Читать книгу Atlanta And Its Builders, Vol. 2 - A Comprehensive History Of The Gate City Of The South - Thomas H. Martin - Страница 4

While there were quite a number of "irreconcilables" in Atlanta when the war closed — men whose hearts were in the sepulcher of "The Lost Cause." and who faced the future without the courage of hope — vastly the greater number of Atlantans were full of optimism, energy and enterprise. The dominant element of the city's population were imbued with the spirit of compromise, so far as Federal relations were concerned, and sought to make the best of a situation that could not be remedied. Andrew Johnson had succeeded to the presidency, and the South had hope that radicalism would be tempered with justice. On the 24th of July, 1865, a public meeting was held in Atlanta to consider questions of great political moment and adopt suitable resolutions thereon. The call for the meeting was signed by Mayor James M. Calhoun. John M. Clarke. W. R. Venable. J. L. Dunning, J. W. Manning and John Silvey. In explaining the objects of the meeting, the call said it was "to afford all good and true men the opportunity of expressing their honest and loyal sentiments with an earnest determination to preserve our common country and its matchless institutions on a basis that shall be true to principle and safe for all conditions both at home and abroad."

A large crowd of representative citizens attended, and after the meeting had been called to order, Mayor Calhoun was chosen for chairman, and B. D. Smith, secretary. In explaining the object of the meeting. Mayor Calhoun said it was to give the people of Atlanta an opportunity to express their desires on the great questions of returning to the Union, on the organization of civil government in Georgia, and on the complete restoration of law and order. For himself. Mayor Calhoun declared, he could say truly and with pride that he had never favored the destruction of the Union founded by the republic's reverend fathers, and that it was the fondest desire of his heart to return to it. He continued: "On returning to the union of our fathers, while it will be our right as citizens to claim the protection of our country's flag — the stars and stripes, emblematic of the union of the states and of our nationality — it will also be our solemn duty to protect and defend it, and that with our lives, if necessary. Under it, in times that are gone, many of us have fought the enemy of our common country: and let us again resolve, should it ever become necessary, that we will do so again; and if, as a people, we have erred in the past, let us try to make compensation for our errors in the future: let us not cherish and keep alive any unkind feelings for the people of any section of our reunited country, but rather cultivate feelings of kindness, friendship and confidence."

The sentiments expressed by the mayor were endorsed by other speakers, and the following committee was appointed to draft resolutions for the consideration of the meeting: John M. Clarke, Jared I. Whittaker, Alfred Austell, James L. Dunning and G. W. Adair. The resolutions brought in by the committee were as follows:

"Whereas. The constitution of the United States makes ample provision for the freedom of speech, the power of the press, and the unalienable right of the people to peacefully assemble, and to counsel with each other on all matters of public concernment and national interest; and

"Whereas, The late war having left the state of Georgia in a most deplorable, disorganized and unsettled condition, we, therefore, as a portion of the people, have this day convened to express our anxious solicitude for a speedy restoration to our original status in the Union, and hopefully anticipate that the day is near at hand when the sim of our former prosperity and happiness will again shine upon us with undiminished and even increased splendor; when each one may sit under his own 'vine and fig tree, with none to molest him or make him afraid."

"Resolved. I. That whether we consider its height or depth, its length or breadth, the commencement of this war will ever mark an era of surprising national and individual prosperity. And it is equally true that in the winding up of the great drama we can but behold a widespread desolation and waste, sweeping over a once happy, contented and prosperous people. And for the truth of the position here assumed, and its vindication, we confidently rely upon that calm, deliberate and impartial judgment which posterity will write, after all the hates, injuries and prejudices, the natural result of relentless war, shall have passed away and be remembered no more.

"Resolved, 2. That we profoundly congratulate our people on the termination of the war, with its dire effects; that peace once more reigns, and is installed in all our borders.

"Resolved. 3. That in the appointment of a provisional governor for our state, we trust that we may recognize an important advance toward an early reconciliation, and the resumption of our former status in the system of states.

"Resolved, 4. That we most earnestly desire a speedy restoration of all political and national relations, the restoration of mutual confidence and friendship, the uninterrupted intercourse of trade and commerce with every section; in fine, to hold and occupy our old position in the list of states, the sovereign and sole conservators of an unbroken and imperishable Union.

"Resolved, 5. That we counsel a ready and willing obedience to the laws of our country, and with cheerfulness and patient industry the fulfillment of our mission.

"Resolved, 6. That in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln we gaze upon a deed horrible and horrifying. We hold it up to universal execration, earnestly trusting that not only the immediate perpetrators of the crime, so infamous and revolting, but that all remotely concerned, may receive condign punishment.

"Resolved, 7. That we have full confidence in the administration of Andrew Johnson, the president of the United States, and that in all the trying scenes engendered by this anomalous war, justice may be tempered with mercy, and we hereby tender to the president our firm attachment, fidelity and support, and that in all time to come, we shall be known, and only known, as one people, sharing one destiny, having one interest, one liberty, one constitution and one flag.

"Resolved, 8. That we heartily endorse and approve the appointment of Hon. James Johnson as the provisional governor of the state of Georgia, a sound lawyer, an able statesman, and an honest man, and trust that under his administration the state will soon be enabled to re-occupy its old and proud position in the Union."

