71 Years Ago With J. W. Johnson
Baxley News Banner 18 April 1934
A lot of things have happened during the past seventy years and Uncle J. W. Johnson is one man who has always kept his eyes open and his ear to the ground and therefore has not missed many things that have happened during the past sixty years. Back in his boyhood days he says that he can remember when his family went to preaching in an ox cart and found plenty of other carts at preaching besides their own. He remembers whenever a man became financially able to buy a Jersey wagon that he was considered one of the financial business authorities of his community and the man who was able to purchase a top buggy was considered the wealthiest man in his county and he says that he can remember when there was not but one top buggy in Appling county, three or four Jersey wagons, several old fashioned horse carts and plenty of ox carts. Oxen were hitched up to their carts with a single yoke and whenever two oxen were hitched together a double yoke was used. These yokes were made by the people of the different communities. A good ox team was considered help to those who owned them to help make a living. After marrying and settling on his farm about ten miles southeast of here he farmed for the first five years of his married life and then began to branch out into the turpentine business. He continued in the turpentine business for about twenty-three years. During that twenty-three years he also operated a mercantile business, cotton gin, and grist mill. During the time that Mr. Johnson lived on his farm it was head quarters to the community where he was located for the people to buy what they needed. Uncle J. W. says that during his early manhood there were very few homes in Appling county, in fact there was one in a hill and far between. There were four meeting houses in the county, but during those days people would work all week and go to church on Sunday. There was plenty of game in this section and fellow could go out almost any morning during the season and kill a sack full of birds, wild turkeys, wild hogs, etc. We thought that the above mentioned days were bad, but you know that we never know when we are really and truly doing well. Some of my happiest days were spent back yonder in my young manhood and when I first started life. There have been many wonderful inventions and improvements during my time. I well remember when we did not have telegraph connections here in Baxley. I have seen the telephone invented during my time, the radio, the automobile and many other things. I can remember when there were only a few roads in Appling county. They were kept up by the people in each community. In fact each community had what was known as a road overseer. He summoned out the people in the community and they worked the public highways any where from three to five days. The roads began to improve when the state put convicts on the public roads instead of hiring them out to big interest for the measly sum of eleven dollars per year, but real honest to goodness highways did not begin in this country until the automobile arrived and soon after the automobile made its appearance it was quickly seen that if the best service was to be gotten out of the automobile that we had to have good roads and permanent roads, so we set about to have both and our progress can be seen every way you turn. About eighteen years ago Uncle J. W. moved to BAxley and soon after coming here began to represent the Blackshear Manufacturing Co. This firm has the reputation of manufacturing the best brands of fertilizer in this country. He continued to represent this firm and serve the people of Appling county until some four or five years ago when his eyes began to give him considerable trouble. Due to his eyesight failing he retired from active business about four or five years ago. Uncle J. W. and Miss Ira Bennett were married about thirty five years ago and to this union were born nine children, three of which are living now, they are: Mrs. Tom Barnes, Mrs. Warren Langston of Rome, and Mr. Peyton Johnson. Uncle James Walter Johnson is one of the best citizens in this county and the News-Banner joins his many friends throughout the county in wishing him many more years of happy life.
Submitted by Sharon Broward Davis
A Lucky Boy
Baxley News Banner 21 March 1934
Reidsville, Ga., March 8 - This town has a little boy who is bulwarked with many grandparents. his name is Charlie PHILLIPS, and he is the son of Mr. and Mrs. M. T. PHILLIPS.
It is believed he has more grandparents than any child in Georgia and probably in the entire United States.
Charlie has four grandfathers and six grandmothers living. His great-great grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. L. D. STONE aged 92 and 88 of Hazlehurst, Ga.; his great-grandparents are Mrs. W. J. PHILLIPS, age 70 of Savannah, and Mr. and Mrs. H. A. WALKER, aged 66 and 65; Mrs. Emerline CARTER, aged 96, all of Baxley; grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. E. T. PHILLIPS, aged 45 and 43 of Reidsville and Mr. and Mrs. W. M. CARTER, aged 62 and 52.
