Alan Anderson: Historic tidbits 1908

Alan Anderson

(Daily T-R, Jan. 1-3,1908 missing)

Jan. 5,1908: J.I. Giddings elected Sexton, Oak Grove Cemetery; Messrs. C.A. Schneider and E.E. Schneider's Butler Marble and Granite Co. completed new building, “on Furlow street, adjacent to the Seaboard Railway ... ”

Feb. 2,1908: Carrie Speer elected new librarian to replace Bicey Westbrook, retired

Feb. 12,1908: “STORY OF OLD PRISON TOLD BY VETERAN. Time When This City Was in Danger … It was then that Wirz, to whom a monument is soon to be erected, was in command of the prison … Mr. George W. Glover, then a youth of 15 or 16 years, was one of the guards at Andersonville … told the interesting story yesterday … There had been a freshet, and early in the afternoon a portion of the Stockade collapsed and fell, leaving a gap probably a hundred feet wide. The desperate prisoners saw a chance for escape and were eager to make the dash for liberty. Instantly, the alarm was sounded, and every guard rushed to the defense of the stockade. And in the meantime the prisoners were getting busy. They pulled down tents, armed themselves with tent poles for clubs, and with hoops, cheers and curses massed near the broken prison wall. The Confederates were drawn up in battle line, but would have been no obstacle in the way of such a mob. They could have fired but one round from their old muzzle-loading guns, and then all would have been over at Andersonville. Like a mad stampede of cattle, the prisoners would have dashed over this valiant little band and swarmed the county. Americus would have been a bonfire that night, while a fate worse than death would have been that of very many here. But the 50,000 desperate prisoners lacked a leader. There was a battery of two or three small guns mounted near the prison wall, and these fired blank cartridges over the heads of the prisoners massed near the break. This show of strength, with 1,200 guards confronting them, made them waiver. The dash for liberty was not made, the broken wall was repaired before nightfall; the prisoners did not escape, and Americus was saved.”

Feb. 13,1908: “Mrs. Elizabeth J. Speer … died yesterday morning at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. A. Robinson, six miles from the city, with whom she had long resided … pneumonia being the cause … about eighty-six years of age … mother of Mr. Hugh Speer and Mrs. Robinson, while other sons and daughters reside in Florida. The funeral will take place … at Anthony church, south of the city … ”

Feb. 14, 1908: L.J. Blalock announced for city solicitor

Feb. 23, 1908: new pipe organ for First Baptist Church arrived yesterday and will be installed by Sunday, a $2,500 Estey

March 3, 1908: “Operation for appendicitis was performed Sunday afternoon upon Miss Pearl Scroggs, matron-in-charge of the Americus Hospital. The operation was skillfully performed by Doctor George R. White of Savannah, Doctors Prather, Chambliss and Mayes of Americus, and was entirely successful ... ”

March 22, 1908: front page photo of U.B. Harrold's home and northwest corner lot, College and Lee

April 10, 1908: “SUMTER’S NEXT SHERIFF; WHICH? … WILLIAM H. FEAGIN … “Bill Feagin” … born here in 1857 … father, William H. Feagin … among the early settlers of Sumter … young William … born in Americus, but was brought up on the farm now owned by Mr. W.E. Mitchell … 17th district … a young man, he married Miss Eugenia Cameron, of Americus … has probably caught a larger number than any sheriff in all Georgia … twenty-two years on the Americus police force … JARRETT J. WILSON … who for fifty years has resided here … born in Putnam county Feb. 9, 1855, coming to Sumter with his parents, at the age of three years … eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. W.A. Wilson … mother was Miss Sallie Jarrett … early school days … at the Furlow Masonic College … later attended … Rylander Academy … married Miss Ella Pryor, daughter of Sheppard G. Pryor, a pioneer settler … Mr. Wilson was elected to the legislature from Sumter in 1904 … While only 15 years of age, Mr. Wilson joined the Methodist church, and for twenty years he has been steward of Mount Zion, his home church … ” (photos of both candidates)

