85 years ago – February 28, 1941: No success in rail protest

Dublin Courier Herald, Dispatch And Press

A delegation of business men from Dublin, Rentz, Cadwell, and Eastman who went to Savannah to confer with H.D. Pollard, trustee of the Central of Georgia Railroad, with a view to forestall abandonment of the Wrightsville and Tennille’s Dublin-Eastman branch, reported today that they had had no success.

Mr. Pollard, as head of the Central of which the Wrightsville and Tennille is a subsidiary, told the group that the parent company had spent all that its stockholders felt could be afforded in maintaining this branch line. The Dublin-Eastman portion has been operated at a loss for several years.

The Central, likewise, has reached it limits in carrying the Dublin-Hawkinsville branch of the W & T, Mr. Pollard added.

Application was recently filed by it with the Interstate Commerce Commission in Washington for permission to abandon the Hawkinsville division.

The Eastman line is scheduled to cease its operation on February 28.

Those in the delegation from Dublin and Laurens County included

Milo Smith, W.W. Brinson, and E.B. Mackey of Dublin;

T.C. Bobbitt of Dudley;

L.H Cook, Foster Taylor, O.D. Barron of Rentz; W.D. Parkerson, Walter Daniell, and Clyde Greenway of Cadwell.

Will Ed Smith, S.C. Smiley and others of Eastman were also present.

B.H Lord, General Manager of the Wrightsville and Tennille, was also at the conference.

$50,000 FOR OCONEE REA 

An allotment of $50,000 has been made to the Oconee Electric Membership Corporation of Dudley by the Rural Electrification Administration for building 62 additional miles of REA lines, Carl K. Nelson, attorney for the Corporation announced today.

He was notified of the allotment in telegrams from Congressman Carl Vinson and Senator Richard B. Russell. 

This is a part of the $150,000 asked by the Corporation for a “B” project, it was explained. It is understood that the remainder of this money will be available sometime after the present fiscal year ends next June 30.

The application has been approved and Corporation officials have been virtually assured the remainder of the money will be available then.

This $50,000 allotment will make possible building 62 more miles of lines to serve 220 farm houses in Laurens, Bleckley, Twiggs, and Wilkinson counties

The Corporation now operates 226 miles of lines in these counties.

G.C. Ingram was recently elected President of the Corporation.

FOUR NEGROES IN DRAFT CALL

Four colored selective service trainees, all volunteers, and three of them under 21 years of age, and not required to register, were sent from Laurens County on February 24, it was announced today. 

The four are

McKinley Owens

Hershel Ellington

Forest Gilmore

Willie Metts.

Owens and Ellington were sent from Board No. 1.

Gilmore and Metts were sent from Board No. 2.

The one registrant is Ellington from Board No 1.

They were sent to Fort Benning for induction. 

They reported, ready to go, at the draft board headquarters in the Post Office building at 9:45 a.m. on Monday.

POWELL RULES ON ELIGIBILITY

R.O. Powell, Superintendent of the Dudley Consolidated School, today issued a ruling in regard to eligibility of accredited schools to play non-accredited institutions.

“As Vice President of the Sixth District High School Association, I have been asked several times by non-accredited schools for my opinion concerning eligibility rules for students of their school and the schools themselves,” Mr Powell stated.

“As Vice President, I receive all protests from members of the Sixth District High School Association, so that if any one is dissatisfied with my ruling, it an go before the Executive Committee. My authority ends with the accredited schools.

“According to the Constitution and By-laws of the High School Association, member schools are strictly forbidden to play non-member schools – either as teams or in tournaments. The rules even stress that not only the regular teams but also eighth and ninth grade students are warned not to play teams from non-accredited schools.

“At a recent meeting of the State Executive Committee, this very thing came up, and it was fully agreed that the rules would be strictly enforced.

“In the light of the Constitution and By-laws and the stand of the State Executive Committee, the members of the Georgia High School Association must not play non-member teams or schools. 

“If they do and it is contested, they will be eliminated from all other inter-school contests.

“This is simply to warn the accredited schools to stay clear of any excuse for criticism before the Executive Committee.”

STEPHENS STYLE SHOW

Presenting American-designed and American-made garments, the R.L. Stephens Store Spring Style Revue on Friday evening highlighted style events of the spring season and struck a patriotic note  which was received with enthusiasm and appreciation by the large gathering of people from the trade territory of this city and section who attended this affair.

