Aerial view of the Ochlockonee River bridge at U.S. Hwy 27 and the Atkinson's flooded home

The Water-Wading Editor of the Havana Herald (Jack Dudley) was getting his feet wet and battling water mocmoccasins to catch Tom DeLacy, Hugh Moreland and Ed Mitchell priming the pump at Bill Atkinson's Saturday morning.

A semi-trailer starts across; the driver thinks better of it and backs out again.

Hard Rains, High Water Cause Extensive Flood Damage Over County
River Junction Has Greatest Water Loss From Mosquito Creek

Water-logged Gadsden County began to survey its flood and swift water damage this week, after torrential rains of last Thursday, Friday and Saturday, had overflowed the east and west boundary rivers and many of the county's branches and creeks.

Damage to roads and business property in this end of the county was considerably lighter than at River Junction, where Mosquito Creek, after breaking the dam at the State Hospital, caused an estimated $200,000 loss to highway, rail, business and city property.

County roads suffered severe damage from the heavy rains and swollen streams and branches during the three days that, according to E. J. Luten will take six to eight months to repair, and cost conservatively $75,000.

It is impossible to estimate the financial loss to the 1519 farms in the county, although County Agent Driggers, who has covered a lot of ground in the last few days, stated that the loss [note: the rest of this sentence doesn't make any sense, but it was in the newspaper like this, probably half of a sentence was left out.] from soil bridge itself was left standing. The water tank was undermined and fell and the main water pipe burst Thursday. Water was hauled in by the Red Cross until Saturday when a temporary line was connected from Chattahoochee. Erosion, washing and leeching of fertalizer has been generally uniform over the county. Individual farm losses may in some cases run into thousands of dollars and in others be relatively light.

River Junction Hit Hard

The Apalachicola river rose to 21 1/2 feet according to tests amde Sunday. However, the damage to River Junction was caused by Mosquito Creek when the State Hospital dam brok at 10:15 Thursday morning and a three foot wall of water poured down on the town and the lowlands to the river.

Twenty five families were evacuated and taken care of by the County Red Cross Chapter.

The road bed on the Chattahoochee side of the Mosquito Creek bridge approach was washed out completely, the ACL tracks within the city limits were washed out on the approaches to the trestle thought the railroad.

Residents said that the Junction had been in much deeper water before but had never suffered the damage that resulted this time. They attributed the cause to the swiftness of the water's flow, whereas in the past, the high water was backed up from the Apalachicola river and didn't have the destructive power that Mosquito Creek unleashed on the town. Force of the water washed away buildings, road beds, business and residential property.

Engineers working on the Woodruff Dam project stated that the first 24 hours they tabulated 8.98 inches of rain fall, and in a 36-hour period, they measured it at 12 inches.

Ochlochonee Bridge Under Water

For the first time since the building of the bridge on U. S. 90 across the Leon-Gadsden line, the Ochlochonee river covered both bridges and the section of land between to a depth of three feet. The highway was closed to traffic from Friday night through Sunday. [Note: the bridge in this story is across U.S. Hwy. 27, not U.S. 90, although it separates Leon from Gadsden County there, also]

Boats were brought into service and used to ferry stranded parties back and forth across. Some waded across and relied on their thumbs when they got to the other side. They fared well for hundreds visited the unprecedented flood water sight.

Saturday noon, state road department employees measuring the flow of water over various sections of the road and the bridge, estimated it to be several feet per second.

Havana spent 24 hours lacking ten minutes without power and water due to the flood damage at Little River, which washed out the REA line Thursday night.

L. E. Weaver of the Talquin Electric Company and his crew made two unsuccessful attempts by boat to salvage the line Friday morning. The first try was made by William Laing and Gilbert Porch, who got out with the wet clothes on their back and the second by Frank Stovall and Weaver himself netted the same results.

The raging waters of Little River, which has risen 15 feet and threatened to overflow the road and bridge, were too swift in which to operate a boat.

Weaver abandoned the salvage attempts and with the help of John Blount, Wilbur Wilcox and their crew, together with his own crew, started to string a temporary line. Nine poles were used to cross the river. The line was started at 1 o'clock, tied in and the power turned on at 11 o'clock Friday night.

