This week Fred G. Shelfer and N. T. Richardson announced their purchase of the Ford Tractor and Dearborn Farm Equipment agency in Havana. The farm implement business has been housed in the above building since early in 1947, built by the Shelfer & Ellinor Warehouse Co., and was not involved in the sale. The purchase price of the agency was not announced.
Herald photo

The sale and transfer of the Ford tractor agency, the Gadsden Tractor Company, was completed here last week. The new owners and active co-managers are Fred G. Shelfer and N. T. Richardson. Purchase of the business was from R. A. (Bob) Ellinor, who had owned the agency since it was started here early in 1945. The sale price was not disclosed.

The 100 x 150 foot brick building which was built in 1947 to house the tractor and farm implement business and which has been occupied by the same firm until now is owned by the Shelfer & Ellinor Warehouse Co., and was not included in the sale to the new owners.

N. T. "Rich" Richardson is no newcomer to the tractor and farm implement business as he has been associated with it in one capacity or another since 1922.

In 1945, he came to Havana and operated the Ford tractor agency out of the Ford dealer's building until the business was moved into the building they occupy today. During the war, "Rich" was with the Third Air Force, in the capacity of chief aircraft inspector for four and a half years. Prior to that, the co-manager of the Gadsden Tractor Company handled the tractor end of the C. R. Shaw Ford Agency in Quincy, before they sold out to the Inman Johnson Co.

Fred Shelfer, a native of Gadsden county, was born in Havana and after a number of years in Quincy, and a spell with the Marine Corps, returned to East Gadsden last year and purchased one of the Potter Woodbery farms. Fred plans to be an active co-manager in the Gadsden Tractor company and is this week attending a school, conducted by the Ford company on maintenance and new farm equipment in Jacksonville.

Fred attended Maryville College in Tennessee and upon graudation entered the Marine Corps as a pilot serving in the Pacific theater during the war. When he got out of the Corps, he became a partner in the Shelfer Brothers Laundry in Quincy and Orange State Oil dealer for this territory. Last year, he and his wife and family, moved to the Potter Woodbery farm on the Old Salem road.

The new owners say that they plan to be available and accesible to anyone with tractor or farm implement problems, and invite criticism and suggestions from the farmers as to any improvements they would like to see them make on their novel service and shop truck, which is equipped to make light repairs to tractors and machinery right on the farm.

This service is designed to save the farmer time and money as there are many instances when minor repairs can be made in the field without bringing the tractor to the shop.

Personnel employed by Shelfer and Richardson will include Bill Dunn, who will be shop foreman, Luther Spooner, mechanic and Mrs. E. B. Broome, bookkeeper.

A public installation ceremony for new officers of the local chapter of Order of Eastern Star will be held at the City Hall on December 29th.

Mrs. Gladys McKnight of Carabelle, Grand Instructress of District No. Five, will be present as the installing officer. Also assisting with the service will be Bertus McKnight, District Deputy Grand Master F. and A. M., of District No. Six., acting Worthy Patron.

Prior to the installation, a banquet will be served by the O. E. S. Chapter at the City Hall beginning at 7 p. m. Plates will be served for $1.50 each. It is imperative, however, that reservations be made immediately with Mrs. Clarence Pearce by all who wish to attend. Otherwise, adequate plates cannot be made by committees. The public is invited to attend the banquet and the installation ceremony.

Officers to be installed are Mrs. Faye Smith, Worthy Matron; Clarence Pearce, Worthy Patron; Mrs. Alma Willis, Associate Worthy Matorn; Matau Smith, Associate Worthy Patron; Mrs. Mary Pearce, secretary; Mrs. Grace Blount, treasurer; Mrs. Evelyn Leonard, Conductress; Mrs. Grace Penn, Associate Conductress.

According to a resolution adopted 3-1 by the Board of County Commissioners at a special meeting last Friday, the Concord road has dropped to the number two position in the county roads to be paved. Commissioner Woodbery cast the dissenting vote.

