From Days Gone By August 11, 1932

 August 11, 1932.

    After a Coroner's investigation over the body of Mr. C. D. Henderson, country storekeeper and planter on the Oliver estate, seven miles west of Wrightsville, was determined as suicide. Broken over the depression, he went into the schoolhouse yard at Union School, parked just over the hill, hidden from the road, he shot a 32 pistol bullet through his head and his body fell over lifeless. A note was found at his feet indicating he might end his life but making no such open declaration. The shot was heard about 9am but it was about 1:30pm when he was found by some young boys. He left a wife and nine children. He was born May 20, 1878 at Mitchell, Georgia and his father was Wade Hampton Henderson. He was taken back to Glascock County for burial.

    Mr. G. B. Dunlap, salesman of the city, his daughter Nannelle with her visitor, Miss Rose Furman of South Carolina, had a close call while returning from Macon. Dunlap was forced from the road by an approaching car about 12 miles from Sandersville. Miss Furman was cut and bruised about the face. The car was badly wrecked.

    Mrs. R. L. Stephens left for Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York city for merchandise for the R. L. Stephens Store here. The family of Mr. James M. Anderson celebrated his 76th birthday at Kite. Mr. & Mrs. Johnnie M. Johnson of Kite had a son on July 24th. Mrs. J. T. Harrison fell down her steps and sprained her ankle very badly. She is about 43 years old.

    The large residence on North Marcus Street of the late W. C. Tompkins, was rented by Miss Bertie Dickens for a boarding house to be called the Dickens House. It has been in operation as a boarding house for 29 years.

    A Laurens County colored man tells that coons can be caught because they will get drunk if you leave peaches soaked in moonshine where they can get to it. This goes to disprove the theory that animals were more intelligent than humans. Both of them are not intelligent enough to let whiskey alone.

    Business may come and business may go, but gentlemen the gasoline business is going on forever. There doesn't seem to be anything we or anyone else can do about it, but we call attention to the fact the price of gasoline in Johnson County is still too high, especially when considered that it can be bought for much less in neighboring counties.

    Political candidates speaking in the county were Col. R. I. Stephens for Solicitor-General Dublin circuit; Hon. W. W. Larson for Judge Dublin circuit; Hon. R. F. Burch for Commissioner of Agriculture; Hoke O'Kelley for Governor; Jule Felton for Georgia Public Service Commissioner.

    The difference between the Republican and Democratic platforms is that the Republicans were very careful not to commit themselves too strongly on the questions before the people, one of their henchmen having declared that their prohibition plank was designed to please both the wets and the drys, as it completely straddled. The Democratic platform is unmistakenly clear and comprehensive, and there is no evasion of the issues that must be decided at the ballot box. The result will be an overwhelming victory for Roosevelt and Garner on the 8th of November. It is predicted that they will receive a majority in 40 of the 48 states, and may gain some of the 8.

    The Constitution has said that "in nearly every case when you exclaim,'There ought to be a law against that!' if you'll look it up, you'll find there is", It has been well said that it is one of the curses of the country today.

From Days Gone By Aug. 4, 1932

 August 4, 1932.

    On Tuesday night around midnight, three or four colored folks entered Mr. & Mrs. J. Carl Claxton, just across Cedar Creek, and sacked up three fine turkeys. Policeman Garland Mayo saw them about 3 am with the sacks and suspected some sort of robbery. When they saw him they dropped the sacks and ran. The next morning Mr. Claxton obtained a warrant for Hozie and Horace Fields, and Albert and Buddy Trawick for simple larceny.

    Continuing their operations, meat thieves broke into the smokehouse of Marvin Jarrell and stole half a hog. On Friday night at Donovan, Mr. John M. Tyson who lives on the county line, lost about 200 pounds of hog meat from his smokehouse. A warrant was obtained for Bill Davis, colored.

    The Red Cross delivered 150 barrels of flour to the county to benefit around 175 families to help with the depression. When a man earned $100 a month just a short while ago, but lost his job on account of the depression, is willing to work for even just enough to pay his board, it is a pretty sure sign that he'll get a job somewhere.

