In Georgia, the effort to organize a Farmers Alliance was led by two men: Oswald Wilson and J.B. Wilkes. Wilkes set up the first four local groups (or sub-alliances) in Carroll, Heard, Coweta, and Troup Counties, starting in the fall of 1887. In December 1887, the very first State Alliance Assembly was held in Fort Valley, Georgia, and was attended by members from 15 counties.