Randolph County AlArchives News.....Newspaper Abstracts for MARCH 1902 March 1902 ************************************************ 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 June 17, 2005, 6:44 pm The Randolph Leader March 1902 NEWSPAPER ABSTRACTS FROM "THE RANDOLPH LEADER", Roanoke, Randolph County, Alabama for MARCH 1902 NEWSPAPER issue of Wednesday, March 5, 1902 LOCAL News Mrs. Dodd left Friday for her home in Chicago. __ Walter C. Brooks received a telegram Friday announcing the death of his brother William in Senoia, Ga. The former regretted being so situated that he could not attend the funeral. __ The Messrs. Ryan of this city came from the same town in South Carolina in which Benjamin Ryan Tillman lives, who recently fitured in such a sensational affair at the national capitol. Messrs. Ryan are well acquainted with Senator Tillman and are slightly related to him. __ D.K, Turbeville has furnished plans for the building of a Christian church at Truett and a Methodist Church at Texas, Georgia. Z.P. Gunn has the contract for the latter. __ Bryon Trammell's little son is dangerously ill with pneumonia. __ Mrs. Roy Simpson of LaFayette spent Sunday with her sister Mrs. H.B. Radney. __ T.R. Ward of Jacksonville, Ala., visited his son Lee several days recently. __ Mrs. Pulliam went to Columbus last week to spend some time with relatives. __ A. M. Awbrey spent some time Sunday with his mother in Georgia who has been quite sick. __ Congressman Thompson has introduced bills providing for restoration of property destroyed during the Civil War to Alexander M. Steed, Thomas Bonner Jr. and Fannie R. Bonner, all of Clay county, and aggregating over $7000. __ MRS. PATE DEAD Mrs. Mary Pate died at her home two miles north of Roanoke Friday afternoon and was buried Sunday morning at the old Wood family burying ground. She was a Miss Wood and was first married to a Mr. Chewning. Her last husband, Mr. Bird Pate, was one of the oldest and best known rsidents of Randolph, having been born in this county about 75 years ago. She leaves one child, Mrs. S. Henderson. __ We regret to note the necessity which forced the family of Mr. W.I. Manning to send him to the hospital at Tuscaloosa that he might receive treatment for an unfortunate mental malady. Mr. Manning is 73 years of age, was a Confederate soldier and has been a quiet, inoffensive citizen. He left Monday afternoon, accompanied by Sheriff Kent. __ A.J. Noles and Charlie Tenant left for Atlanta today. The former will proceed to South Carolina to sell patent rights, while the latter will have his eyes treated in Atlanta. __ NEWSPAPER issue of Wednesday, March 12, 1902 LETTER FROM REV. S.L. DOBBS TO THE LAFAYETTE SUN Mr. Editor, Many friends in the town of LaFayette and throughout the county of Chambers and elsewhere asked me, when I reached my new field of labor, to write them an occasional letter. I find should I attempt to write each one it would draw too heavily on my time so by your kindness I wish to write them all, through the columns of The Sun. On Dec. 17th we left LaFayette via Birmingham for Collinsville, Ala., the home of our parents. At 7:30 p.m. the same date we reached the latter place in the midst of a blinding snow storm. Here we remained two weeks. Hunting birds, visiting loved ones, and mingling with friends and former days, occupied our time and contributed much to my pleasure. What delight to go back to the home of our childhood! The dear old mothers open their arms, made feeble by age and much sewing, to embrace us, and again and again, imprint the kiss reminding us of the days long gone, when childhood's troubles were all forgotten, and the sorrows of the moment lost in the sunshine of mother's smile and the touch of her caressing hand. The children went wild with delight. The fondness of doting grandmothers made them frantic. They held absolute sway over house and farm. It was amusingly pathetic to hear the grandmother's say, "poor little things, they have been cooped up so long they shall have a good time." And they had it. I almost wished I was a child again as we sat by the old hearth stone of an evening and watched the cracking log fire burn and the golden sparks fly upward. I even found myself forming imaginary pictures in the glowing coals, just as I did in childhood dreams. These old grandmothers still knit the woolen yarn and piece quilts, never spending an idle moment. The conventionalities of modern times