January 30, 1880
Georgia Weekly Telegraph
Mrs. M. R. Chapman's clothing caught fire on the place of Mr. R. H. Thomas, near Sparta, from a brush heap in the field and burned her fatally. Her clothing was entirely consumed.

April 9, 1880
Georgia Weekly Telegraph
  The Sparta Ismaelite says: Our community was filled with sad suppress on last Sunday by the death of Mr. Lavoisier Forbes. Although it was not expected that he would ever grow well and strong again, very few thought that he would pass away so soon. He was taken sick on the 4th of last July, since which time his decline has been steady and irresistible. At the time when insidious consumption laid hold on him, he was principal in this establishment. He gave up that job, and after months of confinement to his room gained strength enough to take a trip to Florida. But the disease had laid fast hold on him, and after a few months he returned home to die. Sunday morning, a few minutes after eight o'clock, he bade his friends and relatives farewell and went quietly out, as one going to sleep.

May 20, 1880
Georgia Weekly Telegraph
Married.  Mr. L. P. Norman, agent at Haddock's, on the Macon and Brunswick railroad, to Miss Florence J. Butts, at the residence of the bride's father, near Deveraux, by Rev. G. M. Kendrick, of Culverton. The bridegroom and lady, accompanied by a number of friends, left on the 3:30 o'clock train for his home.

June 11, 1880
Daily Constitution
Death of Mrs. Dr. Powell
     Last evening, shortly after 4 o'clock, Mrs. Powell, wife of Dr. Thomas S. Powell, of this city, died at his residence. Mrs. Powell's demise was sudden, although she had been in feeble health for some time past.
  She died of an affection of the heart. The news of her death will sadden many a household where her name and character were revered and esteemed. She was a well beloved lady.
  Last night her remains were taken on board the Macon train en route to Sparta for interment.
  The genuine sympathies of the public will be given to Dr. Powell in this hour of his sad bereavement.

June 24, 1880
Macon Telegraph and Messenger
Augusta News: One of the census enumerators in Hancock county came across a family in which there had been thirteen children born at six births - twins five times and triplets once.

June 27, 1880
Daily Constitution
Milledgeville, June 25. Still dry, dusty and hot. Corn presents a sickly appearance; cotton looking well, but needed rain.
     The nomination of Hancock and English is enthusiastically received.
  Colquitt and Brown stock is improving.
    Benevolent lodge No. 3, F.A. M., whose charter is signed by DeWitt Clinton, grand master of U.S., celebrated St. Johns day, yesterday, with a coalition, and the bill of fare was much more comprehensive than the old saint's daily meat of  "locusts and wild honey." Many of the number spent the day with Daniel lodge No. 85, at Island creek. Colonel Miller Grieve, of this city, made a speech there, which, for historical research, chastens of diction, vindication of the purposes and designs of the order and forcible delivery, is seldom equaled and more rarely surpassed. A bounteous dinner, which none know better how to prepare that the Island creekers, was partaken of by 600 or 800 guests. Baldwin, Hancock, Jones, Putnam and Washington counties were represent. At a late hour the acres of buggies and other vehicles bore their live freight homeward, with "three cheers and one cheer more

July 16, 1880
Daily Constitution
Death of Colonel Whitehead
We regret to learn of the sudden demise of Colonel Whitehead, which occurred yesterday, at his home in Sparta. The colonel was well known in Atlanta where he lived for many years prior to his return to Sparta which occurred about two years ago.

July 23, 1880
Georgia Weekly Telegraph and Journal & Messenger.
   A Desperate fight occurred at Devereaux station on  Sunday night, between Edgar Simmons and Lewis Butts, both colored, resulting in the instant death of the first. The jugular vein was severed by a pistol ball. Butts was terribly carved.

August 7, 1880
Columbus Daily Enquirer-Sun
Mr. William Jordan, in Carroll county, had a barbecue and reunion of all his children, who amount to 97 in all. Uncle Bill, as he is called, was born in Hancock county, Ga., in 1810, and is 70 years of age. He has cultivated a good large crop this year, doing most of the plowing himself. His wife was born in 1817, and is 63 years of age. She was born in Elbert county. These two old people have fifteen children, of which five are dead. The other ten were at the barbecue. They have 68 grandchildren, four great grandchildren above, which only leave eight of this large family that are dead. Those who were present say the old man killed meat enough and had plenty to have fed over a thousand people read for his children when they arrived.

August 10, 1880
The Telegraph and Messenger and The Telegraph Exchange
OLD-FASHIONED CAMP MEETING.
Hancock County's Great Revival - Large Crowds and Deep Interest,
  On Sunday morning a Telegraph and Messenger reported landed at Culverton, in Hancock county, near which thriving little town is being held one of the largest camp meetings organized in middle Georgia for many years. The camp is pitched in a grove several hundred yards to the right of the railroad, and is very comfortably arranged. The tents, as they are still called, are commodious frame dwellings, built of unplaned lumber, most of them two stories high.
  The floors are covered with fresh, sweet straw, and the beds neat and well arranged. In the middle of the grove is a gigantic shed, built of heavy timber and shingled; beneath its wide spreading roof were seats sufficient to accommodate even the crowd of from fifteen hundred to two thousand, which were present on Sunday. In the western side the altar stood, and beneath it lay the traditional horn used to call the worshippers
together. About the grounds we noticed hundreds of vehicles, the larger portion of the crowd present attending from their homes.
  Among the ministers in attendance were Rev. J. O. A. Clark, Rev. Joseph S. Key, Rev. George Patillo, Rev. A. J, Jarrell, Rev. D. D. Cox, Rev. W. A. Dodge, Rev. Green D. Kendrick, Rev. Simon P. Richardson, Bishop George F. Pierce, Rev. Thomas Pierce, Dr. A. G. Haygood, Rev. H. H. Parks, and Rev. W. T. Hamilton.
    Divine service was held at 8 a.m., 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and at night, Revs. A. G. Haygood, Jos. S. Key, S. P. Richardson and A. J. Jarrell officiating.
  A large number of colored people were present, attending service and conducting themselves in a most orderly manner.
  At 2 p.m., they were addressed by a minister of their own number in an earnest and enlightened manner.
  the exercises of the morning closed at about 12:30 o'clock, when all adjourned for dinner. The hospital tents were thrown open and private baskets investigated. The bishop entertained large numbers in his own tent. The camp at night presented a beautiful appearances; in addition to the lights under the central shed and the lights of the various tents, fires built upon stands scattered about the grove filled the scene with a soft radiance, through which the forms of many and interested couple, or meditative wanderer, passed slowly to and fro. When the services were all ended, gathered about the tents the crowd in groups spent the remainder of the evening in social converse.
  The meeting will last through to-morrow, though we learn that many will content to abide on the grounds for a week or so to get the benefit of open air life, and the waters of a neighboring mineral spring.

August 17, 1880
Columbus Daily Enquirer-Sun
  Rev. G. H. Patillo tells the Sparta Times and Planter of a remarkable occurrence that he witnessed the other day. While passing the premises of Rev. D. D. Cox he saw a pick suckling a cow. The pig ha reared up against the cow's hind legs, thus having access to the teats. Both seemed to enjoy the novelty of the thing.

August 20, 1880
Columbus Daily Enquirer-Sun
  Mr. A. S. Carmichael, of Sparta, died Monday.

September 21, 1880
Union and Recorder
  Mrs. Rebecca Salter, daughter of the late Judge Linton Stephens, died suddenly in Sparta on Friday morning last.

October 8, 1880
Georgia Weekly Telegraph
Sparta Times and Planter: We regret to announce the death of Mrs. Josiah Carr, which occurred last Sunday morning. She was the daughter of Mr. Henry Collins and a most estimable lady.
   With sorrow we chronicle the death of Mrs. (Mr.) A. B. Buckner. After a lingering illness of several months his life went out quietly, peacefully. Without a struggle his spirit took its flight into eternity. What a fitting death - as he lived so he died. mr. Buckner was a gentleman of sterling qualities, and his death leaves a  void in the community that will be hard to fill. For a number of years he was clerk of the Superior Court and he discharged his duties with efficiency. He was buried with Masonic honors.

October 8, 1880
Georgia Weekly Telegraph
Mr. J. R. Binion, Jr., of Island Creek, died last week. He was the victim of typhoid fever. He was a young man of promise, and his early taking off is sad indeed.

October 20, 1880
Columbus Daily Enquirer
Mr. W. F. Little and Miss Lillie Culver, of Sparta are married.

November 2, 1880
The Weekly Constitution
    SPARTA. October 29. Last night, at Culverton, five miles from Sparta, Mr. Fletcher Waller, a sober and industrious young farmer, was married to Miss Tommie Moore, the amiable and intelligent daughter of Hon. J. W. Moore, member elect of the legislature. Rev. G. H. Pattillo, performed the ceremony,

November 23, 1880
Macon Telegraph and Messenger
Sparta Times and Planter:  Mr. William Grant, an old and respected citizen of this county, died on Saturday the 11th instant. Mr. Grant was seventy-one years of age.  

January 31, 1881
Macon Telegraph and Messenger
Sparta Times and Planter: We regret to chronicle the death of Mr. John Boyer, which said event occurred at his residence in this county on the 24th inst. He was one of the oldest citizens of the county, being at the time of his death about seventy-two years of age. He was one of the early settlers who enlisted in the Indian war.

February 1, 1881
Union and Recorder
 From the Times & Planter we learn of the death of Mrs. Mary Boyer, at Linton, on the 17th ult.

February 15, 1881
Union and Recorder
  We regret to have to chronicle the death of Mrs. Sophronia A. R. Cooper, the wife of our venerable and distinguished fellow-citizen, Hon. Mark A. Cooper, which sad event occurred at her home, Glen Holly, on Sunday morning last, the 6th inst. The deceased was born in Hancock county, June 28th, 1801, married 6th of January, 1825, and was the mother of ten children. [Cartersville Free Press]

February 23 1881
Atlanta Constitution
Sparta, February 21 - Yesterday, at Jewell's Mills, in this county, died Mr. Orlando Jewell, a young gentleman of excellent social standing and generous impulses. For a long time he had been in the clutches of consumption and finally yielded to its grasp. All lament his death.
Hon. George F. Pierce, Jr., left to-day for court. His duties as solicitor of the Northern circuit will be ably performed. Prof. Willoughby Reade made a number of friends by his recent recitations in Sparta.

March 8, 1881
Union and Recorder
  Mr. Luke Robinson, an aged citizen of this county, living near Carr's station, Hancock county, was killed on Thursday last by an accident. The steers he was driving ran away, and the old man was thrown out of the wagon and killed.

March 29, 1881
Union and Recorder
  From the "Times & Planter," we learn that a fiendish attempt was made, last Wednesday, upon the person of a respectable young lady, Miss Lizzie Johnson, living about eight miles south-east of Sparta, by a negro man named Felix Barnes. She desperately and successfully resisted his attempt upon her virtue. Her person was considerably bruised by the blows of the villain. The timely appearance of a gentleman in a buggy was all that saved her. The negro fled into a swamp, but was arrested and acknowledged the crime. The next day his body was found in the road at the spot where the violence was committed, his head nearly severed from his body, and several bullet holes through him.

April 5, 1881
Union and Recorder
  Mr. Joshua Barnes, aged 79 years, died recently in the upper part of Hancock county.

April 23, 1881
The Macon Telegraph and Messenger
Linked in Hymen's Chain.
  Yesterday the oft recurring question of "Who'll be the next?" was answered for the Sparta pubic when Mr. Willie H. Bone, of Macon, led to the altar Miss Sallie S. Harris, one of Sparta's fairest flowers. The ceremony took place at the Methodist church at 3 o'clock, Rev. D. D. Cox officiating. Such an event never fails to attract a crowd, and this was no exception to the rule. No attempt was made at display, and yet the concourse of lookers-on was large and the interest manifested was not abated by the lack of it. Unattended Mr. Bone led his charming bride to the altar, and in the presence of the many witnesses the preacher pronounced them husband and wife. The groom is well known in Hancock. where he lived for a number of years. A more genial gentleman than Willie has never been our pleasure to know. Courteousness and affability are characteristics with him that mark a well balanced mind and a heart of noble impulses. The bride is indeed a fit companion for such a noble husband. She is endowed with qualities that will fill her home with sunshine, and bless the life of him with whom her destiny is linked.
  Immediately after the ceremony the happy young couple left on the evening train for the home of the groom's father in Baldwin county, near Steven's Pottery, where a reception will be given them. They are followed by the very best wishes of the entire community. To our young friend and his bride we extend congratulations. In this indissoluble union of hearts may they realize the full fruition of the very sweetest joys of wedded life. Sparta Times.
  Mr. Bone is the energetic and gentlemanly traveling agent of Messrs. Jaques and Johnson, of this city, and one of the most popular "boys" on the road. We extend our congratulations.

