85 years ago: March 29, 1940 – Flood gates close on Oconee

Dublin Courier Herald, Dispatch and Press

Sinclair Dam’s big flood gates at Milledgeville were closed this morning at 8:40, and the Oconee River level at Dublin, swelled to over 22 feet by the past week’s rain, is beginning to fall.

W.L. Wilkes, local Georgia Power manager, stated that the “flood gates have been closed; the the plant is running at full blast. With the flood gates closed, only local rainfall will affect the river level, and that won’t be much.” 

J. D. Hogan of the Department of Natural Resources has been a ranger in  Laurens County for the past 15 years, and he says that he doesn’t remember local rainfall “noticeably” changing the river level. Instead, the level here is determined by the rainfall north of Dublin and the floodgates at the Sinclair Dam.

Wilkes said that Georgia Power officials in Atlanta felt that the gates could be closed because whatever rain continues to fall in the next few days can be controlled.

The forecast calls for rain today and tonight, but diminishing by Tuesday 

as a cooling trend moves into the area.

Water has washed across several county roads and threatened several bridges, but none are impassable, according to County Commssioner Herbert Fordham. However, Emory Whittle of the county road deparment said tht several roads were reported washed out in Buckeye this morning, and crews have been dispatched to the area.

Fordham said tht the bridge over Blue Water Creek on the Dexter-Mt.Zion Road was in danger of washing away earlier, but no longer. A beaver dam near the bridge compounded the problems brought by the heavy rainfall. Fordham said that torches had been placed on the bridge to warn motorists.

Last week, a ditch was cut across the road at Ben Hall Lake to relieve the pressure on the dam. Several years ago when the Oconee crested at 33 feet, the dam broke at the lake and washed away the bridge there. Since then, a new dam and bridge have been constructed.

Mrs. Marguerite Faulk of the Dublin-Laurens Civil Defense said her office had received a few calls from persons living near the river, but added, “No one is in immediate danger.”

The Laurens County Sheriff Department reported that they have not received any calls from persons in trouble because of the rising waters.

Water has spilled into the Oconee River flood plain all along the river in Laurens County. At Blackshear’s Ferry the landing is totally covered by water, and only the roof of the pavillion shows. Camphouses in the area have not been flooded, persons who boated the river on Sunday said.

Near the Oconee River bridge, water has backed up to within 20 yards ofthe Georgia Plywood Plant and the former Meat Packing Plant.

At the Sportsman Club landing at Fishtrap Cut, water has not reached the pavillion, but has covered most ofthe boat landing, Hogan said.

Golfers at the Dublin Country Club, located near the bank of the Oconee, were not allowed to use electric cars on the soggy turf on Sunday and had to carry their bags.

Barring more heavy rains, the Oconee River level will continue to fall, leaving most of the county undamaged by its rise.

TEACHERS PAID BACK SALARIES

To find a group of people happier than Laurens County School teachers, both white and colored, you would have to travel far and wide.

Meeting in their regular monthly assocational session in the Dublin High School Auditorium last Saturday the teachers were almost rendered speechless when they heard Superintendent Elbert Mullis say: “The Board of Education has directed me to pay you not only salaries for this month, but also all back pay, and I have the checks in my pocket.”

For a minute the high school auditorium was as still as could be. The next it was a bedlam of shouts, whistling, and stamping of feet as the teachers realized that Suprintendent Mullis’ pronoucement meant that some $35,000 in cash was being turned loose by the County School Board.

As has been the usual custom, teachers were paid off for the previous month at the monthly meeting. So, there had been no inkling that the back salaries still owed by the county and by the state would also be paid by the county board at this time. It came as a complete surprise and was, therefore, the more welcomed by the teachers.

The money to pay off the back salaries came from the county board’s treasury. The state still owes the county board salaries of teachers for three and one-half months of last year.

It was explained that the five weeks’ back salaries of white and colored teachers would approximate $18,000.

Bus drivers have already been paid for last year. 

SEVEN MONTH LAURENS COUNTY SCHOOLS CLOSE

Schools of the Laurens County system, with the possible exception of six, ring down the curtain on the 1939-40 term on April 5 with seven months of work completed, it was revealed today.