    The depression is coming home to us more every day. For instance, take the old-fashioned two-wheel horse cart -- its the "Hoover" cart now, we believe -- that is coming back into existence and if that, along with the buggies that can be seen every day parked in their old once-reserved places, is not a sure sign. And another feature which more strongly brings the depression home is the fact that most of the "Hoover" carts are equipped in part, if not complete, with parts of automobiles that once adorned the farms and homes with pride and satisfaction.

    Mr. Dick Smith, from the Buckeye area is recovering from a rattlesnake bite while on a fishing trip. Mr. Dewey Downs of Dexter narrowly escaped death when lightning ran into their home. He was on the front porch at the time. Mr. Clint Smith of Scott area brings in the first open cotton bowl of the season.

    Dr. Thomas Lamar Harris celebrates his 70th birthday. A pioneer physician and minister of the county, originally from Sandersville. He has 9 children, 31 greats and 2 great greats. Mr. & Mrs. Alex Mayo celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on July 26th. Mr. & Mrs. Ray Barnes had a son on July 24th.

    Congressman Carl Vinson of Milledgeville will address the voters of the county at the Kite schoolhouse. Ordinary Flanders receives a check for the county for $3,509.82 for its portion of the gas tax. The paper urges the city officials to have an Ant Extermination Day.

    A new ferry boat has been put into operation at Ball's Ferry. This is the only place between Milledgeville and Dublin where automobiles can cross the Oconee River.

    The Wrightsville Junior baseball team defeated the Dublin Junior team by a score of 9 to 2. Wrightsville players are Stanley, Duggan, Lovett, Jenkins, Harrison, Smith, Parker, Cox, McBride and Chester. Judge Chan Brinson is manager.

    Mr. William Franklin Rachels, formerly of Washington County, died in Atlanta at age 76. He resided for a while at Donovan. He is survived by children, Mrs. E. N. Jones, M. G. and Dr. W. F. Rachels. He was buried in Sandersville City Cemetery.

From Days Gone By July 28, 1932

 July 28, 1932.

    W. C. and Quincy Carter of the Spann Community, charged with assault to murder at the free for all fight at Idylwild, which Allie Fountain and Cleo Dismuke were hospitalized, have been released on bond of $500 each. Dismuke is healing at home and Fountain just released. He received several stabs in the abdomen requiring a blood transfusion.

    Harvey Foskey of Scott, is in jail on a charge of assualt to murder and officers are seeking his father and another son on similar charges in an altercation in which J. J. Harrison, Jr. was injured.

    From a law-abiding standpoint, Georgia was worse off in 1931 than the year before. Nineteen out of every one thousand persons of the State were committed to jail, an increase of seven percent. Whites were ten percent higher while blacks were only five percent.

    Records compiled at Tuskegee Institute show only five lynchings in the first six months of 1932, the same as 1931. In 1922, ten years earlier, thirty were lynched in the first six months. During the first six months of 1932, officers prevented thirteen lynchings, eleven in the southern states. Of the persons lynched, two were white and three black. The charges ranged from rape, murder, threatening murder and dynamiting a store.

    Friday afternoon a severe gale hit portions of the county and some very heavy damage reported. At Rehobeth Church, where a revival meeting was in progress, Mr. J. B. Wombles and family went down in a two-mule wagon. He unhitched the mules and tied them to seperate trees. When the cloud came with a lot of thunder and sharp lightening hit one of the trees and killed both mules on the spot. Other parts of the county heavy winds did damage to growing crops.

    Mr. Herbert Sanders lost a very valuable mule last Sunday, being struck by a hit and run driver the night before near Idylwild. The mule was being driven home by Jessie Jones, negro farmer on Mr. Sanders place, when the car struck the animal, injuring it and wrecking the wagon. Jones escaped injury and drove the mule home where it died the next morning. The driver stepped on the gas after the accident and has not been found yet.

    Mr. & Mrs. J. O. Dalton announces the marriage of their daughter, Dorothy Naomi to Mr. Lethard S. Freeman of Milledgeville. She was a graduate of Wrightsville High School.

    The city was saddened Tuesday by the death of the young man, Mr. Earl Layton after a short illness due to malarial fever. He was stricken last week on an Ogeechee River fishing trip. He was 20 years old, a promising football and baseball athlete. He lived here all his life, his father being the late J. M. Layton who was Coroner at the time of his death. Surviving are his mother, brother Minton, sister Ora Lee. He was buried at Union Hill.

