From Days Gone By Oct. 20, 1911

October 20, 1911. This weeks newspapers from 1911 are missing from the Historical Society's collection. The following is a somewhat humorous story from a 1911 Wrightsville paper called The Preachers, by Rex. "An annual conference is always a great time with the Methodist preachers, a time of meeting after a year separation, when and where they get together and recount experiences, and swap yarns, and where they have good homes and plenty to eat. A crowd of preachers is the jolliest sort of crowd. No long faces, no clouds to faltfinding, no grumbling, all sunshine. Not only a jolly crowd, but men who know how to dispose of business. Why, a Methodist Conference would put a Georgia Legislature to shame in the disposition of business. They do more in one day for the good of the state, than the legislature will do in a whole session. Perhaps its because they get no "per diem." They are a set of fellows that can be trusted, as many of them handle thousands of dollars during the year, and are required to give no bond. A Methodist preacher knows more people than any other man, or class of men in the state. They gather more to talk about than the average man, and their social intercourse at the conference brings out some of the richest experiences, and most assuring anecdotes that can be heard anywhere. I remember jotting down a few of their stories at one of the conferences. The conversation drifted into sanctimonous religion, which was very common a few years back, and as an illustration, the following incident was mentioned: Down in Screven County many years ago, there was an old preacher that wore a high collar and a long coat, and a long face. The children were all afraid of him, and would hide out when he came to spend the night. On one occasion he came to a certain home, as he often did and spent the night. Next morning there was not a child to be seen on the place, except a little girl about four years old. After breakfast, she climbed up on the knee of the old preacher and began running her little fingers over his face. Finally she said, I love you, and the old preacher said, "you do my child," what makes you love me?" She said because you got a face just like old Sam." Old Sam was a mule in the lot. Another old preacher, down in Montgomery County, had a particular place to spend his Saturday nights before his appointment in the neighborhood. In that home was a boy about twelve years old. Whenever he came his (the boy's father) would say, "Johnnie, run and take out the preachers horse, run and feed the preacher's horse, run and get the preacher a bucket of fresh water." Well, the thing went on till Johnnie got tired of waiting on that preacher, and so one day the preacher drove up and the father said, "Johnnie, run and take out the preacher's horse and feed him," and when they had come into the piazza the father said, "Johnnie, run and get the preacher a bucket of cool water." Johnnie took the bucket and started, but his eyes fell on the preacher's feet. Johnnie stopped in front of him and said, "Was you called to preach?" The preacher answered, "Yes, I was called to preach." Johnnie said, "Are you're sure you were called to preach?" "Yes," said the old preacher. "I am sure I was called to preach," "Well," said Johnnie, "if I prove to you that you was not called to preach will you come here anymore?" "Yes," said the old man; "if you can prove to me I wasn't called to preach I'll not come here any more." "Well," said Johnnie, "don't the Bible say 'how beautiful are the feet of them that are called to preach the gospel;' your feet ain't beautiful." The old man's feet were knotted and twisted with corns and bunions.

