#Throwback Thursday

July 2, 1920 — A convoy of U.S. Army troops passed through Hartwell and were greeted with a warm welcome party.

A crowd estimated to be about 2,000 people from the surrounding areas gathered in Hartwell to greet the Bankhead National Highway Transcontinental Convoy.

The Sun reported the large caravan of enormous trucks and other vehicles “was truly a wonderful and interesting sight as they noisily entered the city, and not until Taps was sounded Sunday night did the crowds turn away from their sightseeing and jolly talks with the soldier boys.”

The drug stores in town were opened to those in the convoy “where cold drinks and smokes were had without cost.”

The Hartwell Concert Band performed three concerts during the afternoon of celebration.

A letter from some of the soldiers published in The Sun said they were surprised to “receive this ovation you gave us.”

“We haven’t in any way been able to repay our compliments, but before we leave we wish to extend our feelings of gratitude to the people of Hartwell, Ga,” the letter said. “Three cheers for Hartwell!”

July 2, 1943 — A South Carolina man became a father for the 32nd time, The Sun reported.

Tobacco farmer and lumberman B.J. Roberts of the Jordanville community became a father for the 32nd time in 1943.

The Sun reported Roberts had 14 children with his first wife and 18 more with his second wife.

Of the 32 children, 24 of them were still living at the time, The Sun reported.

July 6, 1978 — Visitors swarmed Lake Hartwell for the Fourth of July holiday in 1978, filling all of the local camping facilities.

The Sun reported all camping and picnic areas were overflowing with visitors to the lake, except for Payne’s Creek where roads hadn’t yet been built.

However, there were two drownings reported during the holiday, one in the Twin Lakes area and one below the Hartwell Dam.

Hart State Park Superintendent at the time George Robinson said the visitation at the park was tremendous during the holiday with all of its campsites full.

Some visitors were turned away because the facilities were full, Robinson said, and the heavy visitation, estimated to be 75,000 people in a week, showed the need for more campsites.