Newspaper Page Text
J|ttßrte£ gcpnMiom.
fecial Edition.
C- W. HANCOCK,
EDITOR .AJtT!D I’U.OIPii-XE'X'Oli'-
AIIERVt'VS, GEOI?iA.
Saturday, September 15th, 1853.
'
OfficlaTOrgan of City of Americus.
OfficiaTOrgan of Sumter County
Official Organ of Schley County.
Official Organ of Lee County.
Official Organ of Webster County
Southwest georgis.
Its Productions, Capabilities,
Soil, Climate, Temperature,
Etc., Ete.
In this article we propose to take a
general view of that portion of the great
State of Georgia, commonly known as
Southwest Georgia, and to present
some facts and figures in regard to the
present condition, the possibilities of
its tuture, its productions, capabilities,
soil, climate, temperature, etc. To do
this in a more intelligent and satisfac
tory way to the general readei, seeking
information, wo propose to select a
body of counties, near its centre, ana
speak of them somewhat in detail.
In this way our remarks can be more
easily comprehended, our facts more
easily shown, our conclusions more per
fectly drawn. To present facts of
the whole of Southwest Georgia, as we
propose to present them of the coun
ties we have selected, would require far
more space than the limits of a news
paper article would allow, besides over
tax the patience of the groat mass of
readers.
In selecting the counties of Sumter,
Dooly, Macon, Schley, Webster, Lee,
Marion, Stewart and Terrell, we have
not only selected those which trade to
Americus, either entirely or in part,
but wo have selected those which will
fully represent all the various charac
teristics, soil, productions, climate, con
figuration, etc., etc., of Southwest Geor
gia. Lying in a contiguous body and
near the centre of the portion of the
State we are discussing, and being nat
ural feeders to the growing city of
Americus, they may be accepted as a fair
representation of the whole and their
possibilities are, perhaps, no brighter,
yet perchance in the nearer future, than
those of the sister counties making up
Southwest Georgia. What is true of
tho counties in our list, is true of the
others, and the. reader, whether he be
seeking information or a future home,
may depend upon it that the facts here
presented is a true reflex of Southwest
Georgia as an entirety. By this we do
not, however, wish to be understood as
saying, or intending to say, that there
is-no choice in locality, or that one
county or neighborhood is as good as
another. This is true of no section or
country, but what we do mean to say
is, that the facts as to soil, topography,
productions and climate, as presented,
are true of the whole section. We take
it for granted that the reader who is
seeking a home will visit the section,
or seek information from some reliable
source and determine for himself the
particular locality or county offering
such inducements of health, markets,
schools, churches, society, etc., or will
prove most compatible with his taste
and station in life. What would suit one
might not suit another.
From the census of 1880, and other
reliable statistical sources, we are en
abled to present, of the counties being
specially discussed in this article, the
following interesting tables. Table I.
shows the number of farms in each
county and the total cultivated or im
proved acreage as follows - .
TABLE i.
NO. FARMS IMPROVED ACRES.
Sumter.. 1,058 105,680
D001y... 1,464 120,998
Marion.. 728 68,020
Schley... 639 41,139
Webster. 533 44,435
Lee 715 99,696
Marion... 734 81,457
Stewart.. 792 110,224
Terrell... 707 59,743
TABLE 11.
AVERAGE SIZE FARMS.
Sumter 100 Acres.
Dooly 89 “
Macon 93 “
Schley 64 “
Webster 83 “
Lee ..139 “
Marion 110 “
Stewart 138 “
Terrell 84 “
This table really discloses facts that
will astonish many people, especially
the people of the North and West, for
they have long believed, and they be
lieve to-day, that one of the great curses
-amt drawbacks to.the prosperity of the
South lies in her large farms. We have
been told by the people of the North and
by the press, writers and speakers of the
whole country, that we should have
small farms—that the old plantations
of ante helium days should be cut up
if we would prosper. This table shows
conclusively that this advice has been
and is being heeded; that of nine of,
perhaps, the largest cotton producing
counties of Southwest Georgia the farms
only average from 139 and a frac
tion acres to 64 and a fraction acres in
size.
TABLE 111.
UNIMPROVED ACRES
Sumter. 210,193
Dooly .336,812
Macon .147,016
Schley 70,132
Webster 89,369
Lee 120,622
Marion 136,306
Stewart 182,292
Terrell 146,438
From this table it will be seen that
nearly every county has from twice to
three times as much unimproved as im
proved land. In other words, it shows
that each of these counties can receive
from two to three times as many far
mers as they now have without reduc
ing the average size of the present
cultivated farms. It further shows,
that the owners of the lands in these
counties have from twice to three times
as much land as they need or require
to make it plainer and more forcible,
that they have that much dead capita!
on hand.
.Vs we propose to circulate a large
number qf this issue of the Republican
in the East and Northwest we beg to ask
the careful attention of every reader
there to the facts presented by the last
table above, and to assure them that
now is the time to come and buy these
lands. They can be had at very low
figures when compared to tlicir intrin
sic value—when compared to what they
will yield. In these counties lands
can be purchased at from .$2 to sls per
acre according to quality, nearness to
market, health, society, etc. And we
ask where can lands be purchased else
where, that will yield such a variety of
productions, at the same outlay of labor
and cultivation, as will these? Instead
of going to the wild, unsettled and in
hospitable West, where the range of
crops are so narrowly circumscribed,
would it not be wiser for the farmers
of the East and Northwest to come to
Southwest Georgia, where crops are al
most unlimited in variety, where society
is good, where climate and water are
congenial and healthful, where schools
and churches exist, and where lands
are cheap, and settle?
