Memory of W J Wilkerson: On Sunday morning Mar 2nd the death angel visited the home of W J Wilkerson and called the husband and father to the great beyond. He was the oldest of a family of 11, his father & mother and one brother having gone before. He leaves a wife, 2 sons, Thomas Edgar & Dewey, 2 daughters Mrs Joe Harrison & Mr Surrency and brothers & sisters to mourn his loss. Burial in Gum Creek cemetery.
[Contributed by Lois Danley and Sharon Watson]
Sheriff Bell has returned from the north bringing A H Hamilton who was indicted by the last grand jury of the charge of deserting his wife and family. He has been away from DeFuniak about 3 yrs and until the last few months has contributed nothing to their support. The sheriff found Hamilton at work in Philadelphia and when brought back was placed in jail.
Influenza Breaks out in Two Places: The school at Glendale closed on Friday one month earlier than intended owing to the influenza. There will be 3 months summer school. At least 35 cased were reported in Knox Hill area. Ben Hearin, aged about 22 yrs died at Glendale from influenza last Thursday [February 27, 1919] and Mrs Hearin is reported very ill. William Wilkerson aged about 50 died Sunday morning [March 2, 1919], other family members are ill. Mrs Mattie Evans, widow and her entire family of small children are down. Her husband an invalid for a number of years died not long ago. Mr T C Gressott and wife are both ill. A number of the Micham family are ill. Robert Reddick of Knox Hill has pneumonia, and other members of the Rushing family are ill.
Charles Carter arrested by Sheriff Bell charged with alleged sale of intoxicating liquors on night of December 25. It was at Carter’s home that Marion Hall, now in jail under sentence of death shot Arnold Mitchell. At the same time shot Carter, who was in critical condition for some time. The witnesses named in the warrant are Marion Hall, Hilburn Nowling, Sullivan Nowling Jr, Alvin Miller, D Nowling and John Campbell.
Isaac Hand charged with the murder of his young wife, whose body was found in well on January 7, in Vernon has been indicted for murder. According to the Marianna Times-Courier, Hand made his confession to Sheriff Lewis of Jackson Co. Hand said “Mr Lewis, you are the only friend I have, you have been kind to me all along. When I went after my wife, I intended carrying her home and making a living for her. After leaving home we bought lunch at Bonifay and went to the house of a friend to spend the night. On arrival we found no one home. We had food & bedding and knowing of a vacant house near Vernon, we decided to go there and camp. After feeding the horse, my wife asked me to make a fire. I brought an armful of wood in and she opened her suitcase and got some matches. I tried to start the fire but the wood was wet and wouldn’t burn so I got up and told her that I was through with the fire. She told me to get some light wood knots. I did so and when I threw them down one hit her foot and she asked if I was trying to break her foot. She got up, went to her suitcase, got out a razor and came towards me. I saw an old ax handle and picked it up, told her if she came any nearer I would knock her block off. She said ‘you won’t’ and came on and I peeled her one and she dropped. I struck her harder than I had intended and started to Vernon for a doctor. I realized I had no money so I returned to where my wife was lying and decided that she was just about to pass in her checks. I was so badly frightened I picked her up and thru her in the well. I returned to Bonifay and the next day sold my horse and buggy and got on the train to Iron City.
[Contributed by Lois Danley and Sharon Watson]
*1919 Feb 6– James Yates, committed suicide at Bonifay, Saturday and was buried Sunday. He
had cancer and was being treated by Dr King of this city. The cancer first appeared on
a thumb, which he had amputated. It broke out on his side and this worried him. Saturday
he loaded a gun with powder, placed the muzzle in his mouth.
*Miss Nannie Morrison died Saturday morning (February 1, 1919) in the old Morrison homestead, in
Euchee Valley and was buried Sunday at the Valley Cemetery. She was about 62 yrs
old and was the daughter of John P & Mary J Morrison, both dead for several years.