The resolutions were adopted with practical unanimity, and upon motion it was decided to send a copy of the same to the president of the United States. Ex-Congressman L. J. Gartrell made a rousing speech, rejoicing in Georgia's return to the Union and counseling conservatism and a spirit of compromise on the part of his fellow citizens. He was followed by G. W. Adair and James L. Dunning, in like vein.

The federal appointments for the state of Georgia were received with a sense of satisfaction by most of the citizens of Atlanta. Hon. James Johnson, the provisional governor, was considered a safe and honorable man for that important office. John Erskine, the judge of the United States district court, James L. Dunning, United States marshal, and A. W. Stone, district attorney, had been citizens of Atlanta before the war and were well thought of, barring their political sentiments and affiliations. Mr. Dunning was one of the city's largest manufacturers, his roller mills being seized and operated by the Confederate government after the breaking out of hostilities between the sections.

The vote of the Atlanta precinct and Fulton county in the fall election of 1865 was as follows: Governor, C. J. Jenkins, Atlanta, 754, county. 840: congressmen, W. T. Wolford, Atlanta, 347, county, 396: J. P. Hambleton, Atlanta, 269, county, 284: H. G. Cole, Atlanta, 19; state senators, James F. Johnson, Atlanta, 418, county, 450; John Collier, Atlanta, 185; county, 228; representatives, T. W. J. Hill, 309; R. F. Maddox, 232; William Markham, 163: W. M. Butt, 134; A. Leyden, 119; T. S. Gillespie, 109; W. A. Wilson, 99; Y. A. Gaskill, 97; J. W. Price. 51. Hill and Maddox were the successful candidates.

Many citizens, of course, voluntarily refrained from taking part in the election, while many others were ineligible as the result of war disabilities imposed by congress. On the 30th of September, 1865, a mass meeting was held for the purpose of nominating Fulton county's delegates to the state convention, which was called to be held on October 25th. Dr. John G. Westmoreland was chairman of the meeting, and W. A. Shelby secretary. A synopsis of the resolutions adopted follows: 1. That the meeting approved of the policy of President Johnson for the restoration of the Southern States to the Union because of the broad, bold and wise statesmanship embraced therein. 2. Pledging themselves to sustain the president in his wise and righteous course. 3. Approving of the president's proclamation of amnesty, and taking upon themselves, in spirit and in truth, all the obligations imposed. 4. Promising for the delegates to be nominated at the meeting, should they be elected, to sustain the president's plan for the restoration of the South to the Union. 5. Expressing their opposition to negro suffrage. 6. Stating that they did not intend to deprive the freedman of the results of his labor, and that the late slaves of the South had the sympathy of all intelligent. Christian, moral Southern men. 7. Repudiating any and every effort to stir up strife among those who had differed upon questions which had produced the late war, and recommending a forgetfulness of the past. Judge Jared I. Whittaker, George W. Adair and N. J. Hammond were nominated by the meeting, with great enthusiasm, and after their nomination a resolution was adopted to send President Johnson a copy of the foregoing resolutions. The election resulted in the selection by the suffragists of the candidates nominated at this meeting, by the following vote: N. J. Hammond, 364; Jared L Whittaker, 339; George W. Adair. 362; William Markham, 185; C. P. Cassin, 25; scattering, 5.

After the surrender, and before the federal authority in the city had been established, the few inhabitants of Atlanta suffered considerably at the hands of impoverished and demoralized Confederate soldiers returning from the war. Of this species of depredation Wallace P. Reed says: "After the evacuation of Atlanta by Sherman's army, the condition of the city was deplorable, and the demoralization of the Confederate soldiers was extreme. Civil government was paralyzed, and persons and property were without protection. Neither the property of the state of Georgia nor that of the Confederate States government was safe in the city. Mules and horses, the stores of the quartermaster's and of the commissary department, though guarded by vigilant and brave officers, were carried away by men returning from the war — by men who could then see that the cause for which they had fought for years was in a hopeless condition, and who claimed that the property belonging to the Confederate government and to the State of Georgia belonged as much to them as to anyone, and they intended to have their share. Yet, notwithstanding their own losses and necessities, they were very liberal with the food upon which they seized: for they gave it away lavishly to the crowds of women that followed them about the streets. For two or three weeks before the city was taken possession of by Colonel Eggleston there was great distress among the citizens, and as a consequence of the distress, great disorder; and hence, when Colonel Eggleston arrived in the city and developed order out of chaos, all classes of citizens, although mortified beyond measure at the failure of their cause, yet they all gladly welcomed the soldiers of the United States army, and felt perfectly secure so long as they remained."

The Intelligencer came back to Atlanta after peace was declared and resumed its ancient prestige as the journalistic representative of the community. From one of the earliest postbellum files of this paper several facts relative to Atlanta during the war are here reproduced as worthy of preservation in this volume. The Intelligencer said:

"The headquarters of General Sherman after the occupation of Atlanta was at the residence of Judge R. F. Lyon, corner Mitchell and Washington streets. Gen. Thomas's headquarters was at the residence of Mr. M. Meyers, on Peachtree street; General Geary's at Mr. E. E. Rawson's. on Pryor street; General Stanley's at the residence of Mr. Lewis Scofield, on Peachtree street, and Gen. Slocum's at Mr. William H. Dabney's, on Washington street."

