Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-04-17

a Celebrated Case in COurt-COunty
inanc in Fine Condition.

a Celebrated Case In COurt-COunty
Finances in Fine Condition.
ALBANY, GA, April 16.-Affairs in our
city are assuming their usual dull APP
pearance consequent upon the season of
Lent and the approach OF summer. Parties
and most social gatherings are tabooed,
and the fortnightly meetings OF the
literary association known as the Cad
nlaer Club, varied by an occasional stroll
ing theatrical troupe, which plays for a
might at the Opera House to a mall audi
ence, are about all that serves to vary
th9 monOtOnY. The city is looking beau
tifuh now with the numerous shade trees
out in full foliage, and the various gar
denS bright with blossoms are looking
cool and inviting with their well-kept
lawns.
The Jackson Light Artillery are drill
ing every afternoon preparatory TO their
visit to Savannah.
The Superior Court is now upon the
second week of the April term. Several
old cases which have been upon the dock
et a number OF years have been disposed
of. One of them, the first taken up, was
quite celebrated here from the amount of
litigation resulting from it. 1t was known
as the MayO-Keaton case M involved
originally FULLY $3.50. 900. Mayo and Kea-
ton were engaged some fifteen years ago
In large planting operations in this sec
tbon, and upon the death of b. .. heatOn,
one of the partners, suit was brought
against Mayo, the survivor, and the case
has, by the numerous delays OF law, been
continued until the present term. After
hanging on the case a day and night the
Jury has brought in a verdict against
Mayo for some 81, 800 and interest. 1t is
to be carried again to the Supreme Court
Inc will doubtless drag along in the
anHFfg AUnln for MANY vaura IN mama
This is one OF the complicated cases which
for large transactions, mixed accounts,
are certainly beyond :he jurisdic-
ton, or, in fact, the understanding of the
average petit jury.
The grand jury will make a cheering re-
port OF county finances, showing that the
county rs out OF debt, with "A balance on
hand in bank of $7,441 %. A glance at the
Tax Receivers books shows an alarming
decrease in the value Of county property.
Some OF the finest farming lands In the
Oaky Woods-such magnificent planta-
tions, for instance, as those owned by Col.
John p. FOrte-are being given in at the
rate Of 81 80 per acre this year. While
these lands should be worth at least four
times this amount, II forced upon the
market they would not bring the
above price. Col. Forte, who success
fully tested the experiment of boring for
artesian water here and dug the first well
upon one OF the plantations IN this county
is now living upon one OF them with his
charming family. lie is trying TO solve
the question whether planting can be
made remuneratiye in this section, and
his family seem to enjoy their isolated
life 'far from the madding crowd"
Col. Forte, who has established a colony
upon one Of his farms in Houston county,
ls DESTROYS OF placing one or more upon
his property here, and offers fifty or more
acres OF rich land free OF charge to any
young white man who will settle upon
Them. Thus far he has found no takers.
The merchants generally complain Of
Extremely dun business and money mat
ters are certainly in an unusually de-
pressed condition, though a glance at the
books OF some Of the complaining trades
men Will show larger sales thus far than
IN the preceding year. Two experienced
young men have rented the store formally
occupied by Bailey a. Shafer and are fit
ting II up handsomely. They have ample
capital and intend TO open a large stock
81 fancy dry goods, carpets, millinery.
etc. They promise an establishment
which Will be a credit 10 the city. Mr..
and Mrs. X. q. Erwin, OF Savannah, are
Nltlung MT. and Mrs. l.. e. Wells, Of this
MY MT. Erwln has been ia attendance