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T HE CITY GOVERNMENT,
Who the Men Are That Form <n 1
Constitute It,
The city government o( Rome has
always been well managed, but no
better or more capable men were ever
elected than those who constitute the
present regime. Much has been done
in way of public improvement etc.,
during the past year. The city coun
cil has been prompt to act in cases of
emergency.
This spirit was especially noticable
when Yellow Jack first made its ap
piarance, although refusing to quaran
tine the city, they have take n every
precaution against the fever entering
the city. This aggressive spirit has from
time to time, manifested itself when
ever any question of public welfare pre
sents d itself, hence the boast that the
city government of Rome has made an
excellent recoid.
The men that constitute it are:
S. S King Mayor.
Hals ted Smith, clerk.
Thompson Hiles, councilman and
mayor pro tem.
R. A. Denny, councilman.
Dr. Irndsay Johnson, councilman.
W. J. Gordon, councilman.
C. W. Morris, councilman.
Frank J. Kane, councilman.
W. T. Jones, councilman.
J. D. Hanks, councilman.
J. A. Gammon, councilman.
J. D. Turner, councilman.
M. B. Eubanks, recorder.
Charles Underwcod, city attorney.
J. B. Gordon, city treasurer
J. B. Owens, chief fire dtpirtment.
J. B. Shropshire, chief 01 police.
P. D. Roser, sexton.
Sketch of all, with the exception of
three oouncilmen, will be found on this
page, and other parts of the edition.
Hon S. S. King
One of the best advertisement for a
city is that its chief executive be an en
terprising and public spirited man. No
one will dispute the fact that the pres
ent chief executive of Pome is such a
— 7 —
CAPT. THOMPSON HILES.
man, or that a more capable or effi ient
citizen could have been chosen to fulfill
the duties of that office.
Hon. S. S King was born at Cave
Spring Floyd county Ga , and with the
exception of two years spent in Atlanta
has resided in the county all his life.
Mr. King began business in Rome about
twenty-one years ago upon the pnssnt
site where his magnificent store now
stands, and as a retail merchant has
made a remarkable success in the grocery
business, His place of business is be
yond all questions the finest stands in
the city and the store one that reflects
with credit upon it genial proprietor.
Mr. King first became prominent in
local affairs in 1884 when his ability
and popularity were reoogniz d and he
was elected a member of the city coun
cil. He served in that body two years
and in 1888 was again elected to office,
serving until 1890.
Two years later, Mr. King was elected
chief executive by a large majority. It
was under his administration that the
sphndid system of water works was
built. In 1896, he was again honored
by the people, and his present admin
istration, like that of his former one,
has been clean, economical and pro
gressive.
Mr. King’s career as a public servant,
is fresh in the minds of the public. It
has ever been his constant endeavor to
H AUST ED SMITH, Clerk.
push the city to the front, and for ’his
purpose has devote! both time and
means. Public spirited and generous,
he has made an administration that
wiil so down into the annals of the city,
that will be 1 .oked upon with pride aud
delight bv the coming generations < f
the livest city—Rome—the mttropolis.
of Northwest Georgia.
Capt. Thompson Hiles
Capt. Thompson Hdes councilman
and mayor pro tem of R me, is a Ten
nessean by birth and the light of
earth first dawned for him in good
eld Bedford county. His boyhood days
were passed there until the call came
for men to delend the Sou'h in her
cause. Capt. Hiles was a youth of
nineteen then, but wit h the courage
DR. LINDSAY JOHNSON.
thrt characterized bis sturdy ancestry,
shouldered bis musket and marched
to the front.
Through four years of strife and
hardships he remained a brave and
gallant soldier. Not until rhe encrim
eoned blade of war had been sheathed
did he lay down his musket aud
haversack. At the close of the strug
gle he returned to his native heath,
and taught school for awhile. This
experience, with its stern and rigid
discipline, fitted him for meeting life’s
buffets with calm and undisturbed
equanimity and to batter down every
bulwark that stood in the way of up
right commercial success
In 1866 he removed to Summerville,
Ga , and entered business. Under
bis intelligent management the
business prospered wonderfully. In
1889 Capt. Hiles came to R< me, where
broader fields of endeavor were to be
had. The Thompson Hiles Company
was organized and Capt. Hiles w-s
elected president, a position he still
holds.
While a cit'zenof Summerville Capt.
