Cleburne County AlArchives News.....Newspaper Abstracts for APRIL 1923 April 1923 ************************************************ 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 February 9, 2005, 7:44 pm The Cleburne News NEWSPAPER ABSTRACTS FROM "THE CLEBURNE NEWS", Heflin, Cleburne County, Alabama for APRIL 1923 NEWSPAPER issue of Thursday, April 5, 1923 2 KILLINGS IN THE COUNTY LAST WEEK According to information reaching Heflin the latter part of last week, Jess Coffey of Muscadine was shot in the back on Wednesday afternoon by some member of a party of four men, composed of the Sheriff of Cleburne County and Revenue Officers of the federal and state government. Coffey was said to be about 27 years old and is further said to be simple-minded. Further information coming to The News is that young Coffey was in the act of capping a still which was in operation and at the approach of the officers, he ran. Failing to obey the command to halt given by B.H. Crumpton, he fired, Coffey falling to the ground mortally wounded. The wounded man was carried by officers to his home nearby where medical aid was given. Young Coffey died last Thursday as a result of the wounds and the body was laid to rest in State Line Cemetery. It is said about seven gallons of whiskey and a quantity of beer was found at the still where Coffey was shot. And judging from the condition about the still it is said that it had been in operation at that site for several months. A warrant charging first degree murder was issued Monday against Federal Officer Ben H. Crumpton for the alleged killing of Jess Coffey, who was shot and killed on Tueday of last week at a still near Muscadine. The warrant was sworn out by John Coffey, brother of the dead man. Also, a warrant charing assault with intent to murder was issued by Solicitor J.C. Nichols for L.L. Phillips, state law enforcement officer, charged with shooting Robert Jackson during a raid by revenue officers the early part of last week. It is not known when the preliminary trial of Officers Phillips and Crumpton will beheld. News was received in Heflin on Friday afternoon that Tom Evans, thirty four years old, was shot and killed at the home of Robert Hackney, a neighbor of the dead man, near Esom Hill, about noon. Besides getting four bullet wounds, three in the face and one in the right breast, Evans head was almost severed from his body. It is alleged that Robert Hackney did the killing and made his escape into Georgia whence he informed parties who turn informed Sheriff Jackson over long distance telephone of the killing. While the cause of the killing is not known, it was said there on Friday that Evans had insulted Hackney's wife several weeks ago. If is said that Hackney and Evens were seen together at various places on Friday morning; once at a country store only a short distance from where the killing occurred, apparently on the best of terms it is said. The killing is throught to have occurred at about the noon hour, as the dinner had been partly set. Mrs. Hackney was not at home when the officers from Heflin arrived. Hackney is said to have closed the doors before leaving home. Evans was under indictment but was out on bond for the alleged killing of Andrew Nunis in this county not far from where Friday's tragedy took place. The case came up before the last term of circuit court here but was postponed until the fall term. Two bullet holes were found in the floor near the head of the dead man, indicating that he must have received the shots in the face while lying down. Sheriff Jackson, Deputy Haywood and Solicitor Joy Nichols went to the scene of the alleged killing Friday afternoon and made an investigation as best they could, returning to Heflin late that night. _____ BENJAMIN F. OWENS BURIED HERE SUNDAY The remains of Mr. Benjamin F. Owens, one of the county's leading and best beloved citizens, were brought to Heflin from Atlanta on Friday afternoon, the funeral and interment being held Sunday afternoon at this place, Rev. J.A. Parkins, pastor of the Methodist Church, South, officiating. Mr. Owens, who was eighty-three years of age, died Thursday evening at a sanitarium in Atlanta, where he had been under treatment for the past five or six weeks. An operation had been performed on Wednesday. Mr. Owens was a native of South Carolina, moving to Cleburne in his youth, locating in the eastern portion of the county, moving to Edwardsville, later coming to Heflin where he had since made his home. Mr. Owens was a prominent