Next Stop: Brookhaven

From the Lincoln, Lawrence, Franklin Collection

Okay, I know I said I am on hiatus, but this one I could not resist.  The library caption reports that this is the first depot in town.  Not sure of the date of construction, but the railroad arrived circa 1858.  It is unclear to me whether Grierson's raiders burned down the depot during their march through the area, so if someone knows that answer, please feel free to post here or on my Facebook page.  This copy of a 1903 photo was made by W.C. Witbeck, a photographer who lived in Brookhaven for a time in the 1950s and is perhaps best known for his collection of photographs of iron horses.

On Hiatus

To our loyal followers: Apologies, but due to circumstances beyond our control, we have suspended posting to Sippiana, for now.  Our plan is to resume the blog in early 2014 with fun new stories and pictures.  Please check back then.  In the interim, now is a great time to catch up on your reading of postings you may have missed!!  Happy Scrolling!

A Roarin' Twenties' Masquerade on Valentine's Day

From the Whitworth College Collection, LLF Library

I see quite a few clowns, more than one Queen of Hearts, and any number of young women masquerading as men.  The latter choice would be expected at an all-girl's school, I suppose.

Happy Motoring ...

Don Jackson Collection, LLF Library

"Mr. James Nations is pumping gas for one of his customers." -- Library Caption

No date is available, but judging by the car, a Chevy Biscayne, this photo is from 1966 or later.  I tried to enlarge the photo to see what the price per gallon was, but the image was too blurry.  I know that in 1969, I was paying less than a quarter a gallon at Tillotson's, so I'm guessing the prices were pretty much on par.  

New Home of Good Year Tire & Rubber

Don Jackson Collection, LLF Library 

"This empty building was bought and turned into a Goodyear Tire Store. The building is located on Hwy 51." -- Library Caption

Some of us can remember what this building housed before it became a tire store.  And it was a whole lot more fun, wasn't it?

Hint for those who don't know: Many a spare was scored in this building BEFORE it became an automotive mecca.

Not So Lonesome Highway ...

Don Jackson Collection, LLF Library

A truck and a car are traveling down a road. The car has stopped and a man is standing in front of the car. The truck may be the Railroad Express. -- Library Caption

There is a mysterious quality to the why of this photo, and my best guess is this is a copy of a snapshot made for a customer.  But I could be wrong.  Wouldn't be the first time.  

Inside Grafton's Pharmacy

From the Don Jackson Collection, LLF Library

"Three men are standing around a product in Grafton's Drug Store. The product may be from Schering company." -- Library caption.

Our family did not do trade at Grafton's, so I am not familiar with any of the people in the photo, when this photo may have been taken or even where the store was located.  Help with those details would be appreciated, either here or on Facebook.

UPDATED & Corrected:  I am told that the man on the left is Gene Dempsey of Brookhaven.

Brookhaven Memory Gardens -- The Very Beginning

"Several men from Shipp's flowers are looking over a spot for a memorial garden. A sign reads, 'Brookhaven Memory Gardens.' Mr (Don) Jackson made this photo for Mr Osmann.' -- Library caption.

Both photos from Don Jackson Collection -- LLF Library

Let the landscaping begin.  Not sure of the date, but I believe it was the early 1960s.  Comments welcomed here or on my Facebook page.

The Impossible Years -- In More Ways Than One



L-R: Johnny Phillips, Stacie Browne, Sherry Kollmeyer, Gene Spring

L-R: Unknown, Stacie Browne, Pat or Loyola Reel?, Susan Reuter, Peggy McNeil, Tommy Ballard, Sherry Kollmeyer, Gene Spring

 

L-R: Doug Phillip, Stacie Browne, Johnny Phillips

Photo Credit: Patricia Jacobs, Daily Leader

Bloggers Note: Technical difficulties have resulted in my being unable to present to you Dr. Leo Brooks' "Bravo, Bravo" review in the Daily Leader of this theatrical production by the St. Francis Youth Players, which took place early December 1970.  If I am able to figure out how to present it in JPEG format, I will update this blog at a later time.

