News of the Past

C.J. Johnson,

who has deep genealogical roots to Winston County, provides news from past editions of the Winston County Journal.

100 Years Ago - July 23, 1910

The Winston County Board of Supervisors posted a notice of the new "Dog Law" which was passed in the July term. The new law assessed a tax, which supported the school house improvement fund, and provided that each dog should have a collar and owner information on a tag. Assessments levied on any and all dogs were at $1 for male dogs and $3 for female dogs, all over the age of six months.

"FOUL MURDER COMMITTED AT RURAL HILL LAST NIGHT" was the headline, followed by "Miss Janie Sharp Found This Morning After All-night Search, With Throat Cut and Head Crushed." "News was telephoned here this morning of the murder yesterday afternoon or last night of Miss Janie Sharp, 18 year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Will Sharp, near her home at Rural Hill, 16 miles west of Louisville. Full particulars are not yet obtainable, but from what we can gather, it seems that Miss Sharp left home yesterday afternoon at 4 o'clock to go to the Rural Hill postoffice, a distance of about one and a half miles, and when she failed to return home by night, the family became alarmed and begun inquiry for her...at 6 o'clock this morning, after an all-night hunt by the citizens of the neighborhood, she was found in a big mud hole three-quarters of a mile from her home, and about a quarter of a mile from the public road, her throat having been cut from ear to ear and her head beaten into a pulp. "

NOXAPATER: A good number of the men of Noxapater have been called to Louisville this week for special jury service. - Mrs. Wilkes Johnson and children of Plattsburg vicinity spent a few days here with relatives last week. - Dr. E. H. Anderson left Saturday for his home at Fearn Springs.

LOUISVILLE: Mr. and Mrs. Childs moved this week into the M. L. Montgomery residence in west town. - The little son of Mrs. Mattie Starnes was kicked on the head by a mule at the home of his grandfather, Judge Cornwell, last Saturday, and painfully injured, but is getting along very well, considering the seriousness of the wound. - A few of Miss Woodward's friends enjoyed an evening at her home Thursday in honor of Miss Newsom, of Louisville. An attractive contest in music was enjoyed, with delicious ices being served.

75 Years Ago - July 19, 1935

GUM BRANCH news included the announcement that Mr. Hedge Johns and Miss Ruth Rhodes stole away and got married Saturday [a week ago]. - Also, Mrs. Emmie Gentry and baby are spending a little while with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Weldon, at Rome, Miss.

LOUISVILLE: Born to Mr. and Mrs. A. A. Baker on July 2, a fine boy named Roy Ames. - Mr. and Mrs. Fink and little daughter, Mary Lou, of West Point, were guests of Mr. and Mrs. Rodney Triplett, Sunday. - Mr. and Mrs. C. L. Hann carried their son, C. L. Jr., to Laurel Thursday to have his tonsils removed.

NOXAPATER: Mrs. J. S. P. Carr of Center Ridge is a guest in the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Long. - A family reunion was held Sunday [two weeks ago] in the home of Messrs. S. P. and R. A. Massey a few miles south of town, with area kin and relatives from South Carolina and Philadelphia in attendance. Miss Ercel Carter of Liberty is guest of her aunt, Mrs. S. J. Hopkins and family.

Mrs. Alice Rose McKay of Jackson announces the marriage of her daughter, Louise, to Mr. Onice Lee Lewis of Shreveport, La., on July 17 in Jackson, in the home of Dr. Hewett. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. E. M. Lewis of Louisville.