USA > Georgia > Wilkinson County > History of Wilkinson County > Part 35
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Second answer. He died in the Captain's tent he had a good bed for he and McArthur had nearly all the Officer's bed clothes beside a considerable quantity of hay which was next to the ground. He had a very good place to lie. What sleeping I did for five nights which was very little, I did lying at his feet.
Third answer. The name of the place where he is buried is Eddray. His name is engraved on the inside of the lid of his coffin. We also placed a rock on the lid and put very thick plank over the vault. There was a rock put at the head of the grave with his name and the date engraved on it. His disease was the typhoid fever.
Dear Uncle and Aunt, the above is as correct a description as I can give you of William's death and burial by writing. I was the only one of his relatives that was with him through any of his sickness except two days that Gory and James were there. It is true that Doss was there at the time he died but he was sick himself and was in his tent when he died. I was with him all the time and he did not seem to want any person to wait on him but me. I waited on him to the very best of my ability. Had he been my brother I could have done nothing more for him than I did do. I do not think that I did anything more than I ought to have done for I pledged myself to do all that I could for the comfort of my relatives and friends long before I left home.
Dossey will doubtless be home before you receive this letter and if you will question him you will find that his tale will correspond with my statement to you in this letter. His grave is noted by myself, Dossey, James, John Valentine, Warren Dykes and several others, so that we can find it a long time from now and I will go with you to the grave any time you want to go to it, that is if you want to carry him home, but if I were you and ever intended to carry him home, I would not undertake it now for it is a matter impossible to get wagons now and if there were plenty of wagons, the roads are blockaded so that there is no chance to get to Eddray with any kind of a carriage. It will be easier to carry him twelve months from now than it would be now. I am now about fifty miles from his grave at Rockbridge Alum Springs, five miles from the railroad.
I hope these lines will find you and family all in good health. I am in bad health at this time, though my health is a great deal better than it has been.
I close by saying, I am,
Yours with great respect, William N. Ryle.
To King Sanders.
KIRKPATRICK'S TRIAL
The Wilkinson County History would not be complete without the following article written by James P. Cooley and published in the Covington Enterprise which gives an account of Wilkinson County's most unusual case, illustrating how man can defend him- self by his past deeds, in the hall of justice. James Kirkpatrick, was a veteran of the War Between the States, and also an Irishman
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who loved his grog and was not always the genial fellow when under its influence. There are those in Wilkinson County today who remember the trial. The trial was at Irwinton, Wilkinson County, of the October term of the Superior Court in 1873. Judge George T. Bartlett was presiding and ex-Solicitor General Flem Jordan was representing the state. For the defendant was M. N. Murphy. Mr. Cooley's article follows :
"The following named jurors were empaneled and sworn to try said case: (1) R. E. Hatfield, (2) W. J. Underwood, (3) S. J. Foun- tain, (4) James Jones, (5) W. A. Hall, (6) B. I. Stevens, (8) S. A. Hatfield, (9) J. K. Arrington, (10) J. L. DuPriest, (11) John Allen, (12) R. B. Yarborough. The testimony submitted on the part of the state was conclusive as to the defendant's guilt, in that he without provocation, struck one William Smallwood over the head with a large butcher knife, almost killing him.
Arguments of counsel for the state and defendant were made. The court had concluded his charge to the jury. The impression made on the minds of all those who heard the case was that there was no escape from a conviction. However, just at this time the defendant rose from his seat and addressed the court in the following manner :
"Your honor, kin I say a word to the jury?" The court seemed surprised at this request and said: "You should have made this request before the jury was charged." Kirk replied: "Your honor, I am nothing but a poor Irishman, and have no knowledge of the court rules, and in my humble way I thought that it was not proper for me to say one word until all the gentlemen had said all they wanted to say about the case, then I might be permitted to say a word in my own behalf."
The court replied by saying: "Oh, well, go ahead and say what you want to say to the jury." Kirk then turned to the jury and said :
"Gentlemen of the jury, this trial if concerned as to him indi- vidually, it would make but little difference as to what your verdict should be, but some of the best blood in the country flows in Kirk's veins, and it would be a disgrace for such good people as he is related to to have a kinsman in the penitentiary. Besides I have a little boy named Tom, 6 years old at home sick. He can speak The Boy Stood on the Burning Deck until tears would come into your eyes, and for his sickness he would have been here to make a speech before you in my behalf. To convict the father of such a bright boy and send him to the penitentiary would be a blight upon his whole life, I know, gentlemen of the jury, that none of you desire to inflict punishment and bring disgrace upon good and innocent people. It is for this that you should spare Kirk. It would not disgrace Kirk, you understand, to convict him, and let the court send him to the penitentiary, but it would disgrace a lot of good folks. After all he is not such a bad fellow at heart. He takes his grog and he will fight and many have been sent away and carried off. Kirk is as good a fellow as Bill Smallwood, he is a great drunkard and was drunk when this difficulty occurred and Bill is as mean a man as can be and as sorry a fellow as Kirk, and you all know it. Kirk has done some good things and Bill never has done anything.
