Friday, June 22, 2018

FROM DAYS GONE BY June 12, 1920

June 12, 1920.

All told the excersies marking the 1919-20 commencement season for Wrightsville High School was the best in five years. Rain seriously interfered with the crowd Friday night who were ready to come to the auditorium but the number was still good. Six young people getting diplomas. Professor and Mrs. J. O. McMahon will leave in the next few days for Mexico to teach for two months.
The Union Singing Convention will meet at Idylwild Saturday and Sunday with attendance from six counties. On Sunday the Liberty Grove girls quartette will be there, also the Gillis girls. Tennille is having a picnic at Idylwild today and the boys there have come down to meet the Wrightsville boys in a ball game at the park.
Mr. A. B. Douglas brought to town several stalks of fine cotton from a twelve acre field on his farm. The stalks were 24 inches high and didn't show the least sign of a boll weevils' work. Over in Burke County the merchants of Waynesboro made up $600 to be distributed as prizes to the ones killing the most boll weevils in a certain time. The time to kill is when there are fewer. Peanuts and potatoes are thriving in Johnson County while cotton is distressingly poor. Corn is pretty good, so look out for plenty of hog and hominy anyhow.
The United States Public Health Service is having ex-servicemen's dental work done free, several Johnson County boys have obtained their papers. Costs will range from $40 to $135. The twin cities of Summit and Graymont, in lower Emanuel County voted to combine under one municiapallity and have one town instead of two. The vote carried with but 25 votes cast against consolidation. Nineteen in Summit and six in Graymont. The city limits dividing the two will now be erased. They will have one common name which has yet to be selected.
To pass along the roads throughout the county one would judge the timber business to be almost a thing of the past here, but then you go down around the railroad station and through the large lumber yards of the Rowland Lumber Company you will change your mind. Stacked in high piles are thousands and thousands of feet of first class lumber sawed from the county. Mr. J. H. Rowland has two or three saw mills running regularly. Others operating saw mills in the county are Messrs. Lovett & Hutchinson, C. W. Wilson and O. A. Kennedy. M. E. Woods has sold his entire garage and equipment to L. A. Lovett.
Johnson County has just turned out two more young physicians who are graduating from the University in Augusta. They are Dr. Wade R. Bedingfield and Dr. Lamar Harris, both are sons of Dr. P. B. Bedingfield and Dr. T. L. Harris. Dr. Harris will practice here with his father while Dr. Bedingfield will be Assistant Surgeon at St. John's Riverside Hospital in New York.
Messrs. Willie T. Tompkins, J. M. Cook, O. P. Sinquefield and E. E. Sanders had a very serious accident as they were returning from Augusta in W. C. Tompkins Cadillac. The brakes failed as they ran down a hill and ran up on a Ford injuring the two men in the Ford. Mr. & Mrs. Linton Holt had a baby boy. Mr. & Mrs. C. A. Kennedy, Jr. had a little daughter and Mr. & Mrs. Ray Barnes had a little son.
Officers Willie T. Rowland, Lee Jackson and Tom Mixon are engaged in the destruction of copper stills and lard can stills and every other kind of still being operated in Johnson County. Since last Saturday morning they have brought to town nine of these outfits or some part of each one. Several offenders of the prohibition law have been jailed and are under bond for illicit distilling as a result of their wholesale raids. A big copper still was brought in Tuesday night and Wednesday morning large crowds assembled to see it. The officers seem to have no "let up" on their raids.

FROM DAYS GONE BY June 19, 1920

June 19, 1920.

