Jackson County GaArchives History .....History of Harmony Grove-Commerce, Chapter 13 1949 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 August 21, 2004, 11:47 pm CHAPTER XIII SCHOOLS AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS In the growth and development of the town from the beginning, the schools have been an important factor. The first school, which was known as the Harmony Grove Academy for girls, was located near the Oconee River in the vicinity of the W. M. Potts' residence near Pittman's Bridge. According to an old version, this vicinity was first called Harmony Grove. It is not recorded, or certain, what became of this early school. We know that the town of Harmony Grove began to grow in the late 1830's or early 184o's at which time the Shankle family opened a mercantile business in the community. This was about 1845 or 1846. During this period when Caleb Wood owned a large part of the land on the north side of State Street, there were schools at various parts of the village sup-ported by private tuition from the heads of families and taught by several different teachers. One was located near the Jesse Wood home, one near S. M. Shankle's residence, another in some part of Willoughby Park, and one in a log building where the Harmony Grove Mills office now stands. All of these were very small log cabin affairs and taught by one teacher. On an acre of land donated by C. W. Hood, the first two-story two-room wooden building was erected in 1874 on the site of the present grammar school. Two teachers were employed to conduct the school. The Masonic Lodge held its meetings in the second story. This wooden structure was used from 1874 through 1888. The first brick school building was erected in 1888. The contractor was McGinity of Athens, Georgia. This building was destroyed by fire in 1895. The second brick building was constructed on the same site in the same year by Thurmond and Barber. This building was destroyed by fire in 1903 and rebuilt by W. T. Thurmond and is the main body of the present grammar school building. During the periods while new buildings were under construction, the school sessions were held in the churches (1895) and in public buildings uptown (1903). These three buildings were the same size and similar in type, with class rooms and office on the first floor and auditorium, library, and other classrooms on the second. About the year 1914, at the beginning of H. B. Carreker's administration as superintendent, two wings, one on each end, were added to provide facilities for the high school grades. An additional building on the same school lot was erected for an auditorium in 1927 and which was later used as a gymnasium, now used for a lunch room. Additional acreage to the original lot was bought from J. A. Seegar. The present high school building on Shankle Street was erected in 1936. The public school has had an unusual array of competent superintendents, principals, and teachers, and has made a splendid record in the growth and development of the school system from the simple one-teacher school to a highly systematized educational system with seven grammar grades and five high school grades, making a complete system of twelve grades with a faculty of thirty-one. The school has also made a splendid showing in contests and fine boys and girls who have entered college on their unit credits. In the 9th District Contests this school has been the best, both in athletics and literary contests. Especially have they excelled in the latter, both in district and state meets. Included in the school system are Departments of Music, Home Economics, Agriculture, and Speech. The following is a list of the superintendents with dates which are inclusive: G. J. N. Wilson 1866-1867 R. S. Cheney 1867-1870 G. W. Brown 1871-1873 R. S. Cheney 1874-1876 M. L. Parker 1877-1881 L. M. Landrum 1882-1883 W. H. Key 1884 J. A. Quillian 1885-1886 F. M. Blount 1887 J. H. Walker 1888- 1891 Harry Strozier 1892 W. H. Cobb 1893-1894 Claud Gray & Pitner 1895-1898 M. L. Parker 1899-1900 Peter Zellars 1901-1904 J. M. Stevenson 1905 W. F. Brown 1906-1908 J. T. Walker 1909-1910 Luther Elrod 1911-1912 H. B. Bible 1913-1914 H. B. Carreker 1915-1922 J. F. Muldrow 1923-1924 W. H. Martin 1925-1928 S. F.. Maughon 1929-1940 B. B. Sanders 1941-1944 Omar Bellamy 1945 Charley Brown 1946 In the 1870's the one-teacher school of the previous decade developed into the two or more system designated as the principal and assistant teachers. This system came into existence in Harmony Grove after the erection of the new two-room school building in 1874. The higher classes were taught in one room by the principal and the primary and intermediates by the assistant. The subjects