The Remaining Water Lots Sold--Another Startling Tragedy--A Bold Bank Robbery, &c

The municipal election on the first Saturday in January resulted as follows: Jacob I. Moses was elected Mayor, and the following gentlemen
Aldermen:
1st Ward, J. J. McKendree, Willis S. Holstead
2d Ward, Josiah A. Beall, B. F. Malone
3d Ward, Wiley Williams, N. L. Howard
4th Ward, John Quin, Frederick Wilhelm
5th Ward, Wm. R. Jones, Joseph L. Morton
6th Ward, J. A. L. Lee, and a tie.

This Council commenced its work by a material reduction of the salaries of city officers. The following were the salaries agreed upon: Marshal $500, Treasurer $500, Bridge-Keeper $350 and a house free of rent, Clerk of the Market $150, City Physician $200, Attorney no salary.

At a special election held on the 14th of January, Edwin L. Burns was chosen an Alderman of the 6th Ward, to fill the vacancy. The city officers elected by Council were:
City Clerk, Calvin Stratton
Marshal, Wm. H. Alston
Treasurer, John Bethune
Bridge Keeper, Wm. W. Martin
Clerk of the Market, V. S. Townsley
Sexton, Jeremiah Terry
City Physician, Dr. Wm. S. Chipley
City Attorney, Hines Holt
President of the Board of Health, Dr. Thomas Hoxey

Jeremiah Terry having resigned the office of City Sexton, Green D. Sauls was in January elected in his place.

The plan of making private contracts with individuals for crossing the bridge was again adopted this year, the minimum price required being $10 for the year.

A tragedy which startled the city and surrounding country was the killing of Col. Burton Hepburn, on the 5th of January, by Gen. Daniel McDougald. It occurred in the Directors' room of the Insurance Bank, of which Gen. McDougald was President. Col. Hepburn had been connected with Gen. McDougald in business, and the difficulty between them was about their business affairs. It was understood that Hepburn had made threats against McDougald. On the morning of the killing Hepburn entered the office of Gen. McDougald in a threatening manner, or at least McDougald thought his visit was a hostile one, and it was then and there that he shot Hepburn. The killing, on investigation, was found to be an act of justifiable homicide.

By an ordinance adopted on the 4th of February, all persons in the city subject to patrol duty under the laws of the State were required to perform guard duty in Columbus, under organization and direction by a Regulator of Patrol, whose compensation was to be one-half of the fines and forfeitures collected. Dr. C. P. Hervey was elected Regulator, and in March his salary was fixed at $500 per annum.

The following were the Banks and Agencies located in the city this year, which appears from an order for the commencement of suit against them for taxes that they refused to pay: Bank of Columbus, Planters and Mechanics' Bank, Chattahoochee Railroad and Banking Company, Western Bank of Rome. In March the Bank of St. Marys was removed to Columbus.

The South Commons was this year divided as nearly as practicable into 20 acre lots, and leased for six years, at prices ranging from $1.75 to $2.25 per acre. The committee attending to this matter reported that they found many trespassers upon the Commons, "among them nearly an entire brickyard," and Council ordered the immediate removal of these trespassers. A forty acre lot east of the race course was rented for the same term at $1.50 per acre. The renters were John T. Walker, N. M. C. Robinson and G. W. E. Bedell.

Alderman Burns having resigned, A. J. Abbot was in February elected an Alderman of the 6th ward.

The only fire company of the city this year was the "Columbus Hook and Ladder Company," of which the following were the officers and members:

*Wm. S. Chipley, President; Henry T. Hall, Foreman; *George Peabody, Assistant; R. T. Brice, Secretary; *James Kivlin, Treasurer.

