From the Pages of the Southern Star and the Monticello Star - 1892

(Part I and II)

By John Harvey

Part I

Over the years, Jasper County has had a number of newspapers which were published for a short time and then disappeared.  One of these was the Southern Star, which changed its name to the Monticello Star in March 1892.

The editor and manager of the Star was Frank G. Webb, a young Monticelleoan and graduate of Georgia Tech who had returned to Monticello and entered the newspaper business.

Webb, as editor, wrote a weekly column called "Sam Snip" a column in which he reported on the local scene, told little stories about local people, and reported on the informal debates held around the pot-bellied stove in the general store.  Many of the subjects would have fared credibly with the Demosthenian Society at the University. 

Politics were easily taken care of for the city of Monticello during the month of January.  The January 6 issue noted that Mayor R. W. Warren had called a town meeting on the night of January 3rd at the courthouse for the purpose of nominating a slate of city officers for the next two years.

Those nominated were E. H. Jordan, mayor, and W. R. Pope, J. H. Kelly, C. E. Wellington and H. S. Talmadge, councilmen.  R. Newton was nominated for city clerk.  The story went on to say that as there were no Republican nominees, the election would be held on Tuesday, January 12.

A notice in the same issue of the paper stated that the winter term of Monticello High School would begin on January 11.  Those wishing to attend were to apply to G. W. Persons, secretary of the Board of Education. C. G. Power, principal, announced that tuition would be 25 cents a month.

The Rev. G. Evans, pastor of St. John C. M. E. Church announced that it would hold services at the church on the fourth Sunday each month 7 a.m., 11 a.m., and 3 p.m.

Dr. J. E. Smenner advertised from his drug store on the northwest side of the Square that he had a full and fresh stock of drugs and medicines, oils, stationery, soaps and brushes.  "We can make in our pharmacy, liver pills, headache powders, cough syrups, toothing powders, and tonic bitters", the ad said.

R. W. Hutchinson and Br. advertised that they had the most complete dry goods store in Jasper County.  In their ad under "BOOTS! BOOTS! BOOTS! FOR EVERYBODY!" they went on to say that they were loaded with values for wives, husbands, young ladies and young men.  Many items that sold well at Christmastime were not on sale.

The January 20 paper headlined the completion of the new jail across the railroad tracks from where Mini Foods is today.  After describing an inspection of the new jail by the editor and the sheriff, an interview with Sheriff F. D. McDowell explained that the six prisoners presently in the Monticello "lock up" would be moved to the new jail within the next few days.

In March, the paper devoted a column to Major John Key, who had been "visiting around" the county with various groups, preparing to take his seat in the state legislature for another term.

On March 16 under the headline, "A Small Mystery", the following story appeared:

"On March 3, the Central Railroad erected new signals for its switch engines at Machen.  Sometime during the night on March 9, someone chopped them down.  Railroad detectives and the City Marshall of Shady Dale are investigating.  The railroad has offered a $50 reward for information leading to the culprits."

On March 23, the paper informed the local public just how bad the situation was with the local railroad.  In a story headlined, "Lease Broken - All Central Officers Resign" and sub-headlined "Mrs. Clark Brings Suit Against Richmond and Danville R .R." the paper described the events in a stockholders meeting held in Macon just three days before.

The railroad had been returned to the Federal Court and its appointed board of receivers, Col. Alexander of the board of receivers had petitioned Federal Judge Emory Speer to issue a hold order to prevent the Richmond and Danville from moving any of the Central's equipment out of the state.

On April 6, the railroad story continued with H. M. Comer was elected president, bringing in a new slate of officers.  The new officers stated that they planned to operate the line, at least until January 1893, and they were awaiting the wishes of the courts.

Part II

During June and July of 1892, the chief topic of interest was the continuing battle over the railroad.  First, Drexel and Morgan Company of New York was appointed to take over reorganization of the Central.  The Richmond and Danville Railroad was relieved of all responsibility for the Central shortly after which they declared bankruptcy.  Then Drexel and Morgan refused to take over the affairs of the Central and was now back in the he hands of its court appointed officers.

On the lighter side, Prof. Charles Lane of Atlanta brought his series of lectures, "Lessons not Learned in Books", billed as "fun and entertainment for everybody" to the Monticello Academy for two nights in June.

In July, Prof. O. L. Kelly of Atlanta was elected principal of the high school and it was announced that tuition for the coming year would be $1.00 a month.  Dr. Charles Jordan announced that he had become the proprietor of Smenner Drug Co.  He announced that he would continue in business on the northwest corner of the Square and continue to manufacture the same medicines as in the past.

On August 31, the Methodist Church announced the completion of a county-wide religious census and that the results were available to the other churches in the county.

on September 3rd the first execution to take place in the county jail was carried out in the new jail.  The story was carried in the September 5th issue.  Then just two weeks late a second prisoner committed suicide by hanging.  This gave the jail a reputation, which it carried until it was torn down in the 1930's that is was haunted.  The September 5th issue also carried the list of grand and petit jurors for the fall term of Superior Court.

The October 5th issue carried the grand jury presentments and gave a picture of the county just before the turn of the century.  They included:

1.  The courthouse is in need of repair and painting.  The jail needs cleaning and the jury suggests that the sheriff set a regular time each day that this be done.

2.  Roads and bridges in the northern part of the county need repair from the recent bad weather.

3.  The county officers were commended for the keeping of their records and all records were found to be in order.

4.  The Poor Farm was in excellent shape.  The eleven elderly residents were found to be clean and well cared for.  It is suggested that the grove of pine trees near the buildings be cut down and replaced with fruit trees, which will benefit the residents.  The present administrator of the Poor Farm is urged to remain in office.

5.  The grand jury urges the Governor to appoint J. P.'s and notaries to fill the following vacancies in the county:  G. M. District 290, 265,, 292 and 297.

The October12th issue, printed the day after the Democratic primary, carried the headlines, "Glorious News - Georgia's Democratic Primary Victory for Hon. W. J. Northern".  Wins by 70,000 majority.  The story went on to state that Mr. Northern, a resident of Sparta, and former Commissioner of Agriculture, had many friends in Jape County and that during the last days of the campaign many merchants in the county had closed their stores to get out and campaign for him.  The returns for Jasper County shower Northern with 855 votes.  His nearest opponent was Peek, with 359.

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.