Habersham County News
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The Constitution, Atlanta, GA / March 24, 1902 / Oratorical Contest to Occur Here on April 25 / By Lauren Foreman
Georgia colleges will be in Atlanta en masse on Friday, April 25, the day preceding Memorial Day.
That night the fifth contest of the Georgia State Oratorical Association will take place at the Grand and the most successful contest in the history of the association is expected.
The boys are all going to be here. Mercer, Emory, and University of Georgia and Dahlonega will send full delegations, while the Tech boys will make their presence felt even more strenuously than they did at the last contest. The girls will also b on hand, and just now the different colleges are having a lively contest in the matter of securing sponsors. The girls from Agnes Scott, Wesleyan, Washington seminary and Cox college will in all probability come solid, while large numbers from other colleges are expected.
At every college in the state the day following the contest will be a holiday, and for this reason there are very few college boys who will care to remain away from the contest.
This year each college thinks that it has the best representative that it has ever had. This applies to all except the Tech, and the only reason for their not thinking so is that they will have the same speaker that they had last year.
As to the comparative merits of the speakers, it will not be safe to say much until after the contest, but it can be stated as a fact that each one of them has for the past twelve months been devoting his utmost efforts toward preparing for this event and that each one has the enthusiastic support of the college which he will represent.
The five representatives who will contest for the Graves medal this year are: Sidney Hatcher, of Macon, for Mercer; Alfred C. Broom, of Newnan, for Emory; Charles E. Kicklighter, of Atlanta, for the Tech; Noel W. Grant, of Clarkesville, for the North Georgia Agricultural, and Sam Johnson, of Atlanta, for the university.
Each of these men enjoys the fullest confidence of the institution which he will represent, and each will do his best to prove that this confidence has been well reposed.
Each of the five colleges which compose the association has a particular reason for desiring success in the contest of this year.
Mercer is prouder of her record of unbroken victory in the oratorical contest than she is of anything else. Every man who for the last five years has shown any ability as a speaker or writer at Mercer has been told to remember his duty to his alma mater in this respect, and well have they remembered it. The highest honor that a man can win at Mercer is the place of representative in this contest, and the man who gains the place is made to understand that no excuse for failure to win will be accepted. To go down in defeat this year means to the Mercer boys the loss of what they have come to consider a birthright, and unless they are very optimistic in their opinions the man who takes it from them has a very hard proposition before him.
Twice Emory has won second place in the contest, and how the boys down there say that they must have first. When Woodward won second place in 1899 it was considered somewhat of a victory in comparison with the rather unenviable record made in the two preceding contests, but last year when Sasnett won second the Emory boys decided that they had not won their rights, and this year they have informed their representative, Mr. Broom, that he must go to the top of the ladder no matter what the cost.
The Tech is quite proud of the fact that their speaker came out third last year, since, as Captain Hall stated the night of the contest, "Oratory is with them a pastime and time a profession." However, Kicklighter will again speak for them this year, and they think that he should profit by his past experience and put them higher in the scale than they have ever been before.
North Georgia Agricultural college won third place for three consecutive years, and last year dropped to fourth place. The boys from the mountain college hope to more than retain their former place, while the university has high hopes of wiping out the record of the past two years and making a record in the contest altogether in keeping with the general rehabilitation of the school which has been so evident during the administration of Chancellor Hill.
Glenn Legwin, of the university, president of the association, has completed all arrangements for the contest. Thomas C. Trueblood, professor of oratory at the University of Michigan, will act as master of ceremonies. He will be introduced to the audience by President Legwin.
The judges on delivery will, in all probability, be Professor W. P. Trent, of Columbia; Dr. Alderman, of Tulane, and Walter H. Page, the editor of The World's Work. The judges on composition are, of course, known only to the officers of the association and will not be announced until the evening of the contest.
Every year the "oratorical contest" is becoming more and more the chief event of the year with the college men of Georgia. The men of the different colleges meet each other on athletic fields, but only in this contest is it possible for the five leading institutions of the state to have representation at the same time or for their students to be present in large numbers.
While all the colleges of the state recognize the importance of athletics, the students of the different institutions also recognize the fact that the people of the state think more of one victory in this contest than they do of a thousand victories on the gridiron or the diamond. The time has passed when the students of any Georgia college can excuse failure in this contest on the ground that "we do not take much interest in things of that sort."