Weaver estimated the damage and cost of stringing the temporary line will run $1,500.

Coffee and refreshments carried by friends to the 24-hour crew were greatly appreciated, he said.

Much credit is due Postmaster Howard Daniels for his efforts to see that the mail came through during the recent disruption of mail service caused by railroad washouts and high water. During the first two days of the period, Mr. Daniels brought mail by automobile from Tallahassee before flooded highways became impassable.

No mail at all was received in Havana on Saturday and Sunday, but the post office remained open, with employees answering numerous questions and putting up local mail. On Monday, Mr. Daniels was able to reach Bainbridge by car to bring letters from northern cities, and trucks traveled on submerged highways to deliver mail from Jacksonville.

Despite a great deal of repair work on railroad lines, transportation of foreign mail is still irregular and uncertain.

The "Office Cat" was last seen submerged in the recent flood waters at Ocholochonee bridge. He has eight more lives to his credit though, so we're afraid he'll turn up by next week. Ed.

The State Department of Education approved the revised preliminary plans as they were submitted last Tuesday morning by Superintendent G. H. Mears and Architect Robert Maybin for the Havana gymnasium and lunchroom.

They met in consultation with J. L. Graham, state director of administration and finance, and J. Fred Horn, state director or school buildings. Several minor changes were made as a result of the meeting such as the addition of three more showers and the inclusion of another exit door on the northeast corner of the building as a fire exit.

Included in the gymnasium approval was the state approval of the classroom addition planned on the west wing of the present building. Mears stated that the two class rooms to be added would run around $10.000 each and the county funds are to be used to finance these. As soon as Mr. Maybin has submitted final plans and detailed building specifications on both of these Havana School projects, they will be advertised for bids as a joint contract, Mears said, and if bids within the limit of the bond issue of $60,000 and county funds are received, actual construction will begin.

Designate High Schools

At the regular board meeting of the school board last Monday, a resoulution was passed designating Havana, Quincy, Chattahoochee and Greensboro permanent as county high schools.

This action was taken, the superintendent pointed out, in as much as the four school centers are all planning buildings and additions to existing buildings which will necessitate the expenditure of considerable sums of money in each case.

Prior to this action by the board, none of the school centers had ever been officially designated as County high school centers, and the question had come up as to which schools would be designated as permanent school centers.

A copy of the resolution was forwarded to the State Department of Education.

Mrs. E. D. Weatherly, president of PTA, has announced the costume committees this week as follows:

Group 1: Paper Flower, Mrs. C. B. Shelfer, Jr., Mrs. Cecil Butler, Mrs. Otis Todd and Mrs. William Laing.

Group 2: Country Dance, Mrs. Henry Slappey, Mrs. W. C. McCall, Mrs. J. H. Willingham and Mrs. Norman Gandy.

Group 3: Minuet, Mrs. Glover Kemp, Mrs. Potter Woodbery, Mrs. J. W. Sapp, Mrs. Kenneth Cowart and Mrs. G. H. Loch.

Group 4: May Pole, Mrs. Lester Griner, Mrs. Lewis Graham, Mrs. E. S. Holman.

Group 5: Early Indians, (Girls and Boys) Mrs. Thurman Davis, Mrs. Charles Noack, Mrs. J. B. Harrison.

Group 6: Spanish, Mrs. B. E. Leverett, Mrs. Troy Sanders, Mrs. G. H. Loch and Mrs. D. H. Willis.

Mothers of children in these dances are requested to contact any member of the committee of their group at the earliest possible moment so that costumes may be ready by the week before the Spring Festival.

The Gadsden County Corn Production Contest, sponsored by the Quincy Chamber of Commerce and the Gadsden County Farm Bureau, closed April 1st with the receipt of entry blanks from 52 adult farmers, and 100 club boys, including 55 FFA members and 45 4-H'ers, A. G. Driggers, county agent, said that the number of participants in the contest reaches the expectations of the sponsors.

Adutlt entrants from this vicinity are Cecil Butler, R. A. Cook and Theron W. Touchton, of Havana, and Frank Perritt, O. L. Stephens and Fred Strange of Concord.

