Newspaper Page Text
tCbe XEifton (5a3ctte
Published Weekly
The Gazette Publishing Company, Proprietors
JOHN L. HERRING Editor and Manager
Entered at the Postoffice at Tifton, Georgia,
m mail matter of the second class.
Official Organ City of Tifton
and Tift County, Georgia.
.SATURDAY NIGHT.
■
Town Ball on the Schoolhouse Yard
•‘Wet or dry?” called the tall youth with one
knit suspender, as he spat upon the side of the
paddle and tossed it in the air. ' .
“Dry," responded the stocky youth with the
missing front tooth and copperas breeches.
“Wet she lies," the bystanders shouted, and
the boy with the stocking suspender won. He
had first choice of team-mates and the first turn
at bat. h
They didn’t necessarily have nine to a side
in those days, and the two teams of six each
marched out to the rear of the yard, where five
spots clear of grass marked the bases, pitcher s
box and home plate.
While town-ball was the predecessor of base
ball, it was quite a different game in many ways.
The ball used was home-made, the work of
main- patient hours. First, for the thread, a
pair of home knit socks, worn beyond hope of
repair, was necessary. These were cut off at
the ankle and the cut ends picked out until the
unbroken thread was reached. Then, hour, af
ter hour, the threads of the s*ock were raveled
and wound into the ball.
For the center, a rock was commonly used.
In later days, when the railroads were building,
sometimes it was possible to obtain a priceless
piece of the hard rubber, used somewhere in
the axle boxes of the freight cars. Such a cen
ter made a ball of wonderful resilience. But if
nothing else.was to be had a large round pebble
was used, and it answered very well. It must
not be too large, because damage might be done,
ss you will see later. These balls were made
from cotton socks usually, but if a man could
» be found in the community who wore woolen
. socks, the life of his foot-covering was the ob
i ject of much watchful waiting for the yarn
made a ball great on the rebound. .After the
sock was unraveled and the ball wound, moth
er’s‘aid was called in (or perhaps grandma’s)
and the outside carefully stitched.
The ball was literally "pitched," the pitener
taking it in his hand, palm upward and tossing
h to the batter, the ball rising and descending
a long semi-half circle. There were no “bats’
used then. One would have been laughed at.
The batter used a paddle with a wide blade,
usually made from a board which had seen
better days, with one end trimmed with a pock
et-knife until it could be grasped with the hand.
The main object was to hit the ball, just as it is
today. Once a player came in with a white-oak
ehairpost for a bat. Nobody believed he could
hit anything with it, and when he did, and lost
the ball in the wiregrass, his chairleg was rul
ed out.
The batter had three strikes; no balls were
called on him, and if he did not hit with three he
was out. Also, if he hit at a ball and missed it,
and the player behind him caught it, either be
fore it touched the ground, or on the first
bounce, the batter was out. If he hit the ball
and a fielder caught it before it struck the
ground or on the first bounce, he was out. In
running bases, if he was hit by the ball, he was
out. The fielders did not hold bases. They
were disposed where their captain’s experience
dictated they could do the most good, so when
a batted ball was secured, it was not thrown to
the bases, for nobody was there. It was thrown
at the runner direct, and if the ball was hard or
heavy or the thrower strong, some time the
runner was downed. If the runner secured a
base, he was batted in by his mates, much as
they are now.
v * Tfierfe were no umpires those days, and no
professional pitchers. Anybody pitched, and
T nearly everybody caught. Disputes were set
tled by the sense of fairneBS or the muscular su
periority of the players. If the game endedHn a
scrap it was no way different from many of the
^Efcping& of today, and the schoolmaster could ai
rways be depended on to interfere at the proper
time-
The school grounds were ample for they in
cluded a part of over a million uncultivated
; acres in the county. By Some means the trees
had been cleared from a few acres, and one
" plowing at some time in the past has put the
wiregrass out of business forever. Not far away
i was the schoolhouse, a framed building built
some day by remote but progressive ancestors
and about the only building exclusively used for
school purposes in the county. It was at the
county site.