"The whole number of killed and wounded around Atlanta, from the time the armies crossed the Chattahoochee river until the city was invested by the United States army, including the Jonesboro battles, is unknown to the writer, but must have been at least 18,000 to 20,000 Confederates, and as many Federals. How quickly fade from the memory of man the impressions made by the contemplation of such a scene! Yet. the citizens of this bustling city, however heedless they may be, sleep nightly in the midst of one vast graveyard. Friend and foe lie shoulder to shoulder, and will take up arms against each other no more; but must one day stand together before their Creator. Let us hope that they died with such charitable feelings, and with such faith in their Savior, as shall. secure to them the salvation of their immortal spirits."

"By those who returned to Atlanta soon after its destruction, a disgusting and heart-sickening scene was witnessed. Ruin, death and devastation met the eye on every hand. The legions of carrion crows and vultures, whose vocation it might have been to hover over and pick at the decaying carcasses of animals that lay among the scarred and broken walls of our ruined city, were surpassed by the hosts of Georgia's own sons, who might, otherwise, have been styled our brothers, congregated here from a distance of fifty miles, in every direction, not to guard unprotected property, but, many of them, to steal and haul away the effects of their absent and unfortunate countrymen. There were, also, numerous packs of dogs that had become wild on account of the absence of their masters, attacking citizens, and belching forth their frightful howls, as if to render the scene still more gloomy, fearful and desolate. During the months of December and January, after the destruction of the city by the Federals, some of the citizens who went South returned home. A few found shelter in their own houses, while the majority of them were compelled to take up their abode in the houses of other parties, or live in tents with their families. The .destitution consequent upon the scarcity of provisions and fuel, and the utter worthlessness of Confederate currency during the winter months of 1864 and 1865, produced an amount of suffering beyond the comprehension of most persons who did not witness the facts. For want of teams, some parties were forced to carry their fuel a distance of nearly a mile, and many suffered severely from both hunger and cold. But they managed to survive the winter, and some had. by the spring following, accumulated considerable little stores. On the surrender and parole of Lee's and Johnston's armies, as the soldiers were passing through Atlanta en route for their homes, they made free with everything that came in their way, leaving many, again, utterly destitute. So much for war which, under every circumstance and for whatever cause, is demoralizing in its tendencies, rendering, in some instances, the best men incapable of performing an act of kindness, or even of administering simple justice to his fellow-men."

"Atlanta, during the year 1865, presented quite a picturesque appearance. There might have been seen small houses, put up in many instances expressly for rent, which presented the appearance of having been built of the remnants of half a dozen houses. Calico fences, too, still remain quite fashionable in some localities. But it is to be hoped that the city will outgrow the effects of the war, and that at an early day her citizens may again become comfortably situated, and that good feelings and a disposition to encourage and foster each other's interests, may be cultivated by them. Then may we hope and expect to see education advanced, fraternity revived, Christianity practiced, and society much improved and benefited."

The spirit of fraternity and the desire to help one another was strongly manifest in the people of Atlanta the first year after the surrender. The town was bustling with commercial activity and ambitious with enterprise, but the citizens were never too busy or self-centered to forget the duties imposed by the tribulations from which the city was slowly emerging, and "sweet charity" was ever met with an open hand. Organized relief did much for the unfortunates left destitute by the war. The charitable societies were many and the methods of relieving distress various. In the good work the ladies were especially active. They held bazaars, and fairs, and entertainments, and balls with great frequency the first few months after the return of peace. On January 18-19, 1866, a large fair was held by the ladies of Atlanta, which was well attended and patronized. All the churches of the city took part in contributing to the success of the fair, as will be seen from the following list of names of the general committee and the churches represented: Central Presbyterian church, Mrs. P. P. Pease, Mrs. George G. Hull and Mrs. William Rushton; First Presbyterian church, Mrs. E. A. Gordon, Mrs. James Robinson and Mrs. T. G. Simms; Wesley chapel, Mrs. J. N. Simmons, Mrs. Joseph Winship and Mrs. Willis Parker; Trinity church, Mrs. E. E. Rawson, Mrs. O. H. Jones and Mrs. L. S. Salmons; First Baptist church, Mrs. Jared I. Whittaker, Mrs. I. R. Foster and Mrs. J. J. Thrasher; Second Baptist church, Mrs. Ed. White, Mrs. J. J. Toon and Miss Ellen Chisholm: St. Philip's and St. Luke's churches, Mrs. William Solomon, Mrs. J. M. Ball and Mrs. Richard Peters; Church of the Immaculate Conception, Mrs. J. H. Flynn, Mrs. Dooly and Mrs. Hayden. Ward Committees — First ward, Mrs. J. A. Taylor; Second ward, Mrs. F. M. Richardson; Third ward, Mrs. Caroline Larendon; Fourth ward, Mrs. W. B. Cox; Fifth ward, Mrs. A. Leyden. The committee met at Wesley chapel on the 20th to ascertain the amount of the net proceeds and to provide for the distribution of the fund. Dr. J. N. Simmons, chairman of the relief committee, was instructed to prepare for publication in the local papers, a statement of the amount cleared by the fair, which was done. The net proceeds amounted to $1,535.90. The ladies passed resolutions thanking the Masons for the use of their hall, and the press, merchants and public generally for their assistance. The sum thus raised was judiciously distributed and was instrumental in relieving much real suffering in Atlanta that winter.

