December 6, 1876 –
The Champion Burglar.  The Arrest and Jailing of Jim Hubbard—Some of His Exploits.  Monday Detective W. L. Jones returned from Madison, having in his custody a prisoner of no little fame in this section, and who has been wanted here for about a year Jim Hubbard, for such is the name he goes by although like other men of prominence in the house-breaking profession he has a dozen aliases, is a copper colored darkey about 40 years of age.  He was born in Oglethorpe county, where he passed the days of youth and early manhood without any especial incident, and migrated this way soon after freedom.  His talent for getting into other people’s houses soon manifested itself and Jim rapidly rose to the proud position of being the Champion Burglar of Atlanta.  His exploits have been numerous, but we have only room to allude to a few.  In person he is a large strongly built negro, and in disposition he is fearless and crafty.  

Jim’s burglaries commenced over a year ago at the resident of Mr. J. Hurt near Edgewood.  He made several attempts upon this residence, and finally succeeded in entering the pantry where he retired with plentiful booty in the shape of provisions.  Previous to this he had descended several times upon the hen house with considerable effect, until finally, some of the family, alarmed by the rapidity with which their fowls were disappearing, instituted a search of the woods in the vicinity and there found a nice coop that Jim had built, and sunk in the ground, as a store house for his chickens.  After this the country became too hot for Jim, and he removed to Atlanta where, on the 22d of November 1875, he succeeded in accomplishing two burglaries.  He entered the house of J. Warlick and stole 25 pounds of flour, a quantity of lard, potatoes, syrup and sugar.  He also entered the house of  R. A. Crugar, 49 Calhoun street and increased his store of booty.  On the 10th of December following, he broke into the residence of J. H. Corley, and stole a miscellaneous collection of articles, embracing lard, butter, butter dish, sugar, potatoes, beefsteak, and rice.  These various exploits made pursuit warm, and Jim, sharp as he was, soon after his last burglary, fell into the Philis times, and was locked up in the dungeon of the guard house.  The morning after his incarceration Officer Starnes brought him up out of the dungeon and set him down in the office by the fire to warm.  While Jim was sitting there the conversation turned upon his burglaries, and Starnes remarked incidentally that they had got a dead case on him.  No soon had the words escaped Starnes’ lips than Jim was up and gone.  The officers simply saw a long slit in the air as Jim passed out of sight, and although several shots were fired at him he outran the pistol balls.  Nothing more was heard from Jim until last week, when he turned up in Madison.  Officer Bonuelt, who has been looking for him a long time, heard that he was there and had him arrested.  Yesterday Justice Butt sent Jim to jail on two distinct warrants, charging him with burglary.
 

December 15, 1876 –
There was a pleasant gathering of intimate family friends at the residence of Judge G. F. Platt, in this city, early yesterday morning, to witness the marriage of his third daughter, Miss Nellie C. Platt, to Mr. George C. Hall, a popular young merchant of Crawford, Oglethorpe county.  The service was admirably performed by Rev. J. T. Leftwitch, D. D., pastor of the Central Presbyterian church, after which the bridal party sat down to a well-prepared breakfast.  We say to the newly wedded pair, in the pathetic language of Rip Van Winkle, “May you live long and be happy.”
 

February 3, 1880 –
The Oglethorpe Echo says that Mr. James M. Smith has this winter cleared and drained with convicts [unreadable] containing 250 acres in a single body—the richest piece of land in this section.  The present year it will be planted in corn.  Mr. Smith has not turned off a single hand on account of his convict force, but has opened fresh land and enlarged his fields.  He has 400 acres acres [sic] of poor land that he paid over $10 per acre for to get a disagreeable neighbor away.
 

April 17, 1880 –
Oglethorpe Echo: We never knew an officer to grow in popularity so fast as Judge Pottle of late.  The longer our people know the judge the better they like him.  We have felt the pulse of our country and it is a general wish that he be re-elected.  We do not know where a better or more acceptable judge could be found.  He has the law at the end of his fingers and his charges are noted for their profound wisdom and justice. It is rare that the supreme court reverses one of his decisions.  He has presided over many important cases in other circuits than his own, and in both his official and private life, Judge Pottle is honored and respected—he is one man without guile.
 

April 27, 1880:
The Oglethorpe Echo says that Mr. John W. Bacon, of Lexington, has a mule 21 years old, whose wisdom has certainly increased with age.  Last Friday she went to a blacksmith shop, and poling her head in the door, refused to go away until a workman came out and fixed an awkward fitting shoe.  When the blacksmith approached, the animal held up to him the bad shoe, and so soon as he had reset it, left perfectly satisfied.  This mule always goes to the shop of her own accord when anything is wrong with her shoes.  The workmen know old Judy’s ways, and never fail to attend to her wants.

May 27, 1880:
James Hutchins, of Oglethorpe, is on a visit to Atlanta.
 

