Jackson County, Georgia - Chapter 4 (3 of 3 so headed), 1914

Chapter 4

All of the Confederates except Jim Warren and Loyd King had evacuated the island. They, with pretty Nellie Warren, remained in a canoe which was concealed by a cluster of vines that grew on the bank of the eastern branch of the river.

Just at 2 o'clock Jim Warren went to one of the little log houses and arrayed himself in Captain Phil Dimple's uniform. He soon found the little boat near the tree-top, and at an angle of about forty-five degrees, boldly struck for the opposite bank. This did not carry him to the lower end of the swamp, but he soon found it, and in half an hour was at the enemy's lines. He was not sure that the words of the previous night were still in use; but, depending mainly on his uniform and his strong faith in Col. Cummins, he ventured to use them.

He found them all right, and was at once conducted to headquarters and introduced to Col. Arthur Cummins as *'Capt. Leon Starr of the U. S. A."

other's arms. The cabalistic words so often used by them in their school days at once accomplished much of the serious work in hand. It was a novel sight - two professional soldiers, arrayed in open hostility, stood clasped in each other's arms. Perhaps the broad annals of war have not recorded a similar scene.

When the shock natural to such a meeting had somewhat subsided, Jim Warren made a full confession of his mission. He concealed nothing of importance to his cause.

Col. Cummins listened to his narrative with profound attention; and after considering the matter to the fullest extent possible, consented to do all he could to restore Nellie Warren to her people.

"Dear Colonel, did you hear anything unusual on the island last night?" "Only once; and that v^as the most terrible medley of sounds I ever heard. The whole regiment turned out to listen, and though we did not think it was made by the enemy, I sent two daring Irishmen to investigate the cause. They reported that the whole 'tear-up' was nothing but a 'darn fool nigger dancing a wild rigadoon around a great big tree like old Nick was after him, or he was after old Nick - we don't know which.' As some of the people believe that a negro can 'hoo-doo,' or put spells on white men, they concluded their report by saying, 'we watched him till we felt a spell coming on us, and scurried away.' "

"That was the negro Joe celebrating the redemption of his young missus, who was then inside the tree," exclaimed Capt. Starr laughing heartily.

It was dark when Capt. Starr again reached his little boat, armed with "permission to cross the river to take voluntary possession of a lady whom he had formerly wooed and won, ' ' and ordered that "upon his return with the lady at any time during the following morning, both are to receive the aid and protection of the officer detailed to receive them."

Elated with hope, the bold Confederate pulled for the island, and after meeting with some difficulty while crossing the main current, reached the fallen tree safely.

Miss Warren was so overcome by the joyful tidings brought her that Loyd King insisted on helping her, and without even asking permission to do so, took the astonished girl in his arms and tenderly carried her to the large sycamore where it was proposed she should sleep if she could, through the remainder of the night. Loyd afterwards said that "Though it was the first barrel of sugar he ever carried in his arms, he hoped it would not be the last one."

Though silent and uneventful, the night's vigil was one of patient love. How true it is that "The fluttering of the loveangel's wing will make the most dreary spot of earth a seeming Paradise, and produce emotions which hearts can feel, but tongue can never tell!"

At last the break of dawn, "at first faint gleaming in the dappled east," gave notice that the time for leaving was at hand. Miss Warren was ready and led by the steady hand of Loyd King, she was soon a passenger with Jim Warren, bound for the other bank. Tears fell thick and fast, a sad farewell was said, and the little boat moved away into the semi-darkness.

A little before sunrise the anxious voyagers reached the designated landing. An unknown officer and two other soldiers were there to meet them, and being conducted to headquarters th^y found a magnificent breakfast awaiting their arrival.

About 9 o'clock A. M., Capt. Starr and his lady started for Bridgeport, the terminus of the railroad since the affair mentioned at the beginning of this narrative. At 2 P. M. they boarded a freight train which carried them to Huntsville, sometime in the night.

