USA > Georgia > Irwin County > History of Irwin county > Part 8
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41
Thomas L. Willcox, Foreman ; Jehu Fletcher, Robert Cooper, John Ross, E. D. Hobby, Elbert Paulk, William Boykin, Jesse Hobby, Daniel W. Connell, James C. Sumner, R. W. Clements, George W. M. Young, Archibald McMillan, H. S. C. Harper, John Buchannon, A. R. Chandler, B. W. Fussell, Lamuel Hor- ton, John P. Wright.
May term, 1864, the Grand Jury submitted the following : "Owing to the shortness of this term of court we have not had time to examine into our county matters as was made our duty but respectfully refer that business to our successors at next term of court as we have not time to do justice to the various matters devolving on us at present time. We find that the weights and measures belonging to the county are not in the clerk's office. We recommend that proper authorities see that they are kept there as the law directs."
Michael G. Fortner, Foreman; George Paulk, William Fus- sell, Asa Rooks, T. L. Willcox, Micajah Tucker, L. Leigh, Isaac Young, A. McMillan, G. E. McCook, A. Myers, M. Henderson, Green Dixon, M. W. Paulk, Joseph A. Turner, Lyman Dixon, John W. Walker, John Ross, James Fletcher, Joshua Gray, Zara Paulk, James Turner.
July adjourned term, 1866, the Grand Jury submitted the following: "We are happy to say while our county is to some extent scarce of provisions, yet we believe there is sufficient provisions to avoid suffering among the people. We are also happy to say that crime, to the extent that we had reason to
93
SUPERIOR COURT, OFFICERS, ETC.
fear, has not been made to appear and we congratulate the county upon the facts that so little has come to our knowledge. The books of the clerk and other county officers we defer un- til the regular fall term. Our roads are in pretty good condi- tion and public buildings are in about as good condition as could be expected. Usual thanks to Judge and Solicitor."
Oliver H. Cook, Foreman; Thomas Tucker, W. G. Dixon, James W. Whiddon, J. T. Branch, G. E. McCook, Willis Dor- miny, Jehu Fletcher, Sr., Jesse C. Sumner, Jr., James Paulk, Jr., John Buchannon, M. D. Hobby, J. W. Fletcher, Elbert Paulk, George D. Wilcox, Ashley Sumner, John Lyons, Jehu Fletcher, Jr., Elias Clements, James C. Sumner, Jesse Clements, John Grantham, B. W. Fussell.
At November term, 1866, the Grand Jury submitted the fol- lowing: "We find in the hands of the County Treasurer, twenty-three dollars, from sale of bank bills. We find roads of the county in bad order and recommend Inferior Court see that road commissioners do their duty and have the roads kept in better order. Also recommend the Inferior Court to have the courthouse and jail repaired. We recommend our legislature to abolish the county court as we think the county has derived but little benefit from it. Usual thanks to Judge and Solicitor- General."
J. J. Henderson, Foreman, Robert Henderson, Thomas L. Wilcox, William Dorminy, Isaac Young, Wiley Whitley, Jr., Thomas D. Wilcox, Lyman Dixon, Abram Myers, George Whitley, James McCook, Archibald McMillan, James Fletcher, Sr., Jacob R. McCook, Jacob Dorminy, John McMillan, Mica- jah Tucker.
May term, 1867, the Grand Jury submitted following pre- sentments: "We are pleased to state after diligent search we have been unable to find any crimes in our midst worthy of notice. We have examined a part of officers' books and find them neatly kept and find our county is wholly out of debt and we recommend Inferior Court to levy a very small tax for school purposes. We are at a loss to know what to say, our people are so reduced financially that they are unable to pay a tax sufficient to do any good, we therefore leave the matter with the Court -. Our roads are generally in poor
94
HISTORY OF IRWIN COUNTY
condition and we urge upon the court to have commissioners do their duty. Usual thanks to Judge and Solicitor-General."