But the census enables us to present
another table, which will show the
value of these improved and unimprov
ed lands and the value of the farming
implements, employed by our farmers
in the cultivation of their farms, as fol
lows:
table iv.
VALUE OF FARMS. I VALUE IMPLEMENTS
Sumter. .$1,143,317 j $ 60,667
D001y... 1,183,699: 56,597
Macon... 727,189: 35,926
Schley.. 431,853 21,578
Webster. 502,752 31,592
Lee 6C5,024 5^,121
Marion.. 762,305 32,839
Stewart. 916,936 52,510
Terrell.. 513,315 33,158
The above table only shows the
value of “farms including lands, fences
and building,” but does not include
city property. If city property were
included the above amounts would be
much increased, especially Sumter
county.
The following table shows the esti
mated value of all farm productions:
table v.
Sumter. $963,841
Dooly 807,163
Macon 583,090
Schley 170,050
Webster 337,069
Lee 642,177
Marion 489,861
Stewart 898,496
Terrell 383,834
Thus it will be seen that during the
year 1879 the value of farm products,
of the above named nine counties, ag
gregated the enormous sum of $5,275,-
584.
The following shows the tax valua
tion of the Real Estate and Personal
Property and the aggregate amount of
taxes paid:
TABLE VI.
TAX VALUATION AMOUNT TAX
Real Estate Personal Prop Total
Sumter. £1,010,088 £1,351,810 £33,075
D001y... 770,205 558,024 10,980
Macon.. 736,733 591.074 13,298
Schley.. 345,891 207,592 5,1*8
Webster 369,303 250,483 5,266
Lee 650,750 328,560 12,204
Marion. 507,508 352,080 7.3G1
Stewart 879,822 575,074 13,215
Terrell, 659.089 617,316 12,866
As the total taxes paid includes
State, County and School tax it will be
an easy matter for any one to ascertain
the rate of taxation, that prevailed in
the year 1879. The rate is now con
siderably less than it was in that year.
We had intended to present tables
showing other important facts, but as
the length of this article is prescribed
wo must pass on and present some in
formation about the climate, produc
tions, etc., of Southwest Georgia.
It is not a fact generally known that
cur winter climate is tlio same as that
of Rome, Italy, while our summer cli
mate corresponds with that of the once
proud and yet celebrated city of Jeru
salem, nevertheless this is true. We
have a most delightful and healthful
climate—a climate which will permit
the farmer and laboring man to com
fortably do out door work every day in
the year. It is not a climate which
forces man, beast and cattle to be housed
and fed—to eat and consume in winter
what was made in summer—but there
is no day in the year, so cold or so hot,
as to present any kind of labor being
done.
The mean annual temperature of
Southwest Georgia is between 62 and 65
degrees, with extremes of 95 to 16, but
it rarely happens that these extremes
are touched, and when they are it is for
but a brief period. From a carefully
kept record of the temperature, by a
competent party, we find, by taking an
average for six years, the maximum to
be 83 and the minimum to he 44 de
grees.
But while we have a few voy hot
days every summer, our weather never
gets so hot as it does in the East, and
our nights are always pleasant. To a
New York or Boston man this would
be very hard to understand, and we
dare say many would deny that the
extremes of heat were greater there than
here. Nevertheless it is true, and any
one doubting can be easily convinced
by consulting the records. One reason
why the heat is greater in New York
than in Georgia is that the days there,
in midsummer, are nearly an hour lon
ger than here, thus affording an hour
longer in which heat can he accumula
ted from the direct rays of the sun and
one hour less, at night, in which to
carry off the accumulated heat by radi
ation. Sunstrokes, so plentiful and
fatal North, are unknown, almost, in
this section.
In an agricultural country, next to
proper climatic influences, nothing is
of greater importance than the rainfall.
Having shown that the climate of
Southwest Georgia is most propitious
for the production of all crops and fruits
not eminently tropical, we now present
the following facts touching the rain
fall in this section. This table presents
the average rainfall for a period cover
ing six yearSf
TABLE VII.
MONTH. RAINFALL.
January 3.27 inches
February 5.48 “
March 7.41 “
April 6.05 “
May 3.27 “
June 4.60 “
July 4.01 ■■
August 5.16 “
September 4.19 “
October 1.37 “
November 4.51 “
December 3.63 “
From this table we see that the aver
age rainfall, for the 6 years, has been 53
39-100 inches, and that the monthly
disposition of it was most tavorable to
crops of all kinds. With a rainfall
thus disposed good average crops are
almost an absolute certainty. What
other section, seeking settlement, can
make a superior showing. Wo might
also add, that dining the six years, the
number of days upon which rain fell
varied from 75 to 93.
Of the productions of Southwest
Georgia it is difficult to speak, other
than incidentally, within the limit of
this article, as they are so numerous.
