"Untitled" 

 Concerns the Railroad Coming to Monticello

By John Harvey

By January, 1886, the railroad had reached the outskirts of Monticello.  The people were excited that there would soon be rail service to the large cities with connections to Atlanta and Augusta by way of Shady Dale.  The mayor and council were having almost daily meetings with the railroad officials trying to decide how the railroad would pass through the town.

In December, there had been an election of city officials and during the first weeks of the new year the out-going mayor, B. W. Purifoy, signed the bills and other document to finish up his term. Mr. Purifoy had been re-elected to his old position on the council, so that the new mayor and council would have the benefit of his experience.

The new mayor and most of the councilmen also had years of experience in city government.  The mayor and council picked to guide the town through this period were, Mayor, W. J. M. Preston and councilmen, J. H. Kelly, B. W. Purifoy, Dr. George R. Dozier, James T. Lewis and O. M. Benton.  Mr. Kelly had already torn down two old wooden buildings that he owned along the proposed right of way between Forsyth Street and Washington Street. Dr. Dozier had given right of  way through his property on Forsyth and South Streets.

In the October meeting of council, Mr. Kelly proposed that a town meeting be called by the mayor at the courthouse to discuss the right of way for the railroad and the location of the depot for the city of Monticello.  This motion passed unanimously and the mayor set the meeting for the afternoon of October 14.  The date was certified by F. M. Swanson, the county ordinary.

In a called meeting of council on October 13, B. W. Purifoy moved that a "true copy" of the minutes of the town meeting on October 14 be inserted in the minutes of the city council.  This motion passed, therefore we know what happened at the meeting.

The meeting opened at 5 p.m. in the Jasper County Courthouse with the election of H. S. Glover as chairman and W. M. Clement as secretary, O. G. Roberts asked to be recognized by the chairman and was so recognized.  Mr. Roberts offered the following proposal:  "Mr. Mayor and Council, I will give the land necessary for he location of the depot and all tracks on my property located in the northeast section of the city of Monticello.  Further I will give the land for three entrances to the depot from the main street from the Square.  This at no charge to the city."

On a motion by Capt. W. A. Reid that they accept this offer, it was passed immediately.  Capt. Reid then proposed that the property be surveyed as soon as possible and turned over to Col. B. W. Frobel, chief engineer for the railroad.  This also passed.  On motion the meeting was adjourned.

W. M. Clement Secretary                H. S. Glover, Chairman

Following the town meeting, B. W. Purifoy was appointed chairman of a committee to meet with those persons whose property adjoins the property offered to ascertain if their property would be damaged in any way and if they had any reasons why the depot should not be located on this property.

On October 18 in a called meeting, the council accepted the report of B. W. Purifoy and his committee.  On October 25 at a second called meeting, the council accepted the resignation of Mayor Preston.  He cited his election to the General Assembly as the reason for his resigning.  B. W. Purifoy was elected by the council as mayor, to finish out the unexpired term and George E. Persons to replace Mr. Purifoy.

On December 19, 1886, the council voted a tax of 1.05 mills to be added to all property in the city of Monticello to defray the cost of surveying the right of way for the railroad through the town.  This tax was to be paid in two installment, the first on June 1 1887 and the second on June1, 1888.  Only those who had given right of way across their property were to exempted.  They were:  N. B. White, A. J. Talmadge, O. G. Roberts, Flemming Jordan, J. W. Preston, James T. Lewis and Alfred Goolsby

Additional Comments:
Transcribed by Suzanne Forte (suzanneforte@bellsouth.net) April 2005,  from copies of articles contained in the Monticello News. There articles were prepared by Mr. 
John Harvey and published in this newspaper during the 1970's and 1980's time frame. Some were under the title "Jasper Reflections", others "Bicentennial Bits".
Permission has been granted by Mr. Harvey for use of these very valuable and informative articles.

Copies of articles provided by Benny Hawthorne.