The caboose came last: stories and memories as told by the people of Lee County, Georgia past and present

Stores & Memories
AS TOLD BY
The People op Lee County, Georgia
Past & Present
The Caboose Came Last, is about the people living in
present day Lee County. Land, located in Southwest
Georgia lying between the Flint and Chattahoochee
Rivers, was obtained by treaty from the Creek Indians
in 1825. This territory was designated as the County
of Lee by the state legislature in 1826. The original
territory included all or parts of the present day
counties of Lee, Quitman, Randolph, Stewart, Sumter,
Terrell, Webster, Schely, Chattahoochee, Macon, Clay
and Marion. Lee County today is much smaller, but
more densely populated.
Soon after A Train Runs Through It was
published, it became obvious that there were other
stories about Lee County that should be told. Hence,
The Caboose Came Last, was conceived to record some
of these stories. The Lee County Chamber of
Commerce undertook the task of assembling and
publishing these additional bits of history that give a
glimpse of this formerly rural and small town country
that is changing to suburban community and
commercial center at a rapid rate. The rural and small
town life-style as reflected on these pages is fast
slipping away. This is an attempt to preserve the
memory of those years gone by.
In 1981, the Lee County Historical Society
embarked on the ambitious task of compiling a
comprehensive history of our county. This effort
resulted in, History of Lee County, Georgia. The
Caboose Came Last and its predecessor, A Train Runs
Through A focuses more on human interests stories and
memories of the past. It contains humor, tragedy,
reports of hard times and stories from a time when
things moved more slowly and neighbors genuinely
cared for each other.
The railroad has always played an important
role in the history of Lee County. The rail line
between Americus and Albany was completed in 1857,
by the Southwestern Railroad Company. It followed
the high ground between the Kinchafoonee and
Muckalee Creeks, much to the disappointment of the
citizens of Starksville, which was then the county seat.
Later the county seat was moved to what is now
Leesburg.
The railroad connected Lee County to the rest
of the world. Trains took young men and women off
to war, carried graduating classes on their senior trips,
took families on vacations, delivered and picked up
mail, transported farm products and delivered
supplies, etc. The depot was a center of activity. It not
only served passengers but was a freight depot,
telegraph office and a place to socialize and get the
latest gossip.
These stories are about happenings in an area
that has been much impacted by trains and the railroad.
Thus, the names of this book and its predecessor.
When the caboose disappears in the distance, you have
missed the train. Dont let that happen to you. Get on
board and enjoy these stories from the past.
Robert A. Clay, Jr.
LEE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
3 1032 00553155 9
me CcJbocse
Came Last
Redbone Library
104 Thundering Springs Road
Leesburg, GA 31763
*

Text Copyright 2007 by
Lee County Chamber of Commerce
0-9761817-1-1
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form
by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy,
recording, or any other information storage or retrieved system,
without the specific permission, in writing, from the Lee County
Chamber of Commerce, except by a reviewer who wishes to quote
brief passages in connection with a review written for inclusion in a
magazine, newspaper, or broadcast.
For further information please contact
Lee County Chamber of Commerce
100 B Starksville Avenue, North
Leesburg, Georgia 31763
(229) 759-2422
Dedicated to
Page and Patricia Tkarp
Wko originally proposed the idea of an oral history of Lee County and who
worked tirelessly on A Train Runs Through It and The Caboose Came Last
and who contributed unselfishly to the religious, cultural, educational, and
governmental affairs of this county.
Table of Contents
A Train Must Have a Depot...................................1
My First Paying Job.........................................2
My Favorite Teacher.........................................3
My Friend Marvin............................................3
Family Stories I Heard or Lived as a Child..................4
A Day Remembered............................................8
The Leesburg Methodist Church Bazaar.......................10
Jeff Davis.................................................11
Lee County Beauties And Close Friends......................11
Fred.......................................................12
Moving to Smithville.......................................13
Where Were You.............................................16
Mr. Charlies Store........................................17
Riley Claud McRee..........................................18
The Haunted House..........................................20
Hatfield Versus The Mosquito - Another Hatfield Feud.......28
Only In a Small Town.......................................29
Small Town Caring..........................................30
A Cold Hand................................................30
Foots....................................................31
Wheres Larry..............................................31
Sun Pond.................................................. 31
Fishin and Other Stuff....................................32
Family Life in the City of Leesburg........................33
Walter and Geneva..........................................37
Here Comes Bonnie!!!!!.....................................38
Miss Kate Harris, Unofficial Historian.....................38
A Joke That Backfired......................................41
Lee County Primary School Named National School of Excellence.41
vi
Mama and the Squirrel.......................................43
Gathering of the Greens.....................................45
Riding to the Cotton Gin....................................45
Small Town Memories.........................................47
A Grandmothers Last Gift...................................47
Cookie Fun..................................................48
The All Important Road Trip.................................48
Xena........................................................48
Miss Pauline..............................................50
Ethelind Cannon.............................................51
Frank.......................................................52
Hannahs Story: The Life of an Angel........................53
A Journey in the Night......................................59
The so Called Hill..........................................60
City Girl to Farm Girl......................................61
Saturday Night Square Dances and the Love of my Life........63
Traffic Lights and a Doctor.................................65
Fond Memories of Leesburg High School.......................67
Bulger......................................................74
Our Samantha................................................75
Georgia on my Mind........................................76
Hard Times..................................................79
Would You Believe.. .Cheerleading...........................80
Happenings..................................................81
Womanless Weddings..........................................81
Hobby Shows.................................................82
Talking Movies..............................................82
Driving Ms. Susie...........................................83
Hog Wild in Lee County......................................84
Raising Cane in Lee County..................................84
A Fishing Trip to Remember..................................85
English Cadets in Leesburg, Georgia.........................86
Four-More Club..............................................87
Cookville Neighbors and Palmyra Community Club..............87
Weds Sweetheart of his Youth...............................89
Remembering Gussie..........................................90
vii
Leesburg, Now my Home.......................................91
Otis Hill Chevrolet Dances..................................93
Picking Peanuts.............................................93
A Tale About Another Tail...................................93
Living in Lee County........................................94
Pauline Page Tharp: A Treasured Memory......................95
I Miss the Caboose..........................................96
The 1960 State Basketball Contenders........................97
Jerry, the Dog Who Went to Church...........................98
Williams-Fox Stop on the Train Line Through Lee County, Georgia.99
Hurricane Flossy...........................................101
Shooting Tales.............................................102
Tornado....................................................103
More Shooting Tales........................................103
Telephone..................................................104
The Move...................................................104
Fun in the 1940s and 1950s...............................105
PK Paperboy................................................108
A Year to Remember.........................................111
A Godly Lady and Two Boys..................................111
A Town Like Mayberry.......................................118
The Duck Inn Cafe..........................................119
When I was Growing up in Lee County........................120
Smithville Elementary School.......,............................121
A Snake on the School Bus..................................124
My Best Friend Kelly.......................................124
A Whopper of a Hog.........................................126
Shell be Coming Around the Comer when She Comes................126
A Thousand Pounds Worth of Bacon...........................127
Why My Daddy Did Not Chew Gum..............................127
The Goat Man...............................................128
School.....................................................129
Just Another Day at Lee State Prison.......................130
A Special Bicycle..........................................133
School Days... Do you Remember............................ 133
Where I was when I Learned President JFK was Assassinated..134
viii
Thirty Years Ago... 1977-2007 Current Lee County Primary School
Administration Began their Careers in Lee County..............135
Memories......................................................137
Memories of the R.R. Green Family.............................138
Mamas Special Gift...........................................140
Can you Believe It............................................145
A Brief History of Kudzu......................................145
Cookville Remembered..........................................146
My Special Parents............................................148
Joseph and Helen..............................................151
Beware! Snake Stories.........................................152
Lee County Presidential Look-Alike............................154
Growing up in Rural Southwest Georgia.........................156
My Only Whipping..............................................157
I Remember When...............................................157
GoneFishin...................................................158
The Days and Nights of The Albany Herald Carriers in Lee County. 1977-
1982 and 1985-2003............................................160
History of Smithville, Georgia................................162
Marines Wife - Back Home.....................................163
A Problem Solved..............................................165
Reminiscing...................................................167
A Dream of a Class Reunion....................................170
Tales Told by Big George Moreland.............................172
Those were the Days...........................................174
Old Blind Bunny Boy...........................................175
ANice Voice...................................................176
Growing up at the Intersection of Highway 32 and Palmyra Road.177
Remembering PaPa..............................................178
My Best Friend - Greta........................................179
Two who Loved Lee County......................................180
Clay springs, a Centennial Family Farm........................182
Audrey B. Poole, From Stagecoach to Airplane..................184
Class Trip Memories...........................................185
Marching Band at Lee County...................................186
German Prisoners in Lee County................................187
IX
Love in a Mayonnaise Jar...................................188
Thomas Page Tharp, An Honorable Man of Many Achievements...190
Tobacco Fields.............................................191
Mr. Clines Cabin..........................................192
The River..................................................193
The Lady who Touched Many Lives in Lee County..............197
Swimming Holes.............................................198
A Lesson Well Learned......................................199
Serving as City Clerk......................................200
Sunshine Comer.............................................204
Our Town - Leesburg........................................206
Who Stole the Tarts?.......................................211
The Blue Heron.............................................212
Johnny Groover and The Slow Poke.........................213
Lee County High School Debate Program 1972-1990............216
Memories of Growing up in Leesburg.........................218
Recollections............................................ 220
Tune Passes and Things Change - A History of the Hatfield Home Place...221
The James T. Hooks Place: A Self-sufficient Farm...........226
ATributetomy Sister-Irma Leola Stamps Kielsmeier...........227
Hi Yo Silver...............................................230
Memories of a South Alabama Childhood......................231
Checking Fishing Baskets...................................232
School House Memories......................................233
Dog Tales..................................................234
Going to Chicago...........................................235
Ghost Busters..............................................236
History of the Bell Family Lee County, Georgia.............237
ATubing Experience.........................................241
Memories of Living in Lee County...........................242
Memories of Leesburg.......................................242
Aromas of the Past.........................................243
The Red Kirby Family.......................................244
Thanks for the Memories and the Two Books..................245
x
The Caboose Came Last
Committee
Front row left to right: Sandra Stocks, Jade Arrington, Patricia
Tharp, Page Tharp. Back row left to right: Becky Belcher, Patricia
Bence, Robert A.Clay, Jr., Glenna Hatfield, Wanda Halstead, Lesley
Barbosa, Elizabeth Young. Not pictured: Laura Barbosa.
xi
Project Committee and Staff
Committee of Story Collectors
Committee: Glenna Hatfield, Robert A. Clay, Jr., Sandra Stocks, Wanda
Halstead, Elizabeth Young, Page Tharp, Patricia Tharp, Jade Arrington,
Lesley Barbosa, Becky Belcher, Laura Barbosa, Patricia Bence
Without the cooperation of those who graciously shared their stories, this
book could have never been printed. We sincerely appreciate those who
took the time and effort to support this project.
The Committee would like to give a special thanks to Jade Arrington and
Lesley Barbosa of the Lee County Chamber of Commerce for their efforts
in assisting the Committee with the production of this book.
The Committee would also like to thank Shannon DeReus for the layout of
the front and back covers.
The Committee extends a special thanks to Phil Maxfield for the design of
the front cover.
Preface
The Caboose Came Last...
Have you ever looked at old photos and wondered who the
people were or what their lives were like? As a tribute to Lee County
residents, past and present, we are proud to share this compilation of
photos, essays, stories and most importantlymemories. As you read
through the pages, it is our hope that you will recognize someone or
someplace in your own life, that a memory will be jogged, a laugh brought
forth, a tear wiped away- be it happy or sad. The committee members
certainly were able to recall earlier times. This is not a book to be read
quickly but rather to be savored slowly with many pauses for Remember
When...
Our deepest gratitude and appreciation to all of those who
contributed. So grab a big glass of sweet tea and settle down on the front
porch swing for a leisurely stroll down memory lane.
Becky Belcher
Debra Smith
xiii












A Train Must Have a Depot
As railroad tracks spread out across the country, the train depots
inevitably followed. Events leading to the construction of the present Leesburg
train depot began in 1857 when the rail line between Americus and Albany was
completed. The rail line came by Sneeds Store. A stopover for stagecoaches
to change horses. A depot and post office were built at Sneeds Store, which
was near the present location of Leesburg. Henry P. Wooten was named
Postmaster at Sneed in 1857. Subsequently, the name of the settlement was
changed to Wootens Station. In 1873 the county courthouse was relocated
from Starksville to Wootens Station. The town was renamed Leesburg in 1874.
Nothing is known about the original train station that served Wootens
Station. The present depot was built in 1895 or 1896, sources differ. It was
located near the center of Leesburg between the railroad tracks and what is
now U.S. Highway 19. It was probably constructed by railroad carpenters as
was the custom at that time. The functional building was the style typically built
to serve multiple purposes in small towns in the rural south.
The depot was a center of activity for many years. In addition to serving
train passengers, it was a freight depot and a telegraph office. Mail came to and
left Leesburg by train. A hand drawn cart was used to transport the mail between
the depot and the post office. Furlow Adams pulled the cart for many years.
Thousand of Sears Roebuck orders were delivered to Leesburg by train.
Since the back yards of several homes extended to the railroad right-
of-way, it was not uncommon for hobos to knock on the back door of these
homes asking for food. This was especially true during the depression of the
1930s. Because of the generosity of the citizens of Leesburg the hobos were
seldom disappointed.
During the 1930s and early 1940s it was traditional for graduating
classes of Leesburg High School to take a senior trip. Miss Mary Dance, senior
class sponsor, chaperoned the classes to far away places such as Washington,
D.C. and New York City. The Leesburg depot was the point of departure for
these excursions.
In the 1930s word was received that a steamline (diesel) train would
be coming through Leesburg. School turned out to see this sight. Students
were lined up along the tracks to await the arrival of the train, which was said to
be traveling 60 miles per hour. So as not to become dizzy and fall as the train
passed by at this high rate of speed, students were told to sit down as the train
approached and remain seated until it had passed.
1
Numerous farm products were shipped from the Leesburg depot,
including pulpwood, timber, watermelons, peas, grain, cotton, etc. In addition
to the mail, the depot received farm supplies, fertilizer; merchandise for the stores
and a variety of miscellaneous items. During World Wars I and II the railroad
transported large amounts of military equipment and thousands of soldiers through
Leesburg.
Tragedy occurred a few yards from the depot in February, 1928. Two
promising young men, Paul Forrester and Charles Lee, were returning from a
date on a cold winter night. They stopped at the depot to warm themselves by
the pot belly stove and catch up on the latest gossip. Upon leaving the depot,
they failed to hear or see the Dixie Flyer approaching the crossing and drove out
in front of it. They were both killed.
A famous all-Pullman passenger train, the Dixie Flyer, made its way
through Leesburg twice a week as it traveled between Chicago and Miami.
This service began in 1908 and continued to 1954. The busiest time for the
Dixie Flyer was during the 1920s when thousands of northerners regularly traveled
to Florida to escape the cold winters. Other passenger trains traveling the Chicago
to Miami route were the Dixie Limited, Dixie Express, Dixie Hager and Dixie
Mail. As ridership fell, all of these trains were discontinued by the mid 1950s.
As conditions changed and business declined, one by one, the passenger
service, the telegraph office, the mail drop, and the freight service were eliminated.
By 1970 railroad functions of the depot had ceased. Since then the old depot
has been used for a number of purposes including a public library, city hall, fire
station, print shop and centennial store.
In 1960, the Central of Georgia Railroad sold the depot building to the
City of Leesburg and leased the land where the building is located to the city. In
2006, the land was acquired by the city. Presently, Mrs. Opal Cannon is leading
the effort to have the depot placed on the National Register of Historical Places
and to secure grant money to have it restored as a Welcome Center.
Robert A. Clay, Jr.
My First Paying Job
My dad, Joe Forrester, and my uncle Blue Forrester had a store,
Leesburg Mercantile Company, in Leesburg. Every Saturday when he would
come home to eat dinner, I would go back to the store with him and work until
2
we closed at 12 midnight. I had a cigar box that I would keep my money in so
that I could count it at the end of the night to see how much I had sold. I was in
charge of all the drinks, candies, and also selling nickel plugs of Bull of the
Woods and Prince Albert Tobacco, and also snuff, like Strawberry and Peach
and Top.
I would count my money and then my dad would give me $.50.1 finally
got up to $1.00. It was lots of fun and good experience.
Elizabeth Forrester Young
My Favorite Teacher
My favorite teacher at Twin Oaks Elementary school is Mrs. Cloud.
Mrs. Cloud was my third grade teacher. She was one of the funniest teachers.
She taught us math, science, social studies, language and reading. She always
made learning fun by making jokes. She found ways to make learning fun. She
would dress up and dance around the room. Every day that we were good she
gave us a treat. I hope all of my teachers will be like Mrs. Cloud.
Chase Redmond
My Friend Marvin
It was late summer and the year was 1970. My husband and I, along
with our four children, had moved to Leesburg. I did not know anybody and
had not made many friends during our first few months here. After about six
months we purchased property and decided to make Leesburg our home. One
of the first people I had the pleasure to meet was Lee Countys Building Inspector,
Mr. Marvin Davidson. Mr. Davidson was extremely helpful and kind. He made
the experience of beginning life in a new town enjoyable. It has been thirty-
seven years since meeting Mr. Davidson and, after making many friends since
then it feels good to know that Marvin was my first friend.
I would like to take this opportunity to say, Thank you Marvin and to
say, Thank you for welcoming us home.
Sondra H. Williams
3
Family Stories I heard or Lived As a Child
Granddaddy (R.P. Clay) made one attempt to drive a car. Daddy (R. A.
Clay Sr.) was going from the Lee County farm to the Decatur home for a visit.
He drove his car to Cobb to catch the train, and granddaddy went along to
bring the car home. Granddaddy felt sure he could drive. All went well until he
attempted to put the car under a shelter next to the bam. He didnt know how to
stop the thing. He went all the way through the shelter, scaring some yearlings in
the process, and circled the bam until he figured out how to stop the car.
Sometime after Mother and Daddy were married, they started to visit
Mr. Frank and Miss Carilu Kaylor one Sunday afternoon. When they came to a
branch east of the Kaylor home, water was running across the road. Thinking it
was not deep; daddy drove into the water and the car drowned out. Not wanting
to rain his Sunday clothes, Daddy took off his pants and shoes, waded across
the branch, put on his clothes and went to Mr. Kaylors to get help. Mother
stayed in the car until it was on dry land.
One of daddys first projects after buying the farm was to see that every
tenant house had at least one room that was ceiled. Tongue and groove beaded
ceiling was used to enclose the designated area so that the occupants could
have a relatively warm place in at least part of the house.
Mr. Troutman was our iceman. He worked for Atlantic Ice and Coal
Company in Albany and serviced our icebox every other day. He worked his
route all day without bringing a lunch and was not embarrassed to ask if he might
have a cold biscuit or glass of milk to tide him over until he got home. I dont
know of any of his customers who denied his request. Mr. Troutmans brother,
Robert Troutman, was a prominent Atlanta lawyer who represented Georgia
Power Company among others.
Mr. Ramsey was our gasman. He worked for Grist Standard Oil
Company in Albany and delivered gasoline and oil once a week. I think we
bought gas for fifteen cents per gallon and solid it for twenty cents when someone
ran short.
4
Sometimes during the late 1930s, Gene Talmadge was running for
Governor. A barbecue and campaign speech was planned for July 4th in Albanyat
the American Legion Golf Course. Daddy loaded us all up in the Terraplane car
to attend the political rally. On arriving we found one of the largest crowds I had
ever seen. The barbeque was late being served, the weather was hot but Ole
Gene gave one of his rousing stump speeches and we all had a big time.
Typically on Sunday afternoon we visited Grandmother and Granddaddy
Hooks. On one of these visits my brother, Jimmy, who was about two at the
time, drank from a bottle of kerosene. When he began to turn blue Mother and
Daddy rushed him to Dr. H.L. Boggs in Cobb. Dr. Boggs referred to his
medical books and was finally able to bring Jimmy around. He then turned to
Mother and Daddy and said, Your boy is going to live. At this point they
realized just how close a call this had been. They returned to the Hooks home
after seeing Dr. Boggs. Jimmy had no further ill effects from the episode.
Sometimes Daddy had to intervene in the farm hands marital disputes.
One night, Arthur Nelson (B uU) and Mamie got into an argument. Mamie was
the cook at the time. She ran out of their, slipped in the back of our house and
hid under the bed in the back room. She spent the rest of the night there.
Another time, one of the hands came to the door for help after his wife threw
potash water in his face. A few weeks before Daddy died.
Walter B. Williams came to the door one night with a stab wound. He
was stabbed by Duck Fields who was trying to prevent him from marrying his
daughter, Flossie. Daddy got Bajor Goodie Wright to take Walter B. to Dr.
Boggs to be sewn up. I went with them. Dr. Boggs was hunting wild hogs that
night and couldnt be found until about midnight. He sewed up the wound and
sent us on our way.
Daddy was always one to help the less fortunate. A black homeless
man called Cush would come to the house periodically, offering to do odd
jobs for food. Daddy saw to it that he left with a full stomach and some to cany
with him.
5
Every Saturday morning Daddy would make a list of the groceries that
each of the farm hands needed for the next week. He wanted to be sure they all
had sufficient food before spending their wages foolishly. He would take
theseorders to E & J Fergusons Store in Desoto where they were filled. Jimmy,
my sister, Carolyn and I often went with him on these trips. We usually got to
Desoto about the time Mr. Emmett and Uncle John Ferguson were going
back home for their breakfast. They would invite us children to go with them for
a second breakfast. We enjoyed their store bought bacon, light bread toast,
eggs and grits. Before coming home Daddy would get cash from Fergusons
store to pay off the hands. At noontime, the farm hands would come to the car
house where Daddy distributed the groceries that had been ordered and paid
them in cash for the weeks work minus the cost of their groceries.
Daddy would also buy staples for our kitchen at E & J Fergusons
store. However, he always had a good garden, cows to milk, home grown
flour, home grown pork, eggs and chickens from the yard flock, etc. He did like
occasionally to buy mullet fish and oysters from Ralph Grants Market for a little
variety in our diet. While in Desoto, he often got a shave and haircut at Barber
Barns shop located behind Grants Market.
Daddy bought our first radio during the depression. We previously only
had a hand cranked Victrola. The radio was powered by a car battery that had
to be recharged frequently. There were no local broadcasting stations at the
time but through the static we could pick up WSB in Atlanta and a few other
stations. I remember the ringside report of the Hoe Lewis/Max Schmeling
boxing match for the Worlds Heavyweight Championship. Some of the farm
hands came to the house to get the results of that match. They were very
excited that Hoe Ixwis beat his white German opponent.
Since Daddy worked as a druggist at Jacobs Drug Stores in Atlanta
before coming to the farm, he had some knowledge about medicine. He and
Mother saw to it that we got mineral oil and castoria for regularity, quinine for
malaria, Vicks salve for colds, peroxide for sores, argyrols for sore eyes and
castor oil for good measure. Other medicines that we used included Epson
salts, CRC capsules, iodine, turpentine and SSS tonic. Sulfa drugs were just
beginning to be prescribed in the early 1940s.
6
It was reported in The Americus Times Recorder that an airplane would
be coming to town and would take up passengers on a certain day. Daddy took
us to see this airplane. Mother, Jimmy and I took a plane ride over Americus.
Referring to Carolyn, Daddy said, Miss Girl and I will stay on the ground.
We always had our Christmas stockings filled with candy, nuts, fireworks,
raisins, etc. In addition we always had some big items under the Christmas tree.
One year it was a bicycle to be shared by the three of us. Another time Jimmy
and I got 410 shotguns. Another Christmas Jimmy got boots and boot pants
and I got my first suit. Carolyn got dolls, doll carriages and girl things.
We always had a feast for Christmas dinner, turkey or chicken and
dressing, potato souffle, ambrosia, cakes, pies, etc. When night came, we would
build a fire in a safe place and shoot firecrackers, roman candles, skyrockets,
sparklers, etc. Shorty, Bull and Boll Weevil often joined us for the fireworks.
Not bad Christmases for depression times.
As a child, Mother wanted a little gold locket. Her parents urged her to
earn the money for it. She picked cotton in a little flour sack, trying to earn
enough to but the locket. Because she tried so hard, her parents gave her a little
help and she got the locket. She kept this locket as long as she lived.
One of the highlights of our summers was swimming in Chokee Creek.
Bull Nelson would take part of his dinner break to ride bicycles with Jimmy and
me for a quick skinny dip in the creek. We would have to get back by the time
Daddy rang the bell for the farm hands to catch their mules for an afternoon of
plowing.
At other times our neighbors Roger and Joyce Larsen frequently joined
Jimmy, Carolyn and me for bicycle rides to Chokee Creek for a swim. Bathing
suits were required on these occasions. As a child, mother had a little store
made out of a crate in which a pump organ had been shipped. She kept snuff,
tobacco, sardines, crackers, etc. to sell to the farm workers. With the money
she earned, she wanted to buy a bicycle, but Grandmother Hooks said, No,
you might break a leg. To compensate, she was allowed to buy a parrot. It
was a beautiful bird and soon learned to say a few words. The parrot would put
7
his talons in the braids of Mothers hair and walked up to the top of her head.
She was told she must keep the birds wings cropped or he would fly away.
Mother was too tender hearted to crop the parrots wings. One day he flew
away and never returned.
One day Mother started out to the chicken house to gather eggs. She
had to walk through an opening in the hedge, which surrounded the back year.
Having her mind on her destination rather than where she put her feet, she was
nearly scared to death when she looked down and realized that she had one
foot suspended in the air over a six foot alligator. There was nothing she could
do but go ahead and step over the intruder. She then went for Granddaddy
Hooks to come shoot the gator.
My youngest sister, Evelyn, was bom about three months after Daddy
died. Mother was operating the farm at that time. She would put Evelyn in the
saddle with her and ride over the farm to check on the cows and crops.
Robert A. Clay, Jr.
Home of Eddye and Robert A. Clay, Sr.
located on the Clay Farm
A Day Remembered
Yes, you do remember exactly what you were doing and where you
were on that day of empathy, second only to that of Pearl Harbor. The day in
question is September 11,2001 9-11 being embedded in the minds of my
wife, Patricia, and myself forever, as of all things, we were outside the USA.
We, along with a number of close friends from Americus and Cordele,
were on a long planned trip to Nova Scotia, leaving New York Harbor on
8
September 9,2001. I recall our departure on the tour cruise. It was late that
sunny afternoon. The Twin Tower buildings were alive with brilliant sunlight,
reflecting off the glass structured buildings, and as we stood on the deck of our
ship, we regretted that we did not have our cameras, that were still packed in
our shipped luggage. Certainly, no one would have ever thought that two days
later, those two buildings would be demolished and our country under attack as
never before.
While in Nova Scotia, several of us hired a limousine for a tour of the
island. The driver stopped at a 7-11 type store to make a purchase. On his
return, he advised that he had talked to his son in New York City by phone and
that something terrible had happened. Planes had hit the Twin Tower buildings.
From that time on, it was constant news, and all of us were in shock and dismay.
This terrible event had a major impact on everyone and our country.
For us, at that time, it was that we soon learned that we could not get back into
the states and New York Harbor. The tour continued, making ports of call
along the coast, but no ones heart was really in it. The ships crew did all they
could to make things pleasant, including the use of their ship-to-shore
communication systems so that we could let our friends and families hear from
us.
With some 900 to 1000 people on board, there were a number of
ministers of different faiths, so church services were started. In the absence of a
large enough chapel, the ship closed one of its large bars and we had church in
the bar. One might say that Old Mr. Boston, Hiram Walker, Old Grandad, and
others of spirit, did attend church.
Since many ships at sea, including the famous QE-2, were coming into
New York Harbor, the close down presented great problems, and our re-entry
was put on hold. We sailed into Boston twice, going up and down thecoast,
sometimes at reduced speeds. On returning to our ship, at Bar Harbor, MA.,
they took items from us as a measure of security, including my pocket knife
which I carry at all times. They told us they would be returned to us in New
York. This later proved to be a factor in saving my knife. From then on, such
items were packed in our luggage, not carry on.
On our second stop in Boston, still not allowed to re-enter New York
Harbor we said: Lets just try to see if we can fly home. Having to reject the
offer of a bus ride from Boston to New York, since we had a wheel chaired
person with us. We called the airlines, told them of our problems, having to
reject the offer of a bus ride from Boston to New York, having a wheel-chair
9
person with us. To our amazement, they said: Okay, we will fly you direct to
Atlanta, non-stop and the tour line will cover the cost. They gave us the option
of leaving at various times, since there was practically no one flying.
Getting over from Boston Bay to Logan Airport, we saw few people in
the terminal, mostly policemen with automatic weapons, guard dogs, et al. It
was so empty you could have easily played baseball in it. After all, Logan was
where some of the attack planes had departed. Going through processing, we
had to empty all of our cany-on bags, and they took everything that they thought
dangerous, even nail clippers, compact mirrors, scissors, knives, and the like.
They were so up-tight and on edge, really not knowing what to do. Glad I
packed my knife!
While waiting for our flight departure, we noticed a questionable man in
our waiting area. Dressed strangely, he seemed very nervous. He was constantly
looking around, and moving from one seat to another. In our minds he fit a
terrorist description, and we were sure that we were doomed and in great danger.
To our dismay, he boarded our plane and sat not far from us. Well, we made it
to Atlanta, and, in all probability, the man was a plain-clothes Air Marshall, as
we later found out that every flight at that time had one on board.
We are still saddened over the Twin Towers disaster, even recalling
seeing the smoke still rising as we flew over New York City. Getting home was
wonderful, and we certainly hope nothing like this will ever happen again. God
bless America and in the words of Tiny Tim, God
Bless Us Everyone.
Page Tharp
The Leesburg Methodist Church Bazaar
For many years the first Riday in December was a significant one in Leesburg.
That was always the day of the Christmas Bazaar held at the Methodist Church. All
during the year, the ladies in the Womans Society of Christian Service, (later called
United Methodist Women); worked preparing crafts, sewing, tatting, knitting afghans,
canning jelly, preserves, pickles and other delicacies, and baking their specialties,
such as caramel, chocolate, and fresh coconut cakes, candies, homemade breads
and all kinds of surprise bags. All of this would be attractively displayed. They would
always come early on that morning to make home-made sausage biscuits, orange
10
juice and coffee for breakfast so people could come early before work or school.
Each year when the doors opened at 7 a.m. sharp, there would be a long line of
people waiting to get in.
The money derived from this project was used for mission work. One year,
the group was fortunate to have an etching of the White House sent to them by Mrs.
Mamie Eisenhower. This item was auctioned off and Edward Cannon had the lucky
prize-winning bid. The community enjoyed the bazaar and were delighted to find
handmade, unique items to give their family and friends for Christmas gifts.
Opal Cannon
Jeff Davis
When Jeff Davis, President of the Confederacy, was being chased by
Union Forces, he came thru Smithville, GA. There is a historical marker on the
road between Smithville and Brownwood, the crossing point is on the
Kinchafoonee Creek, cross to the Brownwood side and taken left follow the
dirt road, always to the left about 2 miles until you come to a right hand curve,
the old road runs toward the creek bend, it was here Jeff Davis crossed, and
this also was a Baptismal area and picnic ground. The bridge pilings are still
there on the bank
Earl B. Andrews
Lee County Beauties and Close Friends
When I was in Grammar school in Lee County I spent a good many
weekends with my dear friend and classmate, Nancy Moore. Mrs. Rose Moore
always welcomed me into her home and I felt like a family member. Mrs.
Moore always seemed to manage her children, as well as myself and her
household, with such ease.
Nancy lived across the street from Mary and Martha Cannon. On
several occasions, Nancy and I visited with Mary and Martha in the Cannon
home. Our giggling must have gotten on their mothers nerves but she remained
cool and composed. Their mother, Ms. Lucilla Cannon, was a lady of exceptional
poise. Many times after I visited with Nancy, Mary and Martha, as soon as I
11
arrived home, I informed my mother that I wanted a brother or sister. I told her
I was tired and bored of being an only child. My mother informed me that the
doctor had advised her not to have anymore children. My reply was so are
you really going to listen to that well qualified doctor when your only daughter
wants a sibling. Thank goodness she took the doctors advice instead of my
off-the-wall idea. At the time, I thought she was being selfish by not granting my
wish. Does the word dense come to mind?
I recall once Lee County had a beauty contest for grammar school girls.
I can not remember all the girls who entered the contest but I remember that
Mary and Martha Cannon entered the contest. I signed up, with my mothers
consent, to be in the contest. I think on that day my mother and I were out of
touch with reality. The judges had to come up with two first-place awards.
These awards went to Maty and Martha Cannon. You see the judges could not
give an award to one without giving an award to the other because some of you
might not know that these two beauties were identical twins. I was given an
award for getting off the stage the fastest due to stage fright. The Cannon twins
are now married to devoted mates and each have families of their own. The two
families must have many pleasant memories to treasure to recall. The Cannon
twins beauty is more than skin deep.
Sandra Stocks
Fred
One warm April morning I was puttering around in my front yard. I
noticed my dog, Bailey, trying to catch something from the pile of leaves under a
large camellia bush. The dog catches her prey and I see a small tail hanging from
her mouth. I screamed! Bailey dropped the small animal, and it hid again. I
gently fished a baby squirrel out of the leaves and put him on a slanted branch of
a large oak. I expected him to scamper back up the tree; instead he fell again. I
picked him up and looked closely and saw that one of his front paws was bent
sideways. He could not use it. When he tried to hold on to the tree he would fall.
I thought Oh, no! What in the world was I going to do, I did not have time for
a baby squirrel. I had to take care of my elderly father and I was serving on the
Lee county election board, and I just had a full plate! I then realized that the only
way he was going to survive was if I helped him. I fixed him a bed in a small pet
carrier. I thought that I would be able to restrict his movements, but NO!
12
Remember squirrels are rodents and they need to gnaw on things, even small
squirrels! He immediately began to gnaw on the carrier and did not stop until he had
made a hole big enough to go through. Then, he accepted the carrier as his nest I
fedhim milk and pecans and he grew quickly. We decided to call him Fred. Fred
went everywhere with me. If I had a meeting or went in a place he could not go, he
just stayed in the truck He was happy and playful; when I was driving he would play
along the truck seats or turn somersaults on the steering wheel. Squirrels are fun
animals, and he was a joy to have around. Freds deformed paw never improved. I
would mb it and exercise it, but he was never able to use it. When he ran he had a
bad limp, however that never slowed him down. As he grew older and his good paw
grew bigger, he learned to climb using only one. I knew Fred was a wild animal and
truly needed to live with his own kind. In late September he left the truck and went to
live in a pecan tree near the governmental building in Leesburg. For several years he
could be seen limping from one pecan tree to another behind the courthouse. He had
been accepted by the wild squirrels and appeared to be happy. We wonder why
things happen, why God chooses for us to take on things that we feel we cannot
handle. I lost my father during the time Fred was with me. The little squirrel was a
source of comfort during my time of need.
Betty Jane Radcliffe Nesbitt
Moving to SmithviUe
Before the depression my family lived in Albany where my dad had
worked on the railroad for 13 years. When the depression began he was laid
off. He and his brother went back to the farm near Parrott in Terrell County and
put a crop in the ground. Sure enough, the railroad called him to come back to
work. It was a lot better than farming, but he would not go. Im not going to
leave Tom to gather the crop when we went in this thing together, he said. My
mother, sisters, and brother begged him to go back to the railroad, but he wouldnt
doit.
The farm idea must not have worked out, because after that year we
moved around a lot. In fact, Uncle Tom said he moved so much that when he
walked out the door all the chickens would lay down and cross their legs, thinking
he was going to tie them up to be moved!
13
We moved to Americus in 1942, and Dad worked for Mr. Frank Stein,
who had a clothing store. Dad was still farming some, and he and my youngest
sister both worked at Mr. Franks clothing store. They would walk about three
miles in the dark to Sumter City to catch the bus to Americus, and then get back
that night. We didnt have an automobile then, as it was during the war and cars
were hard to find. Finally we got a 1937 Ford but it needed some work. Mr.
Frank called Oxford Motor Company and told them to fix it and send him the
bill. When we got that car out of the shop we thought we had really arrived!
Mr. Frank had a friend who owned a store in Smithville. This store was
losing money, and he said he wished he could find a good, honest man to run it.
Mr. Frank recommended my father. After my mother, my sisters and I put in our
two cents worth, he agreed to move to Smithville and take over the store.
We moved on my dads birthday. It was a Saturday morning, and I
havent left but twice since then. Once was when I was in the service and the
other was when I had graduated from school and went to work in Albany. Dad
told me if I lived at home, I would have to pay ten dollars a week. I thought that
was unfair, and I boarded for several months in Albany. I soon changed my
mind and by the time I had swallowed my pride and moved back home I had
learned a valuable lesson.
After two years of running the store Dad managed to buy it; I was in the
sixth grade then. I did not like store work, dusting, sweeping and washing those
shelves.
Mr. E. A. Hatcher of Smithville contracted to some farmers to plant
cucumbers and sell them back to him. The cucumbers were graded and packed
in a freight house that belonged to the railroad. He hired some of the local boys
to work there. It was John Calvin Teele, John Heath, Donald Parker, Jack
Smith, Bobby Scott, James Beamon, Wayne Greene and myself. Clifford Long
was the manager. Of course, there were no child labor laws then, and we would
work from 8:30 a.m. until. We were paid fifteen cents per hour until we got
together and formed a union. We waited until the truck was backed up and then
we asked for a raise. We were told no, so we struck. After a few minutes we
were offered a five cent per hour raise, and we took it. That ended the union.
We worked there in the summers for three years.
Another thing we did was stack peanuts. Pat Whatley used to pay us
twenty-five cents a stack. He would meet the school bus in the afternoon, take
us by the house to change clothes, and we would shake peanuts until dark and
on Saturday. When we got paid on Saturday we would hitchhike to Americus
14
and go to the cowboy movies, then hitchhike back. Them were the days, as
they say, but we didnt know it then.
We also picked up pecans, three cents per pound, four cents if you had
to climb the tree and shake the nuts down. In the summer of the ninth grade Ray
McColly called and said they were hiring young folks at a tomato plant in Leesburg,
and they paid fifty cents per hour! So we all went to work packing green
tomatoes at the Farmers Market in Leesburg. John Heath was the only one of
us, who had a drivers license, and my dad loaned us his car, but we each had to
pay twenty-five cents a day to use the car. We thought we were in high cotton
then, fifty cents an hour packing tomatoes when we were making twenty cents
an hour packing cucumbers, picking up pecans for four cents a pound and
hoeing peanuts for two dollars a day from sunup to sundown. And it sure beat
store work!
One of the local boys, Jerry Bernier, had joined the army and gone off
to fight in Korea. He was captured and spent thirty-three months in a Chinese
prison camp. When the war was over and he was released, we had a big day
for him in Smithville! Everyone was there, and we had a bar-b-que and big
parade, and a lot of gifts for Jerry. That was just about the biggest day we ever
had in Smithville.
After I finished school I went to work doing woodwork, and soon learned
to be a cabinet maker.
My wife is Joyce Young, a Smithville native. One summer night a group
of us were hanging around the swimming pool, and someone suggested we go
for a ride. We sort of paired off and that was the beginning of our love life. We
were married in three months, on her twenty-first birthday. I was 22 then, and
that was 49 years ago. We have two beautiful daughters and five grandchildren.
In the early days I remember Smithville was a real railroad center. All the trains
would stop for coal and water, and some trains even met up there to go west. It
was a bustling town back then, all of the black folks either worked on the railroad,
on farms, or on Mr. L.J. Millers sawmill. All of the farm folk would come to
town on Saturday, some in a mule and wagon. The black folks would go to the
Jack Dosters cafe and socialize until later then go to one of the stores and get
their groceries. Sometimes Dad would be one to two oclock getting out of the
store.
Dad served on the city council for a while; later on, I served on the
council for twenty years. I was looking at some old city ordinances and found
15
one that said it was against city law to tie your mule to a mulberry tree! We had
only a night watchman and he punched a clock.
Both Joyce and I graduated from the Lee County School system. The
schools were segregated then and the only white high school was in Leesburg.
All twelve grades were in the same building, but until we were in the eighth grade
we went to school in Smithville. In Leesburg there were about 400 students in
the school, but only 17 in my graduating class in 1953. Joyce graduated in 1955
and worked for the U.S. Dept, of Agriculture for 38 years. She retired in 1994
when I had open heart surgery.
George Davis
Where Were You
Memorable event I will not forget: JFKs assassination when I was in
the seventh grade at Lee County High School. Believe it or not that was before
video monitors were in every classroom, public address systems, air conditioning,
computers, email, telephones and the greatest of all CELL phones. Some how
we did get the news in the individual classroom and had an understanding teacher
who shared current unbiased information with all the students.
Alan Long
16
Mr. Charlies Store
The farm I was raised on was about equidistance between Smithville
and Leslie, Georgia. About a mile down from my house toward Leslie was Mr.
Charlie Dennards store.
I guess it should be characterized as a small country store. People
werent able to run up and down the road like we do today. Many people
didnt have a car or truck to use. The store was mostly stocked with staples,
but sold shoes, overalls, etc. This was the only place many people could get to
easily for food and other items. Mr. Charlie even special ordered my Daddys
boots because his foot was so small.
He had a meat cooler from which you could get some items fresh. The
thing that I remember most from the meat cooler was the big, long, red sleeved
covered roll of bologna. For some reason, I preferred a slice of this bologna as
a treat than candy or ice cream. On many a visit to the store Mr. Charlie would
get out that roll of bologna. Havent had any that good in a long, long time.
But there were also other treats to have as well. Mr. Charlie had an old
glass front candy counter. There were many different choices of candy. I preferred
what was then penny candy. Long gone are the days you could get something
for a penny. My two favorites were Mary Janes and Squirrel Nut Zippers. For
a nickel or a dime, I could get plenty to keep me happy for a while. You can still
get these two candies today, but the Squirrel Nut Zippers arent nearly as good.
There was also an ice cream cooler. This was a big white box that you
opened from the top. It had two fold back openings from which you could look
in to choose your ice cream. I would get an ice cream sandwich or a fudgesicle
usually. I might add the ice cream sandwiches were much bigger then they are
now.
The Coca Cola box also opened from the top. Mr. Charlies s sat right
next to the wall as you walked in. This was usually the first place my daddy
went when we were there. The top had to be held up and laid back against the
wall to make your selection. It had two sides to it. I was too short to see inside,
so I would jump up onto the edge and hang over into the box. The drinks sat on
the bottom in cold water. Id reach down, get what I wanted, and slide back
down onto the floor. The bottle opener was built onto the side of the box and
would catch the bottle cap as it popped off. No such things as cans or plastic
bottles then.
17
The coke box held all the types of drinks sold, not just Coke. There
was Nehi Grape, Nehi Orange, RC, Orangico and others that I cant remember.
My favorite was the Orangico. It came in a seven ounce bottle that had raised
glass bumps, as I called them, on the upper part of the bottle. It was great.
My daddys choice was always a six ounce bottle of Coca Cola.
Sometimes, he drank it straight. On other occasions he added a small bag of
Toms salted peanuts to the bottle. The peanuts would float at the top of the
bottle, and as youd drink youd get some peanuts along with your Coke. If
youve never tried this, its a must. But dont try it in a can. You need a small
bottle to attain the proper taste of Coke and peanuts.
Mr. Charlies was a special place during my childhood. It still stands
today on Hwy. 118 between Smithville and Leslie. It has changed during the
years and hasnt been open for a long time. But when I ride by I look over and
think of my daddy and Mr. Charlie and all the wonderful memories made on that
spot.
Charlene Usry
Riley Claud McRee
My father, Riley Claud McRee, was a farmer in Lee County for over
sixty years. I guess to those who have never done it, farming is a simple
occupation, but to be a good farmer requires knowledge, timing, discipline, love
of the land and a lot of hard work. And he was a good farmer, a really good
farmer. His farm was located several miles west of Smithville, off Highway 118.
Those who worked for him and with him knew he did not like crooked rows,
shoddy work, a poor stand of whatever planted, unfinished tasks, quitting before
sundown and working on Sunday.
He always wore a wide-brimmed hat, no matter what season it was.
But his hat served a purpose other than protecting him from the elements. When
something about the farm did not suit him or he was particularly irritated, he
would take his hat off and throw it on the ground. That was a clear indication to
anyone nearby to find another place to be.
He was a hard task master and very outspoken in his opinions. But
underneath a tough exterior he was a giving and warmhearted person. He was
very generous to his family, his church and those who were less fortunate. He
was active in his community, serving at various times as president of the Smithville
18
Mens Club, The Lions Club and the Smithville Recreation Club. For many
years he was Chairman of his Church Deacon Board and Chairman of the Lee
County Board of Education. He also served on the Lee County ASCS Board
and the Board of the Albany Production Credit Association.
He was well known and respected in Lee County and a number of
years ago a rural road West Smithville was named for him. The only problem
was that when the road signs were put up, his name was misspelled. McRee
was spelled McCree on the signs. He called one of the county offices to see
about getting it corrected and was told that the name on the sign was spelled the
way it was pronounced. When he heard that answer, I am sure he not only
threw his hat down, I expect he stomped it as well. The signs bearing his name
are still up and are still misspelled.
In 1941, he married Leesburg native, Rebecca Jane Tison, and they
lived together for sixty years on the same farm outside of Smithville. He died in
2001, and she only lived a few months longer. I am grateful for the childhood
they provided for me, my sister, Paula and my brother, Chris in Lee County that
moved at a slower pace then and was a kinder and gentler place than it is now.
Some of my best memories are of growing up on the farm outside of Smithville
and attending Lee County High School in Leesburg.
I have included two pictures, one of me and my father, Riley Claud
McRee, in his lupin field when he was a young farmer in the late 1940s; the
other of Claud and Jane McRee beside the pond on their farm in 1997. Note,
he is wearing his hat in both pictures!
Claudia McRee Copeland
19
The Haunted House
Whether or not there were such things as ghosts was a question never
debated in the Martin house. We always knew, beyond a shadow of doubt,
they were real. We never dillie-dallied with ouija boards or tarot cards. We
never opened symbolic doors for spirits to enter via seances. We never tempted
fate by having our palms read. Neither did we seek out mediums to guide us
through the netherworld with their channeling. We had sense enough to leave
that stuff alonebecause we were all too scary!
Gus and Laura Martin, my grandparents, were second generation Lee
Countians, bom in the late 1800s, early 1900s. Gus was the son ofWilliam
Pitt Martin and Bessie Harris Martin. Laura was the daughter ofWilliam and
Lilly Mae Laramore. Gus and Laura made their home and raised two daughters,
Jacqueline and Joanne, on the family farm in northeast Lee County.
The stories of ghosts and other strange happenings emanate from the
house where my grandparents lived, and, even though part of the farm with the
old house was sold in 2001, something happened that prompted my return a
few years later. That something is what led me to put pen to paper and chronicle
the ghost stories from my childhood.
To get to the point, one of the new residents who moved into Gus and
Lauras house passed away after a long illness. Even though we had never been
formally introduced, I felt compelled to pay my condolences since anyone living
on Gus Martin Road is a neighbor.
On what turned out to be a gloomy rainy day, Kathy Breeden and I
arrived with covered dishes in hand. As we made our way toward the front
door, childhood memories flooded over me. I paused for a moment and looked
at the large white house and saw it as it had been so many years before. I could
see the place on either side of the little walkway where two palm trees had
stood. I remembered my sister, Lisa, my cousin, Laura Lea, and me cutting
fronds from these trees to make skirts. We would wear them down the side-
walk and make believe it was a runway as we played Miss America.
Kathy and I continued up the front steps and as I stood next to the
wrought iron supports of the awning, I could see the three of us again as
children, climbing as fast as we could to the top of the supports in one of our
many competitions.
Now, standing at the front door, I knocked as the rain gently pelted
down on the tin roof. The sound brought back memories of my grandfather. I
20
could see Papa standing with the screen door wide open, surveying the weather
with a farmers concerned look on his face, wondering if the falling rain would
last and bring a welcomed end to the dry spell.
As we were greeted and invited in, I was still swimming in a deep pool
of memories, so I had to force myself back to the surface of the moment. Im
sorry, I explained, Its just that this was my grandparents house and I practically
grew up here. I was reminiscing on old times.
Upon hearing this, all heads in the room turned in my direction and
whispers were exchanged. Kathy, with raised brows, watched everyone looking
at me, anticipating what they would say when the silence was broken. OH, we
understand, they assured me and then came the questions. You lived here?
Can you please tell us, is the house haunted?
I must admit I was not expecting this question, but I was not in the least
bit surprised. I had to know something first, and answered their questions with
a couple of my own, Why do you ask? Has something happened?
They all assured me nothing had, but I knew why they asked even if
they didnt. The house was heavy with an atmosphere that suggested so many
things. Once you walked through the door you just knew there were ghost
stories to be told. I took the time to briefly review the metaphysical history for
them. Although it was an abbreviated history, (I didnt want to frighten them or
have them think I was crazy) they got the point.
When I finished, I explained that the house, and the strange
experiences , seemed to be enhanced somehow by the presence of my mother.
This house was like a pot simmering on the stove. Certain people created an
effect that caused the pot to boil over every now and then. No other questions
were asked as they realized it was best to leave certain things alone.
It is true what I said about my mother, though. My dad, Captain Tauber,
was in the Marine Corps and each time he was stationed overseas my mother,
sister, and I returned to the farm in Lee County and lived with my grandparents.
It was during these times with Papa and Lala that we discovered firsthand what
it was like to share a house with ghosts.
There are two possible explanations for the origin of the spirits in the
house. The first theory involves my Great Grandmother, Bessie Harris Martin.
Bessie lived with my grandparents, Laura and Gus Martin (Lala and Papa) and
it was my grandmother who took care of her for a long time before she went to
the nursing home in Americus.
21
Bessies imagination grew as her mind dimmed with age and we would
catch her routinely unlocking the front door late at night. When asked why, she
would simply answer, Lee will be in later and I want to make sure he can get
in.
Lee, it is rumored, was a doctor who had previously lived on what
would become our familys farm. He had an office where he practiced medicine
across the road from their house. Lee died of wounds he received in the Civil
War, but not before making it back to the farm. It was during this time, before
his death, he supposedly had hidden Confederate gold somewhere on the place.
We never doubted for a minute Bessie saw him. We also looked for
treasure, but never found it. Of course we are blessed with a treasure trove of
memories and a rich past of time spent on the farm with Lala and Papa. This
incident with Bessie was when I first realized we were not alone.
The second explanation for the origin of the spirits is from a different
war, World War n, when the government confiscated some of my grandfathers
land to build an airstrip. My family would listen to planes flying low without any
lights passing overhead into the wee hours of the morning as pilots trained for
daring night missions.
One night shortly after dark they listened as a planes engine sputtered
and went silent. Everyone held their breath, praying for the sound of the engine
to return. Instead they heard the sounds of cracking timber and explosions
when the plane went down in the field directly behind the house.
As the story goes, the unlucky pilot who died in that dark lonely field,
engulfed in the inferno of the plane, was from France. My motherand Aunt
Jack still shudder at the thought of the young man who died in the crash that
fateful night so long ago.
It was not long after the crash, after debris from the wreckage had been
removed and the fields were being plowed again, that my mother and aunt found
the ring. Their daily exploring took them through the garden and across the
cool waters of the small branch that lead to a field road just behind the house, to
where the plane had crashed. I say exploring, but thinking back they tell me it
was as if they were drawn to the crash site.
The earth still charred, the landscape still broken from the planes impact,
the girls poked and kicked and dug around the site as if searching for something
lost. In the sunlight a small twinkle caught their eyes. Both girls reached down
at the same time to retrieve their treasure-a RING! What a find! They studied
22
it for a moment, curious about the strange design in the metal. They took turns
examining and wondering where it came from. Startled, they felt an electrical
surge through their fingers from the ring and immediately dropped it on the ground
and ran for home.
Out of breath they found their mother, Laura, inthekitchenwithAddie,
the housekeeper, busy preparing lunch. They could hardly be understood as
both tried to tell the story at the same time, insisting she follow them. In no time
they were back in the field. Laura, looking down at the ring lying in the dirt,
picked it up for a closer look. She wiped away the charred grime with her
apron and studied the strange markings engraved into the metal. Without a
word to either girl she turned and headed back to the house. Jacqueline and
Joanne followed, having to skip every few steps to keep up with her.
Hours were spent that evening inspecting the ring and speculating about
its origin. My grandfather studied it and declared it was a Coat of Arms. Looking
through one of the many, many books that filled four huge glass-front bookcases
in their living room, they decided it was French. Naturally they reached the
obvious conclusion, which was the ring now in their possession belonged to the
pilot killed in the crash.
The ring was the topic of discussion for weeks that followed and it was
carefully tucked away in a large chiffarobe in the hall. They always planned to
try and learn the name of the airman killed in the crash, but the war pressed on
and the ring was soon forgotten. That is until one day, when they went to get the
ring, it was gone. Vanished into thin air you might say, never to be seen again. It
didnt matter though, my mother and Aunt Jacqueline explained, We knew the
ring had been claimed by its rightful owner.
There you have it two theories, which may or may not explain why
spirits shared our home. Which one is right? Are they both right? These were
never relevant questions for me. You see, I just didnt care and as far as I was
concerned my only goal was to never be caught in the house alone with a spirit!
Frenchman or Civil War Vet made no difference to me. I meant never, ever to
see a ghost, as I fear the shock would be more than I could bear. That goal of
mine almost failed miserably late one hot summer night when I must have been
about 10 years old.
My sister, Lisa, my cousin, Laura Lea, and I were inseparable that
summer. After exhausting all topics of conversation Lisa and Laura Lea had
drifted off to sleep, but not me. I was still awake because it was so hot. There
was no air-conditioner in the house back then and we just made the best of it.
23
Tippy, Lalas little dog, was sleeping at the foot of the bed and as I lay there I
could hear the normal sounds of the night. Frog and cricket concertos drifted in
from outside. The low whir and hum of electrical appliances reverberated
throughout the house.
This is exactly how it was that hot summer night when I felt the bed
shake. It was ever so slight a shake a first, so I didnt have much trouble
convincing myself it was my imagination. Even so, my eyes were closed and I
dared not open them! Since it was my imagination, I was able to remain calm
-then I felt the bed shudder a second time! So much for my imagination! Every
muscle in my body tensed. I held my breath and waited. I could not believe this
was happening. Paralyzed with fear I squeezed my eyes so tight a tear rolled
from my eye to the pillow.
Minutes ticked by and nothing... My perception, my feeling, was that
something was at the foot of the bed trying to get my attention for one reason
only to make me look at it! Even now writing about it gives me chills and the
hair on the back of my neck stands up!
I had convinced myself I was crazy and nearly succeeded except for
one thing. This time the bed not only shook, but the dog GROWLED! I had
reached the end of my rope and that last shudder sent me over the edge!
AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! MAMA MAMA MAMA!!!
Mother and Lala rushed into the bedroom and my eyes popped open
as soon as the light came on. I was sobbing as I tried to tell them about my
horrible ordeal! There was something shaking the bed! I cried. I was scared
to death, but whatever it was had fled - unsuccessful in its sinister attempt to
make me look!
Poor Laura Lea and Lisa! They woke from sweet dreams to pure
mayhem and chaos. They didnt know what was going on but knew it was
something they wanted no part of! Mama and Lala checked under the bed and
in the closet until we were all satisfied there was nothing in the room. Of course
there was nothing in the room now, but they hadnt been there when the bed
was shaking, had they? Laura Lea, Lisa, and I huddled together after our nerves
settled and sleep finally came.
The next ghostly tale involves my mother and grandmother. We three
girls, Laura Lea, Lisa, and I were in that same bedroom behind the kitchen lying
in bed and trying to go to sleep. I must mention that ghosts were the farthest
things from our minds since it had been a while since they had made an intrusion
into our world. Out of sight out of mind, you know.
24
We listened to the conversations from the living room. Voices grew
louder as they approached, indicating the grownups were getting ready for bed,
too. Suddenly we heard a shriek and a voice cry, What was that! I was
always too nosey for my own good, so I sat up and listened. The two other
heads in the bed popped up as well.
I dont know! the conversation continued, Did you see it? This was
my mothers voice and at first I thought they had seen a mouse, and I was ready
to have a good laugh at them for being such scardy cats. But the tone in my
mothers voice told me it was no mouse! Laura Lea and Lisa knew it, too.
Quick as a wink we dove under the covers and didnt make a sound! The ghost
was on the move again!
Oh my Lord! said Lala. Joanne, what was it? Whereditgo? We
heard mom rush past our doorway in the hall, so we peeked out from under the
covers. As long as our mother was there we were brave, so I jumped out of
bed and Laura Lea and Lisa followed. What is it? What is it? What is it? we
asked over and over until we were told to hush! Speaking to my grandmother,
mother said, It brushed right through my skirt, swoosh, then it disappeared into
the wall here! Mother was very dramatic in her description, using her hand to
brush her skirt in time with the swoosh sound-effect she made.
Refusing to be ignored I started up again, What! What happened?
Mother turned and we followed her to the kitchen where she pulled a chair from
the table and sat down. Thats when we heard the whole story.
She and Lala had been standing in the doorway leading from the hall
into the living room. Mother got into position to recreate the scene. I remember
thinking that may not be too wise. What if the ghost was still creeping around?
I peered into the hall hesitantly to be sure and found the coast was clear.
Mother continued, saying she was standing in the doorway of the hall,
where it leads to the living room talking to Lala, who was in the kitchen. Out of
thin air a dark shadow of a shape ran from the living room, down the hall and
disappeared into the chiffarobe. It had passed so close to mother it made the
fabric of her full skirt move, as if caught by a gust of air.
Lala and mom were shaken but not frightened. The atmosphere in the
house was very calm, and we knew the excitement was over - for the time
being. In the days that followed the incident, we realized that the old chiffarobe
at the end of the hall where the spectral vision had vanished was the same
furniture where the pilots ring disappeared!
25
Another, and one of the most hair-raising episodes, took place one cold
winter night in late October. Mother, Lisa, and I had been left alone while Papa
and Lala went to eat at Daphne Lodge with Dave and Bradley Gortatoski.
