Savannah Courier
These transcriptions were donated to the project and transcribed by: Edward R. Harrell
Jan 26, 1888 - With
an increase of civilization the uncivilized practice of capital punishment
should be discarded. The States of Rhode Island, Michigan, and Wisconsin
abolished capital punishment more that twenty years ago, and that without
suffering from an increase of crime.
} Thad Butler, who was tried before Judge Wood at Bethel Springs last Saturday on a writ of habaes corpus for the murder of Farris of Adamsville, last fall, was admitted to bail in the sum of $4,000.
Feb 2, 1888 - A young lawyer arrived at the residence of attorney H. P. Wood Thursday morning about 2 o'clock. He seems well pleased with the location, but will not practice law for about 21 years yet.
- Purdy Headlight
Feb 9, 1888 - Our
genial friend D. A. McDougal
has assumed full control of the Purdy Headlight, T. J. Braden
retiring. We are not ready to believe that Arch will remain without a partner
for a great length of time, but think the next one will be for life and
of the fair sex.
} The Clarksville Democrat is advocating the abandonment of
prison punishment and a return of the whipping post.
Feb 16, 1888 - Died: In Purdy Sunday Feb 5th., Mrs Maud McIntire, wife of Mr. B. S. McIntire. She was a noble woman and leaves numerous friends to mourn her death and condole with her husband and little daughter in their bereavement.
-Purdy Headlight
Mar 8, 1888 - One
hundred and eighty-six years ago today Anne was crowned queen
of Great Britan and Ireland. She was the last British Sovereign of
the house of Stuart. She reigned 12 years.
} Thad Butler, who was tried in McNairy county last week for the murder of Alphonso Farris,At Adamsville, last summer,was given twenty years in the penitentiary. The case was appealed.
Mar 29, 1888 - Purdy In Ashes Again: Phillips' drug store, Stumph's jewelry store, The Headlight office and Clerk and Master's office were all destroyed by fire Tuesday night. The Headlight outfit was a total loss, but nearly every thing in the drug and jewelry stores and all the chancery court records were saved.
Apr 5, 1888 - We regret very much to learn the Purdy Head-light, the outfit of which was burned last week, will not be revived. A county without a paper to work for its interests is unfortunate.
Jun 7, 1888 - It was our pleasure (And when we say our we mean both of us) last Sunday, to visit Ingleside, the residence of Mrs. N. J. Sevier at Old Town. This place was formerly called Hardensville and was the county seat from 1822 to 1830, when the county seat was moved to Savannah. The old brick courthouse is still standing, but in a very dilapidated state. The hour spent under the hospitable roof of Mrs. Sevier was a pleasant one indeed; early fruits were served and partaken of with much relish.On our return we stopped at the beautiful country home of Jno. A. Smith at Economy, where half hour was spent pleasantly.
Jun 14, 1888 - Eighty-one years ago today, Napoleon won his famous victory at Friedland, Prussia, over the Russian forces under Bennigsen.
Jun 21, 1888 - The robbery of Mr. C. G. Hardeman, trustee of Chester county, of over $200 in May, proves to have been done by Ben Veal, a boy from near Shilohville, in McNairy county, who had boarded with the family on Mr. Hardeman and had been expelled from school about the 1st of May. A key to the trunk,which was robbed, was missed about the time the boy left. A detective was given the case and he found out that the boy had returned by night about the time of the robbery. It was also found that he had been spending money freely. His aunt, a Mrs. Irvin, paid the amount back to Mr. Hardeman, who in consideration of the boy's youth, and the fact that he was an orphran boy, will not prosecute him.
- Jackson Whig
Jun 28, 1888 - Constable Mitchell of the 13th, brought Bell Harbour, col., who is wanted at Purdy for carrying concealed weapons, to Savanah Sunday and lodged him in jail where he remained until Monday noon, when he was caried to Purdy by
E. T. Phillips,
Deputy Sheriff for McNairy county.
Adamsville: (Partial abstract) Mrs. Rogers
and son, Erwin of McNairy Station spent last week at this place.Henry Worsham
was shot in the leg below the knee, near New Hope church in Hardin county,
by deputy sheriff Phillips,
of McNairy county, last Saturday while trying to make his escape.
} The powder left over from the late war has been used in
firing salutes to the flag at Washington and other places.
