Singleton and Related Genealogy Pages
A history of many families.
- 1959| Name | Frank William CHANDLER [3, 4, 5] | |
| Prefix | Dr. | |
| Suffix | II/Jr. | |
| Gender | Male | |
| Education | he was a graduate of Davidson College and the Medical College of South Carolina in Charleston, South Carolina [4] | |
| HIST | Date Published: July 12, 2009 New department store opens; Dr. Frank Chandler dies in 'copter crash (AUGUST - SEPTEMBER) Photo provided The Capitol department store, which opened on Sept. 7, 1934, is shown in its original location next to Mitchell's Drugs, near the corner of North Main Street and Hampton Avenue. By HUBERT OSTEEN Item Editor Hubert@theitem.com 75 YEARS AGO – 1934 Week of Sept. 3-10 Sumter will soon have a new department store, The Capitol, to be opened on Friday, Sept. 7, according to a news story. It will be located on North Main Street and operated by Abram Brody. "The store building has been completely renovated and equipped with every modern convenience, such as steam heat, cooling system, modernistic lighting system, Morrison fixtures, etc.," read the story. The Capitol will carry a complete line of men's and women's clothes and shoes, the story said. In a separate story, it was announced that Ryan Kennedy, a native of Gable, will be in charge of the shoe department at The Capitol. Kennedy formerly worked in Sumter with the Cinderella Shoe Shop for several years before leaving to take a position with a Columbia shoe store. Final preparations were complete for the Democratic primary runoff, Tuesday, Aug. 11, between Olin D. Johnston and Cole L. Blease for the governorship, and on the local level, two runoffs, one pitting A.J. Hatfield and J.W. Bradford for the remaining seat in the state House of Representatives, and the other between incumbent Superintendent of Education W.O. Cain and R.S. Mellette. As in the first primary, election returns will be posted at Sibert's Drug Store and the Twin B Fountain, both on Main Street. Polls open at 8 a.m. and close at 4 p.m. Johnston appeared in Sumter before a huge crowd at the Sumter County courthouse on Thursday, Sept. 6. According to the page one story, "Every seat was occupied and at least 200 stood throughout his speech of nearly an hour." Johnston declared in his speech, "I have no campaign fund with which to send paid workers into every county of the state; no corporations have subscribed large sums of money and laid it at my feet in expectation of future political blessings. This fight is clearly one between the people, and the ring that has shaped the course of South Carolina government for several years. ... If I and the people lose this fight, than the same powers, the same influences, the same ring that has controlled the affairs of the state, will be victorious." In other news: The National Guard was called out by Gov. Ibra Blackwood after violence erupted in the Upstate during a nationwide textile mill strike. Seven striking workers were killed when gunfire broke out at the Chiquola Mill in Honea Path, with the blame placed on "local authorities" by Secretary of Labor Frances Perkins. During the week Gov. Blackwood was preparing to declare martial law in the strike areas after dispatching four squads of machine gunners from National Guard units in Georgetown and Andrews to join other guardsmen in the Piedmont. ... City public schools are scheduled to reopen on Tuesday, Sept. 11. ... Installation has been completed at the S.C. State Bank in Sumter of a tear gas system "to further hinder plans of any bank-robbing gang that should happen to pick on the local institution," according to the story. The story went on to say that the tear gas apparatus "is the latest and most modern robbery prevention machinery and is being widely adopted by banks throughout the country. ... (T)he entire place can be flooded (with tear gas) within a few seconds after the system is placed in operation. ... The type of gas used will not inflict permanent injury but will incapacitate anyone with who it comes in contact for several minutes," the story concluded. Advertisements during the week: Sumter's newest department store, The Capitol, kicked off its grand