85 Years Ago: June 1, 1939

Dublin Courier Herald, Dispatch, and Press

FIRE DAMAGES GROCERY
Fire thought to have been caused b a flying spark, did considerable damage early this morning to the two-story brick Park Grocery, located at the corner of Church and Prince streets and owned and operated by E.A. Lawson.
Origin of the fire was in the rear of the building on the second floor occupied by the candy kitchen.
A neighbor in that vicinity called the fire department about 3:20 this morning, and in excitement gave the location of the fire as being on the corner of Church and Smith, the same street but on the opposite side of town. It was later explained that the family had previously lived near Church and Smith streets and in excitement had given firemen the wrong address.
Both trucks responded to the call. The mix-up in location caused considerable delay in firemen reaching the scene, and the roof and second floor were almost a complete loss. Groceries and merchandise in the store below were badly damaged by water and smoke.
Two employees at work in the candy kitchen upstairs had been on duty about 30 minutes, it is said, and had a large kettle of candy cooking when one of the men happened to open the back door leading to a landing outside the building and saw the peril they were in as flames were then said to be spreading from the roof.
Screaming to his fellow workman to run, they both fled from the blazing building shoeless and hatless.

COUNCIL TRANSACTS MUCH BUSINESS
City Council met in a lengthy session here last night with all members present as they heard several delegations and groups along with the transaction of routine matters.
A delegation representing the Christian Church (on the corner of North Jefferson and East Gaines streets) appeared before the Council to protest the commercial parking at the doors of the church, but affected parties when the matter was brought to their attention – promised that such practice would be immediately discontinued.
Council passed an ordinance prohibiting large trucks or busses from parking on either side of Bellevue or Academy streets from Monroe to Church streets. Action was taken after much complaint had been received that the narrowing of these two important arteries into the city at this point made it unsafe for traffic to pass when trucks or busses were parked there. The Police Department was instructed to see that the ordinance was rigidly enforced.
Violation of the old ordinance requiring mufflers on all motor vehicles was rapped last night by the City Council, and operators of all motor vehicles that use the streets of Dublin have until Thursday, June 15th, to comply with the law. After that date city police are instructed to see that the ordinance is strictly complied with.
For several years this ordinance has been on the statue books but has not been rigidly enforced, and now the heavy flow of trucks and cars into and out of Dublin operating without mufflers has created a nuisance, it was said.
Chief of Police J.W. Robertson said today that he would see that the ordinance is enforced and advised all motor vehicle operators to see that proper mufflers are placed on their cars and trucks immediately, if not already provided with them; otherwise he would be forced to make cases against them after June 15th.
It was voted by the Council to commence the gutter repair job at the city hall which has been needed for sometime.
Tentatively the Council agreed to purchase a street sweeper provided a bargain can be secured. The one formerly in use here has worn out.

RENTZ H.S. GRADUATION
Closing its 1939 scholastic year with the largest graduating class in the history of the school, Rentz Consolidated School, of which E.A. Rusk is superintendent, observed appropriate graduating exercises at which Dr. J.E. Carruth, head of the Department of Education at South Georgia Teachers College, delivered the literary address.
Elbert Mullis, Laurens County Superintendent of Schools, presented the diplomas to the graduating seniors, who were Ralph Thomas, Eurice Simmons, F.M. Wright, Ed Wood, J.T. Buie, Elvin Alligood, John Roy Alligood, Earl Smith, Hubert Wright,
Grace Hobbs, Dorothy Register, Mabel Lindsey, Louise Grinstead, Emaline Matthews, Dorothy Burch, Mildred Ussery, Ernestine Lord, Opaline Grinstead, Lillian Woodard, Janet Proctor, and Sybil Couch.
Special awards were presented to the following:
Mabel Lindsey and Ralph Thomas – Athletics
Mildred Ussery – Scholarship
Elvin Alligood -Agriculture
Dorothy Register – Home Economics
Grace Hobbs – Citizenship
Earl Smith – Activities
Ed Wood – Trip to F.F.A. Camp
Members of the Board of Education of the Rentz school are J.A. Davidson, R.A. Register, J.A. Coleman, G.M. Knight, and J.R. Chambless

