Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-01-14
When Georqia Seeded

GOV Joseph Brown. ST.. had the REGISTRAR :"
IA rel a convention to decide whrt was best
far Georgia TO do. This convention assembled
January rs. 1861, and was composed OF the
b,St snd sblest men in the state. secession
Alexander stevens, Herschel v. johnson. ebn
mn snd Others. These men were firm IN me
RIGHT 10 secede, but did not deem II the proper
An Immense crowd was at the capitol IN
NilIedgeviIle 20 hear the SPEECHES. Among tue
number were Judge James Bower and his little
,laUgtter Flora who stsyed with her cousin,
Mrs. Mary Perrine Tucker. ut Midway. sd-
,burb. where wealthy people lived. When Fiori
sent with her father 20 the capitol the hanh-
somc stonc aud brick homes. enclosed by iron
railing. the shrubbery and flowers. the ''oN-
cred bridge across The creek. huge bouluess
'by tho roadside. the churches on capitol square
made her think she certainly In Wonter-
Hand.
They passed through the capitol gate snd
Ion the ground cannon were resting peacefully
lin front OF them was an Immense stone bui'l-
Ing then the capitol OF Georgia. Judge Bow r
bert Flora in the gallery, while he mingled
January ~ a vote was taken. which resulted
lin favor OF secession Georgia came Out 81
the union as an independent and SOVEREIGN
when the meeting closed the people started FOR
their homes. IL a cold. dragreeable AMI
misty January day. not a ray OF the sun could
Al I o'clock I'm the afternoon the men march
'el to the depot. keeping step 10 the music OF
fife and drum. A cannon mad been placed N
intervals those waiting could see a flash. ana
smoke issued from the lannon's mouth, ami
they could hear the report, Loom! Boom!
When the train came in sight the cannon was
stin boring on the hill.
Cars in 1861 the comfortable nor
swift modes Of travel that we have now. n
abosrdi'' called the conductor. The shive-tug
crowd boarded the train which. with a jerk
and sWisb-swish. a. the steam came from the
boiler, started. Smoke Of the blacklist sort was
issuing from the stack, caused from pine wood
which was used in the furnace.
Fast fields Of corn and cotton stalks which
had yielded their fruits. the train sped, leaving
|a column Of black smoke in the rear.
When only four miles from Mfledsevile the
train began swaying to aud fro. All al oIs-e
II gave a lurch and a jump, then careened TO
one side and stood still.
whats the mstierE" asked several.
Train off the track
fence rails had been put in washOut under
the track AMI the track had spread. James
Bower and his little daughter on board
the train. Night wrapping her sable man
tie about the care. and the msts falling.
Flora began to cry. She felt desolate nu a
|dcraiIed train among the pines. lady gave
her an spple. and comforted her until she tel
asleep.
Judge Bower went to assist In prlsing the
train on the track The engine was
coupled from the cars. and the most prominent
men boarded IL and went TO Gordon 10 make
connection with the main line Of the Central
~ Georgia.
The engine came back for the cars. and the
train reached Gordon about midnight. Some OF
hotel could not accommodate them.
Next day Judge Bower and daughter reached
home safely.
NETTIE BOWER AVASr.