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3ar kztm Trcgress-^rgus J. D. Jones Publisher (1908-1955 Dayle Jones Jr. Editor and Publisher (1955-1975) MRS. MARTHA G. JONES PUBLISHER VINCENT JONES EDITOR Published every Thursday at 129 South Mulberry Street, Jackson, Georgia 30233 by The Progress-Argus Printing Cos., Inc. Second Class Postage paid at Jackson, Georgia 30233. Address notice of undeliverable copies and other correspondence to The Jackson Progress-Argus, P.O. Box 249, Jackson, Georgia 30233. SU. NEWSPAPER NNA SUSTAINING MEMBER—I97S One Year $6.24 School Year $5.20 Editorials Have Yourself a Very Merry Christmas Time As the song goes, it has been said so many times in so many different ways, but just the simple Merry Christmas seems to say it as well, or better, than any other greeting we can give others at this special time of the year. But how did they say it in the old days? The Middle Georgia Argus, published at Jackson and edited by W. F. Smith and F. J. Thaxton, had this Christmas greeting in its December 21, 1882 issue, when the country was only about one-half as old as it is today: “How short the time! One year has passed since our last Christmas greeting. We can remember when it seemed almost an age from one Christmas to another. Then the days appeared as weeks and weeks as months while we, in our childhood simplicity, longed for the merry time to roll around; everybody seemed ready for the merry making. But what a change a few years of sunshine, a few years of war and desolation, a few years of poverty, and a few years of anxiety have wrought. Now we speak of Christmas, and our friends, with a care worn sigh, remark: “I am not ready for Christmas, I cannot meet my obligations, I cannot do all I have laid off to do.” Why is this restless, grasping mania among us? It is because we take upon ourselves too many obligations. We desire to crowd too much in too short a space of time. We are too slow to realize the fact that we have no control of the revolving wheels of time. When ever we hear the remark, “I cannot prepare for Christmas - the time is too short,” we involuntarily exclaim, will you have time to get ready for death? If we cannot check the flight of time until we can prepare for the responsibilities of the end of a year, how is it possible for us to find time to prepare for the final end? We allude to these things because we feel that we alone are responsible for a great deal of our anxieties and cares. If we would study to contribute to the happiness of others, and learn to get more happiness out of our surroundings, we would be better prepared for enjoyment. It is the little things in this life that make up our misery or happiness. It is easier to kill a lion than to catch a fox. It is easier to build a wagon than to make a watch. Great is the man that is slow to anger, Advance Subscription Rates, Tax Included: TELEPHONE 775-3107 OFFICIAL ORGAN BUTTS COUNTY AND CIT v OF JACKSON six Months $3.91 Single Copy 15c and he that ruleth his spirit is mightier than he that taketh a city. Why see, how much human misery is based upon the merest trifles. The man who makes himself supremely wretched be cause he wants something he hasn’t got, and can’t get; the man who is unhappy because his boots are tight; the young man, or old man either, who tries to make a forty-dollar salary support a fifty-dollar coat, and is miserable because there is a misfit somewhere; the man who is cross and savage all through life; the man who is always sick and miserable after the picnic; the man who is cross because it is hot, and gruff because it is cold, and irritable because it is wet-what are these men but the tormented victims of their own folly? They are miserable because they make themselves so. If we strike out the little petty annoyances, we would see how little we have to make life unhappy. If we allowed the great wrongs of life to move us as do the little petty annoyances; if we endured our light afflictions more patiently, and more valiantly combatted the great evils, how soon we would reform the world. The man who can ignore the petty vexations and save all his strength of mind and body for the great things, is the man to lead us all. Then let us lay aside our cares and have a merry greeting. Remember that if we do not have the time to finish the work set apart for 1882, that we are hopeful of seeing the broad open new year with its spring time and summer in which to finish our task. Then, with the desire that we may have a few days of pleasant hand shaking and innocent amusement, each one trying to contribute to the merriment of the children and no one spending the precious time in profanity or dissipation, we make this our hearty Christmas greeting. To each and every one of our readers we wish a Merry Christ mas, hoping that the new year will dawn upon us with our energy renewed and with a stronger determination to be good, honest, Christian men and women. Again, we say Merry Christ mas to all.” To which we add, have yourself a very, very merry Christmas and may the Yuletide star reflect in your eyes the love of Him whose love lights the world, not only at Christmas, but everyday we let Him become the ruler of our hearts. THE JACKSON PROGRESS-ARGUS, JACKSON, GEORGIA The Last Straw BY VINCENT JONES What do I want for Christmas? I'd like to be four again, snuggled in granny’s lap in her comfortable rocker as the gaseous coal fire spit and sputtered, adding to the enchantment of the stories she told of the 1860’s when war laid waste her beloved