In 1867 a little city directory of Atlanta was issued from the press of the Intelligencer, from the preface of which the following interesting information is taken:

"Atlanta has, already, made rapid strides in the way of improvement. There were licensed by the city council, during the last six months of the year 1865, about three hundred and thirty-eight business houses, representing various branches of trade — nearly all of which commenced on very small capital, occupying mere shanties as store houses. There was very little manufacturing done in Atlanta in 1865. Planing mills, etc., were much needed to assist in the work of rebuilding the city; among the first of such establishments put into operation was that of Hoge, Mills & Co., on Marietta street. Others of a similar character rapidly sprang up. The several railroad companies went to work in good earnest, repairing their respective roads, and rebuilding their depots and shops, and at this time they are all in comparatively good condition. Foundries and machine shops were established; first class business houses took the place of the shanty substitutes which had at first been thrown up by the impoverished citizens, and large stocks of goods soon found their way into them.

"The city fathers, too, went to work with great energy. Two neat and tastily arranged market houses were soon completed; the bridge across the Macon & Western and Western & Atlantic railroads, near the site of the old market house, was rebuilt, and Broad street opened from Alabama to Mitchell, and widened from Alabama to Peachtree street. The city cemetery received their early attention, and has been re-fenced, enlarged, and otherwise improved. The streets of the city, though filled with huge heaps of rubbish less than two years ago, have been put in a fair condition. The incorporate limits have been extended so as to enclose the area of a circle three miles in diameter, the center of which is still located near the general passenger depot. They have also provided a place for the M. & W. R. R. depot, at the corner of M. & W. railroad and Mitchell street, for which they have taken in exchange the site on which stood the old depot, corner Railroad and Whitehall street — making a decided improvement by this transaction. The gas works have also again been put into operation, and at this time the city is tolerably well lighted. The rolling mill, owned by Messrs. Markham and Scofield during the first years of the war, having been destroyed, has not yet been rebuilt. Another, however, on a very extensive scale, has been erected and put into operation, on the W. & A. railroad, near the city, under the firm name of the Atlanta Rolling Mill and Mining Company, by John D. Gray, A. Alexander, and others. There are also, in Atlanta, three iron and brass foundries, seven machine shops (including those in connection with railroads), and three large sash, door and blind manufactories, besides other and smaller establishments.

"The printing, publishing, and also the educational interest of the city deserves notice. We have at this time three daily newspapers, one large weekly literary paper, one monthly medical journal, and one large monthly magazine; also, several large job printing offices and two book binderies. All these establishments seem to be well conducted and in a prosperous condition.

The medical college has been refitted, and will doubtless soon become eminently successful and popular. The cause of education, generally, is attracting attention. We have already several good schools, notwithstanding the absence of appropriate buildings for that purpose, and we hope some practicable system of free school education, both mental and manual, will at an early day be established, that the poor children who are learning nothing but beggarly and vicious habits on our streets may be taught that they were created for more noble and glorious purposes.

"The number of stores on the business streets will reach at least two hundred and fifty, mostly brick buildings. The assessed value of the real estate in the city in 1866 was over $7,000,000, and the amount of goods sold is estimated at $4,500,000. The population of the city, as shown by the census, just taken, under direction of the city council, is 10,940 whites, 9.288 blacks, nine hundred and twenty-eight (nearly five per cent, of the whole number) being widows and orphans, four hundred and forty-nine of whom are widows and orphans of Confederate soldiers — the aggregate showing a population of 20,228 souls.

"It will be seen that this city, within the past two years, has risen out of her own ashes, to the populous, mercantile and manufacturing Atlanta of 1861 and 1862. Her future, who can foresee? The tides of immigration and of improvement still continue to flow in her favor. The two new railroads to this city, in contemplation before the war. will probably be completed at an early day. The Georgia Air Line railroad will, we are advised, be in running order as far as Gainesville, Hall county, within the year 1868. The grading of this road will be commenced between this point and Gainesville, in March or April next. From the history of the past, we may. with a certainty, anticipate the effects that will be produced on the city by the completion of these roads. On the railroad and manufacturing interest of Atlanta, and the mineral resources of Upper Georgia — which are now rapidly being developed — and not on agricultural (for the surrounding country is comparatively poor), must this city base her hopes of prosperity. Success attend them! and may we not again be cursed by the demoralizing and destructive tendencies of war, but continue, as a community, to march onward and upward in every ennobling cause, until Atlanta shall have become one of the great cities of the continent."

From the same little volume we learn that "The incorporation line of the city of Atlanta, as extended by an act of the general assembly of the state of Georgia, approved March 12, 1866, encloses the area of a perfect circle three miles in diameter, the center of which is located near the general passenger depot."

