Author

Harriett Claxton

2025 marks Harriett’s 30th year “Looking Back” in weekly columns offering readers a glimpse at history through local news clippings gathered from years gone by. The former schoolteacher began writing “85 Years Ago,” which she inherited from late Dublin Courier Herald publisher W.H. Champion, in 1995. Eight years later, she added a companion feature entitled “50 Years Ago,” treating Dublin-Laurens County natives to a more recent taste of nostalgia. The columns appear, respectively, in each Saturday and Tuesday edition.

Harriett's Latest Articles

50 years ago – December 16, 1975: Bank robbers still at large

A month later, the robbers of Knight State Bank in Dexter are still at large - This and more ... 50 years ago today.

85 years ago – December 13, 1940: Laurens men pass the muster

No one was rejected in the first selective service contingent of Laurens County, this story and more topped headlines 85 years ago.

50 years ago – December 9, 1975: Laurens deputy shoots driver

On this day 50 years ago: A man is shot by a Laurens County deputy after speeding through two roadblocks and attempting to plow through a third.

50 years ago – December 2, 1975: Morris Bank robber pleads guilty

The suspect in the Morris Bank robbery pleads guilty, and staff promotions at The Courier Herald: This and more topped headlines on December 2, 1975

85 years ago – November 29, 1940: December 12 will be a big day

Dublin prepares for its biggest Christmas display yet ... this and more topped the news 85 years ago.

50 years ago: Thanksgiving celebration, closings

Dublin prepares for the Thanksgiving holiday ... and more ... on this day 50 years ago.

85 years ago: Most businesses to close for Thanksgiving

A collection of news items taken from the Dublin Courier Herald, Dispatch, and Press from Nov. 22, 1940.

85 years ago: Laurens voters give FDR big margin

FDR dominated at the polls in Laurens County on this day 85 years ago.

85 years ago: County names new officers, employees

On this day 85 years ago: Laurens County names new officers and employees.

Consent decree issued on election

The news from this day 50 years ago.

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