Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

THE AMERICUS WEEKLY 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! _ MXTHVIIXE, Ga., October 20.— C f [Special.]— 1 “Srnithville !j|All out for Smithville! Change cars fo r ^ Eufaula, 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 I little city propose to tell tbe readers of The Timks Rkoohdkk something about it. In the first 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 mile from the Sumter county lino and three miles from the Terrell county line, thus placing it, as it were, in a corner be tween three countios. 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 lie makes for is the hotel, of which Col. A. U. McAfee is the pro prietor. Situated as the hotel is—just at the depot—it is ono of the most con venient hotels to he found on the line of the road, and the name McAfee is a -iiarantee of its comforts and homelike ness. And talk about oatingi There is where you find something at every meal to tempt the appetite of an epicure! Ev erything about the house is as clean and neat "as a lady’s parlor,” and the ser vice is above criticism; but beyond all is the hearty welcome that Col. McAfeo and his excellent wife extend to every “Her price is above rubies”—so say the Scriptures—and if that doesn’t ap ply to Mrs. McAfeo some one will have to get out a search warrant and look up the person to whom It does. She and Col. McAfee make one wish to live In Smithville all one’s life. Along in '67 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 Smithville, prom ising that Smithville should always bo the dinner “stop.” The upshot of the matter was—the house was opened and has been successfully conducted ever since, Col. A. II. McAfeo succoeding his father ic its management. It was re built in ’88 by tlio latter, who for thirty years has been a railroad man, and it stands to-day as ono of the most popular hotels in the Empire State. Something about Smlttivllle. N’ow I’ll toll you something about the biggest little town In Georgia—for its size! In the first place it was founded in KjT and was called Dranchville—being «»n the Southwestern branch—but it was not until 180:1 that it was incorporated. In that year .an act to incorporate Smith ville alias Renwlck was passod by the legislature and in accordance with that act the place was known as Kenwick. •Subsequently, by act of the legislature, the name of the town was changed to Smithville—and tliero you are! by the provisions of the act the limits the town extended two miles from tHe depot, but in 1808 this was amended and the circle reduced to three-quarters of a mile, which is now the present in corporate limits. Smithville is situated in the heart of a Kreat cotton and fruit producing district un 'l' s a growing little city of about 1,000 inhabitants. For years, after its incor poration, the town lmd only a gradual growth, but in 1800, the railroad autlior- itks erected a handsome building, at a <o>t of about £7,000 and moved the gen era. «»ilii*es of the Southwestern division l " this point. ^I* it in August 1801 the Richmond and anvilie system became the lessees of *°ad and out of a spirit of economy •^"hshi.,1 the general ofiiccs of the Southwestern division at Smithville. **ut notwithstanding this, beautiful llt- 1,0 s,n >thville is traveling along the higli- * ay to prosperity at a rate that will take 1e "iml out of the sails of some of her competitors! *inith V -ilie and Its Surrounding*. Ia ken altogether, Smithville is a very j t*>wn; and its inhabitants are some ° 1 ** Ver y best people on God’s green * arl h. Generous, hospitable, cultured D< refined, they are possessed of every *t that, goes to make up God’s noble- cn, and I am not overdrawing the mat- * 1,1 the le ast when I say this. 1(J streets are laid off almost due east say for beside the architectural beauty of the 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 clined can, like Bayard Taylor, hear the “far-off tinkle of camel’s bells as they toil 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. On every hand thrift and enterprise are visi ble. Nothing is wanting to show what these people mean. They are energetic, full of life and business, and some time in tbe 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 as follows: D. G. Avera, mayor; J. F. Johnson, clerk and treasurer; C. A. Rhodes, E. M. Kearsey and J. L. Paul, councilmen. Mr. R. F. Salter is city marshal, and a mighty good one he 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 hall is a wooden, two-story »cd bourse e8t and north and south, and of one who wishes to build can get a frontage to suit. n Smithville one can find more pretty Ies —and by homes, I mean what I honj, 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 