Marion Monitor
September 2, 1880
LOCAL NEWS
Mr. B. GALLAGHER has for several days been quite sick, but is slowly recovering.
Rev. RANSOM left for Fairfield last Monday morning to attend the M.E. Annual conference.
Geo. H. MITCHELL and lady of Saline county visited Marion friends last week.
Among the substantial citizens of Herrin’s Prairie, visible on our streets last Monday, we observed Mr. Thomas STOTLAR, Peter SMITH and Wilshire BANDY.
Dr. U.C. CARSEN of Crab Orchard has our thanks for favors. The Dr. is Radically right. Some how or other it belongs to the family so to be.
Several of our town people visited the Ferges Sunday school celebration last Sunday. All of whom we have talked with report a pleasant time.
W.H. RIDGEWAY of Stonefort has a pet rattlesnake which has caused a sensation. He caught it about the last of July, and Saturday eighteen young ones were discovered in its cage.
Married, August 21st, 1880, at the residence of the bride’s father, Mr. Geo. SELLERS of Williamson County, to Miss Ella E. DOWDY of Vienna; by H.T. BRIDGES Esq.
Mrs. FELLOWS, Squire REYNOLDS, George GOODALL, Anthony FEATOR, J.M. CAMPBELL’s infant child, and several others of our citizens have passed though sever sick spells the past week.
The old log house on the County Poor Farm was destroyed by fire on last Monday. The principal loss was about 80 bushels of wheat and a lot of hay belonging to Mr. LEWIS. Supposed the fire originated from a pipe in the possession of one of the inmates.
We are very sorry to hear of the severe illness of Mr. Joseph T. PERRY of Herrin’s Prairie. Mr. P. recently returned from a trip to Georgia, and is now prostrated with typhoid fever.
Jackson County is somewhat sensational again. Last week developed one murder at Grand Tower; John E. CRAIN dangerously stabbed his son at Murphysboro; Chas. BISHOP of Carbondale threw a stone a woman and cracked the skull of a boy. Other localities not heard from.
Married at the residence of the bride’s father, Mr. Bruce HENDRICKSON, Sunday evening at 8 o’clock p.m. Mr. Henry LAMASTER to Miss Nannie HENDRICKSON, Rev. RANSOM officiating. The happy couple are among the best of our young folks, the bride being on the prettiest girls of our city and the groom a handsome and popular young man. The Monitor joins with their hosts of friends in wishing them a long, prosperous and happy wedded life.
W.A. DUNAWAY died at his mother’s residence in this city last Tuesday. This is the third death in the same family inside of six months: John L. George L. and W.A. DUNAWAY.
Little Walter, infant son of Mr. James and Myrtie PIL_OW, departed this life yesterday morning about 9 o’clock.
Dr. V.C. COREY has been dangerously ill the past week. Many friends hope for his speedy recovery.
Sulpher Springs Items
Rev. I.W. WILLIAMS has found out where and who she is.
We are to have an Odd Fellows soon. James FERGERSON of New Burnside contractor.
The school teachers of this vicinity are J. Thomas SMITH, J.W. BROWN, Will E. CASEY, Douglas GODDARD, Will WESTBROOK, Alice MILLER and G.W. WESTBROOK.
Will T. CASEY has been employed to teach the Sulpher Springs School the coming winter. Will is a son of Capt. Levi CASEY, who received his death wound at Vicksburg while battling for the right. Will’s first vote will be polled this fall in honor of his father for Garfield.
J.W. BROWN is a through Republican, a volunteer of the 31st Regt. Vol. Attended school the past Spring, will vote the entire Republican ticket next Nov. and will teach school this winter.
We unluckily witnessed the killing of Scott MCCORMACK, 21st. Politics was not the cause. Strike a dividing line-array those on one side who are visitors of the grog shop and gambling table and those who are for peace and morality and quietude on the other and you have the line.
