Category Archives: General News

The Breeze – December 7, 1911 – Page 6

Storing the Sweet Potato Crop
By C. K. McQuarrie

How to store the sweet potato crop in such a manner as to ensure against loss by decay, is a matter that seriously concerns the farmers of the state. A considerable loss occurs in this crop every winter from preventable causes. The methods of harvesting the crop are responsible for a large amount of this loss, and the methods of storing for most of the balance.

Digging Sweet Potatoes
The bulk of this crop is not generally harvested until the first frost occurs. The field should then be gone over and the vines cut from the crown of the hills by means of a sharp hoe or sickle. This operation prevents the decay in the frosted vines from being communicated to the potatoes, and so causing rot which shoes itself soon after the potatoes are dug. If we follow this method the potatoes can ripen in the ground before we dig them, and their deeping qualities will be improved.

In the digging operation, care should be exercised to prevent injury to the tubers by cuts, scratches, or bruiises, which are another source of soft rot. Where a considerable acreage is to be harvested, it will be a point of economy to use a regular potato digger. This works better and quicker, avoids injury, and insures the getting of all the crop from the ground.

After digging, the crop should be allowed to lie on the ground in rows for three or four days, so as to get thoroughly dried and cured by the sun. It is as necessary to cure potatoes both Irish and sweet, as it is to cure hay or forage.

Storing Sweet Potatoes
I have seldom, if ever, seen a successful sweet-potato house made by digging a hole in the ground and roofing in, or by imitating a smoke house; because both of these lack ventilation. A common practice is to make small conical piles about ten bushels each, and to cover them with soil and bark. As far as my observation goes, this method is frequently a failure, because the contents of these piles are not properly secured against rain, and are improperly ventilated. In my own practice I have found it best to store sweet potatoes in banks on top of the ground conveniently near to the barn or dwelling house. A piece of ground running north and south of the desired length, and about four feet wide, is levelled by means of a hoe or rake, and the potatoes are piled on this about five feet deep, tapering to a sharp ridge. This makes a long V-shaped bank, and care is taken to have the sides with a smooth and uniform slope. After all the potatoes are piled in the bank, a good plan is to allow them to have a few days’ exposure to the sun so as to become thoroughly dry, covering at night with sacks or hay to keep off the dew. Then the whole bank is covered two or three inches deep with some kind of hay and over the hay a couple of inches of soil are thrown. The hay absorbs the moisture that is given off by the potatoes during the sweating that occurs soon after the bank is entirely covered. The soil keeps the hay in place and protects against cold. The bank should be made water-tight by means of boards laid lengthwise, with lapping edges to shed rain; or a temporary frame of scantlings can be made over the bank, and shingles or tap-paper used to keep the potatoes dry.

If the crop is stored in this way, it is less likely to rot than with ordinary methods, and it can be held until late spring, when prices run high.

[Contributed by Michael Strickland]

The DeFuniak Herald – March 19, 1925

Thomas Walter Higginbotham faces charges of murder in death of Martin Tabert, who it was claimed came to his death as the result of a severe flogging administered by the former, was indicted at Cross City, Fl, Mar 14th for 1st degree murder in the death of Lewis Baker, a negro in October 1924. Higginbotham was convicted in Columbia Co on July 8th 1923 for the death of Tabert and sentenced to 20 yrs in state prison. The body of Baker was found near the Putnam Lumber Co and had been missing since Oct 19th, 1924. This is a separate case from that of Tabert.

[Contributed by Lois Danley and Sharon Watson]

The Breeze – January 19, 1933

GULF REFINING CO.

Too much praise and commendation cannot be heaped upon Mrs. T. M. Walden, local distributor for Good Gulf products, for the efficient manner with which she is directing the affairs of this popular organization. Although she has been living in DeFuniak Springs for two years, during this time she has won countless friends through her friendly, courteous disposition. Thoroughly business, she is making the company she represents an A-1 agent, and this newspaper congratulates her.

Under Mrs. Walden’s direction, Good Gulf serves approximately 50 stations in this territory, which includes Walton, the western half of Holmes and Okaloosa counties. She also operates a modern filling station in the heart of town, where motorists can obtain that Good Gulf gasoline and Supreme Motor oil.

It’s hardly necessary to discuss the qualities of Good Gulf. But let this newspaper man say one thing about it–and we mean it. It’s by far the best gasoline we’ve ever used, and we stick to Good Gulf. Give it one trial, is our dare, and then try to get away from it. Then there’s the Supreme Motor Oil, the 100 miles per hour oil–recognized by motorists everywhere as King of motor oil.