4-H Club members from Concord who have submitted entries are Marion C. Bell, Bobby Gene Dalton, Robert Lee Moore, Francis L. Walsh, Russell Walsh and Glenn Chester.

Contestants from the Havana Chapter of FFA are Paul Nicholson, Joe Peavy, Bill Shelfer, Lewis Shelfer, Wilton Averitt, Joe Contey, Jr., Diston Carter, Bobby R. Hilton, Frances Hough, Carl Jarrard, Charles Lester, Grady Merritt, Earl Moore, and Quentid O. Whittle.

Winners will be determined by measurements made of crop yield per acre during October of this year and ten prizes will be awarded.

Mrs. E. D. Weatherly presided at the regular monthly meeting of the PTA last Thursday afternoon at the school auditorium. Pupils of Mrs. Miller's second grade entertained the members with several delightful songs and Miss Ruth Moore brought the devotional message.

During the short business session, the organization decided to advance the necessary money for Spring Festival preparations. It was also announced that the May PTA meeting will be held on May 13, because of the Spring Festival date falling on the regular scheduled time.

Attendance prizes went to Mrs. Miller's second grade and Mrs. Smedley's fourth grade.

The regular executimve meeting preceeded the group meeting.

At the regular monthly meeting of the Havana Woman's Club last Tuesday afternoon at the City Hall, the nominating committee submitted nominations of new officers for the 1948-49 year as follows: president, Mrs. J. W. Sapp; first vice president, Mrs. A. M. Butler; second vice president, Mrs. H. N. Alewine; third vice president, Mrs. Carl Moreland; treasurer, Mrs. W. G. Butler; recording secretary, Mrs. Jack Dudley; corresponding secretary, Mrs. Gus Bert; and parliamentarian, Mrs. H. C. Bert. The Slate was voted on and elected unanimously. The officers will be installed at the May meeting.

Members and guests enjoyed a delightful musical program during the afternoon arranged by Mrs. Harold Bert, chairman for the program.

Members of the 5th and 6th grades of the Havana school presented several selections on song flutes, directed by Miss Mary Louise Cowart.

Mrs. Clark Plemmons, Mrs. G. H. Loch and Mrs. Clarence Morgan, Jr., composed a trio who sang several of Stephen Foster's melodies. They were accompanied by Mrs. H. N. Alewine at the piano.

Miss Cowart then presented four members of the high school band, the saxaphone quartette. Members of the group were Mary Zell Haskins, Mary Alice Averitt, Dickie Fischer and Bernard Blackwood. Their selection was "To A Wild Rose."

An inspiring devotional was given by Mrs. Carl Moreland and Mrs. Ruby Womack gave an article on "What Is Music?"

For the concluding number on the program, Mr. Gus Bert played Shuberts Serenade on the violin, accompanied by Mrs. Harold Bert.

A short business meeting followed the program.

During the social hour, and antique music box added a delightful background of music while the hostesses, Mrs. O. M. Tillis and Mrs. Eugene Thompson, served a salad plate and coffee.

Visitors for the afternoon included Mrs. Wallace Shelfer, Mrs. Dan Blackmon, Mrs. Luke Blackmon and Mrs. C. W. Harbin.

The American Cancer Society is again making an appeal for funds during the month of April, in order to continue its great work in cancer control. The goal for 1948 is higher than ever before so that the society may develop further the programs already in progress.

The goal for Havana in this drive is $150 dollars and the committee in charge, composed of M. D. Dees and T. E. Jefferson expressed the hope that Havana will meet this amount with their usual generous response.

The familiar blue and red boxes for collections are being placed this week in various public places and literature and information concerning the drive and knowledge of danger signs of cancer are being distributed among the residential sections of the town.

Mr. E. J. Langley of Chattahoochee is chairman of the drive for Gadsden County.

Give to Conquer Cancer!

Fellowcraft degrees were conferred on five local members of the Havana Chapter F. and A. M. at the regular meeting last Tuesday night. A courtesy Fellowcraft degree was also conferred on Cecil McCloud of the Westville, Fla., Lodge.

Local men receiving the degree included Robert Laing, Donald Penn, Ruben Lanier, Wilson Hall and Lewis Graham. D. H. Willis conferred the degrees, before the 27 members who were present at the meeting.

