Cleburne County AlArchives News.....Newspaper Notices for JULY 1896 July 2 1896 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/al/alfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Candace Gravelle tealtree@comcast.net October 4, 2004, 11:01 pm Cleburne New Era newspaper NEWSPAPER NOTICES FROM "THE CLEBURNE NEW ERA" for JULY 1896 Newpaper Issue of July 2, 1896 LOCAL NEWS Alton Caldwell visited his sister Mrs. J.T. Black in Heflin this week. __ Jno. R. Minnick, a prominent citizen of Stone Hill this county, was a visitor of Heflin yesterday. __ Mrs. Pennie Moore of Greens., Ala is visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.P. Bedwell in our city. She will spend a month here. __ TRAIN WRECK NEAR HEFLIN On last Sunday morning one of the most disastrous and fatal wrecks that has ever been on the Georgia Pacific Railroad occurred at the Stricklen trestle one mile west of Heflin. Two negros, Arch Aldridge and Lee Hopkins were killed and three others, Joe Glover, Sam Gray and John Adams were seriously injured. The injured were carried to Atlanta. Sam Gray has since died. Engineer Davis and his fireman miraculously escaped injury. The wreck was the result of a collision between a freight car and freight train. The car had been sidetracked at Neal and Hunnicutt's sawmill and one and one haf miles west of this place, the car was pushed on the main line and ran in the grde one half mile from the mill and had started back when freight train No. 46 met it. Twelve cars were completely demolished. The loss of property will possibly exceed $125,000. Detective Hanie and Pickard were sent to Heflin by the officials of the Southern, they went immediately to work to catch the wreckers and their efforts were not met in vain. Tuesday morning they arrested Bob Poland and Coon Parker for the crime, they having sufficient cause to believe them the guilty parties. Poland and Parker were captured near Iron City and brought to Heflin. They were committed to jail at Edwardsville by Justice Robison. Their preliminary trial will be held here Monday. Coon Parker, one of the accused made a full confession and tells how it was done and who did it. The following is the substance of his confession: " Poland and myself were in Heflin, drinking, Saturday evening. We wanted to go home and asked a freight conductor Young to carry us to Iron City which he refused to do. This made Poland mad and said he would be d__ if he didn't have revenge before morning; we then started home walking the railroad and when we got to Neal and Hunnicutt's saw mill he saw the car and said he was going to put that car on the main track and ride home. I begged him not to do it, he paid no atttention to me but got a scantling and pushed the car off the switch on to the main line. The car started east, he wanting it to go west, and he tried to stop it but could not do it. Then we left the railroad and went through the mountains home. Monday morning, Poland came to the field where I was at work and told me that the car had caused a wreck, two or three were killed,and if I told about being the cause of it, he would kill me." Parker seems to be a quiet, inoffensive person and if he is a participant in this crime, it is the first, while Poland is a rather tough character, having been many times indicted, once or twice for grave offenses. It is hoped that once in the history of Cleburne county the full penalty of the law will be meted out to the guilty parties. _____ NEWSPAPER Issue of Thursday, July 9, 1896 JUDGE BARTLETT OWEN DEAD Judge Bartlett Owen, one of the most influential and prominent citizens of the county, died at his home near Edwardsville last Monday morning. Judge Owen has held many positions of honor in this county and was one of its leading citizens. The sympathy of the people is extended to his family in their hour of bereavement. ___ PERSONAL and LOCAL News Dr. W.A. Neal returned on last Wednesday from a visit to his parents in Banks County, GA. He reports a heavy rain and wind storm at Athens, GA reaching nearly as far west as Tallapoosa. __ A.C. Stephenson spent the first of the week in Heflin with his parents. __ PRELIMINARY TRIAL OF POLAND AND PARKER HELD HERE MONDAY On Monday at 10 o'clock, Bob Poland and Coon Parker were arraigned before Justices Robison and Davies of Heflin, charged with the murder of Arch Aldridge and Lee Hopkins by wrecking a freight train on the Southern railroad on Sunday June 28th. The State was represented by Solicitor B.F. Wilson, T.J. Burton, Fred Blackmon and Mr. Dixon. The defendants were represented by T. Shackleford and B.B. Bridges. Both witnesses were sworn and put under the rule. The following is a synopsis of the testimony of the State's witnesses: J.C. DAVIS: " I was engineer on train No. 46 going east on Sunday morning June 28th. At 3:10 o'clock a.m. and when one and one half miles west of Heflin at the Cahulga trestle my engine ran into a freight car, partly loaded with wood, demolishing the car, breaking the pilot off the engine and wrecking thirteeen cars in my train. In the wreck, Lee Hopkins and Arch Aldridge, both colored, were killed, and three other negroes were wounded. I saw the car about 200 yards ahead of my train before I struck it. I could not tell whether it was moving or standing. I and the conductor proceeded on foot to Heflin to notify the authorities of the wreck, remained at the telegraph office about five