Bell Reunion, Septemb 28, 2013

At the 2011 Bell Reunion:

Neal Lawrence 

My finger (top left corner), Frances Hunter, Sue Varner, Larry, and Barbara White.

The Bell Reunion will be September the 28, at Horace Orr American Legion Post on Gresham Avenue in Marietta.  Come and renew old friendships.

The Bell Reunion is a reunion for all us old farts who had any connection with Larry Park in our early years, such as sports, spectators, swimming, fighting, hanging out, or just riding down the street beside the park qualifies..

SUNDAY FUNNIES!! BIJOU COMIX! Melvin Wizard

2 Weeks Until the Bell Reunion

Bell Reunion September the 28th, 2 weeks away

Phyllis Murner and Monty Calhoun

The Reunion  will be at the Horace Orr American Legion Post on Gresham Avenue, in Marietta, Georgia.

Don't Throw Out the Baby With the Bathwater

Back years ago there were parts of the house that work was done in, for instance the kitchen was a room for production like it is now.   The porch was another example of a working part  for of the house.  You can tell this is a working back porch.  It is probably also where you threw  the used water outside and hope you didn't throw a baby out with it.

It was the house of my grandfather's brother John Hunter's daughter and her husband, Emma Hunter and Andrew Abercrombie on Putnam Ford Road in Woodstock, Georgia.

Happy National BLAME SOMEONE ELSE DAY!!!

Every day is NATIONAL BLAME SOMEONE ELSE DAY.  Watch the politicians.  The Republicans and conservatives blame the Democrats and liberals and the Democrats and liberals blame the Republicans and conservatives.  The President blames Congress and the Senate, and visa - versa.  Sometimes I think it is what makes the world go around.  The earth might tilt the wrong way and hurl into the Sun if suddenly everybody agreed on everything.

But today is special.  It gives a positive look at blaming someone else.    Who is to blame for that?

3 Barfing Lions

These three lions' heads are on a side of a building at Marietta Walk, facing the railway tracks.  About a dozen years ago I went downtown Marietta on Sunday mornings  and ran all over Marietta, including the side streets, alleys, cemeteries, and so on.

 

When I first came across these three faces I thought were unique.  The next time I intentlually brought my camera. and walla!  There you have it.

After studying the pictures  I saw that their chins were lighter than the rest of their heads.  Then, I realized they are rain spouts.  They have an opening on top of their head, which the rain lands in, rushes through, then out the mouth.  It must be a gruesome sight, three lions' heads looking at you vomiting clear liquid.

It All Has Been Said...

Tuesday Night at THE BOOK EXCHANGE

Renea Winchester

We went to THE BOOK EXCHANGE on Canton Road in the Market Square Shopping Center to hear two authors talk about their newly released books.

Anna had been to several of these authors introductions there. This was my first time in years.  She warned me it would be crowded.  It was crowded, very crowded.  But as crowded as it was, with people having to stand up, I noticed the seat next to me was empty, the only empty seat in the house.  That's par for me.

We had the pleasure of meeting Renae Winchester.  She was sitting next to us.    Anna and I  have  both read her book IN THE GARDEN WITH BILLY.  It is about a real man in his 80s who lost his wife several years ago and is a full fledged farmer.  He farms  produce and has goats, chickens, and I forgot what else.  It is a charming story because this good natured farmer lives in the middle of a yuppie kingdom, on the outskirts of Roswell, Georgia.  If you have acreage there, you are expected to have a white fence, rolling hills and prized thoroughbred horses galloping around, not rows of tomatoes and corn.

I have been Facebook friends with Renea  for a while, and just that same morning I received a comment  from her about a post I made.  She is a very highly energized, happy looking person.  

The owner of the Book Exchange, Cathy Blanco, has literary connections to draw on for her events.  Years ago I went to one of her first author signing books events.  That day she had 5 or 6 authors.  My main target that day was Sharyn McCrumb.  I was a big fan of her at the time, having read all her books.  She wrote about the Western North Carolina mountains and the Tri-state area of Virginia and Tennessee. She described much of what my ancestors lives must have been.  She also had ghosts running through her ballad series books with reoccurring characters, one which was an elderly lady who could talk to the ghosts. 

