Clinch County, Georgia - Chapter 7, 1916

Chapter 7

Proposed New Railroads. - Efforts to Remove County Site. - Newspapers in Clinch County. - The Populist Party. - County Court Re-Establis.hed. - First Board of County Commissioners. - New Jail. - New Court-House. - Camp of Confederate Veterans Organized. - Population of Clinch County. - Argyle. - Saw-Mill Enterprises. - The Waycross & Western Railroad. - The Okefinokee Swamp.

IN 1886-7 a party of Clinch County citizens Interested themselves, together with some New York capitalists, with a view of building a railroad from Macon via DuPont to the Florida line; also a railroad extending from DuPont to the Florida line, with its ultimate destination Jacksonville, Fla., on the east, and extending from DuPont westward to Decatur, Ala.

The first named road was incorporated as the DuPont, Macon & Florida Railway Company, by the Legislature by an Act approved September 22nd, 1887, with the following incorporators: Augustus DuPont, F. B. Sirmans, Peter A. Herviant, B. J. Sirmans, L. L. DuPont, M. Sirmans, H. G. Powell and John C. Humphreys, of Clinch County, and W^illiam McCabe and John Lake, of New York City.

The other road was incorporated as the DuPont, Decatur, Alabama and Florida Air-Line Railroad Company, by an Act of the Legislature approved October 22nd, 1887, with the following incorporators : Augustus DuPont, F. B. Sirmans, Peter A. Herviant, L. L. DuPont, J. B. Withers, H. G. Powell, B. J. Sirmans, Thomas Terry, Thos. G. Jenkins and John C. Humphreys, of Clinch County, and H. B. Plant, H. S. Haines, R. G. Fleming, George S. Haines, William McCabe and John Lake, mostly of New York City.

ters were to become null and void. But the idea of building of these roads never materialized, and the charters lapsed. It is safe to say that had these two roads been built and put into operation, they would have played a very important part in the upbuilding of Clinch County and this section.

By an Act of the Legislature approved, September 28th, 1 88 1, the Georgia, Southern & Florida Railroad Company was incorporated. The route named in this act was from Macon to Homerville or DuPont, thence to the Florida line. Later this act was amended by an amendatory act of the Legislature, approved October i6th, 1885, making the route from Macon via Valdosta, instead of by Homerville. Thus the town of Homerville lost a very important enterprise which has since become a very important factor in the upbuilding of the city of Valdosta. The road subsequently traversed the southern end of the county, along which several towns sprung up.

It is safe to say that had the people of Homerville and the county seized the opportunity and offered the necessary inducements, and this road had come through Homerville instead of Valdosta, in that event Homerville might have been the size of Valdosta at present, while Valdosta would have been the size of Homerville.

It was not built through the southern end of the county to Jacksonville until about 1900. The building of this road opened up a new section of the county hitherto undeveloped. Almost simultaneously with the completion of the road to Jacksonville, a big saw-mill was built by Eastern capitalists on the new road where it crosses the Suwannee River. The town which grew up here was named "Fargo." The partners in this enterprise were George S. Baxter, E. P. Long and Walton Ferguson.

The town of Fargo was laid out on the banks of the Suwannee River, and is to-day one of the most flourishing towns in the county. It has several stores, a large hotel and other

Within a very short time another large saw-mill was put up six miles East of Fargo, on the new railroad, by the American Manufacturing Company, a corporation. Their mills are about as large as the Fargo plant. The place was called "Council," in honor of the principal owners of the mill, John M. and C. M. Council, of Americus, Ga.

In the beginning, the town of DuPont had a very auspicious future, as the Florida Branch Railroad began here and run into Florida. For many years DuPont was situated at the head of the Florida business of the Plant System of railroads, and as such was a very important center.

The fact that the town was centrally located in the county, together with its bright future, brought about a great sentiment in favor of the removal of the county site from Homerville to DuPont. A strong petition was presented to the Ordinary in 1885 for an order calling an election to decide the question of the removal, which the Ordinary granted. Accordingly the election was called for July 3rd, 1885. When the day to vote had arrived, great barbecues and other attractions were given at DuPont and Homerville. At DuPont a public ball was given in DuPont Hall. The result was a majority of five in favor of the removal, but owing to the fact that it required a two-thirds majority, DuPont lost. The vote, given by districts, was as follows :

About 1876 the first newspaper established in Clinch County which there is any record of, was established at DuPont by Mr. J. P. A. Dupont, named "The DuPont Okefinokean." It enjoyed the patronage of the county, but in the course of a year or so, failed. It was a weekly paper.

