The Macon Telegraph & Messenger
Bibb County, Georgia
23 June 1882

GEORGIA GLEANINGS

NEWS GATHERED BY SPECIAL CORRESPONDENTS

Notes from Byron, Asbury, Gordon, ...Dawson, Cuthbert, Brooks, Conyers,
Athens, ...Washington, ...Troup and Lexington
[A want of space compels us to request all correspondents to state
facts as tersely as possible, and to avoid political discussions. -- ED.]

Dawson
JUNE 22 -- Business is dull in town. Showers are frequent and grass is
growing, and the farmers, with their "pets" are at home fighting King
Green...

The genial Mr. W. B. Hinton, of Americus, has been here a few days,
working like a Trojan in behalf of the Home Guardian, of Macon. He
anticipates widows and orphans, and proposes to give them a little hush
money when papa is dead and gone. He has made a favorable impression.

Mrs. E. L. Fulton, the wife of Hon. R. L. Fulton, ex-mayor of Galveston,
Texas, is visiting relatives here. To the joy of many of his friends in
Randolph and elsewhere in the State, Mr. Fulton himself is expected soon
to see his brother and spend the summer. We all will hail his glorious
advent with pleasure.

Rumor has is that the walls of Kirkwood conceal terrible secrets; that
trap doors communicate with the vile Atlanta, and that mysterious
proceedings go on under cover of darkness; that [?] and rings salute each
other by touching lips and foreheads, with the finger of political
corruption, and pass on to their pavilion of darkness. Wandering gossips
quietly and pleasantly compare notes as to the probable rise or fall of
the rising A. O. Bacon. The Great Commoner presides with ease and dignity
over the [?] and exultingly -- in acts if not in words -- proclaims to the
[?] gang that "I am the [?] of Liberty Hall; in me there is virtue. Why,
the refreshing waters of Ponce de Leon are not more [?] to the chronic
feebleness of old age than my wisdom -- than my power to [?] the inroads
of distractions, with threaten the civil and political liberties of the
great commonwealth of Georgia." No one doubts but what Mr. Stephens has a
powerful intellect, and is perfectly familiar with the machinery of State
government; and is sufficiently versed with black-letter lore to be the
grand [?] of the Kirkwood clan, but it is the opinion of many that his
flickering waywardness, his halting between two opinions, his apparent
willingness to indorse Mr. Felton and the coalition movement, his
extraordinary indifference to the true and tried Democracy of the State,
his tenacious adherence to the [?] of Liberty Hall, and his chronic
feebleness in his "good old age" unfit him to become governor of the State
of Georgia.

The Hon. A. O. Bacon -- the pride of his followers and the dread of his
foes -- has so far shown a clear record. Take him as adjutant of the
Ninth Georgia Regiment in the first and second campaigns of the late
unpleasantness, as ordnance officer soon thereafter, and as Speaker of the
House of Representatives of the State of Georgia for a number of years
past, and you will find he has crowned himself with glory. From his manly
record, never yet has it appeared that he ever darkened the door of
jobbery or kissed the hand of treachery, nor joined the ring of demagogues
and tricksters for political gain and triumph, but ever in defiance to
such offrontery he moves on in the even tenor of his way, the growing
giant of the brave and true Democracy of the State. Trust him still. In
unity there is strength, in division weakness. W.

Asbury
...We heard recently that the heirs of Micajah Martin, deceased, intend to
commence suit shortly against the city of Atlanta for the recovery of a
lot of land containing two hundred and two and a half acres, lying in the
heart of the city. It is thought the Kimball House stands on the
territory in question. We are informed that M. Martin owned said lot of
land many years ago, when it was nothing but a thicket, and that he never
sold it or deeded it to anyone. The family have the deeds, and if put in
the right hands will surely control someday a large portion of the Gate
City. J. H. R.

Gordon
JUNE 22 -- Our townsmen, Messrs. Frank Frasuer, Swint, Wood and Saunders,
have purchased business lots in Jackson and expect are long to move their
mercantile interests to that place...

Byron
JUNE 22 -- Mr. Benjamin Vinson died today about 9 o'clock a.m. His
remains will be carried to Wesley chapel burying ground to-morrow for
interment, where Rev. Lucius Evans will conduct the funeral services. B.