Last night before the authors were introduced, we were entertained by a musical group of three sisters called PURELY ACOUSTIC BAND.  One thing amusing was one of the sisters broke her strings on the guitar and the older sister lightly complained she always does that.  Just like sisters really do, bicker at one another.   We enjoyed their music and bought their CD afterwards.

Renea gave the two authors, Ann Hite and Karen Spears Zachariast,  a nice introduction as they stood on the Grand Ole Opry homemade style stage, talking about their first kiss and reading exerts from their books.

A pleasant evening was had by all.  

This is my mother's sister, Georgette "Georgia" and her husband Cecil Grant.  They lived in Chattanooga and are now buried in West Hill Cemetery in Dalton.

Cecil only got one week a year vacation.  They would always spend it in Marietta.  They timed it so they would be here during the Southeastern Fair at Lakewood Park in Atlanta.  Cecil always went - alone.

Georgia had three sisters who lived in Marietta and while Cecil was at the Southeaster Fair she visited her sisters.  It usually ended in squabble.

 

Cecil had interests.  He built a shed behind their house and had a 16MM movie projector sat up and collected old western movies.  I think he also had an interest in  playing the mandolin - they had one of those in a closet (nosy me!).

Cecil was baldheaded.  One time when I was under 5 and they were in Marietta on their annual trip I asked him could I spin my top on his head.  I was serious, but the family cracked up hee-hawing.

The shed in the back was Cecil's end.  He was fixing the roof one day and his all metal hammer hit a nail that hit a live wire and electrocuted him instantly.

Reading Somebody's Personal Mail

Here is a letter written by my great great grandmother Nancy Sumner Ray's sister Cinthia Sumner (bef 1815-1885):  This is like being invisible, nosing in on someone's private life:

1-Cinthia Sumner [4944], daughter of Samuel Sumner [86], was born before 1815 in , Buncombe Co, NC, died after 24 Nov 1885, and was buried in Williams Cemetery, Bat Cave, NC.

General Notes: The following is a letter Cynthia wrote to her sister.

                                        Batcave

                                        Henderson County, N.C.

                                        November 24, 1885

Mrs. Margaret Williams

My dear and only sister,

Your kind and more than welcome letter came to hand  in due time and found all as we11 as usual.  As for myself; I am never well.  I do not know what it is to feel well  one  day I am troubled with heart disease  all  the  time  and  seldom clear of headaches.  I can neither knit nor sew.  It gives me a such a headache.  I have not cooked a meal of  victuals  in over five years.  I seldom go out of the house unless  it  is very Pleasant weather.  I have my meals carried to me in cold weather/ and you are able to do your own work.  What a difference.  If I was that stout; I  would  visit  you  right away.  As it is; I can't visit my children.  I have not  been to see Martha in over a year.  She lives in Rutherford.   The rest all live near enough to visit them occasionally.  I have not walked a mile in over five years.  The children  are  all tolerably stout but Martha.  She is weak but hardly  able  to do her work and has six children.  And the oldest one is down now with his leg broken.  Lou. has but one child.. and  she  is grown.  Mark is living with me.  He has  five  children..  the rudest ever was.  Two of the first  wife  and  three  of  the last.   We  are  getting  along  tolerably  well  considering everything.  His wife lost her right hand four years ago.. but she can do a good deal of work yet.  She can do most anything but sew by hand.  Can sew on the machine.  Mark  is  gone  to Asheville with a load of tobacco.  This is the first  tobacco farming that has been done in this vicinity.  There  will  be more  raised  another  year.   There  has  been  considerable improvement since you. left here. The country is becoming very thickly settled.  There is a small town at  the  bridge;  two stores and  a  Post  office/  a  merchant  mill  and a  carding factory.  Bill R. Conner is  badly  deranged.   He  wants  to Preach all the time and  says  the  People  won't  hear  him. Brother Jesse and Uncle Dempsey have  been  dead  some  time. Perhaps you heard it.  Mat Ledbetter's oldest daughter  Sarah Ann also Katy Lyda's daughter Rachel Ann.. They were taken  to be confined and died.  They both left little children.   Katy lives with her son-in-law and takes  care  of  the  children, Mat comes over  occasionally  to  see  us.   He  is  quite  a different man to what he use  to  be.  He  is  a  very  moral fellow.  Joshua Whitaker is in  very  Poor  health.   He  has almost come to Poverty.

