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THE WEEKLY CONSTITUTION.
VOLUME VI.I
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, TUESDAY, AUGUST 12. 1873.
INUMBER 16
THE PEOPLE’S PAPER!
THE
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ATLANTA, TUESDAY, AUGUST 12.
Editors Constitution—Sir : The South Un
ion Musical Convention meets at Montville, Troup
county, Georgia, on Thuradiy before third Sabbath
in this month, and ark you to publish 6am e. We cor
dially invite all lovers of music, of every shape and
character, to be with us. Our convention is
confined to no one system of notation. We hope to
see a good many good singers from a distance. A-n
pis preparations are made for aiL
Respectfully, J. W. HcrcHtN'OJt,
Pres’t S. U. M. C.
A Boy Gets His Foot Crushed —Yester
day evening, between five and six o'clock. Master
Shipley, son of Mr. Shipley, an employee of the Roll
ing Mill, attempted to Jump on the inward bound
freight train on the State Road as it was passing the
BcmngMUL Be failed to de so, and the car wrpela
ran over his foot, mangling it so severe!? aft to rtqulr^
amputation. Tne amputation was ekllfa’iy perform
ed by Dr. Willis F. Westmoreland, snd at last ac
counts the boy was doing welL The boy was about
twelve years of age.
De Give’s.—The front cornice on the
Open House builttiog is fisithtd, presenting a uni
formly nice appearance. Work on the interior goes
ahead rapidly. Everything is in confusion, however,
with plasterers, painters, carpenters, on every hand
and one has to look sharp for himself, or he will com
ont with a mai koj some kind to reward him for hi
curiosity.
We understand the arrangement of the stage will be
perfect, and the Kata models of comfort and ease.
Altogether, De Give's promises to he elegantly and
well arranged. ...
The Ivey Bomlcide case*
JUDGE HOPKINS DECLINES TO ADMIT THE TOISONEB
TO SAIL.
Yesterday morning the attorneys in the case
against W. F. Ivey, charged with the murder of
George Benson, a colored convict in the custody of
Grant, Alexander & Co., assembled in the Superior
Court, to hear tbedec sion ot hie Honor Judge Bop-
kina upon an application made by the defense to ad
mit the prisoner to baiL The Judge announced that
his opinion had been pretty well formed from the ex-
amlnatlon he bad given to the evidence, but he was
atiU open to conviction, and would heir argument.
Judgs W. F. Wright, in behalf of the prisoner,
mads an eb'.e spee:b, in which he brought all the
strong points, both of law and fact, he could, to bear
on his side Of the ease, and again moved to admit to
baiL CcL 8. B. Spencer, and Col. W. H. Hulsey, for
the prosecution, would have rep'ied to Judge
Wright's argument, but the Court did not desire to
btar from them, and then formally announced its de
cision. The decision was, in effect, that this was a
case in which the Court was unable to grant such ap
plication, and could not, therefore, admit to bail,
and commented at length upon the testimony. Con
sequently Ivey must remain in jail until his trial at
the next term of Futton Superior Court.
THE JACKSON COUNTY HOMICIDE.
Atlanta Abroad.
Its Commercial Travelers.
How Many and Whs They Axe.
An editor of the Constitution met upon a xaLroad
train, a few days since, one of oar Indefatigable solic
iting agents, “Whack’’ Bailey, representative o f the
candy establishment of G. W. Jack.
As soon as he discovered ti^t he didn't Levs a
customer before him, he at once resolved himself
into one of the most scclable of companions. Among
other things he mentioned the remark of a merchant
in one of the towns he, as well as quite a number of
others in his line of business, had visited. Said the
somewhat astonished merchant, “I wish some one
would tell me bow many drnmmerB Atlanta
has got.” An article at once suggested
itself, and we propose to answer that
merchant, and perhaps present something interesting
to our readers in as well as outside of Atlanta. In
doing so, of course we shall only endeavor to ap
proximate the number, for where there is a legion
some will escape us.
The wholesale business of Atlanta has swollen to
Immense proportions, and she has become a depot ot
supplies almost for the whole State and other States
as welL This is due to the advantage of location
and the energy of our people; and among the
chief Instrumentalities, after the newspapers,
is the commercial traveler, soliciting agent, or, a> he
Is better known, the drummer. And Atlanta owes
much to them, for they have spread her fame into
every nook and corner, and it is difficult to go any
where without finding oae. F*r into South Carolina
and the neighboring States he has penetrated, and
bills of goods are sold by them and si ipped from At
lanta even to remote cities aspiring to rivalry witn
our own.
These soliciting agents gent rally are from the class
of our oest young met, some of them firm member*;,
and being mostly single, they not only sell goods, but
have a high old time flying aronnd the beauties and
belles of our towns and vLlages. At night, amend
ing a eoclable .or party, all adoration and sentiment
beiore bright eyes and lovely faces, and In the morn
ing Be J Ing a “bill” and driving a bargiin.
OCR GROCERS, PROVISION AND COMMISSION MERCHANTS.