The Press last week said that “Scot MCCOMICK hurrahed to: Hancock and Wilson, the town marshal, a Republican shot him dead.” True. But why tell it that way? The artist with his brush can with one touch materially change his picture. The truth --- told also has the some effect. The following is said to be the facts in the case: New Burnside, Ill., Aug 23- After the Democratic flag raising and pow wow on Saturday, some of the boys having filled themselves with whiskey, were getting somewhat boisterous when the Marshal, Thomas W. WILSON, attempted to keep order and was assaulted by Scott MCCORMACK and John SMITH, the former having a knife in his hand. WILSON ordered him to put up his knife, which he refused to do, saying he was the ___ G-d d-d man that ever saw Burnside and at the same time striking WILSON with the knife, cutting his wrist. When WILSON saw that MCCORMACK was trying to kill him, he drew his revolver and pulled down on him but the pistol missed fire. MCCORMACK struck at him again with the knife when WILSON again pulled the trigger, shooting MCCORMACK thorough the heart. After he was shot MCCORMACK shut his knife, put it in his pocket, threw up his hands, said “Hurrah for Hancock” and fell over, expiring instantly. SMITH was then arrested and placed under guard. MCCORMACK was a very quarrelsome man when drinking and was considered dangerous. When WILSON saw that he was in danger of being killed he tried to get out of the way of the knife, but the crowd ___________________to do as he did or be killed. He has not been arrested as yet. He regrets the occurrence as much as anyone. MCCORMACK has several brothers who are said to be bad men, and it is feared by WILSON’s friends that the end is not yet.
Grassy
Not withstanding the dry weather, and that LINEGAR and GREGG visited Grassy, the Republicans are alive to their interests, and as proof of their existence met at the Oakes school house last Thursday night and permanently organized a Garfield and Arthur Club. The officers elected are: President, M.L. BAKER; Vice President, Dr. A.P. BAKER; Secretary, Wm. COLLINS; treasurer, W.A. YORK. Executive committee: A.M. TOWNSEND, Nathaniel MEAD, Dr. M.D. BAKER, L.T. RUSHING and L.W. THROGMORTON. The citizens of the precinct had only a short notice of the meeting and there were 56 names enrolled. After the organization was perfected we had short and interest speeches from Dr. A. P. BAKER, G.W. CHITTY, Col. Geo. F. MEAN, L.W. THROGMORTON and M.L. BAKER. The club is organized and ready for business. Our meetings are held every other Thursday night commencing from August 29th inst.
Marion Monitor
September 9, 1880
LOCAL NEWS
Elder W.H. BOLES will preach at the Christian Church in Marion next Sunday morning.
Died at her residence in this city last Sunday morning, Mrs. Zeraiah HOPPER, aged 75 years. Aunt Ruia was one of our oldest citizens and was gathered home in peace.
Judge Geo. W. YOUNG went to Mt. Vernon last Thursday to attend to legal business.
Elder W.H. BOLES will be among his Marion friends in a few days; of whom he has many.
James W., John and Samuel SHAW passed through town last week enroute for Montgomery county where they will hereafter reside.
Misses Helen YOST and Flora DAVIS, two of our most popular young ladies, returned home last week from Elizabethtown, Ill., where they have been visiting friends.
Rev. J.W. TOOTHAKER will, in a few days go to his new field of labor on the Salem circuit. During his stay in Marion, the ch. under his care received a large number of accessions; built a parsonage and otherwise advanced. The best wishes of his friends go with him.
Sulpher Springs Items
The Greenbackers held a meeting at the Kimmell school house last Saturday. It was rather a small affair.
Marion Monitor
September 16, 1880
LOCAL NEWS
EDWARDS & DAVIS have finished wheat threshing and report 19000 bushels as their work.
The Marion band will furnish the Republican rally at Stone Fort with music to-day.
Mart GROVES has shown much wisdom this week in employing a good barber and subscribing for the Monitor.
Hartwell HENDRICKSON and Tobe HOLLAND have bought Tom DAVIS’ livery outfit.
Elder W. H. BOLES is preaching at the Christian church this week some interesting discourses.
Mr. J. Thomas SMITH of Sulpher Springs was with us last Tuesday. He is in the political field and is full of hope.
Mr. John WHITE has resigned his position in the post office to accept a position as guard at the Southern Illinois penitentiary. Johnny is an excellent young man and we commend to those with whom he may transact business.
Died, at his residence in ______ city, Tuesday morning, Sept. 11, 1880, at 3 o’clock, Mr. B. GALLAGHER, aged 5_ years, 5 months and 18(?) days. Funeral in charge of the Knights of Honor, held at the M.E. Church, yesterday at 10 a.m. The remains were buried in the Barham graveyard. Mr. GALLAGHER had been a citizen about 10 years and made himself very agreeable and a useful citizen and his loss to our town and county is severe. His family have the sympathy of all who know them.
A man who represents himself as G.W. THOMPSON, came from Marion or near by, and located at New Burnside some time ago, advertising himself as a machine mechanic, did not only beat the Times office out of $13.50; but he beat his board bill at Burnside and stole tow chairs form the landlord, and sole them, besides beating others out of small bills-Vienna Times. THOMPSON is known in Marion. He patronizes Democratic papers and votes the democratic ticket.
