Coopers/Stevens Pottery News
May 5, 1870
Atlanta Constitution
The Eatonton Press and Messenger says: A large well on Mr.
Stevens' place, near Milledgeville, caved in last Friday,
killing a negro man and severely injuring Mr. Cooper.
June 17, 1870
Porcelain clay or Kaolin, has been found on the lands of Henry
Stevens, at Whiting on the Milledgeville and Eatonton railroad,
and a pottery has been established here.
October 2, 1879
The Atlanta Constitution
Mr. Columbus H. Webb,
formerly of Covington, but who has been teaching school at Steven's pottery,
near Milledgeville, died recently of gastric fever.
March 4 1886
The Augusta Chronicle
Stevens Pottery, near Macon, is to have an artesian well.
March 12, 1887
The Augusta Chronicle
A TRAGEDY IN BALDWIN COUNTY
C. J. Robinson Kills Abe Youngblood, In Coopersville
Milledgeville, Ga, March 11 - (Special) The following note was received at 12
o'clock today by Coroner
Scott:
Dear Sir: I have shot and killed Abe
Youngblood, of
Washington county. come down and hold an inquest. Tell Sheriff
Ennis to
come. I am here subject to the order of the law. Yours, etc.
C. J. Robinson
The cause of the tragedy is about as follows:
One year ago Robinson loaned Youngblood five dollars. A few days ago Robinson
reminded Youngblood of the debt and asked for a remittance. Youngblood at once
board the car at his home (Davisboro,) and came up to Cooperville, where
Robinson clerked. Robinson was absent and Youngblood notified Cooper, Robinson's
father-in-law, that he intended killing Robinson.
Robinson was made acquainted with Youngblood's threat and when he went to the
store this morning carried his pistol with him. About 9 o'clock, Youngblood came
up and began cursing Robinson, and with his hand in his pistol pocket applied to
Robinson a foul epithet and threatened his life. Robinson saw that he was in a
dangerous position and drawing his pistol shot Youngblood in his breast, near
his heart and blew his brains out, killing him instantly. Robinson is a quiet,
peaceable man while Youngblood has a reputation of an overbearing bully. The
coroner's jury justified Robinson in protecting himself. Both parties are
married . When the coroner reached the scene he found Youngblood with his hands
in his pocket on his pistol.
July 19, 1887
Atlanta Constitution
The Coopersville Tragedy.
Milledgeville, Ga. July 19 (Special) The grand jury here today found a true bill
against Chas. O. Robinson for the murder of Abe Youngblood, at Coopersville, in
this county, on March 11, of this year. A full report of the tragedy then
appeared in The Constitution. The coroner's jury investigation resulted in a
verdict of justifiable homicide. It is claimed that some additional evidence has
been obtained and the case will be watcher with interest. Robinson was placed
under a fifteen hundred dollar bond and will be tried during this term of court.
July 31, 1887
Atlanta Constitution
Charles J. Robinson has been acquitted by Baldwin
superior court. On the 9th of march, 1887, Abe Youngblood, received
an insulting letter from Charles J. Robinson about a debt he owed that party.
The following day he left his home in Washington county, on the branch of the
Central road, to have, as he said, a settlement with Robinson. Robinson appeared
soon after Youngblood's arrival, when the latter approached him and said he
would like to see Robinson, who replied he would see him in the presence of
those present, adding that he was too much of a gentleman to associate with a
Youngblood. Youngblood cursed Robinson and asked him to repeat the language used
in his letter, whereupon he said he did repeat it. Youngblood repeated his
curses following Robinson (who continued to retreat) and threw open his short,
pointed to his heart and said: "Here it is; shoot, G_d d-n you." Robinson said
he was unarmed, but soon turned on his enemy and fired, the first shot taking
effect in the left arm, the second attempt missed fire and the third effort sent
a ball through the back of Youngblood's head, he having begun to retreat from
the shots. The wounded man walked a feet feet and fell face forward, with his
right hand under him and the left extended. Some time after, the body was turned
over and a pistol found under it.
December 19, 1887
Atlanta Constitution
ACCIDENTALLY SHOT
A Lad Near Steven's Pottery Badly Hurt Saturday
Macon, Ga, December 18 (Special) On Saturday last Ben Finney, aged
about nineteen, who lives near Steven's pottery, accidentally shot himself. It
appears that he had a shotgun, which he was handling in a wagon in which he was
riding. In some manner the hammer of the gun struck the railing as the boy was
in the act of leaping out, and the gun fired, lodging the charge in his left
thigh. The limb will probably have to be amputated.
