Cleburne County AlArchives News.....Newspaper abstracts for JANUARY 1918 January 1918 ************************************************ 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 April 23, 2005, 1:01 am The Cleburne News January 1918 NEWSPAPER ABSTRACTS FROM "THE CLEBURNE NEWS", Heflin, Cleburne County, Alabama for JANUARY 1918 NEWSPAPER Issue of Thursday, January 3, 1918 FRUITHURST News Mrs. Mary Grant is spending the holidays at the home of J.W. Wylie in Okolona, Mississippi. __ Miss Celese Reese is spending a vacation at home. She has a position with the Western Union Telegraph company in Atlanta. __ Loy Dunlap spent Christmas with homefolks. He is living in Atlanta now. __ John Baird of Nevada is here on a visit with his sister, Mrs. Anna Grant. __ IN MEMORY OF ARTHUR BELL Dear brother lives in this world with us no longer; he has gone to the mansion in the sky, no more to suffer, no more to die. Our hearts are sad and full of pain but if we'll only trust in the lord, we will meet again. Arthur was born in Cleburne County on March 4, 1886 and died December 11, 1917 at Sellers hospital in Anniston. He was operated on for appendicitis but could not withstand the shock. He desired to live that he might return home and see his dear mother and sisters but it was not the lord's will and when he reached his dear old home that he loved so well in life, he was cold in death's embrace. Arthur was so good and kind it seems like it is more than we can bear to give him up. He was always so ready and willing to do what was asked of him. While laying on his death bed he waved his hand and said "thank god, I have got a beautiful home to go to rest." Arthur is waiting now over on the other shore for us to come; he will be there at the golden gate for he has a home not made with hands and oh, how we long to meet him where there is no more sorrow, heartaches nor sad parting. Arthur was laid to rest in the Cool Springs Cemetery to await the resurrection morn. Sing on, dear brother, it will not be long until we shall meet you and clasp glad hands once more on that happy and eternal shore where sad parting comes no more. A loving sister, Rubie Bell. ____ CARD OF THANKS We wish to thank our many friends for their help and kindness during our dear son and brother's sickness and death. Words cannot express our appreciation to you. may god's richest blessings be upon each of you. F.A. Bell and family ____ CHESTER WADE DIES OF WOUNDS Chester Wade, son of Mr. Joe Wade, who was accidentally shot by Ewell Norton on Christmas Day, died of his wounds on Thursday night the 27th, never having regained consciousness or speech after the wound was inflicted. His body was buried on last Saturday afternoon at Ranburne where a number of his parents' people are buried. Chester was the only son of his parents, a bright young man of excellent qualities and had no immoral habits, and by his manliness he made many warm friends, who deeply deplore his untimely death. All who know Mr. Wade's family deeply sympathize with them in their irreparable loss. The News extends sympathy and condolence to the grief stricken family and laments the death of Chester, their only son. ____ LOCAL News Mrs. Martha Day of Selma is the guest of Mr. and Mrs. J.N. Day. __ Jim Thompson and daughter of Phil Campbell, who have been visiting relatives in this county, returned home the latter part of last week accompanied by Mrs. Alice Gaines. ____ Jim Rowell was here from Borden Springs on Tuesday. Jim is still suffering from injuries received last July when a house fell on him. __ At East Lake last Sunday quite a number of the Haley family enjoyed a family reunion. Those present to enjoy the turket dinner were Mr. and Mrs. C.H. Coggin and children; Mr. and Mrs. A.J. Haley; Messrs. Will and Duke Haley; J.H. Chaney and Mrs. W.H. Ector of West Point, Georgia. The day was greatly enjoyed by all. ____ NEWSPAPER issue of Thursday, January 10, 1918 REV. LINDSEY DIES SUDDENLY Rev. J.M. Lindsey, one of the oldest and most highly esteemed citizens of Cleburne, died at the home of a son at Hightower on Thursday of last week in his 83rd year. Death came to this good man suddenly while seated in a chair at the home of his son. Mr. Lindsey was known to hundreds in the county who will regret to learn of the death of this good man. Peace to his noble name. ___ BOY ACCIDENTALLY SHOOTS BROTHER Word was received in Heflin Monday of the accidental shooting of Leonard Vaughan, 13 years old, by Herman, an older