From Days Gone By October 13, 1911

October 13, 1911. A light frost was seen on East Elm Street tuesday morning; the first in Wrightsville, so early in the season. The municipal primary is only a few days off, and so far we have heard very little politics discussed; candidates are very scarce, only one having publicaly announced. The big sign of the closing out sale at the Empire Store which spans the street is attracting alot of attention. Mr. T. G. Holt, proprietor understands the art of advertising and his unique method is been quite a success. The display windows at H. C. Tompkins department stores have elicited much admiration from its artistic design. The work done by expert artisan from Baltimore reflects the store windows seen on Broadway in New York. Mr. Jordan Sinard left for Albany to work for the firm of Reid & Carter. Mr. Sinard has been in Wrightsville the past 2 years with the Tanner Grocery Company. Material for building an office for J. H. Rowland is being placed on his lot, corner of Bradford and College Streets. The popular depot agent, B. H. Lord is very sick. Mr. Shelly of Sandersville is in charge of the W. & T. office until Lord Returns. Miss Rosa Blackshear went to Dublin with her little brother and sister, John and Dulcet who are both with the fever. The Rev. Mr. Holly has been called to the pastorate of the Baptist Church. Miss Chastain of Blue Ridge is the guest of Mrs. G. W. Cochran. She has accepted a position to teach at New Home. A peach tree in the yard of Mrs. J. T. Furgerson has several clusters of blooms. Quite an unusual sight for this season of the year. The new garage which Mr. A. T. Cobb is having built by contaractor Chester, on Marcus Street is near completion. This is quite an addition to our city and automobile owners in general. On saturday October 31st at the Vivola, Creatore, and his splendid band will be heard in Wrightsville for the first time. Special trains will run from all points along the W. & T. Railroad. This is the best concert band in America today. On last wednesday afternoon at the methodist parsonage, Miss Venie Holt and Mr. Geo. W. Gannon were married by Rev. W. L. Wright. Mr. Gannon came to Wrightsville about 3 years ago from Ironton, Oregon. Last sunday morning at the home of the brides parents, Rev. & Mrs. H. G. Everitt in Wrightsville, Miss Mattie Everitt and Mr. Thad Ivey were married by her father. The couple will live at Moores Chapel. Mrs. Nancy Smith, widow of the late W. R. Smith died at her home near Sumner's bridge. She was 80 years old and been in feeble health. She was survived by several children and was a sister of Dr. J. W. Flanders. She was buried at the family burying grounds. Mr. John B. Acree died at his home in Camilla at the age of 83 having a stroke of paralysis. He was well known in Mitchell County. He was the father of Mrs. J. M. Mason of Wrightsville. After a long period of failing health Mrs. Zadie Booker Ivey, wife of Mr. W. B. Ivey died at her home near Moores Chapel from organic heart trouble. She was buried in the family graveyard. Mrs. Ivey was raised in Glascock County, but had resided here for several years. She was a christian woman and loved by all who knew her. She was survived by her husband and nine children including Mrs. W. D. Rowland, Miss Bessie Ivey and Mr. John Ivey of Wrightsville. Rev. John T. Webb passes over the river from his home near Bethel on October 6th. He was a local methodist preacher for more than 50 years. He was buried at Bethel church. Mr. Webb was loved by all who knew him, he was never to busy nor the distance to far for him if he was needed. On the 9th of September he had reached his 87th birthday. Mrs. Kate Carroll, wife of Patrick Carroll, and daughter of Mr. Shurlock, members of a band of gypsies located a couple miles east of Wrightsville died at the camp after a continued illness of diabetes. A mahogany casket, encased in metalic, was ordered from Macon and the remains, after being embalmed were taken to Atlanta and placed in the family vault at the cemetery of this oriental class of people, with the ritual of the catholic church. J. M. Walker, Johnson County's new game warden will be at the clerk's office in the courthouse every saturday in october for the purpose of issuing state and county license to our hunters and fishermen. Yesterday morning the automobile of J. H. Rowland killed Frank, the little pet dog of W. P. Tribble. Frank had been with the Tribble family for many years. A valuable milk cow, belonging to Col. B. B. Blount, accidentally fell into a ditch in the pasture and broke her neck. So, for the present, Buford is forced to resort to lactal fluid of the "tin cow".

