Wednesday, March 25, 2015

From Days Gone By March 4, 1917

March 24, 1917.
    Ten new brick stores are to be built in the center of the business district beginning around the first of May. Lovett & Lovett and E. A. W. Johnson are to build them. They will be all brick and up-to-date in every respect. Wrightsville is continuing to grow but this move is the greatest impetus to the city in many years.
    Mr. E. A. W. Johnson plans to erect six stores, 20 x 60 on the corner of Marcus and College streets, just in front of the post office (old Outlaw Grocery building), where now stands the Linder stables, (where post office is now). These stables will be removed for the new stores. Three of these will front the Lovett Hotel (old Frost house), and three on College street.
    Messrs. E. A. and W. H. Lovett plan to erect four brick stores on the opposite corner of the same block, fronting College street and Lovett's Garage (old Laundry mat) and running along side of the cross street which comes down by the Bank of Wrightsville (city hall). Also alongside Lovett's Garage will be built a large horse and mule stable by Mr. E. A. Lovett and J. E. Linder will occupy the stables.
    The March Term of Superior Court is in session this week. Judge Elisha D. Graham of the Oconee Circuit, McRae is presiding while Judge Kent is presiding in Hawkinsville. The Grand Jury spent most of the day getting a special jury of 41 extras for the Wednesday morning trial of the Sherman Dixon murder case. Judge Graham put everyone on notice that he came to try the Dixon case and he was going to try it.
    Monday afternoon was taken up with the civil trial of James vs Stapleton which resulted n a mistrial. Also several divorce cases were settled. Tuesday morning was the case of Harrison vs Peacock with the verdict for the claimant. The civil case of Kent & Downs vs the Wadley Southern Railroad took the afternoon and Wednesday morning.
    Just as the clock struck 12 the judge called for the criminal docket and sounded the case of the State vs Sherman and Cliff Dixon, murder. Faircloth & Claxton and A. L. Hatcher for the State, Judge J.K. Hines and Messrs. Moye & Shurling for the defense.Judge Faircloth announced the State was ready in the case of Cliff Dixon. Col. Moye submitted a postponement motion which, after hearing several witnesses, including two physicians, the case was put off. The evidence showed that Cliff Dixon was sick, desperately so, and his life would be in peril should he be moved.
    Mr. W. S. Wood, brother of T. D. Wood was shot and killed by a teacher, L. G. Reeves at McRae. Mr. Wood was a trustee at the school there. Reeves had been dismissed from the school, he sued for his pay and the case went to trial. At the trial the teacher went armed and when discussion arose of the issues, the teacher pulled the trigger two times, the bullets passing through Wood's body. He was 42 years old and married Esther Prescott, a daughter of Mr. & Mrs. G. W. Prescott. The funeral was at Pleasant Grove.
    Mr. Charles D. Roberts died at his daughters, Mrs. Elmo Hayes Friday morning. He would have been 81 in four days. He was taken back to his home in Lake City, Florida.
    On Sunday night the county lost another landmark with the death of Mr. Elisha W. Walker, 85, an active member of Arline Chapel. He was twice married, his second wife survives him, together with 3 sons and 5 daughters, viz, Dr. J. L. Walker, W. A. Walker, J. M. Walker, Mrs. Dr. T. S. Page, Mrs. Dr. W. J. Flanders, Mrs. B M. Kennon, Mrs. J. W. Page, an Mrs. W. H. Reviere. Internment was at Westview.
    Mr. H. E. Purvis of Scott died ad was buried at Bay Springs. Mr. & Mrs. Bob Reese lost their infant child. Mrs. F. M. Carswell of Adrian announced the engagement of her daughter, Mattie Moxley, to Mr. Thomas P. Stephens of Adrian.
    While clipping a mule Monday Mr. Will Mixon suffered what came near being a serious knockout blow from the hind leg of the animal which hit him square in the face, doing violence to his nose and eye.

