Memoirs of Georgia; containing historical accounts of the state's civil, military, industrial and professional interests, and personal sketches of many of its people. Vol. II, Part 132

Author:
Publication date: 1859
Publisher: Atlanta, Ga., The Southern historicl association
Number of Pages: 1166


USA > Georgia > Memoirs of Georgia; containing historical accounts of the state's civil, military, industrial and professional interests, and personal sketches of many of its people. Vol. II > Part 132


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JAMES C. SIMPSON, merchant-planter, Bronwood, Terrell Co., Ga., son of William G. and Alice A. (Johnson) Simpson, was born within three miles of his present home Dec. 1, 1856. On his father's side he is of Irish descent-his great-great-grandfather coming from Ireland to America and settling in North Carolina. With his sons he engaged in milling near Fayetteville, in that state, and followed it many years. Mr. Simpson's grandfather, James Simpson, mar-


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ried Miss Priscilla Williams, of Duplin county, N. C., and died comparatively young, in 1826 or 1827, leaving his widow with three children. His widow mar- ried Daniel Kennedy, North Carolina born, who came to Georgia in 1830 and settled in that part of Lee county subsequently included in Terrell county. He was a soldier in the last war with Great Britain, an old-line whig, and very highly esteemed as a citizen. He died in 1869, far advanced in years, and his wife died in 1885, in her eighty-fifth year. Both were devoted members of the Primitive Bap- tist church. The children she bore her first husband, James Simpson, were: John J., who was quite active and influential in politics subsequently to the late unpleasantness, was sheriff of Lee county many years, and afterward sheriff of Terrell county, dying while in the office, leaving a quite large family; Priscilla, unmarried and living at Bronwood, and William G. Mr. Simpson's father was born in North Carolina in 1825, and when the family came to Georgia and settled in Lee (on land now included in Terrell) county, was a small boy. He grew to manhood on the farm and was educated at the common schools of the county. He remained with the family until January, 1854, when he settled near the old home- stead and engaged in planting. In 1862 he enlisted in the Fifty-first Georgia regiment, was made third lieutenant, and with his command participated in several important battles-Second Manassas (where he received a flesh wound from a spent ball), Gettysburg, Petersburg and many minor engagements. On account of ill health he was honorably discharged. After remaining at home a few months he went to the coast and made salt until a short time before the surrender, when he came home and joined the militia, but being taken sick with pneumonia, he was compelled to come home for good. Just before the surrender he was elected justice of the peace, and in 1874 was elected to represent the county in the general assembly. He was married in January, 1854, to Miss Alice A. Johnson, born in Barnwell district, S. C., Dec. 5, 1834, daughter of Haley Johnson, who with his family, including six children, came from South Carolina to Georgia in 1844, and settled first at Smithville, Lee Co., and later on a plantation near where Dawson now stands. He was a stanch democrat, took great interest in politics, and although exempt by age, did active service in the latter part of the war. His wife, a Primitive Baptist, died in 1863, aged fifty-three years, and he died in 1884, aged seventy years. Six children were born to them: James M., in Virginia; Sophia, deceased wife of James Lester; Alice A., mother of the subject of this sketch; George, killed in battle, Knoxville, Tenn .; Lizzie, deceased wife of Gar- rard Sassar, Shellman, Ga .; Edward, served through the war, now in Texas. Mr. Simpson's father was successful as a planter, saw-mill man and merchant, and died July 15, 1885, and his mother died June 27, 1894. She was a devout and exemplary member of the Methodist church. Five sons blessed their union, of whom three are living: John Haley, James C., the subject of this sketch, and William Lafayette, Bronwood. The two deceased are: Samuel Whitfield, died aged two years and six months, and Walter J., died when eleven months old. Mr. Simpson was raised in and was educated in the common schools of Terrell county, and in 1874-75 took a course in Moore's Business college, Atlanta. He after- ward devoted his attention for many years to farming. Later he engaged in mer- chandsing, first at Sasser and subsequently at Bronwood, where he is farming and conducting a general merchandise store, and prospering in both. His only interest in politics is to vote for the best qualified, upright candidate. He mar- ried Miss Belle, daughter of Col. R. F. Crittenden, of Shellman, Randolph Co., Ga., a graduate of Andrew Female college, Cuthbert, Ga. To them two children have been born: Alice P. and Robert C.


