Cleburne County AlArchives News.....Newspaper abstracts for FEBRUARY 1919 February 1919 ************************************************ 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 26, 2005, 5:50 pm The Cleburne News February 1919 NEWSPAPER ABSTRACTS FROM "THE CLEBURNE NEWS", Heflin, Cleburne County, Alabama for FEBRUARY 1919 NEWSPAPER Issue of Thursday, February 6, 1919 W.W. FOWLER WRITES OF OLD RED HILLS The Cleburne News; I will pen you a few lines today and let my old friends in Cleburne county hear from me again. I will never forget the old red hills of Cleburne and the many experiences that I had in the service of Uncle Sam as Rural Letter Carrier. I must say that I miss the many friends that I learned to love who were patrons of this route and residents about the little village of Hightower. This is the place where I was born and reared, and very frequently, yes, almost every day, while I am sticking letters on a fast moving train between the cities of Atlanta and Columbus, I pause to reflect over these very pleasant boyhood days. I am proud that I am in the service for the reason that there is plenty of activity here and I am able to kindly straighten myself out and let her go to the limit. I have a fine run from Atlanta to Columbus, Georgia and I want to tell you there is plenty doing all the time. I worked as Rural Letter Carrier from the Hightower post office very near 8 years and I wish to say in this connection that Mr. Benj. F. Snow, who was my postmaster at that time, is a highly efficient fellow, and a man that is to be very greatly appreciated for a number of reasons. He and I always were in the very best of relationship, and I believe that we gave good service to the patrons of that office, so I tip my hat to Mr. Snow for his many courtesies. Well, everything is very quiet in the city since the war has ended; it seems almost marvelous because of the change. Just a few weeks ago everything was very active around the cantonment and Fort McPherson and the walk was all war- talk. Now everything has reversed and things are quiet, especially about the Fort, as it is one of the most important hospitals in the country today, caring for numbers of wounded and convalescent soldiers. It is indeed sad to see the boys going on crutches, boys who just a few months ago were strong, able bodied boys, but who are now maimed and crippled for life. When you talk to these fellows who have been on the front you wonder how it is that they escaped with their lives. Your friend, W.W. Fowler, Hapeville, Georgia ____ SYLVESTER HALL WRITES Just received several issues of The News which was like so many letters from home. Everything seems natural to sit on a jug with a piece of wood across it, this is my seat, and read all about the happenings in Cleburne. I noticed an account of Mrs. W.M. Blake's death, also Henry Blake's, Raymon Lovejoy's and Corp. Jim Reese, all of whom I knew. I also noticed Ed's letter and Chester Burgess' and how real they sounded. I've been on one front where there was trenches and Ed's letter reminded me of this. But Chester's letter reminded me of November 11th, on that day we were on the field in open war with the huns. Believe me this was some busy time. The Boche were well supplied with ammunition from the way they sent it over. And it was a welcomed order that came in about eleven o'clock which said "cease firing". We lost several killed and wounded, some of whom were from Alabama, too. You should be here. France is such a fine place and to use your imagination it is smoother than Alabama, the roads are fine. The peopole are very different from us and live "huddled" up in small villages. I've not seen a "farmhouse" out by itself since coming over. But mud! My goodness! It rains here most all of the time and the ground never dries. The French use big broad hoes and scape the mud from the streets and in this way them manage to travel with their wooden shoes. I was looking over the list of subscribers to the Fourth Liberty Loan and noticed my grandfather S.H. Watson was on the list. I'd like to see him and tell him of my hikes in France, some of which lasted for two weeks. He used to tell us of what he went through during the Civil War and believed it then and now. I have done without food, water and fire just as he used to tell about. With best wishes, Pvt. Sylvester Hall _______ LOCAL News The friends of Mrs. Ida ter Muelen, wife of H.A. ter Muelen of Chattanooga, Tennenssee, will be pained to learn of her death on account of influenza, culminating in double bronchial pneumonia. __ Mr. John W. Hunnicutt of Centreville was here this week visiting his mother. __ It was learned Thursday morning that Mr. Pierce Owens, who has been dangerously ill for some time was somewhat improved. It is also stated that Mrs. W.R. Hunnicutt, who has been quite sick was thought to be some better Thursday morning. __ ELDER CHANDLER SERIOUSLY ILL News has just been received in Heflin to the effect that Elder J.C. Chandler, pastor of the Primitive Baptist church at this place, was stricken with paralysis at his home near Anniston last Saturday morning. Mr. Chandler is well known and highly respected by all our people and his serious illness is deeply regretted by his many friends. Mr. Chandler is a member of the board of county commissioners of Calhoun county and is now serving his second term in that capacity. ___ Mr. and Mrs. B.S. Dorman of Anniston were the weekend guests of Mrs. J.R. Moore. __ NEWSPAPER Issue of Thursday, February 13, 1919 LETTER FROM FRANCE FROM DAVID NEAL BLAKE Neal Blake, who is in France, writes his mother Mrs. A.D. McEachern, the following interesting letter: Dear Mother, Just a few lines to let you know I am having the grandest time I have had