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3arksott Trngress-^rxrtis J. D. Jones Publisher (1908 1955) Doyle 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. One Year, in Georgia $6.24 Six Months, in Georgia $3.91 Editorials James Earl Carter , Jr. On Thursday, January 20th, in Washington, D. C., a soft-spoken Georgia peanut farmer, James Earl Carter, Jr., 52, will place his hand on a Bible, recite an oath and become the 39th president of the United States. And the world will never be the same again. For this is no caretaker president we have elected, this is no retired general who is sworn to uphold the status quo. This is a man of action, a man committed to the Spring Is Just Around Some Cold Corner Caught up in the bitterness of the most persistently cold winter in memory, local residents find their conversation inevitably turned to discussions of just how cold it is, how cold it has been and when it will all end. As cold and unpleasant as the weather has been, it has been worse. With the lows for the year hovering around the eight degree mark, certainly there have been no records set for low temperatures. But what the fall and winter weather has lacked in extremes, it has more than made up with its dogged determination to keep things unpleasant out-of-doors. Since late October, there haven’t been more than a dozen decent days that would encourage outside activities. In February, 1973, the County received one of its deepest snowfalls, measuring eight-to-ten inches. Temperatures were cold, far below freezing, but not frigid. January of 1940 brought a snow storm of the same intensity, but with much colder temperatures. Local thermometers plummeted to the zero mark, and slightly below, that year and stayed there for more than one day. Recurring blasts of arctic air every few days kept the snow on the ground for two weeks or more, with the slush turning to ice with the setting sun. One of the City’s most crippling ice storms arrived with the New Year in 1936, and led to one of the most damaging fires in the downtown district. A one-to-two inch accumulation of ice on the beautiful trees that overlapped and framed Third Street brought giant A Week of Contradictions It was the week that was for the politicians, that is, a week filled with double-talk, gobbledygook, and actions that defy the thinking of the average citizen. President Ford says it will be good for consumers to pay more for gasoline, that if we pay more for it, we will use less and, if we use less, we won’t have to import as much. That makes as much sense as saying the natural gas you are paying twice as much for now as ten years ago will heat your house Advance Subscription Rates, Tax Included: TELEPHONE 775-3107 OFFICIAL ORGAN BUTTS COUNTY AND CITY OF JACKSON One Year, Out-of-State $7.28 Six Months, Out-of-State $4.16 belief that it is his destiny to lead this nation out of the political doldrums and into the sunlight of a government whose codeword will be honor and whose precept will be dedication. Asa fellow native Georgian, as a firm believer in the fundamental strength of this republic and its people, we wish the new president Godspeed, knowing full well that as he succeeds, or fails, so shall we all. limbs crashing to the pavement and the street has never again regained its former beauty. Some of the old timers can regale one with tales of the blizzards that swept the area in the latter part of the nineteenth century and of how wagons were driven across the frozen Ocmulgee and how tree trunks, full of frozen sap, exploded in the woods with the sound of cannons firing. Today’s moderns, for the most part cozily ensconced in cold-proof homes, are much better equipped to deal with the rigors of winter which are more of an inconven ience than a downright threat to life or limb. There has to be a turning point and with about a month to go in what we consider real winter (March can be disagreeable but is usually not bitterly cold), surely the worst is behind and the best lies just ahead. The pansies, planted bravely on a cold November day, have not bowed their heads to the ice and sleet; the narcissus lies dormant just beneath the earth, awaiting the first warm rays of the sun before officially heralding Spring; the crocus is biding its time impatient ly, awaiting only the encourage ment of the traditional January thaw. Although imprisoned inside for weeks now, we still find some compensations. The fires have burned warm, bright and cheerily; the companionship has been del’ghtful, and some of the books interesting, and there is probably not as long to go to outside warmth as there is to the time we last felt it. twice as hot. President-elect Carter, who campaigned on a program that had some