Mrs. Walden is contributing to this “Buy It In DeFuniak Springs Campaign” because she is public spirited; because she wants to do her part in any worthy movement for the good of her community.

[Contributed by Diane Merkel. Some obvious typographical errors have been corrected. Mrs. T. M. Walden is now better known as Rubye Burton.]

The DeFuniak Herald – Obituary & Prison Sentence Notice

[Excerpts]

March 25, 1965

PRISON SENTENCE NOTICE

Andrew J Busbee Jr of Pensacola was sentenced here Wednesday to 12 yrs in state prison after his conviction at January term of circuit court.  He was convicted of manslaughter in traffic death of a 14 yr old newsboy in Escambia County. He was tried and acquitted of the hit and run charge in Mar 1964.

OBITUARY

Mr Aree Oscar Bray, age 76 of Argyle died Thursday Mar 18 at his home. He was a native and lifelong resident of Walton Co.  Services were Sunday with interment in Euchee Valley Cemetery. Survivors include his widow, Mrs Ola Bray, 2 sons; H A and Alfred Q Bray; 2 daus Mrs Eldive Carpenter & Mrs Viola Brown; one bro G W Bray.

[Contributed by Lois Danley and Sharon Watson]

The DeFuniak Herald – June 16, 1960 Obituaries & a Memorial Notice

Morris Leon McCracken 72, died Monday [June 12, 1960] in his home. He was a native of Scranton, Pa and had resided here for past 7 years. Services held Wednesday with burial in Magnolia. Survived by his wife Mrs Anna McCracken; 3 daughters, Mrs William E Booth, Mrs Joseph G Hackney & Mrs Thomas W Pelle and 7 grandchildren. [See https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/31486143/morris-leon-mccracken]

Marion F Whitton 85, of Bonifay died Tuesday June 7. Services were Wednesday at Otter Creek with burial in Otter Creek cemetery. Mr Whitton is survived by 4 daughters, Mrs Alma Kirkland, Mrs John W Paul, Mrs Alex Nowling and Mrs Bernice Nowling. [See https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/57928052/marion-franklin-whitton]

Alfred Joshua Holt 66, died Sunday June 12 at his home. He had been a resident of DeFuniak for the past 7 years. Survivors include his wife, Alma Lee Holt, a daughter, Alice May Holt, 2 sons, Tim R & Robert H Holt. Services were held Tuesday. [See https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/104268382/alfred-joshua-holt]

Mrs Marianna Hall Ward 72, died Sunday Jun 12 in Florala, Ala. She was a native of Fayetteville, N C but had resided in Freeport for past 30 yrs. Survivors include her husband Graham Ward, a daughter Mrs Mary Nell Down, 3 sons, Bobby, Pat & George Ward; 2 brothers Troy & Neel Hall and 11 grandchildren.

Memorial Notice: Carlton Eugene Ard (a memorial) Apr 8 1953 – May 27 1960. [See https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/31099864/carlton-eugene-ard]

[Summarized by Lois Danley and Sharon Watson]

The DeFuniak Herald – January 1946

Obituaries and Weddings

January 3, 1946:

Thomas R Kirkland, 55, died at the family home in East DeFuniak Saturday afternoon, Dec 29 1945 from a bullet wound thought to be self inflicted. Mr Kirkland was a veteran of of WWI. Survivors are Mrs Kirkland 2 daughters, Mrs Bobbie Jean Burgess, wife of Sgt. Adga Burgess were on honeymoon in New York; and Miss Betty Kirkland; 2 sons, John & Dave Kirkland. Services were held Monday with interment at Magnolia cemetery.

Olive Jenks Murphy 86, widow of Marion A Murphy died Dec 28.  Mrs Murphy was born in Terre Haute, Ind, Sep 2 1859. Her father was Daniel Jenks, born in New York State and her mother was Margaret Braden born in Virginia.  Her father died, leaving mother to support 2 small children. Later her mother married Alfred Thomas, of Kentucky.  Marion  & Olive were married in 1879, moved to St Louis, Mo til coming to DeFuniak some 40 yrs ago. Marion died in 1920. Olive is survived by Mrs Edith Bundy, Mrs F W Huf and son Francis Marion Murphy, 5 grandsons, 5 gr daughters and 18 gr grands. Services were held Sunday With interment in Magnolia.  (Article names all grandchildren.)