there is very little com petition for offices. The town’s expenses are paid by the receipts from licenses and street taxes, and there is no proper ty tax levied in Smithville, and the town has neither debts nor bonds—that’s something to boast of! Th. Smithville Improvement Company. Id July, 1800, tbe Smitlivillo Improve ment Company was organized with tbo following officers: D. G. Avera, presi dent; J. F. Johnson, vice-president, and \V. D. Wells, secretary and treasurer. The capital stock of tho company was 810,000 and the past yoar with it was lucrative enough to authorize the cash payment of a dividend of 12 per cont. The Company Is In a splendid condi tion and its officers being men of well- known ability and business reputation have the entire conlldcnco of all inter ested parties and tliero is no doubt but that they will urgo Smithville on to prosperity. Snilthville'. Cotton Warehouse. One of Smittvillc's institutions is her splendid cotton warehouse which was built in 1885 by Captain It. E. McAfee whom ovorybody in Loo county knows, honors and trusts. The warehouse is eonvenicntly situated on tho railroad, within a stone's throw of the depot and it is claimed that cotton can bo handlod In Smithville, through this warehouse, cheaper than can bo dono in neighboring cities. Captain McAfee is ably assisted by Mr. W. G. lleunett, than whom a better man nevor lived; anil Mr. Hcnnett de serves the contidonco that Capt. McAfee reposes in him. These two gentlemen are too wdl known for a pen like mine to endeavor to sound their praises. Smithville'. Svliuol Fmellltfe.. One institution of which Smithvillo is justly proud is the school over which Captain G. M. Pattison presides. Cap tain l’attlson'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 lias made a most envi able reputation in tire school room. Another assistant will l>o added to the faculty in a short time as tho outlook for a prosperous scholastic year is very bright. Home of Smithville'. Itu.in... Houaea. The business men of Smithville are of that caliber that always Indicates suc cess. Some of them have done business for even two decades In the same house and a failure is only heard of—never ex perienced in this thriving inland city. There's J. F. Johnston, who slthough a young man 1b one of tbe “oldest in habitants" and he has been in tbe drug, fancy goods and stationary business for tbe past eleven years. He carries a stock of $(,000 and does an annual busi ness of about (12,000. Hs is sbly assist ed by Hr. W. T. Sadder who Is a young man of sterling worth and splendid character. Mr. JolinatoD, besides his other offices in the city is a county com. raissloner, aud he is known all over the country in a most favorable way, and wherever he is known he is honored and respected. Mr. T. S. Burton, who deals In general merchandise and fertilizers, besides buy ing cotton, is one of Smithville's staunchest bnsiness men. He carries a stock of (10,000 in merchandise and does a business amounting to (.'10,000 per annum. Ilis right bowers are Messrs. J, n. liandall 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 Smith ville are large and growing. He began business in 1882, and succoss has fol lowed him closely through the inter vening years. The only livery stable in Smithville is owned and operated by Mr. A. S. Ansley who began business here in December '00, and whose veliiclos and horses aro too well known by the traveling public for me to say much about them. I can say tbis however, whenever you want rig of any kind in Smithville go to An sley and yon can gut it. The firm of Rhodes & Salter, com posed of C. A. Rhodes and R. T. Salter, which does business on Main street, is ono well known to everybody In Lee county, and as both members of the firm are general favorites they do a good business. Tbe Arm carries a (1,000 stock and do about $5,000 business per annum. C. C. Ansley is one of the prince of merchants in Smithville. He occupies ono of the oldest buildings in the town and carries a stock of about $8,000 with which lie docs a business of $15,000 a year. Mr. Ansley has been in business for himself seven years, and in that time lias not only gained hut retains the con fidence of all the inhabitants of Smith vilie aud Lee county. The Blue Saloon, of which Evans & Wobb are the proprietors, is another big business house, for besides a large aud well-selected stock of liquors, tho litm carries a splendid stock of groceries, hardware and furnituro. Messrs. Ev ans & Webb carry a stock of (4,000, and do a business of $12,500. They aro both young men of many tine parts, and if they don’t succeed—well, success isn’t Dr. W. A. Smith (who, by the way, 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 does a