FROM DAYS GONE BY May 14, 1926

 May 14, 1926.

    An interesting comencement consisting of a half dozen programs will be held for graduation which will be held on the 25th. Judge R. Earl Camp of Dublin will be the speaker. The seniors will put on a play called "The Spice of Life".

    George H. Carswell of Irwinton may run for Governor and H. H. Elders of Reidsville while in town on business may also enter the Governor's race. Aaron Sapiro, the man who started the Cotton Cooperative Association will speak in Dublin.

    Judge B. B. Blount opened the May Term of City Court. Solicitor J. Roy Rowland had a couple of cases against John Mimbs in connection with wife whipping. He plead guilty and fined $60. Other guilty pleas with fines were: James Banks, gambling $40; Roger Temple, drunk at church $50; Wade Price, violating motor law $40; Clinton Laue, whiskey case $75; Willie Charelston, gambling $40; Maxie Walker, gambling $40; Virgil Walker, gambling $50; Roger Walker, drunk at church $50; Roger Walker, pistol case $75; Frank Scott, assault & battery, 12 months chain gang; Clayton Newsome, acquitted on charge of enticing labor away from another; Frank Brown, ran away from chain gang, 12 more months on chain gang; Anna Tarver, whiskey charge $62.50.

    Mr. Omy Hooks of Spann is now in charge of the Idylwild resort. Claxton and Midville have just sold their electric plants to Georgia Southern Power Company. The company now has all lines connected to the local plant. High poles bring the line down the hill from the cemetery where the transmission station is located and run all the way around the courthouse square. The lines should be charged by the end of the week.

    It was a big day at Hubbard's Chapel colored church Sunday when all brethren from Buckeye turn out for the service. But it wasn't all religion, for five members got into trouble from bad "spirits", bull dog guns, too much convoy and other things. Deputy Carl Claxton jailed four.

    The home of Mr. C. M. Dent, five miles west of town at Arline's Chapel, was destroyed by fire that started in the potato houses. It got the smokehouse, kitchen, dwelling, two chicken houses and two lighting plants. Most of the furnature was saved. He also lost 12 cans lard, saved 36 pieces of meat out of 18 hogs and lost all the syrup. He carried no insurance.

    The infant son of Mr. & Mrs. Jewell Redfern was buried at the Anthony cemetery. Mr. I. P. Averett, an aged carpenter died at the home of Mr. Goodman Stephens. He was buried at Liberty Grove.

    Mr. William Amos Heath, born Feb. 9, 1856 died at his home near town May 6th being over 70 years old. Forty-five years ago was married to Miss Lula Lord and had six children, Mrs. Nonie Barwick, Mrs. G. A. Sammons, Mrs. Charlie Odum, Mrs. H. J. Wilson, Miss Milah Heath and Mr. Yomie L. Heath. After her death he married Miss Josephine Hansel in 1910. They had two girls Mary and Florence. He was buried in the Anthony cemetery.

    Miss Mary Rowland, daughter of Mrs. J. A. Rowland married Mr. F. R. Wise of Savannah on April 7th in Adrian.

FROM DAYS GONE BY May 7, 1926

 May 7, 1926.

    The various school districts of the county elected their members to the Board of Trustees. W. C. Brinson and C. S. Claxton were re-elected for another term. R. R. Martin, A. F. Flanders and E. E. Sanders will not be up till 1927. The school will have its big picnic at Idylwild on Friday for the Wrightsville School District.

    Mr. R. C. Thompson, district supervisor of the State for Vocational Education met with School Superintendent Luther Lillard to make a survey of the county to find all the disabled persons in the county. The State desires to help these persons through physical restoration and vocational training and place them in different forms of employment.

    The Farm Bill by Senator William J. Harris has been approved and authorizes a three year experiment by the Post Office with a fifty percent reduction of postal rates on farm produce shipped directly from the farm to Post Office on the same Rural Route. Its aim is to encourage the transportation of food products from producers to consumers or vendors. This would include vegetables, fruits, berries, poultry, eggs, milk and cream.

    The pension check for Confederate veterans back due money was received by Ordinary Jenkins. The amount was $13,890 for money due the old soldiers since 1922. Some pensioners get as high as $460, some $360 which is the major draw for veterans.