Mother and I were in the den watching television and Lisa was in the tub when
we heard a low moan. At first, we thought it was part of the television show until
a commercial came on the noise didnt stop. It grew in volume and then stopped
abruptly. What was that? I asked. Mother was still listening when all of a
sudden, from what seemed to come from inside the house, rose a blood-chilling
scream the likes of which we had never heard. We jumped to our feet and
bolted toward the back thinking it was Lisa. We didnt get far as we met Lisa
somewhere in the middle. Naked and still soapy she heard the scream and
jumped from the tub to find us. She couldnt speak, only held her mouth open,
her eyes asking the question we had, What was that?
Lisa dried off and dressed and we all moved in a little huddle everywhere
we went - looking from room to room, but finding nothing. We sat squashed
together on the couch and thats where we were when Papa and Lala came
home. As they entered we rushed at them and told them the story of the blood-
curdling scream that was never explained and remains a mystery to this very
day.
No matter how scary things were, nobody had yet to be physically
attacked by one of the spirits in the house. Nobody that is until the night
Suzanne had her encounter with the ghost. Suzanne is the youngest of the five
cousins and was four years old when this happened, but she remembers it to this
day.
Tired and dirty from a day of play on the farm, Suzanne was ready for
her bath and then bed. My Mother took her from the mb and bundled her in a
towel to be dried. The bathroom is very small, so the two had stepped out into
the hall. Mother turned just for a second to get her pajamas and heard running
footsteps, followed by a loud slap. Suzanne began to wail and when mother
turned back around could not believe what she saw. A handprint was welting up
on the side of Suzannes face as she stood there screaming, her arms hugged to
her body by the towel she was wrapped in.
Well, Mother had a fit and asked what had happened. Suzanne stopped
crying, It hit my face! was all she said.
Who hit you? mother demanded. Lisa, Laura Lea, and me were out
in the den with Lala and Papa when we heard Suzanne crying and went to see
what was wrong.
26
I dont know, Suzanne cried and pointed to the wall behind her. It
went,there! Ut-Ohhh! We knew this wasnt good - wasnt good at all! The
ghost was back, so Lisa, Laura Lea, and I huddled up with each, moving from
room to room following the grown folks like we were tied together. Nobody
wanted to be left alone in any room of the house with the ghost on the prowl to
be the next victim!
Of course Papa, my grandfather, was impervious to all this commotion.
Nonsense, he called it, and as far as I know he never saw a ghost, never had
a close encounter with a ghost, and generally chalked all the happenings up to
hysterical women. Papa would tune us out, literally. Whenwewenttohollern
and carrying on about haints, as he called them, he would turn his hearing aid
off or take it out altogether.
For someone who was so blase about ghosts, Papa could tell some
scary stories! I remember Laura Lea, Lisa, and me listening to late night tales he
told - like the old lineman who was killed in a train accident. The train cut off his
arm and he bled to death, but still comes back to this day, carrying his lantern
looking for the missing limb.
Ghosts knew Lalas and Papas room was off limits. Thats why we
three little girls reveled when one of us was lucky to be able to sleep with Lala.
We knew it was safe. My mothers room was a different story, however. One
night she woke out of a sound sleep but couldnt move a muscle. She said it felt
as if she had been wrapped in chains and as suddenly as it came, it passed and
she was free! That was the last strange happening in the house.
After that daddy retired from the Marine Corps and soon we moved
into our own home. It was right down the road from my grandparents, and we
visited daily. These ghost tales are passed around today in our families. Our
children and now our childrens children hear them over and over, and sometimes
they are even a little scared thinking about them. We learned a valuable lesson
living in the ghost house - that sometimes a little fear of ghosts is a good thing that
will keep you safe. It did me.
Donna Tauber-King
27
Hatfield Versus the Mosquito -
Another Hatfield Feud
For over 50 years the name Reed Hatfield has been held in great renown
among hunters, fishermen and taxidermists all over southwest Georgia. He was
the man who could regularly bag two quail with one shot, retrieve 12 doves with
every 12 shots, haul in a lunker bass from almost any local stream or pond, or
call up a wild turkey with the best of them. Hardly a season came and went
without a trophy buck being taken by him. He was the first taxidermist in the
Albany/Leesburg area to become certified by the Georgia Taxidermy Association
in mounting game heads, birds, small animals, and fish. Over the years, he has
generously taken many of his friends on their first hunt or first fishing trip, has
shared with them his intimate knowledge of our native wildlife, and, ultimately
converted them to become avid outdoorsmen. Many young boys tell tales about
how they got their first taste of the great outdoors by following in Mr. Reeds
footsteps.
This man has spent years rambling in the local woods, streams and
swamps. Fearlessly, he gigged frogs while wading among the alligators, caught
rattlesnakes barehanded, and pulled many other stunts that often caused me, his
wife, to seriously doubt his sanity. Reeds Taxidermy Studio was a frequent
gathering place for showing off racks, swapping stories, and good-natured ribbing
about the one that got away.
It was, therefore, seemingly unimaginable when the news broke that this
rugged outdoorsman had been brought down by a tiny little mosquito.
Nonetheless, it was true. It was just a week prior to a planned pheasant-hunting
trip to South Dakota, when the first symptoms of fever, chills and severe headache
appeared. At first, it seemed to be just a case of the flu. By the third day,
however, the headache was, according to Reed, on the scale of 1-10 at least a
50. He then began to experience severe tremors and could not hold a spoon or
fork or drink from a glass without my holding it for him. He was falling asleep in
between bites as I tried to feed him. That is when I took charge and carried him
to the emergency room, despite his many protestations.
After 12 hours of demurral, IV fluids, x-rays, blood work, and a cat
scan, the pain was bearable, but no cause for it could be determined and he was
admitted to the hospital for more tests. After 4 days in the hospital, he was sent
home with the prognosis that it was a severe meningoen cephalitis
28
due to the West Nile Virus and that it might be 6 months to a year before he
would recover. Apparently, a pesky infected mosquito had bitten him while he
was doing yard work and cleaning our dock on the Muckalee Creek a couple
of weeks earlier.
After 3-4 weeks, he began to make tiny baby steps of progress. Each
day he seemed just a little stronger and the tremors seemed to decrease. Each
time he became overconfident and overextended himself, the headache would
get worse and the tremors would increase. A doctor friend told me, Go home
and start making Reed take some of those fish oil capsules. Those things are
brain food. He was right! Within several days after starting on the fish oil
capsules, we could see noticeable rapid improvement.
For this avid outdoorsman to be confined to his bed or a lounge chair
for weeks and months was almost as unbearable as that first headache pain had
been. Gradually he was able to walk one or two laps through the house each
day. But, his greatest feeling of accomplishment was in late December (two
months after the onset) when his best friend, Mike Doyal, was able to take him
to our hunting land and help him into a deer stand for a couple of hours. Mike
gave him a whistle and said, Now if you get to feeling tired, just blow that
whistle and 11 come back to get you down. Reed did not get a deer that day,
but he didnt have to blow the whistle, and that outing gave him the hope and
confidence that he was going to recover. And he did.
However, he never goes outside anymore without being armed with his
Deet spray .He doesnt intend to lose another feud with a pesky mosquito.
Glenna Hatfield
Only In a Small Town
Only in a small town where everyone knows everyone do you find that
everyone cares. When I was in the seventh grade in the late twenties our neighbors
(Mr. and Mrs. Hall) asked my parents to drive them to see a relative. After
church Daddy, Mama (Joseph and Helen Johnson) Mr. and Mrs. Hall and I
drove to Tifton. As we were nearing the house, a young drunk man drove out of
a side street at great speed and hit our car on the side. All of us were taken to
the Tifton Hospital. The boy was not hurt. Mr. Hall was not okay. Daddy had
a cut on his head. Mrs. Hall, Mama, and I were hurt pretty bad. We were
rushed to Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital. Mrs. Hall was checked out and
29
sent home. Mama and I were in the hospital over a week then sent home.
Mama had two pelvis breaks and a cracked hip bone. I had a broken collar
bone and could not walk. I remember when we arrived at Phoebe that night; I
thought everyone in Leesburg was there. When Mama and I came home it was
the same. My principal, Jim Mitchell picked me up and carried me in the house.
A few days later a circus came to town. The circus had an elephant the only
elephant to ever be in Leesburg. Mama and I could not walk. Our cook, Ann,
told me you would be able to see the parade from our kitchen window. A circus
parade with an elephant in Leesburg!! Ann said she would help me if I would try
to walk AND I DID! Mama and I recovered with the help of many neighbors
and friends.
Gwen Johnson Seanor
Small Town Caring
Many years later in the 40s, there was another instance of small town
caring, I would walk to the Post Office every morning about the same time as
Judge Martin. We would talk a while. This happened for about eight months
everyday. One morning I didnt get to the Post Office Judge Martin was worried
so when he reached his office he called his sister (Edith Martin) to see if she
knew what might be wrong. She told him I had had a baby the night before- a
boy (Larry Guilbeau). Judge Martin was shocked. He told his sister-NO-
SHE WASNT BIG- only in a small town would anyone notice!
Gwen Johnson Seanor
A Cold Hand
During the 50s and 60s I think those years are correct. Our Post
Office was not so large. The people working there could see people as they
came and usually said hello. Most times I would rush in to get the mail. My
box was above eye-level. I had to reach up and put my hand inside and pull the
mail out. Many times when Thad Gibson was working there, there would be a
cold hand in my box. I was always shocked. I usually cried out. You could
always hear chuckles from the workers. Here again that would not happen
except in a small town.
Gwen Johnson Seanor
30
Foots
Would you believe that in a small town people even care and know your
dog? Its true! I would let my dog out of his pen to run around when I got home
after teaching. One afternoon it was almost dark, Foots had not come back.
I called and called. No Foots. I was about to get in my car and go looking.
A police car drove in the driveway. John Wheaton (a policeman at that time)
picked up Foots out of his car and laid him on the ground. At first I thought he
was dead, but then he moved his head a little. John said He wasnt dead but
just tired and worn out. John found him lying by the side of a street; Foots
had been following a female in heat. I washed Foots down with the hose to
cool him off. Only in a small town.
Gwen Johnson Seanor
Wheres Larry
Only in a small town where people care, most everyone even knows the
names of the children. After my husbands death, I had moved back to Leesburg
in the 40s with my children (Larry and Ken Guilbeau). One day Ken and I
were in a back room of the house so I could see Larry in the backyard with his
new tricycle. As I was sewing I could watch him out of the window. Sometime
later the phone rang.
When I answered some man asked if I knew where my son, Larry was.
My heart must have stopped. Johnny Groover told me that Larry was almost at
the end of the sidewalk-beyond all the houses at that time- on U.S. Highway 19
South. I left Ken with my mama (Helen Johnson) and ran. Larry was okay but
tired. He had to petal all the way back after a scolding.
Gwen Johnson Seanor
Sun Pond
When my sons, Larry and Ken Guilbeau were 10 and 12, Little George
Moreland was so kind to them. He called me and told me that I could take them
fishing or hunting at the Sun Pond. This was so wonderful for them. Their
grandfather (Joseph Johnson) had taught them hunting safety and taught them to
fish. We will always be grateful to him.
Gwen Johnson Seanor
31
Fishin and Other Stuff
Living on the old dirt road, that is now Highway 118, there wasnt a lot
to do. Sometimes a bunch of boys would get together and go fishin. Now
there are lots of ways boys can get a mess of fish if they really put their minds to
it. Sometimes we would go to a pond, take a hoe and muddy the water and
when the fish came to the top we would scoop them up with a bucket in our
hands. One night we caught some fish this way and had a fire going in a com
field behind Dennards store. We were cooking fish and having a good time.
There were a few peach trees nearby so our meal consisted of fried fish and
peaches. We were doing good until Cousin Bobby steeped in the frying pan of
hot grease that someone had just taken off the fire and put on the ground. He
was barefoot. Kinda put an early end to the fish fry.
We were mudding up another pond one afternoon and we had caught
several fish when someone reached in around some tree roots along the bank
and yelled out he had a big eel. He pulled it out and he was holding a large
cottonmouth. End of that fishing trip.
Another method we used to catch fish was to put baskets in the ditches
in the spring when ponds and creeks would be high with run-off from the spring
rains. We would always catch fish this way. One spring Daddy had a few
baskets in Muckalee Creek. One day as we were going down the creek in a
boat, I was in the front pulling up baskets. I pulled up one that was tied to a
limb. The basket had several bream in it. There was also a large otter in the
basket, apparently to eat the fish. When I pulled the basket into the boat the
otter was staring at me. He was dead but I didnt know it. It scared me so bad
that I threw the basket with the otter in it back into the creek. Daddy got the
basket out and took the otter home, cured the hide and sold it. I didnt want to
pull anymore baskets in for a long time after that incident.
Several years later Daddy had a basket in a ditch that came from Eagle
Pond. We lived across the highway from the pond. I would check the baskets
every day after school. One afternoon I walked thru the woods to the ditch,
reached down and put my fingers through the mesh wire and lifted the basket. I
think there were some fish in it, but all I saw was a big cottonmouth smiling at
me, just like that otter had. I dont remember ever pulling any more baskets.
Sometime we would walk to Muckalee Creek and set out some hooks
to try to catch catfish. When we caught some we would fry them for supper.
But just in case we didnt catch any, we always carried some fat back and
32
hoecake bread with us. We also took coffee. We made the coffee by filling up
a syrup can with creek water, putting it on the fire and letting it boil. Then we
threw in a handful of coffee. Now if you dont think this will keep you awake all
night just try it sometimes. We had to stay up and keep the fire going to keep the
wildcats back. I dont know how big they were but they sounded huge when
they screamed.
TomUsiy
Family Life in the City of Leesburg
The Paul Stamps family was very family oriented. Mother and Daddy
were Paul and Evie Stamps. Their five children were, Edgar, Paula, Irma, Ronny
and Cecil.
We had lived in Albany where Daddy worked for the Central of Georgia
railroad. Our parents decided they wanted to raise their family in a small town
where the people knew one another and cared for everyone. They would ride
around from one small town to another. They wanted a town that was not far from
Albany because of Daddys job. He found out Mr. Gant wanted to sell their large
house and live in their small one. Daddy and Mr. Gant came to an agreement and our
parents bought that house from Mr. Gant. The house was in a real good location,
just across the street from Mr. & Mrs. T. C. Tharp.
We moved into this house and immediately began to meet new friends.
We lived now only a half block from school, about two blocks from church and
probably about five blocks from town and the post office. There was no home mail
delivery. Everyone who lived in Leesburg had a post office box in the post office
to receive their mail. And it was only about ten miles from Albany where Daddy
worked. Later, Mother also worked in Albany.
We immediately started going to church at Leesburg Baptist Church,
where we later became members. Mother and Daddy were Christians and made
sure we got into Sunday School and Church. And we children enjoyed training
union on Sunday nights. Before we moved from Albany, we lived in the country
where there was no church close enough for us to go. So, Mother talked with a
Minister of a church and he agreed to come to our house on Sunday afternoon
and have services there where neighbors came too. Mother taught the Sunday
School lessons to the children who came before the minister arrived. As
33
children, we enjoyed that, but it wasnt like being in church. At Leesburg Baptist
Church we would have dinner on the grounds after church one or two times a year.
This was usually at homecoming or Easter. Even after I got married and had children
and lived away, we would go back for homecoming and enjoy the service as well as
the good food the Leesburg women, who were all good cooks, would bring. Those
were exciting times.
Edgar and I were in the seventh grade when we moved to Leesburg.
Irma was in grammar school. Ronny and Cecil were too young for school when
we first moved there. Edgar and I loved the school and were involved in all activities,
especially basketball which we really loved. He was a member of the boys team
and I was a member of the girls team. Mother and Daddy liked basketball and
went to most of the games. Mother played basketball when she was in high school.
Leesburg was a very friendly and caring community where everyone knew
and cared for their neighbor. In this small town, everyone was your neighbor. If
a person in Leesburg died, all the stores in town closed during the funeral out of
respect for that person. Most then went to the funeral and opened the stores again
after the funeral was over.
After Mother went to work in Albany, she and Daddy rode to work and
back together. On days we didnt have a ballgame or had to practice after school,
Edgar and I took turns cooking supper and cleaning the house so both would be
done when our parents got home from work.
Mine and Edgars senior class was the last class to graduate in eleven
years. We graduated in May and I got married in August. Edgar was to go into the
Navy after graduation but made arrangements to wait until I got married to leave for
the Navy. He then left about a week later. I cant imagine having two of my children
leave home at almost the same time. It must have been hard on Mother and Daddy
at first. We were such a close knit family.
Then there were only three children at home. Irma was entering high school
and was a lot of help to Mother. She always loved playing with her dolls. She
said from the time she was very young that all she wanted to be was a wife and
mother. She now had two little brothers she looked after when school was out.
Ronny and Cecil both were in school by now. She was happy doing this and it
did give her good training. She certainly was a good wife and mother when she got
married and had her children, Vicki and Greg. Even though she loved her home
life looking after her brothers and cooking etc. that was not all she did. She had her
riends that she enjoyed. Eunice Culpepper who was a dear best friend through out
the years. Laura Jean Breeden was also a dear friend. They all seemed to have a lot
34
in common especially Irma and Eunice. Later after all were married, pretty Laura
Jean died at such a young age. This was a sad day.
After Irma graduated from high school she joined the Air Force. She
wanted to be where she could see as much of our United States and the world
as she could. However, she never did get out of the States. She was trained to be a
dental technician in the Air Force. It was while she was working in the dental
office of the Air Force that an Airman by the name of Ralph E. Kielsmeier came in
for a dental appointment. They met, sparks began to fly and they started dating.
Later they were married in Leesburg Baptist Church. I made her wedding dress and
the attendants dresses. It was a beautiful wedding. She made a beautiful bride. She
had the most beautiful red hair of anyone. Now, she was married, later had her
two children and was happy being the wife and mother she had always wanted to
be. Later years her children had her some grandchildren. Now she was a happy
lady to have her children who were now grown and had given her those precious
grandchildren. She was indeed a good mother and grandmother that she was cut
out to be. She has since passed away and is missed so by all her loved ones and
friends.
Ronny and Cecil were boys who at a young age loved one another but also
loved to fight, as well as play and climb trees. As they did so many days, on this
particular day they were climbing the chinaberry tree. Cedi climbed up and somehow
he fell out of the tree and it knocked the breath out of him. He just lay there and did
not move. This frightened his brother, Ronny. Ronny went to him to see if he was
breathing, he was not. Ronny checked him again and he still was not breathing.
Ronny was scared but started CPR on Cecil to get him to breath. Sure enough he
began to breath. Ronny didnt think it was such a big deal, he just helped his brother
get his breath and start breathing again. But Mother said Ronny did actually save
Cecils life. She was very grateful for that as we all were. But, you know what?
That did not stop them from climbing trees. As we all know, boys will be boys.
Later, after Irma had left with the Air Force, only two children, Ronny
and Cecil were at home. They were still young but in school. Daddy became
sick. He was in and out of the hospital both in Albany and Savannah at the Central
of Georgia hospital. They still could not find his problem, even though he was in
a lot of pain most of the time. The last year of his life he spent in the hospital in
Savannah except for twice when he was able to come home for only a couple of
days at a time before he had to go back due to the pain. The last few months of his
life he needed someone to be with him at the hospital. Even though Mother had to
work, her boss let her off often to go stay with Daddy. She and I took turns
35
staying a week or so with him. Depending on how he was, we sometime were
there at the same time. Many times I took my small children with me and took the
maid, Minnie with me to take care of the children. But Daddy was able to see them
for a short time. Edgar lived in Valdosta with his family and had to work and could
not get off for long periods of time. He would come on weekends to be with
Daddy when he could. Irma came home on leave for a few days before Daddy got
real bad but we could all see that he was getting worse. Knowing someone needed
to be with him day and night, Irma put in for a hardship discharge so she could
go to Savannah and stay with Daddy. She was able to get the discharge, but
Daddy died a day or two before she got home. This was hard on Irma. She
wanted so badly to be able to be with him and take care of him the best she
could. Several of us family members were with him when he died including his
two sisters, Ophie and Nina. This was a sad day for all of us.
Later Ronny graduated from high school and joined the Navy. Cecil was
still so young when Daddy died and was still in school. He later got a job and
started working. It wasnt but a few months after Daddy died that Cecil went to
work for the Wingfields and traveled with them to help look after their horses. He
was able to travel some. Later he married the love of his life, Marie Rainwater
who also lived in Leesburg and they had been pals long before they fell in love
and got married.
Mother and Daddy had three of their five children serve their country in
military service. Two in the United States Navy and one in the United States Air
Force. All five were married and had wonderful children and grandchildren. I
love ALL my siblings and want to see them as often as possible. We try to have a
family reunion at least once a year and hope that all siblings and their families can
be together as often as possible.
Daddy was bom December 7,1903 and died October 25,1956. Mother
was bom July 27,1910 and died March 19,1992. Irma was bom November
3,1937 and died March 22,2005. Those of us who are left, have a big void in
our life with our Mother, Daddy and Sister gone. We are close, love one another and
look forward to seeing all our family again one day.
Paula Stamps Smith
36
m
Ronny Stamps Irma Stamps Edgar Stamps
Kielsmeier
Walter and Geneva
Some people come into our lives and leave a footprint on our hearts.
Walter Winky Scott and his wife, Geneva, lived across the street from us at
one time. Becky had a little white dog named Heidi that her grandfather gave
her when we first moved down here in 1980. She loved that little dog and they
played together in the backyard all the time. The Scotts had watched her playing
with that dog and knew how much she loved it. One day Heidi was walking
down the side of the street when a fast car came along, hit the dog, and kept
going. Walter saw it all happen. Becky was devastated as we all were. That
night Bill called me into the kitchen. There was Walter and Geneva standing
there holding their most precious possession, their little, white, fluffy dog, Snowball.
Snowball was like their child and they loved it so much. With tears in his eyes,
Walter handed the dog to Bill and said, Mr. Bill, I want you to have Snowball
for the little girl. We knew we couldnt take their dog and it took a lot of crying
and persuading to get Walter and Geneva to keep their little dog. But, that night
in my kitchen, I glimpsed the face of God when Walter and Geneva wanted to
give up their most precious possession to bring hope, peace, and joy back into
a little girls life.
Sandy Caldbeck
Here Comes Bonnie!!!!!!!!
To all pet owners, animals are special, however there was one of ours in
particular that was very special to us. Bonnie, was her name... .a mixed breed
(Heinz 57, but mostly of the German shepherd family) was bom under the house
of my parents in Lumpkin, Georgia. Her mother, whom we called Littler Girl,
(who incidentally was very large and a stray who had shown up from who
knows where) had taken up residence under the house. It was there that she
gave birth to not one, not two, not three, but TWELVE little offsprings. Needless
to say, my parents could not care for this many puppies; thus, one came home to
Leesburg with us on one of our Lumpkin visits.
Now Bonnie grew up as any other dog and became a large gentle loving
pet. She was brownish, black with a white neck and throat. She never was one
to roam about as dogs could before the days of the leash law. However, there
was one exception to her behavior: She was PETRIFIED OF BAD WEATHER!
When threatening weather became an issue, Bonnie, upon the first clap
of thunder, or bolt of lightning, would leave our house (we live on Linden Road)
cross over US 19, over the railroad tracks, proceed to the south end of the
courthouse, where my husband, Page, worked. At this point, she would push
the door open, go into his office, shaking and trembling because of the weather.
This happened on so many occasions that a push on the door was recognized
by the office personnel who would then exclaim, HERE COMES BONNIE!
Patricia Tharp
Miss Kate Harris, Unofficial Historian
Miss Kate Harris was a longtime postmistress of Leesburg, unofficial
historian of Lee County and correspondent for a daily newspaper with wide
circulation. She loved Lee County and wanted to preserve its history. In the
1930s Miss Kate wrote an article about George Larsen, a native of Denmark,
who had immigrated to the United States and after living in several states moved
to a Lee County farm where he spent the remainder of his life. This article
follows.
38
Making a Living on a Georgia Farm
By: Kate Harris
Making a living on a Lee County Georgia farm is the easiest thing in the
world. This remark, unusual at any time, or any place in Georgia, was made by
George Larsen who owns 850 acres in Lee County, bordering on the Sumter
County Line. When Mr. Larsen bought this farm 12 years ago, the people in the
neighborhood laughed about it and also at him, because the land was considered
extremely poor.
Just a piece of land to hold the world together, one of the neighbors
said. What are you going to do with such a place? Mr. Larsens reply was,Oh,
I made a little moneyin Florida and have come here to spend it. lS (
Now, the land that 12 years ago was considered so poor by those who
had lived near it for a lifetime is considered the most valuable in the county on a
comparative basis.
Mr. Larsen was bom in Denmark, which he remembers as a land of
small, well-tended farms. As a boy of 12 he came to his country in 1879 with his
parents, Mr. And Mrs. Mat Larsen. They settled in Wisconsin. Their method of
making a living was laughed at by their Wisconsin neighbors. The senior Mr.
Larsen got his start by buying large quantities of cattle feed and converting it into
beef for the markets. This was a new procedure in the neighborhood, but soon
others followed his example and were profiting by it.
George Larsen has lived in four states, but says he is settled for the
remainder of his life in Lee County. He says, I like the people. I like the climate,
and the taxes are lower than in any other place I have ever lived. Having lived
in four states, I feel qualified to speak on the subject.
Mr. Larsens first move from Wisconsin, with its below-zero winter
weather, was to Madison County, Mississippi. Here he bought a run-down farm
with dilapidated buildings for $5.00 per acre. His neighbors told him that he was
paying a dear price for the place. He lived there ten years. In addition to making
a good living for his family, he improved the soil and remodeled the run-down
farm buildings to such and extent that he sold out for $50.00 per acre.
From Mississippi he went to Florida, where he remained eight years.
He came away with enough money to buy the Lee County farm. Having learned
of cattle from his grandparents in Denmark, Mr. Larsen began here with common
39
Georgia cows and gradually improved his herd until he now has 36 milk cows.
His farm is fenced and cross-fenced, making eleven pastures. He did not sell
the milk but the cream. This he has found requires less labor and is more profitable.
What this country needs is more cows, he said. I would be glad to see my
neighbors start in with at least ten milk cows each, and have some one to take
the cream to market as it is done in the North where the bucks visit the farms
and pick up the milk cans..
His last weeks cream check amounted to $55.25, and this was an
average week. The cream is sold in Albany, a distance of about thirty miles.
Mr. Larsen co-operates with the Triple A program and is the only farmer
in the county to receive allotments for four crops. They are wheat, cotton, tobacco
and peanuts. For improving the soil, he has used crotalaria, lespedeza, Austrian
whiter peas, velvet beans, soybeans and field peas. In the eleven pastures he
uses grass mixtures and clovers. Last year he planted 30 acres in wheat for
home consumption. Other crops include watermelons and cantaloupes, com
and sugar cane. A year round garden is maintained.
An average of thirty tons of peanuts and thirty bales of cotton are
produced. About forty calves are on the farm now. When put on the market
they will bring top prices. They are fed on skim milk, which is also used in
feeding pigs. The surplus meat of about a ton is usually disposed of to the farm
laborers. Fryers are also an additional source of revenue.
During the depression years, when lumber and other building material
were cheap, Mr. Larsen made extensive improvements. He assisted in all this
work himself. Timber on the place was exchanged for lumber at a near by mill.
One of the most attractive country homes in this section was built for the family
and another for a married son. Five large bams and two smaller ones were built
and tenant houses improved.
Farm laborers are paid weekly at the rate of 75 cents per day. They are
furnished a home and are permitted to have a garden, chickens, hogs and a cow
and are given all the skim milk that they can use. Only five men and their families
are needed for the operation of the farm.
Five wells and a spring furnish water.
Kate Harris
40
A Joke That Backfired
Many years ago in time long past, it was the custom, and in some cases
necessary, that someone sit up with the dead during the night hours. Thus, this
became the lot of my great-granddaddy, Andrew Addison Paul and one of his
friends.
While sitting with the corpse in the casket, they decided to put some
sweet potatoes in the ashes of the fireplace and eat them later during the night.
As time passed, his friend kept going to sleep, and nothing seemed to keep him
awake. My granddaddy tried everything to wake him, but to no avail.
Becoming quite agitated over this, and since now there was no one
to talk to, Granddaddy decided to play a joke on his friend, some saying that he
was quite good at such a thing. He propped the dead man up in his casket,
extended his right arm and placed one of the sweet potatoes in the corpses
hand. He then went outside, took a cane fishing pole, poked it through a crack
in the window, and jostled his sleepy friend calling out Wake up, Wake up,
Wake up!
His friend then woke up, saw the dead man sitting up in the casket with
arm extended and holding the potato in his hand. With a blood-curdling scream,
he leaped to his feet and flew out of the house! Granddaddy bent over with
laughter, kept yelling Come back; come back; come back, but he never did
return.
My granddaddy soon realized that the joke was really on him, as he had
to spend the rest of the night by himself alone. It has been said, however, that he
continued to play jokes from time to time, but he kept his word to never again
put a sweet potato in a dead mans hand!!!
Page Tharp
Lee County Primary School Named National School of Excellence
The Lee County School System was receiving rapid growth in the 1970s.
A large number of families with young children were moving into the county seeking
good schools. This rapid growth required more classrooms, more teachers and
support personnel. The schools were fast developing a reputation for high quality,
41
with two schools being named Georgia Schools of Excellence. Because of the good
reputation, the number of applicants for teaching jobs was multiplying rapidly.
In 1987, a new school, Lee County Primary School, was built to house
kindergarten, first and second grades. With an abundance of applications, the school
was able to choose only the best applicants to fill vacancies. Soon the school had
become a focal point for quality instruction. Teachers were willing to put in extra
hours to accommodate conferences with the parents who were working and much
emphasis was placed on parental involvement The scores in this school were tops
in the state and schools from all ova- South Georgia began visiting the school to learn
what was happening here. A large group of Georgias Elementary Principals came to
visit the school while attending the Georgia Association of Elementary Principals
conference in nearby Albany. The entire faculty and staff were committed to excellence
and creativity, which was evident in every area of the school. There was a spirit of
cooperation which permeated the atmosphere at all levels within the school.
In 1989, Lee County Primary was named a Georgia State School of
Excellence. A large group of teachers, administrators, parents and a student attended
the Awards Banquet in Atlanta to receive the state honor. Paige Martin, a second
grade student was the youngest student there and gave an outstanding acceptance
speech in receiving the award for the school.
In 1990, Lee County Primary was designated a National School of
Excellence, the only elementary level school in Southwest Georgia to receive this
honor. The school was notified that an official would visit the school to verify that the
school did indeed deserve the honor. Teachers, parents, students and personnel
were to be interviewed. The parents and school personnel were so excited and
joined efforts to get the building and grounds ready for the visit. Parents planted
flowers in every comer, the building was checked for cleanliness and every thing
looked great.
On March 31, Channel 10 TV predicted a big host for the next day, April 1,
the day the visitor would be there. Henry Jackson, head custodian, was asked to
place cardboard over the tender young flowers for the night and remove them early
the next morning before the visit. Around eight o clock on the next morning, Mrs.
Cannon, the Principal arrived with the official, only to discover the cardboard was
still on the flowers. This was so shocking because Henry was so reliable. Luckily, the
official did not notice the flower beds because she was more interested in the archi-
tecture of the buildings. When Mrs. Cannon and the visitor arrived at the doors to
the school, Henry Jackson opened the doors and said to the visitor, Morning,
Maam, were glad you could visit our school! Mrs. Cannon realized that Henry
42
knew that this was a big day and that he was a vital part of the celebration. This was
the kind of spirit that earned the school such a high honor. Everyone, teachers,
administrators, paraprofessionals, custodians, lunchroom personnel, students and
parents were all pulling together and producing a learning climate which enabled
each child to perform their best!
Later that year, a representative group from the school, Mrs. Opal Cannon,
Principal, Mrs. Mary Barrett, Asst. Principal, Courtney Kile, Student, and Linda
Kile, Parent went to Washington, D.C. to receive the Award. As the sign in front of
the school says, Lee County Primary School is AVery Special Place to Learn.
Hats off to a wonderful team!
Opal R. Cannon
Mama and the Squirrel
As a 4th generation Lee Countian I have always been proud of and
appreciated the beauty and richness of this sleepy Southwest Georgia community.
Now one of the fastest growing counties in the country, its safe to say our secret
is out. In Lee County agriculture still rules much of the region. My familys farm
is nestled in northeast Lee County along the banks of the Flint River and is
surrounded by larger plantations so it retains the illusion of a bygone era.
My mother, Joanne Tauber, still lives on the old farm, in a house in the
woods and sees a wide range of critters regularly. Two giant hawks live high in
the trees overhead. Mama swears they wait till she comes outside so they can
dive-bomb her. Deer are abundant so the sight of a fawn eating out of her cats
food bowl comes as no surprise to anyone- except maybe the cat.
On Sundays after church I frequently follow mother home to spend the
day and bring relaxing clothes to change into. Monday morning after one of my
visits, mother headed to the mailbox for her paper and caught sights of something
strange. What does that squirrel have? she thought.
A gray fox squirrel, larger than a house cat, makes daily trips around the
yard. Mother was not surprised to see him, but she was curious about what he
was dragging. She started toward him mumbling, What are you doing? The
fox squirrel saw her coming, but refused to drop his prize, becoming more earnest
in his efforts to make it to the trees. Mothers step quickened and the fox squirrel
43
pulled harder. It was now a race, one my mother won, though I knew the
squirrel had to make just one move in her direction to send her fleeing in terror.
I only wish I had been there to see it!
Mother won the game of nerves and the squirrel finally had to surrender
his found treasure and retreat to the nearest tree. From the safety of a big oak
he looked back over his shoulder. He had been so close but thered be no prize
today.
As she reached the spot where the squirrel gave up, mother looked
down. She cocked her head from side to side, reached down and picked up
the black, silky item. She could not believe her eyes. Newspaper forgotten,
she headed inside as the squirrel gave her the evil eye, plotting his revenge.
Mother called me at work. Guess what I did this morning? she asked
in her youre not going to believe this tone.
What? I knew it was useless to guess. From past experiences it could
have been anything.
I went to get my paper and saw that big ole gray fox squirrel dragging
something black. I chased him down and you know what he had? I already
told her I didnt know, but played along, No, what?
I saved it for you, was all she said. What had she saved for me that a
fox squirrel had and I would want? What? What? What did you save for me?
I had played into her hands.
I didnt believe it at first, she said- teasing me- dragging the tale out.
That squirrel had your black slip! He was taking it to his nest to strip pieces,
but I saved it!
How had that squirrel gotten my undergarment? Then it hit me- of
course! I must have dropped it on the way to my car when I left her house
yesterday. I could just see it- the squirrel first finding the slip, curious and then
amazed at his good fortune. Im sure his little squirrel mind was awhirl at the
possibilities of his find. He almost got away too, until mother entered the picture.
I could just see the determination in his little squirrel eyes as he hurried toward
his tree with the slip in tow. Then the sad resignation on his furry little face as he
realized the prize was lost.
I laughed as I imagined mother chasing down the squirrel to find out
what he had. GO MOM! She said she would bring my slip by tomorrow. I
thanked her, but was laughing too hard and had to hang up.
After that we found large hard green sticky pinecones scattered in her
driveway. It meant instant death if one hit you on the head when they fell. We
44
took this as a veiled fox squirrel threat that held grim connotations for
Mother. After that when going to the mailbox Mother was like a guerrilla fighter,
tiptoeing from tree to tree as she made her way to the road, all the while watching
for the squirrel or one of his furry friends.
Mother made peace with that fox squirrel, at least thats her story. Of
course, she drives to collect both the paper and mail now. I think shes smart
because that squirrel wouldnt give up so easily next time.
Donna Tauber King
Gathering of the Greens
On occasions in the spring, Bobby and I have invited descendants of
the first Green settlers in Lee County to our house. Sometimes weve had as
many as fifty who attended and some from as far away as Florida and North
Carolina.
After getting acquainted and talking about genealogy, our distant relatives
wanted to visit the Green Cemeteries on our farm and on Gray Moss Farm,
owned by Charles Crisp, to locate the graves of their ancestors. After the
search we invited them back to our house for refreshments and more visiting
with kin.
Our daughters, Carol Ann and Melody, always enjoyed the company
and looked forward to the next time the Greens would come. Soon after
Christmas they began asking, When are we going to have another cemetery
party?
I answered, That doesnt sound very inviting. (Instantly, I had a mental
picture of collards and turnips.) Just call it a Gathering of the Greens.
Betty Ann Clay
Riding to the Cotton Gin
When I was a little girl in the 1950s, the mechanized cotton picker was
not in wide spread use, if at all in Lee County. All the cotton had to be picked by
hand by farm workers and day laborers. Unlike today, when you went by a
cotton field, you could look and see exactly which rows had been picked. All
the cotton was gone on the rows that were picked, not just some of it.
45
On the late fall afternoons; I would go with my daddy and brothers to
the cotton field that was being picked that day. Those that had picked that day
would gather with their cotton sacks that they had drug behind them that day
and filled with cotton. Everyone was paid in cash at the end of the day for the
amount picked.
All the cotton had to be weighed on the spot. To do this, a big burlap
square was placed on the ground. Each person would dump the contents of
their sack onto it one at a time. The four comers of the square would be pulled
up and hooked to stay together during the weighing. The cotton was then hooked
to a scale, and the two strongest men would hoist it onto their shoulders as the
scale hung from a fence post or a strong limb between the two men. My daddy
would read the scale, and the bag would be placed back on the ground. While
the person who picked that bundle was paid by the number of pounds picked,
it would be taken over and dumped into a wagon or on the back of a side
bodied truck.
After all the cotton had been weighed and everyone paid, it was time to
get the cotton to the gin. By this time it was usually dark, so wed go home, eat
supper and go to the gin after we ate.
Now this was my favorite time of the day. I got to ride on the cotton to
the gin. I was too young to ride by myself so my mama or brothers would have
to be with me for safety. Id get on the wagon or into the back of the truck and
bounce around like a little bunny rabbit all over that cotton. As we went to
Leslie to the gin, I would lie back on the cotton and sometimes cover myself up
withit. Id pick the seed out of some of the bolls. Sometimes Id throw it at my
brothers. When in a wagon and being pulled by a tractor, sometimes sparks
would come from the tractor stack and land on the cotton. I imagined myself a
fireman and would pinch out the sparks on the cotton as it began to bum. Little
did I know at that age that a fire in cotton is a possibility.
As we would drive the six or so miles to the gin, I often just lay back and
looked up at the crystal clear night sky. On many nights the moon would be high
and bright in the sky. As we rode along, the landscape of fields and neighbors
and friends houses would be beautifully visible in the moonlight. The air would
be crisp and cool to flat out cold. I never cared though, because I was as happy
as any child could be.
Charlene Usry
46
Small Town Memories
The best memories of small town living are the ones that are told by the
old buildings. Downtown Leesburg has a lot of old buildings that tell some of
the best stories you will ever hear. As a child, I can still remember great volumes
of information just beginning from the all important question - Who lives or
works there?
Alan Long
A Grandmothers Last Gift
My mother, Jane Tison McRee, died on February 9,2003. Several
months after her death, we were packing up some of her things and came across
a box of unused cookbooks published by the Smith ville Garden Club in 1977.
One of her granddaughters said she would like to have one. So I reached into
the box and gave her one to take home. That night I got an excited phone call
from her. To her surprise when she opened the cookbook she found a note
addressed to her from her grandmother written in 1978. The next day we
searched the box of cookbooks, and as we had hoped, found two other
cookbooks each one addressed to her other two granddaughters and also dated
1978. We assume that mamas intentions were to write a message to each of
the girls and give them the cookbook when they were older. She evidently put
these three books back in the box with the others and they stayed in there lost
and forgotten for over twenty-five years.
It has been difficult for us to believe that this was just a coincidence.
That out of a whole box of forgotten books, we would randomly pick up a book
and give it to the one person for whom it had been intended twenty-five years
ago. I guess that coincidence is the only rational explanation. But we choose to
believe that Mama found a way to give her granddaughters one last gift.
Claudia McRee Copeland
47
Cookie Fun
One day, on February 2007, at my grandmas work under some
dangerous equipment, there was a little black and white Manx! She was so shy
under there... Tuesday, my grandma was done working, she took her home!
Wednesday, at school and daycare I took notes and at 5:00 p.m., I went home
and showed the names that I had taken down to my mom and then my grandma.
Grandma liked... Cookie for her name! And now, Cookie is ten months old
already
Cheyenne Brown
The All Important Road Trip
Living in Lee County always provided a wealth of knowledge about so
many different things. Being one of four brothers, we always provided our own
entertainment. How our parents ever got us all ready for the same trip, at the
same time, in the same vehicle seems like such an accomplishment in todays
fast paced lifestyle.
Alan Long
Xena
She weighs roughly 85 pounds and looks like she might have some
Rottweiler in her blood line, but Xena is the gendest dog I have even known. My
father got her as a puppy but was unable to keep her when he moved to a
smaller place. So Xena came to live with my family. She fit right in to our dirt
road, county way of life. Every morning she can be found scouting out her
territory with her nose to the ground like a trusty bloodhound. In the evening
she sleeps in front of the front door. Nothing special so far, right? Well, let me
tell you...
Xena has, several times, captured the little Pomeranian that also lives
with us. She follows that ball of fur across the yard, loping along in front of her
sometimes to turn her around, pushing her in the right direction with a huge paw
, and shaking her massive head like a mother with an errant child. Eventually,
Peanut gets the message and runs back to the house. Xena is protective of all of
her friends though.
48
Our rabbit loves to dig burrows in his fenced pen. With the ground for
a floor, it is natural that his borrows sometimes extend beyond the fence. When
that happens the rabbit makes a hopping escape to various parts of the yard.
Once he ventured close to the wilderness area when I know I could not catch
him. Just about the time we gave up and decided he would become a wild
bunny, Xena came to the rescue. Now, keep in mind that this is a dog that brings
me gifts of rabbits she has caught in the field, rabbits she particularly enjoys
cleaning her teeth on. When she bounded off the porch towards the rabbit, I
thought for sure it was the end of it. Instead Xena slowed down just in front of
the rabbit and lowered her head slowly. Gently, she began to nudge the rabbit
back up the hill, in the direction of his pen. Every once in a while the rabbit
would quit hopping, whereupon, Xena would push him forward with her nose.
As the rabbit neared the pen, I opened the gate and stood back in wonder.
Xena led the rabbit right through the gate, gave him a good wet lick on his head
and sat back as I closed the gate. She has repeated this feat a few other times
and many are the mornings I have seen her greeting the rabbit with her nose
against the fence and the rabbit on his hind legs stretching close enough to
exchange nose kisses.
Xena also protects her ducks from other predators, of which we have
plenty out on Lumpkin Road. She loves to chase the ducks back to the pond
when they get too close to the house but she does not like anything else getting
too close to the ducks either. She has been seen chasing off a few foxes, a
coyote who did manage to get away with a duck, and to bark furiously at birds
of prey circling overhead. She feels it is her due to have some of the ducks
bread when they are being fed. I guess it is only right, after all, she earns it.
The most special relationship Xena has with another living being is with our
granddaughter. From the time we first put Rhiannon on a quilt under the Bradford
pear tree, Xena has been her protector. She sat right at the edge of the quilt and
whined every time the baby made a noise. When Rhiannon began walking,
Xena was there to lean on and have her tail tugged when wobbly little girl legs
gave out. If you see Rhiannon riding her bike down the driveway, or running
across the yard, you will see Xena close behind. Once, to see what she would
do, we left the baby sleeping under the tree and walked away to the porch.
Xena became very upset with us for leaving her little girl. She shook her head,
moaned in misery and walked in circles around the quilt until we returned. Then
she licked our hands and resumed her rightful position- lying quietly at the edge
of the quilt to watch over her girl.
49
An excellent watchdog, her looks are menacing, a wonderful protector,
gentle as a lamb, Xena is indeed the Wonderdog that our granddaughter has
nicknamed her. She is indeed a good ol dog.
Debra Smith
Memories of my years in Leesburg bring to mind the sweetest, most
remarkable lady you could ever know, Miss Pauline Tharp.
We lived across the street from the Tharps. There were Mr. & Mrs. Tharp
and Page, their son who at that time was in high school. Mr. Tharp was one of the
nicest gentlemen in every sense of the word. He was a quiet man who went to work
every day and took care of his family. Their son Page was a typical good guy that
they could be and were very proud of.
Miss Pauline, as she was affectionately known walked most every place she
went She enjoyed walking. She did more for the people of Leesburg than we could
ever tell or even remember. When there was a program or activity at school where
a piano was needed, Miss Pauline was there. She was there for the students practice
as well as the programs. She was there to play the piano at chapel and all other
activities where needed. The remarkable thing was, she truly enjoyed every minute
of it. She also played the piano at Leesburg Baptist Church for years for most all
services.
She was there for weddings and funerals doing what she did so well, playing
that piano. F m not sure she realized just how much we all appreciated her.
Rhiannon Belcher & Xena
Aaron Hutchinson, Rhiannon,
& Xena
Miss Pauline
50
Many days, I would walk across the street to see her and she would go in
and play for me. She could play anything, the soft melodies so popular back then,
the jazz and classical as well as religious. You name it and she could play it.
Miss Pauline also wrote music. I dont know if she ever did, but I am sure
she could have published some of her own pieces if she had looked into it She once
told me she thought of it but I do not know if she ever did.
My mother, Evie Stamps, loved Miss Pauline and visited with her often.
Mother once was complaining to Miss Pauline that she was dissatisfied with her
weight and wanted to lose some pounds. Miss Pauline with her sweet caring way
just looked at mother and told her that she was not fat; she was just soft and cuddly.
Mother had a pretty voice and could sing anything, but had the most beautiful alto
voice I ever heard. They enjoyed it when mother would go over and Miss Pauline
would play and they would sing. I would go sometime during these visits. I would try
to sing with them because they sounded so good and were having so much fun. But,
I do not have a singing voice and just could not do them justice. But I enjoyed those
sessions very much.
There were many good deeds Miss Pauline was always busy with. There is
no way I could begin to tell all she did for others. She truly loved all that she did that
helped someone.This lady was truly a saint. A wonderful Christian lady who was
such an example of all good. She was truly Miss Leesburg so far as we were
concerned. Everyone loved Miss Pauline, but no one loved her more than the Paul
Stamps family who lived across the street.
Paula Stamps Smith
Ethelind Cannon
We would all be amazed at the number of lives Ethelind Cannon touched during
her life time. She was a lady of love, care and patience. She taught Sunday
School to 3 and 4 year olds for over 60 years at Leesburg United Methodist
Church. It did not matter who the child was or how active the child was she
would get them to sit at her kidney-shaped table and listen to her story. They
knew that when she finished telling her story and peeling her apple (without ever
breaking the ring of peel) she would give them a piece. I have heard parents tell
about her getting the worst of children to sit down, listen and behave. She had
Mr. Williams to make her a kidney-shape table long before they were ever on
the market. She drew the shape she needed to be able to touch each child at
her table. She had hand made furniture for her centers in the classroom. She
51
had a center for community service, worship, reading and playing house. She
always felt that her room needed to be a basic room without many distractions.
She felt that posters, colorful things hanging from the ceiling kept the children
from listening. She would say that she couldnt understand why people felt that
every inch of classrooms needed to be decorated. If we only had a few Ethelind
Cannons in this world we could all see a major change in lives. MaMa you were
a wonderful wife, mother, mother -in-law grandmother, friend and teacher. You
are missed here on earth; however we know that God has you taking care of the
children as you did such a wonderful job here on earth taking care of your
children, family and church children. Thank you for all the lives you touched
including me and the children. We continue to remember all the wonderful things
about you and talk about what a great leader you were. Jo and Brent remember
setting at your table in the kitchen and you reading to them and teaching them to
color and write. You have left such a legacy, that no one could ever fill your
shoes.
Patricia Cannon
With Love to Ethelind Cannon
Frank
During the 70s and 80s, Lee County Recreational Department was
blessed by having Frank Watson as director. Many a child was blessed by
having him as a coach. Regardless of race, income or background, he coached
and taught children not only football but life lessons.
My son was chosen by Frank to play on the all-star football team. Rob
attended a small private school. This was a whole new world for him. Frank
treated him as if he belonged to him as he did the rest of the boys. I remember
a time when one of the boys was disciplined for not paying attention. I brought
the subject up to Rob and he said, Neal wasnt listening, but dont worry, I
pretended to be listening.
The team went on to win the Turkey Bowl that year. They rode the bus
like big guys and we followed in the cars, tailgated and we had the best time.
That was one of the many times Rob made us proud as were the other
parents, but the person the most proud of our sons was Frank.
52
We lost Rob later in a wreck and now all we have are memories. We
wouldnt have this special memory of a happy time if Frank Watson had not
given his time and effort for other children. We are positive that Rob was grinning
from ear to ear when Frank showed up in Heaven and theyve played that game
many times since.
Story Told By Tennsie Roberts, Dawson, GA
Submitted By Tracy Erickson, Leesburg, GA
Hannahs Story: The Life of an Angel
On May 24,1996, a nine pound, twelve ounce angel was bom. My
sister had given birth to my niece, Hannah Leigh-Ann and I was on cloud nine.
Hannah came into our lives with a mission - to show us how to love and to turn
our eyes to Heaven.
Being the doting aunt, I tried to spend as much of my time with her as I
could. When I entered the room, she would smile at my every move sending my
heart soaring. We would spend time together just giggling and playing and when
she slept, I would just watch her sleep. I was going through a stress-filled divorce,
so this precious baby girl was a much needed distraction from my crazy life.
At three months old, Hannah developed a sickness that caused her
abdominal area to swell to over twice its normal size. Local doctors were not
certain they could give her the care she needed so my sister and her husband
were advised to seek help in diagnosing this mysterious illness. Doctors in Atlanta,
at what was then Egleston Childrens Hospital, gladly took on Hannahs case.
After numerous tests were run and checked over and over, the final
diagnosis was Familial Erythrophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis, otherwise known
as FEL. This is a rare, non-malignant tumor that occurs in early infancy. Symptoms
included frequent and high fevers, irritability and anemia. Our family was crushed
with the news, but knew we had to do everything we could to help get Hannah
well again. Doctors advised that the only treatment was a bone marrow
transplant. Hannah was evaluated and accepted as a candidate for the transplant
to take place in the summer of 1997. With the help of close family and friends,
my sister and her husband were getting ready for the biggest fight of their young
lives.
We celebrated Christmas in December 1996 like any other family. Hannah
received many gifts and even more attention, trying to create as normal environment
53
as possible considering all of the doctor visits and trips to Atlanta. The following
May, we celebrated Hannahs first birthday. She laughed, played and had a
great time as she excitedly unwrapped gifts and enjoyed her special day
surrounded by those who loved her. Our family pressed on and still held out
much hope for this life saving treatment that will allow us more special days.
Now that the diagnosis was clear, how to meet the needs of growing
expenses was beginning to be more and more difficult. There were many trips
to Atlanta from Lee County, sometimes four to six times per month, which
included some over night stays. Though Hannah was covered under a special
insurance at the time, expenses that went above and beyond what was covered
began to grow at a rapid rate. The cost of the bone marrow transplant came to
nearly $100,000. A donor had been found who matched five out of the six
criteria needed to make a perfect donor. This was what we needed to give
Hannah a fighting chance, but the odds were still there staring us down.
After much research and advice from doctors and community members,
the decision was made to enlist the help of an organization created to help meet
the needs of families in our particular situation. COTA (Childrens Organ
Transplant Association) rose to the challenge implementing a plan of action for
our emotionally and physically weary family. Our first goal was to make the
community aware of the situation concerning Hannahs condition. Posters and
flyers began circulating with her photo and more and more people were interested
in helping our family get through this. A committee was formed that included
family and members of the Lee and Dougherty County communities. They were
divided up into their specific areas of specialty that included local government,
area newspapers, retail stores and local businesses. Doctors offices held Ugly
Hat Days wearing the ugliest hats they could find to raise money for Baby
Hannah as she began to be best known. Everyone was willing to place a container
with Hannahs picture and expression of need in their businesses. No words can
express the thanks that our family has for those people and businesses who
stepped up and answered a call for help like this one. It eased a tremendous
amount of stress and enabled the family to spend as much time supporting Hannah
and her parents as we could.
One evening after leaving work, I had volunteered to empty containers
at a larger local retailer. I was tired from a long day at work and feeling very
frustrated and almost hopeless. As I reached for the last container, a small boy,
about four years old, came up to me and told me to wait. His mother and I stood
close to him as he reached deep down into his blue jeans pocket and pulled out
54
a handful of coins. He reached up to me and said This is for Baby Hannah.
More powerful and magical words had never been spoken. I held open the
container and allowed him to drop the money in - the clang of the coins together
made him smile and tears filled my eyes as I tried to muster the words to say. I
stooped down to his level and thanked him with a hug and a smile telling him that
he had done a tremendous thing by giving all that he had to someone he had
never met. I left that day with a fresh new outlook on the situation. I knew we
had to fight this disease with all we had. If that one small boy thought that his
small amount of change would help save my niece, I knew that with God on our
side and the community-backed fleet of volunteers we had enlisted, how could
we lose this fight?
Other examples of the generosities from our community were local
retailers holding hot dog and drink sales, area horse clubs held rides, local
businesses helped us advertise the campaign by selling us goods at little or no
cost so that we may sell them for a profit, local banks placed the money containers
in their drive through windows and inside teller windows and urged people to
give - and give they did. Before June of 1996, we had raised over $80,000 of
the money needed to help get Hannah the bone marrow transplant she needed.
One day during Hannahs early treatment, I volunteered to go with my
sister on a trip to take Hannah to an appointment at Egleston. The night before,
I spent the night with them so that we could leave early. At around midnight, I
could hear Hannah wake up and start to cry. I knew my sister was in a deep
sleep after being so busy the day before, so I jumped up and went in to check
on Hannah. She was sitting up in the crib crying her eyes out and nothing I did
would satisfy her. I took her in my arms and we proceeded to the living room
where I had been sleeping on the couch. After rocking a little bit, Hannah fell
asleep on my chest and we slept that way all night. What a wonderful and
special moment we shared for that brief time. Feeling my nieces heartbeat on
mine all night was a gift that I carry with me every day.
The next day, I decided to help out and take Hannah in to the lab room
have her blood work done before the doctor saw her. As I sat in the chair
holding her tightly in my lap, the nurse brought in the vials and syringe and began
to slowly draw blood from a port they had surgical implanted near Hannahs left
collarbone earlier that year. Having never experienced this with a child before, I
expected the worst: screaming and lots of it. Instead I opened my tightly closed
eyes after I knew the needle had to have gone in, and noticed Hannah looking
up at me looking worried about me. Not screaming but concerned about her
55
Aunt Shannon. Stunned, I squeezed her sweet, tiny hands and told her how
brave she was and how I wish I could be just like her.
As the money in Hannahs account grew, we knew it was not growing
fast enough. Our committee and COTA decided it was time for a major event to
raise more money and meet our goal. The Country Family Festival was bom
and on June 21,1997 we held a day filled with lots of entertainment, arts and
crafts, horse riding events, games, street dances and plenty of people stopping
by just to give their money, love and support to Hannah and our family.
By the end of a long, hot and exhausting day, we, as a community, had
raised over $22,000. What a blessing to go to bed that night knowing that our
needs were being met. God had sent plenty of willing hearts to our aid to lift us
up and bring us out of the darkness we were immersed in. As we awaited news
of the success of Hannahs transplant held days before, I was planning on being
married on June 28lh. As I walked down the aisle without my sister and my niece
to share my special day, I carried a small photo of Hannah in my bouquet and a
huge hope in my heart that our visit to see her in the coming days would prove to
be a promising one. I also prayed for Hannahs parents as they tried to get sleep
and stay as strong as they possibly could for their baby.
As my new husband and I arrived at the hospital that Sunday morning
after the wedding, I was met with a painful sight. Hannah was sitting up in her
hospital crib crying and irritated with the adverse reactions of the anti-rejection
medications she was being administered. I was unable to hold and comfort her
as I had done before the transplant because her immune system was at a
dangerously low level due to the extensive chemotherapy.
Nothing I could do could keep my heart from breaking.. With a heavy
heart, I left that day not knowing what the future had in store for my niece.
A generous lawyer and his wife in the Lee County area had donated the
use of their Atlanta home to my sister and her husband so that they may stay
there for the duration of their stays including the post transplant weeks that lay
ahead. The home was only minutes from the hospital and it allowed our families
to visit for days at a time once Hannah was back at the house to recuperate.
After many days of increasing hope and strength, Hannah developed trouble
breathing, which was a symptom of her body rejecting the transplant. We were
devastated. After being mshed to the hospital one night in late July, the doctors
thought it best to place Hannah on a ventilator and medications to ease her
suffering. On August 6,1997, a spinal tap concluded our worst fear - the PEL
56
had returned with a vengeance. There was no longer anything that they could do
to prolong Hannahs life and left the decision to my sister and her husband when
to stop the life support. After hours of struggling with the reality of losing their
daughter, they decided that the time had come.
During the long wait after the life support had been turned off, my sister
rocked Hannah to sleep one last time. After she took her last breath, it took
tearful doctors and nurses a long while to actually pronounce that she had passed.
I regret with all my heart not being there when Hannah passed away into Gods
presence, but I do know that He was there in that hospital room with His strong
and mighty arms around my sister, her husband, nurses and doctors. They were
witnessing Gods work first hand and He wanted to be center stage as He took
Hannah home. God had been there all along, guiding the careful minds of those
doctors and nurses who came to love her, working alongside and inside hun-
dreds of volunteers and family members who had banded together for a small
child who could not utter many words. God was there in our Lee County com-
munity giving grace and mercy to those who were themselves dealing with heart-
aches in their own lives, yet who took time out to help, love and support Hannah.
God was there on the night before Hannahs funeral as hundreds of people
stood outside the funeral home and held a candlelight vigil honoring Hannahs
life.
God was there the morning of her funeral when hundreds more turned
out to support my sister, her husband and the rest of our family as we mourned
our little angel. One pastor quoted something that lives with me to this day:
Hannah accomplished more in her short life than many politicians, communi-
ties, or churches could ever hope to do... that was to break down barriers and
bring people from all walks of life together for the cause of one person. An-
other pastor was quoted as saying God bless the power and strength of the
ministry of a child.. .how many can say that they have been prompted by a child
to open up their heart to the fullest extent? Hannah brought hope to our com-
munity that no one had ever felt, something that I believe has lived on even years
after her passing. Hannah brought life to our family and a love and peace from
God that lives on.
