Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-08-24
ALBANY MATTERS.

Interesting Incidents About Old Town
Society Matters-CrOp Prospects
Points About ThleVes-Other Natter
| of General Interest.
Correspondence Of the Morning Yetos.
ALBANY, GA, Aug 22.-When in tn,
year 1886 Col. Tiff, the founder of Albany
selected this locality, then in a pine will
derness upon the banks of the Flint river
and commenced to lay out the broad
regular streets which now add beauty t.
| our city, there were several towns, set
| tied many years before, which were flour
| ishing in this immediate neighborhood
| Five miles north Of here, directly over the
| Lee county line, the town of PALMYRA
| with offices, stores and residences. was
| an important business centre, About ten
miles west ofthis city aclump of mulberry
! trees, standing in the midst of broad field
! Wh1tened every year with a luxuriant
| crop OF cotton, alone remains to mark
the site of the once busy town of Byron,
| at one time the county seat of Baker
| county. This place at that time contained
| ten or twelve stores, the Jail and other
! public buildings, and had its full quota OF
! professional men. The county seat was
| eventually moved to Newton, and the
| town of Byron gradually passed away.
| Palmyra is now numbered among the
| dead towns of Georgia, and is at present
the plantation home of Mr.. c. W. Ran
| dali. The old-fashioned house, with a
| beautiful garden in front filled with semi
| tropical plants without shelter; the cedar
covered hill slOping down to rapid flow
| ing creek, which runs along its base and
is utilized to turn the wheels of a busy
looking little mill, make up a picturesque
spOt-a tayorite place for picnics, barbe-
cues and other outdoor gatherings
THE PLANTATION CALLED BYRON
from the town once upon it is now the
property of Mrs. w. II. Bennett. Col.
Bennett died upon this place on Saturday
last. He was for many years, | believe,
British Consul at Savannah. His remains
were shipped to your city for interment.
Some years since he occupied prominent
position here, being manager of the
Georgia Land and Cotton Company, origi-
nally an association ofEnglish capitalists
who invested heavily in lands in this Sec
ton, and commenced cotton raising upon
a gigantic scale. This investment did
not prove remunerative, and the compa-
ny disposed OF its property and gave up
the business.
Gillionyille, eighteen niles west of us.
now the plantation of Mr.. Walter Col
quit, was then an important country
village.
Albany, through Col. Tits indOmitable
energy, rapidly became an important
point and gradually absorbed the towns
and villages around it. When by his I'M
aided efforts the Southwestern Railroad
was brought here it suddenly took a new
leap towards prosperity. .hlbany is now
growing rapidly. The remarkable in
crease in population and taxable property
as shown in the tax books of this county
this year is confined principally to the
city. Our pleasant society, mild climate,
handsome streets and residences, as we'll
as the energetic character of our citizens,
together with our now famous mineral
waters, are making of our city a IA
vOrlte health resort. A number of new
residences have been built this summer for
investm mt, and they have all been
rented. New families are constantly re-
moving to this place, and there is a con-
tinual demand for new houses. Col. Tiff is
still living here in the city that he founded
nearly 80 years ago. Many Of our Young
people are absent for the summer, and So
ciety matters are nearly at standstill.
THIEVES ARE BECOMING QUITE DIES
PERATE.
On Sunday morning just before day
break Mr.. j. X. King. prominent farmer
living about a mile north of the city,
heard cOmmOtiOn in his pig pen, stu
ated about 200 yards from his house.
Hurrying to it he saw negro carrying
off hog under his arm, while two other
darkies covered his retreat. AS Mr.
King approached them one Of the latter
opened fire upon him with pistol, firing
two shots, and then beat a retreat into a
patch OF woodland. Being unarmed he
was compelled to submit to the loss.
A few nights since Mr.. A. T. Wilder,
who is quite chicken fancier, discovered
a negro making off with some of his fine
poultry. Unlike Mr.. King, he had his lit
tie pistol in his possession, and promptly
opened up fire on the midnight marauder,
but without effect.
In conversation with a few of our
truck farmers some days ago, they stated
that Notwithstanding the want of success
this season they intended to embark in
truck raising on still larger scale next
season. Two planters, who only planted
80 acres each in melons this year, intend
to quadruple their acreage. There was
some money made on melons this year.
In one instance on fifty acres some $500
was cleared. This, though not a large
profit, shows that even under the present
circumstances there is some remunera-
ton in melon raising. With better ship
ping facilities, lower freights, better treat
ment by the commission merchant, and
fewer useless sub-agents, the growers eX-
pect to find it an increasing source of rev.
enue.
JUDGE TOURGER IN HIS MUCH REVILED
"BRICKs WITHOUT STRAW
paid a deserved compliment to Southern
charity, especially that phase of it which
is demonstrated IN kind attention to the
sick and suffering. This good quality has
certainly been exemplified in the case of
Mr.. w. d. Mann, who met with such a
shocking accident on the Southwestern
Railroad last week, particulars of which
] sent you. During his illness he has
received a great deal of attention from
friends and neighbors. 1 inquiries,
presents of flowers an.aW Rit, friendly
visits, etc, have served q ep him cheer
full during his suffering 0 Is improving
Our leading base ball club, the Artesian
Cities, have been universally successful.
They played the Fort Gaines club at Daw-
son on Monday, winning with a score Of
"a to 6. They play the Monticello club at
Townsville tomorrow. There are some
rum ors of a match game between the Ar
tesians and the Dixies of your city. Ifear
the latter would prove too much for the
Artesians.
A grand fair is to be given here, begin
ming Oct. IA, and continuing five days. 1t
is to be for the benefit OF the Albany
Guards and the Jackson Light Artillery,
Much interest is being manifested In it,
and it promises to be a great success.
There are to be exhibitions of bloOded
stock, farm products, agricultural imple-
ments, machinery, merchandise, etc. The
fine art exhibition will be an interesting
and important feature. Racing is prom
ised for each and every day. A number
of handsome donations have been made to
the Fair-some of them by Savannah
wholesale merchants.
The bountiful rain Of last night will
prove of much benefit to the crops, though
the planters are still pretty blue, and
some of them state that the cotton is in
such dry state from the rust that they
consider it past redemption. This is quite
a contrast to the flattering prospects of a
few weeks ago. 1t is estimated that the
cotton crop in this section will be about
% per cent. greater than last year, but
about the same per cent. less than it was
supposed it would be a fortnight ago.
Thirteen bales ofnew cotton were brought
in to-day, making twenty-three bales re-
ceived in this market to date. NJ.
Round and pointed waists are equally
fashionable.