85-years-ago: February 1, 1940

  Dublin Courier Herald

Culminating one of the shortest campaigns in years, Laurens County voters, some 6,244 strong, trip to polls in seventeen precincts on Wednesday to cast ballots in the 1940 Democratic Primary, with 28 candidates seeking 13 county offices.

With two exceptions, polls open at 9:00 A.M. and close at 3:00 P.M. In Dublin District Four, voting booths in the County Court House open at 6:00 A.M. and close at 6:00 P.M. and in Hampton Mills District, polls open at 8:00 A.M. and close at 4:00 P.M.

Four candidates, offering for re-election, escaped opposition – Sheriff I.F. Coleman, Ordinary W.H. Adams, Treasurer Mrs G.C. Bidgood, and City Court Solicitor Stanley Reese.

O.D. Cullen, Chairman of the County Democratic Executive Committee, today announced a set of rules and regulations to govern voting throughout the county, with particular emphasis on precincts outside the Dublin District. 

Mr. Cullen said that the Committee had voted to cast out all ballots in which the ticket had been defaced other than the regular scratching. He said that if the number is cut out, the name is cut out, or the ballot otherwise defaced, the ticket would be thrown out completely and not counted for any candidate.

Committeemen and election managers have been informed, he said, to refuse permission  for individuals to carry ballots outside the poling places for persons to vote. He said all voting must be done in the polling places. Ballots must be drawn by the person to vote, scratched, and placed in the ballot box before the voter leaves the booth.

Chairman Cullen also warned against what he termed buying and selling of votes. He said that persons guilty of such an offense will face legal action and that every effort will be made to see that “bartering of votes” is not carried on in this election.

Committeemen or election managers will be on hand at all polls in the county to assist voters in scratching their tickets where aid is necessary and that no other persons will be allowed inside the voting booths.

District Committeemen will assemble in the County Court House on Thursday morning at 10:00 to complete necessary tabulation of the official vote. At that time, rules and regulations governing the run off, if one is necessary, will be promulgated.

Committeemen from the various districts are the following:

Pinetucky – Oscar Rowe

Lowery – W.L. Currie

Burch – W.M. Clarke, Jr.

Cadwell – Odell Colter

Reedy Springs – Coleman

Hampton Mills – L.F. Warren

Dudley – G.F. Guest

Harvard – E. L.Wade

Burgamy – E.B. Dominy

Bailey – J.M. Christian

Smith   – O.D.  Cullen

Rockledge  – J.W. Wynn

Buckeye – Dennis Rawls

Jackson – J.D. Bush

Carter – H.S. Kaney

Oconee – L.L. Tihgpen

RULES FOR DUBLIN DISTRICT

Citizens of the Dublin District who are unable to appear at the polls on Wednesday to cast ballots in the Democratic Primary must send a doctor’s certificate to the election managers before a ballot will be sent out, Brooks Bryans,  Secretary of the Executive Committee, said today.

He said that ballots will be sent out to those who are sick or otherwise incapacitated by one of the election managers or a member of the county committee. No other ballots will be permitted to leave the polls, he said.

Four booths will be established in the county courthouse for the benefit of voters in this district. He said that voters will be able to ascertain in which booth they vote by the alphabetical figures over the doors leading to the voting booths.

Secretary Brooks said that no one will be allowed in the voting booths except the election managers and the persons voting. Candidates who want to check lists of voters must make arrangements to do so outside the polls.

“Ballots will be sent out by election managers or committeemen to people who are sick or otherwise incapacitated provided a doctor’s certificate is presented,” he said. “The   managers won’t take anyone’s word for some one being sick and send a ballot. We want to take care of those who are sick and unable to get to the polls, but we will not send out ballots where a doctor’s certificate is not present.”

Election managers include L.D. Woods, Oscar Wolfe, R.L. Webb, Walter Hobbs, George T. Powers, M.H. Blackshear, Jr., Howard Waldron, W.H. Proctor, Paul J. Jones, James L. Keen Jr., Smith Dixon, and Dawson Kea.

Members of the county committee from the Dublin District who will also assist in the voting are C.B. Montford, E.B. Mackey, J.J. Flanders, Martin Willis, and Secretary Bryans.

FINAL RALLY

Running into the final three days of the current county political campaign, candidates wind up a whirlwind speaking tour of the county here on Monday night at a rally in the county courthouse.

Preliminaries begin at 7 o’clock and speaking by candidates – 28 of them who are seeking 13 county offices in the February 7 Democratic Primary – nomination in which is tantamount to election in this Democratic stronghold – gets underway promptly at 7:30.

