This column concludes the series of Mr. Whitten’s memories. Again, I give many, many thanks to Judy Whitten Moss and Vickie Whitten Hancock for refreshing memories of early Union for some and for giving new insights to others through their sharing of their father’s reminiscences.
Charles Bailey, the preacher’s son, had a cart pulled by his pet goat. They roamed all over town.
Mr. Walton Clarke, Olen Butts, Raymond Walker, R. Lee Vance, and others joined in political upbeat discussions from the Justice of the Peace to the Governor.
These lively debates were a part of the good morning get-togethers at Ott Staton Barber Shop.
Mr. and Mrs. Clark were janitors of our school for years. When the 3 p.m. bell rang and we went home, they started to work.
With each stroke of the broom, Mr. Clark would twirl the broom. In doing this, he would always keep an even ended broom.
Mr. Cooper, custodian of First Baptist Church for years, lived at the top of the hill of North Street extension.
He kept a clean church, always a place of worship.
My first knowledge of a “church wedding” was when Mr. D.H. Hovey, manager of the Miss. Power Co., married one of the Gallaspy girls at the First Baptist Church.
My first football game to see was in the early 1930s. Louisville played Forest here at Union f
or the State Championship. Admission was 10 cents per student.
This game was phoned to Jackson where the radio station broadcast it. How far we have come since that day in our sports world! Now instantly it’s viewed worldwide.
Mr. J.T. Hataway gave me a job at his new business. I was office worker at the “Union Funeral Home” in the home now just south across the street from the new (1997) funeral home. (That funeral home was located on the SW corner of North and Staton streets, and the house is still standing. –writer’s note) I kept records as to who paid what for their monthly dues.
Pay was with little money, much corn, potatoes, blue ribbon syrup, or any commodity that had any value. My salary was $5.00 per week. I gave Mother half of what I drew.
After a summer of work for Mr. Hataway, Obie McNair and I signed up to join the C.C.C. Camp (Civilian Conservation Corps). This was a wonderful government sponsored program to help families.
On Oct. 2, 1939, we said goodbye to Union. Our first assignment was Morton, Miss. We were two of 200 boys that helped build Roosevelt State Park. We lived in barracks, army-style. Everything was furnished.
We were given $5 to $8, and $22 to $25 was sent to our parents. Later in July 1940, we were part of a company to Jackson Hole, Wy.
What a journey! We spent six days on a troop train, to coin an army phrase. Our altitude was 8,754 feet, and we had only one blanket the first night. We were cold, cold. Our main project was to fight forest fires in the Rockies, and then we built a bridge across Snake River. The job was well done by all.
A circus came to Union and set up in the area off Walnut Street, just north of Texaco bulk station, near the ice plant.
The Rev. John Holder held a tent revival on the area where Laird Hospital was later built.
Come an April night in 1939, our night of graduation. That will always be one of my happier days.
All diplomas are good but nothing is like a “High School Diploma.” Mr. J.W. Taylor, our superintendent, handed our diplomas to us with a word of encouragement to each.
The rains came. Flooding occurred at both railroad crossings. People had fun wading.
Contact me at 109 Woodhaven Dr., Union 39365, or 601-774-5564 or teresablount26@yahoo.com.
