Monday, November 5, 2012

From Days Gone By Nov. 6,1913

November 6,1913.
    Some of the wierdest baggage ever brought into Dublin came in on Monday when Smith Williams of Wrightsville brought three rattlesnakes in a suitcase from his home to be exhibited at the fair. He also brought along a dog and a fox that had been raised together and were friendly as two puppies. One of the rattlers was 5 feet and had 8 rattles while the other two were smaller. All of them were raised by Mr. Williams from very small snakes, and the larger one had his fangs pulled out but the two smaller ones were still in possession of poison.
    One of the smaller ones is rather vicious and high tempered and the jolting of the train disturbed his morning nap so that he kept his rattles singing a good portion of the trip causing the passengers some uneasiness until they found out it was in the suitcase. It then became the center of attention although no one desired for him to open it and show them.
    The dog and fox are 5 and 6 months old and spend most of their time together. Williams also raised them from pups. The fox is quite tame, knows his name when called and is a handsome grey fox. Both the snakes, dog and fox will be entered at the fair by Williams.
    The sick list this week includes Mrs. Lizzie Rowland, Mr. J. M. Arline and Mr. Gainer Fulford. Prof. A. G. Hawkins died Sunday afternoon at his father's, Mr. C. J. Hawkins near Agricola and was buried at Swains church. He taught school at Kite and New Home. His wife was Mrs. Nannie D. Wheeler of Kite. They had three children.
    In the northwestern part of Wrightsville Mrs. Julia Burris died from heart dropsey. She was the wife of Mr. Geo Burris and was 52 years old. She was a member of the christian church and was buried at Westview.
    N. D. Hataway, who lived 5 or 6 miles from Wrightsville committed suicide by shooting himself through the head at his home on Thursday. His body was found in the ginhouse near his dwelling house. It is said that he attempted to poison himself several years ago. No cause is assigned for the rash act. Coroner Bailey went out and held an inquest, and the verdict was suicide. He left a wife and several children. He was a young man and an industrious farmer.
    Miss Mollie Meeks and Mr. Horace Thompson were married on November 4th. Miss Meeks was raised in Johnson County but lived with her sister at Ochlochnee in Thomas County where Mr. Tompson is from. H. C. Tompkins has added Mr. Noah Paul to his sales staff. Mr. J. W. Brinson, Jr. has made improvements to his home on the corner of Myrtle Avenue and College Street. "The Shepherd of the Hills", a dramatization of Harold Bell Wrights novel, will be at the Vivola Theatre on November 12th.
    Mr. Wright Norris brought some fine Georgia Cane Syrup to town, clean and beautiful in color. He made 100 gallons from his cane crop this year. Clerk Snell brought some fine pecans from his several trees on South Marcus Street. They were very large, rich and juciy.

Friday, November 2, 2012

From Days Gone By Oct. 30,1913

October 30,1913.
    Wrightsville is well represented at the State Fair in Macon. C. J. Smith, Tax Collector is now making his second round gathering state and county taxes. The whooping cough and sore eyes are giving great pains and annoyance to the little folks here. There are several aggravating cases in town.
    Special agent Jno W. Williams furnishes the following report: There were 13,389 bales of cotton, counting round as half bales, ginned in Johnson County from the 1913 crop prior to October 18th. This is compared with 7,447 bales ginned prior to October 18, 1912. In Dublin 30 bales of cotton was brought in on one wagon at one time by Mr. George Cullen, a large planter who lives ten miles from Dublin. It was hauled with nine mules on a steel frame, rollar-bearing wagon. At auction the cotton brought 14 cents all around putting is value at around $2,100.00.
    Mr. & Mrs. Henry Wilson announce the birth of a son, Woodrow Wilson, Jr. on October 24th. The funeral of Margaret, the little daughter of Mr. & Mrs. J. F. Renfroe was conducted at her home with internment at Westview. Little Enoch Harrison Hatcher, the seven month old son of Mr. & Mrs. E. V. Hatcher died from throat trouble at their home in Kite. He was buried at the Harrison grave yard.
    Dave Watson of Dublin died from injuries received when he fell from the W. & T. Railroad trestle across the Oconee River. He fell 32 feet and was not found until the next morning.
    Dr. R. H. Fitz of Boston who is known as the discoverer of appendicitis 27 years ago died 3 weeks ago at 70 years old. He claimed that the inflamation of the appendix caused stomach trouble which was difficult to relieve, and suggested as a remedy the removal of the appendix. The idea was instantly grasped by the famous physicians everywhere and his suggestion has saved thousands of lives. Previous to this people died of what was commonly called cramp colic, but under the methods of surgery as practiced today it is seldom that a death occurs from  this trouble.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