To go at all into detail, upon the point,
would require several columns, lienee
wo must be content with almost a mere
enumeration of the various products,
leaving the reader, who is seeking more
detailed information, to obtain fuller
information through private correspon
dence or a personal inspection of the
country. Our lands profitably yield
corn, wheat, oats, rye, barley, rice, cot
ton, flax, jute, ramie, sugarcane (both
West India and sorghum,) broom corn,
hops, tobacco, field peas, beans, ground
peas, cr peanuts, sweet and Irish pota
toes, turnips, cliufas, carrots, parsnips,
beets, pumpkins, cashaws, tea, indigo,
German and cat-tail millet and grasses.
Of these various crops the yield per
acre is almost as varied as the farmers
are numerous. Those who prepare and
till and properly fertilize their lands
make yields correspondingly profita
ble, while others, indifferent and neg
lectful, make poor crops. We presume
ours is like every other section, except
the great mass of our farmers have not
yet adopted the new and more intensive
methods of farming. There is more
in the man and manner here than in the
land. And to give the reader an idea
of tho results of intensive farming we
refer liim to tho article immediately
following this one. One important
advantage wo have over the North
west is that two paying crops can he
gathered off the same laud within
the year. For instance a farmer can
produce a crop of oats, wheat, ryo, Irish
potatoes etc., and a crop of corn, cotton,
field peas, etc., off the same land in one
and the same year. The Northwest
cannot do this. Besides, then we have
a great advantage in diversity of crops.
As to fruits and vegetables our sec
tion grows every known variety, ex
cept such as are eminently tropical.
Southwest Georgia is the home of the
peach and this fruit is grown, in al
most endless variety, in the greatest
perfection. Northern people can form
no correct idea of our peaches from
those which are shipped, because to suc
cessfully ship they have to he necessa
rially plucked before they are ripe. The
peach crop could he made, and is made
by a few people, a source of great profit,
by shipping, canning and drying. Our
earliest peaches ripen about the 10th
of May and a succession can be kept
up until November. And while we
make special mention of tho peach we
do not wish to be understood that other
fruits do not flourish and do well here,
for they do, but wo have not space to
speak of them.
To give the reader an idea what can
be grown here we will say that any
man who is disposed to can come to
Southwest Georgia and take a farm
and in a few years, can show his friends
a place upon which can be seen grow
ing, and yielding paying crops, corn,
wheat, oats, rye, barley, rice, cotton,
flax, jute, ramie, sugar-cane, broom-corn,
millets, hops, tobacco, peas, beans,
ground-pea3, sweet and Irish potatoes,
cliufas, turnips, carrots,parsnips, beets,
pumpkins, cashaws, squashes, tea, in
digo, clover, cabbage, egg-plant, onions,
cucumbers, okra, tomatoes, radishes,
lettuce, celery, mustard, pepper, grapes,
scuppernongs, figs, pomegranates, ol
ives, jujubes, pecans, almonds, English
walnuts, apples, pears, peaches, plums,
quinces, cherries, prunes, raspberries,
black-berries, straw-ben ies,mulberries,
oranges, bananas, currents, water
melons, canteloupes and other things
we can’t now recall. Now, we ask,
can a farm, with anything like such a
valuable variety of products, ho shown
anywhere in the Northwest or East?
These would all grow out-door and
without shelter or protection. Is it
not time the natural advantages of this
section were becoming more broadly
known? If they were, a vast number
of the moving population would come
and seek homes and fortunes fie re.
Of courso we do not pretend to say
that all our farmers, or any considera
ble number of them, grow all of the
above enumerated on their farms. In
fact they do not. Still they could if
they would. The soil and climate is
ready, but our people are neglectful, in
different. They fail to produce very
many crops ivhich would prove both
valuable and remunerative. Notably
is this true of the hay crop. We have
grasses, adapted to our soil and climate
and suitable for both pasturage and
hay, which will surpass, in annual
production, under careful and proper
culture—the same care and culture
which grasses receive Nortli—tho heav
iest yield per acre of those parts of the '
United States in which hay is a staple
crop. This is a bold statement, yet it
is true, and statistics can be had to
prove it. Yet, notwithstanding the
truth of this fact, our farmers pay no
attention to hay—absolutely none. The
census of 1880 tells us tho nine coun
ties used in the tables above produced
in 1879, eight tons of liay! This is an
absolute shame. But our farmers reply
they have no use for hay. Use indeed!
Every ton of hay can he sold as easily
as cotton.
As to water and health our section,
generally, cannot be surpassed. In
some localities health and water are
bad, hut these are few, and can he eas
ily avoided. But as a whole we know
of no section of our common country
where a man can settle with stronger
assurances of enjoying both good health
and water than in Southwest Georgia.
No fear at all need be apprehended on
this point.
Such is a brief outline of the produc
tions, advantages and inducements of
Southwest Georgia. There is land
enough here for many more farmers.
We want these lands occupied and tilled
and our people will heartily welcome
all honest, respectable people who come
to make their home 6 among us. Come,
then, knowing it you are a gentleman
at home you will be a gentleman here,
and that you will be welcomed with
that hospitality and friendliness which
has made the people of Georgia known
through ail the land. This is tlie sec
tion for the man of either muscle or
capital—both can be more profitably
used here than any section we know.
Then, come!
What Georgia Lands will Pro
duce when Properly Culti
vated.
