Thursday, March 22, 2018

FROM DAYS GONE BY March 20, 1920

March 20, 1920.

Again and suddenly was Johnson County mourning the loss of another valuable citizen as the news came of the sudden death of Judge William Faircloth at his home shortly after midnight Friday. He had been ill for weeks but had gone to Savannah and Macon for some legal business and was taken sick at Stripling Hotel in Macon. Friday around noon he boarded the M. D. & S. train for home. The conductor dropped him off around 7 pm at the Idylwild crossing. Farm laborors assisted him to his home and he went to bed. His wife around midnight saw the seriousness and called the doctor but he breathed his last shortly after without a struggle. On Dec. 26th he was 52, born in Emanuel Co. moving to Johnson in 1891 and began his law practice. On Nov. 19, 1893 he married Miss Lana Kennedy. She survived him along with G. Anton Faircloth, his son. Four brothers Messrs. Lewis, Danie, Robert and John C. The Methodist church could not hold all the mourners. Masonic Rites were held at Westview.
The county election caused by the vacancy of the Sheriffs-elect Jonah L. Davis passing is set to be April 20th. Andy Robinson sold his home to R. P. Hicks. John A. Douglas sold Mr. Robinson his home. Douglas will occupy part of the home of Dr. & Mrs. Sol Page. Capt. Kemp has been pulling the roads and fixing some bridges. Ty Cobb and other big stars will be at Eastman on the 26th as the Detroit Americans take on the Boston Braves.
March Term of Superior Court convened. On the first day quite a few of the fairer sex were relieved of husbandry burdens and vice versa. Tuesday Lonnie Parker, Willie Q. & Lonia Snell were put on trial for the murder of Elijah Pryor. Parker was found guilty. After the trial of the Snell's the jury stayed upstairs all night and until 4 pm Wednesday to find them guilty also. All three got life sentences.
Kim Dowd and Hill Stallings mixed in an ugly knife fight at Spann on the front porch of W. D. Sumner's store and Dowd put Stallings in his grave. Reports are Stallings came up behind Dowd catching him about the face with a knife handle or brass knucks cutting him. Dowd not playing drew his long knife and began slashing right and left. The first slash the blade went in Stallings left side clear to his entrails. The next slash went straight through his right arm. This ended the fight. Stallings was buried at Piney Mt. Dowd claims justification.
Messrs. Henry & G. J. Tyson, brothers sued out a writ of habeas corpus for the possession of their neice Emma Moxley who had been living with Marcus McNeely for 12 years or more or since she was about 2. They allege the defendant was not morally or financially capable of raising the girl. The father told the court he allowed McNeely's wife to take the child after her mother died and to raise her until he called for her, and if he didn't the child was hers. Last year Mrs. McNeely died. Since that time much unrest has went on around the place. McNeely admitted to whipping the child badly often and one occasion left streaks all across her back, and he took a rope, threw it across the joist and tied the childs arms hog fashion leaving her hanging while going to the field to plow. This was his own daughter and she hung there until her eyeballs were red with warm blood and had she carried out his vicious commands and remained there until the sun went down she would have been a corpse, no doubt. The judge cleared the courtroom to hear the Moxley girl tell her story. Afterwards he decided the girl should go where she desired and live with her uncles.
Sunday morning officers M. L. Jackson & W. T. Rowland raided a copper still in the kitchen of Bubber Brady, colored, who is working for G. A. Tarbutton on the farm. Officer Jackson has known of this illicity for some time and set the time for the raid. On arrival they discovered the 10 gallon copper outfit and arrested Brady. About 3 gallons of whiskey were found in a home made chest. Over a 100 gallons of the mobby was found out in the crib and was poured out by the officers. Officer Jackson brought the copper still and worm to town and Brady was thrown in jail by Deputy Rowland. Though small the outfit was a costly one and capable of producing 1st class "shine" if there is any such stuff made.

Sunday, March 11, 2018

FROM DAYS GONE BY March 13, 1920

March 13, 1920.

