USA > Georgia > Greene County > History of Greene County, Georgia, 1786-1886 > Part 27
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Greensboro, Ga., June 2, 1820.
"Major General Andrew Jackson,
We the undersigned, have been deputed as a committee in behalf of the citizens of this village. to manifest their respect and gratitude toward you, for the important military services which you have ren- dered your country, and as the highest testimony of their wishes and feeling on this occasion, we are instructed to request that you will favor us with your company to partake of a dinner which will be prepared at Mr. Thomas W. Grimes, in this place, this afternoon, with a view of paying you that respect and honor due to such impor- tant services. We, as a committee, take this opportunity of individ- ually expressing our gratification at your appearance in our village, and of further expressing our sincere wishes for your future pros- perity and happiness. And we sanguinely hope that you will find it to comport with your convenience to attend.
We have the honor to be, with consideration and respect, your fellow citizens
Thomas I. Moore Thomas Greer Sterling Grimes Nicholas Lewis Franklin C. Heard, Committee
"At two o'clock, a numerous collection of our fellow citizens, together with our distinguished guest and his aide, Captain Call, sat down to an elegant dinner prepared at Mr. Grimes. After the cloth was removed the following toasts were drunk:
1. This Union-May it be as lasting as the firmament.
2. The memory of General George Washington-He does and ever should live in the hearts of his countrymen.
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3. The President of the United States, the firm and enlightened statesman-may his strength be reflected in the conduct of his successors.
4. The Heads of Departments .-
The old adage, 'There is wisdom in the multiplicity of councils.)
5. The Missouri Question .-
It has excited much argument. It has exposed individual views. May the King of the North be confined to his own dominion.
6. The Army of the United States .-
The safeguard of our liberties in time of war, the guarantee of perpetuity in time of peace.
7. The Laurels of Liberty .-
Natives of America, may they become flourishing exotics in the climes of despotism.
8. The Navy of the United States .-
Man for man, and gun for gun, the UNITED STATES against the world.
9. American Independence .-
The Temple of Liberty, the admiration of the world.
10. Commodore Stephen Decatur .-
In his fall our navy galaxy has lost one of its brightest orna- ments.
11. A volunteer toast by General Jackson,
The Governor of Georgia.
12. The General having retired,-
To our distinguished guest, Major-General Andrew Jackson .- His military fame has spread from shore to shore. May he long live, the active defender of his country's rights.
THE BANQUET
"The banquet-according to the King papers-which was given in General Jackson's honor was one of the grandest affairs which the people of this section had ever known. Prominent men from all over middle Georgia were in attendance." Speeches were made and enjoy- ment ran high, and the night and the banquet were long famous in the history of good old Greene."
LEAVING FOR HOME
"General Jackson made the trip from his Tennessee home in his own sulky, and returned in the same unostentacious manner. His de- parture, however, was witnessed by hundreds of admirers, and he drove away amid the huzzas of the gathered crowd. The visit, though one of private business, became eventful, and the presence of "Old Hickory" on Greene's soil was the subject of conversation for many months afterwards."
VOLUNTEER TOASTS AT THE DINNER TO GENERAL JACKSON.
By Col. Joshua Horton, (President of the Day)-The Memory of Peter Early.
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By Judge Christopher B. Strong,-May the internal improvement in the State of Tennessee equal her valor in the field!
By Major Thomas I. Moore .- May an equilibrium of rights be ob- served between the north, the south, and the east and west!
By Major Franklin C. Heard .- General Gaines of the United States Army.
By Dr. Thomas Wingfield .- May the Congress of the United States reward merit and condemn envy!
By Mathew Wells, Esq .- The Patriots of South America. Success to their efforts against foreign tyrrany, and may their internal government be founded upon the principles of equal rights!
By Captain Woodlawn .- May we obtain the Floridas without the shedding of blood!
By Nicholas Lewis, Esq .- The new government of Spain, the Cortes. May it be as enlightened and virtuous as the old government was vicious.
The above story appeared in The Augusta Chronicle and Geor- gia Gazette of July 1, 1820. And, on June 12, 1885, The Greensboro Herald-Journal published a lengthy article referring to General Jack- son's visit to Greensboro and the banquet that was given in his honor.
The Herald-Journal article was based upon some correspondence between General Andrew Jackson and Col. Yelverton P. King of Greensboro. Col. Yelverton King's son, Dr. H. H. King, in looking through his father's old papers discovered the Jackson-King corre- spondence and loaned it to the Editor of The Herald-Journal.