Mrs W A Underwood passed away at her home on Dec 13 1945. She was born in Dale Co, Ala. She was Miss Minnie Lee Kennedy before her marriage to William Anderson Underwood in 1887. In 1900 they moved from Dothan to Glendale where they lived for more than 35 yrs. Survivors are her husband, 3 sons, J L, B G & Burl Underwood; 4 daughters Mrs J H Laird, Mrs Larry Stein, Mrs A W Dannelley and Mrs Jack Bodiford.

Miss Mary Butler Kennedy d/o Mr & Mrs J J Kennday & Lt Thomas Joseph Smart s/o Mrs Ellon Wales Smart and the late Mr Smart of Cincinnati, Oh married on Jan 12 1946.

January 10, 1946:

Mrs Charlotte Adeline Cawthon, widow of the late John Cawthon whose death occurred Tuesday at the Pensacola Hospital will be held Thursday at Steele church. Survivors are 2 sons, Dudley & Dawson Cawthon, daughter, Mrs Lois Hetherington, Brother Tom Steele, 2 sisters Mrs W A Woodham of DeFuniak, and Mrs A W Woodham of Andalusia.

E R McKee 71, the South’s first forest ranger died in Pensacola today of heart ailment. In 1909 McKee was assigned to Choctawhatchee National Forest and he retired after 22 yrs of service as a ranger in 1934, because of disabilities suffered while fighting forest fires.

Mrs J Z Mayo died at her home in Ponce de Leon on Saturday Jan 5.  Services were Held Monday from the Baptist Church in Ponce de Leon.  Surviving are her husband, J Z Mayo, 3 sons, Curtis M, Dewey, & Broward; 7 daughters, Mrs Annie Lou Hardwick, Mrs Ola M Evans, Mrs Mary Lee Sockett, Lillie Mae Mayo, Mrs Gladys M Cook, Mrs Lynette West, Mrs Winifred Smith; one brother Mr John Sutton, 3 sisters, Mrs Nancy Padgett, Mrs Lou Matthews & Mrs Sarah Ward, 14 grandchildren & 1 gr grand.

Mr G D King 70, died from pneumonia Jan 4 in the Highland Baptist hospital in Birmingham, Ala. He is survived by his wife, Mrs Willie Maud King, 3 sons, Hercules, David and Gilbert King; 8 daughters, Mrs Jack Griffin, Mrs J M McNabb, Mrs T A Gordy, Jr, Mrs C B Clark, Mrs W C Morris, Mrs J P Tart, W A V E June King, Cadet Nurse Joan King.  Also 3 step children Eulon Howell, Mrs Herman Roney, Mr Leroy Howell.   Services were held Sunday at the home, interment at Perry Grove Cem, near Samson.

Mrs Mary Jane Bryan, widow of the late John A Bryan, died at her home Friday Jan 4. Born near Dothan Ala in 1878 she lived in DeFuniak for past 18 yrs, she was 67 yrs. Funeral held from home Monday  with burial in Steele Cemetery.  Survivors son Jesse Franklin Turberville, 3 daughters, Mrs Claudie Lolly, Sella Pullum and Miss Ester Turberville; 5 brothers and 5 sisters.

John Edward Bowers, a lifelong resident of Walton Co died at his home on Alaqua, Friday, Jan 4.  Mr Bowers was 75 yrs of age.  Services were held at Steele church on Sunday, and interment was made in the church yard cemetery.   Survivors include 2 Sons, Charles E  and Lt James C Bowers; a daughter Mrs Hardy B Crawford, and 7 grand children.

January 17, 1946:

Grady Theron Davis T M II declared dead.  Mr & Mrs B M Davis received notice from Secretary of the Navy that their son is presumed dead. He was a torpedo-man aboard the submarine “Pickerel” that failed to return from patrol in the West Pacific in August 1945. (picture)

Edward D Brownell died at home of John A Gillis, Ponce de Leon Sunday.  He was a native of Holmes Co and was 87 yrs old. Funeral Monday from Camp Ground Church with interment following at Camp Ground Cemetery.

Eugene W Faircloth died at home Thursday Jan 10. He was a native of Georgia and had lived here all most all his life. He was 50 yrs old and veteran of WWI. Services held on Sunday from residence of Mrs Gertrude Lodge Cooper, interment at Magnolia with Military honors.

Joe Arrington, son of Mr & Mrs Bob Arrington was killed near Jacksonville on Tuesday having been struck by a pile driving machine. He is survived by a widow and son Joe, Jr. his parents and one sister, Mrs Alyne (Kenneth) Smith. The body will be brought here. Services will be held Sunday, with interment in Magnolia.

