FROM DAYS GONE BY OCT 18, 1918

October 18, 1918.

Today the gates opened to the Johnson County Fair Association and is already considered one of the best, though small, exhibitions any single county in this part of the state has ever had. There are collections of every conceivable article raised and used on the farms of Johnson County, both agricultural and livestock. The county was ready for this fair. Rich in resources and not overflowed with liabilities the people are in splendid shape. Large crops are being harvested, the barns are full and the smokehouses will soon be bulging out at the front doors with porkers raised on $2 corn and $1.50 sweet potatoes. The fair also has the merry-go-round, ferris wheel, old plantation shows, open air acrobats, aeroplane, magic lanterns, 8 piece band, midget show and baby show.
W. B. Coleman of Laurens County announced for state senate. Mr. & Mrs. A. F. Flanders move into their home on West Elm street, reently occupied by Mr. Bob Chapman. Mr. J. W. A. Crawford files for bankruptcy. Johnson County only has $40,000 the 4th Liberty Loan. This leaves over a $110,000 to be raised by Saturday night when the campaign ends. The government has ordered that the week of October 21 o 26th be set aside as rat killing week for the purpose of freeing the state of rats. The rat is our greatest destroyer. You are asked to cut off their tails and bring them in to Mr. A. J. M. Robinson. Prizes are to be given to the ones killing the most rats. First prize $5, Second $3 and Third $2. Everybody is urged to do all they can to free Johnson County of this awful pest.
Captain E. H. Frazier, Director for the 11th District of Georgia, First United War Work Campaign came and discussed the necessity of a War Room in the county and to have such a building on the courthouse grounds. He discussed this throuoghly with Judge J. C. Wiggins. The room would be a constant reminder of the brave fellows fighting from this county for our Liberty and freedom from German tyranny. A permanent record in which the names of every Johnson County boy in the United States Army shall be listed. How often could such a record have been used since the Civil War? After the war is over this permanently bound book should be deposited among the County Records where subsequent entries could be made. Judge Wiggins granted permission to erect on court house grounds to be built at once.
Mr. Walden Downs, son of Mr. & Mrs. L. D. Downs, a brave young soldier who spent a year at Camp Wheeler and was enroute to go overseas when he was taken sick dying while in New York. He was brought home and buried at Union Hill.
Spanish influenza has began to take a toll on the county with many sickness and some deaths. W. D. Stewart of Scott died of such and was buried at Bay Springs. He left a wife, one boy and 3 girls. Miss Francis Miller, 81, died at her home near town and buried at Piney Mount. Young Russell Price died being sick about two weeks. He was buried at Oaky Grove. Little Martha Kent, the bright young daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Gordon Kent died at their home in Jacksonville, Florida. She was buried at West View.