The following information is obtained
from reports made to the Agricultural
Department of this State. While they
do not prove that every farmer could do
so well, still they are evidence of the
capacity of the soil under proper pre
paration and fertilization. And we
will further add that the correctness of
these produetions were, in every in
stance, well authenticated by the
affidavits of disinterested parties—
neighbors of the producers. We pre
sent these facts, not as showing what
is produced by every farmer, but as
tending to show what every farmer
can do, if he will take the trouble
and pains to fertilize and prepare his
lands and cultivate his crops. We be
lieve there is no section of the United
States which can show better or more
profitable results. We especially ask
a careful study of these facts, not only
by our own people, but by every reader
of the Republican, in the East and
Northwest, into whose hands this issue
may come.
In 1873 Mr. R. 11. Hardaway pro
duced on one acre of upland 119 bushels
of corn which yielded a net profit of
$177.17.
In 1873 Mr. S. W. Leak produced on
one acre of land, 40] bushels of wheat,
resulting in a net profit of $66.00.
Some, and not a few, of our farmers,
regard Bermuda grass as a pest, hut to
show how utterly falacious this is we
present the following results, obtained
by Gol. A. J. Lane, from a plat of land
which had been in Bermuda grass for a
long while. Tho first year after break
ing up the Bermuda sod he gathered
1,800 pounds seed cotton—equal to 1]
bales per acre, the second year he gath
ered 2.500 pounds per acre. During
these two years no fertilizers or other
manure was used. The third year he
planted iu corn and manured with Cot
ton seed and the yield was 65 bushels
per acre. The fourth year he planted
in wheat, without manuring, and the
yield was 42 bushels. Who will say
Bermuda grass is a pest, after such
facts?
In 1876 Mr. J. F. Madden produced
137 bushels of oats on one acre. A
similar’and slightly increased yield, has
been produced by scores of others.
In 1873 Capt. E. T. Davis produced
on the same land and in the same year
964 bushels of oats and 800 pounds
seed cotton per acre. After harvesting
his oat crop in May he planted the same
land in cotton and made the above yield.
In 1873 Mr. R. M. Brooks produced
oa five acres of bottom land 500 bushels
of rice and netted S3OO from its sale,
after deducting $75 cost of producing.
In 1874 Mr. John J. Parker produced
on one acre 094] gallons of syrup from
West India cane.
In 1873 Mr. J. R. Winters produced
on 1-15-100 acres, 6,575 pounds of dry
clover hay at the first cutting second
year’s crop, while Dr. T. P. Janes, in
1871, produced five tons of clover hay
per acre, iu one season, with two cut
tings. Notwithstanding this, there are
thousands of people in the North who
will stand up and stoutly argue that
clover cannot be profitably grown in
Georgia.
In 1873 Mr. S. W. Leak gathered
from one acre of land, from which he
had harvested in June of the same year,
forty bushels ol wheat, 10,726 pounds
of pea-vino hay.
In 1873 Mr. Patrick Long harvested
in August from one acre of land, from
which he had gathered a crop of cab
bages in June, of the same year, 8,646
pounds of native crab grass hay—equal
to any hay.
In 1573 Mr. L. B. Willis harvested
in Juno from 1-13 acres of land, 20
bushels of wheat, and the following Oc
tober took from the same plat of land
27,130 pounds of corn forago.
In 1874 Mr. R. Peters, Jr., took from
three acres of Lucerne, four j ears old,
14 tons and 200 pounds of hay, which
was equal to 9,400 pounds per acre.
In 1874 Dr. W. Moody harvested,
at one cutting, from one acre of river
bottom land, 13,953 pounds of Bermu
da grass hay.
In 1873 Mr. J. Dyer produced on
one acre 398 bushels of sweet potatoes.
Other parties, we learn, have produced
as high as 500 bushels.
In 1873 Dr. J. S. Lavender produced
on one acre 1,552 bushels of turnips.
We desire this statement of facts, and
every item we have reported was backed
by affidavits of disinterested and re
sponsible parties, to be read in connec
tion with our article on “Southwest
Georgia,” to be found elsewhere in this
issue. We admit that the above are
exceptional cases, hut they serve to il
lustrate what can be done on Georgia
soil, by proper fertilizing and cultiva
tion —by intensive fanning.
Now, when lands are so plentiful and
so cheap —lands that will yield as above
*ot forth, who will say that this is
not the best, the most inviting, the most
promising State of all others, for the
farmers of the East and Northwest to
come and settle? To come and farm
here as they have in the North and
grow rich and independent in one half
tho time. If a disaster befalls a crop
here a crop of something eke can be at
once put in, on tho same land, and good
results had, hut if disaster befalls a
crop iu tho East or Northwest that is
the end of it, until the next year.
There the seasons are only long enough
to admit of hut one crop, here they are
long enough for two, and of some things
three. We invite the people to come
and investigate the merits of our sec
tion and be convinced. But an inves
tigation canuot be made by passing
through the State on the cars and peer
ing out at the windows. You want to
come and stop off, go into tho country
and examine the farms and talk with
the farmers. If you will come to
Americus wo will guarantee you will
be pleased, and if you will come here
yon will find plenty of farmers who
will gladly take you to their homes
and mako your stay pleasant and show
you our country. Our eection only
needs to be seen and understood, to be
appreciated and thickly settled up.
AMERICUS.
SUMTER COUNTY, GEORGIA.
