The Ellaville Sun July 16, 1937 Vol. 1 No. 3 MRS. AMANDA ROOKS, THANKFUL FOR 94 YEARS OF LIVING, ATTRIBUTES LONGEVITY TO HEALTH-LORD Reached Her 94th Milestone On Last May 8. Ninety-four year old Mrs. Mandy Rooks, thankful and white-haired, says in a voice still ringing with an unmistakable enthusiasm for life that "good health and the help of the Lord allowed me to get this far." Gracious Mrs. Rooks, enjoying fine health despite her advanced age, lives contentedly in County Line community at the home her late husband built for her in 1874--sixty three years ago. Her daughter, Mrs. Dora Young, resides with her. She became 94 May 8, having been born in Chambers county, Alabama, in 1843--when John Tyler was president. Asked if she believes she will reach 100, Mrs. Rooks just shakes her head and replies, "Oh, I don't know...I'm so old now." Recalls Romance "I feels so thankful...I do feel thankful," the aged Schley county woman emphasized as she recalled occurrences of her life when talking to a staff writer for The Sun a few days ago. Mrs. Rooks likes to recall the early days of her married life. She was married to Timothy Rooks, a veteran of the War of the States, December 10, 1872. A severe spell of rainey and cold weather started on their wedding day, and relatives insisted they remain at the home of his parents, in Shiloh community, Sumter County, until it ceased. After a week they set out for his farm in Schley county. They went by buggy over a road badly washed by heavy rainfall, and the progress was slow---but she never took a happier ride. Mrs. Rooks' lovely blue eyes became kindled by fires of tender recollections as she smiled and remembered, "He was the happiest man I ever saw....He loved me so....I came to this hill that day and I've lived here ever since." "We lived in a little house made of split logs, with a stick and mud chimney for about a year, but I was happier then than I've ever been," she reminisced. Because "Mr. Rooks was a powerful hand to save money," there was soon another home. He paid cash in gold for the material for it. "That's been a long time ago," "Miss Mandy, for he always called her that when he didn't call her Mommie" she mused. The steady click of the grandfather's clock on the mantelpiece was the only sound to be heard. Then she glanced up and said, softly: "Mr. Rooks bought me that clock two years after we were married--and it's been a good one. I wake up, sometimes in the middle of the night and hear it strike, and it's company for me....." Her husband died in July, 1930, and was active in farming until the time of his death. Youngest of ten children, "Miss Mandy" had as her task the milking of four cows a day before she was 12 years old. Kindly Mrs. Rooks is tolerant toward the ways of the present generation. She frankly admits she sees nothing so badly wrong with it, but she does insist "they don't know anything about hardships." She doesn't like to talk about "the war." Because, she explains "I was raised in a war generation." Once, however, she recalled, she paid $18.00 for a pack of needles. Enjoys Radio Mrs. Rooks walks with difficulty, requiring assistance of a cane and a companion. She is very fond of the radio, and "lives on daylight savings time" so she can keep up with the programs without trouble. WSB of Atlanta is her favorite station. "Miss Mandy" joined the joined Methodist church when she was 24, and her membership is at a County Line church. Nowadays she can't attend services, but she deeply appreciates and enjoys the radio worship hours. Morgan Blake, sports editor of the Atlanta Journal, who teaches the Agoga Bible class of the Baptist Tabernacle in Atlanta is her favorite. Her parents were Elizabeth and Henry Lansford. While she was still a child they moved to Sumter County, Ga., ---now part of Terrell. Part of her "war days" were spent with her uncle in Middleton, Ga. Her grandfather on her mother's side was a captain in the Revolutionary War and her father was a captain in the War of 1812. Mrs. Rooks, whose full name is Narcissus Amanda, has five living children--three sons and two daughters; 33 grandchildren, including a set of twins, and 26 great grandchildren PROGRESS OF SIX MONTHS OUTSTANDING Schley county has staged a big march of progress during the past six months which makes certain that she, though one of the smallest counties in Georgia, will be given much consideration in The Atlanta Constitution's $7,500 Progressive Counties Awards, to be made at the close of the year. Thirteen awards will be made by The Constitution counties making the greatest advancement during the year. C.S. Wall, chairman of the Schley county Board of Commissioners of Roads and Revenues, officially entered Schley in the campaign this year. A summary of projects on the docket follows: Preliminary work already has been started toward erection of an $11,000 gymnasium by Schley County High School, with completion expected this