USA > Georgia > Fulton County > Atlanta > History of Atlanta, Georgia : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 4
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Some years after the war, through the influence of Hon. B. C. Yancey and others, the State Agricultural Fair was located in Atlanta, and in order to ac- commodate this fair the city purchased some fifty acres of land lying on the Western and Atlantic Railroad, about one mile beyond the city limits. This piece of ground was named Oglethorpe Park, and under the auspices of H. I. Kimball it was carefully graded and suitable buildings erected upon it. State fairs were held here and at Macon alternately until 1881, in which year the great International Cotton Exposition was held in this park. At the close of the exposition the land and buildings were sold to the Exposition Cotton Mills Company, and Oglethorpe Park is now occupied by an extensive cotton factory.
Various efforts have been subsequently made to secure for Atlanta a public park, but all were unavailing until 1882, when Colonel L. P. Grant proposed to donate one hundred acres of land to the city for that purpose. In 1883 the general council authorized the appointment of a park commission by the mayor, to consist of six persons, three of whom were to be members of the council and the other three citizens of Atlanta. A deed of the land was made by Colonel Grant to the city upon the condition that the land should always be used for park purposes, a violation of the condition to result in the forfeiture of the title. In honor of the donor this park was named the " L. P. Grant Park." In May, 1883, an accurate topographical map of the ground was made by Charles Roesch, an accomplished civil engineer, and the work of improving the park was commenced. More than $15,000 have been expended in the improvement of the grounds, and the arrangement and grading of its avenues, drives and walks, construction of pavilion, rustic bridges, etc., are all in excellent taste and tend to render the park one of the most pleasant resorts to be found anywhere
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in the South. Since 1883 Sidney Root has been president and general super- tendent of the park, and Colonel L. P. Grant has been vice-president.
Within the limits of the park is Fort Walker, a most interesting relic of the war. It occupies the most elevated portion 'of the grounds, and thus com- mands a fine view of Atlanta and the surrounding country. It is the intention of the park commission to restore the old fort to its original state, and to erect in the center a statue to peace. One of the most notable curiosities in the park is the bronze sun-dial, manufactured by the eminent optician, H. Wald- stine, of New York, and presented to the Park Commission by W. F. Herring, a former citizen of Atlanta. The dial is thirty-three inches in diameter. It shows Atlanta sun time, and upon its outer edge are indicated fifty of the larg- est cities of the world showing their air-line distance from Atlanta. Another attractive feature of the park is the lake, which is named Abana. It is seven hundred feet long, and two hundred feet wide.
Peters Park was laid out in 1884. It is intended as a pleasure resort, and also for residence purposes. It contains about two hundred acres of land, and lies on the west side of Peachtree street. Several thousand dollars have been already expended upon the grounds by the company owning the property, and it will eventually become an attractive place. The Technological School is located on a portion of the grounds.
Piedmont Park is a recent enterprise. It is the result of a general desire for a driving park as a place for the Inter-State Exposition of the products of the Piedmont regions of Virginia, North and South Carolina, Tennessee, Ala- bama, and Georgia. Two organizations-the Piedmont Fair Association and the Driving Park Association, had charge of the matter originally, but they have since been consolidated as the Piedmont Park Association. The grounds consist of two hundred acres of land known as the Walker place, which has a frontage of twenty-five hundred feet on the main line of the Richmond and Danville Railroad, and runs westerly to within one-fourth mile of Peachtree street. The Piedmont Exposition was held on this ground in 1887.
Cemeteries .- The first cemetery owned by the city was on Peachtree street, near the present residence of Hon. N. J. Hammond. It was used as a burial place until 1850, when Oakland Cemetery was secured by the city. It comprises about eighty-five acres of land situated on the eastern side of the city at the head of Hunter street. Ilere are interred the remains of several thousand Con- federate soldiers, and a large monument has been erected to their memory. The grounds have been tastefully laid out, and many costly monuments and burial vaults have been built.
West View Cemetery is controlled by a stock company organized in 1884. It is located about four miles from the city, on the Green's Ferry road. Over two thousand five hundred burials have been made here. W. J. Garrett is president of the company ; T. J. Hightower, vice-president ; E. P. McBurney, secretary, and J. T. Orme, treasurer.
