Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-02-17
FITZGERALD FARMERS
GIVE TRAIN WELCOME
Five Thousand People Are in
Crowd as Train Arrives at
Depot


FITZGERALD, Ga, Feb. 14-The big
gest crowd of the whole trip thus far
numbering more than 5000 people. met the
agricultural train on its arrival here al
II o'clock this morning. At 12:46 o'clock
when the train was compelled to leave
in order to make schedule into Mystic and
MouItrie, not nearly all Of the crowd
though the open air lectures continued TIL
the last minute and many people heard
them almost through before attempting
to enter the crowded train.
Here is where the A, B. g. A. sees some
OF the best results of it's advertising
campaign. Here are some of the attain
ments which have surprised the south
for q city is growing out of what was 9
wilderness few years ago, and people
are coming from far and near to make IT.
The majority of those among the crowd
at his point were recently northern
farmers, whom the prospects Of good
climate and rich returns attracted here
and are holding here
Judge Drew w. Paulk, the mayor, open
ed the program at Fitzgerald with a brief
announcement. He was followed by
Jesse E. Mercer, editor of the Fitzgerald
Enterprise, and one o fthe most pro-
gressive men in this section, who deliver
ed an eloquent speech OF welcome, dilat-
ing upon the resources and attainments
of this section. He was followed by Com
missioner Hudson and by General Pas
senger Agent Leahy, of the A, b. & A
DIR. Soule spoke next, praising the good
work that the A., B. & A. has done In
developing the country. Professor Ian
r. TaaH
on live stock.
Every one of the q schools in the coun,
ty was on holiday. Every teacher wal
present. So were practically all Of the
LOO pupils. County School Commissioner
R. ]. Prentiss is authority for this state
ment The 1850 pupils of the Fitzgerald
city schools were at the train under
charge Of superintendent E. e. Sans and
H. B. Richie, the principal.
STORES ARE CLOSED.
A great many of the stores OF the city
were closed.
o. c. Tanner. principal Of the Tanner
High school, six miles from town, wal
there with his studer' and teachers
the State Agricultural college, was there
with the student body from his high
school at Linwood. Both these high
schools belong to the county. Both are
young. The Anwood school has inaugur'
ated agricultural training along practica
lines and the Ashton school will follow a.
soon as It gets readjusted from tho Loss
of its building some time ago.
r. Spiegel former president Of the Der
Hill County Farmers union, and one o.
the most active leaders in the county
whose interest and energy were partially
responsible for the large representation
of farmers, was one of those who greeted
the workers here.
He said that nearly all the farmers Of
the county were in town. Some were
there too, he said, from Wilcox and Ir
win counties. Some came as far as D
miles. He pointed out several who hat
come long distances in buggies. Numbers
of them came In automobiles
L Gelders, editor of the Fitzgerald
Leader, was another one among the Fitz
gerald throngs. j. e. Turner, president
of the board of education, was there. A
few others who were recognized in cas-
ual survey Of the sea OF faces were: A
Hagenan. H. c. Miller, z. Ewing. James