About 1882 a newspaper was established at Homerville by E. J. Benton, which was named "The Wiregrass Cracker." It became the official gazette of the county, but did not exist very long. From an old copy in the Ordinary's office, dated November 3rd, 1883, we note that the following lawyers' cards appear: J. L. Sweat, James P. Mattox and B. A. Whittington. The advertisements of the following merchants appeared: W. T. Smith, W. A. Ecord, Joseph P. Mattox and W. C. Newborn & Brother.

Mr. Benton, the editor, was a man of much ability and intelligence, which he exhibited in several ways. He first came to this county as a minister, in an evangelistic meeting. He settled at DuPont, where he made one or two medicinal discoveries which he had patented. At the October term, 1878, of Clinch County Superior Court, he was admitted to the bar, after which he practiced law a short while. He was a great Sunday School worker, and was president of the Waycross Sunday School District Association.

This paper, named the "DuPont Guide," was edited by Mr. W. F. Miley, and took a leading part in its party's battles in Clinch County. This paper finally ceased to exist about 1 896, and as the official organ of the Populist Party in this section was succeeded by the "Douglas Breeze," edited at Douglas, in Coffee County, by Mr. A. B. Findley, formerly of Homerville.

In the latter part of 1894, the "Homerville Chronicle" was established at Homerville by Mr. M. E. Tison. In November, 1897, this paper's name was changed to the "Clinch County News," the name which it now bears. The earliest copy of this paper obtainable is dated January nth, 1895, which is Number 9, Vol. i, showing that the paper was only nine weeks old at that time. The following professional cards appear in this issue: R. G. Dickerson, B. A. Whittington and S. L. Drawdy, lawyers; and Dr. G. R. Thigpen, all of Homerville. The advertisements of the following local merchants appear : C. Huxford & Company, C. Crawford, and Dame Brothers, of Homerville, and Wideman & Moody, of Argyle. The Crum House, of Homerville, and The Sirmans House, at DuPont, had advertisements.

The Populist Party

About 1890 a new party sprang into politics. For a while it was known as the Third Party or Alliance, later as the Populist Party. Among some of its leaders in Clinch County, were: Dr. L. C. Mattox, M. S. Corbitt, W. A. Ecord, W. J. Strickland and James M. Kight. In 1890 Dr. Mattox was elected by this party as representative from Clinch County.

At the same time W. A. Ecord was re-elected clerk of the Superior Court by them. This was at the height of their power; after this they never did succeed in electing any other candidate in Clinch County. In recent years the party has disappeared from county politics. In 1898 the average vote received by them was 325 ; two years later it dwindled to an average of fifty. The party has probably had its day and has done the country some good. Some of the principles and laws it first advocated have since been enacted into law, among which might be mentioned the rural free mail delivery.

County Court Re-Established

In 1866 the first County Court of Clinch County was established with Hon. Z. King as the first judge and Col. L. A. Sirmans as the first solicitor. This court existed for about three years, when it ceased. There is no legislative act abolishing the court. In 1881 this court was revived, and Hon. Cornelius A. Smith was appointed judge. There is no record as to who was solicitor. In 1885 Col. B. A. Whittington was appointed judge. This court had its monthly and quarterly terms. The monthly terms were held under Judge Smith on every second Monday, while the quarterly terms were held on the third Mondays in February, May, August and November,

By an Act of the Legislature, approved October 19th, 1885, the County Court of Clinch County was abolished to take effect when the term of Judge Whittington had expired.

In 1 90 1 the County Court was again established after having been abolished fifteen years. Col. S. C. Townsend was appointed judge for four years and Hon. R. G. Dickerson was appointed solicitor. This court became the means of saving much money to the county although the criminal jurisdiction was limited to misdemeanors. Like the former County Court, it has its monthly and quarterly terms; the monthly terms being held on the first Monday in each month and the quarterly terms on the first Tuesday in January, April, July,

The first Board of County Commissioners of Roads and Revenues was created by Legislative Act, approved August 1 6th, 1889. Under this Act the following named citizens of the county were appointed commissioners : Isham Patterson, Frank B. Sirmans, Martin S. Corbitt, W. H. Gary and Fields D. Clifton. The commissioners were given entire charge of county matters and the clerk of the Superior Court was made ex-officio Clerk of the Board. From the Minutes of the Board in 1890 it is observed that the following were the commissioners: W. H. Gary, chairman, M. S. Corbitt, F. B. Sirmans, Isham Patterson and John Knight.