"Now, Dick Hatfield, you remember the night after the battle
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at Baker's Creek, you do, you were sent out on picket with nothing to eat. Kirk took your gun and stood at your post, he did, while you stepped aside to eat the corn. When you had eaten the second ear and dropped the cob, the noise you made attracted the enemy's picket and he cut down on the sound and came near hitting Kirk, when it should have been you, Dick, instead of Kirk. You were in a tight then, Dick, you were, and Kirk stood by you. Now, Dick, remember that Kirk is in a tight. He wants you to stick, he does," (slapping the juror on the knee.) Then he said:
"Bill Underwood, you remember when you were at Point Look- out, a prisoner, sick and lousy, you were, Bill. Kirk then waited on you the best he could, he did, set by your side and brought you out and you are here now, you are. You were in a tight then, Bill, you were, and Kirk stood by you, he did. Remember, Bill, that Kirk is in a tight now and he wants you to stick" (slapping the juror on the knee). Then he said:
"Seab Fountain, you remember when you were marching to Cor- inth after the battle of Shiloh, you remember how hungry and foot- sore we all were, Seab, you said, "Kirk, I am starved, but of all the things I want worse is a chew of tobacco; have you one, Kirk? Don't say no." Kirk took from his pocket his last chew, he did, and said, here it is, Seab. This is my last one, and I have been saving it all day until we struck camp that I may lay down on the flat of my back and enjoy it." You looked at it so pitifully, Seab, and beg- ged me so hard for it, you did, until I gave it to you and went without myself. You thanked me and said you would remember me, Seab. You were in a tight and Kirk stacked. Now Kirk is in a tight and he wants you to stack." Then he said :
"Jim Jones, you remember when we were camped at Dalton in the winter of 1863, you do, you had missed your luck and gone broke in a game. You went to Kirk and begged him for a stake, ye did, and he loaned ye one, and ye went away and came back with plenty and paid me and said, Kirk, that loan did me more good than any favor I have ever received and I shall always remember you for it. Now, Jim, you were in a tight then and broke, and Kirk stuck. Remember that Kirk is in a tight now and wants you to stack sure.
"Joe Johnson, you remember the night the army was driven from Missionary Ridge, you do. You had run out and lost your hat, and was bareheaded and shivering from cold, and came to Kirk and said, I never wanted a drink so bad in all of my life, and any man who has got any and will let me have it, I will not only pay him for it, but will stand by him to the last. You said it, Joe, Kirk had a canteen and he told you so. He did not pour it out in a spoon, but handed to you his canteen and let you take a drink, and begad, you came near drinking up the bulk of me quart, you did, Joe, and I charged you nothing for it. You were in a tight then, Joe, and Kirk stacked. Remember, Kirk is in a tight and he wants you to stack, Joe. Yes, stack, Joe.
"Alfred Hall, you were always a good praying fellow and you and Kirk did not run together only when a fight was on, and then we were about. You remember the night after the battle of Resacca, you came to Kirk, after our line had fallen back, and said, 'Kirk, my brother is left behind, either wounded or killed.' You were wounded so that you could not go, and you requested Kirk to do
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you the favor to go and look after your brother. Then it was that Kirk told you he would do it. At the risk of his life Kirk went and found him, and he was mortally wounded, took him on his shoulder and carried him for a mile or more and brought him into our lines. and laid him down and we saw him die. Now, Alfred, you thanked Kirk then for the kindness and said you always would remember it and if you could ever do him a favor, you would. Alfred, now Kirk is in a tight, and he wants you to stack.
"Bart Stephens, you remember the night the army fell back from Kennesaw Mountain across the Chattahoochee river, you were sick, you begged Kirk to stay with you and take care of you, you did. Kirk did so and carried your gun and knapsack all night for you, he did, and the next morning you thanked Kirk and told the cap- tain what had been done for you and you promised that you would always stick to Kirk, you did. Now, Bart, the time is at hand to stack to Kirk and if you think well of what he has done for you, stack.
