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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 *» <► February 4, 1911 O < > I < ► (> < > < ► I I > ; ’ 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. < > < > < > < * (> \ i > 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^