To describe the abounding joy at the Warren home when the lost daughter returned is beyond the utmost reach of words. When Nellie whispered to her father that Capt. Starr was a full-blooded rebel in disguise, a large amount of gold was offered him for his services. Shaking his head with a firmness that could not be misunderstood, he said :

The morning came. Doubtless little sleep fell to the lot of the Warren family that night. A return train was scheduled for Bridgeport at 8 o'clock. The disguised rebel wanted to spend most of the intervening time with his redeemed Rebel Girl. She offered no objections. Within half an hour she had promised to become his bride when the "cruel war was over." He hastened to her parents, and after telling them in substance all that he and Nellie knew of each other, he concluded by saying:

"Notwithstanding all this; our relationship is not close enough to prevent me from redeeming my promise of last night. Nellie has given me her heart, will you give me her hand if I live through the war, which I grant is a very uncertain thing?"

Mr. Warren could say no more, and when the bitter farewell was over, the strange captain passed silently through the gazing crowds that thronged his way.

It was nearly sunset when Capt. Starr again stood in front of Col. Cummins' tent door. Sleeping little, they communed together until morning when the captain, with a flag of truce, rowed, for the last time, to the island of his thrilling adventures.

Leaving his precious craft where he found it, he hastened to the boat among the vines where he found Loyd King and Joe waiting for him. They at once reported to headquarters, and from thence passed on still deeper into the great conflict between the states.

The negro Joe, at Nellie Warren's particular request, became the willing and devoted servant of both Jim Warren and Loyd King ; and in deference to her wishes, Tom Dimple was sent away as a prisoner of war. The following October the noble Capt. Atwater was killed at Perryville, Ky.

The strife became more furious as time passed on, and when at last the conflict was over, and the South was just entering into the throes of reconstruction. Col. James Warren, formerly private Jim Warren, accompanied by his sister, Mary Warren, Capt. Loyd King, Gen. Arthur Cummins of Massachusetts, and Dr. Palmer, late of New Orleans, appeared before Nellie Warren at her elegant home in western Tennessee, and the man of God made them one. By them stood Loyd King and Mary Warren. The two

Joe King Warren, as the negro loved to call himself after entering the service of two masters, died about ten years ago. A costly monument, erected by the Warren family prominently marks his grave.

W. E. White

An Act of the General Assembly, approved October 13, 1870, called for the election, by the Board of Education, of one of its members of said Board to be County School Commissioner. This Act was amended on the 19th of January, 1872, in several particulars, but did not materially change the duties of the Commissioner,

The Act of 1911 changed the name "Commissioner" to "Superintendent of Schools." And also made the office elective by the people instead of by the Board.

The people of this county have always believed in education, and to-day, every district has a new and commodious school building. Jefferson, Pendergrass, Commerce. Statham, Maysville all have good brick buildings that would do credit to much larger cities, while Winder, Talmo, Hoschton, Arcade, Nicholson and Center have buildings of wood.

Harmony Grove Female Academy, 1824

*'Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Georgia, in General Assembly met, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, That Russell Jones, William Putts (Potts), Samuel Barnett, Frederick Stewart and John Rhea be Trustees of said Academy, etc." This was the first school for girls that was established in the State.

Commissioners Roads And Revenues

''In accordance with an Act of the General Assembly, entitled an Act appointing County Commissioners for Jackson County, Georgia, approved the 16th day of Feb., 1874."

Again, in 1901, the General Assembly of Georgia approved an Act creating another Board of Roads and Revenues. This Act was amended in 1903, allowing the people to elect the members of the Board instead of being appointed as under the Act of 1901. Members of the Board follows :

Clerks Superior Court

Most of the above-named clerks served as treasurers, also. Since 1864, our county has had only five treasurers apart from the Clerk's office.

Note: The custom followed by the officers in the early settlement and even up to the Civil War, was to assume the duties of their offices at most any time in the year that suited their convenience. This makes it a difficult matter to place the exact length of service, and we have, therefore, given each his one, two or four years as the case demands, as though he began on the first of the year as is the custom now.

