1943 March 11 – Mr Henry Nowling 78 yrs, passed away at his home near Bear Heal Friday March 5. The deceased was a native of Crenshaw County Al but lived in Walton Co something like 60 yrs, having retired from L & N Railroad some years ago. Services were conducted at the home Sunday March 7, internment at Oak Ridge cemetery. Survivors daughter Mrs Josh Mitchem, 5 sons, Charlie, Hilburn, Sam, Alex, Jesse & Walter Nowling.
[Contributed by Lois Danley and Sharon Watson]
1943 Feb 11 – Mrs Eliza Brown Caswell of Freeport, Fla passed away at the home of her daughter,
Mrs. Hubert Hightower at Panama City, on Thursday February 4th. Mrs Caswell 82 yrs,
Was brought here to the home of a son Mr Ira Brown and services were conducted
Friday at Steel Church cemetery and burial there. The deceased is survived by 2
aaughters Mrs Hubert Hightower and Mrs Texie Thomason of Freeport, and 2 sons,
Ira Brown of DeFuniak, and H B Brown of Freeport. Two sisters Mrs Anna Crawford
and Mrs Sarah Sconiers; two brothers A L Spencer & John Spencer.
Mr E L Gomillion died at his home at Red Bay Tuesday, February 2. Services were con-
ducted Wednesday. Mr Gormillion was 90 yrs at time of his death.
Mr Allen W McCullough passed away at his home in North Walton Monday February 1.
Services were conducted Wednesday followed by burial in Gum Creek cemetery. Mr.
McCullough, a native of Elba Ala was 77 yrs of age at time of his death.
Miss Effie Carmichael passed away at Point Washington, Florida, February 4th. Services
Were held at Point Washington cemetery February 5th.
Everitt Yates of King Drug Store received a message last Thursday anounncing the death of
His brother Kenneth Yates of US Marine Corps in the Pacific war area. Kenneth Yates 22 yrs.
Enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1942 from Bonifay, Fla his home town. Letters from Kenneth
Have been received since the official notice, one written after the date officials say he died.
The family are hoping there was a mixup.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT: Dr & Mrs E L Towsend were happy on Saturday on receipt of news they were grandparents.
BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT #2: Mr & Mrs Henry Towsend announce the birth of Ralph Evans on Feb 6th at Arlington,
Virginia.
Contributed by Lois Danley and Sharon Watson
1943 January 7- Mr Dave Evans while searching for some cows, Wednesday morning discovered
the wreck of a plane abt 200 yard from Owl Head within 150 of 200 yards from the
Freeport highway. The plane was buried 7 feet or more in the ground and the body of
the pilot of the ill fated craft was within the wreckage. Mr Evans phoned Elgin Field
and officials took charge of the removal of the plane and body. It is presumed to be
the plane piloted by Buzz Wagner, a hero at the Pacific air war, that has been missing
since November 29th while on a routine flight from Eglin to Maxwell Field.
Contributed by Lois Danley and Sharon Watson
1942 Mar 19 – The Passing of A W Dannelley at his home Sunday came unexpectedly. “Wash” as
he was know was a salesman of unusual ability. A native of Pike Co, Al he came to DeFuniak
when a young boy and has since made this his home. Survivors are his wife, the former
Flowers Underwood and a large number of relatives. Funeral services on Monday and intern-
ment in Magnolia Cemetery.
Mr Louis V Laird died at his home at Glendale, Sunday March 16 after a short illness. Mr
Laird was a native of Walton county and was well known. Funeral services were conducted
At Gum Creek church Monday and internment was at Gum Creek Cemetery.
The death of A C McSween, a former Walton Co resident occurred at his home in Gonzalez,
Fla after a long illness. He was for years an employee of the L & N Railroad. Services were
held Monday in Pensacola and internment was at St Johns cemetery. Survivors include a
brother J C McSween and 3 sisters Mrs Nannie Gillis of DeFuniak, Mrs E V Crawford and
Miss Jeanette McSween of Ponce de Leon.
News of the death of Henry H Dreyer, a former resident of Defuniak has been received by
W I Cawthon.. A Card from Miss Ella Holowell stated that he had died suddenly several
Days ago at Glendale Cal.
I P Wooten’s death occurred in Pensacola at the home of his daughter, last Thursday and the
body was brought here for burial in Magnolia cemetery. He was a clerk in the Post Office
for several years and his wife’s death occurred many years ago. There are two children sur-
viving a daughter and a son who is in the U S Navy.
Mrs Amy McGee died at the home of her daughter Mrs J H Cook in Pensacola last week
And burial was made at the old family cemetery at Westville, Fla. Survivors are son Arthur
McGee and 2 daughters.
Mr David McQuarrie passed away in St Petersburg, Fla place of business Thursday,
March 19th. Services were held Saturday at Gainesville, Fl where many members of his
Family reside. He was a former resident and married here to Miss Ella Buchanan, daughter
Of the late Mr & Mrs R Buchanan.
