Arba area boy Drowns
A six days search for the body of Elbert Alexander, 15 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Alexander of near Arba, who had been missing since Sunday, July 20, ended Saturday afternoon, when his body was fished out of the gravel pit west of Lynn.
Since the boy had been missed, continuous efforts had been made and every contrivance possible had been used to recover the body, but to no avail. On Saturday morning, Clifford Cooper, whose home is in Florida, but was formerly of Lynn and at this time was visiting in Lynn, went to the pits, taking with him a fishing line to which three large hooks had been attached for the purpose of casting for the body of the missing boy. His casting was at random for he had no information from anyone as to where to cast the line. He had been casting the line for about five hours when O. A. Study appeared on the scene and through information he had gained from the boy's sister, directed Mr. Cooper where to cast his line. The sister of the boy pointed out the place where she saw her brother about ten minutes before his disappearance. They with a number of others were wading in shallow water and it is thought the boy stepped off in a deep hole made by the dipping of gravel, while the others were returning to the bank. It was upon their return to the bank that he was missed and the search begun.
The body was found at the exact place Mr. Study directed which was about fifty feet deep, west of the spring board and one hundred feet south, practically the middle of the pit. The line was cast by Mr. Cooper and the body was pulled to shore by Mr. Study about ten minutes after the exact spot was designated. The body was in good state of preservation It was recovered at 4:20 Saturday afternoon, after plans had been made to start Monday with the draining of the pit. One large pump had been placed at the pit, while two more were to be installed. July 31, 1930.
Farmland Stills
Federal prohibition officer, W. A. Ray, assisted by Deputy Sheriff Eldon Reichard, swooped down onto a real still two miles west of Farmland, on the Interurban line, last Friday. They found two stills in the basement at the house of Edward Burr, one a fifty gallon and the other a twenty gallon which, from all appearances had been in full operation, not at the time of the raid, however, as no one was at home but the stills were taken and arrest of the parties was to follow. The officers found a gallon and a half of liquor in a jug hidden behind the place and in the woodhouse they found a wooden churn which contained more of the "white mule." This still business may be a profitable investment for a time, but in the wind-up it may prove to be rather an expensive proposition to the parties who engage therein. Burr was arraigned in court Monday. He was fined, cost and all, $507.90 and sent to the penal farm for ninety days. Dec. 21, 1921.
Old Time Sayings by Harry Karns of New Dayton, Randolph County.
When there is a circular around noon on a Sunday, tells there is a storm coming at night. Count the number of stars in the circular and tells how many days of storm there will be.
Sun dogs in the evening or morning also tells there is a storm coming, and also when the cat washes its face and rubs its paws over its ears. When it hollows in the day you must look out as there will be hurricane or blizzard the next day. When the hogs jump and play and you see cattle lying in piles, or when you see bunches of birds on the ground when it sounds loud and you can hear your echo or trains, when your feet are hot and burning, when creeks begin to run even if dry, when roosters crow before midnight, some wells get riled and muddy before a storm, your old bones ache, your head itches, when leaves and corn blades curl-all this tells of snow or rain.
When you can't get a house warm no matter how hot a fire, tells that its going to get warm outside. Also when fire burns you, when trees and houses pop and crack, its a sign of warmer weather. When fire pops and snaps, thats a sign of snow or rain.
When you see lots of women out in their gay colors, talking and having a good time, thats a sure sign of rain. When chickens stay out in the rain with their tails down, thats a sign it will keep raining but if they run for shelter its a sign it will soon be over.
When the bull rings his tail and puts it over his back and snorts and paws and gets in a dead run, look out-there is mischief in the air.
Moon signs- Clapboard roofs, they should always be put on in dark of the moon, also shingles to keep them from turning up. Fence posts also should be set in dark of the moon so they can't work up. Lay down a board on grass in light of the moon, it will turn up and grass will grow up from under it. Lay it down in dark of the moon it kills grass and stays tight to the ground.
All things that grow above ground should be planted in light of the moon that bears its fruit, such as corn, oats, wheat, beans etc. Things as potatoes, onions, beets, turnips should be planted in dark of the moon.
Butcher a hog in light of the moon, it fries up to grease, but butcher in a dark moon, it fries whole and tender.
When iron sweats and your hair is curly, also a sign of thawing or rain.
An old timer said he planted all his crops in the ground and that all crops failed in dry weather, of course, he is right in a way, for nothing will grow in dry weather. Feb. 26, 1941.
