Paulding County Georgia Newspapers 1883 File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Bspann841@aol.com Table of Contents page: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/paulding.htm Georgia Table of Contents: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm Bspann841@aol.com The Paulding County New Era Dallas, Paulding County, Georgia February 1, 1883 Mr. J.F. STEWARD, a young man living near our town, while splitting rails on Thursday, happened to a right serious accident. While trying to drive in the wedge his axe slipped and cut a severe gash in his right leg, just above the ankle. Dr. CONNALY dressed his wound, and he is now recovering rapidly. On Wednesday night there was an entertainment given for the benefit of the Methodist church. About thirty dollars was realized. Judge BRANHAM and Sol. Gen WRIGHT delivered very fine lectures on the occasion. Other lectures and essays were delivered by gentlemen and ladies whose names we did not learn. We understand the occasion was a very enjoyable one. We understand there is a petition being circulated which has about two hundred names attached to it, asking the ordinary to order an election held for the purpose of voting what is called the "wet" or "dry" ticket, and also one asking for the prohibiting of the sale of shiskey during the regular session of Paulding superior court. We want a good correspondent from each district in Paulding county, who will furnish us with all the ahppenings in their district. We want the New Era to contain the news. Please furnish it from your district, and we will be grateful for the favor. Let us have facts and not essays. Another Hair Bredth Escape Last Saturday about noon the wires brought us the startling news from the Big Tunnel, "Man crushed; send us a surgeon." Dr. CONNALLY was immediately dispatched to the scene of the casualty, and upon his return we learned that Mr. J. L. GRATHAM, brother of the popular conductor, Captain W.R. GRANTHAM, while coupling a car on to the tender of the locomotive used to help over the mountain, was caught between the tender and car and pretty severly squeezed through the hips, but by no means dangerously injured. He has now about recovered from the shock. The Paulding New Era Dallas, Paulding County, Georgia February 15, 1883 Grand Jury Presentments We the Grand Jury selected, chosen and sworn for the present term of the court, beg leave to make these, our general psosentments (sp?). The following report has been made to our body by the committee appointed by the Grand Jury at the last August term of the court to examine the books of the county officers and the public buildings of the county. We the commitee of the August term of Paulding suprior court, appointed by the Grand Jury of said term to examine the public buildings and books of the different officers of the county, met Nov. 6th to attend to the duties assigned to us, in the following order; Public Buildings - After a careful examination we find some defects about the court house, a number of lights out of the windows and some of the blinds off. We would recommend the ordinary to attend to the necessary repairs as early as practible. We find the jail in tolerable condition. The jailor having been sick, we feel that a --- allowances should be made. The prisoners we find reasonably provided for, one would recommend as cold weather approaches they be furnished so as to be comfortable. We find some necessary repairs have been made on the jail, amking it more secure. Books of the Sheriff - After a careful examination of the books of his office, we find them correct and neatly kept. Clerk of Superior Court - After a careful examination of all the books of that office, from the last approved up to the present, we find his books kept corect and in (didn't get the next part of this) Treasurer - After a careful examination we find the books of his office well and correctly kept, comparing well with the Ordinary's books touching the finances of the county, and the amount received from all sources $3,537.87, and that the amount paid out $3,194.31 as per vouchers and commisions since last February term, still leaving in the hands of the Treasurer $345.56. Receiver's Books - We also find after a careful examination his books correct, and from the whole digest, the whole taxable property appears to be $1,306, 180 in the county; and that the collector has received the full amount, $3,918.54 and paid out to the amount of $3,748.31. Nov. 11th, 1882. J.G. DENTON, Chairman; W. A. NOLAND, J.D. WASHINGTON. Through our respective commitees we have also examined the books of the county officers and public buildings, andother matters given us in charge by the court. We find the public buildings in good condition at the present time. We find the roads in the different districts in good order, except the roads in the 1003d district, which we find in bad condition and in the 1080th district, the