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« THE AMEK1CUS DAILY TIMES-RECORDER: FRIDAY. OCTOBER 23, 1891. SMITHVILLE! SOUTHWEST GEORGIA’S PRIDE KNOWS NOTHING SUCCESS BUT Something Aoout the Town and Its People—A Screed That Deals Only In Facts—What Smithville Was, What She Is and What She Will Be in the Future! MITHVILLE, Ga., October 20.— § [Special.]—“Sraltbrlllc !J| All out 'for Smithville! Change cars fo r Kufaula, Montgomery and all foreign points!” I did not change cars, for my objective point was Smithville itself—and a busy little city I found it, for which reason 1 propose to tell the readers of Tiib Tixes-Rkcokdku something about It.| In the tint place, Smithville is, as everybody knows, in Leo county. It is on the old Southwestern branch of the “Central" road, twelve miles south of Americus, twenty-four miles north of Albany, and Is situated only one milo from the Sumter county line and throe miles from the Terrell county line, thus placing it, as It were, in a corner be tween three counties. The fact of the business is, this town has got “a corner” on a good many oth ers. When one leaves the train here, with the Intention of stopping a day or so, the first place he makes for Is the hotel, of which Col. A. XI. MoAfee is the pro prietor. Situated as the hotel Is—just at the depot—it is one of the most con' venlent hotels to be found on the Une of the road, and the name McAfee is a guarantee of its comforts and homelike- say—for beside the architectural beauty of tiie buildings, the surroundings count for something. The flower gardens—or to put it in a more homely phrase, the front-yards— in Smithville are beauties perennial. Roses of every variety and name are found there, and other flowers in profusion. One’s soul is overcome with the “fair and faint perfume” that lingers in the air, and one poetically in cllncd can, like llayard Taylor, hear the “far-off tinkle of camel's bells as they toll through desert sands, bringing with them that priceless perfume of the des. ert—the attar of roses P Smithville, situated as she is, is a com ing factor in the growth of Georgia. Un every band thrift and enterprfso nrc vis! bio. Nothing is wanting to show what ann,im ‘ And talk about eating! There ia where you find something at every meal to tempt the appetite of an epicure! Ev erything about the house is as dean and neat “as a lady’s parlor," and the ser vice is above criticism; but beyond all Is the hearty welcome that Col. MoAfee and his excellent wife extend to every one. “Her price is above rubies’’—so say the Soriptures—and if that doesn’t ap ply to Mrs. McAfee some one will have to get out a search warrant and look up the person to whom it does. She and Col. MoAfee make one wish to live In Smithville all one's life. Along in '07 Col. William McAfee, the father of the present proprietor, had an offer held out to him by the railroad to open a dinner house in'Smlthville, prom islng that Smithville should always be the dinner “stop.” The upshot of the matter was—the house was opened and has been successfully conducted ever sinoe, Col. A. II. MoAfee succeeding his father in Its management. It was re built In ’88 by the latter, who for thirty yean has been a railroad man, and it stands to-day as one of the most popular hotels In the Empire State. flomothlnx about SiulUivills. Mow I’ll tell you something about the 1 biggest little town in Georgia—for Its sixe! In the lint place it was founded In 1857 and was called Ilnnchville—being on the Southwestern branoh—but It was not until 1803 that it was Incorporated In that year an act to incorporate Smith- ville alias Renwiok was passed by the legislature and In accordance with that act the place was known as ltenwlck. Subsequently, by sot of the legislature, the name of the town was changed to Smithville—and there you an! By the provisions of the act the limits of the town extended two miles from the depot, but in 1808 this was amended and the oircle reduced to three-quarters of a mile, which is now the present In corporate limits. Smithville is situated in the heart of a great cotton and fruit producing district and is a growing little city of about 1,000 inhabitants. For yean, after its incor poration, the town had only a gradual growth, but in 1800, the railroad author ities erected a handsome building, at a cost of about $7,000 and moved the gen eral offices ofjthe Southwestern division to this point But in August 1801 the Richmond and Danville system became the lessees of the road and out of a spirit of economy abolished the general offices of the Southwestern division at Smithville. But notwithstanding this, beautiful lit tle Smithville is tnveling along the high* way to prospeiity at a rate that will take the wind out of the sails of some of bet competitors! 