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J. H. WILLIFORD, physician and druggist, Parrott, Terrell Co., Ga., son of Samuel and Martha H. (Dismukes) Williford, was born in what is now Web- ster county in 1852. His grandfather, William Williford, was a native of North Carolina, migrated to Georgia early in this century, and settled in what is now Madison county, where he raised a large family. Here Dr. Williford's father was born in 1810. Madison county was laid off in 1811, and his mother was born in Clarke county in 1821-yet living, and very robust for her age. His father was raised a farmer and educated at the country schools; was with the force which accompanied the Cherokee Indians to Indian Territory in 1836, read law and was admitted to the bar, and held a government position in Milledgeville. After his removal to what is now Webster county he taught school in connection with prac- ticing law, conducting a planting interest and operating a saw-mill-using the first circular saw used in that portion of the state. He accumulated a valuable property, including large tracts of land, was one of the progressive men in his section, and kept fully abreast with the times in politics and general advancement. He was held in high estimation by his fellow citizens, a stanch democrat in politics, a master Mason, and a member of the Methodist church, of which he was steward for many years. During the late unpleasantness he served in the state militia and died in 1882, aged seventy-two years. Dr. Williford's mother was thirteen years old when her parents moved to what is now Webster county, where she was educated and grew to womanhood. Her father, William Dismukes, was one of the early settlers and encountered all the privations, hardships and danger from Indian depredations incident to frontier lifc. She is the oldest of four children yet living, the other three being: Dr. Dismukes, Weston, Webster Co., Ga .; Colum- bus W., near Weston, and Jane, widow of Augustus Parrott, also near Weston. Mrs. Williford is an exemplary and revered member of the Methodist church, and of the children born to her four are living: Samuel L., Webster county; J. H., the subject of this sketch; Mary (Mrs. Hardwick), Webster county; Ella V. (Mrs. Bowman), Bronwood, Terrell Co. Dr. Williford was raised and received his primary education in Webster county and at Hogansville, Ga .; then took his first medical course at Miami Medical college, Cincinnati, Ohio, and his second course at the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery, from which he was graduated before attaining his majority. He located near where Parrott now stands and practiced in Terrell county about five years, when he removed to Web- ster county, near his old home. He remained there until Parrott began to build up, when he moved to the new town and in connection with his practice engaged in merchandising under the firm name of Williford & Whaley. He continued this until the fire in 1892, when he was burned out and lost heavily. He continued his practice with satisfactory success and is the leading physician of his locality. In February, 1894, he established a drug store in Parrott and has secured a grow- ing and profitable trade. He commenced merchant-life with his father and con- tinued it after his father's death. He was also at one time engaged in saw-milling, but the mill was destroyed by fire, involving a loss of $3,000. He was postmaster some years at Chenubee, Webster Co., and is now postmaster at Parrott. Dr. Williford has been married twice. He was first married to Miss Eudora C. Gun- nells, sister of Charley Gunnells, Bronwood, now deceased, leaving two children: Paula V. and Charley H., both at home attending school. His second marriage was to Miss Eula L. Whaley, who has borne him two children: Eudora Dodic and Mignion. The doctor and his wife are prominent members of the Methodist church.


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THOMAS COUNTY.