minutes and returned to our train. " R.T. WEST: " On the night of June 27th I was flagman on a special train going west and arrived at Heflin at 9:40 o'clock. While the train stood at the depot two men came to the caboose, one sat down on the steps, the other entered the caboose and said that they wanted to go to Iron City on that train. I told them that this train did not stop there. He then asked me if they could go to Choccolocco and I told him that we did not stop there either. He then asked if we stopped at Anniston and I told him yes; he asked the fare and I told him 58 cents; he said he would be d---d if he would pay it. I told him to go and see the conductor; he went and saw the conductor and returned to the caboose again, asked to be carried, the train was then starting, I told him to get off, he and his companion did; he said I will get even with you, G---D---- you. I did not know the men but the defendants Poland and Parker, I recognize as being the men. Poland did the talking." W.C. WORLEY: " I saw Bob Poland and Coon Parker at the depot on Saturday night June 27th. I did not know them. They seemed to be drinking. I am a hostler engineer employed by the Southern railway at Heflin. I was standing near the depot just after the special train left and as Poland and Parker passed, I heard Poland say, I will get even with them, I will have revenge before morning. They were going towards the bar room. " SAM H. DUNSTON: " I saw Bob Poland and Coon Parker about ten o'clock Saturday night June 27th at Williamson's store, they were eating a lunch; a few minutes afterwards they asked me to go with them to the barroom and wake the clerk for them so they could get some whiskey; the barkeeper refused to get up and wait on them; they then asked me to go to the Bedwell crossing with them. I went there, then accompanied them to Neal & Hunnicutt's saw mill, which is about one and one half miles from Heflin. A freight car stood on the spur track there. Poland said he was going to push in on the main line and ride home on it. I told him he might wreck a train if he did so and that the car would not run in that direction if he put in on the main track. Poland then quieted down for awhile, then again said he would push the car out and began to act as if he would do it. I again told him he would get into trouble if he did so. Parker had started off and called Poland to come on and go home. I then left. When a quarter of a mile away from the mill at the trestle, I heard a noise in the direction of the saw mill like a car passing over a switch frog. I came on home and went to bed. It was after 11 o'clock. I heard of the wreck Sunday morning and went down to it and found the train wrecked and found Arch Aldridge and Lee Hopkins dead and three other negroes wounded. Poland and Parker were drinking and had three bottles of liquor with them; we all took a drink or two while together. I am 18 years old and live in Heflin." O.A. PICKARD: " I am a special cattle claim agent in the employ of the Southern rail road. I came to Heflin Sunday evening June 28th and began an investigation as to the cause of the wrecking of the train that morning. I continued the investigation through Monday. Tuesday morning I had warrants sworn out for Bob Poland and Coon Parker. Constable Henry of Heflin, Thos. Hanie and myself went over near Iron City and arrested Poland first and then Parker. I was not present when the arrests were made. When I came up I heard Mr. Hanie say "now Bob there is no use of denying this thing for Coon Parker says he told you not to put that car on the track it would get you into trouble. Poland says "did you tell that Coon?" and Parker said, "yes Bob, I did tell you that." Poland said "it looks like you all are against me." After we had started to Heflin and half an hour later than the first conversation, Parker said that Poland came to where he was at work Monday morning and told him that he expected that they would be arrested for wrecking the train and if he told it he would kill him. Poland denied that he said that, he said he told Parker that he expected that they would be arrested on suspicion and if they were arrested for him not to get scared and run off. I then asked Parker some questions about young Dunston and he said that Dunston had been gone some minutes when Poland pushed the car on the main line." J.T. BLACK : I was at Hunnicutt & Neal's saw mill on Saturday June 27th loading a car of cord wood. The number of the car was 5742. It was on the side track thirty or forty feet from the main line, the brakes were on and the wheels chocked. I left the car about 3 o'clock p.m. It was about half loaded. I next saw it Sunday morning lying by the main track torn to pieces. I knew it by the number on it. I saw the cars that were wrecked. I saw the bodies of Arch Aldridge and Lee Hopkins lying dead there. Arch was lying under a freight car his body mashed up. Lee was lying on piece of timber sixteen or eighteen feet from the railroad. I know Poland. I don't know Parker, never saw him until I saw him here. I had a conversation with Parker. He told me that Bob Poland said he was going to push the car on the main line, that he worked at the switch about five minutes then took a scantling and started the car out on the main line." Here the State closed and the defense offered no testimony. Short speeches were made by Solicitor Wilson and Dixon for the State