Among our grocers, we come across in our travel
the representatives of the large houte of A. C. & B. F
Wyly. In the persons of J. G. Oglesby and T. N. Hall.
Oaapman, Rucker « Co. have a good representative
in D. J. Proctor; and Garrett & Ero. aic represented
by W. J. Garrett. Adair & Bros, fly over the country
In that ladles' favorite, (and curs too) Greeu B. Adair,
who, they say, is fond of getting
the l&di.s to sing “Home, Sweit
Home,” not, however, with any reference to his brand
of flonr. West b Edwards, those popular young
men, who have sprung so rapidly into a heavy busi
ness, appeal to the public through Colonel Zb P,
Tnomas. Stephens b Flynn, the old reliable, are rep
resented by C. F. Benson. J. R. Simmons & Co. are
represented by G. D. Howell; Bowie & Ghoistein by
J. D. Jones; H. T. Cov & Bro. by W. I. Zachary, asd
A. Leyden by Yd. M. Williams.
HARDWARE MERCHANTS.
Temmy, Stewart & Beck, go canvassing through
Leais H. Beck. T. M. Clarke & Ce*. are represented
by one of the firm, Capt. John A. Fitten, as popular
now as hefore his marriage, of which he speaks of
court*■ wherever he goes. Messrs. McNaugbt &
Scrutckin and the other houses are well represented,
but we are not in possession of names.
DRV GOODS.
Tne great house of Moore, Marsh & Co. send out
B. K. Barry and J. Henry Smith. M, C. & J. F.
Eider are represented by W. S. Everett and W. E. Ra
gan. Crane, Boylston & Co. by J. F. Mobley and R.
C. Glass, snd others we have not at hand.
CARPETS.
ClsurberUn*Boynton & Co., are well represented
by Major W. F. Turnley, of Jacksonville, Ala. We
have not heard of roe name of the representative of
Kendrick & Son.
FLOURING MILLS.
Cook, Cheek A Co. are represented by C. F. Hoke;
Stewjrt, Austin A Co. by O. B. Lin; and J. E. Butler
by H. B. Morgan. ,
WINES AND LIQUORS.
Cox A Hill have several In the field—T. H. Wood
Z. V. Baldwin; Gutliman & Haas have young Hssb
and Hr. Guthman in the fi Id. We have not heard
from the other houses.
TOBACCONIST..
Among these Meador & Bros, are represented by
W. B. Simmons, J. B. Wood, A. F. Fleming, J. W,
Harris and W. F. Chambliss, a host in number and
siren*th. J. L. Winter has J. A. Scott, B. M. Winn,
B. J. Hutchins and W. J. Thornton.
AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS.
Mark W. Johnson is reprented by Jehu A. Smith;
Anderson & Wells by one of tbe firm.
These are by ro means all. as we bave not bsen
able to ascertain them without some delay,
and were anxious to relieve our inquiring
country friend as speedily as possible. They repre
sent an army that la traversing the length and breadth
of three or four States, doing vast good to At'anta;
for which our enterprising wholesale dealers are enti
tled to the warmest thanks.
ielf-Made Men of Atlanta.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF HON.
JAMES
Ttee
Investigation of tlte United
States Authorities.
Yesterday afternoon Commissioner W. B. Smith acd
the Assistant U. 8. District Attorney, Geo. S. Thomas,
returned from Jackson connty.where they had gone.to
investigate the recent killing of Mr. J. R. Holliday,
who was killed on the 16th cf June. The parties
chsiged with the homicide are Simon Martin, Frank
lin Martin, Green Martin, Isaac Austin, David Han*
cock, Jackson Jones, Parker Whitehead, Marcus Lay,
Columbus Jobneoi, Milton Whitehead, Dr. Motley,
Alpin Pendergrass. Thomas MrE.hannin, La John
son and Jackson Boss.
Beyond the holding of an inquest the Federal
authorities hare learned that no efforts have been
made to bring those parties to Justice, and hence tbe
ai.lt of the above-mentioned officers.
Upon reaching Jackson oounty they learned that
Mr. Emory 8peer. the Solicitor General of the circuit,
tisd received instructions from Governor Smith to
give this matter his especial attention and see that
the State law, if it bad been outraged, was fully vin
dicsted.
The two officers further learned that the prisoners
had been arrested the day before their arrival, and
were eves then in tbe custody ot the 8hsriff of Jack
son county. Onderthrs state of things the Commis
■losers asd the District Attorney decided not to inter*
fere, as the State lsw was amply able to punish the.
prisoners if they were guilty, and any Interference
on the part of the part of tbe United States would
* erse than cseleae.
Singular Incident in DeKalb County.
When a thunder cloud was risiag the other dsy, and
the electric fit sbte were becoming very vivid, Mr.
James Goss, a well-to-do farmer, was standing in his
yard, noticing an immense number of buzzards flying
circuitously, close together, at a very considerable
height. While beholding the fowls with a fixed eye
soaring away up, apparent'y trying to reach above the
angry threatening* of the cloud, all of a sudden au
le:tric discharge piecea their midst literally,
causing than to flutter and fly off frantically in every
direction, while two fell to the earth like chunks,
dead. As soon as the cloud passed over, Mr. Goss,
in company with some others, went to the spot where
they fell, and found them torn and terribly lacerated.