One sister, Abbie and 4 brothers, Neal, John, Daniel & Murdock survive her. She has
been ill for some time, and several weeks ago fell on the gallery, breaking an arm. Miss
Morrison wa born and reared and always lived on the homestead where she died. Abt
10 yrs ago another house was built and then another but the old homestead had charms
for her and she never lived elsewhere.
*Clem McDonald, son of Postmaster McDonald, who is soldering in France, writes his
father that he learned of the death of his mother in the Breeze. He went to visit another
DeFuniak boy in the same regiment and there found a copy of the Breeze and read the
account of his mother’s death. He had not received his copy of the Breeze. Mrs Mc-
Donald died late last fall and the father hesitated to write the son, knowing he received
the Breeze and would read it.
*1919 Feb 27– William G McConnell aged 67 yrs died Wednesday. He was a brother of
Mr T M Mconnell and had resided in DeFuniak about 16 yrs. The funeral will be
held today, Thursday.
Contributed by Lois Danley and Sharon Watson
1919 Jan 9– J D C Newton, died at Pensacola Thursday morning. Services at Valley Church on
Friday afternoon, the remains brought from Pensacola to Argyle and from there taken
to the cemetery. Mr Newton was a nephew of Judge Daniel Campbell and a cousin to
Mrs C B McKinnon, Judge A G Campbell, Mrs John McKinnon, Miss Emma Campbell,
Mr Bowers and Mr Ralph Campbell. He was readed in the Eucheeana Valley, his father
being Rev. John Newton. Mr Newton was 45 was survived by his wife Miss Ria Baker,
daughter of Rev R L Baker and young son Robert, 2 sisters Mrs G Axelson and Miss
Christian Newton, aunt, Mrs Harrison, and uncle, Judge Daniel Campbell.
*Mr W B Wright– died in Pensacola Thursday morning (January 9, 1919). Mr Wright was formerly president
of W B Wright Co, a timber and sawmill and for several years President of the Yellow
River Railroad Company.
*Marion Hall, who killed Arnold Mitchell at a Christmas Social will be tried, so say a
Grand jury.
*The Blackwell brothers, tried at Panama City, Bay County for the murder of old man
Davis and wife in Okaloosa county and the death penalty assessed, were brought here
last week and turned over to the care of Sheriff Thad Bell. Will Boyd who is charged
with being an accessory to the Davis’ murder and who gave testimony against the
Blackwells is also in jail. (article doesn’t name the Blackwell brothers)
*Mrs Jeff Ward died at Freeport Monday night (January 5, 1919). Mrs Ward leaves a husband and 3 sons.
Two of her sons, Elvin and Ervin are in France.
*“Grandpa” Simmons, a citizen of Ponce de Leon neighborhood, died suddenly one
day last week from influenza. He is survived by his aged widow and several children
and many grandchildren.
*While hunting Christmas day, Louie Hall 13, shot and accidentally killed his brother,
Walter, age 10, near Heath, not far from Andalusia. They are the sons of Mr & Mrs Mark
Hall.
1921 Jan 13– Mr P F Leight a highly esteemed resident of DeFuniak Spgs for the past many years,
died at his home in this city last night after a lingering illness. Funeral was held at the
home this afternoon with interment at DeFuniak cemetery with Masonic services. He
is survived by his wife. Mr & Mrs Leight celebrated their golden anniversary only a few
years ago.
BRIDAL/WEDDING ANNOUNCEMENT: Mr John L Moran & Mrs Helen B Graham were married in Pensacola Tuesday. Mr Moran is the pilot of the airplane which has been here for past several weeks. The bride has been a guest of Mr & Mrs Charles E Logan for some weeks.
*1919 Jan 16– Murder trial set for Monday. Marion Hall, in jail for murder of Arnold Mitchell at the
Christmas ‘Frolic” at the home of Charles Carter on the Florala road. Charles Carter was
shot and badly wounded at the same time.
