Who Do I Think I am? Wow! part 89

My aunt Georgia, the oldest of my mother's sisters and her husband Cecil.

GEORGIANNE7 PETTY, b. 11 Dec 1906, , Murray, Ga; d. 30 Oct 1966, Chattanooga, , Tn; m. CECIL GRANT; b. 19 Nov 1901; d. 04 Nov 1958, Chattanooga, , Tenn.

Notes for GEORGIANNE PETTY:
Small and frail - spoke in a horse voice.

More About GEORGIANNE PETTY:
Burial: West Hill Cem., Dalton, Ga
Residence: most of all of their married life: Chattanooga, Tn

Notes for CECIL GRANT:

Cecil played the banjo and another string instrument-. He also was a movie collector. He had a little building in the back yard that he had a movie projector and a huge collection of western movies. Hoppalong Cassidy, Tom Mix, Lash LaRue, The Durango Kid, and more.

In the fall in Atlanta had the Southeastern Fair at the Lakewood Fairgrounds. Every year at that time, the Grants would come down from Chattanooga and stay a couple of days. Georgia would stay in Marietta to visit siblings and Cecil would go to the Southeastern Fair alone.

Georgia and Cecil both were very short people. And drove a small car for the times - a Crosby. Cecil was bald headed. Once (during Southeastern Fair season), when they were visiting, I was about four years old, I asked Cecil could I spin my top on his head.

On 4 November 1958, Cecil was on top of his wooden building in the back of the house making repairs to the roof. He had a metal hammer. The nail he hit an electrical wire, and in turn, electrocuted Cecil. He died fifteen days before his fifty-seventh birthday.

More About CECIL GRANT:
Burial: West Hill Cem., Dalton, Ga
Cause of Death: Electricuted when hitting a live wire with a metal hammer on his movie out bldg.
Occupation: Thread Mill

What a Deal!

Lets see if I got this right. Governor Nathan Deal suggested that the farm illegal immigrants, who want to work, are to be replaced by parolees who, by in large, have gotten themselves into trouble for trying to get out of work?

Farm production figures should be interesting this year. I bet prices go up.

OOM Coach Funderburk

Coach E.M. Funderburk taught me something like civics or geography in high school. And decades later taught my youngest son Adam when he was in high school. In other words, the coach has been around awhile. He is an Older OM.

We used to see him and his wife at concerts in Glover Park but I haven't seen him this year. The above picture was taken at a concert in 2010.

Who Do I Think I am? Wow! part 88

Children of ADDIE RIDLEY and VIRGIL DAVIS are:
i. EMMANIEL7 DAVIS, b. 24 Aug 1911; d. 24 Aug 1911.

More About EMMANIEL DAVIS:
Burial: Sumac Presbyterian Church, Crandall, Murray Co., Ga43

ii. VIRGIL ENOUCH DAVIS, JR, b. 19 Oct 1924; d. 05 May 1944, , , WWII, U.S. Air Corps.

Notes for VIRGIL ENOUCH DAVIS, JR:
Virgil enlisted in the Air Force, he was sent to Texas for training and during maneuvers a bullet ricocheted and hit him in the head and killed him.His tombstone reads: "Enoch Thomas, son of Mr & Mrs V.C. Davis"

More About VIRGIL ENOUCH DAVIS, JR:
Burial: Sumac Cumberland Presbyterian Cem., Crandall, Murray Co., Ga

GOBAG meeting June, 28, 2911

We had a nice orderly GOBAG meeting last night. The meeting was not called to order, no treasury report was made, the minutes from the last meeting was not read, and there were no motions nor second the motions.

But we talked about the times when we were kids. We were the Little Rascals, now bald, with paunches, with some gray hair left, we are the old farts.

We enjoyed playing our “remember-when?” game, which isn’t really a game, it is a merging of two minds or more trying to remember details of a common event, which is quite a job for people around 70 years old.

On one remembrance Chip said, “Rock! Tell about that in your blog!”

I told him I would. But to myself I said, “Remember what?” My mind had wandered again. Oops!

Checking out THE NEXT 3 DAYS

THE NEXT THREE DAYS.
Directed by Paul Higgins, starring Russell Crowe and Elizabeth Banks. Pittsburg. Remake of a French film ANYTHING FOR HER.

The plot is that Russell Crowe’s wife is serving time for killing a woman. Did she or didn’t she? That is the question. Another question, how in the world is Russell Crowe, a community college teacher, going to get her out of prison, as in “escape”?

The movie has a pulse throbbing on-edge sense way about it. The movie’s “never take your eyes off the moving hand” technique of details in pulling off a perfect escape – well, in that way, it is something like OCEAN’S 11 on pulling a series of now-you-see-now-you-don’t trickery with the authorities.

It was shot on location in Pittsburg, Pa. I think the either have or used to have steel mills there. You would never know it. It is a beautiful city.


It is fairly good movie and it is good home entertainment to rent the DVD and watch it. But I can’t see many people going to see it in a big theater. They may have skipped over that part.

Who Do I Think I am? Wow! part 87

DILLIA MYRTLE5 RIDLEY (CHARLES MARTIN4, ASA ELISHA3, WILLIAM2, WILLIAM1) was born 23 Feb 1894 in Bridgeport, Jackson, Al, and died 28 Jun 1986 in Clovis, Curry, NM. She married (1) JUBE CRAWFORD. He was born Abt. 1894, and died Unknown. She married (2) HARVEY LEE LIKELY 09 Oct 1909 in Plainview, , Tx, son of THOMAS LIKLEY and FANNIE THIGPEN. He was born 11 Aug 1881 in Waco, Roosevelt, Tx, and died 26 Dec 1962 in Portales, , NM.

