Cleburne County AlArchives News.....Newspaper abstracts for MAY, JUNE, JULY 1944 1944 ************************************************ 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: C Teal Gravelle tealtree@comcast.net July 8, 2007, 11:55 pm The Cleburne News 1944 NEWSPAPER ABSTRACTS FROM "THE CLEBURNE NEWS", Heflin, Cleburne County, Alabama for MAY 1944 & JUNE 1944 & JULY 1944 NEWSPAPER Issue of Thursday, MAY 18, 1944 CARD OF THANKS We wish to thank our many friends and neighbors for their kindness and words of sympathy during our hours of sadness of the recent news of our son Pvt. Roy J. Norton; also for the beautiful flowers received that helped so much to comfort our broken hearts. We pray God's richest blessings on each of you. Mr. and Mrs. H.G. Norton and family. ------- NEWSPAPER Issue of Thursday, MAY 25, 1944 DISCHARGED FROM NAVY James Holley and Charles Dawson have been given medical discharges from the Navy. ------ NEWSPAPER Issue of JUNE 1, 1944 FATALITIES OCCUR WHEN CARS COLLIDE HEAD-ON EAST OF HEFLIN ON SATURDAY A head-on collision on th Atlanta Highway, five miles east of Heflin, late Saturday night, claimed the lives of three persons and sent several others to an Anniston hospital for treatment. DEAD AND INJURED Killed in the wreck were: Miss Lois Myers, 19, of 1404 Quintard Ave., Anniston Mrs. Kirk Padgett, 46, of Heflin Mrs. Vera Elizabeth Davis, 36, of 2117 McKleroy Ave., Anniston INJURED Kirk Padgett, Heflin, shock, condition fair Ralph Padgett, Heflin, probably brain injury and lacerations, condition serious Douglas Padgett, 8, lacerations, already dismissed from Anniston hospital E.J. Roberts, 20, of 737 Kaplan Ave., Anniston, fractured nose, condition fair Carl Hollingsworth, Jacksonville, lacerations to head, jaw and knee, condition fair Melgrin Spell, Anniston, fractured legs and dislocated shoulder, condition serious Miss Mary Sue Johnson, 19, of Anniston fractured legs and shock, condition critical Investigating officers said that the Padgetts were in one car and that the other dead and injured were in a machine going in the opposite direction. Details of the accident have not been determined. --------- DR. F.O. STAPLES PASSES (note: next line refers to him as Dr. O.F. Staples) Dr. O.F. Staples, local dentist, passed away at his home about 3:45 Tuesday morning. His death was due to heart trouble, it is understood. ------ NEWSPAPER Issue of Thursday, JUNE 15, 1944 KILLED IN ACTION Pvt. Roy J. Norton, son of Hamp G. and Berd Whiten Norton of Rt. 2, Heflin, Ala., was reported killed in action in the North Arican area on April 20, 1944. The troop transport ship he was on was sunk by enemy action. Pvt. Norton attended school at Cleburne county High school in Heflin. He was inducted into the Army on June 12, 1943 and received his basic training at Keesler Field, Miss. Then he received further training at Camp Lee, Va. and Camp Geneva, Neb. He was with the 831st Bombing Group which sailed from the east coast April 2, 1944. At the time of his death, Pvt. Norton was 20 years, 2 months and 12 days old. -------- IN MEMORY OF GLYNN JONES Just recently, the Purple Heart was awarded to Glynn Jones for having been wounded in action, which caused his death. The Purple Heart was sent to his mother, Mrs. Austin Jones, here in Heflin. It is a beautiful thing and I know his mother will always treasure it. When I look at his Purple Heart as beautiful as it is, I do not see the emblem itself, but Glynn discharging his duty to his country. In the discharge of that duty, he gave his life, which is all anyone can give. I see him out there away from home, friends and loved ones, with no one near to comfort him in his last moments. Who knows what it would have meant to just have had his mother to hold his hand in that dark hour. Many mother's sons have already paid the supreme sacrifice and many others out there are battling against great odds, heartsick, lonely but unflenching, ready to go on to the ends of the earth as the orders come, to carry the challenge to the enemy's door. When we think of these boys, like Glynn, who we have known and loved, and who we know we will never see again, we wonder if we are doing everything we can to being this terrible war to an end. Then we think of the heartaches of Mr. and Mrs. Jones and others, whose sons have gone out never to return, we should feel the challenge to do everything possible to bring this destructive war to an early end. A friend. ---------- NEWSPAPER Issue of Thursday, JUNE 29, 1944 HEFLIN WAR VETERAN NOW IN HOSPITAL Thomasville, Ga., June 26 Pfc. James W. Bonner, son of Mr. John Bonner of Heflin, Ala., is now receiving treatment for illness at Finney General Hospital Army medical establishment here, following his return from overseas operations in the South Pacific. Private Bonner formerly attended Heflin High school and was graduated in 1924. After entering the service in June 1942, he went into training at Camp Wheeler, Ga. and went overseas in April 1943. He served with the Ordnance Department in the combat