1943
Taylor County News
March 11, 1943
Contracts Let For Buildings and More Paving at New Air Field
Included are eighty-five buildings, concrete paving, sewage systems, etc. Work Estimated to require four months.
The lid at last has been blown off the airport south of Perry and the scene there is an active one and will increase each day as the work progresses. Brooks-Scanlon Corporation of Foley and the Hancock Lumber Company of Quitman, Ga., have contracts for furnishing the lumber for the buildings and other works over the grounds. The railroad and large trucks are now unloading lumber on the scene of action.
The Paul A. Miller Construction Company of Leesburg, secured the contract for the erection of 85 buildings and already has a large force of men and machinery on the grounds. Contracts have also been let for other improvements to several firms and individuals for the various projects. No figures have been given out excepting the concrete work of Weiner Construction company of Valdosta, Ga., which it is stated was for $93,000.00.
The Barton-Gibson Construction Company secured the contract for the paving of streets and sidewalks. Everett Brothers of Valdosta, was given the contract for the erection of hangers.
Contract was also let for sewer lines and water tanks, it is stated but it is not learned who was the successful bidder.
Many people have already arrived here looking for residence accommodations and the real influx has only started, as many more are expected daily to start on the construction work which the contractors agree to have all completed within 120 days from the date of letting the contract.
The completed runways at the new airport are said to be the finest in this section and of special construction to accommodate heavy planes expected to use the field.
Flyers, engineers and others connected with the airfield stated the site and conditions at the airport are ideal in every respect. The field is on high, level ground with no obstructions against visibility.
Thirty-Eight left Wednesday for Camp
Young men to the number of 38 left Wednesday at noon for Camp Blanding to join the hundreds who have already joined the service from Taylor County.
The list below shows that 35 of the number were draftees by the local Board, two volunteers and one who was transferred from another Board. Those going Tuesday were:
Ike H. Sapp, Augustus A. Kelly, Roosevelt C. Lee, James W. Lynn, Charles A. Nelson, Bud A. Pittman, William F. Dubberly, John T. Poppell, Barney M. Green, Asa C. Lewis.
______ Hall, John E. Ritch Jr., Glenn c. McCall. Clarence L. Alford, Jacob R. Houck, Vernon W. Morgan, Charles D. Mixon, Cecil A. Hunter, Claude Davis, Huey Mills, John R. Edwards Jr., William O. Lundy, Jesse C. Connell, Clifton T. Koon, Lloyd L. Williams, Elvin R. Horton, Warren H. McCall, James H. Weatherly, Elbert Thompson.
Abram G. Colkmire, Jr., Rastus F. Hanburry, Floyd L. Deal, Norman Holt, Lawton Connell, Hullon C. Ellison, William H. Grubbs, volunteer; William C. Pruitt, Volunteer; Lewis H. Mann, transfer.
The men going Wednesday formed one of the largest groups to go from Taylor County.
Taylor County News
April 22, 1943
Repair Work Starts On Plant Of Former Cypress Company
Papers of Record at the Court House indicate that new company will operate the long idle lumber mill
While no official information had been given out regarding the sale of the former Burton-Swartz Cypress Company's property, deeds are on record at the Court House, showing the holdings and interests of the Brooks-Scanlon Corporation and others have been purchased by the Lee Cypress Company, the deeds embracing also several tracks of timber in this and adjoining counties.
The Burton-Swartz Mill was erected in 1914 and sawed cypress only. During busy times the mill ran both day and night, the firm keeping many millions of feet of lumber on their yards and the firm is well known all over the country. The mill met with fine success and employed a large number of men, but the mills of the county having cut most of the timber, about two years ago the saw mill closed, the firm continued to work up the lumber on the big yards. The planning mill has been in operation until the past few months.
It is stated the new owners have large bodies of timber and work started in a small way Monday toward repairing the mill and getting ready to run. Many of the old employees are still in Perry and will be with the new firm.
Authentic announcement will be made of the opening of the mill later on. Superintendent E. W. Hutchings, for the old firm, has worked night and day since the Burton-Swartz Company was liquidated and but for the war, and other things which came up, would no doubt have had the mill in operation before now. Too much credit cannot be given Mr. Hutchings for his untiring efforts of the business and also for the benefit of the old employees and the people of Taylor County.
Sponge Boat Meets Trouble in Gulf
A practically new boat, the Delphin, owned by Theo Mainaris of Jug Island, who has offices in Perry and Tarpon Springs, was sunk two miles off Port Inglis, Monday, April 12, states Mr. Marinaris, who was in Perry on business Wednesday.
An Army air pilot noticed the ship and its condition and notified the captain of the sponge fishing boat Carnis, and also the Coast Guard at Tarpon Springs. The five fisherman leaped overboard before the Delphin sank and in half an hour the Carnis boat and crew picked up Captain Coufas and four sponge fishermen and took them to safety.
Coast Guard vessel 41009 of Tarpon Springs, with Lt. John L. Wilhelm, was soon on the scene and salvaged the Delphin. Everything on the boat was a total loss including the stock of provisions for the trip.
Mr. Mainaris said he appreciated the co-operation and efficient and quick work of Lt. Wilhelm and also the Army pilot who, by his quick thinking and action no doubt saved the lives of the Delphins captain and crew.
The boat was towed to Tarpon Springs where it has been placed in dry dock for repairs. The storm on the Gulf on the 12th caused much uneasiness among the sponge fishermen, but this is the only disaster reported.
Two Children Die, Third Badly Injured When Home Is Burned
Can of gasoline thrown on open fire is cause of terrible tragedy near Shady Grove last Thursday.
A tragic event occurred last Thursday at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Luther Wilson, who reside three miles north of Shady Grove and just across the Madison County line, when the year and a half old son and a ten year old daughter, children of the Wilsons, were killed by the explosion of a can of oil poured on the fire in the living room grate, setting fire to the home which, with its contents was a complete loss.
The little son died immediately and the girl died a few minutes after reaching the hospital. A three year-old son is thought fatally burned, being in the hospital with little chance of recovery.
Mr. Wilson was working at Boyd, where he is in the timber business, Mrs. Wilson and another small daughter being in the kitchen when the accident occurred and Mrs. Wilson's hands and arms were badly burned trying to save the lives of the children.
Funeral services for the two children were held Friday at the Fellowship Cemetery, both bodies being placed in one grave. Services were conducted by Rev. O. T. Blanton and Rev. Archis Blanton, a large concourse of relatives and friends attending the services.
The deplorable accident is regretted by all and the people of Perry made up an amount of money and sent to the family.
RATION DATES
Fuel Oil - Sept. 30 - No. 5 coupons, worth 10 gallons each, expire.
Shoes - June 15 - No. 17 stamp in No. 1 book, good for one pair shoes, expires. Each person entitled to three pairs a year. Families may pool coupons of all members. Most play shoes unrationed.
Sugar, Coffee - April 25 - No. 26 good for one pound of coffee, expires.
May 31 - Stamp No. 12, good for five pounds of sugar, expires.
Point Rationing
April 30 - D, E and F blue coupons, expire
Meat Rationing
March 29 - A red stamps become valid.
April 4 - B red stamps become valid.
April 11 - C red stamp become valid.
April 18 - D red stamps become valid. A, B, C and stamps expire April 30. Good for meats, fat, butter and cheese.