Already the yelling corps of the different colleges are getting in line and the citizens of Atlanta may be prepared for some of the most grating yells that have ever been sprung upon the public. The boys are coming to have a good time as well as to profit by the contest, and judging by the former contests of the association, they will do both
Submitted by Denise Murphy [[email protected]]
The Constitution, Atlanta, GA / April 23, 1902 / North Georgia Boys Will Make Great Showing in Atlanta Friday Night.
The oratorical contest which occurs at the Grand Friday night will be one of the biggest events of the year in Atlanta. It is very probable that more college boys and girls will be in the city at that time than have ever been in Atlanta before at one time.
Each of the colleges which are members of the state association will be well represented both on the stage and in the crowd of supporters who will come along to cheer the champion. All details of the contest have now been arranged, and everything is now ready for the struggle.
The boys from the North Georgia Agricultural college have been handicapped in former contests by the fact that the college is located in such a remote district, but they propose to make a great showing this year. It is a peculiar fact that in each of the four contests held this college has won third place. They [sic] boys have now changed their colors to white and blue, and with the change of colors they expect a change of luck.
The boxes will be elaborately decorated with the college colors, and will be occupied by President J. S. Stewart, several members of the faculty and a number of prominent Georgia military men who are graduates of the college.
Noel W. Grant, who will represent North Georgia, has already reached the city, and is now grooming himself for the contest. On the day of the event the boys will come down 100 strong. They will have headquarters at the Majestic.
Submitted by Denise Murphy [[email protected]]
The Constitution, Atlanta, GA / April 24, 1902 / Record Breaking House Will Greet College Orators at Grand Friday
The fifth annual contest of the Georgia State Oratorical Association, which occurs in Atlanta Friday night, is going to surpass all such events which have occurred in Atlanta in the past. It is estimated that the number of college boys and girls who will be in Atlanta the day of the contest will be away above 1,000 and the city will be literally turned over to them.
Although the contest does not take place until Friday it was impossible to obtain seats at the Grant yesterday lower than the second balcony. The officials at the Grand are anticipating the record attendance for the house. However, the officers of the association have taken every precaution for controlling the crowds, and the presidents of the local associations promise that the boys will keep the best of order.
Mercer thinks that she will add another to her string of four victories, and the boys from that institution are coming to Atlanta with the hope of going home victorious. Sidney Hatcher, who will represent Mercer, is said to be one of the best speakers that the college has ever turned out. The boys believe in him and will give him their enthusiastic support. Already 185 students have registered on the list of those who will attend, and it is thought that by the day of the contest this will be swelled to 250.
In addition to the students from the different colleges a very large number of graduates will be in Atlanta to attend the contest. The boys who have left college within recent years have not lost interest in the contest, and many of them will be here to attend it. Altogether prospects for the contest are most favorable, and those who are chiefly interested in it are confident that it will be the most successful event in the history of the association.
A feature of the contest will be the bevy of pretty college girls, whose presence always adds brilliance to the occasion and lends inspiration to the young orators. It is expected that Agnes Scott, Wesleyan, Washington seminary and Cox college, as well as other female institutions, will send large delegations. Each of the five colleges participating in the contest will be represented by sponsors.
The five young men who will present their best in oratory in the battle for the Graves medal are as follows: Sidney Hatcher, of Macon, for Mercer; Alfred C. Broom, of Newnan, for Emory; Charles E. Kicklighter, of Atlanta, for the Tech; Noel W. Grant, of Clarkesville, for the North Georgia Agricultural, and Sam Johnson, of Atlanta, for the state university.
Each of these speakers has proved his ability as a debater and declaimer and have been selected by their respective college with the confidence that they would come out of the fray victorious. They have all been hard at work during the past several weeks getting in trim, and will go into the contest prepared to five a feast of oratory of a brilliant degree. As in all collegiate contests, the different representatives are enthusiastic and confident.
Emory has won second place in the contest twice and hopes for a better showing this year. Kicklighter represented the Tech last year, and although the school came out third, the boys were so well pleased with Kicklighter's effort that he was again chosen. The Tech boys are urging their representative as a winner.
The North Georgia Agricultural college has won third place for three consecutive years. The students consider that this record is becoming monotonous and they believe they have picked a leader this year, who will relieve the monotony by forging ahead of the bunch into first place. The boys from the state university are centering great hopes in their leader. They feel satisfied that the other institutions will have to score a very fine record to get ahead of the university.
The arrangements for the contest have been in charge of Glenn Legwin, of the university, president of the association. President Legwin has completed all of the details and everything is in readiness.
