Clay-Early County GaArchives History - Books .....HISTORY OF CLAY PAGES 10 TO 16 January 1, 1976 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: REBECCA STEWART RSTEWART@ENERVEST.NET October 5, 2011, 6:30 pm Book Title: HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY He also had a very large globe for the use of his classes in geography. The drop curtain of the stage in the auditorium was an elaborate and gorgeous work of art having been painted by Professor Grant and his son, Alfred, both of whom were gifted artists and portrait painters. The curriculum was of the highest standards. The smallest pupils started in the “Blueback Speller”, and as long as they remained in school they were required to study it. As they grew older, they were put in Webster’s Dictionary in addition to the Blue-back Speller. Some very fine spellers resulted from this intense system. The citizens of Fort Gaines regretfully saw Professor Grant leave their town. He was an extraordinarily fine teacher and was called to broader fields of usefulness. On leaving Fort Gaines, Professor Grant took with him his telescope and other instruments. Stories about these remained for many years as a tribute to his genius. Many capable men and women succeeded Professor Grant at the college. In 1851, a racetrack seven-eighths of a mile was built on the plateau in front of the college. It was a circular track with a straight stretch 440 yards long for quarter races. Cock fighting was also a popular sport. Gamblers, horseracers, and others held a carnival of gaming for about ten years. Poker was among the favorite games played at night-many lambs were shorn among the guileless. The Globe Hotel (sometimes called Globe Tavern), located on the comer of Carroll and Washington Street, was first owned and operated by Charles Suddolph, succeeded by Jesse Wen, George W. Wardlaw, George B. Wheeler, and Robert Peterson, who made this the most popular stop in South Georgia. Drummers often arranged their itinerary in order to spend their weekends in Fort Gaines. After the tavern burned in 1873, Mrs. Raymur asked for the brass globe used to advertise the tavern to put across the street in her flower yard. This globe still may be seen over there. This fire started the replacement of wooden buildings with brick buildings constructed from local brick. Rivalry between two local hotels, the Dobbins House and the Raymur House, was keen. When the afternoon trains came in, there were carriages and drivers from each hostelry waiting at the station for passengers. In those days, most salesmen traveled by train, carrying with them great trunks of samples of their merchandise. Quite often they stayed in town for some days, having “showings” of their wares. The hotels in Fort Gaines did a good business and offered good service for their guests with wonderful meals for them in the dining rooms. An annual event was the Cahtaqua. Artist from many places and of many talents came to Fort Gaines and gave their performances. It was a week of entertainment for the people of the community, but gradually other forms of entertainment came within reach of the people, and the Chatauqua disappeared. Development was rapid in the area during th 1830-40 period. More people were taking up the fertile lands and building better homes, but the shadows of war were also darkening. Many citizens were concerned, and many responded to the need for men to free Texas from its bondage, so in the late 1840's there were some who went to the Texas territory. This encounter was brief with not many from the area being lost. A greater, more ominous threat was growing. In this area there were few slaves; most of the early citizens were small farmers and trades man, comfortable but not wealthy. Agitation between the North and the South touched Clay County, too. When war became a reality, four companies from Clay County participated (a list of these is included in an appendix). War department engineers were sent here in the spring of 1863 in answer to an appeal from the citizens for a fort. The high bluff commanding the bend of the river two miles south was recognized as a strategic point. A fort was laid out on the site of the present Woman’s Clubhouse. A large magazine of sand and lumber was erected about sixty feet east of the bluff in the depression south of the clubhouse. The magazine was connected by trenches with the position of the cannon. Breastworks were thrown up along the river bank near the abutments of the present river bridge with portholes giving a view of the river to the south. Three cannons were placed, two on the bluff and one behind the breastwork on the banks below. Small arms,a generous supply of ammunition, and cannon balls comprised the ordinance equipment. The fort was garrisoned by a company of citizenry soldiers. Cap. John Seals, Dr. James Mandeville, Dr. Gaston, and Capt. John B. Johnson, a West Pointer, were the officers in charge. Fort Gaines was never invaded, but deprivation was felt by all and bereavement touched many homes. Schools were closed. The old Seminary or College became a hospital for the wounded. Those sent here were mostly from the Battle of Olustee in Florida. Nine of these died and are buried in New Park Cemetery in a section set apart for these and marked by a suitable shaft. A monument to the memory of Anthony McCullough is also in this section. Stores, churches, and every other available place was pressed into service for the wounded. The minute book (written on wallpaper) of the *‘Wayside Inn”, which was located in the old three-storied Masonic building on the Corner of Hancock and Commerce Streets, gave this as their preamble: “Feeling the necessity of a more efficient provision for the sick and wounded * soldiers who are daily being thrown into our i midst, and knowing it to be our duty to contribute to their comfort as much as lies within our power, we do resolve to establish a “Wayside Inn" and agree to be governed by ? the following Constitution and By-Laws”, etc. This minute book of the old Wayside Inn also contained many other things of note: for instance, receipts given by Mrs. E.V. Tuttle to Miss Augusta Wardlaw from January 12 to February 29, 1864 for $2646.75 for supplies. This was in - Confederate money, and the following prices will give some idea of the purchasing value of this money. 100 lbs. flour-$100 1 lb. bacon--$l 1 calico dress~$100 1 bu. cornmeal--$2.00 1 lb. butter-$1.50-2.00 6 penpoints--$6.00 1 lb. coffee—$6.00 1 lb. sugar~$1.25 Even at such prices food was extremely scarce, and many people learned to use foodstuffs never before considered. A few Yankee soldiers w^re brought to Fort Gaines as overflow from the hospital at Andersonville. These were placed under guard in the yard of the first old courthouse which is located at the present residence of Mrs. Susie McAllister (once used as a schoolhouse, also). The old Seminary building and two other buildings were put into use as warehouses for the storage of grain and other foodstuffs for the supply of the soldiers. This was known as the depot for the “Tax-in-Kind”; this was a levy of one-tenth of all food supplies and wool produced in this section. At the close of the Civil War, so many supplies, mainly meat and corn, were stored in these warehouses that it is said the floor gave way, but the building was securely locked. Returning soldiers in the spring of 1865 saw the destitute circumstances of their families and friends, and they demanded and distributed these precious provisions among the people, making life a little less deprived for them. The Reconstruction Period was a time of hardship, deprivation, and injustice. Subsequent to the ending of the war, a small detachment of federal troops was sent to Fort Gaines. They took possession of the building and grounds of the Chattahoochee Female Institute. Only because of the cool moderation of worthy citizens was rank insurrection avoided. Feelings were very high when election years rolled around. During the congressional elections of 1868 and 1870, federal troops were sent to Clay County to maintain order. After this tragic period, the people of Clay County applied themselves to the rebuilding of their society and economy. One of the earliest newspapers in Fort Gaines was named The Messenger. Possibly there were earlier ones, but this is the earliest record available. It was published shortly after the Civil War. The Messenger was followed by The Tribune in the early eighties. A rival, The Advertiser, sprang up in the eighties. At one time it was reported that Fort Gaines had two weekly newspapers and one daily paper, of short duration, however. From time to time other papers made their appearance-The Sentinal, The Recorder (early 1900’s),The Southwest Georgia (1926 or perhaps earlier until 1948), The Fort Gaines News (1930’s),The News Record (1948). The first telegraph service for Fort Gaines was proposed in 1868. Construction of lines and poles took some years, byt by 1878 it was completed and offered dependable service. The first Western Union Telegraph office was located at the Central of Georgia depot. In the early 1860's a group of businessmen incorporated a company and let a contract to the firm of Bonner and Walden for a new bridge. This second bridge was much like the first one but located farther up the river. During its construction another freshet destroyed the center pier in August 1868. Many lives were lost and many were injured. The contractors abandoned the job so the incorporators secured the services of a well-known Negro contractor, Horace King, who completed the bridge in a most competent way. This time the bridge had three extra latticed piers, thus extending the bridge farther on the low lying Alabama side which would hopefully give protection from the flood waters which often inundated that area. However, in the flood of March, 1875, the first of three piers collapsed, and two spans of the bridge were swept away. In the fall of 1875, these spans were replaced by a builder named MacKenzie. At first, interest on the bridge bonds and upkeep of the bridge itself were financed by liquor licenses and special business taxes. Later, however, the State Legislature levied an ad-valorem tax, and this made ownership of the bridge an enormous burden on the City of Fort Gaines. So, the incorporators decided to sell the bridge to a prominent citizen, David C. Adams. He agreed to liquidate the bonds on condition that the city deed the bridge and its accompanying franchise to him. This was a short-sighted policy of the city fathers, for within ten years time Mr. Adams was said to have paid off all obligations and to have realized $30,000 profit. After the floods of March 1888, Mr. Adams resold the bridge to the city for $5000. William King, son of the first builder, Horace King, rebuilt the bridge. The old wooden piers were replaced by piers of brick. Resting upon a latticework of 2V£xl0 inch planks held together by strong wooden pegs, this bridge was of the closed covered type. Its sides