NEWSPAPER ABSTRACTS FROM "THE CLEBURNE NEWS", Heflin, Cleburne County, Alabama for APRIL 5th, 1928 NEWSPAPER issue of Thursday, April 5, 1928 TWO LOVEABLE SISTERS OF MACEDONIA SECTION; "Aunt Ellen" Mrs. M.E. Cantrell and "Aunt Sack" Mrs. Sarah Ann Skinner (photos of both women shown) To Editor of The Cleburne News, by D.H. Smith Please allow me space in your newspaper for a few lines regarding some of our pioneers who are still here with us. There are two sisters in Macedonia community, just east of the Frank Cook old mill on Lost Creek, whose father, the Rev. John Couch, moved to this county in 1850 from Coweta County, Georgia. He raised a large family, all of whom, except the two referred to here, have passed to their reward. These two reared large families. Mrs. Cantrell, the oldest of the two is 81. Her husband was Mericus Cantrell. Her friends speak of her as "Aunt Ellen". Mrs. Sarah Ann is three years younger and is affectionately known as "Aunt Sack". Her husband was the late W.M. Skinner, "Uncle Bill", and was widely known for his great progressivness. He has answered the call, leaving the sisters widows, and are living in "hollowing" distance of where their father settled on adjoining farms to each other, only a creek separating them. "Aunt Sack" has a wonderful record. Having reared a large family of her own, she ministered to grandchildren, besides rendering great service in bringing up great grandchildren. As we visit their homes that they have cared for and watched over so long, one can see the results of life's toil, showing that they have had busy lives. And as we look into their aged faces, we realize that their lives have not been one strewn with roses along the journey; and we know that the advantages of today are far different to what they experienced. At that time this section was "in the woods" and but few settlers, and those far apart. However they made a success and a kind providence smiled on their labors. There are other pioneers who are worthy of mention, but having known these two sisters since my childhood, I naturally turn in their direction. "Aunt Ellen's" health is declining and is confined to her bed a great deal of the time, and it is believed that through the faithfulness of her physician, Dr. W.P. Smith, that her life has been prolonged, she having underwent 52 operations, which have to repeated every four days. "Aunt Ellen" has in her possession a small terrapin that her husband captured in 1871 and is almost like one of the family. The figures "1871" carved there when captured, are plainly visible. It was frequently seen about the plantation and no one dared to harm the little animal, in fact, it was kind of a privileged character around the Cantrell home, and if you will look you will notice that "Aunt Ellen" had its picture made along with her own. This terrapin has been spoken of and written about at various times and by several newspapers, among them the Carroll County Times, The Atlanta Journal and others. And who knows but what this was the tortoise spoken of that won the race with the hare? Yes, who knows? He has a most wonderful record of any terrapin that the writer knows of. Now back to "Aunt Ellen", the dear old soul. As I visit her in her home during afflictions she always greets me with a smile and never a word of complaint, taking all with patience. The two mentioned above are devout members of the Missionary Baptist church at Macedonia, "Aunt Ellen's" membership dating back to '67 and "Aunt Sack" 55 years, church memberships of which we all look upon with pride and thankfulness. "Aunt Sack's" health is somewhat declining, but not so much as one might expect of a person of her advanced age of 78 years, December 25th last, and the day being pretty, the two met at the creek, between their homes where the county had just completed the first bridge at this place, their one desire being to see a bridge upon the span of the stream at this point during their time, recalling their happy childhood days at the ages of ten and seven, "Aunt Ellen" had led "Aunt Sack" across the creek at this point. So on last Christmas Day, "Aunt Ellen" again led her "little sister' safely over the creek, but this time across a bridge, the first to be built there. We are made to rejoice that the lives of many of our