From Days Gone By Dec. 28,1923

 December 28,1923.

    While Jasper Swint and his wife, colored Farmers on the Mr. J. T. Fulford's plantation were at a nearby neighbor's house visiting late Sunday evening about six, two of their youngest boys got hold of the single-barrelled shotgun and began playing with it in the kitchen.

    They laid it on the eating table and the smaller one told the older boy to try the shell and see if it would fit the gun. The elder one took the shell and began pranking with it, finally placing it in the barrel of the gun, the younger boy standing on the opposite side of the table and at the point of the barrel.

    By some means the gun was accidentally discharged while the elder boy was loading it and the discharge entered the younger boy's forehead scattering his brains in every direction, on the walls, ceiling, floor, and all over the room. It was a grusome sight.

    Mr. Fulford went and made an investigation and found these facts to obtain and no inquest was called. It is the first fatality of the Christmas season in the county.

    While enroute to the city from Kite Judge Charles L. Claxton and Mr. Sanford Claxton had a bad accident at the second branch from Kite when their car went headlong off the small bridge into the branch. It was determined the steering gear was defective becoming unscrewed or broken. Judge Claxton hurt his breast and bruised all about. Sanford had a small scar on his forehead from the windshield glass.

    Tax collections are running ahead of last year collecting $300 more. Up to the 20th he had received $39,529.03. There remains $27,500 to be collected.

    Miss Mattie Kitchens, granddaughter of Mr. & Mrs. B. J. Wiggins was married Sunday to Mr. J. Morgan Tharpe of Augusta.

    Dr. W. H. Stuart died Nov. 11th at his home in Atlanta. For 16 years he lived there. Before living in Atlanta he lived many years in Jefferson County at Bartow from 1876 to 1896. He was Worshipful Master of the local Masonic lodge. He helped build the Baptist Church there. From Bartow Dr. Stuart moved to Wrightsville and then on to Atlanta.

    With qualifying over the official county ballot for the Jan. 15,1924 primary is as follows:

Ordinary- W. J. Flanders, U. R. Jenkins, J. C. Wiggins.

Clerk- Green B. Harrison, J. B. Williams

Sheriff- L. J. Claxton, R. C. Douglas, T. L. Drake, C. H. Moore, C. M. Schwalls, W. R. Smith.

School Superintendent- L. M. Blount, Mrs. Geo W. Gordy, Luther Lillard, A. J. M. Robinson.

Judge City Court- B. B. Blount, W. C. Brinson.

Solicitor City Court- A. L. Hatcher, W. C. Pope, J. Roy Rowland.

Tax Collector- J. Wesley Hammock, J. Nat Riner.

Tax Receiver- W. W. Dent, G. S. Kight, Jack M. Hammock, J. A. Lindsey, F. C. Lord, J. R. Williams.

Coroner- L. R. Clayton, J. W. Veal.

Surveyor- E. A. Douglas.

From Days Gone By Dec. 21,1923

 December 21,1923.

    Deputy Sheriff Oscar L. Smith died at his home in Scott. He had been sick for several weeks and during the last ten days developed pneumonia, most of the time being unconscious.

    Deputy Smith was prominently engaged in a lot of the principal affairs of his community and county for several years. He would have been just 37 in a week. He is a son of Mr. W. D. Smith of Scott. His mother preceded him by a few days. His wife and two sons, nearly grown survive him. Several doctors, a trained nurse and family attended to him closely during his sickness.

    The funeral was at the Baptist Church. A delegation of the Klan attended numbering about twenty. He was a Mason and a member of the Baptist Church. Pall bearers were J. B. Williams, Jim, Grady and Tom Davis, B. B. Blount, J. Nat Riner, W. T. Kitchens and Roy Rowland.

    Mr. J. Wesley Hammock enters the race for Tax Collector. He is a son of Jas. A. Hammock who was a brother to Henry and Mark Hammock. Mr. J. W. Veal is a candidate for Coroner and Col. A. L. Hatcher runs for Solicitor of City Court.

