USA > Georgia > Jackson County > The early history of Jackson county, Georgia. "The writings of the late G.J.N. Wilson, embracing some of the early history of Jackson county". The first settlers, 1784; formation and boundaries to the present time; records of the Talasee colony > Part 19
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He was a neighbor of George Wilson, Sr., and one of the men who labored faithfully to alleviate the suffering condition of the strange old man who died at his grave. For several years be-
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fore his death he was confined to his bed with the shaking palsy, which, at a ripe old age, wore out the finely woven tissues of his life. He died as he had lived, without an enemy, and was buried near his home on a plat of ground selected by himself. Mrs. J. W. Lord of Jefferson is his granddaughter.
Notty Gore came to this country from Ireland and settled near where J. J. Dunson, grandson of William Dunson, now lives. As his place at the logrolling showed, he was one of the men of the times. Though disposed to be peaceful, he was a terrible an- tagonist when aroused; but this never occurred on his own motion. Though a true Celt, he soon became Americanized in all respects except two or three. He never did become reconciled to reptiles and ghosts. He was more afraid of snakes and lizzards than he was of the wolves and panthers that were his near neighbors. "Ather Sent Pathric must come to Ar-mer-i-ca, or Notty Go-re must go back to I-re-land," was his common say- ing. Notty was one of the two men who saw the "ghost" at the grave during the first night the white-haired old man stayed there.
"Faith an' begorra," exclaimed Notty, "that's George come afther me, an' I'm not er goin' at all, at all!" and off he went at full speed. Though so strong, he was clumsy, and could run neither far nor fast. James Wilson, who was on his way to see about the strange old man, met Notty about the time he became exhausted and fell sprawling on the ground.
"Jamie! Jamie ! och ! honey, me darlint! it's yer fa-ther that's afther me, an' I'm all not wantin' ter go!" said the Irishman, as he lay panting, flat on his back.
Finally, becoming pacified, James and his brother, George Wilson, Jr., went home with Notty and many good laughs went around. Though so nervous about such minor things, Notty Gore was as brave as a lion when facing real danger. To illustrate this, the following incident may be given :
William Sailers, the ten-year old son of Christopher Sailers, Sr., was attacked by a gang of wolves in hearing of Mr. Gore. As usual, he had with him a very heavy hickory club which he called "his shillalah," and, in his hands, was a formidable
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weapon. Judging by the noise he knew that the wolves had brought something to bay and he ran as fast as he could to see what was the matter. He soon discovered a little boy sitting some seven or eight feet above the ground, in the crotch of a small dogwood tree, and that six or seven wolves were jumping and snapping at him. Without hesitation he joined battle; and though he was bitten in several places and his clothes badly torn, he killed every one of the wolves with his terrible club and stamped upon their tails. Old hunters said that if you mashed the tail of an animal none of its species would bother you after- wards. Hence the vulgar saying-"mashed his tail." The shep- herd dog seems to know something of this "tailology." The first snap is at the tail of his enemy, and, generally, that ends the dispute.
The battle over, Mr. Gore placed his back against the dogwood, the little boy crawled upon his broad shoulders, and in that position was carried home. The older generation of the Sailers family thought of Notty Gore as the world, for less reason, thinks of Alexander the Great.
At that time, Mr. Gore was the only member of the Roman Catholic church in the country and said that if he had not counted his beads that morning he never would have gained the victory in the wolf fight.
He became a chair-maker by trade, and by using a foot-lathe, turned and made the first split-bottomed chairs seen in the county. They were large and heavy, and made to last for genera- tions. His wife, Oeschellee Gore, died a few years after reaching her wilderness home, and left two children, Samuel and a little daughter, who soon followed the mother.
Many years after Notty Gore joined his wife and children where, Dante like, "few want to go, but going never to return" -and the Gore family was extinct in this country. For reasons that appear in the closing paragraphs of this narrative, he was buried at the side of his life-long friends, and at the very spot, reserved for the purpose, where the mysterious stranger died.
Notty Gore and George Wilson came, almost as one man, to America, and joined the army under Washington just before the
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capture of Fort Lee in 1776. There they were taken prisoners, but soon after escaped, and, being cut off from their command, they went to Philadelphia. While there they fell in love with the girls who afterwards became their wives. Wilson married Miss Martha Gevendoline Gailey, a native of Scotland, and Gore mar- ried her sister, Miss Oeschellee Gailey. Carrying their wives with them, they again entered the army in time to be in the battle of Brandywine.
