Pike County  Georgia Newspaper Noble Men
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by
Lynn Cunningham  lcunnin1@bellsouth.net 

Table of Contents page: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/pike.htm
Georgia Table of Contents: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm

Pike County, Journal
Zebulon, GA., Tuesday, March 11, 1890

The Noble Men
That Shaped our Fortunes Fifty Years Ago
Pleasant Reminiscences

By Hon. J.H. Mitchell

January Elections 1840
H.G. Johnson and E.P. Daniel who had been clerk of the
court since 1826 were succeeded by W.E. Mangham, clerk of
the Inferior court, and A.B. Beckham, clerk of the
Superior court, Joseph H. Shivers, sheriff.

Wiley E. Mangham was continuously elected to the same
office until 1850. The Court of Ordinary being
established at this time. He was elected the first
ordinary, holding the position until 1854 when he
voluntarily resigned, having served the people faithfully
and acceptably for fourteen years. Of all the officials
of which I have written, Mr. Mangham is the only one now
in life. Coming to this county the same year it was
organized he has been fully identified with the people in
everything that tends to the advancement and prosperity
of the county. The old gentleman is now in his 86th year
- remarkably active - and can be seen any pleasant day on
the streets of Zebulon with a cheerful greeting for
everyone - always ready to help in every good cause. God
grant that he may yet be spared many years of pleasure to
his family and friends.

A.B. Beckham was elected two terms clerk of Superior
court, accepting the office for the benefit of his
nephew, John M. Ready, making him his deputy.

Jos. H. Shivers was twice elected sheriff, and was deputy
sheriff one or two terms. He made a good officer. I think
he was the best auctioneer I have ever seen. It was
during his term of office that the great financial panic
occurred, causing large quantities of land and negroes to
be sold on the block.

Political Incidents 1840 is memorable as the first great
contest between the Democratic and Whig parties for
president. The Democrats nominated Martin Van Buren, who
was then president; the Whigs nominated General William
H. Harrison, of Ohio, by the way, grandfather of our
present president. The country was thoroughly canvassed.
Public meetings and political speakers in demand all over
the country. Every conceivable device to attract people
was resorted to. The Whigs claimed that their candidate
had been  a gallant and successful soldier - at the
conclusion of the war retired to his humble log cabin
among the people and was one of the people. While a
school boy in Zebulon in that year I recollect that it
was announced one day that a large delegation would pass
through Zebulon from some of the western counties on
their way to Macon to a Whig mass convention. Our teacher
kindly permitted us to go up on the street to see the
procession pass through. Although then a mere boy, I
shall never forget what I then saw. It has been
associated with my first recollection of politics. On a
stout six mule wagon was as nicely built and as complete
a log cabin as you would wish to see, with strings of red
pepper and coon skins attached to each side of the door.
To this was hitched 6 fine mules gaily trimmed in
bunting, etc. It was driven around the courthouse square,
with a man sitting in the door playing the fiddle. This
procession was from Troup County and had Col. Julius A.
Alford along - a noted politician in that day - who made
a speech to a large crowd which greatly enthused the
Whigs. Harrison was elected which gave the Whigs their
first president.

Another memorable incident of this year was a tremendous
flood of rain, raising the water courses higher than was
ever known before, sweeping away mill houses and very
nearly all the bridges in the county. We find old people
now dating events to what was called the great Harrison
freshet.

October Election of this year Dr. Jonathan Adams,
Senator; Wm.V. White, Hartford Green and James Neal
representatives.

Green The name of Hartford Green is familiar to the
people of Pike County. He was a school teacher the early
portion of his life, afterwards became a lawyer and lived
in Zebulon. He was a good counselor and did an extensive
practice. He was kind-hearted and wrote more deeds and
gratuitous matter than any other lawyer I knew. He was
three times elected representative and one time as
senator. He died at Zebulon.

James Neal was a very successful man, a farmer, trader,
and money loaner. Likely Negroes and big mules were a
speciality with him. He owned more Negroes than any man
that ever lived in the county, fed and clothed them well
and consequently made good crops. He was a very
charitable man in his own peculiar way. It was the poor
indeed that he tried to help, giving them provisions and
clothing - rarely ever giving money - saying it was best
for them to have what they needed.

He was a solid Democrat and took an active part in all
the important elections. The two political parties were
so nearly equally divided in the county and what was
known as the floating vote (which  varied from 50 to 100,
usually decided. Over this class of voters, Mr. Neal had
a wonderful influence - many of them beneficiaries of his
bounty. It was his custom a few days before an election
to send around and have them come to his house where he
would have some of his young and active Democrat friends
come and stay with him. The writer and many that I could
mention were often there. He would say: “Here is your
provisions and Negroes to wait on you. Let everybody have
plenty and enjoy themselves.” But he never failed to
caution us to keep a close watch out on the Whigs, for
there were some of them always on the alert to slip a man
off frequently having exciting races to save a fellow. We
would often meet with a hard case who would eat and drink
regularly, but when you mentioned voting, he would say
Whig every time. When all else failed these kind were
gotten under the influence of liquor the night before the
election, placed in a buggy and carried to an adjoining
county - too far for them to get back to vote. As in war,
so in politics, all means considered fair that
accomplished the end. On the morning of the election, Mr.
Neal would have several wagons and carry the voters to
Zebulon. They would stop at the edge of town and form in
double file and march to the courthouse and all deposit
their votes. Fortunate indeed, was the candidate that had
Uncle Jimpsy Neal on his side, for he was very sure to be
elected.

I feel glad to say that all this class - floaters - are
gone. This section of country where they lived is now
filled up with an intelligent and industrious class of
farmers, that are a credit to the county.

Mr. Neal died at the advanced age of 91 years and was
buried at the Baptist church at Zebulon