Notes for JUBE CRAWFORD:
Childhood sweetheart of Dillia.
-Charlotte Ridley Traylor in her RIDLEY book.

More About HARVEY LEE LIKELY:
Occupation: Grady, Curry, NM

Children of DILLIA RIDLEY and HARVEY LIKELY are:
i. WILLIAM6 LIKELY, b. 17 Oct 1910, Plainview, Hale, Tx; d. 12 Jan 1933.

Notes for WILLIAM LIKELY:
He never married.

More About WILLIAM LIKELY:
Lived: only 22 years.

ii. WALTER LIKELY, b. 17 Oct 1910, Plainview, Hale, Tx; d. 12 Jan 1933.

Notes for WALTER LIKELY:
He lived only 22 years.
Family tradition is that Walter was shot by the Sheriff for stealing a chicken.*
- Charlotte Ridley Traylor

iii. JOE THOMAS LIKELY, b. 12 Jul 1913, Plasentine, Anderson, Tx; d. 1992, Clovis, Curry, NM; m. RUTH BENNETT; b. Abt. 1913.
iv. RAYMOND LIKELY, b. 20 Sep 1917, Addington, , Ok; d. 1992, , , Ca; m. FAYE M. BAKER; b. Abt. 1917.
155. v. JASPER CLARENCE LIKELY, b. 18 Apr 1925, Plainview, Hale, Tx; d. Unknown.

*This was during the Depression when many people were starving and they got food the best way they could.

Music, Fireworks, and Rainbows

Sunday night we went to a concert of Georgia Symphony Orchestra (formally known as Cobb Symphony Orchestra) at Kennesaw College.

We arrived about 45 minutes early, just as a big dark sky was approaching. A storm was upon us. The storm brought thunder, high winds, and pounding rain. We took cover in the Student Center.

The storm passed in a short time and we back to the "Green" to listen to the concert.

The concert was very nice. I think the rain scared a lot of people away, but still, there were a lot of people there, just not too crowded. This time of year, they play patriotic music and when they play the theme song of the branch of service you were in you are to stand. Just as they started playing the Navy part I told Anna, "My cue!" and stood. When I stood up I realized it was dark and nobody could see me. Darn!

At the end they played "Stars and Stripes Forever" as a finale' they had fireworks.

Someplace in the middle of the concert a part of rainbow appeared. It got stronger and brighter and it slowly materialized completely into the semi-circle. Then another rainbow appeared but it never fully developed like the first one.

People were awed. The bigness of the rainbow and us little tiny people below it and us awing it reminded me of the most recent version of the movie WAR OF THE WARS.

I think God’s rainbows got more "Oooohs" and "aaahs" than the fireworks.

Class at Waterman Street School

This is a class at Waterman street School. My father, he & his 8 brothers and sister were students at Waterman Street in the 20s and 30s. One of them might be in the picture, maybe not.

Battle of Kennesaw Mountain 147 Years Ago Today

Today, June 27th, is the official date of the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain in 1864. Although I think blood was spilled days before and after that date on and near the mountain.

The Battle of Kennesaw Mountain changed or effected many lives and are still effecting lives. All my Hunter cousins that were born in the area - it effected them. Their progenitor, William A. Trammell/Hunter fought there, wounded, recuperated locally, and liked the people so much he returned with his family about 14 years later. And the rest is history until present day. We were born here because of a change of events that happened on Kennesaw Mountain.

Who Do I Think I am? Wow! part 86

EGORGE HENRY 'HOPE'5 RIDLEY was born 28 Feb 1886 in , Jackson, Al, and died 09 Apr 1967 in Odenville, , Al. He married (1) EMILIE MAXWELL. She was born 1891, and died Unknown. He married (2) TENNESSEE SAMPSON, daughter of JAMES SAMPSON and MARY WOODS. She was born Bet. 08 Aug 1888 - 1890 in , Jackson, Al, and died 28 Feb 1928 in Fabius, Jackson, Al. He married (3) BLACKFOOT INDIAN. She was born Abt. 1886, and died Unknown. He married (4) CORA MAE COSBY. She was born Abt. 1905, and died 06 May 1966.

Notes for GEORGE HENRY 'HOPE' RIDLEY:
family tradition is that after Tennessee died Hope gave all five children up for adoption.
-Charlotte Ridley Traylor

More About GEORGE HENRY 'HOPE' RIDLEY:
Occupation: Springville, , Al

Notes for EMILIE MAXWELL:
Emile apparently died in childbirth and family tradition is that she and her child are buried in the same grave on the Elisha Ridley homeplace in Stevenson, Alabama.
-Charlotte Ridley Traylor in her RIDLEY book.

More About TENNESSEE SAMPSON:
Burial: Wheeler Cemetery, Jackson Co., Al

OM Go Joe! - Marietta OM rookies continued

Joe Jenkins has been around Marietta all his life too. Funny thing, I didn't know of him until a year or so back. I talked to him several times at the dog park off Steinhaur Road, at the foot of Sweat Mountain. It seemed that everytime I mentioned something about a certain place or person in Marietta he knew exactly what or who I was talking about and added more information.

In time he told me he was the brother of the late Grady Jenkins. Grady was a friend of mine. I wondered why I never met Joe. The only thing I can figure is that in downtown Marietta one of us zigged every time the other one zagged.

Not only does Joe know Marietta like the back of his hand but also he seems to know everything between Marietta and Woodstock; as in Canton Highwat,

I have ran into twice at concerts in downtown Woodstock, as a matter fact, tht is where I took the above picture.