From Days Gone By July 21, 1932

 July 21, 1932.

    A fire of an undetermined origin, but believed to have resulted from a live wire or short circuit, totally destroyed the home of Mr. L. E. Parker early Thursday morning. Mrs. Parker and some of the children were in Athens while Mr. Parker and the other children were staying at relatives in the county. The blaze was discovered around 2 am by Mr. B. B. Tanner, but it had gained such headway that the house was engulfed in flames. Tanner went into the house but was forced out by the flames before he could save anything other than the porch furniture. The damage was estimated by Parker at upwards of $5,000, partially covered by insurance. He has not decided yet to rebuild. At present he occupys the home of H. L. Fulford.

    Another disasterous blaze occured Friday about noon when the home of Mr. L. E. Vanlandingham, near Brantley's Chapel, burned to the ground, originating from a flying spark. He had just returned from town and saw the fire when it started, but before he could get help the building was almost entirely in flames. He had just recently removed his meat and lard from the smokehouse to a side room in the house and it also burned. He was partially covered by insurance. At present he and his family are living in another home on his farm.

    Throughout the summer months, the city's three churches will unite in union services on Sunday nights. The usual morning services will continue to be at each church. Miss Miriam Cook, daughter of Mrs. J. M. Cook, has been elected music teacher of the Kite Consolidated School. The Headlight is now in its 48th year.

    On June 10th, relatives and friends assembled at Rehobeth to celebrate the anniversary of Elizabeth Garnto. She has reached her 91st birthday. Her sister, Mrs. M. M. Stephens will be 96 next February 21st. Another celebration was that of Mrs. Julia Loyd, a sister of the late Isham and Henry Stephens. She turned 90 at the home of Mr. Andrew Loyd near Meeks. Also Mr. J. W. Bailey turned 76 with a gathering at his home near Moore's Chapel with 9 children, 35 great grandchildren and 1 great, great present. A family reunion was held at the home of Mr. & Mrs. D. J. Turner in the eastern part of the county. Mrs. Turner turned 56.

    Sweet potatoes have been moving from Kite for the past two weeks at prices that have satisfactory and profitable to the growers. For the third consecutive year the Kite community has shipped the first new potatoes to the Atlanta market. A truck is now leaving for High Point, N. C. loaded with 200 bushels of the tubers.

    The state highway system at present comprises 8,018 miles, of which 1,000 miles added in the last six months. During 1930 and 1931, the state paved 600 miles per year.

    Savannah Beach, more familarly known to native Georgians as Tybee, is rapidly regaining that popularity which the old Tybee enjoyed in its heyday, the depression to the contrary notwithstanding: The business section which was destroyed by fire has been rebuilt and visitors will find a clean, attractive resort awaiting them on their vacation. However, there is an objectionable feature and that is a 25 cent assesment charged all cars entering the beach as a parking priviledge. Many want this eliminated. It may serve a good purpose but it leaves a bitter taste in the mouths of those who have to wait in a line of autos more than a block long just to pay two bits to enter the park. A warning may be approprately issued to motorists from this section to the beach that there is no stock law in Emanuel and Bulloch Counties, or if there is, the law is not enforced and cows and hogs travel the highway at will, day and night, thus forming a dangerous hazard to speeding travelers

From Days Gone By July 14, 1932

 July 14, 1932.

    Allie Fountain and Cleo Dismuke are rapidly recovering from a midnight cutting at Idylwild on July 4th, and two men, Quincy Carter and W. C. Carter are in jail under warrants for assualt with attempt to murder. This growing out of the break of peace between a number of young men of the Spann section at the end of a "square dance" at the resort on Independence night.

    The young man, Dismuke, was able to be brought home Monday afternoon by his father from the Claxton Hospital in Dublin. He is doing ok, and unless complications arise he will get all right soon. The more serious and dangerously wounded, Allie Fountain, is yet in same hospital and has quite a struggle to get this far alive. He is recovering as rapidly as could be expected given his injuries. The other wounded boys are getting along all right and their injuries are rapidly healing up.

