Frank Jones Becham was born on 5 Mar 1897 in Crawford County, Georgia, the eldest son of Franklin Lafayette Becham and Sarah Lodelia Mathews. Despite much research - and asking large portions of the family - I have not been able to determine why the "Jones" in his name.
Frank's father, grandfather, and great-grandfather were all potters as well as farmers. He himself came of age just as prohibition (which was imposed in Georgia before the national law) made pottery making unprofitable, since many of the jars they made were intended for whiskey. He and several of his brothers instead directed their crafting skills into construction.
Frank lived almost his entire life in Crawford County. He appears there with his parents and siblings in the 1900, 1910 and 1920 censuses. He was just a toddler in 1900, with his parents and brother W.P. By 1910, he is a 13-year old listed as a farm laborer on the family farm, and was attending school. W.P., then 10, was also a farm laborer, but the younger children were just in school. The 1940 census indicates that Frank finished 7th grade. In 1920, Frank was between Navy tours, listed as a house carpenter, as were his father and his brothers W.P. and Henry.
Frank enlisted in the Navy reserves in June 1918 and was called to active duty in August of that year. At the time of his enrollment, he was described as being 5 ft, 11 inches, 151 pounds, blue eyes, light brown hair, ruddy complexion, with a number of scars on his hands and legs. After finishing basic training, he was assigned to the U.S.S. Cypress in Charleston, SC. While technically a WWI veteran he did not see combat. He was a machinist throughout his service. In May of 1919, he was released from duty and apparently returned to Crawford County. However, he was recalled to active duty in November 1920. He served on the USS Baltimore and the USS Ludlow, finally ending up at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. There he requested that he be discharged so that he could return to the U.S. Apparently Pearl had a problem with sailors asking to get out, getting a transfer back to the U.S. and then re-enlisting there so they could have a Stateside assignment. He did have to sign a paper stating that this was not what he was doing. He was honorably discharged at Mare Island, California in December 1921. During his service he got top marks for sobriety, obedience, and proficiency in his skill area. He also started out making $35.90 per month, from which $6.50 was subtracted for life insurance. By the time he got out in 1921, this had risen to $54 per month.
In November 1921, Frank married his first wife Ola Pauline Bryant in Crawford County, Georgia, the daughter of James Bryant and Moselle Sandifer. They largely lived in Crawford county although they did spend a short time back in Charleston around 1928. However, they were back in Georgia by July 1929, when Ola died from complications of pregnancy following the birth of her 5th child. In the 1930 census, Frank and his four oldest children Frances, Louise, Franklin and Caroline are living with his parents. Baby Sarah is living with his sister Lucile Becham Hortman. He is again working as a carpenter, as he would do for the remainder of his life.
On 10 July 1932, Frank married his second wife, Viola Elizabeth (Vicky) Wade. This was her first marriage. In the next few years they had three more children - Betty, Gladys and Paul. According to Vic's sister Clyde, Gladys was born premature, at home. Clyde, a nurse, was there at the time and managed to successfully nurse her through the first few days. In 1940, the family is living in Sandy Point, Crawford County, Georgia. All the children were still at home although Sarah is not listed with them in the census (or anywhere else that can be found). Frank is a carpenter and farmer, who owns his home, worth $800. Frank had worked 52 weeks of the previous year, for which he had earned $425. None of the children worked.
Frank and Viola remained in Crawford county for the rest of their life. He ran construction crews for many years, but after becoming too old for that, they ran a motel in Musella. They eventually retired from there, building themselves a new house just outside Roberta. At some point, probably as a young man, Frank abandoned his Methodist upbringing and switched to the Primitive Baptist church, where he was a faithful member and an avid adherent. Towards the end of his life, he was at the VA home in Dublin, Georgia, where he died on 18 April 1985. He is buried with his two wives at the Roberta City Cemetery in Roberta, Georgia.