Thursday, March 19, 2015

From Days Gone By Marc 17, 1917

March 17, 1917.
    The March Term of Johnson County Superior Court convenes next Monday. There is a heavy civil docket awaiting disposal. Solicitor E. L. Stephens stated that an effort will be made to get the Sherman Dixon murder case to trial at this term, although he and Judge Kent are disqualified. This case has been on the docket for several years and has been put off from time to time, mostly on account of absent witnesses. The jail has only one occupant, a one-arm colored man, but there are quite a few out on bond.
    Johnson County should not lose her mall part of the Dixie Overland Highway, from Scott to Adrian. A trip is being made by officers of the association from Columbus to Savannah this week and it looks like there will be  revision of the route. Should there be, this strip of road will cause the highway to go from Dublin via Soperton, Vidalia to Savannah in all probability.
    Recruiting officer Howard of the Macon station will be here March 21st for he purpose of taking enlistments in the army. The Hotel Oconee in Dublin caught fire and burned down. It stood just across the street from the New Dublin.
    Messrs. Davis & Sons and Rowland & Tanner have recently sent off to market two to three carloads of beef cattle. They are doing a big business in the hog and cattle industry. Mr. B. J. Wiggins has finished sawing lumber to build a grist mill, when built he will employ James Wilkinson who is a good miller. He has also about completed his new barn.
    Mr. Joe H. Rowland came from Atlanta where he purchased a big motor truck for service around his businesses in the city. It is a 40 horse Republic and is claimed to be one of the best. The Rabbit Foot Show exhibited here last Friday under a large canvas. It was a good minstrel from start to finish and attended by both white and colored.
    This very late obituary appeared in the paper. On the morning of November 12th, 1916, at the home of her daughter Mrs. J. . Riner, near Meeks. The spirit took Mrs. W. T. Brantley. She was born December 17th, 1847, married W. T. Brantley July 2nd, 1865 and to them born 13 children, all of whom survived along with her husband, 82 grandchildren and 21 great grand children. She joined the Methodist church early in life but later joined the primitive Baptist.

Sunday, March 15, 2015

From Days Gone By March 10, 1916,1917

March 10, 1916, 1917.
    1916- The results of the 1916 local elections was as follows: Judge City Court- B. B. Blount, 1714; Solicitor City Court- W. C. Brinson, 911; A. L. Hatcher 786; Ordinary- J. C. Wiggins 712, U. R. Jenkins 622, S. P. Price 362, J. M. Hightower 22; Clerk Superior Court- J. B. Williams 341, G. B. Harrison 339, G. A. Smith 262, J. A. Douglas, Jr. 226, Robert B. Bryan 219, J. Lovett Anderson 175, Augustus S. Norris 72, B. J. Moye 42, Preston Norris 11.
    For Sheriff- Willis D. Rowland 1152, Lewis Davis 539; Tax Collector- A. S. Mayo 479, C. C. Wheeler 385, J. Nat Riner 345, H. T. Downs 180, W. A. Page 159, C. A. Daniel 152. County School Superintendent- A. J. M. Robinson 683, R. L. Sumner 533, Luther Lillard 463. Tax Receiver- G. W. Brantley 550, J. A. Lindsey 471, E. W. Carter 376, J. M. Meeks 137, E. L. Smith 118, J. W. Meadows 71.
    For Coroner- J. Frank Jackson 577, J. W. Bailey 558, R. S. Price 308, C. L. Coursey 124. Surveyor- E. A. Douglas 110, W. M. Shurling 87, M. C. Carter 3, W. T. Mayo 1.
    The firm of Wrightsville Bottling Works, W. F. Dent proprietor, in the business of bottling soda water, etc. was dissolved by mutual consent, due to Dent retiring. The business will now be done by J. A. Oliver.
    Mr. J. H. Ivey was found dead at his home in Wrightsville. He was buried at the cemetery in Harrison. Mrs. Smith, wife of S. D. Smith, about 5 miles east of town died on Tuesday morning. She had been confined to her bed. She was buried at the Wilson Cemetery. Just one day before her 10th birthday, Little Greta Smith died from blood poisioning from an abscessed tooth. She was the daughter of George A. Smith. She was born Feb. 20th 1906.
    1917- The most severe hailstorm in the history of Wrightsville came last Thursday afternoon about 2:30. Thick black clouds hovered across the northwest and soon rain fell in torrents. After 3 or 4 hard showers hail began falling and increasing in size and quantity until the rain gave place to the hail. The storm lasted a full 5 minutes and the ground was covered with some pieces as large as pecans. The rain fell all through Friday putting the plow horses back under the shelters.
    Johnson County is moving to the forefront in stock raising with carloads moving to market. Last week $1000 worth of hogs were moved from the county, besides this, the local smokehouses are full of meat. Cattle are not so plentiful as most beef type have been sold off.
    In Monday mornings Mayor's Court was the scene of a great deal of patronage from dark town entirely. A new suburb was found to exist within the city limits called Cedarville, and it has been the scene of much fuss and carousing and Chief Jackson had them there from youth to old age. Fines were imposed anywhere from $1 to $10.
    The doors of Warthen College will be closed to public school funds after the present session, ruled the State Attorney General. If she operates further it will be from its own resources.
    CountyWarden W. Z. Kemp has finished the road building up in the Ringjaw and Bray districts. He is now working all roads leading into Wrightsville part of which are impassable. There are 6 bridges within 4 miles of town and the roads leading to them are in bad repair.
    Hon. Wash W. Larson of Dublin is now the 12th District congressman. Sunday marked the retirement of Congressman Dudly M. Hughes. Larson is amply qualified to make this district a good representative and his people have full confidence in him.
    Mr. & Mrs. Charlie Tompson have a new born baby. Mr. L. B. Price has filed for bankruptcy. Johnson County has retired all of its indebtness thanks to Ordinary Wiggins and promises to put the counties part of the Dixie Overland Highway in as good a shape as any part in Georgia. Most all of the top soil along this part is thick with pebble rock and a good natural mixture of soil. Mr. T. J. James of Adrian is in charge of this portion of the highway.