Talk about a good time and a lot of people, both were at Idylwild Saturday and Sunday at the Union Singing Convention. There was more people "than you could shake a stick at". They came from Washington, Emanuel, Treutlen, Toombs, Laurens, Dodge, Wilkinson, Twiggs, Houston, Candler, Bulloch, Bibb, Jefferson and Chatham. All told there was more than 3,000 people gathered those two days.
Farmer A. F. Johnson down near Rehobeth brought to town some stalks of high cotton from a 22 acre field which was equal to that Brown Douglas brought last week. Acey is an all-round good planter and the weevil hasn't paid him a visit yet and hopes he won't. Mr. Green Harrison has some open blossoms in his cotton. Some of the highest and big headed oats seen growing in the county are owned by Mr. John R. Rowland. Mr. J. T. Amerson is the cabbage raiser of the season. Farmer Issac Walden has some 1920 cotton blooms. He says the weevils isn't so plentiful this week as he was last. The hot sun has been running him off the cotton.
Mr. Lonnie Norris who has been with Brinson Drug Store has resigned that position and has rented the Dixie Soda Parlor from Mr. E. A. W. Johnson and is open for business. Mr. James E. Claxton has graduated from the Max Morris School of Pharmacy
Bobbie T. Henderson has resigned as Chief of Police of Wrightsville and left for Savannah where he accepted a position. Mr. Enoch Oliver of Adrian is now wearing the badge as chief. Mr. W. W. Sumner, brother to Rev. G. F. Sumner who formally resided here, came up from Savannah. It has been 14 years since he has been in the county. He is conducting a grocery business in Savannah. There will be a dance at Idylwild Friday evening at 9 for all who wish to attend. The baseball boys of the Dublin and Waynesboro teams playing in Dublin are expected to attend.
The special committee, often called the nosing committee, from the Grand Jury have been at work this week on the records but could not finish on account of some books not being ready. The work being unfinished. The committee is composed of Messrs. C. L. Wilson, W. L. Tompson and W. W. Smith.
Miss Ada Clarke and Mr. Byron Price were married last Sunday. Miss Ruth Rhodes married Mr. James I. Spell. Miss Nannie Lee Meadows of Swainsboro married Mr. George Minton, a Johnson County boy of near Kite. Miss Lizzie McCary married Mr. Harlie Shepherd.
After an illness of a day death came to Mr. W. P. Tribble, a Confederate veteran and long time citizen. A hard chill came on him and continued until his death. He came here 30 years ago. Twice he married. At 19 he married a widow with four children. Two married daughters survive the first union. After her death he married a Miss Jordan and had two children, Mrs. Jas D. Bush and Mrs. T. V. Kent. He was buried at Westview. Mr. James Canady Davis died and was buried in the Davis Cemetery. His parents were William Godfrey and Dicie Williams Davis.

FROM DAYS GONE BY June 5, 1920

June 5, 1920.

The Wrightsville High is to have a new principal next year as the board chose Prof. W. S. Branham, a Georgian by birth, but a resident of Birmingham, Alabama. The board also elected the following teachers, Mrs. B. B. Blount, Miss Rosamond Morel, Mrs. Lonnie Norris, Mrs. G. W. Gordy, Mrs. J. W. Vanlandingham and Miss Mar Melton.
Delegations from Scott, Adrian and the intervening community attended a county board of education meeting over the proposition of doing away with part or all of the school at Poplar Springs and splitting students between Scott and Adrian schools. It was agreed upon to let school stay at Poplar Springs through 5th grade. Scott and Adrian will have 6th and up. Most were satisfied with this agreement.
The latest from the Spell oil district 5 miles from town is the discovery of a chameleon rock underneath the top lying in layers which are abundant throughout a wide area surrounding the main seepages. This rock was discovered by Mr. Spell several days ago and decided he would see what it would do under heat. Throwing a piece into the open stove a loud pop and combustion was noticed, so much so the lids on the stove were unplaced. Some of it has been taken to Atlanta for analysis.
Mr. & Mrs. H. M. King of Bartow announced the engagement of their daughter, L. Pinola King to Mr. Marvin W. Riner of Savannah. Mrs. J. A. McAfee's daughter, Allice Queen, of Atlanta will marry Mr. Charles A. Turner of Buford.
Dr. J. G. Brantley who is in Chicago Medical University taking a graduate course in surgery. He is operating on about 5 dogs per day as he moves up to operate on humans. J. M. Layton has moved his shoe repair shop into the back of the Jenkins Grocery building across from the Cotton Exchange. Mr. Leon Lovett has been appointed by Henry Ford as the local dealer of the Fordson tractor and will start selling as soon as a carload arrives. Mr. Gordon Wheeler of Kite said the boll weevils were plentiful in his cotton patch.
The first game of the 1920 season of baseball is between the Fats and the Leans of the city and it will be played at the fair ground park. The lineup for the Fats is: Luie Johnson, E. Q. Martin, Herbert Johnson, R. E. Butterly, Fred Jackson, Remus Fulford, R. H. Rowland, Tom Jenkins, G. A. Faircloth and H. S. McWhorter. The Leans are: Smiley Hightower, Edd Henderson, J. Express Varner, Roger Tompkins, Laudice Lovett, S. M. Johnson, B. B. Hayes, Jene Cook and Lewis Lovett.
Mrs. Aunie Belle Williams died. She was buried at Davisboro. Beulah Hunter, the colored woman on the Lake farm, who was charged with the killing of another negress down there last Friday night, was freed Tuesday when the State asked for the dismissal of the warrant sworn out by the dead woman's mother, Sylvia Adkins. After conferring over the matter with Mr. H. H. Lake, Solicitor Stephens said he did not think there was any case under present evidence. Beulah went home rejoicing.
Sunday morning a big day's work on a "Tiger" out near Seab Hilson's home was broken into, according to officers Lee Jackson and W. T. Rowland who appeared on the scene while a dozen or more of mixed population were at Seab's house. Will watched and searched the premises while Lee took to the neighboring swamp. Soon Lee's gun announced a discovery down in the bushes. Joined by Will the two captured as large a "Tiger" as is generally used in this country, but no one was insight. Over 400 gallons of "prep" was stored in barrels and it was ripe for stilling. Evidence a plenty was there that the still had only recently been boiling. All of the barrels and the still were destroyed. No "shine" was found anywhere and no arrests were made.