Its Business, Po-mlatioii, En
in October 1854, the Southwestern
Railroad was extended to this place and
from that time to the present it has
made a rapid advanco in wealth, pop
ulation and business, until its progress
was arrested by the late civil war. Af
ter the war, business revived, and many
important and substantial improve
ments have been and nro still being
made.
Americus is beautifully laid off, and
its streets are well kept up and drain
ed. The advantages of geographi
cal position, good water and excellent
community of intelligent, progressive
and order-loving people,makes this pre
eminently the place for those seeking
pleasant homes and good society, and a
town whose business possibilities cannot
be surpassed. The society is as good as
that ofany section. Ourpeople are plain,
hospitable,honorable,kind and obliging.
Always ready to encourage the falter
ing or aid the needy, and will he sure
to treat every gentleman with all the
consideration due.
Americas is 70 miles south of Ma
con, Georgia, about sixty miles east of
Columbus, seventy miles north of Eu
faula, Ala., about one hundred miles
north of Thomasville, Georgia. Ten
miles north on the Southwestern Rail
road is Andersonville, where is located
tho great National Cemetery, which
the United States Government keeps
in strictly good order and repair.
BUSINESS AND POPULATION.
There are at present, over one hun
dred and sixty business houses in the
place, with a population of six thou
sand. The buildings erected for busi
ness purposes, are substantial, and in
some instances handsome, and there are
in the city a number of beautiful and
attractive residences. There are, also,
in the city, five brick cotton ware
houses, receiving from twenty-five to
thirty thousand bales of cotton per sea
son. Besides tho large number of well
stocked stores, the city contains two
carriage and wagon manufactories, Va
riety Works, where doors, sash, blinds
and furniture of all kind, are manufac
tured; two grist mills, cotton seed oil
factory, two large livery stables, two
hotels, two hanks, and three bankers,
Telegraph, Western Ur.ion, and South
ern Express offices, and one of the hand
somest Opera Houses in the State.
Its trade is drawn chiefly from tho
fertile and prosperous counties of Lee,
Terrell, Schley, Webster, Marion, Ma
con, Dooly and Sumter, with some ad
ditions from other and more remote
points.
CHURCHES.
As to church privileges they are am
ple, though we do not have as great
variety of denominations or sects as
prevail North. The prevailing denom
inations are Baptist, Methodist, Pres
byterians, Episcopalians, and Prim
itive Baptists, but we guarantee if
a man will live strictly up to the re
quirement* ofany of these he will stand
a reasonable fair chance of that “beau
tiful land.”
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Americus can boast of as fin* a
public Library as any city South, and
probably in many respects it is more
complete than you will generally find
north of Mason and Dixon’s lino.
Our young men need not complain
of the opportunities —they present
themselves in this respect mest lavish
ly. Our young ladies do avail them
eelvea of the presence of this institu
tion of learning, as will be seen by the
goodly number who frequent tho libra
ry every afternoon, and carry away
some favorite book, whereby the mind,
soul and body are educated from day
f to day into the mysteries of learning,
and thereby are made more perfect,
forming a complete and harmonious
whole in the lot of their existence.
liEWSPAI’BRS.
There are two papers published in
the city, the Sumter Republican and
Americus Recorder. The Republican
wa* established in February 1854, by
C. W. Hancock, the present editor and
proprietor, who for thirty years hag
earnestly and vigorously presented the
claim* of this section to the considera
tion of the emigrant and tourist.
The Recorder was established iu
May 1879 by Mr. Merrill Callaway,
who after running it a little over two
years, disposed of it to Mr. W. L.
Clessner, its present proprietor, who
moved to this place from Illinois about
two years ago.
CITY GOVERNMENT.
The City Government consists of a
Mayor and six Aldermen, three City
Assessors, a City Attorney, a City
Physician, a Board of Health, compos
ed of seven citizens, Police Department
of one Chief and four Policemen, the
Fire Department of two steamers
(white), one Hand Engine, and one
Hook and Ladder (colored,) one Mili
tary Company, the Ameicus Light In
fantry, Southern Express and Western
Union Telegraph Office.
CHURCHES AND SOCIETIES.
There are four white churches in the
city, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian
and Episcopal. Besides these there
are six colored churches. Of lodges,
DeMolay Commandery, No. 5, K. T.
Well’s Chapter No. 32, R. A. M.;
Americus Lodge, No. 13, F. A. M.;
Lodge No. 027, Knights of Honor; An
chor Lodge No. 40, A. 0. U. W.;a
Lodge of Legion of Honor; Royal Ar
canum; Homo Guardians.
OPERA house.
One of the handsomest Opera Houses
in the State, is to be found in Ameri
cus. It has a seating capacity of about
700 —and throughout the play-going
season, abundant opportunities are af
forded for amusements and recreation.
BANKS.
Americus has better Banking facili
ties than any town in Southwest Geor
gia. We have the Bank of Americus,
People’s National Bank, J. W. Wheat
ley & Cos., Bankers.
More capital is needed here, and
town and country property is undoubt
edly a good investment at present
prices. Many are prospecting through
this delightful region, with the view to
settling and escaping from the rigors
and hardships of the iee-bound North
and West. There is plenty of room,
and the people here give all good citi
zens a hearty welcome.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Americus has just cause to be proud
of her Public Schools. No city in the
couutry can compare with it in the
efficiency of the schools and economy
with which they aie conducted. A
brief account of them may not prove
interesting. In 1873 the Legislature
passed an act organizing the Board of
Education for the City of Americus.