27 GRADUATE AT DUDLEY
With the largest graduating class in history and the first as an accredited school, Dudley High School graduating exercises drew a packed audience last night, June 2, as its graduates appeared for diplomas.
Dr. Herry A. Little of Georgia State College for Women at Milledgeville delivered the graduation address and drew close attention of the seniors as well as to the audience as he stressed that it was not the diploma but what the diploma stands for that counts.
He cited the vast changes that have taken place in modern living as compared to those of the early days and said that this period of a senior’s life should be developed by taking stock of one’s self, charting a course, and then following it.
T. C. Bobbitt, Secretary-treasurer for the Dudley Board of Trustees, summed up the year’s work of the school and outlined plans for the 1939-40 school term.
R.O. Powell, Superintendent, delivered the diplomas to these graduates:
Mary Frances Adams, Ray Allen, Marie Dixon, Lorienne English, Brooks Garner, Addison Hogan, James Haskins, Frances Jansen, Buford McDaniel, Minnie Parker, Clarence Sanders, Julia Webb, Dorothy Wilkinson,
Elizabeth Barkwell, Mary Frances Allen, Lola Mae Brown, Ivalyn Dixon, Abbie Helen Fortson, Charles Garrett, Louise Hudson, Oliver Heath, Nell Lister, Dorothy Mullis, Earl Roach, Mary Lizzie Snow, Palmer Weaver, Lola Pearl Williams.
The program was held up for a short while due to the severe rain and wind storm which temporarily put out of commission the lighting system at Dudley, but the program was re-started with oil lamps.
This was the program:
Processional
Invocation – J.D. Hogan
Song – Class
Salutatory – Louise Hudson
Violin Solo – Miss Leah Kittrell
Speaker – Dr. Harry A. Little
Valedictory – Nell Lister
Announcements – T.C. Bobbitt
Delivery of Diplomas – R.O. Powell
Class Song

PAYMENT OF TEACHERS DISCUSSION
Laurens County School Superintendent, local board members and trustees, as well as those from each county in the state, are urged in an unanimously adopted motion to attend a meeting of the Superintendents and Board Members Association to be held in the Senate Chamber, Atlanta, July 6 at 11:00 for the purpose of considering the following:

1. To provide for paying teachers their back-due salaries;
2. To make plans for operating schools this fall in the light of the present financial situation;
3. To see what can be done about making contracts with teachers for 1939-1940 and assuring them of their pay.
   The invitation to attend the meeting was issued by E.G. Kirby, President of the Association.

DRIVER LICENSE MUST BE BOUGHT
A warning that there will be no extension of time beyond June 30 for renewing drivers licenses was issued today by Major Phil Brewster, Commissioner of Public Safety.
“So far as I am concerned,” Brewster said, “the drivers have had since May 1, and I see no need for the extension of time.
“Furthermore, those who wait until the last minute to send in their applications may be forced to wait for their renewals, should the state office be swamped,” the Commissioner said.
Drivers who fail to make this deadline will be required to take an examination to get new licenses.
Those who apply on time will obtain renewals simply by filling out and mailing blanks that have been distributed over the state. A fee of $1 is for one year or $2 for two years.

1939 MELONS START MOVING
One day ahead of last year, the first 1939 watermelon shipments from Laurens County started yesterday.
Brewton and Catlin both furnished melons for the first shipments grown by Laurens County farmers.
Most of the melons shipped yesterday were from the farm of George T. Powers, it is said.
One car of mixed varieties loaded at Brewton yesterday brought $275 F.O.B. tracks, which is said to be the highest price received for a car of melons of this quality and quantity in the past 20 years. They averaged about 22 pounds each. This shipment was over the W.&T. Railroad.
A car of White Stone Mountain melons loaded at Catlin on the M.D.& S. Railroad brought $330.
Competition among buyers is said to be unusually keen this year, and already several buyers are active here with prospects of others to arrive soon.
Last year Laurens County had a light crop of melons and shipped only about 300 car loads.