semblance of fiscal sanity to it, now says let’s spend our way into prosperity; let’s circulate the money and, if there are those who can’t or won’t earn theirs, then let’s give them some, so they can become consumers and stimulate the economy again. The nation is deserving of better leadership, from the one going out and the one coming in. the JACKSON PROGRESS-ARGUS, JACKSON, GEORGIA The Last Straw BY VINCENT JONES Before he has time to warm his chair in the oval office. President Carter may initiate an action that will cause a temporary breech in his love affair with the American voters. Trudging through the snows of New Hampshire, or basking in the sunshine of Florida, he never wavered in his pledge to grant amnesty to those eligible for it as a result of the Vietnam war. Standing before audiences of booing veterans, he courage ously took his stand on the side of compassion and togetherness and promised that one of his first acts as president would be to end the divisiveness caused by the Vietnam conflict. He distinguished between pardon and amnesty and criticized President Ford’s offer of conditional pardon, which required effort and commitment on the part of Hie parolee, as too rigid and tough. His anaylsis of the Vietnam war as an unpopular one and one in which we should never have been engaged in undoubtedly correct. Three presidents wrestled with the problem there before one of them finally brought the conflict to conclusion, with the United States neither a winner nor a loser. His spiritual concern for the sitters-out of this war, who may indeed be lonely and miserable in other countries, and his desire to bring them back into the fold of the nation they rejected when in need, is laudable and perhaps understandable. But eompassion sometimes has to be tempered with reason and with a long look at the future. Who has ever heard of a war that lasted over 24 hours that was popular at its close? The Civil war was popular when it began, with volun teers from Georgia to Pennsylvania standing in line to enlist but by 1864 the ranks of both sides were thin from deserters and it was a common practice to hire a proxy to do your fighting for you. The popularity of World War 1 died when the casualty list appeared from the fighting at the Marne and Be I lea u Woods and the spirit of 1941 was snuffed out by the death tolls of Tarawa, Cassino and Omaha Beach. Every war becomes unpop ular when the bodies come home, and the hospitals overflow with the husks of fine young men and the memorial services are held with increasing regularity in tue cities and small towns across the country. For wars are chiefly tests ol will, of which side will fight harder and endure longer the hardships, suffer ing. agony and deprivation of war itself. It is after the first few glows of patriotism have died out that the tail-turners, the deserters and the home-at a 11-costs gang begin to assert themselves. It is then that the war becomes unpopular, the questions arise as to why our country is in it and those seeking the easy way out obtain support from a populace that is tired of the long struggle. There would seem to be two paramount questions involved in this matter and they both deal more with the realities of the situation than with compassion. Should this nation reward with its blessing the draft evaders, defectors, and dis honorable dischargees who served, or escaped service, in the Vietnam conflict? And. if we do, how effective would any future draft ever be in this country, keeping in mind the fact that this nation has never won a major war without a draft, and isn’t likely to? When the Russians rattle ' < ir sabers, as they will, are v.e h\ this proposed policy of A Klroll Down ' Memory Lane News of 10 Years Ago Jackson’s first radio sta tion, WJGA, will be on the air within the next 120 days, it was announced by Herbert Shapard, general manager. Charlie C. Goss, of Jenkins burg, celebrated his 103rd birthday on January 17th. Rev. Andy Holston, leaving soon with his family as a missionary to Brazil, spoke to the Lions Club and thanked the members for their financial support of his missionary effort. The engagement of Miss Fredericka Catharine Moss, of Alexandria, Virginia, to John James Flynt 111, son of Congressman and Mrs. John James Flynt, Jr., of Griffin, has been announced. At the January meeting of the Hawthorn Garden Club, Mrs. Artis Wilson was elected president; Mrs. J. E. Edwards, vice president; Mrs. J. L. Bailey, Jr., secretary, and Mrs. J. M. Nutt, treasurer. Miss Candy Adams, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clint Adams, has received her cap at the Georgia Baptist Hospital School of Nursing capping exercises. Deaths during the week: Elwood Smith Thomas. News of 