The Ashburn Advance
Friday, October 8, 1897
The Irwin County Site Question.
While at Fitzgerald last week Ye Editor took particular pains to make
inquiries among the business men of that city relative to the true situation
as to the county site removal question.
Very little is said by the Fitzgerald people on the removal election.
They feel that they are in the hands of the farmers, and that the farmers
are their friends, and they have no fears as to their deciding this matter
right. Like Commissioner Henderson, whose glowing eulogy of the city
and its people, is reproduced on this page, the farmers realize the advantages
of having a good town in the county, and assurances reach them every day
that all is well with Fitzgerald in the country precincts. Especially
confident are the Fitzgeraldites that the farmers near Sycamore are friendly
toward them.
The advocates of Fitzgerald abuse no man nor place, and in this
fight are relying solely on the merits of their case and the efforts of
their farmer friends. The cry of high taxes is being effectually
silenced. The farmers of old Irwin are a thinking lot of men, and
they know enough of their own laws to know that the colonists have absolutely
nothing to say about the tax levy.
The tax levy is usually recommended by the grand jury, and is fixed
by the county commissioner. The commissioner is elected by the grand
jury, and the grand jury, in turn, is selected by the judge of the superior
court. So far there is not a colonist on the grand jury.
Fitzgerald will donate $10,000 toward building a new courthouse; if
more money is spent than that sum for the building, the responsibility
will rest entirely on Commissioner Henderson.
It must be remembered that a majority of the business establishments
in Fitzgerald are run by Georgians. More than three-fourths of the
stores are owned and run by natives. The Northerners have a majority
of the population of the city, it is true, but very few are in the mercantile
business. We were very forcibly impressed with the unanimous feeling
among the business men and citizens generally as to the courthouse question.
It is a mistake to suppose that the "yankees" are taking the lead
in this matter. True, the chairman of the committee, Col. Ryman is
a northern man, but nearly all the rest of the committee, including the
secretary and (can't read) are southerners.
(can't read) there is no sectional- (can't read) in Fitzgerald.
"Yankee" and "Crackers" mix business and politics and all pull together
for the upbuilding of Irwin county. The law firm of Ryman & Kennedy
is composed of one northerner, Ryman, and one southerner, Kennedy.
They have been in partnership since April 1, '96, and have no idea of ever
disagreeing. Way, Jay, Paulk, Burch, Bowen, Price, Clark, Cheney,
Buice, Harris, Goodman, Swift, Dickey, Boyd, Whitley and Drew are some
of the native Georgians shouting for Fitzgerald. There is no north
or south for these men, but they join heart, hand and purse with Ryman,
Fleming, Welch, Hayde, Goodnow, Bauder and other men of northern birth
in pulling for anything that is good for Irwin county. All these
men are in Fitzgerald to stay, and all are a unit in discouraging any sectional
prejudice. "The war closed thirty years ago," they say; "let us respect
each other's rights, but forget the past." Last fall at the corn
and cotton exposition, the grandest sight witnessed was when down Central
avenue came marching the old veterans of the north, while by their side
marched the ex-confederate vets.
The report of Commissioner Henderson, made in the discharge of his official
duties as an officer, a report prepared not as a campaign document, but
as a conscientious, truthful statement, the printing of which was paid
for by Mr. Henderson out of county funds, shows how the Fitzgerald people
are appreciated by those southern people that know them best.
We advise of Irwin county readers to vote for Fitzgerald. Go over
and see their people and you will like them. Don't let a few politicians
lead you around by the nose, but show the politicians that you are capable
to attending to your own business and doing your own thinking.
Put your courthouse in the best town, and you will find the yankees
voting your tickets and helping elect the old residents to county and legislative
offices. In Fitzgerald just one half of the board of education is
composed of southern men, viz.: Col. Ways and Burch, Dan Paulk and Rev.
Turner. The city treasurer is Fred Clark, a Savannah boy. Dr.
