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VOL. 45. No. 47. REV, L C, MIXON, THE OLDEST LIVING TEACHER IN NEWTON COUNTY. 1 No citizen of Newton county has . ever served his day and generation more faithfully than this veteran teacher. We had the pleasure of a visit to his home a few days ago and found him enjoying good health for one of his years. 2. The data which we give herewith is taken largely from an article by G. W. W. Stone, appearing in the April number of the Emory Phoenix and republished in a subsequent issue of the Covington News. 3. Asbnry Coke Mixon, named for Bishops Asbury and Coke, was born twelve miles south of Covington in Newton County in 1824. His parents, Elisha and Charlotte Mixon, moved to Oxfoid in 1837, building one of the first, houses in the town. 4. At the age of fifteen he began his preparation for College under Dr. Meli, who afterwards became chan¬ cellor of the State University. In two years young Mixon was ready to enter Km >ry College and matricula ted in the summer of 1841, and grad¬ uated in July 1815. Those who member his College days say that his work was characterized by scholarship uad fidelity to every duty. 5. In this class of 1845 the first honor was shared by C. C. Richards and W. H. Chambers, who afterwards became men of note in Alabama. Second lienor was taken by J. J. Jones, who became amembrr of Con¬ gress. Mr. Mixon took third honor. The winning of an honor in this class is all the more significant when we remember that Judge L. Q. C. Lamar was one of its members. 6. After graduation Mr. Mixon se¬ cured a position as Assistant teacher in Talbot County School. Later he taught at Monticello and Jackson. He was licensed as a Methodist Min¬ ister in 1848 and was afterwards or¬ dained deacon and elder. 7. In 1886 he bought and moved back to the old homestead, where he was born and now lives there. After having continued the work of teach¬ ing forty-four years, he left off in 1895, not so much because of any fee¬ bleness, but because he felt that he couldn’t give the work the same strenuous attention which he had given it in his younger days, and hence could not conscientiously con¬ tinue “in harness.” 8. While in a reminiscent mood Mr. Mixon discussed with us many things Livingston. Mr. Will Hardeman made a busi¬ ness trip to Atlanta last week. Mr. Earnest Black, of Conyers, was here last week, the guest of his pa¬ rents, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Black. We are glad to note the convalesc¬ ence of Miss Ola Hicks, who has for the past two months been critically ill of typhoid fever. Mr. G. W. Loyd, of Washington • D. C., is on an extended visit to his daughter, Mrs. Belle Blanton. Miss Lueile Hicks, who is teaching in Reinhart college, Waleska, Ga., will return this week to the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. T. W. Hicks to spend the holidays. Messrs. Homer Bryant and Law¬ rence Turner, of Henry county, were visitors to our community recently. Where flowers bloom, bees hum. Miss Fay Baker has accepted a position in the school at Magnet, in Rockdale county and has entered upon her duties as teacher. Several of our young people who are away at school are expected home this week to spend the Christmas va¬ cation. Among those expected are, •Hisses Maude King and Mary Lucy Hollingsworth, of Athens, Miss Byrd Gibson, of Atlanta, and Mr. Ruby Hull and Miss Nellie Morris, of Wa¬ leska. The county convicts jire encamped in this community now and the roads in this section are being put in excel l e nt condition. Hills are being cut down, rough roads are being smooth¬ ed, and iu many places new roads are made to take the places of old ones which are difficult to travel, A num ber of our enterprising citizens have aided the progress both with their teams and labor, and travel in this section will ere long be a joy as well as a thing of beauty. No Christmas Issue. As has been customery heretofore there will be no Christmas issue of 5 his paper, but look out for the first S8UG of the New Year to be the best, ' Hat has appeared in several months. r~ rHE ENTERPRISE of inter est. We were particularly im l )re9sed with his characterization of Mr - Lamar > his class-mate at Emory College. When asked if Mr. Lamar 8 ave unusual promise as a student Mr. Mixon replied that his work in ^he class room was by no means bril liant > but that Mr. Lamar’s forte was 3,9 bebater. It seems too that he was a young man of unwavering purpose and determination. 