land. I'd like to be five again, and watch dad’s huge, calloused hands place the peeled orange sections in my own and hear the hiss of the warming fire as it devoured the peelings. I’d like to be six again, thrilled with Christmas Eve again, and place the fruit cake and milk on the hearth again, and know once more the wonder of its being gone on arising. I’d like to be seven again, and help mother with the fruit cakes and Christmas cookies again, and see once more the smile on her face when Santa brought her some unexpected gift. I’d like to be eight again, and get that first freight again, and wind it ’til the spring could stand no more and spend the Christmas holidays with it on the floor. I’d like to be nine again, and take to the woods again in mid-December with Doyle and Woody in search of the perfect cedar, through Moore’s pasture, on out to Newton’s pasture as far as the poor farm and on into infinity until a tree was found that would suit us, fit the room and be approved of mother. I’d like to be ten again and watch my first green Lionel train whiz around those electric tracks in its endless procession of joy. I’d like to be eleven again, just a wide-eyed lover of joy again, and make the mad dash to the Franklins on Christmas morning to see if Santa had been as good to Hiram and Robert as he had to us. I’d like to be twelve again, and see that brand-new red bike under the tree and wonder how Santa could be so secretive about such things when all the usual hiding places had been thoroughly searched. I’d like to be thirteen again, and ride Mike’s train again, ’til suns wane again, and swing at Fimp’s wild curves once more, listen to Mush’s tales galore, and see Wash knock in again the tying score. I'd like to be fourteen and swing again, a vagabond king again, and sign the cards at Kitty’s proms once more; to hear the trumpet blow again, the piano glow again, and watch the rug rolling back from the floor. I’d like to be fifteen again, and feel life keen again, and fly those kites once more, to heights on into the never more. I’d like to be sixteen again, and fight for Jackson High again, on the track and on the floor, to dribble that ball again and sink the winning score. I’d like to be seventeen again, a lone seeker of truth again and be glad again as a lad again for the pangs of home that come to those who roam. I’d like to be eighteen again, half-man, half-boy again, and know the ties that bind those half-lost to each other in fraternal love. I’d like to be nineteen again, and enter Woodruff Hall again to hear Tommy Dorsey’s trombone moan, and watch Frank Sinatra groan, as the whirling balls mirrowed the dancers below. I'd like to be twenty again, to court once more my college sweetheart of yore and hear her seal my lucky fate with the troth to be my mate. Oh, how I’d like to run the races again, visit the same places again and see all the old, familiar faces again. And that is what I want for Christmas. | A Stroll Down Memory Lane | DOWN MEMORY LANE News of 10 Years Ago Miss Linda Young, daugh ter of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Young of Jenkinsburg, has been named the 1966 winner of the DAR Good Citizenship Award. The body of Mrs. Jeanelle Stewart Perry, a Negro woman in her early twenties, was found savagely beaten and stabbed in her Benton Street home. Clyde Herbert, president of the Butts County Athletic Club, announced that the t Club members had voted to donate SBOO to the Jackson High School Athletic Depart ment for much needed equipment. The marriage of Mrs. Mabel Whatley of Atlanta to James E. Cornell, Jr., of Indian Springs, was an event of last Saturday. Mr. and Mrs. Jim Robert son, of Polk Tire Company, will leave in early January for an all expense paid Caribbean cruise, courtesy of the General Electric Com pany in recognition of Jim’s outstanding sales record. Mrs. Ben Haisten, chair man, reports that the Christmas Seal campaign has brought in $633.25 to date. Deaths during the week: Mrs. Ethel Talley Mosteller, 65, Mrs. Robert Ocie Stodghill, 84; Burner Trellis Knowles, 73; Thomas Lee James, 39. News of 20 Years Ago Ted Evans was elected Worshipful Master of St. John’s Lodge No. 45, F.& A.M., on Monday evening. As the Christmas season neared, robbers were active locally, taking two Venetian' blinds and a rug from the County Line Baptist Church this week. Earlier, burglars had struck at two grocery stores and a private resi dence in the County. Butts County’s $93,500 National Guard Armory was formally dedicated Wednes day, with Congressman John J. Flynt, Jr. delivering the dedicatory address. Ralph Cook, of Jackson, has earned the coveted Sustained Performance award at Atlanta General Depot and a S2OO check for his superior work as a cost accounting clerk. Algie R. Maddox, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis M. Maddox, is serving as personnelman second class, USN, at the Naval Air Facility, McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. Deaths during the week: Mrs. Annie E. Letson, 91; Leroy Clifton Martin, 77; Mrs. T. J. (Laura) Giles, 94; Charlie (Bub) Carter, 43. News of 30 Years Ago R. F. Armstrong, project manager of the Central Georgia Electric Member ship Corporation, was elect ed as worshipful master of St. John’s Lodge No. 45 F.