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HISTORY
OF
DODGE COUNTY

COPYRIGHT    1932
By MRS. WILTON PHILIP COBB

Printed by
FOOTE & DAVIES CO., ATLANTA.

Illustrations                          Page
Mrs. Wilton Philip Cobb                  ii
Dodge County Stockade                    31
Dodge County Court House                 37
Officers of Dodge County, 1932           38
Lee-Land Hotel                           46
The Late Judge C. B. Murrell             48
Masonic Lodge Building, Eastman          79
Eastman's First Kindergarten            113
Dodge County School Bus                 115
A Confederate Mother                    133
G. C. Matthews                          134
Mr. and Mrs. R. F. Burch, Sr            135
J. B. Elkins                            136
A Military Company                      137
Mrs. John Roland                        142
Mrs. W. B. Daniel                       153
Marker Erected by U. D. C. in 1918      157
The Eastman Baptist Church              175
The Eastman Methodist Church            179
The Eastman Presbyterian Church         181
A Baptizing at Daniel's Mill Pond       190
Jeremiah  Bowen                         203
Jack Daniel                             215
The Mausoleum of Mr. A. G. Williamson   254
Map of Dodge County 	258

ACT OF 1929 LEGISLATURE.
No. 36.
WHEREAS, the founding of the Colony of Georgia by General
James Edward Oglethorpe occurred in 1733, and the two
hundredth anniversary of that venturesome political and
philanthropic event will occur in 1933 and should be
marked in some way proper to its historical character, so
as to perpetuate for our posterity and the records of the
State and Nation the facts of the evolutions and progress
of the commonwealth that became a constituent State of
the federated republic of the United States and which was
the fourth in order to ratify the Constitution of these
United States; and

Whereas no provision has been made by the State
Government to celebrate and memorialize the momentous
establishment of the colony and subsequent sovereign
State; and

Whereas there is not in existence today any comprehensive
and contemporaneous history of the State; therefore be it

Resolved, by the General Assembly of Georgia, both Houses
thereof concurring herein, that the judges of the
superior courts of the State are hereby earnestly
requested to give in charge to the grand jury of each
county in their several circuits, at the next term of the
court therein, the urgent request of this General
Assembly that they will secure the consent of some
competent person in their county to prepare between now
and February 12, 1933, being Georgia Day, as nearly a
complete history of the formation, development, and
progress of said county from its creation up to that
date, together with accounts of such persons, families,
and public events as have given character and fame to the
county, the State, and the Nation. And that said county
histories be deposited on Georgia Day in 1933 in the
State's Department of Archives and History—there to be
preserved for the information of future citizens of the
State and prospective biographers and historians.

And this action is recommended to the judges, grand
juries, and the people of all the counties of the State,
for early procedure, because delay will leave action in
this behalf too short a time for the necessary research
and accumulation of data to make the county histories as
full and accurate as they should be for full historic
value.

Resolved further, that the Governor of the State is
respectfully requested to transmit an officially
certified copy of these resolutions to each of the judges
of the superior courts of the State.

Approved August 23, 1929.




GRAND JURY PRESENTMENTS, NOVEMBER TERM, 1929 OF DODGE
SUPERIOR COURT.

WE, THE grand jury chosen and sworn to serve at the
November term of Dodge Superior Court, beg to submit the
following general presentments:

We have appointed Mrs. W. P. Cobb as county historian for
Dodge County, etc. 
JOHN A. HARRELL, Foreman,
Y. M. PHILLIPS,
0. V. LASHLEY,
G. W. McCRANIE,
C. B. HORSFORD,
W. W. BOND,
W. M. WHIGHAM,
L. L. HARGROVE,
ROSS MULLIS,
J. R. SMITH,
AXOM PHILLIPS,
C. R. NICHOLSON,
F. T. PARKERSON, JR., 
JOHN R. GIDDENS, 
M. WYNNE, 
J. W. K. CLARK, 
JACK ROZAR, 
J. C. LANDERS, 
R. C. KELLEY, 
R. T. RAGAN, 
S. C. HARRISON, 
W. C. RYALS, 
J. B. ELKINS, Bailiff.





GRAND JURY PRESENTMENTS, MAY TERM OF SUPERIOR COURT, 1931.

WE FURTHER recommend, that whereas the General Assembly
of the State of Georgia at their session in 1929 passed a
resolution that each county in the State appoint a
historian to write a history of their respective counties
to commemorate the two hundredth anniversary of the State
of Georgia which occurs on February 12, 1933; and

Whereas the Grand Jury of Dodge County at the November
term, 1929, of Dodge Superior Court recommended and
appointed Mrs. W. P. Cobb as official historian to write
said history of Dodge County, and

Whereas Mrs. Cobb has appeared before this body and
reported that said history is about completed and ready
for publication and requests that this body recommend
that the county have same published,

We therefore recommend that the county have same
published as soon as same is ready for the press.

JOHN B. CLARK, Foreman,
W. L. PARKERSON, JR.,
JOHN A. HARRELL,
B. T. BURCH,
H. H. PEACOCK,
W. T. RYALS,
W. H. KELLEY,
G. W. BATEMAN,
C. L. PERSONS,
ROSS MULLIS,
R. T. RAGAN,
J. B. WILLCOX,
J. H. PITTS,
J. B. JONES,
R. C. CRAFTON,
W. R. GIDDENS,
R. B. WEEKS,
W. C. REAVES,
A. L. THOMAS,
J. C. ROGERS,
J. C. LEWIS,
P. M. BURCH,
W. H. MELVIN,
C. R. NICHOLSON,
CHAS. McCARTHEY,
W. P. COBB, Secretary.




History of Dodge County

HERNANDO DE SOTO.

GENERAL OGLETHORPE was not the first white man to set
foot on Georgia soil. Nearly two hundred years before his
coming, in 1540, Hernando DeSoto, a Spaniard, accompanied
by a band of six hundred Spaniards, marched through
Georgia in quest of gold and other treasures which they
thought were to be found in this new country. They also
expected to claim the land for Spain. So far as can be
ascertained, these were the first white men who came to
Georgia.

Lucien L. Knight in his Georgia's Memorials and Legends,
describes DeSoto as follows:

"Hernando DeSoto, at the time of this expedition to
America, was perhaps the foremost man of his age at the
Court of Spain. As a lieutenant-general under the
renowned Pizarro, he bore a conspicuous part in the
conquest of Peru and returned home flushed with
distinction and enriched with the spoils of the Incas.
But life at the Spanish Court grew tame to one whose
breast was aglow with the spirit of adventure; and,
envious of the greater fame of his old chieftain, he
sought and obtained from the Spanish Crown permission to
explore an indefinite region of the New World, then known
by the name of Florida. It will doubtless be remembered
that the ill-fated Ponce de Leon, in search of his fabled
fountain of youth, some years before, had bestowed this
name upon what he took to be an island of vast magnitude
and of untold wealth.

"Dazzled by the prospect of enlarging the boundaries of
his empire, the King readily granted this coveted boon.
It was agreed that certain royalties accruing from the
treasures obtained on the expedition, whether taken from
graves and temples or discovered in mines, were to revert
to the Crown; and in order that he might the more readily
command a convenient base of operations for the hazardous
enterprise, DeSoto was commissioned Governor of the
Island of Cuba. It was not a difficult task to obtain
followers. The age was one of romance. Tales of fabulous
wealth had fired the imagination, of the Spaniard. DeSoto
was himself sanguine of success; and though the conquest
of Peru had netted him 180,000 crowns of gold, he
expected to fill still vaster treasuries on this new
voyage to the West.

"Six hundred men, picked with discrimination from the
chivalry of Spain, were obtained for the expedition.
Twelve priests, eight clergymen of inferior rank, and
four monks accompanied the party, showing that, in the
feverish thirst for conquest, the conversion of the
aborigines was not forgotten. Moreover, men of letters,
to perpetuate the events of the march and acquaint
posterity with the details of an affair so momentous,
were found eager to accompany the adventurous knights."

On May the 30th, 1539, DeSoto and his band landed at
Tampa Bay on the coast of west Florida. After staying
there for awhile they claimed the land of the State of
Florida in the name of Charles the Fifth, and planting
the flag of Spain, began their journey northward. They
came to Tallahassee, which the Spaniards had named
Anhayca, where they wintered. In the spring of 1540 they
left Anhayca and crossed the Ochlockonee River. Within
forty-eight hours after crossing this river they came to
an Indian village called Capachiqui. The Indians were
frightened and fled at their approach. Their next stop
was at an Indian village called Toalli, and it is thought
to be at a point south of the Ocmulgee River in Irwin
County. After remaining here for three days they came to
Achese, a village located on the Ocmulgee in the
neighborhood of what is now Abbeville. Here the Indians
were again afraid of the Spaniards and fled when they
approached. But they found the chief to be friendly and
he informed DeSoto that further on there reigned a
powerful king whose country was called Ocute. To assist
him in finding the place a guide was furnished. On the
first day of April DeSoto resumed his march, skirting the
edge of a river whose shores were found to be thickly
inhabited. On the fourth day they reached the town of
Altamaca, and on the tenth day they entered Ocute, the
principal town of which was probably somewhere in the
neighborhood of the present city of Dublin. On
approaching the town they were met by two thousand
Indians, bearing as a present from the chief an abundance
of wild game, including partridges and turkeys.

It is not unlikely that DeSoto and his band passed
through this section en route from Abbeville (Achese) to
Dublin (Ocute). Indeed it is very probable that they
traveled the "Chicken Road" which leads from Hartford on
the Ocmulgee River to Dublin on the Oconee. This road
traverses the northern section of Dodge County, passing
through Empire, and tradition says it bears its name from
a band of Chic-a-saw Indians who traveled it in going
from the Oconee River to the Ocmulgee. Be that as it may,
they were compelled to have come somewhere within this
section on their march across the country.

After remaining in Ocute two days the band departed and
reached Patofa. Going on by what is now the city of
Augusta, they reached north Georgia, it is thought the
Nacoochee Valley. They traveled through Franklin, Murray
and Gordon Counties, and came to Chiaha (Rome, Ga.). On
July 1, 1540, after spending nearly a month at Chiaha,
they departed for the far west, reaching the distant
slopes of the Rocky Mountains. But the gold and great
riches for which DeSoto and his band braved the forests
proved an illusive phantom, for DeSoto, worn from the
hardships of his wanderings, died, and was buried
secretly at night in the waters of the Mississippi. Very
few of the band ever again reached Spain. On September
the 10th, 1543, a pathetic remnant reached Panuca, in
Mexico, after suffering untold hardships.

It is recorded that this band of Spaniards robbed the
Indians of their valuables, even desecrating the graves
and temples, stealing costly ornaments, and appropriated
supplies of every kind.

TOMO-CHI-CHI.

WHEN GENERAL JAMES EDWARD OGLETHORPE founded and
established the Colony of Georgia on February 12, 1733,
near Savannah, one of his first acts was to make friends
with Tomo-Chi-Chi, the great and much beloved chief of a
detached tribe of Creek Indians. Oglethorpe foresaw that
the only way in which they could live among the Indians
was to make friends with them in so far as was possible.
As the Indians were great traders Oglethorpe further
decided to enter into trade relations with them, and on
May the 18th, 1734, the following schedule was arranged
with them through Tomo-Chi-Chi: five buckskins for one
white blanket, ten buckskins for a gun, five buckskins
for a pistol, one buckskin for two measures of powder,
one buckskin for sixty bullets, two buckskins for one
white shirt, two buckskins for a hoe, two buckskins for
an axe, etc.

Tomo-Chi-Chi was above the average Indian in
intelligence, and though a savage, he was both a warrior
and a statesman. He dwelt apart from his kinsmen, but it
is said that he was greatly venerated throughout the
forest for his Indian wisdom, and he possessed a powerful
influence over the native tribes. He proved to be one of
the most zealous friends of the Georgia Colony. With his
keen foresight he fully appreciated the advantages to be
derived from contact with the white man, and he was
anxious for his people to be uplifted.

Tradition says that Tomo-Chi-Chi was ninety years of age
when Oglethorpe landed upon the bluff, at Savannah. He
was about one hundred years of age when he died.
According to his last wish that he be buried among the
whites, his remains were taken to Savannah and interred
in what is now Court House Square, with impressive
ceremonies. Six of the most prominent men of Savannah
acted as pall-bearers, Oglethorpe himself being one of
them. Minute guns were fired from the battery as his body
was lowered to its last resting place, and every respect
was paid to the aged chief. His death occurred on October
15, 1739. A rough boulder of granite has been placed on
the spot of his burial by the Georgia Society of Colonial
Dames of America, and on a circular plate of copper is
the following inscription:

"In memory of Tomo-Chi-Chi, Mico of the Yamacraws, the
companion of Oglethorpe, and the friend and ally of the
Colony of Georgia. This stone has been here placed by the
Georgia Society of Colonial Dames of America—1739-1899."

THE INDIANS.

PRIOR TO 1802 this section of Georgia was owned by the
Creek Indians. It is estimated that at this time there
were around twenty thousand of them in Georgia and
eastern Alabama.

There were three tribes of Indians in Georgia, each
different and distinct types. They were the Creeks, the
Cherokees and the Seminoles.

The Cherokee Indians occupied the northern part of
Georgia and the southern part of Tennessee. The Creeks
occupied the center and southeastern part of the State,
extending to Savannah on the east and to Alabama on the
west. The Seminoles lived in the southern part of Georgia
and in Florida. The different tribes have been described
as follows:

The Creek men were tall, erect and robust; their eyes
were small and very black; their complexions were of a
reddish brown color; their hair long, coarse and brown.
The Creek women were short of stature, had well-formed
faces and large black eyes.

