From Days Gone By April 28,1911

April 28, 1911.
The day was cloudy, very cool, and apparently threatening, but the anticipations of those who looked forward to the occasion with much interest were realized. Large crowds of people poured in from every section of this and surrounding counties, and by 10' oclock the population of Wrightsville far exceeded the report recently given by the census bureau.
It is estimated that there were between 3,000 and 4,000 people present, the bulk of whom came to hear the orator of the occasion, Thomas E. Watson. The Memorial Day exercises were held at the college auditorium, where a program of music and songs was rendered. "Tenting on the Old Camp Ground" and "Dixie" were admirably given by the teachers and pupils of the college. Prof. A. F. Ware was master of ceremonies. The invocation offered by Rev. W. L. Wright of the methodist church, after which the speaker was introduced by Capt. John L. Martin.
Mr. Watson's speech was replete with historical facts dating back to the continental days of the nation down to the fall of the Confederacy. He also read paragraphs from a history of the United States, which is being taught at the State University, which cast reflections on our ancestors, and is demoralizing to the youths of our Southland. He denounced the history as a false and dangerous text book. Mr. Watson is a magnetic speaker and held his audience for an hour. The house was packed with standing room only with as many outside as in.
At the close of the exercises, the Confederate Veterans formed a line in front of the stage and Prof. Ware had the school children march at the tap of the drum and salute these old men who wore the gray. Through the efforts of Messers. C. E., W. C. and J. W. Brinson, Jr., T. G. Holt, Jupe Hicks, Tom Martin contributed to the barbeque which was cooked by M. N. Killebrew, L. D. Downs, W. C. Brinson, J. V. Kent, Jonah Davis and Jerony Downs
The Warthen Warblers pulled down 2 victories this week at Idylwild. The first game was between the Pringle Pluggers in a score of 9 to 4. The 2nd game was against the Dublin Doodles with a score of 14 to 8.
J. B. Harrison, Superintendent of city water-works has been busy placing pipes and meters to be connected to the hydrants in the offices and private residences. He has installed 150 meters to date. City clerk J. M. Blackshear has been sick and his daughter Cora is filling in for him.
In the census report Wrightsville was listed with 1,389 residents, Adrian 816, Kite 241, and Scott 212. Wrightsville has been growing for the past 25 years in population. The locals figure there is some mistake for they figured Wrightsville at 1500.
John B. Haines is studing at the Medical College in Louisville, Kentucky. Miss Mabel Williams accepted a professional nurse position in Sandersville at Dr. Evans Sanitarium. Judge and Mrs. A. F. Daley left for White Springs, Florida for his health as he is greatly suffering from rheumatism. Luther Raines of Sanford, Florida is visiting his old homeplace.
Mrs. Harman McDaniel died at her home near Bartow from paralyses. She was a sister of Sheriff Lewis Davis. Mr. John Copeland died at his home near Moores Chapel.
The house on the eastside of the railroad occupied by Matthew Little, colored, and owned by Capt. Kent was destroyed by fire. The location made it difficult for the two fire teams. They did save the surrounding structures.
On last saturday morning Mrs. W. J. Dent, Sr. came near dying from strichnine poison by eating scrambled eggs, in which one had been injected with the poison to be put out for a dog or some other animal that had been breaking up her hen's nest. In order to be careful with the poisoned egg she placed it in the dairy, where she thought it would not be found. When the cook wanted to serve eggs, Mrs Dent sent her to the dairy where the supply of eggs were kept, forgetting about the bad egg. Mrs. Dent ate most of the eggs which also contained the poison egg. She became violently ill and thrown into convulsions. Drs. Brinson and Harris were called and after the antidotes she recovered and realizes her miraculus escape from death.