Gloria Parker McKay, 26 year old Quincy resident, shot and killed herself with a .32 calibre pistol last Tuesday morning at 6 o'clock in the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. K. Parker in College Park addition.

She was the mother of two children and had been seperated from her husband for some time. The children have been living with their father in Georgia.

According to Sheriff Otho Edwards, her father had already arisen at the time of the shooting, and heard a muffled report from the bedroom in which Mrs. McKay was sleeping. Parker hurried to her room, called a doctor, but the girl died before the doctor arrived.

Funeral services were conducted Tuesday afternoon from the home of Mrs. McKay's grandmother, Mrs. E. S. Parker at McRae, Georgia. Surviving Mrs. McKay are her husband, one son, Donald McKay, Jr., and one daughter, Michaela McKay.

Miss Annette Darsey was honored on her birthday with a delightful party given by her mother, Mrs. C. H. Darsey, on Tuesday evening. About forty guests were entertained on the lawn of the Darsey home, which was especially lighted for the occasion.

After enjoying a number of games, which were arranged by Miss Ruth Moore, the young people were invited into the house, which was beautifully decorated with pink roses. The birthday cake was encircled with fern, and featured a pink and green color scheme. The hostess, who was assisted by Mrs. J. S. Cantey and Mrs. Lester Griner, served ice cream, cake and cookies.

Miss Darsey played a number of musical selections for her guests, and afterward was presented with many lovely gifts.

G. Harold Martin, of Ft. Lauderdale, state president of Kiwanis Clubs, addressed the principal and faculty members at a special meeting at the school house Wednesday afternoon at 3:45. He spoke in the interest of establishing a Key Club in the Havana High School.

Key Club, Martin explained, is a high school service club, organized for the purpose of training high school boys to be the leaders of the future, and is sponsored by the local chapter. Any boy in the sophomore, junior and senior classes is eligible for membership, provided he is of good character, is a good student, and has potential leadership ability. The organization and activities of the group are supervised by the school principal, who works with the club in suggesting projects.

At the close of Mr. Martin's talk, the faculty voted unanimously to approve the formation of the club here, and D. F. Burns, principal, made plans to begin organization proceedings immediately in order to have the club ready to funciton effectively at the beginning of the next school year.

Quincy High School also plans to form a Key Club in the near future.

Also attending the meeting were Dr. J. R. Norton, of Port St. Joe, Lieutenant-Governor of Kiwanis Clubs, and Lamar Munroe, Jr., chairman of the Boys' and Girls' Committee of the Quincy Kiwanis Club. Fred Arrington, president and H. N. Alewine represented the Havana Chapter of Kiwanis.

I wish to express my thanks to my friends of Gadsden County for the wonderful aid they gave us during our disastrous flood. I shall never forget their kindness.
Signed, A. O. Duke, Candidate for Sheriff.

Editor in Chief...........Mary Anne Nicholson
assistant Editor...............Edwina Whittle
Faculty Advisor............Mrs. W. H. Truluck
Reporters.......................Twelfth Grade

Editorial - My Idea of School Spirit
by Harold Bert

One of the worst predicaments a scholl can get into is to have little or no school spirit. The attitude of "I don't-care-what-happend-at-Havana-High" is one that I, personally, don't care to have. In many schools, the students, not having any school spirit, act as if their school work and other activities are drugery. Consequently, they get no fun from their work or activities. On the other hand, if they would go about hte work with some spirit, the work would seem easier and they would probably get a "big kick" from these activities.

Not only on the athletic field, but also in the classroom, the proper school spirit could really "pay off". The part played by the faculty has a great deal to do with the school spirit of the students. In many schools, the faculty leads the students on in this spirit. In others, the faculty has no spirit and neither do the students have any.

I believe that in order to have the proper school spirit, the feelings between the faculty and the students of the school should be of the highest esteem and both should feel that nothing is too good for the school.

I believe we could have better school spirit.

