Clinch County, Georgia - Chapter 4, 1916

Chapter 4

IN February, 1853, Dr. John Homer Mattox, with his family, moved from their former home on the Suwannee River, near the Florida line, to where Homerville now is. He set to work, built a very substantial home and cleared a farm. The stage route ran by his home and on to Magnolia, and oftentimes the mail carrier would spend the night at Dr. Mattox's home. In fact, a relay of horses was kept at his home by the mail carrier. The stage road after leaving Waresboro, then the county site of Ware County, continued south by where J. C. Kirkland lived, thence across Cain Creek, thence by Hiram Kight's place, then by Dr. Mattox's place, on to Magnolia, and thence to Troupville, then the county site of Lowndes County.

The nearest neighbors to Dr. Mattox were John Brack, who lived on what is now called the Stewart place, near Homerville; Robert G. Dickerson, who lived on lot of land 425 above Homerville; Hiram Kight, who lived on lot of land 453 near Homerville; James C. Smith, who lived just across Cain Creek; Abraham E. Smith, who lived on lot 499, and Manning Smith, on lot 424, all these lots being in the seventh land district.

About the time he had permanently established his home. Dr. Mattox began to call it "Homerville" and his mail was so addressed him. He called it after his own name, not thinking that later on, a town would be built up on the same lot of land and retain the name. This seems to have been the origin of Homerville's name. However, after the railroad came through, Homerville was designated by the railroad people as "Station No. 1 1," and as such the place was known for a good many years. Gradually the station number name was dropped and to-day is only a memory of the past. Dur- ing this time the mail was generally addressed "Homerville, Station No. ii, A. & G. R. R." Therefore, it can be seen that the original name given it by Dr. Mattox was still in use to a certain extent and has been since he so began to call it.

A narrative is related by Hon. John L. Morgan, Jr., who formerly lived here, but who now lives in Lakeland, Fla., concerning the future of Dr. Mattox's place where Homerville was later built. It follows :

One day in 1853, Dr. Mattox and Mr. John Stalvey were hunting deer on what is called Dogwood Island, which was then owned by Dr. Mattox. This island is a piece of land about a mile from Homerville entirely surrounded by creeks, and is called an island. Mr. Stalvey was one of the men of his time who was really to some extent a prophet. He had prophetic visions which were noted for their accuracy. He had previously lain down under a certain pine tree on this island and had a vision. So as he and Dr. Mattox were hunting, he pointed Dr. Mattox to a certain pine tree and told him to go and look at the root of the tree and see where he (Mr. Stalvey) had lain down the day before and rested. Mr. Stalvey then told him he had had a vision here. Said he : "I saw a long, great road as far as I could see, extending each way (indicating east and west) . I do not know what kind of a road it will be, but I want to remember this incident, and some time, perhaps after I'm dead and gone a road will be run through this land. This is your land and the road will make it very valuable. That is my vision." So in after years when the Atlantic & Gulf Railroad came through this section, it came straight through this land, and tradition has it that the very tree under which Mr. Stalvey had his vision, was dug up to make way for the road. At the time Mr. Stalvey had the vision, the railroad was unthought of.

In 1859, the Atlantic & Gulf Railroad was built through as far as where DuPont now is. The next year it was carried on through. It was built from Savannah in a southwestern direction through territory rich in resources and which had never been opened up. The road was completed to Homerville in the fall of 1859. In order to induce the railroad people to make his place a station, Dr. Mattox not only granted them a right-of-way through his lands, but gave them a beautiful square of land in the new town, containing about six acres on the south side of the road. The gift is evidenced by a deed dated November 29th, 1859, witnessed by John C. Reynolds and John Screven, J. I. C. and duly recorded.

