Thomas County, Georgia. A home for emigrants and invalids. A description of the county, its resources, soil and climate; also of the flourishing town of Thomasville, its schools, churches, social advantages, etc., etc.

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RSFEREHCZ

' THOMAS COUNTY,

.A. Home ibr Emigrants and Invalids.

(Front View of Mitchell's Hotel, Thomasville, Ga.)
A description of the County, its resources, soil and climate; also, of the flourishing town of Thomasville, its Schools, Churches, Social Advantages, Etc., Etc.
J. S. Morgan & Co., Printers and Binders, Cincinnati, O.
UNIV. OF GEORGi- LIBRARIES

THOMAS COUNTY,
T H E natural advantages for man's sustenance and enjoyment are more equally distributed throughout the earth than is gen erally supposed: but when the climate, the seasons, the water courses, the soil and its varied productions, the proximity to the great high ways of commerce,_and the topography of
THOMAS COUNTY GEORGIA,
are duly considered and compared with the advantages of other sec tions, nature will be found to have expended here more than an average share of her blessing.
LOCALITY.
Thomas County lies in the south-western portion of the State, being bounded on the south by Florida, and having only one county (Decatur) on the west between it and Alabama. The Atlantic and Gulf Railroad, from Savannah to Bainbridge, ruris through from east to west, dividing the county into two nearly equal sections, "and touching its county site, Thomasville, exactly two hundred miles westward from Savannah. The South Georgia and Florida Railroad, fifty-eight miles long, starts at Thomasville and connects at Albany with the Southwestern Railroad, and the entire railway system of the State, and of Alabama by way pf.Eufaula and Montgomery.

THOMAS COUNTT, GEORGIA.

THE CLIMATE.

Lving, as it does, but a few degrees north of the tropics, snow is seen only about once or twice in an ordinary lifetime, and the ground never freezes enough to prevent the entrance of the plow : while in summer, the heat of an almost vertical sun is tem pered bv breezes from the Gulf and the Atlantic that the thermometer rarely ever registers more than ninety degrees in the shade, and the nights are never oppressively, nor even uncomfortably warm. The disagreeable " Northers" of the western plains in the same latitude are never known in this section, nor the sudden changes from hea't to cold so common in the Atlantic States a few degrees north of this section. Laboring men can work twelve months in the vear in this county and have perfect health at the same time. It is as free from malaria and all climatic diseases as any portion of the west or north west.
ITS SALUBRITY

is in fact not surpassed by that of any section of the whole country. Those dreadful scourges, cholera and -yellow fever, have never yet penetrated to this section : lung diseases are very rare, and usually of a mild type : and typhoid fevers are comparatively unknown and much less severe than in more northern and elevated regions.

THE SEASONS.

As there are no extremes of heat or cold, so there is an exemption of

such floods or droughts as sometimes visit the northern and western

sections of the Union. No such thing as a general failure of

crops has ever been known in Thomas County. Small grain may l~e

sown whenever convenient, from September to February. Potatoes

v, ill produce good crops planted any time during the first six

months of the year, and two crops are often made on the same

ground. Sweet potatoes are planted from February to July and

from May to July : the " draws " or cuttings from the vines already-

growing "being set out" instead of planting the seed potatoes.

Turnips are sown in Juh> . Ajigust, and September, and also in '

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THOMAS COUNTT, GEORGIA.
February and March "for spring crop. Corn is planted from Febru ary to June, cotton, generally in April : sugar-cane, in February and March.
There is not a month in the year that a farmer may not plant some crop and gather some other.
WATER COURSES.
The Ocklockonee River in the west, and the Aucilla in the eastern portion of the county, with their numerous tributaries from living springs, furnish an abundance of good, pure freestone water for all purposes. Good freestone water can also be had from wells in any part of the county at an average depth of twenty-five feet.
THE SOIL.
The surface of the county is undulating with a variety of soil adapted to almost any and all kinds of agricultural and horticultural products. Cotton and corn are the principle productions, but rice, sugar-cane, oats, rye, pindars, and peas are as profitably grown. From ten to fifty bushels of corn are produced to the acre ; from ten to fifty bushels of rice, from fifty to two hundred bushels of Irish potntoes, from one to three hundred bushels of sweet potatoes, from 'one to three hundred bushels of turnips, from two to four hundred gal lons of good syrup from sugar-cane, and from one bale of cotton to five acres, to one bale per acre.
But to give the stranger an idea of the status and strength of the county and of our soil, the following list of premiums is appended, prefacing it with the remark, that Thomas County took these pre miums at the great State Fair in Macon, Georgia, in 1873, when almost every County in the State was 'bending all its energies to carry off the coveted prizes, and that the following is a true ex tract from the published proceedings of said Fair:
R. H. Hardaway, largest yield of corn on one acre upland,.119 3-156 bushels, eight entries.
Capt. E. T. Davis, largest yield of oats on one acre, 75 bushels, four entries.
R. H. Hardaway, best result on one cereal crop, eight entries. Joshua Carroll, best acre sugar-caroe, 705 gallons syrup, two entries.