Despite the fact that the state will furnish sufficient funds for only six months’ teachers’ salaries, all schools of the county will operate for seven months, according to Laurens County School Superintendent Mullis. This is because the local Board of Education has had money to pay for the other month.

Superintendent Mullis stated that he did not know how many schools of the system would annex an additional four, or in some instances eight, weeks to the state-financed school term, but it was understood that at least six schools of the county system  would followthis procedure, paying for the extra time with locally raised funds.

Four accredited high schools of the county must operate for nine months to stay on the state accredited list. These schools are Dudley, Cadwell, Rentz, and Cedar Grove. It was almot certain that these four would secure sufficient funds to continue operatons for an additional two months in order to make out the full nine-month period.

Two other schools -Condor and Pleasant Grove – have been tentatively listed among those to add a least one month to the state-financed school term. Others in the system may decide to carry on for longer periods, but there have been no repors relative to these.

Final payroll for teachers and bus drivers of the county will be ready on the last day of school, Superintendent Mullis stated. The monthly payroll of the system approximates $20,500. This includes pay for all teachers, white and colored, and bus drivers.

WESLEYAN COLLEGE’S LAST APPEAL

Rev. J. N. Peacock, pastor of the First Methodist Church of Dublin, announced that he will be glad to receive all contributions to the Wesleyan College Fund.

For more than a year now, Wesleyan College in Macon has been making a strenuous pull to raise her indebtedness. The undertaking was commenced last year to lift her load of approximately $500,000.

In many respects the campaign has been a wonderful success. One man, James Porter, of Macon, gave $100,000. The college is asking now that pledges and cash be given to raise the remaining $140,000.

In every charge, seeking to reach every member of the church in the bounds of the conferences that own Wesleyan, the plea has been made for help to get this last above-named sum.

“Let every one who can do so bring aid now to this, the oldest college for women in America and in the world. By so doing, she will be free of debt and set on her way to fulfill her mission in the world for her coming daughters,” said Rev. Peacock.

PAVING WORK RESUMED

Though paving work on the Dublin-Soperton Highway was scheduled to begin today, it has been postponed until tomorrow due to the fact that some laborers had not shown up. There has already been a two months delay due to inclement weather.

All necessary machinery was back on the project the latter part of last week, and everything was in readiness for the actual paving of sand-asphalt paving. The sand-asphalt paving is mixed at Minter, where is located the construction company’s machinery. Sand for the road is being bought locally, thereby reducing the cost of the highway.

Work on the project was stopped with the approval of the State Highway Deparatment due to the weather, which makes sand-asphalt paving almost impossible.

When the 6.79 mile stretch is completed, the entire Soperton-Dublin road will be paved. 

LON SULLIVAN TO SPEAK

The Dublin Exchange Club has arranged a meeting in order that the Director of Public Safety, Lon Sullivan, may be told in person how Dublinites and those living throughout this section appreciate the location of a sub-station of the highway patrol here.

The local office was opened last September 15 with five highway patrolmen in charge. A large section in Laurens, Bleckley, Twiggs, Wilkinson, Dodge, Wheeler, and Telfair counties are covered by the local patrolmen. Corporal H.L. Beatty is commander of the local station.

The meeting will be held at the Fred Roberts Hotel on Friday at 1 p.m. Members of the arrangements committee are Stanley Reese, Howard Waldron, and Dr. W.J. Bixler.

Invitations have been extended to city and county officials, together with presidents of the other civic clubs, and officials of the Highway Patrol.

PRINTING PLANT ROBBED

Imagine Esten B. Screw’s chagrin this morming when he opened his place for business only to find a majority of his printing equipment gone.

At 8 p.m. yesterday, the Standard Printing Company was intact. At 8 a.m. this morning much of the equipment, including type, cases, chases, stones, and the like were missing. And the door was locked –  just as he had left it yesterday afternoon, Mr. Screws said.

Sheriff I.F. Coleman said that Mr. Screws had sworn out a warrant, charging burglary to F.M. Layton, former employee of the printing company. Sheriff Coleman siad that he had called the Johnson County Sheriff, who said that Mr. Layton was in Wrightsville and that he (the sheriff) would arrest Mr. Layton on the warrant held by Sheriff Coleman.

