A Change in Management at the Lois Cotton Mill

 107 years ago…news concerned the Lois Cotton Mill where there was a shift in control of the mill among the members of the Geer family out of South Carolina who owned the mill at that time (the second owners of the mill). One brother resigned as president and another brother who had been the superintendent of the mill and lived here in Douglasville, Major Earnest Geer, took over in the top spot. Major in this instance does not indicate military rank but was Mr. Geer’s first name. He and his family lived here in Douglas County for several years and were very involved. Geer eventually served a term as Douglasville’s mayor. I provide the complete text of the article below:

“At a recent meeting of the directors of the Lois Cotton Mill, J.M. Geer of Greenville, South Carolina, President of the mill tendered his resignation.

This was a complete surprise to the directors, but after hearing Mr. Geer’s explanation of his action his resignation was accepted, and his brother, M.E. Geer, the present manager and Vice President was elected President in his stead, and JM Geer was elected Vice President. An executive committee consisting of A.W. McLarty, J.T. Duncan, and L.C. Upshaw were also elected at this meeting. In the promotion of M.E. Geer to the presidency of the company the directors feel that they are bestowing a merited endorsement of his successful management from the building of the mill to the present.

The Lois Mill has had a somewhat remarkable career, having been built and started during the panic days of 1907-1908. It moved steadily on when other financial enterprises were collapsing, and many old established mills were being forced to close down. And it now enjoys a most excellent credit and is regarding in the east, where many of its largest stockholders live, as one of the safest and most promising financial enterprises of its size in the South.

The remarkable success of the new President has gained for him an enviable reputation among the stockholders and directors of the mill, and he is receiving congratulatory letters from quite a number of them who live away from here. Mr. Geer has proven himself a most valuable citizen since he cast his fortune among us in 1907. While at all times an alert and keen businessman he has never been too busy to lend a helping hand in every laudable enterprise that had for its object the upbuilding of Douglasville. And we understand that he is now planning, from his new vantage ground, to do more for us than he has ever done – in the promotion of a new cotton mill enterprise, which will be as large or larger than the present mill.

We most earnestly urge all our citizens and businessmen to back up Mr. Geer in his effort to make Douglasville one of the most prosperous towns in all this section of Georgia.”

John Pendleton Watson, Jr. (1849-1917) - Obituary

 1077 years ago…This obit for John Pendleton Watson, Jr. (1849-1917) appeared on the first page of the “Douglas County Sentinel” published on Friday, February 2, 1917. He was the son of Samuel H. Watson, Jr. and grew up at Dark Corner where his father was appointed postmaster in 1840 and by 1853 was a justice of the peace. He was named for his uncle John Pendleton Watson, Sr. (1809-1889) who was in Campbell County by 1836. I’ve transcribed the full obit below.

From the obit…”When news reached Douglasville Saturday morning (February 27) that Mr. John Pendleton Watson had died suddenly at his home in Adairsville, it cast a shadow of gloom over the entire community.

Mr. Watson had spent most of his life here and no man was better known throughout the county. For many years he was one of the leading merchants in Douglasville, and besides holding other positions of honor and responsibility, at one time represented this county in the state legislature. <served 1886-1887>

At the time of his death, he was a traveling salesman <census data shows he was a tobacco salesman> and made this town frequently and was here on Wednesday before his death.

Mr. Watson was 64 years old and had been married twice. His first wife was Miss Savanah Stewart, sister of Dr. FM and ER Stewart of this place. Three children from this union survive him, one son, JM of Dallas, Texas; Mrs. Lucile Moss of Nichols, Florida; and Miss Annie May Watson of Adairsville.

His second wife was Miss Reecie Stewart of Adairsville, who, with one son, survive him. He also leaves three brothers; J.A. of Lithia Springs, I.M. of Atlanta, and M.B. of Douglasville, and one sister, Miss Sallie Watson of Douglasville.

His remains were brough to Douglasville Monday evening and the funeral conducted Tuesday in the chapel of the Douglasville College, where an immense crowd gathered to the last tribute of respect. The services were conducted by Rev. Mr. Maxwell, of Adairsville, his pastor, assisted by Rev. J.C. Atkinson. <the Douglasville College, a school serving grades 1-11 sat approximate where the fire station/armory sits today on Church Street>

He was a consistent member of the Methodist church and of the Masonic Lodge, which fraternity performed the last sad rites when his remains were interred in Douglasville cemetery. <Find-A-Grave does not show his grave and the notes of Joe Baggett indicate a marker is missing>

He was a good citizen and will be greatly missed, not only in his home community but here, where he had spent most of his life.”

Via: Douglas County Sentinel – February 2, 1917

Douglas County Board of Commissioners - Disbursements - 1917

 107 years ago...the disbursements made by Douglas County Commissioners were published in The Douglas County Sentinel for January 26, 1917. 