member of the M.E. Church, South, and had served as a steward of the church for over forty years. Many years ago Mr. Owens was in the mercantile business at Abernathy. To the Editor of The News, Mr. Owens' death comes in the nature of a personal bereavement, after many years of intimate friendship, and we feel constrained to express our love and respect for the man, and our appreciation of his life work. Yet how inadequate are words for such expressions. No language can convey the sublime sentiment that binds the hearts of friends. No human mind can grasp the full measusre of good that follows the acts of men. "We are like the pebbles from the shores of eternity thrown into the ocean of time. The ripple we make spreads in everwidening and ever weakening circles, still having an influence after our senses have ceased to observe their effect." Mr. Owens was a true Confederate Veteran and his old comrades will be grieved when they learn of his death. Mr. Owens is survived by the following children: J.A. Owens L.A. Owens F.P. Owens Misses Alice and Minnie Owens of Heflin Dr. W.H. Owens of Atlanta Mrs. T.G. Hill of Tallapoosa R.J. Owens of Andalusia, Ala M.F. Owens of Miami, Okla. ______ MUSCADINE News Mrs. N.W. Hill of Tallapoosa visited her parents Mr. and Mrs. J.T. Chandler on Sunday. __ Ai News Mrs. Minnie Harris visited Mrs. Maggie Warren on Sunday. __ Mrs. Alice Gaines visited J.L. Lambert and family Sunday night. __ LOCAL News Messrs. S.H. and G.W. Watson of Bell Mills spent part of last week with Sylvester Hall who is an inmate of the government hospital at O'teen, N.C. The many friends of Sylvester in Cleburne county will be glad to learn that he is enjoying fairly good health. __ Mrs. L.A. Tolleson and daughters and Mr. Theopolis Vaughan of Atlanta spent Easter with their parents and grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. J.D. Vaughan. ___ Mrs. Oscar Lovvorn who has been quite sick for the past three weeks is not improving very rapidly. __ Mrs. Comer Deese of Gadsden visited her mother Mrs. Della Levens last weekend. __ ARBACOOCHEE News Roy Simpson and wife of Anniston visited his grandmother Mrs. E.J. Loveless on Sunday. __ Sam Runyon of Dalton, GA visited relatives here last week. __ Mr. and Mrs. Cliff Merrill visited his mother Mrs. Bettie Merrill on Sunday. __ NEWSPAPER issue of Thursday, April 12, 1923 USES AN AXE ON HUSBAND Oscar Barnwell, a farmer living near Zimmerman's store, north of Fruithurst, according to a report received in Heflin the first of the week, was badly wounded by his wife who used an axe. Mrs. Barnwell is said to be of unsound mind, which accounts for assaulting her husband. The wounded man was rushed to an Anniston hospital. ____ HEPSABAH News MUSCADINE News Mrs. J.A. Laminack and family visited Mrs. Carnes at Tallapoosa on Friday. __ Melvin and Leonard Morrow spent the weekend with their brother Will Morrow. __ LOCAL News Mr. Harvey McWhorter and Miss Monteal Rogers both of the Oak Level community, were happily married last Sunday, Rev. T. Warmack of Lebanon performing the ceremony. Miss Rogers is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.A. Rogers. Mr. McWhorter is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry McWhorter. The happy young couple will make their new home in Birmingham. ___ Mrs. Clyde Hicks of Sevierville, Tenn., is the guest of Mrs. C.W. Griffin. __ Bob Howle left on Tuesday for a short visit to Crossville, Tenn. __ Mr. and Mrs. Will Thrash of Tampa, Fla., are the guests of the former's parents Mr. and Mrs. W.J. Thrash near Hepsibah. __ Wash McElroy, a merchant in Trickem, was in town on Monday. __ George Phillips and son Bill of Hopewell were in town on Monday. __ Mr. and Mrs. L.S. Frierson visited relatives in Fairburn, GA the latter part of last week. __ Mrs. Joe Nichols has returned home after a weeks visit in Ashland with relatives. __ Harrison Green of Heflin was in to see us Tuesday. He reports that Mrs. E.F. Green who was carried to an Anniston hospital last week for treatment is not improving. She has been sick since Christmas. __ E.J. Whiten and children of Gadsden visited Mr. and Mrs. W.C. Whiten from Saturday to Monday. __ CRUMPTON PLACED UNDER $7,000. BOND B.H. Crumpton of Anniston, federal prohibition agent, charged with the murder of Jesse Coffey, in a raid north of Muscadine in this county about two weeks ago, was given a preliminary hearing before Judge D.S. Baber in Heflin on Tuesday morning and bound over to the action of the fall term of the