Newspaper Page Text
W .Y. ATKINSON.
A Life Long Friend Writes of the
Incidents of His Career in Boy
hood and Manhooa
To tho Editor of the TeLsriapli:
As the approaching gubernatori
al campaign in Georgia promises
to be an interesting one, aud as
one of the two announced candi
dates is an old Meriwether boy,
a short sketch of him by a life
long friend might prove interest
ing to your readers. The writer
has known Hon. William Yates
Atkinson from his boyhood. He
was born at Oakland, in Meri
wether county, Georgia, on No
vember 11, 1854. His father,
John P. Atkinson, was a native
of Virginia, and moved to Geor
gia, setlled in Meriwether couuty
aud became one of its most
prominent citizens and success
ful farmers. His mother, whose
maiden name was Theodora P.
Ellis, was born in Putnam county,
Georgia. Her father, Dr. Iddo
Ellis, subsequently moved to
Columbus, where the family re
sided for a number of years.
The subject of this sketch is
the sixth of eight children.
John P., the oldest brother, al
though not old enough to enlist
in the Confederate army, left
Emory College, volunteered his
services to his beloved South
land, joined the Eighth Georgia
regiment, marched to the front
and made a true and brave sol
dier. He was mortally wounded
at the first battle of Manassas,
while figLtingwith the Seventh
Georgia regiment under the gal
lant Bartow, having again gone
to the front with the Seventh
after his own regiment had been
ordered to retreat. He has three
sisters, Mrs. Martha Mallory of
Lawrenceville, Va„ Mrs. Mary
Mallory of Concord,Pike county,
Georgia, and Mrs. Lucy A. Ellis,
who lives at the old homestead at
Oakland, Ga. Mr. Theodore E.
Atkinson, who for a number of
years was one of the most promi
nent educators in western Geor
gia, is now a successful merchaut
in Newnan. Hon. T. A. Atkin
son. another brother, who repre
sented Meriwether in the general
assembly in 1882-83, lives in
Greenville and is serving his
second term as solicitor general
of the Coweta circuit. The
youngest brother, Roswell J. At
kinson, is a successful merchant
and buisness man of Greenville,
Mr. Atkinson spent his boy
hood days upon his father’s farm
at Oakland, and when not in
school engaged in doing such
work as is incident to the life of
a farmer’s bey. His neighbors
at Oakland recall him now as an
industrious, energetic plowboy,
entering with zeal upon all that
he undertook, whether ploughing,
hoeing or splitting rails. As the
war period and the wreck which
followed made few country
schools possible he spent much
time in doing farm work and his
earlier education was thereby
neglected. But he afterwards en
tered the schools of Professors
Moore and Brooks at Senoia and
of Hon. William T. Revill of
Greenville. It was the purpose
of his father to give him a college
education, but the father died in
Maich, 1873, before young Atkin
son was prepared to enter col
lege. Determined, however, to
have a collegiate education he at
tended the school of Atkinson
and Read at Senoia, where he
prepared to enter college. But
there was an obstacle in the wav,
he did not have tbe money, but,
undaunted and with SSO which
his father had given him after
harvesting the last crop he made
npon the farm, and a sum earned
in running a public gin after his
father’s death, in the fall of 1873,
he entered the University of
Georgia, where he received such
aid as his eldest brother was able
to give him. His anxiety to se
cure an education and his determ
ined efforts to remain at the uni
versity enlisted the interests of
Dr. J. A. Hunnicutt, a philan
thropic cit’zen of Athens, who
came to his assistance and loaned
him the money to complete his
course at the university. This
1 money Mr. Atkinson repaid soon
after commencing tLe practice of
law. Graduating from the uni
versity, he located in Newnau in
1878 and commenced the practice
of law, where he Ims devoted
himself to it ever since. Al
though Mr. Atkiusou has made
a brilliant and successful lawyer
and advocate, yet he has always
had a fondness for rural life and
takes his only recreation in
looking after his farming inter
ests.