Submitted by Sharon Broward Davis
APPLING COUNTY FAIR NOVEMBER FIRST TO FIFTH
Carters and Johnsons to Attend Appling County Fair-- Rev. Silas Johnson of Americus, and Paul Carter of Marianna, Fla., Will Make Addresses.
The contest between the Carter and Johnson families to see which can register the largest number of individual members on Carter-Johnson day at the Appling County Fair Friday, November 4th, is arousing much interest throughout South Ga. Much little known local history is being unearthed as the old timers ransack their memories to recall all the connection by blood and marriage.
As these families have been in the county since the beginning of things, and various members have gone for away following the turpentine industry Southward and Westward, the folks at home are all urging the distant kin to come back to the fair, and uphold the prestige of the name. Already, responses are being received from Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida.
Rev. Silas Johnson is pastor of the First Methodist Church in Americus, and Hon. Paul Carter of Marianna, Fla., will attend the fair on Carter-Johnson day and both men will make talks to their tribes.
PIONEERS OF THE TALLASSEE STRIP
An old state map shows Carter's Cowpens as the only settlement in Tallassee strip, and there is no other dot between Hartford, now Hawkinsville, and Brunswick.
David Carter came from South Carolina, stopping a while in Tattnall, and located in Appling while the territory was still held by the Creeks. He built his cow pens near the present W. H. Padgett farm, but his slaves murdered him and ran away because of their fear of the Indians. Soon after the Lottery of 1820 which divided South Georgia between the Altamaha and the Chattahoochee into the counties of Appling, Irwin and Early, other Carters came from South Carolina and four Johnson brothers who had landed at Baltimore from Scotland and worked their way leisurely South through the Carolinas also crossed the Altmaha and settled in Appling.
The Carters and Johnsons multiplied and replenished the earth at a marvelous rate and their ramifications extend all over the Wiregrass country. As Appling was divided time after time the kinnery was all cut off in the new counties, but those who stayed in Appling were not less productive than their ancestors and the present county is full of them.
ORIGINAL APPLING CUT UP
Original Appling is now cut up in portions of Wayne, Brantley, Coffee, Pierce, Charlton, Jeff Daivs, Ware, Bacon and Clinch. The old county extended from the Altamaha to the Florida line from Goose Creek to Blackshear's Ford, and Carters and Johnsons were scattered all over it.
Baxley News Banner 6 October 1921
Submitted by Sharon Broward Davis
Snake Bite
Lois Johnson the nine year-old daughter of Dr. A. J. Johnson, was bitten by a ground rattlesnake when she was picking "wooly" berries near the home of a friend some distance from Baxley. Doctors did not reach her until two hours after the snake bit her. Her condition was considered serious about four days; she is improving rapidly now from the effects of the poison which her system absorbed before treatment was administered. She was with a group of small friends who were riding and stopped to gather a handful of the low-bush berries, when she reached out to gather the first berries she was bitten by the serpent.
Baxley News Banner 9 June 1921
Submitted by Sharon Broward Davis
Wesley Holton - Wednesday, 9 May, 1934 - Baxley News Banner
17-Year-Old Negro Kills Wesley Holton 5 P. M. Sunday Afternoon Near Veal’s Turpentine Still. Sunday afternoon at five o’clock.
Baxley was thrown into high excitement when the news was telephoned in here that "Buddy" Ashley, a seventeen-year-old negro had shot and killed Wesley Holton, a prominent white man at Veal’s still about four miles northeast of here.
The facts leading up to and including the killing are as follows, as near as can be obtained from eye witnesses of the shooting. They say that Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Holton were returning home, after going a piece of the way with Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Livingston, who had been spending part of the afternoon with them. On returning home they found Izarah ( Buddy ) Ashley and brother, Walter ( Noog ) Ashley on their way to a negro row just a little distance from where the shooting took place. It appears that Mr. Holton was advising the two negroes to stay away from the negro row which was just a short distance from them when "Noog" Ashley asked his brother, "Buddy" for his pistol, stating that he would kill Mr. Holton. Instead of giving "Noog" the pistol as requested, "Buddy" said he would kill him, drew his pistol and shot him from the front, the bullet taking effect just below his swallow, breaking his neck and causing his instant death. After killing Mr. Holton the negro turned to Mrs. Holton and her little daughter. Miss Myrtice and started to kill both of them, but their running, screaming and begging for mercy frightened the murderers and they fled to the bushes.