Cleburne County Grand Jury under a $7,000. bond, which he made and returned to Anniston that afternoon. Five witnesses were examined by the state. Mr. Crumpton did not go on the stand. Coffey, is is stated, was shot in the back when he attempted to run away when officers came up on him at a still a few miles north of Muscadine. Almost the entire charge took effect in the back penetrating the kidneys it is said. The boy was a son of W.P. Coffey, a farmer living not far from where the shooting occurred, and not a great distance from the point where Bob Ferguson, it is alleged, shot young McAlpin several months ago while fleeing from the officers. Crumpton was represented at the hearing by C.B. Kennemer of Birmingham, United States District Attorney for the northern district of Alabama, while the case was prosecuted by County Solicitor Joe Nichols. Mr. Crumpton's bondsmen are J.A. Evans, W.A. Myers, W.R. Daniel, J.R. McElroy and C.W. Stephens. ____ Mr. C.C. Rooks and Miss Izzie Loveless of Arbacoochee were happily married last Sunday at Howle's Grove, Rev. R.L. Skinner performing the ceremony. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.A. Loveless and the groom is a son of Mrs. Fanny Rooks. ___ Master Seaborn, the 5 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Seaborn Buttram, who died the latter part of last week in an Atlanta hospital following an operation for appendicitis, was laid to rest Sunday at Oak Level, Rev. A.T. Warmack conducting the funeral services. The News extends sympathy to the grief stricken parents. ___ HACKNEY'S BOND FIXED AT $2000. Ed Hackney, the father of Robert Hackney who is alleged to have killed Joe Evans at Hackney's home about three weeks ago, was in Heflin on Monday arranging bond for his son. After consulting with the solicitor and others a bond in the sum of $2000. was agreed on which will be signed and returned to the sheriff for his approval within a few days. Evans was shot three or four times. ___ CARD OF THANKS I take this method of thanking you for your faithful assistance during the sickness and death of my dear companion. Never shall I forget you and may god's richest blessings rest upon each of you is my prayer. John Brown, Route 6 ___ NEWSPAPER Issue of Thursday, April 19, 1923 FRIENDSHIP News Mr. and Mrs. Homer Ray of Atlanta spent the weekend with the latter's parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.P. Clayton. __ Mr. Charlie Whitaker and Miss Cora Weaver were happily married on Sunday, Rev. J.M. Williams officiating. __ IN MEMORY OF MRS. JOHN BROWN On Tuesday evening, April 3rd, the death angel visited the home of Mr. John Brown and carried away his loving companion. She leaves a baby only nine days old. She had every attention that loving hands could bestow but all failed. She had finished her work that her dear lord assigned to her and has gone to the reward which god has promised to the faithful. I wish to say that I had known Mrs. Brown for several years and I loved her more the better I knew her. She was a quiet, christian woman, a very faithful and devoted wife and mother and a godo neighbor. SHe met every one with a smile. I wish to say to her many friends and relatives, dear Minnie is gone, her chair on earth is vacant forever but her place is filled around the great throne of god. No one knew a blemish in her life record; such beautiful memories will love long after her body has moulded in the clay. I would say to the grief stricken husband, don't think of her as dead, but sleeping, a sweet peaceful sleep, safe in the arms of jesus her savior. Let us live to meet her where tears and parting are unknown. Her friend and neighbor, Mrs. Jessie Allen. ____ EDWARDSVILLE News Mrs. Essie White is on the sick list. __ Ernest L. Marbury is visiting his parents in Birmingham. __ Mrs. John Butler of south Georgia is visiting relatives here. __ A VOICE FROM LOUISIANA Ruston, LA., April 9, 1923 Have just received your issue of April 5 and note with horror the apparent brutal murder of Jesse Coffey by a supposed officer of the law. I have been keeping up with events in Cleburne county for a good many years and it is quite singular how those officers can come in there and kill your citizens and get away with it. I was born in Cleburne, reared in Calhoun and came to Louisiana in 1898. I know Cleburne's citizenry, her people and habits. I know that it is not her best people who engage in the whiskey business but they are human beings, are as much entitled to protection of life as any. I