zone around New Caledonia, the Fiji and New Hebrides Islands. Private Bonner has received the Good Conduct medal and the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre of Operations ribbon. Before entering the Army, Private Bonner was employed with the Model City Lumber Company in Anniston, Ala. --------- OAK LEVEL News Calvin Burchfield, Sp2c, who was on duty on the Black Island when it was lost in May, is home on a 30 day leave with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. C.W. Burchfield. He escaped without injury. ----- OUR BOYS IN THE SERVICE Marion Johnson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Eston F. Johnson of Heflin, is now receiving Merchant Marine training at the U.S. Maritime Service training center in St. Petersburg, Fla. Johnson was a student at Heflin High school before entering the Maritime Service. Johnson is now in his preliminary period training; during this time he will be given general courses in first aid, firefighting, lifesaving, general seamanship, physical development, etc. Upon completion of his basic training, Johnson hopes to enter the Stewards Department where he will receive specialized training in cooking, baking, butchering, pantryman and waiter training, and all practical courses that will prepare him for ratings either as Cook or Baker, or a Messman on board one of the new ships of our Victory Fleet. ------- The Army Good Conduct Medal was presented to T5 Willie J. Wise of Graham, Ala. in a ceremony held at the Eighth Fighter Station "somewhere in England." The award was made by Lt. Col. Philip E. Tukey Jr., of Cape Elizabeth, Maine, Commander. The Good Conduct Medal is awarded for the completion of one year active military service during a state of war to enlisted men who have demonstrated "fidelity and performance of duty, the capacity to produce the desired results, and whose behavior has been such as to deserve emulation." -------- Sgt. Frank N. Turner, son of Mr. and Mrs. Alf Turner of Heflin, arrived from the Alleutian Islands on Sunday for a three week leave, after 2 1/2 years of service in Alaska and the Pacific Islands. He will be stationed at Camp Leanard Mo. for 17 weeks training for Engineering Duty elsewhere when his special training is completed. ------- NEWSPAPER Issue of Thursday, JULY 6, 1944 TAX SALE By virtue of a decree rendered by the probate court at the April Term of said county, I will proceed to sell to the highest bidder for cash, before the courthouse door, in Heflin of said county, within the legal hours of sale on Friday the 30th day of June 1944, the following described real estate, for taxes and cost due thereon for the year 1943, to wit: Beat No. 15 Samantha Bondurant - - - SW 1/4 of NW 1/4, Section 24, Township 15, Range 11, 40 acres and NW 1/4 of SW 1/4, Section 24, Township 15, Range 11, 40 acres and Vin. Lots No. 2403, 2404 and 2405.; 30 acres, 1 house, NW 1/4 of SE 1/4, Section 24, Township 15, Range 11, 40 acres. Tax and cost is $9.36 -------- LOCAL News Eva McIntryre, who is in the WAVES, recently spent her leave with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. M.L. McIntyre. ----- Roy Harper who is in the Air Corps, is visiting in the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.A. Harper. ----- SHEETS - HENRY Miss Doris Sheets, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Sheets of Walnut Ridge, is the bride of Cpl. Russell Henry, who is the son of Mr. and Mrs. B.S. Henry of Heflin, Ala. The marriage was solemnized Thursday, June 1 in the home of Mr. and Mrs. E.P. Wilson of Walnut Ridge, with the Rev. Bradley officiating. The bride has been employed at the munition plant in Little Rock for the past nine months. Cpl. Henry is stationed with the Air Corps at Kelly Field, Texas and will return to Kelly Field at the end of his furlough. Mrs. Henry will return to her work for a short time and then join her husband in Texas. ------ NEWSPAPER Issue of Thursday, JULY 13, 1944 CHOCCOLOCCO AIRMAN MAKES 50th MISSION 2nd. Lt. Benjamin F. Caffey Jr., son of Dr. and Mrs. B.F. Caffey of Choccolocco, recently flew his 50th combat mission on a B-24 Liberator Heavy Bomber, according to a report received from an AAF station in Italy. Caffey's group has smashed key Nazi manufacturing and transportation centers from western France to the Balkans and is giving support to the Allied armies now battering the walls of Hitler's Europe. Lieut. Caffey has received an air medal among his decorations, according to the report. He became a cadet in the AAF in September 1941 and received his wings at Victorville, Calif. in June 1943. ------- IN MEMORY OF CHARLES EDWIN JONES Sixteen years was a short period in the life of Charles Edwin Jones, who was born July 21, 1928 and died June 2, 1944. Yet this life meant to much to his boyhood friends, his school mates, his community and especially to his family, Mr. and Mrs. Ewell Jones and children. Charles' confidence and assurance in eternity is something worth living for and something worh dying for. His hopes paint the way for his