"Sam Hatfield, you remember in the battle of Atlanta what a bloody battle it was. You got wounded, you did. We had to fall back and form a new line and you called to Kirk, 'Help me, don't leave me alone here-the Yanks will get me,' Kirk said, 'Sam, begorra, I will do it,' he did, took you on his back and carried you to a place of safety in the new lines. You thanked him then and said, 'If I can be of any service to you, Kirk, call on me. Now, Sam, Kirk don't remember that he has ever called on you before, but understand, he is calling now. He is in a tight and wants you to stack." Then he said :
"Jess Arrington, you remember when on the return after the bloody battle of Nashville in December, 1864, that it was sleeting and snowing and freezing and you were barefooted, you were. It was a terrible day, you and another soldier of some other command got into a scrap over a pair of shoes lying by the roadside, and about that time Kirk came up the other fellow was about to get the better of you, he was, Jess, but Kirk reinforced you and we soon put him to rout and held to the shoes, we did. Then you sat down and put them on and as you went on your way you were saying, 'Kirk, these shoes make my feet feel so much better, and if it had not been for you that fellow would have defeated me and would have them on his own feet. I assure you that I appreciate your assistance and whenever an opportunity is offered, I certainly will stand by you. Now, Jess, Kirk has never called on you before but he seems to be in a tight now and is calling on you, and begorra, he wants you to stack.
"You other gentlemen of the jury, whose names Kirk cannot recall, if I have not been of any service to you, do not blame Kirk, for it was only the want of an opportunity, and your misfortune for not being with Kirk for he certainly would have divided his last chew and his only drink with you, had a chance come in the way to have done so. Kirk is nothing but a dirty, drunken old Irishman, who has lost all the caste that blood and family gave him, but he carries a big heart and a forgiving spirit. He loves mercy and has a feeling for humanity. It is only when he has lost his head from drink that he is vicious and wants to fight. He is sorry that his neighbor was hurt, but it was not Kirk that hurt him, it was the
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grog that he was carrying that he ran up against and got hurt. Now, if these gentlemen of the jury who know Kirk and for whom he has done something are willing to stack to him and relieve him and his good kin folks and above all that bright little fellow from dis- grace then stand for Kirk and stack to him."
When Kirk took his seat the jury, the bar and the whole audience were deeply affected and manifested great sympathy for Kirk. The court only directed the jury to "Retire and return such verdict as you ought to find in this case." The jury filed out of the box and returned within a few minutes with their verdict, handing it to the solicitor general, who announced aloud, "We, the jury, find the defendant not guilty." Then a shout of applause went up receiving no rebuke from the court. Kirk was borne away from the court by friendly hands with congratulations.
Thus ended the most important defense ever made by a defendant in any court in this state."
Genealogical Appendix
Compiler's note : It will be noted that many of the family sketches in this volume have been prepared by members of these families. Those written by the compiler of this history were based on infor- mation and family traditions furnished by members of these fami- lies, except where he was personally familiar with the family his- tory. Every competent genealogist recognizes the fact that it is ex- tremely hard to prevent errors creeping into such sketches, and while the compiler cannot vouch for the absolute accuracy of these family histories, yet, every possible effort has been made to elimi- nate mistakes.
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THE JOHN BALL CHAPTER DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
At the invitation of Mrs. W. T. Wall, a member of the Old Marion Chapter of the D. A. R., twenty-two ladies from Wilkin- son county met at the court house in Irwinton, Ga., to organize a local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Mrs. J. W. Hooks, Gordon, Ga., appointed by Mrs. Julius Talmadge, State Regent, was the organizing regent. Mrs. A. K. Smith was chosen temporary secretary.
At the March meeting, Mrs. Hooks announced that the required number of application papers to organize were on file in the office of the organizing secretary-general in Washington and that after the National Board meeting in April everything would be in readi- ness to organize.
The organization was perfected April 9, 1926. The following officers were elected : Mrs. J. W. Hooks, regent ; Miss Nan Wood, first vice-regent; Mrs. C. G. Chapman, second vice-regent ; Mrs. A. K. Smith, recording secretary; Miss Addigene Cason, corres- ponding secretary; Mrs. J. H. Duggan, treasurer; Mrs. C. G. Kitchens, registrar; Mrs. N. H. Bacon, historian; Miss Ida Hughes, chaplain. The name "John Ball" was chosen for the chapter.
The following were charter members: Mesdames J. W. Hooks, C. G. Chapman, A. K. Smith, J. H. Duggan, C. G. Kitchens, N. H. Bacon, H. G. Lindsey, Victor Davidson, J. F. Porter, Sr., J. F. Porter, Jr., W. A. Jones, L. P. Player, Ruth Porter McKee, A. C. Todd, J. H. Chandler, E. N. Reynolds, Gertrude Carswell, E. L. Carswell, G. P. Bugg, and Misses Ida Hughes, Nan Wood, Lily Brown, Addigene Cason, Izetta and Willie Davis.