From Days Gone By, Oct. 23, 1913

October 23, 1913.
    The drought was broken Saturday night as the rain began to fall and Sunday and Monday a cold wave with a regular gale from the north west arrived and the sudden change in the weather was remarkable for October, fires and overcoats were in demand. Then Wednesday morning a white frost appeared, damage from which seems to have affected vegetation very little so far, and cotton is about all in.
    The Wrightsville Public School will begin on the first Monday in November and will be taught at Warthen College. The cost per child is $2.50 for two and half months of the Fall term, and $4.50 for the four and half months of the Spring Term.
    According to the 1913 Johnson County School census there are 2,492 white children in the county between the ages of 6 and 18 years of age and, 1,837 colored children which makes a total of 4,329. This is a gain of 311 children since 1908. The percent of illeteracy increased in the last five years from 12.6 to 15.8 which is beleived to be in error.
    Mr. Doc. Waller of Tennille was in Wrightsville consulting with the Mason Realty Company with a view of locating here. Messers. Hatcher & Tanner have purchased an Auto delivery of one ton capacity for their grocery store. It is the first and only kind of delivery in the city.
    Elizabeth, the little daughter of Solicitor and Mrs. E. L. Stephens has been sick with tonsilitis and will be taken to a specialist in Macon. Mr. J. M. Arline is still very ill at his son-in-law's Mr. P. H. Hicks. Miss Boatwright, a professional nurse from Rawlings Sanitarium has been here working with Margaret, the infant daughter of Mr. & Mrs. J. F. Renfroe who had been sick a few weeks with whooping cough and dysentary, but she died Wednesday at her home. She was just 19 months old and was a very bright, attractive child.
    Mr. H. E. Kreutz, one of the best known and oldest merchants of Dublin died Sunday morning from a form of paralysis. He was the father of Mrs. H. C. Tompkins. He was carried to Macon and laid to rest in Rose Hill cemetery.
    Mr. Horace H. Lake of Wrightsville announced the engagement of his sister, Georgie Mae, and Mr. Bezalell Vickers. The wedding will be December 10th.
    "Gentry's Dog and Pony Show" has come and gone and the kids enjoyed it. The next attraction will be "Kit Carson's Buffalo Ranch Wild West Show", with animals, horses and indians, the tents which will cover several acres will begin November 4th. Its the largest wild west show on earth and will include the "Battle of Wounded Knee" with two  performances daily, rain or shine. If you bring in your bad horses and mules their cowboys will ride them free of charge.
   

