From Days Gone By Dec. 12,1925

 December 12,1925.

    The State Highway road building force just completed the long wooden bridge on Route 15 across the Ohoopee River at Mason's Springs, 2 miles out of town and the straight road built by them is now in use. This is a marked improvement for Route 15 and is now in fine shape from the city to Dublin and the new route is 2 miles shorter than the route via Lovett.

    The city of Kite is growing fast these days, much new business and residences being put up. This has been ongoing for several months. Besides those already mentioned Mr. Z. W. Claxton, Mr. Milledge Anderson and Rev. W. F. Chambless have completed new homes, Chambless built a brick home in front of the school building. Jimmie Anderson and Dr. J. A. Meeks finished their homes. Mr. S. D. Howard, the large turpentine dealer has completed 2 large houses, one for himself and one for his foreman. He also built a new commissary and barn for his stock. Mr. Ernest Claxton completed his Bee Line filling station being run by Brice Anderson.

   Kite is also planting shade trees in the middle of all the streets and will build new streets and have a drive to the right way along all of them. President Coolidge sent the name of Mr. Henry J. Claxton to the U. S. Senate to be confirmed as Postmaster at Kite.

    Mr. W. H. Lovett started cutting the large timber holdings he owns in Dodge County and has put in a new sawmill there. This is one of the largest timber tracts left in this region and will take several years to cut and process.

    There is widespread interest in a bond issue for Johnson to build roads and bridges of the county and to get assistance to put the Bee Line bridge across the Oconee River at Ball's Ferry.

    The patrons of Rehobeth and Greenhill Consolidated Schools are erecting a new building. The home on the Walker place owned by Ben Roy Spell burned to the ground. A colored family occupied the house and they lost everything. Mr. Tom W. Raley is building a new home this side his father, W. H. Raley. Cane grinding is about over with not much syrup being made this season owing to the extreme dry weather of the summer.

    A 1925 big Six Buick coupe with three occupants, men, stopped in town to fix a tire then drove toward Dublin. At the cemetery the same tire went flat again and the driver returned afoot to have it fixed again. Chief Spell had been watching their actions around the station and things just didn't look right. He went up to the car and the boys talked freely but the driver wouldn't say anything or look at Spell. As the Chief went around that car the driver took off on 3 tires and a rim leaving the boys. Chief Spell took the boys back to the station where the driver left the car and left town afoot. He has never been seen since. He is thought to be a Copeland and the boys said he acted strangely all the way from Anderson, S. C. where the boys caught a ride on the way to Florida. After some calls the boys story checked out and the car's owner from Sumter said the driver had stole the car.

    A shooting affray took place between George Beasley and Swain Anderson near their homes in the east part of the county, Swain shooting Beasley with a shotgun. He was shot in the face down to the waist and right side. Dr. Harrison sent him to Sandersville. Sheriff Claxton was called to the scene.

    Earlier Sheriff Claxton made a wholesale raid in the quarters Saturday night at the house of Anna Tarver and found her snugged in a backroom with a lot of pint bottles of shine. Four men were also arrested for gambling in the same house.

    J. J. Tanner, waiting on his new trial is asking for bond because he is sick with angina pectoris and says he not getting proper care in jail here. The bond will be fought by the State.

    Mr. James M. Neal of Kite is in bad condition from a stroke. Mr. & Mrs. James T. Miller had a fine daughter born.

From Days Gone By Dec. 5,1925

 December 5,1925.

    The slogan chosen for Wrightsville is "We Do Things". It is the production submitted by Mrs. W. L. Thompson. This slogan was chosen by three judges as the best suited for our city. This slogan will be widely used for advertising the city far and wide.

    Tax Collector J. Nat Riner has a long needed addition to his office in the courthouse building a railing and counter to handle his books and files.

    The Georgia Southern Power Company is putting in new machinery for lighting Wrightsville in the future. A 25 kw generator and a 150 hp Skinner engine are in place.