Tbe state was not very liberal to the schools
then—indeed it has never been—and paid only
abopt three cents per head for tuition for three
months of twenty days each during the year.
The balance of the sum considered by the
teacher absolutely essential for existence was
mad* up by the community. The teacherwas a
man jpf few words but prompt action. What hp
’ - ’ in personal magnetism or persuasive
e made up from an assortment of neat-
id black-gum sprouts always kept
ONLY A HALLOWED MEMORY.
The entire school, a motly assemblage of
gawky youths and boys and girls and maidens, Har , y . Lefi son o{ Mr _ 8nd Mrg
ranging in ages from twenty down to seven Floyd Edgar Rogers, of Macon, Ga„
years which was then the limit, followed the born July 2nd, 1914; died May’Slit,
players out to the ball ground. The teacher - -l
looked on and chewed his tobacco reflectively' Thursday afternoon, all that was
from the vantage point of a nearby stump. ™ returned^ ^7 earth “frem
The-suspender boy, by virtue of his right as whence it ^ n short 8 , pace of
captain, marched to the home-plate and took his time agone in Riverside cemeteTy, on
stand. Choosing his own distance in front Cop-,a sun-kissed grass-covered hillside,
peras Breeches faced him. Without any pre-!. The tiny white casket was buried
liminary winding up or grand-stand plays the;* n flowers, typical of the
ball was pitched ; It went wide. The pext one^^fg^ ^’0^ come
came closer ana with a mighty swish the pad* >and go. Many sorowing friends g&th*
die went at it, but missed. It struck the ground ered to pay farewell to all that re-
and rebounded and the catcher came to life. He meined earthly of the little one, the
made three frantic grabs at It as it came by him I*™ 1 * douHl S’ saddened *»’ the enforc
on the first bounce but he missed it.andlitpolledj
away on the grass. The next one the batter let; hovers.
The services weie conducted at the
V Rev. J. C. Flanders, psstor
of the East Macon Methodist church.
His talk was far removed from the
formal fhnefal service; it was from
the heart of o parent who hsd been
colled to give up his first-born, who
he only made second.
His companion sent the ball out into the edge
of the wiregrass and he had made third and
sprinted for home when the fielder called "lost
ball,” which was supposed to stop the game. He
ran on, and a riot nearly ensued, the runner
claiming that the fielder purposely failed to
look for the ball, and the other side that the run
ner should have stopped when the ball was lost.
It was too early in the proceedings however {or
the players to allow a dispute to stop the game
so the runner went back to third and another
mate went to the bat. He was caught out On
the first ball he struck at and another one batted
straight into the stomach of a nearby fielder
who stopped the ball from necessity, picked it
up and with a resounding thud nailed the man
who was running to first. The man on third
came in just in time, for there was no one else
to go to bat.
And so the game went on until the noon re
cess was over and the shout of “books” called
them to the school room
Some of those boys have played bigger games
since. Among them has been represented the
bar, medicine, surgery, financial and agricul
tural South Georgia, and we are sorry to say
some of the criminal history of the .state. And
a closer observer, by watching the bail game,
could make a guess as to the paths* in life the
players would follow.
go by but he caught the fourth fairly with, a
mighty “swoop,” and it went far out afield as
the batter dashed for first base. He passed first
and was on his way to second when the ball
came hurtling toward him, like a bundle of
shucks. He paused and dodged and it went
wild but another fielder quickly stopped it and had found consolation on the bosom
of the Great Father, and who could
tell others bereaved where surcease
from grief lay* His prayer was a
sermon; his sermos a prayer in its
richness of love,.its depth of under
standing, its fullness of hope, and its
promise of reunion. An inspired man
spake to those to whom his words
brought healing and solace, and with
these encouragement
The little one with the face of -a
cherub, who before bid lost brief ill
ness was a stranger to pain, came a
visitor for a time that his smile might
gladden and sweeten a few days of
life's weary journey and that his go
ing might point to us the path to rest
along the ways of peace which among
the sordid things of life we too often
forget. It was thus, as a heavenly
guide, sent by djft- Father who hath
a purpose in all things that we re
gard little Harry’s coming; that we
look upon his going as the forging of
another link, between us and Eter
nity.
