Savannah, Georgia - History (part 16 of 16)

From the time of the last days of the Revolution names of lawyers appear frequently, and we have rather meagre records of John Wereat, Samuel Stirk, Richard Howley, Joseph Clay, Win. O'Bryan, Wm. Gibbons, George Walton, and others. Later on we have other names which are familiar to students of Georgia history, such as Wm. Smith, John Houston, Henry Osborne. Nathaniel Pendleton, James Jackson, and many more. We cannot do more than to barely mention the names of some of these men who became famous at the Savannah bar, whom we must not omit: John -Maepherson Berrien, John Y. Noel, William Law, George Jones, Thomas U. P. Charlton, Wm. Davies, James M. Wayne, John C. Nicoll. Henry R. Jackson, Edward J. Harden, Chas.' S. Henry, Wm. B. Fleming, Joseph W. Jackson, Francis S. Bartow, Claudius C. Wilson, Thos. M. Norwood. Wm. B. Bulloch, Geo. S. and Jno. W. Owens, Morclecai Sheftall, B. W. Habersham, Robt. M. Charlton, John Milieu, L. S. D'Leon. M. Id. McAllister, Jno. M. Clark, R. W. Pooler, Wm. W. Gordon, Mordecai Meyers, J. De La Motta, Wm. II. Stiles, Alex R. Lawton, John E. Ward. Geo. J. Kollock. Solomon Cohen. Rufus E. Lester, Julian Hartridge, Walter S. Chisholm, John M. Guerard, Geo. A. Mercer, S. Yates Levy, John M. B. Lovell, A. Pratt Adams, B. A. Denmark, Henry B. Thompkins, Wm. D. Harden, Wm. Schley, Robt. Falligant, F. G. du Begion. R. R. Richards, Chas. N. Vest, Samuel B. Adams, J. R. Saussy, and others. It is not possible to speak of all the present members of the bar. some of whom are mentioned in the list given above. Prominent among these are Wm. Garrard, Peter W. Meldrim, Alex. R. Lawton, Henry C. Cunningham, W. W. Osborne, Alex. A. Lawrence, Joseph Cronk, Fred T. Saussy, Samuel B. Adams, and his son, A. Pratt Adams, Walter G. Charlton, T. Mayliew Cunningham, Davis Freeman, W. W. Mackall, Alex. II. MaeDonell, J. Randolph Anderson, Robt. L. Colding, Geo. T. Cann, J. Ferris Cann, W. R. Leaken, A. Minis. M. A. O'Byrne, Geo. W. Owens. H. E. Wilson, J. M. Rogers, U. H. McLaws, Raiford Falligant, R. J. Travis. II. D. D. Twiggs, F. M. Oliver, J. E. Oliver, II. W. Johnson, W. W. Gordon. W. P. Hardee. W. C. Hartridge, Chas. G. Edwards, T. P. Ravenel, Gordon Saussy, Wm. B. Stephens, W. B. Stubbs, G. II. Richter, John Rourke, Jr., F. P. McTntire, 1). C. Barrow, E. II. Abrahams. J. R. Cann, E. A. Cohen, J. M. Drever. R. M. Hitch, Shelby Myriek, John E. Schwarz, P. E. Seabrook, L. G. Harvey, J. Gazan, S. N. Gazan, G. Noble Jones, A. R. Lawton, Jr., Edward S. Elliott, John L. Travis.

We now pass on to the medical profession, and here we have great difficulty in tracing the record of the earliest doctors in Georgia, as the first writers had little to say on the subject. Among the sore-heads of the colony who were not at all in harmony with General Oglethorpe were Dr. Patrick Tailfer and Dr. Hugh Anderson, but we know little or nothing of their career, not even as to the extent of their practice. Dr. Nunis was a member of the Hebrew congregation which appeared shortly after the landing of the first colonists, and we ha\e told in another place the story of their adventures. We have become familiar with the names of Dr. Noble Wyinberley Jones, Dr. John Irvine and Dr. Thomas Young through the frequent mention of their names in Georgia records; but the facts in relation to the work done by thenras physicians are meager. From what has come down to us they must have been men of considerable experience and successful in their practice as were also men of the same profession in the early days of the nineteenth century, among whom we mention Drs. Nicholas Bayard, James Glen, John Grimes, Thos. Schley, Henry Bourquin, James Bond Read, Geo. V. Proctor, Lemuel Kolloek. James Ewell, Moses Sheftall, John Gumming, Joshua E. White. Then came Drs. Win. C. Daniell, Chas. Williamson, George Jones, James P. Screven, Wm, Parker, Peter Ward, and Thomas Young, Jr. Drs. Wm. R. Waring, Cosmo P. Riehardsone, Stephen N. Harris, P. M. Kolloek, J. R. Saussy, T. G. Barnard, Richard D. Arnold, W. A. Caruthers, Henry K. Burroughs, T. Bartow, Martin Tufts. Richard Wayne, J. D. Fish. J. A. Wragg, Wm. Gaston Bulloch, Alex. Cunningham, and R. Wildeman were practitioners before and after the great war of 1S61-1S65, and a number of them are still held in grateful remembrance by some of the citizens of today. Others still whose names should not be omitted were Joseph Clay Habersham, Raymond Harris, John F. Posey, Wm. M. Charters, Harvey L. Byrd, J. J. Waring, R. J. Nunn, Wm. H. Cuvier, J. Gordon Howard, Chas. W. West, Jos. J. West, Jas. S. Sullivan, Jno. W. Francis. James Stonev, J. C. Habersham, Jr., Juriah Harriss, Eaton Yonge, E. P. Starr, James Campfield, James G. Thomas, Thos. J. Charlton (father of the present estimable and popular Dr. Thos. J. Charlton), Robt. P. Myers, Wm. Duncan, J. C. Le Hardy, Raymond B. Harris, John I). Martin, Frank Lincoln, Geo. II. Stone, J. S. Houstoun, C. II. Colding, M. F. Dunn. Savannah has supported two successful medical colleges, the Savannah and the Oglethorpe ; but they have long since suspended their work and students of medicine now go elsewhere for instruction.