W. P. CLOWER, M. D., the leading physician of Cairo and surrounding country, was born in Gwinnett county, Ga., July 27, 1831. The family came from Holland to this country. One of the brothers settled in Pennsylvania and the other in Tennessee. The last-named, Daniel Clower, grandfather of Dr. Clower, afterward removed to and settled in Gwinnett county. His grandfather, when a boy, served in the revolutionary army. He was a man of strong mind and convictions; was an early and very ardent member of the Methodist church, in which he was an exhorter, and as such was known almost all over North Georgia. The father of Dr. Clower was born, raised and married in Gwinnett county, and died there in 1845. His wife preceded him about a month. He was an enthusiastic Methodist, a steward in the church and a class leader. This couple left four children: John T .; W. P., the subject of this sketch; Mary E., Mrs. David Verner, Buford, Ga .; and Nancy J., Mrs. Cleburne Davis, Gwinnett county. At the age of fourteen, Dr. Clower was left an orphan, with an inheritance of about $500. Dr. D. S. Brandon, an uncle living at Thomasville, Ga., sent for him and gave him a home. He was educated at Fletcher institute, and studied medicine under his uncle. He next attended medical lectures; first during the winter of 1853-54, at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York, and second at Pennsylvania Medical college in Philadelphia, graduating in March, 1855. Dr. Clower located at Troupville, Lowndes Co., but shortly afterward he removed to Duncansville, Thomas Co., where he practiced until 1861. Early in that year he enlisted as a private in the Thomasville Guards, Twenty-ninth Georgia infantry. Passing the medical examination, he was appointed surgeon for the regiment. Soon afterward he was appointed to be brigade surgeon, with the rank and insignia of major; his ambitious longings were thus met in less than a year. His was no holiday work, no "dress parade" display, no hospital service. As- signed to duty on the field, he was where the fight was fiercest, where the bullets flew and the shells burst fastest and thickest. Dr. Clower rendered four years of skillful, faithful and valuable service in the western army, retiring with the con- sciousness of having done full duty, and the respect of his brave, self-sacrificing compatriots. After the war, like many others, he made investments in Florida timber business, which resulted unfavorably. He also practiced his profession in the southern portion of Thomas county, whence in 1877 he removed to Cairo, where he located permanently and has established an extensive and well-paying practice. July 3, 1862, after his promotion to surgeon of brigade, Dr. Clower was married in Thomas county to Louisa V., daughter of Berry Jones of Lowndes county, by whom he had eleven children, six of whom are living: Malcolm D., in south Florida; Eugene; Louisa V .; John T .; Sarah E .; and Susan M. To the frugal and domestic qualities of his excellent wife, who to him has been a helpmeet indeed, Dr. Clower ascribes the cause of his escape from financial ruin consequent upon his Florida venture. Dr. Clower is a democrat and a "sound money" man, and is a master Mason. He is an ardent working member of the Methodist church, of which he is an efficient steward, and he rejoices especially in the fact that his beloved wife and his children are members of the same church.


JUDGE A. H. HANSELL of the superior court, southern circuit, is a familiar figure in, and one of the most prominent personages connected with Georgia jurisprudence; having been actively engaged in the pursuit of his profession for


