davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-05-13
The BRElTHI7T COUNTY FEUD.
Arrest of Curtis lett, Charged
With the Murder of ]. 3. Mar
cum, in Jackson, KY.

Lexington, KY. May lo.-The cap
ture of Curtis Jett, charged with the
assassination of J. B. Marcum in
jackson on Monday last, was accom-
plished without bloodshed early Sun
day morning He is now in the Clark
County jail at Winchester.
Bearing a warrant which had been
sworn out by Sam Jett. uncle of the
accused. Sheriff McChord and posse
of seven men left Winchester at mid
night Saturday. Reaching Jackson's
Ferry, ten miles distant, at 230 a.
m., they left their buggies and cross
ed the Kentucky River to Madison
County in canoes. They proceeded on
foot to the home of Mrs. A. Haggin,
Jett's mother, two miles from the
around the dwelling and Sheriff Nc
Chord and Deputy Stokely approach
ed the front door and knocked. Jett's
mother answered and after some parley
admitted that Curtis was within.
They were admitted and found Jett
awake, but in bed. He shook hands
with the sheriff and said he would
give no trouble Reaching under his
pillow be drew out his pistol and turn
ed it over to his mother to keep. He
made no show of resistance and was
landed in jail at Winchester by day
light.
Jett's step-father A. Haggin, charges
that when Jett reached his house last
night from Jackson he proceeded to
draw his pistol on him and ordered
him to get out of the neighborhood.
Haggin went to Richmond and swore
out warrant charging Jett with
breach of the peace by assault with a
pistol. In the Jail today Jett was COM
municative on all matters save the
killing of Marcum. ''I'll get out of
this all right was the only statement
he vouldd make, which is construed
as reference to the charge. He said
he wanted to be tried in Breathitt
County. He was bitter in denouncing
his uncle, who had had him arrested,
and said that the score would be even
ed up when he was at liberty. When
asked about the statement thattfve
men would testify that he killed Mar
cum he sneered and said: What's
that to you?"
To Sheriff McChord he was equally
non. communicative in regard to the
Marcum tragedy. Jett is % years of
age, athletic in build, with deep set,
keen eyes and has bushy red hair.
That he submitted to arrest was an
agreeable surprise to the officers, who
feared an encounter. Jett denied
that he drove his step-father from
home. He will be arraigned On Tues
day, and it is supposed he will be
transferred to the jackson district for
trial.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-05-13
A Big Railroad Suit.

Macon, Ga. May 11.-Tomorrow
there will be heard by Judge Speer,
in the United States Court here, the
petition of the Georgia Saw Mill AS
sociation and a number of lumber
firms, against the Southern Railway,
Atlantic Coast Line, Louisville and
Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis,
Seaboard Air Line, Central of Georgia,
Georgia Southern and Florida and
the Macon and Birmingham Railway
Company, and the Southeastern
Freight Association. to enioin these
roads from putting into effect two
cents hundred increase On lumber
rates.
The complaint is that each of the
roads gave notice Of intention to raise
freights on yellow pine lumber to
points at the Ohio River and beyond
two cents per hundred pounds. They
charge that these railroads are mem
bers of the Southeastern Freight As
sociation, which was organized and
maintained for purposes in restraint
of Interstate trade. The roads have
secured an order requiring the Georgia
Saw Mill Association to produce all
data on which prices on lumber are
fixed. and the admissibility of this
evidence may be stubbornly fought
before the Court. Judge Speer granted
the temporary restraining order April
IL, but the case was postponed until
tomorrow to give both sides time for
preparation.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-05-13
WHAT AILs MeLAuRlA.
Another Sudden Turn in the Ex.
Senator's Fortune.