John Casey is dead and Peggy is  married  again.   Jesse Nilliams married David Halker^s widow of Rutherford..  a  very respectable old lady.  I seldom see Lizzie.  I suppose she is getting along very  well.   She  is  married  and  has  three children.

A similar circumstance recently occured in this country. A girl by the name of Bradley was taken to  be  confined  and went to the woods and laid her  baby  between  two  logs  and broke a few weeds and laid over it and left it there to  die. Next day it was found dead.  She is now  in  Asheville Jail. She is a grand-daughter of Michael Sumner.

We get letters from Mary Annn sometimes.  Why is  it  she always writes so sad?  Hoping you are well.  I will close for the Present. Write soon and let me hear from you all.

Your affectionate sister until death;

Cynthia Williams

P.S. Please excuse my left hand writing.

Cinthia married David Williams [4945] [MRIN: 1783], son of John Williams [4946] and Mary/Polly Ashworth [4947]. David was born on 11 May 1807, died about 1880 about age 73, and was buried in Williams Cemetery, Bat Cave, NC.

Lecture about the Cherokee Indians at Smyrna Library

New Echota Cherokee Nation Central Government Building

We went to the Smyrna Library to attend  a lecture on the Cherokee Nation, the Removal of the Cherokee Indians to Oklahoma, which is commonly known at THE TRAIL OF TEARS.  That is a sad day for America.

We were ones of the first few there.  I was beginning to think not many were going to show up, but they slowly came in until it was full.  As people came in I noticed none had shorts on, except me, and all had their shirts tucked in except me.  That reminds me of a skit in a MAD comic book that the new ship's Captain was highly upset because an enlisted man did not have his shirt tucked into his pants.  And his division officer defended the man by saying, "Sir, how can he tuck his shirt into his pants if he is not wearing pants?"
Anyway,  at least four other people wandered in, one at a time, wearing shorts.  So, I ended up not feeling so odd.

The lady gave the lecture as a favor for someone, and started with scratch and did her own research.  I admire her for that.

They also had refreshments of water, Arizona Tea, macadamia and chocolate chip cookies, and little peanut butter stuffed pretzels puffs.

She didn't  say anything  I didn't know about the Cherokees.  However, when she said the Cherokee Nation's capital was at New Echota located in Calhoun County, Georgia, I almost chocked and spewed out a mixture of pretzel peanut butter puff bits, along with bits of a macadamia cookie, and Arizona Tea.   I wanted to correct her to tell her New Echota was in Gordon County, about ten miles from the town of Calhoun, not the County of Calhoun.  But I didn't.

She had more gumption than I would have.

The Zombie Hunter Brothers

Adam and Rocky about 1985-87.

I just thought - remember Miss Boo on local children's TV?

Woodstock Bluegrass Jamboree, Sept 7, 2013

http://youtu.be/1uUKjeWmNRo

SUNDAY FUNNIES!! WONDER WART HOG, Meet the Mob, Part 3

By Gilbert Shelton

The Dance of the Lumberjacks

A crew of eight or nine men were here Friday cutting down and trimming trees.  

I think there is an art to all jobs.  You have to do your job good and look cool while you are doing it.  That is the way pecking orders work. 

More Mileage Picture

A wreck on the side of the road in Carmel, New York.  That  is me by the turned over car, apparently the car flung me out when it flipped.  APPARENTLY is the key word! 

Actually, the car has been sitting there on its side a long time, probably years.   A few of my Navy buddies and I visited my uncle Roy in Carmel, NY.  On a morning walk we saw this old car that had flipped and staged a picture.  That body was water in the background is the New York City Water Reservoir.

What, me a ham?

Family Researchers: Find a Grave

The grave here is of my 1st cousin, 3 times removed of  Rev. John Henry Lance.  He was practically decapitated for preaching against moonshine.  He is buried in Old Salem Cemetery, Union County, Georgia., just a few miles from Vogel State Park.  I used his marker to get your attention.

I have hundreds, maybe thousands pictures of grave markers.  In the process of getting more mileage out of my pictures I decided to go onto the website Find a Grave and submit my pictures to their vast library.  I was surprised they already have a good many pictures of the same graves I was going to donate, so far.   I just started doing this.  I first chose Bascomb Methodist Church near Woodstock.  I have about 30 pictures of relatives' graves there.  Of the 30, they had already had about 24 pictures of the same graves.  I only donated 6, no need to duplicate what is already there.

