The Schley County News Thursday, March 22, 1894 No. 12 A GRAND SUCCESS Under the direction of Prof. Len Baldwin, the Ellaville Eclipse comedy company appeared before the foot lights for the first time on last Friday evening at the court house, in the drama entitled "The Heroic Dutchman of 76," and made a great hit. Without exageration it was the best performance ever given in Ellaville, and we have seen higher priced shows by professional troupes that were not near so good. The fine audience was captured at the beginning and held throughout th evening. There was just enough blending of pathos and comedy interspersed with wit and humor to keep the interest at the highest pitch. While there was a remarkable absence of hitches (and) blunders, that so often ruins an amateur performance. Mr. Arthur Hill, as Col. Brown, the old soldier, was equal to all the requirements of his part, and did more clever acting. Ed Cheney made a distinguished looking officer. His uniform was greeted by murmurs of admiration. He acted the part of the haughty uncompromising military man to perfection. J.W. Pearson was admirably suited to the character he assumed and the handsome rebel captain in his dashing blue uniform had the sympathy of the entire audience. Miss Lila Chapman, a daughter of Col. Brown, was attired in a costume that enhanced the brilliant brunette beauty and she made such a charming sweetheart it was no trouble for Zeke Wall as gay Captain Lile to play the devoted lover. Their little tete tete's were gone through with as naturally as though they had no audience. Mr. Wall made a striking appearance as a soldier, and received many compliments. Ford Stewart assumed the title role and made such a realistic Dutchman that it was easy to believe that he was "Just over from the old country." He never failed to be in the right place at the right time and "Ze Dutchman" always caught the crowd while his witty sayings kept everybody in fine humor. Sam Bridges as the colored servant of the Brown's carried his part through splendidly and was one of the favorites of the evening. His donning the colors of the two regiments and posing as sentinel brought down the house. No one else could have acted Tom, the British Corpo! ral so well as did John Cheney. He had a hard part to play but went through without any trouble, Miss Bessie Cheney as May, the other daughter of Col. Brown, assumed the most important and difficult role, but she sustained her part throughout in a highly creditable manner. Her defiant attitude towards Maj. Jones who held her as prisoner and her faithfulness to her rebel lover in the midst of peril was fine acting and held the audience entranced. She made a pretty little rebel and received unstinted praise. The most effective scene was in the second act when Harry Walters surrounded by British soldiers, was brought back to be hung as a spy. There was a deathlike stillness, save the soft music that floated mournfully through the hall. The sad expression of the prisoner and the whole scene seemed so real that many eyes were wet with tears. The play contains many lofty sentiments and the whole tenor of it was elevating. A very unique character was introduced between the first and second acts, and everyone agreed that Mr. Ed Hornady made a fine old darkey "Uncle Rastus" funny sayings and local hits were greatly enjoyed. His rendition of an original poem with drum accopaniment was one of the best things of the evening. The Overture, "Silverado," by the Ellaville Brass Quartette, was brilliant and complete. The audience was surprised and delighted and gave such a hearty encore that they were forced to respond and played a lively galop. Mr. Whitehurst in a few well chosen remarks, gracefully introduced Miss May Stewart who held the closest attention of the audience while she recited "Uncle Remus at the telephone." This was a different undertaking but she (im)personated widely different characters with charming ruse and grace, and received the highest ??? ???. Miss Nell Morgan of Americus appeared in a quaint empire gown and told the story of the "Old oli can" in a sweetly modulated voice with a touch of pathos that aroused the tenderset emotion. The Eclipse Mazurka, composed by Prof. D.N. Baldwin, and dedicated to the band was rendered between the fourth and fifth acts and the performance closed with a beautiful selection "Long Shot March." The music was excellent and the band was unable to respond to the frequent encores. Between acts lemonade was dispensed. The proceeds of the entertainment amounted to $67.00. Dr. Sam Williamson acted as usher and handled the large crowd in a highly satisfactory manner. In fact everything passed off smoothly and creditably and a more delighted audience never assembled. Prof. Len Baldwin is himself possessed of dramatic talent of a high order and to his splendid management is due the credit for the success of this entertainment. LOCAL AND OTHERWISE Mr. J.M. Gay, notice of whose death appeared in last week's News, was buried at his home near Fellowship last Friday. Winston Dixon of LaCrosse who is a student in the M.G.M. and A. college in Milledgeville is making fine progress and is much pleased with the school. The Schley County News pays him weekly visits. Mrs. Burton came very near being run over by the train last Friday morning. She and Capt. Burton were walking on the track, when the morning train came around the curve so quickly they barely had time to jump off the track before the train went thundering by. The grove in front of Capt. Burton's has been cleaned up, the grass burned off and it possible it is more beautiful than before. An early morning walk through this sylvan retreat would make a ????? feel that the world is full of joy and life well woth living. The telephone line between Ellaville and Americus is almost assured. The business men of our sister city have manifested considerable interest in the enterprise, and several have subscribed liberally. It is probable that the line will be extended to Buena Vista. Mr. and Mrs. E.W. Strange moved this week from Columbus to east Point, Ga.; where they will in the future reside. They have many warm friends in Ellaville to wish them success and happiness in their new home. Turpentine kindling for sale, cheap. Apply at this office. REV.DAVID APPERSON DEAD Old Uncle David Apperson, one of the best citizens of Schley Co. died at