8mltbTills end lie Surroundings. Taken altogether, Smithville la a very pretty town; and Its Inhabitants are some of the veryjbest people on God’s green earth! Generous, hospitable, cultured and refined, they are possessed of every trait that goeejto make up God’s noble- meo; and lam not overdrawing the mat ter in the least when I say this. The streets|are laid off almost due east and west and north and south, and of course one| who wishes to bujld can always get a frontage to suit. In Smith ville one can find more pretty kesise—and by homes, I mean what I these people mean. They are energetic, full of life and business, and some time in the future Smithville will be heard from in a way that will surprise those who have not taken her in account. Smithville is somewhat different in her city government from her sister cit ies, for five councilmen are elected once a year and they select a mayor and clerk and treasurer from their number. This year the roster is ns follows: D. G. Avera, mayor; J. F. Johnson, olerk and treasurer; C. A. Rhodes, E. M. Koarsey and J. L. Faul, councilmen. Mr, U. F. Salter is city marshal, and a mighty good one be Is, but at present he is sick, and town affairs are looked after by Mr. B. F. Yeoman, who is, a worthy substitute. The city ball Is a wooden, two-story structure on Main street, the city prison being in the first story, with the second reserved for the use of the council and mayor, where those who transgress the laws of man answer to Mayor Avera. None of the city officers receive any salary, therefore tliore Is very little com petition for offices. The town's expenses are paid by the receipts from licenses and street taxes, and there la no proper ty tax levied in Smithville, and the town has neither debts nor bonds—that' something to boast of! Ths HmlthTllle Improvement Company. In July, 1800, the Smithville Improve ment Company was organized with the following officers: I). 6. Avera, presi dent; J. F. Johnson, vice-president, and W. D. Wells, secretary and treasurer. The capital stock of the company was $10,000 and the past year with it was lucrative enough to authorize the cash payment of a dividend of 12 per cent. The Company is in a splendid condl tlon and its officers being men of well- known ability and business reputation have the entire confidence of all inter ested parties and there Is no doubt but that they will urge Smithville on to prosperity. Bmithvilla's Cotton Warehouse. One of Smithville's institutions is her splendid ootton warehouse which was built in 1885, by Captain It. E. McAfee whom everybody in Lee county knows, honors and trusts. The warehouse Is conveniently situated on the railroad, within a store’s throw of the depot and It is claimed that cotton can be handled in Smltbvll'.e, through this warehouse, cheaper than can be done in neighboring cities, Captain McAfee is ably assisted by Mr. W. O. Bennett, than whom a better man never lived; and Mr. Bennett de serves the confidence that Capt. McAfee reposes in him. These two gentlemen are too well known for a pen like mine to endeavor to sound their praises, Hmlthville's Hchool Facilities. One institution of which Smithville is justly proud is tlio school over which Captain G. M. i’attison presides. Cap tain Pattison's school boasts of over a hundred pupils and Is conducted on a plan that never fails to give satisfaction, which is a rare qualification. The wor thy principal is most ably assisted by Miss Sebie Wooten, who is well known In Americus, and has made a most envi able reputation in the school room, Another assistant will be added to the faculty in a short time as the outlook for a prosperous scholastic year is very bright. Boms u( SmUhvlUe's Hull The business men of Smithville are of that caliber that always Indicates suc cess. Some of them have done business for even two decadee in the same bonce and a failure le only heard-of—never ex perienced in this thriving inland city. Thera’s J. F. Johnston, who although »young mania one of the “oldest In habitants” and be has