100 Years Ago

As it appeared in the Fifty Years Ago column in the Sunday, May 1, 1966 edition of the Rome News-Tribune

In Rome half a century ago, a plan to regulate traffic on Broad Street had been adopted. It provided that a big, white spot be painted at all street intersections and kept plainly visible to drivers. Vehicles were to drive over the spot or cut around it. … When Mrs. Nellie Touchstone, of Armuchee, picked up a small bundle of paper and tossed it into the fireplace, she was not aware that the paper was wrapped around three dynamite caps that had been used in blasting for a well. When the caps fell into the fire there was a tremendous explosion and several pieces flew out of the fire and struck Mrs. Touchstone, cutting her so badly that she nearly bled to death before help came.

*** A fine bulldog belonging to Shorter Hamilton was killed by police at the request of the owner near Hamilton’s office on Broad Street when the dog showed signs of rabies. It had attacked and fought several other dogs and had bitten a cow being driven past Hamilton’s office. An outbreak of rabies was feared.

*** The marriage of Miss Rosa Gammon and E. Heyward Osborn, of Nashville, was solemnized at the home of the bride’s brother Langdon Gammon fifty years ago. Miss Lillie Gammon, the bride’s sister, and brother stood with the couple before and improvised altar in the drawing room. Miss Ava Printup was violinist and Arthur West played the cello. Following the wedding, a reception was held. Assisting in receiving were Mrs. Langdon Gammon, Miss Phoebe Hughes and Mrs. Robert Harbin.