opening with a full-page ad on Thursday, Sept. 6, announcing doors would open for customers on the following day, Friday, Sept. 7, at 9 a.m. The store is located at 37-39 N. Main St., "2 doors from Mitchell's Drug Store," according to the ad. On sale were ladies' dresses ranging in price from $3.74 to $14.74, while men's and young men's suits were priced from $9.84 to $22.84. Men's and ladies' shoes were both priced from $1.85 to $4.85. The ad stated: "Sumter, we believe in you. Nothing has been spared in our effort to bring you one of South Carolina's finest department stores. We want you to be our guest on opening day. History will be made, not only for us, but for Sumter and this vicinity as well. We are thrilled about our opening and assure you a pleasant surprise" Meanwhile, at the same time the Russell Brothers Circus was preparing to open its show on Sept. 11, a competing circus, Downie Brothers, began advertising its show to follow on Sept. 20, featuring Jack Hoxie, famous western screen star in person, plus a street parade at noon complete with its stars, horses, wild animals and elephants. Another large ad appeared on the Saturday before the Tuesday, Aug. 11 runoff Democratic primary promoting the candidacy of Olin D. Johnston of Spartanburg for governor, paid for by Sumter County supporters. Johnston will face former governor and U.S. senator Cole Blease in the runoff after neither obtained a majority vote in the regular primary two weeks earlier. Johnston, who was the leading vote-getter in the first primary, was touted in the ad as "young, zealous and honorably ambitious to make a record as an able, fair, progressive and constructive chief executive. ... Shall those whose first choice was eliminated August 28th (Wyndham Manning of Sumter, who finished third) give their support to a forward-looking candidate or to one whose record looms largely over the past? That is the question to be answered at the ballot box." Playing at the Rex Theatre: "The Girl from Missouri" starring Jean Harlow and Franchot Tone started off the week Monday and Tuesday, followed on Wednesday with "Kiss and Make Up" starring Cary Grant and Helen Mack, while on Thursday it was "Sorrall and Son" starring H.B. Warner and Margo Grahame. Friday the feature was "The Notorious Sophie Lang" starring Gertrude Michael and Paul Cavanaugh. For the Saturday shoot 'em up, Bob Steele was starring in "Training North," plus Chapter 8 in "The Vanishing Shadow" serial. Coming next week was "Treasure Island," starring Wallace Beery, Jackie Cooper and Lionel Barrymore. Photo provided Sumter's Bobby Richardson, center, is shown during his outstanding tenure as second baseman with the New York Yankees. He is flanked by Mickey Mantle, left, and Whitey Ford. Richardson was the subject of an extensive interview in The Item in 1959. 50 YEARS AGO – 1959 Week of Aug. 20-27 Sumter was shocked by the news of the death of Dr. Frank W. Chandler, a captain in the U.S. Air Force Medical Corps, in a helicopter crash north of Thule Air Base in Greenland on Wednesday, Aug. 26. Six others died in the tragic crash. Dr. Chandler was a flight surgeon who was in charge of the Thule hospital since January. He was scheduled to come home on leave next month. He was the son of Mrs. Frank W. Chandler of Sumter, who survives along with his wife, the former Lourine Crawford of Kingstree; three children; a sister, Mrs. Weldon Shouse of Lexington, Ky.; a brother, Ladson Chandler of Sumter; two nephews and a number of uncles and aunts, according to the page one story. Dr. Chandler was a graduate of Davidson College and the Medical College of South Carolina in Charleston, serving an internship at a Louisville, Ky., hospital and residency in surgery at Charity Hospital, New Orleans, La. No details on the crash that killed its five passengers and two crewmen were immediately available. Funeral services were expected to be held in Sumter for Dr. Chandler. A coroner's inquest held at the Clarendon County courthouse in Manning on Friday, Aug. 21, ordered that the driver of a pickup truck that collided with a carload of four Sumter women, killing all of them, on the old Georgetown Road the