A Fair Commercial Year— Valuation of City Property—The First Fire Engine
Political Excitement High, &c.

This was a year of heavy cotton receipts, and apparently of a commercial business correspondingly large. The receipts of cotton were 74,721 bales up to the 17th of April, which is the latest statement we can find. This was about seven thousand bales more than had been received to the corresponding date in 1843. Prices were pretty good in the winter and spring, being 9 to 9½c. in January and February, 5½ to 9 in March, and 4½ to 7c. in April. But they continued to decline, until in October the quotations were 3½ to 5 cents, in November 4¼ to 4¾c., and in, December 3 to 4⅝c. The receipts from the 1st of September to the 25th of December this year were 40,024 bales.

The municipal government for this year, elected on the first Saturday in January, was composed as follows: Mayor, L. B. Moody
Aldermen—
First Ward, J. J. McKendree and W. S. Holstead
Second, J. A. Beall and B. F. Malone
Third, N. L. Howard and R. N. R Bardwell
Fourth, John Quin and John Everett
Fifth, J. L. Morton and States Lewis
Sixth, Jacob M. Guerry and John A. Norton

This was the year of the memorable contest for the Presidency, in which Clay and Polk were opposing nominees, and political feeling ran so high even in January, that we find in the papers the politics of each man elected or appointed to a city office. The Mayor elect is put down as a Whig, the Aldermen from the 1st, 2d and 3d Wards as Whigs, and those from the 4th, 5th and 6th as Democrats.

The following city officers were elected by Council at its meeting on the 8th of January:
Clerk, Calvin Stratton
Treasurer, John Johnson
Marshal, E. C. Bandy
Deputy Marshal, J. M. Hughes
Bridge Keeper, W. W. Martin
Attorney, Wiley Williams
Physician, John B. Hoxey
Clerk of Market, William W. Tilley
Keeper of Hospital, B. Ingram
Sexton, Jerry Terry
Port Wardens, L. Livingston, J. R. Young, H. Young, F. Wilhelm and John Kyle.

All Whigs, except Messrs. Williams, Bandy, Hughes and Wilhelm.

Salaries for the year were fixed as follows: Clerk of Council, $350; Marshal $500; Deputy Marshal, $500; Treasurer, $500; Bridge Keeper, $400; City Physician, $200; Clerk of Market, $150.

Health officers elected by Council: Dr, Thos. Hoxey, President; Alex. McDougald, John Rounds, Dr. S. A. Billing, Dr. M. Woodruff, Joseph Kyle, James Barron, Thomas Sanders, James Kivlin, W. W. Torry, Charles Wise. Mr. Torry resigned in March and Wm. Allen was appointed.

Fire Wardens--R. H. Green, N. M. C. Robinson, H. T. Hall, F. A. Wright, J. S. Norman, B. F. Coleman.

Contracts for crossing the bridge were made this year again.

An ordinance was passed in January, requiring the owners of all houses on Broad Street, from Franklin to Thomas Street, to number them.

The first fire company of Columbus was the one organized in 1843, as a Hook and Ladder Company. Its roster is given in the preceding chapter. In 1844, in accordance with an act of the Legislature, it resolved itself into an engine fire company, receiving its engine by steamer on the 20th of January. The funds for its purchase had been furnished by the citizens. The company, numbering about 75 members, turned out to receive it and convey it to the engine house. They were in uniform and made a fine appearance. The organization of the Hook and Ladder Company was retained.

This engine is still in Columbus, and up to quite a recent period was in active service. It is now laid up because the company last using it have obtained a newer engine.

At the first fire which occurred after the arrival of the engine, the company turned out promptly, but the scarcity of water prevented the efficient working of the engine.

The following were the principal city taxes levied this year: On every $100 worth of town property, stock in trade, capital employed by brokers or exchange merchants, stock in bank, insurance or trust company, or money loaned, 25 cents; on each Negro slave, 25c.; free persons of color $6; practitioners of law, physic, factors or brokers, $4 each; retail liquor license, $25.