The Board was abolished by an Act of the Legislature, approved December 9th, 1893, and the ordinary resumed charge of county affairs. It remained thus until 19 15, when the Board of Commissioners was again created.

New Jail

The old jail, erected about 1872, was found to be insufiicient to meet the demands of the county, as it was not only too small, but was built of wood and was fast becoming useless. Accordingly a contract was let out by the County Commissioners in 1893 to the Manly Manufacturing Company, of Dalton, Ga. The new jail was built of brick with improved steel cells and was two stories high. This jail is now being used as the county jail, but there is some desire on the part of many citizens to have a new jail built or some needed extensive improvements made.

New Court-House

mittee was appointed by the ordinary to superintend the erection of the new building: James R. Dickerson, Peter A. Young, Moses Smith, W. F, Kirkland and D. C. Fender. The contract was let to T. J. Darling, a contractor of Waycross, Ga. The new building amply met the increased demands for a court-house and gave general satisfaction. It is two stories in height, with a spacious court room on second floor, besides Grand jury room and witness room. On the ground floor are halls running through and the following offices: Clerk Superior Court, Ordinary, County Court Solicitor, Tax Receiver and Collector, County Commissioners, County Board of Education and Sheriff, while upstairs is the office of County Court. This is the present arrangement.

The building faces the east, and is 50 by 80 feet in size, and has slate roof. The new court-house was built on the site of the old one. The land whereon the court-house and jail are situated, was given the county by Dr. John Homer Mattox, the founder of Homerville, as is evidenced by a deed dated October ist, 1884, and recorded in deed book "F," by W. A. Ecord., Clerk.

The old court-house building was sold at auction and bid off by a committee of Primitive Baptist people, who moved the building to another part of town and remodeled it into a church. The committee was composed of Messrs. James A. O'Steen, S. L. Drawdy, George M. Dame, James R. Dickerson and C. H. Smith. This church existed a few years and became so delapidated that it was finally abandoned and torn down.

Camp Of Confederate Veterans

The first, only and last camp of Confederate Veterans in Clinch County, was organized September 4th, 1899. They elected delegates to the State and general reunions, and had a membership of forty-seven. The following were the officers elected: F. M. Jackson, captain commanding; W. A. Ecord, ist Lieut.; S. W. Register, 2nd Lieut.; Moses Tomlinson,

3rd Lieut.; O. P. Register, 4th Lieut.; M. S. Corbitt, adjutant; Isham Patterson, quartermaster; D. M. Riberon, commissary; W. J. Stapleton, surgeon; Charles James, assistant surgeon: Jesse J. Grooms, chaplain; J. C. Anderson, treasurer; James M. Kight, sergeant.-major; J. B. Ganos, officer of the day; C. H. Smith, colonel-sergeant; L T. McLendon, videt; James M. Inman, ist Col. Guard; Ivy Davis, 2nd Col. Guard.

Population

The census of 1910 showed that Clinch County had 8,424 persons within her borders. The area was 1,077 square miles, being the largest county in the State. The population decreased 308 compared with the census of 1900. The census also showed that there were 5,046 whites in the county and 3,378 negroes. Those of the voting age numbered in 1900, 2,561 men, and in 1910, 2,294. This included both races.

Thus it is seen that the greatest stride in the county's population was between 1880 and 1890, when it increased over 2,500. A school census taken in 19 14 showed that there were 2,303 school children in the county, of which little over onehalf were whites. In 1908, there were 1,285 white children in the county of school age.

Argyle

About 1885 the town of Argyle came into existence. For many years it was nothing more than a mere station, but gradually it grew to be a town. This town is located in the eastern part of the county on the A. C. L. Railroad, and is but two miles from the Ware County line. It was first named Saussy, In honor of Clement Saussy and others who were heirs of Gasper J. Fulton. Mr. Fulton was a resident of Savannah and purchased the land whereon the town is located, in i860 from John Smith, of Clinch County. This land was originally granted by the State to James C. Smith in 1843, and he in 1845 sold it to Joseph Lane. In 1845 ^'I^*- Lane sold it to John Smith, a brother of James C. Smith, and Mr. Smith owned it until i860, when he sold it to Mr. Fulton.