September 5, 1888
The Augusta Chronicle
A correspondent from Stephens' Pottery, Ga. says: A large crowd was at Camp
Creek church on Sunday to witness the ordinance of "foot washing". It may seem
incredulous to people even in Baldwin county, that there are churches in this
the 19th century that observe that custom.
January 3, 1891
The Augusta Chronicle
Valuable Property
For Sale
Surviving Partners' Sale of Stevens' Pottery
Georgia-Baldwin County- Will be sold before the court house door, in the city of
Milledgeville, and said state and county, on the FIRST TUESDAY IN FEBRUARY,
1891, between the legal hours of sale, to the highest bidder, the entire plant
known as STEVENS' POTTERY, in said county, consisting of twenty-six hundred
acres of land, more or less, on which there is a sewer pipe, fire brick and
stoneware of all descriptions plants complete, and all modern conveniences
necessary for the production of the above articles or goods. Eleven mules, 1
horse, 1 bull, 800 bushels of corn, more or less; 7000 pounds of fodder, more or
less; 1 store house and mixed stock of goods, notes and accounts- good and bad,
amounting to $10,000; lease of 30 convicts with various terms to serve, 1 greist
or custom mill complete, dwelling, tenant and outhouses of every description,
ample and complete; In fact, everything for the successful working of this
valuable plant and property is now on it, and will be sold in a lump and entire.
The Milledgeville and Gordon railroad runs through this property, and there is
not a more healthy location in the state; sold for the purpose of division
between the surviving partners and the legatees of Wm. Stevens, the deceased
partner. Purchasers are invited to examine and inspect the property. Terms of
sale cash.
W.C. & J. H. STEVENS
Surviving Partners of Stevens Bros. & Co.
This 1st day of Dec. 1890.
June 24, 1891
Atlanta Constitution
THE STORM IN BALDWIN
Fatal Work of the Lightning Near Milledgeville
Milledgeville, Ga, June 23 (Special) During the great rainstorm here yesterday,
there was considerable wind and lightning, but not until morning was it learned
that there were fatalities connected with it.
The reports brought to the city this morning indicate that the damage was
greater in the southern part of the county than elsewhere.
Mr. Charles Finney, near Stevens'
pottery, was riding his horse from his field, when a lightning bolt killed both
rider and horse. Lightning struck a horse at Warren Edwards's place
and killed it, while it is reported that cattle in different parts f the county
were killed by lightning. A corner of the Male Convalescent buiding at the
asylum was knocked off by a bolt, but none of the inmates felt any severe shock.
The storm was severe and the electric current shattered trees in every
direction and considerable damage was done to crops.
August 13 1893
Atlanta Constitution
IN A MISTRIAL
The Case of the State Against Upshaw Ended. It Was for Murder.
Milledgeville, Ga, August 12 (Special) Without a doubt the most interesting case
that has been before the superior court of Baldwin county in the last decade was
ended in a mistrial at 1 o'clocl today, after a jury had remained in the jury
room since Thursday.
The case was that of David
Upshaw, charged
with the murder of Daniel
Goodwin at
Steven's pottery on May 16th, when the deceased was shot down like a dog and
while he piteously begged for mercy another load from a shotgun was emptied in
his face and eyes.
The defendant's plea was that he shot Goodwin because of slander heaped upon
his wife and that it was done after he had tried to check Goodwin in his slander
by legal redress. Finding that he could get no satisfaction from the law, both
being poor men, he warned the deceased not to attack the character of his wife
again.
June 25, 1896
Atlanta Constitution
A GREAT SUCCESS
One of the South's Leading Manufacturers in Macon
H. STEVENS' SONS COMPANY
Goods Are Shipped All Over the Southern States from This Manufactory-A Medal
Winner
One of the best known and most successful manufactories in Georgia, if not in
the south, is the Sanitary Sewer and Culvert Pipe Works of H. Stevens' Sons
Company at Macon, Ga. The products of this mammoth factory are shipped all over
the southern states and are the standard wherever known
The origin of this great industry traced property is located in the birth of Mr.
Henry Stevens, which
occurred in Cornwall, England, in 1813, who gave a great many years of his life
to this branch of commerce, coming to this country when yet quite a young man,
and in Georgia, more than a third of a century ago started the first factory of
this kind in the south, which stands today without an equal in capacity or
quality of production. Some years before Mr. Stevens's death he sold out to his
sons, who now own and operate the two plants.
