Jackson County GaArchives History .....History of Harmony Grove-Commerce, Chapter 15 1949
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CHAPTER XV
PROFESSIONAL LIFE, INSTITUTIONS, LITERARY AND CULTURAL INTERESTS

PHYSICIANS OF HARMONY GROVE AND COMMERCE

   We have no data of early doctors in the village of Harmony Grove prior to
1848. It is known, however, some practiced with home remedies and gave
prescriptions without a medical diploma. At that time the regular doctors
usually located at the county sites.

   Dr. W. B. J. Hardman was the first regular equipped physician with diplomas
from Georgia Medical College, Augusta, and Jefferson Medical College,
Philadelphia, to make this his home. He first came to Harmony Grove in 1848 or
1849, and practiced all over this territory before, during and after the Civil
War for a period of about twenty-eight or thirty years.

   In 1874, his son, L. G. Hardman, began the study of medicine and received his
diploma from the Georgia Medical College the following year. After practicing a
year with his father, he took a course at Bellevue, New York, receiving his
diploma in April, 1877, some ten days before he was twenty-one years old.

   It was customary in those days for a young man who wanted to make a doctor to
read medicine under a practicing physician for four to six months, then attend a
medical college, taking two years for graduation. Dr. W. B. J. Hardman read
medicine under Dr. Ben Willingham who lived near Sandy Cross in Oglethorpe
County. Two young men, Rube Nunn and Red Rube Nash, read medicine under Dr. W.
B. J. Hardman of Harmony Grove, but did not complete their medical course. His
son, L. G. Hardman, began the study of medicine under his father's tutelage at
about seventeen years of age and after his graduation in New York succeeded to
his father's practice.

   Early in Dr. L. G. Hardman's practice a large number of young men read
medicine under his direction in preparation for their career. The following are
the names of those who studied under him and their future places of practice:

   Wm. M. Shankle, Texas; R. L. Harris, Florida; W. A. Neal, Alabama; L. J.
Sharp, Commerce; Callie Stevens, Danielsville; P. Y. Duckett, Cornelia; Dock
Moss, Banks County; F. M. Hubbard, Commerce; and W. B. Hardman, Commerce.

   The following are the names of those who read medicine under Dr. L. G.
Hardman and Dr. W. B. Hardman and their future places of practice:

   W. E. Wood, Dalton; J. A. Bryan, Gillesville; M. F. Car-son, Griffin; W. D.
Sheppard who located at Spokane, Wash., for a very short while, then returned to
Harmony Grove and gave up the practice of medicine and entered other lines of
business; Robert Neal, Buford; M. F. Nelms, Commerce; George Bush, Bold Springs;
George C. Daniel, Danielsville; T. Albert Neal, Florida; and O. E. Shankle,
Commerce.

   Other physicians who came from other places to Harmony Grove:

   Dr. Charles J. Harden, 1879, died 1883; Dr. R. R. Harden from Smyrna, and a
cousin of C. J. Harden, 1882, died 1888; Dr. W. P. Harden, brother of R. R.
Harden, 1887, died 1918; and Dr. L. Sanders from Penfield, 1900, died 1946.

   Physicians who came after the name was changed to Commerce:

   Dr. J. C. Verner from Martin, 1907; Dr. D. M. Carter, 1916; Dr. Mark
Pentecost from Winder, 1918; Dr. A. A. Rogers from Madison County, 1920; Dr.
Andrew Quillian from Atlanta, 1920; Dr. G. O. Castellaw, reared in Locust Grove,
came to Maysville as a physician in 1913 and moved his practice to Commerce,
1932; Dr. P. T. Scoggins from Athens, 1929; Dr. O. C. Pittman, born and reared
in Commerce, began practice here in 1936; Dr. A. A. Rogers, Jr., was born and
reared in Commerce and began practice here in 1948. This makes a total of
thirty-four physicians who have either read or practiced medicine in Harmony
Grove and Commerce in the last century.

   These thirty-four physicians, twenty-four of whom read medicine and most of
whom practiced here for a short or longer period, and the ten who have come to
Commerce from other places have ministered to the needs of the town and
surrounding country in a competent way through the last hundred years. They have
combatted the many epidemics of measles, smallpox, typhoid fever, malaria,
influenza, diptheria and other ills and have seen many of these diseases
remedied and eliminated. Two malignant foes, or enemies, of mankind seem however
to have baffled the skill of doctors and scientists to successfully combat, viz:
tuberculosis and cancer. Re-search is continually being made and probably some
time in the near future the remedy or means of prevention will be discovered.