    Farmer Ben J. Peddy of Donovan is receiving good sums for his pecans. He has sold between five and six hundred dollars worth from his orchard. This week he had a check for nearly $300 for one single shipment.

    Rev. Charlie Hunnicutt, pastor of Mt. Pleasant church has moved from Augusta to the Gum-log community and will preach at Gum-Log.

    More letters to Santa were sent in from T. L. Price, Jr., Nevada Price, Alma Price, Rebecca Webb, Fred Norris, Floy Norris, Hugh Hall, Newman Hall, Fred Price and Clovis Price.

    Entering deeply into the very innermost spirit of the season now on us, The Johnson Journal bows to the sentiments of this Christmas time and wishes for your family, yourself and friends the good cheer that can be possessed at this time for all of you. Despite everything this past year has been good to us. Showers of blessings have fallen upon our pathway to lighten the burdens and lessen the cares of a varied program and it is to you that we owe this happy state. We have tried to serve you faithfully and well as of always. We have done as much as we feel that we could in moving onward in a very conservative, progressive manner and trust that our efforts have not been in vain.

    May your Christmas be merry, happy and full of joy every minute of it is our sincere desire for you and yours and we ask an interest in the prayers of the praying people of our county that next year may find us doing those things which will make for the best accomplishments for our own interests and that of the people we serve. We bid you a Merry Christmas and a year of happiness, peace and prosperity.

From Days Gone By Dec. 14,1923

 December 14,1923.

    Chief of Police Thomas J. Kersey of Hazelhurst was shot down in cold blood Sunday evening in the yard of Warren Waters, white, the entire head being filled with buckshot from the first load and the head almost completely severed from the body by a second shot fired 35 minutes later into his neck as the chief lay dead on the ground. 

    Chief Kersey was probation officer for Waters, he violated his probation and Kersey went to arrest him when Waters shot him from the house. Waters fled but was surrounded in a friend's house 5 miles away and was captured Monday morning. He was first carried to Mt. Vernon but fearing violence the sheriff lodged him in Bibb County jail.

    Bob Johnson and Jim Cope, two other white men were charged with complicity in the crime. Tom Kersey was a good man, born and lived most of his life in Emanuel County, and for some time a deputy for Sheriff R. W. Coursey, his brother-in-law. He is a nephew of Mrs. T. D. Holt of Wrightsville. He was buried at Lamb's cemetery near Sardis church and survived by his mother, wife and a lot of relatives.

    Col. William C. Pope runs for Solicitor, G. S. Kight for Tax Receiver, J. B. Williams for Clerk, Col. B. B. Blount for Judge City Court.

    Mr. Turner Scarboro and little child, who were badly hurt in Columbus are getting better. Their escape from fatal injury was miraculous when they were crossing a street and a street car hit Mr. Scarboro who was carrying his small child in his arms. The babe is still in the hospital there. Turner came home with his father, Mr. W. T. Scarboro.

    The Fair Association met in the court house. The charter was revised and voted to increase the capital stock from $3000 to $7000 by selling shares and not by assessment. Those owning stock were not affected but asked to buy new stock in the fair to pay off its debt. E. A. & W. H. Lovett hold the note of debt. The amount owed is $3750.

    There will be an Old Time Fiddler's Convention at the Dixie Theatre with cash prizes. The Johnson County Auto Company is now Cullen's Garage being purchased by Z. A. Cullen's and is on the east side of the court house.

    Warden Wright has made camp near New Home and now constructing roads in that area. He will be here until the winter season calls them into camp at the city stockade.

    The average farmer is in better hopes this time than he was a year ago and has better and firmer hopes for 1924 than he did for 1923. That is gaining prosperity back in a measure sure. For when the hopes are high it is a mighty good sign that there's to be something doing in the crop line.