“Ere sin threw a blight o’er the spir
it’s young bloom,
Or earth had profaned what was born
for, the skies.
Death chilled the fair fountain ere
sorrow had stain’d it
’Twas frozen in all the pure light of
its ceurse,
And" but, sleeps 'till the sunshine of
heaven has unchainod it,
To water that Eden where first was
its source.”
"WEARING OF THE GRAY.”
To'the editress of The Azilian we are indebted
for the publication of a beautiful poem, “Wear
ing of the Gray,” -which we have not seen in
print before—indeed, we have some doubt as to
it ever having appeared in the public prints,
and certainly not since a few years after the
end of the War Between the States. Miss Sut
ton mentions it in connection with an incident,
“The Biot That Did Not Come,” which she re
lates aB occurring in Albany during reconstruc
tion days. Here is the poem, or song rather, for
it was set to music’and sung at a concert in
Albany. It has a rhythm and lilt inspiring, aside
for the noble and patriotic sentiment. What
pity that its author is unknown:
The fearful struggle's ended now, and
pence smiles on our land.
And, though we’ve yielded, we have proved
ourselves « faithful band.
, We fought them long, we fought them well,
we fought them night and day,
And nobly struggled for our rights while
wearing of the gray.
And now that we have ceased to fight, and
pledged our sacred word
That we against the Union’s might no more
will drew the sword,
We feel, despite the sneers of those who
never smelt the fray,
That we’ve an honest, manly right to wear
ing of the gray.
Our cause is lost. No more we fight 'gainst
overwhelming power.
All weary are our limbs and drenched with
many a battle shower.
We fain would rest; for lack of strength
we yield them up the day,
And lower the flag so proudly borne while
wearing of the gray.
When in the battle’s fierceet hour, we faced
the deadly hail,
Our simple suits of gray composed our only
coats of mail.
And still we'll wear those glorious suits,
let those deride who may,
In memory of the braves who fell while
wearing of the gray.
Defeat is not dishonor. Not of honor not
bereft.
We still thank God that in our hearts that
priceless boon is left:
And tho’ we grieve, tis for those brave* who
stood in proud array.
Beneath our flag and nobly died while wear
ing of the gray.
0, should we reach that glorious place
, where waits the sparkling crown
For every one who for the right his soldier
life ley down
God grant to us the privilege, upon that
happy day
Of Clasping hands with those whe fell while
wearing of the gray.
ALFALFA AND RED CLOVER
TY TY NEWS NOTES-
The residence of Messrs. W. H,
Davis' and Guy Innman is about com
pleted, and. it is the quaintest,
cutest" little house in Georgia. It
looks as if it had come out of an old-
time picture. '
The walls of the second story of
the new Pickett, building are going
up—a building that will add greatly
to the attractiveness of Ty Ty’s bus
iness section.
The friends of Mrs. Alice Redmond
aro grieved to hear of her critical
condition in Atlanta.
Miss, Parker, a trained nurse who
has been in charge of a typhoid fever
case a mile or two south of Ty Ty,
has returned to headquarters, her pa
tient being on the way to convales
cence.
The rain came just in time to save
the blackberries and the crop is abun.
dant.
Except grain, the drouth did not
seem to alfect crops. Oats were cut
off considerably, and wheat in
somewhat less degree. The best yield
of wheat reported is a trifle under
twenty-three bushels to the acre,
Ty TJy shipped nearly 2,300 bale*
of cotton last season.
Miss Helen Dowd who has been
teaching in Parrott, Ga., is spending
vacation with her mother and Mrs.
W. C. Thompson, her sister.
Do Well on Tift County Soil, Dem
onstrated by H, H. Tift, Jr.
That alfalfa and red clover will do
well on Tift county soil has been con
clusively demonstrated by Mr. C. H.
Belcher on the place known as H. H.
Tift, Jr/s Club House Farm.