FROM DAYS GONE BY May 29, 1920

May 29, 1920.

The Wrightsville District School closes term with a Friday night musical, and three nights of events next week. Rev. A. F. Smith of Brown Memorial Baptist Church will deliver the sermon. The Kite High School came to a close last Monday night. Adrian High School awarded their diplomas on May 24th. Graduates were Essie Mae Anderson, Nola Drake, Eloise Graham and Messrs. Manning Roundtree and Teddie Spivey.
The Primitive Baptist closed a successful meeting with able preaching, large congregations. Wrightsville won praise of the old Baptist. The local lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows will have a big meeting Monday night. Mr. W. T. Brantley, Sr. celebrated his 87th birthday at the home of his son, Mr. T. W. Brantley.
The list of the old Confederate soldiers and widows who have been considered from this county by the pension commissioner of Georgia, submitted by Ordinary Wiggins are as follows: Approved- T. J. Brantley, John A. Douglas, William D. Smith, Henry G. Wheeler. Returned for amendment- W. S. Burns, Drew Loyd. Disapproved- Wiley P. Tribble. Widows approved- Martha J. Arline, Mrs. R. B. Bryan, Elizabeth Garnto, Martha J. Kent, Marietta F. Montford, Indiana Martin, Margane Page, Elizabeth Sheppard. Returned for amendment- Lizza Martin, Elizabeth Rogers. Disapproved- Mrs. F. A. Morell.
Mr. L. O. Mosley of Dublin spent awhile at his old home here just returning from service in France, Germany and Poland. Mr. Fred T. Bridges goes back to the legislature this summer as Asst. Secretary to the Senate. Mr. M. J. Claxton of Kite is confined in Dublin Hospital for a serious operation.
Materials are being placed on the grounds owned by the potato curing house for its erection next week. Mr. J. F. Thompkins has the contract to build. The plant will be a 15,000 capacity. The ice factory of Mr. Homer Moore is about finished. Mr. Benj J. Moye has opened a brand new store in the building just vacated by J. Davidson. It will be a general merchandise store. Mr. & Mrs. A. W. Hightower occupied the residence on Marcus Street of Mr. Leon A. Lovett, the latter having moved his family to the home they purchased from Mr. J. E. Tompkins by the Methodist property.
Mr. Joe J. Butterly has been promoted on the editorial force of the Atlanta Consitution as assistant sports editor. C. M. Robinson, the colored man who farms on Prof. L. M. Blount's place near town, exhibited a bunch of the large flat Dutch variety of turnips. Mr. Sam D. Smith has preserved in alcohol somewhat of a funny curio in the shape of a small biddy that to all appearences has four legs, two bodies, four wings but one head. He says he is going to exhibit it at the county fair this fall if it keeps alright. Playing at the Dixie Theatre this week is Mae Marsh in "Polly of the Circus" and Mary Pickford in "The Hoodlum".
A bad shooting affray took place the first of last week up on a farm of Mr. G. A. Tarbutton, when Virgil Walker took his 38 Winchester and went out into the field and pulled down on one Seals Sallette without any provocation, according to Salletse's wife who came to town on last Friday and swore out a warrant for Walker. The wounded man was hit in the shoulder as he was running away. He will recover. The woman stated here Walker got mad because his wife continued chopping cotton for Sallette against Walker's will. This, however, has been discounted. Drs. Harris and Page attended the wounded man.

