The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1891-01-23
WILLIAMSPORT, MAURY COUNTY.
A Picturesque Old Town Waiting For
4 Railway.


Special Correspondence of the Herald.
Hills and hills, river sraHned by
a covered bridge 4J9 feet long, and on
the other side IL village with one stree
leading to fine farms, and on through
long valley. This is Il part of Maury
County free of turnpikes, but the
roadway has plenty of rocky surface
which serve as stepping stones in
rainy weather.
Williamsport has never been given
to the gaudy style of architecture, and
its houses have plain common sense
look about them, aud the fashionable
color is white, which makes few
old brick stOre-houses look somewhat
glum. In the long ago, WilliamspOrt
was quite often on d high" and the
whoOping was worthy oil Sitting Bull
Big Foot and Big Medicine generally.
Now it is a very polite hOspItable ana
methodical part of country, with four
churches receiving the support OF
Presbyterians, Episcopalians, Meth
odists, and darky Methodists.
The leading citizen of WilliamspOrt
ESQUIRE G. w. sToCKARD.
He is one of the richest men in Maury
County, not only financially but as To
bouayancy Of-spirits. He was born III
Rutherford County and raised in
Maury. His father was Nathan
StOckard, Moth Carolinian, who
was raised in Rutherford. He was
with General Jackson at the battle of
New Orleans in 1915, and was also II
hero of the Mexican war and died
when ninety years of age, on Hardin's
Creek in Wayne County. Esquire
Stockard has been a farmer all his
life; owns two farms ana is prominent
on the live stock market, being given
to mule raising a d fattenipg to n
considerable degree. His farms Occu-
py both sides OF Duck River. On the
home place of WilliamspOrt, 100 acres,
where are his mule pens, yards and
barns, and 1900 acres across the river,
and they are part of he noted Green
Plains estate. The latter farm is
aptly named; it lies high aud is
beautiful to look upon, having 700
cultivated acres, there being three
hundred IN pasture, one hundred in
wheat, one hundred in oats and the
balance in corn. In stock, besides
mules, he has drOves OF Berkshire
hogs and fiocks of Southdown sheep.
He has been a remarkably successful
man, as he went to school between
the plow handles, yet rs justice of the
peace for twenty-five years, he has
never had reversal of judgement by
a higher court. He has been very
happy matrimOnially, as Mrs. Stock
ard is one of the sweetest dispO-
ladies in tieer Of counties.
Another very popular and public
spirited citizen here is Hon. w. Il.
Porter, who owns the prettiest house
in the region, with big pond on one
side OF the road and IA fine two story
viii r1 ut
Mr.. Porter was formerly Williams
ports leading merchant, and Is now
a successful farmer and stock raiser
Other prominent stock men here are
J. p. Choate, NJ. NJ. Russell and James
Dobbins.
The few professional men are all
good, and include the Rev. q. w.
Byrne, pastor of the NJ. f. Church
DR.. w. K. Sheddan, who has been
medicine for dozen years,
and DR.. G.. A. Forgey, who also has
big practice.
There are only two stores, those of
Walker & Baker and II. G Dansbee.
Tn first named is a general mer-
camille houses and the latter is de-
voted 10 groceries, hardware, saddelry
and harness, the latter branches being
on the premises.
Across the big bridge is the ever
busy saw mill of J. Nj. Bates, of CO.
Iumbia, which was put in place about
4 year ago aud its machinery is in eX
eellent order, cutting 10000 feet of
lumber per day with twenty-five
horse power engine and double circu=
lar saws. The lumber is hauled to
he Bates lumber yards in Columbia,
from whence it goes chiefly to Nash |
Vile. At the city yards is also coal
and wood depot with two teams IN
constant use.
J. M. Bates was born near Column
bia and his father j. w. Bates, Esq
is prominent agriculturist on the |
Santa Fe pike. The subject of this |
sketch followed farming operations |
until about ten years ago, when he |
himself with lumber inter- |
ests, and three years ago started on
his own account; he has been graft |
'yingly successful, as he is mau of
principle, energy, and most excellent
He is ably assisted by !
Joseph H MerOney, his brotherin-
Jaw, and gentleman whose popuiari- |
" is in ease every day.
That which WIlliamsport needs is a |
or two. The Duck River |
Valley on to Cen:ervil;e should strike
here, and survey of the Midland !
Tennessee makes it an objective point;
with either or both W,lliamsport |
would regain it's reputation rs big, |
pussy market. 1t is twelve miles from
he Primm White Sulphur Springs, |
which are equal to those OF Virginia, |
( not in volume certainly as to re-
medal power. 1t has grand country |
or stock raising and cereal growth |
md would make Il good location for |
generally.