2(1 Years Ago The County Commission ers have curtailed the $2.50 per pair bounty for fox ears and the move will save the County an estimated SI,OOO a year. Miss Jean Dodson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Dodson, and Jack Long, son of Mrs. Ruby Long, have been awarded the DAR Gold Medal Good Citizen award of the William Mclntosh Chap ter. Stockholders of the Jack son Ice Corp. found their profits melted in 1956 and the local ice company showed a small operating deficit. C. A. Anthony and Alton Jenkins have been ordained as deacons in the Flovilla Baptist Church. Dr. R. H. Pinckney, retiring president of the Fourth District Georgia Optometric Society, brought home the 1956 Achievement Aw ard banner for his District from the recently concluded GOA convention. Richard T. Walters has been named Field Scout Executive for the Flint Council, Boy Scouts of America. December, 1956, was the warmest December ever recorded by the Atlanta weather bureau, with an average temperature of 54.5 degrees. News of 30 Years Ago A prize of $25 will be awarded for the best name of the Atlanta-to-Jacksonville Short Route Highway. Dan Hoard, L. M. Lipsey, Waycross, and R. E. Yancey, Eastman, are members of the contest committee. The Jackson Kiwanis Club ai a Ladies’ Night meeting observed its 25th anniver sary. W. A. Dozier, the Club’s first president, was the speaker. Stockholders heard an* encouraging report on the blanket amnesty encourag ing the lail-turners to run for the hills, there to be joined by the over-the-hill gang in the nearest peaceful sanctuary? It is a sobering thought. And it makes our compassion less compassionate. THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 1977 progress of the Butts County Freezer Locker Company. The plant has 567 lockers and over 150,000 pounds of meat is now in storage. Herman Talmadge was elected governor by the General Assembly Tuesday night in the debate to determine the state’s highest executive. M. E. Thompson, lieutenant governor, also staked a claim to the office. Mesdames Wade Ham mond, Otis Hammond, Al bert Maddox and J. T. Maddox were hostesses for the Towaliga Home Demon stration Club meeting in the school auditorium last week. Mrs. J. E. Sims presided and Miss Elizabeth Hood gave a demonstration on vegetable cooking. News of 40 Years Ago The Butts County Game and Fish Conservation Club was organized Saturday with G. E. Mallet, president; Fred H. Morgan, vice president, and M. O. McCord, secretary and treasurer. In marked contrast to last year w'hen the County suffered one of its worst ice and sleet storms, pear trees are blooming in many yards and flowers are budding all over town. Six Butts County boys joined the CCC in Macon Friday. They are Joe Mask, Wade McGahee, Joe Ben Blesset.t. J. B. Singldy, James O’Kelley and Walter Harris. Doyle Jones, Jr., senior in the Henry W'. Grady School of Journalism at the University ol Georgia, has been named to the Dean’s List for the fall quarter. Butts County was repre sented at the inauguration of President Franklin Roose velt on Wednesday by Dr. B. F. Watkins. Deaths during the week: Mrs. A. L. Saunders, of Griffin, formerly Miss Mary Spruce of Butts County. News of 5(1 Years Ago Butts Countians sold 2,300 pounds of poultry at the Southern Railway peddler car last Saturday for $495.00. B. C. Cawthon sold 600 pounds for $133.20. Butts County now seems practically assured of a paved road from Jackson to Indian Springs if present plans work out. Mrs. Juliette Low, nation ally known as the founder of the Girl Scouts of America, died at her home in Savannah Monday afternoon. The next meeting of the Georgia Funeral Directors Association will held at Indian Springs on June 9-10. Master Bob Carmichael entertained a number of little boys and girls at his home Monday to celebrate his seventh birthday. Miss Lena White and Mrs. J. P. Mcßryant assisted Mrs. Bert Carmichael in serving delicious charlotte, cake and fruits. Deaths during the week: Mrs. Jean Landers, of Eastman, the former Miss Janie Lemon; Mrs. Claude Hendrick, of Sparta, the former Miss Annie Ried Maddux. WE APPLAUD YOU... (jeu/ceed- S' J JAYCEE WEEK * JANUARY 10-22 ftiiraiFßi By Mrs. Cindy Brown DR. DRILL AND FILL I have decided that the bad place down below is probably full of Dentist’s chairs! At least. I feel that must be the situation because for me, going to the dentist is about the same as going in that direction! You see, I am one of those people who is so absolutely petrified of going to a dentist, that I usually have a three-year waiting period between appointments. I finally got brave last week and actually made and KEPT an appointment. My husband carried me to the office - I think he figured that was the only