February 28, 2000

The large work crew necessary for thrashing also had a hearty appetite that goes along with physical labor. Each noon my mother, sisters and sister-in-law brought a large hot meal to the field. They brought iced tea, biscuits, gravy, mashed potatoes, pinto beans, fresh garden vegetables, fried chicken and /or chicken fried steak, ham, stew, and pies and cobblers. Dinner was a special time of day when the men went to the creek to clean up, cool off and get ready to eat.

Daddy was an equal opportunity employer who treated all of us - sons and hired help - alike. Tom Shelton and three of his boys - Roy, J.B. and Bobby were regular workers. Sometimes Preacher Johnson and J.D. Melton would help. Henry Hensley and his brother James were also good regular workers.

When we were all washed and gathered round the table in the field, Daddy would have someone return thanks. I particularly remember Earl Wardlaw, a big tall man who lived in Aubrey with his wife, Bertha. Earl had a commanding presence and a loud booming voice. When Daddy asked Earl to bless our food, we could count on a mini sermon while we stood with bowed heads and growling stomachs. But old Earl’s rolling voice was so huge and devout and clean that everyone quietly lowered their heads in reverence to God. As Earl beseeched "Our Heavenly Father," in the clear open summer air, the distant sound of birds seemed to join in and the wildlife listened. Earl was a devoted man of God who lived a rugged life before his conversion.

One hot day, Buddy and Giles put their bottles of beer in the cold water wooden drinking keg. Earl chose that day to lift the lid up to check the water. When he discovered this evil stuff floating in his drinking water, he slammed the lid down and shouted loudly, "Bless God!, Oh! My soul, I won’t drink anymore water out of this keg!"

We all thought this was funny till the next day when Earl’s noon sermon was a public prayer for the evil, sinful people on the work crew. It was long and heartfelt and we nearly starved before he got to the Amen.

This past week Granny Brumley brought a nice roster in for me to see. The roster was of the students that were in attendance at the Black Jack School which was just a half mile north of Aubrey. The year the roster was published was in 1909, which was five years before the tornado came through.

The house shown in the photo is the house which is just west of the current Post Office while it was in its ruins. About where the smaller trees are located is where the Post Office Building of today is located. The house has not really changed much in its outside appearance since 1918. The picture was provided by Melba Wilson, some years before she passed away. Melba was a daughter of Uncle Ed Jones and a sister to Babe Harper.

I am truly grateful for all my friends that have provided me with photos of the past and will try at all times to give honorable mention to their contributions.

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