USA > Georgia > Clinch County > History of Clinch County, Georgia, revised to date > Part 7
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The town of Fargo was laid out on the banks of the Su- wannee River, and is to-day one of the most flourishing towns in the county. It has several stores, a large hotel and other
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History of Clinch County, Georgia
establishments. The mills which are owned by G. S. Baxter & Company, are about the largest in the county.
Within a very short time another large saw-mill was put up six miles East of Fargo, on the new railroad, by the Amer- ican Manufacturing Company, a corporation. Their mills are about as large as the Fargo plant. The place was called "Council," in honor of the principal owners of the mill, John M. and C. M. Council, of Americus, Ga.
EFFORTS TO REMOVE COUNTY SITE.
In the beginning, the town of DuPont had a very auspicious future, as the Florida Branch Railroad began here and run into Florida. For many years DuPont was situated at the head of the Florida business of the Plant System of railroads, and as such was a very important center.
The fact that the town was centrally located in the county, together with its bright future, brought about a great senti- ment in favor of the removal of the county site from Homer- ville to DuPont. A strong petition was presented to the Ordinary in 1885 for an order calling an election to decide the question of the removal, which the Ordinary granted. Accordingly the election was called for July 3rd, 1885. When the day to vote had arrived, great barbecues and other attractions were given at DuPont and Homerville. At DuPont a public ball was given in DuPont Hall. The result was a majority of five in favor of the removal, but owing to the fact that it required a two-thirds majority, DuPont lost. The vote, given by districts, was as follows :
For Dupont For Homerville
Homerville
433
DuPont
344
8
Stockton
1
1 1
63
Mud Creek
I
83
Withers
30
-
-
Magnolia
--
22
1
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History of Clinch County, Georgia
Morgan Dist. I
I2
Low Deaver ( 1219) -
2 I
Argyle
8
Rabbitville (1061) __ --
I 2
Total
521 516
In 1893 another attempt was made to remove the county site to DuPont, but failed. No record of the vote in this election is obtainable.
NEWSPAPERS.
About 1876 the first newspaper established in Clinch County which there is any record of, was established at DuPont by Mr. J. P. A. Dupont, named "The DuPont Oke- finokean." It enjoyed the patronage of the county, but in the course of a year or so, failed. It was a weekly paper.
About 1882 a newspaper was established at Homerville by E. J. Benton, which was named "The Wiregrass Cracker." It became the official gazette of the county, but did not exist very long. From an old copy in the Ordinary's office, dated November 3rd, 1883, we note that the following lawyers' cards appear: J. L. Sweat, James P. Mattox and B. A. Whittington. The advertisements of the following merchants appeared : W. T. Smith, W. A. Ecord, Joseph P. Mattox and W. C. Newborn & Brother.
Mr. Benton, the editor, was a man of much ability and intelligence, which he exhibited in several ways. He first came to this county as a minister, in an evangelistic meeting. He settled at DuPont, where he made one or two medicinal dis- coveries which he had patented. At the October term, 1878, of Clinch County Superior Court, he was admitted to the bar, after which he practiced law a short while. He was a great Sunday School worker, and was president of the Way- cross Sunday School District Association.
In the early nineties, a newspaper was established at Du- Pont, devoted to the interests of the Populist or Third Party.
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History of Clinch County, Georgia
This paper, named the "DuPont Guide," was edited by Mr. W. F. Miley, and took a leading part in its party's battles in Clinch County. This paper finally ceased to exist about 1896, and as the official organ of the Populist Party in this section was succeeded by the "Douglas Breeze," edited at Douglas, in Coffee County, by Mr. A. B. Findley, formerly of Homer- ville.
In the latter part of 1894, the "Homerville Chronicle" was established at Homerville by Mr. M. E. Tison. In November, 1897, this paper's name was changed to the "Clinch County News," the name which it now bears. The earliest copy of this paper obtainable is dated January 11th, 1895, which is Number 9, Vol. I, showing that the paper was only nine weeks old at that time. The following professional cards appear in this issue: R. G. Dickerson, B. A. Whitting- ton and S. L. Drawdy, lawyers; and Dr. G. R. Thigpen, all of Homerville. The advertisements of the following local merchants appear : C. Huxford & Company, C. Crawford, and Dame Brothers, of Homerville, and Wideman & Moody, of Argyle. The Crum House, of Homerville, and The Sir- mans House, at DuPont, had advertisements.