The committee in charge of the arrangements for the rally announced today that the Laurens County Drum and Bugle Corps will present a musical concert in the courthouse, beginning at 7 o’clock. The concert will last for 30 minutes, after which the main program of the evening will be started promptly.

Thirteen rallies have already been held in various sections of the county, with each candidate given an opportunity to appear before the voters to present his claims for the office to which he aspires. Monday night’s concluding rally will be number 14.

Candidates, due to the fact that it will be the final rally, will be given 10 to 12  minutes to speak instead of the seven or eight minutes as in past rallies.

Col. Lester F. Watson and Col. Carl K. Nelson, Dublin attorneys, will serve jointly as masters of ceremonies.  

LEGION MEETING

An interesting and informative program has been arranged for the Thursday night meeting of the Laurens County Post of the American Legion, Commander E.F. Moxley  announced today. The meeting gets underway at 8:00 at Claxton Drug Store.

Commander Moxley said that Aubrin U. Hogan, manager of the Dublin area of the Georgia State Employment Service, will explain cooperative work of his office with veterans.

Stewart Wooten, area commander from Milledgeville, will talk on the progress the Milledgeville Post has made in child welfare and how the program has been financed. 

All members of the Legion are urged to be present in order that they may hear these discussions and take whatever action they desire on them.

BIRTH RATE HIGHER THAN DEATH RATE

With unerring continuity, Laurens County’s birth rate continues to outstrip the death rate from year to year, records at the office of Dr. O.H. Cheek, County Health Commissioner, revealed today.

While both births and deaths tapered off considerably during 1939, the birthrate continued to hold the upper hand by a big majority. Total births in 1939 were 793, according to Dr.Cheek’s records – 432 white and 361 Negroes – while deaths totaled 393 in the county, 184 whites and 209 Negroes.  

Births in 1938 totaled 912 while deaths were 507.

Non-resident births in the county during 1939 totaled 47 while non-resident deaths, both white and colored, totaled 52.

As in previous years, pneumonia accounted for the largest number of deaths in the county last year. In all, there were 57 deaths from pneumonia in Laurens County of which 7 were non-residents. In 1938 total deaths from pneumonia were 63 while 58 deaths were attributed to pneumonia in 1937. Accidents of all types claimed 23 lives in this county during 1939 as compared with 16 during the previous year. Listed as cause unknown were 38 deaths in the county last year as compared with 69 from the previous year.

Commissioner Cheek’s report revealed that of the 793 births in the county last year, 403 were attended by midwives while 390 were attended by physicians. There were 210 babies born in Dublin hospitals during the past year, his report revealed.

Negro families are more ready to name their young offspring than are white families, Dr. Cheek reported. There are still 104 white babies in Laurens County unnamed, according to Commissioner Cheek’s records, while only 13 Negro babies have not been named and their names recorded in the Commissioner’s office.

Other causes  of deaths in 1938 as compared with 1939 were revealed in Dr. Cheek’s reports, as follows:

                                            1938            1939

Cardio Renal                          13                16

Cancer                                     5                  8

Apoplexy                                  8                  5

Cerebral Hemorrhage            14                23

Homicide                                11                  7

Influenza                                  1                  7

Colitis                                     24                  4

Diphtheria                                 0                 3

Paralysis                                  1                  7

Pellagra                                  10                  6

Suicide                                     1                  5

Tuberculosis                             9                 10

Two deaths from typhus fever were reported in 1939 while no deaths from this disease was reported in 1938.

DISTRICT MUSIC FESTIVAL

      By Billy Keith

Dublin High School will be host to several hundred students of various high schools in the Sixth Congressional District on March 30 at what will be termed officially as the Sixth District Music Festival. This announcement was made today by Professor James Wiggins, director of the Dublin High School Band and District Chairman of the Georgia Music Education Association. 

The festival will last for most of the day with a mass band performance closing the festivities late that afternoon.The mass band concert  will be made up of about 150 pieces.

Students from every section of the district will assemble here to take part in the various musical events that are listed in the festival. The outstanding groups and soloists for this festival, who finish withe highest ratings, will go to Milledgeville later in the spring to compete in the state meet. Last year’s district festival was held in Forsyth, and the local band took part in the event as a concert band, receiving a rating of “excellent.” It was the only band to compete in the meet, but this year at least two other bands are expected to take part.

