Cleburne County AlArchives News.....Newspaper Abtracts for MAY 1926 May 1926 ************************************************ 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 May 13, 2005, 7:26 pm The Cleburne News May 1926 NEWSPAPER ABSTRACTS FROM "THE CLEBURNE NEWS", Heflin, Cleburne County, Alabama for MAY 1926 NEWSPAPER issue of Thursday, May 6, 1926 POISON KILLS YOUNG TEXAN News of the untimely death at Quitman, Texas of Lawson Brown, married son of B.C. (Claud) Brown, who moved from Muscadine to that state several years ago, was received here in a telegram to Arthur Harper last week. Following the receipt of the telegram, a letter was received giving the facts as to the young man's death, which seems to have been caused by poisoning. It seems that Mr. Brown with a negro farm hand had been engaged early in the morning of his death, dusting Irish potatoes with arsenic of lead, having inhaled the poison to such an extent that the unfortunate young man was soon thrown into violent convulsions, resulting in his death that afternoon, April 26th. The young man, a nephew of Mesdames A.D. Harper and J.R. Barker, was said to be a great church and sunday school worker and model citizen, being a great grandson of the late "Billy" Brown, pioneer Methodist minister. Besides his parents, the deceased is survived by his young wife, one child and many relatives who have the profound sympathy of a large circle of Cleburne people. ____ FRUITHURST News Mrs. Ida Smedley is very ill at this writing. __ Mr. and Mrs. Joe Blair visited the former's parents in Buchanan last week. __ "UNCLE GETE" FREEMAN ANSWERED CALL Uncle Gete Freeman, honored and dearly beloved minister, is dead, and the news of his passing will carry sorrow to the hearts of hundred the country over. As a Methodist minister of the M.E. church, he spent his young manhood in Alabama, a large portion of which ws spent in Cleburne and adjoining counties, fighting for the right and condemning the wrong to the "last ditch" until on the 29th of April at the ripe old age of 85 the summons came and he passed peacefully into the Great Beyond and eternal rest. For the last few years Uncle Gete lived in Texas until the death of his wife a few months ago, finally returning to Boaz only a short time back. A few days before the sad news of his death was received in Heflin, Mr. John Atkins received a letter from Uncle Gete telling of his return to Alabama. In the letter to his Heflin friend, among other things he said: " I write you a line to let you know that I am back on Alabama soil. I have been in bad health for four months and decided last week to come to Alabama to seek my health. If the lord lets me come back to health, I will spent the remnant of my life and what good I can do to help some one into a better life. I think I have more friends in Alabama and will cast my lot with them. If I get able to do anything to help my Alabama friends, I want to do so, I love them, they have been true to me, I have done my best to help them some." In concluding his letter the old soldier of the cross said, " I have already had homes opened to me to come in and be at home, and I shall be taken care of, that is good for a man without a home or family." Uncle Gete is the last of the old presiding elders who traversed the hills on horseback to reach their appointments. ____ IN MEMORY OF MRS. R.C. JOHNSON On March 5, 1926 our dear mother passed away at the age of 90 years and four months and was laid to rest in the Cane Creek cemetery by loving and tender hands of neighbors on the 6th. The funeral and burial services were conducted by Bros. Campbell and Price. Her husband preceded her to the grave 45 years ago. She leaves six children, four sons and two daughter to mourn her death, the children being: W.M., J.F., H.E. and J.E. Johnson Mrs. M.J. Banister Mrs. Nancy Owen She was a faithful and loyal member of the Missionary Baptist church, having joined more than 60 years ago. There are now living 37 grandchildren, 115 great grandchildrena nd 16 great great grandchildren. Do not weep, dear ones, tho a vacant place is left in the church and home that cannot be filled by anyone but mother, and we shall miss her gentle smile and sweet voice, yet we bow in humble submission to Divine Providence, hoping to be made better men and women by the example of her true and upright life. ____ DEATH TAKES CHARLIE BOYLES Funeral rites for Charlie T. Boyles, 56 years old, who died Wednesday night at his home at Hopewell, were conducted Friday afternoon at Antioch in the eastern part of the county, the following ministers taking part in church services: Revs. H.T. Hardin, pastor, H.J. Holliday of Ranburne and A.T. Warmack of Lebanon, all speaking in the highest terms of the life and christian character of the deceased. Charlie had been in failing health