Randolph County AlArchives News.....Newspaper abstracts for AUGUST 1917 August 1917 ************************************************ 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 January 18, 2006, 2:12 pm The Roanoke Leader August 1917 NEWSPAPER ABSTRACTS FROM "THE ROANOKE LEADER", Roanoke, Randolph County, Alabama for AUGUST 1917 NEWSPAPER Issue of Wednesday, August 1, 1917 TEXAS MAN WRITES OF RECENT VISIT TO ROANOKE; HAD BEEN ABSENT 51 YEARS Two or three weeks ago the Leader made mention of the visit to this place of Mr. O.D. Baker, a native of this town, who is now editor of The Calvert Courier, published at Calvert, Texas. A copy of this paper dated July 28th has just been received by The Leader containing an account of his visit and from this article, we quote the following paragraph: " On this trip was the precious privilege of the writer to visit his birth place in Roanoke, Alabama and go into the very room in which he first viewed the light of day and in which all of his brothers and sisters were born; he drank water from the very well his father had dug when he first settled the place more than seventy years ago; he met old friends and saw faces and scenes that his eyes had not beheld in fifty-one years; he visited the grave of his dear father who had been dead since 1863 and found his resting place in a splendid state of preservation. What a flood of tender memories this visit to the dear old scenes of our childhood conjured up from the well springs of our heart. It was a treat inexpressibly precious and delightful to us." The family home referred to by Mr. Baker in the quotation from the Courier given above, is the old house now owned by Mr. E.P. Mickle which was purchased by his father from Mr. Baker's father. The house formerly stood on the crest of the eminence on Mr. Mickle's home place but has been rolled back to College Street and is now occupied by Mr. T.L. Weaver. The Leader is informed that Mr. Baker has in mind to return to Roanoke and write a history of the Roanoke of ante-bellum and Civil War days. We trust he will carry out his purpose. ----- WEHADKEE News July 30th L.T. Whatley arrived Saturday from Homer, La., to visit relatives near this place. --- Last Tuesday afternoon at the home of Mr. and Mrs. M.T. Hester, their daughter Miss Ethel was married to Mr. Edgar S. Heard in the presence of the family and a few friends, Rev. W.P. Cumbee performing the ceremony. We wish for these excellent young people a long life of joy and happiness. ---- Since our last writing, Mr. B.F. Walker passed to his reward after a long illness. The deceased was 75 years of age and leaves a large family. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. H.R. Moore at Big Springs. ---- TATUM FAMILY REUNION At the old family homestead near Milltown, the Tatum family met in a notable reunion occasion yesterday. It is estimated that there were about 55 people present, most of whom were connected with the family. These good people are represented in the various walks of life and many of them are prominent in their life of their respective communities. Among the representatives are Mr. S.H. Tatum of Roanoke, Mr. P.B. Tatum of Abanda and Sheriff J.B. Tatum of LaFayette. ---- MARRIED LAST SUNDAY Mr. Jep Dobson and Miss Eunice Baird left Roanoke last Sunday afternoon and proceeded to the home of Thomas Perry, Esq., near Wedowee, where that official formerly united them in matrimonial contract. They are now at home with the parents of the groom, Mr.and Mrs. Joe Dobson, one mile south of Wedowee. The groom has the reputation of being an excellent young man. The bride is the estimable daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Baird of this city. ---- MARRIAGE IN OPELIKA The Leader has received announcement from Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Jefferson Tillery of Opelika of the marriage of their daughter Miss Mary Effie Tillery to Mr. Oscar L. Bradshaw. This interesting event was celebrated in Opelika July 25th. Mr. and Mrs. Bradshaw will be at home after August fifteenth at Fitzgerald, Ga. Many friends in Randolph county of this prominent and successful young man will read this announcement with interest. ---- MRS. SCHUESSLER GONE TO REWRD; Death Claimed Beloved Wife and Mother Tuesday After several days of anxious waiting, the sympathetic heart of this community was wrung by sorrow when the dread announcement fell at four o'clock Tuesday afternoon, that Mrs. Major Schuessler is dead. Nothing had been left undone to save this precious life from the reach of the Reaper of Death, but in spite