Miller, Justice Moore, and Merchant Whitehead are aldermen, and all southerners.
Stand by Fitzgerald; it will pay every one of you.
---
COMMISSIONER M. HENDERSON PRAISES
--
FITZGERALD AND ITS PEOPLE
--
Says They Are Progressive, High-toned, and Intelligent Citizens,
That They Will Work Heart, Hand and Soul for the Up-building of Irwin County.
---
--Extracts from his report to the grand Jury.
"During the last twelve months our county has undergone many changes.
The T. & N. E. railroad has been built centrally through our Co., connecting
with the Fitzgerald division of the G. & A. railroad at the city of
Fitzgerald. This is quite an acquisition, and will be of great benefit
to our county, and especially that section through which it is located.
With the coming of the Soldier Colony, our white population, which was
up to a short time ago, one continuous link of relationship, is now
intermixed with a large number of new inhabitants, among whom are many
of the best people from all sections of the Union, and of every avocation
in life from banker to the tinker. These people have in the short
space of one year, founded and built the flourishing city of Fitzgerald,
in which are to be found well filled churches, schools, hotels, ample banking
facilities, business houses of almost every line of trade, with a population
of 4,000 or 5,000 inhabitants, and still they come. AND WHAT IS SO
REMARKABLE IS THE PEACE AND QUITETUDE THAT HAS PURVAILED AMONG THIS
MASS OF PEOPLE who up to this time, have had no power to enforce order,
except the common law of our country. THIS FULLY DEMONSTRATES THE
FACT THAT OUR NEW NEIGHBORS ARE THE CLASS OF EMIGRANTS THAT WE WANT, AND
BY THEIR CONDUCT THEY HAVE WON THE CONFIDENCE OF OUR (can't read)
PEOPLE. Many of these people are ex Union soldiers, hence number
of them are pensioners and bring in our midst vast amounts of money that
(can't read) to never found its way South. THE PEOPLE AS A MASS ARE
INTELLEGENT, PROGRESSIVE, UP RIGHT, AND RIGHTOUS CITIZENS-- ALL (can't
read) BELIEVERS IN THE ENFORCEMENT OF LAW AND ORDER --- FULL OF PLUCK AND
ENERGY, AND EVER ENVINCED A PERFECT WILLINGNESS (can't read) HAND, HEART
AND PURSE, IN EVERY MOVEMENT THAT TENDS TO THE UPBUILDING OF THE COUNTY
OF THEIR NEW HOMES IN OUR SUNNY SOUTH."
M. Henderson,
County Commissioner.
Durham & Co. ginned 225 bales of cotton up to Oct. 1st.
J. B. Bozeman made a trip to Hawkinsville this week.
J. S. Shingler made a business trip to Savannah yesterday.
Mitchell D. Hall has been appointed postmaster of Cordele.
G. F. Musselwhite of Enigma was in town Monday on business.
E. D. Patterson of Bayboro came up Tuesday on a visit to his parents.
The distinguished Rev. R. D. Gentry of Eastman was in town Monday.
W. K. Jenkins and wife went to Dooly county on Sunday on a visit to
his parents.
W. H. Harding has been appointed postmaster of Harding, Irwin county.
Mrs. R. L. Betts returned Tuesday from a visit to her mother in Ft.
Valley.
Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Betts are visiting relatives and friends in Hawkinsville.
Henry Ray, the well-known guano man, was registered at the Clyde Tuesday.
Mrs. Wilcox has moved her millinary store to the store room of the Dew
Drop Inn.
Bob Law was the first man to visit our job department, by having 500
tickets printed.
R. A. Luke will hereafter address his letters on tastily printed envelopes
obtained from this office.
J. W. Murray of Dawson was in Ashburn a few days this week visiting
his brother, T. E. Murray.
Mrs. Jehu Fletcher of Irwin county fell dead last week while talking
to members of the family.
