by Clyde Parker

August 18, 1917

Brigadier General Cecil C. Vaughan Jr., yesterday, formally assumed his duties as Commander of the Virginia Militia – State Troops. He has established his Brigade Headquarters here in Franklin until the Virginia troops go to their training camp at Anniston, Alabama, where they will prepare for service with American Armed Forces engaged in the great war raging in Europe. For the time being, General Vaughan is operating out of Franklin’s Fourth Avenue Armory and, at times, out of his home at 308 N. High St.

General Vaughn’s connection with the Virginia Militia dates back to 1892. Every rank he has held in military service, from the second lieutenancy of Franklin’s Company “I” in 1892 down to the present time as he heads the splendid body of Virginia troops as Brigadier General, has been one of constant application of his every energy to bring about best possible outcomes. His best service, his excellent military record, combined with his well-known business ability and personal popularity make his rise through the ranks to the highest military command in his State a matter of especial gratification to his family and many friends in his native town.

General Vaughan became Captain of Company “I,” made up of Franklin/Southampton men, on March 2, 1897, serving in that capacity during the Spanish-American War from April 25, 1898, until the muster-out of the troops in April 1899. Upon the reorganization of the old Fourth Virginia Regiment after the Spanish-American War, the Franklin Company was the first to be reorganized with General Vaughan as its captain. At the organization of the Seventy-First Regiment of Infantry, he was elected Lieutenant Colonel, and was unanimously elected colonel of the regiment Feb. 19, 1906, after the death of Colonel A.M. Higgins. Just one year afterwards, on Feb. 16, 1907, he was unanimously chosen by the officers of the three Virginia regiments, now known as the First, Second and Fourth, to be Brigadier General of the Virginia Militia.   

General Vaughan comes of genuine soldier stock. His father, Honorable Cecil C. Vaughan served throughout the Civil War with an honorable record for gallantry and bravery. His great-grandfather was a soldier in the War of 1812, and his great-great-grandfather was a soldier of the American Revolution.  His son, Cecil C. Vaughan III, is now First Lieutenant of Franklin’s Company “I.”

Parker to speak in Courtland

Honorable John Crafford Parker, one of our County’s foremost citizens and a candidate for the Virginia House of Delegates in the democratic primary next Tuesday, will make a public address at the Courthouse in Courtland tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon at 3 o’clock. Although Mr. Parker has not conducted an active campaign for the office, in the ordinary sense, untimely and out of place, he has consented, at the request of a large number of his friends and supporters, to make this public address at the County Seat. The voters of the County generally are cordially invited to hear him. Mr. Parker is a fluent, pleasing and patriotic speaker and there will doubtless be a large crowd of Southampton citizens at Courtland tomorrow to hear him. 

At the formation of Camp Manufacturing Company back in 1887, Mr. Parker was appointed Company Attorney and, today, he continues to serve in that capacity.

The speaking will take place downtown and ladies are invited to be present.

Parker goes to aviation school

John Crump Parker, the oldest son of John Crafford Parker and Emily Virginia Norfleet Parker, of our town, has passed an examination preliminary to a training course in the Aviation Corps of the United States Army. He expects to leave Franklin in a few days for one of the Army’s aviation schools to learn the actual business of flying.

Young John is one of Franklin’s most promising young men and just left the University of Virginia where he had been studying law for two years. He is entering his Country’s service in one of the most important branches of our military forces. He is a 1914 graduate of Virginia Military Institute and taught there for one session.

CLYDE PARKER is a retired human resources manager for the former Franklin Equipment Co. and a member of the Southampton County Historical Society. His email address is magnolia101@charter.net