Contributed by Lois Danley and Sharon Watson
*1941 Jan Miss Lillian Gillis died suddenly in West Palm Beach, where she had resided for some
time. She was youngest daughter of Duncan Gillis of this place and was a teacher in
public schools of that city. Services were held in West Palm Beach on Monday, following
which the body was brought here for interment in Magnolia Cemetery. Surviving are her
father Duncan Gillis now in his 88th year and a siter Miss Estell and a married sister who
lives in Washington D C .
Howard Wooten about 36 who died Saturday at his home in Louisville, Ky was brought
here for interment in Magnolia. Services were held at home of his only sister, Mrs Brady
Parrish. He was eldest sone of Mr & Mrs D E Wooten one time residents of DeF. The
father left here and went to Bagdad where his death later occurred and his body was brought
here to rest beside that of his wife in Magnolia. Howard saw service in the Army. Survivors
Ray, Cecil, and a sister Virginia (Mrs B Parrish). Another brother Herbert met a tragic death
a number of years ago, when an auto in which he and Grady Rutherford, brother of Herman
and Curtis Rutherford, were riding was struck by a passenger train on the crossing west of
the Harbeson mill, both being killed.
Contributed by Lois Danley and Sharon Watson
Mrs Emma McGowan died at her home near Cluster Springs June 10. A native of Alabama but a resident of Walton 30 yrs. She was 69 yrs of age. Survived by 3 brothers; A W, J W and Cleve Dannelly; 2 daughters Mrs Bryant Johnson & Mrs J W McCollough; 5 sons, Dove of Lake Wales, Wash, Arthur, Charlie & Tyson of Cluster Springs. 10 Gr ch; Services were at the home and internment in Magnolia cemetery. [See https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/28563980/emma-mcgowan]
[Contributed by Lois Danley and Sharon Watson]
1939 Oct 12 – Mrs Octavia A Watson died at her home in DeFuniak , Oct 7 1939, at the advanced age of
88 yrs and 6 days. Survived by her sons: Wm H Watson of Pensacola; John F of Walla Walla,
Washington; Edward P of Long Beach, California; daughter Mrs Colletta W Ellenberg of this
place; 2 gr sons, Lt Wm H Jr of US Navy, James B of Pensacola, 2 gr daughters Mrs Lewis
Rogers of Gainesville and Miss Frances Ellenberg of DeFuniak. Mrs Watson was born October
1, 1851 in Dale Co, Ala, the eldest child of Timothy Wade Bludworth, a native of N C and
Hester Brigban, his wife a native of Marion Co, SC. Her father was a CW soldier and died at
Richmond, Va in Nov 1864 and is buried in Howard Grove cemetery in Richmond. She
was married to John William Watson a native of Georgia on March 11 1878. Her husband
was killed near the head of Choctawhatchee Bay on Jan 4 1880 in the explosion of the steam-
boat C Fisher of which he was the master. Internment was Sunday at Hatcher Cemetery be-
side her husband. ( long story)
Contributed by Lois Danley and Sharon Watson
Came the word Friday night that Judge Angus Graham Campbell had dropped dead on the stage of the Pensacola High school auditorium while delivering the graduating address. The deceased was son of Daniel & Emma Campbell, born Nov 19 1874 at Eucheeanne. Survivors: wife, son, A G Campbell Jr, 2 daughters Mrs Leo Andrews and Miss Carrie Mae; 2 brothers, G B & W O Campbell, 3 sisters, Miss Emma Campbell, Mrs C B McKinnon and Mrs Mary Campbell McKinnon. Funeral was held Sunday from Presbyterian church. (long story & Picture)
[Contributed by Lois Danley and Sharon Watson]
McDaniel trial draws a big crowd. Solicitor Beggs stated Mrs Beck was very frail woman. Her testimony was on morning of the murder, she & her son Henry went to McDaniel’s for Cotton seed. It was refused to her and McDaniel said if Harvey didn’t stop talking abt him, John would kill him. When she told Harvey she could not get the seed, Harvey got his gun and the three went to Richard Alford’s, where Mrs Alford persuaded him to leave the gun. (long story)
Verdict was guilty of murder in the first degree with recommendation to mercy, which automatically fixes the punishment at life imprisonment.
Another case was the one of several young men charged with gasoline thefts last winter. All were found guilty and sentenced as following:: Horace Ward, 2 yrs; George Martin, 2 yrs; Jesse Wise, 18 months; Henry Banks & Albert Collingsworth, 1 yr each; Ona Mae Wise was sent to girls’ reform school until she reaches majority.
[Summarized by Lois Danley and Sharon Watson]
Harvey Beck of Gaskin was shot and killed early Tuesday morning by his brother-in-law, John McDaniel. McDaniel was brought here and placed in jail. It seems to have been family trouble that caused the shooting.
[Contributed by Lois Danley and Sharon Watson]
