December 15, 1922. Mr. T. V. Kent was chosen by the voter's as Wrightsville's new mayor. He won over T. L. Harris and T. L. Martin. Messrs. H. P. Hicks, J. Tom Davis and James A. Hall were winners of the council races beating out L. J. Claxton, Beverly B. Hayes and F. F. Flanders. There was a total of 249 votes cast in the primary. The election for city officials of Kite was held. Only one ticket was voted during the day, there being no opposition to the agreed parties for the offices. Mr. W. W. Claxton is mayor and J. L. Hatcher, M. J. Claxton, D. C. Harrison, W. L. Mixon and M. B. Wheeler were elected councilmen. By the regular rotation system in vogue in the 16th Senatorial District it is Johnson's time the next campaign to furnish the candidates for the office of State Senator. M. T. Riner of Johnson, Fred Kea of Laurens, James Leonard Roundtree of Emanuel and James Gillis of Treutlen, will have been through this office since Johnson has her turn and they came in this order: Col Fred Kea 1918, J. L. Roundtree 1920, and James L. Gillis has the next two years. That places Johnson again to name the candidates for this office. Build now before materials go higher, says an informed contractor. The outlook is for higher prices on most everything that goes into a home, house, store or any sort of building. Land is going up too, along with everything else. Prices are high, but with the return of prosperity we are going to see higher prices in every line. Yes it might be wise to build now if you aim to build any time in the next five years. Hold to and improve your land. Watch real estate boom. Mr. Augustus S. Norris and S. Carter have filed for bankruptcy as has Mr. J. C. Carter. Mr. George W. Gordy is with the firm of Parker & Price Drug Company. Mr. George Haywood of near Kite was here advertising his place. He is moving to Martin, Tennessee. Everybody around knows Mr. Seab Glover as he has lived around here a long time. Mr. Glover has decided to move back to his old home in Texas. Rev. Henry Heath left for the government hospital in western North Carolina where he is now stationed. He is doing well with his ministerial studies. Merchant T. E. Hayes not only specializes a fine brood of chickens, but he is producing an abundance of swine. This season so far he has laid up enough bacon, sausages and lard to do his family and then have a great deal to sell from the killings. The Johnson Lodge, No. 110 of the Wrightsville Odd Fellows elected their new officer team. They are J. A. Hall, N. G.; B. H. Moye, V. G.; Dr. T. L. Harris, sec.; M. E. Woods, treas.; L. J. Claxton, Rep. Miss Bertha Lee Tucker and Mr. Harrison M. Robinson were married November 29th at the brides home. Mr. & Mrs. Jack J. Crawford had a baby boy born November 30th. The vital statistics law requires now that all births and deaths in the 1201st district be reported by the 10th of each month. The certificates to be made out by the physicians and midwives in attendance. Atlanta is pressing hard to comply with this law. Kite, Johnson's second city in size, is on a building boom. Kite citizens are waking up to the happy realization of their town's capacity as a trade center and its commercial importance is being watched with considerable interest by a wide territory. Planting a lot of grain, making feedstuffs, beating off the boll weevil by killing the stalks and other means, are things a farmer can do along now that is profitable and many of the county's farmers are hard at this sort of work.
Saturday, October 17, 2020
From Days Gone By Dec. 8, 1922
December 8, 1922.
