USA > Georgia > Floyd County > Rome > A history of Rome and Floyd County, State of Georgia, United States of America; including numerous incidents of more than local interest, 1540-1922, Volume I > Part 54
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The council of 1888 was composed of W. F. Ayer, mayor, and W. H. Ad- kins, W. W. Seay, A. W. Walton, H. S. Lansdell, W. T. Smith, Jack King, J. I. Wright and H. D. Hill.
In 1889, Messrs. J. C. Printup, M. C. Mathis, John J. Seay and John D. Moore were elected to succeed Messrs. Adkins, Walton, Smith and Wright. This was Mayor-elect Moore's first service and his election was somewhat of a surprise, as he defeated J. W. Mitchell, who was at that time con- sidered one of the strongest men in the Fourth Ward. While serving in this council, Mr. Moore demonstrated his "backbone," if we may so express it, by standing single handed by the mayor in fining the violators of the prohibition law, where the entire coun- cil was against him. H. D. Hill had previous to this time resigned from the council and J. K. Williamson was elected to succeed him.
The election of 1890 was very excit- ing, the candidates for mayor being Messrs. A. W. Walton and W. W. Seay. The Fifth Ward had just been admit- ted and added enthusiasm to the race.
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AT SAM GRAHAM'S BARBECUE, 20 YEARS AGO.
Among the "merrymakers" can be seen Oscar McWilliams, John Graham, Rob Rounsa- ville, Reuben Towers, Laurie Cothran, Mortimer Griffin, Ed. Maddox, Rob Yancey, Bolling Sullivan, Mel Gammon, Rob Graves, Walter Cothran, John C. Reese, Wm. A. Wright, Capt. Jno. J. Seay, Moses Wright, Dr. T. R. Garlington, Foster Graham, Wilson Hardy and Horace Johnson.
Walton was elected with the entire ticket and the council this year stood :
Mayor, A. W. Walton; councilmen, J. C. Printup, J. R. Cantrell, M. C. Mathis, S. M. Knox, John J. Seay, S. S. King, John D. Moore, J. W. Mitchell. Messrs. M. M. Pepper and D. Turner were elected to represent the Fifth Ward. In 1891 C. W. Underwood, W. H. Steele, J. L. Camp, C. W. Morris and T. J. McCaffrey were the council- men elected.
In 1893, Mayor King and his ticket were elected, defeating Mayor-elect Moore, but in 1894, it is Moore's in- ning.
The councilmen since 1894 follow:
1894-First Ward, A. B. McArver; Second, W. J. Neel; Third, H. G. Stof- fregen, Sr .; Fourth, Walter Harris; Fifth, T. J. McCaffrey.
1895-First Ward, Geo. F. Chidsey, Jr .; Second, Sam M. Lowry; Third, Joel Branham; Fourth, J. A. Glover; Fifth, Tom L. Cornelius.
1896-First Ward, Dr. Lindsay Johnson; Second, Thompson Hiles; Third, J. A. Gammon; Fourth, Wm. J. Gordon; Fifth, J. D. Hanks.
1897-First Ward, Frank J. Kane, Sr .; Second, W. T. Jones; Third, Rich- ard A. Denny; Fourth, Chas. W. Mor- ris; Fifth, J. Dallis Turner.
1898-First Ward, A. B. McArver; Second, D. B. Hamilton, Jr .; Third, B. T. Haynes; Fourth, Walter Harris; Fifth, Tom J. Reese.
1899-First Ward, C. E. McLin; Second, Albert G. Ewing, Jr .; Third, Hunter H. McClure; Fourth, Hiram D. Hill; Fifth, J. Robert Cantrell.
1900-First Ward, Frank J. Kane; Second, Chas. S. Pruden and D. E. Lowry, Sr .; Third, Chas. B. Wilburn; Fourth, Asbury Randle; Fifth, J. Dave Hanks.
1901-First Ward, Wm. M. Towers, Sr .; Second, Harper Hamilton; Third, Chas. H. Lavender; Fourth, Harry W. Williamson; Fifth, P. H. Vandiver.