Although there is now no college for the education of medical students in Savannah, the city can boast of one of the oldest medical societies in the United States. The Georgia Medical Society was incorporated in 1804, and the charter members were men of ability in the profession, the names of all of them being included in the list given above. The! first president was Dr. Noble Wymberlev Jones and the first vice-president was Dr. John Irvine. It was intended to be a state society, but its membership has nearly all the time been composed of physicians residing in and near Savannah. In addition to the names of Savannah physicians already given the following are some of more recent date, many of whom are at this time practicing: Drs. B. S. Purse, Wm. II. Elliott,

Patriotic Societies - Notable Spots Marked by Memorial Tablets, etc. - Georgiv Society of Colonial Wars - Georgia Society Sons of the Revolution - Savannah's Newspapers.

Savannah has always ranked as one of the cities of this great country in which the military spirit abounds and is always manifest; and she has been imbued with that spirit from the time when her illustrious founder first stepped upon her shore until the present time. Oglethorpe was a military genius, and his plans were all laid with an eye to the importance of having the territory of Georgia protected on all sides by a sufficient number of men equipped for fighting. Throughout the pages of this history the reader has been confronted with facts showing that the very situation of the place marks the necessity of its being always fortified and sufficiently manned for emergencies that might arise under certain conditions, and the readiness with which our people invariably respond to the demand for the very best protection. The city has never failed to provide her full quota of well-drilled troops whenever the country has had need of help outside of the regular army. In wars, colonial, provincial, revolutionary, and of later times to tins present moment calls for troops raised among our best people have met with hearty and quick response. Companies raised more than a century ago still keep up their organizations, and their members of today are proud of the record made by their predecessors in the long ago. In chronological order the facts relating to the organizing of the various companies have already engaged the attention of the reader, and the attention of the reader will now be directed to the latest record of the military body which forms the great part of the local division Georgia National Guard. The several military companies of the city comprising the First Volunteer Regiment of Georgia have received our attention, and the reader has been made acquainted with the important facts in their history to and including the war of 1861-18(1"). We now resume the subject, and briefly relate the important matters relating to that organization since then.

he was promoted and saw service elsewhere and did his full share in the conflict which resulted in the failure of Georgia to acquire the right she sought to establish. He was succeeded by Col. Hugh W. Mercer who was soon thereafter promoted and Col. Charles II. 01 instead commanded the regiment from that time until the close of the war. Upon the re-organization after Georgia was admitted into the Union Col. 01mstead was again called to the command in 1872, but resigned in 1876, when Col. Clifford W. Anderson was elected in his place. After ten years' service Colonel Anderson resigned in 1886, and Capt. George A. Mercer, then in command of the Republican Blues, was promoted to the position once held by his father. Failing health compelled Colonel Mercer to resign early in 1896, when Alexander R. Layton, .Jr., was called to the position his honored father had ably filled. Under him the regiment was mustered into the United States service during the War with Spain in 1898 and remained in service until its close when, in 1900, he returned, and Col. Thomas S. Wylly, Jr., took command until October, 1902. In November of that year, Col. Geo. Arthur Gordon was elected as commander of the regiment, and retained the rank of colonel until August, 1908, turning it over to Major Michael J. O'Leary who was commissioned as colonel in the succeeding October.

The last quarterly return shows, including the medical staff and hospital corps, the total strength of the regiment to be 50 officers and 653 enlisted men.

First, we mention Solomon Lodge of Free Masons which was organized shortly after the settlement of the English colonists here. The charter was granted in 1735. It is recorded that in the year 1733, at a meeting of the Grand Lodge in London "Deputy Grand Master Batson recommended the new colony of Georgia in North America to the benevolence of the particular lodges." We cannot, give the history of this order in detail, but must mention that the first session of the Grand Lodge of the State of Georgia was held in Savannah on the 16th of December, 1786. It is a historical fact that at one time there were two grand lodges in the state which was considered unfortunate; but in 1839 they were united, and the Masonic order has grown and flourished ever since.

The first masonic hall for the use of the Savannah lodges was built in 1799 for Solomon's Lodge on President street near Whitaker on what was then St. James square, but now Telfair Place. It was a frame building, and entirely without ornamental work within or without. It stood for many years resisting storms of wind and rain, with nothing apparently done to it in the way of repairs, and when it was torn down in 18S8 it was well-named by the Morning Xcirs as "an historic rookery." From the issue of the paper of March 28, 1888, the following extract, is made :

"The two-story wooden building on a brick basement fronting on President street was erected by the members of Solomon's Lodge in 1799, and was used by the Masonic fraternity until 1858, when they removed to the building on the northeast corner of Bull and Broughton streets, having sold the old site to the city in 1856. The city bought the property and that adjoining on the west, which was at one time the residence of General Lachlan McIntosh of the Revolutionary army, intending to erect thereon a guard-house or police station; but the people of the neighborhood objected to its being used for that purpose, and it was sold to the late John J. Kelly for one thousand dollars. * * * It was in that old lodge-room that lion. William Stephens,

Gen. James Jackson, Gov. Josiah Tattnall, and other illustrious Georgians and Masons met in the early days of the then young state. It was there also that the Cuban patriot. General Lopez, who was soon after paroled in Havana, was made a Mason in 1850. There are quite a number of members of the fraternity now living who were brought 'to light' in the old room which today will disappear forever."