THOMAS COUNTT, GEORGIA.

Dr. P. S. Bower, besi yield of rice, on one acre upland, 84 bushels, two entries.
R. H. Hardaway, best bushel of oats, eleven entries. Dr. P. S. Bower, best bushel of rice, three entries. \Vhiletheseareextraordinaryyields (the result of extra efforts), they show the capacity of the soil under skillful management, and its adaptability to the intensive system of farming. The lands are, also, comparatively light and easily tilled.

STOCK.
and poultry, of almost everv kind, are easily raised here. Of the former, horses, cattle, hogs, sheep and goats, with proper at tention, can be made very profitable; the large area of uncultivated lands being specially adapted to the purpose.

MELONS AND FRUIT.

Melons of every variety and of superior size and quality are grown throughout the count}-, while fruits, such as peaches, apples, pears, figs and plums, grow luxuriously and bear bountifully. Among the ?mall fruits, such as raspberries, strawberries, etc., as fine specimens may be seen here as can be found anywhere.

GRAPES.

Recent experiments have fully demonstrated the fact that the grow ing of the grape, both for table use and the manufacture of wine, is a complete success, and promises, ere long, to become a source of con siderable profit. All the leading varieties, Scappernong, Hartford, Concord. Delaware, etc., etc., are grown in the highest perfection in the vineyard, while the woodlands abound with the wild varieties.
THE MORALS.

of the people of Thomas County are decidedly good. Schools and

churches are well attended, and are so numerous as to afford every

community the advantage of both. In. addition to the usual number

of private schools, there are several public schools in successful

op* eration.

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THOMAS COUNTY, GEORGIA.

. . ' LABOR.

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is plentiful, cheap and easily controlled. Field hands command usually from $7 to $10 per month, and, when properly directed, pav a handsome profit to the employer.

PRICE OF LANDS.

Lands can be bought at from $i to $10 per acre, according to quality and location, and are accessible to the county site (Thomasville) and the railroad depots, over public roads that can not be surpassed in the Southern country.

THOMASVILLE.
rAVING gone over, in brief, some of the Agricultural resources and advantages of the County, we now come to the fast
growing town of Thomasville, the metropolis of Southern Georgia. The town is situated within ten hours run of Georgia's Great Atlantic seaport town, Savannah, and within sixty miles of the Gulf of Mexico, from whose broad expanse of waters come wafted to us a sea breeze robbed of its humiditv bv its passage inland and laden with the rich aroma'of the vast pine forests lying between this and the coast.
To the stranger seeking a home, health is one of his first and high est objects. We can not throw more light upon this subject than by incorporating herewith the report of one of Georgia's most dis tinguished physicians to the late Medical Association of the State of Georgia at their last annual meeting. This body is distinguished alike for the high professional standard attained by its members and the wisdom of its deliberations as a body.
In reference to Thomasville as a winter resort for invalids, we quote the following from the report of Doctor T. S. Hopkins, Chair man of the Committee on the practice of Medicine, second Con-