Tbe electricity too* effect noon the right wing, and
the right leg of each, divesting the bones of all the
flesh andintegumerts, leaving only tie .large quill
feathers adhering to the wing bone by the small liga
ments. The bones of one did not appear to be broken*
while those ot the other were broken to pieces. Such
a phenomenon h-s seldom been witnessed.—Gwinnett
Herald. _______
At a regular meeting of the Board of
Health, held on the 8th inst, the following resolutionti
were unanimously adopted:
Resolved, That tee recent repeal of an ordinance,
prohibiting the sale of melons within the corporate
limits, in opposition to official opinion of this Board,
was premature and unwise, and that the original ordi
nance ehonld be forthwith re-enacted.
Resolved, That the recent suspension of the use of
quick lime upon the streets, was donewithontconsul-
tation with the Board of Health; that inasmuch as no
other disinfectant whatever was substituted, such
action was unwise snd calculated to induce disease
that under the lime treatment the death rate aota.
bly decreased; that sinue the suspension of lime
the death rate notably lncrea-ed; and that the
oae of quick lime upon the streets should be at once
resumed. ...
A Griffin Man Assaulted m Alar am a
A negro man by the name of Pope Taylor was arrested
in this city yesterday morning by the police,on a charge
of assault with intent to murder Mr. Strickland, of Grif
fin, Ga. The assault was made while tho latter was on
his way to visit some relatives living near Wetumpka..
The negro struck Mr. S. several times on the head
with a heavy stone and left him for dead on the road.
Bat he was not so badly hurt as his asaailastthooght,
and having recovered from the first stunning effect of
the blows, lodged the compVnt which led to the ruf
fisn's arrest.—Hont. Ad.
We, to-day, continue our series of 6ketches of
self-made men, and above present an admirable por
trait of the Hou. John H. James, a man cf whom the
people of Atlanta are most justly proud.
We confess that we take up our pen to write of such a
man with mingled emotionsxf pleasure and distrust—
pleasure in delineating a character whose virtues, not
to speak of mental ability and material success, hive
been tbe theme of warm commendation in every city
and village throughout our State—distrust, lest we
shall tail to do justice to those virtues, which not only
adorn asd beautify and delight in this world, bnt shall
impart lustre to the crown of glory, which, Christiani
ty tells us among its glorious teachings, shall be
worn by the good, whose actB make human life
alike more endurable and more enjoyable;
acta that tend to fill the land with inareased
facilities for the preaching of the Gospel to
the poor,and seud upward the heaven-kissing spire to
bathe in a sunlight but faintly typical of that spiendoi
to which it ever points. We shall endeayor briefly to
pretent a pointed sketch of his life, embracing some
of its leading features and prominent characteristics.
Indeed, a lengthy sketch would be too much unlike
the man, whose history is made np of deliberate
thought and purpose, then quick, energetic, decisive
action.
HIS PARENTAGE.
Mr. David James married Miss Sarah San
ders, cf Franklin, now Banks county
after emigrating from North Carolina to
Henry county, Georgia, Some filty years ago, His
wife is new dead, bnt Mr. James is still living, in the
enjoyment of a green old age, a substantial and high
ly respected farmer, though a blacksmith by trade.
His son, ^ohn H., the subject ot (this sketch, makes
frequent pilgrimages to old Henfy, where he is mow
on a brlefrrisit to Jiis venerawJ: sire, to whom he
shows the most filial'attention asd unwearying devo
tion. Ws have heard an anecdote of the old gentle
man to this effect: When he was informed of tbe
election of his eon to the Mayoralty of Atlanta, he
remarked, “if John does’nt do bis duty, I’ll go down
to Atlanta and make him."
There is no record, however, that he ever came to
this city on such a mission; at least, there was no oc
casion for his so doing. He was, hawever. present at
a Council meeting, one night, when, pointing to the
Mayor, he tald: “Gentlemen, if that boy don’t do
right I’ll whip him, Jar.. I have done
it many a time.” As etated above, Mr. David
James is still farming in Henry county. In his early
days Joan, of corns •>, had to assist his father and was
A plow box;
many a time, bare-looted, following the plow. He.
with his only brother, had to do the general work of
farmers’ eons, had to rise early snd mute the first
fires.
COMES TO ATLANTA.
When about twenty years of age, the son deter
mined to leave the the parental roof and try his for
tunes in a single-handed struggle with the world. The
young town of Atlanta, in 1859, held .out bright
prospects for men of energy and enterprise, and after
mature rt flection, which has marked every step of his
successful career, he determined to embark his for
tunes in the embryo city.
Here he could engage in more active pursuits
where a broader field promised more rapid promotion
ana success to a life of steaiy and earnest application.