    The merchants on the west side from Brinson's Drug Store up to the Georgia Filling Station (Sumners Pharmacy) made up a fund to erect some hitching posts on the open lot to the rear of these stores. They are now up and available for people who still drive horses and mules into the city.

    The new grocery and feed store of the Wrightsville Grain Company by the Post Office is operated by Mrs. E. A. Lovett. Col. W. M. Shurling has opened a new grocery and Alfo corn feed store in the building vacated by Jacob Kaplan. Mr. Lewis Reese is manager. Mr. Jefferson Tyson is selling Colt Lighting Systems. Mr. Fluker Tarbutton acquired the Lovett"s Filling Station. D. L. Maddox and Mr. Sheppard have opened up barber shops.

    Mr. Thomas Ray Knight of Kite married Miss Ruby Haddock of Douglas, Georgia. Mr. Silas Greenway, G. M. Barnes and Lee Barnes have filed for bankruptcy.

FROM DAYS GONE BY April 30,1926

 April 30,l926.

    The Georgia Southern Power Company is pushing its construction of the high-powered electric lines into the city from Dublin and may reach here by Saturday night, Just since Monday they are just six miles from the cemetery. They will have three big wires connecting Dublin to Wrightsville and two phone lines below them.

    There were about ten thousand people at Lumber City for the opening of the big bridge there. Brass bands, barbecue, mounted and foot police and the Governor was on hand for the dedication. This is an important bridge for the state as it gives a direct short route to the southern section of the state and saves alot in travel to Florida from Johnson County. When the new bridge on the Bee Line across the Oconee River at Ball's Ferry opens in the Spring of 1928, its anticipated an even larger crowd will attend its dedication.

    Mr. J. W. Williams and Mrs. H. Connelle have opened a furniture repair shop just west of the city on the Bee Line. City officials have erected large posts at the main intersections in town which direct drivers to drive to the right and this ordinance will be enforced. It is to lesson danger at these crossings and help traffic flow.

    Mr. E. J. Claxton is going ahead with his bathing pool at the new Bee Line Springs across the Little Ohoopee in Kite. He plans on it being ready by the summer. Bathing houses will be added along with other attractions. This will soon be a popular resort.

    Mrs. C. H. Tillis of Safe Harbor, Florida announces the engagement of her daughter, Bertha, to Mr. J. W. Dent formally of Adrian. Mr. Johnnie Sheppard and Miss Nevada Price were married.

    Mr. W. D. Stribling, father of Mrs. W. M. Shurling, died at the family home in Eatonton and was buried there.

    Mrs. J. L. Hatcher died at Kite from a complication of troubles. She was 77 years old and was married 43 years. She was Mr. Hatchers' second wife. She was a member of Oaky Grove for 33 years coming from Bethlehem church in Laurens County. She was buried at Oaky Grove.

    Mr. Mack Heath, a son of Frank Heath of Savannah died at the home of Mr. & Mrs. O. A. Kennedy here from disease. He was about 50 years old and lived here for years working for Mr. Kennedy. He was unmarried. He was buried at Cedar Grove community in the Wilson Cemetery.

    Mrs. Bill Williams, the former Miss Gatlin, died at her home in Atlanta. She was brought back here and buried in Westview.

From Days Gone By April 23,1926

 April 23, 1926.

    Wrightville High School announced the graduating class of 1925-26. Ruth Humphrey, Lois Jackson, Agnes Morris, Inez Lillard, Mary Sanders, Iduma Jenkins, Vivian Outlaw, Ruby Renfroe, Annie Lou Mosley, Nancy Williams, Odessa Moore, Louise Neal, Elmer Jackson, Harry Rowland and Ellwood Jackson.

    Mr. J. H. Rowland was named new head of the Commercial Club. L. A. Lovett, vice-chair; E. L. Rowland, treasurer; secretaries Mrs. H. B. Johnson and C. D. Roundtree. The County Agent M. E. Crow discussed building a hatchery here. Mr. W. H. Lovett is adding two new industries in the city. A new gin and large cotton warehouse next to the W. & T. on the old ice plant property. T. L. Chester will do the building. This will make three gins for Wrightville, two of them new.