April 12, 1908: “MR. [CHARLES M.] COUNCIL NOW OWNS HOSPITAL BUILDING. Bought the Property for Association.”; Woodmen of the World, Americus Camp No. 202, placed monument for S.S.S. Horne at Oak Grove

April 18, 1908: “Eloped and Were Wedded Here at Early Dawn - Miss Mary Askew and Mr. J.H. Purvis were married here at 3 o'clock Friday morning, deciding that Good Friday was as good a day as any other. Miss Askew resided at Richland, and the marriage was a runaway affair. The couple boarded the midnight Seaboard train for Americus, and ... the nuptial knot was tied. They are now at home on College street.”

May 1, 1908: “IS STRICKEN BY DEATH, SEATED IN HIS CHAIR. Sudden Death of Thornton Wheatley”, survived by sons Walter K. and John C. Wheatley, and daughters Miss Alice Wheatley and Mrs. Charlesworth Hunter, preceded in death in 1892 by his wife, the former Miss Julia Kendrick, he came to Americus from Pennsylvania at age 15 to work in the city’s first drug store with his brother, John W. Wheatley and their cousin, Henry Kent McCay, the latter of whom served as an associate justice of the Georgia Supreme Court and for whom McCay Hill is named (pronounced as an o but spelled with an a)

May 3, 1908: Messrs. Frank Lanier, Frank Sheffield, C.L. Ansley, J.A. Davenport, Lee Allen, G.M. Eldridge, Arthur Rylander and Thomas Harrold active pallbearers at funeral of Thornton Wheatley

May 15, 1908: “BIRDS EYE VIEW OF AMERICUS. Picture Will Show Every Residence … prepared by Mr. T.M. Fowler … ”

May 16, 1908: “Mr. and Mrs. Will C. Sullivan welcomed a handsome young son to their home yesterday.”

May 17, 1908: list of 49 merchants agreed to closing during Gov. Hoke Smith's speech in Americus

May 19, 1908: photos of C.A. Chambliss' Myrtle Springs; “MR. SCHNEIDER IS HURT BY HORSE IN FLIGHT. While the storm raged at dusk yesterday Mr. Ervin Schneider, while attempting to untie his horse, was knocked down as the animal took fright, the buggy wheels passing over his right cheek. The wound bled considerable, but his injury was not at all serious and was given prompt attention at Dodson’s Pharmacy. The horse ran several blocks before being caught and put under control.”

May 21, 1908: “BOOKER TO SPEAK SATURDAY AFT. Booker Washington, the well-known negro educator of Tuskeegee, Ala., will deliver an address on the grounds of the Americus Institute Saturday afternoon [May 23] at 1 o’clock. Special arrangements will be made to accommodate the white visitors. A small admission fee will be charged.”

May 28, 1908: “ONE OF THESE WILL BE SOLICITOR GENERAL … Col. James R. Williams … for twelve years a citizen of Americus … Meriwether county that lays claim to his nativity … His father, a large cotton planter moved … to Terrell … thence to Sumter … 1869 the family went to Schley … grew to manhood … education at the University of Georgia … in 1894-5 ably represented his county in the General Assembly … his marriage to Miss Sarah Cheney in 1887 … removed to Americus … Hon. W.W. Dykes … a native of Sumter … born near historic Andersonville in 1876, but at an early age his father, William W. Dykes, removed to Schley … took a legal course in the law department of the State University graduating therefrom in 1897 … married to Miss Agnes Hawkins, daughter of the late Col. S.H. Hawkins, in November 1904 … ” (with photos)

June 7, 1908: obit of Bessie Daniel Curtright Kleckley, died at 7 o'clock June 6th

July 19, 1908: “Mr. E.D. Ansley, of Macon, will spend today in Americus with his brother, Mr. Chas. L. Ansley.”; biography and photo of Congressman-elect Dudley M. Hughes

Aug. 6, 1908: “Mr. Oscar E. Ansley, a former resident of Americus, but who now talks realty in the live metropolis of Oklahoma City, is visiting his brother, Mr. Charles L. Ansley, for a few days, arriving yesterday.”

