Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-04-29

JASPER, April 27-Just as we left the juno
ton of the Florida Central and Waycross
Roads, at Jacksonville last Tuesday evening
the first through train Of the latter came in
the harbinger of an entire revolution in the
present system of travel. Six hours to Sa
vannah and ten to Charleston are something
wonderful when compared to the tirne lately
required for reaching those cities. Short as is
the passage now, the wants of our people will
soon demand reduction, and Colonel Haines
says that with his fine road and powerful en-
gines, he can put train through from Savan-
nah to Jacksonville in four and half hours.
Quite number of passengers were on our
train, bound to points North and West, and the
three sleeping cars were fully occupied.
Near my seat were two lawyers going to
Lake City and Live Oak TO take testimony In
favor of Colonel Bisbee in his contest against
General Finley Colonel Bisbee is flush of green
backs, having lately drawn $13,500 from the
United States Treasury, and bis fees to bis
counsel are said to be promptly paid and lib
eral. The evidence he is now taking is in re
buttal. An effort has been made IN this town
to take rebuttlng testimony, although no orig
inal evidence had been taken. OF course, a
protest was entered to this novel proceeding.
The bitterest enemies of Col Bisbee have
never charged him with inattention to his per-
sonal interests, and when his pride and malice
are both involved, he is very formidable ad-
versary
Jasper was reached at a. M, and the wri-
ter was soon 'wooing the balmy" under the
comfortable roof Of Col. j. II. Ancrum, the
able editor of the Hamilton County Times
Almost the first man on whom my eyes rest
ed after breakfast, was the everywhere and all
abouts (the phrase ubiquitous" is becoming
rather stale) Gentry, button holing everybody
with an intense Solcltude to ascertain the
health of his great grandmother's second cous-
ms uncle'S wife, that was ludicrouslY Eeuti-
mental in its pathos. The Colonel is great
genealogist, and a complete encyclopedias with
with regard to the births, marriages and deaths
of the districts which he traverses
When the court was opened this morning the
case Of the State VS.. Savage and James
charged with the murder of Mr. Patterson, at
Madison, last February. was sounded. Counsel
for the State, consisting of Colonel ]. F. White
of Live Oak State Attorney for this circuit
Messrs. F. w. Pope, of Madison, and B. B.
Bic ckwell, of Jasper, announced their readi-
ness to go to trial
Prisoners counsel. Judge P. w. White. of
Quincy, and j. B. Stripling, of Madison. pre-
sented plea to the Jurisdiction of the court,
which was not sustained, upon the ground that
the plea was too late, after having plead mot
guilty"
They then moved the court to allow them to
withdraw the plea of mot guilty. aud to file
their plea to the jurisdiction of the court
This was not granted on the ground that it. was
in the discretion of the court, and the defend
ants had not shown such state of facts IS
would warrant the court in exercising that dis
creLlOu. E4ccpJlOuS 10 DOtn were QOCGQ.
After dinner an affidavit was submitted to
the effect that General HI. Jenkins Jr., very
important witness In behalf of the prisoners
was absent and that they could not safely go
to trial under the circumstances. After hear
ing argument pro and con, the Judge granted
a continuance until $3.50 O'Clock tomorrow
morning in the expectation that the missing
witness, who had been summoned, would ar
rive by to-nights train.
Should the case come to trial at this term 1t
is thought thatit will occupy the residue of the
week, as large number of witnesses are to be
examined both by the prosecution and defense.
1t is rumored here that a large sum has been
raised to defray the expenses of the accused,
and that the Rad Gals have made the case a
quasi party issue.
There is no excitement here. The court
room was well filled with spectators, many of
whom were negroes.
Savage. the principal in the alleged murder,
is about five feet ten inches in height about
35 years old with smooth skin. and rather an
intelligent countenance, with the features of
an ordinary Ethiopian, not strongly marked
There was nothing in his appearance denoting
brutal desperado.
James. the other prisoner, is also of black
complexion, of heavier build and shorter stat
ure, with thicker lips and fatter nose.
Both were neatly dressed, and although at
tentive to all transpiring, were calm and self
possessed, showing no marked uneasiness.
AS the county jail is quite insecure they are
confined in the town calaboose at night, and
closely guarded If the case comes up you
shall be kept posted. VIII. B.