Immediately after the above, Sheriff Padgett was telephoned, and with Deputy Sheriff Napoleon Dyal, Chief Wilson Baxley, Night Policeman Bell and about two hundred and fifty citizens from and near Baxley went immediately to the scene of the killing and began to put forth every effort to apprehend the two Ashley negroes. About nine o’clock Walter Ashely was located in his brother-in-law’s house about three hundred yards from where the killing took place.
Due to the fact that public feeling was running so high it was thought best by the authorities to guard this negro quietly in the room of his brother-in-law, Gould Brown, where he was located until the public had quieted down and left the scene where the negro was lodged. It appears that the authorities used good judgement in taking this particular precaution, as the people here are tired and disgusted with good citizens being shot down by notorious laws who have no respect for themselves or anyone else.
While part of the authorities were looking after the safekeeping of Walter Ashley the other authorities and numerous private citizens who had gone to the scene to assist in catching the negroes were looking for Izarah ( Buddy ) Ashley, who really killed Mr. Holton.
About twelve o’clock Sunday night, Deputy Sheriff Dyal and others were at the house of James Carter. While they were at Carter’s house Izarah ( Buddy ) Ashley, the negro wanted, appeared on the scene. Due to the fact that Deputy Sheriff Dyal did not know the negro personally and further to the fact that James Carter told Deputy Sheriff Dyal that the negro that he was in the act of shooting was not Buddy Ashley, Deputy Sheriff Dyal did not shoot him, and he left James Carter’s house on a run. Mr. Dyal outsmarted the negroes and stayed ________ ( smudged ) in Carter’s house until ______ ( smudged ) four o’clock Monday morning ( smudged ) Mr. Dyal arrested him and brought him to Baxley and lodged him in the Appling county jail for safekeeping together with his brother who had already been lodged there.
Submitted by Kay Music
Shooting Affray Near Towns, GA
On Sunday afternoon a white man named Will Livingston shot Carl Varnadore twelve times, but without injury to the latter. The shooting took place near Towns, Ga., the cause of which we have been unable to learn. It seems from reports, however, that there was a woman mixed up in the affair. Livingston was in Baxley Monday in search of Varnadore, who he claimed had eloped with his wife.
Baxley News Banner 2 August 1907
Submitted by Sharon Broward Davis
Crosses of Honor For Vets
We have received "Crosses of Honor" for the following confederate Veterans: Joseph W. Baxley, Enos Burkitt, C. C. Byrd, William D. Dixon, B. F. Hays, J. M. Rentz, W. C. Smith, A. S. Stone and William Taylor. We will not have any public entertainment on Jan. 19th, R. E. Lee's birthday. The Veterans can get their crosses by applying to Mrs. J. G. S. Patterson, President Appling County Chapter, United Daughters of the Confederacy.
Baxley News Banner 17 January 1908
Mr. Edward T. Kennedy and Mrs. Missouri Carter Kennedy Celebrate Fiftieth Wedding Anniversary
One of the most elaborately attractive affairs of the holiday events was the golden wedding anniversary celebration of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Kennedy at their home in the Elliot community on Tuesday evening when they celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage which was a picturesque event of December, 1870.
Two guests at the golden wedding, Mrs. J. L. Weaver, niece of the bride and Mrs. Rebecca Mims, her sister, were present at the wedding fifty years ago.
The lovely country home if Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy was elaborately decorated with Smilax and roses, to carry out the color motif green and gold. Streamers of gold were suspended from the chandelier in the dining room to the four corners of the table which had for its center piece a beautiful growing plant in a jar wrapped in the rich colors employed in decoration, and resting on a lace mat through the meshes of which the color gleamed.
Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy received the guests in the living room, receiving were Mrs. Kennedy's sister, Mrs. Rebecca Mims and Rev. and Mrs. Poindexter, and their son and his bride, Mr. and Mrs Burton Kennedy, whose wedding took place recently.
Mrs. J. L. Weaver assisted in entertaining and presided over the register. Miss Lois Kennedy and Miss Inez Summerall, granddaughters, presided over the punch bowl. Miss Irma Mims and Miss Grace Summerall served elaborate refreshments. Miss Bell Cater and Judge H. J. Lawrence gave toasts to the couple who had passed a half-century of milestones in their happy married life.