The Cherokee men were similar in appearance to the Creek
men, but the women were of an entirely different type
from the Creek women, in that they were tall, slender and
erect, and of a delicate frame; their countenances were
cheerful and friendly, and they moved with grace and
dignity.

The Seminoles were of a copper color, and they were over
six feet Jail. They were a more savage tribe of Indian
than either of the other two tribes.

The Indians had their own peculiar mode of living. They
had their villages, which were generally near a river. It
is estimated that the Creek Indians, which were the most
powerful of all the tribes, had twenty or thirty towns
located on the Chattahoochee and Flint Rivers and several
on the Oconee River. Their villages were built of logs
and boards. In the center of a village they would erect
some sapling poles over which they would place a cover.
In cold weather a fire would be built in the center of it
and here every one was welcome to come. Their little huts
were circled round this building.

The Indians had their own religious beliefs. They
believed in the "Great Spirit," and also that after death
their spirits returned to their "happy hunting grounds."
They had some sort of religious ceremony.

The rivers through this section of the State were named
by the Indians. The Chattahoochee, the Ocmulgee, Oconee,
Ohoopee, Ogeechee, Altamaha and the Allapaha Rivers.

The Indians were generally peaceful, but treacherous, and
when they would nurse a grievance against the whites they
would go on the warpath and kill entire families. For
that reason the white people had to build forts for the
protection of the women and children whenever there was
an uprising. These forts were built with pine poles stood
upon the ends around two or three acre tracts of land;
they were braced inside with poles and made as strong as
possible. Inside the fort grounds were built small houses
or rooms for the women and children.

The Indians had trading posts, and Hartford, just across
the river from Hawkinsville, was an Indian trading post
of very great importance on what was then the frontier.
The river at this point formed the boundary line,
separating the territory of the whites from the domain of
the Indians.




HEAD-RIGHTS AND LOTTERY LAND GRANTS OF GEORGIA.

Written by the Hon. Philip Cook, late Secretary of State.

THERE ARE TWO characters of land in this State; one known
as Head-Rights, and the other as Lottery Lands.

All of that territory of the State lying west of the
Savannah River, and extending to the Apalachee and Oconee
Rivers, and also all lands east of original Wayne County,
extending to the Atlantic Ocean, are known as Head-Right
Lands. Grants to the same were first issued by the
Trustees of the Colony of Georgia, under and by authority
of King George the Third, of England; also by John
Reynolds, Henry Ellis and James Wright, Governors of the
Colony, under and by same authority.

During Henry Ellis's administration as Governor of the
Colony, there was a good deal of dispute about the titles
made by the Lords proprietors of Carolina, who claimed a
considerable territory of the Colony of Georgia. He
caused the following Act to be passed:

"An Act for establishing and confirming the titles of the
several inhabitants of this Province to their respective
lands and tenements.

"Forasmuch as many suits and contests may arise by means
of pretended ancient titles to lands and tenements
derived from and under the late Lords proprietors of
Carolina, the conditions of which titles have not been
complied with, and the lands have since been re-granted,
for remedy and prevention thereof,

"Be it enacted, That all and every person or persons that
are now possessed of or do hold any lands or tenements
whatsoever within the said Province of Georgia by and
under grants from the late Honorable Trustees for
establishing the Colony of Georgia or by and under grants
from his Majesty obtained since the surrender of his
charter of the said Trustees are hereby established and
confirmed in the possession of their several and
respective lands and tenements; and such grants thereof
are hereby accordingly ratified and confirmed and
declared to be good and valid to all intents and purposes
whatsoever, against all, and all manner of persons
claiming any estate or interest therein, by and under the
said Lords proprietors of Carolina, or by or under any
former grants obtained before the date of his Majesty's
charter to said Trustees for establishing the Colony of
Georgia, any Act, law or statute to the contrary
notwithstanding.

                 "By order of the Upper House:
                            "Patrick Houston.
                 "By order of the Common House:
                            "David Montaigut, Speaker.

"Council Chamber, 24th September, 1759.
              "Assented to, Henry Ellis."

  This Head-Right territory, extending from Camden County to the south line of 
Wilkes County, was divided up during the Colonial period of Georgia, into 
parishes, viz.: Christ Church, St. Andrews, St. David, St. George, St. James, 
St. John, St. Mary, St. Patrick, St. Paul, St. Philip, and St. Thomas. After 
our independence the parishes were abolished and the territory divided up into 
counties.

  There was passed at Savannah on the 7th day of June, 1777, "An Act for 
opening a land office, and for the better settling and strengthening this 
State." Under this Act every free white person, or head of a family, was 
entitled to two hundred acres of land, and for every other white person of same 
family, fifty acres of land, and fifty acres for every negro owned by said 
family, not to exceed ten.

  This Act has been amended several times by the General Assembly, so any 
person, resident of the State, could head-right and have granted him, not 
exceeding one thousand acres of land (unless by special act of the Legislature).

  The bounties of the Revolutionary soldiers were paid for their services in 
this Head-Right territory; most of them in the counties of Washington and 
Franklin.

  An Act passed August 20th, 1781, entitled, "An Act to amend the several Acts 
for the better regulation of the militia of this State." Section 8 reads as 
follows: "And, Whereas, numbers of persons are daily absenting themselves and 
leaving their fellow citizens to encounter the difficulties of the present 
crisis, Be it enacted, etc., That any person or persons who shall produce a 
certificate from the commanding officer of the district to which he belongs, to 
the Legislature (on the total expulsion of the enemy from it), of his having 
steadfastly done his duty from the time of passing this Act, shall be entitled 
to two hundred and fifty acres of good land (which shall be exempt from taxes 
for the space of ten years thereafter); Provided, such person or persons can 
not be convicted of plundering or distressing the country."

  Also, "An Act for opening the land office, and for other purposes therein 
mentioned," passed 17th of February, 1783. Section 2, "Be it therefore enacted, 
That in case any officer or soldier or other person, claiming under such 
engagements as aforesaid, shall produce a certificate from his Honor the 
Governor, for the time being, that a tract of land is, or are due to him, that 
then such officer, soldier or other person, shall be entitled to a warrant and 
grant for any unlocated lands (agreeable to the quantity contained in his 
certificate) within this State."

  Section 15 (same Act), "All the officers and soldiers, all the officers and 
marines of the navy, officers of the medical department, refugees and citizens 
who are entitled to land in this State as bounties for their service, in manner 
as above mentioned, shall be entitled to have included in their grants an 
additional quantity of fifteen acres to each hundred acres in full for and in 
lieu of any exemption of taxes. And every Act, and clause of an Act, allowing 
such exemption from taxation, shall be, and the same is hereby repealed, and 
declared null and void, anything to the contrary notwithstanding."

  All soldiers were entitled to 250 acres of good land, free of taxes, for ten 
years. Under the above section he could have granted him 15 per cent, more 
land, making 287 1/2 acres, and commence to pay taxes on same.

  Section 2 of the Act of February 17th, 1783, was amended so all officers, 
soldiers, seamen, etc., could present their certificates of service from their 
commanding officer to the land court, at Augusta, Georgia, instead of to the 
Governor. Section 9 of an Act passed February 22, 1785, read as follows: "Be it 
therefore enacted by authority aforesaid, That in future, all and every person 
or persons whatsoever, who conceive himself and themselves entitled to a 
bounty, shall lay his or their vouchers or credentials before the said Land 
Court, where they apply for the same; on a full consideration of all 
circumstances respecting the petitioner, either grant or reject the 
application, as coming or not coming within the scope and intention of the 
several laws of this State for granting bounties, and as no surveys of land due 
as bounties from this State shall be allowed, unless brought in and claimed 
within one year from and after passing of this Act."

  The above Act in regard to bounties was amended by subsequent legislation, 
relieving bounty warrants of being returned within the period of one year, but 
declaring bounty warrants never out of date.

  But an Act passed December 10th, 1818, entitled, "An Act to limit the time 
for persons to take out their grants in this State so far as relates to land 
surveyed on Head-Rights and bounty warrants."


  Section 2 (of said Act) reads as follows: "The time hereafter to be allowed 
to persons who may hereafter have any land surveyed in this State, on Head-
Right or bounty, shall be three years from the time of making such survey; and 
in case of failure or neglect to take out the grant, it shall revert and become 
the property of the State, and be subject to be surveyed and granted to any 
person or persons, who are hereby authorized to survey the same: Provided, 
nevertheless, that nothing herein contained shall be so construed as to operate 
against or prejudice the claim of any orphan or orphans."

  This Head-Right territory of the State consists now of thirty-five counties, 
viz.: Bryan, Bulloch, Burke, Camden, Chatham, Clarke, Columbia, Effingham, 
Elbert, Emanuel, Franklin, Glascock, Glynn, Greene, Hancock, Hart, Jackson, 
Jefferson, Johnson, half of Laurens, Liberty, Lincoln, Madison, McDuffie, 
Mclntosh, half of Montgomery, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Richmond, Screven, 
Taliaferro, Tattnall, Warren, Washington and Wilkes.

LOTTERY LANDS.

  THERE WERE FIVE different lotteries of land authorized by the General 
Assembly of the State, viz.: 1805, 1820, 1821, 1827 and 1831.

  All that territory of the State situated between the Qconee and Ocmulgee 
Rivers was first purchased from the Indians and disposed of by lottery in 1805. 
In this lottery every white man, widow and orphan, resident of this State, was 
entitled to one draw, and every Revolutionary soldier was entitled to two 
draws. This territory at the time of survey was covered by only two original 
counties— Baldwin and Wilkinson.

  It was divided into districts, and each district numbered, each district was 
subdivided into land lots, and each land lot numbered and contained 202^/2 
acres each, except fractional parts of lots occurring on the rivers.

  This territory is now divided up into thirteen different counties, viz.: 
Baldwin, part of Bibb, Dodge, Jasper, Jones, Laurens, half of Montgomery, 
Morgan, three-fourths of Pulaski, Putnam, Telfair, Twiggs and Wilkinson.

  All that territory of the State lying south of the Altamaha River to the 
Florida line and west of said river to the Chattahoochee River, after purchase 
from the Indians, was also divided into districts, and each district subdivided 
into land lots. The land lots of original Appling and Irwin contain 490 acres 
each, and land lots of original Early contain 250 acres each. These lands were 
disposed of by lottery in 1820. This territory was covered by only three 
original counties at the time of the survey and lottery, viz.: original 
Appling, Early and Irwin—divided since into twenty-four counties, viz.: 
Appling, one-fourth of Charlton, Clinch, Coffee, Echols, Pierce, Ware, three-
fourths Wayne, Berrien, Brooks, Colquitt, Irwin, Lowndes, one-half of Thomas, 
three-fourths of Wilcox, three-fourths of Worth, Baker, Calhoun, part of Clay, 
Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Mitchell and Miller.

  The land lots of original Gwinnett, Hall, Rabun and Walton, of 202% acres 
each, were also disposed of by lottery in 1820.

  All the territory of the State lying north of original Irwin extending from 
the Ocmulgee River west to the Flint River, after purchase from the Indians, 
was laid out into districts, and each district sub-divided into land lots of 
202% acres and disposed of by lottery in 1821.

  At the time of lottery this territory was covered by only five counties: 
original Dooly, Houston, Monroe, Henry and Fayette. Since that date it has been 
divided up into twenty-one different counties, viz.: Dooly, one-fourth of 
Pulaski, one-fourth Wilcox, one-half Worth, one-half Bibb, Crawford, Houston, 
one-fourth Macon, one-fourth Butts, Monroe, Pike, one-half Spalding, Upson, 
Clayton, DeKalb, Fayette, part of Fulton, Henry, Newton, Rockdale and Campbell 
Counties.

  All that territory of the State north of original Early County lying and 
being between the Flint and Chattahoochee Rivers, composing the five original 
counties of Lee, Muscogee, Troup, Coweta and Carroll, after purchase from the 
Indians, was also divided into districts and each district subdivided into land 
lots of 202% acres and disposed of by lottery in 1827. This territory, since 
the lottery, has been divided up into twenty-two different counties, viz.: part 
Clay, Lee, part Macon, Quitman, Randolph, part Schley, Stewart, Sumter, 
Terrell, Webster, three-fourths Chattahoochee, part Harris, Marion, Muscogee, 
Talbot, Taylor, part Heard, Meriwether, Troup, Coweta. : Carroll, part Douglas, 
and three-fourths Haralson Counties.

  The remaining territory of the State lying north of the Chattahoochee River, 
hounded on the west by the State of Alabama and north by the States of 
Tennessee and North Carolina, is known as the "Cherokee Purchase." After 
purchase from the Cherokee tribe of Indians it was laid out into sections, 
numbers 1, 2, 3, 4. These sections were subdivided into districts, nine miles 
square, and each district subdivided into square land lots of forty, and one 
hundred and sixty acres each. At the time of survey the forty-acre lots were 
supposed to contain gold and are known as "gold lots." The one hundred and 
sixty acre lots are known as "land lots."

  The "Cherokee Purchase" is now covered by twenty-three different counties, 
viz.: Bartow, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Cobb, Dade, Dawson, part Douglas, 
Floyd, Forsyth, Gilmer, Gordon, part Haral-son, Lumpkin, Milton, Murray, 
Paulding, Pickens, Polk, Towns, Union, Walker, and Whitfield Counties.

  Grants to a great many lots in the different lotteries were not taken out by 
the fortunate drawers, although the State extended the time by appropriate 
legislation several times, and the land lots finally reverted to the State by 
Acts of the General Assembly of Georgia.

  The lots were then sold to different parties and regranted.

                                    PHILIP COOK.
  Copied from "Historical Collections of the Joseph Habersham Chapter, D. A. 
R.," Vol. 1, pages 303-309.

NUMBER OF GEORGIA TROOPS ENLISTED, STATE AND CONTINENTAL, DURING THE 
REVOLUTIONARY WAR.