From Days Gone by October 6, 1911

October 6, 1911. H. C. Tompkins has leased the Vivola Opera House owned by E. A. W. Johnson and will be manager for the next 12 months. Mr. Tompkins intends to bill many popular attractions for the present season, and will see that Wrightsville has some really first-class shows. He has booked for October 31st Creatore's Great Italian Band. Creatore, with his corps of magnificant musicians, toured the south last winter and won great eclaim, and it is quite a compliment to our little city that they will come here. Work on the buildings of A. T. Cobb and W. G. Burns is now being rapidly pushed and they will be ready to occupy in a few weeks. Cashier Elmer Daley of the Exchange Bank has begun the erection of a bungalow on Elm Street, on the corner lot adjoining the property he purchased from L. S. Cox. J. H. Rowland is in Adrian in the interest of the W. A. & L. Railroad. The need of a night train is pointed out by the Dublin Courier Dispatch. There can be no gainsaying, the fact of its being a necessity, but whether the patronage would justify it is the question. Already the W. & T. Railroad operate a "Cotton Special", and the experiment could be made without much trouble or expense to the railroad. We firmly believe that it would be a profitable venture. Make-up the train - Sleeper in Dublin, and hitch it on the Cotton Special. This train passes Wrightsville about 9 and this would give our people plenty of time to finish their days work, retire here, not be disturbed in Tennille, and awake in Atlanta. On the return trip, one can take berth in Atlanta at 9, and sleep until 8 the next morning, the usual time the morning train gets here. Warthen College now enrolls about 250 pupils and has ten teachers. The finiacial condition of the institution was never better. Every entrance ticket having been paid up. In the list of newly appointed Game Wardens, Joseph M. Walker has been appointed for Johnson County. A primary election for mayor and council for Wrightsville will be held on the 25th. The qualifying fees are, for mayor $5; for councilman, $1. The Mount Vernon Baptist Association will convene next week at Pleasant Hill near Pringle. Master Albon Hatcher celebrated his 7th birthday. A good, improved plantation of 150 acres, dwelling and all outbuildings with good water is for sale. It is situated 5 miles east of Wrightsville and is a good place and a bargain for somebody. Apply to Gabriel Kittrell of route 3. Dr. I. H. Archer notifies his patients his office is moving to the Vivola Building in rooms no 3, 4 and 5. Mrs. E. T. Pounds applied for permanent letters of adminstration on the estate of Ernest T. Pounds. Mrs. A. L. Hall, widow of E. A. Hall and Leila Carter, widow of J. V. Carter filed for year's support. Mrs. Chas Wood, of Baker County is here with her daughter Mrs. Will Mixon who is quite ill. Mrs. N. Braddy is ill and is unable to leave her room. Pauline, the 14 year old daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Morgan Snell died at her home and was buried in the family burying ground. She had been afflicted for a long time. Miss Gracie Dixon, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Hansell Dixon died at her home and was buried at the Kent burial ground. She had been an invalid the greater part of her life. After a few days illness of acute indigestion, Mr. J. B. Tharp died at New Home and was buried in the church cemetery. He was survived by his wife and 11 children. He was an uncle of J. T. Tharp. Mrs. Delia Page died at her home near Spann after an illness of several months and was buried at Westview. Rev. Father Latiolais of Macon officiating. She was Delia Caneega before her marriage and was converted to the Catholic church and has been a strict member since. She was sister to Miss Susan and H. H. Caneega and half sister to J. T. P. F. and J. J. Duff and Mrs. Kate Duff. She was sister also to S. M. Veronica and Mrs. W. E. Page. She was survived by two sons and a daughter. The extreme hot weather that we had in september, and that we are still having up to this october 6th, has broken all records and is unprecedented. It is said by old weather prognosticators to be the indication of a very severe winter.

