1926 Monitor Herald

The Monitor Herald Fair Editon - September 1926

McKenzie [Line not copied] And Is Accomplishing Things

The McKenzie School is located between Savannah and Lucknuck Creeks, north of [Schoona] River and 5 miles south of Sarepta. The community was named after Newt McKenzie. The territory is in the midst of a fine farming section which grows many varieties of crops and vegetables.
The community was first settled before the Civil War by Lawrence (or Colonel) Brasher and his family, Jack Lantrip and family, the McDonalds, Collums, Sanders, Johnsons, Hendersons, Browns, Winters, and others. It has always been a community of loyal and patriotic men and women. It furnished many soldiers for the southern armies during the Civil War – brave, honorable and heroic men whose records of loyalty and fidelity are still fresh in the memory of their sons and daughters of today. During the World War, many of our boys marched away in the fateful days when liberty hung at the balance. Many returned, but five gallant lads from McKenzie gave their lives for American traditions and the Stars and Stripes. They were Willie Johnson and Henry Vaughn, who died in training Camps, Lambert Hardy who was killed by a submarine, Bob Beckham and Dempsey Collums, who were killed in France and whose bodies lie in “Flanders Field, where poppies blow, above the crosses, row on row, that mark our resting place.” They did not live in vain. We would be poor citizens indeed if we did not love this great nation that the blood of many of our best and greatest of our community has been sacrificed for in the years that have gone. May they rest in peace, wherever they lie, under foreign skies or on the hills of their native land.
“Chickenbone Church”

Near McKenzie is Pleasant Ridge (nicknamed “Chickenbone”} where the sainted John Sanders preached the famous Prodigal Son sermon in the long ago as told by Col. M. D. Stevens, under the which has been so often reprinted in our county paper by request. Other pastors of this church have been Revs A. J. Gains (?), Pritchard, Webb, Terry, Box, Tom Winter, Henry Shepherd, J. T. McKibben, Wesson Crocker, L. E. Roane and A. F. Brasher.

Many of our boys and girls of the past have attained to honorable and responsible positions and some of those who are now serving in useful capacities in life are Dr. Bryan Lantrip, of Okolona, who was reared and received his early training here, and Prof. Benton Tanner, a graduate of the State University, and a Chemist of repute.
Community Club

McKenzie Community has a Community Club, with Rev. A. F. Brasher, President, L. J. Henry, Vice-Pres.; and Mrs. A. F. Winter, Secretary. It has four central committees in charge of all phases of community activities and development, outside the church and school. The Community will participate this year in the County Fair program exhibiting in the various contests under the community club auspices. The Fair committee consists of J. L. Henry, Chm; A. F. Brasher, Mrs. W. E. Winter, Mrs. H. A. Harrelson, Mrs. W. C. Miles, M. D. Lantrip. Many of the people are experienced Fair workers and this community has captured some of the most sought after prizes of the Fair every year since its organization. We will again feature our resource and show the visitors what we are doing in the way of farming, community and school development and in the home by placing a Community Exhibit at the Fair. – Publicity committee

Fair Edition

Sep 16, 1926

Community Spirit Is Fine In Historic Denton Town

Just a few years after Mississippi’s Star appeared in the constellation of States on the blue field of Old Glory, the territory that is now the Denton Consolidated School District witnessed the advent of white settlers. The Aborigines had just departed for their reservations provided by the “White Fathers” for them in the West. The pioneers found practically a wilderness with only small clearings that were the maize patches of the Indians. Their nearest market was Greenwood, with sometimes a flat-boat on Yalobusha River. The schools were taught only by privately paid instructors. They brought with them the code of ethics that was received in another wilderness upon which they based their social and religious conduct and faith. They built a church with others which was the shrine of what is now several communities. In the south-East corner lived Sterling Doolittle, Sr., then across the southern border was Miller Ligon, Joseph Fox, David Denton, Rev. George Bradford, who lived along Sabougla Creek. Thomas May settled on May Creek, Easley and Pendergrast on Prairie Branch. The sons of these men have died at an old age. Some left the homestead to seek a livelihood in other places, but they were others who moved in, developed the resources of the community. It would take considerable space to recount the activities of the community and those connected with it. We will mention only the second line of defense as the soldiers would say.