The King papers show that Mr. Robert E. Martin discovered the presence of General Jackson at the Allison home, some two miles from Greensboro. He met the General and came post haste to Greensboro and spread the news of the distinguished soldier's pres- ence.
A committee of Greensboro citizens consisting of Judge Fran- cis H. Cone, William C. Dawson, A. B. Longstreet-the author of "Georgia Scenes", Judge Thomas Stocks, and others waited upon General Jackson and tendered him an invitation to a reception at the Grimes Hotel.
A GREENSBORO, GA. ROW CAUSED THE DEFEAT OF A CANDIDATE FOR THE PRESIDENCY OF THE UNITED STATES AND LED TO FOUR DUELS
A thief, a counterfeit gang, and a shyster lawyer not only caused four duels and the defeat of William H. Crawford who was a candidate for the Presidency of these United States, but disrupted families, brought on a political war that led to the
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unseating of every Circuit Judge in Georgia, save one, and brought about the election of George M. Troup, one of Geor- gia's greatest Governors. All of this was brought about by an unguarded remark by a Judge of the Western Circuit while holding Court in the County of Greene, in the year of our Lord, 1806.
Nor, was this the final chapter of this tragic event: the defeat of William H. Crawford meant the election of Andrew Jackson President of these United States. Andrew Jackson's election shook the very foundations of Washington society. The scandal that had centered around Peggy O'Neal and Sen- ator Eaton was forgotten for the moment, and the idea of Rachael Jackson becoming the First Lady of the Land, seem- ed destined to disrupt Washington society and cast a shadow over White House functions for years to come. However, Rachael's timely death relieved the situation. Her nieces, the Donalson girls, were acceptable to Washington society and everybody was happy, except Andrew Jackson. He never de- serted a friend or turned his back to a foe. He insisted that Senator Eaton's wife should be graciously received at the White House; but his nieces demurred. They were banished for their lack of co-operation, and sent back to Tennessee.
"That man, from the wilds of Tennessee" this being the constant reference to Jackson, elected by the common people, never enjoyed a moment's rest from his political enemies; and poor Rachael's character was assailed on every side. His arch- enemies, the John C. Calhouns' and Henry Clay, saw to that; and Nicholas Biddle, President of the United States Bank, supplied money to try to check his every move; but he, too, felt the weight of the mailed fist of Andrew Jackson and, to- gether with his moneyed friends, went down in defeat and fi- nancial ruin.
The Clark-Crawford-Tait feud resulted in a triumph for Clark; he was elected Governor of Georgia and ruled the State with a rod of iron. The bullet from his pistol in a duel had so weakened Crawford's constitution that a partial stroke resulted. His political enemies made capital of his physical
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weakness and spread the report that, "If he was elected, he was not physically able to fill the office," so he was defeated.
Judge Charles Tait, after leaving the bench, was elected United States Senator from Georgia, and served from 1809 to 1819. On May 1, 1822, in Sparta, Ga., he married the widow of John Clark's brother-in-law and friend, Judge John Griffin. They moved to Mobile, Ala., where Judge Tait practiced law until his death.
Gen. John Clark was a war hero and felt very "cocky", about it. After the Revolutionary War Clark settled in Wilkes county. He dropped the "e" off the family name of Clarke be- cause he thought it would be a democratic gesture. He helped to guard the state's coastal defenses during the War of 1812. He won his second term as governor by a two vote majority. On Jefferson Street in Milledgeville he lashed Charles Tait. During Clark's two terms as governor the state was considered wealthy. Clark was prominent in Greene county relations and politics.
The Clark party met its "Waterloo" when Thomas Stocks, a Greene County man, then President of the Georgia Senate, cast the vote that broke the tie, and elected George M. Troup Governor of Georgia. Realizing that he was politically dead, in Georgia, Ex Gov. John Clark accepted an appointment, under the President of the United States, and became custodian of all public lands in Florida. He died of Yellow Fever, at St. And- rews Bay, Fla., on October 12, 1832. His wife soon followed him in death. William H. Crawford survived his arch-enemy by some two years, and died at "Woodlawn," his country home, on Sept. 15, 1834.
ORIGIN OF THE QUARREL BETWEEN JOHN CLARK AND WILLIAM H. CRAWFORD
Judge Garnett Andrews' "Reminiscences of an Old Geor- gia Lawyer, pp. 9 :
General Clark's Version
"A man by name of Clary-accused as horse-thief was arrested in Greene County and carried before Judge Tait for (1 presume)
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inquiry-and who (Clary) charged General Clark with complicity. Mr. Clark, I think was attorney for the prosecution. Whatever faults General Clark may have had, he was entirely above the suspicion of anything so disgraceful. I think the meeting between Clark and Craw- ford grew out of this affair. It is proper to say that Clark accused the Judge and Crawford with instigating Clary to make the charge."