for several months and while is death was not unexpected, his going has caused many hearts to feel sad. His wife preceded him to the grave almost two years ago. The relatives surviving are: C.D. Boyles, father; the brothers, Homer and James Boyles of Birmingham; sisters, Mrs. J.P. Groover, Heflin; Mrs. Wilbur Sherrill, Bowdon, GA; Mrs. I.D. McLendon, Hopewell; Mrs. Arthur McGriff, Mrs. Albert McRea and Mrs. John Brooks of Birmingham. Following the church services, Knights of the Ku Klux Klan of Hopewell, assisted by members of that order from Bowdon, Tallapoosa and Heflin, took charge and deposited the body in the grave. ____ FUNERAL HELD FOR MCELROY The funeral services for Virgil McElroy, age 29, who died lat Thursday at his home in Trickem, were held Friday at Wise Chapel, conducted by Rev. Hardin. The deceased is survived by two little boys, 6 and 9 years old, the wife and mother having passed on several months ago. He is also survived by his mother Mrs. Willie McElroy and other relatives. ____ LOCAL News J.H. Johnson of Hopewell, who was painfully hurt about five weeks ago when a log fell from a dray, smashing his right foot, is able to be and up about without the aid of crutches. He was in Heflin Saturday with his sons, Lester and Orvel. __ Mr. and Mrs. Jim Weathers and two boys of Ai passed through Heflin on Saturday enroute to Gadsden to visit Mrs. Weather's parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Davis. ___ I.M. Woodard and two daughters Miss Essie and Geneva were here Friday to meet Loyd Woodard who came from Greensboro, N.C. to spend a few days at home. ___ Miss Minnie Brown of Jacksonville spent the weekend with her sister Mrs. Jas. T. Fields at Beason Mills. ___ FAMILY REUNION IS ENJOYED The family reunion at the home of Mr. and Mrs. H.M. Howle of Beason Mill on Sunday, April 25th was a day of genuine pleasure to those in attendance, at which the children gathered with the exception of Mr. and Mrs. Deroy Campbell and two sons Ralph and Mack on account of sickness in the family. Those present were: Mr. and Mrs. J.G. Daniel and son John of Newell Mr. and Mrs. H.E. Waldrop and son Billie of Birmingham Mr. and Mrs. Cleve Morrison and three children, Imagene, Hermon and Milton of Beason Mill Mr. and Mrs. Lee Moore of Anniston And the four children at home, Misses Emmie and Vessie and Grover and Herbert Howle In the forenoon the men folks motored to Heflin while the women entertained the children about the house and at noon we all marched into the large dining room where a 15 foot table, heavily laden with good eats had been prepared, met our gaze, and for half an hour was the busiest time of the day. The remainder of the day was spent in a social way, a picture of the grandchildren being made, then a group photograph taken of the entire gathering, then the sons-in-law were photographed, this ending one of the most pleasant occasions of the season. May Mr. and Mrs. Howle enjoy many other similar reunions. D.G.J. ___ LOCAL News Euell Norton and Miss Lelia Rakestraw of Edwardsville were happily married at the home of Judge A.H. Glasgow, that gentleman officiating. Best wishes are extended. __ NEWSPAPER issue of Thursday, May 13, 1926 FORMER RESIDENT DEAD Tallapoosa, Georgia, May 11th An empty bottle labeled "carbolic acid" lying within ten feet of his body Monday morning told the story of the manner of the death of D.E. Cheuvront, who moved from Heflin to Tallapoosa about two months ago, the body being found by a boy who immediately reported to officials the finding of the body. A note addressed to his wife in which he made the statement that his course was best, asking her to kiss their little girl goodbye for him, was found in his pocket. It was reported Monday that Mr. Cheuvront ate his breakfast at the usual time, went to the post office and later went home to place his cow in the pasture near where his body was found. The wrapping paper from which the bottle of acid had been taken was lying beside the body of the dead man when the first citizens reached the spot, the bottle being about ten feet away, according to the reports. Judge A.I. Head, to whom the matter was first reported, and Webb Baes, constable for this district were among the first officials to reach the scene. They found Mr. Cheuvront lying on his back, and he evidently died without a struggle. As soon as the finding of the body was erported to Mrs. Cheuvront she telephoned to Pierce Owens, Heflin Undertaker, to come for the body and he arrived her about 2 o'clock in the afternoon, the remains being removed to the home and prepared for burial. An inquest over the body was held in the afternoon by Coroner Slate and a verdict of self destruction was returned. Mrs. Cheuvront had made his home in Heflin for many years, leaving there about the middle of March to take up residence