From Days Gone By, September 29, 1911

September 29, 1911. The opera chairs have been placed in the Vivola Opera House and the scenery and drop curtain are now being installed, prepatory for the initial attraction "The Vassar Girls", on the evening of october 21st, by the Lyceum Course. By the purchase of more rail for the extension from Wrightsville to Lyons the new railroad project for this section seems even more a certainty. The route is from Wrightsville to Adrian to Lyons, to Waycross. It is proposed that this road will be extended in each direction until a new route will be established from Florida through Waycross to Athens and northeast Georgia, the route to go either via Milledgeville or Sparta and connect with a branch of the Seaboard Airline. There is a possibility of a connection also with the Georgia Coast and Piedmont, which proposes an extension to Vidalia. Notice was hereby given that on the 15th day of September the firm of Martin Bros. (T. L. & J. B.) were duly adjudged bankrupt in the District Court for the Northeastern Division of the Southern District of Georgia at Augusta. Submitted by Joseph Ganahl, Referee in Bankruptcy. W. R. Kemp of Route 1 Wrightsville will pay a reasonable reward for the arrest of two colored boys named respectively Charles Carter and Beverly Kemp, each about 16 years old. Kemp has a scar on the side of his face. For their arrest I will pay a suitable reward. Mr. & Mrs. John Mayo, and Mr. Henry Mayo and family have rented the Daley residence on Marcus Street and will take possession next week. Milledge Claxton of Kite is now filling the position as bookkeeper at the H. C. Tompkins stores. Misses Lena and Mamie Rowland entertained a number of the younger set at their home on Belmont Avenue. Preston, the little son of Mr. & Mrs. Jim Bryan is ill with malarial fever. Misses Maud Lou and Zeta Hightower are sick with fever. J. M. Blackshear, Jr. and his sister Dulcet are improving after several weeks of malaria fever. Mrs. Mary Duggan has it too. The friends of Mrs. J. M. Blackshear, who is now in the hospital at Rochester, Minnisota, will be glad to learn she is improving. Mr. Blackshear says it is quite cold there with the ice is two inches thick. The Wrightsville friends of T. H. Jackson of Dublin learn that he is critically ill at Blue Ridge where he was carried for the benefit of his health. Mrs. R. B. Chapman was called to Dublin by the illness of her sister, Mrs. Frank Brantley who's death occured tuesday night from fever. Andrew T. Clark, our clever and popular fellow countyman has been very feeble but was back in town this week, a guest of his son, Gordon Clark and family. Miss Lizzie Lee Johnson has been elected teacher in the 5th and 6th grades of Warthen College. She is conscientious and capable, and will doubtless fill the position in a satisfactory manner. Rev. W. A. Parker who has been pastor of the Baptist church for the past 2 years will move to Washington County where he has bought the Doc Waller farm, one mile and a half from Tennille. On last thursday 21st, at the home of the brides' parents, Mr. & Mrs. Gid Raines, near Wrightsville, Miss Nora Raines and Mr. Carlus Harrison were united in marriage by Rev. J. R. Kelly. J. R. Edwards, who lives on the Vicker's place, a few miles from town, brought to town a stalk of corn, on which there were ten well developed ears. The "fireless cooker" has made its appearance in Wrightsville. Mrs. D. G. Blount has been using one for several weeks, and is delighted with it in every way. New inventions are constantly coming to us. The horseless carriage, wireless telegraph, tasteless medicine and the like. Perhaps some of us may live to see "talkless women".

