About Weekly times enterprise and South Georgia progress. (Thomasville, Ga.) 1905-???? | View Entire Issue (Dec. 15, 1905)
xradE kditiox—timks-kxtkkpkihk. thomasmli.k. oa. IVATT & HRO. JAMES GRIHBKN. MEIGS===THE BEAUTIFUL « “OEM” OF NORTH THOMAS A Charming South Georgia Town Which Has Blossom ed in the Last Few Years From a Rural Hamlet to a Prosperous and Wide Awake Community. Situated lu the northern part ot Thomas county on thp dividing line between Thomas and Mitchell coun ties Is located the thriving and grow ing town ot Meigs. Eighteen miles from Thomasvllle, 40 miles trom Al bany, on the Atlantic Coast Line Railway and Is the most progressive town on the Une between these two stations. The town Is one ot the most up-to-date In South Georgia. Geographically It is the highest point In the county. One of the high est In southwest'Georgia. It Is a very healthy place, the death rate Is less than one-half of one per cent and Is one of the most healthful places In out any Isuance ot bonds. A nine Bank of Meigs, the Planters’ Cotton months' school term Is provided rtr and competent and careful teachers are employed. There Is also a city hall. There are two handsome churches occupied by the Baptists snd Methodist denominations, the Masonic, I. O. O. F.,and Woodmen ot the World orders are represented. The post office shows heavy In crease of receipts this year over for mer years. There are three ruraf routes radiating from this office and more to he shortly established. Here Is a heavy shipping point on the At lantic Coast Line Railway. There Is a heavy Increase both In the re- MEIGS GRADED SCHOOL AND AUDITORIUM. the state. It Is situated on an ele- celpts and. forwarding freight. The vatlon 341 feet above sea level, which express receipts shows g substan- givcs a natural drainage, yet It la tlal Increase and Is very large. This Is not surrounded by low lands, the Is a decided cotton market, for both country around being at the proper elevation and rolling enough to give natural drainage. The climatic con ditions are superb. No extreme heat or extreme cold and Is agreeable all the year round. The town has every advantage for both residents or per sons seeking Industrial openings. The Atlantic and Gulf Railway, Sea Island and Upland cotton, also cotton seed and Georgia Cane syrup, and'thls Is the heaviest shipping point on line between Thomasvllle and Albany for turpentine and rosin and also ship Urge quantity of lum ber and Intelor finish. This Is one ot the leading points of the grape Industry of Southwest and Syrup Warehouse, a substantial brick building SOxIIO feet, one of the best in the country, a wholesale grocery, owned by T. J. Wltlls. The Meigs Variety Works, where Is made Interior flnlsb, sash, doors mantles, cabinet work etc. Two cot ton ginneries, one having connected with it the round bale system. Two carriage and wagon building and re pair shops, one making a specialty of heavy timber carts, a planing mill and general - wood and Iron works operated by T. F. Dyson, a flrst-clnss grist mill. Two turpentine distilleries ship ping about 3(0,000 worth of turpen tine splriu and rosin annually. Sev eral saw mills In the vicinity, ship ping products from this point. The Meigs Lumber ft Manufacturing Company, having an annual output ot about three million feet of lum ber. A full complement of mercan tile esUbllshments, representing the various classes of trade, all thriving and many of them conducting stores that would be a credit to many cities. To show how up-to-date they are It la enough to say that some of them are equipped with cash carrier systems, elevators and other modern methods. There are telephone and tele graph stations, a local telephone system having long distance connec tion. with all points; two hotels ca ter to the traveling public. Two livery, feed and sales stables and many other Interests. THE SOUTH LAND AND INVESTMENT COMPANY. What will from now on be a chief factor In the development of the town and section Is the SoutH Land and Investment Company. This company will make a specialty of locating home-seekers and Inter esting foreign capital as well as desl- J. N. Carter Company. The J. N. Carter Company Is the successor to J. N. ft T. W. Carter, the pioneer merchants of the town. This company has a paid In capital- ot 140,000 and Is probably the larg est mercantile concern in Thomas county doing an annual business of about 380,000. They handle a'gen eral merchandise and plantation sup ply line and deal In wagons, buggies, and rarm Implements, also fertili ser, cotton and syrup. They hare a large double brick store devoted to general merchandise; also separate building exclusively for furniture undertaking goods, stores and bouse furnishings, a warehouse for buggies, wagons, fertilisers and heavy merchandise. Mr. J. N. Carter, the president of this company, and pioneer mer chant, was practically the founder of this town. He has made a remarka ble success, his Interests being par ticularly large, and he Is probably the wealthiest man of this town and one of the wealthiest of the oounty, and attributes no 'small portion of hts success to the strong support ho has had from such men as Mr. M. H. Atkinson, Mr. W. H. Hurst, Mr. O. L. Duren, Mayor B. E. Wilkes, Mr. E. E. Wilkes, Mr. T. J. WIUIs,Mr. T. J. Willis, Mr. W. H. Boswell and many other men who are now en gaged In successful business penults here. These men are all alive and hustling business men who are ever ready to do their share In'develop ing Meigs. T Dr. James N .Isler. Dr. James N. Isler is a practicing