For now, please enjoy this part of the posting and stay tuned for any updates.

This production of The Impossible Years was a labor of love by the late Mr. John Bagnato (Sr.)  A native of New York, Mr. Bagnato was active in Little Theater and the St. Francis Youth Players and he brought a flair to any theatrical presentation, which included the latest in costuming and how to build an inclined set, Broadway style.

This quintessential "generation gap" story, The Impossible Years, by Bob Fisher and Arthur Marx, takes place in the den and living room of the Kingsley home in Old Westbury, Long Island.  As noted on the play bill, it was produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.

Directed by Hal Samuels, it starred Gene Spring as Dr. Jack Kingsley; Peggy McNeil as Linda Kingsley; Pat Reel as Abbey Kingsley; and Stacie Browne as Alice Kingsley.

Sherry Kollmeyer portrayed athletic director Miss Hammer; Johnny Phillips, Richard Merrick; and J.W. Smith had the role of Rickey Fleisher.  Stacy Godbold played Francine; Bill Haag, Wally; and Bruce Nettles was Dennis.  Billy Jacobs had the role of Andy and Tommy Ballard was Bartholomew Smuts, the hippie.

Robert W. ("Bob") Pittman portrayed Dr. Harold Fleisher while Doug Phillip was Arnold Brecher.  Irwin Kniberg (Boy) was played by James Latham.

Other names from the behind the scenes are: John Bagnato Jr., Staging & Assistant Director;  Molly Carruth, Mistress of Ceremonies & Publicity; Prompter, Loyola Reel; Jenny Bagnato and Barbara Davis, Properties & Ticket Sales; Steve Morris and Ray Bagnato, Lighting; Susan Reuter, Sound Effects; Sherry Kollmeyer and Molly Carruth, Program Design; Mr. James Doremus, Mr. R.C. Phillip, Mr. John Bagnato (Sr.), Set Assistance; Mrs. Ben Spearman, Mrs. John Bagnato, Mrs. Jap Becker, Mrs. R.C. Phillip, Mr. Joe Moak, Adult Advisors.
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A special thank you to Ray Bagnato for scanning in and providing copies of the Daily Leader review and his father's copy of the program, which was autographed by every participant.  We have opted not to provide that here, for obvious reasons.  

More Stahl Urban -- 1950

"Sewing Pants, 1950. Women seated at machines, sewing. Pants are visible in the right front of the photograph. In the center is a stack of completed garments, still turned inside out." -- Library caption

"Clyde Britt, on right, and another man are cutting the pattern. In front of the man on the left is a stack of fabric already cut with the pattern still on top." -- Library caption

"Long tables with employees seated on both sides. On the right and at the far end rows of employees stand for the photograph. On the table, each employee has a plate and a bottled Coca-Cola. Identified are: 1st man seated on left - Mr. Garrigan. On the right side of the table: seated - 2nd from right - Hazel Allen and 3rd from right - Helen Montgomery. Standing behind them: 1st on right - Stella Reeves and 2nd on right - Louise West - sisters and line supervisors." -- Library Caption

All photos are from the John Holly Williams collection, LLF Library.

Every Picture Has a Story

From the LLF Library Archives

"Golman Family, 1940-1960

Lura Golman sits to the right of the older woman in the center. Her younger sister, Myrtle Golman, is on the right end. 

Lura Golman worked for Stahl-Urban for many years and lived on family property located just south of the current Hwy 84/Hwy 51 intersection. 

At that time, the area between her home and town flooded frequently. An old tale was told of her driving to Stahl-Urban and going off the road during a heavy rain. 

Other motorists stopped to rescue her as she swam away from the sinking car.  Lura promptly went home, dried off, changed clothes, and went to work." -- Library caption.

Now that's a work ethic!

More Stahl Urban Glimpses

"We got your buttons right here!"

All photos from John Holly Williams Collection, LLF Library

More photos from 1950 inside Stahl Urban, which most folks simply called The Garment Factory.

