Cleburne County AlArchives News.....Newspaper abstracts for APRIL 1928 April 1928 ************************************************ 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 22, 2005, 9:09 pm The Cleburne News April 1928 NEWSPAPER ABSTRACTS FROM "THE CLEBURNE NEWS", Heflin, Cleburne County, Alabama for APRIL 1928 NEWSPAPER issue of Thursday, April 5, 1928 TWO LOVEABLE SISTERS OF MACEDONIA SECTION; "Aunt Ellen" Mrs. M.E. Cantrell and "Aunt Sack" Mrs. Sarah Ann Skinner (photos of both women shown) To Editor of The Cleburne News, by D.H. Smith Please allow me space in your newspaper for a few lines regarding some of our pioneers who are still here with us. There are two sisters in Macedonia community, just east of the Frank Cook old mill on Lost Creek, whose father, the Rev. John Couch, moved to this county in 1850 from Coweta County, Georgia. He raised a large family, all of whom, except the two referred to here, have passed to their reward. These two reared large families. Mrs. Cantrell, the oldest of the two is 81. Her husband was Mericus Cantrell. Her friends speak of her as "Aunt Ellen". Mrs. Sarah Ann is three years younger and is affectionately known as "Aunt Sack". Her husband was the late W.M. Skinner, "Uncle Bill", and was widely known for his great progressivness. He has answered the call, leaving the sisters widows, and are living in "hollowing" distance of where their father settled on adjoining farms to each other, only a creek separating them. "Aunt Sack" has a wonderful record. Having reared a large family of her own, she ministered to grandchildren, besides rendering great service in bringing up great grandchildren. As we visit their homes that they have cared for and watched over so long, one can see the results of life's toil, showing that they have had busy lives. And as we look into their aged faces, we realize that their lives have not been one strewn with roses along the journey; and we know that the advantages of today are far different to what they experienced. At that time this section was "in the woods" and but few settlers, and those far apart. However they made a success and a kind providence smiled on their labors. There are other pioneers who are worthy of mention, but having known these two sisters since my childhood, I naturally turn in their direction. "Aunt Ellen's" health is declining and is confined to her bed a great deal of the time, and it is believed that through the faithfulness of her physician, Dr. W.P. Smith, that her life has been prolonged, she having underwent 52 operations, which have to repeated every four days. "Aunt Ellen" has in her possession a small terrapin that her husband captured in 1871 and is almost like one of the family. The figures "1871" carved there when captured, are plainly visible. It was frequently seen about the plantation and no one dared to harm the little animal, in fact, it was kind of a privileged character around the Cantrell home, and if you will look you will notice that "Aunt Ellen" had its picture made along with her own. This terrapin has been spoken of and written about at various times and by several newspapers, among them the Carroll County Times, The Atlanta Journal and others. And who knows but what this was the tortoise spoken of that won the race with the hare? Yes, who knows? He has a most wonderful record of any terrapin that the writer knows of. Now back to "Aunt Ellen", the dear old soul. As I visit her in her home during afflictions she always greets me with a smile and never a word of complaint, taking all with patience. The two mentioned above are devout members of the Missionary Baptist church at Macedonia, "Aunt Ellen's" membership dating back to '67 and "Aunt Sack" 55 years, church memberships of which we all look upon with pride and thankfulness. "Aunt Sack's" health is somewhat declining, but not so much as one might expect of a person of her advanced age of 78 years, December 25th last, and the day being pretty, the two met at the creek, between their homes where the county had just completed the first bridge at this place, their one desire being to see a bridge upon the span of the stream at this point during their time, recalling their happy childhood days at the ages of ten and seven, "Aunt Ellen" had led "Aunt Sack" across the creek at this point. So on last Christmas Day, "Aunt Ellen" again led her "little sister' safely over the creek, but this time across a bridge, the first to be built there. We are made to rejoice that the lives of many of our pioneers are yet spared, for their stay among us is beloved valuation with whom they are associated; but their ranks are fast diminishing and to the two sisters, the subject of this sketch, we pray god's richest blessings. _____ CHARLIE RUSK IS SHOT AND KILLED; Munroe Franklin, Brother-In-Law