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We’re still
newspaper browsing amongst a lovely collection of old Moultrie Observers.
J.R.M. Lindsey
– known as “Uncle Doc” – of Crosland, was apparently the first leap year
citizen on the Colquitt County records.
Born February 29, 1828, he lived some 75 years in Colquitt County. On
February 29, 1912, he celebrated his 20th birthday although he was
actually 84 years old.
He died leaving ten children and some 50 grandchildren.
In his latter days, he vividly recalled killing wild turkey in the Ty
Ty area with his flintlock and not being able to sell those turkeys
because wild game was so plentiful.
The body of James R. Perry, the first Colquitt County soldier to die in
World War I, was buried in the city cemetery on October 19, 1920.
Young Perry died of pneumonia at Brest in the fall of 1917 and was
buried there.
At the request of relatives, the body was disinterred and shipped
home. He was the brother of Mrs. L.V. Stallings of Moultrie.
Elm community made its first real bid for recognition in Colquitt
County in November of 1895.
A news correspondent from that community wrote: “This is one settlement
that has all modern conveniences. We are convenient to mills, churches
and schools. We are in reach of three literary schools and three
churches.”
Colquitt County farmers were eager for new information in agriculture in
1911. An estimated 8,000 persons from the territory turned out to take
advantage of a visit by the Agricultural Education Train on tour of key
Georgia points. The exhibits and information on crop production were
obtained “by pressure” from the Chamber of Commerce, city and county
leaders and the newspaper.
The Doerun basketball shell was destroyed by fire on a Wednesday
morning in May of 1933.
The fire was discovered by the night policeman at 4 AM as the building
burst into flames throughout the entire structure.
Since the fire spread so rapidly, it was believed in incendiary was
responsible.
School board officials were expected to offer $500 for arrest and
conviction of the guilty party or parties.
The shell was built only about two years previously and was regarded as
one of the best designed and largest in the section. It cost $5000 and
was insured for only $3,500.
Ah hah! In the “Why We’re Not Rich” section: In early 1890, John Gay
was reported to have traded 112 acres of land six miles east of Moultrie
to Mart Sapp for 100 bundles of fodder, then worth about a dollar a
bundle. It looked like the area was “going nowhere – and fast.”
Then came the railroads, naval stores and lumber men.
On December 1, 1910, Ben Van Dalsem of the Colquitt County Land Company
sold the same 112-acre tract to J.A. Williams for $2,000. Today, the
value of the tract has been multiplied several times. (And this was in
1956 that this was written…) John Gay was Mel’s great grandpa and this
same story has been groaned about in the family ever since 1890!)
Frances Culbreth was named Miss Moultrie at the Moultrie Theatre in May
of 1933.
Hazel Strickland was judged second and Ruth “Bootsie” Hatcher was
awarded third place.
There were twenty-four girls in the contest to find Moultrie’s most
beautiful!
Do you get The Family Tree? You’re welcome to come by the library in
Moultrie and pick up the current issue and as many back issues as are
available. You’re also welcome to ask to have your name added to our
mailing list. There’s no charge, but we surely do hope you will make a
postage contribution of at least $6.00 or more.
The Family Tree is the largest genealogical publication in the world
and also the largest Scottish publication in the world outside Scotland
(although there’s news of many, many ethnicities as well).
Of course, you may visit
http://electricscotland.com and then click on The Family Tree and see
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