I am posting this message to suggest, if you are into family research and genealogy visit findagrave.com.  There is a good chance they have a picture of a grave that you are interested in.  And it would be nice if you have any pictures to contribute it would  make them even bigger and better, for research.  Of course, you may very well already be doing this and I am the Johnny-come-late announcing the biggie long after everybody else already knows it and utilizes it.   

Tuba Skinny, The Jackson Stomp

Notice the couple that dances in this.  I think they have been in other Tuba Skinny videos.  I think they are French Quarters locals.  They know how to shake, rattle, and roll to the good beat.

Francis Eugene Dyer (1921-2009)

These family stories I pull out of my genealogy findings standout.  I think everybody has a good interesting story about themselves, but for the most part they just don't get known.

Apparently, the information on Francis Dyer is a compilation from several people. 

Francis Eugene Dyer [11058] was born on 25 Feb 1921 and died on 21 Dec 2009 at age 88.

General Notes: Eugene joined the U.S. Air Force in September, 1942, and served with distinction during WWII.  Trained as a bombadier in the famed Flying Fortress, he saw action in the European and African Theaters of War. Sgt. Dyer received the Soldier's Medal for Heroism when he saved the life of a fellow flyer after the plane's oxygen system was bombed out.

In May of 1947 Eugene bought a service station and grocery store from C.H. Davis.  After operating the Amoco Station and Grocery Store for 42 years Gene closed the business in May of 1989.  Later Dorothy opened a country store there that dealt mainly in handcrafts.  Then later it was a warehouse for Tim's cabinet shop business.

In civic work Egene represented his militia district on the Union Co., Board of Education for thrity-six consecutive years, a record in the state of Georgia.- F.E. Dyer, THE HERITAGE OF UNION COUNTY, GA. 1832 - 1994 art #405.When death comes near a holiday, such as Christmas, it seems to hold an extra measure of sadness.  My brother, my hero, Francis Eugene Dyer, drew his last breath on December 21, 2009 and was released from suffering and earthly restrictions.  In reviewing his life, I was extremely proud to call him my brother, my hero.  He will live in my heart and memory as long as I myself have breath-and, even beyond this life, I hope to rejoin him in Paradise.

He was born on February 25, 1921 in the farmhouse of his parents, Azie Collins Dyer (1895-1945) and Jewel Marion Dyer (1890-1974).  In his ancestry on both sides of the family he descended from pioneer settlers who were in Union County in the early 1830s when the county was formed.  Azie's parents were Francis Jasper Collins (1855-1941) and Georgianne Hunter Collins (1855-1924).  Azie's grandparents on her father's side were Frank Collins (1816-1864) and Rutha Nix Collins (1822-1893) and on her mother's side were William Jonathan Hunter (1813-1893) and Margaret Elizabeth “Peggy” England Hunter (1819-1894).  And Azie's great grandparents were Thompson Collins (abt. 1785-abt. 1858) and Celia Self Collins (abt. 1787-1880) and John Hunter (1775-1848) and Elizabeth (last name unknown).

On his father's side, Eugene's ancestors were grandparents, Bluford Elisha (“Bud”) Dyer (1855-1926) and Sarah Eveline Souther Dyer (1857-1959).  His great grandparents were James Marion Dyer (1823-1904) and Louisa Ingram Dyer (1827-1907); Little Ingram (1788-1866) and Mary “Polly” Cagle Ingram (abt. 1793-abt. 1830);  John Combs Hayes Souther (1827-1891) and Nancy Collins Souther (1829-1888).  His great, great grandparents were Bluford Elisha Dyer, Jr. (abt. 1785-1847) and Elizabeth Clark Dyer (abt. 1788-1861); John Souther (1803-1889) and Mary “Polly” Combs Souther (1807-1894); John Little Ingram (abt 1755-1828) and Ruth White Ingram (abt 1758-abt 1849).  John Ingram was a Revolutionary War Soldier.

With this list of ancestors, all of whom pioneered and settled land and became landowners, solid citizens, farmers, and some businessmen and teachers, we should not wonder that Eugene himself became a World War II soldier with a heroic and distinguished career, a businessman, a farmer and for 36 years a member of the Union County Board of Education.  Family matters.  Family helps to make us who and what we are.  And he was, indeed, from “solid” stock.

