From Days Gone By March 12,1914

March 12, 1914.     Holding that the evidence adduced before B. T. Rawlings in two affidavits supporting a petition by Lee Kennedy for change of venue from Emanuel County superior court, was sufficiant to warrant the conclusion that Kennedy could not get a fair trial in that court, and holding further, that the judge should have granted his petition therefore, the state supreme court on Wednesday reversed Judge Rawlings and directed that the change of venue be granted.     A dissenting opinion filed by Justice Beck and Evans agrees with the majority in the belief that the evidence was sufficiant to indicate no fair trial could be secured, but differs with the direction that a change of venue be granted. These two justices believe that the proper direction from the supreme court should have been that a rehearing of the petition be held by Judge Rawlings.     Kennedy is charged with killing his wife, Mrs. Maude Kennedy, whom he is alleged to have shot and beaten in Swainsboro on October 25,1913, so severly that she died on November 20. On November 16, he was taken to the Chatham County jail for safe keeping, mob violence being feared. The affidavits were from his brother O. A. Kennedy, and William Faircloth that the public was bitterly against him. The law was changed last summer to give greater freedom for change of venue in criminal cases, to avert lynchings and conflicts between citizens and militia.     Mr. Leon Chester has been awarded the contract for building the new Baptist pastorium, the erection of which is already begun. Mr. Chester is a reliable first-class, up-to-date house builder, and the pastorium is being built near the old church site, corner of Valley and Court and will be somewhat on the bungalow plan, and when finished will be a very pretty and comfortable residence and quite an improvement on that side of town.     M. J. Webb who was convicted for killing a man named Fields near Adrian three years ago, and was sentenced to six years has been granted a parole by Governor Slaton after serving something over two years on the gang. Through the intercession of Col. W. C. Brinson and Hon. B. H. Moye, petitions from the trial judge and jury and some of the most influential citizens of Johnson County were presented to the Governor recomending he be liberated. Webb left Sunday a free and happy man.     Mr. S.A. Scott of Adrian is a candidate for representative of Johnson County. Mrs. H.C. Tompkins and children moved to Milledgeville. Messers. Laso Mosely, Henry Page and Troy Dent were in Wrightsville Sunday. Incidentally the gasoline gave out a few miles from town and they had to spend the night in the auto.     After an illness of several weeks Mrs. Pearl Gatlin, wife of Mr. W.R. Gatlin, died at her home in Wrightsville Saturday morning and was buried Sunday morning at Westview. She was a native of Washington County but lived here the last two or three years. Her death came as a surprise and is peculiarly sad. She is survived by her husband and several small children.

From Days Gone By March 5, 1914

March 5,1914.      From now on there will be no bell rung for the Baptist services which are now held at the Christian church. The hours are 11am and 7pm every first and third Sunday, and 4pm every second and fourth Sunday. Sunday School will be at 3pm.     G. W. Brantley has made it known he is seeking the office of Tax Receiver. He is an honorable, deserving citizen who, by reason of bodily afflictions, is unable to do active labor, so he asks his friends to use their votes and influence in securing him that office. J. Wesley Meadows announces as a candidate for Coroner of Johnson County.     Rev. Jordan Norris will on April 15th, celebrate his 80th birthday (should he live till then), with a dinner at Gum Log Church where he has been preaching the past 38 years. He will be at Brantley's Chapel the first Saturday and Sunday in March and asks his home town friends to come out and hear him.     A memorial letter was written by A.S. Mayo and E. L. Harrison in the death of David E. Clark who died April 28th 1913. He was born in Laurens County and lived to be over 96 years of age. He joined the Baptist church at Jackson Church in Washington County. Later he was a charter member of Pleasant Hill. Then later his membership was at New Home nearly ever since it was organized. He was a charter member of the Mount Vernon Baptist Association which was organized in 1859 at Riddleville. He attended the first sermon that was preached at New Home, under a brush arbor. There were only six men at this meeting. David was a devoted husband and a true father and a noble citizen.     Mr. W. R. Chivers, a prominent cotton man of Vidalia, who accidentally shot himself in attempting to take his gun from a buggy while out hunting with a party of friends on Tuesday 17th and he died that Thursday at the hospital in Vidalia. His remains were brought to Harrison, his old home, and intered there Friday. Mr. Chivers was about 40 years old and survived by a wife and four children. He is a relative of William Chivers of Johnson County. He went from Washington County to Vidalia three years ago and has since resided there.

