Sunday, June 28, 2015

From Days Gone By June 23, 1917

June 23, 1917.
    Many railroads in the state want to run freight trains on Sundays. The W. & T. is considering the proposition, and legislation is being sought for that purpose. They give several reasons for this including that it will greatly assist the government in transporting ammunition, food and war materials. This wants to be done as long as the war lasts and there seems to be no opposition to the move.
    President Pollard of the W. & T. says its not a desire to run freights on Sundays just for the benefit of the railroad. A delay of 36 to 48 hours once a week means a great deal to producers and in this war time especially to the government in this case of stringent war times.
    The Statesboro District Conference convened in Wrightsville this week. Homes were opened to hosts the guests. The teachers summer school at Warthen College started and is progressing nicely. Ordinary J. C. Wiggins received a check from the the state treasury for $523.21, Johnson County's share of the automobile tax. The tax is prorated according to the number of miles of public roads instead of number miles of rural roads. There are 237 automobiles registered in Johnson County. This money will go into the general fund.
    Peoples Auto Company is a new enterprise in the new Johnson building. It is a new and modern  equipped garage and will do every line of automobile repairing. They are experts on lighting, starting and ignition systems. Equipment will include welding and steam vulcanization. The Wrightsville Junk Company has just opened up a junk and hide house. They can save you money on scrap iron, dry rags, dry cattle bones, manila rope, burlap, scrap copper, heavy brass, buggy rubbers and beer bottles.
    Wedding bells continue to ring around Wrightsville and divers places. Miss Lizzie Mosely and Mr. Henry Seals were married in Vidalia. Lizzie is the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. John W. Mosely of Uvalda. Mr. Seals is a Johnson County young farmer and will make there home on the plantation.
    Another of considerable interest throughout the state was the marriage of Miss Louise Lovett to Mr. W. H. Lovett. They were married at Mason's bridge. The bride is the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. E. A. Lovett. Mr. W. H. Lovett stands well in the social world and prominent in business. He is the only son of Mrs. R. T. Lovett of Wrightsville and brother to Mrs. J. W. Brinson, Jr., Mrs. R. L. Stephens and Mrs. R. E. Brinson.

Sunday, June 21, 2015

From Days Gone By June 16, 1917

June 16, 1917.
    A thousand people saw the mass meeting program at the court house carried out, the auditorium being packed all through the two hours' session. Profuse decorations of flags, flowers and bunting adorned the furniture and walls and the sweetest music wafted on the gentle breezes the spirit of true patriotism until the most unaffectedly inclined listener was moved by its majestic power.
    Presiding over the meeting was Editor Charles D. Roundtree as Master of Ceremonies who directed the program. Rev. Reese Griffin offered prayer just after the first song, "America". Honorable W. C. Brinson explained the object of the meeting. This was followed by the "Star Spangled Banner."
    The two orators of the occasion were Honorable Ben Hill Moye and Honorable William Faircloth, two of the county's most prominent citizens and attorney's. Col. Moye's address outlined the causes of the war, explained the system of registration an appealed to every one in the age limit to register, recited incidents of history touching the situation and concluded by relating the work of the ladies and the duty of the men in the present crisis. His speech was one of the best and well received.
    Judge Faircloth touched the feelings of every person present. He appealed to their better judgement, outlined the duty of everyone from a patriotic standpoint, asked those unable to do war service to serve their country at home by raising food for soldiers, pathetically touched his large audience with the spirit of the hour until many mothers and fathers were drying their eyes and closed the excellent address with the most affecting words.
    After the speaking the Benediction was read by Rev. J. Calla Midyett. Sheriff Willis D. Rowland and the other Board of Registrars requested the various registrars of the county to remain over to get a further incite into how to manipulate the registration.
    All men in the county in the age range marched to their precenicts on the 5th and registered. There was no disturbances anywhere in the county and the day passed off orderly. It is thought and believed there was not a slacker to be found in the county. There were 1262 registered in the county, of this number there were 658 whites and 604 blacks.