fall. Dr. L.S. Boyette plans to build a modern clinic here within a few weeks. County Commissioners are constructing a modern brick building which will house a public canning plant and an office building for agricultural and welfare officials. Congregation of Ellaville Baptist Church will build an eight-room pastorium, which will be occupied this week. The church previously has never had a pastorium. Rural electrification has reached the county, many homes in Andrew Chapel community having taken part in the project. Other power projects are being planned. Both local gins are being rebuilt and equipped throughout with latest machinery, in preparation for the coming harvest season. Development of the boys' and girls' 4-H club movement, begun in the spring, promises many benefits. At the half-way mark, Commissioner Wall declared this week that the County Commissioners hope to launch several new programs during the latter half if the year which will be of major improvement to the county, and the same time help tremendously in the awards program. HENRY HARVEY PAID TRIBUTE Former Schley County Farmer Is Buried On Thursday Funeral services for Mr. Henry Harvey, about 60, who died at the Americus and Sumter County Hospital Wednesday night at 6 o'clock, were conducted from Bethel Church in Taylor County Thursday afternoon at 4 o'clock. Mr. Harvey had been residing at Rupert for the past several years but for a long period was a well-known Schley County farmer. He underwent a major operation about a week prior to his death. Surviving besides his widow, are six daughters, Mrs. Will Sellars, Mrs. Frank Allmon and Mrs. Johnny DeVane, all of Schley county; Mrs. Bernice Simmons, of Thomaston and Mrs. Oliver of Rupert; one son, J.P. Harvey of Rupert. SCHLEY SLANTS by Raymond Duncan Moulton in Alabama J.C. Moulton, longtime and well-liked editor of the Schley County News, is now with the Linville, Ala. Tribune. The masthead of the Tribune--an attractive paper with lots of home news and features--says "Linville is located in the richest agricultural section of East Alabama." Raises Fine Melons P.H. (Plem) Johnson of Andrew Chapel community had a fine yield from his watermelon acreage. And exceptional melons, too. He brought this department a 41 pounder, along with his paid subscription to The Sun, Monday. After He's Gone--- Three year old Billy Easterlin visited his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. C.L. Battle, here several days recently, and after a few days was back for a pop call. And Billy asked his aunt, Miss Mary Battle, "Who do you speak at now? She didn't understand. So he explained: "Well, while I was here you said, "Billy, eat your oatmeal, Billy, don't talk so much, Billy, don't talk so much, Billy, don't smack, ---and I jest wondered who you speak at now." Hearty Greetings Birthday remembrances and greetings will be in order today for Mrs. C.B. Barnes, of Ebenezer, and Jack Tondee and Miss Margaret Souter of Ellaville, Miss Margaret Green also has one today. Welton Wall of Glen Holly had a birthday Tuesday, July 13, and Mrs. Felder McCorkle, now of Montezuma, recently of Ellaville observes hers tomorrow. Mrs. Harry Murray of Ellaville reaches another milestone Sunday and, for a coincidence, her brother-in-law Oscar Murray, an old Ellaville boy who now lives in Orlando, Fla., has one the same day. And it was the same year, too. Sunday, too, will be a birthday for Mrs. W.H. Oliver and Mrs. E.E. Jernigan. And they will pass out best wishes to Mrs. Alvin Snipes of Glenn Holly July 20. Don't forget to send birthdays, anniversaries, and the like to this department. OUT OF THE PAST 50 years ago (1887) Mr. W.K. Pilsbury, Americus Recorder writer her to cover court for his paper, and also of the Griffin Light Guards, Co. B, was delighted to find upon his visit that a unanimous sentiment prevails among the surviving members of the Fifth Georgia regiment to sponsor a reunion of the organization here next August 25. Judge T.F. Rainey surprised the editor with a bucket of fine China Cling peaches, some of them weighing 14 ounces. The young people enjoyed a very pleasant musical entertainment at the home of Capt. W.D. Murray Tuesday evening. The Ellaville "Kids" so they say, are teaching the country boys how to play croquet. Mrs. Mattie Green has opened a soda water and lemonade stand in town. 25 years ago (1912) Ellaville's ball club is planning a big day for July 19. The club will give a barbecue at Burton Grove at noon and everybody is invited to come, bring a basket, and help make the day a success. The Buena Vista club will be played in two games, the morning game at 10 o'clock and the afternoon game at 3:30 o'clock. The Ellaville boys beat Leslie, 7 to 5, last week. Williamson distinguished himself with some heavy hitting in the game. He drove home Hill with a three base hit early in the game and hit a home run later, driving in two runs ahead of him. end # 3