Mrs. Kennedy wore a grey charmeuse gown and white rose corsage. She also wore a brooch of pearls and diamonds, and a string of gold beads the gift of her son, Paul Kennedy, of Savannah, the only member of the family who was absent on this occasion.
Those invited to the wedding were Mr. Jefferson Carter, and Miss Lula Carter, Mrs. Rebecca Mims, Dr. and Mrs. J. L. Weaver, Mr and Mrs. J. M. Kinard, Mr. and Mrs. H. J. Lawrence, Mrs. Robert Carter, Misses Bell and Myra Carter, and Mr. and Mrs. Boone of Alabama.
Baxley News Banner 23 December 1920
Submitted by Sharon Broward Davis
An Enjoyable Birthday Celebration
More than a hundred relatives and friends of Mr. Thomas R. Carter gathered at the hospitable home of his daughter, Mrs. Maggie B. Kennedy, on Saturday, the 10th to celebrate the seventy-fourth birthday of the estimable gentleman and long-time resident of the northeastern section of Appling.
For several years past these annual events have drawn together large crowds of people intent on doing honor to this sterling citizen who as a neighbor and friend has endeared himself to all who know him. Mr. Carter's birthday falls on the 11th, but as that came on Sunday this year the celebration was held a day earlier, and the handsome country home of the Kennedy's has never held a larger or a happier crowd than was gathered there on Saturday.
Mr. Carter came to this section a boy of fourteen in 1856, his father settling on the old home place in Wayne where tow of the children, affectionately known as the "Carter Girls" still reside. Shortly after the war Mr. Carter purchased the farm on the Baxley-Jesup road not far form the county line, where he has continuously are still living, and these David I. Carter, Mrs. Martha Fields and Misses Mary Jane and Susan Carter were present at the birthday dinner. Of his children Messrs. John D. and Thomas R., Jr., Mrs. Kennedy and Mrs. S. P. O'Quinn were on hand together with numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mr. Carter has 35 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, the youngest representative of the fourth generation being present in the person of the tiny three-weeks old daughter of Paul L. Kennedy.
Baxley News Banner 16 February 1917
Submitted by Sharon Broward Davis
RECOLLECTIONS OF A PIONEER CITIZEN
An Interview With Mathew Johnson Esq., Nonagenarian Resident of Appling County.
Baxley News Banner 7 December 1922 ( by Geo. D. Lowe )
What will the yearling boy of today who outlives his fellows and remains fairly active when past the 92 mark, recall most distinctly when his mind wanders back over the distant past. The youth of this day saw the automobile and the aeroplane so early that the impression is likely to be confused with that of other common place matters. "Uncle Luck" Johnson, sitting in the warm sunshine in the yard at the Jesse T. Sellers place, having lived through Pioneer times, fought in one war and lived through four others, seems to recall in his 93rd year more distinctly than any other, a little experience he had with a timber wolf when he was just a little boy.
Little Mathew was told one morning to run down to the wolf trap and see if one had been caught; he did so, and found a big fellow in it. Then he was sent to the house of his Uncle Malcolm to tell him and the boys to come help to get the wolf out. Raging at his captors, the wolf was roped twice and dragged outside, and the sight of the beast, struggling to get at his enemies but held helpless by two taut ropes in strong hands, is the clearest impression and one of the oldest on his mind today about 85 years later.
With half closed eyes Uncle Luck looks back to the days when the forests were unbroken, when deer and bear were plentiful and when timber wolves and panthers were both numerous and dangerous. It is easy to see that the country has been about ruined in the eyes of its oldest citizens. Big woods and big game made such an impression on his youthful mind that modern matters strike him as being rather futile affairs. The companions of his youth and the comrades of his martial years are gone, but his memory is good and life still a pretty good thing.
A NARROW ESCAPE FROM BEING BORN IN APPLING
But for the fact that Indians made a foray from down Florida way and ran the settlers back across the Altamaha Uncle Luck would have been born in Appling, as his parents had been living on the "Injun" side of the river for several yars. As it happened he first saw light of day in Tattnall near Staffords Ferry where the refugees stayed until the troops drove the Indians away into the Okeefenokee Swamp. His oldest brother was with the force of Militia and regulars that cleared the redskins out.