am not condoning the whiskey business either. If you were here you would find me in the front ranks fighting for enforcement of the law. We are having better law enforcement here, and if a man should dare try a trick like killing here he would not last long. Its thugs and highjackers who kill folks and I hope every citizen in Cleburne county will see to it personally that a fellow who committed the above crime gets all the law provides. I know there is some extent there, a feeling that an officer has a certain right but it is all stuff. An officer has no more right to kill than a private citizen and a good, healthy public opinion will put these fellows behind bars. There are 500 or more of Alabama boys here and we all voice indignation at any such crimes. I am writing this from a sick bed where I have been confined several days with the flu. Sincerely, J.W. Cheatwood ____ Ai News Several from here attended the singing at Pounds school house on Sunday. __ Mr. and Mrs. W.T. Pesnell spent Sunday afternoon with J.N. Chaffin and family. __ Mr. and Mrs. Clum Gaines spent Saturday night with Allen Garner and family. __ ARBACOOCHEE News Mr. and Mrs. C.C. Rooks visited his mother Mrs. Fannie Rooks near Cedar Creek last week. __ Mr.and Mrs. John Stephenson spent part of last week with J.A. Talley and family. __ LOCAL News Jack Dodson has returned from a visit with relatives in Bremen. __ Mrs. Jasper Cook of Anniston is visiting her parents Mr. and Mrs. D.M. Reaves. __ "Uncle" Jim Thompson, farmer and saw miller of Heflin was a visitor to The News this week. __ R.W. Bennefield, a good friend living near New Hope was in to see us on Monday. __ Mesdames W.R. Daniel and J. Bachelor of Trickem spent Sunday with Judge and Mrs. John H. Crumpton. __ IN MEMORY OF BENJAMIN F. OWENS Benjamin Franklin Owens, son of J.M. and Eliza Owens, was born Sept. 4, 1840 in Benton County, Alabama, and died March 29, 1923. In early boyhood he united with the M.E. Church, South, leading a consistent christian life, served as a steward of the church for over forty years. He loved the church devotedly and attended it regularly. I do not think he had an enemy; was loved by all who knew him. He will be especially missed by his associates with whom he was accustomed to discuss the news of the day. Even his advanced age did not prevent his taking a deep interest in state and national affairs. He was a loyal Mason, being one of the pioneer Masons of this county. He enlisted in the Confederate Army, 48th Alabama Regiment, Company I, General Hood's Corps. He was wounded on July 2, 1863 in the battle of Gettysburg, taken prisoner and carried to Davids Island, N.Y. He remained there for several months and was paroled and sent back to Richmond, VA where he was sent home on a wounded furlough approved by the Medical Board where he was when the war closed. He was married to Miss Eva Garner of Forsyth County, Georgia on January 3, 1869. From this union there are nine surviving children: J.A., L.A., and F.P. Owens and Misses Alice and Minnie Owens, all of Heflin; Mrs. Thos. G. Hill of Tallapoosa, GA.; R.J. Owens of Andalusia, Ala.; M.F. Owens of Miami, Okla., and Dr. W.H. Owens of Atlanta, GA and eighteen grandchildren. He is also survived by a sister, Mrs. E.T. Black of Heflin; and two brothers, J.M. and A.L. Owens of Lawrenceburg, Tenn. Mr. Owens entered the mercantile business in this county soon after the Civil War and engaged in this business most of the time until his retirement about 1888. He has always been interested in all things that was for the uplift of his town, county and state. While serving on the board of county commissioners, he, together with Mr. Hamp Barnes secured the first steel bridge in this county. He served on the school board, also the city council of Heflin for several years. He was especially interested in getting free schools and getting good roads in the county. The funeral was conducted on Easter Sunday by Rev. Jos. Parkin at the M.E. Church, South in the presence of hundreds of sorrowing friends. His six sons who had been so devoted to him in his lifetime acted as pall-bearers. Every conscious being, through his manner of living writes his own epitah. Thus did our lamented and beloved friend. He wrote his as a man who was faithful to every trust, honest in his dealings as a business man, loyal and true to his country in his every act, kind and affectionate as a husband and father, obliging as a neighbor, brave and courageous as a soldier, loyal to his church and honest