THOMAS VJLLE.
gressional District, on " The Pine Forests of Southern Georgia, its Climate and Adaptability to the Consumptive," read before the Medical Association of Georgia, at its twenty-fifth annual convoca tion, on the second day of April, 1874, at Thomasville, Georgia :
A professional experience of nearly thirty years in that portion of the Pine Belt of our State, lying between the Flint and Altamaha rivers, has afforded me ample evidence of its peculiar adaptability to the consumptive. It is of rare occurrence, in our travels through that entire district, to find a case of consumption, and when found, it can be. in alrrtost every instance, traced to hereditary transmission. I doubt if there is on the globe any region of country, of the same ex tent, more exempt from all diseases of the respiratory organs. I have often been surprised at the rapid improvement in my consumptive cases, after removal from the seaboard into that region. I have never seen a case of Pulmonary Tuberculocis in that section ot country that could be attributed to climatic influence. While I do not hesitate to recommend the entire district as a safe resort for the consumptive, I must admit that certain localities therein possess ad vantages superior to others. With my knowledge of the country, if an invalid, seeking a winter resort, I would select Thomas County, and preferably the town of Thomasville. on account of its elevation, its thorough natural drainage, its pure and delightful freestone waters, its dryness, its equability of temperature, and its remoteness from the sea. This town, with a population of three thousand, is situated in latitude 30 deg. 40 north, and longitude 8 deg. 40 east. It occupies the greatest elevation of any town between the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, at the dividing point of the waters flowing into them two hundred miles from the former, and sixty miles to the nearest point on the latter, in the midst of a vast pine forest of almost unlimited extent Thus situated the winds from the ocean reach it sifted of all saline vapor and moisture, comparatively warm and innoxious. The natural drainage of the town is excellent, fully adequate to the speedyremoval of all the water that falls. In a few hours after the heaviest fall of rain the streets are dry and the atmosphere as clear and balmy as though no rain had fallen. In consequence of the rapidity with which the water is carried off, there is but little absorption, hence but little evaporation, and, as a consequence, less moisture than at other points less favorably situated. There are no bodies of water within eighteen miles of the town, and the nearest river is four miles dis-
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THOMAS VILLB.
tant. Fogs which are the rule on the coast are the exceptions here. During the past winter the mercury was at the freezing point but three imes, and then only for a few days.
" Some months since I addressed a circular-letter to all the Physi cians with whom I was acquainted, as well as to those whose names were furnished me. practicing in the district of country referred to in this report, requesting them to furnish me the number of cases of Phthisis Pulmonalis coming to their knowledge in their respective counties during the year 1873. Twenty physicians were kind enough to respond : The total number of cases reported is three, two of which are attributed to hereditary transmission; cause of the other not given. Thus, in a population of fiftv thousand, eight hundred and eighty-seven, we have but three cases of consumption reported for the _v. ear 187/ \?J. I am satisfied that no other section of countr*y can make a more favorable report. Surely, a climate where consump tion so rarely occurs must be a safe climate for those in whom that disease exists."
Immediately after the reading of the report, Dr. H. V. M. Miller, of Atlanta, offered the following resolution, which was unanimously adopted by the association :
" Resolved, That this association earnestly and fully endorse the opinions and statements contained in the paper just read by Dr. T. S. Hopkins, and in view of its importance to the whole country, desire to give to it the widest possible publicity."
The town is situated just half wav between Savannah and Pollard, the true terminus of the Gulf Road, and to which point the road must be built at an early day. In that event, work, repair, and ma chine shops of an extensive character will be located here, land for that purpose having already been purchased. We have direct rail communication with the seaboard, also with middle Georgia and the West by the South Georgia and Florida Railroad. A road is in con templation, and -will be built, connecting us directly with the system of railroads in Florida.
There are two large and well conducted educational institutions in the town, (Young Lady Female College and Fletcher Institute,) the latter being a male High School, where young men may prepare for college. There are four churches, viz: Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist and Episcopal. The society of the town is equal to any in

THOMAS VILLE.

the State. The place is noted for its morality, and the reputation of

its citizens for attending to their own business.

Strangers who come here to settle, or upon pleasure, are treated

kindlv and cordiallv. Uhe people gladlv welcome any who come for

the purpose of locating and developing the country. They want

good citizens, come they from whatever section they may.

The place is rapidlv. growing in favor, as a winter resort for north

ern invalids. In order to accommodate this .class, and, others, who

may seek our sunny clime in winter, one of our public'spirited and

wealthy citizens has erected one of the handsomest and most mod-

ernly constructed .-hotels in the South. In point of construction and

finish, it is second in the State OXI/Y to the. Kimball House in.-

Atlanta.

This Hotel has -been rented to a gentleman from Massachusetts,

who will have it open and ready for the reception of guests .by the

latter part of October. 187.6, and.will.be well kept.

Enterprising mechanics with small capital would find in Thomas-

ville a good opening, as there are very few mechanical enterprises

carried on in this section. .

