The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1909-11-17
CHARGES AGAINST FIRE CHIEF
Brought by MIR. j. A. Sears Fol-
lowing the Suspension of His
Som Cliff Sears. as q Fireman.

Brought by MIR. j. A. Sears Fol-
lowing the Suspension of His
Son, Cliff Sears, as a Fireman.
The fire department has sprung a
sensation, and there may be still fur
Their interesting developments.
Following the dismissal of Fireman
Cliff Sears by Chief w. P. Shelton
Mr.. J. A. Sears, father of the sus-
pended fireman, filed charges against
Chief Shelton alleging continual neg
lect of duty for several months.
Fireman Sears was dismissed, ac-
cording to the records in the city
clerks Office, because the depart
ment could get along with fewer
men, and his services were not need
ed
The facts connected. with the mat
ter, so far as they officially appear
from records in the Office of City
Clerk Bell, are:
Chief Skeletons Notice of Suspension.
Dawson. Ca, Nov. 8th, 1909
Dr.. R. NJ, Stewart, Chairman of Fire
COmmittee-Dear Sir: On Novem-
Der 9Th | discontinued the service
Of Mr.. Cliff Sears as member of
the fire department because l believe
that We can get along with three
men, as we have very good ladder
service on the hose wagon, and it
not being always necessary to an
Swer alarms with the hook and lad
der truck. Hoping this will meet
with your approval, / am very truly,
w. p. SHELTON, Chief"
Mr.. Sears Charges.
The charges against Chief Shelton
We're filed in the Office of the city
clerk by Attorney M. c.. Edwards for
Mr.. Sears, and are as follows:
Georgia, Terrell County.-To the
CITY Council of Dawson: The pc
luton of J. A. Sears respectfully
shows: That he is a resident, a citi-
zen and a taxpayer of the City of
Dawson and as such files these
charges against w. P. Shelton, who
Is acting as foreman of the Fire De-
partment, and is commonly called
ue chief of such department.
Said SHELTON has not attended
strictly to business as such foreman,
ana should be discharged. Said
SAeItou has constantly and regular
y abSented himself from the fire
department., attending to his own
n private affairs and taking his leisure.
Sald SHELTON has not averaged three
nours per day in the station of the
ue department. from during the
summer to the 7th day of November,
t9VS Said Shelton has performed
MS own duties for compensation.
.'e mas collected for the Masonic An
auIF Co., an insurance company,
o1L pay while in the employ of said
@y Said Shelton has collected for
snu sOhclted insurance for the Fed
D vial Casualty Co., an insurance COM
ssany and has received compensation
WI same during the year 1909 while
cCvIVelVlng pay for his entire time. Said
baelOoh mas operated a dray line and
dss Sup2rlntended same, and has
owen owen the city's fire wagon down to
sh, ne has neglected his duties, was
t vsent rom the department at the
6 ne OF the fire at ]. S. Clay's, and
stos nre wagon was compelled to
w way OIL the run to take him on, and
tot. . rueIayed, and the building was
Tao eily destroyed At this time he
@TsSs notwithstanding the erection of
sm ,ulngs for the purpose of renting
Of Ss. lie has left the performance
tbo Oules to the firemen, and claimed
doo. Ueoit of the results Said chief
gp tS not aid and assist in the extin-
Tar Shuluent of fires, but leaves the
fro,na 10 be performed by the other
titIa aien' He allows parties not en-
sa ,su TO do so to ride upon the fire
prs Sou' or hose. wagon. Petitioner
vs. mat the City Council of Daw-