    County Agent Crow urges Farmers to stump their lands while times are good. He will have 1600 lbs of Pyrotol here by the 10th being furnished by the government. It costs $9.50 per 100 lbs with 100 caps to 100 lbs of Pyrotol.

    Mr. E. W. Tanner and family have moved to town from a few miles out to South Marcus Street. It has been 18 years since he lived in the city. Mr. C. T. Colston opened a grocery business in the store where Jack Robinson kept his jewelry and pressing club for many years. Filing for bankruptcy are James Lee Tapley and T. L. Price.

    Mrs. Dr. M. D. L. Peacock died at home in Kite from pneumonia and was buried in the city cemetery. Dr. Peacock, 3 daughters and 2 sons survive. They are Mrs. G. R. Bedingfield, Mrs. Dr. Meeks, Mrs. Laura Pen, Hines and Roscoe.

    Mr. Mark Jenkins, a brother of Ordinary U. R. Jenkins, died at his home at Stucky from paraylisis. He was 61 and survived by his wife, 3 sons and 2 daughters. He was buried at Glenwood.

    Mr. Allen Page, a county landmark died from paralysis. He was a few days from turning 76. His widow, 2 sons and 5 daughter's survive.

    Mr. Elton Brantley lost his little son, James who was 9. Dr. Bedingfield attended him during his short illness. Dr. Bray was also called in but no doctor could save him. He was buried at Beulah.

    On Dec. 15th Miss Verna Myrtle Johnson of Mobile will wed Odes Eugen Hall. She is daughter of Mr. & Mrs. George Wallace Johnson of Alabama. He is a son of Mr. & Mrs. J. N. Hall of this county.

    The Jackson Farms at Donovan sold a bunch of fine milk cows to T. L. Salter of Columbus. The cattle going to a dairy farm in Florida. There were 17 of the best milkers of the Jackson dairy and averaged $125 each.

    A letter from the Station Hospital, Fort Benning, Ga. which read like a moving picture but is a true story. Mr. Jack Van McClintock, a soldier friend of Johnson County son, William H. Frank's, wrote of his friend. The jest of the story is,

    " About 2 weeks ago while performing his duties as first aid man to the troops of the 29th Infantry on the firing range, he heard the screaming of a female voice. Turning to look he saw a horse dashing at full speed with it's Rider and the reins dangling loose as the horse was out of control. Dropping his first aid kit he was like the God of Speed. 'Mercury', out in the road, as the horse sped by he leaped in time to hang on to the horse's neck. In a few paces the horse tripped and fell upon Franks. The whole regiment came to the scene with an ambulance to take him to the hospital. Among his injuries were his left arm broken, his lower right leg broken and a few other minor injuries. At present he is recovering well. As for the run-a-way rider. It turned out to be a young maiden of the Post and she was fortunate enough to receive not a scratch. She is doing her part to cheer our hero daily."

From Days Gone By Nov. 28,1925

 November 28,1925.

    What is the best slogan for the city of Wrightville? It must not have over three words in it. It must be written on paper with your name, and turned in at Brinson's Drug Store. The Wrightville Commercial Club will appoint a three person committee to choose the best slogan from these contributors. Whoever's slogan is chosen will be awarded five dollars.

    The city primary was held Tuesday with three councilmen seats to fill. The top three vote getters won the seats. M. S. Duggan, 148; I. R. Tanner, 117; J. A. Hall, 112; E. V. Harris,109; R. R. Martin, 109; W. Frank Outlaw, 92. For mayor, James M. Cook won unopposed with 217 votes.

    The stockholders of the Fair Association met and re-elected it's officers and directors. W. H. Lovett and O. H. Tompkins were named to the board. The other directors holding on except Morris Riner and Z. T. Houser. W. P. Bedingfield is president, R. R. Martin VP, J. M. Cook, manager and C. D. Roundtree, secretary.

