Clarke County GaArchives History - Books .....Athens Chief Executives 1923
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Book Title: History Of Athens And Clarke County

A Chronology of the Chief Executives of the City of Athens
By J. W. BARNETT

   MANY volumes would be required to completely record the acts of the
Intendants and Mayors of the City of Athens who have reigned from the settlement
of Cedar Shoals to the present time. Absence of the records of proceedings of
these governing authorities makes it impossible to give a complete recital of
their deeds, hence an effort is made to note the outstanding features, only, of
each administration.

   From 1806, when the first charter was granted to the town of Athens, to 1847,
no minutes of the meetings of the governing bodies are to be found. The minutes
of the committee of January 1, 1847, record the election of LEONARD FRANKLIN as
chairman. For some unknown; reason, his term of office terminated on January 9,
of the same year and E. L. NEWTON was elected his successor. Up to that time the
presiding officer was known as chairman.

   In 1848, DR. E. R. WARE was elected the first Intendant. His constituents
were evidently pleased with his 'administration of affairs for he served four
successive terms, although no notable achievement was accomplished during his
term of office.

   MR. ALBON CHASE was elected Intendant in 1852 to succeed Dr. Ware. The duties
of Intendant were by no means arduous, at that time, since the village streets
were a common pasture and the cows and pigs roamed at will. There were no lamps
to be lighted, no water to be pumped or impounding fees to be collected. The
most noteworthy incident of his administration was that of completing a
telegraph line from Athens to Union Point. This line was abandoned later on
account of the numerous complaints lodged against the service. It was said that
messages filed one day would be received three days later in Union Point; in
some cases not at all.

   CINCINNATUS PEEBLES, perhaps the most aggressive Intendant of his day, was
elected for three terms, 1853-54 and 55. During his term of office there was
established an express office and gas plant which made gas from lightwood. The
first fire engine was purchased by him and installed in suitable quarters. The
old cemetery on Jackson Street having been filled, the Oconee cemetery was
opened along the Oconee River.

   WM. L. GERDINE was elected Intendant in 1856. Duties of a routine nature
consumed a greater part of his administration's time. He was instrumental in
having the Georgia Railroad build a modern station on the Oconee hill, the
former terminus of the road.

   WM. L. BASS was made Intendant for 1857. During his administration,
considerable interest was manifested in the volunteer fire department and the
famous Hope Fire Company was organized. This company enrolled some of the most
prominent citizens of the town who fought, successfully, many fires and held
social gatherings that rivaled those of their competitors in other cities.
Through the suggestion of Mr. Bass, the streets of the city were named after
prominent citizens.

   DR. ROBERT M. SMITH served two terms as Intendant, 1858 and 1859. He was
instrumental in completing a number of projects that led to the growth and
development of the city. He manifested a deep interest in the military company
known at that time as the National Guard and later as the Troup Artillery. As
chief of the volunteer fire department, he was responsible for the remarkable
efficiency the companies attained.

   JAS. R. LYLE was made Intendant for 1860. The disturbed condition of the
country at that time prevented any material achievement other than that of
organizing and equipping military companies for service. Mr. Lyle was made first
lieutenant of Georgia Troopers under Captain Delony.

   F. W. ADAMS, Intendant for 1861, directed the efforts of his administration
in aiding in the defense of the country. He was made captain of the Lipscomb
Volunteers.

   S. C. REESE was Intendant for four terms, 1862, '63, '64 and '65, the most
trying period of the city's existence. Preserving order, and caring for the
needy claimed his entire attention.

   E. P. LUMPKIN held the office of Intendant in 1866 under very trying
circumstances. The country was impoverished, as a result of the war, and the
people were in no position to pay taxes for municipal improvements, consequently
nothing of a constructive nature was accomplished.