been in the drug, fancy goods and stationary business for Hd carritt at stock of $$,000 and doee an «nn«i busi ness of about 412,000. lie is ably assist- ed by Mr. W. T. Sadder who Is a young man of sterling worth and splendid character, Mr. Johnston, besides his other offices in the city Is a county com missioner, and be is known all over the country in a most favorable way, and wherever he Is known he ia honored and respected. Mr. T. S. Burton, who deals in general merchandise and fertilizers, besides buy ing cotton, is one of Smltliville's staunchest business men. lie carries a stock of $10,009 in merchandise and does a business amounting to $30,000 per Annum. Ills right bowers are Messrs. J. If. Randall and Walter Jennings and they do him most excellent service. Mr. Burton is one of those keen, shrewd business men, whom it is always a bene fit to know; and his interests in Smlth- viiie are large and growing. He began business in 1882, and success lias fol lowed him closely through the inter vening years. The only livery stablo in Smithville Is owned and operated by Mr. A S. Ansley who began business bore in December '00, and whoso vehicles and horses arc too well known by the traveling public for me to say much about them. I can say this however, whenever you want a rig of any kind in Smithville goto An sloy and yon can get it. The firm ol Rhodes ,V Salter, com posed of C. A. Rhodes and R. T. Salter, which does business on Main street, is one well known to everybody in Leo county, and ns both members of the firm are general fnvorltes they do a good business The firm carries a $1,000 stock find do about $5,000 business per C. C. Ansley is one of the prince of morcliants in Smithville. Ho occupies one of the oldest buildings in the town and carries a stock of about $3,000 with which he does a business of $15,000 a year. Mr. Ansley has been in business for himself seven years, and in that time has not only gained but retains the con ftdenco of all the inhabitants of Smith ville and Lee county. The Blue Saloon, of which Evans A Webb are the proprietors, Is another big bus!nose house, for besides a large and well-selected stock 'of liquors, the firm carries a splendid stock of groceries, hardware and furniture, Messrs. Ev ans A Webb carry a stock of $4,000, and do a business of $12,500. They are both young men of many lino parts, and if they don't succeed—well, success isn’t success. Dr. W. A. Smith (who, by the wny, is a son of the original founder of the town, Mr. Griffin Smith, after whom the town was named) is the pioneer in the drug business in Smithville. He estab lished business here in 1870, and is widely and most favorably known. Car rying a stock of $2,500, he dues a safe, conservative business of from $3,500 to $4,000. Besides drugs he handles large stock of stationery, tobacco, pipes, and cigars, and following his motto, “Merit wins,” the doctor is, of course, one of the leading men in Smithville. Now we como to the |x>stoffice, over which Mrs. V. It. Jossoy holds sway, and right well does she hold it, for she was appointed in 1884, under Garfield’s regime, and has held the office ever since. Every ono Is loud Id praise as to her management, and Lee connty, to a bopee sho will always fill her present position. The ladies of Smithville would be at a loss as to what to do if the firm of Hiss M. E Chappoll A Co. concluded to remove elsewhere, for that firm fur nishes the millinery for the town. The lstest styles are always found here, so that the ladies of .Smithville never think of loavlnghome to gain their desires, for—there is Miss Chappell A Co. Mossrs. J. R, Cochran A Son, who deal in family and fancy groceries, are also on Main street, and that firm carries a stock that would do anyone's heart good to examine. It amounts to about $7,500, and they do s business of about $10,000. Everybody knows the firm; and what's more, they trade at the store. Burton A Hill is the style of a firm in Smlilivlllo that does s fine business. Tills house deals in furniture and hard ware, and began business iu 1881). It carries a stock of from $1,500 to $2,000 and holds a trado amounting to from $4,000 to $>,000 per annum. Both mem bers of the firm are live, progressive men, and one can always depend on what they say. T. A. Holloway’s beef market is one of .Smithville's features, and that gentle man furnishes the town and a good deal of the surrounding