From Days Gone By July 21, 1911

July 21, 1911. On last friday evening at 8:30 the Wrightsville volunteer fire department gave a banquet at the Lovett Hotel, complementary to the mayor, board of aldermen and police force. Col. W. C. Brinson who is a famous "after-dinner speaker" entertained the crowd. Then somebody busted up the party. As the fire team was gathered at the dinner some "smart alecs" who are trying to achieve notoriety as "fake" incendiaries, set fire to an old abandoned shack near the Marcus Street railroad crossing endangering the adjoining property. The long distance cable of the Bell Telephone Company was damaged before the flames were extinguished. This was the third "fake fire" in the last few months and sensible people are tired of it. A real fire is bad enough, and these pranks that continue to be played by some in town should receive strong disapproval from our people and harsh punishment if caught. The Burns building on the corner of Court and Marcus, which was destroyed by fire last year is being rebuilt. It will be ready for occupancy in a few months. This will add to the looks of that portion of town as the debris presented an unsightly appearance. Mr. E. T. Andrews who has been in charge of the City Warehouse resigned as manager and has accepted that position at the Farmers Gin Company. The pay of the R.F.D. carriers which was raised $100 per annum, began July 1st and they are all smiles now. W. S. Williams of the firm of Vickers & Williams & Co. has been at the bedside of his mother who is quite ill. While returning from Idylwild with a party of cyclists, Miss Hilda Blount fell from her wheel near the railroad crossing and painfully bruised her face and arm. Dr. Johnson gave her quick medical attention and she should be fine. Mr. & Mrs. Silas Powell are happy over the arrival of a daughter this week. Miss Alma Blount celebrated her 8th birthday. Prof. W. L. Bryan who is now reading law at Columbia University, New York City, writes of his stay in Gotham. He is having a birds-eye view of the city from the 45th story of the tower on the Metroplitan Building from which it is said that over 1 -16th the homes in the U. S. can be seen from the 50th floor, which is the tallest substantial structure in the world. Today at Savannah, the Oglethorpe Light Infantry will commemorate the semi-centennial of the 1st Battle of Mannassas, and of the 50 men who left Savannah May 21, 1861, 11 are known to be living, and Capt. John L. Martin of this city is one of that number to be present on this occasion. This company was a part of the 8th GA Regt. commanded by Francis S. Bartow who was killed at Manassas while planting the colors of the brigade. Mr. Stephens, Johnson County's lower House member introduced a bill to abolish the city court of Wrightsville. Many favor this move while just as many oppose it to make it a lively debate. Mrs. Annie Bell Jackson Tanner passed away at "Ingleside" her home near here. Her health had been declining for some time. She went upstairs to lay down when a few minutes later she was discovered dead. She was the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. John Jackson of Donaldson and the wife of Bartow B. Tanner. Mrs. S. G. McCoy, widow of the late Alex McCoy died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. D. A. Brown in Cochran. Her death was quite a surprise as her illness was short. She was buried at Kittrell. Mr. J. R. Edwards, the notoriously successful truck farmer, brought to town a cabbage head, that heads'em all. This cabbage had a cluster of heads (22 in number) growing from one single stalk. The heads were perfect in shape and maturity, each about the size of a lemon. Last saturday Charlie Linder, a well known colored man, was tried before Judge Kent for selling whiskey and sentenced to 10 months on the chaingang. On Sunday Sheriff Davis pulled 5 more coloreds, 3 men and 2 women for selling whiskey. These tigers were placed in jail for the next trial. So the ranks of the whiskey dealers are being thinned out.