Jasper County GaArchives News.....Jasper Reflections - Local UDC Have Helped Make Square Important Part of County 1970's ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Suzanne Forte suzanneforte@bellsouth.net July 2, 2004, 10:16 pm Monticello News JASPER REFLECTIONS BY JOHN HARVEY Local United Daughters of the Confederacy Have Helped Make Square Important Part of County PART I Recently, Mrs. J. T. Thomason, Sr. loaned me a copy of the history of the local chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC), it is of interest because it chronicles the activities of these ladies over the years in our county. It tells about their part in the placing of the monument on the Square, planting the four water oaks and placing the markers on the Square, placing of historical markers all over the county and many other activities They often called on their "men folks" to help and they joined in with enthusiasm. The authors say that "everyone loved their county and put aside petty disagreements when the county was concerned to work for the betterment of Jasper County". Today many who have moved to the county in the last twenty years have a better record of participation in community projects than do those who were born here. The local chapter of UDC was chartered on March 13, 1903, it's charter being number 654. The chapter began with twenty members. They were: Emma Scott Reid, Mara E. Kennon, Mattilu Marsh, Ellen Jerldine Jordan Nora Kennon, Mary Kennon, Mimie Penn, Martha Penn Morgan, Willie Turner, Martha Smith Penn, Annie Parks Penn (founder), Mrs. A. S. Florence, Mattie Barron Benton, Mrs. E. A. McNair, Sallie A. Merriwether, Maude Clark Penn, Kate Kennon, Nelle Florence, Mary Howard Smith, and Phoebe Key Zachury. Prior to the organization of the chapter there had been a group called "The Ladies Memorial Association". This group had decorated the graves of soldiers, cared for the ground around the court house in the center of the Square and held memorial services for the veterans. This group of ladies was led by Mrs. Annie Parks Penn, the editor of the Jasper County News. Mrs. Penn, realizing that the county needed a more perfected organization, wrote a series of articles in her family's newspaper. Through correspondence with state and national organizations and other personal efforts the chapter was founded in the home of Mrs. A. S. Florence on March 13, 1903. Though Mrs. Penn was the founder and driving force in the chapter, she refused to hold any formal office in the organization, preferring to work as a member for many for many year. The Confederate Veterans of Camp Key Chapter were so pleased with the work of Mrs. Penn and the ladies that they insisted on paying for the charter and organizing expenses. THE FIRST OFFICERS of the Chapter were: Mrs. Emma Scott Reid, President, Miss Mary Kennon, first vice president, Mrs. Mary H. Smith, second vice president, Miss Willie Turner, recording secretary, Mrs. Mattie Barron Benton, treasurer, and Mrs. Ellen Jordan, historian. (UDC Historian was also county historian, so Mrs. Jordan also has the honor of being our first county historian - J.H.) On Memorial Day, April 26, 1903, the president, Mrs. Reid presented thirty two Bronze Crosses of Honor for Confederate veterans and again on June 3, 1903, Jefferson Davis' birthday, more crosses were presented. Each year after that on Memorial Day the chapter presented Crosses in a program, and dinner in honor of the veterans. On February 16, 1909, the chapter was completely reorganized with sixty four members. In the minutes of this meeting we find that the old courthouse was to be torn down and the chapter had asked for permission to beautify the proposed park in the center of the Square, and to look into the erection of a monument in it. In 1909-10, Mrs. Greene Johnson was president and the minutes book is filled with committees, called meetings, and plans for securing the monument. The whole county was interested in the monument, and drives, suppers, shows, picnic, and concerts were held to raise funds. Some of the businessmen gave a day's profit from their businesses for (continued on page 2) Transcriber's notes: The continuation on page 2 is missing. PART II In 1911, the Memorial Day program was centered around the fiftieth anniversary of the men of Jasper County leaving for the fighting in Virginia in 161. On April 26, 1861, the 750 men of the "Glover Guards", a Jasper County company, left Monticello for the front in Virginia. On that day Miss Rebecca Jordan had presented them with their "battle flag". On April 26 1911, Miss Jordan presented the veterans of Camp Key with a facsimile of the original flag. The acceptance speech was made by Judge Samuel Reid, husband of the chapter's first president. The Chapter president in 1911 was Mrs. W. R. Pope. In 1912, the chapter was presented a gavel by Mrs. H. C. Hill, the honorary president. It was made from a "battered" peg from the room where the last meeting of the Confederate cabinet was held. The active membership was at what was it's largest at any time - 66. For the next few years they centered most of their activities on recognition of the veterans of all America's wars. When the United States went to war in 1917, the UDC came forward to help again. Joining with the Garden Club, both chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution and other civic groups, they set up a sewing room and did Red Cross work to make things easier for our men overseas. Many ladies whose names are familiar to those of us who grew up in Monticello and Jasper County were active in this work. On Feb. 4, 1920, the first of two important programs was held on the Square. On that day four water oaks were planted and on April 13, 1923, four markers were unveiled in honor of the four Jasper County men who gave their lives in France in World War I. They were: Private Sam Henry Davis, Lieutenant John Bridges Roberts, Sergeant Paul Bryan Minter, and Private Lucius Smith Kelly. In 1925, Mrs. G. W. Cornwell was elected president and began an association with the organization that lasted until her death in 1950. Over the years the Daughters have sponsored the essay contest in the local schools joined with the DAR in placing historical markers over the county. During the 1940's and 50's the UDC joined the Garden Club to buy and plant new shrubbery on the Square. In the 1950's the daughters participated in many activities both local and regional. In 1950 and 52 they were very active in the drive for contributions for a memorial to Gen. Robert E. Lee at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. A flag was contributed to the United Nations. This flag was displayed at the American Legion House for some time before being sent on to the United Nations. The Daughters headed a drive to plant shrubbery around the new Jasper Memorial Hospital and on Feb. 5, 1952, two magnolias were planted on the hospital grounds in honor of the daughters. From 1953-59 they were active with other local groups and clubs in Monticello's participation in the "Better Hometowns Contest" sponsored by Georgia Power Company. During these years the Daughters were ably led by Mrs. Kate Thurmond. Among projects in the 1960's were the beautification of Georgia Highway 83 through Jasper County and the presentation of the rolls of Georgians who served in the Civil War. These rolls in seven volumes were presented to the high school library in 1961. Another project was participation of the Monticello chapter in memorials for the Georgia State Hall of Fame. In the 1970's the membership has seen a decline. UDC Chapter 654 still meets each month, with 13 members still active. Officers are: Mrs. J. T. Thomason, president; Mrs. E. M. Lancaster, secretary and treasurer; Mrs. Harvey Bell, historian; Miss Sara Jan Dixon, registrar; and Mrs. D. B. Dixon recorder of Crosses. Mrs. F. S. Belcher is the only "Real Daughter" still active. Additional Comments: Transcribed by Suzanne Forte (suzanneforte@bellsouth.net) from copies of articles contained in the Monticello News. There articles were prepared by Mr. John Harvey and published in this newspaper during the 1970's time frame. Permission has been granted by Mr. Harvey for use of these very valuable and informative articles. 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