The leader., 1897-11-17
LETTER FROM THECAPITAL.
Things That Were Done, Seen
and Heard Last Week.

day last the Illinois Central cars stop
ped at the Jackson depot for the first
time in SO days, and to the large crowd
assembled about the platform it looked
like the return of an old friend. A
quarantine station is still maintained
on that line and no one from an infect
ed town or city is permitted to get off
on the inside of the corporate lines.
The State Board of Health has re-
moved the restrictions as to Memphis,
but the city health authorities still
bar that town and will not let her
drummers inside our preserves till
there has been real cold spell. Be-
cause of just such precaution this city
has escaped the visitation that threat
ened on all sides and which was really
knocking right at our very doors.
Chas. Taggert, one of the most des-
perate white convicts in the State, es-
capped from the prison authorities on
the Rankin farm few nights ago and
is still at large, with reward of $500
hanging over his head, same to be paid
on his return to the warden at Jack
son. Taggert is the fellow who rob
bed store in Jackson county and be at
the clerk of same to death, as he
thought and then threw the body in a
pond where it was found next morn
ing. Being tried and convicted Tag
CERT was sent up ten years for burglary
and ten for attempted murder. He
has given the prison officials a great
deal of trouble, having made two or
three attempts to escape, and being
caught once in the act of blowing up
the building with dynamite, and yet he
enjoyed the confidence of the manage
ment to such an extent that he was
made trusty. Joe Cook, the young
man assaulted by Taggert died some
months after the attempt of his life,
but spent several months in New Or
leans hospital, and never recovered
from the effect of the wounds received
Taggert is described as a desperate
young fellow, so that those attempting
his capture had better be on their
guard.
The city schools of Jackson opened
last Monday with an attendance of
nearly 1900 and not all of the children
of the community we're on hand, either,
many mothers being afraid to start the
little blessing till yellow fever has been
stamped out everywhere. Principal
Hardy and his corps of about 20 teach
ers have their hands full, but the
schools are all moving along with the
regularity of clock.
One of Jackson's policeman caught
a burglar the other night in the act of
robbing drug store and jewellers es-
tablishment, and called on the intrud-
er to halt. The command not having
the desired effect the policeman sent
leaden pellet after his retreating fig
ure, and strange as it may seem, plug
ged him through the back and liver.
The only effect this injection had was
to accelerate the fellows speed, and he
got away from the officer for the time
being. In a short while, however, an
old negro woman who lived three
blocks from the scene reported to the
police that a strange negro was on her
front gallery and badly shot He was
carted up to the Jail and city physi-
clan Todd attended to his wound
which was considered fatal, but so far
he is still alive, and the chances are
he will recover. The policeman is be-
ing congratulated on having even wing
ed one.
Senator w. c. Kiger, of Warren Co.,
has written an open letter to the Gov
ernor and members of the Legislature
advising them to let the dead past bury
its dead so that the new capitol may be
built without any more friction. The
Senator argues that inasmuch as the
price and the site have been agreed up
on it should not be much trouble to get
together as to plans and commission
ers, but loses sight of the fact that
right there is where the shoe pinches
hardest. 1t would be good idea for
the plan to be left to the commission
ers, but the question arises who will
we leave the naming of the commission
ers to? If it was true as charged that
the Governor vetoed the capitol bill
last spring because he was not permit
ted to name the commissioners, is it
not reasonable to suppose he will be
equally as stubborn next time The
Legislature will most assuredly select
the same gentlemen as commissioners,
and DIR. Kiger offers no guarantee that
the Governor will approve their selec-
ton with the understanding that they
shall select the plan. Senator Kiger's
solution of the capitol problem is
happy one-on paper, and l sincerely
hope his suggestion may meet the ap-
proval of all concerned.
Quite romantic marriage was con-
summated here the other night, the
contracting parties being Mr.. c. G.
Collins, of Crystal Springs, and Miss
Ola Lloyd, of Gordonsville, Tex. The
young lady left her home telling her
parents she was going to Meridian to
visit relatives. She did, but from Jack
son she travelled as Mrs. Collins, he
having met her here for that purpose,
and the knot was tied few minutes
after her arrival. The old folks OBJ
jected because they thought her too
young to assume wifely duties. Mr..
Collins is prosperous farmer of Co.
piah. e. Z. FRANTz.
w. p. Stevens, of Dobson, brought