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Subject: Al-Cleburne Co. News (Newspaper Abstra)
Date: Sat, 12 Feb 2005 18:09:19 -0500


Cleburne County AlArchives News.....Newspaper Abstracts for SEPT 1923 September 1923
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Candace Gravelle February 12, 2005, 6:09 pm

The Cleburne News
NEWSPAPER ABSTRACTS FROM "THE CLEBURNE NEWS", Heflin, Cleburne County,
Alabama for SEPTEMBER 1923

NEWSPAPER Issue of Thursday, September 6, 1923

RAKESTRAW CAPTURED

John Rakestraw, who was convicted in the circuit court of Cleburne County one
year ago for the alleged killing of A.D. Cheatwood and sentenced to thirty
years in the penitentiary, but escaped from jail the day following his
conviction, was captured Saturday night, four miles northeast of Edwardsville,
near the home of his parents, by Benton Adams, former sheriff of Cleburne
County and Chief Isaac Wheeler. The young man submitted readily to the
command to stick up his hands. The officers met Rakestraw face to face, not
knowing for the moment who they were running into, but the flashlight told
them that there search was at an end, that the much wanted man was before them.

A search disclosed the fact that the young man was not armed, and upon his
promise to be good, was not handcuffed and with the officers the three set out
on foot for Edwardsville where they arrived in time to catch the accomodation
to Heflin. Messrs. Adams and Wheeler left Heflin Friday night about ten
o'clock and were driven in an auto the the branch just south of Edwardsville,
here the automobile was abandoned, returning to town.

The officers surrounded Edwardsville, coming out in the street a few yards
below Brown's store, after which the way was clear on the end of the route.
Before leaving Heflin the officers laid in a weeks' rations, bent on making it
a successful haul, but ended in less than twenty-four hours. The officers
camped close almost all day Saturday until the shadows commenced to fall
toward the east, when they began the watch along the road leading to the
Rakestraw home, and soon the hunt ended.

During their stay in the woods their presence became known by someone passing
the road nearby, then moving further back into the brush was in order. John,
who must have heard the officers, and mistaking them for someone else, gave
two or three whistles, all the time coming towards Adams and Wheeler, until
within an arm's length, when the flash light ended the search.

The state authorities were advised of Rakestraw's capture on Saturday night
and on Sunday morning, Transfer agent Austin came for the prisoner and removed
him to Kilby Prison near Montgomery. Rakestraw was convicted of the alleged
killing of A.D. Cheatwood at a box supper being held at Cane Creek Church, two
miles south of Edwardsville several months ago, but escaped by sawing his way
to liberty.

There was a reward of $200. for Rakestraw's arrest and delivery to the proper
authorities. Messrs. Wheeler and Adams are receiving many congratulations
upon their "good catch."
______

IN MEMORY OF ALICE JOHNSON

On the morning of July 20, 1923, the death angel visited the home of Mr. and
Mrs. W.J. Johnson and took their daughter Alice to her home on high. She had
been in ill health for the past 12 years but bore her pain with patience until
the end. She always had a smile and a kind word for her many friends whom she
was always glad to see. There will always be a vacant chair, but god saw best
to call her from earthly pain and suffering to her home beyond the sky. To
her father, mother, brothers and sisters, I can only say let all share your
sorrow, and weep not for Alice has paid the debt we all must pay. She was
thirty years, six months and twenty days old at the time of her death. She
joined the Missionary Baptist church at Chulafinnee in 1916 and lived a
devoted chrisitan life. She was laid to rest in Chulafinnee cemetery amid the
presence of a large concourse of relatives and friends. She us survived by
her father, mother, two brothers and four sisters. After singing a beautiful
song, Rev. J.W. Grubbs made a splendid talk over the earthly remains of the
departed daughter and sister, after which the body was tenderly taken to its
last resting place to await the trumpet sound on Resurrection Morn. A friend.
____

RESOLUTIONS ON DECEASED MEMBERS OF ST. MICHAEL'S CHURCH

We, your committee on deceased members, submit the following report: We find,
with sad hearts, that since the last session of this convention, god, in his
wisdom, has seen fit to call the following members from the walks of man to
that eternal home: Bros. J.D.Laminack; M.A. Shoemaker; F.M. McElroy;
James Owen; J.G. Lambert; A.S. Hicks; Sisters Josey Clay and Sister Taylor.

"Uncle" Dedrick Laminack, as he was familiarly known, was one of the early
settlers of this county. He was courteous and kind to everyone and ever ready
with good counsel and charitable to all in need. He was a kind father and
devoted husband. Was a charter member of this convention, and a consistent
church member, and true to the close of his long and useful life.

