Author: curator

Local Family Cemeteries, Powder Springs, GA – Part I

There are other local cemeteries around Powder Springs that are not located within the town proper of the city. Some of the early families settled close to town but chose to bury their loved ones at home in their own family cemeteries. These are private cemeteries and may be currently open only to family burials.

All those buried here have left our community a better place just by choosing to settle, live and raise their families here.

In the cemeteries below are just some of the ones buried there. They represent the various families who lived here and helped settle the community and continue to call this community home.

There are also many Veterans buried in these cemeteries who served their country in war time and peace time. These are only a few of those who served. We honor all of the Veterans and say “Thank You” no matter when, where or how they served.

These are three of those cemeteries. Duke Cemetery (or the Duke Family Burying Ground); Croker – Elliott Cemetery and Morris Cemetery (or the Morris Family Burying Ground).

Part II will cover the other three cemeteries. Sorrells Family Cemetery; Bookout – Meadows Cemetery (or the Meadows Cemetery) and the Bullard Cemetery.

DUKE FAMILY BURYING GROUND

1862

The cemetery is a very small family cemetery that is located on the side of the road near the intersection of Hill Road and Hiram Lithia Springs Road. There are headstones and a few very old wooden markers. Six graves are marked. Occasionally flowers are placed on these graves.

The earliest is that of William H. Duke 1833 – Aug 19, 1862. He was a Confederate Soldier, serving as a Private in Co I, 2nd Regiment, GA Cavalry, CSA. His wife, Jane, is also said to be buried here but her grave does not appear to be marked.

Alfred Gaberial Duke (1846-1930) Served with his six brothers as Confederate Soldiers in the Civil War. Private in McClesky’s CO, Wheelers Regiment Infantry, CO G, 1st GA Cavalry, 1864 1865. Married to Martha Elizabeth Hill Duke with whom he had twelve children. Alfred died at the Confederate Soldiers Home of GA in Atlanta on Nov 20, 1930.

Martha Elizabeth Hill Duke (1850-1920) Wife of Alfred Gaberial Duke.

Bennie (or Lennie) Duke (1877-1890) Son of Isaac Newton Duke (1843-1914) and Martha Elizabeth Bradbury Duke (1859-1946).

Isaac Newton Duke (1843-1914) Brother of Alfred Gaberial Duke.

Martha Elizabeth Bradbury Duke (1859-1946) Wife of Isaac Newton Duke.

CROKER – ELLIOTT CEMETERY

1887

The Croker-Elliott Cemetery is located at 3601 – 3751 Morris Road which is at the corner of Hiram Lithia Springs Road and Morris Road. This is a small family cemetery with about fifty graves. It is still open for burials today.

The earliest burial was that of Jessie Ann Croker Sept 16, 1886 to Mary 25, 1887. She was only eight months old. Parents were: John Belton Croker (1865-1940) and Mary Lousinie Elliott Croker (1867-1945).

The second earliest burial was that of William Hearburn Elliott Aug 11, 1827 to Nov 8, 1895. Husband of Frances Adeline Tiller Elliott (1836-1913).

Jack Boyce Austin (1935-2008) Veteran A2C US Air Force, Korea.

Louis Felton Davis (1934-1997) Veteran SFC US Army, Vietnam. Received The Bronze Medal.

Jessie Allen Morris (1886-1936) Father was William M. Morris (1845-1933) who was a Confederate Soldier, CO F. 40th GA Inf, CSA. Husband of Minnie May Guess Morris (1888-1910 and Nora Elliott Morris (1894-1976).

William Claud “Bill” Shead (1932-2019) Served in the US Army. Truck driver for many years and retired from Owens Corning.

Bonnie Croker Hogue (1931-2019) Retired from Cobb County Board of Education where she worked in the lunchroom and as a bus monitor. Wife of Broadus E. Hogue (1925-1985), local businessman. She helped her husband run a business in Powder Springs for many years which included a grocery store, service station, sold bait and a produce stand.

Jimmy H. Morris (1931-1972). AL PFC USA – Korea

Virgil Strong Elliott (1876-1955)

MORRIS CEMETERY

1846

The Morris Cemetery is located on Hiram Lithia Springs Road between Defoor’s Farms Drive (Subdivision) and Morris Road, just past the Praise Tabernacle Church and Praise Academy. Morris Cemetery is a private cemetery with 190 plus graves. It may also be referred to as “Morris Family Burying Ground” and is still open for burials today.

The earliest burial is that of Seborn Morris, September 7, 1846 to September 14, 1846, only 7 days old. He is the infant son of Seborn J. Morris (1814-1884) and Nancy G. Cothran Morris (1814-1874).

There are several unmarked infant graves between some of the adult graves. These may be the infant children of those adults.

There is an unmarked grave that has been identified, by the custodian of the cemetery, as that of Vermel (or Vermelle) L. (Louise) Rice, August 30, 1912 to November 29, 1990 and her husband James Lewis Rice October 25,1914 to June 8, 2002. They are buried in graves without headstones between Weona Rice (December 3, 1934) and Edgar N. “Tootsie” Begley (1902 1960).

Rev. Robert Leroy Eidson April 26, 1906 to October 12, 1972.

George F. Hilton (1945-1981) He was Captain of the Cobb County Fire Department for many years.

Joseph Henry Tidwell III (1949-2021) Over many years, he served as Pastor of Lighthouse Baptist Church and Welcome Baptist church.

Sarah Holland Porter (1904-1970) Wife of Earl Porter, Sr, and mother of Elton, Richard (Sissy), and Earl, Jr (Bug). The Porter’s were prominent businessmen in Powder Springs for many years, running Porter’s Garage, Gas Station. Their families were some of the earlier settlers in the area.

