Newspaper Page Text
Clerk Sup Court
The Douglas Enterprise.
VOL. 18, NO. 4.
ROCHELLE, GEORGIA.
Prosperous South Georgia Town. The Prospective
Junction of two Largest Railroad Systems in
the South. Has more good farming lands
Adjacent than any other South Georgia
Town. Free School System for
Whites and Blacks.
Location and Surroundings.
The town is situated in the tenter of Wilcox County on the Seaboard Air Line Railroad, \4g miles west of Sa
vannah and 60 miles due south from Macon, Georgia. It is located on a cluster of gently undulating hills just at
the verge of the water divine between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean with an altitude of 500 ft above
the sea level, and is the highest point between Savannah and Americus, which makes it an ideal town for drain
age, therefore the health of its inhabitants is unsurpassed in Georgia.
A few years ago a citizen of this section, Mr. McCajah Owens, took his first railroad ride from Seville to Ro
chelle on the day he was one hundred years old. From such geographical surroundings its scenery could not be
charming.
Trie town was laid put in 1887. Hon. John M. Warren, the present Ordinary of the county, was the first person to buy property, open a store
and move his family to the new town. Since then its growth and development has been gradual and steady. ROCHELLE is one South Georgia town
which has hever undergone a boom of any kind. It is surrounded on every side by the largest body of red-pebble soil of any town in South Georgia.
Some Interesting Facts.
When ROCHELLE WAS first laid out there was not 25 bales of cotton raised within three miles of the town. It is now stated on good authority
that a dinner horn blown in the center of town on a warm May day would be answered by the bray of mules plowing lands which produce a thousand
bales of cotton. Hrwever, much the larger portion of the lands adjacent to Sochelle are still undeveloped. These lands can be bought for a quarter to
half the price of average lands in north and middle Georgia, and which produce from 25 to 50 percent, more than the average lands in north and middle
Georgia. Besides, the farmer can cultivate from 25 to 33 1-3 per cent, more of this soil per mile than he can similar lands in north and middle Georgia.
The climate is that of South Georgia, ideal. Surface wells afford excellent free stone water in unfailing supply. Also, the town has two splendid
artesian wells.
Clever, Moral Population.
The citizens of Rochelle are for the most part middle class folks who live the simple life, dwelling together in peace and harmony.
At the last local option Wilcox county went dry by an overwhelming majority, therefore Rochelle has no saloons, and in all probability will never
have them. She has a splendid system of public schools which is prospering under the Superintendency of Prof. H. J. Lawrence, an A. B. Graduate of
Mercer University. This school is the pride of the town. There are two churches, the Missionary Baptist and the M. E. Church, South. The mem
bership of these churches are living together in perfect Christian harmony.
Industrious Business People.
There are about twenty mercantile establishments and most of these are substantial and prosperous. The railroad inform us that there are more
goods shipped to Rochelle and more cotton and other farm products shipped away from Rochelle than any other town between Americus and Savannah
which is not a junction point.
There are two excellent banks in the town, both are prosperous and doing a large business. Rochelle has a real good weekly Newspaper, which
is edited by Mr. John T. King, who is always found on the side that makes for the betterment of his community.
Rochelle has three large modern ginneries, with a ginning capacity of 150 bales per day. She also has the following industries: Planing Mill,
a Variety Works, a Grist Mill and a Naval Stores Plant.
Her standard of citizenship cannot be excelled. Mr. John T. King, the well-known editor of the New Era, is Mayor of the town. The Aldermen
are Messrs. J. P. Doster, S. B. Reid, W. E. Smith, W. B. Owens, E. J. Cook and Z. W. Lassiter. Mr. Reid is also Representative elect from Wilcox
county. Mr. Doster is a member of the Board of County Commissioners. Judge D. B. Nicholson, Judge of the City Court of Abbeville, is also a
resident of Rochelle.
Other Advantages Too Numerous to Mention.
This community boasts of as good a class of colored citizens as Georgia affords. Such men as R. C. Baker, Wm. Locke, Jr., and Prof. J. D.
Moseley, Principal of the Colored School, together with others who might be mentioned, deserve much chedit for their enterprise and their readinesa to
always maintain law and order and to help forward any movement for the good of the town and community. The oblored people can boast of a splendid
school and several churches.
The population of Rochelle is about 1,200. The town has been built almost entirely from the effects of the farming interests of the community,
and it can be safely said that no set ot business men in South Georgia have done better with the same capital than Rochelle business men.
The most progressive banker in the town began business in Rochelle a few years ago with about a thousand dollars. The most enterprising and
wealthiest merchant in the town, Mr Henry Mashburn, who is worth not less than $50,000.00, commenced business at Rochelle about ten years ago
with about a thousand dollars capital. Others have done just as well in proportion that we might mention, and it can be truly said that Rochelle has
steadily grown in population and wealth regarding of its extreme poverty at the beginning. However, at this time she is in as good shape financially
as almost any town of her size in the state, and a very bright future is bust ahead of her.
Ample Shipping Facilities.
Railroads are recognized by all men of enterprise and brain as being one of the greatest developers of the resources of any country. The Ocilla
& Valdosta Railroad has been chartered and 33 miles has been built, which will connect Ocilla, Georgia with either Hawkinsville or Fort Valley. This
road will cross the Sea Board Air Line at Rochelle, Georgia. As the writer sees it, the Southern Railroad, which is the largest road in the south, will
of necessity be compelled to buy the Ocilla & Valdosta Railroad which will give the Southern an outlet to the Gulf of Mexico.
Now with Rochelle as a junction point for the two largest Railroad Systems in ihe South, namely, the Southern and the Sea Board Air Line
Railway, together with Bochell’s natural advantages, will just simply.of necessity cause her to develope with leaps and bounds beyond the imaginations
of her most enthusiastic citizens.
In the near future, in fact the movement is now on foot, to build a Cottot Seed Oil Mill together with a Fertilizer Mizing Plant, and with the new
railroad which will give Rochelle freight rates equal to Helena, Cordele, Fitzgerald and other competitive points, she will then be in position to bid for
such industries as have to be located at competitive points.
The Reid Hotel at Rochell at this time is giving the traveling public the best hotel fare to be had anywhere. Stop with them awhile and grow fat.
As Goldsmith’s “Sweet Auburn” was the lovliest village ©n the plains, so beautiful Rochelle is the Gem City of the Piney Woods. Keep your
eye on Rochelle.
Douglas, Ga., June Bth, 1907.
SI.OO per Annum