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others think of us.
Extracts from a private letter to a friend, not intended for publica tion, but which we are permitted to insert.
TJiomasville, Georgia, May 30, 18^6.
H. S. L. MORSE, Esq., Boston, Mass.
Dear Sir : In reply to yours of the 22nd inst, making enquiries about this place, and asking my advice in relation to coming here to live, permit me to say that I do not like to advise you about your business affairs, but I will freely give you the benefit of my experience and impressions after nearly two years residence in this place. I traveled through nearly every Southern State, including Florida, in search of a pleasant home in a mild climate, more especially on account of my health, and this place suited my ideas, as a Massachusett's man, more perfectly than afty other one that I saw. First of all on account of its healthful advantages and locality, next in the intelligence and public spirit of the people, also its religious and educa tional advantages. We have here six churches in all. a female college, and a boys seminary, both of a high order, and several superior private schools, and one or more supported by public funds.
Thomasville is a lively thriving town, handsomely laid out, containing a city hall, court house, and jail, a large hotel that would be a credit to any city, wide streets, beautifully shaded with evergreen oaks, magnolias, etc. To me the climate is charming, the summers are long but no warmer than the warmest weather of N

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WHAT OTHERS THINK OF US.

England ; the winters are the crowning glory of all, with -week after week of bright

sunshine, and but a few days that make a fire necessary, peculiarly adapted to the

comfort of invalids. This town is becoming a favorite resort to such persons dur

ing the winter, the water is good and plentiful. The soil is very generous in its

productaons with only moderately good cultivation ; the staple products are rice, cot

ton, sugar-cane, corn, oats, sweet potatoes and pea-nuts ; almost all of the northern

fruits and vegetables do well here ; two crops a year are easily produced ; in fact one-

can plow, plant, hoe. and harvest every month in the year; there is no rest for the

farmer. The semi-tropical fruits and flowers are almost indigenous. Orange?,

lemons, figs, banannas. pomegranates are easily produced with a. little protection

against an occasional frost. Grapes and small fruits are cultivated very successfully.

Sheep husbandry might be carried on with great profit, cows, hogs, and sheep sus

tain themselves in vast numbers on forest grass all winter. I think a little care and

feeding would add to the profits. Land can be purchased for one dollar an acre,

and upwards, according to location and quality ; the timber is yellow pine, oak

hickory, poplar, cypress, bay. beech, maple, magnolia, etc., etc. Northern people

are treated with much respect and courtesy and welcomed as citizens ; and contrary

to a too prevalent northern notion, ladies will be welcomed into good society.

Georgia ladies are not excelled by any others in politeness, a kind disposition and

ability to do the agreeable. We have most excellent neighbors, kind and social as

could be desired. To satisfy yourself on these points come here and see and judge

for yourself, you will find every thing new to you, all very different from New

England life. I like Georgia, her government and her people, and only regret that

I did not come here at an earlier date. Truly vours.

WM. P. HOMER.

Thomosville, Georgia, Sept. 6, 1876.
I cordially concur in all the important statements of the above letter, and I de sire further to add the testimony of my own experience to the advantages of this climate in cases of throat and lung troubles.
Less than four years ago I came to this place utterly broken down in health from bronchial trouble of long standing. I have been restored beyond the most sanguine hopes of myself and friends, so that for over two years past I have been able again to engage regularly in the duties of the ministerial profession.
JAMES A. McKEE.

WHAT OTHERS THINK OF US.

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East Cambridge, Mass., August-81, 1876.

\V. P. HOMER. Esq., Thomasville, -Georgia.

Dear Sir : I have this day read your letter regarding Thomasville and its at

traction, and I freely endorse all you say. After extensive travels in Europe and

this country, I am free to admit all the facts you name, and for the benefit of others

seeking after a healty locality, I will state that I purchased, last April, a residence

in Thomasville, and after October, shall take up my abode there, where I expect and

hope to get relief from a severe pulmonary trouble. The air is dry and loaded with

a strong pine odor, unlike any part of Florida, and the north-east winds do not

prevail.

Yours truly,

A. WINTHROP HASTINGS.

SfringfitJd, Mass., August 81, 1876.

MY DEAR BROTHER : I can most heartily endorse all you say of Southern

Georgia and Thomasville, so far as my experience of last winter enables me to

judge.

Yours affectionately,

L. C. HOMER.

, Mass., Atigtist 26, 1876.

W. P. HOMER, ESQ., Thomasville, Georgia.

Dear Sir: I have read, very carefully, your letter in regard to the climate, peo

ple and productions of Thomasville, and can endorse it in every respect as being

truthful and deserved and in no way exaggerated in the least.

You have full permission to use my name in the above connection and to publish

my recent letter to the Dedham Transcript if you think either will do any

good.

Yours truly,

CHAS. MARSH.

WHAT OTHERS THINK OF US.

DKIMIAM. MASS.. July n. 1876.

FROM THE DEntfAM. (MASS.) TRANSCRIPT.

