Randolph County AlArchives News.....Newspaper Abstracts for SEPT 1908 September 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 30, 2005, 3:12 pm The Roanoke Leader September 1908 NEWSPAPER ABSTRACTS FROM "THE ROANOKE LEADER", Roanoke, Randolph County, Alabama for SEPTEMBER 1908 NEWSPAPER issue of Wednesday, September 2, 1908 FOR SALE - - 3 farms at Texas, Georgia, well improved, well watered and timbered. Will sell on easy terms. Apply to G.W. Hammond, Texas, Georgia --- THE PHILLIPS TRIAL RESULTED IN SENTENCE OF THIRTY YEARS; DEFENDANT WILL APPEAL One of the most notable murder trials in the history of Randolph county occurred in Wedowee last week, beginning Wednesday and continuing two days. It was the case of the State against Bill Phillips, charged with the murder of Van Wright, both being white men and connected with prominent families in this county. Through the courtesy of Judge Brewer, Sheriff Walden and Deputies Windom and Hooton, the writer was provided a seat within the bar during the several sessions. The court room was crowded to overflowing almost all the while, so great was the interest felt. From the vantage point of a seat among the principal actors in this chapter of a dreadful tragedy the writer could observe the lights and shadows that fell upon the changing scenes. Of these we will write briefly. Several hours were spent in selecting a jury. About 75 names were called. The twelfth man to prove acceptable to both the state and the defense was Mr. G.H. Handley who was the only Roanoke man on the jury. The defense had sought a continuance and failing in that, exhausted all its challenges in the selection of a jury, while the state had likewise used its challenging power almost as liberally. Solicitor Bowling was aided in the prosecution of the case by Attorneys Blake, Overton and Hooton. At their table sat almost constantly Dr. C.B. Wright and Mr. W.S. Wright, brothers of the murdered man, who held frequent consultations with the lawyers. The aged father of the deceased was also seated with the prosecution much of the time. There appeared for the defense Attorneys W.L. Lacky, Heflin, Burns and Bynum. With them sat the accused throughout the trial manifesting a quiet interest in all that was done, but never showing the least sign of pertubation. He was freshly shaven and neatly clad. From time to time he would smile at some acquaintance or over some incident of the proceedings. In this company sat most of the time, Mr. and Mrs. Tyler Phillips, the parents of the prisoner, two sisters and one or two lady friends. Nearly a hundred witnesses were present, ranging from old men down to small boys, several ladies and a number of negroes. Not all of these were examined. Among those who took the stand was the venerable mother of the defendant at whose home he was arrested. Her quiet manner, sad and chastened face, evoked the sympathy of all. A touch of romance was injected into the somber scene when a young lady attired in a white dress and hat was placed upon the stand in the role of the defendant's sweetheart. The defense sought to prove that Phillips had an engagement to visit her in Lanett the day following the killing at Wadley but the objection of the prosecution was sustained. The second day of the trial the father of the deceased brought into court the latter's four small children. The youngest was little more than a year old, and cried at times, unconscious of its surroundings. The jury listened attentively to the long and tedious trial. At one time the heat became so intense that the judge gave the jurors permission to shed their coats. This privilege was appropriated by all except the youngest of the twelve. The crime with which Bill Phillps was charged was a most atrocious one. Van Wright was killed while crossing the Tallapoosa River between Wadley and Louina before sunset on August 1st. The evidence against Phillips was circumstantial. In turn he sought to prove an alibi. This was attacked by the state in rebuttal. The case was closely contested by both sides. The argument before the jury was made for the defense by Messrs. Heflin and Lackey and for the state by Senator Overton and Solicitor Bowling. Forceful appeals were made. The jury retired at 10 o'clock Thursday night to make a verdict. After deliberating till one o'clock they repaired to sleep. At 10 o'clock the next morning the verdict was returned of guilty of murder in the second degree and the sentence named was thirty years imprisonment. The prisoner received the verdict with the same stoic indifference that had characterized him throughout the trial. He made no public comment. His attorney at once moved for a new trial. ---- HARVEST OF DEATH The death angel has gathered an unusually large harvest throughout this section the past few days. Both the old and the young were forced to yield to the sway of the tyranical ruler, in whose path is desolation and sorrow. Last Thursday, Mr. S.S. Holliday Sr. died at his home about three miles west of town, after an