The PARSONS girl, of whom our readers have heard, was brought to Marion and jailed last Friday for stealing clothing, etc. She seems to be hard to check, and likely will cease her depredations when she finds her way to States Prison.
Marion Monitor
September 22, 1880
LOCAL NEWS
Mr. and Mrs. A.J. CHITTY of Southern, called at the Monitor office Friday last and left for us some choice peaches, for which they have our thanks and invitation to come again.
The Supreme Grant Reporter of the Knights of Honor has notified Marion Lodge 1944, that an order for $2000 will be drawn to pay the policy held by Mrs. B. GALLAGHER.
The copperheads are not all dead yet. The following item we clip from Barton’s Free Press: “Mr. William WATSON, living near Cottage Home, Williamson County, while taking a walk in his bare feet, on last Saturday, was bitten by a copperhead snake. His limbs and body swelled to enormous size, and for a time his life was despaired of. Dr. G.J. BAKER was called, to whose skill Mr. WATSON is indebted for his life. He is now attending to his work again.
City Court Proceedings
Marion, Ill., Sept. 13, 1880
The Board of city aldermen met at the office of the city clerk, in regular session on Monday, Sept. 13, 1880. Present: L.A. GODDARD, Mayor; Thomas DAVIS, C.M. KERN, J.M. CAMPBELL, CM EDWARDS, J.L. CALVERT, alderman; J.R. LITTLE, Clerk.
Minutes of previous meeting read and on motion approved.
On motion of C.M. EDWARDS, it was ordered that a sidewalk four feet wide be built beginning at the S.E. corner of block No. 9(?), Goodall and Pulley’s addition to the town of Marion, west to the S.W. corner of said block.
On motion it is ordered that sufficient lumber and nails to build crossing across Main St. at the intersection of Monroe St. with said Main St., be to furnished Wm. P. SPRINGS on the ground.
Report of A.M. PACE, city treasurer, for the month ending Sept. 13, 1880, showing $348.34 in the treasury to the credit of current fund, and $707.77 to credit of St. fund, was presented, and on motion of C.M. EDWARDS approved and ordered filed.
Report of J.J. HENDRICKSON, city marshal, for the month ending Sept. 13, 1880, was presented and on motion of J.M. CAMPBELL, approved and ordered filed.
On motion of Thomas DAVIS the following claims were allowed
J.F. PERKINS, jailers fees dieting Green Pain…..$9.00
F.M. TEAGUE, work on sidewalk…..9.50
L.P. ASKEW lumber for park fence…..26.81
W.P. SPRING, marshal service 1 day…..1.00
Davis & Reed hauling dead hogs…..10.35
R.T. PULLEY going to Johnson co. for Street com…..75
_ STEPEHNS hauling hogs and lumber…..8.30
M.W. BARHAM 10 ½ days wk sidewk…..13.12 ½
S.S. VICK lumber for sidewalk…..84
Aikman & Co lumber for sidewalk…..45.13
J.M. CALVERT 10 days wk on sidewk…..10.00
Bainbridge & Goddard nails for sidewk…..8.25
G. HOBBS work on sidewalk…..6.00
JJ HENDRICKSON 2 months service as marshal…..50.00
A.J. CAZAD cleaning well…..2.00
Marion Monitor
September 30, 1880
LOCAL NEWS
Mr. Henry GRAY has for several days suffered with typhoid fever.
We observed Elder THROGMORTEN, of the Banner, in Marion last week.
Mrs. W.R. HALL of Lebanon, Mo., is visiting relatives in Marion this week.
Elder BOLES meeting at the Christian Church has accomplished good. A few accessions to the church.
Rev. SCAUTHON has settled down to business as pastor of the M.E. church on the Marion circuit, and bids fair to make friends and do good.
Ed ROBERTS, of Corinth, will go to Chicago in a few days to attend medical college.
CHITTY VS. NORRIS
A Full History of the Whole Matter.
CHITTY True to the People, and Sustained by the Courts in Every Instance.
Four Different Tribunals Say He was Right.
