The Jackson Herald, Jefferson, Jackson County, GA, Wednesday, July 3 1963
Transcribed by Connie Epps Bond
NICHOLSONIANS DROWN
AS CAR PLUNGES IN RIVER
Jewett Barnett and seven others were drowned in the swirling waters of the Oconee River in a freak automobile accident around 12:30 p.m. last Friday.
Ten were in the car, but Mrs. Jewett Barnett and Jerry Green, 10, managed to escape before the car plunged into the river.
The family had been to the Athens Supermarket and were in the Athens Supermarket parking lot when the accident happened. Mrs. Barnett started the car and the accelerator apparently jammed and the car skidded nearly 100 feet into the raging waters of the Oconee “due to the thirteen days of rain. It floated on top of the water for a few minutes and slowly sank. Occupants who went down in the car were Jewett Barnett, Mrs. May Watkins, Dale and Deborah Green, Wanda, Tennie and Charles T. Epps, all of Nicholson.
Dale and Deborah are the children of Mrs. Gwynelle Green and Wanda, Tennie and Charles are the children of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Epps. They were all grandchildren of the Barnetts.
One body had been located at this time but had not been identified yet. Skin divers, men with boats and ambulance services were dragging the river for some trace of the car. At l:30 Friday the car still had not been found. Dragging operations were hindered by the stream of traffic and curious onlookers.
Jewett Barnett has been a herald Correspondent since 1912 and he mailed his column in last Friday so we could print our July 3 edition that day.
The story is incomplete as we went to press early this week, (June 28), but we will have the complete story in next week’s edition.
Note: Typed above as printed with all errors.
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Jewett L. Barnett, 66 yrs 28 Jun 1963 res: Jackson died: Clarke
Charles C. Epps, 1 yr 28 Jun 1963 res: Jackson died: Clarke
K D Epps, 7 yrs 28 Jun 1963 res: Jackson died: Clarke
Penny S Epps, 4 yrs 28 Jun 1963 res: Jackson died: Clarke
Wanda E Epps, 4 yrs 28 Jun 1963 res: Jackson died: Clarke
Deborah J. Greene, 9 yrs 28 Jun 1963 res: Jackson died: Clarke
Laura D. Greene, 5 yrs 28 Jun 1963 res: Jackson died: Clarke
Lula M. Watkins, 53 yrs 28 Jun 1963 res: Jackson died: Clarke
The Jackson Herald, Jefferson, Jackson County, GA, Wednesday, July 24, 1963
Transcribed by Connie Epps Bond
J. L. BARNETT PAID TRIBUTE
MEMORIAL RITES ARE HELD
Jewett Lamar Barnett, who died with seven others trapped in his car in the swirling waters of the flood-swollen Oconee River in Athens June 28, was more active in a wheel chair than most people are who do not have physical handicaps.
Since 1912 Barnett had been the Herald correspondent and because of his unusual style of writing the articles were seldom edited. Every week the Herald could depend on the Nicholson correspondent for his article. His last column was published in the July 4th issue of the Herald as the Herald office was closed from that week for vacations. The paper was published on Friday, June 28 and Barnett had mailed his column in for the early deadline. It was not until the paper had gone to press that the news of the tragedy reached the Herald office, and his article was already in.
Barnett, a religious man devoted a large portion of his space to religious news; he kept the communities well informed on the singing conventions. The entire Barnett family are widely known for their singing talent and their home was always open to the members of the singing conventions as well as any gathering featuring religious music.
Barnett served as Justice of the Peace and Notary Public for some thirty or more years and was a member of the Democratic Executive Committee of Jackson County for 35 years.
Barnett was widely known throughout Northeast Georgia and had a large number of friends in the Jefferson area. Everyone who knew him admired him for the many activities he engaged in and his cheery outlook, despite his handicaps.
The Jackson Herald, Jefferson, Jackson County, GA, Wednesday, July 24, 1963
Transcribed by Connie Epps Bond
A memorial service was held at the Nicholson Methodist Church on Sunday afternoon, July 21, in memory of eight recent drowning victims of that community.
An altar set, consisting of brass cross and candlesticks, and a communion table runner and pulpit scarf, made of maroon royal faille with gold fringe trim, were dedicated by the Rev. Wade Munford, former pastor of the church.
After the opening hymn, “Holy, Holy, Holy”, Rev. Munford gave the invocation. Miss Phyllis Fitzpatrick presented a vocal solo, “My Task”, accompanied by Mrs. Wade Munford. Rev. Wayne Boyd, present pastor, offered the opening prayer.
Mrs. Neal Ward presented to the church the memorial gifts to be dedicated to the glory and praise of God in loving memory of: Jewett Lamar Barnett, Mae Whitley Watkins, Wanda Elaine Epps, Kathy Diane Epps, Penny Deborah Jean Greene and Laura Sue Epps, Charles (Chuck) Epps, Dale Greene.
Rev. Munford accepted the gifts for the church and expressed his appreciation to the congregation. He read from the scripture reading a collection of selected verses.
The closing hymn was “Give of your Best to the Master”. Rev. Boyd pronounced the benediction.
An engraved plaque will be placed in the church in the very near future concerning the dedication of the memorial.