Times have certainly changed.

The Bankhead Highway

 107 years ago, this week…The proposed route for The Bankhead Highway was on most people’s minds. The Bankhead Highway Association had formed in 1916 with many proposed routes. Today, we know that the fixed route between Washington, D.C. and San Diego, California did come through Georgia and most importantly Douglas County providing one of the best roads in the area as well as revenue for the many businesses that sprang up to accommodate the hundreds of travelers each day that would make their way through the county, but in 1917 it was still uncertain if the route would go through Douglas County.

In the issue for January 12, 1917, the Douglas County Sentinel provided some updated details for the highway and stated, “…This is a Big thing and Douglas County can’t afford to sleep over her privileges. It’s not a dream, but a reality and it’s coming here if we want it and take proper steps to get it, but unless we do, it will go where there is sufficient interest and appreciation to conform to the requirements of the U.S. government…”

Social News - December 28, 1917

 The social and personal news in Douglas County, Georgia fron The Douglas County Sentinel dated December 28, 1917

There are several names here to review

List of Downtown Douglasville Businesses - January, 1917

The following businesses were listed in a “Happy New Year” ad in the Douglas County Sentinel dated January 5, 1917……two or three were cut off.  I’ve placed these symbols <  >  to note sections of text I could not make out.

 Douglasville Banking Company

Farmers & Merchants Bank

Duncan & Selman – Ford agents

Almand & McKoy – Hardware

JW House – planning mill and ginnery

JC McCarley  - the Ten Cent Store

JR Duncan Fire and Life Insurance

JQ Enterkin & Son - groceries, heavy hardware, feedstuffs

JO Connally Shoe and Harness Shop

Smith-Harding Supply Co. - Successors to VR Smith

Cansler Brothers Garage

Stewart Brothers - General Merchandise

Miss LI Freeman - Millinery and Notions

Mozley Brothers Groceries - Fresh Meat

Kozytorium Theater

EC Roberts – Groceries and Fresh Meat

WA Abercrombie – Livestock, wagons and Buggies

Little Gem Café

Smith’s Garage – Auto repairing of all kinds

NB and JT Duncan – General Merchandise

JH Smih – Staple and Fancy Groceries

Giles Brothers – The Cash Store….General Merchandise

Dake & McLarty – Real Estate

WL Turner – Watchmaker and Jeweler

JL Selman & Son – Druggist

Roberts Café

<   > Sanitary Barber Shop

Harry A. Edge, The Cash Grocer

<   > Wilson – Watch repair a specialty

Palace Barrber Shop

Upshaw Brothers

<   > Drug Store

<   > S. Abercrombie – Horses and Mules

J. Groodzinsky – Drygoods, clothing, shoes, millinery, and ladies ready to wear

Frank P. Dorris & Company, Staple and Fancy Groceries, Sucessors to JE Phillips

LH Baldwin, Blacksmith

Palace Pressing Club

WC Abercrombie, horses and mules

GW Griffith, Staple and fancy groceries

<   > Dow <    >

News Blurbs for January, 1917

At this point in time the Douglas County Sentinel was published each Friday. The Editor and owner was ZT Dake.  A one year subscription costs $1.50

You could purchase a swan hat at Stewart Brothers.

GW Gilland was looking for a few customers to take five gallons milk off his hands.

A Ford touring car was $389.25 (delivered) at Duncan & Selman and a roadster was $374.25.   The dealership was located where Hartley Rowe & Fowler is located today on Broad Street.

An obit regarding WW Strickland in the January 5, 1917 issue stated, “WW Strickland was buried here Monday, a prominent citizen and former postmaster at Austell. He was buried at the Douglasville City Cemetery Monday. He was a former citizen of Douglasville, many friends, and the brother of Mrs. WA James of this city. A member of the Methodist Church. Leaves widow and no children.  Sixty three years old.  His brother, Parks Strickland  of Texas was here along with his sister for the funeral.

Another obit also appeared in the January 5, 1917 issue as well titled “James Aderhold Dead”.  It said….”former citizen of Douglasville, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Aderhold of Douglasville died in an Atlanta sanitarium Wednesday at age 45 – lingering illness of several months.   Leaves a wife, one daughter, his parents, three brothers – Dr. Charles W. of Oklahoma, Ernest of Gadsden, Alabama; and Mat of Atlanta.  Three sisters as well – Mrs. JL Giles, Mrs. JE Wilson, ad Mrs. IB West. The remains were brought to Douglasville Thursday.

The January 5, 1917 issue also had some news regarding the Oddfellows. Douglasville Lodge No. 162 for the Oddfellows has recently reinstated more than fifty members due to the effort of “wide awake secretary, Brother EL Hopkins.  “The value of a man like this to lodge and to a community is inestimable. Common sense and energy, reinforced with the principles of the order, make a well nigh resistible force.”

