Randolph County AlArchives News.....Newspaper abstracts for AUGUST 1908 August 1908 ************************************************ 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: C. Teal Gravelle tealtree@comcast.net September 29, 2005, 9:12 pm The Roanoke Leader August 1908 NEWSPAPER ABSTRACTS FROM "THE ROANOKE LEADER", Roanoke, Randolph County, Alabama for AUGUST 1908 NEWSPAPER issue of Wednesday, August 5, 1908 HAPPY LAND News S.M. Burditt has been quite sick this week but is slowly improving. --- Mrs. Sidney Owens is recovering from a severe attack of pneumonia. --- ROCK MILLS News Miss Lilla Cato of Grantville, Georgia and Mr. Ruggles of Roanoke were married at the home of Esq. Hearn on Thursday afternoon. Miss Cato was on a visit to her father at this place. --- Mrs. Jessie Kenney and children of Atlanta are visiting her parents Mr. and Mrs. N.T. Foster. --- LOCAL News A son of Bud Bradley who has spent three years in the Army, began his return to Arizona yesterday. --- Henry Folds has gone to LaGrange to open a blacksmith shop. --- MURDER COMMITTED IN WADLEY ON SATURDAY EVENING; R.V. WRIGHT KILLED IN THE RIVER A shocking tragedy was enacted at Wadley about 6 o'clock Saturday evening. While crossing the river, Vannie Wright, a well respected white citizen of that community, was shot and instantly killed. The weapon used was a shot gun. While no eye witnesses have appeared, circumstances indicate that Mr. Wright was shot in the side and thereupon fell out of the boat and upon rising to the surface, the top of his head was blown off. It is said that the shots and screams of the wounded man were heard some distance away. Later the boat was found drifting down stream. It was not, however, till after Mr. Wright failed to return home over night that a search was begun for him. His body was found in the river about 9 o'clock Sunday morning. It was then discovered that the telephone wires had been tampered with and no communication could be had by that method. Some citizens of Wadley came over to Roanoke on a hand car and efforts were made to capture the murderer. Bill Phillips, a well known young whilte man living at Wadley, was suspicioned. He boarded the east bound train Sunday morning, passed through Roanoke and proceeded to Lanett where he was captured some time during the day. He was brought to Roanoke on Sunday evening and locked up till the arrival of the sheriff. About 10 o'clock he was taken to Wedowee jail, well guarded. The accused man refused to discuss the affair. It is stated that the deceased was the principal witness against Mr. Phillips for alleged whiskey selling and the latter is reported to have threatened the life of the deceased. We cannot give Mr. Phillips' side of the affair as he has refused to make a statement so far as we have learned. The main who was slain was a brother of Dr. C.B. Wright of Wedowee and was considered a good citizen. He leaves five young, motherless children. This awful tragedy is deeply regretted by all good citizens. In all probability is is traceable to the diabolical traffic in whiskey. Later, the coroner's jury charged the murder to Phillips. ---- LOCAL News Mr. and Mrs. Steiner Garrett of Dadeville are visiting Mr. and Mrs. Robert Brown. --- J.P. Bartlett and family who have been visiting their old home near Wehadkee, returned Monday to Opp in South Alabama where they have been living the past two years. --- The Leader is in receipt of the announcement of the marriage of Miss Yula Strickland to Mr. Robert Ernest Sessions, which occurred Wednesday, July 29th at Heflin. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Sessions will be in Huntsville, Ala., after Sept. 1st. The bride is a sister of Mrs. Stell Blake and has visited in Roanoke. She is a bright and lovable young lady and has many friends who wish her much happiness in her married life. --- Mrs. Prescott, the venerable widow of the late C.A. Prescott and the mother of C.M. and J.S. Prescott, died at her home in Wedowee on Monday, after a lingering illness. She was a good woman and her death will be sincerely mourned. --- Mrs. J.H. Allen and infant son are visiting the former's sister, Mrs. Z.P. Gunn and other relatives here. --- A.J. Langley left Monday to spend a month at Eastbrook Springs, Tennessee. --- Mrs. Mattie Wright has returned to Brantley after a visit to relatives in Roanoke. --- NEWSPAPER Issue of Wednesday, August 12, 1908 NAPOLEON News Mr. Elias Bradley, U.S. soldier from Arizona, was in our community recently shaking hands with his numerous friends. A soldier boy true, decked in his flashy and becoming uniform, is always the delight and admiration of the ladies as