April 21,1911

April 21, 1911. The little town of Kite, on the Wadley and Southern Railroad, was the scene of a terrible tragedy on last saturday night and the people there were thrown into a state of intense excitement over the killing of Ira Lindsey, the marshal of Kite, by Clifford and Sherman Dixon, who live about a mile and a half from Wrightsville. The Dixon brothers went to Kite, and while there they were drinking and disorderly, and that marshal Lindsey approached them and advised them to leave town, or he would be compelled to arrest them. This enraged the Dixon's and it is said the marshal was knocked down by one of them, after which the officer used his club on Sherman Dixon, inflicting a painful wound on his head, when immediately both of the Dixon men used their guns. Several bullets taking effect and killing marshal Lindsey almost instantly. After the killing, the Dixon's returned to their home near here and sent word to Sheriff Davis that they were ready to surrender. The Sheriff and his bailiff left at once and brought them in and they are now in jail here. The Dixon's were always regarded as honest, hardworking, peaceable men. They came from one of the oldest families in Johnson County. Sherman, the eldest, married a daughter of William Anderson of this county and has a wife and one child. Clifford is about 24 years old and unmarried. Marshal Lindsey is said to be of a good family, and comparatively a young man, he leaves a wife and one child. He had only been Marshal of Kite for a short while, going there from Washington County near Tennille. The affair is greatly deplored, and much sympathy is felt for the aged parents of the Dixon boys and the bereaved wife and child of Marshal Ira Lindsey. The grading has nearly all been completed on the Wrightsville, Adrian & Lyons Railroad, as soon as this is done, and ties and iron placed on part of the distance from Wrightsville to Adrian, the road will be bonded and completed. T. J. James of Adrian is President; E. J. Sumner, treasuer and J. H. Rowland, superintendent. This road means a great deal to Wrightsville, and is an important factor to all lines of business, and the people in this section should make every effort to urge its completion. Mr. George E. Hood of Gaffney, S. C. wed Miss Idella Wood of Johnson County. Mr. Hood holds a responsible position in the government of his town. Miss Wood is a daughter of Mr. J. V. Wood of the Maple Springs neighborhood. The couple will live in South Carolina. William Jackson, a prominent citizen of Donovan is serving as postmaster at that place. Andrew Perry and Perry Price of the New Home area are down with pneumonia. Mr. Ernest Pound, formally of Sandersville but now a citizen here is an advocate of velvet beans for stock. Vines grow forty to fifty feet long and the beans according to Pounds are better for stock than common field peas and are also an improver of the land. The Pennant of the graduating class of Warthen College, 1911, is very beautiful. It is made of Lavender and White, the class colors, and is the acme of artistic beauty. The work was all done by hand, and the intricate stitches so deftly woven demonstrate the skill of Mrs. R. L. Kent, who kindly gave her time and labor to the work. Mr. John M. Jordan, our genius machinist of Summit has been spending several days in the city at the shops of Fulghum and Sanders perfecting the models of a useful and new invention known as a weather and cinder cleat for railroad box doors. This wonderful invention is said to be a success and one which the railroads heartily endorse. The cleat is not only needed in this country, but all over the entire world. It is especially useful and adapted to preventing cinders or sparks getting through into a case loaded with inflammables or cotton. Mr. Jordan will leave for Pittsburg, Pa to give an exhibition of his invention. John Jordan is an old Johnson County boy, a brother of citizen Tom Jordan. John's old friends here are delighted to hear of the big success he has made with his new invention, from which we trust he will realize millions!

From Days Gone By April 14,1911

April 14,1911. The court house grounds are looking better than ever this spring. The grass and hedge are growing finely and make the square quite attractive. The new opera house being built by E. A. W. Johnson will be named the Vivola. The name is formed from the first names of the two only daughters of Mr. Johnson, and is at once easy, pretty and catchy, and quite appropriate. He hopes to have it ready for next season. All businesses will close on monday, April 26th in observance of Confederate Memorial Day. G. W. Cochran was welcomed back as a permanent citizen here. Plenty of room here for all such men as he. The Peoples Hardware Company has just received two cars of Summers Barnesville Buggies. 'Nuff sed. Hope Strong left last week for Vidalia where he has accepted a position in the branch store established there by the Four Seasons Company of Dublin. The Mount Vernon Baptist Association will hold their Sunday School Convention at Mount Moriah church near Harrison. Judge A. F. Daley is confined to his home this week with rheumatisum. Wright Norris is quite sick with pneumonia. Also on the sick list this week were Wesley Brinson, Mr. C. H. Moore and Mrs. J. T. Tharpe. Dr. & Mrs. Thomas Lamar Harris announced the engagement of their daughter Emmie Hook, to Mr. William H. Strickland of Atlanta. Miss Harris is a 1907 graduate of Warthen College. Mr. Strickland works with the Southern Express Company of Atlanta. Mr. Robert Hardy Holmes of Live Oak, Florida announced the wedding of his daughter, Margaret, to Dr. James Gordon Brantley on May 10th at the methodist church in Live Oak. In Scott news Mr. J. L. Landers is sick. S. W. Rogers, one of our leading citizens and farmers, died at his home at 4am wednesday from pneumonia. Tom Wheeler has resigned his position at the telephone exchange and returned to Kite. He is suffering from rheumatisum. Plans are to erect a modern hotel in our town. We hope to see it completed by fall. The methodist church will soon be completed. The other night a young man who had been out fishing with a friend came running into Wrightsville and fell on the pavement with a small and harmless eel clutched in his hand, just back of its head, calling for help at the top of his voice. Mr. John Ausbon, who was on duty at the time, ran to his assistance and asked him what was the matter. His reply was that he had a lamp eel in his hand which had bitten him three times, and he had heard that if once bitten by one it was sure death. Mr. Ausbon assured him that the eel which he had was of the common, harmless variety; that all the damage done was done to the eel. The eel died; the young man recovered, but looks very feeble. J. R. Kelly writes on his first trip to Wrightsville "It was the year 1907, I had the pleasure of coming to the city of Wrightsville, and I was impressed with the little city and her people. And for nearly 3 years, it was my great pleasure to come this way. In 1909, I decided to cast my lot among the people of Wrightsville, in doing so, I have never yet had cause to regret. I will always rejoice that the hand of Providence guided me this way. To know the people of Wrightsville as I know them, there could not be anything in our heart but the purest love. On last friday night as I was siting out on my porch, I heard some voices singing. I said to my wife, isn't that sweet singing, and as the melody of that song in the 'Sweet By and By' made the welkin ring above the hills and valleys, in the little city of Wrightsville. It was hushed in front of my gate and there dismounted and began to unload of their bounties. Words fail me here to express my feelings of love and gratitude to such noble people. I could but only weep. I could only say from the very bottom of my heart, God bless the givers of those gifts. My prayers will ever be, that God will always bless these good people in the little city of Wrightsville.