Hiles was closely identified with the
growth and upbuilding of that fair
little city. His sterling worth and
character was appreciated for he
served a number of years in the
council.
Since Rome has been his home, po
sitions of honor and trust in the city’s
affairs have been placed iu his hands.
He is esteemed one of the Hill City’s
most progressive men, taking an ex
alted stand in all affairs of public
weal. After a teim as city tax assessor
Capt. Hiles was elected to the city
council in 1896. Since assuming the
duties incumbent upon the office he
has been one of the most aggressive
W. T. JONES.
men of that body and a leading exponent
of every movement tending towards
the general welfare of the city. He is
mayor pro tem, and is chairman of
the finance committee and member of
three other committees—health,
printing and ordinance.
Capt. Hiles has been prominently
mentioned as a mayoralty candidate
for the next election. He has a strong
following among all classes of citizens.
If be should consent to run, he would
doubtless be elected and would make
Rome a model mayor.
Lidnsay Johnson, M, D.
Among the more prominent and ac
tive working members of the city coun
cil should be associated the name of Dr.
Lindsay Johnson, a prominent physician
and surgeon of this city. He is a man
of most pleasir g address, fine physique,
scholarly attainments, and one held in
the highest esteem by his fellow prac
titioners.
Dr. Lindsay Johnson was born at
THE ROME TRIBUNE. SOUVENIR AND TRADE EDITION.
Cat'ersville, Ga., Au-’ust 3, 1861. He
received a most liberal education, both
literary and medical.
In 1871 he entered the medical d•-
pirtment of the University of Lus
vilie, aid graduated in 1875; he then
took a coursi at the Ho-pital College if
Medicine, Louisville, Ky.. uni at the
same time served as d spensary physi-.
clan of ihe college. Dr. Johnson then
took a port graduate course at the Col
lege of Physic'aos and Surgeons.at New
York, at d sub fqueutly was made clin
ical lecturer on surgery and demonstra
tor on anatomy at the Southern Medi
cal College, Atlanta, Ga, but iesigned
the posi'ion afterwards two years on
account of ill hialth he came io Rome
in 1891 from Cartersville, aud soon took
rank among the public spirited men of
the city. He was elected to the council
in 1896, and as a member of thit body
is serving oi some of the most Impor
tant committees.
W T, Jones,
Tn writing of the various conncilmen
of Rome space most be shotted to M:-
W. T. Jones, of that body. He hrs
made a most excellent official, and care
fully watches tve,y item .connected
with the city’s government.
Mr. Joies is one of Rome's prosper
ous business men He is engaged in.
monumental work, and proprietor of
the largest marble yard in North Geor
gia.
Mr. Jones is a native of Georgia,and
first saw the light of day January 25,
1853. at Madison, Morgan county. His
early days were spent in attaining
an education at the Madison schools.
In 1870. he moved to Gr ffin, this
state, where he commenced to learn his
present profession. In 1871 Mr. Jones
moved to Macon, where he completed
bis trade and returned to Griffiu in
> ■
Br * -4r
. .
it A ‘ “■ H
HON. S. S. KING, Mayor.
1874, where he remained until Decem
ber, 1875, which year he came to
Rome. Upon coming to Rome, Mr.
Jones engaged in bis present busi
ness, under the firm name of Jones &
Edmundson, which existed for about
two years. Since then Mr. Jones has very
successfully conducted his business
alone. Owing to the popularity of this
wide awake gentleman he was elected
as councilman in Ma¥ch 1897. He is
making a 8] lendid officer and wields
m small influence in public matters.
Frank J. Kane.
The members that compose the city
council of Rime are far and wifely
known for their good citizenship, and
individually, are ind» fatigable workers
for the best interest of the city. Theenb
j°ct of this sketch, Mr, Frank J. Kane
his evinced all these traits and is a
recognized leader of the council al
though one of its youngest members.
He is one of the best known merchants
in North Georgia and a business man of
rare ability. Indeed, the writer doubts
if there is a more popular business man
in the section.
Mr. Frank J. Kane was born reared
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osii ■
R. A. DENNY.
an! ■ (incit'd in Rome and has been
engaged 'n meicaut.le puri-uiis all his
life. He has been connected with such
wed tniwn nouses as '1 hos. Fah.',
Keeley & Co., of Atlanta, Chas. D.
