Friday, November 30, 2018

From Days Gone By Dec. 4, 1920

December 4, 1920.
    A long-felt need is now an actuality. Wrightsville has its own ice plant, made at home by home men and capital. Ammoninated and steamed up it began running Sunday and Wednesday saw the first ice made. This plant has been in construction for about a year, and is considered the county's most important enterprise. Mr. C. Homer Moore let the contract for the $80,000 plant November 9, 1919.
    The Southern Ice & Coal Company has 245 cans putting out 300 pound blocks of ice eath. The cold storage part will greatly benefit the county's hog raisers. It will be run continuously br Mr. W. N. Watkins.
    Mr. Moore has also made an offer to the city to furnish water and light power from his ice plant at less than what the city pays for its own power plant. Councilman R. B. Bryan said it was a fine idea because the present light plant has been a losing proposition for the city. Moore has the surplus machinery which can be brought into action immediately in case of fire or any demand. He can keep the reservoir and tanks filled to supply water to every hydrant in town. His plant has to operate day and night which puts him in the position to make this offer.
    No action can be taken up until a new city council is elected. This proposition can make Mr. Moore and the city money while also reducing the cost of water and lights to the citizens.
    Mr. E. G. Lumley of Calhoun, Georgia is here to locate the areas in the county for installing dipping vats, which is now a law in Georgia. He estimates around 20 vats would be required and he is surveying the cattle areas to determine locations convenient to all. The state pays Lumley but the county must pay to build the vats. Johnson County is the only one in this area infested with ticks, as all surrounding counties already have vats and are tick free.
    Next week the 12th District Medical Society will meet in Wrightsville. Dr. J. H. Moore says a large number of physicians will be coming with local physician's entertaining with a picnic at Idylwild. Ordinary Wiggins sent out the papers for each militia district to elect their justice of the peace to be held Saturday.
    Captain W. Z. Kemp is forging ahead on the big highway project with a large force of convicts, mules, carts and road building devices and moving rapidly along. Captain Kemp will be replaced on the 15th by Mr. R. C. Dent. Kemp is returning to Screven County.
    Mr. & Mrs. R. L. Kitchens had a fine boy, Robert, Jr. on Thanksgiving Day. The U. S. Army has received several recruits from our county in James D. Sheppard, Jas M. Daniels, Guyton E. Hutcheson and Lundy S. Thompson. The infant of Mr. & Mrs. Amos Kight died last Friday morning near Rehobeth. The boy of Mr. & Mrs Jim Hammock was seriously burned near Scott.
    At the Kite. School auditorium Thanksgiving night the fiddlers did some old time fiddling which caused some "break-down" square dancing. Messrs. C. C. Tapley and Willie Thigpen weilded the bow as Miss Annie Mathis charmed on the piano. A feature of the evening was the dancing of Mr. Will Tapley.
    If you enjoy quick red-blooded action! A tale of adventure amid rocky peaks and yawning canyons! A fiery flamming romance! Mind baffling mystery! Then see Ruth Roland in "Ruth of the Rockies" at the Dixie Theatre.
Dear Santa Claus:
    I hope you will soon be around to see us all. I am a little boy 7 years old; I am in 1st grade. I want you to bring me a bicycle, red wagon and a toy automobile and lots of fruit, don't forget mt brothers and sisters, mama and papa. I hope you have a Merry Christmas. I am your little boy.
                 Marcus Oliver.