In February, Council appointed Messrs. Thomas Morris, Theobold Howard and B. F. Coleman, Appraisers, to assess the value of the real estate of the city. These gentlemen reported the total valuation $1,266,055, which is the first report of the kind we have been able to find.

States Lewis, Alderman of the 5th Ward, resigned in February; and B. F. Malone, Aldermen of the 2d Ward, in March. W. W. Torry was elected in the place of Mr. Lewis, and N. M. C. Robinson in place of Mr. Malone.

Messrs. Howard and Echols made application for an extension of the time within which they were required to complete the dam across the river, and it was extended to the first of November of this year.

On the 10th day of April a contract between the Mayor and Aldermen on the one part, and Col. John H. Watson on the other part, was signed, by which Col. Watson was authorized to bring water into the city by means of aqueducts, the privilege to continue for forty years, but not to the prevention of similar works by the city authorities or other persons. No money consideration is expressed in the agreement, but it is plain that Col. Watson was to find reimbursement in tolls for water supplied to the citizens.

A committee of Council made a report, on the 15th of June, upon the petition of Mrs. Seaborn Jones, President of the Methodist Female Benevolent and Educational Society, asking a deed to certain lots in the northeastern portion of the city, for the purpose of erecting an asylum thereon. The committee reported that those lots had never been sold, and the title appeared to be still in the State, and recommend that Council approve the grant of the lots by the State and confirm it by the grant of any interest which the city might have in them. The report was accepted.

On the same day Council deeded to Jonathan Bridges a lot next on the north side to water lot No. 1, and west of Bay street, in consideration of Bridges' completing the sewer crossing the lot and keeping it in perpetual repair.

In December, Council made a contract with Patrick Adams for the completion of the sewer at the foot of St. Clair street, and the one between the bridge and the wharf, by their extension to the river and the construction of wells or reservoirs above their mouths, the work to be completed in one year, and the price to be paid $1,600.

On the 25th of December, the Times, after alluding to the business activity and bustle then apparent on the streets, recapitulated the business and industrial establishments of the city as follows:

"There are in the city 209 establishments where a regular business is earned on. They are as follows:

"Dry good stores 26,
grocery stores 57,
provision stores 24,
silver smiths 5,
clothing stores 5,
hat store 1,
hardware stores 2,
book and stationery stores 2,
saddle and harness 3,
tobacconist store 1,
shoe stores 7,
bar rooms 17,
auction stores 2,
drug stores 5,
crockery store 1,
confectioner 1,
tin ware 2,
cabinet warehouses 4,
bakeries 3,
cotton warehouses 5,
livery stables 4,
hotels 4,
book binderies 2,
iron foundry 1,
printing offices 3,
bank and bank agencies 4,
blacksmiths 10,
carriage warehouses 2,
cotton gin maker 1,
wheelrights 3
Total 209.

"There are besides, about 35 lawyers and 25 physicians, 5 churches, with regular pastors, towit: The Presbyterian, Baptist, Episcopal, Methodist, and Roman Catholic.

"There is a large cotton factory on the river nearly completed, which we hope to see followed by many more, which will doubtless be the case, as the falls in the river at the city afford the finest water power in the world.

"Columbus is beautifully situated on a broad and noble plain, around which the Chattahoochee sweeps, and is hemmed in by high hills, on both the Georgia and Alabama side. Level as the plain is, it is perfectly drained by the well-timed enterprise of former city authorities. The health of the place is unrivaled, as the statistics of the county show, that nowhere, not only in this latitude, nor in any other latitude in the United States, has the mortality been less in proportion to population.

"The annual income of the city, is in round numbers, $20,000; its municipal expenses about $5,000 or $6,000. The debt of the Corporation is something the rise of $40,000, about three-fourths of which is held by John G. Winter, and the balance is due to the State of Georgia. Nothing but judicious management is necessary to give a proper direction to the natural resources of Columbus, to develope its business energies, and to double its wealth, trade and population, in a few years."