1902-First Ward, John M. Graham; Second, Chas. S. Pruden; Third, Jos. B. Owens; Fourth, Hugh McCrary; Fifth, J. G. Pollock.
1903-First Ward, John C. Printup; Second, A. B. Arrington; Third, J. W. Hancock; Fourth, Chas. W. Morris; Fifth, Jas. B. King.
1904-First Ward, Robt. W. Graves; Second, John M. Graham; Third, Har- ry C. Harrington; Fourth, Asbury Randle; Fifth, P. H. Vandiver.
1905-First Ward, F. H. Moore; Sec- ond, A. B. Arrington; Third, J. W. Hancock; Fourth, Harry W. William- son; Fifth, J. G. Pollock.
1906-First Ward, Frank J. Kane; Second, Jas. M. Lay; Third, Chas. H. Lavender, Fourth, Geo. A. H. Harris; Fifth, J. Dave Hanks.
1907-First Ward, J. W. Russell; Second, Chas. B. Goetchius; Third, J. W. Hancock; Fourth, Harry W. Wil- liamson; Fifth, J. G. Pollock; Sixth,
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A HISTORY OF ROME AND FLOYD COUNTY.
; Seventh, Peter D. Burks and W. M. Gammon.
1908-First Ward, E. W. Best; Sec- ond, D. B. Hamilton, Jr .; Third, Isaac May; Fourth, Luke C. Mitchell, Jr .; Fifth, P. H. Vandiver; Sixth, Frank W. Copeland; Seventh, Thos. L. Lloyd.
1909-First Ward, Wm. DeLay; Sec- ond, Wm. P. Harbin; Third, Frank M. Irwin; Fourth, Walter Harris; Fifth, Cary J. King; Sixth, Frank W. Copeland; Seventh, Frank B. Freeman.
1910-First Ward, Sam J. Powers; Second, Richard M. Johnston; Third, Isaac May; Fourth, J. K. Williamson.
1911-First Ward, T. Berry Broach; Second, Luke G. McDonald; Third, Frank M. Irwin; Fourth, Dan O. By- ars; Fifth, P. H. Vandiver; Sixth, Frank W. Copeland; Seventh, Wm. L. Daniel.
1912-Aldermen: Frank S. Barron, E. W. Best and Rufus W. McClain.
1913-First Ward, T. Berry Broach; Second, Philip J. Mullen; Third, L. F. McKoy; Fourth, J. W. Keown; Fifth, P. H. Vandiver; Sixth, Frank W. Copeland; Seventh, Wm. L. Daniel.
1914-Aldermen: Cornelius Terhune, Chas. T. Jervis and C.O. Walden.
1915-Commission government insti- tuted. W. M. Gammon, first commis- sioner; Ernest E. Lindsey, second com- missioner; A. B. Arrington, Frank B. Holbrook, J. P. Jones, commissioners.
1916-Chas. S. Pruden, chairman; 1917-18, D. W. Simmons, chairman; 1919, John M. Vandiver, Second Ward, chairman; L. F. McKoy, First Ward; Isaac May, Third Ward; C. F. Gaines, Fourth Ward; R. Earl Young, Fifth Ward; W. C. Atkinson, Sixth Ward; H. B. Cruise, Seventh Ward, commissioners; 1920, Isaac May, chair- man; L. F. McKoy, First Ward; Har- per Hamilton, Second Ward; Hugh Burnes, Fourth Ward; Ben Gann, Fifth Ward; W. C. Atkinson, Sixth Ward; Henry B. Cruise, Seventh Ward, commissioners. 1921-22, Ernest E. Lindsey, chairman; L. F. McKoy, First Ward; Isaac May, Third Ward; Hugh Burnes, Fourth Ward; Ben Gann, Fifth Ward; W. C. Atkinson, Sixth Ward; H. B. Cruise, Seventh Ward, commissioners.
Soon after the death in 1922 of Com- missioner Burnes, W. H. Burnes, his father, was elected; and Geo. Berry Hawkins was elected to succeed Isaac May, resigned.