is alleged to have fired fatal bullet Charlie Rusk was shot Wednesday of last week in a field near his home. His brother-in-law, Monroe Franklin, former Anniston man, is sought as the slayer, according to Sheriff Rowell Franklin was still at large this morning. It is believed that the shooting was the culmination of some domestic trouble. A brother of the dead man and a brother of the alleged slayer were present when the shooting took place. A fifth man was also present but his name was not known by Sheriff Rowell. Rusk was shot in the right side of his chest and was killed almost instantly. Immediately after the shooting Franklin and his brother left the scene. Officers were called to investigate and a search was begun for the Franklin brothers. The first report was the the two men engaged in a heated argument while at work in a field and that Franklin felled Rusk with a hoe. The sheriff reported that a pistol was used in the fatal argument and Rusk was shot through the right breast dying almost instantly. Franklin fled immediately after the shooting and has not been apprehended although officers in adjoining Georgia and Alabama counties had been notified to be on the watch for him. Franklin and Rusk are said to have been renters on the Thrash fram at Riddle's Bridge. Both men are said to be married. ____ DEATH CLAIMS MR. A.G. GRICE Funeral services were held for Mr. A. Grice on Tuesday with interment in an Atlanta cemetery. Mr. Grice had been in declining health for the last year or two. Mr. Grice lived in Edwardsville for many years where he raised a splendid family of boys and girls. The sons surviving are Rev. Homer Grice, John, Ogle and Loyce Grice; the girls are Costilla and Nettie. Mr. Grice who is survived by his widow and the above named children had reached his 78th year, most of which time having been spent in this county, and his death removes one of our oldest citizens. The Cleburne News extends sympathy to the bereaved family in the death of husband and father. ___ L.M. McElroy and F.M. Zaner were callers at the News office on Saturday. Mr. McElroy reported that his son J. Tom, who cut his left foot on Friday is getting along nicely. __ Miss Mildred Wright, after a visit with her sister Mrs. Lee Haywood, has returned to her home in Carroll County. __ Mr. and Mrs. J.J. Wager attended the funeral and burial of Mrs. Wager's uncle, Benj. Bevis who was in his 93rd year, in Bowdon, Tuesday afternoon. The aged man was residing at Calera at the time of his death. __ Mr. and Mrs. B.H. Turner of Birmingham spent the weekend with the latter's mother, Mrs. J.D. Hudson, who is recovering from a serious illness. __ MARRIAGE LICENSES ISSUED During March Henry Hammond and Ruth Pope Walter E. Green and Rubye West W.R. Ford and Margaret Cosby Preston Blair and Thelma Wiggins Homer Lee Bright and Levie Hicks D.F. Haney and Maggie Measles Levice C. Price and Loucile Thompson H.D. Hibbitt and Jeanette Billingsly B. Brooks and Onie Jarrett W.H. Humprhey and Grace Parrish J.N. Parrish and Ada Hulsey Raymond McIntyre and Vivian Wood V.B. Daniel and Vera Jones Price Banks and Levie Baxley Will Brown and Inez Banks ___ TWO FINE OLD VETERANS Uncle George Morris of Edwardsville and Uncle W.H. Adair of Fruithurst, two fine old Confederate veterans, were in Heflin on Monday, coming for their pensions. Uncle George will celebrate his 93rd birthday on the 27th of the present month, while Mr. Adair is in his 79th year. The two are enjoying fairly good health. These Veterans always call on The News when in Heflin. ___ PLAINVIEW News Mr. and Mrs. D.O. West of Leoma, Tenn., visited the latter's parents, Mr. and Mrs. C.H. Durham last week. __ W.F. Jacobs was painfully hurt on Tuesday of last week when hewas thrown off a cornstock cutter and fell against a lightwood stump. It is believed that some of his ribs were broken besides other bruises on his head and arms. ___ NEWSPAPER issue of Thursday, April 19, 1928 HIRAM WATSON CALLED HOME Funeral services for Hiram Watson, age 84, Confederate veteran, who died at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Jake Norton, were held Wednesday of last week at New Harmony, Revs. J.W. Grubbs and W.J. Campbell officiating. Burial was made in the church cemetery. Mr. Watson had lived in Texas for 14 years, moving back here about 10 months ago. Surviving are the widow and one daughter Mrs. Jim Vaughan of Paris, Texas. Mrs. Henry Watson is a daughter-in-law and Mrs. Jake Norton is a granddaughter. ___ IN MEMORY OF MOTHER, MRS. MARTHA PATTY On Sunday night, April 8, 1928, the grim reaper of death entered the home of Junious Patty and claimed his companion, Mrs. Martha Patty. She had been in declining health for more than two years, yet she did not complain, but bore her afflictions bravely, always trusting in the lord