safe, lonservative business of from $3,500 to $4,000. Besides drugs he handles a large stock of stationery, tobacco, pipes, and cigars, and following liis motto, ‘Merit wins,” tho doctor is, of course, ono of the leading men in Smithville, Now wo come to tho postofflee, over which Mrs. V. B. Jossoy holds Bway, 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 one is loud in praise as to her management, and Lee county, to a man, hopes she will always fill her presont position. The ladies of Smithville would bo at a loss ns to what to do if the firm of Miss M. E Chappell & Co. concluded to remove elsewhere, for that firm fur nishes the millinery for the town. The latest stylos aro always found here, so that the ladies of Smitlivillo never think of leaving home to gain their desires, for—there is Miss Chappell & Co. Messrs. J. B. Cochran & 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 examino. It amounts to about $7,500, anil they do a business of about (10,000. Everybody knows tho Hr m; aud what's more, they trade at tho Bturo. Burton & Hill is tho stylo of a firm in Smithvillo that does a tine business. This house deals in furnituro and hard ware, anil began business in 1880. It carries a stock of from 8f,500 to $2,000 anil holds a trade amounting to from (4,000 to $5,000 per annum. Both mem bers of tho ilrm aro live, progressive men, and ono can always depend on what they say. T. A. Holloway’s beef market Is ono of Smithville’s features, and that gentle* man furnishes the town and a good deal of tlio surrounding country with some tiling fresli to cat. Mr. Holloway is a good eitizon, and what's more, im is a good butcher. Now here’s another saloon of which Mr. Kearsey is proprietor, and he keeps the best of everything. Of course, being a newspaper man, I was debarred the pleasure of “looking upon tho wiuo when it was red,” but l can say tills much about Mr. Kearsey, that ho is one of those men that it is always a bcnctit to meet. Mr. Kearsey (I ought to call him Colonel) is a South Carolinian, and he began business in Smithville In January, 18110. He has the able assistance of Mr. A. J. Jennings, whom everybody in T.ee county knows and likes. Besides being one of the successful business men of Smithville, Col. Kearsey is a member of tho town council, mayor pro tem and a director of tbe SmltavUla Improvement Company. Captain Oliver Hays is not really a resident of Smithville for his elegant home la three miles from the city; but there’s ono thing certain that Captain Hays usos all his broad influence for the benefit of of the town. He has an ex cellent grove uf LeConte and KelfTer pears and he markets an immense amount of fruit every year. He cleared over (750 on two acres of pear trees tbis season and ho Isn't stuck up about it, either. And right here I want to say that Cap tain Hays is a man of "inflooence” for he chartered a special train and sent mo t > 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 ono should go to the town without meeting Mr. Avera one bad best not go at all. Mr. Avera is a gentleman of the school now named the old school; not that he is old, but that civility and courtesy are a rare quantity la this day and generation. T. J. Avera began business in Smith ville in 18(15 aud D. G. 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 largo mercantile interests Mr. Avera has a pear grove of ten acres from which he ships, when the seasons are good, about 1,000 crates of fruit. Mr. Avora is one of the foremost men in Smithville and without him the bus! men would be at a loss. The LeConte Nursery at Smithville Is worthy of a better pen than mine, for can’t do it justice. Situated in the heart of the town it covers 50 acres aud 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 statoly trees that rear their heads in tho acme of porfec. tion, bending and bowing to the soft southern breezes that chase like sun light across the fields of green, gives ono an indefinite longing to stay with them forever! Outside of town, about a mile from the depot, tho LeConte Nursory 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 lie is ably assisted by his son, Mr. O. L. Thompson. Those two gen tlemen make a strong tenra, and for that reason the pears and troes from this grove are shipped all ovor tho United States. Mow, to Clianxe the Subject. Tho future of Smithville, one of the brightest diadems in Georgia's crown of glory, depends mostly on its inhabitants, and I'll wager anything on earth that they aro going to do their part. The town is so situated that It can, and docB 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 Smithvillo aro surprising, for in the past decade there has been so little sickness that even now two physicians attend to all the