The twentieth century was ill starred for prosecutors in the Macon Judicial Circuit, and the deadly jinx started with the century's first Solicitor General (now District Attorney).
Hope Polhill, 37, had been elected to the office in a six way race in 1900. On March 2, 1901, two months and two days into his term, he went to his office in the Bibb County courthouse at night. After drawing up an indictment in murder case, Sol. Polhill shot himself in the head with a 32 cal. pistol. All the gas jets in the office had been turned on. Mrs. Polhill testified that her husband said the strain of the office was killing him, and that he had not slept in three days. The Coroner ruled suicide.
On March 4, 1901, the Governor appointed Macon lawyer William Brunson to fill the unexpired term. Brunson was elected to a second term. On June 6, 1909, Sol. Brunson, despondent about his health, shot himself with a pistol while at his home.
Walter J. Grace of Macon was the next Solicitor General of the circuit. Near the end of his term, and after a lingering illness, Sol. Grace died in office March 31, 1912.
John P. Ross was elected to succeed Grace in a hotly fought contest. Under the fee system, the office paid between fifteen and twenty thousand dollars per year. Jinx or no, that was a very good salary for the time. Ross served until 1920.
The jinx slept, but did not die. Ross's successor, Charles H. Garrett served thirty one years in office before he was killed by a hit and run driver near his home on Vineville Avenue in 1951. Garrett's appointed successor, William M. West, lived to retirement.
Jack Gautier, the next Solicitor General, was not so lucky. He suffered a stroke while on the stand, testifying in a jury selection challenge, and although he continued in office, he never fully recovered. When it became obvious that he could not continue to serve, and it was ruled that he lacked the time required for a full pension, Gautier shot himself with a pistol in the court evidence room, May 16, 1972.
Walker Johnson was appointed as interim District Attorney, but did not seek election. Fred Hasty, Gautier's assistant, was elected to the office, and survived his tenure. Walker Johnson again became District Attorney, but soon resigned to accept a judicial appointment.
Don Thompson succeeded in the position now known as the District Attorney. The nemesis was neither deceived nor deterred by the name change. On November 28, 1980, Thompson was shot to death by a burglar. He was succeeded by Willis Sparks. On December 28, 1993, Sparks shot himself in his courthouse office. He died the next day.
Not counting the present incumbent, there have been twelve chief prosecutors of the Macon Judicial Circuit in the part century. Seven died in office, six by violence, Four died by their own hands. Three shot themselves inside the courthouse office, one was murdered and one was killed by manslaughter.
Frank M. McKenney