For those who may not have seen the exchange on my Facebook page, I repeat below a story from Jerry Case, whose father Houston was a businessman, civic leader and former mayor of Brookhaven.  Houston Case passed away recently at age 100.

The garment factory building was originally built with WPA funds back in the 1930s.  Mr. Case's story below could explain a lot about how it came to be -- in a fashion that Huey P. Long, the Louisiana governor who famously did end runs around legislators to get what he wanted, would envy.

Here's the lore that Houston shared with Jerry:

"Back in the (1930's) Brookhaven heard about this company named Stahl-Urban in Terre Haute, Indiana, that wanted to relocate in the south to get away from the unions. 

"We were in competition with other localities around the south. So the city fathers found a way to build them a building using federal funds intended for schools. 

"The reason the front of the building looks like a school is because plans for a school had to be submitted to Department of Education or some such entity. 

"In a stretch, they did use the building to educate and train people to use those sewing machines and make clothes. 

"Guess you gotta do what you gotta do. Stahl-Urban provided a nice second income for families for years."

Please see yesterday's post for links and further reading on the history of the Stahl Urban, which dates back to the 1800s and was an innovator in piece goods manufacturing throughout its long history.

As always, if you recognize anyone in the photographs, please leave word here or on Facebook.

Stay tuned for more to come on this ground-breaking business and its people ...

Stahl Urban -- A Look Inside

All Photos by John Holly Williams -- LLF Library

Here are four shots from the beehive that was Stahl Urban, a garment factory that relocated to Brookhaven from Terre Haute, Indiana, and set up operations in this WPA-built building, which was featured in yesterday's post.

The date of these photos is 1950.

While collective circumstances varied, many of the women who worked on the sewing floor were wives of local farmers whose earnings helped supplement an agrarian income that could be uncertain given fluctuating prices, unpredictable weather conditions and other things unforeseen.  It was hard-earned money that they were happy to have as it was steady and reliable, if nothing else.

They were paid by the bundle in price formulas determined by the engineers who assigned a dollar value to each bundle of piece goods.  The more completed bundle stickers the women turned in on their daily sheets, the more money they stood to make.

Having helped in payroll there for a summer, I know that the formulas were complicated and most of them did not make minimum, so their hourly pay was always rounded up to minimum wage.  The only groups on the sewing floor that routinely beat minimum wage were pockets and steam press/quality control, to my best recollection.

(The top earner on the floor, by the way, was the last in the production line: steam press. Just try to imagine steam pressing garments one after another in an un-airconditioned building during the hot summers of the Piney Woods.)

When I worked there in 1969 or '70, many of the outwear garments were made for Sears and Roebuck and sold under the label Sir Jac.

As always, if you recognize anyone in these photos, or if you have a memory of Stahl Urban, please leave word here or on my Facebook page.

UPDATE:  Here is a link on the Stahl Urban story, provided by Jerry Case, whose father Houston had an extremely interesting story about how the garment factory came to relocate to Brookhaven from Terre Haute.  The story is well written and well worth the time it takes to read.  

A WPA Project Brings JOBS

From the Don Jackson Collection, LLF Library

"The parking lot is full at Stahl Urban." -- Library caption.

As a teenager and next door neighbor of the head of personnel, I actually worked in this building one summer as a payroll clerk and got an inside look at the operations.  

By then, the building was showing its age and there were cracks through which daylight poured in countless places.  Whenever I had to go into the "safe," a rather large room with a steel door that we never closed, I always was warned by my fellow co-workers to watch out for snakes, as more than one had been spotted in there among the books and papers.  

That warning was always followed up with the story of a seamstress who was bitten on the leg by a snake that had crawled into the bundles she was working on.  Yikes!  No wonder I have an inordinate fear of snakes (herpetophobia) to this day.

I have presented pictures of the interior of the building and the workers on my Facebook page, but not here.  Stay tuned for a reprise of those.  For the curious, here is an earlier posting of a Library of Congress photo of the building as it looked right after completion in the 1930s.