illness of typhoid fever. He was the father of Rev. H.J. and Messrs. Ed, Will and Amos Holliday and was a good citizen. The funeral services were conducted Friday morning from the Baptist church by Rev. T.J. Porter. The remains were interred in the city cemetery. --- At six o'clock Sunday morning the six months old infant of Mr. and Mrs. W.A. Kitchens passed away, having been seriously ill for many days. The funeral service was conducted from the Baptist church at 2 o'clock Monday evening by the pastor, Rev. T.J. Porter. Numerous friends assembled to mingle with tears with the greatly bereaved parents. ---- CIRCUIT COURT CASES A number of cases were heard in circuit court in Wedowee last week. We mention those of most general interest. Last week we noted that L.A. Brown, the negro murderer was given a life sentence. The trial of Bill Phillips, white, charged with murder, is reported in another column. The cases of the following white men, charged with murder, were continued to the next term of court: Jack Moncus Charlie Carter B.F. Nix Will Pharr The latter two are in jail but Mr. Nix will have a preliminary hearing before Judge Kaylor tomorrow, seeking bail. John Smith, a negro employed at a still near Roanoke, was convicted in two cases. On one he had been convicted in the probate court and fined $50 and given 60 days. In this case he was given a fine of $50. and six months in jail. In both these cases he took an appeal and is now out on bond. J.T. Moore, a white man, plead guilty in one case at the same still, for operating without a license and was fined $150. Three other cases against him were continued on agreement that he would move his still out of the state. C.G. Wilson, while, was fined $100. and given 24 hours in jail for selling whiskey in Louina beat. In the same precinct, R.B. Taylor, white, was fined $100. and sentenced to 15 days in jail. A negro was fined $100. and fined 30 days, both for violating the prohibition laws. ---- LOCAL News Dr. Wilkins Stevens of West Virginia, arrived Monday to attend his brother O.D. Stevens in his spell with the fever. --- John R. Ussery, a member of the police force in Columbus, has been spending a few days with relatives in Randolph County. --- John Allen Wood left Monday to return to his home in Haskell County, Texas. He was accompanied home by his cousin Miss Mattie Lou Wood of Paran who will remain two or three months. --- Rev. W.P. Cofield of Wedowee has accepted a call to the Baptist church at Fort Deposit and will move there October 1st. His leaving will be regretted by many friends throughout the county. --- The first bale of cotton for this season was brought to Roanoke on Saturday, August. 29th by Frank Cosper of Glenn, Georgia, one of the best negro farmers of this section. The bale weighed 490 pounds. --- E. and E.A. Zobel of this city have secured the contract for building the high school at Dadeville. Work will begin about Oct. 1st. Emil Zobel will be in charge of the work. --- Mr. and Mrs. G.H. Chatfield of LaFayette wre in Roanoke yesterday enroute to Texas with their daughter Mrs. Bynum. --- Mrs. Addison E. White of Lumberton, N.C. is spending some ten days here with relatives. --- Mr. J.P. Barfield Sr. treated us Saturday to some very fine apples and pears. --- Our neighbor Nolan Awbrey welcomed a son into his home the last day of August. --- Mat Awbrey was operated on Saturday night for appendicitis. His progress toward recovery is most satisfactory. --- NEWSPAPER Issue of Wednesday, September 9, 1908 WEHADKEE News Mrs. Jane Music who was very low at our last writing, crossed over the river of death. The deceased was eighty-two years old and had been a devoted member of the Baptist church many years. "Aunt Jane" was one of the noblest christian woman I ever knew. The funeral was conducted by Rev. H.R. Moore at Big Springs. --- NAPOLEON News Mrs. Nancy Long of Atlanta is spending several weeks with Lewis Bailey. --- Mrs. Kate McClung and her brother Jeff Pollard of Carrollton visited Jim Prince last week. --- HAPPY LAND News Thurston Hill is slowly recovering from a violent attack of cramp colic. For a few hours his condition was alarming. --- Rufus Morgan of Harris County, Georgia has moved to Happy Land. --- Thomas Hubbard continues to suffer from injuries sustained in June by falling from a load of oats. The wheel ran across his head and for several days his case was considered problematic. --- LOCAL News Reading of the last week's flood at Augusta, Georgia in this office the other day. Mr. G.O. Hill remarked that it reminded him of a scene he witnessed there during the war. It was near the close, in 1865, while Mr. Hill was in a hospital in that city, that a great flood swept the city. Mr. Hill said that from where he was staying one could look out the windows and see cotton bales, chicken coops, etc., floating down the street. It seems that Augusta is built in the bend of a river and also has a canal that occasionally overflows. The last flood experirnced before last week