AMERICUS — Historic tidbits — January-June 1934

Jan. 1, 1934: “R.L. LESUEUR IS APPOINTED CITY RECORDER – J.H. Shumake To Succeed C.B. Pouncey As City Marshal … ”

Jan.  3, 1934:  “ … W.E. Brown, Prominent Citizen, Expires – William Edwin Brown, aged 76 years, lifelong resident of Americus … at the home of his daughter, Mrs. George Holton, in Raleigh, N.C. … William Edwin Brown was  a son of Adam Robinson Brown and Adaline Hall Brown, pioneers of Americus, and was born in 1857, in Americus on Brown street, which was named for his father … He was engaged in the mercantile business here with the late R.J. Perry … ”

Jan. 4, 1934: “Leslie Notes - Mr. and Mrs. H.L. Speer had as their guests last week Mr. and Mrs. Alva Speer, of Ochlochnee, Mr. and Mrs. John S. Speer of Dahlonega, Mr. and Mrs. C.J. Cheves, of Ashburn, and Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Speer, of Canal Point, Fla.”

Jan. 12, 1934: “Ellaville News - Mr. and Mrs. Troy G. Morrow and children who have been residing on the Americus-Ellaville highway, have moved to town, leasing an apartment at the J.H. Holloway home on Oglethorpe Ave.” TCN - H.C. Sullivan, et. al., pallbearers at funeral of Thomas Pickett Dorman, age 46; Walter Cobb, et. al., pallbearers at funeral of Mrs. Hazel Preskitt McMath, age 20

Jan. 15, 1934: “The main building of the old Schneider Marble Works located between Hill and Furlow streets in Americus has been leased free of charge by Messrs. E.E. and Harry Schneider to the Americus High School, and is now almost ready for use as a basketball court ... ”; “Of cordial social interest is the marriage of Miss Ruby Bass, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. O.S. Bass, to Mr. Jimmie Lowe Snider which was quietly solemnized, Sunday evening, Jan. 14, 1934, at 10 o'clock at the First Methodist parsonage ... by the pastor, Rev. H.T. Freeman ... ”; “Miss Vivian Sullivan is able to be up after an attack of influenza.”

Jan. 16, 1934: “NEGRO FARMERS JOIN CAMPAIGN – 375 Attend Meeting Last Night - … met Monday in Big Bethel church … for the purpose of receiving instructions relative to their 1934 farming program, under supervision of E. Stallworth, negro county agent and Thelma Banks, home demonstration agent of Sumter county … ”

Jan. 19, 1934: TCN - marriage of Miss Ruby Bass and Jimmie Lowe Snider Jan. 14th

Jan. 22, 1934: “Mrs. E.M. Bearden, who fell several weeks ago and sprained her ankle, is improving at her home on Cherry street and is able to walk around the house on her crutches.”

Jan. 23, 1934: “WORK STARTS ON AIRPORT – Field Being Cleared of All Obstructions – A crew of … CWA laborers was put to work yesterday morning on the Americus airport … The site for the new airport is just west of the Lee Street road, just outside the city limits … It has been said the Americus field will be one of the most important of several to be constructed on a proposed commercial air route from Atlanta to Tallahassee.”

Jan. 24, 1934: Miss Rosalie Purvis, et. al., guests at bridal shower for Mrs. J.L. Snider

Jan. 25, 1934: “Ellaville News - John Hugh Robinson spent several days the past week in Albany, having been called there on account of the serious illness of his brother-in-law, John S. Murray.”

Jan. 27, 1934: obituary of John S. Murray, Mr. and Mrs. Arin Robinson's son-in-law; “Ellaville News - Mr. and Mrs. Muro Ellis, Mrs. W.E. Scott, Mrs. A. Robinson, Miss Marguerite Hill, Morris Hill and Mr. and Mrs. John Hugh Robinson attended the funeral of John S. Murray in Albany.”

