Cleburne County AlArchives News.....Newspaper Abstracts for MAY 1923 May 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 10, 2005, 6:50 pm The Cleburne News NEWSPAPER ABSTRACTS FROM "THE CLEBURNE NEWS", Heflin, Cleburne County, Alabama for MAY 1923 NEWSPAPER issue of Thursday, May 3, 1923 LEBANON News Mrs. Lula Hamrick and children spent Friday with Mrs. J.W. Warmack. __ Mrs. Lottie Nipper and little son spent Thursday with Misses Lura and Myrtle Mayfield. __ Mrs. G.W. Price and children spent Friday afternoon with Mrs. J.W. Warmack. __ Mrs. Sallie Slaton and children have returned to their home in Atlanta after a visit with her mother, Mrs. G.L.M. White. __ Maude and Belle Clackum spent Sunday with their aunt, Mrs. Dora Davis. __ Mr. and Mrs. H.C. Clackum visited her brother, J.W. Davis. __ Mrs. M.M. Albright was the guest of her daughter Mrs. Maud Barnett on Sunday. __ MUSCADINE News Miss Glema Roberts from Lebanon is visiting her sister Mrs. W.G. Laminack. __ Inman Martin of Anniston is visiting here. __ LOCAL News MR. P.J. AYERS KILLED IN AUTO ACCIDENT Mr. Pat J. Ayers, about sixty- five years old, a leading citizen and successful farmer of the southern part of the county, was killed in an auto accident at which is known as "the narrows" on Tallapoosa River Saturday morning at about two o'clock, it is said. Mr. Ayers, it is said, was in the car with Dr. J.H. Ligon and Leonard Knight, and was passing over a newly worked piece of road at at dangerous point when the accident happened, the machine going over an embankment, landing at the bottom of the fill with the above result. Dr. Ligon, Mr. Ayers and Knight it is said were returning from a trip in Randolph county when the accident occurred and were near the Cleburne line when the car went over the embankment, turning two complete somersaults, landing on its wheels. When assistance arrived the unfortunate man was found in the car, sitting in an upright position, dead, his neck having been broken. Ligon is said to have escaped with only a few slight scratches as did also Knight. Mr. Ayers tragic death caused great sorrow throughout the community and here in Heflin where he was known. The funeral and interment took place Sunday at Hepsabah church, Rev. J.W. Grubbs conducting the services. ______ WARRANTS FOR OWENS Warrants were issued for the arrest of Leal Owen and wife and their son Grady Owen, residing a short distance above Edwardsville, charging them with harboring John Rakestraw, a Cleburne man who escaped from the county jail here several months ago only a few hours after he had been sentenced to the penitentiary to serve thirty years fo the alleged killing of A.D. Cheatwood; the warrants having been issued at the instance of County Solicitor J.C. Nichols, according to a report from the sheriff. Having been given a tip that Rakestraw was hiding at the hom eof Leal Owen, Sheriff H.A. Jackson, Benton L. Adams, Freeman Groover, Chief of Police Ike Wheeler and Lee Haywood went to the home of Owen early Thursday morning of last week. When the officers rushed into the house, after Mr. Adams had knocked in a door, Rakestraw made his escape through a window, the erstwhile prisoner leaving the house in his bare feet into the nearby woods, minus his hat it is said. The Section 6860, Code 1907, under which warrants for the arrest of Owens, says "that any person who knowingly conceals, harbors or in any way aids or assists any escaped convict, whether such escaped convict be under sentence to the penitentiary or to hard labor, must, on conviction be imprisoned in the penitentiary for not less than one or more than five years." Rakestraw was convicted in the circuit court at Heflin lat year and sentenced to the penitentiary for a term of thirty years by Judge A.P. Agee, his escape being made the following night by sawing through the bars and leaving the jail. _____ E.P. Dodson, publisher of The News, is visiting his brother M.N. Dodson at Troy. __ Mr. G.P. Hughie has our thanks for his newspaper renewal and that of his