   Harmony Grove-Commerce has had all the while a splendid group of doctors,
well equipped and who have made an en-viable reputation for themselves and the
city. Among these it is worthy of note there have been three Hardmans, three
Hardens, two Shankles, three Neals, and two Rogers, and two of these have had
more than state-wide reputation. We would challenge any other place to show a
better equipped and better qualified array of doctors than Commerce either in
the past or present.

   It should be mentioned that Dr. George Eberhart located here and practiced a
short time about 1885.

   Dr. Eberhart came to Harmony Grove from Hartwell and returned after a year or
two's stay at Harmony Grove. His son, Walter, was also a physician at Hartwell.
Dr. Eberhart is the grandfather of Lint Eberhart of Maysville.

THE HARDMAN SANATORIUM

   For some years in the 90'S the question of hospitals in smaller towns was
discussed and considered. Dr. L. G. Hardman was a pioneer in this type of
institution.

   The Hardman Sanatorium was erected in Harmony Grove in 1899, being among the
first in the state in towns of similar size. From the first the Sanatorium has
been successfully operated. With its thirty-room capacity it has furnished
sufficient facilities for those who came from many localities for treatment of
various maladies.

   This Sanatorium was first operated under the direction and management of Drs.
L. G. Hardman and Nelms, later by Hardman Brothers and Nelms, followed by W. B.
Hardman, Nelms and Shankle and later Nelms and Rogers. In 1932 Dr. G. O.
Castellaw leased the building and in 1946 purchased and remodeled the structure,
adding new equipment and changing the name to the Commerce Hospital.

   This institution for the sick and afflicted, the poor and the suffering, has
served this generation well and has had a wide reputation for its efficiency and
the relief of human suffering. Verily the Sanatorium has been, and is, a worthy
asset in the growth and progress of Commerce.

THE DENTISTS OF HARMONY GROVE AND COMMERCE

   In the early days it was customary for dentists to travel from place to place
making stated calls in the homes of the people to do their dental work, filling
teeth, but chiefly making plates. Dr. C. R. Gibbs was a good dentist who
travelled through this section during the do's. Some twenty years later, Dr.
Letson from Suwannie made his headquarters at the Jenny Butler Boarding House.
He made plates for quite a large number in the country. Dr. Gibbs was from
Social Circle, later located near Cornelia.

   About the first regular dentist that located in Harmony Grove was Dr. W. A.
Alexander who came around about 1875, or earlier. His home and office was on
Homer Street just in front of Mack Wood's residence. Dr. S. B. Adair located
here for a short while about 1882, practicing only at intervals and setting up
his office at the hotel. Dr. E. F. Adair established himself here in about 1886.
For. sometime he was the only dentist in Harmony Grove. He practiced here some
twenty years then moved to Gainesville. Later he returned to Commerce for a
short period. Dr. W. B. Jackson came to Harmony Grove in the early 90'S and
remained until his death. Dr. C. E. Pittman, who was reared in or near Harmony
Grove, opened his dental office here in 1898 and has practiced his profession
successfully for the last fifty years. Dr. H. J. Reeves came to Commerce in 1915
and practiced for some six years, then moved to Atlanta where he has continued
his profession. Dr. Tom McDonald practiced here for a short while in the early
days of Commerce. Dr. G. H. Dunlap was a successful dentist here for several
years and moved to Madison, Ga. Dr. S. V. Hunter established a practice at
Commerce in 1919 and remained 25 years and retired from the profession. Dr. W.
H. Cunningham came here 17 years ago, and has practiced here continuously since.
Dr. J. A. Minnish, our youngest dentist in Commerce, opened his office as the
successor of Dr. S. V. Hunter.

   Our dentists have always kept pace with progress and abreast of the
advancement of their profession and served well the people of the community.

LAWYERS OF THE HARMONY GROVE PERIOD

   The lawyers of the Harmony Grove period are worthy of note for they included
a number of prominent citizens of that early day. In order they were as follows:
W. H. Simpkins, Joe W. Hill, R. L. J. Smith, Joe U. Merritt and Judge W. W.
Stark. Most of these came from other localities and practiced law here for
sometime.

   R. L. J. Smith was the first of the local men to take up the profession in
1885. Col. Smith had a wide clientele. He carried on an extensive business in
collecting agencies as well as the practice of his legal profession.