MILLER RIFLES .- The following sketch and roster were obtained
through courtesy of Jno. W. Quarles, whose father, Frank W. Quarles, was an original member. This record was filed with the Floyd County ordinary in August, 1898, in compliance with a state law passed just prior to that time :
The Miller Rifles left Rome about May 15, 1861. It was one of the ten companies forming the Eighth Georgia Volunteer regiment as organized in May at Richmond, Va. The company was named in honor of Dr. H. V. M. Miller, of Rome, one of the most dis- tinguished physicians in the south.
Col. Francis S. Bartow was in com- mand and Lieut. Col. W. M. Gardner, of Rome; Maj. T. L. Cooper and Adj. J. L. Branch regimental officers.
The regiment was ordered to Har- per's Ferry, Va., and joined the forces commanded by Gen. Joseph E. John- ston. It was one of the few regiments which bore the brunt of the fighting in the first battle of Manassas, July 21, 1861, in which the loss in killed and wounded was fearful.
The regiment served through the war in a brigade commanded first by Gen. Jones and later by Gen. George T. Anderson, better known as "Tige" Anderson. They formed a part of Longstreet's corps in the army of Northern Virginia, and participated in nearly every battle in which Gen. Lee's army was engaged, and surrendered with him and the army on April 9, 1865, at Appomattox, Va. Of the six- teen officers when the company was organized, only three were living at the time the above record was filed: Col. John R. Towers, A. C. Morrison, first corporal, and F. L. Miller, mu- sician.
The Miller Rifles was afterwards known as Company E, Eighth Georgia Regiment Volunteers.
Original organization officers:
Captain-John R. Towers, promoted to lieutenant colonel and then colonel.
First Lieut .- Edward W. Hull (re- signed December, 1861).
Second Lieut .- Dunlap Scott, pro- moted to first lieutenant and then cap- tain.
Third Lieut .- A. R. Harper, pro- moted to major, First Georgia Cavalry, and then lieutenant colonel.
First Sergt .- Oswell B. Eve, died of wounds received at First Battle of Manassas.
Second Sergt .- J. M. Berry, dis- charged for wounds received at First Battle of Manassas.
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ENCYCLOPEDIC SECTION
Third Sergt .- Curtis C. Campbell, died of disease, September, 1861.
Fourth Sergt .- J. L. Skinner, by reason of substitution.
First Corporal-Augustus C. Morri- son, now living.
Second Corporal-Thos. J. Hills, died of wounds received at First Bat- tle of Manassas.
Third Corporal-B. F. Price, died of disease in September, 1861.
Fourth Corporal-Frank Lathrop, killed at First Battle of Manassas.
Musician-J. H. Miller, died of dis- ease.
Musician-F. L. Miller, living at time of filing this record.
Surgeon-Dr. A. M. Boyd.
Chaplain-Rev. V. A. Bell.
Sec .- Treas .- Dr. J. F. Duane, killed at First Battle of Manassas.
Privates-
S. H. Adams R. J. F. Hill
W. J. Andrews C. W. Hooper
Jas. W. Arp Gabriel Jones
S. B. Asbury Wm. A. King
T. W. Asbury W. H. May
John Bailey Joe McKenzie
Von A. Bell
W. S. McNatt
Edw. Bishop John Minton
A. G. Bobo Jas. L. Mitchell
R. N. Bowden Thos. Mobley
A. M. Boyd J. M. Montgomery
W.m. J. Cannon J. E. Moore S. A. Chambers Tyler Motes
John H. Cooper
J. T. Oswalt
Win. Parks
Geo. W. Payne
R. D. Price J. L. Pyle F. W. Quarles
E. M. Eason
T. T. Eason
W. T. Evans
John C. Eve N. J. Fain
J. M. Taylor
L. L. Floyd
W. J. Taylor
W. L. Foster
S. C. Trout
M. L. Funderburk Wm. P. Trout H. T. Garrett W. W. Ware
Thos. J. Glenn A. J. Wilkins
E. P. Griffeth R. F. Wimpee
W. A. Hardin S. B. Wimpee
Chas. M. Harper W. S. Wimpee
D. C. Harper M. M. Wright
H. C. Harper L. G. Yarbrough
Recruits Received in 1861-
B. P. Barker T. C. Estes
H. A. Brice E. P. Freeman
R. P. Brice Wm. M. Greer
W. B. Dawson John Hill
J. T. Ellis A. C. Huntington
9
WILLIAM JOSEPH ATTAWAY, Floyd County boy killed in the World War in France as a volunteer member of the U. S. Marines.
