THE ET CETERA CHRONICLES - VOL. 90
RELATIONSHIPS - Dolly Hurt lived the latter years of an extremely eventful life right here in Dublin. Her, father, Judge John Hart, served a term as Georgia’s Attorney General in the early years of the 20th Century. Dolly attended school at Washington Seminary, where she met a young girl Peggy who would become one of Dolly’s best friends over the next four decades.
Dolly was a member of the social set of Atlanta Society. Peggy was well, somewhat of a character, and was blackballed in her application to join the Junior League, by one of Dolly’s aunts. Dolly and Peggy remained friends. Dolly married and Peggy enjoyed a wild life working in an Atlanta newspaper office.
Then seemingly out of nowhere, Peggy (left) published a novel, which drew the attention of many Atlantans. The book was made into a movie. In order to honor Atlanta’s most famous author, the Junior League, of which her estranged teacher was a leader, asked her to join the elite organization. Peggy proclaimed a resounding “No, you didn’t want me when I needed you, and now that you need me, hell no!” The luncheon honoring Peggy went on as scheduled. The grand affair preceded other grand events. By now, you may have guessed that Dolly’s good friend Peggy was none other than Margaret “Peggy” Mitchell Marsh, author of Gone with the Wind.
Just weeks after the premier of Gone With The Wind, Dolly gave birth to a daughter, Irene Hurt. And just as would be expected, Margaret took a break from her hectic schedule to visit Dolly and her newborn baby.
Dolly, also named Irene Hurt, and Margaret Mitchell remained friends. One night in 1948 Dolly, Margaret, their husbands, Toulman and John, and Irene walked across the street from the Marsh’s home to eat a sandwich before attending a movie. Margaret and John Marsh decided to leave a little early while the Hurts and little Irene stayed behind.
Screams rang out! The Hurts ran outside to witness the horror of Margaret Mitchell lying on the cold pavement of Peachtree Street, the victim of a drunk driver. Mrs. Hurt stayed to comfort her dying friend. Mrs. Hurt accompanied the drunk driver to the jail with the police. Little Irene remained in the sandwich shop until closing time, when the shop owner took her home.
Many people can trace their lives back to a connection, but Irene Hurt, who became the wife of Howard Cordell, Jr., connection to the author of what has been called the world’s greatest novel, which was made into the greatest movie of all time, was fascinating at the very least. For it was Irene Hurt Cordell, whose first moments of life were spent in the presence of Margaret Mitchell, and it was Margaret Mitchell, whose last fond moments of life were spent in the presence of Irene Hurt Cordell.
A few years later, Irene Hurt, drew the attention of a young Athens, Georgia preacher’s kid. The young man was smart, handsome, and athletic. The couple became high school sweethearts. After a successful high school career at Athens High as a football quarterback, the young boy moved across town to play for the Georgia Bulldogs, where he enjoyed even more success and national attention. After an iconic career at Georgia, the Bulldog quarterback was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings, who eventually traded him to the New York Giants, who traded him back to Minnesota. During his long career, Francis Asbury Tarkenton became one of the greatest quarterbacks in pro football history and a member of the Professional Football Hall of Fame. Then the love of Irene’s life came in the form of a tall, dark, and handsome musician and singer from Dublin, who worked in the family’s lumber and hardware business. His name was Howard Cordell, Jr. (As told by Irene Hurt Cordell)
TAKING NOTES AND WRITING DOWN NAMES - Grethia Lawrence, a 1939 graduate of Dublin High School, took a job as a court reporter in Laurens County. Miss Lawrence was one of the few female reporters in the state and most likely the youngest. Dublin Courier Herald, January 15, 1945.
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