From Days Gone By, Sept. 22, 1911

September 22, 1911. Mr. Lee Lumley, the Marshal of Kite, while on duty last Sunday night, shot Mr. William Cordry inflicting wounds from which he died Tuesday morning. It is said that Mr. Cordry was drunk, and disorderly, and defied the Marshal, and attempted to draw his gun when he met him, whereupon he was shot. Marshal Lumley was arrested and brought to Wrightsville, given a commitment trial and put under bond which was readily given. The Superior Court convened here this week with Judge B. T. Rawlings presiding, with Alfred Herrington, Solicitor. The criminal docket was taken up on Wednesday afternoon. The Lee Lumley case was continued until next term, 1912. Clifford Dixon was tried for the killing of Marshal Lindsey at Kite several months ago. The jury brought in a verdict of voluntary manslaughter. The case of his brother, Sherman Dixon was continued to the next term. The attorneys for Clifford Dixon have applied for a new trial. The Judge assessed his bond at $2500. Sherman's bond was set at $3000. The Dixon boys have since given bond and left for their respective homes, near Wrightsville. The crowds in attendance upon Superior Court this week have been swelled considerably by the presents of gypsies and neighborhood horse-swappers, who are in evidence round-about the horse racks on our streets. The exterior of the second story recently added to the National Bank is about completed, and now that entire block, including the Vivola building presents an attractive and up-to-date appearance. J. Y. Keen, a prominent merchant of Dublin was here this week with indications of opening a millinery store. The stockholders of the Wrightsville, Adrian and Lyons railroad will meet at Adrian on the 26th. Very vital business is to be transacted according to J. H. Rowland, superintendant. Dr. Ford Ware returned to his studies at the Medical College at Augusta. Emmitt Butterly left for Athens to study pharmacy at the University. R. Erle Brinson left to resume his studies in the medical college in Atlanta. Dr. W. J. Flanders, now of Atlanta, and a member of the state Board of Prison Examiners was here inspecting the convict camps. Mrs. R. L. Kent is at Rawlings Sanitarium for treatment. Mr. Gordon Kent of Adel was here with his wife who was suddenly taken ill and is at Rawlings also. Mrs. William Faircloth brought her mother, Mrs. J. P. Kennedy home with improved health. C. S. Blankinship, manager of the City Market has been tustling with a severe case of mumps. The five month old twin boys of Mr. & Mrs. J. E. Peddy of Harrison, died Wednesday night, just within a short while of each other. The cause of death is not known. Much sympathy was extended to the bereaved parents in the untimely death of their little boys. Mrs. Donie Cary Fortner, wife of Mr. J. M. Fortner, who resides near Kite was found dead in bed early yesterday morning at the home of her uncle, Mr. William Cary. Mrs. Fortner had accompanied her husband to Wrightsville for a visit during court, and she was as well as usual on retiring Wednesday night. Early Thursday morning, her relatives were attracted by the crying of her infant that was sleeping with her, and calling to her, and receiving no response, they hasten to her bedside and found that she was apparently dead. Dr. Harris was quickly summoned, but when he reached her, life was extinct, and all efforts to resuscitate her failed. Her death was the result of heart failure while asleep. Her husband was not present when she died, he being one of the jurors in the Dixon trial, had been locked in with that body for the night. The news of the death of his wife was quite a shock to him. Mrs. Fortner was a comparatively young woman. She was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church and was buried at the Fortner burying ground. She was survived by her husband, her mother and an infant three months old.

From Days Gone By Sept. 15, 1911

September 15, 1911. The tragic death of Mr. Ernest T. Pounds of Johnson County, which occured last sunday night in Savannah, from being shot by patrolman Charles Fennell, of the Central Railway force a few moments before he was to board the train for home was quite a shock to his relatives and friends here and elsewhere. Mr. Pounds came to Wrightsville four years ago from Sandersville and lived on a farm two miles from town. He was a successful farmer and doing financially well. Mr. Pounds, accompanied by C. H. Sheppard and S. T. Tanner of Sandersville, R. L. Downs of Davisboro and others from here left home sunday morning on a Tybee Special for Savannah to spend the day at the beach. The following is the account produced by the Savannah News: '" E. T. Pounds of Wrightsville, a sunday excursionist, was shot and instantly killed last night at the Central Railway passenger station, a few moments before the time for the train to depart, by patrolman Charles H. Fennell of the Central Railway's police force. Pounds was resisting arrest at the time he was killed, and according to witnesses had drawn a pistol on the officer. The shooting occured about a 100 yards west of the passenger station proper and near the engine of the train which was to take Pounds and his friends to their homes. The dead man was killed by a bullet which entered above the left eye and passed through the brain and emerged from the back of the head. Mr. Pounds fell in his tracks and died without speaking. The patrolman, with J. O. Wallace, special agent of the Central met Pounds near the engine. While on the train Pounds made a motion as though to take a pistol from his hip pocket, and the officer was told on his trip back to get him, that Pounds had made the statement he would not submit to arrest and had displayed a revolver. As the patrolman and Wallace approached their man, Fennell called on him to throw up his hands as he passed into the light from the engine. He replied that he would not, and produced the pistol. Fennell had prepared his pistol for use, fired 3 times and Pounds fell." On request of the attorneys for the prosecution the case of Charles Fennell, who shot and killed Mr. Pounds, was continued by Recorder Schwarz until the next day. Twiggs & Gazan who have been employed to prosecute asked for the continuance because they had not had time to investigate the case and summon their witnesses. On wednesday Recorder Schwarz dismissed the case deciding he shot and killed Pounds in self-defense and not murder. Judge Twiggs argued that Fennell should be held for a higher court, but Schwartz refused. Relatives of Mr. Pounds are making haste to prosecute policeman Fennell, saying Pounds was shot down without provocation and without any chance to defend himself from the murderous assualt of the policeman. It has been expected all summer that the sunday excursion trains to Tybee would result in a tragedy. A passenger from Sandersville states he will never go again and asserts that drinking beer and playing cards take place on the trains and once in Savannah are indulged to have all the beer and whiskey they care to buy, without restrictions, especially at Tybee. It has become a sunday debauch and a shame that the state of Georgia does not stop it. The spanish bull fight is a sunday school picnic compared to a sunday coast excursion in Georgia. When people assemble to depart for home many are boisterous by the sale of illegal intoxicants. If the police would do its duty to prevent this instead of standing ready to shot the unfortunate excursionist who becomes to noisy it would not be necessary to arrest someone. It is claimed by those who were with Pounds in Savannah that he was not intoxicated, that he only remonstrated with Fennell because he was placing another man under arrest, and that the officer became angry because he did so, making threats to arrest him. Mr. Pounds left the train so as to get out of reach of Fennell, walked down the track so as to catch the train as it pulled out and that Fennell followed him and shot him down. Mr. Ernest T. Pounds was survived by a wife and three children. He was buried at Sisters Church in Sandersville.

