The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-07-29
ROBERTSON LIGHTS OUT.
THE Ex-PREACHER AND LEGIsLA.
TOR TAKES HIMSELF HENCE.

A Committee of Button Citizens Has
tens ais Departure From South Caro-
Ina-some of the Many Schemes
With Which Robertson Was Identi-
fied-His Stay in Savannah Very
ErieE
The name of J. D. Robertson was on the
list Of passengers on the Kansas City for
New York day before yesterday.
Robertson is an ex-honorable, an ex-
reverend. and ex-professor and ex several
other things. His last exit is from South
Carolina, and was made by the special and
urgent request of committee of citizens OF
Button, who intimated that the neighbor-
hood was no longer healthy for him.
Robertsons history is an interesting one.
He has been one of the most successful and
audacious men IN this section for twenty
years. He has been one of the most motor
ious Of the carpetbag politicians who over
flowed this country after the war.
ONCE A MINISTER.
Robertson is a Scotchman by birth, and
came to Savannah about 1870 as an Epis-
copalian minister. He was highly educated
and evidently talented, and married shortly
after coming to South Carolina lady Of
good family who has relatives 10 Savannah.
Robertson went actively into politics as q
| negro leader, and was elected q member of
the notorious Moses legislature from Beau
fort county. Gov. Moses appointed him &
commissioner to buy school books for the
state. He drew S., 900 from the state and
went to New York to buy books. After
arriving there he drew Sc, 900 from the agent
of the State of South Carolina in New York
for the same purpose He then went to a
publishing house and purchased So, 900 worth
OF school books, giving in payment draft
for So, 600 on the treasurer of South Caro-
lima. The draft was paid aud Robertson
received $4,000 from the publishing house
as his commission. He was $l4, 900 ahead
Oh this transaction.
TOO MUCH FOR THE CROWD.
This was too much even for the Moses
legislature, and Robertson was dropped.
He then turned philanthropist and started
q colored college at Blufton, raising q
large sum of money for the college in the
north and after securing it he elected him.
self president and spent the money. He ran
the college about two years, and then quit,
but for the last fifteen years, it is said, he
has collected money steadily in the north
for this institution, spending good part of
his time in travelling for this purpose.
| One of his acts in Blufftoa was the buy
titles issued shortly after reconstruction, on
the strength of which he laid claim to large
tracts of land around Button, and frigh
ened off would-be purchasers by threats Of
a law suit.
HIS CASTOR BEAN FARM.
One of the most success full of Robertson's
schemes was the interesting Of Baker, the
cocoa manufacturer, in the planting of
castor beans for the manufacture OF CASTOR
nj Ihraa h,,,,1 n,,I e.1f1 o,,I
| were planted in castor beans at a cost Of
$4,000. Robertson managed the castor
bean plantation and spent money lavIshly.
Six hundred bushels of beans were Sc
cured from the $50 acres.
About five years ago Robertson was i'm
dlcted for perjury and gave a bond for
$4,000. On account of his family connec-
lions he was not prosecuted and was allowed
to leave the state. He spent four years
north preaching and collecting money for
| his school.
BECAME A LAND AGENT.
About q year ago be returned to Button
and claimed TO act in the capacity of agent
in buying up the lands around Fort Point
| for the Macon and Atlantic railroad. A few
months ago he went to the secretary of
state of South Carolina and, representing
that he wanted to purchase seventeen acres
of marsh land around Button, paid SIT
into the sinking fund and received title
to the seventeen acres Of land desired.
In this way be secured titles
to the whole beach ofTl Button.
A number of prominent citizens Of Bluff
ton went to the secretary of state and ex-
planned Robertson's methods. His titles
were revoked and his SIT was refunded.
A DOMESTIC SCANDAL.
Since his return to Button Robertson's
relations with young woman, who was in
his employ, have created a scandal. He
affected to defy public opinion, and
made several trips to Savannah and
elsewhere, registering at the hotels as
u. d. Robertson and ward" Lately r b
ertson, it is said, has been living with the
girl in Button. This was too much for
the people Of Button and committee
called upon him at his house Sunday night
and notified him to leave the neighborhood
immediately and for good. Robertson hid
in a colored mans house all night
The next morning he was escorted
TO the steamer Alpha by a crowd
of his colored friends t. protect him from
any assault. He reached here just in time
to catch the steamer for New York.
Robertson is over 60 years old, q vener-
able looking man with flowing beard, and
of very respectable appearance. He is pos
sessed of extreme susvity Of manner, and
never fails to make fine impression upon
strangers.
RATptI mo WITH TIT Dan