The last barrel was used Apr 1, just 23 years after the close of the war. No more salutes will be fired unless congress makes an appropriation for the purpose.
Jul 19, 1888 - Judge John V. Wright has handed in his resignation as Chief Law Clerk at the Land Office. It is generally thought that he will be made one of the Sioux Commissioners.
Aug 16, 1888 - Sheriff Counce and Constable Shaw went to Pratt Mines, Ala., last week after B. J. Hawkins, who stole two mules in West Hardin over a year ago, which he carried to Alabama and tried to sell. For offering to sell stolen property in Alabama he was convicted and sent to the penitentiary for one year. He will now have to stand trial in this State for stealing the mules.
Aug 30, 1888 - Thirty-one of ninety-six counties in the State of Tennessee are without railroads.
} Ben Veil, of McNairy county, and will be remembered in court circles at this place, is in jail at Florence on a charge of
robbery.
Sep 20, 1888 - Over Tennessee: Mr. Dick Lewis was robbed the other day of $750. One of the parties suspected of the theft is in jail at this place. Mr. Lewis is an old and highly esteemed citizen of this county.
- Purdy Democrat
Oct 11, 1888 - Dan Jordan,who is only 11 years old, was sent to the penitentiary last week from Memphis for stealing five dollars.
Oct 25, 1888 - Over Tennessee: A worm was placed in jail at this place during the week, charged with complicity in the robbery of Mr. Dick Lewis house, some weeks ago.
- Purdy Democrat
} Only about 125 soldiers of the war of 1812
are living.
} Dan Jordan, the lad of eleven summers, who was recently sent to the penitentiary from Shelby county for three years for stealing five dollars has been pardoned.
Nov 1, 1888 - Memories of a Departed Friend: Prof. W. D. Willis, who died at Ocean Springs, Miss., on the 5th of Sep 1888, was born in Northumberland Co., VA, Jan 18, 1849.(More is said about him, but the interesting point is, he founded Hardin College)
Jan 10, 1889 - A petition is being circulated and signed asking Gov. Taylor to pardon B. J. Hawkins, convicted of Larceny at the last term of the Circuit Court and sentenced to the penitentiary for six years.
Jan 31, 1889 - Geo B. Mulidon, the hangman at Fort Smith,Ark., has held his office seventeen years and during that time has launched sixty souls into eternity. The last was that of a Choctow Indian convicted of murder on circumstantial evidence, and who died asserting his innocence.
Feb 2, 1889 - The Melugeons are a people of separate and distinct from all other people in Tennessee. They live in the mountains of East Tennessee. They are neither of the negro or Indian races. They are dark, but of a different hue of the mulatto. The men are usually straight, dark and fine looking. It is a strange fact that for one hundred years or more this distinct people have lived in Tennessee and have not mixed with the people surrounding them
- Tribune and Sun
} Tennessee War Material: The report of Attorney General
Laps D. McCord to Gov.Taylor, dated the last of December, 1888, shows that the National Guard of the state of Tennessee is com-posed of three regiments of infantry, and one regiment
of artillery, besides twelve colored companies which are not
assigned to any regiment.
} B. J. Hawkins, who was sentenced to the penitentiary for three years for larceny at the November term of the Circuit Court, was pardoned by Gov. Taylor on the 20th, in response to a petition sent from here some weeks ago.
Mar 7, 1889 - Tom Hinds, wife and six children and Mrs. Chesser, were all drowned in a slough, opposite New Era,on the Ten-nessee River, last week. They were crossing the slough in a wagon when it come uncoupled, leaving the nine persons in the water to drown.
Mar 21, 1889 - A
bill passed the Legislature appropriating $10,000 with which to convert
the Hermitage property into a home for ex-Confederate soldiers who are
unable to take care of themselves.
} The bill before the Legislature to make eight hours a day's work was rejected.
Mar 28, 1889 - William Bean built the first house,and his son Russell Bean was the first child born on Tennessee soil. Both events took place in 1769 on the Watauga River,East Tennessee.
Apr 4, 1889 - President Harrison
proclaimed that the Oklahoma territories will be open for settlement Apr
22.
} The passing of the bill authorizing the removal of
Ex-governor Sevier's remains from Alabama to Knoxville,and the appropriation of $500.00 to cover the expense, was a patriotic move by our Legislature.