  FOLLOWING is A LETTER from Secretary Knox, of the United States War 
Department:

  Extract from "American State Papers, Military Affairs, 1st Congress, 2nd 
Session"; Vol. 1, pp. 14 to 19:

                     "War Office of the United States, May 10, 1790.

  "In obedience to the order of the House of Representatives, the Secretary of 
War submits the statement hereunto annexed, of the troops and militia 
furnished, from time to time, by the several States, toward the support of the 
late war. The numbers of the Regular Troops having been stated from the 
official returns, deposited in the War Office, may be depended on; and in all 
cases where the numbers of militia are stated from the returns, the same 
confidence may be observed.

  "But, in some years of the greatest exertions of the Southern States, there 
are no returns whatever of the militia employed. In this case, recourse has 
been had to the letters of the commanding officer, and to well-informed 
individuals, iri order to form a proper estimate of the numbers of the militia 
in service, and although the accuracy of the estimate can not be relied on, yet 
it is the best information which the Secretary of War can at present obtain.

                                   "(Signed)  H. Knox, Sec. of War."

  A statement of the number of non-commissioned officers and privates of the 
Regular Troops and militia furnished by the several States from time to time, 
for the support of the late war:

Georgia.    From actual army returns    Conjectural estimate of militia employed
                                           In addition to preceding.

1775            00                       1,000 militia, to serve 9 months

1776           351 in Continental pay      750 militia.
                                         1,200 State troops

1777         *1423 Continentals            750 men

1778           673 Continental troops    2,000 militia, to serve 6 months. 
                                         1,200 State troops

1779            87 men                     750 militia

1780            00                         750 militia

1781            00                         750 militia

1782            00                         750 militia

1783           145 Continentals


  *By the resolve of the 15th of July, 1776, Georgia was authorized to raise in 
Virginia, North and South Carolina, two regiments of infantry, and also two 
companies of artillery, of fifty men each. These troops were chiefly enlisted 
for one year, and the time expired in 1777.

  The army in the Northern Department was discharged November 5, 1783, and in 
the Southern States on November 15, 1783.

                             (Signed)  H. KNOX, Sec. of War.
                             Copied J. N. LECONTE, 1911.

INDIAN TROUBLES.

FOR MANY YEARS the pioneer settlers along the Ocmulgee River were constantly 
menaced by the Indians who occupied the west side of the river, as they would 
cross the river to pilfer and commit other depredations.

  During the British-American War of 1812-15, the Indians were incited against 
the whites by the British and it was necessary to keep a force of militia along 
the frontier from Fort Hawkins, opposite Macon, to Fort Barrington on the 
Altamaha, 15 miles above Darien, for the protection of the white settlers. This 
force was under command of General David Blackshear, a native of North Carolina 
who had moved to Georgia after the close of the Revolutionary War and settled 
on the Oconee River, in Laurens County.

  In 1813, for the protection of the settlers, three forts were built in 
Telfair, one in the forks of the Ocmulgee and Oconee, and one two miles above 
Jacksonville where Block House Church and cemetery now stand, and the third 
probably on Horse Creek at the River Road.

  In a letter to Governor Mitchell dated at Oconee, August 13, 1813,, General 
Blackshear states that "three forts have been built in Telfair, 90 feet square, 
with two block houses in each, inclosed by a stockade-8 feet above ground and 
manned by 1 subaltern, a corporal and 15 privates to each fort." He states 
further that Telfair was thinly inhabited and the men called out were from 
frontier counties.

  Governor Early, having received information that the Indian frontier of 
Pulaski, Twiggs and Telfair Counties was menaced by-depredations by hostile 
Indians, on September 14, 1814, instructed General Blackshear to "send some 
prudent and judicious officer with a patrol of 20 privates armed with guns to 
explore the country-between the Ocmulgee and Flint Rivers."

  These frontier troubles continued at frequent intervals until the Indians 
were removed from this section. The last fight of note between the whites and 
Indians occurred on March 9, 1818, near where Bowen's Mill now stands, in Ben 
Hill County, on the Indian, side of the river, opposite Temperance Post Office, 
in which a number on both sides were killed and wounded. Lieutenant Colonel 
Richard H. Thomas in a letter to Governor Talbot dated at Hartford, March 10, 
1818, gives the following account of this fight: "I have received information 
through Isham Jordan, of Telfair County, of a skirmish between Indians and 
citizens of Telfair County on the south side of the Ocmulgee River on the 
afternoon of March the 9th, 25 miles below Hartford. On the night of March the 
3rd Joseph. Burch and his son, Littleton, were fired upon by a party of 
Indians, the father killed and the son severely wounded and scalped, but so far 
recovered as to be able to reach home two days later. Thirty-six citizens (of 
Telfair) assembled on March the 9th and crossed over to seek redress. Some 
distance from the river they discovered a party of 50 or 60 Indians advancing 
within gun shot. Firing commenced by each party and was warmly kept up three-
fourths of an hour. A party of the detachment effected their retreat, bringing 
off one badly wounded. Four were certainly killed. The balance of the 
detachment has not been heard from. Major Cathron, in command of the Telfair 
militia, was among the missing. Four Indians were killed. Citizens of Telfair 
are much alarmed and are leaving their homes."

  In consequence of the foregoing the Pulaski troop of cavalry was ordered out 
by the Governor to scout the frontier and afford protection to the inhabitants.

  Mitchell Griffin, State Senator from Telfair, and Mike Burch were among the 
killed, and Mark Willcox was severely wounded in this fight.

  On March 3, 1818, Joseph Burch and his son were at work building a house on 
the west side of the river near where Bowen's Mill is now located, when a party 
of hostile Indians fired on them, killing the father and severely wounding the 
son. Thinking the son dead they scalped him, but he revived and two days later 
was able to reach the house of John Willcox, near where the Temperance Post 
Office is now located in Telfair, and was cared for by Mr. Willcox and his 
family. It was the shooting of Burch and his son by Indians that caused the 
fight of March 9, as related.

  After the organization and settlement of Irwin County about 1819, trouble 
with the Indians along the Ocmulgee River ceased, but for many years after the 
hostile Indians were removed from south Georgia there were small bands of 
friendly Indians who roamed about the county. It is said that the Indians had 
peculiar methods of approaching a house, seldom being discovered until they 
announced themselves at the door. Their visits were usually for the purpose of 
exchanging game for ammunition, tools or other articles needed by them, and as 
soon as the bartering was over, they departed as quietly as they had arrived.

TREATIES WITH THE INDIANS.

  TREATIES WERE MADE in 1802-1804 and 1805 by which all the lands east of the 
Ocmulgee River were ceded by the Creek Indians to Georgia. This land was 
distributed by lottery to the citizens of Georgia, and is now included in the 
counties of Morgan, Jasper, Putnam, Telfair, Laurens, Wayne, Wilkinson, Twiggs, 
Pulaski, Baldwin, Bleckley and Dodge.

  The first purchase was made in 1802 and the first drawing was had in 1803, 
and out of this was formed three counties, Baldwin, Wilkinson and Wayne. The 
country was rapidly peopled by those who drew the lots, or to whom they were 
sold. The people from the eastern counties came in droves to this new country. 
The upper part of the country was a section of great beauty and attracted a 
great many settlers from the older counties. Many Virginians also came into 
this new country.

Wilkinson County.

  Wilkinson County was organized out of a part of the land acquired from the 
Creek Indians, under the treaty at Fort Wilkinson, in 1802, and was laid out in 
1803. It was named for General James Wilkinson of Revolutionary fame, one of 
the commissioners on the part of the United States to treat with the Creek 
Indians.

Telfair County.

  Telfair County was formed from Wilkinson County in 1807, and was named for 
Governor Edward Telfair of Georgia.

Laurens County.

  Laurens County was also laid off from part of Wilkinson County in 1807, and 
was named for Col. James Laurens.

Pulaski County.

  Pulaski County was formed from Laurens County in 1808, As first laid out, 
Pulaski was all on the east side of the Ocmulgee River. After 1820, when the 
new lands west of the river were opened to settlement, a considerable body 
south of what is now Houston was placed in Pulaski. It was named Pulaski in 
honor of Count Casimir Pulaski, the gallant Polish nobleman who fell at the 
siege of Savannah.

  On January the 8th, 1821, at Indian Springs, Georgia, a treaty was made with 
the Creeks by the United States Government, under which the remaining lands 
between the Flint and Ocmulgee Rivers, as far north as the Chattahoochee, were 
acquired by the State of Georgia, excepting one hundred acres around the 
springs, 640 acres on the Ocmulgee River, including the improvements of 
McIntosh, and a tract of land around the agency, to be retained by the United 
States Government while such agency continued. The witnesses to the treaty were 
as follows: Daniel M. Forney of South Carolina; David Meriwether of Georgia; 
United States Commissioners J. McIntosh, David Adams; and Daniel Newman, 
Commissioner for Georgia; and a number of Indian chiefs, head-men and warriors. 
From the lands acquired at this time five large counties were immediately 
formed, viz.: Dooly, Fayette, Henry, Houston and Monroe, each of which was in 
time subdivided.

  Indian Springs was inhabited by the Indians, its waters having long been 
noted by the Indians for their medicinal qualities, and in 1823 General William 
McIntosh, noted Indian chief, erected what was then a magnificent hotel. Fine 
specimens of hand carving, the work of Gen. McIntosh, adorned the doors and 
mantels of this spacious hostelry. Here Gen. McIntosh spent the greater part of 
his time. After his death the property fell into the hands of the Varner 
family, and finally came into possession of Miss Joe Varner, who for many years 
conducted the hotel as the Varner House, and it has long been one of the 
leading hotels at the springs. It stands in good preservation at this time.

  In 1825 the State secured possession of that section between the Flint and 
Chattahoochee. It was the signing of this treaty that cost the life of General 
Mclntosh. His warm friendship for the people of Georgia had been evinced in 
more than one crisis of affairs. With the clear foresight of a statesman, he 
realized only too well how the bitter warfare between the two races in Georgia 
was to end, consequently he urged upon his people the course which was finally 
adopted. It not only meant peace, but it meant an exchange of land, in fair 
equivalent, acre for acre, with an additional four hundred thousand dollars. 
Besides, it meant the avoidance of unnecessary bloodshed; and the new home west 
of the Mississippi River was to be an undisturbed possession. The Lower Creeks 
listened to the arguments of McIntosh, but the Upper Creeks, who resided 
chiefly in Alabama, were opposed to the treaty. They looked upon General 
McIntosh as a traitor to their nation, who was in criminal league with the 
whites. But on February 12, 1825, occurred the final deliberations which 
resulted in the formal relinquishment of the Georgia lands by the Creek Indians.

  For this act General McIntosh was brutally murdered by a band of enraged 
Indians. They went to his house, in what is now Carroll County, and at about 
three o'clock in the morning of April the 30th, 1825, set fire to it. They shot 
him and another Indian and dragged them out and scalped them. The scalp of 
McIntosh was suspended on a pole in a public square of Ocfuskee. They also 
killed his son-in-law, Hawkins.

  On the well-known rock near the Varner House, which marks the site of the 
famous compact of agreement, the members of Piedmont Continental Chapter, 
Daughters of the American Revolution, erected a tablet of bronze which bears 
the following inscription:

  "Here on February 12, 1825, William McIntosh, a chief of the Creek Nation, 
signed the treaty which ceded to the State of Georgia all the Creek lands west 
of the Flint River. For this act he was savagely murdered by a band of Indians 
who opposed the treaty. Placed by the Piedmont Continental Chapter of the D. A. 
R., A. D. 1911."

  In 1827 the Creeks ceded the last acre of land held by them and withdrew from 
the State. By successive agreements they had surrendered first one part of the 
country and then another, until, after nearly one hundred years had passed 
since Oglethorpe made his first treaty with them, they were entirely removed 
from the present territory of the State.


THE PIONEERS.

  AFTER the treaty of 1827 whereby the Creek Indians ceded the last acre held 
by them to the State and departed for the west, new settlers began coming into 
this section rapidly. They came from other counties in the State and from other 
states, many coming from the Carolinas and Virginia. Many of them were of 
Scotch descent, and were good, sturdy citizens. The Indians were gone and they 
had nothing to fear. The soil was fertile and well adapted to the growing of 
cotton, corn, potatoes, grain, sugar cane, and in fact all crops that could be 
raised in almost any part of the United States. New farms were rapidly 
developed as the settlers came in and cleared the land of the timber. Their 
homes were erected of the pine logs cut from the lands as farms were cleared 
for cultivation. The houses were generally built on what was then called 
the "double pen" style, having two large rooms with a wide open hall running 
between the two rooms. There were usually shed rooms to the back of these two 
rooms. Later, as they became more prosperous, larger homes were erected, 
usually on the same style except with a stairway leading to the attic where 
bedrooms were fitted up. The kitchen and dining room were always built from 40 
to 60 feet to the rear of the main house, this having been done as a 
precautionary measure against fire. In some instances a plank walk was built to 
connect the kitchen with the main house. The buildings were covered with boards 
riven from pine and cypress timbers cut from the land, the instrument used for 
cutting the boards being called a "frow," and the life of these boards was many 
times the life of the shingles used today for covering buildings.