Down on the northern side of town, near Cedar swamp, and on the old saw mill and adjoining tracts of land, Mr. John R. Moore is now operating a profitable stock farm on which he has some of the best bred animals in the state. It consists of about 30 acres. He has one male pig that weighs almost 700 lbs and has named it "Moore's Giant" and its registered. He has refused big money for this pig an says he would not sell for less than $3000. He aims to take it to the Iowa State Fair this fall.
What came very near being a disatrious fire to the county stockade broke out on the roof but was quickly extinguished by the city firemen. All of the convicts were in the room but Capt. Kemp and the guards kept down a panic among them. Judge Wiggins stated the state highway money to Johnson County was a measley $5000. This money has to be used for bridges not roads.
Judge Henry A. Matthews of Bibb County will hold court here next week while Judge Kent is holding court in Bibb. Sherman and Cliff Dixon who are charged in the murder of Marshal Ira Lindsey at Kite several years ago is the oldest trial awaiting. Will Hall, colored, is charged with killing another Negro out on the Rawlings farm last year. Ellen Giles is out on bond, charged with killing her husband at Dent's Crossroads last April. Festus Mathis is charged with running over Henry Thigpen's child below Scott is also scheduled for trial. The latest and most aggravated case is the murder warrants against Wille Q. Snell, his wife and Lonnie Parker, all colored, charged with the murder of Elijah Pryor near Kite back in January. They are in jail in another county for their safety.
Mr. James T. Miller has plans to run for the legislature this year. Mr. Ivey R. Tanner shipped to Milledgeville a full carload of beef cattle. Mr. T. L. Chester now has the agency for the Edwards Manufacturing Company of Cincinnati, Ohio the world's largest maker of sheet metal products. He will have metal roofing, shingles, Spanish tile, ceilings, lockers, rolling doors and more.
Mr. Homer Moore is erecting an ice plant beside his ginning outfit. A large force is now making cement blocks for the building. Mr. Ernest S. Price, son of Mr. & Mrs. J. B. Price has gone to Augusta and entered the ready-to-wear clothing business on Broad Street. Mrs. B. A. Fortner has a grist mill in full operation and Mr. B. B. Tanner can now shell your peanuts on short notice. Mr. & Mrs. E. C. Martin came back from Brunswick to their old home here and he is now working with Mr. Frank Outlaw. Mr. Leon A. Lovett is beautifying his Ford plant by planting grass on both sides of his business.
Miss Alice Claxton daughter of Judge & Mrs. Chas. L. Claxton of Kite marries Mr. Murphy Norris, son of Mr. & Mrs. A. S. Norris on Feburary 20th. Mr. Otis Fortner, age 21 died at his home in Kite after a short illness. He married the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. J. L. Harrison and she and a little child survive him. He was buried at the local cemetery. The sudden death of Mrs. Wm Jones from a stroke, an aged and respected lady was buried at Westview. Keevy Perry, the 15 month old son of Mr. Harvey Perry died at their home. His mother died last August. He is a grandson of Mr. & Mrs. Perry Price. He was buried at New Home.
While Gallilee Webb was crossing a field just south of the city she was overtaken by Tom Brown and very badly cut and bruised by him with a stick and a knife. The woman's brother, Norris Wilcher swore out a warrant for Tom, charging him with assault with an attempt to murder. She was cut in six places on the left side and a bruise on the left side of her cranium. All paries were colored.

FROM DAYS GONE BY March 6, 1920

March 6, 1920.

