Pike-Lamar County GaArchives News.....Zebulon Twenty Years Ago July 2, 1885 ************************************************ 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: Lynn Cunningham http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00011.html#0002535 June 26, 2011, 2:00 pm Barnesvile Gazette July 2, 1885 At that time we, in common with the Confederacy, had just pulled through the war, and find ourselves torn to pieces, coming in from the woods where we had been hiding from the Yankees. We find that General Wilson’s Troopers have passed along leaving ruin and devastation in his track. It is true he did not burn our houses. But our provisions are all gone. The Government stores are destroyed and our mules carried away. Nothing is left that could be destroyed. Our slaves stalk the streets realizing that they are free, but in the main respectful. A state of consternation close to anarchy prevails. The citizens congregate on the streets and about the square, and wishfully look for the return of the boys from the front, for upon them our hopes for the future much depends. One at the time they come and comfort us much with cheering words. They look tired and sad, but not forlorn, and without some hope for the future. Things getting a little quiet, we begin to plan for food and raiment. Our women, with unexcelled skill and energy, lead off in this dark and difficult necessity (and they carry the heaviest part of the burden today.) You could not buy a spool of thread, paper of needles or box of matches in town. But soon a small traffic is opened up at the brick corner. The merchants would go to market and return same day with their purchases wrapped in an old newspaper or packed in a paper box about 10 by 18 inched long. Other houses soon began to traffic, and we are Zebulon again except a few removals and the sad casualties of the war, which can never be forgotten or repaired. We gather up some old army mules, hire our former slaves as best we can and start out again. And strange to say in a few months of time brings us to look and act somewhat like we did before. Mr. Elijah W. Wells, an old citizen and father of Harry Wells and Mrs. Captain Mitchell and a remarkable man in some particulars, and whose example is worthy to be followed by the young men of today, gathered a small sum from the wreck of a large moneyed estate, commenced business, did the work of the store, and hauled his own goods in a one horse wagon. Of course he made money, and in a few years had accumulated a handsome little fortune. He was systematic and honest in his dealings, was very correct and prompt with his customers. Full of energy and perseverance, was heard to say frequently that he had rather wear out than rust out. A few years of toil brought him to the death he said he wished to die. He fell dead behind his counter while engaged in wrapping some goods he had just sold. -Fred. Additional Comments: 1 Eliab William Wells, b: 15 April 1800 in Conneticut, d: 26 March 1873 in Pike County, Georgia ..+Bonita Callaway Milner, b: 05 July 1799 in Wilkes County, Georgia, d: 07 April 1882 in Pike County, Georgia, m: Abt. 1834 ......2 Eliab Horatio Wells, b: 27 June 1836 in Pike County, Georgia, d: 11 July 1917 in Bell County, Texas ..........+Annie Elizabeth Lawrence, b: 04 October 1844 in Putnam County, Georgia, d: 07 August 1930 in Bell County, Texas, m: 03 July 1862 in Smith County, Texas ......2 Rebecca William Wells, b: 26 December 1837 in Pike County, Georgia, d: 11 April 1914 in Pike County, Georgia ..........+John Harris Mitchell, b: 05 May 1833 in Pike County, Georgia, d: 02 February 1895 in Pike County, Georgia, m: 26 December 1854 in Pike County, Georgia ......2 Harrison Wells, b: 27 April 1840 in Pike County, Georgia, d: 22 November 1894 in Pike County, Georgia ..........+Mary Rebecca Long, b: 15 April 1846 in Georgia, d: 02 November 1910 in Pike County, Georgia, m: 24 January 1866 in Mississippi File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/pike/newspapers/zebulont449nnw.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/gafiles/ File size: 4.3 Kb