taught were spelling, reading, writing, arithmetic, grammar, rhetoric and composition. Much emphasis was laid upon the thoroughness and accuracy of these fundamental subjects, especially in spelling and the multiplication tables, as well as adding, subtracting and dividing and parsing sentences. There were no grades. The student body was divided into classes. The method was to call the classes to the front row of seats, or benches, for recitation, question the pupils orally on the lessons previously assigned, after which the teacher assigned the lesson for the next period. The class was dismissed and they returned to their seats for study. The period was usually from ten to thirty minutes, according to the advancement of the class. Then the next class was called, etc., until all classes had recited during the day. Blackboards were used for working arithmetic, algebra, and geometry problems during the recitation period and for diagraming sentences in grammar. Each pupil had his turn at the blackboard. The teacher would then inspect the work. If it was not correct, he would strike a big cross mark over it, or a big zero. A few of the textbooks used were: Webster's Blue Back Speller and Primary Dictionary; McGuffey's Readers, from 1-6; Smith's English Grammar; Sanford's Arithmetic, including Primary and Common School and High Analytical; San-ford's Algebra; Wentworth's Geometry and Trigonometry; Quackenbose' Composition and Rhetoric, Natural Philosophy; Murray's Geography, including Primary and Advanced; Swinton's Word Book and Latin and Greek. Every pupil was permitted to advance according to his ability to learn and the progress he made. The pupil usually entered school at the age of 6 or 7 years and was first taught the alphabet. Then in a few weeks began spelling and reading in the primer. They were gradually advanced into arithmetic, drilled in the multiplication tables, adding, subtracting and multiplying and dividing. From these one went into the study of the beginner's geography and grammar and into the advanced readers, which were taken up the second or third year. Arithmetic was worked on slates with slate pencils and exhibited to the teacher. Parsing sentences in grammar, bounding states, countries, continents and oceans, describing mountains and rivers, multiplying, subtracting, adding, dividing and working fractions was the work of the teen-age boys and girls of that day. The more advanced classes studied composition, rhetoric, philosophy, higher arithmetic, algebra, geometry and some Latin and occasionally a few pupils studied Greek. Parents sometime exercised the privilege of selecting the studies of their children. In the 80's this school was referred to as the common or High School of Harmony Grove, but having received instruction from teachers who were University graduates, the students were prepared for entrance into the sophomore class in the colleges. In 1888, when the first brick building was provided, a partial grading of the school was developed but the complete grading and unit system was established when the town adopted the public system in 1902. Peter Zellars was the first superintendent under the grading system. The school was then designated as the Harmony Grove High School. FINANCIAL SUPPORT Before the adoption of the public school system in 1902, the superintendent, principal, and teachers depended on state aid, supplemented by such tuition from patrons as the trustees of the school authorized. State aid dated from 1870, and was increased from time to time. The Commerce High School became independent of the county in 1910 and since that time has drawn its allotment of funds direct from the state. The Federal Government contributes part support for Home Economic and Agricultural teachers and for lunch room expenditure, recently installed. The first local school tax set up was 25 cents on $100.00, which has been increased from time to time until the present rate is 60 cents on the $100.00. Bonds have been issued by the town for school building as follows: $8,000-6 per cent bonds issued in 1888. $3,000-6 per cent bonds issued in 1895. $6,000-5 per cent bonds issued in 1903. $2,000-5 per cent bonds issued in 1909. $8,000-5 per cent bonds issued in 1913. $20,000-5 per cent bonds issued in 1936 for High School Building. The Harmony Grove and Commerce Schools have always had the sympathetic and cooperative support of an able Board of Trustees. The following have acted as chairmen of the Board of Education of the Public School System: W. B. Hardman 1902-1918 L. G. Hardman 1918-1932 After 1933 the chairmanship of the Board was rotated annually. The following served as Chairmen of the Board of Education in the order named: Claude Montgomery