--------------------- Forwarded message: Subj: Re: Hello to Brinsons Date: 97-09-23 15:26:47 EDT From: AslanJ To: rvestal@gloryroad.net In a message dated 97-09-23 11:56:10 EDT, you write: << I would be interested, if you please. Roy Vestal >> Ok Roy - I have a scanner, but don't know how to use it yet - so this is an abridged article from the Screven Co History Book Mr Brinson and his Railroad The rr we know as the S & A was once called the Brinson Rr and this name is still occasionally heard in Screven co, although it was officially dropped in 1914. It serves as a memorial to George Mills Brinson, a distinguished promoter and businessman who missed being a native of Screven Co by just a few miles. Mr Brinson was born in 1861 at the home of his father M.S. Brinson, near Millen. Jenkins co had not yet been created and his birthplace was then in Emanuel Co, and not far from Screven C. with no more than a meager education, he left home as a very young man and went into the lumber business in Emanuel co. He rapidly became a prosperous businessman and soon got into the rr business by promoting the Wadley Southern railway, which was originally about 100 miles long. In 1906, while he was building the Brewton and Pineora railroad, the Statesboro News had this to say of him : (etc) Years later he moved to Savannah with a million dollars or so he had made out of his Stillmore operations. It was at this time that he launched the Brinson RR which was only a part of his varied business activities, lumber, naval stores and banking. the Brinson Railway was chartered under that name on May 16, 1906. the line was opened for passenger traffic from Savannah to springfield on may 27, 1907, and the first frieght train was operated on aug 3, of the same year. (and so on) It tells of his involvement in other rr in the area, including the Savannah Valley rr. on June 2, 1910, the name of the Brinson RR was changed to the Brinson Railway Co, probably indicating that Mr Brinson had been engaging in some equity financing to support the rapid expansion of the line. (It goes on about growth and that he sold about 1913 to James Imbrie of NY. He "built one railroad too many", it says, because his nemisis was Midland Rr co which was chartered May 17, 1915 with a proposed route from Savannah through Pineora, Statesboro, Swainsboro and Sandersville to Milledgeville. Mr Brinson called on Bulloch co Businessmen to buy stock and they responded favorably. On March 9, 1922, Midland went into recievership and George M Brinson president was appointed receiver by Judge peter meldrim of superior Ct, Savannah to "administer the property under the orders of the court". It was put up for sale at public outcry, but no bidder appeared. 11-22-1923 the Judge ordered the Midland Rr to cease operation." mr Brinson was in his later years "no longer a rich titan of commerce and industry." He died May 7, 1941 at Brooklet Ga and was b in Macon. he had no children. Screven Co Brinsons (there are others, but out of time) William "Bill" Jason Brinson and Frances Zeagler had twelve children. their son Washington Kilpatrick Brinson was the ninth child. The other 11 were Rufus Lafayette, born June 21, 1861; William jason, Jr, b jan30, 1863; Solomon simeon b 4-4-1865; John Lucius, b 12-23-1866; Charity A S b 12-4-1868; Nancy Ann "Annie" b 10-12-1870, James Hamilton "Hamp" b 6-15-1872; mary Rachel b 3-22-1875; Martin Luther, b 4-12-1879; Barney Styron, born July 17, 1881; cora Frances b Nov 17, 1883.