Monday, November 28, 2016

FROM DAYS GONE BY November 22, 1918

November 22, 1918.

Demobilization orders already issued will care for the discharge of 200,000 men within the next two weeks in this country. As the machinery is developed the army can discharge 30,000 men daily. General Perishing has been ordered to return to the states. With transports available, all casualties, convelesents, sick and wounded will come home before the steady flow of the well soldiers. There are 1,700,000 men in U. S. Camps and it will take some time to muster them out.
The total number of men accredited to Johnson County and sent to the national army is reported to be 435 men. There were 381 drafted and 54 volunteers. In addition to these there were quite a few in the navy and national guard.
Arline Chapel will hold a special service next week for their young soldiers, six of whom are in France, Italy or England. They are Willie Parker, Johnnie Mack Parker, Tullie Raines, Jim Spell, Rentz Dent, Brinson Caneega, Luther Caneega, Lotus and Otis McAfee. Word reached here of the death of Mr. Claude L. Deal who died October 14th of wounds received in action and of Lt. Carroll W. Deal October 26th of pneumonia. The cousins have been in France since June. Word was also received of the death of Johnnie Mack Smith, son of Mr. & Mrs. Steely Smith who was killed in France October 10th. He was a brother to Mrs. T. I. Martin, Mrs. Seab Glover, Mrs. Argy Dixon and Mrs. J. M. Grice. Brothers are Jim, Tom, Will and Bud.
The Wrightsville District School will start up again on Monday. It is believed that the flu epidemic has subsided enough to run safely now. The deed to Warthen College and property has been made to the local Board of Trustees and I now in possession of the Wrightsville School District. It belonged to the Methodist conference but when the state law closed Warthen College as a state institution they sought a purchaser and with Wrightsville being without a school building it was deemed advisable to purchase it. The District was bonded for $20,000.
The grading livestock pens for the city will now be built, according to county agent Fred T. Bridges. Work will not be delayed and it should be built in a short time. It will furnish a co-op market for hogs and cattle where all the farmers can come together and have a sale and buyers will come from afar to buy them. Sealed bids will be sent for all the stock saleable by the packing plants in various parts of the country.
Another announcement comes that as of January 1st all of this section will be put in the Eastern Zone giving this county the same time as Augusta. All the area east of Macon will now be in this zone. So clocks and watches will have to be moved up one hour. Then on March 31st, the time will be set up another hour.
Mrs. Hilson, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. J. R. Raley died at their home in Savannah. She was brought back here and buried at the family cemetery near her father's home. Mr. P. C. Dugger died at his daughters, Mrs. Rev. P. Flanders having been ill a short time. He was buried at Westview. Mrs. George Willie Bridges, wife of Mr. Dune Bridges, died at their home near Spann November 13th and was buried at Piney Mt. Surviving her is her parents, Mr. & Mrs. W. R. Andrews, sisters, Mrs. J. T. Miller and Mrs. I. D. Cox, brother J. W. Cox, and three small children. Miss Bertie Andrews, another sister was there waiting on her and became seriously ill, passing out Friday morning. She was also buried at Piney Mt.
Thursday is Thanksgiving Day, the day has been observed since the Pilgrim Fathers crossed the ocean and planted a flower which has bloomed into maturity, a renowned and distinguished beauty, This day has seen change after change take place in the history of the country and of the world and has brought to the hearts of the people of this country many a bright spot in the history of their career.
Far more than ever this coming day deserves a greater demonstration of that spirit which characterized the spirit of its origin and our people as a whole should be more than ever inclined to lay aside thoughts of business and pleasure and repair to the house of worship and participate in thanksgiving and prayer. This is a real thanksgiving time. Let the hope be cherished that it will not pass amiss, but it will be given over to just that sort of action as the occasion demands.

Thursday, November 17, 2016

FROM DAYS GONE BY Nov.15, 1918

November 15, 1918.