Thursday, October 18, 2012

From Days Gone By Oct. 16,1913

October 16,1913.
    Manager Brack, of the Southern Bell Telephone at Sandersville, Tennille and Wrightsville, states that in the course of two months the "Farmers Exchange" telephone line at Scott now has 140 subscribers. They will now connect it with the Wrightsville Exchange. This will give Scott the ability to talk to Wrightsville without cost.
    The election held saturday October 4th at Scott produced the following results: Mayor, T. J. Burke; Councilmen: Robert Thompson, H. E. Purvis, George Grangers, S. P. Rice, G. D. Snell. Scott has become a progressive little town.
    Mr. Grady Cox has accepted a position at the firm of Tanner & Kent Furniture. Mr. G. M. Hersey is head salesman at W. S. Burns & Son. W. A. Hawkins has moved his stock of groceries from his old stand to the south corner of the Wrightsville Furniture building. Mr. J. N. Hall and Mr. A. H. Garrett brought some very fine sugar cane to town with stalks from 7 to 9 feet in length.
    Mr. & Mrs. P. H. Hicks had a son on October 11th. Mr. & Mrs. Harten had a daughter on the 14th. Mr. L. L. Lord of Kite was brought to Mr. J. R. Wilson's to receive medical attention for a very severe wound between the ankle and knee of his left leg, which was caused by being struck with a piece of timber at his sawmill. It was feared he had blood poison.
    Mrs. W. Z. Kemp, wife of Warden Kemp was carried to Rawlings Sanitarium for gall stones. Also at the sanitarium are Mrs. Henry Roberts, Mr. Herschel Smith, Frank Jordan and Prof. Chas E. Ward of Warthen College was taken violently ill with appendicitis and taken there by Dr. J. W. Brinson for an operation.
    Mrs. Rebecca K. Jordan, mother of Mr. G. K. Jordan and a sister of Mr. Ivey Duggan, died saturday noon at her home in Bartow from a second stroke. She was 83 years old and survived by 7 children. She was buried at Bethlehem near Warthen. Miss Susan Elmore died tuesday morning at her sisters home, Mrs. Brantley. She suffered from kidney trouble and had been totally blind her entire life. She was buried at Westview.
    Ralph, the six year old son of Mr. & Mrs. Doctor Lee Wheeler of Kite died October 14th from malarial fever and was buried in Wheeler Cemetery. He was a bright child and the night before he died he requested his mother read the 9th Psalm. Mrs. Rachel Sheley, wife of Mr. Andrew Sheley of Kite died at her home on the 15th and was buried at Oak Grove Chapel. She was the former Miss Joyner of Washington County.
    The beautiful and calm October heavens are cloudless from sky to sky, and all nature seems to catch an inspiration from a glint of the Sun's golden rays and the balmy atmosphere. While the Golden Rod, America's national flower nods its stately head when fanned by Autumn breezes.

Thursday, October 11, 2012

From Days Gone By Oct. 9,1913

October 9, 1913.
    The trustees, Messers. B. B. Tanner, J. M. Cook, J. B. Harrison, E.E. Sanders and Ivey Tanner, of the Wrightsville Baptist Church, having consented to the sale of the old wooden church building, the same was sold this week. B. B. Tanner and J. M. Cook having made the deal. It was purchased by the Beulah Church trustees, P. B. Bedingfield, C. S. Mosely, A. R. Lanier, R. E. Smith and B. J. Peddy, for the sum of $450.00, including all the church furniture except the piano, bible, song books and electric light fixtures.
    The removal of the old church will begin at once in order to make room for the erection of the handsome brick "Brown Memorial" church which when completed will be quite an acuisition to East Elm Street, and one of the most elegant church buildings in this section of the state. The old church is built of some valuable timber, hence the sum paid was quite reasonable.
    H. G. Hatcher having bought the interest of Grady Cox in the grocery firm of Cox & Tanner, it will now operate as Hatcher & Tanner. Solicitor E. L. Stephens sold his residence on West Elm Street to E. A. W. Johnson. C. J. Smith, the new tax collector is making his first rounds for collecting taxes for 1913.
    Col. Walter Clements of Eastman was here in the interest of being a candidate for congress from the 12th District. Capt. James H. Hicks of Fitzgerald was here to see his sick friend, Mr. Jno M. Arline. Mrs. J. L. Kent, Mrs. O. A. Kennedy and Misses Clarice Kent and Thelma Kennedy enjoyed a ride over the W. & T. Railroad Stockholders Day and spent several hours in Tennille shopping. S. W. Gornto will drain his pond known as the Foskey Old Mill seat. Tickets are $1 for the priviledge of fishing all day.
    Mr. & Mrs. R. C. Powers had a son, Garrett Lane, born on September 27th. Mr. & Mrs. Will Baron had a son on October 6th. Mr. Herschel Bray from near Wrightsville entered Warthen College this week.
    Rev. E. F. Morgan who pastored for four years at the Wrightsville Methodist Church had moved to Dawson, GA. Last Sunday night a bold attempt was made when three men entered the parsonage in the absence of the family except for 16 year old Chandler Morgan. Rev. Morgan was conducting services next door just 25 feet from the scene that was taking place. Chandler was seized, bound and gagged while a pistol was held to his face. The vandals went through each room. A Missionary collection had been taken up during the morning service of $150 which the theives seemed to be aware of. This was locked in a bureau drawer, near on open window next to the church and was not molested. After services the family found the boy still bound and unconscious.