  These pioneers were intelligent, enterprising and thrifty in those days when 
they were forced to rely on their own genius and labor for subsistence. From 
sheer necessity they became skilled in mechanical works, producing practically 
everything upon which they subsisted, including food, raiment, wagons, carts, 
agricultural implements, harness, saddles, etc. Before the days of steam 
navigation on the Ocmulgee, when goods had to be freighted up the river on pole 
boats, the cost of all manufactured articles was excessive, necessitating rigid 
economy, forcing the people to produce at home by their own skill and labor 
practically all the necessaries of life. Every family had its hand loom and 
spinning wheel and the clothing of the family and of the slaves was spun, woven 
and made up at home. Both the rich and poor had their looms and many of the 
wealthiest ladies were expert weavers of fine cloths from cotton and wool. 
Plows, plow stocks, gear, chairs, bedsteads, tables and other household 
furniture were made at home. There were no cook stoves then in this section and 
the cooking was done in broad open fireplaces in pots, ovens and spiders. A 
crane was suspended in front of the fire which held the main pot in which the 
vegetables were boiled, while on the hearth coals were placed under and on top 
of the ovens and spiders in which bread was baked.

  There were tanneries in the county and shoes were made at home; there were 
also hatters who made wool hats, and gunsmiths who made fine rifles. There were 
blacksmiths who made axes, jack planes, augers, chisels, hoes, etc.

  There were no cotton gins at that time, and the seeds had to be picked from 
the cotton by hand, a very slow process. After the invention of the cotton gin 
by Eli Whitney, the cotton production picked up, and it is now the principal 
product of this section.

  The pioneers had none of the comforts and luxuries that we of the present age 
enjoy. Even matches were unknown at that time. Their method for starting a fire 
was by striking a piece of steel against a flint rock which produced a spark of 
fire and this ignited some dry trash or cotton which had been prepared for the 
purpose. This trash and cotton were kept carefully stored in a tin box which 
was called the "tinder box," and was always kept in a dry and convenient place. 
They had no kerosene lamps, and tallow or beeswax candles, which were made at 
home, were used for lighting purposes. These candles were made by twisting 
several twines of cotton string together, and then dipping them into melted 
tallow or beeswax, the twine forming the wick.

  The firearms of pioneer days were fired in a similar manner to the method of 
starting fires. The percussion cap used at present had not then been invented, 
and each gun or pistol was made with an arrangement for holding a flint rock. 
The hammer of the gun striking this steel would cause a spark which would 
ignite the powder, causing the gun to fire. The guns and pistols were 
designated as flint and steel firearms. They were loaded in the following 
manner: a certain amount of powder was first placed in the barrel of the gun, 
after which a wad of paper or cloth was placed in the barrel and rammed down 
the barrel of the gun with a long stick which was called a "ramrod"; a certain 
number of shot were then placed in the barrel, which was followed by another 
wad of paper or cloth and rammed down in a similar manner with the "ramrod." 
The paper or cloth used was called "gun wadding." It was necessary to always 
keep the gun powder dry, and each person who owned a gun had what he called 
a "powder horn," or "powder gourd." These horns were obtained from the heads of 
cows, and were prepared for use by stopping up the large end of the horn and 
boring a small hole in the tip or small end, which was kept closed by a peg or 
stopper. This made it impossible for water to come in contact with the powder. 
These horns were usually carried by a string attached to each end of the horn, 
and thrown across the shoulder, allowing the horn to swing at his side. 
Attached to each horn was a small cup or measure which was used to measure the 
amount of powder and shot forming each load. This cup or measure was 
called "the charger."

  The mode of travel in those days was generally a two-wheel cart drawn by a 
yoke of oxen or a mule or horse. When drawn by a horse or mule, the family was 
placed inside the cart or wagon, as the case was, and the man of the family 
rode the mule. The reason for the popularity of the two-wheel cart was due to 
the poor condition of the roads which were nothing more than trails, making it 
much easier to travel on two wheels than on four.



Log Rollings and Quillings.

  The pioneers had different methods for getting the heavy logs or timber moved 
from their land to make it ready for cultivation, one of which was called the 
annual "log rolling," to which all the neighbors for miles around were invited 
to attend, each of them bringing along his "hand stick," this being a hickory 
stick about six feet long and about three inches in diameter in the center and 
tapering towards each end. These were placed under the log about two or three 
feet apart and a sufficient number of men would take hold of the hand sticks to 
carry the log to what was called the "log heap." These log heaps were where any 
number of logs were piled together and when so piled were burned. Every man 
felt it his duty to go to his neighbor's log rolling when invited, as a great 
many acres of land could be cleared of the logs in one day. On these occasions 
it was the custom of the housewife to have several quilts prepared to be 
quilted, and the wives and daughters of the men invited to the log rolling were 
invited to her quilting. While the men rolled the logs from the land, the women 
spent the day quilting. It was customary on these occasions for the host and 
hostess to have an immense spread at the noon hour, consisting principally of 
collard greens, chicken pie, potato pie, home-made ham boiled and fried, 
together with corn bread, biscuits and other things. The corn bread was made 
from home-ground meal and the biscuits from home-ground wheat. At night there 
was another bountiful spread and then the guests retired to one of the large 
rooms in the dwelling and spent the night dancing, the dances then being the 
old-time square dance, the Virginia reel, and the minuet. The music was usually 
furnished by three negro men from the plantation, one playing the banjo, 
another the fiddle (violin), and the third "beating the straws." The favorite 
tunes were the Arkansas Traveler, Turkey In the Straw, Chicken In the Bread 
Tray, etc.


A Corn Shucking.

  Another custom of ye olden times was the neighborhood "corn shucking." When a 
farmer gathered his corn he would pile it down beside his crib, and on a 
certain night would invite all the men of the neighborhood in to assist him in 
shucking his corn. They would form a line around the pile of corn on their 
knees and begin shucking the corn and throwing it into the crib, two or three 
logs having been removed from the side of the crib near the top making an 
opening so that the corn could easily be thrown into the crib. No one who has 
never attended one of these corn shuckings can imagine the enthusiasm and 
excitement that was engendered as each man would try to shuck and throw more 
ears into the crib than the man next to him. Frequently several hundred bushels 
were shucked in one night. The negroes were placed at one end of the pile and 
the whites at the other, and in most instances it was customary for the gallon 
jug of corn whiskey to be passed down the line at certain intervals and each 
man given an opportunity to take a drink. It was seldom that any one present 
ever refused, however it was also seldom that any one ever became intoxicated 
at one of these affairs. After the corn was shucked the guests were invited 
into the dining room to partake of a sumptuous feast prepared by the housewife. 
After the meal it was the custom to build a big log fire in the back yard where 
the negroes would wrestle and box until daylight, the whites sometimes taking 
part in these bouts. These occasions were as much pleasure to the pioneers as 
the modern dances and prize fights are to the present generation.

Hardships of the Pioneers.

  From letters written by General Blackshear and other military officers to the 
Governor of the State during the period of the British-American War of 1812-15, 
it would appear that the necessities of life, especially mechanical tools, 
clothing and food supplies, were exceedingly scarce in this section of the 
country, and the few inhabitants suffered many hardships.

  In letters to Governor Early, dated at Camp Blakely (Hartford), December 23-
28, 1814, General Blackshear complains of the worth-lessness of tools furnished 
by the Quartermaster Department, stating that the "axes were made of iron, the 
screw augers were not worth a cent, that the army had no soap, no spirits, no 
candles; nor is there any component parts of a ration except flour, meat and 
salt and no contractor to apply to." Wilson Navey, foragemaster for General 
Blackshear, wrote from Hartford January 1, 1815, that the people were 
extravagant in their prices of corn, (75 cents per bushel), and that it had to 
be hauled ten to twelve miles.

  Writing to Governor Early from Camp Little Ocmulgee (Lumber City) January 27, 
1815, General Blackshear states that he would be detained there a day in 
crossing the river and that it would be the last letter he would write for some 
time as he was "out of paper." There were no stores in the country at that 
early date and the people, as well as the army, were forced to do without 
luxuries and most of the ordinary necessities of life.

NAVIGATION ON THE OCMULGEE IN PIONEER DAYS.

  IN THE PIONEER DAYS the only means the people had of transporting their 
products to market, and obtaining supplies that could not be provided at home, 
was by pole boats on the Ocmulgee and Altamaha Rivers to Darien, thence by sail 
to the markets, or by wagon. Boats were built in the county, loaded with cotton 
and other farm products, drifted down the river to Darien, where the cargoes 
were transferred to sailing vessels for Savannah and other ports. The boats 
were then loaded at Darien with cargoes of general merchandise brought by sail 
from Savannah, Charleston and New York, and polled up the river by hand, 
requiring several weeks to make a trip. In times of high water it was often 
necessary to use a rope and windlass to pull the boats up the swift current at 
certain narrow places in the river, so it can be readily understood that the up 
trip of a pole boat was slow and tedious, requiring much hard and patient 
labor. In those days the freight on many kinds of goods was more than the prime 
cost.

  There may be many of the old people who remember when the Ocmulgee and 
Altamaha Rivers were navigated between Macon and Darien with many pole boats, 
which was then the only means of transportation Macon had for shipping off 
cotton and other freight, and for obtaining freight from abroad; sailing 
vessels would bring it to Darien where it would be transferred to the pole 
boats for Macon. There were many of these boats, and though Hartford and 
Jacksonville were the only towns near the river, and no other habitations could 
be seen along the river on either side, yet it was lively times with the many 
boat hands all along the sinuous river.

Drifting Signs.

  While drifting down the pilots on the boats, where the river was very 
crooked, would every minute or two command those working the front oars, "Bow 
to the Injun," and then "Bow to the white." These commands of seeming 
politeness meant that the pilot would sometimes wish the bow of the boat turned 
towards the side of the river occupied by the Indians, or to the side settled 
by the white people, so to signify in which direction the boat was to be turned 
the command was, "Bow Injun" and "Bow white." This old slogan was continued in 
use for many years, and is still used by raft hands in drifting rafts of lumber 
down the river to Darien. The Indians claimed all the land and the game on it 
between the right bank of the river and the farthermost point of Florida.

  Mr. Luke Harrell, who has spent practically all his life near the banks of 
the Ocmulgee River, says that Mr. Norman Statham, who is about 104 years old 
and who resides in Wilcox County, was a pilot on one of these pole boats. Mr. 
Harrell worked with Mr. Statham many years in rafting timber down the river to 
Darien, and it was on these trips that he learned much of the early history of 
navigation from Mr. Statham. He is author for the statement that when General 
Blackshear cut the road from Hartford to Darien that he also placed spiked 
timbers across the river so that in the event the enemy's gun boats tried to 
come up the river they would be spiked and sunk. Mr. Harrell says that he saw 
some of these spiked timbers in the river near Doctortown in his early years 
and was told by Mr. Statham that they were the ones used by Gen. Blackshear.

  Mr. Harrell further states that many years ago when Germany went to build a 
large fort that they bought the timber in Dodge County from Mr. Jack Daniel and 
Mr. James Bishop, Sr., the contract having been let through Mr. Statham. The 
timber bought was 100 pieces of hewn timber, size 100 feet long to square 27 
inches in the middle. It took 20 oxen (10 yokes) to pull each piece of timber 
through the swamp, and about thirty hands, negroes and whites, to lift each 
stick. This timber was floated down the river to Darien where it was delivered 
to the sailing vessel bound for Germany.

THE ACT CREATING DODGE COUNTY.

  SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED, etc. That there shall be a new county laid out and 
formed of the thirteenth (13th), fourteenth (14th), fifteenth (15th), sixteenth 
(16th), nineteenth (19th), and twentieth (20th), land districts of originally 
Wilkinson County, (except that portion of said land districts numbered thirteen 
(13), sixteen (16), and nineteen (19), which now lie in and constitute a part 
of Laurens County), now forming parts of the counties of Pulaski, Telfair and 
Montgomery; that said new county shall be called the county of Dodge, and shall 
be attached to the Southern Judicial Circuit, to the Second Congressional 
District, and the Fourteenth Senatorial District.

  Section 2. BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the county-site of said new county 
shall be at a station on the Macon and Brunswick Railroad, called Eastman, the 
same being station No. 13 on said railroad.

  Section 3. BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the voters of said new county, 
entitled under the Constitution and laws of this State to vote for members of 
the General Assembly, shall assemble at Eastman, the county-site aforesaid, and 
proceed, pursuant to the election laws now in force, to elect all county 
officers necessary for the organization of said new county, pursuant to the 
Constitution and laws of this State, and it shall be the duty of the managers 
of said election to certify the same, and the result thereof, to the Governor 
of this State, and it shall be the duty of the Governor forthwith to commission 
the county officers so certified to be elected, and to authorize by dedimus to 
him, any Justice of the Peace or Notary Public, resident within the limits of 
said new county, to qualify the said county officers, according to the 
Constitution and laws of this State; said county officers so elected and 
qualified shall hold their offices for the term prescribed by law; said 
election shall be held on Wednesday after the first Monday in January, 1871.

  Section 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That all mesne and final process, in 
the hands of any of the officers of the several counties from which the said 
new county by the residence of the defendant, or the location of land where 
land is the subject-matter of suit therein, shall be delivered over to the 
corresponding officer of said new county, and all suits, declarations and 
pleadings, of all kinds of property appertaining to said new county, for the 
reasons aforesaid, shall be transferred from the courts of the counties where 
now pending to the corresponding courts of the new county; and the officers 
charged with the administration and execution of the law, in said new county, 
shall proceed with said suits, and said mesne and final process, as if the same 
had been commenced in said new county.

  Section 5. BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Superior Court of said county of 
Dodge shall be held on Friday after the second Monday in April and October in 
each year, and the Court of Ordinary on the first Monday in each month.

  Section 6. BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Ordinary, Sheriff, and other 
officers of said county, shall be required to give such bonds and security as 
the laws of this State prescribe.

  Section 7. BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the executors, administrators, 
guardians, etc., residing in said new county be, and they are hereby, 
authorized and required to make their returns to the Ordinary of said new 
county.