since I left the states. Am on a furlough and down in the southern part of France. We will get to stay here seven more days. This sure is a beautiful place, it looks as if it has been a summer resort before the war. We get all our expenses paid and mother, believe me, we sure have a fine hotel here where I am, and more good things to eat than I have ever seen since I have been in the Army. I see now why the boys back in the S.O.S. write home about France being such a grand place. There are a good many soldiers here that have been back in the S.O.S. during the war and they sure gaze at us boys that have come on a furlough for we have not a nice dress uniform and shoes. But mother, I am glad I can say I have done my part at the fr ont if I have had a hard time of it, and most of all I am proud to say I was with the fighting 32nd Division through the war. We had a nice time on our trip down here, was on the road two days and three night. We came through a lot of nice towns on our way down here and we came through the foot hills of the Alps mountains and we could look out on the top of the high peaks and see the snow on top of them and more pretty valleys that looked to be five or six hundred feet below the trestles. The Y.M.C.A. sure is a help back here. They have anything we want to eat and they have a movie, dance or vaudville every night. Mother, I am in hopes of getting back to the States in four or five months. I have been writing about the French girls being so ugly, well, I have changed my mind, for there are sure some good looking ones here, but in fact, I have not seen many girls until we started on this trip. I will sure be glad when I get to stick my feet under my dear mother's table and eat a good meal. I have received several copies of The Cleburne News here of late and I sure do enjoy reading the letters from the boys who wrote from the front. Your loving son, David N. Blake ______ A letter from E.P. Dodson who is stationed at Champlitte, France, dated January 19th, says since the scrapping is over he is not enjoying himself and wants to come home. Ed says Striplin, Shockley, Lovejoy and Lumpkin are all in the town where he is at and that he sees them every day. Laminack and Fields, who have been reported as having been wounded, have been sent back to the States, as have also Lovejoy and Hilton who have also been wounded. _____ ELDER J.C. CHANDLER DIED LAST SUNDAY Elder J.C. Chandler of Anniston, pastor of the Primitive Baptist church at Heflin, mention of whose illness was made in The News last week, died Sunday at his home after an attack of paralysis. Elder Chandler was stricken on Saturday morning, February 1st, the end coming little more than a week later. The interment was at Mt. Moriah, near his home. Elder Chandler was one of his church's leading ministers and he will be sadly missed not only by his own church people, but hundreds of others who held him in high esteesm. Elder Chandler had served the church here since its organization. _____ LOCAL News Mr. J.T. Beason has moved from Heflin to Fyffe, Ala and has accepted a position with Wright Drug Co. __ Mr. and Mrs. J.R. Walker and children have been visiting relatives in south Georgia for the past week. __ Mrs. C.E. Groover is visiting relatives this week in Franklin, Georgia. __ Lieut. William Owens who was called to Heflin on account of the serious illness of his brother Mr. Pierce Owens, has returned to Camp Pike in Little Rock. Pierce's condition has improved and his friends hope to see him out soon. __ Col. J.B. Stephens who has been confined to his bed is reported somewhat improved. __ Mr. W.G. Milligan of Anniston was here on Tuesday shaking hands with old friends. __ Clellan Wager who is at Coblenz, Germany, cables his father Mr. J.J. Wager that he was well and feeling fine. __ NEWSPAPER Issue of Thursday, February 20, 1919 LUTHER VAUGHAN WRITES FROM FRANCE Luther Vaughan, writing to his mother, Mrs. Wesley Vaughan, among other things, says: Dear Mother, I am fat and fine and hope you are all well. I do not understand why you have quit writing to me. The last letter I had from home was dated September 26th and I can't tell you why unless you are waiting for me to write. The people in the States seem to think the soldier boys in France have nothing to do but go sight-seeing but they are badly mistaken. I would like to have seen some of them over here, for they would have changed very soon when they saw a few of the shells come over and cut down big trees and knock houses. Say, mother, it is a big sport to talk about after it is over, but it wasn't a bit funny at the time it was going on. The day the armistice was signed I was in Verdun, I guess you have read lots about Verdun. Say, mother, I will tell you about a few things that has happened. We were marching along the road the 4th of November and saw a pile of dead Germans and the boy next to me said "that is awful". Well, mother, I went five months without taking off my pants to sleep so you can judge by that I am not on a sight seeing trip. A straw pile is a frenchman's barn is "home, sweet home" to me. Well mother, it is getting cold and must close. Will tell you more when I get back to the good old U.S.A. Your son, Pvt. Luther Vaughan _____ LOCAL News "Uncle" Jim Hilton, one of the county's oldest and best known citizens, died at the home of his daughter Mrs. Dora Hudson, on the 13th at the age of 81 years. The interment was at Cedar Creek the 14th with Masonic honors. On the 4th Sunday in August, Rev. G.B. Boman will preach "Uncle" Jim's funeral at Cedar Creek. ___ NEWSPAPER Issue of Thursday, February 27, 1919 LETTER FROM WILLIAM G. STRIPLIN FROM FRANCE Dear Father and Mother, Received two letters from you all and one from Uncle Bill's folks last