July 20, 1880:
Renfroe in Oglethorpe.  Lexington, Ga., July 18.—Colonel J. W. Renfroe, state treasurer, arrived in Lexington Saturday morning, and at two o’clock addressed a small but select audience in the court-house, composed of leading citizens from nearly every district in the county.  Colonel Renfroe came here in face of a strong prejudice, but he met a kind reception.  His address was calm, dispassionate and convincing.  He did not utter a word against his opponent, Mr. Speer, but simply defended and vindicated himself in the eyes of our people.  Portions of his speech were so touching that tears were seen standing in the eyes of some of his hearers.  He was heartily cheered at various points in his speech, and at the convulsion four-fifths of the audience came forward and gave him their hand and pledged support.  This county will go overwhelmingly for Renfroe.  It is the only county in the state where the people will vote direct for state treasurer, and will show that the masses of Georgia indorse and sympathize with the best treasurer Georgia ever had.  Saturday night he paid a passing visit to Crawford, a place that was solid against him, and after a private talk with the citizens gained several valuable supporters, among them Messrs. J. J. C. McMahon, Professor J. F. Cheny, G. C. Hale, Walter Maxwell, D. H. Arnold and others.  I believe he will even carry that precinct.  Our people were delighted with Colonel Renfroe, and pronounce his face honesty itself.  They say it is wrong to condemn him for what every man in Georgia would have done had they been in his place.

Since the fact has been made public that Mr. Speer owns a bank himself, which is a state depository and that the law will sanction in him the same action for which they arraigned Mr. Renfroe, I cannot believe that our people will be so unjust, unwise and prejudiced as to change officers.  If every voter in Georgia would see and hear Colonel Renfroe, there would be no doubt of his election.

This county will go for Colquitt three to one.  Many of Lester’s strongest men have joined the Colquitt ranks since Paine’s charges.  They are denounced on every side.  Paine will re-elect Colquitt governor.
 

July 23, 1880:
The Treasurer’s Race.  Mr. Renfroe’s Victory in Oglethorpe County.  The election in Oglethorpe county was unique and significant in one fact.  It is in the only county where the people have voted directly for the state-house officers.  It is the only county in which the candidates run against each other in popular race.  Although Mr. Renfroe was under the disadvantage of having this race forced in a county which was the home of Senator Lumpkin, who voted for his impeachment and who opposed him in the race, he carried the county by an almost unanimous vote over his opponent, We merely mention this as one of the significant phases of this many-aided campaign.  It may be added that, in Sumter county, the ticked headed, “This ticket will vote against Renfroe,” was defeated.
 

July 27, 1880:
Treasurer Renfroe in Oglethorpe.  Oglethorpe Echo.  As he took his seat, for an instant perfect stillness pervaded the room, when with one second a deafening applause followed.  Then the audience, with few exceptions, rushed to the speaker, and with a hearty shake of the hand pledged him their support.  Saturday night Colonel Renfroe spent with Mr. J. J. C. McMahan, in Crawford, and had a pleasant talk with many of the citizens, who called on him.  In this town he did not have a single supporter, but before he left a number had pledged him their support.  Every one who met Colonel Renfroe was pleased with his manner, and we do not believe a man who listened to his explanation to-day questions his integrity.  If every voter in Georgia could meet Treasurer Renfroe face to face, he would be re-elected by an almost unanimous voice.  He is a good and honest man.
 

November 26, 1880:
The Daily Constitution.  An Unpublished History.  A Valuable Posthumous Record.  Macon Herald.  In an interview with the venerable Judge Hiram Warner, during his recent visit to Macon last month, we were informed by him that the late Governor Wilson Lumpkin had, several years previous to his death, been engaged in writing the history of Georgia.  After completing the laborious task, he left the manuscript with his family, with the request that they would have it published after his death.

The late war soon followed the death of the author and distinguished statesman which, with the general confusion for many years afterwards, prevented the publication of this valuable contribution to the history of our state.  The manuscript is in the possession of the daughter of Governor Lumpkin, and Judge Warren can give further information respecting its merits.

There have been few men better qualified to write the history of our state than Governor Lumpkin.  When he was but one year old his father removed from Virginia, in 1784, and settled in Wilkes county, Georgia, a portion of which is now Oglethorpe county, and in 1798 he became clerk of the superior court of the latter county, and at the age of fourteen his son Wilson acted as assistant in his office, and at the same time studied law.

Shortly after he became of age he was elected to the legislative from Oglethorpe county, and continued a member for several years in both houses of the United States congress.  He was twice elected governor of Georgia.  In 1823 he was appointed by President Monroe to run the boundary line between Georgia and Florida; he was also one of the commissioners appointed by President Jackson under the famous Cherokee treaty of 1835.

He was appointed by the state of Georgia a member of the board of public works, for the purpose of internal improvements, which had in view the construction of canals and railroads.  Governor Lumpkin was appointed to accompany the civil engineer and report upon the expediency of his surveys.  The able report was adopted, and the routes recommended, varied but little from that of the railways in the state before the war.

