Laurens County GaArchives News.....Watson Family 1879 ************************************************ 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: Inez Brett IBrett1042@aol.com August 31, 2004, 12:16 pm Dublin Post - Galileo Galileo: Georgia Historic Newspapers-Dublin Post #2 March 5, 1879, Page 3, Col. 4 Johnson County Items Mrs. Caroline Watson of this County has two quilts made by herself, one containing 1224 pieces and the other 1638 pieces. #3 April 16, 1879, Page 3, Col. 3 Public Sentiment on a Pardon There is a rumor in the wind that Governor Colquitt is to be here this week-end with a view to finding out the public sentiment with regard to pardoning David Watson out of the penitentiary. #4 July 30, 1879, Page 3, Col. 2 Local Affairs An effort is being made to have David Watson pardoned out of the penitentiary. #5 August 6, 1879, Page 2, Col. 4 Insane of the Subject of Religion from the Hawkinsville Dispatch. The Albany News learns the following particulars from Mr. George C. Watson, living near the home of the subject of this sketch. A lady of the Seventh District of Worth County has become insane on the subject of religion. Her first demonetization was first noticed about a month ago soon after the close of a protracted meeting of the Union Baptist Church near her home. She attended the different services very regularly, and seemed deeply impressed and troubled from their commencement. A short while before the meeting closed she joined the church. Going back later her incoherent and rambling conduct was noticed by her husband and children, and they became terribly excited and wrought up about it. She went raving about the house and yard with a bucket of water baptizing everything in her pathway. She baptized her husband and each one of her children, and while doing this sang the most beautiful songs--- songs that she had heard but once or twice. #6 Oct. 1, 1879 page 2 Col. 4 David M Watson His Chances Rather Gloomy The following letters explain themselves and the situation themselves as to the efforts to have Watson pardoned. We feel sure that Mr. Burch has done all that could be done under the circumstances, and we believe that the Governor is ostentatious in his belief that Watson should remain in the penitentiary. But the Governor doesn't know, and will probably never know, the true inwardness of the circumstances under which that man was sent to the penitentiary. If so, he would unquestionably have arrived at a different conclusion. The chain of circumstances surrounding the case is so tangled that an outsider can never hope to understand it in all it's details, but the central fact at which the Governor should look is that nine tenths of the citizens of the county are of the pronounced opinion that to keep Watson longer in prison will be to treat him with great injustice. Watson may remain five years longer at hard labor in the coal mines of north Georgia, but if he does it will be because his persecutors hate him so much on account of the injury they have done to him that they can never find it in their hearts to forgive him. #7 October 1, 1879 Page 2 Col. 4 Governor Colquitt's Letter Executive Department Atlanta, September 18, 1879 Honorable H. M. Burch, House of Representatives. My Dear Sir: In reply to your inquiry in reference to the case of David Watson I have to say that as yet I have not seen my way clear from the investigation I have given his case to grant your request in his behalf. If in the further presentation of my examination of his case, which I mean to give it, such facts should appear as will call for Executive interference. I shall certainly extol it as a simple act of duty, and it would be pleasant to do so, and that pleasure would be enhanced by the satisfaction it would give you. Your earnest efforts in behalf of Watson have excited my attention, and I make free to say here that let the results if my official action in the promise be what it may, he has in your hands a fair and full representation. I have the honor to be your obedient servant, Alfred H. Colquitt #8 October 1, 1879 Page 2 Col. 4 To Editor Dublin Post Atlanta Ga., September 25, 1879 My Dear Sir: Knowing that a large number of people of Laurens County are desirous of having David M. Watson now contained in the penitentiary charged with the shooting of J.W. Wright, pardoned by his Excellency, Governor Colquitt, I have thought it necessary that I write this article through the columns of your paper in order that the people might know my views upon this matter and be informed of my acting's and doings thereof, since I have had the honor to represent them. In the outset I desire to state that at first I was opposed to the pardon of Watson; but have since carefully looked into and duly considered his case and my mind has arrived at a different conclusion. I now think he should be released. I am of the opinion that he has suffered enough punishment for his offense. Presence of these, my private views, and also accordance with a wish of a large majority of those who I have the honor to represent, I have gone forward in good faith and done what I could to have Watson pardoned. I succeeded in getting a favorable report from the House Penitentiary Committee which committee asked the Governor to pardon him. I have also gone before Governor Colquitt in person and done what I could for Watson. In proof of this statement I herewith append a letter addressed to myself by his Excellency and I invite a careful reading of the same by all. Trusting this will suffice to show my constituents how I stand and have voted in this matter, I' m, Very truly yours, H. M. Bowen #9 October 15, 1879, Page 3, Col. 2 Local News Mr. Connor