R. C. Nix M. T. Sanders H. F. Bray Dr. C. E. Pittman A. D. Bolton H. F. Mosher Dr. O. C. Pittman R. L. Sanders Dr. O. C. Pittman V. L. Davis Dr. P. T. Scoggins R. M. Davidson A. S. Hardy, Jr. Dr. A. A. Rogers, present Chairman COMMERCE HIGH SCHOOL, 1948 There has been an outstanding advancement in the Harmony Grove-Commerce Schools from the one room log building with one teacher to the modern well-equipped and systematized educational institution with a faculty of thirty teachers and a superintendent. In 1948 the twelve grade system, including eight grades in the grammar school and four in the high school was adopted. College preparatory courses are offered to all students. Two types of diplomas, academic and vocational, are conferred upon graduation. In addition to the regular academic course, vocational courses on the subjects of Home Economics, Agriculture, Manual of Arts, Typing, Book-keeping, Shorthand, Business Mathematics, Business Law, Business English are integral parts of the school program, also an athletic program, featuring football, baseball, boys' and girls' basketball and tract. Connected with the school are the Departments of Music and Speech, the Veterans Farm Training School and On-The-Job Training Program, through the Veterans Administration of the Federal Government, and a School Library, containing 3,065 volumes. The total budget for the school year, 1948-1949 is $86,052.00. Total enrollment, 865, with 667 whites and 158 Negroes. OLDER ORDER OF SCHOOLS Under the older order of the schools of the 8o's, during the administration of Cheney, Parker, Landrum, Quillian, Walker and Cobb, it was customary to have Friday afternoon speaking. All the pupils were required to recite. The older boys from fourteen years up were expected to make declamations from the classical speeches of history. The younger boys recited some verses from noted poems. The girls gave recitations sometimes in the form of dialogues from some well known author. Usually the poem was taken from some selection in the fifth or sixth readers, such as Maud Muller, Lord Ullahn's Daughter, Psalms of Life, etc. Older boys chose for their subjects selections from the orations of Cicero, Demosthenes, on through Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry, Edmond Burke, Earl of Chatham and later from Henry Grady's "New South." Some of the older boys from eighteen to twenty-five literally "shelled the woods." They would go down to the woods under the spreading oaks, now Williamstown, and practice their speeches in the afternoons during the week, prompting each other as each took his turn in preparation for the event of Friday afternoon. Among the orators of the 80's were W. B. Hardman, J. E. J. Lord, W. D. Sheppard, W. E. Wood, E. W. Martin, Albert Miller, and Robert Neal. Much emphasis was placed upon posture, bows, and gestures of the speaker. Oratory was considered one of the chief features of an education and preparation for public life. The small boy would recite "The Boy Stood on the Burning Deck," "The Lark Is Up To Meet the Sun," "Little Boy Blue," "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star," "You Scarce Expect a Boy of My Age to Speak in Public on the Stage ...", etc. Some would forget their speeches and would have to be prompted or called down. One of the girls was called to the stage. She began her speech with "Open the old cigar box ... Open the old cigar box ... Open the old cigar box ..." The teacher, calling her by name, said, "If you can't get it open, Pearl, you may come down.". The girl sat down much embarrassed. EXHIBITIONS The annual exhibition at the close of school in June was a great occasion. In preparation a large brush arbor was erected in front of the school building, some fifty or sixty feet square, with rows of posts and frame work of railing across the top, which was covered with brush. Underneath this arbor were seats of puncheons, brought from the saw mill. In front of the schoolhouse door was the stage, from which the exercises were' presented. These took place on Friday and Saturday nights. During the day there were examinations and declamations. Night was taken up with orations and dialogues, closing on Saturday night with a Negro minstrel and a Negro sermon. The County School Commissioner was often present on these occasions. It was his custom to visit the school at regular intervals. As the pupils saw him approaching, in his long jimswing coat and beaver hat, they were much elated because there would be a little rest period to listen to his talks, interspersed with anecdotes. Then he would be invited by the teacher to take the next text book and hear the pupils recite. Perhaps he would give an original problem to work which they delighted to do. The teacher was always very polite and met him at the door with the courtesy and deference that was due his official position. A portion of the teacher's pay came through the county school fund. HARMONY GROVE FEMALE ACADEMY 20th December, 1824. An Act to incorporate the Female Academy at Harmony Grove in Jackson County. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Georgia, in General Assembly met, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, That Russell Jones, Williams Potts, Samuel Barnett, Frederick Stewart, and John A. Rhea be, and they are hereby made and declared to be, a body politic and corporate, by the name and style of "the Trustees of Harmony Grove Academy": and as such body politic and corporate, shall be capable of doing all acts which may be necessary for the complete execution of the trust confided to them; and shall be invested with all property, both real and personal, which shall be acquired by purchase, gift, or otherwise, for the use and benefit of said institution, and shall be capable of suing and being sued; and the said trustees and their successors in office, or a majority of them, shall have the power of filling vacancies in their own body, and possess (passing) such by-laws as may be necessary to carry the powers hereby vested in them into full effect; Provided, such by-laws are not contrary to the laws and constitution of this State. JOHN ABERCROMBIE, Speaker of the House of Representatives. ALLEN B. POWELL, President of the Senate. Assented to, December 20th, 1824. G. M. TROUP, Governor. COMMERCE PARENT-TEACHER ASSOCIATION The patrons and teachers of the Commerce schools had for a long time felt the need of a Parent-Teacher Association, but were discouraged by the fact that such an organization had at one time been tried and functioned only two years. However, in the spring of 1947 a group of interested citizens met in the grammar school auditorium to discuss the advisability of organizing such a group again. It was unanimously decided that a Parent-Teacher Association be begun and the following were asked to serve on the Nominating Committee: Mrs. W. Hardman Jones, Chairman; Mrs. Lauren McDonald, Mrs. Charles Castleberry, Mrs. Paul T. Scoggins and Rev. C. W. Fruit. One hundred and ninety-six parents and teachers attended the first meeting which was held in April, 1947. Officers of the new association were elected at this meeting and were as follows: Mrs. L. G. Hardman, Jr., President; Mrs. Howell P. Little, Vice-President; Mrs. Alfred Hix, Secretary; Mrs. Charles Gillespie, Corresponding Secretary; and Mrs. W. L. Wells, Treasurer. Mrs. Hix later resigned and was succeeded by Mrs. Jack Meadors. Mrs. Gilespie resigned and Mrs. Tom Conn was elected to take her place. This organization has meant much to the schools and has helped make the link between parents and teachers a stronger one. Many projects have been undertaken and completed, among which are purchasing of playground equipment for the grammar school; re-decoration of the High School stage and the grammar school stage; dental clinics, immunization clinics and purchasing of library books. THE ATHLETIC FEATURE OF THE COMMERCE HIGH SCHOOL While emphasis was placed upon the value of athletics during the period of the Harmony Grove High School it was chiefly after the adoption of the public school system that athletics reached its highest development. During the Harmony Grove period various games were played, among them cat-ball, town-ball, bull-pen, scrub and other games during the 70'S. Later, baseball came into the picture. Some of the first rules of baseball were that the pitcher was required to pitch underhand. There were nine balls and four strikes. If the batter didn't strike at the third strike, there was a warning given and then he was given another chance at the fourth strike. Usually the catcher caught on the bounce until the third strike, then he came up behind the bat. There were no masks or mitts. Every one caught bare-handed. The curve ball came into use about 1883 or 1884. Pete Wilson, of Madison County, was the first curve-ball artist who taught Quincy Williford the art. From the Landrum administration to the public school era, baseball was the chief sport in the form of athletics, though shinny had its place among the boys and "Antney-over" among the girls. Shinny was played with crooked end sticks similar to golf sticks, made usually of persimmon or dogwood, with which the players drove a solid rubber ball across the goal line, similar to a football field, in which they used an equal number of players on each side. The real art of baseball developed rapidly in the 90'S when the national and professional game