Previously last year's board had voted to pave the Darsey Crossing to Concord to Havana road next on the list. Considerable controversy arose over this resolution when the new board met following the last elections and has continued to plague their road discussion all year.

Last Friday the board first voted to rescind all resolutions pertaining to proposed county road paving made by the 1948 board. Next they moved to rescind all resolutions made by the present board this year. Then on a motion by E. P. Woodward and seconded by E. E. Bass, they voted 3-1 that the following roads be paved according to the numbers as follows:

"1. Quincy to Gretna, Old Quincy-Gretna road from Gretna to state road No. 12, by Walker Bassett's now owned by Harry Bassett.

2. Darsey Crossing to Concord to Havana via the Leslie Lewis road.

3. Commencing at Bonnie Hill on to Gretna.

"The roads to be paved in the above stated order."

The above priority for the construction of roads will be drawn up by the board and will be forwarded to the state road department in an effort to have the three projects included in next year's budget.

Routine payment of bills took up the remainder of the county board's time which were paid early this month to be in time for the Christmas holidays.

Dear Santa Claus:

I know you've already received one letter from me this year, but this note will request a few changes, plus the addition of several gifts for people I forgot at that time.

First of all, you can cancel that order I gave you for a dog for Mr. and Mrs. Boss. Mr. Boss gave Mrs. Boss a black cocker puppy as an anniversary gifty. You might, however, leave a name for the pup under the tree, as they're undecided on whether to call him "News Ink" or "Shadow".

Please bring Hobson Alewine a pencil that writes only up to 40, so that his golf scores will be sure to stay close to par on each nine holes he plays.

Don't bring John Blount the toy police car I wrote you about. He has a real one now, complete with red blinker lights, siren and all.

Please bring Kenneth Cowart a toy train that runs on time even at Christmas, and bring a passenger train (one that does not carry mail) to the people who work at the post office.

Never mind the pair of roller skates I asked you to bring to the Office Rat, as he will not need them. He has passed on his reward. We found him floating around (very dead) in the sink in the boss's dark room just a week or so ago. I sort of miss the sarcasm and slurring remarks which so endeared him to us all.

We'd like for you to bring lots more Christmas "lights" for the streets around town. The ones we have look so nice that we may leave them up year 'round.

Please bring Dr. Sapp eight hour nights of sound sleep, packed one dozen to the set. He certainly must need a rest after visiting the multitude of influenza patients the last few weeks.

If I think of any more items between now and time you leave the North Pole, I'll wire instead of writing. If you don't hear from me again, you'll know I'm planning to meet you in the center of town at midnight on Christmas Eve. There are several reports to make on good and bad children (and adults) here in town.

I have been a very good kitty myself, especially the last two weeks. Please bring me a lot of readers for my column, a renewed supply of energy, and a new ribbon for my typewriter.

Please note our Christmas edition of the Herald, Santa. To quote our esteemed Mr. Harris, "There's few weekly newspapers in the United States and none in Georgia" that looks as Christmas-y as ours does this week. We hope you like it!

In all your going and comings on the 25th, Santa, please remember to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas from THE OFFICE CAT.

C. B. Shelfer, Jr., was named by fellow Masons as Worshipful Master, at the regular election meeting of the group on December 6th. The retiring Master is J. H. Dodson.

Other officers elected to serve during 1950 with Shelfer include; P. W. Shelfer, Jr., Senior Warden; C. O. Pearce, Junior Warden; H. W. Slappey, treasurer and W. K. Cowart, secretary.

Installation of these officers will take place, Tuesday, December 27, at the Lodge Hall.

Appointed positions have not been announced at this time.

The Leon Lions completed a clean sweep of their two game series with the Havana Bears here last Friday night, beating the Bruins 43-34 in Havana's new gym.

Leon had taken the opener 37-38 in Tallahassee.

Friday night's triumph brought a decisive end to the cage domination the Havana quintet has held over the Red and White for the past two seasons when they galloped off with five victories in six games.