Feb. 15, 1934: “GYMNASIUM IS DEDICATED BY PLAINS SCHOOL - … Dr. Bowman Wise, of the school board, opened the program … Miss Julia Coleman, superintendent of the Plains schools, made a short talk … Y.T. Sheffield, principal of the high school … ”

Feb. 23, 1934: “Anne Giddings is spending the weekend with her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Webb, at Plains.”

Feb. 26, 1934: “ … A wind storm of near cyclonic velocity literally bounced through the north side of Americus at 10:40 o’clock, last night, leaving an estimated damage of approximately $25,000. Buildings were unroofed, trees uprooted and several negro dwellings blown completely down. The Americus Grocery company suffered the bulk of the damage … Sheffield hardware company also suffered a large loss … wind storm first dipped into the city at the Americus compress near the Central railroad.  One wall of this building was blown off. It then struck the Americus and Glover grocery company warehouses. The Glover Grocery Co. was damaged some. The building of J.H. Shumake, on Hampton … was unroofed. The wind next dipped down on Jackson … uprooting a large oak tree and then continued to Sheffield. Several buildings were damaged on Forsyth … roof of Harrold Bros. warehouse was also damaged. The gale evidently picked up and dropped again in the negro section, north of East Forsyth, where several buildings were blown down and others damaged. It hit twice more on Forsyth street before rising again. On its rampage through the city three large plate glass windows were broken and the streets littered with trash … The gale was not without its usual pranks. At the home of C.C. Bridges, a frame garage building, housing a large truck of the Southern Baking Co., was lifted from around the truck and carried approximately 25 feet into a field, without damage to the truck. At the McNeill Lumber Co., a timber was driven through the side of a corrugated building. A timber from the roof of the Americus Grocery Co., was blown across the street through a window in King’s Service station and completely demolished a radio. The crematory near the Central railroad that had just been rebuilt by city laborers, was completely stripped to the ground. A large outdoor sign board on McGarrah was picked off its frame and carried approximately 25 feet where it was found unharmed … ”

March 3, 1934: “Mrs. Claude Schneider, who has been the guest this week of Mr. and Mrs. E.E. Schneider at their home on Hancock avenue, expects to return to her home in Macon tomorrow.”; “Mr. and Mrs. Harry Schneider, of Augusta, spent yesterday with Mr. and Mrs. E.E. Schneider.”

March 5, 1934: “Mr. and Mrs. M.E. Purvis and family were the week-end guests of friends in Columbus.”

March 6, 1934 “Olin Rushin, Judson Rushin, Clyde Howard, Lloyd Hardy and Howard Dupree motored to Macon last night to attend the W.L. Stribling memorial exercise.”

March 17, 1934: Edna Purvis, et. al., guests at Agnes Lansford's sixth birthday party Mar. 16th; “Mrs. Russell Speer and Miss Mary Vi Speer left last night for New York where Mrs. Speer will attend the International Convention of Beauty Shop Owners, on March 19-22.”

March 20, 1934: “Miss Vivian Sullivan is able to be up after an illness of several days.”

March 23, 1934: “Miss Alice Waller has returned to her home in Tampa, Fla., after being the guest of Miss Vivian Sullivan for the past ten days.”; “Charles Sullivan who has been the guest of relatives here for several days has returned to his home in Tampa. He was accompanied by Will Connor Sullivan, who will spend the weekend in Tampa.”; “Mr. and Mrs. W.C. Sullivan, of Tampa, Fla., are visiting Mr. and Mrs. C.F. Giddings at their home on Church street.”; “Mrs. John Daniel has returned to her home here after spending the past few months with her daughter, Mrs. T.P. Ball, in Charlotte, N.C.”

March 26, 1934: “Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Purvis and son, Jimmie, of Atlanta, spent Sunday with Mr. and Mrs. Ed Purvis.”

April 5, 1934: Leila Maude Purvis, Martha Speer, et. al., guests at Charlotte Cameron's birthday bridge party

April 6, 1934: Edna Purvis, et. al., guests at Dorothy Crandall's fifth birthday party Apr. 4th

April 13, 1934: TCN – “Will Connor Sullivan has returned to the city after a visit to relatives in Tampa, Fla.”