of skill and effort and prayers and tears, the sad stroke fell. And in the going of this good wife and mother, the idol of the husband and the guardian angel of the five children, there was entailed a loss on home and church and country which can never be retrieved. Mrs. Schuessler was preminently a home lover and a home maker, but notwithstanding the multiplicity of her duties in this realm, she yet found time to contribute much toward the work of the church and to all demands of charity. She was a modest, christian woman and the influence of her life will carry light to those who loved her far beyond the darkness of the tomb. What a climax to the life of one so devoted to her home, that she should pass from time a martyr to motherhood, the holiest calling given of God, to rest in the Home Eternal, with those gone before, till they who tarry here shall come to join her in the Father's House. At one o'clock this afternoon funeral services will be conducted at the Schuessler home, after which the family, accompanied by many friends, including the board of stewards of the Methodist church, of which the deceased was a member, will escort the remains to LaFayette over the Central of Georgia. After the obsequies in that place the mortal frame of her who "has fallen asleep" will be laid to rest in the family burying lot. ---- LOCAL News Mrs. Joe Holloway and baby are visiting the former's father, R.L. Gillam. --- O.C. Dobbins and his niece Mrs. Mullins came over from Anniston last night to attend the funeral of the former's sister, Mrs. Schuessler. --- Jas. M. Hurley and daughter Miss Edna of Berea, Ky. are spending the week with Mr. and Mrs. C.B. Holder, the latter being Mr. Hurley's daughter. --- Miss Ruth Prescott is ill with typhoid fever at her home in Wedowee. --- Mr. and Mrs. Warlick have as their guests for the week Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Rape of McDonough, Ga. and Mrs. L.A. Colwell of Atlanta. Mrs. Rape and Mrs. Colwell are sisters of Mrs. Warlick. --- Mrs. Dolph Huey has returned from Atlanta where she accompanied Miss Eunice Awbrey some days ago for an operation on the latter's crippled foot. Mrs. Huey very generously has interested herself in behalf of this little girl. ---- Mr. H.N. Shelnutt was in town yesterday to meet Rev. D.M. Joiner and family who came up from Lanett to visit the family of Mr. Shelnutt, who is Mrs. Joiner's father. Mr. Joiner will be engaged in a meeting in Tallapoosa county. ---- Mr. and Mrs. C.N. Shearer of LaGrange, Messr. Lewis and Charles Schuessler of LaFayette and Messrs. Frank and Harrison Schuessler of Wadley were among the relatives called to Roanoke the past few days by the fatal illness of Mrs. Major Schuessler. --- Mrs. J.H. Allen of Talbotton, Ga., formerly Miss Willie Lee Kirk of this city, with her children, is now on a visit to relatives in this place, her first visit in nine years. --- Messrs. M.P. Pittman and J.B. Carlisle, two honored Confederate veterans, met in the Leader office on Saturday, when the former recalled that Mr. Carlisle left for the war July 4, 1861 and got home July 4, 1865, and that he did not come home at any time between those dates. Two years of that time, however, he was a federal prisoner. ---- BACON LEVEL News July 30th The infant of Mr. and Mrs. J.M. Arnett was buried July 22nd. This was the second child that Mr. and Mrs. Arnett have had to give up. Much sympathy was expressed to the grieving parents. Rev. C.B. Martin conducted the funeral service Sunday afternoon. --- Little Miss Sadie Henry is spending the week with her grandmother Mrs. J.F. Pittman. --- NEWSPAPER Issue of Wednesday, August 8, 1917 MRS. SCHUESSLER WAS BELOVED IN ANNISTON The news of Mrs. Major Schuessler's death at her home in Roanoke yesterday came as a sad surprise to her friends in her home town and in Anniston, where she was reared. As Miss Leila Dobbins, she was much beloved and admired for a most attractive personality, and she has fulfilled in her later life, the promise of her girlhood. Her brother Mr. Oscar Dobbins and her two nieces Miss Julia Russell and Mrs. John Mullin (Margaret Ball) went down to Roanoke on Tuesday to attend the last sad obsequies. She leaves a husband and five children to mourn her death. The Anniston Star, Aug. 1st. ---- DRAFT EXAMINATIONS HAVE BEGUN Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of this week are set aside as the dates on which the men first drafted for service are to appear before the examining board of Randolph county which is in session in Wedowee. The only test now applied is the physical