These were, S. M. Doolittle, T. J. Ligon, Jas. [?} Denton Sr., Samuel Denton, R. A. Mallory, Thomas B Radford, T. L. Stoddard, C. K. Holland, [land] A. U. Starnes, C. H. Flowers, J. W. Woods and John Pendergrast. [Line of names badly faded, could be wrong initials.] When this State established a free school system. [sic] The splendid communities and Denton and Sabougla were put together, but within a few years two districts were created out of the territory composing both of them. [sic] Since then we had a one-teacher school until a tax was levied for school purposes, then it required an assistant. This year, Denton and Bradford consolidated and will require three teachers. A few weeks ago we organized a Community club with B. F. Starnes chairman; Mrs. Susie Denton, vice-chairman and Miss Jesse West secretary. We have enlarged our school building; have a splendid facility and are looking for word of a profitable session.

Denton Community will participate in the Fair this year, being one of the new communities to take part in the community exhibits work.

We have a happy, prosperous and co-operative community with good homes, good farms and a fine set of people. We are blessed by nature with fine level valley lands and gently rolling hills.

Denton community is on the road of progress. We are growing. We want to keep growing. – Publicity Committee

Loyd Community Organized For The County Fair

Our County Agent I. R. Bradshaw met with the Loyd people Saturday evening, Sept. 11, and assisted in the organization of our Community club, in order to make plans for the County Fair. The following committees were placed in charge of our Fair Work:
J. H. Landreth, general chairman;
Ruby Lou Vanlandingham, Sec’y;

Agricultural Committee – F. A. Dye. Chairman; C. E. Spratlin, A. L. Anglin, H. A Bailey, G. L. Vanlandingham, F. A. Anglin and E. A. Spratlin.
[Line located in light section of paper, E’s and F’s hard to differentiate.]

Home Making Committee – Mrs. J. H. ?; Chm,: Mr. C. E. Spratlin, Mrs. T. B. Murff, Mrs. W. B. Hill, Mrs. A. L. Anglin, Mrs. G. L. Vanlandingham, Miss Cordie Brown and Miss Lydia Ellard.

School Committee – Mr. J. E. Roane, Chm.: E. A. Dye, C. H. Ellard, Howard Green, Misses Vernon Anglin, Surena Bailey and Rubye [sic] Lou Vanlandingham.

This community organized last year, but on account of the drouth [sic] that struck this section of the county it was unable to have an exhibit [for] the Fair then. But it is making plans to have both community and school exhibits this year. The crops are fine in this community, so everyone may look out for a leading exhibit from this section of the county.

The Monitor Herald appreciated a visit from Mr. Jim Neely Vance, of Slate Springs, on Tuesday of this week. Mr. Vance, whose age is 81, is a Veteran of the Civil War and was a member of Company F, 4th Miss. Inf., having served throughout the war as a comrade of the editor's father. So far as we know, only four members of this company are now living: Mr. Bill Barton of Water Valley; W. D. Covington, of Red Lands, Calif., L. Hollis and Mr. Vance, of this county. We appreciate the opportunity of seeing Mr. Vance and hope that his years may yet be many.

For Sale - Good farm of ? acres, and equipment. Saw mill some timber. See F. J. Burson, Slate Springs, Miss (9-16-3tc)

For Sale - One power hay baler and one sorghum mill. Dr. J. A. Hardin, Derma, Miss (9-2-3tc)
J. M. Chrestman -- Notary Public -- Calhoun City, Miss.