He made an ecgigement_wUh a firm .st_the .yn&ll
salary of $13 50 per momhTEut'to him, who is de
termined to succeed, an opening is all that is necessa
ry, and time will bting reward in a true appreciation
of his services and merit. Hence, in five yeai a Mr
James was considered a very promisingand sagacious
young man, and was receiving a salary of $100 per
month. At this time, in 1855, he was able to establish a
BUSINESS FCR HIMSELF,
with a capital of abput $2,200, a sum accumulated by
savings from his salary and the observance of strict
economy—a fact fraught with a lesson which should
teach young men alike the folly 'of extravagance and
the sure result of patient labor and economical saving
of their smallest earning*. How many clerks of the
present day spend their last dollar, laying up nothing
for the future. ~ -
From 1855 to 1860 Mr. James engaged energetically
and successfully in the traveling auction and sale busi
ness, and had accumulated a handsome little fortune
of some $20,000 above his liabilities. This period of.
his life forcibly inculcates the importance of pursuing
steadily, patiently and hopefolly, any undertaking,
business, or occupation once begun.
and depreciation attendant upon a state cf war, he
had only some ten thousand dollars in cash with
which to resume banking, and owned probably nine
or ten thousand dollars’ worth of real estate. But he
now embaiked earnestly
IN SHE BASKING BUSINESS.
Pe prospered rapidly, and such has been hie suc
cess that probably he is now worth not less than a guar*
ter of a million of dollar*. We suppose he is the largest
individual property holder iu the city. He does
a very large and heavy broking business, which, as
he is an ind.victual banker, hae been built upon tho
basis of faith and confidence, reposed in the man. It
is, therefore, aimost superfluous to add that he is one
of the most popular, as well as successful, bankers of
the Stite.
MAYOR OF ATLANTA.
His financial abilities, great success, and other rec
ommendations, of which we s’lail Bpeak herealter,
of course gave him wide popularity and influence.
It was but natural that o r citiz ms should look to him
as a proper person for the Chief Magistracy, and they
determined 'o make him Mayor. lathe nomination
hie popularity evinced Itself, as he outran two strong
men, both Democrats. In December, 1871, the elec
tion occurred, and) he was unanimously elected, no
opposition being attempted. He was emphatically the
people’s candidate.
ADVOCATED FOR GOVERNOR.
In 1872 his icame was prominently mentioned in
connection wt.h tbe Democratic nomination for Gov
ernor of tbe-Rate, and his claims were advocated by
several journals. Lis financial ability, good judg
ment, prac icil sense, and strong integrity, were
qualities recommending him for high .and important
trusts. + f
•'NjJ SECRET OT SUCCESS.
Reference p now intended to his business qualifi
cations, and we shall only allude to them briefly and
in a general o(av. We have spoken of his coolnees
and deiibeteU seas ih f ormiii j“hja j^tdgmfnt. To this
Jbe addsa jaTirtr perception into (harac er, or, as com- _
moniysatJ.iB'^'gcui 'jTldgo human nature. He | *£ by T *lf* C H'
may not lf-eso quick as some, btf; that makes Him none has Weoo&rivi
his name in the thoughts of men wherever that name
is sounded. We come, now. to view the moral side of
his character, and, in so doing, to examine, first, his
second favorite mode of investment—thegrandest and
noblest of all human investments—that for Bod and
hi* fettow man. *
John H. James is emphatically the church giver of
Atlanta. To all of the denominations he has coutri.
bated most liberally ; not only to the erection ot their
houses of worship, but also to their charitable en
terprises. This, however, satisfied no: the Christian
spirit and nolle ambition of the man,
but he goes further, and in our city there are now
two chorohes, one of them brick, built entirely by
him, and in each there is an organized body, a pastor
and his flock. Since the close of the war he has given
■onnfifteen or twenty thousand dollars to churches
and charitable objects, just about the sum he was
worth at the time mentioned when he reopened his
business. He has given what he started wth. Here
is a record tnat may wed win the affections of any
people. Said the writer to him once:
“Mr. James, has your business never been era nped
or impeded by your large donatiot si”
His answer will never be forgotten, and is here re
corded for the golden words and their burden of a
golden, glorious thought;
“IHE MORE I GIVE, TBE MORE I MAKE ”
These are worns whose meaning and lesson are too
palpable for explanation. It U a striking illustration
of a great trutu, and is calculated to stir the zeal and
emulation ol ill men and encourage the hearts of ap
Christians.
Hit CHARACTERISTICS. .
Mr. Jamts is a man of few words, talkB but little,
and his lew speeches, in their brevity, are suggestive
of those of a high American offleia’, but unlike them
in tbe particular of pointed, piactlcal eense and
thought. While Mayor, he made in one of the public
schools, of which ne is a warm supporter, a speech
characteristic of both ideas, brevity and fiae practic a
sense; and we transcr.be it from the published pro-
oe* dings:
“Hon. John H. James said he was a friend to the
movement from first to last. He pledged all his in
fluence as Mayor to the system. His children were
too small to be benefitted by the public schools now.
and it would coat him aunually about $1,000 in the
Ehape of taxes. But he was proud to be able to con
tribute that much toward the education of the bare-
footed boys and girls—a class to which he once be
longed, though he never had the privilege of attend
ing any hut theB. R. R. school. My heart is with
you; v-cd bless the Public Schools.” (knthusiaatic
applause)
In manners he is free and plain aBsunung nothing.
