1915-1917 Calhoun Monitor

Submitted by Rose Diamond

The Calhoun Monitor – Pittsboro, MS 
 
Miscellaneous transcriptions w/ spelling corrections in most cases on minor words. Issue number first. 1915 – 1917 skipping around
 
16-20 (12-16-1915)
We regret very much to hear of the death of our friend W. L. Hitt, who let here only a few weeks ago to go to Texas. It will be remembered that we published a letter from him at that time. His demise was caused from a complication of troubles. He died on the 29th day of Dec. [Nov. ?] at his son’s home at Dollardsvill, Texas. A good man, a true citizen and a warm friend has gone.
 
18-43 (1917) Unveiling: Bentley Camp, no. 497, W.O.W. will, on the third Sunday in June, unveil the tomb of Sovereign Charlie M. Fielder at Midway cemetery. All Sovereigns of good standing are invited to be with us. [S. E. Carter, Coun. Com., E. J. McQuary, Clerk]
 
Estate of E. J. Sims, deceased. Letters of Administration upon the estate of Mrs. E. J. Sims,
deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 15th day of May 1917
… This May 1917. S. H. Smith, Admr.
 
News has reached us of a serious difficulty happening over on Cowpen in which Bob Ivy was seriously cut about the neck and head by his b-i-l A. D. McDonald. While not out of danger, it is believed that Ivy will recover. The affair occurred Monday of this week. We are unacquainted with the particulars of the affray. 
 
18-44 (June 7 1917)  Fry's Mill Ark May 30 1917: Please change my paper from Houlka to Frys Mill Ark. I have been here only 3 days and have not seen very much of the country, thought what I have seen I like fine. …Sincerely Yours, C. W. Patterson Dr. Charlie practiced medicine here in Pittsboro for a number of years and was one of the best liked and highly esteemed men we have ever had here....

Loyd

Mr. J. T. Bailey and Miss Florence Murphree motored up to Esq. John Morgan's at Reid Sunday evening where they were united in matrimony.
 
Mr. J. S. Long has purchased a new Maxwell car. Loyd is coming right to the front as fast as she can as that makes 3 cars for Loyd.
 
Expartee Petition of S. E. Flemmings, et al, No. 2815 … .22nd day of May, 1917, I A. J. Sims, Commissioner of said court will on the 2nd day of July 1917, in front …following bed land situated in Calhoun county … estimated to contain about eleven acres.
 
To John Henry Jenkins, non-resident, whose post office address is Colliersville, Tenn.; Mrs. Emma Jenkins, non-resident, whose post office address is unknown, Mrs. Gatha Jenkins Barber, non-resident, whose post office address is Hickorywith, Tenn.; Marion Jenkins, James Willie Jenkins, non-residents whose post office address is Memphis, Tenn.; Misses Anna Jenkins, Hattie Jenkins, Bertha Jenkins and Katie Jenkins, non-residents, whose post office address and places of residence are unknown: You are commanded to appear before the Chancery Court of Calhoun County ... third Monday of November.. 1917 to defend the suit in said Court of J. W. Henley, Complainant, where you are defendants. This the 30th day of May A. D. 1917. A. J. Sims, Clerk.
 
Mrs. Lizzie Smith, sister of the Monitor boys' father, Hon. T. M. Murphree, returned from Texas last Friday. She has been there since 1913. She was born in Oldtown in 1838 and is the only surviving child of Martin Murphree, who was a prominent figure in the settling of this county and the organization of Calhoun County. Despite her 79 years she is hale and hearty and bids fair to spend yet a number of years with her friend and relatives on this earth.
 
Communication from Texas Odem, Texas May 28, 1917. … I left my old home in November of 1916 and went to Water Valley and from there to DeValls Bluff, Ark. to visit two sons. …After a few days visit there my son Albert went with me to Little Rock and there I took the train for South Texas. I changed cars at Palestine and at Houton, [Houston?] Texas and finally arrived at Odem. I telegraphed to Mr. Kimbrell who came at once. I had a severe case of ashthma, [asthma] but soon recovered and am now in splendid health weighting 183 pounds.

