From Days Gone By, March 31, 1932

 March 31, 1932.

    The Associated Charities of Johnson County is hosting a program April 16 with guest, "Smiling Ed McConnell", the world's highest paid radio entertainer and he will be here in person. He is coming for no other reason than to help those that are down and out. He will be paid his expenses, and all above that will go to the Johnson County charities for those brought down by the depression.

    Miss Para Lynn Harrison and Mr. Eulie B. Mixon wed on Valentines's Day at Edgefield, South Carolina. She is a daughter of Mrs. Green B. Harrison and sister of Clerk C. B. Harrison. He is a son of Rev. & Mrs. w. A. Mixon of Kite and a salesman at Sims Store. Mr. C. T. Swinson, long time merchant has sold his store to Mr. J. W. Vanlandingham effective April first.

    Hartwell G. Archer, lumberman and farmer of Sparta was fatally injured when he was struck on the Sandersville Road near Galilee negro church. He was standing between the trailer wheels of his lumber truck to let the oncoming truck pass when the collision happened. The other truck loaded with hogs occupied by two white men, Goss Smith and Dave Membis of Commerce were slightly injured as their truck turned over and burned, scattering hogs in every direction. Archer is survived by his wife, father, Flavius Archer; brother Cleo, and sister Mrs. Dewitte Brinson. Smith and Membis are in Sheriff Jackson's jail at Sparta charged with murder.

    The small two and a half year old son of Mr. & Mrs. Ben D. Smith died at home near Meeks about 10 hours after a fatal burning. He was in the field where some of the family was working. A stump was burning near by and the little fellow walked up to it, picked up some corn stalks and began playing in the fire. His mother heard the child screaming and they had to work hard to put out the child's clothes but the child was fatally burned. He was buried at Corinth.

    Ben Haynes, colored man of the Kite area, died Tuesday morning while plowing in his corn field on the plantation of Bryce Anderson. His body fell across the plow stock and was discovered by the landlord, Dewey Stephens. Haynes ploughed a large plow pulled by two mules, barring off corn rows over a flat broken field. No struggle appeared anywhere in the last furrow he had made, and whatever struck him that caused his death happened at the spot, judging by the sign of the six-inch curve in the furrow from his plow. His feet were in the furrow, his body across the plow handles and his head over the beam. Coroner L. R. Clayton called an inquest with jurists H. T. Brantley, W. M., W. L., B. A., E. L. and J. M. Anderson. The verdict was death from unknown cause.

    Mr. Sam D. Smith died in Macon Tuesday morning and his body brought here and entered in Westview. Mr. T. B. Hicks of Dublin died Tuesday morning at his home. He was 72 and a pioneer citizen of Dublin. He was a businessman, civic leader, charter member of the Christian Church there and President of Hicks Drug Company. He is survived by his wife, daughter Mrs. L. L. Porter, sons, Rowe, Henry, Charles; brothers, Judge Jim B., Prof. T. M., R. P. Hicks and sister Mrs. B. G. Warthen.

    The Hallie Clayton Huff Chapter of U.D.C. now have 60 members. Applied for markers for 17 graves in the county. The chapter is named for Mrs. Huff at the suggestion of Mrs. E. A. Lovett. Mrs. Huff was wife of John M. Huff, late owner and editor of the Wrightsville Headlight. She was a daughter of George Roets Clayton of Virginia and Harriett Rives Williamson of South Carolina, granddaughter of George R. Clayton, first treasurer of the state of Georgia when Milledgeville was the capital and is buried there.

    Mrs. Huff was born in Macon in 1845, spent her childhood in Americus and graduated at the old Female College there. During the war of the sixties with her mother visited the sick and wounded soldiers in the hospitals. She had a couple of brothers who served, George R. Clayton, 4th Ga, killed at Sharpsburg and Sparks Clayton, a courier on Gen. A. S. Cutt's staff Army Northern Virginia.

    In Griffin and Sandersville she spent her early married life organizing the Ladies Memorial Association which merged into the U. D. C. She was a resident of Wrightsville for many years and in February 1903 organized the Johnson County U. D. C. at the home of Mrs. W. W. Cook. After several years the chapter became extinct about the time of her death in January 1916. Her husband died a few weeks later. A daughter survives, Mrs. W. L. Burns and brother, Coroner Loring R. Clayton.