Today In History, June 26th

1902 Start of Sherlock Holmes "The Adventure of the 3 Garidebs" (BG)

Speaking of Sherlock Holmes, see Today's SUNDAY FUNNIES.

SUNDAY FUNNIES!!! MAD #16's SHERLOCK HOLMES

This is MAD's second lampoon on SHERLOCK HOLMES. This is and the first one was written by Harvey Kurtzman and illustrated by Will Elder.

Looking Out Thru Marietta Pizza's Window

We were to go to a concert at Glover Park last night to hear the group Yacht Rock. I think they are also scheduled to perform on July the 4th on the roof top of the Atlanta Aquarium, which tells me they are probably good. We missed them.

Before hand we had dinner at Marietta Pizza. We sat by a window and watched a rain storm roll in. Why would we want to sit in that mess? We changed plans.

Atherton Drug Store was where Marietta Pizza is now. This view of across the street from the restaurant is just about the same view I looked at when I hung out in front of Atherton's Drugstore as a teenager 52-53 years ago. The building is the same but the barber shop is gone.

Hear the Jingle!!

Here is an interesting little fact pulled from Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader*:

China is the largest exporter in the world of artificial Christmas trees.

I think it is interesting that a country that was known for discouraging religion, especially Christian religions, makes big bucks from selling a Christmas item.

Which go to show money is the common worshipee.
A buck is a buck.

*UNCLE JOHN’S UNSINKABLE BATHROOM READER, p21

There Are Flies In My Soup!

The other day we had lunch at a Diner in Cherokee County, between Acworth and Woodstock. This is a fairly new eatery. They did a lot of advertising telling how good they are.

As we were eating we noticed a lot of flies swarming near us. We had to swoop at them several times to shoo them away from our food.

We mentioned to the waitress of the flies and she said, "I'll take care of them!"

The thought that those flies not too long ago were maggots....urp!

After she said she would take care of them they vanished! We saw no more flies.

We wondered how she "took care of them" so instantly. The only thing we can figured she must have thrown a handful of sugar on the floor and tables
scattering the grandulars like chicken feed in nearby vacant section.

I bet their health inspector drives a very nice plush car.

Who Do I Think I am? Wow! part 85

WILLIAM SPILLER 'WILLIE'5 RIDLEY was born 25 Nov 1876 in Stevenson, Jackson, Al, and died 23 Jul 1943 in Summerville, Chattooga Co, Ga. He married ELLENDER 'ELLEN' ANN MAXWELL 07 Oct 1906 in Fabius, Jackson, Al, daughter of HUGH MAXWELL and SARAH HAWK. She was born 06 Oct 1887 in , Jackson, Al, and died 30 Jul 1970 in Trion, Chattooga Co, Ga.

Notes for WILLIAM SPILLER 'WILLIE' RIDLEY:
Spiller's trade was farming, saw-milling, and blacksmith. He also enjoyed making wood crafts.
Spiller suffered with severe respiratory problems and combined with the conditions of our country at the time, due to the economy of our nation and hardships of farming, he was unable to support his large family. The older children had to leave school and seek employment.
Spiller and his two youngest children, Vivian and Margaret, went to live with his daughter, Mildred and her husband Kelly Tryan of Trion, where Spiller spent his remaining years. Ellen lived with the other children and helped with their families. He died at Mildred and her husband Kelly's home.
-Charlotte Ridley Traylor

More About WILLIAM SPILLER 'WILLIE' RIDLEY:
Burial: Liberty Hill Baptist Church, Flat Rock, Jackson Co., Al.

Notes for ELLENDER 'ELLEN' ANN MAXWELL:
Ellen did sewing for her family and friends. As long as she lived, Ellen made beautiful quilts and gave them to most her family members.
-Charlotte Ridley Traylor

On This Date In History, June the 24th

On this date in history:

1813 Battle of Beaver Dam-British & Indian forces defeat US forces.

1861 Tennessee becomes 11th (& last) state to secede from US.

1947 Flying saucers sighted over Mount Rainier by pilot Ken Arnold.

1948 Soviet Union begins Berlin Blockade, so Berlin Airlift begins.

1949 "Hopalong Cassidy" becomes 1st network western (NBC). You could have fooled me. Until I read this I would have bet the 1st western on TV was The Long Ranger.

1987 Jackie Gleason actor (Honeymooners), died at 71 in Fort Lauderdale. I heard the inscription on his tombstone is: AND AWAY WE GO!




________________________________________

West Park Square Sidewalk looking North

Near the spot this picture was taken was outside the door of Atherton Drug Store before they moved acorss to the other side of Whitlock Avenue. It was not unusual to see Marietta High school teenagers hanging out here. I was a preteen and early teen when I realized the social status of hanging out at Atherton's. By the time they moved across the street I was making my debut.

Who Do I Think I am? Wow! part 84

ARTHUR BROOMFIELD5 RIDLEY was born 21 Mar 1892 in Franklin, Heard Co, Ga, and died 23 Mar 1952 in Franklin, Heard Co, Ga. He married MARY ANN BRETT 26 Jan 1913, daughter of JOHN BRETT and WILLIE BREWER. She was born 10 Nov 1895, and died 08 Dec 1989.

Notes for ARTHUR BROOMFIELD RIDLEY:
Arthur was a farmer, cattleman, and merchant by trade. He owned and operated a country store next to his home.
He was a deacon of the Olive Branch Baptist Church. He and Mary Ann were married while sitting in his buggy, by J. Torn Baird.
- Charlotte Ridley Traylor in her RIDLEY book.
He died 2 days after his 60th birthday.

