Sympathy Saturday

     Sympathy Saturday will be where I share the obituaries and my condolences for members of my family tree who passed recently.  When you get to be a certain age, you begin to read the obituaries every day.  As the days go by, you read about more and more of your friends and family members who have died.  You compare their age to your own and get a jolt. "That could have been me." 

    For genealogists, checking obituaries and visiting cemeteries is as normal as breathing. I learn so much from an obituary, i.e., maiden names, parents' names; children's' and grandchildren's' names, funeral and burial locations, sometimes even a cause of death.  I want to learn these things not for any purpose but to put it on the family tree for future generations to see and learn about the family that went before them. I admit, most of these relatives I have never met, but I think it is important to share that they were here on this Earth, and they were important.

    So I am signed up with at least three funerals homes from Swainsboro, Vidalia, and Wrightsville to get daily notices of obituaries sent to my email.  Every day, I peruse them and with the help of the family tree, figure out who is related to me and add any new information to the tree. Some weeks there are several, and some weeks there are none. We have two this time.

    Please join me in offering condolences to her family and holding them in the light.

Paula Gayle FlandersNew

March 21, 1944 - September 20, 2026

Ms. Paula Gayle New, age 82, of Jackson, Georgia, passed away on Sunday, September 20, 2026.

Paula was born on Tuesday, March 21, 1944, in Newport News, Virginia to the late Paul C Flanders and Virginia Adeline Lohr. Shortly after her birth, her family relocated to Wrightsville, Georgia where she spent the rest of her childhood. Along with her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband; Joe New.

Paula was a Godly woman and was very dedicated to her church Stark United Methodist Church of Jackson. She was a generous, kindhearted woman that loved her family. One of her favorite hobbies was Gardening which she was proud of, as she was the President of the Gardening Club. She loved the outdoors and loved deer hunting and fishing.

Paula is survived by her children; Joey New, Jeff New (Donna), Jill Morris (Jon), grandchildren; Trent Yarbrough (Jocelyn), Audrey New, Adeline New, great-grandchild; Lyla Yarbrough, siblings; Bob Flanders (Kelly), Kay Williams as well as several nieces, nephews and extended family members.

A Memorial Service for Ms. Paula New will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at Stark United Methodist Church with Rev. Bob Wooten and Rev. Chris Mullis officiating. Friends may visit the family one hour prior to the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the American Cancer Society American Cancer Society, as well as the Stark United Methodist Church Congregational Care Fund 1097 Halls Bridge Road Jackson, Georgia 30233 in memory of Paula New.

Those who wish may sign the online guest registry at www.westburyfuneralhomes.com

Sherrell-Westbury Funeral Home, 212 E. College Street, Jackson, GA, is serving the New family.

Local obituary courtesy of Stanley Funeral Homes and Crematory/Wrightsville Chapel.

Mary Lou Perkins Tapley

Nov 5, 1929 - Sep 26, 2026

Groesbeck, Texas

Mary Lou (Perkins) Tapley, age 96 of Groesbeck, went peacefully to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, September 26, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family. She resided at Mont Belvieu Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Mont Belvieu, Texas. She was known to many as Nanny, Mary Lou or Sis. Tapley.

Mary Lou was born on November 5th, 1929, in Athens, Texas. She married the love of her life J.R. on August 9th, 1947, and they were married 70 years. They raised 3 children and 2 grandchildren together. She was a homemaker who lived a beautiful full life filled with so many cherished memories. She was a devoted Christian whose faith was the foundation of her life. She loved the Lord deeply and shared that love through the way she cared for and encouraged those around her.

She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. Her grandchildren held a very special place in her heart, and some of her happiest moments were spent gathered around the kitchen table, sharing stories, laughter, and a home-cooked meal. She had a gift for making ordinary things special. She loved sewing, quilting and collecting dolls. She was a wonderful cook and baker, and her famous pecan pies were a family favorite. Her recipes, quilts and some of her belongings will be gentle reminders of her for years to come. But perhaps her greatest gift was the love she gave so freely. She made her home a place where family felt welcome, where there was always something good to eat and always made time for those who stopped by for a visit.

She leaves behind a family that will miss her more than words can express, but will carry her love, faith, traditions, and her memory in their hearts. There is comfort in knowing that she is now at peace in the presence of her Lord and has been reunited with her beloved husband J.R. and the rest of her family.

Mary Lou was preceded in death by her husband, Julius Ray "J.R." Tapley; son, Michael Dale Tapley; parents, Lem Lafayette Perkins and Mary Essie Hood Perkins; brothers, Travis Perkins, Treman Perkins; her sisters, Odie Vee Hickman and Veltus Jeannette Perkins; grandson, Michael Ray Tapley. 