*The Girl in the Old Well. Western Florida is wondering who the girl was whose body
was found in a well on an abandoned place, 2 miles south of Vernon. The following special
was received by wire. Chipley, Fla. There is no identity of who the firl was or where she
killed. Her clothing has been viewed by a number of parties, who thought some clue might
be gathered. They feel confident from the name “Flora Allen,” stenciled on the corset
cover worn by her and her other clothing that they will be able to apprehend the guilty
party.
*Chipley, Fla, Jan 13 1919: Editor, DeFuniak Breeze: An unknown woman was found dead
2 miles south of Vernon in Washington Co, Florida, where she had been brutally murdered.
The body was found in an old well on 7 January where it had been in the water for probably
2 week more or less. The woman was probably from 16 to 25 yrs of age, clad in worn and
patched clothing and wearing a pair of number 4 Hamilton-Brown lace shoes, with a rubber
tap (cat’s paw) on the heel. The soles of the shoes were badly worn. Among her clothing
was a one-piece yellow dress, the inner side of the waistband of which was lined or patched
with checked gingham. The yellow dress had a brown velvet collar. She also wore a dark
waist, 2 plain white underskirts and a blue skirt, a black coat and a gauze broad-brim hat with
wire rim. On a corset cover worn by her was the name written in ink, “Flora Allens” or
“Flora Allen”. She measured 5 ft and 6 ins tall. Her hair was a dark brown, thin and not
very long, but bore no evidence of having been cut. Her front teeth were almost perfect.
There was no evidence of dental work. Her eyes wer brown, face was round with a short,
small nose, short chin and neck. Very respectfully, Ira A Hutchinson, State Attorney.
*Henry Evans, who lived near Glendale, died Monday night (January 13, 1919), leaving a widow and 3
children. Mr Evans had been ill for several years and while not able to do hard work,
made baskets, ax handles and other useful things for sale.
*Count Green, the 4 yr old son of Mr & Mrs Walker S Green of Argyle, died Saturday
afternoon (January 11, 1919) and was buried at the Valley church Sunday. The mother is still very ill but
Mr Green is recovering. Another young son has also been ill.
*Mattie Lee, aged 15, daughter of Mr & Mrs P J Mason, died Monday midnight (January 13, 1919). She
was one of the sweetest girls in DeFuniak and a member of the Baptist Sunday school.
The burial was at Andalusia.
BRIDAL/WEDDING ANNOUNCEMENT: 1919 Jan 24– Mrs Mellie Smith, the widow of a printer who formerly worked in the Breeze office, writes the Breeze from Florala that she was married last Sunday to Mr Charles Davis, of Savannah, Ga, a fine boiler maker. The children, she assures us, are pleased. Davis is 56 yrs old and employed by the Jackson Lumber Company.
*Murdered woman is identified. The woman whose body was found in well. Her husband,
Isaac Hand arrested in Ga and in jail in Marianna. Hand and his wife had been separated
and he went to his mother-in-law, a Mrs Burch, near Bonifay. They left together in a
buggy but when he arrived in Georgia, he was alone. The mother of Miss Flora Alford,
daughter of Mr Chauncey Alford, of Bonifay, gave a discarded waist to Mrs Burch, who
gave it to her daughter, Mrs Hand. The name “Flora Alford” was first deciphered as
Flora Allen, was written with indelible ink on the waist. The waist was identified by Mrs.
Alford. The trailing of Hand was easy. He denied that he slew his wife and that the last
he saw of her, she was at Bonifay with a strange man.
*Mrs Hannah Davis, 73 yrs old, died at Freeport. She leaves 6 living children and a
shower of grandchildren. She had lived at Freeport for 35 yrs or more. Her husband
has been dead for years.
*1919 Jan 30– Marion Hall convicted and sentenced to be hanged. Insanity was plead but
since he was able to work, transact business and on that night he was not drunk, he
shot Arnold in the back and shot him again as he lay dying. Hi s wife was pre-
sent with their 3 little girls, one an infant at breast and his mother was present.