developed and became very popular. The Commerce High School began to develop good baseball teams, which perhaps reached the maximum during the superintendency of H. B. Carreker. Track and Field Day contests reached a high peak during this same period. It was during his administration that football came into prominence when the athletic field, known as the Hardman Field, was constructed, which provided a place for both baseball and football. Commerce had as fine a football team in 1916-1917 as could be found. On their schedule were Gainesville, Toccoa, Athens, Warrenton, Atlanta Boys' High and Tech High, against most of whom they were winners. This team went to Atlanta and played Tech High on their own field, even though they had heavy reserves. The Commerce boys played Tech High to a standstill in the first half. In the second half, Tech High put in Judy Harlan, a freshman, who later became an All-Southern fullback on the Tech team. With him as fullback and with other freshmen, Tech High finally nosed out the Commerce team in the last half. E. J. Harden, principal and athletic coach, was very popular, both with the faculty and with the students. Team Roster and Line-Up Backs Lawrence (Loggins) Hardman (Captain) Q.B. Lamar (Coop) Cooper R.H. T. F. (Tot) Harden F.B. Verne (Fish) Davis L.H. Bayard (Whiskers) Carson R.H.&G. John (Caleb) Barnett G. Felton McConnel Subs. Richard (Wink) Dowdy Subs. Regular Line Cosby (Buck) Smith L.E. Lammie Sims L.T. Marshal Pierce L.G. Frank Little C. Linton Cooper R.G. Colquitt (Slugger) Sims R.T. W. N. Harden R.E. E. J. (Runt) Harden Coach Perhaps this team, with its many star players, has not been equaled since, although it is to the credit of the present ad-ministration that they have developed, in the last two or three years, a splendid team from the fact that they have a real good field on the High School grounds. Basketball was introduced in a small way out in the open athletic field. It became more popular when the gymnasium was built as this gave a splendid indoor court which was used for match games both by the school and the town team. Games were first played in the auditorium of the grammar school on the second floor. JOHNTOWN SCHOOL When the town of Harmony Grove was incorporated in 1884, the Negroes numbered a little over 30 per cent of the population, living chiefly in the section known as Johntown with a few families living, about twelve years later, in the section known as Williamstown. The present Negro population is not more than 10 per cent of the total population. The Negroes from the early history of the town have manifested an interest in the education of their children. Their first schools were taught in various small buildings, sometimes in church buildings. When the public school system was established in 1902, the superintendent of the Harmony Grove public schools became also the superintendent of the Johntown School. About this time, there was erected an adequate school building on the north side of Homer Street which met their needs until about 1929, when the School Board secured three-fourth acres some distance back from the street. On this lot there was erected, with money donated by the Rosenwald Fund, a two-room building at a cost of $21500.00 in 1929. Later, 1937, two rooms were added by the city on the west end of the building so that now there is an adequate building, as well as grounds, for the Negro population. The Johntown School is operated according to the same system as the other schools of the city, having seven elementary grades and three high school grades with plans to incorporate an 11th grade this year. This school is the only High School available for Negroes in Jackson County, and is known as the Johntown Junior High School. Athletic and vocational programs are integral parts of the school program. Athletics include basketball, for both boys and girls. Vocational training includes Home Economics, Agriculture, Business Mathematics and Business English. Music is a separate department though connected with the school program. The Veterans Farm Training School and on-the-job training program is also available. It has an enrollment of 135 in the grammar grades and 23 in the high school. The faculty is composed of five teachers. Rev. J. H. Allen was the first principal after the establishment of the public school system in 1902 and occupied this position until 1921. He was a most gifted personality and was instrumental in establishing the system and promoting the advancement of the school. He was succeeded by W. T. Swilling who was principal for eleven years, followed by P. B. Harper, the present principal, who has occupied this position for sixteen years to the present date. All of these