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Reading and Writing
Looking at recent college records got me wondering about the other side of the educational equation, i.e. how many of my ancestors could in fact read and write. Even when schools were present in the rural South, many children did not attend or only attended a few years. Looking at this had me thinking about some of my ancestors.
It is interesting when only one child of a family cannot read or write. I am assuming that Washington Becham could not since he also could not sign his name. He signs all records with his mark, not a signature and its hard to believe he could write other things. Yet his confederate contract proves that at least two of his brothers could write at least their names. The 1900 census indicates that Washington could read and write but 1910 says he couldn't. The difference - Ann had died between the two censuses. She could at least sign her name, leading to speculation that he, she or they didn't want to admit that he couldn't. It didn't matter once she had died.
One ancestor, Nancy Whitaker Horne, is of interest because she could in fact write. She could certainly sign her name, and in a way that did not indicate hesitancy. If in fact she also wrote out the property inventory that she signed, then she could actually write well. In addition, one of the items that she purchased from her husband's estate was his writing desk. Nancy would have been unusual for her time, place and social status, which leads to more curiosity about her background.
None of this changes any of the research on the family but looking at these small things enables me to complete the picture and learn a tiny bit more about people who were not prominent and lived a life where little paperwork was created. One has to be careful to not read too much into sparse records, but this has lead me to look more closely at things like signatures.
It is interesting when only one child of a family cannot read or write. I am assuming that Washington Becham could not since he also could not sign his name. He signs all records with his mark, not a signature and its hard to believe he could write other things. Yet his confederate contract proves that at least two of his brothers could write at least their names. The 1900 census indicates that Washington could read and write but 1910 says he couldn't. The difference - Ann had died between the two censuses. She could at least sign her name, leading to speculation that he, she or they didn't want to admit that he couldn't. It didn't matter once she had died.
One ancestor, Nancy Whitaker Horne, is of interest because she could in fact write. She could certainly sign her name, and in a way that did not indicate hesitancy. If in fact she also wrote out the property inventory that she signed, then she could actually write well. In addition, one of the items that she purchased from her husband's estate was his writing desk. Nancy would have been unusual for her time, place and social status, which leads to more curiosity about her background.
None of this changes any of the research on the family but looking at these small things enables me to complete the picture and learn a tiny bit more about people who were not prominent and lived a life where little paperwork was created. One has to be careful to not read too much into sparse records, but this has lead me to look more closely at things like signatures.
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Ahnentafel - #5 Mattie Irene Hendrix
My grandmother Mattie Irene Hendrix was born on 13 June 1897 to Warren David Hendricks and Lucinda Jane Gooch in Gaddistown, Union County, Georgia, near modern-day Suches. Mattie was the next-to-youngest of 9 surviving children and in fact, her oldest sister married the same year she was born. She and her sister Maude always claimed that they were not given middle names at birth, with the expectation that when they married they would use Hendrix as their middle name. Both of them chose to adopt a middle name anyway. The spelling of the family name was definitely in flux at this time, which is really obvious when you look at their college yearbooks, and see it spelled differently on the same page.
Very little is known about her early years. Her father ran a farm and took pride in being a somewhat stern taskmaster. There was no high school in the area, but there was apparently a small country school that the children used to get the basics. Certainly Mattie and her siblings could all read and write, which was not a given for the area. As they got older, several of the children, including Allen Luther, Vianna, Mattie and Maude, went to North Georgia Agricultural College (later North Georgia College, then North Georgia College State University, now University of North Georgia). The college had a preparatory program specifically designed for local students who did not have other access to secondary education. Mattie did the full preparatory program, then went on to get her domestic science certificate, which qualified her as a graduating senior in 1914. All three of the girls played basketball while at the school. According to the yearbook, Mattie "plays for all it's worth at guard's position. Her speed is a feature in every game, and she plays the ball splendidly.." Mattie later used to tell her grandchildren that she was one of the first women in Georgia to play basketball in shorts (bloomers) rather than a skirt, something she was proud of.