Monday, November 26, 2018

From Days Gone By Nov. 27, 1920

November 27, 1920.
    Actual work has begun on the paved road highway from Wrightsville to the Washington County line as Captain W. Z. Kemp has the county force working wide open. The stretch is about four and a half miles and when completed it will be one of the best pieces of road in the entire state.
    It will cost around $24,000 to finish and the government provides half this amount. Johnson County is allowed to furnish convict labor and materials for its half burden of the cost. It will take several weeks to complete and is the first project in the county to get federal aid.
    Mr. Reuben C. Dent received his commission as county warden to replace Captain Kemp who is leaving for Screven County. Rube has 15 years experience as a warden and guard having worked in several counties..
    Since Laurens County has finished the highway from Lovett to Dublin it is now first class, a fine one all the way. The most up-to-date cotton report up to November 8th Johnson County had ginned 7,118 bales. Mr. R. T. Moye grew a potato that weighed 8 pounds after losing a pound from curing. Judge J. C. Wiggins suffered the loss of his largest fattening hogs which died suddenly from a choke. The hog was worth $50.
    A community Thanksgiving service was held at the Methodist church. Rev. W. A. Brooks will be the new pastor as Rev. Arnold was sent to Jesup. Rev. Walter Anthony will speak at the Baptist church.
    The next term of Superior Court will be held the first Monday in December. Mr. E. N. Hitchcock will resign the first of the year as manager of Wrightsville Hardware.
    The following have qualified for councilmen for the city of Wrightsville. L. J. Claxton, J. Tom Davis, H. P. Hicks, I. R. Tanner, R. P. Hicks and W. F. Outlaw. The election will be December 3rd.
    Mr. & Mrs. Raymond Rowland had a daughter born to them. The sudden death of Mr. Robert A. Bradshaw at his home five miles west of town on Sunday from heart failure. He was buried at Pleasant Grove.
    The Union Grocery Company with W. T. Kitchens manager will move into the store vacated by Wilson's Grocery. In Scott Mr. T. J. Burke is erecting a watertank at his residence.
    A lot of activity has been going on this week in various lines but not much money has been stiring. Cotton is still being held and farmers are sitting steady in the boat waiting for an advancement to where they can realize a little on it. Predictions are coming from financial circles that expectations are strong for a betterment of conditions early next year.

Saturday, November 10, 2018

From Days Gone By Nov. 20, 1920

November 20, 1920.
    The city of Wrightsville election is a few days ahead leaving the question, who will serve the citizens of Wrightsville? This election was called by the mayor when the town faced the resignation of the entire city council except for the mayor.
    The one year councilmen decided it was best to quit and the other three came to the same conclusion, not having qualified at all. There is speculation about the proposed candidates and in the discussions the floowing names have been mentioned for the different places, and it is not known if any of them would serve.
    For Mayor J. T. Miller, J. W. Brinson, Dr. T. L. Harris and E. J. Harris have been spoken of. For Councilmen for the one year term the names of H. P. Hicks, J. A. Hall, and W. L. Thompson have been heard. For the two year term are mentioned W. F. Outlaw, C. T. Mixon and J. B. Williams.
    As bloody as a beef and then some and reeling in pain Lizzie Brown arrived at the office of Dr. S. M. Johnson Thursday afternoon last from her home on the farm of Mr. E. J. Sumner, where one Shug Dixon had about noon played havoc with her left jaw using a long razor and slashing a long, ugly ditch into the corner of her mouth, a distance requiring 25 stitches to unite it.
    Mr. Mack Sumner brought the wounded woman to the doctor and she was also accompanied by two sisters. The latter were all blood covered from the wound.
    Shug Dixon didn't mind going up to Lizzie's home with the razor and using it, according to Lessie Whitehead, Lizzie's sister who swore out a warrant for Shug,  charging her with an assualt with attempt to murder. The paper was immediately served by Deputy W. T. Rowland who went for Shug and she is now safely awaiting her doom in the regular boarding house. It was all a regular row over a man, Lizzie's husband. But Shug claims she was only defending herself against odds and it quite contented over the prospect of a favorable outcomme.
     Dr. Brantley will move back here from Tifton shortly. He came home to see his sick grandmother and at that point he made his decison he could do more serving his home county than those in South Georgia he did not know. Dr. Charles Lane of Macon, a well known preacher, lecturer and orator will be at the court house tomorrow. He is full of wit and humor.
    Miss Corine Walden and Mr. Henry Colston were wed by Judge Z. A. Anderson. Miss Annie Lee and Mr. W. J. Carter were wed also. A fine young daughter was born to Mr. & Mrs. Clayton Lord. Miss Mary Armor Anthony, daughter of Rev. & Mrs. Walter Anthony did at their home in Atlanta November 15th after a short illness. She was 9 years old.
    Hall Brothers is having a huge sale. Jim and John Hall are specially trained merchants and have started this year well. Col. Dan Morgan Smith, one of America's famous heroes who commanded the 1st Battalion of the 358th Infantry, 19th Division, when that unit became immortal as "Tha Batallion of Death" during the fight at Hill 350 at Les Huits Chemin in the fall of 1918, will speak at Brown Memorial Tuesday afternoon at 3 pm. This was considered a rare treat to have this famous soldier in Wrightsville, when he, as a rule, is only speaking in cities of 5,000 and over.
    If you glance back you will see Wrightsville has done and is still doing some big building in 1920. Solid strides have been made in many respects and the old town is still shinning. Johnson County folks have plenty of hog and hominey left and this is a blessing, even with 15 cent cotton stored away under their shelters.