Cf kindly heart he is trank surd cordial with all, and
prince or beggar alike htB kindly greeting. Almost
any day this man and ’he other may be seen chat
ting freely with John H. James, sitting by his side
upon the stone steps of his banking honae, on the
corner of Alabama and Whitehall streets.
BIS KINDNESS OF HEART.
A man may be liberal in publio enterprises and yet
neglected the smtller charities and the more private
acts of f.iendiy assistance and encouragement; not so
with James. The poor know him as their, benefactor,
and many a young man remembers bis kindly help.
It is said that be never tu-d a man in his life, and
has lost bnt littieln the ordinary business of his bank.
If ro, it comes from the regard men have for his
kindness, his honor, and his reliability, for amore te
llable man, either in the relations of Doainess or
friendship cannot be fouod.
Failing men bave said to ihtir lawyers, “provide
f r Jame«, if possible.” The writer, one of rue
proprietors of tbe Constitution, ur tbe eailler and
harder days of business struggle, experienced bis dis
position to help the young man who is deteimined
to help himself; for he uses a discretion in such mat
ters that every man ought. Not by giving, but by
putting his taith in men, who bad naught else for se
curity, James hse not only made many a friend, but
made men. who bj his trait in them learned to prize
their good faitn as dearly as one’s most sacred honor.
He morgages, not property, but character.
HIS CHURCH RELATIONS.
He haB been connected with the church since be
was eighteen years of age, and is now one of the most
active and .valuable member* of the Second Baptist
Church of this city. He is faithful m Lis attendance,
and is sever absent from his seat at the weekly prayer
meeting, unless kept away by clrcums ancea. In
his
personal habits,
he has ever been temperate and commendable. He
never swore au oath, and though no member of any
temperance society, naa never in his life taken but
two drinks in a bar-room. At least, he confessed
frankly to one. and we have high authority for assert
ing that he did foie another. He was passing once
through a city where the yellow fever was
raging, and before he got on* of that city he audd nly
took the notion that, if ever he needed 8t Paul a ad
vice, it was just then—and forthwith acted upon it.
CONCLUSION.
BIB MARRIAGE.
In the year 1860 he concluded, as all sensible young
men do, to form a partnership, and was married to
Hits Susan O. Leonard, daughter of H. K. Leonard,
Esq., of Talbot County, Georgia, a young lady lovely
both in person and character; and soon after his mar*
riage located in AtUnta as.backer, with an enlarged
lortune. « ■ . . '• ‘
DURING SHE WAR.
In November 1863, he secured a permit from Jtf-
fereon Davis, President of the Southern Confederacy,
and hia papers were eeuntersigned by Gsn. Whiting,
in command at Wilmington, N. C., whence he suc
ceeded in running the blockade, carrying bis wife
with him. His vessel was searched by^Confederate
officers, who allowed nonirtirgo t wlfS6uf > flie" proper
papers. While in Canada he advertised la the Hew
Ycrk Herald, and sent money to needy Confederate
prisoners. He was also in Hast an. > ' '■ '
i : ■< : j ■ - AFTER THE'WAR.
On hit return to business in Atlanta at the close ot
the civil strife, he round, owing to the. fi actuations
the less sure. He coolly measures his man or the cir
cumstances, deliberately weighs the chsnc&s,- care-
folly makes np his judgment, and then “drives
.the bargain”—that, too, in the fullest. sense of ♦>“»,*
word drives, lor he'Bricks to his jadgment or his
plan of action with a ceaseless effort and a sleepless
vigilance. Hfirstrong practical sense, too, enables
him tograip the practical riew of every business sit*
nation, great or small;, and bearing this in mimt we
get some insight Into the cause of his rapid accumu
lation of wealth. Pbr it is well' known, that Mr.
James has amaised his gains, not by small invest-
ments or little bargains,, bnt by dealings with men of
large means, by big transactions, by negotiations in
bonds, etc! Many remember how he made heavily l y
the purchase of the bills of an old bank, and again iu
another instance over $20,000 by one transaction.
In fine,he is a trader by uature,and rarely trades bnt
he makes, and lately makes that he does not make
largely. His trs’ning has been from his youth up, if
we may credit *n anecdote we have heard, that in his
boyhood his father would often trade with him, and
having gotten greatly the best of it, wonld laugh at
him most unmercifu,ly. This early experience, snd
bis quickness in arithmetic, have doubtless served
him admirably in the absence of a liberal education,
for when bad trades.are >augbed at now, John H
Jtmes is very apt to do tbe laughing.
MODES OF. INVESTMENT.
Having considered thi manner of his gettings,
tbe question naturally propounds itself as to the dis.
position which'he makes of them. How does he in
vest bis income ? And now we shall be called to speas
of the man in highly enlogietio terms, for iu the two
cnlef modes adopted by Mr. James for the investment*
and distribution of his means, we have a two-io;d
view of his character, as the business side and the
moral side stand prominently out, both warmly re
commending him to the respect and affections of tne
people cf the now great city, bat which he made his
home in its irfancy. What, then, does he do
with bis means? First, as to bis
BUSINESS INVESTMENT.
