Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

VOL. 1—NO. 293. THOMASVILLE, GEOKGLA, FRIDAY MORNING, APRIL 85, 1890, $5.00 PER ANNUM HIGHWAYS BY-WAYS mm? Wm *-d ID Kf'/'ti" " <!■ BA'"'-'- ■ •■V' V1 . SB (D ■■ •’vi-Y'S ■ 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. if* Y-^ -r- *' {M g :• Is