Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

( THE ATLANTA GEORGIAN AND NEWS. SATURDAY. JULY 20. 1907. CLAYTON. THE PRINCESS OF THE HILLS The Coming Business Center of Northeast Georgia, in the Grand Old County of Rabun. By MINNIE QUINN. Tucked away In a magical niche ol the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains, thoee ever-varying and never-tiring panoramic settings for the stage of ac tion. lies the busy and peaceful little town of Clayton, and blest la he who finds there a local habitation and a name. Our seers of finance tell us that the success of a town depcnds'upon certain natural advantages supplemented by the brains and energy of its cltUens. If this be true, Clayton Is, lndet one of the garden spots of the earth, and there Is no good reason why It should not in time become a Veritable paradise for home-seekers. - More than a century ago, when the camp llres of the Cherokecs still sent their blue smoke curling toward the midnight sky, and the trail of the red man was the only guide through the dense forests and bettveon the rugged mountains, there came into the county of Rabun a band of sturdy pioneers, many of them possessing the noble blood of the Huguenots, others scions of the fine old English and Scotch fam ilies, who cast their lot with the new Land of the West, and here In the heart of the mountains th'ey found their one looks there are mountains, and on i the local undertaker, nud while he < J. C. DOVER, Vice-President Bank, of Clayton. Ideal spot for a home, where they could build and plant for future generations. They were wise, thess children of Revolutionary heroes, kind even then they bullded better then they knew, and the Clayton of today proves their wis dom. Clayton Is the county seat of Rabun, and Is In the extreme northeastern por tion of Georgia. It Is In the southern tal springs that send forth sparkling waters to tho valleys below. "Pearl-slashed, purple and crimson. And fringed with gray mist of the hills, To the music of rock-fretted rills." The pennons of morning dance free Just above Clayton Is the famous Tmnessee valley, where rushing creeks pour limpid tribute into the head waters of tho Tennessee river. On tho other side of the divide the Tallulah rushes down through the "hills of Hab ersham." Delightful springs and wolls, who»9 waters are ley cold, furnish tho cltl- Kjns of Clayton with Nature's spark ling beverage—cold water. The soil In the county of Rabun Is unsurpassed In richness, and these fer tile soils are found not alono In the t alleys, but reaching to tho very peaks of tho mountains themselves. Tiio underneath soli Is of red clay with a superstructure of volcanic and igneous earths. In the valleys the rich alluvial deposits left by ages of wind-swept and storm-wrccked hills afford almost inexhaustible foundation for crops of corn, rye, oats, potatoes, grasses, clo ver, cabbage, turnips, tobacco, beets, and all the familiar products of the garden. Clayton' Is In tho land of the apple trees. In every garden, tbolr gnarled ond rugged trunks and spreading boughs yield luscious bounty at har vest time and glorious wealth of blos som In spring time. In tho garden of the Blue Ridge Hotel, os well as In other parts of the town, are trees a hundred years old. Just east of Clayton an orchard cov ering 160 acres of apple trees Is being cultivated by Professor J. S. Newman, who has held positions In the agricul tural colleges of several Southern states. Other orchards In ths Imme diate neighborhood are bearing year by year, and a poor year Is the exception rather than the rule. A fortune awaits the Individual or company that will crown the hills of Clayton with tho pippin trees and cultivate them to tbelr fullest perfection. The plum, peach and cherry will thrive equally In this climate and with this favorable soil, os Is shown by ths trees that are cultivated for homo con sumption. Clpyton Is located on the Tallulah Falls railway, which runs from Corne lia to Franklin. N. C. At Cornelia tho line Joins the main line of the South ern railroad. Mr. R J. Lambert, the station agent. Is a young man who wins friends by his courtesy, promptness and ability. The express and telegraph service are good, and there aro two malls a day. The moll Is handled by tho efficient postmistress, Miss Elisa Duncan, who is descended from the pioneer who built the first house in Clayton and e nee owned about half of what Is now the main street of the town. Miss Dun can 1s never too tired or too busy to minister to the needs of inquirers, to answer questions, or to do a favor. Plans have been accepted for handsome new court house which Is to be built In the near future. The cc*urt house will aland on the brow of a bill In West Clayton, and will be an elegant, convenient and up-to-date building. . .. The present court house contains the „,nces of the county officials, as well as of Colonel W. 8. Paris