Browse Items · Turner County Project Digital Archive Repository

W.W. Odom Jr., Praised by Commanding General

1944 Apr 30 - WW Odom Jr. MIA but praised by commanding general [ww2].jpg

"Mrs. W.W. Odom has received the following letter from W.E. Kepner, who was the Commanding General of her son, W.W. Odom Jr., who has been reported missing since early in January:

My dear Mrs. Odom:
It is my sad portion to write that your…

Tags: Leecy Cravey Odom (1890-1982), Lt. William Wesley Odom Jr. (1919-1943), The Wiregrass Farmer

Mrs. Odom is Given her Son's Awards

1944 Dec 21 WGF - WW Odom_s mother given to Mother.jpg

Formal Presentation took place Saturday at Turner Field in Albany With All Military Audience.

"At a simple but touching ceremony, Mrs. W.W. Odom, of Ashburn, 54-year-old mother of First Lt. W.W. Odom Jr., a P-47 Thunderbolt fighter pilot, last…

Tags: Ashburn High School, Leecy Cravey Odom (1890-1982), Lt. Col. W.S. Cook, Lt. E.B. Downey, Lt. William Wesley Odom Jr. (1919-1943), The Wiregrass Farmer, Turner Field (Albany GA)

Workers are Needed to Fold Sponges

1944 Mar 9 WGF - Workers needed to Fold Sponges [WW2].jpg

Surgical Dressings Now Being Made Are Seeing Duty on Many Fronts in Many Lands.

Those donating 50-100 hours in February:
Mrs. K.P. Baker,
Mrs. W.B. Cheshire,
Mrs. D.H. Rose,
Mrs. H.I. Shingle,
Mrs. W.K. Stewart

Those giving 20-50…

Tags: Addie Holmes McLendon (1887-1978), Allie S. Zorn (1888-1973), Alma Jessup Comer (1881-1948), Aurena Emmie Josephine Evans Burgess (7/22/1880 - 3/2/1974), Belle Rainey Brannon (1904-1952), Blanche Cockrell, Bonnie Beatrice Harris Hobby (1895-1986), Dorothy Faircloth, Eleanor Stewart, Eliza McGough Luke (1889-1963), Elizabeth Ann Acree Cantey (1916-1962), Ella Mae Evans Rogers (1884-1983), Emily Clyde McKenzie Reyher (1912-1994), Essena "Essa" Howell Story (1905-1993), Estelle Dixon, Florrie Smith Evans (1873-1955), Georgia Lenora "Joy" Boland (1908-1985), Hattie Burdette McCard (1898-1986), Hattie Mae Lemons Sumner (1897-1951), Helen Glady Pirkle Kennedy (1916-1964), Hortense Royal Raines (1904-1975), Hough Stewart, Julia Kennings Stevens (1870-1946), Laura Talton Launius, Leecy Cravey Odom (1890-1982), Lela Saffold Garner (1895-1981), Leona Roberts, Lessie Mims Gilmore (1893-1976), Lillian Stevens North (1896-1998), Louise Shingler Cannon (1908-1993), Margaret Belle Rainey Elrod (1886-1953), Margaret Jernigan Corn (1892-1946), Marion Tharpe, Martha Bibb Jenkins (1910-2000), Mary Ellen Gordon (1901-1965), Minnie Lee Johnson Tison (1887-1964), Mrs. B.S. Davis, Mrs. D.H. Rose, Mrs. Dale Lake, Mrs. E.E. Shealy, Mrs. F.W. Rogers, Mrs. H.W. Bitler, Mrs. J.E. Kohn, Mrs. J.F. Johnson, Mrs. J.R. Brown, Mrs. K.P. Baker, Mrs. L.A. Stewart, Mrs. Lawrence Avery, Mrs. Silas Hearn, Mrs. T.B. McKenzie, Mrs. W.B. Cheshire, Mrs. W.C. Wilson, Mrs. W.K. Stewart, Murilla Zelina Bryant Ellis (1884-1959), Nellie Phillips Jarman (1910-1995), Nellie Thrasher (1879-1961), Netta Dayton Jacobs Shingler (1893-1989), Rhoda Van Buskirk Story (1890-1982), Sue Jordan, Sue West Melton (1907-2004), Tempie Hancock, The Wiregrass Farmer, Vernell "Honey" Akin (1918-1975)

Mrs. Scott Writes Letter to Son in Germany

1944 March 9 WGF - Mrs. Scott writes a letter to son in Germany [Austin Scott who was captured 18 months].jpg

Ashburn, GA
Feb. 25, 1944

To My Son First Lt. Jack Austin Scott O-736383, A Prisoner Somewher bin Germany:
Dear Son:
Tonight I am banking my faith for you in God, Red Cross and yourself. Faith that God will watch over you physically, that the…