Shortly after graduating, Mattie began working as a teacher in Emanuel County, Georgia, possibly as a home demonstration agent. In newspaper reports, she is just noted as a teacher, while the census
has her as a U.S. vocational teacher. Her photo of her first car, shown here, was labeled as "home demonstration agent". She was the 1921 Attendance officer for education in Emanuel County and heavily involved in literacy programs for the county, as well as demonstrating at the county fair and joining the Camp Fire girls on a camping trip. She was also active with the county Georgia University alumnae association, attending their meetings.
Mattie married Charles Gordon Garner on 10 December 1921 in Swainsboro. Apparently at the time this meant that she could not continue in her job, so this was the end of her professional career. She and Gordon lived first in Lyons, Toombs County, where their first two sons Charles Gordon,Jr and Warren Hendrix were born. About 1931 they moved to
Athens, where James Arthur and Robert Edward joined the family. After her father died in 1940, Mattie and Gordon purchased his property in Gaddistown, Georgia. In the late 40s, she moved back there with Jim and Bobby. Gordon joined them after his retirement.
Left a widow in 1955, Mattie continued to run the farm for many years, until finally selling the property in the late 60s. She lived for some time after that with her sons in Kansas, Georgia and Oklahoma. She died in 1975 in Oklahoma City, having been living at the time with her son Warren in Cordell, Oklahoma. She and Gordon are both buried at Mt Pleasant Church #2 (the Hill Church) cemetery in Suches, GA.
Very little is known about her early years. Her father ran a farm and took pride in being a somewhat stern taskmaster. There was no high school in the area, but there was apparently a small country school that the children used to get the basics. Certainly Mattie and her siblings could all read and write, which was not a given for the area. As they got older, several of the children, including Allen Luther, Vianna, Mattie and Maude, went to North Georgia Agricultural College (later North Georgia College, then North Georgia College State University, now University of North Georgia). The college had a preparatory program specifically designed for local students who did not have other access to secondary education. Mattie did the full preparatory program, then went on to get her domestic science certificate, which qualified her as a graduating senior in 1914. All three of the girls played basketball while at the school. According to the yearbook, Mattie "plays for all it's worth at guard's position. Her speed is a feature in every game, and she plays the ball splendidly.." Mattie later used to tell her grandchildren that she was one of the first women in Georgia to play basketball in shorts (bloomers) rather than a skirt, something she was proud of.Shortly after graduating, Mattie began working as a teacher in Emanuel County, Georgia, possibly as a home demonstration agent. In newspaper reports, she is just noted as a teacher, while the census
Mattie married Charles Gordon Garner on 10 December 1921 in Swainsboro. Apparently at the time this meant that she could not continue in her job, so this was the end of her professional career. She and Gordon lived first in Lyons, Toombs County, where their first two sons Charles Gordon,Jr and Warren Hendrix were born. About 1931 they moved to Athens, where James Arthur and Robert Edward joined the family. After her father died in 1940, Mattie and Gordon purchased his property in Gaddistown, Georgia. In the late 40s, she moved back there with Jim and Bobby. Gordon joined them after his retirement.
Left a widow in 1955, Mattie continued to run the farm for many years, until finally selling the property in the late 60s. She lived for some time after that with her sons in Kansas, Georgia and Oklahoma. She died in 1975 in Oklahoma City, having been living at the time with her son Warren in Cordell, Oklahoma. She and Gordon are both buried at Mt Pleasant Church #2 (the Hill Church) cemetery in Suches, GA.
Friday, September 20, 2013
John Perry gift to Ann Perry Becham
In 1861, his wife having died a few years before, John Perry gave a portion of his land to his daughter Ann, then moved to Jefferson County to live with his widowed sister, Ann Daniel.
