Newspaper Page Text
Page 2 - Wednesday, September 27, 2023
The Jenkins County Times
j enkinsc ountytimes .com
Band gives
impromptu
performance
The JCMHS band gave an impromptu
perfomiance Saturday on the sidewalk in front
of B&T’s Food Fresh. The band was accepting
donations for equipment and competitions
throughout the school year. “Donations to
the band are accepted anytime. We give these
perfomiances throughout the school year as a
way of showing our appreciation to our town,”
Band Director Jim McBride explained. If you
would like to help the JCMHS band you may
drop off monetary donations at the Jenkins County Chamber of Commerce, Jenkins County High School office, or the
Jenkins County Times/Spring Creek Auction office.
Jenkins County School District
Welcomes New Bus to Fleet
By Joe Brady, Editor
for
The Times
In a forward-thinking
move aimed at bolstering
both their transportation
services and environmental
stewardship, the Jenkins
County Board of Education
has unanimously given the
green light to the purchase
of a brand-new gasoline
engine bus. The decision,
supported by a combination
of state and local funding,
signals a smart financial
and eco-friendly choice
for the county's school bus
fleet.
The Jenkins County
School District is poised
to take its transportation
infrastructure to the next
level with the approval
of a new 72-passenger
gasoline engine bus. This
addition promises not only
to improve the quality of
student transportation but
also to align the district
with modem environmental
standards.
The acquisition of this
modem bus comes with a
price tag of $133,900. In
a display of partnership
between the state and
the local community,
the state has generously
contributed $88,000
toward the purchase, with
the remaining $45,000
covered by local funding.
This cooperative effort
underscores the district's
commitment to making
essential upgrades while
being mindful
of taxpayer
dollars.
This state-of-
the-art school
bus will be
equipped with
several features
designed to
enhance the
comfort and
safety of its
passengers.
Notable
amenities
include air
conditioning
to combat
the region's
sweltering
summers
and camera
systems
to bolster security and
monitor onboard activities.
A critical factor
influencing the board's
decision in favor of a
gasoline engine bus was the
recent surge in diesel fuel
prices and the proposed
regulations from the
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) concerning
diesel engines. With diesel
prices at record highs and
the EPA's commitment
to tightening regulations
on diesel emissions, the
board deemed the gasoline
engine bus not only a cost-
effective choice but also
a more environmentally
responsible one.
While the gasoline
engine bus represents a
slightly lower upfront
cost compared to diesel
alternatives, the board's
decision underscores
its dedication to fiscal
responsibility and
sustainability. By choosing
this option, the district aims
to reduce operational costs
and contribute to a cleaner
environment for the benefit
of future generations.
The Jenkins County
Board of Education's
choice to invest in this
modem gasoline engine bus
reflects its commitment to
providing the highest level
of transportation services
to students while making
pmdent financial and
eco-conscious decisions.
This decision serves
as a positive example
for other educational
institutions striving to
balance cost-effectiveness
and environmental
responsibility in their
transportation solutions.
As the new bus is
incorporated into the
county's fleet, the
Jenkins County Board
of Education's forward-
looking approach
underscores its dedication
to delivering excellence in
education while keeping an
eye on the future.
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By Sam Eades, Publisher/
Writer
for
The Times
CAMP LAWTON
- A short time in
history Pt. 1
I could go on and on
about Camp Lawton and
the things I have learned
while living in Jenkins
County. However, I am
going to write this article
in parts. This is the first
part of Camp Lawton, a
short time in history.
Camp Lawton was
located where Magnolia
State Park sits now. It was
only in existence for six
weeks in 1864. It is known
as the largest prison in the
world, according to its
planner. Brigadier General
John H. Winder.
It is noted that Camp
Lawton was named for
the small community of
Lawton along the railroad
tracks that was located
in the East of Jenkins
County. Some folks
believe that Camp Lawton
and the community were
named after Confederate
Quartermaster, General A.
R. Lawton. However, no
such records have been
found to document that fact.
The community of Lawton
would eventually beccome
Lawtonville. This quaint
little town was also home
to Lawton Station which
was named for General
Lawton, because he was
president of the Augusta
and Savannah railroad
prior to the war.
Camp Lawton was
built to alleviate the over
crowding at Camp Sumter
in June of 1864. Camp
Sumter was also known as
Andersonville.
After researching Camp
Lawton, there is no reason
given for why Mr. Winder
chose Millen for a camp
site. But I would say it is
because of the resources
that would be close by.
Water, Land, and Food and
of course the railroad had
alot to do with its location.
I am sure.
I bet you didn't know
this, but the site of Camp
Lawton was leased at the
time from Mrs. Caroline
Elizabeth Jones. She was
the widow of Batt Jones.
It is said that the stream
that ran through the camp,
came from two great
sources of water. The large
spring, which was part of
an artesian spring system
that most locals called
Magnolia Springs. They
dammed the lower half of
the stream in the dog leg
and this part would be used
for sewage to go down
stream. The upper half
would be used as clean
drinking water, washing
and bathing. Eventually,
this water would flow
through the ditch that
served as a camp latrine.
It seems that the artifical
channel still exists at this
very site.
The total prison was
forty two acres, framed
by fifteen foot high
stockade walls. These
walls were made from
Pine Trees located on the
property. And, what they
called a "deadline" was
built to keep prisoners
from scaling the walls and
escaping. Deadline walls
are low fencing made from
pine scantlings inside the
perimeter of the wall.
The camp also included
hand built brick ovens
that were used for baking
and cooking food for the
prisoners.
Next week, we will
discuss the capicity that
the prison would hold
and a few stories on what
has been found in this
historical site.
See ya next week!
Sam
Purvis wins jackpot
at Spring Creek
Miranda Purvis won a whopping $250
Saturday night in the nightly jackpot
drawing. There won’t be any auctions Sept.
29-30 but we will be back Oct. 6-7 with
Kyle on Friday and Debra on Saturday.
Great Deals, Great People, Great Fun!
Have a great recipe you want to share?
We’re looking for good home cooks!
email:
thejenkinscountytimes@gmail.com
or send recipe along with your name &
phone number to:
JCTimes P.O. Box 1448, Millen, GA 30442
