News from The Cartersville Express

 
The Cartersville Express
Cartersville, Georgia
July 12, 1877, Page 3
 
Transcribed by:  
 

Fourth of July.

How a venerable Quartette Spent the National Anniversary.

On the morning of the 4th inst., we met Gen. Wofford on the street and received an invitation to dine with him on that day—at the same time the General saying that none would be present but old men.  At 11 o’clock we left town for Cass Station, and 5 ½ miles of horseback ride brought us to the pleasant and beautiful home of our host.  There we found already assembled—
Mr. Joseph Williams, 97 years old.
Maj. Nathaniel Nicholson, 88 years old.
Mr. Felix D. Franklin, 85 years old.
Mr. John W. White, 81 years old.

Together with our worthy Sheriff and Rev. Mr. John P. Duncan, the blind preacher.  Of this number the editor had known Father Williams forty years ago and Rev. Mr. Duncan more than twenty-five years ago.

As everybody knows Gen. Wofford is one of the most hospitable men in Georgia.  He had brought these old men together for mutual enjoyment, and they certainly spent the day most agreeably to all present.  Before going to dinner Rev. Mr. Duncan was requested to sing a song or two.  The first was that famous and pathetic one of Richard H. Wilde’s, “The last rose of summer,” and so appropriate for the occasion.  The next was “John Anderson, My Joe.”  These pieces were rendered very pathetically and all present felt the force of the sentiment contained in each verse.

The venerable company then repaired to the dining room where all were feasted to a splendid dinner.  Two little girls Miss Lena, daughter of the General, and Miss Florine Cocke, performed the duty of waiting on the table, giving an example of youth and beauty waiting before age.  Old Father Williams was the first to fall back, and when urged to eat more, he simply replied he “couldn’t eat always.”

An hour or two after dinner was spent in lounging around in the yard beneath the large oaks.  In this abandon the time was spent in conversation and repose.  But at 5 o’clock all repaired to the harbor and Mr. Duncan proposed a short religious service. He began by reading scripture and the singing of a hymn, after which he prayed most fervently that these venerable [men] should lengthen out their days in peace and serenity, and for the welfare of all present.  He then sang a farewell song, the title of which we do not remember.  After thanks to our honored and beloved host and hostess all left, well pleased with the days visit.

This was our first visit to the home of Gen. Wofford but we trust it will not be the last.   To him and his estimable lady we are indebted for a most agreeable day under circumstances particularly interesting—interesting because of the plain and substantial hospitality dispersed, and doubly so because it was given in honor of the four oldest men in the county, and because too, there are few men who stop to think of venerable age in these times.

For such kind remembrance of the old we hope Gen. Wofford and lady may live long and as they too shall step down the declivity of age will find extended hands to offer them good cheer as they have in this instance to the venerable men they so kindly entertained.

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Bartow Pauper Farm.

The following is a list of the inmates at present of Bartow county poor house:

Males—Robert Campbell, from 17th district; M. L. Thomas, from 17th district; Martin Rous, Stamp Creek; William Rice, from Pine Log; Arch Rich and family from Wolf Pen; one crazy man, named Smith.  All these men are unable to work but one.

Females—Mrs. Cofer and two children; Lizzie Campbell and two children, from the 17th district; Lizzie Hays and child, from the 17th district; widow Smith and three children, from Adairsville; Willie Turner, Mary Turner and Martha Turner, from Adairsville; Rachel McElreath, from Cartersville; Mrs. Williams, from Cartersville; Mrs. Collins, from Stamp Creek; Mrs. Luther, from Cassville; Mrs. Rich and two children; one negro woman.

There are six of these women under the age of 35 years and all of them have little babies.  The widow Smith’s husband died about eight month’s ago, she has a pair of twin boys about three months old.  There are three more boys in the poor house younger than the twins.

W. J. Collins.

 

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