were enclosed by solid walls of heavy planks,lighted occasionally by small windows cut out of the planks. The entire bridge was covered by a shingle roof. As time passed, needs for an ever increasing citizenry became apparent. Fort Gaines people depended on open wells and natural springs for their water supply. As we know now, this was often impure. Early in the 1880’s an effort was begun to correct this condition. It had been found that the waterbearing of limestone existed at different depths under the soil. So, the first artesian well was sunk. This first well and derrick were placed at the crossing of Washington and Carroll Streets. The well diggers finally struck water at about 300 feet, and a steam pump was installed and used for several years. Because the pump was a nuisance, the well was later placed at a point just south of the Methodist Church. A water tank was elevated on a tower just about where the Alley comes into Hancock Street at present. This afforded the necessary storage and pressure. A virulent epidemic in the early 1900’s spurred improvement of the water system, and greater precautions were taken to insure a safer supply. This area has always provided a plentiful and dependable supply of water. Two other artesian wells have been bored, each affording to Fort Gaines a generous and unfailing supply of pure water. As have all communities through the years, Fort Gaines in the early 1880’s felt the need of fire protection. The town secured a chemical fire engine which could be used to throw a small stream of water. The old “bucket brigade” was outdated except as a supplement to the fine new engine. This new fire engine was a glorious spectacle of copper which took a brilliant polish-a two wheeled affair pulled by a gang of men who doubled as a bucket brigade once the fire was reached and the chemical stream directed on the blaze. As the water system was improved, a better method of fire protection was adopted. A larger pumper pulled by horsepower was purchased. The strong pressure afforded by the improved water system provided a more successful means of fighting fire. With so many wooden buildings in the area, fires were numerous and most destructive. The first cotton gin was established in 1821 four miles south of Fort Gaines on the Robert Thompson plantation near the Blakely road. Cotton ginning then was, like all industries, very primitive. The gins were operated by horsepower. They would be located on the floor of the building well-elevated so as to leave the space for the animals to pull a wheel around that was geared to the gin. The cotton was carried, placed on top of the gin, and fed into the gin all by hand. The seeds, which were then considered a nuisance, would be placed in a pile, again by hand power, and allowed to rot. The lint would be blown loosely into the lint room, where it would accumulate. The lint was taken to the press. When the box of the press was filled, animals were hitched to the wings and bales were pressed and fastened. About 1890 the increasing production of cotton in the area made an urgent need for better methods of extracting the fleece from the bolls. A mechanical device came into use which condensed the lint, enabling the ginners to abolish the lint room. As cotton production increased more gins became necessary and a larger number of machines were installed in one gin house, requiring mechanical attachments so that the gins could be attached together. The early bales of cotton were round rather than the oblong shape now used. Increased gin facilities restored some of the waning prestige of Fort Gaines as a trading center. An additional bonus from the ginning was the cotton seed which for a long time had been considered a waste product. These seeds were found to have great nutritional value for cattle feed and then came the discovery that cotton seed oils were valuable in the human diet. The first oil mill established in %e 1890’s provided facilities for processing the cotton seed into usable form. The first mill was located about where the old Southern Cotton Oil Go. was in later years (on the river flat below the railroad station). A new era opened with the improved gins, and Clay County literally became the “Land of Cotton”. Large acreages were devoted to cotton; in fact, many farmers grew cotton almost exclusively, depending for feed grains shipped in from other regions. This system in time took its toll from the land, and the economy suffered. In the 1900’s the dreaded cotton boll weevil made its appearance after its long devouring progress from the West. Clay County and all the cotton growing areas of the southeast suffered financial ruin. Necessity is the “mother of invention”, and desperation forced immediate changes in the growing habit of the old cotton system. Many suffered heavy losses during this period, but eventually the system as now known was adopted. About 1912-15 farmers made many visits to areas west of Clay County for the purpose of studying the ravages of the oncoming boll weevil. Not only the cotton growing farmers, but everyone was anxious for a substitute crop as the entire economy was crucially affected. After several years, the cultivation of peanuts became the “moneycrop” of Clay County and neighboring counties. Cotton has never been entirely abandoned, but peanuts became more dependable; more food crops were cultivated; more cattle raised; in other words, “diversified farming” became the general practice. Peanut growing required a means of harvesting and processing