examination. Of the 147 men examined yesterday, only about 25 percent met the requirements laid down by the government. Among this number who passed the physical exam were: Victor Faturos Woodfin Brannon Wallace Walker Laney Boyd Harvey Adams ----- DEATH OF MR. T.S. KEEBLE This good citizen, after along period of ill health, went to his reward last Saturday. He was 68 years of age and had long been a faithful member of the Mt. Zion Christian church, three miles west of town, where the funeral was conducted Sunday morning, in charge of Rev. C.M. Dollar. Mr. Keeble leaves a widow and eleven grown children, nine sons and two daughters. ---- DEATH CLAIMS YOUNG AND OLD; Mrs. Frances Hester passed away Wednesday; and H. Weathers loses child. Death was uncommonly busy among us last week. Following the death on Tuesday of Mrs. Major Schuessler, a lady in the prime of life, noted in this paper last week, on Wednesday afternoon occurred the death of Mrs. Frances Hester at the home of her son Mr. H.E. Hester in this city. On Thursday, William, the fifteen months old son of Mr. and Mrs. Hershel Weathers died after a short illness at their home on Rock Mills street. Mrs. Frances Hester had been ill for many weeks, first at the home of her son, Mr. R.B. Hester but was later able to go to the home of Mr. H.E. Hester where she sustained a second stroke of paralysis eight days before her death. In all this time every comfort that the family, physician and friends could provide ws given the aged lady, and her end came peacefully. The funeral and interment occurred Thursday at Big Springs. Rev. J.W. Rucker conducted the services. Mrs. Hester was a member of the Primitive Baptist church and was a faithful wife and mother. She performed well her work in life and was a blessing to her day and generation. Had she lived till Christmas she would have been 89 years of age. ----- LOCAL News Mary Lou Gaddy, the six year old daughter of the engineer at the ice plant, died Monday. The remains were carried to Moreland, Ga., for interment. ---- The Leader enjoyed a call yesterday from C.W. Barrett of Temple, Texas. Mr. Barrett left Roanoke 31 years ago and had not seen the place in 29 years. Naturally he did not recognize Roanoke of today, so changed had it become from the country village he formerly knew. ---- E.C. Rork, who now belongs to the Army, was in town Sunday and Monday. --- E.O. Stafford and family of Birmingham are visiting Mrs. Stafford's father, Capt. A.J. Driver and relatives in Roanoke. --- Mr. and Mrs. Frank A. Hancock and daughters Miss Eunice and Minnie of Hackneyville were guests in the home of R.J. Hooton Saturday and Sunday. Mrs. Hancock and Mrs. Hooton are sisters. --- H.P. and W.A. Sturdivant of Georgia have been spending several days here visiting their sister Mrs. R.P. Phelps who continues in very feeble health. --- Mr. J.M. Early left Roanoke for Lexington, Ky., Sunday morning. His daughter Miss Edna remains for an extended visit with her sister Mrs. C.B. Holder. --- White Hornsby is now in the officers training corps at Fort Oglethorpe, Ga. --- NEWSPAPER Issue of Wednesday, August 15, 1917 MISS NARCISSUS BURGESS BURIED Last Saturday at Lane's Chapel, the remains of Miss Narcissus Burgess were interred, after services conducted by Rev. W.E. Faust. Death occurred Friday at the home of the deceased several miles northeast of Roanoke. This removes the last remaining sister of a family of four who lived together many years on their little farm at Center Point. Three were maiden ladies and one a widow. All lived to advanced years, the last survivor being 80 years of age, lacking five days. These ladies were among the pioneer farmers in this part of the country to make their own living at home. ---- DEATH OF AGED LADY The venerable mother of Mr. Wm. A. Truett died Sunday morning at the home of the latter, two miles west of town, at the advanced age of 84 years. The funeral services were conducted, followed by interment at High Pine on Monday by Rev. J.W. Rucker. ---- WADSWORTH HIT BY TWO BULLETS FIRED BY MARAUDER SUNDAY MORNING Much indignation was aroused Sunday in Roanoke and vicinity when it was learned that Mr. Robt. A. Wadsworth, the popular mail carrier of Roanoke Rural Route 4, had been shot by a marauder who was stealing corn from the former's field. The facts as the Leader learns them are as follows: Just before daylight Sunday morning, Mrs. Wadsworth heard the noise of someone breaking corn in a nearby field on their place two miles south of town. She awoke her husband, who took his pistol and went down the road a few paces in