FROM DAYS GONE BY July 12, 1918

July 12, 1918.

There seems to be two R. E. Kitchens. The one in the affair reported last week was not the Moores Chapel Kitchens, as the paper stated the party named lived west of Wrightsville and Mr. R. E. Kitchens lives east of the city. This was made perfectly clear.
With fond anticipations and expectations the city of Wrightsville is on the eve of entertaining the most prominent body of ladies and gentlemen the entre state of Georgia affords. Wrightsville opens her gates and her homes to these guest Monday as they arrive from every direction. Local homes have been assigned to the people not able to get a hotel cause they are booked full. The Georgia Weekly Press Association meets here for the next three days. Wrightsville welcomes with open arms these prominent Georgians and hopes they will thoroughly enjoy their visit to our city.
Tax Receiver George W. Brantley of Kite, has made his returns for 1918, wound up his books in tip top shape and everything is now ready for the Tax Collector. In 1917 he placed on them a total valuation of $2,377,639. This year that number has reached $2,970,368. Te colored digest showed $87,620, but this year is $163,089. The Wrightsville district gave in $1,248,344.
Senator Hoke Smith, on account of all the complaints of the negroes leaving the cotton mills and fields to ride the rails to a Hawkinsville excursion, the United States Railway Administration has ordered them discontinued.
The local banks have issued their Statement of Condition. The Exchange Bank of Wrightsville, $375,031.03; The Citizens Bank of Kite, $147,572.94; The Scott Banking Company, $94,071.10; The Bank of Wrightsville, $345,969.26; The Bank of Adrian, $125,531.46.
Dr. A. F. Flanders, the Wrightsville druggist, recently appointed recruiting agent for the United States Shipping Board to enroll young men in Johnson County for service in the Merchant Marines, has received and executed his official oath of office.
Miss Willie Ruth Harrison, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Willie Harrison, married a Mr. Pournell, a foreman at L. A. Lovett's garage. Dr. & Mrs. W. J. Flanders daughter, Miss Esther, became the bride of SGT. Thomas Edward Woodruff of Camp Gordon in Atlanta, originally from Unadilla, Georgia.
Mr. Richard Mixon, aged 79, died Monday afternoon. He was visiting the home of Mr. Cleveland Williams and was stricken with paralysis. The end came quickly. Internment was at Oaky Grove. He leaves only one daughter living.
The Kite Masons issued a memorial to Bro. B. G. Fortner. Bro. Fortner was born July 31st, 1844 in then Emanuel County, now Johnson, and died April 23rd, 1918 at the home of his son, R. S. Fortner in Kite. He enlisted in the Confederate service in 1862 and served until the close of the war in 1865. He was married January 5th, 1869 to Miss Elizabeth Meeks, daughter of Elder Spencer Meeks.
He was converted during the war and baptized in Virginia in August 1863 by Rev. J. J. Hyman. After returning home he joined Rehobeth Baptist church, later moving to Gumlog Church. He was ordained to the ministry on the 15th of April 1877 by Elders Jordan Norris and Spencer Meeks. He united with the Second Advent Christian church in 1886 and assisted in organizing its conference at Shiloh church in Emanuel County. He was elected its president in 1892 which he held till his death. He was elected state senator for the 16th district for 1906-07 and held the position of chaplain. He joined the Masons in 1896 and at one time Master of the Kite Lodge. He left a family of six children, four boys and two girls, all grown and married. His wife preceeded him in death.