More About ARTHUR BROOMFIELD RIDLEY:
Burial: Olive Branch Baptist Church, Franklin, Heard Co., Ga.

Notes for MARY ANN BRETT:
"Mad stones" are used to prevent rabies from bites of mad dogs and to remove poison from snakebites. Mary Brett Ridley, whoes family's mad stone originated from England, although supposedly from the maw of a buffalo. It was brought to America by her great-grandfather and passed down. It was the size of "the end of the thumb" and oval-shaped. When a victim arrived, generally one to three times a week, the stone would be boiled in fresh sweet milk. It was taken out with a spoon while warm would be applied to the wound. If the bite were rabid or poisonous the stone would stick like a magnet up to three hours. When it fell off the stone was again boiled in milk, which would turn green, and reapplied until the stone no longer stuck. It apparently worked every time, even when the victims were already foaming at the mouth. Ridley found that although mad dogs were likely to occur at any time, they were mainly encountered in the spring.
Ridley's complaint was that an afflicted person would arrive from a number of surrounding counties at all hours in the company of their entire family, who would be fed and bedded down with her family. Although her father charged a ten-dollar use of the stone, he used it for free on the poor, and the fee "just paid enough for part of the food they would eat."
Possession of the stone was apparently a burden. When Ridley's father died, a half-brother offered her possession of it, but she replied: "I don't want that thing." It was used a few times by him in Carroll County, and at last report reposed in a safe deposit box
- WEIRD GEORGIA, p 396, book by Jim Miles

More About MARY ANN BRETT:
Burial: Olive Branch Baptist Church, Franklin, Heard Co., Ga.

Roll'em!

Did you know that there are currently at least six movies being filmed in the Atlanta area right now?

When I heard last week there were six movies being made I thought of some months ago when a movie making company, for a scene, had the City of Atlanta block off the entire street for several days. It was a mom and dad retail merchants kind of street.
The street was closed so there was no retail business being transacted in the retail stores. The store owners asked the city for compensation and the city, more or less, said, “You must be kidding!” I think the movie company had about the same response.

A movie should be made about a movie company taking over an entire street for a week and how the small retailers survived. Of course the city will have to close down the street for a few weeks, but the merchants shouldn’t mind, after all, it is telling their side of the story.

Damn If He Does and Damn If He Doesn't

President Obama announced last night that he is ording 10,000 troops home from Afghanistan this year. And more, bringing the total to 33,000 by next summer.

I have already heard some people critical saying the Afghanistanians will be left high and dry without the American support.

Some people has criticized him for not bringing them home sooner. I know some people will just not be pleased, regardless what he does as president, they will always find something wrong with how he handled something.

This "Damn if you do and damn if you don't" surety means the President can do more what he wants. He is going to be criticized anyway.

Who Do I Think I am? Wow! part 83

AGNES5 ALMON (daughter of Alice Lee Ridley) was born 16 Nov 1903. She married (1) WARREN M. DEVARE. He was born Abt. 1903. She married (2) WALTER FERRELL. He was born Abt. 1903. She married (3) THOMAS T. YARBRAY. He was born Abt. 1903.

Child of AGNES ALMON and WARREN DEVARE is:
i. SON6 DEVARE, b. Aft. 1920; d. 16 Nov 1944.

Notes for SON DEVARE:
Tradition was that he was Missing in Action, United States Air Force.
- Charlotte Ridley Traylor in her RIDLEY BOOK.

OM rookie Jerry McBee

Jerry McBee, Bell Reunion, 2010.

Checking out LIFE AS WE KNOW IT flick

Movie LIFE AS WE KNOW IT. Romantic comedy starring Katherine Heigl and Josh Duhamel.

One thing about a romantic comedy is that when two strangers, male and female meet, and they are co-protagonists, they will fall in love with each other. It is almost a law, or maybe just a rule. It happens every time, almost.

This movie starts out with the male and female hating each other but their best friends are killed in a wreck and they leave their baby with the two that hate each other.

It wouldn’t be much of a story if they started off loving each other would it?

So, shrug the plot aside and look at the pretty pictures of Atlanta that serve as a backdrop for the movie.

Who Do I Think I Am? Wow! Part 82

DAVID FRANKLIN "FRANK"5 CARR, son of Harriet Ridley, was born 10 Oct 1874, and died 07 Apr 1947. He married MELVINEY "VINNEY" HAYES 06 Sep 1908, daughter of SYLVESTER HAYES and MARTHA MANTOOTH. She was born 09 Nov 1890 in , Murray, Ga, and died 23 Aug 1919.

More About DAVID FRANKLIN "FRANK" CARR:
Burial: Calvary Cemetery, Crandall, Murray Co., Ga

Notes for MELVINEY "VINNEY" HAYES:
Vinney died at age 29. She suffered from a respiratory disease. The family lived for some time in the mountains seeking a cure. - Frank Pullen.

More About MELVINEY "VINNEY" HAYES:
Burial: Calvary Cemetery, Crandall, Murray Co., Ga

This Day In History, June 21st

Jane Russell was born in 1921 and died this year, Feb., 28, 2011.

Jane had a hand, or maybe another body part, in the creation of pushup bras which of course led to Victorial's Secret and other hottie underwear companies.

In 1943, Jane Russell was being filmed in the move The OUTLAW which was a Howard Hughes movie. Being a perfectionist, Hughes was not satisfied with the way Jane's breasts looked on film. He wanted to show them off more. Then Howard Hughes, always thinking outside the box, designed the strapless pushup bra. And the rest is history.

When I think of Jane Russell I think of the movies GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDS, UNDERWATER, and THE REVOLT OF MAMIE STOVER.

Welcome to the 1st Day of Summer!

