Talbot County GaArchives News.....Letter by H.P. Quin - Memories of Talbotton July 29 1909
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Carla Miles cmhistory@mchsi.com September 26, 2003, 1:00 pm

The Talbotton New Era

The Talbotton New Era
Thursday, July 29, 1909
Page 8

In Reminiscent Vein

Harry Brooks Going To Talbotton Brings Up Memories to H.P. Quin

Mr. Editor:

You noted the election of Prof. Harry Brooks as Superintendent of the Public 
Schools in your last issue of the Gazette Chronicle.  We all rejoice in Harry’s 
success and we, who used to know old Talbotton, rejoice that he is going to 
such a cultured town.  You mentioned a few names of noted men who once attended 
school at old Collinsworth Institute, notably Chancellor Walter B. Hill and 
Oscar Straus.  You failed to mention Bishop H.N. McTyerre, who was by far the 
greatest man turned out from that institution.  You should have mentioned 
Nathan Straus, my old desk mate, whose picture adorns the pages of the August 
Delineator.  Nathan has grown to be a great philanthropist, has done great 
good, and is still accomplishing great things for the poor.  If I am correctly 
informed.  He was the organizer of what is known as the Modern Department 
store, and practically owns the gigantic concern, R.H. Macy & Co.

Collinsworth went down long ago and with it, Talbotton began her rapid 
decline.  That school was evidence of what a school will do for a town.

Some times little things bring about great calamities.  That April fool we 
played the teachers was the prime cause of the downfall of Collinsworth, and 
with it Talbotton.  A little yielding on the part of the teachers, on that 
occasion could have avoided all the innumerable woes that followed.  I think 
the teachers should have said “now boys you have had your innocent fun, we will 
get down to business harder than ever until next April,” all this would have 
been avoided.  But it is hard for the teachers to see their authority trampled 
upon, and dignity must be preserved, they think.

I visited Talbotton last year for the first time in forty years and saw 
evidences of great decay.  Many of the old houses are just as they stood then, 
but weather beaten, and gone to ruin.  There is a bright out look for the town 
as the AB&A runs through the place and new buildings of all kinds are springing 
up.

It was the habit to prefix “old” to each other’s names, and I overheard one 
tell another, that, “Old Hugh Quin” is in town, and I thought how true that is 
this time.  All asked after “Old Jim Chapman.” 

Yours truly,
H.P. Quin




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