New York, May 11.-special to the
News and Courier: The reorganiza-
tion meeting of the Brunswick and
Birmingham Railroad, held at 100
Broadway today, developed big sur
prise. When Col. Macben sold out
last week those interested in the road
were startled, but matters quieted
down, when it was stated that a re-
organization would be Immediately
effected, with former Senator John L.
McLaurin, of South Carolina, as presi-
dent and general manager. McLaurin
was already vice president of the Mo-
hawk Valley Steel Company, of Geor-
gia, which is owned by the railroad.
What transpired at today's meeting
came like a thunder bolt, it was so
unexpected. Senator McLanriu went
into the meeting slated for the presi-
without any interest in either railroad
or sseel company. It was announced
that McLaurin had accepted an i'm
mediate offer to purchase all his in
terests, had been paid cash and had
resigned his Offices in both companies.
Robert Fairbairn, New York bank
er, is acting president Of the road,
and it is understood will probably &C.
cept the presidency. he is being urg-
ed to take it. The following are the
other officers elected: Douglas Green,
New York, first vice president; E. A.
Mason, Georgia, second vice presi-
dent; G. J. Bushnell. New York,
treasurer; F. B. Chandler, Georgia,
auditor, and F. E. Twitty, Georgia,
general attorney. These gentlemen
are all close friends of Col. Machen,
especially Fairbairn. It was announc-
ed that the road would be pushed
along lines laid down by Machen. The
latter, it is understood, has been re-
quested to return to the road.
None Of the gentlemen interested
would discuss the extraordinary moves
of the last few days. Senator Nc
Laurin was seen tonight at the Wal
dorf and asked to give statement re-
garding friction in deals. He said:
You can say that amicable arrange
ments were made by which Mr.. Nc
Laurin retires from both companies,
resigning his Offices and selling his
entire interest. Perhaps | am better
fitted to farming in South Carolina
than to railroading and Wall street.
/ will return to Carolina very short
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-05-13
MeLlURIN 4 R. R. PRESIDENT.
Sale Of the Birmingham and
Brunswick Railroad---Former
Senator Probably Elected
President.

New York, May S.-At the local
Office of the Birmingham and Bruns-
wick Railroad it will be announced to-
morrow that Col. Maeher, of Georgia,
president and builder of the road, has
sold out his entire interests and re-
signed his Office. :,
Probably the announcement will
also include the fact that former Sen
ator McLaurin, of South Carolina, has
been elected to the presidency.
The deal was consummated today at
the roads local Office, 100 Broadway,
in less than an hour. 1t gives Col.
Machen a fortune and relieves him OF
all further business cares. He is con
sidered in Wall street as one OF \ the
greatest hustlers Georgia ever pro-
duced.
He built the Birmingham and Bruins
wick on a shoestring. Today he re-
ceiEed in cash an immense sum for his
interest in it.
The sale was unexpected. Col.
Machen came to New York from
Brunswick to attend a meeting of the
other interests Of the road. An exten-
sion of two hundred miles is to be
built. There was some discussion re-
garding the time in which this exten-
sion could be constructed and the
sum involved.
Senator McLaurin, Bankers Fair
BARN and Humphreys and the two
other Wall street bankers interested
stood out against President Machen.
All right, - said the latter. "E
you think you can do better than
then buy me out
"Name your price, said McLaurin.
Col. Machen named it. The five
men looked at each other, nodded and
then Banker Fairbairn wrote out q
check. It was sent to the bank and
certified. The remainder of the hour
was spent in drawing up and signing
papers. Col. Machen resigned his
Office, took the check, signed the pa
pers and walked out.
The others held q reorganization
meeting and, it is understood, elected
Senator McLaurin President. ALI in
formation was refused. It was said
an official announcement would be
made tomorrow. McLaurin, in addi-
tion to being president, will also be
general manager. Col. Machen said
"I am happy. I will retire from busi.
ness, but will continue living in Geor-
gia.o
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-05-13
4 SUCCESSFUL air ship.
Aerial Navigation in DirigibIe Bal
looms is Now Practicable.

Paris. May 9.-The air ship con-
structed for the Labaudy brothers
made highly successful trip today
under Pilot Jouhmes and Engineer
Rey. The start was made from ST.
Martin, during light rain, and with
a brisk wind blowing. The dirigible
craft passed over number of suburb
an towns. At Nantes she made cir
Gle around the Cathedral spire and left
that town, going diagonally against
the direction the wind was coming
from. Over Limay, Nantes and Rosny
the air ship was put through a series
of evo,utions and answered her helm
and manoeuyred to the perfect salts
faction of all interested in her. She
then returned to her point of depart
ure, where she descended without ac-
cident. The distance covered was
thirty-seven kilometres, in one hour
and thirty-six minutes, against San
tos-D -Dumont's record for the Deutsch
prize of LIZ kilometres in thirty min
utes.
The Temps. says that in view of the
rain and wind, the results obtained
we're notable, making aerial naviga-
ton in diregible balloons appear to
enter the domain of practical reality.
Today has been record day in the
annals of French ballooning. In addi-
tion to the successful trial of the
Lebaudy air ship, Santos-Dumont
made his first free ascent of the season
in his new air ship, this afternoon
from the balloon park at Neully,
where the aeronaut has constructed a
vast shed in which are several of his
air ships The air ship manoeuvred
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-05-13
SCHOOL BOY STABS
FELLOW STUDENT.
Knife Blade Punetures the Lung
of Arthur Rarvin---The Wound
May Prove Fatal.
Special to The State.