*Mrs Mollie Cannon, wife of J M Cannon, died Wednesday morning (January 29,1919), the 15 at
the home of her daughter, Mrs J M Spears, in this city.
*The body of James Spears, a soldier, who died at Camp Shelby, of pneumonia,
arrived at DeFuniak Tuesday. The funeral was at Leona church Wednesday. Spears,
was about 22, went away to camp last July.
*Will Blackwell, on of the Blackwell brothers charged with the murder of old man
Davis and wife in Okaloosa county, died in the Pensacola jail last week. He was
under sentence of death, but his case had been appealed to the supreme court.
*In Memoriam:::: Mrs Eliza Wilkerson— Christmas night when all the world was
musing into a peaceful rest, after a pleasant day, when Death Reaper came to the
Wilkerson home, 4 ½ miles north of DeFuniak and took the mother to her mansion pre-
pared in the skies. She had spend the day at her youngest daughter’s Mrs Jeffie Bells,
returning home late in evening. About 8:30 she called her son Tommie to the bed and
told him she was dying. She was born in Alabama in 1851. Her maiden name was
Wilkerson. She married Henry Wilkerson in May of 1866, to which were born 11 children,
7 boys and 4 girls, 10 of whom still survive her. One son, John passed away, December
3 1916 and the father and husband, 25 days later. A FRIEND
Contributed by Lois Danley and Sharon Watson
1918 Oct 3– John Roderick Anderson, son of Mr & Mrs J R Anderson, this city, a member of
Co. A, 3rd Eng died at base hospital at Camp Humphrey, Virginia on Sep 30. The
body will be sent here for interment and will be laid to rest at Pleasant Grover
cemetery. His brother, Bloxham, who is at Camp Jackson, has been notified and
maybe here for funeral. Roddy, as he was known to all, was only 19 yrs.
Contributed by Lois Danley and Sharon Watson
1918 Sep 12– Mrs Albert Lindsey died Sunday after a long illness. The funeral was held on
Monday.
1918 Sep 19– D J Adkison died at his home Saturday morning from typhoid and was buried
Sunday at the Pleasant Ridge cemetery with Masonic honors.
Wilhelm Schmidt, age 82, a German, who lived the life of a hermit was found dead
in his cabin last Friday (September 13, 1918). Charles Garrett found the body. The old man had not been
seen for the past 2 or 3 weeks and no foot tracks were noticed abt his place. He came
to this part of Florida abt 30 yrs ago and his only confidants were Mr & Mrs Leight.
He homesteaded 160 acres on Freeport road, build a shack and lived alone. His wife
having died in Germany before he came to America. He had no family in this country,
and left, by will, all his property to Mr & Mrs Leight.
1918 Sep 26– W D Williams of Westville died Wednesday of last week and was buried there
on Thursday. Mr Williams was an old newspaper man, establishing the Advertiser,
now published by his son, E A Williams, at Bonifay, at Cerro Gordo in 1902.
Mrs James Booth died at Dorcas Thursday (September 26, 1918) from Spanish influenza. The funeral was
held Saturday, by Rev Daniel Anderson, her first cousin, preaching the sermon.
Mrs Booth was reared in the Sandy Creek neighborhood was 60 yrs of age and was
the daughter of Norman L Anderson. She removed to Covington Co Ala with her
parents where she married Mr Booth and then to Florida.
Contributed by Lois Danley and Sharon Watson
1918 Aug 8– Private Harry B Giddeons, of Paxton whose parents reside near there is reported
in Pershing’s list as killed in action on the Alane Marne battlefield in France. Word
from Paxton that his parents have received confirmation of the report.
1918 Aug 15– Frank Cooper died Friday of typhoid fever and was buried Saturday at Alaqua
cemetery. He leaves a widow but no children.
