From Days Gone By April 30, 1921

April 30, 1921.
    Judge J. L. Kent is not holding the April Term of Laurens Superior Court having adjourned it till July. The people petitioned him to postpone on account of all the farm work needing to be done. Judge Kent is farming himself these days.
    Wrightsville High will hold its graduation the third Sunday in May. Scott closes on May 5th and the schools at Liberty Grove, Price, New Home, Gethsemne, Rehobeth and Mayo Hill will close Friday.
    Messers. Joe M. Mason, C. D. Roundtree, J. S. Stephenson and Morris T. Riner are the four men responsible for the drive and contributions to the Georgia Tech Fund. The goal is $2,500.
    On May 5th will take place the marriage of Miss Marion Hollinhead of Milledgeville to Dr. Thomas E. Vickers of Wrightsville.
    Mr. Zack Cullens attended the school closing evening and had a bad night coming home, when a piston bolt in the auto engine broke into, damaging the entire engine. Zack's friends are advising him to get married and save on his going all the time.
    While in the city Mr. T. J. Powell made a large purchase of furniture and other furnishings for his new home at Kite. David Lavine, the Jew cobbler, after a lengthy absence from the city, arrived back and says he hasn't found anyplace better than Wrightsville.
    Mr. Gordon Smith died Saturday afternoon at his home in Wrightsville after an illness of several years. He had been confined to his bed for more than a year and almost continuously. His wife and six children, small ones, survive him. Burial was at Beulah cemetery. He was an Odd Fellow and the lodges at Wrightsville and Moore's Chapel officiated.
    After a severe illness of a little more than a week, Mrs. A. F. Smith, wife of the beloved pastor of Brown Memorial died at the pastorium forty five minutes after 12 Tuesday night, April 27th. Mrs. Smith was born at Roswell, Ga. September 4th 1886. She had been a most earnest and consistant member of the Baptist church for 18 years. Surviving her are her husband, seven children, three sons and four daughters, two sisters and three brothers. The funeral was at Brown Memorial and she was buried at Canton, Ga.
    Joe Smith and R. L. (Bub) Brown, both of Davisboro, were arrested tonight, suspects in connection with the assualt and robbery of I. W. Arnold, cashier of the Merchants & Farmers Bank last night. The two men were taken into custody five miles from Davisboro by Sheriff B. A. English of Washington County and a posse as they were endeavering to make tbeir getaway in an automobile.
    Smith and Brown had been sought since the attack on the bank cashier. Saturday night two of the members of the Sheriff's posse, which immediately started in pursuit of the robbers, were held up at the points of guns by Smith and Brown and were told to "walk it.". Both have been in trouble here several times, and are said to have been hiding out several days to avoid arrest. One had $55 and the other $75 when placed under arrest.
    Cashier Arnold, at the time of the robbery, was rendered unconcious by a blow, but revived in time to shoot at the fleeing robbers, who had taken $500 from him. A large posse working under the direction of Sheriff English had been scouring the country all last night and today and rewards of $200 had been offered for the arrest of the guilty parties.

From Days Gone By April 23, 1921

April 23, 1921.
    While the agitation was so enthusastically on for additional territory for Johnson County, the Wrightsville Headlight has circumavigated the boundary lines of the county circumspectly and made a revelation on its own account in an editorial as well as on the part of a number of citizens who have thought it over and want the lines changed.
    There is much logic in the recomendation of the Grand Jury to add the Adrian territory and also much more in the cutting of the long nook over on the Laurens County side and straighening it out while on this subject.
    These three places need to be cut off of the counties of Washington, Laurens and Emanuel for Johnson's sake, giving Johnson something like 25 square miles more territory and not injuring the neighbors whatsoever. Then our county would be in a very pretty shape.
    The recomendation of the Grand Jury, in line as it was, came a little premature because of the way the law reads. It will require the body to make these recomendations after filing of petitions from the affected area, the publishing of the application, and certain other work. But this could be worked out satisfactory and all right provided the counties cut would agrer to it.
    We find the people of Laurens and the Washington sides anxious to get their lines straighened and along with carrying on the Adrian action it wouldn't take much more work to give these other two sides consideration.
    If Adrian wants to come into Johnson she is welcomed whole heartedly by the majority of our people. Wrightsville made the initiial step. Showing her position as sincere. The rest of the county feels the same way.
    For ten years this towns boundary lines have caused trouble ever since the town was built. These lines have caused disputes among neighbors, uncertain and indefinite civil and criminal court action, a divided political neighborhood strickly speaking, no little worry and trouble over school matters and every phase of business life has been more or less affected.
    But for the hope of a new county there Adrian possibly could have been relieved of this situation years ago and in this we can't resist the admiration of her loyalty and spunk. And who can say that in after years the gransons and granddaughters of the present town will be holding the office of sheriff, clerk, ordinary, etc. of the new county over which the tall towers of the county seat of Adrian pitch and herald justice, wisdom and moderation.
    And welcome to Johnson, Adrian.
    In this connection it may be as well to note the matter now hanging between the counties of Johnson and Emanuel with reference to the construction of the mammoth concrete bridge over the Ohoopee at Adrian. The details are unimportant. Emanuel asks Johnson to pay around $9000 as her part in this bridge construction. Born in Emanuel and our home in Johnson we say right is right and we believe with what we know about the matter that it is right, just, fair, proper and neighborly that Johnson should bear part of this burden. And in this opinion we find ourselves accompained by some of the best though in the county of Johnson.
    Emanuel is asking it on these grounds, that it is right and fair and neighborly. And we believe the contention will be made further and more corroborative strong by the addition of the town of Adrian to Johnson and its adjacent territory, and will figure in the terms of agreement between the two counties when the issue of the cutting off of this territory is faced. They are not asleep at the switch and we might as well face the issue now as hereafter.
    In conclusion we want to empazine our contentions for the best interests of our good county, all of which we cannot see any direct violence coming in making a fight for the addition of this new territory in the three places mentioned.