O. H. Cook, Foreman; John Buchannon, Jacob Dorminy, A. R. Chandler, Elbert Paulk, John Grantham, John Fletcher, Sr., B. W. Fussell, Isaac Young, James Paulk, Jr., James C. Sumner, John Fletcher, Jr., James W. Whiddon, James T. Branch, A. Myers, M. D. Hobby, Willis Dorminy, James Gibbs, H. S. C. Harper, George E. McCook.
May term, 1868, the Grand Jury submitted following pre- sentments : "We recommend Inferior Court levy a tax of twenty per cent. upon state tax for educational purposes and ten per cent. for county purposes. We find the roads in bad condition and we hope they will be worked and carefully re- paired as soon as the farmers can lay by their crops. At present time we think it imprudent to take them from their fields. Usual thanks to Judge and Solicitor-General."
Thomas L. Willcox, Foreman; R. W. Clements, B. W. Fus- sell, James McCook, John Buchannon, Thomas D. Willcox, D. M. Hogan, Elias Clements, William G. Dickson, John Lyons, Wesley Young, A. R. Chandler, James F. McBride, William Dorminy, J. A. Turner, Mark Pridgen, George E. McCook, Lyman Dixon.
November term, 1868, the Grand Jury submitted following presentments : "We find the roads of our county in bad con- dition and recommend that they be worked. We recommend Ordinary pass the necessary orders to pay the jurors for their services from County Treasury. Also that the person who carries the election returns from the districts to the coun- ty site be paid two dollars each, per day, from same source."
Wiley Whitley, Foreman; B. W. Fussell, James Fletcher, Sr., Moses Peterson, Isaac Young, Mathew Barnes, A. R. Chandler, John McMillan, William G. Dixon, Jesse Bennett, George E. McCook, M. Henderson, Jr., Jacob McCook, J. W. Paulk, Thomas Tucker, B. W. Fussell, William Dorminy, John Lyons, J. O. S. Covington.
September term, 1869, the Grand Jury submitted following presentments: "We have examined the books of county of- ficers and find them well kept and think said officers are en- titled to the thanks of the people for the improvement of this
95
SUPERIOR COURT, OFFICERS, ETC.
report. We recommend an extra tax of fifty per cent. on state tax for purpose of building a jail and other purposes. We also advise the Ordinary to draw order on Treasury for money suffi- cient to repair his office and furnish necessary books for the county. We are glad to say that our county is out of debt and about $400.00 in Treasury. Usual thanks to Judge and Solicitor- General."
James O. Farnell, Foreman ; John J. Henderson, George Hor- ton, Daniel Grantham, Thomas Cobb, Abram Myers, R. M. Cooper, T. T. Mauldin, Jacob Whitley, Godfrey Purvis, E. J. Watson, William Roberts, John Branch, Aaron Jernigan, Daniel Tucker, A. R. Chandler, B. W. Fussell, Isaac Young.
March term, 1870, the Grand Jury submitted the following : "We have inquired about our roads and find them in pretty fair condition. The courthouse we find kept in as good order as usual. We find the books of our county officers all pretty well kept, but the Ordinary has misplaced the book kept for record of bonds of retail dealers. We hope he will look it up for the benefit of all that may be interested in it. Usual thanks to Judge and Solicitor-General."
John Fletcher, Foreman; John W. Fletcher, A. P. Clements, Jesse C. Sumner, Wesley Young, M. D. Hobby, G. W. Whitley, William Roberts, Henry Young, William Paulk, W. G. Dixon, Thomas Goff, W. J. Dorminy, Ashley C. Sumner, A. R. Chandler, Marcus Luke, Micajah Tucker, Jacob Marchant, J. V. Fenn, William J. Clements, Azor Paulk.
September term, 1870, the Grand Jury submitted following presentments: "We have examined the books of Ordinary, Clerk and Treasurer and find them in good condition. The roads are not in as good order as we should like and recom- mend that the commissioners attend to the same. Usual thanks to Judge and Solicitor-General."
James Paulk, Sr., Foreman; Thomas Cobb, J. T. Tucker, Jacob Whitley, William Roberts, Jr., John Walker, Daniel Purvis, J. C. Sumner, Richard Tucker, Daniel Tucker, David Clements, W. C. Gray, William McCook, Henry Tucker, H. S. C. Harper, A. Fussell, Daniel Grantham, William Mobley, John Branch, Byrd W. Fussell.
