MARY BRASWELL: Looking Back at April 1914

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.

This week is a look back at news from April 1914 as published in The Albany Herald.

— A new three-story building with a basement was planned for the corner of Jackson and Broad streets. To be built by Sam Farkas was the National Company, a very large ten-cent store.

— An open invitation to the city auditorium resulted in a mass meeting of those interested in keeping illegal the sale of liquor out of Albany and Dougherty County. A Citizens Law Enforcement Alliance was formed to assist with the movement to remove blind tigers responsible for “menacing the peace, moral integrity and material prosperity of the community.” Those with a considerable amount of liquor on hand, believing it to be a profitable commodity, were given 15 days to get the liquor beyond the limits of the city and county.

— Albany’s mayor asked all merchants to close an hour before the first pitch of the opening day game of the South Atlantic League baseball season so that everyone wishing to support the Albany team could attend.

— The Chamber of Commerce compiled information on the industrial interests in Albany. The total number of industrial enterprises within the city was 37. While not identified, the largest of these industries was known to have a payroll of $2,500 … in one week.

— Known as the Smith-Sutherlin Place, a 1,000-acre plantation nine miles south of Albany was up for sale. The spread included 800 acres of open land with most stumps removed, 200 acres of pines and a deep well for eight two-room tenant houses. Asking price: $20 per acre.

— Dixie Shoe Hospital was located at 131 N. Jackson St. and offered all types of shoe repair. The facility was extremely modern and offered prompt service.

— The largest variety of hats “ever shown in Albany” arrived at Valentine Tailoring & Hat Co.. Located at 226 Pine St., Valentine’s offered all colors and styles of straw and felt hats for just $2 — no more, no less.

— For one day only, boys’ knee pants in sizes 4 to 17 were on special in the bargain basement of Rosenberg’s. The normally priced 75-cent pants were available for just 48 cents.

— Although the baseball season was just beginning, the trophy that would belong to the Most Valuable Player in the South Atlantic League was on display as Cash Drugs for all to admire.

— Camilla was the site for the annual District High School meet. Day one featured recitation, music, debates and such. Day two featured the presentation of the most talented students from the various high schools. The third and final,day was filled with athletic competitions. The event was open to all Southwest Georgia public high schools.

— The Dougherty County Grand Jury found the 70 members of the chain gang to be in good health. It was recommended that the stockade be enlarged and a new fence be installed.

— Bids for the erection of a new grammar school were being accepted. The site selected for the new school was the southwest corner of Broad and Madison. A recent improvement bond issue expected to allow a total of $40,000 for the cost of the land, construction of the school house and all items needed to equip the facility.

— The preliminary work of paving Pine Street from Washington Street to Front Street was proving a much bigger task than expected. Large amounts of dirt were removed to improve the grade. Lowering the grade also meant moving water lines to a greater depth. When ready, the block was to be paved with bricks. (Note: Many of the brick streets in Albany are still in place, just asphalted over.)

— Five porters employed by Rawson’s Grocery Store were arrested for theft. The men were caught stealing items such as cheese, hams, canned goods and other items. It was believed that the thievery had been ongoing for several months.

— Albany’s city undertaker announced that an automobile ambulance had been ordered and should arrive within two weeks. The modern motor-powered ambulance would replace the horse-drawn vehicle that was currently in use. Inside the ambulance would be a comfortable cot, electric lights, fans and “first-aid appliances of all kinds.”

— A large number of citizens, including several women, appeared before the City Council to object to a segregation ordinance under consideration. Opposition to the ordinance was spurred by the city’s plan to build an all-black apartment building at Flint and Monroe streets. Those in attendance were strongly opposed to city-sponsored segregation.

— The Baraca class of the Presbyterian Church observed “150 Sunday” with a goal of having that number of folks in attendance. Despite a threat of unpleasant weather, the class was pleasantly overwhelmed when 208 people showed up.

— A stable on Front Street adjoined to the old Bridge Hall was set afire by lightning. Firefighters were able to get the blaze under control and removed a great number of hay bales from the structure. While not incinerated, the hay was scorched and most was lost to the stench of smoke. Losses were estimated to be several hundred dollars.

— Montgomery’s Grand Theatre in Albany frequently offered up to four single-reel films in one day.

QUIK QUIZ answer: (b) $4

A special rate was set for Atlantic Coast line 2-way tickets from Albany to Jacksonville for the annual Confederate Reunion. What was that ticket price?

a) $2

b) $4

c) $6

d) $8

See the answer at the end of Mary’s Looking Back column.