Wrightsville and Johnson County is in mourning as they learned of the death of Jonah L. Davis Tuesday morning. He died the night before about 9:30 pm leaving a lonely wife and young son. Davis was just 40 years old. He was the third son of former Sheriff & Mrs. Lewis Davis.
Jonah has not seen a well day in several weeks, but was up and about town and his position with Mr. C. H. Moore. He had consulted various physicians as to his general health, and apparently he was no worse than for some time up to Sunday afternoon, and even Monday noon the parents and members of his family did not realize his condition was so serious, Roger and Merry, his brothers, going away Monday morning for their different avocations elsewhere.
Late Monday afternoon he was found to have been in a dangerous condition, and at 9:30 he died, passing out without a murmur and in his usual consciousness. Many people in the city did not even know of his illness on Monday, and those who did were shocked Tuesday morning upon notice of his sudden death.
Jonah was a friend. He was a good fellow to everybody. Even the old darkey at the cemetery demonstrated that. The long line of little children testified to the same. He was a member of the Baptist church for years. His family, all of them, loved him, and were heart-stricken at his departure.
His remains were interred in his family lot in Westview surrounded by an enormous crowd. Besides his parents he had four brothers and three sisters, Mr. Jim Davis, Mrs. M. O. Davis, Mr. Merry Davis, Miss Belle Davis, J. Tom Davis, Roger Davis, Miss Sallie Davis, and Mrs. Linton Holt. Pallbearers were G. W. Gannon, T. L. Martin, M. S. Duggan, R. L. Stephens, H. B. Sanders and C. D. Roundtree.
In the recent primary election Jonah was elected Sheriff of Johnson County beating outright eight other candidates. He was to have taken the oath for Sheriff in January 1921. His death causes a vacancy in the newly elected office and will necessitate another election. The present Sheriff, who did not seek re-election, Willis D. Rowland will remain Sheriff until a successor is elected.
The Johnson County Fair Association is to become incorporated. Judge Wiggins is finishing the first installments of the 1920 pension money for the counties 68 Confederate veterans. Preacher Arnold is going after the blind tigers and whiskey boozers lately, opening up heavy artillery on them from the Methodist pulpit. Ex-mayor William M. Shurling, Vice-President of the Farmers Bank is building a $10,000 home next to his present home.
About the coldest weather of the winter was Sunday night with a slight snow covering everything. Silas Greenway & L. M. Powell said the eastern part of the county got a heavy snow. Influenza in the faculty and pupils has caused the school to close. The force of the Bank of Wrightsville has been crippled with influenza also. Mr. Horace H. Lake recently sold two small Holstein heifers for $200 in south Georgia.
Miss Eva Drake and Mr. Horace Wheeler were married. He is grandson of Mr. H. G. Wheeler. She is daughter of Mr. Ira Drake. Miss Louise Reynolds, daughter of Mrs. Lydia A. Reynolds of Forsyth married Mr. Beverly B. Hayes, a young Wrightsville businessman. Mr. & Mrs. Oswald H. Tompkins had a fine daughter on February 29th. Mr. & Mrs. Tompkins are sick with the flu.
Mrs. Edd P. Blankenship died at her home near Brantley's Chapel from pneumonia. She was 36 and a daughter of Mr. & Mrs. A. J. Smith. She was buried at Anthony Cemetery.

Friday, March 2, 2018

FROM DAYS GONE BY Feb. 27, 1920

February 27, 1920.

The potato curing plant is being rushed to completion. It is to be located in the southern part of Wrightsville on a lot purchased, the site known as the Willard Haines lot. It contains over an acre and a half is in a good place, just south of Lovett's Gin on the Wrightsville & Tennille right of way. A committee of J. H. Rowland, T. V. Kent, T. E. Hayes, J. T. Fulford and J. W. Brinson went to Sandersville to inspect the plant there.
More Farm Bureau community councils are being organized at Union, Sunshine, Stokes and Hollywood districts. Judge J. L. Kent and Solicitor E. L. Stephens went up to Jeffersonville to hold court but had to postpone on account of bad weather and the influenza. Judge Kent now has to go to Macon to hold court for Judge Matthews. Two of the biggest murder trials of that county will be coming up.
Mr. James Leonard Roundtree of Summit, Emanuel County makes his announcement for Senator of the 16th district. The New Dublin Hotel will soon be enlarged to four stories high. This will give it 100 or more rooms. Mr. Henry S. Wilson has purchased the grocery store of Mr. R. T. Moye's. Mr. Joe J. Butterly is holding down a reporters position with the Atlanta Constitution since he came home from the service.
A lot of persons have been in bed sick with the flu and other things. There are so many sick the paper can't name them all. Berry Price, age 69 of the eastern part of the county died at his home after a few days illness. He was buried at Oaky Grove. Mr. S. H. Rhodes died at home on North Marcus street his death being a distinct shock to the town, for all day Friday he was going about his daily business around town. That night he became ill and was found unconscious by his daughter, Miss Ruth. His wife was visiting relatives at Greensboro. They were taking their meals at the Dickens House and he failed to show up. He was survived by his wife and three daughters, Mrs. A. F. Flanders, Miss Ruth Rhodes and Miss Algie Rhodes. He was buried at Westview. Mr. & Mrs. J. A. Oliver of Tennille had a daughter on the 19th named Malissie after its grandmother.
A small blaze which came near getting to be so large that it would consume the entire light plant was discovered in it about 3:30 am. The fire alarm was turned on but few responded, owing to having been alarmed falsely so many times recently through foolishness. But enough went to put it out. The flooring, ceiling and switch board and wiring was damaged. The plant was insured and the adjuster was notified by wire. So the city is in darkness a few days but water flow hasn't stopped.
While in the city Monday morning after a load of fertilizer Mr. Amos Kight was driving two young mules to a wagon. When near the depot the mules became frightened and in crossing the tracks the wheels on rear skidded around throwing Mr. Kight out and striking his head against the railroad iron cutting a gash on his right forehead. Dr. Johnson dressed it. The mules were held and stopped.
The city fathers are making improvements in the looks of the city. Now the shade trees, of which there are a great number of valuable ones lining each side of each street thanks to the foresight and activity of some one long since gone, are being trimmed up, a thing needed for 5 years. It doesn't take much outlay to keep up appearances and how these things do help the old town.

