The Development of the county went forward rapidly after the departure of the red man. Roads were opened, forests cleared, and the soil put under cultivation.
The First Baptist Church was organized at Pleasant Valley in 1842. Evans Pierson and Rev. Ramsire were two of the first pastors. A church was built at Fort Mountain about 1849.
The First Methodist Church was known as Harrison's Chapel. The early Methodist circuit rider would go from house to house, read a passage of scripture, have prayer and after a few words of advice or encouragement continue on his round. Wm. Mickey, from Tennessee, was the first of these devoted men to minister to the Murray stations, as they were then called. Mt. Zion church was established by Rev. Elisha Tremble about 1850.
Education also received encouragement. Schools sprang up all over the county. Murray County Academy was incorporated in 1835 and $815 appropriated to "erect a suitable building." Sandy Springs Academy and Clear Springs Academy were established in 1840. Spring Place Academy was incorporated in 1850. In this year a general system of education was established.
Public Buildings. Court was held, as already mentioned, in the old Mission house. The first jail was built by Mose Winters, of logs. It burned as did also a second of the same material.
The brick structure, now known as the "old jail," was really the jailor's house. James Buchanan is said to have been the first jailor. The jail had two rooms, one for criminals and the other for debtors. Under the "Capias Law" people could be imprisoned for debt. This seems odd when we reflect that Georgia was established primarily as a refuge for debtors.
The debtors' room was heller furnished and the debtor could take his own bedding if be wished.
The first courthouse was built of brick on the site of the present one by Henry Steed. It was burned and for a time court was held in the churches. The present court house was completed in 1886.
Cross Plains was incorporated in 1839. its limits were extended and its name changed to Dalton eight years later.
Raising Cotton had become profitable and was considered the "money crop" of the county. It was marketed at Dalton. The county also began to ship much fine lumber.
Immigration steadily increased. James Morris came in the early forty's. He dealt extensively in real estate and did much to build up the county. Ed Gant started a brick yard in Spring Place, a tan yard was put in operation between the Vann bouse and the court bouse. Tommie See, a wealthy man from South Carolina, bought land east of town. Mr. Dwight settled on the "Tilton Place," and Ferris Carter located on Carter's Quarter."
The Colored People were well treated and led a happy life. "Aunt Millie" Leonard, in speaking of those days, said: "The negroes were well-disposed. They attended the white churches, took part in the services, shouted and sang and could join the church if they liked. Mrs. Ferris Carter paid Jimmie Adams $50 a year to preach to the colored people on the plantation."
Searching for Gold. It is said that the Indians knew where to find gold. They would make trips after it, but would not allow the whites to follow them. Much time has been spent prospecting for gold and other minerals. A man named Spence claimed to have found a rich vein of gold, but lost it and could never locate il again. The Legal Tender mine is being worked at the present lime. Undoubtedly rich treasures await him who can find the hidden wealth.
Murray County History 1911