From Days Gone By May 18, 1923

 May 18, 1923.

    Allen Wilson, a white man about 35 or 40 years old was given a peliminary hearing Sunday afternoon for marrying his niece, Annie Lou Wilson, a girl of about 14, the daughter of Wilson's brother, John Wilson near Meeks. Allen was said to have assistance from Newton Bedgood and Eunice Meeks who drove away from John's home with the young woman meeting Allen a short distance from her home. The four drove to Emanuel County where Allen and Annie were married. They went back to Bedgood's home for the night.

    John Wilson was irrated at the girl swore out warrants for Wilson, Bedgood and Meeks. Officers Rowland and Tyson went to Bedgood's home Sunday afternoon and arrested all but Meeks who had left. Allen was given the hearing he demanded before Judge Z. A. Anderson at Providence and was bound over to Superior Court under bond of $300. Bedgood was bound over for conspiracy under a $100 bond. It was charged that Bedgood and Meeks aided in the elopement. The girl said they were along. The court told her to go back to her father's. The affair was greatly regretted in that community.

    Dr. S. N. Bradshaw is now a veternary at Linder's Stables. Mr. Walter N. Powell will run for county treasurer. Cashier Robert L. Kent is driving a new Buick around town and Mr. E. A. Lovett is the owner of a new Lincoln, the first of that make for the city.

    The city was in darkness Monday and Tuesday nights and Messers. L. C. Ross and W. H. Spell went to Macon to get damaged parts fixed. This is the first break in service in many months. Tuesday the city began whitewashing all the shade trees and light poles and fences adding much to the city's appearance.

    Last Wednesday a birthday celebration was held for Isham, 75 and his brother, Henry Stephens, 65. Judge Alfred Herrington of Swainsboro died. He was known all over Johnson having practiced law here and was Solicitor General when Johnson was in the Middle Circuit. Mrs. Georgia Durham Watson, widow of the late Thomas E. Watson died at Hickory Hill in Thomson from uremic poison from acute diabetes.

    Mr. Gordon Tapley, son of Mr. & Mrs. James L. Tapley of Wrightsville was badly injured in the left leg at his father's sawmill in the eastern part of the county. He was using an axe when the head left the handle striking Gordon a firm blow with lots of blood loss. Dr. Brantley examined it finding the little bone cut in two and the large one shattered. He was taken to Sandersville.

    Within less than 12 hours after the death early Sunday morning of Benjamin F. Parker, another of Lovett's oldest citizens, John H. Hardaway died. They were among the few left who followed General Lee and the rise and fall of the Confederacy.

    Mr. Parker was 75 and retired from his farm a few years ago. For the last 2 years he was mostly confined to his home. He was born in Houston Co. entering the Confederate army at age 14 and stayed till the close of the war. He lived in Lovett for 30 years. He was survived by his wife Mrs. Georgia Parker, three sons Niles Gordon, E. Holly and B. D. Four daughters, Mrs. Leo Kight, Maude Parker, Mrs. E. Scarborough and Mrs. E. A. Lovett. He was buried at Lovett cemetery.

    Mr. Hardaway died at his sons, he too had been sick the last 2 years. He went to the war from McDuffie Co. in the 48th Ga. Regt. in 1862, serving until Appomattox. His wife Sally Jackson died several years ago. He lived in Lovett for 22 years. He was survived by 4 sons Gordon H., T. D., R. L. and Washington. He was 77 and buried in Westview.

    In erecting the next church edifices it might be well to have in mind the length of the seats and make them uniform so that when the rear ones are dilapidated they may be moved in exchange for the front ones.