LaGrange
...On Sunday morning the large chapel of the Southern Female College was
filled by an audience as cultured and refined as ever set under divine
[?]. Dr. Battle, of your city, delivered a beautiful and instructive
sermon from the [?] "She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace; a
crown of glory shall she deliver to thee." The exercises on Monday morning
were opened by twenty charming girls of the Junior class who read extracts
and original compositions, after which the Hon. A. H. Cox delivered a
beautiful and eloquent address of about fifteen minutes. At night an
exciting contest in vocal and instrumental music for the gold medal came
off, and the prize was won by Miss Owen, of Coweta county.

On Tuesday, the first division of the Senior class read original essays,
following which was an address by Professor Morgan H. Looney, of Franklin,
Ga. In the afternoon, the society discussed the question, "Has the new
South advantages superior to the old?" The verdict was in favor of the
negative. Dr. Battle then delivered, in a humorous speech, the gold
medals, ten or twelve in all, to the successful contestants. At night a
grand musical entertainment was given. It was, of a truth, magnificent.
On Wednesday morning the second division of the Senior class read, and
thus ended another term of this grand old Southern institution. The
following young ladies graduated and received diplomas: Misses Jimmie
Deadwyler, Lexington; Jennie Smith, Sandersville; Julia Coloedge,
Norcross; Hattie Vernon, Cusseta, Ala; Luia Thomas, Davisboro; Mollie
Seay, LaGrange; Jesse Lee McHann, Blount Springs, Ala; Carrie Franklin,
Tennille; Gussie Roberts, Elba, Ala; Lina Bell Threadgill, Union Springs,
Ala; Jennie Bailey, Forsyth; Lucy Todd, LaGrange; Adah Mendenhall,
Houston, Tex; Lola Edmondson, LaGrange; Nannie Abraham, LaGrange; and
Carrie Vernon, Cusseta, Ala. No institution in the land over seat forth
sixteen more accomplished young ladies.

The college property belongs to President J. F. Cox, who has associated
with him the very best talent. This department of music is under the
management of his two lovely and polished daughters, assisted by the
accomplished Miss Marciur, of New Orleans, all of whom were educated in
the science of music by the masters.

Hon. A. O. Bacon, of your city, spent a day with us this week. This was
the home of his boyhood, and here he renewed again pleasant recollections
of his early school days. There is already a gubernatorial look about him
well pleasing to his many friends in this section. TROUP.

Conyers
JUNE 22 -- Mr. N. M. Harper, a citizen of this place, died this morning at
5 o'clock of dropsy of the heart. He was an ex-Confederate soldier and an
honest man. Peace to his ashes.

The heaviest rain I ever saw or heard of fell here yesterday doing much
damage. For an hour and ten minutes the rain poured down in torrents.
Fortunately the rain did not extend very far -- about three miles each way
from town. Mr. E. D. Norris, who lives about one mile from town, says he
is damaged to the amount of three thousand dollars. He lost his gin house
and all his crops on bottom land, besides his uplands are considerably
damaged. Other farmers have been very much damaged.

Mrs. T. D. Stewart and Mrs. J. L. Stewart, of this place, are visiting
friends in Ringgold.

Miss Clifford Kiser and Miss Rosalie Thomson, of Atlanta, who have been
visiting here, returned home yesterday.

Miss Tempie Quigg is visiting friends at Covington...

Lexington
...Mr. William J. Dosier has opened an agency here for the sale of
machinery and agricultural implements of all kinds. Large dealers in this
line would do well to correspond with him.

Lexington is now, and has been for six months, without a shoemaker. There
is not a better location in Georgia for a good boot and shoemaker who
would be sober and attend closely to his business. Such a person could do
well and make money here.

One of the most marked improvements in this town of recent occurrence is
the cleaning up, trimming and overhauling generally of the yard and
cemetery around the Presbyterian Church. The cemetery until this
renovation was a tangled mass of grass, briars, shrubbery and uninviting
foliage of various and unattractive kinds, but since it has been put in
order by a real practical workman, who understands what he is doing, it is
really wonderfully improved and presents a beautiful appearance. There
are many pretty lots beautifully located in that cemetery and ornamented
with many handsome monuments and tombstones. Governor Gilmer, Hon.
Stephen Upson and Col. James D. Matthews are buried in this cemetery.