In 1880 he was married to Miss
Susie C. Milton of Mariana. Fla.,
daughter of Hou. W. H. Milton
of that place and a granddaugh
ter of Governor John Milton of
Florida. The latter was a son of
Homer Virgil Milton of Jeffer
son county, Georgia, who was a
general in the war of 1812 and a
distinguished civilian. His
father, John Milton, was one of
the first settlers of Georgia. He
was Georgia’s first secretary of
state, an officer in the Revolution
ary war and was afterwards twice
elected secretary of state by tbe
legislature, and received two of
Georgia’s electoral votes for
president of the United States in
1779, when George Washington
was first elected president.
Mr. Atkinson early united him
self with the Presbyterian church
and is one of its most consistent
and useful members.
In 188 C Mr. Atkinson was
elected to the lower house of tlia
general assembly of Georgia
from Goweta county, and Las
since been re-elected three times,
making eight years of continu
ous service in the general as
sembly. Some of the wisest and
best measures passed by that
body have been the product of
his brain, his energy and his in
fluence. To enumerate a few of
these might prove interesting:
1. He was the author of the
bill which took the appointment
of the commissioner of agriculture
from the governor and provided
that he be elected by the people;
thus enabling the farmers of the
state to make the selection to fill
this important office.
2. The bill which limits the pay
of inspectors of oil to $1,500 per
annum each and requires them to
pay the excess of fees into tbe
state treasury, which saves to the
state annually from SIO,OOO to
812,000.
3. Tbe bill to place telegraph
and express companies under the
control of the railroad commis
sion.
4. The substitute for tbe senate
bill under whicii the claim of the
losses of the Western and At
lantic railroad against the state
for $750,000 betterments was
finally, settled by the state’s re
imbursing the lessees the $99,-
000 paid to the state of Tennes
see for taxes, and paying nothing
for betterments.
5. The bill creating tbe Geor
gia Normal and Industrial Col
lege for girls at Millegeville,
whereby poor and deoendent
girls of Georgia without means
and support can so educate them
selves as to become self-sus
taining and independent. For
all time to come this will
stand as an imperishable monu
ment to his name, and the men
and women of Georgia will rise
up and call him blessed. The
training of teachers in the nor
mal part of this school has* al
ready proven of inestimable val
ue in supplying competent teach
ers for our common schools. His
wisdom in adding this department
to the school and his tireless and
fruitful labors to increase the
common school fund has endeared
him to all who earnestly desire
tbe education of the masses. He
is now president of the board of
trustees of the Georgia Normal
, and Industrial College.
In all legislation he has stood
for the rights of tho masses of
| the people. Coming from among
! them, he sympathized with their
needs and their interests. Unin
fluenced by the flattery of friends
and unawed by the threats of
! enemies, he has had convictions
|of duty, and the courage aiid
manhood to do what he con
ceived to be right in every matter
affecting tbe rights of the people
i
WALKER COUNTY MEBBENQEK.- FEBRUARY 15,1894.
ol Georgia.
Mr. Atkiusou is a man of re
markable executive ability, as
was shown in hisffour years’ ser
vice as chairman of the State
Democratic Executive Committee
j during a crucial period in the
party’s history. For 80 years
: such an aggressive campaign has
not been waged against the party
jin this state as was made by the
Populists in the last campaign.
Largely to the ability, the energy
i the skill, the tact, the judgment
: and the sleepless efforts of the
chairman of the state Demo
cratic committee was duo the
success of the Democratic party
in that memorable campaign.
His executive ability was also
shown duriug-his term of speaker,
just closed. He aided in tho pas
sage of the amendment to tbe
constitution proposed by Mr.
Wiiefd. r of Walker county, limit
ing tne sessions of the general
assembly to fifty days each year,
and was speaker of the first gen
eral assembly which mot after
the adoption of this amendment,
and demonstrated that the work
could be done satisfactorily and
well within this time, when it had
hitherto taken from 150 to 175
days.
His eight years’ continual ser
vice in the genervl assembly,
where ho has been dealing with
the affairs of state, has familiar
ized him with the questions with
which the governor of the state
must deal; and has thus prepared
and especiaily fitted him for the
office of the governor.