boyhood friends, his schoolmates, his community and his family. His long suffering, his smiles even to the end, should encourage others to fight the battle of life without a murmur. His courage should be a real example for others to fight on, even though the hour is dark. Charles' spirit will live on, it will live and shine in the good family of Ewell Jones. His spirit will beam in the lives of his pals and friends, his smiles, his hope, in fact, his whole life leaves an ideal that will never die. "There is no death; the stars go down, To rise upon some fairer shore, And bright in Heaven's jeweled crown, They shine forever more. There is no death; an angel form, walks o'er the earth with silent tread, He bears our best loved things away, and then we call them "dead". He leaves our hearts all desolate, He plucks our fairest, sweetest flowers, Transplanted into bliss, they now adorn immortal bowers." ------- CARD OF THANKS We wish there was some way that we could say in words that would express the deep appreciation we have for the hundreds of friends who were so kind and helpful during the sickness and death or our son, Charles, but language cannot express the gratitude we hold in our heart for every kindness, for every prayer, for every flower, for every encouraging word and for your abiding presence in this, the darkest hour of our life. But we can say and do want to say to everyone, "Thank you" and may God's richest blessings be upon you. Mr. and Mrs. Ewell Jones and family ------ NEWSPAPER Issue of Thursday, JULY 20, 1944 NEGRO HELD IN BOWDON SLAYING Carrollton, Ga. July 17 Wilie Joe Smith, a negro, was being held in jail here Monday in connection with the fatal shooting of W.J. Stallings, a Bowdon policeman. Mr. Stallings was shot, according to Bowdon Police Chief O.R. Smith, after arresting the negro on Sunday on a liquor charge. The policeman had taken the negro into custody and was walking to Bowdon with him, when the negro grabbed the officer's gun and fired. One bullet struck Mr. Stallings in the chin and two in the abdomen. Chief Smith said the negro fled after the shooting but gave himself up a few hours later. Funeral services for Mr. Stalling were held on Monday at Ranburne, Ala. He is survived by his wife, one son and six daughters. -------- CARD OF THANKS We take this method of showing our deep appreciation and thanks to our many friends for the great kindness and sympathys hown to us. It is of much comfort during these hours of heartbreaking sorrow and grief over the sad loss of our precious son and brother, St. Sgt. Davis H. Vaughan. We know our loss must surely be Heaven's gain. May God's tender love and protection be with each of you always. Mr. and Mrs. G.R. Vaughan and Family -------- OUR BOYS IN THE SERVICE Among those graduating from an intensive course of Signalman training at a recent service school at Great Lakes, Ill., was Clyde V. White, 30, husband of Mrs. Virginia White of Heflin, Ala. --------- Jessie B. Edwards, son of Mrs. Annie Edwards of Route 1, Holly Pond, Ala. has been promoted to Staff Sgt., it has been announced by his commanding officer. He has been in the Army since Aug. 14, 1940 and he is a Medical Technician. In civilian life he was a yard attendant. HIs wife is living in Bremen, Ga. He has been in the China, Burma and India theatre since May 16, 1942 serving with the India - China Wing of the Air Transport Command. This is the U.S. Army Forces unit which operates the famed United Nations Aerial Supply route to China over the Himalaya mountains and North Burma, flying giant transport planes on an around the clock basis. --------- Sergeant Ewell M. Riddle of Heflin, Ala., gunner on an EIght AAF B-17 Flying Fortress, in England, has been presented an Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal for "meritorious achievement" while participating in heavy bombing assults on vital Nazi targets in German and Occupied countries of Europe. The presentation was made by Col. Karl Truesdel of Washington, D.C. Group Commander. Sgt. Riddle is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ewell A. Riddle of Heflin. He entered service on Oct. 18, 1942, prior to which he was engaged in farming. ------- UNDERGOES OPERATION Mrs. Morgan C. Howle of Birmingham, underwent a major operation on Tuesday at a Birmingham hospital. Her condition is reported as fair by her sister, Mrs. Comer L. Giles, who was been visiting her. ------ NEWSPAPER Issue of Thursday, JULY 27, 1944 WILLIE ROBERT VISITING PARENTS Willie Earl Roberts, EM3c of the United States Navy, now stationed at Norfolk, Va. for the past seven months, is visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Grover Roberts and his sister Sara Louise Roberts, this week at their home in Fruithurst. He is expecting to say in Norfolk a few months and then ship out to sea for duty on one of our Victory Ships. ------- File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/cleburne/newspapers/newspape1460gnw.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/alfiles/ File size: 15.4 Kb