News of war, Reconstruction

Finally, gentle reader, the last of the six essays sharing how news of all sorts was presented to a very different culture from that in which we reside.

Also, in my most recent column the last two news items were cut off in mid-sentence and should have read as follows:

Oct. 31,1860 — “The Sumter “Republican” of Friday last [Oct. 26] announces the decease of HON. HUGH M.D. KING. His disease was dropsy of the Chest. He was aged 53.”

Dec. 26,1860 — “Married in Americus on the 4th inst., MR. GEORGE A. BIVINS, of Macon, Ga., and MISS JOANNA L., eldest daughter of DR. JARED TOMLINSON, of Americus.”

This is just a reminder that the terms and abbreviations of instant or inst. means this month and ultimo or ult. means the previous month.

Jan. 2,1861 — "Married in the city of Macon on the 23rd ult. by Rev. H.C. Hornady, DAVID H. HILL and MISS WINNIE S. BARLOW, both of Americus."

Jan. 9,1861 — "Died in Sumter county, on the 1st instant, of Pnuemonia, MRS. MARY H. KITCHENS, aged 48 years 2 months - wife of BOAZ KITCHENS, late of Jones county."

Jan. 30,1861 —"The Sumter ‘Republican’ relates the death of GRIFFIN SMITH, ESQ., formerly of Starkville, but late a resident of Smithville. He died suddenly in his chair, at the Hotel at Milledgeville, on the 23rd instant, and his remains have been accompanied to this city [Americus], by his son-in-law, the HON. W.A. HAWKINS, for interment."

Nov. 26, 1861 — "Died of pneumonia at his residence in Americus on the 22nd inst., DR. JOSEPH McDONALD, formerly of Kentucky."

Dec. 25, 1861 — "Married in Americus on the 19th inst. by Rev. E.W. Warren, JAMES SEYMOUR, of the firm of Ross & Seymour of this city [Macon], to MISS REBECCA HILL, of the former place."

June 24, 1862 — "We regret to learn that our fellow citizen J.W.L. Daniel, Esq., received a dispatch from Richmond on Friday [Feb. 20], that his youngest son, William, was dead. He was a member of the Blues and of good standing with his corps. We truly sympathize with Judge Daniel in his truly great bereavements."

May 8, 1866 — “An Unfortunate and Fatal Affair — Last night about 8 o'clock Mr. R. Godwin, one of our old and reliable merchants, shot and killed, almost instantly, his brother-in-law, Mr. Calvin Daniel. Mr. Daniel had been drinking, had refused to eat supper and when approached by Mrs. Godwin, in a kind and affectionate manner, to know what the matter was, he repulsed her angrily and cursed her. Mr. Godwin told him not to address such language to his sister, that he would not stand it. Mr. Daniel then commenced cursing Mr. Godwin and finally drew his pistol and fired upon him twice, but without effect; Mr. G., then turned and fired upon Daniel, one shot killing him instantly. The whole affair occurred at the residence of Mr. Godwin in the main entry or passage of the building. It was a most sad and terrible affair and has created many feelings of regret as both parties are well known in this section and have many friends. At the present writing the affair has not been before the authorities for investigation and we refrain from making further remarks. [Eufaula News 1st]"

May 30, 1866 — "Mrs. Gresham, of Sumter county, Ga., a highly intelligent and respectable lady, about thirty years of age, started to a neighbor's house on a visit, about half a mile distant. When about half way, a negro fellow of notoriously bad character in the neighborhood, met her, and drawing a pistol and knife, forced her several miles distant into a dense swamp, where she was detained for about thirty-six hours, and brutally outraged ... At the end of two days and a night the frantic woman was released by her fiendish captor, who threatened her with death ... if she exposed him ... After wandering for several hours through the woods and swamps, she came to a house ...c ompletely exhausted, and her mind nearly gone ... She was taken home, and the awful ordeal ... was revealed to her husband ... (the perpetrator) returned to the neighborhood a few days ago, was arrested and taken to Americus for his commitment and trial. The outraged wife recognized him. The injured husband could no longer restrain himself; he advanced upon him, and with three well-directed shots sent him where such fiends, it is hoped, will meet with punishment ... Mr. Gresham was immediately arrested by the authorities, and gave bond in the sum of $20,000 for his appearance at the next term of Court. MUCKALEE.”

June 13, 1866 — "TOURNAMENT IN AMERICUS — The gallants of Americus held a tournament last Tuesday, as we learn from the Republican of that city. The first honor was won by the Knight of Despondency, a warrior who beats down all before him now. The festivities of the occasion terminated by selecting a Queen of Love and Beauty, followed by a supper and dance. Americus is a gay town in spite of the times.”