Members: Henry T. Hall, N. M. C. Robinson, F. A. Wright, R. H. Green, John Everett, *B. F. Coleman, *Wm. S. Chipley, A. O. Blackmar, *P A. Clayton, Jas. S. Norman, J. R. Turnbull, Wm. S. Morton, *Chas. T. Insley, *W. J. McAlister, David Wright, *Jas. A. Bradford, *J. E. Webster, *James Kivlin, John Condon, Benj. Dodge, Josiah Pranglin, Thos. S. Carr, *Wm. Snow, J. S. Arnold, *F. A. Cairnes, J. A. Norton, �J. W. Morgan, J. H. Bishop, Jno. B. Wrapper, George Chalmers, John S. Allen, Hiram Young, John C. Young, Hugh McDonald, R. T. Brice, *A. J. Moses, �J. R. Young, M. Simmons, *G. H. Peabody, Thos. Flemming, A. Anderson, Jos. C. Niles, *I. G. Strupper, N. P. Foster.

*The members whose names are marked by asterisks are all who are now known to be living. The others are all dead, except perhaps the two with a � mark, of whom no information can now be obtained.

On Friday, April 14th, the city was excited by the announcement that the Western Insurance and Trust Company had been robbed of from $50,000 to $100,000. The office was located in the two-story brick building next the Enquirer office, corner Oglethorpe and Randolph streets. It was afterwards occupied as a post-office, and burned many years ago. The families above heard a noise early in the morning. They found the teller, Allen G. Bass, and cashier, R. B. Murdoch, locked in there. According to their statement, as they were putting up money after supper, three armed and masked men rushed forward, blew out the candle and threatened to blow out their brains if they muttered. After the vault had been robbed, they were locked in. The citizens were greatly incensed, and the military companies, police and citizens, were so posted as to prevent all egress from the town. No clue being obtained, on Saturday the Mayor searched the town. Mr. Thomas McKeen had a room in the row of low wooden buildings on Randolph street, between Oglethorpe and Jackson streets. In his room, under the earth in a japonica jar which was freshly watered, a sock was found containing $4,800 of the stolen bills. McKeen was arrested. In the afternoon he was taken by Messrs. A. K. Ayer and N. M. C. Robinson, who had him in charge, in a carriage outside the city. A report became general that McKeen had been allowed to escape by the officers through an understanding with the officers of the Trust Company, in order to get their money back. Pursuit was made and Ayer brought back. He made a speech from the bank porch, and, in conclusion, desired to know what the people wanted. They wanted McKeen back. At 11 at night McKeen was brought back, carried before Judge Sturgis, and, in default of $6,000 bail, sent to jail Sunday morning. During this investigation, it was ascertained that Col. John L. Lewis, Solicitor General, had received from McKeen information where the bulk of money was. Judge Sturgis required him to give $1,000 bail as a receiver of stolen money. Lewis claimed that in his (Lewis') exertions to secure the money, McKeen, in order to procure his escape, had told him where the bag containing $54,000 was. All the money save $6,000 was recovered. Mr. Allen G. Bass, the teller pro tem., and Mr. Wm. N. Jackson, were also arrested as implicated. The investigators named were Colonel J. H. Howard, R. B. Alexander, Hon. J. S. Calhoun, General James N. Bethune, Judge W. H. Mitchell, General S. A. Bailey, Dr. W. S. Chipley, Wm. F. Luckie, Wm. S. Morton, J. R. Jones.

Wm. N. Jackson afterwards made a confession which was published in pamphlet form, but not in the papers. Lewis' trial occupied a week. Seven panels of 48 each were exhausted before a jury of 12 could be obtained. Judge Cone presided. John Watson, Alex. McDougald, M. J. Wellborn, Seaborn Jones and W. T. Colquitt defended, and Solicitor Gardner, James Johnson, Hines Holt, J. C. Allford and R. Toombs prosecuted. The trial resulted in an acquittal. During the trial one Dr. Smith committed suicide in the court-room by swallowing poison, prussic acid. He had been arrested that morning for stealing corn. About the same time Simples was drowned while trying to swim the river. Officers were trying to arrest him for selling liquor in Alabama without license.

Lewis did not then resign his solicitorship. He and the Democrats charged on the Whigs it was a party fight and prosecution.

The trial of the other parties was continued.

