85 years ago: September 14, 1939

HIGHWAY PATROL STATION HERE

Establishment of a permanent sub-station of the Georgia Highway Patrol in Dublin within the next three week was revealed here today in information from Len Sullivan, Director of the Department of Public Safety in Atlanta.

Manned by five experienced troopers of the Swainsboro headquarters, the local station will be set up in a new building on the corner of Telfair and Joiner streets.

Director Sullivan, in telephone conversation with the Courier-Herald, said that due to curtailed funds the 14 sub-stations that had been planned necessarily had to be reduced and that only five were being set up at present over the state and that the Dublin office was one of those five.

Dublin was selected as the site for one of the ten sub-stations to be set up in widely scattered sections of the state because of its growing importance as a junction of through highways, the large area covered by Laurens County, and the fact that Laurens County ranks fifth in the state in the number of traffic accidents, according to figures of the safety department.

Director Sullivan said that the Dublin office was found necessary to adequately patrol State Route 75 and parts of State Routes 4, 24, 57, and 29. and the U.S Highway 80.

“This station will also work down State Route 31 to McRae, up US 341 to Eastman and Cochran and back to Dublin,” the director said. “It will also work down State Route 31 to McRae. It will also cover State Routes 46 and 117 on the northeastern side of Dodge County.”

Selection of Dublin as headquarters of one of the 10 sub-stations out of an application list of 80 came as direct credit to the Dublin Exchange Club, prominent Dublin citizens, Sheriff I. F. Coleman, and Chief of Police J.W.  Robertson, who have been working continuously for the past three months on the project.

Immediately upon the announcement that troopers in the state would be increased, the Exchange Club put in a request for a sub-station here. This move was followed by appointments in Atlanta with the Department of Public Safety. 

There is still some work to be done on the headquarters, and members of the Exchange Club are active in furnishing the building with the necessary pieces. Of course, the office equipment was brought by the patrolmen.

Patrolmen here are Corporal H.L. Beatty, transferred from the Perry Division,  and Troopers T. W. McGee, P.S. Dixon, Ray Pope, and T.C. Hooper.

CITY SCHOOLS OPEN

Opening of Dublin City Schools gathered upward of 1800 students into seven schools – five white and two colored – for the opening exercises of the 1939-40 school term.

Enrollment in all schools was up with last year, and in some instances went above the 1938 opening day figure. Enrollment of 400 in the Senior High School was larger than any day during the past school term, Superintendent  A.J. Hargrove announced.

Enrollments in the other four white schools ranged along about the same number as in 1938: Junior HighSchool, 240; Calhoun Street School, 175; Johnson Street School, 175; and Saxon Heights School, 145.

In the two colored schools of the city, enrollment was well above the 1938 figure, Superintendent Hargrove stated. Some 350 colored students were present at the opening in the two schools today.

Thirty-eight teachers make up the faculties for the white schools, and 14 teachers are on the colored schools’ faculty.

Despite the failure of the state to furnish sufficient funds for operation of schools for the last three months of last year, teachers of the Dublin schools were paid with the exception of a part on one month, it was said. 

The City of Dublin advanced sufficient funds to meet salary payrolls during the last of last term.

State monies will operate schools for the first four months of this year.

RESOLUTIONS CONSIDERED

Delegates to the annual meeting of the National Guard Officers’ Association of Georgia are to assemble in the Dublin High School Auditorium on Sunday morning at 11:00 o’clock for a session scheduled to act mainly on a set of resolutions drafted by a special resolutions committee.

The resolutions call for an increase from 48 to 104 in the number of drill nights per year, together with lengthening of the annual summer encampment of national guard units from two weeks to 30 days.

Col. L.C. Pope, commanding officer of the 121st Infantry, is host to the meeting.

All officers of the National Guard units in the state are eligible for membership in the Association.

There are approximately 300 National Guard officers in the state, and the attendance is expected to range upward of 100 officers as local organizations usually send a delegate to the annual meetings to vote for the organization on matters of import.

TRUCK TIES UP BRIDGE TRAFFIC

Traffic on the Oconee River Bridge was tied up for some 30 minutes early today when a giant two-bodied gasoline transport truck barely missed running off the fill on the East Dublin side with its load of some 4,350 gallons of gasoline.

