April 7, 1911. The Wrightsville Volunteer Fire Company has really served this community since its organization. Now the citizens should show their appreciation by contributing to a small fund to buy them rubber boots and coats to protect them from the water and the heat. Contributions can be made at Brinson Drug Store. Commander Jacob Tapley Snell of Camp Martin United Confederate Veterans is contemplating soliciting subscriptions to erect a monument to the wives and daughters of the Confederacy. Money has been sent to the State from here ($25) towards a State Monument. Commander Snell stated, "Would it not therefore be better to solicit contributions to place a monument on the local square to 'Our Confederate Soldiers', as most towns and counties in the South have done?" The ladies of Wrightsville are invited to contribute baskets to the dinner on Confederate Memorial Day, the 26th for the soldiers reunion and come listen to the Honorable Thomas E. Watson who will speak at the college auditorium. Miss Lula J. Davis, a professional nurse at Rawlings Sanitarium and Mr. Brackston D. Williams, a prosperous farmer of this county were married by Judge J. C. Wiggins on March 26th. Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Clark announced the birth of a daughter last monday. The infant child of Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Price was buried at the Price Burial Ground this week. Frank Outlaw has been busy adjusting pipes and making connections to the new water works system. J. D. outlaw & Son have just received a consignment of several hundred pounds of horse and mule shoes, and invites farmers to let them put on their new shoes. Virgil Kent is considering putting in a laundry service. J. J. Duff, optician and jeweler moved his headquarters to the west side of Marcus Street at M. M. Davis' store. Joe Little, the colored barber has moved his shop to the Butterly building, corner of Elm and Marcus Street. Miss Lillian Page, who has been ill with pneumonia is slowly improving. Rev. and Mrs. Fred Carter have been sick for several days. Little Edward Wright has been quite sick with catarrhal fever and is improving. Mr. Wesley Brinson is sick with billious colic. The Honorable George M. Rhiner is so much improved he has been seen out driving. In Scott news there was a bank meeting held to elect new officers. They are: L. O. Benton, President; Z. T. Houser, Vice-President; J. V. Carter, Cashier. The infant son of Mr. Benette Hilburn died last saturday and was buried at Carter's Chapel. There came near being a wreck here last friday night. The freight train crew spied a trestle burning just ahead of them while the train was running at full speed. The engineer shut off the engine, put on the emergency brake and leaped for his life, but the trestle did not give away. The train crew quickly put out the fire, and continued their journey without any serious damage having been done.( To post a comment on this or any other column log on to deshistoricalpub.blogspot.com)

March 31, 1911

March 31, 1911. Mr. smith, of Pew's Engineering Corps, came to Wrightsville to examine the large steel water tower erected here by the Cole Manufacturing Company of Newnan. After investigation Mr. Smith made his positive report to the mayor and council who gave their official approval. The tank has been filled with water, and from it the old tank near the court house was filled twice and yet did not exhaust one-third the supply in the new tank. Wrightsville's splendid water system is about complete. The city has informed its citizens that the 8th of April the water supply from the old system will be cut off, and all who wish to have water furnished them had better see Mr. John B. Harrison to have connections made. Preparations are now being made by contractor Chester to begin work in a few days in the erection of the second story of the Johnson buildings and the opera house. The work will give employment to several workmen, both brick-masons and carpenters. With the sound of hammer and saw, the ring of the trowel and the call for "brick & morter", the business side of Wrightsville will be kept lively for sometime. Wrightsville is now in touch with one or more good grist mills (water power), which are giving their respective communities good meal, and fresh water ground meal from good Johnson County raised corn is a luxury, pure and simple. Daniel Jordan Smith is running Thomas Jeffereson Brantley's old mill between Wrightsville and Pringle, and O. S. Fortner on Battleground, both can furnish you meal of this kind. Mrs. Charlie Claxton and Mr. & Mrs. John Mayo received a message wednesday that their grandfather, Mr. J. W. Mayo of Kite, was dying. They left at once to see him. Mr. Leon Chester of Wrightsville was married on March 4th to Miss Irene Melton of Atlanta. She was a former resident here and this is where they will make their home. Citizen F. A. Sinquefield has donned the editorial harness of the Wrightsville Chronicle. The Exchange Bank of Wrightsville is now handing out compliments to its patrons in the shape of dainty artistic china plates which are most unique souviners. J. T. Ferguson informed everyone that Thomas E. Watson will speak here on Memorial Day. Mr. J. D. Bush gave notice of filing bankruptcy. In college news Cleo Johnson is out of school this week cause of sickness. Mary Will Hall is back after an absence. Beulah Kelly has been quite sick. In Scott news Tommie Wheeler of Kite has accepted the position as operator in the telephone exchange. J. J. Cox who has been a resident here for some time has moved to Waynesboro. Work has begun on the Methodist Church and is progressing rapidly. S. P. Rice is making additions to his dwelling. Mr. J. D. Graham, of near here, fell dead at his home last friday. A small fire early wednesday around 2 am brought out the new fire department with every member on the scene. The fire was hard to find but when found was extinguished in short order. The alarm was sent by the engineer at the power house. The fire was at the barn of J. W. Crawford. The roof was on fire and almost ready to burst into flames. For the time of the night the new firemen were prompt in their services and did an excellent job. March came in like a lamb and went out like a lion.(