Walk over the city .pf Atlanta and the answer «nn*«.
On-Whitehall street looms up theon'y six-story mer
cantile building lathe city, there being bat' few five-
story buildings - beside that of The Constitution.
Near the Railroad crossing is the spier.did James'.
Block, laving some eight or ten stores upon the
ground floor. We ride out n,on Peach
Tree, and we tee a high-turetted, most
besutilnl brick mansion, with a little tent stretched
upon the green sward in front, under which sport a
little girl and boy. This is the residence of Mr. James,
and the little girl and boy his ouly children. Further
on, and we stand-before one of the noblest palaces in
Georgia, the Executive mansion, built by Mr. James
at a cost of about $100,000. So tint tbe answer, fa,
he has expended his means in building up our city,
and that, too, with structures in creating not only
business facilities, but adding beauty and splendor to
our city, for the welfare and happiness of our own citi
zens and the attraction of the stranger to our gates; He
has invested at least two hundred thousand dollars in
stores snd residences slone. The great advantages re
sulting to the city from such a manifestation of confi-
denseinhei future by a man of such foresight and
judgment is v«ry great. For his efforts; ffiin, io far
ther the prosperity of Atlanta by the outlay ot ala oat
every dollar or invested means, he deserves and re
ceives the respect of his fellow-citizens, and his ex
ample bas been followed by many. This, , doubtless,
is qna of the secrets of Atlanta’s wondrous enterprise
and prosperity—the’ confidence of her capitalists In
the greatness ot her future.
Mr. James is a man who tuts traveled considerably,
rod has gathered a fund of general piactical informs-
- tion. He is bale and hearty, being in toe very prime
! of life. He has the promise of many days jet of use
fulness, Deing only 43 years of age.
In conclusion let ns say, that, while ws have spoken
warmly of the snblect of our sketch, we have done so
conscientiously. But we have used no extravsgaace,
and can safety challenge the reader, who has followed
us to this line, to,poinc out the word that ls'not jueti-
has his faults—every man
iffored with him upon pub-
hts. We ourfy-lves lit _____
lie matters, iiu; in iHitohes of this iiihd it would lot
boat all in taste to speak of, aught but a man’s merit*
and virtues. And we are happy to have itin our power
to do the latter in the present instance, and send to
the readers of The Conbiitttion all overtire country
ftom ssame to Californla^th* splendidportrait of him,
who has accomplished to much for his city, his
8tate, and the cause of Christianity. Would to God
every city had scores of each men as. John H. James.
UNIVERSITY OF GE JROIA.
Commencement D»y-A Hovel Pro*
ceedure—Speeches—thampion Be*
bate—Or. Lipscomb Resigns- 1
No Winter Vacation.
But we come, now, to speak of that which reflects
the greatest honor upon the man, and has embalmed
Athens, August C, 1873.
We went to the chapel this morning with a young
lady. At the door shs was violently wrested from us,
and at tbe tame time an ordtr was given us to pro.
ceed alone to tbe eallery. We demurred-, and inquir
ed into tbe cause of this novel proceedufe, and wire
-told that tr e ladies could nut keep tbe gentleman
quiet, aod there fore the latter » era to be committed
the care cf tbe police in the gallery. There’s
use actagouiz ng the powers , that. be,
aad to we proceeofed sullefily' tip stairs.
But very soon tbe severi y ot tne order lost Ms keen-
nee* in a revocation, a< least to the extent of an ex
ception in our favor. , And set we next found our situ
ation grand, gloomy and peculiar, 'surrounded by an
nnaccoontable numt*»c>ir indetcribao:*,' mute, m»d
females. Tpey w«re equally as indignant as the gen
tleman. - Tlte men were qtnet and Sullen'. The wo-'
men mad ,-and dptfinstrstive. One c untry maid
en, who' bad been robbed of au anticiptted chat
with her swain, said -she “didn't sea tne use of
it, nohow.” and empbas zed that with a revengeful
pout. Very soon they agreed to accept the
situation ana began to nod their heads about like ducks
in a poultry yard and declare war against this in
fringement upon woman’s rights. But If the ladies
were piqued and disappointed the gentlemen bore it
' "losophlcally, and with tbe exception of the talking
e by tbe former, tbe house was more quiet during
the entire morning than we ever knew- it to be oefor*
on a commencement day.
the speasxrs. c '**' ’ '
R. Adams, Satonton, Goorsia—Independence of
Thought. An able phiiippioagainst s’avisheompii-
snee with the opinions of others wilhou t developin g
our own thought and judgment.
K W Bmot, Oglethorpe county-Peusities of
Greatness. A clear and accurate thinker. The audi
ence listened attentively, and this young orator evi
dently made a fine impression. _ . ,
C. M. Beckwith, Petersburg, Vlrginia-lnflntnce of
Revolutions on Art and Literature. Hfa speech was
based on the hypothesis of Lamartine, that “Ideas
vegetate in human blood.”’ ' .
