Randolph County AlArchives News.....Newspaper Abstracts for MARCH 1897 March 1897 ************************************************ 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: Candace Gravelle tealtree@comcast.net January 25, 2005, 11:52 pm The Randolph Toiler NEWSPAPER ABSTRACTS FROM "THE RANDOLPH TOILER", Wedowee, Randolph County, Alabama for MARCH 1897 NEWSPAPER issue of Friday, March 5, 1897 WILDWOOD News Married at the residence of the bride's father James H. Halpin last Sunday morning the 21st inst., Mr. Frank Pike to Miss Dellar Halpin, with Rev. G.H. Bailey officiating. __ Mr. T.J. Landers and wife of Heflin visited their parents at Wildwood this week. __ H.D. Landers Sr., has the oldest horse in the community and probably the oldest in the county. He will be twenty-seven years old the 10th day of April next. His present owner has owned him for twenty four years during which time he has been known as one of the best horses in the community and is still able to do good service. __ Mr. H.D. Landers who has been in very feeble health for two or three months past is slowly regaining his health and is now able to be up some of the time. Also, Mrs. G.V. Landers, who has been in very bad health for several weeks is improvoing in health and we wish for them that they may soon be restored to good health again. __ LOCAL News The State Convict agent came in yesterday after Isaac Clifton but went away without him, as Clifton's attorneys have appealed his case to the Supreme Court. __ Mrs. Mollie Hammond who was granted a divorce at the December Term of Chancery Court and who has been assistant housekeeper at the Farmer's Hotel since that time, returned to her home near Lamar on last Sunday. "Miss Mollie" is an excellent young woman and is to be congratulated on being releases from an unfortunate matrimonial alliance. __ "Over the River" at Ofelia, Ala. Mrs. Burson arrived safe and sound from her long visit to Texas, on Saturday. She gives a glowing description of what she saw, heard and felt while there. __ Mr. Mathie Rice visited out town Saturday and Sunday. __ Miss Susie Burrow has been quite sick the past week. __ Miss Julie Burrow returned Friday from a visit to her uncle's family near Burrow's Ferry. __ Mrs. J.D. Burrow has gone to Georgia to see her brother, T.P. Weir, who is very sick. Mrs. Burrow has our sympathy and we hope she will find her brother's health improved. __ Mr. Roseburry Knight has a new young lady boarder at his house. __ WEHADKEE News Mr. J.V. Young of Franklin, GA, visited his parents here Saturday and Sunday. __ KAYLOR News Mr. Ab. Daniel, of Villa Rica, GA has been visiting relatives in this vicinity for a few days, enroute to Heflin, Ala., where he expects to make his home. __ Log rolling is in season now. Mr. Gabe Daniel had one on the 27th that required twenty hands nearly all day to finish the rolling. __ IN MEMORY OF MRS. MARTHA JANE JOHNSTON Mrs. Martha Jane Johnston, daughter of J.H. and S.E. Brumbeloe, was born in Randolph County, Ala., July 2, 1852 and died Feb 15, 1897. On June 14, 1866, she was married to W.R. Johnston, by which union, they were blessed with fourteen children, of whom twelve still survive. She was a member of the M.E. Church, South, and a humble christian. As a wife she was true, as a mother gentle and loving. She was indeed the light of the home. Her sufferings were long with borne with patience. Truly did she realize that "they were but for a moment" and by faith in god would work out for her an eternal weight of glory. She died the death of a christian. In her last moments she talked freely of her future prospects. There was not a cloud to cast a shadow over the way. Her earnest request was for her husband and children to meet her in heaven. May god's blessings rest upon the bereaved husband. May the christian life and peaceful death of his loved one be a means of pointing him to a home prepared for his saints. May the children press toward the mark for the prize until one day they shall join mother as an unbroken family, where there is no parting. Geo. T. Harris, Wedowee, Ala., Feb 26, 1897. ____ NEWSPAPER issue of Friday, March 12, 1897 DEATH OF Mr. ISHAM T. WEATHERS Full of years and honors, Mr. Isham T. Weathers breathed his last at his home in Roanoke on Wednesday, about 4 o'clock p.m. after a lingering illness, in the 85th year of his age. His death removes one of the oldest landmarks and most honored citizens of the county. He was born in Rutherford County, N.C., Oct 31, 1811, thus being 85 years, 4 months and 11 days old at the time of his death. His aged companion survives him; as also a family of nine sons and three daughters, his being the first death to cast a shadow over his honored household. The tender expressions of sympathy for the family, heard on every hand, attest as nothing else could the rich heritage bequeathed to his descendants in the record of a long life of usefulness, without spot or blemish, and a name without reproach. He had been a citizen of the community for about 60 years, longer, so far as we are advised, then any other person now living. An old friend of the deceased, well qualified for the task, has promised to prepare a suitable tribute to his memory for the next issue of the Toiler. ___ LOCAL News Mr. Bud Young, with a gang of about a dozen men, commenced Wednesday scaffolding and are now tearing down the walls of the old court house. __ We regret to learn that Willie, the young son of Mr. N.B. McPherson of Roanoke, who was reported critically ill last week, died on Wednesday. He was afflicted with spinal meningitis, so we learn, and notwithstanding every means