100 Years Ago – July 9, 1920 MASS MEETING TO CONSIDER WATER AND LIGHT MATTER: The Citizens Meeting called for last Friday was called to order by Mayor J. H. Gully who stated that the object of the meeting was to allow the people of the town to pass upon whether or not it was their wish that the town purchase the Woodward Brother’s Light Plant, stating that the manner in which the light and water system of the town was being run was unsatisfactory to the people and the Board thinks the two plants under the same head would be more satisfactory. The water system was in such condition that a change had to be made and the Board had come to the conclusion that possibly, if the town owned the whole plant better service might be realized. The owners of the light plant made a price of $41,000. Prof. Carpenter, head of the engineering dept. of the A. & M. College went through the plant recently and valued it at $57,000. A small percent of the citizens of town attended this mass meeting, indicating that the people have the matter very lightly at heart. The town has a water and sewer system large enough for a city of 5000 people and about 200 families in the town using it cannot expect to get it cheap. The first thing to be done before we can expect to succeed is to have every privy in town either efficiently screened or done away with. This will eventually force everyone to connect with water and thereby increase the patronage and at the same time make the town sanitary. LOUISVILLE: Friends are congratulating Mr. and Mrs. John Rundle upon the arrival of John Nabers Rundle, a bouncing nine pounder, who made his appearance at their home on South Columbus Ave. at 8 a.m. July 8th. Mother and babe doing well. - Mr. and Mrs. T. M. Yarbrough of Rocky Hill are the proud possessors of a fine girl born on June 22nd at Newton Sanitarium. Mother and baby doing fine. - Mr. J. Edgar Davis, and daughter, Miss Francis of Hattiesburg, visited Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Davis here this week. Mr. Davis’s many friends here in his old home county are glad to know that he continues to do well in his adopted city, where he is one of the leading attorneys. - The little son of Charlie Pugh had the misfortune to fall and break one of his legs last Saturday. DEATHS: It is with profound sorrow that we chronicle the death of Mrs. Mary Craig, one of our county’s oldest women, who died at the home of her son, Mr. Eran Craig, a few miles southwest of town on July 1st, in her 79th year. Mrs. Craig was one of the most highly respected women of that community and was loved by all who knew her for her devoted Christian character. Her remains were laid at rest in Calvary cemetery, Rev. J. E. Wills conducting the ceremony. She leaves two sons and a daughter. - Mr. J. F. Coleman died at his home southeast of town on July 6th, after a long and suffering illness. His remains were buried at Betheden cemetery with Masonic honors Wednesday, a number of Masons from town attending the services. Mr. Coleman had been suffering from cancer of the face for several months, the past few months suffering intensely. He was one of our county’s best-known citizens, a worthy Confederate soldier, and a good neighbor, husband, and father. - Edgar Eaves died at his home in Winston County March 31st, 1920. He was the son of Author and Susie Eaves, born August 27th 1903, and age 17 years, 7 months and 4 days at his death. MARRIAGES: A pretty wedding took place at the home of Mr. and Mrs. D. O. Taylor on Wednesday, the contracting parties being Miss Bessie Shirley of this city [West Point] and Mr. Dorsey Carr, a prominent druggist of Louisville, Miss. Rev. Carroll Varner of the Methodist Church officiated. They will be at home in Louisville. - A wedding of much note was consumated at the Woodward Hotel last Sunday when Mr. John Justice, foreman of Maj. W. A. Strong’s delta plantation south of town, and Mrs. Minnie Edwards, of Longview, were united in the holy bonds of wedlock, Rev. J. E. Wills officiating. - Mr. James Holman of Laurel and Miss Susie Doolittle of Newton were married at the home of the bride’s brother, Mr. M. C. Doolittle, in Louisville, on the afternoon of July 6th, Rev. J. M. Alexander officiating. Mr. Holman is an employee of the G. M. & N. railroad company and resides in Laurel. The bride is one of Newton’s charming young ladies and a sister of our townsman, Mr. M. C. Doolittle. NOXAPATER: Miss Mary Reed returned home Sunday from an extended visit with her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Shepperd at Preston. - Mr. and Mrs. Will Kemp and little son of Highpoint were guests of their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Carter Sunday. 75 Years Ago – June 15, 1945 FRONT PAGE: May 1st, 1945, Pfc, Harvey L. Ray fell in battle at Okinawa. He is the son of Sallie E. Ray of McCool. - Pvt. John E. Kelly was killed in battle in Germany April 2. He is the son of Mrs. L. Kelly of Noxapater. DEATHS: Funeral services were held at Ellison Ridge June 4 for James William Hurt, 40, who died from a vehicle accident, when he was thrown out of the vehicle. His parents live in Winston County. He is survived by his parents at Ellison Ridge, his wife and their two children, and a child from a former marriage. - Henry Grady Ray, 55, died from heart trouble at Harrison Hospital, Philadelphia, May 28. Funeral services were conducted May 29 at Doty Springs Baptist church, with burial in the church cemetery, Rev. Nicholson of Newton in charge of the service. Mr. Ray had been a church member for 29 years. A McCool native, he married Miss Sallie E. McCool in 1910. Mrs. Ray and ten of their thirteen children survive him. LOUISVILLE: Mr. J. M. Legan fell June 6 and badly twisted his knee. - Fred Mitchell visited his wife in Baptist hospital in Memphis last week end. - Mrs. Troy White is improving after an operation at Missouri-Pacific Hospital in St. Louis. Mrs. Roy Gipson was with her for several days. WEDDINGS: Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Johnson of Meridian announce the marriage of their daughter Rosana Dodson to Cpl. Francis Dale (Frank) Barritt of Upton, Wyoming, June 7th at home of the bride’s parents. The bride is a granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Filer of Noxapater. NOXAPATER: Mr. Jim Starks has returned home from the Louisville hospital after being treated for pneumonia. - Mr. and Mrs. E. N. Williams are receiving congratulations on the birth of a winsome daughter born June 7th at Harrison Hospital. - Billy Young of New Orleans arrived Monday to spent the summer with his aunt, Mrs. H. H. Watkins.