Tags: Capt. Jack Austin Scott (1920-2001), Mary Raines Scott (1923-1994), The Wiregrass Farmer

Lt. W.W. Odom Reported Dead By Government

1944 Nov 23 WGF - WW Odom reported dead by Government [ww2].jpg

Mrs. W.W. Odom [Sr.], mother of Lt. W.W. Odom [Jr.], has received word from the government that Lt. Odom who has been missing since December 30, 1943 over France is officially dead. Turner County citizens are deeply grieved to hear the final news of…

Tags: Leecy Cravey Odom (1890-1982), Lt. William Wesley Odom Jr. (1919-1943), The Wiregrass Farmer

Lt. Story of Ashburn Missing In Action

1944 Nov 30 WGF - John J. Story Jr MIA [ww2].jpg

"Turner County's casualty list, Lt. John J. Story Jr., pilot of a standstill for a number of months, last Thursday received a shocking addition when Col. and Mrs. J.J. Story received a War Department telegram stating that their only son, Lt. John J.…

Tags: Ashburn High School, Ashburn Methodist Church, John Jackson Story Jr. (1921-1944), John Jackson Story Sr. (1882-1959), Phyllis Story Morgan (1923-2003), Ramona Kathyn Story Brown Porter (1916-2000), Rhoda Van Buskirk Story (1890-1982), The Wiregrass Farmer

Sgt. Akin Writes Interesting Letter From Italy

1944 Sep 21 WGF Sgt. Akin writes a letter from Italy [ww2].jpg

Letter from A.V. Akin Jr. to the Wiregrass Farmer Editor Nora Lawrence Smith.

Italy
August 20, 1944

Dear Miss Nora:
I've just learned from home that my subscription to the 'Wiregrass' has been renewed and thanks to you, I'll continue to look…

Tags: Arthur Virlyn Akin Jr (1920-2000), Nora Lawrence Smith, The Wiregrass Farmer

Cpl. Lawrence Hancock Killed At Iwo Jima

1945 Apr 12 WGF - Lawrence Hancock killed at Iwo Jima.jpg

Cpt. Lawrence Hancock was among the many thousands killed in Iwo Jima during the fierce fighting there. He was killed March 17 in action according to a telegram received from the War Department to his sister, Mrs. Estelle Hay.

Cpl. Hancock was…

Tags: Ashburn High School, Cpt. Lawrence "Larry" Hancock (1920-1945), Estelle Hancock Hay (1897-1966), Geraldine Striplin Hancock, Joseph Mack Hancock (1859-1941), Judith Hancock, The Wiregrass Farmer

Japanese Surrender

1945 Aug 16 WGF - Japanese Surreder WW2.jpg

The news of Japan's official surrender at 6 o'clock Thursday evening, which came in over the raid, set Ashburn and Turner County citizens rejoicing. The hour of the day, coming at 6 o'clock, was an opportune time, the day's work for all being over.…

Tags: Jack Roberts, Rev. A.W. Green, T.D. Abercrombie, The Wiregrass Farmer

Lt. J.J. Story Reported Dead by Government

1945 Feb 15 WGF - John J Story reported dead by government.jpg

Col. and Mrs. J.J. Story have received word from the government that their son, Lt. J.J. Story Jr., who has been missing in action over Germany since Nov. 5, is officially dead. The German government notified the American Red Cross, who relayed the…

Tags: John Jackson Story Jr. (1921-1944), John Jackson Story Sr. (1882-1959), Rhoda Van Buskirk Story (1890-1982), The Wiregrass Farmer

Staff Sgt. Hobby Killed in Action

1945 Feb 22 WGF - Leon Hobby Killed in Action.jpg

Staff Sgt. Leon Eugene Hobby, who is overseas, has been reported killed in action. He has been in service about four years and was in the Pearl Harbor attach. His name is now added to the honor roll of boys who have made the ultimate…

Tags: Andrew Lott Hobby (1857-1930), Claude Lee Hobby (1899-1948), Easter Rouse Hobby (1857-1896), John B. Hobby (1888-1953), Leon Eugene Hobby (1918-1945), Lula Blanch Smith Hobby (1883-1920), Luther Clyde Hobby (1898-1975), Pauline Hobby, The Wiregrass Farmer, W. Wright Hobby (1883-1952), Warren L. Hobby (1910-1971)

Pfc. Willie T. Nelson Killed in Action

1945 Jan 4 WGF- Willie T Nelson killed in action.jpg

Pfc. Willie T. Nelson (above) son of Mr. and Mrs. J.N. Nelson, Ashburn Rt. 3, was killed in action in Luxembourgh Dec. 28, according to a telegram received from the War Department. He was 19 years old.

