I now bring to a close these brief reminiscences of a long life, dictated to my daughter at her request. They are for my six children, being a short record of the life and work of their father.
WITH ONE OF HIS BIRD FRIENDS
EXTRACTS FROM THE NEWSPAPERS IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA
The Macon "Daily Telegraph," Saturday Morning, May 11, 1907
By John T. Boifeuillet
Speaking of John P. Fort reminds me that to him is due the credit of introducing artesian wells in southwestern Georgia, where he owned large farming lands. He desired to protect and improve the health of his tenants and other laborers by freeing them from the necessity of drinking the rotten limestone water in shallow wells which was considered productive of chills, fever, and other sickness. So this progressive Maconite decided to experiment with artesian wells and he had one bored on one of his plantations from which a splendid flow of fine water was obtained. The result was so gratifying that he had other wells bored and the health of the people on his farms became first class. The glad news was spread throughout all that section of country, and other planters followed Captain Fort's example, and in a short time the boring of artesian wells became common in that territory. An official publication says that the sanitary advantages that have resulted to many towns and localities all over the southwest Georgia coastal plain through the pure, wholesome drinking water of the artesian wells, are seen in the fact that sections once dreaded as malarial and sickly are now considered among the most salubrious in the State and are increasing more rapidly in population than even the hill country of north Georgia. The average depth of the wells in south Georgia is about four hundred and fifty feet, and as the various strata penetrated are comparatively free of rock, the wells are bored at small cost. Bulletin No. 7 of the State Geological Survey says: "While there is much yet to be learned about the underground water system of the coastal plain, there is, nevertheless, sufficient known already to warrant the statement that almost this entire portion of the State is underlaid by pervious beds which will furnish large quantities of pure, wholesome water when pierced by the drill." When Captain Fort drilled his first artesian well he bored better than he knew. The Maconite became a public benefactor. Georgia is due him much for his foresight and progressiveness, his philanthropy and humanity.
By Emory Speer
From the Albany "Herald" of Friday, November 1, 1912
The observant people of Georgia have long been aware of the blessings many enjoy through the inducting philosophy of a distinguished and unpretentious son of our State. Our university has honored him and itself by the degree, Doctor of Science. Dr. John P. Fort was the first who made evident how practical and how beneficent are those artesian wells whose copious and healthful supply are now gushing in every community and on many farms in that fertile empire known as South Georgia.