was in 1888. Speaking of war times reminds us of an unusual incident the writer heard Mr. W.H. Purcell relate some time ago. He stopped off in Anniston one night late and all the rooms being taken, the hotel man placed him in a room where another traveller had retired. When the light had been turned on, the inmate accosted the new comer as follows: "From the looks of your hair you must be old enough to have been in the war". Upon the latter's agreeing to the proposition, the first man continued, "Well, I was a Northern soldier and was wounded in the battle of Bentonville, N.C." "And I am the one who wounded you", said Mr. Purcell "though I was shooting at your head instead of your foot." Thereupon the Union man sprang out of his bed, grasped the Confederate's hand and they continued in animated conversation on old war experiences for hours. The war is over. ---- MORE DEATHS OCCUR THAT BRING SORROW TO MANY HEARTS IN ROANOKE A number of deaths have occurred during the past few days that brought sorrow to many hearts in Roanoke. Only one of the deaths occurred here but all of the deceased had close relatives in town. Last Saturday, Mr. J.T. Arnett passed away at the home of his son Mr. J.J. Arnett, in Beat 12. He was over 82 years of age and had been in feeble health for several years. The interment occurred Sunday at Salem, attended by many sorrowing loved ones and friends. Mr. Arnett was a good citizen and had been a member of the Primitive Baptist church for half a century. --- Monday evening, Mr. and Mrs. Mark Jordan lost their little infant son, only eighteen days of age. Funeral services were conducted at the residence yesterday afternoon by Rev. R.W. Anderson and the interment was in the city cemetery. --- Mrs. E.M. Moore and her sister Mrs. Young received the shocking intelligence yesterday of the sudden death of their father Mr. Fincher in Dalton, Georgia. Peculiarly sad circumstances were the fact that Mrs. Fincher was upon a visit to her daughters in this place when the news came, while Mr. Moore was absent in Birmingham. Mrs. Fincher and Mrs. Moore left on the Central train yesterday afternoon for Dalton. In their sore affliction these people have the sympathy of all the community. --- News was received here yesterday of the death of Dr. W.H. Huffaker at his home in Newnan, after a short illness. His wife was formerly Miss Mac Faucett and her friends in Roanoke sympathize with her in her great loss. Her father, Mr. Jesse Faucett and her brother S.C. Faucett went yesterday to attend the burial. --- LOCAL News Miss Bama Mitcham is recovering from a spell of the fever. --- Miss Annie May Patterson of Mineral Wells, Texas is the guest of her cousin Miss Willie Wood. --- Capt. W.S. Evans, a gallant Confederate veteran and a popular citizen of LaGrange, was in Roanoke on Friday meeting old friends and making new ones. --- G.R. Manley called yesterday and had us change his paper from Verden, Oklahoma to Tenant in this county and state. He said that his wife's health was not good in the new state. --- B. Perry Mooty left Monday on the return trip to his home near Detroit, Texas after a visit to relatives here and in Franklin, Georgia. He formerly attended school in Roanoke and his splendid character won him the esteem of all who knew him. Since going west, he has married and is the father of a fine boy. --- Mr. and Mrs. L.C. Hutchens and their sister Mrs. Bell, returned Monday to their home in Midnight, Miss. --- At the preliminary trial of B.F. Nix, charged with murder, Judge Kaylor fixed the bond at $5000. which was promptly made. --- Mrs. J.E. Mooty and Mrs. R.B. Mooty returned to Franklin Monday after visiting their children in Roanoke. --- Rev. Charles Wolford has been given a vacation of three weeks by his people, which he will spend with loved ones in his old home at Lovettsville, Virginia. He left Monday. Bro. Wolford is amost faithful, active pastor and well deserves the rest and the pleasures of his visit. --- NEWSPAPER issue of Wednesday, September 16, 1908 LOCAL News Mrs. Alice Anglin continues to be very ill. --- Miss Emma Robison of Lakeland, Florida is visiting her brother G.W. Robison. --- Mrs. A.S. Strickland is visiting her daughter Mrs. W.G. Floyd. --- Dr. H.M. Weedon, a prominent citizen of Eufala and father of Dr. W.R. Weedon, formerly of Roanoke, died last Thursday. --- NEWSPAPER issue of Wednesday, September 23, 1908 NAPOLEON News There was a somewhat unique birthday dinner given by the Barsh family on Aug. 29th. It was the natal day of Mrs. Cynthia Barsh, her eldest son Dave, a grandson and also a great grandson, four generations, all present, at a feast celebrating their birthday. An old mother seventy five years old certainly has a reputed and inestimable record who has raised a numerous family of sons and daughters, all of whom are exemplary members of the church of God and upright, law abiding citizens. Sister Barsh is highly honored by making the world better from having lived in it. The total of her progeny amounts