   JAS. D. PITTARD directed the affairs of the office for 1867 and 1868 and
1873. During the first two years of his administration, the financial condition
was still in a very unsatisfactory state and little could be accomplished by the
Intendant and his associates in office. There were some signs of a return of
prosperity evidenced by the fact that in 1867 the Deupree Opera House was built
and a bridge erected over the Oconee River at the Oconee Street crossing. In
1873 conditions were improved in many lines, encouraging the erection of many
substantial buildings. During this year the Shackelford Building, the County
Court House and the Southern Mutual Insurance Company buildings were erected.

   JERRY E. RITCH served two terms as Intendant, 1869 and 1870. The
reconstruction period through which the South was then passing, was so
disconcerting to the minds of the people they were slow to invest the little
money left in their hands in public enterprises. The Georgia depot at that time
occupied a position on the crest of Oconee Street hill, far removed from the
business section of the town. Mr. Rich saw the great inconvenience the merchants
were daily subjected to, and, with much effort induced men with capital to build
a street car line from the lower end of Broad Street to the depot, for hauling
freight and baggage only. The mad flights taken by the little car used in this
business was too thrilling for the slowly moving public, consequently never
appealed to them as a means of transportation.

   CAPT. HENRY BEUSEE, who served through the terms of 1871, 1872 and 1881, held
the distinction of being the first Intendant to be given the title of Mayor. The
town of Athens became the city of Athens under the new charter which was granted
in 1872. Capt. Beusse took a deep interest in the fire department. He organized
the famous Pioneer Hook and Ladder Company and was -at its head for many years.
It was during his administration in 1872 that the construction of the
Northeastern Railway (now the Southern Railway) was commenced.

   DR. WM. KING, JR., served as Mayor for two terms, 1874 and 1875. To his
administration is due the credit of opening and improving; many streets. He had
a complete resurvey of the city made and a map drawn showing all the streets and
prominent objects. The city was at that time two miles in radius.

   CAPT. CLOVIS G. TALMADGE was elected Mayor to serve for the years 1876, 1877
and 1880. He did much for the material advancement of the city and inaugurated
the movement which resulted in the building of the first water works for the
city. He took a deep interest in the volunteer fire department, and through his
efforts the famous Hope Company gained national fame.

   CAPT. J. H. RUCKER, from the moment he set foot on Athens' soil, became an
enthusiastic citizen. He has always shown a willingness to sacrifice personal
interests for the good of his beloved city. He was elected Mayor for two
successive terms, 1878 and 1879 and again in 1882. To recite the many
achievements of Capt. Rucker, in the interest of the city, one would have to
reproduce the minutes of the mayor and Council covering his tenure of office. In
addition to the services rendered as Mayor, he was later made a member of a
commission having in charge the building of the new water works system.

   CAPT. W. D. O'FARRELL'S name stands in bold relief, when the historian comes
to chronicle the deeds of prominent Athenians. Volumes will be required to
record the accomplishments of this faithful official, during his terms of office
as Mayor, which covered the years 1883 and 1895. Every street of importance
carries some evidence of his handiwork. Few are the citizens who can not recall
some sacrifice on his part for his constituents. Under his administration,
contracts were made for the construction of the first system of water works and
for the extension of the sewerage system into the residential district.

   HON. J. H. DORSEY was called to serve as Mayor for two successive terms, 1884
and 1885. The outstanding feature of his administration was the adoption and
inauguration of the public school system. This was by far the most noteworthy
accomplishment of any mayor who preceded him. He was instrumental in placing the
opportunity for an education in reach of all. The first water works system was
completed and put in operation, a rock crusher purchased, and a number of
streets improved. The belgian block pavement on Broad Street hill, the first to
be laid in the city, was placed in 1885.

   HON. R. K. REAVES was elected Mayor in 1886. He gave to the city a splendid
business administration and inaugurated sound business methods in handling the
city's affairs. The public school program planned prior to his election was
carried to a successful conclusion.

   HON. A. H. HODGSON served as Mayor in 1887 and 1888, and gave to the city one
of its best and most conservative administrations. He took a deeper interest in
matters pertaining to the public welfare than to' his own private interests.
During his term of office the first electric lighting system was installed, for
street lighting, and he had plans prepared for the sanitary sewerage system for
the business district. Through his efforts the authorities of the Macon &
Northern Railway (Central of Georgia Railway) were persuaded to make Athens the
northern terminus instead of Covington, as originally planned.