    Another new business is opening in May next to Moye & Company where Jacob Kaplan has run a dry goods store. When he vacates a grocery and feed store will take it's place. E. H. Parker runs a junkyard in front of the depot.

    The county banks released their statements of condition. Exchange Bank, $368,115.22; Bank of Wrightsville, $340,159.27; Bank of Adrian, $104,320.75; Citizens Bank of Kite, $137,626.62; Farmers Bank, $137,054.40.

    Charlie Rawlings was transferred to Sandersville jail by order of Judge Camp. Charlie's brother, Dr. William Rawlings is said to be in a dying condition and Charlie will be allowed at the Sheriff's discretion to visit his brother's bedside. Also should he die, Charlie will be allowed to attend the funeral under armed guard.

    Mr. William Henry Blankenship, 86, died at his daughters, Mrs. Alice Smith near Linton. He is survived by W. E., Claude and Cicero, and  daughter Mrs. Willie Ausbon. He was buried at Linton.

    Charlie Weldon Claxton, small son of Mr. & Mrs. Henry J. Claxton, died at the family home in Kite from pneumonia. He would have been six on May 22nd. He was buried at Kite cemetery.

    Miss Adel Waller of Pringle and Mr. Arlie Outlaw of Wrightville were wed in Aiken, S. C. She is a daughter of Mr. & Mrs. E. W. Waller. He is a son of Mr. & Mrs. J. D. Outlaw.

    Miss Lillie Mae Lowe and Mr. James Carter were wed at the grooms parents, Mr. & Mrs. Thomas W. Carter. James T. Miller, J. P. Performed the ceremony.

    Mr. Silas L. Powell and family returning from Kite their auto left the bridge this side of Mrs. Newton Smith's home and capsized in the water. He and his wife were hurt some but the baby escaped injury.

    While driving the little pony cart of Ralph Lovett, young misses Mary Lovett, Nancy Rowland and Estelle Clarke were hurt when the pony through the girls out of the cart. A nearby boy threw a missile and hit the pony causing the accident. Mary's back was hurt, she receiving the worst of it. The other girls were badly bruised.

From Days Gone By April 16,1926

 April 16, 1926.

    Whether it is against the law to "set up" a still in the court house or not is a question, but the Sheriff and his deputies "set up" one there Friday for the observations of the general public, an exhibition of a raid they made late Thursday not far from town up near the county line at the home of Charlie McCray, colored. It was a "cute effect", this lard can still all set and ready to go in the Sheriff's office as hundreds passed by to see it.

    It was a lard can, a jug for a "thumper", and a copper pipe about six feet long. McCray is said to have had this outfit in his house and had two of his colored friends along with him at the time of the raid. All three were harnessed by the law and are now out under bonds and the officer has a quantity of "evidence" from the house which he holds as usual until trial. "Blind Tigers" are targets in this county and the Sheriff aims to control as much of it as he can.

    Dr. W. J. Flanders, our State legislator from Johnson County came near having a bad accident near Unadilla while traveling to his daughter's home, who at the time was with them. Some man met them and side swiped his auto. None of them were hurt.

    Mr. & Mrs. R. L. Stephens left for Atlanta to attend a Shoe and Hosiery Convention. Agent Crow had another successful poultry sale here. Hens brought 26 cent per pound, stags 22 cent, and fryers 45 cents. Turkeys brought 30 cents.

    The Wrightsville Commercial Club met Thursday night. Mr. L. A. Lovett made a report of the erection of Wrightville signs. He put up 395 signs, going as far as Fitzgerald, Hazelhurst, Reidsville, Waynesboro, Greensboro, Madison and Macon. One route reaching as far as Thomasville. The cost to the club was $90.83 for erection, posts, hotel expense, labor, lumber all told.

    A city wide revival will start next Sunday with preaching every night at both Brown Memorial and Wrightville Methodist. Judge Kent has added four new residences to Wrightville in the past four months.

    Mr. N. A. Meeks of Ochlocknee, Ga. died at his home there leaving his wife and four children. He was once a resident here and many relatives still here. He was a brother to Mrs. W. C. Chester and Mrs. W. T. Rowland and Mr. John A. Meeks of Moultrie.