He was personally acquainted with every governor of Georgia, and familiar with his administration, for more than half of the present century.  We cannot but regard his unpublished history as highly valuable, and take great pleasure in recommending to the legislature that they will examine into its merits and aid in its publication.
 

October 20, 1876 --
Married in Georgia – W. A. Weatherly, of Athens, to Miss Lula Calloway, of Oglethorpe county.
 

October 20, 1876 --
Pope Barrow, Attorney at Law, Athens, Georgia.  Will practice in the counties of Clarke, Jackson, Oconee, Madison, Oglethorpe and Wilkes.  Collections made and promptly remitted.
 

October 22, 1876 --
Died in Georgia:  L. Culbreath, of Oglethorpe county.
 

January 5, 1878 --
Larry Gantt, of the Oglethorpe Echo, spent Christmas in Elberton.
 

January 19, 1878
The Oglethorpe Echo is now about the neatest and the prettiest weekly paper in the state.  It has thirty six columns, carries a large cargo of reading matter, and is ballasted with a quantity of live advertisements.  The editor, Mr. Gantt, is to be congratulated.

Mr. T. D. Biggs, of Oglethorpe, lost a fine mare last week.  The animal was left in a shop, which caught fire and was destroyed.

Oglethorpe Echo:  Several of our citizens will, during the present week, leave for up the railroad and Atlanta.  Messrs. Bowman and D. A. Mathews are to leave to-day for the up country to look after the cross ties and secure additional subscriptions in the same.  Messrs. Jones and Grogan will follow to-morrow for Toccoa, and Messrs. W. H. Mattox, T. M. Smith and perhaps others will leave on Friday for the same place, where the party, with others who will join them on the route, will hold a constitution and then separate; part going to Atlanta and part returning down the road to continue the work of getting up cross ties.  The business of completing the road has been undertaken, and will be pushed without faltering.

Oglethorpe Echo: On some portions of the railroad we learn there is great enthusiasm in the matter of getting out cross-ties, and there are several parties contending for that $50 gold prize.  Mr. I. D. Glover has, we learn, already commenced the delivery of ties on the road, and perhaps others higher up have done the same.  From present indications the complement of ties will be forthcoming on that portion of the road from ten miles beyond that portion of the road from ten miles beyond that point before any other.  We hear some talk of a contest on the first section from Elberton, and hope it will be worked up.
 

January 22, 1878 --
Mr. H. H. Arnold, of Oglethorpe county, Ga., has lost all his fattened hogs this winter by the cholers, and, for the first time in his experience as a farmer, has to buy meat.  The swine around Lexington in that county are also dying from this disease.
 

January 31, 1878 --
Mr. Wiley Carter, one of the oldest citizens of Oglethorpe county, is dead.
 

February 2, 1878 --
Oglethorpe Echo: On Friday last a report reached our ears that Mr. Ben Daniel had shot and seriously wounded Mr. Peter Dalton.  An investigation of the affair showed that our information was in only part correct, as the wound received by Mr. D. was by no means fatal.  From the conflicting reports prevalent, we glean the following, which we believe to be very near correct: It appears that the lands of Messrs. Daniel and Dalton join, and the former gentleman wishing to repair a line fence, was somewhat surprised at a refusal from Mr. D. to assist him in the improvement, that gentleman contending that the said fence was his individual property, and that Daniel had no shadow of a claim thereto.  Upon this version of the affair reaching Mr. Daniel’s ears, he at once penned a note to Mr. D., setting forth his claims, and sent the same by a tenant on his place, named Poss, who delivered the missive.  After reading it Mr. Dalton pronounced the contents a “d—d lie,” and returned the note to the messenger without further comment.  Poss carried the note back to Daniel, and repeated to him the words of the recipient.  Next morning Daniel rode to Dalton’s, accompanied by Poss, and calling that gentleman to the gate, redelivered the note, telling him that he had learned he (Dalton) had given his words the d—d lie.  Mr. Dalton again read it, and remarked that he “didn’t know whether he did or not.”  Upon his veracity being brought into question, Mr. Poss stepped forward and said, “Mr. Dalton, you dare not deny giving that note the d—d lie yesterday in my presence!”  To this Dalton replied, addressing Daniel, “God d—n you; you came here for nothing but a difficulty, and you can get it!”  At this juncture Daniel struck his antagonist over the shoulders with a small cane or riding switch, and Dalton resented the blow by knocking his assailant down with a stick.  Upon Daniel regaining his feet, he drew a pistol and fired at Dalton, the ball passing through his wrist and part of his clothing, a pocket book and bundle of papers turning the course of the bullet and thus preventing a serious if not fatal wound.  Terrified at the turn taken by the dispute Poss seized his employer and wrestling the smoking weapon from his hand, prevented a second shot.  Mr. Dalton, finding himself disabled, walked into his house.  Both parties in this unfortunate affray are highly respected citizens, and the occurrence is deeply regretted by every one.  Commenting upon the affair, a gentleman remarked that it is a matter of surprise to him that there are not more difficulties than there are about line fences in this county, as very few boundaries are properly defined, and the fences, as a general thing, are in a most dilapidated condition.
 