From Days Gone By, March 24, 1932

 March 24, 1932.

    The Price-New Home Consolidated High School, near New Home church, on the Jefferson Davis Highway was destroyed by fire about midnight. Professor Robert Lankford stated he believed the origin of the fire was caused by rats. He is the Principal of the school. Large trucks convey many children to this community high school. Five weeks remain in the present term and a temporary school is looking to be secured soon. Teachers are Mrs. M. E. Woods, Mrs. Z.A. Cullens and Miss Pearl Hollinsworth. The trustees are Samps L. Powell, Byron Price and Elbert Canady.

    Fire destroyed the home of Harmon Flanders in Adrian, and about an hour later the Ellison home across town on Hotel Street caught fire but it was quickly extinguished. Mr. W. Z. (Bill) Kemp, former County Warden, died at his home at Sylvania after a several week illness.

    About 500 people attended the Fiddler's Convention hosted by the American Legion on Friday night. It was full of music, fun, stunts, song and dancing at the court house. Playing fiddle were Foster Mills, Brannen Snell, Hamp Blount and Tillman Jackson. Also the Pringle String Band with D. L. Marshal, Earnest Franks, James Tingle, Miss Miriam Tingle and Miss Evelle Franks.

    Governor Richard B. Russell, Jr. appointed Ordinary W. J. Flanders as a delegate to the 20th annual Convention of U. S. Good Roads Association. The State Revenue Commission now requires buyers of used cars may drive them from the lot to the Sheriff's office to apply for tags, and from there to home without incurring delinquency penalties, but no farther.

    The leadership of the Republican Party in Johnson County was chosen at a meeting at the court house. Chairman Ben Moye, Secretary M. A. Jackson, R. P. Hicks and Alton Moye elected them permanent Chairman and Secretary. The colored people in Johnson is said to have been willing to step aside and put the machine in control of the white folks. It was added that in recognition for this that colored people were chosen on some of the executive committees places and also alternates.

    Under the Democratic leadership in Congress a bill was forced through for an emergency measure to aid unemployment. It appropriates one hundred and thirty two million for immediate highway construction to increase employment all over the country.

    The eighty-eighth birthday of Mr. Henry Wheeler of near Kite was held and more than 300 people came to pay tribute and the Wheeler School attended in whole. In 1782, George Washington established the "Order of the Purple Heart", and in commemorating the bicentennial of his birth, President Herbert Hoover has revived the order.

    Owing to the Pauper's List has reached the high mark of $300 per month puts the demand on the county for financial aid and is increasing daily, almost hourly. The question is, can we continue this present system of  the monthly payment to the Paupers of our county, or establish a Pauper's Farm?

    Mr. Sam Robinson died at his son's home, Horace Robinson. He was a native of Washington County and always lived near Harrison. Surviving are his wife, two daughters, Mrs. Emanuel Lawrence, Mrs. Will Thompson; sons, Tom, Marvin, Edd, Sam, Monie, Horace, and John W. He was buried at Bethany Church cemetery.

From Days Gone By March 17, 1932

 March 17, 1932.

    The Fiddler's Convention will be held at the court house in April. It will be a one day convention sponsored by the American Legion, who in the fight against depression have put thirty men to work. The United Daughters of the Confederacy has invited the Post to parade along with the old veterans on Memorial Day and give a rifle salute to the deceased comrades at the cemetery. Medals will be pinned on some of the Legion boys whose grandfathers fought in the Civil War.

    The United Daughters of the Confederacy is asking all the stewards and deacons of the county churches to help number the Confederate graves in the cemeteries of the county. The purpose is to provide markers free of charge to put on the graves.

    A Roosevelt-For-President Club was organized with J. E. Cook as chairman and Emory Rowland as secretary. U. R. Jenkins is vice-president, Judge James T. Miller Treasurer and H. F. Tarbutton publicity director. The clubs aim is to put the interests of Governor Roosevelt to the front in the county.

