Monroe-Forsyth County GaArchives News.....Looking Backwards For 85 Years 1930
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Barbara Loesch http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00028.html#0006829 February 11, 2010, 2:45 pm

The Monroe Advertiser 1930
Dear Editor:  Your note on the age of The Advertiser last week brings up 
afresh memories of the past.

Having reached the advanced age of 93, I can say what few Monroe countians can 
say, and that is that I have read The Advertiser almost continuously since the 
first day of its publication.  Indeed, I can hark back further and say that I 
remember quite well the first paper published in the county.  In shape it was 
about like the Christian Index of today though of course it did not carry so 
many pages--in fact, only two as I now recall.  It was called The Bee and the 
editor (and founder, I suppose) was named Cowhorn--pronounced Coren.

Several little incidents connected with The Bee come into my mind as I think 
back over the past.

The first one is regarding a near neighbor of ours who came to our home and 
says: "Major Joe, when you read The Bee this week I want you to see what I 
have inserted."  As I recall, this is about the wording of the insertion in 
question:  "This is to certify that my wife________, has left my bed and board 
without my knowledge and consent and I hereby warn all and sundry not to 
extend her credit as I will not pay any debts incurred by her."  This couple, 
however, made up and lived together rearing a large family, only one of whom 
now survives them and he is advancing in years.  

I remember about the first local hanging that occurred in the county and this 
happened about the time of the existence of The Bee.  It seemed that a 
prominent planter (whose name I recall vividly but whom I shall not mention) 
had a difference with his overseer regarding the killing of a fine dog and in 
attempting to chastise him, he was shot and killed.  The man was tried, 
convicted and sentenced to be hanged.  From what was said about the men at the 
time, he was really justifiable and had the deed been committed in this day 
and time, would have been exonerated but it was said that he was of cruel 
nature, even to his family and he paid the death penalty.

The day of the hanging proved a "big event" in Forsyth, the whole countryside 
turning out to witness the hanging.  Slave owners sent their slaves in to 
witness the affair, thinking of the moral lesson it would have upon them.  The 
execution, as I recall, occurred near the present cemetery and was held in the 
open.

Mr. Jep Ponchard, member of a well known Monroe county family and very popular 
man, was then the sheriff of the county and it was said made the remark that 
he would resign before he would tie the knot for the hanging.  It seems there 
was a fee of $25.00 given by the county for an execution and a well known 
character about the town offered to do the work for the amount, thus relieving 
Mr. Pinchard.  Sheriff Pinchard afterwards though met a tragic ending.  It 
seems that the editor of The Bee had severely criticised him about some 
trivial matter.  Whether or not it concerned the hanging I do not recall.  
Anyway, Mr. Pinchard made the remark that he was going to horsewhip the 
editor, and providing himself with whip, went out on the street.  Friends of 
the editor however had warned him and he was armed with a pistol and shot and 
fatally wounded Mr. Pinchard, the deed occurring about what was then termed 
Pyes's Opera House.  The editor was incarcerated but on trial was acquitted, 
shortly afterwards leaving Forsyth.  I do not recall whether or not he sold 
the plant of The Bee but within a few months The Advertiser came into 
existence.  Along about this time I remember "traveling" to Forsyth with my 
father, riding behind him on his saddle mule.  This was the general mode of 
travel in that day (when the ox cart was not used).

The town was laid off about as it is today, the old courthouse standing about 
where it is at present.

About the only relic that I recall as being left of those old days is more 
than 100 years old and is the flat rock in front of the place that was 
called "Sharp's Old Corner"--the store is now occupied by Rogers store, I 
understand.

Mr. Reuben Tucker, a residentof his community for a long term of years, told 
me that he hewed it out of rock at what was then and still is known as the old 
Reeves place.

As I recall, The Advertiser has always had men of ability and the present 
editor is no exception to this rule.  In fact, I don't know of one who had so 
many varied gifts--clergyman, public speaker, mayor of the town, editor and 
last but by no means least, fisherman.  But, Mr. Editor, you do your job well 
indeed.  I feel sure there isn't a better edited weekly in Georgia and I hope 
the next editor may hold up the standards as well as you have.  However, I 
trute the changing of hands again is well in the distant future

I might go on indefinitely recalling incidents of the past, but I fear your 
patience might be exhausted, so with this I sign off. Very Cordially,

ELIZA F. HILL MANRY

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/monroe/newspapers/lookingb2880nw.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/gafiles/

File size: 5.4 Kb