From Days Gone By April 11,1925

 April 11,1925.

    The Kite people are highly praised for their success in taking care of the school meet held there last Friday. They did it all right and fed 1600 people, some said the number was 2000. Wrightsville led with 71 points; Kite second with 63, Adrian 38 and honorable mention was made of Scott, Meeks, Rehobeth, and Edge Hill.

    The Williams Furniture Co. has just added musical instruments to their line of furniture stock. The Johnson-Washington Singing Convention will meet at Bethel next week.

   Mr. & Mrs. Arlie C. Price announced a fine little daughter on March 29th.

    Mrs. J. N. Hall died at the family home after a short illness. She was a daughter of Mr. & Mrs. George Braswell, has one whole sister, Mrs. Wylie Sammons; and two half brothers, Henry and Willie Braswell. She has been married 23 years and the mother of three sons and three daughters. She was 41 and buried in Westview. Her husband and the young son, both very sick, could not attend the funeral.

    Mrs. Willie Sanford Daley, widow of the late Judge A. F. Daley, died at her home on West Elm Street April 3rd from a brief illness. Mrs. Daley was a daughter of Mr. & Mrs. T. C. Howard and was born in 1856.

    Mrs. Daley was violently ill two or three days and her death was expected. She was a faithful member of the Methodist Church. She was buried in Westview.

    Her children are Mrs. Judge J. E. Burch, Mrs. Rev. W. H. Burford, Mrs. J. Edison Varner, Messrs. Elmer, Millard, Fred, Russell and Comer Daley. Ex-congressman William Schley Howard of Atlanta was her brother.

    The local banks released their statement of condition. The Farmers Bank, $126,295.48; The Bank of Adrian, $80,902.97; The Citizens Bank of Kite, $135,014.90; Exchange Bank, $329,847.28; Bank of Wrightsville, $370,329.91.

From Days Gone By April 4,1925

 April 4,1925.

    J. J. Tanner, farm overseer for C. G. Rawlings, was found guilty in the murder of Gus Tarbutton. The Judge immediately sentenced him to life imprisonment. Tanner was silent both before and following the sentence. He was carried to the Dublin jail awaiting a motion for a new trial.

    Judge Camp overruled the motion for a change of venue by Rawlings lawyers, whereupon they filed a motion with the Court of Appeals. The bill of exceptions acted as a superedeas, staying any further action in this famous case by the Judge and Court until it could be passed by the higher tribunal.

    Thomas W. Hardwick presented the change of venue motion contending an impartial jury cannot be obtained in Johnson, that threats of violence had been made against Rawlings. The State contends all the allegations of threats of violence were denied that there had never been the slightest danger of violence against Rawlings in Johnson. The Judge agreed. There is no cause to suspect the defendant could not get a fair trial. Rawlings had been here, travelled in and out among the people alot since the murder, and mingled with large crowds unmolested and he had friends here that defend him in this case that don't believe he did what he is accused of.

    Mayor Cook designated a Spring-Cleanup Week for the city. Another car load of hogs was sold here by Agent Crow totalling $1,874.44 paid to the participating Farmers in the county.

    State Game Wardens are on the job trying to keep fish from needless destruction. A single charge of dynamite, while killing a few larger fish, destroys thousands and sometimes millions of little ones. A reward of $25 is offered for the arrest and conviction of every person caught dynamiting or poisoning fish in Georgia streams.

    Mrs. Freeman Pool died last week at Donovan. She was a daughter of Mr. & Mrs. W. S. Price of Harrison. She was buried at Beulah.

From Days Gone By March 28,1925

 March 28,1925.

    Johnson Superior Court reconvened Monday with Judge R. Earl Camp. The courthouse was packed. C. G. Rawlings came in with son Willie Fred Rawlings and his council.

    Following the short trial of a whiskey case, Solicitor Kea called Rawlings-Tanner case and after calling witnesses the State announced ready, whereupon the defense asked who they would try first. Judge Kent replied Tanner would be on trial first and announced ready. Judge Camp ordered 48 jurors called. The case started at 10:45 am.

    Five jurors were secured by the noon hour, Wiley Riner, Ellie Foskey, J. J. Harrison, E. A. Willis and M. O. Hutchinson out of 36 called. Following the recess the rest of the jury was called including G. C. Reese, L. D. Lindsey, J. C. Renfroe, N. L. Mimbs, Cleon Norris, T. W. Belote and L. B. Smith.

    The first witness was Lewis Stephens, the negro hole digger. Mrs. T. I. Young testified of her reaching the body and how it was taken from the scene to the home. J. D. Bush, local undertaker told of finding powder stains on the back of Tarbutton's head. Noah Covington testified being at the spring between the two high bluffs and seeing Tanner throw the gun to his shoulder and fire the load into the back of Tarbutton's head and how he got away from the scene.