Whether at the bar, in the gen
eral assembly,on the hustings or
as a party leader, he has been
equal to every emergency and
proven himself an able lawyer, a
wise legislator, a successful
champion of Democratic princi
ples and a distinguished party
leader. H. W. Hill.
Worthy to Wear the Crown.
Our sister, Mary J. Bailey, was
born March 28, 1852. In the year
1879 she was happily married to
Mr. James McGill, and a few years
afterwards she united with the
Baptist church at Shiloh and re
mained a consistent member un
til her death December 7th, 1893.
Our sister was a meek and hum
ble follower of our Lord and Sa
vior, Jesus Christ. All who knew
her can testify that she was in
deed a possessor of that peace
that passes understanding.
Sister McGill leaves an aged
father, several brothers and one
sister; a loving husband and three
little children. To these we say:
“Weep not, she is not dead but
sleepeth.” She has* been borne
from this land of changes to that
land where changes never come.
She is gone, yet we cannot forget
her. The sweet smiles that she
always wore upon her face will
forever cling to our memories.
Resolved 1. That Shiloh church
has lost a loved member, the hus
band an affectionate wife, the
children an indulgent mother, the
community a loved and respected
neighbor.
Resolved 2. That we bow sub
missively to the will of God who
doeth all things well, hoping that
our loss is her gain, and believ
ing that she is with that countless
number that have been made
“white in the blood of the Lamb.”
Our heartfelt sympathies are ten
dered the bereaved family. Bye
and-bve we will go to her for one
by one we are gathered home.
Resolved 3. That a copy of this
memorial be tendered her family
and a page of our book' be dedi
cated to her memory, and the
Messenger and Christian Index
be asked to publish these resolu
tions.
Done by order of the church in
conference January Gth, 1894.
Mrs. J. W. Storey, )
“ J. R. Little, vCnm.
“ J. S. Bomar, )
i
Bucklen’a Arnica Salve,
Tho Best Salve in the world for
Cuts, Bruises, Sores,Ulcers, Sat
Rheum, Fever Sores, Tetter,
Chapped Hands, Chilblains
Corns, and all Skin Eruptions,
I and positively cure Piles, or no
pay required. It is guaranteed
|to give perfect satisfaction, or
| money refunded. Price 25 cents
per box.
j For sale by J. D. Fariss & Co.
Will Hebe Hanged Again?
Columbus, Miss., Feb. 9.—Will
Purvis, the whiteoap who was
convicted of murder Ims had a
remarkable escape from the gal
lows.
As soon as the trap fell Purvis,
instead of being liu>L*<l into
eternity, was precipitated to the
ground. The noose had let loose
nsd Purvis’s neck instead of be
ing broken was only slightly
abrused by the rope.
He fell on Ihh bark and re- i
mained perfectly stiil fora few!
moments. One of the bystanders '
rushed to his side and asked:
“Are you hurt?”
From beneath his black cap
Purvis replied:
“For God’s sake get me out of
this.”
The sheriff started to take
Purvis back to the scaffold, when
four of the board of supervisors
called the officer into the court
house for a conference.
They -advised that in viow of
Purvis having protested Ins inno
ceuce to the last that he suspend
the execution and lay the matter
before the governor. Sheriff
Magee said he would willingly
accede to such a proposition, but
his orders were imperative. He
recognized the authority of the
supervisors, but they had no
jurisdiction over a matter of this
nature.
The ministers present inter
preted the breaking of ihe rope
as a direct intervention of divine
providence, and begged that the
execution be stopped.
It was a most awful moment
for Mr. Magee. Finally he
agreed to a proposition made by
one of the pleaders—Rev. Mr.
Sibly, of Columbia Methodist
church.
The minister called out for a
popular verdict to decide whether
further proceedings be delayed
until Governor Stone could be
heard from. In the immense as
semblage, black and white, not
one dissenting voice was raised.
There was lusty cheering for the
maraculous interposition that
had saved the life of the boy
whom every one in that great
gathering now evidently believed
to be guiltless.
A most unheard-of and unpre
cedented proceeding
a matter of record.