February 14, 1878 –
Eli Amoson, of Taylor county, died suddenly in Oglethorpe the other day.
 

February 16, 1878 –
The Oglethorpe Echo nominated Hon. H. H. Carlton for governor of Georgia.
 

February 20, 1878
Notice of Bankruptcy.

This is to give notice that on the 18th day of February, A.D., 1878, a warrant of Bankruptcy was issued against the estate of Walter Wray, of Maxeys P. O., county of Oglethorpe and State of Georgia, who has been adjudged a Bankrupt on his own petition, and that the payment of any debts, and the delivery of any property belonging to such Bankrupt, to him or for his use, and the transfer of any property by him are forbidden by law; that a meeting of the creditors of the said Bankrupt, to prove their debts and to choose one or more assignees of his estate, will be held at a Court of Bankruptcy, to be holden at the Register’s office in Union Point, Georgia, before William W. Lumpkin, Esquire, Register, on the 9th day of March, A.D., 1878, at 11 o’clock, a.m.

O.P. Fitzsimons, United States Marshal, as Messenger.
 

February 22, 1878 –
Hon. George W. Paschal, of Texas, constitutional lawyer and legal writer, died yesterday morning in Washington, D.C., of heart disease, after a long illness and months of suffering, aged 65 years and three months.  George W. Paschal was born in Greene county, Georgia, in 1812, but his family removed to Oglethorpe while he was very young, and he was brought up there.  His parents were unusually intelligent and his family of good standing and respectability, but his father having failed in business young Paschal’s educational opportunities were necessarily limited.  He endeavored by hard work and steady application to make up for these deficiencies and made much more progress than could be expected.  He studied law with such success that he received a license to practice, subscribed by the well-known William H. Crawford, in 1832.  He commenced legal practice in Lumpkin county, in his native state, where he remained four years, during which he achieved a fair amount of success.  But while practicing law, he continued his legal studies and gave some attention to science and general literature.  He was also a frequent contributor to the newspapers, and his articles attracted a good deal of local attention at the time.  In 1837 he removed to the little town of Van Buren, Benton county, Arkansas, where he acquired some celebrity in a famous fugitive slave case.  He was elected to the bench of the supreme court of Arkansas, but after a few years voluntarily retired and resumed the practice of his profession.  Judge Paschal’s practice rapidly increased, and it soon became very extensive.  But professional activity did not make him forget his books, and he seemed to become more and more studious as he advanced in life.  He took charge at a critical moment of the famous “Cherokee case,” wrote a great deal on the subject and largely increased his reputation, especially among the friends of the Indians.  The “Treaty of Amesty” of 1846 was the result of his efforts in this direction.  In 1848 he was invited to Texas, and located himself at first in Galveston, but subsequently removed to Austin.  In Texas he found it necessary to make himself thoroughly acquainted with the civil law and with the laws of Spain as modified in the Mexican states of Coahuila and Texas.  He also became extensively known as a political writer, and did much to preserve Texas from the absurdities of know nothingism and the proslavery fanaticism which demanded the reopening of the African slave trade.  When the dangers of disunion were menacing the country in 1860 Judge Paschal exerted himself to the utmost in warning his countrymen against the evil consequences of secession.  Finding his warnings disregarded he retired from political controversy and devoted himself to his profession and to the writing of books.  His “Annotated digest of the laws of Texas” and his “Annotated constitution of the United States” are works of great usefulness.  In 1865 he returned from Washington to Austin, and issued an address to the people of Texas, informing them of what was necessary to be done in order to get the state back to the Union.  The same year he visited Judge Reagan, ex-confederate postmaster general, and Alexander H. Stephens, ex-vice president of the confederate states, by request of the former at Fort Warren, and on his return published a long letter in the Herald, giving an account of his interview with the captives and making a strong appeal that clemency should be extended to them.  Judge Paschal resided in Washington for many years, where he was well known as an able lawyer.
 

March 2, 1878 –
The Oglethorpe Echo makes no mention of the fact that Colonel Larry Gantt may be seen any pleasant morning before the sun is up, engaged in the grateful task of making up his asparagus bed.
 

March 9, 1878 –
The cabin of Mr. G. W. Mattox, of Oglethorpe county, was burned recently.
 

March 16, 1878 –
Oglethorpe Echo: On Mr. Obediah Steven’s plantation is the largest canebrake in this section.  So thick grows the reeds and misery the land that neither man nor animal can penetrate it but a few rods.  This place is the roosting place of myriad of black-birds, which can be seen any evening about sunset, by the thousands.  Numbers of them are killed by sportsmen, but as they generally drop among the cane, they are lost to the hunters.  Mr. Stevens has one of the most valuable bodies of bottom land here in the county, and it is in apple-pie order.
 