COWART KINDERGARTEN GRADUATES
Pupils of Miss Grace Cowart’s Kindergarten, wearing caps and gowns at the graduation exercises, were Joy Smith, Jean Woods, Barbara Lee, Gayle Attaway, Mike Chapman, Tommy Waller, Ben Cochran, Joel Pierce, and Pierce Barker.

DUBLIN BUREAU FOUND 45 JOBS
The Dublin office of he Georgia State Employment Service placed 45 unemployed workers on jobs during the week ending May 20, 1939, Commissioner of Labor Ben T. Huiet has announced. Of the number, 23 were found jobs in private employment and 22 on public works projects.
A.U. Hogan, manager of the Dublin office, extends a cordial invitation to the public to take advantage of the free services offered by the agency, whose chief functions are to find jobs for unemployed men and women and to assist insured workers in filing their claims for unemployment compensation benefits if and when they lose their jobs through no fault of their own and meet the legal requirements.
Total state placements made by the Service during the week were reported at 1,703, by the Commissioner.

MASONS HOLD MEETING
Masons from every section of the county attended the Laurens County Masonic Convention held at Dexter at which the Dexter Masonic Lodge was host. After business of the convention was completed, several prominent Masons were introduced. Among them were Hon. Joe Moore of Milledgeville and Hugh W. Taylor of Rhine, both Past Grand Masters of Georgia. Also introduced were John B. Russell, Past Grand High Priest of Royal Arch Masons of Georgia and David L. Paulk, both of Fitzgerald; J.E Wilson and J.M. Foote of Abbeville, and John W. Riley of Milledgeville.
Rev. C.A. Baker of Macon, who is conducting revival services in Dublin at this time, gave a most interesting talk on current events in the country today. Other visiting Masons also gave splendid talks.
Following the inspiring session, a sumptuous barbecue supper was served at the old Kewanee picnic grounds under the supervision of Hon. U.G.B. Hogan to the approximate 350 in attendance.
After supper an open meeting was held with many ladies present. Hon. Charlie A. McCollister was the principal speaker at this time.
Mr. Hogan is Worshipful Master of the Laurens County Convention, and J.W. Long is Secretary. Hubert Faircloth is Worshipful Master of the Dexter Lodge, which was host to this convention.
The next meeting of the County Masonic Convention will be held in Dublin next November with the Laurens Lodge as host.

MATHENY PRAISED FOR SCOUT WORK
At the last meeting of the Exchange Club, Charles W. Matheny, Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 65, who left recently for St. Augustine, Florida, where he has accepted a position in the civil engineering department of the Florida East Coast Railroad, was praised highly for the splendid and efficient manner in which he has promoted scouting activities in Dublin, and a committee was appointed to draw up proper resolutions of appreciation.
Troop committeemen selected by the club to supervise its scout work is composed of J.B. Smoot, chairman; Clarence Burch, Dr. R.G. Ferrell, D.Z. Lindsey, Wilbur S. Jones, and Clarence Devereaux, all of whom expressed appreciation of Mr. Matheny’s service to the club and to the members of the troop of which the Exchange Club sponsors.
The following boys are members: Robert Pearson, Tommy Hays, Bob Hicks, Milo Smith, Jr., George Powell, Brawner Smoot, Billy Shuman, Donald Winn, Burton Hancock, Olan Kersey, Frarie Smalley, Charles English, James Thomas, Clarence Burch, Bluford Page, Fred Middlebrooks, Billy Bryan, Frank Prior, Sidney Burch, Charles Alexander, Nathaniel Hooks, Bryson Gettys, and John Rutland.
Mr. Matheny served as County Sanitarian for this county for about 18 months, and his efficiency was highly commended by Dr. O.H. Cheek, County Health Commissioner, with whom he was associated. He took an active interest in civic and church affairs and was a member of Christ Episcopal Church.

