Randolph County AlArchives News.....Newspaper abstracts for SEPT 1910 September 1910 ************************************************ 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 October 16, 2005, 2:19 pm The Roanoke Leader September 1910 NEWSPAPER ABSTRACTS FROM "THE ROANOKE LEADER", Roanoke, Randolph County, Alabama for SEPTEMBER 1910 NEWSPAPER issue of Wednesday, September 7, 1910 CHAS. E. TUCKER KILLED This entire section was shocked and enraged upon receipt of the news of the brutal murder of Chas. E. Tucker at 9 o'clock last Thursday night near Abanda, ten miles west of Roanoke. The facts, briefly stated are as follows: A posse of white citizens went to the house of Will Boyd, a negro, to arrest him on a warrant, charging him with the burning of the store of J.D. Denney & Co. at Abanda some months ago. In the party was Dr. G.A. Pate, interested in the store, and W.M. Pearson, J.W. Ponder, T.J. Brooks, R.G. Willoughby and Chas. E. Tucker, special deputies. Tucker was the first to enter the home and was met by a charge from a double barrel shot gun, striking him in the breast. He fell to the ground outside. Mr. Tucker died almost instantly. The rest of the party was stationed at other doors. Another shot was fired by the negro which grazed the dying man. The negro then fled into the darkness and was fired upon as he ran by Deputy Ponder, the only other armed man on that side of the house. A reward of $150. was offered by friends for the capture of the murderer. He is about 25 years of age, six feet high and slender, and of ginger cake color. He is a desperate character and was under indictment for selling liquor. Holding a grudge against W.M. Pearson because of the indictment, it is believed he fired the house of Mr. Pearson Wednesday night, according to tracks found following the burning. This caused the attempt at arrest to be made at once on the charge for the former burning. Mr. Tucker, the slain man, lived in Birmingham where he held a good position as electrician. He was a son of Mr. and Mrs. A.E. Tucker of Roanoke, whom he had recently visited. J.M. and D.B. Tucker of this city are brothers of the deceased. The circumstances of Mr. Tucker's death are peculiarly sad. At the time he was visiting his sister Mrs. W.M.Pearson, whose home was set afire the night before, it is believed by the negro Will Boyd. Fortunately the flames were discovered and the house was saved. Mr. Tucker, who intended to return home Friday morning, volunteered to go with the party of special deputies to arrest the dangerous criminal who feigned submission and invited the posse to enter. Unspeakably sad was the shock to the widow of the deceased, left with four small children and also to the parents, brothers and sisters. A pathetic feature was the fact that the father was already ill while the mother was rendered likewise by the crushing calamity. The body of the unfortunate man was brought to Roanoke where at 2 o'clock Saturday it was interred, after touching services conducted at the cemetery by Revs. S.L. Dobbs and A.S. Brannan. The deceased lived in Roanoke some years ago and was an engineer at the electric light and waterworks plant. He was a genial, clever gentleman and a member of the Baptist church. He was known to be a fearless man. His bereaved relatives and his sorrowing friends may find comfort in the knowledge that he died in the discharge of duty and in defense of the law, upon which rests the peace and perpetuity of our government. It is better to die for the right than to live for the wrong. Although persisent efforts have been made by friends and relatives of the deceased and by officers and detectives, aided by blood hounds to catch the negro who killed Chas. E. Tucker, he has so far eluded capture. Strong hopes are entertained that he will soon be taken. ---- THE DREAD MESSENGER CALLS MISS VASHTI ALLEN TO GREAT BEYOND Once of those strange, sad dispensations, suddenly ending a young life, occurred in Roanoke on Monday afternoon. Early in the forenoon Mr. E.P. Allen, who lives several miles north of Roanoke, brought his daughter Miss Vashti to town to receive some simple dental and medical attention. She had been in feeble health for some time. Later in the day, not feeling well, she retired to the house of Dr. Liles and laid down to rest. About 4 o'clock in the afternoon, the doctor being away on business, the young lady was discovered to be in a dangerous condition and a physician was summoned. Her arrived promptly but