patients not only in Smithvillo, but the surround- ing country. Smithville handles a good deal of cot ton, and tills year the receipts will run up to 4,000 bales. The staple is han dled hero very cheaply, and so Smith vilie docs the business. Niue years ago Smithville got weary of tho “inocuotis desentude" in which sho had lain for years, and to put it mildly, got a move on herself. Up to that time not a bale of cotton was sold in tho town but now—well, sho handles all the way from 3,000 to 5,000 a year! Tho business meu of the town mean business, and they are going to have it—that’s all there is about the matter. In 181)0, when the depot was built, the railroad company built a “coal shute” at Smithvillo and at the present timo about Bixty tons arc handled dally. This is easily accounted for when it is remem bered that about thirty trains pasj Smithville daily. The splendid depot here is still occupied by train dispatch ers, aud tlio bridge supervisor, and its elegant waiting rooms are always tilled when “train time” is near at hand. The Fruit Crops. Lee county is tl.e centre for tlio cul ture of the LeConte and Kcifier poar and if the season had boon good, over 100,000 boxes of tho luscious fruit would have gono from this place. In 1880, there wore 30,000 bushels of pears shipped from Smithville and only the eezo of last March prevented tho ship ment of nearly three times that amount, tliia year. The largest growers of fruit in Lee county are W. W. Thompson, O. Hays, I), (i. Avera, J. D. Reichert and Mr. Atkins, and if anybody wants to know anything about I.oContc pears let them write to either of these gentlemen. Some Ollier Meu I Met. Smitlivillu lias a splendid weekly pa- per—The Nows—and Mr. George Ed ward Clarke is its controlling genius. Although young, Mr. Clarke is a man of wide experience, anil lie graces the tri pod in a way that stamps him as a real newspaper man. He is bold and fear less-aggressive, in other words—and he is doing some mighty good work for Smithville. He is only twenty years of age, but since he was thirteen he has been In the business. When he was only sixteen he was editor and proprietor of the Stateaboro (Ga.) Eagle, whioh paper be sold to remove to Smithville in '80. Since hia advent In thla place Mr. Clarke bse made tome warm friends, and he deserves them, for George Clarke is one of those men who, true as steal to bis friends, always gives the opposition chance. If he doesn't Inscribe his name "away up yonder” in the newspaper business it wont be his fault. And talking about newspapers brings to mind that Smithville is tbe place where Frank L. Stanton stepped from “the'case" to fame; and you just ought to hear the folks down there talk about him! Hon. J. F. Watson, judge of the Lee county court, makes bis home in Smith ville, but it is more than probable that after January he will become a resident of Americus and enter the legal tourney for which his largo experience and depth of legal lore so well befit him. Whilo his removal will bo a loss to Smithvillo it will be a gain for Ameri cus. He has worn the ermine as county judge In Lee county for six years, and every legal light in the county burns the brighter for his presence. One of tho leading men in Lee eounty is G. W. Warwick, attorney-at-law. Mr. Warwick is one of those men whose ev ery presence spoaks of the majesty of the law. Deeply versed In jurlapru deuce, as it wells up from Blackstone and permeates the whole of the elvillzed 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 churchman. He is, of all men, sans peuer et sans reproach. 1 met Hon. W. D. Wells, the senior of the firm of Wells, Burton <fe McManus. He is the representative from this coun ty, and, like a damascene 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 Muokalooohee creek, the pretty stream that steals away down the grassy hollows and through the pretty valleys of Lee coun ty. Tne mill furnishes meal for Lee aud adjacent counties, and It is expected that, when certain Improvements about the mill proper and tho sidetracks are put in, tho mill will turn out about 500 or 1,500 bushels per week. Mr. Wells says that he will sco that every detail that goes to make up a perfect mill is carried out, andSmitkvillo'acitizons are looking forward to groat thiDgs from the Muckaloochee mill. Of Mr. Wells himself, too much can. not be said about that gentleman. He fought vigorously for every measure that was introduced in the lately ad- journed legislature for tbe benefit of Smithville and Lee county, and there are already indications of higher honors that aro to be thrust upon him. Smithville is so healthy that physi cians are never needed—that is, hardly ever—but whatever wants 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 