eleven o'clock Monday night. His death was no surprise to his friends, as he has been very feeble for months. He was 86 years of age and has lived for a long time in this county. Being a minister of the Free Will Baptist Church, he traveled over the country a great deal and made a large circle of friends. He took lively interest in every thing that was well informed on the current topics of the day. Loyal to his God, true to every trust, he has gone to the reward that awaits the faithful. FOR FIFTEEN LONG YEARS Monday, J.N. Carns, a guard from the Chatahoochee Brick Yards, came in a hack from Americus to take Robert Heath to the convict camp where he will serve out his sentence of fifteen years for manslaughter. The prisoner begged piteously to be allowed to go without handcuffs, which request the guard of course could not grant. He was so overcome with emotion that he followed the officers out of the jail without so much as saying good-bye to the other inmates. There are five prisoners awaiting trial at the April term of Court. ALMOST A SERIOUS BLAZE It took heroic work to save the Peacock House from destruction by fire Saturday afternoon. When discovered large volumes of smoke were issuing from the room in the north wing of the building over the kitchen, which is occupied by a porter. In the room was a desk filled with papers and it is supposed that the rats got hold of matches and set them afire. A lamp on the desk exploded and the oil added fury to the flames. A large crowd with extinguishers, buckets of water ?et, had hard work to get the fire under control. The desk in the room was burned completely up and Morris Moye lost ten dollars in money. PERSONAL Mr. Olin Dixon was in town Sunday. Miss Maggie Caskey visited Ellaville friends last week. Mrs. Ware of Leesburg is visiting her cousin Mrs. P.G. Haigler. Mr. Fred Greene of Florida visited relatives in Ellaville this week. Messrs. Ed Cheney and Sam Williamson went up to Buena Vista Tuesday. Mrs. L.W. Dixon of LaCrosse visited relatives in Ellaville last week. Miss Lila Chapman spent Sunday in Columbus, with her parents. Miss Lula Murphy returned Friday from a delightful visit to Fort Valley. Mr.and Mrs. Webster Bagley of Americus were in Ellaville Sunday. Mr. Robert Howe of Sumter City spent Sunday at the home of Hon. W.D. Murray. Prof. Robt. Glover who teaches an ineresting school at Concord, spent Sunday in Ellaville. Messrs. Ben Reese and Horace Munro came down from Buena Vista to the show Friday night. Mrs. J.N. Scarborough, Mr. and Mrs. Will Carter and Miss Stella Scarborough spent Sunday at Capt. Burton's. Miss Eva Rainey, a pretty and popular young lady from Ebenezer spent several days in Ellaville this week. Mrs. Ella Park who attended her father Mr. J.M. Gay in his illness, returned to her home in Newnan, Monday. Miss Nora Pound, Buena Vista's talented music teacher came down Friday to visit her friend Miss May Stewart at Dr. Munro's. Prof. L.D. Lockhart and wife came up from Americus to the entertainment, and were guests of Dr. and Mrs. W.D. Sears. Col. and Mrs. James Dodson and their little daughter Mattie Lewis Dodson of Americus visited the family of Mr. R.C. Wells last week. Mr. and Mrs. J.B. Hudson, Mrs. Cato and Mrs. T.J. Baisden came up rom Americus Tuesday to attend the burial of their uncle, Judge T.B. Myers. Messrs. John Hudson, Will and Tom Tooke, were the representatives from Lacrosse Sunday. Some of our attractive visitors were responsible for their visit to Ellaville. Misses Nell Davis, Nell Morgan and Charlie Wynn Baisden returned to Americus Monday, after a short visit to their Ellaville friends. These charming young ladies are very popular in Ellaville, and received many pleasant attentions during their brief stay. SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING Judge T.B. Myers fell dead upon the street in front of Cheney & Co's Drug store Monday evening at 7 o'clock. For several days he complained of not feeling well but no one apprehended anything serious and his death was a terrible shock. Dr. Cheney was one of the first to reach him and saw at once that life was extinct though many hoped that it was only a fainting spell and made every effort to restore animation. Mr. Myers was one of the most popular men in the county and had he not been the victim of drink might have been one of the most useful men. He was 55 years of age and had been many times honored with public trust. For seventeen years he was sherriff and at one time represented this county in the Legislature. He was at the time of his death serving his second term as Ordinary. Uniformly kind and courteous, he won the esteem of all. To the orphan nieces left to his charge, he acted the part of the tender loving father. No one but God knows what a good brother h! e was to me, sobbed the broken hearted sister, at whose house he found home, and love and encouragement. No word of reproach ever escaped his lips, and no matter how far he wandered, her arms were always about him. Her devotion was beautiful. No one deplored his weakness more than did the unfortunate man. Only last week he wept bitterly as he reviewed his life and realized that he had gone too far to ever redeem his manhood. But he was firm in his determination to give up drink, and the effort cost him his life. It may be that the high resolve to break the chains that bound him was but an answer to the ceaseless prayers of those who loved him. Let us hope that the poor weak, erring soul, struggling in the grasp of a power too strong for human aid, breathed a prayer to heaven: "Other refuge have I none Hangs my helpless soul on thee, Leave, oh leave me not alone." It needed but this to bring the pitying savior. to lift him up to be with Him in Paradise. A very large concourse of friends followed the remains to their last resting place, and the church bells never tolled a sadder funeral. It was the grave of blighted hope, and love and joy and promise of bright ambition drowned in the wine cup. His life and death is a sermon may it prove a warning to those who have just started on the road to ruin and a beacon light to show them the jagged rocks in the awful abyss. The tenderest sympathy is felt for the bereaved. (Transcriber's note: Thomas B. Myers served as a private in Co. G, 5th Ga. Inf., The Schley Guards, enlisting May 11, 1861 and surrendering at Greensboro, N.C., April 25, 1865.) end # 12