And the longest day of the year. Remember, don't pee in the pool.

Who Do I Think I Am? Wow, Part 81

. HENRY5 RIDLEY, JR. (HENRY SR.4, WILLIAM3, MATTHEW2, WILLIAM1) was born 15 Aug 1862 in , Murray, Ga, and died 25 Aug 1927 in , Whitfield, Ga. He married (1) ELLA ELIZABETH HUDDLESTON 06 Dec 1885 in , Murray, Ga, daughter of DAVID HUDDLESTON and LUCINDA REYNOLDS. She was born 18 Sep 1867 in , Randolph Co, Al, and died 20 Dec 1886. He married (2) MARTHA JANE LEDFORD 07 Aug 1887, daughter of JOHN LEDFORD and ELIZABETH HADDOCK. She was born 18 Sep 1871, and died 21 May 1899. He married (3) ELIZABETH "LIZZIE" FETZER Abt. 1902. She was born 31 Jul 1889, and died 26 Aug 1920.

More About HENRY RIDLEY, JR.:
Burial: Deep Springs Cem
Education: Quit college (Sumac Seminary) a month before graduation because of mother's health
Fact 6: Well versed in Latin and algebra & math.
Occupation: Farmer & merchant - operated a general store. He would not sell on Sunday, but give food or lodging anyday.
Residence: Resided @ Beaverdale, east of Cohutta, Ga

Victory Cabs

They are still around, I suspect under a completely different operating system. Remember this office for Victory Cabs. It was on Cherokee Street between the Old Hospital and Guest Motors (Ford). The sign outside the building in the picture boast of an all night grill. I don't remember being aware of the grill or surely we would have honed in on it.

I remember once in grammar school (Waterman Street) I was riding my bike home after school just after a rain. I somehow slipped on the sidewalk of Atlanta Street someplace between Frazier and Clay Streets. A Victory Cab driver drove by and saw me lying on the side of the street out cold beside my turnover bike.

He picked me up, put me and my bike into his cab and drove me home. My mother was speechless as she saw the cab driver climb the steps of our house with me slug over his shoulder like a sack of salt.

I have no idea how he knew who I was.

That would not happen today.

HAPPY FATHERS DAY!!!

In family daily lives it seems that the mother has always had the role of being the practical one and the father would be the playful one. The mom in the family would pick out a careful balanced food pyramid and the dad would be the one to take his kid out for a hotdog. The dad is more likely to get down on the floor and wrestle or toss his offspring up in the air to get him/her giggling; or willing to act a fool.

One time one of my sons observed traditions about right when he was about four years old asked his mother, “How come you buy all the things we have to have and dad buys all the fun stuff?”

Now, we, as dads, have been vindicated. On the TODAY SHOW, the other morning, an expert of child raising said that what the dads do, knowingly or not, is to teach their children must needed social skills. True, that is what she said. Yep! We did good! (me doing the Dirty Bird Dance).

SUNDAY FUNNIES!! The SPIRIT, 1946

The SPIRIT is a very jazzy, Peter Gun-like, undercover or underground cop (REALLY UNDERGROUNG), created by Will Eisner. The story is CARRIANS ROCK first published in 1946.

Who Do I think I Am? Wow! Part 80

HENRY5 RIDLEY, JR. was born 15 Aug 1862 in , Murray, Ga, and died 25 Aug 1927 in , Whitfield, Ga. He married (1) ELLA ELIZABETH HUDDLESTON 06 Dec 1885 in , Murray, Ga, daughter of DAVID HUDDLESTON and LUCINDA REYNOLDS. She was born 18 Sep 1867 in , Randolph Co, Al, and died 20 Dec 1886. He married (2) MARTHA JANE LEDFORD 07 Aug 1887, daughter of JOHN LEDFORD and ELIZABETH HADDOCK. She was born 18 Sep 1871, and died 21 May 1899. He married (3) ELIZABETH "LIZZIE" FETZER Abt. 1902. She was born 31 Jul 1889, and died 26 Aug 1920.

More About HENRY RIDLEY, JR.:
Burial: Deep Springs Cem
Education: Quit college (Sumac Seminary) a month before graduation because of mother's health
Fact 6: Well versed in Latin and algebra & math.
Occupation: Farmer & merchant - operated a general store. He would not sell on Sunday, but give food or lodging anyday.
Residence: Resided @ Beaverdale, east of Cohutta, Ga

Notes for ELLA ELIZABETH HUDDLESTON:
died when only child was 11 days old

More About ELLA ELIZABETH HUDDLESTON:
Burial: Ridley Fam Cem., Crandal, Murray Co., Ga

More About MARTHA JANE LEDFORD:
Burial: Mount Olivet Cem, Whitfield Co., Ga

More About ELIZABETH "LIZZIE" FETZER:
Burial: Sumac Cumberland Presbytarian Cem., Crandal, Murray Co., Ga

OM Virgil Ferrell

Virgil Ferrell.

Brad Quinn the Enthusiastic Researcher

Last Thursday evening at the Marietta Museum of History Brad Quinn gave a lecture about his findings in the National Cemetery and the Federal Archives in Washington DC and East Point. I like how his finds are so thrilling for him. You can tell, how he speaks, he is trying to hold down his excitement.

You may have seen him on TV’s WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE when he helped find the grave of Matthew Broderick’s progenitor’s grave in the National Cemetery in Marietta; which was quiet an undertaking because the marker had no name. But he is good at archival detective work.

It is almost like "Somebody Up There" arranged for him to find certain historical documents that no one else has noticed; maybe like a divine nudge. I know the feelings, I feel the same about some of my synchronicity genealogical finds.