From Days Gone By Feb. 26, 1914

Febuary 26, 1914.     The unusual heavy snow storm that passed over this section Tuesday and Wednesday was unprecented. The snow and sleet together now lies on the ground four inches or more deep. The oldest inhabitant of the town would speak, but he is "snowed under."     It has become difficult to keep up with the fast increasing list of automobiles that are being bought in Wrightsville. Lawson Pournell now owns a two passenger Ford of the racer pattern and it gets him around promtly. The Duff Brothers, Jim, Pat and John, jointly own a four passenger Ford. The Ford seems to be the most popular machine in these parts.     There has been some much needed work done on the road leading east from Wrightsville. At the approach to Cedar Creek bridge from the west side for several hundred yards, this road has been a virtual sandbed being very disagreeable to both pedestrian  and drivers. It has now been raised several feet and the surface clayed with deep ditches on each side which promptly sends the rainwater into the creek. The work is being done by the county gang under Warden Kemp. The bridge has also been improved.     Mr. R. A. Moore of the Georgia Iron Works left for Wadley accepting a position with the Wadley Southern Railroad Company. Elmo Hayes of Hayes Brothers store and Gainor Burns of W.S. Burns & Son just returned from the eastern markets with new lines of spring and summer goods. The teachers and pupils of Warthen College enjoyed a holiday honoring the birthday of the "Father of our Country".     Mr. John Paul is suffering from chronic appendicitis at Rawlings Sanitarium and is undergoing surgery. Mrs. Otho Tanner is in critical shape with a three week pneumonia case. Dr.'s J.W. Brinson and  Brantley are looking after her condition. There is also lots of sickness around ther Kite area. Mr. Edward Roberts and family moved from there to Wadley. The people of that section are busy hauling guano. Miss Jesse Webb was suddenly taken ill and her brother, Morris has taken her to her home in Adrian. The street by Wathen College has greatly been improved by the city.     On Friday the 13th at the residence of Mr. & Mrs. Barbee, four miles east of Wrghtsville Miss Jimmie Curry of Hazelhurst and Rev. W. M. Flanders, pastor of the Blackshear circuit were married. The bride is an educated women and has been teaching school at Philadelphia a few miles from town. The groom is a promising young minister of the South Georgia Conference and a son of Joseph R. Flanders of Adrian and a grandson of Rev. Chessly Flanders, one of the oldest citizens in this section.

From Days Gone By Feb. 19,1914

Febuary 19,1914.      The members of the Baptist church voted unanimously Sunday night in regular conference to erect the new brick Brown Memorial Church on the site of the recently burned pastorium on corner of Elm and Valley streets. The trustees were instructed also to proceed at once with a new pastorium on the corner of Court and Valley. The $1000 insurance is to be used to build the new one which is not enough so the rest will be suplimented by the church.     Frank Outlaw is building a modern six-room cottage at Fairview, fronting on Margaret street. Mr. O. A. Kennedy painted white his large two story residence on East Court Street. Mr. Rodney Lanier of Harrison has moved to the Linder House on Myrtle Avenue. Mr. T. V. Kent of Tanner & Kent spent several days in Atlanta acquiring new spring designs in furniture.     Mayor Cook and family made a motor trip to Sparta Sunday in their handsome new car to spend the day with relatives. Mr. J.T. Miller, the popular insurance man, is right along with the big bunch of auto sports of Wrightsville and he presides very gracefully at the wheel of a handsome 4 passenger Ford he just purchased. Messers. Z.D. Hatcher and S.C. Josey former residents here have opened up a drug store in Brunswick under the name Hatcher & Josey.     J. A. Lindsey announces for Tax Receiver in the March 11th primary. J.V. Snell, Clerk of Superior Court the past 12 months is asking the voters to re-elect him to that office. W.D. "Willis" Rowland runs for re-election as sheriff. Mr. Rowland is a true man in his entire makeup. During his past first term of office his deportment and administration has been clean cut. It is only necessary that he says he wants to keep that office the people will re-elect him.     On Tuesday the 10th, Bernice, the four year old daughter of Mr. & Mrs. J.W.A. Walden, while playing with her two little sisters in the yard near the wash pot, her clothing caught fire. She ran to her mother who  was close by but before she could extinguish the flames she was badly burned. Dr. T.L. Harris was called but she died that afternoon. She was buried at Beulah. Mrs. M.E. Bridges died at Rawlings Sanitarium on the 12th. She was brought back to Harrison and buried at Bethany. Mr. George Mixon of near Swainsboro died and was buried at Oaky Grove. He was the father of W.L. Mixon. Mixon was a Conferderate soldier and was 76 years old.     Sheriff Rowland went to Atlanta to arrest W.A. Peebles, a lumber dealer but came back without his man despite the fact he won a habeas corpus proceeding brought by Peebles. Peebles it seems, when his writ of habeas corpus was denied by Judge Ben H. Hill, asked through his attorneys that a bond be allowed and a supersedeas granted in order that he might bring the habeas corpus to the supreme court. Judge Hill denied this on Tuesday morning but stated that at 3pm he would decide whether or not he would grant the supersedeas and allow the case to be carried before the supreme court. In the meantime Peebles was allowed his freedom on a $500 bond. At 3pm the Judge held that the case was not a proper one for the granting of a supersedeas and informed the sheriff he could take his man to Wrightsville. Then the sheriff found that Peebles had disappeared and despite a 24 hour search could not be found.    Peebles brought the habeas corpus on the grounds that he could not have committed a crime in Johnson County since he had never been there in his life. Judge Hill held that this was a matter for defense at the trial and not for habeas corpus. The court decided that the warrant from Johnson County, on its face, was sufficent authority to hold the man. Peebles was charged with defrauding a lumber dealer out of a carload of shingles.