Eugene Dyer served in the Army Air Force during World War II from September, 1942 through the end of the war.  He was a bombardier in the famed Flying Fortress, B-24, serving in the Liberation Group of the 15th Army Air Force.  He saw action in the European, African and Italian Theaters of War, participating in more than 400 combat missions.  He was awarded the Soldier's Medal of Heroism when he saved the life of a fellow flyer.  He and the one he saved were the only survivors of the plane's crew when its oxygen system was bombed out.  Other decorations included the Purple Heart, the Air Medal with oak leaf clusters, the Good Conduct Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater War Ribbon with five campaign stars, and the Distinguished Unit Badge with two oak leaf clusters.  He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant.  He spent fifteen months in Italy, much of which was in an army hospital recovering from severe injuries, the results of which were present with him the remainder of his life in the form of shrapnel in his legs.  He can truly be termed a “hero,” a member of “The Greatest Generation.”

As a merchant, he operated a grocery, gasoline, feed, seed and fertilizer store from 1947 through 1989.  He was known for his credit to farmers that badly needed his help to get their crops planted.  In this respect, he followed the practice he had observed from his grandfather, Francis Jasper “Bud” Collins, who also had extended credit to hurting families during the Great Depression, and before and after.

As a school board member in Union County for 36 years, an elected office, he helped to make decisions that brought the school system from scattered country schools to strong consolidated schools, adequate and state-of-the-art buildings and equipment, and well-qualified teachers and administrators.  Education was high on his list of priorities.

He was a family man.  His wife Dorothy, his children Connie, Ivan and Tim, his grandchildren Jason, Alexandra and Emily, and his brothers and sisters and a host of cousins can all attest to his love, respect and reverence for family ideals and priorities.

And as a church man, he was quiet and often did not say much, but when he spoke on matters of building decisions, church finances, and expansion, he was heard and heeded.  His devotion to Choestoe Baptist Church where he was a faithful member extended from boyhood through all of his adult life.

Noted events in his life were:

•  He had a residence in 2006 in Blairsville, Union Co., GA.

Francis married Dorothy Velma Dyer [11063] [MRIN: 4076], daughter of John Dyer [11087] and Ida Nix [11088]. Dorothy was born on 21 Mar 1929. They had three children: Connie Jean, Ivan Eugene, and Timothy Maurice.

Railroad Hat

While sorting pictures I came across this picture.  The memory of me putting on my own roof by myself still make my fingers on my left hand tingle.  I had to press down with my left hand I had to hold the blade with my right hand and cut the tabs.  My left hand fingers  tingled and hurt for years afterwards.  

But wait!  I  putting a new roof solo is not what this is about.   It is about my hat. I noticed in the picture I was wearing my gray striped railroad hat.

Months before when the picture taken we went to Chattanooga to the  Railroad Museum.  We bought our sons the gray stripped railroad worker type of hats.  We bought them hats.  We didn't buy me a hat.

After thinking about it I decided I wanted a hat like that too.  I saw them for sale at Goldstein's Department Store, which at that time was where McClellan's was, and now it is a restaurant.  I called Goldstein's and Mr. Goldstein answered the phone.  I described the kind of hat I wanted and he said that he had them.  I asked how much and he said, $3.99.

I worked at night getting off at 8:30am.  When I got off one morning I drove to downtown Marietta, walked into Goldstein's and walked to the work hats and caps and picked up the railroad hat I wanted.  Mrs. Goldstein followed me, stood back until I made my choice.  There were no price stickers on any of the merchandise.  I asked her how much is it (Herbert had already told me on the phone $3.99).  She held the hat up and hollered to Mr. Goldstein about 20 or 25 feet away. 

She said, "Mister Goldstein, how much are these hats?"

He didn't look at the hat, but looked at me.  He said, $2.99.

I already knew he had a reputation for looking at the person, not the product when telling  the price.

I didn't know if I should feel lucky I saved a dollar or insulted because that is all he thought I would pay.

Hooked on Home Buying TV

Lately, I have sat in doctors' waiting rooms countless of times watching the TV.  It seems they are getting away from the all news stations like FOX NEWS and CNN and going to all medical advic..  However, several doctors office are playing HGTV. 

I am now  hooked on HGTV. 