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Street Railways .- The idea of introducing street railways in Atlanta took shape in 1871. During that year the Atlanta Street Railway Company was organized. The most prominent men in the movement were Colonel G. W. Adair, Richard Peters, John H. James, and Major Benjamin E. Crane. The first officers of the company were Richard Peters, president; Colonel G. W. Adair, secretary and treasurer ; J. H. James, J. R. Wylie, Benjamin E. Crane, and W. M. Middlebrook, directors.
The first line built was completed in September, 1871, and is known as the West End Line. Starting at the railroad crossing on Whitehall street, it extended out Peters street and terminated at Camp's Spring. Owing to the increasing number of steam railroad tracks at Peters street crossing the tracks on Peters street were taken up in 1882, and connection was made with the Whitehall Street line by passing through a tunnel built under the Central Railroad. This line is three miles in length.
The Marietta Street line was first operated January, 1872. It first ran from the junction of Marietta and Peachtree street and extended out Marietta, ter- minating at Rolling Mills. In 1880 it was extended to the Cotton Exposition grounds, and in 1888 a branch track was built to Peachtree street, passing the Technological School. The length of this line is two and one-half miles.
The Decatur street line was built from the junction of Marietta and Peach- tree streets, out Decatur street to Oakland cemetery, and first used in May, 1872. It was extended to the boulevard in 1884, and now represents two miles of track.
The Peachtree Line was first operated in August, 1872. It then extended from the railroad crossing on Whitehall, out Peachtree street to Ponce de Leon Circle. It was extended to Ponce de Leon Springs in June, 1874, and to North Atlanta and Piedmont Park in 1887. It is four miles in length.
The Capital Avenue line originally extended from the corner of Whitehall and Alabama streets, out Alabama and Washington street and Capital avenue. It was extended to Georgia avenue in 1888, and is now two miles long.
The Whitehall line was first operated in February, 1874. It then extended out Whitehall street to McDaniel. Connection was made with the West End line in 1882, and it is now three miles in length.
The Gate City Street Railroad Company was organized in 1881. In 1884, L. DeGive, L. B. Wilson, A. M. Reinhardt and John Stephens built a line, which starting in front of the Kimball House, on Pryor street, passed through Pryor, Wheat and Jackson streets to Ponce de Leon Springs. The line was operated by the original builders until January, 1887, when it was purchased by J. W. Culpepper and E. C. Peters, and by them leased to the Atlanta Street Railway Company. In October, ISS7, the direction of the road was changed so as to run out Jackson street to Ponce de Leon avenue and then to the Springs. A branch was also built to Piedmont Park. This line is three miles in length.
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The Atlanta Street Railway Company was managed and controlled by the original officers and directors until 1878, when Col. Adair's interest in the company was purchased by Richard Peters, who now owns about four-fifthis of the entire capital stock of $300,000. Since 1878 the officers of the com- pany have been Richard Peters, president; J. W. Culpepper, secretary and treasurer, and E. C. Peters, superintendent, and the company now owns eighteen miles of track, and fifty cars, two hundred and fifty horses and mules, and gives employment to about one hundred men.
The Metropolitan Street Railway Company was organized in 1882. Its officers were J. W. Rankin, president; W. L. Abbott, vice-president; W. A. Haygood, secretary. Directors : Jacob Haas, L. P. Grant, W. A. Haywood, W. L. Abbott and J. W. Rankin. This company has two lines in operation, one named the Pryor street line, which commences on Pryor street at the Union depot, runs on Pryor to Fair, on Fair to Pulliam, thence to Clarke on Washington, thence to Georgia avenue, on Georgia avenue to Grant Park. It also has a branch from Georgia avenue and Washington, thence by Ormond and Pryor to Clarke University.
The other line is known as the Park line. It branches off from Pryor at Hunter, and extends on Hunter to Frazer, thence to Fair, passing the cem- etery and terminating at Grant Park.
In June, 1888, a new company, of which Aaron Haas is president and W. H. Patterson is secretary and treasurer, purchased this road. They have since laid new rails along the entire routes, and now employ dummy engines in propelling their cars.
The West End and Atlanta Street Railroad Company was incorporated in 1883. This company now have street cars in operation on the following routes : From Marietta on Broad, south to Mitchell, thence to Thompson, thence to Nelson, thence to Walker, thence to Peter, through Jamestown to West End and West View Cemetery. The officers of the company are: T. G. Healey, president; T. J. Hightower, vice-president; J. A. Scott, secretary and treasurer, and B. F. Curtis, superintendent.
