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Macon County Times

June 1, 1944

Singing Convention Attracts Thousands

The Macon County Singing Convention, five thousand strong, visited Lafayette Sunday. The weather, except for the extreme heat, was ideal for such a gathering and early in the day the streams of visitors began to flow into town, coming from dozens of counties in Kentucky and Tennessee. By ten o’clock the singing was under way with Nolan White and Mayo Leath, president and secretary in charge. Singers from scores of places were present and hundreds of song leaders were on hand, although many of them could not be used because of lack of time. As it was, and many groups presented pleasing selections.

Among the groups who helped make the day a huge success were: The John Daniels Quartet and the Melody Makers of Nashville; the Wilburn Group, from Smith County; the Smiling Quartet, from Scottsville; Macon County Ladies Quartet, The Friendly Five and Victory Quartet. Perhaps other groups were not learned. Anyway, it was a great day and the singing was reported to be about the best many of those present had ever attended.

Another feature was the homecoming part, which seems to be growing in interest from year to year. Many from other States made it an occasion to getting together with old friends and acquaintances of the years gone by. In fact, some hardly paid any attention to the singing itself, but busied themselves in conversation with those whom they had known in former years. At the noon hour, many of these good friends spread their dinner together and continued their reunion.

The next session is to be held the fourth Sunday in September with Bethany church, three or four miles northwest of Red Boiling Springs. The next fifth Sunday singing is to be held at Union church, seven miles east of LaFayette. 

Former Macon Countian is Killed in Action

Pfc. Albert H. Smith, formerly of Lafayette, but later a resident of Glasgow, KY, was killed in action in Italy on March 26, according to a telegram received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Otis Smith, of Glasgow. Details were not given, but a letter with particulars was promised by the War Department.

Smith, who was 21 years old, was the only son of his parents. However, he leaves three sisters, Mrs. Alma Smith of Nashville;  and Misses Madeline and Violet Ruth Smith, both of Glasgow; and both his grandmothers, Mrs. Allen Ford, of Lafayette, and Mrs. Gertie Smith, of Glasgow.

The Smith family lived in Red Boiling Springs for a time and later came to Lafayette, leaving this county about 12 years ago. The numerous relatives and friends of the unfortunate young man deeply deplore his early death, which came after he had been in the Army for 13 months. His father, to whom he was much attached, was a soldier in World War No. 1.

Lt. Tucker Reported Missing Over Germany

Lt. Harold H. Tucker, young son of Mr. and Mrs. J.G. (Boss) Tucker, of the Galen section, was reported missing in action over Germany on May 12, according to a telegram received here late Friday afternoon. No details were given, but additional information was expected in the form of a letter from the War Department.

Lt. Tucker, who was one of the county’s splendid young men, went overseas only about a month ago. Information that he was missing in action was first news received by his parents that he was on the front. He has one brother, Pfc. George Cooper Tucker, at home at present on furlough from a New Jersey camp; and two sisters, Miss Mary Ruth Tucker, a student in the University of Tennessee at Knoxville; and Miss Sarah Sue Tucker, who is with her parents. The many friends of young Tucker hope that he is a prisoner of war and that he has not lost his life.

Sells Fine Farm

On Tuesday of last week, a transaction involving a cash outlay of $18,000 was made when Elmore Patterson purchased the Will Hall Sullivan farm of 144 acres. This farm, one of the best in the county, and also having some of the very latest electrical equipment, is located three miles west of town in the Sullivan community.

Mr. Patterson, who is one of the county’s best farmers, has lived all his life in the Russell Hill section, but expects to move to his new home about the first of the coming year. He will retain his Russell Hill farm for the present. His son, Carver Dean Patterson, also a fine farmer, will move to the newly purchased home. Mr. Sullivan will most probably move to Lafayette, while his mother plans to go to Florida later.

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