50 years ago – December 16, 1975: Bank robbers still at large

A month later, the robbers of Knight State Bank in Dexter are still at large – This and more … 50 years ago today.

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Dublin Courier – Herald

Over a month after three gunmen robbed the Knight State Bank in Dexter, they remain at large.

Police are not hopeful now of any impending arrests. Although authorities are still investigating several leads, there have been no concrete developments in the case.

Stay in the know with our free newsletter

Receive stories from Laurens County straight to your inbox.

While one gunman jumped through the window, leaped behind the counter, and rifled the money drawers, the other two men stood guard in the bank lobby.

This was the second robbery of the Dexter Bank. In August 1973, there was a kidnapping-robbery of the bank president, Cecil Passmore, Jr., and his family. Police spent nearly six months. investigating that case before charging five men.

LIVE NATIVITY SCENE AT PINE FOREST 

The wonder of the events of the first Christmas will be presented in live pantomime on the hillside lawn of the Pine Forest United Methodist Church again this year between the hours of 7:00 and 8:30 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, December 22 and 23.

This live nativity presentation has become an annual event at Pine Forest Church, and the response has always been great; this year should be equally as good.

The moving portrayal includes three main scenes: Mary and Joseph coming a to Bethlehem; the shepherds coming to worship after having been told of the birth of Christ by the angel; and the coming of the kings after their visit to Herod.

The reality is greatly enhanced by the beautiful costumes, the lighting, and the live animals.

The cast includes

Julie Harrell

Jimmy Harell

Diane Marshall

Forest Marshall

Larry Gordon

N.L. Yates

Larry Shriver

Burt Whitehead

Ronny Yeomans

Timothy Hurd

Ed Cranford

Victor Belote

Scott Beasley

Jim Gough

John Burton

Jimmy Price

Kline Lloyd

The entire presentation takes about 15 minutes, and the presentations will run consecutively. 

Spectators can park their cars and walk to the church lawn.

It is requested that the parking spaces along the edge of the lawn be used by only those having aged or sick persons in the car.

ACCENT ON GIVING

During the Christmas season, The Courier Herald is spotlighting persons or groups donating their time and resources to make Christmas happier for other persons. This series will continue through December.

If you know of an individual or group which is doing something to make Christmas brighter and more joyous, let us know. We would like to tell everyone about it in “Accent on Giving.”

You may phone us at 272-5522 or write us at Drawer B,Court Square Station, Dublin 31021.

“SCROOGEVILLE…PART III”

“It’s just been great. My phone hasn’t stopped ringing, and people have been been coming in and coming in. We’ve been wrapping gifts all day long.”

What has City Clerk Patsy Hall so tickled about is the response to the appeal for gifts for the Mayor’s Motorcade to Milledgeville.

Just last week it looked like Mayor Robert E. Cochran might venture to Central State Hospital with a shamefully small box of gifs for the hospital’s patients in the Mayor’s Motorcade. 

So, when this condition became public – via “Accent on Giving” (“Scroogeville: Part II), the situation began to change.

Today, the Mayor loaded down two cars with bright colored packages to be opened on Christmas morning by the patients.

Mayor Cochran’s reaction to the hundreds of gifts brought to City Hall is a ditto of that expressed by Miss Hall. “People sure got cracking after we stirred things up a little; didn’t they?” he beamed.

“This is just great. I want to thank everyone for this. I’m taking two cars to Milledgeville so that I can get everything there.”

Margaret Chamness, the city manager’s secretary, remarked, “I’ve never seen it like this before – never. This is the most I’ve ever seen.”

The terrific response to the Mayor’s Motorcade adds up to two things:

First, the patients at Central State will have a better Christmas because of the generosity of the Dublin people.

Secondly, Dublin is not Scroogeville, Georgia, after all.

BEASLEY, HOLLAND RENAMED

Chan Beasley and Ray Holland have been appointed to serve on the county Board of Tax Assessors. 

All other county employees have been renamed for the coming year. This action came in the meeting of the County Commissioners on Tuesday.

The terms of the tax assessors will expire in 1981. Judson Watson has three years remaining on his term as tax assessor.