Four Johnson brothers, Scotchmen Daniel, Malcolm, Arthur and John came into Appling in the very early days. When they settled here, only a few hardy pioneers had gone further into the wilderness that was then included within the boundaries of the county. The Johnsons settled within ten miles of the present site of Baxley. There were a few families in the territory that is now included in Clinch, a few in Ware. Other families crossing at Staffords Ferry bore to the southeastward and settled at intervals all the way along to the St. Mary's River, the southern boundary of Appling county then.
Another tide of North Carolinians crossed the Ocmulgee about old Jacksonville and settled in Coffee and Southward. At Fort Barrington, on the lower Altamaha, many pioneers crossed on their way to Florida. There were no roads then and settlements so scattered that for all practical purposes, each was alone so far as communication with others was concerned. New counties were formed from Appling without the people knowing anything about it, and Appling officials still held jurisdiction such as it was, for several years afterwards.
HOW THEY CAME IN
The North Carolinians came into Georgia in carts with solid wheels sawn from big logs. They knew nothing about four-wheeled vehicles anyway, and such would have been useless in the roadless woods. The Virginians who came into upper Georgia with slaves, had wagons and carriages. For many years the Virginians said that when they passed through Carolina the people who had never seen a wagon or carriage hitched up their carts and hurried on behind them to be on hand when the big wheels ran over the little ones. They said that the curiosity was responsible for the settlement of south Georgia. The Virginians turned off at Augusta to the oak and hickory hill country, and then the Carolinians heard of pineries like their own down this way and headed for them.
Uncle Luck said that there is no noise today to be compared with he screeching of those solid wheels on the old carts. The whine of the circular saw at the Sellers mill nearby, sounds something like it, but not quite as ear piercing. Many wolves were trapped and deer and bear were killed, but more were carried out of the country by the advancing settlers with their screeching axles. The daring panther might attack a foot traveler or drop off of a limb on a horseman, but he took to his heels when he saw a cart coming through the woods.
FIFTY-SIX YEARS ON A PEG-LEG
Enlisting in Company "F" 47th, Georgia Regiment, Colonel Williams commanding, Mathew Johnson had fought bravely and well until in the battle of Chickamauga, he lost a leg and was badly wounded in the other. Like most veterans of the Civil War, he is inclined to belive that the boys were pretty well coddled up and babied in the last big war and since. He has seen youngsters who never smelled powder getting big pensions for flat feet, and wonders a little how much they know about real hardship. How they would have felt to come home maimed and penniless, to a little clearing many miles from a railroad in a county where a cash dollar was a rarity.
It is all in a life time he thinks, but that ripsnorting wolf, roped and thirst for the blood of his captors, and the panthers that screamed at night around the little cabin that was his home, and the deer and the turkey he killed with his first little old shot gun, these are the things that he likes to remember nowadays when the blood is thin and the limbs are feeble.
Mr. Miles Loses Two Mules
Several weeks ago a dog was killed on Mr. J. M. Miles' place which showed signs of having hydrophobia, his head was sent to the State Board of Health for examination and their report stated that the examination revealed unmistakable signs of the dog having hydrophobia. Before the dog was killed he bit Mr. Miles and his son and it is thought to have bitten several head of stock. Since that time Mr. Miles and his son have been taking the Pasteur treatment. Mr. Miles has lost several hogs and this week two fine mules died which showed every indication of hydrophobia. It is said that the mad dog which was killed here in Baxley was seen out near Mr. Miles' place and it is presumed that Mr. Miles dog, which has since gone mad and bit his stock, was bitten by this dog. In view of Mr. Miles' misfortune with his stock and the regulation passed by the Mayor and City council, the people who have dogs in and around Baxley are becoming more cautious.
Baxley News Banner 13 February 1914
Submitted by Sharon Broward Davis
Large Rattlesnake Killed
While out hunting near Surrency one day last week, Mr. E. M. Craven found a large rattlesnake. Having his gun along it was no trouble to send the snake to the "happy hunting ground." The big reptile measured nine feet in length, eighteen inches in circumference, and had eighteen jingling rattles attached to his Majesty's person. This is not a snake story, either.