It is not easy for me to sit here and type these words almost ten years
later because the pain is still very real for my sister and our family. I do consider
her a vital part of my life and growth in Christ Jesus. I believe there are times in
our lives when our faith sways here and there, but I can honestly say that my
faith in Gods love and peace blew me away as I witnessed my Lee County
57
neighbors reach out to my niece and my family. Having never met most of them,
I still feel forever connected with those who made the difference and hoped that
the outcome was anything than what it was. But I believe that it was everything
God wanted it to be - a time to show off and say Look what I created in you -
a generous and faithful servant who gave everything for a child.
I know without a doubt that when I get to Heaven one day, I will be
reunited with Hannah. I am steadfast in my prayers to God and in my thankfulness
in all He has done and continues to do in my life. I thank God for giving my
family a community like Lee County to call home, and most of all for the new
and old friends that helped us through. We may have lost the battle to save our
Hannah, but I believe that God won the biggest battle of all for us, long before
we ever knew her.
Shannon DeReus
Hannah at 1 year old
Hannahs 1st Christmas
. (orHj,
7sf
y
June 21,1997 9 am - 5 pm
In Leesburg at the field in front of Lee Co. Primary School Leslie Hwy 195
Bring Your Entire Family For A
Fun-Filled Day Featuring...
fad S*textab(*Hertt fc&twUtty
Dottie Davis Karen Anthony
Bobbie Lee Wade Ball
Shannon Lily Cloggers
Pink Slipper Dancers
Sherwood Baptist Puppets
Dalton & Loretta Graham
mnouAmoo
(Wafrt Sfi*Sitnttf i, Vue.)
ftltu wmvthf T^Ujeetf*
SweeU uUtl fie MiUfile
tbwtyfitMt the ctaqd
@MteDfa6/IpMn*p4wUte
Ate Smfdufte!7
Featuring Rob Plowden, Jim
Smith & the LCHS Football Staff!!
foot Ok rtdioitUA
tytct fault}!
Smokey the Bear Pony Rides
Clowns Face Painting
Games and Contests Kareoke
Lots of Arts & Crafts Booths
MUCH, MUCH MORE!
Bring Your Lawn Chairs
and Blankets!!
ALL PROCEEDS 8ENEF1T THE COTA FOR HANNAH TRANSPLANT FUND
Port-O-Uts end Dumpsters Sponsored by Holl-fng Refuse
Festival Fundraiser Flyer
58
A Journey in the Night
When I read in the Lee County Ledger the title of the soon to be published
book of our memories, it brought to mind a story told by my father, Grover
Pace, about going to meet the train that ran through Lee County.
Grover received word from his oldest brother, Dan, who lived in Atlanta,
that he was planning to come home for a few days. He would be arriving on the
train at a designated time after dark and to please meet him at the depot in
Smithville.
Grover talked this over with his youngest brother Tift and they made
plans to leave home after an early supper, their mode of transportation being a
horse and buggy. There had been heavy rains earlier during the week and they
were concerned about the best road to take. They decided on what is presently
Hwy 118. The two brothers embarked on the eighteen-mile journey from their
family farm three miles south of Leslie.
Darkness came upon them as they continued on their way. With a good horse, a
strong buggy and a lantern they felt secure in the black night.
On this route they had to cross nine wooden bridges over Muckalee
Creek before reaching Smithville. As they approached one of the bridges the
horse came to a complete stop. Grover tried to coax her onto the bridge by
clucking and calling, get-I-up, but she stood firm. Being a little impatient, he
tried using the buggy whip, but still the horse would not budge.
The brothers could hear the train whistle in the distance, as it was nearing
Smithville. They knew they must do something quickly, because they werent
going to be on time to meet the train. Finally, Grover told Tift to take the reins.
He then took the lantern and got down from the buggy, intending to catch the
bridle and lead the horse across the bridge. As he took hold of the bridle, the
lantern cast a light down and Grover realized there was NO BRIDGE! It had
been washed away by the heavy rains.
Needless to say, they had to find another way to Smithville. It was very
late when they arrived to find Dan impatiendy waiting. After they explained the
delay, he felt very glad that he didnt have to spend the night in Smithville. (Im
sure they werent serving Chicken Pie at the hotel at that hour.)
The two brothers were sorry, because they had treated the poor horse
badly. She had saved them from a terrible accident.
Betty Ann Clay
59
The So Called Hill
One of my many memories of Leesburg and Lee County was when I
was sixteen years old and was learning to drive and rolled back at the stop sign
on the hill. What hill? In Leesburg you might ask. The now red light right in
downtown in front of the flower shop.
The Hill of course turned out to be an incline in the road. But to an
inexperienced driver with a stick shift it was a major accomplishment to maneuver
the clutch, brake and accelerator at the same time. Yes, I did roll back just a
tad. That was many years before we had a red light.
Many years later when our children were the age to get their license I
told my husband, Tom, about my experience on the hill. He said, What hill?
Well you know hes from Tennessee and they have hills, we dont. He laughed
and still laughs about the so call hill in Leesburg.
Low and behold after we married we moved to Athens, Georgia and
nearly every red light is on a hill. I mean a HILL!
It started all over with stress of a clutch. It didnt take but one roll back
at the light for me to learn all the alleys, back roads, etc. in Athens.
One day Tom and I were out riding through town when the red light hit
us. I immediately cut through a service station instead of stopping on the hill. I
think thats probably illegal isnt it? I must have done that for at least a few more
lights because Tom said, What are you doing?M was so use to driving like
that I wasnt even aware of it.
I said its hard to stop on the hill without rolling back or burning the
clutch up. He laughed and reminded me of the HILL in Leesburg. Now theres
not even an incline over the railroad tracks and at the red light.
I am married to Tom Sumners and we have three children, Matthew,
Holley and Morgan.
Donna Sumners
Memories:
Putting something in the time capsule during the centennial celebrations, going to
Eubanks Hardware, plays at the old high school auditorium, the old water tower,
basketball games at the old gym on Starksville Street and Friday night football
games at the old stadium and the band could be heard throughout Leesburg.
60
City Girl to Farm Girl
I will never forget April 10,1964. That was the day that brought me, a
Greenville, South Carolina girl, to live in Lee County Georgia. That day began
my transformation from a city girl to a farm girl.
After graduation from Furman University, I was nearing the end of my
first year of teaching at Hawkins vilie High School. Early in the 1963-64 school
year, one of my co-teachers who was from Albany had introduced me to her
brother-in-law, Sandy / Reed Hatfield, who was farming in Lee County. (He
was always Sandy to the family and Reed to most others.) We had been
dating since October, and on April 10th he popped the question and presented
me with a beautiful diamond ring. Of course, I said, Yes! He then drove me
into Leesburg where I had a scheduled interview with Mr. Kearse, Superintendent
of Lee County School. I was applying for a position as an English teacher. At
the end of the interview, he told me that I had the job but his secretary didnt
work on Saturdays and that he had not been able to find a blank contract. He
asked if I knew how to type. I did, so he gave me a contract that someone else
had signed and told me to type one just like it for myself. I never had expected
that my first task in the Lee County School System would be to type my own
contract.
Later in the day, to celebrate our engagement and my getting a teaching
job in Leesburg, Sandy took me down to Lake Seminole to go fishing. He gave
me a tackle box, a Zebco-33 rod and reel, a couple of repala lures and some
purple worms and began to teach me how to fish for largemouth bass. That
should give you an idea of the kind of changes that were in store for this city girl.
I was destined to learn all kinds of new things about fishing, hunting, taxidermy,
raising hogs and growing peanuts, com and soybeans. I even learned to drive a
tractor, turn peanuts, and haul peanut wagons to the Sheller.
We were married on June 14,1964 and, for a wedding present, Sandy
gave me a beautiful Browning automatic 16-gauge shotgun. I shot 3 doves with
it on my first dove shoot. Oh, I also had to leam to cook fresh fish, dove, quail,
venison, wild turkey, and frog legs... .and how to skin a deer. In the fall I began
teaching English and Spanish at Lee County High School. That was the year the
new wing with the glass front library was built, but it was not completed until
October. Until then, myself and other teachers assigned to that building had to
float in the old two- story building. Each period of the day, I rolled my cart to a
61
different room where the regular teacher was having a planning period. I loved
it when I finally was able to move into my brand new classroom, which was, for
those days, the ultimate language lab. Now, my old language lab is a meeting
room for the Lee County Chamber of Commerce.
I shared that building with Mrs. Sue Passant, science; Mr. Gene Stripling,
math; Mr. Rivers, math; Mr. Allen, librarian; and our principal, Mr. Mitchum.
After Christmas, Mr. Kearse retired and we had a wonderful brand new
Superintendent of Schools, Robert A. Clay. We only had two homerooms of
each grade, and some of those students were stuck with me for two class
periods a day for two years (for English and Spanish classes).
Then, I had my first child, Ruthie, and I took the whole year off. Sadly,
our librarian, Mr. Allen, was killed in an automobile accident during that year.
Mr. Clay called me and asked if I would go to ABAC on Saturdays to take four
classes in school library science and plan to come back the next year to work in
the library. I did, and I loved it. I had a great group of student assistants so we
began a GALA club (Georgia Association of Library Assistants). We went to
the state convention in Atlanta and Lynne Ranew who was our local reporter
who ran for the office of State Secretary.
Near the end of that year, my baby sitter got sick and was unable to
work for several weeks. I couldnt find a sitter, so Dr. Clay allowed me to bring
my 1V2 year-old Ruthie, to school every day. She stayed in the workroom of
the library and some of my student assistants helped to keep her entertained.
(She grew up to become a teacher.) We soon added two sons, Reed III and
Travis to our family. Living on the farm in Lee County with horses, dogs and
cats, hunting and fishing was a nice way to five and raise a family.
I have many happy memories of those first years I worked in Lee
County with so many wonderful students and co-workers. Later on I worked in
the Elementary School Library with Mr. Lightfoot as Principal and in the Lee
County Middle School Library (on the campus that became Twin Oaks) under
the leadership of Tex Houston, Mike Davis, Dr.Maijorie Calhoun, and Mary
OHearn.
The job title of librarian ultimately evolved to be that of media specialist.
I continued to work in school libraries in Lee County and in Dougherty County
at high school, middle school, and elementary school levels until I retired in
January 2003.
62
I now enjoy many of those same relationships through the Lee County
Retired Teachers Association. Any of you retired teachers out there that are not
members need to come on and join this active organization that is continually
working for YOU.
Glenna Hatfield
Saturday Night Square Dances and the Love of my Life
The Saturday night square dances in Leesburg at the school gym were the
highlight of the week for both young and old from near and far. They were enjoyed
not only by those of us from Leesburg but from Albany and surrounding towns. The
square dances and high school basketball were the big events in Leesburg in the
1940s and 1950s. The square dances were known for good clean fun. Mr. &
Mrs. Haywood Cook supervised. Mrs. Cook took in the admission fee at the door
and Mr. Cook along with a policeman they hired made sure there was order and fun
with no drunks, drinking or misconduct at the dances.
The Goode band from Terrell County was the band that played for many
years. They were very good and everyone enjoyed them.
I worked at the old Suwannee Store, owned by Zack Pate. Perry Kearse,
Mr. Pates son, Zack Jr. and I worked there. He carried everything from meats,
cheese, groceries, kerosene, cold drinks dry goods and anything else he thought
people in Leesburg would want. The store was next door to Cannons Hardware
store at that time and the Court House on the other side.
I worked there after school and on Saturdays. Mr. Pate always let me off
for the basketball games I played in, usually on Tuesday andFriday nights. Basketball
was big back then in Leesburg.
It was at the square dance that I met my future husband. He was always
there and sometimes would call the square dances. There were round dances between
each square dance. At one of the dances, this very good looking young man ask me
to dance with him, I did. While we danced, he told me he was going to marry me. I
told him he was crazy. He would be the last person I would marry. His name was
James William Bill/ Smith. He had a reputation of being a wild fast driver, and I did
not think at that first meeting that I wanted any part of that.
Mr. Floyd Moore, who lived in Leesburg, was a policeman in Albany. He
had stopped Billy for speeding on more than one occasion. In fact, many times.
63
About the last time he stopped Billy, he had a long talk with him and told Billy of the
dangers of speeding and breaking the law as well as other good advice for him. Billy
stopped speeding on a regular basis and calmed down a lot and became a good law
abiding citizen. Billy made the comment many times about Mr. Moores talk with
him and how much good it had done him. He said if it hadnt been for Mr. Moore,
he may have had a fatal accident, but that talk made him think and turn his wild streak
around. He always appreciated and respected Mr. Moore from that day. I dont
know if Mr. Moore ever knew how much it helped Billy that day. He didnt give
Billy a ticket that day. He gave him more with his talk and advice than any ticket he
ever got. If Mr. Moore were living today, I would like to say Thank You.
As time went on and I dated Billy Smith, I saw what a good and caring
person he was. He was going to college at Georgia South Western College in
Americus, GA. He stayed on campus during the week and came home to Albany
on the weekend. He always stopped at school on his way home to Albany on
Friday, picked me up at school and we would go to the drug store and get a coke or
ice cream and he would take me home. That is unless I was going to play basketball
outoftown. If I did that, I had to ride theschool bus to the games. He would go to
all my games in Leesburg and many of the out of town games to see me play.
Billy was one of the nicest and best all round boys I dated. He never drank
alcohol and never smoked. Billy drove to Leesburg eveiy Sunday morning, went to
Sunday School and church with me and on Sunday evening we went to training
union and church. It was there at First Baptist Church on Main St. in Leesburg that
Billy accepted Christ and was baptisted by G Ashton Smith, and yes, G Ashton
Smith married us in First Baptist Church in Leesburg on August 20,1950.
Yes, those square dances were good clean fun, where I met the love of my
life, married, had two wonderful children, a boy Billy Paul, a girl Teresa Ann
(Terri) and was married to for thirty-four years until God took him to heaven.
I guess the moral of this story is, be careful what you say you will never do.
You may just do it. But for me, it was about the best thing I ever did after accepting
Christ as my Lord and Savior. And, I look forward to being with the love of my life
in heaven someday.
Paula Stamps Smith
64
Billy and Paula Smiths
wedding photo August 20,1950
Traffic Lights and a Doctor
What do traffic lights and a doctor have in common? Maybe nothing,
or maybe they do. Ive heard of a number of statements made that the recent
installation of traffic lights in Leesburg is the first and only ones ever in use here.
That is wrong and I can prove its not true. Ill tell you more about the traffic
lights later.
In the 1960s, everyone came together to get a doctor in Leesburg, but
it was the Leesburg Lions Club that took the matter in hand. They decided to
construct or obtain a medical clinic building for a doctors use. A big, county-
wide, fund raising barbeque was held. Due to donations including many hogs,
funds were raised and an empty dwelling was secured.
It was the old Davis house, now gone, but being right across the street
from Lee Countys Tax Collectors Office, now being used as the First Baptist
Church parking lot. It had living quarters, plus a large waiting room, office,
exam room, x-ray room and even an overnight bedroom for patients that requiring
close medical attention after accidents or minor surgery. This was great for
Leesburgs, 1,000 residents and the countys 6,204 people.
After contact with hospitals, medical graduation rosters, Georgia State
medical Department and the Sears Roebuck Foundation, no one wanted to
come to a small town, now being without a local doctor for years and years.
We had a drugstore, but no doctor.
65
At last resort the Lions Club, believing that advertising pays off decided
to put a very large banner across and over U.S. 19 (Walnut Street) in the center
of town. It was featured in the January 1965 Lions Magazine. The banner said:
THIS TOWN WANTS A DOCTOR. Leesburg was remembered as the town
with the sign. See banner on page 67.
Many, many people saw it, but by chance two people traveling through
saw it and told a friend, Dr. D. H. Grimes about it. Coming from Florida, he
came to Leesburg, looked us over, liked what he saw and moved here. Though
retired, he was a good doctor, holding a county clinic one day a week in Leesburg
and one day a week in Smithville.
He certainly helped me in a time of crisis. We, Dick Forrester, Frank
Stovall, Williams Long and Mac Coxwell and I had been fishing for catfish for
several days, setting limb lines in the Flint River. We had a lot of fish, putting
them in a croker sack. They asked me to unload them from the boat to the
bank. In the process one of the catfishs barb fins stuck through the croker sack
and pierced the soft part ofmy right knee. A catfish barb is ragged and hurts. I
took one step on the bank and went down, completely, collapsing. All this led
me to see Dr. Grimes, whose first question was the date of my last tetanus shot.
It had been a long time so he gave me one, but before that he made some sort of
test to see if it was okay to take it.
Well, back there, I said that I would get back to the traffic light. Look
at the banner picture again. What in the world do you see hanging just below
the banner? You guessed it! Its a real, full sized, red, yellow and green traffic
tight. Remember this picture was in 1965.
There were three of them, one in the center as it is now, one at The
Leesburg Mercantile Company, now the location of the City Hall and one across
from Bill Hopkins service station and the old U.S. Post Office. The fuse box is
still on the pole south of the old USPO (check it out!).
Well, what happened to them and why was their use discontinued? A
serious accident occurred at the railroad crossing. An out-of-town woman and
child were hit by a train while driving across the tracks. It was a miracle that
they were not killed or seriously injured. Later an investigation revealed that she
saw the traffic tight was green, but did not notice the railroad flashing red tights,
this being before the day of crossing arms. Cecil Gibbs was one of the first
people on the scene and helped remove the child trapped in the back seat.
66
It was then determined that the traffic lights had to be coordinated and
synchronized with the railroad signals. At that time it was impossible to bear this
cost, as the railroad declined any financial assistance, so the lights were taken
down and stored in the old depot building for future use.
This was not to be, for soon after then, two soldiers traveling north at
night at a very high speed lost control of their vehicle and ran into the depot
building. If I remember correctly, they were both killed. In any case their
vehicle ran over the three traffic lights and two fifteen foot electric Christmas
trees, which were used in front of the courthouse. The traffic lights were so
damaged, that they had to be disposed of. Well, in this tale, maybe traffic lights
and a doctor do have a little something in common.
PageTharp I^vn Wwts a doctor M
-i fpbijrg ,GA.4_B^ * ; J
I
NOW THEY HAVE THEIR DOCTOR
Fond Memories of Leesburg High School
First a little history. In 1918 Superintendent S. J. Powell requested the
State Department of Education to conduct a survey to determine the best way
to house Lee Countys students so as to provide a quality elementary and
secondary education program. This survey committee recommended that four
schools be built, located in Leesburg, Smithville, Redbone and Chokee. The
recommendations were partially carried out with schools being built in Leesburg,
Smithville and Redbone.
67
Leesburg High School, to serve grades 1 -11, was constructed in 1921 -
1922 after passage of a $65,000 bond referendum. V. P. Folds was the first
principal. He and seven teachers constituted the faculty. Gus Homer, one of the
workers who helped build the two-story structure, was hired as janitor. He was
affectionately referred to as Fessor. Fessor Homer worked at the school as
long as his health permitted and on his death was recognized by the Board of
Education.
Soon after the two-story building was occupied, a dirt basketball court
and baseball diamond, with grandstand, were built. A gristmill was located beyond
the baseball diamond. It became the goal of every batter to knock a ball to the
millhouse. Leesburg soon became known for the excellent athletes it produced.
In 1938 the gymnasium, referred to as the shell, was built by the Progress
Works Administration (PWA), a depression era program designed to put people
back to work. After this, competitive basketball and baseball really took off.
Leesburg High School was a Class C school, the smallest classification of the
Georgia High School Association.
Students who lived out-of-town brought their -- lunches to school. Town
students went home for lunch and most teachers went to their boarding house,
called the Hotel, for their lunch. One duty teacher stayed at school to try to
maintain some degree of order and to keep the students from burning down the
schoolhouse. Boys and girls did not mix during lunch. Girls were assigned to the
south campus and boys occupied the north campus. Except for an occasional
note passing or a shy wave, the sexes were separated.
This was a time when most fights occurred. The yell fight always brought
a crowd to witness the event. It was also the time when freshmen boys were
initiated. They had to ran the belt line made up of upperclassmen. It was also a
time to shoot marbles, spin tops, play baseball, basketball or shuffleboard.
Upon the death of S. J. Powell in 1942, H. T. Kearse was elected
Superintendent. Soon after taking office, with the help of the PTA, he established
a lunchroom program. The first lunchroom was in the basement under the stage.
Lunch cost a dime, but if you didnt have the money, you could exchange turnip
greens, a ham, eggs or whatever food you grew at home for lunch tickets.
My student days at Leesburg High School began in 1935 when I entered
second grade. It ended with my graduation in 1945. This was a time dominated
by the great depression and World War II. There were few luxuries but our
needs were always met. School was a big part of my life. It provided both
educational opportunities and social activities. Lifetime friendships began here.
68
Memory being clouded by the passage of time, I am sure that many
anecdotes are not reported in this article. Hopefully, some of my schoolmates
will remember and write of the things I have overlooked.
We did not have a paid public school music teacher. However, Miss
Pauline Tharp filled this void. She played the piano for chapel programs,
graduations and other events. She also taught private piano lessons. Miss Pauline
wrote the Alma Mater that is still being used by Lee County High School.
It was traditional to have a class picnic every spring. We would take
time out during the school day to carry our picnic lunch to Mossy Dell, Graves
Springs, Kinchafoonee Creek or Muckalee Creek for swimming, playing and
eating. The fun stopped in time to get everybody back to Leesburg in time for
school dismissal. Nobody wanted to miss the bus home.
April Fools Day was observed by a large number of students playing
hookey. They did this knowing that they would have to suffer the consequences
upon returning to school. Halloween was the time for a carnival. It was also a
time when boys played pranks around town.
In the early 1940s Dr. Frank T. Long who had served as an English
Professor at Columbia University for a number of years, decided that it would
be good to return to his hometown and teach English at Leesburg High School.
Dr. Long was much more a scholar than a disciplinarian. After a few weeks he
resigned saying that what we needed was a policeman, not a teacher. The next
year he tried it again, but only lasted until Christmas. That ended Dr. Longs
teaching career.
Living 17 miles from Leesburg, it was difficult for me to participate in
some of the after-school social activities. Two of my classmates, Harry Lee and
George Moreland, came to my rescue by inviting me to spend the night with
them so that I could be a part of these activities.
The County Agent, L. H. Nelson, organized a 4-H Club at Leesburg
High School. The Club met monthly in the auditorium. Club members had
projects, participated in various competitions and went to summer camp at several
locations. James R. (Jimmy) Clay won a trip to Chicago for his demonstration
project How to Preserve Fence Posts. He demonstrated the process our
Daddy used on the farm.
Another tradition was for the senior class to take a trip following
graduation. Miss Mary Dance was in charge of this. She carried a number of
classes to Washington, New York and other distant destinations. She was a
brave lady to take us from the country to the big city.
69
In addition to chapel programs and graduations, the auditorium was
used for special events. I recall going there to remember President Roosevelt
when word came of his death. A short time later, we were called back to celebrate
Victory in Europe (V-E Day). Senior plays, womanless weddings and beauty
contests were held there. The auditorium was an important part of the school
and the community.
As fate would have it, tragedy struck our class several times. Harry
Lees daddy, Mr. E. B. Lee, died while we were students. Another classmate,
Jimmy Nesbitt, suffered several tragedies. His home burned and his daddy died
in a relatively short period of time. Several years later he contracted polio. That
left him crippled. In spite of this he became a successful businessman. When I
was in the 8th grade my daddy, Robert A. Clay, Sr. died suddenly, leaving a
wife, three children and one on the way.
When I was in the 9th grade and had just turned 15, our school bus
driver suddenly quit. It was during WWII and, no replacement was available.
Superintendent H. T. Kearse asked me if I knew how to drive. Having driven
farm tractors and a farm truck for about a year, I assured him that I could drive.
He said, You are the new school bus driver. I didnt even have a learners
permit. The 30 passenger V-8 Ford bus was turned over to me. The bus had a
standard shift that had to be double clutched to change gears. In addition, it
would jump out of high gear. The previous driver had cut a 1" by 2" stick just the
right length to fit between the gearshift in the high gear position and the dash-
board. When the bus was shifted into high gear the stick was flipped in place so
that it could not jump out of gear. I drove the bus for over two years, starting at
$35.00 per month. I thought I was rich. After graduation, my brother Jimmy
drove it until he went off to college.
Jim Mitchell was principal during the 1930s. He was noted for his use
of the paddle. It was even mmored that he kept an electric paddle in his office.
One day he came into a classroom where Thurman Peanut Youngblood was
sitting. Peanut, who had been up to some mischief, immediately crawled under
his desk. Mr. Mitchell pulled him out and without discussion paddled him on the
spot.
Mr. Mitchell had attended the United States Military Academy at West
Point. He was a contemporary of Dwight Eisenhower and Omah Bradley. He
had to leave West Point when his father died so he did not graduate. However
this military training resulted in his being a strict disciplinarian.
70
Nearly all roads in Lee County were dirt in the 30s. When it rained they
were muddy, making bus transportation difficult. On rainy days it was customary
to have one session and dismiss school at 1:00 p.m. Now Mr. Mitchell operated
a farm as a sideline. Always anxious to get to the farm, he would announce one
session at the least little sprinkle. Both students and teachers anxiously watched
the sky to see if a rain shower was approaching. Mr. Mitchell also ran the Hotel,
where most of the single teachers boarded.
After leaving Leesburg, Mr. Mitchell, held several administrative
positions. He ended his career as Superintendent of Monroe County Schools.
James Bell was principal from 1942 to 1944. He also taught math and
chemistry. He warned his students about a chemical in the storage cabinet that
was especially volatile when it came in contact with water. A number of us had
an unsupervised study period in the room where the chemicals were kept. Some-
one got the idea of putting a very small amount of the chemical in a dish of water
to see what would happen. The dish was put on a windowsill so that if the
mixture became unruly, it could easily be thrown outside. The seal was broken
on the chemical container and a small amount dropped in the dish of water.
Immediately smoke and flames erupted from the dish, there was a loud explo-
sion and the dish broke, spilling water and flames on the floor. The flames were
quickly extinguished and the mess cleaned up. Then the question was what to
do with the remainder of the chemical in the now unsealed container? It was
agreed that it had to be removed from the building. George Moreland was the
only classmate who had his own transportation, a pickup truck. The chemical
was slipped out of the building wrapped in a coat and taken to Georges truck.
He then drove it and several boys to Kinchafoonee Creek. From the creek
bridge, the chemical was tossed into the water. There was a terrific explosion
and water was thrown nearly as high as the bridge. Now we knew that the
chemical would not explode in the school building. That ended our unsupervised
scientific experiments.
Marie Bell was the wife of James Bell, the principal. She taught English
and did her best to instill a little culture in her students. She promoted the Junior/
Senior Prom and other social events, always instructing us on how to act and the
importance of etiquette.
Mrs. Helen Crotwell taught English and Latin at the high school level.
One day George Moreland was leaving her classroom and made the comment,
Thats what makes it so damp and cool. Mrs. Crotwell thought he said, Thats
what makes it so damn cool. She whacked him before he could explain what
he really said.
71
Graduations were held on the stage in the auditorium. After the solemn
ceremony and the awarding of diplomas, the recessional began in a dignified
manner. However, when the first graduate reached the rear of the auditorium
there would be loud howls and yells, caps would be thrown and pandemonium
would break out.
The high school curriculum was limited by todays standards. In addition
to the basic academics, Latin, agriculture and home economics were taught.
FFA and FHA clubs complimented the vocational courses. Camps at Lake
Jackson for vocational students provided a diversion during the long hot summers.
At Lake Jackson, we slept in barracks, ate in the mess hall and met other students
from throughout the state.
The typical classroom was very different from those found in schools
today. There were wooden floors that were periodically oiled. Apicture of George
Washington hung on the wall. A sand table was available for projects or dis-
plays. Steam radiators, that knocked as pressure was building up, provided
heat. Instructional material was displayed at various places around the room.
Textbooks were the curriculum with teachers supplementing this according to
their interest and desires.
The school day began at 8:30, or 9:00 a.m. during the winter months,
with a devotional and prayer. A morning recess and an one-hour lunch period
were important parts of the daily schedule. Chapel was held at least once a
week. Each class was responsible for providing the Chapel program several
times each term. It was at these assemblies that the principal would lay down the
law, as he deemed necessary. School dismissed for the day at 3:00 p.m.
The Baptist, Methodist and Presbyterian churches often had their revival
while school was in session. Whole classes were allowed to go to those churches
for the 11:00 o clock services. Wouldnt it create a fuss if this were done today?
We often played a game called hoss at lunchtime. In this game, a small
boy would get on the back of a larger boy and a pulling contest would ensue
with another such team. The object was to pull the other team to the ground.
Jimmy Pettit was my favorite horse. One day we challenged a team made up of
Jimmy King and Mack Knight. After a struggle we all hit the ground. I was on
the bottom. When I started to get up I noticed that my arm was in an unnatural
position. It was broken. After two operations, two weeks in an Atlanta hospital
and six weeks in a cast, I began to recover. That ended the game of hoss at
Leesburg High School.
72
Nightlife in Leesburg was pretty limited during my teen years. However,
on rare occasions some of us would get together to go to the Black Cat which
was located near the intersection of Philema Road and Old Leesburg Road or
the Paramount Club, a little further north on Old Leesburg Road. Another treat
was to go to a movie or to the fair in Albany, in fact, there was a little rumor that
one of our principals, whose name will not be mentioned, was observed leaving
the hoochee-coochee show at the Albany fair.
My graduating class in 1945 had only nine members: Ada Lee Cook,
Flora Coxwell, Harry Lee, Mary Pye, Alaouida Oliver, George Moreland, Ella
Mathis, Hendrick Cromartie and I (Bobby Clay). Ada Lee, Flora and Harry
entered first grade together in 1934.1joined the class in second grade. Teach-
ers, beginning with first grade and going through grade seven were: Miss Stripland,
Mrs. EllaTison, Miss Nell Kearse, Mrs. Lucibel Rutland, Miss Elizabeth Maffett,
Miss Charlene Dumas and Miss Lucille Snyder. Teachers in high school during
this time included: Ed Morton, Vivian Stanford, Mr. Melton, Mrs. Page, James
Bell, Marie Bell, Charles McNeal, Webster Nail, Helen Crotwell, Virginia West,
Emily Rivers, Mrs. Lacey, Fred Kight, Mary Dance, and others.
In 1947, Leesburg High School and Smithville High School were both
having trouble maintaining sufficient enrollment in the four high school grades to
stay accredited. The Board of Education voted to consolidate the two high
schools to make the Lee County High school located in Leesburg. The last class
to graduate from Leesburg High School was the class of 1947. The nine class
members were: Spencer Faircloth, Laveme Fussell, Laveme Goodwin, Joyce
Hines, Jacqueline Martin, Maxine Mitchiner, Bill Odom, Raleigh Sanford and
Page Tharp. Diplomas were given out in alphabetical order. Thomas Page Tharp
received the last diploma awarded by Leesburg High School.
But that is not the end of the story. The two-story building and other
buildings on campus served Lee County High School from 1947 until 1977.
From 1970 until 2002 they housed Lee County Elementary School. In 2002,
the Board of Education deeded the two-story building and several other buildings
to the Board of County Commissioners. The commissioners have retained an
architect to develop a preservation plan for the historic two-story building that
served Lee County students for 80 years. Three county school Superintendents:
S. J. Powell, H. T. Kearse and Robert A. Clay, served this school for 74 of
these years.
Robert A. Clay Jr.
73
Leesburg High School Class of 1945.
Left to Right: Alaouida Oliver, Hendrick Cromartie, Ella Mathis,
George Moreland, Mary Pye, Harry Lee, Ada Lee Cook, Bobby Clay and
Flora Coxwell
Bulger
When I remember growing up in Leesburg, I often think of the town
characters. There were several, but Bulger is the one I remember best, probably
because I was terrified of him. He was a black man-a hunchback. He ambled around
from street to street, always silent, always carrying a croker sack over one shoulder
and a mattock in the other hand.
I believed that he kidnapped little children, put them in his croker sack and
later hit them in the head with his mattock. There is no question about who put this
crazy idea in my head. It was either my brother Ed or his comrade-in-terrorism
Bobby Gunter. Nothing gave the two of them more joy than making me miserable.
By the grace of God, both Bobby and Ed grew up to be nice men, but until I reached
the teen years, I would have been hard-pressed to think of anything nice to say about
either one of them.
74
After I was grown, on a hot summer afternoon my mother, a great aunt and
I were chatting on my mothers front porch. Bulgers name came up in the
conversation. I commented that I was scared to death of him as a child. My aunt
smiled and said, You were afraid of Bulger? Actually, a gentler soul never lived. Im
glad she straightened me out about that!
Gay Forrester Phillips
Our Samantha
Those reading this little story who are TV rerun addicts, TV Land viewers,
or just plain old enough to remember recognize the title name. For the few of you
who do not, let me enlighten you.
In 1964,aTV series premiered red titled Bewitched. The star of the show
was Elizabeth Montgomery, a very pretty, wispy blond. She played the role of
Samantha. As you mightinferftom the TV tide, Samantha was a WITCH. But let me
say right now, before going any further, Samantha was a good WITCH. Well, most
of the time. As the program came on each week, Samantha, in the formofacaricature,
would fly in on her broom. Actually, it was quite cute. I mean the program and the
flying in on the broom.
Now let me tell you the story of Our Samantha. Our Sam, as we later
shortened it to, was a teacher at Lee County High School. Those of you who were
in LCHS in the mid 60 s know of whom I speak. Her name was..well maybe I
shouldnt say. in order to protect he somewhat innocent (ha ha), Ill just use her
initials, KL.
I do not know who first decided to call our teacher Sam. Nor do I really
know why. Maybe it was because, she to was a very pretty, wispy blond. Or
maybe she too was....sometimes just a.... plain OLD WITCH.
After 40 plus years my memory is a little hazy, but I do vividly remember the
following two incidents. Let me relay them to you.
Times were, as you know, far different in the 60s. However, we still had what
you could call bad boys back then also. Bad in the sense of mischievous, mouthy,
just plain ole boys. There were two, however, that just went overboard with their
mouths one six week period. Sam did about the only thing she could in the situation
and cut each of them 40 points on their conduct score. That, of course, meant a 60
in conduct and a failing grade. Like those two really cared. Most of us back then
75
did care, however, and we didnt want any points off of our conduct grade. We did
have to take it home and show it to our parents. So to hear that these two got cut 40
points was the talk of the school that day. And its still stuck in my memory bank.
Earlier in this story, I wrote of Samantha riding a broom. Well, one day a few
very industrious students, ormaybejust one, built abroom for Sam. It was waiting
for her in her classroom one morning. It was laying across the top of the box fan used
to keep us cool in those days (no AC then). Now, this was no ordinary broom.
While it was a wooden stick with a brush at one end, there were a few extras.
Lets call them options. Ill try and remember as many as I can. There was an
engine fixed to the brooms end. Rear view mirrors, tail lights, and I think even a
tag that said Sam. It was quite a feat of engineering.
Needless to say, everyone had to come by and see that broom. Me included.
I can still see Sam doubled over with laughter about that thing. It stayed in her
class for days. I dont know if there are any pictures of it or what ultimately
happened to it. It did, however, bring all of us a lot of laughs.
If you havent already guessed by now, even though we nicknamed her Sam
after a TV witch, most of us loved her. She was a good teacher that expected the
best from us and wanted each of us to do well. She left LCHS after, as I remember
it, only three years. I wished that she had stayed with us longer. I hope, that wherever
she is today, she is happy, well, and has good memories of her students and her time
at LCHS.
[ RS. The teachers name was Kay Oxford Lawson, Winston Oxfords first cousin]
Charlene Usry
Georgia on My Mind
Pine trees, Spanish moss, red clay., .are only a
part of the descriptive words that cause the
minds eye to once again visualize the past, a
past that encompasses all of Lee County.
Driving down the red clay back-roads, we
encounter family names of people on the local
road signs, people who left their life
contributions indelibly imprinted upon this
76
county, state, and, ultimately, the entire world, .
Family names of individuals responsible for
having built the homes, schools, roads., .drilled
the wells, and tilled the large expanses of
farmland that make up much of
Lee County.
And, as the fields are tilled and post holes dug,
more secrets are revealed...secrets buried
for centuries. An arrowhead, perhaps a spear
point., .brought to the surface., .acre after
acre, endowed by long forgotten Indian tribes...
who in pursuit of wild game, or perhaps
an enemy.. .let fly a lethal projectile, a projectile
that would lay buried in perfectly good
condition for centuries to remind us at a later
time of an historic past
Alligators, fish, reptiles, winged creatures and
the encounters with each are a daily
occurrence as we travel into the past for
memories...somehumorous., .and all exciting
and more numerous than the present day has to
offer:
We recall Pye pond, waters clear and
unclogged., .an evening walk would reveal an
alligator or two, lazily cutting a V across the
waters surface. Not far away, GravesSpring
could be heard to gurgle and flow. Large mouth
bass, blue gill, and channel cat
would fin beneath the dimpled waters.. .waiting
to reward the young man who possessed a
cane pole, helgremite, and the acumen to bring
it ashore. Many tales and yams were spun,
some of sincere belief and others... of
hopefulness.Often, as we would swim in the
cool Graves Springs waters, a water snake or
mocassin might pass close by. And, one of
our local ftiends related dont worry, they
77
cant bite while they are in the water or they will
drown. We found out later that this
was a yam spun of hopefulness.
Now, knowing that this same local friend
wanted us to go get some bee honey and,
the bees wont sting., .because they cant fly
when the weather is this cold Off we
went into the cold weather and arrived at a
particular hollow tree. Putting ones ear to the
tree allowed ahigh volume buzzing to be
discerned. This particular local commenced to
cutting the tree open and the chopping noise
soon was joined by his high-pitched yells.
Turns out, it wasnt quite as cold out as he
thought. We did get the honey., .and enjoyed it
mixed with melted butter and .spread upon
those wonderful
biscuits that can be found baking... ever-so at
the Hartleys home.
Thundering Springs Baptist Church was a
second home to all of local families as we
attended bible study, church gatherings, and
listened to wonderful sermons presented by
Pastor Berry. Sunrise services were heavily
attended as the men would stay up most of
the night pit barbecuing a whole hog and goat.
I have never tasted such fine cooking.
The countryside was wide open for a person to
hunt and fish as they pleased., .a young
boy could begin hunting within sight of his home
and quickly bring home dinner.
These were the 1960s and things will never
again be the same. I have returned twice and
plan many other future trips to Lee County.
Until then, I will
reminisce of all the wonderful people.
Jerry (Reed) Jacobson
78
Hard Times
During the years that we lived on that dirt road, we didnt have a lot of
material things, but we were blessed with good health and the ability to grow
what we needed. Im not saying we could eat everything that we wanted, but
we never went to bed hungry.
One spring and summer we ate so many turnip greens we had to wear
kerosene rags around our ankles to keep the cut worms away. This was the
same year my parents must have thought I was dying. I say this because they
took me to the doctor. That was the only time anyone went to the doctor, they
had to think you were at deaths door. Anyway, when we arrived at the doctors
office they tried to draw blood from my arm and all they could get was pot
likker. Enough of that. But to this day, I still think that a bowl of pot likker
(turnips or peas) with some combread crumbled up in it and a big ole onion
chipped up on top of it and some black pepper sprinkled in it, with a large glass
of buttermilk is as good of a meal as a man can ask for.
We would grow sweet potatoes and bury them in a hill until the fall.
Then we would go out and dig a few to bake and put some churned butter on
them. Quite a treat and if we were lucky maybe some were left in the warming
oven when we got home from school. If not we could have a cold biscuit. We
would punch a hole in the biscuit and fill it with cane syrup that we made on the
farm.
My cousin bought a few acres of land in the edge of the woods off
Highway 195 between Leslie and Leesburg. He wanted to go back to living
like he grew up. So he bought a mule and a few hogs and everything was going
okay. He was growing vegetables and raising hogs and chickens, living the
good life. Then one day the old mule dropped dead in the middle of the vegetable
patch better known as the garden. He thought long and hard about what to do
with the dead mule. He didnt have another mule to pull it out of the garden. He
devised a plan that required digging a large hole next to the mule. Having done
this, he proceeded to roll the mule over into the hole. One problem, the hole
was not deep enough and the legs stuck above the hole. Not to be out done, he
went to the bam and got a handsaw and proceeded to saw the legs off. When
this was done, he put the legs in the hole and put pine straw in the hole and set it
on fire. After the fire, he filled in the hole. Problem solved.
He had a small pond behind the house and one day one of the hogs fell
into the pond. He could see the hog was drowning. He may have gone down
79
three times, I dont know, but, anyway he got the hog out and tried to give it
CPR, but said he stopped short of giving it mouth to mouth. The hog didnt
make it so he butchered it. While he worked on the hams, shoulders, and the
other parts of the hog to put it in the freezer, he gave the head to his, wife to
prepare for Brunswick stew. When he got through cutting up the hog he went
into the room where his wife was preparing the head. He stopped at the door
and exclaimed in a veiy loud voice, Woman, what in the world are you doing?
She explained that she was brushing the teeth and had already cleaned the nose
holes. She said she would not cook the head if it was not clean.
They lived happily ever after. I guess we all lived happily ever after, up
and down that old dirt road. After all, we had the same thing nothing. But we
didnt know it until someone told us that we had nothing.
TomUsry
Would You Believe... Cheerleading
Would you believe that I was the very first male cheerleader for the basketball
team at Lee County High School? Sure thing, thats right! Some of the boys, namely
John Cromartie, Malcolm Gaines, Rody Stovall, Zack Pate, James Macolly, dared
me to try out for cheerleading. Well, it wasnt exactly to try out, but to agree to do it
I soon decided to take them up on this dare. Some of the girls went to
Coach Sherman and told him about it, and he thought that it was a good idea! These
girls happened to be Angie Arnold, Gay Forrester, Faye Spillers, Phyllis Devane,
Gwen Stephens. They were the cheerleaders and I soon became the other
cheerleader!
Now the girls wore red skirts, white sweaters over white shirts, and white
buck shoes.The sweaters had a monogrammed letter L over a megaphone emblem.
But I wore red corduroy pants, white shirt, red bow tie and white buck shoes.
Whenever our teams had out -of -town ballgames, wecheerleaders
would attract attention, probably because no other teams had a male cheerleader.
As we would walk into the gym, you could hear There he is.! I always Just ate
this up!! Oh, how those were the good ole days!.
Gary Eubanks
80
(ZAevtlc**Cer<x
Arnold, Forrester, SpiUers, de Vane, Stephens, Eubanks
Happenings
During the late twenties and thirties, production companies contacted
small communities to put-on musicals. The company provided the director
and costumes for the actors and dancers. There was always lots of excitement
-who would play the major parts-who would be in the chorus. It was amazing
how many talented people were in Leesburg. I remember being a rosebud in
a chorus when I was about 12 or 13.
Gwen Johnson Seanor
Womanless Weddings
In the thirties, the community had Womanless Weddings. The men of
the town would dress up like females, and the entire wedding ceremony was
carried out. I remember Little George Moreland was the bride and Lamar
Cannon was the groom in one of these productions. During these same years
Musicals were held. There was much talent. High school girls and young women
made up the chorus. I remember Kline Kirkpatrick always sang On the Road
to Mandolay. Henrietta Yeoman always played the piano for all these
productions.
Gwen Johnson Seanor
Hobby Shows
In the fifties the community held Hobby Shows in the High School Gym.
The show was for all ages. One of those years, my family really won blue
ribbons. We were so proud. My dad (Joseph Johnson) won a blue ribbon in
his age group. He had built a miniature saw mill village. Everything moved using
pulleys and sting. Mama (Helen Johnson) and I won a blue ribbon in the art
division for oil paintings in our age group. My oldest son (Larry Guilbeau) won
in his age group with his Indian Arrowhead collection. My youngest (Ken
Guilbeau) won a blue ribbon in his age group with his train collection which
included about twenty or more trains-of different gauges. We have always had
hobbies and continue to have a hobby of some kind.
Gwen Johnson Seanor
Talking Movies
In the late twenties, Albany opened a new theater. I remember the night
it was opened. My dad bought three reserved tickets. I was so excited. We
had to wait outside until the doors opened- while the crowd got larger and
larger. The people kept coming and pushing toward the doors. I was so little
and short (I was only about five years old), that Daddy finally had to pick me up
so I could breathe. When the doors finally opened-what a msh! I dont know
why because the seats were reserved. My eyes were wide with surprise-how
beautiful! The big lobby and the curved staircase were really beautiful to me.
When we walked into the theater, I was breathless. The colors, the
gold trims, large curtain, the organ playing lovely music and the huge crystal
chandelier, all this really took my breath away. The theater filled quickly. Just
before the curtain opened an usher asked my dad to hold me in his lap so
someone could have that seat. He showed my ticket stub, and I felt so important.
The curtain opened and the movie began. Thinking back, Im sure the people
sitting around us probably wished I had not come. I was constantly whispering,
Mama, what are they saying? I couldnt read. I saw many silent movies in
the Albany Theater. When talking movies came along, I saw my first one
there as well as my first color movie. I know this should be about Lee County
but we did have to go to Albany to see a movie.
Gwen Johnson Seanor
82
Driving Ms. Susie
This story is a lot like the movie Driving Miss Daisey except Ms.
Susie was a poor southern lady and Ms. Daisey was wealthy. They both
fought hard to keep their independence and to prove their self worth; something
more than just two old grouchy women!
You see, Ms. Susie was the lady who raised me because my mother
had to work too, because in most poor families the man and the woman had to
work to provide for their family. Ms. Susie was also my grandmother! I feel
more fortunate than the others in my family because I had the unique opportunity
to hang out with my grandmother and my grandfather. The most exciting and
frequent thing that we did was go fishing at Chickasawhatchee Creek when I
was a little boy. My grandmother would stay up at the bridge where we fished
from the bank and always caught a bucketful of three finger redeye bream. As
I got older, my grandfather allowed us to follow him down creek where the big
fish were. Wading through the mud and the muck was really fun with the two of
them. I could write a book about our adventures, but that is another story!
Folks, my grandmother was the strongest person that Ive ever met.
Here are some of the trials that she endured; She never lost her faith even
though it seemed God was allowing all these things to test her faith. She lost
her father that she loved so much and was her strength, she lost her elder brother,
she then lost a grandson, and then lost two more elder brothers to cancer, she
then lost her husband, and then she lost her youngest son. She also lost two
granddaughters and a great-granddaughter and then she lost her baby brother
and numerous other family members.. She always told me that the Lord had a
plan and that his plan would always work even if we didnt see it.
You see, my grandmother, Ms. Susie, lived in her own house for more
than 91 long wonderful years, she drove until two years ago and only recendy
had to go to a nursing home where she really needed the constant care that was
given to her by the fine staff at Palmyra Nursing Home. Those ladies there loved
Ms. Susie too, and it showed!
But, the most amazing thing that happened between us was at Ms. Susies
funeral, even more wonderful than all those great times I shared with this amazing
lady was... and a special thank you to Gary and Mike Mathews and their entire
staff for making this difficult time go smoothly without difficulties, and an even
greater thanks to Gary Mathews for allowing me the opportunity to drive my
83
grandmother, friend and Ms. Susie Lee Storey to her final resting place. Although
her soul had already left her in preparation for a reunion, I like so many others,
will truly miss her presence here. Granny, I will always love you and I look
forward to seeing you another day. Driving Ms. Susie was great!!!!
Jimmy L. Kerfoot
Hog Wild in Lee County
Photo demontrates one fine hunting opportunity our county offers. Pictured
(left) Gregg Bonnell shot the black boar hog. It weighed over 300 pounds,
(right) Matt Wilson shot the white boar hog and it weighed over 260 pounds.
Both pigs were shot on property off New York Road.
Raising Cane in Lee County
Like many farms, in the past, Stocks Farm grew a large patch of sugar
cane. While the farm workers were raising the cane in the cane patch, the Stocks
kids were raising cane all over the farm.
The fun day, for the kids, was when the cane was cut and brought in to
make homemade sugarcane syrup. It was an all day affair that lasted from dawn
to dusk. To the kids it was like play-time but to the workers it was hard hot
work. A mule was hitched to a machine that squeezed the juice from the cane
84
which then ran into a large cast iron kettle. A large hot fire was built under the
kettle to boil the juice. The mule walked in circles around the kettle nearly all
day. The fire had to be maintained all day and as the syrup cooked, foam had to
be skimmed from the top. That kettle of syrup provided many families with
dark, thick home made syrup. Home made biscuits or home made pancakes
topped with this syrup made your taste buds stand up and shout yum-yum and
beg for more. I know a good many of you still can recall the taste of homemade
syrup. Making syrup on local farms is almost just a sweet memory. Raising
Cane by kids will always be with us. How sweet it is.
Sandra Stocks
A Fishing Trip to Remember
It was a Friday in October, many years ago. Several Leesburg couples
and their families went to Apalachicola, Florida on a fishing trip. The families-
Gibbs, Hartleys, Hills and Tharps headed out with boats, fishing gear, food, etc.
We were excitied about the idea of a fishing trip for the weekend. Not
too far down the road (actually we had gotten no farther down the road then
Newton, Georgia) when the Tharp boat trailer had a flat tire. Course everybody
had to wait for it to be fixed, because we all wanted to ride along together.
We arrived at a much later time than we had anticipated because of the
flat tire. Not only that, there were seventeen of us including children and adults,
so extra time out for supper along the way. For these reasons, we didnt arrive
at our destination, The Bay City Lodge, until around midnight. This lodge was
located a distance from the town of Apalachicola. Being as primitive as it was
then, it proved to give some of us an eerie feeling, seeing the moss-laden oak
trees and fact that the office was closed.
On the office bulletin board we found our cabin assignment. When we
found it, we learned that it had only one large room, one small room, and ONE
bathroom (for 17 people)!!!
We put the children, except for two of them and eight adults in the larger
one. Since it was getting very late, everyone got into bed as soon as possible.
Shortly thereafter, we heard one of the ladies playing mother hen going
from bed to bed to see that everyone was all right. Soon after that we discovered
that someone had mistaken the closet for the bathroom!!!(There was no light)
85
This was an honest mistake, however, and soon everybody was settled once
more. About an hour passed, when all of sudden someone started bamming on
our door, saying nothing, the men immediately jumped up, thinking that someone
was breaking into our cabin. What we did not know was that it was policy of
the lodge to awaken all the fisherman before day!!!
After getting almost no sleep, we got ready and proceeded on to our
fishing trip to the Gulf Bay. There were three boats of us and we headed out to
the cut. This is a man-made cut through a peninsula which is about 400 feet
long and about 100 feet wide. It is in the cut that the best fishing is found.
At ebb tide the water in this cut is almost motionless. Depending on the
tide, however, it begins to move one way or the other. The water then becomes
very swift equaling that of the Flint River. It is for this reason extra and heavy
weights must be used to maintain a stopped position.
During the morning fishing, we noticed that the Hill boat kept heading
back and forth to shore. Since we had no radio in those days, we were at a loss
as to what was happening. It turned out that Otis Hill had hired a fishing guide
and he had some type of physical problem that necessitated going back and
forth to shore.
As the water began moving through the cut from the Gulf into the Bay,
we began to catch many fish including reds. What fun we had pulling in all those
fish.
Finishing for the day with our fishing trip, we ended our weekend laughing
a lot, eating wonderful seafood and discussing our experiences. Even though
we had a great weekend, we all looked forward to the return trip home back to
Leesburg. (Is there no place like it)
Patricia Tharp
English Cadets in Leesburg, Georgia
In the early 1940s there was a Training School in Albany on Newton
Road called Dar Aero Tech. They trained English Cadets to become Pilots.
There were two English Cadets in particular that I remember as a young child.
These two were Eric Poole and Dennis (cant remember his last name). My
sister was seven years older than I was and the dating age. Eric and Dennis
would come up to the house and have dinner with us. Eric dated my sister and
Dennis dated the girl across the street. Eric had told my sister, Joyce, that when
86
he got back to England he was going to send her his silver wings. He did send
them to her and I remember the day they came in the mail. She was so excited
and she was going across the street to show Ann Kearse the silver wings he had
sent and she was running and actually fell on the hill. Being a lot younger, I really
thought this was so cool, and couldnt wait until I could be of the dating age.
They had a list of casualties at the Holiday Inn several years ago and Erics name
was on the list of casualties as being killed in the war. I cant remember the date
and time, but it was very sad to hear about the casualty.
Elizabeth Forrester Young
Four-More Club
My favorite teacher is Mrs. Bennett. She teaches second grade at Twin
Oaks Elementary School. She was my favorite teacher because she is nice and
fun. She made spelling and reading lots of fun. She was never mean to us. She
would always let us have free time to read. She has a Four-More Club for
reading. If we read four or more books in the week or over the weekend and
passed the test, we could go into the treasure box. This is why Mrs. Bennett is
my favorite teacher.
John Bryant
Cookville Neighbors and Palmyra Community Club
When I first married in June of 1964 and moved to our farm on Hwy.82
across from Cookville Store, the first people I met were the owners of the store,
Walter and Emma Cook. They lived in a small apartment in the back of the
store. The Albany newspaper was delivered as a bundle to the store, and every
afternoon the neighbors would stop by the store to pick up the paper, fresh, milk
and/or bread as needed. Mr. Cook always kept a well-stocked cookie jar on
the counter. Both he and Mrs. Cook knew everyone around that area and always
kept us in the know about any neighborhood news. That store was where I
got to meet and know many of our scattered neighbors.... the Kirkley s, the
Berisfords, the Harriss, the Hines, and others.
87
During that first October I had my first experience with picking up pecans.
We had three long rows of trees along the highway, and the Kirkleys across the
road had three rows. All the way from the Plantation Trailer Park to the Cookville
Store, the tree limbs touched high over the highway making a tunnel. We would
wave and chat across the highway as we picked up pecans. Each Thanksgiving,
I would take a burlap sack filled with pecans to my parents in Greenville, SC.
They would come back at Christmas and bring my half of the pecans shelled
and in plastic bags for the freezer.
The following spring, I started going over to Jim and Ann Kirkleys on
Saturday mornings to watch them planting their garden. Later I would watch
them pick vegetables and fruits and sit in the kitchen while Ann canned and froze
or pickled and made jams or preserves. I would then go back across the
highway and try to follow her directions with my own. I had never done any of
that stuff before. One thing I soon found out about being married to Sandy
Hatfield was that he was a farmer, and he didnt know how to plant a normal
garden. He would do four long rows of everything.... rows that reached from
our house out to the Oakland Road. There was always plenty to share. My
friends and family back in Greenville, SC loved gifts of green tomato pickles,
com relish, wild plum jelly, wild blackberry jam, and sugar coated roasted pecans.
I soon learned about the Palmyra Community Club. It included families
living from the Lee/Dougherty county line and west of Palmyra road all the way
to Hwy 32 and the Terrell county line. Once a month we all got together in
someones home on a rotating basis. Every family brought a covered dish.
Somehow we ended up with a balanced amount of meats, vegetables, and
desserts.
Through the community club, I got to know J.C. and Kay Hinds who
had a dairy on Armenia Road. Kay was our Lee County extension home
economist. I learned a lot of good tips from her about my freezing and canning.
There was C.D. and Ida Ranew and their family. Ida recruited me to help with
Community Club Booths for competition at the annual Albany Exchange Club
Fair. Our group also included the McCorkles who had a dairy up on Hwy 32,
the Fussels who had Fussels Eggs on Hwy 82 near the Dougherty County Line,
the Cooks, the Southwells, the Berisfords, and the Harrises.
We always enjoyed getting together, swapping information, sharing
recipes, and watching all of our children playing together. Even though we did
88
not live close together, we had a true sense of community spirit and I always
knew that we had good friends and neighbors who were there to help when
needed.
Looking back over the past 43 years that we have lived in Lee County,
I realize what a blessing it was to raise our three children, Ruthie, Reed HI, and
Travis here in this place. It was a good way to live.
Glenna Hatfield
Weds Sweetheart of his Youth
After long years of waiting a faithful lover was rewarded by marrying
the girl he loved when he was a boy, when Robert R. Forrester, a prominent
young attorney, and Mrs. Pearl Ragan were quietly married in Albany by Rev.
Lee M. White, pastor of the First Baptist church there.
Before Mrs. Ragan had ever married the first time and when she was
Miss Pearl Hall, a widely popular young lady here, Mr. Forrester was in love
with her. An older rival, however, won Miss Halls hand when she married,
Dudley J. Ragan, also a young attorney. About a year and a half ago, young
Ragan was accidentally shot while taking his shotgun from a buggy to go hunting.
The wound proved fatal within a short time after it had been inflicted.
Immediately after the death of Ragan, Mr. Forrester, who had gone to
Americus and formed a law partnership with Hollis Fort, dissolved their
partnership and returned to Leesburg as the death of young Ragan had removed
a rival both in the practice of law and the gentler art of love. His attentions to
Mrs. Ragan have been unremitting since that time, as he broke an engagement
with another young lady to renew his love for Mrs. Ragan.
Though the young people had been engaged for some time, they decided
suddenly Saturday night that they would be married at once, whereupon they
secured several friends and went immediately to Albany by automobile, where
the knot was tied. Mrs. White, the wife of the officiating clergyman, was a
friend of Mrs. Ragan, so that the wedding was an unusually happy though quiet
one. Mr. Forrester was a graduate of the University of Georgia law school.
The young couple made their home with Mr. and Mrs. D.D. Hall, the brides
parents.
Jane Forrester Wooten
89
Remembering Gussie
Having anived in Lee County in early 2002, God blessed my life with a
sweet friendship that I found in Gussie Collins, who I met through my brother,
Bert. Gussie was bom in 1916 in Century, Lee County, Georgia. She lived a full
life though she was never famous by world acclaim or status, but none the less
she was sassy, humorous, hardworking, but most importantly, she loved Jesus.
Gussie was raised by her maternal grandfather. She worked at Century Dairy as
a child and at home she had a chicken, a cat, a dog and a pig as companions.
The pig would follow her every morning to work and wait for her to walk back
home.
Gussie was baptized as a youngster in the Kinchafoonee Creek along
with her pet pig. (For the pig was quite fond of Gussie and the Sunday she was
baptized, the pig got out of the gate and followed Gussie to the Creek.) The
preacher asked her which one of them wanted to be baptized first. She told me
this story often with fond remembrance and a smile.