March term, 1871, the Grand Jury submitted following pre-
96
HISTORY OF IRWIN COUNTY
sentments : "We find some of our public roads in deplorable condition and recommend the road commissioners and over- seers to be more attentive to their duty and see that the roads are worked. In looking over the books of our different coun- ty officers we find them neatly kept and in a business-like manner, we therefore feel proud of them and give them praise for being so attentive to the business of the county. Usual thanks to Judge and Solicitor-General."
A. P. Clements, Foreman ; David Branch, Robert Henderson, Elbert Paulk, George Whitley, J. W. Paulk, George Young, G. W. Horton, Wesley Young, John A. Smith, A. Mobley, Willis Dorminy, John F. Barton, T. D. Wilcox, James W. McCook, William Branch, A. Mobley, Jacob Dorminy, Stephen Cobb, Lyman Dixon, Jehu Fletcher, Sr., William Paulk, Jehu Fletcher, Jr., John Mobley.
March term, 1872, the Grand Jury submitted following pre- sentments : "We have examined through committees from our body the books of Ordinary, Clerk, Sheriff, Tax Collector and Receiver and find them neatly and correctly kept. The books of J. P. and N. P. and Ex. Off. J. P. have not been presented to us in compliance with recent legislation but the act has been so recently passed that we think it but due these officers to say that the omission of duty in this report we think to be from ignorance of the existence of said law. In compliance with recent act of the legislature in relation to establishing a system of schools in the state we report that we have duly elected J. J. Henderson and Micajah Tucker as two of Boards of Commissioners for four years each and Thomas Willcox, William Branch and Thomas Mauldin each for two years and we fix the compensation of said board for services at one dol- lar per day under said act. The compensation of Clerk of Superior Court and Sheriff for services we fix at twenty dol- lars each term of Superior Court or forty dollars a year for each and the compensation of the Ordinary for extra services in attending to county business we fix at twenty-five dollars. We recommend to the Ordinary that immediate steps be taken to repair the courthouse and properly enclose the same and that he let the same out by contract. Our roads and bridges we report in fair condition taking into consideration the
97
SUPERIOR COURT, OFFICERS, ETC.
amount of rain that has fallen during past winter and spring. And we report the financial condition of our county as being good. There is now in hands of Treasurer, $357.50, and we know of no outstanding liabilities of the county except those incurred during the present term. Usual thanks to Judge and Solicitor-General."
Jacob Dorminy, Foreman ; John B. Mobley, W. B. Dorminy, J. V. Fenn, J. A. Smith, Thomas Mauldin, George Whitley, James Fletcher, Jr., James Gibbs, J. W. Paulk, A. Bass, W. J. Clements, J. C. Sumner, Jacob Marchant, W. G. Dixon, Wiley Fletcher, James Paulk, Jr., John W. Fletcher, John A. Branch, Willis Dorminy, H. C. S. Harper.
September term, 1872, the Grand Jury submitted following presentments : "We find our public roads with few excep- tions in good order. We find our public buildings in fair con- dition. We have appointed from our body, George Young, to inspect our county records and report in writing, their condi- tion, at the next term of court. We examined docket of J. P. for 982nd district which we find to be fair and correct and we hereby notify all other Justices and Notaries Public in the county to present their dockets at the next term of this court for inspection as the law directs. We recommend Treasurer pay sheriff thirty dollars for services for present term, also pay Clerk twenty dollars for his services at present term.
"We are pleased to have among us at this term of court the old hero, Gen. Philip Cook, and we hope other voters in the dis- trict will do as we shall, give him their unanimous support at the November election and that too as a gift offering to his merited ability and imperishable record and we shall ever deem it an honor to shake that left hand warmed with the bounding blood of a still warmer heart and may success always attend him. Usual thanks to Judge and Solicitor-General."
