Dot Moore and her latest book . . .

The Meriwether Historical Society is pleased to announce that author Dot Moore will return to Greenville this Sunday, October 30^th to speak about her recent book, No Remorse: the Rise and Fall of John Wallace.  Moore spoke to a packed courtroom in Greenville several years ago when she published her first book Oracle of the Ages about the life of fortune teller Mayhayley Lancaster. The public is invited to this second program to be held on the second floor courtroom at 4 pm.  There is no admission charged, and Moore will have her book available for sale for $24.95 with part of the proceeds going to the Meriwether Historical Society.

   The story of Meriwether farmer John Wallace who killed his farm hand William Turner earned a nationwide audience when reporter Margaret Ann Barnes of the Newnan Times-Herald wrote Murder in Coweta County in 1976. The book was made into a movie starring Andy Griffith as Wallace, Johnny Cash as Coweta Sheriff Lamar Potts and June Carter as Mayhayley Lancaster.

   Meriwether residents who knew Wallace and the fateful day when Turner was released from jail in Greenville have long taken a different view of what should have followed.  Most contend the murder occurred in Meriwether, not Coweta County, which would have placed Wallace in front of a Meriwether County jury instead of a Coweta one.

Author Dot Moore has used courthouse records, letters written by Wallace, and other documents to compile the biography that makes for a good read and a fascinating court case discussion. She brings with her items owned by Wallace.

   Again, the public is invited to attend the program in Greenville at the courthouse at 4 pm.

National Infantry Museum

September 2011

On Saturday, September 10^th, 2011 the Meriwether Historical Society traveled to Columbus to the National Infantry Museum on the outskirts of Fort Benning, home of the Infantry. Opening in 2009, the entrance to the grounds of the 190,000 square foot museum and its impressive atrium were breath taking.

   The museum is imposing and meaningful from the entrance throughout. Its centered entry reminded the group of the Jefferson Memorial, having a columned rotunda and dome with such a wonderful expanse of physical space that you never feel crowded. Featured beneath the dome is a dramatic sculpture depicting the infantry motto, "Follow Me": A soldier in full combat WW-II uniform dashing ahead, shouting (the motto, no doubt) with right hand pointing ahead, the left carrying his rifle.
    Members were impressed with the docents who welcomed and helped us along. They seemed really to enjoy being there, wished us the same, and were "on fire" in their desire to impart with passion their knowledge of the various wars represented.
    All felt that "The Last Hundred Yards" was the most impressive exhibit. The museum's signature exhibit unfolds scenes from eight wars in our country’s infantry history, and it features figures cast from real soldiers. The title defines the infantry`s job: taking the last hundred yards in battle. Here visitors walk through realistic dioramas representing scenes from all U.S. wars. Each has a well-placed video making it come alive and each showing uniformed infantrymen of the period. The high tech visuals of sight and sound immersed the viewer into feeling he or she were there at the front-lines.
    After lunch at the Fife and Drum, the excellent restaurant in the museum, the group spread out to some of the many rooms honoring different periods in our national history. Every detail in this fine museum is carried out to perfection.
   Centered on the gallery level is the Hall of Honor. It has walls of glass through which rows of soldiers’ photographs can be seen with each being an Infantry Medal of Honor recipient. Because the Infantry receives more fatalities than any other branch of service, it has the most recipients of this high honor.
   Some of the group also visited Heritage Walk which connects the museum with the parade field. It is lined with the flags of all the states rising above rows of polished granite pavers donated by families to commemorate their heroes.
  The trip was an unforgettable experience for the members and highly recommended by our local patriots and lovers of history. The next meeting of the Meriwether Historical Society will be Sunday, October 30^th, and will feature author Dot Moore who enthralled the community on her last visit with her book Oracle of the Ages or the stories about Mayhayley Lancaster.  Moore has recently published No Remorse: The Rise and Fall of John Wallace. The program will not be held at the historical society headquarters but possibly at the Meriwether Courthouse to accommodate the expected crowd.

White Sulphur Springs

The Meriwether Historical Society met on Sunday, April 10, 2011 at White Sulphur Springs near Pine Mountain to see the restoration of the historic resort and learn what owner Steven Stuart has planned for the healing waters.