the direction of the noise. Mr. Wadsworth states that when in about thirty feet of the trespasser he asked "who is that". He states that the one accosted began firing and after the second shot Wadsworth replied with the three balls in his gun. After shooting six times the culprit ran, leaving his buggy in the road. The horse, however, became frightened and left, later being taken charge by the night marshall in Roanoke. In the exchange of shots, Mr. Wadsworth ws shot through the left wrist, fortunately however without breaking any bones, while another pistol ball broke the great toe of the left foot. Medical attention was given and while the wounds are painful, they are not considered dangerous. Friends throughout the community soon gathered and began a search for the would-be thief. Mr. Wadsworth could not recognize his assailant due to the darkness. Investigation and circumstances led to the conclusion that Isom Cofield, a well known mulatto of this town, was the guilty party. All day and well through the night posses searched for the negro, prepared to take him dead or alive. At this writing Tuesday afternoon, he has not been brought in. A determined effort will be made to get him and see that the law allows him his dues. We are informed that Cofield killed a negro, Charlie Holliday, some years ago and served a part of a ten year sentence for that offense, being pardoned before his time was out. ---- LOCAL News The Leader regrets to note that Mr. H.C. Manley has suffered another stroke of paralysis and grave fears are felt that he may not recover. --- G.T. Anglin continues quite ill with typhoid fever. --- NEWSPAPER Issue of Wednesday, August 22, 1917 DEATH OF ALMOND GREEN The many friends of Tax Collector J.R. Green and family throughout the county will greatly sympathize with them in the untimely death of the former's eldest son, Almond Green, age 22 years. The death occurred at Mr. Green's home at Omaha early Tuesday morning. The young man had recently come back from LaGrange, being indisposed, but was able to be up in the evening before his death. The interment will be at Big Springs today. ---- GENERAL ROW AT OMAHA The Leader learns that a row occurred Monday night at a negro church near Omaha in which several young men were wounded. According to our information, the difficulty came up with Joe Webb, a white man, tried to collect an alleged account from a negro whose name were were unable to learn. There were two or three participants on either side, and in the melee, Joe Webb was stabbed and seriously injured, while Jesse Prestridge, another white man, was shot in the thigh. One or more negroes were badly beaten up, we learn and arrests have been made. ---- DR. H.C. MANLEY DIED WEDNESDAY AT HIS HOME NEAR TOWN IN HIS 65th YEAR In the passing of Mr. H.C. Manley, commonly known as "Tone" Manley, another link was severed that connects the Roanoke of today with the village of this name that marked this spot in antebellum times. Mr. Manley was born in an old house on the site where now stands the residence of Mrs. Sarah Floyd. At the time of his death, he was in his 65th year. The deceased was one of nine children born into one of the original families of this place, a family that has had a large part in the life and history of our town. Now only two members of this family survive, Mr. C.D. Manley of this city and a sister, Mrs. Atchison of Arkansas. For many years, Mr. H.C. Manley ws actively identified with the affairs of this growing town but several years ago he moved out to his farm some miles west of Roanoke, where the end peacefully came last Wednesday afternoon. He was a victim of paralysis and had been in failing health for more than a year. Funeral services were conducted in the First Baptist church of which the deceased was a member, Thursday afternoon, the pastor, Dr. Rucker, being in charge, and interment was int he local cemetery. Many friends sympathize with the widow and children left to mourn the departure of the one they long have loved. ---- A WHITE WOMAN IN CHAMBERS COUNTY MURDERED FRIDAY BY NEGRO BOY WHO CONFESSED THE CRIME Lucian Carter, a negro boy about 12 or 13 years old, who is charged with murdering Mrs. J.H. Allen in the Allen Store, 18 miles north of LaFayette, yesterday afternoon, confessed in a jail cell at the Lee County jail in the presence of Deputy Sheriff W.A. Betts and to a News reporter this afternoon, that he alone committed the horrible crime. Carter claimed to be 10 years old and said he went to the store for the purpose of robbing it; that he told Hosey Hamilton, another negro, to