At that time Atlanta had five wards and about one-half the present number of streets, few of which were paved beyond the business center. The municipality maintained two market houses, in which butchers and green grocers were required to rent stalls. Each market house had a keeper appointed by council, and rigid rules governed the conduct of business therein. Much of the rapid progress in building after the war was due to the local building and loan associations, which had then begun to be popular all over the country. In 1867 Atlanta had four of these helpful organizations, as follows: Gate City Building and Loan Association — J. R. Wallace, Pres.: N. R. Fowler, Sec.; W. J. Houston, Treas.; N. J. Hammond, Atty.; F. M. Richardson, Thomas Spencer, L. C. Wells and William Rushton, directors. Fulton Building and Loan Association — Perino Brown, Pres.; C. F. Wood, Sec.: N. R. Fowler, Treas.; Daniel Pittman, Atty.; C. F. Wood, E. R. Sasseen, John Glenn and F. P. Rice, directors. Stonewall Building and Loan Association — S. A. Verdery, Pres.; J. S. Peterson, Secy.; B. F. Moore, Treas.; L. J. Glenn, Atty.; John A. Doane, R. P. Zimmerman, J. W. Clayton and J. M. Ball, directors. Mechanics' Building and Loan Association — L. C. Wells, Pres.; S. W. Grubb, Sec; W. j. Houston, Treas.; N. J. Hammond, Atty.; J. R. Wallace, Thomas Spencer, F. M. Richardson and J. E. Gullatt, directors. In glancing over the list of the various business establishments in Atlanta as contained in this directory for 1867, one can but be struck by the great number of firms in certain lines of business, and in stopping to analyze the reason in comparison with the situation today, must conclude that concentration has a decided tendency to weed out the small dealer. For instance, in 1867 there were twenty-nine exclusive wholesale grocers in Atlanta — twice the number engaged in that line of trade in this city today. There were, the same year, fifty-one commission merchants in Atlanta. The census of Atlanta by wards, taken by direction of the city council in December and January, 1866-7, was as follows: First ward, 4,837; Second ward, 2,749: Third ward, 2.036: Fourth ward. 5,389: Fifth ward, 5,217 — total, 20,288.

James M. Calhoun, Atlanta's "war mayor," who served the city faithfully during her days of sore travail, was honored with the mayoralty the first year after the war closed, serving in that capacity four successive terms. To his public spirit and wise administration was due no little of the progress made by Atlanta immediately after her almost total destruction by Sherman.

Atlanta had four fire companies the first year after the war closed, and it will doubtless be interesting to the pioneer citizens in our midst, and their descendants, to read the names of the members, few of whom are alive or residents of Atlanta today. The rosters of the four companies are given as follows:

FIRE DEPARTMENT

S. B. Sherwood, Chief Engineer. Henry Gullatt, First Assistant Engineer. W. G. Knox, Second Assistant Engineer.

ATLANTA FIRE COMPANY NO. I (STEAM ENGINE) .

Organized, March 24, 1851. Incorporated, April 4, 1851. Meets first Monday night in each month, at their Engine House, cor. Broad Street and M. & W. R. R.

Officers. — John B. Norman, President: Charles Schnatz, 1st Director: John Berkele, 2nd Director: John Wilbey, 3rd Director; Samuel Wilson, Secretary; H. Muhlenbrink, Treasurer; John H. Ellsworth, Rep. to Fire Dept.; John Bridwell, M. Rogan. Axemen.

Active Members— Alexander, I.; Bell. H. G.; Broxton, H. W.; Cannon, P. J.: Collier, M. L.; Collier, John W.; Cox, W. B.; Daly, Pat; Eisenhut, John; Ficken, John; Fleck, Daniel; Galvin, John; Garcia, B.; Garvy, P.; Grambling, John; Grogan, Z. W.; Goudy, D. H.: Haney, Thomas; Haney, Henry; Haverty. M.; Henderson, A. F.; Immel, J.; Immel, M. J.; James, Wm.; Jentzer, John; Joyner, H. W.; Klotz, Jno.; Kuhrt, Henry; Klassett, A.; Krog, Wm.; Kavanaugh, P.; Lynch, Peter; Lynch, J.; Mann, J. E.; Mann, James; Mann, John; Mann, Wm. J.; Mann, Henry; Mason, J. P.; Mason, Wm. K.; Murrins, L.; McGee, John; Nelley, Martin; Olerich, P.; Peel, John; Pettis, W. P.; Roab, George; Ransford, H.; Roberts, M. L.; Schoen, J.; Spencer, Wm.; Sherwood, S. B.; Weaver, J. K.; Van Loan, A. H.; Van Loan, Richard.

Honorary Members — Bracken, P. J.; Daly, Martin; Flynn, John H.; Forsyth, Wm.; Heinz, Charles; Hunnicutt, C. W.; Kershaw, John; Kidd. Wm.; Kirby, T.; Lamb, B. T.; Lynch, John; Mecaslin, J. H.; Murphy, T. C.: Stadelman, J.

MECHANIC FIRE COMPANY, NO. 2

Organized December 10, 1856. Meets first Friday night in each month, at their hall over Engine House, corner Washington St. and Georgia R. R.