From Days Gone By Sept 8, 1911

September 8, 1911. Warthen College opened for business on Sept. 5th under the most flourishing and promising condition. The enrollment at the beginning is the largest in the history of the school. It was necessary to add two more teachers to the faculty. Great improvements have been made upon the college campus by grading and sodding. There is a movement now to construct two large dormitories at once. A beautiful tiled pavement has been laid in front of the Vivola building on Marcus Street and Mr. E. A. Lovett has had the sidewalk in front of the Express Office and Bank of Wrightsville tiled and is appreciated by pedestrians all. H. C. Tompkins has had his entire stock of groceries moved to the corner store, beneath the telephone exchange. The vacant section formerly for groceries is being renovated for millinery, ladies furnishings, notions, etc. while the adjoining store will still be devoted to shoes, clothing, gents' furnishings, etc. Col. B. H. Moye has moved his law office to the Vivola building. Clifford Robinson left to attend the military college at Dahlonega. Mr. & Mrs. Mac Shurling have a distinguished visitor in their home, a diminutive son, who is now claiming all of their time and attention. Among the batch of pardons granted by Governor Smith last week was that of William Ayers, colored, from Johnson County. It will be remembered that about 12 years ago one Dan Outlaw, colored, was found dead in his house, near the railroad depot in this city. Suspicion pointed to William Ayers who was arrested, convicted, and received a life sentence. The application for pardon was presented to prison commission and the Governor by Col. E. L. Stephens of this city the same attorney who defended Ayers at his trial in March 1901. J. W. A. Crawford has just completed his new residence at Vidiala and will move his family to that city at an early date. Mr. Crawford has been a resident of Wrightsville from childhood and his old friends and business associates regret to part with him and his estimable family. Rev. W. A. Parker, Jr. who has served as pastor of the Baptist church in this city for nearly 2 years, tendered his resignation last sunday night and will move from Wrightsville. On last saturday morning Mrs. D. L. Lindsey, widow of the late David Lindsey of this county, was found dead in her bed, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. A. S. Mayo near New Home church passing away sometime during the night. Mrs. Lindsey was over 70 years old and was in feeble health but sudden death was unexpected. She was buried at New Home with Rev. M. R. Little, pastor of the Baptist church at Wadley. On last wednesday week while Mrs. Vena Colston who lives about a mile from Providence Church, was walking out in a cotton patch which is about 100 yards from her home, she came suddenly upon a huge rattlesnake, which without the aid of anyone, she instantly killed it. The snake measured four and a half feet in length and had eight rattles. Mrs. Colston who is 72 years old is indeed a most nervy woman to have tackled a monster that some men would have shrunk from.