Note: The following is one of a series of columns looking at the origins and growth of the agriculture industry in Southeast Georgia and Bulloch County.

Part III

On March 15, 1904, the Statesboro News announced the Statesboro Ice Mfg. Co. “has a cold storage department (accommodating) those who wish to store butter, lard, cheese, eggs, beef, and poultry at a moderate cost.”

And, “Their soda water department (is) under the personal supervision of the manager (to) guarantee quality and excellence of flavor. Their wagon will make regular deliveries of soda waters to out of town merchants.”

On March 29, 1904, the Statesboro News announced that the Statesboro Ice Manufacturing Company was “now making ice to beat the band and will be ready to make deliveries the first of next week.”

So, the paper revealed, “Their Ice wagons will not deliver Ice on Sundays, but anyone wishing an extra supply on that day can get it by sending to the factory during the hours of operation.”

In the Bulloch Times issue of June 11, 1906, C.E. Cone announced” Having purchased from Mr. J.F. Fields the business of the Statesboro Ice Works, (it) shall be my aim (to manufacture) all the latest soft drinks.”

Then, the Statesboro News of Dec. 11, 1906 announced that “Mr. C.E. Cone last week bought from Mr. Homer Parker his interests in the Statesboro Bottling Works.”

“During the winter months ginger ale and other cold weather drinks will be manufactured (and in) spring (will) supply the trade (as it has) for the last several seasons.”

The Bulloch Times of July 1, 1908 reported that the Statesboro Ice Company, owned by John J. Moore and managed by C.M. Thompson, had purchased the business of the Bulloch Ice Manufacturing Company.”

The deal was signed off on by the Bulloch Ice Manufacturing Company, managed by W.W. Addison; and the Statesboro Ice Company, managed by C.M. Thompson.

Then, the Statesboro News issue of Feb. 18, 1909 revealed that “Mr. A.B. Green, manager of the Green Ice Company, informs us it is his intention to carry the ice delivery business into the rural districts proper.”

Furthermore, “His mammoth plant when complete will produce such an enormous amount of ice that there will be no reason for any citizen to become over-heated even in the warm period of June, July and August.”

He added, “wagons will be sent out in every direction covering the territory 10 or 12 miles in each direction. The farmers will be encouraged to put in ice boxes (and) delivery will be made at certain stated intervals.”

“Mr. Green states ice will be left at every house for a while whether folks want to buy it or not (and with) the compliments of his company a nice block of freezing ice at every mans’ door step.”

Mr. Green added, “There is no reason why a man living on a farm should not avail himself of the luxuries of life as well as the folks in town (as) Bulloch has such a high-class of rural population.”

On Nov. 9, 1910, the Bulloch Times declared that “To Hold Ice Factory Statesboro Will Fight.” The article explained that the Green Ice Co. plant began operation in the summer of 1908.

The market didn’t need the entire 25-ton output of the factory. Mr. Godley, the majority stockholder, may move his factory to a Florida town. Mr. Green, the manager, has made Statesboro a proposition to keep it.

Roger Allen is a local lover of history. Allen provides a brief look each week at the area's past. E-mail Roger at rwasr1953@gmail.com.