At first I found it only mildly interested.  But the  more I watched it the more I found it interesting.  You get to see unique homes and  study people in what they want in a house.  Some people are rude and demanding and want more than their budget allows.  In other words you are a voyeur in a couple's business of having to juggle things around and compromise and pitch hissy-fits.  And the good part about  it they don't seem aware a cameraman on your behalf is right in the middle of them.  You can see the joys of being invisible. 

I noticed some of the women clients or the wife part of a couple come off like a typical spoiled daddy's girl.  Well, they can't tell the real estate agent or the seller they will be extra cute for them.  Only money speaks.  Watch it!  Daddy's girl might whine  if she doesn't get her way!

I watched the agents show houses  all over the world, Ecuador, Dominican Republic, Iceland, little one acre islands, Alaska, Atlanta, Smyrna, Woodstock Marietta,  and many more.  Property  is available almost anyplace if you have the money.

Like I said it is mildly interesting.   Not enough interesting that you are going down in flames if the agent or the buyer doesn't get their way.  So, because you have nothing to lose, you can watch them haggle all day.

Being that these home hunting wheeling and dealing videos are coming from all over the world, there is probably more than one person with a camera handling it all.  They had a few from the Atlanta area.  They probably have free lancers from all over.

Which brings me to a thought of a new  program very similar to the regular format they have now.  The buyer lets the seller or agent khow their "budget" is and then they start compromising.

The  different twist to this program is when a potential buyer gets extremely demanding  or fussy the seller will make faces behind  his or her face.  The agent will do things like put his fingers in his mouth and stretch his lips to a distorted  face.... or sometime just the old raspberry, and of course the potential buyer won't know about this unless he or she turns around quickly then the show will even get better - talk about reality TV!

Rocky and Adam; Beach People

Rocky

Adam

Rocky and /Adam Hunter on beach near between Saint Augustine and Daytona Beach, Florida, in early 1990s.

Jesse Sumner (1814 1878)

All of your own genealogy is interesting reading.  And occasional you come across some universal interestig reading.  This might qualify:  And it seems I drug Jesse here before for public display.  Is that a way to treat your kin?

Jesse Sumner [4940], son of Samuel Sumner [86], was born on 21 Mar 1814 in , Buncombe Co, NC, died on 3 Aug 1878 at age 64, and was buried in Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Overlook Road, Arden, NC.

General Notes: Jesse and Rozilla acquired and disposed of several properties along the French Broad River and in the Big Ivey section of Buncombe County from 1840 - 1973.  Jesse was a farmer.

At Jesse's death Rozilla gave up all claim to the estate in favor of her son John B. Sumner.  She lived in his household in Limestone Township until her death. - Thelma Swanson

Jesse was elected Sheriff of Buncombe County in the general election held Apr 21 and 22, 1868.  Richard, his younger brother was one of the persons signing the bond.  The Asheville News and Farmer (Jul 1, 1869) in an article about the Buncombe Superior Court reported "The Criminal Docket is now being taken up in regular order.  It contains several capital felonies, but defendants are not on hand.  They broke jail - vamoosed - departed for fresh fields and green pastures.  It is not certain , as yet, whether the Sheriff and jailor will be indicted for permitting their escape."  On September 5, 1870, the County Commissioners refused to accept Jesse's bond.  Bonds were posted annually.  The commissioners appointed James M. Young, Sheriff.  Jesse tried again at the October meeting to be reinstated but was not.  He then took his case to court in State of North Carolina and Jesse Sumner vs James M. Young.  On January 9, 1871, a North Carolina Supreme Court ordered the Buncombe County Coroner to arrest James M. Young and bring him to trial.  Young tried to prevent the case from going to a jury trial, but the motion was denied.

Young claimed Jesse did not regularly post bond and account for tax monies collected. He also claimed that on or about the latter part of april or May 1, 1871, Jesse left North Carolina and did not intend to return.  Young also claimed that another general election was held and Jesse lost and forfieted his right to complete the original four year term.  It is not clear how the case was resolved.  The case was appealed to the North Carolina Supreme Court which charged each party with the cost of the court.  Apparently Young continued as sheriff.  Jesse did leave the state.  He was in Nebraska on Feb 5, 1873.

Jesse died August 3, 1878, without a will.   Elizabeth gave up all claim to the estate in favor of her son John B. Sumner.