OpCC1a1 w IuO SVoVO.
Manning, May S.-An unfortunate
cutting affair took place at the graded
school here during recess today, in
which Arthur Harvin, about Is years
old, was Gus by Tommie Hodge, a boy
in short pants, about Is years old.
Young Harvin is the son of W. Scott
Harvin, prominent citizen, and
young Hodge is the son of I. T.
Hodge, known as ''Bing" Hodge, a
farmer, who lives near town.
The physician who attended young
Harvin says one lung is punctured.
It appears that the trouble started
while the boys were returning from a
baseball game few days ago at Sum
merton. 1t was renewed this morning
before school, when young Hodge took
care Of himself by drawing his knife,
and again at recess, with the above
result.
It is hard to get at the details as the
teachers knew nothing of the brewing
difficulty and the boys who were pre-
sent do not talk, but from street talk
the small boy is not without SYM
pathiZerS.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-05-13
RURAL ROUTE MAGREN RETIRED.
The Postoffce Investigation to be
Pushed Vigorously.

Washington, May s.--The investiga-
tion of the affairs of the postoffce de-
partment, which has been dragging
along for two months, took a sensa-
tional turn late this afternoon when,
by order Of Postmaster General Payne
August w. Machen, general superin-
tendent of the free delivery system,
and one of the most widely known
Government officials in the United
States, was relieved from his duties
and Postofhce Inspector NJ. G. Fosnes
was designated to take charge of that
service. The change will take effect
tomorrow morning, when Mr.. Fosnes
will assume charge of the free delivery
service, and at the same time that
service will pass under the control of
the Office of the fourth assistant post
master. Heretofore it has been under
the jurisdiction of the first assistant.
The action Of the Postmaster General
was taken on the written recommeda-
tion Of Fourth Assistant Postmaster
General Bristow, who is directing the
Investigation Of the affairs of the de-
partment, that the transfer of Mr..
Machen's bureau to his jurisdiction
and its administration by, a postofnce
inspector would expedite the investiga-
tion. In ordering the change recon-
mended the Postmaster General gave
Mr.. Machen leave of absence until the
investigation is concluded. Mr..
Machen promptly acquiesced in the
decision Of the Postmaster General,
taking occasion to say in doing SO that
he courted the fullest investigation of
his official conduct.
MACHEN STILL UNDER FIRE. .
Mr.. Machen has been under FIRE ever
since the investigation began. Charges
of various kinds have been preferred
against the administration Of the free
delivery branch of the postal service.
These included allegations of collusion
with letter box manufacturers in the
furnishing of boxes to postofice
patrons, particularly in rural mail
routes; the furnishing of advance in
formation regarding the selection Of
routes and the appointment of carriers,
etc.
There also has been conflict be-
tween Mr.. Nachen and First Assistant
Postmaster General Wynne ever since
the latter assumed Office. Mr. Wynne
charged Machen with insuberdination.
The strained relations between the
head of the free delivery service and
other officials resulted in an embarras-
sing state of affairs, and for several
months correspondence between the
general superintendent of the free de-
livery service and his immediate
superior, the first assistant Postmaster
General, has been conducted, on the
part of the former, through one Of his
subordinates.
Mr.. Bristow all along has been of
opinion that the best interests of the
service would be subserved by the re-
lief of Mr.. Machen and has pointed
out to the Postmaster General that
this action was imperatively necessary
to the successful conduct of the in
vestigation.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-05-13
Monument to Gen. ]. 6. B. Stuart.