Some Of The Queer Things Culled From The Records Of The Inferior Court Of

On motion of Theo P. Carnes, Atty. for Wm. Brown, stating that an action was depending in the Inferior Court of Franklin County, Wm. Brown vs. John Barnett which cause was ordered by said Court to be removed to this as the defendent resided in this County

Then proceeded to nominate Constables when David Shay Samuel Bridgewater and Johnson Clark was appointed and qualified also John Kinnerly who is to be qualified hereafter

Ordered, that a road be cut from this place the nearest & best way to the Cherokee Corner, and that Samuel Knox John Heart & Daniel W. Easley be commissioners of the same

And that a road be cut from this place Meeting a road from Franklin Court House, Jas East Wm. Carter & Obiant Mooney Commissioners of the same

On Thursday 3d the following "Orders" were passed: "Ordered that Tavern license & License for to keep a Ferryacross the Oconee river at Fort Mathews be granted to Mathew

"Ordered, that the following Rates be Lawful for any Tavern keeper, or retailers of Spiritous Liquors to sell by and shall not extort a larger sum for any single article than what is here allowed

Jackson County's first Justices of the peace were appointed on the 4th day of August, 1797, as follows : Capt. Morrison's district, Joseph East and Alexander Morrison.

At the April term 1797 this order was passed, viz : "Ordered that the Clerk advertise the building of the [first] Jail to be let to the lowest bidder on the first Saturday in May next at Clarksboro. the plan of said house is as follows, twenty two feet square on the out side two stories high a shingle roof the first story to begin two feet in the ground built with a double wall of timbers at least ten inches square & filled with small round poles end ways so as to make the walls three feet thick to be eight feet clear in the pitch of the floor to begin even with the surface of the earth laid with hewn timbers a foot thick close together then with two Inch oak plank nailed down with spikes within six inches of each other and second floor in the same manner and a trap door in the middle three feet square well Ironed the second story to be ten feet pitch in the clear & only the out wall carried up the upper floor of squared timbers six inches thick a door to the upper story well Ironed & 4 eight light glass windows, well grated the lower story to have two windows, eight inches

At the June Term of the Inferior Court in 1800, this "Order" was passed: "Ordered, that Gabriel Hubbard, Jacob Bankston, James Stringer, Robt. McGowen, Richard Easley, Wm. Loyd and Richard Thurmond be commissioners to lay out a road leading from the High Shoals of the Appalatchee to Jackson court house so as to cross the bridge across the Middle river where the county may appoint.

Judges Inferior Court

1839, W. J. Hill, N. C. Jarrett, Tillman Harrison and D. M. Burns. 1840-41, N. C. Jarrett, Robt. Moon and Tillman Harrison. 1842-43, N. C. Jarrett, Tillman Harrison and Middleton Witt.

N. Wood.* This court took the place, somewhat, of the Court of Ordinary at the present time, if the duties of Commissioners of Roads and Revenues were combined with his work. The Inferior Court also

The court had its monthly, quarterly, semi-annual and annual sessions. From the record, it would seem that certain cases of a particular nature was tried at certain of these different "sittings."

This court was organized in October 1875. Hon. M, M. Pittman was the Judge. This court, unlike the court of '66 and '67, which used the sheriff, had its own recognized bailiffs.

These courts were thought to be too expensive, considering the small scope of their powers. Much of the business transacted by them could be carried on by the Justice courts.

But later the people felt the need of a court that could be carried on at less expense than the Superior Court and therefore the City Court of Jefferson came into existence.

Officers Of City Court Of Jefferson Board Tax Assessors

Section 2, "Be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That there shall be and is hereby established in each of the several counties of the State a Board of Tax Assessors. Said County Board shall consist of three members to be appointed by the Board of County Commissioners, or a majority thereof or by the ordinary in which have no Board of County Commissioners, etc." Approved August 14, 1913.

As soon as the returns of the election, on November the 7th, 1860, was known and every one was satisfied that Abraham Lincoln would be the next President of the United States of America, the South "sat up and took notice."

The people seemed to think that the time had come for a separation from the Union. And accordingly a convention was called to decide whether Georgia would leave the Union or remain as she was.