death soon claimed its victim, before the father of the unfortunate young woman could return to her side. The lamentable occurrence aroused the sympathy of the community as manifested in many practical ways. Generous citizens donated money to defray the burial expenses, while the ladies prepared the body in the nicest manner and brought beautiful offerings of flowers. Quite a number of Roanoke people accompanied the remains to the home. The interment was at Lebanon yesterday afternoon. --- LOCAL News Mrs. Tom Yates is ill with the fever. --- Amos N. Lovvorn will go to Albertville tomorrow to say with his widowed aunt and attend school. --- Gib Hill, a good old time darkey, who had been living near town a long time, died Monday afternoon. --- J.B. Summers of Eldorado, Oklahoma and Mrs. Laura Dodson of Tuckersburg are visiting the family of H.L. Griffin. --- The Leader had a call Friday from W.L. Nixon of Coweta County, Ga., who was visiting relatives near Roanoke. He made arrangements with us to furnish him the news from his old home county. --- Mrs. S.C. Pittman enjoyed the latter part of last week with a visit from her grandchildren, Charles White of Anniston and Fred and Virginia Sue Baker of Standing Rock. The two latter were accompanied by their mother Mrs. J.H. Baker. --- News comes from Heard County that John Daniel, in a shooting scrape with Doc Bell, unintentionally killed the latter's child. --- Mrs. Maud Cowan from Atlanta is vsiting Mrs. J.T. Carroll. --- Jesse Lane and family of Chillicothe, Texas are visiting relatives here. --- HAPPY LAND News Mrs. Perry Brown is still suffering from rheumatism with little promise of early recovery. --- WEHADKEE News The little babe of Mr. and Mrs. Luther Lewis was buried at Big Spring last Wednesday. --- Mrs. Bird Gay of Omaha community is very sick with the fever. --- ROCK MILLS News LaFayette Golden of West Point visited Mr. and Mrs. E.Z. F. Golden last week. --- NEWSPAPER issue of Wednesday, September 14, 1910 LOCAL News Mr. L.W. Trammell died at Five Points on Monday afternoon. He was the father of J.V. and Byron Trammell and was about 80 years of age. --- W.L. Heard of West Point and Mr. and Mrs. C.P. Borders of LaGrange were called here the first of the week by the illness of their mother Mrs. M.A. Heard. --- ROCK MILLS News "Uncle" Dick Bennett continues very ill. --- Mrs. Homer Sharman is very sick. --- NAPOLEON News Mr. Ed Bailey of this place and Miss Belle Harmon of Standing Rock were happily united in wedlock at the home of the bride's father, John Harmon, last Sunday. --- Mr. Henderson Evans and Miss Mary Bailey, each of Haywood community, eloped to Georgia recently and got married. --- LOCAL News Mrs. C.C. Henderson of Greenville, Ala., and Miss Frankie Sanders of Washington City, arrived last evening to spend a few days with Mr. and Mrs. Sanders. --- William Klein returned Sunday from a lengthy visit to his mother and other relatives in New York state. --- Mr. and Mrs. E.S. Sharpe and son Carlos of Browning, Florida spent last week with Mr. and Mrs. Sam Abernathy. --- John and Gordon Hornsby left Monday for Beaumont, Texas to seek their fortunes. The Leader wishes the young men success. --- Herbert Striplin is recovering from a dangerous illness of typhoid fever. --- The venerable mother of Mr. J.F. Russell died at Standing Rock on Sunday afternoon. --- Mrs. Mary Awbrey of Atlanta is spending the week with her son Ware Awbrey. --- Mrs. Mamie Ellis, Mrs. George Stoves and R.E. Chadwick were called to Roanoke on Sunday to attend the funeral of their mother. Rev. J.S. Chadwick had the great sorrow of not being able to arrive till after his mother was laid to rest. --- Mrs. M.A. Heard is seriously ill at the home of her son G.W. Heard. Her daughters Mrs. Emma Nichols of West Point and Mrs. O.D. Wolfe of Ashland are with her. --- Mrs. Kyle went to Atlanta on Tuesday, accompanied by her aunt, Mrs. L.A. Cooper of Brantley. --- A daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. R.J. Breed in Lowell community on Saturday night. --- BACON LEVEL News Jim Bishop continues quite ill with the fever. --- Mrs. Robt. Bradshaw is at the bedside of her mother Mrs. Wm. Gamble. --- Little Miss Lillian Bishop is spending the week with her cousin, Mrs. Vas. Crockett at Glenn, Georgia. --- Lem Ussery was killed by lightning on Thursday while picking cotton and was buried Friday at Fellowship cemetery. --- LOCAL News John Henson, who killed Charlie Hale in this county in 1908, has