well as the pride of older heads. --- Mr. Buchanan Freeman and Miss Willie Teal of Roanoke, surprised the congregation at Haywood on Monday evening by having Bro. Joiner tie the knot they will bind them together as long as they both shall live. --- WADLEY News Bud Motley who has been real sick with typhoid fever for the past few weeks is now convalescing. --- Miss Jessie Dean of Wedowee is visiting her sister Mrs. J.M. Peavy. --- WEHADKEE News Mrs. William Barrett of Anson, Texas is visiting relatives in this section. --- Zolla Gay, son of Bird Gay, and some other boys last Sunday were running their horses when young Gay fell off his mule and the mule fell on him. He is very seriously hurt. --- JOHN JOHNS ARRESTED A prisoner of some note spent last Thursday night in Roanoke. His name is John Johns, a white man. Five years ago he cut a white man named Jones almost to death in Clay county. Since that time he has been in several states and has been several times arrested but has never been tried. Once or twice he has broken jail and more than once he broke away from his captors, one time jumping from a railroad train while in motion. Last week he was located in Lanett. When two officers went to arrest him, Johns tore up the warrant and knocked one of them down but was in turn knocked down by the other officer. Sheriff Miller of Clay county went over and carried him back to his home county to answer for his crimes. He was locked in a cell overnight in Roanke and chained to the floor. He openly boasted that he would again make his escape. ---- ROCK MILLS News The marriage of Miss Viola Yates to Mr. W.J. Benefield occurred at the home of Dr. and Mrs. D.M. Yates, Thursday evening at six o'clock. Mr. and Mrs. Benefield left Wednesday for their home near Wedowee accompanied by E.M. Yates and Mrs. E.B. Hearn. --- Arthur Kilgore has returned to Wadley after several days visit to his brother Jim. --- LOCAL News The three months old child of W.T. Lane died rather suddenly at his home a few miles east of town last Thursday. --- Mr. Thomas Wright, an old Confederate veteran and a life long citizen of Atlanta is spending some time with his daughter, Mrs. Forrest Bryant in the southern suburbs of the county. --- The six months old infant son of Mr. and Mrs. H.J. Turns died last Friday after an illness of long duration. --- John Hill of Griffin, Georgia and Mrs. Lavada Livingston of Birmingham, returned home after a visit to their brother H.F. Hill near town. --- Several rooms to rent. Apply to Mrs. Sue Pittman. --- Mrs. Anderson Clemons and children returned Friday from a visit to relatives near Fredonia. --- Miss Annie and Maude Borders of LaGrange are visiting their aunt, Mrs. G.W. Heard. --- Mrs. Cauthen and son Frank left Friday on a visit to the former's parents and brother in Sheffield. --- A.C. Dunn has moved here from Florida with his wife and child and will engage in the livery business with Mr. Beckham. --- Mr. H.L. Griffin and family have been enjoying a visit of a few days from the former's son, John Griffin, of Amarillo, Texas. --- J.A. Jeffers will leave Froday for a weeks rest down at his old home between Augusta and Savannah. --- Yesterday afternoon, N.E.L. Peavy, a prominent citizen west of town was attacked by a Jersey bull and severely injured internally. --- Guy S. Weathers, a prosperous young banker of Frederick, Oklahoma, accompanied by his wife, is visiting his father Dr. William Weathers near High Shoals. The friends of his old home are pleased to note his success. Dr. Weathers also has his daughters with him visiting, Mrs. A.J. Stewart and Miss Annie Maud Weathers of Atlanta and Mrs. W.C. Wright of Camp Hill. --- A negro, Mitchell Brook, who is said to be demented, jumped off the moving passenger train on the C of G to Roanoke yesterday afternoon about six miles from Opelika. In the fall his foot was smashed by the train and it is thought that he is internally injured. A hand car was sent back from near Tuckersburg and Brook was brought to the city and given medical attention by physicians. The Opelika News --- Mrs. Glenn Jordan is visiting her father's family at Level Road. --- NEWSPAPER issue of Wednesday, August 19, 1908 LOCAL News Mrs. J.T. Gauntt and children are spending a week with relatives at Gabbettville, Georgia. --- Will Howard had a pleasant visit from his father this week, J.J. Howard of Zebulon, Georgia. --- Mr. and Mrs. Sanders were called to Marion last week by the death of Mrs. Sanders' sister-in-law. They returned Sunday, accompanied by the latter's little son, Harry Hurt, who will remain with them some time, his father also being dead. --- Prof. Wm. C. Griggs is spending a few