The rapid growth of Florida during the past ten years has made the people of the

North well acquainted with the climate and resources, as well as the people of that

beautiful State, and. while the consequent intermingling ofold enemies has done much

toward the reconciliation of the two sections, it has also introduced many new ideas

and improvements into the " Sunny South." which before were never heard of or

cared for there. As most of the lands of Florida are ill adapted to the pursuit of

farming, on account of their sandy soil, energetic men from North and West have

struck out into several of the adjacent States for that purpose, and with excellent

results.

Southern Georgia may justly claim a superiority in this respect, and there is not

a more pleasant spot, taking it the year round, than Thomasville, which is situated

two hundred miles from Savannah, and thirty-five miles from Tallahassee, and

which is now the home of Mr. Wm. P. Homer, formerly of Dedham. The in

habitants of this place are as intelligent and refined as can be found in any part of the

country ; a short residence among them during the past winter, having shown to

me that the majoritv of them are men of ability, learning and enterprise, who are

earnestlv seeking to improve their race not as the politicians aver, by destroying

or injuring their former slaves, but by honest toil and good management, uplifting

the negro as wel! as themselves.

While Florida has the advantage of being an orange growing State. Southern

Georgia can well assert a superiority in climate and can justly claim that within her

borders is the place of refuge for the struggling, half-sick mortals who are worthless

at home, but who could have and enjoy happy and beautiful homes in that section,

if thev would but exert their energies sufficiently to make the change. A high belt

of pine lands (so healthy to live upon) runs through that portion of the State and in

its center is Thomasville- Ten miles distant is Boston, so that anv of vour readers

would feel quite at home in the former place. An immigration society recentlv

formed there would render to settlers much needed assistance and information.

I-ands are cheap.

The negroes are improving in education and manners very rapidly, and labor is

so cheap as to cause a northern farmer to laugh for exceeding jov at the great

difference.

Young men. go Sputh ! Buy farms and be happv.

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WHAT O7WERS.THINK OF US.

18

Thomas County. Georgia. Sept.. 9th. JS76.
W. P. HOMER, ESQ.,
Dear Sir: Having read jour letter carefully, I endorse all }~ou say most heartily from mv own experience, having moved to this point from Seymour. Indiana, two vears ago. and lived here constantly since that time.
Yours truly, A. FROST. M. D.

The following extract from the Bainbridge (Dccatur Cotmtv.

Georgia,) Democrat, is appended :

,

After a short ride we arrived at Thomasvile, the Little Giant of Southwestern Georgia, and undoubtedly the most enterprising town of like size in Georgia. The train arrived soon enough to give us time for a promenade about this flourishing city; and each and all of us were struck with its charming appearance. ' Town Pride" met the eye on every hand ; it was noticed in the style of the dwellings, the arrangement of the yards, the neatness of the streets, the finish of the stores, the self-satisfied air of the men and the approving smile of the women all, everything, betokened even in this dull, blue season of business stagnation, that these peopled had never lost heart, at least in the success of their town. * * * * *
Upon a pine barren where, but a few years ago, stood a straggling village, now is seen in bold relief, a buoyant, young, vigorous and healthty city. It possesses fine society, a well sustained press, good hotels, splendid schools, an able ministry and a flourishing mercantile and business community. These people did the right thing when they went crazy on the subject of (lie town, and we only wish that some of their neighbors would make up .their minds to establish just such a lunatic asylum.
At night we went to the Public Library and Museum in this deligthful little city. We were astonished at the progress this institution has made. It is situated in a quiet part of the town, in a building which the association owns, built in cottage style, overhung by creeping vines and and surrounded with gardens of choice flowers. The interior is at once elegant and commodious ; .the tables are strewn

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WHAT OTHERS THINK OF US.

with all the latest magazines and newspapers of the day, and the shelves are filled with all kinds of standard literature, while the museum is replete with many curiosities of the mineral, animal and vegetable kingdom We spent two hours in this pleasant retreat, and only regret that we have not sufficient space to give a creditable description of what we saw.

The followiog from the Telegraph and Messenger, Macon, Georgia, of recent date, will be appreciated when it is known that this is one of the leading dailies in the South. That paper, in speaking of the countv. savs :
It is one of the best and most prosperous counties in the State. It comprises an intelligent commuity of people, who are peaceable thrifty and prosperous, and who are speedily converting" their county into a "land flowing with milk and honey." Some of the best farmers and fruit-growers of the South are in that county, and .the example and success of the few are speedily remodeling the many, and if the thing is kept up for a few more years. Thomas will be the banner countv of the State in domestic thrift and prosperitv.