The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-03-04
ROBBED THE STORE.
Negro Had a Good Thing Mt ITALIA
hassee-MiIitary News.


Tallahassee, Fla. March S.-Robert
Branch, the colored porter at w. r.
Wilson's dry goods store, has got HIM
self into serious trouble. Late yester-
day afternoon Mr.. Knapp, the head
salesman, saw him slip a bundle out
the back door, but didn't say anything
at the time. Instead, he put him to
work in another part of the. building,
and then went out and searched among
the dry goods boxes, where he found
a $40 suit of clothes. Mr.. Knapp In
formed the manager Mr.. P. w. Will
son, who took an officer and went down
to Branch's house. A large quantity Of
silks, ribbons, handkerchiefs and other
articles were found.
For two or three years things have
been missed about the store, but no
suspicion rested on Branch, who was
considered entirely trustworthy. He
has been working for Mr.. Wilson the
past FIVE or six years, and has been
very frugal. How far this frugality
extended will be seen by the announce
ment that, although his salary has been
only So a week, he has not only kept
himself, but has succeeded in buying
and paying for a nice house and lot.
1t is now known that Branch has been
systematically robbing the store for
three years at least, selling his booty
to negro friends, making quite an in
come. He has not yet been arrested,
but is under close surveillance, under
the hopes that some of the stolen prop
erty will be recovered. He will proba-
III ~, taIy INT custody fn-daV To-
morrow.
The spring term of the United States
Circuit Court for the northern district
of Florida, Judge Swayne presiding,
will convene in this city in March, I'M
less the judge changes his mind and
orders it to adjourn, which is likely.
There are very few cases on the docket
now, and these only of minor impor-
lance.
Adit. Gen. Fosters report for the
past fiscal year will soon be placed in
the hands of the Governor. 1t will con-
tain much interesting data concerning
the military organization of the state.
During the past year special attention
has been devoted to instituting more
thorough system of paper work among
the state troops, and much time was
spent in inspection, Over $1,000 worth
of clothing and stores were received
tributed among the different companies.
Among Gen. Fosters recommended
lions are: That a new military code
be adopted, and that military law be
passed to embrace the following fea-
lures: A brigade organization for the
state troops, with a brigadier general
and appropriate staff; an increase in
the personal staff of the commander
in-chief by the addition of at least
eight aide-de-camps. At present the
personal staff is limited to two. He
also recommends that an inspector of
small arms practice be added to the
general staff; that the scope of the
summary courts be broadened and au-
thority given for the serving by sher-
ifs of processes out OF these courts as
for courts-martial. He asks that the
organization OF a hospital corps be
provided for, and that an appropria-
lion be made for eneampments for the
years 1903 and 1904. Another recon-
nendatlon Is that the appropriation
FOR the fund for the expenses OF the
FLORIDA state troops" be increased 10
cover the cost Of renting arm0rlss.
This Is made necessary by recent
ruling Of the Supreme Court. which
declared unconstitutional the law re-
quiring the counties 10 provide arm
cries.