(neeHearn) had children: Susie Cobb, born Sept. 17, 1858; Margaret Bell, born June 29, 1860; William Hall, born Mar. 2, 1864; Roberta Hearn, born Sept. 20, 1867; John, born Aug. 31, 1870; Lucy Hearn, born Feb. 23, 1872.

"SUSIE COBB MILTON married W. Y. Atkinson, of Newnan, Ga., 1879. She is one of the prominent women of Georgia, being the originator of the movement for a girl's industrial and technical training school at milledgeville. Her husband has recently been re-elected Governor of Georgia. Children: John Pepper, born 1880; Lucille, born 1882; William Yates, born 1886; Roberta, born 1888; Miriam, born 1891; Georgia Hardeman, born 1895. All are living, and the children, with their beauty and brightness, bid fair to be an honor to their brainy, talented parents."

Soon after Governor Atkinson took up his residence in Atlanta, 1895, his son, John P., met and loved Miss Ada Byrd (four years younger than himself), a daughter of Charles P. Byrd the publisher, who also at first sight loved the bright, youthful boy. On account of their age, the parents gave the matter little attention, so their surprise can be imagined when one morning early in Apr., 1897, they learned the children had gone to Chattanooga and were married. Hasty consultations were had and the parents decided to accept the situation, and went to Chattanooga at once, and had them remarried to make sure it was legal. This took place Apr. 11, at the residence of I. C. Mansfield, Esq., Rev. Henry McDonald, D. D., pastor of the Second Baptist Church of Atlanta (which the bride attended), officiating. There were present: Governor Atkinson; Mr. and Mrs. Byrd; Judge Spencer Atkinson, of the Supreme Court; Judge J. S. Turner, warden of the Georgia Penitentiary; Captain Oscar J. Brown, United States Army; Charles H. Northern, assistant clerk of the Georgia Senate; and a number of other invited guest. It was said the bride wore her first long dress, which was very handsome. They will make their home in the executive mansion, and the groom will continue as executive secretary to his father, at a salary if $1,200 a year. Gov. Atkinson died Aug. 8, 1899.

The following (published originally in the New York World) appeared in the Kansas City Times, Apr. 11, 1897:

[Continued on page 707]

Thanks to Catherine Bradford for transcribing this page.