Miss Peggy Peterson of Sycamore was the guest of G. K. Rogers' family
several days this week.
Miss Essie Mitchell of Americus is in Ashburn and will make her future
home with Dr. Gardner's family.
T. M. Jelks bought 72 bales of cotton from Messrs. Gorday and Murray
Tuesday, and shipped the same.
C. A. Hickman who has been spending the summer in North Carolina, is
expected home next week.
Messrs. Fullwood, Murray, and Paulk of Tifton have been appointed stock
claim agents for the G. S. & F.
Tifton Gazette: "Mrs. Hill, an aged lady living in Worth county
with her son, J. J. Hill, died last Monday.
Charley Teagle will cut a swell in Atlanta. Before leaving he
had some handsome visiting cards printed at this office.
J. H. Allen and D. T. Page went to Arabi Wednesday to attend the Baptist
Association as delegates from this place.
Miss Annie Bohannon, a handsome and accomplished Hawkinsville belle,
is here on a visit to her sister, Mrs. C. W. Evans.
The Irwin County News plant was moved from Sycamore to Ocilla Tuesday.
We wish Bro. Grubbs success in his new field.
Mr. Blassingame, of new Knoxville, Crawford county, was here this week
looking for a couple of farms to purchase and locate upon.
Van Houton's house caught fire in Sycamore Wednesday night, but the
flames were extinguished before any material damage was done.
A musical was given by J. A. Kendrick last Tuesday night in the honor
of Messrs. Spradley, which was enjoyed by all who attended.
Gus King, Miller Wilson, John Harrell and Glen Smith, all colored, went
to Houston county yesterday as witnesses in a blind tiger case.
Jim Raney, J. P. Cox, Wilbur Bunch and Charley Teagle were hospitably
entertained by Dr. Ellis Tuesday night at his home near Chula.
Willis Johnson, col., was taken before Acting Mayor Lawrence Monday,
charged with selling fish without a license, but the case was dismissed.
G. W. Henderson, one of Sycamore's staunch businessmen, was a caller
at our office Tuesday, and left and order for 500 letter heads and 500
envelopes.
Up to October 1st last year, when he had no opposition here, McLendon
ginned 250 bales. This year up to the same date, and with competition,
he has ginned 276 bales.
Sheriff Story went to Starke Fla., Monday, and recaptured Carter, the
white man who recently escaped from jail, and now has him safe behind bars
at Isabella.
Dr. H. A. Wall, one of Bronwood's clever citizens, will move to Poulan
this fall. The doctor's many friends will regret to lose him and
his family. -- Dawson News
Miss Maud Domer of Worth returned from a visit to her old home in Ohio.
This week she came to Ashburn to attend school. She will still make
her home with Dr. Turner's family.
Tom Harris and Benj. McDonald, col., got into a rucus Saturday night,
and Marshall Hallman arrested them Monday morning. Acting Mayor Lawrence
accessed each of them $1.50.
The pond at McLendon's gin went dry this week, and the gin was compelled
to cease operations. Mr. Mc has begun work on a well which will supply
him with all the water needed.
The Albany Penny Press says: The Poulan Herald is the smallest paper
in the State. It is about one half the size as the Penny Press, and
is edited by O. N. Wilson, a boy of 15 years.
Abe Odum of Worth county brings forward a sample beet weighing 16½
pounds. If he can market them and "beet" the merchant that well,
it can't be said he owed them long.--Gazette
Rev. P. G. McDonald and family, of Vienna, were registered at the Clyde
Saturday. They were on their way to the Primitive Baptist Association,
which was held near Sylvester.
Wm. and John Rogers of Irwin, the former county court bailiff, were
in town Tuesday and Wednesday. They declare that Irwin county ought
to have contributed toward re-building the Lutterloh bridge.
Charley Teagle isn't much on the sing, be he is a rattling good fisherman.