During the last few years in which finances and trade have been so demoralized
all over the country, the company has never shut down, except for repairs. In a
few instances competitors have made it a point to agitate the advisability of
having a test made, where large contracts were to be let, but having been
defeated in every instance, this mode has been abandoned . Stevens' Sons Company
have the contract for furnishing the city of Atlanta, also the city of
Charleston, with sewer pipe for 1895, besides a good trade in nearly every
southern town and city. They have but recently finished a contract for the city
of Macon, Ga., for over thirty miles of pipe, the largest single order ever
placed in the south, and the high quality of their goods in becoming greater
every day.
The Stevens' Sons Company is the recognized leader in its line in the south,
and takes precedence over all competitors. The company makes not only all styles
and grades of goods in its staple line of sanitary, sewer and culvert pipe, but
many beautiful specimens of other articles made from clay.
At the Atlanta exposition its exhibit attracted wide-spread attention, and as
well as remembered. The committee on awards gave them a gold medal. That they
justly deserved this recognition on the part of the committee goes without
saying, and the thousands of visitors that gave this exhibit their attention
were indeed loud in their praise of the excellent quality of good exhibited.
May 28, 1898
Atlanta Constitution
H. Stevens & Sons Co.,
Fire Brick, Fire Clay, Prepared Clay, Border Brick, Traps, Branches, Etc.
Before the people for thirty years
Manufactuers
Sewer and Railroad Culvert Pipe
Plant equal to any in the south
Telephone call: 283 Macon, Ga
July 16, 1899
Atlanta Constitution
Miss Marie
Stevens is
entertaining a number of friends at her beautiful home at Steven's pottery. Her
guests are Miss
Marie Spain of
Quitman; Misses
Walden Roberts, Percy and Berrien Williams and Mr.
Robert Taylor of
Macon.
Mrs. Maury Munnerlyn Stapler and Master
Walter Stevens Stapler are spending the summer at Steven's
Pottery with Mrs. Stapler's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Walter
Stapler.
January 23, 1900
The Union-Recorder
Mr. Will Mansfield,
who is employed at the sawmill near Ivey's Station happened to a painful
accident this week, getting his foot caught badly cut by the machinery. We hope
to see him out soon.
March 30, 1901
The Constitution
John H. Martin was
cut to death in his sawmill, near Stevens Pottery, Baldwin County, Saturday
morning. He was engaged in sawing lumber, when the piece of timber caught and he
was thrown against the saw. His right arm and side were terribly cut, and he
suffered great pain for an hour, before death relieved him.
January 30, 1904
Atlanta Constitution
LEG CUT OFF BY CAR WHEELS
Pink Bloodworth Falls Beneath Central Train at Steven's Pottery
Milledgeville, Ga. January 29(Special) The northbound passenger train on the
Central of Georgia railway from Macon to Eatonton ran over Pink
Bloodworth, of
this county, last night, cutting off one of his legs.
The train left Gordon without a conductor and ran by Iveys Station, the place
where Mr. Bloodworth was to get off.
On reaching Steven's Pottery the train crew discovered there was no conductor
on board and started back to Gordon.
Mr. Bloodworth states he got off the train to find out the reason they ran by
Iveys and as the train started back he went to get on and slipped under the
train, the wheels passing over him.
June 12, 1904
Atlanta Constitution
Mrs. L. C. Manley spent last weeek at here
old home at Stevens Pottery, where she was called by the sad news of the death
of her young sister, Miss Pearl Stevens, last
Monday.
Feb 18, 1905
Atlanta Constitution
Veterans Going Fast.
Macon, Ga., February 17 (Special) D.
H. Wilkinson, a
confederate veteran died suddenly in the crib of his barn in Baldwin county late
yesterday afternoon. His death was unexpected, as he was in the best of health.
Hardly a dozen of the hundred who followed the flag of company G, Forty fifth
Georgia, through the civl war live to tell the story of that sad-starred
company. Mr. Wilkinson was one of the last of these. Out of nineteen of his
children seventeen still survive him.
July 31, 1906
Atlanta Constitution
THEY WERE SHOT WHILE AT SUPPER
Attempt of Negro to Kill George Bloodworth
The Negro Made His Escape From Prison, and Going to the Home of His Prosecutor,
Fired, Wounding Bloodworth and His Wife.
Constitution Bureau, 467 Second Street, Macon, Ga., July 30 - (Special) Bent
upon getting even with George
E. Bloodworth for
the part this citizen took in sending George
Morris, a
negro, about twenty years of age, to the Baldwin county chaingang, the later
secured a shotgun last night, after he had escaped from prison, and after
slipping up to the house where Mr. and Mrs. Bloodworth were seated at their
supper table, near Stevens' Pottery, he took deliberate aim through an opening
and fired, the shot taking effect in the faces of both Mr.
and Mrs. Bloodworth. A
small son sitting between them at the table was uninjured.