country with some thing fresh to oat. Mr. Holloway Is a good citizen, and what's more, be is a good butcher. Now here's another saloon of which Mr. Kearsey is proprietor, and he keeps the beet of everything. Of course, being s newspaper man, 1 was debarred the pleasure of “looking upon the wine when it was red,” but I can say tills much about Mr. Kearsey, that he is one of those men that it is always a benefit to meet Mr. Keareey (I ought to call him Colonel) is a South Carolinian, and he began business In SmlthvlUs In January, 1800i lie has the able assistance of Mr. A. J. Jennings, whom everybody in Loo county knows end likes. Besides being one of the snccessfnl business men of Smithville, Col. Kearsey is a member of the town council, mayor pro tern and a director of the Smithville Improvement Company. Captain Oliver Hays la not really a resident of SmltbviUe for his elegant home Is tores mites from tbs sity; bat there’s one thing certain that Captain Hays uses sit his broad Influence for the benefit of of the town. He has an ex cellent grove of LeConte and Keiffer pears end be markets an immense amount of fruit every yasr. He oiesred over $750 ou two seres of pear trees this season and he isn't stuck up about it, either. And right here I want to say that Cap tain nays is a man of “infiooence” for he chartered a special train and sent me ta Americus—it was a crank car! Mr. D. G, Avera, who besides being mayor of Smithville, Is a dealer in gen eral merchandise; and if one should go to the town without meeting Mr. Avera one had best not go at all. Mr. Avera Is a gentleman of the school now named the old school; n6t that be is old, but that civility and courtesy are a rare quantity In this day and generation. T. J. Avera began business in Smith- ville in 18115 and D. O. Avera succeeded him in 1874. The house carries a stock of general merchandise amounting to $10,000 and does a business of from $35,000 to $40,000 a year. Besides his large mercantile interests Mr. Aveia has a pear grove of ten acrea from which he ships, when the seasons are good, about 1,000 crates of fruit Mr, Avera is one of the foremost men in Smithville and without him tho bust men would be at a loss. The LeConte Nursery at Smithville Is worthy of a better pen than mine, for I can't do It justice. Situated in the heart of the town it covers 50 acres and it adds so much to the beauty of the town as to make it a most noticeable feature to every one who visits Smithville. The straight, long rows of stately trees that rear their heads in the acme of perfec tlon, bending and bowing to the soft southern breezes that chase like sun light across the fields of green, gives one an Indefinite longing to stay with them forever! • Outside of town, about a mile from the depot, the LeConte Nursery has an other grove of fifty acres, and from the two groves from 8,000 to 10,000 bushels of pears are shipped annually. Mr. W. W. Thompson Is the proprie tor and manager of the these magnificent groves and he is ably assisted by bis son, Mr. O. L. Thompson. These two gen tlemen make a strong team, and for that reason the pears and trees from this grove are shipped all over the United States. Sow, to Change tho Subject. The future of Smithville, ono of the brightest diadems in Georgia’s crown of glory, dopends mostly on Its Inhabitants, and I’ll wager anything on earth that they are going to do their part. The town is so situated that It can, and does demand a great deal of attention; and the people in it are of such a nature that they will see that every hope for the town Is fulfilled! The health statistics or Smithville are surprising, for in the past decads there bus been so little sickness that even now two physicians attend to all the patients not only in Smithville, but tho surround ing country. Smithville handles a good deal of cot ton, and this year the receipts will ran up to 4,000 bales. The staple is han dled here very cheaply, and so Sralth- ville docs the business. Nine years ago Smithville got weary of the “Inocnous desentudo” in which she had lain for years, and to put it mildly, got s move ou hersolf. ' Up to that time not a bale of ootton was sold in the town but now—well, she hendles all ths way from 3,000 to 5.000 a year! The business men of the town mean business, and they are going to have it—that’s all there is about the matter. In 1800, when the depot was built, the railroad company