B. A. Johnston Jordan Reece
M. J. Johnston W. F. Rice
Wm. M. Mobley J. M. Sparks Alex Moore W. M. Sparks
John Osley Robert Wade
Hamp H. Penny B. F. Whitehead
J. M. Pledger T. S. Williamson Recruits Received in 1862-
Seaborn Bolt J. A. Estes
E. W. Clyett J. A. Frix
J. R. Eason W. W. Garrett
W. T. Cornelius Jas. I. Davis John Davis E. R. Diamond W. B. Diamond E. Donnough
F. M. Reynolds
J. W. Robertson John H. Silvey W. H. Skinner T. C. Sparks
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A HISTORY OF ROME AND FLOYD COUNTY
R. A. Graham
J. E. Lee
E. P. Hankins
J. M. Martin
J. A. Hardin B. F. May
R. F. Harvey
W. H. McCroskey
W. H. Harvey
F. F. Norton
J. V. Henry Daniel Parks
W. R. Henry James Perry
David Hill
A. J. Read
J. M. Hill
T. K. Reeves
S. R. Jones
B. F. Reynolds
Wm. H. Jones
Samuel Roberts
Wm. Harris Jones Thos. J. Self
M. S. Judkins D. R. Towers
B. P. Lanham H. I. Ware
S. J. Lanham L. W. White
C. P. Whitehead
The following sixteen laid down their arms at Appomattox:
W. T. Cornelius W. H. McCroskey
E. M. Eason Joe McKenzie
J. T. Eason A. C. Morrison
Thos. J. Glenn Geo. W. Payne
Lt. C. M. Harper Hamph H. Penny
H. C. Harper
Col. J. R. Towers
B. F. Johnson
Wm. P. Trout
M. S. Judkins A. J. Wilkins
The record 'shows that of the 145 men enlisted in the company from first to last, only 37 were living at the time the record was filed. Fourteen were killed in battle, seven died of wounds and 29 died from disease during the war. Only sixteen were present at the surrender; 42 had died since the war. In tabulated form the record shows up as follows:
Killed in battle 14
Died of wounds 7
Died of disease 29
Surrendered at Appomattox 16
Died since the war 42
Surviving members 37
Total number enlisted. 145
%
MILLS .- Following is a partial list of grist mills in Floyd County, as fur- nished by R. V. Mitchell :
Barrett's, at North Rome bridge, near Southern railway.
Culpepper's, on John's creek, "The Pocket," northern end of the county. Rounsaville's, Chambers Station, east of Lindale.
Shores', Summerville Road, Armu- chee Creek, on old Armuchee route.
Dick Zuber's, Horton place, Floyd Springs road, Armuchee creek.
Richardson's, Alabama road at junc- tion of the Central railway and Rome and Attalla branch of the Southern.
John C. Foster's (formerly Thomas') Foster's Mill road, four miles north
of Cave Spring, on Big Cedar Creek.
Bryant's, Chulio Road at Smiley S. Johnson's place, six miles east of Rome, on Spring Creek.
Tom C. Ayer's, Spring Creek, Chu- lio district.
Nichols', Fifth Avenue bridge, Fourth Ward, once owned by Daniel R. Mitchell.
Echols', at Crystal Springs, Sum- merville Road, Armuchee Creek.
Young's, on the Kingston Road.
One of the most picturesque in the county is on Silver Creek at Lindale. It was known in the old days as Hoss' mill; it has a large metal wheel which turns no more; water was carried to it in a race from the high ground. It was destroyed by the Northern troops during the war, and rebuilt by the owner, Capt. Jacob H. Hoss. For a time it was known as Barnett's mill.
Cohen's Mill (later Loeb's) stood on a high spot in South Rome near the mouth of Silver Creek. It burned down about 20 years ago and nothing remains but a pile of ruins.