    Chief W. J. Crawford and Policeman Garland Mayo made some Saturday night arrests, immoderate use of whiskey taking a few "out of the way", and causing the officers to enforce the law. Mr. Jordan Davis from the eastern part of the county suffered a fractured leg. While fixing a flat tire on highway #1, a passing car struck his leg as he was changing his tire. The Graymont oil well is being sunk right on down and a depth of 2,000 feet has been reached.

    All along Route 80, Macon to Savannah, the Coast-To-Capital Highway Association met in Swainsboro. They are pushing to finish Route 80 which in Johnson County runs from Scott to Adrian on to the county line. Local members attending were W. J. Flanders, W. H. Lovett, A. L. Hatcher, R. M. Stanley and C. D. Roundtree.

    Mr. C. T. Swinson, a long time local merchant is planning a move to Statesboro where he has a large farm and business interests. Mr. & Mrs. W. A. Lindsey and family have moved from Louisville to Milledgeville where he is manager of the City Cafe. Mr. Tom L. Martin, local businessman, in the ice business here for many years, has started a brand new ice plant which is nearing completion. Its located on the lot where he has sold ice and coal and operated a small coal storage plant for years. The 13 ton capacity steel tank has been lowered on to its base and will be ready to contain the finished product by April or earlier.

    Professor E. D. Tollerson of the Kite Consolidated School has one of the finest agricultural classes in this area. County farmers desiring government loans have flocked to the offices of the loan committees and managers to get their papers fixed up for the loan this season. The first checks will be coming in this week possibly.

    Most every house in Wrightsville is occupied. Some business houses are vacant and similar conditions are found all over the country towns and cities as well.

    At President Hoover's Anti-Hoarding meeting held at the court house was the subject of the restoration of pure, simple personal confidence in each other, in our own institutions and businesses and a return of prosperity through remedial measures promulgated by the President in his anti-hoarding campaign. The speakers were A. R. Maynard, Mack Davis and W. H. Mitchell all of Macon. A. Lee Hatcher, Johnson's present representative in the legislature was appointed to handle the local campaign along with W. H. Lovett and R. H. Smith.

From Days Gone By March 10, 1932

 March 10, 1932.

    Mrs. I. Bashinski, President of the Georgia Division U. D. C., met at the home of Mrs. E. A. Lovett to organize a chapter for Johnson County. Mrs. H. M. Shurling, Chairman of the state program committee of the U. D. C. presided over the program. Present were Mrs. J. Roy Rowland, Mrs. R. R. Douglas, Mrs. J. M. Page, Mrs. Otis Chivers and a Mrs Peacock of Dublin. Mrs. H. M. Franklin, Mrs. W. H. Colgate and Mrs. Fred Daley of Tennille. Officers elected were, President, Mrs. W. M. Shurling, 1st VP, Mrs. E. A. Lovett, 2nd VP Mrs. R. R. Douglas; Recording Secretary Mrs. Roy Rowland; Corresponding Secretary Mrs. J. E. Cook; Treasurer Mrs. Millard Daley; Registrar Mrs. Lewis Lovett; Chaplain Mrs. S. M. Johnson; Custodian of Crosses Mrs. Fluker Tarbutton; Historian Mrs. A. L. Hatcher; Reporter Mrs. H. T. Johnson; Parlamintarian Mrs. E. E. Daley; Honorary President for Life Mrs. E. A. Lovett.

    Other members were Mrs. John Douglas, Mrs. R. R. Martin, Mrs. Tom Jenkins, Mrs. J. M. Cook, Mrs. T. L. Lovett, Mrs. J. W. Brinson, Jr., Mrs. R. B. Thompson, Miss Mary Sanders, Mrs. R. T. Lovett, Mrs. W. H. Lovett, Mrs. C. B. Harrison, Miss Ora Lee Barnes, Mrs. George East, Miss Mae Ware Daley, Miss Grace Hutchinson, Miss Martha Martin, Miss Mary Lovett, Mrs. S. H. Hatcher, Mrs. B. B. Tanner, Mrs. Bessie Willis, Mrs. Robert Cullen, Mrs. M. E. Woods and Mrs. Curtis Summerlin.