Richmond, Va. May IA check
was received tonight from Ex-Pre>i-
dent Cleveland for the benefit OF the
fund for the erection of monument
to Gen. j. E. B. Stuart, the famous
Confederate cavalry leader.
Accompanying the check is letter,
in which the Ex-President says that
the country is now again one, and
that all sections can join heartily and
conscientiously in honoring the
memory Of an American hero, no mat
ter whether he belonged to the North
or to the South, East or West. The
amount for which the check is drawl
is not made public. -
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-05-13

Lexington, KY, May "a report
reached Winchester from Jackson to-
night that j. B. Even was assassinat-
ed from ambush at sundown but the
report cannot be confirmed tonight, as
Jackson cannot be reached by tele-
phone or telegraph. Even was stand
ing in the court house door with }: B;
Marcum when the latter was killed
last Monday and, it has been said, re-
acoonized the assassin.
spartanburg, May 9.-The Rev. G.
II. Waddell, publisher of the South
eTn Christian Advocate, purchased the
Daily Herald, with the two weeklies
this this evening. He will take charge at
once. It is his purpose to form Joint
stock company with capital sumelenS
10 establish frst-class plant. There
viii he no change in the editorial de,
partment or the business or mechanical
rooms for the present.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-05-13
Hester's Cotton Statement.

New Orleans, May 8.-Secretary
Hester's weekly cotton statement, is
sued today, shows for the eight days
of Nav an increase over last year Of
5000 and an increase over the same
nericd year before last of %, 600.
For the 25o days of the season that
have elapsed the aggregate is ahead
of the same days last year $1,000 and
ahead of the same time year before
last 67s, 000
The amount brought into sight dur
ing the past week has been 95, $50
against 6S,7lo for the same seven days
LAST year and Is, 9G8 year before last.
The movement since September !
shows receipts at all United States
ports to be I. 7.445, S94 against 1880, o37
last year; overland across the Missis-
sipni. Ohio sud Potomac rivers to
northern mills and Canada 1,021, 42l
against l,o54. 627 last year; interior
stacks in excess of those held at the
c,ose of the commercial year SO, 0C9,
against 95, 1873 last year, aud southern
mill takings 1854, ,0oo, against l,4c9, :
90 last year.
The total movement since September
4 is 10, l2O, 1924 against 9,S3S, 846 last
year and 9.4A2, 703 year beofore last.
Foreign exports FOR the week have
been 96, $50 against 81, 23l last year,
making the total thus far for the sea-
son 6,3a5, 415 against 6,0c4,3 313 last
year. =,
The total takings Of American mills,
north and south and Canada, thus far
for the season have been 3, o93, 9sS
against 8, 400, 76l last year. -
Stocks at the seaboard and the 29
lading southern inferior centres have
decreased during the week SO, 896
against decrease during the cor
responding period last sason OF oo, s. ol4:
and interior towns from the 3ast crop
and the number of bales brought into
sight thus far for the new crop, the
supply to date is 10, 335, S98 against
l0,19S, 533 for the same period last year.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-05-13

Charleston, May 9.-A survey of
Charleston harbor, just completed by
Capt. B. G. Howell, U. S. A., who is
in charge of the government work
here, shows minimum depth of water
in the channel Of 26.2 at mean low
water, or 81 at mean high water.
Capt. Howell declares that this shows
that not only has the work done been
entirely successful, but that the deep
ening of the water in the harbor is
now steady and continuous. The water
in the harbor is already the deepest
south of New York.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-05-13
lGIII S SALARY HELD UP.
Treasury Department RuIes That
appointment Vas Illegal.
TIE SALARY CANNOT De PAID.
Dr. crun, Can Hold on to Office
But it Will be a Purely Honor
ary Position Without Perqui-
sites.