was in Atlanta a few days ago and tells us that he learned while there that David M Watson would in all probability be pardoned in a few days. #12 January 28, 1880 page 3, Col. 3 Superior Court Several cases of some importance were tried last week. Mr. J. G. Wright of Cochran had two cases disposed of. In the case in which he was accused of shooting Watson the state so completely failed to sustain the case that the Solicitor, after hearing the testimony, withdrew it. In the other, a little hip pocket affair, Mr. Wright found his witness "going back on him" an so squarely that he stopped the case in mid time and pled guilty. J. W. Wright was tried and found guilty of assault and battery, which we have mentioned elsewhere. An Important Question Settled The expenses of the Court last week will not fall short of a thousand dollars, but had nothing been done further than the settling of the fact that the Marshall of Dublin has not the Divine right to beat out the brains of citizens of Laurens County, we have paid none too dear for the whistle. The verdict of assault and battery against Wright for clubbing Scarborough will do much for the peace and good order of society. If that act of Wright's hand had been sustained by the Court and Jury we should soon have been in the deplorable conditions of having every man who happened to entertain a suspicion that the Marshall might abuse him ready to take the law into his own hands and to shoot the Marshall's brains out. It was for this reason that the Post has always taken such an uncompromising stand against this high-handed violation of the law. #13 February 4, 1880, Page Col. 3 Local Affairs The Grand Jury we hear, have found about 50 True Bills during the present session of Court. Everybody is tired of Court, but still all of us are anxious to have the Wright-Watson case over with. Superior Court The celebrated Wright case came up yesterday morning and the trial is now in progress. #14 February 11, 1880, Page 3, Col. 2 Local Affairs The Laurens CO jail is now occupied by David Watson who was sent for to testify against Wright and Andrew Brown who is under sentence for life. An appeal for Brown will be made to the Supreme Court. Superior Court Superior Court convened last Monday morning according to adjournment, and as the same juries were continued in service, the transaction of business was entered upon without much delay. The Court was better attended on Monday than has been the case for the first day of court in a long time. Interest in heavy criminal docket and especially the murder cases is what brought the people in such numbers. David Watson has been brought from the coal mines of North Georgia to testify in the case of the State Vs. J.W. Wright. He was sentenced two years ago to seven years in the penitentiary and of course has now served out but two years of his heavy sentence. He has fleshed up considerably and concealment in the mines from the effects of the sun has bleached the tan out of his skin. A large concourse of his friends and relatives met him at Stephensville last Saturday as he came down in charge of the Sheriff and Phillip Howard bought him a suit of good clothing, took off his stripes, dressed him up and sent him on his way rejoicing. Intense interest is felt in the case in which he is to testify, for it is generally agreed all over the county that if he only will, he can a remarkable tale tell. #15 February 11, 1880, Page 3, Col. 3 Superior Court Court adjourned last Saturday afternoon at a late hour having held three full weeks. The longest session in the history of the County. Only once before has there been so much as a two weeks' Superior Court in Dublin. Court was adjourned to convene again on Friday before the second Monday in April. This arrangement was unable to allow Friday and Saturday for the hearing of motions etc. When we went to press a week ago we said the trial of J. W. Wright for shooting David M. Watson was in progress. This trial had been looked forward to with a great deal of interest by the public and it was expected to attract an immense crowd, but the people had become so completely fagged out by the unexpected length of the session of Court and the visions of taxation had become so irrepressible that the Court, about the middle of the week seemed about to dry up, but as the trial advanced the public interest waxed warmer and warmer till at the close on Friday afternoon it stood at the boiling heat. Mr. Bower of Irwinton closed for the State and his speech created a decided sensation. His reasoning was close, his manner was happy, his redicule was keen, his sarcasm was biting. He moved along his line of argument with the most imperturbable self-possession, hurling back with redoubled force the laborish thrusts with which he had been expected to be bull-dozed. The jury remained out only a few minutes when they returned with a verdict of "guilty". The jury was polled but stuck. A motion was then made for a new trial, but Judge Pate refused it and sentenced Wright to seven years hard labor in the penitentiary. As a last resort the defense appealed to the Supreme Court. The most important question settled by the conviction of Wright is that Watson should immediately be pardoned. Watson was sent to the penitentiary for shooting Wright. Now after three years' developments a competent jury under oath after hearing all of the testimony say that it was not Watson but Wright that should have been sent to the penitentiary. It seems to us that instead of keeping Watson longer in the penitentiary, some amends ought to be made to him for the three years he has been punished without cause. It was refreshing to see Mr. Bower's new demonstration