Chief of Police J.W. Robertson said the driver of the truck, described as only a man by the name of Chastain, told him that he swung the truck into the curb in an effort to miss a car parked on the river bridge fill when he saw he could not pass the car without running head-on into an approaching automobile.

When the air brakes were applied and the car swung into the curb, Chief Robertson said he was informed, the air brake hose broke and the truck jumped the sidewalk and hung perilously over the steep embankment, the two large gasoline tanks completely blocking the highway..

The truck barely missed catapulting down the side of the embankment, pulling its heavy load of gasoline with it.

Workmen immediately began uncoupling the trailer tank car, and within a short time, estimated at 30 minutes by Chief Robertson, the highway had been cleared.

JOBLESS PAID $1,071

Payments of unemployment compensation benefits to eligible unemployed workers in Laurens County in August amounted to $1,071.96, represented by 183 checks, the Bureau of Unemployment Compensation has announced.

Payments for the week ending September 2 were reported at $1174.53, represented by 28 checks.

Payments in this district are made through the Dublin office of the State Employment Agency of which Aubrin Hogan is manager.

Payments in August were the largest in any month since benefit-paying operations were inaugurated. They amounted to $363,347.93 to workers in 144 Georgia counties. The remaining sum of $15 507.85 went to workers in other states who previously had established wage credits in Georgia

Total payments for the week ending September 2 amounted to $83,658.89 of which $80, 033.09 went to workers in the state.

NEW CLUB ORGANIZED

Laurens County sportsmen today had banded together for the protection and conservation of wild life in a game and fish club.

Meeting last night at the Court House, some 20 sportsmen from over the county elected officers and formally organized the Laurens County Game and Fish Club.

At an informal meeting held last week at the Legion Hall,  a nominating committee had been appointed to present a slate of officers at the organization meeting. This committee was composed of W.W. Brinson, A.C. Scarboro, and Ed Hall.

Officers elected were these:

Bob Hightower – President

Ed Hall – Vice President

Emory Baldwin – Secretary and Treasurer

J.N. Ross, game protector of Laurens and Johnson counties, sponsor of the movement, presided until the officers were elected, and Earl Hilburn acted as temporary secretary.

Fred Brewer, chief of the wildlife rangers for the Plains area, was present and commended the Laurens County sportsmen for organizing a conservation club. He pointed out the aims and objectives of such a club and suggested, aside from the election of officers the appointment of a Board of Directors, but the group decided to defer such action until its next meeting, which has been scheduled for Wednesday night, September 20th, at 8:30 p.m at the Court House.

John W. Beall, game protector of Emanuel and Treutlen counties, was present at the meeting and said that the work of Laurens County sportsmen in organizing a game club had caused other counties to take similar moves for the protection and conservation of wild life. 

DUBLIN GREENIES END SEASON

The last game of the local season will be played at the Dublin baseball park on Sunday.

This game will be between Monk’s Garage Club of Macon (and they will have the pick of the semi-pros of Macon) and a team picked from the clubs of the South Georgia League and Dublin Greenies.

The line-up for the local club will be this:

Thompson                        McRae –  SS                  will bat first

Pruett                                McRae – FB                   will bat second

Hobbins                            Dublin –   C                    will bat third

Pitts                                  McRae – 3B                   will bat fourth

Townsend                         Dublin –   LF                   will bat fifth

Mollett                              Wrightsville – CF             will bat sixth

Moy                                  Wrightsville – 2B             will bat seventh

Browning                          McRae – RF                    will bat eighth

Howington                       Wrightsville – P                 will bat ninth

That will be the starting line-up. Albert Clark will be in uniform and will play first base or right field part of the game. Wallace Lumpkin will also be here in uniform and may pitch part of the game.

Fans here have seen this boy Howington a couple of times lately. The last time was when he pitched a game for the Dublin Greenies against Eastman. In the first inning of that game, the Dublin infield had a little trouble and allowed Eastman three runs. But that was all for Eastman. This left handed boy from Wrightsville threw them, the would-be hitters, all the rest of the game.

But if anything should happen that Howington gets into serious trouble, Wally Lumpkin will be ready to step right in and shut the gate.

As for the rest of the line-up, let’s see what any semi-pro pitcher from Macon can do against the hitting order that will be in there hitting for Dublin.

There should be a good crowd turned out for this game as it will be the last of the season. And it should be a good one. If it isn’t good, it will be because the Macon boys will not be able to overcome the runs that the Dublin batting order should be able to get. There is not even one weak hitter in the whole line-up, including the pitchers.