The lodge room of the Masons on Broughton and Bull streets was abandoned in the 70 's when the Masonic Temple on the northwest corner of Liberty and Whitaker streets was finished; but there is at this time in process of erection on the western corner of Bull and Charlton streets a costly Masonic Temple which will be finished before the close of the year 1913.

Savannah has several lodges of Knights of Pythias holding meetings in Knights of Pythias Hall on the southeast corner of Barnard and York streets.

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows is a flourishing institution in Savannah, and the various lodges meet in their large building known as Odd Fellows Hall, at the northwest corner of State and Barnard streets, erected on the spot where stood the wooden building in which General Washington was entertained during his visit to Savannah in May, 1791. Before the hall was built in 1887. the lodges met in the building on the northeast corner of Bull and Broughton streets. The new building had been occupied but two years when it was totally destroyed by the fire of April 6, 1889, hut was shortly after rebuilt on a different plan.

The number of societies of a secret and benevolent character is so great that a list of them would cover many pages. We can give the names of only a few, without naming the officers. The German Friendly Society and the Hebrew Benevolent Society do splendid work in their line. The King's Daughters, Order of American Firemen, Police Benevolent Society, Savannah Benevolent Association, and the Associated Charities are among the active workers in giving relief to those who need it. We mention also the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Catholic Knights of America. Successful in their efforts to help their brethren are the Woodmen of the World, Elks, Eagles. Owls. Moose, Daughters of Isabella, Daughters of the Confederacy, Children of the Confederacy, Sons of Confederate Veterans, two Confederate Veterans Associations, known as Camps 569 and 756, and many more, both social and benevolent.

The patriotic societies of the United States are represented in Savannah by local branches which do much to keep alive the memory of the services of their ancestors in the times of colonial development, the winning of statehood for the colonies and the achievement of independence, as well as the patriotic services of later times. The Georgia Society of Colonial Dames of America has done good work in marking the spots where notable events happened in Savannah in the period of her early history. The society lias as its president -Mrs. Joseph J. Wilder, who has held the office, serving with ability and dignity for a number of years.*

On the western wall of the custom house at the southeast corner of Bull and Bay streets, the Dames placed in 1903 a tablet with this inscription :

On this Spot Where Stood the First Public Building Erected in Georgia, John Wesley Preached His First Sermon on American Soil March 7, 1736 (0. S.)

Another memorial of Wesley was erected on the western wall of the Postoffice building, bounded by Bull, President, Whitaker, and York streets, the same lime as the above bv the same society, with this inscription :

In the year 1899 the same society placed in Wright square a large boulder, with this inscription, in honor of the Indian chief who was a friend of Oglethorpe and of the colony :

The eastern wall of the building standing at the northwest corner of Broughton and Whitaker streets bears a large tablet with this inscription :

The Georgia Society of Colonial Wars is also a society which has been organized for work of the kind so well done by the Colonial Dames. As yet it has not erected any memorial tablets. At the annual election of officers recently held Col. G. Noble Jones was made governor.

The Georgia Society of the Cincinnati has in recent years been reorganized. and is building up as rapidly as it can, considering the fact that so few persons are eligible to membership. The president is Hon. Walter G. Charlton, the secretary Mr. George F. Tennille, and assistant secretary Mr. William Harden. 'The Lachlan McTntosh, Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution, under the regency of Mrs. John M. Bryan lately erected a memorial of Sergt. Win. Jasper at the Spring, called by his name, east of the city of Savannah, where that soldier gal-

The Georgia Society of Sons of the Revolution was instituted on the 22d of May, 1891. and has about one hundred and sixty members. Hon. Walter G. Charlton is president, Mr. William Harden secretary, and Mr. Waring Russell treasurer. It has as yet erected only one memorial, a bronze tablet to mark the spot of. Spring TIill Redoubt, a point where much activity was exhibited during the siege of Savannah in October, 1779, when Sergt. William Jasper was killed and Count Pulaski was mortally wounded. The society appointed a committee, with Mr. Roht. J. Travis as Chairman, to locate the exact spot on which the redoubt stood. The committee took great interest in the work, and reported that the place had been ascertained. The tablet was unveiled February 22, 1911, in the presence of a large audience, including the Viscount Benoist d'Azy, representing the French government. The tablet bear's this inscription :

One of the Bloodiest Engagements of the Revolution was Fought When Repeated Assaults Were Made by the Allied Troops of Georgia, South Carolina and France in An Effort to Retake Savahnali from the British.

This work would not be complete without more than a passing reference to the newspapers that have been published here from colonial times to the present date. It is a singular fact that, while at certain periods when the population of the city was very far below the number apparently necessary to support more than one daily morning paper, it had two, and both seemed to thrive; while it has now been many years since any publisher lias thought it possible to compete with that prosperous and most popular journal, the Savannah Morning Xews. At this time we have a successful afternoon newspaper, the Savannah Press, and those two dailies satisfy all demand in that respect.