    The opening of the Jefferson Davis highway bridge across the Chattahoochee at Eufaula, Ala. will be held Dec. 15th. This route will connect the two former capital's of the Confederacy, Richmond and Montgomery. The highway in Georgia travels through Richmond, Jefferson, Johnson, Lauren's, Dodge, Wilcox, Ben Hill, Irwin, Turner, Worth, Dougherty, Terrell, Clay and Whitman counties.

    Ordinary Jenkins paid the Old Soldiers and widows their pensions this week. There are 53 pensioners on the county list. The city is doing much needed repairs to the streets and alleys.

    Rev. Samuel T. Samms, a colored Methodist preacher here died of appendicitis. He had been sick over a week. He had just come here from Soperton and had preached only one sermon. He was buried at Upatoi, Ga.

    Mr. Thad Frost died at home Nov. 10th. He was buried at Gumlog and was survived by a wife and seven children.

    Mrs. Missouri Ivey, born March 7th 1853 died Nov. 8th. Born in Glascock Co. and married in 1873 to Dennis Ivey of that county. They moved to Johnson in 1880 then later to Lauren's where she died. She had 11 children. Those living were W. R., J. H., C. D., V. T. and J. G. Ivey. Daughters, Lula Spell, Mattie Spivey, Minnie Toler and Mollie Lumley. She was buried at Bay Springs.

    Three couples were recently married by Judge John S. Wheeler. Miss Linnie Dee Cordy to Hoke Smith Tapley Nov. 15th. Ethel Hawkins to Floyd Powell. Addie Johnson to Rascie Horton.

    Judge Camp ruled in the State vs Charlie Rawlings requesting a new trial. The judge denied Rawlings appeal. He will now appeal to the higher court.

    At the residence of Judge Johnnie Bray, six miles west of town last Thursday night was an accident that made Judge Bray a victim and seriously wounding his two boys. Judge Bray died Friday afternoon. Bray and his two sons, John Jr., 12, and Hallie, 5, went to the garage to put gas into his auto. John Jr. carried the lantern and held it for his father to pour the gas. In some way the gas ignited and flames covered the father and spread to one of the boys and on the car. All three were badly burned. The younger boy was caught in the flames as he ran out by them. Judge Bray was burned waist down and arms and hands, John Jr. on both hands, thigh and face.

    Mr. Ostell Bray, a brother to Judge Bray described how had hard it was to remove their clothes from their bodies. Mr. Bray was buried at Bethel church. A wife and six children survived. He was a son of C. T. Bray. His brothers were Chas. T. , Nat F., Dr. Hershel, and Ostell. Sisters were Mrs. Cliff H. Martin, Mrs. Remus Hutchinson, Mrs. H. H. Hampton and Miss Geneva Bray.

From Days Gone By Nov. 21,1925

 November 21,1925.

    Next Tuesday is Wrightsville's election for mayor and three councilmen. B. B. Hayes, R. H. Rowland and H. T. Johnson will continue for another year. M. S. Duggan, R. R. Martin and I. R. Tanner's seats are up this time.

    The city of Wrightville is undergoing an advertisement campaign to the traveling world. Road signs, pointers, auto name plates, and maps are being purchased at the urging of the Commercial Club. The auto tags will be furnished to every auto of the city. Maps will be given to tourists at filling stations and road pointers will be put up all over the country. The Jeff Davis and Bee-Line highways will be well marked.

    In a rousing meeting of the Commercial Club, they are going all out indorsing the proposed tomato canning plant.

    Judge Camp heard the motion for a new trial in the case of the State vs Charles G. Rawlings. The decision is expected soon. The defense offered 9 counts in their appeal for  new trial. Of course the State rebutted this.

    Miss Bessie Hadden and Mr. Walter Hall were married on the 15th. She is a daughter of Mr. Ben L. Hadden, the groom being a son of Mr. Manning Hall.