Apr 11, 1889 - Bloodshed is expected over the settlement of Oklahoma Territory. Territory consists of about 2,000,000 acres, and it is said that there are already people enough on the border to preempt three times that amount.
Apr 18,1889 - Newspapers: (This article is too long to copy. It tells of the first English newspaper, which was established in 1619 and others in later years. It was also noted in the paper that the article was written by a 14 year old named,
Mary Patterson,
who was a member of the Rhetoric class at Hardin College, as a class exercise.
It was printed just as she wrote it.)
} Marshall Shaw, Sheriff Counce with W. L. Story and D. M. Guinn went to the edge of Mississippi last Friday and found a still house contaiing all the paraphenalia and several hundred gallons of beer and singlings,all of which they destroyed,and captured Mr. Morris,one of the owners,and brought him here and put him in jail.
Apr 25, 1889 - The
Oklahoma boomers did not engage in ki-lling each other as was expected,
but built the town of Guthrie in one day.
} William K. Vanderbilt
will build a million dollar mansion in North Carolina.
} The Falcon Advocate has made its appearance. The editor
C. C. Lewter, says: "Give us more court house and less
politics."To which, we have, no doubt,every citizen of
McNairy County will assert, but where will you build the
court house?, is the question.
May 2, 1889 - Some
blood was shed in the settlement of Ok-lahoma, and many of the boomers
left the territory because they could not find land to enter.Scarcity of
water and food caused much suffering.
} A man traveled a long way to Oklahoma to get a piece of land. He took his wife and four little children with him. He staked off his land and squatted on it,he and his family undergoing many privations. Yesterday evening he was shot to death by two claim-jumpers.
Kindhearted people made up a purse,buried the body of the husband and father,and sent the widow and orphans back to their home. The affair did not create much of a stir in Oklahoma,and the press dispatches mentioned it in half a dozen lines. It is only one little scene from the tragic drama enacted in that distracted county
- Nashville Banner
May 9, 1889 - Nashville
has street cars run by electricity. They were only started last week.
} Mr. D. W. Herring formerly of McNairy County, but more than three years past a United States Counsel to Honduras, arrived in this city. (There was more to this article, but too long to copy)
- Jackson City Times
May 23, 1889 - The Eifel Tower, Paris, was formally thrown open to public last week. This gigantic structure is 984 feet high and is built entirely of iron. It is to be used as an obser-vatory.
Jun 20, 1889 - The remains of ex-governor Sevier, the first governor of Tennessee, were this week, removed from Fort Decatur, near Montgomery, Ala., to Knoxville, Tenn., for rein-terment, in accordance with an act of the last Legislature.
Jun 27, 1889 - A new college is being built at Franklin, Tenn., on the site of the old battlefield. It will cover 6,000 square feet, accommodate 475 plus pupils and be called, "The Battle-ground Acadamy."
Jul 11, 1889 - McNairy County Fair: The catalogues of the McNairy county A & M Society, have just been printed at this office. Some liberal premiums have been offered by the Society and McNairy Countians should be on the alert to capture them.
The Society will hold its fair Saturday October
15.
} The Sullivan-Kilrain prize fight resulted in a victory for Sullivan. They fought at Richburb, Mississippi,not
withstanding the fact that Gov.Lowry had all the State
troops and sheriffs on guard to prevent the entrance of the prize fighters into Mississippi.
Jul 18, 1889 - Benjamin
F. Basinger,
Superintendent of Public Instruction for McNairy county, died the 9th inst.
} John L. Sullivan, the world's champion pugilist, was arrested on request from Gov. Lowry ,of Mississippi, when he reached Nashville last Thursday on his way home after his fight with Kilrain. He was soon released on a writ of habeas corpus and proceeded on his way.
Aug 1, 1889 - A movement is on foot to remove 400 Apaches, including Geronimo's band,from Mt.Vernon Barracks in Alabama to the Cherokee Reservation on Smoky Mountain on the line between Tennessee and North Carolina. The move will be to better the health and general condition of the Indians
Aug 15, 1889 - Of all the rediculous things the Quarterly Court has done in the past ten or twelve years, last Monday caps the climax. They actually hired a man from Mississippi for County Superintendent. We know nothing of the gentleman, either for or against him, but it does look to us like a man near home would have been more acceptable to the people of the county.