Wm. R. Jones, an Alderman of the 5th ward, having resigned, James H. Wilson was elected on the 1st of April.

Ald. Wilson, of the 5th ward, resigned in May, and States Lewis was elected to fill the vacancy.

At its meeting on the 13th of May, Council passed a resolution accepting an offer of $5,000 made by Major John H. Howard for the remaining water lots belonging to the city. But on the 27th of May this vote was reconsidered. This question was one of much perplexity and stirred up some personal feeling. The reconsidered resolution having again been called up at the meeting on the 8th of July, and a determination to push it to a decision at that meeting having been announced, Mayor Moses resigned his office on this account, and Council thereupon agreed to postpone further action on the subject until the election of a new Mayor. The election was held on the 22d of July, and Henry T. Hall was returned as elected by a majority of one vote over L. B. Moody; but Mr. Moody contested the election. Council ordered a special meeting for the purpose of considering this contest, and when it met for that purpose on the 25th of July, Mr. Hall, claiming to be Mayor, resigned. Council seems to have regarded his communication as irregular or disrespectful. After some consideration as to the form of proceeding, it agreed to accept the resignation, but ordered that no part of Mr. Hall's communication should be entered on the journal. Another special election for Mayor and for an Alderman in the 4th ward in the place of Ald. Wilhelm, resigned, was ordered to be held on the 5th of August. On that day L. B. Moody was elected Mayor, and Joseph E. Webster Alderman. On the 12th of August Council settled the vexed question by accepting the proposition of Major Howard, binding him to improve the lots by the erection of machinery to be propelled by water within four years, restraining him from erecting any bridge across the river, reserving the city's right to tax the property, and reserving to the citizens the right to fish at any place on the river banks included in the lots sold, with hook, seine or net; also reserving the city's right to use the gravel and sand in the river.

Ald. Lee, of the 6th ward, having resigned, Jacob M. Guerry was elected an Alderman of that ward in June.

The Committee of Ways and Means, in June, reported the city's indebtedness as follows: Amount of city bills then in circulation, $29,221.33; certificates given for city bills on deposit, $15,960; amount due the State, $20,000; amount due prior to 1st June, $2,000--total $67,181.33. The Committee reported that the city revenues were inadequate to pay this indebtedness within any short time, and recommended the strictest economy and the rendering available of every source of revenue. They also offered an ordinance providing for bonding the city debts, in bonds bearing 8 per cent, interest and payable in eight years. This ordinance was adopted on the 19th of August.

On the 26th of August the select committee appointed for the purpose reported that they had negotiated with John G. Winter a loan of $30,000, for which the bonds of the city, bearing 8 per cent interest, and secured by a mortgage of the bridge, were to be given; the bonds to be redeemable in yearly installments of $8,000, commencing the 1st of January, 1848. This negotiation was ratified by Council.

The President of the Board of Health reported the whole number of deaths in the city from January, 1843, to January, 1844, 72.

We find the names of the following steamers and boxes whose arrivals and departures during this year are announced: Florence, Stapler Captain; Lowell, Niles; General Sumpter, Thompson; Oconee, Greer; box No. 2, Evelyn, Bilbro; Oriole, Woodruff; Agnes, Jenkins; Columbus, Allen; Charleston, Freeman; General Harrison, Van Vechten; boxes Nos. 3.and 4, Kings; Nos.5 and 6, John Godwin and Asa Bates; Tallahassee, Rynear; Augusta, Hall; Boston, Roland; Louisa, Brown; Siren, Sharples; Apalachicola, Sutton; Augusta, Cadwalader; Robert Fulton.

Cotton took a wide range this year. It opened in January at 2� to 4�c.; stood at about the same figures in June; the first bale brought 6 3/8 in August; the price rose to 7� to 8 7/8 in October, and closed in December at 6 to 9c. With such a year now, dealings in "futures" would make more millionaires and bankrupts than any other speculation in these times of commercial gambling.