Tuesday he made a sneak on McLendon's pond and caught a fine string of
the finny tribe, and Ye Local was a recipient of a mess, for which we return
thanks.
H. D. Smith of the Ashburn Advance was in Fitzgerald last week.
The Advance has recently taken on an improved appearance, and is one of
the newest and cleanest and newsiest papers in this section of Georgia.
-- Irwinville Dispatch
Ashburn has a negro woman with three living husbands. The air
around Henry Smith is demoralizing, as we said before. Next
thing, George Butler will be married three or four times. -- Tifton Gazette.
Oh get out! Do you take us for Mormons elder?
The Sikesboro correspondent of the Local says: We have been informed
that trains are running on the Hawkinsville and Isabella railroad to W.
A. Shingler's, and the road has been graded as far as Rev. I. Hobby's place.
The road reaching this place is waited with pleasant anticipations.
Bro. Herring brags in one column of his paper that he has not worked
off a single oyster joke this season, and alleges as a reason that he has
too sincere an affection for the bivalve. But in the very next column
he gets off the following: " The latest is to meet and old friend
and ask 'What sort of noise annoys an oyster?' If he gives it up,
tell him "a noisy noise annoys an oyster." What is that saw
about "consistency?"
"Four negroes and one white man escaped from the Worth county jail last
Friday night" is and item going the rounds of the State press, but is a
mistake. Only one white man and one negro escaped, as stated in the
Advance last week, and Sheriff Story offers a reward of $25 each for their
recapture.
C. T. Teagle left yesterday for Atlanta, where he will attend the Atlanta
Medical College. Charley has hosts of friends in Ashburn who hope
and believe that he will come forth from the college crowned with honors,
and make his mark in his chosen profession.
Mrs. B. T. Allen, wife of the proprietor of the Allen Printing house,
Tifton, has returned from Florida, where she went seven months ago on a
visit to her parents, and sickness prevented her from returning until now.
Mrs. Allen is a noble woman, and her many friends will rejoice to know
her health has improving.
J. M. Barker and T. H. McMurrain of Sycamore got into a difficulty over
a division of a crop made on shares, when Mr. Barker caught McMurrain by
the coat collar and kicked him. Barker was arrested and tried for
assault and battery Tuesday, and bound over to the superior court.
He gave bond and was released from custody.
Maj. White has been adding a stove flue to his shop this week, and making
other improvements to add to the comfort of winter loungers and tale swappers
who drop in occasionally and watch the Major work. That may be all
right for a harness shop, but we are going to put a cold storage battery
in this office, and scatter tacks on seats as soon as winter sets in.
There was an arrival at the Clyde House Tuesday, who failed to register.
However we are informed that the surname is Barbre, and that mother and
child are doing nicely. C. C. Barbre is doing some tall bragging
about that boy, but he had better confine his remarks to people on the
streets, for if he tries it at home that youngster is liable to cuff him
one.
The Irwin County News says: A colored man on 'Squire Ray's place
near town planted twelve acres in cotton this year, besides ample provision
crops. He and his wife have done all the work. He has all ready
ginned and sold six bales, and will get three more. They pick out
a bale every three days, which makes an average of 250 pounds each per
day. This kind of farming pays.
At the business meeting of the Epworth League last Friday night, the
following officers were elected: Prof. L. D. Passmore, president;
R. Lee Betts, 1st vice-president; Miss Vic Evans, 2nd vice-president; Miss
Kate Jenkins, third vice-president; F. E. Hudson, secretary; W. K. Jenkins,
treasurer.
Shelton Dampier who killed Sam Parker of Cecil at Hahira last month
has been captured, and is in jail at Valdosta. Dampier was found
secreted in an old house near Cecil. When he was surrounded by a
Sheriff's posse a regular battle occurred, lasting several hours, and not
until he was badly wounded in one shoulder did he surrender. None
of the posse was injured.