Founded in 1733, the colony of Georgia for thirty years depended on the neighboring colony of South Carolina for weekly news of what was going on in the outside world, and Savannah's tradesmen advertised their goods in the Charleston paper.

Seven papers in the other twelve colonies were in existence when, on the 17th of April, 1793. the first number of the Georgia Gazelle was issued from the press of James Johnston, "at the printing-office in

Savannah And South Ge0Rc4Ia

Broughton street, 'where advertisements, letters or intelligence, and subscriptions for this paper are taken in. - Hand-bills, advertisements, &c., printed on the shortest notice." It was first printed on a new long primer type, on a foolscap sheet, folio, two columns to a page, and was printed every 'Wednesday. In a few years it was increased to a sheet of crown size. 'When the Stamp Act was to operate in 17(35 it suspended publication for about seven months, and again during the AVar of the Revolution it was not issued for a considerable period. It was published dowD to and including the year 1802. and the Georgia Historical Society's library contains a nearly complete file of it from 1774 to the time of its suspension. It is to be regretted that the earliest numbers of that newspaper are not in that library ; but two volumes containing the issues from 1763 to 1770 are in the library of the Massachusetts Historical Society in Boston.

During a number of years, while the Gazette was regularly printed, a newspaper called the Southern Centinel also appeared in Savannah, a file of which for the years 1793-1798 is possessed by the Historical Society. Still another was begun while the two already named were appearing, called the Columbian Museum and Savannah Advertiser. It began its career in 1796, and volumes, nearly complete, from that date until 1810 are to be found in the same library. The Georgia Ii< publican and State Intelligencer was printed from 1804 to 1808. All the above were weekly papers; but the last named was* succeeded by The Republican and Savantiah Evening Ledger, issued tri-weekly, and was finally called the Savannah R< publican , which was published almost continuously until 1875, several suspensions of short intervals occurring between 1866 and that time. A weekly, called The Southern Patriot, appeared during the year 1806-7, and the Savannah Gazette, a daily, from 1817

In 1818 the Savannah Daily Georgian, edited by Dr. John 51. Harney (of whom we have written elsewhere), was launched as a daily and it was published without interruption until 1854. With the exception of the Morning Xucs, it is the best known of all the Savannah newspapers, and it was a very strong paper editorially and otherwise considered.

The Morning Sews began its regular appearance on the 15th of January, 1850, and has been successful throughout a great part of the time since it opened its columns to the public until the present moment. For many years the well-known author, Col. William T. Thompson, was its editor. In fact, he held that position from the very beginning of the paper until* his death in 1882. It was in a precarious condition just after the war of 1861-65 but an interest in it was bought in 1867, by Col. John II. Estill who. the next year, secured its entire management, and he made it a great success. It is not possible to say more in this work in relation to this vast enterprise; but it is a paper of large interest and influence, and its plant is not only one of wealth, but one that pays its stockholders, who have taken control since the death of Colonel Estill, handsome dividends. Colonel Estill built it up from almost a failure when he gained control, made a fortune from it, and it formed the chief asset of his estate when he died.

A paper called the Savannah Daily Journal, begun in 1852, lasted three years and passed out of existence. A daily evening paper, called the Savannah Evening Journal, was started the same time as the morning paper of the same name, but lasted only one year. Another venture was made in the way of an afternoon journal in 1866, called the Savannah Evening Mirror, but soon failed, the file for one year being all that is left to prove that it was published. In 1868 the Savannah Advertiser, an afternoon paper, started on a somewhat successful race, bought out the old Republican, and sold out in 1875. The Savannah Daily Times, evening paper, founded in 1882, ran pretty well for a number of years and the present successful journal, controlled by Hon. Pleasant A. Stovall, the Savannah Press, is its offspring. The Press is a paper which has recently taken on new life, has made rapid strides, and the people have come to a realization of the fact that it is an afternoon paper that must abide, and that it is a necessity to the community and to the state.

Cities Of South Georgia

Brunswick - Columbus - Waycross - Blackshear - Valdosta and Hahira - Towns in Brooks County - Thomasville - Baxley - Sylvester and Ashburn - Adel and Nashville - Statesborough - Towns in Toombs County - Other Towns - Concluding Remarks.

With the great advantages derived from the extensive railroad and steamship facilities under the management of the vast transportation system leading to her very doors, Savannah derives much trade from other portions of the state of Georgia, and more especially from the southern section lying adjacent. By reason of the close connection which she thereby holds with the outlying prosperous towns, considerable business comes to her through the dealings of her merchants with the traders and shippers of produce trading in those towns. It is our purpose now to give some account of the thriving municipalities bordering on Savannah, showing how they rose from mere hamlets to the important places they hold from a commercial as well as historic poijit of view.

Early settlements were made in the portions of Georgia, which later on were laid out as parishes bearing the names of St. Patrick's and St. David's in 17G5. Among the places so occupied was the site of the present important city of Brunswick which became the seat of justice when, in 1777, those parishes were united and made one county called Glynn, in honor of John Glvnn, a member of Parliament who sympathized with the American colonies in the beginning of their dispute with England, and of whom it is said, "He was one of the leading members of the Society of the Bill of Rights which at the end of 1770 addressed a letter to the American colonies almost inciting them to rebellion."*

