Jasper Economy

Jasper Economy, 1900 - 1905

By John Harvey

Recently, a book was passed on to us which is of considerable interest. The book, "Georgia Historical and Industrial" was one of a series published by the Georgia Department of Agriculture. The series had begun in 1890 under the direction of Dr. Thomas P. James, the first commissioner of agriculture as "The Handbook of Georgia" The book begins with a history of the state, followed by a history of agriculture in the state and ends with historical and industrial sketches of the counties.

The sketch on Jasper County gives an interesting picture of our county during this period. It points out that Jasper was once a much larger county, a section of its eastern side going to Morgan in 1815, a section on its southeastern side going to Putnam in 1819 and a section in the northern side going to Newton County in 1821.

The size of the county in 1905 is given as 410 square miles or 252,400 acres. The comptroller general's office listed 227,095 acres as improved land and the average value of land in the county as $3.37 per acre.

Factories listed as being in Monticello, the county seat, and their value were a cotton factory, $3,372.00; an iron works, $1,015.00; and a harness factory, $5,362.00.

Chief crops were cotton, 500-750 pounds per acres; corn, 15-20 bushels per acres, wheat, 10-12 bushels per acres, Irish potatoes, 125 bushels per acre, sweet potatoes, 200 bushels per acre, field peas, 20 bushels per acres and peanuts, 50 bushels per acre.

There were 4,304 cattle, of which 1,904 were milch cows producing 495,640 gallons of mil and 148,666 pounds of butter. There were 105 work oxen. A total of 68,035 chickens produced, 65,463 dozen eggs. The beehives produced 15,555 pounds of honey. A thousand sheep produced 1,404 pounds of wool.

Under the heading of work animals were listed 2,006 mules, 738 horses, 3 donkeys, 6 jenneys and 105 work oxen mentioned above, hogs totaled 9,408.

Also listed were 10,000 acres planted in peaches, 2,000 acres in apples and 200 acres in grapes. Fifteen thousand bales of cotton were produced in 1899-1900.

The 1900 census showed the Jasper County population at 15,033 an increase of 1,154 over 1890.

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.