    No further steps have been taken in the matter at this time. However, Rev. C. S. Martin of Kite doesen't see it this lightly. He writes: "The late affair at Idylwild, with four or five casualties, one or two desperate at this writing, calls for public scrutiny. I have heard no good reports of that resort. One has said it is a place where the "idle go wild". I know this, get bad licker inside a sorry whiteman and he'll debauch your girl. Get any kind of licker in a whiteman, and he'll kill or be killed. Fellow citizens, think of the sorrow, suffering, personal and court costs attendant upon such forays as that at the above named place lately.

    If you love your daughter and son keep them away from such places, especially at night. I don't care how decent they propose to be, one will never hear a hymn, a prayer or a Bible read there.

    Now, the Christian, moral folk of this county pay most of its taxes, and are generally responsible for the county's credit. And they deserve some consideration. Court trials are costly; and black draped coffins bring no joy in the homes. Therefore, I propose this question: Shouldn't the county revoke the permit for that concession and close that so called amusement resort, Idylwild?

    He that hath "guts" enough to stand for peace, sobriety, home and morality, may now speak, or hereafter forever hold his peace; especially if he is running for office."

    The Boy Scouts of Adrian camped at Mason's Bridge near Wrightsville. Scoutmaster was Rev. E. E. Gardner. In camp were Billy Gillis, Walker Bailey, Jr., Eban Taylor, David Frazier, Woodruff Kea, Robert Moye, Harold Anderson, F. A. Fountain, A. G. Odum, W. E. Spell, Julian Roundtree, Rowland Gillis, Carl Gillis, Jonah Frazier, Lanier Frazier, Lupo Webb, Russell Harrison and Curtis Chapman.

    Work on the Price-New Home Consolidated School has started. Materials are on the grounds and construction will be rapid. The county turned out 14,361 bales of cotton last year. A man sold a bale here Monday for 5 cents per pound. The Bank of Wrightsville's statement of condition was $166,603.41.

    A Wrightsville party went to Savannah Beach composed of Rev. & Mrs. J. E. Hall and their three children, Dr. & Mrs. J. G. Brantley and their three children, Col. & Mrs. C. S. Claxton, Miss Jo Fuqua and J. W. Claxton.

    Mr. Richmond Sammons and wife celebrated their birthdays, he being 81 and she will be 76 in September. Attending were Bennie, G. A., R. L., Wyly Sammons, Mrs. Julia Gay, Mrs. Dicey Smith, Mrs. Ella Hall, Mrs. Rhoda Odom and Miss Macey Sammons. Miss Emma Collins of Claxton and Rev. E. L. Harrison of Ludowici wed July 5th. She is daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Joshua Collins.

    Mr. & Mrs. Raymond Welch and their four children, Ray, Nell, Mary and Mary Jane, were enroute to the home of Mrs. Welch's parents, Mr. & Mrs. E. L. Smith, from their home in Tampa, when about 9 miles of Dublin the back tire blew out and the car summersaulted 3 times, badly injuring Mrs. Welch and bruising up the rest.

    Everybody was deeply greived over the death of Mrs. George Flanders. Little Carlton Smith died July 1st, son of Mr. & Mrs. Ples Smith and granson of Mr. & Mrs. J. J. Smith. Mrs. G. B. Dunlap, Sr. died at he home in Anderson, N. C. at 82. She is survived by 5 sons and 3 daughters including G. B. Dunlap, Jr.

From Days Gone By July 7, 1932

 July 7, 1932.

    Movements of plans for a complete and full celebration of the success of the well known Bee Line Highway have started. This through line, in opposition to nobody's road, started back yonder 14 years or more right here in Wrightsville. The Wrightsville Headlight began agitation for the erection of a road from Swainsboro to Kite to Wrightsville to Irwinton to Macon and it was called the Bee Line Highway, because, as the crow flies, it is the straightest route between these cities and between Macon and Savannah as you lay a rule on the map.

    Continually since, without any let-up any time and anywhere, this newspaper has unequivicably and unflinchingly and faithfully asked for the building of this road and at every turn of the machinery at the helm of state it has been a constant endeavor of ours to further every project that would finally consumate this end.

    Across Johnson County, from the East to the West extremities, this road now runs, and it is a fine road already. It is on the map of every county it touches. It is going to be on the highway map of July, 1932. It will pay handsome dividends to the counties in gas tax. Emanuel, Johnson, Wilkinson, Twiggs and Bibb counties will prosper by reason of this successful project. Citizens will reap handsome benefits from its completion. Travelers from everywhere will come this highway and centuries of the future will find it the choicest route available. The Bee Line is the highway. This was foretold 14 years ago.

