Newton County GaArchives News.....A Brief Sketch of Oxford Where Emory is Situated March 31 1899
************************************************
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:
Phyllis Thompson http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00011.html#0002524 November 29, 2004, 3:39 pm

The Georgia Enterprise
     Pretty little Oxford known far and wide as the most noted little town in 
this Commonwealth is situated only two miles to the north of Covington. Oxford 
certainly enjoys a reputation shared by no other village in the country, for 
where will you find a person who has not heard of  Oxford? In the year 1839 
this little town obtained its charter and has been notably connected ever 
since, not only with the history of Georgia, but she can boast of being the 
important factor in making this entire land of ours.
     Oxford has an individuality distinctly her own and in many ways she is the 
pride and at the same time the envy of her sister towns. Her systematic and 
well kept streets are double the width of the average one and are adorned with 
natural oaks which are the pride of every Oxonian's heart. It is situated on a 
high granite ridge and there being no local causes sickness is a very rare 
thing, which fact draws many visitors who are in search of health and a cool 
place in which to pleasantly pass away the long hot summer hours. Every street 
bears the name of some noted preacher, it seems fit that they should, since so 
much that has made Methodism what it is, has emanated from hearts brains in 
this famous little village.
     Emory College was founded a few years before Oxford was incorporated, it 
having received its charter in the year 1836. This institution of learning is 
the joint property of the two Georgia and Florida Conferences, and although 
Methodist in its origination it is liberally patronized by all denominations, 
it being the boast of every true Georgian and friend education and well may 
they be proud of her for there is not a state in this Union nor a country on 
this globe has not felt her influence. In every state you will find prominent 
men who are proud to call themselves sons of Emory and in every heathen land 
you will find her missionaries zealously engaged in the work which is the 
object of the grand old college that of spreading knowledge and with it the 
spreading of the kingdom of Christ. One has only to examine the bright galaxy 
of names recorded in her list of alumni to see what Emory has done to day. 
There you will see names of U. S. Senators and Supreme Court Judges, those of 
the Cabinet Members and Congressman. There you will read the names of Bishops, 
noted preachers and distinguished members of the bar. There you will notice
the names of well known authors, editors, and prominent educators on whom 
depend more than any one else the future of our country. Oxford is known for 
the great men who have lived within her borders, spent their lives under the 
shades of her classic oaks, and who, on departing left behind an influence that 
guardian angel like still hovers over her, importing inspiration to her sons of 
today. Who would not delight to walk over the ground made holy by the foot 
prints of the sainted JAMES A. ANDREW, a Newton County man whose life was felt 
by the entire world? Who would not rejoice to work in the paths trod by the 
eloquent GEORGE PIERCE? On that campus you see erected to the memory of 
IGNATIUS FEW, the founder of Emory, a monument of pure marble symbolic of his 
pure character and towering upward in the direction indicated by his life that 
of heaven.
     Beside the church is a house in which BISHOP CAPERS lived and a little 
further North on the same street, now the home of DR. DOWMAN, is the house in 
which JUDGE LONGSTREET, the author of the noted “Georgia Scenes? spent many 
______ _______ ________.  ____ ______ ________ gate is the handiwork of the 
famous humorist and was constructed in such a manner as to prevent the 
mischievous school boy from carrying it away.
     Near the Southern end of this street is the house in which the gifted 
BISHOP HAYGOOD did so much work for his church and his country, while at the 
Northern extremity is the old home of the beloved G. W. W. STONE who for forty 
years instructed the students of Emory in the paths of knowledge and 
righteousness.
     Across the street, MRS. W. R. BRANHAM still lives, who enjoys the 
distinction of being a member of the first class that graduated from the first 
female college in  the world. She is now the only living member of that class.
     Directly across the street from the post office is noticed the old 
residence of  ALEXANDER MEANS, a man of exceedingly broad culture and a writer 
of prose and verse of no small degree of merit. Southwest of here is pointed 
out to us the place made sacred by the memories of DR. GAITHER, and on the 
street leading to Covington, our soul instinctively feels like lifting his hap 
as he passes the home  of that Chivalrous Knight,  DR. MORGAN CALLAWAY, who 
only a few months ago worked among us.
     The attention is directed from there to the imposing residence of the late 
Hon. R. U. HARDEMAN, who for many years successfully managed the finances of 
the state of Georgia, and had he lived, would no doubt now have been the 
honored governor.
     BISHOP CANDLER has shown his loyalty to Oxford and his love for her people 
by deciding to make this his permanent home. This will, without a doubt, be of 
great help to Oxford and the college, for the bishop has a hold on the hearts 
of our people as has never been had by any one else, and, there is no limit in 
the extent of his influence over this place. Where can there be found a town 
that has been blessed with the presence of such great and good men as has been 
named?
     Oxford has five stores all managed by successful business men. Mr. J. Z. 
JOHNSON, a genial gentleman of fine business qualifications, carried a full 
line of groceries. Mr. CHARLIE HOWELL who does a nice grocery business. Next to 
him is the store of D. T. STONE & CO., composed of Messrs. D. T. STONE and 
FRANK HENDERSON.  MR. J. W. BRANHAM, the veteran merchant of Oxford, carries a 
full line of general merchandise. DR. L. C. THOMAS does a lucrative drug 
business.
     The departing visitor cannot help but feel a tinge of sadness creep over 
him as standing on the summit of Rivers hill he lets rest a long, lingering 
look on the little village nestling at his feet. As he stands there his mind is 
filled with thoughts of the historic little place, and in his reveries he 
thinks upon the great men who have stood where he is standing. With his last 
look his eyes rests upon the marble walls of Candler Hall as it reflects 
through the branches of the towering oaks, the last rays of a setting sun. As 
he thus looks upon this monument of the generosity of the Methodists of Georgia 
and the perseverance and faithfulness of WARREN A. CANDLER, he sends up from 
the bottom of his heart a prayer that the richest blessings of Heaven may 
forever rest upon old Emory.


File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/newton/newspapers/nw1794abriefsk.txt

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

File size: 7.4 Kb