Georgia,
Crawford County
Know all men by
these presents that I John Perry for the good will love and affection which I
have and bear to my daughter Ann Caroline Beckham wife of Washington Beckham
and her present and any future children she my said daughter Ann Caroline may
have, I this day give remise release and forever quit claim unto her my said
daughter & her children, free from the debts contracts or liabilities of
her present or any future husband she my said daughter may have, all my right
title interests and claims in and to lot of land number nineteen (no 19)
containing two hundred two and a half acres more or less lying & being in
the third district of originally Houston now Crawford County To have and to
hold the said described land to the said Ann Caroline and her children as above
conditioned in fee simple forever.
In testimony whereof the said John Perry hath
hereto set his hand and affixed his seal, this 9th day of December AD 1861.
Signed Sealed
and delivered
John Perry {seal}
in the presence
of
Alford Long
James I Ray
Clerk of the Inferior Court
The words
nineteen and figures 19 interlined & changed before us to twenty nine (29)
Recorded
December 17th, 1861
James I Ray Clk
SupCourt
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Ahnentafel series - Charles Gordon Garner
I have decided to do at least a weekly post just working up through my Ahnentafel. Since the point of this blog, among other things, was to let me see the gaps in what I know or have documented, at least some systematic approach, once in a while, is a good idea.
I'm skipping my parents (nrs 2 and 3 in my report), so the first one I come to is #4, my Grandfather Charles Gordon Garner. Gordon, or C.G., Garner as he was known was born on 1 January 1893 near Sparta, Georgia, to parents Green Lee Garner and Hattie Gheesling. He was the youngest of 4 boys born to them, but he also had an older half-sister Minnie, from his father's first marriage. They were a farming family, which is probably significant considering Gordon's later choice of career. Green Garner owned the family farm where Gordon grew up, but with 4 boys apparently did not need to hire outside help, at least according to the 1900 census.
By 1910, Green and Hattie had moved off the farm and were renting a house, still in Hancock County, Georgia. Gordon was the only son still at home. His father was working as a carpenter and Gordon was listed as a "carpentering laborer." This was probably in the Granite Hill area, just outside Sparta, since that is where Gordon claimed to be from in college.
In 1914, Gordon enrolled the University of Georgia. There was no obvious reason for his enrolling at a fairly advanced age (21). He was not in the military. Considering that he was already known as "Co-op Garner" by his sophomore year, my speculation is that he was working in agriculture, became interested in the nascent co-op system and realized that he needed a university degree to work in that field.
From the various yearbooks, it is apparent that he was active in student life. He was noted as a photographer, as a member of the YMCA, as a Bible study member, as a member of the track team, and as an officer in the honorary agriculture fraternity, Alpha Zeta. He was already known as "Co-op" Garner, and would be nicknamed that for the rest of his life. In 1917, he received a bachelor's degree in Agriculture at the University of Georgia and was apparently hired almost immediately as a County extension agent, since he was working in Stephens County by June of that same year.
In the 1920 census, he is shown again with his parents, but listed as an agricultural demonstration agent. He was still active in the State's efforts in agriculture, being listed as one of the delegates at a March 1920 conference which established the Georgia Association, a union of the chambers of commerce, farm bureaus and other industrial entities. In newspapers from the era, it is obvious that he quickly established himself as an expert in agricultural marketing. He was first interested in beef marketing with UGA. Then after becoming a county extension agent in Lyons, he traveled throughout the state, appearing as a marketing expert in various meetings and agricultural gatherings. About 1931 he started working directly for the University, moving his family to Athens. In 1940 he got his Masters from the University and spent the early 40s advising farmers on efficient ways to get their goods to market, taking into account shortages and rationing caused by the war.
In December 1920, Gordon married Mattie Irene Hendrix, who was working as a demonstration agent in Emanuel County. They settled in Toombs, Lyons County, while he was the extension agent there and then moved to Athens, Clark County, where they raised 4 sons and where he lived until his retirement in 1955. At that point, he joined Mattie in the Gaddistown, Union County area, where she had grown up and where she had moved with the boys some years earlier. Sadly, he died less than a year later of a heart attack.