The lives of the two people were saved only through the fact that the shot
were small and scattered. Only a few shots took effect, but both were
dangerously wounded.
In the midst of the excitement the negro threw down his gun and fled. Mr.
Bloodworth soon regained himself and gave the alarm. Mrs. Bloodworth and here
son were left to the care of neigbors and a searching party started out.
The woods in the vicinty of Brown's crossing, and all the way to Macon, were
scoured with dillgence and every effort was made to locate the negro, but thus
farm he is out of reach. Fifteen or twenty armed citizens have visited Macon
during the day hoping to trace the fugitive here. Officers have been notified
and all precautionary steps taken.
Early this morning, Deputy
Tom Jones was
said to have seem a negro skulking in the shadows who filled the description,
and as all searching parties believe he came here, a thorough search is being
made in Macon.
George Bloodworth, bother
of the injured man, was among the searchers, his brother having been too badly
injured to make the hunt.
The wounds of the injured Bloodworths have been attended and are thought to be
not necessarily fatal. Mr. Bloodworth may lose an eye, but he and his wife will
recover. They realize that they had a very close call and neighbors who learned
of the negro's deed, have become greatly wrought up. He would have been lynched
without ceremony if he had been captured last night.
January 13, 1907
Atlanta Constitution
Milledgeville, Ga.
One of the prettiest of home weddings was that of Miss Alma
Echols to
Mr. Cleveland
Cooper,
which occurred at the home of Mr. and Mrs F.
A. Echols, of
Steven's Pottery, on Tuesday morning, of last week. The bride wore a traveling
suit of blue cloth, and the couple left for Atlanta immediatley after the
ceremony, for a stay of a few days. After a week they will be at hom at Coopers,
Ga.
June 2, 1907
Atlanta Constitution
Invitations have been received to a reception to be given by Mr.
and Mrs. Lu Manley on next Tuesday evening to meet Mrs.
B. B. Brown. Miss Webb's marriage to Mr.
Brown occurs Tuesday morning at Stevens Pottery and Mr. and
Mrs. Brown will reach Griffin that afternoon.
March 11, 1908
The Augusta Chronicle
Extensive mines of pure kaolin. The Stevens Pottery, up the Georgia, near
Milledgeville is the finest deposit of clay in the world.
January 18, 1910
The Union-Recorder
Two Deaths in Family
Mr. Isaac Mansfield died
in this city Sunday, and his remains were buried at Stevens Pottery Monday, Rev.
B.P. Searcy officiating.
His daughter, Mrs. Emma
Etheridge, died
in Macon Monday and was buried at Stevens Pottery this morning.
Mr. Mansfield was an old soldier, and was an honest hard working man."
June 6, 1910
The Augusta Chronicle
At Warm Springs Mr. & Mrs. J. H. Stevens, of
Stevens Pottery, Georgia are entertaining for a week, at least a large house-
party at the hotel in honor of their young attractive daughter Miss
Ruby Stevens. Among the house-party guests of the Stephenses
are Mr. and Mrs. L.C. Mauly, Griffin, Misses - Marjorie
Woolcott, Louise Durkee, Louise Drewry, Sarah Garland, Mary Blanton, Mussadon
Brown, of Griffin; Miss Mary Davis of
Decatur, Ga.; and Mr. W.B. Webb of Jackson. In
addition to entertaining these guests, Mr. and Mrs. Stevens expect a number of
visitors here to the house-party during the length of it.
November 27, 1913
Atlanta Constitution
McKinley-Bone
Milledgeville, Ga., November 26 (Special)
The marriage of Miss
Anne Ansley McKinley to Mr.
Russell Glenn Bone took
place last evening at the suburban home of the bride's parents, Mr.
and Mrs. Guy C. McKinley. Miss Pauline McKinley, sister
of the bride, acted as maid of honor, and Mr.
Jesse Bone, the
groom's father, as best man.
The bride is the youngest daughter of her parents, and is pretty and
attractive and popular. The groom is a well-liked young business man of Stevens
Pottery, where the young couple will make their home.
August 1, 1914
Atlanta Constitution
STEVENS VICTIM OF A PAINFUL ACCIDENT
Macon, Ga., July 31. (Special) W.
C. Stevens, one
of middle Georgia's wealthiest citizens and head of the Stevens pottery in
Baldwin county, sustained a broken collar bone at the home of his daughter, Mrs.
