Henry County GaArchives News.....General Presentments November 6, 1896 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Phyllis Thompson http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00011.html#0002524 September 14, 2006, 7:47 pm The Henry County Weekly November 6, 1896 GEORGIA, Henry County. We, the Grand Jurors chosen and sworn for the fall term of Henry Superior Court, 1896, submit the following report and recommendations: We have through our various committees examined the offices and books of all the county officers, and beg leave to submit the following: We find the Ordinary’s office and books conveniently and correctly kept. The dockets are all properly indexed as the law requires. We find all the books properly kept and all papers on file and in their proper places in the Clerk’s Office. We have examined the Treasurer’s books from April 20th to Nov. 1st, and find them correct, with proper vouchers for all money paid out. We find on hand two thousand nine hundred eighty seven ($2987.00) dollars. We herewith attach Treasurer’s report and ask its publications with these presentments. We find Tax Receiver’s digest kept in a neat and business like manner. We find Tax Collector’s book kept neat and all stubs filled out to correspond with the receipts. We find upon examination of Sheriff’s office that the records are neatly and correctly kept, and all entries made as law directs. We find the county court dockets correctly kept, with all proper vouchers. We find the various justices and notaries dockets have in most instances been kept neatly and correctly. Committee on public buildings report jail in good condition and well kept. Two of said committee make unfavorable report on court house, think it is unsafe and recommend building new one. The other committees is opposed to it. We find at the poor farm fourteen inmates, ten white and four colored. All seem satisfied, say they get plenty to eat and are well treated. We fine one colored woman named Mrs. Tomlinson, that in our judgment should not be there. We find the farm cultivated only in spots, and that the county will only receive about sixty ($60.00) rents the present year. About 12 acres of farm was rented for fifteen ($15.00) dollars, rented cheap on account of some clearing that had to be done on it. We find some land that could be cultivated if some clearing was done. There is also some bottom land that could probably be cultivated. We find stove room where cooking is done for the paupers in very bad condition. We also find the stove unfit for use. We recommend that the roof be made steeper and recovered, or a new stove room be built and that a new No. 8 stove be bought and put there when room has been so repaired that it will not leak. We find a man there by the name of Turner that is strong in body and arms, but cannot use his legs. He wants something done to see if he can’t be relieved. We recommend that the county physician see if he can help him. We recommend the appointment of C. W. Dupree, N. P., ex-offcio J. P. of Lowe’s District to fill vacancy which expired on Nov. 8th, 1896. We also recommend the appointment of J. G. Sprayberry N. P. Ex-offcio J. P. for 888th District G. M. of Henry County to fill vacancy caused by the removal of D. W. Arnold from the district. We find the public roads in very poor condition in our county, and recommend that if there is not very marked improvement by next fall term of court that our Honorable Judge then take the matter up and do whatever in his judgment is necessary to bring about the improvement desired. The committee appointed by last Grand Jury to have the court house repaired, appeared before this body and made the following report: “After having employed the services of an experienced architect and with him examined the walls and foundation of the old house, decided that it was not to the best interest of the county to do said repairs, and decided to wait on this present Grand Jury regarding the matter.” We recommend the building of a new court house upon the same ground now occupied by the old one, and appoint the following committee of five: H. J. COPELAND, T. D. STEWART, A. J. HENDERSON, J. A. SIMPSON and JOHN BRYANS, to have said building constructed as per plans of architect, Mr. A. J. BRYAN, secured by former committee, if in their judgment they cannot secure a better and cheaper plan, and that this committee, together, with the ordinary take this matter in charge and have same pushed to completion. We further recommend that the committee make best arrangements possible for the money necessary to erect said building, and that the amount not to exceed fourteen thousand ($14,000) dollars, and arrangement be made so as to give the taxpayers two years in which to pay same, and that the ordinary levy tax required for same within the two years. We further recommend the committee have the power to use the old building, safe, etc., to best advantage in building the new one. This body has had several applicants for the poor farm, and we recommend Mr. SAM COKER to be put in charge. He agrees to take the farm and clear up all the land suitable for cultivation, also agrees to see that the wood is cut proper length for fire place for all those not able to cut same, and if necessary carry it inside the houses and when any were sick to visit them at least three times a day, and more if necessary. He further agrees to pay 1500 pounds lint cotton as rent for the first year for said farm, and to receive same pay for his services as superintendent as the present incumbent gets. We recommend that our Representative and Senator introduce a bill to change the fall term of our Superior Court from the first Monday after the fourth Monday in October to the second Monday in November in each year, and use their influence to have the said bill passed. We recommend that our Ordinary have the rock blown out of the public road leading from Stockbridge to Atlanta, situated one quarter of a mile from Liberty Church, north, and near the old house of J. T. BOND, and that, the cost shall not exceed ten dollars. We also recommend that the Southern Railroad Co. be required to put a piece of timber on each side of both rails of their track at the crossing of the Jonesboro Road running west from McDonough, Ga. We recommend that the committee appointed on the building of the Courthouse be paid two dollars per day for actual service rendered. We recommend that these presentments be printed in the county paper and that the editor be paid ten dollars for same. We recommend that our Representative and Senator introduce a bill to have the law so changed as to have county school commissioner and county board elected by the people. In taking leave of his honor, Judge BECK, we extend our thanks to him for his kindness shown us during this term. we also thank our solicitor, Col. O. H. B. BLOODWORTH, for his kindness and consideration shown our body. We also extend our thanks to our foreman for the able manner in which he presided over this body. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our worthy clerk, W. M. HARRIS, for the manner in which he has attended to the duties assigned him. Respectfully submitted, J. B. DICKSON, foreman M. D. ROUNTREE A. V. MCVICKER W. M. HARRIS S. B. KIMBALL M. B. ROGERS W. C. WOODS L. H. GUNTER J. T. SOWELL D. J. GREEN W. A. HOOTEN C. M. SHIELDS W. G. COPELAN L. J. FARGASON S. G. BRYANS W. A. SIMPSON J. W. WELCH W. T. MCMILLAN JNO. W. WHITE G. B. BRANNAN J. L. ALEXANDER J. W. PATTERSON File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/henry/newspapers/generalp1752gnw.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/gafiles/ File size: 8.1 Kb