    Timberman James C. Alexander told of going there and finding the three men just 15 minutes prior to the shot. Court adjourned about 7pm and reconvened at 9 Tuesday morning. The jury was under guard all night and Rawlings locked in jail.

    The State called Grady Cox, W. E. Price, Rube Bray and Mell Brantley who testified as to different angles of the case. Thos. J. Peters, agent for Southern States Life Ins. swore his company had $150,000 on Tarbutton's life, $40,000 was double indemnity and Rawlings paid the premiums. C. M. Adams, agent of Prudential had a $50,000 double indemnity and Tarbutton & Rawlings beneficiaries. Dr. Eugene Harris, Dr. Herschel Rhinehart and Ben A. Hooks testified about the bauxite connections. The State concluded about 4pm.

    The defense started with impeachment testimony as to Claud L. Brown who said Tanner came to him saying that Rawlings wanted Tanner to do something that would mean a good deal of money to him. Witness after witness was put on the stand to impeach Brown. Then the defense tried to impeach the only said-to-be eye witness to the homicide, Noah Covington. This brought so much amusement the Judge threatened to clear the court room. Three Emanual Co. Ex-Sheriffs testified, Otis Coleman, S. S. Moore and Coursey. T. J. Burke and Geo. Snell of Scott said they wouldn't believe Noah. The court recessed for the night.

   Wednesday morning, one witness, Mrs. Silas Fortner died during the night and her testimony was read into the record. The defense continued attacking Covington's testimony with statements that Noah was elsewhere Feb. 17th. Sidney F. Smith, Herman Smith, Olin Kindon and Tom Layton testified Noah wasn't there.

    E. A. Douglas, Surveyor, Tom E. Jenkins and E. O. Snell testified as to making a survey and plat of the homicide scene. The defense went on yesterday evening with other testimony. The whole of tomorrow will likely be consumed by the trial.

From Days Gone By March 21,1925

 March 21,1925.

    The March Term Superior Court convened. Monday and Tuesday consumed civil business including divorce cases. Tuesday afternoon the Grand Jury returned a True Bill against J. J. Tanner and C. G. Rawlings charging them with the murder of Gus A. Tarbutton on the banks of the Oconee River. Sheriff Claxton notified Sheriff English asking to have Rawlings arrested. Wednesday morning Rawlings was not located. They may be tried next Monday.

    Chas. Molony, President of the Central of Georgia subsidiary lines, which include the W. & T., states prosperous times are ahead for the railroads. The lumber business and farm products are a great help to the road.

    In Georgia there are 8 fine Jersey cows considered champions by the American Jersey Cattle Club. Of these 8, Johnson County holds one of them. At Donovan is Financial's Southern Rose, age 4 years, 2 months; milk pounds 12,285 lbs; fat pounds 667.07, owned by Mr. Wm. Jackson. His cow ranks 4th in Georgia.

    Murrah Brown Meeks, 35, of Suffolk, Va. died of pneumonia. He was the third son of Silas Meeks of this county. He was buried in Norfolk.

    J. F., Jr. the 13 year old son of Mr. & Mrs. Frank Rowland, living out near Mr. E. J. Sumner's county home, died Monday afternoon after a 24 hour illness. He was buried at Piney Mount.

    A bad state of affairs existed at the home of Mr. & Mrs. Charlie P. Simpson all last week, event after event happening until Fridày night when Mrs. Simpson, the wife and mother of 11 children died.

    A teacher residing at Mr. E. J. Sumner's home had whipped a little son of the Simpsons and Monday the parents went to Sumner's home to see the teacher about the thrashing. Upon arrival the woman attacked the young lady teacher and dealt with her unmerçifully.

    The teacher came to town Tuesday and had warrant's issued and before the Sheriff could perfect bonds the woman became very sick. Doctors in attendance said she was mentally deranged. Fever went up on her and as the days passed she grew steadily worse until Friday she died.

   The death certificate stated Mrs. India Josephine Simpson died of pernicious malaria with predominating nervous symptoms. She was 48. Mr. Simpson is the Sawyer at Sumner's mill. She was taken to Gainesville, Ga. her old home. The teacher was able to continue her teaching duties.

From Days Gone By March 14,1925

 March 14, 1925.

    The March Term of Superior Court will convene next Monday. The Grand Jury will convene and it is expected the recent death of Gus Tarbutton will throughly be gone over.

    The Bank of Adrian is on sound footing again. It was organized Monday with all the new stock and money in hand. Morris T. Riner was chosen president, Dr. G. E. Youmans and Dr. J. R. Rogers, vice-presidents. Besides these three the Board of Directors will include H. C. Williams, Z. T. Houser, G. A. Fountain and Aubrey Harrison. J. L. Mercer will be cashier.