March 31, 1878 –
The Oglethorpe Echo says: A report reaches our ears, which we hope has no foundation in fact, that the Hon. J. D. Mathews contemplates moving to Alabama.  To any such steps, Colonel, the citizens of Lexington will enter a protest.  Mr. T. P. Callaway has not bought a bushel of corn since the war.  Notwithstanding he was in the dry streak last year, he will, with his oat crop, manage to “weather the storm.”  And “that’s what the matter with Hannah.”
 

April 7, 1878 –
Captain Whid Johnson, of Oglethorpe county, is thinning and plowing over his corn the first time.
 

April 13, 1878 –
Dr. W. M. Willingham, of Oglethorpe county, has turned his attention to sheep culture.  He has now over a hundred head, and it is his intention to largely increase his flock if the gains come up to his expectation.  Last spring he bought a pair of Merinos, and has now a number of the half breeds, which are said to be an improvement on the full bloods.
 

April 21, 1878 –
Mr. J. Jewell, of Oglethorpe county, sold in Athens, last week, a bale of cotton that was made during the war.
 

April 23, 1878 –
Over in Oglethorpe.  Reminiscences of a Famous Georgia County.  The Old Settlers—The Present Conditions of the People—The Court, the Lawyers and the Crops.  There is not in the state of Georgia a county with more popular historical recollections than the county of Oglethorpe.  Nature made it the richest in Georgia, and when the war of the revolution was ended, nearly a century ago, the county was populated with a bold, chivalrous people from the states of Virginia and North Carolina, who have left the impress of their genius on every hill and valley in the county.  It was the home of Wm. H. Crawford, the greatest man in the United States—a man who was not only admired by his people for his great and noble mind, but by the world.  No man ever had the reputation abroad attained by this noble son of Georgia.  He was loved by his neighbors, honored by his county, and respected by all people.  We hope the day is not far distant when the state of Georgia will honor him as he deserves by presenting his statue to the government to illustrate Georgia at the national capital.

It was the home of many of Georgia’s great men.  The Mathews, Gilmores, Merriwethers, Lumpkins, Cobbs, Collins, McGee’s, Thomases, Upsons, Millyhans, and a large list of the famous men of this state, lived in Oglethorpe.

Gov. Mathews was attracted by the fertile lands of Goose Pond district, during the revolutions.  He and many comrades came from Virginia, and settled this county soon after the revolution, and to-day, you can see the impress of their genius in the county.  It is truly a representative county of Georgia.  Within its borders, can be found land that will produce everything that is profitable to cultivate.  It abounds in rich minerals—it is healthy, and pleasant in winter and summer.  You can look back through the dim vista of the past and find men who have lived from ninety to one hundred years of age.  It is a good old county.  Five governors of Georgia and two judges of the supreme court of Georgia have come from Oglethorpe county, and to day they have an hundred men who could fill either place with honor and credit to Georgia.

Lexington is the county-seat, a quiet, unobtrusive town, that has never been incorporated—never had a mayor, a marshal; or a calaboose.  Notwithstanding all this, it is a neat and pleasant place to live, filled with live, energetic people, schools and churches, and probably has less drunkenness than any town of its size in the south.  In it is the once famous home of ex-Gov. Gilmer, where you can to-day see traces of the splendid place where h entertained thousands of visitors.

He had in his garden a long arbor of scuppernong grape vines, leading to a beautiful grove where nature had formed a grand mass of granite that will well repay a visit Lexington to see.  It is here where a huge bolder, weighing many tons—known as the shaking rock—is so nicely poised that a child can shake it.

Many of the citizens of Atlanta once lived in Lexington, and not a few of them remember with pleasure it’s pleasant and happy hours.  While there last week the  Brick Academy, where Judge H. K. McCay taught school when a young man, was pointed out.  It has stood for over a half century as a monument bearing the name of a noble gentleman, who came to Georgia from Ireland a poor man, and accumulated a fortune there, (Francis Masou.)  The venerable Dr. Cummins, was once rector of this institution.  To-day Prof. Moore, a brother-in-law of Judge McKay, is in charge of it, and has been for a number of years.

The impress of the distinguished men who have controlled this institution; can be seen all over the county in the refined, sober and industrious people who inhabit the county.
 
 

Oglethorpe Superior Court, was in session last week—Judge E. H. Pottle, presiding, one of the best judges in the state; a man pleasant, yet positive in the administration of justice.

The Solicitor General Seaborn Reese, was on hand.  He is not only one of the handsomest men in the state, but one of the best lawyers.  Coming from the long line of distinguished ancestors, he shows his blood, not only in the court house, but in every circle.  The judge and the solicitor general of this circuit, are an honor to Georgia.

The clerk, George H. Lester, has administered the duties of his office for nearly a half century.  He is a quiet studious man, whom you would not take for over forty years of age.  Yet he signed the certificate of Judge Pottle, when he was admitted to the bar.  He gave Judge McCay his certificate, and can point to a long list of distinguished lawyers, not only in Georgia, but in Alabama, Mississippi and Texas, who have his name attached to their credentials to practice law.  The bar of Oglethorpe county has always been able, and to-day there are some of the best lawyers in the state there—Col. J. D. Mathews, Sam Lumpkin, J. T. Olive, W. G. Johnson and others.  Our young friend Phil Cook, son of General Phil Cook, as admitted to the bar last week, and in forty-eight hours after his admission heard his first client sentenced to the penitentiary, not-withstanding the fact that he stood a capital examination, and was well posted not only in civil but criminal law.  He has the consociation of knowing, however, that the best lawyer in the world could not have saved his client.