The successive editors and publishers of this paper are : 1894-5, M. E. Tison; 1896, R. G. Dickerson; 1897, I. R. Knight; 1897-8, M. E. Tison; 1899, Geo. M. Dame and S. W. Register; 1900-7, George M. Dame; 1908, Town- send & Dame; 1909, W. L. DuVall; 1910, T. B. Hartig; 1910, B. W. Cornelius ; 1910, H. J. Dame ; 1910-16, Flem C. Dame.
THE POPULIST PARTY.
About 1890 a new party sprang into politics. For a while it was known as the Third Party or Alliance, later as the Populist Party. Among some of its leaders in Clinch County, were : Dr. L. C. Mattox, M. S. Corbitt, W. A. Ecord, W. J. Strickland and James M. Kight. In 1890 Dr. Mattox was elected by this party as representative from Clinch County.
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History of Clinch County, Georgia
At the same time W. A. Ecord was re-elected clerk of the Superior Court by them. This was at the height of their power; after this they never did succeed in electing any other candidate in Clinch County. In recent years the party has disappeared from county politics. In 1898 the average vote received by them was 325 ; two years later it dwindled to an average of fifty. The party has probably had its day and has done the country some good. Some of the principles and laws it first advocated have since been enacted into law, among which might be mentioned the rural free mail delivery.
COUNTY COURT RE-ESTABLISHED.
In 1866 the first County Court of Clinch County was es- tablished with Hon. Z. King as the first judge and Col. L. A. Sirmans as the first solicitor. This court existed for about three years, when it ceased. There is no legislative act abol- ishing the court. In 1881 this court was revived, and Hon. Cornelius A. Smith was appointed judge. There is no record as to who was solicitor. In 1885 Col. B. A. Whittington was appointed judge. This court had its monthly and quar- terly terms. The monthly terms were held under Judge Smith on every second Monday, while the quarterly terms were held on the third Mondays in February, May, August and November.
By an Act of the Legislature, approved October 19th, 1885, the County Court of Clinch County was abolished to take effect when the term of Judge Whittington had expired.
In 1901 the County Court was again established after having been abolished fifteen years. Col. S. C. Townsend was appointed judge for four years and Hon. R. G. Dickerson was appointed solicitor. This court became the means of saving much money to the county although the criminal jurisdic- tion was limited to misdemeanors. Like the former County Court, it has its monthly and quarterly terms; the monthly terms being held on the first Monday in each month and the quarterly terms on the first Tuesday in January, April, July,
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History of Clinch County, Georgia
and October. Hon. S. L. Drawdy is the present judge and Hon. W. T. Dickerson solicitor.
An attempt was made to abolish this court in 1908, but failed.
FIRST COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
The first Board of County Commissioners of Roads and Revenues was created by Legislative Act, approved August 16th, 1889. Under this Act the following named citizens of the county were appointed commissioners : Isham Patterson, Frank B. Sirmans, Martin S. Corbitt, W. H. Gary and Fields D. Clifton. The commissioners were given entire charge of county matters and the clerk of the Superior Court was made ex-officio Clerk of the Board. From the Minutes of the Board in 1890 it is observed that the following were the commis- sioners: W. H. Gary, chairman, M. S. Corbitt, F. B. Sir- mans, Isham Patterson and John Knight.
ยท The Board was abolished by an Act of the Legislature, approved December 9th, 1893, and the ordinary resumed charge of county affairs. It remained thus until 1915, when the Board of Commissioners was again created.
NEW JAIL.
The old jail, erected about 1872, was found to be insufficient to meet the demands of the county, as it was not only too small, but was built of wood and was fast becoming useless. Accordingly a contract was let out by the County Commissioners in 1893 to the Manly Manufacturing Com- pany, of Dalton, Ga. The new jail was built of brick with improved steel cells and was two stories high. This jail is now being used as the county jail, but there is some desire on the part of many citizens to have a new jail built or some needed extensive improvements made.
NEW COURT-HOUSE.
Likewise, the court-house, erected just after the war, was re- placed with a new one during 1895-6. The following com-
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History of Clinch County, Georgia
mittee was appointed by the ordinary to superintend the erec- tion of the new building: James R. Dickerson, Peter A. Young, Moses Smith, W. F. Kirkland and D. C. Fender. The contract was let to T. J. Darling, a contractor of Waycross, Ga. The new building amply met the increased demands for a court-house and gave general satisfaction. It is two stories in height, with a spacious court room on second floor, besides Grand jury room and witness room. On the ground floor are halls running through and the following offices: Clerk Superior Court, Ordinary, County Court Solicitor, Tax Re- ceiver and Collector, County Commissioners, County Board of Education and Sheriff, while upstairs is the office of County Court. This is the present arrangement.