Dr. Mattox immediately set to work to have the county seat removed to Homerville from Magnolia. He had the new town laid off into town lots and encouraged people to move in from other places. Dr. Mattox offered to the Inferior Court which had jurisdiction over the matter, to move the court-house to Homerville and pay all expenses of the removal and furthermore give the land whereon to place the building. Mr. J. P. A. DuPont, who was then opening up the new town of DuPont or Lawton, as it was then called, also desired the court-house removed to that point, claiming Lawton was more centrally located, which was true. But as he did not offer to pay the expenses of the removal, and furthermore a petition was presented signed by about 275 citizens of the county asking the removal of the county site to Homerville, the Inferior Court decided to make Homerville the county site.

An Act of the Legislature, assented to December 12th, i860, authorized the Inferior Court to remove the county site to Homerville. The body of the Act authorizing the removal, reads as follows :

"Whereas, a petition signed by about two hundred and seventy-five citizens of said county, is presented, asking removal by the present General Assembly of the State of Georgia, of the site of the public buildings of said county, from Magnolia in said county, to Station Number 11, on the Atlantic & Gulf Railroad in said county;

"Section i. The General Assembly of the State of Georgia do enact, That the Inferior Court of the County of Clinch, upon the passage of this Act, are authorized to remove the site of the public puildings of the County of Clinch from the town of Magnolia, in said county to Station Number 1 1, on the Atlantic & Gulf Railroad, in said county, on lot of land number four hundred and ninety-eight (498) in the 7th district of said county, at such time and upon such terms as they may deem advisable, and to the best interest of said county of Clinch, and the convenience of the citizens thereof."

The court-house was moved to Homerville and rebuilt during the winter of 1859-60. John Moore and Martin S. Corbitt contracted to move the building to Homerville and Dr. Mattox employed Mr. Corbitt and Jackson S. Williams to rebuild it. The jail at Magnolia was not moved, and a new one was built at Homerville. The old jail which had only two rooms or cells, was built of good, sound logs and is yet standing on the site of old Magnolia, the most spectral of the relics of our old county site.

Among the new comers to Homerville was John C. Kirkland, who was one of the first to build a little store house of logs; in this he kept a small stock of groceries and liquors. Also Joel Strickland, John L. Morgan, Sr., and John J, Johnson built homes here about the same time. The first store house built of planks or sawed lumber was built by John Bryan and Hugh Tedder. In this they placed a good sized stock of merchandise and employed Dr. Mattox to run the business a while until they could arrange their other affairs. Immediately after this store was opened up, Joel Strickland built what in later years was called the Crum House. It had several rooms in it and was from the first used as a hotel. In later years considerable additions were made to it under other OAvners. Mr. Strickland also built a small store house at the

The need for a saw-mill nearby soon developed itself, and Dr. Mattox accordingly began to take steps to build one. He and Cyrus S. Graves, a newcomer, entered into partnership and the machinery was bought in Savannah and put into use in the winter of 1860-61. Dr. Mattox furnished not only the money to finance the undertaking, but also furnished the timber. The mill ran along very smoothly until the outbreak of the Civil War, in the summer of 1861, when Mr. Graves joined the Confederate Army. The mill stopped running for awhile, and Dr. Mattox sold it to a Mr. Latimer, of Savannah, who employed James M. Nelms to run it; and Mr. Nelms managed it three or four years when the mill was finally closed down indefinitely.

The beginning of the war cast a damper on the growth of the little town and for several years after Homerville was opened up there were only about two or three small stores, and perhaps eight or ten families who lived here. Many older residents of the county remember Homerville when it was only this big.

After the county site was moved to Homerville, it became necessary to lay out new public roads leading from the county site, and for this purpose the Inferior Court appointed Frederick J. Mills, Dr. Mattox and Manning Smith, who laid out the public roads leading out from Homerville, some of which are in use to the present day.