In the Free and Easy Press of the week before last G.W. CHITTY was charged with being a drunkard and of bad character for peaceableness, &c, CHITTY got 104 of the best men in his neighborhood to certify that the charges were false. The charges were of a very serious nature against a man who was running for the office of Sheriff, and CHITTY tho’t best to settle the matter beyond dispute before the people. Last week this same sheet, in noticing the actions taken by CHITTY, comes back in the following style:
“Why didn’t Mr. CHITTY have his one hundred and four certificate markers say something about the thirty three hundred dollars he is accused of getting from the lamented N.E. NORRIS? Judge YOUNG could just as well as not have embodied in the certicate.”
This makes the third or fourth time the Press has referred to the transactions between NORRIS and CHITTY, while NORRIS was Sheriff and CHITTY co treasurer. Just why he wants to be continually referring to a business transaction that has been adjudicated by four different tribunals authorized by law to adjudicate upon such matters, -and in every one of them CHITTY was sustained-we are at a loss to see. Do the managers of the Democratic Press think we are afraid of this subject? Why should we be? CHITTY did nothing more than his duty, and he was sustained by the law and the solemn judgment of the Courts. But the repeated reference to this “NORRIS matter” has awakened a curiosity in the minds of some of our people, and for the information of all concerned we propose to give a brief history of the case, and pledge our word that everything we say can be proven by the records on file in the office of the Circuit Clerk. Anyone not satisfied with our statement we invite them to go to M.S. STRIKE, the Circuit Clerk, and he will kindly show you the records and files of the cases.
1st. CHITTY was elected County Treasurer November, 1875; his term of office expired Dec. 1877.
2nd N.E. NORRIS was elected Sheriff and ex office collector of the public revenue November, 1874; his term of office expired December 1876.
NORRIS collected the revenue of 1874 during the year 1875. The law made it his duty to settle with the county and township treasurers every 30 days. Whether he strictly observed this provision of the law we do not know, but suppose that he did. At the July and August settlements, 1875, NORRIS fell considerably behind. When he was called upon by the County Board for a final settlement in September, 1875, he was found to be near $2900.00 short. The County board, assisted by NORRIS, his deputy, and clerks, examined the accounts carefully, until the December term of the County Commissioners Court. Still the deficiency was not explained away or made good by NORRIS. The County Clerk, the three county commissioners and county Treasurer were al knowing to the deficit in NORRIS’ accounts. Records were examined; receipts, dates, settlements and account were carefully and faithfully compared. NORRIS became perfectly satisfied about the condition of his accounts. He had paid about $1500.00 taxes for his friends that he knew of. Still he was about $1000 short. Finally at the December adjourned term, 1875, of the County Board, the States Attorney was ordered to bring suit on NORRIS’ bond.
“Ordered by the Board that G.W. CHITTY, County Treasurer, be instructed to bring suit against N.E. NORRIS, as County Collector, for balance due on revenue for the year 1874”-Book 3, page 164.
NORRIS did not attempt to collect the revenue for 1875 during the year 1876, but relegated that part of his duties to Z. HUDGENS; hence his mind was relieved from the perplexities of gathering in money and county orders after January 1876. But the authorities were still after him for the unpaid balance of the revenue of 1874. March 15, 1876, suit was commenced in the Circuit County on his official bond as Collector &c.
The suit ran in the name of the People for the use of G.W. CHITTY, as County Treasurer, against N.E. NORRIS, and about twenty of his bondsmen. At the April term 1876, Mr. W.J. ALLEN and W.W. CLEMENS were employed by NORRIS and his bondsmen to defend the suit. Messrs. DUFF, BARR and J.W. HARTWELL represented the county. The case went over until the October term, 1876, when the pleadings were settled. It then went over until April term 1877, when the issues were made up and the case submitted to the Court (Judge CRAWFORD on the bench), without a jury. NORRIS was present in Court, represented by two able attorneys. The County Clerk exhibited the account, which the law makes it his duty to keep, showing that NORRIS was a defaulter to the amount of $2963.78. NORRIS thereupon presented two receipts which he had never got credit for-one from C.M. KERN, treasurer of the City of Marion, for road and bridge tax for $399.00; the other from G.W. CHITTY, Co. Treasurer, dated December 28, 1875, for $180.00. Look at the date; and this receipt recites: “To be applied on the special County assessment for the year 1874.” It was to the special County revenue fund that NORRIS was defaulter. Why was he paying him special County revenue in December if he had overpaid him $3273.99 in August. These receipts reduced his charges to $2384.78, and the Court gave judgment against him and his bondsmen for that amount. Many people have the impression that NORRIS died before this trial, and that CHITTY improved the advantage. But such is not the case. This subject was kept before NORRIS constantly from August, 1875 to April, 1877. It was in Court three terms. It was watched closely by able counsel. He was given every opportunity to prepare and make his defense, and when the case was reached NORRIS was present and made his defense.
