The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-07-21
THE TRAGEDY AT MINEoLA.
Convict stocks Suicide in the ONCE |
Of DR.. Howell.

ValIos.a. Ca. July 2l-The suicide OF
Porter Stocks last night al the Miueola
convict camps has been tie topic Of con-
versau5n here today. Nearly everybody
in this city knew Stocks when they saw
him. and nearly everybody who has pass
eli 1Iiueola has seen him about the depot
there. Stocks was a trusty az the camps.
lie was given privileges enjoyed by very
few ooavicts in the state. He was
genial fellow OF fine disposition.
The cause Of the tragedy is as much
mystery to-day as Il ever was and IL IS
probable that the real secret of his SELF
destruction viii never be known. During
the last month the mill has been shut
down owing 10 q disagreement Of the 1i-
rect0rs and ir was determined TO move
fifty of the couvicts 10 tie camp some
where near the Okeednokee swamp.
The camps are owned by a stock COM
pany, composed Of IS. B. Lowe Of At
ianta and other gentlemen in this city
and savannah Tt is understood that the
local stockholders Of the concern We're op-
posed to a large amount OF improvements
that have been made at the camps ard
thar it was shut down until the differ
ences between Lowe and the other stock
holders could be adjusted. For this rea-
son large part OF the convict force was
70 be moved to the other camp, and il
was understood that Stocks would be
among the number to go. He very mucn
objected 70 removal and stated to the
captain Of the guards that he had rather
die than he moved. The captain then as
sUred him that he could remain at the
Mtneola camp and had told him he would
be made assistant night Waterman Of
the stockade. Stocks seemed very much
pleased with the contemplated change.
Meeting a friend he told him that he
was going TO kill himself. but no attention
was paid TO the threat. Stocks went to DR..
Howells Office about seven O'Clock and
asked to see his pistol. The doctor, IL is
said, extracted the cartridges and hand
ed IL TO Stocks who fingered il moment
and then passed 1t back TO the physician
The doctor reloaded the weapon and laid
II upon the table near by. Stocks took his
watch from his pocket and handing il to
the physician, picked up the pistol and
placing it TO his bosom, pulled the trig-
ger. 1t was all done so quickly that the
doctor scarcely realized what had taken
place.
Stocks was placed upon a bed and efforts
We're made 70 relieve him, but without
avail He died this morning at o'clock
after rolling in agony all night. 1t is said
that he had something to tell and that
he made attempts to tell it, but those about
MIN could not understand IL.
Since his confinement at the camps here,
Stocks has never hesitated to talk of his
past life and appeared very little worried
about the tragedy for which he was sem
fenced. only a day or so ago, he stated
that If that was all that bothered him, he
would be happy man. He stated that he
killed a man In Texas and had been tried
three times for his life. He was a nephew
of the Rev. Sam Jones. His father came
down from Atlanta this evening and viii
carry the remains to Atlanta for inter-
ment
The coroner carried a jury to the scene
of the tragedy, but the result Of that in
vestigation has not been announced as yet