MARY BRASWELL: Looking Back at January 1940 news

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].

January may seem like a slow time for news but ‘tis not so. Take a look at what the first month of 1940 brought to Albany Herald readers.

— The Terrell County convict farm began the new year with a reduction in personnel with one less shovel operator, tractor operator, patrol operator and guard. The savings with the farm’s new setup were expected to be $490 monthly. A reduction in convicts , from 48 to 21, was the cause of the job loses.

— Fire loses were reported for the year just ending as the lowest in the history of Albany. Believed to be a world record, per capita fire loss was less than 10 cents.

— For Rent: Five-room unfurnished upstairs apartment at 500 1/2 N. Jackson Street, $30 per month.

— Albany’s Youth Council began a campaign to prohibit the sale of fireworks in Albany and Dougherty County. During the recent holidays, 14 children were given the tetanus serum for powder burns, three children lost their sight in one eye and others suffered burns and lacerations from fireworks.

— For the benefit of the school cafeteria, a variety show was held at Albany High. Acts included a chorus of mixed voices, skits, a girls’ acrobatic team, piano selections, solos and more.

— Led by 21 prominent women, a campaign was undertaken to raise $300 to continue the Girl Scout program in Albany. The drive was originally planned for December, but postponed because of the needs of the Jewish Relief and the Empty Stocking funds.

— A burglar entered Blow’s Fruit Store at 313 N. Jefferson Street. The thief, before gathering tobacco, cookies and small change, helped himself to a beer, leaving the empty bottle behind.

— A&P Super Markets advertised fresh-dressed pigs for sale. Hams, chops and backbones were 12 cents per pound, sausage was 10 cents per pound, and shoulders and sides were available for the low price of 8 cents per pound.

— Six differently numbered coupons clipped from The Albany Herald, plus an additional 39 cents, entitled the reader to one volume of the World’s Popular Encyclopedia. Those wishing to redeem their coupons by mail rather than at the newspaper office were asked to include an additional dime for postage and wrapping.

— The Grand Champion steer at the annual Fat Cattle Show was purchased by Big Star for 35 cents per pound. The steer weighed in at 1,085 pounds.

— Construction of the Georgia Growers Distillery Company in East Albany was progressing with an expected March completion. The $25,000 building on Sylvester Road was to house approximately $75,000 in equipment.

— Dougherty County’s malaria drainage maintenance crew reported that in the previous year 70,000 feet of main canals were cleared and 500 feet of new ditches were constructed.

— The Works Progress Administration (WPA) recreation division held an old-fashioned barn dance at Shackleford’s barn on Cordele Road. There was no admission charge and the public was encouraged to attend. A hillbilly orchestra provided the music.

— C. M. Shackleford was named to the following city committees by Mayor H.B. Haley for 1940: finance, police, charity and airport.

— Albany’s Vocational School night classes were held for persons interested in salesmanship, advertising, business math and public speaking. All sessions were attended in the basement of the Municipal Auditorium.

— S. J. Powell, superintendent of Lee County schools, reported that all teachers had been paid through Jan. 10 and the system expected to operate for a full nine-month term.

— Bobs Candy and Pecan Co. had white sugar sacks for sale. Ideal for making aprons, shirts, towels or dresses, the sacks were five for 50 cents, 12 for $1, or 30 for $2.

— Albany Police Chief Jim Moore stressed the importance of the ongoing campaign to reduce drunk driving. The APD listed the names of those arrested for the offense in the pages of the newspaper in an effort to reduce the number of accidents involving liquor.

— Sears, Roebuck and Co. had in stock the new big 10-tube lowboy console Silvertone radio. The price was listed as just over $62 with terms available. A down payment of $5 and $6 per month was all it took to own the top-of-the-line radio.

— A report from the State Hospital for the Insane in Milledgeville was not good. Patients were housed in at least two condemned buildings as there was no other place for them. Conditions in the two structures were described as “horrible.” At the time, nearly 8,000 patients were at the hospital.

— Churchwell’s January clearance sale included: Happy Home wash frocks, $1; children’s socks, 5 cents a pair; bath towels, 14 cents; 50-by-50-inch table covers, 20 cents; and men’s neckties, 29 cents.

— A cable was accidentally severed on Jefferson Street which led to the interruption of 400 telephones. Workers restored all service in less than 24 hours by working until 2 a.m. on the repair.

— Ground was broken for a new bus station in Dawson. W. W. McGraw, owner and operator, stated the new facility was at the corner of Main and Ninth. Accommodations for blacks and whites were included in the plans.

— In less than four months, the Poulan School reported that the 63 malnourished students given free lunches each day had gained an average of 3.3. pounds. Students not eating in the lunchroom averaged a gain of only 1.4 pounds during the same time.

— Mecca Court and Grill on the Thomasville Highway was a popular spot for locals and tourists. Chicken, steak and seafood were among the favorite menu items. In addition, there were nine cottages for travelers with bathrooms, hot and cold water as well as comfortable beds and heat. Sinclair gasoline was available as well as tobacco products and candy. No liquor was served.