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MARKET YOUR TOBACCO IN DOUGLAS - - - GEORGIA’S BEST TOBACCO , OWN
The Douglas Enterprise
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VOLUME XXXVIII, NUMBER 17
DOUGLAS TOBACCO MARKET
LEADS STATE OPENING WEEN
ONE MILLION AND EIGHTY THOU
SAND POUNDS SOLD FIRST
THREE DAYS. OVER QUARTER
MILLION DOLLARS DISPERSED
IN THREE DAYS.
!»
The Douglas 'obacco market Jed the
state this week in sales and average
price, taking far in the elad on Thurs
day. Every indication is that this
market will keep ahead throughout the
season, both in tonnage and price. To
bacco from many South Georgia coun
ties is being brought here daily.
One million and eighty thousand
pounds of tobacco has been sold dur
ing the first three days of the activi
ties of the Douglas tobacco market, at
an average price of approximately 21-
cents per pound, the amount being
paid out being in the neighborhood of
a quarter of a million dollars. These
figures are official but will probably
vary just a little one way or the other.
On opening day the amount paid out
in Douglas was $102,956.92, as against
$24,969.69 last season. The average
price this year on opening day was
24.08 while in 1925 it was 15 cents.
The difference is accounted for here.
Today's sales are reported good, as
we go to press. On next Monday
there will be three sets of tobacco buy
ers instead of two as used this week.
The three sets will probably remain
for several weeks.
All records were msashed here on
opening day of the Douglas tobacco
market, and we understand similar
condition existed at the other markets
in the state. On Tuesday the initial
sale of the 1926 crop was made and
exceeded all expectations. This was
due to better quality together with
the competition displayed by the sev
eral foreign and American companies.
Everybody is convinced that the
stated tobacco crop in money will ex
ceed the fondest hopes.
The sales here are attended by the
Export, the American, the China-
American, the Imperial, Liggett &
Myers, R. J. Reynolds # Co., not to
mention innumerable independents.
In the Douglas market which is en
joyed the leadership in the state the
auction on Tuesday developed prices
exceeding the general average that
was obtained throughout the period
last year, that is to say, sand lugs and
primers commanded priebs ranging
above 8 cents a pound, whereas a year
ago all of this first tobacco sold for
4 cents per pound.
The sales here this week justify the
belief that the value of the entire crop
will average 26 cents per pound.
Everybody who sold tobacco this week
at each of the four warehouses are
well pleased and the general feeling
throughout the county is that this
year’s crop is going to put things back
in order again in this section of the
state.
The opening sale was attended by
special representatives from various
sections of the state including a spec
ial train of the A. B. & A., with their
officials, a special train of the Georgia
& Florida bearing officials from Gen
eral Manager Purvis down, together
with newspaper men from Augusta,
Atlanta, Macon, and other state cities.
The crowd was large and the weather
hot but this did not take any pep out
of the crowd as the prices put every
body in a good humor for the day.
To Fight Dempsey
The much tangled situation in
the heavyweight boxing division
h:s cleared up with the announce
rt that Gene Tunney will be
, - k Dempsey’s next opponent,
f o # has already started training
imrait, N. J.. tor the hig bout
which will be held bept. lltfl.
'Uhe Enterprise ‘Pulishhes the Legal Jl (berthing of the City of Douglas, Coffee County and Countx Commissioners
MR. W. T. BRINSON DIED AT
WAYCROSS HOME WEDNESDAY
Mr. W. T. Brinson, of Waycross,
prominent naval stores operator at
Beach, died at his home on Wednes
day after a brief illness. His death
was attributed to a stroke of paraly
sis which came to him about eleven
days ago.
Mr. Brinson was well known in
Douglas. He had a half brother, Col.
T. A. Wallace, who lived here for a
number of years. He was 64 years of
age at the time of his death. The fun
eral occurred on Thursday afternoon.