In other business, the Commissioners purchased two heaters from Mackey Plumbing Co. They will be used in two city-county buildings on Madison Street, which are now undergoing renovation.

Also, no dumping signs were approved for 

purchase.

C&S NAMES DIRECTORS

James F. Parks, Jr,  President  of the C & S Bank of Dublin, announces the election of two local men to the Board of Directors.

They are William C. Brown, Jr. and Edgar A. Roche.

Mr. Brown is President of Brown Furniture Company and a graduate of the University of Georgia. He and his wife, the former Rachel Vandiver, are members of the First Methodist Church. They have

three children, William C. Brown III, Catherine, and Rachel.

Secretary of the Roche Manufacturing Company and Roche Bonded Warehouse, Mr. Roche is also a University of Georgia graduate. He and his wife, the former Karen Arness, are the parents of Greg, Chip, and Kelly; allare members of the Catholic Church in Dublin.

ENGAGEMENTS

Ward – Sanders

Mrs. Louis P. Ward is proud to announce the  engagement of her daughter, Marion Lynn, to Mr. Freddie Lamar Sanders, son of Mrs. Lorene Sanders of Dexter and the late Mr. A.L. (Buck) Sanders.  Miss Ward is also the daughter of the late Mr.  Louis P. Ward.

A late December wedding is planned.

Mack-Copper

Mrs. Louse B. Mack of Montrose announces the engagement and forthcoming marriage of her daughter, Anne, to Ulysess Copper, son of Mr. and Mrs. Rocsonie Walden and the late Ulysess, Sr. of Dublin.

The bride -elect is the daughter of the late Herschel Mack of Montrose.

Miss Mack is a graduate of Millville High School and is presently employed with Uniroyal, Inc. of Dublin.

Mr. Copper is a graduate of Condonse High School in Washington, D.C. and is presently employed with Young Farmers Supply of Dublin.

The wedding is planned for Wednesday, December 24th, at 3:00 at the home of the bride’s mother in Montrose.

No invitations are being sent, but all friends and relatives are invited to attend.

TRINITY CHEERLEADERS

The Trinity Christian School 1975-76 basketball cheerleaders are

Melodie Bryson,

Chris Campbell,

April Fraser,

Beth Hodges,

Patti Smith,

Dana Fultz;

The mascot for the season is Leigh Ann Reese.

SENIOR CITIZENS PARTY

The Senior Citizens Club, sponsored by the Dublin Service League, had their Christmas Party at the First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall with  Mrs. Max Brown and Mrs. Harold Barrentine as hostesses.

The program was a Christmas musical one with Service League members, Mrs. Ben Crain, Mrs. Carl Nelson, Jr. and Mrs. Julian Reynolds as presenters.

After a time of fun and fellowship as well as delicious refreshments, each of the Senior Citizens was presented a gift from Service League.

Forty-eight senior citizens were present. 

METHODIST CIRCLES MEET

Mrs. Hugh Palmer was hostess to members of her First United Methodist Church Missionary Circle Two, and members of Circle One were invited to meet with them at this time to plan Christmas activities.

Members of both circles brought Christmas gifts and stockings to be fixed for the needy.

Mrs. Viola Neal is Chairman of Circle Two, and members present were Mesdames Robert Garbutt, Don Johnston, Hugh Palmer, Bob Shuler, M.V. Sizemore, Ed Vandergriff, Frank Waldrep, J.O.Wingard, and R.A. Wood.

Those in Circle Two who were present were Mesdames Paul Alexander, W.C. Brown, Carl Gordy, W.F. Hobbs, Fred Lunsford, Leo Scarborough, Alvina Smith, Pete Wicker, U.S. Wynn, and J.M. Yarbrough.

Members of Circle Two will meet in the home of Mrs. Don Johnston for their January 1976 meeting.

WOMAN’S STUDY CLUB MEETS

The Woman’s Study Club met on Wednesday at the Laurens County Library.

Mrs. Howard Cordell, Jr. spoke to the club on the State of New Hampshire in the year’s study of the original 13 states. This was her first program since becoming a member of the club. She was introduced by Mrs. Thomas Kellam.