I'm skipping my parents (nrs 2 and 3 in my report), so the first one I come to is #4, my Grandfather Charles Gordon Garner. Gordon, or C.G., Garner as he was known was born on 1 January 1893 near Sparta, Georgia, to parents Green Lee Garner and Hattie Gheesling. He was the youngest of 4 boys born to them, but he also had an older half-sister Minnie, from his father's first marriage. They were a farming family, which is probably significant considering Gordon's later choice of career. Green Garner owned the family farm where Gordon grew up, but with 4 boys apparently did not need to hire outside help, at least according to the 1900 census.
By 1910, Green and Hattie had moved off the farm and were renting a house, still in Hancock County, Georgia. Gordon was the only son still at home. His father was working as a carpenter and Gordon was listed as a "carpentering laborer." This was probably in the Granite Hill area, just outside Sparta, since that is where Gordon claimed to be from in college. In 1914, Gordon enrolled the University of Georgia. There was no obvious reason for his enrolling at a fairly advanced age (21). He was not in the military. Considering that he was already known as "Co-op Garner" by his sophomore year, my speculation is that he was working in agriculture, became interested in the nascent co-op system and realized that he needed a university degree to work in that field.
From the various yearbooks, it is apparent that he was active in student life. He was noted as a photographer, as a member of the YMCA, as a Bible study member, as a member of the track team, and as an officer in the honorary agriculture fraternity, Alpha Zeta. He was already known as "Co-op" Garner, and would be nicknamed that for the rest of his life. In 1917, he received a bachelor's degree in Agriculture at the University of Georgia and was apparently hired almost immediately as a County extension agent, since he was working in Stephens County by June of that same year.
In the 1920 census, he is shown again with his parents, but listed as an agricultural demonstration agent. He was still active in the State's efforts in agriculture, being listed as one of the delegates at a March 1920 conference which established the Georgia Association, a union of the chambers of commerce, farm bureaus and other industrial entities. In newspapers from the era, it is obvious that he quickly established himself as an expert in agricultural marketing. He was first interested in beef marketing with UGA. Then after becoming a county extension agent in Lyons, he traveled throughout the state, appearing as a marketing expert in various meetings and agricultural gatherings. About 1931 he started working directly for the University, moving his family to Athens. In 1940 he got his Masters from the University and spent the early 40s advising farmers on efficient ways to get their goods to market, taking into account shortages and rationing caused by the war.
In December 1920, Gordon married Mattie Irene Hendrix, who was working as a demonstration agent in Emanuel County. They settled in Toombs, Lyons County, while he was the extension agent there and then moved to Athens, Clark County, where they raised 4 sons and where he lived until his retirement in 1955. At that point, he joined Mattie in the Gaddistown, Union County area, where she had grown up and where she had moved with the boys some years earlier. Sadly, he died less than a year later of a heart attack.
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Van Evera connections
Archie, or A.K., Van Evera isn't actually an ancestor of mine but he is certainly well connected to the family, with him and two of his daughters marrying into the Wade family.
Some of these connections are very easy. In 1915 (Bibb county marriage records), he married Annie Wade Fryer, a second marriage for both of them. He already had 3 daughters from his first marriage to Daisy Owens, who had died on 19 January 1914 (obituary). He remained married to Annie until his own death in 1927.
The other easy one is his oldest daughter Marion Gladys who married Annie's brother John Henderson Wade on 27 September 1915. John adopted Marion's daughter and he and Marion remained married until his death in 1956.