    In a surprising wedding at the closing of the J. C. Penny store in Macon, Harry S. Hall, department manager and Miss LaVada Price of Wrightville were wed. Soon after they left for Tucson, Arizona, the home of the groom. She is a daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Dennie C. Price.

From Days Gone By April 9,1926

 April 9, 1926.

    Two Lewis boys and Red Cason drew fines in City Court from a row Sunday at James Grove Church where a large crowd was at worship. Some kind of dispute got the boys dander up and soon threats of pistols and weapons of various sorts started when the deacons came out to quiet the affair. Sheriff Claxton arrested the boys and landed some heavy fines.

    Ralph Rawlings Tanner, a son of J. J. Tanner and no blood relation to the Rawlings family was held in Bibb County jail on a charge of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death of R. C. Cridlin, a traveling salesman from Richmond, Virginia. On March 12th Cridlin was crossing the street when Ralph hit him with his auto. At the time Tanner was charged with reckless driving. Cridlin was sent home to Virginia but later died from his injuries. Tanner claims if Cridlin hadn't been jay walking the accident would have never happened.

    The druggist, merchants and officials, city and clubs, and a number of citizens protested to the legislature against the proposed tax on soft drinks.

    Sheriff Claxton gives notice that after April 15th he will make cases against all auto owners who do not display their 1926 license tag on the rear of their autos. John E. Beasley files for bankruptcy.

    Farming has gone well this week with ideal weather. Planting corn and some cotton is being done all over the county.

    Farmer, dairyman, stockman, merchant and general all-round good citizen, Mr. William Jackson of Donovan, shows his hand along once in a while at some figures in almost everything he does. He kills a lot of meat every year, and this has been a good season for him. When he kills the meat he has his own cold storage room. A few days ago Mr. Jackson had a lot of 10 head of hogs he killed. In this lot were three head which when butchered weighed 1515 pounds. Their weights were 601, 512, and 402.

From Days Gone By April 2,1926

 April 2, 1926.

    Thursday morning Judge Camp began the second trial of J. J. Tanner accused of the murder of Mr. Gus Tarbutton on Ring jaw Bluff. The State was represented by Solicitor Fred Kea, former Solicitor E. L. Stephens, former Judge John Luther Kent, Col. W. C. Brinson and Col. Jack J. Harris. The defense was Evans & Evans and Wright & McMillian of Sandersville, Charles S. Claxton, Thomas E. Hightower and former Governor Thomas W. Hardwick.

    Six panels were sworn from which to obtain a jury. The jury consisted of J. N. Hall, D. A. J. Price, J. T. Horton, H. E. Webb, T. W. Stapleton, J. R. Grice, W. Marcus Anderson, Samuel Foskey, Buddie Brantley, F. M. Tapley, C. L. Williams and N. T. Beasley.

    The testimony was grilled as strongly as in the first trial. Several witnesses could not attend, some had died, others had gone beyond the court jurisdiction. It was fought stubbornly on both sides. All the evidence was concluded at 6:15 Saturday night with a packed courthouse all through the trial. The jury got the case in time to consider it but a few minutes when the Judge ordered the Sheriff to care for them until Monday.

    The jury came in about ten Monday morning with a verdict of guilty and carried the recommendation to the Judge for mercy. Tanner had nothing to say before the Judge passed a life time sentence on Tanner. Attorneys for Tanner immediately filed a motion for another trial and this motion will be heard May 15th.

    The annual meeting of the Wrightville & Tennille Railroad was held in Savannah. All officers and directors were reelected. A dividend of 6 per cent was declared on Preferred Stock and a dividend of 3 per cent on Common Stock.

    Mrs. R. H. Rowland entertained her father, Judge John Luther Kent on his 58th birthday. The mumps, the kind which gives you the big jaw, has been raging all around the county.

    The Southern Agricultural Works have offered $100 for the best five acres of cotton in Georgia. Agent Crow is urging all boys in the corn clubs to enter this contest.

    There will be a soil redintegration or soil building demonstration here in April on the J. H. Rowland plantation three miles east of Wrightville. The public will be interested to see the growing vetch on this piece of ground.