At the battle of Monmouth they were both severely wounded, but the nursing of their "good angels," as they called their wives, finally saved their lives. However, they were not able to do active service again until a short while before the fall of York- town, which they reached the day after Cornwallis surrendered, Oct. 19, 1781. Like Othello, their "occupation was gone."
They turned to the west, and reaching Iredell County, N. C., remained there about two years, and then came to Georgia.
It is strange that these two soldiers, who had never heard of Clark, Bankston, Harris, Clover, Therrauld, or Gee should almost tread in the footprints of these strangers from Yorktown to the same wilderness in Georgia. Was this a coincidence-a chance, or was it a single turn in the whirligig of time which has, turn after turn, brought Jackson County to adopt the motto-"On- ward! and to the Front?"
Note: The foregoing is a fine illustration of "old times on the farm." Many of our older readers can remember when the logrollings were an annual occurrence on all the farms in the spring of the year. Even the little "brown jug," the dance, quilting and maybe the wedding at some of them, can be called to mind .- Ed.
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CELL NO. 21.
CHAPTER 1.
THE "A" FAMILY.
In 1833 there lived on Pea Ridge, near Winder, a remarkable family which was extensively known by the curious designation of "The Letter A." The father, Alexis Alston,* was an able and consecrated minister of the Baptist church, and the mother, Mrs. Almeda Alston, was known and loved throughout the coun- try for her many Christian virtues. They had nine sons, Albert, Alpheus, Almarine, Alpha, Augustus, Alford, Adolphus, Alphonso, and Abraham; also two daughters, Artemisia and Alto. Though so numerous all their names begin with A, and when one spoke of himself it was a matter of pride to say, "I am one of the A family."
While all were good-looking and of excellent character, none of the children were married. The Alstons were not wealthy, but in easy circumstances, making their living by hard work and good management. Mrs. Alston was educated and refined, and being aided by her husband, was eminently successful in educating her children.
Living in a new country, far away from the busy hum of life as now heard in that section; having few neighbors, no schools, and but one church within easy reach, we might suppose that the Alstons led an isolated life. Such, however, was not the case. They had many visitors, and among them were what was then called "aristocrats." In the summer of the year mentioned Governor George R. Gilmer and Mrs. Gilmer of Lexington vis- ited the family, and were so well pleased that they remained several days over their allotted time. Mrs. Gilmer, who was one of the first women of her time, afterwards wrote a letter to a relative in Virginia from which the following is an extract :
*Mr. Alston's parents were Mr. and Mrs. Robert Alston, who settled at Snodon (now Winder), in 1794 .- Ed.
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"I have just returned from Jug Tavern [ Winder] in the up- lands of Jackson County. Near that place lives Rev. Alexis Alston whose family is remarkable in several respects. The un- earthly beauty of his daughter, Artemisia, is, perhaps, the most surprising of all. Named after the ancient queen of Cavia, she is herself a very queen. Nearly eighteen years old, and perfect in form and feature, she is really more than a queen. Her man- ners are pleasing, her carriage graceful, and her smiles seem to be made of sunshine and gladness. Her hair, which is of a light wine color, falls in graceful ringlets over her classically formed shoulders, and when her eyes, which are of a deep cerulian blue, look at me from beneath two curls that usually meet just above them, I think her the most beautiful girl I ever saw. And when I find that her natural disposition is as sweet as her face; that with all her beauty she does not seem to know it; and that the tone of her voice rises and falls, trembles and melts away like the twinkling of a silver bell in some enchanting cathedral, then for a moment, I forget what I have seen and become lost in ad- miration of what I hear.
"All the family are trained musicians, both vocal and instru- mental; and to hear them in concert seems to lift one far above the sensual things of earth. The wonder is why such a flower blooms in almost a wilderness !
"The Alstons, however, are not without visitors. The fair Artemisia has many admirers, some of them from quite a distance. While there two young men, John Coatney and Sidney York, were paying her marked attention. So far as I could see she showed nothing but common friendship for both alike. They are handsome, but their positions in life are quite different. Coatney is rich and influential; York, though poor, has a charac- ter far superior to that of his rival."
