From Days Gone By Oct. 14, 1929

 October 14, 1929.

    Late Friday afternoon Sheriff W. D. Rowland and Deputy James L. Tapley made the largest whiskey raid ever made in this county. They cut up and destroyed the largest and most complete outfit ever found running. If its not the largest it measures up with the largest. It was near New Home, operating snugly back in the swamp, off the highway some distance, in a place hard to reach on foot. A 150 copper still or larger was put up good, brick furnace and bore earmarks of much use. It was in full running order when the Sheriff arrived and shine was trickling down in a steady stream out of the worm. Recepticles near-by held a large quantity of the finished product, all of which was delivered to mother earth. Nearby, too, sat three grandaddy mobby vats, all filled up with a thousand gallons or more of the raw materials waiting to be distilled. All was destroyed. On approach the Sheriff saw three people fleeing the scene to parts unknown and no arrests were made. A home not far away were the screams of women who spied the officers and gave the alarm.

    Arthur Miller, 33, colored, married, wife and two children, parents dead, works on Buckeye farm, was arrested about daybreak at his home. A warrant of a serious charge was served on him. In jail he gave an account of his whereabouts up to midnight Saturday, that he went home and to bed. After officers were notified of the matter that occured on Buckeye that night, Capt. Wright and Deputy Tapley went with the county's dogs to locate the party wanted, and the search led to Miller's arrest. He is in jail until further developments in the case.

    Wrightsville learned that Lee Kennedy was jailed in Statesboro. They are not sure of the charge but relatives report he was in the ditch with his car and was not sober. An ugly story by his wife who was suffering from bloody wounds on the head and a bullet hole through the toe when she was brought here. She says all this is from a pistol in her husbands hands. He was out on parole and the State may reclaim him.

    The organization of a local P. T. A. was completed here when a group of mother's met with teachers in the school library. The officers elected are Mrs. Herschel Bray, Supt. Knox, Mrs. Tom Jenkins, Miss Sarah Alley and Mrs. J. H. Rowland.

    The banks released their statements of condition. Farmers & Merchants of Kite, $37,503.39; Bank of Wrightsville, $264, 602.00; Bank of Adrian, $69,489.00; Exchange Bank, $323,728.33.

    Coroner Morgan Layton held his first inquest over the dead body of John W. Fisher, Sr., up on Buckeye near Gus Brantley's. Lucian Fisher, the son, arrived home finding his father near the door face down. A small bottle of medicine on the floor beside him. This was proved to be prescribed heart medicine. A jury was impanelled consisting of Gus and Will Brantley, A. C. Slade, R. R. Doke, W. J. Crawford and C. D. Roundtree. It was determined his death was from natural causes.

    Another wealthy town citizen passed with the death of Mr. John T. Fulford at his East Elm Street residence. He was a successful businessman and one of the county's largest farmers. He was a leader in banking circles and for years a director in the Exchange Bank. He was 66, his wife died in 1919. He has four sons, Charles W., Gainor E., Harlie L., and Remus. He was buried at New Bethel next to his wife.

    Mrs. Henry Black died at the family home six miles south of Wrightsville after an illness of several weeks. She was buried in Westview.

From Days Gone By Oct. 7, 1929

 October 7, 1929.

    The roads are so bad in the county from the ten day rains, help is being called in to clean up debris and work the roads back up. The county suffered heavily and it may be weeks before travel gets back to normal. Capt. Wright's gang has got the Adrian Road open and is working on others as fast as he can. The American Legion Fair has been put off a week because of the rains.

    Meeks School opened with 58 students. Monte School opened with Dr. Piper. Scott High School has a large enrollment according to Prof. Sam P. Jones. The staff is Lillian Bedenfield, Principal; Teachers - Evelyn Gay, Mrs. McLemore, Leslie Sandifer and Mrs. Tom J. Burke.

    Several Deputy Game Wardens have been named in the county. They are Bennie Garnto, Kite area; Cordie L. Wiggins, Bartow area and J. C. Smith, Adrian area.

    All slot machines in the city limits of Wrightsville must go. Chief W. J. Crawford has orders from the Mayor and Council. They have till the 15th to move them out without trouble.

     Mr. Talmadge Harrison of Kite took a warrant out on Zeke Parker, colored boy, for stealing a hot lunch and $4 from his store. Officer Geo. N. Ivey arrested the 18 year old and took him before Judge Brinson who gave him 10 months on the road gang. Sheriff Rowland carried Mr. Pink Morris to the State Sanitarium in Milledgeville.

    Mr. & Mrs. Elwood Jackson had a daughter on August 24th named Gloria Ophelia. Mr. & Mrs. Tom C. Brantley had a daughter on October 1st. Miss Lillian Brantley, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. F. B. Brantley of Union Hill community wed Mr. Jas. A. Colston on October 6th. He is a son of Mr. & Mrs. C. E. Colston of Kite.

    Little Reese Bray, son of Mr. & Mrs. Charles T. Bray, after eating a few pecans, had a bad time for about two weeks. He was carried to Claxton-Montford Hospital in Dublin where he got along alright. It is thought the pecans affected his stomach much like poison.