Considerable opposition was at first
manifested and the law was attacked
in the court aud the schools were not
put in operation until the year 1879,
when the Board organized the schools
under the Superintendancy of Prof.
John Neely. He proved a faithful,
capable and efficient officer and under
his management the schools prospered.
In 1879-80 the total school popula
tion as ascertained was 682 of which
there was an average daily attendance
of 560. For this number there was
twelve teachers. The cost per scholar
was in round number SIO.OO for schol
astic year.
In 1881 it was ascertained that the
school population was 958.
Whites 336.
Colored 622.
Of this number 774 were enrolled as
scholars with an average daily attend
ance of 643. There were thirteen
teachers and the cost for each scholar
per year was $8.28.
In 1882 with the same school popu
lation there were in school 823. Aver
age daily attendance 634. Cost per
scholar $8.30.
In 1883 with thirteen teachers, there
were enrolled 941. Average daily at
tendance 658. Costs per scholar $6.76.
Thus it will be seen that with an in
crirsed attendance there has been a
steady decrease in the cost, and it is
conceded that the schools have improv
ed with experience. The Board of
Directors have .exhibited such fidelity
and ability in the accomplishment of
these solutary results that they deserve
the thanks of the community.
The corps of teachers is able and we
can have first class educational facil
ities at a small cost.
The opposition to the school system
lias passed away and nearly every one
regards the Public Schools as a great
public blessing.
We append comparative cost of
Public Schools per scholar in other
cities;
Little Rock Ark., $12.32.
Sacramento, Cal., 34.00.
Wilmington, Del., 14.45.
Atlanta, Ga., 10.12.
Columbus, Ga., 12.39.
Louisville, Ky., 22,62.
New Orleans, 17.95.
Baltimore, 19.10.
Salem, Mass., 26.48.
New York city, 27.05.
St. Louis, 18.73.
Richmond, Va., 13.84.
Harrisburg, Pa., 17.28.
Americus, Ga., (1883,) 6.74.
The lamented Dr. Cooper was first
President of the Board, since his death
Col. A. S. Cutts has been the presid
ing officer.
One Experience from Many.
[ have been sick and miser
able so long and had caused my hus
band so much trouble and expense, no
one seemed to know what ailed me,
that 1 was completely disheartened and
discouraged. In this frame of mind I
got a bottle of Hop Bitters and used
them unknown to my family. I soon
began to improve and gained so fast
that my husband and family thought
it strange and unnatural, but when I
told them what had helped me, they
said, “Hurrah for Hop Bitters! long
may they prosper, for they have made
mother well and us happy.’’—The
Mother.
Closing Exercises of Mt. Mary’s
Academy at Stewart’s Cross
ing on the Btli Instant.
As an item of interest the closing
exercises of the school mentioned above
deserves notice. It is under the man
agement of Prof. H. J. Martin. The
School is in a flourishing condition hav
ing in attendance about eighty pupils,
The examination occupied the day, fol
lowed at night by dialogues" and
speeches. In the afternoon addresses
were delivered by Judge .T. W. Sloan,
District Trustee, Prof. E. J. McMatli
and one by R. S. Slappey, colored,
which were appropriate and gratifying
to the assembly. We cannot go
into a detail of the sentiments uttered,
but they expressed their gratification
at the manifest progress of the school,
and advisory of the duty of the race in
regard to the education of the colored
children.
A vote of thanks was passed by the
patrons to the Board of Education
for the interest taken by it in this
school. Visitor.
Ayer’s Ague Cure, when used ac
cording to directions, is warranted to
eradicate from the system all forms of
malarial disease, such as fever and
Ague, Chill Fever, Intermittent, Re
mittent and Bilious Fevers, and disor
ders of the liver. Try it. Theexperi
ment is a safe one, and will cost you
nothing if a cure is not effected. *
Americus Business Dhbeictort.
LAWYERS.
W. 11. GUERRY, DUPONT OUF.RRY.
GUEP X RY & SON,
LAWYERS.
Americus, Georgia.
Office over Davis J* Callaway.
N. A. SMITH,
ATTORNEY-AT-LAW,
Americus, Ga,
Office next door below Tele
graph Office.
Hinton <fc Matthews,
Attorneys-at-Law,
Americus, Georgia.
Office over Council <6 Williford’s
Warehouse, northeast, corner Public
Square.
J, W, Brady
ATTORNEY AT LAW,
AMERICUS, CA.
E. G, SIMMONS
ATTORNEY AT LAW.
Office over Peoples National Bank.
B. P. HOLLIS
ATTORNEY AT LAW.
Forsyth Street, Americus, Ga.
PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON.
S. B. HAWKINS,
PhysioiaN
AND
SURGEON.
OFFICE AT DRUG STORE OF
E. J. ELD RIDGE, WEST
SIDE PUBLIC
SQUARE.
DRUGGISTS.
£. J. ELDRIDCE
DEALER IN
Pure Drugs, Chemicals and Dye Stuffs.
Also keeps on hand a full assortment of
Surgical Instruments, &c.
PRESCRIPTIONS A SPECIALTY
West side Public Square.
