Thursday, October 27, 2011

From Days Gone By Oct. 24,1912

October 24, 1912.
   On last Monday night between 10 and 11, the Wrightsville Circuit parsonage on Hilda Street, occupied by Rev. J. W. Bridges and family, was entirely destroyed by fire with all its contents other than a trunk and a few articles of clothing. The fire started from the stove flue, and the Rev. Bridges and his children were home when the house caught fire and had a narrow escape. Mrs. Bridges was visiting in Macon. The house was owned by J. H. Rowland and he had $1000 insurance on the building and Rev. Bridges had $600 on his effects, which included a nice piano. The fire department responded but the hose was beyond the limit of the water plugs, and they could do but little good.
   Then on Wednesday night of last week between 7 and 8, the home of Mr. Will Scarboro was completely destroyed by fire, together with contents. The fire started in a pantry adjoining the kitchen, and the flames rapidly spread over the entire house, reducing it to ashes in a short time. Insurance was carried on both the house and the furniture.
   Will Mixon and family left last Sunday for Newton, Baker County, where they will permanantly reside. Dr. and Mrs. Erle Brinson of Atlanta, are pleasantly located at 186, Forest Avenue. Mr. & Mrs. C. E. Brinson have moved to the Tanner house recently vacated by Mr. H. G. Hatcher and family, Hatcher left for Atlanta, were he will work in the Rubber Department of one of Jacobs Pharmacy stores.
   The Mount Vernon Baptist Association met at Scott. The 8th Annual Session of the South East, Georgia Singing Convention was held at Kite. There were only about 200 in attendence, owing to the failure of the railroad authorities to run a special train.
   The boys corn clubs of the various counties in the district held their show at Dublin last week, showing some very fine corn with good yields. Johnson County came in second place with 11 members, average yield per acre, forty-one and one fifth bushels; profit, $23.33.
   Mr. J. T. Gatlin died last Friday night at the home of his son Mr. W. R. Gatlin in Wrightsville and he was buried at Westview. He had recently moved here from Sandersville, and had been at work on the Central Railroad near Oconee when he was taken critically ill.
   Mr. J. M. Lovett of Brewton died early Sunday morning. Mr. Lovett had been in bad health for over a year. Although his death wasn't unexpected it came as a shock to his family. Lovett was born in Hancock County January 27, 1862, but moved to Johnson County in early boyhood. He moved to Brewton and resided there the last 18 years. He was engaged in the merchantile business and farming. He was also one of the vice-presidents of the Farmers & Merchants Bank of Brewton. He was a member of the methodist church since a boy. He left a wife, Mrs. Bernice Reynolds Lovett, and a daughter, Mrs. M. G. Thigpen, four grandchildren and two sisters and four brothers. He was buried at Brewton cemetery.
   "Who's the greatest woman in history?" was the debated question among certain school teachers. They considered Joan of Arc and Queen Elizabeth, Cleopatra, Susan B. Anthony and half a hundred others. When they came down to cases all the names known to fame were roled out' And to whom do you suppose the judges awarded? Here is the answer: "The wife of the farmer of moderate means who does her own cooking, washing, ironing, sewing, brings up a family of boys and girls to be useful members of society, and finds time for intellectual improvement." There are a good many heroines who don't get into a Hall of Fame.