1 J. T. Buchanan, Newnan, Georgia—Statesmansnip'
He gave a vivid picture oi tho corruption of men in
Ugh places in contrast with a portraiture of pure hou-
eBt etAtetxnen _
Messrs. 2. D. Huff, of Ctfaretta, Georgia, ana 8. A.
Reid, of EatoMOB. Georgia, were exenaed Both of
these gentlemen ere fine students.. Mr. Han t&ses
the Greek medal. They were the fast of those chosen
“jfo. E. Montgomery, of Fort Lamar, Gsorgim
had an elegant oraten on the power ot cultivated
Mind. HeisaB-S.
R. J. Wll’ingham. Macon, Ga, is the only gentle,
man who take* the If. A. degree ibts jeer. "Opposi
tion to New Ideas.” It wm* an able and scholarly el-
fort—the beat speech made.
Announcement of certificate*—mono-ory!
Presentation of pnze medals.
The andtence generall* had decided that either Mr.
Graves or Mr. Gordon would take the Sophomore
prize. Tuey were therefore very much disappointed
when Mr. Pon, of Madison, was announced as tha
6uc:ts:iul competitor.
FBIZk MEDALLISTS FOB 1872-73.
G T Ooher, Marietta—Sophomore Scholarship.
a * l.iwcomb, Jr, District of Columbia—University
Pr:z roy.
a Adams, Eatonton—School of Latin.
3 home* D Huff, Cossets.—School of Greek. >
R J Willingham, Macon—School of Mathematics.
D C Barrow, Oglethorpe county—School of Natural
Philosophy and Astronomy.
A J McMulian, Hart county- School of General, Is*
dustrlal and Analytical Chemistry.
H W Barrow, Oglethorpe county—Belles Lettres and
Rhetoric.
J T Putx, Madison, Ga.—Sophomore Prize Declama
tion.
DEGREES—BACHELORS OF ARTS.
R Adams, Eatonton; E L Antony, Texas; H W
Harrow, Oglethorpe; v M Beckwith, Virginia; J i
Buchanan, Newnan; TD Huff, Cueseta; CA Niles.
Griffin; M L Parker. Hart; R H Randle. Greene; S A
Reid, Eitonton; J D Scott, Madison; J R Shannon.
Forsyth; W M Slaton, Griffin; H F Strohecker, Ma/mn-
W A Whittle, Macon.
sachelorof science.
E W Montgomery, Madison county.
BACHELORS OF LAW.
W A Blount, A. B„ Florida; Charles A. Davis, Mon
roe; IL Fielder, Cuthbert; D K Groover. Savannahs
J E Hartrldge. Florida; J L Johnson. Rome; A A
Lipscomb, Jr., District of Columbia; P W Uillbum.
New York; T C Milner, Cartersville; James White-
head, Newton.
civil engineers.
S Barnett. Jr, Wilkes; J G Beuely, Alabama; G W
Gignilliar, Cobb. -
CIVIL AND MINING ENGINEERS
E Hunter, C E; Jefferson; P H Hell. C E, Athens:
R B Trippe, Bartow. ^
MASTER OF ARTS.
R J Willingham, Macon.
The societies had their usual reunion this afternoon.
To night they had a
CHAMPION DEBATE.
Hon. A. H. Stephens chairman, T. D. Hu:!'. Secretary.
Question—In the murderof Duccau, was Lady Mac*
both guiltier than Macbeth ?
Affirmative, (Demosthenese) C Z. McCord, Augusta.
Ga; W. ti. Lam»r. Athens, Ga ; A. S. Clayton, Art.,.??
Ga.; B. J. Willingham, Macon, Ga.
•Negative, (Phi Kappas) K. L. Antony. Texas; C.
M. Beckwith, Petersburg. Va.; C. A. Mies, Griffin,
Ga; Idus !>• Fielder, Cuthbert, Ga 1
Tne Phi Kappa won It. Mr. Clayton, of your city,
sustained his reputation as a logical and forcible d£
bater. Mr. Willingham also made a fine argument.
Messrs. Antony and Beckwith also reasoned well.
But the speech ol the evening was made by Mr.
Fleldtr. His was the argument that won the ques
tion. Searching, accurate, bold as was his logic, he
could not fall to set the whole matter in a clear light.
He was tbe only speaker who had anything like de-
cent attention. Most of the other speeches were writ
ten. cut and dried, long and lifeless.
Mr. Fielder will make his name at tbe bar. He iss
son of Hon. Herbert Fielder, of Cuthbert.
Mr. Stephens looks well. Ha 1s one of tbe few mck
who grow- large as you approach them.
Professor Lips :omb Js betier. Dr. Lipscomb has
resigned the Chancellorship. His resignation will
not. however, go into effdet until the next commence
ment.
College is adjourned until the 1st of October. There
la to be hereafter nb winter vacation. A wise change.
N. N.
BILL & WILLIS
Box Factory, Planing Hill and Lum
ber Yard.