and Colonel J. T. Davis, two of the leading lawyers of tho section. ‘ . . The mayor of Clayton, Mr. J. A. Reynolds, genially Informs strangsrs that he holds all the positions that no one else desires. He Is at one and ed material, he has the skill and knowl- etlge to make with his own hands any kind of casket, and not only this, but any kind of furniture ns well. He has Just completed two beautiful cabinet mantels, made of native oak, dressed by himself, elegantly polished and decorates, with handsome mirrors and brackets, that would do credit to any manufacturer. While Mr. Dover has long since acquired a competency, ho Is devoted to hts craft, and would not be happy If ha were tdla. Ha left his pretty Jiome In Clayton and fought In the Confederate army, and when the war was over returned to tho land of his love and again set up his house hold goods In tho Queen City of the Blue Ridge. An hour's conversation with Mr. Dover leaves one lllli-.l with aspirations to lead a cleaner, nobler, better life, for ha Is a living emblem of tho gentleman, sans pour et sans reproche. Blue Ridge Hotel, The oldest hotel In town, and the one irequentod by the commercial travelers, known In hotel parlance aa "drum mers," Is the Blue Ridge Hotel, con ducted by Mr. W. T. Doxler. The orig inal structure was begun 166 years ago. It has been added to from time to time until It will accommodate fully fifty guests. and with Its gray ceilings and wide fireplaces It reminds one of Long fellow's Wayside Inn. The service Is excellent, and the ta ble all that could be desired. L. T. Mitchell’s 8tables. Mr. L. T. Mitchell, proprietor of the Mitchell Stables. Is a typical son of the mountains. Tall, stalwart, straight- limbed and fearless, Mr. Mitchell rides like a cowboy of the Western plains, and knows horses as a student knows his books. Besides this, he knows where every vein of mineral may be found, where every wayside hostelry Is located, and the personnel of Its so journers. He Is special agent for the Rock Hill buggies, which he buys by the car load, but deals with several At- can Livery Stable, which Is operated In connection with the Blue Ridge Ho tel, as well os running an Independent business. Mr. W. H. Duncan Is the present proprietor of these stables, and his manager, Mr. J. J. Duncan, 1s one of the most efficient and accommodat Ing persons In Clayton. Mr. Duncan furnishes good drivers and excellent teams and carries trav eling men to the nearby towns and camping parties to the adjacent val leys. Mr. Duncan remembers the days of "Auld Lang Syne," when there was no railroad, and .Duncans" was the only dependence for transportation to Franklin, Hlawossee, Tallulah, West minster, Wathaila and other distribut ing points. Eiberton Oil Mills. One of the most promising enter prises In this section Is the branch of tho Eiberton Oil Mills, conducted by the active and popular young man ager, Mr. E. O. Marsenglll. This business deals In cotton seed products, selling extensive quantities of meal, hulls, oil, etc., and shipping Its goods along the Tallulah Falls railroad and by teams into tho Inland sections of Rabun county, Georgia, and Macon county, North Carolina. Mr. Marsenglll's business this year will amount to at least 125,000, and Is steadily Increasing. The late A. E. Thornton, of Atlanta, was former president of this company, CHARLES A. RAFTER, Vice-President and General Mana ger North Georgia Lumber Company. foothills of the Blue Ridge, on a plateau that rises LI66 feet above sea level, and In easy reach of both the Carolina*, of classic Hlawaesee and world-famed Tallulah, and In direct communication with the capital of the state. The climate Is Ideal. The average summer temperature Is about 66 de grees, while winter gives an average ol about 48 degrees. It la seldom that the mercury climbs above 86 or drops to sero. Within a radius of a few mlle.i of Clayton there is more beautiful and picturesque scenery than In any other portion of our Empire State of the South. Robed in emerald and veiled In blue and purple hare, the grand and lofty mountains lift their sun-kissed pssks to the cerulean eklea. To the east Is the famous Screamer mountain, a peak over 4,000 feet high, where Geor gia’s Grand Old Man, the late Logan F- Bleckley, lived for months at a time In Isolated contentment on Its breezy summit. Toward tho west, the lofty Black Rock towers 4.760 feet In the air, and sends forth volumes of bird song and of whispering winds that waft tho breath of cedar and hemlock and all the aromatic odors of the forest acroes the roofs of Clayton, bringing health to the body and roses to the cheeks of the prosperous dwellers therein. Wherever the same time mayor, county survey or and editor of the bright llttlo week ly. The Clayton Tribune. The 660 citizens of this ambitious town pledged to good government and loyal to their home Interests have or ganised a campaign for