We have received a copy of the Ashburn Advance, and gladly place it
on our list of exchanges. We see that the name of George Butler appears
as its local editor. George Butler is the kind and courteous printer
who came to us like a god-send last winter and ran the Monitor for two
or threes weeks when we were too sick to hold our head up. We shall
never forget him; and may he ever prosper. -- Montgomery Monitor
Moultrie has had another horrible murder. Yesterday afternoon
Henry Harris and his son Robert met Henry Neismith and his son Nathan on
the road three miles west from town, when the Harrises shot the Neismiths,
the elder one dying just as they reached town. No cause is assigned
for the tragedy other than about one year ago Robert Harris was married
to a daughter of Henry Neismith, and she is suing her husband for divorce
and alimony. The Harrises are at large, but a posse is in pursuit,
and if caught they may be lynched.
Alf Davis met with a terrible accident at his gin seven miles from town
Tuesday. The gin became clogged and he attempted to remove the obstruction
when his right arm was caught in the saws and horribly mangled. The
flesh between the wrist and the elbow was torn in shreds and the bones
laid bare. The wound was tightly bandaged and Mr. Davis brought to
town for treatment. Drs. Gardner and Thrasher dressed the wound
and the patient is doing as well as could be expected. Mr. Davis
is certainly possessed of a wonderful amount of nerve as he took no chloroform
while the wound was being dressed.
Mrs. Geo. K. Wilcox desires to inform her friends through the columns
of the Advance that she has moved from her former place of business to
the Pinnix House. She has a nice line of millinery goods, and would
be pleased to have them call and examine her stock, and she will do all
she can to please her customers. Thanking all you have favored her
with their patronage, she cordially invites all to give her a call before
buying their fall and winter millinery.
Ashburn, Ga., October 4, 1897 --
Dear Willie: Since writing you last, Mr. O. M. Killian has opened up
a builders' supply business at Cordele, and is selling about everything
needed in building a house. I had fully intended going to Macon next
week to buy lime, sash, doors, blinds, paints, etc., for our new home,
and while there run up to Eatonton and see you all, but since Mr. Killian
has opened up his supply house in Cordele I will stop there and buy of
him. He seems to be selling as cheap as Macon, and the freights are
much less from Cordele to Ashburn than from Macon. However, I am
going to try and pay you all a visit about Xmas. Hope this finds
you all well. Write soon. With love to Mattie and the children,
your affectionate brother -- Mike
The Moultrie Observer gives the following account of the arrest of R.
B. Hardin, mention of which was made in our last issue: "R. B. Hardin,
who has resided in this county for something like siz years, was carried
to Dooly county Monday by Sheriff Roberts, where he will have to answer
the charge of murder. It seems that he escaped, after committing
murder there six years ago, and has been resting quietly and peaceably
in this county until recently, when Sheriff Fisher called upon to arrest
him on a warrant sworn out against him, for the cruel treatment of his
step-son. Mr. Fisher placed Hardin in jail, and then it leaked out
that he was wanted in Dooly county, whereupon he telegraphed Sheriff Roberts.
The reply soon came to hold him, and Monday Sheriff Roberts came down for
Hardin."
The Atlanta Journal of yesterday says: The county authorities of Worth
county struck a snag when they undertook to remove twenty-seven misdemeanor
convicts from two private camps of Tatum and Greer Bros. Sheriff
H. S. Story went to the camps armed with an order from County Judge J.
J. McDowell, authorizing the removal of the convicts to the county jail,
but he went away without the prisoners. Greer Bros. refused to lease
the men, and so did Tatum when the sheriff went to that camp. The
reason given was that they had paid the fines of the men, thus complying
with the sentences, and that this ended the relations of the prisoner with
the court and the sheriff. The county authorities have made no further
efforts to take the convicts to jail. Lawyers express the opinion
that the judge cannot order the men to jail after their dues have been
paid, but they say a habeas corpus would release every one of the men detained
at those camps. It seems that no one can act in the matter, but a
prisoner, or someone working in his behalf. It is possible that the
convicts do not know that they are illegally held. Greer Bros. and
Tatum 176 convicts all told.