brother, sons of Mr. Buck Vaughan, near Oak Level last Sunday morning. The report says that the boys were examining a pistol when in some manner it was accidentally discharged, the ball striking Leonard near the heart inflicting serious, if not fatal, wounds. It is reported that the boy was resting as easy as could be expected. The attending physician says the boy has a good chance to recover if no complications arise. __ MRS. NEWTON IS BURIED HERE Mrs. Theodocia Newton, wife of Mr. W.R. Newton, died at their home in Atlanta on Monday the 7th inst. Her body was brought to Heflin on Tuesday where she was laid to rest. Mr. and Mrs. Newton came to this county about fifteen years ago from Tennessee and they lived in this community until about one year ago when they moved to Atlanta. Mrs. Newton was a member of the M.E. Church, South, and was a gentle, pious christian. Those among whom she lived for several years esteemed her as a true friend and good neighbor. She leaves to mourn her departure, a disconsolate husband, an adopted daughter Mrs. Willis and her chldren, and a sister, Mrs. John W. Nelms of Atlanta and a large circle of friends who sympathize with the bereaved's loved ones. ___ LOCAL News Mr. John Howell of St. George, South Carolina is visiting his borther Mr. Ed Howell. __ SOLDIER BOY PENS SHORT LETTER (letter from Jessie Otwell) I don't guess you know where I am or what I am doing and will try and tell you, and if there is anything you want to know ask and I will tell you; if I don't know will try to find out. I am a soldier boy and will tell you of my new home. The streets run east and west and are about 30 feet wide. The barracks are 60 feet long and 20 feet wide and about 73 men are in each house, and everyone looks after his own bunk. There are about 125,000 men here. Wonder how's Christmas with you all down in Cleburne? Fine with me. I spent the day the same as I had been at home with father and mother, sure did enjoy myself. We may move from here just any time and I guess we will go to France, and from what is heard on this side we will be there in the spring, and I sure want to go. I am a soldier for Uncle Sam now and I want to keep our country out of war. Just anything I can do, I am willing to. Jessie Otwell, Co. F 17th Inft. Branch, Chattanooga, Tenn. ____ JUDGE T.A. JOHNSON DIES AT HUGO, OKLAHOMA; was prominent and highly respected Attorney and former Judge The entire town and entire community was shocked when a telegram was received in Heflin telling of the death of Judge T.A. Johnson at his home in Hugo, Oklahoma, last Friday at 12 o'clock. Mr. Johnson's family reside in Hugo, where he moved when they left Heflin after 12 years ago. After a stay of about 3 years in Oklahoma, becoming convinced that the climate was an injury to his health, the Judge returned to Heflin and resumed his practice of law, associating himself with Col. W.C. McMahan. Mr. Johnson left Heflin about six weeks ago to pay his family a visit as he had been in a habit of doing each year, and was apparently in the best of health when he left Heflin, and the news of his death was indeed a great shock to his hundreds of friends throughout Cleburne. Col. Johnson had practiced law in this county for twenty five or thirty years and was Judge of the County Court of Cleburne. The News, with hundreds of the Judge's friends in Cleburne extend to the bereaved family sincere sympathy in the death of husband and father. ____ NEWSPAPER Issue of Thursday, January 17, 1918 LOCAL News Mrs. R.A. Lott is quite sick, suffering from lagrippe. __ FRUITHURST News (submitted too late for last week's issue) Mrs. Jos. Robertson passed away Friday at noon and her body was taken to Lebanon on Saturday and laid to rest. She will be missed here, as hers was a genial, sunny disposition. She leaves a small daughter besides her husband. __ NEWSPAPER Issue of Thursday, January 24, 1918 FORMER CLEBURNE CITIZEN DEAD Just before going to press, Col. W.C.McMahan received a telegram telling of the death of his brother, John W. McMahan at Crossville. It is sad to hear of his death. Only a short time back he was here apparently enjoying good health. God receive his soul. ____ CAMP WHEELER BOY SAYS ARMY LIFE NOT BAD (letter from Marvin L. Lott) Camp Wheeler, Georgia Co. D 123rd Infantry January 20, 1918 Dear Editor, As I have been in the Army about three and a half months and my nerves have settled down, I decided to write a few lines to your paper. We boys have accustomed ourselves to army