The Convention met in Milledgeville, the Capital then, and on Jan. 19th, 1861, passed the following ''Ordinance:" "We the people of the State of Georgia, in convention assembled, do declare and ordain, and it is hereby declared and ordained, That the ordinance adopted by the people of the State of Georgia in convention, on the second day of January 1788, whereby the Constitution of the United States of America was assented to, ratified and adopted; and also all acts and parts of acts of the General Assembly of this State ratifying and adopting amendments of the said constitution, are hereby repealed, rescinded and abrogated.

"We do further declare and ordain. That the Union now subsisting between the State of Georgia and other states, under the name of the 'United States of America,' is hereby dissolved, and that the State of Georgia is in the full possession and the exercise of all those rights of sovereignty which belong and appertain to a free and independent state."

Our delegates, Hons. J. J. McCulloch, J. G. Pittman and D. R. Lyle, voted for the above ordinance, thus placing Jackson County on the list as in favor of Secession. We notice our sister county's (Banks) delegates voted one for and one against the ordinance. Hon. S. W. Pruit favored the withdrawal but Hon. W. R. Bell opposed it. Hall County's three delegates, Hons. E. M. Johnson, P. M. Byrd and Davis Whelchel, voted solidly against the measure. Gwinnett's delegates, Hons. R. D. Winn, J. P. Simmons and T. P. Hudson did likewise, while Hons. T. R. R. Cobb, Asbury Hull and Jefferson Jennings of Clarke, favored the ordinance.

Hons. J. S. Gholston and A. C. Daniel of Madison County, did the same. Walton County sent Hons. George Spence and H, D. McDaniel who voted in favor of the measure, but Hon, Willis Kilgore was against the ordinance.

Confederate Veterans Who Enlisted From Jackson

While many of our best citizens thought it best not to "fight" the stars and stripes, doing all in their power to avert a collision with the powers at Washington, they soon saw that there was no remedy save that of the bayonet. When the call came, the manhood of this county offered itself a living sacrifice, for what they thought was right.

The "conscript" officer had little or no work to do in our midst. Every one was ready to volunteer for service, in defense of the southland.

No section of the state, or better say of the world, if you please, had a more noble and courageous band of men than those who enlisted from Jackson County.

To secure this list of 1,350 names, we have searched the records of our court-house, the Roster Commission office in Atlanta, the records in Washington City and last, but by no means least, have conferred with quite a number of the old veterans, who have been exceedingly kind and helpful in this work.

The companies have been placed, each to itself, where enough names could be found to make a creditable showing. In several of the last companies that went out and where the enlistment took place outside the county, the "muster rolls" could not be found, therefore, it was thought best to group them together as has been done.

Adams, J. T. Anglin, Willis Anglin, Knock Anglin, W. W. Adair, W. A. Allen, J. B. Bowls, T. C. Bacon, A. E. Bacon, Ed. Barnett, H. C. Barron, W. L. Bell, H. W. Bell, A. J. Bennett, Euel Bennett, Tom Cohen, M. A, Callahan, J. H. Callahan, W. C. Cheek, L. M. Clanton, "Wm. Daley, James DeLaperriere, A. A, Davis, Ephraim Davis, W. C. Davis, Pierce Davis, John Espey, J. F. Espey, J. A. Estes, 0. N. Erwin, Elijah Eustice, E. M. Franklin, M, V. Franklin, R. B. Freeman, S. A. Goodin, Augustus

Names of soldiers who enlisted in companies, in the county, of which the "muster rolls" could not be obtained; and, also, those who joined companies outside of Jackson County. At least 99 per cent, of these were volunteers in the service.

The ranks are being rapidly thinned and it will be but a short time until all have passed over to the great roll-call. About onethird of the above named veterans, enlisted from Jackson County, the others having moved in from other places. But they, doubtless, were just as brave as our boys in gray and they are welcome, yea, thrice welcome.

