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HISTORY OF COVINGTON
By HON. A. D MEADOR.
U 0 N.A.D. MEADOR, Ordinary
Lvington L was first laid out as the
site of Xewton county, in 1822,
krst name was Newtonboro, but
changed to Covington after a few
Lfjis. named in honor of Captain
Won of Revolutionary fame. It
Seated on the Dried Indian creek,
piles east of Atlanta, Georgia, on
•Georgia railroad, and obtained its
charter in 1-822. It was first or
zwl under a commission form of
rnment, wiiicli was changed by act
lie Legislature of 1822, and since
time has been governed under a
nr and Council. It is located on
lee or water shed about half way
een the Alcovv and Yellow rivers,
was not t lie first county site of
county, the first being laid off at
is now known as Brick Store, but
one court was held at that place,
lit was moved to its present-loca¬
le of the first acts of its citizens
to establish an academy (which
incorporated by the General As
lly in 1822 .
Je following is a list of the first
jers. to-wif : Cary Wood, the first
|hant. owned and operated the first
where, or near where, the home
Ir. Luke Robinson stands, living in
store, but not for long, as lie built
■first store on the square, on the
ler now occupied by the T. C.
pn Company.
brace J. Rates seteled where H. D.
Jell now lives. Richard King where
Callaway and E. W. Fowler re
Biehard Burns where S. P
upson resides. Dr. Slack where
first Rit|>t ist church Is now locat
[Col. Richard Sims, Mrs. A. R.
ns' home: Col. Usher, the present
‘ °f •!. F. Henderson; the home of
[Swann was settled by Cary Wood.
|e J .T. Floyd where Mr. Heard now
p: McCormick Neal, the present
■ot R. W. Clark; Mae Allen Batts
h Mrs. Jennie Camp lives; an
pan Well’s by the name of Finnagin, C.
Wnt home; John Haris, Sr..
home of Mrs. E. F. Ed
p McCormick Neal, Sr., now B
pis home; Mrs. 0. F. Shepherd
■ settled hy the Rev. D. Saunders.
P Harris. Sr., later settled where
Turner now lives; Tsaae P. Hen
P. now owned by E. O. Tiee:
p* F. Jones wliere Dr. ,T. A.
jilt now lives; a Mr. Hall, where
I.unsford lives, owned hy F. D.
Hooper where H. D. Bush re
r ‘f"! 111 P. Carr nil what is now
|n as Corley Hill, now owned hy
Pickett ; Dr. Conyers settled
"• H. Pickett resides; Pem
Bcym-lds die present liome of
| M ifite : (\ y> Pace near the C.
H R. depot ; n Mr. Davis where
iStephenson now lives; W. P. And
Mhehome of G, D. Butler; a Mr.
l N " n the 1:, line of Mrs. V. Cook;
1 Zachary, tlie home of the late
s J. Echols; Judge W. D. Luck-
1 home of tlie late .Tames M. Pace;
P an Heval. a Jew, tlie present
) of M. r Roberts; Wilson Con
i r ' fi "ut of t tie Methodist ehureli.
Hied by N. s. Turner; Alfred
P»- Hie old It. M. Everett home
°'' n ‘‘'l Hy Dr. Samuel Bryant.
P'i'lcd th-M- f,, r many years.
P 1 lenderson built the
r hom “ of R. I. Weaver; S. N.
P ll! ^u„w owned by E. H. Mobley,
laimai Labor School was built
W|ted from 1822 to 1836. where
the Vl °rac of Col. W. W. Clark’s
Brow fi. now the Presbyterian
■^dgp Williamson, at tlie cor
Hriidriek and Floyd streets.
' itpiev! 1-v Dr. J. B. Hendricks.
' ' !im P, in front of B. F. Reed
r,,| i street.
d 18\;, u tlie Georgia Railroad
rucks to Covington, and the
1,1 nevr life, many new¬
comers moving here.
In 1851-2 the Southern Masonic
Female College obtained a charter and
was located here, and for a long time
took its stand among the leading col¬
leges of the South for young ladies,
and was disorganized about 1885 or
1886. W here it stood, now stands a
commodious and modern public school
building, an honor to any city. Many
young women graduated from this fa¬
mous institution, who made fame for
themselves as educators.
Covington was incorporated as city
in 1852-4 hy an act of the General As¬
sembly. The court house up to 1856
stood in the center of the Square, and
was built of wood; it was then moved
near where the present structure now
stands, and was built of brick, latci
destroyed hy fire, when the present
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NEWTON COUNTY’S COURT HOU SE AT COVINGTON.
structure was built In 1884
Tlie first brick building to be used
for stores was built and is now stand
ing near the court house owned hy N.
8. Turner, and built in 1857; the next
was built by a Mr. Murrell, and is now
owned by the estate of J. W. Ander¬
son. occupied by the Bank of Newton
'ounty and Fowler Bros., Co., general
merchants.