The building faces the east, and is 50 by 80 feet in size, and has slate roof. The new court-house was built on the site of the old one. The land whereon the court-house and jail are situated, was given the county by Dr. John Homer Mattox, the founder of Homerville, as is evidenced by a deed dated October Ist, 1884, and recorded in deed book "F," by W. A. Ecord., Clerk.
The old court-house building was sold, at auction and bid off by a committee of Primitive Baptist people, who moved the building to another part of town and remodeled it into a church. The committee was composed of Messrs. James A. O'Steen, S. L. Drawdy, George M. Dame, James R. Dick- erson and C. H. Smith. This church existed a few years and became so delapidated that it was finally abandoned and torn down.
CAMP OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS.
The first, only and last camp of Confederate Veterans in Clinch County, was organized September 4th, 1899. They elected delegates to the State and general reunions, and had a membership of forty-seven. The following were the officers elected : F. M. Jackson, captain commanding; W. A. Ecord, Ist Lieut .; S. W. Register, 2nd Lieut .; Moses Tomlinson,
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History of Clinch County, Georgia
3rd Lieut .; O. P. Register, 4th Lieut .; M. S. Corbitt, adju- tant; Isham Patterson, quartermaster; D. M. Riberon, com- missary; W. J. Stapleton, surgeon; Charles James, assistant surgeon : Jesse J. Grooms, chaplain ; J. C. Anderson, treas- urer ; James M. Kight, sergeant .- major; J. B. Ganos, officer of the day; C. H. Smith, colonel-sergeant; I. T. Mclendon, videt; James M. Inman, Ist Col. Guard; Ivy Davis, 2nd Col. Guard.
Gradually the camp declined, and finally no meetings were held. A lack of interest was responsible for its fall.
POPULATION.
The census of 1910 showed that Clinch County had 8,424 persons within her borders. The area was 1,077 square miles, being the largest county in the State. The population decreased 308 compared with the census of 1900. The census also showed that there were 5,046 whites in the county and 3,378 negroes. Those of the voting age numbered in 1900, 2,561 men, and in 1910, 2,294. This included both races.
The total number of illiterates were only 454, of which 3II were negroes and 142 were native whites. 4,983 were of native parentage. The population of the county since 1870 has been as follows: Census of 1870, 3,945; 1880, 4,138; 1890, 6,652 ; 1900, 8,732; 1910, 8,424.
Thus it is seen that the greatest stride in the county's popu- lation was between 1880 and 1890, when it increased over 2,500. A school census taken in 1914 showed that there were 2,303 school children in the county, of which little over one- half were whites. In 1908, there were 1,285 white children in the county of school age.
ARGYLE.
About 1885 the town of Argyle came into existence. For many years it was nothing more than a mere station, but gradually it grew to be a town. This town is located in the eastern part of the county on the A. C. L. Railroad, and is
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History of Clinch County, Georgia
but two miles from the Ware County line. It was first named Saussy, in honor of Clement Saussy and others who were heirs of Gasper J. Fulton. Mr. Fulton was a resident of Savan- nah and purchased the land whereon the town is located, in 1860 from John Smith, of Clinch County. This land was originally granted by the State to James C. Smith in 1843, and he in 1845 sold it to Joseph Lane. In 1845 Mr. Lane sold it to John Smith, a brother of James C. Smith, and Mr. Smith owned it until 1860, when he sold it to Mr. Fulton.
Among the early postmasters were I. H. Drawdy and C. W. Burt, and B. A. Harper. Later Mr. S. C. Patterson was postmaster, and following his resignation about two years ago, Mr. W. H. James was appointed. The population of the town, according to the census of 1910, was 280. The name of the town was changed to "Argyle" in 1899.
In 1908 the Argyle people unanimously voted in favor of creating a local school district, and since then have, by tax- ation and other means, raised about $1,500 and built a very nice school building on the outskirts of town, on the public road leading into Argyle. It is a two-story frame building, with improved desks and other improvements. It is known as the Union High School. The land and building were valued in 1912 at $2,500 according to the report of the State School Commissioner. The present trustees of the school are: W. H. Hinson, B. A. Harper, A. B. Williams, S. C. Patterson and W. L. Hinson, wide-awake and energetic citizens.
On August 26th, 1897, Saussy, as the town was then known, was visited by a very disastrous fire, entailing a loss of several thousand dollars. All of the business portion of town was destroyed.