Convention Of 1865

After the awful war of the '60 's closed, Governor James Johnson called for delegates to be sent to Milledgeville. It will be remembered Gov. Johnson was Provisional governor, by appointment, and he was thoroughly in sympathy with the President and the only thing our delegates could do was to undo the acts passed in withdrawing from the Union or do nothing.

"We, the people of the State of Georgia in convention, at our seat of government, do declare and ordain, That an ordinance adopted by the same people, in convention, on the nineteenth day of January 1861, entitled 'An ordinance to dissolve the Union between the state of Georgia and the other states united with her under a compact of government entitled "the constitution of the United States of America;' " also an ordinance, adopted by the same on the sixteenth day of March 1861, entitled, An ordinance to adopt and ratify the constitution of the Confederate States of America; and also all ordinances and resolutions of the same, adopted between the sixteenth of January and twentieth of

March in the year aforesaid, subversive of, or antagonistic to the civil and military authority of the government of the United States of America, under the constitution thereof, be, and the same are hereby repealed."

After all the deliberating and "swallowing" these cold "ordinances," the powers that were in Washington would not accept the humble submission of Georgia until she was given further punishment. She was refused representation in Congress and was put under military rule. Georgia remained thus until an election was called by the military in charge, to send delegates to the State Capital for another convention.

This election lasted three days and was held at the county seats, only, and was guarded in this county by the Federal soldiers with guns at their sides.

The convention met on the 9th of December, 1867, and lasted until the following March, 1868. At the close of this convention Hon. Rufus B. Bulloch was made Governor of Georgia.

Convention Of 1877

While the Constitution of 1868 was a very good instrument, the people felt unkindly towards it on account of its having been forced on them by bayonet rule. The Legislature, 1877, approved an Act giving the people the right to vote for or against the holding of another Constitutional Convention. The vote was light, the aggregate being only 87,238, and the convention was carried by 9,124 majority.

The Constitution of '77 was almost an ideal instrument. The State is still controlled by it. There have been a few amendments made and doubtless others will be made from time to time as the emergencies may arise.

Members Of The General Assembly Of Georgia

Jackson County has been honored by having had two of her worthy citizens elected to the Speakership of the General Assembly of Georgia. Hon. David Witt held this position in 1820 and 1821. Hon. John N. Holder held the place of Speaker from 1909 to 1912. It is conceded by all that Mr. Holder ranked among the very highest as Speaker.

Note: In 1843 the state was divided into forty-seven Senatorial districts. Each district was composed of two counties, except Chatham, which was considered a district alone. In this arrangement our county was in the 38th. But the Convention of 1862, at Savannah, paragraph I., section n, article II, of the constitution of the state was so amended that it provided that there shall be 44 districts composed of three contiguous counties.

Paragraph I., section II., article HI., of the constitution of Georgia, of 1877, declares "the 44 districts shall be composed as follows, etc." Under this, Jackson, Hall and Banks form the 33rd Senatorial district, as had been the case with these counties since 1861.

Some Strange Old Papers, Copied For Your Pleasure

"Know all men by these presents that I Daniel W. Easley of the county of Jackson & state of Georgia for and in consideration of the sum of four thousand four hundred & ninety dollars to me in hand paid by Roderick Easley of the county and state aforesaid the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge have bargained sold & delivered unto sd. Rod. Easley his heirs & assigns forever to have & to hold the following property to wit One Negro Man named Bob & his wife Molly & two children Rachel & Clary One Negro woman named Lucy & children Abram Nancy & Winny. two negro men named Tom & Peter two Boys named Bob & Adam two negro women Frank & Fann one negro girl named Esther One hundred & Thirty head of Black Cattle of Different marks six head of horses One bay stud Two Gildens two blacks and one sorrel twenty head of sheep of Different marks One hundred head of hogs in said Daniels mark five feather beds & furniture to have and to hold the sd. property for his own proper use & benefit forever & firmly by these presents, do warrant & forever defend the above named property from all person or persons whatsoever that shall or may lay any right title or claim to sd. property unto Eod. Easley his heirs executors & administrators firmly by these presents. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this 21 day of November 1796.