Gate City Guards .- This military company, the oldest in the city, was organized in 1855, with George Harvey Thompson, captain; W. L. Ezzard, first lieutenant; J. H. Lovejoy, second lieutenant; C. R. Hanleiter, third lieu- tenant. The membership included the best young men in the city, among them being George and Robert Winship, W. L. Ezzard, J. H. Lovejoy, G. H. and Joe. Thompson, W. L. Ballard, Ed. Holland, N. A. McLenden, J. H. Neal, E. Holcomb, P. M. Sitton and S. M. Jones. The company soon became noted for proficiency in the manual of arms and company movements. The annual parades, balls, etc , were the only excitement until the fall and winter of 1860-61, when the political horizon began to darken with the clouds of war. When the first drum tapped the tattoo of the terrible conflict between
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the States the guards, eighty-four strong, under the command of Captain Thompson, stepped to the front and volunteered in the service of their native State, and was attached to the Ist Regiment of Georgia Volunteers The officers at the time of enlistment were George H. Thompson, captain; W. L. Ezzard, first lieutenant; H. M. Wylie, second lieutenant; C. A. Stone, third lieutenant; A. Leyden, ensign; T. C. Jackson, orderly sergeant.
In Florida under General Bragg, and afterwards in Virginia under General Garnett, the guard did gallant service. In the memorable retreat from Lau- rel Hill they formed the rear guard, and at Carrick Ford received the first shock of the Federal army. Not long after the death of General Garnett, the term of enlistment of the company expired, and it became merged into the general army of the Confederacy. During its period of enlistment the guard left thirty-two of its numbers dead upon the battle field, while a far larger number brought back the scars of honorable and most active service.
When discharged, almost without exception, the members of the company returned to the ranks and fought until the war closed. After the war several attempts were made to reorganize the company, but every effort failed until July 25, 1876, when the guard was reorganized, and the following officers chosen : A. Leyden, captain ; J. T. Dabney, first lieutenant ; Pink West, sec- ond lieutenant, and John W. Butler, third lieutenant. Since then their pro- gress has been marked by unprecedented success. Their proficiency in drill has become proverbial, but their soldierly bearing, military courtesy and pa- triotic course has won for them an even greater reputation.
Captain Leyden did not long remain in command, but resigned, and Cap- tain Joseph F. Burke was elected to succeed him. Under Captain Burke, an officer of unusual ability, the guard rapidly advanced in proficiency, and when he retired from command in 1882, no company in the State or the entire South stood higher as a military organization. In 1878 the guard made a tour through South Carolina, and everywhere they were the recipients of the warmest welcome, while their soldierly bearing and discipline received the highest praise.
In October, 1879, occurred a trip by the guards to several Northern cities, which aside from its pleasures was of national benefit. The officers of the company at this time were : J. F. Burke, captain; W. C. Sparks, lieutenant ; E. W. Rhinehardt, J. H. McGahee, E. W. Hewitt, W. M. Camp, sergeants ; C. E. Sciple, J. H. Hollingsworth, S. A. Swearinger and J. S. Jackson, corpo- rals. The cities of Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, Pough- keepsie, Hartford and Lawrence were visited, and in each the citizens and soldiers received them with a warm-hearted welcome. Their journey was a series of ovations ; the press of the North printed extended notices of their movements, and everywhere their advent was hailed as the harbinger of good feeling between the extreme sections of the country. Upon their return home,
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after three weeks absence, the Constitution said: "In the story of their triumphal march and the conquest of the good opinion and confidence of our fellow citizens of the North our people find nothing out of accord with the popular feeling here at home. There was not a word spoken to them and not a response made by them that does not invite the heartiest amens from every man in Georgia and the South. They have truly and magnificently repre- sented their section, and in their intercourse with the patriots of the other section have done a marvelous work in restoring mutual respect, confidence and amity. They have sown the seeds of brotherly love in fallow places, and years will come and go before men will cease to date their renewed faith in the safety and perpetuity of the union of the States from the visit of the Gate City Guards of Georgia."
The handsome armory occupied by the Gate City Guards was erected in 1881, and is an ornament to the State. Here every arrangement for the com- fort and convenience of the company has been provided. A large drill room, which can be used for public meetings and other gatherings, affords an excel- lent place for social meetings.
Mr. Henry Jackson succeeded Joseph F. Burke as captain of the guards, and remained in command until a short time ago, when he resigned and the present Captain C. L. Anderson was elected. The other officers are W. C. Sparks, first lieutenant ; A. M. Green, second lieutenant; and Hooper Alex- ander, junior second lieutenant. The guards now number eighty members.
