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The Old Pole Boat and Nat Monday. |
Mr Editor —l here are a few of i
us old fellows left that have some
knowledge of “by-gone days” that |
the young people know nothing a- 1
bout, hence this letter, and I write
ib not eo much for edification but
for their amusement.
Many years ago there was a pole
boat that skimmed the waters of
the Altamaha and Ocmulgee rivers
between Darien and Macon. This
boat was in charge of Capt. John
T. Sharpe, my grand-father, and
his cook was old Uncle John Gray
This boat was propelled by negro
power with long poles with iron
points or sockets on the end. I had
one of the points in my possession
for a long while. The idea of shov
ing a boat from Darien to Macon,
a distance of several hundred mileß
up these turbulent streams seems
preposterous. The old negroes
inflated with good whiskey, which
seemed to have the power of gen
erating steam and took the place of
gasolene oil and other combusti
bles of the present day use. The
boat had gunnels or side-walks on
either side. The negroes would all
walk to the bow, set their poles
and walk to the stern, pushing up
stream. In high water they used a
temporary windless they would
fasten to trees tc pull across, for
they had te keep in shallow water
if possible.
I will give the names of some of
these old negroes: George, Neal,
Mark, Amos, Cash, Lancaster and
Sango, besides many others, but
the most important one of them
all was Natt Monday. Natt was a
genuine black negro and was a
musical prodigy like Blind Tom.
The Captain was a famous fiddler
and Natt soon learned to play all
his Captain could play. The huJk
of this same old boat is now buri
ed in the sand at the mouth of
Cobb’s creek on the Altamaha,
now Smith’s landing Nat being a
famous fiddler, was called on to
play at public gatherings and es
pecially weddings. In those days
there was a class of people called
“Buckren.” These were the negro
owners and when the son of a
buckren wanted a wife, he hunted
the daughter of a bußl-ren, counted
the negro houses and the inmates
therein, for African performers
were always in demand, in fact the
old folks had much to do in this
matter.
When a young couple agreed to
lock horns a feast was prepared, or
m other words the big pit was put
into the little one. All the neigh
bors were invited, old and young,
and a genuine old fashioned break
down had at night. Nat, being a
musician and a good old time
slave and a favorite with the white
people was always on hand. After
enjoying the feast they would be
gin to couple off, perhaps 20 or 30,
or more The first couple to the
right would dance, cutting the
pigeon wing, the soaring eagle or
Jim Rvals which was a favorite
step, then they would pass down
the column and take their stand.
The next couple would do like
wise and so on until all had danc
ed, and sometimes it took an hour
or more to go through. The dances
often took place in the open yard,
for the houses in those days were
always small.
The married ladies often danc
ed, stacked their babies away in a
room and often swapped when
they left before day. They all had
to stand until the last couple had
danced,because it would have been
a breach of decorum to have left
before. While standing waiting
they surveyed the heavens, hunt
ed the seven stars, the dipper,
evening star, north star, the milk
maid’s path and whispered little
love stories. There was a young
fellow that talked science so much
that he acquired the name of ‘Sci
entific.” He fell in love with an
old aunt of mine and on one of
them occasions asked her if he
couid “lay his scientific arms
around her angelic neck.” I imag
ine she blushed, sighed and nod
ded her consent.
Little Nellie was a skipper on
the floor and she would remind
you of a humnviig bird buzzing |
around a rose bud She was a fav
orite of all the bovs and this
pleased old Uncle Amos, her fath- ;
er, and he always accompanied j
her to the “shindigs.” He loved i
peach brandy, which was a gentle
man’s drink in those days. On one
occasion Nellie was dancing and
Uncle Amos got so excited that he
got down on his knees to watch
her foot action. All at once ho
I jump* d up and cried out, “boys
does eh- “tc.ch” the floor or not?”
Natt would play such pieces as
j Muckled Sandy. Leather Breeches,
I Fun in the Wild Woods, One Ey
ed Gopher and ot her old pieces for
the dancers. Just before day in
the stillness of the night Natt
would retu:*e his fiddle and play
6uch pieces as Deep Blue Sea, Blue
Juanita and My Pretty Little El
len Bane. This last piece always
touches a tender chord in my heart
for Bhe was my sweet little Ellen
Bane, and Now after everything is
calmed down let us sing “A Life
on the Rippling Stream ”
John H Ci.ifton.
P. S.—Yes, they would dance
all night, ’till broad day light and
walk home with the gals in the
! morning.—J. H. C.
The fight tor the great Panama
| Canal Exposition which will be
h-*ld in 1'.j15 when the canal is
: opened, is waxing warm. New
■ Orleans and San Francisco are th«
? main contending giants, who are
I striving to win the exposition,
j with Washington a new compet
» itor in the race for the honor.
Citation.
GEORGIA—Toombs County:
. Nellie Corbin vs. A. Corbin—Libel for di
vorce in Toombs Superior Court —February
Term. 1911.—T0 the Sheriff of said county.
, greeting: The defendant, A. C orbin, is hereby
i cited and required, personally or by attorney.
to be and appear at the Superior Court to be
> held in and for said county on the third Mon
day in B'ebruary. 1911. then and there to make
answer or defensive allegation, in writing, to
j the plaintiffs libel, as in default thereof the
Court will proceed according to the statute
in such cases made and provided. Witness
L the Hon. B. T. Rawlings. Judge of said Court.
this 38th day of November. 1910.
i D. T Gibbs,
Clerk Superior Court Toombs County.
