From Days Gone By July 20, 1923

 July 20, 1923.

    At the annual convention of the Georgia Press Association at Lavonia our own editor, Mr. Charles D. Roundtree was elected president. Mr. Roundtree came here several years ago. He is capable, enthusiastic and a hard worker.

    A new International tractor has been purchased by Ordinary Jenkins to help maintain the roads. It is the latest model. It develops 1530 hp and is able to pull an 8 foot road machine and will be operated by Norris Rowland. With the aid of this tractor Warden Stanley will have some of the best roads here in the state. A tractor of this type has been long needed by the county, but only recently could they afford to buy one.

    The mayor and council of Wrightsville have decided to have sewerage, so on the first day of August the clerk will sell $30,000 worth of bonds for this purpose. Since the new machinery is to be installed soon the plant will have all the water necessary and then some. The city has long needed sewerage and it is hoped that the people of Wrightsville will rally to their call as to make a cleaner and better town.

    The Palace Cafe, operated by Mr. & Mrs. Gordon Clark moved from the Johnson building on the corner to the building vacated by Parker & Price Grocery. Mr. C. C. Blankenship, jeweler and optometrist moved from the Flanders building to the new building joining the Headlight office.

    In the period of one year between April 30, 1922 and April 30, 1923 cars of cattle shipped 37; cars of hogs 39; cattle and hogs mixed 23 making a total of 99 cars with a valuation of $100,000 or more. We have shipped two cars of poultry worth nearly $7,000, besides there have been shipped by local express approximately $30,000. There are seven people at shipping points in the county that are shipping poultry and eggs and sour cream that will amount to more than $12,000. With this income from these sources we are very near to what we used to get when we made 18,000 bales of cotton a year and got $40 a bale. We are in our infancy in the livestock and poultry business.

    Mayor T. V. Kent has a big Mayor's Court which ended disaterously for the colored folks. Alex Fowler disorderly conduct $7.50 or 30 days. Henrietta Carter, same offense $5 or 30 days. Essie Mae Patterson and Vic York, fighting $10 or 30 days and $6 in hand paid by speeders.

    Much excitement in Dublin as Dr. H. M. Moore, a well known dentist, shot M. C. Dominey, Tax Collector of Lauren's Co. during a fight the two men had on the street. Dominey was not seriously wounded. The trouble started over something Moore said to Dominey about some dental work Dominey had done in another city. Dominey slapped Moore first, and held him against a telephone pole. When Moore was released he drew his pistol and fired at Dominey close range.

    Mrs. John T. Phillips who lived about 7 miles Northwest died at her home. She left a husband and 7 children the youngest only 12 days old.

    Dr. J. R. Dent, prominent physician of this city died at his home on Marcus Street of heart trouble and typhoid fever. He had fever the past 6 weeks. Dr. Dent engaged in medicine here a number of years and lived in Oconee the past 3 years only being back here 2 weeks ago. He was 48 born and raised here. A graduate of Atlanta Medical College which is now Emory University. He is survived by his wife, six Brothers, C. M., Lewis, W. W., W. J., Ed and B. J. Dent. Six sister's Mrs. W. A. Sinquefield, Mrs. J. J. Burns, Mrs. J. R. Raley, Mrs. M. F. Montford, Mrs. J. G. Kent and Mrs. Benton Odom. Dr. Dent was a member of Arline Chapel and was buried in Westview.

Y July 13, 1923

 July 13, 1923.

    By an overwhelming vote the representatives of counties along the proposed Augusta link of the Jeff Davis Highway recommended that the route from Abbeville to Augusta be adopted as an official Augusta link of this highway. Grounds for this vote were that this route is the shortest for the link, it is almost wholly the road followed by Jeff Davis in his flight after the fall of the Confederacy. Every county pledged it's help in building the road. Reps from Montgomery and Treutlen were on hand to urge the route through McRae, Mt. Vernon, Soperton and Swainsboro but they were in the minority.