received a pardon from the Governor. --- NEWSPAPER issue of Wednesday, September 21, 1910 TRIBUTE TO MEMORY OF DR. W.L. HEFLIN, written by a life-long friend who was born in the same county, Capt. B.F. Weathers. The Heflin family and the family of the writer of this sketch have been closely associated as neighbors and friends for over three generations. The two families were neighbors in Fayette County, Georgia in the early settling of that part of the state. Later both families left Georgia about the same time, both locating on High Pine Creek in Randolph County, Alabama, several miles apart. At that time the aborigines were in this country, the Creek Indians. Our fathers, by their associations with them, learned much of the Indian dialect and could speak the Creek idiom quite fluently. Dr. W.L. Heflin was the youngest son of Wyatt and Sarah Stell Heflin. He was born in Fayette County, Georgia March 21, 1828. His father moved into Randolph County, Alabama Dec. 11, 1836. Dr. Heflin was a boy, eight years old; from that date he has been a citizen of this county until the day of his death. After his father's death, the old homestead where he grew up to manhood, became his property. He was educated in the common schools of the country, partly at Wedowee, the country side; studied medicine while in his teens; entered upon the practice of his chosen profession in the year 1847, when but nineteen years of age. In 1851 he graduated at the medical college in Augusta, Georgia and located in Louina in 1855; lived there 37 years. He came home with a large field of practice before him. For fifty years he spent more hours in his saddle, visiting the sick, than out of it. He was a practicing physician in this same territory of the state continuously for sixty-three years. Through that long period of his practice he ever held the unsparing confidence of all the people in the large circle of his practice, even after doctors became more plentiful in the country. When the other doctors had a case that baffled their skill, Dr. Heflin was called in whether far or near. He was very successful in his practice. He attended all calls regardless of financial considerations, exposing himself to any and all conditions of weather. It was never too cold or hot, in rain or shine, by day or night, he went when called for. His indomitable will power, his iron constitution, his untiring energy, fitted and qualified him to endure most anything that came upon him. There are the fewest of men that could hold up under what he could. Dr. Heflin was a wonderful character in many respects; he excited the admiration wherever he appeared in any crowd of men or women. He possessed that most happy faculty of having a jovial, jolly disposition, entertaining and interesting in his conversation. While in his thirty-second year Dr. Heflin was married December 8, 1859 to Miss Lavicie C. Phillips, daughter of Harrington Phillips, at that time the wealthiest man and largest planter in the county. His daughter was the most beautiful and attractive young lady in all the country, and as modest as she was beautiful. She retained all of her attractiveness up to her death. To crown it all she was a most noble christian woman. She was a great benefactor to all the poor and suffering of her community and it is the opinion of this writer that the high standing and prominence of the Heflin children is largely due to the early training of their sainted mother. To Dr. Heflin and his wife, eleven children were born as follows: Wyatt Heflin of Birmingham, one of the most noted physicians of the state; Harrington P. Heflin, who is now the Democratic nominee of Jefferson County for solicitor to succeed himself, a position he has held for several years; Walter W. Heflin, a Methodist minister and a member of the North Alabama Conference; John T. Heflin of Roanoke, the Democratic nominee for the probate judgeship of Randolph county; Howell T. Heflin, a prominent physician of Birmingham; J. Thomas Heflin, of LaFayette, the Democratic nominee for congress to succeed himself from the 5th congressional district; Sophia E. Heflin, died at Louina at the age of one and a half years; Robert L., Heflin, who remained with his father and was his close companion up to the last moment of his father's life; Mrs. Lavicie Reid who lives in the state of Kentucky, the only member of the family absent at their father's funeral; Marvin R. Heflin, also a Methodist minister and a member of the North Alabama Conference. Cenus