The triump wound up Leon's pre-holiday cage slate, and gave them a record of three wins against a single loss. The setback was the third of the year for the Bruins, who also bowed to Greensboro 2-22.

Coach Charlie Morris' Lions blew the ball game apart in the third period Friday when they outscored the Bears 12-4 to take a 33-26 lead which they maintained during the final period.

The two teams battled to a 12-12 deadlock in the opening quarter, with Dick Dozier carrying the load for the Lions and Gray and Butler setting the pace for the Bruins.

Havana, mainly through the efforts of Gray, hit the halftime with a slim 22-21 lead. The Bruin forward picked up eight points in the second frame after contributing four foul shots in the opening canto.

Dozier, turning in his top performance as a Lion, kept his mates in striking distance during the first half with six field goals that were equally divived in the first two periods.

Leon came out after the half time to shoot out in front as Marvin Haynes and Cap. Bill Vinzant sparked a 12 point lead. Havana was limited to ___ tosses during that period.

In the final quarter the Lions matched the Bruin efforts.

Dozier added a field goal and a charity toss to his big first half total to top Leon with 15 points. Vinzant was runner up with 10, eight of which came in the last half.

Gray topped the Havana attack with 17 points which were gained on nine foul throws and four shots from the field. The eagle eyed ace made his nine charity throws on 11 attempts.

In a preliminary game the Leon Jayvees continued to run roughshod over all opposition, walloping the Bruins B squad 41-22.

Big Bill Jacobs paced the attack for Coach Wes Carter's club with 14 points, followed by Center Bob Barnett with 9.

The jayvees held to a 14-8 margin at half time, hit a hot streak in the final half.

It happened when Santa Claus came to town last Saturday. Johnny Lee Griffin, negro, is being held in the county jail on a petit larceny charge after he was picked up here Monday by Chief John Blount and turned over to Sheriff Edwards.

Blount said that Griffin confessed to entering the home of Duncan Lester, last Saturday afternoon about 3:00 p. m., and taking $40 while the family was down town to see Santa Claus. He also said that he broke into the Johnny Fischer residence and got $4.00.

Christmas night at the Havana Baptist church, local college and high school students will conduct the services on the theme, "Christ Above All." Services will begin at 7:30 and the public is cordially invited to attend. The students night program is being observed by Baptist churches in twenty three states.

The local program and participants is as follows:

"Christ Above All" by Rev. W. A. Robinson, Scripture, Prayer and Benediction by Donald Williams, Carl Driver and Fred Williams.

Work of Baptist Student Union presented by Herschell Darsey, former Georgia state B. S. U. president and Montez Haskins, student at LaGrange College.

Other phases of Christian activity at college, by Boby Harrell, Univ. Fla., Annette Darsey, Bessie Tift College and Mary Zell Haskins, LaGrange College.

Herschel Darsey will lead congregational songs and render a solo number.

Kenneth Haskins will direct the Youth Choir in a special number. Trio number by Mary Zell Haskins, Montez Haskins, Annette Darsey.

Mr. and Mrs. Willie D. Williams of Havana announce the birth of a son at Gadsden county hospital, December 15th.

Mr. and Mrs. Leonard E. (Billy and Johnnie) Poppell of Havana announce the birth of a son at Gadsden county hospital, December 15th.

Local followers of the fortunes of the University of Florida's Gator basketball squad have an added interest this year, as Harold Bert, Jr., a Sophomore at the University, is playing regularly with the Gator varsity.

Referred to by the radio announcer last week in Florida's game with Tulane as the "redheaded flash from Havana", Harold played the entire second half and scored 10 points for the team.

Bert started this year as guard, and was shifted by Coach Sam McAllister in the Tulane game to forward, in which position he played during the LUS-Gator game the following night.

Bert, during his years at HHS, alternated as forward and center on Coach Fred Strange's state championship teams of 1946-47 and 1947-48, and was instrumental in achieving the team's outstanding records.