May 3, 1881
Union and Recorder
DEATH OF DR. STONE-We regret to learn that Dr. John Stone died at his residence in Linton, on the 27th ult., of a sudden attack of colic. He was about sixty-five years of age, and was an eminent physician and a christian gentleman. He gave to the Baptist Association the land at Linton for the location of the Washington Institute.

May 3, 1881
Union and Recorder
   From the "Times & Planter," we learn that Mrs. Mary A. Alfriend died on the 25th of April, and Dr. Wm. L. Alfriend died on the 27th of April.

June 14, 1881
Union and Recorder
  On Thursday 2nd inst., Hon. Thos. Warthen and Miss Carrie Middlebrooks of Hancock county were married.

June 24, 1881
Georgia Weekly Telegraph
The Sparta Ishmaelite says Rev. Josiah Lewis, Sr., died in that place on the 11th inst., aged seventy-three years, after surviving five strokes of paralysis. He had been in the ministry thirty-nine years.

June 28, 1881
Union and Recorder
  Mrs. J. R. Christian was buried in the Sparta cemetery on last Sunday. She died in Forsyth on Saturday after a short illness - leaving behind her three little children. May Heaven deal gently with these stricken little ones and with the sorrowing husband..

July 22, 1881
Macon Telegraph
A SAD DEATH. Earley this morning, died, in this city, Harriet, infant daughter of Hon. Seaborn Reese, of Sparta. After six weeks of suffering, during which science and tenderness exhausted their resources in vane, the little soul winged its way beyond the skies. Around this little blossom many love and motherly affection had entwined themselves strongly. May the bleeding tendrils so rudely loosened, droop not and wither in the dust, but creeping upward find a hold beyound death's dark dominion.

July 27, 1881
Macon Weekly Telegraph
Died. In Sparta, on the evening of July 26th,Mrs. Seaborn Reese, second daughter of Col. A. J. Lane, of Bibb county.

August 18, 1881
Georgia Weekly Telegraph
Says the Augusta News: A FAMILY OF GREAT LONGEVITY. There recently died in Hancock County a maiden lady, Miss Winifred B. Wilson, who came of a family noted for great longevity. The parents were married in 1797, and the average of their ages was 82 years. They had eight children, the first of whom, Mrs. T. C. Latimer, died at the age of 54. The lady mentioned above was 82 years old, and there are six of the family now living whose ages range from 67 to 80. Their names and ages are as follows: Wm. L. Wilson, 80; Mrs. E. A. Rachels, 78; Mrs. T. C. Howard, 73; Mrs. L. B. Tucker, 71; Mr. R. L. Wilson, 69; Mrs. M. H. Wilkes, 67. the average age of those living is 73 years.

August 30, 1881
Union and Recorder
  From the Times & Planter. Mrs. Wm. Boykin, an aged lady of Sparta, died on  Saturday last.

September 20, 1881
Union and Recorder
From the Ishmaelite
Julian Horton, one of the men blown up a week or so since while blasting rock, died last week.
  From the Times and Planter we learn thatCapt. John  T. Mulally died near Sparta last week.

November 11, 1881
Georgia Weekly Telegraph
   We learn from the Sparta Times and Planter that Bishop Pierce returned from the West last Friday, bringing with him an Indian youth, with the purpose of educating him for the ministry. The young man, whose age we suppose to be about eighteen, is named, we believe, for the Bishop, George Freeman. He is said to be a convert to the Christian religion, giving, unmistakable evidence of his gentleness, piety and devotion to the cause. He entered school at the academy last Monday, where he will purse his studies until prepared to enter college, when the Bishop will send him to Oxford.

December 16, 1881
Macon Weekly Telegraph
   ~excerpt~ Col. T. J. Smith was born in Hancock county, Georgia, November 17th, 1819, was left an orphan at a very early age, and was raised by a pious grandmother-Mrs. Sarah Morris, a sister of Governor Rabun. He was first taught by Dr. Nathan S. Beeman, at Mt. Zion, and completed his education at Mercer University.......Having selected farming as an occupation, he married one of Hancock's fairest daughters, Miss Mary Gonder. whose zealous co-operation with her husband has challenged the admiration of every Georgian..
  Colonel Smith gave his whole influence against secession, but when his State seceded he entered the army-was a gallant officer in the Fifteenth Georgia regiment.....he was elected Representative and Senator for fifteen sessions....active member of the "Planters' Club of Hancock County"...
    ...While on a visit, preparatory to his removal to Florida, he was stricken with fever. His family was summoned to his side, and on the 14th of October, 1881, he died ...brought his remains to his native county, and laid them awy in the cemetery at Sparta....Ivey W. Duggan

December 23, 1881
Georgia Weekly Telegraph
  Mr. Uriah King, of Linton, Ga., widely known in this county and a very worthy man, died at his home on Tuesday last. He had many friends and relatives in this city (Milledgeville) and county.

December 27, 1881
Union and Recorder
~excerpt~ DIED at his residence in Hancock co., on the 15th Nov., Mr. Thos. M. Smith, aged 40 years and three months. He was loved and respected by the entire community, was an honest, industrious man, a quiet, good citizen, a kind and affectionate husband and a loving father...
  Mr Smith leaves a wife and five children to mourn his loss, but their loss is his eternal gain.

January 31, 1882
Union and Recorder
  From the Ismaelite Mr. Henry D. Amos and Miss Sallie Jones are married. Also Mr. N. S. Hodges of Va, and Miss Julia A. Clark, of Hancock. Mrs. Mary Etta Hammock was buried at Jewell's on Jan. 8th. She died in S. C., and was a daughter of Mr. Benj. A. Head.

The Times and Planter. Mr. J. P. Turner and Miss Anna Williams were married on the 24th inst.

February 21, 1882
Union and Recorder
  Mr. William Walker, formerly of this city, died at the residence of his son-in-law, in Hancock county, on Sunday morning last. Mr. Walker was a good man, and leaves a large circle of relatives and friends to mourn his death. The remains reached this place yesterday, and the funeral will take place this morning at half past nine o'clock. He will be buried with Masonic honors.

February 28, 1882
Union and Recorder
Mrs. Fanny Little and Dr. A. M. Burt were married in Sparta recently.

April 1, 1882
The Macon Telegraph and Messenger
  Sparta, Ga., March 31 - Mrs. A. A. Underwood, who lives about four miles from this place, is critically ill and is not expected to live.
  Mr. and Mrs. R. M. Thomas gave Col. Louis H. Thomas, of Athens, and bride, nee Miller, who had just arrived from Savannah, the former residence of the bride, and elegant reception night before last.
  A ledger which was used here in 1820  was shown here to-day. One of the young men of the place says it is the only ledger in town which has not got his name on it.
  Mr. James Smith is building a court house here which will cost $25,000. He expects to complete it in time for the October term of the court to be held in it. It will be one of the handsomest court houses in the State - two stories high, and will be a credit to the city and county. It will have two fire-proof rooms for keeping the records of the county in it. The county has half enough money on hand now to pay for the building, and the remainder will be derived from the taxes this year without making the rate burdensome.

April 21, 1882
Georgia Weekly Telegraph
Sparta Ishmaelite: Many years ago a woman lived in fine style in this county. She died recently at the poor house, 98 years of age. Her name is Polly Huckabee. The vicissitudes of live are many and wonderful, but the grave makes all things even. The clods of the valley press full as lightly on the beggar as upon the prince. The rough ways and the smooth ways all have a common blending in the dust.

April 22, 1882
The Macon Telegraph and Messenger
  Sparta, Ga., April 20. - The stillness of the town is only broken by the noise of the stone-cutters, as they "peck away" on the granite for the corners of the new courthouse.
  Mr. James Smith, the contractor, is  receiving the pressed brick for the outside of the building, and we hope soon to see a handsome and substantial structure reared in the place of the one which was for so long a shame to our county.
  Miss M. A. Bail is having a fine monument erected over the grave of her uncle, Mr. E. F. Cothern, who for a long time was one of our most prominent merchants, and, withal, a successful business man.
  Judge J. C. Simmons is still to unwell to be able to attend to any business, and his conditions has been several times very critical; but he is a man of great cheerfulness and indomitable will, and these qualities are often as valuable in the patient as skill in the physician.
  Rev. Warren Candler, pastor of the M. E. Church, will deliver the address on memorial ay. We expect a treat, for what Mr. Candler does, he does well. A. H.

May 2, 1882
Union and Recorder
  MissLena King, daughter of the late Uriah King, died April 22nd, near Linton.

May 5, 1882
Atlanta Constitution
MEEKER - STEVENS - Married at the residence of Mr. John A. Barry, 93 Washington street, last evening, by Rt. Rev. Wm. Gross, Mr. John A. Meeker, of Athens, Ga., to Miss Emmy A.Stevens, daughter of Rev. Carlos W. Stevens and Lou Gonder Stevens, late of Sparta, Ga.

May 20, 1882
The Macon Telegraph and Messenger
  Eatonton. To-day our community is about to pay respect to an old and honored citizen, Mr. Henry Rogers, who died at his residence, two miles north of Sparta, last night. Mr. Rogers was, for a long time, a prominent citizen of our county, a wealthy and influential planter, and one of the first stockholders in the Montour mills. He held, for many years, the important office of ordinary of Hancock, with credit to himself, and to the satisfaction of the citizens of our county.

July 4, 1882
Union and  Recorder
Hancock, From the Ishmaelite. Miss Lucy Burnett, and Mr. E. S. Kendrick were married in Sparta, at the M. E. Church, on the 22nd inst.

September 5, 1882
Union and Recorder
"From the Ishmaelite.
      Braxton Stevens stuck a nail in his foot on last Wednesday night and died of lockjaw last Thursdy night.

      Pink Cain, a well known colored boy about Sparta attempted to committ suicide, by shooting himself with a pistol, through the left breast on last Monday. we learn that
Dr. Durham thinks he may recover.
   Since the above was put in type Pink has died.

October 21, 1882
Union and Recorder
   MissMaud S. Turner the youngest daughter of Col. Thomas M. Turner of Sparta, was married to Mr. V. E. Orr of Sandersville on last Wednesday afternoon at three o'clock.

November 21, 1882
Union and Recorder
Hancock, From the Ishmelite.
  Mr. George Culver died on the 6th inst., aged 78 years,
Mrs R. B. Baxter died in Sparta on the 10th inst.

December 9, 1882
The Telegraph and Messenger
  The Ishmaelite has found an old well in Sparta, about what the oldest inhabitant seems to be ignorant: "While a horse was passing across the street in front of the Confederate monument last Saturday, the ground gave way under his foot and a well of something over twenty feet in depth appeared. This altogether unexpected appearance created a considerable stir in town. The well is nicely walled in with rock. There was a thing covering of dirt over it-perhaps a foot in thickness. When this well was dug, or by whom, is a question of general inquiry. It is something remarkable that notwithstanding the much travel over this part of the street, that this crust of earth should so long have withstood the pressure upon it. Whose well is it?

January 17, 1883
Atlanta Constitution
DEATH IN SPARTA,
Special to The Constitution. SPARTA, January 16. Colonel T. M. Turner, of this place, died last Sunday morning and was buried yesterday. Bishop Pierce preaching the funeral sermon. Colonel Turner was in his seventy-third year and had lived forty-five years a consistent member of the Methodist church. He was a man of irreproachable integrity and sterling worth, and by his activity in business, that of a planter, even down to his last illness, he set a good example to the young men of the country. He had, during his life, accumulated much property and died owning large tracts of land.

