Marion County Grand Jury

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Grand Jury Presentment of Marion County. (Macon Weekly Telegraph, 24 Sept 1869)

We, the Grand Jurors, sworn, chosen and empannelled for the September Tern of Marion Superior Court, in bringing our labors to a close, beg leave to make the following presentments:

After careful examination of the exhibit made to our body for insolvent costs by the officers of the late County Court, we have approved and allowed to the Judge $52.30; to the Solicitor General $253.75, and to the Sheriff $25.00.

Upon examination of the Treasurers books, we find that he has received for county purposes the sum of $4,153.27; and has disbursed, for which has proper vouchers, $2,202.77; leaving a balance on hand of $1,950.50; of pauper funds we find he has received the sum of $3,250.32; and disbursed for which he has proper vouchers, the sum of $1,386.60; leaving a balance of $1,863.72.

In view of the favorable condition of our finances, we recommend that the ordinary assess a tax, not to exceed 100% on the State Tax for the ensuing year.

The roads generally in the County are reported in good condition, especially the "Kinchafoonee" and "Cut Off" Districts.  In Red Bone District there has been no Justice, and consequently the roads have been neglected.  The fault we understand is with the governor who failed or refused to commission the duly elected officers.  We are unanimously of opinion that it is the duty of the Ordinary forthwith to appoint a commissioner for this district, and see to it that he have the roads in his District worked immediately, so that the crops now ready for market may be conveyed over them without delay or danger; and we earnestly invite his attention to this matter.  We recommend that the road leading from Glenalta to Talboton from near William Walker's to Askew's house on the opposite side of the Creek, be done away with.  We recommend that the road from Ben Powell's to where it intersects the road leading from Daniel Lane's to Bell's Mill be made a public road, and hands along be assigned it.  The road from Columbus to Americus, from Jeff Day's Old (some missing)

We recommend that the bridge at McLaughlin's Mills be repaired at once as it is over this bridge that most of our citizens transport their crops to market, and it is represented to be in an unsafe condition.  We also request that the Ordinary confer with the Ordinary of Talbot County on the propriety of building a new bridge at Chandler's Mills.  Our Court-house and Jail are found to be in very bad condition, and we invite the attention of the Ordinary to the recommendation of our predecessors at the April Term on this subject. 

We congratulate our fellow-citizens on the evidence of peace and harmony that prevail among all classes of the community worn down and exhausted by a protracted and devastating civil war.  Stripped of the most of our property by the action of the Federal Government, and left unaided to begin the race of life anew, and procure a competency for ourselves and families, with old debts pressing upon us and new ones accumulating. We have abandoned pursuits once a pastime and pleasure and betaken ourselves to the great and paramount business of attempting to build up our waste places and recover, to some extent at least, our fortunes.  Men thus engaged have little leisure or desire to disturb the peace of society, but on the contrary, respect the laws and aid, to the extent of their ability and influence, in seeing them duly executed.  Such we believe to be the state of society in this county.  "Let us have Peace"; we pant for it as the hart panteth for the water-brooks.  Whatever may be the state of society in other sections of our once proud and noble old commonwealth, we send greetings to all within our own limits and beyond, that we are in a state of profound peace with ourselves and the rest of mankind, and humbly crave that the hand of power, State of Federal, may not be raised to disturb it.  Let us have Peace.

In  taking leave of his Honor, Judge Johnson, we tender him our thanks for the prompt and impartial discharge of his duties, and to Mr Solicitor General Thornton, our compliments for courtesies to this body.

James H Dunham, Foreman

Samuel Greene, Samuel T Jones, Geo W Youngblood, John J Smith, Kilby Moore, M T Hollis, Alfred Chalkey, J W Wiggins, N T Wall, Reuben Brown, M J Phillips, Wm P Webb, Wm H Morgan, John J Drew, C W Epps, T C Brown, Benjamin Powell, Wm C Glaze, John McMichael, Barnabus Hart, Wm P Smith, Joel Y Rushin.

A true extract from minutes of Marion County Superior Court, Thomas B Lumpkin, Clerk.

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