James Sylvester “Verster” Smith (1886-1971) Husband of Josephine Carson Smith (1905-2000). He was the son of James J. Smith who was a Baptist Minister and the grandson of Mary Ann Shook Smith who was the first person buried in Burningtown Baptist Church Cemetery, NC in June of 1890.

Honoring Veterans:

Wayne Floyd Bivens (1920-2007) US Army World War II.

John Ambrey Martin (1912-1964) GA PFC US Army, WWII.

Harold Benjamin Morris (1921-1990) PFFC US Army WWII. Brother of Hubert Wilson Morris (1919-1986).

Hubert Wilson Morris (1919-1986) US Army, World War II.

Corp. Lucious Daniel Morris (1890-1963) CPL Co F 67 Infantry, World War One.

S. Lamar Spain (1948-1979) SP5 US Army, Vietnam.

William Lewis “Buddy” Strickland (1942-2001) SGT US Army, Vietnam. While in service he received several medals. National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Air Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm and Bronze Medal and the Army AUS Infantry.

Note: Some information came from a listing compiled by James Robert “Bobby” Eidson as of February 14, 1997, as well as other resources. Bobby Eidson’s list is on file at the Museum.

Historic Homes of Powder Springs, GA

There are many historical homes in Powder Springs.  Most of these homes are on the main street (Marietta Street) in downtown. Others are one street over (or back) on Atlanta Street.  Some are farmhouse homes that are located in the area immediately outside of the city limits. Several of the homes date back to the early/mid 1800’s. These mentioned here represent only a few of those homes. More information about these homes and the other Historical Homes of Powder Springs, can be found in the publications located at the museum.  “Images of America Powder Springs” and “Seven Springs Sampler”. Some of these houses are gone. Only time will tell how long the others last until they are gone, too.

Included in the “Sampler” are three homes on Powder Springs Road that are situated just outside of the Powder Springs postal delivery district. They were chosen for their historical significance. All three are on the National Historic Register. The Cheney-Newcomer House, the Kolb Farm House and the McAdoo House.

One display at the museum are paintings of some of the homes by local artist Gladys O’Neil Hendricks Hardy (1911-1999). Also, there are sketch drawings of the Cheney-Newcomer House, the Kolb Farm House and the McAdoo House by Susan Smith.

Additional information on the Historic Homes comes from histories, oral and written, by Sara Frances Miller, Roberta Murray and Virginia Tapp on file at the Museum.

LEAKE – LOVINGGOOD HOUSE
4494 Marietta Street

The Leake-Lovinggood House is an example of a two-story gable front and wing folk house.  It was built in 1913 by C.T. Leake, a local cotton buyer, and sits on the site of an earlier house built by James W. “Yankee” Smith, postmaster at Powder Springs in the 1890’s. The house has been in the midst of much of the town’s history since it’s been standing for over 100 years.

Mr. Smith’s house had a steep roof and was said to be so steep that it could split a raindrop.  The house stood vacant a long time and was said to be haunted.  All the children would run by the house as fast as they could since it was said to be haunted.

After Mr. Leake bought the property, he tore down the old house and built the present house. Not long after moving into the new house, they heard noises at night and the boys thought the home was haunted. It was soon discovered that the otherworldly sounds came from under the house where dogs were walking over lumber that had been stored there by Mr. Leake. He had saved the best pieces of timber from the old house to use in his new house. Some say that it is still haunted today in other ways. Mr. Leake kept milk in one of Powder Springs’ seven springs at the end of his yard, now across the street from the house. (Intersection of Marietta Street or Highway 278 and Brownsville Road).

Boyd Vaughn, the druggist, lived in the house after buying it from Mr. Leake in 1918. They apparently had other boarders/renters in the house. M. Lovinggood, father of Virgil, bought the house from Mr. Vaughn in 1927. Virgil Lovinggood had moved, with his wife and young daughter Pauline, here in 1918 from Cherokee County when he bought 60 acres of good farmland on the outskirts of Powder Springs in 1918. With his farming prospering, Mr. Lovinggood was presented with the opportunity to purchase a store in Powder Springs.  At first, he was reluctant, but then bought the store with the help of his father James Mattison Lovinggood and his brother Albert. This store was a grocery store, and carried much of the produce items of the area, cotton seed and other dry goods. Here Mr. Lovinggood was able to stock the store with produce and livestock that he raised on his farm. He operated his store for almost 50 years.

In 1927 J.M. Lovinggood, with the help of his two sons, Virgil and Albert, bought the house from Boyd Vaughn. All three families then moved into the house. Albert died in 1926 and their father in 1942. At the death of his father, Virgil took over the store business and owner of the house. Mr. Lovinggood lived here until his death in 1985.  Both his sons, Virgil (V.A). Jr. and Lowell were born in the house. V.A. in 1929 and Lowell in 1935. His son Lowell being the present owner. The house has seen many renters through the years and is currently inhabited by the Lovinggood family. Some of their descendants still call Powder Springs home. The house is generally referred to as the Lovinggood House because of the long history of the family living there and being a vital part of Powder Springs and its history for so many years. The other owners were also a vital part of the settling and forming of Powder Springs as a town and community in the early years. Some of their decedents still call Powder Springs home. The Lovinggood House has seen much activity and history through the years and continues to be a monument to an era of times gone by. Additional information can be found in a paper prepared by Laurie Puckett for her history class (710) at Kennesaw State College, summer 1995.

“In and around the Lovinggood House – A History of Powder Springs Since the 1880”. A copy of Laurie Puckett’s paper is housed at the Seven Springs Museum. Some of her family were boarders in the house and are also related to the Lovinggoods.