do not disturb them. They make no calls, they go visiting and spend the day always taking their knitting or quilt scraps and worked and talked for dear life the life- long day. They give no dinings or invitations to take tea and they have dinner and supper, the one at twelve o'clock sharp and the other when the sun goes down. Mr. Editor if you never attended one of those dinners you have much to regret. Their tables groan beneath the rich viands they spread. The fattest turkey, the tenderest frys, the sweetest steak, the most lucious food, biscuts from home grown wheat, golden butter from a Jersey cow, eggs gathered at the barn, milk with the cream on, pies made from the winesaps and winter crabs hid away in the hay loft, vegetables of various kinds, and for dessert you have the urgent appeal to eat more of what's set before you. Now dear reader ask the young Elder if you doubt this, if it isn't so, for when a boy he used to be in the home of one of these grandmothers. But excuse me, I am not writing a letter as was my purpose. Dec. 30th we reached Florence, our home. We were met at the station with carriage in waiting to take us to the parsonage. Our train was delayed and it was after 8 o'clock p.m. when he reached the house. The good ladies were in full possession of the premises. The rooms were warm, the beds made, a warm supper on the table, and everything in perfect order. After full assurance of a hearty welcome to the town of Florence, they made formal surrender of the premises and retreated in good order and left us in full possession of a well supplied home. Soon the smaller members of the family, whose interest and curiosity knew no bounds, made complete inspection pantry to parlor. They gave us a satisfactory report of what they saw and the inventory they had taken. I am happy in my work. The district is more compact, the appointments fewer, the distance shorter, railroad facilities better, the salary smaller, than any district I have ever served. In Florence there are eight thousand inhabitants, in Sheffield two miles way there is four thousand; in Tuscumbia, four miles distant, thirty-five hundred. Sheffield has five iron furnaces, Florence one; these with the cotton mills and other industries, give employment to many hands. Plenty of railroads and the "Big Tennessee" give ample facilities for transportation. From what I have seen and heard I feel assured of a pleasant year. I came with that purpose in my heart. I have always found my pleasure and happiness in doing whatever the Lord giveth me to do with willing hand and might. The kindness and many tokens of love and esteem shown me by the friends throughout the district, and especially by one and all of the good people of LaFayette will ever linger as a sweet fragrance in my memory and abide as living green in my heart's recollection. The people of Florence are exceedingly kind and social. They have already endeared themselves to us by many substantial tokens of esteem and appreciation. With much love and many blessings, I am, very cordially yours, S.L. Dobbs ____ WEHADKEE News T.J. Camp and wife of Omaha visited their daughter Mrs. H.C. Mayfield at this place on Sunday. __ Mrs. Caroline Noles is very ill and is not expected to live many days. __ Several nights ago some scoundrel went to the home of old Aunt Martha Ray, who lives in the Omaha community and assaulted her. She is a respectable old lady about 70 years old and lives alone. Several arrests have made but no conviction has been had. __ ROCK MILLS News Prof. Ware visited his home near Texas, Georgia a few days ago. __ John Hardy is sick at this writing. __ Wesley Pittman moved from Riverview back to our place last week. __ LOCAL News Mrs. Henry Duke is reported ill. __ Mrs. Wm. Daniel is on the sick list. __ A.J. Conner, an aged and well known citizen of Truett, died Saturday. __ Dr. N.S. Black, an aged citizen of Louina, died Friday night of pneumonia. __ J.G. Kirk has recovered from an attack of rheumatism and has gone to help Z.P. Gunn in building a church at Texas, Georgia. __ T.M. Swann returned Monday from a visit to his sister, Mrs. Lula Ridley in Georgia, who we regret to note is quite sick. __ Mr. and Mrs. W.J. Stewart went up to Graham Sunday to visit the former's mother, who is very ill. Mrs. Stewart remained there to attend her mother-in- law. __ Hoyt Enloe spent several days last week in Atlanta on business. He was accompanied there by Mrs. W.W. Dobson