The retiring president of the Wesley Fidelis Sunday School class, Mrs. Ruby Womack, entertained members of the class and their teacher, Mr. Clarence Pearce, last Thursday night with a Christmas party at her home on Main street. The event is an annual affair of the group.

The party rooms were attractive with holiday arrangements and a large brilliantly lighted Christmas tree was the feature decoration.

Guests were seated for supper at small tables in the living and dining rooms, after serving their plates from a beautiful appointed center table.

After the meal, several games were conducted by Mrs. A. M. (Kathleen) Butler and Mrs. G. H. (Jo) Loch. Mrs. Winnie Telford won a prize in the "box opening" contest. Each member received as favors, novel hand crocheted holly wreath lapel pins, and a gift was also presented to Mr. Pearce by the class. About twenty five members enjoyed the party and Rev. J. L. Hunter was a special guest.

Mrs. Womack was assisted in entertaining her guests by her mother, Mrs. William DeCostas.

Mr. and Mrs. C. V. Butler were hosts Monday night at the Christmas party of the Low Score Bridge Club members and their husbands.

The Butler home was effectively decorated with Christmas arrangements for the party. The mantel featured metallic balls hung on graduated lengths of red ribbon with a ribbon bow at the center. Greenery and graduated red candles were also used. A miniature village formed an attractive snow scene on top of the bookcase. Included among other decorations was a lovely Christmas tree.

A delicious supper was served buffet style, and guests were later seated at card tables. Several progressions of bridge were enjoyed, with prizes being awarded at the close of the games. Mr. and Mrs. Harold R. Bert were winners of couple's high score prize, and Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Stephens were presented with couple's low score award.

Those present drew numbers and received gifts around the Christmas tree later in the evening.

Guests at the party were Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Lambert and Mr. and Mrs. J. G. McLellan. Husbands and members present with the host and hostess were Mr. and Mrs. Harold R. Bert, Mr. and Mrs. Davis Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Stephens, Mrs. Fred Arrington, Mr. and Mrs. Warren Lester, Mr. and Mrs. King Gregory, Mrs. Fred Shelfer, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Bell, Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Hunt, W. L. Williams, Jr., and Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Tullos.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. J. Gus Bert at Scotland was the scene Monday evening of a Christmas dinner party enjoyed by members of the Havana Sewing Club and their husbands.

Attractive decorations provided a festive setting for the annual party. The front door of the home was outlined with smilax and colored lights, and decorations in the living room included a beautiful decorated Christmas tree in one corner, and a cluster of paper bells hung from lights in the center of the room. A small treee, brightly hung with ornaments formed the centerpiece for a small table.

The dinner table was covered with a white linen cloth and was centered with a tree fashioned of colorful Christmas ornaments, placed on a mirror. Four lighted red candles in individual crystal holders were used at either end of the table. Place cards decorated with red stars, and red nut cups at each guest's place, completed the appointments.

After a delicious turkey dinner, the guests enjoyed an informal hour, during which gifts were presented.

Present with Mr. and Mrs. Bert for the evening were Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Robinson, Mr. and Mrs. George Gregory, Mr. and Mrs. H. W. Womack, Mr. and Mrs. O. M. Tillis and Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Slappey.

Mr. and Mrs. R. H. (Bob and Thelma) McDavid and son, Terry, will spend the holidays with Mr. and Mrs. Harry (and Elizabeth McDavid) Ellinor at their home in Pensacola.

Home to spend the holidays with her parents, Dr. and Mrs. H. H. Sapp, is Miss Helen Sapp of Washington, D. C.

Mrs. Byron (Frances) Ellinor and sons, Richard and Tommy, of Pensacola arrived this week for the Christmas holidays.

Fred Shelfer is in Jacksonville this week attending a tractor school. He expects to return tomorrow.

Captain W. A. (Sam) Thompson, of San Antonio, Tex., has joined his wife and son here for the holiday season. They are with Mrs. Thompson's family, the J. S. Canteys, in Havana.

