50 years ago – December 9, 1975: Laurens deputy shoots driver

Dublin Courier-Herald

The driver of a speeding car which had run two police roadblocks was shot by a Laurens County Sheriff Deputy as the car attempted to run a third roadblock, on Sunday afternoon, Sheriff W.R. Bussell stated.

Kenneth Gaillard, 21, of Route 4, Dublin, was in satisfactory condition today in Laurens Memorial Hospital after undergoing surgery for gunshot wounds in the kidney, spleen, and pancreas, according to the sheriff’s report.

A second man, David Stanley Miller, 21, of Brer Rabbit Trailer Park was arrested on two aggravated assault warrants, the sheriff rep

Miller was a passenger in the dark green Ford Torino driven by Gaillard.

Both men will likely be charged with aggravated assault and numerous traffic offenses, according to the sheriff.

The high speed chase began about 3:00 p.m. on Sunday when the car crashed into the yard of Guy Smith’s home near the Green Acres Golf Course. Mr. Smith stated that he was confronted by two gun-wielding men when he appeared to investigate the accident.

A county-wide hunt for the two men followed and developed into a high speed chase in the Dexter, Dublin, and 441 North area.

Twice, the green Ford ran through roadblocks by Laurens County sheriff cars. A Georgia State Patrol car went out of control and ran into a cornfield on a dirt road in the northern end of the county. The patrol car was pursuing the Ford on the dirt road.

The car was spotted in Dublin, but police lost the vehicle on North Franklin Street during the chase here.

The shooting took place at the intersection of Tatnall Lake Road and 441 North when a unit of  the sheriff department set up a roadblock to stop the car.

Sheriff Bussell said that the car attempted to run this roadblock. Then his men fired warning shots and a    shot gun blast into the front door of the vehicle. Gaillard was hit in the side by the gunshot.

SCROOGEVILLE, GEORGIA?

This column is to accentuate the positive – about people giving.

HOWEVER, this report is about people not giving.

Sad to say, but next Wednesday Dublin Mayor Robert E. Cochran could face the prospects of traveling to Milledgeville almost empty handed for the Mayor’s Motorcade to aid Central State Hospital patients.

“I don’t want the Mayor  to show up without anything,” Patsy Hall, City Clerk, pleaded.

But that might be.

There are not enough gifts in the contribution box at City Hall to exceed the post office package limit, much less fill the front seat of the mayor’s car. Worse, the situation isn’t improving.

So, come Wednesday – the Mayor may feel like slipping in the back door with his measly offering.

Miss Hall has a list of suggested gifts that covers the front and back of an 8×11 sheet. “There’s really nothing much you can’t give,” she related.

Among suggested gifts are stationery, pencils,  bath powder, lotion, handkerchiefs, puzzles, games, toys, crochet threads, non-perishable foods, chewing gum, cosmetics, clothing, and on and on. 

The Hospital asks that all gifts be labeled with sizes indicated.

The packages will be distributed to patients who will unwrap them on Christmas Day. Therefore, it is important that hospital officials know what the packages contain.

The Mayor’s Motorcade, started by Mrs. Ernest Vandiver during her husband’s term as governor, has always met with success in bringing Christmas cheer to the thousands of patients at the Milledgeville hospital.

There is no reason why Dublin residents should not help to continue that success.

TAX REMITTANCE

The sixth remittance of 1975 tax collections was made by Laurens County Tax Commissioner R.G. Neal this week.

The State received $3,707.49 in the remittance. The Laurens County treasury received a total of $78,137.01, and the Laurens County schools received $84,831.32.

The total remittance was $166,676.72.

These remittances this week brought to more  than a million dollars in 1975 taxes that have been collected and remitted.

The unofficial tabulations by the Courier-Herald show that a total of $1,018,080.16 in 1975 taxes have been remitted to the State, the county treasury, and the county schools.

OUR MEN IN SERVICE

Navy Seaman Richard H. Grant, husband of the former Miss Herbea D. Reid of Dublin, Georgia, recently participated in an amphibious landing exercise in southern Spain while embarked aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS Shreveport.

Denver, Colorado – Airman Cleveland Dudley, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Cleveland Dudley, Sr. of 711 McKinley Street, Dublin, Georgia, has graduated at Lowery Air Force Base, Colorado, from the U.S. Air Force weapons mechanic course conducted by the Air Training Command.

The Airman, who was trained to load and inspect the weapons used in Air Force jet aircraft, is being assigned to MacDill AFB, Florida, for duty with a unit of the Tactical Air Command.

Airman Dudley is a 1975 graduate of Dublin High School.

DUBLIN FINE ARTS EXHIBIT

The December art exhibit sponsored by the Dublin Association of Fine Arts will feature the work of Wally Askew, local artist.

Mr. Askew was born in Beaufort, South Carolina, and received a degree in Fine Arts from the University of Georgia.