Officers — J. E. Gullatt, President; James G. Kelly, Vice-President; W. D. Luckie, Jr., Secretary; O. H. Jones, Treasurer; E. Buice, First Director; C. Beermann, Second Director; W. G. Middleton, Chief Engineer; Joel Kelsey, 1st Ass't. Engineer; G. W. Terry, 2nd Ass't. Engineer; James Daniels, 3rd Ass't. Engineer; G. T. Anderson, W. F. Woods, Pipemen; J. M. Buice, Joseph Wiley, Axemen; M. L. Lichtenstadt, Rep. to Fire Dep't.; James Alexander, M. D., Surgeon.

Members — Buice, C. W.; Buice, J. D.; Bellingrath, H.; Bradbury, T. W.; Bannan, W. J.; Campbell, J. T.; Crenshaw, J. L.; Darby, Arch.; Dewberry, J. R.; Doby, J. B.; Harmsen, Carl; Krogg, Fred; Langford, W. Y.; Lyons, J. L.; Manning, W. H.; Middleton, M. J.; Moore. B. F.; O'Connor, Thomas; Read, Thomas; Rogers. J. C.; Rodes, C. C.; Rosenfeld, S.; Rote, M.; Schramm. P.; Shlotfeldt, George; Spillman, Joshua; Steinheimer, D.; Steinheimer, L; Williams, J. E.; Wilson, Hue.

TALLULAH FIRE COMPANY, NO. 3

Organized February 22, 1859. Meets first Wednesday night in each month, at their hall in Engine House, on Broad, between Marietta and Walton streets.

Officers—E. C. Murphy, President; S. W. Grubb, Vice-President; W. C. Shearer, 1st Director; Jesse Smith, 2nd Director; F. M. Queen, Hose Director; J. N. Williams, Secretary; L. H. Clarke, Treasurer; H. S. Orme, Surgeon; A. P. Bell, Rep. to Fire Department; S. Mercer, Foreman 1st squad; L. B. Scudder. Foreman 2nd squad; W. R. Biggers, Foreman Hose squad; David Buice, B. Kane, Axemen.

Active Members — Bohnefeld, Carl; Bohnefeld, Herman; Bohnefeld, Richard; Center, E. A.; Christopher, Frank; Clarke, Wm. F.; Crew, B. B.; Clarke, John D.; Deringer. J. A.; Fife, R. A.; Fitts, Robert C.; Groves, J. B.; Haralson, A. J.; Hill, John A.; Holland, J. S.; Henson, F.; Jack, G. W.; Johnson, C. A.; Judson, W. N.; Love, J. R.; Mead, W. T.; Mobley, E. L. D.; Mullin, J. E.; Parks, John R.; Queen, B. C.; Rogers, J. J.; Robinson, R. A.; Smith, J. B.; Starnes, J. M.; Steadman, Charles; Stokes, J. W.; Smith, C. D.; Theme, A.; Thompson, George; Thrower, C. A.; Valentino, Gabe; Valentino, John; Warwick, F. A.; Warwick, T. F.; Wells, J. Y.; Whaley, J. R.; Williams, Isaac.

ATLANTA HOOK & LADDER CO. NO. I

Organized November 28. 1859. Meets first Saturday night in each month, at their Truck House, east side of Pryor, between Alabama and Hunter streets.

Officers — J. L. Queen, Foreman; C. F. S. D'Alvigny, Ass't. Foreman; J. S. Yarbrough, Secretary; George Johnson, Treasurer; Ed. Holland, Rep. to Fire Dep't.

Active Members — Bookout, J. M.; Bradburn, A. B.; Bryant, W. M.; Buckhardt G. A.; Burr, George; Erginzingar, A.; Forsyth, C. A.; Franklin, George; Hartman, M.; Holley, C. W.; James, J. H.; Johnston, F. M.; Lowry, R. J.; Lumpkin, W. J.; McDade, W. C.; Mc Waters, A.; Morris. L. G.; Parrott, G. W.; Peters, W. G.; Queen, D. M.; Rokestraw, George; Reeves, J. W.; Richardson, F. M.; Smith, E. C.; Wilson, Henry; Young, John.

Honorary Members — Edwards, George; Fowler, N. R.; Love, S. B.; Morrison, John; Peck, J. C.; Scrutchen, Thomas.

Early in December, 1866, the military office of provost-marshal was abolished in Atlanta, the city being considered sufficiently "reconstructed" to be governed by civil administration. On the 18th of the same month, the detachment of the One Hundred and Fiftieth Illinois regiment on duty as a provost-guard in Atlanta since the surrender, was mustered out and left for their Northern homes. Captain Line L. Parker, who had served as provost-marshal, left for the North at the same time. However, a military post was maintained in Atlanta, four companies of the Thirteenth Connecticut, Captain Beckwith, being stationed in the barracks until April 17. 1866, when the regiment was mustered out and United States regulars stationed permanently in Atlanta.