night so will answer yours tonight. Was glad to hear all were well and enjoying good health. Well, this leaves Gus and I both well and still together and all the other boys from Cleburne that I know except Fields and Laminack, they both were wounded so I suppose they have gone back to the States, but I'd rather wait a little longer and go back without a scratch. I dread the trip back across the water for I fear it will be rough and stormy but I am good and ready to risk it, for I stood the sea sick coming over, but believe me, I sure was sick. We had a good ship and came all the way by ourselves except the last two days and several sub chasers met us, but we had good luck, did not meet up with but one sub. We came across so quick they couldn't keep up with us. We were sailing just six days but were on the boat 8 days. I would like to ride the same boat back for it made some 29 to 30 knots an hour. The crew said it would make it across in 4 days in time of peace. It was the Montanna and believe me it was a big boy. There were about 6 or 7 thousand besides the crew and was 1200 of them. Ed got the Cleburne paper today and we say where Irvin Ayers was killed in the Argonne. So sorry to read of it. The last time I saw him was on the boat when we crossed. Well, now will tell you about our dinner we had today; turkey, chicken, dressing, mashed potatoes, cake, oranges and a "big cigar". It was the best meal I have had since I left the states. I had about decided there wasn't anything except beans here to eat. We do n't get this very often, understand. Will stop for this time. Could tell you about the people and their funny way of doing things but will wait and tell you when I get home so I can enjoy the laugh with you. Hoping to be home soon, Your son, Pvt. William G. Striplin _____ IN MEMORY OF MRS. HATTIE BRADBARY Hattie was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.P. Anderson. She ws born July 11, 1893 and lived to bless her home and parents untl she was 18, at which age she was married to E.L. Bradbary, Nov. 19, 1911. She joined the Missionary Baptist church at Union Hill at the age of 17 and lived the life of a consistent member to the time of her death, Dec. 9, 1918. To know her was to love her; her friends were numbered by her acquaintances. Beside the husband she leaves three little boys, father, mother, one sister, two brothers and a large circle of friends and relatives to mourn her death. She was a devoted wife, affectionate and loving mother, a generous neighbor and she will be sadly missed in the home and community. We cannot understand why she was called from among us but it was god's decree and we must bow in humble submission to his will. Let us strive to meet her on the banks of sweet deliverance and remember her not as being dead, but only sleeping, and that her sufferings are no more, but peaceful sleep. Rev. D.W. Knight conducted the funeral services. ___ LETTER FROM WILLIAM B. GREER, FROM GERMANY Vallendor, Germany, Jan. 27, 1919 Dear Mother, Your letter received today and was glad to hear from you. It has been some time since I heard from home. The mail got all balled up while I was in the hospital but I am back with my company now and enjoying the best of health. I weigh 185 pounds and think I will reach 200 if this dutch beer holds out. I am on the river Rhine drilling and doing guard duty. It is a very nice country here but it is awful hilly. We drill on top of a high hill where we can look out over the old Rhine at any time. Our barracks are right on the banks of the river. It is snowing today but I don't think much will fall. I was in the hospital on xmas, had turkey stew for dinner; the soldiers called it "slum". It was not like being home and eating cake and other good things but I am coming home some day, I hope. I have almost a year in the Army yet. Tell papa and Albert hello and that I will see them one day. Is Albert going to school and who is his teacher? Tell him to go to school and learn all he can for he will need it when is ir 4 or 5 thousand miles from home. Send me Custer's address the next time you write. I will close for this time. Hoping to hear from home soon. From your son, Wm.B Greer, Co. M. 23rd Inft., 2nd Div. ____ LOCAL News Mr. V.G. Howle, Mrs. J.M. Garlington and Mr.s and Mrs. J.V. Adams attended the funeral of their mother and grandmother Mrs. Howle, here last Saturday. ___ Mr. Mitchell Blake attended the funeral of his Aunt, Mrs. Howle, here on Saturday. __ CARD OF THANKS We wish to thank our friends for their kindnesses shown us during our bereavement in the death of our dear mother. May god bless you. V.G. Howle, Mrs. H.A. Landers ____ Mr. Spurgon Almon of Anniston spent Tuesday here with his mother Mrs. W.U. Almon. __ NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE Notice is hereby given that under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain mortgage executed by D.J. Smith and M.V. Smith to Sarah E. Benefield on the 31st day of August, 1912, and transferred by the said Sarah E. Benefield to the undersigned on the 17th day of January 1919, I will offer for sale at the court house door, in Heflin, Cleburne county, Alabama within the legal hours of sale, between the hours of 11 o'clock and 4 o'clock p.m. on Monday the 3rd day of March 1919, to the highest and best bidder, for cash, to satisfy said mortgage, the following described real estate, to wit: The east half of the southwest fourth of section 22, Township 16, range 12 in Cleburne County, Alabama. This the 31st day of January 1919. D.H. Smith, Transferee of Mortgage ______ File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/cleburne/newspapers/newspape437gnw.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/alfiles/ File size: 17.8 Kb