way he could be sure I would keep my appointment. I tried very, very hard to be brave; 1 even managed to stop crying by the time I walked in the office door. Then the bad part started: I had to wait 15 minutes before I was summoned to the back by a cheerful, white-uniformed, beautifully teethed technician. She ushered me to my chair, put a little white towel on a chair around my neck and left. I cried. I shook. I prayed. And I cried some more. After what seemed like hours, the dentist walked into the room. Now my particular dentist is a big, fatherly-like man: He’s perpetually cheerful and quite understanding. “What on Earth is the matter with you?” he asked. ”1 am petrified,”. I sniffed, "I've never been this scared in my life.” "Well, don’t be so wor ried." he said comfortingly. "I have looked at your X-rays (I had them made years ago) and I need to know if any particular tooth is hurting. Weekly Devotional By Donald L. Folsom, Pastor First Baptist Church, Jackson, Georgia Ours is a time when rapid and radical changes are taking place. In fact, we as people in recent years have experienced the greatest changes in the history of the world. In just a few brief years, we have seen assassinations and riots, unpopular wars and sordid scandals, eco nomic set backs and moral confusion. Perhaps one of the most important books of this decade is Alvin Toffel’s “Future Shock.” We are perhaps the first people in history to live with “Future Shock.” However, I like what William Scranton, U. S. Representative, to the United Nations, said recently. “All though we live with future shock, we have not collapsed under that strain. We are more skeptical than we once ruth at random By Ruth Bryant THE WELL OF THREE GENERATIONS Once it was fashioned of old sandrocks Now it is covered with concrete blocks! The pully is held by a big forked tree A thick rope lets the buckets hang free, The cover of cedar is rotting with age The cross-beam is in a critical stage! In spirte of all this the water is clear, For the old washpot that is bubbling near, Veins of pure water flow under the well According to stories that Indians tell! And now I am writing this poem for you In memory of a well that is both old and new! "No, sir, I just knew I had several which needed fixing, so I finally got up the nerve to come," I replied, sounding more and more like a 6-year-old by the minute. To make a long story, short, the caring “Den lieian” gave me three shots of novocaine; I guess he knew that was a good idea since I had refused to open my mouth without Hypnosis! And we started. Now, you may not under stand this, but a dentist’s drill, to me, is the most horrifying instrument ever conceived by mankind. So it follows naturally, that rather than pull my teeth this time the Doctor and I mutually agreed to fill a particular front tooth which definitely needed work. I honestly thought my time had come. Every time I figured he was through drilling, the gentleman would pull the drill down “just one more time.” I would grab the chair arms one more time. The nurse would frown one more time. Finally, after what seemed like a decade, the drill was laid to rest, the filling was in place and I weakly climbed down from the dreaded black leather chair. I was shaking like a leaf. The dentist was shaking like a leaf -- I think he was shaking from fear I’d faint, grab the drill, or something. Next week when I return for my second appointment (at which time I’ll have a tooth pulled), I plan to wear a sign around my neck stating 'h;it I am a legal secretary! Perhaps my dentist will be so afraid of a malpractice suit, that he’ll agree to cancel all future appointments. What do you think of that idea, Dr. Drill and Fill? Have you paid ,your liability insurance late ly? were, but we are not fearful. We are more realistic than once was the case, but we are not pessimistic. “I believe we are coming of age as a people. The price has been high. Adulthood is hard. We’ve had to give up some illusions, and that has often been a painful experi ence. But above all else, we are maturing in this critical period and we are becoming a stronger and a more resourceful people, especial ly as individuals." I am inclined to agree. This is especially true of people who have their faith firmly planted in God. After all, the prophet Isaiah was right when he said, “Thou will keep them in perfect peace whose mind is stayed of Thee because they trust in Thee.” Remember His Brother? A minister at a funeral service says to the funeral gathering: “Before we send this man’s soul to rest in heaven can we have a good word about him?” There’s complete silence, and the minister repeats his plea. Finally, a gentleman in the back pew offers: “His broth er was worse!"