The Jones County news., 1914-10-22
VISIT TO THOMAS
E. WATSON OF
GEORGIA.
Hon. j. A. Hearn Writes of q
Call on One of the Best
Known Men in the
Whole Land.
MoselIe, Miss, Oct. 18th.

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Jones County News:
During my recent visit to S. C. 70
investigate the tobacco ind dstry, as l
was passing through the grand old
Empire State which has furnished
her full quota OF great men, eminent
in times of war and peace, thereby
contributing 40 largely to the South's
glorious history, learned that was
to pass by the home town of Thos.
E. Watson. Ii was the morning
after the Georgia State Convention
had been held in Macon and there
were numbers of men returning to
their respective homes aboard the
train on which l was riding-that
between Atlanta and Augusta-and
naturally the main subject of conver-
sation was about politics and politi-
clans. Equally as natural Tom
Watson's name got entangled in the
talk, for Hoke Smith had managed
to turn the trick which gave the nomi-
nation for Senator to Hardwick,
whom Thomas had been bitterly
fighting. They we're all genial lot
and soon had me feeling at ease,
joining in their conversation-and
right here l wish to state that l was
forced to note the friendliness OF all
the people whom it was my good for
tune to meet, both In Ga. and S. c..
Even the conductor on the train was
as affable and friendly as though he
had known me all my life, and it was
he who heard me state that | had for
long time felt a curiosity to meet
and talk with Watson. At which he
informed me that Ilwould soon pass
his home town and advised me to
stop over between trains and see him.
stating also that by travelling at
night (Which ] always prefer on long
trips) that l would reach Mullins,
S. c., in time for business next day,
thereby losing no time. He very
kindly pointed out Mr.. Watsoh's fine
home, which sets upon a hill and is
easily viewed from the trains as one
sweeps into Thompson, an old and
historical looking town about the
size of Ellisville, and is the County
seat of McDufie County. We reached
there at noon and / disem barked. i.
After taking bath, changing clothes
and eating dinner, l phoned his home
and made known my desire to see
Mr.. Watson, his private secretary
answering the phone and informing
me that Mr.. Watson was then taking
his usual after-dinner. siesta, and as
suring me that he would be pleased
to have me call after an hour. 1
therefore engaged an automobile and
proceeded to take a view of the old
town during the hour; however, with
in few minutes the driver stopped the
car in front OF a magnificent colonial
built residence, set we'll back from the
road in the most beautiful and natural
looking forest OF every imaginable
tree, shrub and flower that one could
dream of. The driver informed me
that this was Mr.. Watson's old home
which he built at the beginning of
his successful career as lawyer, but
that he had given it to his only
daughter and built about a quarter
of a mile further along the road but
on connecting property. In fact, l
learned that he owns a couple of
miles square, beginning where we
then stood. Mr. Watson's son-in-law,
a Mr.. Lee, came out imediately, in
troduced himself and insisted that
get out and stay with him until time
for me to fill my engagement with
Mr.. Watson, which did, and never
spent q more pleasant hour than
viewing the lovely scenes, listening