Sunday, March 8, 2015

From Days Gone By March 3, 1917

March 3, 1917.
    Farmers, doctors, merchants, lawyers and more are thrilled of the idea of a steel bridge crossing the Oconee somewhere near Parson's Ferry. It is important to the people of Emanuel, Bulloch,Effingham, Chatham, Jenkins, Screven, Toombs, and Candler counties as they all send people to Macon either by Dublin or Milledgeville, losing from 30 to 40 miles or from 2 to 5 hours run. There is a highway from Macon to Irwinton and Johnson County has a highway from Kite to Wrightsville to almost the Oconee River. There is a short distance from the end of this highway to across the river to Irwinton that requires to be built from start to finish. In this day of high priced gasoline, expensive auto parts, time and distance amount a great deal with automobile people.
    The formal opening of the Dixie Overland Highway will be in October. The highway goes from Savannah to Los Angeles and in Georgia crosses Johnson County from Scott to Adrian and a distance of 5 miles.
    Mrs. Bessie Stanley Wood, Home Demonstration and Canning Club representative from Sandersville was in town with the efforts of starting a canning club. She has $300 in hand but the county needs to raise an equal amount. The local Board of Education has pledged $150 which leaves $150 to be raised. She will accept the donation from any available source. More than 150 girls in Johnson County have written her concerning having a club here.
    Even though the county schools will have to close in a 5 month term instead of 6 months, Warthen College will be able to operate its full term.
    Macon businessmen are preparing a big tour through middle Georgia to promote a packing house for that city. They are trying to obtain guarantees from people in supplying the plant with cattle and hogs for slaughter. Its their plans to build a great central packing house to buy their stock every day in the year at standard prices. Hon. John W. Greer, an expert packing house man will be in Johnson County on March 11th, coming here from Brewton and Lovett and going on to Harrison and Tennille. Incidentally, the largest hog sale in this county in many a day took place here yesterday. Messrs. Garland, Harrisons and Layton sold to Mr. Milo Smith $650 worth. This is a demonstration of what can be done in the hog raising business in this county.
    Mr. Oscar A. Kennedy had his hand mashed badly while out in the woods on Buckeye hauling logs to a sawmill. He had the log carrying it to the mill and was walking along driving the mules. One became frightened and drew his hand up between the wheel and a pine by the way, severely hurting it.
    Parson Midyett and members of Brown Memorial have been busy leveling and beautifying the yards around the church and parsonage. The famous quartette from Lawrenceburg, Tenn. called the Vaughn Quartette and will be at the Vivola Friday through Sunday.
    The sicklist this week with measles and other ailments are Mr. Jefferson Tyson's little son, Mr. Z. A. Anderson, Dr. J. F. Carter, Miss Myrtle Warren, Mrs. Deo Scarboro, Mr. W. B. B. Snell and family, Mr. Denny Mall, Mr. A. S. Mayo, W. M. Ogilive, and Clerk and Mrs. Joe B. Williams.
    Mr. R. J. Williams, formally of Wrightsville but now in Augusta, died on the 18th and leaves a wife, a daughter, and a son. Mr. & Mrs. J. T. Miller lost their infant baby girl on the 22nd. It was born on the 20th. Burial was at Piney Mount.