Friday, October 14, 2011

From Days Gone By Oct 17,1912

October 17, 1912.
   The city counsel of Wrightsville have seen fit to abolish the police headquarters which was located in the Vivola building. The chief of police will be at his residence at night when not on duty, and the night marshal will be on his beat. Tuesday afternoon an incipient fire occured at the Union Gin. The fire department promptly responded to the alarm and the flames were extinguished before any great loss. Only one bale of cotton was damaged.
   Dr. James Gordon Brantley was thrown from a wagon last week while driving his spirited horse which became frightened and ran away. He was badly shaken up and sustained several bruises but escaped serious injury. The accident occured near Cedar Creek.
   Mr. John Johnson and wife have moved to the Kent Cottage on North Bradford Street. Mrs. Leila Daley is now in her new bungalow recently purchased in Atlanta at 52 West 4th Street. Mrs. B. G. Dunlap and daughter Dorothy left for Ansonville, North Carolina to join Mr. Dunlap and his business at that place. Mrs. Dunlap has lived in Wrightsville since a child and many regret her moving away.
   Mrs. Sallie Davis is sick with chills and fever and is convalesing. Mrs. Lewis Davis was striken on her left  side with paralysis last week, and was in critical condition, but is now improving. Mrs. R. R. Martin is recoverying from a late severe attack of rheumatism and is now able to be up and will soon be well and her bright self again.
   This seemed to be a week of death in the county. Daniel Tantory, who has long been a familiar figure on our streets died monday night from a complication of diseases. He was a native of Sweden and served in the Federal Army in the Civil War, and came South after the war and located first in Sandersville, then came to Wrightsville. He was a mechanic and earned an honest living; and also drew a pension from the U. S. Government. He was buried at Westview.
   Mrs. Mary Davis, widow of the late John R. Davis died Thursday night at her son-in-law, Mr. Sherod Renfroe near town. She was 74 years old and in failing health. She was a sister of J. F. Norris and survived by 4 daughters and one son: Mrs. Edgar Strange, Mrs. Renfroe, Mrs. Cooms and Mrs. Brantley and Mr. A. S. Davis. She was buried at Westview.
   After an extended illness of pellagra, Mrs. Matt Blankenship, wife of D. C. Blankenship died at home here and buried at Anthony Cemetery. Mrs. L. M. Burns, wife of Col. Burns of Ocilla died in Atlanta where she had gone for treatment. Col. Burns is a brother of Mr. Gainer Burns of this city and he once practiced law here.
   Sunday night the rain dispelled the drought and the east wind ushered in the first breath of real autumn, and fires were comfortable and the golden October weather is charming. Jim Lewis Harrison, the prompt tax collector is now making his rounds. Meet him accordingly.

From Days Gone By Oct. 10, 1912

October 10, 1912.
    The new ginnery installed by the Southern Gin Company is now complete and in successful operation. It is the most up-to-date plant of its kind ever erected in Johnson or surrounding counties. There are four 70-saw gins of latest design, of Daniel Pratt make, connected up by the most modern model of feeder and condensor with automatic tramper attached. This ginnery will easily cut a bale every 12 minutes, or 5 bales an hour; and a better sample and a greater number of pounds of lint from seed cotton than any other system of gins. The machinery of the plant was set in place by R. A. Moore, of Hawkinsville, and W. F. Hogue of Atlanta, two well-known mechanics. A ginnery of this type is certainly a step forward for Wrightsville and Johnson County.
    Killebrew and Blankenship have recently established a new meat market in town, which is located in the little brick building on South Bradford Street. They are conducting an exceptionally nice place and have in stock daily fresh meats of all kinds which they serve promptly.  Frank Jackson, one of the late Chronicle force has returned to Wrightsville, and is again in charge of the Chronicle job office. Mr. & Mrs. C. H. Murchison, of Brewton, moved to Wrightsville to reside. Two more boarding students entered Warthen College thus the attendence increases from week to week. Prof. Chas. Lane the famous Georgian lecturer and humorist, will lecture at the College auditorium on the 17th.
   Mrs. Susan Sammons is still quite sick at her home in this city. Dr. Rawlings has been called to see her and she is attended by Miss Marchman, a professional nurse from the sanitarium. Helen, the little daughter of Mr. & Mrs. O. A. Kennedy is still with fever, and Mrs. Walker, a trained nurse is still with her. Mrs. A. F. Lovett is improving from her sickness.
   Mr. and Mrs. Preston Norris announce the birth of a son on last Saturday. Mr. and Mrs. Odom of Newton are happy over the arrival of a son at their home last week. Wilmer, the little two year old daughter of Mr. & Mrs. George Young, died last thursday at her home in Kite and was buried friday at New Home Church.
   The death of little Virdie Davis which occured on last Sunday morning at her home on Belmont Avenue, was a great shock to her family and friends. She had contracted chills and fever, and being of a frail constitution, had never entirely recovered, and on saturday morning previous to her death she was seemingly as well as usual. She was attacked with a chill, which was followed by congestion, resulting in heart failure, and she passed away Sunday morning. She was conscious all the while, and said to those around her that "she was going to die, but that she would be better off."
    Virdie was the youngest child of Sheriff Lewis Davis of Wrightsville. She was just 11 years old, and her death is particularly sad, as the affections of the family were centered on her, and she was the pet of the house-hold. She was buried Monday afternoon at Westview with Rev. J. B. Holley, pastor of the Baptist church officiating.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