   Judge W. W. Stark was reared in a few miles of Harmony Grove and established
his law practice here in 1887. He has served as a member of the House of
Representatives and several times as a member of the Georgia Senate. Judge Stark
is chiefly known for his record on the bench. He served several terms as Judge
of the City Court of Jackson County and later was elected to the Judgeship of
the Western Circuit, which he held through an extended period. He retired a few
years ago.

LAWYERS OF THE COMMERCE PERIOD

   G. P. Martin was born in Banks County January 17, 1874. He attended the
schools of Banks County and graduated from Martin Institute, Jefferson, Ga., in
1892. He studied law at the University of Georgia, receiving his diploma in
1894. He was Representative from Banks County in the Georgia Legislature in
1899, and was elected Judge of the City Court of Jackson County Georgia in 1941.
He has been elected twice to succeed himself and has just entered upon his third
term.

   W. D. Martin was born in August, 1888. He received his common school
education in the schools of Banks County. He graduated from the Commerce High
School in 1909 and attended the Law School at the University of Georgia,
graduating in 1912. He represented Jackson County in the Georgia Legislature and
also served as Solicitor of Circuit Court for four years. He was in the Armed
Service from 1916 to 1918, and later entered service for the United States
Government in Macon in 1943, where he served until his death in 1946.

   E. C. Stark was born in Harmony Grove, November 10, 1886. He attended the
schools of Commerce, graduating from the Commerce High School in 1902. He was in
the mercantile business in Commerce for a short time after which he travelled
for a Hardware Company of Louisville, Ky., for a few years. In 1911, he took a
correspondent course in law from the University of Michigan. He took the State
Bar examination under Charles H. Brand in 1912 and began the regular practice of
law at Commerce, continuing regularly in practice here since that time.

   Thomas J. Syfan was born in Hall County, Ga. He came to Commerce as telegraph
operator under M. P. Elliott in 1910. He was later appointed Depot Agent for the
Southern Railway and served a number of years. He was appointed as Superior
Court Reporter under Judge W. W. Stark and still serves in this capacity. He was
admitted to the Georgia Bar under Mr. Joe Quillian some years ago and has a good
practice in Commerce in connection with his Court reporting work.

   S. J. Smith, Jr., was born in Harmony Grove, October 25, 1888. He received
his education in the Commerce Grammar and High School and graduated from Martin
Institute in 1904. He attended the Law Department of the University of Georgia
and studied law at Mercer University. He was admitted to the Georgia Bar in 1911
and has practiced in Commerce from that date. He served as Assistant
Attorney-General of Georgia and Director of Fuel Enforcement under Federal
Authorities during the administration of Dr. L. G. Hardman, Governor of Georgia.

   W. A. Stevenson was born in Franklin County, Ga., October 27, 1876. He
received his common school education in the public schools of Banks County, Ga.
He attended Commerce High School. He graduated from Young Harris College in
1898. After teaching for several years, he was admitted to the Bar under Judge
Richard B. Russell. He practiced law for a number of years then entered the
Presbyterian ministry serving in this capacity in Kentucky for ten years. Then
he practiced his legal profession for six years after which he re-turned to
Commerce in 1939 and served as supply minister and continued his law practice.
He served as City Attorney of Commerce from 1910 to 1916.

BANKS OF HARMONY GROVE

   In the early history of Harmony Grove the merchants and men of means kept
their money and valuables in chests, lock-boxes and iron safes until the
progress of business required bank deposits. Banking was first done with the
National Bank of Athens operated by James White. Usually business firms sent
money for deposit two or three times a week by trusted men going to Athens on
the train.

   The need for a local bank was first conceived by C. J. Hood who was then in
the mercantile business with his father. This resulted in the organization of
the Northeastern Banking Company in 1892 with C. J. Hood as Cashier and L. G.
Hardman, President. This institution has been in operation through 56 years and
has been and still is a great asset to the city and community with its cordial
service to patrons and depositors. Samuel Hood, son of C. J. Hood is the
President, and R. M. Davison, Cashier.

   The First National Bank was organized in 1904 with Dr. W. B. Hardman as
President and W. L. Williamson as Cashier. This institution came into existence
at the beginning of the enlargement and expansion of the city and has served a
worthy need in the business expansion. This bank has always been reliable,
conservative and safe in its policy. They have served customers with equal
courtesy and business integrity through the years of depression as well as
prosperous times. W. W. Stark is the present President and G. L. Hubbard, the
present Cashier, having held this position since 1905.

