MARY BRASWELL: Immigration laws and much more were in the news, July 1925

America’s Immigration Law of 1924, with an annual quota of 300,000 and a daily quota not to exceed 1,000 admissions, wrapped up its first year July 1, 1925. Officials called the act a grand success with “better-quality immigrants and of larger economic value to the country.”

Other news from The Albany Herald pages in July 1925:

— Albany’s building inspector reported that permits for June were double those of the same month one year earlier. Aside from businesses, 74 homes had been permitted and/or completed thus far in 1925, with an average value of $20,600.

— Cecil B. DeMille’s “The Ten Commandments” played at the Liberty Theatre.

— For Sale: Two lots on Second Street near the new addition to Palmyra Heights — $500 each.

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QUIK QUIZ

A Paramount Picture, Cecil B. DeMille’s “The Ten Commandments” was much-anticipated and then well-attended at the Liberty Theatre in July 1925. The filming was a massive undertaking and required approimately how many “extras”?

a) 1,700

b) 2,400

c) 3,000

d) 3,500

Answer at the end of the column.

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— The Thronateeska Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (D.A.R.) held a Baby Show at Tift Park. The fundraiser included tricycle and peddle car races, a doll carriage parade, swimming (bathing) contest, dance pageant and more. Admission was 25 cents. Top winners in all categories and ages received a first-place coin. Other gifts includes silk socks, books, candy and talcum powder.

— The newly reorganized Baker County Power Company resumed work on a dam across the Nochaway Creek. A large part of the dam was swept away two years earlier. Restoration work was well underway when, in January 1925, a flood swept away a portion of the new work. New contractors and ample financial backing had the dam repair and completion a thing of soon certainty.

— The Georgia Northern Railroad, a short line with its regional offices in Moultrie, shipped 1,500 cars of watermelons, approximately one-third of the entire crop from Georgia.

— George L. Hollingsworth, an Albany motorcycle policeman, died from injuries sustained while on duty. Hollingsworth drove his motorcycle into a car. Wearing no head protection (as none was required), the 27-year-old officer sustained extensive trauma to his skull. The young officer came on duty with the APD on June 19 and died on July 16. The driver of the car was not at fault, but suffered a nervous collapse upon learning of the officer’s death.

— Albany curb market was open from 7 to 11 a.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Among the many items brought to the market were watermelons, cantaloupes, roasting ears, okra, butterbeans, eggs, chickens (hens and layers), figs, beets, snap beans, cabbage, green peas, grits, meal and collards.

— Georgia-Alabama Power advertised two electrical appliances that would allow the housewife to “wash and iron in one day.” The electric wringer washer allowed clothes washer in the early morning to dry on the line by midday. The electric ironer, a sit-down model, saved hours of time and allowed the rest of feet and legs.

— A burglar at Stevens Store on Broad Street carried away about $30 in cash, insurance papers, a diamond ring, an onyx ring and several pieces of old German marks.

— Trying to mail a letter in a fire alarm box, two unidentified women turned in a general alarm which brought fire equipment racing to the corner of Broad and Washington streets.

— The city limits of Albany was expanded in several directions. Eighth Street became the northern limits. The western limits were expanded two blocks west of Davis Street, taking in part of the new Palmyra Heights residential area.

— Moultrie held a Tobacco Jubilee and old-fashioned Dixie Barbecue to celebrate it first year as a tobacco marketplace. The festivities were to go on all through the day with only one speech and that coming from Gov. John Martin of Florida. Aside from showing off its new tobacco-buying warehouse and barbecue, there were band concerts and a baseball game.

— Although 152 new homes were built in Albany during 1924 and as many as 200 expected for 1925, rental homes were in high demand. A Herald customer listed a rental home, asking that the ad run for three days. After the first day, she canceled the remaining two days, saying she was overwhelmed by applicants with just a few hours.

— Wizard Bakery, at 212 Broad St., has a variety of dolls for girls. Each loaf of bread came with one coupon. Once 30 coupons were collected, a girl could have the doll of her choice for the coupons, plus 30 cents. Some of the dolls came with complete outfits, others were simply dressed but said, “M-a-ma.” Even clown dolls were among the pickings.

— City Court Judge Clayton Jones fined Ben Warren $200 for violation of the prohibition law. Warren paid his fine and was released from custody.

— Published in The Herald was a partial list of homeowners in the Rawson Circle section of town, which included names still recognizable today. In no particular order, here are some of the names on the list: McIntosh, Inman, Hilsman, Farkas, Prisant, Hodges, McCormack and Mock.

— Gov. Clifford Walker signed a bill providing for a system of public schools in Albany.

— Arlington’s first bale of cotton for the season arrived. It was ginned by Murray Ginneries and weighed at the Arlington Warehouse, coming in at 578 pounds. The cotton sold for 30 cents a pound.

— For sale: 70 acres near Sylvester with five-room bungalow, finished and painted, plus good outbuildings … $70 per acre.

QUIK QUIZ ANSWER: c) 3,000

These extra included women, crying children and young men

Each week Albany Herald researcher Mary Braswell looks for interesting events, places and people from the past. You can contact her at (229) 888-9371 or [email protected]. Follow @ABH_MBraswell on Twitter.