Newspaper Page Text
CUMMING, GA. 30130
Series Is
Canceled
The Forsyth County News an
nounced last week that beginning
this week there would be a tour part
series concerning the incident of
1912 which later resulted in Forsyth
County becoming an all-white
populated county.
This research and story was writ
ten by Forsyth Countian Lester
Manders, who took some two years
to write the story of what he calls
“The Real Forsyth County Story”.
When the decision was made to
run this series, there was only one
objective in mind-to reveal and in
form. There are numerous
newcomers to the Forsyth County
area and they constantly hear
rumors and stories of what happen
ed in 1912.
Since this announcement last
week, descendants of the Mae Crow
family have come forward and voic
ed their objection to this story being
relived. They were extremely
courteous but made it clear that they
felt it would only serve to harm and
embarrass their family.
This newspaper certainly had no
intention of doing this to anyone or
any family. There are still living in
the north Georgia area, four sisters
and two brothers of Mae Crow, the
girl who was apparently slain here
in 1912.
It is for this reason-and this
reason alone-that the management
of this newspaper has decided not to
publish this story. We still feel that
Forsyth Countians have a right to
know the history of their county. We
strongly feel that a county’s history
is its heritage.
The decision not to publish this
series was not due to any sort of
political pressure from anyone or
any group, but solely upon the re
quest of the family involved.
We offer our apologies to the fami
ly for bringing any sort of embar
rassment to them by this attempt
and want them to know that there
was no malice or intent to embar
rass them.-Jim Cosey
Robber Picks Wrong Store
For His ‘Would Be’ Crime
A Forsyth County man picked the
wrong store to try and hold-up last
Thursday after he later discovered that
a Forsyth County Sheriff’s Department
investigator was inside.
The incident occurred around 3 p.m.
on Thursday. Records show that Lonnie
Leroy Simonds, 37, of a Forsyth County
address was picked up by an Atlanta
Gas Light truck. Simonds ap
parently had a cut on his face and he
was seeking a ride to the hospital.
The reports state that when Simonds
entered the truck he threatened the
driver unless he carried him to the
Sharon Community. Then, records
state that for no apparent reason
Simonds threatened to kill the driver.
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OLYMPIC POSTER KIDS-These two Special Olympians were chosen as the
poster children for the Forsyth County Special Olympics. They are (1-r) Lisa Kim
bral and Ken Pruitt. Lisa and Ken are in the Trainable Mentally Retarded Class at
Ducktown School. They, along with 60 other Special Olympians in Forsyth County,
have been practicing hard to get in shape for the big day, March 21.
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MISS MARCH-Helping a Leprechaun look for that pot of
gold especially for St. Patrick’s Day is the Calendar Girl for
March, Charlley Ray. Miss March is the daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. Perry Ray. She’s a senior at Forsyth County High
School where she’s a member of the Y Club, Future Business
Leaders of America, Future Homemakers of America and
The driver jumped out of the truck and
ran. Simonds stole the truck and head
ed toward the Sharon Community.
He stopped at the Glen Buice Store
and went inside and threatened Buice
and other occupants if they didn’t give
him all their money. Simonds got a
small amount of cash and attempted to
break open the cash register.
Simonds reportedly then went back to
the truck, not knowing that an in
vestigator was inside the store during
the robbery. Deputy Andy Brooks made
sure that everyone was all right, then
pursued Simonds and arrested him. He
has been charged with robbery, auto
theft and terroristic threats. Simonds
has been released under $30,000 bond.
18 PAGES, 2 SECTIONS
An Alpharetta couple is still being
held in the Forsyth County Jail charged
with child abuse.
According to Sheriff Wesley
Walraven, Joe Morrow, 23, and his
wife, Gelene Morrow, 19, were arrested
last week in connection with the inci
dent. The man and woman of an
Alpharetta address were charged with
abusing the woman’s son, Joseph Vic
tor Whitfield, at their home on Monday
of last week.
Reports show that the boy was beaten
by a large belt over the head and body
and may have been burned, medical
reports show.
The Morrows are being held under
$25,000 bond each pending further
charges and possible additional
Local Tornado Drill
Proves Successful
A Statewide Tornado Drill held
recently showed Forsyth Countians are
interested in being prepared for a tor
nado alert. The practice drill was held
statewide, and members of the
Cumming-Forsyth Civil Defense had
worked with WSNE radio station and
local agencies to provide the fastest
alert system possible.
Many counties throughout Georgia
use sirens or Radio Warning Systems,
but since Forsyth County has neither
system in local civil defense
workers depended on the use of
telephones and the local radio station,
which proved to be satisfactory.
A Tornado Watch signal was received
at the local civil defense office from the
NOAA Weather Radio Station at 1:15
p.m., and by 1:17 p.m., civil defense
workers had contacted schools, WSNE,
hospital and convalescent home.
A Warning signal was relayed to the
local civil defense office from the
Weather Radio Station at 1:45 p.m., and
relayed to the participating agencies
within four minutes.
In a survey taken by the Civil
takes part in the Vocational Opportunity Training program.
Charlley has two sisters’ Cindy 15, and Lynne 19. Following
graduation she plans to attend The University of Georgia and
study business. The Calendar Girl is a monthly feature spon
sored by The Forsyth County News.
charges, the sheriff stated.
The youth is still unconscious at Nor
thside Hospital and listed in critical
condition.
H —h+
According to records at the Cumming
Police Department, two vehicles were
stolen from two car lots over the
weekend.