Atlanta Greys .- This company was organized in 1859, with Alex. M. Wal- lace, captain ; George H. Daniel, first lieutenant; Berkley M. Smith, second lieutenant ; George S. Thomas, first sergeant; L. H. Clarke, second sergeant. In 1861 Captain Wallace resigned to accept a captaincy in the First Georgia Regulars, and Captain Thomas Cooper took command of the Greys. In 1861 the Grey's joined the Eighth Georgia Regiment, commanded by Colonel Bar- tow, who fell at the first battle of Manassas. The company lost nearly all of its officers during the war. It participated in all the general battles fought in Virginia under General Lee to the surrender at Appomattox Court House. After the war but few of the original company remained, and for several years no organization was maintained. The company was reorganized in I879, and in ISSo was made Company A of the Atlanta Grey Battalion. The offi- cers at this time were Joseph Smith, captain ; W. M. Mickelberry, first lieu- tenant ; L. S. Morris, second lieutenant ; W. F. Bass, first sergeant; H. M. Clarke, second sergeant ; Max Marcus, third sergeant; W. D. Webb, fourth sergeant. Company B of this battalion was composed of forty-seven men, and officered as follows : J. M. Hunnicut, captain ; H. T. Gatchell, first lieu- tenant ; M. M. Turner, second lieutenant ; C. G. Loefler, first sergeant ; R. L. Griffin, second sergeant ; C. O. Bradbury, third sergeant ; John Holbrook, fourth sergeant. The battalion officers were as follows: W. I. Heywood,
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lieutenant colonel ; staff, I. E. Mann, adjutant ; T. F. Monroe, sergeant-major; J. T. Cooper, quartermaster ; J. L. Crenshaw, paymaster; M. C. Martin, sur- geon. This battalion became an efficient body of citizen soldiery, and was maintained until a short time ago when it was disbanded.
The Governor's Horse Guards is composed of sixty mounted men. It was organized in 1883. Its officers are John Millege, captain ; E. F. May, first lieutenant; C. W. Smith, second lieutenant; John A. Miller, junior second lieu- tenant.
The Atlanta Artillery Company was organized in 1886. The present offi- cers are J. F. Jones, captain ; G. B. Forbes, first lieutenant ; A. W. Perkerson, second lieutenant.
The Atlanta Rifles was organized in 1886 and now number one hundred and twenty-five men. Its officers are A. C. Sneed, captain ; Macon Spencer, first lieutenant ; Wm. F. Kuhn, second lieutenant; and Charles Winship, junior second lieutenant.
The colored military companies in Atlanta are the Georgia Cadets, Gov- ernor's Volunteers, Washington Guards, and Atlanta Zouaves.
Societies -Prior to and during the war between the States it was a difficult to obtain much information relative to the social, literary and benevolent associations which existed in Atlanta. The exciting events from 1861 to 1865 destroyed all inclination to even maintain the societies which then had an existence, and in the general demoralization of social and business affairs attendant upon war they were almost completely lost sight of. But from the close of the war to the present so numerous has been the organization of socie- ties that it might be appropriately termed an era of associations. Outside of purely educational and religious institutions and the more utilitarian partner- ships, combinations and corporations for business ends, great activity has man- ifested itself in the establishment of societies and organizations for literary, social and benevolent purposes.
Masonic Order .- Some branch of this great order has sprung up wherever civilization has obtained a permanent foothold, and as soon as Atlanta, or Marthasville as it was then called, contained a few hundred inhabitants, efforts were put forth to establish a lodge of Freemasonry. This was accomplished on October 26, 1847, when Atlanta Lodge No. 59 was chartered. It was in- corporated January 22, 1852, the worthy master, senior warden and junior warden in office being made a body politic and corporate.
Masonic interest seems to have become thoroughly awakened at even this carly date in Atlanta, and one month after the charter was granted to the At- lanta Lodge, Mount Zion Royal Chapter No. 16 was chartered. These two branches have continued to exist ever since, but for several years after they were established there was very little activity among the craft. In 1855, how- ever, Jason Burr Council was organized ; Fulton Lodge No. 216 in October,
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1857, and in May, 1859, the Cœur de Lion Commandery was chartered. All of these branches of the order since their establishment have had an uninter- rupted existence.