History of Thanksgiving from 1920

    This was written in 1920 after the end of World War One.The great social and religious festival known as "Thanksgiving" dates back to the Pilgrims and Puritans of New England. The sentiment of graditude for favors granted is as old as humanity, and ages before the Massachusetts settlers were born mankind was in the habit of expressing its thankfulness by some form of public celebration. But the institution of thanksgiving as an annual festival of thanks and praise for blessings received at the hands of the Great Author of our being had its origin among the founders of New England.
    For reasons which were "good and sufficient" unto themselves, the Puritains abolished Christmas, and feeling the need of some other day to replace it, they instituted Thanksgiving day. After the first harvest of the New England colonies Governor Bradford ordered a public rejoicing with prayer and praise. This was in October or November, 1621. On July 30, 1623, was held the second Thanksgiving, the first ever appointed by a governor in an authoritive way. On February 22, 1631, there occured in Boston the first Thanksgiving celebration of which any written account remains among the colonial archives. The first regular Thanksgiving proclamation was printed in Massachusetts in 1677.
    The first Thanksgiving proclamation ever issued by a president of the United States was by George Washington in 1795. From Massachusetts the custom spread to other colonies, in 1830 the governor of New York appointed a day for public Thanksgiving and other northern states quickly followed.
    The turkey began to take first place at Thanksgiving feasts back in colonial days. It was the wild variety that won favor then---a fowl with a fine flavor, but no longer known either to commerce or the hunters. The magnificent bronze creatures that have taken the place of the wild forerunners leave no reason to regret the latter's disappearance. So handsome are these high-bred birds that slaughtering them to make a holiday feast seems something like a crime. It is a crime who's heinousness is forgotten when dinner is served, however.
    The vastness of America's cause for rejoicing today cannot be reached even by the international outpouring, for never before have we had such colosal reason for Thanksgiving in the liberation of some nations, the succor of others, and the release of our own highest impulses for free play. Since the days of the Nazarene no such words have been spoken, no such doctrine preached, as we hear from day to day at the close of humanity's tragedy. Our thanks are deep and loud, sounding around the world.

Friday, November 9, 2018

From Days Gone By Nov. 13, 1920

November 13, 1920.
    One white man whose name is Coleman, from Emanual County, who sails around promiscuously under different aliases according to court records, gave a whole force of arresting officers and Captain Kemp's trustees a hot chase Tuesday afternoon late as he was being transferred from the courthouse after being sentenced to a fine of $175 or a year in the gang for giving a bogus check to Hayes Brothers store.
    Upon reaching the jail Coleman, with an oath, dashed. A bullet from Chief Oliver's pistol cut up the dust between the flying man's legs but he flew right on. Captain Kemp's gang had just returned and tha warden turned the whole force loose after Coleman. An old Jap outwinded Coleman and he was captured.
    City Court is still in session, so far 17 have plead guilty and several have been tried and sentenced. Judge Blount's terms have changed. Fines of $25 are now $175 and time is changed from 6 months to 12 on the gang.
    For the first time in Wrightsville's history the city is entirely without leadership. Every member of the city council turned in their resignations to the mayor. Mayor Hightower immediately called an election for the first Tuesday in December to fill the seats resigned by J. H. Rowland, R. B. Bryan, J. W. Brinson, J. W. A. Crawford, W. H. Lovett and T. E. Hayes.
    Whatever shake-up, upstir, dissatisfation or reason for their action there is, evidentally must have been among the body alone for the general consensus of opinion is they were giving the city just a good service and administration as was actually possible an no general nor special "kicks" had been heard whatever or else they certainly stopped before they reached this far.
    Wrightsville is getting a new business soon. It is the Tanner Undertaking Company, operated by Mr. I. R. Tanner and Mr. J. D. Bush. The latest model hearse arrived in Augusta and will be here this week. The coffins, caskets and regular supplies have been bought and are on the way. Mr. Bush went to Savannah and took a course in embalming and is ready to take the state examination in February. The new firm is to occupy the store room being vacated by Mr. Henry Wilson on the west side of the court house.
    Captain W. Z. Kemp, Johnson County Warden is returning to his native home in Screven County to take the same position there. Up to October 18th it shows that Johnson County ginned 6357 bales of cotton as against 8806 last year at the same time. Burke County is first with 27,554; Laurens 3rd with 13,917.
    Power farming received another augmentation as two more joined the ranks as tractor owners. Mr. William Oliver and Mr. Henry A. Hutcheson purchased tractors for their farms from the L. A. Lovett Fordson dealer.
    Miss Susanna Jane Stephens, 85, died November 3rd at her brother, Henry Stephens near Kite. She was a member of Rehobeth since 1874. She was buried at the family burial grounds. Besides Henry she was survived by brothers W. J. and Isham, sisters Mrs. Julia Loyd and Mrs. Angerona Garnto.
    Three popular couples were happily married. Miss Lela Hoover to George L. Davis of Treutlen County. She is daughter of Mr. & Mrs. J. J. Hoover. Miss Willie Godfrey married Mr. H. C. Whitfield. Miss Nesta Minton wed Mr. M. L. West. She is daughter of Mr. & Mrs. A. J. Minton.