Two acres of alfalfa were set there
in the fall of 1914, and last yesr
three Cuttings were had, as dry as
it was, and the yield averaged about
three tons to the acre. During the
winter the piece was grazed all the
time and thia year one cutting has al
ready been Had.
Besides the alfalfa test acres, Mr.
Belcher has two acres of red clover
that has furnished grazing for hogs,
cattle and-horses all this spring and
will continue to furnish grazing all
through the summer and winter. It
is furnishing grazing now at a time
when it is hard to have grazing crops.
In speaking of the patches, Farm
Demonstration Agent S. L. Watson
said, "Both the alfalfa and the clover
are about as good as can be found
anywhere."
The soil for these two crops was
well limed and liberal application of
stable manure used.
Both Mr. H. H. Tift, Jr., and Mr.
Belcher are delighted with the .out
come of their experimenting with the
crops and. they expect to increase
the acreage of both right along.
The proof of the -virtue of Tift
soils being adaptable to almost any
thing that grows out of the ground is
again shown-in these two tests, and
because such a success has been made
at thii farm, there is every likelihood
that other farmers, especially those
who are more or less Interested in
cattle raising, will take up the mat
ter of getting fields of clover and al
falfa for grazing purposes as well as
for the hay.
Cut This Out—It Is Worth Money.
DON’T MUSS THIS. Cut out this
slip, inclose with 5c to Foley & Co,,
Chicago, 111., writing your name and
address clearly. You will receive in
return a trial package containing
Foley's Honey and Tar Compound
for bronchial coughs, colds, and
croup; Foley Kidney Pills, and Foley
Cathartic Tablets. Specially com
forting to stout persons. Sold by
Brooks' Pharmacy.
WILL DOUBLE CAPACITY
. Washington, June 2.—With the Supreme Courtj
med with spectators and friends, Louis D. Branj"*^
oath this morning as Associate Justice of the Sy
He then took his seat on the extreme left
Columbus, New Mexico, June 5.—Gene?
staff arrived here today on an inspection tour.
This the first time that General Pershing^
United States soil since his expedition first entered ]
( Rising Sun Flour
| SELF-RISING AND READY PREPARED.
I Made of choicest Soft Winter Wheat
S Flour and prepared by VI
I —- Red Mill Methods l|
J Say RISING SUN to any good M
p grocer. You’llbc pleased. g
Farmer. Ginning Company Increase.
Equipment for Next Season
Work is progressing on the sheds
and building far additional equip
ment of the Farmers Ginning Com
pany which is being put in for next
season’s crop.
The capacity of the plant will be
more than doubled. At present it has
four 70-saw gins, and to these four
more 70-saw gins are being added.
The present gins are 10-lncb saws,
but the new ones to be installed are
12-inch saws.
The old boiler is being replaced
with a boiler of 150-horse power and
in addition there will be an independ
ent system pulled by a small engine.
The new plant, complete, will be one
of the most modern ginning plants in
South Georgia.
this’ll
BrighterfYou!” \t5j^ ✓
Yr*.. -i naf vAiiv f 1
You can get your Chero-Cola
In a Bottle-Through a Straw”
I at Soda Fountains and other
Refreshment Stands.
Everybody know* it
by it* name
ThatV
Best*'
Of course it Is only a co-incidence, but Mr.
J. G. MePhaul, reminded - the people at the occom|
Worth County Sunday School celebration in
Poulan Friday that for the thirty-five years this
celebration had been held, it had never been
»ined out once. But it was remarkable, just the
if it was only luck, mighty good luck.
To the Public.
I have been using Chamberlain’s
Tablets for indigestion for the past
six months, and it affords me pleas
ure to say 1 have never used a rem
edy that did me so much good."—
Mrs. C. E. Riley, Illion. N. Y. Cham
berlain’s Tablets are obtainable ev
erywhere. adv.
From the Ocilla Star.
Mr. and Mrs.* Reason Henderson
left Monday night for Atlanta, ac
companied by Dr. G. W. Willis. Mr.
Henderson’s foot, which was badly
hurt when the motor truck on which
he was riding some weeks ago jumped
the track, had reached tbe stage when
the services of a bone specialist were
needed and he will be under treat
ment for some time.