John J. Henderson, Foreman ; James J. Luke, A. R. Chandler, John J. Sumner, Jacob R. McCook, Anderson Fussell, George E. McCook, William Roberts, John Grantham, Jr., Reason Paulk, Cornelius Clements, Jr., M. W. Paulk, James Hutchin- son, John Fletcher, Sr., Thomas Goff, James T. Branch, Aaron Jernigan, Jr., E. G. Pridgen.
March term, 1873, the Grand Jury presented the following :
98
HISTORY OF IRWIN COUNTY
"We find the public roads in the county are in good order, the bridges across the creeks in fair condition and kept up by the road hands. We find that George Young was appointed by the Grand Jury at the last term of court to report to this body the condition of the county finances together with the Treasurer's books, who makes following report: That the Treasurer's books are correctly and neatly kept, that he has properly disbursed the public funds of the county and has the proper vouchers of same in his office, that all the debts of the county are paid to date and that there remains in the hands of County Treasurer, $520.30.
"We hereby appoint the said George Young to examine the books of the Clerk of Superior Court and Ordinary of the coun- ty with instruction to report the result of his examination to the next Grand Jury.
"We hereby appoint Thomas D. Willcox, William O. Mc- Rae, M. Henderson and J. J. Henderson as school commis- sioners for this county. Usual thanks to Judge and Solicitor- General."
James Paulk, Sr., Foreman ; George Whitley, Daniel Purvis, Jacob Marchant, J. C. Sumner, James Barnes, John B. Paulk, F. Tucker, Enoch Shiver, John A. Smith, James Tucker, M. D. Hobby, Azor Paulk, H. S. C. Harper, L. Story, James A. Ross, Columbus Luke.
September term, 1872, the Grand Jury submitted the follow- ing: "Mr. George Young, who was appointed at previous term of court to investigate and report to this body the con- dition of the books of Ordinary, Clerk and County Treasurer, reports the same to be in good condition, properly and neatly kept, thereby reflecting great credit upon present incumbents of said offices. We find from said report that there is now over $300.00 in the County Treasury and no debts against the county. We recommend that George Young be paid two dol- lars per day, for three days' service rendered in the investiga- tion of said books. The Justice of Peace for second and fifth districts presented their dockets for examination which we find in good condition and properly kept. We find our public roads in rather bad condition but owing to the recent storni believe their present condition unavoidable. Reposing great
99
SUPERIOR COURT, OFFICERS, ETC.
confidence in our highly respected fellow-citizen, James Fletcher, Jr., we hereby appoint him to fill vacancy in Board of County School Commissioners. We recommend that twenty dollars be paid the Clerk and thirty dollars to the Sheriff for extra services rendered at this term of court. We recommend that these presentments be published in Hawkinsville Dispatch. Usual thanks to Judge and Solicitor-General."
J. J. Henderson, Foreman; Daniel Tucker, George E. Mc- Cook, Isham Swilly, Mathew Fussell, Richard Tucker, Byrd W. Fussell, Jacob Whitley, Sr., A. McMillan, Jacob Whitley, William O. McRae, Elbert Fletcher, George W. Hamons, Robert Henderson, Thomas McMillan, James Fletcher, F. E. Walters, G. E. Gray, David Clements.
The Grand Jury at March term, 1874, appointed Mr. George Young to examine the books of county officers, fixing his salary at two dollars and fifty cents per day and limited his time to two days' service.
At March term, 1876, James Paulk was appointed to examine county records and make reports to each September term Grand Jury.
CRIMINAL CASES.
From the spring term, 1830, to spring term, 1835, there were five criminal cases. From Spring term, 1835, to Spring term, 1840, there were fifteen criminal cases disposed of. From 1840 to 1845, sixteen. From 1845 to 1850, twenty-two. From 1850 to 1855, there were fifty-four cases placed upon the docket. From 1855 to 1860, there were fifty-seven criminal cases placed upon the docket. From 1860 to 1870, nineteen. From 1870 to 1875, forty. From 1875 to 1880, sixty-nine. From 1880 to 1885, eighty-nine. From 1885 to 1890, sixty-one. From 1890 to 1892, one hundred.
CIVIL CASES.