Heflin, the youngest child, died in her infancy at six months. In all, eight boys and three girls. All the boys are living and have one sister living. Dr. Heflin and wife joined the M.E. Church, South, and were baptized by immersion in the Tallapoosa River at Louina by Rev. Daniel Howell, a noted Methodist minister of the country, on September 16, 1869 and became the main pillar of the church to which they belonged, always faithful to the church's interests. Their home was the home of all the preachers far and near. They did not wait for an invitation. All knew that the door latch hung on the outside and that they were welcomed at any and all times. Dr. Heflin was the prime mover in establishing Louina camp ground and its strong supporter so long as it was kept up. He is no longer seen among the walks of men. On the 15th of August his mortal remains were carried to old Concord church cemetery, and there laid by the side of his departed wife, to rest unto the morning resurrection, when the dead shall rise; the righteous shall rise first, put on immortality and dwell forever with the saints in glory. The Concord church, its cemetery and Louina Camp ground are close together. On that forty acres is a fine spring. In the early days of the county while the land belonged to the government, a man set up a grogshop near where the church now stands. It became very unpleasant to Dr. Heflin's father, Wyatt Heflin, so he himself, Harrington Phillips, Frank McMurray, Peter Mitchell and John Chewning decided they would move it. None of them wanted the land, so they put in ten dollars each, the government price, entered the forty acres, donated and deeded it for church purposes, and it is so used only to this day. This happy and prosperous family received its saddest blow when the grim reaper invaded the home and took from the doctor that which was dearest to him of all earthly treasures, his wife and companion, the joy of his life, the queen of his household. November the 3rd, 1883, her immortal soul was severed from this earthly tabernacle of clay and borne away on angels' wings to glory, the felicity of heaven prepared for the children of God. When this sad catastrophe came upon him, the Doctor gathered his little ones around him and said in his heart "I will assume all the cares and responsibilities both of father and mother." So he did and brought them up to maturity, an honor to his name, educating them as best he could. How well he performed that duty, the prominence of his children is the living and gratifying testimony. We find among them doctors, lawyers, preachers, statesman and farmer. The Doctor was a good disciplinarian. He believed in training children to work. When his boys were not in school he had them at work on the farm, though he was financially easy in circumstances. He did not allow any one around him that was able to work to eat bread in idleness. He was a hard worker himself. Yet no man was more loyal and devoted to his children than he was, and they equally to their father. He was a great benefactor to all classes of people in the country. He gave the poor and hungry bread; he alleviated the pains of the suffering and sick. He joined the Confederate Army at Notasulga, but was sent back home to minister to those left at home. In the early days after the civil war, when the whole country was devastated, no schools in the country, a few of Roanoke's enterprising men determined they must establish a good school in Roanoke. Dr. Heflin was one of the men to subscribe his hundred dollars, at a time when it was harder to raise a hundred dollars than five hundred now. The building of that school is the bed-rock of what Roanoke is today. Dr. Heflin left Louina and moved to Roanoke on Feb. 5, 1892 where he remained up to the time of his death. He died with that full triumphant faith in the doctrines of Christ. He evidenced it but a short while before his immortal soul took its flight. In that last home he saw the long vistas open and angels descending to bear his soul away. He was heard in a low tone humming that sweet song, "shall we gather at the river." The Doctor was a fine, original character. He believed in men telling the truth, that his word should be as good as his bond, that they should work and be honest. His heart was like unto a bold spring of pure water, a gushing fountain of noble sentiments. I have often thought that if it was God's will in his providence to let such men live on and on, what a blessing it would