daughter, Mrs. C.S. Striplin of Hico, Texas. ___ Rev. B.A. Cheatwood of Fruithurst was in Heflin on Monday enroute home from Choccolocco where he visited his mother who is quite sick. Grandma Cheatwood is in her 89th year. __ Mrs. J.C. Williams of Temple, GA was recently the guest of her parents Mr. and Mrs. J.A. Henry. __ NEWSPAPER issue of Thursday, May 10, 1923 CANE CREEK News Mrs. Fannie Hale and Edna Warren spent Sunday with Mrs. Harvey Liner. __ Mrs. W.E. Edwards and Mrs. J.A. Norton spent Monday with Mrs. Pearl Kennedy at Edwardsville. __ LOCAL News John W. Brannon, a nephew of Mr. J.G. Jones of Helfin, young switchman in the local yards of the Southern Railway at Anniston, lost both of his legs below the knee when he fell from the running board of the switch engine, the injured limbs being amputated at a local hospital a short time after the accident occurred. The young man had been engaged only a few days as a railroad man. Mr. Brannon was formerly a citizen of Iron City. ____ EDWARDSVILLE News Mrs. Perrie L. Martin is visiting her parents at Wadley. __ Ralph Burgess is visiting relatives in Tennessee. __ Mr. and Mrs. T.W. Turnsdale of Atlanta are visiting her parents Mr. and Mrs. Elbert Burgess. __ MUSCADINE News Mr. and Mrs. T.J. Ward visited the latter's parents Mr. and Mrs. J.T. Chandler on Saturday. __ VICTORY News Mr. and Mrs. J.A. Champion and children left Sunday morning to visit Mr. and Mrs. W.J. Davis in Gadsden. __ LOCAL News Mrs. Sam Polytinsky and little son Charles are visiting Mr. and Mrs. M. Rutenberg. __ Roy Lott of Monroe, GA spent the weekend in Heflin. __ Mrs. L.A. Jackson of Carrollton, GA was the weekend guest of Mr. and Mrs. J.B. Robertson. She is Mr. Robertson's sister. ___ The case of Bob Ferguson, charged with killing Chalmers McAlpin near Long's store in the northeast part of Cleburne last year, was continued in federal court at Anniston this week. McAlpin was shot in the back and instantly killed while running from a raiding party, it is said. ___ HANSON SCHOOL Community News Mrs. F.A. Bell spent Sunday with her son and daughter, Tomie Mitchell. __ Mrs. Joel Beam and Mrs. J.M. Beam spent Saturday and Sunday with their father Mr. Key in LaGrange, GA. __ Mrs. R.J. Rooker and children spent Tuesday in Carrollton, GA with her father and mother Mr. and Mrs. W.J. Phillips. __ Mr. Hawkins while leading a mule behind his buggy on last Thursday in some manner had his hand entangled in the rope and suffered the loss of two fingers. __ NEWSPAPER issue of Thursday, May 17, 1923 Ai News Mr. and Mrs. L.F. Weathers and children of Boaz are visiting relatives here. __ BELL MILLS News Several from here attended the funeral of Sylvester Hall at Hurricane on Sunday. __ Mack Bell, who has been attending school at Boaz spent the latter part of last week with his brothers Roy and Reginold Bell. __ LOCAL News SYLVESTER HALL, WORLD WAR VETERAN, BURIED LAST SUNDAY News of the death last Wednesday of John Sylvester Hall was received in Heflin on Thursday. His death occurred at the U.S. Hospital at Oteen, N.C. where he had been an inmate for the past several months. Sylvester served overseas with the Eighty-First Division and was on the front at the signing of the Armistice. He contracted that dreaded disease tuberculosis while in the service of his country and was admitted to the government hospital for treatment. He was well known in Cleburne County and had hundreds of warm and personal friends who will be saddened to learn of his untimely death. He was cut down in the prime of his manhood. Sylvester came through the war without a visible wound but upon his lungs was a deadly germ which eventually claimed it's victim. The funeral and burial occurred Sunday at Hurricane Church, Rev. G.B. Boman conducting the services in the presence of a large number of friends and neighbors. The News extends sympathy to the bereaved relatives. ____ IN MEMORY OF JAMES TOLBERT WIGLEY James Tolbert Wigley of Marshall County, Alabama died March 26, 1923 after an illness of only a few days, his