life and it is not so bad after all. It was hard on the boys when they first arrived, or they thought it was, but we soon got used to washing our dishes and helping to cook and do general housekeeping. We "fall out" every morning at 4:45. They don 't make us get up then but they make us wish we had, if we don't. All the boys have a week to work in the kitchen until it goes 'round. W.T. Crumpton served his week, ending today. He says that is the proper place, if you want plenty to eat. I have escaped working in the kitchen so far. All of us boys are wanting a pass home but all can't come at once. I don't think any will try to go without a pass as one of our boys tried that during christmas and is now in the guard house. We boys have to submit to discipline. It seems hard to some of the boys to have to get permission to go home, or wait until the other fellow is ready for you to go; but that is an army rule and must be enforced as well as all other rules. Our Regiment has just returned from the rifle range. We hiked it out there and not one of the boys "fell out" on the road but we got mighty hungry before we got our dinner, as we had it to cook after we got there, and it was about 2:30 before we "fed". Most of the boys in my Company D qualified on the target range. There was a storm while on the rifle range but no serious damage was done except some of the boys got their hats blown away while running to the trenches to get protection from the storm. After all this, the boys were very glad to get back to camp. I will write no more this time but if this gets by the trash pile, you will hear from me again. Yours truly, Marvin L. Lott, a soldier boy. ____ ADMINISTRATOR'S SALE Estate of Sarah C. Key, deceased Under and by virtue of an order made on the first day of January 1918, by the Probate Court of Cleburne County, Alabama, I, J.M. Beam as administrator of the estate of said decedent, will sell at public outcry for cash to the highest bidder, within the legal hours of sale at my residence in said county, on Saturday, the 9th day of February 1918, the following described personal property belonging to said estate, to wit: Two bed steads One set of bed springs Two trunks One Chest One Dining Table One Clock One Wash Pot One Zinc Tub One Set Dishes One Set Cooking Vessels Two Feather Beds Four Pillows Twenty Quilts This January 19, 1918. J.M. Beam, Administrator ________ IN MEMORY OF JUDGE T.A. JOHNSON (written by Richard B. Kelly) Birmingham, Ala, Jan 15, 1918 Judge Johnson was born in Cleburne county on July 6, 1856 and there he spent most of his long and useful life. He was admitted to the bar in 1880, and at once entered the law firm of Ellis, Baber and Johnson, composed of Col. G.C. Ellis with Judge S.P. Baber, a brother of the present able judge of probate. Later Judge Johnson served as Judge of the Cleburne County Law and Equity Court, a court with both law and equity jurisdiction concurrent with that of the Circuit and Chancery Courts. In that position he administered justice "without sale, denial or delay" to the entire satisfaction of litigants and their attorneys; he was always fair and impartial in his rulings and kind and considerate in every act. Later, he removed with his family to Hugo, Oklahoma to live and there he built up a good law practice and took high position among his fellow members of the bar there, who respected him for his integrity, his legal learning and experience. On account of his health he could not spend all of his time in Hugo and he therefore returned to Heflin where with W.C. McMahan and under the firm name of Johnson & McMahan they built up a fine law practice and enjoyed the confidence and esteem of the public. When he died he was on a visit among his home people in Hugo where he had gone to spend two or three months. He spent the day with me as he passed through Birmingham, enroute to Hugo. After dinner we walked to the depot together. I expect that I knew Judge Johnson as well as any living man knew him. I do not feel that I am violating any confidence when I say that I know that his greatest worry was the fact that he could not have good health and live in Hugo, in fact he said the physicians told him he would die if he lived there. He was as happy as a boy with the thought of being able to spend a few weeks with his own loved ones, little knowing that he was going home to die. He was taken sick on the train but recovered somewhat, but later after reaching Hugo, he gradually grew worse until the end