A Look Back: Putnam County in the News

The following items are excerpted from the Wednesday, June 6, 1923, edition of The Unionville Republican. With the headline “COURT HOUSE WINS BY 3 TO 1 VOTE” above the banner, The big news on the front page was voter approval to move ahead with constructing the present-day courthouse. While the headline implies a landslide vote, it should be noted that in towns and villages on the edges of the county, the majority voted not on the proposition. [Editor’s note: at the time, the accepted spelling of courthouse was two separate words.]

COURT HOUSE

PROPOSITION CARRIES BY BIG VOTE

Putnam county took a long stride forward in progress Tuesday when she cast an overwhelming vote in favor of the proposition to erect, equip ad furnish a court house at a cost not to exceed $150,000. The vote in practically every precinct of the county was stronger for the proposition than its friends had dared hope for, although the favorable result was believed in by many two or three days before the day of the election.

The total unofficial vote in the county in favor of the proposition is 2,715 and the total vote against it was 902 making the ratio of majority slightly in excess of 3 to 1. It was necessary to obtain a majority of 2 to 1. On the basis of the number of votes against it 1,782 votes in favor of it was all that was necessary to win, but there were 2,715 for it, or 933 votes more than needed to carry. The total vote was 3,617, which is a fairly large vote for a special election. … ***

Decoration Day

The program for Decoration Day was carried out in all details, though the organizations participating as organizations were not so numerous as they have been in the past. The veterans of the G. A. R. had charge of the services, and performed their ritualistic services. The ranks of tis once magnificent army have dwindled owing to the ravages of time, but there are enough yet to present an imposing appearance , and several of them yet have considerable elasticity in their step. ***

Walter Christy Killed Saturday Evening

The residents of Unionville were horrified last Saturday afternoon to learn that Walter S. Christy had been killed in his place of business on West Main Street. His throat had been slashed from ear to ear, and he was practically dead when found.

George Rooks admitted the killing, and was immediately taken into cus- tody. …

After the excitement and confusion had subsided we made an effort to obtain an interview with Mr. Rooks and obtain his version of the killing, but his attorneys advised that he make no statement whatever at this time.

From other sources it appears that Mr. Rooks went into the Christy place of business between five and six o’clock last Saturday evening. The men went into the rear room where a quarrel is said to have ensued. There is a diversity of opinion as to what the quarrel was about, but Rooks is said to have told that he had a note against Christy and was trying to collect it. This story has it that Christy asked him to come into the rear room and crank an automobile for him which he had back there. After reaching the rear the story runs that Christy tore up the note and fired a gun at Rooks, and then approached him with a razor blade. Rooks according to the story, struck him but this did not stop the rush. Whereupon he seized Christy, took the blade away, and slashed his throat.

There was no one else in the store at the time, so far as is known. A commotion was heard inside by those in the T. W. Guffey restaurant, which adjoins and a preliminary examination by Mr. Guffey convinced him that something was seriously wrong with Mr.

Christy. They opened the front screen door and entered, meeting Mr. Rooks coming from the rear room. Rooks is said to have exclaimed, “I killed Christy, I had to do it,” or words to that effect. … ***

Right Of Way North And South Secured

Following a meeting this morning with the property owners along the state road from Unionville to the Iowa line a meeting was held at Lemons at which the question of the right of way from Unionville south to the Sullivan county line was taken up and discussed. Mr. Lyons was resent at the meeting. As a result of the meeting the right of way was secured all the way through with the exception of about a mile from Lemons southwest to the old Lemen farm.

This means the contract for the grading and bridging of the entire road from the Iowa line to the Sullivan county line may now be let at once, and it is the hope of Mr. Lyons that this can be done before the end of the month. This marks another great step forward in the matter of getting the state roads built in this county.

***

Grave Of Pocahontas Empty

Recently there was a movement on foot to obtain the remains of Pocahontas and remove them from England to Virginia, her ancient home.

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All the details were arranged, and last week the supposed grave was opened, but there was nothing therein. … There is no record of the body having been removed, and apparently much mystery exists as to what became of it. ***

Hearst For Ford

Last week William Randolph Hearst declared that he was for Henry Ford for President on an independent ticket. The backers of the Ford boom are carefully keeping in the background, and are attempting to make the boom appear to be a spontaneous one, but their methods are known. The fact that Hearst is for Ford means that all the big newspapers controlled for Hearst will be for Ford, but the fact that Hearst always leads a losing fight will not attract many careful thinkers to the Ford standard. Hearst is looked upon as one who is always against something and never for anything. ***

JEWS KICK BACK

As a result of a series of anti-Jewish articles printed in Henry Ford’s papers a large gathering of Jews in New York City last week adopted resolutions denouncing Henry Ford as an enemy of the country, who only virtue consists in being the richest man in it. Ford for several months denounced the Jews, and charged them with all sorts of evil doings, and now that he is petting alongside a boomlet for president he is beginning to hear the echo. ***

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The Lightfoot Garage, Lemons, was advertising Hudson cars at the following prices (freight and tax extra): Hudson Speedster, $1425; Hudson 7-passenger Phaeton, $1475; Hudson Coach, $1425; Hudson Sedan, $2095. Lanes’ Grocery, Unionville, was advertising Pillsbury’s Best Flour for $1.85 per sack.

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