Randolph County AlArchives News.....Newspaper Abstracts for MAY 1912 May 1912 ************************************************ 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 31, 2005, 8:06 pm The Roanoke Leader May 1912 NEWSPAPER ABSTRACTS FROM "THE ROANOKE LEADER", Roanoke, Randolph County, Alabama for MAY 1912 NEWSPAPER issue of Wednesday, May 1, 1912 WADLEY News April 22nd Mr. and Mrs. Lon Weldon are the happy parents of a little son who took up his abode at their home last Friday. --- Born to Mr. and Mrs. Dan Kirk a few days ago, a son. --- Mrs. Fred Anderson who has been in an infirmary in Montgomery for the past three months returned home a few days ago improved in health. --- BAILEY CONFESSES TO KILLING JOE FEARS; Mystery of Man Missing for Past Two Years is Solved. John Henry Bailey, who has been in custody in the county jail for more than a week on suspicion as the assasin or as an accomplice to the murder of Joe Fears confessed to his guilt. In conversation with Sheriff Ford and Judge Heflin he confessed to having dealt the blow that ended the life of Joe Fears. He says that while at work near each other in the field he and Joe engaged in some words as to some fodder which finally grew into a difficulty. He states that Joe struck at him with a knife and that he struck Fears a blow with an axe with which he was sprouting. He states that Fears died instantly. Seeing his predicament he decided it was best to bury him on the spot and not ever let it be known. Sheriff Ford and Judge Heflin believe that he has told the truth as far as he has gone. Bailey intimated to them that he would like to talk more but would wait awhile yet perhaps to consult an attorney. It is believed that one or more others were accomplices to the deed. George Hand was arrested at the same time that Bailey was and it is believed that he had something to do with the assassination. The Wedowee Star Since the above was printed in the Star, Bailey's wife, who is also in jail, told Sheriff Ford if he would go with her she would show him where Fears was killed and buried. When they arrived at the Fears place she conducted the searching party to a spot in the field about a quarter mile from the house. The woman, who was Fears sister, could not exactly locate the place but informed them that it was right there somewhere. After the party had dug two or three hours their efforts were rewarded by finding the skull and skeleton and a pair of shoes that the man had on when he was murdered. This was Friday morning, and Saturday morning the remains were brought to Roanoke and were viewed by several hundred people at Carroll's stable. The bones and skull, with a large piece missing just above the left ear are mute evidences of one of the most atrocious murders ever committed in Randolph. Fears owned quite a bit of property and it is thought that he was murdered that these negroes might obtain it. As published in the Leader two weeks ago, charred bones and teeth were found buried in the yard and were supposed at the time to be those of Fears but later developments proved otherwise. In conversation with Mr. J.T. Carroll, who led the first searching party, he told the reporter that he was going to have these teeth and bones analyzed to see whether or not they belonged to a human. If so, perhaps a double murder was perpetrated. ---- W.J. GRADY DEAD Huntsville, Ala., April 20th W.J. Grady, formerly deputy sheriff of Chambers county, died after lingering several days from wounds thought to be inflicted by his own hand with suicidal intent. The Birmingham News --- WEHADKEE News April 29th Since our last writing, "Aunt" Sallie Skipper passed to her reward after a long illness. The deceased was 86 years old and had been a member of the Primitive Baptist church many years. The interment was at Hillabahatchee. --- LOCAL News Mrs. John Belcher who was taken suddenly ill yesterday afternoon is not any better this morning. --- Mrs. Marshall Hurst who has been ill, is some better this morning --- Mrs. Nathan Hornsby died at her home in Lowell last Thursday night. Mrs. Hornsby was about 28 years old and leaves two little boys besides her husband and other relatives. The remains were interred at New Hope cemetery on Friday. --- Mrs. J.D. Hooper and children leave Friday for Jacksonville, Florida where Mr. Hooper awaits them and where they will make their future home. --- NOTICE - - I forbid anyone from hiring Munroe Henderson, colored. He is a minor 14 years old. George