came. There were many beautiful floral offerings, among them the Choctaw County Bar association sent a beautiful floral offering and members of the Bar Association were pall bearers. Judge Johnson was a man of unimpeachable integrity in all his dealings; a kind and affectionate husband and father; a true and loyal friend; a lawyer who loved his profession and reflected credit upon it. He was a faithful and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. He was held in high esteem by his friends, who will sincerely mourn his loss. A good man has gone to his final reward. _____ LETTER FROM PVT. E.P. DODSON Camp Gordon, Georgia January 19, 1918 Editor of The News, Guess our readers have been wondering why the "publisher" of The News has not written ere this. Well, there was no news to write from the "Depot Brigade", where I was attached up until last week when I was transferred to the Field Signal Battalion. Only two of we Cleburne county boys, myself and Henry Pirkle of Ranburne, were lucky enough to be assigned to the Signal Corps; but we happened to have telegraph experience an the Signal Corps was "crying" for men. Only two Southern men are in the Company in which I am located, and two Alabamians at that, myself and the "mess" sergeant. Raleigh Gibbs will tell you what "mess" means. The people back home would hardly recognize me now as I am so fat! Got a "window" like Roy Starr and am as ugly as Dr. Staples. I want Uncle Ben Owens, O. Staples and Eli Landers and the remainder of Cleburne's "young" boys to know that I passed all the physical examinations and still promise to shoulder a gun and go into the ranks and fight like hell to the end, or until sense is whipped into that war mad pirate, Kaiser Bill. Pvt. E.P. Dodson, Wire Co., 307th Field Sig. Bat., Camp Gordon, GA. ___ NEWSPAPER Issue of Thursday, January 31, 1918 FRUITHURST News Mrs. Kathleen Garrick is the first of our girls to wed a soldier boy, she being married January 22nd to Mr. Clif Lunsford of Ft. Oglethorpe, his former home being Brooks, Georgia. __ LOCAL News Mrs. Alice Gaines wh ohas been on an extended visit with the family of Mr. J.A. Thompson at Phil Campbell, returned home Tuesday night. __ Deputy Sheriff McWhorter returned from the northern part of Cleburne County on Tuesday where he arrested Jack Buttram on a warrant from Calhoun, charged with violating the prohibition law. He is said to have forfeited his bond over there. He again made bond. __ Writing back from his new home at Crossville, Tennessee, Mr. J.W. Laminack, formerly of Fruithurst, says, "I landed in Crossville, Tennessee January 15th and found the ground covered with snow and ice to the depth of about eight inches. Think I will like this country fine. The thermometer has been 14 below." ____ Mr. John Roberds died at his home near Oak Level on Tuesday after an illness of only four days, of pneumonia. Mr. Roberds was about 40 years old and leaves a large family and many friends to mourn his death. __ Uncle Sweet Snow is quite ill this week. __ Noell Nelson, twenty-five year old son of John Nelson, died at the home of his parents near Fruithurst, of pneumonia and was buried at Cane Creek on Tuesday. Young Nelson was said to have been one of the community's most popular young men and was held in high esteem by all who knew him. For three or four days the young man lay unconscious but a short time before the end came, he rallied and sang "Roll on, Roll on", one of his favorite songs in life. Millard McWhorter who conducted the song service at the funeral sang this the young man's favorite. Rev. J.W. Patty and other conducted the burial services. ___ HOMER MIMS CLAIMED BY DEATH Wednesday night at about half past nine, death entered the home of Mr. and Mrs. D.C.Mims and took from them their precious son Homer. Homer had been in declining health for a long time, and although the best medical skill had been employed, nothing could be done to restore him to his wanted good health. There were no more popular young men in Heflin than Homer, who was held in high esteem by both old and young. The funeral and burial services will take place at Red Oak, in Campbell County, Georgia, near the old home of his parents. The News, with their many friends, deeply sympathize with father, mother, brother and sister in the death of son and brother. ____ File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/cleburne/newspapers/newspape424gnw.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/alfiles/ File size: 18.6 Kb