  Section 8. BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That until the official machinery of said 
new county be put in operation by the election, commission and qualification of 
the officers hereinbefore provided for, the proper officers of the county from 
which the new county is taken, or any of them, be, and they are hereby 
empowered with full authority to copy, direct and serve process and judicial 
writs of all sorts within the said new county; and all officers resident within 
the limits of said new county shall exercise all their powers and functions of 
office until the officers of the new county are elected and qualified.

  Section 9.   BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That all laws inconsistent with this act 
are hereby repealed.

Approved October 26, 1870.


THE NEW COUNTY.

"Some time ago, I can't say when, 
It was done by wise and solemn men, 
Old generous Laurens gave a nook, 
Some from Pulaski we took; 
Montgomery had a little to spare, 
The rest was furnished by Telfair, 
To make the County of Dodge."


THE ABOVE VERSE was written by Mr. H. W. J. Ham and appeared in the Eastman 
Times in 1873. It shows from whence came the County of Dodge, except as regards 
Laurens. Laurens gave a portion to form Pulaski, which in turn contributed 
quite a bit for the formation of Dodge.

  Dodge County was created by an Act of the General Assembly on October 26, 
1870. It was named in honor of William E. Dodge, who had come to this section 
prior to its creation. Mr. Dodge came from New York and purchased a large 
estate, which later caused much strife and bloodshed. This estate embraced most 
of what is now Dodge, Laurens, Pulaski, Telfair and Montgomery Counties, and 
reached from the Oconee to the Ocmulgee River. When the new county was created 
the population was very scattering and often neighbors lived miles apart. It is 
said that one could travel from the Oconee River to the Ocmulgee and never see 
a living thing. This section was a vast forest of virgin pine timber, conceded 
to be the finest yellow pine in the world. Lumbermen and capitalists from the 
north and east began coming in rapidly, buying up the timbered lands and 
erecting saw mills. Among the capitalists who came were William E. Dodge of New 
York and William Pitt Eastman of New Hampshire, who located at this point.

  In 1869 the Macon and Brunswick railroad (now the Southern) was built. Towns 
began to spring up all along the line, and, as this immediate section was so 
far removed from the county seat, Hawkinsville, it was deemed expedient to 
create a new county and place the county seat at this point. Mr. Eastman 
generously donated the land for the new town and county seat, Eastman, and also 
donated the land for the court house. Mr. Dodge, in whose honor the new county 
was named, expressed his appreciation of the honor conferred upon him by having 
built at his own expense what was then a magnificent court house and presented 
it to the citizens of the county. It was erected where the present court house 
now stands, and was a two-story frame structure which cost about $25,000.00. It 
was used as a court house until 1908, when it was torn away for the erection of 
a more spacious and magnificent edifice.

  J. R. Alexander was the first Superior Court Judge. The first Jury 
Commissioners were: J. L. Lampkin, J. A. Harrell, Ira R. Foster, J. W. Harrell, 
J. M. Buchan, J. S. Livingston, Loyd Smith, H. B. Maloy, L. L. Hargrove, G. W. 
Walker, J. J. Baker, Daniel Williams, B. H. Harrell, S. C. Nicholson, Harlow 
Clark, I. N. Bowen, John McCranie, Daniel McCranie, J. J. Hanley, F. A. Howell, 
I. N. Mitchell.

  First Bailiff was M. S. Peters.

  The first case filed was that of Peter J. Williams et al., vs. John Rogers, 
tenant in possession (ejectment case). Counsel for plaintiff in case, Nesbit, 
Bacon, Hines, Dawson, Rivers. Counsel for defendant, L. A. Hall, Stanley and 
Watson.

  The minutes show that the first case contested was that of John G. Lidy vs. 
Jan A. McGriff, lien on a steam saw mill. Judgment was rendered in favor of 
plaintiff. J. Watson was attorney for plaintiff.

  The first officers of the county of Dodge were: Sheriff, Jordan Brown; Clerk 
of the Court, Ruben A. Harrell; Tax Collector, T. P. Willcox; Tax Receiver, 
Jno. W. Bohannon; Ordinary, S. W. Burch.

  The first Postmaster of the new town of Eastman was Dr. J. M. Buchan, who 
later represented Dodge County in the Legislature.

  At the time of its creation there were only 334 voters in the county. There 
were 490 children in the county between the ages of six and eighteen years of 
age.

  Among the first citizens of the new county were: J. M. Arthur, Judge C. B. 
Murrell, L. M. Peacock, Sr., Mrs. L. M. Peacock, Sr.T Judge D. M. Roberts, Mrs. 
D. M. Roberts, Mrs. Lizzie Daniel, mother of Messrs. M. J. W. and W. B. Daniel, 
Harlow Clark, J. W. Griffin, L. L. Hargrove, James Bishop, Sr., John M. Daniel, 
H. J. Sapp, Peter Bowen, J. W. Coffee, David Cravey, John McLeod, Alan McLeod, 
Sr., Josiah Reaves, John Reaves, Phillip Reaves, Josiah Reaves, Jr., Susan 
Taylor, Hiram Taylor, William Taylor, Job Lester, Daniel Lester, Nick Rawlins, 
John C. Rawlins, Edward Tripp, Berry Tripp, W. W. Harrell, Col. John F. DeLacy, 
William Pitt Eastman, Maj. C. R. Armstrong, Dr. Harris Fisher, H. W. J. Ham,, 
one of the first lawyers in the county, Isaac Herrman, Matthew Clark, R. F. 
Burch, Sr.

  Among the largest families of the county are the Harrells, the Burch family, 
Colemans, Peacocks and Rawlins.

  The founder, no doubt, of the Coleman family was W. A. Coleman, who married 
Priscilla Wright. To this union eleven children were born, whose names, are as 
follows: William C., Sabrey Caroline, Roxie Rebecca, Mary J., Nancy J., W. H., 
B. T., J. A., G. R. L., Mary Elizabeth and Joel F., who was Ordinary of the 
county for sixteen years.

  Another large family is the Rawlins family. Mr. Nicholas Rawlins is the head 
of this large family. He was married to Miss Rosa J. Grimsley. To this union 
nine children were born: J. T., J. C., A. M., G. W., C. W., Betty and Marshall. 
Joseph Rawlins died at the age of 18 years and Sam at the age of 23.

  Dr. Harris Fisher was also one of the older citizens of the county,, and was 
engaged here for a number of years in the practice of medicine. Dr. Fisher was 
the organizer of the first fair this county ever held, and for a number of 
years made it a success.

  Among the first industries in the new county was the saw mill owned by Mr. 
Ira Foster and located to the rear of where the DeLietch Hotel stood until 
destroyed by fire a few years ago. About this time a shingle mill, run under 
the name of Sumner, Mullin and Hill, was in operation on the spot where the 
residence of Mrs. Nannie Harrell now stands. Hammond and Coleman ran the first 
turpentine still. Hammond was a genuine Quaker, one of the very few who ever 
came down this far.

  In 1881, about a mile below where the city of Eastman now stands, the 
Amoskeag Lumber Co. placed a saw mill. This was a million, dollar concern and 
the mill was one of the largest ever operated in Georgia. The officers of the 
company were: President, E. C. Bacon; Secretary and Treasurer, Dr. E. H. Bacon. 
Dr. Bacon was a high-toned Christian gentleman of the Old Southern School, who 
resided in Eastman until his death a few years ago. J. T. Colcord was general 
manager. Another member of this firm was Martin T. Amorous, who later became a 
citizen of Atlanta. This company bought the timber rights to several thousand 
acres of land and operated here a number of years.   The old residence and 
commissary of the general manager still stand at Amoskeag.

  The Empire Lumber Company placed a large saw mill where the city of Empire 
now stands in 1886. John W. Hightower was the president of this company, and 
Empire was the first town anywhere in this section to have electric lights. A 
plant owned by the lumber company was used for this purpose. This company also 
built the old Oconee and Western railroad, now known as the W. & T., as far as 
Dublin. Chester and Younker soon sprang up after the building of this road and 
are now thriving little towns on the northern side of the county.

  The Seaboard Airline Railroad was built through Dodge County in 1888. 
Immediately the turpentine and lumber camps of Milan and Rhine began to 
flourish and today they are splendid business towns in a rich agricultural 
section.

Militia Districts.

  When the county was created there were only five militia districts, viz.: 
Rawlins (317), Pondtown (339), Lees (349), Mitchells (364), and Eddins (384), 
but other districts have been created from time to time until at present there 
are in the county fifteen districts, the ten additional being Clarks (1438), 
Chauncey (1254), Jones (1454), Empire (1455), Mullis (1456), Vilula (1702), 
Plainfield (1709), Younkers (1674), Milan (1751), and McCranies (1821).

  In each militia district there is a Justice of the Peace and also a Notary 
Public and Ex Officio J. P. The former is elected by a vote of the people of 
the district and the latter is appointed by the Grand Jury of the county. The 
county is divided into six land districts, viz.: the 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 
19th and 20th. Each lot of land contains 202 1/2 acres.

Soil.

  Dodge County is located in one of the richest agricultural sections in the 
State, lying as it does between the hills of north Georgia and the flat lands 
of south Georgia, making it just rolling enough to be well drained. From the 
Ocmulgee on one side extending almost to the Oconee on the other side, a 
territory of 495 square miles, are to be found some of the finest farms in the 
State. The soil is principally red pebbly soil together with dark loamy soil in 
some sections of the county.

Crops.

  The principal crops grown are cotton, corn, peas, peanuts, sweet potatoes, 
sugar cane, with a small acreage usually planted in wheat and tobacco. The soil 
is also well adapted to the growing of pecans, which has become a very 
profitable industry in this section. The county has ranked about fifth the past 
several years in the number of bales of cotton produced, and has far surpassed 
many counties of a much larger acreage. In the year 1930 the ginning report 
showed that Dodge County had ginned 24,956 bales.

Streams.

  The county is watered by many streams which run the entire length of the 
county, the largest of these being Gum Swamp Creek, which rises in the northern 
part of Bleckley County and forms the Little Ocmulgee River in Telfair County. 
It is also traversed by Alligator Creek, Sugar Creek and Mosquito Creek. All of 
these streams abound with fish, the principal species being trout, white perch, 
warmouth perch, bream, pike and channel cat.

Climate.

  The climate is ideal, being far enough south to miss the winter snows (snow 
being seldom seen in this section), and far enough north to miss the extreme 
heat, although near enough the coast to be fanned by the ocean breezes the 
entire summer.

THE FIRST SETTLERS IN THE NEW COUNTY IN 1870.

  THE FIRST SETTLERS in the new county the year it was created, 1870, are given 
as nearly correct as the writer was able to ascertain, and are as follows:

Armstrong, Charles R.; 
Anderson, Robert F.
Bohannon, John W.; 
Burch, William; 
Bowen, David W.; 
Brown, James; 
Brown, Jordan; 
Bowen Isaac N.; 
Braswell, Gadi W.; 
Braswell, James K. P.; 
Brown, Andrew C.; 
Brown, Lovard; Burnham, Mile A.; 
Brown, Jesse; Bryan, Jos. D.; 
Bussey, William K.; 
Burch, John H.; 
Burch, Charles, Sr.; 
Berryhill, William H.; 
Bowen, Jeremiah; 
Brown, Reuben; 
Burch, Reuben F.; 
Bishop, James, Sr.; 
Burnham, Lewis C.; 
Buchan, James M.; 
Bohannon, James.
Coleman, John A.; 
Campbell, Robert C.; 
Coleman, William A.; 
Clark, Benjamin F.; 
Cravey, Daniel C.; 
Clark, Matthew; 
Clark, Harlow; 
Cadwell, Reuben W.; 
Clark, William C.; 
Coleman, Henry C.; 
Coffee, Peter H.; 
Cadwell, Andy; 
Coleman, Andrew B.
Defore, William J.; 
Dunn, Thomas; 
Douglas, David T.; 
Dean, Allen W.; 
Daniel, Stephen M.
Evans, Elisha, Sr.; 
Evans, Elisha, Jr.; 
Etheridge, William D.; 
Evans, Levi; 
English, Efely; 
Evans, Samuel A.; 
Evans, Reuben R.; 
Evans, John L.; 
Evans, George W., Sr.; 
Evans, George.
Giddens, Benjamin E. L.; 
Graham, Joseph, Sr.
Harrell, Lewis B.; 
Hobbs, Larry; 
Harrell, John A., Jr.; 
Handley, John J.; 
Hobbs, Berry; 
Home, Jesse D.; 
Hart, Robert H.; 
Billiard, James W.; 
Hargrove, Larking L.; 
Harrell, Frances H.; 
Harrell, Charles; 
Harrell, Lemuel T.; 
Hutto, Henry; 
Harrell, John A., Sr.; 
Harrell, Benjamin; 
Harrell, Wright; 
Harrell, Reuben A.; 
Harrell, Wright W.; 
Harrell, Jas. D.; 
Hodge, James.
Jones, Joseph G.; 
Jones, John W.; 
Jones, Robert M.
Lister, Daniel A.; 
Lancaster, Miles A.; 
Livingston, John S.; 
Livingston, Jacob; 
Lamb, Floyd; 
Lister, Neal L.; 
Lister, Job; 
Lee, Eli F.; 
Lowery, William E.
Mullis, William F. P.; 
Mullis, Thomas M.; 
Mitchell, Stephen J.; 
Martin, William R.; 
Martin, Jeremiah M.; 
Murrell, Charles B.; 
Mullis, John T.; 
Mullis, Charles N.; 
Moore, William J.; 
Mullis, James K. P.; 
Mullis, Joel, Sr.; 
Moore, John J.
McLeod, Allen; 
McIntyre, John; 
McEachin, Duncan S.; 
McCranie, Malcom; 
McCranie, Horton; 
McCranie, John, Jr.; 
McCranie, John, Sr.
Nixon, Jesse V.; 
Nicholson, Samuel C.; 
Norris, Isaac N.
Phillips, William; 
Peacock, William D.; 
Parkerson, Cordeal D.; 
Peacock, Augustus C.; 
Peacock, Elbert, Sr.; 
Peacock, Gilom E.; 
Purvis, Daniel G.
Rozar, James W.; 
Rozar, Robert; 
Rawlins, George W.; 
Reeves, Josiah; 
Rozar, Charles A.; 
Reaves, John H.; 
Rogers, William P.; 
Rogers, Jesse; 
Rogers, John; 
Rawlins, Nicholas; 
Ryals, James, Sr.; 
Reaves, Phillip; 
Reaves, Joseph; 
Ryals, Baldy; 
Rogers, Charles; 
Ryals, John G; 
Rawlins, J. T.; 
Rawlins, James Calvin; 
Rozar, John J.
Studstill, William, Sr.; 
Sapp, Hiram J.; 
Smith, Noah; 
Swearingame, Darling, W., Sr.; 
Smith, I. Daniel; 
Sheffield, James; 
Smith, Loyd; 
Surmons, John A.; 
Sapp, William B.
Tripp, William J.; 
Tripp;, Henry; 
Taylor, Reuben W.; 
Thompson, John S.; 
Tripp, Edmund.
Wade, Oliver P.; 
Wright, William A.; 
Walker, George W.; 
Wise, William H.; 
Walker, George T.; 
Walker, James E.; 
Walker, Matthew A.; 
Wright, Isaac N.; 
Williams, David W.; 
Wright, John F.; 
Walker, William H.; 
Wright, James B.; 
Willcox, Thomas P.; 
Wright, Micajah; 
Wrye, James.
Yawn, Elisha; 
Yearly, Malt; 
Yancey, George W.; 
Yancey, John; 
Yancey, David; 
Yawn, William; 
Yawn, Calvin; 
Yawn, Elvin.