W. Holloway, stepfather. --- Lem Layton is slowly recovering from a two weeks illness. --- Dr. Dobbs assisted at the funeral of Mrs. Ella Lane, who was buried at Lebanon last Thursday. --- Miss Dessa Pittman is visiting the family of her uncle, J.S. Hunter this week. --- Mrs. Wyatt Arnold has as her guest this week her sister, Miss Ruth Taylor. --- Mrs. A.C. Whiting and child returned Sunday to their home at Buford, Georgia after a three weeks visit to her father's family, J.S. Ragland in this city. --- Mrs. G.W. Wallace of Five Points spent this week with Mrs. A.J. Penn. --- NAPOLEON News April 24th "Grandma" Savage, eighty-four years old, who has been bed-ridden for a year or more, peacefully passed to the great beyond Sunday morning. She was one of the two oldest inhabitants in our community. She was a member of the church at Haywood. ---- NEWSPAPER issue of Wednesday, May 8, 1912 BACON LEVEL News May 6th Mrs. Mary Bradshaw and Miss Martha Sweet have returned from a visit to the former's daughter Mrs. J.E. Howell at Riverview. --- LOCAL News We are glad to note that Mr. John Belcher is rapidly recovering from a stroke of paralysis. --- J.L. Adams of Sentinel, Oklahoma, with his wife and children is visiting the family of his father F.M. Adams. --- Wm. R. Holder will leave at 2:30 this afternoon. His mother will accompany him to London, Kentucky to visit her son Charles. The former will sail from New York the 15th for the mission field in Africa, via England. Many friends will watch his heroic course with interest and admiration. --- WADLEY News May 6th Mrs. Maud Thompson has as her guest her mother from Columbus, Mississippi. --- NEWSPAPER Issue of Wednesday, May 15, 1912 KILLED BY LIGHTNING A tragic result of the thunderstorm of Saturday was the death by lightning of Mr. Glover Rushton, a respected farmer on Route 2. He was just taking his mule from the plow when the deadly bolt fell. The mule was also instantly killed. Mr. Rushton leaves a family. His remains were interred at Pleasant Grove church near Glenn, Georgia in the prsence of a large company of friends. --- LOCAL News Eric Alsobrook has moved into the house west of E.P. Mickle's residence. He is a machinist at the acid plant. --- Mr. Wyley Hill, a Confederate veteran, is critically ill at the home of his nephew, R.P. Phelps. He came here from his home in Chambers county to go to the reunion but was taken ill. --- Mr. Lunday of Texarkana Texas is visiting his sister Mrs. M.A. Corley. --- Truett Weaver arrived Saturday from Hillsboro, Texas to accept a position of freight clerk at the A B & A Depot. --- Mrs. Brooks Duke and babe of Birmingham spent Saturday and Sunday with the family of Dr. Liles. Accompanied by Mrs. Liles they proceeded Monday to visit relatives in West Point. --- Polk Pool of Texas is visiting relatives in this section. --- C.W. Atkins of Stamford, Texas, a former Roanoke boy, was in town last week enroute to visit his father J.L. Atkins at Malone. He is postmaster of his adopted town and is making a fine record. --- M.L. Cook, who arrived from Atlanta too late to attend the funeral of his grandchild, left Tuesday with the bereaved parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.L. Redmond, for their home in Columbus. Mrs. Ben Redmond and little son Fred also accompanied the party to Columbus to spend a few days. --- Robt. T. West received news Saturday of the death of his venerable mother Mrs. A.A. West at her home in Ozark, Mo. Mrs. West was 74 years of age and her death was not unexpected. For many years the deceased was an esteemed resident of this county. Many friends of the family sympathize with our townsman in his loss. --- ROCK MILLS News May 14th We have learned that Mrs. J.A. Bret of Glenn, Ga., died Thursday of Pellegra. --- WEHADKEE News (by S.D. Lewis, correspondent) May 13th Our youngest granddaughter arrived last Sunday at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Perry Lewis. --- Mr. Henry Kirk of Fort Smith, Arkansas is visiting his sister Mrs. A.J. Green and other relatives in this section, after an absence of thirty-two years. --- Mr. J.M. Cantrell dropped dead at his home at Potash. --- Last week, C.H. Lindsey and R.L. Echols were placed on trial for the killing of Albert McPherson in West Point. The jury was unable to agree upon a verdict. It is said that the jury stood four for conviction for manslaughter and eight for acquittal. --- BACON LEVEL News May 13th Mrs. John Pitts continues quite