Aug. 19, 1908: quoting Crawford Wheatley on extending Forsyth St. east to Hudson across Mayo: “To obtain this extra street room only a small amount of property will have to be condemned, as all but one small part of the way will be through my property and that of the estate of John E. Sullivan, for which the city would have to pay nothing ... ”

Sept. 3, 1908: “Masters Oscar and E.D. Jr., the young sons of Mr. and Mrs. E.D. Ansley of Macon, formerly of Americus, are visiting their uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Chas. L. Ansley, and enjoying their old home for the first time since their removal to Macon three years ago.”; “In connection with the extension of Forsyth street east to Mayo street, as proposed by Mr. Crawford Wheatley ... Mr. Maughs, representing the Cobb estate, which owns a part of the land through which the right of way would run, was in the city yesterday. It was at first stated that the Sullivan estate was interested, but this should have been the Cobb estate. Mr. Maughs investigated the conditions and the course of the proposed extension and found that it would be feasible to donate the right of way ... ”

Sept. 4, 1908: “While working about the ginhouse on Mr. C.L. Ansley's plantation yesterday John Hugh Robinson, son of the farm superintendent, had his hand and arm badly lacerated by the gin. In attempting to remove a pile of motes from beneath the gin the young man put one hand too far into the machinery where it was caught by the saws and sliced into ribbons ... ”; “Good Farm For Rent - Five horse farm, 9 miles exactly south of Americus, known as the Worthy place ... Good neighborhood school also

Methodist and Baptist Churches close by ... CHAS. L. ANSLEY.”

Sept. 8, 1908: “Messrs. C.A. and E.E. Schneider, prominent in the marble manufacturing interests of Americus, purchased yesterday the entire plant of the Dublin Marble Works at Dublin, Ga ... ”

Sept. 17, 1908: “The Americus Light Infantry will celebrate its 27th anniversary on Sept. 25th. The staunch old command is good for many more years yet.”

Oct. 2, 1908: “15th District - Miss Lois Tinsley opened her school at New Hope on September 14 with twelve scholars.”; “Another Farm For Rent - The Hugh Speer three mule farm, 6 1/2 miles due south of Americus. Five room nice dwelling, recently painted and several hundred dollars improvements made on it, good tenant houses and barns, good land and pleasant to cultivate. Good school, also Methodist church within 150 yards of the house. Baptist church half mile distant ... CHAS. L. ANSLEY.”

Oct. 13, 1908: “REV. MONSON IS BURIED IN PRESENCE OF HOST. Thousands Here to Attend Funeral. In the presence of a great host, among the largest ever assembled in Americus upon a similar occasion the funeral services of Rev. Rufus Monson were conducted yesterday afternoon from Friendship Baptist … which he had presided … estimated that 5,000 attended the services … Fifty-two visiting ministers … services were concluded with the ritual of the Odd Fellows … deceased was a member … ”

Oct. 15, 1908: wedding of Miss Annie Pearl Scroggs and Dr. J. Wade Chambliss, city physician, at Calvary Episcopal Church