Thomas C. Trueblood, professor of oratory of the University of Michigan, will be master of ceremonies and will be introduced by President Legwin.
The judges on delivery have been selected and are as follows: Professor W. P. Trent, of Columbia; Dr. Alderman, of Tulane, and Walter H. Page, editor of The World's Work. The judges on composition will not be made known until tomorrow night.
Submitted by Denise Murphy [[email protected]]
The Butler Herald
Thursday, December 6, 1923
Page One
Habersham County Courthouse Burned
Clarksville, Ga., Dec. 2 –
Habersham County Courthouse was destroyed by fire here at an early
hour this morning, with an estimated loss of $50,000. Practically
all the records of the county officer were saved. All the records
of the clerk’s and ordinary’s
office, some of which dated back to the county’s organization in
1818 were removed intact as they were in a vault where constant
streams of water played in order to save them. Fire broke out just
before midnight in the rear of the building and spread very rapidly
over the upper story in the superior courtroom. By heroic effort on
the part of the fire department, the fire was confined to the
courthouse but the Mountain View Hotel and nearby buildings were
saved only by hard work. Submitted by
Carla Miles
The Daily Times
March 19, 1964
Times Habersham Bureau
Cornelia - Judge Lamar Smith of Habersham Superior Court has signed a temporary order restoring use of Cross Roads Baptist Church building to its congregation in a legal tangle over whether or not title to the property may be transferred. The order is returnable March 31 at the Toccoa office of Judge Smith at which time he will air the controversy over whether or not a group, described as former trustees, may revert the property to a former owner. Meanwhile, the congregation of the small rural church near here has been empowered to remove barricades and resume normal use of the building for worship services. The Rev. W.M. Clark heads the small congregation which alleges it was barred from the building in a contestable deed transfer to Mrs. Myrtle Thomas, who formerly owned the property. The deed, on file in the office of Clerk of the Court James Brabson at Clarksville, lists the conveyers as Rom Ayers, Charlie G. Thomas and Ernest Ivie. Oliver, Oliver and Gunter, counsel for the congregation, contend the deed was made by Mrs. Thomas in fee simple (without provisions for it to revert to her) in 1951. It is contended, also, that the conveyors of the property actually were not members of the congregation at the time, having withdrawn their letters. Meanwhile, the congregation has resumed use of the building, pending Judge Smith's hearing, calling upon the group conveying the property back to Mrs. Thomas as to show cause why it should be permanently restrained from interferences with the church's operation. The petitioners, charged transfer of the deed and consequent barring of the entrance has hampered "The Lord's work."
Attendance Good In Most
Schools In Habersham
Times District Staff
Clarkesville - Habersham County schools continue to report exceptionally good attendance through the sixth school month. Average daily attendance to this time is 4,101 out of an enrollment of 4,475. The following schools reported these ADA's for the first six months: Hazel Grove, 96 per cent; North Habersham, 95; Cornelia, 95; South Habersham, 94; Clarksville, 94; Fairview, 92; Woodville, 92; Baldwin 91; Demorest, 90; Mud Creek, 85; Clarksville colored, 98; and Cornelia Regional, 95.
Vandals Hit Recreation
Areas in Hills
Times Habersham Bureau
March 19, 1964
Cornelia - The U.S. Forest Service rangers are on the alert for vandals in recreation areas of public mountain parks. The action came on the heels of two vandalism outbreaks, one at Black Rock in Rabun County and the other at the Anna Ruby Falls recreation area in White County. At Black Rock Mountain , vandals in cars tried to smash the gate at the entrance to the recreation area. Considerable damage was done. The latest outbreak occurred at Anna Ruby Falls area where the newly-constructed public toilet building was damaged. Vandals, says the forest group, failed to get through doors and in their anger the trouble makers knocked out the grates which provided air circulation for the building. The forest rangers also say the "hoodlum drivers" also cut up at Anna Ruby leaving black tires marks on pavement at turns throughout the recreation area. Meanwhile, with Lake Russell getting ready to open here, Rangers at Clarksville have gone on an alert and prowlers are warned. The recreation area has recently been refurbished and roads have been improved.
Banks in Cornelia Start
New Hours
Times Habersham Bureau
March 19, 1964
Cornelia - Banks in Cornelia are giving their customers a break in preparation for Saturday business. They have started opening from 4 to 6 on Friday afternoons so patrons may obtain change, make late deposits and get set for Saturday's peak-day business. The banks are The First National and The Cornelia Bank.
Submitted by Iris Thompson Fry
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