The above Bill of Sale is here inserted for no other purpose than to let the young reader, who may not have known of these sales, see for himself that human beings were once handled in the market like cattle.

It is safe to say that there is not, to-day, a man or woman in the county that would wish to see these things brought back to this lovely land of ours.

Note: We wish to call the attention of the young reader to these extracts from the records at the court-house. They are exact copies. We have no right to change them one iota. If the punctuation or spelling is wrong it must be copied that way. Some of them seem ridiculous, but let us remember they had but few advantages that you and I have to-day.

It sounds very, very strange to the reader to hear that a great deal of the best farming lands of our county was once sold for taxes ; but such is the case.

From the records, we learn that at the close of the Revolutionary War, many "grants" were made to the soldiers and others. The deeds, as are used to-day, were then called "warrants." These warrants were deeds signed by the Governor of the state. Many of the citizens of the county now have these old grants or warrants among their papers, forming what they are proud to show as a complete "chain of title."

Georgia was unfit for farming purposes and therefore paid no attention to their claims, in fact, one historian wrote fifty years later that all of the land was poor except the "bottoms."

By referring to records in the Clerk's office, it will be found that in book "A and B" on pages 154 to 180, a Mr. John Cobb of Jefferson County and a Mr. Benning bought at Tax Collector's sale 14,123 acres of Jackson County lands for the aggregate amount of 71 pounds and 1 shilling, English money, or in our money, about $344.5914 (reckoning the English pound at $4.85). These lands lay around, or in the vicinity of Talasee Shoals, some near the little town of Attica and other tracts between Commerce and Hurricane Shoals. These sales took place in 1792-4-5.

Our friend, Mr. Cobb, must have become "land poor" as he sold in 1799, 7,025 acres of this land for $10.00. A copy of the deed can be found in this work. None of the territory that sold so cheap then could be bought for less than $50.00 an acre, at the present time.

By the Honorable Samuel Elbert Esquire Captain, General, Governor and Commander in Chief in and over the said state. To all to whom these presents shall come, Greeting:

Know ye, that inpursuance of the Act for oppening the land office and by virtue of the powers in me vested, I have by and with the advice and consent of the Honorable and Executive Council, given & granted land by these presents in the name & behalf of the said state Do give and grant unto William Few, Esquire his heirs & assigns forever All that tract or parcel of land, containing Seven hundred & twenty five acres Situate, lying and being in the County of Franklin state aforesaid, butting and bounding On all sides by vacant land having such shape form and marks as appear by a plat of the same hereunto annexed together with all and singular the Rights members and appurtenances thereof whatsoever to the said tract or parcel of land belonging or in any wise appertaining; And also all the Estate, Rights, Title, Interest Claim & demand of the state aforesaid of in to or out of the same

Given under my hand in Council, and the Great seal of the said State, this Thirteenth day of October in the year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred & eighty five and in the Tenth year

The above grant is here given that the reader may see exactly what is meant by the Governor's "warrants" to land. This tract of land is in Cunningham district, this county, and is known as the Perry and Franklin Harrison home place, four miles north of Jefferson and three miles east of Pendergrass, Ga., on the old state road. Mr. James F. Harrison has the "grant" among his old deeds, forming a complete chain of title.

On page 182 of Book "A and B," of the Clerk Superior Court's records can be found this very remarkable deed - that is if the price of land of to-day is taken into consideration :

