From Days Gone By Feb. 26, 1914

Febuary 26, 1914.     The unusual heavy snow storm that passed over this section Tuesday and Wednesday was unprecented. The snow and sleet together now lies on the ground four inches or more deep. The oldest inhabitant of the town would speak, but he is "snowed under."     It has become difficult to keep up with the fast increasing list of automobiles that are being bought in Wrightsville. Lawson Pournell now owns a two passenger Ford of the racer pattern and it gets him around promtly. The Duff Brothers, Jim, Pat and John, jointly own a four passenger Ford. The Ford seems to be the most popular machine in these parts.     There has been some much needed work done on the road leading east from Wrightsville. At the approach to Cedar Creek bridge from the west side for several hundred yards, this road has been a virtual sandbed being very disagreeable to both pedestrian  and drivers. It has now been raised several feet and the surface clayed with deep ditches on each side which promptly sends the rainwater into the creek. The work is being done by the county gang under Warden Kemp. The bridge has also been improved.     Mr. R. A. Moore of the Georgia Iron Works left for Wadley accepting a position with the Wadley Southern Railroad Company. Elmo Hayes of Hayes Brothers store and Gainor Burns of W.S. Burns & Son just returned from the eastern markets with new lines of spring and summer goods. The teachers and pupils of Warthen College enjoyed a holiday honoring the birthday of the "Father of our Country".     Mr. John Paul is suffering from chronic appendicitis at Rawlings Sanitarium and is undergoing surgery. Mrs. Otho Tanner is in critical shape with a three week pneumonia case. Dr.'s J.W. Brinson and  Brantley are looking after her condition. There is also lots of sickness around ther Kite area. Mr. Edward Roberts and family moved from there to Wadley. The people of that section are busy hauling guano. Miss Jesse Webb was suddenly taken ill and her brother, Morris has taken her to her home in Adrian. The street by Wathen College has greatly been improved by the city.     On Friday the 13th at the residence of Mr. & Mrs. Barbee, four miles east of Wrghtsville Miss Jimmie Curry of Hazelhurst and Rev. W. M. Flanders, pastor of the Blackshear circuit were married. The bride is an educated women and has been teaching school at Philadelphia a few miles from town. The groom is a promising young minister of the South Georgia Conference and a son of Joseph R. Flanders of Adrian and a grandson of Rev. Chessly Flanders, one of the oldest citizens in this section.