9. As we shall write more fully at a later time with reference to Mr. La¬ mar’s life, it is not necessary to con¬ tinue at length here, further than to add that Mr. Taft in his speech here this year remarked that when he (Mr. Taft) was a young lawyer, no one proved such a inspiration to him as did Judge Lamar. i ' m . V a. h; ~» . Sg/;, si m ' :W j. t'. ■s ’ >j i ■, '.if \., ■ l * £:*j, m -v. T 10. In the conversation when Mr. Mixon was asked if as a matter of choice, he would like to retrace his days and live his life over again, his answer was that he might for one reason and only one if at all; to do better work than he had done in his calling. Said he, “If I were to live my life over again, I sl^iuld take just as little thought of fame as I have done all of these years.” 11. In so brief sketch of Mr. Mixon no enconium is at all necessary for the life of this sweet spirited man is an open book, for in his work as a teach¬ er and as a preacher his personality has left its impress upon thousands unto whom he has so unselfishly min¬ istered. Hayston. On account of the inclemency of the weather the congregation was rather small at the Baptist church Sunday. Miss Myrtiee Morgan and brother of Starrsville attended church here Saturday night. Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Hays an¬ nounce the arrival of a fine boy. Mis9 Lily Weatherly, of Porterdale, spent Saturday with her sister, Miss Pearl Weatherly. Mrs. J. M. Loyd, of Rutledge, is visiting her daughter, Mrs. Harvey Hays. The school closes at this place on the 23rd until the first Monday in January. Cards are out announcing the mar¬ riage of Mr. Ethridge Hays of this place aud Miss Althea Hodgius of Mansfield. Mr. Joe Greer, of Griffin, came up to see his brother, Mr. B. F. Greer, Friday. Mr. and Mrs. L. O. Piper went to Covington shopping Saturday. Mr. W. R. Greer spent Sunday ev¬ ening with his brother, Mr. Tom Greer of Mansfield. Mrs. Hubert Gunn and sister Miss Mittie Kennedy, of Dixie, spent last Wednesday "with Miss Norah Hays. Mr. Parks Darby left this morning for a visit to Fitzgerald. We are sorry to chronicle the ill¬ ness of Mrs. A. L. Jackson. Mr. Tom Greer of the Agricultural college at Monroe, will arrive Satur¬ day to spend the holidays with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Greer. See the beautiful silks at cut price at C. C. Robinson's, while Pre-In¬ ventory Sale lasts. —8 packages of celluloid starch for 25 cents at C. C. Robinson’s. Buy “Just Wright” Shoes for mel They look well, wear well, and fit well. For sale at C. C. Robinson’s. COVINGTON, GEORGIA, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1909. A Commendable Example of Public Spirit. The effort of the ladies of Coving¬ ton last week, through the bazaar to raise additional funds for the Library, shows their interest in the movement, and their determination to have a building that will be a credit to the town. A charter was granted to the Li¬ brary Association several months ago, a building site bought and pay¬ ments made thereon by installments until every cent of the purchase price was paid some time ago. The next work is to raise adequate funds to erect a suitable building. As the ladies not only established the present Library several years ago —a mere nucleus for the larger move¬ ment ahead—but have actually MAINTAINED it without outside help, we believe that the public-spiri¬ ted pitizens of the town will not only feel more interest in the movement than heretofore, but that they will feel in the right place—their pockets. Sophomore Football Banquet. Last Tuesday night Dr. Peppier en¬ tertained the Sophomore football teai a + a banquet a the Stewart House. The members gathered in the parlors at eight o’clock and went to the din¬ ing room which was beautifully dec¬ orated in pennants and Sophomore colors, blue and white. There a course dinner w r as