GLADSTON FARMS (McEachern Farms)
3940 Macland Road

Gladston Farms (or McEachern Farms) was the home of John Newton McEachern, Jr.  The 1,000 acre farm was homesteaded by his grandfather, David Newton McEachern in 1831. His father, John Newton McEachern, Sr. was born there in 1853, co-founded the Life of Georgia Insurance Company. In 1908 on 240 acres of land donated by John N. McEachern, the Seventh District A & M School was established. In 1933 Macland consolidated schools. John McEachern High School was then established and opened on the campus left vacant by the closing of the A & M School. The McEachern family still contributed generously toward the education of the young people. In 1934 the name of the school was changed to John N. McEachern Schools with grades one through eleven (twelve). The McEachern’s Established an endowment fund for the school which is an on going contribution to the school today.

In the 1940’s, McEachern restored the home to its original beauty and stocked it with hogs, sheep and a stable of Tennessee Walking horses and continued to operate it as a working farm. Mayes Ward Dobbins, Powder Springs Chapel now sits on the site. They had hoped to restore the house as part of the funeral home, but were unable to save it.

MORRIS – GARRARD HOUSE
4130 Hiram Lithia Springs Road

The Morris-Garrard House is a one story farmhouse with beautiful gingerbread trim on the front porch. It is one of two houses built by the Morris brothers who moved to Cobb County in the 1880’s. Each had forty acres. They built two houses and set aside two acres of land for a family cemetery. The other house was across the road from this one and was a two story plantation planes house. The Morris Cemetery is still a private cemetery and is located just down the road from the house. The cemetery is still open for family burials. The Vansant, Geiger, Butner and Florence families were some of the tenants of the house and farm. The property is usually only known as the Garrard House (Farm) and is still in the Garrard family.

MURRAY HOUSE
Atlanta Street

The Murray House on Atlanta Street was built as a duplex for Dr. Robert Root Murray’s daughters, Mina and Roberta. Dr. Murray came to Powder Springs from his home in Watkinsville to practice medicine about 1860. He also served as a lieutenant in the Confederate Army. He was one of the several doctors who practiced medicine in Powder Springs for many years. Roberta Murray, his daughter, is known as the towns first historian. Ms. Murray also opened her personal library to the young people of the town long before there was a library in Powder Springs. Roberta lived here until her death in 1974.

TAPP HOUSE
Marietta Street

The Lackey, Florence, Tapp House was built before 1877 by Dr. W.T. Lackey. It has been in the Tapp family since 1918 until about 2019. The house is referred to as the Tapp House because since the Tapps Have owned and lived there the longest, for over 70 years. Doctor Lackey sold it to W.Y. Stovall in January 1877. In January 1884, Mr. Stovall sold it to B. S. Florence who deeded it to Mrs. Lizzie Florence in September 1887. She willed the place to H. Emma Florence about 1907. Hannah Emma Florence Davis sold the house and lot in December 1918 to W.J. Tapp. Mr. Tapp also bought an adjoining lot from W.L. Florence. At W. J. Tapp ‘s death in 1923, the house and property then passed to his son W.R. Tapp, Sr. than to W.R. Tapp, Jr. The Tapp house was the childhood home of Virginia Tapp (1911-1992), a teacher and compiler of local history. She worked with Sarah Frances Miller to record the history of Powder Springs.  Miss Virginia also researched, recorded and published the History of the First Baptist Church of Powder Springs. Her brother, W. R. “Bill” Tapp (Jr)  was an architect who designed the new First Baptist Church’s building in 1964, which has been expanded on many times over the years. The small building at the back of the property was originally built for Mr. Tapp’s office and studio. One of the original Seven Springs is located at the back of house.

SEVEN SPRINGS SAMPLER: Herb Recipes

SEVEN SPRINGS SAMPLER
Herb recipes from Historic Homes of
Powder Springs, Georgia

Part II – Stories

Preserving the histories of the houses and the families who lived in them was part of the intent of the Seven Springs Sampler. It also contains some amusing stories about some of the family members – bits and pieces of our local oral history – and a way of life at that time.

Here are more of those stories:

“A Ride Around the Square” by Sarah Frances Miller – C.M. Mctyre, a grocery-dry-goods merchant and cotton buyer in Powder Springs, bought a new car. He watched as the salesman demonstrated the wonderful machine. He purchased the car and decided to drive home for lunch. As he neared his house, he realized he had forgotten how to stop the car. He drove to Marietta and around the square. He drove home. Then he ran the wonderful machine into a tree in his yard. The motor finally stopped running. After that he walked to and from the store every day and walked home for lunch. He kept the car in the garage except when he wanted to make trips to his several farms or to Florid in the winter.

“A Bucket of Quinces” – Ted Leake remembers living at the Kiser-McKinney house (on Old Lost mountain Road). One day he was given an eight pound lard bucket full of quinces from the orchard. “Please take these to Mrs. Popham” requested his mother. It was a long way up the road. By the time he reached Mrs. Popham’s house, the bucket was only half full. Somehow his mother found out. So, the next day she gave him another bucket of quinces. “Be sure that the bucket is full when you give it to Mrs. Popham” she said.

“Advice to Students” – Students who board in the Dormitory, both boys and girls, should leave at home the following: cards, guns, pistols, intoxicating liquids, tobacco of all kinds, idleness, selfishness, laziness, profanity, and bad habits. Leave all of these at home and you will do well. -OR- Students are expected to conduct themselves in a refined manner. No communication is permitted between the boys and girls except in the presence of a member of the faculty. (From the Bulletin of the 7th District Agricultural and Mechanical (current John McEachern Schools) Arts School, Powder Springs, Georgia 1922-23, p.17).

