Thursday, January 25, 2018

FROM DAYS GONE BY Jan. 30, 1920

January 30, 1920.

One of the worse cutting scraps ever occurring in Johnson County took place late Monday afternoon at the home of Mr. "Rip" Williams in the eastern part of the county, near Uncle Obe Fortner's grist mill. The weapons were just ordinary pocket knives but tey evidentally were unordinarilly sharp ones and the wielders of the blades knew where they were directing their licks.
The old man Williams was at home when his son-in-law, "Bozie" Price drove up in a mule and buggy around sun down. Price had been out nearly all day it is claimed. The mule was the property of Williams, Price living on the old man's place this year and working the landlord's stock. Driving up to the front gate he did not remain long, but got back into the buggy an drove down to his own house, and instead of taking the mule out, stopped it and got out of the buggy and went into the house.
Mr. Williams says he thought probably that Price was drinking and might start off with his mule again and so he went down there to ask him not to drive the mule any longer that day and night. Just before he arrived Price got into the buggy and started off with the mule. Williams hailed him and Price stopped. Walking up to where Price had stopped, Williams asked Price where he was going, that he did not wish him to drive the mule longer. Then it is said Price jumped from the buggy, saying he would drive as long as he d---- pleased and if Williams objected he would kill him, all the time making for Williams with his knife.
Then the fight began. Mr. Williams said he thought he could show as much dexterity with the weapon as his son-in-law so he pulled out his knife and they went to it. When the smoke of the battle had cleared away Williams was cut two long "Y" gashes clear across the jaw. Price was cut in various places. When the family called for Dr. Harrison at Kite to come to Williams he said he was sewing up Price and could not answer. Dr. J. Gordon Brantley went to Williams and says it required 20 stitches to sew up the old man. Dr. Brantley says it was an ugly affair. Dr. Harrison reports that it took over 100 stitches to sew up on Price, that he was the worse cut up man he ever saw. It is a wonder that either of them are alive. The affair was deplored by the whole community.
It is said that Messrs. Swain & Lovett Anderson and a colored man were the eye witnesses to the fight. Up to yesterday morning no arrest had been made. Later reports from Bozie or Boy Price is that he may die from the effects of cuts around his head and neck. The fight took place near the home of Mr. Swain Anderson instead of the Williams place, other reports say.
Three county fires last week carried big losses to the owners. One was the barn belonging to Mr. C. D. Tompson. He lost 75 bushels corn, fodder, other feed stuff, barn and farming tools. Estimated loss was $1500. Mr. George Smith lost his barn with all his corn and plow tools went up in the blaze. The residence on the old Tapley homestead was also destroyed by fire. This was one of the oldest homes in the county. The origin of none of the fires has been discovered.
Dr. J. R. Dent is going to New York to study surgery exclusive. He will spend several months internship at that famous hospital there. Dr. I. H. Archer is at Atlanta Dental College studying diseases of the teeth and mouth.
While out in the woods hauling logs Mr. Clifton Douglas broke his leg from an accident. He is a son of Mr. & Mrs. Zack Douglas. The county Chamber of Commerce has chosen Mr. M. E. Crow as county demonstration agent. Mr. C. D. Hauger, millionare merchantile promoter was here checking on his business interest of the firm Hauger- Hobbs- Davis Co. Hon. Clifford Walker, Attorney-General visited Wrightsville as he is running for Governor.
Mr. Frank Reynolds of the Association of County Commissioners will speak here on the subject of good roads. L. A. Lovett Ford has installed a large Champion drill press and will now be able to rebore and repour cylinder blocks, also a crankshaft testor and straighner. They will burn in the four connecting rod bearings and 3 crankshaft bearings, fit the pistons, cam shaft and cam shaft gears all for $10, work guaranteed. Mr. Arthur Bryan Rowland, son of J. H. Rowland, married Miss Gray Melton at Baxley.