Mr. and Mrs. Jack Dudley entertained a group of friends with a bridge party last Saturday evening at their home here.

The home was decorated with seasonal greenery and Christmas arrangements. The mantel in the living room was attractive with arrangements of poinsettias centered between tall red candles in silver holders. The dining room table was laid with a cream lace cloth and the centerpiece was a green bowl of kumquats flanked by green candles in brass holders. Other decorations carried out the chosen color schemes.

After a series of games, Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Swisher won the couple's high score prize, a set of hand painted glasses. Mrs. John Boynton was the winner of a novel flowerpot spoon holder a ladies' cut prize and Mr. Boynton was presented with a box of candy for men's cut prize.

A supper plate which was served following the games, consisted of chicken salad, sandwiches, fruit cake with whipped cream and coffee. Nuts and glazed fruit were also served.

Invited to the party were: Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Swisher, Mr. and Mrs. Henry (and Jean) Slappey, Mr. and Mrs. Cecil (and Frances) Butler, Mr. and Mrs. Alvin (and Virginia) Stephens, Mr. and Mrs. Don (and Grace) Penn, Mr. and Mrs. John (and Sarah) Boynton, Mr. and Mrs. R. H. (Bob and Thelma) McDavid, Miss Katherine Peabody, Miss Carolyn Tillis and Mr. E. B. (Bennie) McFarland.

Carol Williams was honored Thursday afternoon of last week on her eighth birthday with a party given at her home by her mother, Mrs. Dan Smith.

Carol and her friends were entertained with several indoor games. Barbara Jo Loch was the winner of the two game prizes. Candy filled boots and bubble gum were presented to the guests as favors, and refreshments were cake and hot chocolate.

The birthday cake was decorated in a red and green color scheme, and a Christmas motif was carried out in other decorations.

Assisting Mrs. Williams in serving were Miss Yvonne Carter and Mrs. James Shiver.

Guests at the party included Barbara Jo Loch, Sunny Hall, Thelma Todd, Lloyd and Barbara Shiver, Ray Maxwell, Jeannette Swisher, Douglas Collins, Justine Clenney, Rachel Brady, Peggy Leonard, Linda Penn and Neal McPherson.

Mr. and Mrs. Leon Johnson spent several days last week here with Mr. and Mrs. A. O. (Alvin and Virginia) Stephens and Mrs. M. G. Johnson. The visitors were en route to their home in Orlando after a short stay in Mobile, Ala.

Mr. and Mrs. Leon Williams and family are now living at the Beverly Apartments. Mr. and Mrs. D. C. Alligood, who formerly resided there, are now making their home in Calvary, Ga.

Joseph Darsey is arriving home from Birmingham this week for a Christmas visit with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. H. (Charlie and Mettie) Darsey.

Mrs. M. G. Johnson, who has recently been in Forsyth Hospital in Tallahassee, is now at home here. She wishes to thank her friends for their thoughtfulness during her illness.

Mrs. W. L. (Sandy) Williams, Jr., and sons, Bill and Phil, are spending the Christmas holidays in Arcadia with Mrs. Williams' family.

Mr. and Mrs. R. R. Gregory and son, Ray, will enjoy a short Christmas visit with Mr. and Mrs. Joe Duncan and their infant son, Doug, at their home in Tavares.

Holiday guests of Misses Emma and Betty Fletcher will be Tom cone and Miss Lonie Lonsdale, of New York.

Professor and Mrs. D. F. Burns, David and Mrs. Burns' mother, left last Sunday for Pasadena, Texas, where they will spend the holiday season with their daughter and son in law, Mr. and Mrs. Ira Sanborn and family.

Miss Ruth Moore accompanied by Miss Mary Scott left last Saturday for Illinois where Miss Moore will visit her parents in Macedonia and Mary will viist the Misses Novena and Jeanne Moore, nieces of Miss Moore in McLeansboro. They will return after the new year.

