From Days Gone By May 5, 1917

May 5, 1917.

    Johnson County farmers are taking much care just now to see that their crops are full of a prospect for more food plants. Stirred by the high prices of every commodity that they have to buy from the stores they have begun to wake up to the alarming condition that confronts them. There are more gardens planted in this county this year than ever before and are being looked after like a fondling mother watches over her first born. Most farmers are raising a pig or two extra and keeping what they had for sale for the rainy days that must come if this country is engaged in war 2 or 3 years.

    They realize that biscuits are scarce now and that the time is coming that only the very wealthy can eat them at all if they have to buy them. Civil War times may return and they are taking time by the forclock to raise something to eat. Cotton has been plowed up to plant something to eat. Corn is selling for $2 per bushel and may go to 3 or 5 before the war is over. There is not much to a proposition of selling hogs for 8 cents a pound and then having to buy it back at 20 to 25 cents later.

    John H. Howard of the recruiting office in Dublin urges men to volunteer and not wait for conscription. The war department has notified this office that 30 men are wanted for the regular army from Johnson County at once. They want men who have a knowledge of gas engines, motors or who are mechanics for the aviation corps and also telephone and telegraph men, clerks and photographers. They will be released at the end of the war if they so desire. If you are conscripted you may not get this luxury.

    The Woodmen of the World issued a notice from Omaha, Nebraska that any member of this fraternal order will not lose their benefits by volunteering or being drafted into this war. All benefits will stand for them and their families who go to the front in defense of our flag and the United States. Other insurance  companys may have emergency clauses but the Woodmen will live up to its reputation as a national protector of the home and thereby lend the greatest aid to our country.

    In many Georgia districts those congressmen who have not been behind President Wilson in his efforts to enact conscription have gotten into a bad limelight with their constituents.

    The 98th anniversary of the Order of Oddfellows all over the country and the local order celebrated at Downs Mill Pond. The owners of the Downs Mill Pond are planning to make the lakeside a resort. They plan to place motor boats on the pond, one now being run. A route will be opened and clearing of all stumps and limbs giving those loving the sport an ideal boat ride.

    The stores and stables under course of construction by E. A. & W. H. Lovett are fast going up and will be rushed to completion as fast as material can be obtained. Judge J. C. Wiggins and Captain Kemp have worked out through town the main streets and put them in first class shape. They are now moving across the Ohoopee towards Adrian to work that road.

    The fellow who spends most of his time chewing "Brown's Mule" and cussing the government is up against it now for something to do. Chawin' has gone up and its against the law to cuss the government in time of war. About the best thing for him to do under the circumstances is to grab a hoe and get busy in growing something to eat.