Among the early postmasters were I. H. Drawdy and C. W. Burt, and B. A. Harper. Later Mr. S. C. Patterson was postmaster, and following his resignation about two years ago, Mr. W. H. James was appointed. The population of the town, according to the census of 19 10, was 280. The name of the town was changed to "Argyle" in 1899.

In 1908 the Argyle people unanimously voted In favor of creating a local school district, and since then have, by taxation and other means, raised about $1,500 and built a very nice school building on the outskirts of town, on the public road leading Into Argyle. It is a two-story frame building, with improved desks and other Improvements. It is known as the Union High School. The land and building were valued in 19 12 at $2,500 according to the report of the State School Commissioner. The present trustees of the school are: W. H. Hinson, B. A. Harper, A. B. Williams, S. C. Patterson and W. L. Hinson, wide-awake and energetic citizens.

On August 26th, 1897, Saussy, as the town was then known, was visited by a very disastrous fire, entailing a loss of several thousand dollars. All of the business portion of town was destroyed.

About 1907, the Bank of Argyle was chartered and established. Its first president was L. O. Benton, who organized the Bank of Homerville. In 1909 the bank closed its doors

Saw-Mill Enterprises

Among the earlier saw-mill enterprises In Clinch County, was the one mentioned In Chapter 4, which Dr. J. H. Mattox and Cyrus S. Graves established at Homerville. Another early mill was that of William G. Norwood and James B. Porter at Homerville. Frank Sloat established a large sawmill near Stockton about 1874, and later it became a partnership under the name of Sloat, Bussell & Co. Still later a mill was put up and operated near Stockton by Frye & Humphreys.

One of the largest mills at the time was that operated by R. B. Reppard. At first Harry C. Reppard was interested In it, but he sold out his Interest to R. B. Reppard. Later, Mr. Reppard organized the Reppard Land, Lumber & Saw-Mill Company, a corporation. They acquired land and timber in nearly every section of the county. Their mill was located about four miles east of Homerville on the A. C. L. Railroad, and was operated several years. It was first organized about 1879, ^^^ was operated about five years. The Southern Pine Company eventually acquired possession of this property.

Another big plant was that of Paxton & Mattox, a few miles west of Homerville on the railroad. Originally it was a partnership composed of Miles Albertson and David B. Paxton, but about 1888, Mr. Albertson sold his Interest to H. P. Mattox, of Homerville, and It continued under the name of Paxton & Mattox. The place was called Clinch Haven, and for several years was one of the largest enterprises In the county. The business failed about 1895, and was acquired by Geo. F. Craig & Company, of Philadelphia.

About 1 90 1 another plant was erected at the same point and the name of the place changed to "Cutting." The Southern Pine Company were the owners. In a few years the

But in 191 1 a company of North Georgia and Northern capitalists acquired a lease-hold to the land where their mills were erected, and purchased several thousand acres of timber and land from Messrs. H. J. Peagler, W. K. Peagler, and H. M. Peagler. It was organized into a corporation and named The Georgia Lumber & Turpentine Company. They manufactured lumber and produced wood spirits of turpentine.

In addition to the mills at Cutting, there are the mills at Fargo and Council, referred to before in this book. These are the largest plants in the county.

Waycross And Western Railroad

During 19 13 a movement was launched to construct a new railroad from Waycross through the northern part of Clinch County to Milltown in Berrien County. The principal movers were John G. and Alex. K. Sessoms, of Waycross, and F. B. Sirmans, of this county. A charter was secured and work begun, and the road was completed to Milltown during 19 1 5. It gave a new route for Milltown and Berrien County produce to Savannah and other markets, besides opening up a new territory.

The president of the new railroad, which was named the Waycross & Western, was Alex. K. Sessoms, who was a native of Ware County. He was a son of Alex. K. Sessoms, Sr., who died about 1909. The elder Sessoms was very wealthy and possessed much property not only in Clinch County, but in Ware County and in Mexico and other places. In 19 1 5 Mr. Sessoms, the president of the road, was appointed on the new Board of County Commissioners of Clinch County, although he had been in the county but a year.

The vice-president of the road was Hon. F. B. Sirmans, a leading citizen of Clinch and an ex-Senator from the fifth district. Mr. Sirmans, whose home was in the Mud Creek district, owned much property through the territory opened up by the new road. He had a nice tract of his land at a point on the new railroad, about a mile distant from his home, surveyed into town lots and a boom launched for a new town to be called Sirmans. The town lots were sold at auction and Mr. Sirmans had one of the largest cotton ginneries in the county established in the new town. Several stores were soon built.