From Days Gone By Feb. 19,1914

Febuary 19,1914.      The members of the Baptist church voted unanimously Sunday night in regular conference to erect the new brick Brown Memorial Church on the site of the recently burned pastorium on corner of Elm and Valley streets. The trustees were instructed also to proceed at once with a new pastorium on the corner of Court and Valley. The $1000 insurance is to be used to build the new one which is not enough so the rest will be suplimented by the church.     Frank Outlaw is building a modern six-room cottage at Fairview, fronting on Margaret street. Mr. O. A. Kennedy painted white his large two story residence on East Court Street. Mr. Rodney Lanier of Harrison has moved to the Linder House on Myrtle Avenue. Mr. T. V. Kent of Tanner & Kent spent several days in Atlanta acquiring new spring designs in furniture.     Mayor Cook and family made a motor trip to Sparta Sunday in their handsome new car to spend the day with relatives. Mr. J.T. Miller, the popular insurance man, is right along with the big bunch of auto sports of Wrightsville and he presides very gracefully at the wheel of a handsome 4 passenger Ford he just purchased. Messers. Z.D. Hatcher and S.C. Josey former residents here have opened up a drug store in Brunswick under the name Hatcher & Josey.     J. A. Lindsey announces for Tax Receiver in the March 11th primary. J.V. Snell, Clerk of Superior Court the past 12 months is asking the voters to re-elect him to that office. W.D. "Willis" Rowland runs for re-election as sheriff. Mr. Rowland is a true man in his entire makeup. During his past first term of office his deportment and administration has been clean cut. It is only necessary that he says he wants to keep that office the people will re-elect him.     On Tuesday the 10th, Bernice, the four year old daughter of Mr. & Mrs. J.W.A. Walden, while playing with her two little sisters in the yard near the wash pot, her clothing caught fire. She ran to her mother who  was close by but before she could extinguish the flames she was badly burned. Dr. T.L. Harris was called but she died that afternoon. She was buried at Beulah. Mrs. M.E. Bridges died at Rawlings Sanitarium on the 12th. She was brought back to Harrison and buried at Bethany. Mr. George Mixon of near Swainsboro died and was buried at Oaky Grove. He was the father of W.L. Mixon. Mixon was a Conferderate soldier and was 76 years old.     Sheriff Rowland went to Atlanta to arrest W.A. Peebles, a lumber dealer but came back without his man despite the fact he won a habeas corpus proceeding brought by Peebles. Peebles it seems, when his writ of habeas corpus was denied by Judge Ben H. Hill, asked through his attorneys that a bond be allowed and a supersedeas granted in order that he might bring the habeas corpus to the supreme court. Judge Hill denied this on Tuesday morning but stated that at 3pm he would decide whether or not he would grant the supersedeas and allow the case to be carried before the supreme court. In the meantime Peebles was allowed his freedom on a $500 bond. At 3pm the Judge held that the case was not a proper one for the granting of a supersedeas and informed the sheriff he could take his man to Wrightsville. Then the sheriff found that Peebles had disappeared and despite a 24 hour search could not be found.    Peebles brought the habeas corpus on the grounds that he could not have committed a crime in Johnson County since he had never been there in his life. Judge Hill held that this was a matter for defense at the trial and not for habeas corpus. The court decided that the warrant from Johnson County, on its face, was sufficent authority to hold the man. Peebles was charged with defrauding a lumber dealer out of a carload of shingles.

From Days Gone By Feb. 12,1914

Febuary 12, 1914.     Wrightsville is beginning to get automobiles galore. A partial listing of happy ownners are Mayor J. M. Cook who purchased a very handsome Cadallac, a 14 model with phaeton top. Its the only machine of its kind here. Mr. W. M. Shurling and Mr. E. J. McAfee, two popular "Rural Routers" are each owners of a four passenger Ford which enables them to "deliver the goods" from Uncle Sam more rapidly than before.     Mr. E. E. Sanders has a Ford Roadster. The Ford is becoming quite a popular machine in these parts. Phelps Mixon of Tarrytown was up here talking up the Ford machine. Mr. C. S. Blankenship, prprietor of the City Market recently purchased a four passenger Ford which adds to the growing list of automobile owners here.     Mr. Frank Jackson of Harrison recently made a deal with the Vivola Theatre people to become the lessee and manager of this popular playhouse. He is planning some good, clean attractions. "Seven Hours In New York", a musical comedy has been booked for an early appearance. It has a big cast of comedians an a chorus of pretty girls.     Plans are being made for a joint debate between Warthen College and South Georgia College. Last Friday the college selected as Arbor Day and was spent as a general clean-up day at the campus an about 50 trees were planted.     Hon. L. L. Deal, prominent citizen of Emanuel County announces he is a candidate for senator to represent the people of Emanuel, Laurens and Johnson Counties which compose the 16th senatorial district. According to the rule of rotation it is now Emanuel county's time to furnish the next senator for the district. Mr. Deal is a capable man, moral, loyal citizen, and is well and favorably known to the people of Johnson County. So if you want a "square deal" deal liberally with your votes.     Mr. & Mrs. Otho Tanner announce the birth of a son on Febuary 5th. Rev. & Mrs. E. L. Wainwright lost their infant son who lived only a few days. Mrs. Effie Tanner Bray, age 40 died Thursday morning at her home on Clinton Street in East Macon after a several month illness. She leaves four daughters and three sons. Mrs. Bray was the widow of Mr. Ed Bray and a sister of Mr. B.B. Tanner. Her body arrived here by the W. & T. Railroad. The funeral was held at the Baptist Church with burial at Westview.     Hazel, the bright little daughter of Mr. & Mrs. W. F. Dent burned both of her hands by putting them into boiling candy which had just been poured in a plate to cool. Charlie Hicks, the 15 year old son of Mr. & Mrs. T. B. Hicks of Dublin was badly injured in a motorcycle accident just outside the city. He was traveling at about 50 miles per hour when it became unmanageble and he put on the brakes, which threw him to the ground cutting and bruising his face terribly and broke his right leg in two places.     Mrs. V. B. Robinson has for sale one Maxwell Runabout and a one-horse Jersey wagon. J. E. Glisson of Lovett lost his solid liver Pointer dog named Bob, with a white spot on its breast and has a friendly disposition. The beautiful Japonicas are now in full bloom in Mrs. Faircloth's yard on East Elm Street.