Note: Judge Garnett Andrews further states that he got the informa- tion from a booklet or pamphlet written by General Clark and entitled "A Legacy for my Children," see pages 74, 75, 76, 77.
Clark-Crawford Feud.
Clark accused Crawford of having manipulated Judge Griffin's defeat and Tait's election as judge of the Western Circuit. Craw- ford and Tait were law-partners; Tait maintaining an office at El- berton and Crawford at Lexington. Peter Van Allen of Elberton, a young lawyer of note, had allied himself with the Clark faction; Van Allen had brought some petty suit against Judge Tait, and was merciless in his satire. This riled the Judge who challenged Van Allen for a duel, but the challenge was declined. This drew Craw- ford into the fray and he was challenged by Van Allen. Crawford accepted the challenge, reluctantly, and killed Van Allen.
Two years later, John Clark challenged William H. Crawford to mortal combat; but friends entervened. Still later, Clark again challenged Crawford, Crawford accepted the challenge and, accord- ing to custom, details were arranged and they met at High Shoals, in Walton County, Crawford fired first and missed his man. Clark's pistol shattered Crawford's wrist. Clark was not satisfied but Craw- ford's principal declined to allow another shot.
Note quickly these events followed the affair in the Court- house in Greensboro.
Judge Dooly takes a hand in the feud.
John M. Dooly, Solicitor General for the Western Circuit, was present and had some part in the examination of Clary when this tragic investigation took place in the Courthouse in Greens- boro. Solicitor Dooly was elevated to the bench. He had some con- troversy with his predecessor, Judge Tait out of which, grew a misunderstanding and, being a member of the Clark faction, it is not surprising that bitter feeling was developed.
Judge Tait challenged Judge Dooly to mortal combat, Dooly accepted the challenge; Dooly chose John Clark as his second, and Tait chose William H. Crawford. The principals and seconds met according to agreement: but, according to tradition, when Tait and Crawford arrived upon the scene of battle, Judge Dooly was setting on a stump and his second, John Clark, was not there. Upon being asked where he was? Dooly replied "Gen. Clark is in the woods looking for a bee-gum". May I enquire," asked Crawford," what use he intends to make of a bee-gum?"
"I want to put my leg in it," replied Dooly, "Do you suppose for a minute that I am going to risk a good leg of flesh and blood
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against Tait's wooden stump?" If I hit his leg he can get another one before tomorrow morning; but if he hits mine I may lose my life; certainly my leg; and to put myself on equal footing with Tait, I must have a bee-gum for protection. I can then fight on equal terms."
"Then am I to understand that you do not intend to fight Judge Tait?", enquired Mr. Crawford. "Well", responded Judge Dooly, I thought everyone knew that."
"Perhaps so," replied Mr. Crawford, "but you will fill a news- paper column in consequences of this day's business."
"So be it," replied Judge Dooly, with an arch smile, "I would rather fill a dozen newspapers than one coffin."
Note: The Tate-Dooly fiasco was copied from Lucian Lamar Knight's "Georgia Landmarks Memorials and Legends", the balance of the story was gathered from old newspaper files, Judge Garnett Andrews' book, and the minutes of the Greene Superior Court. (3-21-41) T. B. R.
Now for John Clark, the boy of seven years, who came to Georgia in 1773.
Like his father, John Clark was a physical giant, and, like Andrew Jackson, he had some part in the American Revolution. He could not have been more than fifteen years old when the Battle of Kettle Creek was fought; but he knew how to go gunning for Tories and Indians long before the battle. He did not gain the title of General for services during the Revolution; but he distinguished himself in the Indian wars that followed-the battle with the Indians at Jack's Creek in 1787, in what is now Morgan County, may have won him that distinction.
That John was a "Rounder", there can be no doubt. Soon after reaching manhood, he turned his attention toward marriage, and began paying court to an orphan girl by the name of Shivers-a younger sister of Mrs. Jesse Mercer. The family resented his at- tentions and forbade her from seeing him. That she encouraged him, is bourne out by her actions. On a bitter, cold night when the ground was covered with snow and sleet, she eloped with her lover, rode behind him on a fleet-footed horse, and they went in search of a parson, who would pronounce them man and wife. After traveling many miles the girl became ill and intensely cold; they stopped at the home of a friend who kindly took them in and tried to make the girl comfortable. She had a chill, developed pneumonia and died during the night.