Jones' mill, Armuchee Creek, Dal- ton road, near Pope's Ferry, was torn away by the owner, Seaborn Wright.
MISSIONS .- In various parts of Cherokee Georgia missions for teach- ing the Indians were established in 1816 under a Congressional appropria- tion of $10,000 yearly, which was prob- ably increased. The nearest mission to the site of Rome was established in 1821 on the Quin place at Coosa, and was known as Missionary Station. Mis- sionary Ridge, near Chattanooga, Tenn., is said to have taken its name from the Indian school there, known as Brainerd Mission. Another important mission maintained at New Echota, Gordon County, capital of the Cherokee Nation, and still another at Spring Place, Murray County, both of which were taught by Rev. Samuel A. Worcester, of Vermont. Missionary Station was in charge of Rev. Elijah Butler and his wife, Mrs. Esther But- ler, who were sent out by the Ameri- can Baptist Committee on Foreign Missions, at S. Canaan, Conn.
Still another mission has been locat- ed at Turkeytown, Etowah County, Alabama. *
*
MITCHELL GUARDS .- This Civil War company was named after Daniel R. Mitchell, lawyer and one of the four founders of Rome. The Rome
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Courier of Tuesday morning, Feb. 18, 1862, commented as follows:
"On Monday, the 10th inst., Capt. Z. B. Hargrove's company, the ‘Mitch- ell Guards,' assembled in the City Hall for the purpose of receiving a beauti- ful flag from the hands of Miss Florence T. Mitchell, before departing from their homes for the tended field, and perhaps the field of blood. This is a fine, full company of vigorous- looking men, that will make their mark some day. This makes the twelfth company that are now in the field from this county. Capt. Kerr's company will leave in a few days; also Capt. Haney's. These two companies will make fourteen companies from Floyd, and about 150 recruits. The war spirit is up, and old Floyd is 'spreading her- self.' "
The following was the address of Miss Mitchell on presenting the flag: "Capt. Hargrove and Gentlemen of the Mitchell Guards: My father, in honor of whom your company of citi- zen soldiers has been named, has del- egated me to present you this flag. He instructs me to tender to you his thanks, and assure you of his high re- gard for your partiality in the selec- tion of a name for your company.
"My friends, your country is in- vaded by the foulest and most ruth- less enemy known in the history of the civilized world; their impudent preten- sions, their unspeakable barbarity, their vandal and revengeful spirit, in the accomplishment of their thieving and plundering objects have called you to the battlefield in defense of your country, your honor, your fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters, wives and children, your altars, and even your lives.
"Upon that battlefield you will doubt- less carry this flag. When I look upon your bright volunteer faces, your stout hearts and strong arms, I feel that it is unnecessary to say that this flag will never be trailed in the dust before such a wicked, vandal foe while one of you is living. I read from every bright countenance now before me the united shout upon the bloody field, that may be just before you, 'Give me lib- erty or give me death!' Go, my friends, at the call of your country with hearts and arms nerved at the justice of our cause, and may the God of Battles go with you."
On the receipt of the flag, Captain Hargrove replied :
"Miss Florence Mitchell : In the name and behalf of the company which
I have the honor to command, I ac- cept at your fair hands this beauti- ful banner; I accept it, not only as a token of your regard for our com- pany, but also the love and devotion which you have for the holy cause which we have espoused. In accepting this banner, permit me to say that not only I, but each and every member cf our company, will ever love and cherish it, and with our lives will ever defend its sacred folds. In the course of events this flag may be borne on a field of blood and carnage. If this should be the case, and troubles thrown about us from which there is no escape, we will remember this scene and this day, and ere its sacred folds are pol- luted by the foul touch of our enemy it shall be bathed in the bravest and best blood of our company. I love this banner because you have presented it to us. I love it for its beauty-I love it in remembrance of the glorious deeds and victories won under it at Oak Hill, Belmont, Leesburg, Bethel and Manas- sas Plains.
