He was captain of artillery in the Confederate army in Cheatham’s division. He lost a leg at the battle of Shiloh. He afterwards served on the Staff of Gen. Leonidas Polk, to whom he was related. After the war he resided on a farm near Bolivar, Tenn., till elected treasurer six years ago. He was a nephew of the late President Polk. He has a large family and occupied high social positions in the city and State. WHERE THE STOLEN MONEY WENT NASHVILLE, Jan. 6.—It has thus far been positively discovered by proof that the defalcation began five years ago; also that one check, drawn by Treasurer Polk for $57,000, went to pay for his interest in a silver mine in Mexico, and it is believed that he also supplied the money to pay for another interest of one of his partners in the mine. It is known that $125,000 of the public funds belonging to the treasure’s account are on deposit in two of the Nashville banks, and it hoped there may be other sums in other banks. Polk has been interested in various speculative schemes in Tennessee in large amounts. Particulars of the Defalcation Nashville, January 6.—The committee appointed to investigate Treasurer Polk’s defalcation report that the amount of cash that ought to be in the treasury is $539,405.61. There were fifty United States bonds turned over to Mr. Polk, amounting to $50,000. The interest collected on the same was $34,287.50, making the total amount chargeable to Mr. Polk $623,693.11. There is on hand in the various banks in the State $200,544.24. There is cash on hand in the treasury, including currency, post office money orders, bank checks, silver and gold, $9054.54 making a total of $209,598.78. Mr. Polk’s credits are $11,427.42, leaving a balance due the State of $402,666.91. The treasurer’s books show that the Mechanics’ Bank of Knoxville is indebted to the State $25,584.25.—This indebtedness the bank denies, claiming to have paid the same to Thomas O. Conner for Marsh T. Polk. There is no evidence that the committee has of this payment by the bank. The loss includes fifty United States bonds, which cannot be found anywhere. It is reported here that Polk passed through Memphis Thursday night on a sleeping car. A SEARCHING RESOLUTION NASHVILLE, Jan. 6.—The House of Representatives adopted a resolution for a joint committee to investigate the amount short in the accounts of Treasurer Polk, whether the money was lost by speculation or loaned to personal friends, whether the defalcation is of recent occurrence or of long standing, whether concealed by the treasurer alone or with the connivance of others, and report the result as early as practicable. MARSH POLK AND THE LATE TOM O’CONNER PARTNERS. NASHVILLE, Jan. 6.—in an interview Representative Milliken one of the investigating committee, says the deficit in the treasurer’s account is over $400,000 including fifty United States thousand-dollar bonds that have been on hand a year, but cannot be found. The defalcation began five years ago, and increased rapidly after the passage of the one-hundred and three funding bill. The testimony shows that there were many speculations in New York; it also shows that Ex-Representative Duncan Cooper’s orders on the treasurer were always paid, the clerk being instructed by Polk to pay them. The orders were all in an envelope directed to Polk until a few days ago, and the supposition is that Polk took them with him. The testimony also shows that the late Maj. O’Conner (killed at Knoxville in last November) owes Polk $50,000, and gave his due bill, which Polk took with him. Polk paid the State’s money for exchange on San Francisco with which to pay for his silver mine in Mexico.—Checks were found in the safe with no evidence that they had passed through the hands of the comptroller. The books show that the Mechanics Bank of Knoxville owes the State $25,000, but the bank claims to have paid the money to O’Conner for Polk. The missing United States bonds were seven thirties, and were the last of the school fund. Polk was interested with O’Conner n the Gadsden ore banks, but the stock was in O’Conner’s name, though $10,000 of it was paid for out of the State treasury. Thousands of dollars of the checks shows that they were drawn by M. T. Polk, and, countersigned by the comptroller. POLK A HEAVY SPECULATOR IN TENNESSEE BONDS NEW YORK, Jan. 6.—A reporter called on a member of firms reported to be deeply interested in Southern transactions, but from the heads of those houses nothing could be learned as to Treasurer Polk having operated in any way on the general market; but it is said that, having great faith in the honesty of the people of Tennessee, he not only bought heavily himself of Tennessee bonds, but advised his friends to purchase them, feeling sure that an injunction would never be allowed, and that the debt would be honestly paid. Polk bought bonds as high as seventy-six, if not higher, and is said to have been compelled to sell at fifty, or even less.—They are even much lower to-day than at the time Polk sold, and he is supposed to hold a large block of these bonds at the present time. LEGAL NOTICES Execturix’s Notice -------------- Estate of James Landman, Deceased -------------- LETTERS OF TESTAMENTARY UPON the estate of said decedent having been granted to the undersigned on the 8th day of January A. D. 1883, by the Hon. William Richardson, Judge of the Probate Court of Madison County notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within the time required by law, or that the same will be barred. Persons, indebted to said estate, will please settle promptly with me. W. F. BALDRIDGE Jan10-3w. Executor Admin sale of Real Estate for Samuel F. Garner POSTPONED: The above sale is postponed to Monday, Jan’y 15, 1883 THOS. B. KELLEY, Dec6-3w Adm’r REPORT OF THE CONDITION OF The National Bank of Huntsville, at Huntsville, in the State of Alabama, at the close of business, 30th of December, 1882. RESOURCES Loans and discounts $83,337.59 Overdrafts 872.38 U. S. Bonds to secure circulation 50,000.00 Other stocks, bonds, and mortgages 12,400.00 Due from approved reserve agents 14,707.33 Due from other National Banks 16,326.95 Due from State Banks and bankers 9,430.80 Real estate, furniture, and fixtures 10,051.77 Bills of other Banks 20,288.00 Fractional paper currency, nickels, 85.44 and pennies Specie 10,990.00 Legal tender notes 15,754.00 Redemption fund with U. S. Treasurer 2,250.00 (5% of circulation) ------------- Total $243,494.26 LIABILITIES Capital tock paid in $50,000.00 Surplus fund 12,000.00 Undivided profits 4,377.80 National Bank notes outstanding 45,000.00 Individual deposits subject to check 131,116.46 -------------- Total $242,494.26 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/madison/newspapers/itemsfro1300gnw.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/alfiles/ File size: 23.2 Kb