Eighteen members of the local band will participate in the meet as soloists, members of quartets, or trios. Only three individuals went up for honors last year in the district, and, two of these participated in the state, with one of the soloists receiving a “superior” rating. Sybil Lindsey, Cecil Walters, and Billy Keith represented Dublin.

This year Irene Claxton will do a marimba solo; Paul Watson, Cecil Walters, Moffett Kendrick, and Hymie Stinson form the brass quartet.The snare drum trio includes Barney Price, Edmond Thomas, and Billy Keith.

Professor Wiggins will be in charge of the festival, and the schools participating will be announced later.

TRAFFIC DEATHS UP IN LAURENS

Laurens County was one of 53 counties in Georgia to have more traffic accident deaths in 1939 than in the previous year, according to records of the Department of Public Safety.

Last year 14 persons lost their lives, an increase of three as compared to 1938. Ten persons lost their lives in Laurens in 1937. The state as a whole, recorded 711 fatalities, 112 fewer than in 1938, which placed Georgia first in the nation in number of lives “saved”.

Commissioner of Safety Lon Sullivan urged local and state officials and civic leaders to study accident reporting  facts where special prevention and engineering efforts are needed.

GARDEN CLUB JOINS STATE GROUP 

Members of the Dublin Garden Club observed the first anniversary of the organization of the club by joining the Georgia Federation of Garden Clubs and by re-electing officers who had served during the first year.

Mrs. Carl Nelson, President, was re-elected at the February meeting which was held in the sunroom of the New Dublin Hotel. Officers re-elected with her were these: 

Vice President – Mrs. M.G Combs

Recording Secretary – Mrs. W.M. Kendrick 

Treasurer – Mrs. D.Z. Lindsey

TheYear Book Committee was named,headed by Grady Wright with Mrs. M.H Hogan and Mrs. A.C. Scarboro.

Corresponding Secretary – Mrs. R. C. Garrard

BREWTON NEWS

     By Mrs. Harvey Brantley

Friends of Miss Frances Curl are interested to learn of her marriage to Mr. Clay of Dublin and wish them much happiness.

Mr. Turner of McRae spent the week end with his wife and Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Shepherd.

Philip Whitfield was the guest of friends in this community last Friday.

Mrs. Fannie Whitfield of Dublin spent the past week end with her sister, Mrs. Grady Brantley.

Don and Shirley Brantley were Sunday guests of Mr. Brantley’s father, H.B. Gaillard.

Misses Anna Mae, Ester,  and Opal Sheppard were Sunday guests of Miss Pauline Dollar.

Mr. and Mrs. Will Miller and children, Ruby, Harold, and Sonnie of Lollie were recent guests of Mr. and Mrs. Lee Brantley.

PINETUCKY NEWS

     By M.L. Carey

Miss Betty Dixon of Harmony was the guest of Miss Allie Pearl Holliday onThursday.

Mr. and Mrs. Arch Kennedy had as their Sunday guests Mr. and Mrs. Joe Brantley and Mr. and Mrs. Tullie Kennedy.

Friends of Mrs. Minnie Brown extend to her their sympathy in the death of her sister, Mrs. Vester  Cullens.

Miss Juanita Ballard visited MissTheolaThaggard on Thursday.

Miss Louise Barron of Garretta was the Monday guest of Geralden Brace.

Mr. and Mrs. Ruben Jackson and daughters were recent guests of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.C. Jackson of near Garretta.

Bill and Buster Williams were Sunday guests of Haze Carey.

Mrs. Georgia Lee Ellis and children Wavion and Jo Ann, are visiting their aunt, Mrs. Joe Brown, near Garretta.

Jim Ellis Brantley was the Sunday guest of Isaac Carey.

COLORED NEWS

Notice to Teachers:

Do not forget that Saturday, February 10, is the regular monthly meeting of the Laurens County Teachers’ Association. 

The elimination contest for Laurens County’s representatives at the District Students’ Meet, scheduled to be held in March, will be conducted at this meeting.

All of the county schools together with the two city schools are expected to have contestants present to compete in this contest. In the event that your contestants can not be present, the teachers can not afford to be absent. Each teacher should possess and manifest the intense interest in the welfare and representation of Laurens County Colored Schools; therefore, we shall expect your presence.

Superintendent Mullis has asked that I announce to the teachers that the checks for this month will be given to the teachers at the Teachers’ Meeting and that this practice will be continued from now on. This is being done in order to try to stimulate more interest in the Meeting, although no force should be used to get the teachers to attend.