Death did not stop litigation concerning Jesse Sumner.  In J.B. Sumner, Administrator vs Thomas J. Candler claimed Jesse accepted a horse, saddle, bridle, and suit of clothes in payment of the dept.  John claimed Candler was shifting ownership of property to his wife to avoid payment of th debt.  A compromise was reached.  Candler paid $700 in court costs, not already paid, on Feburary 11, 1887.

The value of Jesse's estate was nothing over the widow's year allowance.  Outstanding debts were $1,000.  A track of land acquired under the homestead laws of North Carolina was sold at auction on the courthouse steps.  Fifty acres, east of the French Broad River adjoining lands of J. Rice, R. Sumner, and J.E. Reed were sold to the highest bidder.  On November 4, 1878, C.M. McCloud paid $150.00 for the land.

Elizabeth lived with her son on his farm in Limestone Township, Buncombe County, until her death on July 30, 1901.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The above information came form Fred W. Willams, Joyce Justus Paris, interviews with family members, CRESWELL HISTORY AND GENEALOGY by J.O. Creswell, estate records, census records, wills, and other information in the North Carolina State Archives.

Researched and written by Mark Sumner, Jr., 1978, Revised Febuary 1985.  Additional information and/or comments concerning errors are solitcited.

Jesse married Elizabeth "Rosilla" Sorrells [4941] [MRIN: 1781], daughter of John A. Sorrells [4942] and Priscilla Debord [4943]. Elizabeth was born on 20 Mar 1824, died on 30 Jul 1901 in , Buncombe Co, NC at age 77, and was buried in Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Overlook Road, Arden, NC. They had eight children: Mary Emaline, Marcus L., Laura C., Jesse H., Julius M., John Bascombe, Pink Ella, and Jane.

More Photos Mileage

I982 in Disney World.  My sons Adam, Rocky, and me.

I am the one in the yellow hat.

Bob Bettis's Sons

This is the front of a picture of Bob Bettis's sons. There is a road named after Bob Bettis, leading off Piedmont Road northeast of Marietta. Bob's wife Ida Lavonia Prance is/was my father-in-law's father's sister.

Judge Debra Bernes

I have been going through my pictures and sorting them to various sets on  FLICKR.  One group of pictures was of a tour we took of the Marietta Pilgrimage December about 2005 -2007.  

There were a few buses that shuttled paid visitors from one place to the another.  One the bus we rode.  Other than the bus driver there was usually a volunteer tour guide that would point out interesting historical facts between destinations.  

On one of the buses was this lady in the picture.  I came across this today.  It seemed that I remembered something about her in the news.  I zoomed in on her name tag, Debra Bernes.  I googled Debra Bernes  and found out she was a judge and she died July 10, 2010, of cancer.   I remember her on the bus pointing out historical facts being  a ball of fire, full of jubilant positive energy.  I'm sure when I learned of her death in 2010 I felt bad for her and her family, but how quickly we forgot.  

PS.  I posted the above on my facebook last week and  Jim Morris, who had watched her professionally, had this comment:

Jim Morris She strove to be the best at everything she did. She was brilliant, vivacious, beautiful, genuine, a devoted elected official, loving mother, and even bus docent. I'm not surprised you would remember even a brief acquaintance with her.

Yesterday at 8:25am ·

Cowboy Copas's Friend

The above poster at Barbecue Street Barbecue in Kennesaw reminded me of the time I visited the GRAND OLE OPRY over 50 years ago.

In February 1963, a group of us decided to go to Nashville, Tennessee, to the GRAND OLE OPRY.  I think there were four or five of.  We crammed into my pv544 Volvo.

We got a room at the grand hotel next to the  Ryman Auditorium (home of the Opry).   I say "grand" because it  had a plush name, like it was named  after a president  or dignitary, something like the John Hamilton Hotel.

Before the Opry we walked around Nashville and visited some famous record shops and a few bars and some other tourist traps.    We had dinner  at a Woolworths .  We sat in a booth at the big plate glass window.  Outside we watched a man in dirty raggedy clothes carrying a guitar wander by.  He stood outside, only a foot or two from us and watched us eat.  It looked like he tasted every bite we tasted.  We felt sorry for him.  We motioned him inside.  We didn't have to beg him, he came storming in.  We rearranged to another table and bought him a dinner also. 

As he ate he told us he had fallen on hard times.  He told us he grew up with Cowboy Copas and they were the best of friends.  He said Cowboy Copas told him if he was ever in Nashville he would let him play a few songs on stage at the Opry.