"But, more than all, I love it be- cause it is the ensign of a nation strug- gling to perpetuate the liberties be- queathed to us by our fathers. Per - mit me again to thank you and to say
ALMERON WALTON SHANKLIN, superin- tendent of the First Methodist Sunday School, who was killed in France in 1918.
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A HISTORY OF ROME AND FLOYD COUNTY
that so long as there is one of us able to wield a sword or spring a trigger it shall never 'trail in the dust.'
"Permit me to say to you, my brave companions in arms, notwithstanding the dark clouds of gloom which seem to hang around us, though we may in the providence of God have to pass through dark and bitter waters, ere we achieve our liberty, we are as sure of ultimate success as the justice of our cause, and with God as arbiter of nations-if we but do our duty. A cause like ours can never be surrend- ered! No, never! We are fighting for all that is worth living for-our country, our liberty, our altars, and our honor. We will all stand or fall together. A people united and deter- mined to be free, as we are, can never be conquered.
"Our reverses at Roanoke and Don- elson have kindled the fires of liberty afresh from the Potomac to the Rio Grande, which is burning with a blaze of glory from center to circumference. The tocsin of war is now sounding throughout the length and breadth of our land, and thousands of the chival- rous sons of the Sunny South are flocking to their country's standard and swearing eternal allegiance to the Stars and Bars. In this terrible strug- gle many of the bravest and best of us may die, but this is necessary that liberty may live. In this we say, the will of God be done. To you, my brave companions in arms, let me say when the hour of trial comes (as come it will) remember Leonidas and his 300 Spartans.
"And now to you, Lieut. Hanson, I commit this flag. It is unnecessary for me to say to you, guard and defend it as you would your honor. Resolve to fall a freeman rather than live a slave."
On receiving the flag, Lieut. Han- son replied: "I receive it to defend it, and the cause it represents; rather will I die than either shall be dishonor- ed in my hands."
Muster Roll of the Mitchell Guards. Officers-
Z. B. Hargrove, captain.
L. T. Mitchell, First Lieut.
A. C. Camp, Second Lieut.
W. B. Hanson, Third Lieut.
A. M. Carter, Orderly Sergt.
W. J. Shockley, Second Sergt. T. J. Hanson, Third Sergt.
L. M. Cobb, Fourth Sergt.
B. J. McGinnis, Fifth Sergt.
J. Tropp, First Corporal.
R. M. White, Second Corporal.
C. B. Adkins, Third Corporal.
W. T. Burns, Fourth Corporal.
J. Haley, Fifth Corporal.
Privates-
W. S. Alcorn S. H. Kyle
J. F. Allen E. H. Lumpkin
T. T. Arnold J. W. Miller
L. Ashealds C. C. Morrison
T. P. Ayres
J. B. Morrison
W. S. Morrison
P. H. Baker
J. H. McArver
I. T. Bell
J. M. McKane
J. Boswell
T. J. McLain
W. J. Camp
W. M. Campbell
W. Nichols
W. C. Carr
R. W. Nix
J. N. Coker
T. H. Norman
R. A. Cowan A. Cordle
H. B. Oswalt
J. H. Crocker
J. T. Oswalt
B. Davis S. C. Oswalt
S. H. Devore
R. Patlow
T. J. Dodd
R. Peppers
A. J. Doig T. P. Plumer
W. P. Doig
T. M. Pruit
W. W. Duke
E. P. Scott
E. Estes H. F. Sharpe
M. Farmer
J. N. Smith
J. H. Fuller
J. F. Spragins
J. P. Fuller
W. T. Spragins
G. W. Green
W. S. Thomas
E. J. Hanson
R. Wadle
J. D. House
C. N. Waters
W. Howe Daniel Waters
J. Hubert
J. E. Weathers
J. T. Hughes
J. C. Willis
J. P. Isbell
J. W. Woods
W. B. Johnston
L. D. Wooten
W. C. Kerce
W. P. Young
MOUNTAINS OF FLOYD COUN- TY .- According to the "Rome Quad- rangle" map of the United States Geo- logical Survey, the highest point in Floyd County is the triangulation sta- tion on Lavender Mountain, a mile and a half southwest of Redmond Gap -1,695 feet above sea level. The sec- ond highest is the southern tip of John's Mountain, in the extreme north- ern part of the county, between Crys- tal Springs and Floyd Springs-1,549 feet. The third is Mt. Alto (Horse- leg Mountain), four miles southwest of Rome-1,529 feet. Others follow:
Rock Mountain, separating Little Texas and Big Texas valleys, and northwest of Lavender; 1,000 feet.