“The Black Bonnet” – Plans were made to widen Marietta Street. It would be necessary to cut the row of oaks on either side of the street. The engineers from the State Department of Roads were going house to house to explain the plans. Mrs. Emma Camp put on her black bonnet and got her shotgun. She sat on the front steps with a shot gun across her knees. She told the engineers , “I do not want my Oaks cut.” Her statement was so forceful that roots of the oaks in front of her Victorian house are still pushing up the sidewalk. (4279 Marietta St.)

“Sugar Rationing” from the Cobb County Times, October 24,1918. “Approximately 200,000,000 pounds of sugar will be saved per year by a new ruling of the Food Administration which will prevent anyone from obtaining more than two pounds per month…The new Regulation effective from October 15th permits the consumer to purchase his allotment of sugar every 15 days or semi-monthly rather than every week”

“A spoonful of Sugar” – One day, Ted Leake came home from school and found a note on the dinning room table. It said “Take a bucket of water to your brother Walter who is plowing the back forty acre field.” So, as was his usual custom, he took a teaspoon out of a spoon holder and put it in the sugar bowl. He wondered where his six brothers and sisters were. When he put the spoon in his mouth, he began to cough and sputter and say all sorts of words. The sugar bowl had been filled with salt! The other children came in laughing. “We thought we would teach you not to eat so much sugar” they said.

“The Hidden Shoes” – Boyd Vaughn, one of Powder Springs’ early residents, was recovering from pneumonia. His father, Dr. J.S. Vaughn, did not think it wise for him to go to the square dance Friday night. So, he said to his wife, ‘Maggie, hide his shoes. That should keep him at home. The next morning the young man was sitting by the fire. His father noticed that there was a big hole in the sole of each bedroom shoe. He had danced in his bedroom shoes! Boyd had gone to the dance after all.

“Mutton for Sale” by Ted Leake – “Mutton for Sale on Broad Street Saturday.” Pony Adair sold mutton from the back of his wagon every Saturday. One man questioned him, “Why do you have mutton to sell when all I see are goats in the pasture when pass your place?” “Oh,” he replied, “Every time a kid is born, I name him Mutton. So, I have mutton to sell every Saturday.”

The Seven Springs Museum houses several copies of the Seven Springs Sampler in our library. Several are also on display elsewhere in the Museum.

Sarah Frances Miller, Powder Springs Historian and Seven Springs Historical Society President, contributed most of the histories and stories. Cookbook Committee: Imogene Abernathy, Patti Briel, Sarah Frances Miller and Susan Houser Smith.

SEVEN SPRINGS SAMPLER: Herb recipes from Historic Homes of Powder Springs, Georgia

Part I – Stories

The Seven Springs Historical Society introduced a collection of recipes, drawings, and historical lore from Powder Springs, Georgia in 1991. This cookbook (or ‘Sampler”) was published by the historical society with the intent and hope that the drawings and written material would contribute to the history of the area by preserving these histories of the houses and the families who lived in them. It also contains some amusing stories about some of the family members – bits and pieces of our local oral history and providing glimpses of a way of life at that time.

Here are some of those stories:

The Powder Springs Pioneer Newspaper – January 14, 1911: “Girls, you had better Learn!” If the girls that are growing up would learn to do all kinds of housework, there would be no need of so many servants. There are some girls who think they are not fit for anything except to thump on the piano and be forever on the go. What kind of wives will these girls make? They don’t know how to do anything and they don’t want to learn. Girls, you had better learn all you can about housework.”

“Neighbor Signals” When Mrs. Ida Butner Florence saw her neighbor, Mrs. Blanche Calloway, in the yard, she would signal in an unusual way for her to come closer. She would take a sick of stove wood and reach out her kitchen window and beat it on the side of the house. Then they would talk together.

“Grandma Used Sage Tea to Darken Hair” from the October 24, 1918 Cobb County Times. Common garden sage brewed into a heavy tea with Sulphur added, will turn gray, streaked and faded hair beautifully dark and luxuriant. While wispy, gray, faded hair is not sinful, we all desire to retain our youthful appearance and attractiveness. Just a few applications will prove a revelation…Mixing the sage tea with Sulphur at home, though, is troublesome. A easier way is to get a 50-cent bottle of Wyeth’s Sage and Sulphur Compound at any drug store.

“Capitola Flour” Mr. Sims and his pretty wife lived in a house on the corner of Marietta Street and New Macland Road. He was a flour salesman. He thought he bags of flour would sell better if the flour was given a distinctive name. So he persuaded his boss to put the picture of his pretty wife on each bag and name the flour for her, Capitola Flour.

“A Bathing Suit on the Back Porch” One of the families who lived in the house was given a notice to move even though the rent had been paid regularly. It was perhaps a coincidence that the daughter in the family had gone swimming on Saturday and left her swim suit on the back porch to dry on Sunday. In the early days of Powder Springs it was not considered “the thing to do” to leave cloths on the line over Sunday.

“A Favorite Story” by Sarah Frances Miller. Mr. Garnet Hardage, a local merchant, enjoyed telling this story. Mrs. Capitola Sims had a pretty new hat which she planned to wear to the Sunday morning church service. Just as she started out, it began to sprinkle rain. So she put a brown paper grocery bag over her hat. As she entered the church and walked to her seat near the front of the church, there was the muffled sound of snickering. Then she reached up to find the paper bag still covering her hat.

“A Ride in a Chair” Dr. J. F. Cotton, whose father was Powder Springs’ first doctor, took an unusual ride one winter day. Powder Springs had a snow storm, and it was so pretty that he wanted to get out in it. Not having a sleigh, he hitched up his horse to his old rocking chair and away he went, enjoying the beauty of the new-fallen snow. He contracted pneumonia as a result.