She chose a typical New Hampshire town, Oxford, and using many pictures, she wove her presentation around the town and the people there. 

Mrs. John Harris was elected to membership and was welcomed, as well as Mrs. James Kibler, who was a visitor.

Miss Virginia Graves, President, presided, and Mrs. E.B. Claxton, Jr. was hostess.

GREEN ELECTED

Cecil Passmore, President of the Knight State Bank, has announced that Dublin attorney Leon Green has been named attorney of the Knight State Bank in Dexter.

He is secretary of the Laurens County Cancer Society, Treasurer of the Dublin Judicial Circuit Bar Association, Judge of the Wrightsville Recorder’s Court, and an instructor at Georgia College.

Before coming to Dublin to practice law, he served as a lieutenant in the 82nd Airborne Division of the U.S. Army and worked with U.S. Senator Sam Nunn.

He and his wife, Martha, live with their two children, Jud, 6,and Ansley, 3, on Woodridge Road.

Bank President Cecil Passmore said, “It is our aim to be a progressive community bank, and we find that Mr. Green conducts his law practice in the same manner. We are proud to have him associated with us.”

BLUE SPRINGS NEWS

Mr. and Mrs. Jay Wilson and children, Carolyn,  Rickey, and Janice, of Melbourne, Florida, were recent guests of Mrs. Ruby Wilson and Mr. and Mrs. Jonny Wilson and children, Teresa and Sheila Horton. 

Mr. and Mrs. Ray Flanders of Augusta were Sunday guests of her mother, Mrs Rebecca Donaldson of the Groveland Nursing Home.

Mr. and Mrs. Paul Young and children, Richie and Terrie, spent last Sunday at Lake Sinclair, boating.

Mr. and Mrs. Lamar Hester and granddaughter, Sheila Horton, were holiday guests of Mr. and Mrs. Rembert Hester and children, Victor, Chuck, and Sam, of Jacksonville, Florida.

Congratulations and happy birthday to the following in December:

Mrs. Mary Jane Boran of Unadilla, December 5th

Mr. Rembert Hester of Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. Navy, December 10th

Mr. Truman Donaldson of Glenville, December 10th

Mrs. Ginger Young of Minter, December 20th

Mrs. James Frost of Dublin, December 18th

Mr. Philip Graham of Dublin, December 23rd

Mrs. Leman Smith of Rockledge, December 22nd

Mrs. Lamar Bush of Minter, December 26th

Dean Fordham, Dublin, December 22

Belinda Bostick of Columbia, South Carolina, December 22

“BELLY DANCING” WORKSHOP

The Dublin Parks and Recreation Department will conduct a workshop for ladies interested in the Art of Belly Dancing on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. in the Activities Building of the Department on South Drive in Stubbs Park.

The workshop will include

1. A general explanation and history of the dance and the exercise program

2. Demonstration of the dance by Mrs. Elaine Hatcher, Dance Instructor for Macon Junior College and Dublin

3. A “Harem Dance” performed by the Beginner’s Class

4. Individual dance steps by the Advanced Class

There is no admission fee, and registration will be open for those who wish to sign up for the new

classes for beginners in January.

ADS

GRADY WRIGHT NURSERY Inc.

Dealing in quality plants and planting since 1946

LANDSCAPING A SPECIALITY

Call 272-0485

Grady Wright     Brooks Wright   

Give the Gift That Keeps on Giving

A Subscription to the 

“COURIER HERALD”

You’ll Be RememberedAll Year Long.

Subscribe at the Courier-Herald Office.

Dial 272-5522 for Subscription Rates.

Author

2025 marks Harriett’s 30th year “Looking Back” in weekly columns offering readers a glimpse at history through local news clippings gathered from years gone by. The former schoolteacher began writing “85 Years Ago,” which she inherited from late Dublin Courier Herald publisher W.H. Champion, in 1995. Eight years later, she added a companion feature entitled “50 Years Ago,” treating Dublin-Laurens County natives to a more recent taste of nostalgia. The columns appear, respectively, in each Saturday and Tuesday edition.

Sovrn Pixel