FROM DAYS GONE BY May 22, 1920

May 22, 1920.

It is reported that there is good prospect of oil in Emanuel County, there being two places at which is claimed evidences are found in abundance. Laurens County also claims to have a seepage located. This makes a chain of five counties in the same territory having these prospects. Future developments depends largely on the outcome of the boring of the well on the Beach land in Washington County which is now on. Several important things have come to light regarding the Spell seepages near Wrightsville which will be made known at the proper time. Several oil men have just been on the spot.
Wrightsville and Scott gave a double bill picnic at Idylwild last Friday as the opening occasion of this famous resort's annual program. The park and buildings with all their adjacent and connected priviledges are in charge this time of Mr. Omie Hooks of Spann, he started it off Friday with a large delegation from both towns.
Preparatory to the season which promises much luxuriance, the railway section hands had been on the grounds and reshaped, cleansed, white washed and made over most everything that required renovation. Skating and swimming will be enjoyed this time.
Idlywild is to again be the mecca for the thousands who annually attend the Union Singing Convention. President G. F. Sumner is getting everything prepared to make the 1920 session the largest and best one the association has ever had. It will be the second Sunday in June and the Saturday before. Two big days of it. Ten years ago there were but three men in the county who would sing. Now there are more than 20 singers just from Johnson will join hundreds from surrounding counties and states.
The executive committee of the fair association are almost ready to give out the plans for the other buildings which are to be erected on the fair grounds by the time the next fair opens. At least one more agricultural building and two long stock pens and an equal amount of chick pens to what is now there will be placed on the grounds.
Mayor J. M. Hightower had a full house Monday morning in his court, and a lot of business that Chief Henderson and other policemen had made the past week. Disorderly conduct came in for a big bunch of the business and several small fines were imposed by his honor. The court room was full of spectators.
Several minor accidents occurred at the picnic and enroute home last Friday. While skating with his little child in his arms, Mr. B. B. Tanner fell to the floor hurting the baby very badly but it soon recovered. The little daughter of Dr. & Mrs. Douglas fell and cut its upper lip on a piece of iron. Enroute home the steering rods on the Ford of Mr. O. A. Kennedy dropped to the earth and ditched the car headlong, throwing Col. Pat Martin through the windshield but no one was hurt badly. Mr. & Mrs. Tom Elton's daughter fell from the steps and bruised her ankle.
A birthday gathering for Mr. W. T. Scarboro was held at Snell's Bridge. Born to Mr. & Mrs. Marcus I. Stephens on the 13th a fine boy. While down near the old saw mill site Tom Luther Lovett and Emory Braddy ran across his snakeship with 12 rattles and the usual button. The rattler measured 53 inches in length. The boys killed it. Mrs. Rosa M. Price, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. H. P. Claxton is to wed Mr. Willie V. Thigpen next Sunday. On May 18th a fine son was born to Mr. & Mrs. R. T. Moye. "A Lady's Name" starring Constance Talmadge will play at the Dixie Theatre. Mr. J. E. Linder is the proud owner of a Packard, trading his Cadillac. Friday afternoon at the Idylwild park the local high school team defeated Tennille school ball team by the score of 11 to 1.
M. L. Jackson, W. T. Rowland and C. T. Mixon made a raid Saturday P.M. and another Sunday P.M. on a "shine" outfit each afternoon. Both were captured but one got away. Saturday they went out west of the city and located a big copper still and entire machinery of a big gusher. Not having room to bring it in they thought they would hide it and go back for it later. But when they returned to bring it to town the "tigers" lair and shop had escaped to parts unknown. But Sunday afternoon they went to a colored mans' house just east of the city and under the floor they discovered the preparations and the outfit, all of which were taken into custody or destroyed.