Mr. and Mrs. Elliot Darsey and daughter, Beverly, of Macon, are arriving tomorrow to spend Christmas here with Mrs. Darsey's parents, Mr. and Mrs. H. W. Womack.

Mr. and Mrs. Webster Daniels and family of Chattanooga, spent last week-end here as guests of Mrs. Daniels' mother, Mrs. Edith Daniels. The Daniels family is now visiting relatives in Jacksonville.

Misses Nell Gray and Marilyn Morgan, teachers in the Panama City public school system, are here to spend the holidays with their families.

Miss Rachel Sappington is home with her mother, Mrs. J. H. Sappington, for the vacation period. She teaches in a Tampa school.

Mr. and Mrs. Wilson Hall and daughters and Miss Yvonne Carter will leave tomorrow for Miami where they will spend Christmas with friends and relatives. They plan to attend the North-South game while there and expect to return home on Dec. 28th.

Mrs. Maggie Hildreth, of Jasper, is a holiday visitor at the home of her mother, Mrs. H. A. LeVar.

College students home for the holiday season include: Harold Bert, Jr., Dan Miller, Bobby Harrell and Joe Cantey of the University of Fla., Misses Montez and Mary Zell haskiins of LeGrange College, Ga.; Miss Annette Darsey of Bessie Tift college, Forsyth, Ga.

Mrs. Will Doss of Hinson is spending the holiday season in Sanford with her son and daughter in law, Mr. and Mrs. Luther Doss.

Fred Williams, who is a faculty member at the Crawfordville school, is home for the holidays with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Williams, Sr.

Lewis Jr., and Bill Shelfer arrived this week to spend the holidays here with their parents, Mr. and Mrs. L. W. Shelfer. Both are cadets at sewanee Military Academy, Sewanee, Tenn.

On the sick list this week are Jack Freeman, Jim Henry Slappey, Richard Gandy, Mrs. O. B. Harrison.

Mrs. L. S. Peabody and Ben Peabody spent the day Sunday in Camilla, Ga. They were accompanied by Joe Ross who was returning to his home there.

Miss Elin Haroldottir, an FSU student from Reykjavik, Iceland, is spending a few days here at the John Boynton home.

The annual Christmas entertainment for local telephone exchange employes and their families was held Monday night at the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Davis.

Twenty one guests enjoyed a delicious turkey dinner served buffet style from an attractive refreshment table in the dining room. The turkey was a Christmas gift to the exchange from Mrs. W. G. Butler.

Poinsettias were used on the buffet in the dining room, and decorations in the living room included a Christmas tree and several arrangements of red berries. The mantel featured a centerpiece of holly and red metallic balls flanked by red candles.

Those present enjoyed playing games and singing Christmas carols after dinner. Gifts were exchanged and opened during the evening.

Of interest to friends here is the marriage, last Saturday of Miss Bobbie Avanell Lewis to Donald David Jones of Quincy, formerly of Havana.

The wedding took place in Jackson, Miss., at the Parkway Baptist church. The Rev. Norman Price officiated.

Mrs. Jones attended Lively Technical school in Tallahassee and was formerly employed in the law offices of Norman Stone there. She is the daughter of Mrs. Otis H. Cantrell of West Point, Miss.

Mr. Jones, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Jones, graduated from Havana High School in 1943 and attended the University of Buffalo in New York. During the war, he served three years in the Army, with several months in the European theater. He is now a student at Florida State University.

James Thomas Kelly, 74, of Flat Creek community, died Sunday at Gadsden County Hospital following a long illness. A native of South Carolina, Kelly had lived for many years in Gadsden County, where he was a farmer. He was a member of the Baptist church at Flat Creek, where funeral services were conducted at 4 p. m. Sunday. Rev. McDonald was in charge, and interment followed at Flat Creek Cemetery, with Butler-Morgan as funeral directors. His wife, Mrs. Bessie Kelly, of Flat Creek, survives. Pallbearers were Alney McPherson, J. T. Kelly, Paul Smith, Orin McPherson, Adrian Fletcher and Malcolm Smith.