Historical Society President Sallie Mabon welcomed the large crowd attending the meeting that was held in the spring house of Chalybeate Springs used in the 1970s as a barbecue pit and restaurant. Mabon thanked Rosla Plant, Linda Supanski, and Mary Anne Harman for their work on the Christmas party and dinner. Fifteen pavers for Greenville’s new streetscapes sidewalks were purchased for historical society presidents costing $3,750 with past officers donating $1,400 to the fundraiser.

Mabon introduced Stuart who purchased White Sulphur Springs three years ago. He said he had been driving by the springs for seventeen years without knowing they were there but had read about the healing waters of various Meriwether springs and was interested. His first work was to bring in bulldozers and clear the jungle that had grown up over the years. He is currently working with engineers, contractors, and bottlers to put the healing sulphur water in a marketable form.

The water has a high PH of 7.6 to 8 and brings with it a number of minerals that are thought to heal acid reflux, help with diabetes, joint problems, and more.  The high levels of manganese are thought to help those with Alzheimer’s. The springs output is about one gallon per minute. Several springs are located there-Chalybeate, Rock Sulphur, Black Sulphur, and Red Sulphur Springs all feed into White Sulphur Creek.

Stuart has enjoying learning about the various owners and history of the resort. The Marks brothers of Columbus owned the land in the 1800s when it was called Pine Knot. 1906 saw a lot of activity as there was a two story hotel there run by owners Scoville and Tigner. People visited for the health benefits but also pure recreation. There were a number of cottages and activities on the grounds from a casino, dance hall, billiards, steam rooms and more. The grounds provided all the vegetables and meats for the dining room. Historical society members enjoyed pouring over the hotel register dating from 1906 to 1922 and noting signatures by the locals from our county staying there as well as noted figures like John D. Rockefeller, George Vanderbilt, J. P. Morgan, Cason Callaway, and FDR.

Stuart showed the club framed photos of Franklin Roosevelt on possum hunts where the animal was hunted and caught, fed out for several weeks and then eaten.  Ben and Martha Tigner were shown serving the then Governor Roosevelt at the famous “Possum Supper” where thirty possums were cooked and served.

The hotel burned two times with the last opening February 12, 1948. The club enjoyed touring one of the cottages complete with rustic wainscoting, wall molding pegged to hold items like clothing, and plastered walls and ceilings that were in remarkably good shape.

Stuart provided members a gallon jug so they could each take home the healing waters from Red Sulphur Springs. Several members enjoyed soaking their feet in the Chalybeate Springs water while the society enjoyed refreshments and chatting. The society will again hold a summer luncheon and fundraiser possibly having Herb Bridges, called the world’s leading authority on Gone with the Wind memorabilia, as the guest speaker.

 

President Theatre

The Meriwether Historical Society met on Sunday, November 14^th 2010 and car pooled to Manchester to the President Theatre where members were greeted by Regina Garrett who led the tour of the 1930s Art Deco theatre.

   Garrett began by asking members present who had come to the theatre years ago and Lynda Woodall replied, “It was my mom’s babysitter on Saturday. When it opened at 9 am on Saturday we were here to buy tickets for 10 cents.  We watched the serials, news, movies and then watched them again until 4 pm and it was time to go home.” Lewis Routon and Lib Duncan also said they attended often. 

   Garrett, the Executive Director of the theatre, has raised over $250,000 for the theatre’s restoration since the project started two years ago. The theatre was built in 1935 at a cost of $22,000 and displayed in the store front area are the framed deeds by the parties and bankers involved. The restoration is estimated to cost 1.2 million but, Garrett said, contractors and craftsmen have donated their services so they are hoping to complete the project for less.

   The theatre was originally a Roy Martin vaudeville cinema with the storefront generating revenue.  Movies were becoming prevalent then so the vaudeville period is limited. Historical society members remembered Freckles the Monkey and Officer Don performing live. The memories and tid bits picked up as the restoration progresses are what keep inspired, Garrett said.

   The structure has pressed tin ceilings and has its original terrazzo floor. It is not the usual ornate Roy Martin theatre however and has minimal fancy plaster work. The front rows were set a bit further back than normal to accommodate the patients from the Foundation. The balcony was segregated with bench seating and a separate upstairs entrance used.