A bill to authorize the election of Mayor and Aldermen for Columbus by general ticket, had failed in the Senate by one vote, after passing the House, in December, 1843. So the election of Aldermen continued to be held by wards.

Incidents

The shock of an earthquake was felt in Columbus on Wednesday night, January 4th, about nine o'clock. The vibrations succeeding the first sensitive shock continued perhaps half a minute. People were badly frightened. The same phenomenon was experienced at Augusta, Madison and Washington, Ga., and Columbia and Hamburg, S. C.

Several fires, believed to have been started by incendiaries, occurred in January and February. The stables of Dr. Billing and T. A. Brannon were burned, and an attempt was made to burn W. C. Clapp's tin store.

Washington's Birthday was celebrated by the volunteer companies and various societies. In the Baptist church, Mr. John A. Jones read Washington's "Farewell Address," and Mr. James Kellogg delivered an address.

The Enquirer of March 29th says that on Monday of last week Mr. Thomas Fleming was stabbed by Patrick McCarty. He died the next Wednesday. He was followed to the grave by the Hibernian Society and Hook and Ladder Company.

July 4th was celebrated by the two military companies. Procession marched to the Methodist Church, where James T. Eppinger read the Declaration of Independence, and Jas. L. Pierce, Esq., delivered a speech. Captain Bailey then commanded the Columbus Guards, and Capt. Schley the Muscogee Blues. The Baptist Sunday School was addressed by Rev. T. B. Slade; the Presbyterian by Rev. Dr. Goulding; and the Wynnton School was entertained at the residence of Col. Wm. L. Wynn (now the Holt place.) There were the usual barbecues, &c.

The Western Insurance Company of Columbus wound up business in the spring of this year.

First bale of cotton was sent in August 25th, by John Odom, of Russell County, and sold at auction by Greenwood & Ellis to Wm. A. Redd & Co. for 6 3/8c.

Mr. James Johnson, of Russell County, was killed by lightning while crossing the bridge over the river, on September 4th. The structure was somewhat damaged.

Personal

Hon. Joseph Sturgis was Judge of the Superior Court of the Circuit, and J. L. Lewis, Esq., Solicitor. In December the Legislature elected Milton Williams, of Columbus, Solicitor, vice Lewis.

On July 19th is found the announcement of E. T. Marks that he has sold his interest in the Enquirer to Flournoy, Ragland & Ector. S. W. Flournoy, Esq., became chief editor.

In October, A. Iverson was elected Senator, over J. S. Calhoun; and Messrs. John H. Howard, J. R. Jones, Willis P. Baker and R. B. Alexander, Representatives. All of these gentlemen, except Mr. Alexander, were Democrats.

Rev. Albert Williams was pastor of the Baptist Church in Columbus.

W. D. Matthews was this year Presiding Elder of the Columbus District of the M. E. Conference, and J. B. Payne minister at Columbus.

The annual meeting and banquet of the St. Andrew's Society was held on December 25th. M. Chisholm was elected President; Vice Presidents, W. S. Morton and John Bethune; Secretary and Treasurer, Charles Wise; Stewards, J. M. Bethune, Duncan McKenzie, and A. C. Morton.

The Board of Health reported the whole number of deaths (whites) in the city during the year, 72--the largest number of which (10) were from diarrhea. Nine children died of scarlet fever, and 6 of cholera infantum.

Marriages

January 1, Wm. H. Clem and Louisa R. A. Hanks.
Jan. 2, John A. Debloise and Emily Jane Ruse.
Jan. 3, Wm. A. Livingston and Emeline Pickard,
Jan. 3, Alex Jemison and Lucy Ann Brown.
Jan. 4, Jas. Lee Sauls and Sarah A. Nix,
Jan. 4, Alexander Thompson and Elizabeth Reynolds.
Jan. 5, John C. Ruse and Musidora A. Porter.
Jan. 11, Absalom Adams and Loduska E. A. Adams.
Jan. 12, Thomas Ginn and Dorcas Newberry.
Jan. 12, Thadeus S. Sturges and Margaret A. McCluskey.
Jan. 15, John J. B. Hoxey and Caroline C. Cotton.
Jan. 18, Wm. McCauley and Martha A. Allen.
Jan. 19, Elbridge G. Webb and Martha A. M. J. Pollard,
Jan. 19, Stephen Johnson and Caroline Tate.
Jan. 20, Wm. Johnson and Nancy Williams.
Jan. 23, Nathan H. Beall and Martha F. Beall.
Jan. 30, Samuel McGee and Elizabeth Floyd.

