From Days Gone By Jan. 1, 1921

January 1, 1921.
    Santa Claus came into every home in Johnson County this trip and made the hearts of the old folks, the middle-aged folks and the tiny tots all happy and not a family was left untouched by his majestic sweetness. The poor was looked after as well as the more wealthy and everybody rejoiced.
    This time the gift of more valuable and useful presents was the order of the day, the dry goods and furnishing stores doing about as much Christmas selling as the regular toy stores. People bought a lot of presents needful to the members of their families, more than usual.
    Lightning struck the school dormitory at Orianna last Wednesday and killed young Newburn Hatcher instantly. He was 15 years old. With Miss Maggie Smith, an assistant of the school, and Prof. Bates, the principal, the boy was standing on the veranda when the bolt struck. The boys' cap was torn into rags and his shoes torn from his feet but not a place on his body was scarred. The teachers standing with him were shocked also but only slightly injured. Dr. A. M. Roundtree of Adrian was summoned. The lad was a son of Mr. Isaac Hatcher of Orianna.
    Draft deserters whose fears were lulled to rest by over two years from prosecution are about to receive an unpleasant surprise. The names of 172,911 of them are soon to be published in their "hometown" sections as an early step to bring them to a speedy trial, the War Department announced. Much aid in this is expected from the American Legion
    Mr. Harry Lewis is moving to Dublin and vacating his store here. Harry has lots of friends here making more than the ordinary Jew and his departure would be missed. Barber Willie Brantley is moving to Macon where he will open a barber shop. Mr. & Mrs. J. N. Hall are moving to Wrightsville. Mr. D. W. Bray has moved from Lovett to Dublin. Soldier Daniel Frank Martin of Camp Jackson, 61st Infantry is home on furlow.
    E. N. Hitchcock and Raymond Rowland have severed their ties with Wrightsville Hardware Company. Mr. Hitchcock is opening a grocery store. Santa visited the home of Mr. & Mrs. Charlie Bray leaving a bright little daughter. Mr. & Mrs. Arthur B. Rowland had a 9 pound son also. The old bird is still flying around leaving a fine daughter with Mr. & Mrs. Leon A. Lovett.
    The Bank of Adrian relessed its statement of condition at $192,031.47. Mr. George W. Gannon left for Ironton, Ohio, the home of his people. His father had a bad accident having his leg crushed while at work. On December 9th death visited the home of Mr. & Mrs. J. L. Cox taking their daughter Marie being sick only 4 days. She was born October 29, 1907, just 13 years old. She was buried at Pleasant Grove.
    For several months but little has been said with reference to the discovery of oil in the Edd Spell area, 5 miles West of Wrightsville. This was because the long dry period caused a cesstation of signs and evidence, the oil ceasing to bubble from the ground. Cut with the avdent of the Winter season and the rainy weather new and more abundant signs are now visable in the same sector as before.
    Mr. Spell claims that this is natural with seepages of this kind, leaving no alarm when it ceased to ooze out, but has now started back. Leases of 15 to 20 thousand acres have been secured up to this time on lands and he says it will again be renewed in an effort to secure a sufficentcy to bring oil magnates here for the purpose of entering the bowels of the earth in a search for this much desired fountain of wealth. It was claimed in the outset the evidence disclosed in this Spell area afforded sufficent reason to assert that it was on this spot somewhere, and this belief is still held optimistically.

