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About The Henry County weekly. (McDonough, GA.) 18??-1934 | View Entire Issue (April 24, 1908)
In, 1824 there were three lawyers in McDonough, Mr. Tuggle, Arthur Patton and Mr. Steel. At that time Dr. Tuggle was the only physician in the place. The fol lowing year Dr. Stokes came to (McDonough. Mr. Minor in 1828 edited a paper called the Jacksonian and it is claim ed that this was the first paper in the United States that put the name of General Andrew Jackson in nomina tion for the presidency. One of the most fiendish crimes ever committed around McDonough was the cold blooded murder of his wife by a man named Jarrell. He was the first white man ever hung in Henry Coun ty. The gallows was erected on Birch Creek near the Carmichael home. In 1830 a negro was hung on the left side of the Covington road in the field of Mrs. Charles Walker, and was guarded to his death by a horse com pany under the command of Col. Ben nirg, the father of Capts. Theodore and Augustus Benning of the English marine. The Gallows Field owned by Mrs. Annie Nolan, now used as a ball ground, received its name from the hanging there of a negro by the name of Cummings. At one time McDonough was one of the most important towns of middle Georgia. The Georgia and the West ern and Atlantic railroads were sur veyed to this point forming a junctioni where the old jail house or present court house now stands. But the peo ple violently objected to the roads and they were never built. Many of the inhabitants soon afterwards mov ed to Griffin or Hampton so as to have the advantages and conveniences of a railroad. Several handsome houses were torn down and moved by wagons to Griffin. Where Mr. J. B. Newman has just built, Mr. Billie White had a house torn down and car ried to Griffin. Dr. Bean moved a two story house that stood on Dr. Scott’s lot. Mr. Burns a two story house that was situated north of the Brown House. Almost opposite Mrs. Tye’s residence George Clark lived and his house was .among the number moved. Mrs. Stanley moved a handsome resi lence which stood on the site of Mrs. Julia McDonald's home. Among those who taught our par ents and grand parents, were Mrs. Marguret Turner, Mrs. Stokes, Aunt Kate Piper, Miss Maggie Candler, Miss Olive Markham, Miss Mattie Cox, Miss Mary Ray, Mr. Hatch, Mr. Shumate, Mr. A. M. Campbell, Mr. R. L. Campbell and Mr. Newton. The editors of a Students Journal written by the school boys in 1855 were L. S. Jenkenes, Thos. Stokes, Wm. Sloan, L. W. Jarrell, J. B. Man son, Wm. Lowe, J. W. Dailey, John Foster, E. S. Tomlinson and John Doyai. I regret that space will not allow the copying of seme of the ar ticles written in this Journal. The large wooden school building erected where our present school building stands was destroyed by fire soon after the war. I have now reached a period which many of cur old people can remember and will mention briefly some of the public men of that time. Dr. L. M. Tye was graduated from the Medical college at Augusta, Geor gia, and immediately began to prac tice his profession in McDonough. For thirty-five years he lived in the town, loved and honored by all who knew him. Twice he was elected to the General Assembly of Georgia. In 1877 he was elected by the citizens of the 34th Senatorial district as one of the delegates for remodeling the Constitution. For McDonough’s safe ty during Sherman’s raid, we are in debted to Dr. Tve’s diplomacy in handling some sick federal soldiers. Only one house was destroyed, Mr. Dan Nolley’s situated in the eastern part of the town. Dr. Tye married Miss M. Crockett, whose home was two ar.d one-half miles north of Mc- Donough. Mr. John Crockett moved to Henry county in 184 b. Judge Able A. Lemon, when quite a boy, came to McDonough to procure an education. He was cf German ex traction. His father moved to Geor gia from South Carolina in 1813 and settled on the Ocmulgee. This home still remains in the family. Judge Lemon married Miss Minerva Mann in 1847. Early in life he was selected for official