This grand old Victorian home, designed by the prominent Macon architect Peter E. Dennis [later of the firm Dennis & Dennis], is in the process of being restored. When I photographed it, I was under the impression that it was abandoned but have since confirmed that it’s being renovated and lived in again. It was also the site, in December 1937, of the suspicious death of 27-year-old Azzie Martin, a black woman who had been hired to cook for a party, and has been the source of many local legends. It should come as no surprise that the perpetrators of this crime were never brought to justice.
David Baldwin writes: The house was built in 1897 by John West Evans (1844-1904) according the the Ashburn Advance newspaper. Mr. Evans was associated with the Betts Saw Mill [John Samuel Betts (1848-1918)] in Dempsey, near Eastman, and he came over with the crowd in late October 1888 after the Georgia Florida and Southern Railroad line connected north of Ashburn, completing the line from Macon to Palatka, Florida. He was from Hawkinsville originally. He had attended the [Mt. Zion] Academy as a boy in Sparta, Georgia. His teacher was Mr. [William J.] Northen, who later became Governor of Georgia and who signed the charter establishing Ashburn as a city. Mr. Northen also served as President of the Georgia Baptist Convention and the Southern Baptist Convention and would stay in the homes, like this one, as he traveled the state doing his duty. Mr Evans was the first Postmaster in Ashburn. He served in the Georgia Militia during the War Between the States. He died early. Mr. Evans and Mr. Betts married the Bohannon sisters of Dodge County...[John Evans married Ella Bohannon (1852-1910) and Mr. Betts married Elmira Josephine Bohannon (1858-1907)]…Hence the county road on the s.w. section was Ashburn was named Josella Road.
This is the only house in Ashburn that is noted for being truly haunted. In 1935, a young lady who ran the local theater was leasing the second floor and decided to have a Christmas party. They hired a young black woman (Aza Martin) to cook the chicken. Supposedly the young lady got drunk and did not have the chicken ready. A young man with a bad temper carried her to the third floor attic and beat her with a wooden chair. Sheriff Story later found the chair with blood on it. At 3 am the boys of the party brought her body down to put it in the trunk of a car. Mrs. Evans, the daughter in law of Mr. John West Evans (deceased), opened her downstairs door and saw them bringing the body down the stairs. They took the body to a negro named James Worthy, a coal suite operator. He placed the near dead girl in the loft in his house. He was arrested in the following weeks but then let go. She continued to be reported missing. Finally, in March her body was found in Little River by some black loggers. Her mother identified her by the shape of her teeth and her dress. An inquest was held by main men of the town who determined the death was by unknown origin. The young man that committed the crime was reported to have attempted suicide between December and March, but survived. He went on the live as a Christian but no doubt he had to live with this crime all his life. The boys there that night committed to forever hold a secret as to what happened and as far as this writer knows they have. The murdered lady is said to haunt the house by those that have lived there. Milton Cravey was one.
Barbara Clements, a former owner, relates more: The Evans house was purchased in 1976 by Wesley and Barbara Clements, they began renovation of this home and lived in it with there three small children until 1982. The Aplplewhites purchased it in 1983 and did very little renovation to the home, other than when it caught fire. The Clement’s searched South Georgia to find windows to replace the broken ones; it took over a year to find enough windows. The Clements painted the house a light grey which was a Victorian color and they also had the original tin roof cleaned and painted. An antique dealer and her husband purchased it in the 1990s and began a massive renovation to the home. They also purchased the home across the street and began renovation of it, but never completed it either. They placed the massive brick fence around the property. The story is that the Evans family had taken a holiday and left there teenage son at home. He had a party there and during the party a young black female servant was killed. The boys at the party took the lifeless body to Hat Creek and threw it in, placing her purse and a rock on top to keep her from surfacing. In the spring her body did surface. The house was always referred to as the haunted house. During the first two years of the Clements’ renovation there were many stories in the Wiregrass Farmer, a local weekly newspaper.
Thanks to Wayne Blue, who obtained this circa 1900-1910 photograph from a grandson of John L. Evans, we now have an idea of what this Ashburn landmark looked like in its early days.
John and Lynette Robison are the present owners and are doing a great job of restoring it. I was so glad to hear this, as it’s one of the most beautiful and important houses in Turner County. John writes regarding the “haunted” status of the house: After living in the house for almost a year I can say that the only thing that is in the house are the squirrels that get in on the third floor from time to time other then that there are no ghosts!
