-Chapter IV- TOWNS, COMMUNITIES, AND MILITIA DISTRICTS (1880-1980)
Brave Sheriff Dead
Ben Keith Passed Away Last Sunday Morning - End Came at 5 O'clock
Ben C. Keith ... died Sunday morning about five o'clock, after lingering between life and death for five days. His death resulted from a bullet wound which he received while making the arrest of John Harper, an escaped murderer for whom there was a reward of $300.
In conducting his prisoner from Eton, where the arrest was made after Harper had fired the shot which later proved fatal, to Spring Place and lodging him in the Murray County Jail, Sheriff Keith gave an exhibition of true grit. With the bullet lodged in his bowels, he kept a tight grip on his prisoner until he was locked in a cell. He then went home and a physician was summoned. Dr. S.A. Brown . . . was the physician who attended him, and, seeing the dangerous condition of his patient, he called in Dr. J.G. McAfee (of Dalton) and Dr. J.M. Gregory. The very best of medical attention was given, but (he wound was of such a serious nature that the doctors could not avert the end . . . The wound from which President McKinley died was nearly similar . . . Such a wound almost always proves fatal.
Mr. Keith, at the time of his death, was about thirty-five years of age. He was a son of Mr. Amos L. Keith, one of the most prosperous and highly respected farmers of Murray county. He married a sister of Dr. W.L. Looper, of this city, and three children were born to them. He was a brother of Mrs. H.H. Gregory, of Dalton.
Though, at the time of his demise, he had served only a small portion of one term as sheriff, he had, on all occasions, proved himself to be a brave, conscientious officer, serving the people to the best of his ability. The expressions of regret heard at his death, give evidence of his popularity among all who knew him. All Murray rang with praises for his courage in making the arrest of Harper and for his exhibition of grit in taking his prisoner to jail after having received the painful wound.
The murderer, John Harper, was tried at Spring Place, found guilty and sentenced to hanging. The gallows were built east of the Morris-Pendley House between Elm and Pendley Streets, but were never used because Harper's sentence was commuted to life imprisonment. According to the late Mrs. Johnnie Hartley Harper was taken to Atlanta's Fulton Tower where he later escaped. The gallows meant for him in Spring Place stood for some time-possibly as a reminder of this sad event.
Life went on, however, and in 1913 Spring Place lost the county seat to Chatsworth after a bitter, year-long fight. Many old residents moved to the new town taking their business enterprises with them. Spring Place would never be the same.
In 1920 Spring Place got "a new light plant" and in 1930 had three stores, a gin, a post office, two school buildings and two churches (active). A 1937 WPA writer said that the town then had "a population of 219, a post office, Postal Telegraph and Western Union facilities, and an altitude of 730." The author had to include the fact that "Chatsworth is the nearest railroad."
The 1950's brought many improvements to the town as the community got involved in many activities such as Ruritan, Vacation Bible Schools. Youth Recreational Clubs, paving and improving streets, remodeling houses, beautifying grounds, organizing church groups such as WMU, starting 4-H Clubs, helping the school, building a picnic area near the gym, and restoring the Chief Vann House. Loren Ross was chairman of the community improvement in 1953 and Mrs. Attie Myrtle Ballew was president of the Spring Place Home Demonstration Club in 1957.
In July, 1963 a storm struck the town. High winds did damage at the cemetery, Floyd Cook's, Mike Ballew's,.Cecil Roe's. Mrs. Sidney Rouse's, J.B. Green's, J.C. W right's Store, and the power station.
In 1977 the WhitfieId-Murray Historical Society began the restoration of the old Spring Place Methodist Church. Many residents of the town contributed to the project and sought help from former citizens as well as other groups, businesses, and individuals in the area. Journalist Olivene Godfrey, then of The Chatsworth Times, wrote this account of the dedication ceremonies:
At the restored old Spring Place United Methodist Church, May 20, 1979, Sen. W.W. Fincher, Jr.. paid tribute to Ben Fortson, Jr., Georgia's secretary of state, who was to have been the guest speaker at the dedication.
Rep. Tom Ramscy announced at the beginning of the service that Fortson had died Saturday night and asked for a moment of silent prayer.
Sen. Fincher, who was to have introduced Fortson at the service, gave a brief biographical sketch of the secretary's background and said, "In my lifetime, the greatest statesmen Georgia has seen are Sen. Walter George, Sen. Richard Russell, and Ben Fortson."
Tim Howard introduced special guests and acknowledged those whose contributions brought about the church restoration. Murray County Commissioner Kirby Patterson commended the Whit field-Murray Historical Society and members of the restoration committee for their work and asked that members of the community assist the group in the future. The Rev. Walton McNeal, pastor of the Spring Place United Methodist Church gave the invocation and the Rev. Danny Walters, pastot of the Spring Place Baptist Church, gave the benediction.
Dr. Oscar Poole, pastor of the First United Methodist Church of Chatsworth, gave the ptayer of dedication and presented the prelude, "Largo" (Handel). Dr. and Mrs. Poole sang a duet, "Bless This House." Mrs. Emily Davies led the congregation in the vows of dedication.