Jeffie Tanner, the son of Tom Tanner who was in jail for shooting his cousin, Jim Tanner, gave bond for his freedom until the next Grand Jury. Jim is getting along fine, but had a very close call of it. He has been in the Brigham-Claxton hospital in Dublin since the shooting occured and part of the time not expected to survive the wound. The boys are first cousins, brothers children, and the affair is deeply regretted on this account. The shooting with a pistol occured in the public road near the Mosley home at Donovan some time ago. The fight attracted considerable notice at the time. Messrs. "Hap" Durden, Hugh Coleman and John T. Roberts, Jr. of Twin City, Summit-Graymont, were in Wrightsville advertising the Warrenton-Twin City football game which takes place at Louisville. E. C. I. has a good team under Dick Hartley and they are claiming the championship of 1922 of Middle Georgia as well as South Georgia. Warrenton also has a powerfull football team considering the size of the town. In basketball Wrightsville won over Louisville 56 to 15. Playing for the locals were East, Moye, Frost, Pool and Lovett. Louisville had beat Tennille by one point and Tennille won over Wrightsville by one point. Wrightsville won again over Jeffersonville 37 to 2, a bad beating by the Red Jackets. Miss Elsie Anthony, 16 year old daughter of Dr. Walter Anthony, recently appointed pastor of Mulberry Street Methodist church, was painfully injured in an auto wreck about 10 miles from Eatonton when the auto in which she, with Dr. Anthony and his family were riding, was struck by an auto driven by Eatonton banker, B. W. Hunt. Miss Anthony sustained severe lacerations and bruises about the face, and the auto was badly wrecked, but other members escaped with minor bruises. In a passing auto Dr Anthony rushed his daughter to Eatonton where she was given medical attention. Dr. Anthony was former pastor at First Methodist in Athens and was on his way back to Wrightsville, his boyhood home when the wreck occured. The family had eaten Thanksgiving dinner in Eatonton and left for Wrightsville when at a sharp curve in the road the Hunt car and the Anthony car hit head on, neither of the cars were traveling fast. Miss Anthony had 4 stitches on her cheek, a severe cut under the chin and one of her ears was badly mangled. The County Board of Education by a vote of 3 to 2 to continue the work of the county home economics agent Miss Gertude Proctor. Dr. T. A. Powell and Mr. Z. T. Houser voted no while Dr. J. W. Brinson, W. C. Brantley and W. L. Mixon voted yes. The salary was agreed at $50 per month. Mr. J. B. Paul has purchased the Knowles Barber Shop from the owner, Mr. B. F. Knowles. Mr. T. L. Drake entered the merchantile business and grocery trade in the Kennedy building which was occupied by Mr. J. B. Paul, the latter selling to Drake. Mr. John Eason Durden died in Franklin's Sanitarium in Swainsboro. He was buried at Twin City Cemetery with an impressive Masonic ceremony. Mr. Durden's wife was a daughter of the late Joseph Brantley of near Harrison and has lots of relatives in Johnson County. Mr. John B. Poston died after a brief illness. He resided with his family in the eastern part of the county and was a good, hardworking citizen. He was buried in the family burying grounds at Davisboro. Mrs. E. V. Powell, wife of the late James Bennett Powell, died at the Brigham-Claxton hospital in Dublin at 71 years of age. She was a member of Oaky Grove and was buried there. A sister, Mrs. Henry Wheeler, and three brothers, Cicero Perry, J. M. Perry survive her. Her living children are J. M., Samps L., Walter N., and Q. B. Powell and Mrs. C. L. Claxton, Mrs. M. J. Claxton and Mrs. Newton Meeks. Kent & Bush undertakers were in charge.
Friday, October 9, 2020
From Days Gone By Dec. 1, 1922
December 1, 1922.
It snowed in Wrightsville and Johnson County most all of last Sunday morning which was the earliest snow seen here in 23 years. In 1912 on the afternoon and night of November 26th and on the 27th snow fell in this county and that date held the record for the earliest up to Sunday which record was broken by a few hours. Incidentally this was the second snowfall in the county this year, the first one coming on February 16th. It began sleeting before day and this lasted up to about 8 when the snow began to fall and it came down in pretty large flakes until about 11 when a misty rain and sleet was again recorded. Then in about another hour and for an hour snow fell again. The temperture was down to one degree of freezing point after the sun was up, the mean temp for the day resting around 42 degrees. Many people feared a severe freeze and a bursting of water pipes and the killing of flowers which had been left out. Snow fell in Dublin, Macon, Americus and many other places in the state. Dr. W. A. Brooks will preach his final serman at the Methodist church Sunday. He is going to Jesup at a higher salary and is well pleased with his new home. Rev. A. F. Smith of Brown Memorial as headed to Atlanta for the 101st Georgia Baptist Convention. Rev. N. M. Lovein of Scott has been recomended by the Board of Mission for an appointment by Bishop Ainsworth as an evangelist. Mrs. R. L. Stephens sprained her ankle which has kept her confined to her