The girl's family were notified of what had happened; and this was the beginning of the bitter hatred that Rev. Jesse Mercer held for John Clark so long as they both lived. Nor, did Rev. Mercer, and the Baptists, ever cease to fight John Clark and his political ring. The Methodists also took a hand, and when finally met his political Waterloo, they all shouted "Thank God, John Clark and the Devil have been defeated."
After John Clark's disappointment in his first love affair, he turned his attentions toward a beautiful daughter of his father's com-
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panion in arms, Col. Micajah Williamson. Somehow Nancy William- son fell for Clark's attentions, and they were soon married. As to whether peace and harmony prevailed in their home, this writer sayeth not; but, if she preserved peace in the home, she was either a saint or a devil.
This is typical of John Clark's career:
Minutes of the Greene, Superior Court in the early eighteen-hundreds; General presentments by the Grand Jury :
The State Vs ) Indictment for Riot.
John Clark and Hugh McCall
The evidence shows that John Clark came to Greensboro, while court was in session, brought a number of his pals with him, and precipitated a row on the streets of Greensboro, and it assumed the proportions of a riot. Clark and McCall plead guilty and paid the fine assessed by the court.
Hugh McCall was from a good family, and later became Geor- gia's first Historian. McCall's History tells much of Revolutionary times, in Georgia and South Carolina.
(He, like "Poor dog Tray", seems to have fallen in with the wrong crowd).
That harmony did not prevail between John Clark and the Wil- liamson clan, is evidenced by such early Georgia writers as William H. Sparks, author of "Memories of Fifty Years", and who knew the Clarks and Williamsons, personally. He was one of the attendants at Ann Clark's wedding (daughter of John Clark) when she married John W. Campbell in the old Governor's Mansion in Milledgeville. while her father was Governor.
Sparks left for the west immediately after the wedding, with his pal, young Robert M. Williamson. Sparks remained in New Orleans. while Williamson went on to Texas. They never saw each other again. In 1881, when Sparks was an old man, he returned to Geor- gia and, while visiting in Atlanta, by accident, he met Ann Clark Campbell. More than fifty years had passed since he had seen her She was a widow and was living in Galveston, Texas. They recog- nized each other on sight; and what a glorious time they had while reminiscing! Ann Clark Campbell had three sons who had become prominent lawyers and physicians in Texas, and each of them were around six feet and six inches tall: Sparks had just visited Greens- boro and Greene County, where he was born in the year 1800, and where he had been admitted to the Bar. Most of his old friends had passed into the "Great Beyond", so he visited the cemetery and read the inscriptions on their tombs. These events together with the urgent request of Governor Lumpkin, induced him to write his "Memories of Fifty Years"-one of the most interesting books on Early Georgia.
After meeting Ann Clark Campbell, he felt constrained to de- scribe the scene of Ann Clark's wedding. His story was published in The Atlanta Constitution, and was published in January 1881. He not
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only gave a clear description of the wedding, but told of the worries and troubles Ann Clark and her aunt, Mrs. L. Q. C. Lamar, had in establishing a truce between the Clark and Williamson factions. She succeeded; but the nervous strain was so great on her aunt, Mrs. Thompson Bird, that it brought on a heart attack, and she died while the dancers were on the floor. However the "hatchet was buried" for the occasion only; and hostilities were renewed as soon as the wedding was over; nor, did it ever cease until John Clark was laid low by Yellow Fever, and buried on the banks of St. Andrews Bay, in Florida.
CHAPTER X FACTS ABOUT GREENE COUNTY AND GREENSBORO
Greene County is so rich in history, so steeped in tradi- tion so indelibly associated with the development of the South that this, the eleventh county in Georgia, bears a great dis- tinction.
Some of the most interesting facts about the county are :
In 1897 the first telephones were installed and T. B. Rice was soon "the telephone man", also in 1897 the changing of the spelling of Greenesborough was changed to Greensboro, a fact which Dr. Rice fought with all his might, but to no avail.
In 1886 Bethany Presbyterian Church was 100 years old.
Dr. Thomas Woodrow was tried for heresy, by the Au- gusta Presbytery for discussing Darwins theory too favorably to suit his fellow churchmen. The "monkey trial" lasted two days and Dr. Woodrow was acquitted. He was the grandfather of the young lawyer Thomas Woodrow Wilson, (Pres. of U.S.A.).
J. Edgar Thompson, a former citizen of Greensboro changed the name of Marthasville to Atlanta. The Grants', the Adlers' and many other prominent Atlantians came from Greene County.