Washington, D. c., May S.-Dr. W.
ID. Crum, the colored collector OF the
Dors Of Charleston, in whose appoint
ment President Roosevelt persisted,
against the protest OF the entire white
population Of that community and the
implied opposition OF the Senate OF
the United States, will not be PAID
salary or fees, under ruling made by
the treasury department today. Ine
only chance he will have OF eger get
ting any pay for his services will De
che passage of a special Act OF Con-
gress.
This is due to the fact tnat the trea-
sury department has decided that the
aupointment ofDr. Crum by President
Roosevelt after the Senate had ad-
iourned without acting on the appoint
nnent was contrary to law. There IS
noshine in the law which will prevent
Dr.. Crum from serving as collector,
but the law which will hold IRON MIN
ali the emoluments of the othce is
yery explicit. The question came up
5on the April accounts, which were
submitted BY the colored collector.
This involved his fees. The depart
mont has written him that these fees
VII be withheld, His attention is
called TO Section /, 761 Of the United
Stteas Revised Statutes, which con-
tains this language:
g No money shall be paid from the
treasury as salary to any person ap-
pointed during the recess OF the Senate
10 fill a vacancy in any existing othce
if the vacancy existed while the
Senate was in session, and as by Law
REQUIRED to be flied by and with the
advice and consent Of the Senate, IN
al such appointment has been conhrm-
ed by the Senate. =
This citation makes the. history OF
she Crum case very important: Inc
1acancy in the Charleston collector
ship occurred last September. The
PRESIDENT did not decide to appoint
Dr. Crum until the Senate had met.
If the appointment had been made
vhen the vacancy occurred DR.. Crum
Wnnld have been entitled TO his salary.
If the Senate had confirmed DR.. Crum
when the appointment was made all
yould also have been we'll with Crum,
brit the Senate failed to act and the
nomination did not even get out OF
hhe committee on commerce. When
tae extra session OF the Senate began
President Roosevelt persisted and sent
IN the name Of DR.. Crlm again Once
more the Senate refrained from acting.
Eshen the extra session of the Senate
came TO an end the President appoint
ed Crum a third time and he entered
On his duties. y,
1t is not likely that the Senate will
confirm Crum at Its next session, and
eYen If it does Crum cannot draw salary
and fees except from the time OF
favorable action by tho Senate. :.
The Southern Democrats who fought
the appointment Of Dr.. Crnm are de-
lighted with the action of the treasury
department, which practically re-
pudiates the appointment as not being
according to law.
Washington, May s.-Dr. W. D;
Crum's fees and expenses aggregated
only s56. SO, and were included In the
rerular account Of the Charleston Office.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-05-13

Georgetown, May 9.-U- S. District
Attorney John &. Capers was in
Georgetown today, and, after com
pleting an Investigation of the titles to
the property here recently purchased
by the Government, upon which is to
be erected a Federal building, paid
Mr.. Geo. +. Congdon $4,000, the
price previously agreed upon. The Gov
ernment will now proceed to operate
through the supervising architect S
office IN Washington, and it is hoped
that the work of construction will be-
gin very sOon
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-05-13

Raleigh, n. c., May S.-The Rev,
Theodore d. Bratton, rector of st:
Marys' School here, today announced
his acceptance of the Bishopric of Mis-
sissippi, to which he was recently
elected. DR.. Bratton is a South Caro-
linian, a member of an historic family
and a son of distinguished brigadier
general in the war for Southern inde-
per Senca
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-05-13
LATEST FROM CALLAO.

Charlotte, n. c., May l0.-A special
to the Observer from Beaufort, N c.,
says: More denfnite news was received
today regarding the wreck of the
Portuguese bark Vera Cruz III, at
Portsmouth, on the south side Of
Ocracoke Inlet, sixty miles north Of
here. The only communication is by
boat to this place, and the boat which
arrived today brings intelligence that
there were 25l passer gers, all Portu-
guese, and crew of fifteen. All were
rescued by the Portsmouth life-saving
station crew, bat one died a few min
utes after the rescue,
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-05-13
Bubonic Plague in Peru.

Gauyaquil, Ecuador, May 10.-Cel-
lao and Piso, Peru, have been official
ly declared infected with bubonic
plague The banks and business houses
of Guayaquil are subscribing funds for
the purpose of cleaning the city. The
Cosmos Line steamers Herodot and
Sesostris, from southern ports, will
be refused admittance here. Ecuado
rean troops have been stationed in
the Peruvian frontier to stop COM
munication. The boata Of health at
Payta, Peru, has closed tat port to
vessels from Callao
The municipal council and tee board
of health at Guayaquil are in session
to discuss steps against the introduc-
tion Of the plague.
LATEST FROM CALLAO.
Lima, Peru, May 1o.-There were no
fresh cases of bubonic plague today
at Callao. None of the FIVE suspicious
cases of yesterday has developed into
the plague.