death coming as a great shock to his relatives and friends. He was 55 years old at the time of his death, and was at one time a resident of this county, residing a few miles south of Edwardsville. In early boyhood he united with the Baptist church at Ai, leading a consistent christian life; he loved the church devotedly, and I do not think he had an enemy, and was loved by all who knew him. Mr. Wigley was married to Unnie Miller of Marshall County in September 1900 and is survived by his widow and seven children; and three brothers, J.A. Wigley of Summitt, Ala.; A.L. Wigley of Boaz, Ala.; J.W. Wigley of Hattiesburg, Miss.; two sisters, Mrs. G.W McMahan of Hopewell, and Mrs. C.G. Howle, Heflin, Ala. The funeral and interment were held at the Baptist church at Friendship in Marshall County in the presence of hundreds of sorrowing friends. He was honest in his dealings as a business man; kind and affectionate as a husband and father; obliging as a neighbor; loyal to his church and sincere in his devotion to god. His life was a clear demonstration of piety, and he served his master well. "Asleep in jesus, blessed sleep, from which one ever wakes to weep; a calm and undisturbed repose, unbroken by the last of foes. " ____ MARS HILL News H.H. Crain, who has been confined in a hospital at Carrollton for 4 or 5 months, has returned home, but has not fully recovered and cannot be up. __ LOCAL News Mr. and Mrs. Houston Morris spent Sunday with the latter's parents, Rev. and Mrs. G.B. Boman. __ W.M Harris is making some improvements on the White Star Cafe by adding more room. __ E.H. Smith who has been visiting relatives in south Cleburne returned to his home at Haleyville. __ Grady Todd of Camp McClellan spent the weekend in Heflin with homefolks. __ News has just been received here of the marriage recently of J. Dewey Boyd of Chulafinnee and Miss Mamie Garrett of Calhoun county. The wedding occurred at Crystal River, Fla. ___ NEWSPAPER Issue of Thursday, May 24, 1923 NEW HOPE News Mrs. Emma Groover visited her mother Mrs. Sisie Beck on Thursday. __ Mrs. Bulah Skinner visited Mrs. Emma McLendon on Saturday. __ Mrs. S.M. Fallin is visiting her daughter Mrs. N.G. Benefield. __ Mr. and Mrs. Charlie and Uncle Dan Boyles visited Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Benefield on Sunday. __ Tom Gable visited Raymond Skinner on Sunday. __ There are many people in Cleburne county who remember Mr. Jasper Tumlin who grew up on a farm near Bell Mills on the Tallapoosa River. Several years ago, Jasper moved to Atlanta and went to work at Fire Station No. 2, near the State Capitol. By strict obedience to his every duty and obligation due the city of Atlanta, Jasper has been promoted to the position of Lieutenant of the department, a position that carries quite a responsibility. Mr. Tumlin's hundreds of friends here in Cleburne will be delighted to learn of his success and wish for his continued good luck. ___ MR. W.J. THRASH CALLED TO REWARD Mr. W.J. Thrash, one of the county's best known and beloved citizens, residing in south Cleburne, died at his home there last Sunday morning at nine o'clock after an illness of several weeks, and was laid to rest in the cemetery at Hepsabah on Monday. Mr. Thrash is survived by his widow and four sons, W.B., Oscar and Temon Thrash of this county and Willis Thrash of Tampa, Fla., besides a large circle of friends. Mr. Thrash was about 72 years old at the time of his death. The News extends sympathy to the bereaved family. ___ LOCAL News Mrs. Tom Prestridge and baby have returned from a visit to her parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.T. Crockett, at Carrollton. ___ Duke Pierce and sister Clyde of Collingsville are the guest of their grandparnents Dr. and Mrs. J.D. Duke. ___ News was received in Heflin on Tuesday of the death Mrs. Dansforth of Birmingham. The deceased was a sister of Mrs. W.M. Harris of Heflin. The remains were brought here Tuesday night and carried to the home of her sister where funeral services were held on