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Walter “Ray” and Sheila Tapley of Beach City; her daughter and son-in-law, Teresa and Dwayne Pusley of Caldwell; sister, Evelyn Dubberly; five grandchildren and their spouses: Leslie and Eric Thomas, Tabitha and Eric Wallheimer, Tiffanie Vaughan, Stephanie Hardin, and Ryan Peña; ten great grandchildren: Jaden and Jax Thomas, Evan Spivey and Easton and Eden Wallheimer, Jordyn Bailey, Gavin and Elin Vaughan, Chandler Copley, and Avery Good; and three great-great grandchildren: Everett Copley, Millie Lou Copley, Brently Jean Good, and Evelyn Grace Spivey.

Visitation will be held at Groesbeck Funeral Home on Wednesday September 30th, 2026, from 1:00 - 2:00 PM. 

Funeral service will follow immediately after visitation at 2:00 PM in the Groesbeck Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastor Mike Medlin of Lost Prairie Baptist Church officiating. Graveside Services will follow at Malakoff City Cemetery (Malakoff, TX) at 4:30 PM.  

Pallbearers will be Chandler Copley, Jeremie Scott, Ryan Peña, Dwayne Pusley, Evan Spivey, and Eric Thomas. Jaden Thomas will be an honorary pallbearer.

Friday's Faces from the Past

 

My uncle, Hugh Dorsey 'Dorse' Tapley (1919-2007), through the years:

The young, single WWII days...

The family man days...

(1) With his sons, Gary Dorsey (1948-2021) and Ronald Hugh "Ronnie" (1947-2022)

(2) With his wife, Thelma Ann Norman Tapley (1927-2009) and his youngest                 daughter, Denise Gayle (1956-2021)

As a son and brother (photo includes his mother, all of his siblings, and 2 nephews)...

As my Uncle Hugh - the way I remember him...

Time Capsule Thursday - October 1, 1919

 

Today was my Uncle Hugh's birthday:  October 1, 1919.  When he was born in Kite, Johnson County, Georgia, he entered a world in major transition. On the exact day of his birth, the Chicago White Sox were taking the field for a World Series destined for scandal, President Woodrow Wilson was struggling behind closed doors to manage the nation following a near-fatal stroke, and newspapers were dominated by the heavy news of post-war labor strikes and social upheaval.

News of the day

The Opening Game of the 1919 World Series (The "Black Sox" Scandal)

On October 1, 1919, the Chicago White Sox took the field against the Cincinnati Reds for Game 1 of the World Series.  What looked like a standard ball game on the surface was actually the opening act of sports history's most infamous corruption scheme.  Syndicated gamblers, working with rogue White Sox players (including star player Arnold "Chick" Gandil and pitcher Eddie Cicotte), had already agreed to intentionally throw the series for cash.  On this exact day, the plot was actively underway - Cicotte hit a batter on his second pitch as a hidden signal to gamblers that the fix was on, leading to an embarrassing 9-1 White Sox loss that stunned fans and set off quiet alarm bells among sharp-eyed sports reporters.

Packed Stands at the 1919 World Series
Source: Google Gemini via Facebook 

President Woodrow Wilson's Health Crisis and Executive Secrecy

Just weeks prior, President Woodrow Wilson had embarked on a grueling nationwide train tour to rally public support for the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations. He suffered a physical collapse due to exhaustion on September 25 in Pueblo, Colorado.  Then he had a massive stroke on October 2, 1919 that left him paralyzed on his left side. 

To prevent public panic and keep Wilson's political legacy alive, First Lady Edith Wilson, along with the president's doctor, instituted a strict "stewardship" blockade. Edith effectively acted as a gatekeeper, filtering what documents the bedridden president saw and deciding what papers he could sign (maybe even signing his name herself). This continued until the end of Wilson's presidency in 1921. It was one of the most severe instances of presidential incapacity in U.S. history, raising urgent questions about executive transparency.  This event triggered an unprecedented constitutional gray area. 

President Woodrow Wilson and First Lady Edith Wilson
Source: Google Gemini via White House Historical Association

Post World War I Labor Unrest: The Steel Strike and Gary, Indiana

The end of World War I did not bring immediate peace to the home front; instead, 1919 became known as a year of massive industrial and social turbulence (part of the "Red Summer"). On October 1, the situation in Gary Indiana, reached a boiling point during the nationwide steel strike.

Over 350,000 steelworkers had walked off the job demanding better hours, union recognition, and higher wages. In Gary, tensions between striking workers, local authorities, and strikebreakers became so violent that President Wilson ordered federal U.S. Army troops - complete with bayonets and machine guns - to occupy the city and enforce martial law. It highlighted the fierce clash between corporate power and the rising American labor movement right as the country transitioned out of wartime production.  