   DR. J. A. HUNNICUTT was Mayor of Athens in 1889. His administration will
always be prominent on account of the determined stand he took for the
enforcement of law and order. The prohibition question was at that time being
agitated to a great extent, and much difficulty was experienced in preventing
the influx of contraband liquor. His Honor never swerved from his decision to
enforce the law, and, as a consequence many violators felt the force of his
rulings. Under his administration, the lighting system was extended and plans
perfected for beginning construction on the sewerage system.

   HON. E. T. BROWN was elected, under the old charter plan, to serve one year
as Mayor in 1890. During his administration, the charter was changed so as to
elect the Mayor for two years, thereby extending his term of office through
1891. The greatest accomplishment of his administration was the establishment of
the Dispensary system which required that all intoxicating beverages be bought
and sold by the City of Athens and the County of Clarke. The first sanitary
sewerage system was authorized to be constructed from the proceeds derived from
the sale of bonds issued for that purpose. Work was commenced and completed in
the business portion of the city in 1891.

   HON. H. C. TUCK was made Mayor for 1892 and 1893. During his term of office
the greatest piece of constructive legislation in the history of the city was
enacted. It provided for the abrogation of the contract with the old water works
company, which had failed utterly, and for the construction of a new system.
Lengthy litigation ensued in the New York courts resulting in a verdict for the
City of Athens. The new plant was completed in 1893. During his administration
the lot on which the City Hall now stands was purchased from Mr. S. M.
Herrington and the residence occupied as a city hall. Col. Tuck has always
attributed much of the success of his administration to the efforts of his
friend, Mr. T. P. Vincent, who was at that time a member of council.

   CAPT. J. C. McMAHAN directed the affairs of the city as Mayor through 1896
and 1897. His term of office embraced the years of a most serious depression,
and, due to his business and executive ability the city suffered no
embarrassment and always had funds in the treasury with which to meet the
outstanding obligations. Capt. Me-Mahan adopted the budget system and required
the council to live within it.

   HON. E. I. SMITH served the city for two successive terms, 1898-1899-1900 and
1901. On assuming the duties of office, he resolved to do something of a
permanent nature in the matter of street improvement. As a beginning, he had the
brick pavement laid on College Avenue from the north side of Broad Street to the
north side of Clayton Street. During the encampment of the American troops
following the Spanish-American war, this stretch of pavement was the only spot
on the streets where the mud was not axle deep. His Honor was instrumental in
landing this encampment for Athens which proved a great boon for the merchants
of the city and a tremendous aid to the advocacy of a bond issue for street
paving purposes. The issue of bonds in 1900 was sufficient to pave the principal
streets of the business section and portions of the residential section. On
completing the paving program, one of the greatest carnivals of all times was
staged as a booster for Athens. The crowds that gathered here throughout the
week surpassed any seen here before or since that time, which gave Athens a
tremendous impetus. The development of the residential section necessitated the
removal of Fire Station No. 2 from Washington Street. The lot at the
intersection of Prince Avenue and Hill Street was purchased and the Fire Station
No. 2 was built. The addition to the  Oconee Cemetery, on the east side of the
river, was purchased and a bridge connecting the new portions with the old.

   HON. J. F. RHODES was elected Mayor for 1902 and 1903 and succeeded himself
in 1904 and 1905. Through his advocacy, honds were issued for the City Hall
which was built in 1904. The building was erected and furnished for a sum less
than the amount appropriated. The Dispensary had been in operation for several
years and did not show a substantial gain in net return. When Mr. Rhodes became
Mayor, a new system of accounting was inaugurated and in twelve months time
substantial gain was noted and increased annually thereafter. A number of
extensions were made in the mains of the water works and sewers of the city.