    Mrs. Fannie Stephens, wife of Henry Stephens, died Nov. 13th after a lengthy illness with the last few days spent in the hospital. Her funeral was at Rehobeth. She was born Sept. 1860, a daughter of Mr. J. R. G. & Mrs. Julia Underwood. She married Mr. Stephens Dec. 3,1884.

    A bad cutting affray took place 5 miles south of Kite last Thursday about supper time. Charlie Tanner, a white married man of 30 years old, is in jail on assault with attempt to murder one Otis Jackson, a white, single man about 21. Jackson is in Dublin hospital from knife wounds and cuts.

    The cutting took place at Jackson's home where he lives with his aged mother on Mr. Henry Wheeler's place. Tanner came over there from his home on the Bascom Tapley Farm.

    The two boys have been friends for years but wound up fighting in the yard. After more than three years of friendship they had been drinking all afternoon. Streams of blood after the fight had Jackson struggling to the front Piazza and fell on it, calling on his mother for help.

    Dr. Lee W. Wheeler of Kite tried to sew him up but the cuts were too deep and numorous, one most dangerous was across the stomach from hip to hip. He is in a real bad fix.

    A warrant was sworn out for Tanner and Sheriff Claxton went to Tanner's home and arrested him. He had a slash on his coat supposed to have been made by a knife in the hands of Jackson. There were no eye witness to the fight.

From Days Gone By Nov. 14,1925

 November 14,1925.

    The Commercial Club of Wrightsville will meet at the city council chambers to consider the largest proposition to ever come before it. It concerns a $30,000 investment for the city and county, to be put here by foreign capital to operate the Enterprise. A wealthy syndicate is considering coming to Johnson to establish a large tomato canning and packing plant and will do it providing the people of the county grow tomatoes in large quantities.

    The county Fair came to a successful conclusion with good weather and large crowds day and night. Congressman W. W. Larson delivered an address on Friday and he distribution $400 club prize money to the boys and girls who one at the three big state fairs. Mr. W. T. Johnson's little son, Rosco, won the spelling bee and Mrs. W. A. Brooks won the grown folks spelling bee.

    John Walker, colored man sent up from Tattnall County, is to be a free man Saturday night. John has been in the county chain gang for thirteen and a half years. John was charged with voluntary manslaughter in Tattnall for killing a white man named Bub Rogers, a farmer of that county. He was found guilty and sentenced to 18 years. He is said to have cut Rogers to death. He spent his whole time on Johnson's gang. He got four and a half years off for good behavior, for he has been a good workman and behaved himself. John says he doesn't want to go back to Tattnall but aims to work on in this section with the highway forces. He is now 29 and was barely 17 when he was sentenced. His last few days have been spent in the court house and on the countys property doing general cleaning.

    The November Term of City Court convened Monday. A full dozen guilty pleas were recorded and Judge Blount assessed fines. Most were white defendants. Fines ranged from $25 to $50. Three were tried by jury and we're acquitted. Two others were found guilty.

    Around Lawson K. Derisaw, a colored citizen of some wild ideas, gathered two heated legal battles this week. Monday, Derisaw was up for cotton stealing and was the Victor, the jury turning him free. Tuesday he was again areigned by Solicitor Rowland on a charge of cruelty to animals. On this Derisaw was found guilty.

    A jury convicted Tom Cain on a whiskey charge. In a civil case the Gatlin estate was plaintiff and W. N. Snell defendant, the question lying around the ownership of a mule.

    Mrs. L. J. Reynolds died at her home in Mt. Vernon November 7th. She was buried at the Hall cemetery here. She was a daughter of Mrs. Julia Hall and a sister to Mr. Dewey Hall. She was 35 and survived by her husband and two children.

    Two prominent real estate men of Florida returned home here for a stay. They are Stacy and Howard Johnson, who have made it good in the real estate business. Their father is Mr. E. A. W. Johnson.