physician and proprietor of Isler's Pharmacy and owner of Molgs’ Tele phone system, giving phone servied throughout the town and surround ing community. The Doctor has practiced here about three yean and' enjoys an exceedingly lucrative practice and has the confidence ot the community. Hts drug store Is up-to-date and thriving, and Is un der the management of W. J. Cam eron, a competent druggist Dr. Is- progresslve and energetic men who MEIGS LUMBER & M’F'G CO. Meigs Lumber and Manufacturing Company is the corporation owning the large saw mill three miles south of Meigs on the A. C. L. Railway and Meigs Variety Works located at Meigs. This is the leading Indus trial enterprise and one which gives employment to over 100 people and ono which Is nn Important factor In the community. This company at thotr saw mill manufacture ull kinds of rough and dressed yellow pine lumber, making a specialty of floor- ler Is without doubt one of the tnoaf Ing, celling and siding; at the variety Works they manufacture doors RESIDENCE STREET SCENE IN -MEIGS, The Atkinson Mercantile Co, The Atkinson Mercantile Compa ny Is a strong concern, doing a gen eral mercantile and supply business, and through the principal member of the firm, M. H. Atkinson, operate the Sea Island and Upland cotton ginnery here. Tbit firm Is composed of M. H. Atkinson, J. M. Simpson, now Atlantic Coast Line Railway, Georgia, large quantities being went^through this section In 1867. shipped, and the peach, pecan and In the late 70'e there waa a saw milt other fruit growing Industries are put In, hnt the town was not thought of until about 1888, when there was a post office eatablisbed and the point given the name of Meigs. Bnf U did not amount to anything until 1888 when J. N. and T. W. Carter opened a small merchandise store, from that the town haa grown to Its present proportions ot nearly 1,000 law abiding industrious and self sus taining people and.each year Is show ing a decided growth and alnce the cenaus of 1900 has shown an In creased of over 38 per cent The town was chartered October 33, 1880, and during the last session of the state Legislature a new charter was granted broad and liberal In 116 provisions and Is calculated to meet the needs of a growing town for many years to come. The town Is governed under a mayor and board of aldermen and Its municipal gov ernment Is'of the best It Is well laid ont and covert three- being Introduced end successfully 1 carried on. The town It surrounded by a an perb farming land of dark sandy loam with red clay aubsoll, suitable for growing all kinds of farm pro duct common to the Southern states, such as cotton, (both Sea Island and upland), corn sugar cane, potatoes, sweet potatoes, oats, all kinds of vegetables and fruits and la an ex cellent dairy section; the land Is wa tered >y constantly flowing streams of the purest water; has no mala rial district;.- never-falling fresh flowing springs \ are numerous throughout this eutlro section. It Is Impossible for malaria to exist In this section. The Meigs district proper Is com posed of 88,3(0 acre lot*. In point of taxable value per acre ranks noxt to tha district In which TbomasvIIIe Is located. There Is not exceddlng! fourths of a mile each, way from a!one-fourth of cultivatable portion central point. It ban broad and of the district now under cnltlva- well kept streets, beautiful «hndo tlon. The balance awaits tbe corn- trees, good walks and provision la Ing of tbe Immigrants and has the made In tbe new charter for hand- most flattering - opportunities to ot- ATLANTIC COAST LINE RAILWAY DEPOT AT MEIGS. ling the paving of streets, putting In | fer the home-seeker or settler and sidewalks, for lighting plant and Is destined to make ono of the gar- water works, the latter t4ro projects' den spots and most thriving sections will shortly be undertaken. ' of tbe great state of Georgia. The The education of tbe children Is j opportunities here for the small far- looked after in a particularly careful < mer Is the best to be found anywhere manner. A graded school of brick, j | n the great United States. The land two story, having tonrlargo ■* around hero has passed under the rooms and a special feature in the wav of a spacious auditorium, fitted bands of turpentlner and mill man, with opera chairs, stage and fall com- and now awaits development by the nlement of scenery, the building cost farmer and home-aecker. Over 38,009 and was pstd for with- Here there Is A slate hank, the tha state: MR. J. N. CARTER'S RESIDENCE. Ing la Southern fkrm lands. They have property and facilities for acquiring the most desirable lands for farming purposes and hold out special Inducements to those seeking a home In the country, or In the town or to the manufacturer seeking a desirable location, this tlon being particularly adapted for cotton mill, furniture factories, car riage and wagon factories, oil mills and fertiliser works, syrup and su gar plants, canning factories, etc. There Is abundant opportunity here for the Investor. . . L. T. Vick and J. A. Sasser, all well known and prominent men In the town who have been Identified with Its growth and prosperity. Tho Bank of Meigs. The Bank of Meigs was organised under a state charier In 1003 with an authorised capital of 830,000. It Is doing a thriving business, IU deposlu running from' 830.000 to 330,000 and Its loans and discounU from 840,000 to 300,000; It has paid three semi-annual dividends of 4 per cent each since It surted and now haa a surplus and undivided proflts of 38,000. It doe* a gen eral