road leading from Dallas to Rockmart, and the road from Dallas to Cartersville we find in bad condition. We find the bridge across little Pumpkinvine, in 1081st district, needing repairs. We recommend the ordinary to see that the bridges and crossings on the railroad are safe and kept in good order. We find from the Receivers digest for the year 1882, an increase of property over the year 1881 of $92.934. We find the School Commissioner's books correct and neatly kept, and that he has received $3, 598.75. Paid out aas per vouchers and commissions $3, 478.77, leaving a balance on hand of $119.98. We found the books of the Ordinary containing all necessary records, and showing fully the financial condition of the county, and his books we find neatly kept. We find the books of the Clerk of the Superior Court all correctly kept, with neatness and in good style. We find no entries on the Sheriff's book since the report of the special committeed, and endorse their reports as to the correct manner in which they are kept. The following is a report of the committee appointed to examine the convict camp in our county. We the committee to inspect the general treatment of the convicts in charge of Captains JAMES and POUNDS in our county. Make our rreport as follows: We found Captain Jame's brother at the first camp, which we found in good condition, with good sleeping and hospital quarters together with a well supported commisary department. We then procceded to the Tunnel camp where we were met by Captain POUNDS, Doctor R--- and DANIE GRANT. After taking a general inspection we found everything in good order as the law directs, and would say in behalf of the above named gentlemen, that they are worthy of the position they occupy. We also return our thanks to them for their courtesy to us while we were in their camp. S.R. MCGREGOR, WM C. MATHEWS, ? M CAMP, GEORGE M. RAGSDALE, ROLAND RANSOM, W.C. ABNEY, Committee. We recommend JAMES H. WELLS as Notary Public for the 1087th district in place of JESSE HICHCOCK, whose term has expired. Also, ISAAC WILLIAMS as Notary Public in 1207th district in place of A. R.A. HARRIS (did not get the next part) We also recommend that the legislature pass an act abolishing the sale of spiritous liquors in any quantity in the county of Paulding. We also recommend that the Ordinary order an election in the county by the people, and pay the expenses of the same. We recommend that the Ordinary have a fire proof vault built as a deposit for the records of the county assisted by a committee of JOSEPH RAGSDALE, Chairman; JOHN Y. ALLGOOD and WILLIAM M. WOODALL, SR. We recommend that the Ordinary with the assistance of a committee buy a ----farm for the use of the paupers of the county. We appoint as that committee JOSEPH RAGSDALE, foreman: JOHN Y. ALLGOOD, WILLIAM M WOODAL, S.N. ALLEN AND W.C. MATHEWS. We recommend that these presentments be published in the Paulding New Era provided it is done for five dollars. In conclusion of our labors we tender to his Honor (paper torn here) and Solic itor General (torn) our thanks for their courtsy and attention to our body. JOSEPH RAGSDALE, Foreman; CALVIN RACKSTRAW, Clerk; S.R. MCGREGOR, JAMES LYLE, SAMUEL D. HOLLAND, C.C. EMBRY, HOSHUA E. CRATON, GEORGE W. DENTON, G.A. P. ALLGOOD, WILLIAM M. WOODDALL, JOHN Y. ALLGOOD, STEWART N. ALLEN, JOSEPH D. BUTLER, ALSA M MORROW, RANSOM OWENS, ALLEN SMITH, WILLIAM C. MATTHEWS, JESSE M. HOLCOMB, BURREL M. CAMP, JOSEPH G. DUPREE, JAMES CARNES, DUNCAN WORTHAM, PETER P. ALLGOOD. February term, 1883. It is ordered and adjudged by the court that these presentments be published as requested. J. BRANHAM, J. S.C.R.C. I certify that the above and within is a true transcript from the minuites of the court. W.I. FAIN, Clerk S.C. The Paulding New Era Dallas, Paulding County, Georgia February 22, 1883 There is a flourishing Sunday school at Nebo. M.E. Church. T.J. OWEN, Superintendent; F.A. BAKER, Secretary. Regular preaching at Nebo church the first Sunday, and Saturday before, in each month. The post-master's hogs have run away. Uncle MIKE AUSTIN had a big log rolling last Friday, and killed the fatted rooster -- and all were merry. B.H. O--- Acorntree District Items I send you a statement of the various enterprises located in this district. The spirit of progress has invaded every quarter, and the delightful weather of these present days affords ample opportunity for getting ready for the coming farming season. We have one wool factory, 2 flour mills, 4 corn mills, 4 saw mills, 3 cotton gins by water and 2 by steam, several portable ? and one shingle machine in operation. three churches and schools convenient to every family in the district. More ? VERIIAS A Terrible Railroad Disaster Last Saturday morning, about 10:30 o'clock, as the first section of No. 59, a through freight of the E.T.V. & Ga R.R., was leaving the switch at the Tunnel, South bound, Conductor BOB SHOEMAKER