One of the institutions of the county is the Oglethorpe Echo, the only paper in one of the largest, most intelligent and wealthy counties in the state, with a circulation of the counties of Elbert, Clarke, Madison, Walton, Green and Wilkes, besides being a weekly visitor to almost every family in Oglethorpe.  Mr. T. L. Gantt is the editor and proprietor.  A hospitable, genial gentleman—not only a practical printer, but a practical editor.  We can testify not only to his success as a newspaper man, but to his generous hospitality.  He is winning the success his merit deserves.  He publishes the best county paper in the state and can demand, and receive, pay in advance for all his work.  When this is said about a newspaper, daily or weekly, it covers the ground of praise of successful journalism.

The people of Oglethorpe are prosperous and intelligent.  They are in advance of many counties of the state in farming.  We noticed, in and around Lexington, a new cloyer—the scarlet-top clover-growing luxuriant, and found, on inquiry, that it was a clover peculiarly adopted to our climate.  It is an annual, growing about two feet high, yielding more forage to the acre than any species of grass or clover that can be cultivated in this state.  It is truly a wonderful forage plant, and we are surprised that is not more extensively cultivated in the state.  The seed can be purchased at two dollars and fifty cents per bushel—is sown in the month of October, and during the winter months can be used for all kinds of stock, and can be taken from the ground in time to plant a crop of corn or peas.  It will make Oglethorpe, or any other county in the state as rich as they were before the war.

A visit to Oglethorpe county, will satisfy any one that there is life in the old land yet.
 

April 30, 1878 –
Mr. W. B. Brightwell, of Oglethorpe county, has made arrangements with a northern company of capitalists by which the entire gold belt in the lower part of this county will be leased and worked.  A few preliminaries are yet to be settled.  We hope soon to see our vast mineral resources developed.  The people residing in the gold region are enthused at the good fortune that awaits them in the near future.
 

June 22, 1878 –
Notice of Bankruptcy.  In the District Court of the United States for the Northern District of Georgia—In the matter of Madison P. Briscoe—In Bankruptcy.  This is given notice once a week for three weeks that I have been appointed as Assignee in Bankruptcy of Madison P. Briscoe, of Bairds town Oglethorpe County, Georgia, who has --- adjudged a Bankrupt upon his own petition and I have accepted the appointment.

W. O. Mitchell, Union Point, Ga., May 24th, 1878.

128 june8..dla3s sat
 

August 8, 1878 –
It was stated in The Constitution the other day that Colonel Billups was born in Clarke county.  He was born in Oglethorpe county.  But, really, it doesn’t make any difference where he was born.  He will make an excellent representative in congress, and will be elected.
 

August 17, 1878 –
Mr. T. L. Gantt, of the Oglethorpe Echo, offers a reward of ten dollars for the arrest of some wretch who broke the leg of his cow recently.
 

August 17, 1878 –
The Oglethorpe Echo bewails the decline of fox-hunting in that section, and says that on the plantation of Mr. George H. Lester both grays and reds have become as common as rabbits.  We would like to inquire of Mr. Lester if the grays and reds use the same ranges indifferently.  A few years ago the appearance of a red in a neighborhood was sufficient to set the grays in motion and ultimately drive them away.  It will be an interesting fact to know that they have so far assimilated as even to feed over the same range.
 

December 8, 1878 –
Last night at the Kimball house Dr. M. M. Landman was married to Miss Irene M. Yerby, by Rev. H. H. Tucker.  Both the bride and groom are from Oglethorpe county.  We congratulate them heartily.
 

December 8, 1878 –
Mrs. Lumpkin, mother of the senator from Oglethorpe county, who has been visiting friends and relatives in this city, returned home yesterday.
 

December 15, 1878 –
We regret to learn from the Examiner, of Aberdeen, Miss., of the death of General Elisha Strong, aged eighty-seven years.  He was a soldier in the war of 1812.  Through life, his name has been identified with all that was progressive and good.  General Strong was a native Georgian, though for some years he has made Mississippi his home, where he died universally regretted and esteemed.  He leaves to his relatives in Atlanta and Oglethorpe county, and other localities in the state, an honored name and an unsullied reputation.
 

January 5, 1879 –
On a two-horse farm, Abe Faust, of Oglethorpe county, this season, killed 1,225 pounds of pork, made 100 barrels of corn, 11 bales of cotton, and peas, potatoes an ground peas in proportion.
 

