From Days Gone By Nov. 14, 1912

November 14, 1912.

   The most disastrous wreck that the Wrightsville & Tennille railroad ever sustained, occured last friday about 7 o'clock. The north bound freight left the depot here very heavily loaded; and was running at a great rate of speed in order to make the Wilson hill, a mile further, when the eighth car from the engine, which was loaded with boards jumped the track, causing nine more to do likewise. Cotton and cottonseed were loaded on the other cars. The train consisted of twenty-four cars and a caboose; seven remaining on the track, and seven staying with the engine. The great momentum caused the ten that jumped, to be completely demolished, all being scrambled in one mighty heap. Fortunately no one was even injured.

   Mr. Frank Jackson of the Chronicle Job Office is publishing a new bantling for public favor. It will be called The Messenger. Rev. R. J. Kelley will move with his family to Scott having been placed in charge of the church there. Mr. B. J. Moye is making some improvements on his recently purchased home in the way of a varanda and bath room.

   The Vivola Theater has opened for the season under new management. Mr. C. E. Brinson is new manager and intends to give show-goers nothing but the latest, cleanest attractions. The initial show of the season, "45 Minutes From Broadway" is coming soon. You've seen them in the newspapers, and laughed at their absurd antics. Now you have a chance to see them in real life, flesh and blood at the Vivola, just as if they stepped out of the newspaper. They'll be there all of next week with their entire family of comedians, singer, and dancers, also a bunch of pert little "squabs". Don't miss "Mutt and Jeff". You'll be sorry if you do.

   Miss Arrie Williams and Mr. R. C. Powers, of Adrian were married Sunday afternoon at Rev. and Mrs. Charles A. Moore in Wrightsville. The bride is the daughter of Rev. and Mrs. C. A. Williams of Wrightsville. The groom is the assistant cashier of the Citizens Bank of Adrian.

   A romantic marriage of a "Gretna Green" affair, occured at the Lovett Hotel between Miss Archye Spear of Wadley, and Mr. W. D. Compton of Scott. She was on her way here to start teaching at Sunshine School, but was met here by the groom and his best man, Mr. Smith of Scott, and performed Sunday night by Judge J. C. Wiggins. Mr. Compton is cashier of the Scott Banking Company. Mr. Otho Tanner drove the newlyweds to Scott monday morning in his automobile.

   Mr. Benjamin Griner died wednesday morning here at his son, Rev. J. B. Griner home at the methodist parsonage after a brief illness. He was 78 years old, and died from heart failure. He is survived by four sons, three of whom are ministers, Rev. J. B. Griner, Rev. J. C. Griner and Rev. G. W. Griner and Mr. T. A. Griner. His remains were taken to Springfield, Effingham County for internment.

   Mr. John Francis Norris, one of the oldest and best known citizens of Johnson County died at his home here Sunday from a stroke of two weeks ago. Mr. Norris was born in Emanuel County in 1836, and was over 76 years of age. He was the son of William & Behlison Powell Norris, and was one of 15 children. He had 5 brothers in the Confederate service, two who survive him. He was prominent in politics and at 21 elected as Tax Collector and Tax Receiver of Johnson County which he held together for 26 successive years. He at one time was in the merchantile business under the firm name of (John B.) Wright & Norris and was a successful farmer. He is survived by his wife, two sons, Wright and Preston Norris, and two daughters, Mrs. Wright Fitzgerald of Eastman, and Mrs. W. B. Adkins of Dublin. He was buried at Westview.

From Days Gone by Nov. 7,1912

November 7, 1912.

    The Democrats are in the saddle, Wilson vote breaks all records. Woodrow Wilson has been elected President of the United States by an overwhelming majority. He wins Georgia by 30,000 votes. The presidential election here was pulled off quietly with the following results: Congressman Hughes, 370; Woodrow Wilson, 285; Teddy Rosevelt, 92; William Howard Taft, 23. Congressman Dudley M. Hughes of this 12th congressional district paid a visit to Wrightsville and was a guest at the Lovett Hotel. Since the creation of the 12th district Mr. Hughes is our first representative in a national election.

   An application for a charter was filed by attorneys Faircloth & Claxton for a new company, The Georgia Construction and Improvement Company. The petition for charter was filed on behalf of J. H. Rowland, E. J. Sumner, R. L. Kent, C. R. Williams, W. C. Tompkins, J. M. Smith, O. A. Kennedy, R. R. Martin, William Faircloth, Charles S. Claxton and J. M. Mason.

   The Johnson County Farmers Union, No. 73, will meet at Piney Mount school on the 13th, G. C. Raines, President; N. B. Miller, secretary. On Friday night the faculty of Warthen College will host an oyster supper at the court house. Messrs. R. Z. Sterling, H. C. Tompkins, R. L. Stephens and Otho Tanner, automobiled to Augusta this week. J. M. Hammock, Jr., brought to town a sample stalk of his sugar cane crop for this season. The stalk in question was a magnificent one, measuring ten feet in length and weighed a fraction over six pounds. A sensational walking advertisment was in our city this week, that of a supposed to-be-indian in toggery of paint and feathers, going house to house selling Big Chief Vener.