SPECIAL SERVICES AT
THE METHODIST CHURCH
The third of a series of sermons on
the Apostles will be preached at the
Methodist church Sunday at the morn
ing worship. John, the beloved Apos
tle will be the subject.
At the evening hour, The Hinderer,
a study in practical every day relig
ion in reference to the things and per
sons bhat hinder the progress in the
spiritual life, will be the theme.
Sunday School 10:15 a. m. Ep
worth League service at 7:30 p. m.
Miss Myrtle'Barnes will have charge
of the program. Prayer meeting and
praise service Wednesday 8:30 p. m.
The official board will have a called
meeting at the close of the morning
worship.
WOMENS CLUB WILL
SPONSJJW PLAY
The retiring President of the Wo
man’s Club, Mrs. Fred Brewer, and
her finance committee are sponsoring
the play, “Listen Lady” by home tal
ent which be presented to the
people of Douglas and vicinity on Fri
day night, Aug. 13 at 9 o’clock at the
High School Auditorium.
This play which is being coached by
Miss Marjorie Rentz of Wadley, comes
to Douglas with good reccommenda
tions from the towns where it has been
played. There are three attractive
choruses with catchy songs, and
dances that are full of pep. A com
plete program with the cast of char
acters will be carried in this paper
next week.
Tickets will be handled by a special
committee and reserved seats can be
purchased at the Union Pharmacy on
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of
next week from 4 to 6 o’clock. Ad
mission will be °sc and 50c and 75c for
reserved seats.
B. Y. P. U. NEXT SUNDAY.
You are cordially invited to attend
the B. Y. P. U. next Sunday at 7:30
o’clock at the First Baptist Church.
Group No. 2 w'th Miss Jeanette
Bridges as leader. The following pro
gram will be given:
Introduction—Miss Jeanette Bridges
Let Us Learn to Obey—Miss Willie
Pearl Davis.
Peculiar Place of Commandment —
Tom Sims.
The First Commandment Mrs.
Vida Tomlinson.
The Second Commandment—Miss
Kate Outen.
The Third Commandment Miss
Dollie Freeman.
The Fourth Commandment-—Miss
Alice Harris.
HIGH SCHOOL AND
GRADES OPEN SEPT. 7
/
The fall term of the Douglas Public
schools will open on Tuesday, Septem
ber 7, according to official information
furnished us (by the school board. This
includes the High school and grades.
Prof. O. H. Hixon, the new superin
tendent, will be on hand several days
before the opening, also Prof. Clyde
Herndon, the principal. The official
list of the entire faculty was publish
ed in these columns several weeks ago.
The board has decided that no child
under tix years of age will be admit
l
a nil III? dtiiit? Gtotmty Iffcis
THE DOUGLAS ENTERPRISE, DOUGLAS, GEORGIA, AUG. 6, 1926.
SCOUTMASTER SMITH AND
SCOUT ARCHIE BAGWELL
PAID SUPREME SACRIFICE
By W. R. Frier.
When the telegraphic news reached Douglas last Wednesday after
noon about 5:30 o’clock stating that. Scout Master W. E. Smith and
Scout Archibald Bagwell were both drowned on Long Island beach on
St. Simons Island about 5 o’clock that afternoon, the community was
shocked and stunned followed by intense heartaches for the lost and
the twenty-four scouts who were in camp. There was quite a bit of
excitement and hurrying for details, as well as inquiries about the re
maining scouts, by the many parents and friends in Douglas, but it was
soon ascertained that the others were safe under the leadership of
Scout Master Simmons, of Brunswick, who assumed control in the
place of the fallen leader.
The tragedy is one that will be long remembered in this section.
It reached so many people, and the awfulne&s of it all, coming so un
expected, simply paralized everything for the time being, and it was
hard to realize and still hard to believe that this noble minister of God
together with the brave young scout, are, no more.
