Time Capsule

As reported 51 years ago in the pages of The Columbia News, Thursday, May 9, 1957:

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Schools merge

On April 29, 1957, approximately 250 pupils vacated Pollard, Jerusalem and Central schools to merge into George T. White Elementary School.

The new school consists of seven classrooms, a cafetorium, kitchen, clinic, teachers lounge, principal's office, waiting room, restrooms and a library which is being used as a classroom.

The faculty of the school includes Venola Lee Hill, Jessie Miller, Alma Jennings, Delilah Lampkin, Elzeda Randolph, the Rev. George Wingfield, Etoy Harris and Mary Sanders, principal.

Population rises

Columbia and McDuffie counties are the only counties in the 10th District that show a net gain in population since the 1940 census.

The census of 1950 shows that Columbia County's population increased from 9,433 to 10,900, while McDuffie County's population rose from 10,878 to 11,900.

Neighboring counties show a net loss. Lincoln County, for example, dropped from 7,042 to 6,100 between 1940 and 1950; Wilkes from 15,084 to 10,800; Taliaferro from 6,278 to 3,400; and Warren, from 10,236 to 7,900.

Service news

- Army STC Rufus B. Buler, son of Mr. and Mrs. Pierce Butler, of Grovetown, recently qualified as expert in firing the M1 rifle in Korea.

- Army Pvt. Hazel B. Gracey, son of Mrs. and Mrs. W.F. Gracey, of Grovetown, recently graduated from the Military Police Training Center at Fort Gordon. The 19-year-old soldier is a 1955 graduate of Harlem High School.