- Falcon Advocate
Aug 22, 1889 - John L. Sullivan was found guilty and sentenced to twelve months imprisonment at the county jail at Purvis, Miss, last Saturday, for his part in the big prize fight, an appeal was taken. Disciples of the so called manly art will hen-ceforth keep clear of the Sunny South when seeking a field upon which to display their brutality.
Aug 29, 1889 - Nearly Ninty-Nine: Mrs. Mary Span, who was born in Virginia Dec, 17, 1790, and therefore nearly ninty-nine years of age, died at the residence of Thomas Ingalls, three miles from town on the Florence road, last Friday night. Mrs Span's father and six brothers came to America during the Revo-lutionary war to fight the Yankees, but became so charmed with the country that they remained and became citizens of America. She was among the first settlers of this county and among her direct descendants are the Ingalls, Franks, Hinkles and Russells, of this county and Gammils of Arkansas. In the latter family she has some great-great grandchildren.
Sep 5, 1889 - Postmaster General Wanamaker has offered a reward of $1,000 for the arrest and conviction of any person having made an armed attack on any stage coach or railroad train carrying United States mail.
Sep 12, 1889 - A
bank will soon be opened in Lawrenceburg. A town without a bank is behind
the times.
John L. Sullivan
has announced his intentions of seeking the Democratic nomination for congress
from a Boston disrict.Surely the Bostonains will not allow such a man to
represent them at the Nation's capitol.
} To Our Posterity: A copy of this issue of
the Courier will be placed in the column of the bank building and we wish
to say to our unborn readers that the State of Tennessee comprises an area
of 41,750 square miles and has a population of 1,542,350. Hardin county
has a population of 14,793 and Savannah a popu-lation of 1,006.At present
there is no railroad or manufac-turing enterprise in the county, but we
hope you will find it much improved.
} There is only one other brick business house in town,theDonohoo & Chruchwell building just opposite the Bank.
Sep 19, 1889 - The Courier is four years old,still in infancy of course, but it has lived to see Savannah connected with the world by a telephone line that has proved a paying investment for its owners; the establishment of a bank with a capital of
$50,000 that has also been a source of profit
to its Stock-holders; it has witnessed the erection of one brick business
house and if it lives a few more weeks will see the completion of the Savannah
Educational company which will prove a boom to the town, and before we
are four years older, if our moneyed men will come toget-her as they have
done on other occasions, we will have one or more railroads.
Oct 3, 1889 - Died: September 29, 1889, at his home in McNairy County, of paralysis, Mr. Bazley Graves East, in the 77th year of his age. He was the last of five brothers,and was a noble Christian gentleman,beloved by all who knew him.
Oct 10, 1889 - The West Tennessee Insane Asylum located at Bolivar is about completed.It is being furnished and it is thought it will be ready for occupancy about the middle of November.
Oct 24, 1889 - W. M. Surratt, of McNairy county, Tenn.,died on the 9th inst, at the age of 86. At the age of 21 he married, his wife being but 13. They lived happily together til last September when Mrs.S. died at the age of 79. They had 15 children, 86 grand-children,and 28 great-grandchildren.
- Corinth Herald
} A cowboy, last week engaged in the pastime of shooting at
Bob Ford, the man who killed Jesse James.
Feb 13, 1890 - The postage stamp was invented just fifty years ago. They were first used in England, but they came into use only a year later in the Unites States.
Feb 27, 1890 - The town of Hatchie, on the Midland Railroad, was destroyed by fire last week the third time it has burned in the last fifteen weeks.
Mar 13, 1890 - The
supreme court of Mississippi confirmed the sentence of Jake Kilrainto
serve two months in the Marion county jail and pay $200 fine for prize
fighting.
} Abraham Lincoln, son of Robert Lincoln, minister to England, and grandson of President Lincoln, died in London on the 5th inst., aged 17 years.
Mar 13, 1890 - The star of Bethlehem appears once every
315 years and it is claimed that this is the year in which it is to appear. Should it appear it will be seen in the constellation Cassiopea.
Apr 10, 1890 - The
Falcon Advocate was a year old last week, and proposed to live another
year if delinquent subscribers will pay up.
} The County Court of McNairy County has ordered a vote to be taken in July to determine whether or not the county seat shall be moved to Selmer. The count stood 18 forand 17 against sub-mission. If the Court represents the people the removalist have no show.