From 1821 to 1825, there were eighteen Civil cases placed upon the docket. From 1825 to 1830, forty-two. From 1830 to 1835, sixteen. From 1835 to 1840, thirty. From 1840 to 1845, one hundred and ten. From 1845 and 1850, one hundred and two. From 1850 to 1855, eighty. From 1855 to 1860,
100
HISTORY OF IRWIN COUNTY
one hundred and forty. From 1860 to 1865, thirty-one. From 1865 to 1870, twenty-three. From 1870 to 1875, seven. From 1875 to 1880, ten. From 1880 to 1885, forty-six.
JURY COMMISSIONERS.
Under the law it was the duty of the Inferior Court to revise the jury boxes, which was done by them until about 1868, when the Legislature passed an act which was approved February 15, 1869, entitled an act to carry into effect the second clause of thirteenth section of fifth article of Constitution, which was to provide for appointment of a commission to be known as jury commissioners. Acting under this law the judge of the Su- perior Court, Hon J. R. Alexander on February 24, 1869, appointed Jacob Young, John Buchannon and R. W. Clements, jury commissioners. The following gentlemen have been ap- pointed jury commissioners for Irwin County from that date up to present.
March term, 1872, R. W. Clements, Reason Paulk, T. D. Willcox.
At the March term, 1873, this order was taken, "It having been shown to me that R. W. Clements, one of the jury com- missioners has been elected clerk of Superior Court for said county, it is ordered that James Paulk, Sr., be appointed in place of said Clements."
March term, 1876, Reason Paulk, T. D. Willcox, James Paulk.
March term, 1878, John L. Mixon, in place of Reason Paulk, deceased.
December 24, 1878, James Paulk, Sr., T. D. Willcox, John L. Mixon.
March term, 1880, J. C. Sumner, D. M. Hogan, M. W. Paulk; John J. Henderson, T. D. Willcox and John L. Mixon.
April term, 1882, D. M. Hogan, William Branch.
March term, 1884, M. W. Paulk, John J. Henderson.
March term, 1886, T. D. Willcox, James Paulk Sr., J. W. Whiddon.
April term, 1888, C. L. Royal David Hogan, L. L. Harper, William Branch.
October term, 1889, J. R. Allison.
October term, 1891, David Ewing.
101
SUPERIOR COURT, OFFICERS, ETC.
October term, 1892, David Ewing and J. A. J. Henderson.
April term, 1894, J. W. Whiddon, L. J. Prescott, R. W. Clements and C. L. Royal.
April term, 1896, H. W. Bussey and Jacob Dorminy.
April term, 1898, J. A. J. Henderson, H. D. Tayler, David Clements.
April term, 1900, David Clements, James M. Barns.
January term, 1901, W. W. D. Branch.
March term, 1902, H. W. Bussey.
March term, 1904, J. A. J. Henderson and Fred J. Clark.
June 25, 1906, David Clements, M. Dixon, Marcus Fletcher, Wiley Whitley Sr.
July 7, 1908, Wiley Whitley, I. J. Bussell Jr., W. L. Lenon and Joel J. Harper.
July 17, 1912, J. A. J. Henderson, W. Lenon, O. V. Purvis and David Clements.
August 2, 1916, M. Paulk, Marcus Fletcher, J. A. J. Hender- son and J. E. Howell.
April term, 1918, J. B. D. Paulk, J. B. Clements.
January 1, 1920, M. Paulk, Marcus Fletcher, J. Y. Paulk.
August 21, 1926, J. E. Howell, L. R. Tucker, J. B. Clements, J. Y. Paulk, Need Harper, Joe Fletcher.
August 20, 1928, J. E. Howell, L. R. Tucker.
January 1, 1930, J. Y. Paulk, J. B. Clements.
At the March term, 1878, the Grand Jury recommended that the Ordinary purchase an iron safe of proper size and capacity to protect from fire and other dangers such books and records belonging to the county deemed of value. The safe was purchased and shipped to Alapaha, Georgia, the nearest railroad station and Hon. S. B. Dorminy was employed to haul it to Irwinville, a distance of twenty-five miles.