Louis Henry Northcutt, 15, the only son of Rev J D Northcutt, dies in Mobile on Sunday (August 11, 1918).
Funeral services were held Monday at Methodist church in Mobile, with interment
was at Selma, Al where a family plot was purchased when Rev. Northcutt was pastor
and where Mrs Northcutt’s mother is buried.
1918 Aug 29– Mrs Margaret A Smith, aged 74, died at home of her daughter, Mrs W M Henly,
near Glendale on Friday, Aug 23 and was buried at Gum Creek Cemetery on Saturday,
Aug 24. Mrs Smith was born in Henry Co, AL and married W J Smith soon after the
close of the civil war. W J Smith was born near Troy, Ala and served in the Northern
army and died 3 yrs ago. Mrs Smith was mother of 3 children, one died in infancy,
one daughter is wife of W M Henley and Samuel Smith.
Neil Cassida wounded! Dispatches from AP carried in list of missing in action, the
name of Neil Cassida of Portland, giving as next of kin, Mrs Maggie Cassida. We
hear that he is wounded and in hospital in France and is getting on alright.
Contributed by Lois Danley and Sharon Watson
1918 May 9– W W Hattaway, better known as ‘Wes’ died last Thursday. He leaves a wife and
several children . The drink habit had a hold on him that it seemed he could not shake
off.
L C McDonald, better known as “Calvin” McDonald, died at Argyle, Fl Sunday night (May 5, 1918).
Burial took place Tuesday at the Valley cemetery. He was 70 yrs of age having lived
here nearly all his life. He leaves a wife and 4 girls and 1 boy to grieve, Miss Annie,
a teacher at Panama City; Miss Christian member of board of State Examination in
Tallahassee; Miss Helen, who is postmistress, and railroad agent at Argyle, and Miss
Lillian and brother John. Also leave 2 sisters, Mrs W D McLean & Mrs J C Douglass.
1918 May 16– Ralph R Jenkins, died in Philadelphia Pa about the 14th of last month. News did not reach relatives of the family until last week, a letter telling of his death written by his sister failing to arrive. It was only when Bert Murray mailed him a picture of their baby child that his relatives discovered that they knew nothing of his death. Ralph went to Louisiana where he worked with Uncle Bob Adams several years ago then to Philadelphia where he was employed in a munition factory. He was abt 28 yrs and died suddenly from pneumonia.
Willie Miller (see Mar 7).– A letter from Adjutant general of army says he died in Navy
Base hospital on March 2nd and was buried with religious cermonies and military
honors in Kerfautras cemetery at Brest, France. He was in stevedore regiment,
Co M 303rd to say whether he was white or colored, but in this war the govern-
ment gives same recognition to all.
1918 May 23– John Dadason, a Negro, was found dead Sunday near 8 mile trestle on the
Brittan logging road, his head being crushed and his throat cut. Later develop-
ments indicated that Ed Murphy, Negro was the guilty one and Deputy Sheriff
Doll Pryor caught him and lodged him in jail, the motive evidently robbery.
1918 May 30— Ex-Congressman Emmett Wilson died in Pensacola Hospital Wednesday. He
was 36 yrs and was elected to 63rd Congress from this district. He has relatives in
Chipley and Marianna. Arrangements had not been made at this time.
Calhoun Skipper who was operated on Sunday for appendicitis at the Morris Sanitarium;
died Tuesday (May 28, 1918) and was buried on Wednesday in the city cemetery. Information we have is
the family is destitute and should be given aid. The real cause of this young man’s death
being lack of funds for medical attention.
Contributed by Lois Danley and Sharon Watson
George Lawrence died Tuesday while helping in the Odd Fellows Lodge meeting, administrating final charge to Judge A R Campbell who was being initiated into the order. He complained of shortness of breath, medical help was sent for, but he gasped and died. Mr & Mrs Lawrence came here from Carthage S. D. December 8th of last year and expected to leave for their home next month. The remains left here this morning for S D where burial will take place. Mr Lawrence was nearly 76 yrs of age and leaves a family of 2 girls and 2 boys.