Pfc. Nelson was born near Quitman April 18,…

Tags: Earl Henry Nelson, Eula Bell Pitts Nelson Kerr (?-2004), Florence Mae Nelson (1903-1994), James F. Nelson, Jenny Lee Nelson, John N. Nelson (1889-1960), John R. Nelson (1918-2005), Mary Evelyn Nelson, Ruthie Mae Nelson Whiddon (1932-2007), The Wiregrass Farmer, Willie T. Nelson (1925-1944)

Lt. Austin Scott is Home from Nazi Prison

1945 June 28 WGF - LT. Austin Scott home from Nazi Prison WW2.jpg

Lt. Austin Scott, son of Dr. and Mrs. W.R. Scott of Ashburn, arrived in Ashburn Monday night is being warmly welcome home. He has been a prisoner of war in Germany since Dec. 8, 1943, when the plane which he piloted was shot down over Greece. He was…

Tags: Capt. Jack Austin Scott (1920-2001), Mary Raines Scott (1923-1994), Susie Tyler Scott (1891-1969), The Wiregrass Farmer, William R. Scott (1889-1953)

Storys are presented their Son's Awards

1945 Mar 1 WGF - Story_s Presented their son_s [John J Story Jr] awards.jpg

Formal Presentation took place last Saturday afternoon at Turner Field by Col. C.U. True

"Lt. John J. Story, Jr., 23, was posthumously decorated with the Air Medal by Col. C.U. True, who made the presentation to Postmaster and Mrs. J.J. Story, of…

Tags: John Jackson Story Jr. (1921-1944), John Jackson Story Sr. (1882-1959), Rhoda Van Buskirk Story (1890-1982), The Wiregrass Farmer, Turner Field (Albany GA)

Memorial Services For Lt. Story Held Sunday

1945 Mar 8 WGF - Memorial held for John J Story Jr.jpg

"Impressive memorial services for Lt. John J. Story Jr., age 23, son of Col. and Mrs. John J. Story Sr. of Ashburn, who was killed Nov. 5 on his tenth bombing mission over Germany, were held Sunday morning at 11 o'clock at the Ashburn Methodist…

Tags: Andrewnette Goff Wilson (1931-2003), Annelle Frances Thrasher Murphy (9/12/1897 - 6/3/1987), Ashburn Methodist Church, Betty Davison, Betty Sue Shealy, Dorothy Paulk, Georgia Muriel Shealy Stephens (1928-2015), James Simon Shinger III (1920-1984), John Jackson Story Jr. (1921-1944), John Jackson Story Sr. (1882-1959), Langdon H. Raines (1918-2008), Netta Dayton Jacobs Shingler (1893-1989), Nettie H. Burch (1911-1981), Rev. W.B. Cheshire, Rhoda Van Buskirk Story (1890-1982), Shirlene McLeod Lee (1927-2019), The Wiregrass Farmer

Col. and Mrs. J.J. Story Sr. receive KIA Son's Awards

1945 Mar 8 WGF - Mr. _ Mrs. John H Story presented son_s [JJ Story Jr] awards picture.jpg

Col. and Mrs. J.J. Story Sr. photograph taken at Turner Field in Albany, GA as they receive their son John J. Story's post-humously Air Medal Award.

Tags: John Jackson Story Jr. (1921-1944), John Jackson Story Sr. (1882-1959), Rhoda Van Buskirk Story (1890-1982), The Wiregrass Farmer, Turner Field (Albany GA)

Word of [German] Surrender Received With Thanksgiving Here

1945 May 10 WGF - Word of [German] Surrender received with thanksgiving WW2.jpg

Word of Germany's surrender was received in Ashburn and Turner County quietly, gratefully, and with Thanksgiving.
...

Tags: Ashburn Methodist Church, First Baptist Church, Rev. T.W. Wilson, Rev. W.B. Cheshire, The Wiregrass Farmer

Lt. Austin Scott Liberated from German Prison

"Lt. Austin Scott has been liberated from a German prison camp, according to a cablegram from him received by his wife, Mrs. Mary Raines Scott last Friday. His parents, Dr. and Mrs. W.R. Scott received word Jan. 7, 1944 that he was missing in action…

Tags: Capt. Jack Austin Scott (1920-2001), Mary Raines Scott (1923-1994), Susie Tyler Scott (1891-1969), The Wiregrass Farmer, William R. Scott (1889-1953)

Turner's First War Bride Arrives in Rebecca

"Turner County's first war bride arrived in Rebecca late Tuesday night with her three months old baby, Herbert Michael, from Angers, France. The petite blonde French girl is the wife of Mr. Arthur Pullin [also spelled Pullen later in article] of…

Tags: Arthur Pullin, Berangere "Billie" Rouvreau Pullin, Essena "Essa" Howell Story (1905-1993), Herbert Michael Pullin, Rebecca Georgia, The Wiregrass Farmer

