The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-08-07
THE IDIOT GETS A YEAR
BACON PLEADS GUILTY TO INvOL-
UNTARY MANSLAUGHTER.

The State Accepts the Plea on Ac-
count of His Evidence Against the
Others Of the Gang-Lawyer Pesse
Pleads for Mercy and judge Felli-
CANT Imposes the Eightest Sentence.
Seven Prisoners Sent TO the Gang
From.Ahe City Court.
Charley Bacon, the idiotic member OF the
gang Of murderers which cruelty beat and
hacked August w. Meyer TO death on the
night OF Jan. 24'last. was brought into the
superior court yesterday for the last time
to answer the charge Of murder against
| himself.
On five previous occasions he was there
TO tell juriss OF the horrible manner in
which bis companions had committed the
deed. while he remained outside as
a watohman to see that no one would inter
fere. They never intended that Bacon
should see the murder committed and that
was why they stationed him outside the
building Ia the capacity Of a watchman.
But. idiot though he was, Bacon had Curl
osity en- Dugh to find out what was transplr-
ing inside the building. He mounted pile
Of bricks peered in through the window
and saw everything. Promptly he told the
officers OF what had occurred and proved
great aid to the state IN bringing the other
members OF the gang to Justice.
Yesterday when Bacon entered the court
room he looked as II he wanted to take his
seat in the witness chair again, and when
shown to the prisoners chair be seemed
little mystlhed at the proceeding,
which were out of the usual order
for him. Solicitor General Fraser arose
at once, and, addressing the court, said that
the state, IN view of the valuable services
Bacon had rendered and his imbeclle condi-
ton, had consented to accept from the
prisoner plea Of "lnvoluntary man
slaughter in the CONF ission of an unlawful
act"
William Psass, Esq.,, attorney for Bacon.
followed Solicitor General Fraser with an
appeal to the court for leniency. He de-
pcted feelingly the condition OF the mind
Of the boy, showing him TO be hAlf-witted
creature who could be easily led, and said
that a long term in the pc itentary would,
in his case, be cruelty rather than justice.
Judge Fslligant then imposed the lightesS
sentence allowed by the law-one year in
the penitentiary.
In the superior court yesterday James n.
Johnston, receiver for the Coast LII o rail
road, and George A. Mercer, Esq, attorney
for the receiver, made petition for compen-
saUion. The court allowed $1,000 compen-
sation to Col. Mercer and took the mater
Of compensation for the receiver under ad-
vtsement.
In the superior court yesterday argument
was heard on defendants motion for a new
trial in the case of Bridget A. Campbell VS..
the Savannah and Atlantic railway. Judge
Faligant reserved his decision.
The weekly criminal session Of the city
court yesterday increased the county's
ohain-gaug force by seven.
Joe Waters, Eddie Osborn and Charles
Bond, trio of Migrants, were sent out for
four months to exercise themselves in the
canals and bitches OF the county.
Twelve months was the term given II.
McGilbert for using knife rather too
freely on a companion.
George Thomas and Tom Washington, for
larceny from the house, got six months
each.
Boisy Bacon wes sent up for two months
for assaulting Dan White.
The case against George Carter, charged
with larceny from the house, was continued
until next Saturday for further investiga.
ton.
Mrs. Kate Neylor, who was convicted In
the city court Saturday, July 81, OF assault
and battery upon Miss Kelly, the Tybee
school mistress, was yesterday sentenced by
Judge MacDonell to pay fino OF $3.50 and
costs or serve one month in jail.
The Millen land suits are SET for trial IN
the superior court tomorrow.