The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-08-21
THREE DEAD TOWNS.
Once Famous But Now De-
serted and Forgotten.
INTERESTING GEORGIA STUDY.
The Story of Petersburg and
Lisbon. -. 49,
Written For The Constitution.

written For The Constitution.
ATHENS, Ca, August 14.-[ Especial. AT
che confluence of the Broad and Savannah
rivers. in Ebert county, in the latter part of
the eighteenth century. stood a city that
threatened to rival Augusta as a trading point.
This city was named Petersburg, and before its
decay was as well known as is even Atlanta
today. Across Broad river, in Lincoln county,
at the same time that Petersburg was in the
zenith of its glory was located rival town
amed Lisbon; while on the Carolina side was
q third city, Vienna Petersburg was by far
the largest town and best business point. Then
came Vienna, and next Lisbon. These three
towns were built at what was then thought to
be the head of navigation on the Savannah
river, and promised to be places of considera-
BILE mportances. They were located long be-
fore the days of cotton and steamboats,, when
tobacco was the great staple of this section Of
counry, and navigation of the Savannah, was
by railroads. I cannot learn in what year
these old towns were first laid out, but it must
have been shortly after the close of the reyo-
iutionary war, for in the old graveyard are
seen monuments dating back century.
THESE THREE DEAD TOWNS
have always been an interesting study to me,
and during recent visit to that locality
tried to learn something about their
early history. One gentleman told me
that sixty odd years ago an old lady
friend Of his said she attended grand ball in
Petersburg. Then there were thirty-three
stores i'll the place, and it WINS then ontle de-
cline. But found it very difficult matter
TO CLEAN authentic information in regard to the
early history of the.town, for the Oldest citi-
zens can only remember the place after its de-
sertion, and when only few scattering fami-
lies inhabited it. The town was built
broad strip of alluvial bottom land, surround
ed by an amphitheatre of hills. All the bust
ness was, was transacted a1s on
the centre Of the place. The surrounding
heights were chosen the sites for residences,
and was shown an old red knoll that once
sold for $4,000 in gold. Lisbon outliyed both
the fact that it was built on more elevated
and healthy site. Vienna boosted several very
handsome blocks of brick buildings but was
the first of the three to decay.
The desertion of Petersburg is attributed to
two causes. One that the introduction of cot
con completely revolutioniZed the trade of this
country, and it could not compete with Angus
ia. The principal business of Petersburg had
been tobacco, which was packed in stout
hogsheadS, set OF shalves attached thereto,
and the same pulled to market by pony or
steer. With the introduction of cotton, the
bales were easier transported, and hence more
distant markets sought. Another reason for
the abandonment of the town, and for which
there is doubtless some ground, is that the
place was very sickly. and visited every sum-
mer by an epidemic of malarial diseases. To-
day
THERE IS NO SIGN LEFT
OF what were once three hourishing towns, ex-
ept the half-filled cellars and wells surround
d by thicket of china and
ulbergy trees What was once
the oar ;aa city city Oh Of Petersburg
field and stock farm. Lands that once sold by
the foot, and streets that were thronged with
busy tradesmen, are now given over to the
more peaceful and quiet pursuits of agricul-
ture. Had the curse OF God fallen upon this
town. its obliteration from the face of the earth
could not have been more complete. Liter
ally, not one stone is left upon another or a
single vestige OF the old habitations remain.
Until two or three years ago, one of the orig
lnal houses stood in Lisbon, and as Mr. Du-
lBuse, who now merchandise at that point.
tells me, the timber Of which it was built
seemed almost indestructible.
Aside from the wells and cellars, there is the
old cemetery in Petersburg that 1 took occa-
sion to visit. 1t is located in the fat near the
banks of Broad river. A slightly elevated
mound of perhaps two or three acres, so nicely
rounded and so symmetrical in shape as to give
rise to the belief that it is an artificial fnrma-
ton, was selected by the early settlers of
Petersburg as their last resting place. 1t is
now dense and almost impenetrable thicket
of vines and all manner of shrubbery, that have
been allowed to runwild With no little difficulty
Il made my way into this sacred spot. There
is not sadder sight on earth than discarded
graveyard. The vaults fallen in, the stately
marble shafts topping over, and the monu-
lments and tombStoneS Wrenched as If by some
convulsion of nature. I deciphered several
slabs bearing date i'll the latter part of seven
teen hundred, while from others time and the
elements had obliterated the inscriptions as
completely as would the chisel of a stone
cutter.
Since the early settlement of upper Georgia
and Carolina this point has been considered a
most important locality, and is rich in histori-
cal interest. Even before the revolutionary
war there stood OF the banks of tho
Savannah river. two miles below Petersburg
Fort Caroline, the remains of which are traced
TO this day. 1t was first used as protection
for the white settlers against the sayages, and
afterwards figured conspicuously in the reyo-
lutionary war. Here was the narrowest point
on the Savannah from its mouth to nearly its
source, and at the surrender the confederacy
placed pontoon bridge there on which
PRESIDENT DAVIS AND HIS CABINET,
che famous treasure train, and portion of tho
army crossed, holly pursued by the federals.
This floating bridge remained for several
months until 1t was finally carried away by
high water There was no fighting
at Petersburg, but Kentucky regiment sur
rendered there. On the roadside at Lisbon IS
lying beautiful Napoleon gun, that has been
spiked, but it is otherwise III as good condition
as when it left the foundry. About mile fur
cher on, in the woods, Is another one Of these
guns. Whether they were left by the conied-
crates or yankees no one knows. But it is pre-
sumed that they belonged TO the former army
Thereois no claimant for these cannonS, but
guppose that Uncle Sam is the
rightfal owner. They are not rusty, and are
said to be worth 81 500 each. A few weeks since
a piece Of an old revolutionary cannon was
found in Fort Caroline and brought to Lisbon
60 compare with the more modern guns. There
was marked difference IN size OF the two
pieces.
About eight miles from Petersburg, on tie
DanDury road, is the spot where
THE CONFEDERATE TREASURE
train was robbed 1t will be remembered that
the wagons loaded with money belonging TO
the Richmond banks, had camped at a house
on the roadside, when they were charged at
night and sacked by a company OF disbanded