The interior of the store was decorated in red white and blue bunting, and American flags were appropriately displayed.

Patriotic music completed the setting for the style revue, as Young John Hicks, as “Uncle Sam,” dressed in a red, white and blue suit and carrying a flag, appeared on the runway to formally open the show.

His appearance brought prolonged and enthusiastic applause from the audience.

He is the young son of Judge and Mrs. Palmer Hicks

Greetings from Mr. and Mrs. Stephens were extended by the commentator, Mrs. Bluford B. Page, and she gave a sketch of the American-designed and fashioned garments before she presented these seven lovely models:

Iris Mackey

Charlotte Hodges

Betty Page

Caroline Brigham

Annie Merle Drew

Celia Deese

Mary Moorman 

“GEORGIA DAY” AT JUNIOR HI

One of the most interesting and enjoyable events of this term of school was the “Georgia Day” program at Dublin Junior High School presented by students of the eighth grade under the direction of their home room teacher, Miss Maud New Shepard.

This was the program:

Pledge to the Flag – led by Kennedy Tanner 

“Star Spangled Banner” – sung by students

Toasts to Georgia – led by

Bobby Shuman

Rose Pierce

Mark Hodges

James Arthur Johnson

“God, Bless Our Native Land” – sung by

Margaret Stephens

Rose Pierce

James Arthur Johnson

Baum Wilkes (Guest)

Scripture – read by Hamilton Kellam

Prayer – given by Miss Maud New Shepard

“Georgia Land” – sung by students

“It’s Great to be a Georgian” – recited  by Margaret Stephens

The program was followed by a “Professor Quiz” feature, the questions dealing with facts about Georgia.

Marcus Waller acted as Professor Quiz.

An exiting contest was held between representatives from the home rooms, during which the audience was often called upon to answer questions missed by the contestants.

Members of the audience who correctly answered a question missed by the contestants was awarded a

product of Georgia, Georgia-made candy sucker.

The winning contestant was George English from a seventh grade homeroom, and he was given as a prize a large pound stick of peppermint candy.

RENTZ PTA MEETS

The Rentz PTA held its regular meeting at the auditorium on Wednesday with the following having parts on the program: 

Mrs. J.E. Chambless

Mrs. Theron Woodard

Mrs. Sidney Smith

Mrs. Walter Daniels

Miss Fields

Grade mothers were elected by each room. 

CALHOUN PUPILS PRESENT PROGRAMS

Programs in observance of Georgia Day and of Valentine Day were presented this week by Calhoun Street School students at chapel exercises.

They were enjoyed by the school students and by a large group of parents.

The principal, Miss Pearl Cofer, directed the programs, assisted by the teachers, Miss Mamie Ramsay, Miss Ruth Dabney, and Miss Mala Stanley, and by Mrs. D.W. Gilbert, who directed the music.

Valentine’s Day

Celebrating the Valentine season, students of the second and third grades presented the following numbers with Mary Faith Scarboro acting as announcer:

Song, “Jesus Tender Shepherd” – School

Bible Reading – School

“Holidays” – Frank Hodges

“Valentine” – Second and Third Grades

Georgia Day

Observing Georgia Day, the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth grade students were heard in the following numbers:

“Fair Georgia”- School

“Georgia Greetings” – Margie Dell Bryans

“Story of Oglethorpe” – Albert Parrott 

Presentation of U.S. and Georgia Flags – Al  Hatcher and Donald Scarboro

Loveman’s “Rain Song” – Fifth Grade

“Robert Loveman: the Man, the Poet” – Betty Ann Register

Frank L. Stanton: Georgia’s First Poet Laureate – Barbara Smith

Stanton’s “Mighty “La’k A Rose” – Louise Alsup

Song, “God Bless America” – School

CEDAR GROVE FFA MEETING

The Cedar Grove High School FFA Chapter held their regular meeting, and enjoyed a debate by members on the subject, “To Resolve that Cattle are Better than Hogs in the  Farming Set- Up in Laurens County.”

The affirmative side was presented by Gerald Fountain and Gerald Mullis.

The negative side was presented by

Leon Lowery and

Wyman Faulk.