Wednesday. She was buried in the Heflin Cemetery. We extend sympathy to the bereaved ones. ___ NEWSPAPER issue of Thursday, May 31, 1923 NEWELL News Mr. and Mrs. Gussie Myhand of Roanoke and Mr. and Mrs. Ausey Grant of Wedowee attended the decoration at Pine Hill on Sunday. __ Sylvan Traylor visited home folks here Wednesday night. __ Mrs. Martha J. Johnson from Anniston is visiting near here at present. __ Mr. and Mrs. C. Stewart of Anniston are visiting their parents Mr. and Mrs. William Stewart near here. __ A recent marriage of interest to the people of Cleburne County was that of Mr. Eulan Morris and Miss Mollie Striplin, both of the Chulafinnee section of the county. __ Ai News Grace, Fred and Hugh Pesnell spent Saturday night with Mr. and Mrs. R.A. York. __ W.W. Lambert and family visited at Tallapoosa on Friday. __ CHOSEA SPRINGS News Mr. and Mrs. T.J. Vaughan spent the weekend with Mr. and Mrs. John Wells and family. __ Mr. and Mrs. J.J. Owens spent Sunday with their daughter Mrs. Bob Ponder at White Plains. __ GOOD WOMAN PASSES AWAY On May 22, 1923, there passed from earth the beautiful spirit of Mrs. Alice A. Dansforth, at the age of 62 years, 7 months and 17 days. Sister Danforth was born and reared in Heflin and was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. W.F. Stephenson who were well and favorably known here. She was the sister also of Mrs.W. M. Harris of this city. Sister Dansforth was twice married; first to Rev. Marion Campbell and second to a Mr. Dansforth of Birmingham. She was the mother of six children, four by her first marriage and two by her first marriage. She had been a member of the church for more than a half a century, having joined the church when only ten years of age. At the time of her death she was a member of the First Methodist church in Birmingham. Dr. George Stuart was her pastor. She lived a good life and has gone to her reward in the better world. Her life and influence will be felt by her husband and children and loved ones for all time and will be a stimulus for them to live right so that they may meet her again in the land where the inhabitants never say "I am sick" and where they never die. May the Lord's richest blessings rest upon all the loved ones till they meet her again. G.B. Boman. ____ The following are those from out of town who attended the funeral and burial of Mrs. Dansforth last Wednesday: Mr. and Mrs. W.P. Harris and Mrs. L.B. Sparks of Bessemer Mr. and Mrs. C.C. Harris of Anniston Messrs. Morrow Lokey, Wilson and Jewell Archer and Misses Weaver, Morris and Smith of Birmingham Mrs. Ed Goings of Cleveland, Ohio Miss Myrtle Dansforth Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Dansforth Mr. Fred Campbell Mr. and Mrs. Ross Campbell A.C. Stephenson and daughter Miss Elizabeth Stephenson Mr. and Mrs. Frank Campbell Rev. E.R. Stephenson ____ CARD OF THANKS We wish to thank our friends in Heflin for the many expressions of sympathy for the flowers furnished at the funeral of our devoted sister, Mrs. A.A. Dansforth. We pray god's richest blessings may be with every one of you, is our sincere prayer. Mrs. W.M. Harris and family; E.R. Stephenson and family; A.C. Stephenson and family. ____ LOCAL News Co. and Mrs. R.E. Jones are spending the week in New York. They will visit Niagara Falls before returning home. __ "Uncle" Ben Smith of Route 2 was a visitor in this office last Friday. __ Austin Stricklen of Villa Rica spent the weekend with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Simon Stricklen. __ Mr. and Mrs. Comer Deese of Gadsden spent the first of the week with the latter's mother, Mrs. Della Levens. __ Luke Gentry of near Muscadine was here the latter part of the week. __ Bob Junior was here from Muscadine on Wednesday and reports a considerable amount of damage to crops and land on Monday by a large downpour of rain. ___ File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/cleburne/newspapers/gnw301newspape.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/alfiles/ File size: 16.7 Kb