From Days Gone By Feb. 12,1914

Febuary 12, 1914.     Wrightsville is beginning to get automobiles galore. A partial listing of happy ownners are Mayor J. M. Cook who purchased a very handsome Cadallac, a 14 model with phaeton top. Its the only machine of its kind here. Mr. W. M. Shurling and Mr. E. J. McAfee, two popular "Rural Routers" are each owners of a four passenger Ford which enables them to "deliver the goods" from Uncle Sam more rapidly than before.     Mr. E. E. Sanders has a Ford Roadster. The Ford is becoming quite a popular machine in these parts. Phelps Mixon of Tarrytown was up here talking up the Ford machine. Mr. C. S. Blankenship, prprietor of the City Market recently purchased a four passenger Ford which adds to the growing list of automobile owners here.     Mr. Frank Jackson of Harrison recently made a deal with the Vivola Theatre people to become the lessee and manager of this popular playhouse. He is planning some good, clean attractions. "Seven Hours In New York", a musical comedy has been booked for an early appearance. It has a big cast of comedians an a chorus of pretty girls.     Plans are being made for a joint debate between Warthen College and South Georgia College. Last Friday the college selected as Arbor Day and was spent as a general clean-up day at the campus an about 50 trees were planted.     Hon. L. L. Deal, prominent citizen of Emanuel County announces he is a candidate for senator to represent the people of Emanuel, Laurens and Johnson Counties which compose the 16th senatorial district. According to the rule of rotation it is now Emanuel county's time to furnish the next senator for the district. Mr. Deal is a capable man, moral, loyal citizen, and is well and favorably known to the people of Johnson County. So if you want a "square deal" deal liberally with your votes.     Mr. & Mrs. Otho Tanner announce the birth of a son on Febuary 5th. Rev. & Mrs. E. L. Wainwright lost their infant son who lived only a few days. Mrs. Effie Tanner Bray, age 40 died Thursday morning at her home on Clinton Street in East Macon after a several month illness. She leaves four daughters and three sons. Mrs. Bray was the widow of Mr. Ed Bray and a sister of Mr. B.B. Tanner. Her body arrived here by the W. & T. Railroad. The funeral was held at the Baptist Church with burial at Westview.     Hazel, the bright little daughter of Mr. & Mrs. W. F. Dent burned both of her hands by putting them into boiling candy which had just been poured in a plate to cool. Charlie Hicks, the 15 year old son of Mr. & Mrs. T. B. Hicks of Dublin was badly injured in a motorcycle accident just outside the city. He was traveling at about 50 miles per hour when it became unmanageble and he put on the brakes, which threw him to the ground cutting and bruising his face terribly and broke his right leg in two places.     Mrs. V. B. Robinson has for sale one Maxwell Runabout and a one-horse Jersey wagon. J. E. Glisson of Lovett lost his solid liver Pointer dog named Bob, with a white spot on its breast and has a friendly disposition. The beautiful Japonicas are now in full bloom in Mrs. Faircloth's yard on East Elm Street.