At September term, 1878, J. L. Jones, alias T. B. Jewett, was arraigned for trial charged with simple larceny to which charge he plead guilty, whereupon he was sentenced to the penitentiary for fifteen years. The record does not disclose the nature of the larceny but judging from the length of the sentence he must have been accused of horse stealing.
At September term, 1878, the Grand Jury recommended that representative of the Legislature introduce a bill changing
102
HISTORY OF IRWIN COUNTY
time for holding Superior Court from Friday to Monday after Superior Court in Wilcox County.
At March term, 1879, the Grand Jury recommended that the representative Hon. James B. Fletcher, introduce a bill in the Legislature in July next, to prohibit the sale of intoxicating liquor at any point within the limits of Irwin County. This bill was introduced and passed and the sale of whiskey was not indulged in, in Irwin County, openly before 1895. In 1906 another bill was passed prohibiting the sale of liquor in Irwin County, or placing a tax of $20,000.00 thereon.
There was a bill of indictment returned against William Fletcher for misdemeanor, which indictment was quashed for the reason that there were not eighteen men on the Grand Jury who were not related to him. The entire Grand Jury box was exhausted trying to find eighteen men who were not re- lated to him to pass upon the matter but they could not find them and the matter had to be abandoned without investiga- tion.
At March term, 1880, the Grand Jury in their presentments said, "We have considered the question of building a new court- house for the county and we recommend that the Ordinary levy a tax sufficient to raise $500.00 for the year, 1880, and that this sum be reserved as a special fund for the erecting of a court- house when a sufficient amount shall have been collected from year to year for said purposes.
At the April term, 1881, the Grand Jury recommended that five dollars per month be paid Sally Mobley, colored, as a pau- per ; she being the only pauper in the county. At the same term the Grand Jury recommended the levy of a tax sufficient to raise $600.00 for building new courthouse. They also reported there were six hundred and thirty-six white children and one hundred and sixty-one colored children of school age in the county; that during the year, 1880, two hundred and seventy-seven white and eighty-eight colored were in attend- ance of school. The school fund for that year was $789.28 and there was paid out of said fund $770.96.
At October term, 1881, the Grand Jury recommended that the Ordinary correspond with a reliable and competent archi- tect and submit plan and estimate of the costs of new court-
103
SUPERIOR COURT, OFFICERS, ETC.
house. The county is in need of a courthouse building and we believe that a new building should be erected as early as the finance of the county will justify the work.
The books of the various county officers were examined by committees for past several years who were paid five dollars for said service.
At April term, 1882, a bill of indictment was returned by the Grand Jury against James Gibbs, charging him with volun- tary manslaughter. He killed James Fletcher, the son of. Jehu Fletcher, with a club. Both families were prominent. Gibbs was placed in jail at Irwinville and Jacob Young was employed to guard the jail which he did for quite a while. Gibbs was finally tried, the first trial resulting in convicton of manslaughter. His case was taken to the Supreme Court and he was granted a new trial. At second trial he was acquitted.
James B. Fletcher built a pontoon bridge out of square- hewn logs across the lake on the Alapaha River, where the public road leading from Ocilla to Tifton crosses said river, about 1880 or 1881. The Grand Jury recommended that he be paid $100.00 on said bridge. Fletcher did all the work and that was the only pay he received out of the county.
In presentments of 1882, October term, appears the following information : Number of white poles in the county, 441; colored, 101; total, 542; total value of all taxable property, $567,589.00. From same presentments appears the following : The new courthouse funds amounts to $1800. The building of a courthouse we deem of absolute necessity and we there- fore place the work in the hands of a building committee as follows: second district, B. H. Shivers; third district, R. W. Clements, fourth district, Green Dixon; fifth district, M. Henderson, sixth district, Jehu Fletcher. We entrust this work to the above named citizens, feeling satisfied that they will look after the interest of the county in this important matter. And we recommend that they proceed with the build- ing of a courthouse at the earliest practical time.
At the October term, 1883, the Grand Jury presentments state that the building committee on new courthouse had con- tracted with A. B. Shipley to build said courthouse, two stories,
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.