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.”

Gipson's Annual Chili Cook Off

February 16, 1988…Jessee Yearta gives Jim Gipson a heaping spoonful of hot chili after the Douglasville cook won the second annual Gipson’s Chili Cookoff. 

Gipsons was located on Fairburn Road where El Don Tequila’s Mexican Restaurant is today.

Via Sentinel

Rock Inn Cafe

 An ad for The Rock Inn Cafe run by the Redding family from March 1949

Notes Regarding a Letter from Benjamin F. Moody Prior to 1862

As I was going through some of the boxes that were given to me containing the papers and notes of Fannie Mae Davis I found this. 

Someone (not FMD) took some notes regarding pioneer Campbell County settler Ephraim Pray in a mix of longhand and the not so much used today shorthand (Gregg's).

Deciphering it some…this information may have come from a letter B.F. Moody wrote to his mother referring to Ephraim Pray as “Uncle Pray.” Anyone knowing shorthand is welcome to transcribe for us! Benjamin F. Moody died in 1862 during the Seven Days Battle in Virginia. His home was at the present-day site of Prays Mill Baptist Church.

You can click on the image and the zoom feature on your device to enlarge it. 

Via: Papers of Fannie Mae Davis/Merrill and Tim Mason

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

Ads from the Douglasville & Vicinity Phone Book for 1963-1964

 Ads for the Coin-O-Matic Laundry, Browning’s Taxi, and J. Cowan Whitley’s funeral home published in the Douglasville and Vicinity phone book for 1963-1964

You can click the label "Douglasville and Vicinity Phone Book" to see more images from the book. 

An ad for Builders Supply Company which was located at Church and Campbellton. What is there today?

 Having grown up as the daughter of a lumber yard manager, I love the tagline “There is a material difference.” This ad was published in the Douglasville and Vicinity phone book for 1963-1964

Douglasville Elementary - Music Recital - 1953

Another recital for Douglasville Elementary School from the Gladys Adams collection. This is dated May 21, 1953. 

Do you recognize a name or two? <You can click on the image and use your zoom feature to read a bit closer>

To see other recital programs click the label "Music Recitals" at the bottom of this post or in the Index along the right side of this blog.  

Via: Gladys L. Adams Collection/Merrill and Tim Mason