.3- Id. HALL
DRUGGIST.
AJIERICUB, 'GA.,
Dealer in drugs, medicines, paints, oils,
and every other thing usually kept in a first
class drug store, with the exception of
liquors.
ATHTJDS 01ST
-DEALER IN—
Purs Drugs and Medicines.
LEE STREET.
DENTISTS.
yT. UmwwUT
DENTIST.
AMERICUS, GA.
Work Equal to the Best 1 Cash Rates
as Low as the Lowest !
*®*Try him and be convinced.
W. X*. BUKT,
DEN T IST,
Americus, Georgia.
I solicit the patronage, at reasonable
prices, of all cash or good paying patrons.
Those who owe me, will please remember
that I need the money and shall expect pay
ment in tho next 30 days.
Respectfully, w. p. imjkt.
PHOTOGRAPH Lib
VAN HIPER.
PHOTOGRAPHER,
Over Wheatley’s Store.
HOTELS.
Barlow Mouse,
AMERICUS, GA.
Clias. H. Scott, - - Proprietor.
Rates §2.00 and §2.50 Per Day.
Free Bus and Baggage to and from
all Trains.
e. •?/. Han’s
COMMERCIAL -HOTEL.
Cor. Forsyth Street and Cotton Avenue ,
AMERICUS, GEORGIA.
Rates $2.00 Per Day.
First-Class Tables and Sample Rooms a
Specialty.
BARBERS.
ANDERSON & LUNSFORD,
g&T FASHIONABLE BARBERS.
In tho Barber House everything
always kept clean and neat. BEST
BABBEKS IN THE SOUTFP“@g
Americus, Georgia.
Llyery~s t'IblesTETC r~
JNO. W. JORDAN, ~
Literyman
—AND DEALER IN—
Fine Stock,
Mules aud Horses.
W. ■. WVY’HE.S,
Liveryman and Stock Dealer,
LAMAR STREET.
N. G. & J. K. PRINCE,
Feed, Sale and Livery
STABLE!
Cotton Avenue.
HARNESS MAKER. "
A ’We
Harness Maker,
Cotton Avenue, Anicricus, <a.
jfjtST Uses Rest Material.
Rest Workmanship .“SSB
30 PER CENT CHEAPER THAN ANT
HARNESS SOLD IN THIS MARKET,
PIANOS AND ORGANS.
PROF. E. J. CHEEK,
DEAIiKIt l,\ I*I.WON W> OilUss,
Teaches Music in the great new method,
ii i Ambricos, Ga.
Headin'.alters: j Camilla, Ga.
mini ii i—i ini ii i— ——— — —tii
A i'CTH >NKKR.
W. W. GUERRY,
iiniiiifsiKiism.
AMERICUS, GEORGIA.
WAREHOUSES.
fselsJsirallMe
WAREHOUSE
AND
Commission Merchants,
Cotton Avenue, Americus, Ga.
DEALERS IN STANDARD GUANOS.
AGENTS FOR DANIEL PRATT
GIN COMPANY.
Harrold, Johnson i Cos.,
Cotton Warehouse
AND
COMMISSION MERCHANTS
And Dealers in
HEAVY GROCERIES AND
FERTILIZERS.
AGENTS FOR MUTUAL LIFE INSUR
ANCE COMPANY,
Of New York. Assets over $92,000,000!
Also for FRICK & CO.’S CELEBRATED
ECLIPSE STEAM ENGINES, and
HALL’S SELF FEEDING
COTTON GINS! __
Factor and Warehouse,
Lamar Street.
COTTON BUYERS.
T* I. lEIWNON,
Cotton Buyer.
Americus, - - Georgia.
A. C. Bell, A. W. Brannon .
A. G. BELL & CO.,
iTTHBUHMMIIM,
Americus, - - - Georgia..
BANKS, FTC.
M. SPEER, JOHN WINDSOR,
President. Cashier.
Bank of Americus,
Capital, §150,000.
Surplus, 60,000.
STATE DEPOSITORY,
Americus, Georgia;
BROKERS.
R. T. BYRD & CO.,
ierchandise Brokers
AND—
INSURANCE AGENTS,
Americus, - - - Georgia.
BEAL ESTATE AGENTS.
GOME TO
Southwest Georgia.
INDUCEMENTS:
GOOD CLIMATE!
CHEAP HOMES!
LANDS THAT WILL YIELD A LARGER
PER CENT. IN MONEY ON THE
INVESTMENT, THAN
ANYWHERE!
GOOD SOCIETY,
SCHOOLS
and CHURCHES!
Money Loaned on Improved Farms.
Address, W. J. DIBBLE,
Americus, Ga.
BAKERS AND CONFECTIONERS.
J. J. HANESLEY,”
BntwutiCufatiMry,
West Side Public Square.
DEALER IN
AND
CANNED GOODS,
MEALS AT ALL HOURS AND
EVERY DELICACY IN
SEASON.
B. W. PATTERSON & €O.,
Bakers EH Confectioners,
COTTON A VENUE.
MILLINERY, ETC.
"Uses, bllyelabl
llUllEir MB FANCY GOODS,
Jackson Street.
JEWELERS, ETC.
J. E. SULLIVAN,
nn nrum mi jiweleh
And Dealer in
Watches, Clocks, Jewelry
akdSEWING machines.