During the war, Dan H. Stewart refugeed to Clinch County from Savannah and settled at Homerville. He served as deputy clerk under David O'Quin, clerk of the Superior Court. He lived here a few years and removed back to Savannah after the war, where he died about 1868. Also there v»^as William M. Austin, James C. Cooper, Sylvanus Hitch, J. L. Sweat, Zibe King, George Goette and his son, F. M. Goette, William W. Griffin, John W. Hodges, L. A. Sirmans, James L. Mitchell, John L. Morgan, Andrew J. and

Mr. H. A. Mattox established a store at Homerville about this time. Also A. Loeb and Joseph Wiles, both German Jews, came here and opened up a large mercantile business with a barroom in connection, and for two or three years did a flourishing business. However, they removed about 1870 to Jefferson County, Florida. Mr. E. T. Dukes came to Homerville in 1867, ^^'^ entered the mercantile business.

Homerville's legal lights for a few years following the war were Charles S. Morgan, a young lawyer about 25 years of age, L. A. SIrmans, John C. Nichols, J. L. Sweat, who was admitted to the bar in 1869 and Simon W. Hitch, who was admitted in 1870.

About 1866, William M. Nichols, together with a partner, A. S. Bigelow, opened up a turpentine business about two miles west of Homerville on the south side of the railroad. This business continued about two years and dissolved. So far as is known, this is the first turpentine still operated in Clinch County, at least in and around Homerville.

In 1866, another saw-mill was built at Homerville, on the south side of the railroad. It was owned by W. G. Norwood, while J. B. Porter managed the mill for Mr. Norwood. This business did not continue very long, and Mr. Norwood removed.

About 1868, Mr. John L. Morgan, Sr., together with his son, John L. Morgan, Jr., established a steam saw and grist mill at Homerville. It was situated on the town lot whereon Calvitt Huxford now lives. Later Mrs. Amanda R. Strickland and Thomas C. and William R. Morgan became partners in this business. The latter two were sons of John L. Morgan, Sr. This business continued for a few years and for a long time was the only milling place for this part of the county.

first Charles F. Mattox was a partner, but he died in 1884. The business continued on under the name of H. & H. Mattox, and for many years was about the largest business in Homerville. Their two or three stills were situated a few miles from Homerville, while the store was in town.

Basil G. O'Bryan owned and operated a general store for a few years previous to his death in May, 1870. He was a native of South Carolina and married Miss Julia Mattox, a daughter of Elijah Mattox. After his death, Mrs. O'Bryan married John A. Whittington.

About 1875 a new turpentine business was opened up at Homerville by Holliday, Lane & Company, new comers from South Carolina. Joseph W. Holliday, George B. Lane and Richard Jordan were the partners and the capital invested was $12,000. R. Julius Evans was employed as general manager part of the time they were here. The partners all finally returned to South Carolina and removed their business about 1 88 1 Their still was located on the railroad square in town.

Homerville's school system was very irregular prior to 1895. The schools were taught by different individuals and sometimes there would be two schools being taught at the same time. About 1894, a movement was started which resulted in the erection of a new school building, which was named DuBignon Institute, in honor of Hon. F. G. Du- Bignon, one of the State's most gifted sons. The land whereon it was built was deeded by Mrs. M. M. Caswell and W. T. Smith to the school trustees, to be used for school purposes. This building was burned down in 1909, and the land reverted back to the owners. More about this school will be found elsewhere in this book.

Previous to the erection of the new DuBignon Institute, a small frame house located on the Railroad Square, across the street from the Methodist Church, served as the school house. It was subsequently sold to the colored people, who removed it to another location and used it as a church. The location of this old building was very near a tract of land 105 feet each way, which was deeded by Dr. Mattox to some school trustees In 1861 for school and Masonic purposes. The deed is dated June 25th, 1861, and is made to Dr. L. C. Mattox, Jacob Watson and Robert F. Lanier as trustees, and the land is described as being on the south side of the east corner of the square belonging to the railroad company.