At the present time he is employed as an English teacher at Northwest Laurens Elementary School and is working on his Master’s Degree in Elementary Education at Georgia College.

Mr. Askew’s aspirations to become an artist  were realized while he was in Vietnam. It was there, he said, that earlier aspirations to be an artist solidified and “became fixed” in his spirit.

He is married to the former Sheryl Hudson of Dublin, and they have one son, Jamey.

The exhibit will be in the Laurens County Auditorium from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and is open to the public.

BRIDGE CLUB HOLDS BENEFIT GAME

The Dublin Duplicate Bridge Club held a benefit game for the American Cancer Society on November 25th at 7:30 p.m. at the Kilowatt Room of the Georgia Power Company.

The proceeds of the benefit game will be distributed in the American Charity Fund of the American Contract Bridge League.

Winners were Dr. Anand Sathe and Carl K. Nelson, Jr.

Second Place was taken by Lynn Beasley and Polly Rogers.

Third Place winners were Frances Crain and Betty Yeomans.

Fourth place went to Suzanne Belote and Beverly Eggert.

Fifth Place was taken by Dene Barfield and Ruth Snyder, both of Vidalia.

Thomas Ed Collins of Vidalia directed the game.

Delicious refreshments were served by a committee  composed of Virginia Duncan, Mavis Williams, and Frances Crain. Other members of the club assisted in the arrangements required for the benefit game.

Anyone interested in playing duplicate bridge is invited to attend the weekly meetings of the club at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the Kilowatt Room.

LEGION AND AUXILIARY MEET

American Legion Post No. 17 and Auxiliary Unit held their November meetings jointly on Tuesday night at 7:30 at the Post Home on Moore Station Road. 

Commander Tharrence Peterson presided, and the invocation was given by Chaplain E.A. Ehlers of the Dublin V.A. Center.

Past Commander W.C. Denny welcomed the visitors: Sixth District Junior Vice Commander John J. Lendo and Mrs. Lendo, Warner Robins; Commander and Mrs. Ivan Prim, Jr, Post 253, Irwinton; Mr. and Mrs. Christopher, and Mr. and Mrs. Louis Alexander of Dublin.

Mrs. W.F. Govreau and Chaplain sang a

Thanksgiving duet, and Mr. Green rendered a medley of old and new patriotic piano solos.

Mrs. Milo Smith gave the Thanksgiving Proclamation to the Pilgrims by Governor William Bradford of the Plymouth Bay Colony in 1623.

Commander Peterson presented an award to Chaplain Ehlers from the Post for meritorious service performed during the year in the interest of Veterans. 

He also accepted for Post 17, a certificate from District Commander Jon J. Lendo, which was also commended by Commander Ivan Prim, Jr., for exceeding the membership goal for 1974-75.

Mrs. Christopher and Mrs. Alexander were welcomed into the membership of the Auxiliary, and Mr. Christopher and Mr. Alexander were elected as members of Post 17.

Mrs. Prentiss Green, Sr., chairman of the annual Poppy Sale, reported on the successful sale, thanking those who assisted her. She, Hospital Representative from the Auxiliary, announced that the sale at the Joy Shop at the Center was held December 1-2.

The benediction was given by Chaplain Ehlers.

A covered dish dinner was served on tables decorated for the Thanksgiving season.

TICKLE-SCOTT WEDDING

Mr. and Mrs. Walter C. Tickle, Jr. announce the marriage of their daughter, Sandra Carol, to Bobby Randall Scott, son of Mr and Mrs. H.O. Scott of Dublin.

The marriage took place on November 26 in Aiken, South Carolina.

Mrs. Scott is a graduate of Josey Academy and is presently employed with Century Finance Co.

Mr. Scott attended Dublin High School and is employed with Dublin Burial and Vault Co.

The couple is residing at Old South Estates.

EAST LAURENS BOOSTERS

The East Laurens Athletic Booster Club will hold a covered dish supper at the East Laurens High School Library at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, and Don Baker asked that all members be present.

The varsity Falconettes, Falcons, and cheerleaders are the honored guests.

LEARNERS’ CHRISTMAS PARTY

The Learner’s Sunday School Class of Jefferson Street Baptist Sunday School met at Brown’s Restaurant on December 1 for their Christmas meeting with Mrs. Clara Smith in charge.

The meeting opened with prayer by Mrs. J.H. Cunningham, teacher of the class. The devotional was led by Mrs. Shelly Daniell, who gave the Christmas story from the prophecy of Isaiah.

A delicious meal was enjoyed, and Christmas gifts were exchanged.

Attending were Clara Smith, Gertrude Cunningham, Mary Alice Peed, Minnie Gibson, Gladys Sheppard,

Crecy Mobley, Sara Johnson, Eileen Burns, Shelly Daniell, and Ernestine Sutton.

 GOLF NEWS

Dexter – Don Shradar-Larry Thigpen captured the Green Acres Country Club Two-Man Scramble golf tournament last weekend, shooting 62-68- 130, 14 under par.