There have been various statements made as to how it all happen
ed, hut in the main, the following account seems to Ibe about as accur
ate as can be oibtainel. The scoutmaster and twenty-three of the scouts
were in the surf late Wednesday afternoon, three of the scouts remain
ing on K. P. duty. The tide was just right for bathing being full and
everything was going well and the party was happy. The scoutmas
ter was showdng the boys just how far to go out and came back to the
edge of the water for something. At this time he discovered that one
of the boys was too far out, the scout making a distress sound, then
the scoutmaster started towards the boy but found that he could not
make it on account of the undertow and distance, and gave r call to
the boys to form a life chain Which was quickly done. About this
time a large wave came and broke the chain of boys and scattered
them everywhere. Then it was discovered the seriousness of the sit
uation, on account of the boys being scattered everywhere, the rough
ness of the water, and some could not swim good.
Everybody whs doing a life saving act at this time. The boys
that could swim were making a strenuous effort to save others less
fortunate. The scoutmaster was in the thick of the fight for safety
of the boys, trying to save those who'he knew could not swim, and
did push several of them to safety. Other scouts who could swim as
sisted many to landing, including Scout Archie Bagwell, who complet
ed several heroic deeds. The boys were all making distress sounds,
especially those who could not swim, and there was confusion every
where, as it he waves kept coming in strong and high.
After all the boys were saved, the last one being pushed to safe
ty by Scoutmaster Smith, it was found that exhaustion from excite
ment and effort had taken hold of the scoutmaster and he was at this
time in deep water and in an effort to come bo shore. He reulized his
danger brought on from exhaustion and ga\e one distress signal after
another. The appeal for help made by the scoutmaster, “save me,
please save ime”, is the most touching and heart breaking phase of the
tragedy. The boys were alb safe and stood there, helpless, looking at
the predicament of their leader, when the best swimmer of the num
ber, Archie Bagwell, decided to go at the risk of his life to try and
help the pleading Scoutmaster. He started and was nerving ten feet
of the leader when he became exhausted from previous work, and
gave up the fight. It is not known which went to their watery grave
first, but about the same time the loss of view of them both was dis
covered by the exhausted and distressed scouts now in safety'.
Assistant Scoutmaster Harold Adams was not present when all
of this happened as he did not care for bathing that afternoon and
had been excused by the scoutmaster for 15 minutes. He went over
to the pavillion, returning about five minutes after the tragedy. He
was informed by the scouts as to what had happened. He immediate
ly got in* a car and returned to the pavillion to get a boat which he
brought back dragging it behind the car. He found then there were
no oar-locks o>n it and if he used it, would have to take some of the
scouits with him to help place the body in, <of found, and it would be too
hazardous for the scouts, so he dismised this idea. He then when to
St. Simons for help, and in about thirty minutes there were scores of
people from St. Simons pier and Brunswick on hand to lend assis
tance. Everything possible was done in getting the (boys safe back to
camp. There was no sign of the floating bodies anywhere. Patrols
of the beach iniluding fishing Iboats began a search which lasted until
about 11 o’clock when the body of Scoutmaster Smith washed ashore
■ and was found by Dr. Simmons, of Brunswick, who was the scoutmas
ter at Brunswick and was now in charge of the Douglas boys. The
hunt continued until about one o’clock when the body of the young
scout was found washed ashore. This ended the search and the two
bodies were taken to the Brunswick undertakers that night.
The boys at the camp had visitors from Brunswick all thru the
night. The scouts were at that time in charge of the assistant scout
master, the Brunswick scoutmaster taking charge Thursday morning.
Camp was broke at 9 o’clock Thursday morning and the (boys came
over to Brunswick and remained at Troop No. 1 hut, until they start
ed for home.
The body of Rev. W. E. Smith was shipped direct from Bruns
wick to Kingrtree, S. C., and will be interred today at his old home a
few miles from there. Mrs. Smith, here, joined the funeral train at
Jesup.