On the 2d of October. 1770, Sir James Wright. Governor of Georgia, and his Council, met in Savannah, and, among the items of business then transacted, it was "Resolved. That a Town be forthwith laid out at Carr's Fields on Turtle River in the Parish of St. David heretofore reserved for that purpose and the said Town to be called Brunswick." At an- other meeting: held May 7th. 1771. the Council ordered that all persons securing lots in the new town '"shall within three years from the date of such grant Imild or cause to he built and erected on every lot so granted a good and sufficient dwelling house not less than thirty feet in length and eighteen feet in width with a good brick chimney thereto," or ''to forfeit and pay yearly and every year for the term of seven years after the sum of one pound sterling," and "'at the expiration of said seven years if such dwelling house shall then not be built the lot so granted and not improved - shall revert to his Majesty." etc. Certain lots were reserved for public uses; and then it was further "Ordered, That the Surveyor General do issue a precept directed to George Mackintosh to survey and lay out a town to be called Brunswick and the several lots therein agreeable to a plan given him at a place called Carr's Old Fields on Turtle River." of the Salt Water Streams, takes its Spring 1G miles due west from Fredoricka. and discharges itseit into Jekyl Sound. Ten miles up the Stream, on the north side, is on a tine half-moon Bluff seemingly calculated for a town:" and at that point lie adds this foot note: "In 1771 a Town was laid out on the said spot Brounswig; many are the Petitioners who have applied to the t.overnor in Council for propertie in this new town - from its situation extremely promising."

Brunswick is now the second seaport in Georgia, and is built on a spot seemed to tie destined horn it> very location to lie the site of a city of great wealth and importance. Its public buildings are greatly admired, and it has some tine residences. Its commerce has grown wonderfully, and the city is destined to become a harbor of great importance on the Southern coast. Recently many industries have been built up there, and the following' extract from a letter to the Savannah Morning Xeius written in September, 1911, will give some idea of the rapidity with which the place improves:

"More improvements of a permanent character have been made in Glynn county in the past twelve months than in any corresponding period in many years. Several large factories have been secured for the city, some of which are now in operation and others in the course of construction, and many real estate transactions have been made that mean much lasting good for the city of Brunswick and the whole of Glynn county and South Georgia. Many new buildings have gone up in the past year, and the street car line which was started two years ago has been completed."

The history of Glynn county is most interesting, especially that portion covering the time when Oglethorpe made Frederica his home and while the troubles with the Spaniards in Florida were giving him unrest and annoyance. We could write many pages of matter telling of the operations within the district we are now considering, and the facts concerning the daily life of the soldiers of Oglethorpe's regiment in the town of Frederica would alone fill a volume of some size. The tight at "Bloody Marsh," in which the Spanish forces were so badly defeated that they made no further efforts to molest the Georgians is a single instance that has received the attention of many writers and forms the substance of a volume recently published by the Georgia Historical Society, giving the facts as related from a Spanish standpoint.

Brunswick is a city of large commercial interests. We quote from a recent publication: "Market gardens of truck farms have a tine local market in the city of Brunswick. Some of the farmer's ship Irish potatoes to northern and eastern markets in May and June. Some buyers from Boston cleared $150 an acre on Irish potatoes in the spring of 1900. * * * Brunswick has water-works, gas and electric lights, all under

On the east bank of the Chattahoochee river, about the foot of the falls, is located the city of Columbus, laid out in the year 1828. It is the county seat of Muscogee county, which is named for an Indian tribe once occupying that part of the state. The river on which the city stands separates Georgia from Alabama. Muscogee county was laid out in 1826, two years before the town, of Columbus started, and in 1827 portions of it were taken off and added to Harris, Talbot and Marion counties. but in 1^29 portions of Harris and Marion were annexed to .Muscogee. Columbus is a manufacturing city and a large amount of capital is invested in its mills. It is, in this respect, surpassed only bv Augusta. So numerous and prosperous are the manufactories that it is not possible to desrrilre all of them and it: would he unfair to single out a few to the disadvantage of the others. The census of 1900 gave Columbus a pop- ulation of 17.(117, but tin* city claimed that the inhabitants of suburban settlements should have been included, which would have increased the number to 25,000. The rapid stride it has taken lately is shown by the figures given in the census of 1010. placing the population of the city proper at 20,554. Resides the large business done by the retail merchants, Columbus has a good wholesale trade extending over a large territory, said to embrace eleven southern states. It has a number of banks with adequate capital for all purposes. Seven railroads enter the city and two of them have their shops there. Gas, electric light and water works and electric street railroad are in full operation. Four steamboat lines on the river compete with the railroads in the freight business. The public school system there is well maintained, and it is the boast of the city that it was the first in the South to adopt the graded ' school system. There are churches of all denominations, with property valued at more than a quarter of a million dollars. In addition to the educational advantages of the city public schools the Eagle and Phcenix Manufacturing Company does much for its operatives through its club, gymnasium, and free circulating library.

The Savannah, Albany & Gulf Railroad was built shortly before the War of Secession, and its name was changed several times before it became a part of the present Atlantic Coast Line System. When first opened a station was established in AVare county, and to it was given the name of Tebeauville, It began to grow, and gave evidence of proving a place of some importance; but when the Brunswick & Albany Railroad was constructed it crossed the former road at a point one mile and a quarter northeast of Tcbeauville and the intersection point was appropriately called AY ay-Cross. In the Georgia State Gazetteer for 18S3- 84 we find these significant words in place of the former descriptions of Tebeauville ; "Discontinued postoffice. Mail to AYay Cross"; and the name Tebeauville from that time ceased to be mentioned in any published accounts of places in Georgia. AYay cross took all the business away from it. and Wayeross lias been a growing and prosperous town and city ever since. To show the rapidity with which the growth has been accomplished a glance at the following table is sufficient;

The city has now a new railway station, express and freight offices, artesian water, up-to-date sewerage, paved streets, electric lights, eleven railroads, ten churches, four hotels, live public schools, two daily and three weekly papers, four banks, a business college, a Baptist College, a Y. M. C. A. building, wholesale and retail stores, theatre, moving pictures, U. S. experiment station, shops ol the A. C. L. railway, car manufactory, turpentine still, briek works, marble yard, steam laundry, ice factory, two cypress saw mills, two pine saw mills, two planing mills, three cigar factories, live bottling works, live shingle mills, and in addition the city parks and recreation grounds are all that could be wished for. The business transacted in tire city is ol such large proportion that a hoard of trade has been established there, through whose offices information may always be obtained on any point desired.