boarded the engine, as it was convenient for him at the time, and remarked to his engineer that he would ride with him down to Dallas -- rather than drop back to his caboose. All went well until the train, running at the rate of 7 or 8 miles an hour, ran upon the Big Raccoon Trestle, over Big Raccoon creek, distant about seven miles north of Dallas, in this county. Having passed across to within a few yards of the south side with his engine, Mr. NEELEY, gave her a little more steam in order to pull over the grade immediately in front, and almost immediately a sever shock being felt, Mr. SHOEMAKER, apprehending the cause and looking back, shouted, "pull her open! pull her open! the bridge is gone!" Mr. NEELEY as quick as thought opened the throttle, and his faithful old engine leaped forward as if gathering the first inspiration of fear --pulled a flat car laden with lumber with her, and cleared the wreck, and by a miracle saved three more human lives, herself and a flat car of lumber. But, Alas! the terrible crash that followed, and left them standing upon the very brink of a yawning abyess -- the bottom of which was covered with ruins --all within a moment of time. The section consisted of ten or eleven cars laden with merchandise, and the caboose. There were three men in the caboose, and a negro brakeman about midway the train, standing upon top at the time the bridge gave way. The unfortunate brakeman, CHAS. HUNT, colored, was killed outright. Mr. R.P. KIDWELL, locomotive engineer, who was engaged at the Tunnel on the push engine, was on board, en route for Atlanta to visit his family. He too was so fataly injured that death came as a relief to his sufferings very soon after being removed from the debris to the car in waiting. Mr. JOHN COX, step-son of Mr. HARRISON WADE, near Dallas, a guard at Captain James's camp, at the tunnel also in the caboose, sustained injuries that proved fatal to him; living until Saturday night totally unconsious all the while. Mr. CHARLES CAMP, flagman, was so seriously injured that he remained unconsious for several hours, and then awoke, but not to a realization of his remarkable escape -- yet he will recover -- a scalp wound, a crushed ankle and dislocated elbow being his chief injuries. Mr. SHOEMAKER's first thought after discovering the trestle was gone, was to run back, signal down the next train, which while he was doing with all haste possible others were removing and caring for the wounded and suffering. In a short while communication was had with the telagraph office at the Tunnel, and thence over the road and whole country, and soon medical aid for the wounded, and a large force consisting of JAMES and JEDSY's convicts, Capt. BRAUNAN's and other gangs were on hand. The dead having been laid out and the wounded placed in ? hands, the work of saving the merchandise and clearing away the debris began; and is still being pushed forward with might and main. Big Raccoon trestle, as above stated, is situated about seven miles north of Dallas, over Big Raccoon creek, a comparitively small stream, but very precipitous bluffs on either side. The trestle is what Maj. BEATY calls a "double deck" or as is sometime called a three deck trestle fourteen hundred and eighty feet from bluff to bluff, and ninety-four feet high -- and the immense structure contained very near one half million feet of lumber, all of which is entirely lost, or so damaged that it cannot be used again in rebuilding. The train had passed on until the cabose was immediately over the creek, leaving about five or six hundred feet of trestle behind; but giving way first somewhere near the center of the train, section after section followed each other in such rapid succession that the whole in front and rear of the train, being tied together by the rails and stringers, came down simulteanously with a crash that was heard by many a distance of four or five miles, and leaving the caboose with its three human occupants in the creek below. Viewed from the cliff on the south side, the scene fills one with varying emotions, the wreck with terror and awe, lying in such confusion too, in the deep peaceful valley beneath; the picturesque mountains on either side; the beautiful little stream rippling over the gravelly bed; and the wild werid mountains in the distant; and while breathing the inspiration lent us by such charms as these natural scenes; we cast our eyes again down upon the wreck and contemplate the late suffering and death; and here we are made to realize the great uncertenty of human life. It is estimated that one hundred thousand dollars will not more than compensate the loss of the road, besides loss of life and the bereavment in three families. Maj. BEATY informed us that it would require about 3 weeks to build a new trestle and once more establish regular schedules. The schedule to Dallas continues as heretofore. 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