From Days Gone By Dec 25, 1920

December 25, 1920.
 Dear Santa Clause,
    Wish you would bring me some story books and some fruit and a knitting needle. I know its hard times to get all of our things but you know we love you. It will be hard for you to het around with all our thingd, but wish you good luck.
                                                                 Juliette Roundtree
Dear Santa,
    I am a little six year old boy. Please nring me a toy pistol and some more toys and lots of fruit. Don't forget mama and papa and bring sister a doll.
                                                                      Herman Hall
Dear Santa,
    I am a little boy 8 years old, and in the 2nd grade. I want you to bring me a toy automobile and bring my little sister a pretty doll and bring us plenty of fruit. Please don't forget my mama and papa.
                                                                            Pearly Colston
My Dearest Santa,
    I am a little girl 11 years old and in 5th grade. I want a ring and a pair of pearl beads, a doll and doll cradle and lots of fruit and other things. Don't forget mama, papa brother and sister. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
                                                                                 Sadie Oliver
Dear Santa claus,
    I am a little boy 2 years old and want you to bring me a toy wagon and a tricycle and don't forget to bring little Cecil a rattler and a rubber doll and don't forget ma & pa. Bring lots of fruit.
                                                                                 W. D. Wood
Dear Old Santa,
    Please bring me a tricycle, a doll and a little bed and plenty of fruit. Please don't forget Harry and Nancy.
                                                                               Doris Rowland
Dear Santa,
    I am a little boy years old and go to shool. Please bring me a tricycle and a cap pistol and plenty of fruit and nuts.
                                                                              Melvin Watts
Dear Santa Clause, i am a little girl 7 years old and going to school and in the 2nd grade. Please bring me a doll and cart and plenty of fruit and don't forget papa and mama.
                                                                                Eddie Lou Maddox
Dear Santa Claus,
    I am a little girl 13 years old on 7th grade and I want a lavallire and ring and a bar pin and lots of fruit. Don't forget my brothers and sisters. Hoping you a Merry Christmas.
                                                                            Mary Jennie Sumner
My dear old fellow,
    I just want to tell you what I want you to bring me a bicycle and a folding pocketbook and a wagon and a box of sparklers. That is all for this time.
                                                                                    Steve Jackson
Dear Uncle Santa,
    I don't want you to forget me this Christmas please. I am a little girl 9 years old and in 3rd grade. I am a smart little girl and I was dishes and sweep the floor for mama. I want you to bring me plenty of toys and fruit. Please don't forget mama and papa and our baby brother. Don't forget I have a little brother named Melvin.
                                                                   Vergia Mae Rowland
Dear Santa Claus,
    I know it is a hard time now with you because you have so many to go see. But I would like for you to bring me a little something. I would like to have a pair of knitting needles and a crochet needle needle and a story book, and I would like to have a doll and some thread to go with my needles.
                                                               Hazel McAfee
My Dearest Santa,
    I am a little girl 12 years old in the 7th grade. I want you to bring me a ring and a pair of pearl beads, a doll and doll cradle and lots of fruit and other things.
                                                              Vennie Oliver

From Days Gone By Dec. 18, 1920

December 18, 1920.
    The organization of the Johnson County Hampshire Association took place at the office of agent M. E. Crow, for the purpose of stimulating the growth of pure bred hogs in the county. The officers are Morris Riner, president; G. A. Tarbutton, vice-president and Dr. C. E. Brinson, sec.-treas. The directors are M. E. Crow, J. M. Henry, Fluker Tarbutton, W. P. Bedingfield and C. W. Fulford.
    A matter discussed was the raising of a fund to be offered as premiums for the Hampshire Pig Club boys and girls at the next county fair. Any club member interested and wants to feed a good Hampshire pig for the fall show, Dr. Brinson or Mr. Crow would assist them in getting good pigs.
    As of December 1st the lights and water rate for the city of Wrightsville would be reduced. Lights $1.50 for minimum 7 kw. All over the minimum 20 cents a klw. Water $1.25 for 200 gallons minimum, and 25 cents for each 1000 gallons over the minimum.
    The people of Rehobeth will get the first sing of the Johnson County Singing Association in January. The State Fair Association announced that Miss Clemmie Massey was awarded a $20 third prize for the county contest. Miss Oma Sheppard won 3rd for Special Spanish Pepper and received $5.
    The I. O. O. F. Johnson Lodge No. 110 elected new officers for 1921. J. A. Hall, N. G.; G. A. Smith, V. G.; W. I. Martin, Sec.; L. J. Claxton, Treas.; J. T. Miller, D. D. D. Mr. Miller was also chosen as representative to the Grand Lodge which meets in Athens next May.
    Col. G. Anton Faircloth will probably be moving to Birmingham, Alabama. He is renting his home on East Elm to Dr. & Mrs. R. E. Butterly. Mr. & Mrs. A. B. Price of Pringle had a daughter, Sarah Elizabeth. Mrs. Julia Tapely was slightly injured when her horse became a fright in the city turning her buggy over.
    Mr. & Mrs. A. L. Thigpen of Oconee announced the engagement of their daughter, Marie, to Mr. James C. Rivers. Mr. W. Mullis wed Miss Clara Lou New in Harrison. Mr. Mullis is the telegraph operator in Wrightsville.
    Mr. Roy Hammock died from asphyxiation in Columbia last week in his room. He had gone there 3 months ago to work in the auto business and was doing good when he suddenly passed. He was a son of Mr. & Mrs. J. W. Hammock of Adrian and is survived by a brother and 4 sisters. Burial was at Shady Grove. He was only 23 years old.
    On November 23rd at the home of Mr. & Mrs. J. E. Brantley, Mrs. Martha Outlaw passed away at 79 years of age. Funeral was at Brantley's Chapel and she was buried at Westview. She was survived by three children. Mrs. E. W. Tanner, Mrs. J. E. Brantley, Mrs. Julia Outlaw and two brothers.
    An unexpected death was that of Mrs. W. D. Hatcher while doing her daily chores around her house. She was suddenly and violently stricken with paralysis and died about 3 hours later. She was preparing for her daughters visit, Mrs. Lyman Moore, who arrived at the station about the time of her death. Her husband has been in ill health and could not attend her funeral at Oaky Grove. She was survived by her husband, three sons, A. L., Grady and Bill Hatcher and Mrs. Lyman Moore. Tanner Undertaking Company was in charge.