Lt. Ernest W. Garner Declared Officially Dead

"Altho hostilities of [World] War II has ceased, yet, the grim tragedies still goes on. This is impressed on Turner County's citizens this week more indelibly and forcibly when the news came to Ashburn last Thursday from the government to Mrs. E.W.…

Tags: Ashburn High School, Ernest Walter "E.W." Garner Sr. (7/12/1883 - 2/22/1944), Ernest Walter Garner Jr. (1923-1945), Everett Allen Garner (1930-2015), Jim Garner, Lela Saffold Garner (1895-1981), Margaret Garner Faircloth (1925-2007), Mrs. T.P. Rhodes, The Wiregrass Farmer

Memorial Service held Sunday for Lt. Garner

1946 May 9 WGF - Lt. Ernest W Garner Memorial Service.jpg

...
"Lt. Ernest Garner was reported last seen climbing into the clouds his plane came down, but Ernest kept climbing."
...

Tags: Charles D. "Charlie" Baldwin (1923-1986), Ernest Walter "E.W." Garner Sr. (7/12/1883 - 2/22/1944), Ernest Walter Garner Jr. (1923-1945), Essena "Essa" Howell Story (1905-1993), First Baptist Church, Harvey Stevens, Hazel Turner, James L. Scott (1922-1946), Lela Saffold Garner (1895-1981), Nellie Phillips Jarman (1910-1995), Rev. Walter Spivey, Rhoda Van Buskirk Story (1890-1982), The Wiregrass Farmer

Portrait of John West Evans

John West Evans from Men of Mark in Georgia Volume 6 published 1912.png

JOHN WEST EVANS

(September 27, 1844 – January 16, 1904)

Born in Hancock County to Sterling G. and Mary West Evans, John and his wife Ella, followed his business partner/brother-in-law John Samuel “J.S.” Betts (July 29, 1848 – April 25, 1918)…

Portrait of John Samuel "J.S." Betts

John Samuel %22J.S.%22 Betts from Men of Mark in Georgia Volume 6 published 1912.png

J.S. Betts was one of Ashburn’s founding fathers, long-time Mayor of Ashburn, and owner of the Betts Lumber Company. It was said that his wife Elmira Josephine Bohannon Betts (May 2, 1858 – September 27, 1907) used to “signal” her sister Ella…

Tags: John Samuel "J.S." Betts (1848-1918)

Bird's Eye View of John Samuel "J.S." Betts Lumber Plant Postcard

Bird's Eye view of J.S. Betts Lumber Plant c. 1910.png

Bird's-eye view J.S. Betts' Lumber Plant, Ashburn, Ga.

Small "W" insignia in the lower left hand corner.

Turner County Courthouse - National Registration of Historical Places Application + Photos - #80001247

Turner County Courthouse National Historical Registration Application .pdf

Pages: 4

This red and buff colored courthouse has three entrances. Two are elaborate. They are projecting, Ionic tetrastyle. The cement columns are coupled on each side of a pedimented doorway. The columns are capped by a pediment filled with a…

Tags: Alexander Blair III (4/22/1867 - 11/16/1931, Dennis & Dennis Architect Firm, E. Howard Clock Works, Floyd H. Wardlow Jr., J.H McKenzie & Sons, Peter E. Dennis (1854-1929), Turner County Courthouse

Painting of Victoria Evans with reference photo

Paint of Victoria Evans, first librarian of Ashburn by Minnie G. Brown.jpg

Photograph of Victoria Evans, date unknown, by T.B. Blackshear, photographer in Macon, GA.

Painting was created by Minnie G. Brown of Ashburn, GA based on the photograph of Victoria Evans.

Plaque next to the painting says:
VICTORIA CHARITY…

Mrs. Turner Wins Special Election

Turner County Project - Shirley Turner first female Ashburn City Council Member 5.31.1984 1.jpg

by Austin Saxon

"Mrs. Shirley Turner became the first woman ever to earn a place on the Ashburn City Council Thursday as she narrowly defeated William I. (Bill) Posey in a special election to fill a vacancy in Post No. 4."
...
Mrs. Turner who is…

Tags: Ashburn City Council, Ashburn Methodist Church, Christie Turner Collins, Elie Solomon "Sol" Griffin (1950-2007), Freddie James Weston Jr. (1937-2018), Freeway National Cash Pharmacy, Hollis Hayes (1922-1989), James I. "Jim" Brown (1944-2020), John Iverson Youngblood Jr. (1920-2006), Lawrence Keith Turner (1933-2006), Order of the Eastern Star, Rose Garden Club, Shirley Johns Turner (1938-2003), Steve Ivie, Turner County Cancer Society, Wayne Hobby, William L. "Bill" Posey (1930-1987)

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