New Elected Officials Taking Office - January 5, 1917

Under the heading “New Officer Takes Charge” the following people were sworn into office:

TL Pittman, clerk of Superior Court

Ralph Morris, Tall Collector, succeeding FM Winn Jr. and GS King, respectively

Judge JH McLarty, Ordinary

JW James, Tax Receiver

WS Ragan, Treasurer

AS Baggett, Sheriff

GT McLarty, School Superintendent

Social and Personal - January 12, 1917...Part Two

More from the social column……see part one here

Nat Mozley has bought the Gordon Smith residence and will move in the next few days.

Mr. and Mrs. JH Griffith spent several days recently with their son Wilburn at East Point.

Miss Edith Dake is suffering this week from a genuine case of measles.

JD Enterkin of Winston was a pleasant caller at the Sentinel office this week.

FM Giles has moved to his new home

CC Johnston, a popular merchant from Winston was here Monday.

VR Smith left Tuesday for Florida where he will spend about ten days

Mrs. Viola Bullington, Route 6, had her subscription set forward a year this week.

Dr. JO Morgan of Pittsburg, Pa. spent Saturday with Dr. RE Hamilton

Mr. and Mrs. DP Burson was called to Atlanta this week on account of the illness of

their daughter, Mrs. JH Lane.

FH Souter of Route 1 and WJ Walker of Route 6 are among the new Sentinel readers this week.

WC Jones of Villa Rica has moved to Douglasville and opened a shoe shop in JH Smith’s store.

OH Gable of Winston was in Douglasville Wednesday.

Miss Willie Tackett of Route 6 is among those advancing their Sentinel subscriptions

JW McKinley who has some large contracts with the government at Mobile and other places spent the holidays here with his family.

Fifteen young ladies met at the home of Miss Nannie Love Selman last Saturday and organized a D.D. Club. Their motto is depend on the D Ds.   Their colors: black and white.  Flower: Dew Drops.

Mrs. JW Souter has moved to Austell.

Social and Personal - January 12, 1917....Part One

The Social and Personal column mainly served as a way for the Douglas County Sentinel to post the comings and goings of people through their offices to renew their subscriptions, but occasionally some good tidbits of information show up.

Two children of WW Estes have measles.

The Carnival has gone, for which let us be thankful.

Mrs. Cassie Baggett is very sick this week.

Born Saturday to Mr. and Mrs. IS Hathcock, a son.

FM Yancey of Route 4 was in Douglasville this week.

LB Chapman, Route 1 has a Sentinel visitor this week.

Dr. Reed of Bill Arp was in Douglasville Wednesday.

Dr. and Mrs. WS Tomlinson have moved into the house of Mrs. Louise Longino.

Miss Golden of Bremen is visiting her sister, Mrs. Astor Merritt.

FD Parsons of Hiram was a caller at the Sentinel office this week.

Hon. John T. Duncan visited the experiment station at Griffin this week.

Captain JC Joyner of Lithia Springs was here Monday to attend the funeral of WW Strickland

CE Hesterlee of Bill Arp was a pleasant visitor at the Sentinel office last week.

Mrs. TW Shannon of Atlanta is a guest of her sister Mrs. OT Selman

Mrs. Thad McKoy has as her guest this week Miss Cleo Bryant of Lyerly

Duncan & Selman have begun work on a 60 x 70 brick building for a Ford service station.

Vivian Collins who has been connected with the fifth district A & M School at Monroe has moved back to the farm and is again a citizen of Douglas County.

WR Smith of Villa Rica, a skilled painter and paper hanger has moved to Douglasville and is occupying the Mrs. Lela Smith residence.

 See part two here…..

The News from Midway Community - January 12, 1917

I found this charming little article in the Douglas County Sentinel….

It has been some time since Midway has had a letter in the Sentinel, but it is not because we  have lost interest in our county paper, but because the writer  has been confined at home with rheumatism and has not been able to get about and get any news worth writing.

There have been many changes since our last writing. Many of our old acquaintenances have moved away and new folks have come to take their place. We hope these changes are for the better.

Frank Rainwater has been very ill for the last few days.

Clark Neal has moved his saw mill on CF Hallman’s place near the residence of Joe Rainwater.

Mrs. WH Bobo visited Atlanta last week.

Miss Evelyn Hatchett was a guest of her sister, Mrs. Tom Fargarson, Sunday and Monday.

Mrs. GS King and Miss Nellie and Mrs. Colson spent Monday afternoon with Susie Rainwater.

D. Morris of near Hiram was in our community Monday.

Mrs. Ida Huckaby of Douglasville is visiting her daughter, Mrs. Grady Roberts.

Mr. and Mrs. Arthur King spent Sunday with Vollie Rainwater and wife.

Best wishes for our paper and editor for this year.

No Name