Sunday, March 26, 2017

FROM DAYS GONE BY March 21, 1919

March 21, 1919.

Both Wrightsville and Kite are in mourning as two great men from each city passes into the great beyond. These prominent men were Dr. Jeremiah Wesley Brinson and Hon. William N. Kight.
Dr. Jeremiah Wesley Brinson, Sr. passes away quietly at his home on March 12th after being seriously ill but a few hours. He died in the presence of his wife and other members of his family. He was out Tuesday seeing around his home and family an paid a visit to his son, Mr. DeWitt Brinson as late as 8pm. Coming home he retired and the family said he rested well until around 4 am when he awoke the family telling them he was ill and felt the pain in his body from which he had suffered short attacks within the past few months. About 7 he began to grow weaker and the family realized the end was near. At 8 am relatives and friends were summoned to his bedside and his son, Dr. Earl Brinson, and Dr. S. M. Johnson attended during his last moments. Death came peaceably, quietly and serenely at 8:30 am.
Dr. J. W. Brinson was one of the most prominent citizens of Johnson County all the time since 1873, when he first came to the city entering the practice of medicine and the dug business, a business he had just sold to his son at the first of the year, Dr. J. W. Brinson, Jr. But he continued doctoring up to the week of his death, and as a physician was wanted far and near, his services being still in demand.
He was a Royal Arch Mason of the local lodge, a member of the Methodist church since coming to Wrightsville, an was a honest Christian gentleman. His drugstore building, which still stands on the corner of Elm and Marcus streets in the heart of Wrightsville, was the first brick building built in the town.
On March 2, 1875 he was married to Miss Amanda Sikes, and to their union were born eight children, five boys and three girls. Next to the youngest was Robie Madge Brinson who was already dead. The others who survived him, together with their mother were: Mrs. Leila Anthony Kittrell, Dr. J. W. Brinson, Jr., Mrs. Leah Maze Bryan, Col. William Chauncy Brinson, Dr. Edison Brinson and Mr. DeWitte Talmadge Brinson. He had only one brother, Mr. David Brinson, county warden of Emanuel County, and one sister, Mrs. Gussie Outlaw. He was born October 21, 1852 and was 66 years old. He was buried at Westview.
Honorable William N. Kight, of Kite, was relieved of all his sufferings on the afternoon of March 13th when the death angel knocked on his door and summoned him to pay the debt that all must pay. He had been in bed and about his room for about two years, having been stricken with paralysis and continuing attacks during the long, weary months of his illness.
He was a member of the Missionary Baptist church and of the Kite Lodge F. & A. Internment was in the Kite cemetery services performed by the Masons. He had been a Mason since 1873, joining the order in Wrightsville and transferring to Kite upon its organization in 1890, as a charter member. He held the office of secretary there for 13 years. In 1912-1913 he was the Senator in the upper house of the General Assembly of Georgia, which office he filled most creditably.
He left a wife, seven children, three brothers, four sisters, and a host of relatives and friends to mourn his departure. Mr. Kight was in his 68th year.

Thursday, March 16, 2017

FROM DAYS GONE BY March 14, 1919

March 14, 1919.

In the wee small hours of the morning when the city was taking its farewell slumbers for the morning fire raged. The fire alarm broke out, turned loose and announced trouble near the home of Mr. E. A. Lovett on Marcus Street, when an outhouse, part of what was once Warthen Institute, and as used as a storeroom for various products, was found burning. The boys of the fire department rushed to the scene and they did valiant work with the hose. Two streams were quickly and effectively applied to the flaming building and was soon put under their own control. The handsome home of Mr. Lovett was once threatened, a lot of straw and leaves in a gully on the top catching fire.
The storehouse contained about 48 bales of cotton just put in by the City Warehouse from the yard of Mr. Lovett, where it had been lying since the fall business crowded their warehouse to overflowing. It also had 125 bushels of corn, some mote and a lot of other things to the value all told, of around $6000, with partial insurance. The origin of the fire was unknown.
The regular March Term of Superior Court will convene next week. Sheriff Willis D. Rowland and deputy Mr. Willie T. Rowland have worked feverishly the last 10 days getting out summons. The docket consists of around 60 cases, 7 of which are divorce cases. The first case is O. S. Fortner vs Nancy D. Wiggins. This case was docketed at the March Term of 1905, 14 years ago. Judge Kent has been disqualified to hear this case as he was the attorney on record at that time.
Sheriff Rowland, than whom there is no better in Georgia holds the key on four criminals down at his boarding in the bottom of "Blue Run." Three are charged with murder and the other for forging checks. All of these are Negroes. Joe Alexander charged with killing his wife out in Bray's district two years ago. Will Stubbs charged with killing the son of Henry Smith September 1918 and Red Wright is said to have slain Jim Hood Wright up near G. A. Tarbutton's place. Sim Scott wrote too much and got in trouble with H. C. Tompkins store and other places.
Duncan Outlaw, working last year for Mr. T. P. Veal, carries the record of making 17 bales of cotton, averaging 508 lbs to the bale a remnant of 400 lbs of seed cotton, 8 acres of good corn and some potatoes and cane. His cotton crop brought him $2865. This was done on a one-horse farm in Johnson County.
The Indians passed through the Powell's Chapel community last week an a lots of people had their fortune told. A milk cow belonging to Mr. H. P. Hicks was killed by the train Saturday in the city. Dr. J. C. Robinson, dentist, has one of the pretest dental offices now in use on the north side of the court house seldom found in a town the size of Wrightsville. He resides upstairs and works downstairs.
The many friends of John B. Haines are glad to learn he has sailed or home. He as been overseas 10 months and secured a pass to tour France after the Armstice was signed. Mrs. Mary V. Duff, the aged mother of Messrs. Duff Brothers are Misses Duff's of this city, has been in feeble health but seems to be getting better. She is 82 years old.
The Methodist people of Kite have about completed their place of worship in the town. Several months ago they started it and the war struck them as it did everybody else and work was hindered on it. But now that conditions have about become normal again they have gone to work and ceiled it, finished covering it and will soon have it ready for use.