banking business and accords to IU customers the most liberal treatment consUtent with sound junking "rindDles. .It ocenplea IU own bulldipg, a well arranged brick structure, fitted with Are and bur glar proof safe and vault. The bank has to uep^sltora Insurance which absolutely guarantees deposi tors against loss. The ofllccrs are Jos. A. Sasser, president; J. N. Carter, V. P.; W. H. VanLandtngham, cashier. These gentlemen, with J. M. Simpson and O. L. Duren, constitute- the board of directors. This bank U ono of of a chain of banka backed by W. S. WItham, and the Bankers Financ ing Company,.of Atlanta. As an institution Ot safety It will rank wltli the strongest banks In G. L. Dunn. O. L. Duren conducts n large dry goods and general mercantile bust ness, occupying Meigs’ finest store building recently erected It Is of brick of two stories with plats front, 00x00 feet. The entire build Ing Is occupied by him and Is flllec’ with a first-class stock. Every mod ern method Is used In this store, In eluding elevators, cash carrier ays- tem and other labor saving devices. He operates In connection with thh esUblishment a first-class milliner} department, under the management of expert milliners. Mr. Duren Is Interested In farm lands near Meigs and Is a large prop erty owner and one of the main spokes In the bub around which Molgs revolves. T. J. Willis. T. J. Willis carries on an exten sive wholesale grocery business and operates The Planters Warehouse, One of tho features of which Melgp Is Justly proud Is this up-to-date wholesale grocery house, which was started January, 1904, being the only ono of Its kind between Albany and Thomasvllle. This houso car- a complete line of fancy and heavy groceries and feed stuffs. It enjoys a largo trade throughout this section and would do credit to a town of many times tho slid of Meigs. Mr. WIUIs Is n man of capable business ability and conducts hts enterprise on broad principles and Is always ready to meet competition. ever came to this community, and, sash, mantles, mouldings, and all with a few such men as ho In town failure would bo Impossible. W. H. Hurst. W. H. Hurst Is engagod In tho merchandise, hotel and livery stablo business and In farming He Is ono of Meigs’ successful business men who has been Identified with the upbuild Ing of Meigs and has been a proml- inent factor from tho early days of the town and has accumulated a com petency. He opened the first hotel here and enjoys a liberal patronago from tho traveling public In both ho tel and livery. Tbe store Is well pat ronized and the stock Is large and varied. It also has a millinery de partment under the management of Mrs. Hurst. Drs. Altman and Kriddell. MelgH has three progressive nnd and popular doctors two of whom composo the firm of Dra. Aultmnn ft Friddcll. ..Thoso gentlemen bavo the kinds of turned band sawed nnd fin ishing work of the highest class. The product of these plants are much in demand nnd the company has all the business they can handle throughout this territory. Tl)e heavy product is shipped principally to the north and west, where It Is used In the making of railway can. Tho company owns Its own timber lands, operates Us own railroads Ir.- to the timber, runs commissaries, pro vldes Its laborers with comfortable quarters and the plant wittily Itself Is very much like a little clty^ Tho Industry represents an lnv»u ment of .some 350,000 and is Im-m porated under the state laws. Tho president, J. N. Carter Is the financial head of tho concern and ii principal stockholder. W. M. Difvy vice president Is manager of tn variety Works; R. E. Davis Is gen eral manager of tho company and operates the saw mill. The latter lun gi-mli-iui-u are prartlea! men anti confidence of tho community and cn- £7®'“" thelp Ume to the affairs o( Joy a largo practice throughout this ~ section. They are nlways alive to tho Interests of the town and take prominent parts in all matters per talning to her growth and develop ment. J. II. PULLEN & Co. The Arm of J. H. Pullen & Co la composed of J. H. Pullen nnd W. H. VanLandinghnm, two progressive young men who do a general mer- ihandlse business and enjoy a fast Increasing trade.. % this mammoth Industry. A writo up of Meigs would not be complete without a mention of her excellent municipal government, which Is under the direction of E. E. Wilkes, mayor and a council com posed of J. N. Carter, T. J. WIUIs, J. H. Pullen and J. L. Johnson. Mr. Wilkes has filled this ofllco for sev eral years and Is a practical mayor In every sense of the word. Tho evidence of his ability Is seen on every side In the advance that the town has made. He Is always to the front In any movement to better the G. L. DUREN’8 GENERAL MERCHANDISE STORK. Carter & Maynard. | condition or promote the welfare of Carter and Maynard arc dealer* 11,0 P«>Ple and of the town. In dry good*, clothing, shoe*, grocer- 1 He ha8 ' rn,,or,ant bu " ln «“ “ BB “- tions in and around Meigs. les and general merchandise and as , . , a new firm is rapidly gaming a foot- The greBtc “ t evidence of Meigs’ hold In a commercial way In thl* Prosperity Is that every man engaged district. This firm Is composed of in business enterprises here Is anc- T. W. Carter, one of Meigs’ oldest ceeding wonderfully In a financial and most prominent citizens and one way and there Is an abundance of who helped found the town and J. prosperity in and about the town. B. Maynard, a young man of fine It can be truthfully said that thl business qualities who recently came is an Ideal spot In this from Winder. Oe HouthUnd,