February 15, 1883
Columbus Daily Enquirer
-Mr. Milton Bass, an old citizen of Hancock county, died on Sunday night last at 8 o'clock.

April 18, 1883
The Telegraph and Messenger
MACON AND SPARTA
Bound by Another Tie - A Happy Marriage.
   On yesterday morning, at 7:10, a party of gentlemen left Macon to attend to important business in the neighboring town of Sparta. They arrived safely and scattered around the place until the afternoon when they participated in a social affair, which is so well described in the Ishmaelite that we cheerfully accept it:
  Miss Florence L. Little, of Sparta, was married this (Tuesday) afternoon at 3 o'clock to Mr. R. D. Clancy, of Macon. Miss Florence is the eldest daughter of Hon. F. L. Little, of Hancock county, and Mr. Clancy, better known as "Duff", is one of the most jovial and popular young men of Bibb county. The ceremony was performed at the Sparta Methodist Church, by Rev. J. W. Burke, of Macon. No man ever won a more worthy bride, and, from personal acquaintance, we are satisfied that no bride ever won a truer or nobler husband. We trust happiness and prosperity may follow them. They never followed a fairer couple.
  The attendants were Mr. W. D. Williams, of Macon, and Miss Claud S. Simons, of Sparta, Mr. T. C. Parker of Macon, and Miss Yula Reese, of Madison, R. S. Little and Miss Willie Sassnette, of Sparta, Mr. Johnson Clancy, of Macon, and Miss Berta Rogers, of Hancock.
   The church was remarkably handsomely decorated, and the marriage ceremony was performed under an artistically arranged floral umbrella. The bridal party left on the 3:30 train for Macon.

May 8, 1883
Atlanta Constitution
Sparta Sunbeam: On Sunday afternoon in company with a friend we visited the grave of one of Georgia's noblest sons, Judge Linton Stephen's, whose gigantic intellect once sparkled with all the dazzling splendour of the noonday sun, and within whom the elements of true manhood were as well developed as the sturdy oak of the virgin forest. Within a neat picket enclosure erected by loving hands not more than thirty paces from the front entrance to his family residence, is the grave of Judge Stephen's. It is not overshadowed by the tall heights of an Italian monument and is unmarked save by a mound over which the smiles of spring have thrown a robe of green. The rose and the jessamine growing in trained luxuriance, mingle their fragrance, and the tall cedars and trailing vines give the scene a quiet loveliness that is in keeping with the cherished memories of the dead..

June 22, 1883

May 15, 1883
Union and Recorder
Mrs. America Stewart died in Sparta, on the 5th inst., aged 56 years.

May 23, 1883
Atlanta Constitution
Death of Uncle Jacob
From the Sparta Sunbeam
     Old Uncle Jacob, who for many years attended to the graves in the cemetery, has laid aside his hoe forever and his old worn out frame has sunk to rest in the soil so often pressed by his own industrious footsteps. Never more will his palsied hand water the drooping flowers which love plants on the graves of the departed, nor train the foliage of trees through which the sighing winds chant a requiem above the graves of the dead; but humble as his grave may be, his own hand planted a living monument above it which nature will be-dew- with her tears and keep clothed in memory's green with her smiles, while the  flowers, offsprings of his gentle care, will waft their fragrance o'er his lowly couch and in voiceless language breathe the sacred sentiment of love and remembrance.

May 19, 1883
Union and Recorder
  Mr.George C. Smith died at his residence in Hancock county, near Island Creek, on Saturday, 19th inst. He was buried in the family grave-yard on his homestead. He leaves a wife and a large family of children to mourn their loss. He joined the Baptist church at Island Creek in his youth and retained his membership in that church 'till his death. He was 52 years of age.

May 29, 1883
Union and Recorder
  Mrs. Julia A., wife of Mr. M. Butler, died on Friday night of consumption aged 49 years. She leaves five children to mourn her loss. The remains were taken to Sparta, Sunday morning, for interment in the family square.

June 1, 1883
Atlanta Constitution
Sparta Ishmaelite: Mr. Alonzo Birdsong was killed by the 11 o'clock train on the Macon and Augusta railroad between the Culverton depot and his residence on last Monday night. His body was found at the stock gap about two hundred and fifty yards east of the Culverton depot in a fearfully mangled condition. The coroner has gone out to hold an inquest, and some think the fact will be developed that he was killed and laid on the track to be run over by the train as a blind. This is a tragic termination of a sad life, and the life and death are a solemn lesson to the young men of Hancock. Alonzo was a bright boy-and at school a brilliant youth, the son of one of the first families of the county, but in early youth he acquired an evil habit, that has clouded his life and has been indirectly the cause of his death. In the stock gap was a flask of whisky, and on the gap there was blood, and beyond the gap lay the body of a young man, who in mind was gifted by nature far above the average of his fellow men. Behold the history of life! Not this is not all-beyond the body at home is the wife and two little children waiting for the husband and father who will never come. Alonzo was about twenty-nine years of age open handed, generous, honest, and of a kindly disposition. The one defect in his character was his thirst for sting drink, and the evils which necessarily sprung therefrom.

June 12, 1883
Union and Recorder
From the Ishmaelite. Gus Kelsey, an aged citizen, committed suicide. Jack Dickens, over ninety years of age, died last week.

June 22, 1883
Atlanta Weekly Constitution
    W. B. Kendrick, of Sparta, was married to Miss Anna Moffett, of Atlanta, at Tennille yesterday morning.

July 17, 1883
Atlanta Constitution
Sparta Sunbeam: Jewell's factory was sold on last Tuesday for $18,000, having been bought by Colonel W.L.L. Bowen son-in-law of Mr. D.A. Jewell. We have not learned what disposition Colonel Bowen will make of the property, but presume that the factory will continue in operation. This factory has a national reputation and is invaluable to Hancock county, and we hope that its future may be attended with prosperity.

The Sparta Sunbeam says that on Thursday afternoon the town was thrown into a flutter of excitement over a very quietly conducted matrimonial event that deprived Sparta of one of her fairest and most lovely daughters. Mr. F. H. Neary, formerly a practical attorney of Sparta and now a civil engineer on a railroad being built by Jay Gould and others in the state of Mississippi, and Miss Pierce Stewart were the contracting parties.

July 27, 1883
Atlanta Constitution
 Sparta Ishamelite: On last Tuesday night shortly before ten o'clock the barn of Hon. J. W. Moore in Culverton was seen to be on fire. No one had been in the barn that night, and this fact taken in connection with the location of the flame when first seen, indicates rather pointedly that the fire was the work of an incendiary. The loss will amount to between five and six hundred dollars with no insurance.
     The many friends of Bishop Pierce will regret to learn that he is in very feeble health. A recent trip by rail in the heat and dust so irritated and inflamed his throat that he was unable to speak without great effort for several days.

July 28, 1883
Atlanta Constitution
Sparta, Georgia
Death of Jas. B. Edwards
Special to The Constitution
Sparta, July 27 - Mr. Jas. B. Edwards, the oldest citizen of our town, died here night before last and was buried yesterday afternoon. He was a man of irreproachable moral character and business integrity, possessing the confidence of all who had dealings with him He was a bachelor and in the eight seventh year of his age The Edwards house, now kept by Miss Ball, was named for him.
  A military company has been organized and a bazaar for its benefit will be given on the 7th proximo in the new courthouse, at which time the convention in the interest of the projected railroad will convene.

August 21, 1883
Atlanta Constitution
Sparta, Georgia. DEATH. Special to The Constitution
Sparta, August 20 Mrs. L. G. Stevens, formerly of this place, but lately of Athens, died last Friday night in that city and the body was brought here yesterday for burial, accompanied by Mr. John Meeker, the son-in-law of the deceased.
      Miss A. E. Rechter, the former telegraph operator, since the strike has been sent to Eufaula, Alabama. Her place here is filled with success by a pupil of hers, Herschel Turner.

August 30, 1883
Macon Weekly Telegraph
Death of an Infant. Theinfant son of Mr. W. H. Bone was carried over to Sparta for burial yesterday morning. He died Tuesday night. The afflicted parents returned to the city yesterday afternoon.

September  20, 1883
Atlanta Constitution
The Sparta Ishmaelite says: "Little Lovick Pierce, son of Mr. Lovick Pierce, of Sparta, died of laryngitis on last Monday night. He was a bright little fellow of strong individuality and fine promise.

November 13, 1883
Union and Recorder
Mr. Haygood, an aged and infirm man, died at the residence of his son-in-law, Mr. Fred Butts, in the city, on Saturday last, about noon. He remains were carried to the old homestead in Hancock county, for burial.

January 29, 1884
Union and Recorder
Mrs. Matt Pound died at her home near Linton, on Monday morning last. She leaves a husband and two little children to mourn her death. The afflicted have our sympathy in this irreparable bereavement. Mrs. Pound was a most excellent lady.

February 5, 1884
Union and Recorder
Mrs. Mattie Collins wife of Mr. Henry M. Collins died at the residence of her husband, near Powelton, on the night of 24th inst. Mrs. Collins was a daughter of J. R. Whaley, and was one of the most estimable ladies of our county.
  Married, at the residence of the bride's father, on the 10th of Jan., last, Miss Angeline C. Irby and Mr. W. R. Cook, Rev. James M. Hall officiating.

March 20, 1884
The Macon Telegraph and Messenger
Sparta, Deaths. March 19 -Miss Stephens, an old maiden lady who kept house for Mrs. Remington, of the Edwards House, died yesterday about 5 o'clock, of consumption. She will be buried this afternoon in the cemetery here.

April 1, 1884
Atlanta Constitution
Sparta, March 31 - Mrs. T. Martin, of New York who has been quite sick here at the home of her brother, Hon. W. J. Northen, is now some better. Her son, Mr. Thomas Martin, of Augusta, came up Saturday.
  Mr. W. B. Moore has left Sparta and is drummer for Este & Wilson, grocers and real estate agents of Macon.
  Rev. Mr. George, of the Episcopal church, preached his last sermon here yesterday evening.

April 4, 1884
Union and Recorder
  Mr. Henry Pattillo was drowned near Mayfield, in Stillwater creek, on the morning of the 14th of March. He was driving a cart, and the water was high. The horse swam out. He was a bright young man.

April 29, 1884
Union Recorder
Hancock, From the Ishmalite. Mrs. Ruthie Harper,  mother of Mr. B. I. Harper, died at the residence of her son in this county on Sunday the 13th inst. Mrs. Harper was an estimable old lady, and we deeply sympathize with her relatives and friends in their bereavement.

April 29, 1884
Atlanta Constitution
COLONEL JOHNSTON'S FUNERAL
The Service to Occur at the Residence -An Executive Order Passed.
     The funeral of Colonel Mark Johnston will take place to-day at ten o'clock. The services will be held at Colonel Johnston's late residence at West End, and he will be buried at Oakland cemetery. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Howard Courtney, who is the pastor of the church to which Colonel Johnston belonged. The following pall bearers have been selected: J W Warren, G I Orr, Rebert U Hardeman, Thomas C Howard, Judge Richard H Craig, George W Adair, W F Siston, R P Howell. Hon. Mark Johnston, Jr. son of Colonel Johnston, has arrived from Milledgeville.
    Mr. Oliver T. White is expected to arrive today, Mr. C. P. Culver of Hancock county, arrived Sunday at 5 o'clock. Colonel Richard M. Johnston, of Baltimore, a brother of Colonel Mark Johnston, will not be present. Sunday several hundred people visited the house to view the remains, showing the high esteem in which Colonel Johnston was held.
   Colonel Johnston was born in Hancock county and would have been 67 years old had he lived until next July. He was graduated at the university of Virginia and practiced law awhile in Macon. He and Judge Ab. Powers were partners at one time. Afterward he and John Forsyth were co editors and proprietors of the Columbus Daily Times. He went to  Cartersille, which was then in Cass county, and he and Colonel Abda Johnson were partners. He represented his county twice in the senate at a time when each county had a senator. he was a brother of Richard M. Johnston and belonged to that class of old citizens, the last of whom are now rapidly passing away.
   Yesterday the governor passed the following order:
    State of Georgia, Executive Department, Atlanta, Ga, April 28, 1884: Ordered, that the offices at the capitol be closed from the hour of 9 o'clock a.m. to 2 o'clock p.m. to-morrow in respect to the memory of our late friend and co-laborer, Mark Johnston, giving to all an opportunity of attend his obsequies. he has closed his earthly labors and now rests from the severe affliction of body that for so long a time excited the anxiety and sympathy of those who loved and admired him. We who were his daily associates well knew his lofty traits of character and appreciated the rare virtues of his life and disposition and now bear witness to the great loss we sustain in his death.
HENRY D. MCDANIEL
By the governor.
J. W. WARREN,
Secretary, executive department

May 20, 1884
Atlanta Constitution
Died of His Injuries. Sparta, May 16 (Special) Master Hardy Culver, who shot himself last Saturday afternoon died last night.
   The infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lovick Pierce died yesterday at 6:30 a.m., and was buried this morning at nine.