Thomas J. Simmons, President

Party to be Given

There will be a party given at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Roman Walden on Saturday night. An invitation is extended to the public to be present. There will be plenty of good eats on sale, and much enjoyment awaits you.

Come with a good spirit and don’t be embarrassed with disrespect. The purpose of this feature will be for the church. It will begin promptly at 7:00.

Falcons’ Social Club

A gala event, given at the home of Ernest Tanner, was sponsored by the Falcons’ Social Club. It was the club’s first social event of the year and also the club’s first social event during the club’s existence. Much progress had been made in the club, and we have been enlightened on some of the grave problems which confront us today.

Visitors are always welcome. All young ladies interested n becoming members are asked to meet on Tuesday night at the home of James Hughes on South Jefferson Street.

RENTZ SCHOOL NEWS

The first and second grades of the Rentz School are planning a Valentine party.

The second grade will visit the country side in search of clay to study and to use in art class for making roses and other things as suggested by the class. This trip will relate to subjects taught,  such as health, reading, and nature appreciation.

The first grade worked to be 100 per cent in the observance of “Button Week,” January 22-27.

The sixth grade enrollment has increased since Christmas. New pupils include Elsie Evans, Jeannille Register and Roderick Evans from Baker; Agnes; Register and Tennyson Evans from Pine Forest; Alfred Woodard from Mt. Carmel; and Ruby Smith from New York.

Joy Mullis, sixth grade pupil, has been out of school for three weeks with scarlet fever. Her many friends regret her illness and hope she will soon be back in school.

The basket ball team is glad to have Young Chambless and Hugh Grant help them in preparation for the tournament.

The school has organized a State School Patrol, which has brought more order on the school grounds and on the school busses. We are proud of the excellent work being done by these students.

The Senior Class wishes to express their sincere appreciation to the political candidates who made donations to the class for the purpose of helping pay expenses of the trip to Washington, D.C., which they plan to take after school closes. 

MRS. MACKEY HOSTESS AT PARTY  

Mrs. E.B. Mackey, Worthy Matron of Dublin  Chapter 175 Order of Eastern Star, and Mr. Mackey entertained with a Valentine party last evening in their home on Calhoun Street, complimenting the members of the chapter.This affair was given immediately after the regular chapter meeting, which was held in the Masonic Hall.

Beautiful red carnations and potted geranium adorned the spacious rooms of the home. Amusing Valentine contests were featured as entertainment, and winners were R.L.Webb, Miss Mala Stanley, and Mrs. P.C. Hutchinson.

The Valentine motif was artistically expressed in the decorations in the dining room. The lace covered table was centered with a white China bowl supported by tiny cupids and filled with red Lester Hibberd roses arranged in the center of a lace paper heart. Crimson bows and arrows, cupids, mint cups holding red mints, and lighted red tapers complimented the appointments.

Mrs. Mackey poured coffee from a silver service at one end of the table, and a delicious collation, which further carried out the Valentine idea, was served from the buffet by Misses Lessie Ellington, Iris Mackey, and Genevieve Norton.

Twenty-five members of the chapter were present to enjoy this lovely affair, which marked the beginning of Mrs. Mackey’s administration.

Brooks Bryan is Worthy Patron of the chapter. 

POPLAR SPRINGS (SOUTH)

     By Mary Frances Harden

Rev. and Mrs. A.L. Maddox were Sunday guests of Mr. and Mrs. J.F. Fordham and daughter.

Friends of J.S. Wynn are delighted that he is improving after a recent illness.

Miss Justine Garrett was the Saturday guest of Miss Louise Rowe.

Among the guests of Mrs. Lula Mae Wynn and sons on Sunday were Mr. and Mrs. G.L. P. Browning, J.W. Browning, Mr. and Mrs. Cluston Rowe and L.F. Hall.

Friends of A.J. Collins are delighted that he is improving after a recent illness

Miss Mary Fordham was the guest of Miss Marie Fordham recently.

Friends of W.F.E.G. Harden are sorry that he is ill and wish for him an early recovery.

L.H. Wynn was the guest of Willie and Roscoe Harden last Sunday.

ClustonRowe, and L.F.Hall.

L.H. Wynn was the Sunday guest of Willie and Roscoe Harden.

Among the guests of Mrs, Lula Mae Wynn and sons last Sunday were Mr. and Mrs G.L.P. Browning, J.W. Browning, Mr. and Mrs. Cluston Rowe, and L.F. Hall.

Friends of W.F.E.J. Harden are sorry that he is ill and wish for him an  early recovery.,