Incidents

There was a great deal of rain in January, and the river rose higher than at any time since the white settlement of Columbus, except on the occasion of the "Harrison Freshet" in 1841, and it was very near as high as then. The stages then running from Columbus east to Madison, and west to Franklin on the Montgomery and West Point Railroad, were stopped for a week by high water.

On Monday, March 11th, Henry Clay, the Whig candidate for President of the United States, visited Columbus. He came in a stage-coach from Montgomery. When near here he was welcomed by Major W. B. Harris, and the Russell County Clay Club escorted him to the city bridge. Major James Holland was Marshal. An immense multitude, with Col. A. K. Ayer, met him. Mr. Clay was put in a carriage drawn by six cream horses, and amid shouts of welcome was carried to the old Oglethorpe Hotel. He was escorted to a platform in front, where he was welcomed in a long speech by Col. Hines Holt, to which he eloquently replied. Thousands present. In the afternoon Mr. Clay received his friends. A daughter of the late Dr. A. L. Acee, of Talbot County, then not thirteen years of age, presented him with a beautiful and highly finished lance. Mr. Clay remained in Columbus two days and then went on his way to Washington.

On Friday night, March 22d, the $4,000 residence of P. A. Clayton was burned, and his family barely escaped with their lives. The lottery office narrowly missed being destroyed that day.

The Methodist Conference was held in Columbus in January, Bishop Soule presiding. The ministers attending were most hospitably entertained by the citizens, and passed resolutions of thanks for their generous reception.

The Phoenix Bank, of Columbus, closed doors in March. The President, F. Martine, was arrested in New York and brought back to Columbus, and committed to answer the charge of fraud. The outstanding circulation of this bank did not exceed $35,000, and it was said that the citizens of Columbus did not lose more than $10,000 by it. It was an institution established here by foreigners and New Yorkers, and appears to have been run for their private purposes, though a few good citizens had some stock in it. Its chief stockholders were G. Kostar, F. Martine, A. Mayor, and Lentilton & Co., all them of or recently from New York, and formerly from Europe. Nathan McGehee was also a large stockholder. It was charged that Kostar had drawn out the specie and fled to Europe. The bank was a resuscitated "wild cat" upon the ruins of the Farmers' Bank of Chattahoochee. Martine was in May released on habeas corpus.

On the 26th of April, Columbus Lodge of the I. O. O. F. celebrated the introduction of the Order in the United States. Alex. H. Cooper delivered the address. A. K. Ayer, J. S. Norman, M. Woodruff, T. K. Wynne, and L. B. Lemmon, constituted the committee of arrangements.

On the 5th of June the fine residence of Mr. Wiley E. Jones, in the suburbs of Columbus, was burned by an incendiary, afterwards discovered to be a mulatto girl belonging to the family, who was arrested, confessed, and was whipped and imprisoned. She said she burned the house because she was not permitted to see a young man as often as she wished.

July 4th was celebrated by the Columbus Guards. At the Methodist church the Declaration of Independence was read by L. T. Downing and an address delivered by A. J. R. Bowdre. The Sunday schools celebrated it in the Baptist church where Rev. Mr. Curry delivered an address, and Revs. Dr. Goulding and Mr. Slade assisted.

The Methodist church in Columbus passed strong resolutions condemning the action of the General Conference regarding Bishop Andrew, and favoring a division of the church. The committeemen were Dr. A. H. Flewellen, J. M. Chambers, Seaborn Jones, Van Leonard and Geo. F. Foster. Dr. L. Pierce was present and favored the action. Daniel Curry, the pastor, and an opponent of slavery, left in consequence.

The election of Polk and Dallas was celebrated with an illumination of the houses of Democrats in Columbus and other demonstrations of delight.

Personal

On January 1st T. A. Brannon was elected Sheriff;
Buckner Beasly, Clerk of the Superior Court;
Nelson McLester, Clerk of the Inferior Court;
F. A. Jepson, Tax Collector;
P. M. Thomas, Tax Receiver;
John Bunnell, Coroner;
Thos. J. Hand, Surveyor.