previous week be held for grand jury action. The coroner's jury ruled that the pickup truck driven by Lester Butler, 21, of Manning, was on the wrong side of the road when the collision occurred. Butler was seriously injured in the accident and was unable to attend the inquest along with his passenger, Charles Adger, 21, also of Manning, who is still recovering at Clarendon Memorial Hospital. Killed in the accident were the driver, Mrs. Jack Morris, 46; Mrs. Lina Hodge Poole, 54; Mrs. Vera Ridgeway Hodge, 23; and Mrs. Pearl Haley, 45, all of Sumter, who were on their way home from work in Manning. Some 300 persons were at the hearing, according to the story, during which Coroner Joe Frank Bradham heard from six witnesses that included Cpl. F.J. Burris of the S.C. Highway Patrol, who illustrated the position of the car and pickup and produced a photo of a blown-out tire on the pickup, which police said in an initial report caused the truck to swerve into the path of the car carrying the four women. The state Public Service Commission, meeting in Columbia, on Thursday, Aug. 20, ruled against a request by Black River Electric Cooperative to prohibit Carolina Power & Light Co. from providing power to the new Sherwood Forest housing development east of Sumter. The commission agreed with Carolina Power & Light Co. that Sherwood Forest is in fact, although not in title, an extension of the Sumter city limits and will eventually be annexed into the city. Black River had argued that the development is outside the city limits and falls within its franchise area. Representing CP&L was the Sumter law firm of Lee & Moise, Allen Legare of Charleston and CP&L attorney A.Y. Arledge of Raleigh. Attorneys for Black River were George D. Levy, Shepard K. Nash and Sen. Henry B. Richardson, all of Sumter. Preparations were nearly complete in the days leading up to the arrival of American Legion baseball teams from Florida, Louisiana and Virginia to compete in the Southeastern Sectional Tournament hosted by local Post 15 and the city of Sumter at Riley Park. The winner of the tournament will play in the American Legion World Series in Hastings, Neb. According to City Manager Wade S. Kolb, the grounds, grandstand and bleachers at Riley Park have received an "18-carat face-lift" and will be in first-class shape for the tournament. As the double-elimination tournament got under way the following week, the West Palm Beach squad became the first to be sent home, first losing to New Orleans 15-4, and then eliminated by the Phoebus team composed of Hampton, Va., players who attend one high school, 7-6. The series is expected to go into the weekend as the Louisiana and Virginia teams face off in the battle of the unbeatens. A lengthy interview with Sumter native and New York Yankees second baseman Robert Richardson appeared on the sports pages during the week, conducted by Hubert Osteen Jr. during a visit to New York City. Highlights of the two-part interview: Enjoying a breakout season during which his batting average is hovering around .300 even as the Yankees flounder in third place in American League standings, Richardson showed "more confidence, more poise and less reticence than he formerly had when he was making his way up in the majors. Success, however, hasn't spoiled him: he remains cooperative, personable and completely himself, free of any high-blown self-illusions and seemingly unconcerned about his position as second baseman for one of the majors' greatest clubs." "Playing in the majors doesn't make me nervous anymore," Richardson said. "That has worn off with the experience of playing all the time. I still get a little nervous, however, before the important ball games." In reference to his friends on the club, Robert noted that he rooms with pitcher Bobby Shantz on the road, and "he's one of the nicest guys you'll ever want to know. Tony Kubek is also a close friend – I'm hoping he'll find time to visit me in Sumter this fall." Richardson noted that it was one of the rules of the Yankees that all players wear coat and tie, especially on road trips. "We travel in the best style, so they expect us to dress accordingly." Manager Casey