Alan Anderson: Historic tidbits 1807

Jan. 4, 1907: “Treasurer A.C. Speer, after a faithful service of many years, is succeeded by Capt. Williams ... ”

Jan. 13, 1907: “Mr. Edward Purvis, Jr. [James Gilbert “Gilly”], is being permanently entertained at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ed Purvis here.”

Jan. 25, 1907: “Mr. Thomas G. Carruthers, of the Southern Printing Co., is building a pretty residence on Lee street, near Lamar. Some time ago Mr. Carruthers bought the former Speer property ... ”

Jan. 29,1907: “As the fire truck started from headquarters yesterday to a trash pile fire on Brannon avenue Mr. Dave Speer, it is said, attempted to swing upon the running board of the ladder truck and fell beneath it. His foot was crushed by one of the heavy wheels and other bruises sustained which may keep him confined to his home some time.”

Feb. 17, 1907: “The Epworth League of St. Paul's church will entertain with a “social” Monday evening at the home of Mrs. Jennie Speer on Forsyth street.”; fire on the roof of Hines residence on Barlow

Feb. 27, 1907: special edition of T-R

March 3,1907: history of Americus Light Infantry, with photos of Capt. C.E. Van Riper, Lt. James Fort and Cpl. Brown McLendon

March 10, 1907: Americus Board of Trade, with photos of L.G. Council, S.A. Pruitt and J.A. Pinkston

March 13, 1907: photos of C.L. Ansley, Z.A. Littlejohn, F.A. Hooper, E.A. Hawkins, T.G. Hudson, E.A. Nisbet, H.B. Simmons and Crawford Wheatley

March 15, 1907: (Weekly T-R) photo of Americus Policeman Wm. R. Morris, killed in the line of duty

April 14, 1907: photo of Albert Whittington Smith

April 19, 1907: “Americus is 75 Years Old,” by Joseph A. Cobb

April 21, 1907: “Early Days of Americus,” by Chas. A. Fricker, with photo; obit of Judge Allen Fort, with photo

April 26,1 907: “Dr. Wade Chambliss of Americus was a member of the large class graduating Wednesday from the Atlanta College of Medicine ... Dr. Chambliss was awarded the second honor in his class, although in reality he “tied” with the first honor man, his roommate, their marking being practically the same. Dr. Chambliss will return to Americus shortly ... ”

April 30, 1907: death roll of Camp Sumter, United Veterans of the Confederacy, since April 26, 1906: J.B. Pilsbury, C.B. Raines, Jos. C. Chambless, Z.F. Markett, W.E. Clark, T.P. Hoyt, W.H. Glover, Henry Harden, J.M. Coker, John R. Shaw, W.C. Tinsley, James Feagin, S.J. Griffin, James Richards, A.H. Raiford

May 12, 1907: photos of Americus bankers, A.W. Smith, Frank Sheffield, L.G. Council and M.M. Lowrey; biography, with photo, of James A. Pinkston

May 17, 1907: “Mr. Hugh L. Speer, formerly of Sumter but now a Turner countyite, merchandising at Rebecca, is spending a day here.”

May 19, 1907: “AMERICUS MERCHANTS. Men Who Are Building Up Our City Trade. SKETCH OF MR. A.G. DUNCAN. Entered Business at Buena Vista When Nineteen Years of Age. Removing Soon to Americus to Secure a Broader Field – A Man of Genial Qualities, Ambition, Energy and Progressiveness … “, with photo and biography; “A STORY OF THE TELEPHONE. Establishment of the Exchange Here and Rapid Growth of Business. Five hundred and forty-three telephones, and eight thousand local calls a day, on the average … One hundred and seventy-five of the telephones in use here are what is known as business ‘phones, the other 368 being located in private residences … Nearly a Quarter Century Old. It is twenty three years since the telephone system was introduced into Americus. About 1883 Mr. W.T. Gentry, then the Atlanta agent, came to Americus, and with the assistance of two Americus gentlemen canvassed the town, it being necessary to secure thirty-six customers before the business would be established. There were then only a few hours in the day that the service could be had, and on Sunday nothing was doing. It was several years before an all day service was given here ... The chief operator is Miss Jessie Weeks. The local operators are Miss Maggie Calloway, Miss Ada Meyers, Miss Daisy Parrott, Miss Ida Curl, Miss Doca Payne, Miss Laice Smith, and Mrs. Orie Cloude. The long distance operators are Miss Mabel Calloway, Miss Aline Johnson, Miss Anna May Crews, Miss Eva Mathews, Miss Mary Oliver, Miss Myra Weeks …”