served. Toasts res¬ ponded to by every man present, and a jolly good time wa» enjoyed by all. Twenty men were present including the coach. After stories had been told and everyone had enjoyed him¬ self to the fullest limit, Dr. Peppier was presented with a handsome book case as a token from the class and team of their appreciation of his ser¬ vices. Charles Middlebrooks was reelected captain of the team. He is one of the best players.in college and made half-back on the All-Emory this year and last. Sometime after twelve the men came ont and gave three rous¬ ing cheers for Dr. Peppier and the team of 1912. Junior Football Banquet Oxford, Ga., Dec. 14, 1909—An event indelibly printed on the mem¬ ory of all present was the Junior Football banquet given by Prof. G. P. Shingler, Jr. at his house on Fri¬ day evening Dec. 10th. On arrival the “1911” men were ushered into the tastefully decorated parlor which was brightly illuminated by the broad smile of Prof. Shingler; a smile before which the famous “Taft smile” fades in comparison. After a cheerful hour the doors leading into the dining room were thrown open. Over the table long rolls of red and black, the class col¬ ors, hung from ceiling to floor. On the plates were the favors, red and black penants, on which were painted girls holding footballs marked “1911” There, between each of the six courses, toasts were heard from six or seven and good they were, giving the minds of those present a feast approaching the sumptious dinner served. After dinner a handsome silver charger, bearing the inscription “G. P. Shingler, Jr. from the class of 1911” was presented by Manager J. B. Brown in the name of the class to our coach. Prof. Shingler gave a splendid talk the burden of which was “Pull with the other fellow and not wholly for yourself.” Then cigars were served and music rendered by Mr. O. N. David. The ten or twelve songs prepared by the “Junior Football team Quartette” were well sung and immensely en¬ joyed. At all times Prof. Shingler was the center of attraction and the life of the occasion. Great credit is due him for the well arranged program and for the most delightful evening and the boys are worthy of commen¬ dation for their thoroughly gentle - manly conduct, After a business session, in which Mr. B. B. Crane w T as elected Captain for the 1910 sea¬ son, the happy group took their leave singing heartily “Vive la-mour, Vive la-mour, Vive la Shingler. G. S. R. Mt. Zion Dots. Misses Ola Edwards and Belle Ow¬ ens and Mr. Oscar Owens spent Sat¬ urday and Sunday in Atlanta. Mrs. W. B. Mann and daughter, Miss Elina, spent Saturday in Oxford with Mrs. S. T. Sandling. Miss Loyce Eubanks is spending the week with her sister, Mrs, Mamie Kimble. DEVELOPMENT AND GOOD OF OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM. In our article in the last issue we were made to say the Act discussed viz: Legislation providing funds for the education of the poor was passed in 1862. Should have read 1852. We find that inasmuch as the poor would not avail themselves of this fund, some in exceptional cases, teachers were accustomed to draw on this fund only after failing to collect the regular tuition and by reason of the fact that hardly any county com¬ plied with the_ requirements as to keeping lists of the eligible poor chil¬ dren, a special act usually proved the only way to meet the situation. For instance the following approved Dec. 16, 1860: “Be it enacted that the Ordinary of Newton county be and he is hereby required to pay over to Samuel Lindsay for teacher of the poor in Newton county the sum of |60 which is still due and unpaid.” As mentioned heretofore, later in the 50’s the Board of Education were em¬ powered to disburse the school fund not merely as a pauper fund but in such a way as to best promote the cause of education in their respective counties. The war and conditions resulting from those bloody years of . the 6l)’s interfered with the working j out of even a crude system of public | schools, but in 1870 was passed an act which as amended in 1871 and slightly modified from time to time has given us our present system. This act provided for count} boards on the basis of one person