Of the early post-bellum period, E. Y. Clarke says in his admirable little history of Atlanta: "At first the rebuilding was in a haphazard manner, and hundreds of wooden and brick shanties were erected out of the debris of the ruins — in many instances the owners putting their own hands to the work, clearing away the rubbish and picking out the material fit for use. Er Lawshe set up the first store house on Whitehall street by the removal of a little one-story building from another part of the city and this was done by many others. The scarcity of buildings made rents enormous and building materials were equally high. * * * In 1865 John H. James built his banking house, and McNaught & Scrutchin their store on Whitehall street, and J. C. Peck rebuilt his planing mill. In 1866 E. P. Chamberlin built a residence on Washington street; C. E. Boynton erected one on Rawson street. In the same year, also, Mr. O. H. Jones, marshal of the city in 1864, and one of our most energetic citizens, built fine livery stables for the accommodation of the great increasing stock trade he had established. * * * Among the new citizens acquired will be recognized many who have attained official, social and business prominence. In 1865 came James R. Wylie, the wholesale grocer and prominent bank director, a gentleman of great worth and usefulness; John L. Hopkins, from 1870 to 1876 judge of the superior courts of the Atlanta circuit, and one of the most eminent lawyers in the state; W. A. Moore and E. W. Marsh, the wholesale dry goods merchants, who have been in business together some twenty-four years; Andrew Stewart and S. L. McBride, both very young men. In 1866 came C. E. Boynton, the successful merchant, and E. P. Chamberlin, his partner, a leader in all meritorious public enterprises, and a councilman prominent in municipal laws and measures enhancing the welfare of the city; A. E. Howard, of the tobacco house of Howard, Wood & Co.; Julius L. Brown, one of our ablest young lawyers; John N. Fain, a well-known merchant and church officer, and James A. Anderson, a young man who has successively held the office of city tax collector and chief of police for several terms with great credit, and now a practicing attorney of the firm of Goodwin & Anderson. In 1867 came S. M. Inman, an ex-Confederate soldier, from Tennessee, the great cotton merchant and public-spirited citizen; Richard H. Clark, present judge of the City Court; W. A. Hemphill, one of the proprietors of the Atlanta Constitution; W. F. Stokes, the great fruit merchant of Atlanta; John A. Fitten and John C. Kirkpatrick, who, in 1870, became firm members of the great hardware house of T. M. Clarke & Co. * * * "

To the return of the old population, with their olden characteristics, intensified by an almost total loss of property, is chiefly due the restoration to former prosperity with a rapidity rarely, if ever, paralleled in American history. Appreciating the situation, they resolutely set to work to rebuild their fortunes. Did the scope of a general history allow, it would be pleasant to recount the story of individual effort. Every class proved true to its antecedent career. The lawyer, the merchant and the mechanic all went to work with a will. As, among the first class, might be mentioned General L. J. Gartrell, who found his home in ashes, but, by brilliant professional effort, achieved success worthy of the political and professional honors of his ante-bellum career; so, conspicuous examples of merchants and mechanics, and of other professional men could be numerously given.

Taking into consideration the era and circumstances, it is doubtful if a parallel can be found to the magic resurrection of Atlanta within a year after the city was in ashes. It was the fable of the Phoenix re-enacted in real life, and well did the restored city choose as its municipal seal the image of that mythical bird, surrounded by the legend, "Resurgens." In March, 1886, a local newspaper published the following brief resume of the improvements made up to that time:

"The indomitable energy and persistence of the people .of Atlanta is shown by the way in which they are rebuilding the city. Alabama street begins to assume its former neat and business-like appearance. New business houses are being occupied as fast as completed by book men, bankers, merchants, artists, physicians, insurance agents and all other classes. The following houses have been put in successful operation: P. P. Pease & Co., J. T. Jenkins & Co.; Langston, Crane & Co.; McCarny & Co.; M. W. & J. H. Johnson; Pratte, Edwards & Co.; Robert J. Lowry & Co.; Simms, Robert & Co.; Clayton, Adair & Purse; Meador & Brothers and McKeon & Godfrey. Bank block is a handsome edifice. The two hotel buildings, the Southern Express Company's building, and the Franklin Printing House, all begin to make the city look somewhat as it did before the war. The two hotels are the Planter's and the Exchange Hotel, the latter standing on the corner of Alabama and Pryor streets, and being the same as the Fulton House of the old regime."