“A Smart Horse”. H. C. Miller was a rural mail carrier in Powder Springs for ten years (1918-1928). In the earlier years, he drove his father’s gray horse to pull the buggy. He was very anxious to please his patrons even when the water was high after a week of rain. Once he approached a bridge over a little stream. The gray horse that he was driving began to dance. He used the whip and he buggy cleared the bridge just as the bridge floated out from under them and on down the stream. After other rains he began to notice that stumps in the swamp. When the water covered certain ones he knew he would have to take another road and go he long way around Gothard’s Creek. The old gray horse had horse sense about crossing high water under the bridges.

The Seven Springs Sampler was published with the authors being Sarah Frances Miller and Susan Knight Houser Smith.

Artist Susan Houser Smith contributed the pen and ink and watercolor drawings. Sarah Frances Miller, Powder Springs Historian and Seven Spring Historical Society President, contributed most of the histories and stories. Cookbook Committee: Imogene Abernathy, Patti Briel, Sarah Frances Miller and Susan Houser Smith.

The recipes were contributed by the historical society members and come from personal collections and those of their friends. And, special thanks goes to Nancy Wooten who donated her large collection of herb recipes.

The Seven Springs Museum houses several copies of “The Sampler” in our library. Several are also on display elsewhere in the Museum.

Old Friendship Baptist Church

Old Friendship Baptist Church
1853

The Church was organized in 1853 by slaves with the help of Rev. John Jennings. Their first place of worship was a Brush Arbor built on one half acre of land donated by Mr. Jim Hardage, a plantation owner. The slaves worshipped in the Brush Arbor from 1854 to 1865. Rev. Jennings was given the land by his former master. They built a one room log church with a dirt floor and wooden shutters for windows. *

A white clapboard building was built later to replace the original log structure and served its membership for over 100 years.

Around 1910 – 1913 a windstorm destroyed the roof. Faced with rebuilding the church, some of the members thought the church should have a less isolated location and a new frame church which is still standing, was built on Villa Rica Road (corner of Friendship Church Road), less than two miles from the original church. The church split its membership over the issue with half of its members staying at the old site and the other half moving to the new one. **

Many of the members would not move because they saw their church as being built on sacred ground with historical roots that should not be forgotten. The church had its beginnings in the 1850s when a slave named Jennings held worship services in a brush arbor on the planation where he lived. When he was freed, he was given three acres which he used to build a church for his people and which he said should always be used as church grounds. **

The members led a three-year campaign in 1967 to replace this old clapboard church building. The church building was rebuilt in 1970 with Rev.R. E. Henley as Pastor.

A marker was placed in the brickwork at the front of the church building honoring the founders and deacons. “OLD FRIENDSHIP BAPTIST CHURCH,ORGANIZED 1854, REV JOHN JENNINGS AND JENNINGS FAMILY, REBUILT 1970, REV R. E. HENLY, PASTOR. BOARD OF DEACONS: CHARLIE WRIGHT, ROLAND DOBBS, ROBERT THOMAS, CHARLIE MOON, HAGOOD MCCLESKEY, JAMES MCMURTRY, DAVID MONTGOMERY. And across the bottom: M.W.P.H.G.L. – X.L. NEAL, G.M.: **

Then in 1975 tragedy struck when the new church building was gutted by fire. The fire was thought to have been started by a faulty stove in the basement, gutted the basement. For the next eight years, services were held at the Lemon Street School in Marietta. **

Through hard work and many donations by the members, friends, churches and businesses in the community, a new building was realized, rebuilt and dedicated in July of 1983. This would be the second time many of its members were to celebrate moving into a new church building. Even though the church was now ready for worship services, there was still expensive brickwork remains to be completed and the basement still needed to be finished. **

In December of 1999, the members of the church burned its $30,000 mortgage, symbolizing freedom from debt and a chance for new beginnings at a service on Friendship Church Road off Casteel Road and Dallas Highway. ***

Old Friendship Baptist church is the oldest black (African-American) church in Cobb County.

Notes:

* Information found on a picture of the Old Friendship Baptist Church located in the Black History Room at the Seven Springs Museum

** Old newspaper article from The Marietta Daily Journal dated Friday, July 1, 1983. Information from article of interviews of members of the church. “Old Friendship Baptist to Celebrate Church Building”, by Tucker McQueen, staff writer. The full article on file at Seven Springs Museum.

*** Old newspaper article from The Marietta Daily Journal dated Monday, December 20, 1999. Information from article of interviews of members of the church. “Burning away an old debt” by Lisa Borello, staff writer. The full article on file at Seven Springs Museum.

Historic Lost Mountain Store 1881 – 1992

When people think of Lost Mountain, they may think about the mountain itself. Others may think about the old Lost Mountain store. The old store sits on its original site at the foot of Lost Mountain, much of which has has been lost to development oer the years. Located on the Dallas Highway (Highway 176) and the intersection of Lost Mountain Road and Mars Hill Road (Highway 120). It is now the home of United Community Bank.

In 1864, the Lost Mountain community and surrounding areas were the sites for both the Union and Confederate positions. Some areas of the community saw skirmishes and battles from Dallas to Kennesaw to Marietta as the armies moved on to Atlanta.

Up until the mid-1800’s the land along the Dallas Highway in Lost Mountain was undeveloped land. The few residences of the area were mostly farmers and/or dairymen. The area was previously home to the Cherokee and Creek Indians.

Judge Aaron Lafayette Bartlett had the vision of developing this land into much more than just farm land and pastures. He earned enough money plowing field s to purchase two hundred acres of this property and a house for the sum of $2.95. The, using bricks he made himself and mortar made from lime and sand, Bartlett completed the Lost Mountain Store in 1881 and opened it for business. As he was helped a great deal by his brother-in-law John Coleman Watson, the store was called The Watson and Bartlett Store. Watson ran the store on a daily basis.

People came from miles around by horse and buggy to trade at the store by selling goods for staples. The store was said to be “of service for life” carrying everything a person would need from baby needs to burial supplies!