May 20, 1884
Macon Telegaph
  Little Camille, infant daughter of Mr. Lovick Pierce, died yesterday morning of infantile diarrhea. Thus the severest of afflictions has befallen both members of the firm of Pierce & Culver. The sympathies of our entire community are extended to the afflicted families.

May 21, 1884
The Telegraph and Messenger
May. 20 - Mr. James D. Long, of Warren county, and Miss Yilla Amoss, of this county, were married at the residence of the bride's mother, Mrs. John Amoss, near Devereux Station, this morning at 8 a.m. The groom is a popular gentleman and a progressive young farmer while his bride is a most charming and popular young lady. The best wishes of a host of friends go with them to their new home.

June 22, 1884
Macon Telegraph
Sparta, June 21. Little Uannine, infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. V. E. Orr. died 5 o'clock yesterday afternoon of cholera infantum. The sympathies of the town are extended to the beraved parents, who have thus lost their only child.

July 1, 1884
Union and Recorder
MARRIED, On the 19th of June, 1884, by Rev. W. R. Morris, Mr. Green B. Quinn and Miss Sarah F. Simmons, all of Hancock county.

July 9, 1884
The Telegraph and Messenger
SPARTA. June 8 - Mr. John W. Moate, of Devereaux, died at his home last night at 10 o'clock, of typhoid pneumonia. He had suffered constantly since about thirty days ago, though his case was not thought to be hopeless until within ten days past. Mr. Moate leaves a wife and eight children to mourn their irreparable loss, while the whole community loses one of the best men who has ever lived in their midst. He was of inestimable value to his neighborhood, being a large merchant and most kind to many farmers and others who will surely miss him most sorely. Mr. Moate was a prominent and useful member of the Methodist church and in his death that church loses one of its bright and shining lights.

July 11, 1884
Weekly Sumter Republican
DIED. At her residence in this city, Saturday the 5th instant, at 9 o'clock p.m., Mrs. H. Elam in the 59th year of her age. Mrs. Elam was born in Hancock county, Ga., January 7th, 1826, and married to Mr. Frank Butts in 1843, She leaves four surviving children by that marriage. After the death of Mr., Butts and in the year 1865, she married Mr. H. Elam, who died several years ago. Mrs. Elam connected herself with the Methodist church in the days of her girlhood and lived the life of an exemplary christian to the time of her death. For many months she has been an invalid, confined to her room. She knew that her end was approaching and expressed an anxious desire that the day of her departure might be near at hand. We trust she has reached the christians home in glory, where pain is never felt, and where the weary are a rest.
  The funeral took place at 5:30 o'clock p.m., last Sabbath, at Oak Grove Cemetery, Dr. A. T. Mann officiating.

August 12, 1884
Union and Recorder
   Hancock from the Ishmelite. Mr. Matt Pounds and Miss Rushing were married, by E. Swint, J. P.

August 26, 1884
Atlanta Constitution
Deaths in Hancock. Sparta, Ga., August 25. (Special) On Friday night, Mr. G. W. Bass of this county, died, after a protracted illness, and on the following morningMrs. Frank Brinkley, a resident of the same community, departed this life. Yesterday about noon, the country lost one of its most gifted artists in the death of Mr. J. F. Mendes, of our town. He was a native of Holland, where for many years he studied crayon portrait drawing under the best masters. The fact that he was but little known is due to a number of other causes and not to the inferiority of his work. Among the best portraits found in his studio is one of Dr. R. B. Nisbet, of Eatonton, Ga.

September 10, 1884
Dublin Post
Death of Bishop Pierce.   The death of Bishop George F. Pierce, at Sparta, Ga., on the 9th, inst., at 9 o'clock a.m., was the cause of many said hearts throughout the country.
  Bishop Pierce was born near Greensboro, South Carolina, in the year 1811; was sent to Athens University when fifteen years ld, and graduated in 1829. He joined the Georgia Conference in 1831, the year of its organization, being one of its first members. The first year of his ministry was crowned with flattering success, one hundred and fifty having united themselves with the church under the influence of his teachings. The third year he was appointed to the Savannah circuit, where he met Miss Annie N. Waldron, whom in married February 4th, 1834, Rev. Richard I. Wynn, now of Texas, officiating.
  Thirty years ago he was elected to the high office of Bishop by the general Conference of the Methodist Episcopal church, south, which convened in Columbus. He has conformed to the arduous duties of the important office ever since, oft continues exposing himself to hardships in order to advance his Master's cause. For over  fifty years he has, by the daily walk and kind works, pointed the transgressor to the Cross of Christ.
  In the death of Bishop Pierce the country loses one of its noblest and purest men, and the Methodist church sustains an irreparable loss.

October 15, 1884
Macon Telegraph
October 14 - Our Superior Court is in session. The docket is heavy, but Judge Pottle is disposing of it rapidly. The criminal docket is unimportant except the case of the State vs. Wilson Smith (colored) for the murder of Scip Bennett (colored) last year.
See Feb. 1, 1890

November 4, 1884
Union and Recorder
HANCOCK. From the Ishmaelite
  Mr. H. A. Lawrence and Miss M. W. Sasnett were married at the Methodist church in Sparta on last Wednesday evening, Rev. W, R. Foote, officiating.
  Also at the residence of Mr. David Silver, on last Sunday afternoon, at 5 o'clock, Mr. Albert Pinkus and Mrs. Jennie Allcon were married, Rabbi Levy, officiating.

November 12, 1884
Atlanta Constitution
Death of Mr. John Henry Baker. Sparta, Ga, November 11 (Special) Mr. John Henry Baker, of Augusta, died this morning at his residence. He was in the fifty eighty year of his age, and had been a prominent merchant in Augusta, and then in Sparta, until old age rendered him too feeble for work and he retired from business.

December 12, 1884
Atlanta Constitution
   Mrs. Anna Pierce, widow of Dr. Ham Pierce, and sister-in-law of the late Bishop G.F. Pierce, died at the residence of Mr. Lovick Pierce,  in Sparta,  Sunday night,  after a long illness. Mrs. Pierce had been in Sparta only a few months and was confined to her bed all the time. Her remains were interred in the new cemetery, Rev. Mr. Morton officiating.

January 5, 1885
The Telegraph and Messenger
A Line or So From Sparta.
  Sparta, January 24 - Robert Rhodes, a very excellent young man, died at his house, near this place, last night.. His disease was peneumonia, of which he suffered but two or three days. With the exception of this there are no other cases immediately near here, though the weather promises to develop much of it.
  The contested election case between Dr. J. T. Andrews and J. T. Riley for the clerkship of the Superior Court has not terminated yet.

January 20, 1885
Union and Recorder
  Miss Maggie Malpass of Hancock county was married on the 8th inst, by Rev. James E. White to M. T. J. Arline of Johnson county.

January 21, 1885
Columbus Daily Enquirer-Sun
The Hancock county poor house and not the new jail, as has bee reported throughout the state, has been destroyed by fire.

February 3, 1885
Union and Recorder
GRIMES - DIED - Near Island Creek, Hancock county, Ga., in the seventy-first year of her age, Mrs. Patsy Grimes, consort of Wm. Grimes, Sr. She was beloved and esteemed by a large circle of friends and relatives. She died January 2d, 1885. W.

February 10, 1885
Union and Recorder
From the Ishamaelite
Mrs. Wm. Archer died at the residence of her husband near Linton last week.
  Mr. Bryant Broome died at his residence near Sparta last Saturday night.

February 12, 1885
The Telegraph and News
Sad Death at Sparta
    Sparta, GA, February 7 - Recovering somewhat but crazed from excessive grief over the death of her father, which occurred some days ago, Miss Sue Broome on Friday afternoon swallowed about forty grains of morphine. She died this afternoon at 4 o'clock.

February 17, 1885
Union and Recorder
From the Ishmaelite.
  Miss Mollie McDaniel of Hancock, and Mr. William Jenkins, of Baldwin, were married on the 29 ult.
  Mr. Robert Malpass, of Linton was married to Miss Annie Stacer, of Washington county, on the 29th ult.

February 22, 1885
Atlanta Constitution
Sparta, February 21 (Special) The funeral of Mr.David Dickson took place yesterday afternoon at 2 o'clock. He was buried in the garden of his own home. The coffin was of unpainted pine, made at one of the shops here in Sparta, and was covered with common white alpaca. The corpse was dressed in an elegant suit of black broadcloth and black silk velvet, but wore no shoes. The feet of the deceased were crossed, his right arm lay at his side, his hand clenched with the exception of the index finger, which pointed towards his feet, the left hand lay on his breast, and held a beautiful pocket handkerchief, and in the right pocket of his pants was a pocket-knife, a pocket-comb and a toothpick. These details about his burial were arranged by Mr. Dickson years ago, and were communicated to his nephew, Mr. Jeff Worthen, that they might be observed. The funeral was largely attended by both white persons and negroes, and the services were conducted by Rev. Messrs. Timmens and B.H. Sasnett, both of the M.E. church.

March 3, 1885
Union and Recorder
  Died, at her home, in Hancock county, Georgia, February, 24th, 1885, Mrs. E. F. Smith, wife of George G. Smith. She leaves five children to mourn her loss.

March 27, 1885
Atlanta Constitution
Sparta Ismaelite:Mrs Nancy Seay, formerly  Mrs. Amoss, widow of the late Henry Amoss, of Hancock county, met a horrible death at the residence of her daughter Mrs. Copelan, on the 16th inst. The two ladies went into a new ground where some hands had been burning brush, to look after its condition, after the hands had gone to a funeral, when the dress of Mrs. Seay took fire. Mrs. Copelan did all in her power to put out the flames and was herself badly burned in the endeavor. Mrs. Seay lived about four hours after the burn.

April 2 1885
Atlanta Constitution
Mrs. Gabriel Martin is probably the oldest person in Hancock. She is the widow of Private Gabriel Martin of the war of  1812, and is in the neighborhood of 100 years.

April 7, 1885
Union and Recorder
   Hancock. (Ishmaelite) Mr. W. T. Birdsong and Miss Lena H. Stevens were married in the Methodist church in Sparta last Wednesday evening. Rev. T. H. Timmons officiating. The happy couple left on the next train for the Exposition.
Z. T. Allen, Miss Mattie Carns, littleOlen Christian, a son of John R. Christian, and a negro man, all died in Atlanta within a week's time and were brought to Hancock for interment. The first three were buried in Sparta and the last one carried to Mt. Zion.
  Mrs. Betsie Lary died at the residence of her son, Mr. James Lary, in this count last week, age 102 years. She was supposed to have been the oldest resident of the county.