"Georgia. This Indenture made this fifteenth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety nine and in the twenty third year of the Independence of the United States of America between John Cobb of the county of Jefferson and State aforesaid of the one part And Rhoderick Easley of the County of Jackson & State aforesaid of the other part Witnesseth that the said John Cobb for and in Consideration of the sum of ten dollars to him in hand paid, well and truly paid by the said Rhoderick Easley at or before the Sealing and delivery of these presents, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged hath granted bargained sold released & confirmed. And by these presents doth grant bargain sell release and confirm unto the said Rhoderick Easley, his heirs and assigns, all those following tracts of land (to wit) one of four thousand and twenty five acres, more or less, situated lying and being in the County of Jackson, f ormaly Franklin County on Marbury 's Creek, granted to Horatio Marbury. Also One other tract of three thousand acres lying and being in the coimty aforesaid on McNutt's creek and the waters of Barber's Creek, granted to John P. Wagnon, bounded by Horatio Marbury & Stinson, together with all and singular the rights, members and appurtenances thereunto belonging, to have and to hold the said tract & premises to the only proper use, benefit and behoof of the said Rhoderick Easley his heirs forever And the said John Cobb for himself his heirs and assigns will warrant and forever defend the aforesaid tracts of land and premises unto the said Rhoderick Easley his heirs forever against him the said John Cobb & his heirs, and all and every other person or persons whatsoever. In witness whereof he the said John Cobb has hereunto set his hand and Seal the day and year first above written. Signed, Sealed and delivered in the presence ofJB. Easley I' ) "John Cobb (L. S.)"

"Ben Easley being duly sworn saith he saw John Cobb sign and acknowledge the above Deed, and that he saw Robert Jackson subscribe as a witness with him."

Health And Longevity Of The People

Jackson County has always stood at the head of the list, as a healthy place in which to live, noted for its good water and healthful climate,

Since many of the streams have become choked with trash and sand, causing them to overflow the adjoining lands, in some sections, malarial fevers are felt. But the people are beginning to realize that by proper drainage, this evil can be overcome. There are now drainage companies being organized that promise to not only improve the health of the county but to reclaim thousands of acres of as good land as there is in the state.

The surveyors have demonstrated that there is ample "fall" to carry the waters, if given a clear channel in which to flow. This has been proven beyond a shadow of doubt.

At a cost of some twenty dollars per acre this land can be brought into cultivation. When that is accomplished, what is now waste land will produce enough food for every man and beast within the bounds of the county.

This county is noted for the long life of many of its people. A Mrs. Loggins is said, on good authority, to have lived 115 years. Mrs. Elizabeth Merk, grandmother of Mr. Henry Merk, died at 116. We give below short sketches of three dear old mothers that are nearing the century mark :

Mrs. Veal's maiden name was Miss Kidd. She is the mother of 14 children, 7 sons and 7 daughters. She has 62 grandchildren, 142 great-grandchildren and 17 great-great-grandchildren.

With her weight of 92 years, she is "hale and hearty" and does light housekeeping, making her home, not on her own farm but with one of her children, Mrs. T. T. Cooper, near Braselton, Ga.

was born January 28, 1818. Her maiden name was Miss Lyle. She was married to Mr. John R. Hancock, December 30, 1834. To them were born 10 children, eight of whom lived to be grown, and four, Mrs. E. J. Whitehead, Mrs. Fannie Stanton, Mrs. Emma Rush and J. B. Hancock, are still living.

Mrs. Hancock has 17 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. While more than 96 years old, she is able to sit and converse with her friends and neighbors for quite a long while each day.

was born on the 27th day of April, 1815. Her maiden name was Miss Hudson. She was married to Mr. Henry B. Gober on January 26, 1837. To them were born four children, two boys and two girls.

She has 18 grandchildren. Notwithstanding her pilgrimage of nearly 100 years, she holds up wonderfully well. Her mind is reasonably active and she can converse with her friends very intelligently.

Jackson County lands sell for $50 and up. Compare this with the price asked, but not always obtained, for New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey lands at $25 and less per acre.

One historian, sixty years ago, as has been mentioned in this work, said the lands of our county were "mostly very poor, except the river bottoms." How does that strike the young mind of to-day? Even thirty years ago, land in some sections of the county was considered too worthless to clear away the timber for cultivation.

Such lands got the high sounding name of Pea Kidge and Chinquapin Ridge. Said to have been called by those names because the land would not sprout peas but would grow the little sweet nut that the children called "chinkey pins." (The writer is very sorry to part company with these little friends of bygone days.)