Stengel: "He's a man who lives baseball, and who knows just about everything there is to know about it. As far as Stengel not being with the Yanks next year, it's completely untrue. He has the job as long as he wants it. Furthermore, he has also said he'll be back so that's enough for me." What about the Yankees owners, Del Webb and Dan Topping, and General Manager George Weiss? "We never see them," Richardson said. "Occasionally one of them walks into the clubhouse, but no one knows which is which. Kubek always speaks to them, but somehow he manages to call them by the wrong name – he calls Weiss 'Mr. Topping' and so on." Catcher Yogi Berra: "Well, he never says anything much," Richardson said. "If Governor Rockefeller were to come up now and say something to him, it wouldn't impress him a bit. Once, he was given an award at a banquet and then was asked to make a speech. He refused. The sponsors, after 10 minutes of prodding, finally got him to his feet. Yogi, who has an interest in a chocolate drink concern, said, 'Drink Yoo-Hoo Chocolate Drink' and sat down." Mickey Mantle: "Believe it or not, Mickey is the clown on the team. He's always keeping everyone laughing with small tricks and practical jokes. Sports writers have said he's moody, but not around his teammates. He may appear that way to strangers, because he's so quiet." The toughest pitcher for him to hit: "All of them are tough, but Tom Brewer of Boston (and Cheraw) gives me the hardest time. He has good stuff and keeps the ball low. I've had good luck with Herb Score, although he's as fast as ever." Who has helped you the most in learning how to play second base: "Frank Crosetti, the infield coach, and Casey; they've given me a lot of help in that respect. Gerry Coleman coached me for awhile when he was still playing. Phil Rizzuto helped me indirectly, because I modeled myself after him somewhat while I was coming up in the junior leagues at home." What are your ambitions after you retire from baseball? "I'm not sure what I want to do right now. I've thought of the possibility of coaching at a college when I retire as an active player." The story concluded with this observation: "Richardson appeared confident and in good spirits. ... And he should be confident, for his future as a major leaguer has never been brighter. Always a brilliant fielder, his hitting has become more timely and consistent. Add to that the opportunity of playing in every ball game every day and you have a ballplayer who, in every sense of the word, has arrived." In other news: Elbert Scurry, who farms near White's Mill, displayed for an Item photographer a wildcat he had caught in a trap on his land and then shot. He said the animal had been attacking his chickens for several weeks. ... Edmunds High School's first foreign exchange student, Kristina Vehno of Helsinki, Finland, arrived in Sumter to spend the school year residing with Mr. and Mrs. Stan Brading. The last pouring of concrete on Shaw Air Force Base's south runway was completed and is expected to be ready for use by Oct. 1, according to a representative of the Army Corps of Engineers, which supervised the project. Most of the Shaw aircraft have been deployed to other air bases throughout the nation while the runway project was in progress. ... Dr. Currie McArthur, new School District 17 superintendent, made his first public appearance by delivering an address to the Sumter Lions Club on Tuesday, Aug. 27 in which he discussed trends in education as well as challenges facing public schools, such as the difficulty in recruitment of teachers. ... Johnny Watt Jr. of Sumter won first place in the state 4-H Tractor Operators contest held at Clemson during Farm and Home Week. He will compete in a regional contest at Richmond, Va., on Sept. 28. Watt also teamed with Henry Goza of Mayesville to take first place in the tractor care team demonstrations. Advertisements during the week: White & Kennedy at 22 S. Main St. was conducting a back-to-school sale on Lazy-Bones flexible shank shoes for boys and girls in black and tan colors ranging in price from $6.95 to $8.95. Edward's on North Main was also holding a back-to-school sale featuring