The body of Scout Bagwell arrived in Douglas, together with the
scout troop, over the A. B. & A. Thursday night. There were fully
300 cars in waiting at the depot, about 1200 people, the largest crowd
that ever assembled in Douglas on- such an occasion. The cars were
parked over every available parking space around the depot and were
lined clear back to the monument. The corps was taken to the boys
home where crowds remained thru the night. The funeral will take
place at the Methodist church this afternoon, former Scoutmaster
Fred Brewer to be in charge of the scouts, who will officially conduct
the service. Taps will be sounded and the service promises to be
very impressive. Ministers of the city will also be present, and spec
al music has been provided. It is expected to be one of the largest
attended funerals in the history of Douglas.
Rev. W. E. Smith, the late scoutmaster, was pastor of the local
Presbyterian church, and had been here for a couple of years. He
erfme here from school and had done a great deal for the local church.
He was loved by all denominations, and for some time had been
actively at the head of the scouts, reorganizing the present troop. The
camp which was so suddenly broken up had been planned by him and
he and the boys had all looked forward to the trip with much pleasure.
He was married on June 15 last and his bride was preparing to leave
Thursday morning for the camp to spend a few days w'ith her hus
band. She was doing little duties in preparation for the trip to be
made in a few hours when the telegram 'announcing her husband’s
death arrived. She read it twice as she stood, then in a dazed con
dition and appealing voice announced to her visitor presence, “Bill is
drowned”. She held up well probably realizing that there ,were mat
ters to be transacted that no one but her could do, and every comfort
RECOMMENDATIONS
FOR 5 YEAR PLAN
BEING IRKED OUI
COMMITTEES WILL BE CALLED
TOGETHER AUG. 17 TO READ
OVER AND CONSIDER PLAN AS
A WHOLE. MUCH INTEREST.
The Chamber of Commerce commit
tees have nearly all worked out the
principal recommendations for the big
five year plan that has been projected
by the Chamber, and beginning Fri
day, they will start their final meet
ings for the finishing touches of the
plan. It is expected that they will
finish these meetings by next Friday
or beore ar.d that about Tuesday
August 17, all the committees from all
over the county will ,e called together
again to read over and consider the
Plan as a Whole. At that meeting, if
there is anything thought to be irrela
vant or wrong, it will be brought ap
and discussed by the whole committee
and purged from the Plan, or else kept
in .according to a majority vote.
Those who have been keeping up
with the work of the committees con
sider the plan thus far a very strong
plan and holds out a future for Coffee
county will inspire every citizen to his
best and will attract thousands of
people to the county that otherwise
would not come.
Already a number of enterprises
have been hypothecated on the pros
pects of the plan and when people
realize what it means for the county
many others will start homes and bu
siness in the county that have hither
to thought of going elsewhere.
One man said about the plan, “it
makes arrangements to give my
children seme wholesome pleasure as
well as my business a chance to suc
ceed and I see no reason why I should
leave this county if the people will get
together and bring about the things
planned for the next five years. From
now on, I am for Coffee County one
hundred per cent. If these things are
carried out, I never expect to live any
where else in this world.”
GRADUATING EXERCISES AT
AUDITORIUM MONDAY NIGHT
Exercises for the ' graduating class
of the Clark-Smith Training School
for Nurses were held at the High
School auditorium last Monday even
ing. Dr. T. H. Clark was master of
ceremonies, and Col. Rufus Mbore de
livered the address of the evening. The
diplomas were delivered by Dr. John
R. Smith, nad Mrs. Lula Futrelle, head
nurse of this institution presented the
members of the class their Pins.
The members of the graduating
class were Miss Mabel Poindexter, and
Miss Willie Mae Vickers. Mrs. Irby
Cook, Charles Powers and Mr. Hutch
Williams furnished music for the
evening.
The stage was prettily dectorated
with gladoli and daisies and the Hos
pital colors, black and gold, were ear
reid out in detail.
Billie Powers has returned from a
month’s tour of Florida with an uncle,
Mr. B. F. Fitzgerald, of Waycross.
possible was administered by the ladies of the town.