BOOKS AND STATIONERY.
AOHES AYCOCK,
—DEALER IN—
Vw\c, §£c.
School Books a Specialty.
Leading Periodicals Supplied.
Mrs. FRED LEWIS -
Books & Stationery,
Americus, Ga.
VARIETY WORKS.
0. M. WHEATLEY'S”"
VARIETY WORKS.
Jackson Street, Americus, Ga.
MANUFACTURER OF
Furniture, Coffins, Etc,,
And Contracts lor Buildings of
all Kinds.
ALL WORK FIRST CLASS AND
LOWEST TRICES,
OIL COMPANY.
AMERICUS OIL COMPANY,
Jo. Davenport, President; Directors—T.
Wheatley, P. H. Williams, J. A. Davenport,
A. T. Baldwin, Jo. Davenport.
Manufacturers of Cotton Seed Oil ,
Meal, Cake and Linters,
Americus, Georoia.
MILLERS AND GINNERS. ~
A. J. Baldwin Cos., Jo. Davenport,
Dawson, Ga. Americus, Ga.
BALDWINS & DAVENPORT,
Merchant Millers and Steam
Ginners.
Americus, ------ Georgia.
DRY GOODS, GROCERIES, ETC.
THORNTON WHEATLEY,
THE LEADER IN DRY GOODS,
CLOTHING AND SHOES!
THE LARGEST STOCK!
THE LATEST STYLES!
THE BEST GOODS!
THE LOWEST PRICES !
Wheatley's Corner, Americus,Ga.
DAVIS & CALLAWAY,
IDr-y Goods
CLOTHING,
Sewing SHOES, HATS.
P H. WILLIAMS
Dealer in the Choicest
FAMILY GROCERIES I
FINE LIQUORS, BEERS, &c.
TEAS, COFFEES, SUGARS,
CANDIES and CANNED GOODS
GENERALLY,
BOOTS AND SHOES,
TOBACCOS AND CIGARS!
Does not undersell any one, but asks
a small profit on all his goods.
Cotton Avenue, Americus, Ga.
SCHI'MPERT & RONEY
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL DEALERS IN
GROCERIES
AND
PLANTATION SUPPLIES.
Cotton Avenue, Americus, Ga.
Wooten & Ford,
—HEALERS IN—
FIRST-GLASS
GROCERIES,
Lamar Street.
RScTyier & Miller,
—DEALERS IN—
Dry Goods,
NOTIONS,
Clothing, Boots, Shoes and Hats,
Lamar Street, A mericus, Ga.
L. E. Bosworth,
GENERAL
GROCER,
FORSYTE STREET,
Americus, - - Georgia.
H. D. WATTS7~
DEALER IN;
General Merchandise,
Corner Forsyth and Troup Streets,
Americus, Ga.
TANARUS, F, LOGAN
Dealer in
GROCERIES AND DOMESTICS,
COUUTRY PRODUCE A SPECIALTY.
Hljliest Prices Paid tor Chickens,
Eg-ga, Batter, Etc.
Store on the South Side Public Square.
K. .1. BROOKS,
Dry Goods, Groceries
a™ WHISKEY,
North Side Public Square, Americus, Ga.
M. H. FORD &CG.,
gyinsjuiiimius.
LAMAR STREET.
F. H. BUGHANAN& SON,
GROCERS
And Dealers in FARM SUPPLIES,
COTTON AVENUE.
JESSE AYCOCK,
Dealer in DRY GOODS, GROCERIES,
Country Produce, Crock- 1 Americus,
try and Glassivare, j Ga.
TO MY OLD FRIENDS AND CUS
TOMERS !
Who gave me their patronage so liberally
in the past, I would say you will now find
me at the SHOE and HAT STORE of R. R.
Stewart, where I will take pleasure in
showing and pricing our Goods. vVe have
one of the largest and most varifed stocks
ever brought to this market, and will be
constantly renewing.
Political economy lias long since estab
lished the principle that man succeeds best
by confining his attention to one line of bus
iness. This is certainly true in trade, since
he has more time to acquaint himself witii
the best factories, study thoroughly the
quality of the material, and thereby look to
the true interest of his customers, without
having to rely upon the recommendations of
mere jobbers.
Come and try us, aud your experiment
will make you very, very happy.
Respectfully,
septl4-tf P. F. BROWN.
CLOSING OUT SALE.
SPECIAL BARGAINS
AT
JOHN R, SHAW’S.
MY STOCK of SPRING and
SUMMER DRY GOODS, NOTIONS,
FANCY GOODS, PARASOLS,
LADIES HATS, PERFUMERY’,
TOILET SOAPS, TRUNY^^
~( clothingY|
Gents’ Furnishing Goods,
BOOTS “-SHOES, ~
STRAW HATS.&C.
Is unusually LARGE for the SEASON,
and rather than carry these goods over, lam
Determined to Close Them Out.
I want room, (as well as money,) for the
large stock of FALL and WINTER GOODS
that I intend soon to
PURCHASE in PERSON in the North-
ern and Eastern Markets.
The BOTTOM is now OUT. I can do
better for you to-day than I can to-morrow.
Many a man has got poorer by waiting for
to-morrow which never conies.
John It. §haw,
THE BOSS
3Dry Goods
MERCHANT;
Forsyth SL, - - - A mericus, Ga.