built a “coal shute” at Smithville and at the present time about sixty tons are bandied daily. This is easily accounted for when It is remom- bored that about thirty trains pasj Smithville daily. The splendid depot here is still occupied by train dispatch ers, and the bridge supervisor, and its elegant waiting rooms are always filled when "train time” Is near at hand. The Fruit Crops. Lee county is the centre for the cul ture of tho LeConte and Keiffer pear and if the season hod been good, over 100,000 boxes of the luscious fruit would have gone from this place, la 1889, there wore 30,000 bushels of pears shipped from Smithville and only the freeze of lost March prevented the ship ment of nearly three times that amount, this year. The largost growers of fruit in Leo county are W. W. Thompson, O. Hays, I>. ti. Avera, J. D. Reichert and Mr. Atkins, and if anybody wants to know anything about LeConte pears let them write to either of these geutlomen. Some (fthor Mon I Met. Smithville has a splendid weekly pa per—The News—and Mr. George Ed ward Clarke Is Us oontrolllLg genius. Although young, Mr: Clarke is a man of wide experience, and he graces the tri pod in a way that stamps him as s real newspaper man. He is bold and fear less—aggressive, in other words—and he is doing some mighty good work for Smithville. Ho is only twenty years of ago, but since he wss thirteen he has been In the badness. When ho wss only sixteen bo was editor nod proprietor of the Statesboro (Ga.) Eagle, which paper he sold to remove to Smithville la ’801 Since his advent in this place Mr, Clarke has mad* some warm fri*nfls,and he deserves them, for George Clarice U one of those mow who, tree as steel to his friends, always gives the opposition s chance. If he doeen’t inscribe bis name “sway np yonder” In the newspaper business it wont be his fault. And talking shout newspapers brings to mind that Smithville Is the place where Frank L. Stanton stepped from “the case” to fame; end you just ought to bear the folks down there talk about him! Hon. J. F. Watson, judge of the Lee county court, makes his home in Smith- ville, but It is -more than probable that after January he will become s resident of Amerious and enter the legal tourney for which his large experience and depth of legal lore so well befit him. While his removal will be a loss to Smithville it will be a gain for Ameri cas. He has worn the ermine as county judge In Lee county for six years, and every legal light In the connty burns the brighter for his presence. One of the leading men In Lee county IFIM/ 1 ! Is G. W. Warwick, attorney-at-law. Mr. l\ii'|vl Warwick Is one of those men whose ev ery presence speaks of the majesty of the law. Deeply versed In - jurispru dence, as It wells up from Blaukatone and permeates the whole of the civilized world, he is of that well-balanced na ture that knows only justice. He is honored, respected and beloved by all who know him, .and, what adds to the beauty of his well-rounded character, he is an ardent churchm.in. Ho is, of all men, sans peuer. et sans reproach. 1 met Hon. W. I),. Welle, tho senior of the firm of Welle, Burton A McManus. He la the representative from this coun- ty, and, like a damaaceno blade, is as true. He is a worthy representative not only of this county, but of his father, Mr. William Wells, who years and years ago built the grist mill on Muckaloochee creek, the pretty stream that steals away down the grassy hollows and through the pretty valleys of Lee coun ty. Toe mill furnishes meal for Lee and adjacent counties, and it la expected that, when certain improvements about the mill proper and the sidetracks are put in, the mill will tarn out about 500 or 1,500 bushels per week. Mr. Wells says that hewtli see that every detail that goes to make up a perfect mill Is carried out, and Smlthville’s citizens are looking forward to great things from the Muckaloochee mill. Of Mr. Wells himself, too much can not be said about that gentleman. Ho fought vigorously for every measure that was Introduced in the lately ad journed legislature for the benefit of Smithville and Loo county, and there are already Indications of higher honors that are to bo thrust upon him. Smithville is so healthy that physi cians are novor needed—that Is, hardly ever—but whatever wnnts the people of the town have, so far as a family physl clan Is concerned, are attended to by Drs, W. T. Simpson