This cross gable cottage was built circa 1890 by Levi Kinslow. It’s presently home to the Aubrey Newby family, and has an interesting story hidden within its walls. Aubrey is a serious student of history and a preservationist and he relates that Harry Pitts, who was once known as the “King of Macon Bootleggers”, was shot and killed here by his brother, Guy Pitts, 85 years ago today. Aubrey states that the shooting happened at the foot of the stairs in the back hallway. The shooting was witnessed by the family cook, Millie, and a sister. Harry, aged 31, was living here after being released from the Federal Penitentiary in Atlanta, and was a lifelong criminal. Jones County sheriff J. P. Hawkins was apparently in no hurry to arrest Guy Pitts, and didn’t even visit the crime scene until later on the afternoon of the killing. I suspect he felt Guy had done society a favor. Aubrey states that after the shooting, Guy left the James community and the matter was never spoken of again.