It is the purpose of this narrative to give only so much of the history of "The Letter A" as will enable the reader to better understand a few incidents that relate to that interesting family. As stated by Mrs. Gilmer all the Alstons were good singers, and every night prayer and song, generally led by one of the boys or girls, were strictly observed. After going to bed, Mr. and Mrs.
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Alston generally, when at home, sang themselves to sleep, and a little before daybreak it was their custom to sing again until their early rising hour. Those morning songs in the silent hours of night were certainly impressive.
The writer has heard them but not at Pea Ridge; though some- times when passing along the road which still runs near that place once made glad with prayer and song, with busy life and musical laughter, he has stopped and listened with momentary expectation of hearing the old-time symphony again. He heard it not, but believes that SOMEWHERE in the vast universe of God, it is still heard as an accompaniment to the song of redeem- ing grace-a song that angels can not sing.
On the night of the 13th of November of that same year, when the Gilmers had returned home, and other visitors, though not so distinguished, had taken their places, the usual devotional exer- cises of the Alston home were abruptly brought to a close by the hasty and unceremonious appearance of Dick Manly, a neighbor who lived more than a mile distant. Bare-headed, with blazing eyes and wild gesticulations, he rushed into the house while all the family and visitors were singing, and shouting at the top of his voice that "the world was coming to an end," he fell upon his knees and asked Mr. Alston and all the family to pray for him. He was quickly followed by Mrs. Manly, who also ran into the house with a white sheet wrapped around her. Falling at the feet of Mrs. Alston, she moaned in piteous tones :
"O Meda, judgment day has come! Ga'bril will soon be ready to blow his horn! I'm ready, see I've done put on my ascension robe, all nice and clean! Pray for Dick, he curses and swears! O pray, Meda, pray ! for God's sake, pray !- pray now for poor Dick-Dick-Dick Manly !"
The sudden appearance and wild behavior of Manly and his wife so astonished all present that no one seemed able to move. Soon a distant cry was heard plaintively saying: "O Lord! the world is coming to an end, and I'm not saved! Lord what shall I do?"
Other similar exclamations, mixed with screams and wild hysterical shouting were heard in different directions. At last
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realizing that something uncommon was going on, Mr. Alston ran to the door, and looking out, hurriedly called aloud :
"All come here and see a wonderful display of the power of Almighty God! but be not afraid !"
A confused rush was made into the yard, when some one shouted: "Back into the house, all the stars of heaven are falling !"
Some obeyed, some remained; some were praying, a few were shouting and praising God; some were crying, some were scream- ing, none were cursing, then.
Consternation, wonder and amazement ruled almost supreme! The heavens seemed to be aglow with liquid fire-it was raining stars! Sometimes the whole firmanent above seemed to be en- veloped in rolling convoluted sheets of flame, leaving scarcely a place that was not covered every instant. Sometimes the sheets fell like great flakes of snow, and shooting in every direction like burning sheaves of straw in a whirlwind! Sometimes they assumed the form of great rolling, tumbling balls which, upon reaching the lower atmosphere, burst into thousands of frag- ments that made a veritable shower of fire. Far above the so- called bursting stars others could be seen, striking violently against each other, and then shooting away with inconceivable velocity in every direction, disappearing in the shadowy distance.
The scene was awful and grand beyond description. No wonder that many people, not only on Pea Ridge, but all over the Western Hemisphere, were thrown into consternation and might- ily cried to God in anxious, confused clamor.
In a short time many were assembled at the Alston home; and although he assured his troubled friends that what they called falling stars, were only shooting meteors, and that the strange phenomenon had been often seen before, thinking that he was only trying to pacify them, few, except his own family, believed him.
Good people constitute a powerful magnet which, in time of distress, draws others around them. Misery loves company. The whole scene shows that at last God is the only refuge.
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That wonderful meteoric shower, though not all the time so brilliant, lasted through the night, and, astronomers say, until nearly noon on the following day : that is to say, it took the earth nearly all night and half of the next day to pass through that part of its orbit around the sun where meteors are always shoot- ing through the heavens, and that the same place is reached only one time in 33 years.
At any rate few went to sleep that night at Pea Ridge. Some continued their prayers and wild exclamations until the brighter rays of the morning sun obscured the softer splendor of night's aerial fireworks.
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CHAPTER II. SIDNEY YORK IS ARRESTED.