known to medical science was employed and every human hand resorted to for his relief, all were of no avail. He is spoken of as a bright and gentlmanly fellow, about thirteen or fourteen years of age. The parents have the heartfelt sympathy of many friends and acquaintances. __ LOCAL AREA BIRTHS Born, to Mr. and Mrs. Josh Taylor of Ofelia on March 3rd, a daughter. Born, to Mr. and Mrs. Frank Benefield, March 6th, a daughter. Born, to Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Burns, March 8th, a son. Born, to Mr. and Mrs. A.D. Smith, March 9th, a son. ___ NEWSPAPER issue of Friday, March 19, 1897 IN MEMORY OF MISS CATHARINE W. EARNEST Miss Catharine W. Earnest was born in Clark County, Georgia Nov. 28, 1818 and died February 29, 1896. She was the daughter of Elisha and Pricilla Earnest. At the age of 18, in 1836, in Meriwether County, she was happily converted and joined the Methodist Church. For several years she lived with her only sister, Mrs. Rhoda Ann Evans. She was modest and plain and in her manners unassuming, gentle and kind; long suffering and forgiving. She loved her lord and in whom she trusted, and spoke often of his tender dealing with her. From her childhood she was healthy and strong and continued the enjoyment of good health unti leight months before death. Shortly before the summons came, Sister Evans said, "Catharine, I will stand by you and see you die, then we will bury you. Who will stand by me when life is ebbing away, to comfort me? Catharine, slightly turned her head feebly and whispered, "Rhoda, trust in jesus, whom I have served and he will lead you through the valley and shadow of death and you will fear no evil. For his rod and staff will comfort you." Just a little later, the master said come and her spirit winged its way accompanied by the heavenly choir in the paradise of god. The funeral services were conducted by uncle Gooden Adcock and Rev. Mr. Grant and she was laid to rest at Green's Chapel Cemetery. Geo. W. Hall. ___ WEHADKEE News Mr. S.D. Lewis and daughter Miss Cora visited relatives at Walnut Hill, GA last Saturday and Sunday. __ Mr. J.P. Lee went to see his best girl on Sunday. There is something about Omaha that is drawing John's attention very much here of late. __ The community was shocked last Saturday when the news came to town that Mr. Sydney Longshore, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. A.J. Longshore, had died suddenly of heart failure. Mr. Longshore was in Roanoke that morning and was returning to his home near Corn House when he was discovered to be dead in his wagon. So quietly did the end come that it was unobserved by the little boy driving. This sad and untimely death calls forth the sympathy of all good people for the hearts of the parents, brothers, wife and child of the deceased. The overflowing congregation that attended the funeral services Sunday afternoon at the Methodist Church, of which the deceased was a member, attested the esteem in which he was held by his friends throughout this section. May the Divine Comforter administer healing to these saddened hearts. The Roanoke Leader. ___ LOCAL News We regret to learn that Miss Lou Smith, whose health has not been good for some time past, is now reported critically ill. Everyone in Wedowee and many friends elsewhere will sincerely wish for her recovery. __ Our neighbor, Bro. H.C. Camp, who is one of the oldest men in the county and has been traveling the Randolph county roads from the first, says he has never seen the roads so muddy and so badly cut up as at present. __ Mr. Lee Guinn came in from Potash Sunday and spent part of Monday shaking hands with friends here. Lee is looking well and was in fine spirits. He is engaged in a diversity of industries such as milling, merchandising, farming and fishing for luck, and it agrees with him much better than "printing for nothing." __ "Over the River" at OFELIA Mr. Overton of Lineville, made his aunt, Mrs. J.W. Burrow, a flying trip on his way to Wedowee, where he intends making his future home. __ Master Willie Camp returned Monday from a visit to his grandparents, Rev. and Mrs. Perry, near Wedowee. __ Mrs. Lena Burrow and little Fitz Hugh, visited her father Mr. Crane of Clay County, last week. __ Mr. and Mrs. I.L. Willingham and their daughter Miss May, paid their mother, Mrs. Yates, a visit Saturday and Sunday. __ Mr. and Mrs. A.M. Yates were the guest of their father Wm. Yates, Sunday night. __ The City Council met Saturday night to try Mr. T. Albright for trespassing and Dolphus Yates for attempting to hang a goose, but as the honorable mayor nor Marshall were present, their cases were laid over until next Saturday night. __ Miss Hattie Burrow, one of Ofelia's sweetest girls, is visiting her sister Mrs. Strickland this week. __ CHRISTIANA News Rev. G.W.C. Waits made a visit to his aged father below Ashland in Clay County last week. __ NEWSPAPER issue of Friday, March 26, 1897 TRIBUTE TO ISHAM T. WEATHERS On the afternoon of March 10th, 1897, Isham T. Weathers, one of Randolph County's most respected citizens, passed from the walks of men into the presence of the master. His death was not unexpected for he had been unwell for some time and his physicians realized that there was little hope for his recovery. Surrounded by his loved ones in the last hours he waited for the messenger who summons all mankind to their final home. Isham T. Weathers was born in Rutherford County, North Carolina October 31st, 1811. There he spent his first twelve years of his life. From North Carolina he removed with his parents to Wilkes County, Georgia. At the age of fourteen he moved to Greene