were good citizens and good school men. The Negro population of Commerce are very cooperative and have always shown an interest in the education of their children as well as in their church life. There are very few illiterates among them. JOHNTOWN, HARMONY GROVE The Negro section of Harmony Grove on Homer road was named Johntown about the time of the incorporation of the town. Several families lived on this road before then. However, about this time John Pittman, John A. Williford and Johnson Sanders sold lots on which houses began to be built in this section and from these names this section began to be called Johntown, which was accepted when the town Harmony Grove was incorporated. The growth and development of the people of this section is to be commended, especially in the realm of their schools and churches. John A. Williford donated the lot on which the Baptist Church and Pastorium is now located. WILLIAMSTOWN About the year of 1894, or 1895, Mr. Harmon Williams, a carpenter, contractor, and builder came to Harmony Grove and bought about two acres of land from L. G. Hardman, or C. W. Hood, Sr., in the rear of the Baptist Church. About this time a street was opened on the south side of the Baptist Church lot, later named Scott Street which extended through the Williams' lot. Mr. Williams built six or eight houses on this lot which at first were rented to white people but some years later were bought by different ones and rented to Negroes for the convenience of their cooks. One peculiar feature of these houses was that the gables were finished with shingles instead of weather boarding. The houses had other fancy touches that made a distinct feature. This settlement was called Williamstown. Mr. Williams built his own home on South Elm Street and finished all the outside with stained shingles. This house was later owned and occupied by W. B. Power. It is now owned and occupied by Mrs. W. B. Burns. Williamstown sometime later was occupied by both whites and Negroes until the city bought the half on the south side of the street and added to the city cemetery. Three Pioneer Characters of Johntown Immanuel Ragsdale Immanuel Ragsdale was a noted character in the early days of Johntown. He was a very popular preacher in those days though he could not read a word. His custom was to get some white preacher to read several texts of scripture which he memorized. When he got up to preach he repeated these over and over, emphasizing each word separately. He then exhorted his congregation to heed the warning of the text, some-times designating them personally. When Immanuel dressed to go to his country appointments he donned his long tail coat, his faded white vest and his dingy brown high hat. He was very polite to every one. And when Immanuel passed on to his reward his funeral was attended by all the Negroes of the surrounding section. For months to come, when the Negroes wanted to have a great occasion and a large congregation, they announced that they were going to have Uncle Immanuel's funeral preached again. Rev. Pleasant Campbell Another preacher of a little later date was a well known character in town. When he went into the pulpit he took Aunt Easter, his wife, "to close behind him," which she did by exhorting the congregation. Uncle Campbell with his white woolly locks standing out above his temples had a favorite text-"Great is the mystery of Godliness." I Timothy 3:16. He said he preached from this text sixteen times and went a different direction each time. Sometimes he went up into the elements, sometimes down on the earth's surface and sometimes into the ground. Uncle Campbell and his wife were also popular in town as lye hominy makers. Uncle Dave Bennett Uncle Dave was an industrious man and earned his living in his later years by chopping wood. His customers lived in all parts of the town. He was so knock-kneed it took him sometime to get to his work but by starting early, with axe on his shoulder, he reached his place in time and put in an honest day's work. Uncle Dave always ate his dinner with his employer where he was working. One custom' he had was to ask the blessing after he had eaten instead of before. He said he was thankful for what he had received. He reared a large family of boys and he certainly set them a good example of industry. Two Other Later Noted Characters of Harmony Grove and Commerce Mitchel Goss A noted character of Harmony Grove was Mitchel Goss, known to all the people as Mitch. He was original and unique in his manners and speech. He was extremely polite and obliging. In his early days he was noted as a debater in the Negro Literary Society on the topics of the day. He worked for the Commerce Drug Company and was really