Newspaper Page Text
VOL. 1—NO. 293.
THOMASVILLE, GEOKGLA, FRIDAY MORNING, APRIL 85, 1890,
$5.00 PER ANNUM
HIGHWAYS
BY-WAYS
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OF THOMAS COUNTY
’TIS,
INDEED, A GOODLY
LAND.
Homes of Plenty, and Plenty of
Homes for all.
Chapter From Cairo.
EARLY YEARS AMONG THE PISES.
As before intimated, the number of
settlers in the 17th and 18th districts
was small at the time the rich lands
on the east bank of the Ochlockonee
had been taken up and converted into
plantations.
At an early period, however, a nuni
her of pioneers had bought homes
among the pines on the west bank of
the river.
Among the earliest settlers was Rev,
Prior Lewes, a primitive Baptist min
ister that left the impress of his strong
individuality on the manners and char
acter of his neighbors id no uncertain
way. Ho was a man of Bturdy hon
esty and independence, and his child
ren and their descendants, even unto
the third and fourth generations,main
tain the same characteristics.
“Uncle Jimmie” Singletary was
another of the early settlers, and he
still preserves at a ripe old age the
strong characteristics that distin
guished him, when ho came as n young
man to helpdevelope thisgoodly land
Other members of the same family
came nnd settled in the neighborhood
nud it has come to pass - that there are
nearly one hundred voters in the two
districts that are named Singletary,
Their r<jpard..iu this respect is a good
one;, they vote the straight demo
cratic ticket, and never bolt a nomi
nation.
Mr. John Hinson enme from the
Old North state when he was a young
man and settled on the east side of
Tired creek. He still lives at the same
place, and has gathered around him
sons that are worthy to take up the
work that must soon, in the order of
nature, fall front his hands. A few
miles south of him, the father of Mai
achi Collins settled and reared n fam
ily that have been worthy sons and
daughters of a worthy sire.
Judge John G. Tyus came from
Mitchell county a few years before the
war, and settled near where he still
lives. 5 miles south of Cairo.
The father of Messrs. D. R. and W.
H. Collins also moved from Mitchell
county, and bought lands adjoining
thoSc of John Hinson.
On the west side of little Tired
creek, Henry Norton, McCrone, and
the Hawthornes made themselves
homes. These pioneers and their de
scendants have taken up the lands,
with the outsiders that have come in,
and made tho country to blossom as a
rose.
It is impossible within the limits of
this article to name all the successful
farmers that live *<juth of Cairo. It
has almost passed into a proverb
among tho merchants of the place
that any man living on his own land
is good forhi8 debts and worthy of
confidence.
An incident that came under my
observation during my visit to Cairo
puts what I would say in a stronger
light than many words would do. I
happened to be standing in one of the
stores, when a plain farmer came in;
after having been served hy the po-
lito clerk, he said, “charge these goods
to my account, please.”
“Will you give me your name,
please,” replied the clerk.
I have many a time and oft. seen
would-be customers take merchants ofT
to secluded places, and after a pro
tracted talk, many promises and a
signing of ironclad documents, heard
the merchant say to his clerks:
“Let Mr. Blank have goods to a
certain amount.*’
It may be argued that it would be
better if buyers alwayi had the cash
to pay fur what they want. So it
would, but in the absence of that, v it
certainly argues well for the credit of
the farmer, that he is able to buy
what he needs without the aid of
mortgages and other things that are so
mortifying when they arc made, and
productive of so much harm after
wards.
A MODEL FARM.
As I have said, it is impossible to
name ail of the successful farmers of
tho 18th district. I will therlfore,
take one as a model.
Mr. W. G Lewis, a son of Rev,
Prior Lewis, lives 6 miles southeast of
Ca:ro, and it is not too much to say
that he has the model diversified farm
of south Georgia,, and indeed it is
doubtful if there is one in the state
that is its equal. When Mr. Lewis
came homo from the war, he owned a
lot, 250 acres, of land, mostly in the
woods.
He has never aimed at being a
large landowner, but the farm of 500
acres ho now owns has been improv
ed, till it yields a fine income, and is a
pleasure to look at.
Years ago he decided that home
made manure is the best of all; he,
therefore, built a largo barn with out
lying sheds tlmt would protect alike
bis numerous cattle and the immense
compost heaps he built wherewith to
enrich his land. He was, also, one of
the early converts to the merits of the
LeConte pear, and he has ten acres of
old trees that give him -an income
eqbal to that which could bo gained
from a three hofse farm under the
most favorable conditions.
Not contcut with his cattle, which
were of the ordinary piney words va
riety, lie began to grade them with
the Jersey, and ho now has a herd
i would.attrnct attention anywhere,
ie raises meat to sell, nud tho pro
duct of his caue fieijs has a reputation
for purity nnd excellence of flavor,
that males it soli at a considerable
advance above that obtained gener
ally.