The greatest news this country ever received was flashed from one end to the other last Monday morning when the wires told the American people the war was over, that Germany had signed the drastic armistice terms drawn up by the allied army. The greatest war of the ages closed at 6 last Monday morning, officially. In signing Germany is prevented from renewing hostilities. No more men will be sent off. President Wilson ordered the draft stopped. The American army had reached a strength of 3,764,677 men. Of these 2,200,200 are in France, Italy or Russia.
Hundreds of men, women and children participated in a grand jubilee and peace celebration Monday night in Wrightsville. There was a mammoth automobile parade which traversed the entire city. The local Red Cross marched from the Methodist church. There was music, songs, cheering and yells, with the tooting of many auto horns and ringing of all the church bells and the fire alarm gave plenty of noise. A program was held in front of the court house with speakers, Rev. Reese Griffin, Prof. J. O. Martin, Judge William Faircloth, Col. Ben Hill Moye and Rev. Chas. E. Jackson.
The City Court had a busy session. Seven or eight plead guilty to gambling and carrying pistols, with one or two getting drunk at churches. Willie Outlaw was turned loose, who was charged with pointing a shotgun at another. Those that plead guilty were, Winfield Harper, John Walker, Grady Moore, John Jackson, Eddie Clover, Cal Barn, David Freeman, Willie Braddy, Gilbert Maddox, Gus Lemon, Arthur Battle, Wesley Robinson, Lonnie Watts, Ed Smith, Tom Darisaw and Zealus Robinson. Most of them were fined $60 or 8 months in jail. Those found not guilty other than Willie Outlaw were Buddie Thomas and Red Edwards.
Mr. J. G. Lyles has resigned as city electritian and returned to work for Mr. . Davidson. Ex-chief M. L. Jackson is now in charge of the electric light plant. Chief Joe M. Walker resigned from the police force and ex-deputy sheriff Jim Tapley took Walker's place as chief.
The entire city of Wrightsville was mourning on November 8th when they learned of the death of Mrs. Dr. T. L. Harris at her home on North Marcus street. She had suffered several days from pneumonia. She left her husband and an 8 month old baby. She was buried at Westview. Miss Dorothy Doke, 16 years old died at her parents 5 miles east of town, also from pneumonia. She too was buried at Westview. Mr. R. C. Adams formally of Wrightsville but recently moved to Sparta, died from the Spanish flu. He was owner of Crystal Café on Spring Street in that town. Mr. R. T. Sander, 74 died and was buried at Westview. Two daughters survived him.
Three more deceased persons were furnished caskets from the city on Sunday. George Coxwell who lived in the New Home area and was buried there. His wife and two children were too sick to attend the funeral. Gordon Hardaway's child at Lovett was buried at the family cemetery dying of pneumonia. The other was Jethro Garnto's child who was buried at Pleasant Grove.
Mr. C. D. Thompson broke his arm trying to crank his Ford. A lot of peoples hogs have the cholera and Mr. Bridges has been mighty busy treating them. The local lodge of Odd Fellows assisted in setting up a new lodge at Moores Chapel.The possum hunters are having a lot of good sport and fresh meat these moonlight nights. The Headlight remarked they wanted three for Thanksgiving.

Sunday, November 13, 2016

FROM DAYS GONE BY Nov. 8, 1918

November 8, 1918.

Death and disaster has laid waste in many Johnson County homes these last two weeks. Hardly an hour has passed within the past ten days but a death occurred. Whites and coloreds have suffered alike. In some instances there has not been enough help to bury the dead on account of so much sickness.
Don C. Kent, second son of Judge & Mrs. John Luther Kent died from pneumonia. He was 25 and a farmer. He left a wife of six years, the former Miss Juanita Wood, and two small children, Cameron 5, and Virginia, 2. He was buried at Westview. Uncle Benjamin F. Martin, born I Hancock County but lived in Johnson County 28 years, father of nine children died of influenza and was buried at Westview. He was a Confederate veteran. Al his children attended his funeral but Emmitt, who is in France.
Mrs. Oscar Daley, 24 was next. She was a niece of Mr. William Oliver and was formally a Williams and was buried in the Williams Cemetery. She left a husband and three small children. Then came death to Mrs. S. L. Powell and Mr. Bishop Price, brother and sister. They were buried at Oaky Grove. They died jut three hours apart. Bishop's 3 year old daughter, Rosa Lee was buried the same day. His wife and mother are both sick. Mrs. Powell was born April 28, 1882 and married January 16, 1898. She had four living and seven dead children. Bishop was 33, married twice and had three children by the first marriage. Their father was W. H. Price. Their brothers and sisters were Perry and Phillip Price, Mrs Mollie Frost, Mrs. Mozelle Powell, Mrs. Viana Tanner and Mrs. Louisa Keyton.
There were three burials at the Hall Cemetery at Liberty Grove. Mrs. C. H. Kindon, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Will Scarboro, She left a husband and a two month old baby. Then Mr. William Riley Johnson, brother of J. D. Johnson died and left a wife and three children. The third was Uncle John West Snell who in two days would have been 81. He left a son, and a sister Mrs. Georgia Gay. He was a Confederate veteran.
Mildred Vidella Beasley, infant daughter of Mr. & Mrs. H. M. Beasley of Norristown died. She was 11 months old. It is very evident now that the crest of the flu epidemic has been broken. But few new cases have broken out this week and the ones who have been sick, if not dead, are better. It didn;t look appalling along about the latter part of last week. Had things went on something surely would have had to be done in this county to check the dreadful work of the disease.
The Local Board will soon send off a number of men from this county. There will be about 44 white men and 23 colored ones to go to Camp Wheeler on about the 15th. Mr. H. H. Caneega has divided his grocery store into two parts. One he carried out to his country home and the other is located within the wooden building across from Brinson's.
Ed Evans, colored, while enroute down Marcus Street with his wife Monday night from the picture show was shot in the back of his head with a pistol in the hands of an unknown party and is not likely to live. There is little known concerning the affair. Ed worked for the City Warehouse and lived just back of it. As they were rounding the corner near the railroad crossing the shooting took place. Ed was able to run a good distance when he fell.
Taken home, medical assistance was brought, and Tuesday he was carried to Sandersville. His wife discovering his condition after he had fallen took up a term of screams and crying and alarmed the town for fully ten minutes. Reports differ and vary as to how it occurred and who did the shooting. This is the second husband the wife has had shot.

