July’s past, 100 Years Ago, 1917

From The LaGrange Graphic

Front Page News: Red Cross Fund Continues To Grow From Day To Day

LaGrange, West Point, Hogansville and Mountville did their part nobly in their contributions to the Red Cross Funds.

Some typographical errors, last week, did both Hogansville and West Point an injustice, but we are glad to state that both of these hustling little cities did their full quota. The total contribution in the county was $26,099.23. Hogansville gave $1,800.00, West Point $5,900.

The African American people of LaGrange contributed $84 to the Red Cross Fund. LaGrange is proud of the fact that she has the best African American citizens to be found in the South and they have the respect and confidence of the entire city.

The campaign for funds is still going on and anyone who has not contributed to this commendable work can do so at any time.

The South Always Does Her Duty

The following comment in a letter to Mr. Ely R. Callaway representing the local American Red Cross drive from W.R. Lunk, Secretary of the American War Council, speaks for itself:

The call to the South for a Red Cross War Fund has been generously answered. Men and women of every nationality and station in life have alike contributed to make this a success.

The War Council wants to convey personally our regard for the splendid service rendered by the men and women of LaGrange, Georgia.

It is the spirit of any army that wins battles and the spirit of our citizen is what will determine our Country’s future.

We are grateful to LaGrange and Troup County for their help.

Attention Ladies!

All ladies interested in the work of the Red Cross will be welcome to the Chapter Rooms in the Goldstein Building in LaGrange. It is suggested that the ladies wear their was dresses, as everyone is expected to make themselves useful as well as ornamental.

The Red Cross work is for the sake of humanity and not a society function. Our ladies are doing everything possible to help.

Will you do your part?

Contract Let And Work Progressing

The contract has been let, and moving or dirt begun, preparatory to the building of the Cash Exchange in LaGrange.

The contract to build and equip the warehouse was awarded to The West Point Iron works at a  cost of $17,750. The building will be ready by October 1st.

The building will have a frontage on Morgan Street and Battle Street. It will also have trackage on the A.B. & A.R.R. Battle Street will be paved as a convenience for farmers unloading their produce at the warehouse.

The cash Exchange is expected to lead local farmers out of the bondage into which cotton has carried them. Because it will give them a ready cash market for their staple farm products.

A potato curing plant will be an added feature that will enable us to have fresh sweet potatoes year round.

The next thing for LaGrange will be a packing plant.

Boll Weevils Plating Havoc In Troup County

Old man Boll Weevil has last made his appearance in large numbers, and is leaving death and destruction in his wake. Troup County farmers are up to arms against him and are leaving nothing undone to destroy him. It remains to be seen as to what extent the damages will be.

Our area farmers have planted more feed and food stuff this year than at any previous time. Unless the drought continues, Troup County will be prepared to resist the evil effects of the weevil.

New Industry For LaGrange

An electric driven and gas heated coffee roasting machine is in operation at Towns’ store in LaGrange.

This is the only machine of this kind outside of the big cities. When this coffee roaster is running the odor of fresh roasted coffee pervades the air around the store and makes one think of the long-ago when grandma parched her coffee.

Editorial

LaGrange and Troup County citizens call upon the Georgia legislature to see to it that no more counties are created in our state. There is not a county in the state this is to large. Every little town that has made any progress takes a notion that is should become a County seat.

There has been entirely too much petty politics in the creation of new counties. Such measures naturally call for more officials and increase general expenses. Rivalry between towns should be no cause for the creation of new counties.

If the seat of any county is not the logical place for it, then change the county seat, but do not create a new county.

Julia Dyar, a retired journalist, is active in the Troup County Historical Society.