April 12, 1885
Weekly Telegraph and Messenger
HANCOCK COUNTY GRANITE. Something About the Mullally Rock Quarry near Sparta.
Sparta Ishmalite. A day or two since the writer rode down to the Mullally rock quarry to see how the work was progressing. Mr. Sam Denning carried us around and showed us how they split out huge blocks from the immense rock. It is perfectly wonderful how they can split the granite into any desired thickness. To the question as to what was thought of the quality of the granite, Mr. D. replied: "It has been examined by experts and pronounced the equal of any in the United States." He pointed us to several samples of the granite that had been dressed and exposed to the weather for twenty five years, and they hadn't the slightest appearance of rust or crumbling away about them. They show at a glance the superior quality of the granite from this quarry. Our county jail is built of this stone, most of the stone in our cemetery was taken from this quarry, which has supplied most of the granite that has been used in and about Sparta, where durable work has been desired.
  Pointing to a large, two-story gin house that had been overhauled and fixed up, Mr. Denning said: "There is our hotel, in which we can comfortably accommodate 100 boarders." The working forces at the quarry numbers about sixty laborers. They have a well-equipped blacksmith shop, and all the facilities for conducting the work of quarrying and shipping the granite with dispatch.
  Mr. Denning informed us that they were progressing finely with their railroad, which they expected to finish in a few days. This will enable them to load the granite on the cars right at the quarry.
  "From all appearances, it seems that you have come to stay some time, " we remarked.
  "Yes we have come to stay for a while, at least. We have paid one year's lease on the quarry, and have no idea but that we will keep it at least five years. We are constantly needing rock for our contracts and can find nothing equal to this so I can't tell how long we will be with you."
  The Messrs Denning have gone to much expense to develop and open this quarry of valuable stone to the public and soon will be prepared to supply all demands, loading their cars to the yard. Samples of the granite have been polished and will be placed on exhibition in the city of Washington and in other centres. Its superiority over other stone in general use in the country is recognized by all experts who have made an examination of it. And ti will not belong before this fact becoming generally known will insure the development not only of this quarry but of others in this county of the same quality to their fullest capacity.

April 14 1885
Atlanta Constitution
Milledgeville Recorder: We were informed by Mr. Williams who teaches school in the Island creek settlement that a few days since three small negro children, died very suddenly on the plantation of Mr. Henry Fraley, and at the time they supposed it was meningitis (sic) that caused their death, but it was afterwards discovered that they had parched and eaten some corn, that had been soaked in a solution of strychnine for the purpose of killing crows; the mistake was a terrible one with terrible consequences.

May 6, 1885
The Telegraph and Messenger
Sparta, May 5 Mr. Irwin Martin, a highly esteemed and worthy citizen, died of pneumonia at his home, near this place about 4 o'clock this afternoon. Mrs. Cumbie, an old lady, was buried here this afternoon. She died of dropsy.

June 16, 1885
Union and Recorder
  Mr. J. D. Underwood was in the city last Saturday to obtain a burial case for Mrs. Elizabeth Coleman, who died on Friday in Hancock county at the advanced age of eighty-five years.

October 27, 1885
Union and Recorder
  Mr.JAMES A. R. KENNEDY died at his residence in Hancock county on Friday morning last. A stroke of paralysis several years ago, partially disabled him and for two or three years he has been bedridden and helpless. He was seventy-nine years of age, a native of Hancock and spent the whole of his life in that county. He was a farmer and a man of more than ordinary intelligence, was fond of the company of well informed men, and for some years, if we mistake not, was a school teacher. He left a widow and seven children and the most if  not all of the latter we suppose were grown. He was a man of good morals and had lived to a good old age.

December 24, 1885
The Macon Telegraph
A Sad Death in Sparta. Sparta, Ga., December 23, 1885 - Mrs. R. H. Moore, of Culverton, died at four o'clock this morning. Mrs. Moore was a daughter of Hon. John L. Culver, former representative of this county in this Legislature. She was a lady of much worth; and leaves many friends who join with her bereaved husband and orphaned children in mourning their irreparable loss.

February 23, 1886
Union and Recorder
~excerpt~ DIED At her residence in Hancock county, Ga., Mrs. Fannie Franklin, the daughter of James I. King and Elizabeth King, aged 40 years, 6 months and 3 days....
  She was married to Mr. Thomas Franklin, December 7th, 1884...

March 28 1886
Atlanta Constitution
DOCTORS DISAGREE
An Altercation in Sparta Between Members of the Same Profession.
Sparta, Ga., March 27 (Special) Yesterday morning a serious difficulty occurred between Drs. Darden and Rhodes at Medlock's store, in the southeastern part of this county. It is not exactly known how the difficulty began, though four gentleman were present when the blows were struck, but it is said to have started with very trivial words, one of them talking about the practice he had, the other about the money he invested in bonds. They fought with pocket knives, and were parted three times before finally quieted. Dr. Darden was cut twice on the head and several times on different parts of his body. One of the stabs would have been fatal, it being aimed at this neck, had not the thickness of his coat collard broken the force of the blow. His wounds are not serious. Dr. Rhodes was cut very slightly and is recovering very rapidly. Drs. Rhodes and Darden were partners in the medical profession, and were both very popular and successful physicians.

March 30, 1886
Union Recorder
DEAD - Mr. M. F. Gorham, Postmaster at sparta, died on Wednesday at 12:15 o'clock, and was taken, next day, to Crawfordville for burial.

April 13, 1886
Union Recorder
~excerpt~  Departed this life on the 14th of March, 1896, at the residence of her son-in-law, Mr. Wm. Thornton, in Hancock county, Ga., Mrs. Mary Mullins, in the eighty-third year of her age. In early life, sister Mullins gave her heart to God, and united with the church at "Island Creek". ........Carr's Station, Apr., 8, 1886

May 4, 1886
Union Recorder
   ~excerpt~ Death..Mr. Archibald W. Martin was born in Hancock county on the 12th of March, 1810, an departed this life, in this city, on the 27th of April, 1886-his pilgrimage on earth being seventy-six years, one month and fifteen days. His parents moved to this city when he was about ten years of age, and his youth and early manhood was passed here. His mother, who, after the death of his father, married Capt. Wm. F. Scott, kept the LaFayette Hall for a number of years, and had charge of this noted hostelry in 1825, when General LaFayette visited this city. Mr. Martin was a soldier in the Florida Indian war, and afterwards settled in Macon. He spent portions of his life in Forsyth, Americus and Gwinnett county; and after the late war, lived for some years with a son in Texas, finally returning to the home of his youth, to close his long and somewhat eventful life. He not only lost his ample fortune by the results of the war, but lost three noble sons, killed in battle. His youngest daughter married Mr. H. V. Sanford, of this city, and for the past few yers his home has been with them. His son, Mr. Robt. Martin of Eatonton, was with him in his last brief illness. His funeral took place from the Methodist church (of which he was a member) on Wednesday morning at 10 o'clock. Rev. J. D.  Hammond officiating. The pall-bearers were Dr. T. O. Powell, Col. R. L. Hunter, Messrs. W. T> Conn, B. F. Denton, M. Hines, and J. N. Moore.

May 11, 1886
Union Recorder
DIED, at his residence in Hancock county on Thursday 28th ultimo, Mr. Dawson Harden aged about thirty-five years. He leaves a wife in feeble health and five or six children.

June 22, 1886
Union Recorder
  Mr. Hal Culver and Mr. Augustus B. Dunn died in Hancock county, last week.

June 28, 1886
The Macon Weekly Telegraph
Death of Mrs. Caldwell.  Mrs. Emily Caldwell died in Macon yesterday afternoon at her late residence, corner Second and Hazel streets, after a short illness. Her remains will be taken to Sparta this morning for interment.

July 7, 1886
Atlanta Constitution
Deaths In Georgia. Major F. B. Hayes, of Sparta, died yesterday.

July 13, 1886
Union Recorder
DEATH - Mrs. J. H. Rogers and Mrs. J. R. Sasnett, died in Sparta the 6th..

August 21, 1886
Union Recorder
~excerpt~ DIED at the home of their parents, Mr. and Mrs. G. G. Holsey, near Island Creek, Hancock County, Ga., GIDEON H. HOLSEY and JAMES L. HOLSEY. The former was born October 5th, 1857, and died July 27th, 1886. The later was born July 28th, 1865 and August 16th, 1886... Carr's Station, Ga., Aug. 25th, 1886.

September 2, 1886
Atlanta Constitution
NINE SHOCKS IN SPARTA. SPARTA, GA., September 1. (Special) We had nine separate shocks extending over the space of one hour and a quarter. The first shock was so violent that houses rocked on their foundations, windows rattled, doors swung on their hinges, books and other things fell from shelves and tables, and water slashed out of buckets and chickens even fell from their roosts.
  (Note - this was the Great Charleston Earthquake of 1886)

September 14, 1886
Union Recorder
Miss Claude Simmons of our town, was married on Tuesday night last to Mr. J. A. Thompson, of Lynchburg, Va., Rev. J. B. Morton officiating. The interesting even was so cleverly managed that it took the ecommunity completely by suprise.
  Mr. Thompson has won a fair and accomplished bride, and he we doubt not, is in every way worthy of her love and abiding trust. - Sparta Ishmaelite.

September 14, 1886
Union Recorder
  Mr. Robert Kennedy of that popular firm, P. J. Cline & Co., was married to MissLucy Gardner, at the residence of the bride's father, in Hancock county, on Wednesday evening last. The bridal couple are boarding with Mr. W. H. Bass.

November 23, 1886
Macon Weekly Telegraph
Married in Georgia
   At Sparta, Thursday, Mr. Marshall Richardson and Miss Effie Andrews.
   In Hancock county, Mr. Jesse K. Beall and Miss Evie K. Johnson. In the same county, Mr. Robt. H. Mitchell and Miss Sarah Chapman.

January 25, 1887
Union Recorder
  ~excerpt~ Mrs. Robson, the wife of Dr. J. A. P. Robson, died a few days since at their home in Linton, Hancock county. She was the daughter of Mr. John Ray of Hancock, and for a number of years, Dr. Robson and family were residents of the eastern part of this county....

February 17, 1887
Atlanta Constitution
Deaths in Georgia.  Mr.James M. Hunt, Jr., of Sparta, died on Sunday last.,

April 19, 1887
Union Recorder
 MARRIED, in Hancock county, at the residence of Miss Sue Latimer, on the morning of the 13th, inst, Mr. W. S. Vaughn, of this city, and Miss Annie Shea, of Hancock, Rev. Wesley King, officiating.

April 28, 1887
Macon Telegraph
  MARRIED. In Griffin yesterday at half-past 10 o'clock Mr. R. H. Moore, of Culverton, was married to Miss Ada Reams, of Griffin, at the residence of the bride's parents in the latter city, Rev. J. H., Devotie officiating. The groom is a member of the firm of Culver, Moore & Culver, the leading merchandise house of Hancock county, and also hardware mechants of Macon. Immediately after the ceremony Mr. and Mrs. Moore left on an extended bridal tour. They were accompanied as far as Atlanta by a number of friends. On their return they will make Culverton their home.

May 3, 1887
Union Recorder
Died, in Hancock county on April 24th, Sindy Bithea, col., at the ripe age of one hundred and four years. This old servant belonged to Phillip Bithea, who lived in the same county in which she died. She leaves quite a number of children, grand children and great-grand children, all of whom are known by the writer as good, hard-working darkies, seemingly striving to earn their living by honest means..

June 11, 1887
Atlanta Constitution
Deaths in Hancock.
Sparta, Ga. June 10 (Special) Some days ago Mr. J. F. Myers died after a long and painful illness.
    Captain John R. Binion, a former representative from our county, was reported yesterday as being very ill, and the physicians said he could not live but a short while longer - perhaps only a few hours.
  Mr. James Archer, one of our wealthiest planters, died day before yesterday, at quite an advanced age.

June 16, 1887
Atlanta Constitution
Binion's Turn Came Next
From the Milledgeville, Ga., Chronicle
    Mr. E. Binion, of Hancock county, living near Island creek, came over yesterday morning for a coffin for Captain John Binion of the neighborhood. Only a few days before this Captain Binion came here for a coffin for a relative and was caught in a rain returning home, which gave him pneumonia, from which he died.

June 21, 1887
Union Recorder
Mrs. W. M. Berry died at her home in Hancock county, on the night of the 4th inst. She went to Sparta on that day and had seventeen teeth extracted. When she retired, she complained of feeling somewhat unwell. During the night her husband heard the baby crying and went to her bedside and found her dead. Rev. J. B. King was telegraphed for and preached her funeral at 4 o'clock, Monday afternoon.