meet him there, but Hamilton failed to do so. Carter said he got the single bladed axe from under the store house and went in an adjoining room where Mr. and Mrs. Allen's bedroom was. He said he was standing in the door leading to the dining room, and when he approached her she saw him and started to scream but before she could do so, he hit her on the head with the blade of the axe and then once in the back. Carter said that after he killed Mrs. Allen he took some cigars, then jumped out of a window and ran. Sheriff John L. Moon and Deputy Sheriff Betts met Deputy Sheriff Wallace of Chambers county and Solicitor Moon at Cusseta with the prisoners. They were hurried to jail here where Judge S.L. Brewer, who came here this morning from Dadeville, issued an order for the removal of Carter to Montgomery, where he was carried on the afternoon train. Carter's statement is accepted as being true and it is believed that the other negroes arrested are not implicated. The body of Mrs. Allen was found by Mr. Allen in his store when he returned there, having gone to a nearby stream to fish. Mrs. Allen was 74 years old and before her marriage was a Miss Fannie White of this city. Mrs. Allen and her husband had lived in Rippville community where the tragedy occured, about 28 years. The Opelika News, the 18th ----- LOCAL News Mrs. R.P. Phelps continues quite ill. her daughter Mrs. Staples from Oklahoma is attending her. --- Mrs. C.D. Atchison and Miss Etta Moore Manley were called here last week from their home in Texarkana, Arkansas by the fatal illness of their father Mr. H.C. Manley. They will return this week. --- Mr. W.T. Phillips, a well known citizen of Randolph County who is 60 years of age, took his first ride on a railroad train last Saturday when from he went from Roanoke to Carrollton for a visit. ---- NEWSPAPER Issue of Wednesday, August 29, 1917 FAMILY REUNION OF S.N. SLEDGE Held Last Sunday near Town; All Living Children were Present. Sunday, the 26th, the annual reunion of the family of S.N. Sledge was held at the old homestead one mile south of town. The occasion was in honor of "Uncle Shirley's" 78th birthday, which occurred some days previous to this date. This good man had the pleasure of having with him on this occasion 48 representatives of the family, representing four generations, and including all the immediate childre now living as follows: Mrs. K.L. Clegg of Wadley Thomas Sledge of Shawmut Mrs. I.F. Parker of Roanoke Messrs. John and James Sledge of Roanoke Mrs. C.R. Moon of Livingtston. The day was most pleasantly spent. After the ample spread at dinner, religious services were conducted by Rev. W.R. Knight, an old friend of the family. Mr. Sledge is one of the best men whom it is our good fortune to know. May he live yet many years to bless his family and friends. ----- LOCAL News Jacob Ragland will return tomorrow to the soldier's encampment at Montgomery. He was called here by the illness of his step-mother Mrs. J.J. Ragland who is now convalescing. --- J.J. Young left Tuesday morning to visit his wife who has been for several weeks under treatment in Bryce Hospital in Tuscaloosa. Reports from the doctor attending Mrs. Young are very favorable and it is hoped she will be able to return home with her husband. ---- R.P. Price visited his sister Miss Annie in Clay county on Sunday. Mr. Price informs us that his sister and step-father Mr. Conner will move to Roanoke September 1st. They will occupy one of the Stewart cottages. --- Mrs. Freeman Thornton is reported as convalescing at her home at Radney's Chapel following a serious operation. --- Mrs. John T. Striplin underwent yesterday a major surgical operation at her home in this place. Her condition is reported as being favorable at this writing. --- Ed Park, an excellent young man in the Lebanon community, left Monday to Montgomery to join the Navy. --- DEATH OF H.H. PINKARD The Leader reports with regret the tragic death of Mr. Howard H. Pinkard which occurred Sunday night at his home in the Double Head community, as a result of poison, taken some hours previous under the spell of abnormal mental depression, it is thought. Mr. Pinkard is said to have been a good citizen and a hardworking, prosperous farmer. He was 37 years of age and leaves a wife and five children. The remains were interred at High Pine church Monday afternoon, after services conducted by Rev. J.W. Rucker. ----- File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/randolph/newspapers/newspape822gnw.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/alfiles/ File size: 23.5 Kb