the products. Methods of harvesting in those early years were often crude, man-killing labor. The weather often caused financial loss of a year’s hard labor, but gradually over the past fifty years, new and more profitable methods of harvesting and processing the peanuts have evolved. Southern Cotton Oil Company, located in Fort Gaines, processed peanuts as well as the cotton oil from cotton. About 1919-20 a Columbian Peanut Company of Virginia established its first mill in Fort Gaines, becoming a very important factor in the economy. About 1897 the telephone first became available to this section. A short line was built connecting Fort Gaines and Bluffton. In a very few years this service was general over Clay County. In 1914 another great convenience became available to the citizens. Before that time some few had the advantage of a type of gaslight, but most had depended on the kerosene lamp lights for illumination. The Credille-Fowler Power Company brought the first electric service to this area and served the area for some time. The facilities were sold to Georgia Power Company. The rail system gradually replaced the river transportation, and in 1900 such was negligible for general business. This line remained active for many years. After paved roads were built over the area, it gradually lost importance as a carrier. Following a very busy period in the 1950-1960 years when it served as transportation for many loads of heavy stone and equipment used in the construction of the mammoth Walter F. George Lock and Dam above Fort Gaines, the line between Fort Gaines and Cuthbert became inactive and finally the rails were removed. Automobiles brought an equally important change in the life of this section. The first automobile in Fort Gaines was a Rio, purchased in 1905 by the late S.D. Coleman, Sr., and quite a sensation it was! Others shortly followed this first one, and the need for better roads became imperative. Lumber has been an important business in Clay County. Sawmills, shingles, and other side products of the timber business have over many years been very important contributors to the local economy. The Bank of Fort Gaines was the first bank organized in Fort Gaines in 1890 with C.V. Morris as President and J.E. Paullin as Cashier. In 1904 the First National Bank was organized by A.W. Holley with Dr. R.T. Crozier and W.A. McAllister as officers. The Union Savings Bank was later organized and in 1936 merged with the First National Bank. During the depression of the 1930’s both the Bank of Fort Gaines and the First National Bank were placed in the hands of the receiver and closed. Fort Gaines was without means of clearing checks on banks located in other cities and was in dire need of banking facilities. Because of this the late W.G. Grimsley and the late F.A. Graham opened a private banking exchange in the old Bank of Fort Gaines building on Washington Street, which became known as Fort Gaines Banking Company. In 1937 W.B. Haley and J.T. Haley, Albany bankers were interested in extending their banking interest to Fort Gaines. W.G. Grimsley and F.A. Graham joined with them in organizing a chartered bank under the same name, and it was housed in the same building for the next twenty-six years. In February 1963 the bank moved to its new building, a commodious brick building of Williamsburg design located on Washington Street. Numerous floods over the years caused frequent damages to the bridge of the 1913-1916 years. At times traffic was closed, but numerous and very expensive repairs were made quickly and traffic flowed across. The old bridge was a hodge podge of repairs by the 1920’s. Automobiles were supplanting the horse- drawn vehicles. The passing of an automobile caused the bridge to sway and shake alarmingly. In fact, the reverberations of the crossing were audible for a great distance; the bridge had outlasted its usefulness. Again, progressive citizens were organizing for more efficient service. The outcome was that the bridge became an Liter-state project, backed by federal aid funds (one-fourth from State of Georgia, one-fourth from State of Alabama and one-half from Federal Government). This was a most excellent move financially for the City of Fort Gaines, for it was now relieved of an almost unbearable burden. Contracts were let to the firm of Mallory and Nash for a modern steel bridge of the cantilever type. This bridge was constructed some 100 yards south of the second bridge of the 1860’s. The new bridge, named the Henry Clay bridge for the adjoining counties approaching it, was completed on schedule despite floods, which caused some readjustment of the plans after a tremendous flood completely covered the center spans of the bridge. Work progressed steadily, however, and in 1925, the new Henry Clay bridge was formally opened to traffic. Fort Gaines and adjacent communities celebrated in the old Southern way-barbecue and much speech making. As traffic increased, so did the size and weight of automobiles and heavy transportation vehicles. The old Henry-CIay bridge had become a bit out-of- date for the new traffic. It had served long and usefully but was becoming a bit “behind the times.” Proposals for still a fourth bridge were becoming definite planning. So, financed in the same way the third bridge was, another bridge across the mighty Chattahoochee was under way. This time the site was some yards, south of the Henry-CIay and just north of the site of the first bridge of 1840. The contract for the fourth bridge was