and sincere in his devotion to god. His life through unostentatious, was a clear demonstration of his piety and a benediction to the people. He served the master well and "his works do follow him." His epitah can be written in a single word, the sublimest word in the english language, "duty." W.A. Porter _____ NEWSPAPER issue of Thursday, April 26, 1923 MASADONIA News Mr. and Mrs. Dock Gibbs visited the latter's parents, Mr. and Mrs. L.B. Langley on Sunday. __ The singing at L.B. Langley's on Saturday night was enjoyed by a large crowd. __ Mrs. Etta Stogner visited over in Georgia on Friday. __ Mrs. W.H. Bartlett was the Sunday guest of Mrs. T.L. Skinner. __ Mrs. J.W. Miller spent Sunday with her mother, Mrs. J.W. Couch. __ Mrs. D. I. Jackson spent Friday with Mrs. Carl Lindsey. __ MUSCADINE News Mrs. and Mrs. W.G. Laminack visited the latter's parents, Mr. and Mrs. M.M. Roberts on Sunday. __ Mrs. Minnie Estes of Bremen visited her parents Sunday, Mrs. H.C. Clackum. __ CANE CREEK News James Fletcher and children of Burwell, J.A. Norton and wife, Charlie Kennedy and wife and Lemon Edwards and family visited Mr. and Mrs. W.E. Edwards on Sunday. __ Mr. and Mrs. Irwin Norton spent Sunday with Bob Norton. __ NEW HOPEWELL News John P. Turner, wife and children, mother and father visited their daughter and sister, Mrs. Mary Chandler on Sunday. __ SHOT FROM AMBUSH I.M. Woodard and a young son were fired upon from ambush late Thursday afternoon while at work in the field, three miles southeast of Bell Mills in this county, several small shots striking the boy from the rear and several bullets were also fired at Woodard and the boy, it is said, but none of the shots took effect. Mr. Woodard, who reported the shooting to Sheriff Jackson was unable Thursday night or Friday morning to give the officers any information concerning the alleged assault after the sheriff had closedly investigated the matter. A white dog that came to the field after the shooting, it is thought, may throw some light on the party or parties who did the shooting. The sheriff and deputy who investigated the affair Friday morning located the spot from where the shots were fired, an empty shell being found nearby. The shooting has caused considerable excitement in that section, heretofore one of the most quiet and peaceful communities in the county. ___ HANSON SCHOOL Community News We regret to learn of the death of Mrs. Minnie Prichett. Several from here attended the funeral services of Mrs. Pritchett at Rock Springs church on Thursday. __ Mrs. Eula Rooker and children spent Thursday afternon with the family of Mr. Key. __ S.E. Deese and wife from Dot, GA spent Saturday night and Sunday with his son and daughter J.S. Rooker. __ IN MEMORY OF MRS. W.L. PRITCHETT On Tuesday evening, April 17th the death angel visited the home of Mr. W.L. Pritchett and carried away his loving companion. She leaves a husband and many friends to mourn her death. She had every attention that loving hands could bestow, but all failed. She had finished her work in this life and has gone to her reward which god has promised to the faithful. She was a faithful and devoted wife and a good neighbor. A thoroughly consecrated christian woman. No one knew of a blemish on her life's record. These beautiful memories will live long after her body has moulded in the clay. I would say to her husband, don't think of her as dead, but sleeping,a sweet peaceful sleep. Safe in the arms of jesus her savior. Let us live to meet her where tears and partings are no more. A Neighbor. ____ LOCAL News Miss Jewell Moats of Fairburn, GA spent last weekend with her sister Mrs. L.S. Frierson. __ Mrs. Clyde Hicks left Saturday afternoon for West Point, GA where she will visit before returning to her home in Sevierville, Tenn. __ RAKESTRAW SLIPS AWAY Officers from the sheriff's office early Wednesday morning surrounded the home of Mr. Owen, northeast of Edwardsville where it was reported that John Rakestraw, facing a thirty years sentence for the alleged killing of A.D. Cheatwood several months ago, had spent the night but failed to capture him. Rakestraw escaped from the county jail here immediately following his conviction several months ago. Rakestraw made his escape Wednesday morning through a side window as the posse closed in on the Owen home, just at daylight. ____ File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/cleburne/newspapers/gnw300newspape.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/alfiles/ File size: 23.2 Kb