Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-12-07
Condensed Neuus items Gathered From o4N Parts of the State

IaIQlnkt
sister had married Harding, alias oliver,
i'm 1903, while she was attending an art
school in Atlanta, and that their en-
gagement soon followed. She had Later
secured divorce from him while he Wa
i'm prison in Mississippi.
The case will be appealed to the highcl
courts.
Roger Merritt, young negro, twice SEN
fenced to hang for criminal assault on
young Atlanta girl, has been granted his
second "stay of execution" or super
sedeas and his execution. did not take
place Friday as per schedule.
Merritt was sentenced through the iden-
LITIGATION of the young woman, whom he
assaulted, and on circumstantial evidence.
In both of his former trials the negro
was given the death penalty but there
seems to be some doubt in the minds OF
the officials of his guilt despite the strong
evidence against him.
1t will probably be late in January be-
fore the supreme court will pass upon
the negro's case.
While the supersedeas was granted on
last Tuesday Merritt was not informed
until the day before the time set for his
execution. He took the news calmly, as
| if three trials for his crime were to oe
expected.
wAYCROSS, Ga, Dec. 3-At a meet
ing of the Francis S. Barlow chapter,
u. d. c., held Wednesday afternoon. II
was decided to erect monument to the
| Confederacy. and a contract was signed
/ for the purchase of this monument. The
memorial will be erected in the Phoenix
park, near the Union station, and will be
| unveiled in June next, on Jefferson Davis
birthday.
The cost will be s., $50. and the monu-
ment will stand q feet high with a base
| 21-2 feet high. The movement which
has been undertaken by the ladies will
no doubt be one of the most popular that
has been before the public in this city for
some time.
DAWSON. Ga, Dec. S-The jury in
the case of Mrs. L. ]. Atkinson, charged
with the murder of her husbands half
brother, William Glaze, Friday morning
brought in a verdict of not guilty.
The trial was started Thursday morning
and the case given to the jury in the af-
1ernoon. The verdict was reached within
a short time after the charge of the
judge.
It was claimed that Mrs. Atkinson pois-
oned Glaze by placing strychnine in his
food. The death of Glaze occurred last
August.
There was no evidence introduced to
show that Mrs. Atkinson had caused
Glaze's death. Good lawyers were retain
ed by both the prosecution and defense.
Capt. A. B. Coombs around whom sew
eral storms of more or less consequence
and interest have ragged, is no longer
connected with the penitentiary system
of Georgia. He became a private citizen
on December l. last Wednesday, and on
January /, 1870 will assume the manage
lent of his plantation in Pulaski county.
He retired of his own motion, and has
no axe to grind with the prison commits
sion( he says.
Captain Coombs was superintendent of
the state prison farm for several years,
notably during the progress of the Fielder
investigation. He survived the investiga-
ton and continued at the farm until last
October, when, at his own suggestion, he
was appointed a prison inspector.
Captain Coombs was at the prison COM
mission Friday morning to see Chair
man Hutchenr.
II have severed my connection with the
penitentiary department" said the cap
tain, land 1 am. satisfied / have no
complaint nor criticism to make, and ex-
rect to return to my farm in Pulaski
county"
Mrs. Ollie Vandiver has entered suit for
total divorce against her husband, Mar
Gus L. Vandiver a rural free delivery
letter carrier, alleging that he makes
her life miserable and unbearable, curses
her, abuses her, calls her all kinds of pro-
fame names, beats her, strikes her in the
face kicks her, and promises TO be
good, loving husband to her..