  The following is a list of the first negro settlers in 1870, many of whom 
became property owners and made good citizens:

Adams, Wiley.
Bishop, Charles; 
Burch, Martin; 
Buchan, Dannis; 
Burch, Anthony; 
Bishop, John; 
Bishop, Guilford; 
Burch, Robert; 
Buchan, Charles; 
Bishop, Irwin, Sr.
Clark, Iverson; 
Coffee, Simon, Sr.
DeYounks, Prince; 
Dozier, Daniel; 
Dennis, Eli; 
Dykes, Mitchell.
Fain, Isom.
Holmes, Thomas; 
Hall, Daniel; 
Harrell, Harry; 
Harrell, Jerry; 
Harrell, Dave; 
Henderson, Dock; 
Hall, Mike; 
Harrell, Hardy; 
Hendley, Ben.; 
Hamilton, John.
Jackson, Werry.
London, Berry; 
Livingston, John.
Odum, Frank; 
Oneal, Richard.
Phillips, Jordan.
Reaves, Sam; 
Ryals, Limus; 
Reaves, James; 
Reaves, Harry; 
Reaves, Henry; 
Regans, Edmund; 
Rainhart, Melvin.
Simmons, Caleb; 
Studstill, Neal; 
Sellers, John J.
Walker, Jake; 
Willcox, Andrew; 
Whitehead, Jinks; 
Willcox, Robert; 
Willcox, Ben Jack; 
Willcox, Frank M.
Yarborough, Thomas.

  The following negroes moved into the county in 1871 and later:

Ball, Thomas H.; 
Burney, Green B.; 
Burney, Calvin L.; 
Burch, William; 
Ball, Jas.; 
Burch, Warren; 
Baltimore, Jake; 
Bray, Bob; 
Bray, Jim; 
Battle, Bob.
Crocker, Peyton; 
Coats, William; 
Coffee, Victor; 
Coney, Martin; 
Coffee, Isaiah; 
Coffee, Wiley; 
Chancey, Alec.; 
Chancey, Alvis; 
Carroll, Calvin B.; 
Cobb, Henry; 
Dennis, Jordan; 
Dixon, Nathan; 
Davis, Wess.
Goodwin, Judge.
Hall, John William; 
Hall, Cornelius; 
Hall, Henry; 
Harrell, Anthony; 
Hall, Jerry; 
Hamilton, Joe; 
Hamilton, Frank; 
Hamilton, Arter; 
Hall, Robt. B.; 
Hamilton, Levi; 
Harrell, Zeke; 
Harrell, Bryant R.; 
Harrell, Tobe; 
Home, Jeff; 
Hodge, Gaynor; 
Holland, Ned; 
Hall, Lewis.
Irby, William; 
Irby, Oscar.
Jiles, Jordan; 
Jackson, Hardin; 
Jones, Henry; 
Jenkins, Frank.
Luster, Wesley; 
Lamkin, Green; 
Lamkin, Lewis; 
Lockett, Nathan; 
Lamkin, Sam; 
Larkin, Lewis; 
Lanier, Tom; 
Lester, Albert; 
Lightfoot, Thomas.
McGriff, Allen; 
McGriff, Henry.
Nash, Wilson.
Payne, Peter; 
Peterson, Landy; 
Pitts, Frank; 
Phillips, Nep.
Russell, John; 
Roach, Will; 
Roland, Green.
Spivey, Peter.
Tharpe, Henry.
Whitehead, Bryant; 
Whitehead, Levi W.
Yopp, Ben.

AGRICULTURE IN 1873.

  THE EASTMAN TIMES, December 24, 1873, published the following report, which 
is very interesting reading to the farmer of today, comparing, as it does, the 
present day out-put to that of the beginning of the county:

  "The  following is the agricultural products of Dodge County as compiled by 
Isaac Herrman from the books of the Tax Collector:


"Bales of cotton                   930
Bushels of dried peaches....         2
Bushels of barley                  100
Bushels of peanuts                  57
Number of sheep                  9,022
Number of hogs                   9,565
Number of horses and mules         521
Number of cattle                 6,319
Yards of cotton cloth made         137
Yards of woolen cloth made         123
Pounds of wool carded              95"
Bushels of oats                  4,551
Bushels of corn                 46,073
Bushels of sweet potatoes       18,274
Bushels of Irish potatoes          410
Pounds of tobacco                1,307
Gallons of syrup                13,225
Pounds of sugar                    925
Bushels of dried apples             12

COUNTY OFFICERS—1871-1932.

1871
Jordan Brown              Sheriff
Ruben A. Harrell          Clerk of Court
S. W. Burch               Ordinary
J. W. Bohannon            Tax Collector
H. J. Sapp                Tax Receiver
T. P. Willcox             Treasurer

1872
Jordan Brown              Sheriff
Ruben A. Harrell          Clerk of Court
S. W. Burch               Ordinary
J. W. Bohannon            Tax Collector
H. J. Sapp                Tax Receiver
T P. Willcox              Treasurer

1873
Jordan Brown              Sheriff
Ruben A. Harrell          Clerk of Court
John J.  Rozar            Ordinary
J. W. Bohannon            Tax Collector
H. J. Sapp                Tax Receiver
J. S. Livingston          Treasurer

1874
Jordan Brown              Sheriff
Ruben A. Harrell          Clerk of Court
John J. Rozar             Ordinary
John W. Bohannon          Tax Collector
H. J. Sapp                Tax Receiver
J. S. Livingston          Receiver

1875
Jordan Brown              Sheriff
Isaac Herrman             Clerk
J. J. Rozar               Ordinary
H. J. Sapp                Tax Collector
J. J. Hamilton            Tax Receiver
J.   S.   Livingston      Treasurer

1876
Jordan Brown              Sheriff
Isaac Herrman             Clerk
J. J. Rozar               Ordinary
H. J. Sapp                Tax Collector
J. J. Hamilton            Tax Receiver
J. S. Livingston          Treasurer

1877
W. B.  Sapp               Sheriff
J. C. Rawlins             Clerk
J. J. Rozar               Ordinary
H. J. Sapp                Tax Collector
J. W. Bohannon            Tax Receiver
J. J. Hamilton            Treasurer

1878
W. B.  Sapp               Sheriff
J. C. Rawlins             Clerk
J. J. Rozar               Ordinary
H. J. Sapp                Tax Collector
J. W. Bohannon            Tax Receiver
J. J. Hamilton            Treasurer

1879
W. B. Sapp                Sheriff
J. C. Rawlins             Clerk
J. J. Rozar               Ordinary
J. M. Woodward            Tax Collector
J. W. Bohannon            Tax Receiver
W. W. Ashburn             Treasurer

1880
W. B.  Sapp               Sheriff
J. C. Rawlins             Clerk
J. J. Rozar               Ordinary
J. M. "Woodward           Tax Collector
J. W. Bohannon            Tax Receiver
W. W. Ashburn             Treasurer

1881
W.  B.  Sapp              Sheriff
J. C. Rawlins             Clerk
J. J. Rozar               Ordinary
Baldy Ryals               Tax Collector
J. W. Bohannon            Tax Receiver
C. H. Peacock             Treasurer

1882
W. B. Sapp                Sheriff
J. C. Rawlins             Clerk
J. J. Rozar               Ordinary
Baldy Ryals               Tax Collector
J. W. Bohannon            Tax Receiver
C. H. Peacock             Treasurer

1883
J.  Tom  Rawlins          Sheriff
J. C. Rawlins             Clerk
J. J. Rozar               Ordinary
Baldy Ryals               Tax Collector
J. W. Bohannon            Tax Receiver
C. H. Peacock             Treasurer

1884
J. T. Rawlins             Sheriff
J. C. Rawlins             Clerk
J. J. Rozar               Ordinary
Baldy Ryals               Tax Collector
J. W. Bohannon            Tax Receiver
C. H. Peacock             Treasurer

1885
J. T. Rawlins             Sheriff
J. C. Rawlins             Clerk
J. J. Rozar               Ordinary
Baldy Ryals               Tax Collector
J. W. Bohannon            Tax Receiver
C. H. Peacock             Treasurer
1886
J. T. Rawlins             Sheriff
J. C. Rawlins             Clerk
J. J. Rozar               Ordinary
Baldy Ryals               Tax Collector
J. W. Bohannon            Tax Receiver
C. H. Peacock             Treasurer

1887
J. T. Rawlins             Sheriff
J. C. Rawlins             Clerk
J. J. Rozar               Ordinary
Baldy Ryals               Tax Collector
James R. Giddens          Tax Receiver
J. M. Sapip               Treasurer

1888
J. T. Rawlins             Sheriff
J. C. Rawlins             Clerk
J. J. Rozar               Ordinary
Baldy Ryals               Tax Collector
James R. Giddens          Tax Receiver
J. M. Sapp                Treasurer

1889
Perry S. Hargrove         Sheriff
J. C. Rawlins             Clerk
M. L. Burch               Ordinary
Baldy Ryals               Tax Collector
James R. Giddens          Tax Receiver
J. M. Sapp                Treasurer

1890
Perry S. Hargrove         Sheriff
J. C. Rawlins             Clerk
M. L. Burch.              Ordinary
Baldy Ryals               Tax Collector
James R. Giddens          Tax Receiver
J. M. Sapp                Treasurer

1891
Perry S. Hargrove         Sheriff
J. C. Rawlins             Clerk
M. L. Burch               Ordinary
J. D. Taylor              Tax Collector
E. D. Griffin             Tax Receiver
J. M. Sapip               Treasurer

1892
Perry S.  Hargrove        Sheriff
J. C. Rawlins             Clerk
M. L. Burch               Ordinary
J. D. Taylor              Tax Collector
E. D. Griffin             Tax Receiver
J. M. Sapp                Treasurer

1893
J. C. Rogers              Sheriff
J. C. Rawlins             Clerk
A. G. Williamson          Ordinary
J. D. Taylor              Tax Collector
E. D. Griffin             Tax Receiver
J. M. Sapp                Treasurer

1894
J. C. Rogers.             Sheriff
J. C. Rawlins             Clerk
A. G. Williamson          Ordinary
J. D. Taylor              Tax Collector
E. D. Griffin             Tax Receiver
J. M. Sapp                Treasurer

1895
J. C. Rogers              Sheriff
J. C. Rawlins             Clerk
A. G. Williamson          Ordinary
John R. Giddens           Tax Collector
E. D. Griffin             Tax Receiver
Levi Lee                  Treasurer

1896
J. C. Rogers.             Sheriff
J. C. Rawlins             Clerk
A. G. Williamson          Ordinary
John R. Giddens           Tax Collector
E. D. Griffin             Tax Receiver
J. M. Sapip               Treasurer

1897
J. C. Rogers              Sheriff
J. C. Rawlins             Clerk
A. G. Williamson          Ordinary
J. D. Taylor              Tax Collector
E. D. Griffin             Tax Receiver
Levi   Lee                Treasurer

1899
J. C. Rogers              Sheriff
J. C. Rawlins             Clerk
John  W.  Bohannon        Ordinary
J. D. Taylor              Tax Collector
E. D. Griffin             Tax Receiver
Joe  Peacock              Treasurer

1901

J. C. Rogers              Sheriff
J. C. Rawlins             Clerk
John W. Bohannon          Ordinary
W. P. Harrell             Tax Collector
E. D. Griffin             Tax Receiver
Joe Peacock               Treasurer

1903
J. C. Rogers              Sheriff
J. D. Taylor              Clerk
John W. Bohannon          Ordinary
W. P. Harrell             Tax Collector
E. D. Griffin             Tax Receiver
Joe Peacock               Treasurer

1904
Board of County Commissioners elected as follows:
W. H. Cotter              Co. Commissioner
C. C. Horsford            Co. Commissioner
C. M. Rozar               Co. Commissioner
A. I. Steward             Co. Commissioner
T. S. Willcox             Co. Commissioner

