Some December, 1916, Overton County News
transcribed by Tami Ramsey
The Golden Age
February 23, 1916
Former Overton Countian Dead
The news of the death of Lakin CARLOCK reached here Sunday. He died suddenly at his home near Cookeville Friday. Sometime during the afternoon a man and boy went to Mr. CARLOCKS home to borrow a buggy and found him alone. He told them they would find the buggy at the barn. The boy was again sent to the house and found Mr. Carlock lying dead on the hearth with his side and hands badly burned. The supposition is that he died of heart failure. Mr. CARLOCK was reared at Nettle Carrier, this County, and left there some 20 years ago and located on a farm in Putnam County. He is a cousin of L.H. and T.W. CARLOCK of this place and leaves several brothers and sisters, one of whom, Mrs. John PATTERSON, lives near Oakley. He was a member of the Methodist Church.
Potter WEST Dead
The friends of W.E. WEST were shocked on hearing of his death last Wednesday night. He had not been well for several days but his condition was not serious until shortly before death came.
Mr. WEST was among our best citizens, a member of the Methodist church, and a highly respected neighbor among the farmers around him. He leaves a wife and several brothers and other relatives.
At his own request, a very unusual funeral service was held. In connection with the sermon preached by Rev. A. P. COLE, there was music by J.S. FLEMING, violinist, and Fletcher WINNINGHAM, guitarist. He was a great admirer of these young men as musicians and as friends. The funeral was conducted at his home near Oak Grove and he was buried in the family graveyard nearby.
Mrs. Ann Richards NEELY
Died on the 17th Inst. near Hilham, Tenn. She was the consort of Bates NEELY. Mrs. NEELY had been a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church for many years.
She was certainly a model Christian woman and will be greatly missed by her many friends and relatives. She was 57 years old, the daughter of Isham RICHARDS and Granddaughter of Terry GILLENTINE, both of whom are remembered by the older men of this county, was born and partly raised in Vanburen County, Tenn. She leaves a husband and seven children, two boys, Walter and Dallas, both married, two single daughters Misses Connie and Allie, also three girls married, Mrs. Sallie DAVIS, Mrs. Ollie GORE, and Mrs. Alta KENDALL. She also leaves one brother James RICHARDS, and one sister Mrs.. B.F. SMITH of this city.
Mrs. Lee MOLES, living near Okalona Church dies very suddenly last Sunday. She had been in feeble health for several years. The family went away to church and left her alone, and when they returned found her speechless. She died shortly after. She was the daughter of Rev. Hillary COPELAND of this place, and leaves a husband and several children.
The Golden Age
March 1, 1916
“Uncle Bill” HUDDLESTON, colored, died here Saturday at what he understood to be 102 years of age. Our oldest citizens say he was an old man before the Civil War. He retained his mind remarkably well and could tell many interesting things of the customs and habits of his people while he was a slave.
The Golden Age
March 20, 1916
Gone to her Reward
Miss Tennie (Tennessee) BILBREY, daughter of the late Alex Bilbrey, departed this life on last Tuesday evening March 7, 1916. Aunt Tennie, as she was always called, was sick only a few days but had always been in feeble health from early girlhood. She had lived to the ripe old age of seventy-two years and nineteen days. At the time of her death she was at the home of her sister, Mrs. A.A. QUALLS, where she had been since Dec. 24, 1915. She professed faith in Christ in early life and joined the M.E. Church, South, and lived a devoted Christian life until God saw fit in his wisdom to call her to the great beyond. She often talked of dying and prayed that the last would be quick and easy which it was. No one realized that the end was near. Her remains were placed in the old Bilbrey graveyard beside her father and mother near the home of her brother, J.P. BILBREY. Funeral services were conducted by Brother Troy CANTRELL in the presence of a large crowd. She leaves five brothers and two sisters to mourn her loss. Written by a niece. (*Note: Reported on the same page is the report that a nephew, K.L. BILBREY from Cookeville, attended the funeral.)
The Golden Age
May 31, 1916
On the 25th inst. the angel of death visited the home of F.M. GORE and claimed for its victim one of Overton County’s most respected citizens. F.M. GORE was born August 12, 1829, was married to Miss Sarah BOYD December 9, 1847, entered the Confederate Army at the beginning of the war and served through the entire struggle. He lived a consistent member of the M.E. Church near 40 years and served as a steward most all of that time. He served as a member of the County Court several years and took an active interest in all public affairs until disabled by old age and feeble health. He is survived by a host of relatives and friends, even to a number of great, great grandchildren. He was laid to rest in the Mt. Gillead graveyard, attended by a large concourse of people, funeral services being conducted by Rev. SETSER and BRADY. He was a man that set an example worthy of imitation by his fellowman, and numbered his friends by his acquaintance. M.C.G.