Styling in a Straw Boater and a Coachman's Hat

From the John Holly Williams Collection, LLF Library

"J.W. Hedgepeth -- This photo is (of) two boys sitting together. It was filed with a young man's picture and an older man's picture. The two men are sitting on the ground in front of a board fence. The photo is dated 1/1945." -- Library caption.

Best guess is this one is from the so-called Gilded Age.  

If anyone recognizes these folks, please leave word here or on Facebook.  

(My initial thought that they could be related to my uncle J.H. Hedgepeth was quickly dispelled when I checked out the additional photographs in the digital archives.)  

A Family of Eleven Watches the Birdie

From the John Holly Williams Collection, LLF

"A copy of a family photo was made for L B Herring in November 1945." -- Library caption.

I wish I could present this one full-sized, as a close up reveals even more, including the hand painted faces on the dolls being held by the two younger girls.  I would guesstimate that this photo was taken in the late 1800s, early 1900s.

I grew curious about the "Watch the Birdie" expression that has been around in photography for ages and found this photographer's website that explains the history of distracting impatient subjects while the photographer did his magic behind the camera.  If you're curious to read more, click on this link. 

Roberts Farm Supply and More

Both B&W photos from the Don Jackson Collection at LLF Library.

If anyone recognizes any of the men in the first photo, please offer up names and possible dates, here or on Facebook.  I am not clear where the brick building may have been located, but I believe the tin building is not far from the old Arrington Machine Works.  The smokestack in both photos is a good indicator of the location, although it is a part of town that I am not too familiar with.

The photo below is one I took a few years ago in the same vicinity.  These tractors reminded me of those in my favorite animated movie Cars.  I offer it here just because I like it and it serves as a reminder of days gone by.

  

The Screaming Tires, the Busting Glass ...

From the Don Jackson Collection -- LLF Library

"A photo of a wrecked car is taken for Southern Farm Insurance on 9/9/1964. May be used for a claim." -- Library caption.

The same car shows up elsewhere has having been taken in front of Hill's Body Shop.  I don't recognize the make of the car, although it could be a 1954 Buick.  One always has to wonder what the circumstances were of such a car accident.

Comments welcomed here or on my Facebook page.

Don Jackson Collection

"A photo of a wrecked car is taken for Southern Farm Insurance on 9/9/1964. May be used for a claim." -- Library caption.

Here's the same car from another angle.  Would not have wanted to have been a passenger in the front seat.  Note the license plate.  I had forgotten that Lincoln County plates started with a 43 back in the day.

Why Is This Woman Smiling?

From the Don Jackson Collection, LLF Library

"The manager of the A & P is awarding a lady with a gift. The date is May 1967." -- Library caption.

Why shouldn't she be smiling?  Forget Piggly Wiggly's carload special on Maxwell House coffee!  This woman just won $100 in purchases from A&P!  Think of the amount of orange drink she could buy at 2 for $.69.

As always, if you recognize these folks, please leave word here or on my Facebook page.  The man doesn't look familiar, but the lady's face is ringing a bell, however distantly.

Freight for the Rails

From the Don Jackson Collection -- LLF Library

"Men (and boy and dog) with boxes (for) shipment are at the depot waiting for the train." -- Library caption,

Not sure what the occasion is, the date or much else.  Forget the towering boxes, I love the sheer number of wagons.  Today, I do believe there's only one left and it's part of the museum display at the old depot.

As always, if someone recognizes the folks in the photo or knows more about the event that led up to this photo, please leave word here or on Facebook. 

We're Moving On ...

Both photos from the Don Jackson Collection -- LLF Library

These photos are likely from the late 1940s or 1950s, though I cannot be certain because I have no real eye for truck cab makes and models.

I like these photos for any number of reasons: starting with the size of the trailer, which, if compared to today's moving vans, well, it goes to show that households and the contents therein were imminently smaller than they are today.

The first photo also gives us a glimpse of the old Railroad Freight Station, which I believe has long since been torn down.  The corrugated metal building in the background is also of interest, but I cannot place where it is/was.