FROM DAYS GONE BY Jan 23, 1920

January 23, 1920.

Tuesday morning early Sheriff Willis D. Rowland and Deputy Willie T. Rowland left for the city jail with their new famous prisioners, Willie Q. Snell, Snell's wife and Lonnie Parker, alias Lonnie Wiltiams, who he was holding for a special trial for the alleged killing of Elijah Pryer, an aged white man near Kite early last Saturday night.
Pryer was a harmless old man without means and was an afflicted fellow, help being offered him here Saturday to have treatment for his eyesight, which, he was preparing to get done. Going home from Wrightsville in the afternoon he was seen sitting near the Snell shanty, a half mile out of Kite. The next thing known of the old man he was lying beside a tree on a bed of straw in the near edge of the swamp below the negro hut with a long axe wound in the back of his head and a large pool of blood a foot from his head. He was found by two young boys who were out riding their bicycles. About 75 yards away the bloody axe was found. It is now in the clerk's office for keeping until the trial. Snell admitted that this was his axe.
In the absence of the Coroner, Judge C. L. Claxton held an inquest which was not concluded until late Sunday night and three negroes had been jailed in the Kite calaboose. The evidence grew so strong against the three that feeling ran high for a time, but the cooler heads prevailed upon the crowd until the Sheriff was telephoned to come for them, and they were brought here where they remained until Tuesday morning.
The old man had about $40 or $50 on his person at the time and this money has been traced from the possession of Parker. It is also in evidence that Pryer's knife was in the pocket of Parker. Since this evidence was brought to light it is claimed by responsible witnesses that Lonnie has made a complete confession and has implicated Snell and his wife in the crime. It is not known just now when a trial will be had but just as soon as it can be arranged one will be given the three negroes. Judge Kent will be busy in the courts of the circuit for some time and as soon as he can get time he will give them consideration. It was called a black, dastardly crime and one that should have justice done.
After a most careful investigation into the murder of Lewis Mason, who was found dead in Dry Creek swamp on the 8th, it was the verdict of the Justice that the defendants, Ben Jones, Buster Cason, Lillian Hilson and Duke Golden were not in on the killing far enough to hold them for the higher courts, if they were in it at all. The trial lasted all Saturday afternoon to a full courthouse. Messrs. Faircloth & Faircloth appeared for the defendants. Judge Sumner obtained Col. A. L. Hatcher for the state.
That Wrightsville and Johnson County will have a hospital all her own seems to be a certainty now. All the city and county physicians are for the plan as week after week patients are carried to other counties for operations and treatments that our doctors can do here if they had the facilities. It is the purpose of the doctors to either erect a building or rent one but if it takes the long green to get one they are committed to do it.
Of the 4800 miles of road linking every county seat in the state, the state highway dept. has marked out a road across Johnson leading from the Washington County line through Wrightsville on to Adrian. This system was provided for by the last legislature and when completed will give the state a system equal to any in the U. S. and make her in reality a splendid empire.
On Dec. 24, 1919, Mrs. W. G. Davis, Jr. died. She was born Aug. 23, 1898 and was just 21. She was a daughter of Mr. & Mrs. J. B. Kemp. At 17 she became the wife of Willie G. Davis, a son of Mr. & Mrs. J. G. Davis of Bartow. She was a member of Nails Creek Baptist. She leaves a 2 year old child, 3 sisters, 1 brother and her husband.
Mrs. Elizabeth Williams (nee Walker) born in Johnson Co. Jan. 29, 1835 married to Shadrick Williams Dec. 21, 1854 at 19, died Dec. 24, 1919. She had 9 children, Mrs. Archie Page, Mrs. F. M. Cochran, Mrs. W. M. Oliver, W. D. Williams, N. S. Williams and E. L. Williams. Three children and her husband preceeded her death. She had 2 sisters, Mrs. John Oliver and Mrs. Mary Page, 35 grandchildren, 38 great grandchildren and one great great. She called her great nephew and told him how to make her coffin, large and comfortable.

