Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-09-28

lumbus, and the Southwestern Railroad to
Fort Gaines, on the ChattahOOchee river. In
connection with these roads, said company
was also operating a line Of boats said
river, from Columbus to ApalachcOla. The
Nylly, one OF said boats, sunk last year OppO-
site Fort Gaines, with loss of life and other
damage. Gum, who claims TO have suffered
in said accident, br ught his suit for damages
against the Central Railroad and Banking
Company, alleging the above facts and his
personal damage as one Of the passengers.
motion by the defendant to dismiss said
Peabody. for defendant, and Hon.
Henry shorter, Of Alabama. and Hon. }.
NJ Russell. of Columbus, IoE plaintiff. The
ourt dismissed the case on the ground that
the running of the steamboat line was ultra
rfres Of the Central Railroad and Banking
Company. In delivering his opinion the
Judge exhibited his characteristic clearness
and learning; and maintained: :. That the
charter conferred on defendant no power to
run a steamboat line on the ChattahoOchee.
,. That an act entitled, "An act to provide
general law for the incorporation ofrailrOads
and 10 regulate the same" Approved Sept.
p, 1883, when rightly construed conferred no
such power. 3. That If said act were so con-
strued as to confer such power, such cOnstruc-
tlOn would make the act unconstitutional, be-
cause not fairly within its title, 1, That as
the corporation was incapable of making a
valid contract for transporting plaintiff on the
steamboat, II Could assume no duty to do so !;
and, as such corporation, could not be liable
for neglect to fulfil such contract. and re-
sulting damage.
jefferson Herald: The party that left here
last Tuesday morning week 20 hunt for the
horse and buggy that was stolen from New
town district, soon struck the right track and
made hot chase after the thief. At Law
renCeyille they were but three hours behind
him, when dark overlook them. After secur-
ing supper and little rest they took up the
trail, which led in the direction of Decatur,
and they continued on until they were within
about seven miles from that place, when,
thinking that they had missed the road,
Sheriff McElhannOn went up to a house and
asked the way TO Decatur. A woman answered
his questions, and then made inquiries of
HIM that made HIM suspicious that the in
mates Of the house knew what they were
after, whereupOn he asked to be allowed to
search the house, and was refused, the
woman telling him that there was no
one there. Mr.. McElhannOn insisted upon
going in, and told her to strike a
light, which she would not do until he
threatened to break the door down. After a
long delay light was made and a man ran
out Of the back door of the house in the direc-
tlOn Of the lot, and was intercepted by the
Hawks boys, who had been to the lot to see if
the horse was there. just as soon as the man
saw them he turned and ran in the opposite
direction, and as he turned some one fired at
him, but he continued on without stopping.
The horse was found IN the stables and the
buggy IN the yard, but the people at the place
claimed that they did not know the character
OF the guest that they had entertained. The
horse and buggy were secured. and the party
all returned home the next morning except
sheriff MCElhannOn. who went on to Decatur
I TO see II he could gather any information on
the subject, as he was not satisfied in the least
I at the way the people did at the house where
I tory. however, was gained, and he returned
I home the next day.