Meson Academy is booked for its annual exhibition on the 14th of July
[?]. It was founded by the magnificent donation of a wealthy Irish
merchant, Francis Meson, who gave it a handsome donation. This gentleman
died in Lexington in 1804, and his remains are buried near the academy
that bears his name. The academy is in a flourishing condition under the
rectorship Prof. Thomas B. Moss, who has been teaching there
uninterruptedly since the commencement of the year 1849 -- thirty-three
years in succession.

Mrs. Moore, of LaFayette, Ala, and the mother of Mr. William H. Moore,
editor of the Augusta Evening News, is now on a visit to Lexington,
where she will spend some time with her many relatives and friends. She
once resided in this county...

Washington
JUNE 22 -- The Georgia railroad sustained a heavy loss from fire here last
night. About 12 o'clock, during a terrible rain and wind storm, the
engine house was struck by lightning and immediately took fire. Before
any efforts could be made to extinguish it, the fire was beyond control.
The "Old Oglethorpe" engine was in the house at the time, and was
completely destroyed. This engine had just undergone complete renovation,
having left the Augusta car shops a few days ago, after having been
converted into a coal burner.

It was fortunate that the fire occurred during a rain, for in the
immediate neighborhood are several stores and dwellings that could not
have been saved had the roofs not been thoroughly wet. No insurance.
Loss three thousand dollars...

Brooks Station
JUNE 21 -- The Central railroad branch have made an elevation in their
depot here.

The Sabbath Schools will have a picnic on Saturday next at Dr. N. W.
Gable's spring and grove.

Miss Annie Boykin has left to spend some time with relatives and friends
in Atlanta.

Miss Lillie Gable will not return to Walholla, in Carolina, till next term.

The blackberry brigade have almost demolished the succulent crop.

Billie Jackson and the railroad have played smash with the timber.

Abe Steinheimer is recovering from illness, much to the gratification of
his numerous friends.

James Bridges was made glad, a few evenings since, at a little
entertainment at his residence, when two little girls put in appearance.
They were twins. Jim is happy.

Andrew Carmichael thinks wielding an axel for saw mill trucks is the
hottest work this side the lower regions.

Seasons fair and crops growing. ALPHA.

Fort Valley
JUNE 22 -- The exercises of the Fort Valley Female Seminary closed last
evening. Judge Warren D. Nottingham delivered the baccalaureate address.
His address was well prepared and abounded in beautiful thoughts and
common sense. We have never heard a more appropriate commencement
address. The trustees have requested a copy for publication. The
seminary is in charge of Mrs. M. E. Persons, who has succeeded in building
up a fine school. Mrs. E. T. Byington has charge of the music
department. These ladies are well prepared in these separate branches and
give universal satisfaction.

Considerable hail in the eastern part of Houston. R.

Cuthbert
JUNE 22 -- The commencement exercises of the Southwest Georgia
Agricultural College have just closed. The sermon on Sunday, preached by
Rev. G. T. [?], was a very able and earnest one. The subject was "Sin and
its curse." On Monday morning there was an exhibition of the [?] abilities
of the small boys of the institution, and at night a similar entertainment
presented by twelve young men of the collegiate department. I did not
attend the night performance, but heard that the young men did
splendidly. On Tuesday morning five of the most advanced pupils in the
college spoke selections, after which came the speech of Hon. Thos.
Hardeman, of Macon. His subject was "Practical Education," and most
impressively and gracefully was it presented. The speaker's object was
not only to please but to benefit as well and while his success in the
former was most eminent, we will hope that the second object was likewise
attanined...

On Wednesday morning the commencement oration was delivered by Hon. F. G.
[?], of Milledgeville. It was a very chaste and beautiful discourse on
the subject of "Ambition." The thoughts were poetic, the diction classical
and pure, and the whole delivered with grace and a charming distinctness.
Next followed the delivery of the prizes in [?] by Col. Jas. H. Guerry, of
Dawson, with some appropriate and humerous remarks. Lastly, Chancellor
Mell, of the State University, made a brief speech to express his pleasure
at the evident prosperity of the Southwest Georgia Agricultural College.

At a meeting the board of trustees of the college, President Sanford,
Professor Newton and Miss Sallie Reynolds were reelected. Professor Seals
declined a reelection.

Several of our boys speak of attending Mercer next fall.

I should not omit to mention in connection with our commencement exercises
that most excellent music was furnished on the different occasions by the
Cuthbert brass band. H.

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