Tuesday, January 16, 2018

FROM DAYS GONE BY Jan. 16, 1920

January 16, 1920.

Over 500 votes were cast in the counties election. U. R. Jenkins won Ordinary; Ben Hill Moye, Judge City Court; W. C. Brinson, Solicitor City Court; J. B. Williams, Clerk of Superior Court; Jonah L. Davis, Sheriff; F. W. Hall, Treasurer; J. Nat. Riner, Tax Collector; J. A. Lindsey, Tax Receiver; L. R. Clayton, Coroner; Luther Lillard, Supt. of Schools.
The annual meeting of the stockholders of the Citizens Bank of Kite was held and the following officers elected. Dr. D. C. Harrison, President; J. E. Clarke, Vice-President; J. S. Stephenson, Cashier; Q. B. Powell, Asst. Cashier; V. J. Wheeler, Bookkeeper. The directors are J. L. Hatcher, M. J. Claxton, J. E. Clarke, J. S. Stephenson, J. B. Claxton, Dr. D. C. Harrison and J. M. Neal.
Mr. M. A. Jackson has moved his family to Wrightsville from Donovan occupying the house of Mr. I. R. Tanner formerly owned by Joe Walker. Doc Kemp thanks all the white people as well as the colored who helped him win the race for obtaining assistance in the campaign for funds for the Wrightsville Colored School. By their help he obtained $150 which was the highest amount.
This week H. L. and M. W. Richardson and W. J. Carter from Richland, GA. have leased for an indefinite period the Vivola Theatre and the soda water and cigar stand from the owners. The Vivola is no more. These men have changed the name to The Dixie Theatre and Soda Parlor. Their first program is the picture entitled "The Devil's Playground".
Mr. T. L. Chester, contractor, is remodeling the corner brick store vacated by F. A. Sinquefield, for occupying of the Farmers Bank (Evans Resturant Blg.). Miss Lucile Harrison was married to Mr. Ronie Arnett of Macon at the home of the bride.
Three coloreds made their escape from the Johnson County jail about midnight Saturday night. They used a long piece of iron from the inside but the marks around the outside where the hole came through shows evidence of work on the outside of the wall with a hatchet, officers believe they had outside help. The ones who obtained their liberty were George Toliver, held for house breaking in Adrian; Son Covington, held for stealing an automobile and John Jackson in connection with robbing the Wrightsville Hardware Co. Efforts are being made to apprehend the fugitives and Judge Wiggins is repairing the jail.
Monday night Charlie Dent, with his son, Willie Dent were driving into town this side of Cedar when the lights gave out and tha auto headed into a deep ditch. Both were injured with cuts and bruises. They left the car in the ditch and walked back to town to seek medical attention.
Lewis Mason, who was apparently a harmless Negro in the community around W. E. Smith's and Judge J. W. Sumner's between Wrightsville and Scott, was found lying dead in the swamp a quarter mile from Judge Sumner's home and about 200 yards from his own household last Thursday about 9 am by some men who were raking around turpentine boxes in the swamp. The find was reported and an inquest was held over the body. On Dec. 29th in the afternoon, Lewis left home, catching up with a Negro man and woman school teacher, going up the road towards E. J. Sumner's. The evidence shows that Lewis went to Sumners' store with a roll of money, bought some tobacco and started back down the road towards home in company with a couple of friends. He was not seen again until found last Thursday, Jan. 8th, having been dead 10 days.
A party came to the city for assistance in the inquest and the Coroner being absent from the county Justice Roundtree responded. J. T. Amerson, W. B. B. Snell, C. H. Kindon, A. W. Kitchens, W. J. Smith and W. H. Hall were summoned as jurors. A number of witnesses were examined and after the most careful investigation with the witnesses and evidence at hand at that time they made a verdict the dead man came to his death at the hands of parties unknown, the same being cold blooded murder in their opinion.
Lewis was evidentally killed on the road or somewhere else than where he lay. He had $1.07, a knife and some tobacco in his pockets. His favorite companion, the guitar, was lying silently beside him, having played its last tune lulled him off to his last slumber, and was keeping him company in that lonely, dismal swamp, the only witness to his death.
Upon his return from hunting Lewis, Judge J. W. Sumner got to work and searched the community and discovered some newly found evidence. Upon this before Justice Roundtree Monday morning he issued warrants for Buster Cason, Ben Jones, Duke Golden and Lillian Hilson. All four were arrested and charged with the murder of Lewis Mason.