M. M. Stapler, today
when the chain of a swing in which he was seated broke.
Mr. Stevens has been in poor health for some time, and because of his advanced
age some concern is felt as to the outcome of his injury.
1915
May 9, 1915
Atlanta Constitution
MINTER-CRAWFORD
Mr. and Mrs. John
Easter Minter, of
Columbus, Ga., announce the engagement of their only daughter, Winnifred
Bradley,
to Dr.
Robert Lee Crawford, U.S.N.,
of Washington, D.C., the wedding to take place in the early fall. Dr. Crawford
is a son of the late E.A. Crawford, of Tallahassee, Fla., and a descendant of a
long line of physicians and surgeons, among them being Dr. Crawford Long, who
discovered anaesthesia. After a brilliant record of three years at Vanderbilt
university, and later at the Army and Navy Medical college, at Washington, Dr.
Crawford received his first commission from the navy department at the age of
24. Miss Minter's attractive personality and her musical and literary
accomplishments have won for her a large circle of friends who will be
interested in the announcement of her engagement.
Note: John Easter Minter, born in Baldwin County, was the son of Charles
Floyd and Martha Jane (Chambers) Minter.
1921
Feburary 20, 1921
Atlanta Constitution
Community Clebration In Baldwin County
Mrs. J. L. Beeson, of Milledgeville, president of her district federation,
writes of a sucessful community celebration in her district:
On Georgia day the Salem
school and
community invited their neigbors, the four-teacher Cooperville school
and the one-teacher Camp
Creek school
to join them in their patriotic program.
The two schools accepted the invitation and so did representatives from the
Junior Order of United American Mechanics and twenty members from the federated
clubs.
At 1 o'clock was begun the first number on the program-a barbecue and picnic
dinnter.
This fine community followed the old tradtion of the Georgia barbecue.
Ogelthorpe himself, our great founder, set the example, although he served his
barbecue on South Carolina soil.
As the two-teacher schoolhouse, with Misses Smith and Humphries in
charge, was too small for the crowd, all the exercises were held in the church
with the exception of the raising of Old Glory to the top of a beautiful
flagpole and then reciting in concert " The Amercian's Creed."
Song-"America"
Invocation - Rev. Mr. Jordan
Words of Welcome - Miss Mary
Smith
Response to Words of Welcome on Behalf of Clubs - Mrs. E. R. Hines
Response to Words of Welcome on Behalf of Junior Order - P.N. Bivins
"Jes' a Wearyin' for You" (Frank Stanton); "Dreamy Days" (Frank Stanton);
"It Isn't Raining Rain" (Robert Loveman) - Mrs. L. P. Longio
"Jones' Private Argyment" (Sidney Lanier) Reginald
Martin
"Oglethorpe and Tomochich" - Robert
Ivey
"Georgia Schools" - School children
"The Great Seal of Georga" - Three school boys
Presentation of Bible to School - Warren Edwards
Presentation of Flag - Hon. Howard Ennis
"The Americn Creed" - Recited in concert.
Benediction
October 17, 1921
Atlanta Constitution
KILLED IN AUTO WRECK
Macon, Ga. Oct. 10 -Frank Echols, 25,
secretary and assistant general manager of Stevens Brothers, pottery
manufacturers at Stevens Pottery, was killed this afternoon when an automobile
turned over three times, on the national highway 40 miles south of here. Tom
Lawson and Pariah Mercer of this city substained serious
injuries. Echols was a lieutenant in the seventh division and Mercer was an
aviator in the World War.
November 15, 1927
Atlanta Constitution
Milledgeville Pottery Plant Damaged by Fire; $50,000 Estimated Loss
Milledgeville, Ga. Nov. 14 (UP) Fire which started from a stove in the molding
room of one of the plants operated by Stevens, Inc., at Stevens Pottery, nine
miles from here, partially destroyed the smaller plant owned by the company. The
loss is estimated at $50,0000 by Walter
S. Stapler, president
of the organization.
Stevens, Inc., which is owned and operated by heirs of the late W.
C. and J. H. Stevens, manufacture
firebrick at their two plants at Stevens Pottery. Mr. Stapler said that the fire
will not materially affect the company as the larger plant was not damaged and
plans will be made for the rebuilding of the destroyed plant as soon as the
board of directors can be convened.
The company has its own fire apparatus and firemen were at work soon after the
flames were discovered. It was only due to the work of the employers who aided
in fighting the fire that the damage was not greater, Mr. Stapler said.
The building was partially covered by insurance.
Eileen Babb McAdams