Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-07-08
LETTER FROMLEON COUNTY,FLA
Fiendtsh Crime - PFOdigIOus
Peach CrOp-FaiIure of Ihe Oranges
Potato PlantiBg-WelcOme Rains
Crop Prospects Sympathy for
the President.

CESTREvILLE. LEON COUNTY, FLA, July g.
Editor Morning Net0s: A few days ago our
community was startled to hear OF an outrage
committed upon very old negro woman in
the neighborhood. She says her age is one
hundred and ten years. From information
more reliable we learn she is about ninety
years old. The particulars in the case, as best
we could learn, are as follows: This old wO-
man. known as Granny Dinah, lives in rather a
retired place on the plantation of a neighbor,
with no other protection except that Of an
other woman who lives with her, but is com
PEELED to be away from the house the greater
part of the day, as she is employed as q farm
hand near by. In the absence Of all protection
and while alone a fend in the shape of mu-
latto man, and wellknown TO her, approached
her house, assaulted and committed upon this
old soul an outrage too horrible to cOntem-
plate After committing the deed he left the
house, and, as is stated to US, returned to the
field near by in which he had been working
and told the other labOrers employed
there what he had done and that
his punishment should be hanging. For
some cause 70 US unknown he was
allowed by them TO escape. The last
seen of him he was on his way to the Georgia
line, fleeing from the wrath to come. His
name is Thomas Summers, about twenty-One
years old, copper cOlOred, about five feet four
He is wanted here to give an account of him
self. 1t is supposed that his intention to
take the train in 1hOmasville for Louisiana 10
work on the railroad. He is a bad character
aud has served one or two terms in the peni-
tentiary OF chain gang. The old woman is
now in a critical condition. and it is highly
probable that she may die from the injuries
Inflicted upon her. The people are indignant
and are anxious to see justice meted out to the
cruel miscreant in full measure. The Sheriff
Of our county was at once notified. as also the
Sheriff Of Thomas county, and We hope yet to
see him pay the penalty for his heinOus crime.
Since my last we have had several good rains
which hsve revived dropping vegetation. aud
also the dropping spirits Of the tilers OF the
soil Corn has responded literally 10 the
| showers and is greatly benefited. Cotton il
growing and fruiting finely Caterpillars are
l reported in small numbers with no damage as
[ yet and their progress seems to be slow. As
cotton is well fTuited we expect fair crop be-
/ fore il Is destroy ed.
Setting potato vines or slips is now the order
/ of the day, and a great many will be put out
/ TO lengthen out the grain crop next spring and
| summer
| The peach crop is enormous, the trees being
as full as Is possible for them to bear. In fact,
/ they are ore aking down under their load, but
/ the fruit is small, in consequence of the dry
l weather. A few of the early varieties have
/ been ripening with US since about the 10th OF
/ June. Oranges are a complete failure. None
| will be raised in our county this year. as the
| trees were destroyed last winter by the cold.
I Sprouts are now growing very rapidly from
/ the roots OF the old trunk, and in two or th rec
/ years. with no disaster, We will again enjoy this
1 delicious fruit of our own raising. The weather
/ for three or four days past has been pleasant
| but the rrd-hOt days are coming again.
Our community. was terribly shocked and
| deeped grieved 10 hear of the attempted aSsaS
/ sinatiOn of the President. and hope he may
| soon recover. j. b. T.