In 1884, John Coleman Watson was given the title ‘Postmaster General’ for the Lost Mountain district. Mail was to be delivered to the store once a week.

About nine years later, Mr. Watson chose to seek opportunities in Dallas. In 1893, Josiah “Joe” Wilson Arnold, a family friend of Judge Bartlett, became the second manager of the Lost Mountain Store.

Joe and his wife Mintorah and their children worked the fields and ran the store for several years. During which time, the store expanded its inventory to include plows, other farm equipment, fabric, and household goods.

As the Lost Mountain district grew, the store became the meeting place for the community, hosting town meetings and elections. Then in 1922, after the sudden death of his wife, Joe left the mountain and the store.

In 1923, Levi Sanford of Paulding County, a close friend of the Bartletts, became the next resident manager of the Lost Mountain Store. Two years later, Levi’s 18-year-old son, Newt, was named operating manager of the store. There was much change during Newt’s time as the store’s owner: from the Great Depression, automobiles, through wars to the birth and growth of super markets and shopping malls.

In 1992, after nearly 70 years at the helm of the Lost Mountain Store, Newt Sanford ‘took sick’ and retired to Cave Spring, GA.

Some 111 years after opening for business, the Lost Mountain Store closed its doors. The building then remained empty for some time, used only as a backdrop for photos, inspiration for paintings and source for memories of years gone by.

In 1995 Independent Bank and Trust Company, now United Community Bank, began exploring sites for its first bank branch. The bank purchased the Lost Mountain Store and began to carefully restore the building to its original glory. In 1996, the building re-opened as a full service bank.

The interior paint color, windows, doors, and pine tongue-and-groove floor were restored to match the original building. A single 2′ by 6′ board removed from the original store counter now serves as a conference room table. Replicas of the original gas pumps that supplied many cars with fuel stand near the porch as they did long ago.

An addition to the rear of the store housed the bank’s secured items and provides space for the equipment and utilities required in a modern banking facility.

Since 1881, the Lost Mountain Store has been a center of commerce and customer service, as well as part of the landscape.

For most of the building’s history as a mercantile center, customers could find anything they needed within the store’s walls.

Source: Information on the actual history of the Lost Mountain store is in a promotional brochure published by the United Community Bank taken from “Historic Lost Mountain Store – Traditional Values; New Ideas” by Carol Christian Wallace.

There is also a more detailed history of the Lost Mountain Store on file at the Seven Springs Museum.

The Legend of Lost Mountain

Today, much of the original mountain called Lost Mountain has been lost to development. The mountain along with the Lost Mountain Store are located on the Dallas Highway (Highway 176) and the intersection of Lost Mountain Road and Mars Hill Road (Highway 120). However, the legend of Lost Mountain and how it got its name still remains.

The story has been told different ways over time through local oral histories, newspaper article and other published written accounts. As always, when legends are passed down from generation to generation they get lost in translation. With the legend of Lost Mountain, it still has the element of local Indian tribes, the Cherokee, who inhabited the area, romance and tragedy.

An article in the Marietta paper once printed a version of the legend where the Cherokee Chief was Salagoa and the young princess was little Willeo. The young brave was from the Creek tribe. Willeo fled with the young Creek brave. The young Creek was captured and promptly dispatched. Salagoa himself gave chase after Little Willeo and the other tribesmen pursued. After the long chase was over both the Chief Salagoa and Willeo were found dead under an oak tree. From that point on it was known as Lost Mountain because the two died on the mountain.

Another, more flowery and longer, version, with a few different names, of the legend was written and published in 1892 by Walter McElreath, part of which follows:

“….. Near where the Nickajack mingles, in its waters, with the Chattahoochee, lived the chief, from whom the stream takes its name. Around him his tribe lived, in loyal obedience to his rule. At his wigwam, a stranger from the settlement of Kennesaw, from Frogtown and from amongst the Cohutta, was welcome. Many young braves made pilgrimage to his wigwam, to listen to his legendary lore, and to enjoy his hospitality; for was he not the father of Oolalee, the fairest maiden of the nation? Beads and armlets, moccasins made of fawn skin and ornamented with garnets and shells, were presents from many suitors. Upon all, except one, old Nickajack poured the benediction of his good will. This was Sawnee, the son of a chief who lived towards the north. A way back, in the misty days of tradition, his ancestor has wrought some injury upon the ancestors of Nickajack, and he could not bear, now, to think that Oolalee should be borne away to the hated tribe. But, the maiden cared nothing for the favorites of her father. The comings of Sawnee, as he passed through her father’s tribe, on his trips to the Spanish trading posts of the south, were the measures of her existence. And, when the time of his expected coming drew near, she spent every night at their trysting place, awaiting him; and, when he returned, he always brought many gifts to Oolalee.

According to the Indian custom, Oolalee’s father had betrothed her to a young chief of his own tribe, and, in October, the wedding was to be celebrated, according to tribal custom. At last, the day before Chicokee was to receive his bride had drawn to a close. For days past, Oolalee had expected Sawnee and every night had seen her at their trysting place. Tonight, she went out from the wigwam, and, as old Nickajack saw her wander down the stream, his heart drew sad, in thinking that she was soon to go away; for tradition says that she was the idol of the old Chief’s heart…….when morning came Oolalee was nowhere to be found……those who had gathered for the celebration, now shared the search for the bride. Trace was found, and Oolalee and Sawnee (for he had come) were followed on by the old beaver dam, and on by the rock mound, and up to the mountain, which rises to the northwest. Here by the little spring…..an armlet was found, which had been a gift to Oolalee from her father. Beyond, no trace could be seen.