Ho has reduced syrup making to
perfection; the cane is ground hy steam
the juice is strained before it passes
into the evaporator, and the syrup goes
through the same process, before it
goes into the cooling vats
He lias made as high as COO gallons
per acre, aud he is gradually increas
ing his acreage in caue.
He has n well equipped saw, grist
mill and cotton gin all run by’steam,
a:id his machinery is of the best. Sur
rounded as he is by a profusion of
timber, and owning his own mill, he
substituted plank for the old style
rails, and has nearly two miles of
plank feucc on his farm. In ail that
goes to make up a pleasant home, Mr.
Lewis is peculiarly blessed. He can
literally set under the shadow of his
own vine and fig tree, and look abroad
on fertile acres that he has made more
fertile by bis thrift and care.
OTHERS THAT ARE PROSPEROUS.
In what is known as the" fork of
Tired creek and the river, there is a
nest of prosperous farmers. Mr. Sam
Cassels has a large plantation, and is
making money. Mr. Mala Collins has
saw and grist mill on the creek, and
does a good business. He lias in ad
dition a fine farm and the world goes
well with him. Mr. Joseph Sasser is
another successful farmer; Henry
Shares is enlarging his operations, and
one of the rising men of the com
munity.
Frank Miller has started a prospe
rous career as a farmer, and those
familiar with nis sterling qualities arc
confident that he will carry out the
bright promises of the opening chap
ters of his liie history. Mr. D, W.
Tyus has mastered the art of making
money out of mother earth and his
fields are “well tilled, his barns well
filled.”
Mr. W. T. Woolfolk opened a few
years ago a farm in the woods and has
now one of the nicest places in the
neighborhood. .
George W., John G. and W. G.
Hinson each have splendid farms and
look forward with bright hopes to the
future. Mr. Z. E. Norton pas a nice
place and to his efficiency as tiller of
the soil, lie adds the duties of Justice
of the peace.
In what is known as the Singletary
neighborhood the number of prospe
rous farmers comprises nearly every
one that makes a business of farming
Mr. W. C. Lewis has a well regulated
farm, and is preparing to build him a
house in keeping with his surround
ings. He runs a steam cotton gin in
the fall months and makes a success
of it.
Mr. D. R. Collins has a fine place a
mile from the Walden bridge and
making money. The West boys are
known as among the hardest workers
and best farmers of their neighbor
hood.
Mr. F. L. Cliett is running a farm
adjoining that of Mr. W. C. Lewis
and s one of the class that lives at
home and raises his provisions at the
same place. Mr. Prior Lewis owns
the place settled Ly his father, Rev.
Prior Lewis, many years ago, and
ranks as one of the staunch men of
the 18th. He lias two of his sons,
Robert G. and Richard T. quite near
him, and they are proving worthy sons
of a worthy bire. One mile south of
Cairo Mr. W. G. Baggett has built
him a comfortable home and is forging
ahead in the race for prosperity. Mr
C M. Muggridgc has a fine farm two
miles south of Cairo, apd Mess, kcese
and John McCrone also have well
regulated farms in the same neighbor
hood. "
Cap). Edward Vanlandingliam is
one of the prosperous men of the same
locality, and his farm is one ot the
best in the county.
ACROSS THE RAILROAD.
The country nftrtli of Cairo is also
a fine (arming section. It was my
good foTtuttd ttf ride out to the splen
did country home of Mr. fl.J. Paulk,
three miles northwest of Cairo, wiih
Dr. W. A. Walker, one of the lising
physicians of South Georgia. The
farm on either side of the road, the
fences and all the eye caught, gave
proof that the men that tilled the
farms and Jived in the homes were
happy and prosperous.
Dr. S. A. Roddenbery owns a large
body of land through which we rode,
and it is in a high state of cultivation.
The Doctor lived on this tra t in the
beginning of his career, and there laid
the foundation for the splendid reputa
tion he has since sustained as a physi
cian and as a business man.
Mr. Hardy J. Paulk is one of the
largest farmers in this section; he runs
ten horse farm and raises heavy
crops. Helias adopted the intensive
system of farming and has an ambi
tion to make heavy crops on each
acre cultivated.
In pursuance of this ambition lie is
taking special care of one or two fields,
and hopes in a few years to raise three
bales of cotton per acre oh the’m. To
those familiar with his thorough
methods, his energy, this careful atten
tion to details, his ambi ion does not
appear as impracticable as it would at
the first sight. One of the secrets of
his success, and that he is successful
is shown by the fact that since 1875
when he begau farming, his farm has
steadily increased in area on a value,
comes from the fact that he is
thoroughly in love with his calling,
and looks forward to the future with
an air of hopefulness and faith that
gives the best insperation to his ofTorts.