FROM DAYS GONE BY Feb. 20, 1920

February 20, 1920.

The new Farm Burearu has been organizing community councils. Community councils are being encouraged for every district in the county. So far those communities that have organized their councils are Greenway, Minton, Kite and Meeks. Mr. Henry Heath has purchased a line of groceries and opened up for business in the brick store just vacated by The Southern Grocery Company. Mr. J. H. Hardison of the Hardison Cox Lumber Company has moved to Lovett where he will have his planning mill.
The Fair Association established here 18 months ago have made great strides. With no fair grounds or buildings the first fair had to be held on the streets and vacant lots, tents being used to house the various exhibits. The people of the town and county responded liberally with their patronage, with the result that the 1918 fair was a success. For the 1919 fair the association had purchased grounds and had put up a floral hall, machinery buildings, cattle barns and other buildings. Then another successful fair was held, and now at the beginning of 1920 the officers are jubilant over the outlook of this year's fair.
All of the present buildings are to be enlarged, and plans have been submitted for a large amphitheater to accommodate 5,000 people. Also a complete amusement program. The fair officers are J. H. Rowland, R. L. Kent and C. D. Roundtree.
Now the choolboy of 14 winters who can compose within himself the best, nicest essay on the life of George Washington, stands a fine chance of winning season tickets to the fair this fall. The Wrightsville Headlight will buy a season ticket that last everyday of the fair and furnish one ticket to each and every attraction within the inclosure, good for one entrance only, as prize for this composition. The essay must be under 300 words and be in the Headlight's possession before March 10th. Care must be taken in spelling, punctuation, neatness and composition.
Roscoe Peacock, a bright young man from Eastman will run for Congress against incumbent W. W. Larson. Hon. Ernest L. Stephens announced his bid for re-election as Solicitor-General. So far he is opposed by Col. S. Parker New and Col. Fred Kea. It looks like Judge Luther Kent will have no opposition. Mr. R. A. Green exhibited a curio of an egg. It was shaped more like a gourd with a handle to it than anything else.
The street leading to Westview has been in bad shape for years. A lot of people come into town from this direction and everytime there is a death the travel is enormous. It is the most traveled through fare in the city and the citizens are urging the city to keep it first class. The R. F. D. carriers are having a bad time of it because of the recent bad weather on all six routes. The carriers would be greatful if the county would work the roads more often. Miss Mary Arnold and Col. H. T. Hicks were married tonight at the Methodist parsonage. Miss Arnold is a daughter of Rev. & Mrs. W. E. Arnold.
W. H. Little, his wife and child are all dead, and their deaths lie on the books of the district registrar only a short period apart. Ten days ago their little child was burned to death at the home of its grandparents where the family was visiting. Last Friday the father died of influenza and his death was followed Sunday by the mother from the same cause. Two other children had died around Christmas time. Mr. Little was a son of Mr. W. K. Little who lives out west from the city.