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more than fifty-five years as advocate and judge. During all these years, whether pleading the cause of a client, or sitting in judgment on the pleadings of others, he has proven himself worthy of the highest commendation. Judge Hansell was the son of William Y. and Susan B. (Harris) Hansell, and was born in Milledge- ville, Ga., Aug. 26, 1817. His father, William Y., was born near Greenville, S. C., and being left an orphan when two years of age, was raised by Capt. William Young of revolutionary fame. At the age of eighteen he came to Milledgeville, where he studied law and practiced for many years. Later in life he removed to Marietta, Ga., whence, retiring from the profession, he went to Oglethorpe, Ga., where he died in 1867. Mrs. Hansell came from a highly connected family, being a sister of Judge Iverson L. Harris, for many years circuit judge and for six years on the supreme bench of the state. She was also a sister of Mrs. T. H. Hall, mother of three very prominent members of the medical profession: Charles H. Hall, Macon, Ga .; Hansell Hall, Milledgeville, Ga., and Hartley Hall, Laurens county, Ga. Mrs. William Y. Hansell died in 1873. Mr. and Mrs. W. Y. Hansell had seven children born to them: Andrew J., for many years a leading lawyer at Marietta, Ga., and state senator front Atlanta district, now deceased; A. H., judge superior court; Cornelia, deceased; Fannie, deceased; Tallulah, Mrs. Pel- ham, Atlanta; Martha, Mrs. G. W. Fish, deceased mother of Judge G. W. Fish, Americus, Ga .; Susan E., Blacksburg, S. C., widow of W. H. Stockton. Judge Hansell was educated at academies in Milledgeville, in McDonough, Henry Co., and Powelton, Hancock Co. He studied law under his father, and Hines & Harris, Milledgeville, and in May, 1839, was admitted to the bar in Macon, Ga. In November following he located at Hawkinsville, Pulaski Co., where he remained until 1850, when, after a two years' residence at Scottsborough, near Milledgeville, for the health of his family, he located at Thomasville, which has since been his home. The public career of Judge Hansell has been long, con- tinuously active, and exceptionally acceptable and honorable. When not yet nineteen years of age he enlisted in a Baldwin county cavalry company for service in the Creek war, in 1836, and by Gen. John W. A. Sanford was appointed his military secretary. In 1838 Gov. G. R. Gilmer appointed him military secretary for the state and in 1839 as auditor of military claims against the state. In 1845 he was the whig candidate for the legislature in Pulaski county, and although the county was two to one democratic, he was elected and served one term. In 1847 the general assembly elected him to the solicitorship of the same circuit, and to the judgeship in 1849. As the general assembly was democratic on both occasions by a decided majority, and as Judge Hansell was an ardent, uncompromising whig, his election supplied the strongest possible testimony as to his personal popularity and official integrity and ability. Presiding over the circuit until 1852, Judge Hansell resigned and removed to Thomasville and entered into partnership with James L. Seward, at that time one of the most distinguished men in that part of the state, under the firm name of Seward & Hansell. Mr. Seward was soon after- ward elected to congress; but the partnership continued until 1859, when he was appointed judge by Gov. Joseph E. Brown, and held the office until 1868. In January, that year, he had been re-elected for the full term of four years, but reconstruction intervened and he was deposed the following July. Resuming practice he continued it until 1873, when Gov. J. M. Smith appointed him judge of the same judicial circuit, and since he has enjoyed the distinguishing honor of being elected his own successor without opposition on the expiration of each term. He watched events closely, and took great interest in the discussions which preceded secession, and as a delegate to the convention voted in favor of it. His last appearance in a public body was as a delegate to the constitutional convention of 1877. Judge Hansell was married in Milledgeville May 20, 1840, to Mary A.,


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daughter of Dr. Charles J. Paine, a prominent physician, who still lives to bless and cheer him in his declining years. The children of Judge and Mrs. Hansell are: Susan, Mrs. Rev. B. L. Baker, Monticello, Fla .; Charles P., lawyer, Thomas- ville; Mary, Mrs. J. S. Denham, Monticello, Fla .; Frances, Mrs. James Watt, Thomasville; and Sallie, single, at home. Judge Hansell was made a master Mason in 1839 and is a Knight Templar, so he may claim to be a life-long Mason. In 1835 he united himself with the Presbyterian church, of which he has remained a devoted and devout member, and is now and has been an elder of the church in Thomasville ever since its organization. Judge Hansell is now acting under his eleventh commission as judge of the superior court of the southern circuit.


C HARLES P. HANSELL, lawyer, Thomasville, Ga., is the son of Hon. A. H. Hansell, for nearly half a century judge of the superior court, southern circuit of Georgia, and was born at Milledgeville, Ga., Sept. 14, 1844. He was prepared for the legal profession under the able instruction of his distinguished father, admitted to the bar in November, 1865, and practiced law for the next ten years. He then entered upon editorial life as editor of the "Southern Enterprise," Thomasville, Ga., which he conducted with marked success until 1883, since which time he has given almost his entire time to the practice of his profession. In 1887 the present firm of Hansell & Merrill was formed. The firm are the city's attorneys and enjoy the patronage of a wealthy clientage and an excellent reputation. "Capt. Charlie," as he is familiarly called, is one of the best known men in Georgia, as he has been connected with the legislature in different capaci- ties since 1877. In that year he was appointed calendar clerk, and served in that capacity and as journal clerk until 1883, since which time he has been assistant clerk of that body. Capt. Hansell was married to his first wife, Margaret, daughter of Judge R. M. Charlton, in Savannah, Ga., Jan. 14, 1869, who bore him one child, Mary H., and died Oct. 5, 1889. On Nov. 4, 1891, Capt. Hansell was married in Atlanta, to Mary E., daughter of John H. Glover, by whom he has had one child, Sarah G. Capt. Hansell is a member of the A. O. U. W., of the Royal Arcanum, and of the Presbyterian church, of which he is an elder. He is a member of Confederate Veterans' association of Thomas county, having served as a private in the Twentieth Georgia battalion cavalry from May, 1862, to the surrender of Johnston's army at Greensboro, N. C.