March 30, 1879 –
Oglethorpe Echo: Jim Campbell, one of the Crawford voters who was sent to the penitentiary, has returned home, his two years having expired.  Jim gives a fearful account of his treatment, and says he will know how to behave himself hereafter.  He has been given several grand receptions by his colored admirers, and is looked upon by them as a returned statesman, and will doubtless be knighted.  He should take the lecture field instead of the cotton patch, as he has done.
 

March 30, 1879 –
Oglethorpe Echo: A few years ago, while Mr. Thomas Aycock of this county, was on his way to school, he found on the place now owned by his father a smooth ball of yellow metal the size and shape of a guinea egg, and as heavy as lead.  Attributing no worth to the “find” he threw it into the school-room fire, where it melted.  A few days after the teacher raked a small bit of it from the ashes and he pronounced it pure gold.  It was doubtless the former property of an Indian, there having once stood near a large aboriginal village.  There are many signs of gold on Mr. Aycock’s ------.
 

May 27, 1879 –
Mr. Nathan Johnson, of Oglethorpe county, has a stock of bees that has been in his family one hundred and fifteen years.
 

June 26, 1879 –
An Extraordinary Runaway.  A Groom of Seventy-five Elopes With a Bride of Forty.  Augusta Chronicle.  Augusta was treated to a genuine sensation yesterday. Monday afternoon Mr. George P. Curry received a telegram from Colonel Whit G. Johnson, of Lexington, asking him to see the ministers and judicial officers of Richmond county and ask them not to marry a couple from Lexington who would probably come to Augusta for that purpose, as the groom, Dr. Jas. S. Sims, had been adjudged an imbecile and a guardian had been appointed for him.  Mr. Curry complied with the request and also saw the chief of police to whom he showed the telegram.  Yesterday Chief Christian received a telegram from Colonel Johnson asking him to be at the depot when the Georgia train came in.  The chief was at the train promptly, and met Colonel Johnson and Samuel Lumpkin, Esq., who informed him that their object was to prevent, if possible, a marriage between Dr. Sims, of Lexington, and Mrs. Adkins, of Oglethorpe county, as Dr. Sims had been adjudged an imbecile and was not able to contract marriage.  Chief Christian promised his assistance, but further developments showed that nothing could be done.  In order, however, to properly understand the matter, it will be necessarily to go back a little.

Last February Dr. Sims, who is about seventy-five years of age, a man possessed of considerable means, variously estimated at from twenty-five to fifty thousand dollars, was adjudged an imbecile by a jury in the court of ordinary, Judge Gilham presiding.  The steps which led to this result were taken by the doctor’s children, Colonel William H. Sims, and Mrs. John B. Morton.  Colonel Sims is lieutenant-governor of Mississippi.  On the 10th of last February Colonel Sims, who was then on a visit to Levinton, --- consultation with Colonel Johnson in reference to his father, Dr. Sims, decided to make application to the court of ordinary for the appointment to the court of ordinary for the appointment of a commission of lunacy to try the question of Dr. Sim’s sanity.  The petition was signed by Colonel Sims, Rev. S. B. Morton and Mrs. Morton.  The matter was investigated the next day by a jury who, after bearing the testimony, decided that the doctor was not of sound mind, and the ordinary appointed a guardian in the person of his son-in-law, Rev. Mr. Morton.  On the trial the petitioners were represented by Colonel Johnson, and Dr. Sims by Mr. Lumpkin.  The latter stated to the court and the jury that he was satisfied that the doctor was not of sound mind and that the appointment of a guardian was the best thing that could be done for him.

A short time after this Dr. Sims employed Messrs. John C. Reed, Hamilton McWhorter, J. T. Olive and Phil. Cook, jr., to make an effort to set aside the guardianship.  A motion was filed by these gentlemen to set aside the judgment of the court, on the ground that the doctor had not received ten days notice of the proceeding in lunacy.  The counsel for the children contended that the law only required notice to be given to the three nearest adult relatives of the defendant living in the state, that those three relatives had signed the petition and thereby waived the notice, and that no notice at all was required to be given to the defendant.  The other side held that the law did require such notice, and that if it did not it was unconstitutional, null and void.  The question, then, in effect, came up upon the constitutionality of the law.  The ordinary refused to set aside his judgment, whereupon the defendant appealed to the superior court.  The question was argued before Judge Pottle at the April term of Oglethorpe superior court.  The court held that ten days’ notice should have been given to Dr. Sims, and therefore set aside the judgment of the ordinary.  To this the other side accepted, and the case went up to the supreme court, where it is still pending.  Dr. Sims’s counsel say they made a proposition to the attorneys for the petitioners to go before another jury in the court of ordinary and try the whole question instead of going to the supreme court, but that this proposition was rejected.  The attorneys for the petitioners say they did not agree to this, because they did not want an interregnum between the setting aside of the judgment and the second trial, and they did not wish to subject the doctor and his children to the mortification of another public investigation.  They say they have never feared to test the issue on its merits.