About 1907, the Bank of Argyle was chartered and estab- lished. Its first president was L. O. Benton, who organized the Bank of Homerville. In 1909 the bank closed its doors
6
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History of Clinch County, Georgia
and liquidated its business. The reason of its failure was due mainly to the adjacency of the bank at Homerville.
SAW-MILL ENTERPRISES.
Among the earlier saw-mill enterprises in Clinch County, was the one mentioned in Chapter 4, which Dr. J. H. Mattox and Cyrus S. Graves established at Homerville. Another early mill was that of William G. Norwood and James B. Porter at Homerville. Frank Sloat established a large saw- mill near Stockton about 1874, and later it became a partner- ship under the name of Sloat, Bussell & Co. Still later a mill was put up and operated near Stockton by Frye & Humphreys.
One of the largest mills at the time was that operated by R. B. Reppard. At first Harry C. Reppard was interested in it, but he sold out his interest to R. B. Reppard. Later, Mr. Reppard organized the Reppard Land, Lumber & Saw-Mill Company, a corporation. . They acquired land and timber in nearly every section of the county. Their mill was located about four miles east of Homerville on the A. C. L. Railroad, and was operated several years. It was first organized about 1879, and was operated about five years. The Southern Pine Company eventually acquired possession of this property.
Another big plant was that of Paxton & Mattox, a few miles west of Homerville on the railroad. Originally it was a partnership composed of Miles Albertson and David B. Pax- ton, but about 1888, Mr. Albertson sold his interest to H. P. Mattox, of Homerville, and it continued under the name of Paxton & Mattox. The place was called Clinch Haven, and for several years was one of the largest enterprises in the county. The business failed about 1895, and was acquired by Geo. F. Craig & Company, of Philadelphia.
About 1901 another plant was erected at the same point and the name of the place changed to "Cutting." The Southern Pine Company were the owners. In a few years the
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History of Clinch County, Georgia
plant was dismantled, and for several years the place was deserted.
But in 1911 a company of North Georgia and Northern capitalists acquired a lease-hold to the land where their mills were erected, and purchased several thousand acres of tim- ber and land from Messrs. H. J. Peagler, W. K. Peagler, and H. M. Peagler. It was organized into a corporation and named The Georgia Lumber & Turpentine Company. They manufactured lumber and produced wood spirits of tur- pentine.
In addition to the mills at Cutting, there are the mills at Fargo and Council, referred to before in this book. These are the largest plants in the county.
WAYCROSS AND WESTERN RAILROAD.
During 1913 a movement was launched to construct a new railroad from Waycross through the northern part of Clinch County to Milltown in Berrien County. The princi- pal movers were John G. and Alex. K. Sessoms, of Waycross, and F. B. Sirmans, of this county. A charter was secured and work begun, and the road was completed to Milltown during 1915. It gave a new route for Milltown and Berrien County produce to Savannah and other markets, besides opening up a new territory.
The president of the new railroad, which was named the Waycross & Western, was Alex. K. Sessoms, who was a native of Ware County. He was a son of Alex. K. Sessoms, Sr., who died about 1909. The elder Sessoms was very wealthy and possessed much property not only in Clinch County, but in Ware County and in Mexico and other places. In 1915 Mr. Sessoms, the president of the road, was ap- pointed on the new Board of County Commissioners of Clinch County, although he had been in the county but a year.
The vice-president of the road was Hon. F. B. Sirmans, a leading citizen of Clinch and an ex-Senator from the fifth district. Mr. Sirmans, whose home was in the Mud Creek
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History of Clinch County, Georgia
district, owned much property through the territory opened up by the new road. He had a nice tract of his land at a point on the new railroad, about a mile distant from his home, surveyed into town lots and a boom launched for a new town to be called Sirmans. The town lots were sold at auction and Mr. Sirmans had one of the largest cotton ginneries in the county established in the new town. Several stores were soon built.
The mercantile establishments at Sirmans, are The Hughes Mercantile Company and James A. Mathis. There is an- other store there but is unoccupied. Mr. Sirmans, who had been postmaster for several years at his turpentine still, which was connected by rural route with DuPont, resigned, and Mr. W. W. Elliott, a former resident of Homerville, was appointed postmaster.
At the same time, another new town came into existence on the same railroad. It was located in the Moore's Mill district and about a half-mile from Mr. E. C. Hodges' place. The name given to this place at first was "Hodges," but when a post office was applied for the name was changed to "Cogdell," on account of there being another post office in the State by the same name.