Archie Bagwell, 15 years old, was the son of ,Mr. and Mrs. A. M.
Bagwell, of this city. The pathetic part of this death as pertains to
the family is the fact that just about a year ago they lost a young
daughter about grown, and of course the sorrow in the loss of their
son was more keenly felt. But they have the knowledge which should
be a comfort to them, that he died a hero, doing his full duty to God
and man, and in an effort to save a human life. He paid the extreme
sacrifice, and will always be remembered by the people of this com
munity as “the young hero”, doing his duty to the end.
Rev. Smith likewise lost bis life in an effort to save others. He
Was always very conscientious, doing his difty as he saw it, and not
one word of criticism have we heard against hint and his official acts.
He will always be remembered here as a man of God, and whose life
will bear imitation.
Harold Adams, the assistant scoutmaster, is to be commended for
his efforts in doing everything he could. The boys all have words of
praise for him and his acts after the deaths, and he perhaps felt the
responsibilities more keenly than anyone else, after the sea had taken
its toll. He was loyal to the last and got all the boys home safe.
The scout flag was lowered here on the school grounds early
Thursday morning by Elmore and Joe Thrash, scouts who did not go
on the trip. They found the flag of the dead scoutmaster in his of
fice at the church, folded carefully as he had left it.
Those attending the camp were: Scoutmaster W. E. Smith,-As
sistant Scoutmaster Harold Adams, Scouts Raymond Lowery, Chester
McKinnon. Julian Frier, Edison Floyd, J. C. Relihan. Franklin Pres
ton, Briggs Caldwell, Charles Heath, Alvin Stone, J. H. Higgs. Archie
Bagwell, Tom Dent, Marvin Breen, Joe Jardine, Ward Whelchel, Ren
der Mathews, Jack Whekbel, Glyde Jardine, Billie Brewer, Mitchell
Thomas, Bernard Vickers, Glynn Harper, and two scouts from Jesup,
Ga., who joined the camp.
$1.50 PER YEAR IN ADVANCE
EFFORT BEING MADE
10 REOPEN GEORGIA
STATE SANK HERE
FORMER C A S II I E II MITCHELL
NOW READY TO RECEIVE PAY
MENTS ON NOTES. BANK MAY
REOPEN VERY SOON.
T. A. Mitchell and L. E. Heath of
the Local Board of Directors were in
Atlanta Tuesday in conference with
the Banking Department. T. A.
Mitchell was appointed to open the
bank and begin collecting the notes,
and all persons owing notes will find
him at the bank.
The Banking Department called a
joint meeting of the two directors
from each of the 20 branch banks to
meet in Atlanta Thursday looking to
ward a plan cf reorganization and
opening up of these banks.
The Banking Department has two
plans, either of which, if carried out
by the depositors* will enable these
banks to open up, but it is necessary
that all these banks have the united
support of the depositors in whatever
plan may be adopted, and if adopted
will assure the depositors of the best
results which can be worked out. The
Banking Department will lend every
legal co-operation possible to enable
these banks to reorganize and open
for (business.
Therefore, looking to this end, we
call a meeting of all the depositors of
the Douglas Branch of Georgia State
Bank, either in person or by a repre
sentative, to meet in the county court
room on Saturday afternoon, Aug. 7
at 3 o’clock to perfect pains for open
ing the bank. This August 4, 1926.
A. W. Haddock.
T. A. Mitchell,
L. E. Heath,
Local Directors Douglas Branch.
.Miss Louise Fussell and Miss Pearl
Bagwell are leaving today for a visit
to relatives and friends, in Pearson.
V\ ith His Father
The body of Robert Todd Lincoln
83, last of President Abraham Lin
coln’s immediate family, will soon
be placed in the Lincoln tomb, near
that of his illustrious father, at
Springfield, 111. He passed away,
while asleep in his summer hotne
at Manchester, Vt., last week.