June 30, 1887
Atlanta Constitution
Death of Mrs. Sasnett
Sparta, Ga., June 29 (Special) Mrs. Mary Ann Sasnett died here this morning, after a protracted decline. She was seventy years of age, and was highly respected by every one. She was the widow of the late Mr. Richard P. Sasnett and the mother of Mr. Harry Sasnett, of Savannah, and the mother-in-law of Judge Frank L. Little, of Sparta.

July 20 1887
Atlanta Constitution
DEATH OF DR. ALFRIEND
A Prominent Physician of Sparta Passes Away.
Sparta, Ga., July 19 (Special) Dr. E. D. Alfriend died very suddenly last night about 9 o'clock. He had been sick only about 24 hours. His death was caused by congestion of the lungs and brain. Dr. Alfriend was a very popular and skilled physician. In fact he had a most wonderful natural talent for both medicine and surgery and had also a somewhat literary turn of mind. He was a useful citizen, genial and kind hearted and possessed, to a very high degree, that element of character all true physicians should have-sympathy for his fellowman in their afflictions. He married Miss Mary Pierce, the next to the youngest daughter of the late Bishop Pierce; but at the time of his death had been a widow for some years. He left no children, his only child having died when only a year old. Now the question is universally asked in our community, who will be able to fill Dr. Alfriend's place as a physician.

July 31, 1887
Atlanta Constitution
From the Washington, Ga. Gazette
(excerpt about General Toombs escape after the surrender. Told by Charles E. Irvin who accompanied  General Toombs as far as New Orleans. " General Toombs and Major Luther Martin had long been warm friends and Martin treated him like a brother and kept him at his house as long as he would stay. Martin had been paroled at the surrender and he gave Toombs his parole, and from that time on Toombs went by the name of Major Martin.)"

 This interfered with the general's plans, and he turned his face southward. Irvin came on to this place with instructions to follow Toombs down to Old Town. Irvin was to inquire of Mr. Guss Bell, Mr. David Dickson, Judge Linton Stephens or Mr. Gonder.  A day or two passed and Irvin arrived at Old Town. Mr Guss Bell knew nothing, and he went then to Sparta to see Judge Stephens Both men took Irvin for a detective and it was with great difficulty that he could make himself know. Judge Stephens knew the Irvin family and asked the names and ages of every member. The Judge had not seen the general. Irvin rode hundreds of miles back and forth over the country. he finally got to David Dickson's and asked about Major Martin who was riding a gray mare. Dickson was suspicious and said he knew nothing of him. Irvin asked for directions to Gonder's, and Dickson told him there was no such man in that part of the country. Irvin was completely non-plussed. Dickson invited him to get down and stay with him. After a while Dickson concluded that Irvin was the right man and he direct him to Mr. Gonder's, tell him that Major Martin was there. Mr. Gonder was absent, and Mrs Gonder was sure Ivin was a detective who was on the track of Toombs. She vehemently protested that Martin had not been there. Irvin dismounted and went in any way. After remaining some time he was able to prove that he was a friend. She then told him that Major Martin and Mr. Gonder were over at Colone Jack Smith's and there Irvin found Toombs. They remained there several days and all went fishing on the Oconee river.

   Colonel Smith put them across the river, and they went on, hoping to reach the Florida coast and get out of the country that way. The went on and stopped at Mr. Joseph Dee's in Wilkinson county. Mr. Dee told then he was right in Sherman's track and had very little left, but what he had they were welcome to. They went in and took supper, but did not make themselves known, though General Toombs knew them. Then travelling was done that day. That night after all had retired, Miss Dee went to her brother and said: "Joe Dee, are you a fool" That man is General Toombs." She said she had heard him make a speech at Toombsboro seventeen years before,, and had not seen him since.  Very early next morning Mr. Dee came into General Toombs's room and related what his sister had said, and he was overjoyed to know he had the great Georgia in his house. A negro man on the place also recognized him, he having heard him make the speech at Toombsboro.

   Mr. Dee told General Toombs the negro was very trusty and he piloted him and Irvin through the country for a day or two. They went to Mr. Hughes in Twiggs county, where they stayed for some time. Mr. Hughes knew the general and showed him every possible attention.
   Mr. Irvin says that the elegance of the homes at which they stopped and the whole__ hospitality of the people left sweet memories that will never be forgotten.
FOILED AND TURNED BACK
    Leaving Toombs at Mr. Hughes's, Irvin made his way to Macon to see General Gustavus Smith and Colonel DeGraffenried, two distinquished confederate officers. They sent Toombs word that he yankees had men at every ferry on the Ocmulgee river looking for him and it would not do for him to attempt to cross. They urged him to go back up to the mountains by all means and stay there till affairs had quieted down. To the meanwhile, the report was industriously circulated that Toombs had escaped to Cuba. While in Macon, Mr. Irvin encountered Mr. Gabriel Toombs at the Brown house. Mr. Toombs was very greatly surprised to see him, having thought his brother and Irvin were out of the country.
   Irvin went back to Toombs, and , relating what Smith and DeGraffenried said, they concluded to go back to the mountains. While at Colonel Hughes's a wounded confederate soldier came up and said he recognized Toombs as he passed along the road on old Alice, and telling him that had certain doctor had recognized and threatened to betray him. The soldier said he would fix the doctor if Toombs thought he would have any trouble from him, but nothing ever came of  it. A servant remarked to Mrs. Hughes that Major Martin  "was either President Davis or just as great a man."

August 16, 1887
Augusta Chronicle
DEATH OF AN OLD CITIZEN. We rered to be called upon to record the death of the late JAMES T. GARDINER, Esq., who died at his home near Sparta, Ga. yesterday morning, in the sixty-fifth year of his age. Mr. GARDINER was for thirty years or more a prominent merchant of Augusta. He was at the head of one of the largest cotton firms. He wasy Mayor of the city in 1866 for a short time, when he resigned to attend his own business. He was the President and the originator of the DICKSON Fertilizer Company, in which he was largely interested. Mr. GARDINER was a prominent and useful citize, honored and respected by this community for his integrity and worth.
     About nine years ago he moved to his plantation near Sparta. He has been in failing health for many years. His death was not unexpected. He passed away quietly and peacefull, leaving to his family the heritage of a useful and honorable life.

September 1, 1887
Atlanta Constitution
An Example and an Incentive.  The Augusta Chronicle tells the story of the progress of Mr. C. A. Hill, a leading young farmer of Hancock county, Ga., which is at once an example and an incentive. Seven years ago, when a mere stripling, he was a "wage hand" on a rich man's farm, working from daylight till dark for $8 a month. He had to tie a big stone to his back to balance his plow, but despite his light weight and still lighter salary he kept his plow in the ground and operated the ball cord over his patient Kentucky mule with untiring earnestness. For three years he following this routine, his wages being increased every year. At last one cold Christmas morning the rich man called him to his desk and asked him how he would like to farm the next year on shares. The young employee was of course delighted, and a bargain was at once closed. At the end of that year, despite a long drought that ruined all the neighbors' crops, our young hero's panned out a net income of about twelve hundred dollars. One more year of still better success and the ambitious young farmer concluded that he would invest some of his spare change in a plantation of his own. An adjoining farm just suited his pile, and he soon had the deed in his own name. A fine buggy and  horse were added to the list of farm implements, and one or two additional mules kicked up their dangerous heels in the lot. The drought came and freshets followed that literally lifted other people's soil off their farms, but at the end of each year young Hill's cotton crop sized up three-fourths of a bale to the acre, and his barns were full of corn and other stuff, which some farmers have to send West for, that he had to add sheds to them. Today Mr. Hill owns one of the best farms in Hancock county, with a plenty of cash money to run one three times  as big, and doesn't want any rich man to adopt him or will him a fortune.

September 29, 1887
The Macon Telegraph
Marriage Near Sparta. Sparta, September 28 - Mr. J. R. Sassnet and Miss Anna Stevens were married at 3 o'clock this afternoon in the Presbyterian Church at Mt. Zion, in this county. The church was beautifully decorated, and quite a crowd were in attendance, notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather. The ceremony was performed by Rev. B. H. Sasnett. After the ceremony Mr. and Mrs. Sassnett were tendered a reception by the bride's parents.

October 4,1887
Union Recorder
  Married, at the residence of the bride's father in Hancock county, on Wednesday last, Mr. E. N. Ennis, Jr. and Miss Beatrice Boyer, daughter of Mr. J. C. Boyer. Judge Francis Minor, officiating.

October 11, 1887
Union Recorder
~excerpt~ Departed this life, at her home, near Carr's Stataion, Hancock county, Georgia, Mrs. Johnnie LaRoque West, consort of Emmet R. West, in the twenty-second year of her age. Losing her father when but a child, she was adopted by her uncle, John LaRoque, of Albany, Ga....Mrs. West was a daughter of Dr. John T. Lamar, and grandaughter of the late Geo. W. Lamar, of Augusta, Ga.   W. Carr's Statiom, Hancock County, Ga., Sept. 30th, 1887.

October 25, 1887
Union Recorder
   Mr. James P. Gobert, father of Mr. F. M. Gobert of this city, died in Sparta on Monday, Oct. 17th, aged 83 years, and was buried in Louisville, Ga., where he formerly resided, on Wednesday following. Mr. Gobert acompained his father's remains, on Tuesday, to their last resting place, Louisville.

November 17, 1887
The Columbus Enquirer-Sun
Died in Macon.Frank, the infant son of Prof. and Mrs. Don. Q. Abbot, of Macon, died Tuesday night and was buried at Sparta yesterday. Prof. and Mrs. Abbott have a host of friends here who sympathize with them in their bereavement.

December 27, 1887
Union Recorder
  Miss Addie Collins, daughter of Mr. Sam'l Collins of this county, and Mr. John Carr, of Hancock county, were married on Thursday last. The bride and groom are both popular young people, and have our best wishes for a happy life.

January 10, 1888
Union Recorder
~excerpt~ Death of Mr. L. Carrington. The death of this gentleman on Sunday morning, at 11 o'clock, at his home near this city, was not unexpected by those who were aware of his illnewss for several weeks....
Lafayette Carrington was born at Mt. Zion, Hancock county, Ga., July 4th, 1824; he was therefore in the 64th year of his age...
  Mr. Carrington was the only son of Myles H. and Rebecca Carrington. He married Dec. 7th, 1853, Pauline V. Delaunay. He leaves two sisters, both married, in South Carolina, a widow and eleven children, three of whom are married. They are Lieut. F. deL Carrington, U.S. Army, stationed in California, Mrs. Jane E. Brooks, of Abbeville, S.C. and Mrs. Guy McKinley of this county. His children were all with hime at his death except Mrs. Brooks, Lieut. Carrington, of California, and Dr. Paul M. Carrington, U. S. Hospital Service, stationed at San Francisco. The youngest of his children is a youth in his fifteenth year.
  At the time of his death he was the County School Commissioner of Baldwin County, ...a bright Mason, and well illustrated the exalted principles of that Fraternity. He wasy a Justice of the Peace and Notary Public. He was repeatedly elected CLerk of the Georgia House of Representatives, both at Milledgeville and Atlanta..He was a Trustee of the M. G. M. & A. College in this city and the trusted Agent of several large and influential Insurance Companies,...
 The funeral services were held at the family residence yesterday afternoon, at 2 o'clock, and were conducted by Rev. D. McQueen, pastor of the Presbyterian church. There was a large attendance.
  The Masonic Fraternity took charge of the remains of their deceased brother after the funeral services at the residence, and laid them away in their last resting place, according to the burial rites of the Order.
  The following gentlemen were the pall-bearers: Messrs. J. M. Edwards, J. N. Moore, J. C. Shea, C. W. Ennis, H. Turner and I. T. Miller.

January 18, 1888
Macon Telegraph
Mrs Lula Cherry, wife of Mr. George W. Cherry, died Monday at the residence of her father, Mr. Wm. Grimes, in Hancock county. Mrs. Cherry was formerly a citizen of Macon. She was in the 26th year of her age.

January 24, 1888
Union Recorder
  We learn that Mr. Nat Harrison of this county was married last Sunday to a Miss Smith of Hancock county.