days with his uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. J.L. Slay. --- Last week the Leader noted the serious injury of N.E.L. Peavy by a mad bull. Saturday, his son, Stevenson Peavy, was thrown from a mule and his right arm was broken. Both gentlemen are progressing as well towards recovery as could be expected. --- Rev. Lundy Sykes, rector of the Episcopal church of West Point, Mississippi, arrived yesterday to spend some days with his twin brother, Wm. M. Sykes. --- The Leader is in receipt of an invitation from Dr. and Mrs. William White Evans to the marriage of their daughter Miss Marie Lane to Mr. Nolan Austin Goodwater, the ceremoy to be performed in the Methodist church at Oxford, Georgia at 5 o'clock Wednesday afternoon, September 2nd. --- NEWSPAPER issue of Wednesday, August 26, 1908 BACON LEVEL News Mrs. Erwin Blanks and children of Lineville is spending a few weeks with her parents. --- WEHADKEE News Mrs. Jane Music was struck with paralysis last Thursday and is lying at the point of death. --- J. Polk Burson Jr. is very low with typhoid fever at Omaha community. --- LOCAL News FRANK MOOTY DIES IN FRANKLIN, GEORGIA AFTER SHORT ILLNESS The news of the untimely death of Mr. Frank Mooty comes as a shock to many friends of the deceased in this town and county. The demise occurred at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. R.B. Mooty in Franklin, Georgia at 7 o'clock Monday evening. The young man had not been in robust health for some time but his last illness dated only from Friday and was caused by something like congestion of the stomach. The first news received here was Monday afternoon and Mr. R.O. Mooty and Dr. Disharoon left at once. Later the death was announced and Mr. and Mrs. A.A. Mooty and Mrs. R.O. Mooty left Tuesday morning to attend the funeral of their brother in Franklin. The deceased was employed at White & Awbrey during the spring season and was held in high esteem by all of our people. He was an exemplary young man and a devoted member of the Methodist church. His untimely end, at the age of 27 years, will be sincerely mourned by all who knew this gentle, manly character. ---- LOCAL News Miss Nell Brittain left yesterday for Palmetto, Georgia where she will teach next year. --- Deputy Sheriff Windom returned to Wedowee on Sunday night with Will Pharr, who was arrested in Texarkana, charged with the killing of a negro near Center Point a few years ago. --- Rev. R.W. Anderson left Saturday to attend the funeral of his father Mr. J.W. Anderson at Coldwater in Calhoun County. The deceased was a good man and was 82 years of age. --- The criminal docket of circuit court in Wedowee is this week. Among the cases scheduled are several murder trials. The case of Bill Phillips who is charged with the murder of Van Wright is set for today. --- Claud Maffett was called to Oglethorpe, Georgia several days ago by the serious illness of his mother. The latter died yesterday morning. The bereaved son is expected home this evening. Mr. Maffett has made many friends since coming to Roanoke, who sympathize with him in his grevious loss. --- Mrs. Elizabeth Pendergrast went to Atlanta today to attend her daughter-in- law, Mrs. J.W. McKelvey who is critically ill. About two months ago the latter's husband, Mrs. Pendergrast's son, died in Atlanta. --- Rufus West left this morning to accept a position as bookkeeper with his uncle in Flamaton down on the Florida line. He will be missed by his many friends here. --- Mrs. J.W. Pugh returned last week after a lengthy stay with relatives in Georgia. --- Mrs. Robert Brown had as her guests last week, Mrs. Z.T. Gorham and Mrs. John Gorham of LaGrange, Ga., and Mrs. E.B. Waddell of Waco, Texas. --- O.D. Stevens is ill with the fever. --- Mrs. N.D. Ward is visiting her sister Mrs. Spinks and Mrs. O.V. Ward is expected this week. --- Miss Nora Wright left this morning to spend quite a while in Altus, Oklahoma where her grandmother resides. --- S.S. Holliday Sr. is critically ill near town. His son Ed is just recovering from a spell of pneumonia. --- Mrs. L.C. Hutchinson of Midnight, Miss., is spending some days with relatives in and near Roanoke. --- Mrs. L.W. Wilkerson returned Monday from a visit to Tallassee accompanied home by Mr. Wilkerson's stepmother Mrs. J.M. Wilkerson. --- L.A. Brown, the negro who murdered his wife and baby in Roanoke some months ago, was tried Monday and given a life sentence. The Moncus murder trial was continued til next court. --- File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/randolph/newspapers/newspape694gnw.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/alfiles/ File size: 14.5 Kb