Deputy Sheriff F E Bayliss of Escambia Co came here Tuesday with a warrant for arrest of Pat Lingo. The charges were for issuing a check to Mrs F C Crooke for room & board. He attempted to kill himself with a knife thrust to his throat missing his jugular. Medical help was close and he was hospitalized.
Jewell Strickland, daughter of Mr & Mrs C S Strickland who live at Bullard died last Tuesday. She was 1 yr, 1 mo, & 3 days. Mr & Mrs Strickland left Wednesday for Clinton, N C where burial will take place. The child’s grandmother, Mrs Oates arrived Wednesday last week and returned with the grief stricken parents.
[Contributed by Lois Danley and Sharon Watson]
1918 Mar 7– Willie Miller dies in France last Friday of pneumonia. He lived in Pt Washington but his
family had moved to another part of the county or state. The telegram announcing his death
has so far been undelivered and still remains at the Western Union office. Anyone knowing
where some of his people are this paper would be glad to get a little history of this man who
was among the first to give his life for his country.
1918 Mar 14 — Lee Muterspaugh, a former Walton county boy, died in New York according to a telegram
received this morning from the commandant of the Brooklyn yard and the commander of the
vessel on which he was serving. Cause of death not stated. The deceased enlisted in the Navy
last December and at time of death had a rating of first class fireman. He was about 24 yrs
of age and survived by mother, 3 brothers and one sister. (second obit) says he died of
natural causes and body was shipped to Freeport for burial on Sunday.
Mrs Sarah Laird 86 yrs of age died at home of son in law W J Wilkerson at Glendale last
Friday (March 8, 1918), burial taking place Sunday in Gum Creek Cemetery. She was the mother of 11 children,
4 girls and 7 boys. Grandmother of 82 children and great-grandmother of over 100 children.
Last week Henry J Dorwart introduced himself to a Recruiting Officer and told him he was a
deserter from the army. He was placed in jail and will be detained until orders are received as
to what shall be done with him. Mr Dowart was member of 6th Div. HQ Staff and was
stationed at Fort Sam, San Antonio, TX and deserted something like 3 months ago.
War death toll heavy in the county!
Henry Peake Walker, eldest son of W H Walker, who enlisted in navy about 2 yrs ago died in the League Island Hospital near Philadelphia, Pa last Sunday from pneumonia (March 10, 1918). The body was being shipped Monday night for Pensacola where burial will take place. Mr Walker was 23 yrs old, and held the position of first electrician on the U S Handcock.
Jim Tom Edgar, son of Mr & Mrs Stewart Edgar who was member of machine gun company in
France was killed in action on Friday last (March 8, 1918). A telegram to that effect being received Sunday
night from war department. He was 20 yrs of age and enlisted a year ago last Christmas,
before the hostilities. (further article says he died in hospital not killed in action)
1918 Mar 21 Murial Watts, the 4yr daughter of Mr & Mrs Frederick Watts died at the family home Saturday
and was buried Sunday in the city cemetery. Several of the other children of the family
have been quite sick. Card of Thanks: Mr & Mrs Watts wish to thank the citizens of DeFuniak
for the roses & flowers on their darling little girl’s grave. Mr & Mrs Watts, Sandy Creek
Stock Farm.
Miss Sarah A Long, born in 1832 in Ala, was united in marriage to Mr Laird and moved to
Florida (see March 14) and at the age of 86 died at home of son in law March 8th.
Remains of the late Henry L Peake arrived last night on the late train coming here from
DeFuniak where it was shipped by mistake. From the depot it was moved to home of his
Uncle, H Hahn. The remains will be born to Christ church at 2:30 and thence to St. John’s
Cemetery where interment will be make. (Pensacola Journal, Saturday) (No doubt the mistake
in names caused the delay.)
Contributed by Lois Danley and Sharon Watson