May 26, 1907: “AMERICUS MERCHANTS ... SKETCH OF MR. G.W. GLOVER. Prominent and Successful in the Mercantile World and Pioneer In the Wholesale Grocery Trade of Americus – A Native of Sumter County and Most Genial Gentleman …”, with photo and biography: “THE AMERICUS HOSPITAL. A Noble Institution Now Nearing It’s Second Birthday. Christian Women Have Done Much to Insure It’s Maintenance and the Perpetuation of It’s Useful Work … ” , with photograph

May 29, 1907: “FUNERAL OF ROBERT L. SULLIVAN. Conducted From Residence on Forsyth street … eldest son of the late John Sullivan, a pioneer citizen of Americus … survived by two brothers, a son and daughter … ”

June 2, 1907: “AMERICUS MERCHANTS … SKETCH OF MR. JAMES G. DODSON. Graduated With Highest Honors at the New York College of Pharmacy, Honored by His Fellow Pharmacists of Georgia … ”, with photo and biography

June 9, 1907: “AMERICUS MERCHANTS … SKETCH OF MR. R.E. ALLISON. Began Work Upon the Farm and From This Modest Beginning Has Attained Success In the Commercial World … ”, with photo and biography; “FIRST DECADE OF CHURCH. Furlow Lawn Baptist Church Celebrates Tenth Anniversary. A BRIEF HISTORY OF THIS GROWING CHURCH. Established Ten Years Ago, It Has Grown Rapidly Under the Guidance of Rev. Robert L. Bivins, First and Only Pastor … ”, with photos of Rev. Bivins and the Church; “WORK ON THE DODSON STORE TO BEGIN NOW. To Rebuild the Granberry Corner. HANDSOME STRUCTURE IS ASSURED. Old Granberry Building Will Be Entirely Changed in Arranging Quarters – There for the Dodson Pharmacy … a lease of the former Granberry building, at Lamar and Jackson [now The Kinnebrew Co.] … for a term of ten years has been effected by this enterprising company … a beautiful and modern building will take the place of this ancient landmark, which enjoys the distinction of being the first brick building ever erected in Americus. This was way back in 1850, and the man who moulded the brick for it is still right here. He is Mr. A.A. Willett, an old and honored citizen. At that time there was a pond where now stands the handsome residence of Judge Z.A. Littlejohn [southeast corner of Barlow and Taylor], and the brick for this old building, a palace in its day, were made by Mr. Willett right there. The building was erected for Furlow & Bro., at that time engaged in mercantile business. And now after a lapse of nearly sixty years the old building is to give place to a modern structure. Tomorrow the front walls will be pulled down, and half of the side wall. Mr. Dodson will put in a handsome plate glass front the full length of the building on Lamar street, and nearly the length on Jackson street. This will give to the new structure a strikingly handsome appearance. Marble tiling will compose the floor, while a steel ceiling will add to the beauty of the building … will be ready for occupancy early in September. The cost of the improvements will be $4,000 or $5,000 … ”

June 21, 1907: history of Muckalee Guards, CSA, left Americus 46 years ago yesterday

June 23, 1907: “BEAUTIFUL LANIER HOME. [now the Fontanez-Cuadrado home] Superb Dwelling That is an Ornament to the City of Americus. FINISHED AND FURNISHED IN EXQUISITE TASTE. Sketch of the Business Career of Mr. Frank Lanier, President of the Americus Grocery Co. … ” , photos of residence and Frank Lanier; “SHE MADE THE FLAGS FOR BOYS IN GRAY. Patriotic Work of Americus Lady. GAVE COLORS TO THE COMPANY. Which They Bore Upon the Battlefield – How First Flags of the Confederacy Were Made in Americus … This precious emblem was fashioned by the fair hands of an Americus lady, now Mrs. M.T. Elam … had previously fashioned the flag of the gallant Sumter Light Guards, the first command leaving Americus, and later performed the same task for the Muckalee Guards … ”