station and without an in termission was in public service to the day of his death. For twenty years or more he was worshipful mas ter over Fraternal Lodge No. 37 F. A. M. He was ordinary of the coun ty for a number of years and was hold ing the office at the time of his death. Judge Thos. M. Speer came to Mc- Donough in the fall of 1852. For a term of years he was one of the judges of the inferior court. In 1857 he mov ed from McDonough to the Jno. M. Dorsey farm, subsequently known as the Speer farm. This home was known throughout the country as the "Floating Place.” It is two miles from McDonough on the Flippen road. Six of Judge Speer’s sons fought in the Confederate Army. Mr. Levy Turner was reared near Turner Church. In 18H5 he moved to town, and lived in the house after wards known as the Geo. M. Nolan home, which stood at the corner of Nolan street and Brown’s avenue. Mr. Turner's wife was a Miss Harper, whose father was one of the pioneer settlers of the county and lived near McMullen bridge. Mr. Turner was sheriff, also judge of the county court for many years. The last years of his life were spent in a house which stood where Mrs. Cam Turner no\v lives. When quite a small boy Mr. Turner helped to clear the ground upon which the first court house was built. Mr. Alexander Price came to Henry county in 1833 and built a beautiful home four miles north of McDonough. The family were originally from Vir ginia. They made good soldiers in the Confederate army. Some of the descendants are now living near Flip pen. Judge Q. R. Nolan was a graduate of Emory and Henry College, Virginia, and Yale University. He located in McDonough in 1846, and married An toinette Campbell. Judge Nolan held different offices of public trust during his life. He was county school com missioner, ordinary of the county and was on Governor Brown’s staff. He bought Dr. Gordon's home, which was afterwards known as the Nolan home and stood where Mr. Pullen is now erecting a beautiful residence. Mr. Geo. M. Nolan, the late mayor of Jack sonville, Fla., was his brother, and for many years he also lived in Mc- Donough, and served the county as ordinary. The Copeland family of Henry coun ty are of English origin moving here from South Carolina in 1826. Mr. W. M. Copeland was a great friend of Joe Brown’s and serv ed in the seigs of Atlanta, also Savan nah. He married Miss Mary A. Green, a daughter of one of the original set -1 lea b. Mr. .T. M. Carmichael moved to Hen ry County about 1849, settling three miles west of the town. He was fath er of the Carmichael family now scat tered over Georgia and Texas. Of Mr. J. M. Carmichael there are now nine ty-six living descendants. The great grandfather, William Carmichael fought in the Revolutionary war. William Berry moved to Henry county in 1836 and settled eight miles west of McDonough. For a number of years he served as justice of the peace of the Sixth district. During the civil war he represented the county in the legislature. His oldest daughter mar ried William Markham and moved to the Brown House in McDonough. It was while Mrs. Markham was living there that his daughter, Mrs. Robert ,J. Lowry, of Atlanta, was born. Mr. Markham built the Speer homestead. John Wnrd moved from Pufnam county in 1845. At first he lived in the western part of the county near Love joy. Later he moved to the old Doss place nine miles west of McDonough, and afterwards moved to Stockbridge. His wife was Miss Margaret Berry. Mr. Ward was prominent in the af fairs of the county. Maxwell Berry married Miss Hattie Key, of McDonough in 1853. He moved to Atlanta in 1854. S. W. Berry was born in 1828. He with his family and brother, J. A. Berry, was killed in 1864 at the battle of Decatur, Alabama. John Stilwell lived four miles south of McDonough on the Jackson road. He came to Henry county about 1830. James Knott was proprietor of the Mansion Hotel, now known as the Dunn Hotel. His son, Mr. David Knott, and Mr. Allen Turner, built the brick store now standing on the west side of the square. Dr. Edward Knott, and her