February 8, Robert Brown and Mary Fleming,
February 8, Robert H. Henry and Susan Houghton.
Feb. 9, Micajah C. Wordlaw and Mary J. McBride.
Feb. 15, Jesse M. Reid and Ruth E. Prosser.
Feb. 19, Wm. McBride and Sarah Brady,
Feb. 19, Farre Posey and Selethea Ginn.
Feb. 22, Reese H. Moss and Nancy Barlow.
Feb. 26, Thos. Harrill and Nancy Palmer.

March 2, Amos Ivey and Emily Ray,
March 2, Thos. R. Robinson and Mary A. Brigman,
March 2, Mark J. Westmoreland and Jane Brittain.
March 9, John H. Brittain and Jane Westmoreland.
March 13, James A. Gammell and Missoura A. Williams.
March 26, Elkanah Delaney and Elizabeth Glass.
March 29, Franklin C. Johnson and Rebecca R. Foote.

April 2, Wm. Terry and Sarah A. Whittington.
April 7, John Morgan and Elizabeth Hudson.
April 9, Kinyon Adams and Elizabeth Buckner.
April 10, Jesse Ostern and Frances Harrison.
April 13, Elijah B. Morgan and Isabel Davis.
April 19, George Hargraves Jr., and Virginia Forsyth,
April 19, Jeptha Warden and Frances H. Nickolson.
April 20, Dread Bagley and Elizabeth Jones.
April 25, John Gallops and Mary Cooksey.
April 2t, Wm. Moss and Harriet S. Ward.

May 1, John M. Hampton and Ariadna Pruett.
May 6, Hartwell Elder and Mary Dimon.
May 14, Benj. W. Hastings and Julina M. Jones,
May 14, Calvin T. Colson and Sarah Ann Evans.
May 23, Henry M. Tompkins and Henrietta M. Bethune.

June 4, George Evans and Ara Paradice.
June 6, Robt. M. Gamble and Martha R. Hasson.
June 11, James Dunaway and Irena Swift.
June 13, Ligrand S. Wright and Sarah L. Kimbrough.
June 15, Lovick P. Zuver and Elizabeth J. Westwood.
June 20, Lemuel T. Downing and Mary E. Thomas.
June 24, James Bustran and Rosa Shoots.
June 28, Randolph Wood and Ann Owens.

July 13, John W. Nash and Frances Mahorn.
July 19, Benj. F. Marshall and Caroline A. Howard.
July 20, Thos. McGinty and Jane Davis,
July 20, Franklin Lewis and Louisa A. Allums.
July 30, Leonard Lock and Mary Laton.

August 1, Robert S. Stockton and Eugenia Broadnax.
Aug. 6, Joshua L. O. Davis and Sarah Jane Adams.
Aug. 13, Enoch H. Wilson and Hestor Ann R. Parker.
Aug. 15, John B. Auchinleck and Emeline Auchinleck.
Aug. 17, Howell Davil and Elizabeth Champion.
Aug. 24, Henry T. Smith and Elizabeth Graham,
Aug. 24, Perry D. Raany and Ann Culifer,
Aug. 24, Chas. Cleghorn and Elizabeth Ross.

September 5, Wm. Nix and Margaret McKinzey.
Sept. 13, John West and Eliza Hudson.
Sept. 14, John T. Langford and Jane Champion.
Sept. 17, John C. Edwards and Matilda A. Gilmore.
Sept. 26, John L. Cheatum and Ascenoth A. Patterson.