    Johnson can hardly afford to miss being on the Jeff Davis Highway. This great Southerner passed this way only once but he left an indestructible path behind him on the pages of history. He came along here not far from our town and traversed the county from one side to the other. He went on into Lauren's, crossing at Blackshears Ferry on a Saturday night, camped under a big tree where the court house now stands in Dublin and went South through Lauren's to Eastman, which establishes beyond any dispute the logical route for the proposed Southern highway to go.

    Seven store houses, one as a dwelling were burned up at Scott before daybreak on Saturday. The fire started by an unknown cause in the store of Mr. D. G. Smith and soon spread to adjoining stores causing a loss of about $25,000 only partially covered by insurance. A stiff breeze fanned the fire on and a quick succession of 7 buildings went up in smoke. Hard work saved the church to the South and the Central of Ga. Depot which caught several times. Three large brick stores in the center of the block on the south side of the railroad stopped the further spread of the fire. The losers in the fire were D. G. Smith, W. B. Moorman, Riley Graham, J. M. Hammock, Arthur Hammock, J. J. Harrison and Schwalls Drug Co.

    The banks released their statements of condition. Bank of Adrian $128,006.64; Citizens Bank of Kite $149,815.86; Bank of Wrightsville $351,019.34; Farmers Bank $154,890.18; Exchange Bank $274,029.71. Mr. Wiley Cheaves files for bankruptcy.

    Wrightsville ran up the score at Sparta 11 to 4. Wrightsville plays at Dublin today and tomorrow at the fairgrounds here. Some of the best players on the amateur lines are here for these two days.

    Mr. & Mrs. Thomas E. Jenkins had a girl Emily Grace on June 20th. James Lester Barnes is the name of the son born to Mr. & Mrs. Ray Barnes on July 7th.

    Mr. W. S. Criswell died at his home near Bay Springs. He was 75 and leaves a wife, two sons and a daughter. He was buried at Piney Mt. Mrs. Celia A. Price, wife of James Perry Price died June 23rd, born March 13, 1883 she was 41. They married March 2, 1899 and had 11 children with 5 preceding her to the grave. Those living are Alvin, Ervin, Estin, Eugene, Henry and Woodrow. She was a member of Oaky Grove. She had been in declining health for several years.

    The biggest Elk on Earth, from stem to stern, with an equatorial line that stretches a full 80 inches came through en route to an Atlanta convention. He is Mr. W. T. Brinson of Waycross who tips the scales at 600 lbs. This is the first time he has attended a convention because of his inability to go through doors on Pullman. He came in a Lincoln car with his wife and daughter and visited relatives here and at Bartow. He is a turpentine man and has amassed a fortune in the business at Beach, Ga. He is probably the largest man in the world today. He is 6 ft 1 inch high, 80 inches around the belt, wears a no. 10 shoe and a 7 3/8 hat. He has been married twice and has 5 children.

    The program of the cow, the sow and the hen is being installed everywhere. In our good county it has a determined foothold and our people have learned on it to depend to a great measure already.

Gone By July 6, 1923

 July 6, 1923.

    The 4th was a great day with Johnson County people, hundred celebrating in some manner and businesses closed for the day. Farming stopped, too, and the tiller of the soil took his share along with the people of the town's. There were many picnics and fishing parties. Warden Stanley set up a barbecue in Kite for his gang and citizens in and around Kite. The baseball games at Tennille had possibly the largest number of citizens with practically half of Wrightsville there. Idylwild had a big day too.

    There will be a road meeting in Dublin for the purpose of establishing the Jeff Davis Highway, Abbeville to Augusta branch. A large number from Johnson is expected to attend.

    After making wide investigations as to the best machinery and system of power plants now in use around this section the city council has bought new machinery to replace the old and out of date plant at the power house in part at least. The Sandersville plant met the council's approval. A new type of boiler, Schofield make, 150 hp, 150 high pressure and an electrically driven air compressor. Worthington make, feather weight valves, for pumping water out of the ground into the reservoir, have been purchased and will be here in 30 to 60 days and installed at once.