In 1977 the Whit field -Murray Historical Society voted to sponsor the restoration of the old church. The restored building houses a small museum of Murray County, a historical research library, and meeting facilities. Howard, chairman of the restoration committee, said the restoration was financed through personal contributions, a paper drive and a SI,000 donation from the City of Spring Place.
Rooms in the building were named to honor outstanding members of the Spring Place United Methodist Church, the Whit fie Id-Murray Historical Society and the Spring Place Community.
Howard introduced those whom the committee honored by naming rooms for them. Introducing Mrs. Katherine Raine, he said, "The research library was named for an active member of the WhiIIleld-Murray Historical Society, the Hist Baptist Church of Chatsworth, and Eastern Star. The Murray County native spent 38 years as & public health nurse to Indians in the southwest and was one of the main persons behind the restoration of the church."
The committee room was named in honor 01 Mr. and Mrs. Curl Davis. Howard said of them, "This room is named in honor of a wonderful couple. Mr. Davis was a longtime member of the Murray County Board of Education and served as mayor of Spring Place. They are members ol Spring Place Baptist Church where Mr. Davis has served as a deacon for 59 years. They have been married 62 years. We're grateful to their children for furnishing this room."
The upstairs display room was named for Miss Agnes Kemp and Mrs. Minnie Gryder. In his introduction of Miss Kemp and Mrs. Gryder, Howard said, "This room has been named for two wonderful members of the Spring Place Methodist Church, One of them has served as a teacher for 47 years and has been a member of the church since 1914. Miss Kemp has been the backbone of the church, always willingtodo more than her share in the new church as well as helping with the restoration of the old building. Mrs. Gryder has been a keen inspiration to many in her over 40 years as a Sunday School teacher and community leader.
A room was named for Howard, a Berry College student and active member of the Whit fie Id-Murray Historical Society, who devoted a great deal of time and work to bring about the church restoration. This room was furnished by his parents, Mr. and Mrs, Jim Howard.
Members of the restoration committee are Howard, chairman, and Mrs. Raine, Sarah Dillard, Kenneth Ross and John Wilbanks, Howard expressed gratitude to members of the committee and said that during the summer of 1978 a new roof was put on the building and it was painted. Over the ne\t six rnontlis committee members and volunteers painted and cleaned the interior of the church. He also thanked Polly Boggess, director of Crown Gardens and Archives, for making curtains for the church sanctuary.
Howard recognized those who helped to paint and clean the building and those who helped to prepare for the dedication service. They include Mis. Sybil McLemore, Mrs. Reba Wcstfield, Mrs. Mildred McCamy, Mrs. Mary Petty, Jimmy Wilbanks, Miss Allison Ross, Mr. and Mrs. Jim Howard, Jon Howard, Mr. and Mrs. James Lough-ridge, Frances Heartsell. Pilot Club of Chatsworth, Mrs. Olivene Godfrey, Louise and Earl Coker,
Others acknowledged were Mr. and Mrs. Tom Edwards, Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Mosteller, Averil Ballew, Mr. and Mrs. Dick Haffner, Edna Dunford, Jesse Jones, Albert Edwards, Doug Griffin, Mrs. Ed Warmack and family, Mattie Co.\ Robinson, the church's oldest living member, Mrs. Bessie Mae Adams, Mrs- Mattie Lou Pritchett, Galaxy Carpet, Chief Vann Carpet, Harry Wilbanks, Mr. and Mrs. C.H. Pcikins, Betty James, France Adams, City of Spring Place, Dottie Stewart, Inez Gurley.
Howard expressed special thanks to those who gave financial gifts and assisted in the paper drive.
Appreciation was expressed to the following who provided cookies for refreshments: Marie Kelly, Ruth Mauldin, Mildred McCamy, Louise Coker, Mary Petty, Willie Mae Sexton, Agnes Kemp, Syble McLemore, Nell Ruth Loughridge, Reba Westileld, Ina Ballew, Gallic Knight, and Mrs. Gryder. Sarah Dillard kept the guest book. Hosts and hostesses were Mrs. McCamy, Mrs. Davies, Kenneth Ross and Jon Howard.
Since those ceremonies the work has continued. Additional furnishings have been obtained and the original altar rail has been reinstalled due to Mr & Mrs C.N. King. former members. The church was the site of the first autograph session for Lela Latch Lloyd's book If the Chief Vann House Could Speak in 1980. Groups such as the Pilot Club, the Northwest Georgia Travel Association, Historical Society, Lucy Hill reunion classes, the Chamber of Commerce and the Springdale Estates Property Owners Association have used the building for special events. Upon the death of well-known Murray Countian R.E. Chambers, the church became the depository for his papers which reveal much about his long life and contributions to Murray as well as the growth of the county.
In 1981 Miss Agnes Kemp and Tim Howard of the Historical Society asked Spring Place Mayor Carl B. Davis to place a historical marker near the old courthouse site With the assistance of County Commissioner Kirby Patterson, the marker was erected just south of the actual spot where the courthouse sat on Elm Street.
Murray County Heritage