As a teenager and young bride, she along with her husband moved to
Montgomery, Alabama. However, shortly after her arrival, her husband was
murdered. She never remarried nor had any children of her own. For fifty years,
she found work in the kitchen of the Presbyterian Church where she cooked for
all the mid-week meals and all the Thursday mens luncheons, and occasional
Sunday dinners. In addition to her service at the church, she was employed for
twenty-seven years at the cafe/diner in the heart of Montgomery across from
the Police station. She liked being in the center of activity. One day while working,
she saw her dear friend being escorted by police officers with scores of people
following them to the station. She thought that her friend was going to the station
to bail her drunkard husband out, yet again. Gussie was 4 11 and bow-legged
so, she stood up in the booth to catch the excitement. She witnessed history in
the making, for her friend was Mrs. Rosa Parks.
Being baptized along with her pet pig is just one amusing story of Miss
Gussies life. Working long hours at the church and the cafe, didnt leave a lot of
time for leisure activities. Gussie lived in a duplex. Her next door neighbor was
a blind man for whom she cooked, cleaned and did his bookkeeping. Gussie
did this as a gesture of friendship and Christian love. While working at the cafe
one afternoon, Gussie overheard a conversation among some police officers
about a raid they were planning in her neighborhood. She told her neighbor
90
about the raid but, he didnt believe her story until the police came to arrest him.
He never doubted Gussie again. In the early 1960s, Gussie visited an appliance
store and placed a new television on layaway. This was to be her first television.
Her neighbor heard of her latest venture. He called her over and wanted her to
count his money. She told him that she had already counted for him earlier in the
day. He insisted and as she counted out the amount $ 125, he stopped her and
told her to take the money and buy the television. He told her to invite him over
so he could listen to the TV as proof that she had purchased it. Gussie obtained
her television sight thru the kindness of a blind man.
Miss Gussie moved back to Albany in the 1990s, and lived there until she came
to live at Lee County Healthcare in the fall of 2003. She was a blessing to all
who knew her. For a couple of years the carolers from the Leesburg United
Methodist Church would go and sing to Gussie at Christmas time, but each time
they would leave with the deeper meaning of Christmas imprinted on their souls.
One of Gussies favorite songs was He Was Bom in the Last Month of the
Year. She would sing it to the group just like the soulful angel her life portrayed.
Miss Gussie passed away in February of 2007. My brother and I were
asked to take part in her funeral. Bert was asked to speak by the family on the
spirit rich life of Gussie Mae Collins. I was asked to provide the music. The
hymns for which Gussie and I sang together at the holiday gatherings with my
family, I could now share with Gussies loved ones. The family entered with
The Sweet By and By. Gussie two favorite hymns were What a Friend We
Have in Jesus and Near the Cross which the congregation sang in unison.
How wonderfully rich and sweet those songs felt and were heard. The family
exited to My God is Real. I am honored that I was asked to share my talents
and one last expression of love for my dear friend.
Gussie, I long for the day to see you again, for God is Real.
Melanie Gregory
Leesburg, Now My Home
Harry and Laveme Hinds, with their sons Frank David and John Thomas
moved to Leesburg from Auburn, Alabama. Having never lived in the country
before, this was a new experience. The boys loved to be outside. We moved
here in March of 1952, because Harry had a new job. He was a farm manager
for absentee owners. At one time, he was overseer for eight farms.
91
In World War II, he was a Captain in the Air Force, as a Bombardier
Instructor. We moved to five different bases.
We lived on three different farms in Lee County. One was near Mossy
Dell, where the boys learned to swim. Our dog, Hoss, went with us. He would
try to get the boys out of the water.
As time went by, Frank and John played baseball and basketball in
school. They won several trophies. Frank was scouted by a professional team,
but we wanted him to go to college. I used to tease John, telling him that even if
he didnt go to college, at least he was bom at the Auburn University Infirmary
in 1950. Harry was involved with helping the teams by getting baseball bats for
them.
John went to ABAC and then joined the Navy. John had a classified
job in communications. The FBI came to Leesburg to see if John had done
anything to keep him from this job. They interviewed people here James Cannon
told them that he didnt know anything bad about John to tell them. John was
stationed in the Philippines and Cypress. He served four years in the Navy and
never served on a ship. He came home and got a job with P and G He and his
girlfriend were killed on Highway 82, when a tanker track drove over the top of
the car. This was in 1974.
Frank attended and graduated from University of Georgia, married Donna
Sanders from Macon, and they have a son and daughter. Their son John was
chosen his senior year as Soccer Player of the Year for the state of South Carolina
He played for Irmo High School. He went to the University of Kentucky on a
Soccer Scholarship. Their daughter Anson was a cheerleader in High School
and attended Virginia Tech on a Cheerleader Scholarship.
Harry died March of 1997. I live in the house that belonged to Robert
Heath. I wasnt bom here and I didnt grow up here, but Leesburg is my home
and has been for fifty-five years. I served as aPostal Clerk in the Leesburg Post
Office for twenty years.
God blessed our family in many ways.
Laveme Hinds
Through the years I think about John learning to say The Lords Prayer. Instead
of saying, Give us this day our daily bread, he would say, Give us this day our
daily toast.
92
Otis Hill Chevrolet Dances
In the late 1950s, Otis Hill moved to Leesburg from South Florida and
purchased the Chevrolet dealership from Mr. Robert Heath, Sr. The dealership
was located on U.S. 19 in abuilding owned by Edward and Charlie Cannon, across
the street from the State Bank of Leesburg.
Each year when the new models of Chevrolet came in, Otis would clear out
a place in the showroom to have a dance. The entire community was invited to come
and all ages came. He provided music and lots of dancing took place. One older
woman said she always came so she could dance with the young men. Mrs. Lucia
Forrester said she would always come so she could dance with Edward Cannon.
She thought he was the best dancer in town.
This event provided a great venue for entertainment, (which was very limited in
Leesburg) and at the same time showing off the new models of Chevrolets. There
may not have been many car deals made that night, but it was a wonderful gesture of
Otis Hill to offer an opportunity for a wonderful night of dancing and fun for his
potential customers in Leesburg.
Opal Cannon
Picking Peanuts
We have always loved boiled peanuts. Cousin Will Hooks, a farmer
here in Lee County, use to bring peanuts from his field early in the morning and
put them on our front walk just like he pulled them out of the ground. I was
about 3 years of age. Mother and I would get out on the steps and pick them off
the vine, wash them, and boil them. Mother called Cousin Will for me to thank
him for the peanuts. I thanked him and said, Please pick them off the vine the
next time you bring us some more.
Mary E. Green
A Tale About Another Tail
Many years ago, on occasion, my daddy, T.C. Tharp, and Reverend
R.H. Forrester, Blue as everyone called him, walked home together after their
days work Daddy at the State Bank of Leesburg, and Brother Blue at the
93
Leesburg Mercantile Company, where he was a co-owner. Due to the seasons,
sometimes their journey was after first-dark. But regardless of when, they always
encountered the same problem every time.
The problem was Miss Nells terrier dog, she living on the comer and
prior to their homes on Main and Academy Streets. That dog was a complete,
aggravating nuisance, barking and yapping at everyone and everything coming
its way.
One evening, just after dark, as they were heading home, the usual
greeting was extended by the yapping dog, but this time, not just barking, it
nipped the trouser leg of Brother Blue. Being most upset and aggravated about
the situation, Daddy got out his 38 Smith and Wesson pistol which he carried
from the bank each day, knelt, using both hands and taking dead aim, at the dog
now only feet away, fired the gun. The noise echoed in the night air around the
entire neighborhood. The dog yelped and hobbled off going under her house.
Both walkers made haste to their abodes.
The next day, Miss Nell went to town and happened to meet Brother
Blue, telling him of the unusual thing that happened. The conversation went like
this, Blue, someone shot my little dog last night. Oh, so someone killed your
dog? Oh, no, Blue, Oh no! They didnt kill him. They shot off the tip end of
his tail. And that is the end of this tale.
Page Tharp
Living in Lee County
I, James J. Kirkley of Augusta, Georgia, and Anamae Stalnaker of
Greenwood, South Carolina were married April 2,1953. We moved to Albany
to work in Civil Service at the Marine Corps Depot of Supplies. Hoping to find
some property in Lee County, we asked Bill Fryer, a friend who attended
Porterfield Methodist Church with us and also lived in Lee County near the
Cooks Store, if he knew of any piece of property for sale.
In a few weeks, he approached me and said he had some land for sale
just below Cooks Store. I asked him how much they wanted for it, and he
said, $500.00 per acre. I told him that I could go down near Morgan and buy
all the land I wanted for $40.00 an acre. Bill said, But this land will be worth
something some day.
I looked at the land and purchased it. My father always had real estate
surveyed first. I had the land surveyed. The survey showed 22 acres.
94
The history of the land showed that had been sold twice for 20 acres. I purchased
it for 20 acres.
We built a house and bam on the property. While building the house,
someone stole the pump equipment for the well.
I took care of the pecan trees. I sprayed them and pruned them properly.
The squirrels had a path from the woods to the pecan trees. I had a good bit of
target practice trying to keep the squirrels from eating all of the pecans before
we could get them.
I had a German Shepard dog. When people would stop on the highway
and pick up the pecans, I would go down and tell them not to pick them up.
They were on private property. The dog soon got the message that people
didnt have any business picking them up. She would go down to them and
bark at them. In other words, she was trying to tell them that they didnt have
any business picking up the pecans. If they didnt leave, she came to the house
and barked. Then we went down to tell them.
A number of years later, we sold some of the property to friends who
also built houses and moved out there. They were Leo and Mae Ingle and
Dave and Mary Smith. We had many other good friends and neighbors in Lee
County.
My wife, Annamae, and I both retired from the Marine Corps Base in
1975. Shortly after retiring, we moved into Albany.
James J. Kirkley
Pauline Page Tharp
A Treasured Memory
When my wife and I came to Leesburg First Baptist Church in the early
sixties that was the beginning of the most blessed and happiest year of our
ministry.
Among those who endeared themselves to us was a very special and
extraordinary person, Pauline Page Tharp. She was affectionately, called Miss
Pauline. She entered our lives and has never gone away. Her influence and
memory linger with us.
For many years, she was the pianist at First Baptist, and used her unusual
and proficient talent unsparingly. It was said that she had magic in her slender
fingers as she played the piano. We thrilled to her music as she lifted man up to
God, and brought God down to man. Miss Pauline presented her music and
95
used her talent at countless funerals and weddings. She never said, No. She
accompanied me to many revivals where I preached and she played. In every
respect, Miss Pauline was the greatest mentor and adviser I ever had. She
enhanced my life and made Jesus so real to all who knew her.
Her priority was the Lord, her dear family, and her church. She was in
the church and the church was in her.
Further, who could ever forget her acute and thorough knowledge of
the Bible and her expertise as a teacher come from God. She was without
equal in her ability to communicate the word of God.
Abraham Lincoln once said, When I am gone, I wish it to be said of me
wherever I found a weed, I pulled it up and planted a flower. This aptly describes
Miss Pauline. We remember that weeds did not stand a chance in her yard or
anywhere else. As she walked often, she pulled up weeds along the way. She
loved flowers and once said that flowers were Gods thoughts in a bloom.
Her vocabulary and word usage were incredible. She instilled in me the
habit of learning a new word often. To her, the dictionary was a place where
you could find success. She was a par excellent etymologist.
Pauline Tharp left a marvelous legacy to her family, friends and community. She
was a Pearl of Great Price. She laid her soul in Gods arms near her 95th year
having lived a productive and good life.
No wonder her children arise up and call her blessed, her husband
also, and he praiseth her. She was Gods gift of love to us and her works do
follow her.
Rev. Bobby Moye
I Miss the Caboose
In the fall of 1949, my family moved from Randolph County to Lee
County. My dad had found us a house to live, on Grave Springs Road.
Being thirteen years of age it was a big move for me to leave old friends
behind and being faced with making new friends.
After being enrolled in school I was assigned to ride on Mr. Willie
Breedens bus route. Mr. Willie maintained a peaceful and orderly environment
on the bus. However, while on the way home one afternoon two boys sitting in
the back of the bus started to fight. Mr. Willie gave the boys several warnings to
96
sit down and stop their fighting. The boys did not heed the warnings and continued
to fight. Without another warning, Mr. Willie stopped the bus and walked to the
back of the bus where the boys were fighting. He parted the boys and took
them outside of the bus, pulled his belt off and whipped the boys for inappropriate
behavior. When the ordeal was over, Mr. Willie told the boys that they would
not be allowed back on the bus and would have to walk home. He also informed
the boys that he would stop by each of the boys home to tell their parents what
had happened. Needless to say, the boys learned their lesson and never fought
on Mr. Willies bus again.
How things have changed! What would the law do to Mr. Willie now-a-
days?
My first good job was working as a fire fighter with the Georgia Forestry
Commissioner. Mr. Lamar Cannon was the Ranger and I was the only Patrolman
at the time.
I remember the coal burning steam engine trains with a caboose that ran
through Leesburg. The trains would drop hot ash along the way. The hot ash
would sometimes set grass and crossties on fire. Since Lee County did not have
a fire department the forestry unit was called out to fight the fires.
I remember one particular fire I was fighting on the Stocks Dairy Farm.
The fire was a difficult fire and burned for several days. Mrs. Stocks would
cook three meals a day, and Mr. Stocks would bring the food to me in the
woods. He would bring plenty of cold milk, it was so good.
Along the time I was working with the forestry unit, I met the love of my
life, Frances Vamum. We courted for a while and were married on July 4,
1954. We had two boys. Frances and I will soon celebrate our fifty-third
wedding anniversary.
Lee County is still our home, but I miss the old trains with a caboose.
Fred Knowles
The 1960 State Basketball Contenders
In 1960, the Lee County Troj ans played in the state basketball tournament
in City Auditorium in Macon, Georgia. Sophomore Tommy Cannon, senior
Max Hardy, Jr., junior Cliff Ranew, sophomore (the late) Roy Johnson and
senior Charles Exum were the starters. I was a sophomore, the sixth man, and
97
John Edd Futch, a junior, was another first sub. We played Harlem, Georgia in
our first and only game. They got off to a quick start and lead us 8 or 10 to 0.
We began a comeback and made it a close game. I went into the game at some
point, and I swept a rebound from under their goal. I looked up, and, as I recall,
there was Tommy Cannon streaking down the floor toward the goal. I threw a
pass up onto the stage about half-way up the curtain! We lost the game that
day, but there are few Trojans who can say they played in a state basketball
tournament.
In 1961, the basketball Trojans did not fare well, as we lost more games
than we won. That group included Tommy Cannon, the late Roy Johnson, John
Edd Futch, Ray Williams, Larry Tucker, James Beauchamp, Bobby Usry, Robert
Powell and Ralph Cannon.
Larry Tucker
Jerry, the Dog Who Went to Church
Back in the early 80s there was no leash law in Leesburg so the dogs
just went their merry way around town. Nobody seemed to mind that in those
days. We had a mixed black lab that checked out the town every day. He
would leave in the morning and return a few hours later after having walked all
around the town to be sure everything was okay. One day he did bring his
girlfriend home a mixed chow that decided to stay with us. We named her
Heidi II, she and Jerry made their rounds about town each day.
LeClaire Bryan across the street from us couldnt figure out why the
bags of dog food for her dog, Bandit, would disappear from her back porch.
One day I happened to be looking out the window, and I saw Jerry sneaking
around the back of the Cox home. He slunk on across between the two yards
into LeClaires backyard. When he came out from behind her house, he was
carrying a half empty bag of dog food. He went on around the front of the
Presbyterian Church before crossing the road and coming back to our house
where he proceeded to hide the bag of dog food under the house with all the
other bags. The mystery of the disappearing dog food was solved! And Jerry
was in trouble.
Jerry knew where all the free food was in town. He would go over
and sit outside Mrs. Coxwells door until she came out, and, once she saw him,
she would go back in the house and bring him out a piece of bread, hotdog, or
98
whatever she had to give him. His favorite place to go was to the Wednesday
night suppers at First Baptist Church. He would sit out in the parking lot waiting
for the kids to bring out whatever they didnt eat. The more I would tell the kids
to quit feeding him, it seemed the more they would find to take out to him.
When the men and boys would have a wild game dinner at the church, guess
where Jerry went?
Jerry would go to the church on Sunday too. We would walk over to
the First Baptist, and Jerry knew not to go with us then since he knew we would
just send him back home. He would wait until after 11:00 when everyone was
inside the church and the doors were closed. Then, he would come over and sit
on the porch out front. How did we know he was there? Well, usually, at the
same time the choir would begin their special music, the train would come through
town blowing its whistle, and Jerry would start howling right outside the church
door! We never knew if he was howling at the train or singing with the choir!
Once, the door to the church was not quite closed, and Jerry apparently nudged
it open and came right on in. We always sat down close to the front, and we
heard some snickering behind us, and the preacher was just staring up the aisle.
Bill turned around and sitting right next to him in the aisle was Jerry! You know,
even though it was kind of embarrassing, it was really funny!
Of course, Jerry is gone now. We havent owned another dog with
as much personality and sense as Jerry had!
Sandy Caldbeck
Williams-Fox Stop on the Train Line Through Lee County, Georgia
Jonathan Williams, who was bom near Wagener, South Carolina, came
to Southwest Georgia around 1890, with several members of his family. He
was in the navel stores business with his brother, Barney Williams. They had
had land and pine trees and a business in Southeast Georgia but decided to
move west as there were better opportunities there. Jonathan bought land in
Lee County and Terrell County. Barney bought land in Dougherty County, and
other relatives bought land in Crisp County. The land in Lee County had many
acres of virgin pine trees at that time. In 1898, Jonathan married Olivia Alexander
from Dawson, Georgia. She was his second wife as his first wife and child had
died. Mr. Jonathan fixed up the small turpentine shack he had for his business
99
into a cottage, and they lived there about six months. Miss Olivia had made
him promise to buy her cousins home and farm in Dawson which was across
the street from her family home, which he did. They moved to Dawson, and that
home remained in the family until the death of their daughter, Lynn, in 1992. The
family always referred to their land as The Lee County Place and The Terrell
County Place. At this time, the Lee County Place was eleven plus miles from
Leesburg on a dirt road with no electricity or running water. It was near the
crossroads called New York. Some years later there was found on the farm
about forty wells and the foundations of a building thought to have been a school
house. At one time there had been a village there which was called New
York. Later, Mr. Jonathan went into row crop farming, building homes for the
sharecroppers and fixing up the little cottage into a little better house for an
overseer. He continued to live in Dawson but would come to the Lee County
Place nearly every day, first by horse and buggy and later by car.
Around 1940, Mr. Jonathan suffered a stroke. He and Miss Olivia had
two daughters, Ardy s and Lynn. Neither lived in the area, but Lynn had married
a local boy, Phelps Fox, known as Pete. Pete had been a textile engineer and
was at this time a professor of textile engineering at Alabama Polytechnic Institute
-Auburn University. Pete and Lynn and their children moved back so that Pete
could take over the management of the two farms. They moved into the overseers
cottage on the Lee County Place, but this was in 1939/40. It still had an unpaved
road, no running water, no electricity, no indoor plumbing and a very long way
for the kids to get to school. After about six months, they moved to Dawson
and lived in the home of Mr. Jonathan and Miss Olivia.
During this time, World War II was being fought, and the United States
government bought land from Mr. Jonathan for an auxiliary landing field and
bunkers since Turner Field Air Base was in nearby Albany. Fortunately, it was
never needed! After the war, the land was returned to the family, but the runways
lasted a while. Pete also traveled every day from Dawson, but there was a
family who lived on the Lee County Place and oversaw its operations. Farming
was done with mules, and there was a commissary for the convenience of the
workers. By the early 1950s farming was changing over to using tractors, and
the commissary was converted into a tool and storage building. A rolling store
came by several times a week so the workers could still get some food and
drink.
In 1953, Pete and Lynns son, Jonathan, graduated from the University
of Georgia and decided to move to the Lee County Place and help his dad with
100
the operation of the farm. In 1954 or 55, electricity finally came out this far in
thecountry. All the houses were electrified, pumps put on the wells and running
water and indoor plumbing were installed.. .Yeah!!
Jonathan Fox was known as Dutt by everyone. He lived in one of the
tenant houses and began to learn farming under the tutelage of Mr. Gillis who
was the overseer. Farming was becoming more mechanized, but the family kept
some mule farming for several more years. We were the last mule farmers in
Lee County! There was still a plot of virgin pines, but that land was used for
quail and dove hunting. The farm now produced mainly peanuts, com, wheat,
rye, hay, and some cotton, pigs and beef cattle.
Marge Fox
Hurricane Flossy
Dutt became engaged to Majorie Young of Dawson, Georgia in the
spring if 1956. At this time, Dutt became the on site farm manager of the Lee
County Place while his father, Pete, still traveled from Dawson every day. Dutt
and Marjorie decided to renovate the overseers house for their own home to
live in. They went to Albany to Sears Roebuck to buy kitchen cabinets and
appliances. The salesman showed them cabinets and said, They have to be
nailed together, I hope you are a handyman. Well, Dutt was not handy with
tools, but as he said later, I could tell they needed to be joined together, and I
thought that would be simple. So the cabinets, a gas oven, gas stove top and
double sink were purchased. Marjories father, Ed Young of Dawson, offered
to help get them into the kitchen when they were delivered from Sears as Dutt
and Marjorie would be on their honeymoon then. Well, Dutt and Marge (as
Dutt called her) married on September 14, 1956 and went on a two week
honeymoon through North Florida, by Mobile Bay and on to New Orleans. As
they headed back home, Hurricane Flossy struck the area and they were chased
home by it. When they got to Lee County the storm was full blown. The eleven
mile red clay dirt road to their home was all plowed up being prepared for
paving. So Dutt took them in through the back of the farm on narrow farm
tracks. The wind had the trees nearly touching the car, the rain was a torrent
and it was like driving through a wilderness. Dutt thought Marge would change
her mind and ask to be taken to town! They finally arrived at the house. There
101
were no lights as the power and electricity were out. When they got inside the
house and went to see if the kitchen cabinets and appliances were there, they
found eleven flat boxes, two ovens, no stove top and no sink! The salesman
meant the cabinets had to be built not just joined together! After considerable
time, Sears finally produced the stove top and the sink after Dutt asked the
manager what he would do if his wife was washing dishes in the bathtub. They
took back one of the ovens. It took Dutt nearly two months to build the cabinets,
but the cabinet for the oven had a piece missing. After many trips to Albany, the
manager finally had the missing cabinet piece shipped to him. Marge went into
Albany (twenty plus) miles to get it and the manager was so happy to have it that
he took Marge down to the delivery room to get if for her. He had put it on a
shelf and in the meantime, someone thought it was trash and threw it away. The
manager was devastated and told Marge to get a carpenter to make the piece
and he would pay for it, but she got her father to make the piece. So, for the first
two months of their married life, Marge cooked on a hot plate and washed
dishes in the bathtub! After that, anything Marge cooked in the kitchen was A-
OK with Dutt!
Marge Fox
Shooting Tales
Dutt was quite a hunter, and the Lee County Place was known for its
quail, dove and later on duck hunting in the beaver ponds. Marge had grown up
shooting a .22 rifle at camp, so for a wedding gift, Dutt gave her a 20 gauge
shotgun. They were to hunt together and did do some. Marge had never been
to a dove shoot, so, one day, Dutt took her to do so. Getting familiar with the
shotgun took a little time, but she enjoyed shooting. She kept missing the doves,
though, until finally one lit on a power line above her. She aimed, fired and killed
the dove and was very excited about her first dove until Dutt corrected her.
You do not shoot a dove that has lit It must be flying to be good sportsmanship!
She never did hit a flying dove.
Marge Fox
102
Tornado
There were many new and different ways to live on a farm, and many
interesting happenings that one would not find on town life. One Sunday
afternoon when their first son, Bill, was an infant, Marge was giving him a bottle
of milk and rocking him -Hwith the cat Tom in the rocking chair with them. All
of a sudden, it sounded as if a freight train was outside their door. The outside
doors flew open and the curtains, were sucked to the windows. We wondered
what was happening. As it turned out, a tornado had touched down at the
crossroads a mile from our house, lifted up and went directly overhead and
touched down at the crossroads a mile on the other side of our home. We were
so fortunate that no damage, other than to the power lines, was done to our
home.
Marge Fox
More Shooting Tales
Dutt had a bird dog named Lemon who lived under the back porch. As
Bill grew older, Lemon would watch over him and herd him away from the road
and from the machinery. Lemon was a pointer, a good bird dog and a great
snake dog who would let Marge know whenever a snake was near. We had
lots of rattlesnakes on the farm. One day, he went berserk near the mailbox so
Marge got her .22 rifle and went to see about it, knowing he had cornered a
snake. It was a good size rattlesnake so she started shooting it. Marge was
pretty good with the rifle but the snake kept moving so she kept shooting. When
Dutt came home for lunch, she told him about the snake and asked him to check
to see if she had hit it or killed it since it had kept moving. He came back into the
house and said, Yes, hes dead. There are twelve bullet holes in him. You got
him! Later, a second son, Ed, was bom, and he too, became a ward of Lemon.
Dutt was now the sole manager for the family as Pete had died in 1959, but he
had great help and the boys loved the farm.
Marge Fox
103
Telephone
During these years, there was no telephone service this far out in the
county. A line was finally run to our area, but it was a party line with twelve
families on it. We were at the end of the line, so it was hard to hear sometimes.
When the phone rang for anyone on the line, many of our neighbors picked up
too. All the neighbors lived several miles apart so the line was long, but now
everyone could talk and know all the news. We were pleased to have contact
with the outside world, but it did get annoying sometimes to know that there was
no privacy. Dutt was the Commander of the Georgia National Guard unit in
Dawson, and when a crisis happened, I think it was the Cuban missile crisis, he
had to have instant contact with the unit, so the telephone company put in a
private line for us. We really felt as if we were in an upscale mode - electricity,
running water, indoor plumbing, and paved roads all eleven miles to Leesburg
and twenty plus miles the back way into Albany, and now, a private telephone!
Marge Fox
The Move
After ten years on the farm, Dutt and Marge built a house outside of
Leesburg on Highway 19. We felt as if we had moved to town even though we
were a mile outside of the city limits. After the move into Leesburg, Dutts Aunt
Ardys Wood and her son, George Pugh, moved into the farm house. They
made even more changes so that now no one would ever know that it had
started life as a turpentine shack where Mr. Jonathan turned pine sap into
turpentine and other navel stores. Mr. Jonathan had bought the Lee County
Place, as I said earlier, around 1890 from the family who had originally received
the land in a grant in 1836 when the treaty with the Indians opened this part of
the state to settlement. They gave him the original deed. The Lee County Place
stayed in the Williams-Fox family until 1978. For about one hundred and forty-
two years only two families owned it. Four generations of the Williams-Fox
Families lived, at least for a while, on the farm. The fourth and fifth
generations... .the Foxes.. .are still in Lee County it is a great place to call home.
Marge Fox
104
Fun in the 1940s and 1950s
When we were growing up in Leesburg, Georgia in the 1940s and 50s,
we did not have the technology we have here in 2007. Eveiy teenager did not have
a car, there were very few televisions and absolutely no cell phones. We enjoyed
group fun, board games and outside games. Family participation was something
families enjoyed.
In our family, there were Mother, Daddy and five children. They were Paul
and Evie Stamps and their three boys and two girls. They were, in the order they
were bom, Edgar Paul, Paula Oleta, Irma Leola, John Ronald (called Ronny), and
Cecil Dewey. We had our little fights, if you want to call it that, but the most important
thing was we were a close family and enjoyed being together and working and
playing together.
In Leesburg back then, high school basketball for both boys and the girls
and the Saturday night square dances were the highlight of entertainment in our little
town. Sometimes I thought basketball was the reason I went to school. I played on
the team and was the center forward. Edgar was on the boys team and was a very
good player. Mother and Daddy enjoyed the games and attended most of them, but
they also insisted we were up on our book studies. As a result, I became one of the
charter members of the Beta club in Lee County high school. Mother and Daddy
went to all the home games and traveled to many of the out of town games.
Everyone enjoyed not only the games, but they also enjoyed the cheers led
by our only cheer leader, Mary Cromartie. Maty took dancing and was as limber as
they come she worked very hard at making every cheer for the team an exciting
cheer with the that movements she was able to work into the cheers. Mary was so
that good we did not need another cheer leader as long as she was in school. She
worked up terrific cheers with pretty and exciting physical moves. She was not only
good, she was also a very pretty young lady. She was good as she led the cheers
which everyone participated in. Everyone loved to watch her do the cheers. She
was truly a show at the ballgames. The gym was always packed. They came to
watch the games, but many also came to watch Mary. People in town, as well as out
of town, loved to come to our basketball games. Mary had some pretty, exciting
moves in her cheers, but they were also very tastefully done. Yes, those days, the
games with Mary Cromartie leading the cheers were the highlight of our basketball
games.
105
We lived on Main Street, about a half block from the school, about a good
block from the church, maybe aboutfive blocks from downtown Leesburg. Thejail
was almost across the street from us at that time. It has since been tom down. Mr.
McBride was sheriff at that time. Thejail was upstairs, and the McBride family lived
downstairs. Years later, his son, James McBride, became sheriff.
We walked to school and, living so close to school, we didnthave to leave
for school until it was almost time for the bell to ring. We stayed home doing our
chores until almost time for school many days. Many times at lunch, Edgar, Betty
Jean Ranew, Lucy Ann Bowles and I would go to our house during lunch instead of
eating in the lunch room. We would make French fries. They were the best fries, and
that was probably our (teenagers) favorite food. Plus, we enjoyed going home at
lunch time. After we ate our lunch we would go back to school for classes.
One of our summer fun things to do was ride on the wooden sleigh Daddy
made. It was pulled by our mule. Edgar would hitch the sleigh up to the old mule,
and we would ride around on our side of town. Needless to say, friends around
town would come over and ride with us. We would sometimes ride to one of our
friends house to give them a ride. Some of our friends who enjoyed those rides
were Luther Breeden, Jack Varner, Mary & Martha Cannon, Sara Ann Sanford
and others I cannot remember. Irma was younger, than we were but Edgar would
sometimes ride lima and two of her best friends, Eunice Culpepper and Laura Jean
Breeden. I am sure Ronny was a part of that fun too, even though he was younger,
but time has past and so many things have happened, I just can not remember all
who enjoyed those fun times on the sleigh. That poor mule! I wonder if he enjoyed
running around Leesburg as much as we did. He never seemed to mind.
On Sundays, the Stamps family always attended church activities. Many
Sundays we had a group over for dinner and games after church. Mother was a
good cook, and she would start her Sunday dinner on Saturday and finish it after we
got home from church. Billy Smith was almost always there for the church activities
and, of course, dinner and games. Many times, we would go outside and play
baseball, volleyball or badmitlen with the group who came over. Many times Mother
and Daddy would go out and play with us. This kind of fun is a thing of the past.
Family fun that meant so much to everyone back then just does not appear in too
many families in 2007. They do not know what they are missing. Those and other
family and friend times are precious memories that can never be replaced.
Another pleasant time on some Sunday afternoons that I remember is a
quiet Sunday afternoon with Sara Frances Branch who lived next door to us. Sara
Frances and I loved to listen to the stories on radio. Some Sunday afternoons we
106
would lie across one of our beds at my house and listen to several stories which
included The Shadow and Intersactum along with others and eat lemons. Now, that
was the life. We did not have televisions nor computers back then. We had more
time for family and friends. There was nothing like it You cannot imagine what this all
means to us.
Another activity I enjoyed was, in the afternoon when we could, Sara Ann
Sanford and I would go out to the farm of a friend who would let us ride his horses.
We would go saddle the horse we were to ride and ride until it was time to go home.
Boy was that fun.
Leesburg back then was a wonderful place to live and rear your children.
Most every one knew every one else and truly cared for each other. I remember one
summer, Edgar and I were teenagers and we had three younger siblings. One summer,
Mother and Daddy had to go to a relatives house out of town and were to be gone
a couple of days. Our little brother, Cecil, got sick. I put him on my bicycle and rode
him to the Faircloths drugstore where Dr. Seymour had an office and came for
office visits about once a week. It happened to be his day to be in the office there.
Cecil had a high temperature, and I was very concerned for him. Dr. Seymour gave
me some medicine for him and told me to put him to bed. Dr. Faircloth knew Mother
and Daddy were out of town. That night, I slept in the room with Cecil and slept very
light because I was afraid of what might happen to Cecil if he got worse with me
asleep. No one locked their doors back then, and, late that night, Dr Faircloth came
into the house to check on Cecil and me to see if everything was okay and to make
sure if Cecil needed anything. As it happened, the medicine Dr. Seymour gave him
helped him, and, when Dr. Faircloth came in, he said I could go to sleep because
Cedi was much better and would be all right This is an example of how the people
in Leesburg cared for one another. Oh, I fell to mention the Dr. and Mrs. Faircloth
and their two children, Mary Elizabeth and Spencer. Their daughter, Mary Elizabeth,
had a beautiful voince and I loved to hear her sing.
Then as I mentioned, the square dances on Saturday nights were the other
big entertainment or fun thing to attend. Many people who lived in surrounding towns
came to those dances because they were good clean fun. It was a nice place to be
on Saturday nights, especially for the teenagers. Dances back then were real dances,
not just aplace to jump around. These dances started around 8:00 or 9:00 p.m. and
were over prompdy at 12:00 midnight. Mr. Cook always saw to it that it was good
clean fun with no drunks or people out of line there. That is another reason people
from towns all around came.
107
Yes, Leesburg people were good caring people. It was such a wonderful
place to live in and raise your children. Most everyone knew everyone else. Youmight
say it was kind of a Peyton Place. There were few secrets there. I always said, and
still believe, the most wonderful, caring people lived in Leesburg, Georgia when I
was living there, and I still love them all.
Paula Stamps Smith
Ronny and Irma
PK Paperboy
Everlivedinapastorium? Whats a pastorium, you ask? Its southern
for the residence of a pastor sometimes called a parsonage. I lived in one while
my Dad, Ashton Smith, was pastor of Leesburg Baptist Church from 1949 to
1959. We were the first occupants of the house. The pastorium is no longer
there. The sanctuary of Leesburg Baptist Church is on the site where our
house stood.
Growing up a PK (Preachers Kid) in Leesburg during the fifties was a
great experience! Do you remember the phrase the doors of the church are
now open? That was a phrase used by Baptist preachers at the close of the
Sunday morning service to extend an invitation for church membership. Many
Sunday mornings, I would unceremoniously help Daddy open (unlock) the front
door of the church - and lock the front door after Sunday night service! He not
only opened the door of the church but closed it as well I
Some of the best Baptists were Methodists and Presbyterians! At the
time we came to Leesburg the Methodists held services every other Sunday,
and, the Presbyterians on Sunday afternoon once a month. When their churches
108
were not meeting, they would come over, to the Baptist church. For a time I
could not tell the difference between Baptists, Methodists, and Presbyterians!
Remember those revival meetings? The two week variety, morning and
evening services! It was customary for the school to allow students to attend
morning revival services, or attend class. Seems like many students got very
religious! The morning services were well attended by the students! Separation
of church and state! The ACLU would have a field day with that one! What
about religious freedom of the students, particularly when you could legitimately
skip class!
Did you ever attend a baptizing at the Leesburg Baptist Church? A few
days before Baptizing Sunday, Mr. Segars, deacon and warden of the county
work farm, would bring enough inmates with him to remove the floor below the
pulpit. Thats where the baptismal pool was located. The pool was filled with
cold water and ready for baptizing come Sunday! Those of you who were
baptized there will remember just how cold that water was! I was always
impressed by how fast Daddy could change out of his baptizing clothes before
we finished singing the fourth verse of Thist and Obey in the Broadman Hymnal!
Behind the church was the site of the annual East-West football game.
No TV timeouts to interfere with the pace of play! The railroad tracks divided
the East from the West. Representing the West were the Cromarties, Macollys,
Rody Stovall, Bobby Gunter, Zack Pate, Charles Clark, Billy Crotwell, Buddy
Yeoman, and anyone else who happened to be visiting relatives on the West
Side. Representing the East were Ray and GW Spillers, Junior and Norman
Breeden, Jimmy Hines, Ronny Stamps, Gary Moore, and Ashton Smith. The
West usually loaned the East a player or two to make the sides even, much to
the chagrin ofthe loaned players. How quickly their loyalty changed! Ordidit?
My career as a paperboy began when I was selected by Ray and
GW. Spillers to replace them on the route. Everything I learned about deliver-
ing newspapers I learned from them! I took the morning route from GW. and
delivered the Atlanta Journal, Atlanta Constitution and Macon Telegraph. Later
I began delivering The Albany Herald when Ray gave up the route.
You could get a daily newspaper for a nickel. The weekly rate for a daily and
Sunday Journal was $.40 + $.02 tax; monthly rate was $ 1.95 + $.06 tax.
The Macon Telegraph was delivered by train. Many mornings the train
would not stop but slowed down enough to toss the papers onto the depot
platform. The Journals. Constitutions, and Heralds were dropped off by bus at
Bill Hopkins service station.
109
The papers were thin enough for me to cover the west side of Leesburg
before reloading my bicycle basket to finish the route. It took me about an hour
to cover the town. After a year or so, I progressed from bicycle to motor
scooter. Its a good thing, because the papers were gaining weight fast!
On Saturdays I would collect. The motor scooter enabled me to chase
down elusive customers! A few of my customers made it a game of evading me
until I caught them! Afavorite hangout for several of my customers was Gunters
Barber Shop. They would see me coming and dart out the back door. They
could not out run my motor scooter! I enjoyed the chase and always got my
money!
Mr. Ulric King was one of my favorite paper customers! On Saturday
afternoons, I would park my motor scooter by his Pure Oil service station and
have a chat with Mr. Ulric. It was also a good spot to watch for some of my
paper customers as they drove by. I would crank up the scooter and go
collect $.42 for the daily and Sunday newspaper. It was a real treat when Mr.
Ulric would invite me to watch TV with him on Saturday night. He was one of
the few people in town who had a TV. Our favorite shows were Show of
Shows with Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca and The Hit Parade. WSB TV
reception was clear most of the time, but I remember a lot of snow in the
middle of summer!
During the fifties Leesburg did not have a police force, but we had
ChiefNelson. Chief provided security from dusk to dawn. He provided his
own transportation, a black Chevy pickup, which he would park near the depot
so he could have a good view of the stores. Some mornings when I was picking
up the Macon Telegraphs I would wake him, up particulairly after a busy night
of fighting crime! At Halloween several of the boys in town, whose names will
not be mentioned here, would toss cherry bombs near Chiefs pickup so he
would chase them. Idontknow what he would have done ifhe ever caught
us!
There are many stories to tell about those ten years we lived in Leesburg.
Some would be quite interesting and some we dare not print! Maybe some
morning we can gather at the depot and read all about it when the train slows
down and drops off The Macon Telegraph!
G Ashton Smith, Jr.
110
Ashton Smith in front of the Leesburg Baptist Church pastorium (1951)
A Year to Remember
It was in the year 2000, when I met my friend Sarah Spradlin. She lives
in Leesburg. Her mother and my mother organized a group which they named
a Home School Group. My brother Lane, Sarah, Sarahs sister and I met every
Tuesday morning at 10:00 AM. To begin with there were only six people in our
group, but soon four more joined.
One year we had a big Christmas party, but before the party all of us in
the group had to draw a card from a box. Each card had a childs name on it.
This told who you would get your present. I drew Sarahs card and I gave her
abook. Aboy named Jordan drew my card and he gave me a doll! After giving
out the gifts we played games and had a great time.
Brooke Norris
Future Lee County Story Writer
A Godly Lady and Two Boys
Many will fondly remember Miss Nettie Mae Bass. She was bom on
May 5,1904, at home, between Leesburg and Leslie Georgia in a house that
my grandfather Henry Carson Bass built. She died on April 14,1985. She had
two brothers and four sisters, one of whom died shortly after birth. Times were
hard in her earlier years, and the family struggled to survive on a small farm. The
were not meeting, they would come over, to the Baptist church. For a time I
could not tell the difference between Baptists, Methodists, and Presbyterians!
Ill
old homeplace still barely stands today about one mile from Mt. Zion Cemetery
near Leslie. My brother, Ray Macolly, and I remember many stories about their
childhood but one that is dominant concerns her grandfather who fought in the
Civil War. During the last year, he was a prisoner held in a prison on the coast
of Maine. He was released when the war was over and through hostile territory,
made it home. He was gone for years, and one day they looked down the dirt
road from the direction of Mt. Zion Cemetery. He came straight to the house,
and no one recognized him with ragged clothes, long hair, beard and body lice.
After finally knowing who he was, they boiled a wash pot filled with water,
burned his clothes, and nursed him back to health. He survived several years
after that working on the farm and is buried at Mt. Zion Cemetery with a beautiful
4-5 head stone at his grave. I recently drove down that road, visited his gravesite
where many of the Bass family are buried. I went to the house and stood where
they built that fire .. .picked up a couple of stones near there and left with a
feeling of pride that he had fulfilled his duty and also that I carry his name, James
Bass, forward to this day.
After barely surviving on the farm, the family moved to Leesburg and
some how managed to buy a house on US Highway 19 (Walnut Street) next to
the Gunter family and two houses down from the Tarpleys. Later Robert Lee
built a beautiful white brick home next to the Tarpleys.
My mother, Sudie Bass, married Paul Nathan Mascolly in the 1930s
and later divorced him when Ray was four years old and I was six months old.
We saw him briefly twenty-eight years later, and I feel blessed to have had that
opportunity.
With this as a brief background, I will move forward to Nettie Mae
Bass. Mother remarried and moved to Albany, Georgia. Ray and I remained in
Leesburg with our grandparents and Nettie Mae. Mother visited often and Ray
and I spent time in Albany where we were blessed with three brothers and one
sister (the Faulkner family)
Our grandmother died in 1944 and grandfather in 1947. Ray and I
vividly remember when he had the heart attack that killed him. One Sunday
afternoon my mother was driving, and he was in the front passenger seat with
Ray and me in the back. We were going along to see Mattie who often helped
around the house. He started gasping for breath and trying to roll the windows
down. Mother picked up Bill Hopkins nearby to drive home. Dr. Thomas from
Americus was called, and our grandfather died at home a few days later.
112
In comes Nettie Mae and, from that time forward, she dedicated her life
to the Lord, Ray and me. She was with us day and night and continuously
worked to make ends meet. She worked in the Court House as the Clerk of
Superior Court for Mr. Green and she also handled the administration functions
of the draft board. Monetarily, it was very tight, but, most importantly, our
family heritage was rich. Nettie Mae assured that we were at Leesburg Methodist
Church for Sunday School and Church every Sunday morning and attended
Methodist Youth Fellowship (MYF) and Church each Sunday night. We would
also attend prayer meeting on Thursday night. It is appropriate to say that Ray
and I attribute our success in life to the foundation and values we learned in our
early childhood from our grandparents, aunts and uncles that surrounded us and
Leesburg Methodist Church. By many of the standards that we are in our
county today, I can say that we were richly blessed by our surroundings.
Nettie Mae would rise early each morning and wash our clothes in a
wash mb with a scrub board, prepare whatever we had for our breakfast, and
then walk to work. After work, she would walk home, often, with a paper sack
of groceries that she charged at either Mr. Pates or Mr. Longs grocery store. I
recall she would sometimes carry over the grocery bill to the following month.
Mr. Pates and Long never expressed any concern about that because they
knew she would religiously catch up the next month.
Nettie Mae was also a Notary, and she always kept the money collected
in a tin in the bottom left drawer of her desk at the court house. Ray and I were
free to come by after school and get fifteen cents or so and get a milkshake at
Mr. Faircloths Drug Store and Soda Fountain. Ray worked as a soda jerk
there at one time and recalls how Mr. Faircloth kept a tight reign on him when he
served ice cream. He kept ajar of peas by the ice cream, and after every dip
you had to put one pea in another jar. That was his method of making sure you
werent making the dips to big. He could determine by the number of peas the
number of dips that had been served from a full container.
Speaking of the court house I recall a trustee from the old prison on the
Leslie Highway that worked at the Court House. His job was to keep the Court
House clean, empty the spittoons, etc. He also had a shoe shine stand. I was
always attracted to Freddie because he seemed to be a very kind, polite and a
humble person. He always wore a smile and conducted himself in a friendly
113
manner. I think everyone there liked Freddie. I dontknow why he was serving
time. I do recall that when I left for college and the Army and returned, Freddie
had been released and was a member of the Lee County Sheriffs Department.
I spoke of Mattie earlier. She was a great cook and often prepared Sunday
meals for us and also ironed our clothes at her one room house. She would use
irons heated on the old fireplace hearth and they were always ironed to perfection.
One of Matties sons was Willie Henry, and he would help around the little farm
behind the house and also at hog killing time. We were allowed to stay out of
school on hog-killing day and could not wait for Willie Henry to arrive and start
a big fire under a huge iron scalding pot. That would start around five o clock in
the morning and was always finished around nine oclock at night. The same day
making chitlings was the last job. Hams were smoked, sausage was made, and
fat back was cut. All of these was stored (hung up) the an outside shed. We had
fresh meat all winter.
My cousin Charles Clark lived across the street, and we spent a lot of
time together during the summer. His mother taught fifth grade. My uncle Dan
Bass was farming the land behind the house, and he had planted a watermelon
patch on the end of the field near the railroad and the big ditch nearby. Charles
and I decided to check out the watermelons late one morning and found that
only the heart was ripe enough to eat we busted many melons open and with our
hands dug the heart out and threw the rest in the ditch. We then called ourselves
sneaking through the com field between there and the house, and, to this day, I
dont know who saw us and told my Uncle Daniel. I managed to get in the
house and lay face down on one of the beds in the back bedroom pretending to
be asleep. All of the doors in the house squeaked including the screen backdoor.
The old wooden floors had a distinct noise when you walked across them. I
heard the back door open and just knew it was Uncle Daniel. I remember
every step he took down that long hallway before opening the bedroom door. I
laid very still with closed eyes, and Uncle Daniel simply said, Boy, you had
better sleep a long time because when you wake up you are going to have a sore
behind for a long time! I think I managed to sleep two days, after which, I got
my punishment. No more making quick visits to the watermelon patch.
I am sure that it was hard on Nettie Mae trying to keep two boys straight.
We would often ask if we could do something, and if she was doubtful about
whether on not we could do it she would often say Naw-right meaning no I
wish you would not do it, but Ill go ahead and let you do it anyway.
114
Ray loved combread and I loved biscuits and she would often cook
both to satisfy us. The combread was called hoe-cakes and cooked on a flat
iron skillet delicious!
Later on, to make ends meet she rented one-half of the house out. The
two occupants that I remember were Mr. and Mrs. Phillips. He was a carpenter
and the best bream fisherman I have ever known. He would go to the deepest
holes he could find with swift water in one of our creeks and always come home
with a nice string of nothing but the biggest red-breasted bream. The other
person who rented was Mrs. Manning who had the job as the watchman in the
fire tower located on the right past the cemetery east of Leesburg. We would
often visit her, and she would let us in the tower. What a wonderful woman, and
I believe her son, Billy Manning, has a farm near Leesburg to this day.
Another fond memory was during World War II when everything was
rationed. Mr. Buck Stovall had the store next to the barber shop and would
periodically go to Albany to pick up goods. We would always watch for his
return because he was the only one that had BBs and bubblegum. We would
always ran to the store and help him unload so we could get to the BBs and
bubblegum quicker.
Down the road from our house on the opposite side of US 19 and
before you got to the American Legion there was a one room little unpainted
house. A kind, gentle black man lived there that we knew only as Shack.
When the peanut mill was up and running the power lines in the back would
always be loaded with sparrows. We would shoot a big sack full and always
take them to Shack. I asked him one time if he ate just the breast. He replied,
No, I start with the head and end up with the feet. I recall Shack having only
one leg or possibly had lost both. He was an inspiration to us young boys. He
always was so thankful for those sparrows, and never did I see him without a
big smile on his face. He had no complaints. I can only assume that he and the
Lord had it all worked out.
We were so lucky to grow up in Leesburg. Alot of time was spent on
either the Muckalee or Kinchafoonee Creek. If we could get a ride, we would
get someone to take us up to the west of Smithville and float down the creek
until we got to the nearest bridge to Leesburg. It would take us two to three
days, and what fun that was. Set-hooks and trout lines would be put out late in
the afternoon near our campsite and we would check them throughout the night.
It was always a thrill to see a limb that was bent or shaking or the trout under
115
water. I dont know how we kept our catch fresh with no ice or cooler. The
worst part of each trip was to get what we referred to as the boat seat itch
This was caused from sitting on those wooden wet seats for prolonged periods
of time, and I mean this was not just a regular itch. It would last for hours.
Nettie Mae would often cook at night for our friends whatever we
cleaned and brought in fish, squirrel, quail, duck, dove, robins and probably
some other animalsalligator also.
We once again, were blessed with the best of friends who all grew up
together. They included: Rody Stovall, Billy Crotwell, Charlie Clark, Charles
Rhodes, Bobby Gunter, Ed and Gay Forrester, Ashton Smith, Barbara Lee and
the Cromarties: Bill, John, Hendrick, Mary and Martha. The last three were a
little older and I recall how beautiful Mary and Martha were. Martha taught the
2nd and 3rd grade I think. Their father, Mr. Cromartie was a great mentor for all
of us. He took an active interest in his sons and their friends activities. I recall
we had a baseball team that I believe, he coached. He would load the whole
team with equipment in his car (trunk lid up) and take us to play a team in
Baconton, Georgia. What a fine gende man.
I cant stop without saying a word about our favorite swimming hole
Mossy Dell. I had to trespass but I checked it out recendy and was delighted
to see it was still flowing with that crystal clear ice cold water. As boys we
would often put watermelons in the water on our way to work in the morning
and, after being in the sun all day, head to Mossy Dell and those watermelons.
The water was so cold that it would lower your body temperature, and you
would feel cool for two to three hours after a long dip. It consisted of the Big
Dell which was very deep and the Litde Dell connected by a beautiful stream.
You could wade or sit down in the Litde Dell in three to four feet of water.
God created a beautiful place that gave wholesome enjoyment to a lot of people
over the years.
Nettie Mae or some other family member gave us a billy goat once with
harness and litde wagon. Goats are good for a lot of things like milk, some eat
them, killing ratdesnakes, etc., but this goat gave Ray and me nothing but a hard
time and knots on our head Every time we harnessed him up, he would head
for the house and under it with our heads, bouncing off the floor joist. He was
put out to pasture by Uncle Daniels house and someone stole him. I hope they
enjoyed him more than we did.
Cromartie and a couple of friends were able to talk to his grandmother
into taking her two seated mint condition Model T Ford for a short ride one
116
afternoon. They took the road leading to the first bridge over the Kinchafoonee
Creek and Billy Crotwell, Jimmie Bowles and I were coming from the creek
walking through the plowed field and decided to throw a couple of red clay dirt
rocks at them. We missed, but they didnt. They chased us down one by one
swung us by our arms and legs in about a ten foot high manure pile that was
going to be spread for fertilizer. The fact that we threw dirt clods at them was
insignificant to the Cromarties, Crotwells and Nettie Mae.
Someone else that I was fond of was a fine black man that we knew as
Big Head. He was talented and did various jobs around Leesburg for a living.
He was a giant, muscular man and always wore overalls with no shirt and brogans
with no laces. He was built like Charles Atlas. One day he was painting the
Gunters house next door. He was up high on a ladder as I watched from
below. He looked down at me and said Mr. James, I dont fools around I put
it the wood. I believed that was true by the way he was shaking that brush with
those strong arms and hands.
My brother Ray got a job one summer running Jack Fores Pure Oil
service station on the north side of town. Big Head helped Ray and myself
out. One day he was under a truck changing the oil when the wrench slipped,
and Big Heads hand hit me square in the nose and mouth. I was out for a
short while and woke up with two front upper teeth broken. Big Head was
always happy and had a deep voice, and I will forever remember his laugh. A
good man.
Nettie Mae at some point and time managed to buy a car. She let me
use it to go fishing one day in a farmers pond some distance from Leesburg. I
was alone and had just been given my first Zebco reel and rod. I was carrying
a large plastic worm and two big hooks. On one cast the drag slipped and one
hook embedded itself in the back of my head. I drove all the way back to
Leesburg with that worm hanging from the back of my head. Mr. Faircloth cut
it out and I was good to go.
Nettie Mae had several dear friends. Among them were Susie Lee Green
and Ruth and Hazel Kennedy. She also had the opportunity to marry but instead
she chose to lovingly take care of Ray and me.
She was a Godly woman and there is no doubt that she was met with
the Lords arms open wide and will forever rest in peace. I never saw her doing
anything but give, give, give. No angry words ever came from her mouth, and
she laid a wonderful foundation for Ray and James Macolly.
117
Nettie Mae has one surviving sister Mamie Fitzgerald (maiden name
Bass). She will be ninety-eight years old in November 2007, and lives on
Palmyra Road between Leesburg and Albany. Her children are within yelling
distance and diligently care for her. Mamie still drives and is very active in
Porterfield Methodist Church and several other religious groups. She plays the
piano and regularly takes a group to various places where they sing to the elderly.
What a wonderful, Godly woman.
Ray resides in Albany, Georgia and chose a career in the insurance
business. He retired a few years ago after working with the Life of Georgia for
forty-three years.
James chose the United States Army for his first career and retired after
twenty plus years in 1982. Since then he has been involved in the private security
business and is still working. He resides in Bluffton, South Carolina.
Praise God for giving Ray and me, Nettie Mae and many other family
members that loved us dearly.
James W. Macolly
A Town Like Mayberry
I have so many wonderful memories of growing up in Leesburg. It was
such an important part of making me who I am today. I teach a class on mentoring
for adults who wish to mentor a child in the public school. I always begin by
telling them about growing up in a small town that reminds me of Mayberry
surrounded by caring adults who were all mentors to me. The term mentor
just wasnt the buzz word at the time.
When I think of the education I received, I am forever grateful. I cannot
remember a bad teacher. I am sure it was because of this that I have devoted
my life to education. I still have my invitation from Mrs. Martha Powell to attend
my first day of school. Surrounding the invitation are adorable pictures of rabbits
all dressed as school staff. Mr. Pridgeon, the principal at the time, is depicted as
the tallest rabbit in charge of the others.
The feeling of always being safe and happy at school is a dream that I
have for all children. I think they all deserved the kind of education that I received
in Lee County.
When I think of holidays in Leesburg, I always think of Halloween. I
am not sure, but in my minds eye I think the streets must have been closed on
Halloween night because I don not remember having to worry about traffic. I
118
felt free to run from house to house with my friends. You always knew what
special treat awaited you at each house. Miss Jennie Hines would always have
delicious cookies. This was the only time of the year when she would give you
a cookie in your hand. Miss Jennies rule was that you have to save her your
mamas coffee can with resealable top and she would fill it with cookies; otherwise,
you only received a single cookie on Halloween. I remember at least one year
when Mr. & Mrs. Lucille and Perry Kearse mixed Witches Brew (Hot
Chocolate) in a container inside a huge iron pot in their front yard. You knew
you would get a healthy snack from Dr. and Mrs. Faircloth. It was usually an
apple.
There is no way I could ever thank all the people who made my childhood
memories such magical ones. Even now as I am visiting my mother and take a
walk past the school, the church and on down to the courthouse, a flood of
return to the good old days memories comes over me and I wonder if there is
any place that exist such as the Leesburg that I grew up in many years ago.
Frankie Lynn (Houston) Clardy
The Duck Inn Cafe
This is a story about a cafe my grandmother, Mrs. Callie Melvin McCook
owned and operated on North Walnut Street in Leesburg for about 10 years
beginning in 1936. During this time my daddy, Robert Mills of Sumter County
died and my brothers, Robert Allen, Gordon Erie, and I went to live with her
and her family while our mother, Elsie Melvin Mills worked in Albany. The living
quarters were in the back of the cafe and we were readily available to help
Grandma by going to Campbells Meat Market to purchase more hamburger
meat as soon as she used what she had on hand.
I remember the meat was 20 cents a pound and she sold the hamburgers
for a nickel. She also boiled fresh ham for sandwiches, which were delicious.
Some of the other items on the menu were vegetable soup, fresh vegetables,
fried chicken, pork chops, and country fried steak. Homemade pies and cakes
were always delicious.
Grandma also made taffy candy on a regular basis and divinity, chocolate
fudge, peanut butter fudge, peanut brittle, and date nut candy at Christmas Time.
She was well known for her candy making and good cooking.
119
We three boys would sell her candy from a card table set up in front of
the cafe on the side walk.
Mr. Bill Davis garage was next door to the cafti and Mr. Forrestors
Texaco Station next to Mr. Davis. She was surrounded by many of the
Forrestors, who were proprietors of a general store and other businesses.
My grandpa, Frank Melvin, was a prison guard at the Lee County Prison
and my great Uncle Tom Bass, was the local barber.
I have many good memories of life in Leesburg, and still enjoy stopping
by Jack Fores store to remember the good old days.
Oliver Mills
Callie Mae Melvin
When I was Growing up in Lee County
When I was growing up in Lee County, I remember the Palmyra
Community Club was a major part of our social life. Once a month, Mama and
Daddy and my sisters Elaine, Lisa and Laura would pile in the car with several
delicious smelling covered dishes and head to the community club meeting. We
took turns meeting at the homes of different members. All the children would
play while the women set the food out and the men swapped the latest news.
After dinner, the women would clean up and sit together and share
stories, recipes, and all sorts of vital information with each other while the men
would gather in another room to visit and swap stories and information. And the
children played... or, sometimes we would slip in and sit on the floor and listen
to the grown-ups. Community Club helped us get to know each other because
most of us lived miles away from each other.
120
The community club was always planning some kind of community project
I can remember when I was only 6 or 7 (1958 or 1959) and the men planned a
fund-raiser to get money to build a voting building for the Palmyra area. Then,
they gathered on a Saturday morning to build it. I can remember Mr. Fussell,
Mr. Woodrow Watson, Mr. Turner, Mr. G.L. Rowland, and my Daddy, C.D.
Ranew all were there to help. My sister Elaine and I helped carry concrete
blocks to the men as they were laying the foundation. This was the original
voting building in the triangle where the Oakland Road and Palmyra Road
intersected. We all spent the whole day working on that little building - the first
Palmyra Voting building.
Lynne Ranew Mertins
Smithville Elementary School
I started to school in the fall of 1957, as a brand new first grader. We
did not have 4K or kindergarten when I first started to school. It was straight to
the first grade. I couldnt read or write yet, but was soon to start the learning
process.