    Col. J. Eugene Cook announced there will be a public meeting at the court house for the purpose of organizing a Roosevelt-For-President Club in this county. The Georgia American Legion reports it has gotten employment for 2,500 citizens in the push to fight the depression. It the full payment bill passes and becomes law, every veteran of the World War in Georgia will receive a pension certificate. The total sum for the veterans of Johnson County will be $153,440.10. The average certificate is worth $1,000.

    Mr. Ellis Claxton of Kite, M. T. Riner of Meeks, Dr. H. B. Bray and County Agent E. G. Blackwell of Wrightsville attended the Aberdeen-Angus Bull Sale in Savannah as more interest is shown in better beef type cattle in the county. The farmers of the county have sown from 15 to 500 pounds of carpet grass for pasture with 15 pounds the required amount per acre.

    A meeting was held in Swainsboro of the Coast to Capital Highway Association for which road crosses Johnson County from Adrian to Scott. They are urging the highway department to complete the paving on Federal Route 80. Its the only Federal milage in the county at this time.

    Sheriff W. D. Rowland has two prisoners in jail for City Court. All Superior Court defendants on the criminal side are out on bond. Recently he held about a dozen, but they have either plead guilty, given bond, or released on other ways. The two prisoners, Eva Tillman and Nora Waters, both colored, mixed up in an ugly affray in the city and both came out with bad wounds. Nora got all cut up with a razor, twice on the leg and once on her body causing her to bleed profusely. Eva got a bad blow on the head from a piece of iron, also a wound or two in the face. The rucas started over foolishness one of them declared.

    Hon. Charles M. Wood died at his home in Baker County near Newton. He was a native of Johnson County. He held the office of Ordinary for many years in Baker County. His children are Cecil Wood, Mrs. Will H. Mixon, Mrs. T. D. Wood and sister-in-law Mrs. T. E. Hayes.

    Mr. J. V. Greenway, 71, died in the Sandersville Sanitarium and was buried in the family cemetery. He is survived by his children Mrs. Philip Price of Donovan, Mrs. Samps L. Powell, Mr. H. L. Greenway and Mr. J. G. Greenway.

From Days Gone By March 3, 1932

 March 3, 1932.

    The Kite fathers and sons enjoyed a program and banquet hosted by Professor E. D. Tollerson of the Kite Consolidated School's agricultural department. Present were fathers: W. M. Anderson, Jr., W. B. Meeks, B. A. Anderson, T. J. Powell, N. D. Frost, S. J. Stephens, John C. Powell and M. F. Hatcher. Sons attending were: Lamar Anderson, Loran Cook, Milton Powell, Leon Wiggins, Ralph C. Anderson, Gamette Stephens, Theron Anderson, Virgil Powell, H. G. Brantley, Jr., W. S. Kight, Jr., Lamar Frost, Sam Meeks, Ovis G. Douglas and Elton Riner.

    Mr. Z. A. Houser of Scott is considering running for the lower house of the General Assembly. Three may run for Judge in Laurens County, Col. Russell M. Daley, Congressman W. W. Larson and Judge Jim Hicks. There is also talk of L. L. Porter and Harry L. Taylor running.

    Judge W. C. Brinson sentenced John Todd to  6 months county gang for a misdemeanor. William Curry plead guilty to simple larceny and was fined $100 or 11 months. Both went to the chain gang.

    Flem Meeks, a white man from around Meeks, had been in jail several days under warrant charging him with threatening to burn private property. Henry G. Tyson prosecuted him but in the hearing it was determined not enough evidence to hold him.

    Work is going fast in Emanuel County's end of the Bee-Line highway building bridges and they have almost completed to the county line at Kite. Washington County is working on their part from the Johnson line to Ball's Ferry. Clerk G. B. Harrison added a fine addition to his office equipment with a new noiseless typewriter.

    The Wild West Show last week held at the Hamilton filling station lot drew large crowds who got many a laugh out of the performances by the actors and animals. The American Legion will host an Old-Time Fiddlers Convention later this month.

    The residence of Mrs. J. F. Renfroe burned on South Myrtle Avenue and she lost everything. She, her young son and Mr. Norris Rowland, a boarder in the home, were in it when it caught fire. The origin of the fire was unknown.