here. He had been engaged for many years in handling real estate and timber in Cleburne county and had recently contracted with several fire insurance companies to begin this line of business in Tallapoosa, and had engaged desk space in the office of the Tallapoosa Journal, but had not opened his campaign for new business. It is said that he had ben suffering physically during the past few months and ill health is believed to have been the chief cause leading up to his death. The Cheuvronts came to Heflin from Chadwick, Christian County, Missouri about six years ago and made many friends here who were deeply shocked at the news of Mr. Cheuvront's death. ___ CARD OF THANKS We desire to thank our many friends in Tallapoosa, Heflin and other places for the ready sympathy and help extended to us in our great sorrow, the death of our beloved husband and father, the late D.E. Cheuvront. These evidences of devoted friendship will always be cherished by us as coming straight from the hearts of sincere friends. Mrs. D.E. Cheuvront Miss Aileen Cheuvront ____ RECENT MARRIAGES The following couples were married in the county during the past few days: R.L. Kilgore and Miss Willie Mae Brown of Tallapoosa Emanuel Turner and Miss Gladys Price of Beat 8 B.F. Forrest and Miss Virginia Warren of Atlanta Hershel A. Sasson and Miss Elizabeth Link of Atlanta The following marriage licenses were issued in the office of the probate judge: Jim Brutt and Miss Lillie Mae Cape Horace Gorman and MIss Cora Lee Wheeler Johnny Parker and Maisie Edwards Herman English and Miss Ruth E. McLemore J.W. Kilgore and Miss Anne Addison Ed Davenport and Miss Alma Gunter D.J. Bennett and MIss Rosalee Burdett ____ PINHOOK News S.K. Badgett who has been seriously ill is no better at this writing. __ LOCAL News H.T. Lindley of DeLeon, Commanche County, Texas, is visiting his daughter Mrs. Thad Ayers in the southern part of Cleburne and will spend the summer with relatives in this and Randolph counties. Mr. Lindley moved to Texas about 40 years ago. ___ The Blake Graveyard will be cleaned off on Saturday, May 29th, preparatory to the decoration on Sunday the 20th. Everyone who has a relative or friend buried there is requested to be present both days. Special services on Sunday. ____ OLD HOME TIES To Editor of Cleburne News, Enclosed please find renewal for The Cleburne News. I can't afford to let my subscription expire as the paper is like getting a letter from the old home folks in Cleburne county where my boyhood days were spent and also the place of my birth, close to old Arbacoochee on a little hill nearby where the dust of my dear old father rests, whose hands toiled in other days, washing, panning and digging gold in the mines, and preaching the word of god to many of my old friends, you may remember Rev. Phillip Denson, and as decoration day draws nigh I think of his lonely grave where he sweetly sleeps, only marked by white marble head and footstones. The old house is gone, in fact, everything is gone except a few familiar old trees, and most all the dear ones have crossed the River of Death. Of a family of 12 only four remain, two boys and two girls who are in distant lands, and it is only a very short time til we, too, will have passed to await the resurrection. "Time, time, cruel time, that robs youth of it's bloom, That whitens our hair and furrows our cheeks, and hastens us to the grave." Yours truly, S.M. Denson, Arley, Alabama ____ IN MEMORY OF MISS MYRTLE PITTS On the night of April 11th, death came into the home of Mr. and Mrs. F.M. Pitts and claimed their darling daughter Myrtle, age 14 years, four months and twenty days. She was the flower of the family, had many friends and was dearly beloved by all who knew her. She bore her suffering with patience and fortitude, and tho she could not talk with those about her, she greeted each one with a smile, giving us the sweet assurance that the lord was with her. The dear girl will be missed from the home and community, in the literary and sunday school as well. Let us say to the bereaved ones, weep not, for Myrtle is only gone for awhile, sleeping that peaceful respose that must come to all in the lord. Many time you will hear the sweet songs that Myrtle so often sang, but just remember she is still singing up yonder, and you will only have to follow in her footsteps to join in the wonderful chorus with her and those of the redeemed. We wish to thank the neighbors and friends who so tenderly cared for Myrtle during her illness and at the time of her death, especially her classmates who literally covered her grave with so many beautiful and fragrant flowers. G.W. Duncan ____ IN MEMORY OF MISS AVIE MORROW On April 12th the repear death came into the home of Mr. and Mrs. H.N. Morrow and claimed the spirit of the precious daughter Avie, and while