April 14, 1934: “Mr. and Mrs. W.C. Sullivan have returned to their home in Tampa, Fla., after a few weeks visit with Mr. and Mrs. C.F. Giddings.”

April 16, 1934: “MANY ATTEND DEDICATION OF LOCAL CHURCH – Bishop Candler Formally Dedicates First M.E. Church - … dedication of the beautiful $200,000 structure Sunday morning.  Bishop W.A. Candler, of Atlanta, senior bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, preached the sermon and presided at the formal dedication of the building … S.R. Heys, treasurer of the building fund, made a short talk … He then burned the mortgage on the building, while the audience, led by the Rev. T.E. Davenport, sang “Praise God From Whom all Blessings Flow.” … Upon the suggestion of Dr. H.E. Smith, the note for $45,000, given when the church was completed more than eight years ago, was not burned.  It bears the names of 42 prominent members of the church, ten of whom have died since the note was executed. Dr. Smith stated that he would provide a suitable frame for the note … ”;  “Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Giddings and family moved today from 301 West Church street to 217 Horne street.”

April 18, 1934: “John Daniel has returned to his home in Atlanta after a visit of a few days with his mother, Mrs. J.W.L. Daniel.”

April 19, 1934: TCN – “Ellaville - Those attending the Purvis-Morrison wedding in Columbus ... were:  Mr. and Mrs. R.C. Brooks, Misses Bess and Henrietta Morrison and Mrs. Lucy Dyess.”; “Cordial interest centers on the announcement of the marriage of Mrs. Docia Purvis of Charing, to Mr. Edgar H. Morrison, of Ellaville ... The wedding took place ... April 16th at the home of the bride's sister, Mrs. Turner of Columbus ... ”

April 20, 1934: Marvin Giddings, James Giddings, Anne Giddings, Edna Purvis, Dot Purvis, et. al., guests at Bobby Monahan's fifth birthday party April  21, 1934: Martha Speer, Leila Maude Purvis, Alec Speer, et. al., guests at Christine Kenmore's prom dance

April 24, 1934: Leila Maude Purvis, Martha Speer, et. al., guests at Corrine Heys' bridge party

April 27, 1934: TCN – “BIRTHS - Mr. and Mrs. James Davenport, Jr., announce the birth of a son Sunday morning, April 22 at the city hospital.  The child has been named Everett Schneider Davenport.”

May 4, 1934: TCN – “The home of Mr. and Mrs. G.C. Purvis, of Harrold avenue, was awarded first place in the Clean-Up and Paint-Up campaign ... The lawn and shrubbery at the Purvis home is at all times neatly kept and continual improvement is being made by the addition of new shrubbery and blooming flowers. Artistic arrangement of the plants, as well as general variety, were also points considered in awarding Mrs. Purvis the first prize, which is five passes to the Rylander … ; “ ... The services [at Plains Methodist] were conducted by Rev. Tom Tinsley, pastor at the Cross Keys church at Macon. Rev. Tinsley is a brother of Miss Hortense Tinsley ... His home town is Leslie where he was born and reared.”; “Mrs. Russell Speer announces the removal of her Beauty and Flower Shop to 128 Lamar ... Her former location was 926 McGarrah ... where she operated a similar shop for four years.  Mrs. Speer has been in the beauty culture business for the past eight years ... ”

May 11, 1934: TCN – “Mr. and Mrs. E.J. Witt, of Atlanta, are guests of Mr. and Mrs. E.E. Schneider of Hancock avenue.  Mr. and Mrs. Witt and Mr. and Mrs. Schneider have just returned from a fishing trip to Florida.”

May 18, 1934: TCN – “ ... The home of Mrs. Callie Speer, on East Church street [southwest corner E. Church and Jones Dr.], received first honorable mention, her home showing the most marked improvement ... Mrs. Speer has converted an unsightly gully on the east side of her home into a beautiful rock and rose garden. A variety of other seasonal flowers are also blooming in the garden ... ”

May 21, 1934: “Mr. and Mrs. Irving Giddings and daughter, Betty, of Glenwood, arrived in Americus yesterday to be guests of their parents and grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. C.F. Giddings, on East Church street.  Miss Betty Giddings, who has suffered ill health for several months, is reported to have recovered.”