    In commemoration of the 200th birthday of George Washington, the Garden Class of the Adrian High School planted a water oak tree on the public square assisted by the Boy and Girl Scouts. Mrs. Izzie Bashinski will meet with Wrightsville ladies at Mrs. Alf Lovett's for the purpose of organizing a U. D. C. Chapter here.

    Mrs. Dr. P. B. Bedingfield died quietly at her residence five miles east in the Beulah community. Before marriage she was Miss Sallie Frost, a native of Washington County. She wed Dr. Bedingfield 49 years ago and would have been 65 years old. Her brothers were Eugene, Dr. W. J. Frost, sisters Mrs. W. E. Josey, Mrs. Robert E. Smith, half-sisters Mrs. T. J. Fulghum and Mrs. Gordon Price, half-brothers J. A. Frost. Two children died in infancy and two living, William P. and Dr. Wade R. Bedingfield. Burial was at Beulah.

    On February 26th Willie H. Wood had a fatal stroke. He was a 39 year old native of Johnson County. He left a wife, two sons and a daughter. Brothers W. B. and M. A. Woods, four sisters Mrs. Mary Lizzie Eubanks, Mrs. Annie Laura Phillips, Mrs. Nannie Mae Outlaw and Miss Clemmie Woods. Burial was in Westview.

    Mr. N. B. Snider of near Kite died of a heart attack. He was 71 years old and survived by a wife, two daughters and three sons. He was buried at New Home.

    Mr. H. R. Beasley of near Kite, his 12 year old daughter, Gladys, has had infantile paralysis for eight years and is trying to raise the funds to carry her to the Scottish Rite Hospital in Decatur.

From Days Gone By Feb. 24, 1932

 February 24, 1932.

    Johnson Lodge No. 110 I. O. O. F., Odd Fellows, is flourishing and Noble Grand James A. Hall is pushing its work with the aid of District Deputy Grandmaster, W. F. Outlaw. Miss Pearl Jordan, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. J. E. Jordan, will give a radio program over WRUF, Gainesville, Florida on March 4th. She is the Home Demonstration Agent in Starke, Florida.

    The planters are hard at work again and much land is already broken and in fine condition. Over five tons of poultry sold here for $1,200 by Agent Blackwell at his recent sale here. Mr. George Dewey Downs and family are moving here from Rentz. Mr. & Mrs. Louie Frost had a son on February 21st. Southern Bell patrons enjoy their local service which is handled by Miss Lena Robinson and Miss Ora Lee Barnes as regular operators along with Mrs. Talmadge Holmes as relief operator.

    The annual basketball tournament of the new 6th District will be held in Dublin at the new shell. Teams competing are Eatonton, Bartow, Gray, Stapleton, Sandersville, Wrightsville, Avera, Wadley, Dublin, Cochran, Wrens, Tennille, Roberta, Gordon, Jeffersonville and Sparta.

    Col. Russell M. Daley has declared to run for Judge of the Dublin Circuit. Mr. S. J. Jenkins is moving the Sims Store from its past location to the store fronting the public square between Stephens and Duggans formerly occupied by Flanders Drug Store.

    In her Georgia Day talk to the J. D. Franklin Chapter U. D. C. in Tennille, Mrs. J. L. Beeson of Milledgeville, State Historian of the D. A. R. described the old Uchee Indian Trail from Bartow to Wrightsville which may be marked by the Tennille D. A. R.

    A pagent, "Ethioia At The Bar of Justice" will be presented at the courthouse. They did the play in January at the colored school auditorium and were so good they were asked to do it again. Prof. J. D. Gaither is the principal. Texas Ted Lewis Real Wild West Shows will be in town for three days. No admission will be charged they will just take up a collection.

    Mrs. Ola Henderson Veal died in a sanitarium in New Jersey on February 18th. She was buried in Rose Hill Cemetery in Macon.