May 1, 1890 - J. P. Prince one of the oldest merchants and who was considered one of the staunchest business men in McNairy County, failed last week.
Jun 26, 1890 - The
Capital of Louisiana will probably be moved from Baton Rouge to New Orleans.
} Tomorrow one hundred and four years will
have past since a few men, with all the British hosts and American Indians
as their enemies, declared that the citizens of the original thirteen colonies
should be free and independent.
} The residence and all its contents, of W. H. Braden were burned in Purdy last Friday night.
Jul 10, 1890 - A new postoffice has been established in the Second District called Swift.
Jul 17, 1890 - Two more stars have been added to our nation's flag.
Jul 24, 1890 - Hardin County: Population for 1890 foots up 17,752 against 14,793 for 1880. By district: 1st. 860,
2nd. 1279, 3rd. 1177, 4th. 2642, 5th. 508, 6th. 1055,
7th. 714, 8th. 956, 9th. 802, 10th. 823, 11th. 495,12th. 1835, 13th. 1841, 14th. 798, 15th 638, 16th. 737,17th. 592.
Jul 31, 1890 - Removal
carried in McNairy last Thursday and the county seat now goes to Selmer.
This,it is hoped will be the end of the unnecessary strife that has nearly
ruined the county.
} In Cold Blood: Mr. Jack Fraley, constable of the 10th District was shot down by Abb Stevenson, col, whom he was bringing in to place in jail. He died in five minutes. The murderer fled immediately.
NOTE: There is more to this article, too long to copy)
Aug 7, 1890: Abb Stevenson, who killed Jack Fraley here a week ago last Saturday, was caught Tuesday night in Miss-issippi and taken to Jackson temporarily for sake keeping.
Aug 14, 1890 - Adamsville:
Died, Aug 10th., infant child of Frank Droke.
} Mrs. Walls, wife of Newt. Walls, went to bed as usual and in as apparent good health as ever on last Friday night and when her husband awoke around 3 o'clock in the night,he found her dead by his side. Her age was 75 years.
Aug 21, 1890 - The
population of Tennessee is put at 1,800,000, a gain of 280,000 since 1880.
} May Wooten,
col., was shot by Sheriff Counce
on the night of Aug 11, while resisting arrest, died about one o'clock
Sunday morning.
} Sheriff Counce
waived examination before Squire Martin
Monday and was bound over the next term of the circuit court.
} Adamsville: Local women rebelling against the illegal selling of whisky and the four-mile law not being enforced.(NOTE: This article was too long to copy)
Aug 28, 1890 (This should have been Sep 4, 1890, but paper is dated Aug 28, 1890) - The hack line between here and Bethel Springs made another change for the better Monday. Messrs. Dillin & McAfee,liverymen at Bethel Springs,bought Mr.Varnell's interest in the line and have put on a good learn and hack. The line is now in the hands of the above mentioned firm and Messrs Parrish & Jones the liverymen at Adamsville and that insures us good service.
Oct 30, 1890 - Adamsville:
G. W. Whitten
of Rose Creek,2nd District, who a year ago,was tried for murder, but acquit-ted,was
on Saturday the 19th inst.,brained with an axe in the hands of Wm. Sweat.
We did not learn the particu-lars,but hear that Whitten
has since died.
} Mrs.Stanfield,
aged 90 years, died last Thursday.
Capt. Dollar, who went deranged last year, died last Wednesday in the Insane Asylum at Bolivar. His remains were brought to Adamsville and interred Sunday at 1 o'clock.Rev. J. B. Knight preached his funeral at 11:00A.M.in the M.E.Church.
Nov 6, 1890 - A. Lusk, who was tried before Commissioner Hinkle last week for violating the internal revenue law and carried before the United States Circuit Court at Jackson was convicted in that court in two cases and fined $100 and sent to prison for 90 days. When he is through with that he will be brought here and tried for violating the four-mile law and the revenue law. And when this county is done with him McNairy county will take him on the same charges. The man who sells liquor in this section verily finds that "the way of the transgressor is hard."
Dec 18, 1890 - The latest report from Indian country is that Old Sitting Bull had been killed. The Indian police went to arrest him and in the melee that followed he was killed. It is thought this will precipitate a small war between the whites and Indians.
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