These same ridge lands are selling to-day at from $50 to $100 and difficult to obtain at that price. They are producing one bale of cotton or 50 bushels of corn per acre.

is not far to seek: improved methods in farming. Our farmers are not only carrying out the old adage of ''growing two blades where only one grew" but are doubling and thribbling the yields on the "old hills of Jackson County."

Indeed, Jackson ranks second in agricultural importance in the state. While many of the other counties were settled sixty or seventy years before Jackson, she is forging her way to the very front.

There are 2,839 white boys and 2,663 white girls of school age in the county and 1,278 colored boys and 1,236 colored girls, of school age, making a grand total of 8,016,

Forty-five counties in Georgia are larger than Jackson, but only one, Bulloch County, produced more crop-wealth during the census year. And some years Jackson produces a greater number of bales of cotton than any in the state.

Jackson has some large land owners but the county is made up largely of small farmers. Nearly two-thirds of the farms are less than 50 acres in size. The total wealth, including city property, according to the census report 1912, was nearly 5,500,000 dollars. About $47,000 per year gain for the 117 years since the organization of the county.

The money value of the crops of 1910, was, in round numbers, $4,582,000. The question will arise, and naturally so, too. What becomes of all that great wealth? The answer is not hard to find. Jackson County has been under the reign of the great king. King Cotton.

The tide is turning. In the year 1913, our people produced more corn and oats, peas, hay and syrup than in any previous year of the history of the county.

As early as 1820, Mr. James Orr, father of Professor S. P. Orr, now of Athens, had a cotton gin establishment in what is now known as the Merk Settlement, between Dry Pond and Apple Valley. Mr. Orr and Mr, Cowan constructed a machine with which the "teeth" of the saws could be cut as speedily as a sewing machine can make stitches, whereas, before that invention, each tooth was made by hand. They never had their idea patented but allowed others to use it free.

Many of our older citizens can recall the old hat factories of our county. At the old mill site, now owned by Mr. R. C, Roberts, some three miles above Jefferson, was a factory that produced an excellent grade of hats from native wool. There was another factory in the eastern part of the county, also. These factories flourished for many years before the Civil war, and the first named, until after that great strife was settled.

Jefferson, Winder and Commerce all have cotton mills that give employment to many people and these mills turn out a first class product. Each of these cities, as well as Pendergrass, Maysville and Hoschton, have oil mills with fertilizer plants attached. Winder has an overall factory, also. Braselton has a fertilizer plant known as "The Co-Operative Fertilizer Co."

Maysville has two banking establishments ; Commerce has three ; Jefferson, three; Statham, one; Winder, three; Hoschton, one; Braselton, one; and Pendergrass, one, all of which are owned and conducted by Jackson County people.

This county has three railroads. Gainesville Midland, through the center and on the west ; Seaboard on the south, and the Southern (old North Eastern) on the eastern side of the county.

From the general presentments of the Grand Jury, of February, 1914, it is observed that the county has a good court-house, substantial jail, home for the poor, roads supplied with good bridges across all the streams, is out of debt, no bonded indebtedness, and has a cash balance of $26,314.05.

It is not generally known, but nevertheless true, that Talmo enjoys the distinction of being located in the midst of a section that is noted for its fine cotton.

This little city is surrounded by some twelve or fourteen square miles of gray - nearly white - lands that produce the finest ' ' short staple" cotton in the world. In fact, most of Jackson County lands produce a fine grade of cotton.

When the Pacolet Cotton Mill Company was looking for a location suitable to place their dismantled mills, they chose Gainesville, Ga., in order that they might be in close touch with this section of Georgia - Jackson and surrounding section.

Jackson County has no navigable streams but does possess some fine water-powers. There is enough power going to waste on the North Oconee river to put electric lights on the streets and in the buildings of every town in the whole county. And there is enough power wasting in the different streams over the county to light, with the proper storage facilities, every home in and turn every wheel of machinery in the county. This can be utilized without materially interfering with the proper drainage that is contemplated.

Thus our county has made wonderful progress in the 118 years of its existence, but greater things are in store for her and she will attain the goal.