In 1820 the first Jackson Day dinner was held and Gen. Andrew Jackson was there in person.
The bloodless conquest of Florida had its origin in Greens- boro.
It was at Greensboro that the first trail to the west was started linking this town with Walnut Hills, now Vicksburg, Miss.
It was from Greensboro that Alabama's greatest states- man, Benjamin Fitzpatrick, trekked across the border.
Talk about the message to Garcia, well a Greene Co. man named Samuel Dale made the record horseback ride and car-
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ried the message to Gen. Andrew Jackson during the battle of New Orleans.
Major Oliver Porter was four times a Presidential elector.
Teachers in the early schools were: Louisa M. Alcott, (1830') William H. Seward (Sec. of War), Dr. Thos. Wood- row, Moses Waddel, Alexander Means, Rev. Francis Cum- mins, Dr. Joseph R. Wilson, (father of Pres. Woodrow Wil- son), I. S. K. Axon, (father of Ellen Axon Wilson), Dr. Francis Bowman, Ann Maria Lyman, from Northampton, Mass., and many others.
Adiel Sherwood's Gazetteer was written while he was the pastor of Greensboro Baptist Church.
Ga's first Agricultural Society was organized in Greene Co.
Nationally known men and women once were citizens of Greene.
Dr. Mary Harris Armour, Dr. John Roach Stratton, Judge Samuel H. Sibley, Dr. Nathan Hoyt grandfather of Mrs. Woodrow Wilson taught here, Dr. Francis Goulding wrote "The Young Marooners" and taught here.
The thirteen mayors of Greensboro since it was incor- porated in 1856 to 1897 were: Yelverton P. King, 1856-63, F. C. Fuller, 1857-58, Jas. L. Brown, 1859-64, Phillip B. Robenson, 1861, Reuben J. Dawson, 1862, Tunis Tunison, 1865, W. G. Johnson 1866-71, Wm. M. Weaver, 1871-78, 1892, W. H. Branch, 1878-81, James B. Park, Sr., 1881-84, and 1893-96, H. T. Lewis, 1884, 1889-91, Edward Young, 1896-98.
In 1897 Aldermen were: Thaddeus B. Rice, and James B. Williams.
The house where Pres. Andrew Jackson stayed while he was a mule driver, years before he became President, is still standing near Greensboro. While here he always visited his old North Carolina teacher, Dr. Francis Cummins.
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Four men were sentenced to be hanged for forgery in Greene County in the year 1800. They rode on their coffins to the execution grounds, where their funeral sermons were preach- ed by Dr. Cunningham, after which he handed them their par- dons.
P. Lorillard, the snuff king and racehorse owner, always had the hay cut and cured for his fine horses in Greene County.
Rev. Thomas Bowen, of Greensboro wrote the Yoraba language (African), chartered the Yoraba country in West Africa and published a map of that section and was the first Baptist missionary to enter Brazil, South America. His lan- guage book was used to translate the Bible into Yoraba and is still used in that country.
A Greene County man, Mercer Reynolds discovered the process of solidifying cotton seed oil thereby making it possible to ship the oil in blocks instead of barrels or tank cars. Mr. Reynolds now lives in Chattanooga, Tenn. (1941)
Joel Early, the father of Peter Early, is said to have built the finest home north of Savannah. It was located near Scull Shoals in Greene Co. and was known as "Early's Manor" being built prior to 1800.
John Clark, who later became Governor of Georgia, and Hugh McCall, Georgia's first historian, were jointly indicted for riot. The assault was made on John Foster Pierce, father of Bishop Pierce.
A Georgia man presided over the first court held in the Republic of Texas in 1837. This court was held under a spread- ing live oak tree in the town of Columbus, Texas. The culprit was charged with grand larceny and found guilty and sentenced to be branded with a hot iron with the letter "T" for thief and given thirty-nine lashes on the back and fined $500.00 and chained to the tree until the fine was paid. This Judge was Robert M. Williamson who was born in Wilkes Co. Ga. The court tree is still standing (1941) and bears a marker with the story on it
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Elberton was a port on the Ogeechee River in 1799 and was not far from where the town of Millen now stands.
In 1799 while Alabama was a part of Georgia there was a town at the confluence of the Coosa and Talapoosa rivers spelled Alabama and the Indian village just across the river was Coosade. The village was later known as Coosada and settled by Hancock Co. people exclusively.
Although the dividing line between Ga. and South Caro- lina is the Savannah river, the entire river belongs to Geor- gia. This is due to the change in the channel of the river which occurred many years ago. Sand Bar Ferry was Georgia's fam- ous dueling ground.
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