In after years, the story goes that old Nickajack used to sit by the door of his wigwam, and, looking away to the mountain, would murmur, in his native tongue, that syllable “Lost!” His tribesmen, hearing his constant murmur of “Lost!”, “Lost!”, “Lost!”, when he looked toward the mountain, called it “Lost Mountain”……”

The article in its entirety was published in The Historical News (Southern Historical News, Inc,), State of Georgia, Cobb, Douglas and Paulding Counties, April 2018 edition.

PULLMAN AND PASSENGER TRAINS

Traveling as a passenger or in a pullman car was a way to get to and from destinations one would not normally travel on horseback, buggy or early automobiles. Sometimes it was easier as well as faster.

According to The Green Light Newsletter published by The Southern Railway Historical Association, Inc. in July-August 1990:

If one rode a train from Atlanta, on the East Tennessee, Virginia, & Georgia Railroad to New York City in the 1880’s, the trip would have covered portions of five different railroads, passed through southern Ontario and would have taken at least three and a half days.

In 1880 the ETV&G Railroad had 36 Locomotives, 27 Passenger Cars, 12 Baggage, Mail and Express, 15 Cabooses, 671 Freight of all types and 46 Company Services listed as equipment.

In 1894 the ETV&G Railroad had grown and had 211 Locomotives, 82 Coaches, 15 Combination Cars, 36 Baggage, Mail & Express, 6 Postal, 3 Dinning Cars, 9 Sleeping Cars,134 Cabooses, 7601 Freight of all types and 140 Company Services listed as equipment.

In 1893 the ETV&G advertised two great limited vestibule trains and their tables. The Cincinnati Limited and the Chicago Limited. The Cincinnati Limited originated out of Jacksonville, FL and the Chicago Limited out of Jesup, GA. Both trains consisted of Pullman’s finest Drawing-room and Sleeping Cars, Day Coaches, Baggage Cars and Express Cars. The Chicago Limited runs solid from Macon to Chicago; Pullman Sleeper from Brunswick. The Cincinnati Limited Runs solid from Jacksonville to Cincinnati. Pullman Sleeper Jacksonville, Savannah and Mobile to Chicago.

The Cincinnati Limited left Macon at 3:20 am, left Atlanta at 6:35 am Passing through/stopping in Powder Springs on its way Rome, Chattanooga, Cincinnati then Chicago.

The Chicago Limited left Macon at 11:10 am, left Atlanta at 2:10 pm Passing through/stopping in Powder Springs on its way to Mobile then Rome to Chattanooga, Cincinnati and Chicago.

The Eastern Tennessee, Virginia & Georgia Railroad come to Powder Springs in 1882 and later became the Southern Railroad. As you can see, the growth of this Railroad afforded the people of Powder Springs advantages the city and community had not had before.

On April 30, 1967, Southern Railway System published it’s “Passenger Train Schedules”. In this booklet, it had a “Helpful Rail and Pullman Data” about the Pullman Room Accommodations and charges. There was the Roomette with bed folding into wall, primarily intended for one person. Bedroom with lower and upper bunk, for one or two persons. Bedroom Suite connecting bedrooms, with two lower and two upper berths for four people. All rooms had individual drinking water, lavatory and toilet features, also day-time lounging.

Child five years to twelve, tickets were half of the adult ticket in addition for seat or berth assignment. If not accompanied by adult (alone), full adult ticket required. Depending on one’s destination, one way or round trip, Pullman, Coach Railroad tickets could cost anywhere from $5.30 to $74. For Pullman Fares $8.50 to $62.15 depending on which room and one way or round trip. Dinning Cars and meals were usually separate charges.

A dinner card for the Seaboard Air Line Railway in the 1920’ and 1930’s Was advertised on a menu type card for the HAMLET Café. “Seaboard Air Line Railway Café Car Service. Walk into the Café Car at HAMLET and have BREAKFAST. Service is a la carte. Prices Reasonable. Meats, Fish, Vegetables, Fruits from the best markets. Here are a few items from Our menu: Cantaloupe…25 cents; Berries with Cream…20 cents; Peaches with Cream…25 cents; Cereals with Cream…15 cents; Young Chicken…40 cents; Lamb Chops… 50 cents; Steaks…40, 60, 75 cents; Eggs…25 cents; coffee…10 cents and Tea or Cocoa…15 cents

The Seaboard Air Line Railway (Seaboard Railway) came to Powder Springs in 1905 which also made travel by rail more convenient.

Not sure what the pay was in the early days, but in 1976 the United Transportation Union published a Time Book guidelines for Pay Rates
for Engineer – Passenger Trains; Engineers – Through Freight Trains; Engineers – Yard; Firemen – Passenger Trains; Firemen – Through Freight Trains; Firemen – Yard – Hostlers and Helpers; Firemen – Short Local Freight Trains; Conductors and Trainmen – Passenger and Through Freight; Conductors and Trainmen – Local Freight and Yard and Conductors and Trainmen – Without a mileage Component.

Most of these rates were set as: Weight on Drivers (pounds) and a Standard Basic Daily and Mileage Rate. These rates varied according to the job and number of days the job required.

RAILROAD LANTERNS

Railroad lanterns that were used by the Railroad had various uses and meanings. Some lanterns had different colored glass globes which had different meanings. They were used as signals and messages by all the railroad personnel.

Caboose lantern (kerosene) with shade hung inside the Caboose Car for light. It is made to swing or sway with the train as it travels down the track.

Carbide Inspections lamp was used by the rail car inspectors and the Engine inspectors from 1890 – 1940.

Trouble Shooting lantern and a Trainman Signal lantern were used from 1925.

Caboose Marker lamp was used on the end of the caboose. When the Caboose was no longer in use, this lamp was replaced by a red marker at the end of the last car on the train.

