In a message dated 04/07/2000 10:28:58 AM Central Daylight Time, [email protected] writes: << Subj: [GAHOUSTO] Eyewitness Accounts of Houston Co., GA: Part 4. Date: 04/07/2000 10:28:58 AM Central Daylight Time From: [email protected] (William A. Mills) Reply-to: [email protected] To: [email protected] Houston County Researchers: For the past 3 years, I have been compiling a book entitled: EYEWITNESS ACCOUNTS OF HOUSTON COUNTY, GEORGIA 1821-1871: Copyright 2000 by William A. Mills. I thought I had this book finished last year, but I keep finding more interesting items to include in it. By the time that I actually print this book, it may be too large to contain in one volume. But, there is no need to keep all of this good info hidden away. I stumbled across an original story written by a man who was born in 1826, and resided in Perry, GA for several decades. This story was supposed to be published right after the Civil War, but I cannot find any evidence that it ever was. I've checked everywhere that I can, and no one has ever heard of it before. ================>>> Portions from Chapter 4: The Presbyterian Church was built and dedicated in 1849, under the auspices of a few members of that denomination, prominent among them were: the lamented C. H. Heywood, and that pure Christian gentleman, Dr. Charles West, who died in 1855 at Saratoga, New York, while on a tour for his health. Its first pastor was Rev. Sumner Wynn. We cannot ever forget his departure; meek, faithful and zealous, he was greatly beloved, and the cessation of his labors and sermons was regretted by all. The Baptist Church was constituted March 30, 1838. Rev. Allen Morris was its first pastor, who was succeeded by Isaiah Langley, Adam T. Holmes, & B. F. Tharp. Its first house of worship was built about the time it was constituted. The Baptist Church was originally located equidistant between Main and Carroll Streets, about a hundred yards west of the public square, for convenience, and also better surroundings. It was removed to a point immediately in front of, and on the opposite side of the street from where it now stands. After the frame was reared, and the roof was nearly finished, a storm swept over the town, tearing it into ruins. It was then rebuilt where it now stands, on its original plan, except the portico, steeple and blinds, which were added afterwards. I well remember two sermons from the present venerable pastor of that church, in which he presented "The Great I AM" as the essence and source of all truth. Sinai, with its awful sublimity and grandeur, when beneath the tread of Jehovah, amid vivid flashes of lightning and muttering thunder, He uttered His anathemas against those who willfully reject His righteous laws. And then Calvary, with its cross and bleeding victim; the pathos excited by the tenderness which brought tears to the preacher's eyes, and with which he portrayed the scene and circumstances of this tragedy as the grand central truth of Christianity. The spell-bound audience, with heaving emotions which could not be, and were not suppressed, are indescribable. Grateful for having been blessed with the privilege of hearing these discourses, I cannot and would not forget them. The first Methodist Church was built about 1827 or 1828, near the center of the cemetery as it is now; a small framed structure without a bell or steeple; pulpit boxed-up and elevated, after the old style; portable seats or benches; only a window here and there, with buttoned shutters instead of sash and glass, unsealed . The house was unpleasant in winter, and also in summer, when for additional ventilation, the weatherboarding was partially removed. Within a few yards of the church, was a group of graves, the first of which was that of a man who was killed between the late residence of Col. Howell Cobb, deceased, and C. A. Thompson's. ~~ TO BE CONTINUED ~~ _______________________________________ William A. Mills Perry, GA [email protected] >>