Aug. 1, 1866 — "Friday afternoon last, in company with a few citizens, we were ... escorted to the residence of our friend, Maj. J.R. Battle, about nine miles from Americus ... It has been the custom of Major Battle, for the last twenty years, to give the laborers on his plantation, a free barbecue, immediately after his crops are laid by ... “

Oct. 1, 1867 —"Local News: Died — In this city on the 29th ult., Mrs. MISSOURI, wife of Judge John W.L. Daniel."

Oct. 9, 1867 — Sumter County registered voters: 13th Dist. [Sumter, Schley & Macon] Sumter: 970 whites, 1,894 coloreds

Nov. 6, 1867 — "Thursday's record of the so-called voting in Sumter county showed 1,390 ballots in Pope's "little joker," all negroes. She has been true to her name."

Nov. 27, 1867 — H.K. McCay, J.E. Hall represented Americus at Gen. Pope's convention

Jan. 1, 1868 —"FIRE IN AMERICUS — On the night of the 24th, a fire occurred in Americus, which consumed a house and kitchen of Mr. W.L. Wadsworth — loss $2,500. Also outhouses of Mr. S. Cohen, and Mr. W.P. Powers — loss about $1,500."

Jan. 22, 1868 — "SUPERIOR COURT — An adjourned term of the Superior Court of this county, commenced its session in this place, yesterday, Judge D.A. Vason, and Solicitor N.A. Smith, in attendance. The trial of the negro murderers of Judge Horne, will probably commence today. Sumter Republican, Jan. 14th."

March 26, 1868 — "Post Offices in Georgia ... Sumter; Americus, Andersonville, Plains of Dura ... "

April 14, 1868 — "NOMINATIONS IN SUMTER COUNTY — Captain John A. Cobb and Geo. R. Harper, Esq., have been nominated for the lower house of the General Assembly from this county. Both are deservedly popular, and if elected, of which there is a very good prospect, will make excellent Representatives.”

April 27, 1868 — "GEORGIA ELECTIONS — SUMTER COUNTY — We have not received the official vote of this county, but know that Gordon has a small majority — between 50 and 100 — and that John A. Cobb, and G.R. Harper, Democrats, are elected to the legislature — the first by 117, and the latter by 90 majority."

Aug. 13, 1868 — "CAPT. JOHN A. COBB — Justice is due to every man, and it affords us pleasure to render it to our Representative, Captain Cobb, for whom we entertain sentiments of the highest esteem, and in whose integrity and fidelity to the Democratic cause, we have the most unbounded confidence. At the time we saw notice of Captain Cobb's absence when the election of State officers took place, we were satisfied that he had good reasons ... In a letter addressed to us from Atlanta, and dated the 10th inst., Captain Cobb says: "I was absent on a visit to my family; the day for the election had been fixed when I left, and fearing I would not get back, I paired off with a Republican ... Since the announcement in your paper, I think this statement is due from me to the people of Sumter, and I hope will be as satisfactory to them as it is to my own conscience." It is, therefore, due to Capt. Cobb, as well as to ourself [sic], to assure the public that we are satisfied he has done nothing to subject him to censure. Sumter Republican, 13th."

Sept 15, 1868 — Second Congressional Dist. Democratic Meeting at Smithville — Sumter Delegates: W.J. Reese, W. Davenport Jr., Col. M. Callaway, C.S. Darley, J. Tommey, Hon. A. Fort, R.L. Oliver, S.P. Jones

April 20, 1869 —"BRUTAL OUTRAGE IN MARION COUNTY — The Perpetrator Tracked to Americus and Summarily Punished ... Americus Courier, 13th.”

April 27, 1869 — "Death of LUKE P. HAMES at the hands of MR. A.P. SMITH. We understand that Hames was at his mother-in-law's, Mrs. McLeod, last night about 10 o'clock very much intoxicated; Mr. Smith, a neighbor, being on a visit at the house at the same time ... (Americus Republican, 21st)"

June 8, 1869 — "NEGRO KILLED — A negro man named ALFRED PICKETT was shot and killed by a white man named JOHN MORLAND at the bridge, near this city on Saturday [May 29th] ... Americus Courier, 1st.”

June 15, 1869 — "ITEMS FROM THE SUMTER REPUBLICAN — COMMENCEMENT — The Commencement Exercises of Furlow Masonic Female College will commence on Sunday, the 27th inst., and close Wednesday, the 30th. The Commencement Sermon will be preached by Rev. Mr. Wharton, of Eufaula, Alabama, and the Literary Address delivered by Hon. Clifford Anderson, of Macon, Ga ...”; THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH. We learn that the ceremonies for laying the cornerstone of an Episcopal Church in this city, will take place in the course of the present month. Bishop Beckwith and other distinguished clergymen of that denomination are expected to be present and participate in the interesting ceremonies.

