The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-03-01

j. II. HENDRIX FOUND DEAD.
Was a Well known Citizen of the
Town of CIaxton.

Hagan, Ga, Feb. 2S-A tragedy that
is surrounded by much mystery came
to light here yesterday. While in the
woods searching for his cattle. Mr.. Joe
Aughtman, a well-known citizen, much
to his surprise and establishment, dis
covered a man laying face downward
upon the earth in a lonely spot in the
pine forest. about one mile north of
! this place, to-day at about u o'clock.
At first sight of the motionless body
Mr. Aughtman thought that it was
some one resting, but after further
Investigations discovered that it was
dead man. Immediately upon learn
ing that he was alone in a dense pine
forest in company with only the dead,
he hurriedly came to Hagan and broke
the news to the public. Quite a num-
Der of citizens, in company with the
coroner, went to the scene. 1t was
pretty soon learned by those who re-
turned to the spot where the dead man
lay that 1t was Mr.. ]. II. Hendrix, a
well-known citizen OF Claxton, a town
just one mile east of here, in this
county. He was a man about As years
of age. married, and leaves a wife and
two children, besides numerous rela-
tives in different parts of the county.
After consideration and a search of
the body to learn If he had been dealt
with foully, the coroner and number
of other citizens discovered no wound
that would produce death. In falling,
his face appeared to have struck the
| surface of the earth first, producing
but very little hemorrhage at the
mouth.
1t was learned from the family that
he left home last Thursday evening,
and they had seen nor heard nothing
| of him since. The supposition is that
he was out looking after some wood
which was being gathered off of his
| land near where he was found, and as
| he had been troubled with his heart
lately, was stricken and died alone. He
! was laying in the edge of some pine
| tops. apparently having stumbled over
them. One hand was in his pocket
| and the -other holding a corkscrew in
It, He was about fifteen feet from a
F. dim wagon road with his hat some six
| or eight feet away.
After a thorough search of his body
to ascertain whether he had been
murdered or not. the coroner decided
| that an inquest was not necessary, and
| he was taken in charge by a number
of friends and removed to his home
in Claxton.
Another Account.
Claxton, Ca, Feb. 2S.-The town was
thrown into excitement to-day about
1 O'Clock when small boy ran into
town and announced that he had found
j. H. Hendrix. one of the Oldest citi-
zens, dead about one and a half miles
from Claxton, near Brewtons church.
Mr.. Hendrix, it seems left home
Thursday evening last to collect some
rent from a negro named Sam Strick-
land. 1t was near Sans house that
he was found dead, and about 200 yards
from one lin Young's house, directly
In front of same. He fell face fore
most toward Young's house, showing
that he was going in that direction.
Young was a renter whom he also look
ed after. There is no wounds on him,
but his neck shows every evidence of
being broken. No inquest has been
held. but will tonight, as the coroner
lives at Lyons.
Strickland had organized a party to
move to Arkansas, and had been try
ing to get off for the past two weeks.
No arrest has been made. and Mr.. Hen
Dirk, who usually carried a small
purse containing not less than $50 to
800, had no money or purse on his
person when found. The only things
found we're a small knife and cork
screw. The latter was gripped in his
hand. The other was in his pants
pocket. A wife, daughter and son are
left to mourn his death.