In 2018, Randall Magnusson a Chattooga County and Northwest Railroad Historian and Retired General Manager – Chickamauga Railroad Company was the special speaker at the Chattooga County Historical Society Meeting in Summerville, GA on February 8, 2018. He spoke about the history and the use Railroad lamps, in particular the Marker Lamp.

Summerville has honored Mr. Magnusson by naming a portion of the Railroad there in his honor.

Below is part of Mr. Magnusson’s presentation from a handout that he made available to all those who attended the meeting. His vast knowledge comes from his railroad career, research and love of the railroad and wanting to preserve it’s history for future generations.

“The Marker Lamp…Trains operated by train order, which was a paper issued by the Train Dispatcher, authorizing train movement over a given section of track. This ‘order’ authorized a train to move over this section of track. It also directed a train moving in one direction to ‘meet’ another train moving in the opposite direction. In order for trains moving in opposite directions to ‘meet’, the order would direct one train to ‘hold the main track’ and the other train to ‘take the siding’. All trains carried two devices on the rear of the Caboose, or in the case of Passenger Trains, on the rear of the Coach called ‘Marker Lamps’. These were essentially the ‘tail lights’ of the train.

The importance of these markers cannot be over emphasized. Many Times there would be more than one train operating in the same direction on a single track (one following the other). If the first train had to stop, there were two safety measures that were supposed to be in place. First, the Flagman was to get off the rear of the train, equipped with a hand lantern with a Red Globe, a Red Flag, Track Torpedoes and Signal Flares (fuses) and start walking back down the track to “Flag” a second train if it overtook the stopped train. If, for any reason, the Flagman was unable to stop the following train, then the RED LIGHT from the Marker Lamp could very well be the only thing standing between the train crews and “Eternity”.

The Marker Lamps were vitally important and, over the years, saved many tragic collisions from happening.

Each train crew was assigned a pair of Maker Lamps, and they were the responsibility of the Conductor. Before each trip, he would make sure that the wicks were trimmed and the founts were full of kerosene (or coal oil in Railroad parlance). At the end of the trip, he would take the Markers down from the rear of his train and store them until his next trip.

There were several companies that manufactured these beautiful old lamps. Adams & Westlake (ADLAKE), Armspear and Dressel, just to name a few.

Sadly, in these modern times, the Caboose is gone on freight trains. There is still a flashing, battery powered device carried on the rear Coupler (car). Passenger Trains, what few there are, also have an Electric light on the rear.

With modern equipment, such as radio communications, automatic Signals, etc., rear end Maker Lamps are not considered nearly as Important as they once were. Still there was something special and Nostalgic about the flickering flame that powered the old Marker Lamps, not to mention the aroma of burning kerosene. These old lamps were special to the train crews of yesteryear………”.

A “Thank You” goes to Mr. Magnusson, for sharing his knowledge and this information with us.

Some of these lanterns are on display at the Seven Springs Museum for visitors to enjoy and see of times gone by. The Museum also has on display the uniform of Mr. Glenn Mitchell who was a Flagman on the Southern Railroad as well as various other Railroad items.

THE OTHER SOUTHERN QUILT TRAIL: Southern Railroad Codes

THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD

The Underground Railroad was a network of secret routes and safe houses established in the United States during the late 1700’s to mid 19th century (into the Civil War years). It was used by enslaved African Americans to escape into free states and Canada. However, it was not literally a railroad nor ran underground, but served the same purpose of transporting people long distances. The safe houses ran through homes, barns, churches and businesses, etc. and consisted of meeting points, secret routes, and various modes of transportation, usually by foot.

The term “Underground Railroad” was used because those who took passage on it disappeared from public view as if they had literally gone into the ground. (Actual underground railroads did not exist until 1863). It was known as a railroad and used rail terminology mainly because that was the transportation system in use at the time. The Railroad was often known as the ”Freedom Train” or “Gospel Train”.

Information about the routes and safe havens was passed along by word of mouth, signals and signs. Most messages were encoded so that they could be understood only by those active in the railroad. One such way was thought to be with old lanterns placed in certain places indicating the house/building was safe and able to accept these visitors. Another was with quilt designs displayed on fences, railings, bushes, trees, etc.

These quilt designs indicated how and where to travel, what was safe and what was not.

Examples of these designs and meanings;

Monkey Wrench – meant for them to gather tools needed for a long journey.

Wagon Wheel – meant to load the wagon or prepare to board the wagon to begin the escape.

Carpenter Block – meaning help from “Jesus”, would guide them through

Bear Paw – meant to take a mountain trail, out of view and follow the path made by bear tracks. The tracks would lead them to water and food.

Basket – meant for them to bring enough food and supplies to get to the crossroads.

Crossroad Block – referred to Cleveland, Ohio, an area offering several routes to freedom. It also signifies reaching a point where a person’s life will change, so one must be willing to go on.

Log Cabin Block – a secret symbol that would be drawn on the ground to indicate that a person is safe to talk to. It also advises seeking shelter.

Shoo-Fly Block – It may have identified a friendly guide who is nearby and can help.

Bow Tie Block – meant for them to dress in disguise, or put on a change of clothes.

Flying Geese Block – The points were meant to follow that direction, such as where geese would fly during their spring migration.

Birds in the Air Block – meant for them to follow the birds in the air.

Drunkard’s Path Block – meant for them to create a zig-zag path and not to walk in a straight line so to avoid pursuers in this area.

Sailboat Block – meant for them to take the sailboat across the Great Lakes.

North Star – mean to follow the north star.

The information about the Railroad was taken from Wikipedia web site. More information can be found there about the Railroad and the people involved in the movement during those times.

The quilt designs information was from research done by Julia Kilgore, Assistant at the Seven Springs Museum, for a display at the Museum located in the Black History Room.