   Mrs. Flynt Flanders has been ill with tonsilitis. Dr. William Rawlings was in town to see Mrs. Susan Sammons, and Mrs. T. J. Holt, both who have been quite ill. Mr. John F. Norris, one of Wrightsville's oldest and prominent citizens is critically ill from a stroke of paralysis and is now bedridden. Claude Tompkins, the 14 year old son of Mr. & Mrs. Henry C. Tompkins broke his right arm while cranking his fathers car. Drs. Brinson and Johnson set his arm and he is now doing well.

   Last Tuesday Mr. James M. Tapley died after a brief illness of stomach trouble at his home near Kite and was buried at Oaky Grove. He was survived by his wife and several sons and daughters. He was a Confederate soldier serving throughout the war and was 65 years old. He was a member of Powells Chapel. After an extended illness of fever Mr. John Powell died at his fathers, Mr. L. S. Powell. He was connected with the firm of M. Davis & Co. of Wrightsville and was buried at Oaky Grove.

   After suffering several years from paralysis, Dr. Charles Hicks died at his home in Mount Vernon, and was buried in the family cemetery at Dublin. Dr. Hicks was a native of Johnson County, and spent his early manhood near Wrightsville. Over 30 years ago he located in the practice of medicine at Mount Vernon, going from there to Dublin, and then back to Mount Vernon. He was 59 years old, and besides his wife and four sons, he is survived by one brother, Captain Jimmy Hicks of Fitzgerald, and three sisters, Mrs. Snell of Fla., Mrs. Linder of Higgston and Mrs. Charles Moore of Wrightsville. He was a son of Major James Hicks.

From Days Gone By October 31, 1912

October 31, 1912.

    Messers. W. C. Chester and Jack Robinson were coming from Scott in the formers car, and when near Brewton Creek they discovered that the trestle of the W. & T. road which spanns the creek was on fire. They stopped and heroically extinguished the flames with a cup they retreived from the car and kept throwing water on it till it went out. It was burning directly over the stream. It was at this juncture they were reminded that the southbound passenger train was approaching, they ran ahead and signaled the train to stop. After a careful examination of the burned bridge, found that the train could pass over safely. Chester & Robinson no doubt prevented a terrible disaster that could have cost many lives.

   B. H. Lord, the popular agent of the Wrightsville & Tennille Railroad, has been appointed the position of Train Master of the Road. This is an important official position, the duties heretofore been looked after by the superintendent. Mr. Lord's office will be at Tennille and he will move his family shortly.

   The "front comforts" of the Tanner building on Marcus Street has been improved by the installment of metal awnings in front of the firm of Tanner & Kent furniture, and Cox & Tanner groceries. Rev. J. W. Bridges and family now occupy the Smith cottage on West Elm Street since the circuit parsonage burned. Charlie Wilson, proprietor of the tonsorial parlors in the Johnson building, has caught the auto fever and invested in a five-passenger car of the Ford make, recently the property of J. P. Mixon. Mr. Paul Bryan has arrived safely in Germany, and was met at Hamberg by his brother, Walter S. Bryan who has been in England the last two years attending college.

   Mrs. W. H. Chivers, Mrs. T. T. Holt, and Rev. J. C. G. Brooks are on the sick list this week and Mrs. R. H. Hines was called to attend the death of her sister, Mrs. Malissa Smith near Dublin.

   It was a sad week this week with the loss of so many promenet citizens and friends. Mrs. Julia Webb, wife of J. E. Webb died after a stroke of paralysis. She was 54 years old and a native of Johnson County. She was one of ten sisters, all daughters of the late Redding Beasley, an early settler of this county. She leaves her husband an four daughters, Mrs. A. J. Peddy, Mrs. W. C. Smith, Misses Laura & Carrie Webb and a son Marvin Webb.

   After an extended illness of heart dropsy, Mrs. Green Webb died at the Dent place in Laurens County and was buried at Marvin Church. She was a sister of Mrs. Alex McCoy and an Aunt of Mrs. R. L. Kent. She is survived by a husband and three sons, two daughters. Mrs. S. M. Cochran, widow of J. L. Cochran died at 66 years of age. She was formally a Miss Bray, sister of C. T. Bray. She was affectionately known as Aunt Mary and died after suffering three strokes and was buried in the family cemetery. She was survived by two children, Mrs. Jim Edwards and Melton Cochran.

   On the 24th Mr. Spencer Allen Meeks died at his son, Dennis S. Meeks near Kite. His health was failing for a while and death was due to general debility. He was 78 years old and was known as "Sants" Meeks. He was a good man, a Confederate soldier, and served throughout the four years of the war. He was buried at Pilgrims Rest and survived by his wife, three daughters and two sons.

   At the advanced age of 90, Mr. Fred C. Rawlings, probably the oldest citizen of Washington County died at his sons, C. G. Rawlings. His life was devoted to farming and he had accumalated considerable property. Mr. Rawlings was the father of Dr. William Rawlings, who is one of the most distinguished surgeons of Georgia; Judge B. T. Rawlings, and C. G. Rawlings an extensive landholder in both Washington & Johnson counties.