the family and friends were watching with tearful eyes, she passed sweetly and peacefully into the great beyond. Avie was stricken in December and of her suffering no one can tell. She was possessed of a sweet disposition and was kind to everyone she met and was loved by all who knew her, and we, of course, cannot understand why she was taken from us but god doeth all things well, and her death will be revealed to loved ones, our loss being her eternal gain and happiness., Avie was a member of the Baptist church at Cedar Creek where the funeral service was conducted by Rev. W.J. Campbell, after which he body was laid to rest in the cemetery there. She leaves a father and mother, five brothers, one sister, Mrs. A.O. Hammond, and a host of relatives and friends to mourn her death. In memory of one we loved. Lois and Bernice Lasseter ____ MR. EDWARDS REPORTED IN SERIOUS CONDITION Information was received in Heflin on Wednesday to the effect that Mr. John Steve Edwards of near Fruithurst lay in a serious condition at an Anniston hospital, with chances for recovery doubtful. His many friends hope for his recovery. ___ FIDDLERS WILL MEET the 28th The News is requested to announce that Ranburne Vocational School will hold an Old Fiddler's Convention on the night of May 28th to which old fiddlers are invited. Attractive prizes will be awarded winners in the contest. Fiddlers from Cleburne, Randolph, Clay, Calhoun and Georgia counties are expected. ___ NEWSPAPER issue of Thursday, May 20, 1926 LAST RITES FOR J.S. EDWARDS Funeral services for Mr. John Steven Edwards were held at Upper Cane Creek on Saturday afternoon, Revs. Potter and Campbell officiating, both ministers speaking in the highest terms of the deceased as a christian gentleman, husband, father, citizen and neighbor. Mr. Edwards' death occurred at an Anniston hospital after an illness of several days. He was 68 years old and a native of Cleburne county, and a member of one of the county's best known and most prominent families, and for a number of years was a member of the Methodist church and took an active part in the work of the church in his community. Hundreds of his neighbors and friends were present at the funeral to pay their respects to this good man. Surviving are four sons: W.M. Edwards and B.S. Edwards of Heflin S.A. Edwards of Fruithurst L.A. Edwards of Anniston Six daughters: Mrs. Lizzie Willingham (deceased) Mrs. Nancy Sides of Alexandria, Ala Mrs. Mary Connell of Edwardsville Mrs. Atha Kerr of Edwardsville Mrs. Anna Connell, Mrs. Marie Parker and Miss Costilla Edwards of Fruithurst. Mr. Edwards was a Master Mason and his body was laid to rest with honors of the Order. __ LOCAL News Mrs. R.B. McElroy of Bangor, Alabama is the guest of Mr. and Mrs. R.H. Crumpton. __ HARRISON BUTLER CELEBRATES 69th BIRTHDAY John Butler, who was seriously shot by a negro at his home in Unadilla, Georgia about a month ago, mention of which was made in these columns at the time, is visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. H.W. Butler near Edwardsville, accompanied by his wife and children, the occasion being Uncle Harrison Butler's 69th birthday which was celebrated Tuesday, the entire family being present with the exception of one son, Leonard of Hoxie, Arkansas. Here's hoping that the "old man" will live to enjoy many more just such occasions. ___ PINHOOK News S.K. Badgett died last Monday at the home of his daughter Mrs. Nora Parker. He is survived by his wife and six children. Sympathy is extended to the bereaved relatives. __ Mrs. Minnie Pesnell and children spent Sunday afternoon with Mrs. Sallie Bryan. __ NEWSPAPER Issue of Thursday, May 27, 1926 FAMILY REUNION OF CRUMPTONS At Wise Chapel last Sunday, where they had spent their childhood days romping the hills of the Trickem Valley, the Crumptons and their immediate families met in reunion, the occasion being the annual decoration and singing, a tremendous crowd taking part in the day's exercises. It is not known by the writer whether it was by appointment or it just so happened, that the Crumptons and their kin out numbered any other family present, and were as follows: J.H. Crumpton of Heflin Ben H. Crumpton of Anniston I.N. Crumpton of Birmingham Mrs. M.P. Hilley of Lecta Mrs. F.C White of Lecta Mrs. Lunie Haynes of Lecta Mrs. W.R. Daniel of Trickem Mrs. Mattie McElroy of Anniston Mrs. R.B. McElroy of Bangor S.R. Crumpton of Lecta Mrs. H.A. White of Leoma, Tennessee was the only member of the Crumpton family who was not present. Total was seventy-nine and after all had partook of the splendid dinner spread under the giant oaks, enough remained to feed as many more, and the Cleburne News hopes they will enjoy other such gatherings. ____ RANDOLPH COUNTY NEGRO KILLED; WHITE MAN HELD Anniston, Ala., May 25th Elbert Cofield, young white man