Dr. Sims’s wife died last December, and some time in January he commenced paying attention to Mrs. Adkins, who was divorced from her husband several years ago.  Monday last Dr. Sims, accompanied by Mr. Reed, came to Augusta and stopped at the Augusta hotel.  Yesterday afternoon Mrs. Adkins, who is about forty years of age, reached the city on the Georgia railroad train, with Mr. McWhorter and Mr. Cook, at the same time with Colonel Johnson and Mr. Lumpkin.  Dr. Sims had gone over to Hamburg early in the morning and there he was joined by Mrs. Adkins soon after her arrival, and the twain were quickly made one [---] by Trial Justice Getsen.  No marriage license is required in South Carolina.

Mr. Lumpkin had started over to Hamburg, but upon receiving information he deemed reliable, which led him to believe that the parties had gone on to Graniteville, turned back.  Colonel Johnson, who had gone in another direction, reached the house where the marriage took place, about five minutes after the ceremony was performed.

It was hinted in the afternoon that a duel was going to occur, and the presence of two parties of gentlemen from Oglethorpe confirmed that belief.  One of the police officers shared in this impression, and riding up to the carriage in which Mr. McWhorter and Mr. Reed were proceeding to Hamburg, said: “Gentlemen, this thing must stop.  It can’t go another step further.”  The legal gentlemen soon explained matters and no further obstacle was put in the way.

The bridegroom and bride remained in Hamburg after the marriage.

A Chronicle reporter interviewed both aides last evening.  Messrs. Johnson and Lumpkin hold that there can be no doubt as to Dr. Sims’s imbecility.  They say that he was once one of the most aristocratic, intelligent and cultivated men in Oglethorpe county, but that his mind and health began failing about three years ago, and he is now a perfect imbecile, without capacity to make any contract.  They cite several examples of his mental condition and incapability.  They say that there can be no doubt that any jury in the country will declare him imbecile.  Counsel for Dr. Sims, on the other hand, declare that the doctor is perfectly sane and in all respects capable of making any civil contract.  As an example of this they cite the fact that in a suit between one Swepson H. Cox and Dr. Sims, referred to an auditor, the matter was decided in favor or Dr. Sims upon testimony of the latter, showing that he knew what he was about.  They also say that Dr. Sims remarked in reference to the other side carrying the case up to the supreme court, they they intended to keep him in law till he died.  They say that the only time he lost money was in the years of the panic, 1873-‘74 and 1875.  They are confident that Dr. Sims’s mental capacity will be perfectly established.

Counsel for Mr. Morton, the guardian, hold that the ceremony yesterday was no marriage at all, and will so be held by the courts.

We understand that the bride is worth about $15,000 in her own right.

Counsel for Dr. Sims say they would never have counseled to the marriage if they had not been perfectly certain that he was of sound mind and discretion.
 

July 13, 1879 –
Mr. Doc. Mattox, of Oglethorpe county, hopes to make forty bushes of corn to the acre in spite of the drought.
 

July 13, 1879 –
Oglethorpe Echo: Dr. James S. Sims is now residing at the home of his bride, and we saw him the other day in town looking better and more cheerful than we have known him in years.  There will doubtless be a hot and stubborn contest over his estate, which will revolve upon the validity of his marriage.  If this is declared legal by the courts and then a trial decides him again an imbecile, his wife, by law, must be appointed his guardian and not only his landed property, but the bonds now in possession of his son, ($30,000 we learn) be turned over to her.  Counsel for the heirs, on the other hand, we are told, content that even should the marriage be sustained, that Mr. Morton, as guardian of an imbecile who has illegally contracted marriage, can have the pair divorced and still retain charge of the estate.  It is almost impossible to nullify a marriage if there is the least shadow of legality about it, as the reputation of a woman is a very delicate and [-----] commodity.  Every one unites in the opinion that it will be a long and bitter contest between the parties’ and are its final decision the old man will sleep in his grave and the estate be distributed among the lawyers.  The sentiments of our people (and we all know “that people will talk,”) are divided on the matter—one side strongly censuring the lawyers who lent their aid and encouraged the match; the other blaming the children of Dr. Sims for leaving him in his helpless condition to the sole care of servants and strangers.  We look upon it as a private family matter, in which the public has no right to meddle, and but for the fact that the whole case was made notorious in the Augusta dailies, upon information voluntarily given by the lawyers themselves, we would have made no allusion to it whatever in these columns.  It is one of those cases of a purely private matter.
 

July 28, 1879 –
Oglethorpe Echo:  Alec Gilham, son of T. A. Gilham, deceased, was placed in the lunatic asylum about two years and a half ago.  Last week he made his escape from that institution, and returned home, having walked the entire distance on the railroad track.
 

February 13, 1881
Decatur, February 12—Drs. W. M. and John L. Durham, of Maxey’s Ga., are in Decatur, attending their father.  Dr. W. W. Durham, who has been confined to his bed several days and is considered dangerously sick—Mr. George W. Bryce, of Brandy Branch, Florida, is visiting his father, Judge John Bryce, near this place.  Mrs. Lucy Simms, of Monticello, Georgia, has moved to this place and will occupy a portion of the residence of Miss Dollie Anderson, of Tabernacle street.