are 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 least by a good deal, le J ustice J. D. Snellgrove, who holds the scales for the blind Goddess, so far as Smithvillo and its district Is concerned. He Is a man of many excellent parts and is nn honor to his town and county. Now In Conclusion. I have tried faithfully to give you some idea of what Smithville Is and if I have failed in any degree it has been an error of the brain instoad of the hoart, for I am really in love with the place and tho people. Tliero is no doubt but that tho rosy tinted fingers of the Future are already upon the hasps and clasps of the gates to Success and Prosperity, and when once they aro opened Smltliville will win the race by a length! The sterling worth of the business men of Smithville—tho keen, shrewd men who always inako a town—have de cided Smithville's future and having dono bo, tho results may confidently be expected. Keep an cyo on Smithvillo 1 Fiiaxk Hamilton Coxoi.ev. Give mo quinine, antipyreno and I. W. UABI'KR Whiskey, and I am armod against disease.” So says ono of Ken- tuckuy’s most celebrated practitioners, and scicnco hows to tho common sense and simplicity of tlio great physician. Tlio I. W. Haui'Eii Whiskey can bo se cured in any quantity from THE RESULT, When it was recently announced that Thornton Wheatley’s nsnal pilgrimage had been made to the Eastern markets, the pablio waited to see in these columns, the report of what had been done for their benefit in the way of novelties in goods and revelations in low prices. AT tHngs being now Ready vob the n’i>-.8T, the people of Americas and tbe surrounding country are invited to come. They are not ex- S ected to have on their Wedding Iarments, for Wheatley's is the Place where the'people must go to be properly decked out for an appearance, either at a feast or at business; and nobody can have the trade mark that a Perfectly Dressed Man always bears, nntil after they have been to itaton Vultyi and have been supplied with iEtters Patent of Elegance ! By that establishment. The Times-Recorder isn’t half big enough to hold even a cat alogue of the Elegant Goods, and the Super-Elegantly Low Pbices attached. Only the general heads can here be outlined; the trne inwardness of the feast can’t be understood until the guests go through tbe whole Bill of Fare in person at Wheatley’s. Nosuch complete and elegant stock of Gentlemen’s, Youths’ and Boys’ has ever been brought to Americus and the MOST ASTONISHING THING about them is the LOW PRICES! HATS! Stiff and crashed, that CANNOT FAIL TO SUIT. A specialty in GENTLEMEN’S UNDERWEAR: Scrivon’s Patent Elastic Seam Drawers, and the Cosmopolitan Shirts in suits or in sopnrato garments, FROM THE VERY CHEAPEST TO THE VERY FINEST. A hnndsomer line of DRESS SHIRT8, TIES, SCARFS AND HANDKERCHIEFS was never seen in Americus. Fast Blk. Hose, ABSOLUTELY STAIN LESS, ONLY 25c PER PAIR. KID GLOVES, Dressed and undressed; all colors, grades and prices. A Gold Watch anil $204 That Ih what every agent receive* who gels up a club on our tl per week plan. Our 14‘karat gold-filled cine* rtc warrant ed for 2D year*. Fine Elgin or Waltham movement. Stem wind and net. Lady’* or Gent’* *Uo. Equal to any 150 watch. To •ecu re agent* where we have none* we sell one of the Hunttog Case Watches for the Club price 12* and tend C. O. D. by expreae with privilege of examination before paying for same. Oar agent at Heath Spring, 8.0., writes: •‘Your watche* take at sight. The gentle man who got the last watch said that he ex amined and priced a Jeweler’* watches in Lancaster, that were na better than your* but the price was 94 V One good reliable agent wanted for each place. Write for particulars. Eapiaa WATcn Co., ATTENTION MOTHERS! Boys’ Shirt Waists, 35c to $1.25. Boys’ Jersey Suits, 3 to 8 years. Boys’ Clothing in all styles and prices. UMBRELLAS enough, to stand off a CLOUD-BURST! Satchels and Bags enough to hold all the elegant goods at Wheatley’s that you will need wheu you go abroad aud want to present first-class and stylish appearance Every Long, Loan, Fat, Short, Big, Little Man in a dozen coun ties can get JUST THE FIT in the odd sizes and lengths stock that is curried at LIFE WILL BE A BURDEN to nil who spend their monoy else where, and find wheu too late that they missed getting tho choicest and best bargains in the neatest and most stylish goods ever brought -to this market. DON’T MAKE SUCH A MIS TAKE, but go to Wheatley’s and get yourself made solid. Remember the place: Thornton Wheatley's Comer, So-called bocause you can get a ’cornor” for the smallest cash con sideration, upon tho largest, cheap est aniAuost goods ever shown in Americus. Yours for business, THORNTON WHBATL1Y. •mi-tim-Ui.reAwkJjrS-N-lr