Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-01-04
Mr.. CRAWFORD
WHEATLEY DIES
AT AMERICUS

AMERICUs. Ga, Jan. 1.-The
death of Mr.! Crawford Wheatley,
president of the Commercial City
| bank Of Americas, and one of the
best known men in Georgia, was the
| result of injuries sustained in fall
from the top of his garage on Friday
morning, it was definitely determined
by an autopsy today.
Mr. WheatIeys injuries in the fall
were examined on Friday by DR..
]. T. Stukes, the. family physician.
They were painfLi out did not seem
the remainder of the day in his room.
On Friday evening he was able to get
out of bed for an hour or such
matter. On Saturday morning he
was found dead in his bed.
A coroner'S inquest was held today
in conformity with the law requiring
such inquiry in cases where death
occurs without eye witnesses. An
autopsy was performed by DR.. Stukes
assisted by DR.. Wilbur Smith, DR.:
Smith. Their examination establish
ed the fact that Mr.. Wheatley sus-
tanned an injury of the spine and an
injury of the intestines in the fan,
and that internal blood poisoning set
in immediately and caused his death
Mr.. Wheatiey's funeral is to be
held Sunday afternoon at the resi-
dence, and he will be buried in the
family cemetery. Mr.. Wheatley some
months ago sold his home two miles
from Americas and built new nome
on large lot overlooking the city.
He was putting some finishing
touches on the premises when he
mounted to the top of the garage
Friday to examine the roof. The steep
slope of the roof is supposed to have
thrown him off his balance, causing
! him to fall.
| Host of Friends saddened
A host of friends here, throughout
Georgia and other states were sad
dened by the news of Mr.. Wheatley S
death. Probably no, man in Georgia
had a wider acquaintance or enjoy
ed higher degree of personal popu-
larity.
Mr.. Wheatley was born in Amer
icus in 1866. His father, the late
Mr.. John Wright Wheatley.. was
pioneer banker in southwest Geor-
gia, and came of fine old English
stock, His mother was Miss Mary
E. Dudley, and was granddaugh-
ter of William H. Crawford, the
noted Georgia statesman. who has
been referred to by many historians
as the greatest man of his time.
After graduating from the Amer
icus public schools, Mr.. Wheatley
went to Lehigh University, in Penn
! sylvania, and later graduated from
the Stephens Institute of Technology,
|
He specialized in architecture and
mechanical engineering, and returned
home with the intention of practice
ing those professions.
After launching his career as city
engineer of Americas, Mr.. Wheatley
went into business more by acct
dent than by choice, and succeeded in
a remarkable degree with number
of enterprises. At the death of his
father, who founded the Commercial
City bank, he succeeded him as presi-
dent. He also was engaged at vari-
Gus times in large farming interests,
was president of the Farmers Loan
81 Trust company, and promoted some
manufacturing Industries.
Served In Legislature
Mr. Wheatley took an active in
terest in the public affairs of his
1905-06 he represented this district
in the state senate, of which he was
president pro tenn. He took a lead
ing part in the passage of the bill
establishing the district agricultural
schools which have done so much to
improve Georgia farming. He was
fiscal agent of the Third district
school, located near Americas, and
rendered a most valuable service to
the school in many ways. AS an
architect he did most of the design
ing and supervision of the buildings.
1915-16 he served in the house from
Sumter county, and was chairman of
the appropriations committee of the
house during that period. He was Sc
lected at the head of the ticket aft
err his friends had paid his entrance
fee and put his name on the ticket.
AS a Democrat by birth and ira
dition, Mr.. Wheatley stood high in
the councils of the party. He was
a member of the Georgia delegations
to the Democratic national conven-
tions of 1908, 1912 and 1916. He was
named as a delegate to the last con-
vaption held in San Francisco last
yeA', but was prevented from going.
He was a lieutenant colonel on the
staff of Governor Terrell, and was
prominently mentioned for the office
of lieutenant governor of the state
during the tendency of bill to Gre
ate such an office.
Very Popular Socially
Mr.. Wheatley was as popular in
society as he was in politics. A
gentleman of the best birth and pos
sessed of most magnetic personali-
ty, he made warm friendships ev-
erywhere. He was always smiling,
always cordial, always true dem
|, ocrat in his manner. He and Mrs.
Wheatley entertained frequently at
their home near Americas and were
famous for their hospitality. Mrs.
Wheatley, before her marriage, was
Miss Helen Huntington, of this city.
Mr.. Wheatley was member of
the Capital City club and Piedmont
Driving club, of Atlanta, and of the
New York Athletic CLUB. He was a
knight of Pythias. Red Man, an Elk
Mason and a Shriner. He served
as president of the Carnegie Library
association, of Americas, for several
years, and was also member of the
state library commission. His inter-
ests in life were many and varied.
He was a strong and influential po-
; litical leader, rendered a most con-
; structive service in local and state
affairs, and was active and popular
| in social way.
, He is survived by his widow and
one son, Charles Huntington Wheat
ley, and by one brother, George D..
: Wheatley, a prominent citizen of