From Days Gone By October 3, 1912

October 3, 1912.
     The girl pupils of Warthen College have fallen in line with several other colleges in the state, and wear uniforms, which will be principally of navy blue serge. The young ladies of the collegiate department will don blue serge skirts with white blouse and blue ties, while the girls from the 5th to the 8th grade will wear blue skirts and white "middies" with blue cuffs and collars. The uniforms, with oxford caps are quite unique and will give the college a distinction it has never had. It was remembered that the girls of old "Nanie Lou Warthen Institute" adopted the oxford caps with the initials, N.L.W.I. and wore them a while and then discarded them.
   Miss Annie Laura Bray has accepted the Arline Chapel School. She has studied in the University Summer School for two years, having also taken a post graduate course at G. N. F. College at Milledgeville.
   The Wrightsville Fire Department has added to the equipment a large 40 foot hook and ladder wagon. This wagon carries five hundred feet of extra hose, two hand extinguishers, two lanterns, three buckets, two pick axes, crowbar and 85 feet of ladders. It is painted red and is equipped with a loud gong, and presents a very handsome and imposing appearance on the streets. The city has purchased wisely, giving the town ample protection from fire. Nineteen men, fifteen hundred feet of hose, two reels, and a hook and ladder compose the fire department. It is hoped the "laddies" will not have to use them often, but efficiently.
   The Savannah Morning News of Wednesday October 2nd contained the picture of Lawton Garner and his escape from the state convict camp at Lyons, in company with a fellow convict. It will be remembered that Garner was sent up from this county three years ago for killing Quincy Claxton.
    While cranking Mrs. Mason's car at the dormitory, Herbert, the young son of Mrs. Boland, had his forehead badly cut by a reverse movement of the crank. Dr. Brinson found it necessary to take several stitches in the wound. So there is danger in an auto even when not running. One among the handsomest cars in Wrightsville is the one just purchased by Judge A. F. Daley. It is a Chalmers of torpedo shape. It is large and light running. Contractor W. C. Chester is the owner of a new and pretty car. It is a Ford, well equiped, drives smoothly and almost noisless.
   Hon. William Faircloth has been appointed by Gov. Brown, Judge of the City Court of Wrightsville. His appointment is interim from the time the City Court was established to the 1st of January when Judge Kent, the newly elected Judge will preside. The dignity of a Judge is nothing new to Mr. Faircloth, he has worn the "ermine" before, and does not care to wear it longer now than his appointment allows.
   Messers. J. H. Rowland and William Faircloth attended a meeting of the Wrightsville, Adrian and Lyons Railroad last week at Swainsboro. The road was advertised to be sold the 1st Tuesday in October, present, at receivers sale, but the sale has again been postponed until January next, and it is doubtful if it is ever sold. J. H. Rowland and W. C. Oliver are receivers, and William Faircloth legal advisor.
   Mrs. Will Dent was taken to Rawlings Sanitarium for a kidney operation. Mrs. R. L. Kent was called to Atlanta by the death of her brother-in-law Mr. M. M. Hill. He was 76 years old and survived by his wife Miss Dora Kittrell from here and two son and two daughters. He was buried at Westview in Atlanta.
   Have your suits French Dry Cleaned, we dye suits coats, suits skirts and everything else. All work is done at a guarentee at the Wrightsville Pressing Club.