Homerville was first incorporated by an Act of the Legislature approved February 15th, 1869. The bill was introduced by Mr. Guilford Lastinger, who was then representative from Clinch County. The Act named Allen (N.) Smith, Alfred Newbern, Joel Strickland, John J. Johnson and Basil G. O'Bryan as commissioners of the town to hold office until the first Saturday in January, 1870, at which time an election was to be held for their successors. These commissioners had all the power and authority that is usually vested in a mayor and council. They were to elect one of their number president of their body; after which they were to elect a marshal, treasurer and clerk. A feature about this Act was that all property owners as well as other qualified voters could vote for the election of the town's commissioners. The boundary or limits of the town by this Act reached onehalf mile in each direction from the court-house, the boundary to be laid off square and parallel with the Atlantic & Gulf Railroad. The limit to which they could tax property in town was fifty per cent, of the State tax.

No records are available as to the successors of these commissioners, other than scattering evidences. In 1876, the president of the commissioners was J. L. Sweat, and the other commissioners were: H. A. Mattox, George B. Lane, Josia.h Sirmans, and W. A. Ecord. The clerk and treasurer was M. M. Caswell and the marshal was John A. Street. In 1883 the town commissioners were: J. L. Sweat, president; M. M. Caswell, W. H. Gary, W. A. Ecord and Sherod Smith. The clerk was Joseph P. Mattox, treasurer was W. T. Smith. Thomas Singleterry was marshal. In 1895 the town commis-

Homerville was re-incorporated by an Act of the Legislature approved December 23rd, 1896. The corporate limits were placed at three-fourths of a mile in every direction from the court-house, which is the present limits. Under this Act, W. H. Gary was elected mayor, and George M. Dame, R. G. Dickerson, J. D. Mattox and B. A. Whittington were elected councilmen.

The town owns the magnificent DuBignon Institute, in the western part of town, but the control of the school, such as the selection of teachers and the raising of revenue for school purposes, is vested in the local school trustees, an auxiliary of the County Board of Education. For the purpose of building this school building, a bond election was held in January, 1 9 10, and as a result the issuing of about $8,000 in bonds was authorized with which to build it.

The present town council is composed of S. A. Sweat, G. C. Hughes, J. F. Barnhill and S. S. Dillon. The town treasurer and tax collector is A. J. Gibbs.

The Bank of Homerville is the only banking institution in the county, and was organized in 1903 with a paid-in capital of $15,000. Since then it has been increased to $25,000. The first officers of the bank were L. O. Benton, president; H. J. Peagler, vice-president; and M. A, McDowell, cashier. Its first directors were: L: O. Benton, H. J. Peagler, M. A. Mc- Dowell, George M. Dame, D. E. Kirkland, and S. C. Townsend. A year or so later Mr. Benton resigned as president and Mr. H. J. Peagler was elected in his stead. Col. W. T. Dickerson was then elected vice-president, which he has held ever since. Mr. Peagler served as president until his death in 1913, after which Col. R. G. Dickerson was elected in his stead, and he is the present president of the bank. The cashiers of the bank have been as follows: M. A. McDowell, 1903-4; H. L. Lankford, Jr., 1904-5; H. J. Dame, 1905-7; H. M. Peagler, 1907-8; J. F. Hughes, 1908-11, and G. A. Gibbs, 1911-16. The present assistant cashier is H. C. Dickerson. The present board of directors are: R. G. Dickerson, W. T. Dickerson, W. V. Musgrove, A. J. Gibbs, George M. Dame, J. T. Dame and S. A. Sweat. This bank is a strong institution and enjoys the patronage and confidence of the whole county. It is a State depository.

In a commercial way. The Hughes Company ranks among the first in the amount of its business. This concern is a corporation incorporated in Brooks County, where it carried on an extensive business prior to its removal here in 191 1. G. C. Hughes, an extensive turpentine operator, and a native of

Another concern which carries on a large business is Dame Brothers, a partnership composed of Messrs. George M. and John T. Dame. This is the oldest existing establishment in Homerville, having been organized in 1890. Mr. J. T. Dame has served Clinch County as ordinary since 1905, while his brother has served two terms as county treasurer.

Other old establishments are Preston Williams, who has been one of the town's merchants since about 1904; and Homerville Drug Company, Dr. J. G. Colwell, proprietor, which has been in business here since 1906.