1905
J. C. Rogers              Sheriff
J. D. Taylor              Clerk
A. G. Williamson          Ordinary
J. W. Jones, Jr           Tax Collector
E. D. Griffin             Tax Receiver
H. J. Sapp                Treasurer

1907
J. C. Rogers              Sheriff
J. D. Taylor              Clerk
A. G. Williamson          Ordinary
J. W. Jones, Jr           Tax Collector
E. D. Griffin             Tax Receiver

1909
John W. Taylor            Sheriff
John M. Clark             Clerk
Joel F. Coleman           Ordinary
J. W. Lee                 Tax Collector
E. D. Griffin             Tax Receiver
W. F. Peacock             Treasurer
John Brown                Co. Commissioner
N. J. Nicholson           Co. Commissioner

1911
John W. Taylor            Sheriff
John M. Clark             Clerk
Joel F. Coleman           Ordinary
J. W. Lee                 Tax Collector
E. D. Griffin             Tax Receiver
W. F. Peacock             Treasurer
Chas. J. Jones            Co. Commissioner
A. J. Law                 Co. Commissioner
A. B. Hargrove            Co. Commissioner
N. J. Nicholson           Co. Commissioner
John Brown                Co. Commissioner

1912
Board of five County Commissioners abolished and one Commissioner elected.

1913
John W. Taylor            Sheriff
Bob Wynne                 Clerk
Joel F. Coleman           Ordinary
C. L. Peacock             Tax Collector
E. D. Griffin             Tax Receiver
G. R. Hendrix             Co. Commissioner
W. F. Peacock             Treasurer

1914
C. N. Mullis              Sheriff

1915
C. N. Mullis              Sheriff
Bob Wynne                 Clerk
Joel F. Coleman           Ordinary
C. L. Peacock             Tax Collector
E. D. Griffin             Tax Receiver
W. F. Peacock             Treasurer
G. R. Hendrix             Co. Commissioner

1917
C. N. Mullis              Sheriff
Bob Wynne                 Clerk
Joel F. Coleman           Ordinary
C. L. Peacock             Tax Collector
J. B. Willcox             Tax Receiver
W. F. Peacock             Treasurer
G. R. Hendrix             Co. Commissioner

1919
C. N. Mullis              Sheriff
Bob Wynne                 Clerk
Joel F. Coleman           Ordinary
C. L. Peacock             Tax Collector
J. B. Willcox             Tax Receiver
W. F. Peacock             Treasurer
G. R. Hendrix             Co. Commissioner

1920
C. L. Peacock, Tax Collector, died and his daughter, Miss Maude Peacock was 
appointed to fill his unexpired term. Miss Peacock has the distinction of being 
the first lady office holder in Georgia. During the year 1920 the office of 
County Treasurer was abolished, the Ordinary having been made the depository 
for the county's funds.

1921
C. N. Mullis              Sheriff
John A. Harrell           Clerk
Joel F. Coleman           Ordinary
R. G. P. McKinnon.      ..Tax Collector
J. B. Willcox             Tax Receiver
R. F. Burch, Jr.          Co. Commissioner

1925
C. N. Mullis              Sheriff
John A. Harrell           Clerk
S. D. Bowen               Ordinary
R. G. P. McKinnon         Tax Collector
J. P. Brown               Tax Receiver
W. D. McCranie            Co. Commissioner

1929
G. C. Rogers              Sheriff
J. R. C. Jones            Clerk
S. D. Bowen               Ordinary
I. N. Parkerson           Tax Collector
Joel E. Butler            Tax Receiver
W. D. McCranie            Co. Commissioner

1930
G. C. Rogers              Sheriff
J. R. C. Jones            Clerk
S. D. Bowen               Ordinary
I. N. Parkerson           Tax Collector
Joel E. Butler            Tax Receiver
W. D. McCranie            Co. Commissioner

1931
G. C. Rogers              Sheriff
J. R. C. Jones            Clerk
S. D. Bowen               Ordinary
I. N. Parkerson           Tax Collector
Joel E. Butler            Tax Receiver
W. D. McCranie            Co. Commissioner

1932
G. C. Rogers              Sheriff
J. R. C. Jones            Clerk
S. D. Bowen               Ordinary
I. N. Parkerson           Tax Collector
Joel E. Butler            Tax Receiver
W. D. McCranie            Co. Commissioner

  These officers have recently been re-elected to serve for another term of 
four years.




COUNTY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS AND BOARDS OF EDUCATION—1879-1932.

THE EARLIEST RECORDS that could be found in the office of the County School 
Superintendent were of June 8, 1878. The following superintendents and boards 
have served from that date until the present:

Superintendent                Board of Education
1878—John J. Hamilton         Charles R. Armstrong, W. K. Bussey, Nicholas
                                Rawlins, Hiram J. Sapp. 

1879—Chas. R. Armstrong       H. J. Sapp, W. K. Bussey, Nicholas Rawlins,
                                Henry Coleman. 

1880—Chas R. Armstrong        H. J. Sapp, W. K. Bussey, Nicholas Rawlins,
                                Henry Coleman. 

1881—Chas. R. Armstrong       H. J. Sapp, W. K. Bussey, Henry Coleman,
                                J. F. DeLacey. 

1882—Chas. R. Armstrong       H. J. Sapp, W. K. Bussey, Henry Coleman,
                                J. F. DeLacey. 

1883—Chas. R. Armstrong       H. J. Sapp, W. K. Bussey, Henry Coleman,
                                J. F. DeLacey. 

1884—Chas. R. Armstrong       H. J. Sapp, W. K. Bussey, Henry Coleman,
                                J. F. DeLacey. 

1885—Chas. R. Armstrong       H. J. Sapp, W. K. Bussey, Henry Coleman,
                                J. F. DeLacey. 

1886—Henry Coleman            J. F. DeLacey, H. J. Sapp, Chas. R.
                                Armstrong, W. K. Bussey. 

1887—Henry Coleman            J. F. DeLacey, H. J. Sapp, Chas. R.
                                Armstrong, W. K. Bussey. 

1888—Henry Coleman            L. M. Peacock added to the Board; also James
                                Bishop, Jr. 

1889—James Bishop, Sr.        H. J. Sapp, James Bishop, Jr., Chas. R.
                                Armstrong, E. A. Smith. 

1890—James Bishop, Sr.        P. A. Jessup, Wm. McRae, Hamilton Clark,
                                James Bishop, Jr. 

1891—James Bishop, Sr.        P. A. Jessup, Wm. McRae, Hamilton Clark,
                                James Bishop, Jr. 

1892—James Bishop, Sr.        H. J. Sapp, Wm. McRae, L. M. Peacock, James
                                Bishop, Jr., Hamilton Clark, Sol Herrman.

1893—James Bishop, Sr.        L. M. Peacock, James Bishop, Jr., Sol
                                Herrman, Hamilton Clark, J. E. Woolen. 

1894—James Bishop  Sr.        L. M. Peacock, J. E. Wooten, James Bishop,
                                Jr., Quitman Cook, C. J. Jones. 

1895—James Bishop, Sr.        L. M. Peacock, J. E. Wooten, James Bishop,
                                Jr., Quitman Cook, C. J. Jones. 

1896—James Bishop  Sr.        L. M. Peacock, C. J. Jones, D. A. Burch,
                                B. H. Harrell, Quitman Cook. 

1897—James Bishop, Sr.        L. M. Peacock, C. J. Jones, D. A. Burch,
                                B. H. Harrell, Quitman Cook. 

1898—James Bishop, Sr.        L. M. Peacock, B. H. Harrell, Baldy Ryals,
                                D. A. Burch. 

1899—James Bishop, Sr.        B. H. Harrell. L. M. Peacock, Baldy Ryals,
                                D. A. Burch, D. M. Buchan. 

1900—James Bishop, Sr.        B. H. Harrell, L. M. Peacock, Baldy Ryals,
                                D. A. Burch, D. M. Buchan.

1901—M. L. Burch              L. M. Peacock, B. H. Harrell, D. M. Buchan, D.
                                A. Burch, Baldy Ryals.

1902—M. L. Burch              L. M. Peacock, B. H. Harrell, D. M. Buchan, D.
                                A. Burch, Baldy Ryals.

1903—M. L. Burch              W. J. Williams, B. H. Harrell, D. M. Buchan, D.
                                A. Burch, Baldy Ryals.

1904—M. L. Burch              D. A. Burch, C. J. Jones, W. H. Thompson, W. J.
                                Williams.

1905—M. L. Burch              D. A. Burch, C. J. Jones, W. H. Thompson, W. J.
                                Williams.

1906—M. L. Burch              D. A. Burch, C. J. Jones, W. H. Thompson, W. J.
                                Williams, J. B. Coffee.

1907—M. L. Burch              D. A. Burch, C. J. Jones, W. H. Thompson, W. J.
                                Williams, J. B. Coffee.

1908—M. L. Burch              W. J. Williams, W. H. Thompson, C. J. Jones, J.
                                B. Coffee, L. C. Nicholson.

1909—M. L. Burch              W. J. Williams, W. H. Thompson, C. J. Jones, J.
                                B. Coffee, L. C. Nicholson.

1910—M. L. Burch              J. B. Coffee, L. C. Nicholson, W. H. Thompson, W.
                                R. Willis, W. J. Williams.

1911—M. L. Burch              W. H. Thompson, J. B. Cameron, J. B. Coffee, L.
                                C. Nicholson, W. R. Willis.

1912—M. W. Harrell            J. B. Cameron, J. B. Coffee, D. C. Pierce, A. M-
                                Jessup, W. R. Willis.

1913—M. W. Harrell            J. B. Cameron, J. B. Coffee, D. C. Pierce, A. M.
                                Jessup, W. R. Willis.

1914—M. W. Harrell            J. B. Williams, J. B. Coffee, D. C. Pierce, W. R.
                         Willis, W. D. Lister.

1915—M. W. Harrell            J. B. Williams, J. B. Coffee, D. C. Pierce, W. R.
                                Willis, W. D. Lister.

1916—M. W. Harrell            J. B. Coffee, D. C. Pierce, J. B. Williams, W. R-
                                Willis, I. N. Parkerson.

1917—M. W. Harrell            J. B. Coffee, D. C. Pierce, J. B. Williams, W. R.
                                Willis, I. N. Parkerson.

1918—M. W. Harrell            D. C. Pierce, J. B. Williams, I. N. Parkerson, W.
                                R. Willis, W. B. Jessup.

1919—M. W. Harrell            D. C. Pierce, T. A. McMillan, W. B. Jessup, J. B.
                                Williams, I. N. Parkerson.

1920—M. W. Harrell            J. B. Williams, M. M. Jones, J. J. Cadwell, C. M.
                                Jackson, W. D. NeSmith.

1921—M. W. Harrell            M. M. Jones, W. D. NeSmith, J. J. Cadwell, C. M.
                                Jackson, A. F. Clements.

1922—M. W. Harrell            M. M. Jones, W. D. NeSmith, J. J. Cadwell, C. M.
                                Jackson, A. F. Clements.

1923—M. W. Harrell            J. J. Cadwell, W. D. NeSmith, F. T. Parkerson, A.
                                F. Clements, P. M. Burch.

1924—M. W. Harrell            A. F. Clements, F. T. Parkerson, W. D. NeSmith,
                                P. M. Burch, J. J. Cadwell.

1925—W. C. Rozar              P. M. Burch, H. E. Hill, F. T. Parkerson, J. J.
                                 Cadwell, A. F. Clements.

1926—W. C. Rozar              P. M. Burch, H. E. Hill, A. F. Clements, F. T.
                                Parkerson, W. H. Smith.

1927—W. C. Rozar              P. M. Burch, H. E. Hill, A. F. Clements, F. T.
                                Parkerson, W. H. Smith.

1928—W. C. Rozar              W. H. Smith. H. E. Hill, F. T. Parkerson, A. F.
                                Clements, W. R. Willis.

1929—W. C. Rozar              W. H. Smith. H. E. Hill, F. T. Parkerson, A. F.
                                Clements, W. R. Willis.


1930-W. C. Rozar              W. H. Smith, H. E. Hill, F. T. Parkerson, W. R.
                                Willis, W. S. Wynne.

1931—W. C. Rozar              W. H. Smith, H. E. Hill, F. T. Parkerson, W. S.
                                Wynne, W. A. Willis.

1932—W. C. Rozar              W. H. Smith, H. E. Hill, F. T. Parkerson, W. S.
                                Wynne, W. A. Willis.



FIRST SUPERIOR COURT.

  THE FOLLOWING is from the Macon Telegraph of April 20, 1871:

  "The first session of the Superior Court in the new county of Dodge was 
organized at Eastman, the county site, on Friday last, and continued in session 
Friday and Saturday. His Honor, Judge Alexander, presided. Members of the bar 
present were: Solicitor-General W. B. Burnett; Ex-Judge Hansell, of 
Thomasville; Messrs. Kibbee, Pate and Burke, of Hawkinsville; Rollin Stanley 
arid Col. J. Rivers, of Dublin; Gen. Eli Warren, of Perry; McDermid, of 
Telfair; and A. R. Hall and Thomas Taylor, of Eastman.

  "Judge Alexander's charge to the Grand Jury was excellent. He strongly 
enforced the laws prohibiting the carrying of deadly weapons and retailing 
liquors without license. The law now makes it a high misdemeanor to sell any 
kind of spirituous liquor until a license has first been obtained from the 
county authorities, and the applicant has filed a bond in the sum of $500.00 to 
keep an orderly house and not to sell to any intoxicated person. He must also 
take an oath that he will not sell liquor to a minor without the consent of his 
parent or guardian.