G.W. HERRING, one of the substantial business men of Thomasville, Ga., is the son of Henry and Bathsheba (Garland) Herring, and was born in Lenoir county, N. C., Sept. 11, 1834. His great-grandfather, Matchett Herring, emigrated from Ireland to this country before the revolutionary war and settled in North Carolina. He was a skilled silversmith and many articles of interest of his manufacture, such as knee-buckles, tea-spoons, etc., are in possession of the family and cherished as mementoes. About the time Mr. Herring reached man- hood he visited a brother in Florida and was so well pleased with the country that he determined to make his home there. Returning to North Carolina, he settled up his affairs and migrated to Florida, and bought land on Lake Miccosu- kee, on which the town of that name was afterward built, he being one of its founders. He conducted a general merchandise store in connection with farming very successfully. In August, 1868, he removed to Thomasville, where, until a few years ago, he was engaged in general merchandising. Closing that out he entered upon the business of an undertaker and funeral director. So delicately and considerately has he performed these sad duties that he has elicited universal commendation, and his firm is given the direction of nearly all the funerals in the city and surrounding country. Appreciating Mr. Herring's excellent business


A. T. MACINTYRE, SR.


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ability and irreproachable private life and uprightness of character, his fellow- citizens in 1891 elected him a member of the board of aldermen, and was continued by re-election until January, 1895, when he was elected mayor. Few persons are less self-seeking, none held in higher esteem for all the characteristics of good citizenship. Mr. Herring was married in Early county, Ga., Nov. 16, 1854, to Mattie, daughter of Matthew Perryman, who was born and raised in Early county. Mr. Perryman had formerly lived in Henry county, Ala., of which he was a prominent pioneer, and which he had represented in the legislature. Mr. Herring is, of course, a democrat in politics ; he is also a valuable member of the Methodist church, and a chapter Mason, a past-master.


P. A. M'INTOSH, M. D., Thomasville, Ga., son of John A. and Mary A. (Irvine) McIntosh, was born in Thomas county, Ga., May 28, 1853. Daniel McIn- tosh, his grandfather, was one of seven brothers who came from Scotland to this country, he settling first in Charleston, S. C., subsequently removing to McIntosh county, Ga. He was possessed of great wealth in land and slaves. Here John A., Dr. McIntosh's father, was born and reared; but went to Ala- bama, where he remained a few years, then returned to Georgia, and settled in Thomasville, where he married. His mother's family, Irvine, were of English extraction. Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. McIntosh: Duncan (deceased); Daniel W., killed in battle, Atlanta, July 22, 1864; Henrietta M., deceased wife of J. W. Price, Suwanee, Fla .; S. J., dentist, Dallas, Texas; Susanna Jane, single, Luraville, Fla .; Thomas I., merchant, Luraville, Fla .; Margaret, Mrs. Ashley Peek, Luraville, Fla .; P. A., M. D., Thomasville, Ga .; and Charles A., merchant, Luraville, Fla. Mrs. McIntosh died in 1856, and Mr. McIntosh in 1864. Dr. McIntosh was educated in the common schools at Boston, Thomas Co., Ga., and under the private tutorship of Rev. Daniel Comfort. He entered the medical department of the university of Georgia, in the fall of 1873, and was there three years, graduating in 1875. Locating in Luraville, Fla., he remained there fifteen years and built up a large and remunerative practice. In 1892 he spent the summer at the New York polyclinic, taking a post-graduate course. Returning to Georgia, he located at Thomasville, where he is achieving a splendid success. Dr. McIntosh was married in Luraville, Fla., in 1876, to Miss Ella P., daughter of Rev. William Ivey, who, during the war, fled from middle Georgia to Luraville, where Mrs. McIntosh was born and reared. To them two children were born: Paul F., fourteen years old; and Nellie C., three years old. The doctor is quite wealthy as, in addition to property accumulated in the prac- tice of his profession, he has large interests in five phosphate beds in Florida, and is president of the Luraville Phosphate company. He is a democrat in politics, and himself and wife are members of the Presbyterian church.