May  31 ,1934: “Miss Leila Maude Purvis was feted with a lovely bridge party Tuesday afternoon given by Miss Marie Purvis at her home on Church street ... guests included ... Martha Speer ... ”

June 1, 1934:  “WE SAW TODAY - The first fisherman of the season “Barney” Guerry, returning home about 7:30 o'clock this morning.  He was returning empty handed and reported they were not biting.” TCN - Furlow Grammar graduates:  Leila Maude Purvis, Martha Speer, George Cobb Griffin, Aleck Wheeler Speer

June 12, 1934:  “Webster Wagnon, of Jacksonville, Fla., is the guest of Will Connor Sullivan.”; “Mrs. Annice Sullivan has as her guests at her home on Jackson avenue, her mother, Mrs. W.H. Howell, and Jane and Ann Haisten, of Blakely.”

June 13, 1934:  “Plains - The Rev. Tom Tinsley, of Macon, and his sister, Miss Hortense Tinsley, who recently returned to this country after spending several years as a Methodist missionary in Korea, were guests last night of Mrs. Mamie McDonald Bradley ... Miss Tinsley was given an indefinite furlough from her missionary work on account of ill health.”

June 15, 1934:  First Baptist Church Daily Vacation Bible School honor roll:  Beginners - Edna Purvis, Junior No. 1 - King Speer;  “Rev. Tom Tinsley, of Macon, and Miss Hortense Tinsley, of Korea, were dinner guests of Mr. and Mrs. N.A. Ray, yesterday.” TCN – “HORTENSE TINSLEY VISITS AT PLAINS - Miss Hortense Tinsley ... and Rev. Tom Tinsley, of Macon were guests of friends and relatives here this week.  They left ... to visit in Americus, Dawson, Smithville and Leslie before returning to Macon ... “

June 16, 1934: “NEGRO HOSPITAL IS OPENED HERE – A hospital for colored patients has been opened at 221 Forrest street, in this city, according to an announcement made today by Dr. M.J. Baisden, director of the institution. Maude Goins is the nurse at the hospital.  Dr. W.S. Prather, who formerly operated the Prather colored clinic here, will do the surgery work at the new hospital. A portion of the equipment from the old Prather colored clinic has been obtained for the new hospital, including the operating table, sterilizing equipment and six beds.”

June 18, 1934: “Mrs. C.A. Schneider and son, Charles, are spending two months with relatives in Edison, Ga.”

June 19, 1934: “Leslie News - The Rev. Tom Tinsley and Miss Hortense Tinsley, of Macon, were guests of Mr. and Mrs. F.A. Wilson, Sr. Wednesday night. Miss Tinsley left Leslie 23 years ago to take up her work as a missionary and has given up her work on account of ill health.”

June 21, 1934: “WE SAW TODAY - A new project of the Garden Club ... Memorial Park  … located on that strip of land along the south side of East Church street from the cemetery to the first residence on that side of the street.  It was started by Calvin Speer ... ”;  “Misses Louise and Annie Pearl Worthy, of Smithville, are visiting their cousin, Mrs. W.H. Hardy.”

June 25, 1934: “Mrs. J.L. Snider is spending a few days with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. O.S. Bass, on Brannon avenue.”; “Miss Christine Schneider has returned to her home in Birmingham after spending the weekend here with her mother, Mrs. Cannon.”; “Betty Bass is spending a few days with Alma Dean Bradley at her home on the Albany road.”

June 28, 1934: “Mrs. John Daniel has returned from a six weeks visit with her daughter, Mrs. T.P. Ball, in Charleston, S.C., and her brother Carl Espy, at Tybee Beach.”

June 29, 1934: “Leslie News - Mrs. H.L. Speer has returned from a visit of several days with her daughter, Mrs. C.J. Cheves at Ashburn.”



Alan Anderson, archivist of the Sumter Historic Trust, lives and works in Americus.