Sunday, March 1, 2015

From Days Gone By Feb. 24, 1917

February 24, 1917.
    Johnson County is awakening to the great need of spanning the Oconee River with a steel bridge somewhere near where the Central Railroad now crosses, on a line from Wrightsville to Macon, and making it a highway across the county. Washington County has pushed this for a while now. It is urged that the two counties join with Wilkinson and others interested in this prospect. It would shorten the distance to Macon by 30 miles plus open up new territory. This direct route would bring travel in a great way as it would be the most direct route from Atlanta to Savannah. This would bring travelers from Swainsboro, Metter, Stillmore, Reidsville, Adrian, Kite, Garfield, Summit, Graymont all the way to Bulloch County.
    More than 500 were instructed in growing cotton under boll weevil conditions as Mr. J. K. Giles showed the pictures at the Vivola Theatre. The W. & T. Railroad is very interested in the watermelon crop this year. They believe there will be a big demand for Georgia melons this year. They are offering many suggestions as to the best methods of planting, growing and marketing. Watson seed is the most popular and best shipper.
    The 97 pensioners in the county will have to wait a while longer for their Confederate pensions of $6,780. Of this number there are 68 veterans and 29 widows, each getting $70. Johnson was first to get pension money in 1916 so now they will be last. The pension roll is now in the hands of the Governor for payment statewide of $952,760.65.
    At 11am Saturday the fire alarm was turned in and the department came out in full force to extinguish the flames that was fast eating their way on the roof of the Lovett Hotel, and at the first heavy blows from the point of the hose the danger was all over. Mr. & Mrs. E. R. Frost, the occupants did not suffer any loss.
    Miss Lorine Brown and Mr. John Wesley Wilson were married near Harrison Sunday afternoon. Miss Brown is the only daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Claude Brown, the groom is a prominent young Wrightsville man. Miss Inez Raley and Mr. Holiie V. Hilson were married at the brides parents home, Mr. & Mrs. J. R. Raley Sunday afternoon. They will make their home at Mr. & Mrs. L. B. Hilson's.
    Mr. M. A. Claxton died at his home in Kite last Saturday after several days illness of paralysis. Before he died he sent his name to Gumlog church for membership. The funeral was conducted from his home by Rev. Fortner, and he was buried at Gumlog. He left a wife and a baby. The death angel visited the home of Mr. & Mrs. R. L. Carroll Friday morning and took their little infant, Minnie Lee. Services were held at Piney Mount.
    At Moores Chapel, Mr. Seab Carter purchased a new buggy, look out girls! At Mrytle Grove Mr. Oran Snell has measles, Little Miss Thelma Scarboro is ill as well as Mr. & Mrs. Welch. At Rehobeth Mr. Henry Stephens brother was called to Ohoopie on account of his brother being seriously burned. In Tom, Mr. William Benton is very sick. In Scott, Mr. & Mrs. W. D. Compton have a baby son, Dr. & Mrs. Carter are very sick as is Mrs. C. A. Heckle and little son Albert. Also Mrs. Vera Williams. Capus Rice broke his arm while cranking his Ford. This is the third time he has broken the same arm. At Providence Mr. Reuben Douglas is sick.
    Mr. Martin J. Nasworthy of Kite has filed for bankruptcy. Mr. & Mrs. Roy Jackson have a fine new son. Mr. J. E. Linder has gone to St. Louis for another car load of mules and horses.