The Golden Age
August 16, 1916
Mrs. Louisa LANSDEN passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. J. R. GOODPASTURE, in Nashville on Thursday, July 26th at 2:30 p.m. She was born in east Tenn. Dec. 25th 1840. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. CHILCUTT. Early in life she professed religion and joined the Methodist Church. At the age of twenty-two, she was married to Rev. J. M. LANSDEN, a Cumberland preacher. Soon after her marriage she moved her membership to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. When the division came up in her church she remained a loyal Cumberland Presbyterian, and was very strong in her belief and enjoyed her Cumberland Banner till the last. She was a staunch friend of the Golden Age, and whenever she missed a copy of it she would ask a granddaughter to write her son at Livingston to send her his paper. Six years and five months ago she was stricken with paralysis while at her home of her son-in-law, S. J. BILBREY. She was the mother of nine children, four sons and five daughters. She is survived by four sons, Hugh LANSDEN, of Cookeville; J. T. LANSDEN, of Livingston, J.D. LANSDEN of Dening, New Mexico; Dr. J. B. LANSDEN, of Granite, Okla., and one daughter, Mrs. J. R. GOODPASTURE, of Nashville. Her remains were accompanied to Livingston by Mrs. Hardy COPELAND, Mrs. J. R. GOODPASTURE, Mr. and Mrs. Hugh LANSDEN and J. T. LANSDEN who went Tuesday to remain until the end. She was buried at Good Hope cemetery by the side of her husband. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. M. J. SETSER, with a large number of friends present. Many beautiful floral designs were sent by loving friends. Mrs. LANSDEN often spoke with pride of having thirty grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. She has three grandchildren who reside in Livingston, Maude, Mabel, and Sidney BILBREY. One who loved her.
The Golden Age
August 30, 1916
On Friday, August 25, Miss Mary Elizabeth DORSEY died at the home of Mrs. MILLER, after an illness of only a few days. Miss Dorsey was born in Hodgenville, Kentucky, Nov. 15th, 1825, being nearly 91 at the time of her death. She and her niece, Mrs. G. F. BARNES, of Elizabethton, Kentucky, came here about a month ago to visit Mrs. MILLER, another niece. She was in her usual health. She came here from Jacksonville, Florida, where she had spent four years with relatives. Miss DORSEY was a woman of great intellect, and had a wonderful memory. The body was buried Saturday in Good Hope cemetery, after a funeral service conducted by Prof. J. W. WILHITE. A very large crowd attended the burial.
Charles Edward HICKS, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. J.B. HICKS, was born Nov. 27, 1886 at Monroe, Tenn. He died at Lone Wolf, Okla., Aug. 16, 1916. He married Miss Cora ROBBINS Feb. 25, 1906. To this union three children were born, two of whom, Cleo, age 8 and Estelle, age 3, are living. Charlie was a Christian and numbered his friends by all those who met him. Funeral services were held at Lone Wolf and the body laid to rest in the Lone Wolf Cemetery. The Odd Fellows of Lone Wolf, assisted by members of the Granite Lodge, conducted the ceremonies at the grave. A large crowd of relatives and friends attended each service. Rev. W.W. DANNER of Blair, Okla. preached the funeral sermon.
The Golden Age
September 6, 1916
The maker of the below Will was the great-grandfather of our townsman, Capt. C.E. MYERS. He was the father of Capt. Wm. WHITE, who was Capt. MYERS grandfather.
Will of George WHITE, 1790
In the name of God amen. I George WHITE of the County of Granville, State of North Carolina, being infirm in body and of sound mind and memory do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following, Viz.
First I recommend my soul to Almighty God who gave it. Trusting in and through the merits of my dear redeemer for full remission of all my sins, for a Resurrection to life eternal and my body to the ground to be interred at the discretion of my executors hereafter named.
Item. I leave to my beloved wife Susannah WHITE the use of my plantation where I now live and 200 acres of land and four negroes, by name James, Judah, Charles and Sarah, and the household furniture, stock not given heretofore, to enjoy during her natural life.
Item. I give and bequeath to my daughter, Mary MIGINNESS, one negroe woman named Grace, and her increase which she has in possession to her and her heirs forever.
Item. I give and bequeath to my son William WHITE one negroe boy named Daniel, to him and his heirs forever.
Item. I give and bequeath to my daughter, Ruth Read CARTER, 100 acres of land beginning at the mouth of his spring branch including his house and orchard to be laid off as near a square as it will allow, also one negroe girl named Milly to her and her heirs forever.