Thursday, January 11, 2018

FROM DAYS GONE BY Jan 9, 1920

January 9, 1920.

As happy a bunch of good fellows are raking and combing the fields of the county now for votes as you have seldom seen in any county. Nobody is talking unkind about the other. The campaigns are without mud-slinging. The election is Wednesday the 14th when the big avalanche of ballots will decide who will fill the county's offices for the next 4 years.
Miss Clemmie Massey announces the winning of two prizes by Johnson County girls at the Southeastern Fair in Atlanta last fall. Miss Mary Brooks of Donovan won the 2nd prize, $8 on a grape exhibit, and Miss Corine Hammock received 3rd prize, $10 on her general garden exhibit.
Mr. L. D. Downs has purchased from Dr. Sheftall the house and three lots just across the fair property in south Wrightsville and has moved to the city for his home. Mr. Downs now owns 7 lots in Lynnhurst which is a fine place for a home. Ex-Deputy Sheriff Jim Tapley has removed from the city to his old home near Powell's Chapel church. Mr. T. F. Elton has purchased from the Bray estate the home formerly occupied by Mr. C. H. Moore having moved into the handsome Daley home which he recently purchased.
Messrs. S. M. Price and J. P. Price have moved back to the county the former going back to his old home near New Home church and the latter has gone to a farm near Oaky Grove church. Mr. L. A. Attaway from near Union Hill has moved to town, occupying the house recently vacated by Mr. R. Gatlin who moved into the Kent house. Mr. J. Alden Price, son of Mr. S. M. Price has moved to Wrightsville from Harrison and is associated in business with Mr. L. E. Parker.
Mrs. C. M. Flanders, who had her clothes nearly burned from her Saturday morning, died Sunday about 11 am. Mrs. Flanders was sitting near the fire, nursing her month old baby when she noticed her apron afire. She carried the baby and laid it on the bed and called her husband. Mr. Flanders' hands are burned severly, but he was unable to get the fire out before her clothes were nearly burned off. Mrs. Flanders was buried Monday afternoon at Old Bethel in Emanuel County.
An expert will give a public demonstration on Feb. 14th on how to use calcium arsenate on cotton infected with boll weevils. The financial report of the officers of the Johnson County Fair Association will be made soon. Owning all their property left after the sale of part of the land the fair will owe a balance of a few hundred dollars on the buildings, etc. Work is to be started on the next fair right away.
The attraction at the Vivola Theatre on January 14th, in addition to a fine movie program, will be Vierra's Hawaiian Singers and Players. This company of six members are reputed to be performers that are well worth while. Not only do they render their own dreamy Hawaiian music as only natives of the South Sea Isles can, but it is said they are equally as good at handling American Ragtime.
Miss Lathia Thigpen of Adrian married Mr. Oscar Griffin of Cordele. The wedding was held at Scott. Six men have started covering the county for the census. So, when the census man calls at your house have your name on your tongue, your sex, color, age last birthday, single or married, birthplace, occupation, whether attending school, able to read, write, speak English own your home, if it is mortgaged, and a lot of other questions you will be asked by the enumerator. The six men working Johnson County are A. S. Norris, J. M. Hightower, H. S. McWhorter, Gus Brantley, Prof. J. Y. Chastain and Wm C. Pope.