    Some letters to Santa were written by Susie Price, Sincie Lue Powell, Russell Harrison, Leslie Powell, Myrtle Lou Hodges, Delma & Zelma Oliver and Edith Carter.

From Days Gone By Dec. 7,1923

 December 7,1923.

    A row started in Macklin's storehouse about dark Sunday night when all of darktown's hangers around were sojourning in and near Frank's place when Jim Smith, a sort of bully, paraded himself into the room and is said to have started something which ended in his death. Jim must have been drinking and Frank wanted him to get out of his place cursing. Jim was out for trouble that night and Frank didn't want any for he starts from his place after the police when Jim darts a knife wound near Frank's jugular vein.

    Jim left the room in a hurry and the crowd came in to see how bad Frank was cut, Jim entered again and the two grappled. Jim slashed him again on his left side. After the first cut Frank put a pistol in his pocket, then when Jim fell to the floor with Frank on the bottom, Frank shot Jim, killing him. It is said the pistol snapped four times before it fired.

    In the melee Jim cut another colored boy a bad gash on the arm. The dead man, Jim, didn't have a good reputation around town and was feared by most all of his race. There were several eye witnesses to the killing. Dr. Brantley dressed Frank's wounds which included a self inflicted bullet wound on the leg when his pistol fired as he lay on the floor.

    Cotton ginned in Georgia prior to November 14 amounted to 543,240 bales as against 681,508 last year. Johnson County had ginned 4,555 against 4,283 last year. Burke County still leads with 20,550 against 15,020 last year.

    Rev. M. R. Little, one of the leading preachers of the Baptist denomination accepted the call to Pleasant Grove. Rev. Johnnie W. Waters, 28 years old, a congregational Holiness minister who has been here 4 or 5 weeks assisting Rev. F. D. Sorrow, Rev. W. T. Martin and Miss Leona Martin, died at the home of Mr. & Mrs. W. G. Burns having been ill for several days.

    One livestock dealer has shipped to this county 16 carloads in the last few weeks with more to come. This is Mr. Ivey R. Tanner, a member of the city council. Mr. Tanner says this is going to be a thriving business in the county before many years.

    In the General Election for Mayor and Council of Wrightsville held Dec. 4th, Mayor T. V. Kent was re-elected and the new Councilmen are M. S. Duggan, R. R. Martin and Ivey R. Tanner.

    Mr. Uree Walden, the 20 year old son of Mr. & Mrs. C. G. Walden, died Nov. 22nd at the home of his parents near Donovan, having been in ill health for sometime. He was a good, consistent member of Beulah Church, a splendid boy and was well liked by the entire community. He was buried in Beulah cemetery by Rev. J. C. Griner.

From Days Gone By Nov. 30,1923

 November 30,1923.

    The official ballot for the city of Wrightsville Democratic White Primary results were: for Mayor T. V. Kent 173, L. E. Parker 76; for councilman M. S. Duggan 184; R. R. Martin 160; I. R. Tanner 153; B. B. Hayes 152; W. F. Outlaw 62.

    Mr. Luther M. Blount officially announced for School Superintendent and Mr. G. B. Harrison for Clerk. Cashier Robert L. Sumner of Dudley is a candidate for School Superintendent of Lauren's County. He was a former School Superintendent for Johnson County some years back.

    During these hard times some were forced into bankruptcy, T. J. Burke, G. C. Carter, Roland R. Doke, Newton D. Smith, John D. Wheeler, T. W. Horton and Charles L. Wilson.

    The Fair owners are called to a meeting with the stockholders. The Fair owes a large debt that is due with no money to pay for the plant built at the fairgrounds. This meeting is to determine what steps to take regarding the property. A revision of the Charter is sought with the idea of increasing the capital stock and paying off the debt so they can go on with the fair next fall.