Thursday, October 4, 2012

From Days Gone By Oct. 2,1913

October 2, 1913.
    The County Corn Club contest will be in Wrightsville on October 11th. Those participants need to have there report, No. 542 filled out and bring 10 ears of well selected corn for an exhibit. This exhibit will be sent to the District Contest in Dublin and later to Atlanta. The boys have succeeded so well in corn growing they will begin growing an acre of oats followed with cowpeas. This will give them 2 crops on one acre per year and at the same time build up the soil. Prizes will be offered next year to the boys who make the most oats and hay per acre at the least expense.
    Sov. W. J. Simmons will deliver a free public lecture at the court house under the auspices of the Woodmen of the World. Samp's Johnson has opened a grocery store in the north side of Wrightsville Furniture Store, full of fresh things to eat. Col. Russell Daley, accompained by his sister, Miss Rowena Daley, will go to Atlanta to attend "Robin-Hood" at the opera, by the DeKovan Opera Company.
    Mrs. R. R. Martin has been sick with tonsilitis and Lewis, the little son of Mr. & Mrs. J. F. Renfroe is very ill with fever. Mr. & Mrs. F. B. Caldwell announce the birth of a son on September 28th.
    The marriage of Miss Louana Lovett and Mr. Rosure L. Stephens was an interesting event at the methodist church. A reception was held afterwards at the Lovett Hotel, the home of the bride. Last Monday, September 29th, Mrs. Callie Sumner celebrated her 60th birthday at her country home, seven miles south of town. Among those present were, Mr. Geo. Smith & family, Mr. Daniel Sumner & family, "Bud" Fountain & family, her brother, Mr. Amerson, Mrs. Sarah Jane Rowland & family.
    The Grand Jury Presentments found that the roads of the county in fairly good condition with the exceptions of the Gumlog and Ennis road from Swain Creek to McGruder needs attention. On the public road from Kite to Jesse Anderson's place, this piece of road is in bad need of work. There is also a washout in the Kite & Wrightsville road just beyond Mrs. Rogers which needs immediate attention. There is also a small bridge washed up in the road leading from Kite to Staplton's Crossing. There is a bad place in the Snell's Bridge road at the 5 mile post. Overall the bridges in the county are in good condition and the county chain-gang is employed on the Daley's Bridge road and doing good work.
    The court house is in very good repair, the Ordinary has recently had the walls replasted and repaired. The county farm houses are in fair condition and the sanitary conditions of the jail are good.
    The Grand Jurors were: W. J. Flanders, foreman, H. J. Claxton, clerk; F. Carter, S. M. Price, T. L. Harris, J. E. Brantley, Sr., S. P. Price, D. L. Fortner, A. H. Garrett, E. W. Carter, A. S. Mayo, J. W. Harrison, W. H. Stephens, A. S. Curry, L. B. Claxton, H. R. Mason, G. C. Douglas, Wm Anderson, W. D. Riner, Wm Oliver, J. M. Perry, N. D. Dixon.