  The Commerce Bank and Trust Company was organized by a group of business men
who believed the city, during the inflated period, needed additional banking
facilities. After a few years of operation the tide of deflation forced their
liquidation.

   E. B. Anderson, for a long period a business man and cotton factor, opened a
private bank and operated it for the accommodation of his customers, for a
number of years until his death.

THE HARMONY GROVE TELEPHONE COMPANY

   The Harmony Grove Telephone Company was organized in October, 1895, with W.
B. Hardman, L. G. Hardman, T. C. Hardman and W. T. Thurmond as stockholders. The
first line was built from Harmony Grove to Jefferson. The next line was
constructed to Homer for the benefit of customers in Banks County. Some years
later the pole line was built from Jefferson to Pendergrass, to Hoschton and
from there to Winder; also a line from Commerce to Maysville and Gillesville.
Toll prices were set up at each of these places. Still later the line was
extended from Pendergrass to Gainesville. The Jefferson Telephone Company was
organized in 1895, the same year as the Harmony Grove Company, and built a line
from Jefferson to Athens. In about 1902, this company sold to the Harmony Grove
Company, taking stock in the same for their line. This company was owned by H.
W. Bell and John C. Turner and others. After the expiration of the charter of
the Harmony Grove Telephone Company a new charter was obtained by the Commerce
Telephone Company in April, 1917, in order to correspond with the name of the
town. The original Central Office was in the rear of the W. B. Hard-man Drug
Company where is now Dr. J. C. Verner's office. It was later moved upstairs for
a short time and then to its present location.

   The first operator was W. M. Gober who later moved to Florida and became
Judge of the Federal Court. W. B. Hard-man was President from the beginning till
his death in 1918; then L. G. Hardman till his death in 1937. L. G. Hardman,
Jr., is the present Secretary-Treasurer and L. L. Davis, President. W. A. Echols
has been the manager since 1906. M. R. Barron has been assistant manager for the
last few years. Mrs. Nettie Benton Pinson has been operator and bookkeeper for
equal length of time as the manager.

   This company has served the community and Jackson County for more than fifty
years and has in operation a large ex-change in Commerce and in Jefferson which
are constantly being enlarged. This public utility is essential and
indispensable to the welfare of our growing city. The company has about 1,100
subscribers on the Commerce Exchange and some 500 on the Jefferson Exchange.
Total 1,600.

   The stockholders of the Commerce Telephone Company sold their entire stock to
W. L. New of Thomaston, Ga., as of February 1, 1949 and he becomes sole owner of
the entire stock. Mr. New will make his home in Commerce.

HOTELS OF HARMONY GROVE-COMMERCE

   The Northeastern Hotel, operated by Solomon Seegar and his wife, Aunt
Calline, was the first in Harmony Grove. This building, now known as the T. F.
Quillian home, is still standing. This old friendly couple took great interest
in caring for the transients who came to Harmony Grove either by train or
private conveyance. They opened the hotel about 187o and continued twelve or
fifteen years.

   The next hotel was erected about 1880 by L. G. Hardman on his home lot. For a
period of several years it was under the management of the following in their
order:-Mrs. T. E. Key, Mrs. A. E. Bohannon, Mrs. R. F. Matthews and Mrs. W. W.
Montgomery.

   About 1886 the Central Hotel was built by R. A. Eckles and operated by Mrs.
Eckles, later by Mrs. M. M. Barber, then sold to W. Y. Holdbrook who ran it for
a few years and sold to L. G. Hardman and D. U. Carson. L. G. Hardman some years
later became sole owner and remodeled the hotel. It became the main hostelry for
some thirty years, operated most of the time by Mrs. E. A. Bohannon and Miss Ida
Bohannon. The building was destroyed by fire in 1942.

   In 1891 H. O. Williford erected the Alhambra Hotel on the site of the Texaco
Filling Station just opposite the depot. This hotel was operated at different
times by Mrs. W. J. Goss, Mrs. E. A. Bohannon, Mrs. Jones Meadows, Mrs. Roberts,
Claud Benton, Mrs. McGowan and Mrs. Miller. This building burned in November, 1914.

   After the loss by fire of the Central Hotel, Commerce was without hotel
accommodations until the erection of the modern Hotel Andrew Jackson which was
begun in the summer of 1947 and opened in May 1948. This structure has forty
rooms, each with private bath, a coffee room, kitchen, banquet hall, a spacious
lobby and offices, all parts being equipped with modem furnishings, also fire
escapes. The total cost was about $250,000.00.