Baxley News Banner 19 July 1907
Submitted by Sharon Broward Davis
Marriage License Fee Increased
All those who were matrimonially inclined and unable to reach a decision before the beginning of the new year will find that this delay will now cost a little more for their inability to reach a decision. On and after January 6th the marriage license fee will be $2.25, and those who have reserved their decision on this question will now find that this additional amount has been added to the high cost of living. However, as this will appear in the opening of the matrimonial account it will not in all probability deter those who are deter minded.
Baxley News Banner 10 January 1913
Submitted by Sharon Broward Davis
O'Quinn Reunion Happy Occasion
A reunion of an Appling pioneer family was that of the O'Quinns, descendants of Silas O'Quinn at Friendship Baptist Church, Saturday July 24, the annual reunion day of the O'Quinns.
The family formed the O'Quinn Memorial Association a decade and a half ago and have met every year together.
The association is composed of the descendants of Silas O'Quinn who was born in 1762, and was one of the pioneer settlers of this section of Georgia, even before Appling County was formed in 1818.
Silas O'Quinn died in 1858 at the age of ninety-seven years, having spent the majority of his life in the section of his adoption. He was a leader of the Baptist faith in his section and was one of the founders of the Baptist church near the spot where his descendants gather each year. He was influential in establishing the Baptist faith in Appling county and his descendants number nearly a thousand his grandsons who are travelling the western side of _____were in the large assembly of O'Quinns attending this very unusual annual associational meeting of the Appling county O'Quinns.
Among the grand-children of Silas O'Quinn, children of Jackson O'Quinn were S. A. O'Quinn, Mrs Mary YOumans, A. H. O'Quinn, S. P. O'Quinn, Mrs. Nancy Surrency, Elias O'Quinn Dent, W. J. O'Quinn, Dr. J. H. O'Quinn. Several hundred grandchildren, Great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, and great-great-great-grandchildren gathered in family reunion to discuss family tradition, ideals and characteristics and to commemorate the anniversary of a forebear who had left the heritage of an exemplary life that is being perpetuated in generations and generations, of people, of pioneer spirit.
A great dinner was spread and the families broke bread together and feasted on the good things largely produced in the soil of Appling County. Barrels of lemonade refreshed the gathering throughout the day.
The two Alex O'Quinns who are well known in this county, were present at the reunion, and enjoy the distinction of having held respectfully for twenty years since the beginning of the organization, the offices of president and secretary of the association.
Baxley News Banner 29 July 1926
Submitted by Shraon Broward Davis
TEACHER'S RESIGNATION AT SURRENCY REFUSED
Mr. R. S. Wolfe, teacher of the Adult Bible Class at the Baptist church announced his resignation recently because of not being physically able to attend regularly. The class refused to accept it and he was re-elected and given an associate teacher.
Prof. R. J. Warnock was elected assistant superintendent.
The Sunday School hour was unamiously changed from 4 o'clock until 3:30 p.m.
Surrency, Ga, Oct 18, 1941
Submitted by Ann Parkinson
Heritage Center To Honor Mr. Wolfe
Extensive plans are being made by the Appling County Heritage Center to honor a beloved historian, the late Robert Solomon Wolfe. A special program is planned to induct Wolfe into the Hall Of Fame. His portrait will hang beside that of other prominent Appling Countians. J. B. Oliff of Douglas, formerly of Appling County and long time friend of Rob Wolfe will be principal speaker.
Wolfe is remembered by many older citizens as having taught in many one room schools in the area. He was one of the first to realize the importance of preserving local and family history. His weekly column appeared in the Baxley News Banner and he was heard on the local radio station, WHAB, on Sunday afternoons. The Wolfe family has donated a large collection of his writings, memorabilia and other important documents relating to Appling County and family history to the Heritage Center. Many family researchers have found jewels of information among his historical work.
Family, friends, former students and the public are encouraged to attend this special program.
A special exhibit of the Robert Solomon Wolfe Collection will be shown.
SOURCE: Baxley News Banner
Submitted by Ann Parkinson