March 20, 1888
Union Recorder
  Mr. Mike Butler died at his home in the city on Tuesday morning. Mr. Butler came to Milledgeville from Sparta about fifteen years ago, opened a bar-room which he conducted for several years. But being too liberal, and too kind hearted, he failed.
  Mr. Butler was a native of Tipperary, Ireland. He was a man of fine qualities of head and heart, and had they been cultivated in other fields than he chose, would have borne fruit to bless him in his last days. Peace to the ashes of the old man. He was about 70 years of age, and leaves several children, only two grown. His remains were taken to Sparta for burial.

April 24, 1888
Union Recorder
  Mr. Ashley Jewell of Hancock county, and Miss Irene Houston, were married at Gatlinburg, Tenn., on last Wednesday. Mr Jewell and his beautiful bride are visiting Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Jewell in the city.

April 24, 1888
Macon Telegraph
A Fatal Cut. From the Monroe News.
   Saturday last the corpse of Elijah Burkhart passed through Monroe en route to Bethlehem, his home in this county.
   A self-inflicted wound from his pocket knife killed young Burkhart.
   He was working at a sawmill near Sparta, Ga., and he and some of the other hands about the mill were engaged in slinging their knives open by a quick jerk, as a matter of pastime. Young Burkhart, in slingin his knife open, buried the blade in his thigh, and as he did so remarked that he had cut himself to death. That was on Thursday, and on the  Friday week after he died. Medical aid had been summoned at the last moment, and the doctor had made preparations to amputate the limb, but before he could get from the sawmill to Sparta the young man died.
    Young Burkhart was in his twenty-first year, a young man greatly like by all who knew him.

May 15, 1888
Macon Weekly Telegraph
Sparta, May 9 (Special) Mary Yarbrough, infant daughter of W. M. Yarbrough, died this morning at 5 o'clock. She was ill about two weeks of typhoid fever, complicated with difficult dentition. The sadly bereaved parents have the deep sympathies of the whole community.

September 21, 1888
Atlanta Constitution
THE STORM IN HANCOCK
Great Damage to Railroads-Several Bridges Washed Away
From the Sparta, Ga., Ishmaelite
   The railroad between Milledgeville and Warrenton is worse damaged than ever before it its history., There was a landslide near Carr's station, and the overhead wagon bridge fell in. The culvert at the Mason place, beyond Culverton, was washed out. There were heavy landslides in the Bass cut. The bridge spans  over Folsom creek were damaged. A portion of the bridge over the Ogeechee was washed away; and two or more trestles between the river and Warrenton met a similar fate. Besides all this there were numerous minor washouts. The passenger train was caught between two destroyed trestles between Mayfield and Warrenton. It is reported that the railroad authorities are taking no immediate steps to repair the damage and restore communication statement which seems incredible. At the reported rate of progress the road will be reopened for travel some little time before Christmas.
    The loss to the county in the way of bridges is very heavy. Information has been received of the loss of Harris's, Long's, McCook and Culver's bridges. Full returns will no doubt  increase the list. The loss of gin and fishpond dams and of plantation bridges is greater than was ever known before. W.W. Steven's gin house on the Ogeechee was washed away, together with his shops, and his mill, which had stood the floods of sixty years, was turned half around. Culver's mill dam was broken and the mill badly damaged. Harris's mill is reported to have been damaged. The water was several feet deep in the second story of Mr. William Steven's mill.
    Large quantities of low-ground corn and cotton have been ruined. In some places these crops have been sixteen feet under water. It is impossible to give all the details of destruction in this direction. The cotton crop, generally, has been seriously damaged. Cotton that was open was beaten out, and thousands of the bolls which were cracker will rot. It is impossible to tell, just yet, what will be the extent of the damage; but the conjecture of some places it as high as thirty per cent. Altogether the outlook is discouraging.

September 25, 1888
Union Recorder
  On Tuesday evening, 18th inst., Miss Julia Turner, grand-daughter of the late Bishop George F. Pierce, and Mr. Robert Smith of Florida, were married at "Sunshine," Hancock county. Rev. W. F. Smith father of the groom officiated.

October 19, 1888
The Macon Telegraph
SPARTA. Marriage of Mr. W. P. Beman and Miss Eugenia G. Carey - Personal.
  Sparta, Oct. 18 - Last evening the Presbyterian church was crowded to its utmost capacity with the relatives and friends of Mr. Williard P. Beman and Miss Eugenia G. Cary, who were then and there united in marriage, Rev. Mr. Dixon officiating. The church was tastefully decorated and brilliantly lighted. The wedding march was played on the organ by Mr. Emmett Kendrick. There were four couples in attendance, namely, Miss Mamie Charlton of Savannah and Dr. A. J. Avery, Miss Ellen Richter of Eufaula, Ala., and Mr. Ed Alfriend, Miss Mary Cary, sister of the bride, and Dr. Robert Wiley, and Miss Katy Beman, sister of the bridegroom, and Mr. C. S. Cary, the bride's brother, though Mr. Cary went in with the bride and the bridegroom with his sister, and then changed when they met before the pulpit. As the bridal couple went out of the church tiny Miss Louise Little went before them and strewed their way with roses. After the ceremony the bridal party took tea at the house of Mr. C. S. Cary.
  At 10 o'clock Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Beman left on a short, bridal tour, carrying with them the good wishes of their many hundreds of Hancock friends, for both are highly esteemed here and the match is pronounced by everyone as a most suitable one. The bride is the niece of Mr. J. C. Simmons, former banker of this place, as well as of Mr. Sid B. Simmons, one of our most prosperous merchants, an Mr. Merell Simmons of Union Springs, Ala. The groom is a proseperous farmer of Hancock, and is the nephew of Co. Hal Beman, formerly of the firm of Beach & Beman, of the New York bar, and once of our county. His grandfather was the celebrated Dr. C. P. Beman, so popular as an educator.
  Miss Ella Richter will visit friends in Madison, then in Columbus and then return to Alabama.
  Miss Charlton will remain here as the guest of her cousins Mr. and Mrs. Sid B. Simmons, until after the Hancock fair and will then return home.
  Mr. Ed Wilson of Macon is in our town.

November 5, 1888
Columbus Daily Enquirer
Mr. R. A. Geeslin and MissEmma Hitchcock were married at Sparta a few days ago.

November 24, 1888
The Macon Daily Telegraph
Marriage at Sparta.
  Sparta, Nov 23 - At the house of A. P. Harper, yesterday afternoon, were united in matrimony Ben W. Butts and Miss Cora Harper, both of our county. The ceremony was performed by Rev. N. B. Binion in the presence of a large concourse of friends and connections of both contracting parties. A reception was tendered the happy pair last evening by Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Culver. The occasion was much enjoyed by the large gathering of friends at Mr. Culver's hospital home. Several more marriages are soon to take place in this community.

November 28, 1888
The Macon Daily Telegraph
Marriage at Sparta.   Sparta, Nov. 27 - This morning at 10 o'clock Miss Ruth Pierce, daughter of the late Bishop Pierce, was united in matrimony to Mr. Will H. Ferguson, of Senoia, Ga. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Don Abbott, of Macon. A large assemblage of kinspeople and friends witnessed this union of heats and destinies, all wishing the utmost of happiness and joy for both. The groom is merchandising in Senoia, whither he has lived since his graduation from Emory college in 1886. He is a man of fine character and ability, and much esteemed by his college classmates and associates, while the bride is deservedly a favorite with all her associates and friends. She will be much missed by her doting parents, connections and friends. The bride was the recipient of many costly and valuable presents.
  Mrs. Bishop Pierce is seriously ill, though somewhat improved at this time.

December 20, 1888
Macon Telegraph
  Reid-Cox - Near Washington last Thursday, cupid witnessed the triumph of his artifices in the marriage of Mr. Chas. M. Reid of Hancock county to Miss Ida Cox of Wilkes.

December 25, 1888
Union Recorder
MARRIED, on Dec. 20th, 1888, at the residence of the bride's father in Hancock county, by the Rev. N. B.  Binion, Mr. W. H. Bost, of Macon, to Miss Lula R. Holsey, daughter of Gideon Holsey. We congratulate Mr. Bost in the choice of his wife, as she is a young lady of sterling worth and charming character.
 

January 9, 1889
Atlanta Constitution
THE MYSTERIOUS FLAME Which Cause Near To Burning Hancock Court House
Sparta Ga. January 8 (Special) About 8 o'clock Saturday night the alarm of fire was sounded. The fire was in the court house and was first discovered by William and Henry Little, who noticed a peculiar flaring flame at the western end of the building, but ___. Upon an entrance being affected the fire was found in the drawer of an old desk, which contained the school commissioner's papers three or four years old. The flames were rapidly getting hold of the large lightwood desk, but soon were extinguished. Much conjecture is indulged as to the origin of the fire without reaching any conclusion that is satisfactory. The escape of the building was a narrow one, in a few minutes the heavy stairway would have caught on fire with but little prospect of being extinguished. The court house was completed about six years ago at a  cost of $30,000.

January 29, 1889
Union Recorder
Miss Perkins, a sister of engineer Perkins, died in Hancock county last week.

January 29, 1889
Union Recorder
  The sociable event of this season in Sparta was the marriage on the 23d inst., of Miss Yula C. Reese to Mr. Calloway Durham.
  This important event was solemnized in the Presbyterian church at 2:30 o'clock p.m., on that day, Rev. Mr. Winchester, of Christ church, Macon, officiating.

March 21, 1889
Macon Weekly Telegraph
  Capt. S. A. Pardee of Sparta, Ga., came to this town in 1822 and has lived there ever since. He was born in New Haven, Conn. in 1802. He is Sparta's oldest citizen, and a staunch democrat.
  Eddie Chappell's sickness is due to an singular accident. In running after a robin at Sparta, he stepped on some object which gave his foot a sudden twirl. This caused the bone in his leg to split, from the consequences of which he has suffered very much. It was some time before the cause of his troubles was found out.

March 31, 1889
Augusta Chronicle
OUTWITTED THE OLD FOLKS. A Young Couple's Romantic Marriage in Georgia.
Sparta, Ga., March 30. The secret of a marriage of a romantic nature has just leaked out, and every one is ready to say that verily "love laughs at locksmiths, etc."
Osman D. Griffin, a young man, some twenty-two or more years old, has been paying court to Miss Susan, the charming and accomplished daughter, of about seventeen summers, of John W. Treadwell, one of Hancock's prosperous planters. For quite awhile these young people have loved and courted, and their early marriage has been looked forward to as a matter of course. The parents of the young lady for some cause or other were averse to the alliance, hence a trip to the Land of Flowers, ostensibly to visit relatives, was planned for their daughter, but really to circumvent her marriage. Pursuant to prearranged plans she was sent to town on Thursday last and placed under Mr. G. S. Vardiman, a kinsman, as charge du voyage as far as Macon on her journey. At the first station west of Sparta her gallant suitor boarded the cars, somewhat to the surprise of her escort, and accompanied his lady-love thitherward on her journey. After Mr. Vardiman's return  rumors became rife that the couple had outwitted the older heads and married before her departure. A certain justice of the peace was sought and inquiry made as to the truth of the rumor. The justice admitted its truth, stating tat the young people met on Tuesday morning before day, in the road five or six hundred yards from the parental roof-tree and the silken cord was tied.

April 11, 1889
The Macon Telegraph
Death of an Infant. The infant son of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Bone died at 11:30 o'clock last night. The remains will be taken to Sparta this morning for interment.

April 12, 1889
Atlanta Constitution
Burial of Mrs. Roberts. Milledgeville, Ga., April 11 (Special) Mrs. S. D. Roberts, an aged Christian lady of this city, was laid to rest in the city cemetery on yesterday afternoon. Mrs. Roberts was the mother of Mrs. Wootten, of this city, and Messrs. Sterling and William Roberts, of Sparta, and leaves a host of friends and relatives throughout the state to mourn her loss.

April 14, 1889
Daily Enquirer-Sun
  Young Eli Barnes, on trial for the killing of Barney Fair, in Hancock county, was found guilty of murder and recommended to mercy. Judge Lumpkin sentenced him to the penitentiary for life.

April 25, 1889
Columbus Daily Enquirer
Mrs. W. H. Bone, of Macon, is dead. Her remains were carried to Sparta Tuesday morning for burial.