Blackshear, the seat of justice of Pierce county, is a place of considerable activity. It is on the direct line of the Atlantic Coast Line System, and is well supplied with facilities for travel and freight. It lias good stores, schools and churches, as well as adequate banking capital. Its cotton gin is most complete in its outfit and plant, and it has a sea island cottonseed oil mill and a good fertilizer manufactory. In this thriving town education is a subject which interests the people to a large degree. The Blackshear Institute has been for some time a source of great pride, and it has been until very recently under control of the Presbyterian church, but at a meeting of the Presbytery of Savannah, held only a short while back, it was decided to transfer its management to the Methodist Episcopal church, which made a bid for it. The institute is an important factor in the education of the people of that section and will doubtless grow under its* new and favorable auspices. Population, 1910, 1,2:15.

Valdosta is the business center of Lowndes county. The way in which the place got its name is not generally known, and the facts are here given in order that the matter may be definitely settled. The great state rights governor of Georgia. George AI. Troup, owned a plantation in Laurens county to which he gave the name of Valdosta. The county of Lowndes was laid off in 1S25 from Irwin county, and the name Troupville was given to the seat of justice in honor of the governor. That place was situated in the fork made by the confluence of the AVithlacoochcc and Little rivers, and was for some time a thriving place. After the death of Governor Troup the Savannah, Albany & Gulf Railroad was built, and the station in Lowndes county at which trains stopped, being only four miles from Troupville. it was very thoughtfully determined to further honor the memory of that beloved man by bestowing on the new settlement the name given by him to his own home, and thenceforth it became the postoffice for Troupville, and Valdosta was made the county seat. It has grown to a remarkabledegree in recent years, and the total population in 1900 was 5,613. In 1910 the United States census showed an increase to 7.656. On account of its railroad connections it is bound to grow, and its merchants are alive to the fact that it is destined to be a city of great importance. Honey invested there brings good returns, and its industries are of a costly nature and pay large dividends.

Midway between Lowndes and Thomas counties lies the county of Brooks, which was laid off bv taking the eastern portion of one and the western portion of the other and naming it for Preston S. Brooks of South Carolina in 1858. The court house of this county was named Quitman, for Gen. John A. Quitman, of Mississippi, and it has become a town of considerable importance. Its population in 1910 was 3.915. Its progressive spirit is shown by the fact that it has two banks with a capital of $175,000. and it has an electric light plant, an ice factory, water-works, and excellent schools. Its public buildings are ornaments to the place, and it has a tine cotton-mill. The churches of all denominations are well attended. Its rapid growth of recent years from 2.281 in 1900 to the present population proves that it is well located and that it has great business advantages.

being made in railroad facilities, are building up with wonderful rapidity. Among them may be mentoned Dixie. Horven, Pidcock. Barney and Barwick. Dixie now has 242 inhabitants. Morven 383, Pidcock 250, Barney 303, and Barwick 381.

In 1825 a new county was laid off from Decatur and Irwin and called Thomas, in honor of (.'apt. Jett Thomas, who was an artillery officer under Gen. John Floyd. For the same patriot the court-house site was called Thomasville, which in 1900 had a population of 5,322 and now 6,727. It has three banks, with aggregate capital of $250,000, besides turpentine distilleries, shoe factories, mills and gins. There also are located the shops of the Atlantic Coast Line Railway. Its hotels are good and the town is becoming a popular winter resort. In and around it are beautiful public drives, and its roads are always kept in good condition. Thomasville is noted for its beautiful flowers, cultivated by florists who know their business. Education is a matter that is by no means neglected. It is up to date so far as its public utilities are to be counted, and the religious character of the people is evidenced by the number of churches in the town of all denominations. Three other towns in Thomas county deserve mention as growing and prospective very important places. They are Boston, with 1.130. inhabitants and business requiring a banking capital of $25,000; Pavo, with a population of 572; and Meigs, with 697.

In the county of Appling, in the southeastern portion of Georgia, named after Col. Daniel Appling, a distinguished soldier in the War of 1812, two towns of prosperity and thrift have taken rapid strides, and deserve some notice here. The first is Baxley, where great results are obtained from a syrup refinery and where the people have that confidence in the future that should lu* met with wherever success is truly aimed at. The population, according to the last census, is 831. It is the court-house town of Appling county, and the most important place in it, and the people have nearly doubled in number in ten years, the population in 1900 having been 488. The next town we mention in this county is Rockingham which, with a population according to the census of 1910 of only 100, is a new place and is destined to become one of mark and will doubtless make rapid progress from this time forward.