We wish to express to this body that in the death of brothers and sisters,
this convention has lost those among its most loyal members. Therefore be it
resolved that a lesson be led to their memory. That these resolutions be
spread upon our minute book. All of which is respectfully submitted,

W.M. Evans
J.A. Alewine
C.E. Laminack
Committee, St. Michael's, Aug. 19, 1923
_____

LOCAL News

G.S. McElroy, prominent merchant in Bowdon, was a visitor at the News office
the latter part of last week. He has been away from old Cleburne for eighteen
years, but says he wants to keep up with us, so he deposited a dollar with us
to run his subscription around to the 24th notch. Thanks, old boy.
__

B.G. Morrison of Fruithurst was in town on business Saturday. Mr. Morrison is
preparing to move to Jacksonville, Fla., in the near future.
__

Paul Robertson of Chattanooga, spent the weekend with home folks.
__

Mrs. W.L. Evans and little daughter have returned to their home in Durant,
Okla., after spending several weeks with home folks.
__

Will Vise of near Cedar Creek left Monday for Texas. He plans to move his
family soon.
__

Mr. J.H. Simpson of DeKalb county has been spending some time with his
daughter, Mrs. Toliver Beason, and made us a pleasant call Wednesday morning.
__

Mrs. W.N. Barker and children of Cullman County has been visiting relatives in
Cleburne for several days.
__

Mr. R.F. Hooper and daughter Mrs. James W. Baber have returned from a pleasant
trip to west Alabama.
__

LEBANON News

Mr. and Mrs. G.W. Price spent Sunday with Euel Grizzard and family.
__

J.W. Warmack and family visited Silas Prichard and family on Sunday.
__

Mr. and Mrs. Loyd Allen from near Steadman spent the weekend with Mr. and Mrs.
W.R. Sewell.
__

Mrs. Ella Manning, who has been visiting her mother, Mrs. Addison, returned to
her home in Birmingham.
__

Miss Belma White left Sunday night for Atlanta where she will spend a few days
with her sister, Mrs. Sallie Slayton.
__

Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Weisner are the happy parents of a ten pound baby boy.
__

"Uncle' Bill Gentry has been on the sick list for the past week.
__

NEWSPAPER issue of Thursday, September 13, 1923

LOCAL News

Mrs. W.W. Albright, sister of Mr. Cicero Groover, died Wednesday morning at
the home of her husband in Mt. Zion, GA. The funeral and interment will be
held there today.
___

Mr. and Mrs. Anderson from near Hopewell spent Sunday with their daughter Mrs.
Sara Wisner.
__

Born, to Mr. and Mrs. Jake Norton, a boy.
__

Born, to Mr. and Mrs. Dexter Jackson, a girl.
__

NEWSPAPER Issue of Thursday, September 20, 1923

HURT BY FALLING LUMBER ON MONDAY

Neal Norton, while loading lumber early Monday morning at the saw mill of
Pounds & Watson, was caught by falling timber and was seriously, though not
fatally, hurt. Besides being considerably bruised about the body, he received
an ugly wound on the head. He was reported as not doing so well on Wednesday
morning. He was removed to the home of his father following the accident.
__

MRS. BABER LAID TO REST

Mrs. Frances Baber, wife of the late Bill Baber, died at her home near Pound's
mill on Monday morning, and was laid to rest in the Edwardsville cemetery
Tuesday afternoon. Rev. W.M. Barr officiated at the grave. Mrs. Baber was
left a widow about two years ago, and a year later her oldest son was taken
from her by death. Five children and a large circle of relatives and friends
are left to mourn her death.
____

J.C. FLOYD HURT BY TRAIN

J.C. Floyd, a farmer living on Route 7, was badly injured when hit by a
Southern passenger train last Thursday. Mr. Floyd had brought a load of cross
ties to town and unloaded them near the tracks when the mule he was driving
became frightened and backed the wagon down a steep embankment into the train
just as it was passing, overturning the wagon and pinning Mr. Floyd beneath
the bed. Conductor "Red" Slayton brought his train to an immediate stop and
summoned medical aid for the injured man.
____

IN MEMORY OF LAWSON DUSTON REID

Lawson Duston Reid was born August 3, 1875 at Heflin, Alabama near Evans'
Chapel. On July 18, 1923 at Douglasville, Georgia he was called from his
loved ones and friends to live in that happier abode. Bro. Reid was converted
when he was 15 years old at old Antioch campground. Immediately after he was
converted he joined the Methodist Church. In 1912 Bro. Reid moved to
Edwardsville, Ala., and from that place moved to Heflin, and his church
membership was transferred to the Heflin Methodist Episcopal church until his
death. On February 21, 1897 he was married to Miss Mattie Coggin at
Tallapoosa, GA. To them were given four children, Frank Howle, Fred Shepard,
Hewitt Inman and Bernice. Fred Shepard was taken from them when he was only
eight years old. The other three children are still living and remain in
Heflin.

Here is a living example of a life lived for the glory of god and the good of
humanity. Bro. Reid was characterized by his deep serenity, sincerity,
exalted dignity and loving devotion. Not only was he a devoted husband and
father, but he was also an avowed loyal citizen; his love was plighted to his
family, to his neighbors, to his community, to his church and to his god. In
his home life he was tender, sympathetic and compassionate. And these same
admirable qualities followed him in his business life. This was natural of
course for Bro. Reid was the embodiment of goodness, his only rule of action
was the "golden rule." He was lenient toward others, when some were
critisizing, Bro. Reid would make allowances for those who were being
criticized. He sought peace; wherever he went, he created peace. And yet,
Bro. Reid's leniency, his peacefulness did not change his absolute intolerance
for the wrong. He was firm for the right; he was equally firm against the
wrong. He loved and served god and taught his children to do so.

It was quite a rare thing to see Bro. Reid absent from the church services and
from the sunday school. In fact, he was never absent unless he was positively
hindered. A good man has been taken from us. All of us have felt it was
easier to be good when he was with us. but still, even though he is gone from
us, influence for good will last forever and never shall any of us who knew
him cease to be blessed by hisnoble and pious life. Rev. Hobart Murphree
_____


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