---
Epworth League Meeting.
The Charity and Help department of the Epworth League will hold a very
important and interesting service at the Methodist church in Ashburn Oct.
15 at 7 p. m.
PROGRAMME
1. Song voluntary.
2. Song.
3. Reading scripture, James (can't read) 22-27, and prayer.
4. Song.
5. Talk on Visiting, by Prof. R. P. Fain.
6. Selection, Miss Vic Evans.
7. The Necessity of Advertising -- Miss May Jenkins.
8. Song.
9. Flower, and Welcome Com. -- Miss Kate Jenkins.
10. Our Duty to Sunday-school and Prayer-meeting. -- Prof. Passmore.
11. A collection for missions and church extension. Each League
member is expected to bring one cent for every year of their age.
All visitors are requested to do likewise, and thus help in the good work.
If any desire to not tell their age, just put 50 cents in the collection
box; that will do.
The music will be conducted by Mrs. Annie L. Walker of Sycamore.
Let everybody come, and if you can't help with the amount of a cent for
every year you have lived come anyhow.
J. C. Flanders, P. C.
-----
SYCAMORE SPECIALS
----
We are glad to note that Miss Otho Clements is able to be out again
after her recent illness.
Misses Cora, Mary and Mattie Williams return home after a visit to the
country Saturday.
Mr. Eddie Magette and family were visiting their uncle, Mr. E. R. Smith,
a few days last week.
Editor H. D. Smith of the Ashburn Advance was at the opening of our
school Monday. Come again editor.
Mrs. J. B. Warren of Rochelle, Ga., is visiting her parents, Mr. and
Mrs. J. W. Rountree.
Messrs. Arthur Clements, Paul Tinley and Willie Sloan visited Willingham
Monday.
Mrs. J. W. Smith, Master John and little daughter, are visiting Arabi
this week.
Capt. Henderson presented Prof. Bates with a gopher; but the professor
is puzzled to know what to do with him. [Send it over here, Professor.
If there is anything we like better than a gopher, it's two gophers. --
LOCAL ED.]
The Irwin County News left Sycamore for Ocilla this morning, and almost
everyone regretted to see it go -- especially the young people of the town.
They enjoyed reading it very much. I guess it was very interesting
to note the interesting happenings of the surrounding country. It
will not be moved out of the county, but we will not appreciate it as we
did when it was published in our village.
Prof. Bates, of Kingston, Ga., has moved down to our town for the purpose
of teaching school. School opened Monday with seventeen pupils.
We think in a week or such a matter we will have twenty-five or thirty
pupils. Prof. Bates is about fifty years old, and has taught school
for twenty years, and the children all love him. He seems just like
a father to us all. He speaks so kindly and seems so willing to do
everything in his power to help each pupil. School is opened with
prayer every morning, and no doubt God is present. We invite all
to come; we will be glad to have you.
SCHOLASTIOUS
-----
TAX NOTICE
FIRST ROUND
I will be at the following places for the purpose of collecting State
and county taxes for the year 1897, to-wit:
Ashburn, Monday, Oct. 11.
Ty Ty, Tuesday, Oct. 12.
Clement's Still, Wednesday, Oct. 13.
Sumner, Thursday, Oct. 14.
Harrill Court, Friday, Oct. 15.
Tanner's Pond, Saturday, Oct. 16.
Warwick, Monday, Oct. 18.
Doles, Tuesday, Oct. 19.
Vine's Mill, Wednesday, Oct. 20
W.
A. Hall, Tax Col.
Back to SW GA Newspaper Clippings 
Back to The Ashburn Advance
© Copyright 2004 -2008 by Zaroga Goff, county coordinator for Turner
County, Georgia.
