NEWSPAPER ABSTRACTS FROM "THE CLEBURNE NEWS", Heflin, Cleburne County, Alabama for DECEMBER 1931 NEWSPAPER Issue of Thursday, DECEMBER 3, 1931 PENITENTIARY SENTENCE GIVEN IN KILLING CASE Buchanan, Ga., Nov. 26th Elbert Bowman, tried in Haralson Superior Court for the slaying of Arlin Hornsby, was found guilty of manslaughter and given a sentence of from one to two years on the chain gang. The trial began on Monday morning and the case was given to the jury late Tuesday, and after considering the case for several hours, brought in a verdict as stated above. It is currently reported that on the first ballot the jury stood 9 for acquittal and 3 for conviction. After the state had concluded its case shortly before noon Tuesday, Judge Hutcheson granted a request of the defendant's attorney for a recess and adjourned court until 1:30 in the afternoon. When court reassembled, the defendant went upon the stand and reading from a prepared statement, acknowledged the slaying of Hornsby, giving in detail the events leading up to the killing. Bowman stated that on the evening of the killing, he went to the Hornsby home to "talk things over with Arlin", and that during the course of their conversation, Hornsby flew into a rage and reached into his bosom for something, and at this juncture, he (Bowman) fired. He stated that he never remembered firing but once. Bowman recounted events which led up to the tragedy and the appeal he made touched many in the audience. It developed at at the trial that the trouble that preceded the killing involved Hornsby's alleged relationship with Bowman's 13 year old sister. Both were residents of the Buncombe district, just over the Alabama line and the trial attracted hundreds of relatives and friends from the Lebanon and Rocky Flat communities. His father, Leon Bowman, who was held as an accessory before the fact, was allowed bail by Judge Hutcheson on Tuesday of last week. ----- LOCAL News J.L. Chandler, age 72, of Tallapoosa, Ga., who received a fractured hip in a fall at his home a few days ago, was reported to be improving at Garner Hospital on Saturday night. The Anniston Star ---- James Jackson, about 50 years old, took his life near his home in Bowdon early Monday morning, using a shot gun to end his life. Mr. Jackson is said to have brooded over financial affairs for some time and in a note addressed to Mrs. Jackson, gave directions as to the disposition of insurance. Mr. Jackson came from a good family and his death has cast a gloom of sorrow over the entire community where he was known and liked. He was buried at Sandy Flat on Wednesday. ---- NEWSPAPER Issue of Thursday, DECEMBER 10, 1931 BORDEN SPRINGS News Miss Edna Arrington is visiting her sister Mrs. Katie White at Cedartown. --- Mr. and Mrs. Willard Arrington and children visited Mrs. M.E. Warmack and family on Sunday. --- Funeral and burial services were held Sunday afternoon at Cherry Grove Baptist church for P.W. Porter, an aged man, who passed away Saturday at one o'clock at the home of his daughter Mrs. Jeff Palmer at Piedmont. Surviving are the widow, several daughters and many other relatives. ----- LETTERS TO SANTA CLAUS Dear Santa Claus, I am a little boy 7 years old and weight 75 pounds. I go to school at Tifton. I am in second grade and learning fast and like my teacher. I want you to bring me a bicycle, oranges, bananas, coconuts and all kinds of candy and nuts. Santa, please don't forget "Ma and Pa" Batchelor's folks, and bring them something christmas night, for they live in Alabama. I will looking for you on christmas night so don't forget me. Your little boy, Buford Otwell, Tifton, Ga. Dec. 3, 1931 --- Dear Santa Claus, I am only a litle girl 9 years old, weigh 85 pounds. I am fair skin, brown eyes and have black, curly hair and rosy cheeks. I go to school at Tifton. I am in the third grade and am learning fast, hope to make my grade by christmas. Santa, I am not going to ask you for much for I want you to bring all the little boys and girls something. I want you to bring me a carriage, trunk, a swing set, a wrist watch and a pretty silk dress and I want you to bring me candy, apples, oranges, bananas, coconuts and all kinds of nuts. Santa Claus, please don't forget my little cousin William Olen Batchelor; he is only 3 months old; bring him a baby bed and rattler. I will be looking for you on christmas night, hurry up and come. Your little girl, Avis Otwell, Tifton, Ga., Dec. 3, 1931 ---- Dear Santa Claus, I am a little girl only six years old. I weigh 47 pounds. I have golden curls and big brown eyes and I am mamma and daddy's baby, so please don't forget me christmas night. I want you to bring me a big walking and talking mamma doll and a doll carriage. Also a trunk, piano and a bugle. Santa please bring me candy, apples, oranges and all kinds of nuts. Santa claus, don't forget mamma and daddy. I will be looking for you so please don't forget me for I live in south Ga. Your little girl, Mable Otwell, Tifton, Ga., Dec. 3, 1931 ------ LOCAL News A.J. Haley, pioneer Heflin resident, has been on the sick list the last week, suffering with