Smithville School was first through seventh grade at the time. It had
once been thru eleventh grade, but had long before been consolidated with the
schools in Leesburg. There werent a lot of students either. My entire class had
maybe, anywhere from eleven to thirteen students, as some came and went. All
of us, that were bom and raised in Smithville, however, wound up graduating
together from Lee County High School in 1969.
My Class always seemed to have a PK (preachers kid). The first PK
was Steve Vines. He was with us for two or three years. He had a beautiful
horse that I liked to go and ride, until Steve got thrown and broke his arm, and
my Mama didnt want me riding anymore. When Steves family moved to
another church, Larry Lee became the new PK. He and his family moved away
about half way through the seventh grade. I often wonder what happened to
both of them and their families.
Now if you lived in town, you walked to school. If you were out in
the county, you rode one of only two buses which picked us up. Mr. Robert
Dorminy and Mr. Clifford Long were our bus drivers. They would bring some
of us to Smithville and drop us off. Those kids who lived in town and were in
high school, would then get on the buses at the school, and they would ride the
buses down to Leesburg.
121
On an occasional Friday afternoon, Mr. Dorminy would bypass all our
houses and take everyone left on the bus to Mr. Charlies store. Now the bus
route didnt even go that fat then, but hed take us all and buy us a snack. Now
all didnt consist of but maybe six or seven kids. We had a great time picking
out what to eat and drink, before piling back on the bus for home.
Mr. Herrington was our do everything that had to be done at school, other than
teach, man. He rang the bell for school to start, for recess, and at the end of the
day. Ringing the bell was just that. Rain or shine, hot or cold, hed go outside
and tug on the rope attached to that big old bell, The clapper would strike the
sides of the bell to signal us to run in or out of school. It could be heard over
most of the town. One of his jobs was probably the students favorite.
Every morning Mr. Herrington would sit in a folding chair in the hall in
front of the auditorium. If you were lucky enough to have been given a little
money by your Mama or Daddy, you would take it to him. He had a small tablet
and pencil and would write down what you wanted him to get for you that day
for recess. After he rand the bell for school to start, he would go down town,
buy everyones selections, and bring them back to school. When recess time
came, you would find him in the same spit, in the same chair with whatever you
had asked him to buy for you. A penny bought you a piece of bubble gum or
candy. A nickel got you a package of chewing gum, a pack of crackers, or a
Moon Pie. The more money you had the more stuff you could get, and the more
kids wanted to play with you at recess. Some things dont change.
Mrs. McLendon was my first grade teacher. She would bring out Dr.
Red if we got to bad. Dr. Red was a thick, red bolo paddle she used to
spank kids. Havent seen one since, that trick or that red. Dont remember to
many spankings either. Just the sight of it was enough for us six years olds. Dick
and Jane and Jip, the first words that I learned to really read. The three of them
are still around in library books.
Mrs. Roberts was my second grade teacher. I told her a joke once that
I had heard at home. Everyone had laughed really loud, so I figured it must be
a good one. I was only seven then, and had no idea what that joke meant. It
wasnt until a year or two ago that I found out that Mrs. Roberts had called my
mother to tell her about my repeating the joke at her school. I still remember
that joke, and its still funny. I guess it is still not a joke a seven year old should
tell her teacher.
122
Mrs. Caswell taught me in the third grade. Her room was at the oppo-
site end of the hall across from the girls bathroom, so that was convenient. Her
cure all for all injuries was mercurochrome. It went on every kid, on every
injury, from the same bottle, right from the end of the glass stick applicator.
Mouth, arm, chin, it didnt matter. We are still here to tell about it. Guess that
mercury is a powerful thing.
Miss Birdie was my fourth grade teacher. She was Mrs. Long, but she
let us all call her Miss Birdie, her first name. Just dont forget the Miss part. She
would ask us every Monday morning if we had gone to Sunday school the day
before. If we had, we got a gold star places on her church poster. Try doing
that today. Youd be looking for another job.
Mrs. Webb put up with us in the fifth grade. Now you talk about eyes
in the back of your head. It never failed that if I was day dreaming and not
following along in the reading book, I got called on to read. Of course I didnt
know where we were. She made her point, I was embarrasses, but it seemed
to happen again anyway.
The sixth grade was a floating year for us I think. We had several
teachers that year.
The seventh grade teacher was the new principal, Mr. Elmer Johnson.
Needless to day, as twelve year olds we were full or ourselves. We were just
plain AWFUL. We did not like poor Mr. Johnson one bit. We called him Elmer
all the time. Except to his face. We werent that stupid. He sat in a big, padded
arm chair in the front of the room to teach. When he was to mad to control
himself any longer, hedjump up and grab you by the arm and shake the daylights
out of you. No one as I remember was immune from this punishment. The girls
did however escape the paddle, but not the boys.
Some Fridays we went to the auditorium for a program. The classes
would rotate having the program. Mrs. McLendon always played the piano for
us to sing. We had our favorites too. Some of them were, Don Sit Under the
Apple Tree, When Johnnie Comes Marching Home Again, The Church in
the Wildwood, Jada, and The Darktown Strutters Ball. Other Fridays we
would go upstairs and see a movie. These were truly films on a reel, and we
endured many a broken reel of film. The windows in the room had been covered
123
with pieces of plywood painted black, to keep the room dark for better viewing
of the movie. Later on someone got the idea of replacing the boards with black,
pull down the shades. Theses never worked as good as those boards, and let in
a lot of light.
As I write this, more and more memories come to mind. Maybe they
can go in another book. All in all my years in Smithville Elementary were filled
with good times, good teachers, good friends, and wonderful memories of a
better time and place.
Charlene Usry
A Snake on the School Bus
My grandson, Zach Peak, attended school in Lee County. He loved
the fourth grade science class taught by Mrs. Ford. One day, Zach caught a
snake to take to school for science class. His dad, Sidney Peak, helped him put
the snake in a jar with holes in the lid. His mother, Carol, told him to give the jar
to Granddaddy, Bobby Clay, to take to school because Zach wanted to ride the
school bus. He could pick the snake up at Granddaddys office. Now Zach did
not follow his mothers instructions. Instead, he put the jar in his book bag and
got on the bus. Mrs. Cora Cutts, the bus driver, would have had a heart attack
if she had know there was a snake on her bus and Zach would have probably
been put off the busan embarrassing situation for Granddaddy, the
superintendent of schools.
Betty Ann Clay
My Best Friend Kelly
Growing up on a farm in Lee County I only had my brother to play with.
I was eager to find a girl to play Barbies and dolls. The day finally came when
I meet Kelly Griffin. I do not know what growing up would have been like
without her. We did everything together. I will tell you a few stories that really
stick in my memory.
I remember Kelly had a pet goat named Billy. Billy went every where
with us even in her house when her parents werent home. Billy went to our
124
secret spot in the com field which wasnt anything but a circle where com was
not planted. You could not stop Billy from following us.
There was this time we was playing in a mud puddle with a board in the
middle jumping over the board and not to knock the board down. Needless to
say one of us knocked it down and out came a water moccasin snake. I really
believe it was chasing us. We screamed all the way to her house. By the time
we got there and got her dad the snake was gone. To tell you the truth I am not
sure the snake actually chased us but I know it scared us.
Kelly and I had fun at each others house. We rode the bus home together.
Our bus driver name was Mr. Powell. He was a nice older man. He always
told us if we were sick he was going to give us a dose of castor oil. So, of
course, we felt better immediately. The bus did not go down my dirt road to the
house so mom would meet us at the end of the road. Kelly and I would cross
our fingers and wish my mom was not there so I could go to her house and play.
We came to a conclusion if we cross all our fingers my mom would not be there.
It seemed to work 95 % of the time. Looking back it seems silly but we thought
it worked.
I will always remember growing up with Kelly. She is the only Best
Friend I ever had. Yes, I have friends but no one like her. We still keep in touch
by e-mail, sending cards on each other birthdays, Christmas and just because
we are thinking of each other. She is my Best Friend Forever!
Lesley King Barbosa
Lesley King and Kelly Griffin
125
A Whopper of a Hog
A friend phoned me in the early seventys about some hogs in a cow pasture
and com field in Lee County. I caught twenty-six hogs before I caught this
one in the hottest days of 1980. I could not believe the size of this hog and
had to call for help. We took it to Alios Plantation and had it weighed on their
truck scales. The hog registered at a whopping one thousand forty pounds.
It was one of the biggest hogs seen or killed during my lifetime.
Billy King
Shell be Coining Around the Corner when she Comes
When I was a young girl I remember when the passenger and mail train
came through twice a day. It came in the morning and at 1:00P.M. in the afternoon.
The train only slowed down to throw the mail off, and only stopped if it had any
passengers to put off or get on. There was a black gentleman whose name was
Furlow who picked up the mail and took it to the Post Office on a mail cart.
My dad, Joe Forrester, had a sister who lived in Lexington, N.C. She came
down every summer to visit my Grandmother, Mamma Lizzie with her two
boys, my first cousins, Charlie and Paul Williams. They all three came down on
the train. She always packed a big trank with enough clothes for the whole
summer. When they would get off the train they had their big trunk of clothes.
126
Furlow would get the trunk and put it on a mule and wagon and take it to my
grandmothers house. We all knew when we saw Furlow coming around the
comer with the big trunk that my Aunt Mary, Charlie and Paul had arrived for
the summer. We would ah make pallets and sleep on the floor. We had fun just
being with ah our cousins ah summer long. I have great memories of our good
times.
Elizabeth Forrester Young
A Thousand Pounds Worth of Bacon
These two hogs were killed May of2007, in Lee County. They weigh
approxiametly five hundred pounds each. I have been hog hunting for four
years now and caught a hundred plus hogs .This has been the biggest catch so
far.
Gabe Barbosa
Why My Daddy Did Not Chew Gum
My daddy, Bud Watkins, was raised on a farm. I loved my daddy and
enjoyed the times that he would share stories of his childhood with me. He was
a fascinating story teller. One of my favorite stories was about when the crops
127
were in each year, the first order of family business was new shoes for him and
his siblings. One year though, daddy was adamant about wanting some
chewinggum. When they got back home, daddy was still mad and pouting
about not getting any chewing gum at the store. He went around the side of the
house and started kicking the chimney with his new shoes, just having him an all
out mad fit with a few bad words. Much to his dismay, Grandpa had witnessed
the whole episode. The sound thrashing my Grandpa gave my daddy is the
reason, why he never chewed gum. Even in his adulthood years.
Matha Ann (Watkins) Parker
The Goat Man
I have many memories growing up in Lee County, and most of them
revolved around my daddy, Bud Watkins.
I especially remember trips to Mr. Gunners Barber Shop to get his
haircut. I would sit quietly and listen to the stories the men would tell. My
daddys stories were always the funniest.
It was on one of these trips to the barber shop we heard that the Goat
Man was coming from Smithville on his way to Leesburg. After his hair cut
daddy took me to see the Goat Man. What a sight for a child to see! Goat
man sat in the back of his small canvas covered wagon with baby goats lying all
around him. Daddy explained they were to small to keep to keep so they got to
ride in the wagon. Two huge goats were pulling the wagon with no one to guide
them, they just seamed to know where to go. Walking behind the wagon and
stopping every now and then to ear grass, were many other goats, all sizes and
colors. As a child, I wanted so much to climb in that wagon and ride along with
the Goat Man. I know to this day that I get my love of caring for animals from
my daddy. I remember on many freezing, cold nights, we would have a box of
new bom baby pigs in the house under the heat light.
My daddy was without a doubt the greatest story teller I have ever
heard. His stories were always true and about family members and friends. He
would have you sitting on the edge of your seat, doubled over with laughter.
One of my favorite stories came one day when I asked my daddy if
there were anything he had done as a child that he regretted doing. He said that
as a little boy he often played in the field with the workers children, while their
128
daddies plowed the crops with mule. On this particular day, he and another little
boy were busy digging in the dirt when his daddy told them to go the house and
fetch them another bucket of drinking water. It was a good ways to the house,
so they asked to ride the mule, his daddy said, NO! This made them both
very mad, daddy said the bucket of water was heavy and they struggled to carry
it
They were so mad and came up with a plan to get even. They set the
bucket down and both of them peed in the bucket of water. He said it was
funny at the time but as he stood and watched his daddy drink from the bucket
he immediately regretted what they had some. Daddy said he never confused to
his daddy because if he did he knew he would get the whipping of his life.
Ginger Watson
School
Bet you didnt know or even remember when the teachers in Leesburg
School wore uniforms. The teachers voted to try wearing uniforms for a year
(only the female teachers). Mr. Moses of Vogue Casuals in Americus helped us
decide what would be best and helped with sizes, etc.. We picked two outfits
one was a navy sweater and skirt worn with light blue shirt- the other was a
magenta sweater and shirt with a pink shirt. We saved money on clothes that
year. I married during the summer and moved away so I dont know what
happened the next year.
Remembering my first year of teaching in the 50s, I did things that I
would not do today. Parents were behind you, the teacher. During playtime on
campus my second graders were playing, I heard one of the boys say damn.
Leaving my class with another teacher, I took the little boy inside to the restroom
and washed his mouth out with soap. I did write his parents a note. Believe it or
not, they thanked me. Another day, I took a little girl into the Teachers Lounge
sat her on a stool and cut her hair. I cut her bangs and trimmed the rest. So
again I wrote a note explaining the little girl was having problems seeing the
board and reading her books and even writing as she was constantly pushing
129
her hair out of her eyes. I really did not know what would happen. Her mother
wrote and thanked me. She explained she couldnt get to town often enough
and she was afraid to cut the childs hair herself. Wonder what would happen
today?
Gwen Johnson Seanor
Just Another Day at Lee State Prison
After twenty-five years of hard labor at the prison in Leesburg (employee,
not convict), I knew how quickly routine days could do a 180, but thats not
always a bad thing. As prisons go, Lee State Prison is an exception to the rule.
We have achieved a blend of the early chain-gang / common sense approach
from a bygone era with the modem program oriented mind-set of Corrections
prevalent in the country today. A prison with Southern Hospitality if you will.
There was nothing unusual about the day in April 2005 when the event
I am writing about took place. It was like any other spring day except for the
prediction of severe weather. Thomas Ammons, our new Warden, and I left the
prison at 10:45 am en route to the Albany Transitional Center for a scheduled
meeting. We arrived, were ushered into their conference room and spent the
next hour going over material I couldnt for the life of me concentrate on. You
see, I was seated next to a tightening magnet - a huge picture window where I
couldnt help but watch the skies grow steadily darker as the storm drew closer
and closer.
It wasnt long before I jumped and ducked with every flash of lightning,
then clamped my hands over my ears and shut my eyes tightly in anticipation of
the thunder to follow. After one particularly loud BOOM, I opened my eyes
and found everyone staring at me. I had been counting out loud, one-one
thousand, two-one thousand, three-one thousand, four-one.. .but never finished
before the thunder interrupted. Its getting closer, I explained to the curious
faces. Do you think we should move away from the window? I said, hopeful
the meeting would end soon.
Finally we were through, and I prayed silently that the Warden and I
would make it to the car before the deluge threatening to break any minute. But,
as we signed out at the front desk, the rain fell in sheets. Warden Ammons,
130
always the gentleman, sprinted to the car in the pouring rain and drove to the
curb so I wouldnt get drenched. Still, I had to leap across a virtual raging river
white-capping down the gutter before getting into the car. My umbrella was of
little help, and rain easily found its way inside, soaking the door panel and me
before I was able to get it closed.
They say the safest place to be when its lightning is in a car, something
about the tires keeping you from being grounded. That did little to reassure me
since I never studied the theory of electricity. I kept waiting for the hair on the
back of neck to raise up, a sure sign you are about to take a bolt to the head. I
fastened my seatbelt and said another quick prayer.
Warden Ammons was from the Way cross area and unfamiliar with the
streets in Albany, which meant I was the designated navigator. When he asked
to see Darton College we headed to Pine Avenue while the skies grew darker
still and the rain fell without any sign of letting up. But, he was the boss, so we
turned off Pine Avenue onto Gillionville then across Slappey and headed to the
college.
As we passed the old Carmike Theaters the strange noise began. It
was a siren - one of those European-sounding types. You know - two tones,
WEE - OOH, WEE-OOH, WEE - OOH, WEE - OOH, WEE - OOH,
WEE - OOH. The Warden and I looked around for emergency vehicles, but
there were none in sight Since we were in his assigned state car, a 1980-something
Crown Vic with a bazillion miles on the odometer and equipment that was better
suited for a museum, I reached the only logical conclusion and pointed, Warden,
I think its coming from your car! The noise was keeping perfect tempo with
the windshield wipers, so I suggested, Turn your wipers off!
Now, not only did we continue to hear the strange sound, which was
building in volume, but now we couldnt see! The Warden got a strange look
on his face, and, before I knew it, he was yanking and beating on the old siren
box mounted in his car under the dash at my feet, the culprit - or so we now
thought - responsible for the hideous blaring noise. He continued his assault on
the equipment for a minute as the traffic light at Darton College was fast
approaching.
Thinking he still may be planning to the go to the college I stuttered,
Warden! Youre not going to the college with your siren going! Theyll be
jumping out of windows thinkn its a raid! Warden Ammons pulled into a
131
parking lot across the street from Darton and worked the siren control box over
some more, with no luck. We gave up and continued west on Gillionville, siren
blaring away!
Warden Ammons looked my way like he owed an explanation (a man
thing) and said, Water must a got in it and shorted some wires. Just leave it go.
I need a new system in this car anyway. He had just finished his explanation
when the sound stopped as suddenly as it began.
Hey, that explanation sounded logical to me and I was relieved to be
headed back to the prison - without sirens. I didnt like being out in bad
weather either. Since I was still navigating, I said, Turn right on Westover, the
next light. My relief was short lived because as soon as we turned the wretched
sound started again. Oh, Lord! I said out loud, There it goes again. WEE
- OOH, WEE - OOH, WEE - OOH, only this time it kept getting louder and
louder and louder, until the Warden had reached his limit!
I saw only one logical course to take and begged Warden Ammons,
Your siren is already blaring; just turn on your blue lights and lets go! At least
we can get out of town quicker! I sat back and hoped I didnt see anyone I
knew!
The blue light doesnt work! he shouted to me over the unbearable
noise, but he had another solution. At Woodalls Gas Station he hurriedly pulled
in and threw the car in park. Out he jumped and headed for the trunk where all
the wiring is located.
The blaring sound was making my ears ring. This is so embarrassing,
I cried to Warden Ammons who was bent over reaching around inside the trunk.
What are you going to do?!
Im going yank the wires out! He shouted with determination in his
voice.
It was then I noticed something wasnt quite right and thought to myself,
Why arent these people staring at us? Customers drifted in and out of the
store or were busy pumping gas as if nothing was happening.
Thenithitme. WAIT!! I shouted. Warden Ammonshead popped
out of the trunk and he looked over his shoulder at me. Then I saw reality cross
his face as we realized what we had been hearing, what we assumed was a
malfunctioning state siren was the Albany Severe Weather Alert! We stared up
at the blaring siren - standing practically underneath it at the comer where we
had parked to destroy an innocent siren by ripping out the wires.
132
We climbed back in the car laughing until we cried and grabbed our
sides. Warden, if this aint country come to town I dont know what is!
Warden Ammons agreed and pulled slowly out of the parking lot. Soon
we were in Leesburg and pulled into the prison parking lot, where the skies
were clear and the sun shinned brightly. Just another day at Lee State Prison.
Donna Tauber-King
A Special Bicycle
Anyone who has ever owned a bicycle as a child knows how thrilled
you can be to own your first one. My first one was certainly special.
I had wanted a bicycle for while. One day, my daddy was working on
a pump in Calhoun County for a man who had a broken bicycle. I wanted it so
bad so I asked daddy to ask the farmer if he would sell it and he would knock
some off the price of his repair bill. The farmer however gave it to me.
We took the bicycle to Edison to a welding shop to be repaired after it
was repaired I rode it from Edison to New Bethel Community in Randolph
County which was a total of seven miles (Many of which were hills of dirt and
sandy roads.)
Uncle J.C. Eubanks, Mother, Daddy, Mark and Agnes Eubanks came
to live here in 1950.
Its been over 60 years now, but I still remember my first bicycle.
Gary Eubanks
School Days.... Do you remember ???
A1965 Lee County High School Boys Glamour Pageant when one
boy (I cant recall which one) used Spanish moss to create a boa to
wear with his evening gown... and how he suffered with chigger bites
following the pageant...
Mrs. Sue Passants cheerleading squad and her red jeep...
Mr. William Riversrice paddle...
When misbehaving in Mr. StriplingsAlgebraclassmeanterasingachalk
circle with your nose...
Springtime Spanish class walks to the fire tower while speaking only in
Spanish...
133
Mr. Wallace Willis diagramming sentences that were SO LONG they
required a whole sheet of paper...
LCMS science fairs and social studies fairs.... The library was always
busy with research, especially, if you had Pam Golden for social studies.
Many times Mrs. Hatfield and her assistant, Norma Coxwell, saw over
100 students before 9:00 in the morning.
In the early 1980s Lee County Middle School was one of the very first
schools in the southwest Georgia area to broadcast the Channel One
daily news to TVs in every homeroom each morning.... and one of the
first schools having students present daily announcements and weather
over live TV from our library.
LCMS was also the first school in the area to use the Accelerated Reader
Program to promote reading comprehension.
Glenna Hatfield
Where I was when I learned President John F. Kennedy
was assassinated (November 22,1963)
I was in the sixth grade at Lafayette Lanier Elementary School in
Langdale, Alabama (now Valley, Alabama). Everyday between 1:00 and 2:00
p.m. my class would go to the recreation field in front of the school for physical
education. Boys would play softball while girls played kick ball. The school
had a large clock on the front gable that rang at the beginning of each hour.
When the clock chimed 2:00 p.m. it was the signal to line-up for going back to
our class room. Our teacher, Miss Liles, had a whistle she used to get our
attention while on the play ground but almost never had to use it. About five
minutes before 2:00 p.m. Miss Liles blew her whistle and motioned for us to
assemble as if we were going back to our classroom. I, as well as my fellow
classmates, was confused because we never lined up until the clock chimed.
Miss Liles and the school Principal Mr. Pennington were standing together
at the top of the front steps. All these events were very unusual so we knew
something must be wrong. Our class had always been very orderly and as we
assembled we were unusually quiet. Once assembled Mr. Pennington told us
President Kennedy had been shot while riding in a parade in Dallas, Texas. He
informed us that President Kennedy was likely dead. Mr. Pennington spoke on
the seriousness of the situation and what actions would likely follow. He assured
134
us that there were procedures in place to assure continued orderly functioning of
our federal government and asked to keep the Kennedy in our prayers. You
may wonder why the functions of the federal government would be a concern to
a bunch of sixth grade students. The world we lived in back then was in the
middle of the cold war. Students had to go through monthly drills to evacuate
the school should nuclear war start. The community fall-out shelter was the
basement of the textile mill located across the street from the school. After all,
Fort Benning was only fifty miles away and everyone knew some of the first
bombs launched from Russia would land very close.
The clock chimed 2:00 p.m. and we marched inside and wondered
how our lives would change as a result of the action of a lone gunman in Dallas,
Texas. Did I say a lone gunman? No way! But that is a topic for another book.
Greg Crowder
Thirty Years Ago... 1977 -2007 Current Lee County Primary School
Administrators Began their Teaching Careers in Lee County
In the fall of 1977, with the completion of the new Lee County High School
on Firetower Road, schools in Leesburg expanded from two campuses to three.
Ms. Mary OHeam and Dr. Jeannie Johnson began their careers in Lee County
schools during this exciting year. The high school teachers moved out of the old two-
story building and elementary teachers moved in just days before school was to
start. What is now Twin Oaks was Lee County Upper Elementary, grades 5-8.
Fast forward to 2007 and you will find Ms. OHeam and Dr. Johnson
continue to be committed to providing engaging learning environments for students in
Lee County. Many of the students on the campus of Lee County Primary are the
children of former students who these administrators taught decades ago.
Back then, no one would have dreamed that folks would be using digital
cameras to create visual timelines for students to see the stages involved in constructing
a school or communicating with parents and the world through electronic mail.
Although times have changed with new technology, it is still priority for teachers to
nurture a child from the time he arrives at school until he leaves for home.
Who would have thought there would be cameras in hallways, closed circuit
television broadcasts with morning news and phones in the classrooms? Even the
school yearbook was done 100% online this year. Software licenses were unheard
of on elementary campuses in 1977 and now they are essential to the teaching/
135
learning environment Chalkboards were replaced by dry-erase boards which are
now being replaced by technology driven ActiveBoards. Typewriters are now the
office machines of the past and ditto machines have been replaced with high-speed
copiers.
Some events dont change, they just get updated. Assembly programs, field
days, student recognition days, open houses and ParentTeacher Organization (PTO)
meetings continue in the schools. Educators continue to believe that good parent/
teacher communication is the essential piece in helping kids build a firm educational
foundation. Teachers continue to encourage students to visit libraries which are now
called media centers.
Sports are still the glue that brings a community together to cheer for the
home team. Although Lee County Primary School administrators played on the
same high school basketball team over 35 years ago, they are divided in their college
loyalties. They get the students excited during football season when Ms. OHeam
wears Auburns orange and blue and shouts, War Eagle and Dr. Johnson wears
UGAs red and black and shouts Go Dawgs! On Lee County7 game days, you
will find these ladies sporting the Troj an colors to show their Lee County pride and
support for the students they once taught.
If you would like to contact these administrators, please call or come by
Lee County Primary School. Ms. OHeam and Dr. Johnson care about you and
want to hear how you have succeeded in the world after graduation. Yes, bring your
children, too!
Dr. Johnson and Ms. OHeam
Four local educators, collectively with over 120 years in the education
profession, are acknowleding Lee County Primary School as a 2007 Georgia
School of Excellence in Student Achievement.
136
Memories
My dads two sisters, Mary Forrester Williams and Linda Forrester
Dorminy, both taught school in Leesburg back in the 1930s. My aunt Linda
was at the last big class reunion and had an article in the Albany Herald about
the oldest one at the reunion. This picture was one that I took of them in 1985
and its shows my uncle Tickey in the background. He was aU.S. Congressman
representing the 3rd Congressional District for sixteen years until he retired because
of failing health. He was also Solicitor General of the Southwestern Circuit for
many years before going to Congress. He was also known as the lawyer who
never lost a case. My dad raised all of his family as his Dad, My grandfather,
dropped dead at the depot when he was thirteen years old. Their younger
brother, Paul Forrester, was killed by a train at the railroad crossing in Leesburg
when he was twenty-one or so, along with his friend, Charles Lee. My dad had
two more brothers, my uncle Blue, who worked in the store, Leesburg Mercantile
Co. with my dad and he was also a Baptist Minister. My uncle Edward owned
Forrester Furniture Co. and also was a Mail Carrier until he retired. After he
retired, he worked in Americus in the Judicial Office for a number of years. All
of my dads family have passed away, but I have some great memories of growing
up in Leesburg.
Elizabeth Forrester Young
Memories of the R. R. Green Family
Aunt Bessie was a sister to my father, Grover Pace. They grew up in
Sumter County on a farm adjacent to Lee County, so they had many Lee County
friends. Their older brother married Trudy Green from Chokee District and I
think that family connection is how Aunt Bessie met Uncle Buddy (Mr. Bob
Green). After their marriage they made their home in Leesburg where he became
Tax Receiver in the early 1920s. In 1924 he was elected to the office of Clerk
of Superior Court. He served in that position until his death in 1957.
They had five children: Susie Lee, John Robert, Mary (Reid, Stillwell),
Brownie (Bass) and Neva Reid (Hopkins). Aunt Bessie, Uncle Buddy and some
of the children visited her relatives near Leslie at least once or twice a month
traveling the eighteen miles over bumpy, muddy or dusty roads. As a child, I
looked forward to these visits. On rare occasions I would get to spend a night
or two with them in Leesburg. Oh, how I did delight hi that! The whole family
went out of their way to entertain me.
Two of Uncle Buddys sisters, Auntie Johnson and Aunt Neva lived
with them. By the time I was old enough for these overnight visits, Eloise had
joined the family. She and John Robert lived across the street, but they had their
meals at the big house with the family.
Aunt Bessie was really an outdoor person. She kept a garden, a few
hogs and a milk cow on the lot in back of the house and she loved working with
them. She could well afford to work outside the house, because she had a cook
(Willie) in the kitchen, two sisters in-law and one daughter in-law doing the
cooking. Mary, Brownie and Neva Reid worked in Albany and Susie Lee worked
in Leesburg for Cannon Brothers Peanut Company.
With such abig family and so many good cooks hi the kitchen each meal
was a real feast. They never knew how many people would be there for lunch,
because if any rural people happened to have business at the courthouse, Uncle
Buddy would invite them to go home with him for lunch. He knew there would
always be enough food and I never heard any of the women complain about
extra guests.
I liked to hear the big courthouse clock strike and I knew that when it
shuck twelve times Uncle Buddy would start walking home for lunch. Everything
would be ready when he arrived and after enjoying a good meal he and Aunt
Bessie would usually retire to the big swing on the front porch. She would sit on
one end of the swing and he would put his head in her lap, then stretch out for a
short nap before the clock struck one, calling him back to the courthouse.
138
When I was ten or eleven, Eloise and John Robert were blessed with a
darling baby girl, Mary Eloise. I thought she was like a real, live baby doll. I
loved pushing her in the stroller, although sand beds sometimes made it difficult.
I had three young cousins from Montgomery who would visit their south
Georgia kin every summer. They would stay at my house a few days and then
visit the Leesburg relatives. I always liked to go with them. I really dont know
how Aunt Bessie and Eloise stood four children for several days. John Robert
was a mechanic and had his own garage. Somehow he would find time to take
us swimming at Mossy Dell where the water was so cold you could hardly stand
it. Other times he would take us to the sand pit where we would run up and
down the sand dunes. The girls would take us for a walk through Leesburg
where we would end up at the store for coke and candy. If we were lucky they
might take us to Albany for a picture show.
Aunt Bessie and Uncle Buddy didnt go to the same church. I guess
because she was reared in the Methodist Church she stayed a Methodist. He
must have been reared a Baptist. All the children except Mary went with her to
the Methodist. Mary went with her daddy to the Baptist church. They were truly
devout Christians, kind and generous. I never heard a fuss or unkind word from
any of them although I know Aunt Bessie, being a Pace was more quick tempered
than Uncle Buddy. My father in his later years would sometimes refer to Bobby
and me as Bessie and Bob Green, probably because in someway I am like Aunt
Bessie and my dear, kind husband, who descended from the Greens, has a
temperament very much like Bob Green.
Christmas at the R. R. Green house was enjoyed by all the kin. The big
tree in the living room or sometimes in the front hall was truly a delight in the eyes
of a little child. It would touch the ceiling and was covered with colored fights,
ornaments, and icicles. There were gifts for each family member. I could not
wait to see what Mary had for me. One Christmas she gave me a big storybook
that I enjoyed for many years. I even used it when I was a beginning teacher.
Another favorite gift was a little vanity set with the prettiest little comb, bmsh
and mirror.
The Greens had the biggest dining table I had ever seen and it was laden
with delicious food for the Christmas dinner. My favorite dish was a fruit salad
that Aunt Bessie called Heavenly Hash. It was made with fruit cocktail, cherries,
grapes, marshmallows and other good stuff. I wish I had her recipe.
During WWII many young soldiers from Turner Air Force Base visited
at the Green home. It was like a home away from home for them. One young
139
soldier from New York State, Bill Hopkins, joined the Green family when he
married Neva Reid. They made their home in Leesburg and operated the Gulf
Station. Later Bill became Mayor of Leesburg and served in that position for
many years.
Mary married lames Reid and they had two children, Kay and Buddy.
Buddy served as Chairman of the Lee County Board of Commissioners for
many years.
Neva Reid and Bill had one son, John Charles who operated the station
after Bills death. There are presently only two members of this dear family left in
Leesburg. They are John Roberts wife, Eloise and daughter, Maiy Eloise. Their
friends, the school and the Methodist Church are a big part of their lives. I am
proud to call them my cousins.
Betty Clay
Mamas Special Gift
Lets go to the mall is a common phrase wee hear all the time. Growing
up just outside of Smithville in rural Lee County there was no such thing as a
mall. We had to go to another county to shop for clothes. All my clothes were
hand made with love by my mama, Mary Richardson Jackson, on her Singer
sewing machines. Her first machine was a pedal operated Singer and she
purchased a Singer Slant-O-Matic when I was in elementary school. Her
payments were seven dollars a month for eighteen months.
140
Im not sure if sewing was a necessity or if it was her God given talent to
create something special. Because she grew up in the depression era nothing
was thrown away. Everything was used and recycled. Tom dresses and shirts
were made into beautiful quilts. Small remnants of material became shorts or
blouses. Feed sacks became lacy little girl panties. Mama made costumes for
Halloween and school plays and outfits for the cheerleading squad. As we four
children (Jimmie, Winnie, Denise and Jon) grew, so did mamas talent. She
made Prom dresses, brides maid dresses and even a wedding gown. From
crocheting to doll making and drapes to upholstery there wasnt anything she
wouldnt try. I remember many times she would stay up long past midnight to
finish an item a customer just had to have the next day.
Through all the sewing Mama kept a forty hour a week job. She worked
at Manhattan Shirt Company in Americus through most of my school years.
She also worked in the Smithville Post Office for nine years before going to the
Leesburg Post Office where she worked as clerk until retiring in 1989.
People today do not take time to sew but Mama passed the love for the
art of sewing to her three daughters.
Winnie Richardson Beamon
My Daddys Cigarettes
All of you can remember the days, back in the late 1950s, when dinner
(served around noon) was he big meal of the day and supper was either left-
overs or possibly a home grown tomato sandwich. Most of the time, no matter
what your age, after a big dinner you had to lay down and take a nap, even if it
was only twenty or thirty minutes. My daddy was a farmer and rose before
daylight to start his day so he really looked forward to his power nap.
My parents were Warren and Mary Richardson. Daddy was bom and
raised in Smithville. Mama moved to Smithville as a young girl with her father
who worked for the railroad. Daddy and Mama went to school at the Smithville
School and graduated from high school there. He and Mama married in August
of 1942 and he soon went off to serve in France and Germany during World
War n. They attended the Smithville United Methodist Church, where Daddy
was a steward. He was the song leader when I was a little girl. Mama worked
those years he was gone and I was his first bom when he returned from war.
141
Daddy was a farmer and Mama worked at Manhattan Shirt Factory in
Americus. We had a wonderful maid named Dollie and she was a great cook.
Her cakes, made with real butter, were out of this world; especially her Lemon
Cheese and her blackberry and peach cobblers with dumplings were to die
for. She cooked most of the meals during the week for us and dinner was
always delicious.
There were four of us (Jimmie, Winnie, Denise and Jon) and we were
constantly up to something! In those days you had to make your own fun. One
day my sister, Winnie and I decided we would try our hand at smoking. You
know; cigarettes! That was something that we had been told over and over not
to do. I was about eleven years old and Winnie was around nine.
Daddy laid down that summer afternoon for his power snap and we
decided to get his cigarettes and see what smoking was all about. When he
stretched out across the bed, He put all the stuff in his shirt pocket on the
mantle in the bedroom. This included his pack of Lucky Strikes. Now if we
had been smart, we would have only taken two cigarettes, but we took the
whole pack and his matches. We went out behind the tractor shed in the back
yard and lit up. When Daddy woke up the cigarettes was the first thing that he
reached for and when they were missing he started fussing. He was so loud we
could hear him from the shed. Who got my Cigarettes? Now, I have to
drive three miles to Smithville to get more cigarettes and 1 need to be in the
field. While he was saying this, he was headed for his track to go to town
or so we thought.
Daddy got in the track and drove out of the driveway. We thought we
were safe and just kept smoking. It must have looked like two smoke stacks
coming from behind the shed. We were having such a grand time, smoking and
giggling about Daddy having to go to town, when we realized he was standing
behind us. He spanked me all the way to the house and I think Winnie got a few
licks. Needless to say, I never smoked after that. If smoking could get you into
that much trouble, I wanted no part of it. Daddy knew best; but I had to find out
the hard way.
Jimmie Richardson Goode
142
Formation of Prestigious Lee County Country Club
Back during the 1950s a group of Lee teenagers had discussed, among
themselves, that they wished they could have a county club of their own in Lee
County. A very renowned Lee County family, John and Bill Cromartie, offered
to establish a country club on some of their property. It really was a country
club; you could not even see it from the road. First on the agenda was to
establish a name for the club that would represent the unique and sophisticated
area and structure. The Cromartie boys, observing the area reached a creative
name for our special club. It would be called, get this, Kudzu Country Club.
The name of the club truly captured the real essence of the locale; everything
around it was covered in kudzu.
Next on the agenda were the rules for membership. The only
requirements for the clientele was that you had to be able to breathe on your
own and have access to and bring large amounts of food and drink.
As to formal well thought out plans for the social events, there were
none. No formal, printed announcements concerning the numerous special
engagements were mailed. The announcements were by word of mouth and
went something like this, Hey you there, we will be at the Kudzu Country Club
come armed with food and drinks. Vast numbers of sophisticates awaited the
announcements of club meetings.
The club expanded our horizons and brought culture to part of Lee
County. Its amazing to realize what an important part Kudzu played on the
clubs members and all of Lee County.
Lee County needs to rethink their use of tax monies and allocate part of
their revenue to erect a monument in the middle of town in honor of the Cromartie
brothers for their foresight to establish such a prestigious Kudzu Club. The
inscription should read: KUDZO AND THE CROMARTIE BOYS. What a
Contribution to Lee County!
We referred to fellow members as KUDS. The Kuds always will be in
debt to the Cromartie Brothers for bringing and expanding culture to Lee County.
We were what you might call Kudzu high society. There never will be a group to
replace the KUDS.
Someday you might pick up a newspaper and read these earth shattering
headlines World prepares to mourn, the Kud members are dying out.
143
May be this thought will console you. Just remember the Kudzu Club
and their members maybe leaving Lee County but Kudzu will be here forever.
Sandra Stocks
Proud to have been a member of the Kudzu Club
How to Catch a Fish
My daughters, Carol Ann and Melody, loved living on our farm in
northeast Lee County. The enjoyed following Bobby through the woods after
fields, wading in the spring, fishing in the creek and millpond which is drank
water from that pond. After catching a few little fish it was Melodys firm belief
that you had to put your foot in a cow track if you wanted to catch a fish from
the pond.
Betty Ann Clay
Carol Ann and Melody Clay fishing at Old Chokee Bridge on New York
Road at Claysprings Farm.
144
Can You Believe It
It was one November at 3:08 in the afternoon, on a family-owned farm
in Terrell County near Sasser, Georgia that the late Bill Wall used a motion
camera to capture the picture seen below.
Mr. Wall was a resident of Lee County, where he owned a car lot and
had a finance company on Walnut Street. One day he came to me and gave me
the picture.
The deer were not fighting, only pawing at each other, while the little
fawns showed little concern as they were moving in the other direction.
Gary Eubanks
A Brief History of Kudzu
Sometimes in life, if we lookhard enough, we can find some good things
about something that really seems to be of no use to our entire life style and our
entire environment. This seems to be true of a well known, but not respected
Southern vine. Yes, it is the kudzu vine, believe it or not. I did some research on
the vine and what I discovered was not only astounding but also very comical.
Yes, it swallows houses, smothers forests, telephone poles, junk cars, and
propane tanks. But I learned from an article that kudzu has many uses. Tests
were done by researchers from Harvard on hamsters and the results they found
were good and bad. No, kudzu is not all bad.
145
These Harvard researchers were looking for a drug to treat alcoholism.
The hamsters were given kudzu extract and they showed a reduction in their
craving for alcohol. This result was remarkable by the fact that the tests were
done during the Super Bowl. The hamsters did drink less, but they became
obsessed with running on exercise wheels. No one going to a gym to workout
on a treadmill should drink the concoction that the Harvard researchers gave to
the hamsters.
Every part of the vine is edible. Yes, that was found to be very true.
You can cook the tubers like potatoes, add the blooms to salad, make jelly
syrup or tea and deep fry the leaves. Be sure to wash. Just think Lee County
alone could reduce world hunger. We might uncover many things we thought
had disappeared like old historic buildings, Model T and Model A cars and
Whitney Houstons career.
Kudzu arrived on our shoes from Japan. In the early 1900s, Charles
Pleas from Chipley, Florida, discovered farm animals loved to eat the vine so he
started selling plants through the mail. Grateful locals erected a marker in his
honor. The marker was inscribed Kudzu Developed Here. See as I told you
in the article about the Lee County Kudzu Country Club that Lee County locals
should have erected their own marker to John and Bill Cromartie for their own
contributions promoting kudzu.
The real culprit for the invasion of the vine was the Soil Conservation
Services. This agency planted millions of the vines in the 1930s and 1940s to
control erosion. The Kudzu vines covered everything that was not eroding. The
poet, James Dickey, stated in his writings, In Georgia, the legend says that you
must close your windows at night to keep Kudzu out of your house.
Sandra Stocks
Cookville Remembered
Cookville Store, owned and operated by Mr. And Mrs. Walter Cook,
was located on the comer of Highway 82 and a little dirt road. This little store
was special to the community as it was here that almost anything from bread to
gasoline could be purchased without going into Albany. Everyone stopped by
daily to pick up the Albany Herald, to see neighbors, and to catch up on the
latest happenings in the community.
When there was a heavy rain, water would cross Winifred Road close
to Lillistons and also the little dirt road that later became Cookville Road. This
146
created a problem for going to Albany because the water on Cookville Road
was always too deep to drive through. Sometimes it was possible to get to the
highway from Winifred road, but you always had to be careful driving through
the water there because a trench was usually there right in the middle of the
water.
There were times when the water on Cookville Road would be extra
deep, and Mr. Cook and a neighbor would get out in Mr. Cooks little Jon boat,
paddle out around the tree tops, and watch the water bubble up from a rock
that is out in the middle of the low land. On some occasions, fish could be seen
swimming around out there.
The community in this area was very close. The Palmyra Community
Club was formed and met monthly for dinner meetings. This was more for food
and fellowship than anything else. Each year, when the fair was in Albany, the
Palmyra Community Club would prepare an exhibit that showcased our
community. Working on the exhibits provided another way to enjoy each others
fellowship.
After a few years work, Mrs. Kathryn Southwell was instrumental in
getting Cookville Road paved. With the paving approved, there came another
two years of work. The trees that shaded the road had to be cleared, and the
road had to be raised about ten feet. This meant that, when it rained a lot, the
dirt was too soft to drive on unless you were on a tractor. Some people would
leave their cars at Cookville Store and wade through the mud to get home.
Finally, the dirt packed and settled and the paving began. What as blessing that
was to the family that lived through all of this. Now, there was no more dust, but
the cars sped by. (In 2007, it is still a racetrack, but now it also has a lot more
traffic.)
In 2007, one can see a great deal of growth and changes that have
taken place over the years. Many beautiful homes have been built in the
community; the countys industrial park has replaced a farm; Lillistons is gone;
Oakland Plantation has been sold; a small subdivision is located off Cookville
Road; there is a mobile home sales lot; the store is gone; the wildlife has been
pushed out; there is a traffic light at the Highway 82 and Cookville Road
intersection; and the old Cookville Store has been demolished.
It is always nice to look back and remember the way things were, but
we must accept the changes as they come our way.
Kathryn Berisford
147
My Special Parents
My parents were Evie and Paul Stamps. Even though there were five of
us children who kept them pretty busy, they knew how to make our family feel
special. We were a family who loved and enjoyed one another.
Both Mother and Daddy worked in Albany. My siblings and I did
chores at home that helped them. On Tuesdays and Fridays Mother and Daddy
made time to attend the basketball games Edgar and I played in. They were
very proud of us and loved to watch us play. Mother played basketball when
she was in high school and really enjoyed the games. Daddy would take fishing
every one of us who wanted to go. My younger siblings enjoyed that. Mother
also enjoyed fishing. Sometime they took the things needed to fiy the fish on the
banks of the river after they were caught. What fun this was.
Both Mother and Daddy were good cooks and shared the cooking as
well as other household duties. Daddy would also help Mother wash clothes on
wash day. They used to wash clothes in the back yard with a wash pot to boil
the clothes, a mb board to get tough stains out, and rinse the clothes in big wash
tubs. They would ring the water from the clothes with their hands and then hang
then on the clothes line to dry. I will never forget when Daddy bought Mother
her first washing machine. The clothes were put into the machine to wash and
there was a ringer up top they would run the clothes through to ring the wash
out. Wash day did not take as long as it used to, but they still had to hang the
clothes on the clothes line to dry.
Mother and I did most of the ironing. Back then everything was ironed
so the clothed looked crisp and pretty. On weekends, Saturday was a clean-up
day. We all pitched in. We scrubbed the wooden floors and put paste wax on
them and buffed them with soft clothes to make them shine and smell good. We
would also pitch in to sweep and rake the yards.
When we finished our chores, Mother would sometime take us to the
movies in Albany. Daddy did not care for movies, but he always had tinkering
he liked to do.
There were times they would take us children to Tift Park in Albany.
Back then, Tift Park was a great fun and educational place to go. There were
swings and other playground equipment to play on. A terrific highlight was the
animals. They had animals of evay kind, some including an elephant, monkeys,
alligators, birds and a snake pit among others. Later they built a swimming
148
pool. Going to the park was special. We would spend hours there.Sometimes
in the summer, Mother would prepare a picnic lunch and take us all the way to
River Bend in Mitchell County to spend the day where we could swim in the
swimming pool and skate. Everyone seemed to enjoy going there in the summer
for fun. Many of our friends went too.
Other times on the weekends, we would have several of our friends
over. Mother and Daddy would go out with us. Someimes we played baseball
or other games that we as a group could play. We did many fun things. Mother
and Daddy just knew how to show us children and our friends how to have a
good time, and most did not cost anything.
After I got married, Billy and I lived in Albany after he got out of the
Marines. When our son, Billy Paul was two years old, we had a little girl. We
were so happy to have this baby in our family. She was a beautiful baby who
was bald except for some very blonde fuzz on her head. You could imagine how
excited both Mother and Daddy were. Now, of course, they are Mema and Pa
to their grandchildren and about everyone else. Billy Paul was so proud of his
little sister; he wanted to do everything for her. He thought he could feed her,
play with her and, yes, even change her diaper. He thought he could do it all.
His sisters name is Teresa Ann. We called her by her nickname Terri. After a
little over a year, she had a head full of long pretty light blond hair. Both Mema
and Pa thought these were the only grandchildren there were. My other siblings
were not married except Edgar, but he didnt have any children yet. Aprecious
little girl named Debbie came soon, and of course Mother and Daddy were
overjoyed.
Daddy worked on his car when there was a problem, and he was very
good at it. Men could repair automobiles of the 1940s and 50s. One day
Daddy was working on his car and struggling to get the manifold off. Billy Paul
was now around three years old. This grandchild followed Pa around every
where he went when he was around him. This day Billy Paul was at Mema and
Pas to spend the night. He wanted to help Pa fix the car. Daddy put him on
the front hood of the car to watch, however,Billy Paul had his little hands down
in the motor getting greasy and helping Pa. Pa left to go inside the house for a
minute after struggling so trying to get the manifold off. When Pa came back out
a short time later, Billy Paul had the manifold off for him. I am sure Pa had it
about off, but he sure got a lot of kidding about the situation. All this time Mema
was on the porch watching and rocking that pretty granddaughter. She was
149
singing the most beautiful lullaby as she did so often. She was happy those
grandchildren were spending the night with them. Mother had the most beautiful
signing voice. I loved to hear her sing as did her grandchildren.
There were so many wonderful times with our family as we grew up as
well as after we got grown. There is no way to put our love and appreciation
into words. Making sure we were raised with good morals, having fun and
working hard was a goal of our parents. But, one of the most important things
our parents instilled in us was to believe in God, trust Him and go to Sunday
School and Church on Sunday to keep learning more about Him. We all went
to Leesburg Baptist Church where I was baptized. We proudly sat with out
parents or near them. I would not trade my parents or siblings for anyone.
Daddy lived long enough to see Edgar and Jonnies first daughter, Debbie
and was so proud of her too. They lived in Valdosta and werent able to get
home as often as they would have liked. But when they did, those Stamps
grandparents were very happy. Daddy died at a very young age but he loved
his children and his grandchildren and loved it when he could be with them.
Mother lived to be eighty-two years old and was able to enjoy all her
grandchildren.
We all miss Mother (Mema) and Daddy (Pa) and feel very lucky and
blessed to have had them.
Paula Stamps Smith
Paula Stamps Smith with son Evie and Paul Stamps
Billy Paul Smith
150
Joseph and Helen
The story of my parents, Joseph and Helen Johnson, is interesting. My
mother came to Leesburg as a teacher. My father is a native of Lee County.
They married, and I was bom in 1922. They decided then that Mama would be
a Stay-At-Home Mom,; She was a great homemaker, but she also worked in
the church and community. She was President of the Womens Missionary
Society (now the UMW) many times when no one else would serve. During the
years of WWII she worked with the local Red Cross. When the town started a
library she went back to school and received a degree in Library Science. She
worked part time as an aid in the library. I remember she was to find places or
rather homes for our Methodist Preacher to have Sunday dinner. The preacher,
who lived in Smithville and later in Leslie, preached in Leesburg only once a
month. You guessed it; we had the preacher and his family many, many, many
Sundays. After I went away to college, she decided to sub in high school. She
was a sub until she was in her eighties. She was a chaperone for Senior
classes on their trips to Washington and New York. If she had not lost her sight,
she would have taught forever. Young people would call and would give her a
hug and thank her for the help she had given them. If these students praised her,
you can guess how much she is fancied by her own grandchildren and great
grandchildren. The great grandchildren loved her dearly. Instead of calling her
Grandmamma like the grandchildren, she has always been Sugar to them.
Even their friends called her Sugar.
The other amazing person in my life was my dad. He was a native of
Lee County and proud of it. After serving in WWI, he returned to Leesburg.
He worked as a mechanic for his brother-in-law (Lester Coxwell) and, for a
while, in a grocery store owned by a man named Bob Green. When I was
small, he started work as a manager of a lumber yard for Hodges Building
Supply Company in Albany. Over the years he worked up through the com-
pany and was a vice-president when he retired. He had always loved wood and
he could make and build anything out of wood. He built their bedroom furni-
ture, my playhouse and furniture, doll house and furniture, then my sons toys
such as trucks, cars, and toy chests.
When I was in junior high and high school, there wasnt enough money
to go to the beach to rent a house for a weeks vacation. However, he had seen
a campground at Jacksonville Beach. So what did he do? He built a camper
(house trailer) in our backyard. It was great! It would sleep five people. It had
151
everything that they have today. We could stay at the beach for a week during
his two week vacation. Being an only child, I could always take a friend. What
wonderful memories! Early in his career as a builder, he had an idea about
Pre-Fab houses. He questioned his boss, but he didnt think that idea would
sell. So Daddy built one in his backyard, hired a truck, hauled it to Steinhatchee,
Florida, and set it up. It had two bedrooms and a large living area. He and
relatives used it many times before he sold it. It was a shame that he didnt have
enough money to manufacture these Pre-Fabs.
When it was time for me to go to college, money was a problem. During
the years he had become a self-taught architect. He drew house plans, small
church plans, and small buildings. He did this at night This extra money sent me
to college. During those years, he always had time for me and later for my two
sons. He was a Steward in the Methodist Church, a thirty-two degree Mason,
a City Councilman, and he helped Boy Scouts win Merit Badges. Daddy taught
my sons to hunt and thus they learned gun saftey and rales of hunting. Since he
really liked to fish, he taught them how to fish.
I must speed forward here. My son Larry and his grandson presently
hold a World Record for the largest Bass caught on a certain test line. Larry
died in December 2006.
Now, back in time, I remember when I was youngand heard my parents
discuss an offer my dad had received. He had been offered a partnership in a
liquor distributing company. He would not even have to put any money into the
company. He refused because he felt this was wrong for him. He thought of
how many families which were affected by alcohol. There are so many memories.
I feel so BLESSED to have had Joseph and Helen Johnson as my parents.
Gwen Johnson Seanor
Beware! Snake Stories
I had never seen a snake other than at the zoo, before we moved to
Leesburg. It seemed as though, they hunted for me.
In the first house we lived in on a farm, I saw something that looked like
my washing machine drain hose had fallen on the floor. I knew differently when
this black object started moving across the floor. I chased it into the bathroom
and got a neighbor to come and kill it.
152
At a different farm, I was walking away from my clothes line and heard
an unusual noise. Turning around I saw that it was a rattlesnake coiled and
rattling. I sent Frank for the gun. He couldnt find it, but he threw a board on
the snake, got a hoe and killed it.
We had hen nests built on a platform. I went to gather the eggs, and
there in one nest was a big white oak runner. I left him alone.
We always left one egg in the nest, so hens wouldnt hunt a different
nest. One time I put in a white doorknob for a nest egg. A few days later we
found a dead snake with a rare bump. It was the doorknob.
One night we heard the hens really making a loud noise. We all went to
the chicken house. A snake was trying to swallow a baby chick. Harry killed
that snake.
One Sunday on the way to Sunday School, we saw a snake trying to
swallow a frog. The boys said, Momma dont let the snake have the frog. I
got out of the car, found a stick and chased the snake away. I thought but didnt
say to them, that the snake would probably find the frog again.
I came down the back steps one day and out from under the house
came a rattlesnake. He crawled under a chicken coop. I got the gun and shot
his head a few times. Harry came around the house, asked me what I was
doing. I told him. He said, Quit shooting the snake is dead!
One night I stayed up reading a book, Harry was asleep. I heard a
noise in the kitchen. A snake was chasing a rat. I got a broom and chased the
snake outside. Our dog was by the step and killed it.
I was going in the house one day, and saw a small paper bag on the
steps. I thought Harry had left there. I picked it up, and carried it in the house.
The sack was shaking, looked inside and there was a small snake. I left it there.
I need to say that, after killing the snake that was coiled and rattling, I went into
the house and got down on my knees.
I had been asked to teach the nursery class at the Leesburg Methodist
Church, but I didnt feel I was good enough to teach Sunday School. I thanked
God for saving me from a snake bite and decided that, since He had done this
for me I would teach Sunday School.
Laveme Hinds
153
Lee Countys Presidential Look-Alike
From the time we were first married in June of 1964 and until now,
every time we go out into a public place, there have always been people who
think that my husband, Reed Hatfield, looks like one of our U.S. presidents.
During our early years, people were always asking if he was related to John F.
Kennedy who had died in November before our June wedding. There was just
something about his stature, his hair, and the way he stood that bore a resemblance
to JFK. Once, we went to a friends wedding in South Carolina, and everyone
in the church was whispering and pointing and staring at us. He was often
approached in the stores, in restaurants, and other public places by people
asking, Did anyone ever tell you that you look like President Kennedy? Time
passed; we got older; and he no longer looked so much like the memory we
have of the young Kennedy, but, then, another president came into office that
started the whole thing all over again.
This time it was a neighbor of sorts, President Jimmy Carter. Now
everyone stops him and says, Do you know who you look like? Frequently,
Reed will jokingly say, Yes, President Nixon. Seriously, he constantly has
people asking if he is related to Jimmy. Once he stopped in a MacDonalds for
a hamburger. The manager called all of his workers up to the front to meet
Jimmy Carter. My husband, who is a little on the shy side and who blushes
easily, turned bright red and insisted that he was not The President. The
manager gave him a free burger anyway. Another time, a server in a restaurant
asked for his autograph. When he said that he was not The President, the
server said, You cant fool me. I know who you are. You are Jimmy Carter.
One time, we were walking along the riverfront in Savannah when we
heard someone calling out, Jimmy! Hey there, Jimmy Carter! We looked
around and saw a man who bore a strong resemblance to President Bill Clinton.
He wanted Reed to pose with him for a picture - the Carter and Clinton look-
alikes.
We were even in the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. when
we were approached by a couple from China who spoke very little English, but,
as soon as they saw my husband, the gentleman said, Ah, ha.. Jimmy Carter!
We learned that they had just arrived from China to visit their daughter who was
working in D.C., but they knew about Jimmy Carter.
On another occasion at a Ducks Unlimited Banquet, one of Reeds
friends actually saw President Carter but thought it was Reed. He called out,
154
Reed! Hey, Reed. Reed Hatfield! When the President came closer the
friend realized that it was not Reed after all. We have all had many good laughs
over that.
Reed did have the opportunity to meet and to talk to President Carter at
one of the fall Peanut Festivals in Plains. He said, Mr. President a lot of people
say they think I look a lot like you. President Carter looked up at him and said,
Son, you look a lot better than I do. They shook hands, had a good laugh
about it, and he posed for me to take a picture of them together.
Actually, Reed is fifteen years younger and about 4 inches taller than the
President. To this day, we seldom go out to eat, shopping, or anywhere in
publicwithout someone saying something or pointing, whispering, and staring at
us. Through the years, we have had many interesting conversations with complete
strangers due to his being a look-alike.
Glenna Hatfield
Does he look like JFK or Jimmy Carter to you?
Reed & Glenna Hatfield
Christmas 1964
Reed & Bill Clinton
look-alike
Savannah, Georgia- June 2001
Reed & Glenna Hatfield
Mobile Bay- January 1965
Reed & President Carter
Plains Peanut Festival -2002
155
Growing Up in Rural Southwest Georgia
Life in rural Georgia during the 1930s was simple. Money was hard to
come by. However, there were many ways for my siblings and me to entertain
ourselves, even before the day of organized recreational programs. There was
Chokee Creek for swimming and fishing. Bicycles provided transportation and
entertainment. Hunting was there for sport and food. Many toys were homemade,
rollers from syrup cans and haywire, musical instruments from tobacco cans,
tractors from spools, crayons and rubber bands, string balls, kites, bow and
arrows, flips and popguns. Impromptu baseball games were organized when
neighborhood children got together. Marbles, hopscotch, jump rope and dodge
ball were other games we enjoyed. Picking blackberries, plums, watermelons
and garden vegetables occupied many hours during the hot summer months and
provided delicious treats for the table. Syrup making, peanut threshing, cotton
ginning and hog killing were times to which we looked forward. Mules or horses
and sometimes calves were ridden for fun. Cows were rounded up with the
horses and mules. Our playmates included both white and black (neighborhood)
children. Life was good and carefree.
Robert A. Clay, Jr.
From L to R: Boll Weevil (Percy Williams, Jr.) Bobby (Robert A. Clay, Jr.),
Carolyn (Carolyn Clay Daniel), and Jimmy (James R. Clay) enjoying a
watermelon on a hot summer day.