I have met an old Mississippi friend who has lived [in] Texarkana Ark. 35 years. Her husband is dead and she is visiting her daughter at Odem. She was born in Lafayette county and her parents Mr. and Mrs. Richardson moved to Benela. Her father died and her step father was name [named] Bearl Beasley. Nannie Richardson had one sister, Nettie Richardson and one half sister. Ludy Beasley married Henry Flemons, at Benela, she knew Dr. Buchanan, Tom Enoch, Jim Woodward, Bob and Dixie Moore and Abb Walton, she lived at Sarepta while Sam Spencer was sheriff and then went to Grenada and lived with her aunt Mrs. Dankin. There she married Thomas William Saxon in 1882. T. W. Saxon was son of Hugh J. Saxon, living in one mile of Grenada. Hugh J. Saxon had some brothers, Sam and William Saxon. Hugh J. Saxon's children were named Thomas Willie (boy) Lee, Susie and Maggie (girls). Lee Saxon married Dr. Luley of Grenada, and Susie married Ben Greenshaw of Grenada.

If anybody knows Mrs. Saxon she will be glad to hear from them. She hasn't heard from there in 32 years. ..Anyone wanting to write Mrs. Saxon, send letters to Mrs. Wayman Ford, Odem, Tex. signed Katty Kimbrell.
 
18-45 (June 14, 1917) Warren Clements, who has been in Texas for nearly four years, has returned home. We are glad to have him with us again. [Old Field] The death angel visited at the home of M/M T. O. Davis on Thursday last and took from them their darling baby, Viola. ...
 
Death angel took from Mr. Tom Davis their baby girl on last Wednesday morning. Burial took place at Concord. [Ellard]
 
Mainard Anglin and Mrs. Rosa Belk were happily married at Pleasant Hill church last Sunday. Congratulations.
 
18-46 (June 21 1917)
Bud Williams Shot Sunday … A grewsome [gruesome] tragedy was enacted along the southwestern line of Calhoun county on Sunday night of this week when Otto Davis, a young white man about 19 years old, shot and killed Mr. Bud  Williams, well known and prominent farmer of this county. Mr. Williams lived at Williamsville, which is two miles west of Sabougla - right on the Grenada County line. Davis lived with his father on Louis Martin's place, adjoining Williams' place, also in this county...

Davis says that there had been a crap game in which one of Williams' negroes was engaged; that the negro lost a number of articles, including a razor which belonged to Mr. Williams. That when Williams returned home Sunday night, he learned of these things and armed himself with a shotgun and came up to Davis' father house swearing that he was going to "clean up on the whole push." That Williams came in the house and leveled the shotgun on the boy's father and demanded the boy. Then the boy says he fired and killed Mr. Williams. He says that Williams did not know the boy shot him and that Williams shouted that he had shot himself and asked the boy's father to help him. The boy immediately ran out the back door and away to a neighbor's house. Mr. Williams was shot about 8 o'clock and died at 10. ...
 
A fine girl baby was born to Mrs. Banks Tatmun, who is at the home of her parents, J. W. Blaylock and wife, just south of town.

Loyd

Mr. Isom Anglin and Miss Georgia Bailey stole quietly away last Wednesday evening and were married by Bro. Haughton. Mr. Tom Christian, who has been in Texas several years, came in Sunday to spend the summer with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Christian.

Bounds

 Mr. Hardy Carter, of this place and Miss Fannie Clark, of Shiloh, who, accompanied by Mr. Cecil Burke and Miss Sarah Roberts, motored over to Houston Thursday and were married, Rev. Reeves, formerly of Calhoun City officiating. Prof. and Mrs. Marion Spears are the proud parents of a find baby girl.

Union Grove

Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Harmon are the proud parents of a fine baby boy.