A town that has made a remarkable showing in ten years of its history is Sylvester, in "Worth county, which was created in 1856 and named for

Gen. William Worth of New York. The population of Sylvester in 1900 was only 552. and in 1910 it had grown to 1.447. It has a bank, a fertilizer factory, two Hour and grist mills, and other evidences of a fine business center. In this county another progressive town could be numbered until very recently, when, by the forming of the new county of Turner, Ashburn was cut out of Worth. In 1900 it had a population of 1,301 and was then the leading town of its county; but the census of 1910 gives it 2,214. It handles a good amount of cotton, and is otherwise a place of considerable industry.

Berrien county has. besides others, two towns which have shown a most progressive spirit within the recent past, and are forging, ahead through the vim and thrift of their industrious people. Adel in 1900 showed a population of 721. and so much activity has been manifested in that section that ten years later it had increased to 1,902. Nashville in the former year had 293 inhabitants, while it shows by the census of the latter 990. The county is developing rapidly, and these two places, with others, are helping in the good work, thanks to the public spirit of the business men of that immediate section.

One of the old counties of the state is Bulloch, laid off. in 1796 and named for that ardent patriot, Archibald Bulloch, who died soon in the struggle of his state for independence, and the seat of justice of the county is an old town. Statesborougii. Railroad facilities and other contributing causes have given the town new life and its development is steady and rapid. The junction of the Central of Georgia with the

Savannah & Statesborougii Railroad has done much to aid in the growth of the place. With a population in 1900 of 1.197, the increase has been so marked that the number in 1910 was increased to 2,529, and the good work still goes on. Religion and education go hand in hand with the good people who are lo lie congratulated upon the good work accomplished with the object in view of making the best citizens of the coming generation. The public buildings and stores of the place are evidence of the fact that the sturdy people of Statesborougii are striving for the best in every way.

By the recent creation of the county of Toombs two prosperous towns have been cut off from older counties and given the new one a most excellent send-off. Vidalia has been taken from Montgomery and Lyons from Tattnall. The former had within its limits in 1900 503 citizens, but ten years later that number ran up to 1,776; while the latter had in 1900 534 and now has 927. Doth these towns are in process of healthy development; in them the places of business and edifices of a public character show the thrift and industry of the people. Montgomery still holds on to her seat of .justice, Mount Vernon, which ships a good amount of cotton annually, and does a large business in other produce. Its population has increased from 573 in 1900 to 605 in 1910.

Many new counties have been formed in Georgia in recent years, and among them is that of Crisp, named in honor of one of Georgia's modern progressive congressmen, Charles F. Crisp. In the formation of this county Dooly lost a town which, while serious to her, proved to be a great gain and an important asset to its new patron. That town is Cordele. It had in 19U0 a population of 3,473, but now has 5,883. It shows, therefore, that it is surely and steadily gaining wealth and prosperity, and, judging from the vitality heretofore exhibited, it will continue to thrive without cessation or halting. The town handles, besides other commodities, large amounts of cotton every year, and has three banks. Another town in Dooly which, however, was not cut oft", is Vienna, with its two banks and good business activities, all prospering and making it apparent that the county growth is enhanced by its connection therewith. Vienna's population in 1900 was 1,035, but is now 1,564.

Wilcox county was formed in 1857 from Pulaski, Irwin and Dooly, and named for Gen. Mark Wilcox of Telfair county. We mention two towns of this county which are worthy of all the good things that may be said of them. Abbeville, the county site, is on the western bank of the Ocmulgee, and is connected with the outside world by excellent railroad service. Its population has increased from 1,102 in 1900 to 1,201 in 1910. In 1880 it had only 61 inhabitants. Lumber, rosin and turpentine are the chief articles of commerce. Rochelle is the other town we mention, which in 1900 had within its limits 793 inhabitants, but in 1910 had increased to 860. Both of these towns have all that could be desired in the way of religious and educational advantages, and are up to date in buildings, both of a public sort and private residences.

From a portion of Lee county in 1831 a new county was formed, and it was called Sumter, after General Thomas Sumter, who, for his great fighting qualities displayed in the War of the Revolution, gained the nickname of "The Game Cock." From the very start the seat of justice, Americus. became a place of activity. Tn 1849 it was thus described by the Rev. George White: "A pretty and thriving town on the waters of Muckalee creek. It contains the usual county buildings, three churches, male and female academies, two hotels, four dry goods stores, one drug store, three groceries, one tan-yard, two blacksmiths, two shoe and boot shops, nine lawyers, and six physicians. Population about 450. The town is well shaded with trees of natural growth." In 1900 it had a population of 7.647 ; it is well provided with a tine system of public schools, has a costly court house, the postoffice is a building three stories high, has two hotels, an opera house, adequate railroad depot, four banks, many elegant private residences, three lines of railroad enter the city, and it is the location of railroad shops valued at $75. 000. It has ten churches, and the census of 1910 gives it a population of 8,063.

Irwin county began its existence in 1818. and was named after Gen. Jared Irwin, a hero of the Revolution and subsequent Indian troubles. In this county is located the growing town of Ociila which had in 1900 a population amounting to 80.5. but now increased to 2.017. Over 8.000 bales of cotton are annually handled at this place, and it's commercial importance in other respects is not to be lightly estimated. In the same county until recently, when the new county called Ben Hill was established, was situated the town of Fitzgerald, then Irwin's principal place of business. Now Fitzgerald is the center of business of Ben Hill, and it is destined to be a city of great commercial prosperity and wealth. It had in 1900 a population of only 1,817, but so rapid has been its increase that now its people number 5,795. It does a large cotton business, and is fully up to date in public utilities and everything that could be expected in a wide awake city peopled with business men of push and indomitable energy. Its water works and electric light plant are owned by the city, and it has ample banking capital, and many prosperous mercantile houses, and recently a cotton mill with a capital of .$60,000 has been established here. Fitzgerald is well equipped with schools and with churches of the various denominations.

county, but it now hears that relation to the former. It has grown from a town of 793 inhabitants in 1900 to 1.1S1. and its location and the determination of its people to let nothing stand in the way of improvement give ample assurance that it is destined to occupy a prominent place in the state of Georgia.