and proclaiming his will be done. She was aware for long that she must leave us, but declared through faith in the lord and obedience to his will that there was a place prepared when she could rest when she had no more time here. She was a daughter of Susie Hart, was born July 6, 1854, and moved with her parents to this state from Georgia in early childhood, and lived practically all her life in the same community. At about 15 years of age she joined the Missionary Baptist church and was a faithful and consistent member until her death. As a christian she was an example in her church and community. On November 26, 1876 she married to Junious Patty and to this union was born one son and two daughters, Rev. J.W. Patty, Mrs. Louannie Cheatwood and Mrs. Callie Owen. It seemed that her only regret was having to leave her family. We miss you, dear mother; it seems like we can't do without you but we resign to the lord's will, knowing that our loss is heaven's eternal gain. The funeral was held from the Cane Creek church, the Revs. C.E. Garner and M.A. Gann officiating. The body was laid to rest in the church cemetery, amid a large crowd of sorrowing relatives and friends. ___ PINHOOK News Mrs. Annie Story and Mrs. Dussie Dougherty were the guests of Mrs. Ella Pesnell Monday afternoon. __ John Noah of Mt. Gilead was here last week. __ Hershell Burns continues seriously ill with fever. _ LOCAL News M.F. White, well known Lecta citizen, has been quite ill for the past several weeks. He is the father of Mrs. Arthur Myers and Mrs. Sylvan Walker of Heflin. __ IN MEMORY OF A GOOD CITIZEN, A.G. GRICE Mr. A.G. Grice was born in Carroll County, Georgia on April 8, 1850. His father, Larry Grice, was a pioneer of Carroll County and a grandson of one of the three brothers of that name who migrated to the colonies from England prior to the Revolutionary War. Mr. Grice was married in July 1881 to Sarah Lee Bennett, daughter of the late John F. Bennett of Edwardsville. Mr. Bennett was an early settler in Cleburne county, having moved here from Hall County, Georgia before the removal of the Indians. Mr. Grice joined the Missionary Baptist church in Carroll County in 1875 and became a charter member of the Baptist church at Edwardsville when it was established and continued a member there until his death, having been clerk of the church for more than 20 years. He was always interested in civil and educational affairs of any movement for the betterment and uplift of his community. Mr. Grice is survived by his wife and five sons: Dr. Homer L. Grice of Nashville, Tenn. John L. Grice of St. Louis, Mo. Loyce D. Grice of Atlanta, Ga Capt. L. Ogle Grice of Philadelphia, Pa. Keely A. Grice of Charlotte, N.C.; And three daughters: Mrs. Frank Williams of Tallapoosa, Ga Mrs. W.A. Guyton of Atlanta, Ga Mrs. A.B. Ferguson of Granitteville, S.C.; all of whom attended the funeral and burial services in Atlanta, Crest Lawn Cemetery, on April 4th. One son and one son-in-law of Mr. Grice are ministers; Dr. Homer L. Grice being secretary in charge of the Daily Vocational Bible School department of the Southern Baptist Sunday School board and Rev. A.B. Ferguson, the husband of Mr. Grice's daughter Ethel, being a minister of the Southern Methodist Church. Three of Mr. Grice's sons served in the U.S. Army during the World War: John L. Grice was a Captain and served at Camp Wheeler and France; Ogle Grice served as a Captain at Washington and France; and Keely Grice was Captain in the Motor Transportation Corps at Camp Gordon. The funeral of Mr. Grice was very impressive, the chapel being beautifully arranged with more than forty floral offerings, his five sons and one son-in- law acting as pallbearers. The services were conducted by Dr. Carter Helm Jones, pastor of the Second Baptist Church and Rev. Samuel A. Cowan, pastor of the Inman Park Baptist Church of Atlanta. A glowing tribute was paid to the life of Mr. Grice by Dr. Jones. ____ SEABORN DENSON SINGING AT AGE 74 Dear Mr Editor, Here I am again with my subscription to the Cleburne News. I can't afford to be without The News; it is like reading a letter from my boyhood home each week. I am sure sorry to hear of so many deaths of my old friends and acquaintances; and each week as I look for my paper I wonder who will be next. This month, April 9th, will see my 74th birthday and the children are beginning to plan for the dinner on that day and I wish you could be with me and eat chicken and egg pie. Sidney is still living and leads music, although in her 75th year, and the only one of a family of 9. As to my family there are still 4 living in "Uncle Phillip's" family; myself, Tom and two sisters. We have seven children living and 52 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren. I have a fine class of singers. I have tried to