Item. I give and bequeath to my son Coleman Read WHITE, 150 acres of land, leaving out the Mill seat and 50 acres and for his land to join it, one negroe boy named Jacob.
Item. I give and bequeath to my son Phillip WHITE 200 acres of land after the death of his mother, it being the place where I now live. One negroe boy named James, one girl named Silvia, one feather bed, to him and his heirs forever.
Item. I give and bequeath to my daughter, Ann Read WHITE, one negroe girl named Billie and her increase also a negroe child named Winny, one bed and furniture, horse and saddle, one desk after the death of her Mother, to her forever.
Item. I give and bequeath to my son Garrot WHITE, 200 acres of land beginning at Lewis TAYLOR’s corner, running to HARRISBEY’s corner, thence a straight line to the river. One negroe boy named Sam, one negroe woman named Sarah, one horse and saddle, one feather bed and furniture to him forever.
Item. I give to my sons Joshua and Joseph WHITE, 400 acres of land to be equally divided. Also to my Joshua one boy named Ben, one negroe man named Charles, one horse, one saddles, one bed and furniture. I give to my son Joseph WHITE one negroe boy named Peter, also James and Judah, one horse and saddle, one bed and furniture to be delivered to him after the death of his Mother to him and his heirs forever.
Item. I give to my sons Coly, Phillip, Garrot and Joshua my Mill seat and 50 acres of land to them and their heirs forever. I give my Bible to my daughter Ruth Read CARTER. I give my son Garrot at the division of my estate 10 pounds more than the rest of my children. I do appoint my son Phillip WHITE and Jesse CARTER the executors of this my Last Will and Testament. Here unto I set my hand and seal this the 8th day of October, 1790
The Golden Age
August 30, 1916
Miss Ethel SPECK dead
Last Friday night the sprit of Miss Ethel SPECK took its flight to be with him who gave it and the little body was relieved of its long suffering. The funeral service was conducted by Rev. W.M. LANTRIP Sunday morning at Bethlehem Church and her body laid to rest in the cemetery at that place. Ethel was nineteen years of age on the day of her death. We once read a book the title of which was “Nineteen Beautiful Years” It was the life story of a lovable girl whose lot it was to suffer long and intensely, yet bore it all with such heroic, Christian fortitude. We often thought of Mary WILLARD when we saw little Ethel with her pale face and pure life, seeing how she bore her great pain. She had been a cripple since childhood, which made her very delicate in body. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mike SPECK, who for several years made their home in Livingston, until last year when they moved back to the country near Bethlehem. Besides her bereaved parents she leaves two brothers, Shirley of Livingston and Frank of Watertown and two sisters Misses Ova and Maud of Livingston. Many other relatives and friends are also left to mourn the death of Miss Ethel. We extend to all the bereaved our deepest sympathy and console them with the thought that she has gone where there is neither suffering nor death.
Mrs. Addie LITTLE dead
Mrs. Addie, wife of Joe LITTLE died at their home three miles east of town Friday night after a long sickness. The body was buried in the family graveyard near Monroe Sunday evening. Rev. G.W. BURROUGHS conducted the funeral services in the presence of a large crowd of relatives and friends. Mrs. LITTLE was formerly Miss REED, daughter of the late Irvin REED and was 29 years of age.
The Golden Age
December 16, 1916
Dear Santa Claus
I am a little boy five years old and I want you to bring me a toy gun, colored pencils, some sparklers, and fruits and candy. I will try to be good until Christmas. Your little friend, Ray GARRETT
Dear Santa
We are three little girls living out in the country and would like for you to bring us a doll and any kind of toys that you want to bring. Please bring us lots of good things to eat. Your little girls, Kathleen, Ethleen and Lois BILBREY
Dear Santa Claus
I am six years old and my father is away from home. I want you to bring me a doll cart, some apples, oranges, bananas and all kinds of nuts, candy and a little broom and sewing set. A little coop with a little hen and rooster in it and a jumping jack. Lovingly your little friend, Ruth Lee MITCHELL
Santa
Please bring us candy of all kinds, oranges, bananas and some of all kinds of nuts and anything that is nice for little boys and girls. Mary, Dimple and Herbert SWAFFARD
Santa
I am a crippled girl seven years old. I would like for you to bring me some little crutches and some house slippers so I can learn to walk. I have a little brother who would like something to eat. Your friends Frances and Sammie TERRY
Santa
I am a little boy four years old who wants you to bring all kinds of things boys like. Bring Grandpa something nice to. Elmo HOPKINS