On March 1, a 1979 Camaro was
stolen from the lot of Andean Motor
Company. The north gate lock had been
broken open, records show.
On March 2, a 1977 Ford was stolen
from the Billy Howell Used Car lot in
downtown Cumming.
Records show that both cars were ap
parently stolen with the use of keys.
Defense, the general public responses
showed: Most people were at home.
Most people heard Watches and Warn
ings over WSNE within one minute. All
people responding either took action or
thought over action they would have
taken.
All schools in the area participated in
the practice drill. No school took more
than sfx minutes, and one school was in
position within two minutes.
The civil defense office has urged
each Forsyth County citizen to stay tun
ed to a local radio station or television
station in the event of any severe
weather conditions.
Be Prepared, according to the civil
defense, and above all, don’t ignore
severe weather watches and warnings.
Take cover while you can. It could save
your life. A copy of the complete tor
nado drill report is on file in the local
Civil Defense Office at the courthouse.
Office hours are Monday 5 to 7 p.m.,
Tuesday and Wednesday 9 a.m. to 1
p.m.. The 24-hour Civil Defense number
is 887-5551.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7,1979
State Officials Here
School Study
Is Underway
BY CATHY PUCKETT
Staff Writer
A comprehensive study concerning
growth in the Forsyth County Schools is
scheduled to begin this week by of
ficials of the State Department of
Education.
The Forsyth County Board of Educa
tion requested the study be made due to
needs in the schools system to relieve
over crowded conditions.
The board adopted a proposal for a
building plan in the school system
earlier this year. The proposal adopted
came from the board’s Building,
Growth and Planning Committee. The
committee had studied the over
crowded conditions and possible solu
tions to curb the existing needs in the
school system for several months
before bringing the proposal before the
board.
In January, the committee presented
the proposal which calls for construc
tion of a new elementary school, two
new middle grade schools and renova
tion work at the high school. The pro
posal was given at a special called
meeting and the public was invited to
give views concerning the study.
Young Dancer
Looks Ahead
BY CATHY PUCKETT
Staff Writer
For 10 year old Brian Reid who
started dancing, “down in the bottoms
near the branch on the family farm,”
being tagged, “The Little Entertainer,”
is a start toward the bright lights of
stardom.
Brian is a fifth grade student at Mid
way Elementary School and began
clogging about four years ago. He has
continued his dancing talents and has
danced his way into the hearts of many,
not only at family gatherings on his
family’s farm, but at entertainment
centers like Burt’s Place at the Omni
International in Atlanta, and has even
danced at private parties when the
president decided to return home to
Plains, Ga., last year.
The young entertainer was called on
a few months ago to perform at a
private cast party for the movie cast of,
“They Went That Away, and That
Away.” Brian admits he was surprised,
but delighted when asked to “dance a
jig” with actor Tim Conway.
“The Little Entertainer” has per
formed his clogging talent at
Lanierland Music Park, fund raising
benefits, private parties and country
clubs. He enjoyed performing at the
Georgia Milk Association annual
meeting last year in Atlanta, and
especially liked having his picture
made with Governor George Busbee
and Lt. Gov. Zell Miller.
When the farmers drove a tractor
cade to the nation’s capital in
Washington, D.C., recently, Brian was
right there dancing in the lobby of the
U. S. Department of Agriculture
Building, for a large crowd that
gathered to view the talented country
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NUMBER 10
At the next regular scheduled board
meeting, the board unanimously
adopted the committee’s proposals.
The committee had interviewed school
principals, teachers, school staff per
sonnel, and many people in the county
to get their views and add input into the
study.
The committee’s study included
growth patterns for the past several
years in the school system and showed
a steady growth in almost all the
schools in the county.
After the state comprehensive study
is made, a short form of recommenda
tions concerning growth needs will be
outlined and sent to school superinten
dent Robert Otwell to present to the
board. The short form report should
come within a week or so after the
study is completed on Friday, Otwell
said.
A full report will be sent in writing to
the school superintendent in a couple of
months.
The comprehensive study is the next
step the board of education is taking, in
hopes of finding solutions to over
crowded conditions in the Forsyth
County School System.
boy.
Brian practices his dancing with his
eight year old brother Stacey, but
Stacey says he’s too shy to perform in
public.
Brian is a member of the Midway
Elementary School Cloggging Team
and the Lakeshore Cloggers in
Gainesville. While performing in
Gainesville last year at a talent benefit
for the American Cancer Society, Brian
walked away with first place honors.
When Brian dresses up in his sparkl
ing western outfits made special for
him, he frequently changes his dance
routines making each a speciality of his
talents.
Brian is the son of Harold and Pat
Reid of the Midway Community. The
Reids are members of Longstreet Bap
tist Church. The family stays busy ten
ding to the farm, and feeding the cows
and pigs. Brian and Stacey help gather
hay and clean seeds along with other
farm duties to help the family.
Brian’s mom somehow finds time to
hold down three jobs. Pat is a school
bus driver for Forsyth County Schools,
and is employed at Western Steer
Restaurant, and also manages a beauty
salon.
The Reids are proving a family that
works and plays together stays
together adding to a special family
closeness they share.
The spotlight is on Brian and his dan
cing talents, and the family is enjoying
the attention and fame he has felt dur
ing his young career. The family isn’t
real sure where Brian’s talents will
take him right now, but those who have
seen the little guy perform might want
to tell Hollywood to watch out, ‘ ‘The Lit
tle Entertainer” is on the way.
TELEPHONE 887-3126