son, acquired quite a reputa tion as a physician and for a while had a drug store in front of the Tye res idence, known as “Knott and Tye.” Mr. Healy married Miss Olive Mark ham while living in McDonough. He moved to Atlanta from here and ac quired considerable property. Mr. Tom Johnson had a son drowned in the “Big Spring.” This happened while he was living at the Cleveland house. Oliver W. Cox came to Henry coun ty in the early thirties and settled in McDonough where he engaged in the mercantile business in the building re cently occupied by Mr.' Cam Turner. At one time he owned the plantation known as “White Chimneys.” He married Miss Harvey, of McDonough. In 1840 he was elected senator. His brother, John M. Cox, came to McDon ough in 1838. He also went into the mercantile business and for a number f years was proprietor of the hotel which stood on the southeast corner of the square. While living here he owned the plantation now known as the Daily place. Mr. D. H. Wall came to Henry coun ty when quite a boy. He married Miss Margaret Rosser, the daughter of one of the earliest settlers. They made their home near Locust Grove and the old homestead is still occupied by their descendants. Benjamin and Burton Crabbe moved from Wilkes county to Henry county in the early thirties. Benjamin settled near Shingleroof campground. For many years he was tax receiver for the county. Burton was proprietor of a hotel in McDenough. His son, James, owned the only carriage and buggy repair shop in the town. This shop stood on the present site of the McDonough Buggy Factory, James’ first wife was Miss Crabbe, his second v. ife was Miss Harrell. The Clements family were originally from Virginia. David Clements came from there here scon after this coun ty was organized, and took a promi nent part in the early settlement of the town. His home was on the spot where the Presbyterian church now stands. Mr. Clements owned the first gin that wqs ever run in Henry coun ty. After residing in the town for a number of years he moved to his plan tation on Walnut Creek. Jonathan J. Brannon was born in 1830. He married Miss Barbary Crumb ley in 1851. Mr. Brannon was an of ficer in the Confederate army, was captured at Knoxville, Tennessee, and oied while in captivity. Mr. John Dailey first lived at the old Nolly homestead. Later he moved out on his faint two miles north of Mc- Donough where he had a large nur sery. Mr. Daily lost about $30,000 in the old Monroe railroad. Mr. Johnnie Lowe was among the pioneer settlers of McDonough and lived in a house which stood on the I-res nt location of Honorable Paul Turner's residence. Mrs. Pamelia Campbell moved to McDonough in 1848 and lived in the residence now occupied by Mrs. Flor ence Harper. Six of her sons fought in the civil war, one being killed in the battle of Antietam. She was the moth er of the late Dr. Campbell, also moth er of Rev. A. M. Campbell, deceased, whose wife is now a missionary in Korea. Miss Mary Ray came to McDonough from Philadelphia and was one of our early teachers. She married M- Hall and was the mother of John I. Hall, cf Giiffin. Mr. A. It. Brawn was a merchant. His store stood’between the Cornell house and the old Alec Lemon home on the cast side of the square. For many years he was our postmaster. He came to Henry county in 1873 and mairied Miss Sallie Knott. After Mr. Brown’s death Mrs. Brown ran a hotel la own as the “Brown House.” The Everetts lived near Tye’s resi dence in the house that is now occu- C. rd by Mr. Borders. Mr. Everett is the father of Mrs. Margarett John son. Mr. Adam C. Sloan came to McDon ough when sixteen years of age. His wife was Miss Elizabeth Johnson, sis ter of tx-Governor Johnson. He was e successful business man. Where Mr. BJi'y Bryant lives, Mr. Sloan had a blacksmith shop that became a place for the men to meet and discuss the questions of the day. Hi s eldest son, Thcmas Sloan, was lieutenant-colonel of the Fifty-third Georgia regiment and was killed in the battle of Spar tanburg. Thomas Russell moved here from South Carolina with his