feeble. --- Mrs. M.A. Bennett is spending some time near Glenn, Ga., the guest of her brother W.B. Meadows and family. --- Mr. and Mrs. Matt Pitts of Rock Mills visited here on Sunday. --- NEWSPAPER issue of Wednesday, May 22, 1912 A VETERAN DIES Mr. Wyley Hill, the Confederate veteran and respected citizen from Chambers county who was taken ill at the home of his nephew Mr. R.P. Phelps in this place, while enroute to the reunion in Macon, died last Wednesday afternoon. The remains were carried Thursday morning to Mount Hickory for interment with funeral services by Elder Satterwhite. Besides his sons living in this section, the daughters of the deceased, Mrs. Mamie Clack and Mrs. Valera Rowland of Senoia, Ga., were with him when the end came. --- CARD OF THANKS We wish to express our heartfelt thanks to the good people and physicians of Roanoke for their kindness, their expressions of love and sympathy, during the serious illness and death of our father Wyley Hill. We pray Heaven's richest blessings may rest upon each one of them and that the spirit of our blessed savior may guide them through all their tolls and cares in this life and bring them safe home to heaven in the end. His children, Thurston Hill, A. Hill, Ernest Hill, Mrs. Mamie Clack, Mrs. Valera Rowland. ---- AGED PHYSICIAN CALLED TO REWARD; DR. L.P. HAMNER PASSED AWAY FRIDAY Dr. L.P. Hamner was born in Social Circle, Georgia Feb. 24, 1832 and died at his home in Stroud at 6:52 p.m, May 17, 1912. He spent his early business life with Walker & Zachary at Fredonia and West Point and with Jacob's at LaGrange. Then traveled as a salesman for a time; purchased a farm near Fredonia, Chambers County; he married Mrs. Elmira DeVaughan on Feb. 3, 1853. To this union five children were born, viz: Mrs. Jno. A Thompson of Stroud; Rev. J.W. Hamner of Alexander City; Dr. H.T. Hamner of Camp Hill; Dr. P.O. Hamner of Stroud; Dr. W.P. Hamner of Sylacauga. Dr. Hamner had been in failing health for two and a half years and practically gave up the practice of medicine a year ago. His malady was Arterial Fibrosis. He was called into the practice of medicine almost like a call to the ministry. He read medicine in his Fredonia home for two years under the great Dr. Ridley in LaGrange, as preceptor, and obtained his medical education at the University of Nashville at Nashville, Tennessee and began active practice in the spring of 1857. He was remarkably successful. He was a surgeon of ability, but retired from this branch of his profession years ago, giving his reason, "thus far, I have been free of accident and no man has died at my hands; I want to wind up this way, so I shall do no more capital operations." Dr. Hamner was practicing medicine at Daviston, Ala., when the war came on and enlisted in Company B, 37th Ala. Regiment on March 16, 1862, C.S.A. and was made Captain. He had been educated at Hill's Military Academy at Fredonia in its most flourishing days. Besides being popular with the 126 stalwart men of his company and of his home town, he was equipped and qualified for the command. After serving for a time in this way, upon petition of the men in his company to whom he had been family physician already since April 1857, he resigned his command, was released from further service at the front and went home as physician and protector to the mothers, sisters and wives they had left behind. They loved him as their commander but could not be satisfied without him as physician back at home. Dr. Hamner was a man of high sense of honor and never betrayed a trust. He was public spirited and liberal. He was a much more pious man than many knew. He was all the years, the friend of the poor and the helper of the helpless. He could easily have been wealthy, but he preferred to help those around him. He was seriously ill only three or four days and without suffering. The faithful physician, who had so often contributed to the comfort of the sick and dying, was given a seemingly painless passing away. The funeral occurred at Mount Pisgah on Saturday at 3 p.m., conducted by Dr. S.L. Dobbs and the deceased's pastor, Rev. H.S. Matthews. A large concourse of relatives and friends were present. His body was deposited in the Mt. Pisgah cemetery with Masonic honors. --- CARD OF THANKS To the many neighbors, life- long friend and friends from Roanoke, LaFayette and elsewhere, we desire to express our sincere appreciation of many kind ministrations during the illness and passing away of husband and