L. J. Cowabt, Palintiff’s Attorney.
Citation.
GEORGIA —Toombs County:
To all whom it may concern: J. P. McLeod
, having made application to me in due form of
law to be appointed permanent administrator
upon the estate of Geo. W. McLeod, late of
said county, deceased, notice is hereby given
that said application will be heard at the regu
lar term of the Court of Ordinary for the said
county to be held on the Ist Monday in Febru
ary. 1911. Witness my hand and official signa
ture this 2nd day of January, 1911.
G. T. Mason.
Ordinary Toombs County.
Citation.
GEORGIA—Toombs County:
Whereas Hiram and L. K. Clifton, adminis
trators upod the estate of the late Peter Clif
ton. represent to the court in their petition
duly filed and entered on record that they
have fully administered the estate of the late
Peter Clifton, this is to cite all persons con
cerned, kindred and creditors, to show cause,
if any they can. why said administrators
should not be discharged from their adminis
tration and receive letters of dismission on the
Ist Monday in February. 1911.
This January 2nd. 1911.
G. T. Mason, Ordinary.
Citation.
GEORGIA—Toombs County:
: Della Melntire vs. Will Mclntire. — Libel for
Divorce in Toombs Superior Court. Feb
ruary Term. 1911.
To the Sheriff of said County. Greeting:
The defendant, Will Mclntire. is hereby
cited and required, personally or by attorney,
to be and appear at the Superior Court, to be
held in and for said county on the third Mon
day in February. 1811, then and there to make
answerer defensive allegation, in writing, to
the plaintiff's libel, as in default thereof the
Court will proceed according to the statute
in such cases made and provided.
Witness the Hon. B. T. Rawlings. Judge of
said Court, this the 30th dav of Nov.. 1910.
D. T. Gibbs.
Clerk Toombs Superior Court.
Williams & Williams.
Plaintiff's Attorneys.
Lyons Lots and Farm
FOR SALE!
I own a small farm of acres in edge of
Lyons, and several nice residence lots near
the school house in Lyons, which I wish to
sell.
If interested, communicate with me.
CHAS. G. EDWARDS.
No. 4 Sorrel Bldg.,
Savannah. Ga.
WE ARE IN THE
Real Estate
BUSINESS.
Ist. For the Benefit of Lyons.
2nd. For the benefit of Toombs
County.
3rd. For the benefit of ourselves
If you wish to buy a nice Lot in
Lyons, either to improve or for
investment, call on ns.
If you wish to sell your house
or your Lyons property, then come
to see us anyhow, because Mr.
wants to buy it.
If you wish to buy a farm in
Toombs County, let us show you
what we have.
We have newcomers in our office
‘■very day, wishing to purchase
land in Toombs County. So if
you wish to sell your farm or j
lands, then list it with us.
Williams Really to.
Toombs County Bank Bldg.,
Lyons, Ga.
THE LYONS PROGRESS, FEBRUARY 3 Ifcll
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February 4, 1911
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; ’ Let above date remind you that deposits in our Savings Department
<< when made on or before the FIFTH of ANY month draw interest from the
| FIRST day thereof, and that the time to place idle money safely at interest is
;; When You Get It. This should appeal to Farmers who still hold a portion of
’ \ \ the 1910 cotton crop, and to others making collections at this season.
*O W •
} < > Four t per cent, and SAFETY for your idle funds is what we offer.
. <• While we reserve the right to require 60 days’ notice as to a withdrawal, it is
•> a ls° true that we have never required such notice in the more than SIX
_ YEARS that our Savings Department has been operative, and that our policy
■ “ keeping a strong Cash Reserve makes a deposit in our Savings Derartment
<> practically available on demand.
\ “ Procrastination is the thief of time. Deposit your money WHEN
- ;; YOU GET IT. Bank with us BY MAIL.
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I Special Invitation! 5
The officers of the Uvalda Bank extend a special y
invitation to their many friends and customers to y
call around and inspect their new banking rooms* y
The Cashier will take pleasure in going into detail and ex-
plaining their system of banking, and it matters not how small
your account may be it will be appreciated, and you will be y
treated courteously and made to feel at home. ■
We cultivate the acquaintance of our customers, and want as
far as possible to know them personally, so you can’t please us 9
better than to call and get acquainted, and tell us who you are, ■
where you live, what you are doing, etc. We are interested in M
you, and want to know you.
J. J. JONES, J. B. JONES, Jr., W. F. McALLISTER, P
President. Vice-President. Cashier. /
■
J. J. Moses, J. B. Jones, Jr., H. B. McNatt, k
W. P. Calhoun, W. E. Beugnot, R. C. Hogan, /
W. A. Peterson, J. J. McArthur, W. F. McAllister ■
Fire Insurance.
Insure your property with Bruce
McLeod, representing a number
of strong English and American
Companies. He issues policies
on desirable country dwellings
and barns, and on system gins.
Office in New Lyons Hotel.
iTAYLOR SAW MILLS LEAD
u - O io Simplicity, Capacity, Durability, None Better
\ | “ ny *? nc "? .M»de Machinery and avoid
\ J 5' V ® Frei4l * <B ““dl|ona waits for Repairs
Steam and Gasoline Engines
wpi Portable & Stationary Boilers
- Ginnin S* Sawing and Shingle Outfits
Fump*, Tinkt, T n were. laafinp, Acetylene Lip biinn pu.i.
% fVENYTHIM IN MACHINERY AND SUPPLIES
MALLABYMACHINERY CfI, 3 a3r^