Among those who arrived late after the alarm given by the Manleys were John Coatney and Sidney York, who, as already seen, were rivals for the hand of the fair Artemisia. As the form- er had hitherto shown nothing but contempt for the latter, it was surprising to see the warm friendship which sprang up between them during that eventful night. Mr. Coatney went so far as to tell Mrs. Alston and her daughters that he had found Mr. York to be one of the best men he ever knew, and that he was sorry for having cast reflections upon his good name. That astonished those who best knew him and caused some comment. A few attributed the sudden change to the "falling stars" others to a recognition of Mr. York's real worth, and still others said that no good would come of it.
When morning came and the fiery heavens had their usual ap- pearance, John Coatney, hat in one hand and gloves in the other, approached Mrs. Alston, saying :
"My Dear Madam, I am glad to see you looking so well after the exciting scenes of the night. After all it was nothing but a plaything of God, and I rejoice to know that you were not fright- ened. I am sorry that Mr. York is not present to join me in thanking you for the hospitalities of the night. I regret to say that I must now bid you good-bye."
With the grace of a Chesterfield he bowed to all present and left the room. After a long silence a Mrs. Underwood, a friend visiting from a distant part of the state, remarked:
"Meda, I am afraid of that man. The idea that God would make a plaything of any part of his creation is so absurd that it almost stops my breath. It shows a depravity that is calculated to lead to the commission of the meanest crime."
It is not known that Mrs. Underwood's criticisms had any reference to Mr. Coatney's apparent relations to the family, but none present called her conclusions in question.
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In the meantime both young men continued their visits to the Alston home, where they were always received on equal terms. Perhaps this irritated Mr. Coatney; but still their friendship seemed to grow stronger and stronger until they began to ex- change visits. They occupied the same sleeping room, and some- times hunted together in the almost boundless woods, never men- tioning, however, the girl whom they both loved so well.
One day while stopping at a spring, since called the Segars tanyard spring, Coatney carelessly said to his companion :
"Say, Sidney, who cut and made that new suit of clothes I saw you wearing last Sunday?"
"Marion Winters, a professional tailor, who lives at Hurricane Shoals over on North Oconee river," replied Sidney.
"He certainly understands his trade. The fit and make seem perfect, and I want one just like it, except mine shall be of blue broadcloth."
"That will lay mine in the shade. However, I am content to wear plain clothes until I can pay for better ones."
"I suppose you have a prospect of being able to buy finer ones in a few years," said Coatney, drumming with his fingers on a fine Ledford rifle.
"I hope not so long as that. An uncle recently died in Ala- bama and left me a snug little fortune. I expect to go after it in about two weeks."
"So that is what the new suit means?" said Coatney, inter- rogatively.
"That is one thing, though it pinched me pretty closely to pay for it and have enough left for traveling expenses," replied York sadly.
"Don't talk so sadly. I'll come down and cheer you up before you leave," said the other, rising to his feet.
"Glad to have you come, and I thank you for your kind in- tentions. Of course the legacy will be gratefully accepted; but I mourn the loss of a very dear uncle," replied Sidney, as he shouldered his rifle.
The hunt continued for several hours, but nothing further was said in allusion to new clothes or the trip to Alabama.
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Two weeks passed away, and at the appointed time Sidney York, wearing his new suit, mounted his horse and rode away to the West with the intention of being gone from fifteen to twenty days. He was a very handsome young man, broad-shouldered, of graceful carriage, fine mental capacity, industrious, and of un- blemished character. He had told his sweetheart good-bye on the previous evening, and for the first time saw a shadow pass over her lovely features as he turned to go away. "At last, thank God," he muttered, as he mounted his horse.
About noon of the same day he began his journey to Alabama, John Coatney went to a magistrate and had a warrant issued charging that "On the 9th of January, 1834, while I was sleeping in my father's house, Sidney York did then and there steal from me, the said John Coatney, one fifty ($50.00) dollar bill, No. 2152, on the bank of Augusta, Ga."
The warrant was immediately placed in the hands of a Deputy Sheriff, who, in company with Coatney himself at once started in pursuit of the alleged thief. They overtook him the second night after leaving home while sleeping in a house where he had secured lodging. When arrested he vehemently and manfully de- clared his innocence.
That was taken by the sheriff as a matter of course, and he, even rudely, proceeded to search his prisoner. A little more than seven dollars was found in his purse. His shoes, stockings, cravat, and every pocket in his clothes were next carefully ex- amined; but no money was found-nothing but a common pocket- knife of which the officer took charge.