Mrs Eva Raley died at the home of her daughter, Mrs Lulu Evans on Monday Jan 14. She was born in Alabama in 1855, she was 90 yrs and had lived in DeFuniak for 45 yrs. Mrs Raley is survived by one son, Mr Angle, 2 daughters Lulu Evans & Mrs Gainey.  Services were held Tuesday at the Baptist Church, with interment at Magnolia.

Wm Lee Cawthon, died Wednesday. Born March 2 1864 near Paxton, the son of late Mr & Mrs Murray & Mary Cawthon.  He was preceded in death by his wife, the former Lucy Ellis, by several years and by his youngest son Landrum Cawthon who died abt 4 yrs ago. Survivors include 2 sons, Howard & Dr Wm  Davis Cawthon, 2 gr children Sarah Catharine & Landrum Cawthon Jr; one Sister Mrs Mary Lou Turner and 4 brothers, Buruss, Dr Frank I, T Hope, and Walter Cawthon. Funeral services are Thursday (Today) at the Presbyterian church.

Mrs Elsie Brannon Newman died at her home Wednesday with the funeral services this morning, Thursday at Baptist church at Ponce de Leon.

William Lincoln Mathews died Wednesday Dec 19, 1945.  He was born in Storington County, Ontario, Canada on Apr 9 1865 was was united in marriage to Eva Charolet Robinson on Sep 14 1887.  This was a pioneer family in Western Canada, then the family moved to Florida in 1910 being residents of Walton ever since.  He leaves one son, G F Mathews and wife, 5 gr children, and one daughter Ruby who stayed with him in the home.

January 24, 1946:

FAMILY REUNION ANNOUNCEMENT
Harrison family reunion. The 13 children of Mr & Mrs Sam Harrison gathered at the family home near Darlington on Sunday. The 11 sons and 2 daughters with their families enjoyed dinner. Mr & Mrs Harrison are each 67 yrs old.

WEDDING:   Miss Edna Shuler d/o Mr & Mrs Gary Shuler became the bride of MSgt Thomas Franklin Nelson Jr s/o Mr & Mrs T F Nelson of Culpepper, Va on Tuesday at the chapel of the Orlando Army Air Base.

January 31, 1946:

Robert E L McCaskill Tuesday Jan 29 at the age of 74 yrs, his birth date being June 4 1871.  The eldest of the children of J J & Sarah Elizabeth McCaskill he was born near Euchee Valley church.  Mr McCaskill was married to Miss Florence Griffin on September 18 1895 at Methodist Church in DeFuniak.  Mrs McCaskill and 3 daughters survive. The only son Harold died from injuries received in auto accident some 3 yrs ago.  The daughters are Mrs Margaret Paulson, Mrs Angeline Levy, and Miss Evelyn McCaskill. Three grandaughters Charlene Levy, Adelaide & Susanne McCaskill and a daughter in law, Mrs Harold McCaskill, sisters Mrs D W Burke, Mrs W O Campbell and Mrs W I Stinson and brother J J McCaskill. Services were held Wednesday with interment in Magnolia.

Alton Hurley, s/o Mr & Mrs Walter Hurley was fatally burned on Friday, Jan 25, when his nightgown ignited from heater and lived until Saturday.  Services were Sunday at the home and interment was made in Magnolia.

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENT:     
R L Sikes, 3rd District Representative proposed an bill for further reparation to the families who were so sorely bereft when a saturation bomb was accidentally dropped during a night bombing operation at Eglin Field on Aug 11, 1944. The families were awarded $29,000. with Sikes’ bill an additional payment would be $3,000 to estate of James M Cosson; $3,000 to estate of Winnie Cosson, $3,000 to estate of James M Cosson Jr, all deceased, $2,500 to Mrs James Cosson; $2,000 to guardian of Thomas Cosson, $3,000 to the guardian of Franklin D Cosson, $4,000 to Mrs Pearl Cosson, $4,000 to the guardian of I D Cosson.

John A Van Deman of Benzonia, Michigan, a former resident of this place was received this week.  Mr Van Deman and his 2 sisters, Misses Alyce & Harriett spent several winters here, the sisters preceded their brother in death, no relatives known as none of the trio had ever been married.

[Contributed by Lois Danley and Sharon Watson]

The Breeze – May 3, 1917

Master Guy Davis, son of Mrs Annie McKinnon Davis, suffered a sad accident. The little boy abt 10 yrs of age was playing about the barn and found some dynamite cap and fuse and lit the fuse and blew off the first 3 fingers and half of thumb of his left hand and bruised his face.

[Contributed by Rita Bridges]