to near sixty souls. May she yet live to a riper old age amid the happiness and contentment of her good family. --- Mr. Lewis Bailey happened to a sad accident Wednesday evening enroute home from his gin. Going down a steep hill, some of the harness parted, frightening his spirited horse and precipitating him against an embankment, breaking his collar bone. He is doing nicely now. --- ROCK MILLS News Miss Dilly May Hendon and Sanford Shelnutt went over to Franklin last Sunday and were bound in the holy bonds of wedlock. --- LOCAL News MRS. ANGLIN DEAD After a long and trying illness, Mrs. Alice Anglin, relict of the late Mr. Frank Anglin, died at her home in this place Friday evening. The interment was at Mt. Pisgah after funeral services conducted by Rev. R.L. Brumbeloe. Mrs. Anglin leaves three children, Mr. W.B. and Misses Verna and Dora Anglin, to mourn the loss of a good mother. They have the sympathy of many friends. --- We learn that Zeke Pike shot a negro named Will Potts several miles northeast of town lsat Thursday night, severely wounding him. It is said that the negro went to the white man's house looking for trouble. --- Mrs. W.A. Roberts, an aged lady of Wadley and one of the noblest christian ladies of that community, died last Thursday. Rev. R.W. Anderson conducted the funeral services in the presence of many sympathetic friends. The interment was in the cemetery at Wadley. --- Jas. A. Swann who lives a few miles west of town and who is about 68 years of age, reports that he picked 315 pounds of cotton one day last week. --- A preliminary trial of Will Farr, charged with killing a negro two or three years ago, was before Judge Kaylor last Thursday. He was granted bail in the sum of $2500. which was made. --- Dr. Disharoon returned to Roanoke last Wednesday evening with his fair bride, who was Miss Martha Johnson. They were married in Macon on Wednesday. --- A.H. Stevens and family left yesterday afternoon for Sarah, Oklahoma where Mr. Stevens has purchased a farm. The leaving of these good people is regretted by many. --- Mrs. Stroud Hanners, after a visit to the family of her father J.W. Ray, left Friday to join her husband at Mulberry, Florida which will be their future home. --- J.T. Fuller, a prominent citizen of Fredonia and the father of Mrs. A.M. Clemmons, has purchased the farm and home place of W.A. Widner, one mile west of town and will take possession around Christmas. We learn that Mr. Widner will probably move into town. --- NEWSPAPER issue of Wednesday, September 30, 1908 LOCAL News Mrs. Jep Wilson of Carrollton, Georgia came over last Thursday to visit her father T.M. Awbrey who has been quite sick. --- On Monday, the 83rd birthday of G.L. Earnest, grandfather of L.C. Earnest of Roanoke, was celebrated at a family reunion at the former's home, eight miles north of Roanoke. L.C. Earnest has five daughters, the youngest of whom is just eight days of age. --- Miss Tillie Rutledge returned to Phenix City on Saturday, after a visit to her aunt, Mrs. Chewning. --- A marriage occurred last Sunday in the New Hope community in Wedowee beat. Larkin Sikes was married to Miss Maud Strain. The groom is a borther of Wyatt Sikes of this place. --- IN MEMORIAM These lines are written in memory of our beloved old sister and friend, Mrs. V.J. Duke, better known as "Aunt Jane Music." Though she has fallen asleep Her kindred and friends should not weep. When we think of the road she has trod while her body lies beneath the mouldering sod, Her spirit has taken its flight on high to meet the angels in the sky. While we stood over her dying bed with throbbing hearts, Well we knew soul and body must part; on earth we knew we soon must part, it cut the golden cords to many hearts. Though your hair is of silver whiteness, There is in your eyes a brightness like the morning sunlight glow. Earnest hopeful cheerful, bright beams the spirit from your eyes of black, Like golden beams of morning light a and your soul was ever true. Frail and worn hands but not worried, helpful still though striving to do, Deeds of love and merry doing they can never idle be. Though your step has lost its quickness, there is still a gentle trod, That goes on in sweet endeavor, and brings blessings on your head. For in this world we are but sowing what in after life we'll reap, and we who spend this life in helping, Life everlasting soon shall reap. Written by a life- long friend, A.J. Green ----- WEHADKEE News Mr. Ed Green was bitten by a mad dog several days ago. --- On last Thursday, at the home of the bride's mother Mrs. Martha Davis, Miss Lucy Davis and Mr. M.W. Mathews were united in marriage. W.A. Moses Esq. performed the ceremony. ---- LOCAL News Mrs. A.G. Randle of Roanoke and Mrs. S.F. McGinty of Opelika are the guests of their sister Mrs. O.K. Waits. The Lineville Headlight. --- File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/randolph/newspapers/newspape695gnw.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/alfiles/ File size: 20.9 Kb