He was then ordered to dress, pay his bill, and get ready to return. While putting on his coat John Coatney quickly grabbed it by the collar, and said :
"Stop, Mr. Sidney York, I think I saw a place in your coat collar that looks like it had been ripped open! Mr. Sheriff, look and see!"
The officer took the garment and turned up the heavy collar common to tailor-made coats in those days, and, sure enough, there was a place where the stitches had been cut. The sheriff thrust two fingers into the opening, and by making the rent
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larger drew out a carefully folded paper. It proved to be a $50.00 bill, No. 2152, on the Bank of Augusta, Ga., just as de- scribed in the warrant.
"I told you so! I am surprised at you, Sidney York !" said Coatney harshly.
"I'll face you on judgment day about this false accusation. I did not know the money was in my coat collar," replied the prisoner in tones as clear as the morning echo.
"You'll first face him before an earthly judge, the evidence is too plain for denial," said the sheriff unfeelingly.
"I'll face you, too, at the final settlement of all things, Mr. Sheriff ! I'm not guilty, sir; but am ready to go with you," was the prisoner's firm reply.
"Have you any weapons?" demanded the officer.
"You know I have none, not even a pocket-knife," was the sarcastic reply.
"Look under his pillow," growled Coatney.
Nothing was found, and the prisoner was hurried back and placed in jail at Lawrenceville, where he remained until morn- ing.
Oh, how cold and gloomy were prison walls that night and for many nights following to the finely woven nature of Sidney York ! Neither tongue nor pen can ever tell how much he suffered.
In the afternoon of the following day the great iron-bound door of the old jail at Jefferson was closed upon him. The news soon reached his friends. Their astonishment and sorrow were very great. Indignation too, played a prominent part; though the evi- dence against him was so damaging that some, not all, hung their heads in silence.
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CHAPTER III. YORK IS FOUND GUILTY-COATNEY'S CONFESSION.
At the approaching session of the Superior court Sidney York was brought to trial. He looked every inch a gentleman. Calm, cool, collected, his great black eyes seemed to pierce through judge and jury. Many of his friends were present. Able law- yers represented both sides. As nearly all the evidence was against the prisoner, few had any hope. John Coatney testified that in the conversation at the spring, York told him that after paying for his new clothes he had nothing left and that he loaned him the money found in his purse to pay his expenses to Ala- bama. This, together with the direct evidence of the deputy sheriff led some to think that it was useless for the prisoner to make any further defense. His attorney, Gabriel Nash,* did not think so. As bold as a lion and as terrific as a thunderbolt in his assaults upon an adversary, he first assailed the doubtful character of John Coatney, and drew such inferences from it as to cause judge and jury to stare with wide-open eyes. Had he known the exact words spoken by his client at the spring it is difficult to say what the effect would have been. He next considered the hith- erto well-known good character of his client as shown by first- class witnesses, and drew such conclusions from it as seemed to make it impossible for such a man to be a thief, especially when he was almost within reach of a fortune.
After an absence of something over two hours, the jury re- turned with a verdict of "GUILTY." Amid tears and sorrow the prisoner was sentenced for "three years at hard labor in the penitentiary." It was afterwards learned that Col. Nash had saved his client from two years of prison life.
The tragedy was over, and a few days after the "convict" was carried to the penitentiary at Milledgeville and assigned to his cold 3x7-foot "CELL NO. 21."
*The records of the Superior Court show that Mr. Nash was a very promi- nent lawyer in our courts .- Ed.
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To more than one home did the sombre specter of grief go and take the place of Sidney York!
As the days passed away John Coatney continued to press his suit for the heart and hand of pretty Artemisia Alston. To his infinite chagrin she still continued to manifest nothing more than common friendship for him. Sometimes he thought even that was weakening. An answer to his offers of marriage and a large fortune was always postponed for further consideration. Be- coming desperate he reproached her for being indifferent to his overtures and hinted that she would talk more favorable to a thief in the penitentiary than to himself. That ungenerous thrust enabled her to do what she had often tried to do before. She indignantly told him that she did not love him, and that even her friendship was gone forever. He left her in high "dudgeon;" but a few days after wrote her a note asking forgiveness and begging for a reconciliation. In reply she fully forgave him; but said nothing about a reconciliation. They never met again.
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