The name of Gov. Edward Telfair was given to a Georgia county laid out in 1807. and the county site. at this time is McRae with a population of 1,160, which has grown to that extent from 1,020 in 1910. Among other influences for good extended by this flourishing town is the South Georgia College under the care of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, with 300 pupils in attendance. It is a town that lias a great future before it.

of William E. Dodge of New York, who invested largely in property in that section of Georgia. The seat of justice is Eastman, on the Southern Railway, a town that has shown remarkable powers in the way of growth and general improvement. With a population of 1,235 in 1900 it has become a large town of 2,355 and is developing in strength and prosperity with rapid strides. It has a bountiful supply of water from artesian wells with a system of water works that would be creditable to a much larger city. Its export trade exceeds $2,000,000, and 10,000 bales of cotton are shipped annually from that place. It has an excellent public school system, and religion is not neglected. It has churches of all denominations, and they are well attended. It is a pity that more space cannot be given to a description of this thriving city which deserves all the praise that can be bestowed upon it. It was named for William Pitt Eastman of New York, who did much to aid in its development.

As far back as the year 1807 a county was laid out in Georgia and named Laurens in honor of Lieut-Col. John Laurens of South Carolina, who was an aide to Washington and rendered distinguished service to the country in the War of the Revolution. Dublin has always been the seat of justice, and is situated only a half mile from the Oconee river, at the junction of the Macon, Dublin and Savannah Railroad with the Wrightsville and Tennille. It is destined to become a city of great importance, as is shown by its rapid growth. In 1900 its people numbered 2,987, and now the population amounts to 5,795. It has a cotton mill with a capital of $100,000 and has numerous factories and institutions of all classes. Its school system is excellent, and all the religious orders have churches architectuallv imposing. Its trade is valuable and of large proportions.

Portions of Lee and Randolph counties were cut off in 1856 to form a new county named Terrell, in honor of Dr. William Terrell, a prominent citizen of Hancock county and a representative of his district in congress from 1817 to 1821. Its county site is Dawson, a town of enterprise and wealth. It is withal a rapidly growing place, increasing in ten years from 2,926 to 8.827. It has some imposing public buildings and a number of flourishing manufacturing establishments and mercantile houses. Commercially considered. Dawson is a city of very great importance, and an immense amount of business is annually done by the enterprising merchants there. The people are to be congratulated upon the appearance of its streets and public buildings, of which we mention especially the county court house and the public school building.

There are other cities and towns in the southern portion of the state of Georgia which might well be included in this history, but it would not be possible to do justice to them in a work of this kind which is intended more for the history of one city in particular than of all prospering places in its section. The following are, however, so closely identified with our subject, and bear so close a relation to the city of Savannah, that we do not deem it proper to refrain from mentioning them as progressive and most active factors in the growth and prosperity of tin* section of the state of Georgia to which they belong. We mention, therefore, Albany, Fort Gaines, Colquitt, Bainbridge, Cairo, Camilla, Newton, Morgan, Cuthbert, Georgetown, Leesburg, Preston, Buena Vista, ITawkinsville. Keidsville. llinesville, Clyde, Springfield, Jesup, Darien, Sylvania. Perry, Oglethorpe, Ellaville, Blakely, Tifton, Homerville, Statenville. Folkston, St. Mary's, Douglas, Meldrim, Clayton.'

When the agitation of the subject of building the Central Railroad of Georgia was at its height, one of the most active citizens of Savannah in advocating the necessity of the measure was Capt. Richard W. Poole. He was appointed an agent to visit the counties through which the proposed road was to run, and his efforts were so highly appreciated that the first station after leaving Savannah in Chatham county was named in his honor, and the place has now been incorporated and is growing steadily. It has a population of 337, and the people are impressed with the fact that it is destined to become a place of importance. It has just determined to issue bonds for the establishing of a system of water works, and is showing the thirst for progress in other ways.

About two miles west of Savannah is the beautiful spot called the Hermitage, tin* property and for some years the residence of the McAlpin family. It is visited and admired by nearly all tourists stopping in the city, but there is no historic incident connected with its history.

The reader who began to read this history at the first chapter and has continued it to this point has seen the development of a small settlement of a handful of adventurers under the indomitable and intrepid Oglethorpe in all its stages to a city which today counts its population up to a figure beyond 70.000; a city with streets and houses of beauty, comfort, and adequate proportions; a city with everything in the way of conveniences and utility that may be looked for in the wealthiest metropolis on the globe; a city that is admired by every one who has ever entered its gates; a city where may lie found all that may be called for or heart mav desire; a city that is all which its beautiful name of Spanish origin implies - Savannah. Futhermore. it is a city with limitless resources and boundless territory from which it has drawn and will continue to draw to its doors produce of a large section of this great nation, and from which it sends annually vast amounts of staple articles of commerce, distributing the same to places all over the world in exchange tor commodities such as we do not produce in this country. Savannah is today on a steadv and constant upward move which seems to be destined to continue without cessation or interruption.