Mounted Police and Protesters During the 1919 Steel Strike
Source:  Google Gemini via Portside.org

Pop Culture

• Top Hit Songs of October 1919:
• "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles" by Ben Selvin, Henry Burr & Albert Campbell (a massive novelty and sentimental hit)
• "Oh! What a Pal was Mary" by Henry Burr
• "A Pretty Girl is Like a Melody" by John Steel (fresh off the smash hit Ziegfeld Follies)
• "Peggy" by Harry Williams
• "Indian Summer" by Victor Herbert

• Books and Literature:  Bestsellers of the era leaned toward post-war escapism and historical romance. Readers were diving into popular fiction like The Re-Creation of Brian Kent by Harold Bell Wright; also Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson, and The American Language by H. L. Mencken.

• The Silver Screen: Silent films were sweeping the nation. Moviegoers headed to theaters in the fall of 1919 were watching legendary silent film stars like Mary Pickford (in Daddy-Long-Legs) and Douglas Fairbanks.  Cinema was rapidly evolving into a mainstream American pastime.

• Hot New Toy:  the Pogo Stick

Douglas Fairbanks in 'When Clouds Roll By' (1919)
Source:  Google Gemini via PICRYL

The 1919 Cost of Living

Here is what standard goods cost in late 1919:

• A New Home:  Approximately $4,000 to $5,500 (though modest homes or bungalows could sometimes be found for less depending on the region).
• A New Automobile: A brand-new Ford Model T Runabout could be purchased for around $250-$355, making cars increasingly accessible to the average working family.
• Gallon of Milk: About $0.50 - $0.62
• Dozen Eggs: About $0.18
• Loaf of Bread: About $0.10 to $0.12
• Stamps: $0.03
• Average Income: $1,125/year

Other famous people born on October 1:

• 1924 - Jimmy Earl Carter, Plains, Georgia, (D) 39th President (1977-1981)
• 1927 - Tom Bosley, Chicago, Illinois, Actor (Happy Days, Murder She Wrote)
• 1935 - Julie Andrews, England, Actress/Singer (Sound of Music, Mary Poppins)

Here's to looking back at the world a century ago. History is often taught as a sweeping tale of presidents, strikes, scandals, and tragedies, but October 1, 1919 was more just a headline in the morning papers.  It was the beginning of a lifetime. While the world outside was at a historic crossroads, a new life began that would witness almost a century of breathtaking transformation.  

Happy birthday, Uncle Hugh.  

Google Gemini provided the historical events of the time for this blog post. I proofed, reworded, and organized the information.

Wedding Wednesday

 

James Albert Key
1923-1976

and

Sandra Marie Young
1939-

Married
August 26, 1959
Tarpon Springs, Pinellas County, Florida, USA

Tuesday's Tombstone - Hugh Dorsey Tapley

 

Hugh Dorsey Tapley

buried at

Powell's Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery
Johnson County, Georgia

Happy Birthday, Uncle Hugh!

I miss you.

Amanuensis Monday

What in the world is "Amanuensis"??? 

An amanuensis is a person employed to write what someone else dictates, or to copy what has been written. Essentially, it refers to a secretary, scribe, or literary assistant.

Here are a couple of details about the term:

• Etymology: The word comes from the Latin phrase servus amanuensis (a slave whose duty is to write), derived from a manu (meaning "at hand" or "of the hand").

• Historical Context: Historically, authors, composers, politicians, or individuals who were unable to write themselves (or had too much correspondence to handle alone) would use an amanuensis to take dictation, draft letters, or transcribe manuscripts.

So that is what I have been doing on Mondays.  Transcribing and sharing really old documents pertaining to my family that I have been fortunate enough to find. 

The following is a deed from Hosea Tapley to John Short.

North Carolina Archives, Northampton County Register of Deeds,
Record of Deeds Vol 2, 1751-1758