HON. A. T. MACINTYRE, SR., Thomasville, Ga., is one of the oldest and most distinguished citizens of southern Georgia, and one of the oldest mem- bers of the bar in the state. His continuous practice at one point for fifty-two years is probably without a parallel; and as he is yet hale, hearty and vigorous and applies himself as assiduously as ever to his cases and his books, he bids fair to add many more years to his already lengthy service. These many years of varied experience, conjoined with a real love of and aptitude for the profession, have made him almost invincible, and have given the law firm of MacIntyre & Son a reputa- tion not surpassed in the state. A. T. MacIntyre, Sr., son of Archibald and Hannah (Lawson) MacIntyre, was born in Twiggs county, Ga., Oct. 27, 1822.


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The attempt of an English king to force the Episcopal faith upon the Scotch people determined many of the Presbyterians to migrate to America, among whom were the ancestors of Col. MacIntyre, who settled in North Carolina. His father, Archibald MacIntyre, the first member of the family to come to Georgia, settled in Jefferson county, where he married in 1805. After the last war with Great Britain, in which he participated, he, having a knowledge of surveying, was appointed to survey a large body of land in southwest Georgia. This was in 1818. Being particularly well pleased with the country in the southeastern part of what is now Thomas county he noted the numbers, and when it was allotted secured a considerable tract. In 1826 he sent hands to get in a crop, and in 1828 removed to it with his family, consisting of himself, wife, and the following named children: Daniel (deceased); Catharine, deceased wife of T. C. Wyche; John L. (deceased); Hannah L., deceased wife of J. S. Wyche; A. T., lawyer; and Jane, Mrs. Adoniram Vann, Boston, Thomas Co., Ga. Col. MacIntyre's father died Feb. 10, 1830, and his mother died Oct. 9, 1842. Being only six years old when the family settled in Thomas county, Col. MacIntyre was reared in the pine woods and educated in Thomasville. He began the study of law with Pope & Harrison, Monticello, Fla., and finished under Tracy & Gresham, Macon, Ga. On March 9, 1843, he was admitted to the bar at Dublin, Laurens county. He·immediately settled in Thomasville, where, as already remarked he has con- tinuously practiced since-a term of nearly fifty-two years. His practice has been large and varied, covering the entire field of litigation, and including a vast number of important cases, involving many hard-fought battles and corre- spondingly and conspicuously brilliant legal triumphs. Col. MacIntyre has been but little in public life, his taste and ambition seeming not to run in that direction. His introduction was when, in 1849, he was elected as a whig from Thomas county to the representative branch of the general assembly, in which there were but few whig members-the democratic majority was overwhelming. An incident occurred during the session which illustrated the character of Col. MacIntyre and disgusted him with politics. It was a period when acquisition of territory con- sequent upon the Mexican war had provoked intense agitation of the slavery question, and many leading minds thought it advisable to call a convention. A resolution was introduced declaring that a convention should be called in the event of any one of four contingencies, namely: the admission of California; the abolition of slave trade between the states; the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia; and the forbidding of slaves to be carried into the territories. No opposition was made to the resolution; but when it came to a final vote each member as called voted for the resolution until Col. MacIntyre's name was reached, when he refused to vote, giving as his reason that, while he acquiesced in the last three, he held that the constitution was explicit concerning the admission of a state and that California could not be denied the right. A storm of denun- ciation quieted him, but he remained firm. It was finally moved that he be allowed to vote under protest, which he accordingly did the next day, being joined by a number of his whig colleagues and one democrat. This one legislative term disgusted him with politics. In the interval between this experience and the adoption of the ordinance of secession, he was a firm adherent to the Union, but when the agitation culminated in actual war he cheerfully fell into line with his state and gave support to his section. In 1865, Col. MacIntyre was selected as one of the delegates to the constitutional convention. He was not in favor of repudiating the war debt, but as a telegram came from President Johnson, giving no alternative, he voted to return to the Union. The following day, however, he




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