The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-10-20

vindicate himself when the case comes to
trial
| Mrs. T. NJ. Acton had an exciting ex-
perlenCe with a bold burglar at her resi-
/ dence at Atlanta Thursday at 1 o'clock,
/ but her pluck and bravery went for
/ naught. II was just after dinner and Mrs.
/ Acton was seated in her room reading TO
/ her husband. who is an invalid. She heard
/ strange noise in the rear part or the
house and went out 10 Investigate. Open
ing the dining room door, she found her
self face to face with "A desperate looking
negro. At first the lady was very much
agitated, but she recovered her self-pOs-
session quickly and asked him in a de-
termined voice what he was doing. The
darky was surprised also and resorted to
strategy. why, mistis, don't you know
me? Don't you know Jim Stewart what
used to work for you all when he was
little boy? Oats who dis is, mistis. I
jes come in from Macon and L thought
I'd jes drap by here and see you all agin
and ak you for a little sumDin' feat"
Mrs. Acton looked at the man closely.
She remembered that some years ago a
negro by that name had been employed
by them, but she knew that he was not
the man. She knew that something was
wrong and with wonderful nerve decided
to capture the negro. She gave him to un-
derstand that she did remember him, and
was glad to see him again. The servants
quarters were just below the dining room,
and Mrs Acton carried the negro there,
upon the pretense of getting something to
eat for him. 1t was her intention TO lock
him in and send for the police. The burg
lar entered the room willingly and Mrs.
Acton started out. But the key was on
the inside and the man was watching her.
In her effort TO get the key out his suspi-
Cion was aroused. 1t did not take him
long to decide The window was near by
He opened il quickly and was out like
fash Mrs. Acton rushed to catch him,
but it was too late.
A letter from Cuthbert to the Atlanta
Constitution says: "One of the most
remarkable papers ever admitted 10
record in Randolph county was the Will
of the late Jacob H. Jefries, who died Oct.
u. Jeffries was a white man. and on ac-
count of his long residence in the county
and his prominent family connections, it
makes the matter all the more peculiar
and interesting. Jeffries had always
been known as a peculiar indi-
vidual. He possessed considerable
property and people had become ac-
quainted with that fact. 1t was further
understood that he held most of it in
ready cash, and that he carried it in belt
around his waist. An account was given
about his coming to Cuthbert about two
years ago, getting on drunk and, on re-
turning to his home, about six miles be-
low OQlnDtEA, was Wdgtdil anu tOBbtb u
over 81 600 in gold that he had around his
waist. He never recovered this money, nor
had any clue to who the parties were. It
weighed heavily upon his mind and no
doubt fastened his death, which occurred
on Oct Z. The people generally
knew that Jefries owned consider
able property, although his appear
ance indicated that of a man in alb
ject poverty A history of Jeffries early
life might throw additional light upon the
recorded facts as set out in his will. Dur
ing the war Jeffries owned several slaves,
among the number was a gOod-lOooking
mulatto girl by the name of Alice. When
these slaves were made free Jeffries kept
this woman Alice and they lived with each
other as man and wife, although they were
never married. AS a result of this Illicit
love and relation five illegiumate children
were born to them. Jehries always looked
upon and called these his children. OF the
number one was a girl and four boys. The
girl was sent north and given a good edu-
cation. So were two Of the older boys sent
north for an education one died and one
was with him at his death His paramount
died prior to his making the will that was
placed on record Wednesday. To her he
decided fifty acres of land-the land that
he lived on, six miles below Cuthbert He
had often remarked that he intended to
leave his property to his children, al
though he had sister living in Cuthbert
and nephews and neices in and near this
city, whom every one thought would get
his property. In his will, which
was admitted TO record in COM
mon form in the ordinary's office
Wednesday, was disclosed the fact that
the same was made Oct o. 1887. and that it
was in duplicate. When he died no will
was found. Some 800 in money, some land
and some notes, accounts and personal
property were left There was no one to
take charge, so his nephew by marriage
came to Cuthbert and petitloned for tenn
porary letters of administration Hardly
had these been granted before Eva Will
/ burn, mulatto and wife of Herbert Will
/ burn, who lives in Albany Ga, came for
/ ward with a duplicate copy of the will.
/ She together with two Of The boys, were
! named as executors. He bequeathed in
/ the first item of the win a house and lot In
/ the city of Cuthbert, fifty acres of land.
/ mules and wagons to Albert, the youngest
! child, on account of his being the youngest
/ and most dependent, The second
item in the viii gave Eva, Will
! lam, Edward George and Albert JEFF
! fries, the children of Alice Jeffries, his for
mer slave, now deceased, all his money
notes, accounts and other property, equal
! ly excepting the bequest made Albert in
/ item one Eva, one of the exec.
utors named, produced the will
| which was written with accuracy
| and precision 1t was admitted tc
record, and she took charge of his effects
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