Seminole County, Georgia Genealogy and History - Presented by Genealogy Trails History Group

ANOTHER TRAGEDY IN SOUTH GEORGIA
Savannah Ga. Dec. 18.—Enraged because his wife had left him and gone to her father's home, Ike Deal,
a white farmer thing 12 miles south of Donalsonville Ga., went to the home of his father-in-law, Ross Murkeson, and shot his wife, her mother and father, fatally wounding the latter. After being shot Murkeson secured a gun and shot Deal as he was leaving; wounding him seriously. Deal escaped and is being sought by bodies of armed citizens, The sheriff and a posse is also after Him
Date: 1912-12-18; Paper: Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

Tragedy Ushers in Yule Festivities. Negro Kills Marshal Roberts, of Donalsonville
Shootings in various parts of the state yesterday afternoon marred the ushering in of a safe and sane observance of Christmas.
Of the tragedies reported by wire to The Macon Telegraph last night. the slaying of Marshal Roberts, of Donalsonville by a negro, followed by the lynching of the latter, stands out most prominently.
The negro, Warren, whose father is one of the best known negro residents of the southwestern part of the state. flourished a gun in Donalsonville, was pursued by the marshal and a duel was fought in the roadway, the marshal falling dead after he had dragged the negro from his seat In a wagon.
The negro was riddled with bullets by a mob that had pursued.
Date: 1911-12-24; Paper: Macon Telegraph

Two Men Dead as Result Pistol Duel Jess Stephens Killed by Negro - Latter is Shot
Donalsonville Ga. Jan. 25 Jess Stephens was instantly killed by an unknown negro man a few miles above here last night.
Mr. Stephens and his brothers were going along the road, when the negro waylaid them and commenced firing on them. They returned the fire and when the fight was over the negro and Jess Stephens were found dead. The other Stephens brothers fortunately escaped.
The trouble originated about the negro trying to persuade some of Mr. Jess Stephens laborers to leave. It Is stated.
Date: 1909-01-27; Paper: Macon Telegraph

MALCOLM ADAMS KILLED SANDERLIN AT DONALSONVILLE SUNDAY.
Bainbridge Ga., Dec. 24.—Malcolm Adams killed young Sanderlin at Donalsonville yesterday evening. Adams had been drinking all day and had fired his pistol In the city pumping station, the ball striking the floor between the feet of young Mr. Roberts.
He then went to the depot, lined up several Negroes, demanded cigars and they insisted, they had none. Adams searched one, found a pistol, unbreeched it, threw away the pistol and cartridges. He demanded a pistol from a second negro, who Insisted that he had no pistol. Adams struck at him with his pistol, which fired, the
ball striking young Sanderlin just above the heart, going entirely through his body, killing him Instantly. The same bullet hit Mr. A. L. Basser, .Inflicting a painful wound on the upper part of his thigh. Young Sanderlin moved from Cuthbert to Donalsonville with his father last Thursday. Mr. Sasser is teller in the Bank of Donalsonville. All the parties are of highly respectable families.
Date: 1906-12-25; Paper: Macon Telegraph

Yeates Gives Reporter Verses Written in 1902. Prisoner Says First Verse Was Held Against Him at His Trial for Murder of Town Marshal Freeman of Donalsonville
To have seen them yesterday no one would have thought the prisoners in the county- Jail had ever heard of trouble, a Yates, from Decatur County, who is being held here pending a new trial in the district court on the charge of killing Town Marshal Freeman, of Donalsonville, some years ago, was playing seven-up with Ben Evans, who is accused of impersonating an officer and who a few days ago was held as a suspect in the Dyche murder. The few others ware sleeping or discussing the Japanese question.
Yates took French leave when he was accused of killing Freeman and joined the cow-punchers of the West. There he branded yearlings, chased cattle thieves, eat half-cooked bacon, busted bronchos and wrote poetry.
Below is a sample of his flights Into the realm of versification. He says the first verse was held against him in his former trial. In looking at the merry-eyed "happy-go-lucky" fellow it Is hard to realize that he will be tried for murder.

Campaign Song.
"Written by J. S. Yeates in 1802.
Old Gabriel's trumpet will never sound,
For that h—- Third Party has bolted down,
And its funeral has been written.
See the writing on the wall, doom to one and all.
Climbing up the golden stairs.
Now, Crank Crews you need net think
You will ever hold the county's chink.
For George McNair is the man to hold the cash,
And you will And It out as dear as a flash,
Climbing up the golden stairs.
Now McBride, you might as well come down
And let the folly ticket trumpet sound.
For Aaron P. Long he is the man
To assess the taxes in our land.
Climbing up the golden stairs.
Now for Uncle Mark Bates the boys will yell,
For in years past he did so well.'
Vote tor Mark, boys, and be with the crowd
That wins election day, and you'll be proud.
Climbing: up the golden stairs.
Now S. R Brinson and Ned Nussbaum
Will represent us right and take us through the storm.
They'll fix It up right and do it up brown
When they go up to Atlanta town.
Climbing up the golden stairs.
Now for Charles Wimberly, a mighty man of fame, '
Date: 1907-07-14; Paper: Macon Telegraph