Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-03-31
COMPLETE ENUMERATION
FOR DEAD MINISTER

DUBLIN. March 29.-Rev. w. s. Ram
sew. late county school. commissioner of
Laurens county, who was charged by the
board of education Of Laurens county,
with being short in his accounts, has been
completely exonerated by the board OF
arbitrators, appointed to go over the
books in the office. Col. Ramsey, after
over twenty years service as county
schol commissioner of Laurens county
died very suddenly in March, 1900, after
his death, the board of election claimed
that a shortage approximating 41OO.OO
existed and commenced a suit against
the Guarantee Company of North Amer
lea, in the city court of Atlanta, this COM
pany being the bondsmen of Ramsey.
Mrs. Ramsey denied the allegations Of
the board OF education, and requested
that the suit against the security COM
pany be Withdrawn and the estate of COL
Ramsey be sued in Laurens county, or
that board of arbitrator be appointed
to go over the books and papers in the
office, their report or finding to be final,
and with this request Mr.. j. NJ. simmons,
Jr. representing Mrs. Ramsey, deposited
with the Dublin Banking company the
amount of the alleged shortage, subject
to the finding of the board of arbitrators,
or the verdict of jury of Laurens coun-
ty. This offer was refused and then Hon.
L. L. Stubbs representative for Laurens
county, introduced a resolution in the leg
islature relieving the securities on Ram
sey's bond. When the board of education
found that the bill would probably pass,
they surrendered the bond and agreed to
an arbitration and Mr.. Stubs withdrew
his resolutions. The board of education
chose Hon. J. A. Rogers school commits
sioner of Washington county and Hon.
J. R Baggett, of Laurens, as members OF
the board, and Mr.. J. S. Simmons, Jr.'
chose Mr.. J. b. Caldwell and Mr.. c. w
Brantley. two OF the leading citizens of
Dublin. The four gentlemen above nam
ed then selected Hon. Dudley NJ. Hughes,
of Twiggs county. as the fifth member.
Attorneys Daley,of Wrightsville, and
Wade. Of Dublin, represented the board
and Messrs. Griner and j. B. Sanders, of
Dublin. represented Mr. Simmons. Z
The hearing OF testimony and the ar
rangement. Of counsel consumed several
days, and the board ad jonrned the meet
ing over until Monday March oath, when
they met for the purpose of making their
decision. The decision of the board of ar
bitrators awarded to Mr.. Simmons the
sum of $4,000 with interest, balance due
on salary of Col. Ramsey from March.
1900 at per cent. and placed all cost
upon the hoard of education, as per agree
ment The finding of the board is final
and this is an end to the case.
Rev. w. S. Ramsey was one of thel most
prominent and universally beloved citi-
zens of this county. For over thirty years
he was a leading minister of the Baptist
church, and had few equals as a pulpit
orator in this country.
At his death the crowd that attended
his funeral services filled the town. Two
or three special trains bringing crowds
from Macon, Hawkinsville and ! other
points in the state, such large gather
ing of people was never before seen in
Dublin.
The finding of the board of arbitrator
gives universal satisfaction.