of Randolph county, is being held in the Calhoun county jail on a charge of first degree murder, it being alleged that Cofield shot and fatally wounded Jim Allen, a negro, of Randolph County, about five miles southeast of Oxford on Sunday afternoon. According to the story told by Reuben Allen, brother of the dead negro, three negroes, Reuben and Jim Allen and the latter's wife had hired Cofield to bring them to Anniston. When Cofield asked for whiskey, Reuben Allen stated, they refused to give it to him. Cofield, it is charged by the negroes, then stopped the car and attacked Jim Allen with a knife. After Cofield had knocked the negro to the ground, he pulled out his pistol and shot him, the surviving brother declares. The negro was brought to a local hospital about 1:30 o'clock and died about 5:30 o'clock Sunday afternoon. The bullet entered the lower abdomen from the front. Cofield was arrested by state law enforcement officers W.J. Linch, John H. Draper and Chief of Oxford police, H.M. Burrows, on the Horseblock Mountain road going in the opposite direction from Anniston. A warrent was sworn out before Judge J.R. Holman charing Cofield with assault. After the negro had died that warrant was withdrawn and one issued charging first degree murder. The negroes are said to live on the Cofield farm in Randolph county. They were coming to Anniston they said because an uncle of the Allens had died in this city. ____ REUBEN HAND IS ROBBED NEAR FRUITHURST Reuben J. Hand, formerly of this county, now of Hanceville, was robbed on the public road just north of Fruithurst he says, by two men traveling in a Ford car. Hand, who had been given a "lift" from a point near Edwardsville to the Oak Level road was traveling the road in the direction of Tallapoosa, when he met two men, both alighting from the car, one of whom stuck a pistol to his side and ordered him to throw up his hands, while the other rifled his pockets of between five and ten dollars and ordered him to "hit it and not look back." Hand, a picture agent, was enrouge to visit a sister who lives a few miles south of Tallapoosa. The hold-up men appeared to be about 40 and 25 years old, respectively, Hand said, and were traveling west. ___ MARRIAGE LICENSES ISSUED The following marriage licenses were issued in the office of the probate just since our last issue: W.C. Heath and Alma Morse C.E. Kesler and Pauline Duncan of Atlantam Georgia A.L. Blair and Mrs. Myrtle Adcock of Villa Rica, Georgia Jim Landers and Lorena Grubbs Earl Lambert and Adie Austin ____ MRS. NIX, KNOWN HERE, DEAD Mrs. John L. Nix, who moved from Cleburne to Texas about 20 years ago, was burned to death at her home there last Friday, according to a letter to her daughter, Mrs. Virgil Morris of Heflin. It is said that Mrs. Nix was preparing to start a fire in the kitchen stove, pouring kerosene oil from a can which caught fire, the blaze enveloping the unfortunate woman, burning her to such an extent that her death followed a few hours later. Mrs. Nix was a consecrated member of the Baptist church and her death is mourned by hundreds who knew her and loved her. ___ BACK VISITING FORMER FRIENDS N.P. Ross (Uncle Poll as he is called by his many friends) is visiting relatives in Cleburne. Mr. Ross' home is at Hico, Texas where he located when he moved from Cleburne 25 or 30 years ago. Mr. Ross is meeting and talking over the days long gone by. Elias Tolleson of Venus, Texas has been visiting relatives and is former acquaintances in Calhoun and Cleburne counties, and his brother Jessie at Hartselle. He has been in Texas thirty years. His mother, Aunt Manda Tolleson, age 84, is staying at the home of Mr. and Mrs. G.F. Hill in Heflin. W.R. Hogan and son John of Ruston, Louisiana, who also attended the Confederate Reunion in Birmingham, were visiting in Cleburne last week and met many old friends, the former being a brother of the late Irve Hogan, former tax collector of Cleburne. ____ LOCAL News Mrs. S.J. Prestridge, Ambros, Howard and Louise Prestridge spent the weekend with Mrs. Ann Dothard near Camp McClellan. __ Mr. and Mrs. Pittman Wood and young son Frank of Lakeland, Florida spent the weekend with Dr. and Mrs. F.R. Wood. __ W. Owen Black arrived Monday afternoon and is the guest of his aged father, E.T. Black and other Heflin relatives. Mr. Black has been in Orlando, Florida for the past several months but will be located in Birmingham in the future. __ Uncle Dock Terrell who has been spending the past three or four months with his children in Marshall County, has returned to his home near Fruithurst. __ John Rooks of Brighton has been visting relatives near Cedar Creek. __ File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/cleburne/newspapers/newspape484gnw.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/alfiles/ File size: 24.8 Kb