Concentrating Not Contracting
Observing a d»y or two ago that the old lunibeE
yard of W. S. Bell & Co., cor. Line and Pryor streets
was being dismantled and abandoned, we thought It
evidence of contraction in that line of buelnesA
Bat happening to pass this morning near the new
Box Factory of Bell & Willis, on Mariet’a sheet, just
below the junction of Walton, we had our eyes
opeced to our mistake. Tbe old fl.mof W. J. Bell St
Co. having bejiz merged with that of J. N. Bell & Co.,
into the Et-vA’taucem of Bell b Willis—the last named
firm owning! and operating the “Box Factory,” etc.,
the two lumber yards are .now united in one and
attached to the Factory and Plaining Mi l.
It is really a treat to enter tne fine building of Bell
A Willie, see the cheerful, bus;’ workmen, hear the
ctang of their fire engine ss driven by tue empowering
steam, it give* mourn “ifices thing of Ilfs,” to in
numerable pulleys which in tt.'rn animate the com pH.
cated machine*, whoic bum gud whirr and buzz evi
dently •'mean business.”
Altogether this enterprise of Messrs. Bell So Willis
is well worthy of notice and imitation, not only
upon general principles, but on account of the ad*
nurable plan of the-eefabUshment throughout.
Boxes of all kinds and sizes, cracker, finest tobacco,
lumber dressed and prepared for any purpose Ik
almost any sbte and finish, are turned ont with a
rapidity *bat fa truly surprising. We advise our
friends who need anything in their line to give them
• cal!. ___
Water Work*.
Editors Constitution : An adequate supply of purs
water should b •- tecurtd for Atlanta; and competent
men can be found who will guarantee water in suffi
cient qnintity from wells, not exceedicg four in num
ber, and who are also competent to erect iu the most
perfect moncer, all the machines necessary, also the
sheet iron tanks or reservoirs of aay height or
diameter required.
’The ccst of construction compared with the cast at
Supply from the Chattahoochee, (which is the only
available place), is greatly in favor of wells. The
cost of power alone to operate with win be at least 50
per cent, in favor of supplies from wells.
One well furnishes an ample supply for oui neigh
boring city. Rome, and it ti«« been demonstrated that
no part of its supply comes from the river.
When the rit er fa overflowing and muddy, the weH
water is undisturbed, and clear. Let us consider
beiore we move forward with an enterprise, of so
mnch importance to the latere of Atlanta. Let u«
secure, if possihit, the vary best and cheapest to con
strue?, the most efficient in performance, and the most
e-ouomical in tbe use of fuel to operate with'.
Water from Peachtree creek cronot be had, tha
milting interests there will foibid it. South ri«r
win probably present the same difficulty, whilst the
('hattahnmihoK te af tan J t
Chattahoochee is at too great a distance, aad too for
below the level of Atlanta to allow economy either it
the construction or operation of water works.
Let ns try one welt. Tte experiment will-not ctfat
much, snd if successful it wUf be for the'cheapest
and best. ,
I can point to a placjwhere a larg'eamouutofwater
can be had from a well. J. A. Stewart.
Death of a Geobglu> in MXxjco—Dr. Reuben
West died on the 20th of May last at Matamorae, Mex
ico, of general prostration. He left behind him there
a wife and six children—the youngest'being three
weeks old. ; Should this parsgiaph'meet theejeof
his mother or relatives, they can obtain farther part
tieulars by calling on Mr. A. J. West, of the firm of
West b Edwards of this city.
Will the press generally publish th's it’.m ?
Stone Mountain Agricultural Society.—Tba
Society met on Saturday at 3 p. it.. President A. J.
Veal in tbe chair. J. W. McCurdy was requested ta
act as Secretary pro tern. , •
The Btock and fence lay was diseased elaborately
by Dr. James JProphett, or.Lithonla, A. L. Smith, J.
W. McCurdy am p. B. McCurdy.
President Veal exhibited General Grant andpeae
tomatoes j whjte and yellow corn xdsy;) cashew
watermelons, and carrots—all very flue, asd grows
from seed sent out by the Departmeutof Agriculture.
Thomas L. Whidby .exhibited oats, yellow cor*,
Irish potatoes, (one measuring seven incues in lengths
—all very fine, and -'grown from seed sent out by the
Department of Agriculture.
iNFonstAiioN Wanted.—John Henry Jackson is *
boy sixteen years old, abont eight feet in bight, slen
der, fair complexion, b.ue eyes and light hair. Left
bis mother in the month cf March, in distress, with a
man claiming to be W. L. Thomas, a farmer near Bear
Creek on the Mtcon and’Western Railroad. Mr. Thom-,
as has written one' latter to me sayieg my son was get*
trog along splendidly' and contented wuh his home
I have written several letters addressed to John E,
Jackson, care Mr. W.L. Thomas, Bear Creek, Georgia,
according to Ur.'Thomas’ direction, and bave visited
the place to see what had become of J. H. J., (my eon>
and was informed by several’ citizens that no such
man lived near Bear Greek Anytime since the war.
Any information as to iry son’S’WhfieabautB wJl be
thankfully received by
Mrs. Mart Ann Jackson. *
AtUnta, Geo.-gis.