    Mrs. Pollie Ann Tucker died at her home having been stricken suddenly. She lived only a few hours from the stroke. She was about 80 and a native of the county, her maiden name was Townsend. She was buried in Westview. Mrs. Thomas Carter died at home from about a week's illness. She was 75 and was a Hall before marriage. Surviving children are Jesse and Shade Carter. She was buried in the family cemetery.

    Another of the few remaining Confederate veterans died. Mr. Ben Y. Wheeler of near Kite who was 82. He lived on the place he was born and was buried in the Wheeler Cemetery. One brother survives, Henry Wheeler, one daughter, Mrs. Dallie Woods, and four sons, William W., J. D., M. B. and George T. Wheeler.

    Mr. E. A. W. Johnson died at his home on corner of Myrtle Avenue and Elm Street. He had been bed ridden about a day. Johnson's death removes a prominent landmark and one of our first citizens. He had much business interests here and helped build up the town. He was married twice. His first wife, Mrs. Cora Bullard died September 18, 1924. Their children living are Mrs. Dr. C. E. Brinson, Miss Ola Johnson, Herbert, Louie, Stacey, Howard and Roy. His second wife was Miss Mary Joiner of Harrison. Dr. S. M. Johnson was a brother and a sister Mrs. Laura Hartley. He would have been 68 on October 31st. He was a member of the Christian Church and was buried in Westview.

    

From Days Gone By Sept. 30, 1929

 September 30, 1929.

    The local American Legion Post will sponsor the big Johnson County Fair, October 28th to November 2nd. They have secured Rock City Shows to come for the full week. This is one of the best carnival companys  in the south. They consist of seven rides, fourteen shows and concessions, and a brass band.

    Recent rains over the past ten days have put the highest water marks on many streams in the east of the county. Rains have fallen almost incessantly over this time. Roads and railroads were hardest hit. Mail service is not available and some trains stopped completely. Kite and Meeks have not received mail in a week. Many farmers have unpicked cotton and seed has sprouted in it. It has been impossible to reach Swainsboro, Midville, Augusta or Louisville. Near Wadley a fish pond dam broke washing out the tracks of the Central of Georgia, wrecking train No. 4 causing the death of Engineer Gilbert W. Callahan.

    The legislature made a change to the game and fish laws. It permits shooting doves in September, closes in October, and opens again November 20th to January 31st. Squirrel season is November 20th to last day of February. Steel traps are now illegal and trapper's license discontinued. Other seasons are quail and turkey November 20th to March 1st, wood duck September 1st to January 1st, deer November 1st to December 31st.

    The cigarette tax law is now in effect and dealers in Wrightsville will now pass this tax on to the consumer. This sends the price to 17 cents a pack. The money collected from this tax goes into the Confederate pension fund.

    Cotton ginned in the county up to September 16th is 6,730 bales. This time last year the total was 851 bales. The Wrightsville School has more than 400 registered pupils this year. Prof. J. Y. Chastain is opening a school at Pringle.

    Coming into town on a truck, Mr. Clifton Rowland suffered a broken leg when he jumped to the ground as the truck left the road near the home of Edgar Kitchens on Kite road. He was riding on a load of lumber which was driven by a colored boy and he was caught against the steering gear by the lumber but not badly hurt.

    A gale hit the home of Rev. G. F. Sumner near Gethsemane Church badly damaging it. A large tree fell on the house and the roof joists holding is all that saved them.

    Cilo Wright, colored woman out near Nat Bray's Store, didn't like the way Clara Johnson, her colored neighbor, was doing. Clara stated that Cilo had charged her with a razor. Clara said she didn't like the looks of that razor in the hands of Cilo, who seemed to be mighty mad with her, so she backed off and fled to safety. She went to town an swore out a warrant for Cilo who she said threatened her all because of "her man".

    The following is a list of businesses operating in the city of Wrightsville in 1929:

Brinson Drug Store, M. S. Duggan Groceries, Farmers Supply Co., Brantley's Drugs, W. F. Outlaw-Blacksmith, Lovett & Co., Claxton & Norris- National Life Ins., Kent & Johnson Ins.,Hall Brothers, Wrightsville Grain Co., Clayton Lord Groceries, J. E. Glisson - Fish Market, Charlie Sheppard's Barber Shop, Beverly B. Hayes, A. C. Price - Cigars & Cigarettes, Wrightsville Hardware Co., G. B. Hitchcock - Nash Clothes, L. A. Lovett - Ford Dealer & Gulf Gas, Neal Grocery Co., Wrightsville Headlight, Chas. C. Blankenship - Jeweler/Optometrist, Wrightsville & Tennille Railroad, Bank of Wrightsville, Spell Cleaners, Kaplan's, Sims Store, T. V. Kent - Undertaker and Shoe Shop, E. L. Rowland - New York Life Ins., Wrightsville Motor Co. - Chevrolet, W. T. Davis - Horses & Mules, Peoples Hardware Co., Claxton & Cook - Farm Loans, Hayes Cash Store, Tanner's Service Station - Standard Oil, Palace Cafe - Mrs. Gordon Clark, J. T. Miller - Ins., Flanders Drug Store, Crown Service Station, W. L. Thompson Ins., T. L. Chester - Contractor, Exchange Bank, Gannon's Barber Shop, Arlie Price Drug Store.