Second  place went to Ernie Rowland – Kyle with rounds of 65-65-131.

Winners of third place were J.W. Baker – Wallace Graham with a score of 66-68-134.

First Flight winners: Mark Fountain – Dan Rowe, 71-69-14. Frank Pittman – Cleveland White, 72-69-141; Newton Revel – Tyler Sanders, 73-68-141.

Second Flight – Charles Hunt – Jimmy Britt, 78-66-144; Roger Lord – Harold Hobbs, 75-69-144;

Billy Grinstead – Kenneth Grinstead, 78-69-147.

This was the first tournament win at Green Acres for Shradar, who has finished second numerous times in the past.

Christmas Tournament

A Men’s Individual Christmas Golf Tournament is set for December 13-14 at the Dublin Country Club, Henry Cantera, Club Tournament Chairman, announced today.

The tournament will be open to all Dublin members as well as nonmembers. The entry fee is $25.00 per player.

Entrants must sign the entry blank themselves and pay the entry fee when signing up.

The first 60 entries will be accepted with Nos. 61,62,63 thru Nos. 71 put on a waiting list, which will be closed at 72 entries.

Play will start each day at 1:00 P.M. with a shotgun start.

JOSEY ACADEMY

Josey Academy Coach Barney Hester has announced the following basketball teams for this year.

Girls:

Tammie Watson

Linda Mobley

Kim Pullen

Jean Senn

Denise Cooper

Donna Davidson

Carol Graham

Malehia Beacham

Melanie Williams

Vickie Renfroe

Sandra Coleman

Harriett Yates 

Boys:

Ed Bush 

Danny Allen

Bobby Clark

Danny Brown

Roy Yates

Keith Aaron

David Williams

Dennis Owens

David Wilkes

Tim Graham

Stacy Shepherd

Stan Wilkes

Ricky Shepherd

WINNING FLOATS

These are the float winners at the Dublin Christmas Parade last Saturday:

First Place  –  Boy Scout Troop 65

Second Place  – Boy Scout Troop 560

Third Place – East Laurens FBLA

RAIDERETTES ROLL

Vickie Lewis, junior forward, hit six of six presure free throw shots in the closing period, and Brenda Edmonds, junior guard, scored 27 points for the night to lift the West Laurens Raiderettes over Wheeler County for the West Laurens girls’ fourth win of the season against no losses.

In the boys matchup, Wheeler County’s Charler Carter, center, burned the nets with 29 points. Moran Hurst added 16, and the Bulldogs dropped the Raiders, 72-51.

“I was glad we had a close one to see how we could perform under pressure,” Raiderette Coach Kenny Fox commented. 

“We’ve got two tough ones coming up this week end, Cochran at their place and Dublin, so I was happy to see what we could do when it was close,” he added.

It was close all the way: 13-12 at the end of the first period; tied 24 at half; 45-42 for the Lady Bulldogs at the end of the third period, and 60-53 at the end. 

Willie Pearl Hall and Dorothy Stuckey got nine points apiece to go with the performances by Lewis and Edmonds.

Although Edmonds was the game’s leading scorer, it was Lewis’ six free throw points in the last period that won the game. “They were just fouling the wrong girl,” Foxx chuckled.

The West Laurens team shot a respectable 40 per cent from the floor, but again – the real story of the game was at the line where the Raiderettes hit 24 of 36 chances for 67 per cent.

Also, the Raiderettes went into a man-to-man defense in the final period and limited the Lady Bulldogs to eight points against 18 for the visitors.

Raiderette Line-up:

Edmonds 27; Hall, 9; Lewis, 12; Stuckey, 9; Murkerson 3; Cockrell, Nesmith

In the boys’ game, shooting proved to be a problem. “We were unable to operate our offense effectively, so we wound up taking shots that weren’t our normal shots,” Coach Tom Wilson explained.

The Raiders hit a low 16 of 60 shots from the floor, 26 per cent, against a half court press employed by the Wheeler County Dogs. Wheeler shot 43 per cent from the floor and 52 per cent at the line against the Raiders’ 45 per cent at the  line.

The press also accounted for 28 turnovers by the Raiders.

West Laurens got no one in double figures in the evenly spread shooting. Clayton Jones had nine points to lead the Raiders. Ben Knight and Nat Anderson had eight; Marshall Taylor, Ernest Jones and Clifton Jones had six each.

Raider line-up:

Taylor, 6; E.Jones, 6; Clayton Jones, 9; Knight,8; Anderson, 8; Edmonds,3; Clifton, 6; Meeks, 5; Byrne, Kemp

SNIPES RETIRES

After 41 years and four months with Coca Cola, Leonard L.Snipes has retired. 

Company employees, including Paul Griggs, Dublin,  Manager, and Al Howell, Macon, Executive Vice President and General Manager, presented him with a Living Bible and a color television set.