better educa tional facilities. There Is now a public school which opened this week with two teachers end sixty-five pupile. but the people of Rabun have pleuged themselves to erect a 810.000 school building on a hill donated by a leading citizen and thus afford educational advantages for the 167 children of school age In walking dletance of the site and for more than a hundred aspirant* for higher educa tion In the county. The new school wm be cafied the Logan E. Bleckley Memorial Institute In honor of the be loved and distinguished son of Geor gia who was always proud to ac knowledge Clayton oe the scene of his birth and childhood. While enterprising home-seekers are carrying ihe apple and P«arh orchard* to the very summit of the mountains and sDreedlng waving seas of verdant corn and ry* In the er and Pinnacle and Black Rock look down upon a stately edifice, where the future clllsens of Rabun will be j**™’ Ing how to become grand and useful men and wow*n. But my interact In my them# ha» ‘‘Sfewii tfrsss. yes'rs * ago'° when the Tallulah Fall. Railway Company extended the line from Cornelia to Fr a n *“?’?•, Mr. Dover Is one of the moet Inter estlng character* In the place. His eye Is as bright end his step ss firm as that of a youth, and he still carries iS hi* business In *•»&**&"JL“fe shop in on* corner of hi* yard. He is TO BE ERECTED AT CLAYTON, GA. The Bleckley House. On the crest of a green hill, near the center of lowij and In sight of the neat little depot, stands the Bleckley House, a modern two-atory structure, with hardwood doors, wide windows and modern conveniences. - The Bleckley House Is conducted by . ra. E. Wall, a sister of the late Judge Bleckley, though the real head of the house seems to be her capable and thoroughgoing daughter. Miss Blanche Wall. The Bleckley House la open all the year round, and It Is hardly necessary to say It sets a good table, since that goes without saying In this land where the yellow-legged chicken rune ram pant and where sleek cows graze In every pasture, and vegetables may be bad almost for tho asking. A piano In the attractive sitting room lanta firms as well. He Is In for a aquare deal, but knows his man and Is never duped by appearances. Hit na tive wit and unfailing good humor serva Jilin aa so much stock In trade, but he Is proud of hls superb physical strength, and likes to recall the terms be served as marshal. Mr. Mitchell made n creditable race for aheri rr In the recent election, but the traveling men who have made cross-country trip* with him and the tourists who have been carried by him Into the adjoining valley* would be sorry to seo any other Interest Inter fere with )iIh work of carrying the peo. pie everywhere, all the time, and In first-class style. Burrell’s Stables. The only stables located In East Clayton ar 0 operated by Mr. V. M. Burrell, who Is proud of hls handsome livery barns, good carriages and well and one of the founder* of Ha auc- ceas. Hamby Hardware Company. Clayton has a hardware store that will compare favorably with those In cities twice Its alxe. This well-stocked store Is owned by two brothers, Messrs. T. J. Hamby and U. E. A. Mamby, and Is actively managed by Mr. T. J. Ham by. Here one can find nny article In Ihe hardware line from a carpet tack to a patent plow. Here the hunters go for equipment when they start out In search of game; here the farmers come for farming Im plements, and tho lumber men buy their logging chains, cant hooks and other tools of the trade, and house wives chine to fit up their kitchens. Tho popularity of this store Is attested by the fact that It Is the gatherlm BANK OF CLAYTON AND GR EEN & DOVER’S DRUG STORE. LOGGING NEAR CLAYTON* adds to the pleasure of the guests, and Just now a tennis court Is being planned back of the house that will afford fur ther amusement. A bevy of pretty girls from South Georgia, who are spending ths summer at ths Bleckley House, have turned tho heads of the beaux of the community, besides winning the hearts of everyone by their beauty and sweetness. Next to tho hotels, the traveling men and summer visitors are interested In the livery business. Clayton is not behind In this particular. There are three first-class IIvery stables that In dulge In a friendly rivalry and Illus trate the time-worn maxim, “competi tion Is the. life of trade.” »fr. Burrell Is quiet and unassum ing, but he does the business Just the same," to quote hls own worde, and that he gives satisfaction Is at tested by ths fact that he has such a lares number of regular cuitomers. Burrell also does a sales busl- and hln, motto Is "Best of rigs, drives, courteous attention.” Hls stables are located near the depot and overlook one of Ihe prettiest little farms In the county. Mr. Burrell never loses a customer add has the faculty of making and keeping friends. The Duncan Livery Stable. The oldest and most widely known ness, good I BBB Ml HR | gal >lac« for the local politician . headquarters for visitors from the country round about. The senior partner. Colonel R. E. A. Hamby, ex-member of the state legis lature and ex-senator from tbl* die imminent lawyer am gure In state politic*. Derrick <1 Tilley. The largest store In Clayton Is op erated by Derrick A Tilley, and 1* lo cated In a handsome brick building, facing the public square and occupy ing two store house*. It would not be exaggerating to say that here a housekeeper may find alt she needs to make her home comfortable In the way of dry goode, mlUlnory, groceries, furniture, atoves, sewing machines, queensware, toilet articles, country produce and even graphophonea. This store la modern in every of the word.' and the success of the firm since going Into business less than three years ago Is something phenome nal. Betides the expenses of thslr busi ness which Is conducted on a strictly cash basts, they have deposited In the Bank of Clayton during the past nine months over 816,490 clear money. This firm carries on an extensive trade in country produce, shipping eggs, chick ens, butter, ate., to points south of Clayton. They handle first-dess goods, as I Judged from the ten mattresses j saw loaded on one wagon last week to bo carried to a mountain hotel. The millinery at Derrick A Tlltey’e crones from a leading Atlanta firm, and of course Is pretty and atylish. They carry a line of nammecks, holt, day goods and crockery that would please the most fastidious taste, and If they do not have an article a pur chaser rail* for, they order It. The firm I* composed of Mr. Nelson Tilley, an affable and popular young citizen, and hls brother-in-law, Mr. J. R Derrick, who la known as a man of keen judgment ond discrimination. Mr. Derrick has repr-sented hls peo. pie In the Georgia legislature for five terms, and holds their confidence and r-wpect. Business men predict for thli Integrity and sound tense are sure to win. Cannon Brothers. One of the best Indications of suc cess In any line of business Is for a store to outgrow its environment This Is the case with the merchandise business of Cannon Brothers, dealers In general merchandise, grain, hay and country produce. They are now utiliz ing a commodious store and an addi tional warehouse, and still their quar ter* are Insufficient. Henco they are now negotiating a deal which will make them possessors of one of the finest business sites In Clayton and give them a comparatively new two- Mory building, well equipped and ca liable of being handsomely Improved. Cannon Bros, already carry a heavy slock of groceries, hardware, farm sup plies, dry goods, and notions, and deal extensively with the larger cities In country produce, and It reams to me thnt they must have sold llour to half the population of the county In the last thirty days. The firm Is composed of Messrs. C. R Canuon and Henry Cannon, and their word Is as good as their bond In a trade. Mr, J, C. Green's 8tore. js principal street of Clayton, like that of many mountain towns. Is a long slope ending In a green valley. Down at the foot of the street. In a setting of locust and walnut trees, with a background of purplo mountains. Is the neat and attractive store of Mr. C. Green. dr. Green also carries general mer chandise, and supplies the tables of Clayton with the famous Rabun county chickens tliat must be -ested to bo ap preciated. Stores have personalities as well as people, In my opinion, and Mr. Green's store Is so arranged ns to appeal to ths domestic taste of the housewlfo and at the same time please the aesthetlo taste of the viator. Mr. Green handles a fine line of shoes, among them the reliable make of Friedman Bros., of St. Louis. It Is hero the summer visitor goes to secure totivenlrt In the shape of unique baskets made of slender white oak splits and shaped in various fash ions. These baskets vary In size from those three Inches In diameter to some tliat will hold a couple of bushels. They are mode by a tall, brown-eyed boy who lives way up In the mountains and Is too shy to respond to the ad miring comment* of tho pi Mr. Green la comparatively n new comer In Clayton's commercial circles, having been In business here not more than two years, but a* the town grows, this store will continue lo toko rank among tho best. Green A Dover’s Drug 8tore. Nenr the top of the main street, „v„. the depot and Joining Ihe bank Is the beautiful drug store owned and con ducted by Dr. W, J. Grt^n nnd Dr. J. C. Dover. This drug store will compare favor ably with any In cities three times Its slzo. Indeed, I feel aa If I had stepped Into one of our Atlanta stores when * go to Green A Dover's. There Is a reliable prescription de- partftient, a complete stock of drugs, stationery, and toilet articles, an up- to-date cigar stand, and a fine Unu of holiday novelties. This store carries a good stock of fancy candles made by a well-known