July 13, 1869 — "The Americus Republican of Thursday chronicles the sudden death, on the 6th instant, of CAPTAIN JOHN M. SHIVER, a talented citizen of that place. Was a member of the Sumter Light Guards during the Civil War; a Mason; was elected Assistant Fireman of Fire Company No. 1."; "... On last Thursday morning [July 8th] at 8 o'clock, the corner stone of Calvary Episcopal Church, in this city, was laid by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Beckwith, of the Diocese of Georgia. The ceremony, though brief, was quite impressive. The congregation gathered at the residence of Dr. E.J. Eldridge, where a procession was formed, the choir in front, the ministers in their robes and surplices immediately after, and the membership and visitors following, in which order the church lot was approached. The order of procession was reversed at the church ground, the people forming laterally about the spot, and the divines drawing near the northeast corner of the edifice, succeeded by the choir chanting the one hundred and twenty second Psalm. Prayer was said; the vault of the Corner stone was filled with the following relics, to wit: the Bible, the Prayer Book, the Church Journal, the Church Register, a copy of the Macon Telegraph, a copy of the Sumter Republican, and two American coins; the lid was replaced; and the three strokes of the gavel in the Bishop's hand, blessing and consecrating the edifice in the name of the Father, Son, and the Spirit, completed the hallowed dedication. The beautiful chant, Cantata Domino (Psalm CXVIII,) proclaimed the accomplishment of the sacred work, and the thankful joy of the assembled congregation. In some chaste and appropriate and impressive remarks, preceding the benediction, Bishop Beckwith congratulated the little flock upon the evidence there displayed of their zeal and energy, affirming that no other parish in Georgia had achieved so much. He paid an especial and deserved tribute to the two fair young ladies of our city whose untiring and devoted exertions did such effectual and so great service in inaugurating and carrying forward the founding and building of the church. At the close of the Bishop's remarks, the beautiful Gloria in Excelsis was sung, after which the benediction was pronounced and the congregation dispersed. In addition to the Bishop of the Diocese, the following named clergy were present: Revs. H.K. Rees and Wm. Leacock, of Macon; Rev. George Maccaulay [sic] of Albany; and Rev. Wm. J. Boone, of Eufaula, Ala."

Aug. 10, 1869 — "BAD REPORT FROM THE COTTON — ... A reliable gentleman, who has just returned from Florida, informs us that there is no doubt of the presence of the genuine cotton caterpillar in at least one plantation visited by him near Tallahassee. Col. Malone, of this city, informs us that he has received a letter from his overseer in Baker county, informing him that there is no doubt of the caterpillar being in that section ... Americus Courier."

Aug. 24, 1869 — "LETTER FROM SUMTER COUNTY — Friendship, Ga. August 17, 1869. Mr. Editor — This little village is situated in Sumter County near the corner of four counties, to wit: Sumter, Marion, Webster and Schley ... Respectfully, W.R."

Sept 14, 1869 — "LETTER FROM AMERICUS — Americus, Ga. September 11, 1869. Mr. Editor: On yesterday I had just finished the perusal of a long article in your paper in relation to the excreble scamp, J.B. Donaldson, when Mrs. Susannah Gaskins, a widow with three children, came into my office to ask for charity. She stated that a man by the name of J.B. Donaldson came to her house in this place some time ago, and after staying with her for some time, persuaded her to sell out everything and move to Atlanta, as she would doubtless get better and more employment there than in Americus. Mrs. G. sold her plunder and placed the proceeds in the hands of D. for safekeeping until their arrival in Atlanta. A few moments after getting the money, Donaldson left, and Mrs. G. has not seen him since. After hearing her story I read the article in question to her, when Mrs. G. immediately and excitedly exclaimed, “He is the very scripture-quoting scoundrel who fooled me! Oh, that I had him here now, I would tear his liver out!" Donaldson seems to have quite a penchant for taking poor widows, and if you think this note will afford those others whom he has fooled any consolation, you can publish it. Respectfully, JACK BROWN."

Oct. 19, 1869 — "The Americus Courier says two citizens of that county exchanged several pistol shots. One of the combatants was wounded pretty severely but not dangerously, in the hand and arm. Mr. Hirsch, who was looking on from the door, received a ball in the thigh, creating a very severe wound."

Feb. 8, 1870 —"Death. Judge John W.L. Daniel an old and respected citizen of Milledgeville, died at Americus on the 1st inst. His remains were brought to this city [Milledgeville], and buried with Masonic honors on Thursday last."



Alan Anderson is archivist for the Sumter Historic Trust, Americus.