pioneers are yet spared, for their stay among us is beloved valuation with whom they are associated; but their ranks are fast diminishing and to the two sisters, the subject of this sketch, we pray god's richest blessings. _____ CHARLIE RUSK IS SHOT AND KILLED; Munroe Franklin, Brother-In-Law is alleged to have fired fatal bullet Charlie Rusk was shot Wednesday of last week in a field near his home. His brother-in-law, Monroe Franklin, former Anniston man, is sought as the slayer, according to Sheriff Rowell Franklin was still at large this morning. It is believed that the shooting was the culmination of some domestic trouble. A brother of the dead man and a brother of the alleged slayer were present when the shooting took place. A fifth man was also present but his name was not known by Sheriff Rowell. Rusk was shot in the right side of his chest and was killed almost instantly. Immediately after the shooting Franklin and his brother left the scene. Officers were called to investigate and a search was begun for the Franklin brothers. The first report was the the two men engaged in a heated argument while at work in a field and that Franklin felled Rusk with a hoe. The sheriff reported that a pistol was used in the fatal argument and Rusk was shot through the right breast dying almost instantly. Franklin fled immediately after the shooting and has not been apprehended although officers in adjoining Georgia and Alabama counties had been notified to be on the watch for him. Franklin and Rusk are said to have been renters on the Thrash fram at Riddle's Bridge. Both men are said to be married. ____ DEATH CLAIMS MR. A.G. GRICE Funeral services were held for Mr. A. Grice on Tuesday with interment in an Atlanta cemetery. Mr. Grice had been in declining health for the last year or two. Mr. Grice lived in Edwardsville for many years where he raised a splendid family of boys and girls. The sons surviving are Rev. Homer Grice, John, Ogle and Loyce Grice; the girls are Costilla and Nettie. Mr. Grice who is survived by his widow and the above named children had reached his 78th year, most of which time having been spent in this county, and his death removes one of our oldest citizens. The Cleburne News extends sympathy to the bereaved family in the death of husband and father. ___ L.M. McElroy and F.M. Zaner were callers at the News office on Saturday. Mr. McElroy reported that his son J. Tom, who cut his left foot on Friday is getting along nicely. __ Miss Mildred Wright, after a visit with her sister Mrs. Lee Haywood, has returned to her home in Carroll County. __ Mr. and Mrs. J.J. Wager attended the funeral and burial of Mrs. Wager's uncle, Benj. Bevis who was in his 93rd year, in Bowdon, Tuesday afternoon. The aged man was residing at Calera at the time of his death. __ Mr. and Mrs. B.H. Turner of Birmingham spent the weekend with the latter's mother, Mrs. J.D. Hudson, who is recovering from a serious illness. __ MARRIAGE LICENSES ISSUED During March Henry Hammond and Ruth Pope Walter E. Green and Rubye West W.R. Ford and Margaret Cosby Preston Blair and Thelma Wiggins Homer Lee Bright and Levie Hicks D.F. Haney and Maggie Measles Levice C. Price and Loucile Thompson H.D. Hibbitt and Jeanette Billingsly B. Brooks and Onie Jarrett W.H. Humprhey and Grace Parrish J.N. Parrish and Ada Hulsey Raymond McIntyre and Vivian Wood V.B. Daniel and Vera Jones Price Banks and Levie Baxley Will Brown and Inez Banks ___ TWO FINE OLD VETERANS Uncle George Morris of Edwardsville and Uncle W.H. Adair of Fruithurst, two fine old Confederate veterans, were in Heflin on Monday, coming for their pensions. Uncle George will celebrate his 93rd birthday on the 27th of the present month, while Mr. Adair is in his 79th year. The two are enjoying fairly good health. These Veterans always call on The News when in Heflin. ___ PLAINVIEW News Mr. and Mrs. D.O. West of Leoma, Tenn., visited the latter's parents, Mr. and Mrs. C.H. Durham last week. __ W.F. Jacobs was painfully hurt on Tuesday of last week when hewas thrown off a cornstock cutter and fell against a lightwood stump. It is believed that some of his ribs were broken besides other bruises on his head and arms. ___ -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.322 / Virus Database: 266.11.15 - Release Date: 5/22/2005