County, GA and after two years residence in Greene, went to Fayette County, Georgia. In 1834, he became a citizen of Louina, Randolph County, Alabama and engaged in merchandising in copartnership with H.M. Gay. Moving back to Georgia in 1836, he enlisted in the Indian War, in which he served. In the early part of 1839, he married Miss Sarah Ann Thompson. For fifty-eight years, this faithful twain shared the vicissitudes of life together without an unkind word marring their lives, always devoted and loving. In 1844, he again became a citizen of Alabama, buying a farm and settling near the place now known as High Shoals, in Randolph County. Since that time he has been continuously a citizen of this county. The farm he first purchased is still his possession. On this farm he reared a large family of boys and girls. He had nine sons and three daughters. He lived to see them respected in society and well to do in business. When Roanoke College was built in 1874, he moved from his farm at High Shoals ato Roanoke to avail himself of better school facilities. He has since that time resided at Roanoke, being one of her best citizens. Uncle Tommie's life was smooth and even. He enjoyed the confidence of all who knew him. He was the faithful, affectionate husband, the loving, indulgent and provident father, a good citizen and one of the kindest neighbors. His escutcheon is without stain. He filled with manly dignity his station in life. I have known him for a long number of years and can bear personal testimony of his sterling worth. He was a life worthy to be pointed out as an example to the youth of our land. His life's companion survives him, and all his children are living. If the tender sympathy of hosts of friends and the loving care of their children could remove the grief from her heart, she would not sorrow. But human assistance in times like this cannot shield from the blow. But there is a power that will support us in all trials. To this great source of help we can commend our friends in this hour of trial. Let us look at the life of Uncle Tommie and from it learn lessons that will assist to fill our spheres in life and prepare us for the great life to come. An Old Friend. _____ IN MEMORY OF THOMAS E. ARNOLD Thomas E. Arnold was born in Randolph County, Ala., Oct. 20, 1861 and departed this life Nov. 11th 1896, at his home two miles north of Roanoke, Ala. He was the son of T.D. and H.R. Arnold. His father died when Thomas was a small boy. He was raised without the tender guidance of a loving father, but the never tiring efforts and loving care of his patient mother, who still survives him, reared him to manhood. At the age of twenty-four, he was happily married to Miss L.A. Weathers, who is now left to bring his four darling children up, as he was brought up, by a lonely and heart stricken mother. The same year he was married in 1886, he professed religion, joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, at White's Chapel, where his membership remained until he was transferred by the Great Head of the Church to Heaven. Bro. Arnold loved the church and I always found him on the right side. He firmly stood up for the right and firmly opposed the wrong, though he was ever ready to forgive an erring brother when he saw the brother wanting forgiveness. I had the pleasusre of visiting his home often, and always found him cheerful and happy. His home was a preacher's home and he was ever ready to do anything to make this company feel perfectly easy and pleasant. But, Alas! Those busy hands and feet have stopped to rest. I visited him twice or three times during his sickness, and the last time just a day or two before he left. As I went to his bedside he reached out his hand and said "Bro. Hall, I love you, I'm glad you have come." After a short pause, he continued "I'm growing weaker and unless something is done I can't last much longer. I'm ready to go. I'm glad to tell you that I made preparation years ago. I did not wait until the last hours for this important business. I had rather live and be a pleasure to Ma, and help my dear wife, Lue, raise our precious children, but I'm willing to die." He was a good citizen, a good neighbor, an obedient boy, a faithful husband, a kind, tender and loving father. The heart stricken mother, wife and children, we commend to God. Let's strive to emulate his virtues, and one day the king of kings will say "come over and see him". The funeral services were conducted by this writer and his body was laid in the grave to await the resurrection. Peace to his memory. His pastor, Geo. W. Hall. ____ LOCAL News Bro. Isaac Ballew is with his Randolph County relatives and friends on a visit. Glad to see him much improved in health. __ Mrs. R.H. Ford has just received and opened up her beautiful Spring Millinery. Our young ladies will not have to send away for their Easter bonnets. __ Mrs. S.L. Young of West Point, GA arrived Wednesday afternoon joined by her husband who is superintending the work on the new court house. __ Mrs. Timmons, wife of presiding Elder Timmons, died at her home in LaFayette, Wednesday of last week. The people of this section extend heartfelt sympathy to Dr. Timmons in his sad bereavement. __ OFELIA News Mrs. A.M. Yates visited her old home near Burrow's Ferry on Saturday and Sunday. __ Mr. Hampy Knight has heart disease. Please send him a cure. __ NEWELL News Mr. Elbie Walker of this place is quite sick. __ Aunt Sarah Cofield is convalescent. __ File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/randolph/newspapers/nw131newspape.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/alfiles/ File size: 17.4 Kb