Mrs. James N. Bethune, assisted by Mrs. Janette Bethune, had charge of the Muscogee Female Seminary this year; Rev. T. B. Slade continued his High School; H. H. McQueen had an English and Classical School; Dr. Andrews had a High School for boys; James H. Hampton continued his Superintendence of the Columbus Female Seminary; W. B. Leary had a Classical and Mathematical School; J. H. Goodale was principal of the Wynnton Male Academy, and R. W. B. Munro of the Wynnton Female Academy. Mr. O'Hara, aided by his daughters, was also engaged in teaching. It appears that Columbus and its vicinity were well provided with schools and accomplished teachers.

Thos. Samford was P. E. and Daniel Curry stationed M. E. minister at Columbus this year.

On the 10th of April, Mr James Van Ness retired from the joint proprietorship of the Columbus Times, and John Forsyth became associated with Wm. L. Jeter in its management.

A most lamentable occurrence, on the 22d of October, was the death of Mr. James C. Cook, Sr., one of the oldest citizens of Columbus, who was killed by a runaway horse. He was thrown from his buggy against a tree at his own door.

On the 9th of November, as two little boys about ten years of age, were firing a toy cannon, one of them, a son of Hon. Joseph Sturgis, stooped before the gun and received the charge in his neck, killing him in a few minutes.

Marriages

January 2, John Hazelton and Adaline Ramsey.
Jan. 4, Jas. W. Johnson and Elizabeth Hastings.
Jan. 15, Thompson Creamer and Caroline R. Piggott.
Jan. 18, Elisha C. Bowen and Elvira C. Bevill.
Jan. 22, William Wadsworth and Mary Watley

February 1, Jonathan Weaver and Emily Moye.
Feb. 2, David Snell and Cornelia L. Snellgrove.
Feb. 5, Jacob Dorff and Nancy Hopkins.
Feb. 8, Edmond Pass and Amelia A. Hill,
Feb. 8, James Thompson and Nancy Williams.
Feb. 13, Lewis P. Mosely and Mary Ann McCouney.
Feb. 15, Joseph Carswell and Priscilla G. Baker.
Feb. 17, Oscar P. Jones and Eliza Mooney.
Feb. 21, Gottlieb Conzelman and Jorgine Gronbeck.
Feb. 22, Geo. R. Dingle and Nancy Sealy.
Feb. 25, Wm. G. Booth and Sarah E. Parker.

March 1, David H. Funderburke and Martha Ann Pope.
March 7, John Fussell and Sarah Powell.
March 21, Richard Patten and Martha A. B. Hodges,
March 21, Robt. G. Mitchell and Jane Ann Cook.
March 24, Daniel D. Ridenhour and Mary A. Patillo.
March 25, Owen Duffee and Sarah Lowther.
March 26, Robert T. Simons and Sarah A. L. Patrick.
March 28, Benjamin Alford and Frances Wilson.
March 31, Rheddock Smith and Mary Wade.

April 6, Arthur McGill and Catharine Sanders.
April 30, Andrew J. Risher and Minerva McMichael.

May 6, Allen A. Goldsmith and Mary Jeter.
May 22, Jas. W. Hewitt and Caroline Rowell.
May 23, Wm. H. Pickard and Rosetta Culpepper,
May 23, Geo. W. Robinson and Caroline A, Sanders
May 26, Simeon Dean and Ann Willingham,
May 26, Daniel W. Brown and Sabina A. Bailey.

June 6, Thos. J. Abbott and Eliza Pernoy.
June 12, Thos. M. Baldwin and Sophia Dobbs.
June 20, Geo. H. Betz and Mary Jane Miller.
June 25, Williamson Rodgers and Elizabeth J. Colson.

July 17, Hyman Allbritton and Louisa Farmer.
July 20, Jos. C. Payne and Amanda J. Reed.
July 27, Hansford C. Patterson and Sarah E. Bell.