Brad also helped vice president Dick Chaney find his ancestor, which Chaney proved very grateful.

Brad knows Civil War history inside and out. It seemed talked about a lot of his discoveries that had to do with Federal soldiers from Ohio – I don’t know if Ohio is his specialty or what else might have drawn him to the Ohio troops. My mind might have been someplace else when he explained that.

He has discovered notes and letters that were earth moving, from a historian’s view, that has even go by official archivists. For instance he found a handwritten letter from General George Custard to the commanding officer of his bother’s unit. His brother was a private. In no-nonsense terms the General more or less demanded that his brother, be promoted from Private to Lieutenant. Brad quipped , “It pays to have a relative in high places.”

He said after he found the letter in the archives and pointed it out to the employees who were giddy with the find – the next time he saw the old crumbling letter it was in two pieces.

He has a book for sale at the museum and another one of Civil War letters coming out in a few months.

Also, my ticket number was only one digit off from winning a door prize. drats.

Who Do I think I Am? Wow! Part 79

My Ridley great grandparents:

THOMAS JEFFERSON5 RIDLEY was born 01 Oct 1859 in , Polk Co, Tenn, and died 13 Oct 1939 in Crandall, Murray Co, Ga. He married MARYETTA LUDARDEN PULLEN 06 Jan 1881, daughter of GREENVILLE PULLEN and ELIZABETH BOOKOUT. She was born 20 Oct 1856 in , Murray Co, Ga, and died 19 Nov 1914 in Crandall, Murray Co, Ga.

Notes for THOMAS JEFFERSON RIDLEY:
He was postmaster of the Cohutta Springs Post Office 1892-1900.

More About THOMAS JEFFERSON RIDLEY:
Burial: Sumac Presbyterian Cemetery - Murray Co., Ga

More About MARYETTA LUDARDEN PULLEN:
Burial: Sumac Presbyterian Cemetery - Murray Co., Ga

This Day In History, June the 17th

1775 Battle of Bunker Hill (actually it was Breed's Hill)

1885 Statue of Liberty arrived in NYC aboard French ship `Isere'

1954 Televised Senate Army McCarthy hearings ends. Senator Joe McCarthy unintentional proved, along with the help of Edward R. Murrow, that you don't have to agree with the senator (McCarthy) to be a good American.

Dining At Hooters

Have you ever had Hooters' wings and deep fried pickles? What about their onion rings? If you have, then you know why people love to go to Hooter's.

Click below to see some old men enjoying their night out dining at Hooters.

CLICK HERE!


Incidentally, Youtube approved this video in record time. It was approved in just hours. Up until now it usually waits two or three days. Maybe they jumped right on it because of the title. The censor is probably a nature lover.

Waterman Street School Ruins

I spent my first 6 years of a formal education of my formative years on these grounds. This is also where I tuned in on my social skills of having crushes on girls and how to talk by way out of a fight. My father and all his brothers went here also. The same Mrs. Whitehead that taught my dad and my uncles was the principal when I was there. I don't think she thought it was much of a pleasure knowing the Hunter boys, including me.

After Waterman Street School ran its course of 70 or so years it closed down as a public school and the private school J.T. Walker Schhool used it for a while before moving to the old Sprayberry High School. The old shcoolhouse was torn down and alumnus got a brick if one wanted one. Now the grounds belong to the Red Cross.

As I walked over the grounds taking the below pictures I could almost hear the giggling of a bunch of girls routinely chasing Jerry Flowers because they thought he was so good looking and just feet away I could here the tormented cry of a weakling kid being picked on by bulllies. Memories!


Green grass on what use to be a sandy playground. Note the Marietta skyline and Kennesaw Mountain in the bacground.



Cement steps leading up to Waterman Street School



Cement steps leading down the hill to Waterman Street.


Waterman Street School Wall by street

Top Education Dogs Get Fat Raises!

A portion of a news story from the AJC.com this morning:

"Despite budget cuts, three college presidents get salary boostShareThisPrint E-mail .By Laura Diamond


The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

University of Georgia President Michael Adams and two other college presidents are getting raises at a time when the University System of Georgia is dealing with about $300 million in state budget cuts."

How will the state pay for the raises since they are going through some serious budget slashed?

No problem at all. Just add some more furlough days to regular teachers and increase tuition at colleges.

Who Do I think I Am? Wow! Part 78

WILLIAM MELVIN5 RIDLEY was born 22 Jul 1854 in , , Tn, and died 16 Jul 1932 in , Murray, Ga. He married LYDIA BINGHAM 22 Feb 1874 in , Murray, Ga21, daughter of ROBERT BINGHAM and WRIGHT. She was born 23 Jun 1852, and died 12 Dec 1925 in , Murray Co, Ga22.

More About WILLIAM MELVIN RIDLEY:
Burial: Calvary Baptist Church, Murray Co., Ga

Notes for LYDIA BINGHAM:
This must be the Lydia Bingham who was living in the household of John and Rhoda Headrcik (Heddreick) in 1870 in Murray County. I guess lots of stray people ended up here and there.
-Deborah K. Pritchett.

They Kill Elephants Don't They?

Back in the early 1900s public execution of elephants was a sure crowd getter. People would come from miles around to see an elephant put to death.

The executions were put to elephants deemed no longer fitting to live among us, or a danger to live among us. I’m sure if the elephants could speak in their own defense they would say just the opposite, it was the humans that were dangerous to be around.

Several elephants who tromped to death their trainer or someone else who mistreated them were hung by the neck until dead, with the help of a crane.

One circus realized what a crowd getter elephant hanging had at least once had a spectacular elephant hanging and sold tickets and popcorn to hoards people to see such an event.