   Notably it was one of the few buildings to have air conditioning in the thirties-the water cooled mist system is currently visible through the walls studs.

   The future for the theatre looks good even in these tough economic times.  The plans are to create a flexible facility with the old period look but modern technologies available so that the facility can be used for video conferencing or rented for programs.  In the 1930s, the theatre held 500 people but today’s larger adult size makes 350 seats the comfortable goal.

   Currently the theatre is partnering with the Fox Theatre and planning a workday with free tickets to the Fox for the first 25 volunteers. Also, its non profit status makes tax deductible donations possible.  At the suggestion of Tyrone Elliott and with help from the Arts Council, the theatre has offered the area “an excuse to dress up” and its New Year’s Eve Gala is in its third year.  Held at the Manchester Mill, the room is transformed by Jimmy Mitchem.  This year’s theme is a Night at the Oscars. Caricature artists will be there and photo ops are in place with a delicious meal, band and dancing part of the evening and a champagne toast at midnight.

   The historical society made a small donation to the restoration efforts with a larger donation being planned.  In other business, the Honey Baked Ham Fundraiser was finalized with deliveries to be made Friday, November 19^th at the headquarters building.  

   The society heard from Linda Wilburn and the status of the Better Home Town Streetscapes project which is currently out for bid and with construction expected to start the 1^st of February and completed in June. The society voted to purchase fourteen 17 inch hexagonal pavers in honor of each of the historical society’s presidents.

Oktoberfest

The Meriwether Historical Society met to enjoy the beautiful fall weather and colors at the home of Winston and Sally Neal in Mountville on Saturday, October 16^th, 2010 and dined on a German meal celebrating Oktoberfest. Many members wore some piece of traditional German or Bavarian or alpine clothing with items like felt hats, vests, embroidered blouses, aprons, dirndls, or brought for display beer steins or walking sticks.

   Recognition was given to those attending who were born in Germany (Dr. Werner Linz), lived longest in Germany (Toots and Ed Hobson-22 years), and the most recent to visit Germany(Chris Sinotte).

   The Hobsons presented a short program based on their experiences in Germany. The Germans enjoy a fest, Toots said, be it a small village fest or the mega fests in Munich that celebrate their love for music, singing, dancing, good food, wine and beer. They are held for no reason other than to enjoy fun and friendship or to uphold a tradition.

   Germans enjoy participating in Volkswanderings and both Ed and Toots wore the traditional hiking outfits they often used in Germany.  Volkswanderings are organized walks through sponsoring areas of beautiful scenery like vineyards, forests, castle ruins or historical parks or flower covered fields.  It is not a competitive race but a fun activity with several thousand clubs in Germany. There are start and end points as well as at checkpoints along the way always with good food and drink stands and sometimes music. Souvenir medals are available and are highly collected by dedicated wanderers who keep a log book of places and distances walked.

    The Hobsons also brought some pieces of wood carving and Bauermalerei or folk art painting. Wood carving is a hobby and a vocation throughout Germany. The woodcarvers ofOberammergau-the village of the Passion Play-produce some of the world's finest carvings with many of a religious nature.  The carvers of the Erzgebirge Mountain region produce woodcrafts of the highest quality and are best known for their Nuss Knacker (nutcrackers) and Rauchen mannchen, little smoking men which can burn incense. Equally as prized are the myriad of Christmas items and toys. 

   Bauernmalerei is the art of folk painting on wood pieces like anything from furniture to umbrella stands, trays, or furniture.  Bavaria is especially noted for it using Bauernmalerei to decorate utilitarian objects.

   A business meeting was held while guests and members snacked on German cheese (gruyere) and breads (pumpernickel, rye and homemade pretzels) and enjoyed a variety of German beer.  President Sallie Mabon announced the society would be selling Honey Baked Hams again at Thanksgiving. 

   Members Dee Garrett, Diana Norris, and Angie Williams volunteered to make up a committee to plan the Christmas dinner.  On a sad note, Mabon announced that James and Shari Triche at the Georgian Inn would be leaving the community as the bed and breakfast and catering business has not been profitable this last year.  The club had originally scheduled their second Christmas dinner at their inn, and members who have enjoyed the Triche’s superb cuisine and service will miss them. It is quite a loss to the community.