Sunday, November 6, 2016

FROM DAYS GONE BY November 1, 1918

November 1, 1918.

LT. Asbury Hall killed in action. This was the said news that came into the quiet home of his devoted family in Adrian on he night f September 21st. He had been killed in action "somewhere in France" on September 13th. Much sorrow hovered over the little town as the news rapidly spread.
Asbury was an energetic and industrious young man. With meager means he was quick o learn and could make a success of most anything he set his mind to do. When very young he became an accomplished barber and with this income assisted his older brother go through medical college. Asbury later entered himself and studied pharmacy. The authorities at Mercer University did not believe he could work and pay his way through school, but he insisted they give him a chance, which they did, and he succeeded admirably.
He was also called by a congressman to do office work and he had considered studying and practicing law. As he prepared for his life's career Uncle Sam called him for duty, so he set his sights on the army. After training he went overseas in January and had been at the front for several months when the end came. After he got to France he made arrangements for another brother and sister to go to college. His future was bright, his life was right and freedom fighting took his life.
Miss Elizabeth McAfee is the first woman to receive an appointment as rural mail carrier for this section of the state. She won her appointment over 18 others. She drives a car on her route which covers 24 miles out of the Davisboro office. Miss McAfee taught school at Harrison before her appointment.
Dr. James M. Meadows de at Vidalia of pneumonia at the age of 45. He was survived by a wife and several children. His father is Mr. Cannie S. Meadows and they were former residence of Johnson County. Mrs. Billie Johnson, wife of Mr. W. F. Johnson died after a two week illness. She was buried at the Futrell Cemetery 5 miles north of Bartow. Tom Gainor died at the convict camp in Kite from the flu. Judge Wiggins sent a coffin down o have his remains buried.
A Ford car driven by O. A. Kennedy, Jr. turned turtle Sunday night out on the Mason bridge road. In it were the driver, Bus Kent and Claude Hicks. All escaped injury except Claude who suffered a fractured forearm. Soldier boy Noah D. Paul married Miss Vera Smith, daughter ofMrs. Trudie Smith of near Bartow.
Thursday night unknown burglars entered Dr. R. E. Butterly's drug store through the front door after breaking the glass. Four or five dollars in cash was taken along with a lot of watches and jewelry worth about $100 that belonged to optician Jack Robinson.
A terribly bad shooting affray took place 6 miles east of Swainsboro on Saturday. Lige Lowe and Charlie Lowe, brothers, were neighbors of Will Poythress, all white. Bad feelings got up between the brothers and Will. The Lowe brothers with a shotgun apiece and Will shouldered a Marvin rifle. They met halfway grounds between their homes and began a German barrage. Both brothers were hit by bullets from the rifle and the rifle trigger-pusher got a load from each breech-loader. Lige Lowe died Sunday and was buried at old Canoochee. Charlie and Will are oth lying up. The grand jury in Emanual will have a fine tie with these ole boys.
Henry Akin was shot in the foot with a shotgun Sunday night. Two toes were almost amputated. His boy also got skin wound in the back of his neck a he poked his head out of the back door looking for escape. The affair took place in the place of business of Akin's. It is said that Lige Sullivan, a notorious character of Darktown, wielded the weapon that did the damage.
Good cotton is still hanging around 30 cents per pound. A lot of folks are holding theirs and keeping it mostly at home. The warehouses here are full to overflowing and a lot of it all up and down the streets and vacant places.