Derma

 Mr. and Mrs. G. C. Mabry are the proud parents of a one baby girl.

Pine Ridge

 Little Lena Ruth, daughter of Mr. Claude Williams of Ark. and grand daughter of Mr. and Mrs. S. B. Parker of this place died last Friday. 

Lantrip

Two weeks ago the Death Angel visited the home of Mr. Abner Smith and took his mother, Mrs. Hues. She was 87 years old. 

Gaston Springs

Hubert Brown and wife are the proud parents of a fine baby girl.

Local

E. L. Morris of Air Mount was here after a runaway negro Monday.
 
A man named Merchant from Alabama was arrested some 3 miles west of here on Monday evening by Messrs Sam Smith and Ben Harrelson acting on a warrant sent to Sheriff Wright. He is charged with shooting a man back there. He was carried back to Alabama to stand trial.
 
18-47 (June 28 1917)  
Mr. Burrell Parker and Miss Lillie Hastings, of Old Town, were happily married at the home of the bride’s father, Mr. B. J. Hastings on last Tuesday night.

Derma

Mr. V. M. Langston carried several patients to the negro Faith Doctor at Charleston Sunday.

Local

Mr. and Mrs. D. Murphree have a new daughter, who arrived Monday.
 
18-47 (July 5 1917) Inside date: July 12 1917 – Loyd – Mr. Arthur Spratlin of this place and a Miss Esther Stewart of Pine Ridge neighborhood, were married Sunday afternoon at the home of the groom’s brother Forrest Spratlin. 
 
Henry – Williams: Mr. Fed Henry and Miss Glennie Williams … secretly married at Aberdeen, Miss., about the middle of the month of May this year. In company with Mr. and Mrs. Lester Wright, they drove over to Aberdeen and were married and returned without anyone being the wiser. On Saturday night of last week, Mr. Henry came over and claimed the bride and carried her to his home North of Schoona. 
 
Sabougla ball team defeated Spring Hill at Sabougla recently by a score of 13 to 6. Batteries: Sabougla Bradford and Bradford, Spring Hill: Hemphill, Stewart, Stewart and Hemphill. The Sabougla team would like to give any team of the county a game when a team feels like visiting them for the first game. Notify Captain D. H. Bradford Sabougla, Miss.
 
Mrs. Q. Richburg accompanied by her son, is visiting her daughter, who is Mrs. Hiram Cozort, here at the present. They live now in Texas, but about 25 years ago, they lived about four miles west of Pittsboro. 
 
We learn with sincere regret of the loss of the little child of Mr. Bobby Wilkins near Sarepta last week. 
 
18-47 (July 5, 1917) [Same Issue number different headlines] Inside date: July 5, 1917

Loyd

The friends of Mrs. W. W. Blue, of Ellzey, were all made very sad to learn of her death. She died Sunday morning at Memphis in the hospital where she had undergone a very serious operation some four weeks ago. [Also New Liberty dots]

Antioch

On the 12th day of May the death angel visited the home of Mr. and Mrs. Sam Harris and took from them their darling baby boy Alvis. He was born Feby 22nd 1914. He was laid to rest in Antioch cemetery in the presence of a host of sorrowing friends and relatives. 
 
H. T. Jackson renews subscription from Carrollton, MS and letter from J. W. Gaston of Blaine, MS.
 
Road Working – We are asked to make the announcement that all of the stores and business houses in both Derma and Calhoun City will be closed on Wednesday July 11th in order that the folks’ may put in the day working on the stretch of road between Calhoun City and Derma. It has been agreed by both towns to get together and put in a days work on this road. 
  
We want to commend this excellent movement. It is a thing that should have been done years ago but “better late than never.” It has long been a saying that “the worst stretch of road in Calhoun Co. is between Calhoun City and Derma.” We certainly hope that the movement will prove a pronounce success.
 