room not able to walk at all. Rev. Shade W. Brown who was just returning for his third year to the pastorate of the Midville church, and upon reaching his home from conference, spoke to his wife, asking her how she felt, and fell to the floor unconscious and speechless. He died immediately. The Great Majestic Exposition shows are in Dublin this week playing for the negro fair. County agent M. E. Crow is leaving for Chicago to attend the Internationally Livestock Exposition. Most every teacher in the county came to the institute Saturday for a day's study. Mr. & Mrs.Frank Jordan announced the birth of a girl. Mr. & Mrs. Charlie Bray had a baby boy. Mrs. Nita Kent Clary, the young wife of Mr. James Hunter Clary of Thomson, and daughter-in-law of Judge & Mrs. J. L. Kent died in a Jacksonville, Florida Sanitarium from a severe case of fever. She was buried at Waycross. Dr. J. Leon Bell, a son of the late Dr. Green Bell, known to most everybody in this county, died at Allen's sanitarium in Milledgeville. He had been in ill health for years. He was buried at Swainsboro. Mr. Joseph R. Flanders of Adrian died at his home there. He had been in failing health for over a year. He was a son of the late Rev. A. C. Flanders and leaves a wife, the second, and several sons and daughters, all of his brothers and sisters having precceded him in death. He was 67 years old on July 7th. He was buried at Poplar Springs. Mrs. Alexander past away at her daughters home here, Mrs. J. H. McWhorter. She had lived with her for two years but formally lived in Bolling Green, Kentucky. She was 76 and a member of the Christian church. She was carried back to her home in Kentucky for burial. Mr. A. S. Norris, former Clerk of Superior Court has entered the turpentine business. He is selling a lot of the gum to different manufacturers of it, and like all the dealers along now, is making something out of it. The turpentine business in the county, as a rule, is a very small one on account of the scarcity of the timber, but all who are engaged in it are thriving. Mr. Green Harrison has been operating a new still the past year and several more stills have gone into business in the same time.
From Days Gone By Nov. 24, 1922
November 24, 1922.
The boll weevil, a dry subject but a live one. These are some observations on this subject that come from James Holloman who spent months in the areas badly infected and what he has doped out the subject that is practical and worth deepest consideration. To write about the boll weevil is a dry subject. Just quiz the cotton farmer and see. It is today the south's very greatest economic problem. Pamplets on the subject by the thousands have been written and millions of them distributed over the entire country. Theory after theory has been advanced, scientific, experimental, technical and foolhardy. But to get down to the very root, to the milk in the coconut, the best information is coming direct from the cotton farmer himself. The man who knows is the fellow who has been dealing with him ever since his advent and destruction begun, on through the devastation period and into a rejuvinating activity in the cotton fields with the weevil in hand and controlled. Every part of the cotton area of the south has or will have to pass thru this period of weevil infection. No part is free from the insects ruin. Every path is open to his invasion and work and it is up to the cotton grower to overcome him and rehibilitate from his disastrous effects. This is being done everywhere a foothold can be secured. Authorities say intense cultivation which means greatly reduced acreage, early planting, preparation of seed, more care in the quality of seed, and the consequential work of picking squares, clearing up weevil haunts, will produce cotton on a satisfactory scale, providing there is a wise use of a preventave in the case of intensive infestation. It has taken from three to four years to learn these lessons in weevil infected areas and hence the first sdctions infested have been the first to overcome the weevil. We find Texas making a million bales this year, Alabama is almost back to normal and southwest Georgia is making almost a pre-weevil crop considering acreage planted. As the weevil advances and the people learn the lesson of how to meet him on the level and win out other sections will no longer feel the losses of his work. Boll weevils multiply in cotton stalks until frost and then hibernate, go into winter quarters. Only the mature weevil passes the winter, the full grown fellow. Standing stalks make for them a fine winter home and into these they snug themselves nicely away, with the first killing frost. Stalks, grass, weeds, dead leaves, stumps with cracks in them, etc., furnish homes for the winter. And if these covers stand farmers may expect next spring and summer an abundance of the pests. The earlier the stalks, etc., are destroyed the fewer the weevils left and consequently the smaller damage to the next crop. Kill the stalks now before frost. That's the idea. Hibernation is the root of the weevil. Start now at the root. Begin the fight now. Turn the stalks under with all the other vegetable matter. Don't burn it. You are losing if you do.
From Days Gone By Nov. 17, 1922
November 17, 1922.
