1950
Taylor County News
Thursday April 20, 1950
Mrs. Lula Linton Passes Away In Hospital
Funeral services are being held this afternoon at o’clock at New Home Baptist Church for Mrs. Lula J. Linton, who passed away in a Thomasville Hospital at 7 o’clock Tuesday after a short illness. Rev. Alva Horton, pastor of New Home Church and Rev. Dewey Mann, pastor of the First Baptist Church were in charge of the services. Burial will be in the family cemetery at Big Creek Baptist Church, near Thomasville. Pallbearers are J.L. Burch, Lamar Folsom, Joe Nola, Gene Long, George Ritch and Gene McClain.
Mrs. Linton was the former Miss Lula J. Owens, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A.J. Owens, of Thomasville and was 66 years of age at her death. She was married to M.S. Linton in 1902 and they moved to this county in 19?? where they have since resided. Mr. Linton passed away in 1941.
Survivors are four sons, Owen P. Linton of Little Rock, Arkansas; John P. Linton, Edward R. Linton and Maurice Linton of Perry, and one daughter, Mrs. W.J. DeLotte of Cross City.
Judge Henderson Witnessed Early Taylor County History
For some five months of the year 1907 I boarded in the home of Judge Henderson, then 85 years old and who lived four years longer. Born in either South Georgia or Madison County he had served in the Seminole Indian War, from at least 1858 through 1866 he was Taylor county’s judge of probate (now called county judge), he represented the county in the legislature of 1879, was the county’s delegate to the constitutional convention of 1885 and once or twice after that he was his district’s member of the school board.
Judge Henderson in 1907, probably knew more of Taylor county’s past history than any other person. He was here when the first post office was established in 1854 (for over two years afterwards this area was still a part of Madison county). He knew John W. Mixson, a great uncle of this writer who in 1850 taught what was probably the first school in the county on land now owned by W.B. Hendry. He knew about the construction of Taylor county’s log court house, probably built in1858. He was a man of 42 when Major Camfield came to Taylor county in 1864 to punish deserters from the Confederate cause and he was well past 50 before the Reconstruction period ended. What I regret most is that I didn’t question him concerning all those things.
Judge Henderson finally settled down on a tract of land about one mile west of the present Lake Bird station on the South Georgia railroad, but he once owned the present Lee Cypress Company mill site. This ownership had long been forgotten when Burton-Swartz Cypress Company of Louisiana agreed to locate its mill just outside of Perry in 1914, one of the conditions being that the town give the company a site. At that time S.H. Peacock Sr., was owner of the land but being unable to make the valid deed the company wanted, the late W.B. Davis was employed to quiet the title and this cost, as I remember $600.
Judge Henderson, probably prior to 1890, though I’ve never been able to find the date, sold the land----probably a much larger tract than the forty Burton-Swartz got to one Mills W. Parker for a mule and wagon and a load of lumber. The records showed that the mule and wagon had been paid, but there was no record of the load of lumber. Davis, therefore, had to get in contact with the Henderson heirs, some living as far away as the province of Alberta in Canada. These were probably satisfied by small payments for which they gave up all their rights.
Not only did Judge Henderson hold several offices, but his children were also honored by the people. Two of his sons—Lucius and Samuel T. held at different times the office of tax assessor of Taylor county and one grandson, L.L. Henderson, served on the first board of county commissioners of Highlands county, being elected to the position several times afterward.
John P. Whiddon, a son-in-law of Judge Henderson, served as county superintendent of public instruction of Taylor county 1893-1897, W.J. Morgan, another son-in-law, was for one or more terms a county commissioner and a grandson, J. Pasc Morgan (son of W.J.) was county commissioner of his district two or more terms, during one of which he was chairman. These are not all the honors the family received.
Judge Henderson sometime prior to 1950 married Miss Sarah McMullen, member of a large South Georgia family, many of whom moved to Florida at an early date, settling all the way from Madison county to the Pinellas peninsula. A nephew of Mrs. Henderson, Donald C. McMullen, introduced the Prohibition amendment into the State Senate of 1909 and this passed both houses by considerably more than the three-fifths majority required, although the voters turned it down in the election of 1910. For a few years subsequent to 1915 heard complaints of Mixson whip-Senator McMullen was attorney for The Railroad Commission, resigning in 1919. One of his sons, D. Fred McMullen, is now assistant counsel for the Commission, and another son, Neil C., is now one of the representatives of Hillsborough county, though not running for re-nomination. A great-nephew of Mrs. McMullen- Marvin Rowell, born in Perry—represented Martin county in the legislature of 1947.
Judge Henderson and his family, consisting of his wife and two old-maid daughters, related many interesting recollections to me. They had had as guests in their home, Governor W.D. Bloxham and U.S. Senator, Samuel Pasco, and they remembered Wilkinson Call making a Union speech at Shady Grove in 1860 when the clamor for secession was strong and loud. What a pity the state did not listen to men like Call.
The Judge told me of remembering when my great uncle, John W. Mixson was teaching school. One of his patrons was a man by the name of O’Steen, who having their children sent this message: “I want you to whip my children, for if they don’t need it now they have already and will again.”
The Hendersons were never puffed up by the honors received by both Hendersons and McMullens. They lived simply in their long house, consisting of one main room and three side rooms. They were never extravagant and never tried to lay up money-just simple, plain, every-day folks, who liked to have visitors.