October 5, Levi L. Peacock and Mary V. P. Short,
October 5, John A. Jones and Mary L. Leonard,
October 5, Robert F. Jemison and Martha C. Pitts.
Oct. 8, Job B. Parker and Martha Ann Bears.
Oct. 12, Jas. W. H. Ramsey and Margaret Lawson.
Oct. 17, Wm. S. Adams and Julia A. Minter.
Oct. 26, Wm. Brewer and Louisa Williams,
Oct. 26, John Story and Mary Ann Jordan,
Oct. 26, Wm. E. Love and Caroline Louisa Calhoun.
Oct. 29, Silas McMichael and Caroline Owens.

November 11, James E. Browning and Mary Johnson.
Nov. 14, Wm. J. Watt and Sarah A. Garrett.
Nov. 23, Henry H. Bradford and Martha Milford,
Nov. 23, James W. Norman and Elizabeth Majors,
Nov. 23, John C. Duck and Sarah Dunn.

December 3, Asa McNeil and Emily Underwood,
December 3, Albert Henry and Milly Perry.
Dec. 12, Thomas Dann and Augusta Dozier,
Dec. 12, Wm. P. McKeen and Martha W. McCluskey.
Dec. 15, Benjamin D. Watson and Frances Bartlette.
Dec. 17, Robt. Johnson and Martha A. Jones,
Dec. 17, John Smith and America Ann Scroggins,
Dec. 17, Marian Bethune and Frances Jane Phelps,
Dec. 17, Thos. J. Powers and Jano Williams.
Dec. 25, Alfred Johnson and Sarah Roberts.
Dec. 26, Nathaniel D. Massey and Ruthy Smith,
Dec. 26, William F. Mullins and Margaret Ann Dent.
Dec. 28, James H. Gilmore and Mary Jane Orr.

Deaths

Feb. 9, Philip, infant son of Lewis Livingston.
Feb. 14, Wm. C. Bissell, a native of Norwich, Vermont.
Feb. 25, In Wynnton, Bird B. Mitchell, in the 65th year of his age.
March 23, Howard Chandler, infant son of Julius R. Clapp.
March 31, In Girard, Lowis Townsend, aged about 40 years.
April 14, At Mt. Meigs, Ala., Gen. James C. Watson, long a prominent citizen of Columbus. His age was 56 years.
May 13, Mrs. Ann Jones, wife of Andrew P. Jones.
May 24, Leopold, infant son of John B. Green.
June 11, Margaret P., daughter of Dr. E. L. DeGraffenried.
June 27, In Wynnton, Jacinta Marks, infant daughter of R. W. B. Munro.
July 5, Thomas Scott, infant son of Dr. E. L. DeGraffenried.
July 3, Ann Elvira, daughter of Wm. H. Mitchell.
July 23, Sarah Ann, infant daughter of William C. Perry.
July 29, In Macon, Miss Rebecca Ann Lamar, daughter of Gen. Mirabeau B. Lamar--formerly of Columbus.
Aug. 9, Raunald McNeil, aged 36.
Sept. 10, Richard W., infant son of Robt. H. Green.
Sept. 13, Francis Deblois, infant son of F. N. Ruse.
Sept. 23, Near Columbus, Capt, Francis M. Marks, aged 40 years.
Sept. 18, In Cherokee county, John G., eldest son of T. B. Howard, of Columbus.

Sept. 19, Hugh McDonald, aged about 35 years.
Oct. 7, Mrs. Mary Irving Williams, wife of Rev. Albert Williams.
Oct. 9, In Florence, Ga., Major Jesse L. Bull, formerly of Columbus.
Oct. 24, Mrs. M. L. Reed, wife of Murray Reed.
Nov. 7, William J. Vincent, of Charleston S. C.
Nov. 1, David Henry, infant son of Gen. S. A. Bailey.
Nov. 23, In Boston, Thomas Burnstead, formerly of Columbus.

NOTE--Scarlet fever prevailed in Columbus this year, and most of the children named above died of that disease.