I don't remember exactly where the old freight station was, so if someone cares to chime in or has information on Reeds Transfer and the men pictured herein, please feel free to do so here or on Facebook.

UPDATE:  This company was started by W.C. Reed right after his discharge from the Navy post WWII.  Each of the trucks was named after a family member, this, according to Monty Reed. Thanks, Monty!

Piggly Wiggly Car Load Sale

From the Don Jackson Collection, LLF Library

Now I ask you, when was the last time a pound of Maxwell House coffee cost $.69?

Another One with a Certain How You Say ...

From the John Holly Williams Collection -- LLF Library

"A copy of (a photo of) a girl sitting in grass was made for Mrs. W. A. Garner; Rt 3, Box 58, Brookhaven Miss. The date that the copy was made was September 6, 1945," -- Library caption.

Here's another photo from Mr. Williams' collection that has a strange, captivating quality.  The subject is holding what appears to be flowers, possibly made of tissue, and what may be a paper cutout that I can only describe as bearing a resemblance to the Easter Seals symbol. (But a quick check of the internet shows that that trademark didn't come into being until 1952.)  

Her unusual pose and pensive gaze toward the horizon only add to the intrigue.  

Just who she is (a Garner perhaps?) and the occasion for the photo remain a mystery, although the copy was made just a few days after the Japanese surrendered and WWII drew to an official close.  Could she be waiting for a soldier or a sailor to return home?  

If anyone recognizes this young lady and knows the history of how this photo came to be, please leave word her or on Facebook.

A Teen Hang Out Disappears and a Shopping Center Rises

Both Photos from the Don Jackson Collection, LLF Library

"Shainberg's, Sears, and T G & Y are located in this shopping center," -- Library caption.

It's the mid 1960s, based on the Mustang in the top photo, but the exact date, I cannot recall. I seem to remember that Hammond's, where they served the best brown derby ice cream custards ever, was atop a hill, approximately where the photographer was standing in the second photo.  

Help as far as the history of this center is needed and welcomed, here or on Facebook.

A Tourist Court from the 1950s

From the Don Jackson Collection -- LLF Library

"The back view of a motel. Name of the motel is Danny's Tourist Court." -- Library caption.

This one has me stumped.  I don't recall it at all.  Help is welcome in determining its history, location, etc.  Please leave word here or on my Facebook page.

In my research, I did find some interesting reading on the rise and fall of the Mom and Pop motel industry along the nation's old highway system.  Here's the link if you are so inclined.

Ma Bell Gets a New Home

Both Photos from the Don Jackson Collection, LLF Library

"This large building foundation belongs to Bell Telephone Company. You can see Fisk Tire business in the background." -- Library caption.

I am not clear on the date of these photos, but it most likely from the early 1960s.  I like the above shot for the background, depicting the "Fisk Tire" business and building that was razed in 1971 to make way for the First Baptist Church on East Monticello. The building sporting the Paul Johnson banner is the old Entrican Motors building, which still stands today.

The photo below (which ran in a previous Sippiana post) shows the street level view and reveals that the "foundation" mentioned in the above caption is actually the roof of the building.  

Further helping to narrow the possible date, the "newest" car that I recognize is the 1959 Chevy on the far right. Johnson ran for Lieutenant Governor in 1959 and won, but I suspect the banner may have been for his bid for governor some four years later.  (The previous posting shows the large, two-story home that was sold in 1958 and later torn down to make way for this new commercial structure.)

This telephone company building stands today, though I am unclear as to whether it is still the home of Ma Bell.  

Comments are welcome here or on my Facebook page, especially as to dates.   

A Soldier and a Sailor

"George Case in a soldier uniform with a man wearing a sailor's uniform. Date 12/31/1945." -- Library caption.

If anyone knows more about these two members of the military, please leave word here or on my Facebook page. 

National Guard Officers 1948

"Several officers on a stage shaking hands . Note reads 'American vet meeting National guard officers.' Taken for the Leader Co. 10/20/1948." -- Library Caption.