from each militia district and each incorporated town. Schools to be in session three months. If open a shorter time de¬ nied the right to participate in public ' funds. Poll tax, one half the net earnings J of the W. & A. Ry., taxes arising from sale of liquors, to be the main j share of revenue for maintenance of public school system thus established. We fiiqjl from minutes on file that in pursuance of the Act of 1870 the first Board of Education of Newton county met at the court house in Covington on Thursday the 7 th of February 1871 for the purpose of or¬ ganizing. The following members who had been previously elected and commissioned were present: Henry Quigg (Downs); Henry L. Graves (Brick Store); A. J. Webb (Rocky Plains); J. J. Dearing (Cov¬ ington); Thomas C. Davis (Gaithers); L. S. Mann (Wyatts); C. S. Thomas (Town District); Henry Gaither (Ox¬ ford); A. C. Mixon (Brewers); T. W. Merriwether (Bald Rock); L. M. Brown (Stansells). Dr. J. J. Dearing was elected president and Mr. W. T. Shaw secretary or County School Commissioner. As the school law provided that ap¬ plicants to teach appear before the entire Board of Education for exami¬ nation “in open court”—Newton county having then upon motion of the Brick Store member, Mr. Graves, it was resolved that whenever a lady applied to be examined for license to teach, if it be her wish that three members of the Board together with the County School Commissioner be appointed as an examining comm ittee. Mr. Graves evidently surmised that it would take a super abundance of “nerve” for a lady applicant to un¬ dergo the ordeal of an oral examina¬ tion in the presence of thirteen Board members. Incidentaily it may be mentioned here that the expression so current in this state “to go before the Board” in the sense of taking an examination, has its origin in the above mentioned requirement as to examinations. A few years later thi9 dety was delegated to the County School Commissioner. Data will be given in next article with reference to operation of public school system in Newton county first years after establishment of the system. A. H. FOSER, C. S. C. Miss Delia Mitcham, of Oxford, is at Mrs. Jim Cook’s. Mr. and Mrs. R. D. Dial and Mr. and Mrs. Will Owens spent Sunday at Mrs. Jim Cook’s. Mr. W. F. Bentley, of Atlanta, spent Sunday here. He will move his family to Atlanta next week. Mr. and Mrs. Joe Plunkett, of De¬ catur are at Mr. T. J. Edward’s home. Mr. R. E. Everitt, one of the most progressive furniture dealers in this section, is now running a big furni¬ ture sale at his store in the Pickett building. He has a page advertise ment ln this issue of the paper and prices he is quoting the goods at are considered very reasonable. $1.00 PRR YEAR IN ADVANCE. KEEP WHAT YOU REAP Good Crops, High Prices For your produce are of no lasting ben¬ efit if you spend every year all that they hring you. Make your successful harvest do more than carry you until the next one. Deposit the proceeds of this crop with us and r heck it out as your needs require it and see to it that there is a surplus at the end of a year’s time. A CLEAR PROFIT ON YOUR BUSINESS We will keep your money safe, give you every consistent accommo¬ dation and co-operate with you in every way possible to make * your farm pay you greater dividends than it has ever done before. Dal 1 to -"/■v/% ^S. FIRS I NATIONAL BANK Covington, Ga. I New Backet Store Spot Cash! One Price! Big Values! Christmas Goods are here and will be on exhibition after December 1 st. Come early and avoid big rush. [ have added many new lines and more will follow. New goods of season arriving every few days. Yours truly, J. I. GUINN, Covington, Ga. o LUNSFORD&MILNER o © o o OF COVINGTON o Have secured the ageucy for TEXACO ROOFING, made, and guaranteed in WRITING by THE TEX S o OIL COMPANY. o Wc buy in car lots and can save you the mfddle 4) ^ man’s profit. 49 ^ This roofing is Fire, Acid and Weather Proof. o ^ SATISFACTION GUARANTEED or YOUR MONEY REFUNDED 49 49 49 ©S©©SSS©© © ©©SS©©(5 EARNEST PARKER INSURANCE AND REAL ESTATE Liife, Fire, Health and Accident Insurance Written. Farm Lands ann city property bought and sold. Office 21 Star Building.