   Sally Estes reported on the recent and exciting news about the streetscape construction inGreenville, and Linda Wilburn described the engraved pavers that can be purchased for the sidewalks.  Wilburn was congratulated for purchasing the Jones’ Print Shop on the east side of the square and announced plans to have an artists’ consignment shop there.  She said the art show last November proved to her that Meriwether was full of artistic talent and many needed a place to display and showcase their talents.

   After announcements and the business report the group dined on grilled bratwurst and sausages, sauerkraut, German potato salad, and finished with Black Forest Cake, apple strudels and apple walnut cake.

MHS Summer Luncheon

Meriwether Historical Society enjoys period fashion show and luncheon

The Meriwether Historical Society held a summer luncheon on July 7^th, 2010 for members and guests who were asked to bring a fashion treasure from the past.  The Georgian Inn in Greenville was the site of the fundraiser and cooks for the event were Sallie Mabon, Betty Clayton, Mary Anne Harman, Angie Williams, Diana Norris, Erma Jean Brown, and Sally Neal. 

   James and Shari Triche had the inn in perfect order for the fifty plus guests and the tables were decorated in the finest of chinas, crystals, and silvers by Lynda Woodall, Ellen McEwen, Mary Ellen Hill, Sally Neal, Sallie Mabon, Pam Tidwell, Erma Jean Brown, Lelia Freeman, and Nancy Riggins.

   Treasure from attics, closets, and chests were brought and guests viewed snippets of hand made lace, dried flower wedding headbands, jewelry, a college letterman sweater and dresses from several periods. Perfume bottles, powder puffs, hair, beauty, and makeup brushes gave everyone a glimpse into the past.

Lelia Freeman’s brought the woolen swimsuit, being shown by her daughter Nan, left, to Isabelle Knight of LaGrange.  The 1920-30s suit belonged to Jessie Thrash Freeman and Lelia said she well recalls its wet wool smell after swimming.

Toots Hobson was fashionably dressed in a period outfit from the forties. Few ladies are still able to fit in their clothes from the past, but Toots wore the full skirt dress well and had the matching accessories to go with it.

Sally Estes shows Jane Estes the unique bustle attached to the black silk dress worn by her ancestor.

Hannah Flynn brought the wedding dress belonging to her late husband’s grandmother who had over a decade to make the dress after the proposal until the time her intended came back from “seeking his fortune.”

Jane Morrison brought the 79 years old shoes and boucle bag that belonged to her mother, Vivian Mathews.  Worn at her wedding, Miss Vivian was married by the ordinary, the Honorable Elsie O’Neal, (a Position now called probate judge) at the courthouse on April 18, 1931.  She croqueted the boucle bag in 1935.

HELLO, WORLD!

Welcome to the first blog of the Meriwether County Historical Society! Whether you are just surfing the internet for historical matters, or looking for specific Meriwether County information, we hope you find something that sparks your interest here. Some quick information about our great county:

Meriwether County was created on December 14, 1827 the 73rd county created. The county was named for General David Meriwether, a state militiaman often called on by the federal government to negotiate with the Indians. General Meriwether served in the Revolutionary War and was a state legislator and a member of congress. 

The first courthouse in Meriwether County was destroyed in 1893 by a cyclone. 

The county seat is Greenville, named for Revolutionary war hero General Nathaniel Greene. Warm Springs--site of President Roosevelt's "Little White House"--is in the county. The historic site, operated by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, draws over 100,000 visitors annually. The warm springs pools used by Roosevelt and others in the 1930s and 1940s have been renovated.

The springs' waters stay naturally at 90 degrees, and were used by Indians as a healing spring and later as a spa for white settlers. More recently, Franklin D. Roosevelt, as well as other polio victims, have benefited from the therapeutic water. The Warm Springs Foundation opened its doors to people suffering from other types of crippling disease and conditions after the invention of the polio vaccination.

The Red Oak Creek flows through Meriwether County into the Flint River. It is named for the beautiful red oak trees that grow in this area. The Chattahooche-Flint Highway, a scenic highway, runs through Coweta, Troup and Meriwether counties.

As of 2000, the population was 22,534. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 22,748.

The Meriwether County Courthouse
Greenville, Georgia