    The Savannah Fair Association and the Macon Association offered a free trip to the county Agent of Georgia who won the most premiums at those two fairs, the trip to be to Chicago to the International Livestock Show. Johnson County's agent M. E. Crow won both trips taking a decided lead in club records and most premiums at both fairs. This is the second trip for Mr. Crow being the only agent in the state to win back to back trips.

    Agent Crow and D. R. Thomas of the W. & T. Railroad have been busy taking a census of the stumps in the county. Farmers are rallying to this work with the hope that something helpful to them will result.

    Farmer Jesse Anderson of Kite killed a hog that weighed over 700 lbs and from which he obtained seven cans of lard. So far this is a record. Mr. A. W. Hightower, manager of the Kite Ford Company has moved there from Wrightsville. Mr. Oscar L. Smith of Scott is dangerously I'll from pneumonia.

    Mrs. Gatsie Thompson, aged wife of Mr. Dock Thompson, parents of Mrs. G. Frank Sumner, died at the Rev. Sumner's home November 23rd and was buried at the Anthony Cemetery. She was 70 years old.

    Some of the businesses operating in Wrightsville in 1923 were Parker-Price Drug Company, Wrightsville Hardware Co., Stretch-Your-Nickle Store, Wrightsville Grocery Co., City Warehouse, C. C. Blankenship Jeweler & Optometrist, Wrightsville Grain Co., A. F. Flanders Drug Store, The Corner Store, City Tailoring Shop, People's Hardware Co., Johnson County Livestock & Produce, J. W. Brinson Drugs, J. I. Spell, Georgia Grocery Co., T. V. Kent, Hayes Cash Store, Hall Brothers, Kaplans Money Saving Store, Parker-Price Groceries, M. S. Duggan Groceries, Rowland Feed Store, Moye & Co., Farmers Army Store.

    A popular store in town that just opened, the first of it's kind here, is Flanders Five and Ten Cent Store beside the Farmers Bank. It opened Saturday with a rush of customers. Mrs. A. F. Flanders and a number of sales ladies were waiting on customers all day.

From Days Gone By Nov 23,1923

 November 23,1923.

    Mr. C. H. Moore makes his formal announcement for Sheriff. Judge B. B. Blount is being urged to run for Judge of City Court. Mr. Z. T. Houser of Scott is a prospect for Ordinary and B. B. Hayes will run for city council. Congressman W. W. Larson of Dublin was here shaking hands this week.

    Kite Baptist gets the next singing convention in February 1924. Mr. Homer Moore's cane Mill over at Pack Hick's residence has been drawing the city's population this week. Dr. Schwalls of Scott was a sufferer in the disaterous fire's at Scott sometime back, but from the ashes he has erected a modern brick building that is almost complete. Mr. Arthur B. Rowland is adding a large addition to his home on West Elm St.

    Up to Nov. 8th there had been 4,348 bales of cotton ginned here as against 4,112 up to the same time last year. Wintering cattle in Johnson County fields is a growing business and will mean a revolution in farming to a certain extent here. Hog raising, cattle raising and chicken raising are things that continue to profit here.

    Lumbering in this county has brought in a big sum of ready money which has helped a great deal. That and the sale of hogs, cows and chickens, eggs and milk have saved alot of folks.

    Celebrating with birthday dinners this week were Mr. L. D. Downs and Mr. Riley Frost.

    The basketball season for Wrightsville opened Friday night in the Kennedy building against Vidalia with Vidalia beating the Redjackets 29 to 28.

    Mr. James B. Hutchinson of near Adrian died at his home Nov. 20th having been sick but a very short time. Not many know of his illness until he passed. He was a highly respected citizen and belonged to one of the largest families in those parts. Rev. George W. Hutchinson the Methodist preacher was his nephew. He is related to most everybody in that part of the county and for 40 years has taken a leading part in the social, religious and educational interests around his home. He was born July 17,1857, being 66 years old. He was a member of Poplar Springs for more than 45 years. His wife and four children survived him, the children being Mrs. George Webb, Mrs. Willie Palmer, Miss Maro Hutchinson and Mr. Ralph Hutchinson. He was buried at Poplar Springs.