For Sale – A Drug Store at the County Seat, in the midst of a thrifty people. Two doctors, High School, Baptist and Methodist Churches, Masonic and other lodges. A splendid opening for a young man. Am seventy-three and tired. Want to quit. A stamp for reply. Dr.J. W. Billington, Pittsboro, MS
 
Local – We learn with regret of the death of our friend, Mr. Mat Graham of Sarepta, which occurred last Sunday. He had lived to a ripe old age and was an honored citizen of his community. Peace to his ashes.
 
J. W. Delk went over to Coffeeville Monday to attend the trial of his brother there for killing Newt Summers several years ago.
 
18-49 (July 19 1917) O. O. Keenum, letter from Crenshaw, MS
Subscription change for Oscar Powell from King to Lovington, New Mexico. 
Inside date: July 12, 1917 – 
New Liberty – Born unto Mr. and Mrs. B. F. Hollis Saturday a baby girl.
 
State of MS – To Elmer Hodge, Leslie (Hodge) McCluskey, adults; and Lamar Hodge, Lester lee Hodge, minors; whose post office address is Poplar Grover, Arkansas. … appear third Monday of November A. D. 1917 to defend the suit, by cross bill of complaint, of H. B. Hodge, et al, wherein you are cross defendants. This the 17th day of July 1917. A. J. Sims, Clerk.
 
Sledge, MS from Tom Edwards – misc. letter mentions that three Calhoun boys, Messrs. D. O. Easley, John Arnold and Albert Edwards, went bear hunting the fourth. Mr. Arnold proved to be the lucky one bringing down a nice bear of about two hundred pounds. 
 
Local – Chester Waldrop, highly colored, was spied with a suspicious looking bulge in his coat here Saturday. Deputy Lester Wright investigated and found an “Owl Head” pistol. “Twenty-five and costs” said Mayor Bates. Into the “can” went Chester.
 
18-50 (July 26 1917)  
Inside date: July 12 1917 – Our young friend Wesson Crocker of the Reynolds neighborhood is the proud father of a bouncing baby boy who made his arrival a few days since.
 
J. Floyd Hardin, a son of the late John Jeff Hardin, died in Oklahoma last Thursday. His remains were interred in the Spring Hill Cemetery Monday with Masonic ceremonies. He has been a tubercular subject for many years and finally succumbed to this greatest of all diseases. … signed Eli Powell.
 
Notice of Trustees Sale – 16 day of July 1917 in cause styled J. T. Listenbee vs S. J. Adams et als. … one stock of general merchandise in accordance with the provisions of said decree…
 
State of MS to L. V. Lingo, Hartshorne Oklahoma – appear 3rd Monday of November 1917 to defend the suit in said court of S. s. Harris, Bank Examiner, Liquidator of the First State Bank vs Levi Lingo et als wherein you are defendant. 
 
18-51 (Aug 2 1917) W. R. Holt letter from Shawnee, OK.
inside date July 12 1917 – 

Loyd

The death angel visited the home of Mr. Elisha Bailey last Sunday morning and took for its victim his sweet loving wife. Mrs. Bailey has been down for 14 months with tuberculosis. … She leaves a husband, two little children and a host of other relatives and friend to mourn her loss.
 
Mr. Lee Parker of near Vardaman and Miss Fannie Hollingsworth of this place drove over to Ellzey and were married Sunday. 
 
Notice of Sale -  W. S. Haman, Trustee, vs W. W. Fort et al No 2800. Saturday 10th day of August on the ground at the mill-site where said machinery is located in said Calhoun county (near the bridge at Liquor-Up crossing on Loosascoona river) offer and sell to the highest and best bidder…
 
Ex parte Mrs. Eusie Griffin et al. on Monday, the 27th day of August, 1917 in front of the residence of Mrs. Eusie Griffin about 3 miles west from Calhoun City, … sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described land …The said land being sold for the purpose partitioning among the joint owners in accordance with said decree…
 
