The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-02-05
zEAGLERS AT THEIR HOME.
STILL HOLDING OUT AGAINST THE
Al. 600 FOR THEIR ARREST.

The situation in Screven County an |
rncomfortabIe One for Both DEM
Ocruts and POpulists-Chnrges and
Counter-Charges Lead to Constant
vncounters-StOries of Old Feuds
That Have Never Died Out.
svlyania, Ca, Feb. 3.-The discussion in
,sqsri TO the extraordinary condition Of
affairs now existing in Screven county is
growing wider and warmer every day.
The case of the Zeagler boys, Solomon
and Corrie. who are defying the law,
and fits officers, is alone of sufficient mo-
ment but back of all this is the stil
more threatening attitude of the two
POLITICAL parties toward each other, su-
perinduced to a great extent by the, trou-
be with which the Zeagler boys are so
prominently connected.
Take away their rifles and rid the mind
Of the impression made upon II by the
stories heard of the crimes they have
committed, and it viii be hard TO ma
anything in the appearance of either Solo
mon or Corrie ZeagleF to bear out their
reputation of desperate men.
They have the appearance of two mild
hammered young farmers. whose proto-
types can be found in every county IN
They are medium-sized men, neither of
them being over five feet six in hight, ana
slender in their build. They have slight
blonde mustaches and the only notice
able popularity that exists is in the case
Of Solomon 1t lies in his eyes, which are
peculiarly restless, it being impossible for
him TO look a man squarely in the face
for more than a second at a time.
Solomon is the elder of the brothers, be-
ing "A years old. Corrie has just passed
Their home has the appearance of a
comfortable farm house and there is
nothing In evidence to bear out the stories
Of the place having been made ready to
stand a seige, though ii is generally adj
mitted that d number of Winchester rifles,
some fifty or sixty, are concealed in the
vicinity of the house, together with
sufficient supply of ammunition.
Mr.. Zeagler the mother of the boys is
woman past middle age. She is an en>
thusiastic defender of the actions of her
sons, and upholdS them in the killing
Sheriff Brooker.
The Zeaglers are a well-known family,
and up to the time of their recent law
lessness We're respected in the community.
They claim direct descent from the Saiz-
burgers, and are related by blood and
marriage to some of the most prominent
families in Screven county.
IT is currently reported in Sylvania that
since the killing of BROKER, Solomon
Zeagler has been married to Miss Walk
er, whose brother William, is jointly in
dtcted with Solomon Zeagler for the kill
ing of George Bellinger, negro.
Inc country surrounding the Zeagler
homestead is attractive; it is what is
commonly described as a gently rolling
country, well-timbered and containing
some hne pasture and farming land
The Zeaglers run a general store at the
station which Is patronized by the twenty
or thirty families in the vicinity, most
OF whom are related in the different de-
grees on cousinship to the family, and it
Is from this colony that the boys look
Tor help in their efforts to resist arrest
n case a force of men is sent to take
them 1t being generally admitted that
Ihey nave a well-regulated system for
GIVING an alarm, though the reports cur
rent about large bell at the homestead
out foundation
The situation is of such q complex char
acter and the difference in the stories
az 10 the cause so marked, that it requires
an me Judgment at command of the I'M
sIactory conclusion. The two political
parties, populist and democrat with the
aIter IN office, are arrayed against each
Other and the uttermost bitterness and
Ianeor exists between them. So marked
! THIS feeling that personal encounters
yel"een members of the opposing fac
i so ms are OF frequent occurrence, and it
sine opinion of conservative men of both
Parues that trouble will occur at the next
elecu0n, which is to be held next April
t 70 MI the office of sheriff, the present
Incumbent Robert Mills, having been ap-
pointed by the ordinary to fill out the
uHeAplred term of julius Brooker. who
waS Killed by the Zeagler boys, Solomon
auu Corrle, from motives of revenge they
ssatlng failed to succeed in having him in
GCcted for the shooting of their father.
tvoise Zeagler, which occurred in Sep
"a. mat the Zeagler question is one of po-
n 1l moment no one who becomes ac-
iG II with the true state of affairs
otrexen county can doubt for one mo-
Went The populists claim it is impossi-
o ote Ior them to obtain justice before the
Tuls as they are now administered.
Sheriff Brooker was in office a Jury com
pOseu entirely of democrats served for
ftspdce OF two years. In explanation of
Donn GijSsttra ie statement prominent
ana men the judge took the ballot box
NJ NJ selected a ballot from compartment
sss9puHst, he put it back in a corner of the
osAle compartment, but if it bore the name
II ID Hemocrat he dropped it in number
~ IN this manner the defense having
t@5ce as many challenges as the state,
81 oecame comparatively easy matter to
'TSaln a democratic jury"
MAJ aus informant went on to say that as
ssec,gILs stood, democrat could kill or
~ eauIt a populiSt with absolute impuni-
4, IA support of his assertion he quoted
NJ Ease of Isaac Waters, a democrat,
r. shot and killed a populist named
Wtiler IaylOr. deputy sheriff ran
e99.efs into Sheriff Brokers house and
= Il ~ on him to help in the arrest, that
81 HSd killed Taylor. Brooker, however,
ny laughed and said Il guess you had
q Va I so on about your business" Taylor
"a nv never arrested and when he voluntar-
VI STOOD his trial he was acquitted.
n al prominent democrat of Sylvania said
81 Sou this matter: 81 can give the true
gsosy,, and it will be seen at once how
Ge9sy the populists have exaggerated
h. natter to try and make a case against
WI The first place, Waters and Taylor
Ill., mere boys and politics did not enter
arIne matter. Waters had been paying
f5ulon to a young lady and several
on eoys in the neighborhood were jeal-
go Of his success; they threatened to
9bp.. MIN a beating if he took her to
e5r.en again. Waters did take her to
horIcn and the next night crowd of
s5 came around to the store
fpS. Hled, boy-like, to get him into
OIL lie knowing their intention and the
lssA against him tried to avoid It. At
M. Aaey rushed at him and he fired one
81. 70 Frsr them