    The Intermediate Credit Corporation, a branch of the Federal Land Bank, has begun operations in Wrightsville. It will be headquartered at the Farmers Bank. W. C. Brinson and R. B. Bryan will be available to make loans.

    Judge J. L. Kent is having his residence placed back, only a one-story building being erected on the part of the frame saved from the recent fire.

    Mayor James M. Cook is determined to stop the disorder and drunkenness in town. A common drunk costs $10 to $20, drunk and disorderly $25 to $40, fighting anywhere from $10 to $25. These are for first offenses.

    Wrightville High will be represented in the 12th District basketball tournament at Cochran.

    Prof. & Mrs. C. A. Shealy of Harrison announced the marriage of their sister, Miss Grace Crawford to Mr. Lucius Haddock of Fort Valley. She is a daughter of Mr. & Mrs. J. M. Crawford. Haddock is a well to do peach farmer.

    Mr. & Mrs. Osley M. Sumner lost their 19 month old babe, Dennis Madison Sumner from a short illness. He was buried in Westview.

    Mrs. W. W. Anthony died at her home on North Marcus street Saturday morning from paralysis. She was 73 and her maiden name was Samples of Alabama. She was a Methodist. She was the mother of Rev. Walter Anthony, seven daughters, Mrs. A. S. Davis, Mrs. S. A. Hearn, Mrs. D. G. Blount, Mrs. B. J. Moye, Mrs  Walter Folsom, Mrs. Mae Parker and a Miss Anthony. She was buried in the Anthony cemetery next to her husband W. W. Anthony.

    RFD carrier M. E. Woods died at his North Marcus street home Friday afternoon from pneumonia. Woods moved here from Ridgeland, S. C. He was in the auto business here and a soldier in the World War. His wife and three children survive him. He was a Mason of the Knights Templar's degree. A delegation of the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan paid a tribute at the grave. He was a member of the Christian Church.

From Days Gone By March 7,1925

 March 7, 1925.

    Mr. J. H. McWhorter who was postmaster here before the late J. F. Renfroe, was appointed that position again. Otis M. and Pauline Denton filed for divorce. Miss Opal Preston wed Mr. A. D. Snell, youngest son of Mr. & Mrs. Beve Snell. On Feb. 12th Mr. & Mrs. W. T. Brantley lost their little girl, Bessie Blanche. She was buried at Beulah. Mr. James J. Snell died at 68 and was buried in the family cemetery.

    Ernest Rich, the white Sawyer for Rowland Saw Mill who was wounded in the duel with Deotis Heath has died. He was taken home to Soperton and buried at Harmony Church. Most likely Heath will not be charged.

    M. F. Drake, L. C., seized a 19 model Ford Roadster that was used to transport whiskey into the county and had whiskey in it when seized. The owner is unknown. It will be sold at public auction.

    Court opened Friday in the Tanner-Tarbutton commitment trial. Justice's Wheeler, Williams and Harrison disqualified themselves from hearing the case. Court was recessed till after lunch to give Sheriff Claxton time to find another Judge. Three were seated, Judges Jim Miller, Jim T. Drake and T. I. Pope.

    Lewis Stephens was the first witness called. The court house never held a crowd this large. Many left because they couldn't get inside. Tanner remained in jail. Rawlings was released but stayed in court.

    The only evidence put up Saturday morning was a statement by Mr. C. G. Rawlings. The defendant said, in part:

    "Gentlemen, I don't know exactly what to say. That day when I got the reports I went to Gus Tarbutton's, he wasn't home. I went to the mill with Fluker where Gus was eating his lunch.  He then got in the car, we both asked Fluker to go but his teeth bothered him and didn't feel well. Gus told Fluker to tell his wife he wouldn't be back for sometime, then we left for Tanner's house. His wife or daughter said he had gone to dig the holes we had told him to dig down on the river. Then we went on to the place. When there we blowed the horn. Gus was reading over the analysis when Tanner came up. We all walked back, I was behind them. When we got to the first hole, Gus got in the hole getting samples, Tanner stood on one side and I on the other. Gus handed Tanner his hand and got out. About that time Alexander came up and introduced himself to Gus. They talked land lines and timber lease and then Alexander moved on. Another thing brought out yesterday about insurance. I owed a good deal of money and owed a good deal since 1920 and those policies were taken out to help mine and His credit. He suggested taking them out, not me. There was nobody in the world that thought more of Gus Tarbutton than I did, not a man living (here Rawlings broke down and wept) I raised him, I was his guardian when he was a boy growing up, that's about all I know about it. When this took place we were going down a hill and Gus was ahead, Tanner next then me. I'm not sure how far behind I was cause I can't walk good. Mr. Tanner remarked to me just before the gun fired he said, "Mr. Charlie don't you fall coming down this hill". I was looking where I was walking and heard the gun fire and I looked and saw Tanner on the ground and Gus was falling."