  "After the court adjourned the members accompanied Mr. Eastman in a walk 
about the town, viewing the proposed site of the new court house and examining 
the plans of the structure. The court house is to be built immediately and 
presented as a donation to the county by the Hon. William E. Dodge, of New York 
City, for whom the county has been named. The new county of Dodge was organized 
by the last Legislature out of territory belonging to Pulaski, Telfair and 
Montgomery, and will be the center of a heavy lumber business."

  The Grand Jurors at this first term of Dodge Superior Court were: I. W. 
Mitchell, H. Clark, Loyd Smith, Jno. J. Handley, J. S. Livingston, George W. 
Walker, James M. Buchan, L. L. Hargrove, Turner Howell, S. C. Nicholson, J. W. 
Bowen, Daniel S. Williams, John McCranie, James J. Baker, Hugh B. Maloy, John 
W. Harrell, Daniel McCranie, B. H. Harrell.

  Petit Jury: Y. R. Griffin, M. C. Harrell, Truman Vaughn, Joseph Graham, 
Samuel Evans, E. English, J. R. Tripp, Jesse Brown, Samuel Smith, Thomas 
Stewart, Wright Harrell, Thomas Joiner, Samuel Graham, Elbert Peacock, John 
Moore, Charles Rogers, Benjamin Moore, W. A. Coleman.
Bailiffs:  A. G. Holt and J. T. Bohannon.


EASTMAN.

  PRIOR to the year 1840 the territory comprising the site of the present city 
of Eastman was a vast wilderness, in which the principal growth was that of 
pine trees and wiregrass. At that period there were only two or three houses 
between the Oconee River on the east and the Ocmulgee River on the west.

  During the year 1840 Billy Lee built the first house within the limits of 
what is now Eastman, about where the residence of the late Judge James Bishop 
now stands. He lived in his pioneer home here until he died and at his death 
the property was inherited by his son, Frank, who in turn made the place his 
home. The next house constructed was a three-room cottage, which until a few 
years ago occupied the spot where the Judge Walter M. Clements residence now 
stands. This cottage was built by Mr. William Pitt Eastman, for whom the city 
was named, and a few years ago it was moved to a location on Eastman Avenue. In 
the spring of 1869 Gen. Ira R. Foster built the first house which was the real 
beginning of the town of Eastman.

  The history of Eastman is intimately associated with the lives of William 
Pitt Eastman and William E. Dodge, the former a native of New Hampshire, and 
the latter a resident of New York until the time of their coming to this 
section. Both these pioneer settlers arrived in the year 1870. The land 
comprising the present location of Eastman was first granted by the State to 
the Lumber City Lumber Company. This company in turn sold the property to the 
State of Indiana, but upon a decision of the United States Court that the State 
could not hold the property it was disposed of to a New York company. The lands 
soon again changed hands, being transferred to Mr. Eastman, who later sold the 
entire tract to Mr. Dodge, with the exception of the property located within 
the limits of what is now the town.

  In 1872 the town of Eastman was incorporated, with Gen. Ira R. Foster as 
mayor, who was followed in office by Judge James Bishop, Sr. The first 
postmaster of the new town was Dr. J. M. Buchan, who was also the first 
Representative to the Legislature from Dodge County. Major C. R. Armstrong was 
the next postmaster. The building which housed the postoffice was located on 
what is now the intersection of College Street and Second Avenue, West.

  The first public school building, known as the Eastman Academy, was built at 
the point where School Street and Fifth Avenue, West, intersect, and between 
the homes of Mr. C. F. Coleman and Mr. J. G. Williamson. The first public 
school teacher was Professor Trunnell. Prior to the erection of the Academy 
Prof. Bates taught for a number of the citizens and was in reality the first 
instructor in the new town. The Academy was retained in service until the 
construction of the present building on College Street in 1898. Among the noted 
teachers who have been employed in the schools may be mentioned: Prof. George 
A. Harrison, later president of R. E. Lee Institute at Thomaston, Georgia; H. 
W. J. Ham, better known as "Snollygoster" Ham; and Dr. P. A. Jessup, father of 
our fellow townsman, W. L. Jessup. Dr. Jessup later became a trustee of Mercer 
University.

  The first store of the town was owned by Isaac Herrman, and was operated in 
the old depot of the Macon and Brunswick railroad about 1871. Other early 
business enterprises were a saw mill operated by Armstrong and Foster, and a 
turpentine distillery owned by Hannon and Coleman. Mr. Hannon died here and was 
the first person to be buried in Woodlawn cemetery.

  The Eastman Times, the first newspaper, was published by R. S. Burton and 
edited by H. W. J. Ham. McArthur and Griffin were the pioneer real estate 
dealers, having established a land office in the early years of the town, which 
business was carried on in the building situated on Fifth Avenue, East, and 
located near where the Methodist Church now stands, having later become the 
property of Dr. J. D. Herrman until its removal about fifteen years ago.

  Mrs. C. R. Armstrong was proprietress of the first hotel, which stood just in 
the rear of what is now the grounds of the former DeLietch Hotel. The Uplands 
Hotel, which was built in the year 1876 by Mr. William E. Dodge, was opened by 
John Linsey, of New York. The building was quite a large structure, being a 
three-story frame structure, and was used for a number of years as a winter 
resort, it having been one of the first hotels for this purpose constructed in 
the South.

  The first brick store in Eastman was the old concrete building situated on 
the corner lot where the College Street Pharmacy now stands and was built by 
Prince DeYounk, a negro.

  In 1874 the court house was finished and presented to the county by Mr. Dodge.

  There is a vast difference between the Eastman of yesterday and that of 
today. From its modest beginning the commercial and industrial development have 
been steady and substantial, and in the present year, 1931, the city possesses 
every facility, comfort and convenience known to modern life. In civic 
improvements and number of beautiful public buildings no city in Georgia of 
similar size can boast of Eastman's record. There are situated within its 
confines four of the prettiest church buildings in south Georgia, representing 
strong memberships, comprising the Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian and 
Christian denominations.

  The Dodge County court house, one of the most magnificent temples of justice 
in Georgia, is located in Eastman. It is a most attractive work of 
architecture, contains all conveniences, and was completed in 1906 at a cost of 
$125,000.00.

  The educational advantages of the town are unexcelled. On College Street, at 
a high elevation, amid attractive surroundings, are situated the main school 
building and annex. All comforts and proper sanitary arrangements are provided, 
including steam heat, electric lights, drinking fountains, gymnasiums, etc. In 
the main building is a splendid auditorium, fitted with every modern facility 
and seating about 1,200 people.

  The city is provided with an abundant supply of pure artesian water, drawn by 
electrically driven machinery from a well 705 feet deep, and conveyed 
throughout the city in 55 miles of mains. The water works system is municipally 
owned. The sanitation of the city is well cared for by 20 miles of sewers and 
two disposal plants. It is truly said of Eastman that it is the best lighted 
town of its size in the South.

  Almost all lines of commerce and industry are represented in Eastman. The 
city has 108 brick and concrete business houses, included in which are five 
cotton warehouses, handling about 22,000 bales of cotton each year, three drug 
stores, two banks, three meat markets, one bakery, four garages, three cafes, 
one tea room, a magnificent three-story brick hotel, numerous mercantile 
establishments, a beauty parlor, conducted by Mrs. L. E. Tucker, and also one 
operated by Cobb's barber shop.

  Among the industries are an ice plant of 15 tons with 40-ton storage 
warehouse, the Eastman Cotton Mills which are valued at $200,000.00, a 
fertilizer plant, the Coca-Cola Bottling Co., three grist mills, three cotton 
ginneries, and one newspaper, The Times Journal, which is owned and edited by 
C. M. Methvin, Sr. Associated with him in the operation of the paper are his 
two sons, Claude, Jr., and Edwin T. Methvin.

  There are also two meat curing plants in the city at present, one of which is 
operated by the Georgia Power Co. and the other by Fred R. Bennett. Two 
hospitals, The Clinic, owned by Dr. J. C. Wall and Dr. B. W. Yawn, and 
Coleman's Sanatorium, owned by Dr. Warren A. Coleman.

  Eastman is a city of attractive homes and contented residents, who are noted 
for their public spirit and hospitality. The people take great pride in the 
appearance of their city and homes and the result is a well kept municipality.

  Located in the heart of Eastman is a most beautiful park, the gift of Mr. 
William Pitt Eastman. All kinds of evergreen and flowering shrubbery, together 
with native trees of maple, dogwood, etc., make it a spot of beauty the year 
round. In the center of this beautiful park the Woman's Club of Eastman erected 
a magnificent drinking fount at a cost of $3,000.00 in honor of Mr. Eastman.
  Woodlawn Cemetery, on the edge of town, is also a place of beauty. The land 
for the cemetery was presented to the city by Mr. Eastman. It was laid off into 
walks and driveways, and with its plantings of shrubbery and flowers is one of 
the prettiest cemeteries to be found anywhere. It is kept up by the city and 
presents a neat appearance every day in the year.

  Among the first citizens of the new town of Eastman were: Mr. and Mrs. J. M. 
Arthur; Judge D. M. Roberts; Mrs. Lizzie Daniel, mother of W. B. and Moses J. 
W. Daniel; James Bishop, Sr.; John M. Daniel; H. J. Sapp; Col. J. F. DeLacey; 
Wm. Pitt Eastman; Maj. C. R. Armstrong; Dr. Harris Fisher; H. W. J. Ham, one of 
the first lawyers in the county; Isaac Herrman; Matthew Clark; R. F. Burch,, 
Sr.; L. M. Peacock, Sr.; Mrs. L. M. Peacock, Sr.; Gen. Ira R. Foster; P. A. 
Jessup.

  Later prominent citizens of Eastman, who were children when the county was 
created, were: Sol Herrman, Dr. J. D. Herrman, App Herrman, Dr. J. B. Clark, 
Col. C. W. Griffin, Col. James Bishop, Jr., B. T. Burch, T. H. Edwards, M. H. 
Edwards, and others.




MAYORS AND CLERKS OF EASTMAN—1872-1932.

  THE TOWN OF EASTMAN was incorporated in 1872, and Gen. Ira R. Foster served 
as its first mayor. In 1873 Hon. James Bishop served as mayor, with the 
following councilmen: B. A. Herndon, W. W. Ashburn, Isaac H. Russell, Henry 
Herrman, R. A. Harrell, clerk pro tern. At the first meeting of council, on 
January 13, 1873, R. A. Harrell was elected clerk, John J. Hamilton treasurer, 
with C. B. Murrell marshal, at a salary of $150 per year.

Year   Mayor                   Clerk and Treasurer
1874   L. A. Hall              R. A. Harrell
1875   Jas. M. Buchan          R. A. Harrell
1876   Jas. M. Buchan          L. M. Peacock
1877   Col. John F. DeLacey    C. B. Murrell
1878   L. M. Peacock           W. W. Humphrey
1879   L. M. Peacock           W. W. Humphrey
1880   Col. John F. DeLacey,   Charles H. Peacock
1881   C. B. Murrell           W. A. Morgan
1882   H. J. Sapp              Sol Herrman
1883   C. T. Latimer           Sol Herrman
1884   L. M. Peacock           M. H. Edwards
1885   William Pitt Eastman    Sol Herrman
1886   H. J. Sapp              Sol Herrman
1887   E. B. Milner            Sol Herrman
1888   James Bishop, Jr.       E. B. Milner
1889   C. B. Murrell           E. B. Milner
1890   W. A. Smith             E. B. Milner
1891   E. H. Herrman           J. W. Lee
1892   C. H. Peacock           E. B. Milner
1893   C. H. Peacock           E. B. Milner
1894   W. F. Harrell           E. B. Milner
1895   J. E. Wooten            J. B. Cameron
1896   E. B. Milner            J. B. Cameron
1897   E. B. Milner            J. B. Cameron
1898   J. F. DeLacey           J. A. Harrell, Jr.
1899   E. Herrman              S. A. Foster
1900   B. R. Calhoun           Arnold Harris
1901   W. M. Clements          J. M. Sapp
1902   L. M. Peacock           J. M. Sapp
1903   James Bishop, Jr.       J. B. Cameron
1904   James Bishop, Jr        J. B. Cameron
1905   E. H. Bacon             J. B. Cameron
1906   J. P. Highsmith         J. B. Cameron
1907   J. C. Rawlins           J. B. Cameron
1908   J. C. Rawlins           J. B. Cameron
1909   W. H. Cotter            J. B. Cameron
1910   Dr. J. D. Herrman       O. R. Bennett
1911   Dr. J. D. Herrman       0. R. Bennett
1912   Sol Herrman             O. R. Bennett
1913   J. C. Rawlins           O. R. Bennett
1914   J. C. Rawlins           0. R. Bennett
1915   Leroy Pharr             G. M. Clements
1916   Leroy Pharr             G. M. Clements
1917   J. C. Rawlins           G. M. Clements
1918   0. J. Franklin          G. M. Clements
1919   W. P. Cobb              E. D. Griffin
1920   0. R. Bennett           E. D. Griffin
1921   O. R. Bennett           E. D. Griffin

  The city government was changed to city manager, and the following have 
served:

Year   City Manager      Clerk
1922   Leroy Pharr       M. C. Edwards
1923   Leroy Pharr       M. C. Edwards
1924   Leroy Pharr       M. C. Edwards
1925   M. C. Edwards     Lois Nixon
1926   M. C. Edwards     Lois Nixon
1927   M. C. Edwards     Lois Nixon
1928   M. C. Edwards     Lois Nixon
1929   M. C. Edwards     Lois Nixon
1930   M. C. Edwards     Lois Nixon
1931   M. C. Edwards     Ruth Coleman
1932   M. C. Edwards     Ruth Coleman



Additional Comments:
Bibliographic citation:


HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY


COPYRIGHT    1932
By MRS. WILTON PHILIP COBB


Printed by
FOOTE & DAVIES CO., ATLANTA.



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