"I’d like to be a cucumber,"
"It’s always cool.’t'Zaid Draix.
‘Rut I’d hate to have to answer
For so many stomach-aches."
—'Timtt-Union.
Stomach Trouble, and Constipation.
“1 will cheerfully say that Cham
berlain’s Tablets are the most satis
factory remedy for stomach troubles
and constipation that I have sold in
thirty-four years' drug store ser
vice,” writes S. H. Murphy, druggist,
Wellsburg, N. Y. Obtainable every
where. adv.
SALEM ACTRACTIONS
DMNfC
Chero-Cola
HAVE .YOU BEEN SICK?
Then you realize (bbJtfter weakness
that robs ambition, de«r°ys appetite,
and makes work a burden.
To restore that etrengthandstamina that
I* so esaentisL nothing ha. ever equaled
* Ith Scott’s Bmnlsion, be
cause Its strength-sustaining nourish
ment invigorates thejdood to distribute
energy throughout thehody while its tonic
nine sharpens the appetite end restores
health in a natural, permanent way.
If yoo are run down, Bred, aervoui,
overworked or lack
Emulsion to-day. It i.free bam alcohol.
* Scan > 1fern,.. BI—S.H ».!•
Quite a crowd attended services at
Salem Sunday morning. Also the
memorial services in the evening ren
dered by the W. 0. W. of the Omega
Camp in honor of the deceased Mr.
Watson.
Miss Maggie Burrell, of Rochelle,
is the guest of her sister Mrs. R. W.
Moore this week.
The singing school at Salem clos
ed Friday evening with lots of nice
singing.
Miss Russia Childs is visiting her
cousins. Misses Mary and Recca
Childs this week.
Those • who dined at Mr. S. S.
Childs Sunday were Misses Mary
Shannon and Russia Childs,' Messrs.
Esten Tucker and Johnie Ford.
Miss Maude Cox was the guest of
Miss Jessie Wooten Sunday.
Mr. Albert Collier is stuck on a cute
little girl who is visiting in our set
tlement. Guess who doesn’t like that
one bit!
Miss Lucile Boyd spent the week
end in Tifton.
Prince Albert you ask who serv
ed Iamb for dinner Sunday? It was
not only dinner, but breakfast and
supper; also between meals.
Mr. Garnett Jackson was the guest
of Mr. Frank Willis Sunday.
Miss Debbie Conger returned to
her home here last Friday from Rus-
selville, S. C., where she has been
in school for some time.
Miy Maggie Burrell was the guest
of Misses Jessie and Inez Wooten
Sunday night.
Mr. Jim hSannon was at another
singing Sunday night, but I don’t
think he was sleepy as he was talk-
ing to a new girl.
Misses Mary Childs and Ika Liz
zie Smith were the guests of Miss
Flossie Dean Wednesday night.
Misses Iks Liszie Smith and Lena
Wilder dined with Miss** Eva and
Georgia Kirkland Sunday. x
Pink Pencil.
fcJWlBMirrtt
iiUi!*niii',inn!iinft
Children Cry tfe? Letcher’s
The Kind You Have Always Bought, niuli
m use Iqp over 30 years, lias borne f
— and has been mad
ffi&SKSS
All Counterfeits, Imitations and “Just-;
Experiments that trifle with and endun
Infants and Children—Experience a;;
What is CAST!
Castoria is a harmless substitute for Cm
gorie, Drops and Soothing. Syrups. It is nib
contains neither Opium, Morphine nor ott
substance. Its age Is tt* guarantee. It dS
pnd allays Feverishness. For more than th
has been In constant use lor the relict of
Flatulency, AVInd Colic, all Teething 1
Diarrhoea. It regulates the Stomach as
assimilates the Food, giving healthy and nataw
The Children’s Panacea—The Mother’s Friend?
GENUINE CASTORIA
'Beare the Signature of
In Use For Over 30
The Kind You Hftve Always j
tHE CtHTAUN eOWPANV, >