In the belt of country lying further
north and east of Cairo, there are
scores of prosperous farms and bright,
happy homes that will form the sub-
juct of a subsequent article. I have
a pride in speaking and writing of
these sturdy fanners, that make the
prosperity of our county. I am con
tent to leave the task ot picturing the
possibilities ot the “boom” towns to
others, it I be allowed to gather the
signs and tokens of our future great*
ness from the men that rise with the
early dawn, and go out to their fields,
and through the heat and burden of
the day tickle the bosom of mother
earth with hoe or plow, in order that
she may laugh with abundant harvests,
which go to feed the nations.
These men may not be able to
quote Shakspeare, nor appear to ad
vantage i.i a drawing room, and it is
certain that the ear splitting chords of
the Wagnerian school of music would
drive them daft, as they should all
sensible people, but from the products
developed by their labor, and watered
and nourished by the sweat of their
brow, arises all the prosperity of our
country.
IN CAIRO.
I have already spoken incidentally
of some of the leading business men
of this prosperous town, and will now
go jnto more elaborate details. As
already stated Mr. George A. Wight
is the pioneer merchant of the place.
When he first embarked in business
here, Mr. John Powell was his partner
and continued with him till a few years
ago Mr. Wight himself remained at
his country store at Sofkee, and the
management of the Cairo business fell
0.1 Mr. Powell. He was one of the
best business men in the state, and
the volume of trade that lias pome to
the house, and remained with it. is
strongly conclusive proof of his busi
ness tail and prudence He sold out
a few years ago and moved to White
Sulphcr Springs, Fla., where hft died
greatly regretted. When he retired
from the firm, Mr. Henry Wight took
charge of the Cairo business; he had
been trained by his father, himself
one of the best merchants that ever
sold goods, and fell naturally and
easily into his new place.
Within the past year the firm has
built a block of three brick stores
two stories high, which is filled with an
fmmense stock of goods ot all lines,
The new quarters give the firm more
floor room than is used by any retail
firm in the state. Mr. B. F. Powell,
who has been with the firm more than
twenty years is still a valuable attache;
Mr. C. M. Lewis is book-keeper, and
manages his department in a superb
way.
Dr. S. A. Roddenbery is the next
oldest and largest merchant in the
place. He began to sell .goods in
1871, and the volume of his business
has steadily grown with the growth of
the town and the development of the
surrounding county.
Mr. John L. I’aulk, now a prosper
ous merchant on his own account, was
a partner with Dr. Roddenbery for
several years, and added no little to
the success of tho firm.
Mr. Walter B. Roddenbery, one of
the best equipped young business men
in the state, now has charge ot the
books, and most of tho dctnils of tho
business, the Drs. health not allowing
him to devote much attention to it
Dr. Reddenbery has retired from tho
active practice of medicine, but he is
partner with Dr. W. A. Walker, a
graduate of a leading medical college
in New York, who located in Cairo
about a year ago, and has already
built up a fine practice. Mr. Bartow
Clcwis, an old Thomasville boy, is
with Dr. Reddenbery.
Messrs. Paulk & Davis arc prosper
ous merchants, occupying a store
room a little north of that of Dr. Red
denbery. Mr. Paulk, the senior mem
ber of the firm, understands the wants
of the Cairo trade as well as any man
in the place, and bis fine tact and
splendid business qualities cuable
him to hold the trade of some of the
best men in the community. Mr. Da
vis though comparatively a new man
in the place, has made a good impres
sion and many friends.
(to be continued.)
At LEVY S.
A job of 200 pieces Embroideries
positively 25 per cent tinder val
ue.
At LEVY’S.
20 pieces Angora - Homespun
Suitings 15c per yard.
At LEVY’S.
We have made a large purchase
of Boys Knee Pants from 4 to 14
years," which are now being of
fered much under regular prices.
Call early, they aro selling rapid
ly-
At LEVY’S.
Have you seen our French
Batistas, our Domestic and
French Satines, our Foreign and
American Challiee. Nono pret
tier and cheaper in the land.
At LEVY’S.
Plenty Dry Goode in town—yes,
but few to compare with ours.
Having established an outfetfor ■
fine goods we can afford to buy,
and ao carry the finest line in the
city. Our popular low prices
for fine goods insures a ready
sale for them.
At LEVY’S.
We have brought out an unusual
large and exquisite stock of
White Goods. Our goods in that
line must be seen to be appre
ciated.
At LEVY’S.
The prettiest spring goods ul
ways sell out early in the season
Wo would advise our friend? to
call early to select their wants
for the season.
We offer at all times the most gcodi
for the least money.
LEVY’S
HOUSE
MITCHEI.I. HOWS CORNER.)
■
The time required for a journey
around the earth by a man walking
day and night, without resting, would
be 428 days; an express train, 40
days; sound, at a medium tempera
ture, 32^ hours; a cannonball 21}
hours; light, a little more than one-
tenth of a second, and electricity,
passing over a copper wire, a little less
than one-tenth of a second.
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