of the old theory that those who live in glass houses should be careful as to how they throw stones. #16 February 18, 1880, Page 3, Col. 2 Local Affairs David Watson was taken back to the coal mines last Friday. We trust that Gov. Colquitt has intelligence enough to see the injustice of keeping Watson longer in prison, and that he will soon be returned to his family. #17 Feb. 25, 1880 page 3 Col. 1 Local Affairs: David M. Watson will be set at liberty in April. #19 April 21, 1880, Page 3, Col. 1 Local AffairsThe local note that appeared in the Post some weeks ago to the affect that Watson would be pardoned in April got there by mistake-- it is not true. #19 April 21 1880 page 3 Col. 3 Concerning Wright's Bond Wright's bond is a subject which is now claiming a good share of public concern. The people are thoroughly alive to the necessity of seeing that this matter be closely watched. The Grand Jury were urged to look into it. The fact is reminded almost every day that it is expected to redeem it's promise to keep it's eye on the efforts that will be made to dodge it. In short, the people are a unit in the demand to test the pocket of some of our professional bondsmen. The bond the public mind is now fixed on is not yet forfeited and will not be till the Supreme Court reaches Wright's case. Then, whether they reverse Judge Pate's decision or not, Wright will be called from the Court House door, and if he fails to put in an appearance the bond will be forfeited and the question of squeezing the money out of the bondsmen will be put to the test. But while that bond is in soak let us turn our attention to another bond of $500 he gave in the London Wright case. The bondsmen are Mr. Eli M. Keen and Tillers. There is one thing about it which is greatly regretted, and that is that Mr. Keen, one of the best and most upright citizens in the County would have been entrapped on account of his kinship to Wright by marriage into putting his money on that bond. But Billy and Jimmy were like Danson and Pythias, except a slight lack of fidelity on the part of Jimmy, and so there is about as little sympathy for the one as for the other. #20 April 28, 1880 page 3 Col. 2 Watson's Pardon Mr. J R Hightower went to Atlanta last week to interview Gov. Colquitt in the interest of Watson. He says the Governor gave him to understand that he would pardon Watson this week. But the trouble with our Sunday School Governor is he never seems to know his own mind. Every day that he keeps Watson in the penitentiary he crucifies justice afresh and puts it to an open shame. #21 May 5, 1880, Page 3, Col. 1 Local Affairs How is Col. Colquitt getting along with a bundle of religion under one arm and a bundle of crucified truth and justice in reference to Watson under the other? We ask for information. #22 May 9, 1880, Page 3, Col. 2 David M. Watson Free Tho we reported two weeks ago that Mr. J. E. Hightower had been to Atlanta and extorted a promise from parson Colquitt to pardon Watson, the news that he was actually pardoned and at home created some surprise; so little confidence have the people of this section of the Governor. Had almost any other man in the State been Governor, Watson would have been pardoned in February at least. The Governor is therefore entitled to no credit or thanks for the tardy justice he has at last been induced to do poor Dave Watson. But by keeping Watson in the penitentiary over three months after the courts and over twelve months after public opinion had decided that he had been wrongfully sent there for a crime committed by another man, Governor Colquitt has won for himself the lasting ill will of all justice-loving men who are acquainted with the circumstances in the case. But Mr. Hightower is entitled to great credit for the manner in which he conducted the last scheme for securing the pardon. What tactics he employed on the calculating candidate for reelection we know not, but it certainly must have been something more convincing than the demands of justice. All that has been made clear enough long before. Be that as it may, the Governor has not made a single vote in this county by consenting at this late day to listen to the demands of justice, which have been for months "pleading like angels trumpet-tongued against the deep damnation of his cruel delay." #23 June 2, 1880, page 2 Col. 5 State News The Swainsboro Herald says Governor Colquitt killed off the little ducks he had in Laurens County by the way he treated David M. Watson. #31 February 2, 1881, Page 2, Col. 1 Marietta Worker Falls Marietta Journal states that Mr. Dave Watson, an employee of the Hamilton Gold Mine near Ackworth fell down the shaft last week the frightful distance of 75 feet.--------feet of the shaft had been blasted through rock. He had just stepped into the bucket to descend when the rope broke loose from the bucket and he shot like a bullet to the bottom. Strange to say only a few ribs were torn loose from his side and some slight injuries besides, and he is now recovering rapidly. Jim Wright Good Bye ! J W Wright who was convicted at last Superior Court and sent to the chain gang for 7 years has taken advantage , as every man of intelegence knew he would, of that fouled up bond Job and left for parts unknown. Three fourths of the people in the county believes that bond to have been a put up job, and that there will never he a dollar of it collected. We hope such is not the case, but if it is the Post will endeavor to show up the job in all it's crookedness. March 3, 1889 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/laurens/newspapers/gnw241watsonfa.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/gafiles/ File size: 18.1 Kb