&A.M. on Monday night. Mrs. N. A. Powell and Miss Ruth Phinazee explained the public assistance programs to members of the Jackson Kiwanis Club on Tuesday night. The Jackson Methodists will have a Christmas candle lighting service at the church on Sunday evening, Decem ber 22nd. Mr. and Mrs. Lee Carmi chael will observe their golden wedding anniversary on Sunday. Mr. and Mrs. Carmichael have seven children and ten grandchild- THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 197 ren, most of whom will be present for the occasion. Mrs. T. E. Robison entertained members of the Jackson Garden Club at a lovely dinner party at her home on Thursday evening. Deaths during the week: Mrs. J. O. Preston, 68; Bryan Rivers, 4. News of 40 Years Ago J. O. Minter has been elected president of the Farmers Bank of Locust Grove at a recent stock holder’s meeting. N. A. Powell was elected worshipful master of St. John’s Lodge, F.&A.M., on Monday night. The Butts County teachers, including both city and county systems, have been paid in full for the fall months. A total of 187 checks have been paid to date to Butts County farmers participat ing in the 1936 soil programs, with payments amounting to $8,306.35. The Southern Railway was advertising an inauguaration special to Washington for President Franklin D. Roose velt’s inauguration at $32.75 round trip for one person in upper berth. The Dixie Theatre was showing Will Rogers and Janet Gaynor in “State Fair.” Deaths during the week: Mrs. W. W. Wilson, 59 News of 50 Years Ago Anew trial has been granted Tom King, Butts County Negro, convicted and sentenced to die by a February jury for the murder Nov. 28, 1925 of County Policeman J. E. McNair. Vol. l, No. 1 of “The Broadcaster”, new Jackson High School newspaper, is off the press. Jane Etheridge is editor-in-chief with Louise Woodward, associate editor; Susannah Foster, Elizabeth Merritt and Threatt Moore, business manager, and Du vall Patrick, circulation manager. H. M. Moore was elected worshipful master of St. John’s Lodge No. 45, F&A.M. at the Monday night meeting. J. T. McMichael was named Commander of Jack son Lodge No. 131, Knights of Pythias, with W. H. Maddox, Jr., as vice commander. Among the Jackson teach ers going to their homes for the Christmas holidays are Miss Janie Hardy, Molena; Miss Sue Cowan, Conyers; Miss Benji Harris, Madison; Miss Rubye Jones, Valdosta. Deaths during the week: T. R. Nutt, 76. Iffjjp BICENTEN NIAL J WL BYPATHS 'a OUlt COUNIBY ?00 Y f AB S AGO An account of Christmas at Salem, N.C., December 24,1776, reports that Christ mas service began at five o'clock Christmas Eve for the children, with written Christmas verses and lighted candles. After that, a service for older Brethren 'and Sisters, including the people who were spending the night in the local tavern. /Bwp, a N ', I t \ I a ik nin j HyIHQURRI By Mrs. Cindy Brown This night before Christmas is vastly different from that one in Bethlehem -- Tis Seventy-Six in an updated age -and that is where we shall begin. We have no donkeys to feed and to ride, but rather mechanical shiny machines. We still have our quarrels with our taxes though, as in that age of Him, King of Kings. We flitter here and flutter there (not us on a donkey to slowly meander) We are not as truthful as those folks then; we lack their talent for candor. To them a Holy Season was just that, yea Holy, and they honored their beliefs far and wide. DEAR SANTA ijMfc IpiJiivV TANARUS: ’i £ Some Folks Have a Year-Round Christmas There are five towns or villages in the United States that are named “Christmas.” They are in Arizona, Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee. There is a Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean, south of Java, attached to the Singapore settlement, under Australian administration, and the British have two Christmas Islands: one of the Line Islands in the center of the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii and another in Nova Scotia on the Atlantic Ocean. ★ ★★★★★★ U.S. “ CHRISTMAS ” TOW IS S SWAMPED WITH CHRISTMAS MAIL Because many people want a Christmas postmark on their cards, letters and packages, each year mil lions of pieces of mail are sent to post offices in those places named “Christmas.” Christmas, Florida, population about 300, handles an average half-million pieces of mail during the Christmas season. Located near Orlando, it began as a fort that was completed on Christmas 1835. Fun for everyone ... Solve a Christmas Crossword Puzzle ACROSS 1 Mr. Claus is a very man. 2 “ the season to be (If 1 across).” 4 Christmastime. 6 “It is more blessed give . . .’’ 8 “ —little town of Beth lehem . . .” 9 Another synonym for #4 across. 12 Santa does not need one to get into your home. 14 Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, etc. 17 Santa rides in it. DOWN I The lirst part of a Christ- Answer in column at left For us tis a season to purchase and party and on this gift or that to decide. We have no bright star to guide us to Christ, we seldom even look to the sky In appreciation of life’s little gifts that we have. We’ll learn perhaps, by and by. America is a land of self-made men -- it’s up to you and me: our own hands to lend In change and in challenge for our leader and strength; let us not from this Holy duty shrink. Let us have a prayerful Christmas, obeying our deep seated urge to follow the One who began it for us in true joy towards the year we surge. mas carol title. 2 You find presents under it. 3 It is hung over the fire place. 5 What you do during a Christmas feast. 7 “ what fun it is to ride . . 9 Happy New ! 10 A bird that symbolizes peace. 11 “ true love gave to . me . . . 13 “Bells——bobtails ring . . 15 #2 Across is a poetic con traction for “it ” 16 The night before Christ mas.