August 2, John Collins and Matilda Scoggins.
August 10, Edward M. Dozier and Behethala Brunson.
August 11, Eli Gray and Eliza Gray.
August 13, D. C. Miller and Mildred R. Alston.
August 18, Osborn Eley and Jane Russell.
August 20, Stephen D. Pepper and Sarah Falkenbury.
August 26, William Howell and Angeline Hearn.
August 29, Edward E. Sizemore and Jane E. E. Worsham.

September 4, Jesse Wood and Margaret Ivey,
September 4, Daniel Collins and Bethire R. Stuart.
Sept. 5, Peter J. Gillstrap and Sarah Q. A. Parker,
Sept. 5, Christopher Culpepper and Mary Boland.
Sept. 8, John Calvin and Elizabeth Whatley.
Sept. 11, Joseph Brown and Elizabeth Kelley.
Sept. 19, Henry Morris and Adaline Pike.
Sept. 22, Wm. A. Lowe and Ann Thurman.

October 2, James Chordry and Martha Phillips.
Oct. 7, Pinkney Hazzelton and Clarrissa Doles.
Oct. 10, Joseph Morris and Almenia R. Craigg,
Alexander H. Cooper and Ann E. Billups.
Oct. 13, Jas. A. Booth and Mary Ann Pope,
Major J. Harris and Martha Hearn.
Oct. 24, Wm. S. Green and Virginia E. Rogers.
Oct. 29, Jas. M. Cobb and Elizabeth McNorton.

November 3, Jonas B. Russell and Susan Morris
Nov. 5, James J. Brown and Elizabeth Mott.
Nov. 6, Jacob Johnson and Mary C. Higdon.
Nov. 7, Jas. C. Cook and Mary Louisa Redd,
Nov. 7, Washington Purnell and Phebe Mahon,
Nov. 7, Randal Jones and Frances Cannon.
Nov. 14, Augustus Howard and Ann J. Lindsay.
Nov. 17, David B. Edwards and Elizabeth Johnson.
Nov. 28, Jos. W. Woolfolk and Lucinda M. Winter,
Nov. 28, John Etheridge and Nancy Castleberry.

December 5, Jas. D. Williford and Almira V. Brooks.
Dec. 12, Thos. Jordan and Emily Wiggins,
George W. Tomberlin and Jane Rogers.
Dec. 18, Samuel Cowles and Nancy S. Rockmore.
Dec. 19, Jas W. Gibson and Mary Gray,
Josiah Morris and Sarah E. Harvey.
Dec. 22, John Odom and Mary Ealy.
Dec. 2T, Thos. Lowry and Mary L. Stallings.
Dec. 31, Geo. W. Christian and Mary Smith.

Deaths

Jan. 12, Mrs. Elizabeth Johnson, wife of Jacob M. Johnson.
Feb. 10, Pearce A. Phillips, "the last of his father's house", in the 19th year of his age.
March 9, Capt. Wm. R. Bell, a native of Beaufort, N. C.
May 18, Mrs. Mary F. Cleveland, widow of Hon. Jesse F. Cleveland.
July 7, Milton Williams, Esq;, Solicitor of the Chattahoochee Circuit.
August 8, Mrs. Mary Ann Terry, wife of G. B. Terry.
August 22, Adaline Blackmar, infant daughter of James D. and Eliza A. Johnson.
August 24, Edward W. Williams, formerly of Savannah.
August 28, Camillus T. Moise, aged 27 years.
August 31, James Hugh, son of G. B. Terry.
Nov. 9, Joseph A., son of Hon. J. S. Sturgis.

The Board of Health reported the total number of deaths during the year 1844, 75, of whom 21 were men, 16 boys, 14 women, 11 girls, 13 children, and 6 unknown. The diseases most fatal were fevers, of which 11 died, of consumption 10, and of bowel complaints 10. All these deaths were those of white persons.