Randolph County AlArchives News.....Newspaper abstracts for NOV 1919 November 1919 ************************************************ 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 February 18, 2006, 11:15 pm The Roanoke Leader November 1919 NEWSPAPER ABSTRACTS FROM "THE ROANOKE LEADER", Roanoke, Randolph County, Alabama for NOVEMBER 1919 NEWSPAPER Issue of Wednesday, November 5, 1919 LIFE SENTENCE FOR MURDERERS OF JAS. R. COSPER WAS GIVEN TO WRIGHT AND BREED ON FRIDAY Guilty of murder in the first degree and sentenced to the penitentiary for life was the verdict of the twelve citizens of Randolph county in the case of the State of Alabama against Wayne Wright and Joe Breed, charged with the murder of Jas. R. Cosper. The verdict was read to the court, Judge S.L. Brewer presiding, at 10 o'clock Friday night, Oct. 31st, in the courthouse in Wedowee, as the dim light flickered over the faces of the anxious defendants, the court officials and some two hundred interested spectators. This closed one of the most notorious criminal trials in the annals of the county. It will be recalled that Mr. Cosper, a prominent law and order man and church worker in Beat 14, was foully murdered on the roadside near his home the twelfth day of July last. Through intimidations, the matter was kept covered up until a few weeks ago when arrests were made. Judge Brewer ordered a special term of court to deal with the aggravated case, and an indictment was quickly returned by the grand jury Oct. 28th. One hundred men were summoned and by noon Thursday a jury of twelve men was chosen with W.O. Austin as foreman. The defense was represented by Denson & Overton and W.M. Lackey. Solicitor Bowling was assisted by W.B. Merrill of Heflin, R.J. Hooton of Roanoke and County Solicitor Burns. Due to the unusual setting of the case, and the enormity of the crime committed, one of the largest crowds ever assembled in Wedowee was on hand to witness the trial. It was a legal battle royal. The Leader will not undertake to review the evidence, which is rather familiar to most of our readers. The defense relied upon alibis which were in turn attacked by the state. A strong chain of circumstantial evidence was woven around the defendants in addition to the direct testimony of witnesses who arrived at the scene of the murder before the alleged slayers had left the grounds, only to be intimidated by the gunmen with threats made upon their lives. The Leader has not learned whether an effort will be made to secure a new trial, whether an appeal will be made to the Supreme Court, or whether the prisoners will accept the present situation and make the best of it. Side- Lights of the Trial The element of human interest and sympathy plays a striking part in such a case as this. There was the widow of the murdered man, with her only son, a small boy and several of the seven daughters, as silent, sad-eyed spectators at every session of the trial, sitting in the bar with a few of their faithful friends, a highly respectable group of people. With the men enmeshed in the toils of the law, were their fathers, giving aid in every way possible, to extricate their unfortunate sons. Behind Wayne Wright, sat his timid young wife holding a baby son of some eights months of age. In sleep or innocent prattle, the little one passed the weary hours only crying when the mother left him to go on the stand in an effort to save the husband and father. Witnesses testified that when Mr. Cosper went on his last journey that fateful Saturday afternoon to visit his neighbor, Fred Cofield, over half a mile away, he was alone except for the company of two puppies. On the return, as he entered the big woods about 6:30, he was waylaid and shot three times, crying out for help. The last shot was fired through his head as he lay on the ground. His family little suspected that foul play had been visited upon him, and his body lay upon the ground till Sunday morning, pelted by the pitiless rain. When the body was found after daylight, the faithful little dogs were keeping watch by the side of their master. What a strange contrast here between beings in human form and those of the brute creature. Judge Brewer, as is his usual manner, was fair and patient toward all. The able attorneys for the defense labored hard for their clients. The masterful presentation of the case and the evidence, and the eloquent appeal by the solicitor in closing for the state, stirred every heart. While it was not brought out plainly in the evidence, yet it was clearly indicated and generally understood that whiskey played the leading role in this tragedy that has brought sorrow to many hearts. ------ MONUMENT FOR JAS. R. COSPER IS PROPOSED AS AN EXPRESSION OF PUBLIC SENTIMENT Sunday, Oct. 26th, at Eden Church, Pine Hill, of which the late Mr. James R. Cosper was a member, a memorial service in honor of this good man was held attended by a large congregation of his former neighbors and