    Tapley to Short

North Carolina } This Indenture made the nineteenth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty three between Hosea Tapley of Orange County in the said Province of the one Party and John Short of Northampton County of the other party witnesseth that the said Hosea Tapley for and inconsideration that John Short did marry my Daughter Anna Tapley within four weeks from the Date hereof, then I shall Acknowledge my self fully paid of the said consideration, and do freely give grant, convey and confirm unto the said John Short his heirs and Assigns ? a certain Tract or Parcel of Land containing three hundred and twenty Acres be the same more or less lying in the county of Northampton and bounded by ? to Arthur Kavanaugh & given by the said Arthur Kavanaugh to Arthur Harris and by the said Harris conveyed to the said Tapley; beginning at a white Oak and a Mulberry on the River bank ? ? line then along the said Tract line to a Red Oak in the Patent line then along the Patent ?? to a black oak & corner tree then S. 45 W. ?20 pole to the River and the winding ? ? ? River to ge ? ? is being part of a Patent granted to Arthur Kavanaugh for 640 acres of Land with all woods waters profits commodities and Appurtenances to the said Land belonging or in safe use Appertaining with the Reversion and Reversions Remainder and Remainders rents ?? and Profits thereof said of every Part and Parcel thereof To have and to hold the said three hundred and twenty Acres of Land and Premises hereby given and granted to the only sole use benefit and behoof of him the said John Short his heirs and Assigns forever and the said Hosea Tapley for my self my heirs Ex and Adm covenant & agree to and with the said John Short his heirs and Assigns that the said Hosea Tapley at the time of the execution hereof am Lawfully ? of all and singular the Premises hereby granted as an absolute Estate of Inheritance in fee Simple having in my self full Power and lawful authority to give and dispose of the same in manner as aforesaid and that the said Land and Premises with all and every of the Appurtenances is free and clear from all other gifts grants bargains sales leases mortgages & all other Incumbrances whatsoever and further that I the said Hosea Tapley my heirs ? the said Land and Premises unto the said John Short his heirs and Assigns shall and will Warrant and forever Defend by these Presents against the claims and Demands of and every Person or Persons whosoever and shall and will at any time or times hereafter on Demand give and ? ? further and other conveyance for the better securing the within granted Premises unto the said John Short his heirs and Assigns as by the said John Short his heirs or Assigns or his or their councel {sic} Learned in the Law can be reasonably Devised advised or Required. In witness whereof I have hereunto put my hand & seal the Day and year above written) 

Sealed Signed and Delivered in Presence of us 

Hilbert Thomas Short____________ Northampton county ss) May Court 1753 

The above written Deed was proved in open Court by the Oath of both the subscribing witnesses thereto and on motion was ordered to be Registered.     

Test Edwards ?

Transcription by Google Gemini with a lot of proofing, reading and correcting by me.  This was a bad copy off the microfilm and difficult to transcribe. There are a lot of words in this one that AI nor I could make out, even after looking over it three times.  

The good news is John Short did marry Anne Tapley in 1753. 

Black Sheep Sunday - Part 10 (1951-1955) of From small town Georgia boy to notorious Texas (and beyond!) con man

 

This post is the 10th in a series of posts about the life of my cousin and con man Elridge Solomon Price, Sr.  You can find the other installments here:  

Part 1 (Preview up to 1913)  

Part 2 (1913-1930) 

Part 3 (1931-1934) 

Part 4 (1935-1939)  

Part 5 (1940) 

Part 6 (1941-1943) 

Part 7 (1944-1946)  

Part 8 (1947) 

Part 9 (1948-1950)

It is April 1951 and Elridge finds himself with a warrant and posting a bond once again.

Newspapers.com, Fort Worth Star-Telegraph, Fort Worth, Texas,
Tuesday, April 10, 1951, Page 29

Newspapers.com, Standard Times (formerly San Angelo Standard-Times), San Angelo, Texas,
Tuesday, April 10, 1951, Page 1

Newspapers.com, Fort Worth Star-Telegraph, Fort Worth, Texas,
Wednesday, April 11, 1951, Page 9

Newspapers.com, The Blade (formerly Toledo Blade), Toledo, Ohio,
Monday, April 23, 1951, Page 21

Newspapers.com, The Blade (formerly Toledo Blade), Toledo, Ohio,
Saturday, June 02, 1951, Page 7

Newspapers.com, San Angelo Evening Standard, San Angelo, Texas,
Tuesday, June 05, 1951, Page 1

WAIT!  Stop the presses!  Are my eyes deceiving me?! Surely, it's just a typo.  Does the highlighted area say that one of Elridge's attorneys is O'Neal Dendy, the prosecutor who humiliated him in court during the trial for West, the man acquitted of robbing Elridge, Edith, and their guests back in 1947?! Talk about strange bedfellows!

Then in the midst of all the craziness which was Elridge's life comes a small write up of a family nature - a normal event of a young girl's life... having a friend visit.

Newspapers.com, Sun Post News (formerly San Clemente Sun), San Clemente, California,
Friday, June 29, 1951, Page 3

Now back to the craziness...