Wood and Bass Bros, and Company
Mr Kane engaged in business in 1895
•md n da? is ihe happy p< s?es-or of one
of the largest and be-t stock dry goods
la usts in the city. He is ’a most thor
oughly exp r ence busint ss man, I enc<-
Ins cuccess in badness. Personally be is
Os a most kindly disposition, a log’ca)
thinker, affable and pleasant in man
ners, treating ad with the utmost cour
tesy.
As a councilman, he has tendered the
city much valuable service as chairmat
of the gas and lights committee, and
member of the committees on cimttery,
ordinance, police aud printing,
C. W. Morris,
Com oilman C. W. Mrrris is one of
those m> n who has succeeded in life
through perseverance and pluck. H
was lorn in Cobb com ty, Ga., but re
moved to Floyd county with his pi
rents when an infant six months old.
Mr. Morris was reared in rhe rural dis
tricts, obtaining on ■ ducat on as best
he could. His early life was spent in
hatdwork.be following wood hauling
and the saw mill business for many
years.
In 1872 Mr. Morris located in Rome,
and entered the mercantile establish
ment of Captain Bale, with whom he
is still employed in the capacity of book
keeper and clerk.
Mr. Morris first entered the council
in 1891, serving that year and the fol
lowing one. He again became a mem
ber of that body last spring, and is an
active and earnest worker, serving on
numerous committees, and as chairman
of the health and printing committees.
His career as a councilman, like that
of a citizen, has been clean and above
reproach in every way.
W, J, Gordon
The popularity of W. J. Gordon is
fully evidenced in the fact that at the
list municipal election he polled the
second highest vote on the ticket. He
is a successful young business man and
proprietor of a large grocery house in
the Fourth ward. Everybody who
knows Mr. Gordon likes him, and no
young man in the city can claim more
friends. He was born at Pine Log,
Bartow county, Ga., December 11th,
1871; removed to Rome with his pa
rents in 1885, and attended the public
schools of this city for a short time.
Mr. Gordon obtained a thorough bus
iness training nnder his father, Mr. W.
T. Gordon, who for a number of years,
was engaged in the grocery business.
In 1893, Mr. Gordon branched into
, business for himself, and has succeeded
in establishing a large trade. As a mem
ber of the city council, he has made a
most excellent record, and has renden d
the city much valuable service. He is
chairman .of the fire committee (a de
partment of the city’s government in
which be has for years been an enthu
siastic advocate), and a member of the
committees on public buildings, sewer
age and drainage, and water works.
J, B, Shropshire
A very important official in eveiy
city is its chief of police. It is a re
quirement that he should be expe
rienced by having done police service;
that he should be a man of courage
and good judgement and keep cool in
times of excitement. Such a man is J.
B. Shropshire, chief of police of Rome.
With his friends Mr. Shropshire is
a very popular man and they will at
any time go out of their way to do a
favor for him. They stand by him at
all times.
It was in Cuthbert Randolph county,
Ga., that Rome’s chief of police first
saw the light of day. He was born
Argust 31, 1854,
When he was thirteen years <ld in
the year 1867, bis pirents moved to
Fmjd county. He re-umed his studies
which he began at Cuthbert in the
schools of Fioyd county. He was en
gaged in farming up to eight years
ago
hr April, 1890, Mr. Shri.p-hire moved
to Rome to make bis home in this city.
He was short'y afterward elected a
member of the city police force, and
served for fur years. In 1894 the city
council elected him chief of police, aud
i e has filled that position since then
The violators of the law have been made
to be wary in their evil doings around
Rome. Tnere lave been no great
crimes, and the city during the time I e
Kh
FRANK J. KANE.
has been it office has been peac ful and
law abiding.
• Charles W, Underwood-
One of the leading young attorneys of
Rome is the subject of this sketch.
Caaries Walton Underwood is city at
torney, a position which he hrs filled
ably and with credit for the past eigh
teen months.
He comes of a distinguished ancestry,
and family records traces an unbroken
Hue back to some of France’s greatest
and bravest nobles. His father was the
lamented John W. H. Underwood, for
twelve years judge of the Rome circuit,
and a member of congress in 1856 aud
1860 from this district. His grand
father was W. H. Underwood, for years
judge of the Blue Ridge circuit.
Charles W. Underwood was born in
Atlanta April 5, 1864, and in 1866 he
removed with his parents to Rome. Hie
early education was received in this city.