From Days Gone By Feb 5, 1914

Febuary 5,1914.     On last Monday while thwe citizens were enjoying there noon meal, the fire alarm was sounded and it was discovered that the roof on the south side of the Baptist pastorium corner of Valley and Elm streets was ablaze near one of the chimneys. A spark was believed to have feel on the shingles igniting them. The fire Department promptly responded but were bably handicapped and powerless to render any service with the hose on account of not sufficiant water in the tower, owing to a defect in the water gauge at the power house. It registed nearly full but in fact was near empty. It was not found until the firemen coupled there hoses to the hydrants and found them useless.     The flames spread rapidly and soon consumed the whole building which was occupied by Rev. L.P. Glass, most of the household items were saved as the building burned and carried to the Kennedy residence where they will now reside. The citizens formed a "bucket brigade" and saved the Headlight editors home which was dangerously close to being ignited. During the fire a feed house across the street caught fire several times but was extinguished each time. A $1000 insurance policy was carried on the pastorium.     Mrs. V. B. Robinson recently purchased a handsome Ford car that seats five people. There are now about 40 machines of different makes in the city. But, while there is an unusual number of automobiles operated, still the useful and "can't-do-with-out" mules is in evidence by a big majority, and dealers are doing a flourishing business.    Mr. J.B. Harrison, formerly in charge of the electric plant here is now a resident of Rodman, Florida. Mr. Luther Ross who ran the plant at Sandersville has moved his family here and he will take over the plant here, assisted by Mr. John Vanlandingham. Mr. F.B. Caldwell and family now occupy rooms with Mr. J.E. Scott on Court Street. Mr. W.H. Lockhart of Washington County has moved to Spann. Mr. L.B. Claxton is running for county treasurer a position he has held in the past.     Mrs. Mamie Hicks McWhorter died on the 29th at Rawlings Sanitarim, suffering from diabetic gangrene. She was a member of the Hicks family, one of the most prominent and best known familys in this section. She was a daughter of William Hicks and widow of  Mr. S.A. McWhorter. She was a member of the Baptist church and was 60 years old. She was survived by five sons- J.H., J.O., Will, Tom and Hugh and four daughters- Mrs. Dunham, Mrs. Barfield, Mrs. Emerson and Miss Ina McWhorter. She was buried at Westview.     Captain James Hicks, soldier, statesman and church worker, died on the 28th of bright's disease at his home on North Main in Fitzgerald. He was buried in Evergreen Cemetery with Masonic honors. He had an honorary escort of old veterans. He was survived by his wife, four sons and four daughters, Mrs. J.B. Roundtree, Mrs. J.B. Harris, Mrs. E. Wall, Mrs. Harry O'Brien, H.P., J.B., A.T., and J.C. Hicks.    Captain Hicks served in the civil war from its beginning to its end. Enlisting as a private he was continously promoted until he made captain in 1865. He fought in every battle in the Army of Northern Virginia. He helped with the Blue and Gray Peace monument and said he would be willing to die after it was erected. He married Miss Annie Brinson of Reidsville. While he lived in Johnson County he was elected state representative and later state senator of the 16th district.