The burden of proof was on the County, CHITTY was the nominal plaintiff prosecuting the suit as a public officer in the discharge of his sworn duty. It devolved upon him to make out the case by a clear preponderance of the evidence. He did so. It was satisfactory to NORRIS. When the deficiency was established he merely presented the two receipts above mentioned and let judgment go for the balance, $2381.78. The whole hearing did not last over fifteen minutes. The subject was before NORRIS for about 18 months. He and CHITTY were often long together, and no person ever heard him accuse CHITTY of failing to receipt him for any amount that he had paid him. Why should he? The law made it his duty to pay over to the Treasurer and take receipts. Does it look reason able that he would pay over such a large amount as $3273.99 and take no receipt?
During the whole of the litigation the desire was time, time, time! NORRIS relied on some of his friends whom he had favored, by giving them their tax receipts and otherwise favoring them, coming to his relief, but alas! His hopes in that respect were blasted.
Now we will turn to the other side:
Judgment was rendered against NORRIS and his bondsmen April 1877. Nothing more was done until an execution came out in July following. Matters were coming to focus. John B. EDRINGTON, (NORRIS’ deputy in 1875), in searching some of his old love letters and papers, found a little slip of paper a little longer than your finger, upon which was written in EDRINGTON’s hand writing these ominous words: “$3273.99 paid CHITTY.”
That was the cue for an injunction against the county enjoining the collection of the aforenamed judgment. No date, no name. No particular fund mentioned on this magic slip of paper. The vivid recollection flashed across Mr. EDRINGTON’s mind that the above amount was paid on the special county revenue fund at the July settlement, 1875, with CHITTY. After the lapse of two years it al comes back to him. He gets NORRIS to file a bill in chancery for injunction. The bill was filed July 31, 1877, and the Master granted a preliminary injunction against the County. In reality CHITTY had nothing more to do with the case. But he felt it his duty to defend the interest of the people. He went to work to prepare the defense. (This is the suit in which CHITTY defends)He gave notice to take depositions. NORRIS appeared before the officer (L.D. HARTWELL) when CHITTY’s depositions were being taken, but would not cross-examine him; he had no heart in the case. His bondsmen wanted more time, time so they could buy County orders cheaper to pay off the judgment. The depositions of two of the County Commissioners (WISE and BIDWELL) were also taken. NORRIS had notice and was present but did not cross examine. Just before the October adjourned term, January 14, 1878, when the case was called, NORRIS died. The pleadings were remodeled, and the case passed over until the April term, 1878, when the case was submitted to Judge CRAWFORD. The depositions of G.W. CHITTY were suppressed and not allowed to be considered. Judge CRAWFORD had the case under advisement for six months. At the October term, 1878, he entered a decree dismissing the bill. The bondsmen of NORRIS appealed to the Appellate Court: Elaborate briefs and arguments were prepared and submitted by counsel on both sides. And the Appellate Court sustained Judge CRAWFORD’s decision, and so the case was ended.
To sum up:
1st. The county Board on settlement in September, 1875, declared the deficiency.
2nd. A court of Common Law, presided over by a Democratic Judge, decided that NORRIS was in fault.
3rd. A Court of Chancery, presided over by a Democratic Chancellor, said CHITTY was not to blame.
4th. A Court of Errors and Appeals, administered by Democratic Judges, re-examined the whole record and testimony, arguments and briefs of counsel and say they cannot find any errors either of law or facts. And they affirm the judgment of the Chancelor of the Circuit Court.
The foregoing is the whole sum and substance of the “NORRIS matter” that we have heard so much talk of in the columns of the Democratic newspaper in this county, and from the little 4x6 Democratic back woods politicians.
After going through with all this expensive and tedious litigation, they seek now to put G.W. CHITTY on trial upon the charge of suspicion before the great tribunal of the people. We do not think such an issue is in keeping with our Republican institutions. We think when Judiciary has once fairly and impartially decided upon a grave and important question, then the subject should be considered as settled unless they can show that the Judges acted corruptly. And we do not think any of the Democratic managers are ready to come forward to accuse Judge CRAWFORD or the Appellate Court Judges with corruption.
But we have no fears. We risk our case to the impartial judgment of the intelligent people of Williamson County. And we feel confident that Geo. W. CHITTY will receive such an endorsement by the people at the polls in November as will make his maligners feel ashamed of themselves.