156
My Only Whipping
My mother, Elizabeth Watkins, told me that the only time that my daddy
ever spanked me, which consisted of a swift swat on my behind, was when I
was three years old. She told me that my daddy spanking me, it just broke my
heart. My daddy was overseer for what is now known as the Flint River Farms.
He was busy saddling up a horse for the days work. He had told me to stand
back out of the way of the horse. I was an active toddler and liked being
involved in anything that daddy was doing. I walked under the horse, and he
swatted my behind and sent me to the house.
Martha Ann (Watkins) Parker
I Remember When...
I remember when Buffalo Rock Ginger Ale, Orange Crash in the brown
bottle, and NuGrape Soda were in the drink boxes. I was going to college at
Georgia Southwestern in Americus, Georgia. On the juke boxes in The Campus
Store they were playing In the Mood, Star Dust, Thats my Desire, My
Happiness, and Prisoner of Love. Such good memories back in 1949-1950.
I remember the first and only swimming pool in Leesburg. It was behind
the courthouse. Also the canning plant was right in front of the pool. My sister,
Joyce, was the Home Ec. Teacher at the school, and she had to ran the canning
plant during the summer months. The smoke from the canning plant would be
coming all over the pool. We would let the kids swim, and we would go to the
canning plant and put up spiced peaches, etc. Everyone in Leesburg would
enjoy the pool, even if they would just meet there and talk and have a good time
seeing everybody.
I remember this black man, Buddy Jenkins, who had an open pit bar-b-
que behind my dads store in Leesburg. He would bar-b-que each Saturday
night. You could buy a Boston butt, and he would bar-b-que it along with his for
a dollar. He also had a little store across the tracks where he sold bar-b-que
each Saturday. The Cairo Pickle Company also had a cucumber shed behind
the store and all the farmers would bring in their harvest which would be taken
to Cairo and make pickles.
I remember when there were actually wsalnut trees along Walnut Street
where the old post office use to be. We would all sit under the walnut trees and
157
sell watermelons for 25 cents each for the large ones. The old Chevrolet dealership
was across the street from the service station.
I remember the old Crotwell Dairy (Crotwell Road) that would deliver
milk to your door in the good ole glass bottles. If we wanted buttermilk or
chocolate milk, we would put a note in the empty bottles and they would leave
whatever you ask for. This was when the cream used to be all on the top of the
glass bottle. I always liked to take a spoon and get all the cream off of the top.
I remember when the vacant lot behind my home (which is still vacant)
use to have cows, horses and pigs when the Cannons lived there years ago.
Miss Lois, as we called her, would also chum buttermilk and make butter. I
used to try to milk the cows, but I never did have any success at getting any
milk. I remember my mother also would get upset when the hogs got out and
tore up her yard.
Elizabeth Forrester Young
Gone Fishin
I grew up on a farm outside of Smithville. My daddy, Charles D. Usry,
would take me fishing almost every Sunday afternoon from spring through fall.
One of my daddys best friends, Mr. Woodrow James, and his daughter Carol
would usually join us.
When we fished we just had old cane poles. The cork was a real one,
not one of those red and white plastic clip-on types. We didnt buy bait at a
store. We dug up the biggest, juiciest worms you ever saw from our barnyard.
We placed them in an old tin can and off we went. I usually played with the
worms as they tried to hide in the bottom of the can as we traveled to our fishing
hole. It always fascinated me how they all wound themselves together in the
bottom of the can.
I could bait a hook, but I was not as good at it as my daddy was.
Neither was Carol, so our daddies did the baiting, and we did the fishing. My
daddy would stand next to me, and Carol would be beside me with her daddy
on her side. Theyd bait; wed throw in the line and cork; and wait for it to
bobble in the water and then go under as the fish hit the bait. When we caught
one, they would usually remove it from the hook and string it on the line that had
been stuck in the ground so the fish couldnt swim away with it. Sometimes Id
take the fish off the hook myself.
158
As any fisherman knows, there is an art to catching fish. You have to be
sure its taken the bait before snatching up the line. This sometimes proved
problematic for two young girls. I missed more than a few catches by snatching
the pole too quickly, as did Carol. Our poor daddies would just bait the hook
and wed try again.
As much as we enjoyed fishing, there was another reason that Carol
and I liked going fishing with our daddies. That reason was the snacks that
Carols mother, Miss Linda, would pack for us. After an hour or so, we would
decide to go eat. This was the only time our poor daddies got a chance to fish.
Now, I said snack, but it was more like a small picnic. Miss Linda
made us ham sandwiches on good ole white bread with mustard. Mr. Woodrow
would buy a box of cookies that were vanilla wafers with marshmallows in
between. If I could remember their name, Id go out and try to find some. We
washed this all down with a small bottled Coca Cola that had the name of the
bottling site printed on the bottom. Now those cokes were ice cold each time,
because they were iced down in a metal ammunition box that Mr. Woodrow
used for that purpose each week. Carol and I would sit up front in the seat of
the pick-up truck and eat and talk till all the sandwiches and cookies were gone.
Then we would go back fishin.
Now maybe some of you mothers that are reading this right now wonder
about being able to wash our hands before eating. Well, if we washed them at
all it was in the pond water. Most of the time we wiped them off a little on our
pants and went to eating. They only had mud, worm guts and fish slim on them,
and only our fingers were black from these things being caked on them. We
never noticed. Maybe it added a natural flavor to those sandwiches. I just
know they were some of the best I ever ate.
As the afternoon wore on, we happily fished and enjoyed being with
our daddies. When the worms gave out, it was time to head home. Wed
gather up everything and head for the truck. The fish would be on the line
carried by one of the daddys. It was usually so full of fish that the line was as
long as I was tall in those days. AND I promise that is NO fish story.
Charlene Usry
159
The Days and Nights of The Albany Herald Carriers In Lee County.
1977-1982 and 1985-2003
Growing up in Lee County has given me very fond memories. One of
the best memories was told to me by my mother. It was about when my mother
went into labor with me while she was delivering the Sunday paper. After finishing
the route, she went to the hospital, and, at 8:45 pm on February 4,1979,1 was
bom. She stayed out for two weeks after I was bom and went right back to
delivering papers. I guess you can say being an Albany Herald Carrier was
already in my blood from the start.
Before I was bom, and afterwards several of the ladies including Mrs.
Stanford and Mrs. Stovall crocheted things for me.
Mama always took all of us with her on the route my two stepbrothers
Keith and Louie Erickson and me. The boys always liked to fight with each
other. Keith, the oldest, loved to pick on Louie and make him cry. Mama told
Louie to hit him back and he would stop it. He did ,but he hit him with a coke
bottle. Mama said, Louie, I said to hit him, not try to kill him!
We were in an area where we had to get out and deliver the papers.
Mama had asked the customers to please keep their animals put up while we
were in the area. Mama got out on one side of the truck; Louie got out on the
other side of the track; and a dog came out and attacked Louie boy, did that
Watson temper come out. She was real mad.
We delivered to Mrs. Mae Smiths store and she gave us candy every
day. She always gave us enough for my brothers and me. Later, we started
delivering at night before I could drive. With Mama being a single parent, she
always put me in the back seat so I could sleep while she did the route. Over
the many years of doing the route, she got hit in the head and face numerous
times while putting papers in a box where the birds had already built a nest in.
I never will forget the time that mama had her yellow Datsun parked
behind Mamas Kitchen where she parked it each day. Sometimes, the stupid
car would not crank. One night when we were out there trying to get it to crank,
three city police officers came up and surrounded us because they thought that
we were trying to steal that old car. After the officers called in to dispatch, they
were informed that it was just the paper lady, and they were told to help her out
and get her car started. After retiring the old yellow Datsun, many people said
we should have gutted it and put it on a pole in front of the old Mamas Kitchen
to show that the car had finally bit the dust. We then got a blue Toyota Station
160
Wagon, and one night we broke down on Mayhaw Road. The alternator went
out, and mama was unable tocall out on her cell phone. She started to get out of
the car, and a dog growled at her. She couldnt see him ,but she could hear him.
We stayed there for a while until the battery built up a little. And she decided
that as soon as she could get someone on the phone at 911 she would just
yelling, Mayhaw Road. That way if it went dead, they would at least know
where to come and see about us. Sure enough, they sent Deputy Bill Bass to
help, and he got out of the police car just laughing.
When I was old enough to drive, we divided up the route. After a few
replaced paper boxes, we stopped counting how many had been hit and needed
replacing. It never failed there for a while that I would always get stopped by
the new Deputy on duty at night because he thought that I was a drunk driver
driving on the wrong side of the road.
Christmas was always a special time for our family. Every year on
Christmas Eve, we would go out to my uncle Eddie Watson and Aunt Denises
house for supper. After that, we would stop at my cousin Sheila Cannon and
her familys house. All the kids would be waiting for Santa to come; my uncle
Frank Watson was thereand was just as excited as the kids. We would also tell
the kids that we were going to look for Rudolph while we were on the route and
hoped that we didnt hit him. It was always nice seeing all the lights and people
getting ready for Christmas. Our customers always fixed goodies and gifts each
year for us to pick up. One year Mr. Perry Kearse fixed a pound cake and
called us to come by and pick it up. When we got there, it was still hot,and ,boy,
was it good . It just melted in your mouth. Mrs. Mary Wilson always had
homemade peanut brittle for us, and boy, do we miss it. When we got home,
there was always a fuss on whom was going to get what because you always
had to share, unless you ate it before you got home with it. Sometimes you just
could not help yourself. Sorry Mama! Our customers were always so nice to
us. When I graduated, I felt so close to the customers that we made flyers to
invite them all to see me graduate.
If we were ever running late our customers would call to check on us to
make sure we were okay instead of worrying about the paper. Many customers
tried to get us to take a few days off and not worry about the paper route since
they knew that mama worked at another job also. They said she needed a
vacation and that they could do with out their papers.
We miss all of our customers.
Pennie and Tracy Erickson
161
History of Smithville, Georgia
Moses J. Barrow came to Lee County in a wagon train. There were
about forty families in the train. Some settled near Bear Creek which is now in
Sumter County. The Barrow family and the Wells family were some of the first
settlers in Smithville. When they settled there, it was a wild country with great
forests, wild animals and Indians.
John Thomas Barrow married Martha Caroline Smith. John Thomas
Barrow was a saw mill owner and operator. He finished his lumber and made
what was called rift lumber. He was instigator in obtaining the Central of Georgia
railroad to come through Smithville so he would be able to ship his lumber. He
gave land to the railroad which was called the Y so the trains could turn
around. John Thomas Barrow was also known as Jack Barrow. He would buy
land just to get the timber and never pay taxes on it as he did not care for the
land, but he did give Smithville land and lumber for a school under the condition
that should it ever cease to be used for school purpose that it would go back to
his heirs. The heirs used the building for living purposes for a few years and then
sold it to the Methodist Church. The Methodist Church built a church on the
property which is the present day Methodist Church. John Thomas Barrow
also had a store in Smithville which was the building where the Suwanee Store
was located for a great number of years. Smithville was named after Jack
Barrows wife. She was Martha Caroline Smith. Jack Barrow also helped in
the building of the fill on Muckalee Creek where there used to be nine bridges
but only two are there now. It was once called the Nine Bridges Road and is
now Highway 118. Jack and Martha Barrow had eight children. They were
Bob, Electra, Mose, Dora, Cy, Mar, and Mabil Barrow.
Children of Dora Elizabeth Barrow and Jesse Mercer Stanford and
their families. Ronza Estelle Stanford married Arthur D. Knott. After his death
she married Edward D. Jason. No children in either union. Susie Mae Stanford
married William T. Roberts, no children in this union. Thomas Barrow Stanford
married Lillian Hollis, no children in this union. Mattie Ruth Stanford married
Roy L. Swanson. One son, Maurice Lee Swanson in this union. Amos Grady
Stanford married Dorothy Smith. One son, Virgil Grady Stanford, daughter
Dorothy Caroline Stanford, daughter Jessie Mercer Stanford bom in this union.
Electra Pauline Stanford married George L. Nelson. One daughter, Elizabeth
Rose Nelson in this union. Walter Rufus Stanford married Annie Lee Balton.
162
One daughter Elizabeth Ann Stanford and one son Walter Thomas Stanford
was bom in this union. Margaret Eleanor Stanford married Edwin S. Tison.
Daughter, Susan Estelle Tison, son Thomas Tison, son Wayne Tison, daughter
Rebecca Tison, son Arthur Tison in this union.
Bob Barrow son of John Thomas Barrow (Jack) married a Calhoun girl
from Seville, Georgia. They had only one child, a daughter named Bessie Barrow.
Bob Barrows wife died when the daughter was a child. Her father, Bob Barrow,
left her with her maternal Grandmother Calhoun and her Uncle George Calhoun,
M.D., to raise, as he had no one to care for the child. When Bessie was in her
teens, her grandmother and uncle passed away and she came to Smithville to
live with her fathers sisters, Dora Barrow Stanford, Mae Barrow Young and
Electra Barrow Wilkerson Keenan and her husband, Paul Keenan, Sr. and took
a business course. Later Bessie Barrow married Hugh T. Kearse of Leesburg
(Who served for 22 years as Superintendent of l^ee County Schools). Bessie
always went by the name of Bessie Calhoun. Bessie and Hugh Kearse had one
daughter, Ann Kearse and she is married to Jeff Slade and they are lived in
Thomaston, Georgia.
Dorothy Caroline Stanford married Dennis Tyron Adams. They have
two children, son Anthony Shane Adams and son Stanford Drew Adams. At
the present time they live in Millington, Texas. Virgil Grady Stanford married
Barbara Sue Tombs. They have three children, daughter Ranza Lee Stanford,
daughter Makala Jean Stanford and son Jessie Quinn Stanford. At the present
time they are living at Marshall, Texas. Jessie Mercer Stanford married Bobby
Eugene Ferguson. They have two children, son Jason Ferguson and son Mark
Ferguson. At this time they live in Anchorage, Alaska. Amos Grady Stanford
was a good fisherman on the water anywhere he fished.
Dorothy Stanford
Marines WifeBack Home
Billy Smith and I were married in August of 1950. Billy had a scrap
business in Albany, so we lived in Albany after the wedding. We were married
less than a year ,when as a reserve in the United States Marines, he was called
to active duty to serve his country during the Korean conflict. He was proud to
do so. He was very patriotic and loved being a Marine. He had served two
years in the Marines and only came out when his daddy had a nervous breakdown
and needed Billy home to run the business so his daddy would not lose it. Billy,
163
being the devoted good son was, had to leave the Marines. To save his
benfits, he had to sign up to be in the Marine Reserves, which he proudly did.
Three days after Billy left the United States to serve as a jet mechanic
on the Aircraft Carrier USS ORISKANY, our son Billy Paul was bom. He and
the other mechanics checked and made repairs necessary to the jets that flew
missions in Korea. One of the jet pilots and Billy became very good friends.
They had one exciting thing in common. Both Marines became dads to a baby
boy on the same day. Sadly, the pilot was killed while on a mission and never
got to see or hold his son. This was very disturbing to Billy. I have thought
about that child many times through the years, but never knew how to get in
touch with him or his family.
When Billy had to leave Albany with the Marines, I decided to go back
to Leesburg to stay with Mother and Daddy until such time I could be with Billy.
Mother and Daddy were very excited about expecting their first grandchild.
Daddy was a handy man. He could do most anything. One thing he was good
at was construction among others. When Turner Field, an Air Force Base, was
being built in Albany during World War II, Daddy worked there and helped
build the buildings on base.
We had a large back porch on our house on Main Street in Leesburg.
This proud Daddy and soon to be Granddaddy got busy and made a large
beautiful room back there for me to live in while Billy was gone and to bring that
first grandchild home to. Mother was busy and excited about decorating the
room just right for us. We were so excited and had so much fun preparing and
sewing for that baby. He finally was bom, and what joy he brought to the
household. Mother made a beautiful cover for his basinet. He was so cute in his
special bed made pretty by his Mema. Oh yes, we were very happy to be there
where we felt loved and knew we were. It helped while my husband of such a
short time was away.
Mother and Daddy loved to come into our room early in the morning
before they went to work. Billy Paul was just walking and he was always so
sweet and cute when he first woke up. This is one of the sweetest times for
babies with their cute smile and cooing. When Mema and Pa would come
home from work, they would race to see which one would be able to hold the
baby first. This child was truly loved in this household. We could not have been
in a better place while Billy was serving on the high seas.
Jeanette Long lived down the street from us. She had a baby not long
before mine was bom. With Mother and Daddy both working and my siblings
still in school, the baby and I were home alone during the day. Jeanette was a
164
so good to come visit me and help me with anything I wasnt sure of with my
new baby. I enjoyed her visits so much. I shall always be grateful to her for
helping me through those times. Jessie Moreland Lee and Christine Cannon
were very special to me during this time. They will always have a special place
in my heart.
I could not have been in a better place. Mother, Daddy, my siblings and
friends were truly life savers for me while Billy was away. Oh, I had plenty of
help with the baby. Besides Mother and Daddy, I also had Irma, Ronny and
Cecil. They all loved having a baby around. After all he was their nephew.
Edgar at this time was away in the Navy.
Yes, being back home in Leesburg and at Mother and Daddys at this
time was truly a blessing.
Paula Stamps Smith
A Problem Solved
Our younger grandson, Clay Sheffield, showed signs at an early age
that he might be a promising farmer someday. Clay loved to wear Bobbys
Brogan work shoes. He was a sight dragging those heavy shoes on his feet and
Bobbys old hat on his head.
165
When he was about three years old, I would take Clay out to watch
Bobby and Zach move cows from one pasture to another. One day Clay said,
Please Grandmama, let me help them. I know I can do that if Zach can.
I replied, Clay you need to be about twelve years old before you can
work with the cows. Zachs job was to prod those cows that would move
slowly and flush the strays out of the woods. He worked the gate when Bobby
sprayed for flies, letting only a few cows into the spray pen at one time. He
helped separate calves from the herd to go to market.
Enjoying watching Zach work, Clay concluded, Zach Peak is a mighty
brave boy to get in the pen with all those cows and big bulls. When Clay was
about five years old, we were watching them load the calves in the cattle trailer
to go to the sale. I began telling Clay that someday, maybe, he and Zach would
own this farm which has been in the family for over one hundred years. A
serious expression appeared on his face and he asked, Grandmama, who do
you think will help us with all this work? He thought maybe he could get his
Daddy to help, but about that time, he ran off to ask Willie Oscar Williams
(called Rabbit), who was helping load the calves, if he would help them when
they owned the farm.
Rabbit, being the kind soul that he is, replied, Ill sure help you, if Im
still living and able. That satisfied Clay. So at the tender age of five he had
already solved one of the problems of operating the farm.
Betty Ann Clay
Clay Sheffield grandson of Bobby Clay.
166
Reminiscing
After writing my first article, I thought about other things that happened the
year we lived on the farm, before we setded in Smithville. I remember when we had
fried chicken, we would wring the chickens neckand throw it on the ground. It would
flop around until it was dead. Then you would pluck the feathers and singe it Then it
was the womens time to take over. Every piece was fried. The feet head, neck and
yes, the last piece that went over the fence. That was one of my sisters favorite
pieces. She called it the whistle.
I remember after the crop was laid by, you had to cut stack poles and slats to
put on after you handshook them. This is the way they dried out. You didnt combine
peanuts back then. You had a stationary picker, and would carry peanuts to the
picker. Aman would feed the picker. It was a nasty job; you couldnt see the man that
fed the picker for the dust.
Souther Field in Americus housed German prisoners in World War II. You
could go there and hire them to work on the farm. My dad went up there everyday
and got five to shake and stack peanuts. They didnt send a guard, but they sent at
least one prisoner that could speak English. They were picked up at 8 am. They
brought a sack lunch, and we gave them an hour to eat and rest They had to be back
by five o clock. They came to work every day with clean uniforms. One evening JDad
stopped by the house and went inside. I eased up close to the car to get a better look.
One of them blew the horn, and I had business elsewhere. I took off and looked back
and all of them were laughing. I recendy, saw on the Discovery Channel that, not any
of them over here tried to escape. They were treated so well. Our boys werent so
fortunate.
John Calvin Teele was the first boy I met when we moved to Smithville. He
lived on the other side of town from where we moved. How he knew we were moving
to town, Ill never know. He pulled up on his bike. He was tall for his age and had on
overalls. They were too short, so he had a 3-inch piece of string between the sus-
pender and the buttons. He said, Im John Calvin Teele, how old are you? I told
him, and he said, Me too. We are still good friends and stay in touch. In less than a
year, Dad bought a house down the street from them. Now, he lives in Gainesville
Florida, but still comes to visit. He is about six foot five. He and his wife are both
retired from there college there. She was a Long of the Long Family of Smithville. She
grew up in Florida and came back to Smithville. John Calvin married her while she
was in high school, and he would have to sign her report card when it came in. They
lived around here for a while, got a better job in Gainesville, and moved. It was a sad
day. I carried a load down for them.
167
When I was 13 years old, Mr. George Clark of E. A. Clark & Sons had a
20-gauge Fox shotgun that I wanted mighty bad. He told me he would sell it to me
on credit. So he carried me to his office and drew up a contract He explained all the
if s, ands, and buts. If I missed a payment, I would ruin my credit and so on.
I paid the payments on time and, when I paid it off, he told me the contract wasnt
legal because I wasnt of age. He said he wanted to teach me to do business. He said
that if I had not made a payment he could not have done anything, not even take the
gun back.
I started quail hunting when I was eleven years old. One of my brothers-in-
law was a career service man. He was with the Army for 11 years. After World War
II they formed the Air Force, but during the war it was the Army Air Corps. They
promised him two years at Turner if he would sign up. He stayed a few months and
was sent to Eneod, OK, to go to jet school. That was a great difference from tanks
to jets. He stayed in for 30 years plus, the last 10 years at Turner.
He served under General Patton in North Africa. He loved General Patton
and would get tiled up very quickly if someone said anything bad about him. He
didnt like to talk about the war. He would just say it was bad. He would take a
month leave every December. He always had a good bird dog. He would bring him
home in the back floorboard of the car. He taught me to hunt, and by the time I was
13 years old, I had a good dog of my own. I knew a man that was an overseer for
aplantation. They had a good dog with a little age on her and could not keep up. The
owner told him to kill her; he brought her up to SmithviUe to me and swore me to
secrecy, for if the owner found out he would get fired. She was good if you walked
to hunt, and that was the only kind I knew anything about. But if you earned young
untrained puppies, she would blink birds if the puppies came around.
I never did dove shoots until one day, Madison Culler asked me to go. I
borrowed Joe Pines automatic which was not plugged. We went out to a field where
Madison was shooting a single shot .410 shogun. Now, picture this I shot two boxes
of shells in an unplugged gun which held seven shots to his one. I did not touch a bird
and he killed 10. He was a good sport; he didnt tease me. He had been shooting
doves for years. Eventually, I did get pretty good.
One Saturday evening Lavan Kennedy and I went quail hunting on my
cousins place with a pair of the best dogs I ever had. We found five coveys of birds.
That evening they all fanned out in about a five-acre cut cornfield. We thought we
were in Heaven. The dogs worked flawlessly. One would point, the other would
honor it. You could kick a bird up, and the other dog would hold his point.
168
We shot out of shells, kicked the singles up and watched them fly off. The
dog didnt chase the bird. They would look for another. That was a once in a
lifetime hunt. I used to hunt with Mr. M. C. Miller, or, as he was called, Railroad
Miller. He was section foreman for the railroad. He kept a section of track up, and
he used the little putt-putt car on the tracks to haul the tools and whatever materials
he needed, and the men that did the work. When they would lay track, one man was
paid 5 cents per hour more for singing cadence to keep them in time when they
worked. If one of the men got out of step whendriving spikes, they could get hurt He
was a fine man.
He had a very good pair of bird dogs. I had one good one and one not so
good. I would leave him at home when we went. We had many good evenings
hunting and talking together. We later served on the city council together. He was as
good as his word.
He had a swing in his yard, and I spent many hours conversing with him in
that swing. I learned a lot about the railroad listening to him in that swing. Charles
Wheatley owned a lot of land good quail land. Arthur Pete Long was manager of
the ASCS office in Lee County. Mr. Wheadey would let Pete and R. C. Claud
McRee go hunting on his land two times a year. They would borrow my dogs. I had
two or three very good ones. If Mr. Wheatley had known how many birds they
killed, he would have had a hissy. I dreaded to see them come in from hunting. They
would spend hours trying to buy two of my dogs. They would just smile, shake their
heads, and tell me how good they were. When they started to leave Pete would
tell me to hunt his place anytime, just give him a call. I kept one of the dogs until he
was 15 years old. He died from cancer. I had him put to sleep. That was a sad day.
For many days after, the whole family was sad.
When I remember about all the people that have passed on and what they
contributed to Smithville and Lee County, its sad. Think about the ones that will
follow to make this a greater city and county. I hope I made a small contribution in
someway.
George Davis, Smithville; Mr. E. A. Hatcher, Smithville; Raymond Cannon,
Leesburg; Max Hardy, Leesburg(were on the first planning commission in Lee
County. George Davis, Smithville; Mr. Cullpepper, Leesburg; and Mr. Allen, Lee
County; were the first to serve on the Albany Metropolitan Planning Commission,
which consisted of a representative from Smithville, Leesburg, Lee County and
Albany, Dougherty County. I also served on State Senator Youngs advisory
committee when he was senator of our district.
George Davis
169
A Dream of a Class Reunion
On the night of September 15,20041 had a very, very vivid dream.
The next morning upon arising, I took paper and pencil and jotted down the
images in order that it would not slip my mind and because it was so mind-
boggling. When you hear about my dream you will, more than likely, think that
I sat down with pen in hand and made up this ridiculous stuff. Trust me, not even
Hollywood sit-com writers could come up with something this insane.
Right from the first image, I knew it was going to be outlandish because
our class had decided to meet at one of the many five-star gourmet restaurants
in Leesburg to plan our 50th reunion. When I arrived at the five-star restaurant
in my 1990 Ford Escort, the parking lot was full of Lincolns, Cadillacs and
SUV s. I remember thinking it would have been less embarrassing if I had come
in a taxi.
Our tables were set up as they were arranged at out 45th reunion. Joyce
(Hall) Lettsalong with Coach Sherman and Mrs. Shannon Hall and Mrs. J.C.
Webb were at the head of the table. I was seated to the right of Joyce at the
side table. I noticed after our meal .Joyce reached under the table and pulled
out a white slab with a rope attached and started carving something with her
table knife. She then turned to me and stated, We want to present this to you,
and we want you to plan and lead our 50th reunion. It was a huge soap-on-a-
rope that read MASTER LEADER. I put the soap-on-a-rope around my
neck with the utmost pride.
My first brilliant idea was that we have the reunion at the Rylander Theater
inAmericus. Everyone agreed. The next idea I had was right out of La-La land
like the entire dream. I said to save money on gas lets walk from the five-star
gourmet restaurant in Leesburg to the theater in Americus. Everyone said with
one voice, What a great idea. Now if you are driving Cadillacs, Lincolns and
SUVs, the little gas it takes to drive from Leesburg to Americus is the least of
your worries. Everyone went to the parking lot to make sure their cars were
locked and safe. I left my Ford Escort unlocked, windows open and key in the
ignition on the chance someone would drive off in it. We all started walking
single file to Americus. I was leading the group wearing, with such pride, my
soap-on-a-rope that read Master Leader. The unthinkable happened - we
made it to the Rylander. The Rylander was closed! And my soap-on-a-rope
had started to melt! All that was left of my Master Leader was MALED. I
kid you not - this was what I saw in my dream.
170
All of us stepped three feet away from the Rylander Theatre into a
beautiful lush pine grove. Each of us grabbed and clung to a pine tree for dear
life. The walk from Leesburg to Americus had exhausted us. All of a sudden,
out of nowhere, a group of little green men on green John Deere lawn mowers
pulling wagons filled with hay and turnips came into the pine grove and offered
to give all of us a ride. We let go of our pine trees and could not get into the
green wagons fast enough. Your leader rode in the hay and turnip wagon with
Horace and Nina Johnson. After a while we realized that these little green men
were just driving us around in circles. I turned to Horace and asked, Do you
think that these men are some kind of cult and are trying to get us dizzy by
driving us in circles, and then they are going to take us to their leader? Horace
said, We are already dizzy and we surely do not need another off-the-wall
leader.
All of a sudden the little green men stopped at the edge of the pine
grove and told us to get out - that we were own our own. We were covered
with hay and turnips from our ride in the wagons. I, as your leader, stepped to
the front and took charge. I said to the group, There is a gas station just ahead.
Lets see if someone at the station can tell us where we might find a motel.
Again, no kidding, when all of us walked up to the station attendant who was
behind a desk he greeted us by saying, Here come the hayseeds that just feel
off of the turnip wagon! With one loud voice we all said, DUH! Being the
leader, I asked him where the nearest motel was. He said, We have enough
room in the back for all of you to sleep. He led us to the back and opened a
door to one big room with cots on the floor. We looked at the cots; we looked
at each other and we looked at the attendant. With one voice we said, How!
We were so tired we just stood by each cot and fell backwards.
After being on the cots for a while, we all sat up at one time and said in
the one voice, Restroom! I took charge. I walked up to the attendant, I was
wearing my soap-on-a-rope badge, but when the attendant saw our strained
expressions he said, Men to the left, ladies to the right. After a while, we all
returned to our room. This time we got down on our knees and rolled onto our
cots. Time passed, and suddenly the building started to shake. Windows were
breaking, plaster fell, the doors were coming off the hinges. We all sat straight
up and cried, Earthquake! We ran outside, but it was a beautiful moonlit
night. Not a leaf or limb was moving. Everything was as calm as it could be.
Billy Manning answered our bewilderment. He said, Earthquake NO, Snoring
YES! I stepped to the front of the group waving my soap-on-a-rope, to as
171
sume my leadership duties. I said, Now that we are all awake we might as well
start our walk back to Leesburg. Again, we walked single file along the high
way. We were still covered in hay and turnips. Cars passed and spattered us
with Lee County red clay.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, we were surrounded by Lee County police
cars and Highway Patrol cars with sirens blasting and blue lights flashing. We
were told to put our hands behind our backs and get down on the ground. We
looked at each other and started laughing and with that one voice said, You
have got to be kidding. The trooper stepped forward and said, Just forget it.
Get in the cars. It will take too long to get down and back up. As we were
driven back to Leesburg with sirens blaring I asked the trooper, Did someone
call you to give us assistance back to Leesburg? He said, No, a concerned
citizen called to report Lee County was being invaded by an over-the-hill turnip
gang.
They took us all to the Lee County Jail and put us in one large cell. The
last thing I remember about this dream was that I was still wearing my soap-on-
a-rope badge which was melted. We were still covered in turnips, hay and red
clay. I was leading the group in singing Jerimah was a Bullfrog.
Everyone that dreams wonders what the meaning of the dream is. I
gleaned several meanings from this dream.
1. Dont wear soap-on-a-rope in South Georgia
2. If you drive a 1990 Ford Escort you dont need to worry about it
being stolen.
3. Choose your leaders wisely.
Sandra Stocks
Tales Told by Big George Moreland
Mr. George Moreland, Sr., was a very prominent land owner in Lee
County. It has been said that at one time a person could almost walk from
Leesburg to the Flint River without getting off Moreland property. The following
stories were told by George Moreland, Jr., known as Big George because of his
tremendous size and strength. Not only is he a big man, he has a big heart and
would do anything he could to help you.
Big George didnt ride a train but one time in his life. The trip was from
Albany to Leesburg. It happened on a Saturday in June when he was about 14
172
years old. His daddy was loading a boxcar with watermelons in Leesburg.
BigGeorge was selling the culls by the side of Highway 19. His cousin, Dan
Lewis, and some other older boys stopped by on their way to Albany. Big
George put in to go with them. They agreed, so they all took off without telling
Mr. Moreland or anybody where they were going.
After riding around Albany for a while, Dan told Big George that they
were going to find some girls to date that night and would not be returning to
Leesburg until about midnight. At first, Big George said that he wanted a date,
too. Then he thought better about it and remembering that nobody knew where
he was, asked them to just take him to the depot and he would catch a train
back to Leesburg.
Big George bought a ticket about first dark and found the right train just
as the conductor was about to close the door. He took a seat as the train
headed north. After traveling a few minutes the train stopped and Big George
stood up to get off. The conductor told him to sit down. They had only reached
Forresters Crossing. After departing Forresters Crossing the train traveled a
few more minutes and stopped again. Big George stood up to get off. Again,
the conductor, told him to sit down. They were at Century. Finally, after traveling
a few more minutes the train made its third stop. This was Leesburg. The
conductor told Big George that it was time to get off. He did and ran all the way
home, which was on Starksville Street. Big George had an exciting afternoon
and night but was glad to get home safe and sound.
In the late 1940s Lee County played Class C basketball. The regional
tournaments were being held in the gym at Leesburg. Teams from several schools
were there for the competition. Excited fans filled the bleachers. Wallace
Laramore was one of the referees. In a hard fought game between two out of
town teams, Wallace made a call with which some of the fans disagreed. Several
of them spilled out on the ball court to confront Wallace. Tension was high. Big
George with all his size and strength was much of a man. He walked out on the
court and without passing a lick dispersed the angry fans. The game continued
without further incident.
For many years George Moreland, Jr., trained birddogs, conducted
field trials and entertained prominent guests at his Coney Lake Plantation. His
hunters experienced only one shooting accident. The victim was a mule. James
Ash, who was driving the hunting wagon, was supposed to stay behind the
hunters. Instead he pulled up to the side of them. A covey of quail flushed and
some of the birds flew towards the wagon. Guns were fired and the mule was
hit. The mule took off and broke some of his gear before James could get him
173
stopped. Luckily the mule was not seriously hurt by the bird shot and James
escaped injury altogether.
Tom Cousins, a wealthy real estate developer from Atlanta, leased hunting rights
on the property for two years. After that Winton Red Blunt leased it for 28
years. Red was Postmaster General in the Nixon administration and a wealthy
Alabama Contractor. He later sold his contracting business and began buying
various manufacturing plants. He had 16 of these when he sold out for a reported
$1.4 billon.
D.G Tex Houston, a good friend and former school principal, could
always be counted on to help entertain guests with his tall tales and homespun
humor. He also helped out on hunts and field trials when his schedule would
permit.
George was a dog trainer of national reputation. His dog, Judy Wahoo,
won the National Derby Championship. She won five championships and 15
first places. Other dogs that he trained were also very successful in field trial
competition. In 1985, George was inducted into the National Field Trial Hall of
Fame.
As told to Robert A. Clay, Jr.
Those were the Days
When I was growing up in Leesburg, my dad had a store, Leesburg
Mercantile Co., which was sitting where City Hall is now. The Depot was right
across the street from the store. Saturdays was a really big day for the black
farmers and workers. They would all come into town on mule and wagons early
in the morning on Saturday and stay until the stores closed at 12 midnight. They
would tie up the mule and wagons at the hitching post at the Depot. They would
get together and buy their groceries for the week and just have a good time
visiting and getting all of the news. When dark came, they would all sit around
in front of the store on wooden benches and my dad would turn on the one bulb
light with a pull string on it so they could see. Some of them would come inside
in the winter and sit around the Pot Bellied Stove in the back of the store. I
remember them opening the cans of sardines and eating them with saltine crackers.
There was a big glass jar on top of the meat case that had pickled pigs feet in it.
They were a nickel each. Everyone loved them. Also, they would eat moon
pies and honeybuns and drink R.C. Colas, Nehi Orange drinks. There was a
black man, small in stature, about the height of my dad and my uncle Tickey. His
174
name was Charlie Williams, and he loved to mimic and impersonate my uncle.
He did a very good job.
After the store would close at midnight, they would get on the mule and
wagons and go home. Some of them would leave their groceries and come
back down to my dads house on Sunday morning before they would go to
Sunday School. They would come up on our back porch and knock. They
would call out, Mr. Joe, I have come to get my groceries. He would go down
to the store and unlock and give them their groceries for the week.
There was a liquor store on the other side of the store, and a few of
them would get rowdy. There were a few times they actually had some cuttings
with knives, but for the most part, most of the memories were very good ones.
Years later, after my dad passed away, there were quite a few that
would come up to me and ask me if I was Mr. Joes baby. I would always smile
and say, Yes, I am Mr. Joes baby.
Elizabeth Forrester Young
L to R: Joe Forrester, Julia Nell Home, Little Buck Stovall (killed in service;
memorial in the gazbo area)
Old Blind Bunny Boy
I was bom June 6,1933. I was given away to my grandparents at the
tender age of three years old. From then on I was raised the old time way.
Coming up then, life was hard. We could only have biscuits once a week, and
that was on Sundays. When I came of age to go to school, I had to walk five
miles. By then, I was able to take two biscuits for lunch, but they nevermade it.
Around lunch I didnt have any food of my own, but I got smart. I went along
the bank where the other kids were sitting and I would play Old Blind Bunny
175
Boy and managed to eat on a daily basis. After growing to the working age of
eight years old, I began plowing a mule and helping my grandfathers farm. My
grandmother was a midwife. She caught black babies and white babies, from
the southern parts of Sumter County to the northern parts of Lee County. People
didnt have automobiles to get my grandmother, so they rode mules to let her
know they needed her. Then I was at the age where I had to get up and take my
grandmother wherever she needed to go, but after a few days, Id have to take
her back. I couldnt always go to school like I wanted to because I had to help
my grandfather work. On Saturday afternoons, we would take the dogs to mn
rabbits and have parties on Saturday nights. After I grew up, I finally found out
some of the most important things in life are not all about money. Life is about
having a piece of mind. If you got the Lord on your side and a peace of mind
you are okay.
Willie Green Cutts
A Nice Voice
When I see my grandchildren with their cell phones talking to their friends,
sending text messages, taking pictures, and taking for granted all the technology
that these little fold up devices are capable of, I wonder what they would think
of the big black thing with a crank that sat in the middle of the hall at our house
in Leesburg. It was, incidentally, the only phone in the house, and it had never
occurred to any of us that anybody should need more than one phone. I was
about four years old when we got a black rotary dial phone in the hall.
Mother and Daddy thought the new rotary dial was a wonderful invention,
but I really preferred the black crank thing which I had been using on my own
for about a year. I could pick up the receiver, turn the handle, and a nice voice
would say, Hello. I would then say, I want Barbara, or I want granddaddy,
or I want Elizabeth, and the nice voice would say, Okay, just a minute, and
surely enough, in a minute the person I wanted would answer. I have no idea
who the nice voice was, but she obviously knew every small child in town and
all the childs friends and relatives. I still think that is pretty wonderful! Ihated
the rotary dial. It took forever for me to learn all those numbers and get the
person I wanted on the phone. Everybody should have a nice voice to deal
with their problems.
Gay Forrester Young
176
Growing Up At The Intersection of Highway 32 and Palmyra Road
I grew up in Lee County on the comer of the Highway 32 and Palmyra
Road intersection where we had the four most beautiful oak trees I have ever
seen. One of my dreams was to purchase that comer and rebuild that same
house with a wrap around porch in the back and all across the front with rocking
chairs. I knew that was my safe place, and Elaine, Lisa, and I lived there just
three miles from Grandma and Granddaddy Ranew.
Love, contentment, and peacefulness like that found in Mayberry
existed in Leesburg, and I learned many life lessons there. Everyone was the
same, rich or poor. Across the street a black lady named Thelma was my
fiiend.
Mr. Ernest Coxwell picked me up everyday to ride to school where I
began first grade with Mrs. Martha Powell. I found my very best friend, Susan
Lee, in first grade, and, to this day, I still call her my best friend.
I credit the basic knowledge that I acquired and still use to the Lee
County schools, to my Home Economics teacher, Mrs. Joyce Black, and to
Jewell Johnston at Westover High School where I graduated. One of my fondest
memories is of being invited to the Lee County High School Class of 1970
Reunion even though I had moved and had graduated from Westover in Albany.
That was a real treat for me. I have always considered myself a Lee County girl.
That old home on the comer of Palmyra and Highway 32 was where
Elaine and I played house underneath the porch with old produce boxes and
pretending maypops were our food. We learned to be creative there with Mama.
The Palmyra Community club and the Home Demonstration Club were a part
of our lives.
One of my first Christmas gifts that I can remember was a childs
saddle for my pony. The pony threw me up on the roots of one of those big oak
trees, but Daddy always said, Get up. Get back on.
One of my best surprises was to come home from Albany one day to
find a small wading pool at the end of our slide. Living so far out in the country,
we didnt get to go to the pool in Leesburg very often. I got to go whenever I
visited my girlfriends, Susan, Kim, Ann, and Christy from Leesburg. Sometimes,
we could talk my Uncle Cliff into going to the pool, but he usually went by
himself.
177
I can remember when Mama would sometimes pick up my uncle, and
he would have a Zero candy bar and a small bottled Coke. He would sit in thE
back seat and eat it in front of me and not share. I used to think, One day, Ill
have all the Zero candy bars and coke I want, and I will eat and drink them all in
front of him. To this day, he remains a tall, thin man. Thats not fair at all!
Another of my favorite memories of a swimming pool was that Sara
Ann Arthur had one in her yard and always shared it with us. She even tried to
teach Daddy to swim. Later, she helped both of my children; Maggie and D,
and Maggie could swim like a fish in our own back yard pool. If you could be
taught, Miss Sara Ann could do it.
Leesburg has really changed in 50 years, but the memories are very
fresh in my mind, and I long so much for all of us to have the calmness, simple
values, and work ethic that I grew up with during my youth and teen years. I am
thankful for my dear friends and my family for the love I had growing up in Lee
County. It was truly a great place to live and grow up.
Lynn Ranew Mertins
Remembering PaPa
He was so tall I thought he could reach the clouds. Of course, I was only
three and very small when I first remember my grandfather.
PaPa came in his red track everyday to see his little lady. He built me a
swing and hung it in the tall tree. He always had time to swing me for hours. PaPa
was never in a hurry. It would take him forever to open a present He would untie the
ribbon and cut each piece of tape carefully with his knife making the moment of
surprise last longer.
I remember how much he loved and respected nature. PaPa fed all the
birds and squirrels in the yard. The squirrels would come right up to him to eat He
made birdhouses so the little birds could lay their eggs in a safe place every spring.
PaPa loved what the wind could do, so he made windmills to spin in the
yard, and he always liked to hear his wind chimes chiming when the wind blew.
He could take a dogwood limb, strip off the bark, and with only a rag and
his hands, he could polish it to look like glass. He would bring bamboo home, shine
it up, and make whistles out of it for me. PaPa could carve little baskets out of
walnuts to hang on the Christmas tree.
PaPa loved the beauty of nature. He liked to plant flowers, take care of
them, and watch them grow and bloom.
178
My PaPa bravely fought a long battle with illness. In the fall of 1992, he lost
that battle and he is gone now.
The walking canes still stand shining in the comer. The windmills are still
spinning in the wind, and the chimes are still chiming. The flowers are blooming now
and a little bird has a nest full of eggs in the birdhouse.
Ill never forget to remember and love PaPa. PaPa is in a better place where
he walks tall again and has no pain. Gods flowers are blooming as they never have
before because PaPa is caring for them. He is feeding all the heavenly creatures. He
is making whistles for all the little angels and polishing the chariots of God.
Written by: Becky Caldbeck in the spring of 1993
PaPa was John E. Allen who was the Lee County Road Supervisor in the 1970s.
My Best Friend - Greta
I 11 never forget. I was six years old, and she was six weeks old the first
time I saw her - a snuggly, wriggling ball of liver spotted fur. My uncle, Hank
Lewis, from Charleston, West Virginia had brought me a German Shorthair
Pointer puppy, my very own bird dog puppy. I was ecstatic.
From that first day, Greta was my constant companion and best friend.
She slept with me, ate with me, and went everywhere with me (except to school).
We spent every possible moment rambling through the fields and woods together.
She went hunting with me. She went fishing with me. We did everything together.
When we came into the house, I would sit down and Greta would lie at my feet
and pick all the sandspurs and cockleburs off my boots, socks, and pants legs
with her teeth.
When I learned to drive an old Willys jeep on our farm, Greta always
sat in the front passenger seat. All of my human buddies had to ride in the back.
Sometimes we would go out rabbit hunting and follow our pack of beagles in the
jeep. Often it was Greta who would see the rabbit first. I could always tell by
the way her ears perked up when she knew a rabbit was there. She was also
one of the best bird dogs I ever had.
Greta had to be put to sleep when she was about 15 years old. I held
onto her as the vet gave her the injection, and I held her in my arms until she took
her last breath. I was in college then, and this was one of the hardest things I
have ever had to do. I will never have another friend like Greta.
Reed Hatfield
179
Two Who Loved Lee County
James Wingfield Forrester, James, was bom November 1,1906, in
Plains, Sumter County, Georgia. James was the son of William Henry Forrester
and Jimmie Patt Shorpshire Forrester. The couple moved to Leesburg in 1914.
Williams Henry owned and operated a mercantile business in Plains. Upon moving
to Leesburg he went into the same business. Jimmie bought the Callaway
Hotel in 1920 and changed the name to Leesburg Hotel. She operated the
hotel until 1937 when she sold it to Hiram Clark of Smithville, Georgia.
Helen Louise Hall, Louise, was bom February 13,1910 in Newton,
Baker County, Georgia. She was the daughter of Robert Lee Hall and Helen
Estelle Peeples Hall. Louise was a graduate of Tift College with an A.B. Degree
in Education. She started her teaching career in Lee County Schools. She
boarded at the Leesburg Hotel where she met the owners son, James, and on
the very first day she decided she was going to marry him.
James and Louise were married, August 13,1933 in Newton, Georgia.
They were the parents of three sons: the first died at birth, August 22,1941;
James Wingfield Forrester, Jr. Jim, was bom, May 10,1943; and, William
Lee Forrester Bill, was bom May 11,1947.
James worked in the mercantile business in Leesburg. When Jim was
four months old, James was drafted into the Army on September 24,1943, at
37 years of age. One of the oldest soldiers in his unit, he acquired the name of
Pop. He served in the battle of Luzon and North Solomon Island in the
Philippine Island chain. He received an honorable discharge on October 2,
1945.
While James was in the Army, Louise and infant son, Jim, returned to
Newton, Georgia to live with her widowed mother, Mrs. R.L. Hall. When
James was discharged from the Army, Louise and baby returned to Leesburg
where the family set up housekeeping.
James and Louise were members of the Leesburg First Baptist Church.
She taught Sunday school and GA. (Girls Auxiliary). James served as Director
of the Sunday school and ordained as a deacon on February 18,1951. James
was Chairman of the Lee County Commissioners, member of the Welfare Board,
the Housing Authority Board, Leesburg Lions Club and Commander of American
Legion Post 182. He was elected Judge of the Court of Ordinary (name later
changed to Probate Court) and served until he retired January, 1976.
180
Louise taught school for several years, and became a housewife and
loving mother to her two sons. In 1959, she was appointed Lee County Welfare
Director (later changed to Department of Family and Children Services). She
retired as director in 1975. Louise loved gardening and was an avid bridge
player. She and longtime housekeeper, Lucy Mae Tucker, were often the first
to arrive with delicious food when neighbors were ill, or there was a death in a
family to help those in need.
On August 13,1983, James and Louise celebrated their 50th Wedding
Anniversary. James died May 10,1985 and Louise died November 5,1992.
They were the loving grandparents of four grandchildren: James Wingfield
Forrester, III; Sarah Leigh Forrester; Laura Elizabeth Forrester; and Brandi
Louise Forrester.
I have written about Mama and Daddy because when I wrote an article
for A TRAIN RUNS THROUGH IT, memories of growing up in Lee County,
I failed to write about the two people who meant so much to me, lived their lives
and contributed so much to Lee County, When Daddy died, Rev. Bobby Moye,
pastor of Leesburg First Baptist Church stated, Jim, your daddy was not only
a good man, he was a good Christian man. Mama also was a good Christian
lady. They served their community, loved their neighbors and helped those that
they could. I once read an article, Whats Your Dash Worth? It referred to
the dates on a tombstone, the dash between the date of birth, the date of death
and how you spend the time in between. I know the dash in Mamas and
Daddys lives was worth a lot.
Jim Forrester
James and Louise Forrester
181
Claysprings, a Centennial Family Farm
The city relatives called it The Farm. Robert AClay, Sr. referred to
it as The Po Farm, to the embarrassment of some family members. Sidney
Peak, the late husband of Carol Clay Peak, came up with the name Claysprings,
which he used to designate an archery range he established around the big spring.
The farm now carries that designation.
Reuben P. Clay of Fulton County, having left the family home in Walton
County, and his brother, Augustus C. Clay of Walton County bought the 1012.5
acre farm on December 28,1905 from Lee Allen of Americus. For anumber of
years, it was rented out to one or two horse black farmers who primarily planted
cotton, com and peanuts. The Clays would come down each fall to collect the rent
and hunt quail. On these trips they would stay in the spare room of one of the renters,
Ola and Mary Holt, who had no children and kept the cleanest house on the place.
In 1917, Robert A. Clay, Sr. (Bob) bought his uncle, Augustus Clays,
one-half interest in the property. He moved to the farm, and initially, he and his father,
Reuben lived in an old store building. The method of operation changed sometime
after this. Instead of renters, wage hands were employed to plow the mules and
work the land. Cotton, com, peanuts, oats, wheat, watermelon, and a home
garden, etc. were planted. Hogs and cows were also raised. At some point a
Fordson tractor was purchased to harrow, pull a reaper/binder and, by use of
belts and pulleys, power a peanut threshing machine. Other early tractors on the
farm were an iron wheel Farmall and later a rubber tired Farmall 20.
In a few years, construction began on a new house to replace the old
store dwelling and probably in preparation for Bobs 1925 marriage. It is a one and
a half story frame structure built using plans sold by Sears Roebuck and Company.
The lumber was cut by Shiver Lumber Company of Americus. Reuben and Bob
built the house with the help of farm labor. The house is still in good condition and is
the home of Carol Clay Peak and her son Zachary Clay Peak, the great granddaughter
and great, great grandson respectively of Reuben Clay, one of the original Clay
owners.
After Reuben died in 1934, Bob continued to operate the farm. He secured
Reubens one half interest in the property from the estate. This continued until
1941 when Bob died leaving a wife, Eddye Hooks Qay, and three children, Robert
182
A. Clay, Jr. (Bobby) age 13, James R. Clay (Jimmy), age 12, Carolyn Elizabeth
Clay, age 10 and one on the way, Evelyn Marie Clay. Three weeks after this untimely
death, Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, and the United States was in World War II.
For the next 21 years, the farm operated as the Estate of Robert A.
Clay, Sr., with Eddye Clay serving as administrator. Through good times and
bad, she persevered. Although advised by friends to sell the farm and move to a
college town so the children could get an education, this was never seriously
considered. Incidentally, all four children received a college education, some with
advance degrees, and Jimmy earned the MD degree. After 21 years, when Evelyn
became of age, Bobby, who had been helping Eddye with the farm operation
acquired the property from the Estate. He continued the operation, using modem
equipment for the time, until 1964 when he was elected Superintendent of Lee
County Schools. At that time a neighbor, Elmer Larsen, began to work the row
crops on shares. Bobby continued to handle the cattle and timber operations.
In preparation for Bobbys marriage to Betty Ann Pace in 1954, a tenant
house was moved across the dirt road and remodeled for their first home. After
three major additions, the house now has approximately 2500 square feet of
heated area, central heat and air, a double carport and is brick veneered. After
over 53 years of marriage, Bobby and Betty still occupy the house.
As of this writing in 2007, Claysprings Farm is owned by Robert A.
Clay, Jr. and his wife Betty Pace Clay. The Larsen Family continues to work the
row crops, cotton, com and peanuts, on shares. The owners manage the cattle
herd. The original 1012.5 acres remains intact with approximately half in cropland
and pasture and half in native longleaf pine, hardwood and planted pine.
This farm has been in the Clay Family for over 100 years. It has been
Bobbys home for over 79 years. With two daughters, Carol Clay Peak and
Melody Clay Sheffield, her husband Jim, two grandsons, Zachary Clay Peak and
James Qay Sheffield, hopefully it will remain in the family for many more years.
After over 100 years in the Clay family, on October 6,2006, Claysprings
Farm was officially designated a Centennial Family Farm at an awards ceremony
held at the Georgia National Fair in Perry. Dr. David Bridges, President of Abraham
B aldwin Agricultural College was the guest speaker for the event
Robert A. Clay, Jr
183
Audrey B. Poole, From Stagecoach to Airplane
In July of 2005, my mothers oldest sister turned one hundred years
old. My mother flew to California to be with her sister on this special occasion.
My son and I drove there as a surprise for the birthday bash. I saw lots of family
that I had not seen in too many decades. My mothers oldest sister passed on
to us a memory that happened when she was ten years old. At that time in their
lives, they were living in Jerome, Arizona, a mining town that is now a ghost
town. My mother was bom there and was less than one year old when a
medical problem developed. A bone in her left eye started protruding out, and
the doctor in Jerome told my grandparents that they needed to take her to a
more qualified doctor in California. My grandparents gathered up their five
children, got on a stagecoach and went to Yuma, Arizona, where they caught a
train to reach their destination.
Here it is ninety-two years later - July 2007. They also have another
sister that turns ninety-seven this year. My mother is the baby of the family and
we just celebrated her ninety-second birthday this past January. They all get
together every year, my mother by airplane. All three sisters are active playing
bingo, cards and just going and having a big time.
How many people do you know that have ridden both a stage coach
(that was not in theme park or the making of a movie), and also in an airplane?
My mother is a retired teacher, Mrs. Audrey B. Poole of the Lee County
School System.
Marlin Poole
Audrey B. Pooles 92nd birthday
184
Class Trip Memories
On Tuesday May 25 th, the Lee County Class of 54 started the odyssey
of their class trip. I will not bore you with all that we did and saw, but I would
like to jog our memories of some special highlights and humorous events.
We had several adults with us on the bus. At our age now, we must
marvel at how the adults preserved their sanity. It is amazing how they kept their
marbles, and at some point, I am pretty sure, they wanted to take their marbles
out and throw them at us. Just picture in your mind being shut-up on a Trailways
bus for 27 days with a bunch of giggling, never still, raging hormones teenagers.
Most of us had not been out of the state of Georgia, and some of us not out of
Lee County. Does the name Clampetts come to mind?
Mrs. Webb warned us to bring coats because we would encounter cold
weather along the way as we traveled north and west. Some did not heed her
warning. Being from South Georgia, they thought, Where in the United States
would it be cold enough in May and June for a jacket? Some carried jackets,
but others considered themselves wiser than that. I was so amazed at one
persons wisdom that it actually made me shiver. One stop was the Mineral
Springs in Arkansas - no cold weather there.
We toured the Will Rogers Shrine in Colorado. A reporter once asked
Rogers, What political partyare you affiliated with? Rogers replied, I do not
belong to any organized party. I am a Democrat.
Another stop was Boot Hill in Dodge City, Kansas. Cowboys were to
be buried in Boot Hill cemetery with their boots on. One tombstone read, He
was in pretty good health and in good shape except for a bullet hole right through
his heart
We heard an organ recital at the Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake City.
By this time the temperature was cooler. We maintained a bit of decorum in the
Tabernacle. All except one of us realized that Mrs. Webb was right on the
remark about cool weather and jackets.
We arrived at Yellowstone Park, and we were furnished a park
ranger as a guide. The well-traveled, worldly-wise, well-informed teenagers
from South Georgia asked the park guide, What was that on the ground? The
astonished guide with a blank stare made a simple reply, Snow. Now, we
were cold! I went to the bus to get my coat so I could comfortably view Old
Faithful, but the coat was nowhere to be found. I looked out the window and
saw someone standing and gazing at Old Faithful with my coat on! As I
185
approached this person I realized it was my considerate classmate, ZACK PATE.
Picture this - a basketball player, soon to be a naval officer, decked-out in a
girly looking coat with sleeves just to his elbows. I came bounding off the bus in
my cropped pants and short sleeve shirt to retrieve my coat. I expected Zack to
be a gentleman and give me my coat. What I expected and what I got were two
different things. Zack started to run for his life. I chased this big athlete wearing
my coat around and around Old Faithful. When we got on the warm bus he
wrapped the coat around my shoulders. What a gentleman! From then on I sat
on my coat. In Lake Louise in Canada it was very cold. I wore my coat
buttoned up under my neck.
We spent time in Hollywood. We were hoping that we could walk
down the street and encounter movie stars and some of us would be discovered.
Surprise! Not one of us signed a movie contract. It was Hollywoods loss.
They missed a great chance.
The last stop on the tour was at the Jefferson Davis memorial in
Mississippi. The cost of the tour was thirty cents for each of us.
Nancy Moore and I were talking one day and she remarked it would be
great to take the same trip over again. I told her that it would not be the same.
I said, Just think about it. Some would have to take an extra suitcase just for
the medicines. We would need more rest stops and getting on and off the bus
would take twice as long. We still have our fond memories, well, as long as our
memories last.
Sandra Stocks
Marching Band at Lee County
I dont care what anybody said marching band was fun. Mr. Mike
Williams (most of you know who I mean) made sure we all worked hard, and
had a good time too. We took trips to Troy State, marched in the Rose Parade,
and performed at the Outback Bowl. He didnt cut us a lot of slack at band
camp, but in honesty, we couldnt have asked for a better band director. Hed
pick on you, aggravate you and laugh with you all in one. Band trips were great
a lot of things went on that we all would swear that none of the adults would
find out (especially Mr. Williams), but he did. And he didnt care if you passed
out or got stung by a bee at band camp. Brush it off, get back on that field
theres no crying in the marching band. Your arms could be cramping, sweat
186
running in your eyes, your legs are going to go out from under you, or youre
having to sneezebetter not move a muscle! And who cares if its raining, and
youre marching in 3 inches of water - its time to march! But we (Marching
Band Family from 80s until 1997) all loved Mr. Williams, the good, bad and the
ugly. Keep up the good work Lee County Band!
Krissy Melton Waller
German Prisoners in Lee County
During World War II, some German prisoners of war were held at the
Turner Field Air Force Base in Albany. At times, these prisoners were brought
to several different farms in the Lee County area to perform various tasks on the
farms.
With the farm at it peak of productively, World War II began a new
chapter for Stocks Farm and Dairy. Although the women on the farm worked
extremely hard to keep it running, there was still a labor shortage that had to be
filled if the people of the area were to get milk. Turner Field was an Air Force
Base located across the Flint River from Stocks Farm. In a somewhat ironic
turn of events, the workers who were off fighting the war were replaced by
German prisoners of war who were shipped to many bases all over the United
States, including Turner Field. When the war was over, there were 425,000
enemy prisoners in 511 main and branch camps throughout the United States.