NEW EVERGREEN
By Rebecca Watson
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Bailey were Sunday guests of Mr. and Mrs. Odis Freeman.
Frank Rogers visited Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Bailey on Sunday.
Lamar Taylor of Macon spent the week end with his mother, Mrs. E.C. Taylor.
Mrs. D.F. Watson and children, Clifford and Frankie, spent last week with relatives in Milledgeville.

NEW PURCHASE LAW
In oder to fully comply with a recent Act of the State legislature, Walter Daniell, Clerk of Laurens County Board of Commissioners, announced today that on and after July 1, 1939, every purchase made by the county for supplies, materials, labor, services, or what not, must be accompanied by a purchase order from the County Commissioners office and, without it, payment of bills rendered the county will be extremely difficult.
While this county has heretofore followed a similar and approved purchase system, the new law that goes into effect on July 1 makes it mandatory on the Clerk of the Board of Commissioners to certify receipt of each individual purchase, and all persons who sell the county anything are warned that they must secure a purchase order at the time the sale is made in order that the full intent of the law may be followed.

CADWELL, ROUTE 1
By Mrs. Harry Minton
Mr. and Mrs. John J. Dominy and son spent Sunday with Mr. and Mrs. Freeman Daniel.
Mr. and Mrs. Burtis Jackson were week end guests of Mr. and Mrs. Butler Jackson and family.
H.J. Watson spent Friday in Dublin with Mr. and Mrs. R.G Deane.
Coleman and J.D. Dominy and J.R. Jackson were recent guests of Mr. and Mrs. D.S. Dominy and family.
Mrs. L.A. Upshaw visited Mrs. Edward Garnto on Saturday.
Cecil Gay visited Mr. and Mrs. D.S. Dominy on Sunday.
Mr. and Mrs. Prentice Dominy and son were week end guests of Mr. and Mrs. William Hendrix and family, and Fulton Hendrix returned with them for a visit.

MELON MARKET BUYER
Perry N. Whitehurst has just opened offices in the C & S Bank building for the watermelon season and will be active buying melons throughout this season.
Mr. Whitehurst is well known in the larger buying centers of the North and East, and his connections offer the local growers excellent outlets for their 1939 melon crop. He has been in this section for some time and is already known to many of the melon growers in Laurens County.
The melons bought and handled this season by Mr. Whitehurst will be loaded under his own “PNW” brand, and each melon will be labeled with an attractive, colored label, each of which carries the imprint “Dublin, Ga.” indicating this city as starting point for his melons. This will give Dublin much nice advertising throughout the cities of the North and East.
While he is here, Mr. Whitehurst will make his residence at the New Dublin Hotel and calls attention to the unusually high prices of watermelons in this season, feeling that this season’s melons will move to the markets at prices that will prove profitable to the growers, being considerably above the prices received during the past few years.

DOWLING STUDIO RECITAL
Mrs. E.E. Dowling held her spring piano recital in her home on North Church Street on Friday evening at 8;30.
Pupils who performed were Neysa Scarborough, Marilyn and Josephine Miller, Margaret Stephens, Mary Frances Register, Margaret and Virginia Gilder, Jeanette Dominy, Ann Grinstead, Marilyn Hardy, Nelle Tyre, Clyde Chivers, Anita Bidgood, Gene Register, Miriam and Milladene Burnham, Bobby Garrard, Lewis Parker, and Helen Fussell.

D.A.R. GOOD CITIZENSHIP AWARDS
Lester Porter, son of Mrs. L.L. Porter, and Miss Betty Rose Hightower, daughter of Mrs. Lil S. Hightower, were awarded the John Laurens Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizenship Awards for Junior High School at the close of the school term on Wednesday. Mrs. A.J. Hargrove presented the awards.
The students were chosen by popular vote of their fellow students as having met the good citizenship and scholastic requirements for this award. They have completed the eighth grade at Junior High School this year and will enter Senior High School next year.