   HON. W. F. DORSET bears the distinction of having served in the capacity of
Mayor for a greater length of time than any of his predecessors or successors.
He was elected to serve for the term of 1906-1907, succeeded himself in 1908 and
1909, and was elected again for 1914 and 1915. His accomplishments were so
numerous, a description of each would exceed the scope of this article,
consequently a mere mention of each is permissible. During his term of office a
number of school buildings were erected, including Childs Street, College Avenue
and Oconee Street, and the old court house was converted into a high school. He
inaugurated a plan by which a program was adopted for the laying of miles of
cement sidewalks. The street paving program, which was commenced in 1913, was
carried ^to completion, a number of water mains laid, the Normal School sewer
commenced and the Broad Street bridge built. During his administration, the act
abolishing the Dispensary went into effect and the institution was closed,
reducing thereby to a serious extent the revenue of the city and county, yet the
government was maintained with only slight modification. Through his Honor's
suggestion, the Bond Commission was established. The successful operation of
this commission has placed Athens' finances on such a firm basis as to enable
her to secure a handsome premium on all bonds issued. Mr. Dorsey took a
determined stand for the rigid enforcement of law and order and gave to the
citizens an administration that was highly satisfactory.

   HON. H. J. ROWE has the distinction of having served as Mayor for two terms,
1910-1911, 1912-1913. During his administration, sewer and water mains were
extended and improvements made at the pumping station. The county court house
was purchased by him for high school purposes and the Reese Street school built.
The horse method of operating the fire department trucks having become obsolete,
the department was motorized and Station No. 1 built at the east end of
Washington Street and the old station at the corner of Washington and Jackson
Streets sold. During his administration bonds were issued for street paving and
school purposes. The sales of these bonds resulted in the paving of Lumpkin
Street from Clayton to Hancock Avenue, Hancock Avenue to Pulaski Street, Pulaski
-Street and Prince Avenue and Prince Avenue to the city limits; Hill Street from
Prince Avenue to Milledge Avenue, and Milledge Avenue. The bonds were also used
for enlarging the present Athens high school building. Work was begun on these
improvements in 1913.

   HON. R. 0. ARNOLD was elected Mayor for the term 1916-1917. The entrance of
this country into the World War caused him to respond to the call for service
which he entered as captain, September 5, 1917. During the first year of his
administration, he secured the passage of bonds which provided for the Sandy
Creek Pumping Station and large impounding reservoir; important improvements in
the water works system. He was also instrumental in effecting improvements in
the police and fire departments.

   HON. 0. R. DOBBS, who was serving as Mayor pro tern, filled the un-expired
term of Mayor Arnold. He completed the program of his predecessor, and in order
to relieve the distress occasioned by the scarcity of coal during the bitter
winter of that year, established the municipal wood yard on the City Hall lot
from which wood was supplied those in need.

   HON. ANDREW C. ERWIN was elected Mayor for two successive terms, 1918-1919
and 1920-1921. When he assumed control of municipal affairs, he found the
finances in a very unsatisfactory condition. With & floating debt of
approximately $100,000.00 there seemed no possible remedy for the situation, but
with his splendid financial ability provision was made for the deficit and the
amount was absorbed in three years time. He secured an appropriation from the
General Assembly which provided for an extension of the Normal School sewer to
the river; equipped the fire department with modern pumps and secured a bond
issue for the pavement of many of the streets. During his administration, many
improvements were made in the administration of all the departments of the city
government.

   HON. GEO. C. THOMAS is still serving the term for which he was elected Mayor,
1922-1923. He has accomplished many things of note during the first year and a
half of his term of office. A bond issue for an extensive school expansion
program was authorized, embracing the building of the Chase Street, Lumpkin
Street, High School Auditorium, and additions to the Oconee Street and East
Athens schools, and improvements in the main building of the High School, which
program will be completed before the fall term of this year. In addition to the
foregoing, a bond issue was authorized for paving Madison Avenue, Prince Avenue
and Lumpkin Street to the corporate limits. His Honor has been tireless in his
efforts to secure an enforcement of the prohibition law.


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