The chapter unveiled a marker at the grave of Robert Barnett, a revolutionary soldier, in March, 1927. Markers for the graves of David Clay and William Mitchell have been secured and will be erected at an early date.
On the Macon highway a marker, commerating the old Hart- ford Trail, was unveiled October 9, 1927.
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The greatest piece of work that the chapter has undertaken has been the sponsoring of the Wilkinson County History.
The following members have been added: Mesdames Fulmer Armstrong, E. J. Murphy, N. T. Nichols as an associate member, and Miss May Lamb.
(By Miss Willis Davis, Sec.)
JOHN BALL
Senator John Ball, in whose honor, the John Ball Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution was named, according to family traditions, was born near Fredericksburg, Virginia, date unknown, but presumably about 1740, and according to these family traditions, was closely connected with the famous Ball Family of which Martha Washington was a member.
It seems that John Ball removed to Camden District, South Carolina, just prior to the American Revolution, and was living there at the beginning of that struggle. We find on page twenty- five of Knight's "Roster of the Revolution," where he is certified as having served in the Revolution, by Col. Samuel Jack, who states further that Ball was of Camden District, S. C., and that he served in a Georgia Regiment. Page 404 of the same book gives the roster of the Regiment of Col. John Stewart, in which John Ball served as a private. On page 397, we find him receiving a Bounty Warrant as a veteran of the Revolution, bearing date of 1784. He evidently moved first to Warren County, Georgia, about the close of the Revolution, as Mrs. J. H. Duggan, a descendant, gives the information that he is buried at Warrenton. He later moved to his bounty lands in Washington County and established Ball's Ferry near by.
When Wilkinson County was opened up for settlement by the treaty of Fort Wilkinson and the later acts of the Legislature, there was a deluge of settlers seeking new lands. John Ball, himself, was one of these, though, at the same time, he retained his Washington County plantations, and apparently merely moved a short distance across the river from the ferry. As a mark of the esteem in which he was being held by his neighbors, those who knew him best, we find John Ball being elected to the highest office that the people of Wilkinson County could offer, that of State Senator. He served in this capacity for two terms.
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According to the records found at the courthouse at Irwinton, John Ball amassed quite a fortune for that day. At his death in 1815, he owned in addition to his plantations in Washington and Wilkinson Counties, his ferry, which was considered valuable prop- erty in that day, besides numerous slaves ; large quantities of live- stock, and other personal property.
In every generation among John Ball's descendants in this county are numbered many of the most prominent men and women that the county has afforded. Senator Wesley King married a daughter of his son, Anson Ball. Captain Green B. Burney who commanded the Wilkinson Greys in the Indian War of 1836, later a member of the Legislature married another daughter of Anson Ball.
GORDON WOMAN'S CLUB
On December 30, 1915, a small band of Gordon's progressive women met and organized the Wimodausis Club, whose name was later changed to the Gordon Woman's Club.
The club immediately federated with the Georgia Federation of Women's clubs and joined the General Federation April 6, 1916.
The object of the organization was mutual council, helpfulness, and service of women in promoting educational, civic, social and moral advancement in the community. It might well have been called a Benevolent Society for the members have looked after the sick, poor, needy and distressed, besides contributing to all worthy calls both in the District and State Federation.
If the history of the Gordon Woman's club life could be written in full from the early days to the present era of glorious achieve- ment and worthy tribute could be paid the women, who have given time and strength, and love, in the service of others, there would be a volume of absorbing human interest of lofty purpose and splendid deeds that would be a beacon light to the generations to come.
It is non-partisan and non-sectarian and the poor is as welcome to membership as the well-to-do. Its motto is: "The best is yet to be." The club colors are white and green and the flower is the pink car- nation.
The first president was Mrs. J. W. Hooks who was followed by Mrs. W. W. Lee, Mrs. J. W. Daniel, Mrs. S. H. Brantley, Mrs. J. J. Preece, Mrs. L. M. White, Miss Tom Elam, Mrs. S. R.
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Owen, Mrs. Nelle Newman Downs and Mrs. G. H. Miller.