A second warrant- a possessory warrant – was also sworn out against Mr.Layton by Mr.Screws, who said that a portion of the equipment taken from his place last night belonged to Mr. Layton but that he had a lease on it. The possessory warrant was to ascertain who had present title to the property.

Other equipment taken from the printing concern, Mr. Screws stated, belongs to him.

SUPERIOR RATING GIVEN TO 14

     By Billy Keith

Fourteen of the 25 soloists from Dublin High School who took part in the music festival here on Saturday received ratings of I or II and will participate in the state festival in Milledgeville on April 22-23, along with the high school band, which received a rating of I.

According to the judges, outstanding individual performers during the day were Carolyn Brown of Dublin Junior High School, solo pianist; Martha Tharpe, also of Dublin High, soprano, who sang “Indian Love Call”; and Charles Alexander, who sang in the boys’ unchanged voice event due to his “super” superior ability.

A mass performance of the marching bands of Dublin, Lanier of Macon, and  the Laurens County Drum and Bugle Corps on the campus of Dublin High School brought down the curtain of the Sixth District Music Festival here on Saturday.

The bands of Dublin and Lanier high schools received superior ratings for their splendid concert work, while the glee club of Miller Girls’ High of Macon received high compliments on their rendition of the popular ballad, “Stairway to the Stars.”

Dublin musicians who will take part in the state festival are these:

Piano – Carolyn Brown, Laurel Dean Gray, and Martha Tharpe

Flute solo – Edith Woodard

Clarinet solo – Caroline Brigham and Jean Combs

Trumpet solo – Blanche Coleman

Baritone solo – Curtis Beall

Drum solo – Billy Keith

Soprano solo – Martha Tharpe

Baritone solo – Cecil Walters

Boys’ unchanged voice  – Charles Alexander

EASTER SUNDAY MEMORIAL SERVICE

An Easter service in the Sunday School assembly hour of the First Baptist Church was dedicated to the memory of the late Mrs. Frank N. Watkins, faithful and devoted teacher in the Sunday School and consecrated member and worker in the church.

The assembly room was decorated on this Easter morning with showy white spring blossoms interspersed with stately lilies, completing a scene of beauty and solemnity.

Mrs. O.L. Chivers, chairman of this special committee, presided at the service and gave the foreword before presenting those taking part on the program.

Miss Leah Kittrell played a violin solo with Miss Grace Cowart as the piano accompanist. Mrs. W.S. Reese sang” I Know I Shall Live Again.”

Mrs. Carl K. Nelson gave Saint John’s version of the Resurrection of the Christ and read one of Mrs. Watkins’ poems, “Worship.”

A.J. Hargrove, Sunday School Superintendent, paid tribute to Mrs. Watkins’ service in the Sunday School. Mrs. J.F. Hart spoke in praise of her as a friend and co-worker, and Mrs. Vivian Register expressed love for this friend and neighbor.

Closing the impressively beautiful service, Dr. C.D. Graves, Pastor of the church, offered prayer in appreciation of the influence of this

Christian’s life in the church and Sunday School.

CADWELL ROUTE 1

   By Mrs. C.J. Watson 

Bud Dixon spent the week end with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Monroe Dixon, and family.

Joseph Stonecypher was the Saturday night guest of Donald Fountain.

Friends of Miss Mamie Rountree regret to learn of her illness.

Mrs. F.C. Christian spent Sunday with her daughter, Mrs. Bill Fountain.

Mrs. Corris Coleman and children and Mrs. C.J. Watson and children visited Mrs. Elige Evans on Monday.

Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Lord were Sunday guests of Mr. and Mrs. Lee York.

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Bill Watson, who announce the birth of a daughter on February 28th.

Algerine Evans spent Saturday night with Charles Fordham.

Miss Marie Holmes spent Sunday as the guest of Misses Mildred and Mary Lee Evans.

Mr. and Mrs. Stephie Evans and family were recent guests of Mr. and Mrs. Bill Watson.