To quote further from Colonel Clarke's history: "In 1868 came M. C. and J. F. Kiser, from Campbell county, of the immense wholesale dry goods house of that name; Mark W. Johnson, of the agricultural warehouse; Thomas M. Wood, D. M. Bain and N. J. Doolittle. In 1869 came W. A. Haygood, from Emory College; Joseph T. Eichberg, from New York, afterwards organizer of the Germania Loan and Building Association, and its president; and J. F. Burke, in after years the successful library director. In 1870 came W. C. Dodson, the job printer; the Wilsons — W. S. and J. C. — the latter now the largest coal dealer in the city; also John B. Goodwin, from Cobb county, who was admitted to the bar in 1877 and has been three times elected to council. In 1871 came James H. Low and Clarence F. Low, from New Orleans, leading insurance agents, and E. H. Thornton, of the firm of Lynch & Thornton, booksellers. This year also brought us valuable citizens from the North and West, among them W. G. Goodnow, from Wisconsin, a man of great energy and business capacity, who planned the Republic Block, got up the stock of and organized the Citizens' Bank, and was at a later date made general business manager of the Atlanta Rolling Mill. Among valuable citizens from the North may be mentioned W. C. Morrill, a gentleman of large means and liberality, and who has contributed greatly to the success of our noble Library Association. * * * In 1868 the Third Baptist church was built by liberal contributions of Governor Brown and others. In 1889 E. E. Rawson rebuilt his store on Whitehall street; Moore & Marsh finished a magnificent 36 x 186 store on Decatur street; John H. James built his famous residence, now the Governor's Mansion, on Peachtree street, at a cost of $70,000, and began a block on Whitehall street. In 1870 Louis De Give built the opera house, which Forrest, Booth and other great actors pronounced unsurpassed in acoustic properties; the corner-stone of the Catholic church was laid by Father Ryan; the Fourth Baptist church was built by John H. James; the Kimball House, one of the largest hotels in the United States, was built by H. I. Kimball, at a cost of nearly half a million dollars; Richard H. Clark built a residence on McDonough street, and B. F. Wyly one on Washington street. In 1871 at least four hundred buildings went up, among them the Republic Block, built by ex-Governor Joseph E. Brown, Judge O. A. Lochrane, and others, on Pryor street; the Austell building, on Decatur street; the Union Passenger Depot, then one of the largest and finest iron depots in the United States, jointly constructed by the railroad companies; the beautiful residence of Judge John L. Hopkins, on the corner of Gilmer and Collins streets; that of Z. D. Harrison, clerk of the Supreme Court, on McDonough street; those of A. G. Howard and W. A. Hemphill, on Pryor street. In 1872 another church — the Fifth Baptist — was built by John H. James; a three-story building on Broad street, by ex-Governor Brown; a splendid, 52 x 140 feet, slate bank-vault, agricultural warehouse, by Mark W. Johnson; a building for his hardware business by Thomas M. Clarke; and residences by John N. Fain, on Pryor street, J. T. Eichberg, on Forsyth street; Robert Clarke, on Houston street, and W. B. Cox, on Ivy street.

"Business advanced at an equal pace. The old commercial houses were re-established, banks were reorganized, and the old manufacturing enterprises were resuscitated. Trade rapidly filled up the old channels, and, overflowing their banks, made many new outlets. The monetary needs of the people were, of course, very pressing, and banking facilities were speedily forthcoming. In 1865 John H. James recommenced his banking business; the Georgia National Bank opened, John Rice, president, and E. T. Jones, cashier; followed, in 1866, by the Atlanta National Bank, with a capital since raised to $300,000; in 1868 by the Georgia Trust Company, with a capital of $125,000; in 1872 by the State National, now Merchants' Bank; and in 1873 by the Citizens' and State of Georgia. Among the businesses established and re-established were, in 1866, wholesale groceries by James R. Wylie and P. & G. T. Dodd; wholesale dry goods by Moore & Marsh, partners for nearly a quarter of a century; hardware by Tommey, Stewart & Beck; wholesale crockery by A. J. McBride. In 1868 the Atlanta Daily Constitution newspaper was started by Colonel Carey W. Styles. In 1870 J. Morrison, A. Morrison and D. M. Bain established a new hardware store under the firm name of Morrison, Bain & Co.

"Very naturally, the expansion of trade and great influx of population enhanced the value of real estate, and increased prices brought upon the market a large and increasing amount of property, which was eagerly purchased by speculators in the city and from abroad, as well as by non-residents. This proved one of the most fruitful sources of revenue to an impoverished people, and at the same time built up a comparatively new business, which, in a few years, assumed immense proportions. In 1865 George W. Adair opened a bureau for the sale and exchange of real estate. In the six years following prices ran up to enormous and most unhealthy figures — millions of dollars changed hands.

"In 1873 came a new arm of progress — the Air Line Railroad. As early as 1857 the growing wants of the city suggested to enterprising citizens the propriety of increased railroad facilities and the opening of new lines of transportation into undeveloped sections. The agitation of the Air Line Railroad followed. Ex-Mayor Norcross was the recognized leader in this movement, ably assisted by James M. Calhoun, L. J. Gartrell, and others, and obtained a charter. In 1859 he was made president of the road, and was mainly instrumental in obtaining a subscription of several hundred thousand dollars along its proposed line.

"During these years still another field of business enterprise was extensively opened up, becoming one of the chief contributors to Atlanta's prosperity. In 1859 it was claimed that dry goods were sold for one hundred miles around; but not until since the war did the wholesale business develop into a distinct element of the city's progress. This was also time of the cotton trade, which, in 1867, showed receipts of only 17,000 bales, but at once began an upward career.

"The religious, moral, social and educational progress of this period were equally gratifying. The number of religious organizations largely increased, some of which may be mentioned. June 17, 1867, the Hebrew Synagogue was organized from the old Hebrew Benevolent Association, Mr. Jacob Steinheimer first officiating. In the same year, the Loyd Street Methodist Episcopal Church was organized, and in 1870 and 1872 the Fourth and Fifth Baptist Churches followed. In the year 1870 Payne's and St. Paul's (Methodist) appeared. Educational and society organizations were numerous."