Dr. Sibley then informed the
crowd that for his action Sheriff
Magee had rendered himself
liable to indictment and impeach
ment. He would, therefore, ask
if the people would stand by him
should action be taken against
him.
“We will, we will, to our last
dollar. He has saved the life of
an innocent boy," were the an
swers shouted back to him.
The guards and those on the
platform crowded around Pnryis
to embrace and congratulate him.
The lad sat in stupefied amaze
ment as if trying to make out all
that was going on. When he was
finally made to realize what had
been done, he sobbed convulsive
ly and said :
“I asked a merciful God to
spare me, an innocent boy, and
He did. May He be praised.”
Ho was remanded to jail to
await the action of the governor.
A Preient to Everybody.
All our readers should send to
the Publishers of The Home, 141
Milk St., Boston, Mas., and get a
set of their beautiful Stamping
Patterns. They can be used lor
embroidery outlining or painting.
All desirable and good size; some
Bxlo, others sx& inches. There
are ninety (91) one different pat
terus and two alphabets, one a
large forget-me-not pattern.
. With this outfit the publishers
send The Home, a 10-page paper
containing Stories, Fashions,
Fancy Work, etc., for months,
and only ask 10 cents to cover
cost of postage on patterns and
paper. Our illustrated Premium
List of 200 premiums sent free to
any address. Take advantage of
this offer now.
J. T. Thurman near Harris
burg, Ga., has 50 bushels of Burt
oats for sale at 50 cents cash.
Salvation Oil
I WW Price only SB Cti. Soli by oil dealers.
Will relieve Rheumatism, Neuralgia,
dwellings,Bruises,Lumbago,Sprains,
Headache, Toothache, Sores, Burns.
' Cuts, Scalds, Backache, Wounds.&c. ]
BREAKFAST-SUPPER.
EPPS’S
GRATEFUL-COMFORTING.
COCOA
BOILING WATER OR MILK.
W. J. WEST
Manufactures and
deals in both rough
and dressed lumber of
every description; also
Doors, Sash, Blinds
and Mouldings of ev
ery requirement.
* Has in connection
with his planing and
saw mill machinery, a
number one corn mill,
which he will run for j
its patrons during ev
ery day in the week.
Will dress andmatch
lumber for those who
wish it at reasonable
prices, as soon as de
livered in the mills.
Call on
W. J. WEST,
febssm Chickamauga, Ga.
"“schedule”
—OP THE —
Central R. R. ol Georgia,
H. M. Comer,)
11. 8. Hayes, f Receivers.
(CHATTANOOGA DIVISION.)
LOCAL TIME CARD.
In effect Nov. 19th, 181)3.
o
No. 8. TKAINH BUN DAILY. • No. 4.
MOUTH BODBD (STATIONS! BOOTH BOUND
BEAD 01 Bf AD DOWN
Arrive. Leave.
A. M, * P. M.
10 25 Chattanooga 4 00
10 07 Rossville 4 17
10 00 MiHHion Ridge 4 23
• 54 Battle Field 4 28
9 44 Chickamnnga 4 49
9 30 Rock Spring 4 52
9 20 Copeland 4 58
9 05 1 .a Fayette 512
8 48 Martindale 5 28
8 33 Trion . 5 44
8 23 Summerville 5 55
8 10 Raccoon lfilln 0 03
8 09 Lyerlj 012
7 58 Holland 8 25
7 83 Lavender 8 48
7 08 Rome 7 13
665 Silver Creek 7 Y 5
6 80 Cedartowu 6 M
GEO. DOLE WADLEY.
General Superintendent.
J. C. HAILE,
Gen. Pass. Agent,
Suvannah, Ga.
SAM B. WEBB,
Trav. Pass. Agent,
Atlanta, Ga.
W. A. NICHOLS, Agt.
LaFayette, Ga.
IL If,
—DEALER IN
GROCERIES
-AND
PROVISIONS,
Canned Goods,
Fine Cigars,
Tobacco, Etc.
-ALSO
COFFINS & CASKETS,
Chickamauga, Ga.
Septl7-
I SCH EDXJI^ij
—OF THE—
Chattanooga Southern
Railroad.