cultivate the talent god gave me and I am teaching yet and will begain a 20 day school at White Plains on Monday after the fourth Sunday in July, in the Sacred Harp. Would be glad to see as many of my old friends as can come; July 23rd. I want to be in Heflin July 4th, the lord willing and will appreciate visiting dear old Cleburne again. Mr. Editor, if this misses the wastebasket I shall write again of my next birthday if spared, if I am not living, someone else will, for I want the Cleburne News continue coming to my home and family. Sincerely yours, S.M. Denson, Arley, Alabama ____ APPLICATION FOR PARDON Notice is hereby given that application will be made to the Governor for the pardon of Miss Oda Porter convicted of distilling March 12, 1928 in the circuit court of Cleburne County, Alabama and sentenced to a term of one year and one day in the penitentiary. W.A. Porter ____ LOCAL News Uncle Henry Johnson will leave soon to spend several weeks with W.Z. Walker and family in Telahoma, Tennessee. __ Tom Boman of Birmingham spent the weekend with his sister Mrs. Minnie Beason. __ Jim Pesnell of Blue Mountain, Ala., was in town this week. __ Lieut. A.C. Morgan, who is at present stationed at Camp McClellan, in Anniston, with the Twenty-Second Infantry, spent a few hours here on Thursday last week with his mother and other relatives. __ Mr. and Mrs. A.L. Jones and son Ralph of Anniston visited Mr. and Mrs. J.N. Ivey on Sunday. __ NEWSPAPER Issue of Thursday, April 26, 1928 LAST RITES FOR MRS. CLAYTON Funeral services for Mrs. S.K. Clayton, who died Sunday the family residence in Tallapoosa, Georgia were held Tuesday at Lebanon with burial in the church cemetery. The Rev. A.T. Warmack conducted the services. Mrs. Clayton had attained the age of 83 years, and had been in feeble health for the past several months. She passed away Sunday, April 22nd. She had resided in Tallapoosa about one year. She was a Missionary Baptist, having joined in 1884. She is survived by her aged husband, five sons, Bill Clayton of Guntersville, P.J., K.N., G.W., and R.L. Clayton of Beat 8; five daughters, Mrs. Adline Dobbs of Middleton, Texas; Mrs. Etta Roberts of Muscadine; Mrs. Emma Smith of Tallapoosa, GA; Mrs. Merellen Bowman of Tallapoosa; and Mrs. Mattie Dryden of near Lebanon. The Cleburne News extends sympathy to the bereaved ones. ___ MRS. JOHNSTON DIED SATURDAY The body of Mrs. Nancy Johnston, age 86, who died Saturday at the home of her son-in-law W.A. Edwards of Cane Creek, was carried Sunday to Antioch in Blount County for burial, with F.P. Owens Co. in charge. Several children and other relatives survive. ___ FORMER CITIZEN BURIED THE 18th AT UNION HILL The body of John G. Phillips, age 34, who died at Westfield on Tuesday of last week, was shipped to Heflin and carried to Union Hill, with F.P. Owens in charge. Funeral services were conducted Wednesday afternoon of last week with interment in Union Hill Cemetery. Mr. Phillips resided here until several years ago. He was born and reared in the Hightower community. Surviving are the widow, two sons; two brother, four sisters, Mrs. G.H. Gibbs of Hightower; Mrs. Bun Henderson of Ensley; Mrs. J.V. Bain and Mrs. Ed Scruggs of Bartow, Ga; brothers Carl and Will Phillips. ___ MRS. NOELL DEAD Mrs. Alex Noell died Tuesday morning at her home near Beason Mill after an illness of one month. Funeral and burial services occurred Wednesday at Hepsibah. She was preceded to the grave by her husband about four months ago. She is survived by several children. ___ A.J. McEACHERN ANSWERS CALL A.J. McEachern, age 76, died at his home at Lecta on Tuesday, following an illness of three years duration. He was a pioneer citizen of Cleburne County and widely known. He and his family resided in Edwardsville about 20 years but moved back to the old homestead in Lecta last December. Mr. McEachern is survived by his widow, two sons, Henry of Heflin and Thomas of Edwardsville, one daughter Miss Odessa of Lecta and one brother A.D. McEachern of Beason Mills. Funeral services were held Wednesday at Antioch, the Revs. L.S. Wessinger and Hobart Murphree of Heflin and J.L.B. McGill of Edwardsville officiating. Hopewell, Edwardsville and Heflin Masons had charge of the burial services. A large crowd of sorrowing relatives and friends were present at the services. ___ PINHOOK News Hershell Burns and John Coppock who have been seriously ill are slightly improved at this writing. __ We regret to report the death of J.M. Coppock which occurred Wednesday of last week. He is survived by his wife, two sons, his parents and two brothers. We sympathize with the bereaved ones. ___ File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/cleburne/newspapers/newspape510gnw.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/alfiles/ File size: 19.8 Kb