be to the world of mankind, especially the subsequent generations. The life and character of such men are a great beacon light of inspiration to the young men of the country in helping them to mold and form a good character for themselves. A life friend, B.F. Weathers. ------ LOCAL News A.M. Clemmons and Pullen Fuller were called Tuesday to the bedside of the latter's sister, Mrs. Baker, near Fredonia, who is very ill. --- Earle Ward continues dangerously ill. A trained nurse arrived Tuesday. --- Mrs. Anna Foster and daughter Miss Belle of Franklin, spent last week with Mrs. J.A. Walls. --- FOR SALE I wish to sell my property at Norton, Texas consisting of 20 acres of land, centrally located in growing town with good house, wind-mill and other improvements, or will trade same for farm. For particulars write S.J. Holder, Wedowee, Alabama. --- Z.J. Wright was in Roanoke on Saturday to move his family to Dadeville. The many friends of these good people regret their going. --- E.E. Chase is quite ill with the fever in Lowell community. --- Wanted to purchase, ash, oak, cedar, poplar and hickory logs. Write for particulars to John J. Earle, Opelika, Alabama. --- Misses Winnie, Vicie and Carrie Lee Heflin left Tuesday to enter the Athens Female College. They were accompanied as far as Birmingham by their father John T. Heflin. --- John M. Tucker returned Tuesday from Fort Payne, where he went with Dr. Pate to identify a negro who was held on suspicion of being the murderer of C.E. Tucker. The suspect proved to be the wrong man. --- Capt. B.F. Weathers showed us yesterday a picture of the federal prison located on Johnson Island in Lake Erie, where he was imprisoned near the close of the civil war. It is interesting to hear him relate the experiences and hardships the Confederates underwent in Northern prisons. --- Rev. A.S. Brannan did a good days work Sunday. He preached twice at Milltown and married three couples: H.H. Piper and Miss Janie DeLoach J.B. Stephens and Miss Beatrice Street W.J. Street and Miss Dora Foster --- ROCK MILLS News Sept. 19th "Aunt" Polly McDaniel who has been sick for several days is better now. --- "Uncle" Dick Bennett died Monday night after a long illness. His body was laid to rest in the new cemetery Tuesday afternoon. --- Marvin Borders returned from a visit to LaGrange on Sunday. --- Miss Allien Hollis of this place and Joe Wilson of Lineville went down to Evansville on Sunday and were married by Squire Henderson. --- A GOOD WOMAN DIES We have space only for a brief mention of the death of Mrs. Wm. S. Trent which occurred this Wednesday morning at the home of her father Mr. S.H. Striplin, in this place. She was a good, true woman. Funeral services will be held at the Methodist church tomorrow afternoon at 3 o'clock. --- WEHADKEE News Last Sunday morning Mr. Luther Neal of this place and Miss Minnie Brown were married at the bride's home near Lamar. --- WEDOWEE News Mrs. J.W. Stewart came home yesterday. She has been spending a week with her daughter Mrs. Thomason at Hightower. --- NEWSPAPER issue of Wednesday, September 28, 1910 TO BE MARRIED The Leader is in receipt of an invitation to the marriage of Miss Mattie Belle Pittman to Mr. Rowland Edgar Foster, the ceremony to occur Thursday morning, October 6th at the home of the parents of the bride-elect, Mr. and Mrs. J.F. Pittman in Roanoke. --- LOCAL News Mr. J.T. Pearce, a Confederate veteran now in business in Shreveport, La., while in Roanoke on Saturday, referred to an interesting fact that he joined a company raised in this section for service in the civil war and commanded by Captain Aiken, a lawyer at Wedowee. The company mobilized at Roanoke and the night before they marched away the soldier boys were given a reception at the home o fthe late Dr. W.E. White. Mr. Pearce recalls that this was an occasion of rare pleasure and that Dr. White had two young daughters that made a favorable impression upon his youthful but gallant heart. The volunteers marched to West Point, being feasted at Fredonia enroute, took the train for Montgomery, from which place they were dispatched to Richmond, and after that the joys of soldier life gave place to hardships. Mr. Pearce became an officer, was himself wounded and at the close of the war was a prisoner on Ship Island for thirty days, suffering many indignities. --- FUNERAL SERVICES OF MRS. W.S. TRENT HELD AT METHODIST CHURCH THURSDAY The funeral of Mrs. Wm. S. Trent, who died