The slightly more complicated connection is the youngest daughter, Julia Blanch. A 1919 Macon Telegraph article talks about the marriage of Julia Van Evera and Walter Wade. Since Annie and John had a nephew Walter, this was logically him, but Walter Wade is not a unique name and the article stated that they would be settling in Macon. My Walter is found in the 1920 census living with his parents in Thomas County, GA. There is a Julia in the family, the right age to be Julia Van Evera, but she is listed as a granddaughter. Everyone in the family is listed as black, but the names and ages of the parents and childrens indicate it is definitely the right family. Walter's grandmother was mulatto and it was possible that the census taker made an independent judgment that the family was black. On the other hand, this could just be a mistake in recording the information.
In December 1928, Walter married Minnie Alice Harper. In the 1930 census, he and Minnie are still in Bibb, shown with 3 daughters, two of whom were born in 1920 and 1923 respectively. The third one was a baby. This fits in well with him having been previously married. Minnie's "age at first marriage" is consistent with the 1928 date but there is no such age for Walter. He is, in fact, the only married person on that page or the ones on either side without an age at first marriage, indicating either that the person giving the information knew he'd been married before but didn't know how old he was or that he didn't want to admit to the previous marriage.
With all these bits together, I have to conclude that Walter Wade (son of William and Camilla) was in fact the Walter married to Julia Blanch Van Evera, even though they are never clearly together as husband and wife, in the census or later records.
I had long assumed that Julia had died between 1923 and 1928, even though no death record had been found. However, recently I found her in California records, so they must have divorced. She applied for social security under the name Julia Blanch Stokes, but by the time she died in 1980, her surname was Sorg.
Some of these connections are very easy. In 1915 (Bibb county marriage records), he married Annie Wade Fryer, a second marriage for both of them. He already had 3 daughters from his first marriage to Daisy Owens, who had died on 19 January 1914 (obituary). He remained married to Annie until his own death in 1927.
The other easy one is his oldest daughter Marion Gladys who married Annie's brother John Henderson Wade on 27 September 1915. John adopted Marion's daughter and he and Marion remained married until his death in 1956.
The slightly more complicated connection is the youngest daughter, Julia Blanch. A 1919 Macon Telegraph article talks about the marriage of Julia Van Evera and Walter Wade. Since Annie and John had a nephew Walter, this was logically him, but Walter Wade is not a unique name and the article stated that they would be settling in Macon. My Walter is found in the 1920 census living with his parents in Thomas County, GA. There is a Julia in the family, the right age to be Julia Van Evera, but she is listed as a granddaughter. Everyone in the family is listed as black, but the names and ages of the parents and childrens indicate it is definitely the right family. Walter's grandmother was mulatto and it was possible that the census taker made an independent judgment that the family was black. On the other hand, this could just be a mistake in recording the information.
In December 1928, Walter married Minnie Alice Harper. In the 1930 census, he and Minnie are still in Bibb, shown with 3 daughters, two of whom were born in 1920 and 1923 respectively. The third one was a baby. This fits in well with him having been previously married. Minnie's "age at first marriage" is consistent with the 1928 date but there is no such age for Walter. He is, in fact, the only married person on that page or the ones on either side without an age at first marriage, indicating either that the person giving the information knew he'd been married before but didn't know how old he was or that he didn't want to admit to the previous marriage.
With all these bits together, I have to conclude that Walter Wade (son of William and Camilla) was in fact the Walter married to Julia Blanch Van Evera, even though they are never clearly together as husband and wife, in the census or later records.
I had long assumed that Julia had died between 1923 and 1928, even though no death record had been found. However, recently I found her in California records, so they must have divorced. She applied for social security under the name Julia Blanch Stokes, but by the time she died in 1980, her surname was Sorg.
Monday, September 2, 2013
Tiger Laws and the Wade Family
One of the things I have learned doing genealogy is the concept of "Blind Tiger" Laws, which were state or local laws governing the production and sale of alcohol. "Blind Tigers" or "Blind Pigs" were terms for illegal alcohol (moonshine) or the places where they were sold. As a result of these, prohibition in Georgia ran from 1908 to 1935.
