MARY BRASWELL: Looking Back at what was making the news in May 1931

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.

Times were tough as the Great Depression began to tighten her grip on the economy of America. But, as always, life went on and the pages of the Albany Herald were filled each day. Here is a look back at May 1931.

— Grocers all across South Georgia, including Albany’s U-Save-It stores, participated in a giveaway sponsored by Kellogg’s. With a two-box cereal purchase came a free green glass graduated measuring cup with rounded edges and pouring lip.

— Will trade: Practically new radio for a young milking cow. Need fresh milk for family.

— The annual May Day Clinic was held at the Dougherty County Courthouse. Doctors and nurses volunteered their time to examine 120 children scheduled to start school in the fall. The event included music by the Georgia Normal School band, ice cream and cake furnished by the Elks Lodge and cold drinks were served by the Albany Coca-Cola Company and Nu-Grape Bottling Company. Transportation was furnished by the Ivey Funeral Home and the Albany Undertaking Company.

— The barber shop at Hotel Gordon offered 25-cent children’s haircuts every day except Saturday.

— Smithville High’s Class of ‘31 included four girls and two boys.

— A new owner took the reins of the Bobbitt Roofing Company located at 110 Pine Street. The business was to operate under the name of the Albany Roofing Company and under the direct supervision of the new owner, W.H. Sapp.

— When the time came to destroy 1,274 sacks of liquor seized at the Customs House of Savannah, it became apparent that some of the confiscated goods were missing. A count showed that 376 sacks of liquor had been pilfered and likely done so by customs officers. The investigation led to several arrests.

— At the Albany Theatre, Charlie Chaplin was on the screen for four days in “City Light.” Described as having “more laughs than Brazil has nuts” and “more tears than Bermuda has onions,” the film was written, produced and directed by Charles Chaplin.

— Religious Sunday services were inaugurated at the Dougherty County Jail and the county convict camp. So successful were the services that plans were to continue them each week. Religious leaders from the community were asked to volunteer to deliver spiritual messages to the incarcerated.

— Albany High’s gymnasium was packed for the cantata, “Pan on a Summer Day.” The program was performed by 400 school children in grades 4-7, representing Albany’s grammar schools.

— Two people, one man and one woman, were arrested for attempting to smuggle hacksaws to prisoners at the county jail. One of the intended recipients was awaiting his turn in the electric chair for murder.

— A recruitment officer from the U.S. Army set up temporary enlistment quarters at the post office. Single men between the ages of 18 and 35 were considered for direct enlistment. Parental permission was required for those under the age of 18 wishing to enlist.

— Five hundred people visited the 1,600-acre farm of J.B. Duke in Fort Valley. The big draw was Duke’s demonstration of “motor farming,” which the farmer claimed could cut the cost of corn and cotton production in half.

— In a report released monthly by the Prohibition Bureau, Georgia had more stills seized in April than any other state. In addition to 277 stills, agents also took possession of 3,783 gallons of spirits and 1,359 gallons of beer.

— May 16 was Dollar Day at Rosenberg Brothers Department Store. For one day only — and for one dollar only — the following could be purchased: Eight colored-glass salad plates, 14 bars of Colgate toilet soap, bridge table, six pillow cases, double photo frame, choice of 86 smart straw hat designs, eight yards of gingham check fabric, four pairs of men’s fancy rayon socks, six Cannon bath towels and more.

—At the Liberty for three days was the all-talking Western thriller, “God’s Country and the Man” starring Tom Tyler. Ticket prices ranged from a dime to 30 cents.

— An all-cotton fashion show was held in Dawson at the Lee Theatre. The Dawson Women’s Club, in cooperation with the Kiwanis Club, staged the event in support of the statewide wear cotton movement. The theme for the show was “From top to toe, in cotton we go.”

— The Albany High School Indians won the Southwest Georgia High School Championship title. The team went 10-1 for the season. In the last game the Indians beat the Blakely Bobcats 15-6.

— For the first time, Dougherty County held a clinic for black children scheduled to enter public school in the fall. At Mercer Street School, 28 children were given a variety of health exams. The children were also given vaccinations and toxoid to prevent small pox and diphtheria. Another clinic was scheduled for later at the Davis Street School.

— Clay County road commissioners announced that, for the first time in the county’s history, there would be no road taxes. The county’s roads, bridges and schools were in good condition and there was no bonded indebtedness. Typically Clay County assessed road taxes at $3 to $5 on all persons subject to road work.

— An anonymous donor gave $7,000 to Albany’s Carnegie Library. Aside from having her name withheld, the only condition placed on the gift was for the Albany City Commission to add $3,000 to the bankroll for much-needed improvements. No changes or improvements had been made at the library in 25 years.

QUIK QUIZ ANSWER: (b) 106 (57 girls and 49 boys)