October 21, 1926 Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Shannon Had Many Guests on Fiftieth Anniversary of their Wedding

On Sunday, October 17th, Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Shannon, of Pitts- celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary, at which time a family reunion was held and guests from town were also invited. A fine dinner was served and everyone enjoyed the occasion to the fullest extent.
Mr. and Mrs. Shannon were married on Oct. 1, 1876. Mr. Shannon is 77 years old, while Mrs. Shannon is 68. Both were born in Yalobusha County, but have lived in Calhoun for 45 years. They have seven children living, all married , and two are dead. They have thirty grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Their children, who were present at the celebration last Sunday were: Mrs. F. L. Vickery, Air Mount; Elmer Shannon, of Brandon; Irvin Shannon, of Marks, with their families.
The many friends of Mr. and Mrs. Shannon congratulate them on their long and happy married life and wish for them many more wedding anniversaries.

Date not noted but in September or October 1926 A Social Reception

At the beautiful [line unreadable] T. W. Hamilton and wife, Mrs. Lillian Anderson Hamilton, on Sunday the 12th of Sept. a gathering of friends and connections of the Anderson and Patterson families, hastily arranged on short notice, in honor of Hugh William Anderson and Adrian Hamiltons of Texas. All the 10 children of T. W. Hamilton, were there except one son, who lives in the Delta. He was sadly missed. Others present were Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Blue and son, and daughter, Winfred and Lorene from Vardaman; Mr. and Mrs. B. J. McCleskey from Vardaman; Mrs. Susie Patterson and sons: Fred, and [James] from Slate Springs; Earl Anderson, Lonnie Hardin, wife and children, from Derma; Mr. and Mrs. Billy Edmondson and son, Oscar; Mrs J. A. Allen and children, and so many others, whose names we have not space to mention; but there were Herrings, Hamiltons, and more Hamiltons, McCulloughs, Moores, Vanlandinghams and other too numerous to mention.

All were welcomed by our host and hostess - not a formal cold welcome; but a warm one, straight from the heart, that made everyone feel good and kept them happy all day. /p>

Soon, in stepped the manly Adrian Hamilton, with this beautiful and accomplished bride of only a few hours - the daughter of our good John Allen. It was quite a surprise to any of us, so the bridal presents were not so numerous, as otherwise would have been. We didn't throw the legendary old shoes, nor give them the proverbial rice [shower.] What was better, we showered them with good wishes.

Dinner was spread in the spacious and decorated dining room - the table fairly groaning under the good things to eat. And some one said it did groan a time or two. I didn't think so, tho' I thought it was a fellow who sat at the table. Don't ask me what was on it. I don't know but guess part of every eatable and beverage in the world. I am not a judge, ask an epicure.

After the sumptuous repast a few visited the cemetery. The forefathers of many present are sleeping their last long sleep there. Others of us went to the old homestead of Mr. Billie Anderson, where he and his negro slaves cleared ?, opened fine farms with ever convenience of that day - gins, mills, fine orchard, a substantial anti-bellum house, surrounded by stately oaks. The oaks have fallen to the greed of civilization, house replaced by one modern structure except the good old well of [country] water, dug 100 years ago and still as good and fresh as ever. Here, Mr. Billie Anderson reared 16 children. He gave ... the Civil War [four] of whom never returned [sacrificing] themselves on the alter of their county.

 We thus minutely describe the forebearers of the little group here today, because few of them know much about it. Additional facts in the case are that the Andersons, Pattersons, Gastons and others were the pioneers of Calhoun County.