Two family members managed to get caught up in these cases. John Henderson Wade (1876-1956) got hit twice in October 1914. He was first charged with selling alcohol in Crawford County. Since he was living at the time in Bibb county, the warrant was sent there. The police went to his grocery store, at 557 Telfair street, to serve the warrant, but discovered whiskey in the back of the store. As a result, he was charged under Macon City laws as well. There was no report on the final result of the case, but it was noted that the Macon case would have to be resolved before he could be sent back to Crawford county for the case there.
John's sister Anne Elizabeth Wade Fryer (Van Evera) (Cowherd) apparently turned to selling whiskey for a short while as well. In December 1913, the police reported that they had found 45 bottles of "all different sizes and brands" of alcohol hidden in her attic. This was actually on the second search of her house; nothing was found the first time. She was not arrested since she was a "widow" with 6 children, mostly girls, at home. Later press was closer to the truth, stating that she was divorced. In fact, she was separated from her husband - they divorced in 1915 - but she was supporting 6 children.
In October 1914, Annie was arrested in Macon under both the city and state tiger laws. The detectives asserted that 3 bottles of whiskey had been found in her home and that they had evidence of a sale. After she was arrested, one of her neighbors informed the police that she had threatened to kill herself if arrested. The police searched her and found a bottle of carbolic acid, whereupon she admitted that she would rather kill herself than be separated from her 6 young children. After a night in jail, she was fined $50 for the city charge, which was dismissed when she was able to prove that she could not pay it. She still had to respond to the State charge however and was kept in jail when she could not pay the bond. The following Tuesday, four days later, one of her relatives paid her bond to get her out.
Both cases were "nol prossed" in March 1915, indicating that the prosecutor chose to not proceed with them. No reason was given in the paper. Annie had received her first verdict on her divorce petition in February, claiming desertion and non-support. She got her final decree in late April, whereupon she remarried and apparently stayed out of trouble.
Two family members managed to get caught up in these cases. John Henderson Wade (1876-1956) got hit twice in October 1914. He was first charged with selling alcohol in Crawford County. Since he was living at the time in Bibb county, the warrant was sent there. The police went to his grocery store, at 557 Telfair street, to serve the warrant, but discovered whiskey in the back of the store. As a result, he was charged under Macon City laws as well. There was no report on the final result of the case, but it was noted that the Macon case would have to be resolved before he could be sent back to Crawford county for the case there.
John's sister Anne Elizabeth Wade Fryer (Van Evera) (Cowherd) apparently turned to selling whiskey for a short while as well. In December 1913, the police reported that they had found 45 bottles of "all different sizes and brands" of alcohol hidden in her attic. This was actually on the second search of her house; nothing was found the first time. She was not arrested since she was a "widow" with 6 children, mostly girls, at home. Later press was closer to the truth, stating that she was divorced. In fact, she was separated from her husband - they divorced in 1915 - but she was supporting 6 children.
In October 1914, Annie was arrested in Macon under both the city and state tiger laws. The detectives asserted that 3 bottles of whiskey had been found in her home and that they had evidence of a sale. After she was arrested, one of her neighbors informed the police that she had threatened to kill herself if arrested. The police searched her and found a bottle of carbolic acid, whereupon she admitted that she would rather kill herself than be separated from her 6 young children. After a night in jail, she was fined $50 for the city charge, which was dismissed when she was able to prove that she could not pay it. She still had to respond to the State charge however and was kept in jail when she could not pay the bond. The following Tuesday, four days later, one of her relatives paid her bond to get her out.
Both cases were "nol prossed" in March 1915, indicating that the prosecutor chose to not proceed with them. No reason was given in the paper. Annie had received her first verdict on her divorce petition in February, claiming desertion and non-support. She got her final decree in late April, whereupon she remarried and apparently stayed out of trouble.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)