Oct. 20, 1908: “DEATH, GRIM REAPER, IS LAYING A HEAVY HAND. Three Old Veterans Answer Last Roll Call … Capt. William A. Cobb … recently a resident of Macon, where he passed away … claimed a citizen of Americus, where he was reared … grew to manhood … Captain Cobb was seventy … many years he was prominent in the business world here … that four years conflict he won his title as captain of Company K, Ninth Georgia, King’s gallant command … survived by his wife and three brothers, Messrs. Joseph A., J.W. and Thomas M. Cobb, of this city, and a sister, Mrs. Ferguson, of DeSoto … pallbearers were Messrs. Evan T. Mathis, W.T. Lane, G.W. Markett, W.T. Weekly, W.C. Barrow and R.L. Maynard … Judge Amos C. Speer … an invalid for a year, Judge Speer’s death was due … to a stroke of apoplexy … was eighty years of age … thirty-two years he was county official, either as judge of the court of ordinary or tax receiver … member of the old “Fourth Georgia” he spent four … years … in Virginia with Lee and Jackson … A limb left at Fort Steadman attested his valor and indicated his position on the field of carnage. By his side fought his brother, the late Moses Speer of Americus … twice wedded … survived by his last wife … Mrs. Tison, of this city. Mrs. Annie Chambliss, Mrs. C.A. Schneider, Messrs. Lawson Speer, Moses Speer and David Speer … eighteen grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren … Funeral of G.M. Fagan … one of the oldest and most esteemed citizens of Americus … while not a native of Americus, Mr. Fagan had resided here since 1892 … held a position here with the Central Railway … survived by his devoted wife – his companion for fifty-four years, Misses Bonnie and Connie Fagan, and his son, Mr. J.M. Fagan.”

Oct. 21, 1908: funeral of Judge A.C. Speer, at old family burial ground just south of Liberty Hall

Oct. 22, 1908: CSA veterans from Camp Sumter No. 642 attending Atlanta reunion: H.T. Davenport, R.R. Arrington, W.R. Speer, J.P. Britton, W.H. Justice, W.E. Felts, J.M. Hansford, J.A. Covington, H.H. Glover, M.L. Lackey, J.F. Mayo, J.A. McDonald, J.W. Harris, J.P. Chapman, W.M. Kidd, Andrew W. Jackson, Luther Ranew, A.L. Fallis, T.J. Morgan, John R. Mashburn, L.A. Carter, Thomas Cobb, W.P. Persons

Oct. 29, 1908: Chas. L. Ansley announced departure from the clothing store business

Nov. 5, 1908: “Will of Judge Speer Probated in Court - the will of the late Judge Amos C. Speer was probated in the court of ordinary yesterday. It disposes of his home on Prince street, a small tract out Lee street and $2,000 life insurance, which is left to his wife during her lifetime. Mr. C.L. Ansley is named executor of the will.”

Nov. 15, 1908: rendering of Carnegie Library, T. Firth Lockwood, architect

Dec. 1, 1908: photo of infant Lon Charles Gammage

Dec. 3, 1908: “I announce my candidacy for election to the board of police commissioners of Americus, subject to the democratic primary to be held December 3d, and will appreciate your support. Respectfully, W.C. SULLIVAN.”

Dec. 4, 1908: “For police commissioners, two to be elected, W.C. Sullivan 610, George Oliver, 608.”

Dec. 10, 1908: photo of Americus Hospital on Barlow St.

Dec. 13, 1908: photo of Mayor-elect John B. Felder, who had served as mayor in 1876, 1879-92 and 1901-02, responsible for paving residential streets and establishing the waterworks system, public schools, sewerage system, electric lights and the street railway

Dec. 15, 1908: “Mr. Earl Speer will leave this morning for Hillsboro, where tomorrow afternoon he will be united in marriage to Miss Florrie Bearden. He was accompanied by his brother, Mr. [Amos Carl] Speer, of Montgomery, who will act as best man. Mr. and Mrs. Speer will be at home after December 20 to their friends at 644 Forsyth street.”; list of registered voters of Americus

Dec. 18, 1908: “Contractor Paschal yesterday completed the extension of Forsyth … to Mayo, known as the Wheatley extension … ”; renderings of Carnegie Library and YMCA building (latter at northeast corner of Church and Jackson)

Dec. 25, 1908: biography and photo of Col. E.A. Hawkins; C.A. Schneider and E.E. Schneider bought out Butler Marble & Granite Co., of Marietta and became Schneider Marble Company of Americus

Dec. 27, 1908: photos of Americus Railway & Light Company plant



Anderson is a local historian and special history correspondent for the Times-Recorder.

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