Atlanta manufacturer, and has n flno soda fountain, where tho genlol elork, Mr. Docklns, dispenses soft drinks and the omnlpresont Coca Col* to tbe thirs ty citizens of Clayton. Green & Dover are special agents for Heath A Milligan's paints and carry a full line of oils and varnlshos. The senior member of tho firm. Dr. W. J. Green, Is well known as a popular nnd successful physician and ox-stnte senator. Dr. Green baa been for a num ber of years president of the board of education and ban hls heart set upon securing better opportunities for ths school children of the community. Dr. J. C. Dover I* one of the coming men of mark In North Georgia. Start ing In hi* profession with the best pos sible preparation, he ha* built up al ready a wide practice and won tho con, fldence of hit people. Dr. Dover le a prominent Mason, be ing worshipful muter of the local lodge, which numbers sixty-five members. He Is vice president of the Bank of Clay, ton and takes a vital Interest In munlc, Ipal affairs. Bank of Clayton. 'Directors: W. II. Greenwood, Nelson Tilley, W. S. Long, W. 8. Wltham, financial agent: W. J. Green. The North Georgia Company. No section of the South has finer op portunities for the lumber business than northeast Georgia, and nowhere Is it being more practically and more suc cessfully operated. It would amazo tho average Georgian Who Is tea busy nr too Indifferent to Acquaint himself with the resources of hts state to be told what vast sums of money may be realized from thp prod ucts of our forests. The moat extensive holdings In this section of the country aro those of the North Goorgia Company, which has In vestments In mineral lands and farms in addition to Its Immense timber Inter, ests. The property of this company win amount to about 64,000 acres, of whlcn over 40,000 acres Is lino timber land. Tho property of tho North Georgia Company lies In Rabun. Habersham nnd Towns rinmtlfs. In Georgia, and In Clay county. North Carolina. Rabun county I have talked about already, and Habersham I hesitate fa / praise, since words aro Inadequate to describe Its magnificent scenery, with llttlo bank, which Is located In the first brick building erected since the Civil war. The Bank of Clayton hu been In operation for three years and In that time hu so prospered that Its clearings for the third year doubled the per cent of the first year. This bank owe* no borrowed money and carries good deposits to the amount of nearly 880,000. It* resource* at the close of April 16, when the capable and courteous cashier, Mr. T. A. Duckett, Issued hls statement to depositors, amounted to clone upon $100,000. The Rank of Clayton has an Insu- Itort BHHHHPMHHB or other loss, and Is given without cost to the depositor. Tbe assistant cashier It Mr. Charles A. Evans, a popular young man and one of the "bright particular atara" In Clayton's baseball team. , The Bank of Clayton doea business In Rabun county. Towns county and In part of Western North Carolina. Its officer* are: J, IV. Peyton, president; J. C. Dover, vice president; T. A. Duckett, cuhler. L. T. MITCHELL. Liveryman, Clayton, Qi, Us majestic mountains. Its picturesque gorges. Its wonderful waterfalls and cascades, nnd Its Indescribable charm of forest ond valley. Turn to your copy of Sidney Lanier and read hls "Bong of tho Chattahoo chee," and you will glean some Idea of the Impression mado upon a poet's mind by these beautiful hills of Huber- sham. V. M. BURRELL, Stockman, Clayton, Go. The forests seem to stand In TCp .rlmeval beauty, the mountain* sppaas to bo frosh from the hand of th* Crea* tor ami tho volleys to dream In faro* docked beauty as they have since time began. tut deep In the heart of these maun* . tains lie rich deposits of valuabl* ml*. I erals, the gleam of gold and of copper greets the geologist’s hammer, while I nny valuable varieties of quarts re- ard the search of even th* amateur. Tb* North Georgia Company waa not making a hazardous experiment! when It purchased these lands In Rib and Rabun, as time will surely ! . _ These counties contain a gala { vein which Is of the same character and richness a* that which has boon sue j cessfully mined In tho neighborhood of Dahlonego. On tho property of this ] company alone la a fissure vein over j five miles long, which was once sue- I cessfully worked by the Spanish ex- I ranee feature which protect* Its deposl- In case of fire, burglary, defaulting plorers nearly two hundred years ago. Mica exists In great quantities and of a good marketable variety. There are large beds of kaolin, rich deposits of coruqdrum. quantities f amethysts and other varieties of quarts and asbestos mines that are in proflt- Besldcs its nfineral wealth, the North Georgia Company owns In Ra bun county alone nearly 160 little farms (Continued on Page Fifteen.) livery service In Clayton is the Dvr- firm a bright future, since try* merit. A FAMILIAR SCENE IN RABUN COUNTY.