awarded to Tidwell Construction Company. This bridge, the Henry G. McKemie, follows present-day trends in its design being lower over the river waters and wide enough for four lane traffic This bridge is 825 feet long. “The quiet woods land and pasture setting on each side of the river north of Fort Gaines has undergone a face-lifting, as men and machines have left their mark as they battled with Mother Nature in their efforts to impound the waters of a great river and convert its latent potential for use in enhancing the economic and recreational development of this section. The benefits accruing from this stupendous government facility are immeasurable! October 27, 1955 was a day long to be remembered by the people living in the Chattahoochee Valley area. It was on this day that groundbreaking ceremonies were held on the Alabama side of the river. There was a colorful parade, including units from Fort Benr.ing and Fort Rucker, eight or ten high school bands and floats from business firms throughout the Chattahoochee Valley. There was an old-fashioned barbecue served prior to the ceremonies. Senator Walter F. George, for whom the Lock and Dam and Lake are named, delivered the principal address. We mention for the record, that Congressman E.L. “Tic” Forrester and Congressman George Andrews of Alabama, with the help of their colleagues in the Congress, were able by a margin of one vote, to obtain Committee approval of funds to build the Columbia and the Walter F. George Locks and Dams. After receiving this approval, there was still another hurdle to surmount. The Eisenhower Administration had ruled that no new lock and dam construction would be started during the then existing emergency. They knew of only one man who could, in all probability, induce the President to reverse this position. That man was Senator Walter F. George of Georgia, a close friend of the President. The Senator, at the request of the interested Congressmen, made a special trip to the White House. The President agreed to release the funds to start construction, and these projects were on their way. June 14, 1963 was the day the people of the Chattahoochee Valley had waited for. On that day, their hopes and dreams came to fruition, insofar as improvements on the river were concerned. It was the day of dedication of both the Columbia and Walter F. George Locks and Dams. The dedications were sponsored by the Three Rivers and Tri-Rivers Development Associations, in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, a government agency that built both facilities. R.H. Morris of Fort Gaines and R.H. McSwain of Abbeville, Alabama were co-chairmen in charge of arrangements. The exercises at the Columbia Lock and Dam started at 11:00 A.M. with Mr. Walter Oakley, the Mayor of Columbia, as Master of Ceremonies. Congressman George Andrews of the Third District of Alabama gave the dedicatory address. At the conclusion of the exercises at Columbia, the crowd moved up to Fort Gaines. There was an old-fashioned barbecue in the park at Fort Gaines during which the United States Infantry Band from Fort Benning gave a band concert. At the conclusion of the barbecue the crowd moved across the river for the dedicatory exercises. . James W. Woodruff, Jr. of Columbus served as Master of Ceremonies, and Major General Alvin C. Welling, Division Chief, South Atlantic Division of the Corps of Engineers, delivered the dedicatory address. The Commanding General of the United States Infantry Center at Fort Benning, General Rich, provided a Color Guard and Salute Battery. The color guard brought four artillery pieces which were mounted atop the powerhouse and spillways.Four volleys were fired as the United States flag was raised. At the conclusion of the firing of the artillery pieces the fourteen gates were opened, one at a time, and the water cascading down the curved spillways was indeed an inspiring sight. It was an historical and memorable occasion for the people living in the Chattahoochee Valley and one long to be remembered. Not only the people living in the valley, but generations yet unborn, will * enjoy its benefits. The building of these tremendous facilities ushers in a new era of industrial and recreational development for this section.”6 Whether it be a new bridge, a road, a recreational area recently developed, an economic depression or inflation, population migration, or a firm's business success or failure, technology, mass communication, transportation and economic and social need continue to cast a spell on Clay County. Its people, like people everywhere, have no choice but to respond and react to the ever increasing pressures and urges of the world beyond. The fourth quarter of the twentieth century will no doubt bring change and challenges no one can really anticipate except to perhaps assume that change will probably be more rapid and unpredictable than in years gone by. It is hoped Clay County citizens will not be passive in this perpetual struggle of human destiny for existence. Footnotes 1. Greene, Col. E.A., History of Clay County and Fort Gaines: 1939 (unpublished), pp. 1-2. 2. Ibid. 3. Cox, Willis S., A Chattahoochee River Story: 1967 (unpublished). 4. Ibid. 5. Greene, Col. Edward A. 6. Cox, Willis S. 7. Greene, Col. E.A., Appendix I. Additional Comments: BOOK WAS NEVER COPYRIGHTED. OK TO PUBLISH File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/clay/history/1976/historyo/historyo786gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/gafiles/ File size: 28.1 Kb