Who's Who

This character is often seen riding around town in a green Buick with Whitney Musgrave. He is a member of the "terrible tenth," and is sometimes called "It.' Where he got his nickname, no one knows except some tenth grade boys. He is about 5'5" tall, with dark hair (this hair is always down in his face, so that you can hardly recognize him until you hear his bashful voice). Speaking of bashfulness, he will not even let a girl get within five feet of him if he can help it. If by now you don't know who this little "Who" is, then wail until next week.

Last week's Who's Who was Joan Lascola.

Sports
By Jim Stephens

The baseball players of the Havana High school have started their seasonal practice. The uniforms have already been distributed to them.

It took the boys a little time to get a start because of the rain and also the cleaning of the field, but the team is rapidly taking shape, and several games have already been scheduled.

"Overheard"

Well, boys and girls, another week is ending and everyone is looking back on Frannie's wonderful dance. But let's get on to the dirt.

Carl, what is this we hear about you and Martha? Could it be a new flame after the old one?

It looks as though most girls except Tootsie (Margaret Miller) and Carol (Ellinor) are having trouble with their fellows. Keep up the good work, girls.

Mary Ann Butler, we hear you are turning dates down left and right, getting to be pretty popular, aren't you?

Sue and Bobby seem to be hitting it off pretty nicely.

Don Butler, whose ring are you wearing? Couldn't be a certain red-haired junior's could it?

June Harvey, that certainly was a cute boy at the dance with you. How about introducing him around town?

Nell, how did you and Mary Zell (Haskins) enjoy your house party? Bet it was fun.

Odene (Brock), you look as if you were having a wonderful time Friday night.

What's up between Ella Jean (Driver) and Hunter (McCullough)? Looks like storm clouds to us.

Edwina (Whittle), guess you and Wilford are still paling around together. Hope it lasts.

Frannie (Frances Powell) really seems to have Donald (Williams) hooked right these days.

Carl Driver, it seems to us that you are losing you girl friend to a member of the "terrible tenth." It seems they are getting more terrible everyday. Let's hope they leave the building in one piece when they graduate.

We think the world would come to an end if Mary Brock and Ella Jean Driver weren't always seen together. This is what I call true friendhsip.

We see Barbara (Powell) has at last gotten Dick's basketball. It is a big relief, isn't it, Babs?

We wonder if Bobby Miller and Harold Bert will ever get serious about a girl.

Who is the junior girl that wants a date with Jim Morgan? Better get on your toes, Jim.

What sophomore and junior girl is it that think Jim Stephens is the best-looking boy in the senior class and ought to be king? Better take a bow, Jim.

Orien, it seem you aren't giving the boys much of a chance lately. Is Hunter someone special that you date him.

Better stop for now Kids!

Mr. and Mrs. T. E. Jefferson left Tuesday for a few day's visit in Sylacauga, Ala.

Miss Virginia Gregory arrived from Atlanta Sunday to spend this week here with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. R. R. Gregory.

Richmond Roberts, of Orlando, spent last week-end here as the guest of his cousin, Terry McDavid. Mr. Roberts is a student at the University of Florida.

Mrs. Barney Whittle and Mrs. Paul Sadller left Tuesday for Jacksonville where they will visit relatives.

Mrs. C. O. (Mary) Pearce, newly chosen Worthy Matron of the Havana Chapter of Easter Star, is attending the Grand Chapter meeting in Tampa this week.

Rev. J. D. Willingham is spending this week in Crestview, Florida, where he is teaching a Sunday school study course.

Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Taylor, Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Williams, and Mrs. M. C. Williams, of Attapulgus, were the dinner guests of Mr. and Mrs. Lanier Laing, Sunday.

E. B. McFarland and his son, Robert Hampton, spent Sunday through Tuesday in Baltimore, Maryland.

Herschel Darsey, son of Mr. and Mrs. C. H. (Charlie and Mettie) Darsey, arrived here last week from the U. S. Navy at Long Beach, Calif., on March 5. He served in the Navy for 22 months and held the rating of Electcronics Technicians mate, second class, at his discharge.

Mrs. Lottie Gray and Mrs. Sarah (Gray) Walsh and children, Mary Emma and Catherine, were the guests of Mr. and Mrs. Brink (and Ada) Poppell Sunday.