So come out , see this game, and help Dublin win the last game of this season.

BLUE SPRINGS NEWS

Mr. and Mrs. C.F. Smith had as their guests recently Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Jones and daughter and Mr. and Mrs. Adrian Jones and daughters of Dublin, Route Six, and Mr. and Mrs. Willis Jones of Mt.Vernon.

Miss Jewell Hester has returned to her home after spending some time visiting relatives in Cobbtown.

Mr. and Mrs. B.K. Wyatte had as their Sunday guests Mrs. Ruthie Foskey and children of Dublin.

Earl Pope is spending this week with Mr. and Mrs. Odis G. Branch and children.

FIVE POINT NEWS

     By Grace Register

Mr. and Mrs. Roy Wyatt and daughter, Grace, spent the past week end with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.C. Register and family.

Mrs. Tillman Mathis and children visited Mr. and Mrs. Luther Fordham and family recently.

Mr. and Mrs. J.A. Register and daughters, Atha and Wanie June, were recent visitors here.

Mrs. Roy Linder is visiting Mrs. Jeff Bailey.

Mrs. George Bowin was the recent guest of Mrs. D.F. Watson.

Miss Bernice Taylor of Milledgeville spent the past week end with Mrs. E.C. Taylor.

Mr. and Mrs. L.A. Spires visited Mr. and Mrs. George Bowen on Sunday.

Miss Virginia Fuqua of Olivet spent last week with Miss Opaldine Clark. 

Mr. and Mrs. Birtis Register spent the week end with Mr. and Mrs. W.N. Register and family.

MARIE NEWS

     By Mrs. H.E. Hobbs

Officers and teachers of the Sunday School will meet at the home of Mr. and Mrs. W.W. Wells on Wednesday evening for a business session.

Mrs. W.C. Perry spent Sunday with Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Watson and family.

T.C. Garner returned on Saturday after a ten-day trip to Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Mrs. M.D. Hobby of Statesboro spent Friday with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. I.C. Bobbitt.

Mrs. Dessie Sutton and baby spent Friday with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. L.  Linder.

Mrs. Bessie Brawner and children have returned to Axel after visiting her father and their grandfather,  Mr. O.V. Tomlinson.

Mrs. Elmo Brown of Dublin and Mrs. W.O. Jones of Albany spent Wednesday with Mrs. S.D. Perry.

DRIVERS WARNED

Dublin Chief of Police J.W. Roberson is taking every precaution to safeguard the lives of children en route to and from schools in widely scattered sections of the city, and he gave orders to the police department to “bear down” on enforcement of traffic laws.

Chief Robertson said that policemen had strict orders to stick to the letter of the law and to enforce every traffic law. He said that cases would be made against all persons violating the laws.

At the same time, the chief reminded motorists of the state law about passing or meeting a stopped school bus. He said that school buses discharged children at the corner of Calhoun Street and Bellevue Avenue each morning and that those who failed to stop, going either way until the children had safely been discharged, would be arrested.

Policemen will be stationed as in the past at dangerous school crossings to see that the traffic laws are strictly enforced.

Chief Robertson revealed that plans are underway for the formation of a Schoolboy Patrol in the Dublin schools. He said that the youngsters would have the full backing of the city police and would direct traffic at dangerous crossings as soon as organization and training has been completed .                                                                                                                                                                 

IRISHMEN END DRILLS

      By Billy Keith

Dublin High’s green and white clad football warriors ended their pre-season drills with a 45 minute scrimmage yesterday afternoon under a scorching sun.

For the past week Coach Jarrard has been putting the Irishmen through two drills daily.

Due to a deficiency in one study, Gladstone Daniell, varsity tackle for the past two years, will be unable to don his uniform this season. Cecil Walters, veteran backfield man of last season, has been shifted to the line to fill the gap left by the absence of Daniel.

The entire squad has undergone individual physical examinations, and every one was in top condition.

Grady Rainey, captain of the Mercer football team last year, is assisting Coach Jarrard in his spare time from work. Rainey played at guard position for Mercer and has been working with the linemen.

In the game between two teams yesterday afternoon, the spirit was great, and the second stringers failed to stop the first string, who crossed the line of glory three times and turned in a 18-0 victory for themselves.

