According to the old newspapers of Aubrey dated March 10, 1888, Dr. Howser, a local medical doctor, reported that a committee had been formed to investigate the establishment of a cemetery. The committee purchased a six acre plot of land that was located west of the Baptist church.

At that time, the Baptist church building, which is now known as the Everlasting Wedding Chapel, was the meeting place for the congregation. The Baptist church was organized at Belew which had a cemetery a number of years before it was organized in 1875.

The Baptist church congregation was relocated to Aubrey. It was meeting in a Gothic structure in 1888, when the committee bought the six acres and established the cemetery. I don’t know the number of burials that took place in and around 1888. The present day Everlasting Wedding Chapel building was moved to the current location in 1907.

A new brick two-story red brick building was built and completed for a school during the year of 1907. This building replaced a wood frame structure that was built in the 1880's; it was located where the present day high school stands.

Also, a trustworthy story appeared in 1884 that reported that Ben Moss, the first Post Master reported that the first year’s receipts totaled $250.

Another interesting event occurred on October 20, 1888. The article stated, "The new Aubrey School is almost ready. It is a beautiful Gothic structure. The main building is 30 x 60 feet in addition to an office rostrum that is 14 x 30 feet on the west side and a hall 12 x 14 extending to the main room. The roof is self supporting. Near the northwest corner a dome tastefully proportioned rises 67 feet over the main entrance. There is a basement of rock for furnace and coal. The rooms are to be heated by the furnace and 4 registers. Desks are the latest improved patterns and black boards are on three walls. Ventilators of the most improved style carry off the foul air in the rooms. The building and furnishings cost $3,000. Teaching this year is Professor Stephen N. Howser, late county superintendent, of Macon County, Tennessee. And his assistant is Pleas Howser of Aubrey. They hung massive windows with weights in the windows. The Aubrey Institution has purchased sufficient black boards, paper, erasers, and slates. Next they will build a music hall. Mrs. Edwards is the music teacher."

Another story in the newspaper was about a rumor from the Commissioners’ Court that a suspension bridge will be located near the railroad bridge – a wagon bridge across the Elm at the railroad bridge. The cost of the bridge was $3,700.

The photo this week was taken in 1916. It was taken at the New Hope School. Kenneth Looper was going through his mother’s old trunk and found it lying in the bottom of the trunk.

Kenneth is a great grandson of Grandma Blackeye Turner, who has many ancestors in and around Aubrey.

Kenneth has calculated that he is one-fourth Cherokee. Betty McNatt married Jeremiah Looper.

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