and by B.B. Bridges for the defendants. The court committed the defendants to jail without bail. _______ NEWSPAPER Issue of Thursday, July 16, 1896 LOCAL NEWS P.W. Ayres and Miss Diah Kemp of Milner were married Wednesday July 9th. We wish you all the peace and prosperity Pat. __ T.J. Dulin of Chulafinnee and Miss Laura Johnson of Belltown were married last Sunday. The New Era extends congratulations and wishes them a joyful and happy life. __ J.N. Harris and family left this morning for Lithonia, GA where Mrs. Harris and children will spend a month visiting relatives and friends. Mr. Harris will gone only a few days. __ M.F. Morris of Griffin, GA was in Heflin looking after some property of his deceased brother J.T. Morris. __ H.A. McMurray spent a few weeks at Swan Hill with his parents. __ John W. and Thos. Hunnicutt of Mississippi are visiting their father at Belltown. __ Joe Wallace of Mississippi is visiting his brother, A.C. Wallace at Belltown. __ J.W. Daniel of Grayton, Ala was a visitor to Heflin this week. __ M.F. McMurray of Beason Mills was in town Tuesday. __ SERIOUS AFFRAY According to reliable information just received by a New Era reporter, a fourteen year old son of John P. Walker near Hightower, Ala. was seriously hurt in an affray last Sunday with two young sons of William Fowler. It is also charged that Mr. Fowler himself either took part in the affray or was more or less responsible for the boy's getting hurt. Young Walker, it is thought, is not fatally injured. __ CEDAR CREEK Community News Mrs. Fred Wagener and children, Fritz, Pauline and Mattie of Atlanta are spending the summer at her old home, Cedar Creek stock farm. __ Mrs. E.W. Pinckard and little son Swanson of Memphis, Tenn., are visiting her sister, Mrs. B.J. Edmondson at the stock farm. __ Miss Exa Stricklen of Heflin has a fine school at Cedar Creek. __ NEWSPAPER Issue of Thursday, July 23, 1896 LOCAL NEWS W.L. Tolleson and family of Gray, Mississippi arrived in Heflin yesterday evening. Laz is an ex-Cleburnite and will spend several days visiting his parents and relatives before returning to Mississippi. __ E.R. Stephenson of Anniston spent Sunday in our city. __ A.C. Stephenson of Anniston is spending this week in Heflin with his parents. __ Mr. B.J. Awtry and family are visiting relatives in Clay county this week. __ Mrs. Wm. Nichols of Lafayette visited the family of Mrs. J.C. Osborne this week. __ Gus Galbaugh of Cincinnati, Ohio is visiting his sister, Mrs. J.C. Lane in the city. __ Mrs. Anna Rowell of Edwardsville came down Monday to attend the burial of her niece Mrs. Sam White. __ H.W. White and wife of Dudleyville are visiting the latter's father, C.W. Haralson and family in south Heflin this week. __ Mr. John McDaniel of Calhoun is visiting his son Crawford McDaniel in town. He is 89 years old and came to this county over 53 years ago. He is still active and retains his mental faculties to a remarkable degree. __ The friends of Mr. Sam White who came over from Birmingham to attend the funeral of Mrs. White at this place on last Monday were J.S. May and wife, T.B. Downy and wife, A. Sydham and wife, and Messrs. Jno. Quinn, Thos. Hancock, D.W. Dockery and P.S. Moore. All of the gentleman of the party except Mr. Sydham acted as pallbearers. Mr. B.J. Ligon and Orren Ligon, father and brother of the deceased were also of the number. _____ IN MEMORIAM OF MRS. EXA WHITE Died, at the home of her husband Mr. Samuel White, at Birmingham on the 19th day of July, Mrs. Exa White, of blood poison. Exa, as her friends all called her, was the daughter of Mr. B.J. Ligon and was born near Chulafinnee in this county in May 1876 and when a little girl, came with her people to live at Heflin. On January 19th of this year she was married to Mr. Samuel White and went with him to make her future home in Birmingham. As the young couple, so devoted to each other, left here, every heart in Heflin felt a devout wish that a long and useful life full of joyous sunshine and happiness might be given them. But alas!, human hopes, fond wishes and deceptive calculations, doomed to be dashed to earth. Only six months ago, Exa was led a blushing bride to the altar; on last Monday, loving hands laid all that was mortal of her in the tomb. She possessed a happy, cheerful disposition with always a smile for everyone, that made kindred and friends love her and husband idolize her. But death that loves a shining mark, has taken her away from those who so much loved her and transplanted her gentle spirit in the perennial gardens of God where she awaits their coming. Friends can only sympathize with the grief stricken husband as they mingle their tears with his and commend him to God who alone can heal his griefs. To her father, sisters and brothers as well as the grief stricken husband, a host of friends tender their sympathies. _______ NEWSPAPER Issue of Thursday, July 30, 1896 LOCAL NEWS Mrs. R.E. Merrill became overheated yesterday and is quite sick. May she soon recover. __ Mr. W.M. Harris who is recovering from lung trouble for the past few weeks is gradually improving. __ M.C. Danforth had the misfortune of getting his hand cut last Friday morning. On Saturday morning his hand and arm are badly swollen from it. __ File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/cleburne/newspapers/gnw151newspape.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/alfiles/ File size: 16.7 Kb