friends who sought by this means to pay tribure to the man who gave his life in sacrifice for the maintenance of law and the reign of righteousness in his community. After fitting eulogies has been spoken, Hon. S.B. Gaston arose and proposed that a more lasting and practical expression of appreciation of the deceased would be for the public to erect a suitable monument to mark his grave or the spot where he fell, bearing proper inscriptions. It was urged that this would not only be a perpetual tribute to his memory, but that it would afford a medium through which good citizens all over the county could express their sentiments to the matter of law enforcement. The suggestion was hailed with hearty acclaim, and Mr. Gaston was appointed chairman for the county to receive subscriptions from all who will contribute. Mr. H.T. Burns was appointed at Wedowee and Mr. R.J. Hooton at Roanoke. Judge Thomason, Judge Kaylor and others are members of the committee. Let the subscriptions be made voluntarily and promptly. This is not simply a matter of sentiment; it is one of justice; it is one that, if carried to completion, will redound to the practical good of all. ----- ROCK MILLS COUPLE MARRIED LAST SUNDAY Last Sunday, Mr. Durrell Knight and Miss Sallie Keeble, of Rock Mills, went to Evansville, Ga., where they were married. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.M. Keeble. The Leader joins the friends of the bride and groom in extending best wishes. ---- NOTICE This is to forbid anyone hiring or harboring Willie Seymour, white, age 15 years. Information as to his whereabouts will be gratefully received. Also would appreciate information as to the whereabouts of Charlie Seymour, age 17, he having enticed the younger boy from home. Address Mrs. Mary Copeland, their mother, at Wadley, Ala., Rt. 4. ----- LOCAL News At an early hour this morning Mrs. D.M. Yates was operated on for appendicitis at her home in this city. The trouble had made such rapid headway that her condition was found to be very grave. The many friends of this beloved lady and her family will earnestly hope that she may be spared to them. ---- The residence of Mr. Britt near Delta was burned Sunday. One child in the house was burned to death and others were seriously injured. --- A.T. Hester is preparing to move back to Red River, Texas, having been in Alabama the past four years. --- RESOLUTONS ON THE DEATH OF A.J. HESTER, of Omaha Lodge No. 696, A.F. & A.M. Whereas, it has pleased the Almighty God in His great wisdom to call on October 6, 1919, our beloved brother A.J. Hester, be it therefore resolved; 1st; that in the death of Bro. Hester, our lodge has lost an earnest and faithful member, the wife a loyal, devoted companion, the children a kind and loving father, the brothers and sisters an affectionate brother, the community a good citizen. 2nd; That we bow in humble submission to the will of our Heavenly Father, hoping to meet our brother in that celestial lodge above, where the Supreme Architect of the Universe presides. 3rd; That in testimony of our respect to his memory a copy of these proceedings be furnished Mrs. Hester and to the Leader for publication and that the same be placed upon the minutes of our Lodge. Fraternally submitted, C.H. Green S.D. Lewis A.D. Shaw, Committee ---- LOCAL News Moses and Austin Awbrey were home from Howard College to spend Sunday and Monday. --- NEWSPAPER Issue of Wednesday, November 12, 1919 THREE SOLDIERS RETURN AFTER LONG ABSENCE Mr. Turner J. Holder was in town Monday afternoon to meet his son, Sergeant Thomas T. Holder, who came home on a thirty days furlough from the Army, being stationed at present at Camp Stanley, Texas. This young man joined the Army three years ago and has not been home since. He was in the thick of the fighting in France but was not in the hospital a day. Sunday night, Grady Weathers arrived, having received his discharge from an Army post in the west. He had been away from Roanoke three years, over half of this time in the Army. As a soldier he went around the world, visiting Siberia, the Philippines and Honolulu, among other countries. But none looked quite so good to him as Randolph county. Maj. Henry W. Grady is expected to arrive tomorrow to spend some time with his parents at Stroud, and with his wife's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Tenant in Roanoke. Mrs. Grady left Friday for Washington City to meet Maj. Grady on his return from France and to accompany him home. He has been attached to the Medical Corps of the Army twenty-seven months and has been on active duty in France. ----- LOCAL News The store of I.E. Middlebrooks in Heard County, was burned last Saturday night. We learn the loss was about $11,000. above insurance. --- Mrs. Talmage D. Atkins was operated on for appendicitis on Saturday. Her condition is reported as satisfactory, we are pleased to note. --- Jack Small, who worked on the grading of the A.B. & A. railraod