Mr. Sessoms, president of the road, removed to Cogdell and built a nice home. He fenced about one thousand acres of wild land, which adjoined Cogdell, and soon had it stumped and cultivated. Mr. Sessoms has put up a modern cane mill at Cogdell, and besides, has been successful in secur- ing from the State Agricultural department a State experi- ment station for farm demonstration purposes at Cogdell.
There is a saw-mill and shingle-mill at Cogdell and two stores. The postmaster is James A. Brown. Soon after the beginning of Cogdell it was seen that a school was needed, and wisely and time enough so, since there was not a school in several miles. A movement in which Mr. Sessoms and John B. Kirkland were the leaders, resulted in formation of
History of Clinch County, Georgia 97
a new local school district with Cogdell as the site of the school. This was in 1915. A school building was immedi- ately built and the local school trustees being without funds at the time, Mr. Sessoms furnished the necessary funds until a tax levy could be made and revenue raised.
The school building which was built, was built in bungalow style and neatly and durably constructed of good lumber. State School Supervisor F. E. Land, in a recent visit to the Cogdell school, pronounced the energetic work on the part of local citizens and the school to be one of the finest demon- strations in school work he had seen.
THE OKEFINOKEE SWAMP.
Over the eastern border line of Clinch County there ex- tends a part of the famous Okefinokee Swamp, one of the most extensive areas of submerged land on the North Ameri- can continent.
When Ware County was created in 1824, it embraced the entire swamp, barring of course a portion which extends into Florida. It is the largest swamp on the continent with the exception of the Dismal Swamp in Virginia, and the Ever- glades in Florida. Up to about twenty years ago it remained unexplored and indeed some parts of it are yet unexplored. It is found to be a vast marsh with occasional lakes and islands. There is some of the best timber to be found, in the swamp.
In 1891 an Act was passed by the Legislature authorizing the Governor to deed the lands embraced in the swamp to the Suwannee Canal Company, a corporation. The promoters hoped to provide means to float the timber to the St. Mary's River and also to drain the swamp by means of a large canal, thus not only securing the timber but also reclaiming the land. But it was not successful. Within the last few years the Hebard Cypress Company, a corporation composed princi- pally of Pennsylvanians, has acquired this property, and has constructed a railroad from Waycross where the company's
1
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History of Clinch County, Georgia
large mills are, to the swamp and has recently penetrated the swamp several miles with the railroad.
In White's Historical Collections of Georgia, published in 1854, the statement is made that the name "Okefinokee" is derived from two Indian words "ooka" and "finocau"; the former of which means "water" and the latter "quivering." Originally the great swamp was called "E-cun-fi-no-cau," a compound meaning "quivering earth." But the Creeks pre- ferred the former expression. The author, Dr. White, says the swamp is thirty miles long and seventeen broad, and in it are several islands, one of which the Creeks represented to be among the most blissful spots in the world.
The swamp lies partly in Clinch, while most of it is in Ware and Charlton counties. Billy's Island and Floyd's Island are large islands of this swamp, containing some fertile land. The Suwannee River originates in this swamp and flows southward through Clinch County into Florida. The town of Fargo is situated on the river.
The following is taken from a description given by one well acquainted with the swamp: "Billy's Island is at this season of the year (November) a hunter's paradise. The only direct way to reach this place from Argyle or Homer- ville by Mixon's Ferry on the Suwannee River; thence three miles through the swamp over the 'causeway,' which was built by the soldiers during the Indian war in order to give battle to the great Indian chief 'Billy Bowlegs,' from whence the island took its name. Thence through the 'cow-house' and down the Suwannee River, which has its origin here. The water is black. The lake is on the west side of the island, and is not more than half a mile wide at any point. As to it being good hunting and fishing grounds there are no better to be found."
Trout, perch, bream, jacks and cat-fish abound with an abundance of fine turtle. Bear, duck, deer, wild turkeys, panthers, and other wild game are also found. The swamp served as a great rendezvous for deserters during the Civil War.
CHAPTER VIII.
Educational.
P RIOR to 1868 the control of school affairs was vested in the justices of the Inferior Court, five in number, to- gether with the ordinary and one citizen of the county appointed by the judge of the Superior Court for four years. The clerk of the Inferior Court was secretary of the Board of Education, while the ordinary was ex-officio treasurer of the school funds.
In 1870 this system was entirely changed and educational matters were vested in a Board of Education for each county to consist of one member from each militia district in the county, to be elected by popular vote. The Board was to select a secretary who was to be by virtue of his appointment county school commissioner.
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