From Days Gone By Dec. 11,1920

December 11, 1920.
   Mr. E. E. Sanders defeated Judge J. M. Hightower for Mayor of Wrightsville 102 to 92. The candidates winning city councilmen were R. P. Hicks, W. F. Outlaw, I. R. Tanner, L. J. Claxton, J. Tom Davis and H. P. Hicks. Voters of the 1201 district elected J. T. Ferguson Justice of the Peace and Will Crawford baliff. In Pullen District H. D. Garnto Justice and H. G. Tyson baliff. In Kite it was J. C. Harrison Justice and J. C. Claxton, G. C. Fortner baliffs.
    Mr. Moore of the ice plant secured the services of Macon Packing Company to assist his men here in the first work of the cold storage department. The Johnson County Singing Convention was formed at a sing held at Liberty Grove church. Rev. G. F. Sumner of Gethsemane was the organizer.
    Judge Kent convenned Superior Court this week with a number of young women appeared on the scene in the first session for either their first or final verdicts in divorce decrees which were granted. One or two men came for the same cause. These proceedings protracted a good bit of attention. Disqualified cases on account of judges were moved to a later date including McAfee vs. Fortner, civil; The Dixon murder case. The Rowland-Downs land case was heard also Mrs. Price vs. E. J. Sumner with no verdicts yet in either case.
    Dr. J. Gordon Brantley has resumed his practice here. Mr. L. Mosley had a big surprise birthday party reacing the age of 75. He was born in Emanuel County December 5, 1845 after staying there for 20 years moved to Johnson County and married. He lives five miles from town for 55 years. They had fifteen children, 12 boys and 3 girls. Eleven still living. Rev. W. A. Brooks is now the new pastor of the Methodist Church.
    Judge J. C. Wiggins has purchased the S. Powel residence in the city. Dr. & Mrs. A. F. Flanders are renovating their home. Mr. Henry M. Downs is running a saw mill at Wille, Georgia. Mr. Carl Claxton has moved to Oklahoma.
    Farmers are still holding there cotton for a higher price and many of them say they intend sticking to it right on, until they get it.
    Miss Ester Stith and Mr. J. C. Garland of Emanuel County drove to Wrightsville to be married. Miss Dorris Prescot and Mr. Ben Hill Webb were married December 1st at the Methodist church. Mr. & Mrs. A. W. Hightower had a daughter, Joy, on December 3rd.
    The sudden death of Mr. E. C. Martin occured in Wrightsville about 6 pm Friday having been sick only a few hours with hemorhagic fever. He leaves a wife and two step-children, he having married a widow in Brunswick last year. He was buried ay Westview. His brothers were R.R. and T. L Martin of Wrightsville. Mrs. M. D. Hammock departed this life Monday night after a very brief illness at her home near town. She was buried in the Hammock cemetery. Tanner Undertaking Company was in charge.
    Oscar Smith tells a good one of the time at Scott. He says the city market there was the scene of a cat perishing to death last week. The little fellow was locked in Saturday night after business hours and so long did the butcher keep his place empty the cat was almost famished when discovered and released through a broken pane of glass in the window of the building.