We saw at the meeting, a souvenir. It looked like a simple and frail old walking cane, with an elk's head of ivory at the top, inside the cane was a deadly weapon, a rapier or spear. The spear is about 20 or more inches long, of very finest steel, shaped like a handsaw file and drawn to a point like a shoe maker's anvil and as pointed; can be drawn out, plunged into any living flesh in an instant. It was Uncle Billy Anderson's walking cane over 100 years ago.
Those pioneers, away back when the 18th century was young, left that land of bright skies, balmy breezes, sun kissed hills, the land of brilliant men and beautiful women, the home of the Marions, Sumters, Rutledges, and Calhouns, in South Carolina, and started for Mississippi in covered wagons, with wife, and children, horses, cattle, hogs, sheep etc., driven by negro slaves. After weeks on the road, they arrived in what is Calhoun County. The town of Pontotoc was the land office for all this county. When Mr. Anderson arrived in what is now Calhoun, all kinds of wild game good for table use, were plentiful and easy to get. The Indians had gone, had bade farewell to their old hunting ground, the ashes had grown cold on their native hearths, smoke no longer curled around their wigwam; where their papoose were born; where the beau ideal of Indian manhood stooped to put beaded slippers in Sunsetas feet; when Sunseta reached up and put a much decorated bow and arrow on her brave's neck - yes, they were gone, but the pioneer's own ancestors could almost hear the echo of their war cry as it reverberated over Calhoun's hills. B. J. McCleskey, Vardaman, Miss

October 1926

Native Son Is Shot From Ambush Body of George Smith laid at Rest in old Friendship cemetery -

Search for Slayers.

The body of Mr. George Smith, who was shot from ambush near Mize, Miss., on Tuesday night, Oct. 12th. reached this county on last Thursday and the funeral took place at Friendship cemetry, at Ellzey that day.

Details of the assassination are meager. Reports reaching this place are to the effects that Mr. Smith was driving homeward at the close of day from his saw mill accompanied by a negro laborer. He was shot from ambush in the woods, the shot taking effect in his lungs and body, the murderers using a shotgun loaded with No. 1 shot. At the sound of firing the negro jumped out of the car and ran. Mr. Smith, although mortally wounded, drove his car four miles to the place where he boarded., went to his room undressed and went to bed. He then called his landlady and told her that he was going to die and to tell his people in this county that he wanted them to see after his children. He also stated that charges against him at Mize were untrue and that he was innocent of the charges. The negro is reported to have stated that he recognized the man who shot Mr. Smith and [rest not copied]

We were glad to shake hands with Ex Sheriff M. P. Burke, who is now located at Indianola, Miss., and who was visiting in this county the latter part of last week.  Mr. Burke gave us a pleasant visit and talked over old times for several moments. He stated that he was glad to see that Dennis Murphree was still at work to make things better for Mississippi, saying that although he freqently disagreed with Dennis politically in the old days, he was always glad to work with him for the development of this county. He says that the recent "Know Mississippi Better" train is without doubt the greatet piece of publicity and promotion work that had been done for the state in many years. [For articles relating to the "Know Mississippi Better" train, check out the Historical Society webpage.]

Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Hyde of near Coffeeville, and Miss Neemie Wooten of Camp Ground, were Sunday visitors in the home of their sister, Mrs. W. J. Williams. Foreclosure Sale
Default having been made in the payment of the debts and obligations secured to be paid in a certain trust deed executed on the 21st day of September, 1922, by Bryan W. Vaughn, unmarried, to the undersigned as trustee for Earl King and Robert S. Keebler, as same appears of record in trust deed record No. A-7, page 206, Deed Records of Calhoun County, Mississippi; and the owners of the indebtedness secured having requested the undersigned to advertise and sell the property secured by said trust deed, all of said indebtedness having matured by default in the payment of a part thereof, at the option of the owners; this is to give notice that I will on Monday, October, 4th, 1926, commencing at twelve o'clock noon, at the main entrance of the Courthouse at Pittsboro, Calhoun County, Mississippi, proceed to sell at public outcry to the highest and best bidder for cash the following described lands situated in said County:
The North Half of the Northeast Quarter of Section 3, Township 23, Range 8 East; containing 80 acres, more or less.

Said trust deed recites the lien of a prior trust deed to the Federal Land Bank securing the principal sum of $400.00.

All rights and equities of redemption and homestead are waived in said deed of trust, and the title is believed to be good, but I will sell and convey only as trustee. Lowell W. Taylor, Trustee. (9-10-3tc)