Cecil Bryant was the recent guest of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bryant near Mt.Zion.

Miss Atha Watson spent the week end with Mr. and Mrs. Bill Watson and Mrs. D.H. Watson.

GREEN ACRES GARDEN CLUB

Mrs. Elsie Sullivan was the hostess for the 10:00 A.M. meeting of the Green Acres Garden CLub on Thursday morning, February 20, and members and guests were served delicious refreshments when they arrived.

Mrs. Clyde Allen presented Mrs. Connie Warren of Warren’s Nursery, who brought a most interesting and informative program on ferns. She observed that ferns have always been a popular house plant, but now they are the leading one. She discussed their care, focusing on the proper methods of re-potting. She had several plants with her and talked about each.

A business session followed the program, led by Mrs. Lois Blue, president. She called for a report of the Nominating Committee, which presented the following slate of officers for the coming year:

President  – Mrs. Foster Blue

Vice President – Mrs. Edward A. Hendricks

Recording Secretary – Mrs. Mike Maffett

Corresponding Secretary – Mrs. Carl W. Gordy

Treasurer – Mrs. Jack D. Darby

Historian – Mrs. Marshall Scarborough

The following awards were announced by Mrs. Lois Scarborough for the day’s exhibits:

Arrangements:

“Twin Arrangement” – Mrs. Mary Douglas – blue

“Energy Crisis” – Mrs. Lois Scarborough – blue, Best in the Show: Tri-Colo

“Creativity” – Mrs. Mary Hendrix – blue

“Cut and Dried”  – Mrs. Lois Scarborough – blue

Mrs. Grace Burch – red

Mrs. Evelyn Gordy – yellow

Mrs. Fredia Blanchett – blue

Horticulture:

Mrs. Mary Douglas – 4 blue, 2 red,1 yellow

Mrs. Grace Burch – 1 blue 1 white

Mrs. Lois Scarborough – 1 blue

Judging was Miss Martha Hooks.

COUNCIL MEETING

The regular bi-monthly meeting of the Mayor and Council will be held tonight at the Dublin City Hall at 8 o’clock.

Naming of a Board of Tax Assessors to go to work immediately on returns of Dublinites will be one of the main orders of business, it has been revealed.

All tax returns for the current year should be in at the present, but those filing homestead and personal property exemptions have until April 1 to do so.

PROMOTION OF TWO MEN

Promotions for two employees of Armour Creameries were announced today.

Louie Curry, for the past year manager of the local plant, has been transferred to Jacksonville, Florida, as Supervisor of the Produce Department for the State of Florida. 

He took over his new duties in Jacksonville today, having left Dublin yesterday. Mr. Curry became connected with the Armour Creameries in 1932 and was made manager of the local plant in May of 1935. He succeeded W.J.Roberts, who was transferred.

Thurman Coleman, superintendent of the local plant, has been named manager to succeed Mr. Curry.

LAURENS BAND TO PLAY FOR FDR

When President Roosevelt comes to Georgia for a visit during the first week of April, he is going to hear band music of the Laurens County variety.

Elbert Mllis, Laurens County School Superintendent, announced today that the Laurens County Drum and Bugle Corps and 4-H Club Band has been extended an invitation to play before the Chief Executive on Friday, April 5, at Warm Springs where is located the President’s “Georgia White House.”

Superintendent Mullis said that he had already accepted the invitation for the band to appear before the President.

Playing as the 4-H Club Band and wearing the national 4-H Club colors, the Laurens Band will be appearing before the ex-officio chairman of the nation’s 4-H Club organizations. Many members of the band are 4-H Clubbers.

VIRGIL FOX ORGAN RECITAL

Virgil Fox, America’a foremost concert oraanist, will play in the First Baptist Church of this city at 8:30 Monday evening, April 1st, in the second concnert of the Dubli Civic Concert Series of 1940.

This concert, according to the terms of the Fox concert, will be open to the public.

Sections will be reserved for those persons and families holding memberships to the concert series. Remaining seats in the church will be open to anyone who wishes to attend. An offering will be taken amomg those persons who do not hold memberships, the proceeds to go to the organist.