All of Georgia mourned the death of Hon. Thomas E. Watson, noted statesman and newspaper publisher, who died at his post of duty in Washington early on September 26th. Senator Watson was 66 years old and had been in the United States Senate for a year and a half and his service in that body rendered him a most conspicous figure. He was born in Thomson and for years practiced law before entering politics. He passed the state bar in 1876. Served in the Georgia House in 1882, and later in 1888 as Democratic Elector at large for the state. He was elected to Congress in 1890 and served till 1892 on the Populist ticket. After being defeated in the next two elections, Senator Watson was the choice for Vice-President of the Populist Party which indorsed William Jennings Bryan for President in 1896. He was nominated for President by the People's Party in 1904. About that time he began the publication of Tom Watson's magazine in New York and a year later the Watson's Jeffersonian magazine. The publications were suspendid during the Wilson administration when denied transmission through the mails after attacks appeared in them against the draft act, the espionage law and other war measures. Mr. Watson then began publication of the Columbia Sentinel at Thomson which he owned at his death. He was elected again to the United States Senate serving from 1920 until his death in 1922. He was an Anti-Wilson, anti-league and anti-war measures Democrat. After defeating Senator Smith and Governor Dorsey for the nomination he was elected over Harry S. Edwards, Independent candidate who favored American participation in the League of Nations by an overwhelming majority. He was called the political "Hercules of Georgia". Through many stormy political battles did Tom Watson go and three times he was victorious, but more true of him is the fact that for the last score of years he weilded a mighty hand in the controlling powers of Georgia politics. Politicians sought his counsel and advice, Presidents conferred with him, and those inclined to run for any office beseiged him for his support because at one time or another a word from Watson was equal of election. His word was law with his followers, fifty thousand strong in the state. Watson's ability through his powerful writing of national impart gave a keen insight into his intellect and power to lead and direct. He was a student of everything that pertained to the welfare of his country. There were those who were constantly at dagger's point with him politically but these, were now paying tribute to him and his magnificent and brillant career, as Georgia's stormy petrel, the Junior Senator from Georgia. He authored a two volume book, Story of France and a biography of Napoleon. In a career marked by controversy, he was best known as the father of Rural Free Delivery. Approximately 10,000 persons representing every walk of life from plough boy to U. S. Senator, gathered to pay their last respects. His silver-grey casket was taken from a special coach to his colonial home on Hickory Hill in Thomson. Then later in the afternoon they gathered beneath the stately Magnolias and fragrant tea-olives of the Thomson Cemetery just walking distance from Hickory Hill and stood with bowed heads as the Sage of McDuffie was lowered to his final rest. "Watson died as he always said he wanted to die---in the harness", J. C. Wall, a prominent merchant of Thomson told a reporter, "He died in the zenith of his career. He died fighting the fights of his people".
Sunday, September 27, 2020
From Days Gone By November 10, 1922
November 10, 1922.
Among the increasing products of diversified farming in this county is found an industry that is paying handsome dividends to those so engaged and it is a money crop the year round. That is hog raising. Several years ago this industry started off with two or three farmers who purchased pure bred hogs. Started on a small scale and broadened out to where now they have enlarged their pastures and the herds have become renumerative. The industry spread to their neighbors and on and on until now most every land owner and a lot of the tennants are owners of fine hogs. Public sales have taken place co-operatively and farmers have money in the banks yet from these sales. Local dealers have been buying them along continuously, in singles, doubles, triples, etc., until they had secured a car load and these have been shipped away and sold at a profit, the producer getting a good price too. Week after week this bartering continues throughout the county. It is a paying investment and industry and one that requires but little extra effort to carry on successfuly. It has meant thousands of dollars at home and with chickens & eggs and poultry of all kinds has meant the salvation financially of our people. Cattlr, too, has helped out considerably. This thrifty business is commended among the people and want to see it spread and grow until it will afford a steady stream of income that will help prosperity's return more hastily and firmly. Business is picking up again in this section. Build a house or two. Rent it or move in it. Splendid investments await real estate activity. Real estate values are going upwards in this section. Land is cheaper now than it will ever be again possibly. New conditions are being considered and bad conditions overcome fast. Roads are being built and a deal of optimism is setting up. You just can't keep a good country down. Johnson County property is all right. Go to what you've got and improve it. You'll be proud of it before twelve months roll around. The Dublin-Milledgeville bus, being operated by Mr. F. G. Pope, is adding another passenger convenience to the county. It comes by here about 9 am going north and returning comes along about 5 pm. Travel on it seems to be pretty good for the start. Mr. W. H. Lovett killed a large rattler. While along the road he discovered the long snake crawling by and, stopping his machine, he succeeded in laying it in the shade. The snake had 11 rattles and was a large one. Ford officials state that every attempt has been made to supply their dealers with sufficient cars to fill orders, but that past few months prompt deliveries have been impossible with some of the types. The demand for Ford enclosed cars has been especially hard to meet, due to the ever-increasing popularity of the coupe and sedan for all-year-round use. A reflection of general business conditions is seen in the record of Ford truck sales, which show an increase of 84 % over 1921. Merchants and farmers alike have come to recognize the utility of the motor truck in cutting transportation costs and speeding up deliveries, and the fact that they are buying nearly twice as many now as a year ago clearly points to better business conditions. June set the highest sales in history of the company with a total of 148,439 cars, trucks and tractors sold. At the present time, Ford is employing 75,000 men in Detroit.