Thursday, June 11, 2015

From Days Gone By, June 9, 1916, 1917

June 9, 1916, 1917.
    1916-The annual Union Singing Convention is coming to Idylwild on the 10thand 11th. Counties represented will be Johnson, Dodge, Laurens, Pulaski, Washington, Montgomery, Emanuel, Telfair, Dooly, Wilcox, Wilkinson, Crisp, Irwin, and Ben Hill.
    Mr. C. T. Bray announces his candidacy for state senator for the 16th District. Col. Russell M. Daley is moving to Dublin to join Judge John S. Adams in the new firm Adams & Daley. Dr. I. H. Archer moved into his new dentist office, the new brick building just west of the Brinson Drug store on Elm Street. (Headlight building). Miss Lucile Meadows and Mr. O.H. Tompkins were married at Eastman today.
    In news from around Kite, Mrs. L. J. Powell of Gum Log died suddenly at her home Sunday morning. She was buried at Oaky Grove. Burglers entered the store of Mr. S. A. Woods. They took several pairs of fine shoes, suits and $30 worth of jewelry. J. S. Stephenson is installing a gasoline engine and tank at his artisian well He will furnish water for the Farmers Gin Company which is making improvements for the coming season. C. .H. Moore is overhauling the Southern Gin Company also. C. M. Schwalls is building a 30 x 70 brick store on Montgomery Street. C. G. Townsend is erecting one on Railroad Street out of wood with the inside and top covered with corrugated iron.
    1917- Much hail rain and wind traversed the southern section of Johnson County Sunday night doing a great deal of injury to growing crops and gardens, fences, houses, and trees. Captain W. Z. Kemp had to bring his convict force into the city for shelter, his tents being smashed and torn down beyond repair. In some places the hail flattened growing cotton and corn as well as gardens and fruit was beaten from the trees. Some houses were damaged and for a time it looked like a tornado had struck in full force.
    There have been many scattered storms in the state recently and they have done a lot of injury to lives and property. Last week in Emanuel County a regular tornado hit a streak about ten miles long and a half mile wide in which Mrs. C. M. Schwalls of Kite lost over $2000 worth of property.
     Miss Nellie Mae Jenkins and Mr. Cecil T. Swinson were married on May 30th by Judge Z. T. Prescott, grandfather of the bride. She is a daughter of Mr. & Mrs. U. R. Jenkins. Mr. Swinson hails from Bulloch County and is now cashier at the Bank of Lovett.

Friday, June 5, 2015

From Days Gone By June 2, 1917

June 2, 1917.
   S aturday is to be a gala day in Wrightsville as  people from all over the county are coming to get all the information regarding the law for registration which will take place on the 5th. Sheriff Willis D. Rowland passed out flyers and very nearly every citizen knows of this mass meeting. Two local attorneys are on hand to explain the law. The ladies of the Civic League have prepared patriotic music and has dressed the courthouse with flags and bunting and it presents a warlike appearance.
    The law requires registration of all persons between the ages of 21 and 30, white or black, on June 5th. It is a grave offense to fail to comply and the district attorney will arrest and prosecute.
    The U. S. District Attorney Earl M. Donaldson citied evidence of anti-American propaganda being distributed and if caught, under the law he can not be relieved by simply paying a fine, it will be a long imprisonment. Donaldson stated, "I do not believe that there will be many violations of this act of Congress. The South has already done its part in the war, and its part has always been done well. Our people are not of the type that produce slackers; they will not tolerate a slacker, and our law will not permit his council or advice to induce another to become a slacker."
    Mr. John R. Moore has the Wrightsville Glee Club organized this week with over 20 members including,C. D. Roundtree, John R. Moore, Lyman Moore, R. P. Hicks, C. S. Claxton, J. W. Brinson, Jr., J. A. Hall, D. T. Brinson, J. Holmes Hines, J. E. Brantley, J. T. Davis, W. E. Scott,  J. I. Singletary, J. Frank Jackson, Henry C. Heath, J. B. Williams, D. W. Brantley, T. E. Hayes, Jas M. Luck, Olin Smith, John E. Hall, R. H. Rowland, J. Roy Rowland, L. M. Kinman, E. H. Hamilton, and J. H. Sizemore.
    Mr. J. R. Odum died Tuesday afternoon at his home near Moore's Chapel. After doing a hard half-days work in the forenoon, eating a full dinner he lay down for a nap and did not wake up. He was buried under Masonic honors.
    Mr. & Mrs. R. E. Butterly are back home where Mrs. Butterly had a long stay from near death injuries received from the car crash with the M. D. & S. train.
    There are a lot of peach growers in the county and bears some fine fruit this year. Mr. W. C. Chester and Rev. G. F. Sumner brought some fine ones to town.
    A number are leaving tomorrow for Washington to attend the veterans reunion. They are Dr. R. R. Douglas, Col. E. L. Stephens, Mr. J. T. Linder, Mr. A. T. Snider, Prof. A. J. M. Robinson, Mr. U. R. Jenkins, Mr. Ben E. Jordan, Mr. W. C. Chester, Dr. T. E. Vickers and Mr. C. D. Kavakos.
    The following local businesses came together to ask, Why leave the county to buy your goods? The tax you spend in other counties don't educate your children, keep up the streets, roads, and school buildings. They don't donate to our churches or charities. Buy at home. It benefits us all.
    H. C. Tompkins Dept. Store, Dixie Grocery, F. C. Lord & Son, Jenkins Drug Co., Hayes Bros., Kitchens Grocery, Butterly Bros., The Davis Store, Brinson's Drug Store, Wrightsville Merchantile, H. Lewis Dry Goods, B. B. Tanners Grocery, A. F. Flanders Drug Co., W. E. Blankenship & Son, C. S.  Blankenship, Home Made Kandy Kitchen, Sinquefield Grocery, T. V. Kent Furniture, George W. Gordy Ice Cream Parlor, Bank of Wrightsville, Exchange Bank, Union Grocery, Peoples Hardware, The City Garage, J. T. Blankenship Meat Market, Hayes Cash Store, M. S. Duggan Grocery, Rowland Grain & Seed, Wrightsville Furniture, Rowland Lumber Co., County Trading Co., C. L. Wilson's Grocery, Jordan & Hicks Tailors & Dry Cleaners.