Ex parte P. W. Mooreland, et al. on Monday the 3rd day of September, 1917, in front of the residence, located on the hereinafter described land. Sell… sold for the purpose partitioning among the joint owners in accordance with said decree…
 
[see about 5 items up]
Hartshorne, Ok, July 12
Find enclosed $1.00 for my paper…times are good plenty of work at two dollar a day. More jobs than there are hands. I have been working at a cement plant this year. I began on Jan. 1st and haven’t lost a day or night since. I began except when I wanted to. I get 22 ½ c. an hour and work 30 days and change and work at night. I like the work fine.
I like this country better than I do MS but I like the MS folks better than I do OK people. Well, I would like to see everybody back there but I don’t know that I will ever come back to MS. If I were going to farm I would come back, but I don’t think I will ever farm any more. I made a good cotton crop last year, made 8 bales and got a little better than 15 c. a pound for it and only owed $400 out of it. I live about a mile from town. Hartshorne is a pretty place, street car line 15 miles long. Best wishes to all. L. V. Lingo.

Banner

On last Saturday morning our hearts were made to feel sad when we heard that the dark angel of death had came and bore away the spirit of Mrs. Dr. J. N. Lamar. She leaves a husband, four children, a mother, four brothers, and two sisters and a host of friends to mourn her loss. Her remains were laid to rest in the Salem Cemetery Sunday…
 
Mr. Will Lamar of Sarepta bought the stock of goods known as the Adams stock near Reynolds and will move it to Sarepta. 
 
18-52 (Aug 9 1917)
Isaiah Davis Stacy – biography
 
Partial list of Co D 48th CSA - /Aug 23
 
19-14(Nov 15 1917)  
Strayed – From Calhoun City one reddish-yellow Muley Cow in good flesh, weight about 750 pounds, with an X clipped on right hip. Finder notify A. G. Hamilton or G. H. Glenn, Sarepta, Miss.
 
20-10 (Oct 17, 1918)
By order of the State Board of Health, until further notice all funerals must be held privately and no corpse shall be opened in any church, school, or other public building. Eli Powell, Co. Health Officer
 
20-11 (Oct 24 1918)
We picked up a few days ago on the site of the old Gaines-Armstrong storehouse here, an old ledger of the A. Armstrong mercantile business here for the year 1854, the year the Courthouse was built. It contained a number of interesting things such as names of pioneer citizens of Calhoun county and prices of articles in those days. Nails were ? cents a pound, gingham 40 cents a yard, silk handkerchiefs one dollar each. We noticed one man charged with 2 gallons of whiskey at 75 cents a gallon. Considering the eight dollars (a quart nowadays and the scarcity of the product, this last item is enough to make some of our readers wish for a return of “the good old days.” 
 
20-14 (Nov 11 1918)
Service Duroc Male for Sale – Tilghman’s Cherry King, 120859, bred by Ira Jackson from Lyneve Cherry King, son of Orion Cherry King and Monarch Queen, of Tippecano, Ohio. The best 18-monts-old male in North MS is for sale for the next two weeks. Calhoun hog men, DON”T let this male leave here. Call and see him. There is none in Calhoun County in his class and you will agree to it when you see him. A. J. Tilghman, Derma, MS
 
20-16 (Nov 28 1918) 
Uncle Bill Yancy is our authority for the fact that the Kaiser is dead. You all know Uncle Bill. He says Green Leachman killed him at Sarepta one night last week. We haven’t heard the “Generals” side of this case, but as for us, we’d hate to be killed at Sarepta worse than any where else – we would hate to leave there so bad.
 
20-26 (Feb 13 1919) Board Expects To Build Roads …J. G. Barton, the member from Beat Four, informs us that he expects to put down some gravel and do some levee work on the road across Yalobusha river straight south from the depot at Calhoun City. This road when completed will intersect the Calhoun City and Slate Springs road at a point near the Carmack house in the bottom and will cut off about two miles of the roundabout route now used.