   During the Harmony Grove period, there were several boarding houses in town.
Among these was the Jennie Butler House located on the corner of Central Avenue
and Little Street. Another was the Mrs. W. A. Dale boarding house on Broad
Street and Mrs. Jesse Smith's on Central Avenue. Later Mrs. E. S. Wood served
meals to large numbers. Others at different times have served the boarding
customers of the town.

   From 1891, for quite a period, Harmony Grove had three fully equipped hotels.
Competition was sharp when the porters met the trains to solicit patronage.
These were the days of the Knights of the Grip, travelling salesmen, or
drummers, as they were variously called. Nearly every train brought from four to
eight drummers. The porters vied with each other in calling attention to the
advantages of his hotel, describing the splendid meals, comfortable beds and
other conveniences. Many of the salesmen brought large trunks of samples and
remained two or three days displaying their goods. This required large
commodious sample-rooms which were provided by the hotels.

   These were the years of the milliners who were employed by the merchants to
make and trim hats for the ladies of the town and country. All the dry goods
merchants had regularly one to two milliners who were usually from the Baltimore
headquarters of the firm of Armstrong & Cator Company, leaders in the latest
styles of hats and dresses. There was some rivalry among the heads of the
Harmony Grove firms, when they went to market, as to who could select the most
attractive lady for their millinery department. It is to their credit that these
ladies were good looking and attractive and very few returned to their former
homes but remained as the life partners of the Harmony Grove young men. Usually
in the fall and spring seasons some four or five cotton buyers were located in
the hotels to represent their firms in the cotton market.

   These usually made a jolly bunch at the hotels in the evenings with music and
games in the parlors and with Bob Eckles in the office playing on his fiddle,
"Listen To The Mocking Bird" and "Leather Britches."

   Regular board in these hotels ranged from $16.00 to $20.00 per month for room
and three meals according to the favorable location of the room. The travelling
men paid $ 2.00 per day which was $0.50 for each meal and $0.50 for room and
bed. This meal was equal to any served at the Andrew Jackson or any other
present day hotel for $1.50. The cost of fryers then was 10c to 12c apiece and
eggs from 8c to 10c a dozen, meal 50c a bushel, flour 75C for fifty pounds, pork
and beef 6c to 15c per pound. These times were the peak of the hotel business in
Harmony Grove and Commerce.

   Referring to the Northeastern Hotel run by the Seegars, this was a very
interesting establishment, coming in as it did about the same time as the first
newspaper, The Northeast Georgia Progress, and the building of the Northeastern
Railroad. There were, doubtless, other lodging, boarding and eating places prior
to this time but no record is found of their existence as Harmony Grove was a
mere village before the Civil War. With the coming of the railroad and the
opening of a few additional business houses from 1874 to 1877, together with the
establishing of the Baptist and Methodist churches, the village took on a more
town-like appearance as did the North-eastern the appearance of a real hotel.
Uncle Solomon would meet all the trains. With his dimmed-with-smoke-soot lantern
he would meet all the night trains and guide the weary traveller to his resting
place. Here the guest enjoyed good home-cooking, feather beds and cheerful wood
fires. This hotel served the public in an acceptable way until the incorporation
of the town of Harmony Grove after which the Central Hotel was built by R. A.
Eckles.

   The Alhambra Hotel, a popular and convenient place for the travelling public,
served in this capacity for a period of some twenty-three years. It was
destroyed by fire in 1914 or 1915. Some years after its erection the name was
changed to The Commerce Hotel to correspond with the new name of the town.

   The Central Hotel, after it was acquired by L. G. Hardman, was remodeled and
the capacity doubled. In due time steam heat was installed and it served the
public through the management of Mrs. E. A. and Miss Ida Bohannon until 1932. It
was then taken over by different parties. Mr. Griffeth, the last, was operating
under a five year lease when the building was burned in January 1942. Commerce
was then without a hotel for six years, which was a great handicap to the town.
However, with the opening of the Hotel Andrew Jackson the prospect for the
future hotel business is very bright.

Hotel Andrew Jackson

   This modern hostelry will have the patronage and support of the people of our
city. With its efficient service and well appointed accommodations and cordial
reception of guests the hotel is well equipped to draw the most exacting
patron-age of the travelling public.

