FROM DAYS GONE BY April 25, 1919

April 25, 1919.

The old soldiers of Johnson County met at the court house and elected Mr. T. J. Brantley, captain, and Uncle O. S. Fortner, 1st LT., Joe B. Williams as secretary-treasurer. There were 22 present and 26 absent of the old veterans now living in the county.
Mr. T. J. Brantley and Mr. Isom Stephens were elected delegates to the United Confederate Veterans Reunion at Dawson which convenes on the 18th and 19th of June. The 20 cents apiece for dues was paid by all and the Headlight served them cold drinks and cigars.
Those veterans present were J. R. Wilson, J. F. Price, G. P. Spears, S. L. Cooper, W. T. Brantley, J. L. Miller, H. G. Wheeler, O. S. Fortner, L. D. Spence, W. G. Davis, W. H. Blankenship, T. J. Brantley, W. H. Frost, D. H. Tuttle, Isom Stephens, John Marsh, H. H. Tucker, L. S. Powell, J. P. D. Oliver, L. Mosley, J. A. Douglas, Sr., W. S. Burns.
Those still living but absent were H. C. Townsend, B. Y. Wheeler, J. K. Mixon, J. T. Snell, H. C. Mason, Minter Burns, D. C. Blankenship, Gabriel Kittrell, Hansel Dixon, R. T. Henderson, L. Underwood, John Brantley, A. E. Simpson, B. D. Brantley, T. H. Walden, Reeves Walden, James Moxley, Alfred Barnes, W. P. Ennis, P. T. Mixon, Daniel E. Smith, W. D. Smith, T. J. Stapleton, W. G. Foskey, Joseph Wilkins, D. Z. Douglas. The governor is raising the funds now to pay the soldiers their pensions for 1919.
All of southern Johnson County was stirred up over the murder charge brought by Henry Thigpen against Vestus Mathis. When Mathis was passing the Thigpen home the 6 year old daughter ran out into the road and met instant death under the wheels of the Briscoe automobile driven by Mathis.
The father claims Mathis was driving reckless, speedy and in an unconcerned manner; that by care and proper control the accident would not have happened. The mother was stricken with grief for days from the sudden shock. Mathis says he was under control but the girl ran out from behind the Thigpen's auto. Seeing her danger he zig-zagged to miss her but she was already there.
A lot of witnesses have been summoned and Mathis has been in jail over a week now. His father lives in Emanuel County and he went to see him for advice and was arrested there. Mathis says he greatly regrets the occurance. The outcome of the case is awaited with interest.
The preliminary trial of Tom Wicker was held Saturday. He was charged with the murder of Jack Dawson at Price's bridge the night of April 5th. Angela Dixon, held as accessory to the killing of Jim Giles was turned go Saturday at the instance of the prosecution for lack of evidence, to be committed. Giles was killed in his home on April 13th and his wife is in jail charged with his murder.
Mr. T. V. Kent has opened a large furniture business. J. O. Tanner has Dixie Flyer and Hanson Six automobiles for sale at his up-to-date garage. Mr. Leon A. Lovett has added on to his business. He is the Ford dealer here. Messers. Pournell and Lord have charge of the office and repairs are left to Jack Hamilton, Willie Crawford and Bob Lord. J. N. Riner files for bankruptcy.
Miss Noona Lee Tanner is to wed Mr. Ezekial Baldwin Gaines in May. Miss Bessie Martin married Mr. John L. Willis and Miss Trixie Lancaster married Mr. J. Jack Crawford. Col. and Mrs. Ben Hill Moye had a fine young girl on April 17th.
Judge J. C. Wiggins is repairing the walk on the west side of the court house with cement. Mr. Crafts of Dublin is doing the work. There is considerable interest in the creation of a Board of Trade for Wrightsville.
Cotton still revolves around 26 cents but hogs go from 12 to 17 cents per pound, thus giving an additional reason for growing hogs instead of cotton. The Georgia farmer who gets left this year in hog raising is missing a great money-making opportunity.