FROM DAYS GONE BY Jan 2, 1920

January 2, 1920.

After all was said and done, the following is the final slate of candidates qualified for the election. Judge City Court - Ben Hill Moye; Solicitor City Court - W. C. Brinson, H. T. Hicks; Ordinary - W. J. Flanders, U. R. Jenkins, S. P. Price, W. G. Watkins; Clerk Superior Court - J. Lovett Anderson, George A. Smith, J. B. Williams; Sheriff - T. H. Burns, Jonah L. Davis, J. E. Glisson, W. T. Kitchens, C. T. Mixon, O. L. Smith, O. S. Spence, J. L. Tapley, H. G. Tyson. Treasurer - Z. A. Anderson, C. M. Dent, F. W. Hall, W. G. Hutcheson, Milledge Meeks, W. N. Powell, L. B. Price, D. C. Price. Tax Collector - H. T. Downs, J. Nat Riner, W. A. Page, J. W. Vanlandingham. Tax Receiver - G. W. Brantley, J. Morgan Layton, J. A. Lindsey, Joby Jones. Coroner - L. R. Clayton, John T. Ferguson, W. E. Orr, C. L. Wilson. Superintendant of Schools - L. M. Blount, Luther Lillard, A. J. M. Robinson.
Mr. Willie J. Stephens, Jr. of Adrian had attempted to qualify for Treasuer but was told he had to live in the county for 12 months. He did not think this was right so he wrote a letter to Attorney-General Clifford Walker. By the time he got his letter back from Walker it was too late to qualify. He had been misinformed. The law requires that for a man to run for county office, he must be a quailified voter and a resident of the county for only 6 months, not 12 months. Needless to say he was upset.
Dr. Benj. F. Sheftall, local veterinarian will open an animal drug store in the Johnson block next to the Palace Café. He will have everything for the horse, mule, cow, dog and chicken. Also hog cholera serum.
Chief Robt. T. Henderson has resigned his position with the city and is returning to his old home at Graymont down in the lower side of Emanuel County. The large dwelling house on the Raines place out about 5 miles from town belonging to Mr. R. P. Hicks was destroyed by fire Saturday night. It was uninsured and the loss is complete. It is believed to have been an incendiary fire.
While out feeding his milk cow Tuesday afternoon Mr. John W. Crawford was stricken with paralysis and has been unconscious since. Mr. S. L. Hobbs is now with the W. & T. Railroad as agent and operator at Lovett.
Deputies W. T. Rowland and M. L. Jackson are determined to breakup shine making between the city and Idylwild. After settling hash of two last week on Saturday night they went back not far from the same house and made another discovery where the tin can, a few old pipes and bottles and the materials for making it were in use by a colored man who was taken into custody and landed in jail. Two full quarts were unearthed under the door steps where it had been hidden by the shiner.
Candidate for Sheriff Jonah L. Davis has been sick for several days and unable to get out. Also his only child is sick too. Mr. M. Martin is home with his final discharge papers from the army. Mr. & Mrs. James Edison Varner had a little boy on December 30th. Mr. H. B. Nasworthy has sold not only his meat market but his residence too. He will move to Griffin to open a market there. Mr. I. R. Tanner purchased his residence.
A Christmas Eve wedding was held between Miss Irma Brantley and Mr. Clayton Lord. She is a daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Bartow Brantley.

FROM DAYS GONE BY Dec. 26, 1919

December 26, 1919.

