1950 Recalled

By John Harvey

Continuing to reflect on events of the year 1950, we find that Monticello had entered the Georgia Power Company's "Better Hometown Contest" for the second year.  Two other communities had launched beautification projects.  Shady Dale had carried out a beautification project at the local school and was in the process of planting shrubs and flowers in its business section.  Hillsboro had called a community meeting at the school to explain the beautification project to begin there.

Forty-one seniors at Monticello High School were excited about their plans to visit the nation's capitol.  They left for Washington on May 25.  

1950 was again an election year and both Gov. M. E. Thompson and candidates Herman Talmadge spoke in Monticello in June.

On July 1, James T. Benton, affectionately known throughout the county as "Uncle Jimmy" celebrated his 100th birthday.  The Kiwanis Club held a special recognition program for him on that day.  Earlier in an interview with the Monticello News, Uncle Jimmy had told of seeing the Union troops pass through Monticello and Jasper County at the age of 14.  He also told of events on the family plantation before and after the Civil War.  Uncle Jimmy was one of the principal supporters of the hospital.  On July 6, The Methodist Church at its homecoming paid a special tribute to Uncle Jimmy as its oldest living member.

Early in July, construction was begun on the new swimming pool on the old water work s property.   It was stated that the pool would cost about $14,000.  Other communities that had built pools of the size of the one being constructed had paid out $30,00 to $35,000.  The savings would come from the use of the filter system and chlorinator being used in the old water plant.  Other pluses pointed out were that there was a nearby lake that had recently been stocked with fish and that the city owned enough land nearby that a recreation park could be built later. 

The national Boy Scout Jamboree was being held in Valley Force, Pa., and a local boy, Billy Shaffer, had been selected as a representative from the Central Georgia Council.  Billy sent back reports on the Jamboree to the local press.

The football team had got back on a winning track and was playing before large crowds of fans.  There was talk of a state championship in the future.  The new swimming pool needed only a few finishing touches to begin its season in June of 1951.  The hospital was under construction and moving along nicely.

Additional Comments:
Transcribed by Suzanne Forte (suzanneforte@bellsouth.net) April 2005,  from copies of articles contained in the Monticello News. There articles were prepared by Mr. 
John Harvey and published in this newspaper during the 1970's and 1980's time frame. Some were under the title "Jasper Reflections", others "Bicentennial Bits".
Permission has been granted by Mr. Harvey for use of these very valuable and informative articles.

Copies of articles provided by Benny Hawthorne.