and J. F. McMatb. Thoso gentlemen aro favorites in all the families in and around here, and they look closely after the temporal welfare of tho residents of Smithville and its vicinity with an energy that is worthy of emulation in larger places. To use a homely phrase, “they know their business and they attend to it.” Last, but not losst by a good deal, is Justice J. D. Snellgrove, who holds the scales for the blind Goddess, so for as SmlthvlUs end its district Is concerned. He is a man of many excellent parts and Is so honor to Us town and county. Mow In Conclusion. I have triod faithfully to givoyou some idea of what SmlthvlUs is sad if I have failed in any degree it has been an error of the brain Instead of the heart, for I am really In love with the place and the people. There is no doubt but that the rosy Unted fingers of the Future are already upon the hasps and clasps of the gates to Success and Prosperity, and when once they are opened Smithville will win the race by a length! The sterling worth of the business men of Smithville—the keen, shrewd men who always make a town—have de cided Smlthville’s future and baring done so, the results may confidently bo expected. Keep an eye on SmltUvllle! Fuank Hamilton G'oxoi.kv. MOTHERS’ FRIEND” Makes Child Birth Easy. Shortens Labor, Lessens Pain, Endorsed by the Leading Physician* Book <o “Molhort”matin! FREE. BRAD FI ELD REGULATOR CO. ATLANTA. GA. i f TOLD BY, ALL DRUOOISTa. j FRANKLIN’S NEW COLOSSAL SHOWS MUSEUM. TRAINED ANIMAI, EXPOSITION AND GREAT ROMAN HIPPODROME, Thu Most Klegaiit, Kenned. Attractive and Pop. ular Amusement Organization before the Great American Public, WILL EXHIBIT AT AMERIOUS, AN OVERWHELMING ASSEMBLAGE Of Phenomenal filppodromatlc Artist* ant* Brilliant Star King Performer*. Presenting an Unlimited Programme of htrictly Selected Acti, Fiats and Feature!, Presenting among it* Rare and Multitudinous Attraction* a utestft, Sport* and Pa*time* of Rom* in Impejiul Otar's Day* Thrilling and Terrific 2 & 4 Horse Chariot Races With Male and Female Charioteer*. For Over Fifty Year, Mrs. Winslow’s Soothing Syrup has been used for children teething. It soothes the child, softens the gums, allays all pain, cures wind collo, and la the best remedy for diarrhoea. Twenty-five cents a bottle. Sold by all druggists through out the world. When Baby wss sick, we *sve bar Castoria. When shews! s Child, toe cried toe Caaiofis. When she became Kiss; she clung to Castoria Vheoshthad Children, she gars them Caatorie. A little sugar added to beets, corn, peas, squash, etc., daring or after cook ing will Improve them, particularly If poor. Perfect action and perfect health re sult from tbs use of DeWltt’s Little Early risers, s perfect little pUL For sale by the Davenport Drag Company. A sack of the best salt standing where there la a smell of fteh or any objection able odor win absorb the flavor. Don’t storm the system os yon would a fort. If held bv the enemy, const!- potion, gently persuade It to surrender with DsWitt's Little Early Risen. These Uttla pills are wonderful eon- viaoars. For solo by the Davenport Drag Company. Exciting and Electrifying ROMAN 8TANDING RACES, Dl*playlng tbe Very Perfection of Daring Horsemanship. Good Mothers-the Life of the Katlon. igf 61 ^ ZfS&Sfr*'* _ THE OEM OF ALL FEMALE REMEDIES, leUXOTO - A «afe, pimple and banaUtf remedy for all Irregularities of women. It no been extensively used l»y Dr. A. L. Barry, • prominentphysician of Atlanta,ita.,of experience, with unvarying success. It m**« child-birth easy, diminish'* danger to mother and child, and la a enre cure for #»*reeel»e, aytp teres incident to * cfcango If IT entirely and permanently relieve} all pw®* Incident to female rtisoo*c«. indigeotloQe J*g* ssS up from tbe first done, it maxes women • REGULAR, HEALTHY ARO HAPPY. For tbe cure of hysteria, neuralgia. orsntM pains, rsatlesanees. nervousness, etc., it is wun* out a rival or a peer In the whole range of ms- terla medico. Ills not a so-called patent ■sedl- cfns, bat U Is prepared by the direction of sa .mln.nl ■pn-Guiit. who hu modo l.motodU- HM a Ufa Mod,. It o«,tr MU. Midi, A PANACEA FOB 8UFFEBINQ WOMEN, Thmusads ol whom stioat lu vino, ood mjM iu pralao. By Iho ooo ol Loiomal thewhoi. ffl^jSMroftKosodMdilovi-M^Mj II ABBOTT’S , EAS W cor^Ss m Bunions 43 pAM/.; MspeedilV^ 8te^fc W:THOl)I s vo WARTS PAIN. For sola by tha DAVENPORT DBU0 COMPANY Americas, Ga.