    Wrightsville is the "Daddy" of the Bee Line. Her citizens have given of their time, money, influence, enthusiasm, progressive and aggresive spirit ever and along at every turn of the road to put this highway where the State Highway Department would own it, would operate it, would maintain it and pay the counties for it, as well. Wrightsville has never stopped working for it. Wrightsville started after it and now sees her labors rewarded. Wrightsville people, good and true, faithful and boosting, knowing its worth, have never seen the day to hesitate. Pushing on always, the goal is now in sight.

    Wrightsville has been backed by a strong following along the line of the highway, from Kite to the river, who have done a great work in backing up this city in its desire to put this highway through as quickly as possible. Now the gods of fate, politics and push have decreed that this road shall be, it is time to celebrate.

    Wrightsville can have a day set apart, appointed, fixed for a full and complete celebration right here in our own midst with the citizenship of the city and county. Ordinary W. J. Flanders says its the thing to do. Warden R. M. Stanley joins the same sentiments. Others who are in support of this are Councilmen Frank Outlaw, Dr. J. W. Brinson, R. L. Kent, E. E. Daley, R. L. Stephens, Monroe Cook, Mayor H. G. Hatcher, Tom L. Martin, R. B. Bryan, A. L. Hatcher, James A. Hall, E. E. Sanders, Jack Robinson, M. S. Duggan, E. R. Spell and Sheriff  Willis D. Rowland. 

    Once this celebration is complete, Wrightsville and Johnson County will spearhead getting a bridge across the Oconee River to replace the ferry.

From Days Gone By June 30, 1932

June 30, 1932.

    Mr. E. J. Claxton and Mr. H. P. Howard, owners and managers of the popular Bee Line Springs recreation grounds at Kite are having quite a large patronage at that place this season. They are now planning a big sing there for next Sunday, July 4th, with the promise of a large attendance. It will be an all day affair.

    More than 1,000 turned out at the courthouse for the Southeast Georgia Singing Convention. it was hot but the music rolled on as well as the perspiration. Outside, Officers Rowland, Brantley, Tapley, Crawford and Mayo reported no arrests and no cause for any. Mr. Tom L. Martin furnished ice water throughout the day.

    Mr. C. T. Moseley who farms the Hicks place reports a fine crop of cotton, corn and other grains. Mr. R. P. Hicks remarked it was the best crop he had ever seen on the place. Mr. M. A. Jackson is sending a lot of farm and garden produce to the curb market in Atlanta.

    Work on the Price-New Home Consolidated School will soon begin. it will be a large, commodious structure. There was 235 girls from the Savannah and Macon Districts to attend Camp Wilkins in Athens. Those attending from Johnson were Gladys Wells, Ruby Ivey, Susie Mae Rogers and Nettie Sweat.

    The City of Wrightsville will close up for the 4th of July. The courthouse will be closed. The filling stations will remain open as well as the cafes. Its back again, the supreme outstanding picture of all time will be at the Palace Theater, THE BIRTH Of A NATION, this time with sound.

    A telegram came in announcing the death of Mr. Z. A. Douglas at Hot Springs. He is a brother of Messrs. John A., R. R., E. A., Reuben and Brown Douglas. In the New Home community was the marriage, Saturday, June 18th, of Miss Nannie Belle Harrison and Mr. Ellie Belcher by Rev. Bennett Davis. She is daughter of Mr. & Mrs. J. C. Harrison. He is a son of Mr. & Mrs. Sunny Belcher and by occupation a farmer.

    Twelve years earlier, 1920, Miss Eva Drake and Mr. Horace Wheeler were married. Ex-Mayor Shurling erected a home on North Marcus. School was suspended on account of the flu epidemic. Snow fell in Wrightsville. Miss Louise Reynolds and Mr. Beverly B. Hayes were married. Sheriff-Elect Jonah Davis died of pneumonia before taking the oath of office.

    But few politicians ever went around this country boasting of being able to "give any county to anybody", to say nothing about the peanut fellow. Georgia had a man one time who could and did have that honor, but all generations since the time Noah and his old boat, there have been but few Tom Watson's.