April 30, 1889
Union Recorder
   Mr. Jeff Hunt, one of the oldest citizens of Hancock county breathed his last on the 19th.
   He was an old bachelor, and his nephew, Hon. T. M. Hunt, is now the last male member of the Hunt family which was, before the war, one of the largest, wealtest, most infludential and most popular in the county. The deceased was buried this afternoon.

May 15, 1889
Macon Telegraph
Sparta, May 18 [Special] Dr. Thos. J. Jones died at his residence here yesterday. He was afflicted for about two years with dropsy and was a great sufferer at times. He bore his sufferings with great patience and was unmoved in the contemplation of his early dissolution. He was about sixty-three years old and leaves a wife, two daughters and a son, the last named a youth, the daughters being young ladies. Dr. Jones' death is a terrible affliction to his family and a loss to this community.
  He was a dentist of the finest talent, having practiced his profession in Middle Georgia for more that thirty-five years and his work has been complimented by dentists throughout the whole country. He possessed great practical sense and was a strong-minded man and a good farmer.  

May 25, 1889
Atlanta Constitution
BUSINESS IN SPARTA. Buildings in Progress-The Early Sale of the Montour Mills.
Sparta, Ga. May 24 (Special). Mr. R.A. Graves has added forty feet to this store on Broad street, and when completed with shelves and counters will be one o the best stores in Sparta. He purposes fitting up the rear end with the necessary appliances for running his .exchange and banking  department.
     Victor Freeze is pushing his new furniture store also to completion, and when finished will keep a first-class furniture outfit. Both these stores are of best brick and evince progress in our town.
  The prospect is good for an early sale of the Montour mills. If so, we shall have a considerable accession to our population, and a new impetus given to our growth. It is confidently expected within the next twelve months that a first-class educational system will be adopted for our town which will  put us abreast with the best communities in the state.

May 28, 1889
Macon Telegraph
Mr. Vardeman of Sparta Dead. Sparta, May 27. Mr. James Vardeman died to-day at the home of his brother, Mr. G. S. Vardeman, in this place, after a decline of some months..

June 27, 1889
The Columbus Enquirer-Sun
Mrs. Pierce, wife of the lamented Bishop Pierce, died at her home in Sparta day before yesterday after an illness of several months. She was a good woman, and held the highest respect and esteem of a large number of Georgians. She was buried by the side of her late husband yesterday.

July 16, 1889
Union Recorder
  Married, at the residence of the bride's father, on Thursday evening, 8 o'clock, 11 th instant, Mr. John H. Lane, formerly of this city, and Miss Lida, second daughter of Columbus Franks, Rev. Mr. Timmons of Sparta officiating.
   The attendants were Mr. John D. Lane and Miss Marie Franks; Mr. Eugene Fowler and Miss Lizzie Garrard; Mr. Sam Fowler and Miss Bessie Janes; Mr. W. A. Lindsey and Miss Mattie Shea.
  A large company from Sparta, Hancock county and this city, assembled at the hospitable home of Mr. Franks to witness the union of two happy hearts. A magnificent supper added to the joy of the occasion. The bridal presents were handsome and numerous.
  Mr. Lane is a young man of energy and good business qualifications and his fair bride is one of Hancock's most lovable daughters.
  Mr. and Mrs. Lane took the early morning train for Talbotton where they will reside at present. The Union-Recorder unites with their many friends in wishing them a long, prosperous and happy life.

September 24, 1889
Union Recorder
  At Sparta, Wednesday, a heartrending accident befell little "Ellie" Walker, the beautiful child of George E. Walker, which resulted in her death. The cook had placed a coffee pot of hot coffee on the table, when the little child, just learing to walk, overturning it, receiving the contents in the face and on the neck. After much suffering, the little girl died Wednesday.

September 28, 1889
Augusta Chronicle
   Sparta, Ga., Sept. 26 - Mr. Edward D. Bemen, who wedded on yesterday Miss Helen Stafford, of Augusta, arrived with his bride on the evening train, and went out to their future home in the country, near Mount Zion. The happy groom is a grandson of the celebrated tacher, Dr. C. P. Beman, and a nephew  of our distinquished county man, Col. H. D. Beman.  

October 1, 1889
Atlanta Constitution
Death of a Noted Man in Sparta. Sparta, Ga, September 30 (Special) The Methodist church here was crowded yesterday with people who came to attend the memorial services held in honor of the lateWilliam Stevens, who was a member of that church. The deceased came from England about fifty years ago, and from great poverty amassed a fine fortune in the use of which he was generous in aiding many deserving persons and causes. The persons who bore testimony to his worth, do so in the following order: Judge F.L. Little, Hon. J.A. Hawley, Hon. W.J. Northen, Lovic Pierce, R.H. Thomas, H.L. Middlebrooks and  H.I.Orgain. Nothing but 'character of the most worthy description could have evoked the tributes which these gentlemen in turn, bestowed upon him. His integrity, his charity, his modesty, his fidelity to every trust, whether public or private; his courage in the assertion of conviction and the discharge of duty; his loyalty to friendship, and his love of the church, all found fitting portrayal. The talk of the pastor, Rev. A. W. Quillian, was a very fine and feeling one and touched the hearts of all present. The services were interspersed with songs and feeling one and touched the hearts of all present. The services were interspersed with songs by the congregation happily selected and rendered, and were altogether impressive and useful in making prominent a life of active goodness, in which there was not much of profession.

October 25, 1889
Macon Telegraph
    Sparta, Oct. 24. Mrs. Elizabeth Lewis died at her home here about 10 o'clock this morning. She had been quite feeble for several years, and particularly so the last few months. Her illness was a complication of disease over which medicines exerted no influence. Mrs. Lewis, was the widow of Rev. Josiah Lewis, Sr., a very able and learned Methodist divine who died some years ago, and mother of editor Sidney Lewis and Jno. R. Lewis and Hon. R. H. Lewis. Her funeral will take place to-morrow at 10 o'clock.

October 29, 1889
Union Recorder
Miss Emeline Stephens, youngest daughter of the late Judge Linton Stephens, of Sparta, died at the convent of the Sacred Heart, of which she was a member at, Providence, R. I., on October 14th.

November 5, 1889
Union Recorder
  Mr. James J. King died at his home in Hancock county Wednesday night, 30th. He was sick only about 24 hours and died of neuralgla of the heart. He was in this city monday, and appeared to be in his ususal health. He was 73 years of age. He was a member of the Baptist church at Black Spring, at which place his funeral was preached at 10 o'clock Friday morning - Rev. S. C. Leonard officiating. He was a good citizen and a kind neighbor and leaves many friends and relatives to mourn his death
  Mr. King was a farmer and had labored diligently the past year in his fields, following the plow daily in making his crops. With the help of only one hand, and that a woman, he made five bales of cotton and plenty of corn, potatoes, &c. When a man over seventy years of age can do that surely farming will pay.

November 14, 1889
Macon Telegraph
REESE - HARDEN. A Quiet Wedding Ceremony Takes Place at a Tattnall Square Residence.
   At the residence of Mr. H. S. Edwards, on Tatnall Square, there was a quiet wedding ceremony Tuesday evening, the contracting parties being Hon. Thomas L. Reese, ordinary of Hancock county and Miss Evy F. Harden. Rev. W. W. Warren performed the ceremony in the presence of the family and a few intimate friends.
  The groom is one of the best known and leading citizens of Hancock county, and is ordinary of the county. The bride is a daughter of Mr. N. R. Harden of Florida, and is a lady of many accomplishments.

November 19, 1889
Union Recorder
ANXIOUS TO MARRY.  A Young Couple in Hancock Skip out to South Carolina to Be Married.
   Sparta, Ga., November 15 (Special to Constitution) OUr Hancock circles have been stirred by an interesting elopement, which is to-night the topic of conversation.
   About two years ago Mr. George William Rives made advances to Miss Carrie Lillian Moate, looking to marriage. Both were young, and the mother of the bride strenuously opposed the match, among other reasons because the parties were too young.
  To remove the young lady from the sphere of his influence she was sent to LaGrange Female college, where she was in training for two years, and from which institution she was graduated last June. In the mean time the purpose of the young people underwent no abatement, but on Miss Lillian's return home the young man's attentions were received, whenever an opportunity offered, and they determined that their fortunes for life should be united despite, THE PARENTAL OPPOSITION.
    An effort was made to procure a license from Judge Thomas L. Reese, the ordinary of this county, but as they young lady was not yet eighteen years old this could not be accomplished, the matters became perceptibly more quiet.
  But the parties were not really quiet, for on Sunday evening last Rives got his affiance in a buggy and gave out that he was going to attend Antioch church, but he took the other road and the couple took supper with Judge H. H. Rogers in Sparta. That gentleman, finding them full of the purpose to marry, and that they were then actually eloping, consented to aid them. Proceeding from his house to the residence of Mr. Wm. A. Martin, a relative of Mr. Rives's they found an active friend in Mrs. Martin, who was her aunt. These three went to Barnett, where Judge Rogers joined then, and together went to Washington, Ga., on the train. Here the ordinary refused to grant a license except on conditions that the party were unwilling to accede to. An so procuring a span of gray horses and a strong vehicle they STRUCK OUT ON THE ROAD  via Danburg to South Carolina, crossing the Savannah at Lisbon and reaching Mount Carmel, the small station on the Augusta and Knoxville railroad, about 5 o'clock Monday evening. Very soon the services of Dr. A. C. Abney were secured, who is an official, and the home of Captain J. M. McNeil was tendered, where the marriage ceremony was performed in the presence of quite a party of ladies and gentlemen, who hastily came together to witness it. Returning by Washington, they reached Sparta this evening at 3:30 o'clock, after having traveled two whole nights without sleep. Such was the invincible purpose of these young people who are now man and wife, and are comfortably ensconced at the hospital home of Mr. Wm. A. Martin.
  Mr. Rives is a grandson of Mr. George S. Rives and is a relative of Mrs. Amelie Rives-Chanler, and the bride is the daughter of the late Mr. John W. Moate, a prosperous merchant at Deveraux.

December 17, 1889
Union Recorder
~excerpt~ DIED In Hancock County, Geo., Nov. 1st, 1889, Lydia Moye, wife of J. W. Moye. The deceased was a daughter of Everett Pierce, an uncle of Bishop Pierce. She joined the Baptist Church at Island Creek in this county in early life. She was a devoted wife and mother; she left seven children, five boys and two little girls, the youngest a little girl about three months old...Gideon Holsey.

December 17, 1889
Union Recorder
DIED - Mrs. J. T. Dickens, formerly a Miss Thompson, born in Hancock county, died in this city on last Wednesday. Her remains were carried to Sparta for burial and interred on Thursday last. She was 28 years old, leaves a husband and two small children, one only three weeks old. She was a good christian and devoted mother.

December 30, 1889
The Macon Telegraph
SHOT HIS FRIEND DEAD. Mr. Gunn Accidentally Kills Mr. Humphrey at Mayfield, Ga.
Warrenton, Dec. 29 (Special) Mayfield was the scene of a very unfortunate killing Wednesday. From parties who were present we learn the following particulars: A crowd of young men were engaged in practicing at a target with a pistol. Among the crowd of young men were Mr. Tom Gunn and Mr. Walter A. Humphrey. When mr. Gunn's time came to shoot, the pistol snapped. While thus engaged the pistol was discharged and the ball struck Mr. Walter Humphrey in the right side only about three inches below the nipple.
  He sank to the ground with a groan and expired in less than ten minutes. A physician was sent for, but before he could get to the wounded man he had breathed his last.
  Mr. Gunn was frantic with grief and said repeatedly that he would have much preferred to have killed himself.
  The coroner of Hancock county gathered the particulars from eye-witnesses and the evidence all pointed to a purely accidental killing, so it was not considered necessary to hold an inquest. The young man's remains were then borne to the home of his aged mother near the scene of the killing.
  His two brothers, who had left on the train for Rutledge only about thirty minutes before the accident occurred, were notified as soon as a message could reach the nearest telegraph station, and they returned Wednesday night to find stiff in death. The killing occurred about noon. At last reports Mr. Gunn was bitterly bewailing the unfortunate termination of life at his hands.