dungarees for boys 6 to 16, selling for $1.49 and $1.98, young men's sports shirts for $1 and boys' short sleeve sport shirts in stripes and plaid, 69 cents. The Sumter Dry Goods at Main and Liberty announced the appearance in its store of Tootsie Dennis, Miss South Carolina of 1960, who will be informally modeling back-to-school and career fall fashions. Local beauty queens will serve as hostesses for Miss Dennis, the ad noted. The Vera Marchette School of Dance in Florence announced the organization of its teen-age social ballroom club, "Les Petits," in Sumter. Its ad stated regular parties and dances will be planned for pre-teenagers and the teenage group, featuring the teaching of all dance steps with stress on social etiquette by Mrs. Marchette. Applications from boys and girls, 12 years old and up, would be accepted by local representative Mrs. W.T. Brogdon. Playing at the downtown theaters: "Son of Robin Hood" showed on Friday and Saturday at the Carolina, followed by "The Miracle of the Hills" starring Rex Reason and Nan Leslie on Sunday through Tuesday, then The Three Stooges in "Have Rocket, Will Travel." The Sumter was showing "This Earth Is Mine" starring Rock Hudson, Jean Simmons, Dorothy McGuire and Claude Rains, followed by "Stars in My Crown," starring Joel McCrea, Ellen Drew and Dean Stockwell. Contact Editor Hubert Osteen at Hubert@theitem.com or (803)774-1298. [4] | |
| MILI | Captain in the U. S. Air Force Medical Corps, was killed in a helicopter crash north of Thule Air Base in Greenland on Wednesday, 26 Aug 1959. He was a flight surgeon who was in charge of the Thule hospital since January. Date Published: July 12, 2009 50 YEARS AGO – 1959 Week of Aug. 20-27 Sumter was shocked by the news of the death of Dr. Frank W. Chandler, a captain in the U.S. Air Force Medical Corps, in a helicopter crash north of Thule Air Base in Greenland on Wednesday, Aug. 26. Six others died in the tragic crash. Dr. Chandler was a flight surgeon who was in charge of the Thule hospital since January. He was scheduled to come home on leave next month. He was the son of Mrs. Frank W. Chandler of Sumter, who survives along with his wife, the former Lourine Crawford of Kingstree; three children; a sister, Mrs. Weldon Shouse of Lexington, Ky.; a brother, Ladson Chandler of Sumter; two nephews and a number of uncles and aunts, according to the page one story. Dr. Chandler was a graduate of Davidson College and the Medical College of South Carolina in Charleston, serving an internship at a Louisville, Ky., hospital and residency in surgery at Charity Hospital, New Orleans, La. No details on the crash that killed its five passengers and two crewmen were immediately available. Funeral services were expected to be held in Sumter for Dr. Chandler. [4] | |
| _UID | 5037BD61792C4804AED15FFEF35F42838947 | |
| Death | 26 Aug 1959 | helicopter crash north of Thule Air Base in Greenland  |
| Burial | Sumter, Sumter County, South Carolina [4] |
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| Person ID | I163463 | Singleton and Related Families |
| Last Modified | 18 Apr 2025 | |
| Father | Frank William CHANDLER, I - Sr., b. 11 Sep 1893/4 d. 17 Jul 1958 (Age 63 years) | |
| Mother | Mabel Claire BOOTH, b. 14 Nov 1893, Sumter, Sumter County, South Carolina d. 24 Oct 1994, Tuomey Regional Medical Center, Sumter, Sumter County, South Carolina (Age 100 years) | |
| Marriage | 14 Oct 1919 | South Carolina [6, 7] |
| _UID | 2AA10840725F49D9AF3CDB23E862F391BDD1 | |
| _UID | 2AA10840725F49D9AF3CDB23E862F391BDD1 | |
| Family ID | F96253 | Group Sheet | Family Chart |
| Family 1 | Beth | |||||||
| _UID | C2D82A9CD8D240D3AF7F24669B12F060D2BA | |||||||
| _UID | C2D82A9CD8D240D3AF7F24669B12F060D2BA | |||||||
| Children |
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| Family ID | F111389 | Group Sheet | Family Chart | ||||||
| Last Modified | 23 Mar 2026 | |||||||
| Family 2 | Lourine CRAWFORD | |
| _UID | 534165DA3EA044E891BD8B53F169EF2F81CF | |
| _UID | 534165DA3EA044E891BD8B53F169EF2F81CF | |
| Family ID | F164842 | Group Sheet | Family Chart |
| Last Modified | 23 Mar 2026 | |
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