    This new machinery will save a great deal of expense and the work can be done with less oil and fuel. The council aims to make this the first step at sewerage for Wrightsville, water being the main object in a sewerage project such as to be undertaken here, and the old plant is not adequate to the situation.

   Parker& Price moved their grocery store one door south of where they have been for over a year. It will be in the Tanner building just finished. Mr. Edgar Parker is manager. Messers E. V. Harris and B. B. Hayes has opened the Dodge Brothers motor car dealership at Sumner's Garage. Mr. & Mrs. Herbert B. Sanders moved into the Walker house on the Southside. I. R. Tanner and W. F. Outlaw want a lot of wood for the plant here in Wrightsville and says if you have wood to sell see them first. Mr. Willie Nixon of Kite will likely run for Tax Receiver.

    Mr. Gainor Burns while plowing his big plow horse fell into a deep ditch at the end of the rows, causing much injury to it's back and limbs. Heavy work was required to extricate the animal and finally emerged the horse by the erection of a crane to support him on his legs and since then hard work has been done to save him. This season has not been good for the farmers watermelon crop. It's the worst season in years.

    Wrightsville won the double header at Tennille. The scores were 11 to 1 and 1 to 0. Josh Watson arrives today and will join the line up.

    Mr. Richard Stanley married Miss Susie Lake of Wrightsville in Macon Sunday afternoon.

    Tom Mix will be shown at the Dixie Theatre in one of his latest William Fox productions entitled "The Fighting Streak". William Farnum in "Shackles of Gold" will also be featured.

By June 29, 1923

 June 29, 1923.

    County policeman W. T. Kitchens and Baliff W. T. Rowland made two raids Saturday near Spann on the Hightower place owned by Mr. C. S. Pope of Dublin. The net results of this raid were two coloreds, two stills and two gallons of shine. Henry Johnson had his metal drum still out in a barn and all evidence pointed to a recent operation of the outfit. It was around a 35 gallon still and complete in every respect. Out in an old potato bank his under the old straw was a quantity of whiskey from which the officers gathered a gallon.

    Harvey Kemp also kept his outfit out in a crib and it had been worked only a short time previous to the raid. This man had a better outfit than the first one. His was copper throughout and was well fixed up. From this place too, the officers got about a gallon of shine. The whiskey, men and stills were all brought to town.

    At a big road meeting in Bartow the Jeff Davis highway-Abbeville to Augusta branch was given a boost from several counties. Clerk Joe B. Williams, Warden R. M. Stanley, Rev. G. W. Hutchinson, Prof. E. N. Anthony, W. W. Claxton, Willie T. Tompkins, J. Lovett Price and Eugene Cook represented Johnson County. Johnson pledged the construction of that part of the highway crossing the county, thus arriving at another stimulus to land values, benefits from highway funds and easier and quicker means of transportation. In the matter of roads for Johnson what could be better than to have the Bee-Line and Jeff Davis highways come through.

    There are several moves in Wrightsville going on. The stores burned some time ago fronting the square are being built back by T. L. Chester. The jewelry store is about completed. It has two rooms and will be occupied soon. The Tanner storeroom across from the theatre is being repaired and a cafe on the corner is likely. Some good work is being done on the streets and sidewalks also.

    The Masonic picnic in Kite were a big success. Mr. Gainor E. Fulford buys the home of G. A. Faircloth on East Elm street. Tax Receiver J. A. Lindsey will run for re-election. Mr. Henry J. Claxton of Kite may run for Clerk of Courts. Dr. James R. Dent is still dangerously sick. Mr. Walter N. Powell was carried back home from the hospital after being laid up from his wreck on Gumlog bridge a week ago.

    The Department of Justice is preparing to appeal to the Supreme Court, if necessary, to get a final ruling on the right of prohibition agents to search autos without a search warrant.