Saturday, November 3, 2018

From Days Gone By Nov.6, 1920

November 6, 1920.
    It was a landslide all over the country for Republicans. All indications are of a greater victory than President Wilson got in 1916. Johnson County and Georgia went Democratic. Warren G. Harding was elected President and Calvin Coolidge Vice-President, also Republicans swept the Congress. In Johnson County there were 589 Democratic votes and 76 Republican votes.
    Prizes awarded to club members during the recent fair were Elmer Brantley, best acre of corn; Remer Moore, best pig any breed; Burtis Price, best Duroc; W. M. Thompson, best Spotted Poland China; Jas. O. Colston, best black Poland China; J. B. Greenway, best calf.
    City Court will have a heavy docket come Monday with about a dozen in jail awaiting trial and alot of civil litigation. Tom Floyd, colored, pleaded guilty for carrying a concealed pistol. Judge Blount gave him $50 and costs or an alternative in the chain gang. He went to jail pending the payment of the fine.
    It grew cold down in that Fitzgerald jail Halloween night and the 11 colored brethren held for trial decided to heat up something and filed their way out the coal bin route. Over at Douglas 4 more filed their way to the open air. Only one of the 15 had been caught so far. Over in Montgomery, Alabama, 10 blacks were jailed for arson. The home and several bales of cotton, another home and one gin having been torched by them. Also several tenant houses. Two in addition to the ten were killed by a posse headed by the Sheriff.
    Furniture and fixtures for the Farmers Bank have arrived and being installed. The post office is going to put on a new front with new furniture. Mr. E. A. Lovett, owner of the building arranged for this.
    The estate of Mrs. E. A. Hall was sold. It brought $32.50 per acre. W. D. Sumner and H. Lake the successful bidders. It was divided into 3 lots of 42 acres each. The county Board of Education held its monthly meeting. The board audited the teacher's accounts and sent them to the state. The school at Poplar Springs was given 5 graded for small children so they would not have to go to Scott.
    Sunday night the seed house of the Farmers Gin Company caught fire. The firemen contained the blaze to that one building. The origin of the fire was unknown. There was $1000 insurance on the building and $6,000 on the contents of seed.
    On October 14th Miss Lille Mae Mills and Mr. Alvin Snell were married. Barber & Mrs. Willie Brantley had a little daughter on October 30th. Mr. & Mrs. Gordon Clarke had a daughter November 2nd.
    There will be a real old time fiddlers convention at Kite high school next month. Mrs. Rebecca Walker forbids anybody from harboring, hiring, feeding, sheltering or detaining her son, Nathan Wilkins, 16 years old. Aunt Jane Stephens died at Uncle Henry Stephens place yesterday. Mr. Stacy Johnson left L. A. Lovett to work in Macon at American Tobacco Company.
    Cane grindings are going on throughout the county now and they are receiving much patronage. These times are good ones and are long-looked for on the farm.