through Roanoke, came back to this place last Friday and was married to Mrs. Nannie Amos, the ceremony being performed in LaGrange. They proceeded to their home in Paducah, Kentucky. --- NEWSPAPER Issue of Wednesday, November 19, 1919 MRS. MOON CELEBRATES EIGHTY-THIRD BIRTHDAY Tuesday, November 18th, marked the completion of the eighty-third year of the useful and honored life of Mrs. Mariah Moon. Without any previous knowledge on her part, the neighbors and friends of this beloved lady gathered at her home, the residence of her daughter Mrs. W.Y. Chewning, at three o'clock to tender expressions of love and best wishes. Remembrances of flowers and other gifts were in evidence. Mrs. Chewning, assisted by her daughter Mrs. Ben Handley, and by Mrs. Terrell, served delicious refreshments. The occasion was a most happy one in every sense. ---- LOCAL News Mrs. John Stephens died last Saturday morning at her home in Beat 8. The interment was made at Pine Hill on Sunday. --- J.W. Walker and family of Beat 5 moved to Chula, Georgia on Monday. --- Homer Howell, having finished a lengthy term of service with Uncle Sam, is again with T.L. Belcher & Company. --- The Leader is requested by the family of the late Mr. William H. Gamble to extend an expression of thanks and appreciation for all the favors extended them and their loved one in the last hours of Mr. Gamble. The physician was most faithful and the neighbors exceedingly kind, for which grateful and lasting thanks are hereby expressed. ---- Mr. and Mrs. O.E. Kelley of Jonesboro, announce the engagement of their daughter Edwena Beall Kelley to Earnest William Jones of Roanoke, Ala., on November 20th. They will leave for a two wedding trip. The Bessemer Ledger ---- IN MEMORY OF PVT. BRADFORD GREY Who Died Oct. 15, 1918 while serving with the A.E.F. His country called him to the front Far across the foam, To fight for flag and country, mother and his home. He answered to the call "To Arms", a southern volunteer, And Went from Alabama to "somewhere over there." "Somewhere over there" on France's battle field, Amid the bursting shells and flash of crashing steel. "Somewhere over there", on the world's other side, Far from home and mother, he fought, bled and died. "Somewhere over there", in honor he was slain, Beneath the Stars and Stripes in Alsace-Lorraine. "Somewhere over there", a headstone marks the grave, Of him and many others who fought the battle brave. For the Stars and Stripes he died as for the flag he lived. He only had one life and this he gladly gave. Oh, God, receive his soul, 'tis the end of life's small span, The brother of our childhood, from dear old Dixie Land. He left his home in perfect health, he looked so young and brave, We little thought how soon he'd be, laid in a soldier's grave. His Sister, Minnie Grey ------ LOCAL News Mrs. Belle Ogletree who has been dangerously ill is some better at this writing. --- Mrs. J.P. Liles who has been dangerously ill for the past week is reported some better this morning. --- NEWSPAPER Issue of Wednesday, November 26, 1919 NOTICE I hereby forbid any and all persons from hiring or giving shelter to Jay Hines and A. Hines, my sons, who are minors under 21 years of age. Sam Hines, colored. ---- LOCAL News Mr. and Mrs. A.C. George and daughter arrived last Thursday from Cullman county to make Randolph county their home. ---- During the past week, W.H. Mann bought a monument for his mother's grave. Misses Emmie and Mary Oldham bought one for their father's grave. B.C. Jones bought one for his mother-in-law's grave. ---- John Wesley Awtrey, the 13 month old son of Mr. and Mrs. W.P. Awtrey, died Sunday at their home in Lowell. The little one had been in delicate health all of his life. Funeral services were conducted at the Methodist church at 2 o'clock Monday afternoon by Revs. C. Orear and G. Wallace. ---- Mrs. E.O. Kitchens Sr. who has been critically ill at her home over in Georgia, is sufficiently recovered to be visiting her sons, Ernest and Ed Kitchens, in this place. The elder Mr. Kitchens was in the Leader office yesterday morning and remarked that he and Mrs. Kitchens had been married just exactly forty-five years and that he was happy and thankful for her recovery. ---- Mr. and Mrs. W.D. Shelnutt of Wedowee announce the marriage of their daughter Jessie Mae to James DeAvoren Holley of Atlanta on Sunday the sixteenth of November 1919, the ceremony being performed by Dr. McConnell of the Druid Hill Baptist church. ---- For Sale - - 127 gallons pure Ribbon Cane syrup, made on my farm. 222 gallons sorghum made on terraces. J.W. Bell, Wehadkee, Rt. 1. --- Mr. and Mrs. George Mitchell and Mr. Walter Mitchell of Richmond, Virginia are visiting in Roanoke. The made the trip through the country in their car. --- File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/randolph/newspapers/newspape861gnw.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/alfiles/ File size: 15.4 Kb