February 28, 1925.
An agreement was reached to have the commitment trial of the Rawlings-Tanner case next Friday. Judge John S. Wheeler and two other Justice's to preside. Many witnesses have been called and 1,000 people are expected to attend. Rawlings will be brought in from the Swainsboro jail along with Lewis Stephens. Hal Hooks out on bond is to appear also. The people demand Justice for Tarbutton's murder.
Mr. Tarbutton was buried in Sandersville beside his wife who died Aug. 4,1924. His survivor was his son Fluker, his wife and little child.
Hal Hooks, the black chauffeur of Rawlings gave $500 bond by Coroner Clayton. Judge Camp of Dublin called Sheriff Claxton and told him to swear in extra guards to protect Tanner because word out of Sandersville a mob was forming to take him out. For Tanner's saftey, Sheriff Claxton took Tanner into his own home.
Mr. C. M. Adams & Son of Macon conferred with W. L. Thompson on the Life policies of Tarbutton. His son will get around $24,000 from that. The firm of Tarbutton & Rawlings it is said has a policy of $55,000 but not claimed yet. The Citizens Bank of Sandersville carries another $50,000 on Tarbutton. The bank is said to be largely owned by Rawlings. All totaled about $150,000 insurance on Tarbutton.
Streams of people from 5 counties beat a path to the site on the Oconee. Accidental or willful murder it was considered awful by all. Mr. Tarbutton's hat was out of sight until it was found by his storehouse near his residence. The hat was untouched by shot and was the same as when he was wearing it, starting down the steep incline which brought his death.
A man named Alexander came up with three white men just a few minutes preceding the fatal shot. What this timber dealer knows is awaited with interest for the trial.
Rawlings asked for an early commitment trial, saying he wanted to know what is charged that he had done in all this, that he had raised Gus Tarbutton, loved him all his life. Tanner says he never heard Rawlings say a bad thing about Gus, and we're friends as well as cousins.
Attorneys for the State are Solicitor Fred Kea, Judge J. L. Kent, Judge W. C. Brinson and Col. J. J. Harris. For the Defense is Ex-Governor Thomas W. Hardwick, Col. C. S. Claxton, Evans & Evans, A. R. Wright and W. C. McMillan.
Mr. John T. Amerson died Thursday from pneumonia and buried in the Anthony cemetery. He was born May, 1860. He and his wife lived on the T. F. Bullard farm. Besides his wife, a son and daughter, Mrs. E. A. Douglas survived him.
Mr. Jeff Smith and Miss Albena Graham were married. She is a daughter of Judge John Graham of the Pleasant Plains community and a teacher at Pringle school. Smith is a son of Mr. Ephraim Smith.