From Days Gone By Feb 5, 1914

Febuary 5,1914.     On last Monday while thwe citizens were enjoying there noon meal, the fire alarm was sounded and it was discovered that the roof on the south side of the Baptist pastorium corner of Valley and Elm streets was ablaze near one of the chimneys. A spark was believed to have feel on the shingles igniting them. The fire Department promptly responded but were bably handicapped and powerless to render any service with the hose on account of not sufficiant water in the tower, owing to a defect in the water gauge at the power house. It registed nearly full but in fact was near empty. It was not found until the firemen coupled there hoses to the hydrants and found them useless.     The flames spread rapidly and soon consumed the whole building which was occupied by Rev. L.P. Glass, most of the household items were saved as the building burned and carried to the Kennedy residence where they will now reside. The citizens formed a "bucket brigade" and saved the Headlight editors home which was dangerously close to being ignited. During the fire a feed house across the street caught fire several times but was extinguished each time. A $1000 insurance policy was carried on the pastorium.     Mrs. V. B. Robinson recently purchased a handsome Ford car that seats five people. There are now about 40 machines of different makes in the city. But, while there is an unusual number of automobiles operated, still the useful and "can't-do-with-out" mules is in evidence by a big majority, and dealers are doing a flourishing business.    Mr. J.B. Harrison, formerly in charge of the electric plant here is now a resident of Rodman, Florida. Mr. Luther Ross who ran the plant at Sandersville has moved his family here and he will take over the plant here, assisted by Mr. John Vanlandingham. Mr. F.B. Caldwell and family now occupy rooms with Mr. J.E. Scott on Court Street. Mr. W.H. Lockhart of Washington County has moved to Spann. Mr. L.B. Claxton is running for county treasurer a position he has held in the past.     Mrs. Mamie Hicks McWhorter died on the 29th at Rawlings Sanitarim, suffering from diabetic gangrene. She was a member of the Hicks family, one of the most prominent and best known familys in this section. She was a daughter of William Hicks and widow of  Mr. S.A. McWhorter. She was a member of the Baptist church and was 60 years old. She was survived by five sons- J.H., J.O., Will, Tom and Hugh and four daughters- Mrs. Dunham, Mrs. Barfield, Mrs. Emerson and Miss Ina McWhorter. She was buried at Westview.     Captain James Hicks, soldier, statesman and church worker, died on the 28th of bright's disease at his home on North Main in Fitzgerald. He was buried in Evergreen Cemetery with Masonic honors. He had an honorary escort of old veterans. He was survived by his wife, four sons and four daughters, Mrs. J.B. Roundtree, Mrs. J.B. Harris, Mrs. E. Wall, Mrs. Harry O'Brien, H.P., J.B., A.T., and J.C. Hicks.    Captain Hicks served in the civil war from its beginning to its end. Enlisting as a private he was continously promoted until he made captain in 1865. He fought in every battle in the Army of Northern Virginia. He helped with the Blue and Gray Peace monument and said he would be willing to die after it was erected. He married Miss Annie Brinson of Reidsville. While he lived in Johnson County he was elected state representative and later state senator of the 16th district.

From Days Gone By January 29,1914

January 29,1914.     Mr. J. W. Meadows established a nice, well-equipted Barber Shop in Wrightsville located in the Faircloth old law office on the east side of the square. He promises good service with prompt and courteous treatment. John Johnson has moved his stock of groceries and merchandise into the store on the west side formerly occupied by L. Davis.     Otho Tanner who is agent for some of the best and most reliable makes of automobiles, and has sold quite a number of them, has opened a garage at J.H. Rowland's old stand next to the Union Market. J. M. Culver has sold out his line of groceries to F.C. Lord and Son and has retired from the merchantile business. Tanner & Kent Furniture Company now carrys a chioce line of dry goods, shoes and notions.    Col. C.S. Claxton is having his residence remodeled and considerably changing its appearance with its broad elevated roof. J. M. Meeks is contractor. The 4th quarterly report for the city of Wrightsville lists reciepts and disbursments of $11,305.96.     Mr. & Mrs. D. B. Burns of Adrian announced the birth of twins on January 27th, a son named Lofton and a daughter named Dawson. Little Elorine and Pauline Hatcher, daughters of Col. & Mrs. A. L. Hatcher both have pneumonia. Dr. J. W. Brinson has had an attack of acute rehumatism.     On saturday night the 24th at the home of his son, Mr. Bennett Claxton, near Kite, Mr. Z. J. Claxton aged 78 died and was buried at Nails Creeek near Bartow. He was well-known, honest, upright man. He was a veteran of the Civil War and made a good soldier. He is survived by seven children, three sons, L. B., Charles and Bennett, and five daughters.     On Thursday, Friday and Saturday a fancy shooting act will be at the Vivola Theatre. It will feature Jonnie Jones in Comedy Barrell Jumping. Four reels of pictures, one of which will be a Bison 101 picture with Arizona Jack playing a principal part. Admission is 15 and 25 cents. In a wrestling match which took place here on January 25th, Theodore Kavakos won from William Econnids, on two fouls out of three.     Thos. E. Vickers of Wrightsville was elected as a member of the board of directors of the Cherokee Life Insurance Company at its annual meeting of stockholders in Rome, Georgia.