Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1896-07-01
g. A. R. COLONY.
MARVELLOUS GROWTH OF A CITY
FOUNDED BY VETERANS.

y
f, 1t is Located In Southern Georgia
A Wilderness ISix Mouths
Ago. Now Has Popu-
latlon Of eooo.
- 'I,',f, - -
| T11TzGERA1D, g a., the colony
H. city organized by veterans OF
V the Grand Army of the Repub'
lie, which has been growing
like magic during the past six months,
continues to occupy o peculiar place
in public interest. Six months ago
the tract it how occupies down in
Southern Georgia, half in Wilcox and
hhlf in Irwin County, was O wilderness
of pine trees. To-day Six thousand
PERSONS arc there, and the indications
afe that before the year is done the
census will show over ten thousand en-.
rolled citizens.
| Colonies of sudden growth and oities
Of quick Development have not been
infrequsnt in tho mining regions OF the
West, but Fitzgerald stands in many
respects quite without parallel. and
the movement which has led to its
founding points to a possible indus
trial revolution in the South, and calls
for a new Understanding and partner
ship between the South, North and
| West. The Fitzgerald colony is like
wise significant from the fact that as
tile colohists are mostly veterans of
the Federal army; $4,000 per month
Of pehsion money will, 1t is reckoned,
be put into circulation through the
South instead of through the North
| aAd WEST as formerly.
The colony and city 6f Fitzgerald
were founded by Mr.. 2. q. Fitzgerald,
Of Indianapolis, b pension attorney;
who, through his connection with the
VETERANS Of the Northwest, tSds led to
believe that it would be greatly to the
interest of many could they locate in
some we'll conditioned Southern Sec
tion; away from ths rigors of severe
climate; whefo they could f5llow
agricultural pursuits and live coni-
f5rtablY on theif pension Incomes
III August, 1891, he presented the
subject for the consideration Of the
veterans at an annual meeting Of their
society: His plan met with their ion
1nsdiste approYaly ind in March; 1895,
Mr: Fitzgerald; accompanied BY q: ":
ManGer, Of Michigan; Captain D:
9: Walsh; Of Mcpherson, kap. Peter
Dinger, of Gilman, ILL.,: II. g: Miller;
Of Stanton, Neb. DR.. j. NJ. Deniston,
Of Iapa5, Ind, and Fl: q. Wenas, of
Michigan; visited Georgia for the par-
pose Of examining lands offered them
through William il Northeni twice
Governor Of Georgia, at the low rate
of SO. so an acre. Although Texas was
holding out the inducement of land OF
only sixty cents IN acre, Mr.. Fitz-
gerald and his committee decided to
locato Upon the Geofgia tfact without
further delay. By the middle OF
October the business arrangements
had been completed, and the survey
of the land was we'll under way. By
November l it was completed, and the
assignment of city lots, business sites
and farming tracts followed with q
rush.
The city OF Fitzgerald and the farm
ing lands that compose the colony
section ore comprised within $4,000
ecres, and are located lit miles south
Of MacoH; Ga:, III the midst of the
great agricultural and fruit region.
They are available for almost any
crop, whether of wheat, corn, oats,
rye, rice. millet, cotton, sugar cane,
potatoes and general truck, while such
fruits as peaches, pears, rapricots,
prunes, fgsand apples are Indigenous.
As to timber, the colony section COM
prises vast fields OF long leaf pine, as
good as can be fotind in the country.
The average winter temperature for
the last ten years has been fifty de.
grees, und the summer temperature
during the same time has averaged
only eighty degrees.
The city of Fitzgerald is located in
Irwin County, and has the benefit of
competitive freight rates, both by land
and water, which place it within easy
communication with the great markets
of the United States. There are now
two railroads at Fitzgerald, and
others under construction.
On October IA the first human hab-
itation was begun in Fitzgerald. 10.
day the city presents vastly different
appearance. It is laid out in excel
lent style, and has four business
streets, that contain great variety
Of shops, which are furnishing the
colonists with all necessary supplies.
The residence portion shows many
we'll built structures, and hundreds OF
humble homes will sooner or later be
replaced by more comfortable dwell
ingss There are sew mills, brick
yards, four churches, town hall, four
blacksmith shops, q public school and
Masonic lodge.
Main street is she principal business
thoroughfare of, Fitzgerald. The
streets to the west of Main are called
after Confederate Generals-Lee,
Jackson, LongstSeet, Gordon. Bragg
and Hill; those on the west side after
Federal commanders-Grant, Sher-
man, Sheridan, Thomas and Logan
which certainly goes to prove that the
colonists are not cherishing sectional
animosities. Another interesting fact
is that the colony land includes the
historic spot upon which Jefferson
Davis was captured by Wilson's cav
nlry, in 1865.
The old veterans are well pleased