From Days Gone By April 16, 1921

April 16, 1921.
    The secretary of the fair association has been  engaged in corespondencr for the past two weeks working on a circuit of a half a dozen towns, lining up a route for a good carnival company to show at each of the fairs this fall.
    Warrenton, Sparta, Louisville and probably one or two more will likely join Wrightsville in the circuit proposition at a meeting to be held in Sandersville this week. A delegation from here will go there to meet the representatives of these fairs in discussion of the circuit.
    Other matters pertaining to a successful fair this fall are being worked out and the outlook for a real fair is encouraging. The people of the county want to keep this fact in mind and make preparations in time for the exhibits.
    If the people who have hogs for sale and wish to sell them co-operatively, county agent M. E. Crow will get the state market man here to help put on a sale. Don't sell your small hogs, none under 175 pounds gross weight and will be first grade hogs. The sale is scheduled for April 20th. Have 30 head already subscribed. Need 45 to 50 more. Hogs will have to be inspectrd and weighef.
    The fine 12 acre pasture is now complete with seed sown and everything in proper shape. It is on the large farm of Mr. Green B. Harrison, just east of the city a few miles and is the first of its kind in the county.
    The total cost of this pasture is $160, that is for the seed, plowing, etc. Mr. Harrison bears a half and the Central of Georgia Railroad the other half, or in other words the railway company agreed to put $100 in these pastures.
    Mr. McWhorter, the system's agricultural agent, and Mr. Brown, the district's general farm demonstration supervisor, who were here, were out at the pasture and assisted in its final touches. It has been sown in Carpet, Dallas and Lespedeza.
    In the pasture the county has an example pf what is being done in many places in the state to improve the cattle industry and also in a measure to meet weevil conditions.
    The latest territorial acquisition and line fixing now centers around Adrian, again. For many years she has been embarrassed one way or another by being mixed up in two or more counties. Now it is proposed to get it right.
    An idea coming from Adrian got the people here busy and want this valuable territory put into Johnson County. Firmly ninety percent of the people want to be in Johnson.
    The territory actually necessary to straighten out the lines and leave the community in the best of shape will embrace around 8 square miles and over a quarter of a million in taxable values. It will take in something like two hundred seventy five voters, minus the ladies.
    The committee and the people there decided to formulate 3 petitions and circulate them among all the folks in the territory and ascertain just what the sentiment is among them. It is intended to make plats of the territory survey it out and get up the necessary data and lay them before the October Grand Juries of the two counties and the Spring Term of next year, after having gone through other lawful proceedings and a long next summer., 1922, this territory can becme a part of Johnson, barring of course hinderences.
    It is thought Emanuel will not fight the move. Treutlen wants the territory but doesn't stand much of a show with those people around Adrian. There is a little nook which runs on down on the west side of the Ohoopee to a distance of almost eight miles from Adrian that Emanuel would like to disconnect with also. But this nook puts the people in it too far away and is thus an unfair proposition to take them into the new county lines. Johnson is gladly assisting in this matter of getting Adrian into her boundaries.