Judges were

Miss Chance, teacher

Mrs. Lee, teacher

Mr Currie, Superintendent.

The affirmative side was the winner. 

Many good thoughts were brought out by both sides.

In the business session, the chapter decided to put on a Minstrel show for the school.

It was also decided to get two hogs and to enter the”Split Hog Contest.”

A report was also heard from the 

treasurer.

MONTROSE SCHOOL NEWS

Much activity can be noted around the Montrose School recently. It may seem quiet to those who are not “in the know,” but there is plenty of activity to occupy the time and thoughts of the pupils and faculty.

Georgia Day

Georgia Day was given due recognition by honoring some of the outstanding men who have contributed to the good reputation of the state.

Papers were given on those recognized in the fields of literature, science, medicine, art, and government. Students who took part in these were

Frances Hodges

Evelyn Branch

Myrtie Cook

Wylene Thompson

Mary Frances Cannon

Gladys Leopold

Dot Hodges

Martha Napier

Bob Custer

Buddy Thompson

Doris Pickron

Bessie Mae Cannon

J.B.Rozar

Ivaline Thomas

Lallie Ceal Cannon

Lois Heath

Ora Lee Graham

4-H CLUBS

Laurens County Agent Harry Edge and Home Demonstration Agent Miss Hicks held the first meeting of the school term with 35 members of the girls’ division and 15 of the boys’ group present.

This was a splendid group and much is expected of both divisions this year.

The Girls’ Division elected the following officers and committee chairmen: 

President – Lallie Ceal Cannon 

Vice President – Rhetta Thompson

Secretary-Treasurer – Evelyn Branch

Clothing – Lottie Hodges

Recreation – Doris Pickron

The boys’ group also elected officers, and they are the following:

President – Bob Custer

Vice President – Jack Cook

Secretary-Treasurer – Rentz Napier

Theatre Tickets

The 8th ad 9th grades are proud of winning movie tickets for the highest percentage attendance for last month.

T.B. Seals

A little cooperation did the work. Every student did his part in the sale of T.B. Seals and now he is to have the full benefit of the $5.00 check which has been received as an award for selling the greatest number of seals of any school in the county.  

Now, scratched knees and cut fingers may be attended to properly because an officially approved First Aid Kit has been ordered for our school.

Reporters, 

Joyce Porter

Buddy Thomson

DUBLIN ROUTE 6

     By Etta Mae Johnson

Pleasant Springs Cemetery Clean-up Day is Wednesday. This time is set for all those who have relatives, loved ones, and friends who are buried here to come out and help clean up the cemetery and bring the necessary tools to work with.

Frank Graham passed through this section on Sunday. 

Mr. and Mrs. Roy Chafin had as their Sunday guests Mr. and Mrs. Leon Joiner, Mrs. J.E. Graham, and Mrs. Dollie Clements and her daughters.

Greely Graham visited friends and relatives in this section last Sunday.

Foster Clements visited friends and relatives near Rockledge during the weekend.

Mrs. Roger Brown and daughter spent the weekend with her mother, Mrs. Lester Pullen.

Mrs. Frank Graham and children spent Sunday with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Hester. 

MARIE NEWS

    By Mrs. H.E. Hobbs

Friends of Mrs. R.D. Hobbs are glad that she has improved from her illness in the hospital and has been moved to the home of her sister, Mrs. Horace Hobbs. 

J.L. Perry has retuned to Athens after having been ill here with he flu. 

Miss Evelyn Wyatt spent the week-end with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Wyatt. She is a student at Abraham Baldwin College.

Mrs. Hyram Kennedy and several friends from Vidalia visited Mr. and Mrs. I.C. Bobbitt on Thursday.

Friends of Mrs. H.L. Dominy are glad that she has improved from the flu.

Mr. and Mrs. Herschel Hobbs, Edsel Hobbs, Miss Eithel Jones, and Edmund Thomas were recent 

visitors in Macon.

RITZ THEATRE

Our Air-conditioning system now chemically sterilizes the air in this theater.

Coming:

“Gone with the Wind”

Clark Gable and Vivian Leigh

Now Playing:

“Comrade X”

starring

Clark Gable and Hedy Lamarr

Saturday:

Gene Autry

“Ride,Tenderfoot,Ride”

with 

Smiley Burnette