    The game of baseball between Dublin and Wrightsville was rained out. Eastman beat us 2 to 3 at Eastman. The big baseball news is the double header at Tennille on July 4th. The teams now standing 4 to 3 in favor of Tennille, and 3 to 2 in the last series played in favor of Wrightsville.  The first two games will be held on the 4th. They will face off again on Thursday and Friday. These four games may be the hardest fought of the season.

    Col. R. H. Rowland and Col. R. P. Jackson has formed a law partnership with officers on the first floor of the court house. Mr. R. T. Bray files for bankruptcy.

    Godfrey Davis, a landmark of Johnson County died at his home June 19th near Bartow, after being confined to his home more than 13 months from cancer. Davis was a Confederate Veteran serving with valor. He was born March 11, 1831 and was 92. His wife died many years ago. He leaves 10 children, 4 sons and 6 daughters. Three are dead. These living are Mrs. Pollie Price, Mrs. Nelia Booth, Mrs. Dixie Tanner, Mrs. Allie Wiggins, Mrs. Malathy Jones, Messes Lewis, Godfrey, Mell and Day C. Davis. He was buried in the Schwalls cemetery near his home.

From Days Gone By June 22, 1923

 June 22, 1963.

    The Abbeville people are anxious to get Wrightsville and Johnson County's co-operation in the matter of the Jefferson Davis Highway Association's proposed route from their Savannah-Western route starting at Abbeville and running northward through Eastman, Dublin, Wrightsville, Bartow, Louisville on to Augusta then to Richmond.

    In a local meeting by officials it was agreed to go after the road and to help Abbeville in the matter. Not since the agitation of the proposed Bee-Line has there been a road move on and this has revived the better-road spirit in the county.

    It is announced that the Bethany Home at Vidalia will be opened on July 4th. The home is built for the aged and helpless and is the first in the country to be erected by the Primitive Baptist. The home has a pretty site and one attractive building containing 12 rooms has been erected. Several acres are included in the tract and they are planning later on to build other cottages.

    Mr. John Redding Williams of Wrightsville is likely to run for Tax Receiver. Mr. James Henry Ivey and Mr. Robert L. Veal file for bankruptcy. Mr. J. H. Rowland on his farm worked by A. H. Edge claims the first cotton bloom of this season.

    Mrs. A. R. Brooks and daughter Mary of Donovan are headed to Walton, Kentucky to be at the marriage of her son, Rev. A. C. Brooks to Miss Gladys Tilton. Miss Susie Bell Norris and Mr. Fred C. Price were married near New Home on June 16th. She is daughter of Mr. & Mrs. N. D. Norris. He is a son of Mr. & Mrs. Loyd Price.

    Mr. Geo. W. Chamblee, age 83 of Atlanta died. His wife, six sons and four daughters including son, Dr. Aquilla Chamblee, President of Bessie Gift College at Forsyth survive him. He was a Confederate Veteran and was buried in Westview.

    John R. Wilson who died on June 1st was a Wrightsville Masonic member. He was born here on Dec. 29, 1844. He was a member of Philadelphia Primitive Baptist near Wrightsville. He was married twice. First to a Miss Powell and had three children, Willie, Charlie and Mrs. Sindy Wilson. His 2nd wife was a Miss Hall and had three more children, Henry, Martha and Juliann.

    Dr. J. R. Dent is still very sick and was brought here from October to his sister's, Mrs. W. A. Sinquefield. While going from home to Kite, Mr. Walter N. Powell, riding in an auto across Gumlog bridge was badly hurt when the car left the bridge and headed down to the earth. The steering came apart. He was carried to a Dublin hospital. Mr. & Mrs. Perry Blizzard had a son born May 28th.

    After sawing lumber all the morning, Red Martin pitched a jam-up game of ball at Eastman. Sparta lost its first game to Wrightsville 2 to 0. In the second game we spanked Sparta again 6 to 2. Then heading back to Tennille beating them 4 to 1 in the first game and 7 to 3 in the second game. Dublin is coming up soon.

    Work is going on nicely in rebuilding the store rooms fronting the court house owned by Mr. E. A. Lovett and will be ready for occupancy soon.