From Days Gone By. April 9, 1921

April 9, 1921.
    The Dublin District Epworth League Conference of the M. E. Church, South, convenes in Wrightsville on the 8th, 9th and 10th this week. The city's homes have been opened to receive the many guest who will visit the city for three days.
    The Johnson-Washington Singing Convention will meet Saturday and Sunday at Beulah Baptist Church for two days of singing and dinners. Singers are coming from Laurens, Emanuel, Toombs, Treutlen and Jefferson counties.
    News from the University Hospital in Augusta stated that Mr. James Culver had completely lost the eyesight of the injured optic and it was necessary to remove it which was done that day.
    The U. S. Army has again enlisted the services of Dr. I. H. Archer of Wrightsville as one of their dentists and he has gone to occupy the position accepted at New Orleans. He has closed his office here for some time not knowing how long he would be gone.
    Saturday was set aside as a clean up day at Scott. Also two runaway couples were married there. Miss Ethel Rogers and Mr. George Sutton and Miss Vianky Horton to Mr. Marvin Holmes.
    Mr. Johnnie B. Paul files for bankrupcy. Ordinary U. R. Jenkins has made a neater appearance out of the shrubbery at the courthouse. Mr. W. J. Grant came up from the lower part of the county and says he is planting his cotton this week and thinks its in plenty of time.
    Mildred Morgan has opened a picture gallery and is ready to make your pictures. On and after April 9th Wrightsville Police Chief H. T. Downs, the ordinance on speeding and cut-cuts and bursted mufflers will be strictly enforced. The Jackson Brothers of Donovan have purchased the feed mill of Mr. J. H. Rowland and are now prepared to grind velvet beans and corn at the price of 25 cents per hundred pound.
    Mr. & Mrs. W. T. Johnson had a little daughter on March 28th. Mr. & Mrs. Frank Jackson of Donovan had a baby boy on the 31st of March.
    There were two funerals and burials at Pleasent Grove church Monday. Mr. John Edward Cox and Mr. Johnny Meeks. The former was 73 and had been sick for years. His wife, three sons and one daughter survived him. The children are John L. Cox, Walter Cox, Milton Cox and Mrs. John Howell.
    The latter, Mr. Meeks was 45, a son of Mr. & Mrs. John H. Meeks. He died Sunday afternoon. He left six children, three boys and three girls. Both men were members at Pleasent Grove.

From Days Gone By April 2, 1921

April 2, 1921.
    The March Term of Superior Court ended after five days of hard work by Judge H. B. Strange, Sheriff Lewis Davis and deputies Roger and Godfrey Davis, C. T. Mixon, W. J. Crawford and J. E. Glisson.
    Judge Kent was disqualified in the Linder-Cave damage suit. Cols. J. K. Hines and E. L. Stephens filed for a new trial in this case.
    Wednesday Sam Hurst was on trial for killing Dina Kemp 18 years ago. He was found guilty and sentenced one to three years. Isadore Hood and Arthur Battle were freed by the jury. These two with Levi Hightower were charged with murdering another colored man at a church near Bray's store. Hightower has never been found and arrested.
    Isadore Hood got mad with Nig Cason for swearing against him and when Nig went to jail Thursday night on a misdemeanor charge, Isadore bantered him about it, hitting him and choking him. Nig went before the Grand Jury, obtained a bill and Isadore drew a fine of $50 or 8 months for assault and battery.
    Tom Robinson went up for two to yhree years. Walter Thomas was aquitted on a murder charge. Modie Taylor was charged by an old "oman of the days" with arson. Modie was guilty according to the jury. He got 12 months or a $100 fine.
    The Grand Jury made their presentments to the court. On public buildings recommended the tower on the courthouse be replaced so to keep water off the face of the clock. That the clock be repaired and put in good shape. The toilet be replaced. The law offices of Faircloth & Claxton be converted to a ladies bathroom, the jail be overhauled. The barn at the stockade roof needs repair because its subject to fall at anytime.
    They found that the convicts in good condition and well cared for. They have one white and 29 colored convicts.
    They also recomended a bridge be put across Flat Creek on the Kite and Adrian road. A bridge be put across Little Battleground Creek on Old Savannah road.
    Also that three districts of Washington County be cut off into Johnson County with said line to commence at the old Tarver road intersects the Johnson line and running into old Tarver road to Tarver's bridge on the Little Ohoopee River, thence down the river to News Bridge and then said line to run to App Jones' place and on to the Johnson County line.