    The funeral services for Mr. John R. Wilson will be at Liberty Grove Sunday by Rev. Stephen's of Kite.

    Selfishness and penuriousness won't shine. They rust and decay, eat up the vitals of prosperity and destroy the stomach of optimism. You'll always find a few people ready. The others are hangers on, waiting for something to turn up.

From Days Gone By Nov. 16,1923

 November 16,1923.

    The county primary was set for Jan. 16,1924, and quailfiying ends Dec. 15th. Meeks was given a biting place in the Pullen Dist. by the Executive Committee. The candidates for the offices of Ordinary, Clerk, Sheriff, Tax Collector, Judge and Solicitor of City Court were assessed at $12.50 each. For Tax Receiver and School Superintendent $10 each. The Coroner pays in just one wheel to the clerk.

    The city primary is Nov. 27th, the last date to qualify is Nov. 24th. All registered voters having paid their state, county and city taxes and are city residents can vote. The fee for Mayor is $7.50 and $2.00 for councilman.

    Mr. J. Nat Riner announces for Tax Collector, U. R. Jenkins for Ordinary, Dr. J. W. Flanders for Ordinary, W. C. Brinson for Judge. C. H. Moore is urged to run for Sheriff and C. M. Schwalls is still thinking about it. Dr. D. C. Harrison of Kite, representative for Johnson in the Ga. Legislature was home shaking hands.

    Sewerage in Wrightsville will soon be an actuality. The big ditching machine has been at work all week. As fast as a line is dug the piping is placed at the bottom. With this construction co., barring accidents or bad weather, will have the entire system installed long before the time expires for it. Carloads of piping have been laid in the streets all over the city and more is enroute. When it is all in you are going to see property worth more, people are going to be more anxious than ever to come here and from a health standpoint it will be a better place to dwell.

    Mr. Sidney F. Smith, President of the Johnson County Singing Convention says Arline Chapel will have the next sing next Sunday. There will be a negro minstrel at Adrian High School next Friday. It will be played by the Dudley Minstrel made up of the best talent around. Mr. Lucious Attaway and family have moved here from Savannah.

    Kite is growing. Kite is booming. Business is good and getting better. Just a few of the businesses now operating in Kite are: The Star Trading Co.; City Drug Store, J. B. Claxton Groceries, Kite Motor Co. dealer in Ford's, and Fordson tractors, J. M. Johnson dry goods, L. D. Lindsey groceries, George W. Brantley groceries, The Citizens Bank, Neal & Stephenson coffins and caskets, and The Farmers Gin Co.

    City Court does big business this week. Liquor cases tried thick and fast with verdicts reached in many cases.

    Mr. Dewey Hall who just moved to Bartow, Fla. was injured in a head on collision throwing him through the windshield. But ole Dewey is improving. Willie Lindsey, a worker for J. H. Rowland fell with his horse while driving some cows with W. M. Shurling and was bruised really bad. Mr. Lindsey is manager for Mr. Rowland's farm.

    Judge & Mrs. Alonzo Lee Hatcher daughter Pauline, will marry Laudice D. Lovett. Miss Emilie Roempler Jaeckel and A. Turner Clarke were married Nov 5th. Miss Maude Snider & Thomas Whitfield married last Saturday.

    Mr. Henry T. Downs and family came from Carr's Station to bury their little grandson, George Dewey Downs, Jr. at Union Hill. Dr. W. H. Stewart, 84, died at his daughter's, Mrs. Leila O. Daley. He was buried in Westview. He was an Atlanta resident for 15 years but practiced in Bartow just after the Civil War. He moved to Wrightsville and was in the merchantile business for a while before moving back to Atlanta.

    Mr. E. N. Hitchcock of the Ga. Grocery Co. here has the largest cheese ever brought to Wrightsville. It weighs 350 pounds and he will cut it on Dec. 1st.