Cowboy Copas was the emcee of the Grand Ole' Opry at that time.  According to Google Cowboy Copas was born Lloyed Estel Copas.  I think changing  his first name to Cowboy was a wise career move.  Google also said he was born in Blue Creek , Ohio, and he got his first break in Cincinnati when he was 14 years old.  I suppose this guy we were dining with was also from Blue Creek, Ohio.

At the Opry we had cheap seats, nose-bleed seats, high up.  By the way, if I remember correctly, all the seats were church pews.  On stage was a big props of the backers of the Grand Ole Opry, like the flour and I think a breakfast cereal.

The Ryman Auditorium was originally named Union Gospel Tabernacle.  In 1892, it was built by Thomas Ryman, a riverboat captain and business man, for the Rev Sam Jones , a revivalist to preach in.  Sam Jones later  moved to Cartersville, Georgia, where he  radiated his popular causes world-wide and was very well known.  He owned two houses here in Marietta, that he purchased:  one for him which he never moved to and one for his daughter, which she and her husband did.

During the Opry that night we saw many household word  entertainers some on stage with Cowboy Copas introducing all of them.  I remember one was Patsy Cline.

One, that didn't make it to the state was our old buddy that we bought dinner for.  From our top seats we saw him making his way down the aisle with his guitar.  Before he made it to the stage several men surrounded him and dragged him away, with all the time he was hollering I forgot if Cowboy was playing or talking, but he never recognized his old friend struggling to get on stage, if he was  his old friend.

About a week later, March 5, 1963, Cowboy Copas and Patsy Cline, and others were killed a plane crash that was  piloted by Cowboy's son-in-law and Patsy Cline's manager.

I wonder if the person we dined with at Woolworth's went to the funeral?

Cowboy Copas

BBQ Street

We had lunch at Barbecue Street in Kennesaw the other day.  We haven't been to Barbecue Street in years.  When we were there last it was on Cherokee Street at the Giles Road, in a fork.  They always had a fire truck out front.  a road crew were putting down new tar on Cherokee Street and it was one lane bumper to bumper traffic  of cars out of sight.  It seemed that the men who controlled the traffic let the opposite cars travel more than they allowed our line.  We were decided to turn around when we got even with the next street in view, about a half block away, but then, we got to go all the way.  This had better be worth the trouble I thought.

Imagine our surprise when we got there, saw the fire truck but it was the only vehicle in the parking lot..  They were not there any longer.  We called them and they just moved directly across the street (on the Giles Road side) in the Kroger Shopping  Center.

The country decor of old signs and thing were nice.  The coleslaw was just coleslaw  finely chopped and  the Brunswick stew was as fine as if it was pureed in a blender, not the chunky type I was hoping for.

I ordered pork.  Most importantly, the meat appeared to be chopped, not pulled.  I might could have ordered pulled but that didn't occur to me.   My dining companion ordered a salad and they did not have a light salad dressing.  The waitress said they made their own salad dressing.  They also made their own BBQ sauces, which  they had three different types of bbq sauce on the each table.  That as a good thing.

On the menu they had several  catfish combos which I was tempted to get but didn't.  We asked the waitress did they sell a lot of catfish and she said yes, they furnished  their own catfish, they had their own pond..

They were pretty much self-sufficient.  I wonder if they raised their own hogs too?  Did they have their own chicken house?

Their barbecue pork plate was a all-you-can eat special.. When I finished the meat the waitress asked me would I like another serving.  No, it was a nice serving to start with.... no need to be hoggish.  

On the wall by the restrooms 

HAPPY LABOR DAY!

Get Your Money's Worth, Recycle Pictures!

Rocky and Adam Hunter, 1994

R

Photo Mileage of my Mother

My mother, Ethel America "Janie" Petty Hunter, in 1994, to attend the wedding of her caregiver Joy. Also in the picture:  Due West Methodist Church's minister Richard Hunter (no relation) and the groom Jose'.

SUNDAY FUNNIES!!! MAD#27'S College Football

Every place I look this weekend I see College Football fans.  Even yesterday morning on our morning walk before daylight, someone walking his dog, came out of the dark, bent over to Willow and said "Go Dogs!" (true)

Now, the blog Chicken-fat.com does what it does best:  Jump on the bandwagon!

The below was illustrated by University of Georgia (UGA) Alumnus Jack Davis.,

Ever