Thursday, March 9, 2017

FROM DAYS GONE BY March 7, 1919

March 7, 1919.

Mayor W. M. Shurling has made the city of Wrightsville a splendid officer and his work is appreciated by the law-abiding element of the town. There is no complaints about getting jobs around here. There is plenty of work for the fellow who will work. But there has always been a bunch of hangers on and loafers and guess it will always continue.
Mr. H. L. Lester, Deputy Woodmen of the World and his two sons, W. A. and Jas. W. are doing some splendid work for the local Woodmen of the World Camp. They hope to attain one hundred more members here.
Collecting six billion dollars has been started by the Bureau of Internal Revenue. This act reaches the pocketbook of every single person with a net income of $1000 and every married person with a net income of $2000. The filing of these returns must be made before the 15th of March. For willfully failing to make a return you will be fined not more than $10,000. The income tax man is coming to Wrightsville. Mr. E. B. Benson, Internal Revenue agent writes he will be here March 12th and 13th for the purpose of taking income tax returns.
Three men take the examination for postmaster of Wrightsville. They were J. H. McWhorter, James M. Luck, and Bobbie T. Henderson. Col. Tom P. Stephens and Mrs. Stephens have changed their residence from Adrian to Dublin where Col. Stephens has formed a partnership with Col. B. I. Stephens for the practice of law in Laurens County.
One of the largest gatherings of farmers ever held in Wrightsville assembled at the court house to hear arguments favoring the cutting of the 1919 cotton acreage and the use of commercial fertilizers. Hon. William Faircloth presided. Mr. A. J. Flemming, state secretary of the Farmers Union delivered the address, appealing to the better judgement of the farmers for a considerable reduction in their acreage this year. Mr. J. C. Oliver of the state college in Athens discussed raising cotton under boll weevil conditions.
Editor Chas. D. Roundtree offered the following resolution and was passed. "In order to prevent an over supply of cotton this year we hereby pledge ourselves to reduce our cotton acreage one-third for 1919. Further resolve to cut our use of commercial fertilizers for 1919 at least one-third and do hereby agree to stand up to this resolution heart and soul."
Also Judge Faircloth addressed the meeting in behalf of an extra session of the legislature to pass highway legislation. A resolution was adopted:
"Therefore, be it resolved, that Johnson County citizens and taxpayers, in mass meeting assembled, do hereby request his Excellency, Hugh M. Dorsey, Governor of Georgia, to as soon as possible call an extraordinary session of the Georgia Legislature to consider and pass a law creating a state highway commission, and to authorize the proper authority of the state to issue bonds to build roads and state highways from county site to county site town throughout the state."

Sunday, March 5, 2017

FROM DAYS GONE BY Feb. 28,1919

February 28, 1919.

There are two boys resting beneath the sun-kissed sod of France who, it is believed, had premonitions before leaving from their happy homes in Johnson County that they would never look upon the dear faces of loved family connections and friends again. These two young men were Messrs. Claude Deal and Leland Hutcheson, sons of two of the counties most prominent citizens, Messrs. Burnett Deal and Henry A. Hutcheson.
When each came to report for duty and to go away with the others it appeared to Col. W. C. Brinson, a member of the Local Board, that they had had a revelation of their fate, which they felt sure was coming, and which did come ere their return, and this promonition was prognosticated to their parents, making it the harder for them to see their brave sons leave.
When the boys came to take the train Col. Brinson says he was so affected by the solemnity of the sorrowful parents he was forced to leave the clerical work at the depot in the hands of Sheriff Willis D. Rowland for the time being. He believes the boys felt they would never return, as they presented an entirely different affection from any others who went away.
John Davis of Wrightsville, RFD 3, is listed as having died overseas of disease. He is a son of Mrs. Mary Davis. He was with the Rainbow Division. Mr. Jessie Pittman died suddenly at his country home. He was discovered dead in bed by his wife the next morning. He was buried at Union Hill.
J. B. Martin, son of Mr. & Mrs. W. I. Martin is back at Camp Gordon. He will be home soon. He was wounded the first day of February 1918 but has recovered. Others returning home are sailor Thomas E. Jenkins, Jack Hamilton, Horace Williams, Lewis Heath, Carl Holt and Eugene Attaway. Mr. & Mrs. E. E. Tanner announced the birth of a son. Miss Myra Daley wed Mr. James Edison Varner.
The Bank of Lovett released their statement of condition at $84,347.55. Otis A. Sumner has opened a brand new garage in the brick building between Hayes Bros. and Prescott-Price Co. Also a new café has opened just across from the post office. The owners are Greeks and they call their place The New York Café. The Vivola Theatre will host Albert Vierra's Hawaiian Singers and Players. The Cash Grocery managed by Mr. J. B. Paul is now in the Kennedy building.
Mr. I. R. Tanner, a large livestock dealer in this section made a big deal with Mr. E. J. Sumner when he purchased from him 14 head of oxen. They aggregated a total of 14,325 pounds yoked together. Lightning struck a barn of Dr. R. E. Butterly which killed three mules. Two of them had not long been purchased from Mr. J. T. Fulford and were costly making it a heavy loss for the doctor. If our farmers don't get busy it will take $8 to send Mr. Boll Weevil a postal card this fall.