Even the hero of American inventors, Thomas Edison got in on the showmanship of executing an elephant. It was no secret that he often executed stray dogs and cats near his lab experimenting with creating an electric chair. It was time for something bigger.

Here is what Wikipedia said:

Topsy (born circa 1875, died January 4, 1903), was a domesticated elephant with the Forepaugh Circus at Coney Island's Luna Park. Because she had killed three men in as many years (including a severely abusive trainer who attempted to feed her a lit cigarette),[1] Topsy was deemed a threat to people by her owners and killed by electrocution on January 4, 1903, at the age of 28.[2] Inventor Thomas Edison captured the event on film. He would release it later that year under the title Electrocuting an Elephant.
A means of execution initially discussed was hanging. However, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals protested and other ways were considered. Edison then suggested electrocution with alternating current, which had been used for the execution of humans since 1890.[citation needed]
To reinforce the execution, Topsy was fed carrots laced with 460 grams of potassium cyanide before the deadly current from a 6,600-volt AC source was sent coursing through her body. She was dead in seconds.[2] The event was witnessed by an estimated 1,500 people and Edison's film of the event was seen by audiences throughout the United States.[citation needed]
When Luna Park burned down, the fire was referred to as "Topsy's Revenge".[citation needed]
On July 20, 2003, a memorial for Topsy was erected at the Coney Island Museum.[3]

Who Do I think I Am? Wow! Part 77

JAMES ALLEN4 RIDLEY (ASA ELISHA was born Sep 1856 in , Jackson, Al, and died 10 May 1931 in Thompson, McDuffie Co, Ga. He married (1) NANCY RIDDLE. She was born Aft. 1856, and died Unknown. He married (2) ELIZA B. HAWK 19 Dec 1879, daughter of JOHN HAWK and NIAGRA MCMAHAN. She was born 19 Jan 1856 in , , Al, and died 12 Sep 1922 in Stevenson, Jackson, Al.

Notes for JAMES ALLEN RIDLEY:
Tradition is James Allen married Nancy Riddle after the death of Eliza. However, this marriage didn't last long. Nancy's children ran James Allen off.
Also family tradition is James Allen had visited his daughter in Harlem, Georgia, and was returning home to Alabama on the bus. When the bus stopped in Thompson, Georgia, James was dead.
-Charlotte Ridley Traylor in her RIDLEY book.

More Changes at the Dump

The other day I carried a load to the county dump. It seems every time I go there I have to make a quick mental adjustment to the latest changes.

I wonder if there is fast turnover of management at the dump and every new manager feels he has to make a change to show his mark, or that he made a decision.
This time there were men doing the job of unloading the trash. Just outside the main dumping area I was directed to turn right instead of left. Then, I came to a stop sign, which I did. Under the stop sign was another sign telling me to wait for someone to motion me on. OK, Ok. Don't rush me, I'm still focusing on the change.

A man in a bright orange traffic vest motioned for me to come on.

When I got nearer, another man in a bright orange traffic vest gave a swooping with his hands with I immediately understood “to back you car in that empty slot.”

I started backing up and while backing up another man in a bright orange traffic vest motioned me to keep backing. When I got to the spot he wanted me to be at he motioned for me to stop. I stopped and hopped out of the truck. Before I was around to open the tailgate he had opened it and had thrown out the garbage. He thanked me and told me to have a nice day. I told him the same and off I went.


As I was driving back home I thought this is not like the Cobb County Government at the present. The man who unloaded my garbage was one of about a dozen men in bright orange traffic vests either unloading trucks or directing traffic. They did not have prison uniforms on- all these men were in work-casual clothes. Paying a dozen men in at the dump where up to this point the people who brought the trash did all this themselves is not a way to save money. Cobb has been trying to reduce expenses.

Then I thought about the guy who unloaded my truck. He looked like he has had a rough life, rugged skin and all.

Wait! I wonder if these men are working off community service sentences.




Then I thought, this might be a smooth way to get free labor for Cobb County.

Man, we will weasel ourselves out this crunch yet!

Here, have another drink! - One for the road!

OMs Hanging Out

Larry Sparks & George Wallace, Bell Reunion, 2010

Who Do I think I Am? Wow! Part 76

JOHN BUNYON4 RIDLEY (ASA ELISHA3, WILLIAM2, WILLIAM1) was born Aug 1848 in Stevenson, Jackson Co, Al, and died 22 Jan 1929 in , Jackson, Al. He married (1) FRANCES ELLENOR 'ELLEN' MARSHALL 13 Dec 1875 in , Jackson, Al, daughter of ABSOLM MARSHALL and MALISSA GREER. She was born 14 Dec 1853 in , Jackson, Al, and died 17 Apr 1891 in , Jackson, Al. He married (2) MATILDA J. BROWN 07 Jan 18928, daughter of ALEXANDER BROWN and LOUISE LUNSFORD. She was born Oct 1869 in , Jackson, Al, and died Abt. 1915 in , Jackson, Al.

Notes for JOHN BUNYON RIDLEY:
Family tradition is, John's father sent him to camp with his brother George during the Civil War. John was only twelve years of age but large. John was captured by the Yankees and given the task of loading horseshoes. John ruptured himself and was returned home to his mother so she could care for his injury. A yankee doctor went along home with John to explain to his mother.
John was a Deputy Tax Collector for Jackson County, Alabama, in 1901.
On 27 April 1888 he made his wife, Frances a "Free Dealer"
-Charlotte Ridley Traylor
in her book RIDLEY.

Note: Are you thinking what I'm thinking? John went on to marry twice and had 9 children.