Judge Henderson and his folks joined the Mormon Church, otherwise called “the Latter-Day Saints” around the turn of the century and one son, Robert J. with his family moved to a Mormon settlement in Southern Canada in 1904.
The Judge once said to me that every Henderson in America was kin to him. Be that as it may, I know one banker by that name, who whether kin or not certainly shows considerable resemblance to the Judge.
Foley Personals
Miss Iris Simons had as her guests Sunday three classmates from FSU, Miss Eleanor Nunez, Miss Janice Moreland, and Miss Rita Lovern.
Charles Borklund has been spending this week in New Orleans visiting two aunts, sisters of his father who died recently.
New Ball Park Opens League Game Sunday
Probable starting line-up for the opening game in Perry’s recently completed Ball Park is as follows:
Powell Puckett P
Mr. H.J. Westberry C
Mr. J. V. Martin 1B
Tom Allen 2B
Shorty Fleet 3B
Bishop Clark SS
Harry Lauland LF
Mr. I. A. Friedman CF
Ben Glickman RF
Mr. E.L. Loughridge Capt.
Mr. O. Smith Bat Boy
Floyd Sheffield Sub.
Ed Parker Sub.
Mr. J.B. Faircloth Sub.
Paul D. Bird Sub.
Probable playing line-up will include: Holton, infield; Westberry, infield; Bryant, infield; Sumrall, infield; Quimby, infield and catcher; Grant, catcher; Lefty, pitcher; W.J. Gunter, pitcher and outfielder; Floyd Sheffield, outfield; Gene Kassell, outfield and Sonny Kassell, outfield.
Mathis Family Reunion Held in Polk County
Mrs. C. W. McClellan and son Hershel and Mrs. John Slaugher of Perry attended a family reunion Easter Sunday held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Larry Godwin in Pierce, Florida, Mrs. Godwin being the daughter of the late D.C. Mathis. There were four sisters and one brother present.
The sisters were Mrs. John Slaughter of Perry; Mrs. J.H. Gayle and family, Ocala; Mrs. William Rickertson and family, Orlando; Mrs. W.F. Wynn and family, Bradenton, J. Reggie Mathis of Jacksonville, a brother was present but Whiddon Mathis of Perry was unable to attend. Eddie Mathis and Mrs. Florence Mathis, a brother and mother of Mrs. Godwin were present.
There were a number of other relatives and friends present, making a total of 65.
At the noon hour a basket dinner was spread on the lawn under the beautiful oaks and during the afternoon an Easter egg hunt was enjoyed. Everyone present reported a most delightful time.
Tom Cannon Passed Away Last Week
Tom Cannon, aged citizen of Taylor county, died last Saturday, April 15, being 70 years of age at the time of his death. Funeral services were held at the Perry Cemetery with Rev. Alva Horton and Rev. Felix Parker in charge of the services.
Mr. Cannon was first married to Miss Mat Murphy and to this union were born five children, of which two are still living, being Mrs. Ellen Simpson and Pharo Cannon.
His second marriage was to Miss Ada Devane, who survives, and to their union 10 children were born, with nine still living. They are James Cannon, Mrs. Ethel Mae Brown, Mrs. Audrey Kelly, Johnnie Cannon, R.C. Cannon, Mrs. Doris Johnson, Miss Rachel Cannon, Miss Eunice Cannon, and Earl Cannon. There are seven grandchildren and one sister, Mrs. Donnie Horton.
Taylor County Citizen Celebrates Birthday
On Sunday, April 16, the family of Auley C. Hendry, of Shady Grove, met at the Methodist Church at that place and had a short service in his honor, the occasion being his 89th birthday.
The children grandchildren, and great grandchildren with their families came to the service in a body and occupied one side of the church, seating Mr. Hendry in a chair in the front. A short and fitting introduction and tribute was made by his son, Ward Hendry, after which the children sang one of his favorite hymns, “Amazing Grace,” the family joining in the third verse and the congregation joining in the last verse. Mrs. R.E. Perkins, a niece, of Jacksonville, was at the piano. A closing prayer was given by a granddaughter, Miss Vivian Sever, of Pensacola. This being the regular church service day, the services were continued by the pastor, Rev. K.A. Washburn.
After the services were concluded, the family, other relatives and friends went to the Hendry home for a visit and a picnic dinner.
The tables were centered with two decorated birthday cakes and the small children sang “Happy Birthday, Dear Grandpa.”
All the children were present except two, who were unable to attend due to illness.
The daughters present were: Mrs. W.G. (Mary) Sheffield, of Shady Grove; Mrs. H.A. (Eugenia) Miller, Shady Grove; Mrs. L.L. (Sallie) Henderson. Lake Placid, Florida; Mrs. A.B. (Leona) Sever, Miami, Florida; Mrs. T.W. (Julia) Cooey, Greenville; Mrs. Curtis (Nelda) Tedder, Tallahassee; Mrs. L. (Lydia) Wall, Atlanta, Ga.
Other close relatives present were Mrs. L.P. Hendry, a daughter-in-law; W.G. Sheffield, H.A. Miller, A.B. Sever, Curtis Tedder and L. Wall, sons-in-law; also present were the following stepchildren: Elmer McLeod and wife, Pershing McLeod and wife, Mrs. Harry Gater and Harry Gates, Mrs. A. G. Sheffield. There were 12 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and 1 great, great grandchild present.