Jimmy Scarboro, “Frog” Morrison, and Doug Snider, aided by the effective blocking of the backfield corps and the brilliant defensive work of a strong fortified forward wall, wore down the second stringers who fought almost all the way through the contest with its back to the wall.

“Pinky” Smalley, a junior playing his first year of varsity ball and showing up like a veteran, will probably be out of Friday’s contest due to a leg injury received in yesterday’s battle.

Both of the lines played heads up ball through the entire game, charging hard at all times, although the first team forward wall proved more powerful.

Line ups:

Morrison           E       Black

Hughes            T       Roland

Shepherd         G      Gay

Walters            C       Person

Bradshaw         G     Jordan

Hancock          T       Baker

Parrott             E       Proctor

Scarboro         QB    Brunson

Smalley           HB    Harpe

Brown              FB    Snider

Alexander       E       B. Jordan

LEGION CANVASSES FOR NEW MEMBERS

Commander E.F. Moxley of the Dublin and Laurens County Post of the American Legion today gave the reasons for all war veterans to align themselves with the organization as plans for the annual membership drive were being outlined by a 13-member committee.

“In Laurens County there are approximately 250 persons eligible for membership in the Legion Chapter,” Commander Moxley stated. “During last year 104 were actively connected with the Post. An effort will be made during the coming membership drive to enlist all war veterans in the organization,” he said.

Members of the Membership Committee are T.C. Bobbitt, Dudley; Leon Wade, Montrose; J.E. Chambless, Rentz; L.K. Smith, Cadwell; David Morgan, M.A.Chapman, Fred Camp, George W. Foster, George McCullough, L.D. Woods, M.Z. Claxton, and J.F. Pierce, all of Dublin.

“There are a number of reasons that veterans of the World War should become a member of the local post,” Commander Moxley stated.”May I  give  you two?

First, The Legion works for the interest and betterment of the community, the state, and the nation. At any time it is the privilege of the city or county officials to call on the local post for service in any way that is for the interest of the city or county, and they will find a group of men who are ready and glad to lend assistance. The same applies to the state and nation through their respective legion headquarters.

“The American Legion is interested in the welfare of disabled veterans and their families.”

FOX HUNTERS PLAN MEETING

Plans for the annual field trials for the Happy Fox Hunters Association, including hunters in eight counties in middle Georgia,will be laid at a called meeting here on Monday night, October 2, at 8:00, according to an announcement today by Dr. J.E. Beddingfield, President.

The meeting will be held at Beddingfield’s Pharmacy , and all fox hunters in the counties of Laurens, Wheeler, Dodge, Telfair, Montgomery, Treutlen, Johnson, and Wilkinson are cordially invited to attend.

For seven years the Happy Fox Hunters Association has gone “hither and yon” over the district for enjoyable days following the hound pack on the trail of wily Mr. Fox. Interest in the sport is growing throughout the district with appreciable increase in membership.

Taking part in the meeting will be W.V. Ward, Master of Hounds at the field trials last year; Willie Holmes, Bill Dixon of Toomsboro; Stump Prescott of Wrightsville; and a number of others from throughout this section.

Hunters have been enthusiastic about the chase this season more particularly since the supply of fox throughout this section has been on the increase and there is little trouble for a hound pack to jump Mr. Fox’ scent within a short time after turned aloose.

Officers of the Association are, besides President Beddingfield, Howard Wright, Vice President, Eastman;  and H.B. Montford, Secretary-treasurer, Glenwood.

CEDAR GROVE SCHOOL

Cedar Grove School will op the 1939-40 school term onMonday with much interest and enthusiasm because the pupils and teachers  will be able to occupy the new building which has been completed and equipped, Superintendent G.E. Currie reported today.

Addition of Vocational Agriculture to the curriculum has also created new interest, Mr. Currie said, adding, “We are expecting a most successful school year.”

Teachers for this term are these:

G.E. Currie – Superintendent

Alex Woodard – Principal and coach

H.D. Jordan -Vocational Agriculture

S.E. Goble  – English and Librarian

Miss Elizabeth Hcancok – Commercial Subjects

Miss Ruth Chance – Sixth Grade

Mrs L.P. Gilder – Fifth grade

Miss Anne Flanders -Fourth Grade

Miss Betty Alley  – Third Grade

Miss Mildred Landrum – Second Grade 

Mis Mildred Evans – First Grade 

Mrs. G.E. Currie – First Grade