187
A few captured German soldiers continued correspondence with the
family of Ed and Greta Stocks after they returned home to Germany. Mrs.
Greta Stocks would send them packages with necessities such as sugar and
shoes that were extremely difficult to get in post World War II Germany. In their
letters of thanks, the Germans would repeatedly ask if there was any way that
they could return and work on Storks Dairy Farm and tell how fondly they
remembered it. The letters are just as they were written to Mrs. Greta Stocks,
no corrections have been made. You will notice they used the letter J a good
many times. We believe this is what we would use as our letter F\
When you read these letters, you can just get a feel of how war tom
their country of Germany really was. In fact, when you read between the lines,
it seems that they believed that they were better off here, even though they were
prisoners of war.
Researched and complied by: Jonathan Aments
See pages N-0 in the back of the book for letter from German soldier.
Love in a Mayonnaise Jar...
Mama Gillis has been known for her good cooking for many decades.
Its not just coincidental that local folks ended up at her table about dinnertime.
Now, in the south, breakfast is breakfast; dinner is about twelve oclock noon
or so; and suppertime is after you knock off from work. Miss Ruth or
Mama Gillis is what most called her. She had two tables in her kitchen and a
188
third on the screen porch, and there was a reason why. There was Papa,
Mama Gillis, my uncle Milton, and maybe a couple of farm equipment
dealers, the farmer down the road, and the occasional insurance agent, usually
had the kitchen full to capacity. Most times the three grand-babies (as we
were called) ate on the porch because it kept us from being under-foot.
Mama Gillis was the wife of a farmer. In the late 1930s the family
moved from the Georgia coast to Southwest Georgia where Papa was an
over-seer on a larger plantation. Here, their son and daughter grew up and
eventually raised their own families.
As grandchildren, it was our job to chase chickens, feed the horse
sugar lumps stolen from the kitchen, count new biddies, make mountains of
mud-pies and explore the lofts of fresh cut bales of hay.
A typical summer morning would find Mama Gillis, after tending to her
garden, fixin dinner. Papa had spent the morning in the garden behind the
mule drawn plow and seeing about the cows. Now, he would be resting in
his chair under the shade tree with a chew of tobacco. There would be a car
coming up the driveway and the usual conversation would take place.
Yall get out and come on in. RUTHDEEEE! Look whos here.
How y all doin ? Dinner is just about ready. You re gonna stay and
eat, arent you? Why we couldnt impose. Wed be glad to have
you. Ill set another plate. (And she would disappear as the screen door
slammed.)
The kitchen was hot from the oven baking most of the morning, and
the aroma was wonderful. Everybody made a dash to wash-up, so as not to
be the last one at the table. The plates, glasses, and silverware did not match,
but no one seemed to notice. It was accumulated over the years, handed
down through the family, or found inside a box of Wedding Oatmeal.
The table seemed to sag from the bounty. There was a variety of
fresh vegetables; English peas with dumplings, butterbeans, field peas, white
acre peas, and Irish potatoes with cream sauce. There were also biscuits
(Papa like biscuits) and combread. Fried chicken was a certainty, with those
heated discussions over who would get the pulley bone. Sweet tea by the
gallons seemed to pour like thirty weight motor oil. Desserts, now that was
her specialty. Bread pudding or cakes, it didnt matter to her. Mama Gillis
had been featured many times in the local newspaper about her cakes.
As we kicked backed to loosen our belts a notch, she was always
happy to offer her guests another dip or two. The answer was always the
same, Mama Gillis, Im about to bust, but I would like another dip of that, or
189
I might like another sip of that tea. The food was plentiful and the conversation
was cheerful. No one left hungry and they always left with a little extra wrapped
in wax paper or dipped in an old mayonnaise jar.
What I remember most was the love. Whether it was her smile with a
slightly bigger slice of pie, or wrapped in Papas arms sitting under a shade tree,
it didnt matter what form it came in. I just knew it was there.
Kay Pierce Bradley
Thomas Page Tharp, An Honorable Man of Many Achievements
Thomas Page Tharp is a life long citizen of Lee County and a major
contributor to the favorable status this county now enjoys. He graduated from
Leesburg High School, where he received the very last diploma awarded by
that school before it became Lee County High School. In high school he excelled
in both academics and athletics. Page, as he is known in Lee County, continued
his education at Emory University where he earned his degree in business
administration.
After graduation, Page entered the army where he served until the death
of his father, who was Lee Countys Treasurer. Page was then elected to that
office and held that position for forty years. He ran unopposed for the office ten
times. While serving as county treasurer, Page operated his own insurance
agency and worked for an automobile dealership. He also served many years
as clerk to the County Commissioners and for ten years clerk for the City of
Leesburg. When Lee County made the decision to employ a county administrator,
they turned to Page Tharp who became the first person to hold that position.
Page shares his musical talents as a church choir member, and he sings
with others on special occasions. He has served as a deacon, and trustee of the
First Baptist Church of Leesburg and currently attends the Leesburg United
Methodist Church.
Page is a member of the Lee County Board of Health and a past member
of the Board of Palmyra Medical Centers. He served as a director of the Lee
County Chamber of Commerce and did volunteer work with the Dougherty/
Lee Unit of the American Cancer Society. He made significant contributions to
A Train Runs Through It and The Caboose Came Last. In 2002, Page was
recognized as Lee Countys Man of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce.
190
He is a member of the American Legion, a Mason and a former member of the
Lions Club.
Page and his wife of fifty years, the former Patricia Dunaway, have two
sons, Tommy and Jeffery and three grandsons, Andrew, Heath and Addison.
His athletic prowess is being passed down through the generations as evidenced
by the baseball and golf skills exhibited by his grandsons.
As a child and as an adult, Page Tharp has always been recognized as
an honorable person and a number one citizen. Lee County is a better place
because of him.
Robert A. Clay, Jr.
Page and Patricia Tharp
Tobacco Fields
Although tobacco fanning is on its way out as a method of earning a
living, some of my fondest memories are of my grandfathers farm during tobacco
season. We would visit at different times and through the years I got to see the
various phases of the crop, tilling, planting, suckering, harvesting, and curing.
Early on, I had no idea what the plant was, but I always thought they were so
beautiful with their exotic leaves rustling as my cousins, brothers and I played
hide-and-seek between the rows.
In the 60s and 70s most of the work on the crop was done by hand.
I can remember recoiling in disgust at the tobacco worms wriggling in cans as
they were plucked from the succulent plants. Politely saying no thanks, when
191
asked if I wanted to help. Not even for a penny a worm was I tempted to touch
those worms. Without irrigation the farmer was at the mercy of the weather not
only in the growing, but in the harvesting and curing. Too much, not enough, too
late, too soon, rain was always to be a determining factor in how much money
would be realized at market. Suckering the plants was not any more pleasant,
requiring sharp knives and hours in the hot sun. The prettiest flowers top the
plants though, and seeing the stalks with those huge leaves pile up in the wagon
to head to the curing bam was worth the wait. With his two huge mules pulling
the loaded wagons, ears flicking and tails switching flies, the children would run
along laughing and enjoying the days of harvest. We did not realize the time,
energy, sweat, hopes and prayers that went into bringing in a good cash crop
each year. Toting fresh water out to the men and women in the field was a game
for us. Not so, of course, for those whose livelihoods depended on the tobacco
making. As visitors to Papaws farm it was a fun experience. Playing in the bam
with the tobacco curing overhead is memory I will forever cherish. Tobacco
growing has faded into the history books in most places, but my mental images
will always make me smile.
Debra Smith
Debra Smith and baby Becky
Mr. Clines Cabin
Mr. Cline Kirkpatrick and Daddy were good friends. Mr. Cline had a
cabin on the river or creek and invited Daddy to use it for the family to go stay
in and enjoy fishing on the weekends that Mr. Cline wasnt using it. Daddy took
him up on it. On several occasions, Mother, Daddy, Irma, Ronny and Cecil
192
who were the only ones at home now would go and enjoy the cabin and fishing.
Daddy always enjoyed fishing. He would take the children on many occasions
to the creek to fish. But, it was on one of the trips to Mr. Clines cabin that
Ronny caught his first bass. Catching any fish of any size was exciting to those
three children. Ronny was really excited about catching his first bass and it
wasnt a bad size. Irma enjoyed fishing as much as the boys and Daddy did.
Even after she got married, they would go fishing sometimes in the mountains of
Utah.
Paula Stamps Smith
The River
The river - the Flint River, that is - some people call it a mud hole.
Other people know it as a place for water-skiing, fishing, and recreation. I see
the river as an actual part of me, an extension of myself. Whether for a serious
day of fishing or a relaxing boat-ride, there is no distinct line separating the river
from me or me from the river. Recreation is too light a term for my relationship
with the Flint. There is no better therapy after a hard week than to go out on the
river alone and take in the sights, fragrances, sounds of such a beautiful place.
In times like these the river becomes sacred, and I would argue that God created
the Flint River just for me.
Hundreds of miles long, the Flint River begins as a small stream near
Atlanta and makes it way down to the lowest end of Georgia at Bainbridge
where it dumps into Lake Seminole. I frequent a particular spot about three
miles above and below Highway 32 Bridge, mostly because a boat ramp at
the bridge is only ten miles from where I grew up.
193
When water conditions are perfect, this area provides superb bass,
catfish, and bream fishing - the best on the entire Hint. The section, however,
deters anglers and boaters because of its shallow, swift, rocky waters. It is not
a place for large boats. A small boat and motor, like mine, are required for this
section of the Hint. Keen eyes are also necessary because many sharp rocks lie
just below the surface. These rocks are unforgiving and can tear up a boat and
a motor in a flash. Even with my years experience in my domain of the Hint, I
am unable to avoid hitting a rock from time to time. No sound is worse than a
boat or motor screaming when it hits a rock or drags bottom. In this area of the
river, dents and dings are part of the adventure and are unavoidable.
Water conditions play a major role in when I can or can not use the
river. It does not take much rain the make the Flint River so muddy you feel you
could walk across it, and it takes weeks for the water to clear. I do not mean
crystal clear, more a transparent green color that can be compared to looking
though a green plastic bottle. There are times when local rains do not stop, or
areas north send us their raging, wild waters from accumulated rains.
Then, the waters swell and push outside their banks with the power and
ferocity of a mnaway train. In these conditions, I know to wait at least a month
- sometimes two - before river conditions are favorable for my boat again. The
majority of the times conditions are not perfect, more like too muddy or too
rough, but I put into the river anyway having waited long enough. Perhaps
having to deal with such waters is part of the joy for the Hint River fisherman
and boater. If conditions were perfect, there would be no challenge.
Sights and sounds on my river are unparalleled and change with seasons.
The never-ending gurgle of waters rushing through rock shoals is music to me.
It is like a lullaby for a grown mans peace of mind. Even the thump-a-thump of
cars passing over a bridge is surprisingly soothing from a distance away. A
turkeys clear gobble on a crisp spring morning at the crack of dawn travels
down the river as if it will continue for miles and echo off into far distances
behind me. The sudden sighting of a doe along the bank, startled while it is
taking a drink from the waters edge, or a clear view of a buck frozen like a
statue in chest-high sage grass - these are precious moments. These are the
gifts the river gives me. Time changes. My hurried life-style is overtaken by the
rivers meandering measuring of time. A buck contemplates my craft passing
into view with the same natural pace that I am using for appreciating his majesty.
It unnerves me to catch alligators sliding into the water from the banks, even
194
though it is a common sight along the Flint. Their effortless ease as they disap-
pear beneath the surface reminds me that I do not own this river. They move
under it with the grace of an eagle in flight. With them, I am the vigilant one. I
have never appreciated the many turtles along the banks. They sit on logs, fallen
trees, strips of sunny beaches and remind me of vultures on a fence-row awaiting
the death of a cow. Great blue herons inhabit the river. They walk the waters
edge fishing for bream and other small fish. Watching them is seeing a real
fisherman ply his craft with perfection and grace. The great blue is the best
lesson in patience a fisherman can find. I drift along, surrounded by the sounds
of birds on the wing and in tree branches, but the heron is by far the one I
respect the most.
Riverbanks are reserved for the grand cypress tree and varieties of
great oaks here long before I was bom and continuing, unchanged to human
eyes long after I have spent my time on earth. I imagine those slower lives, the
cypress and the oak and the stories they must whisper into the curling river who
also voices her ceaseless tale of sun and shade. Great oaks and cypress line the
banks standing guard over precious waters. Some have fallen and stretch their
entire length out into the waters, but always a new one takes its place.
The river is where I go to think - or not to think. I can mull through my
problems and worries, or clear my mind of everything to focus on fishing and
sight-seeing. I solve problems on the river because the river clears my head. I
can vent frustrations out here, be as loud or as quiet as I wish to be. This place
is timeless and forgiving.
Fishing is my favorite event along the river. The Flint is home to an
exclusive fish known as the shoal bass, native only to the Flint, its tributaries, and
other water connected to it. Shoal bass live in shallow, rocky, swift waters -
thus the name Shoal bass. They are fun to catch. Golden-brown in color, they
flaunt distinct, vertical dark-brown bars on either side, one of the prettiest of fish
in this river. Their habits are unlike other species of bass in regards to feeding
habits and aggressiveness.
Largemouth bass, like most others, feed primarily in low-light conditions
of dusk, dawn, and under cover of darkness. Shoal bass, on the other hand,
prefer to feed with an over-head sun. They are also by far the feistiest and
aggressive of all the bass species. They are pounds for pound the hardest
fighting fish in the Flint, surpassed only by the striped bass. Shoal bass are more
195
than willing to bite almost anything put before them. My favorite lure to entice
these fish are buzz baits, flukes and spinner baits. Knowing my bait and tackle
does not mean that I can just go to the river every day and catch as many shoal
bass as I want. Many days I go fishing and catch nothing.
Largemouth bass inhabit the same waters as the shoal bass. They are
distinguished from the shoal bas by their dark, greenish-black color and larger
mouth. No fine line of technique divides largemouth from shoal bass fighting.
Fishing for one can be fishing for both. These two bass, however, are a special
resource that must be respected rather than wasted. I believe in catch and
release fishing. Occasionally, I do keep a few bass for eating, but most of the
time those I catch are put back into the river unharmed so they can be caught
again another day.
Other species of fish inhabit my favorite parts of the Flint River such as
bream and flathead catfish. When fishing for flatheads, I also fish for bream
since bream are my bait when fishing for catfish. Quite large catfish inhabit the
waters around the rock shoals. They are not a pretty fish and look like horror
movie monsters with wide, flat heads, thick whiskers shooting out like little fingers
protruding around their mouths and long, fat brown bodies. My personal best
catch is a twenty-three pound flathead, but they are caught in deeper waters that
lie just above and below the shallow areas of shoals where I usually spend time.
Deep is a relative term. If the depth of a set of shoals averages three
feet and the water above and below that is six feet, then six feet of waters is your
deep waters. My baitfish, bream, bites best near the banks and can be taken by
various methods. Small in relation to other fish in the river, bream stay tight
against the banks and hide around the many stumps, holes and logs. Fishing for
bream, most anglers use crickets, but I prefer small, artificial baits such as jigs.
Bream and catfish bite fairly consistently through spring, summer and fall, but
when the mercury drops during winter months, the fish seem to get lockjaw.
The word home has many definitions. To me, it is the place where one
is most comfortable. The river is the place that I am most comfortable, and I am
only truly at home when on the river. This is why I view the Flint River as an
extension of myself.
Matthew Barfield
196
The Lady Who Touched Many Lives in Lee County
Sara Ann Arthur was a lady who touched many, many boys and girls in
Lee County through swim lessons or day camp. I was one of those lucky kids.
I credit her for guiding me to what would be my lifes vocation. It all started at
the old Leesburg pool, which was on the site of the current Leesburg Department
of Family and Children Services office. There I learned to swim at an early age.
From that time on, I followed behind her, learning a world of things that books,
colleges, or universities could not teach you. Here are some memories that I will
never forget:
Diving under the water to recover the red/white whistle
Swimming with the thick, yellow inner tube which she would
gradually let the air out until there was no air in the tube, and you
would be swimming. Miss Sara Ann knew how to build
confidence while having fun.
In my memories, the Leesburg Pool was a very big pool.
However, in reality, it really was not. Swimming in the deep end
was a big deal. My first time, I had almost made it across when
I hollered out that I could not make it. Miss Sara Ann said,
Yes, you can. Again I shouted, I can not make it. The
lifeguard, Tommy Cannon, was standing on the diving board
watching me. The next thing I knew, he was at my side. I did
make it. From that day forward, I was a Water Bug.
Playing favorite song on the old jukebox, including B4IfYou
Want to Be Happy for The Rest of Your Life.
Billy Ray Schmidt dancing to the many popular songs and
teaching us how to dance.
Picnics with my mothers fried chicken and potato salad, Miss
Saras shrimp salad, ice cold watermelon, and much more.
Staying all day with swim lessons in the morning and open swim
in the afternoon. Everybody hung out at the pool.
Special events like the goldfish hunt where real gold fish were
released in the pool for us to catch. This only happened the day
after the pool had been drained and refilled, and before the
chlorine was added. The pool was drained and refilled each
. Sunday and Thursday evenings.
197
Miss Sara Anns no nonsense approach and ability to make learning fun
made children want to be with her. She is now keeping everyone straight in
Heaven and probably teaching some swimming. She is missed.
Judy Powell
Swimming Holes
Growing up in Lee County was so much fun and it holds wonderful
memories for me. Some of the best memories are the ones I have of all the
swimming holes in and around Lee County.
The first one that comes to mind is the one that was fascinating and
mysterious all at the same time - MOSSY DELL. When we entered into the
woods where Mossy Dell was located, I remember how cool and shady it was
and how wonderful it felt. The next thing you noticed was the beautiful black
water. We had heard all the mmors that no one had ever reached the bottom of
Mossy Dell; therefore, the depth of our favorite swimming hole was not known.
Rumor had it that divers even tried to reach the bottom and were unsuccessful.
Because of this, it always remained for me very mysterious. The water would
be very, very cold because it was fed by a spring, and it took several tries of
sticking my foot in before the rest of my body followed. It was a wonderful
place for your sweetheart to take you swimming.
Later there was a movie made there at Mossy Dell, and if my memory
serves me right, it was called A Dog Called Blue. I thought that was such a
wonderful thing that a movie was made at my favorite swimming hole.
198
The second swimming hole that was so much fun for me during my early
teenage years was Graves Springs, located off the Graves Springs Road in Lee
County. I remember a rope was tied to a tree, and you could swing out and
drop into the water. Since we lived close by, we spent many hours there.
The third place I remember was River Bend. What made River Bend
so memorable was the fact that it had a pavilion at the swimming place. What
fun it was to put your nickel in the jukebox and dream of dancing with your
boyfriend someday. It was not in Lee County, but a lot of people from Lee
County would go down there to swim and dance.
Cherry Breeden Arnold Ivey
A Lesson well Learned
Gary Sanders lived across town and was younger than me, but would
sometime come to our house. We would play and have fun like boys do. One day
we decided chewing tobacco smelled so good, maybe we ought to tty it We knew
we were not suppose to but we wanted to try it anyway.
Mother was in the house cleaning and cooking but would check on us often.
We got the chewing tobacco, I dont know from where now, but we got some. We
crawled under the house, opened the tobacco and both Gary and I got us a good
chew. Of course we didnt know just how we were to use it but it smelled so good
we chewed and I am sure we must have swallowed the juice. We got so sick we
wouldnt come from under the house because if Mother knew what we had done
we would really get it from her!!! She would come out and call me to find out where
I was. I would, the best I could, say we were under the house playing. We did not
want to come out until we felt better.
Needless to say, I learned a lesson the hard way. But I have never chewed
tobacco since.
John Ronny (Pug) Stamps
199
John Ronny Pug Stamps
Gary Sanders and Cecil Stamps
Serving as City Clerk
On January 19,1936 my husband, Ray Spillers, and his twin sister,
Faye, were bom in Starksville. On January 15,1959,1, Catherine Willis Spillers
married Ray, and from that moment on became accepted as a lifelong resident
of Leesburg. Not many outsiders were accepted in that period of time unless
you married into a generation old family. In August 1960, our oldest son Scott
was bom. In February 1969, Donnie arrived. We lived in the city from 1969,
until I moved in the county in 1995.
In 1974, my all too personal relationship with the Train Depot began, as
my employment with the City of Leesburg as the City Clerk Treasurer
commenced on December 1,1974. Prior to this the city offices were in the
courthouse along with Tharp Insurance Agency and the City/County Cleik office.
The depot was being used as a Police Station on the west side of the building
and there happened to be an empty room on the east side. In January of 1975
the City Hall made a successful move to the Train Depot, officially becoming
Leesburg City Hall and Police Department. Renovations to the City Hall included
patching a large hole in the floor with tin, and placing indoor outdoor carpet over
the entire floor. The furnishings were purchased second hand, a large metal
desk, an orange secretarys chair and two filing cabinets. There were no
restrooms, the heat was a space heater and in the summer a window unit was
purchased for air conditioning. The office items consisted of a hand operated
adding machine that weighed between seventy-five and one hundred pounds.
Funds from water bills were kept in a cigar box and tax funds were in a miniature
cedar chest. Employee records were maintained on a plain sheet of white paper.
Water bills were on post cards hand written and everyone paid five dollars a
month for water, sewer and/or garbage. The entire budget annually for the City
was approximately $35,000 and we had a population of eight hundred and
seventy. In 2007, the budget was over $2.5 million.
In 1976, the Mayor and Council decided to change the Mayors Court
to Recorders Court, Mr. Jack Forrester the City Attorney prepared legislation
that would require the City Clerk and the Recorders Judge to be one in the
same, that being me. They wanted to remove politics from the process. Prior to
this the Court was in Mayor Gunters barbershop. We held Court one time a
month with probably no more than two or three defendants. As the years went
by and Police Officers were added and the population increased the Court
became much more complicated, state law mandated that the Judge be certified
and regular classes were attended to retain certification. A prosecutor was
hired a probation service was contracted and more and more was added to
Court procedures. After thirty years as the Judge I was removed from that
position in 2005.
The Police Department consisted of a telephone on the light pole in
front of the barbershop. The Police Officer on duty parked the car in front of
the barbershop, so he could hear the phone ring. The Fire Department was all
volunteer; there was a loud siren on the pole at the intersection of Putnam and
Highway 19, when the siren sounded anyone that could hear it got the fire truck
took it to the fire and all the residents would arrive in their personal vehicles they
removed belongings from the structure and did what they could to save everything
possible.
In 1980, we began to grow and I was allowed to hire someone to help
in the office. Mrs. Leclaire Bryan came to work and the water billing was
changed to ledger cards, each hand written, then copied and mailed to our
customers. One day she was copying the water bills to mail and a mouse ran
out of the copy machine and up her arm. We still had no restrooms and rats as
201
large as cats roamed the entire building. Our families became good friends
especially Donnie and Chris; they constructed a state of the art tree house at the
site of the well on Starksville Street. During the construction they made repeated
purchases at the hardware store Chris bought cement nails and when he could
not get them hammered into the tree he began to curse. Chief James Powell got
a call from his mother who lived on Starksville Street about boys cussing; this
was one of the more dangerous calls police had to respond in that time period.
The tree house was removed for the new well to be built; the engineers surveying
the well site said the tree house was an engineering marvel.
The days were relaxed and laid back; everyone knew everyone else
and we all looked out for each other, people walked to the post office or to their
neighbors. Traffic was not a problem until school started each year then Leesburg
was the site of major traffic jams in the early mornings and again in the afternoons.
A few of the duties that went along with being the only City Hall employee
was selling City Cemetery Lots, sometimes on Saturday and Sunday if the need
arose. Coordinating a once a year rabies inoculation for local pets with a vet
from Albany. Preparing and taking care of all the duties required to hold elections,
taking Council meeting minutes. I also did payroll, all tax related matters, kept
records for all financial transactions, collected all funds due to the City and paid
all the bills. During the summers we had a summer recreation program that I set
up and monitored, also we had summer workers that were paid by the state.
The City had hired someone to supervise them and when they quit I had to try to
keep them working in addition to all my other duties. Until the late 1980s all the
transactions were done by hand, we had no computers.
The train depot continued to deteriorate and there never seemed to be
enough money to make improvements, there were water and sewer lines to
install and street paving to patch. In 1982, we finally got a single restroom in the
City Hall. When the train came by two or three times a day the whole building
shook, our office was only ten or fifteen feet from the tracks. We never knew
what to expect when we got to the City Hall each morning, there might be rats
in the trash, no heat or a broken air conditioner. The Council meetings were
held in the one room with the Mayor and Council sitting around a six foot folding
table, obviously there was no room for an audience, if there was a controversial
meeting residents had to stand in the Police Department or outside.
Around 1979,1 began to research ways to construct a new building the
cost was approximately $39,000.00 to be financed with monthly payments,
none of the elected officials felt that we could handle the debt Finally in 1989 after
202
I again began a campaign to build a new City Hall/Police Department and Fire
Station the Mayor and Council acted on my drawings and the new building was
constructed for $89,000.00. As of this date it has been enlarged twice. We were
so happy to have a place to work that had clean restrooms, no rats, central heat and
air and a Council room that could seat interested citizens. This is about the same time
that we were first introduced to computers, then in 2004 computers were put in the
Police Dept and internet access. We had finally arrived into the 21st century.
Leclaire and I made a practice of trying to save all the stray animals in
town, we rescued a dog we found wandering around outside, brought it into the
depot and later found out that the owner had just let it out of his vehicle to potty,
we had to return it to the owner. This continued for years when most of the time
we ended up taking the animals home with us or finding them homes. We had
no animal control, during this time frame.
Mayor Hopkins was a kind, and generous Mayor, always standing up for
the employees, never making a decision that he had not very carefully thought
out. But was not a good driver and if he came to the office to take an employee
around town to point something out, there would be panic, he was subject to run
stop signs and back from one intersection to another on Highway 19, needless to
say no one looked forward to riding with him.
There were a few businesses located across the street from the depot
and there were cars parked on 19 in front of the stores. A Councilmember who
shall remain nameless decided to have a crew of workers spray paint the Train
Depot tin roof with silver paint. If I remember correctly the Citys insurance had to
have five vehicles painted since the silver depot paint did not match the cars that
were parked across the street when the paint went all over the area and not just
on the roof.
There is not enough time to tell all the stories related to Leesburg and
the Train Depot for the past 33 years of my employment as the City Clerk. I am
most grateful for the support of my family, my in-laws Mr. and Mrs. G W. Spillers,
Sr. my husband Ray his siblings and my sons. They stood by me steadfastly in
every endeavor with my pursuit for excellence for the City of Leesburg and its
residents. The Citizens of Leesburg have been one of my greatest assets; they have
been by my side through good times and some very tragic instances. I can never
thank them for all the kindness shown me and my family over the years.
A special thank you to my son Donnie, we delivered newspapers when he
was three and four. Some of the older residents looked forward to Donnie hopping
203
out of the car and hand delivering the paper to them. This might have been the
only visitor that they would have some days. Mr. and Mrs. Blue Forrester always
had a treat waiting for him. When he was five I became the City Clerk and his
aspirations to become a fireman and later a Sheriffs Deputy came from the
involvement with City Government. Donnie grew to a man that had a great love
for the community and the people that he served beginning at the age of 14 as a
volunteer fireman.
I will always be grateful to have been City Clerk for the City of Leesburg
and for the past 33 years to be able to be a part of the growth of Leesburg from
870 citizens to a population of some 2,700. We have a wonderful community
with a great sense of pride that hopefully will continue with our children and
grandchildren. The Train Depot is and should be the focal point of Leesburg
since this is what created our town and brought the prosperity that we now have.
Catherine Willis Spillers
Sunshine Comer
Sunshine Comer, the unofficial name of our home at the comer of Starksville
and Fifth in Leesburg. What grand memories we have of the people who lived in
that one block area in the early 80s. Most of us moved in at about the same time
and we all spent hours and hours restoring and working on those beautiful old
homes.
The day we moved in, the Proctor girls from the two story house were
there to greet us, and they hardly left our house for the next few years except to
go home to eat and sleep. They were like permanent babysitters for Becky
during the first few years we lived there until they moved out of town.
Behind us lived Mrs. Mabel Coxwell, she was a gracious and lovely
lady and we grew to love her so much. I think we were almost like the children she
didnt have. She never went anywhere that she didn t bring us back something
like a big bag of fresh oysters from Shell Point, a rag doll for Becky from some
craft show she went to, or a new blouse for me from the Tog Shop she had just
visited in Americus. Hardly a day went by that we didnt visit with her. One year
she planted a pear tree that didnt make it, but she wouldnt pull it up the next year.
She decided to leave it in the ground another year and by the next year it was
obvious that it was dead, but she still wouldnt dig it up. One night Bill went over and
tied pears all over it! The next morning when she looked out the door at the pear
204
tree, she said that it took her a minute to realize what had happened and she knew
exactly who had tied all those pears on the tree! She always enjoyed telling that
story. And who can forget the Easter Egg Tree she decorated in her front yard
every Easter. It became a tradition every Easter to take Beckys picture in front of
that tree. Even after we moved down to the southern part of Lee County, we
would always come up on Easter Sunday to take her picture in front of the tree.
Jim and Sue Lovell and their children lived directly behind us. I had
never left Becky with anyone before and been gone for the whole day. We had
to go to a funeral in Atlanta. Sue offered to keep Becky for the day, and you know
what, I didnt worry one single minute. I knew there were probably no finer
people I could have left her in the care of than the Lovells. Suzanne Lovell was
another one of those pretty young girls in the neighborhood who would come over
to babysit Becky.
The Cox family, Big Ed, Noriko, Little Ed, William, and Sabrina were
already living across the street from us when we moved into our house. Noriko
was from Japan, and she introduced us to Japanese cooking. There was no point in
my learning to cook that kind of food because she always cooked enough for
about 25 people and always shared it with the neighbors. All she needed was a
wok and a rice steamer, and we had a five-course meal in a very short time! Her
won-tons, egg rolls, tempura, and even squid were fantastic. We wont talk about
her attempt at southern cooking though! Sabrina became Beckys best friend and
they still stay in touch with each other even though the Coxes now live in Oregon.
Ricky and Coni Grebel moved into the neighborhood shortly after we
did. Bill went over to their house for the first time and there was Ricky walking
back and forth on scaffolding painting the front room. And here Bill had just painted
the entire inside of our house climbing up and down a 12 ft ladder 3 million times!
Why didnt we think of that? Coni is the only person I know who could hang abig,
empty picture frame over a mantle and have it look good! Once, shortly after
Cami was bom, Coni was swinging with her on the porch swing they had just
installed. I was sitting on the steps out of sight and we were carrying on a conversation.
I asked a question and there was no answer. I leaned back onto the porch, looked
in the direction of the swing, and there was no Coni, Cami, or the swing! They
just swung right off the porch into the bushes! Thankfully, no one was hurt. Coni and
Rick had three tittle girls, Cami, Mallory, and Marianne. Each has grown into
beautiful, accomplished young woman.
205
The next families to move into the neighborhood were the Bryans, LeClaire
and Tommy, along with the beautiful, vivacious Kelly, quiet, sweet Chris, and the
energetic, spirited Luke. For a few summers before school started Becky and I
had the privilege of sitting on our front porch and watching Kelly and the majorettes
practice their routines marching up and down Starksville. And Luke knew how to
play harder than any kid I ever knew. It still amazes me that Luke, Litde Ed, William,
Becky and Sabrina could have so much fun playing in the dirt in the backyard.
Im sure there are still some folks around who remember the very spooky haunted
house LeClaire and I fixed up for the trick or treaters one Halloween. There was
never a dull moment when the Bryans were around.
It doesnt seem possible that it was 27 years ago I met all these people.
It seems like just yesterday that we were all working on those big, old houses, were
visiting back and forth, were eating suppers together, and were watching the
children grow up. Im amazed at how fast time has flown. Even though many of us
have moved away, and changes have come into our lives, and we dont see each
other everyday, we have remained close. We laughed, we worked, we cried together.
We shared joys and successes, and yes, we shared heartaches and tragedies too.
My memories of those days on Sunshine Comer take up a tremendous part of my
treasure chest. I take out the gems from that treasure chest from time to time and
remember the days gone by, the times shared, and the people loved so dearly.
Sandy Caldbeck
Our Town - Leesburg
This is my hometown and I loved every day I lived there. This little town
was made up of loving caring people. There just seemed to never have any been
bickering or cross words here. Our town was made up of all types of people and
most cared about their neighbor.
I know I will never be able to mention everyone, but here are some. If I
leave any of you out, it is because, after so many years away, my mind may be a little
blank. But it certainly is not intentional. However, I love everyone in Leesburg from
my past and present.
In school, my class was so special. Our principal, Mr. Mitcham probably
was glad when our class graduated. Mr. L. I. Pridgeon not only taught in school, he
also coached both the boys and girls basketball teams. Of course, I would be remiss
if I didn t say it was probably the favorite class for those of us who played basketball.
We enjoyed even the hard practice days and nights. There was Mr. & Mrs. Jim
206
Crotwell. Mr. Jim was a farmer and Mrs. Crotwell taught in high school. She was
Edgars favorite teacher. We all loved her. But Edgar would slide his desk from the
back all the way to the front next to Mrs. Crotwells and face the class. He stayed
there until that class was over. Edgar has always had big feet He had a size 12. Even
the large socks he had kept crawling down into his shoes. He would sit there, pull his
shoe off and pull the socks back up when his shoe ate his sock. Mrs. Crotwell
went on a trip for a week and when she returned, she had an extra large pair of socks
that she gave Edgar and told him he could wear them the next day. Edgar had other
ideas, he, sat right there in front of the class, pulled his shoes off and changed his
socks, putting on the new socks that she had brought to him. He then went back to
his class work.
Mr. Outz wasnt in Leesburg long, but he taught music and voice lessons to
those who wanted it He could really play a piano. We had some nice teachers in
Lee County High School. One really stood out One day this cute, bubbly young girl
just out of college came to Leesburg to teach Home Economics. She was without
question a good teacher. She was very good at her job, and we all loved her. She
wasnt much older than we were. She was a good teacher, fun and cared about us.
But she demanded respect and got it. This young lady was Opal Rogers who later
stole the heart of about the most eligible bachelor in town. This was the very nice,
good looking Edward Cannon. Edward, his sister Bertha and brother Hoke all
worked in Cannon Hardware where Edward was one of the owners. Ms. Bertha
was a nice lady involved in many activities in Leesburg. Mr. and Mrs. Hoke Cannon
with their two sweet daughters, Mary and Martha who are twins and a son Smitty
were a sweet and close family. Oh! Opal and Edward did get married and had a
wonderful family.
There woe the Gunter, with a son Bobby and daughter Betty. Mrs. Gunter
and Betty were very close. Mr. Gunter was a barber and served as Mayor for a
period of time. Then, there was Mr. & Mrs. Varner. Two of their children were Jack
and Barbara. Jack was in my graduating class. He later became a fine lawyer. He
was also a very good dancer and really enjoyed it. Also, there was Mr. and Mrs.
Floyd Moore and their family. Mr. Moore was a policeman in the Albany Police
department and a good one. The Coxwells who had two sweet daughters, Flora
and Shirley lived near downtown. The Hines family lived across the street from them.
Others were William and Jeanette Long and brother Pete and Bert Long.
William and Pete had a grocery store. Jeanette was a stay at home mom part of the
time and Bert taught school. Edgar worked for William & Pete in the store. He was
a hard worker and dependable. He was always good at everything he did. William
207
and Pete appreciated his hard work. One Christmas Eve, Edgar was cleaning the
store as usual before closing the store. He found a piece of a shotgun. As he kept
cleaning he found other parts until he had pieces of a complete shot gun William and
Pete knew Edgar had wanted a shot gun and they bought him one for Christmas.
They took it apart as much as could be taken apart and be put back together. When
William and Pete told him the gun was his Christmas present, he was one happy
young man.
Mr. & Mrs. Zack Pate also had a grocery store which sold groceries, dry
goods and most anything you wanted. Their son Zack, Jr., Perry Kearse and I
worked in the store with Mr. Pate. Mrs. Pates name was Maxine and she was also
the sister of Perry. Lucille was Perrys wife.
Now we have Mr. Gene and Mrs. Sara Sanford, son Raleigh and daughter
Sara Ann. Mr. Gene was what they called back then the Ordinary whose office was
in the court house. He was the one who sold Billy Smith and me our marriage license.
Ms. Sara wrote for the Lee County Journal. Raleigh was a sweet good looking boy
who I dated some. After he graduated from high school, he would come to school
many days for the last class of the day, sit with me and take me home after school.
Sara Ann and I were good friends. Among many things we enjoyed together was
riding bicycles, horse back riding and swimming, and of course square dances. The
J. B. Cannon Family and the Joe Forrester families were special too. Ann and Charles
were their children in high school with us. Ann was such a pretty and sweet girl, a
good friend who played basketball. Elizabeth was Mr. & Mrs. Joe Forresters
daughter who was also pretty and a good basketball player. Mr. Cannon was a
farmer and Mr. Joe had Forrester Furniture Store.
Next door to us was Dr. & Mrs. Faircloth, daughter Mary Elizabeth and
son Spencer. Mary Elizabeth had a beautiful singing voice. The T. C. Tharps and
son Page, a very special family lived across the street. Page and Spencer were best
fiiends.
More in Leesburg were the King family, the Lee family, the Tarpleys, Red
and Nora Alice Allen and family. Mr. and Mrs. Blu Forrester. He was a minister. The
Clark family. Mrs. Clark was a school teacher. Mrs. Branch and her two daughters
and a son. Sara Frances was a good friend. They lived on the other side of us. Also
there was The Hall family with two pretty daughters, Marinel and Joyce and a son.
Ms. Moody and son Charles Rhodes. The Spillers, the Knights and the Worthy
families. Then there were the Culpeppers and daughter Eunice. Eunice was one of
my sister Iraias very best friend. Mrs. Culpepper was a stay at home Mom who
had a back yard full of row after row of some of the prettiest Easter lilies you
208
ever saw. Mr. Culpepper had a service station and later became Mayor. Later Mr.
Boney who had been warden at the Lee County Prison for years also became
Mayor of Leesburg.
Mr. and Mrs. James Cannon had a beautiful little boy named John Henry,
He and my youngest brother Cecil were good friends even at such a young age.
That sweet little John Henry died of cancer as a little boy. This really upset Cedi. He
couldnt understand why John Henry was gone. The entire dty of Leesburg felt such
sorrow when this happened and we all felt overwhelming love for the James Cannon
family and their relatives. He was such a predous little boy and it affected everyone
in Leesburg.
Then there were the McBrides, Mr. McBride, Sr. was Sheriff. They had a
sweet family, lived downstairs at the jail. Later, James McBride became Sheriff. This
was a well liked family. Several years later, one of their daughters, Jayne, was on the
airplane that was highjacked. I was married and lived away at that time but was very
concerned. We all prayed for her safe return. After several days of what must have
been horrifying she finally returned home. This was indeed a happy day.
Other wonderful people were the Ranews, the Bowles, the Greens, our
Pastor G Ashton Smith and his family, the Tarpleys and the Weatherby families. Also
the Cooks, the Olivers, the Martins and the Snyders. Mr. Trckey and Ms. Thursba
Forrester. Mr. Tickey was a United States Congressman and a good one. Ms.
Thursba taught Sunday School at Leesburg Baptist Church before they moved to
Washington.
Mrs. Adams with her pretty daughter Ester andson Louis moved to Leesburg
while we were in high school. Louis was in my graduating class and later was a
successful lawyer. He married and had a pretty daughter. Both of the young men
from our class that were lawyers have died. Louis died of cancer and Jack died from
an automobile accident that took the life of his wife. This was sad for our class
members. Our hearts go out to their families even now.
Mr. & Mrs. Doc Breeden had several good looking children. One was
Luther who was a good friend of Edgar. Norman and Ronny were good friends.
Their daughter, Laura Jean, she was such a pretty girl as well as grown lady. She was
also a good friend of my sister Irma. Laura Jean passed away of cancer. My sister
Irma also died of cancer. We sure miss her.
Mr. & Mrs. Banks lived in Leesburg for a while, their daughter Betty was
one of the prettiest girls with pretty flawless skin. There were the Eubanks, the
Fores, Ms. Bass and the Bells. Amelia Bell was a sweet caring lady who was active
in many activities. Raymond and Christine Cannon and family. What a terrific family,
209
loving and caring. There are several families in Leesburg with the same last name,
most of who had the same last names were related. All were and are such wonderful
people.
Others were Etheridge, Fussell, Goforth and the Hayes families. Mr. and
Mrs. Hayes had a son Billy and daughter Joan. Billy was killed in an automobile
accident while still in high school. He was a popular boy in school and this had a
lasting affect on many at that time. We also had Mr. & Mrs. Harris, the Gosas, The
Griffin family, the Goodwins Wingates and the Laramores. Then there were the
Heath family. Mr. Heath had the Chevrolet dealership in Leesburg for many years.
Their daughter Patricia was always a neat pretty girl. More of the nice families in our
town were Sissy and Robert Lee and their family. They had two pretty daughters,
Barbara and Lady. This was one of the nicest families you would want to meet We
cant forget the Kennedy sisters. Hard working, caring sisters and the Powells, Judy
Powell became an important part of the Albany YMC A.
We had several Kearse families too. One Mr. Kearse was school
supertendent for many years. There were so many nice families like the Hopkins,
Johnsons, Spillers, Green and Home families. Also Bill and Frick Odom. Frick
could not hear or speak but he could sure make you know what he meant. These
two young men loved to go to the gym on weekends or nights with some from
Leesburg and play basketball. There were the Radcliffe, Manning, Sanders and
Richardson families as well as the Usiy Williams, Smith, Youman, Stocks, Mays and
Millerfamilies.
The Turner family lived in town and a son George became a banker in
Albany. There was the Rainwater family of which one cute little girl, Marie, became
my sister-in-law when she married my sweet baby brother Cecil. And one of the
sweetest ladies in Leesburg was Elanore Segars.
Then there was Mr. Frank Long and his sister Miss Annie. He was such a strange
man and Miss Annie was a wonderfully sweet lady.
Some of the names listed have several families by that name. However there
are some with the same name that are not related to others. All of which are special.
Some of these families lived in the City limits and some live outside the city limits in
the country. This community was close with families living in both the city and in the
country.
I am sure there are many wonderful families I have failed to list I assure you
it is not intentional. All are very special and important to me from my past and
continue even now in the present. I apologize to those that are not listed. Please
know, those listed and the ones not listed meant a lot to me then and still do. You are
all still in my heart
210
I have listed some of the people in Our Town because years from now I
know our children, grandchildren and theirs alike as well as others just may want to
know and enjoy learning a little about the small town in Georgia by the name of
Leesburg, back in the 1940s and 1950s
Paula Stamps Smith
Cannon and Stamps Cecil and Billy Paul
Who Stole The Tarts?
In April of 1973, an operetta, Who Stole the Tarts, was presented by
a group of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders to earn money for AV equipment for the Lee
County Elementary School library. The operetta was held in the high school
auditorium (old 2-story building) with a beautiful castle backdrop left for us
from the high school beauty pageant.
A total of 55 students with lovely costumes did an excellent job of learning
their lines, songs and choreography. Most of the costumes were created in the
library from crepe paper. Since I could neither play the piano nor carry a tune
singing, I begged for help from Mr. Willis who was then teaching at the Upper
Elementary School and the director of the Boys Chorus there. He graciously
recorded himself playing the piano and singing the songs so that the children in
the cast could listen to the tape and practice learning their songs. They would
211
come to the elementary library (in the 3rd grade building) and get in a comer with
the tape recorder and headphones to practice whenever they had finished their
work in the classroom. I was the director, and I considered Mr. Willis our music
director.
The parts included the King and Queen of Hearts, Old King Cole,
Mother Goose, Little Bo Peep with her maidens, Jack Homer with his detectives,
Tommy Tucker, Humpty Dumpty, along with many other Mother Goose
characters. Most of the parts were just one or two liners, but the main roles,
played by 3ri graders, had four pages of script to learn. They did it, and they did
a fantastic job!
We had a standing room only crowd of mammas, daddies, grandparents,
and friends who enjoyed the evening performance. The children and I had a
great time getting ready for the operetta, and we made over $500 for AV
equipment for our school library.
Thoughts of those children and their parents and all of the people who
helped us with props and decorations bring back some of my fondest memories
of working in that elementary school library.
See pages L-M in back of the book for pictures from program.
Glenna Hatfield
The Blue Heron
Like most other men in South Georgia, my husband, Bubba, has a love
for fishing. He has often said that it is his time to be near God. The river is
peaceful, no one else is talking and the birds are singing. I can honestly say I
know what he means, because I have experienced that with him.
One beautiful Fall day in September, Bubba and his brother, Robert,
went fishing in a canoe down the Flint River. Their journey started at Leesburg
Highway 32 bridge and they traveled South. It had not been a year yet since
Bubbas father passed away. Bludy was a great man in every way. He had a
love for a lot of things in life: people, sports, hunting, flowers and the blue heron
bird. Bludy would tell his grandchildren all about the blue heron. Theres
Bludys bird, the kids would say. There was even a time when his sons played
a joke on their father by buying an artificial heron bird and placed it near the
dock at the Ivey home on Lake Blackshear. Many laughs and stories have been
told about the blue heron that never moved and Bludy always claimed it did!
When my husband arrived home, to my surprising ears, I didnt hear
212
that same routine things - who caught the biggest, most fish and where and what
the fish were caught with. This time, Bubba was emotionai for words. I could
tell by the tone of his voice and how hard it was becoming for him to speak.
My daddy went fishing with me today. I was anxious to hear the story. Bubba
continued, We put in at 32 and headed down the river. It was a beautiful day.
The rocks were showing and the fish were biting. As I was getting settled in the
canoe I noticed a blue heron bird standing on a rock near the bank of the river.
As we floated down the river, the blue heron would follow by flying ahead and
sit on a rock while waiting for us to get closer. The bird never made a sound nor
ate anything. After several hours of fishing, we decided it was time to head back
up the river in our little canoe; but before we could turn completely around the
bird was headed back up the river with us. As we got closer to the bridge, I told
Robert to pay attention to that bird because I knew that it had to be Daddy.
Robert kept saying. Na, it cant be.. .you really believe it is? Look!! As we
approached the bridge the bird flew up over the bridge and headed toward
Warwick which is where home is. Im telling you, my daddy went fishing with
me today, and I just know it! It could not have been a better day.
We often hear that God has angels; but who is to say that birds cant be
angels too!
Catherine Ivey
Johnny Groover and The Slow Poke
From about the 1950s to the 1970s Johnny and Leona Groover were
two of Lee Countys valued citizens. Johnny was the soil conservation agent
and Leona was the business education teacher at Lee County High School.
Upon hiring Mrs. Groover, Superintendent H.T. Kearse issued a
challenge that she turn out students who would have the skills to immediately go
into a business office and perform satisfactory. Mrs. Groover accepted the
challenge and trained some excellent students able to go directly to the work
place.
Several years before his retirement, Johnny and Leona, who were an
adventurous couple, having camped in all of the lower forty-eight states, decided
that they wanted to live on a houseboat after retirement. Not having the money
to buy a boat, Johnny decided to build one. He would model his boat after a
Chinese junk. After securing plans and specifications, he sold his fifty acre farm
to but materials.
213
Building the boat was no small feat. I dont know the overall dimensions
but am told that the cabin was fifteen feet by forty-five feet and had a living
room, bedroom, kitchen and bath. Cypress logs from the Muckalee Creek
were sawed into lumber for the boat. When the old hotel, owned by Mrs. Nora
Moreland located behind the present Petro Station, was tom down, Johnny
bought some of the lumber for floor joists, etc.
After assembling materials, construction began under a pole shelter
behind the Groover home, which was located between Highway 195 and
Magnolia Street in Leesburg. It took several years to complete the project.
Many local citizens pitched in to help. I cant begin to name them all but included
were Edward, Keith and Hugh Long, Robert Powell, Hoyl Radcliff, Phil Toole,
Jimmy Bell, Charles Williams, Ernest Coxwell and William Groover, Johnnys
nephew.
When the boat was finally finished, it was named The Slow Poke. A
flatbed semi from Oxford Construction Company, driven by Merrill Bailey, was
used to transport it to Lake George. This was about 1973. Arrangements had
to be made with the State Department of Transportation, the State Patrol, local
sheriffs and city police for transporting such a large cargo overland.
They also had to check out dock and landing procedures governing the
launch site and to get clearance from the Corp of Engineers, no small matter.
Prior to leaving Leesburg a dry run was conducted. It was soon discovered that
low hanging telephone and electrical lines had to be raised or removed. This
involved Southern Bell, Georgia Power and various electric membership
corporations.
Due to intense local interest a great departure celebration was held before
the boat left Leesburg. Many spectators followed the boat to the launch site,
Georgetown, Georgia. Several men rode on the boat with long sticks to push
up low hanging wires for the boat to pass under.
At the launch site the boat was jacked up. The flatbed truck driven
away and the boat lowered onto four inch well casings, provided by J.G Eubanks.
It was then slowly rolled into the water. That is when the real excitement began.
The boat began to take on water, fast. The lumber had dried out and shrunk.
Volunteers began to man the hand pumps and buckets to keep the boat afloat.
This continued all night. By the next morning the lumber had swollen and the
leaking stopped.
Jack Fore told me that with leak problem solved another problem was
identified. The bow of the boat dipped too deep in the water. To correct this he
214
said that discarded lead wheel weights from his service station and Bill Hopkins
Gulf station were melted down and molded into blocks to provide ballasts in the
rear of the boat so as to level it up.
Once the boat was stabilized it made its maiden voyage across Lake
George to Eufaula, Alabama. From there it went through the locks of Walter F.
George Dam and down the Chattahoochee River towards the Gulf of Mexico.
Enroute to the Gulf a hurricane was encountered and the crew had to drop
anchor. Finally, after one week the boat reached the Gulf at Apalachicola,
Florida. Those on the trip to the Gulf included. Johnny and Leona Groover,
Edward and Keith Long, Ernest Coxwell, Charles Williams, William Long and
Gussie the dog. Ernest Coxwell and William Long drove cars to provide land
transportation when needed.
For the next twelve years the Groovers made their home on The Slow
Poke. They traveled around the Gulf off the Florida panhandle, docking for
long periods of time at Apalachicola and Newport. Their final port-of-call was
Newport, near St. Marks, where they stayed until The Slow Poke was sold.
Mrs. Groovers arthritis had made in impossible to keep living in the boat. They
then moved to Quitman, Georgia.
The new owner of the boat was from Tallahassee. He named it The
Johnny Groover. According to William Groover, before Johnny died he tried,
without success, to find out what happened to the boat he worked on so hard.
However, Keith Long said that he sees it regularly docked at Apalachicola.
Thanks to Page Tharp for providing information and a picture of The
Slow Poke and to Patricia Tharp, Jack Fore, Edward Long, Keith Long and
William Groover for providing information for this story
Robert A. Clay, Jr.
The Slow Poke
215
Lee County High School Debate Program 1972-1990
Debate was introduced into the Lee County High School in 1972. Among
the early debaters were Cynthia Cannon, Kelly Lancaster, Randy Roberts, Greg
Kamishlian and Roland Thacker. Cynthia went to Georgia Southern after
graduation and was active in debate and speaking tournaments. Kelly majored
in speech at Mercer, received his PhD. in Oklahoma and has taught ever since.
Money making projects were a vital part of the debate program in order
to provide funds for overnight lodging and tournament fees. In 1976 the team
published a Bicentennial Cookbook. There was a VIP section in the cookbook
which featured recipes from national, state and local officials. Mrs. Louise Whiting,
the society editor for The Albany Herald was included in this section because she
had been so nice to put the students pictures in her section when they won
awards. At one point she suggested that the articles and pictures should include
several tournaments because she could not put them in the newspaper each
week. She was embarrassed when she found her name in the VIP section with
a boiled chicken recipe. She said, If I had known that I was a VIP, Id have
given you a better recipe!
Other money making projects were: selling barbecue plates, football ads,
and another cookbook in 1982. All of these projects involved a lot of cooperation
from parents, teachers and friends. Not only did these efforts to raise money
develop a closer bond between the debaters and their supporters, but also
made it possible for these students to participate more often in higher level
tournaments which would have been a financial burden to many of the families.
As Lee County gained more recognition statewide, the team sponsored a debate
tournament which was one of several which served as a qualifier for All-State.
At a meeting held at Emory University to make the schedule for the
tournaments held that year, one school had a question about Lee County. Martha
Dye, the debate coach, could not believe that a North Georgia school who debated
would be unfamiliar with Lee County who had had such an active program for so
many years. The chairman said, Miss Dye, we know WHO Lee County is, we
just dont know WHERE it is!
Lee County debaters won their region from 1974 into the 1990s. They
won third place in the state for several years in the 1970s and second place in
1979. Some of these good debaters were: Catherine Bowling, Crystal Griffin,
Billy Mathis, Gaye Adkins, and Laura Bowling.
Lee Countys 1980 varsity team was its first to win state. It consisted of Burt
Baker, Cal Butts (Cal Callier), Matt Hawkins and Melanie Mitchell. Lee County
216
won at least five other state championships but this team was always special for
being first
Randy Arnold, who qualified for nationals in Lincoln Douglas debate held in
San Francisco, was our first to participate at this level. He later debated at
Mercer University and at West Georgia.
John McClellan, who was an excellent debater in the 80s, debated at Mercer
University. He is currently debate coach in charge of an outstanding program at
Warner Robins High School.
In 1982, Lee County won the right to participate in the prestigious National
Bicentennial Debates held in Williamsburg, Virginia for a week. Lee County
High and Parkview High qualified from Georgia Lee County High beat Parkview
High in quarterfinals, but dropped in semi-finals to a northeastern school. The Lee
County team consisted of Bob Reeves and James Sizemore. This was a remarkable
accomplishment in this teams first national tournament What makes this even more
remarkable is that Lee County was debating against the very best Prep schools in
the nation, and they were the only ones with County in their school name.
Some debate coaches were impressed with the number of debaters from
the same families in Lee County. Among them were Bob and Sherm Reeves,
George, Carlton and James Vann who were all excellent debaters.
Matt Hawkins debated at B YU after graduation. James Sizemore debated
for four years at West Georgia. Billy Mathis debated at Valdosta State.
James Vann and Russ Pennington debated in nationals in New Orleans.
Randy Davidson, Russ Pennington, and Ron Carter participated in nationals at
Bucks County near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Other debaters who contributed a great deal to the success of this program
are: Fred Baker, Cedric Baker, Johnny Sumner, Mary Capuzzi, Jerrianne
Sheffield, Mandy Miller, Vernon Smith, Geoffrey Smith, Hank Studdard, Melody
Clay, Steve Kamishlian, Ryan West, Chris Caldwell, Rhonda Baxter, Tammy
Bates, Pam Long, Kim Israel, Mollie Shepard, Brett McCarty, Stan Clardy, Beth
Morgan, Kelli Richardson, Glenn Goodson, Sean Allee, Chrystal Cornett, Rhonda
Fleming, Sunil Joshi, Cathy Eubanks, Clint Rogers, Tun Hollis, Mamie Morris, Guy
Joiner, Delle Driskell, Mike Arnold, Janet McQuinn, Neil Wingfield and others.
At least nine debaters became lawyers. They are: Vernon Smith, Billy Mathis,
Cal Callier, Matt Hawkins, James Vann, Johnny Sumner, Tina Zeigenham, Randy
Arnold and James Sizemore, who is a Superior Court judge. Two debaters
have served on the Lee County Board of Commissioners, Cynthia Cannon and
Billy Mathis.
217
This provides a brief sketch of the history of debate in Lee County High
School. There are other good stories to be told which space does not permit
and some which only the debaters can share.
Martha Dye, Debate Coach Lee County High School (1972-1990)
Memories of Growing up in Leesburg
There are so many memories that mean so much to me. Ill share some
that really stick with me.
I started to school in the first grade when I was five. I turned six the last
of January. Needless to say, I wasnt a happy camper to be leaving Mama, but
a Mrs. Tison drove my school bus, and she really looked after me. With her
help, I made it.
There was no lunchroom so we brought our lunch. Miriam Fore
Musslewhite would always have a country ham sandwich with mustard. I would
swap her anything I had for a piece of her sandwich.
I had never played hooky during my school days, but in our senior year,
our class decided we would. Mr. Outz had warned that it would be rough if we
did. We thought that if we could get the entire senior class (8) and lots of others
to do it, he couldnt expel that many. George Moreland got one of the big
trucks from the peanut mill to take us to the creek. Jack Fore was the only
senior that didnt go because he had just had his tonsils out, but he stayed home.
We had a good time, but I had to own up to Mama and Daddy because when
some of the boys were chasing me to thrown me in the water, I slid down
causing my leg to hit a tree and leaving a large piece of skin with it Next morning,
Mr. Outz called everyone in for a meeting. He said that he had warned us, and
it was bad for the seniors, but he was going to expel us. He let us get almost out
of the building before he called us back and gave us another punishment. I think
it was writing, I will not play hooky. Needless to say, I had learned my lesson,
and if I had many more years of school, I would never have played hooky again.
Daddy (Warren Spillers) was over the maintenance shop that kept all
the buses running. When one would break down and I wasnt working, I would
go with him to get it. One day, a bus broke down up near Millers sawmill, and
I went with him. He hooked the bus up to the one we were in and cautioned me
many times to let out on the clutch easier so it wouldnt jerk. So here we go. I
was so proud of myself that I hadnt felt a jerk. I finally got up enough nerve to
look in the mirror, and I could just see a yellow speck way back down the road.
218
I had to go a piece to find a road so that I could turn the bus around. When I got
back, Daddy was walking down the road. He said, I cant understand how
anyone could break away and not know it.
Our Senior Trip was to Washington, D.C. Since we were such a small
class, the Smithville seniors went with us. Our bus broke down in Arlington
Cemetery. The next day some of the boys went with Mr. Outz to get the bus.
Several of us girls went to a nearby store to get some ice cream and then sat on
the bank and watched the soldiers from Camp Belfair. Some of the girls told me
that if I would inhale, I would enjoy smoking. They showed me how, but between
the ice cream and the cigarette, I have never been sicker. When Mr. Outz and
the boys returned with the bus, the girls told him that I was sick. His reply was,
Dear Gussie. They put suitcases in the aisle between the seats, covered them
with pillows, and put me to bed. That finished my smoking, and many years
later, I can say that I never tried again.