at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. S.H. Striplin in Roanoke last Wednesday, was conducted from the Methodist church at 2 o'clock Thursday afternoon. The services were conducted by Revs. S.L. Dobbs and J.S. Robertson. The body was laid to rest in the cemetery in this place. The following comments, taken from The News and Banner, Franklin, Georgia, the home town of the deceased will be of interest: "Franklin was saddened Wednesday last at the announcement of the death at Roanoke, Ala., of Mrs. Dr. W.S. Trent. Mrs. Trent had been in rapidly failing health all the year and a couple of weeks ago, she was removed to Roanoke, where it was hoped that, under the immediate care of the doctor's father and brother, who are physicians, and the careful nursing of the other family members, she would improve. The changed proved of no benefit, however, and at 11 o'clock Wednesday, the good woman quietly passed away. The funeral and interment occurred yesterday at Roanoke. Mrs. Trent was one of the lady leaders of the Franklin Methodist church, and frequently before her death had stated to her family that she was ready and only waited the final dissolution, which she felt must come soon. She leaves a husband and two children, a daughter Miss Mozelle Trent and a son Hinman Trent. All were with her in the last hours and will return to Franklin to receive the heartfelt sympathy of their host of friends. ---- The following relatives were called to Roanoke last week by the death of Mrs. W.S. Trent: Mesdames Saine, Ester Cox, George Dunn and Miss Lem Striplin of Atlanta; C.F. Striplin of Ashland, Wilson Striplin of Newnan, and John Bonner and mother of Hickory Flat. --- LOCAL News Rev. Jas. P. Lancaster, formerly of Roanoke, has been transferred to the Colorado Conference and stationed at Trinidad, his health having failed in Cuba. --- The Leader regrets to note that Dr. Robert L. Belcher, one of our most popular young men, is quite ill with the fever. --- The editor of the Leader is considering changing the date of issue of the Leader from Wednesday to Thursday and therefore would be glad to hear from as many readers as possible on this point. --- Mrs. Mary Jeffers left Monday to spend some time at her old home at Perkins Junction, Georgia. --- Lurline Parrish is quite ill with the fever. --- Ralph White left yesterday for Quanah, Texas where he has a job. --- We regret to note that Herbert Striplin has suffered a relapse of the fever. --- At a Sunday afternoon pasttime, Tom Comer, colored, cut the throat of Emma Daniel in the Amosville district of the city and then made his escape. The woman will recover. --- OBITUARY OF CHAS. E. TUCKER Charles E. Tucker was born July 25, 1876 and died Sept. 1, 1910. His death was sudden and untimely, being shot down by a lawless negro, who was resisting arrest. He was a son of Mr. A.E. and Mrs. M.E. Tucker of Roanoke, Alabama. Three brothers and four sisters, his aged father and mother, a wife and four children survive him. He was a consistent member of the Baptist church, was baptized and received into the church by the writer when sixteen years of age at Milltown in Chambers county. He was married to Miss Fannie Mae Harris of Ensley, Ala., which union was crowned with the serenity of domestic peace and happiness. He was an electric engineer of fine skill and equipment. At the time of his death he was holding a responsible position with the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power Company. He was highly respected as a law abiding citizen, greatly esteemed by a large circle of friends and acquaintances and was honored by his employers because he was trust worthy and true to their interests. As a son, he was devoted and affectionate, a husband, loving and confiding, and as a father, tender and indulgent. From a human point of view the death of Bro. Tucker is shrouded in mystery. Our finite minds cannot discern the ways of Providence. He is Infinite and all- wise. We bow with meek submission to His ways, with assurance that some day we will understand. "Now we see through a glass darkly but then face to face. Now we know in part, but then we shall know even also as we are known." In loving memory as a friend and brother of the deceased and all the sorrowing loved ones, I have penned these lines as a heart offering for you all. A.S. Brannan ---- File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/randolph/newspapers/newspape719gnw.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/alfiles/ File size: 27.7 Kb