Newspapers.com, San Angelo Evening Standard, San Angelo, Texas,
Friday, October 05, 1951, Page 8

Newspapers.com, Fort Worth Star-Telegraph, Fort Worth, Texas,
Monday, October 29, 1951, Page 1

Newspapers.com, Fort Worth Star-Telegraph, Fort Worth, Texas,
Tuesday, October 30, 1951, Page 5

Newspapers.com, Fort Worth Star-Telegraph, Fort Worth, Texas,
Tuesday, October 30, 1951, Page 20

Newspapers.com, Fort Worth Star-Telegraph, Fort Worth, Texas,
Wednesday, October 31, 1951, Page 1

Newspapers.com, Fort Worth Star-Telegraph, Fort Worth, Texas,
Wednesday, October 31, 1951, Page 2

Newspapers.com, Fort Worth Star-Telegraph, Fort Worth, Texas,
Wednesday, October 31, 1951, Page 1

Newspapers.com, Abilene Reporter-News, Abilene, Texas,
Wednesday, October 31, 1951, Page 23

Newspapers.com, Fort Worth Star-Telegraph, Fort Worth, Texas,
Monday, November 12, 1951, Page 2

Newspapers.com, San Antonio Express-News (formerly San Antonio Express), San Antonio, Texas,
Tuesday, November 13, 1951, Page 19

Newspapers.com, Fort Worth Star-Telegraph, Fort Worth, Texas,
Tuesday, November 13, 1951, Page 2

There is no news coverage for Elridge until March 1953.  Then I am confused because I do not know if this references new charges.  

Newspapers.com, El Paso Times, El Paso, Texas,
Thursday, March 26, 1953, Page 20

Ok it all makes sense now after seeing the next article.  This fine stems from the Federal case Elridge had in 1951.

Newspapers.com, Standard-Times (formerly San Angelo Standard-Times), San Angelo, Texas,
Thursday, March 26, 1953, Page 1

Newspapers.com, The Waco Times-Herald, Waco, Texas,
Monday, September 28, 1953

Newspapers.com, Standard-Times (formerly San Angelo Standard-Times), San Angelo, Texas,
Saturday, October 17, 1953, Page 16

1954 brings bankruptcy...

Newspapers.com, Abilene Reporter-News, Abilene, Texas,
Thursday, February 04, 1954, Pages 1 & 2

Newspapers.com, Standard-Times (formerly San Angelo Standard-Times), San Angelo, Texas,
Saturday, February 27, 1954, Page 9

1955 brings lawsuits.

Newspapers.com, Standard-Times (formerly San Angelo Standard-Times), San Angelo, Texas,
Sunday, January 09, 1955, Page 8

Newspapers.com, Standard-Times (formerly San Angelo Standard-Times), San Angelo, Texas,
Wednesday, February 02, 1955, Page 7

Newspapers.com, Standard Times (formerly San Angelo Standard-Times), San Angelo, Texas,
Thursday, February 03, 1955, page 8

Newspapers.com, San Angelo Evening Standard, San Angelo, Texas,
from the Official Records column, Federal Court, Judge William H. Atwell, presiding,
Thursday, April 28, 1955, Page 19

Newspapers.com, Abilene Reporter-News, Abilene, Texas,
Thursday, October 06, 1955, Page 26

Newspapers.com, Abilene Reporter-News, Abilene, Texas,
Thursday, October 06, 1955, Page 6

Newspapers.com, Abilene Reporter-News, Abilene, Texas,
Friday, October 07, 1955, Page 1

Newspapers.com, Abilene Reporter-News, Abilene, Texas,
Saturday, October 08, 1955, Page 13

Newspapers.com, Abilene Reporter-News, Abilene, Texas,
Saturday, October 08, 1955, Page 8

Newspapers.com, Standard-Times (formerly San Angelo Standard-Times), San Angelo, Texas,
Saturday, October 08, 1955, Page 9

Newspapers.com, Abilene Reporter-News, Abilene, Texas,
Sunday, October 09, 1955, Page 11

Newspapers.com, Abilene Reporter-News, Abilene, Texas,
Thursday, December 01, 1955, Page 17

Newspapers.com, Abilene Reporter-News, Abilene, Texas,
Thursday, December 29, 1955, Page 1

Newspapers.com, Abilene Reporter-News, Abilene, Texas,
Thursday, December 29, 1955, Pages 1 & 3

Newspapers.com, Abilene Reporter-News, Abilene, Texas,
Friday, December 30, 1955, Page 15

Please note there are two articles included above.

So we leave Elridge sobbing on almost the last day of 1955 with the very strong possibility of losing his home to cover his tax liens.  As we have seen, he is very good at pulling out of tough spots at the last minute.  Will his good "luck" continue to hold in 1956?  Stay turned until next week to find out.