Not sure who these gents are, or the occasion, but in honor of this Memorial Day Weekend, I give you this photo from the John Holly Williams Collection.

As always, if you recognize anyone please leave a note here or on my Facebook page.

Whitworth Campus, Circa Late 1800s, Early 1900s

From the LLF Library Collection

A westbound view of Cherokee Street not often seen ... The spire in the background is most likely that of the first First Methodist Church.  The twin buildings in the foreground were likely designed by Capt. A.E. Moreton, a young Baltimore architect who, through sheer serendipity, met the college's founder on a northbound train in 1859, disembarked in Brookhaven and never looked back.

An earlier post showed an eastbound view of Cherokee Street from this approximate time period.  To view that photo, showing downtown buildings and the townspeople ready for a parade, please click on this link.

A Prize Catch and a Possible Clue to a Mystery ...

From the John Holly Williams Collection, LLF Library

"Five men holding a long line of fish. Taken downtown Brookhaven. Date 8/13/1951." -- Library Caption

I am featuring this photo not so much for the catch and the unnamed men and little boy to the far right, but for what's in the background -- Gulley's Men's Store.  

Two days ago, a post of Wilson's Department Store got a lot of people wondering where on earth it might have been in downtown Brookhaven, if at all, and a lively debate ensued on my Facebook page.  

I am thinking that since Gulley's (now the approximate location of Smith's Jewelers) was east of Benoits and west of Hodge's, that Gulley's was probably the location for Wilson's, which operated in the mid 1960s, according to a Facebook friend who worked there over the Christmas holidays in 1965.  

Comments, opinions, and respectful disagreements are welcome, here or on Facebook!  

I just love a mystery, don't you?

Also, if anyone recognizes any of the men or the little boy in the photo, please offer up names.  

David Davidson as a Tot

From the John Holly Williams Collection -- LLF Library

"Several pictures show a mother and her little boy at home reading a book. Some of the pictures are single poses of the mother and some are single poses of the little boy. Only information is the name 'Davidson,' and the date 1945." -- Library caption.

I am going to go out on a limb here and say this toddler is David Davidson, born Feb. 13, 1943. His parents were Burton Kinchen Davidson (1904-1988) and Elizabeth Pitts Davidson (1906-1998).  

From what I know, Burton Davidson and photographer John Holly Williams were the best of friends, and Mr. Williams and his wife treated David like the son they never had.  For many years after World War II, the Davidsons lived in the Florida Keys, where David's father worked for the U.S. government.

Mr. Williams kept an old Model T Ford parked outside his Art Studio during the late 1950s to help attract business, and he was more than happy to allow Dave and my brother Sam drive around town in a most unique car and attract pretty young girls in the process.

David grew up to be a crooner and a musician. Please see this link to view an earlier Sippiana Succotash post featuring David as the entertainer at one of the Lion's Club Water Carnivals.

UPDATE:  My brother, who was friends with David for many years, reports that David married the daughter of the President of Costa Rica and lived there for many years.  After that marriage ended, he lived in Fort Lauderdale and owned a bar there.  He arrived back in Brookhaven around 1978 or 1979. My brother lost touch with him after 1983, when he was last known to be selling cars in Brookhaven and still dabbling in music.

David died Dec. 5, 2002, age 59.  He is buried in Rose Hill Cemetery in Brookhaven, and his black granite grave marker, which has an etching of a guitar on it, is not far from the old stone fountain.

  

Wilson Department Store

Don Jackson Collection -- LLF Library

"Wilson Department Store -- Lewis Wilson had this photo taken of a men's department store. The store shows suits on a wall and also hats." -- Library caption.

Okay, I'll admit it -- this one has me completely stumped.  I do not recall a Wilson Department Store, nor do I recognize any of the people in this photo.  Perhaps this is from a neighboring town or perhaps I just have a huge gap in my knowledge of the merchants in the area?  

Help is appreciated on this one!  Here or on Facebook.