First Baptist Church holds many memories for me. I was baptized there;
my baccalaureate sermon was preached there; and I was married there. When
I was baptized, there were several of us, including George Moreland. We were
all anxious to see how Brother Taylor was going to lift him out of the water, but
all went well.
Saturday night square dances were the highlight of the week. I wish I
could get excited and have that kind of good old time once again in my old age.
I was working for Mr. Blue and Mr. Joe Forrester and didnt get off until 10:00.
Then, I couldnt get there fast enough. It worried Mr. Blue (with his being a
preacher) that I loved dancing so much. We met many nice people there. Turner
Field had lots of service men stationed here, and they would come to the squared
dances. With four single children at home, we would teach a lot of them to
square dance in Moms living room. Daddy used to say that he was going to put
a U.S.O. sign over the door. Mom and Daddy always made them feel at home.
Some of the service men would often come to sit with our family under the oak
tree and help us shell peas and butter beans.
Later on, Faye and I were both dating service men from Turner. Faye
was dating a jet pilot (whom she later married), and I was dating a navigator on
a B29. They would buzz the house when they were going and coming from a
flight. It caused a lot of excitement when they did this since they would be flying
low.
I went to work at the Sewanee Store with Mr. Zack Pate, and I had to
stand on a stool to see the scales. In later years, Mr. Pate said he would
219
always remember me leaning over the mullet fish box and trying to get fish out
from near the bottom. Mrs. Pate took me to Albany on the train for my first
train ride.
When I was working for Mr. Joe and Mr. Blue Forrester, I was offered
a job at Gulf Life Insurance Company in Albany. After a few years, I was offered
an Office Manager job in South Carolina. I thanked them for their offer, but told
them that it was too far from the city clock light in Leesburg. Later, the wife of
one of the agents died, and in time he and I started dating and eventually married.
I took on a husband and two teenage stepchildren. So, guess where I moved?
To Dawson. I lived there until I retired. My husband died, and Mothers
health was such that she couldnt live alone. So, I moved back to Leesburg to
care for her and have been with her a little over five years. She is now ninety-
eight years old. I still have my home in Dawson, but will always consider Leesburg
my home.
Jewell Spillers Durr
Recollections
I REMEMBER:
Skinny dipping in Chokee Creek with my brother, Jimmy, when Miss
Georgia Crisp and a car load of her lady friends stopped on the bridge and
one of them saying, there are two little boys down there naked as jaybirds.
When state revenue agents raided the moonshine still that the H boys
operated on the Roberts place. I think Daddy tipped off the revenue agents.
Wearing shoes that had do-it-yourself half soles. Sometimes the glue would
not hold and the half soles would flap as you walked.
Mr. Ulrick King regularly stopping by the school campus as he completed
his mail route to tease the boys.
Hoyle Radcliff and his shade tree garage where he assembled a two-cylinder
tractor.
The County Jail that stood near the school as a reminder of what could
happen to us.
The Cannon, Stovall, Forrester and Lee families who were so influential in
business and politics for many years.
220
Mr. E. B. Martin tackling Halloween pranksters in his front yard.
Miss Shirley King driving me to Atlanta for surgery after I broke my arm.
Patching bicycle tires with cold patches that often times failed to hold.
The distinguished appearance of H. T. Kearse and his excellent penmanship.
L. J. Miller, Heyward Cook, Gwen Guilbeau, Jewell Spillers and a host of
others enjoying the weekly square dances in the old Lee County High School
gym. When Supt. H. T. Kearse expressed concern about the gym floor, Mr.
Miller told him that if they wore out the floor, he would replace it.
Soil Conservation agents J. K. Arvis and Johnny Groover helping farmers
protect the soil.
Mr. Don Turner delivering his annual Christmas presents in the courthouse,
a bag of shelled peanuts and a half pint of liquor.
The good service provided by Bob and Flora Hartley at Leesburg Auto
Company, Bill and Neva Hopkins at their Gulf Service Station and Fred
and Frances Knowles at Freds Auto Service.
The rise of Thad Gibson from dirt farmer to Superior Court Judge.
Johnny Groover building a houseboat in Leesburg that he and his wife, Leona,
lived on after their retirement.
The excellent service Pat and Page Tharp provided to city and county
Government, local churches and the school system.
An always upbeat Harry Lee serving our country as a paratrooper.
Guerry Sanders, Mary Feeney, Mable Coxwell, Luke McLendon, Ester
Dobson, Pete Long and Ann Cannon working in the old AAA or ASCS
office.
George Morelands national reputation as a bird dog trainer and field trial
competitor.
County Agents L. H. Nelson, Billy Whitley, Hull Andrews, and Roy
Goodson, who served Lee County so well.
Robert A. Clay
Time Passes and Things Change -
A History of the Hatfield Home Place
It was in February of 1952 when Mr. Henry Reed Hatfield, Sr., his wife
Caroline Lewis Hatfield, and their three boys Henry Reed, Jr. (called Sandy
by the family), John Thorpe, and Lewis Bradfordmoved from the small coal
mining town of Reed which was located just outside of Charleston, West Virginia,
221
to relocated in southwest Georgia. Reed, Jr. was in seventh grade; Thorpe was
in sixth grade; and Brad was in second grade. Mr. Hatfield had made the decision
to leave the Hatfield Coal Company, based in Cincinnati, Ohio, and come south
to quail country to try his luck in cattle and farming.
They first purchased a house in Albany and a 310-acre farm in Lee
County. They called the farm Kanawha after the Kanawha River that ran beside
their former home in Reed, West Virginia. The Kanawha farm was located off of
Highway 82 and Armenia Road in the Cookville community. Afarm management
company was hired to run the farm.
In 1958 they decided to sell the house in Albany and move to Lee
County. They purchased a lovely 153.3 - acre farm and house known as the
Wade Place. It was located at the intersection of U.S. 82 and Cookville Road
just across from the Cookville Store, owned and operated by Walter and
Emma Cook.
A portion of the house had originally been a four-room farmhouse located
further back on the property. A Mr. McCorkle had bought the place from a Mr.
Fryer and had moved the house closer to the highway. When the nearby old
Nike Missile base was closed, Mr. McCorkle purchased a barracks building,
had it moved to the farm, and added it onto the house. He created a long ranch
styled house nestled in a cluster of old oaks and pines. He also installed some
beautiful redwood paneling in several rooms of the house. It was an attractive
and restful setting. There were coveys of quail along the edges of the fields, deer
in the back woods, and there were always dove shoots in the fall.
On April 25,1960,4.96 acres were conveyed by Mr. Hatfield to R.G
Probst for the Plantation Trailer Park according to Deed Book B-2, page 313.
Things seemed to be going well until February or March of 1959. when
Mr. Hatfield first discovered that the farm management company was way behind
in paying the bills for their seed and fertilizer. It seems that poor judgment had
been used in purchasing some cattle from Texas rather than buying local cattle.
A large number of them had died while being transported or were sickly when
they arrived. They had lost a lot of money Mr. Hatfield then discovered they
were in danger of losing the farms.
At that time, Reed was taking agriculture courses at ABAC in Tifton.
His father, who was in bad health, called him with the bad news about the farm.
Reed immediately packed his belongings and returned home. They fired the
management company, and Reed took over running the farm. He got rid of the
222
cattle and bought some brood sows and a boar hog. He planted peanuts and
com, and he made good crops. During this time, Thorpe was away at UGA,
and Brad, who was still in school, helped when he could.
By the 1963 crop year, Reed made a profit, and the future of the farm
was more secure. But, tragedy had struck first. Reeds father died of a sudden
stroke in May of 1963 without seeing the profit made. Then his mother died in
November. Reed had just turned 24; his brother was still in high school; he had
lost both parents within six months of each other; and the farm was now in the
hands of the trust department of the C and S bank.
Before he realized what was happening, Kanawha was being sold by
sealed bids. On advice from his Uncle Jimmy Hatfield in Cincinnati, Reed
immediately put down an option to buy the home place. When Kanawha was
sold in December of 1965, Reed was able to purchase his two brothers shares
of the home place.
In the fall of 1963, Reed met me, Glenna Capps, and I became his wife
on June 14,1964. I taught at Lee County High School and later became a
school librarian. We continued to raise hogs and grow com, peanuts, soybeans,
and cotton. Reed, an avid hunter and fisherman, also did a little taxidermy work
in his spare time. We had three children, Ruth Ellen, Henry Reed III, and Charles
Travis. The Lord blessed us tremendously. Life was great on the farm. We
raised our own beef, and pork, and had a garden filled with vegetables that
were canned and frozen each year. We all hunted and fished. There was lots of
room for dogs, cats, goats, horses, go-carts, motorbikes as well as lots of friends.
We even nurtured a skunk, a bobcat, and a raccoon along the way.
I stayed home for a whole school year after the birth of both Ruthie and
Reed HI, but then I returned to my teaching or library work. After the birth of
Travis on September 13,1973,1 remained at home for four years.
During the 1974 crop year, Reed was offered a job at Lilliston
Corporation doing field test work. He worked there from 8:00 until 5:00. Then,
he would do our farm work, eat dinner, and do taxidermy work in his little shop
that we had built out behind the house.
The summer of 1975 brought the com blight. We had the crops laid-
by and had gone to Panama City for a week. On the way home, we saw one
field after another filled with knee-high dead com. When we got home, ours
was dead, too. (And, sadly, we also learned that our good friend and neighbor,
Mr. Walter Cook had died of a heart attack while we were gone.)
223
Reed got out and walked all the way around the farm trying to figure out
what we were going to do. He came back in with a severe pain in his chest. I
thought he was having a heart attack, too. It turned out to be an ulcer.
With the cost of putting in a crop having increased drastically since we
were first married, we realized that to really make it in fanning meant getting
more land and more equipment and hiring some help. Now we had three children
to think about, too. After much prayer, he finally decided to look for a job and
let someone else rent our farmland.
He was approached by Drew Hill, owner of Hill Peanut and Grain
Company in Sasser, to manage his farms. Reed enjoyed this work. He got to
farm, but he also had a steady salary.
On September 9, 1980, the Georgia Department of Transportation
decided to four-lane highway 82 known as Dawson Road and acquired 4.610
acres by right-of-way deed. (Deed Book 52, pages 697-699)
After seven years, Drew decided to rent his farmlands to another farmer
with Reed staying on as overseer for the 1982 crop year. As the year came to a
close, the 24 -7 demands of this job combined with the new bosss failure to
come through with the promised Christmas bonuses for Reed and the other
workers resulted in the decision to come home and open the taxidermy shop on
a full time basis.
Thus, in January of 1983, Reeds Taxidermy Studio became a full-time
reality in our backyard. He continued to rent out our farmland while he mounted
deer heads, ducks, turkeys, and fish, and the taxidermy business grew rapidly
as his artistic abilities flourished. He received many awards at both state and
national level competitions.
After U.S. 82 was four-laned and the overpass was completed at the
U.S.82 and the Albany by-pass intersection, we were approached by a realtor
to list the farm. It was on the market for 18 months with no results. Wefigured
that the Lord just was not ready for us to sell it yet.
Several years passed, and as the time came closer for us to be anticipating
retirement, we found a house for sale in another part of southern Lee County. It
was a beautiful home in the Beverly Acres subdivision with some frontage on the
Muckalee Creek. In June of 1992, we moved to our new home, but Reed
continued with his taxidermy business on the farm.
A few years later, another realtor approached us about listing the
farm. Two large businesses were interested in the property, but it would have
to be rezoned. Shortly after the rezoning, on April 5,2002, Lee County
made us a written offer to purchase the back 70 acres saying that they wanted
to purchase
224
a block of land to re-sell to Chem-Nut and ACC and possibly others. After the
property was surveyed in May, Lee County made a second offer to purchase
the entire farm in order to develop a business park that would, hopefully, bring
more commercial tax base into the countys economy.
Negotiations took place; a contract was finally approved; and on
September 24,2002, the purchase was completed. The Hatfield family would
have to vacate the Hatfield Place by January 1,2003. Reeds Taxidermy Studio
was closed, and we both retired in order to spend more time with family and
church activities
On Saturday, May 10, 2003, Governor Sonny Perdue spoke to the
100 or so people who attended the dedication of the Oakland Meadows Business
Park and the groundbreaking ceremony of the new Chem Nut warehouse and
office complex. Afterwards, he spoke with us about his family having recently
sold their home place and of the mixed emotions he had felt.
This was a time of joy mixed with some sorrow for us. Reed had lived
on the farm since 1958. It had been our home together since 1964. Wehad
raised our three children there. It was filled with memories of our lives together.
It was not easy to leave it. As I ride by there I sometimes feel a deep yearning
tug at my heartstrings as memories come flooding into my mind. I still miss living
there. At other times, however, I am filled with pride to see the continuing
growth and development that is taking place on the land that we enjoyed as a
family for thirty-eight years.
Yes, the development of the Business Park has helped and will continue
to help in promoting economic growth in this county that we love. It will also
continue to help in many other ways because the greater portion of the proceeds
from the sale of the farm was put into a Charitable Remainder Trust that not only
provides an adequate retirement income for both of us as long as we live, but
after we are gone, will also continue to support a number of worthwhile charitable
organizations for many years to come.
Blessings from the Lord have been abundantly showered upon us, and
we have had a wonderful forty-three years together (as of June 14,2007). Oh,
yes, we did manage to acquire another small farm for hunting and a little cabin in
the mountains to enjoy with our children and grandchildren. So, you see, change
can sometimes be a litde painful, but it is not always bad. When one door closes,
I believe that the Lord always has another one waiting to be opened.
Glenna Hatfield
225
The James T. Hooks Place:
A Self-sufficient Farm
As a young boy, I spent many nights in the home of my grandparents, Jim
and Carrie Hooks. They lived near the intersection of Burke Ferry Road and Grey
Moss Road in northeast Lee County. The farm had 520 acres in it and was nearly
self-sufficient. Meat came primarily from hogs raised and butchered on the farm.
The smokehouse served to store and preserve meat butchered during the whiter
months for use through out the year. Cows provided milk and butter. Chickens and
guinea supplied eggs and meat Granddaddy raised rabbits that were kept in hutches
near the house. Occasionally one of these would be sacrificed for meat Other meat
came from fish caught in the Grant Pond or Chokee Creek and small game or doves
Granddaddy shot
A vegetable garden provided fresh vegetables throughout the year. Peas,
beans, butterbeans, tomatoes, okra, etc. not immediately needed were canned by
Grandmother for future use. hi addition she canned or made jelly or preserves from
peaches, pears, figs, blackberries and other things that grew on the farm. Irish potatoes
were stored under the house and sweet potatoes stored in a hill, a pile of potatoes
covered with pine straw, com stalks and dirt to prevent their freezing.
Granddaddy was handy with tools. He had a sawmill where he cut his own
lumber, a gristmill where he ground his own meal, ablacksmith shop where he made
and repaired various implements and a cane mill where he ground cane and made
syrup. At one time he even had a cotton gin.
Occasionally, Grandmother wouldmake enough butter to sell some in DeSoto,
She would also sell eggs when she had a surplus. In addition there was a little country
store on the farm. It kept tobacco, snuff, crackers, sardines, candy, soda water, etc.
available for the farm hands and neighbors. Grandmother also provided room and
board for teachers that taught at the nearby Norton School.
There was no electricity hi the house when I was a boy. About three times a week
Mr. Troutman delivered ice from Albany in the neighborhood. Grandmother would
often give him a glass of buttermilk, a sweet potato or piece of combread for a
snack when he delivered ice to her icebox.
Mail came to the Hooks family at the Little New York post office located on
New York Road. It had to be picked up there. Granddaddy took it upon himself to
get a rural route out of DeSoto to serve the area. He was successful. His house was
about midway the route so the mailman, Mr. Womack, would stop there for lunch
and to feed and water his horse.
226
Granddaddy raised com, peanuts and cotton until the boll weevil made
cotton unprofitable. He always had a herd of cattle, hogs, goats, horses and mules.
He trained his dogs to help with the livestock.
Granddaddy was also a Justice of the Peace. He issued warrants, performed
marriages, settled disputes, held elections and did the other things a JP does.
My Grandparents reared three daughters to adulthood, Eva Hooks Adair,
Eddye Hooks Clay and Jamye Hooks Anselm. All three went to college and became
teachers. They had no sons of their own but reared three boys, Phil Poole, Steward
Betts, and Eugene Clark.
Robert A. Clay
A Tribute to my Sister- Irma Leola Stamps Kielsmeier
Irma Leola Stamps was my little sister. She was a pretty little girl with the
prettiest red curly hair you ever saw. When she was only two or three years old, one
of our aunts wanted her to spend the day with her. Mother let her go. When Mother
picked her up, the long pretty curls had been cut off and Irma had short curly hair.
Mother was extremely upset. Needless to say Irma did not spent the day with that
Aunt anymore unless Mother was there with her. Her hair was not cut again until
Irma wanted it cut.
Even at a very young age, Irma just wanted to be a wife and mother when
she grew up. She loved her dolls and paper dolls. She would sit and play with them
for hours. Mother would buy paper doll books that had the dolls and clothes you
could cut out and fold on to the paper dolls so she could change their outfits. She also
cut out some from the Sears catalog. Mother was so creative. Irma got that from her.
She would sit with Irma, get cardboard and make furniture that her paper dolls could
have in their house. The chairs, couch and beds along with other furniture was so
cute and well made. Irma was always creative and learned to make the furniture
quickly and was good at it. Her friends would come over and enjoy playing with
dolls and paper dolls with her. As she grew up, her good friends Eunice Culpepper,
Laura Jean Breeden and other school friends still enjoyed being together.
227
After Edgar and I left home, he went into the Navy and I got married, Irma
was then the oldest at home with two younger brothers. She was such a good
caretaker, looking after her two little brothers after school until Mother and Daddy
got home from work. She was also good at keeping the house clean and cooking.
She would have the evening meal cooked when Mother and Daddy came home.
She was doing what she wanted to do all her life. It was good practice. When she
got married she was very good at being a wife and mother.
After she graduated from high school, she joined the Air Force. She was
patriotic and she truly wanted to be in the Air Force and see our Country and the
world. She served our Country proudly and spent about two years in, I am not sure
just how long. She would have stayed in longer but our Daddy was very sick and she
got out of the Air Force in hopes of being able to stay at the hospital with him to look
after him and take care of his needs and just be with him. Unfortunately he died
about two days before she got home.
Growing up and for years, she was a quite girl; a veiy family loving and
caring person. She was a sweet young lady, caring, determined and set in her ways.
Like most of us and especially red heads, so they say, she could lose her temper if
she felt like it
She was now at home again but only for a short time. She and the young
man, Ralph Kielsmeier, she met while in the Air Force fell in love and got married.
They were married in Leesburg Baptist Church. I made her long beautiful wedding
dress and her attendants dresses too. She was certainly a beautiful bride. They
moved to Mount Morris, II. While there another of her dreams came true, not only
was she a wife now, but she became the mother of her first child, a girl, Vicki Lynn.
I went up there and spent a week with her after she came home from the hospital to
help take care of her and the baby until she was feeling good again. Billy, my husband
and our children drove up there to get me. We were there a couple of days longer
enjoying the new baby. Seeing Irma as a mother of this pretty little baby was exciting.
She was so happy and loved every minute of it
Later she and Ralph had a little boy, Gregory Eugene. Now they had the
family they wanted. Then they added a poodle, Gigi. was just like their child too and
was treated as such. Later, they moved back to Georgia. They lived in Macon and
228
then Albany. While living in Albany they built apretty house on Gail Ave. where they
lived until they moved to Utah and later built a house in Centerville, Utah, where she
lived until she died.
Their children grew up in Utah and now they were there for life. This was so
far from the rest of the family. It was not possible for us to visit with one another
often. Even though Irma loved it out there, she missed her family back in Georgia and
it was sometimes hard on her being so far away; most of the time we could visit only
by telephone. We would talk for an hour and longer. They came back to visit when
they could but it wasnt enough.
Mother went out there to visit them when she could; I went when I could,
Edgar and Jonnie made the trip out too. But these visits were not as often as any of
us would have liked There were times when we would have a family reunion, Mothers
birthday, Edgars birthday or occasional Christmas they could come home. These
were always special.
Irma and Ralph spent about a month in October, 2004driving across country,
coming back east visiting friends on the way and spending a few days in Thomas,
Dougherty and Terrell Counties, Georgia, and then in Marietta, Georgia, visiting with
family. This was a trip, even though Irma did not feel the best, she enjoyed. This was
the last time we saw our sister and Aunt Little did we know this would be the last
time we would see her alive.
Her Senior Class of Lee County High School was having their class reunion
in April, 2005. She was looking forward to that trip with excitement to be with her
classmates again. She and Ralph were to fly here for that reunion, then visit with
family for awhile. That was very important to her.
She had not felt good for awhile. She kept having pains in her stomach. The
doctor told her she had a tumor and it needed to come out. This was in February.
She wanted to feel good for the class reunion so she scheduled the surgery in March.
Unfortunately, when the doctors did the surgery, they discovered she had cancer.
She lived only a few days. This was such a shock and a sad day for us.
Irma had two children, three grand children and several step grand children
that she adored. She enjoyed children so much. They stayed over night as well as a
week at a time with Irma and Ralph. Irma was known to get the children in the
kitchen and let them help make cookies and goodies. One of their grand daughters
229
was visiting not long before she went into the hospital for that surgery and Irma let
her invite some of her friends over to spend the night Irma went out, bought material
and helped the girls all make a night gown. Irma was very good at sewing and all
types of crafts. She taught her daughter and her grandchildren a lot about both.
Irma was a good daughter, good sister, a good wife and mother and an excellent
grandmother. She loved and enjoyed her family and friends. I guess the most
beautiful thing about her was, she was a Christian and loved the Lord.
Edgar, Ronny, Cecil, Marie and I all went to Utah to say goodbye to her.
This was one of the hardest things we have had to do. We all love one another
and sure hated to see this circle of siblings broken. But, this is just so long for
awhile Irma. We will all be together again some day. Until then, we will always
love you our sister.
Paula Oleta Stamps Smith
Irma S. Kielsmeier Irma S. Keilsmeier Irma and Ralph
Keilsmeier
Hi Yo Silver
I grew up in Smithville and attended Smithville Elementary School thru
the 7th Grade. We had several teachers we all remember, but not always for
their teaching abilities. Everyone loved Mrs. McLendon but not her paddle-Dr.
230
Red. Mrs. Caswell checked your ear and fingernails every morning and insisted
that you have milk for lunch. If you just had to go to the bathroom during class
you could count on Mrs. Birdie assigning extra math problems to be worked at
recess. Mrs. Holley would hand out candy bars at weeks end if you had been
good but if you called English or Literature junk you could expect to write the
definition from the dictionary 100stimeandyoudidntgetacandybar! The
most memorable teacher by far was Mr. Mobley, the principal and 7 grade
teacher. He was a bachelor and had a beautiful tenor voice. He always drove
a white Chevrolet and for bade any dogs to enter the school ground at peril to
their life. I dont remember if he was a good teacher but I do remember his
temper. During math one day I somehow ended up in someone elses desk. It
was full of junk and every time I moved some of it fell out. When I would
attempt to put it back more junk would fall out the other side, as little girls will
do, the four of us in the class started to giggle. I guess he thought we were
laughing at him and did not take kindly to this. He slammed his math book down
on each of the girls desk and giggles turned to tears... .until he got to me. I
picked up his book and handed it back to him.. .wrong move. He grabbed my
desk and began to jerk it side to side, I held on with my right hand, threw my left
hand into the air and in cowboy style shouted Hi Yo Silver! this was too much
for Mr. Mobley to take as he left the room and never returned that day.
Beverly Chambers
Memories of a South Alabama Childhood
Although I didnt grow up in Lee County, I can certainly relate to small
town living. Ive been here for twenty-two years and have see lots of similarities
in South Georgia and South Alabama.
The greatest joy I could ever wish someone is that she could be a child
growing up in the 40s in a small Alabama town called Louisville. I was such a
child, and to this day I can remember the warmth and love surrounding me.
My daddy was the youngest of seven children, and all of his siblings
except one lived within walking distance of each other. Grandmother Hurst (Miss
Shug) lived in the midst of this group, and I was enveloped in a family sea of
cousins who were more like my older brothers and sisters.
There were so many special things about growing up in Louisville, but
Christmases were especially wonderful. Even the smallest children were involved
231
in the church plays and musicals, and I was always cast as an angel. One of
the things I remember most was the itchy, scratchy halo of tinsel around my
head.
After the play and refreshments, we all, from the youngest to the oldest,
bundled up and went caroling. Louisville only had about eight hundred people,
so age simply didnt matter.
Big family dinners at Christmas were such fun, and each of my aunts had
her extra special dish. Aunt Jeannie brought a chicken pie that was made in a
huge dishpan; Aunt Eunice made lemon, cheese, and caramel cakes; Aunt Ola
cooked her famous egg custard and fried egg bread; and Aunt Cora always
made fried apple tarts.
The tables were loaded with huge bowls of vegetables, homemade com
sticks and biscuits, and platters of fried chicken and baked turkey with dressing.
All of the extras such as homemade peach and cucumber pickles, blackberry
jelly, and salads of every description were there, too. Of course, fruitcake and
ambrosia were a big pat of the dessert table.
There are so many precious memories. One was of going to the pool
out in the woods. It ran right out of an icy spring, and you couldnt stay in the
water very long because you were freezing, and your bps turned blue.
World War II was such a big part of my childhood. How well I remember
the ration stamps we had to use to buy gasoline and sugar. I was thrilled when
the news got around town that the local drug store had balloons, bubblegum,
and funny books once more.
Trucks picked up cans, newspapers, and old tires to be used again. I
sang and danced in many War Bond drives when I was only four or five years
old.
I could go on and on, but Im sure many of you had the same type of
experiences when you were growing up. Im glad I could share some of mine
with you.
Billie Nan Hurst Mann
Checking Fishing Baskets
Back in the early sixties, Buggy Hatcher and myself were checking our
fishing basket on the Kinchafoonee Creek. I would keep the boat steady for
Buddy while he checked our baskets. Buddy would take off his clothes, slip in
the
232
water check the basket, get back in and we would go to the next one. He
would not put his clothes back on until we checked the last basket.
This one day, he checked a basket, climbed back in the boat, and we
we going to the next basket. We did not thick a soul was around to see us, but
as we rounded the next bend, there was Keith, Louette and Buster Wisener
fishing. Buddy slipped back into the water as fast as he could and did not come
up until we were around the next bend.
Robert Ivey
School House Memories
I Remember:
Some of my classmates who left our class before graduation: Jack Fussell,
Laura Jean Livingston, Roy Fore, Thurman Youngblood, Phoebe Moree,
George Turner, Henry Reeves, Nelson Mitchell, Sarah Wingate, Sara King,
Mack Knight, Mary Brown, Jimmy Nesbitt, Toby Hammond and many
others.
Mrs. Ella Tison teaching second grade and driving a school bus.
Miss Nell Kearse teaching my third grade class as a first year teacher.
Dare devil students climbing the old water tank located next to the campus.
Elizabeth Forrester and Ann Cannon spending the night with my sister,
Carolyn, and experiencing life in the country.
How pretty my sixth grade teacher, Miss Charleen Dumas, was.
My embarrassment when Miss Lucile Snyder, my seventh grade teacher,
intercepted a note I had written to Leah King and read it aloud to the class.
Nell Martin as a teenager having orthopedic surgery in Atlanta.
Riding over Lee County to collect greenery to decorate for the prom.
The Cromartie family moving to Lee County in 1944 and bringing a large
measure of culture, refinement and athletic prowess.
One of the farm hands, Goody Wright, driving Leah King and me to a
school prom before I was old enough to get drivers license.
Principal James Bell playing softball with the high school boys.
Waking up Mr. Hershel Williams in the middle of the night for a ride home
after my car stopped near his home (Midway Farm) while returning from a
date.
233
Getting home at 3:00 a.m. after taking Sara King to the Junior/Senior Prom
and traveling over miles of flooded dirt roads.
Mr. Don Turner sending his son, George, to Riverside Military Academy for
his senior year. I think he felt George needed a little more structure in his life.
Jane Turrentine, Mary Hayes and Kim Carter providing excellent drama
programs in the 1970s. Lee County High won the State AA one-act play
competition under Mary Hayes, a tradition that Robbie Davis continues.
Tex Houstons years of service to the school system and the county.
Principal Ray Flowers expressing amazement that Sylvia Vann was still
diligently teaching math on the last day of school.
Opal Cannon bringing state and national recognition to Lee County for her
two Schools of Excellence.
Martha Dye establishing a debate program that put Lee County on the map,
won at state competitions and filled the High School trophy case.
Hugh Watts boys basketball team winning the state AAA championship.
Hugh Watts and Rob Williams establishing a baseball tradition at Lee County
High and Lynn Avery establishing a softball tradition.
Robert A. Clay
Dog Tales
When a family accepts a pet into their household, that pet becomes
almost like a member of the family. When the pet dies, it is indeed a sad time.
As time passes and the family recalls the humorous and amazing things that the
pet did it, can ease the pain of losing the pet. The memories are treasured and
shared with others. Here are some memories of a few pets that I had and loved
as I was growing up on Stocks Farm.
Shadow - a collie dog. My dog, Shadow looked just like Lassie. As I
learned to walk, Shadow followed me every where I toddled. My mother and
I went shopping one day when all the retail stores were in downtown Albany. I
saw a movie poster on the side of a store building. It was advertising that the
Lassie movie was going to be shown at one of the movie theaters in Albany. I
yelled and pointed to the poster and told my mother that I wanted to see the
movie like my collie, Shadow.
234
I wanted to make sure she knew what poster I was pointing to, so I
pulled my hand from her hand and ran across the alley to point to it. At that very
second, a car came down the alley. The car just knocked me down; no serious
harm was done. My mother and the driver of the car ran to pick me up, but I
was faster than they were, and I jumped up and ran to the poster and said, This
is the movie I want to see about Lassie. My mother and the driver stood there
shaking with a puzzled look on their faces. So what if they were in a state of
shock, I was sure that I got my point across. My mother did take me to the
movie,but when we got out she told me that she would never ever take me to
another Lassie movie. She stated that when Lassie was running from danger, I
would stand up in my seat and shout, Run Lassie run! When Lassie got hurt I
would cry out loud. When Lassie was saving the little boy from harm, I would
stand up and shout, Come on Lassie you are almost home. I never did
understand why my collie, Shadow, would not do the things Lassie did in the
movies.
Sandy - a cocker spaniel. I received Sandy one Christmas with a big
red bow tide around her neck.
She would be waiting at the front gate every afternoon about four o clock
when I got off of the school bus. The kids on the bus would wave to her and call
out her name. My mother told me she would play around in the yard til about
three-thirty. Then she would head to the gate to wait for the school bus.
We noticed several times that she would sit very still and just stare at the
ground. All of a sudden, she would jump up and start digging. Many times she
would retrieve a mole and just play with it til she was tired of it. Then, she
would just walk away. She probably caught the same one over and over again.
A pet will be your most loyal fan.
Sandra Stocks
Going to Chicago
I liked going to Chicago to see our friend Jennifer and her one year old
baby Jonathan. We went in June of 2007.
We walked on Michigan Avenue. I liked eating at different restaurants.
I liked going to the Chinese restaurant and eating their soup and wontons.
We had a hot dog at a hot dog stand. The french fries were good too.
We ate at a Greek restaurant outside. Our friend ordered flaming cheese.
It was really good.
235
Mama and I rode a big ferris wheel at the Navy Pier. We saw a white
whale at the aquarium. I liked seeing Sue, the dinosaur, at the museum. I
liked going to the zoo and seeing the animals.
Mama and I saw a big lake. We walked along the shore of the lake for
a while. We saw people walking their dogs, running, skating, and riding bicycles.
I liked buying a book, Sue and the Field Mouse at the museum. I liked
eating outside at McDonalds at the museum. There were seagulls there.
We liked going on the boat ride on the Chicago River. We went out on
the big lake too. The city is really big with a lot of tall buildings.
Chicago is a big, pretty city. I hope I can go back.
Hope Usry
Ghost Busters
When Joyce Hall Letts and I started to school together in the first grade
of the Lee County School system, we became good friends. We spent many
weekends together at each others homes. As time drew near for us to graduate
from Lee County High, we did not relish the idea of being separated. We
started looking for schools that would not be too far from Lee County. We
settled on Bessie Tift in Forsyth, Georgia. At that time, we knew it was a girls
school and that it was one of the oldest schools in Georgia. We asked one of
the school officials if there was anyway for us to meet boys. She told us not to
worry, that there was a military school close by. We never did see any cadets
on our campus, but we did befriend some local boys from Forsyth.
Bessie Tift was such an old school that rumors prevailed about old
Bessies ghost roaming the halls at night.
One Friday, we asked our house-mother for permission to go on a date
with two local boys. We told here we planned to go to a move in Macon,
Georgia. She informed us that would be fine, but that we needed to be back by
eleven oclock because the security guard started his rounds a little after eleven,
locking all the outside doors. We assured her that we would be back by that
time. In fact, we were back about fifteen minutes before eleven oclock. The
boys let us out at the front door and drove off into the night. I walked up to the
door to enter, and it was locked tight. I found a window on the front porch
open. The window was a long large window that was from the ceiling to the
236
I pushed it all the way up and stepped inside. I had one foot inside and one
outside on the porch when I looked up and I saw a white ghostly figure gliding
toward me. I froze midway in the window. As the ghostly figure neared, I
remembered the tales about the ghost of old Bessie roaming the halls of the
dorms. I was in a state of shock, and my mind was racing wildly. I wondered
if I should step inside and run down the hall to call my parents in Lee County to
come get me; or if I should stop outside and run all the way from Forsyth to my
home on Stocks Dairy Road in Lee County. I was in a state of fright and flight
but I could not move.
As the figure glided ever so slowly, I came out of my coma and was
shocked back to reality and realized that this was not the ghost of Bessie but
instead it was our living, breathing house-mother. How could I confuse the
two? It was easy, and I will explain. You see our house-mother had all her hair
up under a big solid white sleep cap; her face and hands were covered all over
in white cold cream; she wore a large loose-fitting, full length white terry cloth
robe and fuzzy white bedroom slippers. My thoughts were wild, but my vision,
at that time, was 20-20, and what I saw on that dark night was like watching a
horror movie unfold.
I just knew the house-mother would expel Joyce and me and put us on
the train in Forsyth and ship us back to Lee County. To my amazement, she was
very understanding and slowly glided back to her room, or where ever ghostly
figures reside.
If, for any reason, you need a ghost busted, dont call on Joyce or
Sandra. Call on the Lee County branch of Ghost Busters, Inc.
It is not the ghosts we have to worry about. You never heard of a ghost
injuring or harming anyone except in the movies. Instead, we have to be concerned
about the living evil spirits. May all the spirits around you be good, caring ones.
Sandra Stocks
History of the Bell Family
Lee County, Georgia
Ernest Linwood Bell was bom in Webster County, Georgia, on December
8,1886. (d. October 20, 1951.)
237
At the Age of eighteen, he married Elmer Buchanan of Americus, Georgia,
who was bom September 6,1869 (d. April 7,1944). They had ten children,
several of whom later became citizens of Lee County, Georgia.
Mr. Lin and Miss Elmer, as they were affectionately called, resided
in Americus, Georgia for some years, fourteen of which Mr. Lin spent as
Sheriff of Sumter County, Georgia.
He also invested in farmlands and engaged in farming. A large portion
of this land was in Lee County on present day U.S. 19 highway, between
Smithville and Leesburg. It was then known as Adams Station.
Adams Station was, at on time, considered as a place for the county
seat, but Wootens Station, present day Leesburg, was chosen.
Adams Station, prior to 1920, had been an active community with a
post office, a railroad depot, churches, school, stores, and several families and
farms.
Mr. Lin commuted to Adams Station (the Farm) everyday from Americus
in an open Model T Ford. This was the only conveyance other than mules that
could make it through the mud and much when it rained.
In 1923 orl924, Mr. Bell moved his family from Americus and came to
live in Lee County. He continued to farm and took an active part in local politics.
In 1926, disaster struck all over the cotton producing states. The boll
weevil came to devastate the crops. Out of acres and acres of cotton planted,
Mr. Bell made only ten bales of cotton. He somehow managed to save his farm,
but many others were not so fortunate.
In the years 1926-1927, Florida was going through what was known as
the The Great Land Boom. People were selling, speculating in land and
expanding in an unbelievable way. Some even believed the boom would extend
even as far north as Lee County, Georgia.
On January 7,1926, three men approached Mr. Bell and, for a large
sum of money agreed upon, wished to lease all of the land he owned at Adams
Station to make a subdivision.
Their plan in the agreement) of which I have a copy) was to build a town
- zone it, lay out streets, build stores and a school, sell lots, and make a fortune.
Very little was accomplished, as the bubble burst and things went into a deep
depression.
The only permanent thing left by these men was the name they selected
for this town. As the three were names in the lease agreement as Mr. Newton,
238
Mr. Yancy, and Mr. Milner, they took the first two letters of each name and
changed the name to Nevami. which it is called today.
In 1931, Mr. Bell was campaign manager for one of Lee Countys most
illustrious citizens: E.L. (Tic) Forrester. Tic ran for Solicitor over several counties,
Lee and Sumter being two of them. He was elected and served many years,
gaining much respect and popularity.
When our county was thrown into the Second World War, Mr. Lin Bell
served with several others on the Draft Board for the duration. It was a hard
and thankless job, but one that demanded patience, integrity and fairness. All of
these were qualities that Mr. Bell possessed.
In 1951, Tic Forrester ran for Congress of the United States and again
asked for Mr. Lins help, but Mr. Bell was ill at the time and died before Tic was
elected.
Jack Bell, Sr., Mr. E.L. Bells youngest child, was bom April 2,1914
(d. January 14,1979). He married Amelia Jones of Americus, Georgia, daughter
ofWilliam Meriwether Jones of Americus, Georgia, and Jenny May Davis of
Ellaville, Georgia. She was bom April 29,1915, and still resides at Neyami,
Lee county Georgia.
They had three sons, Ernest Linwood Bell HI, Jack Bell, Jr. and William
Meriwether Bell who also resides at Neyami and is engaged in farming.
i E. Lin Bell m
married Kathleen Medlock
b. June 17,1942
b. September 26,1946
children: 1. Jennifer Marsh Medlock b. October 29,1973
2. JeneferBell
3. Jason Bell
b. May 9,1970
b. November 14,1973
2. Jack Bell, Jr.
married Denise Richardson
Smithville, Georgia
children: 1. Jack Bell, m
b. May 9,1971
b. June 3,1974
b. July 7,1978
b. July 27,1944
b. April 16,1951
2. Sheila Bell
3. Cliff Bell
239
3. William Meriwether Bell
married Debra Spires
Bronwood, Georgia
children: Lee Meriwether Bell
b. June 12,1948
b. March 13,1955
b. October 26, 1977
All are residents of Neyami, Lee County, Georgia (September, 2007).
Jack Bell, Sr. was a deacon at First Baptist Church, Leesburg, and
Chairman of the Educational Building committee (1976) of that church.
Mr. Jack served as a State Senator of the 10th District in 1961 and
1962, earning the respect of elected officials on the state level that proved an
asset in realizing many of the goals for Lee County later when he assumed the
chairmanship of the Lee County Commission, following Mr. H. G Hall who had
died while in office in 1974. Mr. Bell was then elected to that office in 1976.
Under Mr. Bells leadership, the County Commission was successful in
upgrading the conditions of the county roads to their best state ever. Mr. Bell
led the commissioners in the battle to gain state approval for paving of numerous
county roads and the resurfacing of city streets in Smithville and Leesburg.
Mr. Bell was instrumental in establishing the county landfill and trash
receptacles that received high commendation as a model throughout the state.
He and the county Commission gave support to the establishment of the Lee
County E.M.S. and worked to purchase the equipment needed for that service.
Under Mr. Jacks leadership, groundwork was laid for the Medical
Health Center and the recreation ballpark. He loved Lee County and worked
hard for it.
Improved relations between the two city governments and the County
Commissioners are attributed to a large extent to Mr. Bells efforts. Recogniz-
ing that cooperation among the three governments was essential to the growth
and welfare of Lee Countys citizens, he endeavored to dispel some of the
animosity that had characterized the past.
Following a short illness, he died January 14,1979, while still in office.
Amelia J. Bell
240
A Tiibing Experience
Several summers ago, Page and I took two of our grandchildren, Andrew
and Heath (who are now 16 and 14) to one of their favorite places - Helen,
Georgia. (At that time, the boys were about ten or twelve.) They had been
there before, but they wanted to go back, if only for a few days.
We arrived at our destination late in the afternoon. Shortly after we
registered at the motel and checked into our room, the boys quickly changed
clothes and made fast trip to the pool where they enjoyed swimming for an hour
or so. Swimming makes you hungry, so we soon made a visit to a favorite
Mexican restaurant for tacos, salsa, and other delicious Mexican dishes. Before
returning to the motel, we walked around the quaint Alpine village and shopped
for souvenirs.
The following day, it became quite evident that the main reason Andrew
and Heath had wanted to come back to Helen was to go tubing. However,
since we were not prepared to go with them, we convinced them to wait until
another time. As we left Helen, we were feeling a little guilty for not allowing the
boys to go tubing. However, several miles down the road when we spotted a
makeshift sign printed with these words, Rafting 5 miles, we decided to check
it out.
Following the sign, we entered the driveway, which led to a mountaineers
family home. He saw us approaching and came to meet us. We inquired about
the cost of the tubing/rafting trip. He replied that it was five dollars for the trip on
the river. This seemed reasonable enough, so we decided to accept his terms.
He said that the trip would require taking us to the landing (in an old school bus)
before tubing back down the river to his other landing, all of which should take
about an hour. The bus ride would cost an addition five dollars total for all of us.
We entered the bus loaded down with four bottomless tractor inner
tubes and four sticks to help guide us and were soon on our way to the river.
After arriving and getting into the river, we discovered that we had only three
sticks for guiding ourselves. (I had left mine in the bus!) Page and Andrew had
to share so that Heath and I could have one each.
It was not long before we discovered that we were the only ones floating
down this river. Many times, the water was so low that we had to get out of our
inner tubes and push. At other times, we were moving sideways and had to
dodge rocks, sticks, and tree branches. Sometimes, the water would move us
about very swiftly.
241
After more than an hour had passed, we still had not reached the
mountaineers landing. It was getting late, and Heath was afraid that we were
never going to get back. Finally, after about three hours, we saw the landing
strip - at which time Heath got off his inner tube, jumped onto the landing, and,
in a relieved voice, said, THANK YOU, GOD. Im gonna get to see my mama
again and GO TO THE BURGER KING!!!
(The next year, we went back to Helen and did our tubing around
through the town with the rest of the tourists -a much better choice for us!)
Pat Tharp
Memories Living in Lee County
I remember the Centennial of Leesburg in 1974. They fixed up a room
in the train depot where you could buy clothes of the time period, plates, and all
kinds of memorabilia. Women wore long dresses and bonnets and men dressed
of the time period. Men grew their beards out; they also had streets marked off
for dancing and socializing enjoyed by all. A time capsule was fixed for 1974.
In 1971, we lived in the country. There was a rolling store that came by
twice a week with all kinds of groceries and supplies for people living in the
country that wasnt able to go to town very much.
Billie Jo Melvin Jacobs
Memories of Leesburg
I would go help Irb Shackleford wind the clock once a week in the Lee
County Courthouse. We would go upstairs to the loft to the big room. We had
to wind up two different components; one at a time. I really enjoy doing that.
Benjamin Franklin Melvin guarded the Lee County Prison and was also
was the night watchman in Leesburg.
I worked for Reeves Construction paving the road from Smithville to
Albany. I drove the dump truck with asphalt in it. After the worked was done I
joined the Army for 1 year while I was living in Leesburg. Days before I was to
get out of the Army the Pearl Harbor war begin. I got hurt 6 days before World
War II was over. In Germany, a shell hit the truck and blew me out of the truck.
They sent me to England by plane. After I was in stable condition, I flew to
242
New York and to Arlington in Augusta, G A which I stayed for one year. Then
went to Florida where I finished recovering. It took me 4 years to get an honorable
discharge which is filled in the Lee County Courthouse.
I joined the Smithville Masonic Lodge #250 approximately in 1956 and
I am still an active member.
Billy Melvin
Billy Melvin
Aromas of the Past
Two of the best cake bakers in Leesburg were Mrs. Jenny Hines and
Mrs. Estoria Spillers. When you entered the front door of either home the
clean, sweet aroma of vanilla, chocolate, or lemon would greet you. I know
this to be true because I was one of their best customers.
After teaching school all week, I didnt exacdy feel like doing much
cooking or house work on the weekend. Frequently, I would call one of
these gracious ladies and ask if I could buy a cake on Friday afternoon. It
never mattered what kind I bought; the cake was always delicious and perfect
in every way.
Miss Jenny has long since passed away, but today when Bobby and I
visit Mrs. Spillers, who is in her nineties, I imagine that delightful aroma as I
enter her house, and the good memories of days gone by flood my soul.
Betty Ann Clay
243
The Red Kirby Family
The Red Kirby family with their eight children moved to Lee County in
1955 to a house on Century Road by the railroad tracks. Jim and Bessie Odom,
with their equally large family, lived on the other side of the tracks. Together, we
were a large crew. Jim Odom played the guitar and everyone would sing.
Attending Ixe County High School and graduating with a small class
was great. At that time all twelve grades of school were in one building, so you
knew everyone and everyone knew you. Today my classmates are still close
and keep in touch.
After graduation, I married and moved away, but after 14 years we
moved back to Leesburg and reared our children here, so they attended Lee
County High School, too. That was a very good move.
One pleasant memory of growing up was Mr. Lawrence Breeden coming
to our house to hire Mama to cook at his cafe, which he later sold to her. She
operated it for a number of years and fed everyone who came by. We had a
jukebox at the cafe where we danced after school. We danced so much on the
concrete floor that we wore holes in our shoes. Mama always said she got half
of our tip money out of that jukebox.
Daddy was called Red by everyone, and Mama was called Ma Kirby.
They raised big vegetable gardens and taught us the fun and importance of
growing our own food. Harvesting the vegetables was a family affair. When
Daddy was on the tractor, we had to be watching him. He was always turned
so he could watch the plows.
Daddy used to say he was going to have a little boy if he had to have a
backyard full of girls. Well he did! There were five girls before the two boys
came along, then another girl. We were like little door steps; we were so close
in age. We all married within a few years and our families grew with husbands
and babies. Daddy called our husbands his Bird Dogs. Sometimes he would
line up his shotgun shells, one for each son-in-law. This was a joke, because he
came to like and respect each of them.
Because we had such a large, loving family, holidays were always fun
and noisy. The husbands of the girls played jokes on Randy. As our children
grew, any occasion was a chance to get together. We had big meals because
married children brought covered dishes. Sometimes these celebrations were
work occasions to do repairs or paint our parents house. At Christmas, we
244
made candy for gift giving, pine cone baskets, and decorations such as Sugar
Balloons. (Boy, were they messy!
Some of my treasured memories are of the older people who lived in
Leesburg. Now, we are the older people. I hope the young generation of today
will have as many fond memories of us, as I do of people like Mrs. Dorothy
Forrester, Mrs. Virginia Forrester, Mr. and Mrs. James Cannon, Mrs. Pauline
Tharp, Mr. Don Turner, Mr. Robert Lee and many others.
One of my best memories is Mrs. Mary Feeney and Mrs. Mabel who
was Mamas best friend. They rode in Mrs. Marys car everyday to see what
was going on in Leesburg.
When our parents house burned, the people of Lee County were so
very good to them, giving love offerings and items for the house. I remember
Mrs. Amelia Bell gave Mama eight plates. After Mama died, I got them. I
treasure those plates.
Leesburg was a great place to grow up. The town and county have
changed a lot, but there is still a feeling of closeness when you run into old
friends in the stores, the library, etc.
As told by Gail Kirby Dinkins
Thanks for the Memories and the Two Books
When I was approached about writing articles for the two books, I
half-heartily agreed because I thought I did not have anything interesting or
meaningful to say about my childhood in Lee County. I sat down in front of a
blank paper and thought Now what? But all of a sudden the memories started
to flow and it gave me great pleasure to remember the good times and also to
put my thoughts on paper about growing up in Lee County. In my youth, I
thought that living on Stocks Dairy was just ho-hum, but in my senior years I
realize how lucky I was to be raised in such an environment.
My beloved cousins and I were freed, by our parents, from the confines
of our homes in the morning. We were allowed to roam and explore the entire
farm acreage. We seemed to have no boundaries as a child. Marthanne (Stocks)
Bruner was allowed to ride a horse from her home on Flowing Well Road to
Chehaw Park, which is about two or three miles.
With todays high tech innovations it would be easy to keep a record of
your family history. Gizmos like the computer, video cameras and tape recorders
are an excellent way to keep an oral history of your family for generations to
245
come. For many it would be like opening a time capsule to the past. Lee
County has growing pains just as any other small county where the population
just seems to multiply over night. The good basics such as good schools, and
good reputations are still in Lee County. These schools are still the norm. Lee
County is lucky to have people who are interested in both the past and what the
future holds for the county.
Thanks to the staff for editing all the articles and getting them to the
publishers. It is a pleasure to read and reread all the stories
Sandra Stocks
246
Pictures
from tke
Past
a
Taken in the Early 1900s in Kate-Mule.,
Andrew McDonald standing
extreme right, Hinton McDonald, Frank Melvin
Eunice Tuckers House in 1973
Pictures taken North of Lee County in 1973
c
Brandon Parr and Amber Young, my grandchildren on Brandons
17th Birthday at Mossy Dell The Orginal swimming hole for Lee
County.
Elizabeth Young
Elizabeth Forrester, Ann Cannon and Sara Ann Sanford
on the creek.
d
Lee County Chamber of Commerce holds a Ribbon Cutton for
Forrester Parkway.
Red Hat June 4, 2007
e
Big High Dive at the Pool Kim Wingfield and Ann Dobson
f
Joan Murphy Shaddock
and Bill Forrester
Lifeguards - Pool in Leesburg
Dennis Allen and Buddy Floyd
Sany Arthur, Kim Wingfield, Pam Grace Harris, Judy Powell
and others at Leesburg pool for a Birthday Party
1948-Lee County Basketball Team
h
The LCHS Boys Glamour Pageant in the spring of 1965 was hilarious.
The boys did a great job. Everybody in town came to see it.
Joe Forrester
Leesburg High School 1946 Basketball Team
Standing left to right: Jimmy Clay, Sidney Peach
Kneeling left to right: Page Tharp, Jack Fore, Bill Odom
1960 Leesburg City Council
Left to Right: Bob Hartley, Hugh Stovall, Page Tharp, Mayor B.E.
Gunner, Keith Culpepper, Bob Wilson, Bill Hopkins
Jack and Amelia Bell
Leesburg Centennial 1974
Leesburg Centennial
k
Who Stole the Tarts?
Lee County Elementary School
April 1973
Operetta performed by 66 students (Grades 1-3) to earn money for
record players and tape recorders for the school library. Driected by
Glenn Hatfield, LCES Librarian. Music directed by Wallace Willis.
Backdrop was painted for the Miss LCHS Beauty Pageant.
Ruthie Hatfield and Arnold Gray
m
1974 Last Leesburg Class of Leesburg High School
2004 Lee County Chamber Book Committee
"A Train Runs Through It"
n
Faircloth Drugs
Dr. and Mrs. W.Y. Faircloth
o
Dr.Robert A. Clay became the Superintendent of the Lee County School
System in the middle of the 1964-65 school year after the retirement of
Mr. Kearse. Below is his message in the first annual.
I feel that it is a distinct privilege and opportunity to serve the schools of
Lee County as Superintendent.
It is ray hope that I can carry on the fine tradition of excellence that has
been characteristic of ray predecessor in this office.
With the help of the Board of Education, parents, teachers, and students,
it will be ray purpose to work for the continued progress of our schools. 1
sincerely seek the cooperation and good will of each of you in attaining
this goal.
Rorbert A. Clay
Familie Gartner Neuwied, February 2nd 1948
Neuwied
Dierdorferstrasse 36
Dear Family Stocks,
; Thursday;- the 29.1. we received your
nice parcel with a greatest jo,y and 'with many
tha'nks. We did fetch- the parcel on the post-
office. Dear Madam Stocks, you cannot imagin
with wghich joy we received'the gift-parcel,
especially-our Tittle 'daughter. Thursday-morning
at 7 o'clock my wife and my daughter run ip
the post-office, the card holding' ih--tWhapds.
On- the route our daughter was asking always*.
"Many, what the auM has sent 7 " But my woman
couldn't tell it, because she,didn't Open not
yet the pacjage, then the strain'and tne curiosil
ty is the most oeautifull, if the People receive
a peesent.'At 8 o'olock they came back with the
parcel fpoin the post-office, and the little
coilin't toait until! my wife had opened the
packet and at last it was allright, and we
loiaked all the wander full things,- which you,
deat Madam Stocks, did send. At first our
"little" saw the'apples, which were so nice
red cheeks. Unfortunately two had
piedes were roted. le have been sorry about it.
The bext we constated that the enveloppe of
the suggar was broken and all the paper has been
plained of suggar, a lost of 1V2 libers. J
can't understand now it is possible that so a
big bag can burst. The candies were sticked all
together. But it hasn't been a lost. The con-
serves of fishes were in a good situation, the
same with rize and the coa-nutflakes. We nave
been very glad to receive the wal-nuts and the
other nulsv The three pieces of soap make us a
very great joy, the smell ofi this soap ip ex-
cellent. It is a long time that we have never
had a good soap, and now we are able to wash our
oar hands with a good soap one time in the
weak. We thank you with all oar heart for the
gesture of benevolence, which you did de-
monstrate for us. Dear Madam Stocks, you nevei
can imagin you how great the distress is here
in Germany. We can't about buy anything in
the stores and shops, since three or four
years we never received thread, twin Oder
Twisted or wool end that is so important.
My woman can now more stuff notning. also
we never find here shoe-bands or* scnoe-
, straps, and not blacking too, but the most
b:d situstion is the distribution of fat
(grease and lard and vegetable fat). We re-
ceive 200 gr fat and meat, each month every
normal* eon so manner. That is not suffisant for
cook and not enough for the daily denswich.
We have no marmalade too, because we couldn't
cook then, because we had no suggar.
Every morning J think with a trist heart
at the daily nurrishment and allimentation
and J must think back at the famous nurrish*
ment during the time of my captivity in
To me rfi eld near Albany Georgia. Well, these
good time in the point of allimentation,
and J never forgett it in all my life.
Here in Germany J must go to work in the
.morning with four slives of bread and a cup
of black coffee. What we drink is not real
coffee. We dontr.'t know what it is. It has a
terrible taste, and my four pieces of bread
are qhole dry. Well, dear Madam Stocks, that
is true about our poor people and you can't
imagin you what is tne humour of our poor men.
If the house-wife is standing before the
eooK-pot and she does not know what she
should cook for the miday. because she has
nothing. Dear family Stocks, if you couls help
and assist us in this desesparate situation
we would thank you for all our whole life.
S
t
Index
Andrews, Earl A.
Barbosa, Gabe
Barbosa, Lesley King
Barfield, Matthew
Beamon, Winnie Richardson
Bell, Amelia J.
Berisford, Kathym
Bonnell, Gregg
Brown, Cheyenne
Bryant, John
Caldbeck, Becky
Caldbeck, Sandy
Cannon, Opal
Cannon, Patricia
Chambers, Beverly
Clardy, Franky Lynn (Houston)
Clay, Betty Ann
Clay, Jr., Robert A.
Copeland, Claudia McRee
Crowder, Greg
Cutts, Willie Green
Davis, George
DeReus, Shannon
Dinkins, Gail Kirby
Dr. Johnson and Ms. OHearn
Durr, Jewell Spillers
Dye, Martha
Erickson, Pennie and Tracy
Eubanks, Gary
11
127
125
193
140
240
146
84
48
87
178
37,98,204
10,41,93
51
230
118
45,59,124,138,144,165,243
1,4,67,156,172,182,190,
213,220,226,233
18,47
134
175
13,167
53
245
135
218
216
160
80,133,145
Forrester, Gay
Forrester, Jim
Fox, Marge
Goode, Jimmie Richardson
Green, Mary E.
Gregory, Melanie
Harris, Kate
Hatfield, Glenna
Hatfield, Reed
Hinds, Laveme
Ivey, Catherine
Ivey, Cheryy Breeden Arnold
Ivey, Robert
Jacobs, Billie Jo Melvin
Jacobson, Jerry (Reed)
Kerfoot, Jimmy
King, Billy
Kirkley, James J.
Knowles, Fred
Long, Alan
Macolly, James W.
Mann, Billie Nan Hurst
Melvin, Billie
Mertins, Lynne Ranew
Mills, Oliver
Moye, Rev. Bobby
Nesbitt, Betty Jane Radcliffe
Norris, Brooke
Parker, Martha Ann (Watkins)
Powell, Judy
Redmond, Chase
Roberts, Tennsie
Seanor, Gwen Johnson
Smith, Debra
Smith, Paula Stamps
74
180
99,101-104
141
93
90
38
28,61,87,133,154,211,221
179
92,152
212
198
232
242
76
83
126
94
96
16,47,48
118
231
242
120,177
119
95
13
111
127,157
197
3
52
29-31,81,82,129,151
48,191
33,50,63,105,148,163,
192,206,227
108
Smith, Jr., G Ashton
Spillers, Catherine Willis
Stamps, John Ronny (Pug)
Stanford, Dorothy
Stocks, Sandra
Sumners, Donna
Tauber-King, Donna
Tharp, Page
Tharp, Patricia
Tucker, Larry
Usry, Charlene
Usry, Hope
Usry, Tom
Walker, Krissy Melton
Watson, Ginger
Williams, Sondra H.
Wooten, Jane Forrester
Young, Elizabeth
200
199
162
11,84,143,145,170,
185,187,234,236,245
60
20,43,130
8,41,65,93
38,85,241
97
17,45,75,121,158
235
32,79
186
129
3
89
2,86,126,137,157,174

Railroad Crcfy 1926
Previously known as Wooten Station, Leesburg remained
connected to other cities by way of the railroad, as did the
rest of the country. The Lee County Train Depot has seen
many passengers in its day and remains the center of
Leesburg as a reminder of yesteryear.