I wanted to announce that the History Press from Charleston, South Carolina has asked to publish my manuscript on the Camp Creek Train Crash of 1900. The book is supposed to be out in October. That is not official, but according to my editor, it is the best time to release it.
I am honored that The History Press has asked for my book to be part of its catalog.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Who Murdered Georgia's First Governor
John Adam Treutlen was the first man elected as governor in Georgia after the state declared its independence. He came to Georgia with his family in 1743 from southern Germany at the age of ten. While en route to Georgia, his father died, leaving only him, his brother, and his mother to make the voyage. They arrived in Georgia and became indentured servants to Michael Burckhalter not far from Savannah.
Treutlen and his family were Salzburgers, and it is quite possible that they endured some persecution in Germany, which explains their flight to the New World. After 1756, Treutlen married and became prosperous. He served as a justice of the peace in Ebenezer, as well as road commissioner and surveyor there, and even represented Ebenezer in the Commons House of Assembly in Savannah, Georgia's first colonial legislature. He was also elected to Georgia's Provisional Congress during the American Revolution. He, Button Gwinnett, and George Wells (I have no clue if I am related to this man or not) helped draft the state's first constitution, and he would become so popular as a result that he was elected the first governor of Georgia under that constitution.
His time as governor was marked with controversy, as many of the conservative elements in Georgia killed the radicals who had helped put the new government in place. Lachlan McIntosh killed Button Gwinnett in a duel, and the other radical who helped draft the new state constitution, George Wells, was killed by James Jackson. So the conservatives, also called Tories, were on the prowl against many of the radical elements in the state. For the time being, Treutlen was spared.
In 1778, Treutlen dropped out of politics and returned to Ebenezer. John Houston became governor after Treutlen. However, in 1782, Treutlen returned to state politics and was elected as Ebenezer's representative to the state legislature. That year was very tumultuous in the legislature. There were only a few radicals in the state legislature that session, Treutlen being one. Conservatives continued their assault on the radicals and the political climate was very nasty. As a result, Treutlen left Georgia and moved his family to safety in the Orangeburg District of South Carolina. He was murdered in the night in South Carolina, in front of his family, in the spring of 1782. But the question remains, by whom???
One theory is that five tories lured him outside his home and shot him. Another theory is that an angry suitor may have killed him, for a few days earlier, he married again for the third time. Perhaps one of his new wife's old boyfriends came to do him in. Also, noone knows where he is buried.
This is a tragic story, especially given the fact that Treutlen was our first elected governor. Who killed him, and where did he end up??? Perhaps we will never know.
Treutlen and his family were Salzburgers, and it is quite possible that they endured some persecution in Germany, which explains their flight to the New World. After 1756, Treutlen married and became prosperous. He served as a justice of the peace in Ebenezer, as well as road commissioner and surveyor there, and even represented Ebenezer in the Commons House of Assembly in Savannah, Georgia's first colonial legislature. He was also elected to Georgia's Provisional Congress during the American Revolution. He, Button Gwinnett, and George Wells (I have no clue if I am related to this man or not) helped draft the state's first constitution, and he would become so popular as a result that he was elected the first governor of Georgia under that constitution.
His time as governor was marked with controversy, as many of the conservative elements in Georgia killed the radicals who had helped put the new government in place. Lachlan McIntosh killed Button Gwinnett in a duel, and the other radical who helped draft the new state constitution, George Wells, was killed by James Jackson. So the conservatives, also called Tories, were on the prowl against many of the radical elements in the state. For the time being, Treutlen was spared.
In 1778, Treutlen dropped out of politics and returned to Ebenezer. John Houston became governor after Treutlen. However, in 1782, Treutlen returned to state politics and was elected as Ebenezer's representative to the state legislature. That year was very tumultuous in the legislature. There were only a few radicals in the state legislature that session, Treutlen being one. Conservatives continued their assault on the radicals and the political climate was very nasty. As a result, Treutlen left Georgia and moved his family to safety in the Orangeburg District of South Carolina. He was murdered in the night in South Carolina, in front of his family, in the spring of 1782. But the question remains, by whom???
One theory is that five tories lured him outside his home and shot him. Another theory is that an angry suitor may have killed him, for a few days earlier, he married again for the third time. Perhaps one of his new wife's old boyfriends came to do him in. Also, noone knows where he is buried.
This is a tragic story, especially given the fact that Treutlen was our first elected governor. Who killed him, and where did he end up??? Perhaps we will never know.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Lions Loose in Murrayville, Georgia
This story comes from a blog reader by the name of Lu. I received this news article via email from Lu back in June. Sorry it has taken me so long to get to it, Lu. Apparently, there have been sightings of lions in Hall County this summer. Perhaps Georgia is a place where some pretty furocious felines are hanging out. If anyone out there lives in the area, email me.
In the story, a Hall County woman spotted an animal the size of a calf with a long tali. She said the animal was about three or four feet in length. Other sightings took place in the Hall-Lumpkin County areas right before this woman saw what she did. She was very adamant that it was not a fox or coyote. She saw the animal as it moved toward the woods close to a creek on her property. The Hall County sheriff's department was called in. They searched the area and found nothing. There is a nature preserve a few miles away, and a call was put in to the preserve about the possibility of a missing animal. However, all of their animals were accounted for. The woman said that there were cows on their property, but all were accounted for, so this beast must not have dined yet!!!
http://www.accessnorthga.com/detail.php?n=221024
The link above is to the story.
In the story, a Hall County woman spotted an animal the size of a calf with a long tali. She said the animal was about three or four feet in length. Other sightings took place in the Hall-Lumpkin County areas right before this woman saw what she did. She was very adamant that it was not a fox or coyote. She saw the animal as it moved toward the woods close to a creek on her property. The Hall County sheriff's department was called in. They searched the area and found nothing. There is a nature preserve a few miles away, and a call was put in to the preserve about the possibility of a missing animal. However, all of their animals were accounted for. The woman said that there were cows on their property, but all were accounted for, so this beast must not have dined yet!!!
http://www.accessnorthga.com/detail.php?n=221024
The link above is to the story.
Airline Bridge Road in McDonough
I have had several emails about Airline Bridge Road in McDonough. I have never been out there, but I have read on the internet that it is a strange place. Some report that when you cross the bridge, your car dies for no reason. Others say they get strange and eerie feelings when crossing the bridge.
From what I understand, there are quite a few housing subdivisions in the area. Has anyone had any experiences there they would like to talk more about?
From what I understand, there are quite a few housing subdivisions in the area. Has anyone had any experiences there they would like to talk more about?
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Book Signing-Moments in McDonough History
My first book, a local history book on McDonough, will be out in August. It is titled Moments in McDonough History. The proceeds from this book will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Walk For A Cure. We will be holding a book signing in downtown McDonough on Saturday, August 22, 2009 at Bell, Book and Candle from 11:00-2:00. Please join us. I will have about 20 copies of the book there available for purchase.
Bell Book and Candle is located at 45 John Frank Ward Boulevard McDonough, Ga 30252.
The phone number there is 770-957-1880. Their web address is www.bellbooksandcandles.com.
Bell Book and Candle is located at 45 John Frank Ward Boulevard McDonough, Ga 30252.
The phone number there is 770-957-1880. Their web address is www.bellbooksandcandles.com.
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