ONE YEAR AGO, APRIL 22, 2021
A local cocktail bar was reportedly temporarily shut down over the weekend when Putnam County Sheriff’s Office arrested the operators for selling alcohol to minors, according to Sheriff Howard Sills. “There was much ado on social media about Sheriff Sills ruining everything; but when you sell distilled spirits to a 13-year-old without asking for identification, that will not be allowed in my county, so we decided to shut it down,” Sills said.
FIVE YEARS AGO, APRIL 20, 2017
One of the three bank tellers arrested a year ago for allegedly stealing money from The Peoples Bank was indicted by a federal grand jury April 11. Jeanette M. Williams, of Twilight Shores in Putnam County and a bank teller at the Peoples Bank, was arrested in Eatonton March 14, 2016, charged with felony theft by taking and released from Putnam County Jail on bond the same day.
25 YEARS AGO, APRIL 24, 1997
Authorities have found the shotgun they believe was used in the robbery of The Peoples Bank branch on Hwy. 441 at Lake Sinclair and the shooting of branch manager Larry Ellington. The gun was discovered just off shore close to where accused robber Anthony Veal parked his vehicle the morning of the robbery. Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills said it took 20 minutes to find the sawed off 12-guage shotgun in about six feet of water.
50 YEARS AGO, APRIL 20, 1972
Eatonton’s Mayor Charles M. Hudson “at this time” plans to run for re-election to this post. Mr. Hudson had indicated earlier that he would not seek re-election as mayor of the city, but events of reapportionment have made changes in his political plans. The mayor serves presently as representative to the Georgia General Assembly from the 20th District.
75 YEARS AGO, APRIL 24, 1947
Three new thoroughbred Jersey bulls have been imported into Putnam by members of the veterans agricultural unit under direction of Cecil Corbett. Rosser Waller Jr., Pete H. Larmon and Lamar Griffin purchased bulls at an annual auction held recently at the Reidsville State Prison. “Responsibility for good citizenship rests with individuals,” Dr. E. F. Griffith, state senator, told members of the Uncle Remus Women’s Club at their monthly meeting at the home of Mrs. J. Frank Walker. Defining citizenship ad approaching it from angles of domestic, economic as well as political concern, Dr. Griffith declared that good citizenship is equally important in affairs of local, state and national nature.
100 YEARS AGO, APRIL 21, 1922
Chief Sanford reported unusually high activity in locating liquor stills. That month, officers destroyed 14 stills and many thousands of gallons of bee, mash, liquor, etc., besides getting evidence that may lead to several arrests. “Some of those taken have been of the largest kinds used by distillers and of a costly variety, and it is the taking of these that really break into the illicit game.”