The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-04-12

construction of the Seaboard Air Line
Railway, which skirts its extreme
southern borders. Madison was what
might be called a "backwoods county,"
being cut off from the marts of busy
life. and depending solely upon dirt
roads for traffic and transportation.
The only town and the business center
Of the county was Danielsville, which
Boosted one or two small stores, and
was not much more than a crossroads
hamlet. The farmers and citizens of
Madison did their trading in Athens,
and as the county had ever been noted
for its fine pasturage and superior NUT
ton, and vast forests of pine, furnishing
abundant timber for shingles, it was
facetiously denominated, 1.-The Land of
Sheep and Shingles"
Madison county was also known as
"The Free State" The name was
given it from the following incident:
Many years ago a "one-gallus," bare
foot young farmer from that county
went to Athens, and walking into Eng
lands store. asked to see some shoes.
After selecting a pair of brogans, he
told Mr.. England to charge them, and
he would pay the bill when he got some
money.
The merchant informed the would-be
customer that he didn't even know his
name, and was not in the habit of
thus putting out goods; and taking the
shoes he threw them back in the box.
Striking an attitude of defiance, the
countryman remarked: Look a-here,
Mister I'll jist let you know that am
free born and 81. that L live in the
Free State of Madison. and if I can't
buy shoes in your old town on credit
Ill be dinged if I can't go barefooted!"
A SeIf-ReIiant People.
Georgia does not boast a more self
reliant, Independent class of citizens
than the residents of 1.-THE Free State"
They have always literally lived at
home and boarded at the same place,
for the farmers of the county raise
their own hog and hominy. When all
the neighboring counties were import
ing meat and corn from the west,
Madison not only raised plenty for
nome consumption, but some to spare.
There is more virgin forest and
hne timber in Madison than in any
Georgia county below the mountains.
And the land, too, is exceedingly fer
tile and productive. The county be-
ing checkered with water courses, all
atrording broad strips of rich low
ground, crop failures are unknown.
BESIDES her agricultural advantages,
deposits of free gold are found in
many streams, and good wages can
pe made by washing gravel in a fry
ing-pan.
And another thing about the Free
state" Her people have ever been
uncompromising Democrats, and even
When the wave of independence was
sweeping over the up-country, our
party leaders gave but little attention
20 Madison, knowing that she would
come up all right on election day.
rms is also one county where the
whites largely outnumber the blacks,
ana While Madison is considered one
oi the smallest counties in this con-
eresslonal district, she polls a much
larger white vote than either Gilbert
Sr Oglethorpe. And her people, too,
10 uheir own thinking and voting.
TOT instance, when Col. J. H. Estill,
" savannah, was a candidate for
governor, while a total stranger in
-Hdulson, ne came within eight votes
Oh carrying the county.
Thriving Towns Sprung Up.
but with the building of the Sea-
ooara Air Line through lower Madi-
soIi, tne gallant little county at once
.ook fresh lease on life Three thriv-
uls new railroad towns have, within
ene past lew years, sprung up in that
Nouhty, viz, Carlton, Conner and Col
, aeIt These not only control a large
snare OF the business of their own
county, but attract trade from Ebert,
USslethorpe and Wilkes. The value of
a az lands has greatly increased,
%%lu are still advancing. Places near
ne railroad that few years ago could
De bought for from IS to 81 per acre
now bring from SIS to $50. Nice coun-
ny MONIES are springing up every
"nete, and you see evidences Of pros
Fly and enterprise wherever you go.
- handsome new court house has been
punt at Danielsville. Col. Smith con-
'uenplates extending one of his rail-
,,%aS$s 10 Gainesville, and which road
VIII De built via Danielsville Besides,
en- electric line is projected to pass
Trough the upper section of the c9un-
~ on to Athens. l do not know a
FIace IN the up-country with brighter
1 1ISure ahead than the Free State of
Madison"
DIR. Longs Home
Dr. Crawford Long, the discoverer of
t uinHS5ethesia, and whose statue Georgia
W., Ciace IA the Hall of Fame at
Daa,tslnliihgton, was born and reared In
&, 1aiditdielsvllle, and began his struggles
81 ne there. DR.. Long descended from
er na nonored family. whose ancestors
fra!s rated from Pennsylvania, and he
~ saw light in a cottage facing the
PuDilc square of the town. 1t is gem
caally accepted that no man has ever
Tused more pain and suffering than
C,opoieon Boneparte. But to Dr..
1ra,WIord Long belongs the honor and
use OF relieving more pain and suf-
aa ing than any man who ever breath
We me breath of life since this world
CO... created. And it was Madison
county who gave to the world fbis
ta,t humanitarian. Every wear nm
~ 'u thousands have cause to bless the
oS .t OF Dr.. Crawford Long. The site
,,,, tie mouse in which this noble man
vas Dorm should he t,,,yrto - r,.5 :.