Saturday, September 26, 2020
From Days Gone By Nov. 3, 1922
November 3, 1922.
Agent Crow covers county with ribbons at the Savannah Fair. Local winners were: Johnnie Bray, Jr. Black poland sow; Homer Smith, 1st black poland boar; Harry Rowland, 2nd black poland; Willie Tompkins, 1st & 2nd spotted poland sow; Gordon Smith, 1st spotted poland sow; Randle Thigpen, 2nd spotted poland sow; W. R. Smith, 3rd spotted poland sow; Elmer Jackson, 2nd Duroc sow; Gladys Jackson, 3rd Duroc sow; Ollie Colston, 1st Duroc boar; Thurston Harrison, 4th Duroc sow; Wesley Brinson, 1st Hampshire sow; Carlos Harrison, 1st Hampshire sow; Nancy Crow, 2nd Hampshire sow; Dewitte Brinson, Jr., 1st Hampshire boar; Earl Brinson, 1st Hampshire boar; Nancy Crow, 1st sow and litter; Grand Champion sow all breeds, Elmer Jackson; Grand Champion boar all breeds, Homer Smith.
Court still going in Dublin this week. Two of the most important cases are Ernest Bass case and George Walker case. Bass shot Matthew Burch at Cadwell a few weeks ago. Walker killed George Avery at Orianna has been tried twice and granted a third by the Supreme Court.
It looks like Wrightsville is in for a heated contest for Mayor and three Councilmen. The name of Mrs. W. A. Sinquefield for Mayor, the first woman to seek a political office in the county. Others mentioned are Judge J. C. Wiggins, Mr. J. M. Hightower. Councilmen up this time are J. Tom Davis, Lovett J. Claxton and H. P. Hicks, if they stand for re-election could face James A. Hall, W. H. Lovett and B. B. Hayes. Mayor E. E. Sanders is not running again for Mayor. Col. L. C. Pope of Dublin was appointed State Adjutant General of the military forces to succeed J. Van Nash who was killed in an auto wreck.
Sidney and N. G. Smith, James Anderson and Augustus Cordry went to Macon to the big Mason's convention. Laudice and Leon Lovett are putting the finishing touches on the gasoline station by Lovett's Garage. They will call it Lovett's Filling Station. Mr. J. E. Joyner moved his family here from Americus to work in the store with his brother.
Miss Gertrude Proctor, county canning club agent was in an auto smashup near Swainsboro enroute to Graymont to judge a school fair at E. C. I. She suffered a broken arm.
Several days ago Fred Irvin, colored, charged with killing his mother-in-law, up on the river, was caught and lodged in jail at Eatonton by the sheriff there. Sheriff Lewis Davis was notified and he was brought to the jail here awaiting the next term of court. He says he denies any knowledge of the affair at all.
Dr. & Mrs. R. Emmett Butterly are moving to Atlanta. He has lived here the last 12 years in the merchantile and banking business and for 6 years operated a leading drug store here. He goes to work there in a chain of drug stores owned by his uncle.
Mr. Ivey R. Tanner, stock dealer has been busy shipping in and out a lot of cattle and hogs. He purchased 3 carloads of choice Tennessee beef cattle at Chattanooga and delivered here for fattening purposes and are now grazing on velvet beans and pea fields.
The pecan industry is showing itself again, with a lot of nuts placed on the market at fancy prices. People are getting a good income from their sales. Rev. W. D. J. Sumner died from a severe heart attack. He was 67 years old. He was born in Johnson County and leaves two sons, J. I. of Lake City and R. L. Of Pensacola. Also three daughters, Mrs. J. C. Pickron, Orlando; Mrs. C. B. Harrison, Albany and Mrs. G. G. Buzza, Caripolis, Penn. He was living in Gainsville, Fla. where he retired from a long stint in the ministry. He was buried at Evergreen Cemetery.