July 4, 1907: “... Mrs. Charles L. Ansley, Mr. C.L. Ansley, Jr., Miss Sarah Wheeler, Miss Laura Ansley, Miss Mary Granberry, Miss Carrie Speer, go to Colorado Springs ... ”

July 7, 1907: biography and photos of Eugene Alston Hawkins, Mayor, and his home on the northeast corner of Brown and Church

July 21, 1907: biography and photos of Frank Sheffield and his home, northeast corner Brown and Taylor

Aug. 4, 1907: biographies of Lee G. Council and Charles M. Council, with photos of homes on Church and Lee

Aug. 13, 1907: obit of Samuel P. Boone, born Fayetteville, N.C., Mar. 23,1832, to Americus in 1855, married Elizabeth Harrold 1866, survived by wife and son, T.H. Boone, and daughter Mrs. Walter R. Dye

Aug. 18, 1907: photo of Americus Gas Works

Aug. 25, 1907: photos of M.B. Council and J.B. Hudson residences on Rees Park

Aug. 30, 1907: photo of new Hamilton & Co. Building, on Lamar opposite the Windsor, built by M.S. Holliday

Sept. 11, 1907: “URIAH B. HARROLD IS DEAD. PIONEER CITIZEN OF AMERICUS HAS PASSED AWAY. Illness of But Three Days Results Fatally, Though Not Strong for Some Time – His Useful Career as a Citizen Here. … born in Macon, Ga., in February 1839 … greater part of his boyhood days was spent there … removed to Fort Valley where he started the business career … came to Americus prior to the Civil war … married Miss Mary Fogle, of Columbus … blessed by five sons and three daughters, Messrs. Thomas, Edward, William, Frank and Charles Harrold; Mrs. S.S. Shipps, and Misses Anna and Elizabeth Harrold … member of the Episcopal church … ” ; photo of Jackson House hotel, on the southeast corner of Cotton and Forsyth

Sept. 22, 1907: “SCRAP A LIVELY ONE FOR A BRIEF TIME - Triangular Fight Occurs Here Yesterday - Messrs. Charles A. Schneider, his son, Herman Schneider and Herbert Johnson, who is employed at the marble works when Mr. Schneider has charge, were the principals in a lively fisticuff yesterday. Herman Schneider and young Johnson first "mixed it up" at the marble plant, and soon thereafter Mr. Johnson and Mr. C.A. Schneider got into a fight at the postoffice. Several blows passed ere the combatants were separated, although neither of the three men were hurt to any extent.”

Oct. 18, 1907: “Miss Laurie Speer and Mr. John H. Rushin were united in marriage at 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon at the residence of the bride's mother, Mrs. Jennie Speer, on Forsyth ... On account of the recent illness of Miss Speer the marriage was a very quiet one and solemnized by Rev. O.P. Gilbert ... in the presence of the family, and near relatives only ... Mr. Rushin comes from Montezuma, and for a year or two has been a valuable attache of the Americus Printing Co.”

Oct. 20, 1907: photo of Dodson's Pharmacy, southwest corner, Jackson and Lamar

Nov. 14, 1907: photos of main building and boys dormitory of Third District Agricultural College (now GSWSU)

Nov. 20, 1907: meeting of Americus white voters at city hall urged by petition with hundreds of names “ … for the purpose of considering matters of interest to the taxpayers at the coming election, and to suggest aldermanic candidates … ”

Nov. 24, 1907: photos of First Methodist Church, Rev. J.P. Wardlaw and Bishop James Atkins

Nov. 30, 1907: photo of Davenport Drug Co., east side of Allison Building

Dec. 4, 1907: Chas. L. Ansley opened new clothing store at “Kendrick & Wheatley's old stand,” southwest corner Forsyth and Jackson

Dec. 5, 1907: new city executive committee elected: Arthur Rylander, W.M. Jones, C.L. Ansley, A.G. Duncan and N.M. Dudley

Dec. 20, 1907: “Mr. Hugh Speer, formerly of Sumter, but now of Rebecca, Ga., is spending a day with relatives here.”

Dec. 24, 1907: obit of William R. Peel (Mrs. A.C. Speer's brother), died Dec. 20th, age 76, at daughter's home, Mrs. W.F. Livingston, buried in Jefferson County



Anderson is a local historian, middle school teacher and special history correspondent for the Times-Recorder.

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