If space permitted a glorious history might be recorded of the services of the presidents of the club since organization to the highly developed body of women of 1929 under the leadership of the pres- ent president Mrs. J. W. Brooks, Jr., with the following officers and active members : Mrs. S. R. Owen, first vice-president; Mrs. Sol Isenberg, second vice-president; Mrs. D. P. Lee, recording sec- retary; Mrs. G. H. Miller, corresponding secretary ; Mrs. J. W. Hooks, treasurer ; Mrs. R. L. Sanders, chaplain ; Mrs. J. B. Butts, press reporter. Misses Louise Brookins, Annie Lou Camp, Rosa Isenberg and Janie Elam. Mesdames R. P. Anderson, R. H. Camp, T. L. Davis, J. L. Dennard, G. W. DuPree, Lilly Etheridge, J. F. Hall, I. A. Henderson, W. D. Irby, W. A. Jones, E. C. Knight, C. G. Kitchens, E. H. Lewis, Tom Lewis, J. G. Methvin, G. S. Pow- ell, Thurman Sanders, and Janie Walker Frasuer.
MRS. J. W. HOOKS.
ROBERT TOOMBS CHAPTER UNITED DAUGHTERS OF THE CONFEDERACY TOOMBSBORO, GEORGIA
Motto-Remembering the Past, We Build for the Future.
The first preliminary meeting of Robert Toombs Chapter, U. D. C., was held in the summer of 1923 at the Christian Church, Toombsboro, Ga. Those present decided to ask Miss Louise Sulli- van, President of Mary Ann Williams Chapter U. D. C., Sanders- ville, Ga., to help in organizing the chapter, and after meetings at the home of Miss Addigene Cason and Mrs. T. H. Bridwell,, Jr., the organization was completed and a committee was appointed to draw up the constitution and by-laws. The charter of Roberts Toombs Chapter was granted in August, 1924, No. 1844.
The first regular meeting was held at the home of Mrs. F. B. Chambers and officers elected as follows: President, Mrs. L. R. Cason, Jr. (Mary Ligon) ; First Vice-Pres., Mrs. Victor David- son (Edna Nesbit) ; 2nd Vice-Pres., Mrs. H. E. Stephens (Mayme Hughes) ; Rec. Sec., Mrs. E. M. Boone (Daisy Thomas) ; Treas., Miss Addigene Cason ; Cor. Sec., Mrs. T. H. Bridwell, Jr. (Alice Freeman) ; Historian, Mrs. P. M. Jackson (Leila Florence Boyd) ; Registrar, Mrs. A. C. Todd (Sarah Cason). Among those
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who afterward served as officers were: Mrs. Victor Davidson, three years as President; Mrs. W. H. Freeman (Lorah Brannan) three years as Ist Vice-Pres .; and Mrs. Roy Cannon (Lillian Roberts) one year as Historian. The officers at present (1929-1930) are: Pres., Mrs. E. M. Boone; Ist Vice-Pres., Mrs. J. H. Shelton (Mary Player) ; 2nd Vice-Pres., Mrs. Victor Davidson ; Rec. Sec., Mrs. L. R. Cason, Jr .; Treas., Miss Addigene Cason ; Cor. Sec., Mrs. Marvin Hall (Ruby Culpepper) ; Historian, Mrs. A. C. Todd; Registrar, Mrs. F. B. Chambers (Lamar Albea) ; Chap- lain, Mrs. N. H. Bacon (Elizabeth Brett Camp) .
When first organized, the chapter held ten meetings yearly, but with the growth of interest the number was raised to eleven. The Chapter has never failed of its regular monthly meeting, with a historical program at each meeting, and all anniversaries have been observed. From a Charter membership of fifteen the chapter has grown to number forty-four and new members are being added steadily.
As set forth in its articles of Incorporation, the objects of the U. D. C. are historical, benevolent, educational and social. Striv- ing ever to remember these aims and with a real appreciation of the privilege of having a part in this great work, the members of Rob- ert Toombs Chapter are proud of their heritage.
(Chapter Committee.)
WILKINSON COUNTY CHAPTER UNITED DAUGHTERS OF THE CONFEDERACY
The Wilkinson County Chapter U. D. C., was organized April 26, 1919, by the State President, Mrs. Herbert Franklin.
The first president was Mrs. J. W. Hooks. Under her leadership and with the warmest good will of the following members: Mes- dames Annie Burke Branan, Clifford Lewis Brooks, Gussie Cum- mings Davis, Clara Hatfield Davis, Mary Davis Fountain, Janie Walker Frasuer, Jessie Brundage Gibbs, Lizzie Conyers Key, An- nie Dumas Miller, Daisy Robertson Padgett, Gillie Sanders Pow- ell, Arvilla Fountain Sanders, Willie Parker Tinsley, Moses Reg- ister. Misses Pearl Byington, Izetta Davis, Willie Davis, Sadie Davis. Stattie Viola McCook, Annie Laurie McCook, Sara Jane
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