    Mr. George A. Smith died at his home on West College Street after a long suffering illness. Born February 26 he would have been 60 years old. He was one of nine children of the late Daniel S. Smith from the south part of the county. He married twice, his last wife surviving. He was a Wrightsville Methodist and buried in Westview. Surviving daughter Mrs. Lewis Reese, two sons, George, a soldier in Panama and Tillman. One step-daughter Mrs. Herbert Hicks, four brothers J. Marvin, W. R., James W., Clint. Sisters, Mrs. Ruth Mooreman, Mrs. Ellen Haywood and Mrs. Mary Haywood.

    A very peculiar accident happened on Mr. Samps L. Powell's plantation 8 miles northwest Wrightsville. His colored tenant farmer, Josh Knight lost his 9 month old child by drowning in a big bucket of slops. It set on back side of kitchen and was filled with dishwater and table scraps for the hogs. The child was just beginning to walk. They heard no outcry but later found the child in the bucket drowned.

    Freedom came to Mr. J. T. Mcbride as Governor R. B. Russell, Jr. signed his papers making him a free man. He had over 9 years service to the county gang. He had been sentenced to life for murder in Columbus, Georgia in 1919 killing Joe Bailey. He has a wife and family in Columbus and will move them here to live.

    The richest man in the world now is said to be Henry Ford, it is told he is a simple minded, and unconcious of either his power or his cash. That bestows a high tribute to this great genuis.

From Days Gone By Feb. 17, 1932

 February 17, 1932.

    Orders were given by the National Commander of the American Legion at a meeting in Macon. He gave the order to the entire organization of 10,000 Posts with their state commanders to mobilize every ex-serviceman from the World War to take up this fight and whip the worst enemy this country ever known, the depression, causing 8 million men to be without jobs with families depending on them to live. The Legions goal is to put 1 million back to work in 30 days. They called on industries, civic organizations, cities, counties and all organizations of all kinds to help the Legion win in this fight, "War Against Depression". Attending this meeting from the Wrightsville Legion was B. B. Hayes, H. B. Bray, and R. E. Fulford.

    There is a personal call for help to aid the unemployed people of our county who are now getting provisions and sustenance from the charitable barns and corn cribs of those who have it and the guidance of Rev. Pete Holloway of the local Associated Charities. He says there is about fifty families who are hungry. He asked for donations of corn, meal, syrup, meat, grits, coffee, flour, etc.

    The agricultural department of the Kite Consolidated School sponsored a common sense program known as the "Live-At-Home" program as a result of studying the jobs on procuring fertilizer on cotton, the farmers of the Kite community came together last year and bought $28,600 worth with a savings of around $8,000. They feel its the only way to solve the farmers problem is buying together in bulk. They are also making sweet potatoes one of their best cash crops.

    Congressman W. W. Larson sticks to his decision to run for Judge Superior Court Dublin Circuit. He says he's done with Congress. Col. J. Frank Jackson won his race for Solicitor of City Court of Sandersville with 1388 votes to Godfrey's 1011 and Mayo 1182. Smith beat English for Sheriff and Duggan was re-elected Clerk.

    The Wrightsville City Council is moving their headquarters into a new home. It will be the store room between Mr. J. E. Vanlandingham's store and the West Beauty Parlor, moving from the upstairs of the Post Office building. Rev. Bascom Anthony bought a home in Savannah and will move there along will his son, B. G. Anthony and family.

    Miss Marion Price, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Price of near Pringle, won first prize in the suit contest conducted by the R. L. Stephens store, the Butterick Pattern Company & Manufacturers of materials with a handsome suit of Pique which exhibited clever originality and talent. Her sister, Miss Iris Price, won second prize of $1 and Miss Sarah Frances Harrison, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. G. B. Harrison won third, a prize of material.

    James Campbell and Nathan Fulton, both colored, mixed up in an ugly affray Saturday night and as a result both are jailed with bandages on their head, eyes, forehead and ears. The fight about went too far. Theives broke through and stole all of the meat in the smokehouse of Dr. L. G. Moye, Mayor of Adrian. The gas in their car gave out, so they emptied the Mayor's car. No arrests have been made yet.

    Fire destroyed the residence of Mr. Lovett J. Claxton on East Elm Street. His family was at home at the time, about 10 a. m. The city firemen put it out but it was a great loss. He thinks it started in a closet. He did carry insurance.