family soon after the county wag organ zed He donated the ground upon which Tim berbridge church was built and with the help of Mr. Billie Green, John Thompson and a few others built this church. Sheridan R. Brown was born in 1831. His wife was Miss Mary Lowe. Soon after enl'sting in the army he was elected captain 1 of Company F, Fifty-third Georgia regiment. His com pany took part in the following bat tles: Malvern Hill, Harpers' Ferry, Spartanburg, Salem Church, First Bat tle of the Wilderness, Chancellorsvilie and Gettysburg. Mr. Brown was elect ed mayor, but, on account of a wound received while in battle, was unable to rejoin his command. Mr. W. A. Stewart was born in South Carolina in 1829, but came to Henry county with his father when only four years old. He lived near Wynn's Mill and married Miss Sophia McMullen. Mr. Stewart fought m the war but did not receive the slightest wound. He is now in his eignty-ninth ar. STEPHENS&SPEER; DRUGGISTS i 1 < I —” • , Successors to Smith & Woodman, No. 4 ( ,t King Street. 1 < The Rexall Stores I l • $ First Store \ FIRST STORE in number of Prescriptions. 1 : FIRST in size of General Stock. ;( i FIRST in number of customers. u FIRST in volume of business. FIRST in advantages to customers. I FIRST store from Alcazar and Ponce do Leon Hotels. | ; The Well Stocked ; • DRUG STORE: ) 3 j THIS IS THE PLACE. We carry everything a high-class Drugstore should carry. ) Choice, large assortment of Toilet Articles, Perfumes, ij \ Manicure Goods and Sundries. Sick Room Supplies of every nature. Allopathic and Homeopathic Prescription Specialists. ) Our methods are modern, our service is right. j We invite YOUR trade. '<) _ (i »Agency for } ( Whitman’s and Huyler’s Candies Eaton & hurlbut Stationery Park & Tilford’s imported and Domestic Cigars } Beri Olive Oil Bowden Lithia Water Poland and Clarendon Water ') Hurray’s Oxygen P. D. & Co. Serums and Antitoxins i 1 always on hand. > < Vinol Agency. j) . I j) A full line of Homeopathic Remedies i Rubber Goods, Elastic Stockings , Crutches and Trusses. ') m Prompt Attention | to Mail Orders. US ain t Augustine, Fla. i) SPEER & SPEER (SCI1 > ANI) JACK) ..Printers to the People., McDonough, ga. William H. Peebles lived near Hampton (then known as Bear Creek). He was a practicing physician and left a good practice to enter the Confeder ate army. Soon after he entered the army he was made colonel of the For ty-fourth Georgia regiment. Mr. Pee bles was captured at Spottsylvania Court House. After his release he re turned to his home where he resided until his death. Allen W. Turner was seven years old when his father crossed the Oc mulgee and made a home in tne new r county. For sixty years he lived in Henry county, during which time he became an important factor in politics also a great financier. He died in 1882. In early life he married the daughter of Edward Lowe. His sec ond wife was the daughter of Honor able T. M. Speer.’ Among other families prominent during the early days of our town were Askew, Nolly, McDonald, C’orn nell, Rodyhan, Terry, Setzer, Maxwell Darbey, Hale, Goodwin, Pullen, Glenn, Foster, Tidwell, Fargerson, Calloway, Varner, McDaniel and Bennett. Let me close this hurriedly written, imperfect, sketch, gathered with diffi cnlty from so many sources, with the hope that it will be read with interest by every reader of this issue of the Weekly, and, notwithstanding its crudeness, that it will be valued by the surviving members of the families of whom I have written, since it contains facts which should be known to all of our people, and which shoulu be pre served for future generations. Whites in Cuba Threaten to Bolt. Advices from Havana state that the white faction of Miguelistas headed by Major Jose Castellanos, a gubernato rial aspirant, announces that it will bolt the party if the negro element shall predominate at the primaries. State Election Held in Louisiana. Returns from Tuesday’s state elec tion in Louisiana show that the dem ocratic ticket, headed by J. Y. San ders, for governor, has been elected throughout.