The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-03-15

AAOliAc VI GON. OllilleI, one OF the most
unique and remarkable characters IN
the history of Georgia. Gov. Gilmer
was not only statesman, but he was
a historian and antiquary, and did his
county and state valuable service in
preserving their early history. On his
grounds, and not far distant from
the residence, is a great natural curl
oslty, the Shaking Rock" A large
boulder, weighing many tons is so
nicely poised on top of another rock
that a child can move it with one hand
Beneath this stone is written the name
OF Francis NJ. Goulding, the author
OF Young Marooners" and other
WORKS, and who once resided in Lex
lngton. Gov. Gilmer, during his life
collected large number of Indian and
other relics, including the stones from
what he believed to be Drudical affairs
and which he removed to his front
yard, where they are still seem. Gov
G1lmer always contended that this
form of ancient British worship ante
dated the appearance of the Indians in
America. There are two of those al
tars, and the rough stones were as
neatly fitted together, forming pyramids
some four feet high, as if placed by a
skilled mason.
The Home of stephen Epson.
In the center of Lexington is the old
home of Stephen Epson. another OF
Georgia's great men and good men,
and who did so much to mould the
characters of his people and promote
their educational advancement.
1t was in Lexington that the Cobbs
first started out in life, and where they
received that mental and legal training
that SO eminently fitted them for the
distinguished positions they occupied
and filled in life.
And SaYannah's own Judge Barrow
was native of Oglethorpe and more
universally popular gentleman never
lived here
But to name all the great and distin-
gutshed men that this county has given
to Georgia and the country would re-
quire to almost rewrite history of our
state. Their name is legion.
Gathering Place of Noted Men.
Lexington was for many years ante
dating the late Civil War, and even
after the surrender. the chosen arena
for political debate and discussion. In
the town of Lexington is one of those
stately groves, dotted with oaks and
hickory, where the people of not only
Oglethorpe, but from adjacent and even
distant counties, would congregate to
hear political issues and questions dis
cussed. 1t was at this spot that Ben
Jamin H. Hill, when a young man, just
beginning his eminent and distinguish
ed career, met in debate Alexander H.
Stephens; and old citizens who heard
this discussion tell me that Mr.. Hill
got the decided advantage of his bril-
liant and experienced antagonist. This
old grove has re-echoed the eloquence
of many of the greatest men that Geor-
gia and the South ever produced.
Lexington was a favored resort for
Robert Toombs. and even in the de-
clining days of his life he would visit
and instruct his old friends in this
county. During the past century, l ex-
pect as many great and distinguished
men from Georgia have visited and
spoken in Lexington as in any one spot
on the American continent. with the
single exception of our national CAPT
tai.
For many years, until Judge Hamil-
ton McWhorter moved there and built
a railway to Crawford, Lexington was
what might be termed backwoods
town, cut off from the marts of busy
life. But even during it's decline, the
traveller could but be impressed with
the solid and elevatihg appearance of
the place. lou utlu mere many VI
those old fashioned southern homes,
with their broad piazzas upheld by
large columns, while on every hand
you see indexes of that high order Of
culture and refinement characteristic
to the Old South. But this town is
now taking on a new lease of life, and
1t is not only a good business CEN
ter, but her citizens have gone to work
with regular twentieth century energy
and intend to build several manu-
featuring enterprises.
Both Abbeville, S. c., and Washing
ton, Ca, claim the sad distinction of
witnessing the final dissolution of the
Southern Confederacy. There is no
denying the fact that Mr.. Davis and
his Cabinet disbanded and separated
in Washington. But Capt. John j.
Daniel, OF this county, says that the
final breaking up of the Confederate
government took place in his house
at Woodstock, Oglethorpe county, and
he was present at and witnessed the
act 1t was there that the remaining
members of Mr.. Davis cabinet de-
cided that II was a needless expendi-
ture Of blood to continue the struggle,
and the stars and bars of the late
Confederacy were forever furled. Even
when he separated from his cabi-
net in Washington, Mr.. Davis had not
abandoned all hope of continuing the
struggle, and wanted to make his way
to the trans Mississippi. II possible, and
there continue the war.
In future letters, IL your paper so
desires, / will write up Oglethorpe
county as II is seen to-day, and show
how the country Is prospecting, from
an agricultural point OF view, and also
give your readers a short description
al the wonderful farm and success OF
Col. James NJ. Smith. / will also
give you sketches OF the counties OF
Madison, Ebert and wilkes, and a
history OF three dead Georgia towns,