an infection on his right hand. ---- NEWSPAPER Issue of Thursday, DECEMBER 13, 1931 ROLLINS - VAUGHAN Judge A.H. Glasgow at his home Sunday afternoon, performed the ceremony that made Mrs. Sallie Rollins and Arthur Vaughan man and wife. The Cleburne News wishes the newlyweds much happiness. ---- LOCAL News Mrs. Lorena Harlan and children are visiting Mr. and Mrs. E.E. Brown at Aron Park, Fla. ---- LETTERS TO SANTA CLAUS Dear Santa Claus, I am a little girl nine years of age. My weight is 69 pounds. Santa Claus, I want you to bring me a piano, a wagon and a doll. Santa Claus, don't forget J.C., mother, father, Jeanette, Bonnie and big sister and all the poor children. Your little girl, Gertrude Cofield ---- NEWSPAPER Issue of Thursday, DECEMBER 24, 1931 JASPER CITIZEN WAS 100 YEARS OLD DEC. 15th Jasper Man Completes Century of Life; Living with His Grandchildren Here >From "The Jasper Mountain Eagle" newspaper UNCLE ZEKE DODSON Next Tuesday, December 15th, Jasper's grand old man, Mr. E.K. Dodson, will be 100 years old. This is quite a distinction, an achievement, to live 100 years. There is no question about Mr. Dodson's age, the record of his brith bears out his statement that he was born in the North River community in Tuscaloosa county, Alabama, December 15, 1831. Mr. Dodson has lived an eventful life. He went to California during the "Gold Rush" between 1849 and 1852 and spent eight years in the Golden State. He went to California by way of the Isthmus of Panama and suffered many hardships and delays on the trip. He went with a small party from the States by water, landing on the east side of Panama, then the party crossed over and took a vessel in the Pacific for San Francisco. After spending eight years in California, Mr. Dodson returned to Alabama and not long after his return to the East, the Civil War between the states broke out, and he entered the Confederate service, serving throughout the four year war. He is one of the few remaining Confederate veterans in the county and perhaps, the oldest in the state. After the war, Mr. Dodson married and settled down in Tuscaloosa county and engaged in the occupation of farming. He moved to Walker county in 1876 and settled near Jasper, where he was actively engaged in farming until he was 86 years of age. After the death of his wife he moved into town and lived with his daughter Mrs. Stovall and her husband, Dr. A.M. Stovall. He is now living with his grandchildren, Clinton Stovall and Miss Irene Stovall. (The Cleburne News is indebted to the Mountain Eagle for the picture of Mr. Dodson which appeared in the Jasper paper last week.) -------- SERIOUS CUTTING AFFRAY W.M. Albright, age 25, was seriously if not fatally stabbed by James Owen, both of Edwardsville, in a difficulty at that place Sunday afternoon. Albright received three slashes in the left side. Owen was arrested and brought to the county jail by Sheriff Owen and Deputy Tom Prestridge. What brought on the difficulty is not known. ---- NEWSPAPER Issue of Thursday, DECEMBER 31, 1931 EDMONDSON SERIOUSLY SHOT While Frank Edmondson, age 24 of Heflin remains in a critical condition at Garner Hospital from gunshot wounds, a search is being conducted by Calhoun and Cleburne county officers for Mack Crook, a negro, who allegedly shot Edmondson near Hollis Schoolhouse early Thursday night. Edmondson is suffering from two wounds in the chest, one in the arm and one in the leg. He came upon an accident involving an automobile occupied by negroes and another occupied by white men. The negro car was said to have contained 20 gallons of whiskey and Edmondson is reported to have made attempts to hold one of them until officers could be summoned to place him under arrest. When he threatened to do so, one of the negroes fired, it is said. ----- PIONEER RESIDENT DIED SUDDENLY AT DAUGHTER'S S.F. Harris, 72, pioneer resident of Heflin and widely known over the community, dropped dead Tuesday morning of last week at the home of his daughter Mrs. Elbert O'Harrow, just as we was stepping upon the front porch. He had seemingly been in good health and his death caused much sorrow among relatives and scores of friends. Rev. G.B. Boman of Bowdon, Ga. was in charge of funeral services, which were conducted Wednesday. The Cleburne News extends sympathy to the bereaved family. ---- MRS. GRIFFIN RETURNS FROM SISTER'S FUNERAL Mrs. Georgia Griffin returned Saturday night from the funeral of her sister Mrs. F.R. Bullard, 73, of Buchanan, who died at the home of her son, I.A. Bullard of Atlanta on Dec. 24th, after an illness of long duration. Five children, three sons and two daughers and a number of grandchildren; three brothers and four sisters, survive. The funeral services were conducted at the Buchanan Baptist church with Rev. J.S. Edwards conducting the services. ---- ACCIDENTALLY SHOT Theo Smith, 13, is said to be recovering from gun shot wounds received when a 16 gauge gun was accidentally discharged by Floyd Kilgore, 13, while the boys were out hunting Christmas week. Eighty-seven small shot took effect in Smith's stomach and breast, it was reported. -----