From Days Gone By March 26, 1921

March 26, 1921.
    About 9 Saturday the fire alarm was turned in and the firefighters and hundreds of people on the streets ran to the home of Baliff C. T. Mixon where an oil stove had caused a threatening blaze. It was soon extinguished with but little damage being done.
    Seeing tigers from all points of view is a new idea recently sprung. But what "tiger" brought in was certainly there, even though it did turn out later to be tom-a-toe, with the accent on the tom. About noon Easter a mule and buggy hid behind the store between the Baptist church and the courthouse and the occupant was seen from the congregation in the church to take a big looking package from the buggy and hide it on the ground nearby.
    Upon the closing of the services Chief Downs made an investigation, found a half gallon fruit jar of booze hid, captured the out-fit which, it is claimed, was soon discovered to be property of one Harvey Blount who lives with Mr. B. Vickers and the mule and buggy was taken in charge by the sheriff. They belonged to Mr. Vickers, who was notified and gave bond for them.
    On going back to look the scene over later on the afternoon Chief and the accompanying throng discovered two jars of tomatoes hid also. This is supposed to have been a ruse. Blount gave bond for his appearance in court.
    Hon. Wash W. Larson, Congressman from the 12th District, who's home is in Dublin, arrived here this morning and spoke at the courthouse on the subject of the National Farm Loan proposition.
    From the 1920 crop of cotton Georgia ginned up to March 21, 1921 baled 1,446,577 bales as against for 1919 the total of 1,679,758. Johnson County had ginned up to this time 7,613 bales against 9,709 for 1919. Up the country the weevil hadn't got into such deadly work as in middle and south Georgia.
    About 11 Monday night a plate glass window in the store of Jacob Kaplan was broken into smithereens. Later on, about 2, after the lights had gone out, night marshal Daniels was walking in behind the store and discovered one man whom he asked to stop. Whereupon he took to his heels and flew the coop. Mr. Daniels sent a couple of shots in his direction but the intruder swept on faster and escaped. Whether this man or the hard wind that was blowing broke the glass is not known. Marshal Daniels is on the alert for any would be robber coming this way.
    Mr. & Mrs. R. W. Young of Harrison announced the engagement of their daughter, Addie Mae to Mr. Mell Jordan Tanner of Sandersville, to be cosumated on April 14th.
    The Navy recuriting station is reopened for business at a sub station in Macon. It is prepared to issue new Victory Medals to those men who served in the Navy during the World War.

From Days Gone By March 19, 1921

March 19, 1921.
    Beulah church is to be the host to the next convention of the Washington-Johnson Singing Convention. It will meet April 9th and 10th. Among those singing will be the McLendon Brothers, A. P. Kimberly, The Misses Gillis and the Emanuel Quartet. Mr. J. S. P. Lampp, one of the strong pillars in Smith's Chapel Baptist church is asking to host a singing convention in the future.
    The banks released their Statement of Condition. The Bank of Wrightsville, $287,508.44; The Farmers Bank, $141,634.18; The Bank of Adrian, $176,401.52; The Citizens Bank of Kite, $165,904.57; The Scott Banking Company, $77,076.41; The Exchange Bank, $$241,977.74.
    O. L. Smith, cattle inspector will be at the E. J. Sumner dipping vat April 6th, Scott vat April 7th, Garnto's April 8th, and every 14 days after until further notice.
    Sammie Kaplan arrived in Wrightsville Tuesday morning happy as a lark. He is a Jew and a brother to Jacob Kaplan of this city. Jake hasn't seen Sammie in 12 years. Sammie was just 3 years old then. Now he is a plump size lad. He can't speak any English at all hardly but Jake says he is starting him to school here next week. Sammie found the way to Wrightsville all by himself from New York.
    Miss Massey states she has over 200 members this year in her clubs, a point never reached in this work in the county before. Mr. Crow has around 160 boys in his clubs which is also the largest number of boys doing this work.
    Dr. J. R. Dent is building him a nice little bungalow at Oconee where he is now practicing medicine. The residents on Myrtle Avenue would very much appreciate the extension of this throughfare on southward across the W. & T. tracks connecting with the Idylwild Drive road.
    If you live in Wrightsville and Johnson County you are certainly interested in Wrightsville's growth and prosperity. Then why not spend your money at home people. Leave it here in Wrightsville and see your own business houses prosper instead of having to close up their doors by the bankrupt courts. The business houses of this town sell as reasonably as they can afford which is as cheap as any place. Trade at home, boost your home, live at home and home will be happy and all the neighborhood likewise. Some people's idea of progress runs backwards. So if we could turn the wheels around for their benefit maybe something would be accomplished.
    The future of stock raising in general in this county is looming up brightly. A lot of the farmers have put in purebred stock and are going into the business with a vim. It is a sure way to combat the boll weevil and have plenty to eat too.
    Did you know that Georgia established the first free school, the first State University in the Union, the first female college in the world, the first woman in the world to receive a diploma (Miss Catherine Brewer), the first steam navigation (Longstreet), the first steamer to cross the Atlantic, the first sewing machine, the first iron vessel (John Randolph), the first Memorial Day, the first inventor circular saw, the first to tunnel the Hudson River? Truly Georgians, as has been said before, have been the flower and fruitage of families who for generations feared God, reverenced the purity of womanhood and the ballot and staiving faithful, honestly and with unfaltering truth and courage "builded better than they knew".