father, Dr. L.P. Hamner. Also we wish to express our thanks to Hickory Flat Lodge and other Masons, to physicians and ministers for faithfulness. Mrs. L.P. Hamner and children ---- LOCAL News F.P. Nichols, C.M. Hester and W.T.A. Huey represented the Roanoke Lodge of the K. of P. grand lodge in Montgomery last week. --- In waiting for the early westbound train on the A B & A railroad Friday morning, two interesting old veterans met and exchanged experiences. One was Mr. J.T. Pearce of Shreveport, La., a captain in the army of Virginia and the other was Mr. I.G. Lundy of Texarkana, Ark., a private in the same army. Both had been to the confederate reunion at Macon and both were enroute to visit the scenes of their childhood in Clay County. In talking over war times it developed that both were wounded in the Seven Days fight in regiments that fought side by side. As a relic of those days of hardship, Captain Pearce displayed a combination of knife, fork and spoon, made to fold up, which he carried through the war. It was an object of no little curiosity to all present except the other soldier, who, in turn, displayed an odd shaped, leather purse, which he explained that he took out of a "dead Yankee's" pocket at the battle of Seven Pines. The veterans recalled that at the first named battle they surprised the Yanks as they were preparing a meal and the aroma of the latter's strong coffee was still fresh in the memory of the former, who declared the Confeds had had no real coffee in quite a while. But they did not have time to stop for refreshments till they had driven the enemy back. The "rebs" it was stated, then gave themselves over to eating and drinking something even stronger than coffee, found in the camps of the Federals, until they suffered a temporary defeat in consequence. ---- WADLEY News Clyde Kilgore of LaGrange spent Sunday in Wadley. --- Miss Lillian Kilgore of LaGrange and Dr. and Mrs. Stonewall Gay of Lineville attended commencement here last week. --- Mr. Charles Yarbrough of Texas is visiting his father's family here. --- Miss Lucile Dean of Mobile went to Roanoke Sunday after a weeks visit with her cousin Mrs. Conner Coleman. --- Edgar Manley of Roanoke visited his grandparents Mr. and Mrs. C.C. Treadwell last week. --- LOCAL News Mr. J.H. Isaacs of Birmingham is visiting his daughter Mrs. Lyon. --- G.H. Myhand, wife and son Alvin of LaGrange were Sunday visitors at the home of the former's brother J.D. Myhand. --- Mr. and Mrs. R.O. English and sister Miss Mary English of Americus, Ga., are vsiiting Mrs. English's parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.T. Fuller. --- Rev. S.L. Dobbs conducted the funeral of Mrs. Perry Brown at Mt. Olive last Thursday afternoon. --- The editor had as his delightful guest from last Thursday till Friday, Capt. J.T. Pearce a former prominent citizen of Oxford, Ala., but now a resident of Shreveport, La. He went to the war from this county and is an interesting talker not only on past events but on present topics. --- Mrs. Jep Wilson of Carrollton was the guest of her grandfather J.M. Awbrey a couple of days this week. --- NAPOLEON News May 16th Mr. Madison Cantrell, an old Confederate veteran, died suddenly Saturday night. Mr. John H. Daniel, another old soldier, is very low, not expected to live long. He is one of the best citizens in beat 4. --- NEWSPAPER issue of Wednesday, May 29, 1912 BIRTHDAY OF AN AGED GENTLEMAN CELEBRATED LAST THURSDAY; T.M. AWBREY IS 94 Last Thursday, Hon. Thomas Madison Awbrey was 94 years of age and the happy occasion was celebrated by a birthday dinner given by his grandchildren, Mr. and Mrs. J. Ware Awbrey at their home on Rock Mills street. It was the good fortune of the editor of the Leader among others, to enjoy the excellent dinner and the pleasant associations of the day. The guest of honor, though blind and heard of hearing, was cheerful and proved an interesting talker. There is a strange fascination in listening to the experience of one who has lived almost a century and witnessed the marvelous changes that have transpired in these momentous years. Mr. Awbrey was born in Morgan County, Georgia in 1818 and moved with his parents in 1828 to Carroll (now Heard) County, Georgia where he lived a full and active life until six years ago, when on account of failing sight and hearing, he moved to Roaonke. He now makes his home with his son J.T.B. Awbrey, Esq. When the senior Mr. Awbrey first settled in Heard county the marketing was done in