March 24,1911

March 24, 1911. The talk while building the Tower of Babel was never more confusing and annoying than the noise from the hammers of the workmen now at work on the water tower in the eastern part of the city. The tower and water tank are about completed. The cover is now being placed on the tank and in a few days, Mr. Whitmire will be finished and the water turned on. Pipes are being placed on the streets ready to be laid for residences. John R. Grice is preparing to improve his large and commodious residence on East Elm Street, by the addition of a cellar and two more rooms. W. H. Lovett has purchased the gin formally operated by the Tennille Oil Mill. In Scott news T. A. Pullen has accepted a position as lumber checker with the firm of Hughes & Standridge. In college news, Maudie Hightower is out with pneumonia. Messers. Lucious Attaway and Willie Raines are out sick. Henry Tharpe was out of school to attend a funeral at Gumlog. Notice was given that beginning April 1st the following businesses will close at 6pm each day but saturday: The Empire Store, H. C. Tompkins, People Hardware Company, Tanner & Kent, Wrightsville Furniture Company, Dunlap & Company, Davis Brothers & Company, The Vickers & Williams Company, J. W. Moye, Hayes Brothers, Wrightsville Merchantile Company, Rowland Merchantile Company and D. G. Blount & Company. The death of W. G. Daniel of Washington County died at his son, W. O. Daniel here in Johnson County on the 15th. He was born July 16, 1834 in Baldwin County, served 3 years in the Confederate army where he was wounded. He returned and married Mary J. Lundy on January 2, 1865 and had six children with 4 living are W. O., O. L. and Mrs. S. D. Robinson and Mrs. Sidney Wood. His first wife died June 1886 and he married again in September to Miss M. L. Turner. He had 24 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. He was buried at Bethany. After a 5 day illness of pneumonia, Mr. C. C. Tharp died at his home on the Hall place and was buried at Gumlog. He was one of the oldest citizens and lived here since a boy. He was a Confederate veteran who served throughout the war. He was survived by a wife and several children including James Tharp of the Rowland Merchantile Company. Major Tharp had many friends. Confederate Veteran Benjamin F. Martin has been appointed Asst. Inspector General with the rank of Major on the staff of Major General J. H. Martin, Commander Georgia Divison United Confederate Veterans. Benjamin entered service from Sparta, Hancock County in 1862 as a private in Company E 15th GA Reg. and surrendered with Lee at Appomattox. He is a member of Camp Martin, No. 964, U. C. V. and was awarded the Cross of Honor by the Johnson County Chapter United Daughters of the Confederacy in 1903. The March Term of Superior Court was held by Judge B. T. Rawlings. The case of C. P. Simpson against the Wrightsville & Tennille Railroad, a suit brought for damages received in a wreck 2 years ago, resulted in a verdict of $2,500 for the plaintiff. Other cases on the criminal docket were: The State vs S. M. Johnson for pointing a pistol which resulted in a mistrial in open court by a jury. The State vs Ben Loyd, for murder case is in progress. Mr. George Mixon who was convicted for killing Henry Claxton of Kite and was sentenced for 6 years in the State Penitentiary, has been pardoned by Gov. Brown. While confined in Toombs County chaingang, his wife died leaving 6 small children. A petition was signed by the jurors who tried him and other citizens asking executive clemency. E. E. Sanders and T. H. Jackson will have the management of Idylwild this season. The grounds and attractions are being made ready for this spring and summer. Idylwild is well known as one of the most popular pleasure grounds in middle Georgia.