He graduated from the University of
Tennessee, and also went to Pough
keepsie. N. Y., for a while.
Hejtrgan life’s battles in the manu
factoring business, but with the resolu
tion even then fixed to make the law
the field of his endeavor. In 1891 he
was admitted to the bar here and passed
a brilliant examination.
Then firmly and unfalteringly he
fixed his mind and heart upon bis pro
session. Undaunted by the adver
sities that beset the pathway of every
young mao, be surmounted obstacle
after obstacle until had established a
good practice and had gained the
confidence of the public and his as
sociates.
He served one term as a member of
the council, and did faithful service
I' ‘ 'X- :
oi Hr'' • ..jTIIL ; isl
I
C. W. MORRIS.
fir the city. In April 1895 he was
elected city attorney, a position he
still retains.
He represented the E. T. V. &G.
R. R ,as local counsel, then Spencer,
Fink & McGhee, the receivers and
now represents their successors the
Southern Railway company. He has
the complete confidence of his em
ployers.
Mr. Underwood makes a specialty
of corporation laws, and has made a
fine reputation in this branch. Hie
private practice, city affairs, and his
duties as railroad counsel makes him
a very busy man, but his keen mind,
and thorough business methods,
stands him well in band.-
He is yet a young man and constant
endeavor is sure to win for him great
er success in the future.
To Core a Cold in One Day.
Take Laxative Bromo Quinine Tab
lets. All druggists refund the money
if it fails to cure. sc.
■ Sr
C. W UNDERWOOD.
A BIG ENTERPRISE
Southern Fertilizer Company Opere
ates Four Big Factories,
One of the greatest and most impor
tant manufacturing corporations in Geor
gia today is the Southern Fertilizer
Company.
Four great factories, located respect
ively in Savannah, Atlanta, Rome and
Cordele, supply the immense trade of
this firm.
At the head of this vast business are
men of wealth, and who stand high in the
commercial world. They have given all
their great genius and ability to building
up one of the most important industries
in the entire South, and today the
{hod nets of the Southern Fertilizer Com
pany have sales all over the southeastern
cotton belt.
They have a paid in cash capital of
$885,000, and with this enormous sum to
back them the importance of this enter
prise may readily be seen.
It is officered as follows: Geo. W.-
Scott, President; Joseph Hull, Vice-
President; G. B. Scott, Gem ral Superin
tendent; C. M. Candler, Secretary and
Treasurer; H. P. Richmond, Assistant
Secretary and Treasurer. The board of
Directors consists of the following gen
tlemen: H. M. Comer, Jos. Hull, Geo.
W. Scott, G. B. Scott and C. M. Candler.
Each of them are men of the highest
integrity, ai d the unity with which their
business is conducted, proclaims the
secret of their success.
They mai ufacture high grade fertili
zers, and the product of their factories
is considered one of the safest, most re
liable and satisfactory in the market
today. You would find it difficult to
W. J. GORDON.
convince a North Georgia farmer that
theie were any other fertilizers half so
good. It is made from the very best
material, aud on scientific principles. It
does not burn up the soil but adds
strength and lasting qualities to land
wherever it is used.
Something like six years ago the firm
of Comer, Hull & Co., of Savannah,
purchased and assumed control of the
Rome Chemical Company. This com
pany was already one of the largest and
most extensive of the kind in the South.
Since then the Rome Chemical Company
and the firm of George W. Scott & Co.,
of Atlanta, have been consolidated,
widening their fieids greatly.
The Southern Fertilizer Company suc
ceeds Comer, Hull & Co., and Geo. W.
Scott & Co. Their brands have been
pi oven to be thoroughly reliable, and
unusual manufacturing facilities enables
them to place their fertilizers on the
market at the lowest possible prices.
The general offices are in the Hillyer
building, Atlanta.
Wai/ud W«i«k l or I'apa.
Philadelphia was treated to a novel
sight the other day A little girl, ap
parently about 8 years of age. trudge 1
up Chestnut street carrying a pole iron,
which was suspended a placard bearing
these words, "Work wanted for my
papa. ”
The child was immaculately neat,
despite her poverty e rickeu appearance.
Close behind her plodded the little one s
father, leading a boy abont 6 The man
was M Bra.sch, a pocketbook maker,
of 1142 Carpenter street, Camden.—
Chicago Tribune ;
ihrhmbhhi
ar ?
J. B, SHROPSHIRE.
3