From Days Gone By Feb. 4, 1915

Febuary 4, 1915.

    On last Sunday morning between 2 and 3 am the fire alarm was sounded and it was discovered that an unoccupied dwelling house near the jail was burning and was soon consumed. The fire was no doubt arson or carelessness by someone who had been in the house for some purpose.

    Then just two hours later the big bell again gave the alarm of fire, which this time was to be the Farmers Union Gin, located in the northeastern part of town near the W. & T. Railroad. All the machinery of the gin was destroyed except the boiler, and but for the heroic efforts of the city fire department, the loss to the gin and other property nearby would have been greater. The gin had been at work until late Saturday night, and the fire, no doubt, resulted from a spark igniting the gin house.

    Two fires in one night, two hours apart, is a rapid record for any town, large or small. Still these blazes don't have much show, and are short lived, under the pressure and influence of the diligent, wide-awake fire ladies. At the first note of alarm is given, not withstanding the hour or weather, they are, to a man, promptly on the scene, with their apparatus, and by rapid and expert manipulation the conflagration, however stubborn, is soon extinguished. The fire department is one of Wrightsville's strongest and most important organizations, and for each and every member has the highest regard and esteem from its citizens.

    With the depression of the times, the burdensome cotton crop and scarcity of money, Wrightsville has continued to progress. Just one year ago the Baptist parsonage at corner of Valley and East Elm was destroyed by fire. The debris was immediately removed and work began on the erection of Brown Memorial which is now completed at a cost of $15,000. The new pastorium, a pretty bungalow has been built on Valley and Court at a cost of $1500. There have also been many residential improvements in town in the past few months, among which is that of Mr. W. A. Sinquefield, Col. Russell Daley, Mr. Leon Lovett. Improvements are underway on the Brantley house on West College and a pretty bungalow on South Marcus by Mrs. E. M. Lovett.

    On the sick list this week is Miss Dola Claxton, Mr. W. A. Mixon, Mr. T. Logue. Also the infant child of Mr. & Mrs. Hinton Smith was buried at Piney Mt.

    After more than a half dozen years spent at Adrian and Scott, Mr. J. P. D. Oliver and family have returned to their old home in Wrightsville. The Meeks school is planning an Old Fiddler's Convention and Basket Supper at the schoolhouse. All Johnson County farmers are asked to meet at the court house at 10am on the second Wednesday of this month says W. H. Raley, president Farmers Union.