The fraternity had grown to such proportions in Atlanta the latter part of the fifties that a Masonic Hall building grew to be a necessity. To supply this want the Masonic Hall Company was incorporated December 19, 1859, with David Mayer, president; Luther J. Glenn, J. A. Hayden, B. M. Smith, W. T. C. Campbell, directors. S. B. Hoyt was secretary of the company. Previous to the organization of this company, however, considerable progress had been made toward the erection of the building. A site on Decatur street had been secured. Work had already been commenced. The corner-stone of this build- ing was laid August 11, 1859, the ceremonies being conducted by H. W. Will- iams, grand master, assisted by David E. Butler, deputy grand master, Sam- uel Lawrence, deputy grand master and John Harris deputy grand master, Joseph E. Wells, Simri Rose and officers of the grand lodge.
The Masonic Hall was dedicated June 19, 1860, the committee taking part in the ceremonies was composed of John W. Leonard, Thomas L. Cooper, Lewis Lawshe, C. R. Hanleiter, William Mackie, S. S. Wing, W. P. Harden, L. J. Glenn, J. I. Whittaker, David Mayer, William Barnes, M. L. Lichenstadt, T. M. Davis and John Boring. An oration was delivered by A. M. Wood.
On the destruction of the city by the Federal army in 1864, Masonic Hall was preserved from the flames by Masonic brethren of the Union army, but on the first day of May, 1866, it was destroyed by accidental fire. The site of the present Masonic Hall, corner of Broad and Marietta streets, was then pur- chased. The erection of the building was immediately begun from designs prepared by Fay & Corput of Atlanta. The corner-stone was laid on Sep- tember 25, 1870, by John Harris, grand master of Georgia, but the building was not completed until February 22, 1871, when the dedication services were held, the address upon this occasion being delivered by Samuel Lawrence, M. W. G. M.
Georgia Lodge No. 98 was chartered in 1869, and still maintains an active existence. Porter King is the present worthy master and Samuel Bradley secretary. This lodge and those already mentioned with Gate City Lodge No. 2, comprises a list of all the lodges in the city. They are all in the most har- monious and prosperous condition, having a large active membership.
The system of Freemasonry known as the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, which is by far the most widely disseminated over the globe of all sys- tems or rites of Freemasonry, received no notice from the fraternity here until within a comparatively recent date. Hermes Lodge of Perfection No. 4. how- ever, is now strongly established. The present officers are H. C. Stockdell, thirty. second degree, S. W .; Acting Ven. Master Thomas W. Chandler, thirty- third degree, acting secretary.
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Jul. Je Alexander.
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SECRET ORGANIZATIONS.
Independent Order of Odd Fellows .-- The first lodge of this order in Atlanta, Central Lodge No. 28, was organized October 7, 1848, and is still in active existence. Empire Encampment was organized in 1860, but the war breaking out soon after, this lodge did not get upon a permanent basis. Capital Lodge was chartered in 1870, and has grown to be a strong and vigorous branch of I. O. O. F. Besides the lodges already mentioned the following branches of this order have been established in Atlanta : Barnes Lodge No. 55 ; Schiller Lodge No. 71 ; Atlanta Lodge No. 14; and Atlanta Rebecca Degree Lodge No. II.
The Knights of Pythias is one of the strongest secret orders in Atlanta. The order was founded in 1864, and although its introduction in Atlanta oc- -curred but a few years ago it has taken firm root in the Gate City. There are three lodges here, organized in the order named: Atlanta Lodge No. 20; Cap- ital City Lodge No. 33; and Red Cross Lodge, No. 34. The uniform rank in the Knights of Pythias was created in 1878. There are two divisions of this branch here, the Calantha Division No. 2, and Capital City Division No. 5. The Endowment Rank is an insurance feature of the order. There is but one section in Atlanta known as Section No. 228.
The Independent Order of Good Templars was first introduced in Atlanta in 1867, when Atlanta Lodge No. I was organized. Gate City Lodge No. 15 and Floral Lodge No. 2 were both chartered in 1870, but after a short exist- ence they were disbanded. The first branch of this order which gained a per- manent footing was Georgia Lodge, No. 1, which was organized in 1871, with the following officers: J. G. Thrower, chief templar ; Mrs. Ann Cox, vice- templar; W. H. Frizzell, secretary, and J. B. Cox, treasurer. This lodge is still in working order and has quarters in Good Templars Hall on the corner of Whitehall and Hunter streets. The office of the grand lodge is located in At- lanta ; J. G. Thrower is grand secretary.
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