who will spend some time with her daughter Mrs. Dr. Swann. __ We learn that Miss Senus Peavy, daughter of N.E.L. Peavy in the Radney's Chapel community, had the disease which has been slightly epidemic in this section, small pox. The case is very mild as most of the others have been. __ We regret to know that John K. Tenant, a well known citizen and father of W.T. Tenant of this place, lost his residence by fire, four miles south of Wedowee on Monday night. It caught fire about one o'clock and was soon consumed with nearly all its contents. There was no insurance on it. Tenant Post Office was located in this home. The many friends of Mr. Tenant will sympathize with him in his severe loss. __ M.H. Longshore, brother of Andrew J. Longshore, died in West Point on Saturday. __ Mrs. W.H. Benefield spent one night last week with Mr. and Mrs. M.W. Carlisle, returning from a visit to Atlanta. SHe is 72 years of age and lives in Beat 5. She is a widow and is the mother of 13 children, all living. She has 95 living grandchildren, 40 great grandchildren. There are 15 dead among the third and fourth generations. __ John M. Lipham, a former well known citizen of Randolph county but now of Tallapoosa, Ga., has made W.A. Handley and B.F. Weathers of this city the recipients of a unique present. Each received a glass walking cane with crooked handle which was made by a glass manufacturing concern in Tallapoosa. The sticks were brought to Roanoke by J.W. Belcher who returned Sunday from a visit to the former place. __ OLD CITIZEN DIES Saturday afternoon occurred the death of one of Randolph's oldest citizens, Mr. Robt. H. Birdsong, at his home two miles north of Roanoke. He had been a resident of this county about 45 years, coming here from Chambers county, and was 81 years of age when he died. It has been the lot of few men to love so long and have so few enemies. He was a citizen who was an honor to his country and a man of most liberal impulses. He was a devoted member of the Baptist church. Many relatives and friends will mourn and miss him and cherish the memory of his godly life. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. G.L. Jenkins at Union Church, on the Wedowee road, Sunday afternoon. Many from this place attended. __ NEWSPAPER issue of Wednesday, March 19, 1902 LOCAL News Pierce McMurray is quite ill with pneumonia. __ Mrs. P.A. Bowdon and children are visiting relatives in Forsyth, Ga., and will remain there several weeks. __ Mrs. Jas. O. Belcher died at her home at Five Points last Thursday morning. A number of relatives from this place attended the funeral of this estimable lady. __ On his return from Georgia last week, Mr. Jeffers was accompanied by his nieces Miss Lillian Gray of Perkins Junction and MIss Nellie Graham of Harrison. The former has entered school here while the latter will assist her uncle in the depot. __ A SUDDEN DEATH This community was shocked last Wednesday by the sudden death of Mr. Newton Pruett. During the thunderstorm while standing on the rear veranda of his notel, Mr. Pruett was stricken down by lightning and died instantly. He was 76 years of age and had been living here about 5 years. He was highly respected by all, being a quiet, worthy citizen. His remains were interred in the city cemetery Thursday afternoon, services being conducted by the pastor of the Baptist church of which was deceased was a member. Our sympathy is extended to the bereaved family. __ NEWSPAPER issue of Wednesday, March 26, 1902 LOCAL News Work was begun Monday on the building of a Confederate soldiers home at Mountain Creek, near Montgomery, on lands donated by Captain J.M. Falkner. This is a most worthy movement and reflects credit upon its prime mover, Captain Falkner. ___ Emory Hodge, son of J.M. Hodge, a prominent merchant in Almond community, was shot int he body and seriously wounded Saturday by W.C. Clarady. The shot was intended for another fellow who had cut Clarady with a knife. __ J.B. Taylor was called last week to attend the funeral of his mother near Opelika. She died Wednesday at the advanced age of 78 years. __ CORBIN News Charlie McManus had the misfortune to get his house burned by fire a few nights ago with almost every thing he possessed in the way of household and kitchen furniture. __ File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/randolph/newspapers/newspape606gnw.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/alfiles/ File size: 13.9 Kb