“Pigeon Mountain Route,”
In effect Oct 22nd,1893.
Southbound.
Stations. 1 11
1 Lv. pm am
| Chattanooga, 230 030
i Ohatta. Y’rds, 242 646
Fintstoue, 3 00 9 08
Diirlium juuc. 309 9IS
Lisbon, 3 18 9 26
| Cooper Hir I its 330 94t
| Kensington, 3 40 10 19
Este e, 3 46 10 26
Marsh, . 3 50
Bronco, 4 06 11 IQ
Harrisburg, 4 20 11 4(>
Chesea, - 440 12 00
Meno, 4 49 12 40
Chester tied, 5 <)•> 100
Jamestown, 5 13 1 21
B auctie, 5 20 1 30
Bristow, 0 02 2 50
Gadsden, 7 00 4 30
Ar. p. ru. p m
No. 1 daiy;No.ll Loci Freight
Monday, Wedo’sd’v iiudSatudray.
Northbound.
Stations. 2 4 12
Ar. am pm
Chattanooga, 11 30 4 30
Chatta. YMs, V 17 3 06
Fintstono, 10 58 2 30
Durham juuc. 10 50 1 42
Lisbon, 10 41 1 22
Cooper Hghts, 10 29 106
Kensington, 10 19 12 50
Este e, 1013 12 2Q
Marsh, 10 03
Bronco, 9 53 11 10
Harrisburg, 9 33 10 40
Chesea, 9 18 10 20
Meno, 908 » 10 OS
Chestertied, 8 56 9 48
Jamestown, 8 42 9 23
Banehe, 8 35 9 18
Bristow, 7 53 8 07*
Gadsden, 7 00 6 30
Lv. a in a ra
No. 2 daily; No. 12 local freight
Tuesday,Thursday and Saturday.
pjF*The fare from Hag stations
will be for the actual distance
traveled.
Joseph W. Bukke,
Ileceivor and Mau’g’r.
H. I\ Kao an,
Geu’l F. <fc P. Agt.
F. S. Wallace,
Superintendent.
Cotton Belt Route.
(Bt. Louis Southwestern Railway.)
-TO--
ARKANSAB »ud TEXAS
THR ONLY LINE
—WITH —
THROUGH CAB SERVICE
—FIIOM
Memphis to Texas.
NO CHANGE OP CARS
—TO—
FT. WORTH, WACO,
or Intermediate points.
TWO I)A1L TRAINS
CARRYING—•
Through Coaches and
Pullman Sleepers-
Traversing the fiucst farming, grazing
and timber lands, and reaching the
most prosperous towns and
cities in the
Great Southwest.
Farming Lands.—Yielding abun
dantly all the cereals, corn and cot
ton, and especially adapted to tho
cultivation of small fruits and early
vegetables.
Grazing Lands.— Affording excellent
pasturage during almost the entire
year, and comparatively close t» the
great markets.
Timber Lands.- Covered with almost
inexhaustible foii sts of yellow pine,
cypress and the hard woods common
to Arkansas and Eastern Texas.
Can be procured on reasonable and ad
vantageous terms.
All lines connect with and have ticket*
on sale via the
ijROUTE^
Ask your nearest Ticket Agent for
muiis, time tables, etc., and write to any
ot the following for all information you
may desire concerning a trip to the
Great Southwest.
R. T. CL MATTHEWS, D. P. A..
Louisville, Ky.
FIiED H. JONES, D. P. A.,
Memphis, Tenn.
W O. ADAMS, T. P. A., Nashville, Tenn.
11. 11. SUTTON, T. P. A., Chattanooga, Tenn;
J. A. EDKON, Gm'l Hupt., Texarkana, Tex.
E. W. LaDEAUMK, G. I>. AT. A.,
St. Louis, Mo.
The Messenger has on hand
and for sale the following blanks:
! Attachments, Mortgage Notes,
•J. C. Summons, Ironclad Notes,
Criminal Bonds, J. C. Fi. Fas.,
Subpoenas, Forthcoming Bonds,
Bonds for Title, Warranty Deeds.
We can also print any kind of
blank you may wish on short no
tice.
3