Pingback: The Mysterious Death of Azzie Martin: A Sad Story of Justice Denied | Vanishing Georgia: Photographs by Brian Brown
Who ever owns it now, you can call me at 912-202-0985 to find out more information that you will ever imagine on the John West Evans house you own. Based on a newspaper clipping in the Ashburn Advance, I believe the home was built in 1897. That bit about saving lumber for 15 years to build the house is highly unlikely. Evans was a partner with Samuel Betts in Eastman before coming to Ashburn in the fall of 1888. I doubt he would have any trouble getting all the lumber he wanted at any time. A far as them being in business together, I left with Bob Mitchell down town several land deeds and turpentine leases between Betts and Evans and J.S. Shingler and Charles Baldwin that clearly indicates their partnership. Yes, Betts and Evans married sisters, hence the name Josella Road in s.w. Ashburn for Josephine and Ella.
I can also give you the true story of the murder of the black (not servant) lady that was murdered for not having the chicken ready in time for the Christmas party. It happened in Dec. 1935 or 1936, cant remember. She was carried to a certain persons house, not put in Little River by the school boys.
I reget to see what the last owners have done to the property. I wish the brick wall wasn’t there. I have been on the elevator to the third floor where the murder occured.
Ricky the address is 420 S Main St. Please contact me at lrobison59@yahoo.com if you plan to come by. I’m the current owner.
I believe I gave an earlier picture of the Evans house to your son. It was given to me by Mr Evans’ grandson. He and I grew up together and I remember him taking me on a trip in the house. His grandfather’s portrait hung over the mantle in the music room, which was the first room on the right. The eyes of the portrait would follow you any where you went. The picture was as the house was first built.
Would love the address of this home, thanks Ricky Applewhite rapplew@yahoo.com
I don’t know an exact street address, but it’s on the right side of Highway 41 if you’re going toward Sycamore, just on the edge of dowwntown Ashburn. Can’t miss it, though it does sit back a bit. It’s also private property.
I’d love to see some before and after pictures of this house!!! Keep us posted.
Lyn it is called the Evan’s home because the Evan’s built the house in the 1880’s. They save lumber for over 15 years to build the home. Mr. Applewhite was a principle at the Turner county High School when his family purchased the home.
Thank you so much for the information on this house. We have just signed papers on this house and look forward to restoring it. Any other information you may have would be greatly appreciated.
Lyn
I’m so glad someone has bought it and will continue its restoration. Just keep checking here, Lyn. People comment on it from time to time. I hope you’re able to complete the job!
Lyn, I grew up in it’s sister house, the Betts house across from First Methodist Church on Highway 41. The Betts-Evans were partners in business.
In my research I had come across the a Evans-Betts partnership. I believe that they were brother in laws also? It must have been a great experience growing up in such a grand house.
Lyn
The Evans house was purchased in 1976 by Wesley and Barbara Clements, they began renovation of this home and lived in it with there three small children until 1982. The Aplplewhites purchased it in 1983 and did very little renovation to the home, other than where it caught fire. The Clement’s searched South Georgia to find windows to replace the broken ones, it took over a year to find enough windows. The Clement’s painted the house a light grey which was a Victorian color, they also had the original tin roof cleaned and painted An Australian antique dealer and her husband purchased it in the 90’s and began a massive renovation to the home, they also purchase the home across the street and began renovation of it, but never completed either. They placed the massive brick fence around the property. The story is The Evan’s family had taken a holiday and left there teenage son home. He had a party there and during the party a young black female servant was killed. The boys at the party took the lifeless body to hat creek and threw it in placing her purse and a rock on top to keep her from surfacing. In the Spring her body did service, the house was always referred to as the haunted house. during the first two years of the Clements’ renovation there were many stories in the Wiregrass Farmer a local weekly newspaper
Thanks, Barbara.
Love the house! Do you know why it’s called the Evans-Applewhite House. I found where John Evans built it but no reference to Applewhite? When was it last lived in?
Is this the house located on the left, heading north, going into Ashburn? It is fronted by a section of the old Highway 41? Anyway, whether it is or not the same house I still love it!! There are too many of these old homes falling down. I do hope this one can be saved.
I so very much hope that whomever owns this treasure will bring it back to it’s original glory. And I hope they restore it and don’t replace all the wondrous details. It is truly beautiful!
Think of the history in those walls. What a lovely and elegant old home, it brings to mind elderly old women in the deep south, wearing their little hats with the netting pulled down over the face; little girls with saddle shoes and the ice man coming around with blocks of ice to go in the wooden ice box.
Pingback: Evans-Applewhite House, Ashburn | Vanishing South Georgia Photographs by Brian Brown