Covington lias always been strictly
in agricultural town, and previous to
1855 drew its trade from Jasper, Butts
and Morgan eountesi there being no
railroads accessible, all freight was
largely handled through this point.
Covington, during tlie Civil war, fur¬
nished her part of her young manhood
who went to tlie front, many crown¬
ing themselves with bravery at the
battle front. During the days of recon¬
struction she. like all towns of the
south, suffered much, but fortitude and
courage pulled her through, and she
lias been steadily growing since.
OUR ELECTRIC CAR
In 1873 the Covington and Oxford
Street Railroad was incorporated, but
was never built until 1888; it has
been successfully operated since that
time. Tlie first bank, known as the
Covington Savings Bank, was incor¬
porated Imt was not a success. Some
private hanking was carried cn until
1890-1, when the Clark Banking Com¬
pany was incorporated and did a suc¬
cessful banking business for several
years, when it was merged into the
Bank of Newton County, now being
one of the leading institutions of the
city and county.
Tlie Bank of Covington was organiz¬
ed in 1901. and now has a capital stock
of $100,000.00. In 1907 tlie First Nat¬
ional Bank of Covington was organized
with a capital stock of $ 40 , 000 . 00 ; all
of these banks are in a flourishing con¬
dition. doing a thriving business.
Three beautiful parks adoru the city,
THE COVINGTON NEWS, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1915.
Central Park, Cumberland Park and
Academy Springs Park.
Dur public schools have a white at¬
tendance of near 400, with near this
number in the colored schools. We
have paved sidewalks on our principal
Streets, electric lights and water, which
trives us every convenience.
riieie are two hotels and several
hoarding houses where reasonable
hoard can he obtained for all classes.
We Boast of one of the best and most
modern small hotels, just ojiened in
July last, known as tlie Hotel Delaney.
The city of Covington proper now
extends from the center of town one
mile each way, making it two miles
in diameter, and in the shape of a
circle.
Our public school system draws its
apportionate share of public school
money directly from the state, and
the balance for school purposes by di¬
rect taxation, under the supervision of
a school board of six persons, two of
whose terms expire each year.
In 1897, under local option, Newton
county and Covington were voted dry
and have ever since been a dry county
and city. Much more rapid improve¬
ment lias gone on during this time than
had ever before, all business conditions
are better, and while whiskey is ship
lied here, and some is sold illegally,
still since i rohdiition has been in
force, drunkeness has decreased at
least forty per cent in the city, and
b ull city and <*o tnty ha-* beep greatly
benfitted, morally and financially.
Nine whiskey shops flourished here be¬
fore prohibition was enforced.
In 1896 what is now known as a
branch of the Central of Georgia Rail¬
way was completed, connecting with
the main line of the Central of Geor¬
gia from Atlanta to Savannah at Gor-
don, giving us two lines of roads.
About 1907 or 1908, the Newton
County Oil Mill was organized and
located near the Georgia Railroad
depot and has been in successful op¬
eration since that time. It has ,'a
capital stock of about $50,000.00.
We have two white Baptist churches
and two colored; two white Methodist
and two colored; one white Christian
and one white Presbyterian church; all
of which are in live and flourishing
condition with good Sunday Schools.
Oxford, the seat of Emory College,
is one mile north: Porterdale, where
one of the largest manufacturing
plants for making twine is situated,
is three miles southwest, consuming
on an average of about 60 hales of
cotton i>er day; much of whose trade
is given to our merchants. The Cov¬
ington Mills, located just outside the
|g
HON. R, E. EVERITT.
Mayor of Covington
He will welcome the W. C. T. U.
Wednesday evening.
city limits on the east with 27,000
spindles', for the manufacture of fine
grades of cloth.
We boast of the very best health
conditions, and know we have the most
beautiful little city to be found any¬
where, with the highest moral condi¬
tions. and its gates stand open to all
good and right thinking people w ho
wish to enter.
Yours truly,
A. D. MEADOR.
THE NOONTIDE HOUR.
Those outside of the membership do
not know that the World’s Woman
Christian Temperance Union is a pray¬
er circle around the world.
Every woman who joins is asked to
pray for the triumph of our cause at
the noon-tide hour and as,
“It is always noon-tide somewhere
Across the awakening continent.
From shore to shore, somewhere
Our prayers are rising evermore.”
A perpetual petition to God for de¬
liverance form the great enemy of the
home.
BELLA A. DU,EAR.
COVINGTON MILL CHURCHES
METHODIST.
Rev. A. B. Caldwell, Monroe, Ga,,
Pastor.
Preaching every third Saturday
night at 7:30. Sunday morning at
11, and Sunday night at 7:30 o’clock.
Ladies Missionary Society meets
every second Sunday ar four o’clock.
Prayer Meeting Union meets at
church every Wednesday night at 7.