Besides these, there are S. A. Sweat & Company, general store; Sweat Feed Company, hay and grain; A. N. Carswell, general store; R. M. McLaughlin, market; J. Leon Pafford, market; Homerville Grocery Company, E. D. Brinson, proprietor, groceries; Clinch County Drug Co., B. E. Blitch, proprietor; Homerville Hardware & Furniture Company, T. R. O'Steen, proprietor; and the City Bakery, Dr. L. S. Malone, proprietor.

The town's telephone system was established in 19 10 by H. J. Dame, who sold it out in January, 19 14, to Claude Harvey, of Bronwood, Ga. Mr. Harvey removed here and took charge of the business. It is now under the management of the Homerville Telephone Company, a partnership composed of Mr. Harvey and W. J. Barlow. Their telephone lines penetrate Mud Creek district, and extend to every district in the county except Withers' and Moore's mill districts. There is also an automobile delivery business in connection with the telephone business.

In 19 13-4, an electric light and water plant was installed by Messrs. J. F. Barnhill and J. H. Ferdon, two of the town's most substantial citizens. This need has been realized in

Homerville for several years and its advent was much desired. The water is pumped from a distance of about nine hundred feet beneath the surface of the ground. There are about twenty-six street lights, which are maintained by the town. As yet the town has no sanitary system.

Elsewhere in this work will be found descriptions of Homerville's two fine churches and of its magnificent school building. These buildings are monuments to the town and would be a credit to much larger towns.

Homerville's postmasters for the last twenty-five years, are few. Dr. Mattox, in the days of the stage-coach, was his own postmaster, before the town came into existence. For many years during and following the war, the two positions of postmaster and railroad and express agent was consolidated. Joel Strickland held this position here several years after the war, as did also Abraham Mallette. About 1875 to 1 88 1, Josiah Sirmans was postmaster. After him was Sherod Smith, who died in 1891. The next postmaster was S. A. Sweat, who served until about 1894. Mrs. D. C. Gillican was postmistress until 1898, when D. E. Kirkland was was appointed. Mr. Kirkland was postmaster for fifteen years, or until his death, November 30th, 19 13. Folks Huxford then served a few months as acting postmaster, when Flem C. Dame was appointed and took charge in April, 19 14. He is the present postmaster.

The Life Of John H. Mattox

The founder of Homerville, John Homer Mattox, was a son of Col. Elijah Mattox, and was born in Tattnall County, March 26th, 1827. When he was quite a young boy, his father moved to Ware County, where they settled.

The country was then wild, having no railroads, and was sparsely settled, but under the lead of such men as John H. Mattox, has grown wonderfully and has been developed very much. Colonel Mattox (Elijah Mattox), in the course of time was granted much land from the State, lying in this county. Among his many lots were the two on which Homerville is now located. These two lots eventually came into possession of John Homer Mattox, at the death of his father, along with other lots. This was about 1857.

Homer Mattox doubtlessly saw the future of a town which might be built on this land. A railroad was coming its way and the site was very near the center of the county. About 1859 the town was begun.

Among his public gifts, Mr. Mattox gave six acres of land to the railroad as a means of inducing them to make his place a station. Another was the court-house grounds.

While he never practiced his profession very much, yet he was a physician of no little attainments. His brother. Dr. L. C. Mattox, lived near town, and was a physican also.

Dr. Mattox's home was a very unpretentious one, located in the southern part of town. It was built in a square shape, out of good lumber. The proof of the stability of the house is seen in the fact that it withstood the attacks of time for about fifty years. The land is now owned by Mr. J. F. Patterson.

Mr. Mattox's wife was Miss Lucinda M. Sheffield. Their children were: Ruby; Tonnie, who married W. A. Norman; Emma, who married Thomas Fogarty ; B. E. Mattox; Lucius W. Mattox; Belle, who married William Parker; Homer O. Mattox; Jefferson D. Mattox, and William S. Mattox.