Columbus, 50 miles distant and in Macon, 60 miles distant. Mr. Awbrey states that the first railroad in Georgia was built in 1836 and extended from Macon to Forsyth, a distance of twenty miles. Upon one occasion, a ruralist from Heard county was examining the first locomotive he ever saw and while meddling with it, he pulled open the throttle. The machine pulled out with its amazed occupant and the engineer had to give chase on a fast horse to catch and stop it. "Uncle Mat" recalls that Franklin, the present capital of Heard county was established in 1831 or 1832. His father represented that county in the legislature in 1836 and he himself in 1881-1882. He also served in the last constitutional convention held in Georgia in 1877. He was present at the first election and the first court held in Heard county in 1832 and from that time till he left the county he did not miss attending an election or a county court. He served as justice of the peace 30 years and then notary public 2 years. Although past the age for military duty when the Civil War began, he later entered the Confederate Army and served 12 months becoming an officer. Before the war he drilled his county men under an old law which required all men from 18 to 60 years of age to attend muster. The sword he used in those days is now in the prized possession of Mr. Ware Awbrey. At the time of Mr. Awbrey's first acquaintance with Randolph County, there were but few settlements in this territory and Indians were here in numbers. He passed through the place where Roanoke now stands, enroute to Louina, when not a house had been erected at that point. He was also in Atlanta, Georgia when only log houses marked the spot, even the stores, churches and school building being of logs. Our venerable friend is not a pessimist, though almost shut out from the world and living largely in the past. He says that times are better than they used to be. In his early experiences he has seen as many as 20 fights in one day, though killings were not so numerous as they are now. It was an evidence of a coward to use a weapon. This oldest citizen of Roanoke now has 115 living descendants, one of the number being a great-great grandchild, representing the fifth generation. This aged and honored father bids fair to live to celebrate his 100th birthday and The Leader trusts that it may be so. ---- TO BE MARRIED The editor acknowleges receipt of the following invitation: "Dr. and Mrs. M.J. Banks invite you to be present at the marriage of their daughter Beulah to Mr. Clifton Eugene Oliver on Wednesday evening, June fifth at six o'clock,Baptist church in Jackson's Gap, Alabama. Mr. Oliver is a prominent business man of Dadeville and his bride to be is a charming representative of a fine family of Tallapoosa county. --- LOCAL News Mr. Richmond A. Arnett died at Lanett last night and will be buried at Salem at noon today. He was one of Randolph's oldest settlers and was a good man. --- Will Finney, a young man living at Milltown, died Monday night. --- Z.J. Wright with his son Fred and smaller children and brother-in-law W.C. Stone, came over from Dadeville the first of the week in the former's touring car. --- Jesse Ellington, a prominent citizen of Lee County, is visiting his brother-in- law, T.C. Goodwin. --- Hattie Nelle Wilf is spending this week with her grandmother Mrs. Dorothy Higgins down in Chambers county. --- Elder A.V. Atkins of Los Angeles, Calif., will preach at Mount Pisgah next Saturday and Sunday. --- John Lawrence, well known in this county after the war as a leader of the Ku- Klux clan, but who now resides in Texas, has been spending some time among old friends in this county. --- M.L. Whatley of Franklin, is in town, returning from Motley where he had attended the funeral of his aunt on Sunday, the widow of the late Capt. Anderson Allen. The deceased was 78 years of age and was formerly a Pittman. --- BACON LEVEL News Morris Rutland of Stateline, Ga., is visiting his aunt, Mrs. J.H. Phillips and family. --- Nimrod Ussery's mile became unmanageable at the church Sunday morning and ran him against a tree, bruising him some. -- Mrs. Ann Strickland of HIcklry Flat, fell last week, injuring her hip. --- WEHADKEE News John H. Daniel, a good citizen, died alst Friday at his home in beat 4, after a short illness. --- File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/randolph/newspapers/newspape740gnw.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/alfiles/ File size: 23.1 Kb