The mercantile establishments at Sirmans, are The Hughes Mercantile Company and James A. Mathis. There is another store there but is unoccupied. Mr. Sirmans, who had been postmaster for several years at his turpentine still, which was connected by rural route with DuPont, resigned, and Mr. W. W. Elliott, a former resident of Homerville, was appointed postmaster.

At the same time, another new town came into existence on the same railroad. It was located In the Moore's Mill district and about a half-mile from Mr. E. C. Hodges' place. The name given to this place at first was "Hodges," but when a post office was applied for the name was changed to "Cogdell," on account of there being another post office In the State by the same name.

Mr. Sessoms, president of the road, removed to Cogdell and built a nice home. He fenced about one thousand acres of wild land, which adjoined Cogdell, and soon had it stumped and cultivated. Mr. Sessoms has put up a modern cane mill at Cogdell, and besides, has been successful in securing from the State Agricultural department a State experiment station for farm demonstration purposes at Cogdell.

There is a saw-mill and shingle-mill at Cogdell and two stores. The postmaster is James A. Brown. Soon after the beginning of Cogdell it was seen that a school was needed, and wisely and time enough so, since there was not a school in several miles. A movement in which Mr. Sessoms and John B. KIrkland were the leaders, resulted in formation of a new local school district with Cogdell as the site of the school. This was in 19 15. A school building was immediately built and the local school trustees being without funds at the time, Mr, Sessoms furnished the necessary funds until a tax levy could be made and revenue raised.

The school building which was built, was built in bungalow style and neatly and durably constructed of good lumber. State School Supervisor F. E. Land, in a recent visit to the Cogdell school, pronounced the energetic work on the part of local citizens and the school to be one of the finest demonstrations in school work he had seen.

The Okefinokee Swamp

Over the eastern border line of Clinch County there extends a part of the famous Okefinokee Swamp, one of the most extensive areas of submerged land on the North American continent.

When Ware County was created in 1824, it embraced the entire swamp, barring of course a portion which extends into Florida. It is the largest swamp on the continent with the exception of the Dismal Swamp in Virginia, and the Everglades in Florida. Up to about twenty years ago it remained unexplored and indeed some parts of it are yet unexplored. It is found to be a vast marsh with occasional lakes and islands. There is some of the best timber to be found, in the swamp.

In 1 89 1 an Act was passed by the Legislature authorizing the Governor to deed the lands embraced in the swamp to the Suwannee Canal Company, a corporation. The promoters hoped to provide means to float the timber to the St. Mary's River and also to drain the swamp by means of a large canal, thus not only securing the timber but also reclaiming the land. But it was not successful. Within the last few years the Hebard Cypress Company, a corporation composed principally of Pennsylvanians, has acquired this property, and has constructed a railroad from Waycross where the company's

In White's Historical Collections of Georgia, published in 1854, the statement is made that the name "Okefinokee" is derived from two Indian words "ooka" and "finocau" ; the former of which means "water" and the latter "quivering." Originally the great swamp was called "E-cun-fi-no-cau," a compound meaning "quivering earth." But the Creeks preferred the former expression. The author, Dr. White, says the swamp is thirty miles long and seventeen broad, and in it are several islands, one of which the Creeks represented to be among the most blissful spots in the world.

The swamp lies partly in Clinch, while most of it is in Ware and Charlton counties. Billy's Island and Floyd's Island are large islands of this swamp, containing some fertile land. The Suwannee River originates in this swamp and flows southward through Clinch County into Florida. The town of Fargo is situated on the river.

The following is taken from a description given by one well acquainted with the swamp: "Billy's Island is at this season of the year (November) a hunter's paradise. The only direct way to reach this place from Argyle or Homerville by Mixon's Ferry on the Suwannee River; thence three miles through the swamp over the 'causeway,' which was built by the soldiers during the Indian war in order to give battle to the great Indian chief 'Billy Bowlegs,' from whence the island took its name. Thence through the 'cow-house' and down the Suwannee River, which has its origin here. The water is black. The lake is on the west side of the island, and is not more than half a mile wide at any point. As to it being good hunting and fishing grounds there are no better to be found."

Trout, perch, bream, jacks and cat-fish abound with an abundance of fine turtle. Bear, duck, deer, wild turkeys, panthers, and other wild game are also found. The swamp served as a great rendezvous for deserters during the Civil War.