More About JOHN BUNYON RIDLEY:
Burial: Liberty Hill Cemetery, Flat Rock, Jackson Co., Al
Settled: Fabius, Jackson Co., Al

More About FRANCES ELLENOR 'ELLEN' MARSHALL:
Burial: Ridley Homeplace, Stevenson, Jackson Co., Al

More About MATILDA J. BROWN:
Burial: Liberty Hill Cemetery, Fabus, Al

Children of JOHN RIDLEY and FRANCES MARSHALL are:
71. i. WILLIAM SPILLER 'WILLIE'5 RIDLEY, b. 25 Nov 1876, Stevenson, Jackson, Al; d. 23 Jul 1943, Summerville, Chattooga Co, Ga.
72. ii. MINNIE LEE RIDLEY, b. Abt. 1878, Stevenson, Jackson, Al; d. Unknown, Durham, , NC.
73. iii. MATTIE BULAH RIDLEY, b. 28 Apr 1880, , Jackson, Al; d. 27 Nov 1919.
74. iv. GEORGE HENRY 'HOPE' RIDLEY, b. 28 Feb 1886, , Jackson, Al; d. 09 Apr 1967, Odenville, , Al.


Children of JOHN RIDLEY and MATILDA BROWN are:
v. CONRAD EUGENE5 RIDLEY, b. 02 Oct 1892; d. Unknown.
vi. CARRIE LOU RIDLEY, b. 13 Nov 1893; d. Unknown.
75. vii. ANNIE S. RIDLEY, b. 19 Sep 1895, , Jackson, Al; d. Unknown.
76. viii. ASENATH 'SENA' RIDLEY, b. 21 Sep 1897, , Jackson, Al; d. 1998, Chattanooga, , Tn.
ix. MARY ELIZABETH RIDLEY, b. 10 Jan 1904; m. MR. THOMPSON; b. Abt. 1904.

This Day in History, June 13th

On this day is history, June 13, 1866, Congress passes the 14th Amendment.

And some people still feel it is unconstitional. Those same people also think the Moonwalk was a hoax. Of course, that is their right, to beleive what they want to.

SUNDAY FUNNIES!! PANIC'S LI'L MELVIN

PANIC Comicbook #3, art by Will Elder, cover by Al Feldstein. I don't know who wrote the story.

Just for your own information, or FYI, as they say these days, to make these comics more understandable:

There was a long running feud between the creator of Joe Palooka, Ham Fisher, and Al Capp. Before Capp started Li’l Abner he ghosted cartoon for Fisher. When Capp quit Fisher in 1934 he claimed Capp stole “intellectual property” or whatever and sued him. Fisher finally committed suicide.

The last God-awful looking woman in the last panel was drawn by Basil Wolverton. In 1946, Basil Wolverton ugly woman won first prize in a Li’l Abner draw the ugliest woman (Lena the Hyena) contest. Wolverton was a contributor to MAD and PANIC from time to time.

Fearless Fostick was a comic strip within a comic stip. Al Capp created him, I think, making fun of compulsive fans. It was a take-off on Chester Gould’s DICK TRACY. Gould wasn’t all that thrilled over Fostick. Fostick starred in an ad campaign for Wildroot Cream Oil hair tonic. Remember the jingle, “Get Wildroot Cream Oil Charley?” No? Groan, this is another generation.

Waterman Street School, Marietta, Ga

I spent the first 7 years of schooling here. It has been bulldozed away. Now it is in the land of Never-More; only memories and a few photos are left.

Who Do I think I Am? Wow! Part 75

RUFUS SAIFIED 'RED'4 RIDLEY (CHARLES MARTIN3, WILLIAM2, WILLIAM1) was born 31 Mar 1849 in Franklin, Heard, Ga, and died 06 Mar 1909 in Franklin, Heard, Ga. He married SOFRONIA ANGELINE RIDLEY 1880 in , Jackson, Al, daughter of ASA RIDLEY and ELIZABETH DAME. She was born 28 Feb 1853 in , Jackson, Al, and died 20 Apr 1931 in Franklin, Heard, Ga.

Notes for RUFUS SAIFIED 'RED' RIDLEY:
He owned a large farm in Heard Co., Ga., and employed many workers.
Charlotte Ridley Traylor.

More About RUFUS SAIFIED 'RED' RIDLEY:
Burial: Olive Branch Cemetery, Heard Co., Ga
Military service: Civil War
Religion: Olive Branch Baptist Church

Notes for SOFRONIA ANGELINE RIDLEY:
Sofronia did beautifl needlework. She wove cloth from wool, did knitting and made beautiful quilts.

More About SOFRONIA ANGELINE RIDLEY:
Burial: Olive Branch Cemetery, Heard Co., Ga
Religion: Olive Branch Baptist Church

Checking Out TRUE GRIT

TRUE GRIT is a darn good movie. I don’t know about the first version with John Wayne, it has been so long ago I since I have seen it I think I didn’t give it much thought, John Wayne put a patch over one of his eyes and acted like John Wayne. I’ll have to see it again, maybe there was more to it that that.

The second version, the one we just watch is superb. It was directed by the Coen Brothers, Ethan and Joel who also directed good movies such as OH BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU? Most of their movies are masterpieces. It starred Jeff Bridges (as Rooster Cogburn), Matt Damen, Josh Brolin, and Hailee Steinfield. I think the plot is about the same as the first but the details of the raw west and the blood and guts, and the fingers chopped off, and the rotting corpses, and… and…uurrpppp!!!

After you finished watching the Coen’s version of TRUE GRIT you know you watched one heck of a movie.

And it has a lot of action that keeps you on the edge of your seat too.