Cottage Prayer Meeting Union
BAPTIST.
Rev. C. E. Smith, Mansfield, Ga.,
Pastor.
Preaching every first Saturday night
at 7:30. Sunday mo ning at 11, and
Sunday night at 7 :30 o’clock.
Ladies Missionary Society meet
every second Sunday at four o’clock.
Covington Mill Sunday School Union
meets every Sunday at Three o’clock.
Visitors invited to meet with us.
S. I. Day, Superintendent
DR. THOS. SIMS IIOLLEYMAN
Physician and Surgeon
Covington, Ga.
Office in Fowler Bldg. Office Phone No
168. Night Phone No. 169-1, .
FOR SALE.
One twenty-horse power Ohio Gas¬
oline Engine in first-class running or¬
der. For further particulars, apply to
DR. H. C. ELLIS,
McDonough, Ga.
FOR SALE.
Six shares in Bank of Covington
and three shares in Bank of Newton
County, at hook value.
W. L. ADAIR,
508 Third National Bank Bldg,
Atlanta, Ga.
FITZHUGH LEE
LAWYER
Abstract and Collecting Work
Solicited.
Room 18 Star Building.
NOTICE.
Library hours from 3 to 5 o'clock
Wednesdays and Saturdays.
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MRS. LELLA A DILLARD. > ' ' v-vAs
.
of Oxford, Vice-President and for most
of this year acting President of the
Georgia Woman’s Christian Temper¬
ance Union, also tlie College Secretary.
in her home and official life, Mrs.
Dillard is the embodiment of that love
about which St. Paul wrote in that
great love chapter in Corinthians
which “is kind, en'vieth not, is not
puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not
easily provoked, rejoiceth not in in¬
iquity, but rejoieetli in the truth,
believth, hopetli, endureth, all
WOMAN’S CLUB HERE
HAS DONE SOMETHING
It’s History Is Part of Covington’s Growth
and This City Is Proud of
the Club.
In the Spring of 1895 a few ladies
met at the residence of Mrs. J, M.
Pace and effected an organization,
which the} named the Floricultural
Clnli of Covington, tlie object of which
was to be the yard beautiful and pub¬
lic flower exhibits at stated intervals.
This club continued for a year and
the members finding so much pleasure
in it. the scope was enlarged to a
greater number.
At this (ime (lie Woman’s club
movement was increasing with such
enthusiastic energy, that this little
hand- joined tlieir forces in the fall
of 1896 and changed its name to the
Woman’s Club of Covington, its motto:
“strength united is stronger,” its col-
A Library that Carnegie Did not Help Build.
ors, pink and w hite and its flower, the
Chrysanthemum.
The meetings were held-in the homes
of the members and much of the social
life of th(> town centered around the
club.
Good women are not selfish crea¬
tures and are only happy when they
are doing something that will bring
th«' greatest good to the greatest num¬
ber of people, and this little hand of
women had a vision of a library, a real
living library that would become one
of the factors in the community’s life.
Of course they organized with a few
book shelves, filled with 125 books,
which represented tlieir first purchase.
Friends soon loaned and gave other
liooks. until there was quite a good
deal from which to select.
For several years this library was
cared for by first one and then another
of these ladies, acting as librarian two
PAGE SEVEN
things.”
It is delightful}' evident that she has
“fed of the dainties that are bred in a
book,” in addition to feasting on The
Bread of Life.
Magnifying her office as Vice-Presi¬
dent, capable as acting President, and
as college secretary, rendering such
fine services as to distinguish her in
the National Union.
Among the white ribbon sisterhood
of Georgia, “Better loved she can na
be.”
afternoons of each week without
charge. Oftener than otherwise the
librarian would take her own coal and
kindling and make her ow r n fires.
A lot with a small house was finally
selected, and by unusual energy, and
concentrated effort, is was paid for
in four months. The club then moved
into her own humble little home and
remained there until January, 1915, at
whicli time it was unanimously voted
by a club membership of 60 women to
put $2,500.00 into a brick building.
The cherished goal being reached when
tlie Free and Accepted Masons offi¬
ciated at the laying of the corner stone
April 14, 1915.
It is a pleasure to pay tribute to
that first little band of w’omen who
had courage enough to blaze the way,
and hew out the path that has made
it possible for the Woman’s Club to
lay at the feet of Covington this splen¬
did library.
But while we are giving honor to
whom honor is due, we would not for¬
get the many, many kindnesses shown
us hy every citizen of the town, and
had it not been for the European war,
depressing so particularly the south,
we would have had the indebtedness
entirely removed, as quite enough
had been subscribed.
W’e know the citizens of Covington
well enough to know that when they
have forgotten the financial depression
of 1914 and 1915 they will remember
the little library on the comer, for
tile club women of 1915 have a vision
of a fund for new r books and a paid
librarian.