Mr. and Mrs. L. S. (Toby and Elizabeth) Scoggins, of Bainbridge, Ga., visited Mrs. Ettie Joiner Sunday afternoon.

Mrs. Nell Haviland and Miss Mary Zell Haskins attended the annual Florida Association YWA houseparty which was held last weekend at Silver Lake.

Mrs. O. M. (Elma) Tillis, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Dudley, and Charles Harris, Mrs. George (Ketty) McEwen, Mrs. F. P. (Eva) Haviland, Mrs. Troy (Leslie) Sanders and Martha Pearl (Sanders) were among those attending the Adams concert in Quincy last Friday night.

Mr. and Mrs. Truman McPherson and Mrs. McPherson's sister, Hazel Presnell were in Panama City over the week-end.

Mr. and Mrs. Robert (Bob and Lavern) Laing and Mrs. Winnie Telford were dinner guests at the Lanier Laing home last Monday night.

Mrs. Howard (Yvonne) Gray, Mrs. W. V. (Sara) Smith, Mrs. E. B. (Florence) McFarland and Mrs. Carl (Rosalie) Moreland were luncheon guests of Mrs. W. H. Covington in Tallahassee, last Thursday.

The following attended the flower arrangement school in Tallahassee last week: Mrs. Davis (Jo) Smith, Mrs. Sam (Mary) Lester, Mrs. E. B. (Florence) McFarland, Mrs. Howard (Yvonne) Gray, Mrs. W. V. (Sara) Smith and Mrs. Carl (Rosalie) Moreland.

Mr. Virgil Vickers and Mr. Paul Rippy have returned from a trip to Indiana where Mr. and Mrs. Rippy plan to make their home. Mrs. Rippy is the former Miss Grace Vickers (sister of Virgil).

Many people from Concord attended the Tri-State Sing held in Quincy Sunday.

Miss Lessie Myrl Gray spent last weekend with her aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Byron, in Hinson.

Rev. and Mrs. Cary L. Rigby of Atmore, Ala., were the guests of Mr. and Mrs. M. H. Walsh, Sunday.

Miss Elsie Walsh was the weekend guest of her aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Lewis, in Tallahassee.

The Eliza Nicholson Circle met at the home of Mrs. J. S. (Cliffie) Harris Monday afternoon with Mrs. John Boynton as co-hostess.

Mrs. J. W. (Helen) Sapp led the devotional using for her subject, "The Whole Creation Is The Lord's'. Mrs. A. M. (Kathleen) Butler, assisted by Mrs. Ray Gregory and Mrs. Clarence (Olive) Morgan gave the program on "The Rural Church.'

Mrs. John (Sarah) Boynton, chairman of the circle, directed the business meeting at which time it was announced that the group would hold an apron sale at the meeting next month at the home of Mrs. Norman (Mildred) Gandy.

During the social hour, the hostesses served ice cream and cake to the following members: Mrs. W. P. Musgraves, Mrs. Ann Nicholson, Mrs. Aubrey (Kathleen) Butler, Mrs. J. W. (Helen) Sapp, Mrs. Ray Gregory, Miss Annie Nicholson, Mrs. Clarence (Olive) Morgan and Mrs. Wallace (Edith) Shelfer, who was welcomed as a new member of the group.

The Kitty Moreland Group met with Mrs. Henry (Jean) Slappey last Monday afternoon, with Mrs. E. H. Slappey as co-hostess.

Mrs. W. V. (Sara) Smith, chairman of the circle, conducted the business session and Mrs. C. B. (Elizabeth) Shelfer, Jr., gave an inspiring devotion. The theme and subject of the meeting was "Rural Churches" and was developed in all parts of the program.

Mrs. H. W. Slappey read the 67th Psalm and the meeting was closed with a prayer by Mrs. Carl Moreland.

During the social hour, the members held an apron sale which was enjoyed by everyone and the aprons were "modeled' by the members while the hostesses served refreshments. Seventeen were present at the meeting.

Below are some photos in the collection of Angela Boynton Cassidy that show the flooding of the Ochlockonee River in 1948. Dennis Wood gave me the one of him and Audrie Gray, and Frank Walsh gave me the one of him wading in the water. They were small photos, and Frank's was blurry, so this is the best I can show them.