   When this hotel institution is fully advertised, it will meet the strongest
competition and will outclass many other hotels in cities of equal or larger
size. It has already received the highest acclaim by those who have enjoyed its
hospitality. We point with pride to this newest asset of the city's civic
achievement, which will meet the needs of our public for several decades.

   A further detailed description of this hotel in all its appointments will be
of interest.

   The building is 60 feet wide and 100 feet long, of fire proof construction,
reinforced concrete and steel, contains forty rooms, each with private bath with
tub and shower combination. The hotel is completely steam heated and has outside
fire escapes located at the rear of the building.

   Entrance is in the center of the building and the lobby is located on the
left, being approximately thirty feet square. The manager's office and
registration desk are conveniently located. The banquet room is at the rear of
the building. The furniture is of modern design and the draperies of attractive
pattern.

   The Coffee Shop is to the right of the entrance with a capacity of
seventy-five and beautifully equipped in every particular. The kitchen is
spacious and is equipped with the most modern equipment made of stainless steel.
The banquet room has a seating capacity of Zoo. Large exhaust fans are located
in the halls on the second and third floors.

   There is space in the basement to accommodate an ideal beauty shop and barber
shop. Fluorescent lighting is used in the Coffee Shop, Lobby and Banquet Room
and the latest electrical fixtures are used throughout the building.

   Rooms are large and equipped with Simmons All-Metal furniture including
double and twin beds with box springs and beauty rest mattresses with all other
furnishings to match.

   The Andrew Jackson Hotel is ably and efficiently operated by Mr. and Mrs. A.
B. McCall under a lease mutually satisfactory to both lessee and lessor.

   We are happy to refer to the Hotel Andrew Jackson as "One of the Finer Small
Hotels."

THE BARBER BOYS BRASS BAND

   One of the prodigies of Harmony Grove in the last decade of the century was
the C. T. Barber Brass Band composed of the father, nine boys and three girls.
Each one played a part with different instruments. The members of the family
were as follows:

   Boys: Clint, Fred, Theo, Wiley, Rob, Dave, Calvin, Howard, and Talmadge;
girls: Marian, Estelle, and Belle.

   Clint and Wiley performed on the comets; Fred the trombone; Theo and Dave,
the tenor horns; Rob, the bass drum; Calvin, Howard, and Talmadge, the alto
horns; the father, the bass horn, and the girls beat the snare-drum, cymbal and
triangle.

   Mr. Barber began his band when some five or six of his boys were old enough
to play an instrument and gradually increased it as his family grew until the
whole family was included. The band reached its peak beginning - in the early
nineties and continuing for a period of ten or twelve years.

   They were in great demand at celebrations, tournaments, commencements and
political gatherings throughout the northern part of the state and even in other
states. Several of the boys followed the musical profession in after life. Mr.
Clinton Barber had a wide reputation as a cornetist. He taught and was the
leader of a large concert band in Atlanta for several years during the concert
seasons. His fame extended beyond the confines of the state. He had a national
reputation as a cornetist.

   Many of the older citizens of the city recall the performance of this Barber
Boys Band which enhanced the reputation of Harmony Grove with its free concerts
and street parades in the gay period of the nineties.

CULTURAL AND LITERARY INTEREST

   Harmony Grove became interested in cultural and literary progress following
the war in the seventies when the schools began to grow and the newspapers to
flourish. Of course, the first indication was in the school's development and
the interest in debates.

   The McGuffey's Readers from one to six made a lasting impression on pupils,
especially the Sixth Reader, which was a selection of classic literature from
noted authors, both in prose and poetry. As the town grew, there were Friday
afternoon speakings in the school, debating societies of various kinds, both
white and colored, which gradually grew into literary societies (now called the
Book Club).

   One of the early literary adventures was called "The Mozart-Bryant Circle."
These fostered light operas, plays of different types and discussed different
authors with criticism and re-views. This held sway from 1883 to the early '90's.

   In the decade following there were fostered various courses of Lyceum
Lectures. The best speakers of the country were secured. Among them were Bob and
Alf Taylor of Tennessee, Ralph Bingham of Virginia and several from Texas. This
period was followed by the Chatauqua era in which a full week of entertainment
was had, sometimes held in the school building, more often in tents. The
programs presented musical concerts, lectures on the various phases of art,
literature, science, education, politics, religious ethics and other issues of
the day.


Additional Comments:
From

HISTORY OF HARMONY GROVE - COMMERCE
JACKSON COUNTY, GEORGIA

BY
THOMAS COLQUITT HARDMAN
1810-1949




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