considered a member of the firm. All of his white friends sought counsel from his store of wisdom. He was recognized as the official assistant weather forecaster to Von Herman of Atlanta. His official prognostications proved about 20% true. Mitch also is said to have prepared a revision of Webster's Unabridged Dictionary. This likely has not been preserved and his double-jointed, unusual, and super-sophisticated words are lost to posterity. His friends in Commerce are legion. One of his boys was named John Hampton Thomas Jefferson Fox Gallo-way Pick-a-Ninny-in-the-Floor. They called him Hamp. Elbert Mathis Elbert was practically raised by C. W. Hood, Sr., who took him as a boy four or five years old and kept him as a playmate for his son C. J. Hood, who was about one year younger. Elbert had no education, only being able to write his name. He worked in a harness shop for Frank Stansby in 1882 and later had a harness shop in the rear of R. L. Hardman's Hard-ware Store. He continued the harness and shoe repair business in several locations in town and earned a living and made a good citizen. He reared five boys who continued the harness and shoe business and were otherwise useful. Elbert as a young man was the champion grain cradler in these parts. Other Old-timers of Johntown, Harmony Grove Immanuel Ragsdale Elbert Ragsdale Harry Brison General Brison Coon Brison Fair Brison Bob Shankle Garrison Rucker (step-son) Dave Bennett Bob Bennett Jim Bennett Dilly Bennett Dilmas Bennett Jesse Bennett Elbert Mathis Eugene Mathis Uzell Mathis Carl Mathis Milton Mathis George Pittman John Pittman Ike Pittman Will Pittman Peter Teasley Elbert Teasley Dave Teasley Jeff Freeman John Freeman Pleasant Campbell George Norwood John Norwood Alex Johnson Mitch Goss Anna Gus Goss (wife) Hamp Goss Van Deadwyler Ned Bush Elisha Adams Henry Miller Tom Dougins Tom Borders Sam Strickland Bob Burruss Sandy Hix, Sr. Tom Hargroves Jim Mayfield Wes Cochran Wes Chrisler Lint Chrisler Dan Williams Ben Hawkins Wiley Harris Aunt Levy Bennett Aunt Easter Campbell Aunt Lucy Brison Aunt Alice Hix Aunt Louisa Gaines Tom Norris George Jackson Tom Neal Charlie Bowden Will Barnard Richard Lowe Johntown Debating Society Along about 1884 the Negroes of Johntown organized a debating contest. They were encouraged by the young business men and boys of the town. Occasionally a debate was held either in old Strickland Hall or in R. L. Hardman's Hardware store. On one occasion the subject of the debate was: Resolved there wus a flood in South Demerica. (They thought the South was South America.) Sam Strickland and Mitch Goss were the leading debaters. Sam took the "infirmity" and Mitch the "nigitive." Sam argued, "There must'er been a flood in South Demerica, else how come all de big gullies over here?" He was scored one "pint." Mitch, on the other hand, asserted, "If da had been a flood over here old Columbus would have got drowned when he come over here on his skiff." He, too, scored one "pint." The debate continued pro and con with equally convincing reasons until the President finally added up the "pints" made and pronounced the debate a tie. Adjourned `sine die' til next Saturday night. Johntown Band Negroes have always been interested and gifted in music. In the days of Harmony Grove they had a real good band in Johntown. The band became somewhat efficient and would parade the streets in their band wagon, giving exhibitions of their musical attainments. On one occasion as the band began a musical number and the wagon started on the parade, Sam Strickland, an alto hornblower, dropped his piece of music. He scrambled for it, and finally placed in on his rack. The band was about half way through the number. Not knowing how to start in the middle, Sam began at the beginning in double time-too ta toot ta toot-and when the band reached the end of the piece Sam was right there, too. It is characteristic of Negro music, either vocal or instrumental, that regardless of how far apart the performers are in the middle of a tune they all wind up at the end together and in perfect harmony. In later years a group of young boys with stringed instruments serenaded the homes of the white people. They would always be encouraged by small gifts from their white friends. Negroes have always been noted for their musical talent and have received the cooperation of their white friends in their churches and in their school entertainments. Additional Comments: From HISTORY OF HARMONY GROVE - COMMERCE JACKSON COUNTY, GEORGIA BY THOMAS COLQUITT HARDMAN 1810-1949 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/jackson/history/other/gms161historyo.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/gafiles/ File size: 34.4 Kb