The rain the first of the week was welcomed by everybody. It had been a long dry spell and had aroused everybody except Jupe Hicks to singing "How dry I am." Jupe had been most of the time up in the mountains of North Georgia.
Quite a few of the young folks with some few of the married were delighted with a big possum hunt Monday night near the fine home of Mr. Ellis Johnson's. They succeeded in catching one fat possum but the most fun was reaching home after the long stride across the fields and woods.
Candidates are very busy now and will be right on until the final votes are counted. The election will be January 14th. State School Superintendant M. L. Brittain has divided the 1920 school fund of 4 million dollars on the per capita, on the school population basis at $4.60. This is an increase of 47 cents per capita over 1919. The total is $500,000 more for the state than last year. The check for Johnson County is $21,919.00.
Truth Lodge, No. 505, at Scott held its election of officers. They are J. D. Roberts, W. M; G. R. Smith, S. W.; John Ivey, J. W.; C. D. Ivey, Sec. While a great many cities and towns are feeling the effects of less trains and a radical change in schedules and railroad facilities and accomodations, Wrightsville is fortunate now in getting along with what she has had for the past. Trains coming by here will still come and at the same time with the exception of No. 1, the first train to hit the city in the morning, which comes ten minutes earlier, at 9:10 instead of 9:20. Several trains on the Southern end of the Wrightsville & Tennille have been cancelled for the time being but the service between Dublin and Tennille is unaffected.
Under the auspices of the Johnson County Chapter of Red Cross and all of the other war organizations in activity here, there will be a celebration on the courthouse lawn commemorating the signing of the armistice. Prof. L. M. Blount has kindly donated the tree, one of the prolific pecan variety for the occasion. This will be called the Victory Tree.
The Johnson County Chamber of Commerce is calling a meeting to consider ways and means to obtain a county agent and other matters of vital importance to the county. The coming of cool weather brings good business to the Wrightsville merchants. Winter business opens up strong.
The banks have released their statements of condition. The final one of the year. Citizens Bank of Kite, $263,477.51; Bank of Wrightsville, $604,051.91; The Farmers Bank, $189,282.94; Bank of Adrian, $311,481.09; The Scott Banking Company, $133,993.84; The Exchange Bank, $473,875.68.
Lt. Walter S. Bryan, a son of Mrs. R. B. Bryan, Sr. has returned home. He has been in Germany and Russia for several months in a special work for the army of the United States and says he had a thrilling experience. He is still in service at Ft. McPherson, Atlanta.

FROM DAYS GONE BY Dec. 19, 1919

December 19, 1919.

Christmas is right around the corner so i'm sharing some Dear Santa Claus letters from Christmas of 1919. This should remind some of how simple times were back then. These were written by Johnson County children.
Dear Santa,
I wish you would bring me a cameo ring and a doll cart, some doll furniture and a tea set and some fruit. I am in the 4th grade. Mama, papa and Carl and Uncle Clayton don't forget. Your loving little girl.
Juliette Roundtree


Dear Santa,
I want a vanity case, ring, doll, bank story book and a box of candy. My brother wants a wagon, checker board and false face. And please don't forget papa and mama.
Sara Mae and Eugene Smith


Dear Santa,
Christmas will soon be here. Please bring me a big doll cart and several other pretty things. Bring our brother a train. Sister wants a doll and lots of fruit. Bring baby brother a rattler and bring papa and mama plenty of fruit.
Lucile Webb


Dear Santa,
We want you to please send us a big blue eyed doll, some nice fruits and candies and we will thank you very much. We wash dishes and clean the house. So, Santa, please do not forget us.
Albert and Velma Sheppard


Dear Santa Claus,
I am a little girl in the 5th grade. Will you please bring me a dress a friendship bracelet, and tea set and doll. Many thanks. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, I am. Your little girl.
Vennie Oliver


Dear Santa,
We want a sleepy doll, cart and bed and a tea set and a whole lot of fruit and candy, please. Also a little piano and stove and an automobile. And do remember our little brother.
Alma and Mary Lizzie Hutcherson


Dear Santa Claus,
I am a little girl in the 7th grade, will you please bring me a 4 pound box of chocklate candy and a diamond ring. Many thanks wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. One of your little girls.
Willie Mae Price