Armstrong Mountain, Ridge Valley, between Pinson and Hermitage; 1,000 feet.
Simms Mountain. bordering Big Texas Valley on the northwest and constituting the main part of the boun-
D. N. Nichols
N. T. Nichols
J. W. Bagwell
W. J. Bradshaw
T. Norman
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ENCYCLOPEDIC SECTION
dary line between Floyd and Chat- tooga Counties; 1,000 feet.
Turnip Mountain, an offshoot of the Lavender range, southwest of it and north of and overlooking the Coosa River at Camp's Bend; 1,000 feet.
Tubbs Mountain, East Rome, which is owned by Mrs. Waller T. Turnbull and contains her home; 937 feet.
Judy Mountain, two miles west of Turnip, and Turkey Mountain, two miles southeast of Floyd Springs, a mile and a half west of the Gordon County line, and belted on its eastern and southern sides by the Oostanaula River, are not labeled as to height.
The ridges inclosing Vann's and Ridge Valleys are from 600 to 1,000 feet in altitude, and a spur midway between Silver Creek and Chulio is 1,138 feet. The shaggy manes of sev- eral brown promontories shake be- nignly over Everett Springs from a height of 1,000 feet.
MUNICIPAL BUILDING (CITY HALL) .- Location : West side of Broad Street, on northwest corner of Broad and Sixth Avenue, next to Car- negie Library. Work was begun Apr. 3, 1915, under the administration of Mayor J. D. Hanks, was continued un- der the administration of W. M. Gam- mon (first commissioner) and was fin- ished under the administration of First Commissioner Chas. S. Pruden in 1916.
The Councilmen in office when the ground was broken were T. B. Broach, P. J. Mullen, L. F. McKoy, J. W. Keown, P. H. Vandiver, W. L. Daniel and F. W. Copeland. T. Edward Graf- ton was superintendent of public works, Sam S. King assistant, and Hugh Mccrary secretary of the com- mission. Max Meyerhardt was city attorney. The aldermen were Corne- lius Terhune, Chas. T. Jervis and C. O. Walden.
The architect was A. Ten Eyck Brown, of Atlanta. The J. F. DuPree Sons Co. were the general contrac- tors. The Walker Electric & Plumb- ing Co. furnished the heating and plumbing apparatus, and the Rome Supply Co. did the electrical work.
The election for $100,000 of bonds was carried Dec. 28, 1914. The bonds were sold and the contract signed Mar. 31, 1915. An issue of $40,000 addi- tional was authorized in 1916.
An unusual circumstance spurred far-seeing Romans to action in the purchase of the block of real estate on which the structure stands. Upper Broad Street and the surrounding
neighborhood had always been used more or less by the negroes for their shops and to some extent for their homes and houses of worship. This section lay in the path of Rome's nat- ural commercial expansion. Word was passed in 1907 that the colored people had raised a fund to buy the lot, and were planning to erect a Masonic lodge building. A Roman, who didn't have an umbrella, pulled on his galoshes and paddled around in the rain long enough to buy an option. Had he waited a day longer, the other trade would have been completed, and the Municipal Building and Carnegie Li- brary would today be occupying dif- ferent and probably less desirable sites.
NEVIN'S OPERA HOUSE .- Open- ed Oct. 1, 1880; destroyed by fire Dec. 31, 1919. Was located between Wool- worth store and Rome Supply Co. on Broad Street. Erected by Mitchell A. Nevin and Thos. H. Jonas at a cost of $21,000 and was managed by Mr. Nevin and Israel S. Jonas in the early days, and by Jas. B. Nevin later. Early booking was done by Frank P. O'Brien, of Birmingham and New York. Had seating capacity of 1,000. Most of the theatrical performances now showing in Rome use the City Auditorium.
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